28 Days of 'Mania: The 5 Wrestlers Who Are Affected Most by the Event

Disclaimer: This will be an ongoing series for the next 28 days leading up to the biggest event in sports entertainment, WrestleMania 28. The idea behind the piece is to build more momentum for the event and give you, the Bleacher Report fan, a chance to read, comment and weigh in with opinions about the WWE, the business and the event. It is my hope this becomes something positive and we all enjoy the ride for the next four weeks to Miami and the biggest event of the wrestling year. Enjoy.

Oh, we are so close we can taste it. The feel, the lights, the tension and the drama.

In the final week leading up to the grand event, WrestleMania XXVIII, there will be much to talk about, much to see and much to possibly change. Wrestlers have been waiting a full year to perform their magic on wrestling's greatest stage. Two wrestlers, The Rock and John Cena, have literally been waiting the whole year to lock horns and prove who is the best the WWE has to offer.

But there is more to it than two overblown mouth pieces getting in the ring. In fact, that match between the two is not as significant (in my opinion) as the title matches and the "Hell in a Cell" soap opera that is unfolding. There is more to be gained than lost at a show like this. And there are wrestlers toiling in purgatory who need a great showing to move on to bigger and better things.

These wrestlers in particular need WrestleMania to shine the spotlight on them so their careers can either continue to flourish, or they will get a much-needed push towards superstardom.

Beth Phoenix

I hate the concept of a celebrity tag team match when there are female wrestlers who can perform and deserve a chance to shine.

But Phoenix (along with Eve) is a nice combination. If Natalya turns on her friend at some point, the balance of power shifts and the divas are moving forward.

Phoenix hasn't had any real competition lately, so she has been a forgotten champion.

Maybe this will help her rise again in the eyes of the fans and the creative team.

The Miz

This one pretty much sums it up for itself.

He needs a better angle and a better showing.

The Miz is main event talent that fizzled out too soon and was used in a way that means he is stuck in the middle of the pack right now.

What happens to him? Does he compete? Does he stir the pot? Does he involve himself in the Rock/Cena match?

Hopefully, all this leads to Miz re-inventing himself.

Chris Jericho

I think he takes the WWE Title on Sunday night away from CM Punk. But it's more than that for Jericho, who appears to be good in the ring but not the great wrestler he used to be.

The fact he is resorting to low blows in comments about Punk's family issues is worse than anything The Rock is doing in those awful promos.

Jericho's star is still bright, but there may be some tarnish on the edges. He needs a great, solid match  and a win to prove he still has the in-ring ability to turn everyone on their ear.

Cody Rhodes

It is very possible that Rhodes will lose the Intercontinental Title and still be a winner in this match.

The reason can be related to Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler lost the United States Title to Zack Ryder and then challenged CM Punk for the WWE Title. I am not saying this will happen, but I can see a scenario where Rhodes loses to Big Show and then challenges Sheamus for the World Title.

Rhodes is the company's best heel right now and could easily be a champion. The only thing standing in his way is Daniel Bryan and a really big Irishmen.

The Undertaker

No one man can control the destiny of this event like The Undertaker.

While we are fascinated with the trinity of Undertaker, HHH and HBK, the "Streak" is still the one thing that separates him from everyone else.

And with the tensions between all three wrestlers in the match boiling over, it can be assumed this "Streak" is now secondary to the outcome between three of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

Rest assured (and I believe this is 'Taker's last match), there will blood and hell to pay. And The Undertaker will forever be the greatest of all time.