411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE WrestleMania 23 (Part 2)
Posted by Stephen Randle on 03.31.2007
The Roundtable so big, we had to split it in parts. MITB and Battle of the Billionaires predictions within!
Edge vs Randy Orton vs Finlay vs Ken Kennedy vs Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy vs King Booker vs CM Punk - Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Stephen Randle: I've been saying for a while that Kennedy is taking this, although my sleeper choice is Punk with an outside shot at Edge, but Edge is up for another injury break. I don't think it's quite Kennedy's time yet, but at least he'll have a whole year to grow into his new spot.
Winner: Kennedy.
Ari Berenstein: An interesting toss up as far as the major contenders go, although funnily enough I give best odds to the heels (Edge, Orton, Kennedy, Finlay in order from most to least likely). There is the matter of Edge's streak versus his bursa sac injury for which he is supposed to be taking time off. I would never want to see Randy Bore-ton win this thing. Kennedy is a nice prospect, but I don't view him as a realistic contender to the World Heavyweight Title at this point. Maybe if he wins Money In The Bank he can use the time to season himself and truly ready himself for the main event scene. Matt and Jeff will fly around enough to keep things interesting, but I don't give either man a chance at all to win it. King Booker is great but clearly on the downhill slide after his main event run. It would be redundant to give him the win. Hmmm… I think there is someone I'm forgetting…oh yes I know, the referee! He will keep things going and let the wrestlers do what they need to do to get the win. Oh yeah, there's also that CM Punk fella of whom I've been the biggest fan for years. What a trip it is to see him actively compete at all the big WWE events, and now Wrestlemania. One year removed from being a fedora wearing bootlegger supporting character to the second silliest Wrestlemania entrance of last year (right behind Hunt-or) all the way to right now to the Straight Edge Hero I know and love. You can bet I'll savor the moments he shines in this match. In the end though, it comes down to who can be helped most with this win and that man is...
Winner: MIIIIIISTERRRRRR MONEY IN THE BANK! …MONEY IN THE BANK (Kennedy!)
Mathew Sforcina: Edge being in this match is a very silly move. Either you kill his winning streak, or he wins, again, or you remove him from the match at the last second, or...there is one way to have Edge remain undefeated at WM, and still be an interesting way to end the match, leading into a major fued through the next few months. Edge wins...at the same time as Orton. They throw everyone else off ladders, they climb up, they both grab the case, they both throw punches they fall, both men have the case, Rated RKO win together. Insta-feud, or you can delay it for a bit, have them forced to use it together in a triple threat match. You know it makes sense.
Winners: Rated RKO (Double grab and fall)
Vinz Rothenburg: I really don't know. And I like it! Many match-ups look rather predictable this year, but this certainly isn't one of them. Although I think it will ultimately come down to Edge or Orton, I wouldn't be surprised to see Kennedy win, either. There's no doubt he'd be a great contender. Heck, Punk might have a shot as well, depending on what WWE has in store for him. My gut says Orton. But you know what? I don't care. I'll vote for the outcome that would make me mark out like a 6-year old, realism be damned.
Winner and ONCE AGAIN Mr. Money In The Bank: Edge
Ron Gamble: Q: Will one of the Hardys win?
A: Without A Doubt
Q: Will Jeff win?
A: Yes Definitely
Winner: Jeff
Matt Adamson: For the third year in a row we get to see who will be a sure shot to get a WWE or World Title shot during the next 12 months. With all these tremendous talents in the ring at the same time you'd expect great things, which I am, just not in the traditional sense. They need to get in all the spots they can. They need to fire up the crowd and really bring it home, because I feel that this will be one of two matches that people remember the most by the end of the night. I think the key players in this match are going to be Edge and Orton. I think the future holds a rather lengthy feud between the two and I'm going to have to be unoriginal in my prediction for this one. It's going to be the double grab and fall by Rated RKO. It looks like we have a couple months of Edge vs. Orton to look forward to as a result, as there is only one contract in the case. Should be fun!
Winners: Edge and Orton
Louis Izzo: 8-Men in a Ladder Match is a cluster-f*ck waiting to happen. Somehow, I think they'll pull Edge and Orton from the match at the last minute to protect both of them. The rest of the lineup is certainly unusual, with the inclussion of KING BOOKER and Finlay, two guys I wouldn't associate with Ladder Matches. Too many people and too many styles makes this one fall short of what we got at WrestleMania 21. Since the Hardys and Punk have no chance in hell, Booker got his time in sun, and Finlay isn't interesting enough, I see Kennedy getting the big push Post-WrestleMania.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Matt Short: I still don't like the idea that they're either going to sacrifice Edge's winning streak or the possibility of putting over someone as a new main eventer. Kennedy would be a good choice to win this as now is the time to set him up as a legitimate main event player. Seems like WWE is high on the idea of a program between Orton and Edge so I think the answer lies there. My long shot pick would be Matt Hardy, but my gut is saying one half of Rated RKO.
Winner: Randy Orton
Jordan Linkous: I am going to break it down one by one in order of likelyhood of winning:
Finlay: Fighting Irish Bastard with no fighting chance of winning.
Booker T: Already won, and his WM record is far from good.
Hardyz: Here mainly to entertain us, no chance of winning.
CM Punk: The clear underdog, but hardly any chance of success.
Randy Orton: One of the frontrunners, has a slight chance of winning.
EDGE: Clear favorite as he has experience and a perfect WM streak.
Ken Kennedy: Has the most to gain, and if UT wins his match, this would set up the rivalry again.
So it is sure to be a great match, and I think the one of the right guys will go over.
Winner: Me and Kennnnneedddddyyyyy.......Kennedy
Sat: This is definitely the hardest match to pick a winner for. I think it is safe to say that the Hardyz, King Booker, and Finlay are not going to win this match. It would be nice to see CM Punk win this match, but I don't see it happening. Edge has the undefeated streak at WrestleMania, so he seems like the best choice to win, but I see Orton costing Edge the match. My prediction is that Kennedy wins this match for one reason only. That reason is the fact that he has been on a massive losing streak. He has lost to Lashley twice and he lost to Matt Hardy. The reason is that the WWE has determined that he is going to win, so it doesn't matter how many losses he has before WrestleMania.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Mike Minotti: If you're not looking forward to this match, then you have no soul. Ladder matches at Mania rarely disappoint, and this one is filled with some awesome talent. My only concern is that with 8 contenders, the match may be a little crowded. Hopefully that won't be a problem. The story of this match really seems centered on the falling out of Rated RKO. It really looks like they're going to be using this match to give Orton another main event push. It's a shame Edge's winning streak will probably end so unceremoniously.
Winner: Randy Orton
Andy Clark: This match will be AWESOME. There are four potential winners in the match with Edge, Orton, Kennedy, and Punk. The Hardys will do crazy shit and Booker and Finlay will direct traffic. Kennedy would be a great Mr. Money in the Bank but the emphasis on Kennedy has declined in recent weeks. Punk would also work well, and would probably have a sizable amount of crowd support, but come on, it's Punk. Edge should be a favorite just because he's undefeated at WrestleMania and they would be fools to end his streak before they milk a Mania match with Taker. But with his bursa sac injury that may or may not exist plus the fact that he's already won it hurt him. Orton on the other hand is poised to have a big year. I could see him having a big summer feud with Cena, a small feud with Triple H when he returns, and then feuding with a returning Edge in the fall in winter. Have him win here, challenge Cena on Raw, have HBK cause a no contest, set up a Triple Threat for Backlash, have Orton win the title by pinning Michaels, and voila. All I know is that I want to see somebody get RKO'd off the ladder. Jeff Hardy, come on down!
Winner and NEW Mr. Money in the Bank: Randy Orton
Cook: All right, it's Money in the Bank time! Who you got this year? Penguin: Ok well it's not going to be Matt Hardy, Finlay, or Jeff Hardy. That narrows it down a bit at least. On a side note, did you know Hornswoggle's finisher is the tadpole splash? I really hope to see that off a ladder.
Cook: The Little Bastard has a finisher? Well I'll be a monkey's uncle.
Penguin: It's been going around the forums. Anyways, I think your safe bet's are Orton or Edge. I've got Orton winning the match and destroying Edge's streak. Even though there's a part of me that says CM Punk is the darkhorse I should be picking.
Cook: I've been leaning towards Edge since I heard they were doing this again, because I figured they'd keep his streak intact until next year, when they put him against Undertaker in the OMG BATTLE OF STREAKS~!!!!!!!1111eleven...I think this will certainly be a MOTN contender and could make some people into stars even if they don't win.
Penguin: See I think they destroy Edge's streak, to put more value on the Undertaker's heading into the match later. Of course they could have Edge win it to maybe plant a seed of doubt in the minds of the OMG NET SMARTS about the Undertaker match later.
Cook: Could go either way. I wonder if Punk will go for the Pepsi Plunge off the top of a ladder and get himself fired. I'd mark out, damn it.
Penguin: We all would!
Winner: Edge (Cook), Randy Orton (Penguin)
Michael Weyer: Ah, I love this match. It's going to be fun as hell and the spots will be amazing. For the winner, it's a tough call with the Hardyz and Rated RKO likely to battle each other. Which leaves the guy who's now turning into one of the most over names on the roster and deserves the big push here...
WINNER: CM PUNK BABY!
Stuart Carapola: Damn, talk about a bunch of misfits. I don't think Edge is going to win again, and I feel like it's too soon for CM Punk. My guess is it's going to be either Kennedy or Booker, but I feel like Kennedy's seen as having more long term potential, so he gets the win.
Winner: Ken Kennedy
Derek Walker: I have to eliminate 5 guys off the bat. It just doesn't make sense to me to have anyone else win the match except for the RKO boys or Kennedy at this point. I really don't want to see Kennedy buried by the Undertaker again so let's go with Orton winning the match but have Edge involved somehow so they can feud over the briefcase for the next month. This match could steal the show like other MITB's have.
Winner: Randy Orton
Bayani Domingo: I already went over this in my column, but I know Edge, Orton, and Kennedy are the only three guys who have a chance of winning. Edge has the best shot of remaining at the top with this win, Orton has the best "look" and is young enough to gain the most long term, but Kennedy has the most to gain from the win and a ready built feud with Batista or Taker when all is said and done. Still, I hate going with the bandwagon so…
Winner: CM KENTA
Brad Borchardt: This match has two people too many. They could have had Edge vs. Orton and Booker vs. Finlay to fill up some of the card and then insert Johnny Nitro and Carlito into the match. I'm ruling out the Hardyz, Finlay, and Booker. Edge has a shot to keep his Mania streak going and to add to the feud with Orton, Orton has a chance so he can feud with Edge, and Kennedy and Punk are the two young guys that could benefit. It will be intresting to see where they go with this. I'm picking Edge. I don't care what the situation is, I am not going against my favorite wrestler at Mania. I have a bad feeling Orton really wins though.
Pick: Edge
Rob Halden: I think this is a two man race, and neither of those men is Kennedy. It's Orton or Edge. Unless this Sports Illustrated story has got them all scared, in which case they could go with the Straight Edge Poster Child. No way in hell does Girly-Boy Jeff get it. No one who works for WWE likes Matt Hardy. I think King Booker's run was a one-time, last shot kinda deal. Finlay's great but he ain't championship material. And Kennedy just isn't there yet. So I'm going for the guy they trust to talk to the media, instead of the guy who shits in people's bags.
Winner: EDGE.
Uncletrunx: So many main eventers, so little time. The focus here is probably going to be on Jeff Hardy trying to kill himself but he won't win - that'll be Kennedy.
Winner: Mr Kennedy
Jeff Small: Can this match NOT go on second this year? With so much talent in this match, there's a slight chance that any one of these men can actually win it. Even though this clearly sounds like I'm on drugs, I'm going with Hardy... MATT Hardy to win the match. Yes, I'm officially insane.
Winner: MATT Hardy
Neil Borenstein: Why, oh why, did the WWE have to put eight guys in this match? Seriously, six was more than enough. King Booker and Finlay add absolutely nothing to a match of this type. Anyway, there are two wrestlers I really want to walk out of this match as the winner – CM Punk or Mr. Kennedy. I think both of them are really the top guys on their respective brands and are a short time away from getting Heavyweight Title shots anyway. But, for as much as I'd be happy with either one of them walking out victorious, I don't see the WWE giving anything to Punk right now, and it will probably be someone from the New Breed that takes him out of the match, setting up for a Punk vs. Elijah Burke feud perhaps. And, as far as Kennedy is concerned, well he's only been good for jobbing to Bobby Lashley lately, so I don't see the WWE giving him a huge push like that. The WWE will give Matt Hardy a Heavyweight Title shot when hell freezes over and will limit Jeff Hardy to the Intercontinental Title, at best. That leaves us with Kong Booker, Finlay, Edge and Randy Orton. Edge has his little injury deal, and I don't think the WWE would want a two-time winner so quickly considering this match has only existed for three years anyway. Out of the remaining three, I think the guy the WWE is mostly likely willing to toss a one-year No. 1 contendership on is, unfortunately, Randy Orton. Seriously, out of those three, he is the best option. But out of all eight men involved, Orton is a pretty sad choice. I really do hope I'm wrong here and CM Punk or Kennedy walks out with the briefcase. I doubt it's going to happen, though.
Winner and Mr. Money in the Bank 2007: Randy Orton
Michael Bauer: Money in the Bank, or in a briefcase,
Are any of these guys worth a shot in the first place?
One by one, let's examine the situation,
Get a winner with some sort of explanation.
I'll start with Matt Hardy before I do the rest,
Because I think it was Edge who said it best:
: Stop background music and cue Edge from Monday Night :
"I don't know how Matt Hardy got to WrestleMania."
: Cue background music :
I don't know either, but at least his brother is with him.
He'll turn on Jeff quick, as the blood is pretty thin.
You'll get your spots, you'll get your fun,
You'll get the crash and burn and totally done.
And speaking of Edge, you know he has a broken jawbone.
He hasn't stopped talking and running as we moan.
Undefeated at the big dance, but it ends here and now,
It he was to win, he wouldn't be in this match anyhow.
Cause you got to build up the fight with Orton,
Him and that smug look he is always sporting.
Randy won't win, the same reasons as above,
And not because I give Dorkboy no love.
I want CM Punk to win, but let's get serious.
An EC-Dub guy winning makes me delirious.
So we are left with three Smackdown boys,
One who should get to use his favorite toy.
You know Finlay will use that Irish staff,
Hornswaggle will run around and force a gaff.
His alliance will fall though with the King,
As will he chance to win when the bell rings.
King Booka has had his chances and done good,
But you can't tell me he belongs in a ghetto hood.
So that leaves just one who will rise above the rest,
And he knows that is his heart that he's the best.
All over the Smackdown Kingdom, you'll hear the melody,
Of the man known as Misterrrrrrr Kennnenddddyyy!!!
.
.
.
.
Kennnedddyyyyyy!!!
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Samuel Berman: This will be a spotfest of the first order, but hopefully will have psychology that more closely mirrors the first MitB match than the second one. I think this is down to two guys actually, as Edge has the most to lose (never lost at Wrestlemania, master of the ladder match, etc.), but Punk may have moved his way into the winner's circle with the MASSIVE pops he got on RAW. I'm going with my heart rather than my head and picking the Second City Saint to grab the briefcase. Kennedy is a distant third in terms of having a shot at winning this one.
Winner: CM Punk
Larry Csonka: This is the time for Mr. Kennedy. I have said for a while that the perfect situation is him winning and using it to challenge and get revenge on the Undertaker, and to defeat him for the title, because the Undertaker is killing Big Dave Sunday, if not doves will die. As for the match, it's tricky. There is 8-guys this time around. The good news is that Edge, Matt and Jeff know their shit when it comes to ladder matches and Finlay is there to ground things and keep them on task. But with 8-guys, there is the chance that this could be one colossal clusterfuck. Let's hope for the best.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Daniel Wilcox: Does MITB 3 have too many guys in it this yea?, I'm undecided. I'm certain it'll still be a great match, and I also think there could have been better things to do for a couple of the guys involved, but overall I really like the way it has turned out this year. As for who should win, I think we can definetly rule out Finlay. He has been a JTTS for the past 6 months and that shouldn't change anytime soon. Unfortunately, I also don't see Matt Hardy winning, because it's obvious WWE doesn't have any faith in him to be something more than a mid card guy who might get the occasional big win. I'm fairly sure King Booker will not win this one, he doesn't need it. On to the only ECW representative in the match, CM Punk. At the moment it appears Punk will become a key factor in the ongoing war between the New Breed and the ECW Originals. Considering that that feud should continue for several more months (in my opinion, at least), Punk doesn't need the MITB contract. Jeff Hardy is an interesting option. He seems to be losing some momentum going in to WrestleMania thanks to the likes of Khali and Umaga, and I genuinely think McMahonagement does not know what to do with Jeff right now, or indeed after WrestleMania. Edge is undefeated at Mania, but I don't think that is going to be much of a factor. Why would it be? I seriously doubt WWE ever planned this guy to have his own huge streak when we already have one, unless they wanted the two to collide somewhere in the near future. The main reason I don't want the Rated R Superstar to win is that he has been champ and won MITB before. This type of win is best served for an mid-upper card guy like it has been in years past, and not a former multi-time champion. There may well be some story built with Orton in this match, but I don't think they'll do the full split here. I can see both guys climb the ladder, realise who they are up there with, and both be pushed off leading to the finish. Orton would be a better choice than Edge because he hasn't been champ for three years and I don't think has been on the same level since. I don't think he will win it though because he's not a guy that needs this stip to get himself in the WWE title picture. So that leaves Mr Kennedy! Kennedy. And he's the guy I expect to pick up the win, mainly by process of elimination, but also the fact that he is SmackDown's fastest rising star and a guy that would work well with this title shot in tow.
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Matt Nicholson: They have done a good job of opening up the winning possibilities this year. On ECW this week, they teased that either Hardy could win, King Booker got the pin in the big eight man tag, Edge is undefeated at 'mania, Kennedy would make sense because of his current status, as would Orton, CM Punk is a good Wrestlemania underdog + he was over on Raw this week and Finlay has a leprechaun which always comes in handy during ladder matches. Ok, maybe not Finlay
Winner: The Edgemeister
Meehan: A total shot in the dark, but I'm gonna' say Edge gets the win here (with Orton's help), only to cash it in against 'Taker later in the night (at Orton's urging), and then lose both his shot AND his WrestleMania unbeaten streak (thanks to Orton) in one fell swoop by night's end, setting up plenty of grounds for some serious beef between the former members of Rated RKO.
Winner: Edge
Julian Williams: Yes sir, I'm psyched up for this match. Even though some people are worried that it might turn into a clusterfuck because of there being 8 people in the match, the 8 men in there are all very experienced and very talented. And the 4-team tag team ladder match at Armageddon had eight people and it was absolutely awesome. I think this match will definitely steal the show and I'm expecting to see some insane shit. Even though I'd love to see Punk or Matt Hardy pick up the win, I know there's no way that's going to happen. I think it's either going to be Edge (to keep his streak alive) or Mr. Kennedy who take it and since Edge won the first MITB, I doubt they are going to have him win it again. So I expect Kennedy to climb the ladder and get his guaranteed World Title shot, which he'll probably use at Summerslam (or at least I'm hoping since I'll be there LIVE).
Winner: Mr. Kennedy......KEN-A-DAAAY
Bobby Lashley (w/Donald Trump) vs Umaga (w/Vince McMahon) - Battle of the Billionaires - Hair vs Hair - Special Referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stephen Randle: How much does Vince love his creation if he's willing to be completely and totally humiliated in front of a million people at the biggest PPV of the year, all to sell the product? Seriously, you have to think about that sometimes. Well, at least WWE's Samoan monster's second loss won't be to Tomko.
Winner: Lashley
Ari Berenstein: Well, well, well, look who has made the main event… Bobby Brown…errrr, Bobby Cor Von…er, Bobby Lashley (hell if Trump couldn't get his name right in press interviews, then I can take liberties with the name as well). This match is going to go down one of two ways: its either going to be very, very ugly, or its going to surpass expectations. As far as Donald vs. Vince, the winner isn't even in doubt. Not that watching Vince go Monty Burns is my cup of tea these days, but seeing Vince get shaved bald may actually have some mileage to it.
Winner: Bobby Brown Cor Von Lashley and New Edition
Mathew Sforcina: Is there anyone, anyone at all, who honestly thinks Trump would agree to have his head shaved? Please, this is just delaying the inevitable. And didn't Umaga be a over threat at one point?
Winner: Lashley (Spear.)
Vinz Rothenburg: They did a fantastic job building to this! I'm interested even though the outcome is as obvious as it gets, basically. Lashley is being pushed to the moon right now, and Donald Trump certainly isn't going to get his head shaved for a one-shot collaboration with WWE. Vince never wins at 'Mania, so his representative has to lose.
Winner: Lashley
Ron Gamble: Q: Is there any chance Donald Trump will have his head shaved?
A: YES
Q: Will he?
A: Without A Doubt
Man, all kinds of different answers than I would have expected from Bob...
Winner: Umaga
Matt Adamson: I for one have little to no doubt about the result of this match. After this HUGE monster push Lashley has recieved where he is just about the only guy to get the best of Umaga, I expect Lashley to get the victory, but not without mass overbooking. That coupled with the fact that Vince will do anything for his company makes it painfully obvious who is the most likely to leave WrestleMania 23 bald. I'm really looking forward to the shenanigans after this match that will no doubt make the WrestleMania highlight reel for years to come.
Winner: Lashley
Louis Izzo: I should point out how pissed I am that, for the FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, the Intercontinental Title won't be defended at WrestleMania. Another match that has the chance to really suck. Lashley is just a big black guy with minimal ring ability, and Umaga is the same tired Wild Samoan ginmmick that has been beaten into the ground since the late '70's. The selling point is, of course, the participation of Donald Trump, and the fact Vince McMahon will have his head shaved by Stone Cold at a WrestleMania. Lashley wins, but expect a lot of shenanigans outside the ring.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Matt Short: To say this match is going to be overbooked is an understatement, but with McMahon involved this will still be interesting. The sole focus of this has been on Lashley and the best bet is that he's going to take this. Too bad it'll be at the cost of Umaga and the Intercontinental Title. Barring any weird booking…
Winner: Leslie, I mean Lashley
Jordan Linkous: Does anyone think Trump will shave his head or Umaga could get a meaningful win? Exactly.
Winner: Greenhorn Lashley
Sat: Lashley is on a massive winning streak and then finally loses to McMahon via help from Umaga. Add this to the fact the McMahon loves Lashley and the fact that I can't see Trump getting is head shaved.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Mike Minotti: The safest prediction I could make is "stunners, and lots of ‘em". Honestly, saying that Lashley is going to win the match is an equally safe prediction. Lashley has been pushed to the moon since this feud started, and the crowds have really gotten behind him. Besides, I doubt Trump would have agreed to this thing if meant he was going to get shaved bald. But… would McMahon have his head shaved just to increase buy rates? You better believe it.
Winner: Lashley and Trump
Andy Clark: Ladies and gentleman, this is the reason this show only has eight matches. I have a feeling that from that counting the video package, entrances, the match, and the extra curriculars that we could be looking at a 40 minute affair. That being said, I'm looking forward to it. This should be one of those overbooked McMahon schmozzes that always turn out well. They made a smart decision in putting Austin in the match, because if the crowd pulls an MSG on Lashley and Umaga Austin can keep them interested. While I think it would be a much better PR move to have Trump lose (both for WWE and Trump), I just can't see Lashley losing at the biggest show of the year.
Winner: Bobby Lashley (and Donald Trump)
Cook: Up next, it's the Battle of the Billionaires! Though I'm confused...Umaga's a billionaire and he still dresses like that? Penguin: He spent it all on his bling!
Cook: Ah, well that makes sense. I wonder if Stone Cold will be fair and balanced like he was for Lesnar vs. Goldberg at WM XX. How do you think Vince will look without any hair?
Penguin: From the pictures that Trump put up, I'd say he won't look half bad. Seriously!!
Cook: Well, that's good to know because there's no way that The Donald is losing his lovely combover. That thing really is a work of beauty, isn't it?
Penguin: I can only hope to look as stunning as Donald Trump when I'm his age. He's like 300 isn't he?
Cook: I heard they held the Battle of Saratoga at one of Trump's casinos, but that's purely speculation.
Penguin: Wasn't that a scalping match?
Cook says: Yes it was...so we've come full circle in about 230 years.
Penguin: Well at least something unpredictable came out of this conversation. Next?
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Chris O'Donnell: Donald Trump would never lose the one thing that matters to him. This could be okay if they just brawl but they would really do better in a no holds barred environment.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Michael Weyer: Well, this is the reason the media is tuning in so both guys may surprise you. As for the result, it comes down to Trump risking his image or Vince willing to go the extra mile to entertain the fans. So let's get used to some McMahon wig sets soon.
WINNER: Lashley
Stuart Carapola: Is there a single person on the planet who thinks Umaga has a chance in hell of winning this? I didn't think so.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Derek Walker: We all know Trump won't get his head shaved. Let's make this a tribute to WM3 and have Eugene come out and help Lashley beat Umaga and then he shaves McMahon's head ala Brutus Beefcake/Adrian Adonis. If they pace this right, it could actually be entertaining.
Winner: Lashley
Bayani Domingo: This is almost too easy. What does Trump have to gain by going bald? Unless Vince promised him a hot 8 way with the entire diva bullpen. Wait, the Donald could have that any day of the week. Okay, well to finish off Lashley's meteoric rise to the top…
Winner: Blackzilla
Brad Borchardt: The question is, Will the fans turn against Lashley because they would rather have Trump shaved? I think its a good possibility. The match, introductions, run ins, sports entertainment finish, and post match shaving should take a good 30-40 minutes. Ouch. Hopefully it is short because this match is gonna be UGLY. Does anyone really think Lashley is going to lose and Trump will actually shave his head?
Pick: Bobby Lashley
Rob Halden: Well the winner here has been signposted all along, but I still thing it'll be an entertaining match. Mainly because I really like Umaga and because Stone Cold has a movie to shill. Lashley gets the win, Vinnie gets scalped.
Winner: BOBBY LASHLEY (W/DONALD TRUMP)
Uncletrunx: I truly can't see Trump having his head shaved. Lashley all the way, with the focus being mostly on Vince, Trump and Austin.
Winner: Lashley
Jeff Small: The heat for this will likely be incredible. The match, not so much. Frankly, it's time for Lashley to shine considering this is his first true test as a future main-eventer. Unfortunately for Umaga, his gimmick will allow him to always be close to the top but never there. Lastly, who wants to bet that Stone Cold closes out this segment with a Stunner on Vince? Nobody...
Winner: JR... and Lashley
Neil Borenstein: This match can be a decent brawl. Nothing groundbreaking is going to happen between these two and it's going to be a power battle from the very start, which is definitely advantageous for Bobby Lashley. Unfortunately, we know the winner before this thing even starts considering I highly doubt Donald Trump would sign onto this thing if he was the guy that would have to lose his hair. Vince McMahon is getting shaved and will wear some stupid wig in the following weeks. Plus, Lashley is huge right now to the company and I don't see the WWE taking him down a few pegs with a loss to Umaga. Lashley is hot right now and there's no point in having him drop one on the big stage.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Michael Bauer: So Vince has a problem with bald people
And he should admit it from the highest steeple.
Now I know the pain that comes from being hair deficient
So I say Stone Cold, Lashley, nor the loser fit the condition
Of being a pained chrome dome, since they are all shaved
They had a choice as to if their hair could have stayed
Lashley has looked like an untouchable, sans one week,
While Umaga has been a complete monster, sans one streak.
Either man could win this epic contest of wealth and fame,
Damn, if Trump shaved his head, he'd never be the same.
The bright side is, I just don't see that happening Sunday.
McMahon shaved, thank god, he'll be off my TV on Monday.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Samuel Berman: If Trump's involvement gets a few more buys, then good for them. I know a lot of people like Lashley, but I couldn't care less, and I'm not sold on Umaga at all (I think his brawls with Cena are massively overvalued). I think Vince will go bald, because then the storyline with him being pissed at Lashley can continue, rather than Trump going bald and leaving the company.
Winner: Bobby Lashley (Vince goes bald)
Larry Csonka: Well, this isn't my kind of match right here, but here we are. This has done mad promotional work for the show, so that's cool. What I hate is that for the most part the wrestlers have been put towards the background. I also hate that Umaga has to lose another high profile match and that the IC Title (A FN GAIN) and the ECW Title aren't being defended. If anyone remembers the 3R's of WrestleMania series, you'll all remember my rant on "SHOWCASE" and lack there of, like this year's event. Anyway, Black Lesnar wins, Vince gets his head shaved, Austin drinks beer and I know one thing, we will see this at least one time. *KICK…WHAM…STUNNER*
Winner: Lashley
Daniel Wilcox: First of all, congrats to WWE for making this a tremendous build. Lashley has looked a million bucks this past month and I'm actually starting to give a shit about this guy and I was one of his biggest detractors a few months ago. The one bad point about the build is that Umaga has kind of been an afterthought until this past Monday night. Other than that this has got great time and fans have been really into everything involving this feud. Sure, we all know Vince is going to get his head shaved but they have definetly done a good job of making this match huge, which it is. With a bit of luck Lashley can continue his hot streak after Mania and become a huge star in 2007. Lashley wins, Vince goes bald. Stunners for everyone!
Winner: Lashley
Meehan: Bet on The Donald for the win. And say what you will about Vinny Mac... but he's one hell of a good sport, and the fact that he's willing to pay off a WRESTLING angle with an outcome that directly (and recurringly) affects a regular WRESTLING show's performer says a lot about how much he actually does care about the business and his company on the whole.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Matt Nicholson: This is one of those nice occasions where it doesn't matter that the outcome is obvious because the result is so sweet – in this case: Stone Cold Steve Austin, the ECW champion and Donald Trump shaving Vincent Kennedy McMahon bald. Brilliant
Winner: Lashley w/ Trump
Julian Williams: Ok, who thinks Donald Trump is actually going to get his head shaved? Anybody? Hello? Didn't think so. This match is such a foregone conclusion, it barely makes sense to even watch it, but I will watch it because I think it will be a damn good match. Umaga has been on a role, Lashley is more than capable in the ring, and any match that has Vince involved is sure to have a bunch of MAYHEM AND PLUNDER. And you know that Vince's facial reactions while getting his head shaved are going to be classic.
