Wrestlemania 41 Fueled My Fear About 2 Night Summerslams

 

Hard to believe this time last week we were celebrating Easter with our families, some of us were celebrating Mary Jane, but we all were gearing up for night 2 of Wrestlemania 41. While both nights of Wrestlemania 40 were universally praised, Wrestlemania 41 even a week later has received mixed reactions. Some people loved it as whole, others preferred one night over the other. And a great deal of people felt it was underwhelming, which sparked this quick blog.

First in my opinion, yes Wrestlemania 41 as a whole was underwhelming. I also know you're not to going to hit all cylinders all the time (I know from writing this blog). But it also highlighted a concern I've had for some time, the likelihood of 2 night Summerslam being underwhelming.

When the WWE first announced 2 night Summerslams, I was 100 % against it. My main reason is because I just believe the 2 night format should be reserved for Mania. Being the spectacle that it is, it should stand out from the rest and the 2 nights helped make that possible. If Mania is 2 nights and then Summerslam is 2 nights, well 2 night Manias aren't so special anymore.

With rumors of attempts at making Royal Rumble two nights, the 2 night mystique will wear thin quickly.

I've also been concerned about WWE running through stadium inventory for the big five events. The recent announcement Survivor Series will be held at petco Park in San Diego doesn't help. That's another issue for another blog.

Anyway, besides the overkill of 2 nights and stadium runs. If the match card doesn't hold up to the hype for 2 nights, everyone from fans to the wrestlers are being disserviced. Each night of Mania this year had 7 matches each, 14 total and maybe 5 were really good matches. The rest seemed like filler (New Day vs War Raiders) or didn't meet expectations (Charlotte vs Tiffany). Even AJ Styles match against Logan Paul left something to be desired. I know the roster had a busy week in Vegas between the numerous events, but it seemed alot of them were stuck in neutral.

There's a such thing as overkill, and WWE is dangerously playing with that type of fire with how much they are going "bigger" and doing more. Overstaturation of these PLE's into two nights leads to burnout. For fans who pay they hard earn money, not only to go to the events but for travel, lodging, and whatever else is going on the host city. Not to mention with the ticket prices for events now, sitting through both nights and feeling like they didn't get their monies worth.

 It leads to burnout for the creative staff, for brainstorming angles and feuds that holds fans interest for these events and come with some big payoffs. Burnout for the wrestlers and match producers, who have to make sure these matches live up to the hype.

Listen I'm just a guy who writes blogs about wrestling from time to time. I've also been a wrestling fan for close to 30 years. While I was a early supporter of 2 night Mania's, I just dont think 2 night Summerslam will hit the same. I could 100 % be wrong about this, but right now I see no reason other than money to make Summerslam 2 nights.