Christian winning the ECW Championship with the Killswitch on Jack Swagger: 10/10 for the Peeps!
Chris Jericho closing the deal on the legends by forcing Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat to tapout to the Walls of Jericho: 8/10
Kane chokeslamming then pinning CM Punk: 9/10
Jeff Hardy forcing his brother, Matt, to say "I Quit!": 9/10
Santina Marella pinning Beth Phoenix, then avoiding a Khali kiss but losing "her" top: 7/10 just because it was funny
Randy Orton punting then pinning Triple H to finish his ultimate task and become WWE Champion: 10/10
Edge taking advantage of Big Show's Chokeslam of John Cena to win the LMS match & become a 9-time World Heavyweight Champion: 10/10
OVERALL PPV RATING: 9.25/10
I hope all of the storylines coming out of Wrestlemania are done. It's time to put the draft results into motion and start new ones. If you don't like the return of Rated RKO and The Age of Orton & Legacy, then you don't have to watch next month's Judgment Day.
WrestleMania 25: #317 (Site) No Way Out: #391 (Site) Royal Rumble: #215 (Site)
*** Last Man Standing Match, for the World Heavyweight Championship Edge vs. John Cena (c)
-- 20 points for correct winner + 3 points for interference
Choices: Edge, John Cena, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Edge, Yes - interference
*** Match for the WWE Championship The Legacy vs Shane McMahon, Batista, and Triple H (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 3 points for interference
Choices: Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr, Batista & Shane McMahon & Triple H, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** Match for the ECW Championship Christian vs. Jack Swagger (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Christian, Jack Swagger, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Christian, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** I Quit Match, Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for interference
Choices: Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Jeff Hardy, No - no interference
*** Ricky Steamboat vs. Chris Jericho
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Ricky Steamboat, Chris Jericho, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Chris Jericho, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** CM Punk vs. Kane
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: CM Punk, Kane, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: CM Punk, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** Who will kiss The Great Khali?
-- 10 points for correct answer
Choices: Santina Marella Santino Marella Beth Phoenix Rosa Mendez Khali will sadly not get a kiss Anyone else
My Prediction: Santina Marella
*** Will Batista attack Triple H or Shane McMahon during their match?
-- 10 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No
My Prediction: Yes
*** Who will be the legal man for the winning team in the six-man WWE Championship match?
-- 10 points for correct answer
Choices: Cody Rhodes Ted DiBiase Jr Randy Orton Shane McMahon Batista Triple H The match will end in a no contest
My Prediction: Randy Orton
*** Who will be the legal man for the losing team in the six-man WWE Championship match?
-- 10 points for correct answer
Choices: Cody Rhodes Ted DiBiase Jr Randy Orton Shane McMahon Batista Triple H The match will end in a no contest
My Prediction: Triple H
*** Will the Money in the Bank briefcase get cashed in at Backlash?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No
My Prediction: No
*** How many titles will change hands at Backlash?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 or more
My Prediction: 2
This is a great opportunity...or for Edgeheads...an ultimate opportunity...to "usher in the return of Rated RKO". With the recent dysfunction between Triple H, Shane-O-Mac, and Batista; I see Legacy taking full advantage, and Randy Orton won't have to pin The Game to do it. I am predicting Triple H & Batista having a verbal, then physical argument, and an RKO or Punt from Orton on Shane to get the pinfall and his 2nd WWE Championship.
Last Man Standing means 3 things that Edge can use on Cena--tables....ladders....and chairs. He may get more support in this match--albeit from his Canadian fans--than Cena, and remember, SmackDown still doesn't have a major belt going into this PPV. Cena will certainly work to put Edge into a STF or AA, but I see a vicious Spear or a barrage of Con-Chair-To's, or even a combination of that and interference from Vickie Guerrero & Big Show to help Edge start another reign as World Heavyweight Champion. On the other hand, this would be a great opportunity for CM Punk to cash in his WM25 MitB and steal the belt too, so if he does, then it won't be surprising at all.
The ECW Championship match between Jack Swagger & Christian is, in essence, a pick 'em. I expect an even, good match for this one, and either Superstar finishing with the Unprettier or the Gut-Wrench Powerbomb. If Christian wins, then great. If not, then I would give Tommy Dreamer one more championship push before his contract expires. Narrowest of edges to Christian.
Another chapter in the Matt v. Jeff rivalry, and I see this one pretty even too. Expect alot of chairs and ladders to be used in this "I Quit!" match, and it'll probably take alot of such hits to make either of them quit. If Matt wins, and I think he will, then Jeff is pretty much done for awhile in the WWE.
I see CM Punk & Kane starting this PPV, with a small edge to Kane because of his power game and ability to counter a high-flying move. I see Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat giving...well...90%, if you know what I mean, but I still see Jericho using Hold 1001--Walls of Jericho, or Hold 1003--Codebreaker, to win...ARMBAR! Will Khali kiss Santina Marella? I hope so, although I won't see it happen unless Beth Phoenix does something about it.
*** Match for the World Heavyweight Championship John Cena vs. Big Show vs. Edge (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 3 points for interference
Choices: John Cena, Big Show, Edge, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: John Cena, Pinfall, Yes - interference
*** Match for the WWE Championship Randy Orton vs. Triple H (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Randy Orton, Triple H, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Triple H, Pinfall, Yes - interference
*** Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 3 points for interference
Choices: Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Undertaker, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** Elimination Match, Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka & Roddy Piper
-- 10 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: Chris Jericho, Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka & Roddy Piper, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest
My Prediction: Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka & Roddy Piper, Pinfall
*** Extreme Rules Match, Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 3 points for interference
Choices: Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Jeff Hardy, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** The Money in the Bank Ladder Match
-- 15 points for correct winner
Choices: CM Punk, Kane, Mark Henry, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Kofi Kingston, Christian, Finlay, or No Contest
My Prediction: Christian
*** 25 Diva Battle Royale
-- 15 points for correct winner
Choices: Melina, Maryse, Mickie James, Michelle McCool, Gail Kim, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Maria, Eve, Katie Lea, Beth Phoenix, Layla, Candice Michelle, Natalya Neidhart, Rosa Mendes, Jillian, Tiffany, Santino Marella, Trish Stratus, Sunny, Mae Young, Chyna, Goldust, Mystery Wrestler, Molly Holly, Victoria, Torrie Wilson, Jackie Gayda, or No Contest
My Prediction: Trish Stratus
*** Lumberjack Match, The Miz & John Morrison vs. Carlito & Primo Colon
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: The Miz & John Morrison, Carlito & Primo Colon, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest
My Prediction: The Miz & John Morrison, Pinfall
*** Match for the Intercontinental Championship Rey Mysterio vs. JBL (c)
-- 10 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: Rey Mysterio, JBL, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest
My Prediction: Rey Mysterio, Pinfall
*** Will any of the following appear live at WrestleMania?
-- 10 points per correct answer, no incorrect answers allowed to score points
Choices: Hulk Hogan Rob Van Dam The Rock Brock Lesnar Vince McMahon None of the Above
My Prediction: Vince McMahon
*** Will Chris Jericho get punched by Mickey Rourke?
-- 7 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes, inside of the ring Yes, outside of the ring No
My Prediction: Yes, outside of the ring
*** How many stunners will Stone Cold Steve Austin dish out during WrestleMania?
-- 7 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 or more
My Prediction: 3 or more
*** Will the winner of Money in the Bank cash in the briefcase during the PPV?
-- 7 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No
My Prediction: No
*** How many titles will change hands at WrestleMania?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 or more
My Prediction: 1
There are alot of matches on this particular card where I can safely say it's real even, and I am expecting nothing less from the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania than a show that everyone will talk about for a very long time, or at least until the Apocalypse comes. I see alot of instant classics here, and alot of DVD buys later this Spring.
Predicted match order:
1: John Morrison & The Miz v. Carlito & Primo - Tag Team Unification Lumberjack Title Match
2: Chris Jericho v. Piper, "Superfly", and Steamboat - 3 on 1 Elimination Handicap match
3: Money in the Bank Ladder Match
4: JBL v. Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship
5: Matt Hardy v. Jeff Hardy in their Extreme Rules match
6: The 25-Diva "Miss Wrestlemania" Battle Royale
7: Shawn Michaels v. The Undertaker
8: World Heavyweight Championship 3-way match
9: WWE Championship
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP: This can go either way, and it won't be surprising, to me, if the stipulations are changed before or during the match. I personally would've liked it if this was a Street Fight because there are lots of X-Factors here in The Legacy & The McMahons. A sledgehammer could also come into play here. Either way, I see the winner finishing the match with either a vicious Punt, a Sledgehammer strike, or a Pedigree. Any particular twists can and will alter the outcome.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: I'm so 33/33/33 on this one, because this is a Triple Threat match, and that means No Disqualification. Vickie & Chavo could play a role in this, so the referee in charge of this one will have to have eyes on his back. I do see a KO Punch, a Spear from Edge, or a Throwback/AA finishing this match. Narrow nod to Cena, though, because of the extra incentive between Edge & Show could be costly to both of them.
THE STREAK V. MR. WRESTLEMANIA: I see this one being an epic 20-30 min. match, with see-saw battles to the very end. Expect the 70k crowd to be divided over this, and plenty of chanting and cheers throughout this match. I'm 50/50 on this one because I feel that it'll take at least 1 Superkick for HBK to end the streak. Shawn must be careful not to get too complacent after landing a superkick, because Taker does have his Hell's Gate submission move. Just ask Edge about last year. I see this match ending with a 2nd or 3rd Sweet Chin Music, or Hell's Gate being used, and I won't cry if Taker goes 16-1.
MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH: My order of preference: 1) Christian, 2) Kofi Kingston, 3) MVP, 4) Kane, 5) CM Punk, 6) Finlay, 7) Shelton Benjamin, 8) Mark Henry. Let's just hope the ladders and the ring itself is still intact after this one.
BROTHER V. BROTHER: I'm 50/50 on this one too, because there's so much to take into account. I would like to see either Hardy finish with a Twist of Fate or a Swanton Bomb off the top of a ladder.
THE 25-DIVA BATTLE ROYALE: My top 5 preference, based on who's known to be in the field: 1) Victoria, 2) Beth Phoenix, 3) Mickie James, 4) Gail Kim, 5) Melina. I am hoping that Santino gets thrown out immediately, much like his 1.9 second run in the Royal Rumble this year. What I would really like to see, and I hope it happens, is TRISH STRATUS making a surprise appearance and be the last Diva left in the ring. Mae Young making an appearance won't surprise me either.
JERICHO V. THE LEGENDS: Chris Jericho will have alot to handle with 3 legends in the ring, Ric Flair outside the ring, and Mickey Rourke sitting ringside. Don't be surprise to see Jericho try to drag Rourke into the ring, or hit him physically. Flair could also take shots at Jericho too, especially a low blow. I see Piper take advantage of a Ric Flair/Mickey Rourke distraction and get the pin via roll-up.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP: 50/50 here between Layfield and Rey. I am hoping for Rey to win legitimately via a 619/Springboard combo, instead of JBL retaining, then announcing his retirement from wrestling...again.
TAG TEAM UNIFICATION LUMBERJACK MATCH: 50/50 here too, and I see the winners finishing with either a Backstabber from Carlito, or Moonlight Drive from John Morrision. Narrow nod to Team Dirt Sheet.
Six matches locked in, and room for about 2 more matches. With the six matches known, there are alot of post-WM SL's that can pan out.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP: RANDY ORTON V. TRIPLE H
A win by The Legend Killer would mean his ultimate "Legend-Killing" achievement in taking out pretty much all the McMahons, and stamping The Legacy as the current ultimate stable. His title reign would likely go more than 6 months, regardless of which brand he ends up in after Draft Night. A win by Triple H would mean vengeance for Orton's latest antics, among other things. It won't be surprising, then, if both men end up on the same brand after Draft Night.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: EDGE V. BIG SHOW V. JOHN CENA
A win by Edge would mean The Ultimate Opportunist have overcome his latest adversity and make him Smackdown's Ultimate Superstar. Vickie Guerrero could take it one step further, and forbid anyone from challenging him for a long time. Big Show could see a long title reign himself if he wins, as only John Cena, Batista, The Great Khali, The Undertaker, Kane, Mark Henry, and Vladimir Kozlov, are his real challengers. A win by John Cena, though, would mean the world for him, to bring it back to Raw, at least until Draft Night.
SHAWN MICHAELS V. THE UNDERTAKER
The Phenom-enal Streak v. Mr. Wrestlemania. I still see this going either way, with plenty of ramifications afterwards. Whether we see "17-0" or HBK breaking another "legacy" is anyone's guess. I see the winner mic'ing about it for awhile, whether it's Taker laying HBK's dreams to rest, or HBK boasting about ending the streak.
MATT V. JEFF
I see this feud going well past WM, regardless of the outcome. While I don't know exactly how this will pan out, I can see this going to at least the Extreme Rules PPV. In either case, I don't see either Hardy in the title picture until later in the summer, or in the fall.
THE MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH
The field is locked in, and there are plenty of possibilities in when the winner "cashes in":
CM Punk - Likely to wait for a Heel Champion to be beaten by his opponent, then cash in, like last summer.
Kane - Will also wait for a champion to be heavily beaten down, then chokeslam him for the pin in 8 seconds.
Mark Henry - Probably gun for the ECW Championship, or any major belt held by a Super Heavyweight or rival; waiting for him to be heavily worn down. Highly unlikely, but if he manages to get the briefcase, look out!
MVP - One of the top choices, probably wait for the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion to be very vulnerable then go "Ballin'!"
Shelton Benjamin - Similar to MVP, as long as he can avoid falling onto a ladder again like last year.
Christian - Can go for either of the three major belts, probably when a Heel Champion is most vulnerable.
Kofi Kingston - Same as Christian and Punk, but if Edge is still holding the WHC after WM, then that is likely his top target.
Finlay - Either of the three championships would be his target, although I can see him gunning for the ECW Championship first.
THE 25-DIVA "MISS WRESTLEMANIA" BATTLE ROYALE
Lot of possibilities here, depending on which of the Diva alums are in the mix. No harm, no foul, if a past diva win. If an active one wins, though, that could be the leverage she needs to go for either the Women's Championship or the Divas Championship. A win by either of the current champions, Maryse or Melina, would also mean the world for them.
OTHER POSSIBLE MATCHES
* Chris Jericho v. either Mickey Rourke or a WWE Legend/HoF'er
* ECW CHAMPIONSHIP: Jack Swagger v. ? - Maybe do another pre-PPV battle royal for the #1 contender spot. Who knows, though.
