With JBL posting on his blog lately that he intends to “Make History”, one wonders exactly how he intends to do this. You could believe some of the “sources” who claim that JBL will win at Mania against Mysterio, and then announce his retirement from the business. It certainly would be noteworthy if not totally historical. Or, you can simply note that the IC title really hasn’t made that many Mania appearances, and this too is noteworthy, if not historical.
For me, it doesn’t matter. History IS going to be made, but not by this 3 letter moniker – instead, another 3 letters are going to go down in Mania history – Y2J.
You see, it doesn’t matter who Jericho finally faces from the list of Veterans – any one of them returning to a Mania ring is in a sense history in the making. However, if ALL of them decide to face Jericho as he “requested”, you’ll see some multi-generational Star Power unlike the WWE has ever known.
The names alone are practically spoken with reverence, or at the least in respectful tones. Say them with me:
- Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat
- Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka
- ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
Each of these names in their time wowed audiences with their in-ring ability and/or their verbal precision. Even now, with Age doing to them what it inevitably does to us all – each looks formidable despite the years, and it’s no stretch to think that they could put on a good match.
But all of them at once? It could literally be breathtaking – or it could be the worst career move any of them have ever made. For my money, I am betting on History, because I can still see the passion in the eyes of Steamboat, the determination in the calculating eyes of Piper, and the “on the edge” ferocity from Snuka.
Mind you, I haven’t even mentioned the “unknown” elements of Ric Flair and/or Mickey Rourke. While Flair has insisted he is done competing in the ring, we all know he is NOT adverse to throwing a well timed chop while shouting his trademark “Whoooo!”. Without even stepping IN the ring, he could dictate the end of the match simply with his presence.
And Rourke? Talk about your complete unknowns. We know that in the past he has been willing to get into physical altercations – it actually haunted his career. We know he used to be a Boxer, so is used to Ring work. We know he had to have some intense training to make “The Wrestler” look believable, and with Afa Anoa’i (Plus Afa’s two main trainers) showing him the way to move, land and yes, even punch – he has to have learned a few tricks.
The funny thing is, we are 13 days out from Mania and this still isn’t made an official match. Since I am writing this before RAW airs, it’s entirely possible they will do so tonight – I sure hope they do. I hope they announce all the Legends as the competitors against Y2J, and get this ball rolling.
History is waiting.
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