High Road/Low Road 03.14.08: Undertaker vs Edge at Wrestlemania

Posted by Chad Nevett on 03.14.2008

Edge vs Undertaker. Title vs Streak. A modern classic or a missed opportunity? Click the link, read the column, form your view and let us know; are you on the High Road or the Low Road?

Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!

A brief explanation of the column: Uncletrunx takes the Low Road (negative view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Sat takes the High Road (positive view).

The Results for the Battle of the Brands:

High Road: 42.9%
Low Road: 33.3%
Both Roads: 23.8%

Streak versus Title

High Road:
One of the things that has been lacking in the past few WrestleManias is the culmination of a feud. This year, the Undertaker/Edge feud makes a lot of sense to culminate at WrestleMania. First, it was Edge that cost the Undertaker the title. Second, it was Edge that prevented the Undertaker from defeating Batista in Hell in a Cell at the Survivor Series. Now, the Undertaker will finally have a chance at revenge and it will be at WrestleMania, like it should be.

Low Road:
Last week I was complaining about the Batista vs Umaga match not getting enough build, so let's give credit where it's due: It's been a great build over a decent length of time for this match. I actually think this should be a really good match, however (there has to be a "however", it's my job!) I can't help but feel that they've missed out on an even better opportunity here. To me, this match is potentially good but to make it into the all time great it could've been, they've missed a few tricks, which I'll come to through this column.


High Road:
Here's the main problem with this year's WrestleMania. None of the matches have the capability of getting the fans to tune in. But, if there was one match that might have the fans interested it is this one because of the fact that this is a match that we have not seen yet and it has the largest built. The main thing that this match has going for it is the fact that this match may be the one that gets the fans to tune it.

Low Road:
As I said above, the match is potentially good. Is it good enough to build the whole show on it? I don't think so. The build is good, yes, but I just don't see why, with this opportunity available, they didn't make Edge the winner of the last Money in the Bank match. Yes, hindsight is wonderful and nobody could've known about Kennedy's injury. However, if Edge was the "go to guy" when Kennedy got injured, cashing in the "stolen" title shot and beating Undertaker, why not give him the win in the first place and spend the year building this match as streak vs streak with the title on the line? That would've given it that little bit of extra interest and might just've pushed it up from "decent match" to "Wrestlemania moment".


High Road:
The Undertaker's streak has had an affect on some of his WrestleMania matches. Did anybody really think that Mark Henry or Kane where going to be the ones that ended his streak. Some of the best WrestleMania matches that the Undertaker has had are the ones where the opponent that he is facing has an actual chance of defeating him. The Randy Orton match was very good only because of the fact that there was a slight opportunity at the time for Orton winning the match. The Batista match not so much just because of the rumors that the Undertaker was in line for a long title run, but there was a slight chance that Batista could have one. Now, with Edge, the odds would say that he is not going to be the one that ends the streak, but if Edge is not the one, then who is? Edge is really the last person that I could see ending the streak because he is the one that could use something like this to his advantage for years. Because Edge has a slight chance of being the one that defeats the Undertaker, then it really adds some huge interest to this match.

Low Road:
Last year, I must confess I enjoyed the Undertaker's match far more than the supposed Main event of Cena vs Michaels. To me, it seemed too similar to what had happened the year before. This time, the Undertaker is contesting the title, as challenger, probably in the middle of the show. It seems a bit too similar to last year, and I have no doubt that the outcome will be the same. Edge doesn't need the win over Undertaker to build him, and I can't see him getting it here.


High Road:
The build for this match has been very good. The Undertaker and Edge have basically been kept apart and when they have been in the ring it has been for a very short time. I think that from this point on the Undertaker will be kept busy with Hawkins and Ryder. The best way to get the fans to tune in is to keep the two combatants away from each other and that is what I see happening in the next few weeks.

Low Road:
To me, Hawkins and Ryder are detracting from this feud and if they get involved in the match it will detract from that too. I'm a purist and I like my title matches to be one on one, a solid match building to a great finish with a clean winner. Having Hawkins and Ryder involved may help with the buildup but unless Undertaker can get rid of them as part of the build up, it'll provide a negative impact on the match in my view.


High Road:
One of the things that I have heard is that this match would have that much better if this had been a streak versus streak match. It would have been nice to see, but I am thankful that we will not have to see it. First, Edge's streak is really not that impressive compared to the Undertaker's. Edge would have not had that many wins compared to the Undertaker and some of Edge's win were also tag team matches. Second, there was no way that Edge was going to walk out with a win at last year's WrestleMania. It could have happened, but it would have been counterproductive because it would have taken away the opportunity from Kennedy (sure it is a moot point because Kennedy got injured, but at the time it made sense).

Low Road:
Edge's streak isn't as long as Undertakers, but I still feel it would've added a huge level of interest to this match. Regardless of how the wins came about, building it as a match between two guys who had won all of their matches at Wrestlemania for a world title has to be seen as a huge thing. To me, it's an enormous opportunity sadly missed.


High Road:
The Edge/Undertaker match should be a very good wrestling match. This WrestleMania has the potential to be very bad just because there are not that many matches that can be great. The triple threat match will mostly likely not be good because it will be hurt like most triple threat matches. The Money in the Bank match will be entertaining, but it will not be a great wrestling match. Umaga/Batista will be a good match, but it surely will not be a good wrestling match. This match has the potential to be Kurt Angle/Undertaker good and this will be the match that draws in the people that love good wrestling matches.

Low Road:
I'm not sure I'd agree with your assessment of the rest of the card, nor of this as a great wrestling match. Undertaker can wrestle for sure, but he's not known as a great mat technician; he's a giant stand up brawler who uses some MMA stuff. Edge is technically good, but seems to be wrestling more as a cowardly heel this time around. That, to me, doesn't add up to Angle (in his prime) levels of greatness; it suggests a good solid match but not a great wrestling display. I also feel that the styles of these guys may hurt the match; Edge wrestling as the chicken heel vs a dominant Undertaker makes it harder for Edge to look threatening unless he gets a lot of outside help or cheats like crazy. That could lead to a decent story but not a classic match.

Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?

High Road
Low Road
Both Roads

OR

Simply write "High Road", "Low Road", or "Both Roads" in the comment section.

E-Mails:

These are all of the e-mails that we received this week. We do not respond to the actual e-mail, but the reply to your e-mail will be below.

Tim Schmidt Writes:

This match will most likely be a good fight. But I think it needs to be some sort of gimmick match such as street fight, table, cage, etc. This would make all the more interesting. However, pathetic as it might be, ECW should have someone representing the brand. It doesn't make a lot of sense having a battle of the brands match without having the three brands represented. Maybe we'll get a run-in from Big Daddy V. (I hope not, but..)

Sat: I think that one of the these will get moved to another brand and that is when the gimmick should be brought in. Right now, I would let them have a good fight.

Uncletrunx: A run in from BDV would ruin this match completely. I think the lack of ECW participation shows exactly how much of a priority that brand is.

JaseLocker Writes:

HIGH ROAD. They wouldn't have spots on the card if this match wasn't taking place - it's logical booking, the match has the potential to kick all types of ass and the whole "brand supremacy"-billed stipulation is a breath of fresh air. What's their not to like?

Sat: I can't disagree with you.

Uncletrunx: I can, and do. But everyone's entitled to their opinion. Personally, I think the build has been lackluster and the idea of an inter-brand match would work much better if wrestlers didn't swap shows on a weekly basis.

Bill Bumgarner Writes:

Low Road again, mostly because, as was already said, these two deserve better. This is a case where being kept off of WrestleMania would hurt them less than being in a thrown-together match,

Sat: Whenever Batista feels slighted, he always brings it, so I expect him to get a big win. I think that both guys will make this work for the better. Also, here is a link to Bill's Column

Uncletrunx: I think the match quality here will be decent, it's the build I take issue with. If a slighted Batista brings his "A game" then the cloud will have a silver lining.

Edwin Krapf Writes:

I'm gonna take the high road because there is still 3 weeks left to build it up. And they can still have both of them interfere on each others respected brands. Maybe a tag match or two. Plus the fact that these two could put on one hell of a match is why I'm taking the high road on this one.

Sat: One of the things that I thought about was that one week they could have Batista show up on RAW for a squash match and then have Umaga show up for a squash match on SmackDown. The battle of the brands will have a great buildup because it should be very easy to come with a storyline.

Uncletrunx: There is time, but for it to truly be a great build, it should've started long before now.

Comments:

411 has added a new feature. Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. The comments that will be included will be the ones that pertain to this week's column. Also, your comment will not be included if you are commenting on another reader's comment and short comments may also not be included. The comments are as of Saturday Evening.

Matt Writes:

My problem with this match-- Batista is going to win and that's VERY predictable. In fact, we are not looking like we will have all that many heel wins at this year's WrestleMania (which, I get the face is supposed to come out on top at WrestleMania-- but it sort of loses impact when the WHOLE NIGHT is a "feel good" story). Umaga NEEDS to beat Batista because he needs a high profile win to stay credible at this point.

Sat: If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably pick Batista too, but it would be nice for Umaga to get the win because he has been a great asset to the WWE for a while now.

Uncletrunx: I agree that Umaga needs the win to stay credible, but will they give it to him, or has his time passed? The downside to being a monster heel is that once you lose a few matches, you lose the aura of monster-ness and thus slip away. Of the monsters I've seen in WWE in recent times, only Kane has survived through the inevitable defeats, and he's nowhere near as high up the card as he was when he was the unstoppable monster.

Alex writes:

They should've put some buildup for Umaga/Batista, I haven't heard anything big about their match in any show and its seems like its just going to be a filler. Too bad for both of 'em

Sat: They still can and I think that they will.

Uncletrunx: I think they should've started earlier if the match is to mean anything.

Reichou Writes:

Low road all the way on this one. This could have been a good feud after them post-'Mania draft if either got shipped to the other brand, and if WWE was desperate to get them on the card they should have just dumped them in the Money in the Bank match.

The Battle of the Brands is meaningless, anyway. Raw is the "A" show, now more than ever with Smackdown getting dumped by the shittiest network on TV. What will this accomplish, and why will it even matter after the Draft? And shouldn't ECW technically have a representative in a Battle of the Brands match?

The match premise itself is stupid, and if WWE needed to get Batista and Umaga into a 'Mania match, they easily could have created a real program.

Sat: As I wrote above, I don't think that they would have worked in the Money in the Bank match and they still can wrestle after Mania. And it would have been nice for ECW to get into this match, a CM Punk perhaps?

Uncletrunx: I'm no fan of triple threat matches, so I don't see the need to put ECW in. As I've said before, I don't think the brand war is in any way worthwhile as a storyline anymore, given how wrestlers from all brands are now used interchangeably anyway.

M & M Writes:

Both Roads. Batista/Umaga will probably be awesome to the 10th power, but it
could have been built up better. Maybe Regal could have challenged SmackDown because the Heel usually is the one who dishes out challenges but either way, Batista and Umaga are going to put on one hell of a show.

Sat: Again, there is still time for it to be built a little bit better. I do agree that this will be one hell of a match.

Uncletrunx: I hope they do put on one hell of a show; I like good big man matches, and I hope this will deliver the goods. Shoddy build up or not, I'm looking forward to the match.

T.G. Corke Writes:

Both Roads, leaning very slightly towards the high road. If it was based purely on the fact they're facing at WrestleMania, no contest - high road all the way. It's the match I'm looking most forward to on an individual basis. However, the build hasn't been great. I actually really like the simplicity of its origins: Vickie proposes an inter-brand match, Regal accepts and nominates Umaga because he's great, Batista asks to represent SmackDown so he can face Umaga, and both men look like badasses. That's fine, I love that. What I hate is the follow-up which, although I'm not looking for wild brawls between them, has been non-existant other than commentators saying "Oh yeah, they're fighting at WrestleMania because they want to, and by the way Super Crazy just died". It could be better, I must say. But, overall, it's closer to the high road than the low road. Besides, there's some decent build for other matches on the card to make up for it.

Sat: First, be sure to read T.G.'s article here. It is a great read every week. You mention a great high road that I could have mentioned and that was how simple this match was started. I think that eventually the build will get better, but right now the best thing to do is too keep them apart.

Uncletrunx: The simple build can often be good, as you say, but it has to be maintained (which it hasn't) and started early enough to build up a decent feud (which, again, hasn't happened.) And yes folks, read T.G's article!

Bobby C Writes:

The lack of ECW involvement in WM24, although not surprising, does make me think there is a possibility of another ECW invasion. I'm sure this is a grasp – but what if near the end of this match - the entire ECW roster comes down and starts beating on the Batista and Umaga. Taz then comes down to the ring and proclaims that he has worked out a deal with Vince to become to the new GM for ECW - and that he is going to bring the Extreme back to ECW. You want to figure out where the "Brand" supremacy starts - then you've got to go through ECW to start with.

A pipe dream - not likely - but I think that it would give some credibility back to ECW.

Later when they have the MITB match, outside interference leads to Punk (who has qualified for the MITB) to win the MITB match. Now ECW can hold the briefcase as hostage over the other brands - at any point, someone from ECW could become the Raw or Smackdown champion.

Sat: Your suggestion would be awesome, but I don't see it happening. I would like to see ECW represented in this match, but I don't see it happening.

Uncletrunx: I agree; it's a pipe dream. Vince isn't going to put ECW over at the expense of Raw and Smackdown.

Ryder Writes:

Matt said it best. I don't care how great the match is, the thought of these two fighting bores me since I already know Batista's going to win. As a matter of fact, outside the MITB you pretty much know who's going to win each match.

Besides, if it was truly a battle of the brands why not include ECW and make it a three-way match? This has no build and Umaga should be able to get a win on a PPV sometime.

Sat: You make a good point about how this entire WrestleMania card is very predictable. And I believe that the build will get better. If it does not, then this will be a definitely low road.

Uncletrunx: Predictability is a bad thing on wrestling events, especially Wrestlemania. I actually like the potential this match has, but I fear you may be right about the predictable outcome.

Evil_Dave83 Writes:

Low road, low road, LOW ROAD!

This angle feels like a boring, lazy way to shoe-horn two water-treading wrestlers into WrestleMania so they could get their fat cheques. The understated build could have been good but at present the angle is just drifting, less important than angry bikers and incest. I know WWE could pull their finger out and get some heat into this match if they wanted to, but at the moment they are doing a damn good impression of not caring. I suppose given the way the Mayweather angle is floundering they can be forgiven for being distracted, but still, the build leaves me thinking, "What's the point?" And then I think about what I currently expect from the match and still think, "What's the point?" Because its the Samoan Job Machine vs. Dave Batista, a man who seems to be incapable of delivering a good match (i.e. more than a bit of heel beatdown, an undersold spill into the steps and then some spinebusters to finish) unless there's a big gold belt involved. Oh boy, and imagine if Coach is calling it!

I agree with Matt, I want Umaga to win - he needs it, Dave doesn't and it might set up a half decent angle between the two after 'Mania. I wouldn't mind seeing Dave out of SD!s title scene for a bit. Ah well, hopefully Dave's pecker will be raised on the grandest stage of them all and we'll see the brutal slobberknocker we all wish Hornswoggle was in the middle of. Man did I love seeing that midget eat cage.

Sat: I have been impressed with Batista for the past year because he has been bringing it. But, I agree that Batista does not need this win. If I was booking, I would give Umaga the win.

Uncletrunx: I agree that it's a sad state of affairs when this match gets less screen time than incest.

MC42 Writes:

This match was announced what, last week? Umaga was announced as the Raw guy, Batista was announced as the SmackDown guy. Last Raw Umaga squashed a jobber while Regal hyped him up. This SmackDown Batista will be involved with something. They still have until March 30th to build this! Yes, that means three weeks of build and while that might not sound like much keep in mind it will be built up on both shows, possibly all three meaning the equivalent of six to nine weeks of build on a single show! Guaranteed there will be sufficient buildup. As for the match itself, it's obvious that Batista's going to win and this match is just for him to do something until Edge and Taker are done but Batista's on a roll and Umaga's always been good so I expect a decently good match out of the two.

HIGH ROAD because it will have sufficient buildup and will have a decent match that will make Batista look like a million bucks as the defacto new #1 contender to Taker's belt. It could be worse, we could have a celebrity battle royal instead.

Sat: Excellent point about the buildup. That's what all of the above commentolrs have missed. Plus, I think that we will be seeing a celebrity battle royal.

Uncletrunx: I hope we don't see a celebrity battle royal. If anyone can find a high road for a celebrity battle royal, let me know and I'll have them lobotomised.

Kyle Hyde Writes:

HIGH ROAD IF :

A/ They're finally starting BUILDING IT OFF (from what I've read on SPOILERS SD
! TAPINGS that's NOT The Case again this week SPOILERS ENDING)

Umaga has to come on SD ! next week and beat the crap out of The Animal like crazy

Same for Tista the next week at RAW

Oh wait there's a three hours long RAW this very Monday and Tista is supposed to be on it, I SMELL an UMAGA Interference and destruction of The Animal .

B/ This match badly needs a GIMMICK (same for JBL vs Finlay) .

Makes it a STREET FIGHT , with a lot of weapons, blood and outside action involved and have both men beating the crap out of each other for long minutes.

It's The Animal vs The Samoan Bulldozer , Beast vs Beast

Two guys who were booked to look like BILLION BUCKS PROSPECTS on both EC at NWO.

Don't keep it a "wrestling" match, Umaga shines mainly in gimmick ones (Cena vs Umaga LMS at RR 06 anyone ?)

Same For Tista (hell in a cell against both HHH and Taker, LMS against The Dead Man at Backlash 07)

Street Fight or Last Man Standing are the PERFECT CHOICES for that one .

C/ It's a totally FRESH INTER PROMOTIONAL Match UP . A rarity those days and with Tista GIGA OVER with any single crowd in the world and UMAGA pushed like a main event monster on RAW EC at NWO (needed FOUR DAMN GUYS FINISHERS to pin him !), I DO think it could end up being a SLEEPER HIT of this Mania

That's why I do say HIGH ROAD for that one and it's definitively the match I'm looking the most to after Edge/Taker and MITB IV

Sat: As I wrote above somewhere, this match does not need a gimmick. Let them have a fight this time and then when they meet later in the year, they can bring on the gimmicks. I had forgotten that RAW is a three hour show this Monday, so that should be a good opportunity to start the build.

Uncletrunx: Those are a lot of "if's" which I'm not confident will come through. A gimmick may help this match, but I really feel making people care about it would help it more.

Guest 6602 Writes:

To make the match seem worth something the first draft pick should be on the line. That way the brand that wins actually receives something other than bragging rights which will be forgotten the next night.

Sat: Now, this would have been awesome. The only potential problem that I could see with this is that the draft might start to overshadow WrestleMania.

Uncletrunx: That's a very good point and might be a way to make the brand split seem worth something again.

JLAJRC Writes:

I gotta go Both Roads here. Yes, it does put Umaga and Batista on the card, which is great. But it's in a filler match that will be quickly forgotten about no matter how good it is. Also, we've already seen Raw vs. SmackDown before. Remember the 2005 Survivor Series? SD won. At least they could be kinda original and toss in an ECW wrestler (Big Daddy V, maybe?) and turn it into a triple threat match. Also, it doesn't really matter who wins here. If Batista wins, so what? If Umaga wins, so what?

Sat: Yeah, we have seen RAW vs SmackDown before, but not for awhile now. It actually makes sense to have it at WrestleMania, so that's why I am a fan of this match.

Uncletrunx: I've played the video game of Raw vs Smackdown. J
I agree that this match needs a better build to make people care. A great match loses so much if the crowd don't care about it, which could hurt this match greatly.

Jake Writes:

I gotta say High Road; Its Batista vs Umaga. good simple build and such and should be a good match, hell most matches in roh aren't heavily hyped but they still end up being good to great...so why not give this Umaga/Batista match a chance its like at wm x-seven they kinda threw on Eddie/Test and Kurt/Benoit on the card and it added to the whole show in a big way...I say this match should be pretty good to great

Sat: I think that the addition of this match really helps the entire card and it is basically a guaranteed good match.

Uncletrunx: It could be a really good match; I just wish more effort had been put into building it.

Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at [e-mail] or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.