Following are confirmed matches for Wresltemania XXII, taking place April 2 in Chicago:
WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Triple H
World Heavyweight Championship
Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio, Jr.
Edge vs. Mick Foley
These additional matches have been rumored:
Money in the Bank
Carlito vs. Chris Masters vs. RVD vs. Matt Hardy vs. Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley
United States Heavyweight Championship
Chris Benoit vs. JBL
Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Booker T vs. The Boogeyman
The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry
Some other notes:
– Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock and Chris Jericho are not scheduled to appear at Wrestlemania at this time. According to the 1/30/06 Wrestling Observer newsletter, Hogan is at less than 50%, mostly due to him not liking proposed matches (including a “legends” match with Greg Valentine), but there’s always a chance since his VH-1 show is coming up. Steve Austin is not on good terms with WWE due to how JR was treated and how WWE wanted him to job to Coach. Plus, his film was scheduled to begin shooting during the Mania build-up, although that may have changed.
– In an interesting side-note, the Observer also has reported that on January 11, the Wrestlemania tourbus was broken into.
– Bret Hart and Eddie Guerrero will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on April 1. Others will likely be announced (a Ricky Steamboat induction is one of the latest rumors) between now and the end of March. No word yet on whether or not Hart will appear at Mania itself.
– Shawn Michaels recently told the Miami Herald that he plans to slow down after Wrestlemania. The Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter says that he’s been frustrated, some have said a “loner” backstage, and that it’s all physically catching up to him. HBK says he will slow down but likely wrestle until he’s 59 and a half years old.
– Wrestlemania XXII is scheduled to start at 7pm EST this year.
– WWE.com has added several sections to the Wrestlemania page, including “underdog moments” and more.
– Detroit is the leading candicate for Wrestlemania XXIII. Vince wanted it to be held at the Pontiac Silverdome as the twenty year anniversary of WM III, but the venue will be closed by then, according to the Observer.
– Also from the Observer, WWE had reached out to White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski to appear at Mania, but he declined. In other celebrity news, even though Shaquille O’Neil appeared in a taped segment on a recent WWE show, he has a game the night of Wrestlemania, so an appearance isn’t likely.
