The Shimmy 02.02.09: WrestleMania 25 - The Final Stab
Posted by Andy Clark on 02.02.2009
He did it after WrestleMania 24. He did it for his birthday. He did for Survivor Series. Now Andy Clark makes one last attempt at predicting the Silver Anniversary of the Showcase of the Immortals!
Happy Groundhog Day, everybody. I hope everyone had a great Super Bowl weekend and is ready to try and cope with life without pigskin. March Madness and the WrestleMania season normally help me manage. Since it is Groundhog Day it seems fitting that I run a familiar column once again (plus, if I'm being honest, it's an easy out after a long week of student teaching and Super Bowl weekend, sue me). Everyone seems to be throwing their two cents in about what they think the final WrestleMania card will look like. Over the past week alone there have been a few curveballs thrown into what many of us had assumed. This week, as I've done in years prior, with the Royal Rumble behind us I'll take one last stab at the card. Fantasy booking haters (of whom I know there are many and I legitimately feel your pain) might want to go ahead and click the back button now, unless you feel particularly inclined to tell me I suck.
Just for shits and giggles I thought I'd include my other attempts at predicting this card over the past year just to see how my thought process has changed (and will inevitably fail) throughout this project. Enjoy mocking me.
And now, after all these months and all these rough drafts, I bring to you my final work.
First off, let me humbly offer my suggestion that Vince McMahon and Co. do whatever they can to get Bruce Springsteen there to sing "America the Beautiful." The Boss has a gig in Austin, TX that day (and will be in Houston a few days later) which is only a little under three hours away. With a 7:00 start for Mania and probably a 8:00 or 8:30 concert start its certainly doable. Besides, it's not like Bruce was going to start his concert on time anyhow. A big check and use of the corporate jet and you could have a nice addition to your show to go along with AC/DC (and apparently rumor has it that they'll be co-headliners of a European concert later this year). Maybe Mickey Rourke could call in a favor. The Inauguration, the Super Bowl, and then WrestleMania. Sounds good to me.
WWE FreeView, 25 Man Money in the Bank Qualifying Battle Royal: MVP vs. Kane vs. Mike Knox vs. William Regal vs. R-Truth vs. The Brian Kendrick vs. The Great Khali vs. Mark Henry vs. Goldust vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Hurricane Helms vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Ricky Ortiz vs. DJ Gabriel vs. Festus vs. Paul Birchill vs. Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Kung Fu Naki vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Santino Marella vs. The Boogeyman vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Ezekiel Jackson vs. Jesse vs. Scotty Goldman
I like the idea of making the traditional "get everyone on the show" dark match something that's actually meaningful. That way you can have some more high profile names that didn't make the main show without it seeming like a total waste. Here I'd have MVP win the Battle Royal and a spot in the Money in the Bank Match as a means of continuing MVP's building his way back up.
Having Melina in that role is debatable, it'd just be whatever face Diva they are pushing the hardest, and right now that would be either Melina or Maria, and Melina is the better choice in terms of having a good match. The Glamazon and Michelle the McCool are the two top heel Divas at the moment, and I would imagine McCool would win back the Diva's Title between now and then. Trish has all but confirmed that she'll be involved in a match at WrestleMania, and having her up in a tag match against both Phoenix and McCool touches on both of the matches that have been rumored. The Lumberjill stipulation seems to be a yearly deal now so that all the Divas can get on the show.
World Tag Team Title/WWE Tag Team Title, Fatal Four-Way Unification Match: Cryme Tyme vs. John Morrison & The Miz vs. Priceless vs. Carlito & Primo
I normally brush off the talk of title unifications because I just don't think the possibility of actually unifying titles is all that realistic. Lately though I've thought it's increasingly more possible that both sets of tag titles might end up unified. Thanks to Miz & Morrison and the fact that ECW superstars are allowed to compete on all shows, Raw's World Tag Team Champions have found themselves tangling with SmackDown's WWE Tag Team Champions. With the way that those belts have been taken around the company, and the relative lack of depth of the individual brands' tag team divisions, I think unifying the titles wouldn't be a bad move, especially with the new Superstars show starting up in April to have yet another program that they could be showcased on. Here I'd just take the four biggest tag teams in the company and set them against one another to determine Undisputed Tag Team Champions.
Vladimir Kozlov vs. Umaga
Over the past few year's we've see these sorts of big man exhibition matches, with The Great Khali vs. Kane at WrestleMania 23 and Batista vs. Umaga last year. This go around I think we could see a clash of top monsters on SmackDown, with the currently undefeated (although likely to no longer be after No Way Out) Vladimir Kozlov taking on the returning Umaga. Umaga is sure to get face pops from time to time so there's no reason not to put him up against Kozlov. While the match probably wouldn't be the most technically sound encounter of the evening, it could still be a good spectacle and help provide one of these men some nice post-WrestleMania momentum.
While I think it's possible that Punk and Regal could actually continue their feud until Mania, and it's tempting to put Rey in the Money in the Bank Match, I like the idea of the rematch from the IC Title No. 1 Contender's Tournament Finals. That match got over big time and both men put over the prestige of the IC Title. Once Rey is done with Mike Knox I could see him finally turning his attention back to getting the title and getting a rematch with Punk. This should help quiet those that want the Intercontinental Title defended at Mania again and if their first match is any indication we would get quite the treat as well.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match: JBL vs. Finlay vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Evan Bourne vs. Christian vs. MVP
I think this is a pretty good mix of talent, and for once I have the right number of people and don't need to count on someone getting injured between now and then. Shelton has his history in MITB matches and Kofi is ready made for a match like this. Ever the economist JBL's character fits in a match with such a name, and Finlay is a good representative from ECW. MVP would be trying to climb the ladder (literally and figuratively), Kennedy would be trying to make up from his blown opportunity two years ago, and Evan Bourne should be returning just in time for this match, possibly contending with Shelton Benjamin for show stealing moments. After all the internet hoopla surrounding Christian's return it almost seems a bit anticlimactic to stick him in this match, but I actually think that this is a strong enough lineup that he could stand out and even stand a legitimate shot at winning. Plus he's got that whole ladder match history making him a perfect addition.
There are only so many faces on the ECW roster, and with Swagger seemingly feuding with Finlay for No Way Out that dwindles the ranks even more. It's really a toss up between Dreamer and Evan Bourne, and I think it will be much more tempting to stick the returning Bourne into the Money in the Bank Match instead. They could build this match up as a feel good moment for Tommy, although I wouldn't expect him to actually pull it off (the story of Tommy's career, right?). This match in just important enough for WWE to fulfill it's obligation to get the ECW Title a spot on the card and give it something halfway decent to work with.
Extreme Rules Match: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
With Jeff Hardy's presumed participation in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out it would appear that these two brothers will be held off from facing each other until Mania. This could be an epic feud and will no doubt be seen as one of the night's top matches. While a Ladder Match would suit them because of their history, considering the existence of MITB and the fact that they don't have anything to fight over and Extreme Rules is the next best option. These two guys would no doubt try and kill each other to get the match over and we could see something akin to the Foley-Edge Hardcore Match from WrestleMania 22. This would be their biggest WrestleMania match ever and I'm sure both Hardy brothers would like nothing more than to make a big impact.
Chris Jericho vs. Mickey Rourke (w/ Ric Flair)
So after all the drama this past week about Mickey Rourke participating at Mania and this match is up in there air. In my opinion the press release from Rourke's agent and the rewording WWE's statement that Rourke will merely be "appearing" at WrestleMania was done as damage control after Rourke opened his big mouth. From both a booking perspective on WWE's part and a career perspective on Rourke's part it was stupid of him to divulge so much information so early. The Oscars are at the Sunday after No Way Out giving WWE six weeks to actually promote the match. Between now and then Jericho can continue to get scathing promos on Rourke which can either serve as buildup for the match or as a legitimate burial if Rourke did indeed back out. The thing that really amuses me about all this is all the fans that are acting like Jericho not getting the opportunity to face Rourke at Mania is actually a good thing for Jericho. It's only us internet types that get all caught up in the "who's jobbing to who" scenarios, and that includes non-wrestlers as well. Jericho will be perceived as a much bigger deal losing to Mickey Rourke than he would be by defeating CM Punk or whoever else people would like to see Jericho face off against. Worst case scenario and Jericho instead wrestles an actual wrestler (likely Rey Mysterio if I had to guess) with Rourke either in his corner or getting involved from ringside. I suppose it's possible that Jericho could go over R-Truth as a surrogate Rourke since he was in "The Wrestler" too, but I highly doubt they'd give Truth that much of a push.
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
And throughout all the versions of my WrestleMania one constant remains: this match. As we got into the HBK-JBL storyline I had my doubts that we'd get this match, instead watching their feud culminate at the big show, but after that brief interaction between Michaels and Undertaker at the Royal Rumble and I have hope. Originally I hated the idea of the JBL storyline getting wrapped up in this, like JBL books Michaels against Undertaker either as payback or to take credit for ending Taker's streak, but I've come around to that idea as a means of getting us there providing it doesn't overrun the match. I think two veterans like Michaels and Taker would make sure that it didn't, especially at WrestleMania. While I don't really like the notion of HBK walking away, if he really were ready to hang up the tights I think a Career vs. Streak Match could work, with JBL putting HBK's career on the line as a means of motivating him (or punishing him, whichever). I know lots of people have been clamoring for this match and I hope we end up getting it.
Randy Orton vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
I know I'll get flack from two camps on this one. The first will be the "Randy Orton should be wrestling for the World Heavyweight Title" camp. Look, I'm on the Orton train, I really am. He's been great since his return from injury, he's probably the hottest act in the company, his feud with the McMahons could be huge, and the Rumble win was a big momentum grabber. But even though the prospect of "Mr. Big Match Feel" John Cena vs. the hottest act in the company could be booked pretty well and the match would no doubt be awesome, the sheer fact that we've seen them wrestle plenty of times is going to make it seem like less of a big match. One of the commenters in this week's Fact or Fiction (which I participated in) stated that this would be a perfectly acceptable main event for say SummerSlam or Survivor Series, but I just don't think it's big enough for WrestleMania. I'd much rather have Orton run with the McMahon feud and get in a position to get the title off of Cena after WrestleMania.
The other camp I'll hear from is the "Stone Cold is never wrestling again" camp. This has been a long story for the Texas Rattlesnake. It's lately come out from Good Ol' JR that Austin's neck is in too bad shape for him to return to the ring, which most people are taking as gospel. But what about three years ago when all I heard about was "Austin looks like he's in tremendous shape and might just have one more match left in him." Remember negotiations were about as serious as they've been for Austin vs. Hogan to go down at WrestleMania 22 until Austin and the company had a falling out in the fall of 2005. Hell, JR had maintained that Austin was probably in good enough shape to compete up until the last few months when he finally changed his tune. My skepticism aside I might have been inclined to listen to this had I not read last week's Wrestling Observer (SPOILER AHEAD). In last week's issue, when talking about potential WrestleMania plans, Mr. Meltzer wrote "Austin is still at this point scheduled to wrestle a farewell match at Mania. There is a lot of politicking going around regarding the match, but Austin isn't working with Hogan." While the writings of the Observer are hardly gospel, there is normally at least smoke from the proverbial fire. Austin being endorsed by the McMahons to take out Orton would fit perfectly with the storyline and Austin would not only get one last hurrah in his home state but he'd be able to put over Orton big in preparation for a spring that would no doubt be all about the "Legend Killer." While I would expect Orton to win the match anyhow, even if he were to lose Austin would just be one post-match punt to the head away from giving Orton a big rub. Everybody wins.
I know, on paper this match isn't particularly thrilling, but if you note recent happenings on SmackDown and look at where the rest of the big players fall at Mania and it kind of makes sense. Right now there are two matches being bandied about as potential SmackDown main events. Edge vs. Triple H is the smart choice, but with that match being done at the Great American Bash with little fanfare it doesn't quite seem right. Plus there is the question of who goes over. Edge winning would be the fresher option, but I just don't see that happening, especially if the Raw main event ends up being Cena-Orton. Triple H could win the title for the theoretical storybook ending but I just don't think it would seem like as big of a deal as it would have a year ago, and I think WWE knows that. The other match is a Fatal Four-Way between Edge, Christian, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy. While definitely a cool idea and one that I'd be all for, I think that's more wishful thinking and not very likely at all. But here you have more of a quietly plausible match. Big Show has been Vickie's guy when Edge isn't around and was at one point promised a title opportunity for going up against Undertaker. He looked good in the Rumble and has had some brief interactions with Edge so far on SmackDown. He was also no doubt promised some big things last year when he came back and did the program with Floyd Mayweather and this could be the payoff. Aside from actually beating up Undertaker Show has largely been a sort of tweener on SmackDown and that could be an interesting dynamic as the secondary title match. And really, with an already stacked card with Hardy-Hardy, Michaels-Undertaker, Jericho-Rourke, Austin-Orton, and my main event you really don't need another "dreamish" type match at the top of the card.
This match also lends itself nicely to a same night Money in the Bank cash in, with Edge getting himself disqualified, getting a chokeslam afterwards, and then having someone like Mr. Kennedy cash in their briefcase. I wouldn't actually predict that to happen but I think this match could set up nicely for such a scenario if they decided to go in that direction.
And now for our main event. This is where I'll get more complaints from those that want to see Orton in this match, or just dislike having Cena and/or Triple H in the main event again. I've already made my case for why I don't think Orton should be here, now it's time to make my case for why Triple H should. I think conventional thinking is that the original plans for the Raw main event at WrestleMania would have been the big John Cena vs. Batista rematch. Even those that are not fans of either man or fans of their first match would have to admit that WWE at least would have hyped it well enough and made it a big enough deal to headline Mania. With that out the window finding Cena a new opponent was a bit trickier. Orton would be the safe choice, but like I said it just doesn't seem special enough. Triple H on the other hand brings a similar dynamic to the match that Batista would have. In fact, a Cena-Triple H match would probably be more interesting than the Batista match because parity booking would have suggested Cena would have beaten "The Animal." Cena and Triple H are tied up at one match apiece, and you can just look at the build for their match at Night of Champions to see how WWE views this rivalry. Like it or not these are the two top superstars of this generation and the rubber match between them would be a much more fitting main event to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.
There is also the practical matter of getting the Royal Rumble title opportunity off of Randy Orton. If anyone from a storyline standpoint would be called upon for Orton to defend his title opportunity against then the guy with the wink/nudge on-air relationship to the McMahons, that's been getting screwed over on SmackDown and who has a history of beating Orton? Orton punts Shane in the head at No Way Out while Triple H somehow gets screwed in the Elimination Chamber, Linda shows up on Raw to force Orton to defend his title shot (since she can't legally strip him of it), Triple H serves as his mystery opponent, the McMahons get one over on Orton, Triple H and Cena end the show in a staredown. To paraphrase Vince from ShamWow, it writes itself. Plus, in my opinion, the overall card is better for it.
So there you have it, the closest thing to an educated guess of the WrestleMania card, with probably a good deal of wishful thinking thrown in. All I know is that despite my initial displeasure with some of the matches that have been rumored at this point, I know that once they are actually made official and we get the build for Mania that I'll more than likely jump right on board. After all, it's WrestleMania for crying out loud.
The Shimmy Likes it Raw!
How will Randy Orton respond after getting his ass kicked by that old guy that apparently ate Shane McMahon last week?
There are still two spots in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match open. Who will get them? Will JBL manage to finagle his way into another opportunity since it was Shawn Michaels that lost actually lost his first one?
On One Tree Hill we start meeting the potential cast of "An Unkindness of Ravens: The Movie." How will the original Tree Hill clan react to meeting their mirror selves?
Well that does it for this week's column. Please, be gentle. Until next time, don't die. Clark…out.
you my friend are a complete moron. no offense. i see the battle royal happening. MITB minus 2 or 3 people. ECW match. The Hardys match, HBK vs Taker. thats it. stone cold wont wrestle, i dont see trish coming back. RVD will fight for the championship at wrestlemania before trish and austin fight in a match.
Posted By: fannumber77 (Guest) on February 01, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Austin coming back and losing to anybody at this point would be fucking stupid and lame. I'd probably vomit if they had anybody like Orton going over the single greatest of all time.
I've always accepted the Mania 19 ending, but if he does decide to come back, Austin better win.
Posted By: MBD (Guest) on February 01, 2009 at 11:29 PM
"Now Andy Clark makes one last attempt at predicting the Silver Anniversary of the Showcase of the Immortals!"
So you're working on WM 26, then?
WMXXV can't be the "25th anniversary" of Wrestlemania, assuming the first Wrestlemania was effectively "Wrestlemania I." That would make this the 24th anniversary and the 25th actual show.
You wouldn't call the day you married your wife your "first anniversary," would you?
Posted By: Someone (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:00 AM
good lord man.
The hardys will be a regular 'grudge' match. backlash or judgment day will probably get the gimmick match, like TLC.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:03 AM
"There are still two spots in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match open. Who will get them? Will JBL manage to finagle his way into another opportunity since it was Shawn Michaels that lost actually lost his first one?"
One of 'em is going to be Mike Knox, because it was decided today.
You make a decent point on the other one, though, possibly being JBL.
Posted By: HH (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:06 AM
You had me until the top matches. Orton is being groomed as a major player, and while a match with Austin would have helped him a year or two ago, getting screwed out of the main event before it would only serve to weaken him.
And Big Show? Really? Compared to just about any other main event combination, that would be viewed as a letdown. I'd have that be a minor PPV, but certainly not WM.
Cena v. HHH is the only realistic main, and even that would take major revisions with the storyline in a short period of time to make that happen.
I also think they are probably going with HBK v. JBL, which could be fun if they let it all hang out.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:06 AM
I could live with this card.
Posted By: Hawkeye (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:07 AM
If the Royal Rumble winner isnt in the title match it instant devalues winning it, sacrificing the Orton Rumble win just to get HHH in a match with Cena, no thanks.
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:24 AM
If Stone Cold were to wrestle....its going to be Stone Cold vs HBK....with HBK getting the win, remember...hbk was retired by stone cold at wm 14.....it was due to the back injury I know...but that was presumed to be HBK's last match before he made his comeback
Posted By: deeno (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:50 AM
Battle Royal for MITB = FAIL
Edge vs Show = FAIL
Taker vs Michaels = FAIL
Cena vs HHH = FAIL
I dig the Austin vs RKO match up ONLY If AUSTIN is going OVER Orton, something that should NOT and WON'T Happen at Mania.
FACT IS , the constant incapicity of the WWE to build brand new main eventers to feud with guys like Cena and HHH means NO Fresh Main Event in the biggest stage of them all.
And your column is ultimately LAME when you're claiming "Cena vs RKO is not big enough for Mania" and also "It wouldn't be fresh at all" .
Oh cause CENA vs HHH would be FRESHER ? While it's totally the OPPOSITE ?
EPIC FAIL for this column !
Posted By: Guest#4565 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 02:43 AM
There are two Hacksaw Jim Duggans? Good lord, one is one too many.
Posted By: subtlefuge (Registered) on February 02, 2009 at 03:09 AM
World Heavyweight Championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton /w The Legacy
WWE Championship: Edge vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Triple H vs. CM Punk
Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
Money in the Bank Ladder Match: John Morrison vs. The Miz vs. Evan Bourne vs. The Brian Kendrick vs. MVP vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston
ECW Championship - Belfast Brawl: Jack Swagger vs. Finlay
Umaga vs. Big Show
Posted By: Jones (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 04:14 AM
I'm already just about off the WWE bandwagon after that garbage ending to Raw last Monday, but if that double main event happens, I'm officially no longer a wrestling fan. I watched TNA and hated it, Smackdown I can't get in HD where I live so I don't bother, and ECW....well, they still think Boogeyman is a draw. Raw is the only wrestling show I still watch, and being that its the 25th anniversary I was thinking I'd be ordering Mania, but not if the big matches on the card come up how you'd like.
Posted By: Butters4Prez (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 04:16 AM
Waaaaaay too contrived. If you're simply telling us what you'd LIKE to see, then say so explicitly, because if this is an actual prediction of what we're GOING to see, you're reaching BADLY. You think WWE is going to devalue the Rumble win, take the main event away from their hottest rising star, waste Edge in a match nobody will be that interested in, and take HHH off the show that has his picture in every promotional poster in the country?
Occum's razor dude, the simplest explanation is often the correct one. We're getting HHH/Edge, Cena/Orton, and Hardy/Hardy. There's VERY little doubt about it.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Hardy vs Hardy is a lock. Regular match.
Rourke vs Jericho could still happen. Flair, Piper, and Afa in Rourke's corner.
HBK vs JBL - With the storyline and both being from Texas makes this seem like a good fit.
Taker vs Kozlov- Everyone knows Taker's streak isn't ending at WM in Texas, so this seems plausible.
Orton, Ted, and Cody vs Vince, Shane, and HHH- Seems like it could happen.
Big Show vs Edge- Who else is a fresh opponent for Edge?
MITB- Kofi, Rey, Evan, Kane, Beardy McGee, MVP, and Shelton.
CM Punk vs Christian- Sounds good to me.
Austin vs Hogan- A guilty pleasure of mine that I wish would've gone down at Judgment Day 2002 then WM 22, but 3 years later at Mania isn't so bad.
Big ass pre-Mania battle royal.
That's what I'd like to see.
Posted By: PhiDeltaSlam (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 04:25 AM
This is probably the worst WrestleMania card I've ever seen.
Posted By: hombre (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 05:28 AM
john cena vs triple H again? Lord knows we always want to see the same thing everytime
Posted By: Guest#4988 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 06:05 AM
great ideas but you CANNOT be serious with edge vs big show....its a hard time selling it to a normal ppv audience let alone wrestlemania. HHH vs edge is alot more likely and its fairly fresh, theyve only breifly touched this one last year and i think both have shown to have great matches come wm time, as a secondary main event this should be good.
there isnt any other face as big as cena if they want orton to continue to megastardom as they seem to be pushing him towards. Theyve had some matches before notably the pretty good 2007 summerslam match up, it only makes sense they match up again, as cena is always gold on the mike and will definatly be able to garner alot of interest for this. Add this briliant orton vs mcmahons storyline in it and it could be one explosive main event.
Posted By: gooched (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:02 AM
you my friend are a complete moron. no offense. i see the battle royal happening. MITB minus 2 or 3 people. ECW match. The Hardys match, HBK vs Taker. thats it. stone cold wont wrestle, i dont see trish coming back. RVD will fight for the championship at wrestlemania before trish and austin fight in a match.
Posted By: fannumber77 (Guest) on February 01, 2009 at 11:29 PM
ACTUALLY there are legit rumours that trish will come back to fight mccool to give her the rub.
Posted By: gooched (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:23 AM
You put Hacksaw in the Battle Royal twice...Unless one of them is Charlie Haas.
Posted By: Ben (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Deeno U so Right on this one. Also look at the irony of it all. Stone Cold went and made all that money for vince right after and then suffered the same fate as Shawn who in turn came back and became a living legend. They can use this in the hbk-jbl storyline. This would def. be the right call. Book It!
Posted By: Guest#6637 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 08:02 AM
I hate to be the one to say it , but this card is very unrealistic.
It sounds OK , but not fit for a WM , especially the SILVER one.
Here is my card [ predictable , but realistic ].
ME : TITLE MATCHES
EDGE V HHH
Cena v RKO
ME 2 :
Mickey rourke w/ RIC FLAIR V Y2J
4 - MITB MATCH : John Morrison V MVP V MR Kennedy v Carlito
Shelton Benjamin v Rey mysterio v Finlay v CM Punk
5 - Trish V Michelle Mc Cool - DIVAS Title
6 - HBK V JBL - Loser retires
7 - Undertaker v Bigshow
8 - Evan Bourne v Jack Swagger - ECW title
9 - Hardy v Hardy
10 - A BATTLE ROYAL
Stone Cold won't wrestle again , i think.
Posted By: Amy (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 08:06 AM
HHH vs Edge
Cena vs Orton
Taker vs Hbk
Y2J vs Rourke (hopefully or jericho will be off to the mitb match)
Hardy vs Hardy
MITB match
hopefully a IC title defence with Punk
trish vs mccool
tag title match involving legacy
Swagger vs finlay or dreamer
sounds like a hell of a card to me.
Posted By: Guest#5806 (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 09:48 AM
not a bad card, since everyone else seems to be doin it here's what i'd love to see( it is more wishful thinking than educated guessing however)
WWE Championship
Randy Orton def. John Cena
World Heavyweight Championship
Christian def. Edge & Triple H
The Undertaker def. Shawn Michaels
Jeff Hardy def. Matt Hardy (Matt attacks and takes out Jeff afterwards)
Intercontinental Championship
CM Punk def. Chris Jericho
Money In The Bank Ladder Match
John Morrison def. The Miz, JBL, The Brian Kendrick, Evan Bourne, Rey Mysterio, MVP & Kofi Kingston
ECW Championship, Extreme Rules
Jack Swagger def. Tommy Dreamer
Umaga def. The Big Show
Tag Team Championship Unification Match
Priceless def. Cryme Tyme & Carlito and Primo
United States Championship
Mr. Kennedy def. Shelton Benjamin
Pre-Show Battle Royal, Winner Faces Shelton Benjamin for The US Title
Mr. Kennedy(surprise entrant) def. Kane, The Great Khali, Greogry Helms, DJ Gabriel, William Regal, Finlay, Ricky Ortiz, R-Truth, Mark Henry, Mike Knox, Santino Marella, Dolph Ziggler, Jim Duggan, Festus, Jesse, Kung Fu Naki, Jimmy Wang Yang, Scotty Goldman & DH Smith
Posted By: Flagg (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Hey whats up man, this is Angelo. For a while I was a regular addition to your column with some bookings. I haven't thought of too many bookings as of late due to being exceptionally busy between school and running my campus radio show, but I did think of a booking for the Smackdown superstar everyone forgot about. Kizarny.
So we start off with Kizarny teaming with Hurricane Helms on the 2/6 show against Shelton Benjamin and MVP. Kizarny's team gets the win by DQ after MVP hits Helms with a chair. The next week we get a tag team rematch where Kizarny and Helms win with Kizarny hitting the Tallulah Belle on Benjamin. The following week on Smackdown we get one final tag match between these teams with Kizarny's team being in control at the end until Kizarny just leaves Helms to be double teamed and take the loss.
On the 2/27 show Kizarny defeats a jobber and Helms comes out after to get a reason why he left him but Kizarny just leaves again. On the 3/6 show Helms is in the middle of a match with Kendrick when Kizarny comes out and lays him out. The next week Kizarny faces off with Helms one on one, and Kizarny wins in his first match to really showcase his abilities (Friday the 13th nonetheless) and defeats Helms. On the 3/20 show Kizarny d. Jimmy Wang Yang and on the 3/27 show he defeats Kung Fu Naki. On the 4/3 show Kizarny is involved in a four person match with Yang, Helms, and Kendrick. Helms wins the match after pinning on Kendrick and Kizarny leaves mid match.
This is all part of the plan that sees our carny friend leave Smackdown for a better environment. You're probably guessing ECW, but no, he's going to Raw. Before he makes his unexpected debut on Raw, he takes place in the Freeview Battle Royal at Wrestlemania, where he eliminates Helms, but gets eliminated by Kofi Kingston.
Makes his Raw debut the next night starting his "Kizarny Open Challenge" where he faces a local jobber. Defeats a local jobber that night and on the 4/13, 4/27, 5/11 and 5/18 Raw shows. On the 6/1 Raw he has a promo where he talks about his tricks and his great record. But he's going to outtrick even himself when he destroys Shawn Michaels. That's right, HBK. HBK is of course a workhorse and the showstopper, and Kizarny, while at this point is still in definite midcard status, is a capable good worker. On the 6/8 show Kizarny addresses Michaels again in another promo trying to get his attention since HBK didn't respond. Kizarny says HBK better respond. HBK doesn't respond so on the 6/15 Raw Kizarny has a match in his "open challenge" in which he defeats the local jobber, but he comes to the ring with a small man dressed up in a carnival costume. After the match, Kizarny unveils the small man as HBK's kid! Kizarny and HBK's kid quickly run off through the crowd as an enraged HBK storms out.
On the 6/22 show HBK is waiting for Kizarny now in the ring. Instead we get a Kizarny promo saying HBK's kid wanted to attention, wanted to be in the carnival, and that HBK never paid enough attention to him. He isn't harming him at all, he's just letting the kid be a kid. On the 6/29 show Kizarny has a match against a local jobber but HBK runs down and Kizanry has to flee the ring in order to escape HBK. On the 7/6 show Kizarny has a promo saying he will fight Shawn Michaels at the Great American Bash in a Festival Match where the match takes place on the fairgrounds of a carnival. If HBK wins, he will let his kid go back with him, even though HBK doesn't let him be a kid. Michaels excepts. On the 7/20 show Kizarny has a promo just showing HBK's kid having the time of his life. HBK is irate and sweet chin music's everyone in sight (refs, security, etc)
At the Great American Bash Kizarny has an awesome fight with HBK. They fight all over the fairgrounds, and the match is a very intense brawl with props. At one point HBK just snaps and slams Kizarny's head up against a glass mirror repeatedly just saying let me see my kid. Finally, Kizarny, bleeding like crazy points to where the kid is playing. HBK runs over and goes to pick up his kid but his kid doesn't wanna go. A disappointed and sad HBK just leaves the fairgrounds and loses the match by forfeit.
On the 7/27 show Kizarny says he didn't mean to ruin their father son relationship and challenges HBK to a ladder match with the contract for his son hanging above. HBK says he would have to die to lose this match. On the 8/3 Raw Kizarny defeats Charlie Haas but is beat down after by HBK badly. On the 8/10 Raw Kizarny defeats a local jobber with Michaels banned from ringside. HBK tries to break free but security brings him down. On the 8/17 Raw we have a contract signing for the ladder match at Summerslam. This turns into an intense brawl that heads to the crowd before Kizarny finally escapes.
That takes us to the big match at Summerslam. The match is a fairly long ladder match until we get to a huge spot. Both men are atop a super ladder when Kizarny quickly climbs down and pushes the super ladder over the top rope and Michaels goes crashing through two stacked tables and takes a nasty fall. The action is stopped and FINALLY HBK's kid comes to his senses and rushes over in fear for his dad. The kid embraces Michaels but Michaels is knocked out cold. Kizarny sets up the ladder to climb up but John Cena comes out because he isn't going to let Kizarny ruin HBK's life. Cena gives Kizarny the throwback, climbs the ladder and gets the contract. He hands the contract to an unconscious HBK.
On the 8/24 Raw we learn HBK has suffered some injuries but will be ready for Unforgiven. Kizarny cuts a promo saying all he wanted to do was make it to the main stage and he did. On the 8/31 Raw HBK has a promo from home saying at Unforgiven it's not about his kid. His kid is staying home. It's not about the main stage, it's about kicking Kizarny's ass. It's a great heartfelt promo from the showstopper. On the 9/7 Raw Kizarny says he's going to steal the show at Unforgiven. On the 9/14 Raw Kizarny defeats Kane.
This takes us to Unforgiven where HBK and Kizarny have their best all out match. No distractions, just an all out war. In the end, HBK superkicks Kizarny, picks him back up superkicks him again. He then climbs the top rope and hits an emotional ring crossing elbow before hitting one final superkick.
From here I would have Kizarny join the intercontinental division and feud with the then IC champ Kofi Kingston.
Posted By: Angelo (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 11:40 AM
ECW Extreme Rules Title Match: Swagger (c) vs. Finlay
7 of Best of 7 US Title: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. MVP
Woman's Match: Trish vs. McCool
IC Title: Punk vs. Y2J
MITB: Bourne vs. Kendrick vs. Kingston vs. Morrison vs. Miz vs. Umaga vs. Santino (with Beth) vs. Mr. Kennedy
Giant's Battle Royale: Big Show vs. Khali vs. Henry vs. Kozlov vs. Knox vs. Kane vs. Rikishi vs. Vader
Awesome: HBK (with JBL) vs. Undertaker
Heavyweight Title: Cena (c) vs. Orton
WWE Title: Edge (c) vs. Triple H vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
Posted By: Weston Smith (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Are these predictions or wishes? You logic makes very little sense. Why are people gonna pay for the Cena vs HHH rematch? We just saw that this summer. Big Show is not Wrestlemania main event material by himself. The only way he is able to get main event is to job to sumo wrestlers and boxers. He is boring. I think there will be an Edge and Show program where Vickie couples up with Show, but that might be the plan for after Mania. I am really hoping that HHH is not in any title match this year...just so it can be a little fresher.
Posted By: T-Mac (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 11:55 AM
"the sheer fact that we've seen them wrestle plenty of times is going to make it seem like less of a big match"
and then you go and book cena against triple h.
yes i know they're tied one match a piece, but the orton-cena feud never got a proper pay off (you're not seriously going to count last year's no way out as it are you?) before triple haitch stuck his big nose in.
now i consider myslef a defender of the whole "first time ever!" booking policy of wrestlemania that has become tradition, but a strong feud would easily make up for a first in my book
Posted By: DaJ (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 01:36 PM
He did it after WrestleMania 24. He did it for his birthday. He did for Survivor Series, he did it for the Rock
Posted By: Ahm (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 03:29 PM
I can see CM Punk and Shelton Benjamin in the MITB if they are not defending their respective titles. Also, if the Rourke match falls through, I see Jericho in the MITB. I can also see R-Truth, MVP, Kofi, Kendrick, Rey, Santino, Evan Bourne (if he's healthy by then), Kennedy, and/or Miz and Morrison (if they don't have a tag match). Really, I could see any of them making up the 8 participants. Also, I don't think Taker will face HBK, especially if he's still in the current storyline he has with JBL. I see Taker vs. either Umaga or Kozlov, and HBK either fighting JBL, or, if he's still JBL's crony, JBL entering HBK into the MITB. I also see Hardy vs. Hardy, Edge vs. Triple H, and Cena vs. Orton. I also expect a Raw vs. SmackDown match too just like last year. Other than that, it is way too hard to predict.
Posted By: Dubhagan (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Kane will never be left off the main show. I would put Kane vs Umaga vs Koslov vs Mark Henry in a BATTLE OF THE BEHEMOTHS, BAWGAWD !
Posted By: Chyna's Penis (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Replace Melina with Kelly Kelly and you have the most spanktacular tag team in the history of wrestling!
Posted By: Angry Bear (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 06:45 PM
WWE WrestleMania XXV will take place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The event will mark the silver anniversary of the advent of the biggest stage in all of sports entertainment. The event’s theme songs are “War Machine” and “Shoot to Thrill” (Live) by AC/DC.
This should be an extraordinary event and the WWE will put on the best show of the year.
The Card
Dark Match: 25-Man Battle Royal- Winner receives ECW Championship Match
---Participants: Vladimir Kozlov, The Great Khali, Evan Bourne, Paul Burchill, Mark Henry, The Miz, Charlie Haas, JTG, Shad, William Regal, Goldust, Dolph Ziggler, Manu, Sim Snuka, Mike Knox, R-Truth, Carlito, Primo, Festus, Hurricane Helms, Kung Fu Naki, Zach Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Ricky Ortiz and Tommy Dreamer.
Mr. Kennedy vs. MVP
Money In The Bank Ladder Match:
- Kane
- Umaga
- Shelton Benjamin
- The Brian Kendrick
- Kofi Kingston
- John Morrison
- Finlay
- Christian
World Tag Team Championship: Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase Jr (c) vs. Rey Mysterio and CM Punk
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
ECW Championship – Jack Swagger (c) vs. Evan Bourne
Interpromotional Match - Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Diva Lumberjill Match – Beth Phoenix & Michelle McCool vs. Trish Stratus & Melina
Chris Jericho vs. Mickey Rourke (w/ Ric Flair and Roddy Piper)
WWE Championship Triple Threat Match - Edge (c) vs. HHH vs. The Big Show
World Heavyweight Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton
Special Guest Referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Posted By: Joe Rice (Guest) on February 02, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Hmmm....
First prediction: no MITB match this year.
Miz & Morr vs. Mynstrel Tyme vs. Priceless for the Tag Titles
