WWE: The December Version of Booking Wrestlemania XXVII

Why am I doing this? Because it’s meaningless fun. Please comment with your thoughts.

WWE Championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton

After WWE neutered Randy Orton’s face turn by focusing too heavily on the CeNexus storyline, I had come around to the thought of a Cena vs. Undertaker Wrestlemania main event. Unfortunately, due to Undertaker’s injury, he shouldn’t be anywhere near the main event if he is indeed able to come back. This is the money match, if run as face vs. face. Miz fends off Orton at TLC with an assist from Alex Riley and then beats Morrison in a token former tag partners title match that is allowable at The Rumble. Orton wins the Rumble match, followed by Cena winning the title Elimination Chamber.

Winner: Orton clean, leads to Cena heel turn.

World Championship: Title vs. Mask, Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio

This feud has legs and big-time potential. The crowd is already hot for it, so add the title belt and you have a real moneymaker on your hands.

Del Rio beat Rey again at TLC, ripping out his shoulder and putting him on the shelf. Edge wins the belt from Kane at TLC with Del Rio knocking off Edge at The Rumble in a short feud. Once again, people don’t buy the Rumble for the title matches, but instead the Battle Royal. Quickly built feuds are allowable. Mysterio makes his return at Elimination Chamber. Del Rio escapes the match with the belt, but not after getting a scare. Rey challenges him for the belt. Del Rio cuts a promo about how he used to wear a mask when he was young, until he realized how good-looking he was. He didn’t have anything to hide, until Rey. He says he’ll give him his shot at the belt if Rey puts his mask on the line.

Winner: Rey, even though I’d love to see Del Rio get the win, this is the crowd-pleaser you want on a show like Mania. 

Triple H vs. Sheamus, Street Fight

This feud will have run the course of a full year at this point. Triple H’s time off over the summer and through the fall kept it fresh, though, and Sheamus’ increased profile compared to last year make this match something to see. Making it a Street Fight would allow for some good brawling, which is really what these guys are known for and creates and opportunity for good storytelling.

Winner: Sheamus. In a Street Fight setting, it protects Triple H enough while still putting over Sheamus as a brutal brawler. Sheamus needs this win to really cement his place on the roster.

The Undertaker vs. Wade Barrett

Barrett has proven during the CeNexus storyline that he has the chops to really sell a match with his mic work. He’s a big, young loudmouth who has built a place for himself in the upper card of rosters. Nexus helped Kane bury the Undertaker, so he’s back for revenge. This doesn’t have to be a long match, and Barrett isn’t really in a place that he needs to be too heavily protected. Even getting beaten decisively by the Undertaker is a better rub than he’d receive from just about any other spot on the card.

Winner: Undertaker

Tag Team Championship: Edge and Christian vs. Miz and Alex Riley, Ladder Match

Since Christian returned, we’ve all wanted to see an extended program with the two involved as either a team or rivals, or perhaps as a team, and later rivals. We all know that tag wrestling is dead for the moment, which doesn’t provide a great chance to see this type of nostalgic reunion.

By keeping Edge face, he wins the belt at TLC to later lose it to Del Rio. Christian returns, we get a backstage segment with them reminiscing, which cheers up Edge. They agree they miss the good old times and get a title shot at Elimination Chamber against Gabriel and Slater. After Miz loses his belt and is defeated in the EC, he and Riley declare that while E&C used to reek of awesomeness, now they just reek and Miz and Riley are the new face of the Era of Awesome. The promos write themselves as this is the first match as part of a several-month feud. It’s a Ladder Match. Why? Because Ladder Matches are AWESOME!

Winners: Miz and Riley, because the feud can’t be over here. Miz needs this type of moment to further cement his place while elevating the belts. The two teams trade reigns through the summer until Miz and Riley finally are victorious as E&C explode headed to SummerSlam.

Money in the Bank: Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, Kofi Kingston, The Big Show, Justin Gabriel, Dolph Ziggler, MVP, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne

Big Show and Jack Swagger are your anchors to throw around the smaller guys, MVP is your veteran who would be the feel-good winner. Gabriel, Bourne and Kofi could do some crazy spots. Ziggler, Rhodes and Dibiase are your standard midcarders who need a spot on the show.

Winner: Jack Swagger. They aborted his win last time, but he’s improved his work and is more legit this time around.

Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix vs. Natalya Neidhart, Lumberjill Match

It’s a Lumberjill match because WWE always finds it necessary to get as many divas onto the show as possible so they can all receive their PPV show check. Phoenix and Natalya are the two most talented women’s wrestlers in the company, and they should be showcased here if they are going to showcase anyone from the Divas. Either could easily turn heel and win the belt. My preference is for Phoenix to be the heel champion.

Winner: Natalya

U.S. Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk

Indy wrestling fans, please change your pants. This match is listed last as I believe it should be the show opener to get the crowd really going. Bryan can carry the belt indefinitely as far as I’m concerned, as long as he continues to have quality matches. He’s not ready for the main event by a long shot, but a significant feud with Punk would do the trick. They wanted to start the feud around now, but I’m glad it’s been put on hold until Punk heals up so it still feels fresh at Mania. If WWE were to give the match the 15 minutes it deserves, it could electrify the crowd and give the show great momentum.

Winner: Daniel Bryan, because he needs it more and the babyface winning the opening bout lifts the crowd.