411’s PPV Preview: The Road to WrestleMania

Welcome all to the special 411’s PPV Preview: Road to WrestleMania! This is Brad Borchardt for the Smackdown Report and I will be the man in charge for the WWE PPV Previews for now on. We have a pretty good card to talk about so let’s jump into it. Also, most of this column is kayfabe aside from my predictions. I wanted to get that out of the way before getting all the “wrestling is scripted” hate mail. I prefer the “you suck” hate mail over that.

The Road to WrestleMania XXIV

WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix and Melina vs. Ashley and Maria in a BunnyMania Lumberjack Match

WrestleMania Recall:

Beth Phoenix is making her WrestleMania match debut.

Melina is 1-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, Melina defeated Ashley in a Lumberjill Match to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.

Ashley is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, she lost to WWE Women’s Champion Melina in a Lumberjill Match for the WWE Women’s Championship.

Maria is making her WrestleMania match debut. (She was a lumberjill in last year’s WWE Women’s Championship Match)

Background: Maria was set to be the latest WWE Diva featured on the cover of Playboy. One problem though, her boyfriend Santino Marella. He was extremely jealous and would not allow her to do the cover shoot. On the February 18 edition of RAW, he finally told Maria she could pose for Playboy….if she could beat the WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix. Phoenix dominated the match until Candice Michelle returned from injury and helped Maria pull out the win. It was then announced that Maria would team with Candice Michelle to take on Beth Phoenix and another woman with past problems with Playboy cover girls, Melina, in a Bunnymania Lumberjack Match. Throughout the last couple weeks, Santino, Melina, and Phoenix have been trying to make life a living Hell for Maria, Candice, and Jerry Lawler who has come to their aid by attacking them and trying to mess up Maria’s Playboy cover showing. On the March 17 edition of RAW, Candice ended up getting hurt in a match and had to have surgery. The following week, Ashley came back from her hiatus and was announced as Maria’s partner.

Match Up: Melina and Beth Phoenix are the more athletic and have actually held the WWE Women’s Championship. They will also have Santino Marella in their corner. Maria and Ashley will have to end the match quickly if they want to win. One advantage they have is since it is a Lumberjack Match, some of the other divas might want to make their mark on the Women’s Champion Phoenix since they have the chance. They also might have Jerry Lawler watching their back. What role will Snoop Dogg play in the outcome?

Outcome: This is just going to be wacky fun. I’m not sure if there is going to be pinfall or if they will add anything special like a giant bed or pillows like they usually do. I expect Maria and Ashley to win and Santino to get slapped by Maria and possibly even getting laid out by Snoop Dogg.

Finlay vs. John Bradshaw Layfield in a Belfast Brawl

WrestleMania Recall:

Finlay is 0-2 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 22, Finlay, along with Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, Ric Flair, and Matt Hardy lost to Rob Van Dam in the second Money in the Bank Ladder Match. At WrestleMania 23, Finlay, along with Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Edge, CM Punk, King Booker, and Randy Orton lost to Mr. Kennedy in the third Money in the Bank Match.

JBL is 2-6 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 13, JBL as Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw teamed with Barry Windham and together they were the New Blackjacks lost along with the teams of Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon and The Godwinns lost to the Headbangers in a Four Corners Elimination Match. At WrestleMania XIV, JBL as Bradshaw teamed with Chainz and along with the teams of Savio Vega and Miguel Perez Jr., Jose Estrada Jr. and Jesus Castillo, The Truth Commission, D’Lo Brown and Mark Henry, Faarooq and Kama Mustafa, The Quebecers, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, The Headbangers, Too Much, Disciples of the Apocalypse, Steve Blackman and Flash Funk, The Godwinns, and the New Midnight Express lost to the Legion of Doom 2000 in a Tag Team Battle Royal. At WrestleMania 2000, JBL as Bradshaw along with WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly, Tazz, Viscera, Joey Abs, Rodney, Pete Gas, Taka Michinoku, Funaki, Mosh, Thrasher, and Faarooq lost to Hardcore Holly in a Hardcore Battle Royal for the WWF Hardcore Championship. At WrestleMania X-Seven, JBL as Bradshaw teamed with Faarooq as the APA and they teamed with Tazz to defeat Right to Censor Members Val Venis, Bull Buchanan, and the Goodfather. At WrestleMania X8, the APA along with the Hardy Boyz and Dudley Boyz lost to WWF World Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck in a Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF World Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania XX, the APA along with the Basham Brothers and World’s Greatest Tag Team lost to WWE Tag Team Champions Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty in a Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania 21, JBL lost the WWE Championship to John Cena. At WrestleMania 22, JBL defeated WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit to win the WWE United States Championship.

Background: After weeks of wondering who Vince McMahon’s bastard child was, we finally got the answer on the September 10 edition of RAW. Hornswoggle was revealed as McMahon’s son and he was not to proud. McMahon put Hornswoggle through some tough love including a match with the Great Khali at the Survivor Series. During the match, Hornswoggle’s old buddy Finlay made the save and beat down Great Khali. Finlay became a guardian angel for Hornswoggle through all of McMahon’s test. Luck finally ran out for the Irishmen on the February 18 edition of RAW however. McMahon was set to face his son Hornswoggle inside of a Steel Cage. Before the match ever started though, John Bradshaw Layfield came out and beat down Finlay. He handcuffed him to the ring ropes and then made him watch as he beat down Hornswoggle that led to Hornswoggle having to stay in a hospital. The next week on RAW, JBL informed McMahon that Hornswoggle was not his son….he was Finlay’s son. Finlay would admit to being Hornswoggle’s son to McMahon the following week on RAW. After he confessed, it was shown that JBL was in Hornswoggle’s hospital room and JBL proceeded to turn off the lights and attack Hornswoggle. The next week on RAW, JBL accepted Finlay’s challenge for a Belfast Brawl at WrestleMania. Finlay took a week off and then attacked JBL during the main event of RAW this week.

Match Up: Finlay would be seen as the favorite in this match. I mean, it is his specialty, a Belfast Brawl. But remember, JBL has been in Bar Room Brawls as a member of the APA, a Barbed Wire Cage Match with Big Show, a Steel Cage Match with Chris Benoit, and a Last Man Standing Match with Kurt Angle. There might not be a winner in this match as Finlay might be looking to end JBL rather than pin him while JBL might be looking to take Finlay out for good for Vince McMahon.

Outcome: I’m torn on this match. Are they going to go with the happy ending or is there going to be a heel turn by Hornswoggle or even somehow Finlay himself? Will McMahon be involved? Who will he side with? What is the secret between McMahon and Finlay? I’m going to go with my heart and say Finlay wins but it wouldn’t surprise me if something went down in favor of JBL.

Batista vs. Umaga in a SmackDown vs. RAW Match

WrestleMania Recall:

Batista is 2-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, Batista teamed with fellow Evolution members Randy Orton and Ric Flair to defeat Mick Foley and the Rock in a Handicap Match. At WrestleMania 21, Batista defeated Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. At WrestleMania 23, Batista lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to the Undertaker.

Umaga is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, Umaga lost to Bobby Lashley in the Battle of the Billionaires with Steve Austin as special guest referee and cost Mr. McMahon his hair. Bobby Lashley represented Donald Trump.

Background: On the February 25 edition of RAW, RAW general manager William Regal was informed by a challenge. Smackdown general manager Vicky Guerrero wanted an inter-promotional match between RAW and Smackdown for brand supremacy. That night Regal announced that Umaga would be representing RAW. Four days later on Smackdown, Batista demanded Vicky Guerrero to make him the Smackdown representative since he could not compete for the World Heavyweight Championship and she named him the representative. On the March 10 edition of Smackdown, Regal brought out Umaga and claimed he was going to defeat Batista at WrestleMania. Batista interrupted Regal, came down to the ring, and delivered a spine buster to Umaga who went running with Regal afterwards. Four days later, Umaga would get his revenge my costing Batista the United States Championship against MVP after a Samoan Spike. This past week on RAW, Umaga was part of Randy Orton’s team but Batista came out and they brawled out of the arena. With Batista being on Smackdown tonight, will Umaga be there to confront him or will they wait until WrestleMania to take out their anger on each other?

Match Up: Both men are pretty equal when it comes to power and both men are quick and agile for their size. Neither man is coming into this match with any outsider help with the exception of a small chance of William Regal. When you break both men down though, Batista has the advantage. He has won more big profile matches than Umaga, has world championships to his name unlike Umaga, and has been taught by Triple H and Ric Flair.

Outcome: I actually am excited for this match. I think it will be a decent big guy match and I expect Umaga to be drafted to Smackdown to continue this feud. I really don’t see the benefit for either guy winning but Umaga is the one who would be able to absorb the loss better than Batista who hasn’t had a big win for a while so I’ll go with Batista winning.

Carlito vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk vs.WWE Tag Team Champion John Morrison vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. WWE United States Champion MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin in a Money in the Bank Ladder Match

WrestleMania Recall:

Carlito is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 22, Carltio and Chris Masters were unsuccessful in defeated Big Show and Kane for the WWE World Tag Team Championship.

Chris Jericho is 2-5 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 2000, Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Also at WrestleMania 2000, Chris Jericho returned the favor by defeating Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle for the WWF European Championship. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Chris Jericho defeated William Regal to successfully retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship. At WrestleMania X8, Chris Jericho lost the WWF Undisputed Championship to Triple H. At WrestleMania XIX, Chris Jericho lost to Shawn Michaels. At WrestleMania XX, Chris Jericho lost to Christian. At WrestleMania 21, Chris Jericho, along with Chris Benoit, Christian, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin, lost to Edge in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

CM Punk is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, CM Punk, along with Edge, Finlay, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, King Booker, and Randy Orton lost to Mr. Kennedy in the third Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

John Morrison will be making his WrestleMania debut.

Mr. Kennedy is 1-0 at WrestleMania. Mr. Kennedy defeated Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, Edge, Finlay, King Booker, and CM Punk to win the third Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

MVP is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, MVP lost to WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit in a match for the WWE United States Championship.

Shelton Benjamin is 1-3 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XIX, along with Charlie Haas as members of Team Angle successfully defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against the teams of Chris Benoit and Rhyno and Los Guerreros in a Triple Threat Match. At WrestleMania XX, along with Charlie Haas this time known as the World’s Greatest Tag Team, lost a Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship that also featured the APA, Basham Brothers, and the team that successfully defended the WWE Tag Team Championship, Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty. At WrestleMania 21, Shelton Benjamin, along with Chris Jericho, Christian, Chris Benoit, and Kane lost to Edge in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match. At WrestleMania 22, Shelton Benjamin, along with Finlay, Matt Hardy, Bobby Lashley, and Ric Flair lost to Rob Van Dam in the second Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Background: The Money in the Bank Match was essentially created by Chris Jericho in 2005 leading up to WrestleMania 21. At the time, six RAW Superstars competed for an opportunity to face off with whoever was a world champion on RAW. At WrestleMania 22, the match evolved as it saw not just RAW Superstars compete in the match, but Smackdown as well with the winner choosing which championship to go after. At WrestleMania 23, ECW Superstars were included into the qualifying matches and now that all three brands were qualified for the match, the ECW Championship could also be at stake for the winner. Also, instead of six superstars, the match featured eight. Having the Money in the Bank briefcase has paid off for all who have cashed it in. Edge won the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match and cashed it in against John Cena becoming WWE Champion. Rob Van Dam won the second Money in the Bank Match and also defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship. Mr. Kennedy won the third Money in the Bank Match. He would lose his contract to Edge however, and Edge would go on to cash it in against Undertaker and won the World Heavyweight Championship.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches This Year: Jeff Hardy defeated Snitsky and Mr. Kennedy defeated Val Venis on the February 18 edition of RAW, Shelton Benjamin defeated Jimmy Wang Yang on the February 22 edition of Smackdown, Chris Jericho defeated already qualified Jeff Hardy on the February 25 edition of RAW, Carlito defeated Cody Rhodes on the March 3 edition of RAW, MVP defeated Jamie Noble at a house show on March 8, CM Punk defeated Big Daddy V on ECW on Sci-Fi on March 11, and John Morrison defeated Miz on the March 14 edition of Smackdown. It was announced on March 11 that Jeff Hardy was pulled from the match and suspended from the WWE.

Match Up: Chris Jericho walks into this match with the most experience as he has been in several ladder matches in the past, More WrestleManias than anyone, participated in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and has been in the business longer than anyone in this match. He knows what it’s like to be a world champion and he knows what it takes to get back on the mountain. Shelton Benjamin is the only man in this match to have participated in two Money in the Bank Ladder Matches and both times, put on an outstanding, yet losing effort. He gets another chance after missing last year’s Money in the Bank to prove there ain’t no stopping him now. Carlito is probably going to be the craftier man in this match. He has proven he will take risks, but much like Edge, I believe he will be opportunistic and pick his spots to keep him fresher than the other six men. CM Punk was in last year’s Money in the Bank Match and it actually came down to him and the man who won it at the end. He has one advantage that he did not have last year though, he is going in as a former world champion and that is going to add more fuel to Punk’s desire to win this match. John Morrison is making his WrestleMania debut and he knows he only gets one chance to make his debut a memorable one. I expect Morrison to pull out all the stops in this match and be like the Benjamin of old. He is also a former world champion who wants to go back on his throne. There has been no hotter star in the last year than the current United States Champion MVP. He is the longest reigning United States Champion in WWE history, has put on great performances with top dogs such as Ric Flair, Batista, and Chris Benoit, and he been in matches such as Inferno Matches, Cage Matches, No Holds Barred Matches, and the Elimination Chamber. He is going to be very opportunistic as well. Mr. Kennedy is the man who topped CM Punk last year and won Money in the Bank. His opportunity for a world championship was stolen by Edge however. With Kennedy the only past winner of this match and the frustrations of not cashing in his previous victory, he will show that he has a lot to prove in this match.

Outcome: Every year this has been a great match and I see this year’s keeping the tradition. You’re going to have great wrestling from Punk, MVP, and Jericho, outstanding risks from Benjamin and Morrison, and the added unpredictability since the clear cut favorite Jeff Hardy was taken out of the match and it’s up in the air between MVP, Jericho, Punk, and Kennedy. Sorry Morrison, Benjamin, and Carlito fans. In the end, I see Matt Hardy coming back to screw MVP, Kennedy won it last year so I don’t see a repeat, and Jericho doesn’t need it. Punk is the man I am going with and I expect him to have a huge 2008.

Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels in a Career Threatening Match for Ric Flair

WrestleMania Recall:

Ric Flair is 1-3 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania VII, Ric Flair lost the WWF Championship to “Macho Man” Randy Savage. At WrestleMania X8, Ric Flair lost to Undertaker in a No Holds Barred Match. At WrestleMania XX, Ric Flair, along with Evolution members Batista and Randy Orton defeated Mick Foley and Rock. At WrestleMania 22, Ric Flair, along with Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, and Bobby Lashley lost to Rob Van Dam in the second Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Shawn Michaels is 5-9 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania V, Shawn Michaels along with Marty Jannetty known as the Rockers, lost to the Twin Towers. At WrestleMania VI, The Rockers lost to the Orient Express. At WrestleMania VII, The Rockers defeated Haku and the Barbarian. At WrestleMania VII, Shawn Michaels defeated Tito Santana. At WrestleMania IX, Shawn Michaels lost to Tatanka but retained the WWF Intercontinental Championship since he lost via count out. At WrestleMania X, Shawn Michaels lost to WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon in a Ladder Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. At WrestleMania XI, Shawn Michaels lost to WWF Champion Diesel in a match for the WWF Championship. At WrestleMania XII, Shawn Michaels defeated WWF Champion Bret Hart in an Iron Man Match to become WWF Champion. At WrestleMania XIV, Shawn Michaels lost the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin. At WrestleMania XIX, Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho. At WrestleMania XX, Shawn Michaels, along with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, lost to Chris Benoit in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. At WrestleMania 21, Shawn Michaels lost to Kurt Angle. At WrestleMania 22, Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. McMahon in a No Holds Barred Match. At WrestleMania 23, Shawn Michaels lost to WWE Champion John Cena in a match for the WWE Championship.

Background: On the November 26 edition of RAW, Ric Flair came out and had an announcement to make. Some speculated that it was to announce his retirement. He wasn’t see on television in sometime and it was in North Carolina, Flair Country. He started thanking the fans and talking about life after wrestling and then announces…..he will never retire! He said he would only retire when he was dead. Vince McMahon would come out and agree that Ric Flair would never retire….as long as he could win. He announced to Flair that the next time Flair were to lose a match, his career would be over. Since then, Flair has had to battle the likes of Randy Orton, Umaga, William Regal, Triple H, MVP, and Mr. Kennedy. Flair won all those matches one way or another to keep his career intact.

On the February 18 edition of RAW, Shawn Michaels had a very special announcement and that was Ric Flair would become the first active wrestler to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The following week on RAW, Shawn Michaels would defeat Lance Cade. After the match, Ric Flair came out and told Michaels he was honored that he announced that Flair would be in the Hall of Fame. He then told Michaels that he needed a magical match at WrestleMania to cap off the weekend and the only man that could give him that match is Michaels himself. Michaels told Flair he did not want to be the man to retire Flair. Flair thought he was insulting him at first but HBK told him he didn’t mean to be disrespectful, just that he brings his “A” game to WrestleMania every year. He agrees to the match for Flair. The next week on RAW, Michaels and Flair would defeat Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. After the match, Michaels warned Flair to cancel the match or his show would be stopped at WrestleMania. The following week on RAW, Flair came out and told HBK not to show him any pity because that is not what he is about and the better man would win at WrestleMania. Michaels agreed then to back up Flair against Edge, Zack Ryder, and Curt Hawkins on Smackdown. Four days later on Smackdown, Michaels and Flair took on Edge, Ryder, Hawkins, and the suddenly added ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero in a Handicap Cage Match. Flair and HBK would take a massive beating during that match and Vince McMahon would try to take advantage. Three days later on RAW, McMahon booked himself in a No Holds Barred Match with Flair. It looked like Flair’s career was going to end at the hands of McMahon after that Cage Match but Michaels would come out to aid Flair and Flair would pick up the win. The last RAW before WrestleMania, Flair told HBK that he insulted him by helping him. HBK tried to apologize and then started comparing Flair to Old Yeller. Flair took offense and yelled at Michaels to end his career right there then and started slapping him until HBK walked away.

Match Up: Shawn Michaels knows how to bring it come WrestleMania time. Even in a losing effort, he will go out in fireworks. Ric Flair has shown that even at his age, he can still go and perform at a high level. Flair has a four month undefeated streak in singles matches going into this match hasn’t won a high profile match since his match with Mr. Kennedy. Still, Flair is going to have to be the dirtiest player in the book for another night if he wants to keep wrestling. Michaels has to be careful. He went into his match with Hulk Hogan at SummerSlam with too much confidence and he ended up losing. He is showing some of that now going into this match and it will be easy for Flair to use that as motivation.

Outcome: This match should steal the show. They had a great match back in 2003 and even though Flair isn’t what he use to be, both men have that mystique to them. Add the mystique of WrestleMania to the match and the fact that Michaels pulled out great matches with Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan over the years, this has potential match of the year written all over it. Unfortunately, my pick for this match is Michaels. I hate to see Flair retire without a WWE Championship run since his comeback, but it’s like Brett Favre. Flair is going out on good terms and after that match, he will go out knowing he still has it.

Big Show vs. Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr.

WrestleMania Recall:

Big Show is 1-6 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XV, Big Show lost to Mick Foley. At WrestleMania 2000, Big Show, along with Mick Foley and Rock, lost to WWF Champion Triple H in a Fatal Four Way Elimination Match. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Big Show, along with WWF Hardcore Champion Raven, lost to Kane in a Triple Threat Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship. At WrestleMania XIX, Big Show and A-Train lost to Undertaker. At WrestleMania XX, Big Show lost the WWE United States Championship to John Cena. At WrestleMania 21, Big Show lost to Akebono in a Sumo Wrestling Match. At WrestleMania 22, WWE World Tag Team Champions Big Show and Kane successfully retained the WWE World Tag Team Championship against Carlito and Chris Masters.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be making his WrestleMania match debut.

Background: At No Way Out, Big Show made his return to the WWE. Big Show was about to put a beating down on Rey Mysterio until Mysterio’s good friend who was in attendance, Flloyd Mayweather, jumped into the ring and punched out Big Show and even breaking his nose. The next night on RAW, Big Show was forced to issue an apology to Mayweather. After the apology, he and Mayweather ended up talking trash to each other and then agreed to face off in a one on one match at WrestleMania. On the March 10 edition of RAW, both men had their official weigh in for the match and after words got hot and heavy, Big Show picked Mayweather up over his head and threw him at Mayweather’s posse. Since then, Big Show has been dominating in the ring, Mayweather has been training hard, and they have faced off at various WrestleMania press conferences.

Match Up: This match favors Big Show in almost every way. If it is a wrestling match, Big Show is the bigger of the two and is the trained wrestler. If it is a boxing match, it will help Mayweather since he is indeed one of the best boxers in the world, but Show is so damn huge and he barley looked hurt after taking a broken nose from Mayweather. Big Show also has the WWE locker room by his side and Mayweather will only have his posse. The only way I can see a Mayweather victory is through shenanigans and possible outside help from somebody like Chris Jericho or Rey Mysterio, two men Big Show has not pleased since his comeback.

Outcome: I’m not sure what they got planned for this, but somehow Flloyd Mayweather will win. I mean, if K-Fed can beat Cena, Mayweather can beat Big Show. I don’t see this match being fun except for maybe the crowd reaction. I also fear that this match will take a long time.

ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero vs. Winner of 24 Man Battle Royal for the ECW Championship

Your Battle Royal Participants: Big Daddy V, Brian Kendrick, Chuck Palumbo, WWE World Tag Team Champion Cody Rhodes, Deuce, Domino, Elijah Burke, Festus, Great Khali, WWE World Tag Team Champion Hardcore Holly, Jamie Noble, Jesse, Jim Duggan, Jimmy Wang Yang, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Lance Cade, Mark Henry, WWE Tag Team Champion Miz, Shannon Moore, Snitsky, Tommy Dreamer, Trevor Murdoch, and Val Venis

Big Daddy V is 1-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania X, known as Mabel, teamed with Mo, together known as Men on a Mission, defeated WWF World Tag Team Champions the Quebecers by count out. At WrestleMania 2000, known as Viscera, along with WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly, Tazz, Bradshaw, Joey Abs, Rodney, Pete Gas, Taka Michinoku, Funaki, Mosh, Thrasher, and Faarooq lost to Hardcore Holly in a Hardcore Battle Royal for the WWF Hardcore Championship. (He did become WWF Hardcore Champion one time during that match however)

Brian Kendrick will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Chuck Palumbo is 1-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania X8, known as Chuck, teamed with Billy (Gunn) to defeat APA, Dudley Boyz, and Hardy Boyz in a Four Corners Elimination Match to retain the WWF World Tag Team Championship.

Cody Rhodes will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Deuce will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Domino will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Elijah Burke is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, Elijah Burke, along with Marcus Cor Von, Kevin Thorn, and Matt Striker, known as the New Breed, lost to Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, and Sabu.

Festus will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Great Khali is 1-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, Great Khali defeated Kane.

Hardcore Holly is 2-1 at WrestleMania. WrestleMania XIV, Hardcore Holly as Bombastic Bob teamed with Bodacious Bart, known as the New Midnight Express, and along with the teams of Savio Vega and Miguel Perez Jr., Jose Estrada Jr. and Jesus Castillo, The Truth Commission, D’Lo Brown and Mark Henry, Faarooq and Kama Mustafa, The Quebecers, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, The Headbangers, Too Much, Disciples of the Apocalypse, Steve Blackman and Flash Funk, The Godwinns, and Bradshaw and Chainz lost to the Legion of Doom 2000 in a Tag Team Battle Royal. At WrestleMania XV, Hardcore Holly defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Billy Gunn and Al Snow in a Triple Threat Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship. At WrestleMania 2000, Hardcore Holly defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly, Tazz, Bradshaw, Joey Abs, Rodney, Pete Gas, Taka Michinoku, Funaki, Mosh, Thrasher, Viscera, and Faarooq in a Hardcore Battle Royal for the WWF Hardcore Championship.

Jaime Noble is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, Jamie Noble, along with Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Shannon Moore, Akio, Funaki, Nunzio, Billy Kidman, and Tajiri lost to WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero in a Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

Jesse will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Jim Duggan is 2-1-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania IV, Jim Duggan lost to Ted DiBiase. At WrestleMania V, Jim Duggan and Bad News Brown fought to a draw. At WrestleMania VI, Jim Duggan defeated Dino Bravo. At WrestleMania VIII, Jim Duggan, along with Big Boss Man, Virgil, and Sgt. Slaughter defeated The Nasty Boys, Repo Man, and the Mountie.

Jimmy Wang Yang is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, known as Akio, along with Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Funaki, Nunzio, Billy Kidman, and Tajiri lost to WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero in a Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. (Yang had to forfeit the match)

Kane is 4-5 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XIV, Kane lost to Undertaker. At WrestleMania XV, Kane defeated Triple H. At WrestleMania 2000, Kane and Rikishi defeated Road Dogg and X-Pac. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Kane defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Raven and Big Show in a Triple Threat Match for the WWF Hardcore Championship. At WrestleMania X8, Kane lost to Kurt Angle. At WrestleMania XX, Kane lost to Undertaker. At WrestleMania 21, Kane, along with Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, and Shelton Benjamin lost to Edge in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match. At WrestleMania 22, Kane and Big Show retained the WWE World Tag Team Championship against Carlito and Chris Masters. At WrestleMania 23, Kane lost to Great Khali.

Kofi Kingston will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Lance Cade is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, known as Garrison Cade, teamed with Mark Jindrak and along with Dudley Boyz and La Résistance, lost to WWE World Tag Team Champions Booker T and Rob Van Dam in a Fatal Four Way Match for the WWE World Tag Team Championship.

Mark Henry is 0-2 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XIV, Mark Henry teamed with D’Lo Brown and along with the teams of Savio Vega and Miguel Perez Jr., Jose Estrada Jr. and Jesus Castillo, The Truth Commission, Bradshaw and Chainz, Faarooq and Kama Mustafa, The Quebecers, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, The Headbangers, Too Much, Disciples of the Apocalypse, Steve Blackman and Flash Funk, The Godwinns, and the New Midnight Express lost to the Legion of Doom 2000 in a Tag Team Battle Royal. At WrestleMania 22, Mark Henry lost to Undertaker in a Casket Match.

Miz will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Shannon Moore is 0-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, Shannon Moore along with Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Akio, Jamie Noble, Funaki, Nunzio, Billy Kidman, and Tajiri lost to WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero in a Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Snitsky will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Tommy Dreamer is 1-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 23, Tommy Dreamer teamed with Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and Sandman and defeated the New Breed.

Trevor Murdoch will potentially make his WrestleMania debut.

Val Venis is 0-2 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XV, Val Venis, along with Ken Shamrock and Goldust lost to WWF Intercontinental Champion Road Dogg in a Four Corners Elimination Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Val Venis teamed with Bull Buchanan and the Goodfather and lost to the APA and Tazz.

Chavo Guerrero is 1-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XIX, Chavo Guerrero and Eddie Guerrero, known as Los Guerreros, along with Chris Benoit and Rhyno, lost to WWE Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania XX, Chavo Guerrero defeated Akio, Rey Mysterio, Ultimo Dragon, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Funaki, Nunzio, Billy Kidman, and Tajiri in a Cruiserweight Open to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

Background: On the January 22 edition of ECW on Sci-Fi, Chavo Guerrero defeated CM Punk to become ECW Champion with some help from Edge. Chavo would feud with CM Punk and usually Punk would prevail unless when the title was on the line and that is when Chavo would find some way to win. Punk would lose his last shot at the ECW Championship and would have to settle with Money in the Bank instead. A week after Punk’s last title shot against Chavo, ECW general manager Armando Estrada announced that there would be a 24 man battle royal at WrestleMania. The battle royal would feature superstars from RAW, ECW, and Smackdown with the winner facing Chavo Guerrero for the ECW Championship that night. He then announced on the spot the first name in the rattle royal and it was the Great Khali. As the weeks went on, we learned that names such as Big Daddy V, Kane, Chuck Palumbo, and Jamie Noble were entered in the battle royal. The rest of the names were announced this past week on ECW on Sci-Fi and were featured in a big 24 man tag team match. Tommy Dreamer would take the loss to Snitsky in the tag team match and was belittled along with Colin Delaney by Chavo Guerrero. They would compete in a non-title match with everyone from the battle royal around the ring to watch. Chavo wound up winning the match and then a huge brawl with the rest of the battle royal participants closed the show. Tonight on Smackdown, there will be a preview of the battle royal featuring Chuck Palumbo, Kane, Mark Henry, and Great Khali in a over the top rope elimination match along with Jesse, Festus, and Kofi Kingston taking on Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, and Miz in six man tag team action.

Match Up:We will know who challenges Chavo before the WrestleMania starts as they will have the battle royal on before the show. Mark Henry could be the favorite going into this match as he has dominated the likes of Kane and Great Khali as of last week. You can’t forget about those two former world champions either. You also got other big guys in the match such as Big Daddy V, Snitsky, and Chuck Palumbo, another former world champion with Tommy Dreamer, veterans like Jim Duggan, Hardcore Holly, and Val Venis, and those up and coming stars in Cody Rhodes and Miz.

Outcome: Ok, first of all, who will win the battle royal? Well, I’m eliminating Mark Henry, Great Khali, Brian Kendrick, Miz, Deuce, Domino, Chuck Palumbo, Big Daddy V, Snitsky, Elijah Burke, Lance Cade, and Trevor Murdoch since they are heels and I don’t see them doing heel vs. heel with Chavo. Then I eliminate Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes since they are champions on RAW. Jim Duggan is eliminated since, well, he’s Jim Duggan. Jesse and Festus are next since I don’t see them splitting up. Val Venis is gone since he has been nothing but a jobber. That leaves six men. Kane, Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Tommy Dreamer, and Kofi Kingston. I’ll eliminate Kane since Kane vs. Chavo just has bowling show ugly written all over it even though he does make since. If they are going to give it to Yang or Moore, Yang would be the guy so goodbye Moore. So to me, Yang, Kingston, Dreamer, Noble, and outside chance of Kane gets in the ECW Championship Match. I would love to see any of those guys win except Kane. Yang, Kingston, and Noble would help make a fresh star and Dreamer is the only thing that is left of the original ECW basically. Since Dreamer and Chavo had the interaction on ECW this past week, I’ll give Dreamer the win in the battle royal and going on to defeat Chavo for the ECW Championship. I will also mark out like a ten year old Hogan fan if Kofi Kingston is your new ECW Champion.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Undertaker for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

WrestleMania Recall:

Edge is 5-1 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 2000, Edge and Christian defeated the Hardy Boyz and WWF World Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz in a Triangle Ladder Match to win the WWF World Tag Team Champions. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Edge and Christian defeated Hardy Boyz and WWF World Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz in a TLC Match to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania X8, Edge defeated Booker T. At WrestleMania 21, Edge defeated Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Christian, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin in the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match. At WrestleMania 22, Edge defeated Mick Foley in a Hardcore Match. At WrestleMania 23, Edge, along with Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Finlay, King Booker, CM Punk, and Randy Orton lost to Mr. Kennedy in the third Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Undertaker is 15-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania VII, Undertaker defeated Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. At WrestleMania VIII, Undertaker defeated Jake “The Snake” Roberts. At WrestleMania IX, Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzales. At WrestleMania XI, Undertaker defeated King Kong Bundy with Larry Young as special guest referee. At WrestleMania XII, Undertaker defeated Diesel. At WrestleMania 13, Undertaker defeated the WWF Champion Sycho Sid in a No Disqualification Match to win the WWF Championship. At WrestleMania XIV, Undertaker defeated Kane. At WrestleMania XV, Undertaker defeated Big Boss Man in a Hell in a Cell Match. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Undertaker defeated Triple H. At WrestleMania X8, Undertaker defeated Ric Flair in a No Disqualification Match. At WrestleMania XIX, Undertaker defeated A-Train and Big Show in a Handicap Match. Nathan Jones was scheduled to be Undertaker’s partner and did make an appearance in the match. At WrestleMania XX, Undertaker defeated Kane. At WrestleMania 21, Undertaker defeated Randy Orton. At WrestleMania 22, Undertaker defeated Mark Henry in a Casket Match. At WrestleMania 23, Undertaker defeated WWE World Heavyweight Champion Batista to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Background: It’s hard to believe that nine years ago, Edge, along with Christian and Gangrel, hung the Big Boss Man from the Hell in a Cell after the Undertaker had defeated him to send a message to the Corporation from the Ministry of Darkness at WrestleMania XV. This match has been brewing for nearly a year. On the May 7th, 2007 edition of RAW, Edge suckered Mr. Kennedy into putting his Money in the Bank contract on the line against Edge in a match which Edge ended up winning. Four days later on SmackDown, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker went through a Steel Cage Match with Batista and then got beat down by the returning Mark Henry. After Henry took care of Undertaker, Edge’s music hit and the Rated R Superstar hit the ring with his Money in the Bank contract and moments later after a Spear, Edge was the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. There would be no rematch as Undertaker was injured and took time off for surgery. Edge would go on to feud over Batista and Kane for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Edge was set to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane at the Great American Bash, but just nine days earlier on SmackDown, Edge would suffer an injury caused by Kane in a Mardi Gras celebration. Because of this injury, Edge would have to forfeit the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and take time off for surgery.

The Undertaker would make his return at Unforgiven and defeat the man responsible for beating him down thus helping Edge defeat him for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Mark Henry. After dealing with Henry, Undertaker would put himself back in title contention by challenging Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He got his first crack at Batista at Cyber Sunday with Steve Austin as the Special Guest Referee but lost for the first time to the Animal. Undertaker would get one last one on one match with Batista for the gold at Survivor Series inside Hell In a Cell. Survivor Series came around and after a back and forth contest, it looked like Undertaker was going to win the match and lay claim to the World Heavyweight Championship but then Edge made his surprise return, attacked the Undertaker, and helped Batista retain the World Championship. These events led up to a Triple Threat Match at Armageddon and with a little help from Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder ditching their Major Brothers gimmick and dressing up as Edge decoys, Edge was able to capture the World Heavyweight Championship for the second time.

In the months that followed, Edge would go on to successfully defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio at both the Royal Rumble and No Way Out. Undertaker would try and earn another championship opportunity by winning the Royal Rumble Match but was unable to do so. With no #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania made, it was announced that at No Way Out, WWE United States Champion MVP, ECW’s Big Daddy V, Great Khali, Finlay, Batista, and Undertaker would compete in an Elimination Chamber to determine the #1 Contender. It came down to Undertaker and Batista in the Chamber match and as usual, they waged an extreme battle with each other and unlike their two previous pay per view matches, Undertaker would prevail and would meet Edge at WrestleMania. Ever since No Way Out, Edge has been ducking the Undertaker. Undertaker has had to battle Edge, Ryder, and Hawkins in either single or handicap matches and usually Edge would somehow come out on top and Spearing the dead man or even delivering the Con-Chair-To. Tonight on Smackdown, Edge will have a funeral for the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Will Undertaker be able to get any retribution going into WrestleMania or will the Rated R Superstar make a mockery of the Undertaker?

Match Up: Two of the most successful men in the history of WrestleMania are going to go at it for the World Heavyweight Championship. Both men have proven that they can tear the house down at WrestleMania as well. Edge with his WrestleMania ladder matches and his hardcore match with Mick Foley. Undertaker with his matches against Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista. If Edge is going to win this match, he needs to be what he calls himself, the ultimate opportunist. He’s going to have a lot more advantages then the Undertaker has since he will have back up from Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, and maybe Chavo Guerrero. He also has Smackdown General Manager Vicky Guerrero in his back pocket. He needs to use his superior speed and agility in this match. If this becomes a power contest, Edge can kiss his title good bye. Undertaker is going to have to have eyes on the back of head. Unlike past years, his opponent has back up. He is going to have to overpower Edge, slow him down, and make sure to watch his surroundings as Edge can make any simple mistake or any part of the ring a opportunity for himself to win. Undertaker is 15-0 at WrestleMania, but hasn’t defeated Edge in about seven years. Something has to give.

Outcome: It’s Undertaker. It’s WrestleMania. There ya go. Seriously though, this is one of the main reasons I want to see WrestleMania. This is the first big match between just the two of them and has been talked about for a year. I am going to go with Undertaker winning the match, but for some odd reason, my head keeps saying he is not walking out of WrestleMania two years in a row with the gold. I’m hoping this feud continues and we see a ladder or Cell match between them.

John Cena vs. WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship

WrestleMania Recall:

John Cena is 4-0 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, John Cena defeated WWE United States Champion Big Show to win the WWE United States Championship. At WrestleMania 21, John Cena defeated WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield to win the WWE Championship. At WrestleMania 22, John Cena defeated Triple H to retain the WWE Championship. At WrestleMania 23, John Cena defeated Shawn Michaels to retain the WWE Championship.

Randy Orton is 1-3 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XX, Randy Orton, along with Evolution members Batista and Ric Flair defeated Mick Foley and Rock in a Handicap Match. At WrestleMania 21, Randy Orton lost to Undertaker. At WrestleMania 22, Rey Mysterio defeated WWE World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match to become WWE World Heavyweight Championship. At WrestleMania 23, Randy Orton, along with Edge, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, CM Punk, King Booker, and Finlay lost to Mr. Kennedy in the third Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Triple H is 5-6 at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania XII, Triple H lost to Ultimate Warrior. At WrestleMania 13, Triple H defeated Goldust. At WrestleMania XIV, Triple H defeated Owen Hart to retain the WWF European Championship. At WrestleMania XV, Triple H lost to Kane. At WrestleMania 2000, Triple H defeated Big Show, Mick Foley, and Rock in a Fatal Four Way Elimination Match to retain the WWF Championship. At WrestleMania X-Seven, Triple H lost to Undertaker. At WrestleMania X8, Triple H defeated WWF Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho for the WWF Undisputed Championship. At WrestleMania XIX, Triple H defeated Booker T to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. At WrestleMania XX, Triple H lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Chris Benoit in a Triple Threat Match also involving Shawn Michaels. At WrestleMania 21, Triple H lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Batista. At WrestleMania 22, Triple H lost to WWE Champion John Cena.

Background: October 7, 2007, was the night that foreshadowed this contest for the WWE Championship. John Cena was set to defend the WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match. Six days earlier though, John Cena faced Mr. Kennedy on RAW. During the match, John Cena suffered a complete tear of his right pectoral muscle. Cena was then ambushed by Randy Orton that included an RKO on the announce table. The following night on ECW, Vince McMahon made the announcement regarding John Cena’s injury and because of it, stripped him of the WWE Championship. This brings us to No Mercy.

With the WWE Championship Match cancelled and the WWE Championship vacated, Vince McMahon and Raw’s General Manager William Regal kicked off the show by awarding the WWE Championship to the #1 Contender himself, Randy Orton. After being awarded the WWE Championship, Orton was given the opportunity to defend it against anybody of his choosing. This would bring out Triple H and he challenged Orton to a WWE Championship match. The match took place on the spot and Triple H would knock off Orton to win the WWE Championship. Triple H would go on to face the man he was scheduled to face that night and that was Umaga. He successfully defended the WWE Championship against him. Shortly after, it was announced that Orton was invoking his rematch clause for the WWE Championship later in the evening against Triple H and it would be in a Last Man Standing Match. Orton would go on to win the match and the WWE Championship in the process. Over the next few months, John Cena would be recovering from his injury, Triple H would finish his feud with Umaga and was upset by Jeff Hardy to become #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, and Randy Orton would defend his WWE Championship against the likes of Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho.

As mentioned, Triple H would lose a #1 Contenders Match to Jeff Hardy at Armageddon and Hardy would have a date with Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship. Triple H still had one more shot at getting a WWE Championship Match via the Royal Rumble. He was announced to be in the Royal Rumble, but then he lost his spot on the January 1st edition of RAW after losing to Ric Flair by disqualification. Triple H would become a loose cannon leaving destruction of WWE Superstars and even the RAW titan tron is his path. To try and calm down Triple H, Vince McMahon gave him one last chance to qualify for the Royal Rumble. On the January 21st edition of RAW, Triple H defeated Snitsky, Smackdown’s Mark Henry, and Raw’s General Manager William Regal in a Gauntlet Match to earn himself a spot in the Royal Rumble Match.

On January 27, 2008, WWE held the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble event. After weeks of what seemed to be Jeff Hardy having Randy Orton’s number, Orton was able to defeat Hardy and retain the WWE Championship. In the Royal Rumble Match, Triple H entered at #29 and seemed to be the clear cut favorite to win the match and headline WrestleMania. Then the #30 entrant came out and repaved the road to WrestleMania as it was none other than John Cena making a shocking return. It came down to John Cena and Triple H as the final two men and Cena would get the better of the Game that night by dumping him over the top rope and winning the Royal Rumble Match.

The WWE Championship Match was set for WrestleMania. Randy Orton would defend the WWE Championship against John Cena. Cena however, had different plans. Cena did not want to wait until WrestleMania to face Orton and wanted him the night after the Royal Rumble on RAW. Orton denied Cena’s request because he wanted the fans to pay to see him defend the WWE Championship. He then made a deal with John Cena and instead of waiting until WrestleMania, they would have their WWE Championship match at the next pay-per-view, No Way Out. With the match being booked for No Way Out, RAW no longer had a #1 Contender for the WWE Championship for WrestleMania. William Regal and Vince McMahon discussed a certain idea they had and later that same evening, Regal came out to make a special announcement. He announced that at No Way Out, there would be an Elimination Chamber Match to determine the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. The participants would include John Bradshaw Layfield, Chris Jericho, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and Triple H.

On February 17, No Way Out was held. John Cena and Randy Orton would have their match before the Elimination Chamber. Orton weaseled his way through another WWE Championship defense by striking a referee and causing a disqualification. Cena was announced the winner, but the WWE Championship can’t change hands on a count out or a disqualification so Orton kept his championship. The main event was the Elimination Chamber. Triple H was the final man that entered the Chamber. It came down to Jeff Hardy and Triple H and despite Hardy kicking out of the Pedigree, Triple H would counter a Twist of Fate and nail another Pedigree to win the Elimination Chamber setting up Randy Orton vs. Triple H for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.

The next night on RAW, as Randy Orton and Triple H confronted each other in the ring, John Cena came out and told Orton that he lost his way into WrestleMania and demanded a rematch for the WWE Championship. This brought out William Regal who also did not condone Orton’s actions at No Way Out. He then booked a non title match between Orton and Cena for the main event of RAW. If Cena won however, the WrestleMania match would become a Triple Threat Match involving Orton, Triple H, and Cena. To make things more interesting, Regal named Triple H the special guest referee of the match. Cena would defeat Orton and making the WWE Championship Match a Triple Threat Match. Triple H would Pedigree both men after the match to make a statement that he was going to walk out of WrestleMania as WWE Champion. The next week on RAW, Regal wanted to create conflict so he made Triple H and John Cena vs. Randy Orton and Mr. Kennedy as the main event. Earlier in the evening, Kennedy informed Orton that if he wins the Money in the Bank Match at WrestleMania, he will be cashing it in against the winner of the Triple Threat Match that night. Triple H and John Cena would win the tag team match despite tension running high between the two. Kennedy got the last laugh though as he snuck in and planted Cena with the Mic Check and reminding everybody of his Money in the Bank promise. The next week on RAW, William Regal wanted to add some spice leading up to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Regal announced to the three men involved in the match that starting that night, each man would get a chance to run RAW for a night. That night was to be Cena’s turn to run the show and he booker himself vs. Mr. Kennedy and Triple H vs. Randy Orton. Cena was able to take care of Mr. Kennedy early in the night with the STFU and decided to be a guest commentator for the Orton vs. HHH match. Orton and HHH would have a back and forth match until Orton decided to call it quits. He grabbed his WWE Championship and tried to leave the ring until Cena got up from his commentating position to stop him. While both men were arguing, Triple H would come out and shove Orton down and knocking Cena down in the process. Triple H and was about to defeat Orton in the ring but Cena came in and hit Triple H with the FU giving Triple H the win by disqualification. As soon as Cena turned around though, Orton nailed him with an RKO and left both men down as he held the WWE Championship high. The following week was Randy Orton’s turn to be general manager. It was also WrestleMania Rewind night so he placed Triple H in a match with someone who he lost to at WrestleMania XV, Kane, and put John Cena in a match with the man he faced last year at WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels. Triple H would go on to win his match and began making plans for the following week where he would run RAW. Cena and Michaels would have a classic match on RAW only to be interrupted by Randy Orton. He tried to RKO Cena on a steel chair but Cena would drop Orton on the chair and nail him with the FU. Before the show went off the air though, Triple H would announce that the next week on RAW, Orton and Cena would take on the entire RAW roster in a handicap match. The following week came and Cena and Orton eliminated RAW superstar one by one until all Hell broke loose and all the RAW superstars attacked them. After JBL and Umaga laid out both Orton and Cena, Triple H came out and Pedigreed both men, being the last man standing between the three yet again. The last RAW before WrestleMania saw Cena and Triple H team together along with Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair to take on Big Show, JBL, Umaga, and Orton. Orton was abandoned by his own team and took the loss to Ric Flair while Cena and Triple H turn on each other and brawled out of the ring.

Match Up: This is a very solid Triple Threat Match you got here. Randy Orton seems more determined in the ring than ever since last spring and has been putting on some really good matches. John Cena was WWE’s M.V.P. of 2007 and is one of the best performers when it comes to Triple Threat rules. Triple H is the veteran who has been there time and time again and seems to be in a point in his career that he cares more about the company than being a title hog. It has also been shown that these three have great chemistry together for the most part both in the ring and on the mic. This match up has all the hype as well. John Cena beat Triple H at WrestleMania 22. Randy Orton put John Cena on the shelf and cost him the WWE Championship. Triple H and Randy Orton are former Evolution buddies who traded the WWE Championship back and forth at No Mercy.

Outcome: If this was one on one with Randy Orton defending against either Triple H or John Cena, I would go with either challenger walking out with the title. With this being a Triple Threat Match however, the outcome is a little hazy. The only was I see Orton retaining is if somehow Undertaker vs. Edge becomes the main event, which I don’t see happening. I have to say that Triple H walks out of the big show with the gold. It’s being said with Cena’s new movie he won’t miss anytime, but I have a feeling he may miss a few shows. Also, Triple H hasn’t had a real run with the title since dropping the gold to Batista aside from the No Mercy trading. I think with Triple H as WWE Champion, we may get a few fresher main events and so many people won’t be hating on Cena which is something WWE may want to control more. This also leaves Cena to get his revenge on Orton for putting him out and maybe lead up to Cena vs. Triple H as the big match for SummerSlam with HHH turning heel.

Quick Hits:

My Picks: Ashley and Maria, Finlay, CM Punk, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Flloyd Mayweather, Tommy Dreamer in the Battle Royal and ECW Championship Match, Undertaker, and Triple H.

Match of the Night: Triple Threat Match with Flair vs. HBK right behind it with emotional value

Crap of the Night: BunnyMania and Show vs. Mayweather

Well I hope you enjoyed this preview of WrestleMania XXIV. I hope you enjoy WrestleMania and I will see you every Friday night for Smackdown or next month as we preview WWE Backlash!