Wrestlemanias Lacking "The Big Feel" Atmosphere

[Big Daddy Bad Booking]

25 had some GREAT moments leading up to it, yet the payoff is the weakest in history in my view. The main event can be thanked for that, especially since if Batista was coming back the night after, they should have had him appear right then and there on the MAIN SHOW!

[Bubble Lead]

WM 25 really stood out to me as "just another PPV."

They threw all their eggs into one basket with the HHH/Orton storyline and the payoff was atrocious. They then proceeded to battle each other for the next few months so it made Wrestlemania feel worthless.

Using WM to essentially START a big program? How does that make any sense at all?

Taker vs. HBK was the only match on the card that felt big. The buildup wasn't that amazing and pretty basic but the actual match delivered that big time feel.

The HHH vs. Orton match reminded me of JBL vs. Cena at WM 21. Great buildup leading to what you would think was going to be an epic encounter, but the actual match stunk and made the whole thing fall flat. Then they go on to have better matches at other PPVs and RAWs. Way to make your fanbase feel idiotic for bothering to order what is supposed to be the best show of the year.

[Richard]

Nov 1, 2009 0:56:19 GMT -5 fw91 said:

Wrestlemania 22: The allstate arena seriously? Why not the United Center?

The Allstate Arena has been WWE friendly for years and hosted a previous Mania.

[Deleted]

To be honest, Mania 23-25 have all been like that.

They've felt more like a second summerslam than Mania.

[Deleted]

All the 20's had a big time feel except for 25 but that was due to the card. Out of all the arena WM's, 22 probably had the biggest feel just because the way the stage was set up, the lighting, and banners of the wrestlers hanging in the rafters.

[YellowJacketY2J]

I felt 24 had that Big Feeling. You had Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels, which going in was possibly Flair's last match (and it turned out to be so); the mainstream match between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather, which got Mania a lot of press; John Cena vs Randy Orton vs HHH was huge, considering it pitted three of the WWE's biggest stars against each other; Edge/Taker felt like a big title match, and had Taker's streak dangling in the balance; Money in the Bank was starting to wear thin, but still signified Mania.

Everything else on the card played their part as well.

[skiller]

IMO, 11, 13, 15, 23, and 25.

I won't go further back than that since most of the early shows can't fairly compare to what we've seen since.

[romafan87]

7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 19, 22, 23, and 25 for me.

[Ringmaster]

Nov 1, 2009 9:55:21 GMT -5 Mighty Attack Tribble said:

For me, any WM held in MSG has lacked the big time atmosphere. I know the history, but the Garden has always felt more like a SummerSlam or Royal Rumble arena.

This^, don't get me wrong i'd love to see another WM there but it seems too small and should stick to lesser ppv's.

[fw91]

I cant beleive people are saying 19. I think that Wrestlemania sets the standard for the "Big Feel" atmosphere

[Nickybojelais]

Wrestlemania 16 (2000) just seemed flat throughout, understated arena and a crowd who just seemed like they couldn't be bothered to be there, apart from a few ohhs and ahhs with the ladders it was like a morgue.

[Krimzon]

IMO, most Wrestlemanias lacked that feeling. They just seemed like normal shows. The only exceptions are WM 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17, 19, & 20. All the others just didn't feel that important.

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

Nov 2, 2009 11:05:55 GMT -5 Nickybojelais said:

Wrestlemania 16 (2000) just seemed flat throughout, understated arena and a crowd who just seemed like they couldn't be bothered to be there, apart from a few ohhs and ahhs with the ladders it was like a morgue.

I can see your point to an extent, but still disagree. I think what really added to Wrestlemania's big feel is that given the previous 15 Wrestlemanias it was pretty much a given that the massively over Rock was going to finally win the title again after not holding it for nearly a year. Of course, we all know how that turned out. Still the payoff, doesn't discredit the initial feel of the buildup.

Also as you mentioned the ladder match was great for adding spectacle. Wrestlemania All Day, likewise though not really a part of the event per se made Wrestlemania in general seem more important and thus also this PPV.

[brettappedout (BLM)]

It's probably because I missed Mania's 15-21 as I wasn't watching wrestling that I feel like Mania is always a big deal to me. If I get a good MITB, a really good non title match and a really good WWE or World title match I'll be fine.

[Nickybojelais]

Forgot to add another aspect to the detriment of a "big feel" to Mania 16 was the lack of any one on one matchups, Also wasn't too keen on the multi man main event as I think it went a long way to killing the point of the Royal rumble , though many would argue that started at the '99 rumble.

[Prince Petty]

Wrestlemania 11 was just bad.

Bam Bam v Lawrence Taylor as the main event? Taker v Bundy? And, for me, any match with Diesel in it was terrible, so there goes the championship match.

[Bub (BLM)]

Nov 2, 2009 0:07:06 GMT -5 fw91 said:

I cant beleive people are saying 19. I think that Wrestlemania sets the standard for the "Big Feel" atmosphere

I agree. WrestleMania XIX almost felt like the modern day equivalent of WrestleMania III.

[salz4life]

Those that are saying 22..... were any of you there? I was at that the atmosphere was SICK!!!

[Lino]

I'm surprised no one has said WrestleMania IX.

[darthobiwan]

Nov 2, 2009 21:25:33 GMT -5 Lino said:

I'm surprised no one has said WrestleMania IX.

Agree, felt more like a giant toga party