Wrestlemania Predictions

Also, I wrote them in the order I think they will be placed on the card. The Raw review and Smackdown reviews from the past two weeks I never finished. So, instead of filling this up with like 3 entries I'd rather just write one and here it is: My Wrestlemania XXVI predictions. Enjoy.

1. Money In The Bank
So, first lets eliminate all the fillers in the match that aren't winning. Matt Hardy, Kane, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin, and Dolph Ziggler. That leaves MVP, Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Christian, and Jack Swagger as the top 5 candidates to win the contract. Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre's last minute addition to the match seem a bit odd and also makes me lower their odds of winning. MVP was given a program against The Miz to reclaim the US title to hold him off until tonight's match. MVP jobbed to the Miz all the time and maybe his reward is a briefcase? Jack Swagger was given the easiest contracted opponent to qualify, Santino Marella. Also, he was given a chance to put himself over on Raw with a guest commentary gig. He didn't fair to well and may have hurt his chances of being picked the winner. That leaves Christian. Everyone thought he would return at the Royal Rumble last year but he didn't. Then, everyone thought he would win this match last year, but he didn't. Now, everyone expects him to win the briefcase this time around - and I think he will. The finish to the 10 man tag this past friday on Smackdown makes me think Christian and McIntyre will work a program after the draft for both the briefcase and IC title.
Winner: Christian

2. Legacy Triple Threat
This match is one that has lots of people scratching their heads. The question remains, who will turn face: Randy Orton or Ted Dibiase? I've repeatedly stated that this will all be determined as to who Cody Rhodes sides with as he is the true x-factor in terms of where this storyline goes. Having Orton destroy these two men will kill any heat they have garnered over their time with Orton. Having Legacy destroy Orton will kill any heat Orton has going for him. What is the solution? Legacy double team Randy Orton until they both want to be the one that pins Orton. Legacy battle it out where Rhodes gets the upper hand. Orton jumps back into the match and helps Rhodes out. After an RKO on Dibiase, Rhodes hits the Crossroads on Orton and pins Dibiase for the surprise win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

3. CM Punk v. Rey Mysterio
This storyline will be on the same level Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio's was last year. Their series of battles for the Intercontinental Championship gave that title some missing prestige. This time around Mysterio enters Mania against the leader of the Straightedge Society. A perfect way to continue this storyline is by having Punk do the unthinkable, win and force Mysterio to be a part of the Society. Mysterio will eventually disobey his fearless leader and set up a rematch in which Mysterio will have to put his mask on the line if he wants to win his freedom from Punk's society. This feud has just started to pick up lots of heat and it'll be a waste to have Mysterio win the match and kill the momentum. Mysterio being a part of the Society gives the WWE something in which it will have viewers tune in to see how the newest member of the Straightedge Society handles his new role.
Winner: CM Punk

4. Triple H v. Sheamus
From the time that Triple H made reference to his Wrestlemania XII debut, I had a feeling that he would be putting Sheamus over. Triple H has nothing to prove in this match other than being able to end anything anyone is trying to start. But why write this match off just like that? Sheamus is out to prove that he was not a paper champion. He has been written that way but a clean win at Wrestlemania would elevate the Celtic Warrior into a legitimate threat to anyone on the roster. Also, Sheamus (the rookie) going over a veteran like Hunter (the pro) would be a great way to promote NXT and the WWE's new incentive of putting the young guys over (which also leads me to believe that McIntyre may actually win MITB and not Christian). I think this is where Sheamus steps up his A-game and finally gets a pinfall victory over another top WWE star. Besides, Triple H can destroy Sheamus and get his heat back on the next PPV.
Winner: Sheamus.              

5. Bret Hart v. Vince McMahon
This match has had a 13-year build up to it and will be this years shortest match. I do not see this match going beyond 15 minutes as we're talking about Bret Hart coming back to wrestle. If Bret Hart can do it, thank you bret!!; however, it does not seem likely he will. With that said, Bret's payday will come in the form of McMahon either passing out to the sharpshooter - alá Stone Cold - or just tapping out to the sharpshooter for Bret's final (maybe) in-ring victory in the WWE.
Winner: Bret Hart

6. Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, Gail Kim, Beth Phoenix, Mickie James v. Michelle McCool, Maryse, Vickie Guerrero, Layla, Alicia Fox
The face Divas go over. This will be the cool down period after everyone has gotten their rocks off at the fact that Bret Hart was just wrestling. This also leads into another high profiled match and finally the main events. This storyline's focus is on Beth Phoenix and Vickie Guerrero. Mickie James does make her return - which means a triple threat looms between James, McCool, and Phoenix. Guerrero though will excuse her way into the spotlight this night by falling prey to the Phoenix.
Winners: Face Divas (Beth Phoenix)

7. Showmiz v. R-Truth & John Morrison
During this match the storyline to look at is not the Unified Tag Team Championship, nor the Tag Team feud that has been going on as of late. The story lies between the former World Tag Team Champions, John Morrison & The Miz. The pattern as of late has seen The Miz gain a victory at consecutive pay-per-views since the Rumble. Even before then Morrison has been on the loosing end, though being showcased under brighter lights. Miz's team won at Survivor Series over Morrison. Morrison lost his IC title at TLC, Miz was not on the card. At the Rumble, Miz scored a pinfall victory while not lasting more than a minute in the actual match itself. Morrison on the other hand was given ample time with a bunch of future stars. At the Elimination Chamber, Miz got a victory over MVP again and Morrison lasted until the final 3 in the main event Chamber match. This tag team feud has the right amount of credibility to have these four man battle it out until after the draft, but who gets the Wrestlemania victory? The Miz - the man who has gone 3-0 in single matches? Or, John Morrison - the man that has been getting plenty of Main Event rubs while going 0-3 in the matches he's been featured in. Morrison is the Friday Night Delight, not the Sunday Night Delight. Miz has the Big Show - kayfabe wise this is more an advantage than Truth with Morrison. In the long run, the man that has the tougher road to get to where he is at will be the one with his first Wrestlemania victory.
Winner: Showmiz

8. Chris Jericho v. Edge
The men that were supposed to dominate the Tag Team division for the past year will be headlining Wrestlemania - well they'll be featured as one of the main events but the headlining will belong to John Cena & Batista - I hope not, it's just what I think will happen. These two have been going back and forth for some time now. How will this feud turn out? No one knows yet but what I do know is that having this feud end tonight will not give it justice. These two men are great athletes in the ring and can for sure steal the show - hard to call since there are so many great matchups that can lay claim to that as well, we'll just have to wait and see. But, having Edge return and win the Royal Rumble almost guaranteed his victory at Wrestlemania. Enter Chris Jericho, the man that since returning to the WWE has been at the peak of his career. Do you reward Edge for missing 6 months of action with a Wrestlemania victory - he deserves it after stealing the show at Mania XXIV (yes, I believe Edge/Taker was way better than HBK/Flair)? Or, do you award a man that has transformed himself into one of the most hated men in professional wrestling? Tough call as both of these men represent what is left from the attitude days in terms of mid-carders turned main eventers. Both of these men have walked into the main even of Wrestlemania and have lost their championships. Tonight, I think Chris Jericho's Wrestlemania moment is etched in history with his cheating victory over Edge tonight.
Winner: Chris Jericho

9. Shawn Michaels v. The Undertaker
This is the other most anticipated rematch on the card tonight. Will we see the end of Undertaker's undefeated streak or will HBK's career be laid to rest? No matter who Undertaker faces, the streak will never end. With that said, HBK will retire officially tomorrow night on Raw but tonight he gets his final match against The Phenom. Thank you Shawn Michaels.
Winner: The Undertaker

10. Batista v. John Cena
One of the most anticipated rematches on tonight's card comes in the form of the two stars that have defined the post-Attitude era. The Animal and The Champ will square off no the grandest stage of them all. The last time these two fought Batista shined more and that was when he was a face (what does that tell you about John Cena? -- maybe nothing). But, this time we have a full fledge heel, a world title up for grabs, and we have the sueprbowl of wrestling as the platform where these two men will throw it down. The story has been set: Batista can destroy John Cena - as has been the case for the past month or so. The story will be defined at Wrestlemania - look for WWE's golden boy to overcome all the odds (I'm really getting tired of this story for him too) and win the WWE Championship again. This doesn't end the feud, however. Look for Batista to recapture the title at Over the Limit or whatever the next pay-per-view is.
Winner: John Cena

--
Alex Avila
Avila Productions
(510) 708-7266
wwfalex04@gmail.com
wwfalex04.blogspot.com