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411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE WrestleMania XXV (Part II)
The Miz and John Morrison vs Carlito and Primo Colon – Lumberjack Match – Tag Team Championship Unification Match
Stephen Randle: This unification match has been too long in coming, and in fact both teams have had so little competition outside of each other, that both have held the tag titles for over 100 days at this point. The Colons are a fun tag team, and probably the tag ranks are the best place for both Carlito and Primo, but when it comes right down to it, there are two men in this match destined for greatness in WWE, and they’re not the ones with crazy hair. Well, okay, but my point still stands.
Winners: The Miz and John Morrison
J. Alexander Mitchell: I am assuming the tag title match is the opener and the Edge/Cena/TBS match is the closer of this card. As this is Wrestlemania, that implies we will see faces go over in both matches to give us a “hot opener” and “send the fans home happy”. The Miz and Morrison are undoubtedly the hottest tag team act in years, which is precisely why they will drop the belts. They’ve now done everything they really can as a tag team, and it is time to see if these guys can start bringing in the serious money as solo competitors. As well, one has to believe that Simply Priceless will get some reward or boost for becoming HHH’s whipping boys, and a run as tag champs on all three shows would give Rhodes and Dibiase the launching point to go to that next level. That means, obviously, letting the Colons get the win here to facilitate the change.
Winner (and new Unified Tag Team Champions): Carlito and Primo Colon.
Ari Berenstein: Carlito and Primo have stepped up their game over the last few weeks, so all due praise to them. However, Miz and Morrison ARE the WWE’s tag division. They have appeared so many times on all three WWE branded shows and have been THE guys to beat. A lumberjack match usually telegraphs a babyface win, but I think we’ll get some massive chaos on the way to the heels taking advantage of the situation.
Winner: The Miz and Morrison unify the WWE Tag Titles
Andy Clark: While I appreciate getting some more of the pushed talent on the card (it’s ridiculous not to have matches for people you had in title matches a month ago), the Lumberjack stipulation hurts this match’s potential. Here’s hoping we still get a good match although I’m questioning just how much time this might get. Miz & Morrison make more sense as the unified champs so I’ll go with them.
Winners and NEW Unified WWE Tag Team Champions: John Morrison & The Miz
Jonathan Solomon: I was looking forward to this match as a possible return to solid tag team action on the big show. So much for that, color me stupid. They added the lumberjack stipulation to get everyone else on the show and I feel it will end up taking away from the in-ring action. Here’s hoping they give the two teams plenty of time to work a good tag team match. As far as unifying the belts, ABOUT TIME, I guess asking them to bring back the tag belts circa 1994 would be too much to ask. Miz & Morrison are the best tag team in WWE (albeit by default) so they get the nod here.
Winner: Miz & Morrison
Dan Torkel: On one hand I think Miz and Morrison are the obvious choice, but they are also easier to push alone as individual wrestlers (especially Morrison who has IT). Wrestlemania ususally opens with a fun match to get the crowd involved and that implies the Colons go over and unify the tag straps. Give them 10 – 15 minutes and this could be a great match.
Winners and NEW UNIFIED TAG TITLES – Carlito and Primo Colon
Michael Bauer: When I first heard this match would happen, all I could say was FINALLY!!! Two Tag Team Titles with only four or five real teams is a joke. Now, you can say that the Lumberjacks favor the Colons because The Miz and Morrison don’t really have much support, but I don’t think it matters here. This is about the Unficiation of the Tag Titles. And who better to carry the torch as the first Undisputed Tag Team Champions than those Two Time Slammy Award Winners… BE JEALOUS!
Winners: The Miz and Morrison
Aaron Hubbard: This is another hard one to call. Miz and Morrison have been one of the most consistent acts in wrestling since their initial WWE Title Win, being entertaining in and out of the ring, and arguably, deserve the win more than their opponents. So by that logic, they should win. However, I’m going to look at it in a different logic. Morrison NEEDS to breakout from ECW and become a top star. He’s ready. Miz has shown tremendous improvement and is also ready to become a singles star. The Colons are a high energy team that the crowd loves, and would serve as a good base to rebuild the tag team division around and they have ready made opponents in Priceless. This marks the end of a tag team era, and therefore, I think it’s best to go with the team that’s likely to be around longer.
Winner: The Colons
Mathew Sforcina: Let’s see. We have a tag team that is the team of the decade, that is one of the most entertaining acts in Wrestling today, who could get so much mileage out of being the first Undisputed, Unified tag champs both on TV and on their top rating Internet show, a tag team that can lead the division for years to come, if you so chose. And on the other side, and let’s be fair to them, are a couple of guys who’s only claims to fame are who their daddy is and that one of them occasionally jumps off the top rope a nice way. The best outcome is clear, hence they’ll go the exact other way out of spite. (PS: So one Bella twin likes second generation stars, the other arrogant white guys. Why don’t they just compromise and start going out with Priceless?)
Winners, and NEW Unified Tag Champions: The Colons (Lumberjack chaos. Take that Stablewars!)
Owain J. Brimfield: The stips would seem to suggest a face victory, but no one deserves to unify the titles more than M&M. Well, Beer Money would, but since they’re not here…
Winner: Miz & Morrison
Todd Bergman: I’m not really sure what to think about this as I’m still in shock that the WWE has chosen to actually feature the Tag Titles on their biggest show of the year. I think that, to add some legitimacy to the titles, you have to have the heels win and the face team chase them to build some interest. Plus, I don’t think that the Miz or Morrison have a chance at becoming legitimate singles stars. I know that Morrison was the ECW Champion, but was anyone really impressed by him? It’s a cheap win by the Miz and Morrison, but it’s the right choice for the newly unified Tag Titles. I can always hope for a Killer Bee’s reunion tour, right?
Winner: The Miz and Morrison
Rob McNew: Quick, name all of the great lumberjack matches in history? Yeah, I couldn’t think of one either. This won’t get the time the matches on Smackdown have gotten, and that’s a shame because these two teams have amazing chemistry. Miz and Morrison seem to be the easy choice to be lugging around all the gold.
Winner: UNDISPUTED WWE/World Tag Team Champions-John Morrison & The Miz
Robert S. Leighty Jr: It’s about time they cut back to 1 set of tag titles. The Lumberjack addition will probably take away from what was going to be a solid tag match. It still should be pretty good, and hopefully the stipulation doesn’t take away from things. Miz and Morrison were made to be the unified tag champions, much like Jericho as the undisputed champion. It will give them something to crow about for a decade or so.
Winners and NEW Unified WWE Tag Team Champions: John Morrison & The Miz
Michael Weyer: Long past time to unify considering how poor the tag scene is. Miz and Morrison have been dominant and great cocky champs but the Colons are doing pretty good too and WWE might want the first tag champs to be faces. Plus, I think it’s time Miz and Morrison went out into singles stuff again so this could be the prelude to a breakup to let them take things on and the tag scene gets a boost of sorts.
WINNERS and UNIFIED Tag Team Champions: The Colons
Julian Bond: I like many others think on one end that the team of Miz and Morrison, as great as they are, seemed to be destined for more as solo acts. But I think that the time as one of the best tag teams in wrestling to come along in a good while is still going to go on strong. With that, they’ll become the official number one tag team in the company.
Winner: NEW WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison
Steve Gustafson: I want to say this will be an exciting match that really showcases tag team wrestling. But I have a horrible feeling that after the match is over they’ll have the Great Khali come in and choke slam everyone.
Winner: The Miz and John Morrison
JBL (c) vs Rey Mysterio – Intercontinental Championship
Stephen Randle: This whole thing smacks of foolishness and had better lead to JBL retiring again. Gee, what a coincidence, there’s a spot open at the announce table. I’m torn on the winner, but I don’t see them retiring the IC title again, and they just had a tournament to get the IC belt on Punk, so I would hope they don’t want to go back to that well again. Rey doesn’t seem like he needs the IC title, but that’s the only result that makes sense.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
J. Alexander Mitchell: Rey will be expected to play his standard role of underdog (and to keep the match exciting), while JBL will be expected to physically dominate without taking the match down too much. I don’t see JBL as more than a transitional champ, while Rey Mysterio could use the better storylines that would come with others pursuing his title.
Winner (and new Intercontinental Champion): Rey Mysterio
Ari Berenstein: JBL had promised that he will do something to make Wrestlemania history and for the first time, I believe him about those claims. JBL wins this one and announces his official retirement at Wrestlemania while still a champion—something no one has done at a Wrestlemania.
Winner: JBL retains the Intercontinental Title
Andy Clark: It seems to simple to have Rey go over here but this match is kind of a waste if he doesn’t. I suppose the outcome here might depend on whatever his “historic achievement” will be. Maybe he’ll do announcing and be IC Champ at the same time? Who knows. I’ll go with Rey but without more details it’s kinda sketchy.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Rey Mysterio
Jonathan Solomon: Ugh. I was pulling for a Jericho/Mysterio match and instead we get the (possibly) last match from Bradshaw. On the mic, he’s awesome but JBL is one of the more boring guys on the roster. He has been promising something big for the show and I don’t have a clue what it is. I hope he doesn’t win and retire with the belt, if that’s what he is talking about. Mysterio deserves to look great on the big show. He hasn’t been on a WM since his big title win (in that ten minute match) in 2006. Here’s hoping for a Mysterio win and some awesome IC title matches with the likes of Kingston, Punk, Regal and Jericho (NOT giants like Henry, Kane and Knox). However, on the RAW before Wrestlemania, they have the show for free and have Mysterio win. What the hell is up with that? That’s as close to a guarantee he won’t win as you can have. That sucks.
Winner: Bradshaw (big surprise is he retires as champion)
Dan Torkel: Two things: Rey won clean on Raw (WHY?) and JBL deserves a hometown moment. JBL wins, drops it at Backlash and retires.
Winner: JBL
Michael Bauer: JBL as IC Champ just doesn’t sit right with me. Not much you can really do with him there. Rey Mysterio though has a plethra of possibilities. Yet if JBL is going to do something big, he would need to retain the title. And Rey Mysterio beating him on Raw… yeah, great give away there.
Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield
Aaron Hubbard: Let’s look at the facts. JBL has done everything he can possible do in wrestling, but is no longer very entertaining in the ring. Rey Mysterio has been out of ‘Mania for two years and has been swimming in midcard obscurity since coming to RAW. Rey and the IC Title can help elevate each other. He needs a win here as much as anyone. JBL needs to retire and either take Tazz’s place at the announce booth, or go into other endeavors (General Manager Layfield?). I might be the only really looking forward to this, but with this possibly being JBL’s last match and Rey missing the last two shows due to energy, I expect them to go out there and impress. This could be a sleeper match.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Mathew Sforcina: This is your opener, so JBL can take Rey’s head off, win, then retire as champ then sit down at the broadcast booth and call the show. Unless they go with JR/King/Cole/Striker all night, which would work.
Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: JBL (Clothesline From New York)
Owain J. Brimfield: I don’t care whether JBL retires, but he doesn’t need a belt at this stage of his career. Rey would make a great IC champion.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Todd Bergman: So what’s all this about JBL making WrestleMania history on this night? What could he possibly do that would make history? Could he possibly save the US economy on this night with his stellar work rate? There are too many questions coming into this match after Monday night’s match between the two. I think that JBL retains the title by beating Rey here, but this leads to a Career vs. Mask match down the road. A Chubs (JBL) victory here is the smart move in my mind. Seriously, how many times has the poor guy lost after beating Punk for the title?
Winner: JBL retains the Intercontinental Title
Rob McNew: If you watched Raw you know who’s winning this. JBL retains the title in a forgettable throwaway match. Next please.
Winner: STILL Intercontinental Champion-JBL
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Holy Hell, we have an IC Title match at WrestleMania. This is truly epic. I am hoping JBL drops the strap here and heads back to the announce table. He is pretty damn awesome behind the table. Rey could do some good things with the IC strap, and it will give him some direction on RAW for a while. The match could be ok as JBL plays a great bully, and Misterio plays the underdog role well.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Rey Mysterio
Michael Weyer: Good to see the IC Belt FINALLY defended at Mania. I know folks say JBL will win so he can retire with the title but I just don’t see that happening. The belt would be a great fit for Rey and you can’t go wrong with an underdog story and few pull that off as well. Expect some fast action, JBL dominating but Rey winning in the end.
WINNER and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Rey Mysterio
Julian Bond: I have a feeling that the long standing JBL will officially retire from the ring here as still being the Intercontinental Champion…thus making “history”. So long cowboy.
Winner: STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion JBL
Steve Gustafson: JBL goes out on top as champ? Maybe. That gives them an excuse to put together a tourney to crown the new champ and let’s them book on autopilot for a month or so.
Winner: JBL
Edge (c) vs John Cena vs The Big Show – Triple Threat Match – World Heavyweight Championship
Stephen Randle: I’d have to say that if they’re having John Cena job cleanly to Show the week before WrestleMania, that he must be getting the belt as a reward for having to deal with this entire insane feud. Seriously, why couldn’t we just have had Cena-Edge? The match would have been another in a long line of great matches they’ve had together, and the promos would have been awesome. But no, instead we’ve got Show-Edge-Vicki in a love triangle and only Cena actually caring about the belt. Well, hopefully that means that Cena gets what he wants, while Show and Edge can waste time feuding with each other as we head to Backlash.
Winner: John Cena
J. Alexander Mitchell: I am assuming this will close the show. As such, you send your fans home happy. Cena winning here also leaves the door open for yet another Cena-Edge run, particularly if Show is the guy that takes the pin…
Winner (and new World Heavyweight Champion): John Cena
Ari Berenstein: Edge and The Big Show have been too consumed with battling for Vickie Guerrero that they have forgotten about Cena and let THE CHAMP IS HERE use mind games and manipulation of his own. Cena rules at Wrestlemania, winning all of his matches save last year. Of course, I don’t think WWE writers will pass up on the “comedy gold” that is Vickie “giving her heart” to John Cena, the one man who doesn’t want it. Therefore, John Cena for the win.
Winner: John Cena, NEW World Heavyweight Champion
Andy Clark: This is a case of WWE really TNA-ing up their title match. This match could have been good if the focus had remained on the title and the various personalities. Edge was connected to Vickie by their relationship, Big Show by their business arangement, and Cena is the jilted champion with history with both. The commercial for this match gets me more excited than the actual build. No one is really giving Big Show a chance here which is a real shame because I think he very well may walk away as champion, ditching Vickie in the process.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Big Show
Jonathan Solomon: I am sick of the main event three-ways at Wrestlemania. In any event, this should be decent for what it is. I am anticipating a slow and plodding match with Big Show’s involvement. To me, this is a match for either Edge or Cena to win. The placement on the card will go a long way in telling you who will walk out with the belt. If it’s last, look for Cena to walk out as champion and hopefully business will do better than his recent film. I will pull for Edge to win and I will pick him for a pair of reasons. First, Cena is planning to film another film during the summer so he will need some time off. Secondly, I see the other World Championship heading back to RAW (either after this show, or in the draft). In the rare event they have Christian win MITB, what are the odds they have him cash it in after this match?
Winner: Edge retains his belt
Dan Torkel: Boy this Title match has not been built well. I cannot foresee a situation where they use this as the main event even with Super-Cena there. With Orton challenging in the other title match, I think they can easily allow Cena to go over here without fear of internet fit throwing. Show is a non-factor as far as winning, but I can see him taking the fall to either screw Cena, or screw Edge out the belt without a pin. I am debuting the coin flip here: Heads is Cena…
Winner and NEW World Champion – John Cena via coin flip
Michael Bauer: I am kinda torn with these Heavyweight Title matches this year. On the one hand, unless you are moving somebody with the draft, you need either Cena OR Orton to win at WrestleMania. On the other hand, I feel like Edge holding on to the title makes sense here. As the ultimate opportunist, having The Big Show in these match plays perfectly into his hands. Think of Randy Orton last year and how he retained the title. He let Triple H pedigree Cena and then came out of nowhere with his punt to the head of Trips. This allowed him to get the pin. This year, how much would it play into Edge’s style if Big Show chokeslams Cena and the Edge does something to get Big Show out of the way so he can make the pinfall. It seems like the perfect ending for Edge here and allows the Edge and Big Show nonsense to continue.
Winner: Edge
Aaron Hubbard: And once again, we have a match where my heart and mind are conflicting. You will not find a bigger Big Show mark than me. One of my first memories of wrestling was seeing him beat Ric Flair for the WCW Championship. So he’s my sentimental pick is the Giant from Kansas. However, I pretty much know that he won’t win. This is a big Wrestlemania and the biggest star in the business today needs to win. It’s only right. John Cena is going to win this, and Edge and Big Show will have a post Wrestlemania feud. I’m looking forward to this, because I really don’t know to expect. Again, this could be a sleeper match that nobody expects much from, but ends up really delivering.
Winner: John Cena
Mathew Sforcina: You’d think, with Vickie on the line, Cena’s the lock. But I’m thinking that this is another in a long line of swerves as they have Cena take Edge out then Big Show comes in, removes Cena, then pins Edge (since we all expect Show to lose given his clean win), giving Vickie her SD champion and Cena a real uphill struggle for the belt, and Edge can take time off for his knees before he comes back in 6 months as a wild, out of control Tweener just taking out everyone.
Winner, and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: The Big Show (KO punch to Cena, pins Edge)
Owain J. Brimfield: Despite the flat build, this one has potential if Show brings his A-game. Given my prediction for the big one though, there’s only one real outcome here if I want to remain consistent.
Winner: John Cena
Todd Bergman: What a way to book a Championship Match at WrestleMania. You have the wife of a dead WWE Hall of Famer as the object of affection between two men, and then you throw in the next Steven Seagal. It’s going to be a crying shame when Edge doesn’t walk out of this match as the Champion simply because one of the guys in the match just made a movie. Cena wins the title here and fans everywhere suffer until Summer Slam. I would find it classic if Cena did win this match and then Christian cashed in his MITB contract right afterwards. It would at least be surprising ,but I don’t think that the higher ups want Vanilla Ice losing the title anytime soon.
Winner: John Cena
Rob McNew: My prediction in this match is dependent on what happens in the other match because they aren’t having two heels walk out of the big show with the belts. Cena gets the big win that makes everyone happy (well except for the internet) because of my next prediction.
Winner: NEW World Heavyweight Champion-John Cena
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Somebody has to retain, and it might as well be my boy Edge. A 3 way is a decent way for Edge to retain without having to pin Cena. I still think it is weird to have Cena in a 3 way match for a second consecutive Mania though. I think the dynamic of his one on one with someone works a lot better (ie: vs HHH and vs HBK). Show just seems like a third wheel, but I’m sure he will bust ass like he did with Mayweather last year. Perhaps this is his reward for the work he did in that match. At least he didn’t get Bigelowed, and shunted back down the card without any kind of real pay off for doing the J-O-B to a non-wrestler.
Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Edge
Michael Weyer: This is a toughie in some ways. Cena has a good Mania record but Edge seems intent on keeping the belt and Show could be a spoiler to give him a Mania win. It’s tough and the stips make it harder but in the end, I think Cena gets it in order to get back on top and give him back a big Mania event win.
WINNER and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: John Cena
Julian Bond: I swear that the two main events here are definitely hard to predict due to the various possible outcomes. I was originally going to go with the Big Show cause the dude hasn’t won the strap in like FOREVER…and certainly deserves it. But I think the good guy Cena wins it once again.
Winner: NEW World Heavyweight Champion John Cena
Steve Gustafson: Since I think Triple H is going over, I say they keep they want that win to get the major focus.
Winner: Edge
Triple H © vs Randy Orton – WWE Championship
Stephen Randle: And this is how you do not book a strong heel. Triple H has had every advantage over Orton since the feud began, and every time Orton gets a shot in, Triple H comes back and destroys him and his lackeys. Ah well, at least we got a pretty cool Legacy shirt out of it. I was going to consider the outcomes that result in both World belts on one brand, but then I remembered that there’s a draft next week, so it won’t matter. Then, I thought about how much the World titles have changed hands in the past six months, and wondered if WWE had noticed and thought twice about yet another title change. And from a storyline perspective, Triple H should be the one coming out on top, since he’s supposedly the wronged party out for revenge. But he’s gotten revenge like seven times already, and if they want Orton to look at all like the main eventer and serious threat that they think he is, he’s going to have to win this one.
Winner: Randy Orton
J. Alexander Mitchell: Randy Orton is not on That Level yet. Is he the company’s hottest heel? Yes. Is he their number one antagonist? Yes. However, he is not on That Level – the one with HHH, Cena, Undertaker, or Shawn Michaels. A while back Mick Foley decided that HHH would be his pet project, and he did everything in his power to make sure HHH was seen as being on That Level . I think HHH is doing the same thing with Randy Orton, because, frankly, the company needs him to be on That Level., and HHH will do what is best for the bottom line of the company. Provided this does not close the show (and I don’t believe it will), HHH does the same favor to Orton that Foley did for him so many years ago.
Winner (and new WWE Champion): Randy Orton
Ari Berenstein: This one has been up and down, hit or miss on the build, and my interest in this match has risen and fallen based on how logical or how ridiculous the skits and angles have been. Orton was “THE HEEL TO BEAT” about six weeks ago, and I think he has managed to get some of that intrigue and allure back to him with his attacks on Stephanie McMahon. However, even though the angle calls for the crowd to want Hunter and the McMahons to gain the payback they need and deserve, my guess is that the crowd will rally around Orton or at least be split to the point where the match will not be as effective as it should be. The McMahons should and really MUST have a presence here during this match to get their payback, and I think it’s the one match in Wrestlemania where HHH should win as the logical way to pay off the storyline. HHH has lost the last four Mania matches he has wrestled in. Now it’s time for him to win one for the gipper…er McMahoner.
Winner: HHH retains the WWE Title
Andy Clark: I wasn’t too thrilled with the prospect of this match when it was first rumored but they’ve done a hell of a job building it up. Unfortunately they’ve painted themselves into a corner. Orton has to win or he’ll continue to be the Randy Savage to Triple H’s Hulk Hogan. But an Orton win, unless the do a legitimate double turn, isn’t a great WrestleMania capper. Should my Austin with the MITB briefcase scenario actually pan out it could work with Austin winning the title to send the crowd home happy, only for Orton to punt him in the head on Raw and get the title back at Backlash and hold for a long time. Regardless of how they do it Orton should be WWE Champion at WrestleMania if only for a bit.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Randy Orton
Jonathan Solomon: Sure the build for this has been awkward, foolish, awesome and everything in between. Now we can thankfully look forward to the actual wrestling match. I assume Vince & Shane will be there to fight off useless Rhodes & Dibiase at the beginning of the match so we can have a one-on-one fight. I am no fan of the stupid stipulations Orton talked about on RAW, but who knows if they will even keep them. You would think this will be all about Hunter getting his revenge and being victorious. They could pull a (non-Russo) swerve and have Orton leave as champion after getting his ass kicked. Hunter has not won a WM match since 2003 and besides that, I see no reason Orton should lose. He could be the biggest star in the company and a loss here won’t “Orton him” as it did in 2004, but it would be pointless. What does he do afterwards? He would just be another goof whining about nothing in particular. At least with an Orton win, they can move Hunter over in the draft and have the rematch at Backlash (but it’s not like they follow brand specific wrestlers anyway). However, if Edge wins, would they have a pair of heels walk away in the two main events? Doubtful but perhaps they would throw Taker/HBK on last. I guess it’s just my overriding hope Orton wins but every year (except for 2001 and 2005) I can’t pick against Hunter.
Winner: HHH retains his belt (and for the first time since 2000, a world title does not change hands)
Dan Torkel: Here we go… I have been predicting for months now the inevitable heel turn by a certain McMahon. Something Orton said on Raw leads me to believe I am right. “I had this ALL planned.” Orton claims everything he has done to Triple H was planned from the moment he was turned on in 2004. That’s big time planning. Well no one has hated Triple H more since 2004, other than Orton, than Vince McMahon. There was the return of DX to feud with the McMahons, there was Vince handing the WWE Title to Orton at No Mercy 2007, only for Triple H to come out again and cuase problems. This should be a bloody hated filled brawl and I expect a Houston repeat of WM X-7 where Vince trots out seemingly to help Triple H only to turn on him and give the title to Orton. Maybe Stephanie turns heel, but I think Vince is always the center of his own company. They can trace this back to the “Sabotage angle” last year. Either way, if Orton loses here, he has NOWHERE left to go in the company.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion – Randy Orton
Michael Bauer: So now, this is where the whole face wins at WrestleMania deal gets a little old. Because now you have a heel winning the Royal Rumble to throw that methodology out the window. Randy Orton needs this victory more than anyone has before him and if that means a heel walks out of the Main Event as champion, so be it. I don’t think that we need any shenanigans for this match and I still don’t think that this match ends it all for these two, but Triple H winning would seemingly end everything that could or would happen going forward. Orton wins and the Age of Orton can resume.
Winner: Randy Orton
Aaron Hubbard: Screw the IWC’s so called logic that dictates Triple H is going to win this. I have never, for one minute, thought the Game had a chance in this. Orton has done something that very few have done: rent space in the mind of the Cerebral Assassin. Hunter is a master of mind games, but he’s entering Wrestlemania angry and with tunnel vision, and that’s going to cost him. The Legend Killer has played The Game so to speak, and I think that’s the difference. Randy is on a roll like nobody else. Everyone seems to think the result of this match is a foregone conclusion. I agree that it is. But Randy Orton, not Hunter Hearst Helmsley, will stand tall as the WWE Champion. The King of Kings will have his thrown stolen, and the Age of Orton will truly begin. John Cena and Randy Orton, the biggest babyface and biggest heel of this generation, will close out Wrestlemania as the top stars of the business.
Winner: Randy Orton
Mathew Sforcina: So, this is the main event. Do we have a Heel win it? I just don’t see that happening. I know Orton winning is the clever thing to do, but I just can’t see that occurring. Not this year, not this way. But I’ll be happy to be wrong here.
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: HHH (5th Pedigree)
Owain J. Brimfield: Time for a heel to win the big one again. You knows it! I’m no fan of Orton but if he takes this, his star is well and truly made, and H’s doesn’t need it.
Winner: Randy Orton
Todd Bergman: Talk about a horrible way to build a story between two guys who have been feuding off and on for the better past of the last five years. Monday’s conclusion on RAW showed that this feud is just in its beginning stage. The wildcard in this match is Stephanie McMahon, and what she will do? I have a feeling that Steph will be the one doing the turning in this match since she’s tired of being picked on by Orton and doesn’t like how HHH hasn’t been protecting her from the beatings. She’s part of the McMahon legacy, so that means that she is qualified to be a part of Orton’s Legacy. I’m hoping that the WWE can think up something much more creative than this, but I highly doubt it. Duck-lips (Orton) becomes the Champion and holds it for a couple of months before the company realizes that he isn’t the big draw they are trying to make him out to be.
Winner: Orton
Rob McNew: Randy Orton has to win this match. WWE has no choice. If he jobs to Hunter here they might as well release him, because he’s finished. Triple H cut a promo on him about a month ago, and basically said what we all know. He’s never beaten Triple H on the big stage. He’s never been anything but Trips’ lackey from Evolution. Batista went to all the success while Orton floundered. For that reason Orton needs this. This is the biggest make or break match I can ever remember at a Wrestlemania. Orton wins he’s the top heel for the foreseeable future. Orton loses and he’s done. I realize the way the feud has been booked the babyface has to win. But the babyface has to win IN THE END. This is the beginning. Orton wins here, and I’m even going to predict he does it relatively cleanly. Triple H will eventually get his retribution in Hell in a Cell sometime this summer. Because it’s obvious this is the feud that gets it this year.
Winner: NEW WWE Champion-Randy Orton
Robert S. Leighty Jr: I am really torn on this one. If this match ends the night, I see HHH retaining to send the crowd home happy. If this is anywhere else, I think Orton gets put over as the biggest dick heel ever. Since I have Edge winning the other match that can’t be the Main Event either (unless Christian cashes in the MITB immediately after that match and that ends the show). They could do Taker vs Shawn last, but if they didn’t do Rock/Hogan last, I don’t know if they will close with Shawn/Taker. I guess we will go with HHH for the happy ending, but I would be thrilled if Orton walks out with the Gold.
Winner and Still WWE Champion: HHH
Michael Weyer: The big question: Is HHH really going to job in the main event of the big show of the year twice in a row? Orton has really stepped up his game in the last few weeks and HHH seems ready to pass that torch along. The McMahon swerve is so obvious and that’ll be the difference maker. Look for Hunter to really give a push but Orton benefits from a “shocking” intervention to get the belt.
WINNER and NEW WWE Champion: Randy Orton
Julian Bond: My heart thinks that the WWE wants to send the people home happy, but my head says that they’ll finally pull the trigger on the huge angle with Orton taking out HHH and family. If HHH does win, I think that Randy will take the belt in a rematch but I think that it’ll happen here.
Winner: NEW WWE Champion Randy Orton
Steve Gustafson: Revenge at Wrestlemania and send the fans home…happy?
Winner: Triple H
