The Granddaddy of them all has arrived as Wrestlemania commences at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida this coming Sunday. I will be attending the festivities with fellow Horsemen Avenue bloggers Anthony Zorzi and Justin Dibiase this weekend. WWE has done a great job in creating three super match-ups and putting together a solid undercard. It’s time to look at what is scheduled and what I think will happen.
JOHN CENA v. THE ROCK (“Once in a Lifetime”)
Back at the 2008 Hall of Fame Ceremony when Rock inducted his father, he seemed to test the waters for a return by calling out guys he would have had fun working with. I never thought much of it at the time because Rock had been gone for 4 years and established himself as a successful actor in Hollywood. Then Valentine’s Day 2011 happened when the Rock shockingly returned to RAW as the host of Wrestlemania XXVII. His return promo was incredible and delivered with such natural charisma/intensity, that it felt like he never left.
Of course at Mania XXVII, Rock cost Cena the main event against Miz and the two set up their match the following night. Cena has been the face of the company since 2005 and is a stand-up guy willing to do whatever it takes for the WWE. He promises never to leave and to remain loyal to Vince. Rock was a big part of the Attitude era, the greatest time in the history of the business with his plethora of catchphrases and flashy personality. Because he has wrestled only once since 2004, this match will be special and happens to be taking place in his hometown.
It should be given at least 30 minutes and I expect the crowd to be going bananas throughout. Cena is loved by women and children while the Rock is loved by men, women, and children. There will be tons of chants, and the atmosphere will be exhilarating. If I’m booking, I have Rock win clean to send Cena over the edge in the next year and also to send what is sure to be a pro-Rock crowd home happy. I think it would be fun to watch his character deal with a loss of this magnitude, establish a new edge, and fight to get a rematch. If WWE can swing it and have Brock Lesnar run down and F5 both guys after, the internet would explode Monday morning with the show having its “Holy Shit” moment and setting up some interesting directions for WWE to take with Wrestlemania 29 next year.
TRIPLE H. v. THE UNDERTAKER w/ SHAWN MICHAELS as guest ref (Hell in the Cell Match; END OF AN ERA)
This is the rematch to the classic HHH and Undertaker had last year and the culmination to a 4-year run of Triple H and Shawn Michaels trying to end the Undertaker’s 19-0 Wrestlemania streak. Taker only wrestles at the biggest event of the year now, but this build-up has been tremendous. Taker goaded Hunter into the rematch by saying Shawn was always better and that H knows he couldn’t do what his best friend couldn’t. The Hell in a Cell stipulation probably means blood will flow as Undertaker is out to avenge the beating he took from the Game last year. Michaels represents the X-factor as former partner of Triple H in DX and possibly still holding a grudge against Taker for ending his career two years ago.
The 3 men in this match are among my favorites to ever lace up their boots, so I will enjoy the hell out of this as should any other fan. This could be the last match for Undertaker. I will predict that Taker wins and can’t wait to see what the finish is.
WWE Title Match- CHRIS JERICHO v. CM PUNK (champion)
Chicago’s own CM Punk set the wrestling world ablaze with his passionate promos last summer on the way out the door of the company. His match with Cena at Money in the Bank last summer was the best match of 2011 as Punk garnered support from the WWE Universe and his longstanding internet supporters. He has developed into the number 2 guy in the company in the span of the year, selling tons of cool “Best in the World” merchandise and delivering in the ring and on the mic on a constant basis. The “straight edge” gimmick is real and the guy connects with the audience to a mass-degree.
Jericho has come and gone as he pleased since 2005, and man, was it great to see him decide to return on January 2, 2012 this year to give WWE fans what could be the match of the year by facing Punk at Wrestlemania. Jericho matches the intensity and charisma Punk brings and the fight for who is “The best in the world” has given the storyline some oomph. I’d open the show with this and put Punk over to keep him strong. I’ve got a feeling we are heading towards more Punk and Cena this summer, and WWE has to continue to portray Punk as the man. Give these guys 30 minutes and it should be incredible for fans to watch all over the world.
WORLD TITLE MATCH- SHEAMUS v. Daniel Bryan (champion)
Sheamus is the 2012 Royal Rumble winner. I like him and feel that while he is not quite there yet as an upper-echelon top guy, he is progressing and gaining crowd support. Daniel Bryan, aka Brian Danielson, was an Indy legend for years in ROH and has developed a whiny character with a girlfriend AJ he may just be using to get ahead.
I get a kick out of Bryan going, “Yes, Yes, Yes,” after anything good happens to him or even just when he enters the ring. There is not a lot of buzz to this match, but that will happen when you are below the top 3 matches on this card. In an interesting story, this match was scheduled for last year as a low-card attraction, but bumped to the dark match mid-day before the show. They have a lot to prove and will be out to put together something special. I also don’t see any way Sheamus isn’t leaving with the belt.
RANDY ORTON v. KANE
Orton is still WWE’s #3 top guy, but has had a rough go of it lately with a rash of injuries while Kane’s return to his original 1998 masked-character has gone over pretty poorly. Both guys have name value still, so WWE put them together in a half-assed dogshit storyline. I hope it is short and see Orton winning with RKO.
IC TITLE- BIG SHOW v. CODY RHODES (champion)
WWE put together this mid-card feud with a decent storyline touting Big Show’s ineptitude at the biggest event of the year in some videos that have been downright funny to help us remember some of the crap Big Show has been involved with. Rhodes has charisma, a great entrance theme, and is a competent worker. He should go over. Big Show has done nothing for me for a long time now.
TEAM TEDDY v. TEAM JOHNNY (Battle for control of Raw and Smackdown)
This is WWE’s annual get everybody who doesn’t have a spot on the card match. It features two teams of 6 midcarders fighting in a one-fall bout for control of Raw and Smackdown for their respective team leaders. That Teddy Long has been the on-air leader for 8 years of Smackdown shows how little weight Vince places on his B-show. John Laurinaitis was initially placed on tv as a rib that made Vince laugh. However, Laurinaitis found his niche as a villain and draws considerable heat. His team will win and we will move into the next phase of Laurinaitis abusing his power as on-air authority figure storyline.
KELLY KELLY and MARIA MENOUNOS v. EVE and BETH PHOENIX
I’m happy to see the divas get a match on the card, but this will suck and I hope it is quick and painless. Kelly Kelly and the Extra host get the win.
Overall the card is top-heavy with three huge matches. If they are all given the time they deserve, this Wrestlemania could be one of the best of all time. The tale will be told this Sunday, 7 ET on Pay Per View.
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