This Sunday night is the 27th WrestleMania, and the card has shaped up nicely. The Rock will host the event, we’ve got two world title matches, and WWE’s two most tenured stars will be competing with wrestling’s most prestigious streak on the line. To prepare for the event, we’ve got predictions and previews from our three most frequent contributors; Frank Aquilino, Ryan Simmons, and Mike McCarthy. Get all of our thoughts on what’s in store at this year’s Spring Classic after the jump!
Ryan – With the numbers game even, it’s time for the Corre to finally get what they deserve! Kane, Show, Santino and Vlad will pick up the victory and don’t be surprised if the seeds are planted for a Corre break-up.
Mike – The Corre cannot afford to lose this match. They’re a dominant unit, whereas their opponents are a makeshift alliance, and so I think the heels will win this one. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Kofi Kingston adopt the “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach and join The Corre at the show, interfering in the match and giving them the numbers advantage again.
Frank – This match could be my pee break of the night. No one involved interests me. Lets flip a coin…Ill go with team Kane and Show. Too much power and size there.
Ryan – Sheamus’ victory over Bryan a few weeks ago was an important turning point in his career. Bryan is one of the brightest up and coming guys in the company but I don’t believe he’ll be able to slow down the rejuvenated Celtic Warrior.
Mike – Maybe I’m betting with my heart and not my head, but I have to go Daniel Bryan in this one. The match he had with The Miz on Raw a few weeks ago was outstanding, and I could see a big win at WrestleMania propelling him back into a feud with the Awesome One.
Frank – Having Bryan win here will waste the title change a few weeks ago. I think the WWE is going to start from scratch with Sheamus, which is good. Sheamus wins.
Ryan – While Snooki makes us all groan, I believe she’ll be on the winning end of her ‘Mania match. I’m not expecting her to put on a clinic but I believe she will get the pinfall after Trish and JoMo do what they do best.
Mike -Ziggler & LayCool will steal this one after exercising some dirty tactics. John Morrison is the only regular wrestler on the other team to benefit from a win, whereas Ziggler & LayCool are all active competitors. Expect a Kelly Kelly / Vickie Guerrero cat fight at ringside.
Frank – I hope that Ziggler and Morrison do 90% of the work. I love Trish, but was never a fan of Layla or McCool. I still think the only reason McCool has a job is cause shes banging the Undertaker. And why bring in Snooki and Trish just to have them lose? Trish/Snooki/JoMo get the win.
Ryan – While a Rhodes victory would get my seal of approval, I expect a very colorful Rey Mysterio to pick up the win. I can’t guarantee the outcome but I can guarantee that ‘Mania will bring an end to Cody’s protective mask.
Mike – I’ve got to go with Rhodes. Maybe it’ll be with help from his father, or from Ted DiBiase, or just from his protective mask, but a Rhodes victory is crucial to his character’s development. And I hope he wrestles in tights instead of his business casual attire.
Frank – Really looking forward to this match. I so badly want Cody to win, but don’t think he will. I think if he loses, it’ll drive him even more insane. Rhodes will get his revenge and win the feud at the next PPV, but I think Mysterio wins. I also think Mysterio will dress like Buzz Lightyear.
Ryan – It’s hard to imagine Punk getting the best of the Viper 3 times in 2 weeks, but that’s exactly what I expect to happen. CM Punk is a master on the mic and in the ring. He let us know that he never needed the New Nexus and guess what? I believe him.
Mike – As much as I want to see CM Punk GTS Randy Orton’s head off, there’s always at least one match at Mania that the wrong guy wins, and I think this is it. I have heels winning a lot of the other matches, so I think this one will go to the face. I’ll hate every second of it, but Randy Orton goes over.
Frank – Should be the best match of the night. Again, a win for Punk makes him a legit main eventer, and I think the win for him means more. Punk gets the win.
Ryan – Cole has been out of control in 2011. I fully expect the King to deliver a royal ass-kicking this Sunday. That’s an easy prediction so I’ll take a stab at something else: how many beers will be involved? I’ll say 8 will be cracked and consumed by King and Austin. Toss on another 4 that will surely end up on Cole and Swagger.
Mike – Jerry Lawler is the winner here, there’s no debating it. Cole and Swagger will both be Stunnered, and my money is on Alex Riley showing up and getting one too. I have to imagine Cole will be exiled from Raw and start broadcasting exclusively on Friday night’s after this week – I can’t imagine these two being partners again.
Frank – Should be a fun match. I love Cole’s new heel gimmick, and he would be a great manager. But then, who would call the tv shows? Not sure, but Lawler gets his revenge and his Wrestlemania moment with the win.
Ryan – Del Rio has won me over in recent weeks as a solid wrestler. With that said, I still don’t think he’s ready to be champ. Enter Christian. Edge is the champ, but Christian has stolen the show in recent weeks. Whether Edge or Del Rio leaves Mania as champ, their next challenger will surely be Captain Charisma.
Mike – This is one of the hardest matches on the show to call. I’d like to see Edge retain, but Alberto Del Rio is being pushed hard, and WWE usually shows no hesitation in giving the title to a guy like this. I’ll say Del Rio, who will end up a transitional champion for the belt to be put on Christian.
Frank – I didn’t read any Smackdown spoilers yet, so im not sure if Christian will be officially in the match. If not, Edge is a lock. The WWE realized that they pushed guys like Sheamus and Swagger too fast, and won’t do the same with Del Rio. Plus, he’s looked real bad the last few weeks. Edge, but if Christian is in the match, I see Christian winning the belt.
Ryan – Taker’s streak will never die but HHH won’t go down without a fight. Look for HBK to end up involved, potentially costing HHH the match.
Mike – Taker’s a sure thing. He’s done it before, and he’ll do it again.
Frank – Both guys are coming off injury, but Taker has been amazing the last ten years, and Triple H has been good in the ring the last couple years as well. Should be a good match, and i hope HBK doesn’t get involved. I want to see Taker win cleanly. Undertaker IS the streak.
Ryan – In the past 2 weeks, Cena and Miz have established themselves as two of the WWE’s best. Cena’s destruction of the Rock makes this match all the more interesting. Judging by the reaction he received in Chicago, this match could result in the rare double turn in which Miz gets over as a face and Cena turns heel. Time will tell but look for the Miz to come out of ‘Mania still wearing the gold.
Mike – I love the Miz. He’s one of the primary reasons I tune in every Monday. But I think this one belongs to Cena. For me, this is definitely the main event of the show, and that being said, I think the WWE will want to send everyone home happy with a babyface win. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a chain of events after the match that would have Cena get Rock Bottomed and the Rock get a Skull Crushing Finale, though.
Frank – The Rock is of course going to get involved, just not sure how. Somehow, Vince always manages a few surprises at Mania. The last few weeks the Miz has looked strong and like a legit main eventer. It would all be wasted if Cena wins. Plus, its time for Cena to give back BIG at WM and put the Miz over. I think the Rock attacks both Cena and Miz, but Miz comes out on top.
