Last weekend I made some predictions about this year’s Wrestlemania matches. I pick who I think should win, along with who I think the WWE will actually have win. I keep track of how I do for the ‘who will win’ pick. The ‘who should win’ pick is merely my thoughts on what is best for future storylines or in developing stars. It’s what I would do if I were writing this stuff. On with the results…
24-Man Battle Royal – Winner faces ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero
Who Should Win: Jamie Noble
Who Will Win: I said either of Tommy Dreamer, Hardcore Holly, Kane or Jaime Noble would have a good match with Chavo.
I actually didn’t get to watch this match, so I can’t tell you much about it. If I was watching this match as it evolved and wrestlers were eliminated, I would have never expected it to finish the way it did. It came down to two big men, Kane and Mark Henry, which I wasn’t really surprised to see, with ECW recently focusing on powerful large guys. Normally, I would have expected Henry to win, since Kane never really ever seems to get any kind of legitimate title shots. I figured they would make Henry their challenger, even if it was heel against heel. But I was pleasantly surprised and Kane came out on top. I can’t really take credit for this one since I basicly said four guys. Winner: Kane (0-0)
Belfast Brawl – Fit Finlay vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Who Should Win: Finlay
Who Will Win: FinlayThis was a pretty good and basic hardcore match. They used weapons, but didn’t stray from the ring. Each of the men beat each other silly. I don’t care a whole lot for JBL, but he’s got a very good focused attitude when he wrestles that comes across the television well. Every time Finlay gets into a ring with a table, I think about the time his leg went through poorly gimmicked table top in WCW and sliced through to the bone, putting him into retirement. I was glad this was a simple match. It didn’t really need to be a fancy hardcore match because WWE has been taking it easy with these things so that they mean something more when they actually do happen. I’m not sure where they are going to go with JBL winning, but I’m going to guess that their feud isn’t done yet. Winner: JBL (0-1)
Money in the Bank Ladder Match – Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho vs. Carlito vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison
Who Should Win: Mr. Kennedy
Who Will Win: Mr. Kennedy
This was a pretty good ladder match, but you could expect that with the level of talent they had in there. The surprise of the match was a returning Matt Hardy getting his revenge on MVP as he went to grab the briefcase. I thought that they would give the title shot to Mr. Kennedy because he seemed like the most main-event ready performer in the match. As I was watching the match though, I realized that having an ECW wrestler win the title lets them not have to worry about working it into the main storylines in their top two shows. Of course, if they wanted to really throw a wrench in things, they should have C. M. Punk use the contract to go after either the RAW or Smackdown champion. Winner: C.M. Punk (0-2)
SmackDown vs. Raw: Batista vs. Umaga
Who Should Win: Umaga
Who Will Win: Batista
I don’t really care much for either of these wrestlers, so I didn’t pay much attention to their match. It went about as I expected. Batista didn’t need the win to be seen as a main eventer, but Umaga does. Instead of trying to build up a top heel, they went the easy route. Winner: Batista (1-2)
Chavo Guerro vs Kane (ECW Championship Match)
I didn’t predict this one, though I did say that Kane could have a good match against Chavo. It wasn’t a good match, but it definately was an interesting match. Kane appeared in the ring while Chavo was looking up the ramp and then he chokeslammed the champion to the canvas pretty forcefully and got the pin 1-2-3 with no resistance. Since C.M. Punk had the belt taken from him not that long ago, and he now holds the title of Mr. Money in the Bank, I imagine he’ll be using it to face Kane. Winner: Kane
Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels (Career Threatening Match)
Who Should Win: Ric Flair
Who Will Win: Ric Flair
A great match between two great workers. And before the ref had even counted three I was trying to think of a way they could reverse the decision and get Flair out of that retirement stipulation. The reaction of Michaels right after the match and of the crowd and Flair’s kids was definately touching. I still think that there had to have been a better way to have Flair retire rather than having him lose to another legend on the backside of his career. I’m certain we haven’t seen the last of Ric Flair, but that’s material for another entry. Winner: Shawn Michaels (1-3)
‘Playboy’ BunnyMania Lumberjack Match featuring Snoop Dogg – Ashley & Maria vs. ‘The Glamazon’ Beth Phoenix & Melina
Who Should Win: Maria
Who Will Win: Maria
As far as women’s matches go, this was pretty good. I don’t see why they had Maria lose though. It didn’t make much sense. Jerry Lawler clocking Santino was ok, but I don’t want to see a feud between the two. Maria should pick someone else to represent her White Knight and teach Santino to respect her. Snoop did end up getting a little taste of Maria afterward. Winner: The Glamazon and Melina (1-4)
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship – Triple H vs. John Cena vs. Randy Orton
Who Should Win: Randy Orton
Who Will Win: John Cena Having the marching band play Cena entrant’s music was a really unique touch. I was really surprised with the results of the mobile text voting. I figured that HHH (40%) would have a higher percentage than Orton (52%) and I didn’t think that Cena would have such a low number (8%). Will WWE finally realize that forcing Cena as a face is a bad idea? I can see his career parallel the Rock’s (albiet with a lower level of electricity) if they turned him heel and let the fan’s cheer him back to a face. Lots of good action in this match. Orton won in a way that was very Orton-like, with a kick to the head of HHH while he was going for the pin. Maybe they will be changing Cena’s character since he wasn’t a factor at the end of the match. HHH goes on to feud with Orton while Cena starts to terrorize anyone in his way, ala Stone Cold? Winner: Randy Orton (1-5)
Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. Big Show
Who Should Win: Big Show
Who Will Win: Floyd Mayweather
This was a better match than I expected. Big Show is a great sport to lose to Mayweather. He showed a lot of power and spent a good deal of the time throwing that power around. I think Mayweather did a pretty decent job in the ring and if he wanted to give up boxing, he’d be an entertaining full-time cruiserweight wrestler. How do they procede with Big Show now that he lost to a non-wrestler? Winner: Floyd Mayweather (2-5)
World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Undertaker
Who Should Win: Undertaker
Who Will Win: Undertaker
This match was a sort of best-of-both-worlds. Edge got to work over Undertaker pretty well, but he also took a lot of punishment. Loads of near-falls to get the crowd riled up. I think it cements Edge’s place at the main event level even though Undertaker gets the win and keeps his undefeated 15 win record at Wrestlemania. Both men left it all in the ring and they definately showed that they deserved the closing match on Wrestlemania. Fans went home happy, as it should be. Winner: Undertaker (3-5)
Final Record: 3-5
Not horrible, but not good either. While watching the matches I realized that there were probably some good reasons to go with the other guy that I didn’t think of the first time around. I promise to try harder next time.
How’d you do?
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