No Way Out Changes The Landscape For Wrestlemania

Never say "never" when it comes to Sports Entertainment, specifically to the WWE and Vince McMahon's knack for proving all the dirt sheets wrong.

"Just another pay per view" is how many in the world of wrestling dirt sheets labeled No Way Out and in some respects they were right and in other respects they were way off.

Just when everyone thought they had the PPV figured out, Vince pulls another ace out of his pocket and while RAW Superstar John Cena is no longer the World Champion; Smackdown Superstar Edge is the New World Champion.

What?  Huh?  What are you talking about?  I thought Edge was the WWE Champion?

Well Edge WAS the WWE Champion until he was eliminated in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber Sunday night at No Way Out.  That's right, not only did the Smackdown Elimination chamber open the show, not only was it the better of the two chamber matches, but in just about two minutes into the match Edge was eliminated.

I believe most fans were on the same page that Triple H was going to win the title for the 13th time, which he did but I don't think anyone suspected things would play out the way that they did later in the second main event.

As Kofi Kingston makes his way to the ring for the RAW elimination chamber match, Edge injects himself into the situation, takes Kofi out with a steel chair and places himself into the match by locking himself into one of the pods. 

At first I'm thinking, how is this possible and why? But the moment I knew Edge was in the match to stay, I knew Edge was leaving No Way Out as the World Champion, and that's what he did.

I must admit that when it came down to Edge and Mysterio, I was pulling for Edge.  I can't stand Rey Mysterio.

But I was also wondering what implications this would have for RAW, Smackdown and Wrestlemania.

Does RAW now have no champion since Smackdown Superstars hold both titles?  Will Triple H be headed to RAW and is that who Stephanie was talking to on the phone?  Will they now inject into the storyline that Triple H is Stephanie's husband and that he will continue to represent the McMahon family against Orton?

Or Will Edge remain on RAW to Face John Cena at Wrestlemania while Randy Orton goes after Triple H on Smackdown?

What does this do to the rumor of Orton facing Austin at Wrestlemania?  Has Austin decided not to do one more match or would Orton just not do the "job?"

Where does this put Chris Jericho who is rumored to face Ric Flair at WM and Shawn Michaels who is rumored to face the Undertaker.

Is the Undertaker entitled to a rematch after jobbing the title to Triple H at No Way Out in a classic battle between the WWE's top two superstars?

RAW will be interesting tonight to say the least.

Not only did Randy Orton defeat Shane McMahon at No Way Out, Orton is still the winner of the Royal Rumble and still the No. 1 contender for a title shot at Wrestlemania, a title shot of his chosing and we know he isn't going after Jack Swagger.

What will Stephanie have to say tonight on RAW?

PREDICTIONS

No matter who goes where I think it's safe at this point to say that Triple H will be defending the WWE title against Randy Orton.

It's equally safe to say that Edge will be defending the World Title against John Cena.  After all Edge was the one who wasn't even supposed to be in the match and he is the one who eliminated Cena and went on to win the title, setting up another feud with Cena chasing the gold heading into WM.

How will the WWE piece together the rest of the WM card?  Will the Undertaker return to RAW?  Will Shawn Michaels address the crowd tonight on RAW about his win over JBL, earning his freedom and what he plans to do next?

Will Austin have a match yet?

With the WWE and their new PG rating, does this make "The Rated R Superstar" the Rated PG Superstar?

We're about to find out in what looks like the wildest ride to Wrestlemania since Andre turned on Hulk Hogan in Piper's Pit!