Wrestlemania 26 Predictions

This is my first time writing for the Bleacher Report, but I'm so glad to be writing about something that I have a passion watching, even though wrestling has become much more stale/corny than what I remember as a kid.  Anyway, I couldn't resist writing an article about my predictions for the matches at Wrestlemania 26 this upcoming Sunday, March 28.  So, here are my predictions:

Official Legacy Breakup: Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes (Triple Threat Match)

As anyone that watched the WWE could tell, Legacy was not going to last a very long time.  Orton always yelling, screaming, and attacking his fellow Legacy members; that's not a formula for cohesion.  Initial rumors had DiBiase turning babyface, due to his recent movie and his frequent appearance as a person trying to break out of the chains that Orton held him under.  But now, it seems that Orton may be the one turning face, but more as a tweener (similar to The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin).  If this was 2 months ago, I would have said that DiBiase was a lock to win this, to boost his status in the WWE.  But, now it even seems that Rhodes has a chance to win this, even though I think that he has the least talent and charisma than the other two do.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes will look to impress in this match, even getting the Cross Rhodes on Randy Orton.  But, in the end, Ted DiBiase will still win this match, pinning Rhodes, and use this win as a stepping stone to bigger things.  This could also finally set up a major rivalry between DiBiase and Orton, as a feud could start where Orton is jealous of DiBiase being the final winner in Legacy.

Unified Tag Team Championship: Big Show & The Miz vs. John Morrison & R-Truth

Interesting way how the WWE is still trying to form a major rivalry between The Miz and John Morrison going off their time as Tag Team Champions back in 2008-2009.  Honestly, Morrison should be in the Money in the Bank match, since the WWE should really try to elevate him to the status that CM Punk is in right now (with some World Championship opportunities and now probably the most heated/best heel in the WWE).  If The Miz had most talent as a wrestler (I have to admit that he's great on the mic; a mini-version of Chris Jericho), he shouldn't even be in this match, as he should be defending his United States Championship instead (yes, let's not forget that The Miz actually has a singles belt).  As for Big Show and R-Truth, complementary filler for the match.

Prediction: The focus will obviously be on The Miz and John Morrison, as this could be the launching point for Miz, as the WWE may try to make Morrison a credible contender for the U.S. title.  But, this match is like the tag team partners (just filler), so look for Big Show & The Miz to retain the titles.  This match will not help raise the declining tag team division.

Money in the Bank: Evan Bourne vs. Christian vs. MVP vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Jack Swagger vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Matt Hardy

Let's face it: as much as I love the concept of Money in the Bank, the match itself has gotten to the point that the superstars are just in the match, because the WWE just didn't want to write in interesting storylines.  And except for Christian (and Kofi Kingston if he was still feuding with Randy Orton), none of these superstars could carry a compelling storyline worth a Wrestlemania singles match.  First things first, who isn't going to win: Jack Swagger, Kane, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin.  Of these five, Benjamin is due the most and has the most talent in the entire match, but he will never get his opportunity, because he doesn't have the charisma of, say, Jeff Hardy or Rob Van Dam.  Time has passed for Matt Hardy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is out of the WWE soon after this match to join his buddies in TNA.  The other three in the obvious losers don't even need mentioning.  So, that leaves the other five: MVP, Christian, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre.

Prediction: I honestly, honestly would love if this would be the push that MVP needed.  He has the charisma and the mic skills to match, say, Edge, if Edge were to win.  And MVP as a heel is just awesome, since he was so good at it.  Even though Kofi Kingston has had that mighty feud with Randy Orton, he has dropped so much since then that he won't win this match.  Dolph Ziggler may be a surprise, but I don't see him winning.  Vince McMahon and Triple H may get their way and have Drew McIntyre win, but I doubt that they will make the same mistake here that they made with Sheamus.  Plus, McIntyre is the Intercontinental Champion, so he has more feuds with that belt.  Thus, MVP is my dark pick, but I'll go with Christian.  This could be the start of that Edge-Christian feud that many people want to see (with Chris Jericho possibly also in the mix), and who knows: maybe Christian might end Wrestlemania as the new World Heavyweight Champion...

Montreal Screwjob Payback: Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon (No Holds Barred)

As so many people have said, this match will probably look very ugly, as both Bret Hart and Vince McMahon won't be doing much wrestling, just a lot of beating on one another.  It's nice to see that the WWE did go with Hart and McMahon against one another, instead of having them behind the corners of Batista and John Cena in the WWE Championship match.  I really do hope that none of the two quit during the middle of the match, but it could happen, with neither of these two in any true shape to wrestle or fight.

Prediction: The last two weeks make me believe that Vince McMahon will have someone to help him beat off Bret Hart during the match.  Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Stone Cold Steve Austin showed up while Hart and McMahon are backstage, and Austin hits the Stunner on Hart.  Or, if The Rock (with those rumors about him coming back in some capacity) surprises Hart with the Rock Bottom.  Then, Vince McMahon pins Hart for the victory.  But, the Hitman will get his ultimate revenge, by locking in the Sharpshooter, as McMahon tries to celebrate too much.

Grudge Match: Triple H vs. Sheamus

You could tell that this match was going to happen after Triple H was the one who ended Sheamus's reign as WWE Champion at Elimination Chamber.  I actually like how the WWE has built up this match, since it didn't appear at first that the WWE would put these two together at Wrestlemania.  Honestly, I thought that this would have been the DX-breakup-grudge match between Triple H and Shawn Michaels, but of course, the WWE decided against that.  Anyway, not a bad way for the spoiled teacher and the upstart student (with a WWE Championship on his resume already) to get in a match.

Prediction: Although Triple H is rumored to be taking a break after Wrestlemania, I don't see any chance at all that the WWE will make Triple H lose this match, even though I think that Sheamus should win this.  So, Triple H will win in a brutal power match, but Sheamus could cause a huge kayfabe injury to Triple H to explain The Game's desired break.

Streak vs. Career: The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

I have to agree: The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels was the best match of Wrestlemania 25 and maybe the best match in all of professional wrestling in the modern era.  Thus, when I heard that this was happening, I cringed as well that the memory of last year's match would be spoiled.  Fortunately, the added stipulation against Michaels has me intrigued all the more.  Both superstars are rumored to be taking long breaks after Wrestlemania, with Michaels hinting at a longer break (maybe even permanent).  Because I know so much of the backstory already before the match, I think that this match won't live up to the thrills of last year.  It may not even be the best match of the night, since both superstars are looked ragged and hurt.

Prediction: Shawn Michaels has been hinting of a retirement after Wrestlemania 26, so I don't see the WWE ending The Undertaker's streak now or ever (only Michaels desires to end the streak, and if he isn't allowed to, no one will).  Thus, The Undertaker will win this match, and this will start a 3-month journey for the official announcement of Michaels's retirement.  Maybe not 3 months, but much longer than Ric Flair's official retirement in the WWE.

Straightedge or Not?: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

First off, I am so glad that CM Punk is where he's at right now.  He is in the top echelon of WWE superstars to work with, and quite frankly, only Chris Jericho can match Punk in heat right now (Batista being a close third).  Just some backstory, I also live a straightedge lifestyle, so I appreciate all that CM Punk is trying to do (whether fake, real, or just part of his persona).  As such, I know that Punk will make this match into a great one, since he is teamed with Rey Mysterio, who also has so much athletic ability.  Originally, many believed that this would be a Hair vs. Mask match, but I am so glad that it didn't come down to that, as the WWE would never allow Mysterio to be unmasked and Punk to be shaved (the Straightedge Society with Punk with hair works so much better to the WWE's advantage than with Punk without hair).

Prediction: Unfortunately, I have heard rumors as well that Rey Mysterio wants a break after Wrestlemania, so look for CM Punk to win this match, with interference from the Straightedge Society.  This will help to further strengthen SES and would allow Mysterio to have a few months off, to help the WWE use Mysterio's "disappearance" as fuel for his repackaging as a member of SES (with the mask no less).

WWE Championship: Batista vs. John Cena

I may be in the minority, but I am so looking forward to this match.  I wanted to see this as a Wrestlemania main event ever since 2005, when Batista and John Cena both became big at the same time.  Both have become less appealing since then, but they are still arguably the best superstars out of the post-Attitude era (as Batista mentioned before; notice that I said superstars, not wrestlers).  Anyway, I am really glad that Batista is doing so well as a heel, because I really wanted the WWE to give him a long title reign, and the WWE was not going to do that with him as a face.  As for Cena, I'm glad that he's in this feud, since finally, finally, his Superman act isn't and won't work.  Cena being the weak babyface is much better now than being the Superman babyface that he's been doing for the last 3 years.  Also, hopefully, this match will be a wakeup call for the WWE to repackage Cena into the rapping star again, as most fans (older than 12 years old) just want to see Batista destroy Cena.

Prediction: As much as I think that the WWE wants to have positive results for the heavyweight championship matches, Batista will win this match cleanly, after 2-3 Batista Bombs, and retain his title.  Also, let's not forget that John Cena is somewhat hurt and may need surgery, so I don't see the WWE giving Cena the belt for just 1-2 months.  Also, the WWE could use this to further "injure" Cena, give Cena the break he needs while he is recovering from surgery, and boost Batista to new heights as a heel.  Also, and to my pleasure, the WWE could use this to further build the rivalry between Batista and Cena to new heights maybe for Wrestlemania 27.

World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Edge

This is the match that everyone has been looking forward to ever since Edge was out due to injury.  Chris Jericho insults his former tag team partner, Edge wins the Royal Rumble, and Jericho wins the championship at Elimination Chamber.  So here we are, and I have to say, this will most likely be the match of the night, since both Edge and Jericho are great, resilient performers, and both have the charisma to match.  Like I said before, Batista/Cena is the match for me, but Jericho/Edge may be the more watchable match in terms of pure wrestling.  I actually think that the winner of this match is more predictable than others believe.  The Royal Rumble winner has historically won the main event at Wrestlemania, but not so much in recent years.

Predictions: Look for Edge to win this match against Chris Jericho and become the new world heavyweight champion.  The match will be exciting, but the winner will be too predictable probably as the match goes on.  Again, the WWE likes for happy endings at Wrestlemania and Edge winning as a face would definitely apply.  Also, it would reinforce the odds of the Royal Rumble winner winning at Wrestlemania.

I hope that you all enjoyed my comprehensive Wrestlemania predictions and my first Bleacher Report article ever.  As an added bonus, notice that Raw ends up with no world champion so far and that I mentioned in the article that the Jericho/Edge match might become too predictable.  And since Wrestlemania 26 is looking like that it could be the best Wrestlemania ever, I wouldn't be surprised that 5 minutes after Edge wins the match and is celebrating, Jericho brutally attacks Edge, locking in the true Walls of Jericho/Lion Tamer that we've seen so much recently.  And then, in the shocker of the night, Christian cashes in his Money in the Bank opportunity, wins the belt to bring a world title to Raw, and proclaims himself as the true Ultimate Opportunist and the latest heel on the roster.  Again, most likely this won't happen, but it'd be nice for Wrestlemania to not always end on a happy ending, but on one that is bittersweet, since Christian does have so many "peeps" on his side...