Wrestlemania Predictions
It's my annual blog tradition that no one cares about...
My Wrestlemania Predictions!
First of all, a general comment. This is the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania. I still remember WM3 with Hogan vs. Andre. It did the impossible and established a Super Bowl for a non-sport. Wrestlemania is like nothing else in the world, and this, the 25th anniversary, should be huge. It isn't quite huge. The build-up to the matches thus far has been superb, but the matches themselves and the talent are lacking. It's not WWE's fault. It's just bad timing that WM25 occurs during a natural down-cycle of the business. It'll be a few years before another Hogan, Austin or The Rock emerges. In the meantime, we have this and here are my predictions:
Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship - The old-school build up to this match has been well-executed. Triple H is still unmatched when it comes to coupling intensity with personality. Orton is still boring. This is a tough one to call. An Orton win would shake things up and elevate some younger talent. A Triple H win would be a huge crowd pleaser and give the McMahons a rare run as good guys, which they need in order to freshen things. I keep changing my mind every three seconds, but look for Triple H to win and the feud to continue.
Edge (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show for the World Championship - Again, the build-up has been well-executed. Unfortunately, it's also been silly. They should save the comedy for the undercard when it comes to Wrestlemania. It's devaluing the title. Vicky Guerrero has promised herself to the winner. So, look for Cena, the one guy who doesn't want her, to win. Wrestlemania is know for having the big fan favorite come out on top.
JBL (c) vs Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title - I'm glad to see the IC belt being defended at Mania. It's a shame JBL, accompanied by his flabby man-boobs, is defending it. They like to put Rey over at Wrestlemania. Look for him to win. Then, let's hope they finally put Rey in more Cruiserweight matches. The David and Goliath thing is getting old.
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy with extreme rules - Apparently these two actually have wrestled before and it was disappointing. I think this time around it'll steal the show. It's a shame this isn't a world title feud. These two should be carrying the torch right now. Look for Jeff to win because Vince McMahon hates Matt slightly more than he hates Jeff.
The Colons (c) vs. Morrison-Miz (c) in a lumberjack match to unify the World and WWE tag team titles - Oh, WWE, what's up with this on again/off again relationship you have with tag team wrestling?! Now we must hate tag team wrestling as you've decided to unify the belts. Plus, I had to look it up to see who was in this match because I had no clue who the current champs were. Morrison and Miz will win. They have the most potential when it comes to being the defining stars of the next wrestling generation. I just wish WWE would go back to the cartoonish era of themed tag teams like The Killer Bees, The British Bulldogs, Demolition, The Powers of Pain, The LOD, The Strike Force, etc. It allows you to make a bigger deal out of a break up and it allows you to keep two mid-card talents on if neither stands out enough to break up the team and push one of them.
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker - The wrestling blog world things Undertaker's 18-0 Wrestlemania streak will probably end sometime. Nothing lasts for ever in the Wrestling world, after all - nobody goes out on top. Shawn's not the man to do it, though. He would gain nothing from it. A younger guy snapping the streak could go on to a huge career. Shawn will end up retired in a few years. Look for Taker to make it 19-0.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match (CM Punk vs. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. MVP vs. Finlay for a guaranteed title shot whenever they want it.) - Every money in the bank winner has gone on to become a world champion. Unfortunately, this match has devolved into a convenient way to squeeze every left-out wrestler onto the card of Wrestlemania. I'd like to see Punk win it again. He is the future. I'd also like to see Christian win it. He has the most personality of anyone in WWE right now. Look for MVP to get the nod. Possibly Kane, but he would become the first person not to win the title after winning this match.
Divas Battle Royal - Once again, women are marginalized into Wrestlemania 'Eye Candy' in this battle royal to crown Miss Wrestlemania. I don't know who will win and I don't care. Maybe Candice. Maybe Kelly.
Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Pipper, with Ric Flair and Mickey Rourke in the legends' corner - Chris Jericho is doing a masterful job playing the bad guy. He's having the run of his career right now. He's going to lose in order to give the fans what they want and these legends one more time to shine in the biggest show of all. Way to go, Chris.
That's it. Again, it's a good show, with good build-up and it will probably have good wrestling. It's just not a GREAT show.
That is all.
My Wrestlemania Predictions!
First of all, a general comment. This is the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania. I still remember WM3 with Hogan vs. Andre. It did the impossible and established a Super Bowl for a non-sport. Wrestlemania is like nothing else in the world, and this, the 25th anniversary, should be huge. It isn't quite huge. The build-up to the matches thus far has been superb, but the matches themselves and the talent are lacking. It's not WWE's fault. It's just bad timing that WM25 occurs during a natural down-cycle of the business. It'll be a few years before another Hogan, Austin or The Rock emerges. In the meantime, we have this and here are my predictions:
Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship - The old-school build up to this match has been well-executed. Triple H is still unmatched when it comes to coupling intensity with personality. Orton is still boring. This is a tough one to call. An Orton win would shake things up and elevate some younger talent. A Triple H win would be a huge crowd pleaser and give the McMahons a rare run as good guys, which they need in order to freshen things. I keep changing my mind every three seconds, but look for Triple H to win and the feud to continue.
Edge (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show for the World Championship - Again, the build-up has been well-executed. Unfortunately, it's also been silly. They should save the comedy for the undercard when it comes to Wrestlemania. It's devaluing the title. Vicky Guerrero has promised herself to the winner. So, look for Cena, the one guy who doesn't want her, to win. Wrestlemania is know for having the big fan favorite come out on top.
JBL (c) vs Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title - I'm glad to see the IC belt being defended at Mania. It's a shame JBL, accompanied by his flabby man-boobs, is defending it. They like to put Rey over at Wrestlemania. Look for him to win. Then, let's hope they finally put Rey in more Cruiserweight matches. The David and Goliath thing is getting old.
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy with extreme rules - Apparently these two actually have wrestled before and it was disappointing. I think this time around it'll steal the show. It's a shame this isn't a world title feud. These two should be carrying the torch right now. Look for Jeff to win because Vince McMahon hates Matt slightly more than he hates Jeff.
The Colons (c) vs. Morrison-Miz (c) in a lumberjack match to unify the World and WWE tag team titles - Oh, WWE, what's up with this on again/off again relationship you have with tag team wrestling?! Now we must hate tag team wrestling as you've decided to unify the belts. Plus, I had to look it up to see who was in this match because I had no clue who the current champs were. Morrison and Miz will win. They have the most potential when it comes to being the defining stars of the next wrestling generation. I just wish WWE would go back to the cartoonish era of themed tag teams like The Killer Bees, The British Bulldogs, Demolition, The Powers of Pain, The LOD, The Strike Force, etc. It allows you to make a bigger deal out of a break up and it allows you to keep two mid-card talents on if neither stands out enough to break up the team and push one of them.
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker - The wrestling blog world things Undertaker's 18-0 Wrestlemania streak will probably end sometime. Nothing lasts for ever in the Wrestling world, after all - nobody goes out on top. Shawn's not the man to do it, though. He would gain nothing from it. A younger guy snapping the streak could go on to a huge career. Shawn will end up retired in a few years. Look for Taker to make it 19-0.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match (CM Punk vs. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. MVP vs. Finlay for a guaranteed title shot whenever they want it.) - Every money in the bank winner has gone on to become a world champion. Unfortunately, this match has devolved into a convenient way to squeeze every left-out wrestler onto the card of Wrestlemania. I'd like to see Punk win it again. He is the future. I'd also like to see Christian win it. He has the most personality of anyone in WWE right now. Look for MVP to get the nod. Possibly Kane, but he would become the first person not to win the title after winning this match.
Divas Battle Royal - Once again, women are marginalized into Wrestlemania 'Eye Candy' in this battle royal to crown Miss Wrestlemania. I don't know who will win and I don't care. Maybe Candice. Maybe Kelly.
Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Pipper, with Ric Flair and Mickey Rourke in the legends' corner - Chris Jericho is doing a masterful job playing the bad guy. He's having the run of his career right now. He's going to lose in order to give the fans what they want and these legends one more time to shine in the biggest show of all. Way to go, Chris.
That's it. Again, it's a good show, with good build-up and it will probably have good wrestling. It's just not a GREAT show.
That is all.