411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE WrestleMania 23 (Part 3)
Posted by Stephen Randle on 03.31.2007
Are you kidding me? World title matches within!
Batista (c) vs The Undertaker - World Heavyweight Championship
Stephen Randle: As late as the Rumble, I was sure Batista was going to be the one to break the streak. But after seeing his horrible performance with Kennedy, I think he needs some time to rebuild, possibly a heel turn and some help regaining the personality he had during his initial rise. Now, it's time for the (hopefully) Taker farewell tour, or at least one last title run.
Winner: The Undertaker
Ari Berenstein: If this was the same Batista of two years ago, who had been so brilliant in his character work and capable enough in the ring, I would have thought, give him the win against ‘Taker and let him break the streak, no problem. Flash forward to 2007 however, and this is a far different Batista and in no way should he beat Undertake given his awful performances in the ring and on the mic. If Batista turned heel, maybe there could be an argument for the win, but I wouldn't buy it for one second. This match has to end one way and one way only, with a tombstone for the win.
Winner: and NEW World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker
Mathew Sforcina: Save Us Dead Man! Save Us from more bad title matches being excused as being ring rust or bad opponents. Win the title Dead Man! Please!
Winner, and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Undertaker (3rd Tombstone)
Vinz Rothenburg: I'm really looking forward to this encounter. While it won't be a five-star classic by any means, I have faith in 'Taker to carry Batista to an enjoyable match. I just hope the right man goes over in the end. Batista hasn't been the same since his return from injury, and his future in the business looks questionable due to age and health reasons. I don't think he will be talked about all that much ten years from now. The Undertaker, on the other hand, is already iconic. And so is his winning streak. If they'd really wanted to end it before he retires, they should've let Orton do it at WM 21. The time has come and gone, so I say leave the streak bloody well alone, do the right thing and give a guy whose been one of your top draws for over a decade a last run on top. I know I'll mark out for it.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Ron Gamble: Q: Will Booger Red keep the winning streak alive?
A: Most Likely
Winner: Undertaker
Matt Adamson: If I had my way, Batista would be nowhere near the main event of any Pay Per View, much less WrestleMania. He's a guy who makes me fear for the safety of his opponents. He also makes me feel like I'm living in slow motion world with his slow and plodding pace. If only one of my WrestleMania predictions comes true this year, please JBL, let it be this one!
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Undertaker
Louis Izzo: The Undertaker is going into the show 14-0 at WrestleMania, and Batista is some 40+ year old WCW Reject who thinks too highly of himself. While I think relying on your old stars is a bad move, the Undertaker HAS to win this match. There's no way around it, and no one will accept Dave fucking Batista as the man who ended the Undertaker's streak.
Winner and NEW Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Matt Short: 15-0 has a nice ring to it. Sorry Batista, but no way are you ending the streak. Should still be a good power match depending on how motivated Batista is. But this is a pretty open and shut match, especially with it being the main event.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Jordan Linkous: I don't think this match will be as bad as everyone thinks. It will be an epic encounter, and I think UT has the win in the bag, but Batista winning wouldn't be out of the question.
Winner: Undertaker
Sat: I would be shocked if Batista wins here. Batista has gotten stale since the injury and a loss to the Undertaker helps him. He can turn heel and win the title back from the Undertaker. And with the win the Undertaker can become world champion again and keep his streak.
Winner: The Undertaker
Mike Minotti: Taker's winning streak is in the most trouble it's been in since he fought HHH at WMX7. That said, I don't expect Batista to pull it off. Frankly, by the looks of things, Batista doesn't have that much time left in the business (hopefully a few years), especially if he gets injured again. Having him get such a big win just isn't a good investment. Besides, 15-0 sounds better than 14-1.
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Andy Clark: The outcome of this match isn't in doubt. Undertaker will hold the big gold belt for the first time and get his most highest profile Mania win. Taker has been on fire lately and is in great shape, so hopefully that can help Batista out of his funk. If they go for a more brawling style match (a la Taker-Lesnar) then this could turn out really well.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Undertaker
Cook: Speaking of unpredictable, it's the World title match pitting Batista against Undertaker. Penguin: I don't know. I know that Undertaker is one of my (and Vince's) favorites. I know that Batista is one of my least favorites. I know that if I spend fifty dollars and the Undertaker loses I'm starting a fire. But I don't know who to pick.
Cook says: I think you have to go with Undertaker here...if Batista was still on fire like he was back in 2005 I'd be tempted to go with him, but he's really broken down due to injuries and whatnot, and I think if UT has to lose at WM, it has to be to somebody who can use it to become a huge future star. And Batista's only a decade or so younger than Trump.
Penguin: Yeah, I mean it would take the worst booking ever to break the streak for Batista. Problem is, even with Russo and Mantel both in TNA I'm still nervous. Gotta go with the Taker though.
Cook: If Russo was booking, Taker would be losing to World Champion Hurricane Helms.
Penguin: At least we'd have three cages stacked on each other.
Cook: with one of them ELECTRIFIED~!
Penguin: Maybe we'd finally find out who Kane and Taker's mom was?
Cook: I'd assumed it was Rosie O'Donnell all along for some reason.
Penguin: Fair enough
Cook: Oh, I hope nobody's reading this down in Orlando for booking ideas...
Winner: Undertaker
Chris O'Donnell: WWE doesn't want a heel Batista; if they did they would've played up on his No Way Out mini-turn more than they have. Batista winning I'm guessing will piss smarks and marks alike off, so there's little chance Batista can win and stay face. I'll say WWE doesn't ruin Taker's legacy.
Winner: The Undertaker
Michael Weyer: This is a tough one. Taker is getting up there and only makes smaller appearances so putting the belt on him may not work. But is WWE really willing to let the streak ended by Batista? My idea is Taker wins by DQ so both retain and Batista goes full heel.
WINNER: Undertaker by DQ
Stuart Carapola: Okay, the odds are nonexistent that Umaga's beating Lashley, but here it's just highly unlikely that Batista's going to win. I would like to hope that Vince has enough respect for Undertaker's streak that he wouldn't end it with Batista of all people...but we don't really know for sure.
Winner: Batista
Derek Walker: Undertaker remains undefeated at Wrestlemania. Plain and simple. If you are going to end the streak it has to be against someone with more future potential than Batista who is probably one more injury away from hanging up the tights. I'm not sure when Taker is thinking about retiring but an Undertaker Last Ride World Tour with the title would be a fitting end to his career.
Winner: Deadman
Bayani Domingo: Batista should have been facing HBK and ‘Taker should be facing Cena. Cena could stand a loss and be okay, while Batista losing has to precipitate a heel turn. Then again, Batista needs a heel turn. Oh, and Vince isn't going to shit on the deadman by taking his record away so close to his retirement.
Winner: Undertaker
Brad Borchardt: This is either going to be a train wreck or will surprise some people. As bad as Batista has been, Undertaker has been hot since coming off his feud with Mr. Kennedy. There is no way Undertaker is going to have his streak broken against Batista. It would make no sense. The only way Taker is not walking out of Mania with the title is if Batista gets disqualified.
Pick: Undertaker
Rob Halden: It's a tough pick. When the match was first announced I was confident Batista would be the guy to end the Streak. But as things wore on, I'm not so sure now. I can easily see 'Taker retiring within a year as Undefeated At Wrestlemania. And I can also see him getting one final title reign before that day. However, I firmly believe that this 'Mania, with both Michaels and 'Taker in the main events, is going to represent the passing of the torch to the new generation.
Winner: BATISTA
Uncletrunx: I'm hoping Undertaker. I know it's somewhat unfashionable among internet wrestling writers, but I like Undertaker and feel that if he's going to lose the streak, it should be to someone who has a long future at the top of the WWE rather than a guy who is almost as old as he is and is also injury prone.
I also can't see 'taker being built up like this just to fail.
Winner: Undertaker
Jeff Small: Who would have expected that the Undertaker will be at the top of Smackdown one year after ridding the world of Mark Henry? Cleary not I. This should be the final match on the card which thankfully makes the result quite clear. It's no longer Batista's turn in the sun for hopefully a while. Bring on Undertaker/Kennedy!
Winner: The Undertaker
Neil Borenstein: Man, I really want to believe the WWE will keep The Undertaker's undefeated streak intact and will give him the belt for the his final title reign before he retires. I really, really do. Now, I like Batista. I don't look down on him even though he does sometimes need to be carried in matches. He has what's necessary to be a top guy in the WWE, and he saved us from King Booker's title reign at the Survivor Series after all. Batista might not be the best wrestler in the WWE, but he has the package that makes him a main eventer. But if I have my choice between The Deadman and Batista, I want Taker to carry the strap. But Vince's huge ego is not letting anybody retire with an undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. And if The Undertaker is going to lose any Wrestlemania match, this one makes the most sense. I think The Undertaker maybe has one more Wrestlemania in him after this and he could get a win there to go out on top even with the destruction of his streak this year.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Batista
Michael Bauer: The Animal goes toe to toe with The Dead Man.
All we can see is the streak, sixteen years ago it began.
But Batista is not just a man, but an animal unleashed,
So could he be the one to cause the zero to be breached?
It's so predictable, this rhyme won't even be very long.
Taker's reign will start with that very first gong.
Winner: Undertaker
Samuel Berman: I'll make this simple: Undertaker's not losing his Wrestlemania streak to Batista.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Larry Csonka: All I know is this, Batista ending the streak would be an incredibly stupid move considering that he could fall apart any day now. Sometimes you can get a lot of rub out of a loss, and as long as it is competitive Dave will look good and they can say he gave Taker his biggest WM test. Taker gets the title and has a nice little run, which he deserves and is ready for because the man is in shape.
Winner: The Undertaker
Daniel Wilcox: Will this match suck? Possibly. Will it be awesome? Doubtful, but I think it'll be one or the other, nowhere in between. Batista should never be the guy to end Taker's streak so Taker is going over here, hopefully leading to a Batista heel turn in the not too distant future. I'm also hoping Taker's reign at the top isn't a long one because he just doesn't do it for me anymore even when he has been at the top of his game like he has been in 2007. And I'm not Batista's biggest fan either so I'm not really looking forward to this match but I'm certain the crowd will be hot so it shouldn't be too bad. I also want to see Saliva play Batista to the ring
Winner: Undertaker
Matt Nicholson: See HBK Vs Cena for my ingenious, mathematical calculations. My prediction for this match though; Taker
Winner: The Undertaker
Meehan: Little-known fact: Batista is ALSO "unbeaten" at WrestleMania, ya' know. But dating back to WrestleMania VI, WWE learned its lesson well that "passing a torch" to a guy who doesn't have the heart for the business is always a risky move. With 'Taker looking better than ever, Batista's backstage reputation in question, the off-chance that an impromptu title shot might be cashed in by night's end, and the ellusive chance at "WrestleMania immortality" on the line for whoever can walk away victorious? MeeThinks you'd have to be a fool to bet against The Dead Man at WrestleMania this year.
Winner: Undertaker
Julian Williams: While I don't think this match is going to be a mat classic, I think the atmosphere around it is going to be electric. I think these guys will be able to produce a good match because Batista proved a few weeks ago in his match with Kane that he can have a good big man vs. big man match and 'Taker is the more talented Brother of Destruction. I severely doubt they are going to have 'Taker's streak ended by Batista so look for 'Taker to dump Batista on his head for his 5th World Championship. And then hopefully they turn Batista heel so he can go back do being the cool ass, cocky BIG DADDY DAVE that we all used to love.
Winner: The Undertaker
John Cena (c) vs Shawn Michaels - WWE Championship
Stephen Randle: Hey, it's a good match that people would be willing to pay for. I guess they do listen occasionally. Hopefully they can live up to expectations, but either way, I think everyone knows where the money train goes.
Winner: John Cena
Ari Berenstein: The match I am personally waiting on to be THE best match on the show, and perhaps one of Shawn Michaels' finest performances. Say what you will but HBK has always risen to the occasion at Wrestllemania and this is going to be no different. Personally I hope Shawn doesn't super kick Cena at all before this match occurs (this is being written before the final Raw that sets up Mania), but rather simply states that he has one Sweet Chin Music waiting for Cena at Wrestlemania, when he will win the title. Now, I don't think that HBK will win the title, but the promise of it all is so cool and such a nice storyline touch to me. At any rate, whether it happens that way or not, expect and receive great things from this match.
Winner: and STILL WWE Champion, John Cena (Superkick caught, spin around and turned into the F-U in an homage to the reversal finisher from Wrestlemania XIV)
Mathew Sforcina: I'll admit, I have a vested interest in this match. If HBK wins, I win the Stablewars Titlewars WWE Championship. I'd like that. I also think that HBK winning gives us more interesting possiblities as he fights off Rated RKO while holding Cena at bay, until HHH comes back and either HHH turns heel on him (sigh), HBK snaps (interesting)...or DX turns heel, aligns with Edge and Cena and Orton are force to team up, getting the Orton Face Turn in full effect except this time it might just, you know, Work. So I'd have HBK win here, followed by the handshake etc. But it's Cena. Never, ever, EVER bet against Cena. Never.
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena (That sequence Ari said)
Vinz Rothenburg: This could conceivably go either way, but I don't think the feud between Cena and Michaels has been long and bitter enough to warrant a title change here. Cena still is WWE's personal Superman, after all. If he loses, it needs to mean something. A loss here wouldn't mean much of anything. So, unless something drastic happens, I say Cena further cements his standing by retaining yet again at the granddaddy of them all.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Ron Gamble: Q: Will Shawn Michaels see John Cena?
A: As I See It, Yes
Q: Will Cena still win?
A: My Sources Say No
Winner: The Butt Crack Kid (wow, going back to the ladder match at WMX for that reference...)
Matt Adamson: Former Playgirl model vs. That guy from The Marine. Doesn't sound that interesting when put that way now does it, but this match has the potential to be awesome. Cena has proven that when paired with just about anybody in a meaningful match that he can put on one hell of a show. Did the match with Umaga at the Royal Rumble far exceed expectations? I think so, so this match better at least hold up to my lofty expectations, but I figure that won't be a problem. Despite my near childish desire to see Michaels walk out of WrestleMania 23 as the WWE Champion, I don't see it happening. Look for Cena to be standing tall at the end of this one.
Winner and still WWE Champion: John Cena
Louis Izzo: Complaint: The Royal Rumble has become even more useless now that people get World Title Matches at WrestleMania, without having to win the Royal Rumble. Shawn Michaels definitely DOES NOT DESERVE IT, either. He got his "token old man main eventing a WrestleMania" spot at WrestleMania 20 when he stole Chris Benoit's spotlight leading up to the show. John Cena is basically the Hip Hop Hogan of the 21st Century, but wrestling ability doesn't matter when the fans eat up everything you spit out. Double-edged sword here for me, as I dislike both men, but Cena is the future of wrestling, and Shawn needs to drop off the face of the earth and roast in hell.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Matt Short: Take two guys who are known for stepping up their game at big time matches. Set it at Wrestlemania with the WWE title on the line and this is going to be your match of the night. They've built this match so well since the Royal Rumble, better than the main event. HBK will be insanely over and I wouldn't doubt the crowd completely turning on Cena like at Wrestlemania 22. Incidentally, why are they still Tag Team Champions? If they hold onto the belts up through Wrestlemania a championship match between the Tag Team champions sounds like a cool angle.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Jordan Linkous: This match should be really good, and Shawn has never really had a bad Wrestlmania match. Hell, if Shawn can carry Hogan, I think he can have a great match with Cena. And I AM NOT saying that Cena is as bad as Hogan, but that Shawn can have a good match with ANYBODY.
Winner: John Cena
Sat: I could see this match going either way because the WWE has done a good job in building this match. John Cena could lose and regain it down the road from HBK or Cena could win because he's John Cena. But, I think that because Shawn Michaels got the upper hand on RAW that means that John Cena wins to retain the title.
Winner: John Cena
Mike Minotti: I would love nothing more than to see HBK win the WWE Championship one more time. I just have a hard time seeing it happening here. Cena is the company's #1 guy. Are they really willing to have him suffer such a big loss? I doubt it. I mean, when was the last time Cena lost cleanly to anyone? HBK's best chance at winning would be to turn big time heel, and somehow cheat to win. But with DX merchandise sales being what they are, I doubt they would want people to start hating HBK. I'll be cheering for Shawn, but if I had to put money down, I'd pick Cena. Honestly, I'm expecting this match to be so good that not having my man win isn't going to get me down.
Winner and still WWE Champion: John Cena
Andy Clark: I'm really, really, really looking forward to this match. While part of me would like to see Taker's title win get the main event and see SmackDown get to end the show for the first time in four years, in recent weeks I've started to see this as the main event. These are two of the best big game performers of all time, and yes, I mean Cena too. The smaller card should give them plenty of time to have a classic match. This will be WrestleMania 22 all over again for Cena as Chicago is not that far from Detroit, and as evidenced on Monday Chicago still hates Cena. The major difference is that instead of 20,000 fans booing him, it'll be 60,000. I suppose it's only fitting that he fight the other half of DX this year. As for a prediction this is pretty much a pick 'em. While I wouldn't mind seeing HBK get the title win, I see Cena coming away with the belt, hopefully at the hands of the STFU.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Cook: Finally, we've reached the main event: WWE Champion John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels. I think I know where your heart is at on this pick, but where is your head at? Penguin: My head is on the fact that these two SHOULD be money in there, so at least we're getting a good match. Shawn is one of my all time favorites, but Cena is on top for a reason. Ugh who are you taking?
Cook: I think Shawn Michaels is going to defy common internet wisdom and do the right thing for business...which is Cena retaining the title until they find some heel worth him chasing for the belt. I agree with you though, this one should be pretty damn good because HBK is money at WrestleMania and Cena can work pretty well in the big time matches as well.
Penguin: I don't know, Shawn is the devil beast who attempted to slay Bret Hart. But yeah, the only logic to Cena losing is for him to chase Shawn until Hunter gets back. I think it makes more sense to put the money maker over here though, and right now, like it or lump it, that's John Cena.
Cook: Word Life! Well, that's about it for us...got anything to say to the people, Penguin?
Penguin: Make Larry hire me, even though I refuse to officially apply!
Cook: Enjoy the show, everybody!
Winner: John Cena
Chris O'Donnell: HBK could be fighting some one like Kane here and it would be entertaining because Michaels is that good at performing in big time situations like WM. No doubt Cena will work his ass off for this match. This is what the ME should be, it'll be a heck of a match. Its hard to pick who'll win but I'll go with WWE's 20/20 booking style; HBK got the advantage on Raw so Cena will overcome the odds at WM23.
Winner: John Cena
Michael Weyer: Our first serious MOTY canidate is here. I'm dead serious about this. These guys are great together and they know the show is riding on them so they'll give it their best. As for the ending, as nice as it might be to see Shawn get it, I think Cena will retain to keep him going and prove what a good champ he makes.
WINNER and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Stuart Carapola: First, let me say that I think that this is going to be another one of those messy situations where Cena gets booed because of who he's in the ring with. He will work his ass off, but Michaels will be the crowd favorite. With that said, though, this may be Shawn's last Wrestlemania main event ever, and as the biggest Shawn Michaels mark on the planet, I'd like nothing better than to see him walk out with the title.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Derek Walker: This is what Shawn Michaels lives for. The main event at Wrestlemania but even his ego knows that you need to keep the red hot Cena on top of the mountain. This is definitely the match of the night and what is pushing the buy rate. Booked right there will be a slow build in the beginning into an all out war with lots of near falls and great exchanges. These two just work well together. On the ropes Cena ducks the Sweet Chin Music and hits the FU for the win. The match ends and both men lay on the mat exhausted. Look for them to lose the tag belts the next night after beating the crap out of each other. Benjamin and Haas will be well rested seeing as they were left off the card. BTW is this the first time in WM history that we don't have a standard 2 on 2 tag match on the card. That's just weird.
Winner: John Cena
Bayani Domingo: Weird, but as big as this has been built, I don't care about this match. Neither man needs the title, but either man could hold it and still draw money. At this point however HBK is just working full time till HHH comes back. I can't imagine HHH launching into a full on feud with HBK if he wins the title and Cena IS the new Hogan. Sooooo…
Winner: Hollywood John Hogan
Brad Borchardt: I would of rather seen a 4 way with Edge and Orton but this match will be great. It had a great build up and hey, its HBK at Mania and Cena can turn it on when he's on a big stage. I can easily see Cena winning this, but I am going with HBK because this will be the third year in a row Cena walks out the champion if he wins. Plus, WWE HAS TO reward HBK for being so hot ever since HHH went down with the injury.
Pick: Shawn Michaels
Rob Halden: This has been one of my favourite feuds in recent memory. I think it rivals the Triple H/Batista program from a couple of years ago for smart booking. Whilst it has been boring as all hell having two face champions (three if we pretend ECW is just a 'real' brand), Cena has grown into this role over the last year and a half, and I think any of his haters are just blind if they can't see his great talent and passion. Michaels is some kind of freak of nature, like a wrestling immortal who's popularity and skill never fade or diminish. This will be the match of the night and I'm going to stick with my passing of the torch theory, as no one represents Wrestlemania more than HBK and the Phenom. It's been a great run and we all loved it, but it's time for the new guys to take over.
Winner: JOHN CENA
Uncletrunx: Tough call. Very tough call. I think that if one belt changes hands, the other won't and so I'll go for Cena.
Winner: Cena
Jeff Small: Like Stone Cold Cena's ever gonna lose the belt. (Well maybe to Triple H at Summerslam.) With that said, the build to the match has been excellent. But with HBK having the clear advantage heading into the match, WWE Logic states that the underdog will reign supreme.
Winner: John Cena
Neil Borenstein: Wow, I hate Shawn Michaels and really wish he didn't have this title shot. The problem here is that John Cena has held that title for a looooong time, and I think it's time for a new champion on RAW. Cena needs to chase the belt for a while as opposed to holding it. And this is the prime opportunity for the WWE to make a title switch – it being Wrestlemania and all, especially since I think the Smackdown side will not have a title change. I really don't want it to happen since I'm a big Cena fan and despise Michaels, but I have a feeling the WWE is going to give Michaels another go with the belt.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Shawn Michaels
Michael Bauer: And now we come to the one match nobody can predict
Will it be the F-U from Cena or some Sweet Chin Music?
They toyed around with who would strike first,
And it was Michaels, and it look like that shot hurt.
Cena couldn't see it coming, not sure if anyone did,
But that's been the style of the Heartbreak Kid.
This will be a great fight, might even be best of the night,
And I know that I'm not sure who exactly will win the right.
I'll go with my gut, I'll go with what just makes sense.
No way both belts change hands here, so hence...
I predicted that the Taker will win, and that's not in doubt,
The Champ is still Cena and it will be a hell of a bout.
Winner: John Cena
Samuel Berman: I think this will be good pretty much no matter what they do, and it has the potential to be an all-time classic. These are the kind of matches in which Shawn has shined the brightest over the years. Both of these guys are notorious for bringing their best to PPV, and this will be no exception. This is almost a toss-up, as Cena could very realistically retain the title and go on to face whoever's next, but I'd like to see Shawn get a run with the belt, facing off with Edge and Orton over the next couple of months while these two continue their tag title reign.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Shawn Michaels
Larry Csonka: This has the possibility, as I said in fact or fiction, of being one of the great WrestleMania matches. HBK is on right now and is planning on a classic. Cena knows what to do and when to do it, and should be fine working with HBK. I really look forward to great things here. We'll go with the final booking theory here, HBK looked strong with the superkick and Cena taking a pin, so…
Winner: John Cena
Daniel Wilcox: As far as I'm concerned, this is the main event. My two favourite wrestlers in the business going head to head at the biggest show of all time for the WWE Championship – it doesn't get any bigger than that for me. Shawn Michaels has had a tremendous couple of months and really has looked at the top of his game on the Road To WrestleMania and capable of putting on good matches with just about anyone. He is the Showstopper, the (fan-voted) Mr. WrestleMania and will put on a performance like no other on April 1st. John Cena knows how to step up to the plate on the big occasions and it doesn't get any bigger than WrestleMania. I've enjoyed the build up and I think it has made for a really interesting battle at Mania, but I expect the match quality will totally surpass anything we're expecting. This will be awesome; the heat will be off the chart. I'm completely torn on who I want to win and before this past Monday I was sure HBK was going to win but now I'm not so sure. I'm going to stick with my instinct and I think Shawn Michaels might just be too much for Cena on this night.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Matt Nicholson: The last three Wrestlemanias have had a theme as to the big champions. 20 = Overlooked, hard-working veterans, 21 = The young, up and coming hopes for the future, 22 = The underdogs. So this year, they might go with the legends winning one last championship. So, 2 + 2 = HBK
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Meehan: Little-known fact: John Cena is ALSO "unbeaten" at WrestleMania, ya' know. Though Shawn Michaels unquestionably steps up his game when performing on The Grandest Stage of Them All, when push comes to shove -- he usually ends up "making people famous" at WrestleMania by putting them over (see: Nash, Hall, Austin, Angle). If this match goes on last, there's no reason to believe that Michaels won't "make Cena famous" by doing exactly the same thing he's done for a half-dozen or so men before... closing out the night flat on his back and staring up into the rafters.
Winner: John Cena
Julian Williams: Ohh hells yes, this is the match I'm most looking forward to. This match is going to kick all kinds of ass and if you don't think so, go sit in the corner somewhere, you're on Time Out. I'm expecting this to be a Wrestlemania classic because the crowd is going to be insane and these two are great in the ring so the result will be an unforgettable match. This is what Wrestlemania is all about and I dont think these two are going to disappoint me. While I can see Cena leaving with the belt, I really want to see Michaels win the belt on the biggest stage of all for one last time. So I'm going against my gut and picking with my heart, this Wrestlemania is gonna be all about THE SHOWSTOPPA!!
