PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

THE SECRET TO WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT'S CREATIVE SUCCESS IN THE LAST 8 DAYS AND WHY IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SPORTS-ENTERTAINMENT

KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID

In many ways, World Wrestling Entertainment should be elated that HHH is too injured to compete at Wrestlemania. Now, obviously it hurts to have one of their biggest "go-to" performers out on injured reserve. It's a terrible break for him to miss his first Wrestlemania since he debuted for the company, but let's be honest here. HHH's injuries forced Vince McMahon and WWE creative to kick away their crutch and walk on their own two feet. In doing so, WWE's title scene feels the freshest that it has in a long, long time.

Need proof? In just the last nine days, let's look at what the company has accomplished:

*They had one of their most respected veterans, The Undertaker, win the Royal Rumble, gaining a ton of momentum in the process.

*Undertaker eliminated Shawn Michaels to win the Rumble, facing off with him for the first time since 1998, with the two putting on an ending so good that not only would fans want to see it again, but neither performer lost anything in the eyes of their fans.

*In just three TV shows, the mystery over what championship match the Undertaker would choose (coupled with the fact that he's undefeated at Wrestlemania) added intrigue and interest into not just the title match, but all three championships.

*They put over Undertaker as a monster challenger because all three champions, for lack of a better term, were scared sh**less at the idea of having to face him.

*Shawn Michaels broke through with some of his most inspired mic work in years, coming off not sappy or fake or like an adult pretending to be a teenager but instead like an athlete who wanted to be the best in the world one more time.

*Shawn Michaels and John Cena win the Tag Team champions and a week later, are destined to face off at the biggest show of the year, sparking off immediate distrust between two performers who need to work together.

*They set up two babyface vs. babyface matches (unless there are turns pending) for the biggest show of the year, providing a different spin on their biggest stage.

*Not only are Cena and Michaels now the distrusting team, but so are Undertaker and Batista, since they have to go into No Way Out working together.

*Speaking of veterans, where does Ric Flair in his new passionate role as the bitter veteran angry at the business passing him by, replacing those of his ilk with lazy pretty boys like Carlito fit in?

*Not to mention, where do Edge and Randy Orton stand with each other and in the big picture, as we move closer to Wrestlemania?

What's the secret here? Is it $250,000 Divas? Silly vignettes? Exploding cars? Characters acting like children? Big movie actors? Champions picking up doggie poop? Worms? Midgets under the ring? Sports-entertainment and all the other hallmarks of the WWE "brands"?

Nope.

It's old school professional wrestling and that's why it's working.

We've got a collection of competitors vying to prove what they know in their hearts to be the truth - that they are the best in the world at what they do. We all know what their goals are and as a fan, it's easy to identify with who you want to see succeed and who you don't.

Then you break it down to the top four competitors - two of whom believe they are the best in the world because they are champion, and two of whom are old, grizzled veterans looking to prove their best days aren't behind them, but in the future.

Two competitors have the gold, two covet the gold, and none of the four trust each other for a second not to slice their throats to get it. It's a thing of beauty to watch develop and I hope no one drops the ball en route to Detroit.

For all the talk of glitz and glamour and feature films and brand synergy and stock dividends, it's the oldest storyline in the wrestling playbook - Wrestler A wants what Wrestler B has and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it - that sparks the most interesting set of Wrestlemania main events in recent memory.

In eight days, World Wrestling Entertainment went from Wrestlemania feeling like yet another run of the mill deal to something unique and special, because it's a throwback to the days where the championship was the most important thing in the lives and the actions of the performers.

Undertaker notwithstanding, WWE can leave the special effects and assorted goofiness at home. Give us a Wrestlemania headlined by ultimate battles for the ultimate prizes of that world.

It sounds so simple yet is so perfect.

So please, as the saying goes, keep it simple, stupid.

In the end, we'll be glad you did.

Mike Johnson can be reached at Mike@PWInsider.com.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet