Now with no thoughts.
Happy Ryan?
It's that time of year, the time of year when the excitement builds up inside, and you can't wait to sit on the edge of your seat, and watch bodies fly off ladders, 2 Legends go toe to toe, or just to feel electrified..... It's Wrestlemania time!
The one event that the WWE steps up for, and brings out it's big guns, and delivers it's hardest blows, is Wrestlemania, and in the last couple of months, that's exactly what the WWE has done, despite TNA rolling into Monday Nights running their mouths, the WWE has focused on Wrestlemania.
The WWE has spent time building up feuds, and even though CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio was only announced last week on SmackDown, the feud has been building, giving it the same amount of build say as, John Cena/Batista, the WWE has pulled everything out of the hat of goodies, they have pulled out Great Themes, They have produced top class videos, Top Feuds, and thy have done everything right.
The Card is possibly the strongest looking card in many years, back to Wrestlemania 21, or even Wrestlemania 17, some people have said, and I agree, but I wonder, will they be able to back it up, when it all counts?
This is what I am here to preview; I will add my thoughts and predictions, alongside the wwe.com previews, in a clash of poor writin’ and fancy lookin' text.
Enjoy.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES MATCH
Chris Jericho © vs Edge
There was a time when Chris Jericho and Edge were close buds, inseparable tag team champions even. But that was before The Rated-R Superstar made the “mistake” of suffering a torn Achilles tendon last summer and spending seven months recuperating from surgery.
Rather than stand by his pal, Jericho turned on Edge before the last of his sutures were even out. The arrogant Superstar claimed that he, not his former partner, was responsible for all the successes they enjoyed. As one might imagine, The Rated-R Superstar seethed from his hospital bed and longed to pay back his fair-weather fiend.
Now, the wait is over. Edge will get his chance on The Grandest Stage of Them All when he challenges Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
For The Ultimate Opportunist, The Road to WrestleMania was paved last month at the Royal Rumble when he emerged as a surprise entrant and shocked the WWE Universe by outlasting 29 opponents after a painful rehabilitation. As a result of the win, he was able to choose for which World Championship he would compete.
For Edge’s opponent, however, the path would prove more twisting. The self-important Superstar collided inside the Elimination Chamber with five others, including then-World Heavyweight Champ the Undertaker. Just as it appeared The Deadman would block Jericho’s path to Phoenix, Shawn Michaels arrived to pay the toll, superkicking The Phenom, which allowed Jericho to win the title and a guaranteed match at WrestleMania.
The clash between these former friends promises to be a deeply personal affair. After all, no greater enemy can a person make than a wronged best friend.
My Thoughts: I see this as being a good match, but not as good as some think it will be, but still very enjoyable, both have skill and have chemistry with each other, and I am predicting that Chris Jericho will retain, thus leaving Edge as the first man in quite a while to not have converted the Rumble win into a title win.
NO DQ OR COUNTOUT
STREAK VS CAREER
The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
At WrestleMania, The Undertaker will put his 17-0 undefeated streak on the line against Shawn Michaels’ storybook career, in a rematch so highly anticipated and potentially explosive that it could only occur on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
At HBK’s request. This much anticipated rematch can only be decided by pinfall or submission. So, no matter what happens, one of these men's fates will be decided.
The showdown between The Demon of Death Valley and HBK at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania one year ago had seemed like destiny. The Phenom – never bested in the history of WWE’s greatest pay-per-view – would finally clash with Mr. WrestleMania himself. Although The Deadman ultimately reigned supreme over Michaels in a match many consider as one of the greatest of all time, the epic battle only fueled their mutual legend as well as the WWE Universe’s insatiable thirst for a return confrontation.
After coming so close to a WrestleMania triumph over his legendary opponent, the highly-competitive HBK became obsessed with getting another opportunity. Yet no matter what he did, every one of his efforts over the past few months came up short. After suffering devastating losses in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match on Raw, Michaels decided to take drastic measures of such magnitude, that The Undertaker would be forced to take notice. At WWE Elimination Chamber, just as The Phenom looked ready to finish off Chris Jericho to retain his title, Michaels suddenly emerged from under the steel grates of the demented structure, and then delivered a jaw-shattering Sweet Chin Music that cost The Deadman his “holy grail.”
The Undertaker emerged on Raw one night later, seething for retribution. He finally agreed to HBK’s challenge on one condition: that The Showstopper put his career up against his 17-0 WrestleMania record.
Michaels accepted, claiming that if he can't beat The Deadman this time around, there's no reason why his career should continue.
My Thoughts: I think that this will be match of the night, maybe it won’t have as much skill in ring as Jericho/Edge, but both men have a lot of experience and know how to use psychology, I can’t go past Undertaker winning, and ala the infamous casket match “ending” Michael’s career.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES MATCH
Batista © vs John Cena
For a brief moment at WWE Elimination Chamber, John Cena was the WWE Champion and as far as he was concerned, order was restored to the WWE Universe, but that was all ripped away from him when Mr. McMahon granted Batista a post-Chamber title match against the battle-worn Champ.
On Raw, in a match pitting Cena against Batista to decide which former champion - Cena or Sheamus - would challenge The Animal at WrestleMania, Cena thought that his fate was in his hands. Batista proved otherwise as he made the choice himself, purposely getting himself disqualified, awarding Cena the WWE Championship confrontation at WrestleMania – as well as a vicious post-match beating with a steel chair.
It’s no surprise the tension is as thick as it is between these two considering what has transpired in recent weeks, both seemingly taking opposite sides in the war waging between Mr. McMahon and WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart. The first shot fired could even be considered the most brutal. Weeks ago, when Raw went off the air, Batista crushed Cena with a vicious Batista Bomb onto the steel ring steps. Only now, it would seem, is The Animal’s motive for the unprovoked assault clear: A main event confrontation at WrestleMania.
Even before these incidents began to transpire, these men were no strangers to each other, though the circumstances were much different. At SummerSlam 2008, these men clashed, with a much different Animal victorious against Cena, who was injured in battle. But then, there was mutual respect between the two – now it’s just blind hatred.
What will come of this colossal rematch on The Grandest Stage of Them All? Will Cena extract revenge while recapturing the WWE Championship? Or will The Animal tear into the former champion as he proclaims his dominance across the WWE landscape?
My Thoughts: At first, I didn’t care about this match, but Batista has pulled out the best mic work of his career, and has stepped up, Cena has been on and off, but the WWE Production team is what has really sold this, the video packages they have produced for Mania, have been top class, and have separated the matches from looking good, to great. Critics will shit all over this, but I feel this will be a solid match, with John Cena taking the title.
LEGACY GRUDGE MATCH
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Randy Orton vs Ted DiBiase vs Cody Rhodes
The trio of Superstars who once believed it was their birthright to dominate WWE together has now split at the seams. At WrestleMania, Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes will square off against one another in a Triple Threat Match.
While there has been internal strife within The Legacy before, the trio always pulled together and flourished since their formation. However, over the past few months, the small arguments led to a larger rift and DiBiase and Rhodes have had enough of living in Orton’s shadow. They believe the time has come for them to step into a spotlight of their own and they have the opportunity to finally do so on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
When Cody Rhodes sided with Ted DiBiase to win the World Tag Team Championship in 2008, the sons of two WWE Legends came together to pursue what they believe is their destiny. Cody, the son of Dusty Rhodes, and Ted, the son of “The Million Dollar Man,” set out to prove that they would be the future of WWE and carry on and surpass the legacies of their famous fathers, paving their own paths. This attitude is what caught the attention of another multi-generational Superstar: Randy Orton, the son of WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
With The Viper’s guidance, DiBiase and Rhodes became a recognized and feared force amongst the ranks of Raw as “The Legacy.” Orton used his new pupils as an insurance policy in matches where the deck might be stacked against him, exacting victory in the 2009 Royal Rumble and winning the WWE Championship three times in 2009.
However, DiBiase and Rhodes still believed it was their fate to rise to the top, just as Orton believed it was his destiny to stay on top. These feelings would often lead to disagreements amongst the trio and eventually, Orton’s reliance on his apprentices would backfire and cost him the WWE Title on two separate occasions over the past three months.
Now at odds with his former students, The Viper believes that the competitive DiBiase and Rhodes may actually resent and despise one another. Heading into WrestleMania, tensions are rising and DiBiase and Rhodes may be out to prove that they are The Legacy’s standout star.
Each of these three Superstars, each one the son of a WWE Legend, will be looking to cement their own individual legacy at the biggest event of the year. Will Orton prove his superiority over his former pupils? Or will DiBiase or Rhodes rise up and secure their first WrestleMania victory?
My Thoughts:
The almost forgotten match on the card, yet one that will most likely shine, with the experience of Orton, and talent of all 3, I think this match will do it’s job, as a solid undercard match, it’s a tough one to call, but I think the WWE brass will go with Ted DiBiase, and possibly push start a push for him.
SINGLES MATCH
Triple H vs Sheamus
It’s the age-old tale of the young lion rising up to challenge an established king of the jungle as the hungry former champion, Sheamus, will take on one of WWE’s best and most decorated competitors of the past 20 years: Triple H.
The Game cost The Celtic Warrior the WWE Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber, and when Sheamus returned on Raw, he made sure Triple H felt the brunt of his Irish fury. Now these two former World Champions will collide at WrestleMania to settle the score. There is nothing The Celtic Warrior would love to do more than clear Triple H from his path to regain the WWE Championship.
Sheamus has had a meteoric and dominating rise in WWE since debuting in ECW. When he made the move to Raw, he would win Jesse Ventura’s “Breakout Battle Royal” and earn a WWE Title opportunity against then-champion John Cena. Fulfilling his quest for supremacy, he defeated Cena at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs to cement his position as the undisputed Breakout Star of 2009.
The Celtic Warrior dominated Monday nights, but once he stepped inside the Elimination Chamber, the game changed. Sheamus was eliminated, and in turn, lost the WWE Championship, when Triple H pinned him inside Satan’s Structure.
Sheamus’ greatest challenge to date may indeed be The King of Kings. The Game is a 13-time World Champion and is no stranger to WrestleMania. Since making his WrestleMania debut in 1996, Triple H has battled and defeated the likes of Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, The Rock and Big Show, amongst others. The majority of The Game’s WrestleMania matches have been the main event and more often than not, a World Title is on the line. Thus, The Cerebral Assassin certainly knows the feeling of headlining on The Grandest Stage of Them All and will no doubt use that experience against his zealous adversary.
What will happen when one of the most experienced Superstars in WWE takes on the young and furious former WWE Champion at the biggest event of the year?
My Thoughts: The Veteran vs The Rookie, I am looking forward to this, as long as it doesn’t turn into Warrior vs Triple H………. I think the WWE sees big things in Sheamus, and the IWC seems to think that Triple H does, and according to them he only puts over his friends etc…… and in this case I am going with Sheamus.
MONEY IN THE BANK
LADDER MATCH
Kane vs Kofi Kingston vs Evan Bourne vs MVP vs Christian vs Dolph Ziggler vs Shelton Benjamin vs Jack Swagger vs Matt Hardy vs Drew McIntyre
The opportunity to compete for a World Championship is so significant to the Superstars of WWE that every year the most fearless and talented competitors risk it all for this very goal in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match - and this year, for the first time ever, an unprecedented 10 Superstars will do battle at WrestleMania XXVI.
First contested at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, this dangerous, but rewarding contest pits Superstars against one another in a battle to climb a ladder and snatch a briefcase hanging precariously above the ring. Inside the case is a contract giving the winner an opportunity to face a World Champion at a time of their choosing throughout a 12-month period.
This unique ability to "cash in" a championship opportunity at any moment has given Money in the Bank winners a serious advantage over their opponents on many occasions. Edge, the first-ever "Mr. Money in the Bank," cashed in his contract at New Year's Revolution 2006, defeating WWE Champion John Cena immediately after the 12 Rounds star had just successfully defended his title in an Elimination Chamber Match. At Extreme Rules in 2009, CM Punk elected to face Jeff Hardy moments after The Charismatic Enigma defeated Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship in a grueling Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.
Every Superstar who has cashed in Money in the Bank contract has gone on to win a World Championship, including CM Punk, who won the contest at WrestleMania in 2008 and 2009. This amazing percentage for victory has proven that the risks of this perilous match are certainly worth the reward.
With his victory over Carlito on the Feb. 22 edition of Raw, new Raw Superstar Christian became the first man to qualify for this year's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
On the Feb. 26 edition of SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Shelton Benjamin all qualified to join Christian on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
On the Mar. 1 edition of Raw, Jack Swagger and MVP qualified for the bout.
Matt Hardy will return to WrestleMania’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match for the third time, thanks to his qualification on the Mar. 5 edition of SmackDown.
Earning the eighth spot, Evan Bourne defeated William Regal on the Mar. 8 edition of Raw.
On the Mar. 12 edition of SmackDown, McIntyre finally qualified for The Grandest Stage of Them All by defeating a local athlete, who The Chairman himself hand-picked.
Lastly, just six days before WrestleMania XXVI, Kofi Kingston won a hard-fought battle against Vladimir Kozlov to earn the tenth and final spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Which of these 10 Superstars will retrieve the briefcase and hold the possibly career-changing contract in his hands?
My Thoughts: The annual pay day, spot fest and chance to show what you’ve got, and by gawd does it work! One of my annual favorites’, it’s some awesome fun, and always a tough one to call, this year I am going to go with Christian.
13 YEARS IN THE MAKING
STREET FIGHT
Bret Hart vs Vince McMahon
Two men, one ring and more than 12 years of bad blood. It all adds up to one of the most anticipated grudge matches in WWE history: Bret “Hit Man” Hart vs. Mr. McMahon.
The hemorrhaging of animosity between these two began on Nov. 9, 1997. It was then, at Survivor Series in Montreal, that the then-WWE Champion Hart faced Shawn Michaels as The Chairman looked on at ringside. With the bout underway, HBK locked the “Hit Man” into Hart’s signature submission hold, The Sharpshooter. While Hart never submitted, the referee nonetheless ordered the bell to be rung and the title awarded to Michaels, all of which had been orchestrated by Mr. McMahon.
The “Montreal Screwjob,” as it has henceforth been known, left Hart filled with rage, especially toward The Chairman. For his part, however, Mr. McMahon has made no apologies, almost seeming to revel in his duplicity.
The situation remained at a stalemate until Jan. 4, when Hart agreed to act as special guest host of Raw in hopes of gaining “closure.” It was during the historic broadcast that the WWE Hall of Famer managed to make peace with Michaels. It was also when Mr. McMahon’s treachery continued. After praising his longtime nemesis, The Chairman betrayed Hart, kicking him and leaving him writhing on the canvas. In subsequent weeks, Mr. McMahon would berate and, with help from Batista, actually spit in the face of Hart.
Now, it’s time for more than a decade’s worth of frustration, resentment and pent-up rage to culminate on The Grandest Stage of Them All in a match the WWE Universe may have never thought they’d see, but always hoped to witness. Will The Excellence of Execution be able to unscrew what’s been done to him? Or will The Chairman continue to make Hart suffer?
My Thoughts: This match won’t be a technical masterpiece or a match of the year contender, it’ll consist of Bret Hart beating up Vincent Kennedy McMahon, and what more would you want from it? Bret Hart has to be the winner here.
WWE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
TAG TEAM MATCH
ShoMiz © vs Truth and Wisdom
n a match that will pit the immovable and the awesome against the fast and the furious, John Morrison & R-Truth will challenge Unified Tag Team Champions Big Show & The Miz at WrestleMania.
Shortly after United States Champion The Miz joined forces with The World’s Largest Athlete, the impressive duo overcame D-Generation X to capture the illustrious Tag Team Titles. Retaining the championships in hard-fought defenses against both Michaels & Triple H and Mark Henry & MVP on Money Night Raw, the dominant mixture of power and resourcefulness turned its attention to Friday nights in search of new competition.
Knowing that he could seek tag team contenders on any WWE show he wished, outspoken Unified Tag Team Champ The Miz arrived on SmackDown to mark his territory. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long’s response would be swift, resulting in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match the following week to see just who would face the “Awesome One” and his enormous partner at WrestleMania.
When the smoke cleared in the brutal tag team showdown one week later, the electric combination of Morrison & Truth stood triumphant; overcoming both Cryme Tyme and The Hart Dynasty to become No. 1 Contenders to Show-Miz’s much sought-after throne. The collective high-octane force of two of WWE’s most explosively dynamic Superstars will serve as a tremendous threat to the reigning champions.
Just one year after the Tag Team Championships were fused together, the fate of the coveted titles will once again be decided on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
My Thoughts: This will hopefully be a fun match, with ‘tension’ between JoMo and Miz being played up, while Big Show will play his part as a monster, and R-Truth will do what he does. ShoMiz to retain for me.
10 DIVA TAG TEAM MATCH
Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix
Vs
Michelle McCool, Layla, Maryse, Alicia Fox and Vickie Guerrero
Nine of the most talented Divas from Raw and SmackDown — and Vickie Guerrero — will collide on The Grandest Stage of Them All when Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Eve, Gail Kim & Beth Phoenix team up to take on Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, Divas Champion Maryse, Layla, Alicia Fox & Vickie at WrestleMania.
The seeds of this multi-Diva melee were planted as far back as Feb. 26 when Vickie helped McCool defeat Mickie to reclaim the Women’s Championship on SmackDown. From there, the egotistical Consultant continued to ally herself with the duo of LayCool while irritating every Diva on the SmackDown roster. The biggest offensive, however, came two weeks ago on Raw when McCool, Layla and Vickie made an uninvited appearance on Monday night and brutally attacked Gail, Eve and Kelly.
Vickie's tyrannical behavior continued as she challenged Beth Phoenix to a match on Smackdown. Of course, the WWE Universe found out she had a trick up her sleeve when she announced the bout was now a 5-on-1 Handicap Match. Thanks to the help of McCool, Layla, Alicia & Maryse, Guerrero was able to do the inconceivable and pin The Glamazon.
Vickie would not get away that easily, though. After Mickie, Gail, Eve and Kelly came to Beth's aid, the powerful SmackDown Diva was able to get her hands on Guerrero and tear her pants off. As the SmackDown Consultant waddled up the entrance ramp in her “Excuse Me” undies, the WWE Universe exploded with laughter, but everyone knew her sinister mind was already plotting a comeback.
With tempers raging in the Divas locker room, the WWE Universe can expect fireworks when these sexy, smart and powerful women step in the ring on Sunday, only on pay-per-view.
My Thoughts: Bathroom Break match-up here, not much to shout home about, I’d expect to see Team Phoenix come through.
Thanks for reading if you read the whole thing, even if you didn’t!
Until next time,
Tibes.
David Harding
Kaine Jacobs
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