all this strikes me as a way to fit a bloated rooster on a card

Sounds like some kind of ye olde proverb. Never mind pouring smoke through a keyhole or getting blood from a stone, fitting a bloated rooster on a card is the new way.
Er, back on topic, I have to admit I didn't know much about the War Games concept until recently when this rumour started. TBH I can't really see Vince using an old WCW concept at a PPV, seeing as they've even eliminated "Great American", leaving it simply as "The Bash".... Though you never know, he may surprise us....