The Triple Threat 3.30.08: WrestleMania XXIV Edition

Posted by David Martell on 03.30.2008

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Welcome back to the Triple Threat. This week we have or Wrestlemania XXIV Preview. This is the time of the year where wrestling fans from all walks come together to watch the Superbowl of professional wrestling. This is Wrestlemania! This is what we all wait for every year. It is the time to sit with your buddies and talk wrestling, have fun, and enjoy the show. Today history will be made! Please enjoy.


BunnyMania Lumberjack Match: Maria and Ashley vs. Beth Phoenix and Melina

David Martell: It seems that women aren't aloud to have real matches at Wrestlemania. This really sucks for Beth Phoenix, who I believe is one of the best women wrestlers out there today, because she has to be over shadowed by Maria only because she got into Play Boy. This match is most likely going to be horrible and it will calm down the crowd for the main event. It is a waste of time and the best time to go take a break. Maria and Ashley will end up winning this match.

Alex Mattis: Anyone else find this disrespectful to Beth Phoenix and her title reign? I'm not sure the point of this match... oh wait its 'Mania they have to have the pointless T and A match. I had totally no interest in this match until I found out that Snoop Dogg would be the moderator, or what have you. That alone could make the match entertaining to watch. After all it can't be worse than Lesnar-Goldberg.

Zach Brown: This match just makes no sense to me because Beth Phoenix isn't defending her Women's Championship. It's just utterly ridiculous to me. I'm sure they want to promote Maria being in Playboy, so they'll have Maria and Ashley win. And that just makes me sick. Beth Phoenix is one of the best Women's Champions that WWE has had in a long time, so it's pretty frustrating that they're going to make her look weak just to push Maria's Playboy spread. And Melina is a very talented wrestler as well, so that just makes it worse. Maria and Ashley are probably two of the least believable female wrestlers that the WWE has. While I'm a huge Maria fan, she's horrendous in the ring, and Ashley doesn't have many skills to speak for either. I'm thankful that Beth won't lose her title, but it's just a ridiculous premise all around. Go make yourself a sandwich when this one comes on. My Prediction: Maria and Ashley.

Belfast Brawl: JBL vs. Finlay

David Martell: This match is going to be brutal. I hope that it at least gets like 15 minutes and I hope that Vince and Hornswoggle won't interfere till the end. This is going to be a massacre and definitely the stiffest match on the card. I expect a beating for the both of them. I also expect some blood from McMahon himself. This will be an all out brawl and I believe that when its all said and done Finlay will pick up the victory.

Alex Mattis: This should be a hell of scrap, we got a little preview of what to expect toward the end of Raw this week and GEEZ! These two are going to be stiff as hell, and beat the living crap out of each other. I completely forgot what the angle surrounding the match was all about until I had someone remind me, I was just so amped about seeing these two fight. Don't expect either to be eager to work a big match the next night on Raw.

Zach Brown: I'm excited about this match because I really want to see Finlay and JBL beat the living crap out of each other. I absolutely hate the Hornswoggle storyline, and the angle of Finlay being his father is weak and forgettable at best. No one cares what their beef is. I just want to see an angry Irishman cut some fat off of Bradshaw's gut. Give me that and I'll be happy. I really hope this is a really satisfying hardcore match because out of everything on the card, this match looks a little weak compared to everything else. I have a feeling that Finlay is going to win because I can tell that WWE just wants to put this whole storyline to bed. And God, I hope they will. My Prediction: Finlay.

RAW vs. Smackdown: Umaga vs. Batista

David Martell: If you are going to enjoy the Belfast Brawl, then you should also in joy this one. This is one of those big man vs. big man matches and I expect this one to be a brawl as well. Umaga is a pretty good wrestler and Big Dave has shown me that he can step up his game in big matches so I expect this one to be a good one. I doubt it will be anything great but it will be solid. Hopefully we can get some good spots in this match. I wish this match had a stipulation to it like who ever wins gets a title short. I think it would make it more interesting. This match is mainly there to put over Smackdown. I believe, if you cant already tell, that Batista will get the win.

Alex Mattis: This is kind of a guilty pleasure match for me. I don't think Batista is a good wrestler by any stretch, but he is exciting to watch. Goldberg-itis. And I've always thought Umaga was a solid wrestler, but I just can't get past how horrendous his gimmick is. But in the back of mind I've always wanted to see a one on one match between these two. Much like the Finlay-JBL match, I expect these two to beat the piss out of each other in what should be an all out war. Don't be surprised if ol' Dave picks up the W and gets back on the title track.

Zach Brown: I really don't know how this match is going to go. On a few rare occasions, I can actually enjoy a match with Batista. But it seems that everything needs to go exactly right for it to happen. He needs to not gas early, he has to wrestle someone that can push the pace and compliment his style, and the spots have to be good. When all that happens, yes, this match could definitely deliver. Umaga can put on some pretty good matches, so we'll just have to see what comes of it. These are two pretty big guys, so the match might unfortunately be a little slow paced or boring. I really hope they can pull it off because it's one of the only matches that I'm a little worried about. If the match does work the way it's supposed to, I think we'll have a near flawless night of wrestling. But the booking is kind of a no-brainer to be honest. I can't see Umaga winning this match in a million years. My Prediction: Batista.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin

David Martell: This will probably be the most action packed match of the night. This is the WWE version of the spot fest and boy is it fun. We are lucky this year because for the first time I don't think anyone really knows whose going to win. I was sure that Jeff Hardy was going to be the victor but since he got suspended it seems the briefcase can go to anyone. We got Shelton making his return to the MITB which means we should get some kind of amazing spot from him. I also expect Morrison to be a surprise and do something we haven't seen. This match really gives some of the lower level guys like Carlito, Shelton, Morrison and Punk the chance to shine and prove that they are much more than the average wrestler. Before I get any bashing about putting CM Punk on a lower level, I just say that because he's on the lowest brand. I am going to say that Jericho comes on top in this one and maybe give us a heel turn. If he doesn't win I will say Kennedy. What's cool about Kennedy winning is that he continuously says that he's going to cash it in that night and that could be something to remember. Me and Alex were talking about that if he wins he can turn it in after the Undertaker match and beat Undertake for the title and go instantly into superstardom. I like to think that this could happen but who knows. I pick either Jericho or Kennedy to win this one.

Alex Mattis: Don't blink in this one, as you may miss something awesome. This should be the most exciting match of the night, filled with some awesome spots. Just the names involved make me, and many others I assume, very excited and interested to see what these creative guys can come up with. The notion of Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison in a ladder match together damn near blows my mind; I expect these two to have some insane spot in the match. As for a winner, I was sure Hardy had it right under his nose... but then he blew it. Now I'm not sure what to expect. I will say this; if Kennedy wins he will successfully cash in the contract at the end of the event, but that it IF he wins. For now I, along with my fellow Triple Threaters, am giving it to Y2J. He needs a bigger program as he is a main event player, he's just been bounced around since his return.

Zach Brown: I believe this match will absolutely tear the house down. I like every single one of the wrestlers participating in the Money in the Bank this year. I seriously can't remember the last time that I liked every single wrestler in a big match like this. It's an example of excellent booking on WWE's part, and I'm almost more excited about this match than the WWE Title match. The easiest way to break this match down is by saying who DOESN"T have a chance to win. So let's start out by saying that Carlito and Shelton Benjamin have no chance. I love those guys, but let's be realistic here. MVP and John Morrison are in the middle ground, but their chances are also very low. That leaves Mr. Kennedy, CM Punk, and last but not least, Chris Jericho. (All personal favorites of mine.) Out of those top three, Mr. Kennedy's chances are a little weird. While I'd love him to win, that would mean that he would win the Money in the Bank 2 years in a row, and those chances are a little rare to say the least. If CM Punk won, it would be epic. He would probably move to RAW, he would get a huge push, and I'd cream my pants. But we live in the real world, and Punk is a little too new to the company to win the Money in the Bank and get a title shot any time he wants. So that leaves Chris Jericho. Granted, if Jeff Hardy were still in this match, I'd be predicting him to win because I can usually tell how WWE thinks. But alas, he's not. And because Jericho seems to be picking up all of Hardy's slack (IC Title), I'm predicting Jericho to win Money in the Bank and FINALLY be a force in the WWE the way he should have been when he returned. My Prediction: Chris Jericho.

Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels

David Martell: This match is Wrestlemania. I don't care what anybody says, when it all over this will be the match that is remembered. This is going to be emotional, heart wrenching and all out exciting. This is the last match we will ever see with Ric Flair in it. He is the 16 time world champion. He is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Tonight is his swan song. I read an article that he has been trying like he was facing Ricky Steamboat in 1989. This match is going to be great and I say that as a fact. It reminds me of when Stone Cold faced the Rock at Wrestlemania 19. Its going to bed sad but at the same time I am going to be privileged that I watched it live. Honestly, who would be a better opponent than HBK. He is Mr. Wrestlemania. He always, and I mean always, has a good if not great match at Wrestlemania. I absolutely hate when people dog HBK because of his age. He can still go! He is still amazing. If you can still go past 40 then feel free to keep going. This is going to be THE Wrestlemania moment of this year. HBK is going to win and Ric Flair's career will end tonight.

Alex Mattis: I said that the MITB should be the most exciting match of the night, but I clearly expect this to be the best wrestling match of the night. As much as I get on these two men, I don't doubt the fact that they are going to leave us with something to remember this Sunday. I think everyone knows that this is Flair's last match and is expecting him to tear the house down. It should be something. I know I've said a lot of negative things about Flair, but I bet when the moment comes I'm going to be sad to see that old bastard go. It is interesting to think about that Flair wasn't even on the WrestleMania card last year, and this year he's wrestling possibly his last match in one of the highest profile matches. Good luck to both men going into this huge match.

Zach Brown: Well I don't know what to say about this match. It's clear as day that this is Ric's retirement match, but WWE is still trying to make us wonder who's going to win. As if Flair being inducted into the Hall of Fame AND all the countless montage videos they've been playing on RAW aren't a complete giveaway. But I digress. I really don't know who is playing face and who is playing heel in this match. Maybe they're both faces. Maybe vice versa. Who knows? It's kind of a confusing storyline in my opinion. Flair wants to wrestle Michaels to prove himself, and Shawn is going to force his friend into retirement to prevent a loss at Wrestlemania and save face? It's just weird to me. But I really hope this match is amazing. I can't remember the last time that I was really wowed by Ric Flair's wrestling ability, so I really hope he puts on a great swan song. There's not much more to be said about this match. Some are calling it the end of an era. I don't know if it's that intense, but it is definitely not something I want to miss. My Prediction: Shawn Michaels.


Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather

David Martell: This match is a lot better then some of the other gimmick matches with the stars. The Donald Trump thing was horrible and does anyone remember Big Shows Sumo match with Aki Bono? Yeah, that was horrendous. This match actually has potential. I expect run in city and I expect there to be another Big Show broken nose. I was reading somewhere that there was going to be some big twist to this match and I am kind of excited to see what it is. It is going to be fun. I am glad that this will be then end of it though because I would like to see Big Show in a real wrestling match going for the title on one of the brands. I believe that Mayweather is going to win this one but I expect some unexpected run in to get that outcome.

Alex Mattis: I really have no idea what to expect out of this one. If Show was the man this angle is making him out to be, and if this match was really a "fight" like they are making it seem then Show would destroy this little guy. Floyd's a great boxer but in a legit fight Show would break him in half. Now, what will probably happen is Show will lose a rather short match and have a blemish of losing to someone from outside of the biz (Ala Bam Bam Vs. Lawrence Taylor). Who knows, maybe the E paid Floyd $20 million to do the JOB on the PPV. Like I said, I have no idea what to expect.

Zach Brown: I'm actually really looking forward to this match. I hope Big Show breaks Mayweather in half. I couldn't be more serious about that. I really hope WWE paid Mayweather 20 million to get the crap beat out of him. How can Mayweather honestly beat Big Show? If he did end up beating him, it would be completely unbelievable. I mean can you imagine any wrestling fan not being outraged? But I honestly don't know how this match is going to go down. It's one giant question mark hanging over the entire night. As an undefeated boxer, it would be pretty embarrassing to be beaten in a wrestling match in WWE. They'll probably do something stupid like a DQ or a count out. I could easily see Mayweather getting a DQ win and then Big Show beating the crap out of him afterwards. But I have to predict what I'm praying will actually happen. My Prediction: Big Show.

ECW Title Match: Chavo vs. The winner of the 24 man battle royal

David Martell: Chavo is going to lose the title mainly for the fact that no one gives a damn that he's the champion. I would like for one of the younger guys to get the title here but it seems like they are going to give it to one of the monsters. Kane seems the most likely candidate for the title which is fine, I guess. It is sad to say but I really don't care. Unless we get some huge surprise here, I am most likely going to be disappointed in who ever they give the belt to. We will have to see what happens but I am going to say that Kane will win the belt.

Alex Mattis: It's become a WrestleMania tradition to have a battle royal to prep the crowd for the show, smart move by the E making this match mean something. I don't like what they have done with ECW as of late, but at least they are showing that they care about the brand and want to put ECW on 'Mania and that at least counts for something. I'm not sure exactly who is going to challenge for the title, as I don't know who won the battle royal. But I'm pretty sure that come 'Mania, we'll have a new ECW champ, Chavo just isn't cutting it.

Zach Brown: Well the Battle Royal match actually makes this match interesting. It's kind of funny that the only thing that makes a Chavo Guerrero match interesting is a mystery opponent. But I don't imagine this match being very good. If Elijah Burke makes it to this match, he could push the pace, but it's still a Chavo Guerrero match. If Kane, The Great Khali, or Mark Henry make it to this match, it's going to be terrible and slow, and it's still a Chavo Guerrero match. If someone like The Miz or Cody Rhodes makes it to this match, I'll shit a brick, but it's still a Chavo Guerrero match. And if anyone that I didn't mention makes it to this match, WWE is on acid. Basically, if Chavo wins, I'll be outraged. If we honestly have to sit through a 24 man Battle Royal, and the winner of that doesn't beat Chavo, it's a huge waste of our time. Chavo better drop the strap because there are too many candidates that would do so much more with the title than he is. My Prediction: Whoever is not Chavo Guerrero. (Preferably Elijah Burke)

World Title Match: Edge vs. The Undertaker

David Martell: There are a lot of Edge haters out there and even a few Undertaker haters as well but I think this match will be great. Edge and Taker always go the extra mile at Wrestlemania and it won't be any different here. Maybe Edge will bring out the electric chair drop… oh how I miss that move. This will be one of the better matches on the card and I know Edge is going to do some kind of ridiculous spot where it seems like he dies. Undertaker will get the win and I expect a title reign all the way till next years Mania. Undertaker is my pick for this one.

Alex Mattis: While I'm not the biggest Edge fan in the world, I still think this match has some potential. Taker always brings his A game to 'Mania, as does Edge, and when is the last time Taker had a bad performance at the biggest show of the year? I expect this one to have some great back and forth action, and I also expect a lot of brawling on the outside to stretch out the drama of the match. I called it a while back here on my column and I'm sticking by it. Edge is going to end the streak. Edge is going to beat the UnderTaker clean in what should be an epic.

Zach Brown: So apparently, Edge is defending his title at Wrestlemania against the Undertaker who is 15-0 at Wrestlemania. Let's just say I don't give Edge much of a chance here. Everyone has been saying that Edge is just holding the title for Taker until Wrestlemania comes around. I couldn't agree with that more. This is obviously going to be Taker's last run with the belt before he retires. This was supposed to take place last year, but as we all know, Taker got injured, so those plans were put off. If Edge actually wins and ends Taker's undefeated streak, I'd be in absolute shock. I mean of all people, Edge should not be the one to end that streak. We talked about Edge last week in the Superstar Highlight, and as you could tell, I'm not a huge fan of Edge's wrestling ability. After Batista had to use two Batista Bombs to pin Taker at Cyber Sunday, you can't say that Undertaker could be believably beaten by Edge's wimpy little spear. My Prediction: The Undertaker.

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena

David Martell: This better be better than last years main event. These three guys all know how to put on great matches when needed and I really think they are going to deliver here. It sucks that Orton will probably lose the gold here because he is probably my favorite wrestler at the time. From what I have been reading it seems that Triple H is going to go home with the gold this time around. He could lose it at Backlash though because he has a horrible record for that PPV. I honestly think that Triple H only cares about beating Ric Flairs World Title record. If he does win he won't hold on to it for very long. I don't think Cena will win because he is currently filming that movie. Overall this match should deliver and we should end up with a great main event. I hope it will be something to remember and I am always a fan of Triple Threat matches. HHH is going to go home with the strap.

Alex Mattis: I don't like the idea of the main event of 'Mania being a triple threat match, but this match should be good. I love me some Randall Orton and am praying that he'll retain, but I'm 99.9% positive he won't. Now between Trips and Cena I'm not sure who takes it. It should be exciting, because I really don't know who is going to take home the gold. What I do know is that all three men are going to put 120% into this match and it should turn out for the best. I think this could exceed many expectations and while I'm not fond of giving Cena credit, I think all three could deliver and give us a classic Mania main event.

Zach Brown: Wow so this is the big finale. I couldn't be more excited about this match. Hopefully, this match is going to be amazing. I'm a huge Orton fan, so I'm going to be pulling for him. By the way, can we talk about the WWE having Randy Orton tap out to the Figure Four on the week before Wrestlemania!? Can you say retarded!? Way to make the champ look weak when it's the most important title defense of the year. But anyway, this match should still be great. I don't give HHH a chance of winning this match. Unfortunately, Orton's chances are also not likely because he's probably going to have to make way for the Cena train. But God I hope not. Cena has won all his matches at the last four Wrestlemanias. Three of those matches were WWE Title Matches. And that kind of makes me sick. Sorry, but it does. Cena will probably win this match, but I'm hoping WWE has a heart, and maybe they'll realize that Cena doesn't have to beat Bruno Sammartino for most days holding the WWE title. Because at this rate, that is where they are heading. It's going to be an unlikely occurrence, but once again, I have to predict who I'm pulling for. My Prediction: Randy Orton.


That is it for this edition of the Triple Threat. I hope you enjoyed the preview. I hope that you are excited and I hope that everyone who reads this WILL be watching Wrestlemania. We are going to try to have a Wrestlemania aftermath column on Monday so please check it out. Enjoy the show! Cya!