Sklarz: Maina 24 Predictions!

Belfast Brawl
Finlay vs. JBL

The Match The storyline for this match is a little out there. JBL has taken up the fight for Vince McMahon who was duped into believing that Hornswoggle was his son by Finlay and the McMahon family. The motive for this subterfuge has not been explained but suffice to say that JBL has done horrible things to Horny and Finlay’s Irish blood is boiling mad about it. The two will meet in a Belfast Brawl which is basically a no holds barred/street fight type of match, anything goes.

Prediction The outcome of this match depends on whether WWE plans on continuing this storyline. It would seem there are a lot of unanswered questions. What was the reason for letting Vince think Hornswoggle was his son? How will Vince deal with his family? What was the unspoken agreement between Vince and Finlay? Since WrestleMania is traditionally the place to end programs, I’ll assume that the storyline ends here or perhaps the next night on Raw. My prediction is that Hornswoggle will get involved and get revenge on JBL by helping Finlay pick up the win. The match should be a solid brawl with a lot of sports entertainment elements toward the end. The key to this match being memorable will be wether or not they can get the crowd into it.

Predicted Grade: C+
Predicted winner: Finlay

Batista vs. Umaga
Brand supremacy Match

The Match This is a battle for “Brand Supremacy” which basically means bragging rights. I think the match would be more compelling if something was actually on the line. Something like “the victorious brand gets to select the superstar of it’s choice from the losing brand” would have added a lot of interest to the match. Making it a Raw vs. Smackdown match was kind of a lazy booking excuse to get these two together for Mania. They could have had an altercation at the Royal Rumble or No Way Out to set up a cross-brand grudge match for Wrestlemania.

Prediction This match has a chance to be really good. The key to me is Umaga. Batista has proven that he can deliver at Wrestlemania but this year he’s not working with Triple H or The Undertaker. Umaga is a good worker for a big man but his matches against Bobby Lashley were not very good. If Umaga can keep the pace up this could be a very good, high impact match. Batista seems like a shoo-in to win here, on the other hand Raw seems like a shoo-in to establish dominance over Smackdown as WWE’s flagship brand. I’m going with Batista, unless they plan to continue this feud beyond WrestleMania, the Animal will go over here.

Expected Grade: B
Predicted winner: Batista

Money In The Bank Ladder Match

The Match This is the fourth annual ladder match featuring between six and eight wrestlers fighting for a contract, good for one year, against any brands champion. This years match features an odd number of seven competitors. Mr. Kennedy, John Morrison, Chris Jericho, MVP, Carlito, Shelton Benjamin and C.M. Punk comprise the field. Jeff Hardy was originally scheduled to be in this match before his suspension for a wellness policy violation. His spot has not been filled but I believe it will before the opening bell rings. I’m expecting Matt Hardy to be a last minute addition to the match. I consider this to be the most athletic bunch of workers ever assembled for this match, all of there styles are a good fit and there are no big men to slow down the match. I expect a very entertaining spot-fest and something breathtaking from Shelton Benjamin.

Prediction If Matt Hardy is entered into the match he will be a favorite but I don’t think he will win. My prediction is that MVP will get the contract and become Mr. Money In The Bank. He will probably lose the U.S. title to Matt Hardy down the road and cash in his MITB contract against the WWE Champion.

Expected Grade: A
Predicted winner: MVP

Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather

The Match I’m not one of the crowd who thinks this match is a total waste of time. I actually like Floyd Mayweather and his persona. I think the WWE could have selected a different opponent than Big Show to make it seem less lopsided. There is also the fact that Big Show is working as a heel and the crowd hates Mayweather that has led to a weird feel to the build up. The match might be more appealing if the fans had someone they could solidly get behind but apparently WWE did not accurately gage how WWE fans would react to Mayweather.

Prediction The crowd will be noisy during this match. Wether they cheer for Big Show or just boo and catcall the whole affair, the crowd will be heard. This match has potential to very entertaining or a complete train wreck. I expect a lot of cat and mouse in the early going. Mayweather will get Big Show to chase him around. Big Show will also go easy on Mayweather early on, demonstrating his power without really doing any damage. Eventually Show will deliver a devastating blow and grandstand instead of putting Floyd away. Mayweather will recover and land a quick knockout blow to the Big Show.

Expected rating:??? no clue here honestly
Predicted winner: Floyd Mayweather

Career Threatening Match
Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels

The Match This will be the most emotionally charged match of the show. Two of the greatest in-ring performers of all time battling under the stars with Flair’s career on the line. The build up has been very well done. They’ve walked a fine line between mutual respect and the desire to win on the grandest stage of them all. We’ve been treated to some of Flair’s finest promos in years and really been reminded of why this guy has been “The Man” for almost four decades. HBK is the perfect guy to work with Flair in what could be the final match of his career. On their worst day these two could not have anything less than a very good match.

Prediction I really hope this match is given enough time to really build to a climax. The Battle Royal being moved to a preview may facilitate this. I really think HBK and the Nature Boy will pull out all the stops here. Flair will wrestle like it’s the last time wether it is or it isn’t. That’s the question isn’t it? Is this Ric Flair’s final match? I’m going to say yes. I wasn’t sure but when Flair made the WWE champion tap out on Monday Night Raw I became convinced that this will be Flair’s last match. That said, I’m not convinced that Flair will lose. I think there is a chance that Flair could win and retire after the match on his own terms. Either way the conclusion of this match and it’s aftermath will be one of the most emotional moments in wrestling history. I think this match alone is worth the price of WrestleMania.

Expected Grade: A
Predicted winner: Ric Flair

World Heavyweight Championship Match–Edge vs. The Undertaker

The Match This match has been a long time in the making. Edge cashed in a MITB contract at Undertaker’s most vulnerable to steal his world title and subsequently screwed him in a title match against Batista. Undertaker responded by tombstoning the love of Edge’s life, Vicki Guerrero. Strangely WWE has made little mention of this history in the build up to this match. Instead there has been talk of the fact that Edge is also undefeated at Mania (I guess last year’s MITB bank match doesn’t count) and Edge’s belief that he is the man to end Undertaker’s streak. Things have heated up in the last few weeks as Edge has pinned the the Phenom and beat him with a chair while screaming “15 and 1 deadman!”.

Prediction This will likely be a “stack the deck” type of match as Edge has the Smackdown GM at his disposal and the Edgeheads to interfere on his behalf. Undertaker will overcome all of these odds and reclaim the World Championship. I don’t think Taker’s streak will end until he’s ready to hang em up for good and I don’t believe were there yet. There is also a chance that Undertaker will retire undefeated at Wrestlemania. 15 and 1? Sorry Edge but I’m smelling 16 and 0. This should be a good match between two pros who can get it done.

Expected Grade: A-
Predicted winner: Undertaker

WWE Championship
Triple Threat Match
Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena

The Match Let me say that I’m glad they went with a triple threat match here. I really didn’t want to see a Triple H/John Cena rematch. I also like a heel holding the title going into WrestleMania. The match has been built up fairly well with no one holding a distinct advantage. Triple H has probably been made to look the strongest while I’d have to say that John Cena has looked weak. I can remember episodes of Raw that ended with Triple H or Orton having the upper hand but I can’t remember Cena posing at the end of a show. I guess they figure John Cena as the underdog is the best wat to sell the match. Of course all of this will mean nothing once the bell rings.

Prediction One thing I can say for sure is that Randy Orton will probably not leave the Citrus Bowl with his title in tact (though it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he did). There has been a lot of scuttlebutt about who will win and why which I will ignore and just go with my gut. I see Triple H walking out with the WWE Championship. The Game has not held a world title for two years and has lost in his last three Wrestlemania appearances. These facts should quell rumors about Triple H’s backstage power plays and holding down talent but some will be upset if the game goes over. However the same can be said if Cena or Orton goes over. Fan support during the match should be interesting to say the least. I think this will be an entertaining match. John Cena will be in peril much of the match as HHH and Orton keep laying him out and focusing on each other. Cena will comeback at the end but fall short as Triple H wins in an opportunistic fashion.

Expected GradeL B+
Predicted winner: Triple H

In Conclusion

I really believe WrestleMania will be an entertaining show. I think the card is a lot better than it looks on paper. The atmosphere of the Citrus Bowl will add a unique feel. Big time wrestling shows held in outdoor venues are extremely rare. The show will start before the sun sets and finish up under the stars (providing the sky’s not full of clouds). It’s the biggest show of the year and history will be made one way or another. It’s WrestleMania baby!

– Rob Sklarz
Sklarz@aol.com
3/26/08