DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu – WrestleMania 24 Hype & Predictions
Submitted by DaveyBoy on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 12:46 AM EST






THE WRESTLING MENU #264

Welcome one and all to the 264th edition of The Wrestling Menu, the column that is sure to satisfy your taste buds when it comes to discussing all things wrestling.

I must make a mental note for myself regarding March 2009; Don't peak too early on the 'Road to WrestleMania'. Seriously folks, I hate saying it but I wish WrestleMania 24 would get here fast. I'm not 100% certain as to why to be honest, but that is the underlying thought I have had for about the past week now. And it's not exactly that overly positive "I can't wait" get here fast, it's more that "hurry up and be over with already" get here fast unfortunately.

Through feedback, readers were predominantly positive on my idea to include in my last 2 columns a discussion of the WrestleMania 24 bouts individually and in more detail before I got to my predictions column today. But I wonder if that had something to do with my want for the big dance to get here quick smart. It's difficult to tell as it really could be any number of factors... The major one being the effectiveness of the hype leading into this year's event which I will discuss in the 'Main' section of today's column.

Before I get to that and my PPV predictions, it is only fair that I discuss a 9th and possibly 10th match-up that WWE has added to the card, because if I didn't, well my life could be in danger from those rioting ECW fans that would be hunting me down... All 2 of them! I think I could take Joey Styles, but I might need some help with Tazz!

Just in case you have yet to read my detailed discussion on the 8 other matches adorning this year's WrestleMania card, you still may do so by clicking on the following links:

- http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008/articles/1204693551.php: Beth & Melina vs Candice (now Ashley) & Maria / Flair vs Michaels / Orton vs HHH vs Cena / Edge vs The Undertaker.
- http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008/articles/1205298965.php: JBL vs Finlay / The Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather / MITBank Ladder Match / Batista vs Umaga.

Ok, it's on with the maniacal show.....


APPETIZERS

Battle Royal & ECW Title Match

I have to be honest with you folks, I am really surprised that this match (or matches) has been added to the card. With the significant downplaying of the ECW Title over the past 3 months or so, I just couldn't see why WWE would do what I would almost term an about face. I just thought that the current champion Chavo Guerrero would be thrown into the Money in the Bank Ladder match so he could challenge himself down the track if the miracle occurred and he climbed the ladder for the victory. Hey, he was in the Royal Rumble and that made just as little sense!

Therefore, I have to conclude that WWE has a plan. Stop the presses! There has to be a reason for this whole setup and for the matches to occur. I just couldn't fathom the logic if some undercarder or midcarder won the battle royal and then simply lost his title bout to Chavo afterwards. It would be useless and likely waste a lot of time.

Of course, how much time will be wasted would depend upon whether or not the 24 man battle royal was to take place on the card itself or as the dark match before the show goes to air. While most may feel it would be the latter as history suggests it, I have a gut feeling it will make the cut and get on the card proper. It could be entertaining in a number of ways, involving for the crowd and wouldn't last as long as you would think, especially if Chavo simply walks out to begin the title match immediately afterwards. The whole process could easily be over and done with in less than 20 minutes!

Apart from the usual comedy spots, entertaining gang-ups and action aplenty, one of the reasons for this whole setup could be a surprise entrant. Who knows... Maybe the aforementioned Tazz could get in the ring and shock the ECW world! Jerry Lawler, Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, this list could go on all day, but I'm certain that there would be a huge queue lining up to be ECW Champion. Strangely, I'm not so certain how serious or sarcastic I am being with that last comment.... Let's call it 50-50.

Anyway, where was I...??? That's right, surprise entrants and those of the realistic kind; I can only think of 2 men here. Firstly, the guy who has hardly been mentioned of late and one has to feel it is on purpose. The master of mattitude; Matt Hardy. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to see him returning from injury in this spot, shifting brands to ECW and beginning a relatively long feud with Chavo. The other man I am seriously considering is Rob Van Dam. Reports suggest he is comfortable doing what he is doing and doesn't want to go through the rigors of wrestling right now. It's probably true, but I also thought John Cena was still 3 months away when The Royal Rumble took place!

What will most likely occur though is for a Raw or SmackDown face to win the battle royal and then challenge Chavo Guerrero for his ECW Title afterwards. Whether the challenger wins the title or not, I would think that the said wrestler will shift brands after WrestleMania 24 to be involved in a feud with Chavo. Who do I think will be said wrestler...??? I'm unsure right now, but I'm certain if I was to right another 10 paragraphs or so, I could come up with someone by then.


MAIN: WrestleMania 24 Hype

Over the past 5 years leading up to WrestleMania, I have always had emails from readers in the weeks prior to the big event asking me what I think the quality of the hype has been. With the rare exception, it is usually a lead-in to an opinion from the fan that they have been disappointed with most aspects of the build-up to the event as a whole, or groups of individual matches.

With almost all of these instances, I have given my honest opinion in reply (as always), but then attempted to concentrate on the positives leading up to WrestleMania. It wasn't too far of a stretch actually as I genuinely believe that the setting up of the last few 'Manias has been pretty good, even if it didn't result in a show that could be termed classic over those years.

However, for whatever reason, I am finding it a little trickier to concentrate on the positives in my replies this year. I have in certain circumstances, for example, my attempts at calming down those who are a little angry that WWE took the easy option of a Triple-Threat match with the WWE Championship on the line. I still feel the dynamic is good in what will most likely be the main-event and I have enjoyed the promos that each man has delivered over the past few episodes of Raw.

But for the other major negative points that readers have brought up, I haven't quite been my usual dapper self. There are 2 other major talking points, the first being the relative lack of importance seemingly placed on the World HeavyWeight Title match between Edge and The Undertaker. This should be huge... A long undefeated streak vs an undefeated streak of sorts and a subtly put together feud over many months. As I said 3 weeks ago, I really like the way WWE initially built up to this, but where is the crescendo? Where is that feeling telling us to be on the edge of our seats come Sunday night? I can only hope that it all comes together on the night!

And then of course there is the great battle between The Big Show and Floyd Mayweather. The match between a seemingly egotistical boxer that wrestling fans can't help but dislike and a returning wrestler who the crowd really want to cheer, but can't really do so because WWE keeps having him do dastardly heel acts week in and week out. Whatever WWE has planned, I fear for this match. I fear for how the huge Orlando crowd is going to treat it and I fear for how padded out with dead time it will likely be. In this case, I can only hope WWE has an entertaining plan up their sleeve!

Furthermore, and someone may correct me here, but I feel that there is a little more filler included on this year's WrestleMania card than there has been over the past few years. The Women's matches will always cancel themselves out pretty much, but JBL vs Finlay, the ECW Title situation and Batista vs Umaga just seem to be a little too much like time fillers to me. Sure, some of them may indeed be good come the night, but I am not exactly anticipating them greatly right now and that is what WrestleMania hype is supposed to be all about.

Thankfully, I still have the feeling that most should be alright come the night. Add in the fact that the build-up to the Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels match eventually improved and a card that is at least rather difficult to predict, means I haven't lost all hope. But to wrap-up, I must say that I have been a little disappointed with the hype leading up to WrestleMania 24 as it has been a little below par for WWE. But let's not dwell on the past, kick a$$ on the night and I will indeed forgive and quite possibly forget.


DESSERT

WrestleMania 24 Predictions

Before getting stuck into the results, I must admit that I not only had a difficult time predicting the winners of some of the matches, but I also found it tricky to predict what order the matches would take place in. It's always tough trying to read WWE's mind about what matches they deem more important than others and they will usually place one of the main bouts (usually from SmackDown) midcard just to annoy us all. Oh well, I tried to keep it simple at the end, while using the divas tag match as the come-down from the Flair retirement bout.

MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH to win a Contract for a Future World Title Challenge: I think this match may indeed open up proceedings this year. The lack of main-event superstars involved in it tells me it's a good choice as it will get the crowd hot, but at the same time not use many of the big names. With Jeff Hardy's suspension ruling him out of this bout, it is scary to say that I'm writing these words not exactly certain of who I think will win here! I fully expect Matt Hardy to be added to the match and would actually be disappointed if he wasn't. Personally, I think the best result would be an MVP win, but if Matt is involved here, they will most likely take each other out & then feud up to a Backlash encounter.

I don't really give Benjamin, Morrison, Carlito or Punk all that much chance, so I suppose I am with the majority here thinking it comes down to Jericho & Kennedy (who will most likely feud themselves afterwards). Initially, I was put off by Kennedy's vow to cash in the contract on the night. But now I smell a rat because he has continued to mention it and I wonder if it isn't part of a bigger picture (whether he does actually cash it in within 24 hours or not). So I guess it's Kennedy for me. As for the match itself, it will be its usual entertaining self, but may not be as long as some of the past ones as there is less star power involved here & 10 matches on the card this year. Winner: Mr.Kennedy

JBL vs FINLAY in a Belfast Brawl: As I stated in my last column, this match-up doesn't do a great deal for me and I just hope that WWE make it entertaining in some way, shape or form. That could be via a brutal & bloody brawl and/or to include some comedy spots. I just can't see it being anything but filler if Finlay takes it to the mat or JBL wrestles in his typical big man fashion. The result here almost entirely depends on how much longer this "Vince's son" storyline runs. Knowing Vince, we may never hear of it again or it could run the length of 2008! Personally, I find it makes a little more sense if the heel gets the victory here. I'm not altogether sure why, so we'll call it gut feeling. Winner: JBL

BATISTA vs UMAGA in an Inter-Brand Match: I still believe this could be a very handy undercard bout & like the match-up. I also agree with the rumors that have been going around that these 2 should continue to feud after this event, with Umaga moving across to SmackDown definitely being my preferred option. There have been similar rumors swirling around the internet that this match will end in some kind of draw (double disqualification, double countout or no result), but I am not going to predict such a result on a WrestleMania card. If WWE wanted to not have a clean finish here, then have someone win by DQ please. Personally, I'd go with the man higher up in the pecking order on the biggest card of the year. Winner: Batista

24 MAN BATTLE ROYAL to Become the #1 Contender for the ECW Title: Barring one of those surprise entrants that I was talking about in the 'Appetizers' section of today's column, I am indeed going with the majority vote here and predicting a win for the Big Red Machine. It does worry me that he has been at the forefront of most of the hype for the match as it almost seems too obvious that he will win here. But with that also comes an expectation from the live crowd and I have this funny feeling that there is going to be a hell of a percentage of the 70,000 odd in attendance cheering on Kane as if he is their favorite sports team. I'll probably be doing the same thing in my lounge room! This should be rapid-fire action with entertaining spot after entertaining spot, probably lasting not a great deal longer than 10 minutes. Winner: Kane

CHAVO GUERRERO vs KANE for the ECW Title: And this should last shorter than 10 minutes. While the 2 are likely to feud over the ECW Title in the following months, no matter what the result here, I don't think this is the correct time to have a long psychological encounter. They probably will have a few style issues to work out with each other and I am actually quite confident they will be able to do that... Just not immediately. Have Chavo get on top of the tiring Kane early & then let the crowd bring the Big Red Machine home like a fast-finishing racehorse down the outside for the title win. It's only fitting for the deserving veteran. Winner: Kane

FLOYD MAYWEATHER vs THE BIG SHOW: Speaking of crowd involvement, I sense a disaster here unless Vince pulls a rabbit out of his hat. The booking decision of continuing to make TBS out as a heel has genuinely surprised me and this could end up a mixture of Mr.T vs 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and King Kong Bundy threatening to squash a midget from past WrestleManias! In fact, if the majority of the crowd don't get behind Show, then that could be even worse as we all know how silent the reaction for most heel vs heel matches are! Like I said, Vince and the creative team simply need to entertain our socks off here or else the Orlando crowd will either be silent, threaten to riot or simply start counting the stars in the sky! Oh yeah, Mayweather wins because his contract says so and then Big Show throws a picture perfect 20 yard pass (with Floyd being the football) to the boxer's posse. Winner: Floyd Mayweather

RIC FLAIR vs SHAWN MICHAELS in a Career-Threatening Match: I was getting a little worried there that this Flair retirement storyline was going to be one big disappointment, but it's been great to see this feud steadily build. Michaels hasn't been entirely convincing in the role, but it has admittedly been a tough gig to perfect. While Flair seems to have found some of that much revered fire in his belly of late and thankfully looks to be up for what could be a marvelous match & a memorable moment. The added bonus here is that the result is unclear. It would not surprise me to see Flair win & wrestle for another 1-4 weeks. And it really wouldn't even surprise me to see Flair somehow pull out a win & then retire as a winner. In fact, that is the ending I actually want to see! But for nothing but prediction safety, HBK gets the job done after 15 odd minutes of intriguing & involving action. Winner: Shawn Michaels

BETH PHOENIX & MELINA vs ASHLEY MASSARO & MARIA in a LumberJill Tag-Team Match: Presuming Flair is forced to retire, I figure that there will be one hell of an emotional moment taking place and a come-down match of sorts will be required. The divas match seems to fit the bill better than any other bout on the card, hence my placement of this so late into the night. Forget "BunnyMania" and forget "The Glamazon", I'm calling this a LumberJill Tag-Team Match.

No matter what it ends up being, the bout has had to endure a last minute change with Candice Michelle injuring herself once more. That's a real shame as I was fairly certain she was going to be built up for another tilt at Beth's Women's Title and this match was going to be the beginning of that storyline. Furthermore, I wonder if yet another injury is going to totally mess with her psyche possibly resulting in her never being the same in the ring again. That would be a shame as she showed genuine improvement in the ring throughout 2007. Candice's absence does throw some doubt over the result, but I will still predict a face win in what will now be an even shorter match. Winners: Ashley & Maria

EDGE vs THE UNDERTAKER for the World HeavyWeight Title: I am not confident, but I do hope this bout is placed 3rd last on the night at the earliest. It is too big of a match to treat unfittingly. As I have mentioned a few times in my column, 6 months ago I would have said that Edge gets to end the streak here. But with each passing week, I have slowly changed my mind... To the point where this just doesn't quite seem like the correct time to end such a huge accomplishment as a 15 match WrestleMania winning streak.

The only thing left to be decided then is whether 'Taker wins the title or wins the match by disqualification. It's a close call and I don't really have to predict it here if I don't want to, but you know how I am about predicting DQ's at WrestleMania. I can't see why the phenom couldn't win the title here and then allow Edge to regain at Backlash. As for the match quality, these 2 will step up as they always do at the big dance... It's just a matter of the bookers allowing them the time to do so. Winner: The Undertaker

RANDY ORTON vs JOHN CENA vs TRIPLE H in a Triple-Threat Match for the WWE Championship: It's WrestleMania main-event time so look forward to a grand entrance or 3. Cena will probably parachute in while sections of the crowd take pot-shots at him with whatever they can get their hands on. I've written about this match a fair bit already in both this column & my previous writings over the past month or so. I like it, I think it will be very good & there is going to be one hell of an atmosphere during the bout with a genuine sports-like feeling swirling around the Citrus Bowl. "Lets go Cena", "Lets go Triple H", "Lets go... hang on a tick"! As for the result, I cannot see a reason for Orton to retain and while it would not be a disaster if Cena had a short title reign, I just can't see the point. For many reasons H is the best winner to go with here. Winner: Triple H


Ok, so there we have WrestleMania 24 in a 10 match nutshell. As I have insinuated and/or said both today and over the past few weeks, it hasn't been a perfectly set up WrestleMania and on paper it isn't the best card we will ever see for a WrestleMania. But it's WrestleMania damn it and just writing out these predictions tells me that there is enough quality scattered here and there that if the night is booked well and the performances are top-notch, then why couldn't this rival the great WrestleMania's of the past such as #10, #14 & #17. Never discount the magic that is WrestleMania is what I say. Whether you are going to be at the Citrus Bowl, at a bar or in the comfort of your own lounge room, let yourself be carried away by that magic and simply enjoy the one night that we wrestling fans should.


Ok, that's #264 done & dusted. It ended up being lengthier than I thought it would be, but I am sure that most of you were able to get through it being WrestleMania week and all. I am super flat chat at work this week… 4 day weeks have their positives and negatives I suppose. Bottom line is that I am already behind in responding to emails, so if you send one my way over the next week, please be patient for a response. I will get back to you though, so don't hesitate in sending some feedback my way. 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=159&page=2.

Next Wednesday I will be back with my WrestleMania 24 review and who knows what else. I’m certain that things will occur on Sunday night that will demand writing about. As always, my column will be posted at the same Wednesday time on the same LOP channel. Until then, this is DaveyBoy signing off & asking you to remember that dinner is best served in 3 courses.


DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu. 2002-2008

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