Wrestlemania Predictions

Just because we haven’t been blogging or podcasting the last month or two isn’t to say we haven’t been following along with wrestling. I have to admit we’ve had some trouble getting into the Wrestlemania buildup this year – we share the same complaints and concerns as everyone else that this ‘Mania has been suffering for WWE’s being able to sell it. But it is now the weekend of the year in wrestling terms, all eyes are on Santa Clara, California, and we are a mere hour or so away from the pre-show kickoff for the “Showcase of the Immortals”, Wrestlemania 31, one can’t help but get a little excited. And that means it’s time to get our act together and share our predictions for tonight’s big event. So without further ado …

KICKOFF MATCHES:

(Fatal Four-Way: Tag Team Titles) Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (c) vs. The Usos vs. New Day vs. Los Matadores

SARAH: I’m predicting the champs retain here. Kidd and Cesaro are on a nice little run, gaining some traction, and the only other team in serious contention here – the Usos – are hampered with an injury on Jey’s part, as I understand it. I don’t think this is a particularly *ahem* New Day, and I don’t think Los Matadores are quite there yet. Kidd and Cesaro retain.

ARI: I agree for the reasons Sarah said, plus Kidd and Cesaro just got new t-shirts, so …

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

SARAH: My prediction as odds-on favourite as the match stands right now is Damien Mizdow. I think his feud with the Miz here is going to come to a head, and he is going to refuse to eliminate himself when it comes down to him and his employer. I’m giving a dark horse nod to Curtis Axle here as Axlemania has been running wild, but I feel like the payoff for this was his face-off with Hulk Hogan himself Monday at Raw. And if Sheamus is a last-minute surprise entry in his expected return, all bets are off (his return – expected tonight or tomorrow on Raw – could factor into a couple of matches, as we’ll discuss).

ARI: I would like to pick something different to be more interesting, but honestly Miz vs. Mizdow is the only clear feud I see in there. Now as for which one of them wins, I could see it going either way. I know Wrestlemania is big blow-off time, but I feel like there might still be some legs left in this feud, just a feeling. Never mind … they’re not going to try to outthink themselves for a pre-show match, I think the crowd-pleaser of Mizdow over Miz will probably happen.

WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES:

(Ladder Match: Intercontinental Title) Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. R Truth vs. Luke Harper vs. Stardust

SARAH: I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news … for Wade Barrett, that is. This is another match I could see Sheamus being added to to make a nice round 8 participants, but it won’t really change my prediction. I’m thinking they have to throw Daniel Bryan (and his fans) a bone here, and he’s my pick to leave with the Intercontinental title. Dolph Ziggler or Dean Ambrose wouldn’t be bad dark horse picks, but I’m definitely with the “Yes Movement” on this one.

ARI: Out of seven I think Sarah’s fairly accurately picked off the top three. And between those this isn’t so much a prediction as a hope. Please please please, Daniel Bryan. And yes, hopefully in some manner where it’s clearly over Ambrose or Ziggler to set up a great “next feud”.

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins

SARAH: I think I’m going with Rollins here. We’ve picked a lot of good guy winners, and Randy Orton got the satisfying beatdown on Rollins last week on Raw. I will suggest that if Orton wins, the chances of a surprise cash in of Rollins’ Money in the Bank title contract at the end of the night becomes more likely to keep him strong.

ARI: I agree. The outcome of this match really depends on whether we get that surprise cash-in. And while I would love to see a surprise cash-in at Mania, I don’t think the set up of the main event is really lent to that, especially with a heel holding the Money in the Bank. So as fun as that is to think about, I think anyone looking for the surprise MITB cash-in, including myself, will be disappointed. I’d be happy to be pleasantly surprised there. But given I don’t expect that, yes, Rollins. He’s hot, they’ve been pumping him a lot, and since I don’t think he’s cashing in tonight, a good strong win sets him up for when he does.

(U.S. Title) Rusev (c) vs. John Cena

SARAH: This one is a tough one to predict, so I’m prefacing this one with “I wouldn’t be surprised either way” – this is like, a 55%-45% split. But I’m thinking I’m going to reflect that split with saying, I think Cena will win the match but not the proverbial war, as either Sheamus (who Rusev put on the shelf) or Lana interferes in this match, resulting in shenanigans, and an ending where Cena wins but does not walk away with the title.

ARI: I hate to sound like your echo, but that’s pretty much my take. I don’t see … you know, scratch that. I’m calling Cena, win and title by a quick pinfall, like when he got the first win on Umaga, so Rusev can still claim it’s sort of flukey, but you can still have the triumphant, hyper-American, flag-waving win holding up the U.S. title at Wrestlemania. Plus, while Cena does lose sometimes at Mania, he doesn’t lose much.

Bella Twins vs. AJ Lee and Paige

SARAH: I’m calling the Bella Twins here, as I think this feud, in some way or another, continues, which means the heels have to go over. They are also the most prominent members of the Diva’s division, so winning on the WWE’s banner event would make sense. Again – this isn’t one I’d bet the farm on, but for the sake of making a pick, Brie and Nikki have a slight advantage here in that regard.

ARI: Again, like you said, this one is a close call … close enough I’m willing to be different here. I think AJ Lee and Paige have some fun frenemy chemistry here and they’re “giving Divas a chance”, and the Bellas are WWE darlings enough with the reality show and all that that I’m sure even losing they could demand a rematch and still have the feud continue. Saying this, I admittedly don’t recall the outcome of their most recent matches, so I can’t speak to any momentum that might be having.

Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker

SARAH: Taker all the way here. While the streak is no more, and I think he becomes more vulnerable as a result, and it probably SHOULD be Wyatt from the standpoint of building for the future, this Wrestlemania isn’t the one Undertaker is going to lose again at; if he intends to come back at all next year, or exit on a high note, he needs his win back. And a good, competitive match with the Undertaker resulting in a near-miss at Wrestlemania doesn’t hurt anyone. Bray Wyatt loses after giving Taker a run for his money.

ARI: No way does Taker lose two in a row.

Sting vs. Triple H

SARAH: If Sting doesn’t win this one, it is nothing but an ego trip on the part of Triple H. And as I actually give H more credit than that, I’m thinking we have the feel-good, first-time-on-WWE win for Sting. The incoming hero triumphs on the biggest stage possible, and that way, whether this is the end of a career, or the first step on to a last run in the WWE, it’s done right.

ARI: They don’t give the fans everything they want at Wrestlemania night, but they come pretty close, and there’s no need for this storyline to be complicated, especially when this might be a “One Match Only” between two very part-timers, I think we get the crowd pleasing Sting win after a good match, probably featuring bat vs. sledge hammer.

(WWE Title) Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns

SARAH: There is really no good way to end this in some ways – although Lesnar re-signing with the WWE last week opens up more possibilities than the likelihood that he was leaving. What I DON’T think we see is a straight up “face” Roman Reigns winning the title in your prototypical “Wrestlemania moment” to end the show. There is a possibility of Seth Rollins cashing in, but as Ari said, I don’t know that the surprise factor there outdoes the “heel walks out of Wrestlemania with the belt” factor. I predict, at this point, that Lesnar retains, and offers a respectful handshake to Reigns after a very hard-hitting match. Whether Reigns accepts it or not … or what becomes of Paul Heyman if his guy becomes a face … well not even I’m predicting that one.

ARI: Clearly the hardest one on the card to predict, for the reasons you listed. But as I try to think of fancy ways for them to get out of this, a Seth Rollins cash-in, Sheamus run-in or run-in by someone, I just don’t see it. It feels like fan fiction, not actual likely booking. I think the ending is going to be simpler than we expect. And I think Wrestlemania ends with the sort of tweener Brock Lesnar holding up the belt. Okay, it’s not the prototypical glorious “face moment” like you said, but I could see them trying to recapture the absolute stunned silence of his win at Wrestlemania last year, combined with some of the cheers he has been getting. I can see where, if not rapturous applause, a reaction of sheer amazement after a bunch of F5s or suplexes could be a satisfying enough feeling to close the show on, especially since I’ve predicted a lot of face wins earlier down the card.

There you have it. Did we get it right? Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to offer your comments and predictions, and we hope you enjoy finding out along with us starting at 5pm (pre-show) and 7pm (Wrestlemania itself) later tonight, on the WWE Network, for $9.99 (or $11.99 in Canada). 🙂

Seth Rollins Challenges Daily Show Host Jon Stewart

So anyone who’s been following wrestling these last few weeks knows that there’s been a war of viral videos – and, on Seth Rollins’ part, in-ring promos – between Mr. Money in the Bank himself and exiting Daily Show host Jon Stewart. This war of words came to a head last night as Rollins crashed Stewart’s ‘Moment of Zen’ closing spot. See the fun go down here.

As both a wrestling fan member of the WWE universe, and a fan of the Daily Show, I for one am finding this ridiculously entertaining, although I understand that Jon Stewart’s and Seth Rollins’ audiences might not always perfectly intersect, I love that this intelligent, entertaining man is a wrestling fan – proving what we have known all along, that we can in fact be smart, erudite types, not just knuckle-dragging neanderthals – and that he’s game playing along with this in his very high-profile final year on the Daily Show.

Enjoy the fun and games:

ITVR Podcast (yes really!) – Back and Better than Ever!

Please CLICK HERE for the latest edition of ITVR after a hiatus of … well, way too long. A brief review of 2013, a look at 2014 so far, and Royal Rumble predictions as well as thoughts on the new WWE Network are all included.

What we were very, very much remiss in, however, while trying to cover so much ground tonight regarding the current product, was to not have offered our respects and fond memories to Johnnie Mae Young, 90, a legendary WWE mainstay and the only wrestler to perform in 9 decades, who passed away last week. Words can’t express how badly we feel about that oversight while recording, and only hope this mention can somewhat make up for it. She was an amazing, scrappy woman, ahead of her time, who will be very much missed. Let’s all give Mae a hand … and much love. You knock down those pearly gates, Mae! XOXO

ITVR – Wrestlemania Edition!

CLICK HERE for our Wrestlemania thoughts, predictions and all the excitement. 🙂

ITVR PODCAST for March 24 2013

CLICK HERE to listen! Happy Holy Week, Happy Passover.

New ITVR Podcast

CLICK HERE to listen! 🙂

ITVR Podcast! At long last!

Please CLICK HERE to listen to this week’s long-awaited podcast.

Elimination Chamber Predictions

*shamefacedly enters blogosphere after almost 3 weeks, pointing the way over to her personal blog at http://shortysarcasm.wordpress.com for reasons, excuses, and what’s been up with me/us, before continuing with our regularly scheduled program*

Tonight’s PPV is Elimination Chamber, the last pay stop on the Road to Wrestlemania 29, and it is shaping up to be an excellent program. With no further ado, please find our predictions below. And please check back later tonight/tomorrow evening at the latest to listen to our post-show podcast. Be well!

Youtube Preview Match: BRODUS CLAY & TENSAI VS. TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS

This match is obviously more just to warm up the crowd and entertain, moreso than having any longterm ramifications. With Team Rhodes Scholars prematurely (in my opinion) going their separate ways officially going forward, really Clay and Tensai as the more permanent tag team should get the win. But as the Rhodes Scholars are generally taken more seriously, and could use that little push as they head off in their separate directions, I give them the win.

Divas Championship Match: KAITLYN VS. TAMINA SNUKA

I don’t see the title changing hands here as Kaitlyn retains. She’s getting some more crowd support in recent weeks than before, and only recently won the title. This feud could use a chance to build, and, if done right, could actually inject some life back into the Diva’s division with Kaitlyn’s growing popularity and Tamina’s overall wrestling skill. But as it has some time, no need to switch the title tonight.

U.S. Championship Match: ANTONIO CESARO VS. THE MIZ

I’m going to preface this one by saying my odds being placed are 60%-40% at best here; neither result would surprise me. I’m going with Cesaro because I think he’s the guy WWE’s behind in the long term, and as of how they’re being presented generally has the better upside overall. However, WWE has been trying to transition Miz to a face, give him some credibility with Ric Flair’s endorsement of a few weeks ago, and might see the winning of a title as a way to continue that push. So he definitely has a chance – I am just looking at the big picture and thinking the Miz is taking awhile to get comfortable in his ‘good guy’ role, while Cesaro is proving to be a steady hand bringing some strong credibility to a secondary title – and their competing styles and worldviews/attitudes could make for a decent feud. I wouldn’t switch the title just yet, although I grant a compelling counter-argument could be made.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: ALBERTO DEL RIO VS. BIG SHOW

I’m going to go with Del Rio retaining here, followed by Big Show beating the living tar out of him. The time would then be right for a Dolph Ziggler cashing in of the Money in the Bank, in more ways than one – for reasons which will become clear shortly. Dolph Ziggler walks away with the belt heading into Wrestlemania. Especially given he has no other place on the card, this is my call.

Elimination Chamber Match to determine the #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Title: JACK SWAGGER VS. RANDY ORTON VS. CHRIS JERICHO VS. MARK HENRY VS. KANE VS. DANIEL BRYAN

Okay – so first of all my winner prediction here is Chris Jericho – especially if my earlier prediction rings true that Dolph Ziggler cashes in his Money in the Bank contract. Ziggler and Jericho have a history, as Ziggler was responsible for Jericho’s being let go from the company (per storyline) and they’ve been in each other’s faces since Jericho’s Royal Rumble return. With the WWE Title match for Wrestlemania a near-lock (John Cena vs. The Rock and/or CM Punk), and it being spectacular in terms of star power but perhaps not so much in terms of athletic display, WWE often likes to balance this ticket, and Ziggler-Jericho would put on a hell of a show. And if this is some sort of farewell tour for Jericho – or even a more permanent/stable return, a run with the WWE title at Mania wouldn’t be out of place. And if Ziggler goes on to beat Jericho, then he’s established himself for the future. Thus, Jericho wins this match. Some side predictions, however: this is where Team Hell No busts up, especially with DB acting more heelish of late. I predict a match between these two at Wrestlemania as well – perhaps with the tag team titles on the line and the winner can choose his new partner. It will at least sow the seeds of dissension between these two. I think we will also see Randy Orton’s heel turn, and Jack Swagger’s return/push/character development progress … there should be a lot of drama and storytelling in this match. I’m looking forward to it.

JOHN CENA, RYBACK AND SHEAMUS VS. THE SHIELD

It befuddles me – and other wrestling pundits, as to why this match isn’t in the Elimination Chamber, given that 1. there is as of now only one Chamber match where there are usually two, and 2. in terms of numbers and potential brutality for this grudge match, it seems tailor made for it. I get that they don’t want to risk it seeming like the Shield might deteriorate just yet in an every-man-for-himself-type environment, and I agree they have long legs yet on this supergroup – but perhaps teasing some dissension while they end up standing together, or as an attempt to break them up when they don’t, or just overall a way to up the physicality of this match, give them something to play with, it wouldn’t surprise me if this stipulation was added over the course of the night. In terms of win/loss predictions, it’s a tough one as I don’t think this is the place for the Shield’s first loss, but Cena, Ryback and Sheamus by definition tend to be – and should – be kept strong going into Wrestlemania. My prediction is the Shield wins, but there will be plenty of brutality, cheating and shenanigans, it will be a close-run match, and I’m going to go out on a limb and add that Sheamus probably takes the eventual fall. Maybe Brad Maddox does a run-in to exact some revenge against the Shield, getting Cena and co. disqualified and re-establishing himself as an idiot ne’er-do-well heel? Although that would do away with this potentially being the Chamber. I could also see Cena taking the hit here, to provide a relatively innocuous stumbling block in his year of redemption after last year, on his road to Wrestlemania, reclaiming his title and his loss to the Rock. But I’m going with by hook or crook, the Shield wins. The veterans here can withstand the loss, and the Shield needs to look strong going into WM. It’s too early to have them weaken yet.

WWE Title Match: The Rock vs. CM Punk (if the Rock is disqualified or counted out, CM Punk wins the WWE Title)

I’m going with the Rock here – this is ultimately going to be his rematch with Cena at Wrestlemania, which means Punk does not regain his title here. I also suspect he parts ways with Paul Heyman after tonight, as I’ve heard Punk-Lesnar (with Lesnar as the face?!) is penciled in as a possibility if other ideas (Lesnar-HHH, Lesnar-Taker) don’t pan out. But Rock-Cena is WM29 endgame, and this is where they’ll establish that. Easy prediction.

There you have it. And again, be sure and keep an eye out in the coming hours, day or so at most, for our post-show podcast! 🙂 Cheers, and be well.

Royal Rumble Predictions

So the Royal Rumble is upon us. We wanted to do a podcast with predictions etc. but Ari’s voice sounds like … well, to say it sounds like a frog would be kind lol. But we’ve had a decent buildup with a good Raw – the Rock gets the best ticket in the house, which after a night of being banned from the building gets him backstage access, an entrance, and everything … just to get beaten down by the Shield. We saw one of the best comedy bits in a long time as Kane and Daniel Bryan – “You are the valedictorian!” “No you are the valedictorian!” – graduate from anger management, and get an arena full of wrestling fans to hug it out. It sounds like the Royal Rumble Fan Fest as well has been a unique event, particularly some of the ‘shooting straight’ panels they’re piloting this year, the two most prominent featuring Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels speaking about the “Montreal Screwjob” incident (look it up) from 1997, and the Degeneration X Panel.

But we are now two short hours from the event itself and while we’re not so very able to TALK (although we might try after the event/tomorrow sometime if Ari is up to it) about it, we still wanted to offer our predictions. So here, to the best of our ability, we go.

 

Free Pre-Show Match: US CHAMPION ANTONIO CESARO VS. THE MIZ

SARAH: I haven’t seen enough of a push behind the Miz as a face … yet … to fancy he’s going to win this. He’s got Ric Flair’s Figure Four, but Cesaro is still where it’s at for now. I could see this ending being “schmozzy” to continue the feud, but WWE has a lot going behind Cesaro, while Miz’s push, to the extent he has one going on, is relatively new and not taking with the fans as WWE might have hoped.

ARI: Yeah I’ll go with Cesaro, I think the Miz gets the next one, here’s the thing, they want to get the Miz over but Cesaro hasn’t had the title for that long yet and they like him too.

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS TEAM HELL NO VS. TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS

SARAH: I’m going Team Rhodes Scholars here. I have surprisingly enjoyed Hell No’s run, but I think whatever push the tag team division could have gotten from them – and whatever push they could have gotten from working together – is coming to an end. It’s time to put the titles on what honestly is a more longterm tag team, and set Daniel Bryan and Kane up for whatever business they’re heading to at Wrestlemania (each other?).

ARI: Yeah, I’ll go with that too. It almost feels too easy, but … there’s not a lot left for Team Hell No if they’re winning, if they’re losing it’s a whole new dynamic, sets up the inevitable bust-up.

Last Man Standing Match: WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ALBERTO DEL RIO VS. BIG SHOW

SARAH: I’m going with Del Rio here. WWE’s done well by both of these men but I don’t think they crowned Del Rio just to have him lose a couple of weeks later. I don’t think he’s going into Wrestlemania as champion – I look for him to lose around the Elimination Chamber – but he’s got at least a few more weeks left in him.

ARI: I think Del Rio wins and I think it’s something similar to the last one where Big Show isn’t exactly knocked out but he’s somehow rendered unable to stand upright.

*** NOTE: We have discussed the possibility here of Dolph Ziggler cashing his Money in the Bank in on the exhausted winner of this barn-burning match; it wouldn’t surprise either of us, though neither of us are willing to put all our eggs in this basket.

WWE CHAMPION CM PUNK VS. THE ROCK (CM Punk loses the title if The Shield interferes)

SARAH: The Rock wins what I predict will be an incredibly strong early Match of the Year contender. CM Punk will not be hurt for losing the belt here, he’s had just a fantastic reign, there’s no harm in doing the job to the Great One, and the obvious booking with the Rock scheduled to be around for a few months is to have him march to Wrestlemania as Champ.

ARI: You’re right, it’s just so incredibly neat and tidy for it to be Rock here and someone else at Mania. But I kinda want to disagree with you and I’m going to go with it. I’ve had the feeling for awhile that it’s just a little too perfect and neat for the Rock to win first match over Punk. Now that I think of it, you think he’s going to do that so that Cena can win it off of him at Mania. I don’t know that they would have Cena go over the Rock to close Mania.

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH

SARAH: I’m going with John Cena’s redemption story after a ‘lousy’ 2012 starting here. I suspect WWE’s endgame at this point is Rock vs. John Cena for the WWE Title at Wrestlemania 29 – with that in mind, the quickest road between Points A and B is through the Rumble, which Cena will win. Dark horse prediction to Dolph Ziggler, who has promised to cash in both his Rumble Win and Money in the Bank to win both titles at WM 29.

ARI: (as our son is chanting ‘Cena, Cena’ in the background) What a surprise, the women and children are for Cena. 🙂 Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin, I guess they have some repeat winners. The fact that Ziggler called winning the Rumble and having two title shots to cash in suggests to me it probably won’t happen, okay that’s bluster. Usually that’s your cue it’s not going to happen. Yeah, I pick Cena if only because it seems a little too easy but I can’t thnk of anything that makes more sense. Maybe that’s just a failure of creativity on my part.

Or WWE’s creative team … 😉

And in terms of potential surprises, take note only 18 participants have been named in the Rumble so far, and Mark Henry, Carlito, Shelton Benjamin and other former WWE standouts have all been seen in the Phoenix area. It’s going to be a happening, dontcha dare miss it! XOXO

Bob Backlund to be Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

Wrestlemania season is upon us, as is always evident in the leadup to the Royal Rumble (which is coming up this Sunday – Ari and I will be around later this week to give a recap of last night’s Raw, and a preview/predictions in regard to this Sunday’s event).

One of the best features of Wrestlemania Weekend (and yes, it is a full weekend of festivities), is the Hall of Fame induction ceremony the night before – we’ve said, this is actually a brilliant idea of Vince McMahon’s, to give the wrestlers something fun and enjoyable to do, that doesn’t necessarily involve mad amounts of alcohol or … any other kind of partying, shall we say, less than 24 hours before the biggest event of the year. But it’s also – and really, more importantly – an opportunity to honour our deserving stars of the past. Last week on Raw, as we discussed, it was already announced that Mick Foley would be this year’s #1 entrant into the Hall of Fame. Last night, they announced the second inductee …

2-time WWF/E champion Bob Backlund. This clean scrubbed wrestler with a sparkling amateur background was the anti-Ric Flair of his day; in his first WWE title run, Backlund would never cheat, took care of himself, was happy in a longstanding marriage, and was taken with sportsmanship, often shaking his opponent’s hands before locking up with them, and/or after their match. This good ole boy managed to cobble together a 5-year title run before losing his belt to the Iron Shiek, who ultimately went on to lose it to Hulk Hogan, in his first title win, launching the Hulkamania phenomenon.

But when Bob Backlund made his return, he quickly turned ‘heel’, bitter at having lost the title due to his manager ‘throwing in the towel’, and managed to eke out a short, 8 day title reign between Bret Hart’s second and Kevin Nash’s first, before retirement.

A very worthy inductee into the HOF – congratulatoins Mr. Backlund! 🙂