Wrestlemania XXIX Forecast

[We Are Legion]

With Wrestlemania only a couple weeks away, it's a good time to really take a look at some of the featured matches this year and get an idea of the directions WWE could possibly take some of these angles. These are my breakdowns of the matches announced so far and what I believe to be the likely outcome of each bout.



The Shield vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus, and Big Show

At this point, there's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the Shield will be going over in this match and they're going to go over big. Although at press time Big Show hasn't been officially added to this match yet, it's safe to say after the events on Raw this past week that he will be eventually, likely as early as Monday.

It simply does not make any sense for the Shield to lose right now as they will likely be force to contend with in WWE for at least the next few months. A Wrestlemania win would give these guys all the momentum they need and possibly lead to three separate 1-on-1 matches at Extreme Rules between Show, Sheamus, Orton and each member of the Shield individually. This probably wouldn't happen if Show, Sheamus, and Orton get the win at Wrestlemania because these three guys never team up regularly and probably wouldn't stick together unless they wanted redemption for a previous loss. Besides, Big Show hardly ever wins at Mania, do you really expect him to win for the second year in a row?

Besides, it wouldn't be wise for WWE to knock off a young, up-and-coming heel faction before they even get rolling. Show, Sheamus, and Orton will likely serve as established-name fodder to get them over. It's also a safe bet that Ryback was removed from this match to avoid taking a loss at his first Wrestlemania. Ryback will likely continue his run into 2013, the same can't be said as easily for Show, Sheamus, and Orton.

Legion's pick: The Shield


Ryback vs. Mark Henry

I really doubt anyone is expecting anything other than Ryback getting his first win at Wrestlemania here and his removal from the 6-man tag match above only further proves it. The match will also likely culminate in Ryback lifting Henry for Shellshocked which will be an extraordinary Wrestlemania moment that will be remembered for a very long time, very similar to Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant, only definitely not that famous given the relatively insignificant stakes of this match.

And even though I'm a fan of Henry's, it's important to point out how little him winning could do for the WWE right now, especially by going over one of the hottest stars in the company. The only way Ryback should lose a match of this magnitude at this point of his career is to another wrestler of equal investment. And let's be real, most of Henry's career is behind him. Comparing their future importances to the company is a severe mismatch.

Legion's pick: Ryback


Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan & Kane) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston

The average title reign of WWE Tag Team Champions over the past 5 years is 2.21 months. Daniel Bryan and Kane have been champions nearly 7 months by the time Wrestlemania XXIX takes place. That dates back to the reign of Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. Probability-wise, it is very possible that Ziggler and Langston will finally end the reign of Team Hell No.

That being said, I don't think that will happen. Some might think that it would be fitting for Dolph Ziggler to walk out of Wrestlemania with not only the tag titles, but possibly also a world title after cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase later in the night. If it were any other person besides Ziggler, I would definitely think that's a strong possibility. But Ziggler being the bumbling blueberry he is, I think that's giving him far too much. For anyone in his unique circumstance, I would think there would only be two possibilities for him: either walking out of Wrestlemania with two titles or no titles and no MITB briefcase. I think for someone of Ziggler's personality, the latter is much more likely.

Legion's pick: Team Hell No


World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Jack Swagger

This is one match that could really go either way and WWE could take a good direction regardless of who picks up the win. Logic really can't make the call on this one. Alberto Del Rio has only been champion a little over 2 months, so I don't think his time will be up at Wrestlemania. Also I find it unlikely another heel will win here because Wrestlemania typically doesn't have a lot of heels winning and I already have a few heels pegged to win under strong reasoning.

That being said, I think Del Rio will keep this run alive for another month. Though I think it's extremely likely he will eventually lose the World Heavyweight Championship to Swagger, possibly as early as Extreme Rules. The reason I think this will happen is largely due to the writing-off of Ricardo from Del Rio's corner. When WWE sees what they have in Del Rio when he doesn't have Ricardo, I sincerely believe they'll be disappointed and they'll want to give Swagger another shot. Swagger also has an extremely promising supporting act with Zeb Colter and together they will be an interesting force to contend with on Smackdown. Swagger's time will come, just not on this night.

I also think it's extremely likely Ziggler will attempt to cash-in his MITB briefcase after this match, especially if he's frustrated after losing the tag team match. And become the first person to lose.

Legion's pick: Alberto Del Rio


CM Punk vs. The Undertaker

Every year we find ourselves asking each other "Is this the year?". When CM Punk was first announced as Undertaker's opponent, I really thought 2013 could have been. But then Paul Bearer died.

Now I feel it is utterly impossible for Punk to get the win since Taker will be fighting this battle in Paul Bearer's honor. Many WWE fans already think WWE is treading on bad taste with this angle by even involving Bearer with it, but it would be even worse should Punk actually win. While I do think Undertaker would do a wrestler a service that could never be repaid by letting them go over him and finally break the streak, this would just be a very bad time to do it. If CM Punk won this year, it would be remembered for all the wrong reasons. CM Punk wouldn't be remembered as the superstar who finally ended the streak and completely legitimized his career. He would be remembered as being a part of one of the most tasteless angles in wrestling history. I don't think WWE is dumb enough to let that happen.

Another reason I don't think the streak will end this year is because I think WWE has someone better, that guy being Sheamus. Next year, Wrestlemania XXX will be in New Orleans, very close to Undertaker's home town of Houston, Texas. That being an even-numbered ppv that falls on a multiple of 10, it's just a pretty number to call it quits on and I doubt Taker will have a better opportunity to hang it up. I know such details might sound irrelevant or even silly to fans, but I would imagine details like that are a lot fancier from an aging wrestler's perspective who has achieved everything he possibly can at this point in his career.

Now whether or not Taker will actually be beaten at Wrestlemania is still not certain. Some fans still think it would be stupid for the streak to end and some people think it would be great to put someone over hugely in his last match. It's important to look at this from Vince McMahon's capitalistic perspective. The streak has become just as relevant as any championship in the WWE. Aside from the Women's Championship, when has a wrestler ever left the company with something like that in their possession? I realize Undertaker is who he is and you would think Vince would have just enough empathy in him to leave with the streak intact... but does he? Or would he insist that Taker give someone the rub in his final match as history has always dictated?

I think if the streak were ever to end, Sheamus would be the ideal candidate to end it. Unlike CM Punk, Sheamus actually looks like a guy that you would believe that sort of thing if it happened. You can point at Sheamus and say "that's the guy who ended the streak" and it wouldn't be impossible to believe. CM Punk, on the other hand, not so much. Some people would hear it, watch the match, and still not believe it.

I actually wouldn't be a bit surprised if this match ended in a few seconds after Undertaker immediately hits the Last Ride on CM Punk right out of the gate, but I think that would draw a chorus of boos from the crowd if they actually did that 2 years in a row.

Legion's pick: Undertaker


Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

It's very important to pay attention to how this match ends because I sincerely believe it will be a good indicator of who wins between Cena and The Rock and I will explain why.

For a feel-good Wrestlemania, Triple H winning would make a lot of sense. Lesnar broke his arm, humiliated him, and this would be Triple H's opportunity to get revenge. Triple H pins Lesnar, saves his career, and Lesnar leaves the same way he left Wrestlemania XX with a loss. Happy ending right?

But the much-better scenario in my opinion would be to give Lesnar the win. This possibility seemed much more likely to me after the career-ending stipulation was added and applied only to Triple H. Now, it's not impossible that another stipulation could be added to this match in coming weeks to balance the equation, but since the contract's already been signed, probably not. But since Triple H isn't very active in WWE these days as a wrestler and hasn't been for quite some time, I think it's entirely possible and likely he loses this match. And afterwards, Lesnar will walk up the ramp smiling while Paul Heymen points and laughs and tells everyone "I told you so". And when Lesnar's music finally dies out, Triple H is left in the ring in front of a silent crowd, possibly with another broken arm. Stephanie runs to the ring to console him, and they both walk back up the ramp to chants of "Thank you, Triple H" and the commentators say "The Helmsley-McMahon era is finally over."

HOWEVER... if Triple H wins, this could open the door for something much more exciting in the next match because it's highly unlikely Wrestlemania will end on two down notes.

Legion's pick: Brock Lesnar


WWE Championship: John Cena vs. The Rock II

99% of all wrestling fans had Cena pegged to win this match an avenge his loss from last year and finally regain the WWE Championship and end Wrestlemania on a high note. If Triple H loses, I agree this will be the most-likely outcome and it won't come as a surprise to anyone.

But I propose something completely different.

What if... just WHAT IF... The Rock actually beats him again? Would the possibility of the long-anticipated Cena heel-turn ever be that perfect again? Probably not.

If I'm booking this event, I let Rock put Cena in the dirt. After Rock beats him, he ascends the turnbuckle and raises the WWE Championship in front of a completely stunned and red-hot crowd. Then before he climbs down, he looks back at Cena who is still sitting down staring at his feet, unable to comprehend how he let this happen twice. Cena doesn't move at all, he just sits there in complete disbelief.

Then something happens, after all the evening's excitement, someone you've forgot all about makes their appearance: The Shield. They hit the ring and immediately attack The Rock. An exhausted Rock cannot fight them off and gets beaten severely. Cena still has not moved a flinch and the Shield seemingly ignore him because he's not a threat or the WWE Champion. Then after the Shield have beaten the Rock to the point he can't move, Cena finally gets to his feet. He puts up his fists while the Shield surrounds him... then starts to attack the Rock, too.

Frankly, I see either possibility equally probable, but I think it will really depend on where they go with Lensar and Triple H. Wrestlemania will need at least one of those matches to end on a good note. Unfortunately, I think Cena will take this match and lead to a much more boring ending.

Legion's Pick: John Cena




As far as the other matches that haven't been announced yet, probably Chris Jericho v. Fandango, Miz v. Wade Barrett, and a Divas match, I'll update this article if more matches are announced. But I doubt any of them will be very important to the coming months of WWE television and will likely just be used as filler.

 

[Ben]

Good article.

I think Cena wins really no point in the Rock going over again and Cena get's his redemption. Like the idea with the Shield and a turn for Cena is needed as yet another face run for him with the belt is something a lot of people aren't to keen on seeing.

 

[PHX]

I'm still surprised anybody even before Paul's death thought Punk would beat Taker. Not that it has anything to do with Punk but rather at this point it's just always a foregone conclusion that Taker is winning. As for Brock/HHH I'll be shocked if this match is for anything other than HHH getting his win back. Even with the stip added I just think it was put there to make you think it could go either way but still think HHH wins and ends up retiring on his own terms making the stip look even more useless. The Shield match makes no sense for them to lose here at all and think there is a chance it could be used to tease a Orton heel turn. Rock/Cena like Brock/HHH just a rematch for the guy who lost last year to get his win back. Obviously this is yet another perfect timing to make Cena turn esp with your top heel in Punk possibly taking time off after mania. But probably just going to go with the cheesy Cena wins and they shake hands. Thought a while back that if Dolph could cash in on either title that they would have Cena win but give Dolph the ultimate put over by cashing in after and actually winning the title but way Dolph has been used not a chance that gets flirted with.

 

[NotReallyaGoodUN]

Well written.

I like the idea with Cena being the leader of the Shield, but that's just way, way out there, and I think WWE will just go the cheesy route/take the easy way out and have Cena win with Rock and Cena shaking hands to conclude Mania.

I'm also banking on a Brock Lesnar win because I just don't see Cena losing twice in a row.

I don't see why you would think CM Punk would have had any chance whatsoever of defeating Taker at Mania even before the Paul Bearer angle though, if your rationale for Punk's victory is the "400 day+ reign" then it's really, really flawed, Taker losing at WrestleMania at this point is just not an option regardless of how much a capitalist Vince McMahon is. I remember posting this in a thread a few weeks ago, saying Punk will win at Mania is very reminiscent of the time when people said Orton would win at Mania 21, and if you think of it, this is actually worse and makes no sense, because Orton at least had something to gain from it due to his gimmick.

As for Orton, I'm fully expecting at least a partial hint, if not a full blown heel turn, sometime during or immediately after WrestleMania. It's about time.

Swagger's new gimmick and push could go either way, hope it doesn't flop as this is very much superior in comparison to his goofball "All American-American" character. Like the idea of him winning the title post WrestleMania, but I don't know for certain. And I would lol if Ziggler lost both his MITB and the tag team title match as opposed to him winning both the tag team titles and the World title, and as you said yourself, giving Ziggler's disposition the former is much more possible.

 

[Tapout]

I don't know what your problem with Ziggler is, but besides that, everything else was well written and I agree with all of it.

Oh, and Cena was already the first to lose his Cash in, so Ziggler losing it wouldn't be that big anymore. It would be a complete waste for him to lose it, and would probably kill his career. Would be a very stupid decision.

You're right about the Henry/Ryback match. To me it has the feel of a "big time" match, even if it's been rushed in the feud making, and doesn't have that much importance. I'm going to mark out for the Hogan/Andre spot though. The more I think about this match, the more I realize that I've looking forward to it more than any other match.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

What classifies Ziggler as a bumbling blueberry? Is it still real to you?

Nice review.

 

[We Are Legion]

Regardless of his current run, I can't take anyone seriously or ever expect a lot from them when even their stupid name is an alternate version of a male porn star's from a shitty Mark Wahlberg movie. I have never subscribed to Ziggler and I never will. I give him a grain of credit for at least rebounding from a career-crippling Spirit Squad gimmick, but I don't take him any more seriously now than I did then, and that's largely due to the fact he's just never been a serious character. Even with a world title match coming his way, I'm not biting. Maybe if this was TNA, I could see someone named "Dolph Ziggler" being the world champion, but this is the same company that was reluctant to put it on Mick Foley. Granted, just about every white guy on the roster gets to be a world champion eventually in this era, but for someone as laughable as him, I would be stunned if all this hype led to anything other than comedy. I'm sorry, but no one named "Dolph Ziggler" will ever be taken seriously or make your company look interesting.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

Regardless of his current run, I can't take anyone seriously or ever expect a lot from them when even their stupid name is an alternate version of a male porn star's from a shitty Mark Wahlberg movie. I have never subscribed to Ziggler and I never will. I give him a grain of credit for at least rebounding from a career-crippling Spirit Squad gimmick, but I don't take him any more seriously now than I did then, and that's largely due to the fact he's just never been a serious character. Even with a world title match coming his way, I'm not biting. Maybe if this was TNA, I could see someone named "Dolph Ziggler" being the world champion, but this is the same company that was reluctant to put it on Mick Foley. Granted, just about every white guy on the roster gets to be a world champion eventually in this era, but for someone as laughable as him, I would be stunned if all this hype led to anything other than comedy. I'm sorry, but no one named "Dolph Ziggler" will ever be taken seriously or make your company look interesting.

So it's all about a name. Now don't get me wrong, name value is important and Dolph Ziggler is a bad name. That being said, what's the difference in names between CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. Both names equally stink. Ziggler will never be a focal point, totally agree about that but if he becomes an underdog face then I can see him becoming a pretty big star. He won't ever be a top heel, it just isn't believable and this stable is awful. I see your point about Dolph, but I still think he's very talented and can be a major asset to the company.

 

[We Are Legion]

So it's all about a name. Now don't get me wrong, name value is important and Dolph Ziggler is a bad name. That being said, what's the difference in names between CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. Both names equally stink. Ziggler will never be a focal point, totally agree about that but if he becomes an underdog face then I can see him becoming a pretty big star. He won't ever be a top heel, it just isn't believable and this stable is awful. I see your point about Dolph, but I still think he's very talented and can be a major asset to the company.

"CM Punk" sounds like something you need more information to understand. "Dolph Ziggler" sounds like a joke. That's the difference.

 

[Deezy]

What's in a name? Not just a Shakespeare quote, but a legit question when it comes to pro rasslin.

Dolph Ziggler sounds like a joke? So does alot of major names in WWE history. Doesn't mean shit.

 

[We Are Legion]

I don't mean it's just a bad name, I mean it literally sounds like a joke. Like an alias a birthday clown would use.

 

[Tapout]

Hulk Hogan sounds better? The Miz? If you don't like a name than just appropriated their talent.

Dolph has pure in ring talent. That doesn't happen that often. I don't think I've ever seen a bad match with him.

 

[Deezy]

Hulk Hogan sounds better? The Miz? If you don't like a name than just appropriated their talent.

Dolph has pure in ring talent. That doesn't happen that often. I don't think I've ever seen a bad match with him.

Dolph bumping around doesn't make him a pure talent....In ring psychology, mapping out spots and crowd control is what pure talent is.

And Hulk Hogan sounds fucking awesome. Not like it's Mongo McMichael or Hunter Hearst Helmsley....or The Undertaker. Those names sound silly.

 

[We Are Legion]

lol yeah I think "Hulk Hogan" sounds a fuck ton more legit actually. I dunno about Miz, but he was popular before coming to the WWE so it's a slightly different circumstance. And clearly WWE realized it was a bad choice to put the belt on him judging by whats he's been doing since WM27.

 

[Deezy]

The Miz is just the guys nickname. Nobody calls someone like Rampage Jackson, Quentin. Or even Andre The Giant, was anybody calling him by his last name?

Names still don't mean anything. If people are bitching about a name, they may have entirely too much time on their hands....But I guess taking the time to defend a name is just as bad. :/