Wrestlemania

In last week's Smackdown recap , we talked about the implications the Internet has had on professional wrestling. If there's one other element of this business that has changed perception and execution in the industry, often for the worse, it's the "art" of the swerve or the not-so-subtle hints at steering speculation that direction. On Monday night's episode of Raw, Shawn Michaels returned to confront his friend Triple H about his match with the Undertaker at WrestleMania.

A significant portion of the WrestleMania hype has been built around a rematch between Triple H and the Undertaker, but in reality, that's not the only rematch fans will be treated to April 1. This year's WrestleMania will see another repeat contest, though it's one viewers at home missed the first time around. At last year's show, Sheamus was scheduled to defend his United States Championship against Daniel Bryan. The match was bumped from the pay-per-view broadcast and turned into a dark match.

WWE has begun developing a WrestleMania feud that no one had speculated. With less than seven weeks until the "Showcase of the Immortals," WWE has planted seeds for a rivalry between John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long, the general managers of Raw and Smackdown, respectively. The two men agree on the issue at hand: That power within WWE should be consolidated, and one sheriff should preside over both shows. But, of course, each man believes he is the right one for the job. As the story advances, it's likely fans will be treated to a number of challenge matches and segments organized by the two, and that started on Monday's Raw. Two matches on the show fit the mold that will inevitably expand in the coming weeks.

For the seventh time in history, WrestleManiawill be hosted in New York/New Jersey. At a press conference Thursday, MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL, was announced as the venue for WrestleMania 29, taking place April 7, 2013. In attendance for the press conference were WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Jets owner Woody Johnson, Giants owner John Mara and notable WWE Superstars John Cena, Triple H, Sheamus and Mark Henry.

Nostalgia can be a double-edged sword. There's a time and a place for the past in professional wrestling. The "nostalgia pop" garnered by superstars like "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and "Road Dogg" Jesse James during the Royal Rumble are one example. The return of Shawn Michaels to Raw this Monday is another. Michaels and Triple H had the crowd eating out of their hands during a segment on the show, in which Michaels pleaded with Triple H to accept the Undertaker's challenge for a rematch at WrestleMania.

Nostalgia can be a double-edged sword. There's a time and a place for the past in professional wrestling. The "nostalgia pop" garnered by superstars like "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and "Road Dogg" Jesse James during the Royal Rumble are one example. The return of Shawn Michaels to Raw this Monday is another. Michaels and Triple H had the crowd eating out of their hands during a segment on the show, in which Michaels pleaded with Triple H to accept the Undertaker's challenge for a rematch at WrestleMania.

This year's Road to WrestleMania feels like a construction zone. Momentum is stalled, speed is halted and the scenery doesn't seem to change. Despite all the negatives, the promise of a new, improved motorway lies ahead in the future. Coming off the heels of the Royal Rumble pay per view, Raw delivered a highly entertaining episode that seemed to kick the product into high gear. Unfortunately, WWE has been unable to continue that momentum, slowing things down with a decent Smackdown last week and sending them to a screeching halt with this week's programming . Monday's Raw was a letdown, and tonight's Smackdown, while not as bad, still failed to reignite interest as WWE moves toward Elimination Chamber and, ultimately, WrestleMania.

If WrestleMania, the annual World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view extravaganza, is the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, then Shawn Michaels is Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady all rolled into one. Michaels might not have as recognizable a name as wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan and The Rock, but he is the man wrestling fans refer to as "Mr. WrestleMania." On wrestling's grandest stage - WrestleMania sells out stadiums regularly and, like the Super Bowl, has cities bid to host it - Michaels routinely steals the show.

Kurt Angle participated in three world title matches overall at WrestleMania, including one against Brock Lesnar that went on last at WM 19. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/ ringposts)

NCAA wrestling 7 p.m. [ESPN2] While some guys playing in the basketball tournament are wrestling with a decision on whether to enter the NBA draft, other athletes are wrestling, period. ESPN2 is carrying coverage of the Division I championships (left), perfect for those of you who have a wrestling mania, as opposed to WrestleMania.