Wrestlemania XXV Predictions

The biggest event of the year for the WWE Universe happens on Sunday. Our Stanley Cup, our Heisman Trophy, our... well you get the point. Wrestlemania rarely ever disappoints and this one will be no exception. Wrestlemania XXV promises to be night of great wrestling and entertainment.

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a Singles Match:
I think the Deadman will go from 16-0 to 17-0. I don’t see any plans to make Taker lose at a Wrestlemania anytime soon. While at first I was disappointed to hear this match booked, on account that the two have fought each other countless times, I have to say, the way the two have acted trying to intimidate the other has been absolutly excellent. The stakes of the match are great: Undertaker’s streak, HBK being beaten by the Undertaker. It should be an exciting bout.

Verdict: Undertaker

CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay in a Money in the Bank ladder match:
Wow. All of these superstars have their own fan base (yes, even Mark Henry.) I enjoy watching all of them (yes, even Mark Henry.) But I think MVP will be MITB. CM Punk already had it, Kane has no chance, I doubt Henry can even climb that ladder without breaking it, Benjamin despite having a great last name, always seems to get pushed but then reverts back to mid-card status, it is too early for Kofi Kingston, but I think but he will be a future winner, Vince doesn’t take kindly to Christian so it’s said, and Finlay is to busy training the newbies. This will be the year of MVP, with his recent US Title win, face turn, and inevitable push.
Verdict: Montel Vontavious Porter

Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton in a Singles match for the WWE Championship:
Just like the Taker HBK match, I was originally skeptical of this one as HHH and RKO have fought each other numerous times. I originally thought HHH might take it, but with the new stipulation of disqualification and countout on HHH, I think RKO will take it. Then again, it could just be used to make it seem like the odds are stacked against HHH and he once again comes out looking like Superman. Something has to happen with the McMahon family. I don’t know what, but I feel something will go down.
Verdict: Randy Orton

Edge (c) vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship:

This was a potential main event match ruined by a stupid love triangle angle. Barring that, I don’t think Show and Cena are worthy having the belt (ESPECIALLY CENA.) I hope Edge retains and then this love triangle BS is done with. I just had a thought. Imagine if Batista came out and turned heel by siding with Vickie Guerrero. I’m just sayin…
Verdict: Edge

25-Diva battle royal in which the winner will be crowned "Miss WrestleMania":
I honestly don’t care about this. The women’s division isn’t living up to what it could be. I remember the great matches with Lita, Ivory, Chyna, Sable and so many better divas.
Verdict: Don’t care, probably Gail Kim. I hope Santino gets in though and steals it.

Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy in a Extreme Rules match:
I had a feeling these two would fight at Wrestlemania. However I was hoping it was for the WWE Championship against each other. But alas no. I think the obvious winner will be Jeff Hardy. I just hope whoever loses isn’t kicked to the curb and forgotten. Hopefully both go to main event statuses.
Verdict: Jeff Hardy

The Colóns (Carlito and Primo) vs. John Morrison and The Miz in a Tag team: Lumberjack match to unify the WWE Tag Team Championship and World Tag Team Championship:
To be honest, I haven’t been paying too much to these two. Not out of disinterest, but they just have been under my radar. I think it’s a tough one to choose. But I’m foreseeing a breakup of the Colóns after they loose. Morrison & the Miz are both entertaining and they make a great tag team. It isn’t time for them to breakup yet.
Verdict: John Morrison and The Miz

John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) vs. Rey Mysterio in a Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Well this one started off without any fanfare. I didn’t even know there was still an Intercontinental Championship. I mean when was the last time it was defended by JBL. Regardless, I think Rey Mastreo will take it. Why? Because I want JBL to go back to announcing so why not have Mastreo retire him twice.
Verdict: Rey Mastreo

Chris Jericho vs. Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka (with Ric Flair) in a Handicap elimination match:
This will be the most exciting match for me, being the Jericho mark that I am. As it is, I will answer this prediction as a mark: Sometimes legends need to keep their mouths shut. Yes they are important to the business, but I don’t need to hear it every second. Good for them they attained that status. But I hope Jericho slaps their mouths shut.

Verdict: Chris Jericho

WWE Survivor Series 2008 Predictions

It's 2008 and Survivor Series will be at the TD Banknorth Garden live tonight at 8pm. It will be a powerhouse Pay-per-view that will be exciting and memorable. Here are the predictions:

Chris Jericho (c) vs. John Cena for the World Heavyweight Championship: I don't think Cena will get the belt (I truly hope not). It will be interesting to see how the Boston crowd reacts to Cena's awaited return. I think the match will end in a disqualification for either Cena or Jericho.

The Undertaker vs. The Big Show in a Casket Match: Undertaker without a doubt. I need not say anymore.

Triple H (c) vs Vladimir Kozlov vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship: If the news about Jeff Hardy being found unconscious in his hotel is not a storyline, which I hope it is not, it goes to Triple H. My god, my god, I hope it isn't. I want this to be Hardy's time to finally achieve that gold.

Team Michaels (Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad), and The Great Khali) vs. Team JBL (John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Kane, Montel Vontavious Porter, John Morrison and The Miz) in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match: You know, with MVP's 6 month losing streak, perhaps he will be the sole survivor. Or maybe he will be the first one eliminated. Regardless, I think Team HBK will take this one.

Team Batista (Batista, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy and R-Truth) vs. Team Orton (Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Cody Rhodes and Mark Henry) in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination Match: I think Team Orton will take this. This is RKO's first truly big match since returning from his injury. Not to mention, the members of Team Batista haven't been faring well in the individual matches they have had.

Team Raw (Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, and Jillian Hall) vs. Team SmackDown (Michelle McCool, Victoria, Maria, Maryse, and Natalya) in a 5-on-5 Diva Survivor Series Elimination Match: I don't know why, but it seems like Smackdown tends to win these Raw vs. Smackdown type of matches. While I think Raw has the better overall wrestling talent, I think it will go to Smackdown.

WWE 2008 The Great American Bash Predictions

I will be attending the 2008 Great American Bash tomorrow at the Nassau Coliseum. I am truly looking forward to this event. The card will have some great matches and perhaps some history will be made as well. To that, here is my predictions for the Pay-Per-View.



Matt Hardy (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin for the WWE United States Championship:

I think they will keep the belt on Hardy. Regardless I think this could be a great match. Shelton can show off some good moves of his. He's improved a lot in the ring since his stint on Raw where he did absolutely nothing. I think they'll keep the belt on Hardy for a few months before it's decided to drop it to Shelton.



John Morrison and The Miz (c) vs. Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder vs. Jesse and Festus vs. Finlay and Hornswoggle in a Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Tag Team Championship:

Finlay and Hornswoggle. Morrison and Miz have surprisingly made a competent tag team. It's interesting to note that their characters don't seem to care about each other, but only in keeping the belts. I like that new twist on a tag team. The Edgeheads and the team of Jess and Fest I don't think have shown enough to warrant a win for tag team gold. I think we will see the disintegration of the Morrison and Miz to a loss to Finlay and Hornswoggle. It's Team Ireland's time.


Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer in a singles match for the ECW Championship:

Mark Henry. Tommy Dreamer unfortunately has been held back. I don't think it will be a squash match (I hope it isn't), but if anyone will be beat Henry, it certainly won't be Dreamer.



Natalya vs. Michelle McCool in a singles match for the WWE Divas Championship:

Natalya. Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to the Smackdown! women's division. However, I will say both are capable talents. I think this one will go to Natalya based on that she'd be a better champion but also is a member of the Hart family.



John Cena vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a New York City Parking Lot Brawl:

Though I don't want it to, John Cena. It's simple. The WWE is marketing John Cena as Superman. No one can beat the man the kids love and the grownups love to hate.



Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho in a Singles match:

Chris Jericho. I think this will be a great match and may possibly the best on the card. We got two great technical wrestlers who have a limited high-flying repertoire. They both have past wins and loses to each other. Both of them have their respective fans who cheer and boo them. While the two have fought before, I think they will both put on a good show.



CM Punk (c) vs. Batista in a Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship:

CM Punk. I don't think that Batista is going to win back the belt just yet. I give CM Punk perhaps until the end of the year before he drops it to Batista or someone else. This should be an interesting match considering the two different styles with Punk's martial arts expertise and Batista's power moves. Perhaps some interference with Kane I predict.



Triple H (c) vs. Edge in a Singles match for the WWE Championship:

Triple H. Triple H rarely ever jobs. I think this will be no exception. While I hope Edge wins, I don't think he will. I get the feeling that there will be some sort of interference. Perhaps Undertaker or Vickie Guerrero?

A Fan's Account of Million Dollar Mania NY Press Conference

John Cena with Million Dollar Mania winners Sarah Fuhrmann and Steve Rosenzweig with WWE Diva Maria

I arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe to get the opportunity to witness the WWE press conference on Vince McMahon's Million Dollar Mania. I got there at around 8:30 a.m. and already there was a line of about fifty people. The first people in line had camped out the day before. We waited by the sidewalk and the line gradually became longer. At around 11 a.m., Vince McMahon arrived in his limo. The crowd of people, sacrificing their places in line, ran to the limo to get a glimpse of the Boss. McMahon was quickly whisked away through the back of the Cafe. Fifteen minutes later, Maria arrived. A little while later, John Cena. He received a mix reaction with a good amount cheering for him and others jeering him. Then last but not least, the King of Kings arrived. He quickly entered the back way avoiding autograph requests from fans. Though the conference was advertised to start at 11 a.m., fans wound up having to stand for a very long time outside in the sun. The fans were getting restless and many started to have a little fun by attempting to start random chants of past wrestlers (IE Rocky chants). At 11:51 a.m. the doors were opened to the cafe, but first we were told we couldn't bring in food or drinks and to make sure we didn't, an employee went around with a trash bin. The line started to move and security asked people with bags to open them to show what was inside. No metal detectors or pat downs.

Inside the cafe, seats near the stage where already filled up so everyone else pretty much chose to stand as close from where they could see. Those who couldn't improvised by standing on chairs and tables. Members of the media were there including My9 News. The WWE video crew were also filming shots of crowds going nuts and yelling to put up on the website most likely. During the time the crowd was pouring in, two video screens on the walls played Raw flashbacks and WWE's work with the troops and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hard Rock Cafe said the first 500 people would be allowed inside the press conference. Though it didn't look like 500 people total, the room was packed to the max. It was impossible to move without hitting someone or not get in the way of a person taking a photo.
Todd Grisham walked on the stage and that's when the festivities started. The crowd was all riled up that despite Grisham was speaking into a mic, you could barely hear what he was saying. He introduced John Cena, who came out to his theme music and titantron clips playing on the TV screens. As expected, he received cheers from the younger members of the audience, but got a handful of boos and "Cena sucks" from the older members. Cena laughed off the negative chants and thanked the fans for their support of the WWE.
Grisham then introduced a man who worked for E-Prize, which is conducting the contest. I could not catch the name as the crowd was so loud. He received chants of "Who are you?" Pretty much, the fans talked loudly over him so much of what he said was unintelligible.
WWE Diva Maria was the next person introduced and she received quite a loud pop. She did her pose where she bends over and blows a kiss to the audience. She told the audience how much the divas are like a family and mentioned how they do everything together including showering, which she said there was a video of. Members of the crowd were chanting to see the video.
Introduced next was the woman who won $2 from Raw. The crowd was not interested in what she had to say so they talked over her. The crowd was really hot for Triple HHH as chants of him started.
It then finally came. Triple H's trademark Motorhead theme struck. The pop was astounding. Triple H walked out and everyone started chanting "TRIPLE H!" It was at least five minutes before everyone quieted to let Hunter speak. Hunter made some cracks at Cena's expense which the crowd enjoyed. He also gave the winner of the $2 three more dollars making it a grand total of $5. About the fans Hunter said "We have the greatest fans in the world."
After Hunter took his seat, the man who won $250,000 came out. The fans didn't care a bit what he had to say and he quickly finished his "thank you" speech to make way for the man of the hour.
"No Chance in Hell" hit and people went berserk, including yours truly. McMahon came out to a rapturous pop from the crowd and he ate it up. He thanked the fans and plugged the Million Dollar Mania and the upcoming episode of Raw.
After it was all over, the employees kicked everyone out and over a hundred people waited behind security gates to get a glimpse (and hopefully an autograph) of their favorite superstar. Maria came out and signed a few, then got into her limo.
Everybody was clamoring for Triple H's autograph. To the dismay of fans, he left without signing one.
The press conference (not the right words to use as it was not one in the traditional sense) perhaps was unnecessary. But knowing Vince McMahon, he enjoys publicity. After all, it's all about the money.

Vince McMahon and Triple H with the Million Dollars at the Hard Rock Cafe