According to Dave Meltzer in the September 20th 2010 Wrestling Observer Newsletter the WWE creative team are working hard to finalize the top three matches for WrestleMania XXVII by November, so they can start the hype in earnest. Here are their current sketchy plans:
- A World title unification match, as had been previously reported at Cageside Seats, featuring The Undertaker vs. Sheamus. Meltzer is still sceptical that they'll go through with the World title unification idea, because he thinks at the end of the day the anachronistic thinking that they need a World champion for both touring brands to draw will win out. He also doesn't think Sheamus is credible enough yet for fans to buy him as a streak threatening WrestleMania opponent for The Undertaker. Personally I think for the World title unification gimmick to really work, you need two guys synonymous with their respective brands to go at it and Sheamus doesn't cut the mustard. Triple H, John Cena or Randy Orton would be better choices to fly the Raw championship flag.
- John Cena vs The Miz. This is a good sign that they're fully behind The Miz's current push and have big plans for him in the future, even if this match doesn't pan out come show time.
- The Money In The Bank ladder match may be back in its traditional WrestleMania slot, due to the MITB PPV bombing.
- They may do some turns to lead to fresher matches. Talent who may get such a makeover include Jack Swagger, MVP, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. That probably won't light the world on fire, given that all those stars have been typecast as midcarders after several start stop pushes. However, they might just be desperate enough to finally pull the trigger on turning John Cena heel, as they do realize they haven't got anything hot ready for WrestleMania, which is a riskier proposition with bigger potential upside. Expect them to go back and forth on that decision for fear of alienating the kids and women that Cena has brought to the table as their franchise babyface star of the past five years.
- Expect lots of former WCW stars to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame, given that WrestleMania is in Atlanta next year. Those being considered include Ron Simmons, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger (Vince's hatred for Luger after he jumped ship and appeared on the first Nitro show while having a handshake agreement to stay with the WWF has died down since Luger's well documented health problems), Sting (provided he doesn't re-sign with TNA), Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard. Poor Ol' Jim Ross is still pushing for Danny Hodge as he does every year. Conspicuous by his absence in being considered is Bill Goldberg, after his negotiations with WWE earlier this year quickly soured.
Let's just say this card needs a lot of work. As it stands it would struggle to beat this year's WrestleMania numbers, even without same weekend UFC competition. So expect many of these plans to be scrapped as Vince McMahon comes to the same conclusion.