Rasslin’ Roundtable — WWE Wrestlemania XXVII

Features, Roundtables, Top Story

 

Here we are! All of the nonsense has built up to this very moment…Wrestlemania!

The road here was…dark, to say the least. Wrestlemania 26 was littered with highs and lows. We were given our very first round of “Whack-A-McMahon” and watched as Shawn Michael’s career ended. We watched Swagger fumble with the briefcase for about a week, and Cody Rhodes get punted in the skull.

But Atlanta is prepared to be rocked, as we see the same faces, and many old faces. Trish Stratus. The Rock. Stone Cold Steve Austin. Triple H finally returns to the ring to try and end the streak. There might not be a Money in the Bank, but otherwise, the hype is high.

Fourteen of our writers have gathered around our proverbial Roundtable to share their thoughts on what Wrestlemania will bring us. Some matches were unanimous. Others…were a toss-up. But the predictions were made nonetheless, and we are READY!


 

Edge (c) vs Alberto del Rio
World Heavyweight Championship

Raffi Shamir: It’s Wrestlemania so I decided to come back to my favorite wrestling site and send roundtable picks. Yay me! As for this feud – I expected so much more of it, and WWE has kinda painted themselves into a corner here. Edge has lost all championship matches he’s been in at Wrestlemania and another one will paint him as a loser on the biggest stage of them all. Alberto Del Rio is on such a hot push that he also can’t lose because a loss will flush everything down the toilet. I’m glad they found something for Christian to do here, even though I’d rather see him wrestling on the show. I just hope they avoid the predictable “Christian turns on Edge and the two of them have another lukewarm feud” thing. At the end, I think they will commit to the young guy’s push.
Winner and new champion: Alberto Del Rio

M.C. Brown: I think Christian’s interference is backfiring and Edge has a lot of Mania wins under his belt. There needs to be some dissension within camp Awesomeness here and it will start when Christian tries to help and costs Edge his title. Not to mention that E & C have gotten two big wins over Del Rio and his crony. They aren’t going to be winning the tag titles again since they mean nothing in WWE, so the only option is to have Del Rio achieve his destiny by hook or by crook. It’s a shame Christian won’t actually be in a match, tho, since clearly he is ready.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio new champ

Matthew Michaels: I think this is del Rio’s time to shine, and Edge’s time to pass the torch. I really think Alberto’s done a great job since coming to WWE, and you can tell WWE wants him to succeed. I expect a not-too-long match here, with del Rio getting the win. Hopefully not because of Christian shenanigans, since we’ve seen these brothers – yes they were once storyline brothers, not just friends – feud a zillion times before and if anything, I’d rather they make them a tag team again. Probably after del Rio gets to hold off Christian in a future title shot, before they start to build him up vs. Sin Cara.
Winner: Alberto del Rio

Andrew Wheeler: Up until about two weeks ago, Del Rio seemed like the unstoppable heel that was, in fact, destined to win the World Title. After Sheamus and Barrett saw their main event pushes die sudden deaths (not to mention last year’s prodigal-sons-turned-cannon-fodder Kurt SwAngle and Drew McIntyre), it really seemed like Alberto would be the only one of the current crop to escape unscathed. Unfortunately, once Christian returned, Alberto has had to do several jobs (his first since November) and was saddled with a bodyguard in Brodus Clay who has yet to do anything of any major significance other than spark Old School NES jokes. But regardless of the weak booking and the somewhat lackluster continuation of what was a meteoric push, Del Rio is absolutely the “man of the future” on Smackdown. Edge as a face champion isn’t the most thrilling thing in the world, and aside from Alberto, there aren’t a lot of challengers for him to face (Cody still needs to see out the rest of his feud with Rey while Barrett is now renting a villa in the midcard). People expect Christian to turn on Edge here, and while it is possible, it’s a feud that just never seemed to have that true spark. Regardless, Alberto’s meteoric push needs to have it’s rightful conclusion, especially considering the fact that he is one of the riskiest Royal Rumble winners in recent memory. Destiny indeed.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Jonah Kue: This build is really odd for ‘Mania, folks. Usually, the matches on this particular card have some sort of finality to them. But with the involvement of Christian, this is more of a prelude to the rest of the year than anything. And that’s exactly how it should be. Del Rio is taking this, no question. But how? Many are predicting a Christian heel turn, but with Edge planning to take time off, I can’t see that happening. Look for Del Rio to win this with slightly underhanded tactics, but in the process, looking legitimate by making Edge tap. Then, Edge being destroyed before an avenging Christian makes the save, setting up a title feud between Captain Charisma and our destined champ.
Winner (and NEW champion): Alberto del Rio

Mike Gojira: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: based on the way this feud has been going, it’s a tough call. On the one hand we have Edge, who has lost his last four Wrestlemania matches. On the other we have del Rio, who won the Royal Rumble this year (for the record, the last person to win the Rumble and successfully take the title at Mania was Undertaker in 2007). So which losing streak comes to an end? My guess is they give Edge the nod here, allowing Christian to get involved in a Triple Threat at next month’s PPV.
Winner: Edge

Joel Leonard: I’ve enjoyed this latest run of Edge as the heavyweight champion but its time for Mr. del Rio to show what he can do with the belt. A win at WrestleMania will be the final touch to help ensure that del Rio stays at the top of the card for a while. Plus with Christian’s revenge on del Rio having taken place already, Edge and Alberto del Rio can continue the feud for another PPV or two.
Winner: Alberto del Rio

Glazer’s Take: This should be a fine match and I fully expect it to be on par with last year’s Edge vs. Jericho match in that it will be good, perhaps very good, but not veer on great. The Christian connection is the only really questionable part of the match. He essentially has to, in some way, cost Edge the title. I mean, they can just go with Del Rio straight winning, but then the build has kind of been a big miss.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio thanks to Christian, setting up a slow burn to Edge vs. Christian and letting Del Rio move on after a three-way next month.

Steven Gepp: This won’t be bad. There are hints of all sorts of shenanigans happening (Brodus Clay and Christian in respective corners), but I think if they just let them fight, it won’t disappoint. I’m just worried they’re going to go the WCW 2000 route and turn everyone heel.
Match this wants to be: Razor Ramon v Jeff Jarrett, Wrestlemania 11
Even though it ended with no real winner, the outside interference (Road Dogg and 1-2-3 Kid) was done surprisingly well, there were no nonsensical heel turns and it was actually an entertaining match, with some good in-ring work. Hopefully this one has a more decisive finish.
Match this could well turn into: Matt Hardy v Rey Mysterio, Wrestlemania 19
Short, a lot of spots, little flow and too little time given to them to tell a good story when they could easily have done so. How much faith do they have in Del Rio? And how much influence will the corner-men have?
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Rhett Davis:It seems the Royal Rumble is finally being used for what it serves it’s purpose best: to build a young star into a heavyweight contender. It made Batista, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterios, and the Canadian Crippler into heavyweight contenders in one night apiece. Now it returns to that legacy by giving Alberto Del Rio his Destiny at WrestleMania. Edge has been on a losing streak after having such a long undefeated streak at Mania. (not quite rivaling Taker’s but it still was impressive) This year however, he continues that losing streak. Making Del Rio lose to Edge would do nothing for ADR and literally make this feud seem for nothing. The WWE needs more top stars now that so many legends are packing their bags and giving this win to Edge who seems to be content with retiring somewhere in the not-so-distant future would seem a costly mistake.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del RIOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Kyle Sparks: They want to put Del Rio over as a big deal, this is the way to do it. The winner of the Rumble has historically fared VERY well at WrestleMania, and this won’t be any different. Edge will get his rematch at Extreme Rules in some kind of gimmick match to really establish Del Rio as a force to be reckoned with.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (NEW World Heavyweight Champion)

Chris Sanders: Choosing this match basically comes down to the question “Where do they go from here?” The question can be answered a lot easier if Del Rio wins. Why? Because there’s not a whole lot more potential with Del Rio than with Edge at this point. Sure, having Edge win will make the kiddies happy but I really think that’ll happen with the Miz/Cena and Taker/HHH matches. That being said, I see WWE using this match to reap the rewards for investing so much of a push in Del Rio over the past year. I see him demolishing Edge and Edge taking some time off and letting Christian start a feud with Del Rio.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Kelly Floyd: Edge has been on an unstoppable roll for far too long now. I like what he does but it’s all just so, vanilla. It’s time for something fresh, and much like the MIz, I think Alberto would do well to have something to brag about. I do have to wonder about Christian being in the corner, since he seems to always be biting on Alberto’s ankles. But where does Edge go from there? Oh well.  This is one we could ponder and ponder, but the WWE will still find a way to ruin it.
Winner
: Alberto del Rio

Chris Biscuiti: This is one of two matches where we absolutely know what the outcome is going to be and so the real question is, “How will we get there?” Before I get into the match itself, I think that Christian deserves a ton of credit for working as hard as he has to sell a match that by all rights he should have been in himself. I am still holding out hope that they will make this a Triple Threat at some point during the Mania PPV itself, but in all likelihood it will remain one-on-one with Christian on the outside looking in. With that said, I am sure Captain Charisma will play some sort of important role after the bell rings, and perhaps the last month of SmackDown! was not only a test for Del Rio before he becomes the Big Gold Belt Champ, but a way for WWE to reexamine Christian’s long-underrated value as well. When all is said and done, I think Alberto Del Rio will make Edge tap out, but I don’t think Christian will turn heel on this night. Instead, Christian will be neutralized by Ricardo Rodriguez and Brodius Clay when trying to save Edge several times, and finally he will be taken out by Del Rio himself before Del Rio finally bests Edge. I say this because there is a lot of mileage and money to be made in a) an Edge and Christian tag team reunion; and b) an eventual breakup that can slowly (by modern WWE standards) build and build and build to a crescendo that makes sense and isn’t rushed.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

The Miz (c) vs John Cena
WWE Championship

Raffi Shamir: I’ve written in the past about the annual Wrestlemania meetings we have here in Israel, which three years ago turned into live meetings at 02:00AM. Well, this year is no different and as always, Cena’s chain gang (Yes, we’re old school, we’re not CeNation yet) is going to be there in full capacity to support our man, with a large supply of Fruity Pebbles. Just to show you how dedicated I am to Wrestlemania (And Cena) – I’m starting a new job on Sunday morning (A West Wing like job), going to pull an all-nighter with Wrestlemania and go back to work on Monday. Crazy, I know.
What? There’s some guy called The Rock there? I haven’t noticed. Seriously, it’s to have The Rock back and he is still electrifying, but in my eyes, Cena has owned him in the confrontation so far. Cena’s promos were better and more to the point, and last Monday night on Raw Cena was miles ahead of The Rock on every level. If the AA is signaling a possible turn for Cena – that’s wonderful. If this leads to a face vs. face match against The Rock – it will fail because no one will support Cena in a situation like that. If The Rock leaves after Wrestlemania – well then he only proves Cena right.
And The Miz – the most must see WWE Champion in history. I love him, I love how he was pushed in the last month and I hope he’ll keep the title. He deserves it and he earned this. But he just seems to not belong there next to The Rock and John Cena. I don’t know why, but he just does. Sorry Miz, this is not your time. I still want Miz to win, if only to be challenged by guys like John Morrison and Daniel Bryan, but I just don’t see this happening.
On a final note – if you haven’t read Glazer’s commentary on this feud last Tuesday – please do, it’s brilliant – http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/2011/03…mania-27-build/
Winner and new champion: John Cena

M.C. Brown: If Vince is see-sawing between this match and the Taker vs. HHH match then we know a face has to win here, even if Rock does almost screw over Cena. In fact Rock could finish off the event laying out Cena as a receipt from Raw. You can bet he’ll be doing something to Cena for sure especially with him showing up on Raw the next day.
Winner: John Cena new champ

Matthew Michaels: I think the Miz has to retain here, although I can’t imagine WWE letting Mania end with both world champs heels. That said, this might be the year they can get away with it, depending on what they have planned for The Rock to close the show. And let’s be real here: Rocky’s closing the show (unless Hunter’s actually going to be ending the streak). So my gut says Cena wins, which is the logical thing to do. I originally had Miz here, but looking back down the card, a babyface needs to win, and unless Rock somehow ends Mania as WWE Champion (CB’s idea, and the right thing to do if they can get enough of his time to promote the heck out of it), the babyface needs to end victorious.
Winner: Cena

Andrew Wheeler: There is no more epic feud in the WWE right now than Cena/Rock, and when the two of them get in the ring and go at it, the roof is going to blow off the building. In the meantime, we have Miz/Cena. Disagree all you want but The Miz has been booked to look like a complete and total afterthought in a feud that we are probably never going to actually see. What’s worse is that The Miz has had a tailor-made feud with Cena going back to the ill-advised Cena/Miz feud a few years ago where John owned him in about three minutes. The idea of the vanquished cowardly heel climbing to the top of the mountain and looking to get revenge on the man who humiliated him is a very simple, straightforward story. Instead of that, we have this convoluted three-way feud in which Cena is Triple H, The Rock is Stephanie and The Miz is Chris Jericho with a bag of dog poop. No one believes that The Miz is going to retain the title, but this all depends on The Rock. If the Rock is willing to work one more match and wrestle Cena, then he can cost John the title and they can go forward with a million-dollar storyline. If Rock is going to go back to Hollywood (despite promising to never leave again like an addict who is back on the wagon), then Cena will win and we will get a happy ending. The one reason that makes me think that Miz has a slight ray of hope here is that this match isn’t going on last, so he can retain and the fans can still ultimately be sent home happy. But based on the ratings he’s drawn as champion, me thinks this experiment may well be over…for now.
Winner: John Cena

Jonah Kue: Ah, the payoff. Finally. There are two questions addressed to this match. Who shall emerge the victor? And the more pressing one, how is the Great One going to factor into this? I say the latter is more pressing because it’s answer is less of a given than the former. Look, I’m one of the biggest Miz marks in the company (I own his “Hello I’m Awesome” hoodie and sport it “on the regular”, as the kids say), but it’s unrealistic to think Cena isn’t walking out with the title. The match will be a decent one, with Miz dominating most of it, while Cena makes his five move comebacks sporadically. Look for the Rock to come in, whip both candy asses, and leave (think Rock vs. Angle at No Way Out 2001 and how Big Show played his part). Then, both stagger up, and Cena hits the FU for the pin. Afterward, we’re bound to see something play out between the Champ and Rocky, whether it be a stare down, a beat down, or a show of mutual respect. I do hope it’s not the first or last of that list.
Winner (and NEW champion): John Cena

Mike Gojira: Yawn. I’m so tired of over-analyzing this match. Cena wins despite Alex Riley interference and Miz shenanigans. Probably makes Miz tap, too. The Rock comes out at the end to deliver a physical message to Cena to send the crowd home happy.
Winner (and new WWE Champion): John Cena

Joel Leonard: With the Rock’s involvement in this match still unclear the outcome of this match could take a turn at any moment in any number of different directions. But WWE sure likes to have Cena win the WrestleMania matches. I guess because more people by WrestleMania, and the people like to pay to see John win. The second the Rock shows up (which I’m sure he will) the prediction will go out of the window, but for now I’m saying Cena gets the belt again.
Winner: John Cena

Glazer’s Take: This one will be kind of dead until the Rock gets involved, which he will, so I hope it goes on second to last. Cena really should win, unless Rock costs him the match and then immediately puts himself into a match with Miz, winning the title… actually, that’d be awesome. I’m going to predict that.
Winner
: Miz thanks to Rock interference, then Rock beats Miz for the title.

Steven Gepp: I’m actually not looking forward to this. I think the build up has been better than the match will be.
Match this wants to be: Shawn Michaels v Steve Austin, Wrestlemania 14
You have the arrogant heel, the babyface hard done by and a special enforcer (assuming Rock steps into that role) who apparently has issues with the face. And the match delivered in spades.
Match this could well turn into: Chavo Guerrero v Kane, Wrestlemania 24
You have the super man challenger against the upstart, much smaller champion, and thirty seconds later it’s squash city. Who’s more valuable to the ‘E – Miz or Cena?
Winner: John Cena

Rhett Davis: One of the most intriguing matches on the card to me as so many things could happen in this match. Rock could get placed in, Rock could cost Cena, Rock could layeth the SmackDowneth on Miz, or.. or… WHO KNOWS?! The unpredictability of this match is what intrigues me so much. My best bet would be that Rock attacks Cena and The Miz, but Cena wins in the end and causes Rock to shake his hand and we have a sort of WM X8 tribute except with Cena and The Rock.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

Kyle Sparks: I really, really would like to see Miz go over here. He’s done phenomenally well with what he’s been asked to play throughout this feud, he’s turning in great promo work, and a WrestleMania win over Cena would do wonders for cementing him as a true, long-term main eventer. Unfortunately with WWE already making a star of Alberto Del Rio in the other World Title match, there’s no way they let two heels walk out with the big belts. Look for Rock to get involved ala Michaels/Austin/Tyson at WrestleMania XIV.
Winner: John Cena (NEW WWE Champion)

Chris Sanders: This is one of those matches where so much can happen and that makes it really difficult to predict. The way so much emphasis has been place Cena and The Rock makes it really difficult to give Miz any chance but then again that be the surprise WWE smacks us all in the face with. That being said, WWE has done a good job using their workhouse (Cena) in non-title situations this year with the Nexus and job-losing nonsense so there’s a possibility they’ll put the belt back on Cena just a “Thank you.” I know Rock is gonna have some play in this but I just have no idea what that will entail.
Winner: John Cena (I really want to be wrong)

Kelly Floyd: This match makes me crazy! On one hand, we have the Miz who is one of my favorites. His long, bumpy road to championship gold was much too long. I’m not sure if it’s because Raw is an afterthought for me nowadays, or if this is really happening, but it seems like the WWE Champion himself has been shoved into the shadows. Especially with all the Cena/Rock nonsense. Which brings me to Cena. Do we really need another Cena title reign? He doesn’t need the belt, obviously, and does well on other ventures. Annnd…The Rock. What will he bring? I imagine this match will be…well, like the other Cena-laced main events…and end up a complete clusterfucked disappointment. But I’ll remain optimistic that Miz will hang on.
Winner
: The Miz

Chris Biscuiti: Wow. I don’t even know where to begin with this one, all I know is that I feel something ELECTRIFYING and EPIC coming on, which I alluded to <a href=”http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/2011/03/31/10-thoughts-on-possible-wrestlemania-surprises/”> right here</a> earlier this week. That’s right folks, all signs are pointing to The Rock becoming more physically involved again in a WWE ring, and if that is truly the case then I see no other conclusion than John Cena beating The Miz for the WWE Championship. After what I hope to be a grueling and gritty heavyweight bout, The Rock’s music will light up the arena and he will storm into that ring and sucker John Cena into a right-here, right-now title defense. And before we sign off and say goodnight from Atlanta, Ga., your NEW WWE Champion will be the Most Electrifying Man in ALL of Entertainment. The only question is where Miz fits into this picture as to not get lost in the shuffle, and in my opinion the only logical way he can do this is a) by having the match of his life with Cena before losing; and b) by interfering in a major way to help The Rock win, whether Rocky wants his help or not.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena, who then drops the belt to The Rock with help from a frustrated and vengeful Miz.

The Undertaker vs Triple H

Raffi Shamir: This feud could have been so much hotter, but until last Monday it was just kinda out there. Two old guys trying to prove something to themselves. But then we had the final showdown and HBK made his appearance and suddenly there’s meaning to this, there’s a point. Thank you HBK. The result is a forgone conclusion since not even Triple H’s ego would let him break the streak and the match will not be as good as Taker’s last two Wrestlemania matches (Duh) or even as their Wrestlemania X-Seven, but at least there’s a story behind it now.
Winner: 19-0

M.C. Brown: Don’t bet against the Deadman. Michaels’ interference backfires or he doesn’t want HHH to win if he himself couldn’t.
Winner: The Undertaker

Matthew Michaels: How do you say much in a “prediction” column about something where you KNOW the result? The question here isn’t who wins. It’s do these two have enough left in the tank/are they healthy enough to put on a show? Taker’s played hurt before, and the last two Manias might have been his best. Hunter has an ego and will pull out all the stops here. I for one am looking forward to it in a big way after that final showdown on Raw.
Winner: Taker

Andrew Wheeler: There ain’t no grave can hold my body down and there ain’t no video package that can hold my interest here. This is a feud between Mr. Irrelevant versus Mr. Irrelevant. Undertaker’s so busted up and broken that at most the company can get 10 appearances out of him in a calendar year, and Hunter is nearing the point where he can retire, grow out a ridiculous pompadour and begin taking over the reigns of Titan Tower. Neither man is the “future” of the WWE, nor are either of them really the “present”. This is a vanity feud where Hunter thinks he is going to get roughly the same kind of match out of Taker that Shawn did, which is preposterous. These two will have a very decent brawl between two middle-aged guys who can’t quite go the way they did a decade ago in the match that “never happened” based on all of the video packages. On top of that, Shawn’s involvement went from guest referee to footnote in about a week. Taker had a money feud with Wade Barrett and Hunter had a money feud with Sheamus, but both of those ideas are now DOA. The Streak isn’t ending, especially when they are so close to him hitting 20 wins (which should come against Cena…the only “money” match Taker really has left).
Winner: The Undertaker

Jonah Kue: Kue’s gonna be honest here, folks. ‘Taker’s been my fave wrestler for years. And Trips is second on my list. That being said, the build to this has been mediocre at best (besides the incredible production work of the WWE video packages). That is, until this past Monday. The ‘Taker/Trips/HBK promo has done wonders for escalating the anticipation for this match. Will HBK get involved? I can imagine he’ll at least be at ringside. Will the match be a decent one? Look, we need to get over the last two years. I can’t imagine ANY match for the Streak following the two epic confrontations that Shawn and ‘Taker graced us with. With that said, yes, it’ll be a good match. It may even pull off being the main event. And will the Streak stay intact? Is Kue’s Kurry known to be spicy?
Winner: The Undertaker

Mike Gojira: Shawn Michaels makes an appearance, probably to screw with one or both crusty old competitors, but it makes no difference. Sorry, MR. BRADSTONE, but it’s 19-0, baby!
Winner: The Streak

Joel Leonard: How many times, on how many playgrounds across the world, has this match already taken place in action figure form? The fact that these two are the big names is worth watching the match, but nothing in the buildup has made me think that there is any real chance of the Streak ending this year. Again, Shawn Michael’s appearance last Monday could mean that the unexpected could happen but this close to a 20-0, and I think that we’re looking at a continuation of the Streak this year.
Winner: Undertaker

Glazer’s Take: I know people didn’t like the Icon vs. Icon build, but it really worked for me. There are very few guys left who can pull that kind of build off – with all the times Cena and Orton have faced everyone, unless it’s a returning star facing off with them, unlikely. H and Undertaker have history, but little enough that it worked. Adding the personal element with HBK was a great touch and, well it’s hard to imagine a WWE fan not buying Wrestlemania, but I can still see it grabbing a few extra buys. Triple H has no chance, but they’ll sell it well enough that I fully expect this to be match of the year and what I’m writing about Monday.
Winner
: Undertaker wins in the Match of the Year.

Steven Gepp: Yeah, this will be the show-stealer, no matter how good (or bad or really bad) it ends up being. And there will be people out there saying that it’s the greatest match ever, no matter what, even now, before the show’s started. So I won’t make any more comments.
Match this wants to be: Undertaker v Shawn Michaels, Wrestlemania 25
Epic and a real show stealer. It’s what the build up, the videos, the promos, everything else has promised.
Match this could well turn into: HHH v Batista, Wrestlemania 21
Long, slow, ridiculous beat down to start with no offence given by one party, and a win sort of out of nowhere by said party. How injured is Undertaker? How good does HHH want to look?
Winner: Undertaker (is there any doubt?)

Rhett Davis: This is another match I’m interested to see played out despite doubting that The Game even scratches the Streak. The best part about this match is that it has both Undertaker and Triple H so rules can be broken. Rock and Austin broke them, you don’t think Triple H and Undertaker don’t have that kind of pull? I wouldn’t be shocked to see some blood or head chairshots in this one ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the brutality that is missing with the removal of the MITB Ladder match.
Winner: The Johnny Cash Outlaw Undertaker

Kyle Sparks: First off, it’s Number 19. This close to big 2-0, no way Taker loses. Second, Triple H has gone on record on a DVD release as saying he doesn’t think anyone should ever end the streak. Even if WWE wanted him to, one gets the impression he’d have the clout to put Taker over if that’s how he really feels.
Winner: The Undertaker (19-0, 2-0 vs. Triple H)

Chris Sanders: Adding Shawn Michaels into the mix is a new twist and they’re really making it obvious that there’s gonna be some sort of twist, especially with the whole “No Holds Barred” shenanigans. I kinda see Michaels coming in and turning on HHH or vice versa. But regardless of who screws who, I don’t see any chance in the world that Taker goes 18-1, not here, not now. He either goes for 20-0 or tries to last until Wrestlemania 30. But for HHH, no chance…at all.
Winner: Undertaker

Kelly Floyd: I know I’m going to be wincing at this match the entire time. Undertaker is as fragile as the leg lamp from A Christmas Story. But still possesses the power to convey his awesomeness with just a look. And, you know, it’s The Undertaker. I always imagined he would die with the streak, but as of late, my mind has been swirling with that notion. Call me crazy, but I’m going to go against the grain here and be rebellious, just to be obnoxious.
Winner
: Triple H

Chris Biscuiti: There are greats and then there are legends. Shawn Michaels was great, and now he is officially a legend. Last Monday night on Raw, HBK singlehandedly saved and reignited even my own lagging interest in the WrestleMania encounter between The Undertaker and Triple H being billed as THE STREAK vs. THE GAME. Since their first interaction on 2.21.11, Taker and Trips had kind of tripped over the same points over and over again, and the whole affair was starting to feel like an afterthought. But then Monday happened, and in one fell swoop, Shawn Michaels went from being the brash and cocky “Heartbreak Kid” who conquered the world to the humbled and now-retired “Broken Man” who just couldn’t beat THE STREAK. And if Mr. WrestleMania couldn’t stop the Deadman at the big dance, then how could anyone even think they have even the slightest chance? Taker knows it, Michaels knows it, and Triple H will soon know it. So what’s the twist … HBK costing his best friend perhaps?
Winner: The Undertaker, bringing THE STREAK to 19-0

Randy Orton vs CM Punk

Raffi Shamir: I’ve loved everything CM Punk has done in the past two years. He became one of my favorite wrestlers and Randy Orton proves he can carry a top face spot. Now Punk has to carry Orton to a good one on one match at Wrestlemania and I think he can do it. The past two weeks of this feud have been truly great and I wish Punk could keep the psycho cult leader persona forever, just change cults. I still remember how WWE made Orton’s face turn official last year in Phoenix and get goosebumps, it was Orton’s best Wrestlemania moment ever. Punk needs this victory, especially after last year’s loss, buty I just don’t see it happening, which is sad.
Winner: Orton

M.C. Brown: I just have a feeling something else is going to happen here to cost Orton the match. Orton except for maybe the last 2 weeks has looked very strong in this feud. Always expect the opposite. Orton won last year. Punk lost, so despite their records, Punk is a big enough opponent to give a win to and Orton will get a lot more Mania victories before it’s all said and done.
Winner: CM Punk

Matthew Michaels: I have a lot of heels winning, but feel like an Orton win here is just too easy. What do you do with him after he disposes of Punk? Nexus is out hurt, and the world title picture is crowded. I guess the answer is move him to Smackdown. Punk’s getting a win here, and I’m actually going to go back now and change my prediction for the Cena match because of it.
Winner: Punk

Andrew Wheeler: So Orton killed PuNexus once and for all, which makes me think that someone new is going to make his presence felt and save Punk. I know that logic here dictates that CM Punk loses, but the way the momentum is going, it just feels like there is more gas in the tank here. In an alternate universe, this would be a title match, but instead it’s the feud involving a giant bus, a wrench, and an actress playing Randy’s wife. Orton and Punk need something to do, but with Cena as the eventual champion, there is still a long-term Punk/Cena feud that was never finished.
Winner: CM Punk

Jonah Kue: Hands down, the best built feud on the card. As I’ve stated on this week’s “Kue’s Korner”, look for this match to cement Orton as the legitimate top face in the company, and Punk as the legitimate top heel. This match will be the best match on the card in terms of storytelling. That is, if they’re given enough time. Look for Orton to come out on top after a damn long struggle due to Punk taking advantage of Orton’s leg. I do hope no punting is involved, though. I’d hate to see Punk gone for an extended amount of time.
Winner: Randy Orton.

Mike Gojira: I’m going to make two predictions: one is that these two won’t be given enough time to work a great match, and the other is that Orton wins it. Why? Punk took out Orton’s leg to ensure that when he loses he can’t get punted and thus sent down South. And I don’t mean hell. I mean wherever Ax Mulligan is hiding these days…
Winner: The Vipuh

Joel Leonard: Dear Nexus. Please stay out of this match. You have all been kicked in the head so you should be out until at least Jericho comes back. I know that Punk likes to have people helping him out in the ring, but what I really want to see here is a straight match between these two wrestlers. I think that has the potential to be the most entertaining match of the card. I’m going to give this win to Randy, because I think Punk has the ability to take a loss and come out of the whole thing with even more heat that before (if that’s even possible)
Winner: Randy Orton

Glazer’s Take: This has the highest ceiling of anything on the card. A personal issue between the two best storytellers on the roster? Oh, this could be special. Unfortunately, however, it feels like the end to chapter 1 of this feud wherein the Punk as Nexus leader goes away and they get to the intense matches. This is the one feud in years that I feel would benefit from blood. Won’t happen at Wrestlemania though. Expect this to be a good letdown.
Winner
: CM Punk has to win, really, to keep the feud going although I could see a loss followed by a Punk beatdown.

Steven Gepp: I haven’t really understood the build up for this, apart from Punk wanting revenge for being punted. Why kill New Nexus? Match could be okay, but I’m not an Orton fan.
Match this wants to be: Randy Savage v Ultimate Warrior, Wrestlemania 7
Even though there’s no retirement stip here, Savage took that which Warrior held closest – his title. There was the methodical hunter and the cagey, faster one. In this case, the heel/face dynamics are reversed, and the big reunion at the end could be the Nexus coming out to be with Punk.
Match this could well turn into: Mr Perfect v Big Bossman, Wrestlemania 7
After so much build up and going through all the other members of the opposing faction (Heenan Family/Nexus), the blow off is filled with interference and ends with no real result.
Winner: CM Punk (but that’s probably wishful thinking)

Rhett Davis: With a mediocre storyline build, this match in technical purposes has potential to be fantastic. Hopefully it will have more time than Rey/Punk did last year and with Orton in the match that possibility is high. Orton needs the win much more than Punk does as Punk can remain as hated or moreso by losing thus I can’t see Punk winning this one. Although I would be with the group jumping up in joy if he gave Orton his comeuppance. I wouldn’t bank on it at Mania though.
Winner: Randal Orton

Kyle Sparks: With Cena likely to be champion, I’ve got to think they’re building towards Cena vs. Punk (possibly at SummerSlam?) for the WWE Title. Which means Punk should go over. That said, Punk got the leg up (pun intended) going into WrestleMania, which means that Orton should go over. Orton is drawing otherworldly face pops still, which means his heat could sustain himself in putting Punk over to truly cement him as #1 heel, which means Punk should go over. But, Punk will need something to keep him busy next month at Extreme Rules, which means that Orton should go over to continue the feud. Ultimately, the deciding factor is that it’s WrestleMania and the faces should go over, so it tilts the scales in favor of Orton. Look for Punk to do something dastardly after the match or at Raw on Monday (perhaps with a debuting new lackey?) to justify continuing the feud through Extreme Rules.
Winner: Randy Orton

Chris Sanders: This match is probably the hardest to predict in both senses of who I want to win and who is likely to win. Both men have plenty to going for them leading up to Wrestlemania as well as afterwards. This is one of those rivalries that is not gonna end anytime soon or, at least, I hope it doesn’t. This really has the potential to be match of the night for me. I see everything going back and forth for quite a while with Randy Orton about to win and then a Nexus attack of some sort.
Winner: CM Punk

Kelly Floyd: Oh yeah, this is happening, huh? Considering I have barely watched a damn thing on Raw, I’m going to go with Super-Orton, simply because I can.
Winner: Randy Orton

Chris Biscuiti: I expect nothing less than sheer brilliance from Randall Keith “Randy” Orton and CM Punk at WrestleMania. They are both in the prime of their careers and at the height of their popularity, and this should be a slam dunk for match of the night and quite possibly match of the year. I think Orton finds a way to hit a sick RKO after getting pounded by Punk from pillar to post, scoring the classic hobbled babyface comeback victory. Both superstars will more than likely make each other look like pure gold from start to finish, and I personally think that Orton and Punk will achieve perfection in their planned execution of these proceedings.
Winner: Randy Orton

Jerry Lawler vs Michael Cole

Raffi Shamir: If someone would have told any of us a year ago that Michael Cole will become arguably the hottest heel in WWE and will be in one of the hottest Wrestlemania feuds – we’d all laugh in their faces and call them crazy or stupid. But WWE has done the impossible and made everyone care about an announcers’ feud. And no, we care not because Stone Cold is there – we care because we truly want to see The King kick Michael Cole’s a$$ all over Atlanta. The only way to make this better is if Cole becomes a full time manager and turns Jack Swagger into a bona fide main even level talent. No need to play games with this match, keep it simple and give Jerry Lawler his Wrestlemania moment.
Winner: Jerry Lawler

M.C. Brown: The money is seeing Cole shut up permanently here.
Winner: Jerry The King Lawler

Matthew Michaels: Not who wins, but how. Lawler gets his moment, and Cole gets humiliated. Hoping for lots of guest appearances here (Bret? Honkey Tonk? JR?) as well.
Winner: Lawler

Andrew Wheeler: The most well-booked and well=planned feud at Wrestlemania by a country mile. I hate the fact that Steve Austin is the referee because the deck should be completely stacked against Lawler to make his win that much more triumphant. At the very least, SwAngle has been made to look more fearsome than he did during his entire title run. In the end, Lawler is going to piledrive Cole into a neckbrace, allowing this Kaufman-esque feud to continue.
Winner: Jerry Lawler

Jonah Kue: I may have spoken to soon. This may be the best built feud on the card. This is going to be the entertainment-based match of the night. Swagger will get involved and get stunned for his troubles. The Divas will probably get their chance to beat on Cole. Lawler will do his fist/piledriver combo and win the match. Austin will stun Swagger again, then Cole. Then, of course, we bring in the celebratory Brewsky between Lawler and Austin. With Cole finally getting his comeuppance, the satisfaction that the audience will feel at the end of this match will be comparable to the ending of Inglorious Basterds. Oh, and spoiler alert.
Winner: Jerry ‘The King” Lawler

Mike Gojira: Kick, wham, Piledriver! Then kick, wham, Stunner. Yes, in that order. To Michael Cole. Andy Kaufman, your vengeance will have to wait.
Winner: The King

Joel Leonard: Well there’s a good chance of some attempted interference in this match too, but in this case there’s no chance of it having any affect on the outcome. People have been waiting a long time for Cole to get the beat down of a lifetime, and Jerry Lawler is just the man to deliver said beat down on behalf of the WWE audience. My only question is, who’s going to call the match?
Winner: Jerry Lawler

Glazer’s Take: This will be an overbooked mess. I’m pretty fine with that – Lawler showed he was a master of those for decades in Memphis. This will be better than it has any right to be and feature Divas.
Winner: Jerry Lawler wins with the help of Divas and Celebrates with Stone Cold.

Steven Gepp: As close to the perfect build up as possible for a match like this. Match will suck on a technical level, but it will be damn entertaining, I’m sure.
Match this wants to be: Hulk Hogan v Vince McMahon, Wrestlemania 19
You have the old veteran and the guy who has made his life hell. Replace three leg drops with three pile drivers, and that’s what they’re aiming for, with Swagger in the Roddy Piper role.
Match this could well turn into: The Big Show v Floyd Mayweather, Wrestlemania 24
Overbooked into stupidity, giving the boxer (and non-wrestler) the win.
Winner: Lawler (oh, please)

Rhett Davis: There are so many outside factors in this
match that predicting how it will go is almost as hard as the Cena/Miz match, but I’d imagine that Swagger gets either thrown out midway through the match or gets a Stunner. King will win as a win for Cole doesn’t really do much except set-up a match at the next PPV. King winning gives him that Mania moment he never had. Anyone else psyched that he may see the return of the piledriver?
Winner: Jerry Lawler

Kyle Sparks: Does anyone honestly think that Lawler won’t go over here? Honestly? That’s just sad. This will best be classified as: “Entertaining crap.”
Winner: Jerry Lawler

Chris Sanders: Welcome to Wrestlemania’s feel good match. Just like Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon or Shawn Michael vs. Vince McMahon, this one has face-win written all over it. Cole has had pretty much everything go his way (minus the whole Stone Cold thing) so I see Jack Swagger being cancelled out by Stone Cold and JR returning in some fashion to commentate. All-in-all, I see Lawler winning by a landslide although I do think they’ll throw out at least one more surprise before this one is all over.
Winner: Jerry Lawler

Kelly Floyd: I’m not sure I can gather enough interest in this. It’ll be interesting to see Stone Cold’s involvement. But other than that, I’m sensing this will be a smoke break for me.
Winner
: My cigarette (and Lawler, I guess)

Chris Biscuiti: Speaking of perfection, the build for Lawler vs. Cole has been absolutely off the charts. What started on Old School Raw in November 2010 will be finished this Sunday at WrestleMania, and over the past five months every single wrestling fan (and GLAAD member) I know has wanted one thing and one thing only: for Jerry Lawler to put his fist down Michael Cole’s throat to shut Cole up once and for all. Throw in a piledriver (or two just for good measure), a pin and a KICK WHAM STUNNER and we have the feel-good moment of the night. Oh, and lest I forget my “surprise” prediction that Stone Cold Steve Austin will be revealed as the Anonymous General Manager and will summarily FIRE Michael Cole and reinstate Jim Ross as Raw’s lead announcer. Now THAT would be cool.
Winner: Jerry “The King” Lawler

Rey Mysterio vs Cody Rhodes

Raffi Shamir: We keep hearing that Cody Rhodes is Rey Mysterio’s hand-picked opponent for Wrestlemania. If it’s true, I hope Rey knows that it’s not enough to just pick a guy for a high-level match, it’s also important to put him over in a meaningful way. By that I mean a clean win. Rey usually wins on the big stage but I believe he will do the right thing, especially since Cody has done wonders with his current gimmick and deserves this push.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

M.C. Brown: If Rey handpicked Cody, then I can also imagine this story was to help Cody, while Rey is promised the win here. I don’t think Rey would be working through injury to lose.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

Matthew Michaels: Loving Cody’s character here, and it shouldn’t be stopped yet.
Winner: Rhodes

Andrew Wheeler: Rey hand-picked Cody to be his opponent, and while it would be easy for Mysterio to just waltz in there and take the win, him doing the job to Cody would really help cement Rhodes as a top heel. With that said, I expect Mysterio to win somehow yet take a beatdown so that Cody can get back his heat and win the rematch at the next PPV, Notbacklash.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

Jonah Kue: With the card not so full of Money in the Bank, we may actually see this match get some decent time. And that’s what’s needed for Mysterio to put Cody over big time. Though this match could go either way, the most sensible thing here is for Cody to get the win over Mysterio, but then Rey get some type of retribution, such as taking the mask off of Rhodes and hitting the 619. And hey, since it is ‘Mania, don’t be surprised to see Dusty roaming about.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Mike Gojira: I still believe that Rhodes needs to go over Rey here, but his vicious attacks in recent weeks mean that he’ll lose to show the kiddies that their hero Rey always gets his man, and good triumphs over evil, and yadayadayada. Besides, if del Rio loses, at least one minority has to go over, right?
Winner: Mystery King

Joel Leonard: I’ve heard complaints that this is going to just be a filler match, but if that’s the case, this is how a filler match should be built. The darker turn for Cody as of late is some great character development and I hope he continues the bit for the next while at least. That being said, I don’t think that Rey is in any real risk of loosing this match. A Rey is still a higher caliber of wrestler and when it comes to big stages, will probably come out on top. Still, I hope the feud between the two of them survives a Rey victory.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

Glazer’s Take: This match and the US Title match are the big ones for pure wrestling. Rey handpicked this match and feud, so I can’t imagine he didn’t get assurances as to getting time for the match. Cody is absolutely coming into his own as a worker and this will be a start to his breakout party, a very good performance that teases much more to come. Still, he’s losing the match.
Winner
: Rey Mysterio wins, but Cody gets to be in there with a big star and looks great.

Steven Gepp: If they’re given time, I think this could well be MOTN. Cody has improved so much over the last 12 months. And you know, there’s a part of me that wants Dusty and Goldust to come out as well. Looking forward to it.
Match this wants to be: Randy Savage v Ricky Steamboat, Wrestlemania 3
You have the hard done by guy going against the man who did him in, both with the skill potential to do anything to steal the show. Just reverse the face/heel dynamics for this one. The skill level won’t be up to the same level, but the intensity of the match could. Potential show-stealer.
Match this could well turn into: CM Punk v Rey Mysterio, Wrestlemania 26
You have all the elements for a great match, but they’re only given 8 minutes and so have to rush it and it just looks unfinished.
Winner: Cody Rhodes (why not?)

Rhett Davis: The Master of the 619 meets his handpicked, formerly Dashing, now Dr. Jeckyll-like Cody Rhodes. This match could very easily go either way just as long as both men looked good. If Rey picked Cody to just make himself look good, I would be very disappointed. This is a great opportunity for the formerly Dashing One as he has really developed with this new character. Everything he does is interesting and I’ll be intrigued to see how brutal he gets on Rey this Sunday. All in all, I will pick Cody to win if for nothing else to give him a big Mania moment. My bet is that he gets his handed to him post match after he attempts to go after the mask of Rey. I bet Cody gets demasked at Mania.
Winner: Undashing Cody Rhodes

Kyle Sparks: This has been a great old-school build with Cody breaking out the mask and then showing a newfound vicious streak that added some depth to the otherwise fairly shallow “Dashing” character. That said, with Mysterio likely on his way out sooner than later (as it would seem there’s an outside possibility this could be his last WrestleMania), he probably goes over here, even though the feud very well could continue beyond WrestleMania.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

Chris Sanders: Welcome to Cody Rhodes’ coming out party. This is where Rhodes has to win and I think by doing so, he becomes one of the top heels in Smackdown. Mysterio needs to take time off for injuries (honestly, a hiatus would probably do his body a lot of good) and having a great match with Rhodes is a great way for both to happen. Rhodes can do something dirty to demolish Mysterio so he gets over really well and Mysterio can take some time off. Everybody wins and I’m a very happy camper (and I don’t even like camping)
Winner
: Cody Rhodes

Kelly Floyd: This match actually sounds pretty delicious, with a huge serving of potential. People hate me for it, but Rey Mysterio is one of my long-time favorites, as he was in the match that made me fall in love with professional wrestling. So it may be bias, but I think he still has a great touch. And how can you not love Cody Rhodes? He’s overinflated with personality that is absolutely intoxicating to watch. I can see him finally getting revenge for the destruction of his Dashing face.
Winner
: Cody Rhodes

Chris Biscuiti: My sleeper pick for match of the night, I have absolutely LOVED Cody Rhodes’ transformation from ‘Dashing’ to dastardly. Kudos to Rey Mysterio for having the foresight to handpick Cody as his WrestleMania opponent, and props to Cody for taking the ball and running with it. I think Cody will find a way to pull out the victory here and after the match he will simply decide to pound Rey into oblivion before Rey gets saved by, you guessed it, Sin Cara! (Mistico)
Winner: Cody Rhodes

John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki vs LayCool and Dolph Ziggler

Raffi Shamir: My my, how John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler fell. From challenging for the WWE and World championships to this meaningless match. At least my beloved Trish Stratus, my favorite women’s wrestler of all time is here so this will not be a complete waste. WWE will want the tabloids to show Snooki celebrate so her team will get the win (I can’t believe I called it “her team”) and I hope Morrison will get another push to the top soon.
Winners: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki

M.C. Brown: Since Trish is 2-2, Morrison is 0-2 and Snooki pinning any one is worth the Media attention, then I’m going with the odds here since LayCool and even Vickie have Wrestlemania wins here.
Winner: Morrison, Stratus and Snooki

Matthew Michaels: Team Trish all the way. Would love to see Kong debut here, however.
Winners: Babyfaces

Andrew Wheeler: Who needs Money in the Bank when we can have this? I know it’s going to get a lot of mainstream press and that’s fine, but this was probably Morrison’s year to win the suitcase. Hopefully he gets a chance to do one of his wacky flippy moves before Snooki comes in to get the pin (because there’s no chance she’s showing up to do the job…in the ring).
Winner: Slo-Mo-Rrison, Trish and Snooki

Jonah Kue: Kue is not happy with Morrison not being in a legitimate match. In fact, Kue is very upset over this. Still, being in a high profile celebrity match might put him and Ziggler in a higher position in the card the way Lashley was pushed after ‘Mania 23 (let’s hope they can run with it a bit better). This match will mostly be Morrison and Ziggler going back and forth, with Trish hitting a few spots for the fans, and, in retaliation for Morrison getting pinned by Vicky, look for Snooki to get the pin on Ziggler. And maybe a bit of pouncing on Vickie after the match (wow, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little).
Winner: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki

Mike Gojira: The celebrity quota has been filled. Call me crazy, but I prefer blonde Trish. Anywho, Snooki wins for her team after another great Thesz Press to Layla. Vickie gets beat up somehow, too, to the delight of everyone. I heard Snoop Dogg was invited back, so he’ll make out with another Diva or two to celebrate. Like his awkward lip session with Maria a while back.
Winners: John Snooki Stratus

Joel Leonard: While I hope this match is 90% John and Dolph (hey, I’d like to see a singles match between the two of them) the reason that the faces are going to win this one is thanks to Snooki. Heels who go after celebrities in the WWE are the most hated, plus giving Tough Enough a small push with a Trish Stratus victory will be a plus for the company
Winner: John Morrison and gang.

Glazer’s Take: Everyone expects and overbooked mess except me. This will be a fairly straight comedy 6-person intergender tag where it will be teased that Ziggler gets a hold of Trish or Snooki only to eventually lose to Morrison, who could use the big win. Vickie will try to interfere, end up trapped, and be beat up by Snooki and Trish to make the crowd and celebrity happy.
Winner
: John Morrison, Trish and Snooki in a surprisingly straightforward match.

Steven Gepp: Oh, this can’t be good. The two guys can wrestle, Stratus used to be able to wrestle, McCool can sort of wrestle, Layla can walk and talk at the same time, Snooki is… I just vomited a little in my mouth thinking about her.
Match this wants to be: The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust & Luna v Marc Mero & Sable, Wrestlemania 14
Surprisingly good mixed tag match thanks to everyone knowing how to work to their limits and working their arses off, and Sable even pulling off some good looking moves. (Yeah, I liked this match.)
Match this could well turn into: Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire v Randy Savage & Sensational Sherri, Wrestlemania 6
A chubby non-wrestler taking down a former women’s champ. Two good male wrestlers in a joke match. The similarities are too frightening for words.
Winner: Snooki’s team (like they’re going to job the “big” “star”… erp, vomit again)

Rhett Davis: The bathroom break of the show! Team JoMo should look dominate in this as Snooki is our guest and she shall be treated as such. Are you ready to see Snooki hit a hairbutt for her finish on Layla? I know I’m stoked too…
Winner: Team Snooki

Kyle Sparks: Not much to say, other than the requisite IWC complaining that it’s not just Morrison and Ziggler one-on-one. But we’ve gotten that match plenty in the past, and likely will in the future. Oh, and as for this particular setup, the faces always win these celebrity envolvement deals.
Winner: John Morrison, Trish Stratus & Snooki

Chris Sanders: How could John Morrison, Trish and Snooki not win? You’ve got a former great returning as well as a celebrity? That formula doesn’t give LayCool and Ziggles a chance and that’s all I have to say about this hubbub.
Winner: John Morrison, Trish and Snooki

Kelly Floyd: I am still so angry about this. I mean…nope. I’m not going to get into it. You all should know my thoughts about it as—like a typical woman—I haven’t shut up about it. But, setting that aside. My logic tells me that since LayCool has been bested each time, they would be the ones to find a way to steal a win. But…Trish. That was the deal breaker.
Winner
: Trish, JoMo…and her.

Chris Biscuiti: Snooki-fest(!) is upon us, and at the very least I am glad that John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler will get to showcase their talents in a contest that will generate all of the mainstream buzz that WWE obviously covets. Also, is it me or has Trish’s comeback really gotten lost in the shuffle? After all, Trish just might be the best Diva in WWE history and yet her comeback has been completely glossed over as if it’s no big deal. Just sayin’.
Winners: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki

Sheamus (c) vs Daniel Bryan
United States Championship

Raffi Shamir: I have a dream, and in that dream Daniel Bryan is taking the role of The Miz post Wrestlemania 24, or John Cena post Wrestlemania 19 – the role of the plucky midcarder who challenges the champ (Assuming this champ is The Miz) after Wrestlemania in a feud he’s destined to lose, but tests him at the main event level. This can happen, and Bryan doesn’t need the US championship for that to happen. Sheamus just got the title, so he might as well keep it. At least both of them are on the card.
Winner: Sheamus

M.C. Brown: This is such a one-sided feud it’s ridiculous. I had Sheamus pencilled in for the win, but Bryan has been beaten silly since Sheamus won the title. Week after week including Sheamus actually pinning him last Monday. What would be the point if Sheamus beats him again? Bryan has to win for this match to even make sense that it’s taking place here.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Matthew Michaels: I like these two together, and hopefully this isn’t the last time they meet — perhaps a prolonged feud with a best 2/3 falls at the next PPV? Not sure Bryan gets the win here unless there’s some sort of twist I’m not thinking of; that said, I have a lot of heels winning, so maybe it’s possible. Betting on a great, 10-12 minutes of in-ring, and will predict with my heart instead of my gut here.
Winner: Bryan

Andrew Wheeler: Sheamus just won the damn belt like two weeks ago, and while logic dictates that Bryan will regain the belt, there just doesn’t seem like enough time has gone by to make the win matter. Hopefully they get more than 3 minutes and we get a good match, regardless of the outcome.
Winner: Sheamus

Jonah Kue: This is the match that everyone is going to complain didn’t get enough time. But what can you do? Sheamus has been pushed down the card ridiculously, and Bryan is coming into his first ‘Mania. This feud isn’t likely to be over after this match so…
Winner (and STILL champion): Sheamus

Mike Gojira: For three weeks Sheamus has dominated DB, and every time they’ve ever faced he’s had Bryan’s number (correct me if I’m wrong). That being said (thanks Blair), Bryan needs the win. Honestly, if they hope to revive the Raw midcard they need to start focusing on the little guys like Morrison, Bourne, and Bryan again.
Winner (and new champeen): Daniel Bryan Danielson

Joel Leonard: Sheamus has been on quite a roll ever since he got a championship again. (Yea, it wasn’t his original but, hey at least he has a belt again) While I’ve enjoyed Bryan’s rather extend run as a champion, its time to see what he can do without the belt. Plus Sheamus is just now getting back his position as a credible wrestler; it would be a shame to drop that so soon.
Winner: Sheamus

Glazer’s Take: Bryan has gotten chumped a lot going into this, so he really should win. But he won’t. Sheamus survived his de-push, and now, it’s Bryan’s turn. This should get some time as WWE have shown they respect what Bryan brings in the ring. He will make Sheamus look like absolute gold. Without exaggeration, if this gets fifteen minutes, it steals the show.
Winner
: Despite my wishes, it’s time for the Bryan de-push and Sheamus wins.

Steven Gepp: You know, I think this has the potential to be a damn fine match given more than 4 minutes. Looking forward to it.
Match this wants to be: Roddy Piper v Bret Hart, Wrestlemania 8
The brawler and the wrestler fighting it out for a secondary title, only face/face instead of face/heel. Not a technical classic, but still a very good match and the crowd were into it.
Match this could well turn into: JBL v Rey Mysterio, Wrestlemania 25
30 seconds later and JBL is out of there, looking like a right chump at the hands of the smaller guy in doing so. Depends on where these guys stand on the totem pole, I guess.
Winner: Daniel Bryan (but it is a toss ‘em, 50-50 call)

Rhett Davis: I am excited about the possibilities that this match has. Both Daniel Bryan and Sheamus have very interesting in ring psychologies and it’ll be very intriguing to see how they step it up for the big night. My secret hope is to see Bryan win back his title, but I can’t see Sheamus losing the only thing holding him up from becoming Jack Swagger and nothing happening with him.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Sheamus

Kyle Sparks: This one is kind of like above with Miz. Their standard booking techniques say that Bryan should go over here. But the appearances of the renewed push of Sheamus, coupled with the fact that Bryan is likely in the so-called “depush phase” of his career just don’t give me much hope for Bryan to become a two-time champion here. I just hope that he can recover from it, when guys like MVP never really did.
Winner: Sheamus (STILL United States Champion)

Chris Sanders: I like how this match was slapped together within the last week or so probably because WWE realized they hardly had any belts being defended and why the Intercontinental, Tag Team and Diva titles aren’t being defended at a 4 hour Wrestlemania is beyond me, but I digress. WWE put a lot of emphasis on the King of the Ring “curse” being over and Sheamus is done losing. I’d love to see Daniel Bryan and I know he’s gonna make this a really great match (not saying Sheamus is a slouch or anything) but I just see Sheamus coming out the victor, not for any real reason, I just see it happening.
Winner: Sheamus

Kelly Floyd: I adore Daniel Bryan. I would like to fold him up and put him in my pocket. But I think Sheamus is the one to walk out victorious.
Winner
: Sheamus

Chris Biscuiti: Can William Regal or Jim Ross please do commentary for this match? I just can’t handle Cole’s constant burying of Daniel Bryan anymore and I’d like to be able to focus on the actual match for once.
Winner and still United States Champion: Sheamus

8 Man Tag Team
Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Ezekiel Jackson, and Heath Slater (Corre) vs Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, and Vladimir Kozlov.

Raffi Shamir: So is this the bathroom break match of the card? I really couldn’t care less about this match, but at least it got Wade Barrett on PPV and we might get to see Gabriel’s 450 on the big stage.
Winners: The Corre.

M.C. Brown: Kozlov is only over because of Santino and…which makes him an easy pick to take the fall here. The Corre is being pushed to the moon. They can’t get a clean second win over Kofi and Santino won on Raw means The Corre will look strong here.
Winner: The Corre

Matthew Michaels: Corre needs to stay powerful, so unless Kingston gets involved here – or another tag team I’m not thinking of – the Smackdown heel stable should take it.
Winners: Corre

Andrew Wheeler: Ye gads. Last week we saw Team Useless do their trumpet celebration over Team Hilary Swank, so I think this is where the heels can gain back their heat and win a meaningless match despite holding a lot of gold that’s going undefended.
Winner: The CorRe

Jonah Kue: This is the match that everyone is going to complain about getting too much time. The Corre was a substantial idea. But damn, this just seems like a waste. Show/Kane/Santino/Kozlov have been turned into nothing but a failed comedy sketch group, and Barrett (winning the IC title aside) and company have basically been jobbed to these guys so many times that they’ve lost almost all the credibility they may have had in the beginning. The only way for them to gain that potential back is for them to win this match in dominant fashion. Here’s hoping against hope.
Winner: The Corre

Mike Gojira: I honestly couldn’t care less but there are two factors to consider. Santino and his Oddities one-upped the Corre last week and even got in their ridiculous dance routine with Kane. This means that there will be no celebration for them because the Corre will win. The other reason is the Corre just won the Intercontinental Championship and will continue to receive a huge push, since they are younger and need the win for their heel heat.
Winners: The Corre

Joel Leonard: The Corre has made some surprisingly good strides ever since their formation on Smackdown. With three belts under their…um…belt, I feel comfortable saying that they can survive the loss that they’re about to take at WrestleMania. Kane and Big Show can carry the bulk of the match and will be able to continue a feud (maybe with a tag team title run in the future) against the Corre while Santino and Kozlov are their usual comic relief selves back on Raw.
Winner: Team “Not the Corre”

Glazer’s Take: The “Thanks for your contributions last year” Match. The good guys win to pop the crowd and it’s forgotten next week.
Winner
: Big Show, Kane, Santino, and Kozlov. The winner doesn’t matter, so make the crowd happy.

Steven Gepp: Not sure what to make of this. Not at all. But I’m not that interested in it. Not at all.
Match this wants to be: The British Bulldogs & Tito Santana v The Hart Foundation & Danny Davis, Wrestlemania 3
Surprisingly entertaining match that allowed all participants to get their time in the ring, and with a shock ending.
Match this could well turn into: Big Bossman, Sgt. Slaughter, Virgil & Hacksaw Duggan v Mountie, The Nasty Boys & Repo Man, Wrestlemania 8
Just a mess all round, really, with a dull beat-down section and, well,just a mess. And with Kane and Big Show in there, this is all too probable…
Winner: The Corre

Rhett Davis: This match would be better if it were elimination, but I’ll settle with getting Wade, Show, Santino, Kane, and Zeke on the show if this is the best they can do. If the Corre is destined to start breaking up then Team Show should win, but I don’t think that is in the cards so The Corre will win big with Wade hitting his Wasteland on Santino after the rest of the team hit their finishers on him. Aka getting the largest amount of heat.
Winners: The Corre

Kyle Sparks: In the previous 8 matches, I’ve got 6 faces (or face teams) going over. Big Show and Kane are sufficiently over that it won’t damage them. Santino and Kozlov are still at their heart a comedy act, and Corre are your hot new kids on the block. They need this win significantly more than Team Trombone does.
Winner: The Corre

Chris Sanders: I really assumed we were gonna get Jackson vs Big Show or at least some sort of handicapped match. I really didn’t see Kane or Santino and Kozlov getting thrown in. This is just another feel good match for the fans.
Winners: Big Show, Kane, Santino and Kozlov

Kelly Floyd: I somehow always forget this match is happening. All I can do is cover my eyes and point to a name, and that would be my best guess. Closing eyes…boom.
Winner: The Corre

Chris Biscuiti: Listen, I like The Corre a lot, I just HATE everything about their opponents. Seriously, did Kane really have to play the air trumpet last week? UGH.
Winners: The Corre

Kelly has been with Inside Pulse since 6/2010, beginning with just her 10 Thoughts on WWE Superstars column. Now she brings you her 10 Thoughts on Smackdown weekly, and constructs the Rasslin' Roundtables for PPV's. In her spare time, she works with indy fed, Future Stars of Wrestling - AZ, wrangles children for her day job, and is generally and exceptionally awesome.