It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With 30 men entering to headline Wrestlemania that’s shortly here. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the most exciting season of all. With Wrestlemania nearing and the top wrestlers snearing, the fans come to watch. It’s the most exciting season of all!
The Road to Wrestlemania officially kicks off the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble. I know, that’s mathematically incorrect. You know what, it’s wrestling. It doesn’t matter if it’s off. All that matters is that thirty men will enter the Royal Rumble and bludgeon the hell out of each other.
Let’s not waste any more time and get straight to the predictions.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
I was hoping that the 40-Man Royal Rumble was going to be a new yearly tradition. It turns out it was only a one time deal (solely for the Nexus and the Corre). It saddens me that my favorite match of the year won’t be longer again, but no reason to fret. This year’s should be just as exciting.
It’s not as hard to predict as last year’s event, but it’s still up in the air. The odds on favorite is Chris Jericho. Having just returned and teasing a feud with CM Punk, a Rumble victory would easily turn the cranks on the feud. Some even believe he’ll be number thirty and enter after everybody is eliminated. This would give him a victory without even doing anything, prompting another ten minute ego stroke fest.
There are a few other heavy candidates though. With the commercials touting that EVERY superstar is allowed entry, the five wrestlers in the WWE and World Heavyweight Championship matches stand a chance to win the match. They can even do so while holding the gold. They would most likely challenge the other champion in a unification match (some fans are salivating over the possibility of a Punk/Bryan match).
Let’s not forget The Miz, who has been given the dreaded number one spot. I wouldn’t put much money on him winning. The only reason it’s a possibility is the slight downfall he’s had lately and the fact they keep hyping up the “only two people have one from number one” spiel. The most I expect out of him is a long performance, but not a victory.
There’s always the surprise entrants, some announced ahead of time. Mick Foley has officially been entered. This is most likely to beef up the match and possibly build towards a match between him and a young talent at Wrestlemania. They could surprise us and give him the victory, but it’d be illogical.
Other men such as Wade Barrett, Sheamus, Zack Ryder, R-Truth and Cody Rhodes have a good chance at winning. Who knows, maybe Santino Marella will shock the world and win this year. He was the runner-up last year.
I’m going with the safe bet and sticking with Chris Jericho.
Winner: Chris Jericho
WWE Championship:
CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler
*John Laurinaitis is the Special Referee*
Last year, Dolph Ziggler challenged Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship. This year, he challenges CM Punk for the WWE Championship. Maybe next year he’ll be defending one of the titles. He’d be much happier defending it at this year’s Wrestlemania, though. Despite having John Laurinaitis seemingly in his corner, it’s a long shot.
He could win the title, only to lose it back next month at Elimination Chamber. He could even hold it until Wrestlemania, since Rock vs. Cena will be selling the show. Even so, this whole feud seems to be biding CM Punk’s time until his hypothetical clash with Chris Jericho.
The storyline even seems to work in favor of the champion. The old “boss against the current champion” tale that Stone Cold Steve Austin helped make famous is the name of the game. I see them dusting off one of the Rattlesnake’s finishes and having Laurinaitis knocked out. Punk hits the GTS, grab John’s hand and makes the three count himself.
Winner: CM Punk
World Heavyweight Championship
Steel Cage Match
Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. The Big Show
This storyline has quickly become intoxicating thanks to Daniel Bryan’s slow heel turn. I was originally against it, since I love Bryan as the underdog hero. However, I’m warming up to it for two reasons. 1) He got to win the title while a face. 2) He’s so damn good as a smarmy heel!
Bryan knows he can get the job done in the ring. Yet, if he can use his wits and find an easier way to attain victory, he’ll do so. And he’ll make sure you know about it. Ever since winning the title, his victories have all been that. Smartly crafted, yet somewhat indecisive. Even his title victory was at the hands of a sneaky cash in.
Watching him get under Big Show’s skin as of late has been wonderful. Mark Henry getting in on the fun has only made things better. Making this a cage match seems to damage the champion’s chances of victory. On the contrary, I feel it helps him. While the two giants are clashing, he can sneak out of the cage and retain the gold.
Some have even suggested having one of the two men hurl Bryan into the cage, breaking the wall off. Just like Austin did at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1999, he’ll fall to the floor. Since both feet touched the floor, he’ll be declared the winner. He’ll regain his composure and gloat once again.
Whatever the outcome is, I see Daniel Bryan walking away with the championship still in tact. Unlike most people, I see him holding on to the title until Wrestlemania. He’ll find a “smart” way to retain at the Elimination Chamber and, if the feud holds up, have the blow-off with The Big Show. If the rumored Shaq match happens, they can try and get Orton back, if the doctors permit. A clash between the Viper and the American Dragon would be interesting, to say the least.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Haters Gonna Hate
John Cena vs. Kane
What to do with John Cena until his monumental battle with The Rock at Wrestlemania XXVIII? Have him feud with a resurrected Kane, new mask and all. What’s the driving force? The hate that Cena has boiling inside of him due to the indecisive fans.
Essentially, this is just filler for WWE’s poster boy. With that being said, they’ve made it inventive and could possibly tie into his feud with The Rock. Since the majority of fans will take the Brahma Bull’s side, having Cena be a pseudo-heel by embracing the hate could make for some fun segments. They don’t even need to worry about him full turning heel. After Wrestlemania, they can have him revert back to being a face. They did so with Shawn Michaels in his feud with Hulk Hogan back in 2005.
The only problem is whether or not Cena should go over Kane. The Big Red Monster just returned, with this match being his first since the injury. One could argue he needs the victory more, especially if they continue with the hate storyline. I just can’t shake the feeling that it will be Cena with his hand raised after the match.
Winner: John Cena
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