The Piledriver Report 11.18.09: Possible WrestleMania XXVI Under Card and Thought on TNA’s Turning Point

Posted by Ronny Sarnecky on 11.18.2009

Last week, The Piledriver Report examined the two World title matches at the Survivor Series, and investigated how they could play out into the possible WrestleMania main events. This week, it’s time to look at what possible matches could be on WrestleMania’s undercard based on what could happen at the Survivor Series. Plus, we take a look back at something I never thought I would watch again, order a TNA pay per view.

Last week, I discussed where the main event scene could be headed after the Survivor Series and leading into next year's WrestleMania. This week, I look at a couple of possible undercard matches that could be headed to the big show.

THE TED DIBIASE TURN



The WWE will be releasing the movie "The Marine II" on DVD this December. According to the rumor mill, the WWE is interested in turning Ted DiBiase Jr. into a babyface. Personally, I think that would be the wrong move. Right now, DiBiase isn't "over" enough with the crowd to the level where the fans are begging for DiBiase to split from the Legacy group, and fight on the side of good. The main motive for this rumored turn is that the WWE believes they would sell more DVDs if Ted Junior were a face. This is ridiculous. The WWE would actually sell more DVD if the movie is, ready for a shocking concept, GOOD!!! Imagine that, people would be a movie because it's good rather then if the guy plays the role of a face or heel in a wrestling federation.

Despite the weird logic the WWE is rumored to be using in a possible Ted DiBiase face turn, let's assume the rumors are true, and he will turn into a babyface. When should the WWE pull the trigger between now and the DVD release? The Survivor Series would be the perfect time. Well, as perfect as an angle that hasn't been given even a hint that it is going to happen. Anyways, the story could go something like this. In the Survivor Series match-up featuring a team led by Kofi Kingston against Randy Orton, Kingston could eliminate Ted DiBiase from the match leaving Randy Orton alone to face Kingston, and whoever is left from his team. DiBiase, still ticked off from being eliminated, takes a swing at Kingston, but nails Orton instead. Kingston then covers Orton for the pin to end the match.

The next night on RAW, a infuriated Randy Orton confronts Ted DiBiase, Jr. regarding his screw up, and threatens to kick him out of Legacy. DiBiase, Jr. decides that he is sick of the way Orton treats him, punches the "viper," and voluntarily leaves the group. This leaves Cody Rhodes stuck in the middle. Cody decides to stand by Orton. This will allow the WWE to run a Rhodes vs. DiBiase feud from December until February, when the focus will change to a DiBiase-Orton WrestleMania program. That's the way the WWE could go if they are gung ho about turning Ted DiBiase, Jr. into a babyface. However, as I've already said, I wouldn't turn him until he gets a lot more momentum under his belt.

PUNK GETS REY'D?



In a recent interview, CM Punk had stated that he would love to fight Rey Mysterio, Jr. at WrestleMania XXVI. I like that idea, and believe that the two should lock horns. Unfortunately, with Rey Mysterio, Jr. just starting up a new feud against Batista, I can't see a Punk/Mysterio feud beginning at the Survivor Series. However, it wouldn't hurt for the WWE to start planting the seeds for an eventual Punk/Mysterio program. A backstage vignette could easily accomplish this where one of them interrupts the other's interview segment, and the two mix words a bit. Nothing to big, but enough to raise an eyebrow.

Every so often, the WWE could have the two in a scene where there is some tension raised. However, the focus would remain on Rey vs. Batista, and Punk vs. whomever he is currently feuding with over the winter. Finally, at the Royal Rumble, Rey will eliminate Punk from the battle royal. Punk will attack Rey, and the two will brawl into the back. It's a simple formula that has worked many times in the past. Think Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho at the Rumble before WrestleMania XIX, or Shawn vs. Kurt Angle at the Rumble prior to Mania 21.

From here, Rey can make it a habit of cheating Punk out of wins on SmackDown! To try Punk's ire even more, Rey could pin Punk in the SmackDown! Elimination Chamber match at the formerly titled "No Way Out" pay per view.

WRESTLEMANIA XXVI's CARD



Thus far, the WrestleMania XXVI card would play out as Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE World Title. The Undertaker against Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase, Jr, and Rey Mysterio, Jr. against CM Punk on the undercard. I still haven't entered John Cena or the Big Show in a match yet. I'm not sure whom either would be fighting at Mania. Let's hope it's not against each other. Then, there's the Money in the Bank match. This match is usually set up a few weeks before WrestleMania, so there is no reason for the Survivor Series to be used to build up the match.

For the Money in the Bank match, I would have these eight wrestlers fighting for a shot at the briefcase; John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Zigler, The Miz, Shelton Benjamin, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, and R-Truth. Each have the ability to put on a really good match, and Morrison, and Zigler could easily be pushed into the World title scene with a good eight-month push.

TURNING POINT



Now that the main matches for WrestleMania are booked, there is another topic I would like to bring up. That being TNA, or more specifically, the Turning Point pay per view. I was extremely undecided on whether I should order TNA's latest offering. After all, you have UFC's Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 2 and the WWE's Survivor Series coming up this weekend.

AJ/DANIELS/JOE



The last time I decided to give a TNA pay per view a chance, I was bored to death watching Sting face Mick Foley for the TNA World title. I vowed never to order one of their shows again. That plan went off without a hitch until this past Sunday night. TNA had to present a three-way TNA World title match featuring Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and AJ Styles. This match was billed as a "rematch of the greatest match in TNA history, four years in the making."

That match held in September 2005 was the reason I bought my very first TNA pay per view. The original match was unbelievable. In a word, "WOW!!!" I even voted this match in the Wrestling Observer newsletter's Match of the Year category in 2005. That match had heavy competition from Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi in Ring of Honor. Fast forward to 2009. I never thought that the Joe/Daniels/Styles rematch would ever come close to the original. Man, was I wrong. While the 2005 version was better, the 2009 rematch was pretty damn good. The match was awesome. If you haven't ordered the pay per view out of fear of the suck-ittude that is TNA, I would advise you to order the replay. This one match is worth the $34.95 price tag.

KURT, THE NEW GUY, AND THE REST OF THE SHOW



On top of the triple threat match, you got Nigel McGuinness making his TNA pay per view debut against Kurt Angle. As great as the TNA title match was, this match was just as good. What's more, it was very different when compared to any other match on the show. This match reminded me of a UFC style contest, as both men battled in a match where both were throwing submission hold after submission hold at one another.

The rest of the card was pretty good too. The opening contest between Amazing Red and Homicide was a great way to kick off the card. The three way tag team match between the World Elite, Beer Money, and the Motor City Machine Guns was really good until they over booked the thing by having Kevin Nash interfere on the World Elite's behalf, and would only say that "Hulk knows," and "I may tell you on Thursday night." Both women's matches were even tolerable. The Rhino & Team 3-D vs. Hernandez & Matt Morgan & Pope D'Angelo Dinero match was good, but confused me. Now, I must admit that I haven't been the most avid TNA viewer recently. However, last time I checked Rhino and Team 3-D were feuding with each other. Did I miss something? The worst night was Bobby Lashley vs. Scott Steiner. In a typical TNA move, they had their first ever match take place in a gimmick "Falls Count Anywhere" match. The match wasn't that good. Plus, the way they had Lashley job cleanly makes one think he may be on his way out of TNA and into StrikeForce. After the show was over, I was really glad that I took the risk, and ordered the pay per view. If you haven't done so yet, I suggest you order the replay. You'll be glad that you did.