DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu – Rookie Feedback + Predicting WrestleMania 24
Submitted by DaveyBoy on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 5:04 AM EST






THE WRESTLING MENU #253

Welcome one and all to the 253rd edition of The Wrestling Menu, the column that is sure to satisfy your taste buds when it comes to discussing all things wrestling.

It has been an interesting week or so on WWE programming to say the least. We have had the return of the Ayatollah Of Rock'N'Rollah, the retuirn of Ric Flair, the new feud of HBK vs Kennedy & a potential face turn with Finlay. And that was just on Raw. ECW treated us to a new look Kevin Thorn (who looks like he wants a Kronik like tag-team partner for mine), a debuting Shelton Benjamin & a very under-rated bout between my #1 & #2 rookies of 2006 in CM Punk vs Kenny Dykstra. Meanwhile, over on SmackDown, I did a double-take & had to make sure that I wasn't watching Days Of Our Lives when Edge was about to stick his tongue down Vicki Guerrero's throat!

Despite all that, I'm keeping it on the straight & narrow this week & dedicating pretty much all of my column to a little show that will be upon us in about 4 months time. There may be a few thousand people (all of them praying it doesn't rain) & it may be a spectacle. You may have heard of it.... It's called WrestleMania 24. Every year, I make a fool of myself by trying to predict the card to an upcoming WrestleMania about 4 months in advance. Then I get swamped with emails that contain variations on my card. I expect it to be the same this year & welcome it.

To begin with, I'll just have some brief feedback on my Rookie Rankings today. Then it will be a main course & dessert of WrestleMania 24.

On with the maniacal show.....


APPETIZERS – Rookie Feedback

If you had yet to read my 2007 Rookie Rankings from last week's column, you may still do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007_/articles/1195627410.php

I must admit that I did not get as much feedback to my Rookie Rankings this year as compared to previous efforts. That's a little understandable though as there was a smaller batch of rookies this year, while my #1 pick of MVP was pretty much unanimous.

Of the feedback I did receive, most had similar rankings but with variations here & there. I have to wonder sometimes whether or not that's just to say something different... LOL! Once more, I suppose those that would have agreed 100% with my rankings may not have felt it worthwhile to email me full stop. That's fair enough & I can understand why.

Unsurprisingly, most readers were a little surprised that I ranked Shad better than JTG. Many felt Shad was too much of a generic big guy & I can see where they are coming from. Call this one gut feeling & much of a muchness. In fact, a few respondents had both members of Cryme Tyme ranked ahead of both Major Brothers. I disagree with this & not just because the latter team still have their WWE jobs. I feel that either of the Major Brothers have some sort of chance at breaking out. As I recall suggesting last week, while they may not keep their jobs long, they also have more of a chance of ever being a World Champion than someone like Santino or Deuce does... Simply because of their look & size.

I had a few people think that Domino was better than Deuce, but the majority agreed that Deuce had the better character & was more likely to take another gimmick & make it work in the future. In fact, 2 or 3 readers had Deuce up a couple of spots in either positions #2 or #3!

Both Santino Marella & Cody Rhodes received mixed feedback. It appears as if Santino's mic work has won most over, but some are still doubting how long for. Furthermore, the majority of readers realized he must improve in the ring big time. I still think that it is his size that may play against him eventually more than anything else. As for Cody, some see potential & it's just a matter of how much potential there is. As I stated last week, I think he is young enough to work on his deficiencies of mic work, charisma & lack of muscle. A #2 ranking definitely seems too high for Cody, but I can only rank him against the other new guys for the year.

As I stated initially, MVP was a unanimous #1 out of this batch. The only real arguing point concerning him was whether or not he would ever win a World Title. That's actually a tough one for mine & only time will tell. I don't think he is as much as a certainty as what some would have you believe, but at the same time, it is definitely a possibility & the potential is there.


Booking WrestleMania 24

Make no bones about it, booking the grand-daddy of all wrestling pay-per-views is never an easy task 4 months before it actually occurs. This year was no exception & to some extent, I found it even more difficult because there appears to be a face overload, especially high on the Raw card. Throw in a potential extraordinary item in Ric Flair's possible last wrestling match & I almost had to throw a big name face or 2 into the Money In The Bank Ladder Match just to have them on the card. But I have somehow kept it to what I believe is reasonable, realistic & a darn good card to boot.

I was surprised last year when there were only 8 matches on the WrestleMania card proper. I think 9 is probably the best number considering the event will last all of 4 hours. 10 may be a tad too much to allow for backstage shenanigans & proper entrances, while 8 seems one too little unless one of the matches is turned into a 'Best Of 3 Falls' bout. For neatness sake, I have attempted to break the card down into halves. The first half listed in the 'Main' section is what I believe to be the 5 bouts that will arguably (for want of better wording) sell the card to a large extent. But then take a look at the other 4 matches I have booked in the 'Dessert' section & you will hopefully see the excellent depth & quality of the card I have put together.


MAIN - The 5 Main Attractions

RANDY ORTON vs TRIPLE H for the WWE Championship: As I wrote a few weeks back in my column, I believe this feud & eventual title match here to be all but a certainty, as Triple H was almost illogically pulled from title contention when he was smack bang in the middle of it a month or so back. Jericho will feud with Orton for a couple of months & then H will begin setting up this bout some time in January. It's not out of the question that Triple H could win the Royal Rumble, but I doubt it & feel it is unnecessary.

Match-up wise, the only other wrestlers I could see challenging Orton for the title here are Jericho & HBK. In fact, it is possible that either of them could be added to make this is a triple-threat match, but I somehow doubt it. The other options for Triple H would be some kind of gimmicked match against Vince or maybe even a strange interbrand face vs face bout against Batista. They are all long shots though & I believe this will be Orton vs H in a straight singles match for the title. It will also most likely be the main-event of the night. As for who emerges victorious, toss a coin as they will probably continue to feud for the following 2 months anyway. I'd say to go with the face Triple H due to the large crowd factor.

THE UNDERTAKER vs EDGE for the World HeavyWeight Title: The more I think about it, the more I will be disappointed if this match-up doesn't come to fruition come WrestleMania 24. And if you can allow me to show off for a moment, I predicted these 2 guys going at it on this stage before WrestleMania 23 even took place. It's just a natural match-up to occur when everything is taken into account, especially following the occurences that have taken place recently. The only debate is whether or not the title will be on the line here. If so, who holds the title going into the ppv & how/when do they win it? I have chosen The Undertaker as the reigning champion as I feel it best if Edge wins The Royal Rumble & enters the bout as challenger. In that case, I think I'd have 'Taker win the title at Armageddon as if a triple-threat match takes place there, it wouldn't make Batista look weak. It could even be Edge who gets pinned.

These 2 guys could go all out on the biggest stage & could even steal the show. The tough decision is who comes away from Orlando as the champion. Well, I'm going to stick to my guns here because way back on April-26 2006 (yep, some 19 months ago), I predicted that The Undertaker's WrestleMania winning streak would come to an end at this very event as I felt the timing would be about right & that 15 is a nice round number (http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2006/articles/1146059502.php). So, Edge gets the huge push & honor of ending the streak here!

MVP vs MATT HARDY for the United States Title: As per a poll column I wrote a few months back, I thought the best final match for Ric Flair would be to go out with a win & short U.S Title reign here by defeating the cocky long-reigning champion of a title that Flair held 28 years ago! However, since Matt Hardy's appendectomy last week, MVP & Matt have not had their opportunity for a payoff match to their long-running feud. And pure & simply, what will be a contender for the 2007 feud of the year, deserves a payoff bout. What better way to do it than have it on a WrestleMania card!?

And you know what, the history of the feud between MVP & Matt could mean that this could be a genuinely huge match if Matt's return is booked correctly. I would have Matt return hell-bent on destroying his former tag-team partner & have him return with a harder edge just for this bout. The timing in a strange sort of way is very good too as Matt should be back around late January meaning that WWE will have the perfect timeframe to lead up to this bout. I would also say that this could be an opportunity for a potential gimmicked bout, but I would rather it not be. And after all the build-up, I would have to book Matt to finally win the title & see if that gives him one almighty push on the cusp of main-eventing!

RIC FLAIR & BATISTA vs VINCE McMAHON & BOBBY LASHLEY in an Interbrand tag-team Match: So with injury conspiring to have Matt Hardy replace Ric Flair in a U.S Title bout, I had to find a place for the Nature Boy. I initially thought a bout vs Kennedy for the InterContinental Title may have been an option (it still could be if WWE want a heel to really go over huge by retiring Ric), while respect face vs face matches against either HBK or Batista were also considered. But I felt most of them were a little impromptu & he would be better served being set up for something, so I decided to go for something more intricate.

Since Vince McMahon has been the man to instigate Ric's "Win or Retire" stipulation recently, I expect him to be heaviliy involved in the closing retirement. But I don't feel Vince needs to be involved with him on a weekly basis initially, so I would have Finlay one-up Vince McMahon over the next few weeks, only for Vince to somehow talk Lashley over to the dark side as a hired gun of sorts to destroy the Irishman. There are simply too many upper card faces in WWE right now & while Lashley may not be the most obvious to turn heel, I think Vince could help him immeasurably.

With Finlay out of the way come January, I see Vince being surprised that Flair is still around & setting his sights on an ageing Nature Boy. This would get Vince & Flair into a feud of sorts, with Lashley threatening to be the man to retire Flair, but somehow doesn't. Then, I'd have big Dave step in to help & protect his mentor, setting up this bout which could really go either way. Vince could retire Flair on the biggest stage (because he is Vince & he can do whatever he likes). Lashley could retire Flair on the biggest stage to get a huge heel push out of it. Or the faces could to win to give the Nature Boy a reward of sorts before he is retired the next night on Raw by either of the 2 men in a singles bout. A tag match like this may seem to be a little unfitting for one of the greatest wrestlers of all time to go out on, but he isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore & I would prefer an ounce of reality, which this is. Of course, another option here is to have 2 separate singles bouts in Vince vs Flair (maybe in a gimmicked match), as well as Batista vs Lashley.

MR.KENNEDY vs SHAWN MICHAELS vs CHRIS JERICHO in a Triple-Threat Match for the InterContinental Title: Booking around the face upper midcarders of HBK, Jericho, Lashley, Rey, Jeff Hardy, Batista & Flair was the toughest thing to do on this card. There simply weren't enough heels to go around to face them. Kennedy was always going to play a key in proceedings & I think this was the best way for it all to unfold. While recent history suggests that the InterContinental Title will not be defended at WrestleMania, I'm always in favor of building it up & I think this match-up would do the job.

It just makes sense to me as long as Kennedy can be booked to win the InterContinetal Title some time in the next 2 months (I actually would have had him win it already, but that's another story). Kennedy is currently feuding with HBK who just happens to have history with Y2J, so I think the dynamic would be perfect. This is especially so since HBK has shown some tweener traits of late, while I feel Jericho would best be served exhibiting some as well just in case he is required to pull off a heel turn some time late next year. Of course, this would all lead to a Kennedy vs Jericho feud afterwards which could be a great one to experience both in & out of the ring in 2008. This bout could be a genuine show-stealer & I think the dynamic between the 3 would negate any inherent deficiencies of the triple-threat gimmick. As for who comes out of this one with title in hand, I'd say that KK retains.


DESSERT - The 4 To Add Depth

CM PUNK vs SHELTON BENJAMIN vs JOHN MORRISON in a Triple-Threat Match for the ECW Title: The recent addition of Shelton Benjamin to the ECW roster is a very good one & it should have occurred mid-year when the draft took place. He was in a similar position to that of Morrison when the 2 were on Raw & there is no reason why Benjamin cannot be a future ECW World Titleholder as well. The key & tough thing here is keeping the title on Punk & keeping him fresh & entertaining for the next 4 months.

It is a much of a muchness whether this is a triple-threat or just Punk vs Benjamin in a singles bout. The latter would work just as well & Morrison may be required to give a little more sizzle to the Money In The Bank Ladder Match anyway. But I will slightly lean towards the triple-threat based on the effective results of the recent one which included 2 of these 3 men at Survivor Series. This could be a great opener which could rate highly, even if I would see the heel Benjamin as emerging victorious & beginning his first ever singles world title reign.

JEFF HARDY vs UMAGA vs SANTINO MARELLA vs REY MYSTERIO vs FINLAY vs JAMIE NOBLE vs ELIJAH BURKE vs THE MIZ in a 'Money In The Bank' Ladder Match: WWE increased the number of participants of this gimmick match to 8 earlier this year & I suppose they may leave it at that number come 2008. If so, I see the above 8 men challenging for the #1 contendership, with Morrison (or Benjamin) possibly replacing one of my 8 if WWE does not feel there is enough athleticism amongst them. If the number of participants is returned to 6, then I would see Santino & Noble missing out from my suggestions.

As this gimmick match has been entertaining ever since it arrived on the WWE scene, I think you can get away with having just 2 or 3 excitement machines nowadays. And there is no better way to describe Jeff & Rey than being excitement machines. Their recent man-handling by Umaga makes him almost a certainty to be included, while the ECW duo would be good inclusions as long as they built up well. Santino & Noble obviously add the comedy/entertainment aspect if they were to be included. Of course, there are only 2 potential winners here... That's not necessarily a death knell to the match. Flip a coin as to who gets the duke, but with most expecting Jeff to get the win, I'd probably go with Rey to set up an Edge vs Mysterio feud.

BETH PHOENIX vs CANDICE MICHELLE (vs MELINA vs MICKIE JAMES) (in a Fatal Fourway) for the Women's Title: You will notice the brackets in the match title above & the main reason I use them is because the final look of this bout should probably depend on how Candice Michelle returns from her recent injury. I see her making some sort of crowd-lifting triumphant return some time in the new year, but it's fair to say that there could be some physical & mental repercussions from the way her injury occurred.

Many believe this match will simply be Beth vs Mickie, but I see that feud coming & going before March. Furthermore, the expected return date of Candice fits in too well here & it's fair to suggest she was over when she got injured. If made into a fatal fourway, Mickie & Melina would add good wrestling ability & an ability to draw the crowd into the bout further, which is always important for what is often seen as a filler bout at WrestleMania. Either way, I'd have the returning Candice leave Orlando triumphant!

KANE, MARK HENRY, CHUCK PALUMBO, FESTUS & THE GREAT KHALI vs BIG DADDY V, BALLZ MAHONEY, TOMMY DREAMER, KEVIN THORN & THE BOOGEYMAN vs SNITSKY, LANCE CADE, TREVOR MURDOCH, CODY RHODES & HARDCORE HOLLY in a 'Pray The Ring Holds Up' Match: I actually am unsure whether I want this to be some sort of 3 team contest or just a straight 15 man battle royal, but I think the interest factor is somehow there in a corny old 1980's WrestleMania kind of way. WWE simply have far too many behemoths that I really don't want to be included anywhere else on the card to not use them in such a way. If it's a team bout, I'd give the SmackDown boys the win. If it's a battle royal, I'd probably suggest that Khali gets the W... That's if the ring holds up of course.


Ok, so there is the current WrestleMania 24 card according to me. If I was to nominate a dark match, it would most likely be some sort of tag-team bout since that seems to be the title(s) that I have ignored on the card (presuming the cruiserweight title is actually no longer). So something like a London & Kendrick vs Deuce & Domino bout should do the job or warming up the crowd well enough. Otherwise, I think I have done a fairly good job of booking what would not only be a card that sells well enough, but also one that is realistic, would be entertaining & have the ability to have 6 or 7 bouts rate an 8 out of 10 or higher!


So anyway... Am I dreaming that this is a good & realistic WrestleMania card...??? Let me know via feedback & if you have any better ideas, I will even include it in my column in a fortnights time. Last year, a few match-ups came out of reader feedback that I really liked & chances are that will happen again this week. So get those ideas into me ASAP, whether it be individual matches or the entire card. My e-mail address is DaveyBoy123@bigpond.com, but if you are an LOP Forums member, it would be much appreciated if you could leave feedback on my thread at http://www.lopforums.com/showthread.php?t=217&page=9. I can assure you that I will reply to all feedback.

And while you are on the LOP Forums, why don't you check out my weekly contributions to the Album Review thread. So far, I have reviewed multiple albums by groups such as My Chemical Romance, Muse, Rise Against, Razorlight, The Killers, Kasabian, The All-American Rejects, Kaiser Chiefs, AFI, Panic At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Jet, Hinder, LostProphets, Trust Company, Orson, Daughtry, Bayside, Funeral For A Friend, The Klaxons, Taking Back Sunday, The Fratellis, Wolfmother, Story Of The Year & Franz Ferdinand. All these reviews can be viewed by simply clicking on the following link & scrolling down: http://www.lopforums.com/showthread.php?t=99&page=3.

In order to process & reply to all of the feedback concerning the booking for WrestleMania 24 (not to mention begin my Christmas shopping), I will most likely take next Wednesday off in regards to my column. I will then be back the following week on December-12 to list some reader ideas for WM24 as well as attempt to predict what will at that stage be the upcoming Armageddon ppv. So my column will be posted at the same Wednesday time on the same LOP channel on the 12th. Until then, this is DaveyBoy signing off & asking you to remember that dinner is best served in 3 courses.


DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu. 2002-2007

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***DIRECT LINK*** Wow! Very Hot Shots of MARIA on a HOT ROD!

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