Wrestlemania 29 is just around the corner and despite the card feeling underwhelming to most, I am actually excited for it. You never know if a swerve or character change could happen, but one thing is always guaranteed and that is that everyone who steps in the ring will give it their all.
I've been going over in my head what could possibly happen and there's way too many potential scenarios. I'm more than likely doing fantasy overbooking.
Anyway, I've decided to try out some predictions. More so for who I think will go over, but I'll throw in some thoughts of what I think or would like to see happen.
1. Rhodes Scholars & Bellas vs. Tons of Funk & Funkadactyls - This should be a quick fun match. I say Tons of Funk and Funkadactyls go over here. Do some dancing at the end and keep the crowd alive.
2. Mark Henry vs. The Ryback - It was said that these two could be looking at having about 10 minutes which could be pretty brutal, especially after hearing the matches at the house shows were not good at all. Hopefully that brought a change of making the match length shorter. Mark Henry won't be hurt by a loss here. The guy was able to be taken seriously after being called Sexual Chocolate and knocking up Mae Young only to father a hand. After being booked poorly and having cooled off, this will be Ryback's moment to regain momentum, and I really hope that they have practiced the Shell Shock spot. If not, at least we'll relive it through Botchamania. Ryback goes over.
3. Fandango vs. Chris Jericho - I am very interested in this one. Fandango isn't new to a WWE ring but for a lot of people, they didn't ever see Johnny Curtis on NXT. He is talented and can handle himself in the ring. Being in the ring with Chris Jericho can only make it that much better. Fandango is a Vince McMahon project and I imagine that means the rocket is strapped to him. Also, Jericho is the guy who loves to make new talent and wants to do what's best for business. Fandango wins a big debut.
Photo Credit: WWE.com
4. Team Hell No vs. Ziggler and Big E - This is where I start my fantasy overbooking. Team Hell No have been entertaining for the most part and I'm still not bored of them, but all good things come to an end. In wrestling, anyway. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, there is talks of a big push coming for Dolph, Big E. and AJ. I think this is where it starts and they become the new WWE Tag Team Champions.
5. The Shield vs. Orton, Show, Sheamus - The Shield have been on a roll since they made their debut last year. Very few matches but they've made a huge impact and have carried themselves to the point that you know it was no mistake in putting them in high profile matches. Each of them can be and more than likely will be big singles stars in the future. For right now I see the trio staying strong and taking the win on the grandest stage of them all. However, it may not come in such dominant fashion. This is a prime match for a turn to happen. Maybe it won't be at Wrestlemania. Perhaps it will happen the next night on Raw, but I think he will finally get his wish and Randy Orton turns heel. Not in a way that he aligns himself with The Shield because they don't need him and, well..we all remember Legacy. Shield are victorious.
6. Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H - Triple H comes out of retirement for a retirement match. It makes a lot of sense. Okay, maybe that doesn't, but the story of getting revenge on a guy who has attacked you and your friends and family makes a lot of sense in any walk of life. No holds barred here. I expect a lot of weapons and interference. I listened to Lance Storm on Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez today and he had a scenario laid out for Shawn Michaels costing Triple H the match and them having one final non-sanctioned match. I love his idea, but I think it's too good. I think they stick with the obvious and Triple H gets his win back.
7. Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger - I have actually enjoyed this feud. Yeah, some moments were forgettable I guess. Okay, I know they were. I was really happy to see Swagger get a revamp. If only that DUI didn't happen. I was surprised they still stuck with the plan of this match. I think the crowd will be interesting in this one too. A couple weeks ago on Raw there was huge USA chant. Definitely the heel friendly, snarky crowd. The same crowd Wrestlemania brings in, especially in the North East. Crowd reaction aside, Del Rio retains here as they will continue to push him as the top Hispanic babyface. I will make the bold prediction that the push for Dolph continues and he cashes in and holds double gold by the end of the night. The crowd will probably pop huge, but in the long run Del Rio will still be booked as the chasing face and wrestling 101 says that's where the money is.
8. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk - The build for this has been lackluster from the get go. I was hoping that Punk would cut a promo about doing what no one else did in the past 25 years by having the longest WWE Title reign, and now he's moving on to do something else no one else could do. Break the streak. Just hyping himself up as the only guy who will accomplish all other things and claiming he's the only one who can after proving himself as the best. It's simple and effective. It's unfortunate that the tragic passing of William "Paul Bearer" Moody has really been the only thing that has added heat to this story. I have no problem with anything they've done and I loved the angle on this past weeks Raw. Punk is claiming to be in The Undertaker's head, and if they can have that moment in the match where you think "Shit! Punk may do it" then that's all we really need. As much of a Punk mark as I am, and he is the only one who could really benefit right now from breaking the streak, no one should ever break it. It's legendary and should stay perfect and will. Undertaker becomes 21-0 at Wrestlemania. Another match I'm eager to hear how the crowd goes. Undertaker will not be booed, but CM Punk will have his fans.
9. The Rock vs. John Cena - If this week's Raw was any indication of the crowd, I imagine Cena will not be the most liked guy. A lot of people are speculating a heel turn for Cena. There's even reports that Vince McMahon was less against the thought after the crowd chanted "boring" at Cena this week. It's not happening. Maybe he'll play more heelish in the match, but the guy does huge sales in merchandise and has granted more wishes for Make-A-Wish than anyone else in and outside of wrestling. I always dreamed of a Hogan-style turn, but when Hogan did it, he wasn't at the top with the fans anymore. It had clearly run its course. That's not the case for Cena. I see him going over The Rock this year and gaining The Rocks respect, closing out Wrestlemania with that feel good moment that hopefully the crowd won't shit all over.
So those are my picks for Wrestlemania 29.
Oh yea, Miz and Wade Barrett on the pre-show for the IC Title. Ah, I'll say Barrett retains. Miz winning won't spark any hype encouraging people to order last minute.
Those who are going to order already have their mind made up based on the top matches.
Hopefully Antonio Cesaro gets added to the pre-show. He deserves the main card, but there's only so much room. If anyone should be on there though, it's him after having great matches with pretty much anyone he steps in the ring with.
Do you have any predictions? Are mine completely ridiculous? Let me know by commenting below or you can find me on twitter @OlTubby.
