Post by Blaine Van Der Griend on Mar 20, 2015 21:51:37 GMT -5
So here we are again. It's WrestleMania season! Is anyone excited? I didn't think so. Personally, I found the build to be one of the worst in WrestleMania history. However, as a longtime fan, I am still looking forward to the event, because they usually pull out all stops. And given the fact that Vince McMahon is supposedly in one of his bad moods, I think they'll get desperate and really try to hit one home this year.
Here are my thoughts and predictions from start to finish (I will only list the matches though, instead of my elaborate predictions that you're all so used to. When my new blog site is up, which will be soon, then I will return to that):
Bad News Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Stardust vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose vs. R Truth vs. Luke Harper in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship:
This should be a great opener, but I think this is such a waste of guys like Bryan and Ziggler, who I would have much rather preferred to see in a one-on-one match, like they had originally teased. I mean seriously, is there any reason for the Andre battle royal? I can't even name five guys in that match. So why not replace it with the Ziggler vs. Bryan match? I think this one definitely will get some time. There will be a race to the top near the end. Ziggler comes the closest to grabbing the belt, but Barrett tries to prevent him from doing so, and ends up eating a superkick, which knocks him off the ladder. Ziggler and Bryan are left to have a tug of war for the belt. The ladder gets knocked down from under them, so they're both dangling in midair, with each guy having a hand on the belt. Unfortunately, Ziggler can't hold on anymore, and he falls, landing on all the other participants below. This allows Bryan to use both of his hands to win the title. After the match, Bryan is celebrating in the ring, as Ziggler aggressively spins him around. They stare intensely at each other for a bit, but Ziggler eventually extends his hand, and they shake on it.
Andre the Giant memorial battle royal:
This is a match for guys like Kofi Kingston to shine. I think whoever ends up in this match from NXT will have a decent spot as well, and I can definitely see Cesaro as one of the last few guys, trying to defend his trophy. This is also where we'll probably get Sheamus' return. Miz will try to double cross Mizdow in the match, but it'll backfire, and Mizdow will end up dumping Miz out early. Kane and Big Show then start cleaning house, eliminating a bunch of guys, including Mark Henry and Ryback. Sheamus then eliminates both Kane and Show simultaneously, after the two big men turn on each other. So in the end, it comes to Mizdow, Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro is almost eliminated, but manages to hold on, just barely, but just as the refs all go to that side to make sure Cesaro is still in, The Miz sneaks back in and low blows Mizdow, which allows Sheamus to throw him out. Sheamus and Cesaro then have a good back-and-forth, until Sheamus eventually his the brogue kick to knock Cesaro off the apron and eliminate him.
After the match, Renee Young interviews Sheamus on his win, and Sheamus cuts a bit of a heel promo, as the crowd nearly boos him out of the building, after hoping that Mizdow would win.
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins:
This has been one of the biggest letdowns. They had everything basically handed to them here, and it was such a natural feud. They shot a great angle last November where Rollins took Orton out with that curb stomp. Even when they brought Orton back, it was decent at first, but then they ruined it the very next night. Nobody bought that Orton had swallowed his pride and decided to rejoin the Authority, and it just made everyone who was part of that angle look like a complete idiot. Having said all that though, this should be a very strong match, and probably match of the night if given enough time. Rollins is a star on the rise, and I think Orton's run as a babyface could be pretty decent this time around. Both guys will kick out of the other's signature move at different points of the match. The finish comes where Rollins goes for a curb stomp, but Orton quickly spring up and catches Rollins on his shoulders, almost like he's going to deliver an electric chair, but instead, he elevates Rollins off his shoulders, with Rollins flying over Orton's back, and Orton catches him with an RKO on the way down for the final three count (I don't think this will do too much damage to Rollins, as all it will do will create another potential challenger, once Rollins eventually wins the title).
The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt:
Another match that is kind of a letdown. I'm not sure how this will be in the ring, but I was expecting much more out of these two, especially Wyatt. The promos have been just okay; nothing terrible, but nothing spectacular. The outcome of this match will likely depend on whether or not this is Taker's last match, which I have my doubts about, since Sting is now in the company. Wyatt should at least have a strong showing here, with a few near falls. But I'm going to say Taker goes over clean after three consecutive tombstones.
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
I don't think this match is getting the main event spot at all, even if Rollins is cashing in MITB. Reigns has not been getting strong reactions, but I think the crowd has been a little too tough on him. I would not compare his Royal Rumble win to Batista's last year, because Reigns is at least a star on the rise, and was just a victim of bad timing. If Daniel Bryan had returned after WrestleMania, I don't think people would have minded Reigns winning the rumble. The fact is that Reigns is a great athlete and he has a ton of potential; the only thing he really needs to work on is his mic skills, which will come with experience; The Rock wasn't that great either when he started. Again, this match will depend on whether or not Brock is sticking around. Lesnar does his traditional entrance, where he jumps from the floor on the apron, but Reigns catches him almost immediately with a superman punch, knocking Lesnar off the apron. Reigns then meets Lesnar on the floor with a dive over the top rope. Reigns then spears Lesnar through the security wall. He then throws Lesnar in the ring and tries to end it early, but as Reigns enters the ring, Lesnar catches him with an F-5 for a near fall. Lesnar tries a move off the top rope at one point, but Reigns spears him in midair for a near fall. Reigns then hits another superman punch, but as he goes for the pin, Lesnar traps him in the kimura. Reigns stays in the move for a prolonged period of time, and to the surprise of everyone, he gets up to his feet and actually powers out of the hold. Later in the match, Reigns applies his own version of the kimura. Just when it looks like Brock is about to tap, he elevates Reigns on his shoulders and hits an F-5. Lesnar then beats Reigns to his feet and hits another F-5 for the final three.
After the match, Lesnar surprisingly helps Reigns to his feet and genuinely shakes his hand. (I'm thinking they'll do the rematch on Raw the next night, where Reigns will win the title after a hard-fought contest, only to have Rollins cash in MITB and beat Reigns for the belt the next night).
The Bella Twins vs. AJ Lee and Paige:
This match will likely get the shortest amount of time. AJ and Paige win clean with simultaneous submissions (the black widow and the PTO [terrible name])
Rusev vs. John Cena for the U.S. Championship
This has actually been the best built match on the card. It's such a basic story, as Dave Meltzer said. I just fear that Rusev is going to be forgotten if he loses this match. I would have put him over clean though at the last pay per view, just to get over the idea that John Cena has to win. I didn't think these guys had a great match at the last pay per view, but I hope this one is much better. They try the same finish as last time, but this time, Cena catches Rusev as he attempts the low blow, trips him and locks on the STF for an extended period of time. Just before it looks like Rusev may tap, Lana ends up throwing in the towel, which allows Cena to win the title, while keeping Rusev strong.
After the match, Rusev fires Lana.
Triple H vs. Sting:
I can definitely see this being the main event, as it's had the longest build, and is possibly the freshest match on the card. Sting isn't too bad for his age, and I think this could be a decent main event. I still just have no clue what this feud is about, and I think Sting, and as a matter of fact every babyface has been given too much of a significant advantage going into this show, while the heels have been booked like jobbers lately. This is going to be a pretty basic finish, and hopefully it's not overbooked. Triple H will try pulling out all stops, but in the end, it will be the hero prevailing the scorpion deathlock.
After the match, Triple H lets the dogs loose, and The Authority members try to attack Sting, but out comes Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton to fight them off. As the faces celebrate in the ring, a gong goes off and so do the lights. When they come back on, The Undertaker is face-to-face with Sting in the ring, with all others on the outside, as the crowd chants 'This is awesome!' Nobody knows what's going to happen, but the two legends end up shaking hands, and Taker raises Sting's hand, as confetti falls from the ceiling and the pyros go off to end the show.
So there you have it.
Here are my match predictions for Extreme Rules:
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Sheamus in the elimination chamber for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
John Cena vs. Rusev in a submission match for the U.S. Championship
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler in 2 out of 3 falls for the Intercontinental Championship
Cesaro and Tyson Kidd vs. The Usos vs. Los Matadores vs. The Big Show and Kane in a fatal four-way elimination match for the Tag Team Championships
Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee vs. Paige in a triple threat match for the Divas Championship
Stardust vs. Dustin Rhodes
Here are my thoughts and predictions from start to finish (I will only list the matches though, instead of my elaborate predictions that you're all so used to. When my new blog site is up, which will be soon, then I will return to that):
Bad News Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Stardust vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose vs. R Truth vs. Luke Harper in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship:
This should be a great opener, but I think this is such a waste of guys like Bryan and Ziggler, who I would have much rather preferred to see in a one-on-one match, like they had originally teased. I mean seriously, is there any reason for the Andre battle royal? I can't even name five guys in that match. So why not replace it with the Ziggler vs. Bryan match? I think this one definitely will get some time. There will be a race to the top near the end. Ziggler comes the closest to grabbing the belt, but Barrett tries to prevent him from doing so, and ends up eating a superkick, which knocks him off the ladder. Ziggler and Bryan are left to have a tug of war for the belt. The ladder gets knocked down from under them, so they're both dangling in midair, with each guy having a hand on the belt. Unfortunately, Ziggler can't hold on anymore, and he falls, landing on all the other participants below. This allows Bryan to use both of his hands to win the title. After the match, Bryan is celebrating in the ring, as Ziggler aggressively spins him around. They stare intensely at each other for a bit, but Ziggler eventually extends his hand, and they shake on it.
Andre the Giant memorial battle royal:
This is a match for guys like Kofi Kingston to shine. I think whoever ends up in this match from NXT will have a decent spot as well, and I can definitely see Cesaro as one of the last few guys, trying to defend his trophy. This is also where we'll probably get Sheamus' return. Miz will try to double cross Mizdow in the match, but it'll backfire, and Mizdow will end up dumping Miz out early. Kane and Big Show then start cleaning house, eliminating a bunch of guys, including Mark Henry and Ryback. Sheamus then eliminates both Kane and Show simultaneously, after the two big men turn on each other. So in the end, it comes to Mizdow, Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro is almost eliminated, but manages to hold on, just barely, but just as the refs all go to that side to make sure Cesaro is still in, The Miz sneaks back in and low blows Mizdow, which allows Sheamus to throw him out. Sheamus and Cesaro then have a good back-and-forth, until Sheamus eventually his the brogue kick to knock Cesaro off the apron and eliminate him.
After the match, Renee Young interviews Sheamus on his win, and Sheamus cuts a bit of a heel promo, as the crowd nearly boos him out of the building, after hoping that Mizdow would win.
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins:
This has been one of the biggest letdowns. They had everything basically handed to them here, and it was such a natural feud. They shot a great angle last November where Rollins took Orton out with that curb stomp. Even when they brought Orton back, it was decent at first, but then they ruined it the very next night. Nobody bought that Orton had swallowed his pride and decided to rejoin the Authority, and it just made everyone who was part of that angle look like a complete idiot. Having said all that though, this should be a very strong match, and probably match of the night if given enough time. Rollins is a star on the rise, and I think Orton's run as a babyface could be pretty decent this time around. Both guys will kick out of the other's signature move at different points of the match. The finish comes where Rollins goes for a curb stomp, but Orton quickly spring up and catches Rollins on his shoulders, almost like he's going to deliver an electric chair, but instead, he elevates Rollins off his shoulders, with Rollins flying over Orton's back, and Orton catches him with an RKO on the way down for the final three count (I don't think this will do too much damage to Rollins, as all it will do will create another potential challenger, once Rollins eventually wins the title).
The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt:
Another match that is kind of a letdown. I'm not sure how this will be in the ring, but I was expecting much more out of these two, especially Wyatt. The promos have been just okay; nothing terrible, but nothing spectacular. The outcome of this match will likely depend on whether or not this is Taker's last match, which I have my doubts about, since Sting is now in the company. Wyatt should at least have a strong showing here, with a few near falls. But I'm going to say Taker goes over clean after three consecutive tombstones.
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
I don't think this match is getting the main event spot at all, even if Rollins is cashing in MITB. Reigns has not been getting strong reactions, but I think the crowd has been a little too tough on him. I would not compare his Royal Rumble win to Batista's last year, because Reigns is at least a star on the rise, and was just a victim of bad timing. If Daniel Bryan had returned after WrestleMania, I don't think people would have minded Reigns winning the rumble. The fact is that Reigns is a great athlete and he has a ton of potential; the only thing he really needs to work on is his mic skills, which will come with experience; The Rock wasn't that great either when he started. Again, this match will depend on whether or not Brock is sticking around. Lesnar does his traditional entrance, where he jumps from the floor on the apron, but Reigns catches him almost immediately with a superman punch, knocking Lesnar off the apron. Reigns then meets Lesnar on the floor with a dive over the top rope. Reigns then spears Lesnar through the security wall. He then throws Lesnar in the ring and tries to end it early, but as Reigns enters the ring, Lesnar catches him with an F-5 for a near fall. Lesnar tries a move off the top rope at one point, but Reigns spears him in midair for a near fall. Reigns then hits another superman punch, but as he goes for the pin, Lesnar traps him in the kimura. Reigns stays in the move for a prolonged period of time, and to the surprise of everyone, he gets up to his feet and actually powers out of the hold. Later in the match, Reigns applies his own version of the kimura. Just when it looks like Brock is about to tap, he elevates Reigns on his shoulders and hits an F-5. Lesnar then beats Reigns to his feet and hits another F-5 for the final three.
After the match, Lesnar surprisingly helps Reigns to his feet and genuinely shakes his hand. (I'm thinking they'll do the rematch on Raw the next night, where Reigns will win the title after a hard-fought contest, only to have Rollins cash in MITB and beat Reigns for the belt the next night).
The Bella Twins vs. AJ Lee and Paige:
This match will likely get the shortest amount of time. AJ and Paige win clean with simultaneous submissions (the black widow and the PTO [terrible name])
Rusev vs. John Cena for the U.S. Championship
This has actually been the best built match on the card. It's such a basic story, as Dave Meltzer said. I just fear that Rusev is going to be forgotten if he loses this match. I would have put him over clean though at the last pay per view, just to get over the idea that John Cena has to win. I didn't think these guys had a great match at the last pay per view, but I hope this one is much better. They try the same finish as last time, but this time, Cena catches Rusev as he attempts the low blow, trips him and locks on the STF for an extended period of time. Just before it looks like Rusev may tap, Lana ends up throwing in the towel, which allows Cena to win the title, while keeping Rusev strong.
After the match, Rusev fires Lana.
Triple H vs. Sting:
I can definitely see this being the main event, as it's had the longest build, and is possibly the freshest match on the card. Sting isn't too bad for his age, and I think this could be a decent main event. I still just have no clue what this feud is about, and I think Sting, and as a matter of fact every babyface has been given too much of a significant advantage going into this show, while the heels have been booked like jobbers lately. This is going to be a pretty basic finish, and hopefully it's not overbooked. Triple H will try pulling out all stops, but in the end, it will be the hero prevailing the scorpion deathlock.
After the match, Triple H lets the dogs loose, and The Authority members try to attack Sting, but out comes Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton to fight them off. As the faces celebrate in the ring, a gong goes off and so do the lights. When they come back on, The Undertaker is face-to-face with Sting in the ring, with all others on the outside, as the crowd chants 'This is awesome!' Nobody knows what's going to happen, but the two legends end up shaking hands, and Taker raises Sting's hand, as confetti falls from the ceiling and the pyros go off to end the show.
So there you have it.
Here are my match predictions for Extreme Rules:
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Sheamus in the elimination chamber for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
John Cena vs. Rusev in a submission match for the U.S. Championship
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler in 2 out of 3 falls for the Intercontinental Championship
Cesaro and Tyson Kidd vs. The Usos vs. Los Matadores vs. The Big Show and Kane in a fatal four-way elimination match for the Tag Team Championships
Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee vs. Paige in a triple threat match for the Divas Championship
Stardust vs. Dustin Rhodes
