HeadLocker– Jay Shannon

There is almost always a Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. The match is usually a PPV “Dark Match”. It usually shows up on the DVD but not on the main broadcast. This year, the WWE are trying something new. 24 men from the various brands will compete in an over-the-top rope Battle Royal. The winner of that match will immediately face Chavo Guerrero for the ECW title. Only a few names have been mentioned for inclusion in the match (Khali, Kane, Mark Henry, Chuck Palumbo and Big Daddy V). What I wanted to do in this Wrestlemania-oriented edition of HeadLocker is look at the most likely candidates to be in the match and their chances of winning it. At the conclusion, I will give my final prediction.

1. The Great Khali

We know, for sure, that he’s in. Two years ago, Khali would have been a dead lock to take the win and the ECW strap. Khali has been on such a losing streak that I’m amazed he even got a spot in the Battle Royal. The only reason he’s there is his mammoth size. Wrestlemania is the home of surprises, but even my mind won’t stretch that far.

Likely to enter: Already in
Likely to win: 500 to 1

2. Kane

He’s been in the middle of a huge push, especially in ECW. Kane hasn’t held a title in a long time, so he’s over-due. It would be interesting to have both Brothers of Destruction holding gold in the WWE/ECW. I feel Kane is the most likely non-ECW person to win the match. If he does, he would take the strap from Chavo.

Likely to enter: Already in
Likely to win: 2 to 1

3. Mark Henry

Mark has been the biggest disappointment in WWE history. He has all the skills, but none of the talent. He’s lost almost every big match that he’s been involved with. While Henry deserves a title shot, due to his loyalty to the company, I just can’t see that being booked.

Likely to enter: Already in
Likely to win: 500 to 1

4. Big Daddy V

His domination of ECW is over. He’s just Viscera with a new name. He’s another big man who is very dedicated to the company. Sadly, he is stuck back in the mid-card range. With the lack of talent in ECW, that says a whole lot. I would personally like to see BDV get his chance to shine, but reality is reality. He will likely toss out a few before Kane or Khali flips him over the ropes.

Likely to enter: Already in
Likely to win: 500 to 1

5. Colin Delaney

He’s the Tommy Dreamer of this generation. This Ultra-Underdog is on the verge of being converted over into a star. What better place to have him win his place than The Grand-Daddy of Them All? He wouldn’t win the ECW title from Chavo, but he’d finally get his spot on the roster. He’s my pick to win it.

Likely to enter: Even Money
Likely to Win: Even Money

6. D.H. Smith

After his little problem with the Wellness Program, Smith is starting to get back on track. He’s taken some serious beatings over the last few weeks. Since the announcers have highly promoted the fact that people from all the brands will be involved, it makes perfect sense to put Smith in. He’ll be cannon fodder for one of the monsters, but he’ll most likely be in.

Likely to enter: 3 to 1
Likely to win: 100 to 1

7. The Miz

John Morrison is in the Money in the Bank match. That leaves Miz at loose ends. Since he can’t defend the tag belts (not that any tag belts are being defended), Miz would be available for the Battle Royal. Miz might make a long run in the match, but he’d likely end up outed by Colin.

Likely to enter: 2 to 1
Likely to win: 150 to 1

8. Super Crazy

He’s a former ECW talent. The crowds love this Hispanic grappler. He would be a great addition to the match. There’s just no way on Heaven or Earth he’d win the thing. He’d probably fall victim to Kane, early on. The crowd is going to explode when he comes out.

Likely to enter: 3 to 1
Likely to win: 200 to 1

9. Snitsky

This is the kind of match that Snitsky was made for. He could toss out men, left and right. He’d most likely end up eliminating himself, by accident. There is no way that he’d get a shot at the ECW title.

Likely to enter: 5 to 1
Likely to win: 1000 to 1

10. Stevie Richards

He’s one of the few ECW Originals left in the company. Richards is also in the middle of a great “comeback push”. I don’t expect him to win it, but he will be a big favorite in this match. Expect Mike Knox to send him to the showers.

Likely to enter: 2 to 1
Likely to win: 100 to 1

11. Jamie Noble

Since the elimination of the Cruiserweight title, Jaime’s been in limbo. He needs a new target to focus on. The ECW title would be a great choice. A match between Chavo and Noble would be exciting. ECW needs a influx of energy. Noble could provide that. I think he has a better than average chance of winning this.

Likely to enter: 2 to 1
Likely to win: 3 to 1

12. Chuck Palumbo

Chuck went from being a “partner” of Billy Gunn to being a thrift store version of Undertaker’s biker character. It was announced on Friday Night Smackdown that Chuck would be in the Battle Royal. He might toss a few smaller guys but there is just no chance of him taking the win.

Likely to enter: Already In
Likely to win: 2500 to 1

13. Kofi Kingston

The Jamaican Sensation is the hottest new star in ECW, right now. Since Kofi didn’t make it into the Money in the Bank match, it is only logical that Kofi would get a chance at the Battle Royal. I don’t think he will be the winner. He just hasn’t been with the company long enough to justify putting him in a title match at Wrestlemania.

Likely to enter: Even Money
Likely to win: 50 to 1

14. Val Venis

In any Battle Royal, there have to be victims. Val Venis is a dedicated worker for the company. He deserves his chance to shine at the top PPV of the year. He won’t last for long, but he will almost certainly be in the mix.

Likely to enter: 3 to 1
Likely to win: 5000 to 1

15. Robbie McAllister

Robbie has been at a loss since his “cousin”, Rory, was injured. Robbie is a great star who was trained by the legendary Waldo Von Erich. Robbie will be a minor force in the Battle Royal but he should get a decent pop from the crowd. Expect him to be one of Kane’s victims.

Likely to enter: 10 to 1
Likely to win: 1000 to 1

16. Elijah Burke

He is likely the most talented star in ECW. He absolutely has to be in this match. If C.M. Punk still held the ECW strap, I’d give Burke the nod to take this one. Since Chavo (a heel) has the belt, I can only see a face taking the win. Sadly, the thing that makes Burke a star (his heelness) will prevent him from taking the win.

Likely to enter: Even Money
Likely to win: 10 to 1

17. “The Ripper” Paul Burchill

Since returning to the WWE, Paul has been on a roll. With his ultra-sexy “sister”, Katie Lea, Paul should be on his way to championship gold in the near future (most likely the I-C title). Much like Elijah Burke, Paul is too much of a heel to get the title shot. He will serve as a spoiler in this match. He will eliminate at least one of the Big Four (Kane, Khali, Henry or Big Daddy V). In the end, he will end up tossed to the floor.

Likely to enter: 10 to 1
Likely to win: 50 to 1

18. Mike Knox

Knox has returned to ECW screens in the last few weeks to feud with Stevie Richards. Knox will likely make his way to the ring for this one. He will eliminate Richards and/or be eliminated by Richards. Knox seems forever stuck at mid-card level. He could go higher, but it just doesn’t seem likely.

Likely to enter: 5 to 1
Likely to win: 2000 to 1

19. Ron Killings

New stars (or returning ones) usually show up just after Wrestlemania. This might be an exception to the rule. Killings could upset quite a few people if he were to fight in this one. He’s the least likely of my picks to actually be in the match, but the unusual nature of wrestling left me confident enough to include him.

Likely to enter: 250 to 1
Likely to win: 250 to 1

20. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

Jim has been making quite a few appearances on WWE TV lately. The crowd would love to see him in this match. Everyone would know that he’d be out faster than The Warlord on a Hulk Hogan afternoon, but the crowd would get ramped up by Duggan’s “U-S-A” and “Hoooo” chants. He’s a bit of a long-shot to enter, but I’d put him in.

Likely to enter: 150 to 1
Likely to win: 10,000 to 1

21. Nunzio (Little Guido)

This ECW Original has taken some time off from ECW programming, recently. This Battle Royal could use some serious Original Recipe. Nunzio is adored by fans. He would have a brief run in the match, but the crowd would cheer louder for him that most of the guys in the match.

Likely to enter: 20 to 1
Likely to win: 1000 to 1

22. Balls Mahoney

The “Chair Swinging Freak” has also taken some time off from wrestling. It would make perfect sense to have his show up as a “surprise entrant” in this match. Balls would hit some high-risk moves before becoming another statistic for Kane.

Likely to enter: 50 to 1
Likely to win: 500 to 1

23. Charlie Haas

Charlie is a good worker. He should have more air time. This would be a perfect place to start a new push. Even though he’d likely fall to Kane or Khali, Charlie could keep himself alive in the minds of the fans with this match.

Likely to enter: 10 to 1
Likely to win: 150 to 1

24. Tommy Dreamer

When you think of ECW, two names spring to mind. Paul Heyman and Tommy “Freakin’” Dreamer. Tommy is the torch-bearer for the company. There is just no way that Tommy wouldn’t be in this one. I actually could see the twist in this match. The final two men would be Tommy and Colin. Colin is under the gun to win the Battle Royal or lose his chance to be a WWE/ECW superstar, forever. Tommy could sacrifice his title shot to help Colin get a contract. The crowd would erupt if that were to happen. I’d just about bet the farm on that ending.

Likely to enter: Sure Bet
Likely to win: 5 to 1

In Conclusion:

When I calculated my choices for this Wrestlemania XXIV-Man Battle Royal, there were a few things that weighed in my mind.

1. With the exception of Ron Killings, I decided not to go with any “company-jumpers” (Chris Harris, Andy Douglas, Chase Stevens, etc…). I figured that they would be brought out after Wrestlemania.

2. Since I’m still hoping for some kind of Tag Team Turmoil match, I decided to leave out the various established tag teams. Miz is an exception, since John Morrison is already tied up in the Money in the Bank match. Rhodes/Holly, Cade/Murdoch, Deuce/Domino, Kendrick/London, Festus/Jesse and Moore/Yang were eliminated from my selection process.

I still think that Colin Delaney will end up with the surprise win in this match. He won’t take the strap off Chavo Guerrero, but he’ll still be a winner. Colin’s biggest prize would be his contract. Championship gold will happen, down the road.

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts and choices.

–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(3/22/08)