All around the Web - though not particularly in these forums - I read about people dismissing WrestleMania XIX, claiming that it hasn't been promoted well or that it won't live up to the annual legacy. I don't understand this, because to me it looks like a very good card. Just look at the number of matches lined up that fans have been calling for over the last few months: Angle versus Lesnar, Michaels versus Jericho, Hunter versus Booker, Hogan versus McMahon, Jazz versus Victoria (albeit with Trish in there too), Mysterio versus Mattitude... These are matches that we've been crying out for, and we're getting them all in one night. What's to complain about? Okay, so there are a few potential duds, but they shouldn't stink up the whole show and they may even surprise us. So regardless of how much hype the event has or hasn't had (and with the amount of publicity WWE has been grabbing lately, I'll say it's had a lot), I'm looking forward to this year's WrestleMania a great deal, and I can't wait to see how the product moves forward into the new WWE year.
Here are my thoughts and predictions on each bout:
WWE Cruiserweight Title
Matt Hardy (w/ Shannon Moore) vs Rey Mysterio
I hope this match is the opener, since it hasn't really had much build-up but will provide enough action and adrenaline to get this mammoth event off to a buzzing start. I can't confidently predict a winner here, because although Hardy hasn't held the belt for very long and has his number-one MF'er there for immoral support, it would seem like more of a "WrestleMania" outcome for Rey Mysterio, the superstar regarded as WWE's top cruiserweight, to win the gold. So for my first prediction, I'm copping out and flipping a coin.
Winner: Matt Hardy
World Tag Team Titles?
Chief Morley & Lance Storm vs Rob Van Dam & Kane
With Morley replacing Ill Will, I don't know whether this will be a title match or not. Perhaps that can be Morley's escape clause if RVD and Kane win - that the titles weren't on the line, so Storm and Regal are still champs. But I think everyone's expecting the babyfaces to split here, with Van Dam possibly joining the Bischoff-Morley Administration. I'm not sure whether it will go down quite like that, but I think the challengers are heading into their last match as a team. The Dudley Boyz are bound to feature in there somewhere, and I still can't shake the feeling that their allegience to Chief Morley won't last long. So for my prediction, I think RVD and Kane will fall out in their own way, and the Dudleyz will turn on Morley and Storm after the match.
Winners: Chief Morley & Lance Storm
WWE Tag Team Titles
Team Angle vs Los Guerreros vs Chris Benoit & Rhyno
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Chris Benoit, watch your back! Rhyno is not your friend, he is not your ally, and he is not to be trusted. But trust him you will, and it will cost you your shot at the Tag Team Titles. Meanwhile, Team Angle will be celebrating the revelation that Rhyno (the man who really attacked Edge) is in Heyman's camp, but their distracted state will provide all the opportunity those crafty Guerreros need to steal the gold in the blink of an eye.
Winners: Los Guerreros
World Heavyweight Title
Triple H (w/ Ric Flair) vs Booker T
Let's look beyond the ring here and see who's backing up who. Triple H has the Nature Boy in his corner. But Goldust will surely make his presence felt to cancel out Flair. But that still leaves Booker T with the added worry of Evolution, as Randy Orton and Batista won't miss out on this chance to protect their leader's championship on the grandest stage of them all. However, there's one man nobody, not Triple H, not Ric Flair, not Evolution, is counting on being there. One man who will attack The Game post-match, after the Cerebral Assassin's shenanigans have helped him retain the title. One man who will turn the champion's world upside down. Not just one man, but da man. And when he spears Triple H into the middle of next week, there will be no need to ask who's next.
Winner: Triple H
Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels
Another match that we've been clamoring for, a match that we once thought could never happen, but it's almost upon us. Two men who are very similar in style and personality will lock it up to prove just who is the better man - and who should be idolizing who. It's expected that Chris Jericho will be passed the torch in this feud, but while I'm sure he will have his day, I don't think that day will be this Sunday. I think Shawn Michaels will escape with the victory this time, only for Jericho to turn up the heat and take his revenge in the very near future.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
The Undertaker & Nathan Jones vs A-Train & The Big Show
I expect this one to be the yawner of the night, but then again, that's what I said about the Taker/Show match at No Way Out. In my view, that turned out to be one of the best bouts on the card, proving that Taker can still put on a damn good match, even against the most lacklustre opponents. However, with that said, I think there is far too much dead weight in this match for the Dead Man to carry on his best day. Will Nathan Jones turn on The Undertaker? Maybe. But who cares? I'll just toss out a prediction for the result.
Winners: Taker & Jones
The Rock vs Steve Austin
Stone Cold has already beaten The Rock twice at their two previous WrestleMania confrontations, so there's little point to this match unless The Rock pulls a victory back. But he's a heel, so he has to cheat. What's more, he's not hanging around in WWE, so his cheating must involve a third party with whom the Rattlesnake can go on to begin a new feud. Pick a name, any name - I'll go with Scott Steiner.
Winner: The Rock
Women's World Title
Victoria (w/ Steven Richards) vs Trish Stratus vs Jazz
This should be a great match, with an interesting finish. Since JR has chosen to keep bringing up Steven's past relationship with Jazz, I'll predict that the dirty bed-hopping ho turns on Victoria and provides WWE's real manbeast with the victory.
Winner: Jazz
Streetfight
Hulk Hogan vs Vince McMahon
I presume this will be a streetfight, or no-disqualification match, or whatever they decide to call it. After all, this ain't gonna be no wrestling clinic. It's going to be a bitter fight to the finish. If Vince wins, Hulk retires? Well then that settles it. It may be Hogan's time to hang up the boots, and there's no better place to do it than WrestleMania, but he's not going out on his back to Vince McMahon. No way.
Winner: Hulk Hogan
WWE Title
Kurt Angle (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Brock Lesnar
The more you think about this one, the less simple it becomes. WWE are trying to build Brock up as the big superstar of the current era. His path so far has been a fairy tale, and there's no reason why they shouldn't give it a fairy tale ending. Predictable or not, sometimes it's just necessary to do the right thing, give the fans what you've been leading them to want, and let the hero win the big one. On top of that, Kurt Angle is in no position to continue bearing the WWE torch, what with his neck injury. So there is no doubt in my mind that Brock Lesnar should win this one. But what's going through the minds of WWE right now? Is the predictablity of it all getting to them? Do they think that maybe they should throw us a curve ball, and give the win to Kurt, with Brock maybe having to wait until Backlash to finally regain the belt? I hope not. But you never know. Still, my prediction remains firm, as there can really only be one winner if this story is to be written the right way.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
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