The Animal To Feud With HBK

After watching tonight’s Smackdown, it has become apparent that Batista is entering a feud with Shawn Michaels. The feud should make for an interesting match-up because of the two dynamic personalities and differences in wrestling style, Batista’s powerful style meeting Michaels’ overall up-tempo style. Although I admit I’d be anticipating this a lot more had it been during Michaels’ heyday because of his reputation of taking down giants and having the best matches of his career with larger guys like Batista none the less, I still find this a compelling match-up.

However, I find the reason for the feud to be pretty lame. The confrontation basically was about Michaels “retiring” Ric Flair at Wrestlemania. Batista basically said that Michaels should have “thrown” the match, so Flair could remain on television and continue to wrestle. Flair, who has been working the gimmick where he would be forced to retire the next time that his shoulders were pinned to the mat for the last several months lost at Michaels’ hands, or better yet feet due to “Sweet Chin Music” at Wrestlemania. I do not want to say that the WWE has run out of storylines, especially after devoting almost an entire year to a storyline that saw Vince McMahon fathering a leprechaun out of wedlock, but for a storyline between two of the best wrestlers in the game right now to revolve around why somebody did not lay down, I find it ridiculous.

I just think it is a bad idea for numerous reasons. First of all, like any athletic competition, the name of the game is winning, so that really doesn’t make any sense as to why someone should throw a match to begin with. Second of all, I think it continues to water down the character of Batista. The very same Batista that feuded with Ric Flair and Triple H, after they turned on him during the later days of the “Evolution” gimmick. I hate it when storylines or past histories of feuds are supposed to be forgotten or are no longer acknowledged, the lack of consistency in today’s product waters it down a lot and makes it unwatchable at points. The third reason, is I can only imagine how poorly a job will be done with Shawn Michaels’ heel or face status during this. Since Michaels’ permanent return to in-ring action over the past few years, he has played a “face” for the most part, but every few months the company decides to turn him heel for a month randomly and without little explanation as to why. Then the next thing you know, he’ll be back to being a “good” guy right after whatever pay-per-view. I’m just hoping that the WWE capitalizes on what could be a pretty good rivalry if they put some thought and substance into it, which they have struggled with over the past couple of years. Speaking of not acknowledging past storylines, I love that this very same show or episode wrapped with Kane and Undertaker teaming up! I will not even get started with that.