WWE WrestleMania 27 Official Preview by Eric Kanes

What's up, ladies and gentlemen? My name is Eric Kanes and I am here today to present to you the official WrestleMania 27 preview. Now, I know that you're probably thinking, "But Eric, we've already seen 200 of these in the past week" and in that sense, you'd be absolutely correct. However, what makes this preview different is that it is written by the most electrifying man on Bleacher Report.

And without any further ado, from Atlanta, Georgia, this is the official WrestleMania preview.

Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

Streaming is a very important part of the show and that is why you should expect this match to come on first. It will be the match to set the tone. Last year, WWE had R-Truth open the show and pump the crowd up with his entrance theme. This year, expect The Rock to open the show and cut some sort of promo to get the crowd going. Expect Mysterio to follow it up with his fast-paced offense.

If given 15-20 minutes, this match could potentially steal the show as these are two of the best workers in the company. This match is also great in the sense that it is hard to predict. On one side, you've got Cody Rhodes, one of the fastest rising upper midcarders. He needs this win. On the other side, you've got Rey Mysterio, who is on the brink of retirement. WWE might want to keep him happy.

As much as I would love seeing Cody with the win, this seems like a show that will be dominated by heels which is rare for a WrestleMania. Also, don't forget the famous rule. Look strong on TV = lose on PPV. Considering that Cody has been dominating in this feud for the past month, expect Mysterio to pick up the win.

Eric's Pick: Rey Mysterio

The Corre vs. Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, & Vladimir Kozlov

The second match on the card is usually the least relevant one. Sorry Snooki haters, but a ton of people will be ordering the PPV just to see Snooki wrestle. With that said, expect this to be the second match on the card.

I have to say that it's really hard to get into this match considering that we've seen Wade Barrett vs. Big Show, Slater & Gabriel vs. Santino & Kozlov, and Ezekiel slamming Big Show nearly every week. There is nothing new that we could see and the outcome really doesn't matter to most people.

Although WWE loves having Big Show squash up-and-coming stars, expect The Corre to get the win here considering that they are the stable that WWE is pushing. It would make no sense to have the comedic team go over.

Eric's Pick: The Corre

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

This is yet another potential show-stealing match. In fact, if every single wrestler had no limits for this PPV and every match was given the same length of time, this match would steal the show without a question. However, that's not the case.

Daniel Bryan and Sheamus can't go all out because that would take away from matches like Triple H vs. Undertaker and John Cena vs. The Miz. Therefore, while I expect this to be a fantastic match, don't expect it to get too much time or steal the show. If it does, I'll be ecstatic but it's just unrealistic.

As for the winner of the match, it would make more sense for Sheamus to pick up the win. He just won the belt and he needs this reign whereas Daniel Bryan does not. Daniel Bryan is equally relevant with or without the belt. Sheamus is the one that needs to build momentum and credibility so he can possibly re-enter the main event scene by the end of the year.

Eric's Pick: Sheamus

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Expect this match to get a good 15-20 minutes. However, creative really created a problem for themselves here because Orton is going into the match "injured" which means that he has to sell the knee injury throughout the match.

I had one of my readers tell me that Randy Orton is one of the best sellers in history but then again, I also heard Josh Matthews say that some people are refering to WrestleMania as "SnookiMania." Let's be honest - Randy Orton wouldn't be able to sell coke to Charlie Sheen. Therefore, either Randy Orton is going to no-sell or this match is going to go at a much slower pace than it should.

Another thing worth noting is that a lot of people are saying that CM Punk needs this win. Apparently, CM Punk won't be able to survive without this win. Relax, guys. The Miz needs to win. Alberto Del Rio needs to win. But CM Punk? He doesn't. The guy may not always be in the main event scene but he will always be able to stay relevant. One match won't make him or break him when he's possibly the best overall talent in the company. You can't teach what this guy has.

Either way, expect Randy Orton to "overcome the odds" and pick up the win here.

Eric's Pick: Randy Orton

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole

It's getting harder and harder to predict at which point each match will take place considering that these are all high profile match-ups. That's actually a great thing. I'd even say that this is the best WrestleMania card since WrestleMania 17. A lot of the matches have potential to steal the show.

Anyway, besides John Cena vs. The Miz, this match has had the best build-up. Cole has done a tremendous job garnering heat to the point where most people think he's a legitimate asshole. That's not an easy thing to do.

Will this match be a technical classic or a 5 star match? Of course not. However, it should still be a fun moment seeing Cole finally getting his ass kicked. This match features a 61-year-old man facing off against a commentator who isn't even a trained wrestler, yet I am looking forward to it more than most of the other matches. Why? Because they've done an incredible job building it up. Props to all of these guys, especially Cole.

The ending is rather predictable with Lawler finally triumphing and Cole receiving a Stunner from Austin. You could also have JR come out and contribute to kicking his ass. The fans are dying to see it. Give them their special "WrestleMania moment."

Eric's Pick: Jerry Lawler

Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio

This is yet another match that has potential to steal the show and you can definitely expect it to get 15-20 minutes. This is a good spot to have the match take place because you don't want it following Undertaker vs. Triple H. You don't want the fans dead for this match.

A lot of people are predicting that Christian will interfere in this match and turn on Edge but I don't see it happening here. It's too early. They're barely been teaming up for a month. It would make more sense to stretch the program out and have the big Edge vs. Christian match at SummerSlam.

Also, keep in mind that The Corre will more than likely cheat to win their match. Steve Austin will more than likely help Jerry Lawler get the win. The Rock will more than likely have some involvement in the Miz vs. Cena match. It's too many screwy finishes for a WrestleMania. This match doesn't need it. It does more for Alberto if he gets the clean win after Edge makes a mistake.

In case you didn't catch that, Alberto is winning. There's no question about it. Whether Christian interferes or not, there is no way that Del Rio is losing.

On a side note, could WWE please change that picture? It makes the world title challenger look like the Mexican cousin of Billy and Chuck.

Eric's Pick: Alberto Del Rio

The Undertaker vs. Triple H

So we've got the battle of the last outlaws - The Undertaker vs. Triple H. I assume they forgot about Mark Henry.

We've also got a pretty sick stipulation - Streak vs. Life. Apparently, Triple H dies if he fails to end the streak. So what, he's going to hang himself in the arena if he loses? I wonder how the sponsors would react to that.

All jokes aside, expect these men to go all out despite their injuries. I can definitely see this going over 25 minutes as these men will have no limitations. This has "Match of the Night" written all over it.

Shawn Michaels will more than likely be at ringside but will he get involved like most people think? No. This match doesn't need it and Shawn Michaels doesn't need it. If he interferes, then he's involved in another storyline meaning that he has to come out of retirement. It's not happening.

In the end, expect The Undertaker to defeat Triple H in a very close match with lots of near falls and extend his streak to 19-0. I'll talk a little more about the streak possibly ending in the final slide.

Eric's Pick: The Undertaker

John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler & Laycool

On a very stacked card, this match will obviously not be stealing the show. The only thing it will be stealing is our time.

However, it makes sense to have this be the second to last match on the card. A lot of you guys don't realize how popular Snooki is and how many people will order this show just to see her wrestle. You want those guys to stick around until the end of the show, though. If they enjoy the rest of the show, then they'll probably tune in to future WWE shows.

Anyway, do I have a problem with Snooki in the match? Absolutely not. A lot of people are devastated but over what? The alternative would have been Kelly Kelly or Eve. I don't know about you guys but I can't imagine Snooki being that much worse in the ring.

Either way, Snooki's team is winning with Snooki getting the pin. Since she's already there, no other outcome would make sense.

Eric's Pick: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki

The Miz vs. John Cena

And now, we've got the match that absolutely has to be the main event. There are a million burning questions going in that have to be answered. Will The Miz pick up the win of his career and solidify himself as a main eventer? Will these guys be able to put on the match of the night? Will The Rock get involved in this match?

My biggest question is what entrance John Cena will make this year. I say that instead of confetti, Fruity Pebbles should be dropped from the ceiling as he enters. That'd be an awesome sight.

Anyway, this is by far the most unpredictable match of the night which is why it has to close the show. Either John Cena will Superman his way to victory as always or The Miz will retain his title, possibly with interference by The Rock.

Even though you should never bet against John Cena, I just don't see him winning here. All of the signs are pointing towards a Cena/Rock feud post-Mania. Why else would they have the Rock cut all those promos bashing John Cena? Why else would they have John Cena AA The Rock on the go-home show? I don't think that the program will begin right away but I see it happening at SummerSlam, after months of Cena begging for the match.

I see this match ending with The Miz cheating to win after a nice 25+ minute match. The Miz then cuts a promo saying how he is the WWE Champion and now The Rock is the afterthought. The Rock's music then hits and Rock beats him down and hits the Rock Bottom on Miz making the crowd go apesh*t. The Rock and Cena then shake hands but out of nowhere, Rock catches him with a Rock Bottom and celebrates to end the show, sending the crowd home happy. That way, the heel wins but the crowd still gets a happy ending.

Eric's Pick: The Miz

Bonus Questions

And now here are some bonus questions for my readers. The questions are in bold and my answers are in regular text:

Which superstar left off the card should have gotten a spot on the show?

Hmmm...there are so many good ones with the first ones coming to mind being R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, and Drew McIntyre. I'll have to go with R-Truth. He had a good thing going with Nexus around December. However, that was suddenly dropped and he went back to jobbing. He could've just as well been in the eight man tag match. As we've already established, he does a good job of pumping the crowd up. I don't really see how Kingston or McIntyre would've fit in.

Should there have been a money in the bank match at WrestleMania this year?

Yes. However, the Money in the Bank PPV should be scrapped altogether. A show shouldn't center around a spot-fest full of midcarders. It was always a nice addition to WrestleMania, though. It would've been perfect for someone like John Morrison or Wade Barrett to win it this year.

Will JR be doing commentary for the event?

I highly doubt it. They would've announced it by now if it was happening. I'd love to see it happen but I foresee a three man announce team of Booker T, Josh Matthews, and Matt Striker. Not my first preference but what can you do? This is one of those times where I'd love to be proven wrong.

Should the streak ever end?

In my opinion, yes, it should. Otherwise, it would be a waste. The streak is a tool that can be used to give somebody like Wade Barrett mega-heat. As for Triple H ending it, I'd rather not see it happen. It would be a great way to turn him heel if he cheated to win, but it's unnecessary. Triple H is good enough to turn heel without it. Use it to put over a new star.

When should The Rock vs. John Cena match take place?

SummerSlam 2011 would be the perfect time. If it were to happen at WrestleMania 28, the fans would lose interest by then. Any pay-per-view between WrestleMania and SummerSlam isn't big enough for such a match. The four month span between WrestleMania and SummerSlam is the perfect amount of time to build the match up. They could do a storyline where John Cena goes on a losing streak because he is too focused on The Rock. Plus, SummerSlam is in my hometown of Los Angeles so that definitely helped make my decision.

And that shall conclude the official WrestleMania preview.

If you enjoyed this column, make sure to add me on Facebook. This is an account that I opened up simply for wrestling-related stuff. I will use it to plug future columns and give my thoughts on wrestling news throughout the week. Add me.

While we're on the topic of WrestleMania, make sure to come vote on the finals of the "Greatest WrestleMania Match of All Time" tournament hosted by me. We're at nearly 400 votes. I want to get at least 600 by WrestleMania weekend. You can cast your vote right here.

On a personal note, there will be no "Smack Talk" this week. SmackDown will likely consist of a bunch of promos hyping WrestleMania. It's not a show that you can really review.

And that is all for tonight folks. I will be right back here this Saturday with the winner of the "Greatest WrestleMania Match of All Time Tournament" but until then, I'm out!