No Way Out is such an inaccurate title for a PPV that frequently could be termed Triple H’s Playground. Beginning this show, there was about twenty different ideas being tossed around as to what was going to happen in the marquee matches, and for once, Mania did not seem anywhere close to being established.

Back to Trips, The Game has never lost at this particular PPV. In 2000 HHH “retired” Mick Foley in a huge spectacle match, while in 2001 he bested Steve Austin in a stunning 2/3 falls bout that baffled fans as Austin was the top babyface.

The year after, saw him take on Kurt Angle, in the show’s most fiercely promoted encounter (also the best of the night), while in 2003 he defeated Scott Steiner in a crappy brawl that was notable for cementing his place in a title match at WM 19. Helmsley didn’t resurface on the card (it became a Smackdown only event for several years) until last February, when he won Raw’s Elimination Chamber bout, booking himself into yet another WM title showdown.

2009 continued this trend as Humper once more walked out of the show with his head held high, and on this go around, he was wearing World title gold for the 13th time.

Aside from that somewhat predictable fact, No Way Out was an absolutely extraordinary event.

On this occasion, the possibilities were many in terms of results and match-ups. Once more, the WWE presented us with two Elimination Chamber bouts, but this time with a bizarre twist. Both would feature the champions. That meant, that the Raw World title would be decided, with the winner surely set to fight number one contender, Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, the Smackdown champion for WrestleMania would be in place, but not their challenger. A bizarre situation to say the least.

What No Way Out also taught us, was that Koslov has no place on television, even with his homo-erotic Russian disco beats.

Of course, it’s my belief that the single most important person involved in the 2009 No Way Out card, was a certain Randy Orton. Heading into the evening, I felt it was absolutely essential that Randall utterly dismantle the buffoon-like Shane O’Mac. Shane is a near-forty year old non-wrestler, who’s appearances in big matches like this unintentionally steal the heat from the WWE’s other, full-time wrestlers (not to mention show them up with mega-stunts that full-time grapplers cannot risk doing on a frequent basis). Aside from this, his “Heroism”, is totally unbelievable. Remember when he nearly bested Kane? Standing up for his mom, against the man with Big Red Nipples, whom no one else was a match for (not even Rob Van Dam, a potentially money-drawing performer, unlike Shane). It’s a family thing I guess.

But I wasn’t cynical about Orton facing Shane in the first place.

If booked correctly, Shane could bump all over the place for the main eventer, and provoke a few memorable moments, that could add steam to the heat machine that is Orton, headed into the most important PPV of his life, WrestleMania 25.

Shane, a nobody in terms of his on-screen image (this is the idiot who was told by Stephanie McMahon he was ruining the show, left, and then returned to defend her honour) needed to not even look competitive against Randy.

On the other hand, the only other thing I thought would be acceptable would be Steve Austin returning to blast Orton and set-up a WrestleMania match between the two.

A third rumoured scenario would see Randy Orton take someone out of the Elimination chamber, and replace them himself, lifting the World title. Of all potential scenarios though, this seemed the least likely, due to the result almost certainly isolating John Cena. However, if Cena/Orton for Mania was the plan, then it would set the baby face up to challenge for the strap (a winning formula more so than heels chasing at the big event).

What they did was an utter disgrace, and it’s made me lose all respect for Shane McMahon. Shane isn’t Steve Austin, nor is he Hulk Hogan, or Bruno Sammartino. He isn’t Sting, or even Lex Luger. He’s a McMahon, or as roughly translated, that means, he’s indestructible. Some folk seemed to really enjoy the match, and I can see why. Big stunts, blood, bumps…etc…etc…

But I didn’t.

What I saw was Orton get slapped about by a non-wrestler, be down for the count, have his two buddies Both get destroyed by Shane, and then, and only then, gain the advantage. How he gained control of the match, was by yep, a Shane mistake (flying elbow through the table), and nothing Orton did. I appreciate that the federation is concerned about turning him right now, and are ensuring that doesn’t happen by portraying him as sneaky, cowardly viper of a man, but there are limits to the believability of the situation. I love to boo Orton, and hope in general the crowds do… But that booking made me want to change the channel.

The upside of all this madness is that Randy Orton versus Triple H is now the logical progression for a WrestleMania match. Now, clearly I’m no McMahon fan, and nor am I fond of Hunter being the focal point of continuous Mania’s. However, for my money, this looks to be a fine direction to head in. Hunter’s interaction with the McMahon’s, particularly Stephanie (who sucks the life out of most segments that don’t involve Trips) is usually entertaining, and Steph works surprisingly well with Orton. And of course Big Nose will surely welcome a return to the flagship show, Raw. The danger here is that the McMahon’s become the focal point of the entire storyline, when in fact; It’s Randy Orton that needs to shine.

I’d have no problem with Stephanie turning on Hunter at Mania, and becoming a manager/valet for Orton (did you notice at the PPV, watching backstage, she didn‘t look entirely happy when Shane was near victory- though that may have been her wonky expressions). In fact, although some would moan about this stealing the spotlight from Randy, it needn’t be the case, because being a heel, taking a belt from HHH at the biggest show of the year, is a huge deal. Providing though, Orton isn’t as horribly emasculated as (ironically), Triple H was in 2000, when he won the strap through no merit of his own. Down the line, Vince McMahon could return, implement a new general manager, (Stephanie is horrible in the role), who could play a foil to Orton’s group, which leaves Mrs. Helmsley as a powerful valet, a spot she’s much better in. And eventually, after a long heel run with the belt, Orton will be primed to turn, and emerge from the group.

The Legacy unit is one of those rare cases where it makes complete sense for the McMahons to get involved. Hell, Vince could even swerve and join up, because it plays into his twisted family pride, and obsessive love for second-third-tenth-whatever generation stars. It could all make for compelling television providing the McMahons are largely peripheral characters and the actual wrestlers are the stars.

Mega-Mark Matt Hardy meanwhile, one month removed from his big, big angle when he turned on beloved, super-hot baby face brother Jeff, didn’t show up in any fashion. Sure, our naive lad will tell you it’s all part of a forty-two part plan or something, while the office snigger at him from a distance. But while Matt is undeniably a talented guy, it’s not him I worry about. Jeff had an absolutely phenomenal 2008, and this year should have been the annum that cemented him as a certified top guy. The feud/non-feud with Matt Hardy has stalled his career temporarily.

Unless of course, what I was calling for to happen from the start- a heel Triple H versus Jeff Hardy occurs at WrestleMania. It’s a remote possibility. More likely, we’ll get a Matt-Jeff battle, that nobody really cares about, or even worse, both gringos will be stuffed into an overbooked Money in the Bank match.

Shawn Michaels versus Undertaker is now ready to be booked, thanked to HBK’s anticlimactic victory over JBL. Their feud was an absolute sensation, stuffed to the gills with wonderful performances from both guys, in spite of the fact that it was completely unbelievable and almost laughable in concept. The ridiculous nature of the story was underlined by Michael’s wife Rebecca, who at No Way Out, despite being “broke”, sported a Hulk-Hogan standard tan-job, and a swanky designer t-shirt that ensured her lady lumps looked gargantuan. The blow-off match itself was below expectations, with Michaels selling JBL’s poor offence for the most part, before Rebecca hit the Wall Street hombre (which isn’t a Disqualification in February 2009- take note, fans of consistency…). The live crowd sat and waited for the finish, almost in silence, and only really popped for the ending- as if they were happy for Michaels, but equally happy the angle was over.

Nevertheless, they’ve hopefully moved on, and all it will take is for Michaels to cut a promo, telling the fans how he came to the decision to stand up for himself, how the Undertaker’s words inspired him at the Rumble, and he realised that there’s only one match that could be bigger than him going for the World title in Texas…

Sadly, Edge seems to be the odd man out for WrestleMania. It’s fortunate then that he’s wearing a title belt, because otherwise, he could have ended up back in the Money in the Bank. I should point out here that although I keep dismissing people’s inclusion in it, I do really enjoy the annual Ladder match stunt fest, but I feel strongly that stars that are genuine main eventers, and will receive endless title shots anyway, should not be involved. It’s a chance for a completely fresh, exciting bout with guys who see it as their big shot. I would go so far to say, that previous winners of the match should never be included in the match, as it should always be used to elevate someone.

Anyways, It’s hard to figure who would challenge Edge at Mania though. The Big Show is a sensible opponent, going by storyline logic, but frankly, for a Mania title match, that’s a stinker. I guess the involvement of Steve Austin on the show will determine the Toronto native’s position, because I still feel that if Stone Cold is going to work the event (and these rumours will not go away), they will position him against John Cena. If he wasn’t going to, I would assume they’d have stuck with the plan of Orton vs. Cena, and Edge vs. Hunter. Who does that leave for Edge? Rey? Hardly fresh. Michaels? If Taker/HBK isn’t on, that could be wonderful, but I think the aforementioned match is a lock. Jeff Hardy? It’s still a possibility, but where does that leave Matt? Maybe a triple threat? It undercuts the importance of the strap a little and belittles the Hardy (non) blood feud, but it’s reasonable. Interesting.

Are these potential cards for the show?

Steve Austin vs. John Cena
Triple H vs. Randy Orton
Chris Jericho vs. Mickey Rourke (Boxing Match w/Ric Flair in Rourke’s corner)
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
Edge vs. ?
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
Jack Swagger vs. Christian
CM Punk vs. Mr Kennedy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Brian Kendrick vs. John Morrison vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin or Rey Mysterio or R-Truth or…etc…etc…

Or

Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H
John Cena vs. Edge
Randy Orton vs. Steve Austin
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
Chris Jericho vs. Mickey Rourke

Like I’ve alluded to, there are multiple paths that could be treaded from this point onwards.

In terms of providing three hours of entertainment, No Way Out did just that. Both Elimination Chambers were stirring stuff, with the Smackdown bout especially delivering the goods Bell-to-bell it was booked brilliantly (Edge getting pinned first turned it up a gear immediately), with a sensational struggle between Triple H and Taker at the end. It’s a shame Koslov was involved though- he botched everything, and almost killed the crowd with his ineptitude at one point. The Raw effort wasn’t as polished, but had amazing heat for the finish, and the zany twist that incorporated Edge into the match, winning the title (which was utterly ridiculous if you think about it.. By that logic, Bryan Alvarez could have hopped the barrier, and jumped into a pod). Swagger’s title defence against Finlay was a dud, though it appeared Finlay injured his elbow, while Michaels versus JBL wasn’t much better, but at least the finish was well-received. Likewise, the stunts of Orton/Shane went down well, even though the entire bout was counterproductive.

Is the direction for WrestleMania confirmed? No, certainly not, and they only slightly narrowed the Many Ways Out that this Pay Per View effort created. They need to sort out the World title picture over the next week, establish which belt/wrestler goes where, and book the top bouts for Mania. But there is a long break now before the big show, and it’s going to be intriguing to see how they develop the significant rivalries. Could they have done more to provide fans with clues prior to now? Certainly. But for once, I think the fans are really enjoying the unpredictability of the WWE.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out. I welcome any and all feedback and I can be contacted at www.myspace.com/michaelwrestlingetc or simply by emailing me at Michael@ifight365.com. I look forward to hearing from you, and will be back soon!