Wrestlemania 28 predictions

It has become cliché throughout the years but Wrestlemania really is the ‘grandaddy of them all.’ There’s nothing quite like it and as a wrestling fan, it’s the one night you just have to mark out during the live broadcast. The 28^th edition has an absolutely stacked card and as far as match quality it has the potential to be one of the best ever.

Lets have a look.

Team Johnny (David Otunga, Mark Henry, Drew McIntye, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger) vs Team Teddy (Santino Marella, Zack Ryder, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, The Great Khali and Booker T) winner becomes GM of both Raw and Smackdown

First of all, I appreciate the fact that everyone in this match up (more or less) has a logical reason for participating. A great shout with the addition of D-Mac and actually showing some continuity in the booking, with McIntrye harkening back to when he was embarrassing Teddy on a weekly basis last year in a recent interview. WWE has focussed a lot of energy on this match in recent weeks and deservedly so, especially considering the contest will decide the fate of the WWE. Sure, there are those that will complain about some of the participants being chosen over others and that the match is just a way of trying to fit as many superstars left off the card as possible into doing something. However from my vantage point, creative has succeeded in drumming up enough interest in what should be a nice undercard match. Of course, it all depends on the execution of the match and it does have the potential to be a complete clusterfuck, much like the 2-minute 8-man tag match at last year’s event. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up that way.

I’m expecting a win for Team Johnny. It’s been proven time and time again that a heel GM/Authority figure always works better than a face one. Sure, Teddy Long serves his purpose as a happy go lucky all round nice guy but John Lauranitis is able to garner a decent amount of heat. Reigning over both Raw and Smackdown will only bring him some more. Honestly, I don’t think the move would be permanent anyway, unless WWE decides it is time to officially end the brand split.

Winners: Team Johnny

Cody Rhodes (c) vs The Big Show for the Intercontinental Championship

The blooper packages that have aired as the build for this Wrestlemania showdown have been entertaining and the WWE have allowed Cody Rhodes to show some diversity by morphing from comedic mockery one minute, to vicious beat downs the next. However, this feud has been so lopsided in favour of Cody Rhodes that wrestling logic 101 dictates that The Big Show will walk out of Miami with the Intercontinental Championship. Indeed, I think that’s what will happen. Show has had his fair share of humiliations at Wrestlemania and I think the WWE will reward him for the past experimental matches they conducted with him as well as his recent seconds long World Title reign embarrassment. In fact, a win for Show would make sense. Rhodes has pretty much done nothing with the title since bringing back the old school white version and I think it’s time that both he and the title move on. As for the match, I expect a decent outing from the two. Rhodes has proved he can deliver a good match and Show has a habit of delivering when called upon. Everyone will be out to steal the show from the main events, I expect this to be no different.

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: The Big Show

Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos vs Beth Phoenix & Eve

Well, how WWE missed the boat with the diva’s for Wrestlemania. The ‘Diva’s of Doom’ alliance between Beth and Natalya fizzled out before one of them had the chance to turn on the other. A Beth Phoenix vs Natalya match would have been a great addition to an already stacked card. As for a Beth Phoenix vs Kharma match, maybe we’ll get that next year. With Kharma’s stillborn pregnancy, no one could have expected her to be in an emotionally stable place to be on the road to Wrestlemania. Her outing at the Royal Rumble was more than enough.

The WWE opted instead to attempt to get mainstream media attention from Maria Menounos, the "Extra" host, appearing in a match. We’ve seen Maria Menounos wrestle for the WWE a couple of times before and for the minimal amount of training she will have received, she proved herself to be naturally athletic. In terms of the amount of training she has compared with the likes of Kelly Kelly, she’s probably a better worker than Princess Bimboid… But I digress. K2 vs Eve looks a dead cert following Wrestlemania and I imagine WWE will delay on that this Sunday by putting the celebrity over.

Winners: Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos

Randy Orton vs Kane

Probably the match that feels most ‘thrown together,’ Orton vs Kane hasn’t really peaked my interest like many of the other matches on the card. The feud has seemingly consisted of Kane’s initial attack on Orton followed by a series of RKO’s delivered on Kane. Pretty poor execution in my opinion. That’s not to say the match quality won’t be good, as Orton has really upped his game in the past year and Kane is always a reliable worker.

Both men have the potential to walk away as the winner. While Kane’s return to his masked persona hasn’t been great, one feels that if the WWE are serious about re-building Kane into the demonic monster he once was then he needs a big victory. What better way than to vanquish Orton at Wrestlemania? Alas, WWE loves them some Super Orton and I think that tips the scales in favour of the viper.

Winner: Randy Orton

Daniel Bryan (c) vs Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship

Daniel Bryan’s progression since winning the World Heavyweight Championship has been nothing short of exceptional. The way his character has developed into a smarmy, nefarious straight up bastard has been the highlight of Smackdown over the past couple of months. His manipulation of AJ is relatable to anyone who has seen that happen in their own lives and just makes you want to hate him that much more.

Sheamus has been on an unbelievable winning streak as of late. Since winning the Royal Rumble he has dominated everybody he’s been in the ring with. However, it’s interesting to note that the past four Rumble winners have been defeated in their subsequent match at Wrestlemania.

I think it’s a damn shame that there was been no mention of the fact that they were bumped off last year’s card and are now main eventing it. That was an important plot point missed and it should’ve been inserted somewhere, if only as a part of one promo and never mentioned again. It’s the greatest crux their storyline could possibly have.

I will say that I think AJ will be the cause of Bryan’s downfall…eventually. As far as ‘Mania is concerned, I think Bryan uses some dastardly heel tactics to once again escape with the title. Or maybe that’s what I’d like to believe. It’s obvious the WWE has wanted to push Sheamus to stars since his arrival and I could just as easily see Sheamus picking up the victory for his first face title run. For the sake of predictions however, lets go with Bryan. I just hope they’re given a nice amount of time to work with. YES! YES! YES!

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Daniel Bryan

CM Punk (c) vs Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship

Now here’s the match I’m looking forward to the most. Not because it features my favourite active wrestler (Y2J) but because it has the potential to be a fantastic technical spectacle. Each man does have a legitimate claim for the best in the world crown. While the feud has become more and more heated because of the facts that Jericho has revealed about Punk’s family. It’s been entertaining to watch. I do think it’s a bit of a shame that they haven’t had more time to go back and forth on the mic with one another but whatever.

I do think that CM Punk is winning here. Internet rumours have been swirling round that Jericho will be leaving once again to go on tour with Fozzy, whether they’re true or not will become apparent following Wrestlemania. There are no tour dates listed on Fozzy’s website, so take that for what you will. However, knowing the Internet the so-cal tour will be Download festival which they ARE playing. A HUGE weekend tour…yeah. I just think Wrestlemania will be an opportunity for Jericho to put the younger Punk over. A passing of the best in the world torch, if you will.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk

Triple H vs The Undertaker in a Hell In A Cell match w/ Shawn Michaels as the special referee

The Undertaker is synonymous with winning at Wrestlemania but to the WWE’s credit they’ve found ways over the last few years to build just a little doubt in the minds of the audience.

It has to be said, the build has been a little uninteresting at times, with each man essentially saying the same thing over and over again. However, little nuances in the storytelling have helped it survive. Shawn Michaels smirk after the Undertaker called him the better wrestler, HHH’s unwillingness to end the streak as Taker has become a brand to him now and strain placed upon the friendship between HBK and HHH has produced some excellent melodramatic moments.

As for the match, there’s no doubt in my mind that Undertaker is going to win, it’s just a matter of how? Will he overcome an onslaught from both Shawn Michaels and Triple H? Will Michaels turn on Triple H and set up a match for Wrestlemania 29? As adamant as Shawn is regarding his retirement being permanent, I’m predicting that Michaels costs Triple H after much violence, sweat and BLOOD. Yep, a bonus prediction right there. There will be blood!

Winner: The Undertaker

John Cena vs The Rock

It’s been called a lot of things. Once in a lifetime. The biggest match in Wrestlemania history. While I am excited for the match, especially the crowd reaction, some of the build up has been a giant waste of time. As a fan of John Cena and someone who grew up with The Rock, I’m afraid to say that nearly all of that wasted time and shitty build up has come from The Rock. From a 4-hour promotional package called Wrestlemania 27 last year, to tired catchphrases, notes on a wrist, what’s trending on Twitter, muffled lines and choking, The Rock has been owned by John Cena almost every week.

If WWE have The Rock win at Wrestlemania then the staff must be comprised of drunks. At the core of the feud is the fact that John Cena is performing day in and day out for the company while The Rock is a part time performer. If John Cena does not go over The Rock then it is akin to the WWE flushing the past eight years down the toilet. Fuck you John Cena, the attitude era was better, type deal. The Rock HAS to put over John Cena because Cena is going to be there the next 5-7 years carrying the company, whereas Rocky will swan off back to Hollywood. Make the right call WWE. Expect an ‘epic’ match with multiple near falls and finisher’s being kicked out of.

Winner: John Cena

So there we have it, Wrestlemania 28 predicted. Come back on Monday for a full review.

Thanks for reading.

Five Reasons Why You Should Check Out Impact Wrestling

Let me start off by saying that I’ve been a TNA fan since the company’s inception. Back when The Wrestling Channel was in commission on Sky, I watched it pretty much 24/7 and TNA was a regularly featured promotion. There is a particular period in the history of TNA that has a rosy tint in my eyes. When AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels were creating spectacular matches for the X-Division title, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the acrobatic, no limits style.

Of course, in order to grow as a company TNA couldn’t JUST be the company with the daredevil cruiserweights. They needed direction, storylines and some money-making stars. They roped in Hulk Hogan (arguably the biggest wrestler of all time), Eric Bischoff, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, Mr Anderson, Team 3D, Ric Flair, Mick Foley and Kurt Angle. All of the aforementioned are established stars, yet, ratings never fluctuated for anything more than a week or so. Maybe it’s because fans are tired of seeing the old faces prevent the ‘TNA Originals’ from grasping the spotlight or perhaps its the way the booking works in TNA. The lack of consistency in the booking of TNA is astounding. Angles will start and be forgotten about, heel/face turns will happen every week and characters have no time to establish themselves as a result of disappearing from Television for weeks. It was for all these reasons in addition to the Jeff Hardy/Matt Hardy debacle last year that I stopped being a TNA fan and joined the majority of the wrestling community in bashing TNA left right and centre.

However, after a period of around 6 months I sat down and decided to watch Impact. I was happy with almost everything I saw. The ‘TNA originals’ were getting the majority of the limelight and there was a renewed focus on the X-Division. Sure, there were a few minor decisions here and there (Hi Garrett Bischoff) that made me want to scratch my eyes out, but overall ‘Impact Wrestling’ is a much improved product on last year and I’m now a weekly viewer once again. If you’ve fallen out with the TNA brand or if you’ve never watched the show because of misguided opinion, here are five reasons you should give TNA a chance.

James Storm

Formerly one half of one of the best tag teams in recent memory, James Storm is now enjoying a singles run as one of the top faces on the roster. Storm’s laid back, southern, beer drinking attitude is as cool as you like. He’s no slouch in the ring either and has proved that he can have entertaining matches with just about anybody. Honestly, I think people have the tendency to underrate Storm when compared to his former tag team partner. I believe Storm could become a huge star for TNA if his character is tweaked slightly, as he’s a bit of a stereotype at the minute. He’s already been given some mainstream exposure through his interactions with New York Giant running back Brandon Jacobs in recent weeks and his (awesome, might I add) theme song is getting its own music video. As Storm is a ‘TNA original’ I couldn’t be happier that he’s at the top of the card. He’s most certainly one of the most entertaining aspects of Impact.

Bobby Roode

The ‘Money’ to James Storm’s ‘Beer.’ Bobby Roode has worked out tremendously as a heel champion. After Hulk Hogan dismissed Roode, publicly might I add, as ‘not ready,’ Roode has certainly proved him wrong. Everything about his current persona from his pompous entrance music to his ‘leader of the selfish generation’ tagline is working wonders in establishing him as a main event heel. Roode has been World Heavyweight champion for four months now and in that time has used heel tactics to overcome the biggest stars in TNA including AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy and James Storm. As Roode’s stock continues to rise, his upcoming match at Victory Road against Sting will be a good indication of how far the company wants to take a heel Bobby Roode.

Bully Ray

Yep. If you haven’t been watching Impact lately then you’re truly missing out. The former Bubba Ray Dudley is making waves as a top heel in TNA right now. Bully Ray is a great heel in such an obvious and simple way… being a bully. In matches he shouts and yells at the referee. In backstage interviews he demeans and embarrasses Christy Hemme or Jeremy Borash. During the ‘big match’ in-ring introductions that TNA utilise for their main events, Bully Ray takes the mic from Jeremy Borash and announces his own name. Rather than giving the mic back to JB he throws it on the floor, forcing Borash to bend down and pick it up. He’s also rather fond of his calves. It’s the little nuances that make Bully so hateable and unlike any other heel in mainstream wrestling at the minute. As Sting says ‘no one does Bully, like Bully.’

Austin Aries

Austin Aries was one of my favourite guys in Ring of Honor and the Indies and he fits the bill as a perfect X-Division champion. His in-ring style is mesmerising to watch as he mixes both the spot-fest X-Division style with some great technical work. Infact, his movement in the ring is so crisp and so clean that he makes every move look like art. The ‘greatest man alive’ has charisma oozing from his pores and it certainly comes across in his promo work. A Double is just plain fun to watch and I expect he’ll be involved in the main event as some point in 2012.

Eric Young and ODB

Yeah, I said it. Wanna fight about it? TNA’s ‘odd couple’ are more geared towards the ‘sports entertainment’ aspect of your average weekly episode of Impact but they’re damn good at it. Eric Young, the sweet natured, whacked out goofball who doesn’t know where he is half of the time coupled with the trailer trash, titty slapping, and canteen sipping ODB. Cue cheesy hilarity. Honestly, the two really had nothing better to do and they’ve made something out of nothing. The pairing just click and have that entertaining and endearing chemistry that is fun to watch. From the initial ‘wildcard tournament’ combination, to the awkward realisation of love and now the marriage proposal. Everything about it screams 90’s. I don’t know if that’s what makes it fun or not but the Impact zone crowd was really into the proposal angle on this week’s show. When it works, it works.

So there we have it, five good reasons why you should give Impact a chance. Honourable mentions go to Magnus/Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy who has managed to turn his life around and as usual AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels. Honestly, TNA has improved so much over the past few months despite what the online bashing would have you believe. The fact that Vince Russo has left the creative team means things can only get better.

Just FYI, this week’s episode of Impact was not as good as it has been recently, that’s not to discourage you from tuning in… just don’t expect the work of the gods this week. I hope this piece has encouraged you tune in or at the very least check out some of the promo’s and matches from the past few months and tune in next week.

Remember Impact is on Challenge tonight at 9pm. Freeview channel 46.

Thanks for reading.

Let me know what you think. Have you checked out TNA recently? Will you be checking Challenge out tonight? Agree/Disagree with my thoughts? Leave me some feedback :)

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