Nice blog Kevin, as usual. I like Meltzer's predictions as well as yours. One question, both scenarios don't leave an obvious opponent for CM Punk. I really don't want to see him in MITB again this year, and if he is in it, it'll be a shame if he loses it. I'd much rather see him win the Royal Rumble (as has been predicted by several fans) but then which champion do you see him challenging? If Cena, Triple H, Sheamus, Undertaker and Batista are occupied elsewhere, where does that leave Punk? What are your predictions for CM Punk at WrestleMania this year?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Since WWE apparently was planning on Jeff Hardy to face Punk and that is now out the window, Punk is left without an obvious opponent. I hate to say it, but Punk may not be in one of the big matches. Perhaps Rey Mysterio or Money in the Bank -- again.

How about Batista winning the World title from the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, John Morrison winning the RR and then at WM Batista vs. Morrison? Might be a long way for Morrison, I know. And if not maybe Morrison will win MITB?
Sheamus vs. Triple H: The biggest problem I have with that scenario is that this would mean we have to live with Sheamus as champ for another 2 ½ months. I hope we get released at the Royal Rumble. Sheamus going into WM as WWE champ? I don´t see that.
And HBK:Well as long as he´s on the card I don´t care much about his opponent. We all know it will be at least a 4 star match no matter who he faces. And better seen a great match twice (HBK vs. Taker) than a bad match once (Taker vs. Cena). I know that´s a little bit harsh but I think the best about Taker vs. Cena would be the atmosphere. I can almost hear Cena getting booed out of the building.

Kev, based on your WM outlook you could have Batista win the RR and choose to face Sheamus for his title.

RESPONSE FROM KE: IWE is trying to get Batista over as a heel. Against Sheamus, he would be cheered/

Triple H still has not had his defining WrestleMania moment you say? huh.
Last time I checked Triple H involves in a lot of world title matches at wrestlemania including winning the undisputed title at WM18. So here I am asking what kind of a defining moment you mean actually?

RESPONSE FROM KE: A WrestleMania moment is something special that you never forget (Rock-Hogan, Hogan-Andre, Savage-Steamboat, Taker-Shawn, etc). Of all those title matches that HHH was in, how many are truly unforgettable? The best match he was in was the triple threat at WrestleMania XX with Michaels and Benoit, but that was Benoit's moment, not Triple H's

Like Jason, if Punk cannot get into a proper match that would almost undo everything he has done. He mainevented Summerslam but doesn't have anything meaningful to do at mania? Aren't WWE at a point where they know this guy is a maineventer and like the other stars, should be made room for. Off course not, he gets buried by Taker and hasn't done anything of great note since. Other than that i prefer your predictions to Meltzer except am I the only one who thinks Ted is way overrated. The story would be logical but i don't think i would care for that match.

i think batista would be a fun adition to a money in the bank match, especially if the other guys are the usual lighter wrestlers.

i also think it would be a good idea to have a Championship scramble match for the US title, just to use up mvp, henry, swagger, miz, evan bourne and whoever else rises to that level by then.

and finally, i think the ECW title is getting a bit stale - as is the whole show... their roster has like.. 6 guys

Hey Kev ... don't forget the Divas. You see what you will have by then is that at RR Maryse is going to win that Diva belt be defeating Gail Kim who has been after that belt since she came back to WWE last year. Ms. Kim will not give up and thru a series of matches challenge for that belt and she will win it finally at WM, and be the only three belt winner in modern wrestling history. Of course she will loose it right away (probably to Alicia Fox) but Gail Kim will have won it and the bragging rights that go along with it.

Here's my guesses for the mania card:

Orton (c) vs DiBiase [Rumble Winner,pretty much the same storyline as Batista vs HHH ]

Batista vs Big Show [I know, boring...]

CM Punk vs Rey (Hair vs Mask?)

Jericho vs Edge

DX (c) w/ Vince vs The Hart Dinasty w/ Bret Hart.

Undertaker (c) vs Morrison

Christian (c) vs Yoshi

The MITB match: Shelton, R-Truth, Matt Hardy, Koffi (winner!), MVP, Coddy Rhodes & Dolph Zigler.

RESPONSE FROM KE: That's funny you should mention Punk being involved in a hair match because I was thinking the same thing when he shaved that guy's head on Smackdown. That, coupled with Punk's scruffy appearance, has to make you wonder.

For the past few weeks, I've been assuming that Shawn Michaels' obsession with the Undertaker will lead to the WM match with Triple H. I figure Undertaker will blow off Michaels, who in turn will announce that he will win the Rumble and challenge Taker. Cut to the Rumble, when Triple H eliminates Shawn. Instant feud. I like the idea that Orton is going to beat Sheamus and DiBiase will challenge him. And while we don't know the participants for MITB, I figure Shelton Benjamin will hit at least two insane spots and not win. But if Kofi's involved, he's winning.

I'm surprised nobodies suggested what I think is going to happen.

One of the main storylines at the moment is Jericho wanting to be on Raw even though he's on the Smackdown roster. The winner of the Royal Rumble gets to choose which champion he faces at Wrestlemania.

I think that whole storyline is building up to Jericho winning the Rumble and switching brands. (I'm also expecting Cena to be put into the championship match at the Rumble & then winning it so Jericho is up against a face)

Then it's traditional that on Raw the night after Wrestlemania someone makes their comeback. That's when Edge returns from his injury and starts the build up to an inevitable match with Jericho, with the added bonus of it being for the championship.

Any thoughts?

I like Meltzer's card. If Edge is not ready to go 100%, then I'd turn it into Edge and Christian vs JeriShow. Would still be a good match, gives Edge a good spot on the card while allowing him to "hide" in a tag match, and would be the start of a summer long feud culminating in Jericho vs Edge at Summerslam. I have heard rumored on other sights that Punk vs Mysterio is predicted for Mania. The question is with all these high profile matches, who is left for Money in the Bank? The same old cast of characters that are in it every year? Anyway, I take Meltzer's card, add the Mysterio/Punk match, the MITB match, possibly a quick Women's Title Match, and get the Hart Dynasty on the card, and you've got one heck of a PPV.

Triple H still has not had his defining WrestleMania moment...

I have to disagree, Kevin. Before Wrestlemania 25, I told myself that if the closing camera shot was Triple H celebrating with the belt, and the pyro going off, then I was done with WWE PPVs. And of course the defining moment of WM 25, the biggest WM ever, was Triple H.

One possible scenario that would kill a bunch of birds with one stone: HBK & Bret Hart vs HHH & McMahon. That way, HHH gets his WM moment, Hart and HBK make up, and Hart gets McMahon.

Not too much on Meltzer's card that jumps out at me. Although If Edge makes it and the angle is carried out properly upon his return, him vs Jericho will likely be a show-stealer. Shame Mania isn't in Canada for that one!

I actually think we shouldn't be too quick to write off a 2nd Taker/HBK match, any Taker match at WM is tarred by the fact you know who will win from the outset...but I have a feeling these two will go No Holds Barred this year and have a totally different style of match from last year. I doubt these two would want this match if they didn't have something up there sleeves to beat last years.

The rest I'm confused about, mostly because I have no idea who will be champion going in. Surely Sheamus wont hold the title all the way up to Mania...and if Undertaker is facing Michaels again, then either Taker has to drop the World title soon or HBK has to win the Rumble to face him at WMania.

On a side note, I reckon Kingston is a lock on to win MITB this year. Let's just hope that ball doesn't get dropped between now and then!

Never thought I would see The Hitman at Wrestlemania again! Sheamus anywhere near a main event at Wrestlemania is a slap in the face of anyone who has ever worked Wrestlemania. The Sandman deserves a main event show more than Sheamus! I want to see Christian win the Rumble and go against Orton for the title. Or I want to see Christian/Edge vs. Jericho/Big Show. Christian deserves it.

Also depending on who is tag champs CM Punk and Luke could be in a match for the titles. Or the Hart Dynasty. Might be time to turn them face since Bret is back.

Kev,

I thought I read in one of your posts recently the Rock and Stone Cold turned down an opportunity to host Raw. Do you have any idea as to why they did? Also, I agree that I don't think the Rock vs Cena is going to happen, I don't see the Rock coming back to wrestle but I could see him coming back as a guest host. What do you think it would take to get the Rock in a match at Wrestlemania? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Austin is scheduled to host Raw on March 15, and Rock will almost certainly do it when his schedule allows. I find it hard to believe anything could get Rock back in the ring. It's not like he needs the money.

Kevin,

Which one of these bouts would be for the Smackdown World Title? Could we possibly see Punk and Mysterio in a title match?

Obviously this isn't about Wrestlemania but is there any chance the Rock shows up at or in the Royal Rumble? His movie is coming out the week before so I can't imagine we won't be seeing him on WWE tv to promote it. I assume it's more likely he'll be hosting Raw but I can only imagine the reaction he would get as a participant in the Rumble match.

Maybe the seeds are being planted for a Christian/CM Punk Wrestlemania showdown?

What makes this potential card so interesting are the names that are left off it. I think The Orton/DiBiase match will actually be a three way with Cody Rhodes as well. There's no reason for him to be penalized and not have a part in this match.

Meltzer's card + plus the token diva's match leaves us with the Money in the Bank and probably one more potential match. There are a lot of names that had good years and could be a part of the show - Miz, Kofi, Shelton, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, John Morrison, the Hart Foundation, and Regal to name a few. There's also relaible veterans like Kane, MVP, Mark Henry and Matt Hardy that have been on recent Wrestlemania's and could make their way on to the card. And there is no way that the Big Show and Rey Misterio can be left off of Wrestlemania (which makes me wonder if they'll just throw together another David vs Goliath match to get these guys on).

It should be interesting to see how the final card plays out and see who makes the cut and who gets left off the card. But after a year where the WWE really emphasized developing their young talent, this is a good problem to have. It would have been unthinkable to imagine some of these young names on the biggest stage, and now it's possible we will see the majority.

One last thing on Sheamus, I don't have a problem with the guy getting a push he actually seems like a good in-ring worker. But the sudden way it was done gives viewers absolutely no reason to even care for his character. It actually bothers me that he might take time away from potential breakout superstars like CM Punk, the Miz or Kofi Kingston. The writers really need to find a clever way to put this all together.

Edge v. Jericho at Wrestlemania would be great. What would be even better is if WWE creative built it up right. How about getting Edge as a Raw guest host? Jericho would go to him, thinking his old tag team partner would help him stay on Raw via a match, then Edge could screw him over. The following week, Edge could appear and explain his actions, showing what a hypocrite Jericho is by showing video from last year's draft when Jericho said he was glad to be leaving Raw and would never come back to it, as well as Jericho dropping Edge for The Big Show due to his injury. Then again, maybe that'd be asking too much from WWE Creative...

One idea I read for Punk (maybe from the Observer or Figure Four...or maybe I'm just imagining it...) is that he could face Mysterio in a hair vs. mask match.

It's just a shame, then, that WWE already did Jericho vs. Rey, Title vs. Mask.

I agree with you, Kevin, about HHH vs. HBK and Taker vs. Cena. I am not excited at all about HBK vs. Taker II (two years in a row).

Though...my thoughts for how that could happen?

Taker retains at Mania, and Shawn wins the Rumble...Harking back to McMahon telling Shawn he has to "make" that match happen.

I'd rather see Jerishow versus Christian & a mystery partner. In the build-up, Christian can make friends with Yoshi and then Evan Bourne and other guys, but they keep getting taken out by Jerishow, so he cannot pick them.

Of course, the mystery partner would be Edge, who would have all the way until WrestleMania to heal fully. Plus, it gives Big Show & Christian a good spot on the card, which they definitely deserve, AND it puts heat on the Jericho-Edge for the months following WrestleMania instead of giving them their biggest match at the start (remember the Hardy Boyz feud last year?).

Besides, if TNA has taught us anything, it's that wrestling fans like to see predictable things happen under the guise of a "surprise."

I haven't ordered a pay per view in years, but I would order this one in a second if The Rock was in it!

That would be a shame if Punk wasn't in a big match. For the last several weeks he has been the main reasonn I tune into Smackdown.

I am it's a long shot but I wouldn't mind seeing the Undertaker joining Punk's little group.

Kev,

What do you think about Orton defeating Sheamus with help of Legcay, then Dibiase turning on Rhodes to win the Rumble and face Orton for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania?

Possible or never going to happen?

There was also talk of Rey vs. Punk in a Mask vs. Hair match.

I wouldn't mind HHH vs. Cena in a legally binding career vs. career match.

If Mysterio pins Batista in a triple threat match for the title at RR, then somehow retains in a rematch against UT at no way out (or elimination chamber, as it may now be called), Punk could win the RR and set up a WM title match with Mysterio. That would kill two birds with one stone.

What I've read in past few days is that Punk and Mysterio will be having hair vs. mask match at Wrestlemania.If it is true, I want this match to end as a no contest(just because of its stipulation).
And I don't agree with your arguement on why HHH should face HBK at Wrestlemania so that HHH gets his defining wrestlemania moment.WWE should try to create a memorable Wrestlemania rather than concentrating on giving HHH his defining wrestlemania moment.I think Taker-Michaels is a much bigger draw and Taker-HBK 2.0 should take place at wrestlemania.

I think CM Punk will face Rey Mysterio at Mania. Maybe a hair vs. mask match?

There is no way CM Punk is winning the rumble. Unfortunately I still don't think the WWE brass see him as a real money player, even though he is obviously as good as anyone in the company as a heel. In fact he's probably the best heel they have since Edge is injured, Orton's character has been weakened and Jericho has been made into a joke.

For the rumble I can't see past HHH, Cena or Batista. I think by the time the rumble comes, only one of these will actually be in the match, and whoever that is will win it. I'm surprised HHH isn't being talked about more on the internet as he seems to be doing his classic stay-away-from-the-title-til-Mania bit so he can come in and "freshen up" the title picture and get himself another number.

P.S. here is my MITB participant list: John Morrison, R-Truth, The Miz, MVP, Drew McIntyre, Shelton Benjamin, Ezekiel Jackson/Kane/Mark Henry/Sheamus/Kozlov (I think it's a good idea to have one big man, Henry did a couple of cool strength spots last year) and Kofi Kingston (winner).

Although I do like the idea of Ted Dibiase vs Orton, what about Rhodes?

How about a handicap match with Legacy as the heels and Randy as the face?

there has been talk of a cm punk vs rey mysterio hair vs mask match
now that would be cool, if booked right

Those are not bad...but what about a tag match - Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart vs HHH & Vince McMahon ..and we all know what happens with this one..but the Hart Dynasty comes in for the rescue...also..
Undertaker vs Cena / Sheamus vs C M Punk vs Batista / Randy Orton vs Ted Dibiase Jr / Big Show & Jerico vs Edge & Kane / Miz vs Kofi/ Bank match - Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Carlito, Chris Masters, R -truth, Drew Mcintryre, Mike Knox, Great Khali/ John Morrison vs Rey Meysterio ...what you think Kev..and any potential suprises for the WWE ?

I wouldn't be surprised if HHH puts Sheamus over at WM.

Anyways, the plan is CM Punk vs. Rey - Hair vs. Mask..

I love Orton - DiBiase, Edge - Jericho, Undertaker - Cena, HHH - Michaels, and Punk - Mysterio.

I don't really want to see a McMahon - Hart match except if it turns in a 3 on 3 with the Hart Dinasty involved.

I don't know if I'd rather see a Batista - Morrison or just pick him to win the Money in the Bank and from here, huge push till the title...

Hey Kordny, where's Cena?

Based on the proposed card, it would be Shawn/Taker II as well as Cena/Batista II. How likely is it WWE would promote both as rematches? At first I thought it was unlikely at best, but now I suppose it isn't impossible... WM23 had two babyface/babyface title matches so having two rematches in the same night might be a defining theme.

Kev,

For as much as I was honoured by your response to my comment, I have to admit I had read it somewhere in the internet. I forgot to mention it cause I had to re-write my comment due to technical problems.
Anyway, just thought I should make the record straight about that.

Greetings from Portugal!

I keep seeing a kind of rehash of the 'Battle of the Billionaires' with VKM and Bret Hart each picking their champion. I don't believe that either of them should actually be in any kind of match at WM, what with Bret's health issues. So Bret picks HBK on the basis that it would be some kind of recompense for Montreal and Vince goes to the only person he feels he can trust - his (now acknowledged) son-in-law, HHH.

This gives us HBK vs HHH in a match that neither of them really wants but neither of them will back out of.

Who wins? Discuss.

Hey Kevin, I have one suggestion: How about HBK against CM Punk? Think about it: Punk's character is one who strictly opposes drugs and alcohol, while HBK in real life has faced those personal demons and come out on the other side.

Also, it would be intriguing to see HBK/Taker II, but I do not think that they can repeat that type of effort. I do agree with you saying that Cena should get a crack at the Streak.

I remember when the seeds for this potential match were planted, and that was when Undertaker delivered a Tombstone Piledriver to Cena at the end of a Triple Threat tag team match featuring Jeri-Show and D-Generation X. Keep in mind, the last time that these two gladiators have faced off at a PPV in a singles match was close to seven years ago at Vengeance when Cena was still a heel claiming veteran status. Things have changed a lot ever since 2003. Since Undertaker has commanded the respect of the fans for almost two decades, I could see a scenario where Cena adopts a short term heel role ala Shawn Michaels when he was feuding with Hulk Hogan in mid 2005. For the angle to work, I could see Cena claiming that Taker is not the same as he once was and that he’s made a living out of pulling off the impossible. Just by doing those two things, it creates a lot of intrigue and two outcomes are possible. Fans will either want to see Cena pull off the biggest upset in WWE history or added to the proverbial Wrestlemania graveyard of the Deadman.

Speaking as a fan, I’d like to see Cena in a one-on-one match this year because he has been overlooked the past two years at Wrestlemania. Despite being in two Triple Threat championship matches, he was sort of a background player instead of a threat to win.

Fans can love him or loathe him, but they cannot deny that he is truly a top draw and every match or feud that he is in adds some sort of intrigue. And he also boasts a 5-1 record at Wrestlemania, which is exceptional in my opinion.

I know it hasn't been brought up yet, but there is still this possibility, if they are trying to push the youth...

Kofi winning the Royal Rumble and challenging a heel he never faced for one of the championships, and getting put over on the grand stage, like many a superstar (HBK, Austin, Cena, Batista, to name a few). In my ideal world, it would be after CM Punk regains the World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out (I refuse to name it after the gimmick PPV). Both these guys get over at once. So who wins MITB in that scenario? I say John Morrison.

I don't think Triple H will face Sheamus. A way to draw intrigue, especially for the new (and old) generation of viewers, is to have him and HBK face off. Plus, while I think The Game deserves to be a future Hall of Famer, I am tired of seeing him in title matches every year. The "moment" should be more important to him right now. I bet Michaels-Taker is a tease, too.

In regard to money in the bank - I hope that Kofi wins and John Morrison has a really strong showing. I'd love to see a high profile program between those two.

Sheamus needs a big match at mania or else he's going to fall back down the roster into a CM Punk style limbo. Theres no point pushing some average mid carder like Truth instead of Sheamus now. What WWE need is to stick with a push for a change, not go switching it again.

A couple of weeks ago on RAW, Vince told Shawn Michaels that if he wanted to face The Undertaker at Wrestlemania, he had to make it happen.

Isn't The Undertaker holding the WWE Championship?

The only way I see Michaels "making it happen" is if he wins the Royal Rumble, then gets to compete against The Undertaker for the championship.

I'd like to see HHH not exactly "turn" on HBK but if he wins the Rumble and pick Undertaker at WM. This way HBK vs Jerhico part 2 at WM. I know its already been done but so much has changed with Jerhico's character since then and their fued last year was one of the best in recent memory. The Undertaker vs HHH World Heavyweight Championship match would at least be entertaining to see if the streak would end with HHH or would HHH put over Taker with Taker retaining the belt and this would leave both DX members defeated by Taker at WM.
Also the WWE Championship should be Orton vs Kofi if I had my choice. This was a hot fued I hope they finish it right
I would also love to see the the MOTB winner be the Miz or Morrison. I think both have stepped up in the past year to deserve a title shot at a PPV next year.
Bret vs Vince is obvious. It will be a WM moment just hearing the Hitman's music and seeing him walk to the ring one more time.
Mysterio vs Punk would be a great match. I don't think that having a stand alone match at WM is a "demotion" for Punk. A world title match isn't everything and Punk should be around for many more manias expecially if he pulls off a classic with Mysterio which they are both capable of.
Divas match would be better if Mickie, Kim, Beth Phoenix or Melina was in it. But with Melina out and WWE pushing the cookie cutter model look it isn't looking promising for actual wrestling. I'd make it Mickie vs whoever. But I see a gimmick match with almost all of the divas.
Cena vs The Rock would be sweet. I don't really see it happening but it would generate a lot of buzz. If not I see Cena in a triple threat in the WWE Championship match. Orton vs Kofi vs Cena. Kofi wants Orton, Cena wants the belt and Orton is the weasle heel dodging them both.

Big Show VS Shaq at WM Anyone?

i think edge v jericho is a surety.....few mnths ago the speculations were that edge would return some time around in jan.....i would rather see him winning the royal rumble as a surprise entrant n then face jericho at wm......bt the way jericho hs been booked lately......i dont think he will be champion anytime soon.....the match would be a show stealer whether it is a title match or not.....bt it would be one step ahead if the stakes are high.......

When will WWE start surprising us with actual "upsets". Some new concept has to come eventually, right? Why not have guys like Orton,Cena,Taker,HHH,HBK,Batista,Mysterio and Edge LOSE OCCASIONALLY to fresh faces CLEANLY. Change the concept a bit to where fans can maybe not know how things are going to go down and make it seem more competitive. Couldn't it also help some of these characters that are too stale. I would think Cena losing to say Swagger then apologizing and breaking down to the fans in a promo for not living up to his motto's or preparing hard enough, vow not to let it happen again, then take a month vacation or two and come back still as a good guy, but freshen up his character in the process. I don't blame WWE for keeping Cena a face for so long, because he's still so profitable as one, but please quit killing the substance of your shows when you know Orton and Cena aren't taking a fall in a 3-way with Kingston. I hope TNA survives because we need an adult wrestling show. Sorry kev for the long rant, I won't do it again. Can't wait for the Young Guns debut Thursday! They are fun to watch

I agree with the rehashing of the "battle of the billionaires" comment. Except I would have Hart's representatives be the Hart Dynasty. One of the reasons Hart signed the current contract was to put over Smith and Kidd. McMahon could pick Jericho (if Edge isn't ready) and Big Show.

Is Punk's beard growing thicker? With all the references to him as a savior, it almost seems they are making him into some sort of perverse Christ figure.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I see the character as a cult leader with a God complex.

Good blog...I agree about HHH that he has not had his moment at Mania....and i would also prefer to watch HBK vs HHH at Mania as if there is one person who really does step up and perfrom at the top of his game it is HBK.....
However depending on how the rumble goes i'd still love to see Hart Vs HBK......If Hart comes back next week and asks Vince for a match at the Rumble then i can see him asking for a rematch against Shawn...........
Or is that just me...?>

I like the idea of 'Taker -v- Cena. A Cena heel turn is long overdue, and I reckon a stipulation coming into play is if Taker wins, he retires. He really looks as if his heavy duty style has caught up physically.

This way, he gets to defend The Streak, but gets to leave on top, as a true legend. Maybe working it that Cena has it all over him, then just as he is about to have Taker beaten on pinfall, gets up and walks from the ring to be counted out and retires 'Taker. Massive way to get some heat. Huge WM moment as 'Taker leaves the arena to thunderous farewell. It would probably need some friction between Undertaker and management to have the stipulation brought into play.

To clarify, I do think Sheamus needs a major match at the card...just not against Trips. He can even defend the title against Kingston, despite my ideal world scenario.

Batista vs. Kane at WRESTLEMANIA?!? Seriously???

RESPONSE FROM KE: We had Batista-Umaga a couple years ago, so why not?

Hey Kev I'm just going to say one thing. After Smackdown ends, the road to Wrestlemania will be muddier than it was before Smackdown began.

Regarding Sheamus:

The guy needs to lose the title at Royal Rumble (or ideally before that on RAW - hell I'd be happy if he lost at a house show, then be given a minimal spot at best at WM26. That way, if he ever earns his push the old fashioned way - connect with the fans (either love or hate) and THEN get a belt (IC first)

The guy is talented and has potential, but he needs to be buried on the card for a while so that we can forget this whole Sheamus WWE champion fiasco.

My guesses:
Orton (c) v. Cena (WWE Champ.)
Sheamus v. Triple H
Mysterio (c) v. CM Punk (World Heavyweight)
Undertaker v. Michaels
Jericho v. Kofi Kingston
R-Truth v. Morrison. v. McEntyre (c) (Intercontinental champ.)
Miz (c) v. MVP v. Bourne (US champ.)

Thanks for nothing, Jeff Hardy. A Hardy return might have lifted CM Punk out of his current midcard doldrum and put him back in the thick of things where he belongs. At this rate, Punk's involvement at Wrestlemania may be limited to cutting a promo on Pete Rose.

I am apprehensive about the prospect of Rey being Punk's opponent. Would Rey's knees still be up to the task by then?

Shaquille O'Neal might be the only one that can make Big Show interesting on this card. Big Show has become somewhat like Kane in that he tends to suck the heat off of anyone that he's paired against.

The reason Triple H can't get a WM moment, obviously, is because he's pushed himself so hard over the past decade that him winning doesn't really mean a damn thing. Him losing in a great match just won't happen because he either won't lose, or will bury his opponent and not lose cleanly, and he can't really put on a great match anymore. He also hasn't achieved iconic status like Rock/Austin/HBK et al, so a Rock-Hogan type pairing doesn't work either.

Dolph Ziggler was ranked #1 in WWE.com's list of stars to watch out for in 2010. Maybe he can be part of the MitB?

As for Punk... I don't really want to see him in a Hair vs. Mask match against Mysterio because Punk looks great with his hair. It's difficult to take a bald, bearded guy seriously unless he's near 2m tall or his name is Kurt Angle.

Just noticed you forgot the most important man in the WWE on your list: Hornswoggle!
How dare you, Kev, how dare you!

OK, Batista and HHH could be crabby about the state of things in WWE. You could see the reformation of Evolution (maybe Re-Evolution or Revolution, etc.) and a nice run as the evil stable taking out every contender for any title. All out war, if you will. They wipe out anyone who gets in their way to justice (whatever that might mean). And why not tag-team Evan Bourne and Rey Mysterio? That might be fun to watch, especially with the Hart Dynasty, etc. CM Punk could snag a few more disciples (with surprising members added to his flock each week) and oppose your Cenas and HBKs and Undertakers. Morrison could embark on a beat-every-member- of-the-roster crusade to prove he's ready to move on to the World title picture. MVP and R-Truth should turn heel and maybe form their own stable (or join Revolution, because they can't seem to get a break either. Let this Wrestlemania truly be the one where everything begins again, unlike the last one to make that boast.

Kev, Have you heard anything about this rumored Cena injury — surgery, missing WM?
Also I saw Edge in San Diego in mid-October and he was walking and said he would start physical therapy soon. I suspect he will win the Rumble and then just make on air appearances not wrestle much until Mania ... where he faces Jericho.

Also a lot of posters need to remember that there is still an elimination chamber PPV after the Rumble so the belt could change hands like it did last year

RESPONSE FROM KE: There are stories out there that Cena has bulging disks in his back.