I feel the booking in the WWE is atrocious right now. So many bad decisions, disregard to history, and pure nonsense made the product unwatchable at times. If often wondered what I would do if I were booking WWE and had full control over the shows/talent. Here is the best plan I can come up with to book the Royal Rumble – WrestleMania – Draft Lottery - SummerSlam. Below are some bullet points to get to WrestleMania and beyond (filling in the cracks wont be difficult with my plan). As always, I would love to hear people’s feedback….
January 28th – The Royal Rumble
The final four men in the Royal Rumble are Edge, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, and CM Punk. Of course Michaels is the favorite to win the Rumble, but it doesn’t turn out that way. Orton and Michaels go over together (leading to more tension between Edge and Orton since Edge watched it happen and didn’t help Orton). Punk dramatically eliminates Edge and earns a shot at any title.
February 6th – ECW TV
Rob Van Dam defeats Bobby Lashley for the ECW Title. RVD shows more heel-like tendencies over the next few weeks.
February 18th – No Way Out
Batista defeats Kane cleanly and decisively in the Main Event. After the match, The Undertaker’s music goes off and he stares at Batista.
February 19th – Raw
An 8 man tournament is announced for Raw to decide the #1 contender for Cena’s title.
Shawn Michaels vs Johnny Nitro (HBK wins clean)
Randy Orton vs Ric Flair (Orton wins)
Jeff Hardy vs Chris Masters (Hardy wins)
Edge vs Carlito (Edge wins)
February 26th – Raw
Semi-Finals of #1 contender tournament
Shawn Michaels vs Randy Orton (Edge accidentally spears Orton leading to him being pinned)
Jeff Hardy vs Edge (Edge wins)
March 5th - Raw
Shawn Michaels vs Edge (HBK wins and Orton is seen laughing backstage)
April 1st – WrestleMania 23….
John Cena (World Champion) vs Shawn Michaels
The build up: Both wrestlers will remain faces throughout. Have an 8 man tournament on Raw using the top 8 contenders (Michaels, Edge, Orton, Nitro, Masters, Carlito, Flair, Hardy). Michaels wins the tournament leading to his title shot against Cena. Leading up to WM, unlike the past, they must keep Michaels and Cena completely separated. Do not have them teaming up, do not have them wrestling one another, do not have them interacting, perhaps other than an in-ring interview between the both of them.
The match: Shawn becomes the World Champion for the fifth time after a great 25 minute match.
The aftermath: Shawn is on his way to Smackdown on April 16th, where he will begin a feud with a heel Chris Benoit and enjoy fresh matches with Finlay, Booker, etc… Cena stays on Raw.
Looking ahead: Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell rematch at SummerSlam ‘07
Batista (World Champion) vs The Undertaker
The build up: After defeating Kennedy at the Royal Rumble, Batista says there is one man that he hasn’t defeated yet to prove his worth as World Champion. He challenges The Undertaker for WrestleMania. After the challenge is set, Batista turns heel by brutually attacking The Undertaker and leaving him bloodied. Until WM, Batista is built up as a monster heel literally destroying everyone in his path (much like Lesnar did in ’02). Undertaker stays off TV for the weeks leading up to WM.
The match: About fifteen minutes of back and forth battling, the match ends in a no decision when several past Undertaker WrestleMania opponents (Orton, Mark Henry, Albert, Big Show, Nathan Jones, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash, Sid, Kane, Jake Roberts, Jimmy Snuka – or at least as many of them as possible) hit the ring and destroy both men. Have Orton and Flair annihilate the Undertaker. This is a cheap way out, but this will lead to a no decision. Batista will remain the champion and Undertaker’s undefeated streak stays in tact.
The aftermath: Batista, as the heel world champion is sent to Raw on the April 16th Raw draft. He realigns himself with Ric Flair and Randy Orton as Evolution. A fourth member is added at a later time (Gregory Hemls will be going to Raw in the draft and would be a good fit as the fourth member). The Undertaker remains on Smackdown and feuds with Finlay and a heel Benoit before leading up to the Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
30 Man Battle Royal – Winner gets amnesty from draft.
The Participants: Sandman, Burke, Thorn, Knox, Lashley, Holly, Balls, Shannon Moore, Dupree, Matt Striker, Masters, Cade, Murdoch, Flair, Shad, JTG, Robbie McAllister, Rory McAllister, Eugene, Viscera, Kane, Finlay, Regal, Chavo, The Miz, Boogeyman, David Taylor, Noble, Jimmy Wang, Sylvan)
The Aftermath: Flair wins and receives amnesty from upcoming draft lottery. He aligns himself with Orton, Batista, and Helms as the new Evolution.
Randy Orton vs Edge (both guys are heels)
The Buildup: It is very important that both guys remain strong heels going into this match. Edge can accidentally cost Orton his match in the 8 man #1 contenders tournament, and then Orton can return the favor in Edge’s match. Have a war of words start between them where they both say they were the leader of Rated RKO.
The Match: After about 18 minutes of excellent wrestling, and a lot of rule breaking, Edge will get the win, remaining undefeated at WrestleMania.
The Aftermath: Orton will remain on Raw and re-align with Ric Flair and Batista as Evolution, while Edge is drafted to ECW where he will be pushed as the top heel.
Jeff Hardy vs Johnny Nitro (Loser leaves Raw, Final Match)
The Build Up: Jeff will remain the IC champion through WrestleMania. After failing to take the title, Nitro demands one last shot at WrestleMania. The stakes are the loser will leave Raw.
The Match: After 16 minutes of a great match, Nitro will pin Hardy clean to become the IC champion.
The Aftermath: Hardy immediately jumps to Smackdown where he reunites with Matt to have amazing matches with London/Kederick. Nitro has a long title reign, remains a heel, and eventually feuds with Marquis Cor Von leading up to their match at SummerSlam ’07.
CM Punk vs Rob Van Dam for the ECW Title (Punk wins title)
The Build Up: The final four men in the Royal Rumble will be Edge, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, and CM Punk. Orton and Michaels go over together (leading to more tension between Edge and Orton). Punk dramatically eliminates Edge and earns a shot at any title. In the meantime, Rob Van Dam wins the title from Lashley. Punk announces that he is challenging RVD at WrestleMania.
The Match: Punk becomes the World Champion by decisively defeating Van Dam. After the match, RVD refused to shake Punk’s hand and instead acts like a poor sport/sore loser.
The Aftermath: Punk enjoys a long and meaningful title reign. RVD gets one rematch on ECW, but Punk defeats him again. RVD Is drafted to Smackdown.
Ken Kennedy's Open Challenge
The Build Up: Kennedy cuts promo after promo how there is no one up to his level that he can challenge at WrestleMania. He goes on to say that he will beat the Undertaker’s undefeated streak as his career progresses. He then puts out an open challenge to anyone.
The Match: Chris Jericho returns at WrestleMania (much like the Ultimate Warrior shocked the crowd at SummerSlam ’88 ) to defeat Kennedy and return to the Smackdown roster.
The Aftermath: Kennedy will still get a nice push on Smackdown and will eventually feud with Jericho over the US title. Jericho will defeat a heel Chris Benoit for the US title shortly after returning to Smackdown.
Booker T vs Chris Benoit vs Sabu vs Test vs Carlito vs Kenny Dykstra in a MITB Ladder Match
The Build Up: Like previous years, the winner of the Money In The Bank Ladder Match will get a title show whenever they want. Booker T will still be a strongly pushed heel, Benoit will still be US Champion, Sabu and Test will each be in ECW, and Carlito and Dykstra will both be on Raw.
The Match: This will be the best of all the MITB ladder matches ending with Benoit, who is still a face, getting the win. He announces that he is wasting no time and will challenge the champion to a title match on the next episode of Smackdown.
The Aftermath: Benoit will lose the US Title to the returning Chris Jericho. After the match, Benoit will go to shake Jericho’s hand, but will then annihilate him. He will be a vicious heel and built up strongly. Booker will feud with Jericho. Test will move to Smackdown in the draft. Carlito will remain on Raw, as will Kenny Dykstra (who should be pushed heavily).
Hulk Hogan vs Umaga
The Build Up: Hulk Hogan will be cutting a promo and Armando Estrada will come out and insult Hogan telling him how he’s old news and he cannot match up with Umaga. Hogan will challenge him for WrestleMania. Umaga is escorted to the ring by Armando and his newest protégé, The Great Khali.
The Match: This will be a typical Hogan match with him hulking up and defeating Umaga with the boot and leg drop. After the match, Armando and Khali jump Hogan and beat him down. Out of nowhere, Randy Savage comes to Hogan’s aid. Hogan slams Khali for a huge pop and the MegaPowers are reunited.
The Aftermath: WWE releases a 3 DVD set of Savage’s career and Hogan vs Austin is possible for WrestleMania 24
Gregory Helms vs Super Crazy
The Build Up: Helms continues to brag how no cruiserweight can defeat him. Crazy issues the challenge for WM and Helms accepts.
The Match: A solid 9 minute match ending with Helms winning and retaining the cruiserweight title.
The Aftermath:
Helms is drafted to Raw on 4/16. In his final match on Smackdown, Helms loses the Cruiserweight title to Paul London on 4/12. Crazy is drafted to ECW.
Mickey James vs Victoria
The Build Up: Victoria wins the Women’s title at the Royal Rumble. Mickey is chasing her for the title and is granted a match at WrestleMania.
The Match: Victoria wins in a solid 9 minute match.
The Aftermath: More women are added to the roster to make the division more competitive.
Matt Hardy/Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs Charlie Haas/Shelton Benjamin/Joey Mercury
The Build Up: Matt is feuding with Mercury and London/Kendrick are the Smackdown tag tram champions and the WGTT are the Raw tag team champions.
The Match: An excellent 12 minute opener ending with Benjamin pinning London.
The Aftermath: Matt Hardy reforms his team with Jeff when he is drafted to Smackdown. London/Kendrick go on to have excellent matches with the Hardys resulting in the tag titles switching sides a few times. London defeats Helms for the cruiserweight title on the 4/12 episode of Smackdown.
April 2nd - Raw
Shawn Michaels vs Chris Masters (HBK’s 1st title defense)
Flair and Orton talk about attacking the Undertaker and how revenge felt good
Edge is still a heel and picks up a win over Jeff Hardy
April 3rd - ECW
CM Punk vs Hardcore Holly (Punk wins and is attacked afterward by RVD. They announce RVD vs CM Punk in an ECW Cage Match the following week).
April 5th - Smackdown
Undertaker is announced as having time off due to injury
Batista defeats US Champion Chris Benoit (Benoit show frustration after the match)
April 9th - Raw
Shawn Michaels & John Cena vs Randy Orton & Johnny Nitro (Flair helps Orton get the pin on Cena)
April 10th – ECW
CM Punk defeats Rob Van Dam in an Extreme Cage Match (awesome match)
April 12th – Smackdown
Batista defeats Kane
Chris Jericho defeats “his friend” Chris Benoit for the US Title. Benoit then flips out and destroys Jericho.
April 16th – Raw DRAFT LOTTERY The results are as follows….
TO RAW
1) Batista (with Smackdown Title)
2) Marquis Voncor
3) Gregory Helms
4) Hardcore Holly
5) Bobby Lashley
TO SMACKDOWN
1) Shawn Michaels (with Raw title)
2) Test
3) Rob Van Dam
4) Carlito
5) Viscera
TO ECW
1) Edge
2) William Regal
3) Super Crazy
4) Umaga
5) Jamie Noble
Between May and August:
-Triple H returns to Raw as a tweener (wrestling heels and faces)
-Rey Mysterio returns to Smackdown (as a face)
-A heel Benoit feuds with Shawn Michaels for most of the Summer
-Rob Van Dam is built up as a credible heel on Smackdown
-Batista/Orton/Flair/Helms are Evolution and the dominant force on Raw feuding with Cena
-CM Punk feuds with Umaga and Kevin Thorne, before his war with Edge begins
Tentative SummerSlam plan to build toward (all champions at WrestleMania keep their respective titles through SummerSlam to add credibility to their reigns)…
*Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell for HBK’s title
*Batista vs Triple H for Batista’s Title
*CM Punk vs Edge for Punk’s ECW title
*Chris Jericho vs Rob Van Dam for Jericho’s US Title (Van Dam gets a big heel push)
*Chris Benoit vs Rey Mysterio
*The Hardys vs Kendrick/London
*Johnny Nitro vs Bobby Lashley
*Randy Orton vs Marquis Voncor for Voncor’s IC Title
*Ken Kennedy vs Carlito
*Gregory Helms/Ric Flair vs WGTT
Brock Lesnar returns at SummerSlam, but does not announce what brand he will be joining.