Post by Goldash on Jan 31, 2013 21:53:00 GMT -5
As is tradition, here are my predictions for this year's "Showcase of the Immortals" (EDIT: MATCHES ALREADY ANNOUNCED ARE ON TOP OF THE LIST)
Already Announced:
WWE Championship Match:
JOHN CENA vs. THE ROCK
We all know this is happening. No elaboration or opinions needed. As predictable as WWE has become over the past few months, we know exactly who's going to win. WINNER: JOHN CENA
World Heavyweight Championship Match:
JACK SWAGGER vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO
Had Swagger not been arrested, I would have said he'd be a shoo-in for ADR's title. On the other hand, I don't see him winning after all of this off-screen mess. With all this uncertainty, the time is now for a Wrestlemana cash-in...maybe that's why they're shying away from booking Dolph as much as they should be on TV recently. Even if Ziggler wins, this still could lead to an extended feud between Swagger and ADR, just not over the belt. Even a triple threat over the WHC could work as an Extreme Rules rematch before Ziggler moves on to different things. WINNER: DOLPH ZIGGLER VIA CASH-IN ON A RETAINING ALBERTO DEL RIO
UNDERTAKER vs. CM PUNK
My, how times change. After Raw Old School and scouring Internet rumors, it seems Taker wants someone "up and coming" to end the streak. If these dirt sheet sites are to be believed, I'm not sure the streak will go on much longer. On the other hand, WWE may milk it for one more year and have it end at the hands of John Cena at WMXXX in New Orleans. Whatever the case may be, I'm excited --- but expectations are firmly tempered. Punk and Taker's meetings a few years ago were highly forgettable, so it's going to take me a lot to believe this is going to be anywhere close to the five-star caliber matches Taker and Shawn and Taker and Trips had over the past four years. As I always say...we shall see. WINNER: UNDECIDED AT THE MOMENT
Career Threatening, No Holds Barred Match:
BROCK LESNAR vs. TRIPLE H
It's unclear whether or not this match will be for his entire WWE career or just his wrestling career. Whatever the case may be, I think Brock may just come out on top and win, if only to give Trips a permanent backstage or just an on-air "authority figure" position. Then again, Brock is booked at Extreme Rules, so even if HHH wins it may lead to a rematch between the two with a similar stipulation one month later. Whatever the case may be, I'm going with Brock here, if only to see HHH's wrestling career end with a bang on the biggest event of the year. WINNER: BROCK LESNAR
SHEAMUS, RANDY ORTON & BIG SHOW vs. THE SHIELD
Everyone seems to be talking about a heel turn for Randy Orton, and this is probably where it's going to happen. He seems like the only person trying to unify his team and I have a feeling he'll grow tired of Sheamus and Show's bickering and walk out on his shocked opponents, leading to a cheap Shield victory. Had Ryback been in the match, I think it would have been a clean victory. Now, especially with the rumored Orton heel turn on the horizon...I'm not that sure anymore. WINNERS: THE SHIELD
MARK HENRY vs. RYBACK
The good thing about this match? It's not going to be a five minute squashfest. Apart from his matches with Punk, I see Ryback being taken to his limits by the equally intense Henry. I'm also going to go so far as to say Henry will win, setting up a weapons-laden rematch at Extreme Rules. Apart from his losses to Punk and The Shield, it's time for Ryback to again "meet his match" before winning cleanly. WINNER: MARK HENRY
Intercontinental Title Match:
THE MIZ vs. WADE BARRETT
I'm not very excited for this match as it doesn't have very much of a buildup behind it (with the exception of the last few weeks' action). If it's anything like their 3-way match with Jericho, it could be interesting. But I don't see Miz walking out with the belt based on how little screentime this has been getting. WINNER: WADE BARRETT
FANDANGO vs. CHRIS JERICHO
I don't know what to expect from a match like this. Johnny Curtis is a competent enough in-ring worker, but the WWE may just limit him based on how gimmicky the Fandango character is. I don't know what to expect here, considering it's the guy's debut match, so I doubt it's the right time for Y2J to pass the torch (unless he's taking time off after Wrestlemania). WINNER: CHRIS JERICHO
WWE Tag Team Titles Match:
DOLPH ZIGGLER & BIG E. LANGSTON vs. TEAM HELL NO
There is a strong possibility Ziggler walks out of Wrestlemania with both the Tag Team and World Heavyweight Championships in his possession. Hell No had a great run as champions, but if they retain, I see it as a huge blow for Ziggler's momentum...unless the WWE books it so that an angry Ziggler has more incentive to cash in later in the night. WINNERS: DOLPH ZIGGLER & BIG E. LANGSTON (for now?)
Intergender Tag Team Match:
BRODUS CLAY & "SWEET T" / THE FUNKADACTYLS (CAMERON AND NAOMI) vs. TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS / THE BELLA TWINS
I see this as a quick comedy match to warm up the crowd before bigger matches on the card. Should be quick and end with a victory for the faces. WINNERS: BRODUS CLAY & "SWEET T" / THE FUNKADACTYLS
Prediction:
Divas Championship Match:
AJ LEE vs. KAITLYN
I see this as the only possible match that could yet be added to the card, but honestly...with the eight-person intergender tag match, I believe that will be the extent of any Divas division action we see at WM29. WINNER: Meh.
Already Announced:
WWE Championship Match:
JOHN CENA vs. THE ROCK
We all know this is happening. No elaboration or opinions needed. As predictable as WWE has become over the past few months, we know exactly who's going to win. WINNER: JOHN CENA
World Heavyweight Championship Match:
JACK SWAGGER vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO
Had Swagger not been arrested, I would have said he'd be a shoo-in for ADR's title. On the other hand, I don't see him winning after all of this off-screen mess. With all this uncertainty, the time is now for a Wrestlemana cash-in...maybe that's why they're shying away from booking Dolph as much as they should be on TV recently. Even if Ziggler wins, this still could lead to an extended feud between Swagger and ADR, just not over the belt. Even a triple threat over the WHC could work as an Extreme Rules rematch before Ziggler moves on to different things. WINNER: DOLPH ZIGGLER VIA CASH-IN ON A RETAINING ALBERTO DEL RIO
UNDERTAKER vs. CM PUNK
My, how times change. After Raw Old School and scouring Internet rumors, it seems Taker wants someone "up and coming" to end the streak. If these dirt sheet sites are to be believed, I'm not sure the streak will go on much longer. On the other hand, WWE may milk it for one more year and have it end at the hands of John Cena at WMXXX in New Orleans. Whatever the case may be, I'm excited --- but expectations are firmly tempered. Punk and Taker's meetings a few years ago were highly forgettable, so it's going to take me a lot to believe this is going to be anywhere close to the five-star caliber matches Taker and Shawn and Taker and Trips had over the past four years. As I always say...we shall see. WINNER: UNDECIDED AT THE MOMENT
Career Threatening, No Holds Barred Match:
BROCK LESNAR vs. TRIPLE H
It's unclear whether or not this match will be for his entire WWE career or just his wrestling career. Whatever the case may be, I think Brock may just come out on top and win, if only to give Trips a permanent backstage or just an on-air "authority figure" position. Then again, Brock is booked at Extreme Rules, so even if HHH wins it may lead to a rematch between the two with a similar stipulation one month later. Whatever the case may be, I'm going with Brock here, if only to see HHH's wrestling career end with a bang on the biggest event of the year. WINNER: BROCK LESNAR
SHEAMUS, RANDY ORTON & BIG SHOW vs. THE SHIELD
Everyone seems to be talking about a heel turn for Randy Orton, and this is probably where it's going to happen. He seems like the only person trying to unify his team and I have a feeling he'll grow tired of Sheamus and Show's bickering and walk out on his shocked opponents, leading to a cheap Shield victory. Had Ryback been in the match, I think it would have been a clean victory. Now, especially with the rumored Orton heel turn on the horizon...I'm not that sure anymore. WINNERS: THE SHIELD
MARK HENRY vs. RYBACK
The good thing about this match? It's not going to be a five minute squashfest. Apart from his matches with Punk, I see Ryback being taken to his limits by the equally intense Henry. I'm also going to go so far as to say Henry will win, setting up a weapons-laden rematch at Extreme Rules. Apart from his losses to Punk and The Shield, it's time for Ryback to again "meet his match" before winning cleanly. WINNER: MARK HENRY
Intercontinental Title Match:
THE MIZ vs. WADE BARRETT
I'm not very excited for this match as it doesn't have very much of a buildup behind it (with the exception of the last few weeks' action). If it's anything like their 3-way match with Jericho, it could be interesting. But I don't see Miz walking out with the belt based on how little screentime this has been getting. WINNER: WADE BARRETT
FANDANGO vs. CHRIS JERICHO
I don't know what to expect from a match like this. Johnny Curtis is a competent enough in-ring worker, but the WWE may just limit him based on how gimmicky the Fandango character is. I don't know what to expect here, considering it's the guy's debut match, so I doubt it's the right time for Y2J to pass the torch (unless he's taking time off after Wrestlemania). WINNER: CHRIS JERICHO
WWE Tag Team Titles Match:
DOLPH ZIGGLER & BIG E. LANGSTON vs. TEAM HELL NO
There is a strong possibility Ziggler walks out of Wrestlemania with both the Tag Team and World Heavyweight Championships in his possession. Hell No had a great run as champions, but if they retain, I see it as a huge blow for Ziggler's momentum...unless the WWE books it so that an angry Ziggler has more incentive to cash in later in the night. WINNERS: DOLPH ZIGGLER & BIG E. LANGSTON (for now?)
Intergender Tag Team Match:
BRODUS CLAY & "SWEET T" / THE FUNKADACTYLS (CAMERON AND NAOMI) vs. TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS / THE BELLA TWINS
I see this as a quick comedy match to warm up the crowd before bigger matches on the card. Should be quick and end with a victory for the faces. WINNERS: BRODUS CLAY & "SWEET T" / THE FUNKADACTYLS
Prediction:
Divas Championship Match:
AJ LEE vs. KAITLYN
I see this as the only possible match that could yet be added to the card, but honestly...with the eight-person intergender tag match, I believe that will be the extent of any Divas division action we see at WM29. WINNER: Meh.
