Welcome all to the 6th episode of the most irregularly scheduled Wrestling talk program, Heel Heat. Today, Tenacious Trav and myself, Gorgeous Glen preview the big show scheduled for today, and provide our thoughts on what should happen after Wrestlemania. Hope you enjoy.
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shelton Benjamin vs.
Kane vs. MVP vs. Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy vs.
Evan Bourne vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston
Gorgeous Glen Says: While 10 people may seem like too much at first glance, it may not so bad. This gives more time for more creative spots, and it should hide the weakness of some of the performers. I hope that it goes back to 8 people next time, but 10 is alright to spice thigns up a bit. As for the outcome, let’s start with who is not going to win: if they wanted to give it to Shelton they would have done so already, ditto for Matt Hardy, and Kane. MVP, Jack Swagger, and Dolph Ziggler have been pushed up and down so many times this year that one of them coudl be an outside chance to win to set them back on track, but I just don’t see it happening. Evan Bourne will be a great contributor to the match, but is way too new on the scene to get such a big win. That leaves McIntyre, Christian, and Kofi Kingston as the most likely winners. Back in November I would have had Kingston pegged to win, but the fronto ffice seems to have lost faith in him. McIntyre winning would be interesting, but I just don’t think that he’s ready for such a big win. Also, let’s not forget that they are expected to change one of their Summer Pay-per-views to be called “Money in the Bank”, which means that the winner of this match should cash in well before then. I’ll go with the one competitor who has a build in story with two of the men competing for a world title later on in this show. In fact, I wouldnt’ be all that surprised if he cashes in on the night.
Winner: Christian…at last you are on your own.
Tenacious Trav: Well it looks like we start disagreeing right from the start. I like it. First off, this has the potential to be an absolute clusterfuck with 10 people to watch. There’s no need to involve that many men in the match. When you consider that Kate and Matt Hardy are well past their prime, they could have easily trimmed this down to 8 men, which is likely still two too many. I think you’re right in that there are three likely contenders for the win – McIntyre, Kingston and Christian. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think every MITB winner to date has successfully captured the belt after cashing in their prize. In light of the new PPV you mention, I think we’ll see that change, starting with this year’s WM winner. I’m going to call McIntyre for the long-shot win, which will serve to further elevate him up the card in a losing effort against a world champion.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Street Fight
CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
If Rey loses then he must join the Straight Edge Society
GG: After this match was announced, I was convinced that Punk would get a big win here to set up a big blowoff match later. After they added that stipulation, I wasn’t so sure. It realyl depends on where they want this program to go. Does it end at the big event or does it carry on? I’m thinking the later, and it could make for a great story to have Rey be a subversive member of the society only to win his freedom back at a later time.
Winner: CM Punk
TT: CM Punk is truly the great new emerging heel, which is such a fantastic feat with guys like Jericho still being incredibly good at being incredibly bad. I think there’s some blood left in this feud for a few more months, so look for CM Punk to pick up the win, crushing the spirits of young boys and Latinos the world over.
Winner: CM Punk
Triple H vs. Sheamus
GG: It feels really strange to see Triple H so far down the card. This is only the second time since 2000 that he has had a match at Wrestlemania that hasn’t been for the World Title, and that other match was against the Undertaker. This match should be very competitive, but I expect The Game to pull out a win, giving Sheamus his first one-on-one loss.
Winner: Bow Down to the GAME
TT: This is an interesting one. Sheamus’ push is largely attributed to his friendship with HHH. I think this match could be the sleeper hit of the card; Sheamus has been underrated in my estimation. A win here for Triple H simply reasserts his dominance, despite being in an interesting feud or in the title hunt for a long, long time. So a win here doesn’t really do much for him if his role is to stay the same. Meanwhile, a win over Trips really benefits Sheamus as a long-term viable heel. I’m liking the young Irishman’s chances, so I’m going with another unpopular choice.
Winner: Sheamus
Randy Orton vs. Ted Dibiase vs. Cody Rhodes
GG: I’m really not sure where this one is heading. I expect to see Ted and Cody work hard together to start the match, only to turn on one another and argue about who is going to get the pin. This should lead to the match breaking down a bit, an Orton getting a quick RKO out of nowhere for the big win.
Winner: Randy Orton hears voices
TT: I have no idea what’s going on here either. I love all three of these guys and it’s disappointing to me that there’s been no real point to all of this, limiting the potential benefits of the conclusion of this arc. Orton as a face or tweener just doesn’t work and the more they tease this the more nervous I get. I’d like this match to lead to a split of Dibiase and Rhodes, so that young Cody gets a chance to shine a bit more as a singles competitor. His mic work is decent and he deserves something interesting. I anticipate some in-fighting and Orton taking advantage for the pin. It would be great if he pins one member and then destroys the other in a really heel-ish way. Think chair shots.
Winner: My future husband, RKO.
Tag Team Title Match
The Big Show and Miz (c) vs. John Morison and R-Truth
GG: I’m kind of excited about this match, as I think that it’s got some potential. It should have some entertaining segments as all four men should paly their role effectively. I’m curious as to what role the two big NXT Stars, Daniel Bryan and David Otunga have to play. Both Rookies are having difficulties with their pros, and it should keep things interesting through the match. I have a feeling that Otunga will cost Starship Truthers the match, hopefully setting up a turn for Morison in the future.
Winner: ShowMiz..and their terrible remix music
TT: I’ll be disappointed if the NXT boys are involved in a match at Wrestlemania. It’s just not the time nor the place. I don’t really watch Smackdown as much as RAW, and perhaps that’s why I’m not really feeling the team of Morrison/R-Truth. While I think they are both incredibly talented in-ring, The Miz Show is just more entertaining overall and has some fun chemistry.
Winner: The Big Awesome
No Holds Barred Match
Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon
GG: I still can’t believe that this match is actually taking place. I have thought for years about the way to effectively build this, and while they haven’t done it the way that I would have thought, it’s still had a long term, borderline epic build to it. This is the easiest match on the card to predict the outcome, but the most difficult to predict in terms of quality and length. Some people seem to think that Bret can still go, but I think that is too big of a risk for him at this stage in his career. I have a feeling that the match will go as follows: stare down, Vince spits in Bret’s face, Bret punches Vince, Bret hits a side Russian legsweep, then a backbreaker, then a second rope elbow drop, followed by a sharpshooter. Vince taps. Hoorah.
Winner: Bret Hart via Four of the Five Moves of Doom.
TT: I have no idea if Bret can still go, but I’d like this to go longer than your scenario. This is a redemption for Bret in so many ways, that I really hope he makes the best of it. I wonder what he’ll wrestle in. Given that it’s “No Holds Barred” he might come out in street clothes as he’s been doing. Personally I’d love to see the Figure-Four off of the ring post, but I know it’s not likely. Bret is the clear winner, and the 13 year old inside me will mark out.
Winner: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be
Streak vs. Career
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
GG: Wow, I mean wow. The build for this has been absolutely amazing with Shawn asking for a match, Taker denying, and Shawn provoking. Their match last year was a modern day classic, and I hope that they didn’t raise the stakes too high. This should be the best match of the night, and among the top matches in the history of the event. The outcome is most certainly in doubt, but I think that it’s time for HBK to take some time off, he’s earned it.
Winner: 18-0
TT: I don’t think they should have gone ahead with this match. Last year’s effort was fantastic, and I just don’t think they’ll catch lightening in a bottle a second time. Sure, it’ll be good, but I don’t see it being the same kind of “modern day classic” as you’ve described it. Neither of these men should have any more than one or two Wrestlemania matches after this one, so I would’ve gone a different way. A win here for HBK doesn’t really do much – he’s much more known for the quality of his matches than their outcome, and having Taker’s streak end just puts a sour note on his amazing record, cheapening the last nearly 20 years.
Winner: via Tombstone piledriver, The Undertaker
World Heavyweight Title Match
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Edge
GG: This match has pretty much been expected since these two won the Tag Titles last summer. They are both on a hell of a role and should put on a great match. Although I am not 100% sold on Edge’s face character, as he think that he is just meant to be a heel. It would seem natural to have Edge return from injury and win, but that also seemed natural 2 years ago with John Cena, so I’m not so certain. I’m going to go with a Jericho win in a bit of an upset, only to have Christian cash in his shot soon after, sending Edge over the uhh…edge and snapping on his former partner, setting up a damn good three way feud for the post-Mania season.
Winner: Jericho, for a fleeting moment.
TT: Jericho is, pound for pound, one of the greatest superstars of all time, for my money. His mic work is without compare and since his return, his ring-work has matched. Edge is still rusty and not back into form. I see Jericho retaining, in what is a well-deserved Wrestlemania moment (insert Ric Flair lisp).
Winner: Break the Walls Down.
WWE Title Match
Batista (c) vs. John Cena
GG: It’s hard to believe that a World Title Match with the generations two biggest stars is not the match that people are most excited about. That being said, this should be a hell of a moment. They delivered a great match at Summerslam a few years ago with no build, back story, title on the line, and with both of them playing the face. I think that this match should greatly surpass their original and serve as a great moment for two of the biggest names to show their stuff. It’s kind of amazing actually, as both men needed Triple H, HBK, or the Undertaker for the last several Mania’s to have big matches, but now they are ready to stand on their own and deliver a classic in their own right. I think that this match will be a great one, I just hope that it’s no overshadowed by HBK-Taker.
Winner: John Cena
TT: Well put, GG. I think this could be a career-defining match for both men, a chance to define their roles in our current era. Men like Michaels, HHH and Undertaker have all had their great feuds, their Wrestlemania moments, their iconic matches. It’s time for Cena and Big Dave to really show what they can do with each other. To provide balance on the card, I call Cena for the win.
Winner: John Cena
And now for the extra-special bonus questions
Which match will go on first?
TT: CM Punk / Mysterio
GG: I hope not! I think it’ll be The Tag Title Match
Which match will go on last?
TT: Undertaker/Michaels
GG: I hope you’re right, but I’ll go with Cena/Batista
Which match will a table be broken?
TT: Nil
GG: Rey/Punk
Will JR call a match?
TT: Yes – UT/HBK II
GG: It makes me feel weird, but I’ll agree.
Who will be the biggest breakout star right after Wrestlemania?
TT: Drew McIntyre
GG: I always say MVP, but that doesn’t seem to be working out for him. I’ll go with Christian and/or Morrison
Will any big names switch in the upcoming draft?
TT: Orton, Cena
GG: Wow, those are the two biggest names! I’ll scale it back a bit and say Kofi Kingston and Cody Rhodes
Is there anything that TNA can do to compete effectively with the WWE after their post-Mania bubble bursts?
TT: Fire the Nasty Boys, let the young talent shine.
GG: Remember their roots: homegrown talent and the X-Division, not WWEjects and bleeding old men.
And that just about does it for this edition. I hope that you all catch the Mania fever tonight!
Until next time,
G
