After watching some great basketball tonight, my mind is right back to wrestling.  It's amazing to me that by this time tomorrow, it will all be over.  All the pageantry, the buildup, the hype, and the attraction will all be but a memory.  At that point, I will surely be running on pure adrenaline, but I, along with all of you, will have to face the reality that Wrestlemania will not happen again for another year. 

Still, it's been a heck of a ride, hasn't it?  From the Hall of Fame announcements (so psyched to see them all when the DVD comes out!) to the returns of Trish, Steve Austin, and my childhood favorite, the Rock, this rollercoaster we've been on has been rather fun.  I think it's this feeling that keeps me coming back every week, every month, and every year. 

So as we wait in anticipation for the big show, I want to get some things off of my chest.  There have been some newsworthy happenings this week that we haven't talked about yet, and there are some thoughts I have about the show tomorrow that I'd like to get out there.  Leave some comments and/or email or tweet me whether you agree or disagree.

Finlay Fired.....For Good Or CYA?

Apparently, the National Guard are not a group whose buttons you want to press. 

If you didn't know, the Irish born Finlay (yes, the guy who used to hang with the leprechaun) had transitioned from on screen superstar to backstage producer over the last couple of years.  Thus, when it comes to house shows, he is the go-to guy.  Well, at least he was.

From what we can gather, Finlay had The Miz perform a very old school tactic at a house show last week.  He interrupted the national anthem to a chorus of boos, the intended reaction.  What Miz and Finlay didn't know (presumably) was that the National Guard was in attenance.  These men and women are big supporters and sponsors of the WWE and to say that this tactic didn't go over well with them would be an understatement.  When word got back to management about it, Finlay took the fall for it and was let go quicky.

What people don't realize is that Finlay has been held in high regard for his position backstage for years.  He is an integral part of running a smooth product and is especially important to the Divas division with whom he has worked closely for years. 

Given his good standing and the fact that this seemed to be a snap decision, many are hoping that this situation plays out like the Daniel Bryan situation in the summer.  When sponsors threatened his actions, he was let go, only to be brought back when things died down.  This seems very similar to me and I hope it plays out the same way as well.  If it doesn't, TNA would be very smart to throw an offer at Finlay, as this is a guy who knows the business extremely well and could be a very valuable asset backstage. 

If I had to guess, I'd say the Finlay will be hired back by the summer.  That is, unless there is more incriminating information that we just don't know about. 

Michael Cole's Twitter Faux Pas

Have you ever seen those commercials that ask "when you say certain words, do you realize what you are saying?  Cut it out!"  I'm guessing Michael Cole didn't.......

In carrying his jerky demeanor over to twitter, Cole was in a twitter war with Josh Matthews when he let slip a word that is a definite no-no for anyone, let alone someone in a position of power an fame.  The word in question was a certain f-word that is used to describe someone of the homosexual variety, though many use the word to describe someone who is simply uncool.  There has always been a lot of controversy surrounding this word, so you can imagine that Cole using it did not go over well.

Case and point, he deleted it within a half an hour of posting it and issued an apology, presumably out of character.  This was obviously taken very seriously and I have to imagine is being dealt with strictly behind the scenes.

The question now is, if Finlay got fired for his mistake, will Cole face the same fate?

It can be argued that what Cole did is actually worse (though arguing it would be another conversation altogether), so if it is, he should lose his job, right?  Some have already speculated that he will, but hasn't yet due to his highly anticipated bout with Jerry Lawler at Wrestlemania.  Firing him now would screw over basically everyone but Cole, as he may face that fate anyway, but people like Lawler, Swagger, and even Jim Ross (who is supposedly calling this bout) would suffer.  The guess from some is that Cole will be fired right after Wrestlemania, but I'm not so sure. 

You see, the heat will be off of him by then.  He will get beat up and suffer the consequences that way.  So much has happened this week that his mistake will be largely forgotten by Monday, so I would be surprised if he is actually let go.  I could see a move to Smackdown as punishment, with Matthews and Lawler getting Raw for good, but that's about it. 

Either way, Cole played the character too well this time.  It's one thing to promote yourself in character on Twitter.  It's another to say something blatantly stupid.  I will remember that lesson myself as I continue to try and learn how to navigate the Twitter Universe. 

Random Wrestlemania Thoughts

-Please let The Rock have a backstage run-in with Austin.  Just having them in the same room will generate a pop.  Should be interesting no matter which way they go with it. 

-Please give Cody/Rey at least 15 minutes.  These two guys can steal the show if given the chance and I'd love to see it.  Maybe this will be the start of Cody Rhodes "Mr. Wrestlemania Jr."...........

-Wouldn't it be awesome if Snooki used the fist pump as an uppercut type finisher?  You'd have to have one of the other girls half dead to take it without losing credebility, but it could look cool.

-Will Snooki and Trish be in slow motion with Morrison?  That would have to be better than Vickie right?

-With Kofi taking Koslov's spot in the 8 man tag match due to an injury angle at Axxess, does that mean Koslov won't appear?  I guess that means one less trombone player.......

-What kind of car will Del Rio drive at the biggest show of the year?  I have to imagine it will be a classic and very, very expensive!

-Please please please please PLEASE do not have Christian turn heel on Edge to cost him the belt.  It is predictable yet illogical and even though it would give us Edge vs. Christian, we would get it backwards.  If that feud ever happens, Christian needs to be the face. 

-Will The Rock have an interaction with Santino?  I feel like the combination of humor in that scenario might actually make the Georgia Dome spontaneously combust. 

-Will anyone else come out to beat up Cole?  Last year, a lot of peopel got to beat on Vince to help Bret Hart.  Arguably, Cole has pissed off just as many people this year.  I'd mark out if Eve hit her finisher on him for disrespecting her and the divas division. 

-I hope Shawn Michaels doesn't cost Triple H the match.  This won't lead to a feud and Undertaker doesn't need any help.  This would only serve to make Triple H look stronger at a point in his career where he doesn't need that help anymore. 

-It would be monumental for Miz to go over John Cena.  He would literally be made for his entire career based on this one night.  Make it happen WWE!

-Added incentive for the above comment is that Rock might do a match or two and you don't need it to be for a title belt.  Let Rock and Cena have their match and let Miz instigate with other people.

-Stone Cold got to ride an ATV at Wrestlemania 25.  Will HBK get to ride a tank? 

-Will this Wrestlemania crack the 1 million buy mark that Vince is so hell-bent on?  I think we all hope so. 

So, as your head hits the pillow, will you dream the sweet dreams of Team Bring It?  Will you be dreaming of a Cenation triumph?  Perhaps you calm yourself with the thought of Michael Cole staring up at the lights with absolutely no energy to even try and kick out of Jerry Lawler's pin.  No matter what is on your mind, dream the sweet dreams of a fantastic Wrestlemania.  You as well as I are hoping for tomorrow to be the best one yet. 

*Any comments, leave them below or tweet me @FanVsFanMotSS (If you don't follow me yet, you totally should!)