GrzeTim Books…WrestleMania 22

Well, here we are, WrestleMania weekend is upon us. I was at the HOF on Saturday night and I’ll write something up about that tonight or tomorrow…I have to get this up and then get to my folks house from the show, but, for now.

GrzeTim Books…WrestleMania 22

United States Championship - Chris Benoit (c) vs. JBL – I think starting with this will get the crowd going early (not like they need to pump up the crowd for this one…). JBL can cut a promo and then lead into Benoit coming out. I see this being very physical and rough. I think Benoit would be better off moving up to the World Title picture and JBL would be a great US Champ and there is a lot of mid-card he could help.
Winner and NEW United Stats Champion – JBL

World Tag Team Championship - Kane & Big Show (c) vs. Chris Masters & Carlito – Some might frown on putting the two mid-card titles early like this, but there is SO MUCH on this card that it needs to be early so it isn’t lost in the shuffle. The WWE has shown Kane & Big Show to be unstoppable and overcoming Masters & Carlito all month, BUT I think it’ll do Kane & Show good to move on and Masters & Carlito would make a great heel team that escapes each week by cheating to win. It also sets up for a renewal of the tag team division which has been a mess on BOTH SHOWS for a long while now. But, I’ll do a post on that later in the week.
Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions – Chris Masters & Carlito

Hardcore Match - Edge vs. Mick Foley – This is a hard one to pick. I’m a big Mick Foley fan, but I don’t see how having him beat Edge will do anything but hurt Edge. They will both bleed and give their all, but I see Edge coming out on top with Lita’s help. It’s POSSIBLE Lita could bleed in this, but they usually shy away from that since they don’t want to risk scars on the ladies.
Winner – Edge

Boogeyman vs. Booker T & Sharmell – While I think the Boogeyman angle has gone better than I thought it would, I think they’ve let it run its course and it needs to end tonight. I would love to see Booker get the win over Boogey, but I see Booker leaving Sharmell in the ring and Boogey pinning her for the win setting up more to this feud, which I feel is a mistake.
Winner – Boogeyman via pin on Sharmell

Playboy Pillow Fight - Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle – These matches usually don’t have a clear winner other than the crowd. With Candice’s Playboy still on the shelves, I have to give her the nod.
Winner – Candice Michelle

Casket Match - Undertaker vs. Mark Henry – This one will be interesting to see. With all the superstars Undertaker has beaten at WrestleMania, I don’t see Mary Henry being the one to snap the 13-0. I’m going to take the safe bet.
Winner – Undertaker 14-0

Women's Championship - Trish Stratus (c) vs. Mickie James – Of all the matches on the card, this one has the most buildup and storyline to it. They have done a great job of not jumping the gun with Mickie’s turn and doing it on SNME was a great call. While I love Trish to death, if she wins, who does she fight (unless they have a new woman up their sleeve)? Trish chasing Mickie for the title for a few months would be fun to watch.
Winner and NEW Women’s Champion – Mickie James

Money in the Bank Ladder Match - Shelton Benjamin vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Ric Flair vs. Finlay vs. Matt Hardy vs. Lashley – I loved the first Money in the Bank match and while I’m happy to see it back, I don’t know if the people in this one will mesh as well as the first one. Don’t get me wrong, they will tear the house down and this will be the match to beat for the three main events, but of the people in this match, only three of the six are ladder match tested (yes, I know Ric was in one, but that was with Edge who is one of the masters of the ladder match IMOP) and it’ll be a challenge to mesh all the varied styles together. I’m going to pick one from Raw and one from SmackDown here.
Winner (Raw) – Rob Van Dam – The crowd always goes crazy for RVD and I think it’s time to put him in the main event picture.
Winner (SmackDown) – Lashley – When he first came on, I was impressed with him. Now, the great feud with Finley has made him a crowd pleaser. Time for the real test, being Mr. Money in the Bank.

WWE Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Triple H – Triple H has lost the World Title at the last two WrestleManias…I think this time he’s going to get the win. The crowds have been all over Cena since before 2006 started. With the belt off him, they can retool Cena or turn him outright heel for the crowds “turning on me”. In the end, I’d be very surprised if Triple H doesn’t leave with the title.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion – Triple H

No Holds Barred Match - Vince McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels – Now, for the match with all the questions. While it would be easy to say this is where HBK gets the best of Vince, I’m not so sure. With all the press about Bret Hart not wanting to sign a contract and if he saw HBK at the HOF he would leave, I think there is something much deeper going on…or I could be seeing shadows. Again, since I’m already late, I’m going to take the safe bet.
Winner – Shawn Michaels

World Heavyweight Championship - Kurt Angle (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio – Ok, I lied, another match with questions. I could see the belt going to Rey since there is a massive following for him right now. I could see the belt going to Orton and Rey, Angle, and Benoit chasing Orton over the summer. I could see the belt staying on Kurt because he has just been so good with the title. Since I predicted a title change for all the others, I’m going to go with the champ here.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion – Kurt Angle

Well, there you have it…those are my predictions. Sorry for they being so short and so close to the event. I just got this in under the gun. I’m going to try and be more consistent with this. I will also try and get a HOF review up here and maybe some live notes from the Raw on Monday that I’ll be at. So awesome…new year of storylines starts Monday. Woo!

Until then, take care of each other.

GrzeTim