Tag Archives: Santino Marella

Nov 24

Wrestlmania XXIX: Another Idiots Attempt to Predict the Card

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The big event comes to the New York area for the 37th time in 29 years! – photo courtesy of wikimedia

Now that Survivor Series has come and gone, we wrestling fans find ourselves looking in one obvious direction: Wrestlemania. Rumours have really started to kick into overdrive as questions have started to be fly. Will CM Punk still be WWE Champion? How will part-time performers like Triple H, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker be involved? Will Dolph Ziggler have cashed in his briefcase by then? How about rising stars like Ryback, or the newly debuted NXT Trio?

In this post, I’ll try to answer those questions as well as speculate on a few key matches. In a few months, once the card actually starts to shape up, we can look back and see just how wrong I was.

 

29 Man Last Chance Battle Royal

YouTube Pre-Show

These YouTube Pre-Shows seem to be here to stay, and there is no reason to think that they won’t try something big this year. The one thing I’m not certain about is if they even have 29 spare roster members to put in this match, if not it can be a smaller amount of competitors. The winner of this Battle Royal gets a spot on the main card as the 8th member of the Money in the Bank match. Let’s have a returning Christian win, but if he’s not up for it then the winner should be R-Truth or Brodus Clay with an outside chance of Evan Bourne if he’s ready.

Fireworks! Explosions! God Bless America!

Ryback vs. Big Show

On paper this may seem like a dull match to have jerk the curtain, but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The Big Show is a recognizable name to the casual fans that only watch Wrestlemania and Ryback is a name that the WWE clearly wants to be recognizable. Get them out both out there right away to get people paying attention and excited. Better still, have Ryback beat the Big Show quickly. Make the match less than five minutes long, including 500-pound Shell Shock to give Ryback a true Wrestlemania moment.

Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow
vs. The Miz vs. Antonio Cesaro vs. Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

Money in the Bank Ladder Match

That’s right, this is the year that the Money in the Bank Ladder Match comes back to Wrestlemania! Apparently the Money in the Bank was a plan in the works for last year, but Wade Barrett’s injury made them reschedule. So let’s assume that Barrett’s recovery leads to their original plan this should be a go. While the field is very heel heavy, it makes sense given the landscape of the company at the moment. I ranked the competitors in order of likeliness of victory, with Barrett being the obvious front-runner and Cody Rhodes as a likely second option, assuming he recovers from his injury.

Rey Mysterio vs. Sin Cara

The only thing standing in the way of this match is the injury bug. This is a total dream match, and is clearly the end point of their current foray into the tag team division. Apparently the company is interested in breaking the record for most masks worn at the same time, so it’s quite logical that these two would need to fight to give a great shot of everyone wearing the masks, and having everyone put the mask on would be a great cool down after the chaos of Money in the Bank. Now if the company wants to have the masks be split among the crowd, it makes sense to keep this a face vs. face match, especially since neither wrestler would make a great heel. If they want to add some more motivation they could give either wrestler one of the secondary titles, preferably the Intercontinental strap, but it’s not really necessary. Expect Sin Cara to come out on top in this match no matter the title or face/heel dynamics.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Special Guest Referee: Charlie Sheen

There’s not doubt that this match is somewhere on the company’s horizons, it’s just a question of how soon will it happen. To me, they are at the perfect time to set it for Wrestlemania. Have them drop the tag titles in the next month, accidentally eliminate each other from the Royal Rumble, both compete in the Elimination Chamber which leads to a full blown break-up and here we are. Having Charlie Sheen involved may be a bit of a reach for this event, but it makes a lot of sense since the whole “Anger Management” thing was how this partnership started and Sheen was supposed to appear at Summerlam but they couldn’t get a deal done. Celebrities always play a role at Wrestlemania, so it’s obvious that he would come back. Whoever is the face in this match (probably Bryan) would be the logical winner here.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

World Title Match

These three men have been doing the lion share of work on the Blue Brand for a while now and should all be rewarded with a big high-profile match. Add in the fact that they all have a clear chemistry with one another and this match should be great. Ziggler walking in as champion, after the Money in the Bank cash in, makes the most sense, but if he still had the briefcase there could be an interesting side story as well. There have been rumblings of both Orton and Ziggler turning heel and face respectively, so that could very easily play into the build if need be. The winner really depends on where they want to go with any of the three being totally acceptable. I’d vote for a Ziggler win to really help establish him as a top level talent.

Eve vs. AJ

Diva’s Title Match

There’s got to be a Diva’s match on the card, and this is the only one of any interest left to do, is it not? Trish Stratus, Lita, and Mickie James: you are surely missed! I guess AJ should get her first taste of Diva’s gold in as much of a Wrestlemania moment that we can get.

Triple H (w/ Shawn Michaels) vs. Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman)

This match is pretty much set now isn’t it? Not really sure what the point of bringing in Lesnar to have him feud with Triple H and John Cena was, but surely there was some logic there. Their Summerslam match was quite good and the rematch should be equal to the task. Add Shawn Michaels as a corner man and the inevitable Sweet Chin Music on Heyman and it could be even better. If Lesnar is leaving the company then he would leave on his back, again, but if he is sticking around then there is the chance for him to pull out a big win in order to further some other feud.

Seth Rolins and Dean Ambrose vs. Team CoBro
vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd vs. Prime Time Players

WWE Tag Team Title Match 

This assumes that the NXT trio that attacked Ryback are here to stay, and will function as a tag team. This group, potentially called The Shield could benefit from a Wrestlemania match and with the renewed focus on the Tag Team Division, a good spotlight match could be just what the doctor ordered. In my mind The Shield has the tag team titles by this point, and is able to defend them under Free Bird Rules.  The young trio could greatly benefit from walking in and out of the big event with the belts, even if the match would no doubt be cut short as a bit of a bathroom break/cool down affair.

John Cena vs. The Rock

Once in a lifetime, eh?

Since the company has all but decided on doing Rock-Punk at the Rumble, that leaves the rematch as the main option for The Great One. Their match at Wrestlemania XXVIII was fantastic, and there’s no reason to think that the second one won’t exceed it. Obviously Cena gets the win back, much to the chagrin of 70,000 New Yorkers.

Hall of Fame Spiel featuring Mick Foley and Randy Savage!!!


CM Punk vs. The Undertaker
WWE Title vs. Streak

That’s right, this is pretty much the only match that can go on after Rock-Cena. With two of the top matches scheduled to be rematches, it’s exciting to have a fresh attraction. Sure they faced off in two pretty terrible matches back in 2009, but post-pipe-bomb Punk is very different, and well this is Taker at Wrestlemania.

Oddly, the Streak has gotten to the point where being a Streak Victim really helps in the long term. I mean, think of the recent additions to the list: Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Batista, Randy Orton, Ric Flair, The Big Show, Kane. These are all surefire Hall of Famers, sure Mark Henry and A-Train were omitted  but they can’t all be great. To have Punk added to that very exciting list is nothing short of amazing.

Besides, it’s a great way to get the title off of him after over a year holding it. They can easily do a tournament or whatever right after Wrestlemania when Taker leaves again, or better yet have Wade Barrett or Cody Rhodes cash in the next night on RAW, that would be pretty amazing too.

So there we have it, ten matches, which may be a lot, but it is certainly doable. The last time the company had a ten match Wrestlemania it was Wrestlemania XXVI, and that had some nice long matches, so the company can balance it out again, no thirty minute epics like we had last year, but several matches in the 12-20 minute range and we should be fine.

Obviously, the card is subject to change over the next four months…

Jun 27

What the Summerslam Card Could Look Like

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With Summerslam a little over two months away and rumours starting to flow, it’s time to start to speculate on how the card will look. So far there have been rumblings of a CM Punk vs. John Cena title match, to go along with the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar Main Event. Obviously there is plenty of room on the card for the newly returned Chris Jericho, the soon to return Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, and Wade Barrett as well as the rising stars like Sheamus and Daniel Bryan. With a little bit of speculating, the card may look something like this…

Christian, Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth
vs.
Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, Kane, and Cody Rhodes
Pre-Show YouTube Match

This match is taking a page from last years six-man bonus match involving all of the upper-midcarders that just missed the main match. No reason for something like that not to happen here. Of course this could be added to the main card if they put some sort of stipulation to it or just wanted to give all of these big names a pay day.

Fireworks! Explosions! Biggest Party of the Summer!

Chris Jericho vs. Daniel Bryan

One of these two is due for a faceturn and a feud between these two could be entertaining both in and out of the ring. This could be the obligatory match to get the internet geeks excited and pop the crowd to start the show.

The Big Show vs. Brodus Clay
No DQ Match

While these two had a brief match on Monday this pat week, the feud seems to be a ways from over. Hopefully they can have Clay cost Show his Money in the Bank Match and have the feud kick it from there. These two could have an entertaining match and the stipulation would really help cover up both of their in-ring flaws. Plus, anything that helps get newer talent on the big card is a good thing.

Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton

These feud between these two was not quite finished back in the winter when Barrett went down with his arm injury. Both of these two are due to return soon, and it makes sense to have these two come back and pick things up just where they left off. A big victory over Orton could make Barrett’s return a huge deal.

Prime Time Player (c) vs. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara
WWE Tag Title Match

This is a bit of an off the board prediction but it certainly makes some sense. Titus O’Neil and Darren Young are very likely candidates to be the next Tag Team Champions. If the company is serious about rebuilding the division it seems like they need to give them a spot on the major card. If Mysterio is returning soon, the obvious feud for him is with Sin Cara, but it would be easy to rush that feud, so why not have them team up? Give them an extended run with the Tag Team Titles before they split and face one another at Wrestlemania. It makes perfect sense, does it not?

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Sheamus
World Title Match

Another slightly off the board prediction, but it seems like the feud between these two is not over. Ziggler is completely and totally ready for a run with the title. It seems like he could take it from Sheamus at Money in the Bank, or possibly sometime after (maybe with the briefcase) so let’s have the Irishman try to reclaim the gold at the big event.
Layla (c) vs. Kharma
Diva’s Title Match
Kharma has to be ready to return now, and win the Diva’s Title only to have Beth PHoenix try to chase her, right? Right?
CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena
WWE Title Match
This was already discussed on this week’s Plus/Minus. There is some clear intrigue to this match, especially if they tie into last summer’s epic feud. The obvious line was drawn this past Monday, since Cena can win his Money in the Bank Match and do a pre-announced cash-in for a change. This can really help slow the dilution of the Money in the Bank Briefcase. There have been far too many surprise guaranteed cash ins during recent years, so having Cena announce he is going to challenge Punk on the one year anniversary of losing the the title to him makes plenty of sense.
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar
This match is all but booked at this point, and what’s not to love? We didn’t see this showdown during Brock’s first run with the company, no matter how many times they tried. Obviously Lesnar needs to win this one, and in a pretty convincing fashion.
Jun 17

WWE No Way Out: What Should Happen vs. What Will Happen

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We’ve all been there Mr. Bryan, we’ve all been there – Photo from Wikimedia

With the WWE putting on their monthly extravaganza this Sunday, we will have the second of a regular series here at Blade Jobs of Steel. We will look at the event and examine what (probably) will happen according to current WWE logic and trends and compare it to what, in our humblest of opinions, should happen.

While this event at first seemed like it was set to be a rip-off of TNA’s Lock Down, and feature only Steel Cage Matches, things took a different turn with only one match set inside the cage. The Big Show-Cena match has gotten a decent build and now seems to have some lasting implications with either Cena or Laurinitus’s jobs being on the line. However, the other matches all seem to be rather thrown together, although the Ziggler-Sheamus rushed build is hardly anyone’s fault. Still though, we get two world title matches which are sure to be entertaining at the very least, and an Intercontinental Match which could full well steal the show.

The card order will be in the order of what SHOULD happen, with some discussions as to what will happen along the way

YouTube Pre-Show Match
David Otunga vs. Brodus Clay

What SHOULD Happen: Hopefully the company has not given up on Brodus just yet. There is still mileage to be gained from him, especially if they put him in a tag team with someone like Santino or Ryder. Clay should get a big win here to help him get back on track after being sacrificed at the altar of The Big Show.

What WILL Happen: Clay wins in less than five minutes

Match #1
Christian vs. Cody Rhodes
Intercontinental Title  Match

What SHOULD Happen: These two are given between ten to fifteen minutes to put on a great match to get the crowd going and put over the value of the title. In the end, Christian gets the victory, barely, allowing Cody to look towards a different title.

What WILL Happen: Actually that sounds about right.

Match #2
Layla vs. Beth Phoenix
WWE Divas Title  Match

What SHOULD Happen: The match starts out fairly competitive but Beth begins to take a clear upper hand. As she is about to hit the Glam Slam, in runs Kharma who absolutely destroys these two. She beats up Beth so badly that she needs to be taken off TV for a while. This lets Kharma feud with Layla for June and July, winning the title along the way, before Beth Phoenix makes a huge return in time to set up a money match at Summerslam.

What WILL Happen: Layla will win from some sort of a rollup, Kharma won’t show up since we are all expecting her to.

…yes both of those are copy/paste jobs from last month.

Impromptu Match/Segment #1

What SHOULD Happen: Tensai vs. Kofi Kingston — Kingston seems like he could be put into a feud with Laurinitus’s crew, what with Big Show knocking out his partner and injuring him. This seems like a logical way to continue and maybe even add some fuel to the Main Event. This match could have Tensai throw his all at Kofi only for him to keep kicking out before finally leaving after a few Baldo Bombs (or whatever this is called) to make both guys look great. This could also lead to a Big Show-Tensai Twin Towers type tag team having a run with the belts.
What Will Happen: Ryback kills two jobbers…again.
Match #3
Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler
World Heavyweight Title Match
What SHOULD Happen: An extended feud between these two could be a ton of fun. Ziggler is ready for prime time, and it’s a shame that his first world title reign was such a waste. These two have wrestled several times on Raw and Smackdown already in 2012, with every match being quite good. Hopefully an extended match between these two takes place with Sheamus retaining, possibly by a disqualification to set up Ziggler winning the title next month.
What WILL Happen: This is a very difficult match to predict what they will do. The company seems quite happy with Sheamus as champion, but if you look up and down the card, every champion is a face so surely one of the belts needs to go to a heel, and this seems as good as any.  Perhaps Ziggler wins a shocker only to drop the belt back to Sheamus in July.
Match #4
Santino Marella vs. Riccardo Rodriquez
Tuxedo Match
What SHOULD Happen: Is this match not happening an option? Well if it is set at happening, perhaps we could have Santino win the match only for Damien Sandow to come out and rant about the state of the industry and how much he wants to save us from such filth. This will set up a US Title win for Sandow in the near future.
What WILL Happen: Santino wins after a very excruciating and boring match.

Impromptu Match/Segment #2


What SHOULD Happen: Ryback kills a jobber or two, only to be confronted by Vader. The two have a pull apart brawl setting up a nice monster passing of the torch feud through the summer.
What WILL Happen: Sin Cara beats Hunico or Epico in a quick match.
Triple H Promo
What SHOULD Happen: H will get interrupted by Paul Heyman. The two will verbally spar for a bit before agreeing to a match to take place at Summerslam between Triple H and Brock Lesnar.
What WILL Happen: Probably pretty similar, but expect H to ramble a lot at the beginning before Heyman cuts him off. Also, expect Triple H to somehow verbally bury Lesnar for some stupid reason.
Match #5
CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
WWE Title Match
What SHOULD Happen: The build for this has been quite intriguing as AJ has most certainly made her presence felt. While Kane’s addition should bring the quality of the match down compared to last month’s classic between Punk and Bryan, it should still be a fun encounter. The addition of Kane makes it seem like we can have a title change and extend the feud a few more months, so let’s go with that. AJ and Bryan get back together when AJ distracts Punk long enough for Bryan to pin Kane and win the title.
What WILL Happen:  That actually seems kind of likely, does it not?
Match #6
John Cena vs. Big Show
Steel Cage Match
What SHOULD Happen: Cena wins a good clean match to get Laurinitus fired. He can lead some sort of invasion in the summer to try to reclaim his job and.
What WILL Happen: Laurinitus will win after a whole series of interference from everyone under the sun, including quite possibly Vince McMahon. Cena will be fired, take a week off and find a way to return in time for the 1000th Raw on July 23.
May 20

WWE Over the Limit: What Should Happen vs. What Will Happen

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Randy Orton and his mutton chops will be in action this Sunday! - Photo from Wikimedia

With the WWE putting on their monthly extravaganza this Sunday, we will have the first of a regular series here at Blade Jobs of Steel. We will look at the event and examine what (probably) will happen according to current WWE logic and trends and compare it to what, in our humblest of opinions, should happen.

This event seems to have been rushed together, taking place not long after Extreme Rules. This also seems to lack the big match that the last few events had, but still there is some intrigue with a WWE Title Match between the two best in the world (sorry Jericho), a Super Star vs. Authority Figure version 9000, and a Four-Way Title Match featuring four very good wrestlers that is sure to be entertaining.

The card order will be in the order of what SHOULD happen, with some discussions as to what will happen along the way.

YouTube Pre-Show Match
Zack Ryder vs. Kane

What SHOULD Happen: Zack Ryder pulls out an upset victory over the man that injured him a few months back. Kane flips out and attacks Ryder post-match to set up some sort of stipulation match to settle things next month, which Ryder should win.

What WILL Happen: Kane squashes Ryder and nobody mentions their unresolved feud ever again.

Match #1
Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger
WWE Tag Team Title  Match 

 What SHOULD Happen: These four men will go out and bust their asses popping the crowd and getting everyone excited for the sure. The Booming Truths or whatever they are called will most certainly get the win after one of the faces hits their finisher out of nowhere. Afterwards, Abraham Washington and his cronies come down and level the champs to set up some sort of stable war going forward.

What WILL Happen: Probably more or less the same thing, maybe no Abraham Washington group coming down after. Also, this match will almost certainly open things off.

Match #2
Layla vs. Beth Phoenix
WWE Divas Title  Match

What SHOULD Happen: The match starts out fairly competitive but Beth begins to take a clear upper hand. As she is about to hit the Glam Slam, in runs Kharma who absolutely destroys these two. She beats up Beth so badly that she needs to be taken off TV for a while. This lets Kharma feud with Layla for June and July, winning the title along the way, before Beth Phoenix makes a huge return in time to set up a money match at Summerslam.

What WILL Happen: Layla will win from some sort of a rollup, Kharma won’t show up since we are all expecting her to.

Impromptu Match/Segment #1

NOTE:  If Extreme Rules is any indication, the company seems to really like the idea of putting unannounced matches and/or extended segments on their big events, we can try to predict a few of those here at the appropriate parts.

What SHOULD Happen: The Miz vs. Brodus Clay – The two have a fun and competitive match with Miz being unable to figure Clay out, while Clay shows resiliency kicking out of some of The Miz’s big moves. The Miz pulls out a cheap win, then tries to hit on one of the dancers only to be turned down and attacked by a recovering Brodus in a post-match brawl.

What WILL Happen: Cody Rhodes vs. Santino Marella – A rematch of the Smackdown Champion vs. Champion match, this time with Cody winning.

Match #3
John Cena vs. John Laurinitus
NO DQ Match
If Laurinitus loses he is fired as GM, if anyone interferes they are fired

What SHOULD Happen: Other than this match not happening you mean? Well Cena wins in a squash, Laurinitus, dejected later leads a group of outsiders to do some sort of “Invasion” (possibly including Brock Lesnar?) while he tries to reclaim his job – maybe even a War Games type match at No Way Out.

What WILL Happen:  Does anyone not see Big Show costing Cena this match and then get restated on RAW? Does anyone not see this match going on last?

Impromptu Match/Segment #2

What SHOULD Happen: Cody Rhodes cuts a promo, stating that he is not defending his title since nobody on the roster deserves a shot. He is then interrupted by a returning Justin Bourne who knocks him down, hits the 450 Splash and poses with the title, setting off a fun feud for the next month or two, with Cody obviously retaining the gold.

What WILL Happen: Brodus Clay squashes the Miz in less than five minutes

Match #4
Sheamus vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio
World Heavyweight Title Match

What SHOULD Happen:  Randy Orton hits RKOs on everything that walks and looks ready to pin one of the heels, but the Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Orton out of nowhere knocking him out of the ring and the Irishman steals the pin on the heel. This can start a good simmer for a summer feud between the two top faces at Smackdown. Which simmers until they finally erupt in a one-on-one match at Summerslam.

What WILL Happen: The planned feud was between Sheamus and Del Rio, so that stays in focus here. Sheamus pins Jericho and Del Rio throws a fit because he thinks that he has it won and attacks Sheamus post match.

Match #5
CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan
WWE Title Match

What SHOULD Happen: Can you say 60 minute draw? Last summer they had no problem taking a page from Ring of Honor, so why not do it again this time? Have Punk and Bryan do a full sixty minutes, with the time running out at the end. They can have a steel cage match next month, which results in a draw, the Bryan wins one of the Briefcases and challenges him at Summerslam, where they do an Austin-Bret style double turn, making both men bigger names going forward.

What WILL Happen: Punk will win cleanly in a very good 20 minute match that goes in the middle of the show. Both men move on to new opponents, because why the heck not?

Mar 31

Wrestlemania XXIX: Predicting the Card a Year in Advance

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Sure Wrestlemania XXVIII is tomorrow, but what about the event after that? Will they announce a Main Event a year early again? Will the Rock show up? What about CM Punk? How about The Streak, is tomorrow truly going to be the end of an era?

This post features a look at nine potential matches for the event next year, sure it’s early and about a zillion things can change between now and then, but it’s fun to consider, isn’t it?

 

Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio and Christian
WWE Tag Team Title Match

It’s sort of a shame that Rey and Cara didn’t get to have a match at this years Wrestlemania. With both due to return soon, it seems likely that they may just have their big match by Summerslam. After that feud is done, it seems like there is a ton of money that could be made in marketing those two as a tag team. This could help since both of these wrestlers seem injury prone, so maybe their shelf lives could be extended with the two being put together.

Christian and Alberto don’t necessarily have a ton of storyline reasons to be together at this point, but they would make a great team in the Jerishow or Awesome Truth variety, and be logical opponents for Rey and Cara.

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz

Of course, these two are both heels at this point, but there have been rumblings about having either guy turn face for a while, and really why not? All of the best rising stars in the company are heels, so it seems like someone will need to turn face in order to break through, much like Sheamus did this past summer. My money would be on having Ziggler turn, but it could just as easily be Miz. An extended feud between these two could be a ton of fun, and could really go a long way to elevating both men to the top of the card where they clearly belong.

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan

You want to talk about best in the world? We need this match in one way or another, and why not put it on at Wrestlemania? When Bryan first announced that he would cash in at Wrestlemania, this was the only match I wanted to see. But of course plans changed and here we are. These two would put on an absolute clinic in the ring and there an extended feud here would be nothing short of spectacular.

Chris Jericho vs. The Undertaker

This match has been discussed for the last few Wrestlemanias. If this match is really going to happen, it had best happen soon. Jericho is one of the few big names that hasn’t been added to The Streak, and it’ll be incredibly fresh. Given Jericho’s history with both HHH and HBK, he could easily slide into that storyline, which has been running since Wrestlemania XXIV, seamlessly.

United States Title Defended in a Battle Royal!
featuring: Santino Marella, Lord Tensai, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Big Show, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, Hunico, Epico, Primo, Drew McIntyre, David Otunga, Mark Henry, The Great Khali, Jinder Mahal, and More!

This match is quite obviously filler, but it would be fun filler if nothing else. I love the idea of Santino Marella holding pulling a Honka-Meter of some sort and being forced to defend the title against everyone in a battle royal. It would be a great way to get some legends involved in a bit of an Old vs. New Type Match.

HBK vs. Triple H

As I said yesterday, I can’t help but think that we are going to get a Wrestlemania Match here between these two. It seems like HBK is going to cost HHH the match (probably innocently) and have it go from there. This could very well be announced as early as April 2.

Kharma, Kane and Big Show vs. Kelly Kelly, Brodus Clay and Zack Ryder
Mixed Tag Team Match

This is most certainly filler. I’d love to see Show turn heel, align with Kane and go on a rampage with Kharma. The face team was chosen just to have them all come out to Clay’s intro, what’s not to love about that?

Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett vs. Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Title Match

This could very easily be split into two separate matches, but we haven’t had a good multi-man match at Wrestlemania in a while, so why the heck not? This year will oddly be Randy Orton’s third straight year out of the title picture at Wrestlemania. He has been stellar in the ring this year, and flat out deserves to be closer to the top of the card. All other three men could help make this a great title match, especially since two of them have yet to hold the title, but I imagine that will change soon.

John Cena (c) vs. The Rock
WWE Title Match

Why the hell not?
I have a feeling that Cena will win this match, then they can set up a rematch for Summerslam, only for The Rock to win, leaving this to be a rubber match. To make it a title match could really add to the hype, as that was teased by Cena last spring but quickly forgotten once Punk burst onto the scene. We may as well make the big match even bigger, right?
I think having The Rock somehow win the title at Rumble or Elimination Chamber could make this even cooler, but I’m not certain that things will go that way.
Mar 30

Wrestlemania XXVIII Predictions

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John Cena faces the Rock in a generational showdown in two days. Triple H and The Undertaker will “End an Era” in two days. CM Punk and Chris Jericho will determine the best in the world in two days.

Wrestlemania is in two days.

To say I’m excited would be an absolute understatement.

As we’ve looked at in the analysis of different Wrestlemania Trilogies, this will mark the beginning of a new age. Will it be Cena Striking Back? Will it be the Era of Punk? The Return of The Rock? So many possibilities!

As a slight aside before we get to the predictions, we’ll be taking a week long break here. I’m going to be heading to Thailand tonight and will have to put the last six posts in the 40 Blogs in 40 Days series after. Sure it’s a little cheap, but it’s the best I can do. Also, I may have to wait and watch Wrestlemania after I get back and I don’t want to talk about anything else until then.

Now without further ado, the OFFICIAL Blade Jobs of Steel predictions for Wrestlemania XXVIII, with match order included. for fun.

Pre-Match Battle Royal: Brodus Clay wins by last eliminating Hunico and Epico to set off Wrestlemania size Funkfest.

Fireworks!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho
WWE Title Match

This has been rumoured to be the opening match; while that may rub a few people the wrong way, it’s probably for the best. This does need to be seperated from Cena-Rock and Triple H-Taker. Also, since it will probably be the best technical match, it sets the bar very high for everyone else to try and set.

Punk should walk away the winner here, but I don’t see it being fully decisive, maybe with a quick roll up or something like that. There is a ton of mileage left in this feud and a clean GTS/Anaconda Vice finish wouldn’t exactly make people shell out for the rematch.

Prediction: CM Punk via roll-up

Fantasy Booking Time: Ref bump, Jericho hits Punk with the belt or a chair, gets a bottle of whiskey out and pours it down Punk’s throat. Punk spits it in Jericho’s face and gets a quick roll-up as the ref wakes up, one-two-three!

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Big Show
Intercontinental Title Match

After hearing rumours of Big Show vs. Shaq and Cody vs. Golddust, it was easy to be a little disappointed when this match was announced. But the build has been nothing short of fantastic. Cody has played the absolute perfect heel here, and it’s very obvious that he has an insanely bright future ahead of him. Show is of course on the downhill of his career and is great for putting over talent now. That makes the outcome of this match pretty set. What’s curious is just how clean the finish is going to be here, there is nobody set to interfere, no obvious foreign object — like Cody’s mask was last year — it seems like it could just be man-o a man-o and I doubt that Show will lose cleanly.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes hits the Beautiful Disaster after a low blow.

Fantasy Booking Time: Big Show gets to be involved in some sort of “Wrestlemania Moment” maybe he goes through the announce table which gives Cody a chance to gloat. He sets Cody up for the Choke Slam later but then Cody kicks him in the junk and hits his finish move to win the thing.

Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Zack Ryder, The Great Khali, Booker T
vs.
David Otunga, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, The Miz, Drew McIntyre
GM vs. GM Battle

This match could be obvious filler, but it could also be a great, fast-paced affair. Most of the guys in this match can flat out deliver, and if they keep the likes of David Otunga, and The Great Khali to a minimum we could just have a great match on our hands.

The obvious money is in Team Johnny winning. A heel authority figure seems to do better than a face one in the long term. Plus, Johnny’s team is just flat out better, featuring four former world champions. The tough call though is who gets the pinfall for the team? Storyline wise, Drew McIntyre may be the best choice given just how long his feud with Teddy Long has gone on, but The Miz would make a ton of sense too. The darkhorse, which I’m going to take her is Ziggler getting the pinfall. By all accounts he is ready for Prime Time, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him drafted to Smackdown and get a summertime feud with Sheamus over the Big Gold Belt (oops should have said Spoiler Alert in there somewhere).

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler pins Booker T after Vickie pulls a distraction

Fantasy Booking Time:  After a finisher buffet, where everyone hits everyone else with their big moves, Vickie interferes and allows Ziggler to pin Booker. This sets off a little feud between Booker T and the Zig Zag Man that can cover the next few months as Ziggler gets ready to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Ohh and when Christian returns he gets his title shot that comes with a Team Johnny win against the very man who (storyline) injured him…

Hall of Fame intro and old guys wave

Randy Orton vs. Kane

This just reeks of Batista vs. Umaga from Wrestlemania XXIV, no real build, no real feud, just an excuse to get some main event talent in a singles match, and it will no doubt be forgotten shortly afterwards.

If anything can be learned from that match it’s this: when in doubt, go with the face and/or the bigger name.

Prediction: Randy Orton via RKO

Fantasy Booking Time: Nothing much to add here. Orton wins, moves up the card, possible feud with Daniel Bryan or a returning Alberto Del Rio.

The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Hell in a Cell Match
Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels

This match really is fascinating. Clearly they won’t waste The Undertaker’s streak on a semi-retired performer, would they? But what about Shawn Michaels? How on earth will he call it?

It really depends on if Shawn Michaels intends to step back into the ring or not. If he does, then the finish is pretty obvious isn’t it? He screws over Triple H. But what drama is there with him calling it down the middle? Maybe he makes an honest mistake or a longer slow count, I don’t know. But I have a feeling that HBK wants to step back in the ring against Triple H one last time…

Prediction: The Undertaker after a Tombstone

Fantasy Booking Time: HBK makes an honest mistake that leads to Taker getting the win, Triple H freaks out and lays him out the next night on Raw, challenging him to a match at Wrestlemania XXIX.

Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos vs. Beth Phoenix and Eve

With all of the potential matches for Diva’s, this is the best they could come up with? It’s a little sad, but I guess such is the state of Diva’s Wrestling. I imagine that Kelly may have to start the match alone with Maria’s injury, only for her to run out, make the save and get the win.

Prediction: Maria pins Eve.

Fantasy Booking Time: Not much! Maybe have Kharma come out after the match and level Kelly Kelly and Maria, joining Beth as a team of Super Divas for the next few months.

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Sheamus
World Heavyweight Title Match

This match seems likely for these Semi-Main Event spot. These two can put on a great match that gets the crowd energized without fully burning them out. The feud between these two has been very underwhelming, but the match should be great. Both guys can flat out go and I love the idea of them competing for the top prize a  year after being bumped from the card.

Prediction: Sheamus hits a Brogue kick for the clean win

Fantasy Booking Time: Hopefully these guys are given more than the Cena-JBL treatment. I would like to see them get at least 15 minutes to show their stuff, and hopefully Daniel Bryan doesn’t end up looking like a chump the whole time.

John Cena vs. The Rock

What else can be said about this match? It’s Icon vs. Icon, Generation vs. Generation. The match is going to be nothing short of a classic. The outcome is really rather obvious here, but it’s interesting to consider what will happen going forward.

Apparently the Rock is considering returning for another match at Wrestlemania XXIX, but who would it be against? A rematch against Cena, a one-on-one with CM Punk, The Miz? Someone else? It’s hard to say exactly, but it’s damn intriguing to consider. Either way, Cena needs to win cleanly here.

Prediction: John Cena after the third Attitude Adjustment

Fantasy Booking Time: Clean as a whistle, no shenanigans whatsoever.

Mar 12

The Wrestlemania Bubble

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In 20 short days Wrestlemania will be upon us. Yet somehow, only five matches have been booked, with a GMs Battle all but assured. In addition, we can expect 2-4 other matches bringing us in the 8-10 range which has been the norm of the past few years.

Right now only CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Triple H, The Undertaker, The Big Show, Cody Rhodes, John Cena, and The Rock know for sure that they will get the Wrestlemania Pay Day. In this post we’ll look at the next tier of wrestlers and see their odds of getting a slot on the card, and try to speculate where exactly it will be.

RANDY ORTON

I know that he just came back, but he is easily the biggest name not already on the marquee. His feud with Daniel Bryan that was starting in January seems to be forgotten, but he has drawn attention from the Big Red Machine since returning. Although the two will face off this week on Smackdown, so it may be over soon.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Kane, As a Member of Team Teddy

KANE

Ever since Kane put his mask back on, he has been up near the top of the card. First feuding with John Cena for a few months, and then shifting his focus onto Randy Orton. Let’s not forget the fact that Zack Ryder returned this past week, and could be out for revenge. Also, last week he was used by Johnny Laurinaitus for punishment, meaning he could find a spot in that match.

As an aside, this will be Kane’s fifteenth match on the main card, letting him pass Bret Hart for fourth place behind three men involved in the same match — The Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Randy Orton, vs. Zack Ryder, As a Member of Team Laurinaitus
ZACK RYDER

Speaking of the leader of the Zack Pack, he has yet to be booked for the big dance. He returned with a cane, which he may use to go after Kane (get it?). Or he could go after the #Hoeski that broke his heart. There is an outside chance that he could go to bad for Teddy Long, the man he used to work as an assistant to. But then again, he could be the corner man for a woman taking on Eve.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Fairly likely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Kane, In a Mixed Tag Match vs. Eve, As a Member of Team Teddy

SANTINO MARELLA

The Milan Miracle is really hot right now. His big moment at Elimination Chamber, followed by his US Title win this past week has been a real treat to watch. He could possibly defend his gold against some challenger, or potentially back up Teddy Long in the GM Battle, but expect him to try to go for 3-0 this year, as he builds his own little streak.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Defending the US Title against either Ziggler or Swagger, As a Member of Team Teddy

JACK SWAGGER

The former US Champion already burned his rematch clause in a steel cage match this past week, signaling that his “feud” with Santino could be over, or maybe he’ll earn a title match some other way and try to chase down the Italian Stallion. He was also part of that great three-team match on Raw from a few weeks ago, maybe a rematch at Wrestlemania could be in store? Lastly, he seems to have gotten involved in the GMs feud this past week. Thankfully all of these are better than being an announcer’s corner man like he was last year.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Challenging Santino for the US Title, As a Member of Team Laurinaitus, Involved in a Triangle Tag Title Match

DOLPH ZIGGLER

Really, just copy everything from above, but we can add a bit more to this. Remember when he had a promo battle with Mick Foley before the Royal Rumble? Nothing has really came of that yet you know…

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Challenging Santino for the US Title, As a Member of Team Laurinaitus, Involved in a Triangle Tag Title Match, vs. Mick Foley

THE MIZ

Hey remember who won the Main Event last year? For ridiculous reasons, The Miz has been on a losing streak of late. He needs to turn things around in a bad way. There really don’t seem to be too many options for him out there other than as a foot soldier for Johnny Ace. He also could be a great partner/love interest for Eve to take on Zack Ryder in a mixed-tag match — but that is purely speculative at this point.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: In the Air
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Laurinaitus, Teaming with Eve in a Mixed Tag Match against Zack Ryder

R-TRUTH & KOFI KINGSTON

It seems foolish to separate these two, since they will almost certainly be in the same match. With Evan Bourne suspended and potentially on the chopping block, Kingston needed another high-flying partner and Truth makes plenty of sense. He has fun moves, and more importantly a clearly defined personality. These two have been having matches against both Ziggler and Swagger and Primo y Epico, so there is definite potential for a tag team title match. Also, Kingston did have Teddy Long’s back last week on Raw, leaving lots of options for both of these guys.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but Certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Teddy, In a Tag Title Match Somehow

PRIMO Y EPICO

Despite the fact that they are currently the Tag Team Champions, they seem less likely to be involved in a match on the main card than their two top contenders for the team. They have had virtually no involvement against in the GM storyline, so do not expect them to be involved in that match. Apparently, the WWE is still hoping for Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara to appear at Wrestlemania. There could be the possibility of those two challenging for the Tag Titles in a match to clearly appeal to the Latino population in Miami.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: In the Air
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Defending the Tag Titles either in a Triangle Match with Kingston/Truth and Ziggler/Swagger or against Rey and Cara

ALBERTO DEL RIO

He has made his in-ring return at House Shows, making his full-time return to TV all but certain. He endorsed Laurinaitis at the Elimination Chamber PPV so he would almost certainly be involved in that match. The only possible exception could be Rey Mysterio returning to challenge Del Rio in a one-on-one match to get revenge for his current injuries.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but Certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Laurinaitus, vs. Rey Mysterio

CHRISTIAN & MARK HENRY

Like Alberto, both men endorsed Laurinaitus at Elimination Chamber, and like Alberto, neither have done too much since then. Expect them to be involved in that match.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: All but Certain
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As Members of Team Laurinaitus

DREW MCINTYRE

He’s been feuding with Teddy Long over his job, so he seems like a very likely candidate for a spot on Team Laurinaitus, unless they are somehow certain to keep depushing him.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Fairly likely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Laurinaitus

BRODUS CLAY

With Clay’s absence of late, it’s left many to wonder if the Funkasaurus is in fact extinct.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Fairly Unlikely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Teddy

DAVID OTUNGA

He’s clearly going to be involved in the GMs match, but with the dearth of heel talent available, he may be relegated to being a corner man.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Middle of the road
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: As a Member of Team Laurinaitus

MICK FOLEY

Foley was rumoured to be involved in a match at Wrestlemania this year. Obviously there are a ton of great young heels that he could have a great match with. Everyone from Cody Rhodes, to Wade Barrett, to Dolph Ziggler, to Jack Swagger, to Daniel Bryan could have a lot to gain from a series of matches with the Hardcore Icon. Right now though it seems like time has run out on getting him on the card.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Highly Unlikely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Dolph Ziggler, As a Member of Team Teddy

SIN CARA

That bump looked terrible at Survivor Series, didn’t it? He’s supposed to be out until May at the very earliest, and there is little to no way that they would take a chance to have him make a big botch at such a huge stage.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Highly Unlikely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Rey Mysterio, with Rey Mysterio vs. Hunico y Epico, As a Member of Team Teddy

REY MYSTERIO

He’s due back any minute now. Will they have him come back to compete at the big event, or will they hold off his return for after when it can be properly focused on? He would be a logical member of Team Teddy or good for a few other possibilities.

Likelihood of Getting Booked: Fairly Likely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: vs. Alberto Del Rio, vs. Sin Cara, with Sin Cara vs. Hunico y Epico, As a Member of Team Teddy

THE GREAT KHALI, EZEKIAL JACKSON, JUSTIN GABRIEL, TED DIBIASE JR., YOSHI TATSU, HEATH SLATER, TYSON KIDD, JINDER MAHAL, et al.

These are the guys who are currently not being pushed in any real way and are therefore unlikely to make the big dance. Both Khali and Jackson have been on-screen allies with Teddy Long so may find themselves in the match as throw-ins, although I wouldn’t be surprised to have either of them in a Kozlov type role, where they are booked, “injured”, and replaced either in advance or on the show itself.

Likelihood of Getting Booked:  In the Middle
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Either side of the GM’s Battle

KELLY KELLY & EVE

Of course, they won’t be teaming, but they will most certainly be on either sides of a match. It could be a mixed tag, a one-on-one, or as part of a triple-threat match

Likelihood of Getting Booked:  Highly Likely
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Kelly Kelly vs. Eve, Kelly/Ryder vs. Eve/???, Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly vs. Eve

OTHER DIVA’S

Beth Phoenix has been MIA of late, Kharma hasn’t been on TV since the Rumble, and Natalya is still farting, so there probably isn’t too great of a chance of us getting anything serious.

Likelihood of Getting Booked:  Moderate
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Beth Phoenix vs. Kharma, Beth Phoenix vs. Natalya, some sort of a tag match possibly involving Trish and/or Lita

ANY CELEBRITIES

Shaq vs. Show was in pretty much every rumoured card for most of the past twelve months, but Cody Rhodes seemed to have ruined that. Shaquille O’Neal says that he will be at the event, but I have no idea as to where. No other celebrities (besides The Rock of course) have been mentioned at all. James Roday of Psych is scheduled to appear on RAW tonight, so maybe there could be something there, but it seems unlikely.

Likelihood of Getting Booked:  No real chance
Possible Wrestlemania Matches: Not a clue

Mar 07

Wrestlemania 28: Predicting the Card Three Weeks in Advance

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In three short weeks, we’ll get to see the biggest event on the Sports Entertainment Calendar, Wrestlemania! So far we have five announced matches, which all sound pretty great. We’ve also had some leanings towards Orton-Kane and some sort of GM Battle. I’ve made a habit of trying (unsuccessfully) to predict the card over recent weeks and months.

According to my slightly educated guess, I think that the card could look something like this…

Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Christian, Dolph Ziggler,
Jack Swagger, David Otunga, Drew McIntryre
vs.
Santino Marella, Ezekial Jackson, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston,
Brodus Clay, The Great Khali, Rey Mysterio
Team John Laurinites vs. Team Teddy Long
Elimination Tag Team Match

Some sort of big team match for total control is pretty inevitable, and muti-man matches are fun and a great way to open up a show. Plus, the winning GM gets to serve as an authority figure for the whole rest of the show.

The intriguing thing about this match is figuring out the participants are. At the Elimination Chamber, Del Rio, Henry, Christian, and Otunga all stood with Johnny Ace, so they seem logical. This past week, Swagger and Ziggler got involved in this, and McIntyre has been in on this feud for a while. Santino, Zeke, Khali, and Kingston have all been lumped in with Teddy Long. If we have Kofi on the team then Truth should be there too, and Clay is bot awesome and has some sort of history with Laurinitis. Rumours have it that Rey Mysterio is due to come back soon, and this seems like a great place for him and it raises the start power of the face side here. If Seven on Seven is too many, which it very well may be, then we can axe Otunga, McIntyre, and two of Jackson, Khali, or Clay.

To fantasy book for a second: Mysterio pins Otunga, McIntyre pins Jackson, Henry pins Khali, Mysterio pins McIntyre, Alberto pins Clay, Kingston pins Swagger, Ziggler pins Kingston, Christian pins Truth, Rey and Alberto go double count-out, leaving Santino up against Henry, Christian and Ziggler. In an HBK ’03 moment, Santino pulls a shock roll-up on Christian, then Henry misses a splash and gets pinned by Santino, eventually Ziggler ends Marella’s run and wins for his team. Marella as Cinderella continues, Ziggler gets to gloat and is owed by Laurinitis forever, and we get a good heel authority figure going forward.

Predicted Winner: Team Laurinitis

Randy Orton vs. Kane

These two are involved in the Main Event Feud That Nobody Really Asked For. I sort of feel for Orton, as he should have been involved in the World Title scene. Oddly, this is the third straight Wrestlemania where he isn’t involved in a title match, so much for Smackdown’s Cena eh? This match could potentially use a hardcore stipulation, but that may be saved for the following months Extreme Rules.

Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Big Show
Intercontinental Title Match

This is the other match that could start the show off. But I sort of like it here instead. Cody has been downright unreal in this feud, really just oozing villainy. Interestingly, this will only be the second time in the past decade that the Intercontinental Title is defended at Wrestlemania, hopefully this will last longer than the 10 seconds it got last time.

Predicted Winner: Cody Rhodes

Beth Phoenix and Kharma vs. Natalya and Trish Stratus

This could be a straight one-on-one match, but I don’t think that they have enough time to properly build one, especially Beth vs. Kharma. It would be great to have Kharma and Beth team up as the new Diva’s of Doom, and then torment Natalya who seeks help from a fellow blonde Canadian. Obviously Stratus may be a bit of a long-shot to have a match here, but she looked great last year and there is little reason for her to not be able to be involved this year. Hopefully Kharma would turn on Beth to give us a real Wrestlemania moment and the chance to see the women’s feud we have all been wanting to see.

Predicted Winner: Natalya and Trish

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Sheamus
World Title Match

This is the other match I had starting the show as last year, the WWE Surprised many by having Edge vs. Del Rio open the show. Would it really be surprising if the World Title Match jerks the curtain again? This match could get a middle of the show spot much like Batista-Taker did at Wrestlemania 23. These guys would put on a great match to start the show, and then the World Title wouldn’t need to be awkwardly put in between a Hell in a Cell and a WWE Championship match.

Predicted Winner: Sheamus

Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Hell in a Cell Match
Special Referee: Shawn Michaels

Were this just about any other event in wrestling history and this match may just be the one to close the show, but with Rock-Cena on the card and this has to go somewhere near the end. This match should be absolutely amazing and HBK adds a ton of drama to this match. If he wants to come back  to the ring, this would be a great chance for him to unretire.

Predicted Winner: The Undertaker

Zack Ryder and Kelly Kelly vs. The Miz and Eve
Mixed Tag Team Match

A mixed tag match seems like the most logical way to end the Zack-Eve saga, especially now that Kelly Kelly has been feuding with Eve in recent weeks. Sure Ryder and Eve “got together” this past Monday, but there is no way that can last. Eve’s partner is up in the air, but The Miz’s natural douchebaggery makes him a natural fit to steal someone’s girl. This match is given the worst slot on a card since Lita-Trish-Jazz a decade ago.

Predicted Winner: Zack Ryder and Kelly Kelly

CM Punk (c) vs. Chris Jericho
WWE Title Match

This match has gotten me pretty darned excited for a while now. Give these two 20 minutes and we will get a classic. The winner of this match is probably dependent on the outcome of Sheamus-Bryan match. The only time that they have ever done a double title change at Wrestlemania was when Cena and Batista both won at Wrestlemania 21, which helped forever link their careers. Jericho-Sheamus would be a great feud but hardly an era defining showdown that Cena-Batista was supposed to be. So with that in mind, I’m going with…

Predicted Winner: CM Punk

John Cena vs. The Rock

Damn this is going to be good. What more needs to be said? This will be Hogan-Rock for a new generation.

Predicted Winner: John Cena

Feb 24

Weekly Plus/Minus: Santino Marella, NHL Playoff Seedings, Carter and Johnson, John Cena, and Heat on Everyone!

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What a week this has been in our strange little world! We had a surprisingly good WWE Elimination Chamber where a comedy act had the performance of a lifetime, a monster trade taking place, a team went from 9th to 3rd and another may jump four spots this week, and John Cena cut a truly legendary promo.

Santino Marella: Out of everyone in both the hockey and wrestling world, the Milan Miracle has had the most upward mobility of anyone this week. Since last weeks post, he won a Battle Royal to get into the Elimination Chamber, then went out and pinned both Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett, two quickly rising superstars.

The best moment came when Santino was shockingly in the final two with World Champion Daniel Bryan and he hit his trademark Cobra and covered the Champ. He had a very long two count and near fall. The building was electric as the Milwaukee crowd thought they had witnessed the impossible. Of course, Santino was unable to pull it off and lost to Daniel Bryan shortly thereafter. While Santino didn’t leave the building with the gold, he most certainly made huge strides to become a star. Hopefully he’ll get a good spot on the Wrestlemania card to continue his Rockyesque run.

Cursed Battle Royal: This past Monday we had a 10 man Battle Royale to determine CM Punk’s challenger for Wrestelmania. The biggest story from the match wasn’t Chris Jericho’s predictable victory, but the injuries that came out from it.

Both Dolph Ziggler and Wade Barrett sustained injuries in this match, and things just seemed messy. Luckily Ziggler was fine, but Wade Barrett suffered an arm injury when he was eliminated, which was worsened by Santino Marella falling on him as he was thrown out.

The loss of Barrett is a pretty big one as he had to be considered a favourite to win the Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania, and now it looks like he won’t be on the card.

While accidents most certainly happen, to have Truth, Kingston, and Marella all wrestle two matches a mere 24 hours after participating in Elimination Chamber matches is just poor decision making and we are lucky that things weren’t worse.

Scott Howson and Dean Lombardi: Well this sure made things interesting didn’t it? The big swap of Jeff Carter for Jack Johnson and a first round pick is sure to send some shock waves through the NHL. The plug has clearly been pulled on this current Columbus squad and the LA Kings are not satisfied with having the 30th ranked offense going into the playoff push.

Howson and Lombardi have been walking on thin ice for a while now and this move may have saved both of their jobs this offseason. Columbus shed salary and kicked off their rebuild, while LA got a scoring winger to play with either Kopitar or Richards — I know Carter is a natural centre, but he makes a great winger, and there is no way you want him third on your depth chart.

As much as Howson has been critized this year, the fact is that he turned impending RFA Jakob Voracek and a high 1st round pick into signed for several years Jack Johnson and  mid-1st rounder. Which really isn’t that bad. Of course you may have to convince people that this entire season has been some sort of a bad dream, which may be easier said that done.

Heat on Everyone: I don’t know what’s going on with the WWE right now. It seems like nobody is well liked backstage.

Several different reports this week came out that there was Alberto Del Rio was too arrogant, that The Miz was too lazy, Brodus Clay is too reckless, and that Rey Mysterio is taking too long to come back from injury.

I don’t know what’s going on right now, but they need to shut people up about this, especially at Wrestlemania time. The company does not want bad publicity their way at this time. The backstage tensions need to be kept to a minimum and nobody needs to do anything stupid. A backstage fight or public drunkenness could most certainly cost someone their job.

What’s more troubling is the reports that people are upset with the Rock, which brings us to…

John Cena: Mr. Cena really kicked the generational showdown kicks into high gear with a truly unreal promo this past week. He, quite rightly, called out The Rock for leaving even after he said that he never would. He said this week that Dwayne will “bury him”, and he probably will.

The fact that Cena stands up for the business, continues to be a company man, and gets shat on for it is an absolute crime. The man works his ass off week in, week out, and does more to promote the product than anyone else since probably Hulk Hogan in the 80s. I can’t wait to see him beat The Rock on April 1.

NHL Standings: Thursday night, the Winnipeg Jets jumped from 9th in the East to 3rd, while the Panthers fell from 3rd to 8th, the Capitals, currently in 9th have the potential to jump up to 3rd with a few wins. Meanwhile in the West, the Coyotes and Sharks are tied for 3rd and 7th, but a full 10 points behind the 4th place St. Louis Blues

Division leaders are guaranteed the top 3 seeds in the Conference in the NHL, and this has often been some point of contention, but this is getting ridiculous. The NBA had a similar problem to this after the Spurs and Mavericks were consistently two of the best teams in the league but were forced to split the first and fourth seeds in the West. This problem seems to be there for the Central Division, and potentially the Atlantic as well. The Southeast division has been perennially weak, and last years toughest division  — the Pacific — seems to have been somehow neutered.

If you are the Nashville Predators, currently sitting in fifth in the West with 77 points, do you try to win the rest of your games and face a very tough St. Louis team, or do you try to slide down and play San Jose, who currently has six fewer points? If it’s in your teams best interests to not win, then something is deeply flawed.

If the playoffs started today we would get Vancouver-Dallas, Detroit-Phoenix (again!), San Jose-Chicago, St. Louis-Nashville in the West, with New York-Florida, Boston-Ottawa, Winnipeg-Pittsburgh, and New Jersey-Philadelphia in the East. This makes me feel really bad for St. Louis and Nashville, two fun, tough, teams poised for deep runs, who through the luck of the draw are forced to play each other while San Jose and Chicago, two teams that are limping at the moment, get a much more favourable matchup.

A few years ago, the NBA changed it so that the division leader was guarenteed a top four seed, and it seems to have worked out nicely. If the NHL followed suit we would get: Vancouver-Dallas, Detroit-Phoenix, St. Louis-Chicago, San Jose-Nashville, New York-Florida, Boston-Ottawa, New Jersey-Pittsburgh, Winnipeg-Philadelphia. Tell me that isn’t more equitable?

 

Prediction for Next Week: Rick Nash remains a Columbus Blue Jacket.

Feb 18

Wrestlemania 28: Predicting the Card Six Weeks in Advance

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In six short weeks we’ll see the matchup of a generation. In six short weeks the greatest streak in sports entertainment gets put on the line. In six short weeks the “best in the world” debate can come to an end.

But what else is going to happen?

Here is the first of a few attempts of mine to predict the card for the grand event. One match has been set, with the booking of Taker-Triple H and Punk-Jericho a mere formality. This leaves some really interesting possibilities for the likes of Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Kane, Big Show and lots more. Left to my best guesses, I think it may just end up like this…

Matches are in order that I think they will happen

Dark Match: WWE Tag Team Title Match: Hunico and Epico (c) vs. Justin Gabriel and Ted Dibiase

Gabriel and Dibiase could be a fun tag team and this could be a fun match to get the crowd going. Maybe it could be a Lumberjack Match to make sure that everyone gets a spot on the card. As much as I would love to see the Tag Titles on the main show, I think that Evan Bourne’s suspension made that highly unlikely.

Fireworks! Explosions! God Bless America!

R-Truth vs. The Miz

I love the symmetry of The Miz going from opening the card to closing it back to opening it in the past three events. Hopefully they can keep this feud going six more weeks and let them blow it off here. I think that these two could be a fun choice to open the show up as they are both over enough. I would put money on Truth winning, given the heat that is rumoured to be on The Miz.

Cody Rhodes vs. Wade Barrett vs. Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. Mark Henry vs. Santino Marella
Money in the Bank Ladder Match

I am so thrilled to see this match come back to the Grandest Stage of Them All, where it truly belongs. The dual-briefcase was a strange scenario, and was starting to burn the concept out a bit. This field comprises of all the guys I couldn’t find room for elsewhere. I put them in order of preferred winners. That’s right, I would love to see Cody Rhodes win the briefcase and go around running his mouth about being the third man in history to hold both a World Title and the Intercontinental Title. What’s better – he should cash it in successfully while he’s still holding the secondary title. I know that there were rumours of Cody feuding with Goldust at Mania, but I just don’t see that putting buts in the seats, maybe they can have a feud after the event. I know that this match is way too heavy on the heels, but I think that Henry is going to be a face soon, which should help balance things out a bit. I don’t have Rey Mysterio in here since I am not certain that he’ll be back in time, but he could replace Santino Marella or someone else easily.

Mick Foley vs. Dolph Ziggler
No DQ Match

 Like everyone else, I got really excited at the thought of this showdown when they had their promo duel before the Rumble. Hopefully they bring Foley back into the fold and let him put over the next hot heel like he did for Edge and Orton before him.

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Randy Orton
World Title Match

This may feel like an odd placement, but with the other huge matches, we may want to separate it from the likes of Triple H-Undertaker and of course Rock-Cena.

We haven’t had a Triple Threat match at Wrestlemania in a few years, and this seems like as good of one as any to make happen. This of course assumes that Orton will recover from his concussion, which I think that he will. The fact that he missed out on his Elimination Chamber spot is great for the storyline here. He gets a clear claim to a title match, which can help set up this showdown. I’d like to see Sheamus win cleanly here, but I wouldn’t be upset to see any of these three guys standing tall at the end.

 Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal

Probably the worst kept secret in the industry. This match has the potential to be on of the more entertaining and fun celebrity matches ever. The build up and intrigue could really help sell some tickets. I kind of want to see a tag match involving Show teaming with Kane to take on Shaq and a face Mark Henry, but a one-on-one match against a recognizable star like Show is probably the best way to spike the buy rate.

 Zack Ryder vs. Kane

As I mentioned yesterday, if the current nonsense with Ryder doesn’t lead to a match against Kane at Wrestlemania, then it’s a waste of everyone’s time. Ryder is a perfect plucky underdog, and Kane is a great monster for him to go up against. The WWE had plans to break the record for most masks worn at a single event, and with Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara both missing in action, Kane is the next most logical choice to focus on. Maybe they could have Ryder get the crowd to wear these masks to throw Kane off. Long Island Iced Z would be great to hype this record attempt as it really plays into his interactive nature.

This match is somewhere in a cool down spot after some big time matches and before things kick it to overdrive with the big matches.

Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels

As I said yesterday, this is a match that I’m getting very excited for. Despite both of their ages, they gave a great match last year. Sure it looked a bit like a video game at the end with the power move, two-count, lather, rinse, repeat set that they had going on at the end, but I am confident that they can repeat it here. Hopefully Taker goes 20-0 to set up a huge match next year against John Cena.

Beth Phoenix, Kharma and the Bella Twins
vs.
Kelly Kelly, Eve, Alicia Fox, and Tamina Snuka
Eight Diva Tag

 This diva’s match is given the clear death spot on the card. I know that the big match is going to be Beth-Kharma, but if we can’t give it the time it needs it is best to not do it. They could work effectively as partners here before getting into a fight after a loss, setting up a huge match at Extreme Rules. This also gets all the Diva’s on the card, which seems to be a priority for this event

Chris Jericho (c) vs. CM Punk
WWE Title Match

 In many ways this match is the anti Rock-Cena, two men of different generations who truly believe that they are the best in the world (at what they do). This match will be an absolute delight for fans and I believe that Punk will stand tall at the end of this one. I do have Jericho heading into the match as Champ as I think that he’ll leave the Elimination Chamber with the belt, but it’s not required. Also note: I’m writing this before the Chamber takes place, so maybe something will change here.

The Rock vs. John Cena

 This match is so exciting and I for one can’t wait to see it happen. This is the Hogan-Rock for a new generation. A decade Hogan did the right thing and laid down for the top star of the new generation and I hope that Rock does the same thing here.

So that’s ten matches, which is as many as they had at Wrestlemania XXVI but two more than they had last year. Maybe Foley can take the night off, or either of the lower card singles matches could be cancelled and the Money in the Bank could be either modified or expanded.

What about everyone else, do you want a card like this?