Post by Goldash on Jan 9, 2012 18:56:29 GMT -5
May be extremely premature, but here are the matches I predict will head up Wrestlemania 28 in Miami. This excludes Rock vs. Cena which has been announced for nearly a year already. Also, after the Rumble later this month, I will replace this thread with my yearly "official" WM thread which I will update when the matches are revealed. Without further ado, here are my predictions as the WWE currently stands...
World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan [C] vs. Wade Barrett
This match makes too much sense, although I have no clue if WWE is turning Bryan heel in his angle with Show or if he's just trying to exude confidence as an underdog champion. If he isn't due for a heel turn, expect Bryan to revive his feud with Wade Barrett at Wrestlemania. Their earlier angle wasn't beneficial for Bryan, as Barrett constantly dominated the former Mr. Money in the Bank during Bryan's summer-long slump. Now, with Barrett putting Orton out of commision and Bryan in the biggest position of his WWE career, this just makes too much sense to not happen --- providing, of course, that Bryan doesn't drop the strap before Mania.
WWE Championship: CM Punk [C] vs. Chris Jericho
Again, as it stands this match is too obvious NOT to happen, given the cryptic messages in Y2J's return promos and the similarities between both men. With Jericho set to hopefully return as a full-time heel after his trollworthy return last Monday, I'm pretty sure Punk and Y2J will square off over the WWE Championship with Cena and Rock getting top billing as the "moneymaker" of the night. Look for real movement after Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
Now, the rest of these matches are sheer speculation considering not much has been made about the undercard feuds in the last little while. Here's where the 'premature predictions' part may come into full effect...anyhoo...
Dolph Ziggler vs. Jack Swagger (For the Management of Vickie Guerrero)
If WWE wants to initiate a Dolph or Swagger face turn, this is how to do it. We knew this union between Dolph and Guerrero was tenuous when Swagger entered the picture, but I predict this match will lead to an inevitable face turn for one of these men. Expect Vickie to directly influence the result and walk off arrogantly in the arms of the winner...yeesh. My money's on Dolph becoming "heeler" and eventually making a main event push as the WWE teases a breakup for weeks only for it to not happen in the way they intend it, leaving Swagger as a viable face option while Dolph waltzes arrogantly into the main event picture.
Undertaker (if ready) vs. HHH: Part Two
I, personally, wouldn't like to see a rematch between the two. I would much rather see someone like Barrett or Kane (in a third chance) attempt to dethrone Taker at 19-1. However, this match, I feel, is the most realistic choice if Taker returns to the fold, simply because it's the safest option. I can't see anyone with enough prestige on this roster, save Cena and Jericho, as someone respectable enough to defeat Taker at this point. HHH makes the most sense and is an accomplished enough wrestler to make it happen...IF it happens this year. If it's going to be next year, I can think of many who'll likely step up to the plate (Cena, Barrett, Punk...hell, even STING in the chance he retires from TNA in the next year. But we can dream, can't we?)
Mark Henry vs. Big Show (Feud-Ending Gimmick Match?)
I doubt their feud ended with Show's "loss" to Bryan, so I expect Henry to get involved in any matches Show and Bryan have before WM to set up a feud-ending "battle of the behemoths" at Mania. But please make it a show opener or midcard match and not have the WHC on the line. Thank you.
Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix (C) (WWE Divas Championship Match)
Something tells me Kharma isn't going to be back by the time Wrestlemania happens, but with Beth's dominance over the division in the past few months, only Kharma will set things straight. If this match indeed happens, bank on the Bellas intervening in order to give Beth a cheap win. Another likely match could pit "former friend" Natalya against Beth, but who knows. Kelly Kelly seems like the only marketable wrestler in the division these days, so I can't count my chickens before hatching.
Cody Rhodes (C) vs. Sheamus (WWE Intercontinental Title Match)
Cody's feud with Booker is a breather for bigger things, and Sheamus seems to also be in feud purgatory against guys like Jinder Mahal and Wade Barrett, so I have a feeling the strongest Smackdown upper-midcard heel and face may be a particularly interesting match at Wrestlemania. Cody will have cheat tactics galore in his wrestling toolbox, whereas Sheamus may look to dominate with strength. It's tough to say who may win, but Sheamus may just look to end Cody's long IC reign, if indeed this match happens.
Air Boom (C) vs. Hunico and Camacho (WWE Tag Team Titles Match)
My worst prediction on this list, simply because no solid teams exist in WWE to really make a run for Air Boom's titles. Primo and Epico? Nah. The Usos? Meh. I'm only including Hunico and Camacho simply because it seems some kind of "guilty by association" thing may happen here. I honestly can't think of any other solid teams, unless, say, Mahal and Khali get back together or Swagger and Ziggler don't end up facing one-another. Unless WWE comes up with a great tag team or pushes another to the moon between now and Wrestlemania, expect this match to be the dark match before WM airs. Tag team wrestling is pretty much a dead art in the WWE (but we here at the URWL should really be talking, right?)
Zach Ryder (C) vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth (Three-Way Match for the WWE United States Title)
Again, the likelihood of this match is likely not going to happen (my original choice was Ryder against Kane, which may be more likely when Cena finishes his pre-WM angle to move on to Rock). This is from a business perspective, as pitting Truth and Miz in a match, either one-on-one or otherwise, seems extremely likely. My thoughts, if this match happens, is that Ryder will find some way to win with Miz and Truth constantly attacking one-another and undermining Zach's own in-ring eforts. There always seems to be at least one three-way on the Wrestlemania card every year, though. As I always seem to say, we shall see.
Since this thread, again, is amazingly premature, there's still time left for predictions. Are my predictions totally nonsensical and off-base? If so, what do you think will happen at Wrestlemania this year? Would love to hear your thoughts.
World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan [C] vs. Wade Barrett
This match makes too much sense, although I have no clue if WWE is turning Bryan heel in his angle with Show or if he's just trying to exude confidence as an underdog champion. If he isn't due for a heel turn, expect Bryan to revive his feud with Wade Barrett at Wrestlemania. Their earlier angle wasn't beneficial for Bryan, as Barrett constantly dominated the former Mr. Money in the Bank during Bryan's summer-long slump. Now, with Barrett putting Orton out of commision and Bryan in the biggest position of his WWE career, this just makes too much sense to not happen --- providing, of course, that Bryan doesn't drop the strap before Mania.
WWE Championship: CM Punk [C] vs. Chris Jericho
Again, as it stands this match is too obvious NOT to happen, given the cryptic messages in Y2J's return promos and the similarities between both men. With Jericho set to hopefully return as a full-time heel after his trollworthy return last Monday, I'm pretty sure Punk and Y2J will square off over the WWE Championship with Cena and Rock getting top billing as the "moneymaker" of the night. Look for real movement after Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
Now, the rest of these matches are sheer speculation considering not much has been made about the undercard feuds in the last little while. Here's where the 'premature predictions' part may come into full effect...anyhoo...
Dolph Ziggler vs. Jack Swagger (For the Management of Vickie Guerrero)
If WWE wants to initiate a Dolph or Swagger face turn, this is how to do it. We knew this union between Dolph and Guerrero was tenuous when Swagger entered the picture, but I predict this match will lead to an inevitable face turn for one of these men. Expect Vickie to directly influence the result and walk off arrogantly in the arms of the winner...yeesh. My money's on Dolph becoming "heeler" and eventually making a main event push as the WWE teases a breakup for weeks only for it to not happen in the way they intend it, leaving Swagger as a viable face option while Dolph waltzes arrogantly into the main event picture.
Undertaker (if ready) vs. HHH: Part Two
I, personally, wouldn't like to see a rematch between the two. I would much rather see someone like Barrett or Kane (in a third chance) attempt to dethrone Taker at 19-1. However, this match, I feel, is the most realistic choice if Taker returns to the fold, simply because it's the safest option. I can't see anyone with enough prestige on this roster, save Cena and Jericho, as someone respectable enough to defeat Taker at this point. HHH makes the most sense and is an accomplished enough wrestler to make it happen...IF it happens this year. If it's going to be next year, I can think of many who'll likely step up to the plate (Cena, Barrett, Punk...hell, even STING in the chance he retires from TNA in the next year. But we can dream, can't we?)
Mark Henry vs. Big Show (Feud-Ending Gimmick Match?)
I doubt their feud ended with Show's "loss" to Bryan, so I expect Henry to get involved in any matches Show and Bryan have before WM to set up a feud-ending "battle of the behemoths" at Mania. But please make it a show opener or midcard match and not have the WHC on the line. Thank you.
Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix (C) (WWE Divas Championship Match)
Something tells me Kharma isn't going to be back by the time Wrestlemania happens, but with Beth's dominance over the division in the past few months, only Kharma will set things straight. If this match indeed happens, bank on the Bellas intervening in order to give Beth a cheap win. Another likely match could pit "former friend" Natalya against Beth, but who knows. Kelly Kelly seems like the only marketable wrestler in the division these days, so I can't count my chickens before hatching.
Cody Rhodes (C) vs. Sheamus (WWE Intercontinental Title Match)
Cody's feud with Booker is a breather for bigger things, and Sheamus seems to also be in feud purgatory against guys like Jinder Mahal and Wade Barrett, so I have a feeling the strongest Smackdown upper-midcard heel and face may be a particularly interesting match at Wrestlemania. Cody will have cheat tactics galore in his wrestling toolbox, whereas Sheamus may look to dominate with strength. It's tough to say who may win, but Sheamus may just look to end Cody's long IC reign, if indeed this match happens.
Air Boom (C) vs. Hunico and Camacho (WWE Tag Team Titles Match)
My worst prediction on this list, simply because no solid teams exist in WWE to really make a run for Air Boom's titles. Primo and Epico? Nah. The Usos? Meh. I'm only including Hunico and Camacho simply because it seems some kind of "guilty by association" thing may happen here. I honestly can't think of any other solid teams, unless, say, Mahal and Khali get back together or Swagger and Ziggler don't end up facing one-another. Unless WWE comes up with a great tag team or pushes another to the moon between now and Wrestlemania, expect this match to be the dark match before WM airs. Tag team wrestling is pretty much a dead art in the WWE (but we here at the URWL should really be talking, right?)
Zach Ryder (C) vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth (Three-Way Match for the WWE United States Title)
Again, the likelihood of this match is likely not going to happen (my original choice was Ryder against Kane, which may be more likely when Cena finishes his pre-WM angle to move on to Rock). This is from a business perspective, as pitting Truth and Miz in a match, either one-on-one or otherwise, seems extremely likely. My thoughts, if this match happens, is that Ryder will find some way to win with Miz and Truth constantly attacking one-another and undermining Zach's own in-ring eforts. There always seems to be at least one three-way on the Wrestlemania card every year, though. As I always seem to say, we shall see.
Since this thread, again, is amazingly premature, there's still time left for predictions. Are my predictions totally nonsensical and off-base? If so, what do you think will happen at Wrestlemania this year? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Here's some of my predictions:
