Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary | April 5th, 2009 | Reliant Astrodome | Houston, Texas
1. The Colons w/The Bellas defend the WWE Tag Team Championships against The New Hart Foundation w/Natalya
Perfect way to start beefing up the SD tag division. Although I wouldn't like TJ Wilson (which he should be called, not this Tyson Kidd bullshit) and DH Smith to be called The New Hart Foundation. A) Niether of them are Harts. B) It would be like their trying to leech off the past too much. C) They'd enavitibly be compared to The Hart Foundation forever and their careers will suffer for it. But something Hart/Calgary/British related would be nice, something original though. And the pink Bret Hart maple could still be the logo. That's a nice subtle reference.
Anyway back to the match, I think Wilson and Smith should go over and win 'em here. The Colons have been champions for long enough. With both teams wresting credentials this would make for an athletic fast-paced match.
2. Money in the Bank: Finlay -vs- Kofi Kingston -vs- Christian -vs- Evan Bourne -vs- Mr. Kennedy -vs- R-Truth
Great diversity of talent here, it'll make for an interesting clash. And it could showcase Bourne and Kennedy's returns. I don't want to see Benjamin thrown in this one. Even though he brings a lot to MITB matches everytime, he IS the US Champ so we need to start acting like it. These 6 guys are eager anf have shown the heart, unique offense, and athletism in the past to be able to put on a memorible one. And it would be refreshing too. My picks to win would be either Christian or Kennedy w/ Bourne coming close.
3. Priceless defend the World Tag Team Championships against The New Wild Samoans
Same thing goes for The New Wild Samoans as did The New Hart Foundation. And this match could serve as a rivial of the tag division on Raw. Plus this one will have an intense rivalry and lead up video before it: The fallout of Legacy. I see this match as having a slower-pace, very wearing, draining, and brutal. More like an old school wrestling match. I think, for now, Princeless should retain because if they were to defend the belts at this years WM the'd have to somwhow win the belts within the next 3 weeks for enough time to build their grudge match. Maybe it could tie in with Orton's thing alittle, only alittle though. Plus I hate short title reigns. So it would be cool to see their rivalry blow over until Judgement Day where The New Wild Samoans finally take them (if they're over enough).
4. United States Champion Shelton Benjamin -vs- Intercontinental Champion CM Punk
Since the mid-card is pretty weak right now I think this is by far the best match they could come up with for now (without throwing these guys into MITB for no reason). Plus it'll give their respective titles some recognition, a champion -vs- champion theme. give these two enough room and I bet they could put on a classic, I bet. A main event status performance on any other ppv. Since I'm a Benjamin fan I think he should win, haha. But he also would gain more from beating Punk than Punk would from him. But if it's a very good hard fought match neither man will have nothing to lose.
5. Jack Swagger defends the ECW Championship against Tommy Dreamer in an Extreme Rules Falls Count Anywhere Match (if Dreamer loses he retires)
I really wish WWE would let loose with this one. Remember the classic hardcore matches from back in the attitude era? Why not have that even for one match? It IS suppose to be the ECW Championship after all. And the fans would obviously love it. Give Dreamer just a small window of glory. Swagger will get a piece of it too to start establishing his career, no doubt about that. This should be a very emotional match for Dreamer; great stroytelling. and of course Swagger would be the new age asshole whose all about business. I don't want this to be a sloppy match, but it should go all over the place. The astrodome arena is a huge place, this could be done very creatively. I'm still conflicted on whether or not Dreamer should become champion. He should because he derserves it, at least as a tolken of respect by the WWE. But from a "business" standpoint he really has nothing to offer as champion. Perhaps a short title reign? Where he loses it at Backlash and thereby retires? Hmm, if done right it could work. Just make sure the guy who beats him in that last match for the title deserves it. And so far from what I see, not Swagger. His character needs to develop alittle more.
6. Jeff Hardy -vs- Matt Hardy in a #1 Contendership Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Since a special stipulation match seems redundant, I think this should be a good old #1 contenders match. This seems like it would fit their rivlry better; which Hardy excels, which Hardy is left in the dust? These brothers shoudn't need a special stipulation anyway, with their chemistry and the right kind of story telling (w/ perhaps a few tricks up their sleeves), a special stipulation would only take away from it. I think it would be interesting if Matt won, but that depends on whether or not he's over enough as a heel by then. Plus we must consider what we want to main event at Backlash to be.
7. Edge w/ Vicki Guerrero defends the World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena
I think it would be fitting to have the championship match next, still in SD main event mode. And this would be the WM main event for the first half of the show. I think Edge should win because he is without a doubt the top heel in the company (besides Orton maybe) and people hate John Cena being shoved down their throat as champion all the time. I'm guessing this would be a typical championship match though, maybe a few spots. ??? Or maybe Edge will find a more intersting opponent by then.
8. Beth Phoenix w/Santino,Rosa,&Maryse -vs- Trish Stratus w/Melina&Maria (both Women's Champions at ringside.)
I wish Beth was champion going into this. Not so she could defend it but it would make more sense. Why should two women have a WM match and not either of the champions? So in this case I think BOTH chamions should be tied in somehow. Maybe Melina will go for Trish and Maryse will go for Beth. This could be a good divas match, which doesn't happen all too often. Power -vs- Experience. I really think Beth should win. Obviously she has much more going for her. Maybe Cena could come out and take care of Santino since him and Trish have a mutual friendship.
9. Chris Jericho -vs- Mickey Rourke w/ Ric Flair (legends in a skybox)
Well at first I was skeptical about this. But I guess WWE should have one high profile news genorating celebrity involvement at WM. The story going in will be that Flair trains Rourke (as much as he can) so it could be at least somewhat believable that he could hang with Jericho in a wrestling match for a few minutes, something like three or four minutes of back and forth. Then Jericho will control the rest of the match. Realistically, and as a wrestling fan first, I'd like to see Jericho win. But I'm sure Rourkes publicist wouldn't like that. So it would be perfect for Flair, the dirtiest player in the game, to cheat (big time) to give Rourke the win. The legends looking on in the skybox just makes this seem even more important.
10. "Mr. Wrestlemania -vs- The Undefeated Streak" Undertaker -vs- Shawn Michaels (JBL does commentary)
First off, just the idea of this match is utterly amazing, two great storytellers who can also DO IT ALL between those ropes. If I know Shawn and Taker, this'll be an instant classic. Any half decent wrestling fan knows Takers from Houston. So this match will have a big time Texas theme to it, perfect timing for this match to take place. To me, everything is perfect and exciting about this match. I'm looking for a 25+ minute roller-coaster battle. And JBL on commentary is sort of an extra bonus thing. I think he's great on commentary and he will be minimally intwined with the storyline.. another Texan. He shouldn't interfer though, I don't want anything to take away from their performance. I think Taker would win just because I don't think HBK should be the one to end it. I think it would make more sense to have a young up-and-comer eventually beat him and build from that. Like Ted Dibiase with his father in his corner at next years (if Dibiase transitions successfully higher in the ranks as a single fighter) That would have the perfect storyline too: Ted Dibiase Sr., the man who brang IN Taker in the first place, brings his son Ted Dibiase Jr. to take OUT the Taker. Hmmm, only time will tell.
11. "Battle of the Eras" "Stone Cold" Steve Austin -vs- Hulk Hogan
If you think about the three people who have been numero uno is driving WWE's most important eras are Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, and now John Cena. But as for the match taking place itself I went back and fourth on this one, Austin's right, it wouldn't be a very "good" match. But it would be memorable, and historic. And the fans demand it so why the hell not? I'd expect there to be a slow build up at the beginning of the match, with Hogan swearing into and feeding off of the crowd, Austin (whose not the cheesy type) would be smirking with an astonished look on his face. Austin will suprise him with his quick right jabs but Hogan would trap him in his signature opening moves. Austin would have a slow start as Hogan tries to dominated with his old school routine early. Eventually after about six minutes Austin will be able to counter where he'll completely take over with his aggressive less traditional style. Throwing Hogan into the ringpost, into the side guard rails, slamming his head on the commentators booth, Lou Thez press in the ring w/ a succession of punches, straight forward elbow w/ the middle finger running from the ropes, all to set him up for a stunner, a big one too. Of course, we'll give Hogan ONE kick out so he could try to Hulk Up. He gets Austin as far as the big boot, but when he turns to signal to the crowd for the big leg drop, Austin gets up, Hogan turns back around only to find two middle fingers right in his face! Admist the confusion he recieves a second stunner where he is out for good! Sounds like a perfect, realistic, match-up for them to me. And it shouldn't be too long of a match, c'mon, at their age with their lack of activity in the ring these days it shouldn't be too long. It's best being kept short and sweet. And lets not sugar-coat or tone down Austin just because its Hogan. This is Austin's moment and he should treat Hogan as if he were anybody else. Plus its about time Hogan gave back to the company and put Austin over. I'd respect him again. Boy we can only dream for such a moment I guess. But now is the perfect time! Hogan even said he'd be willing to do it!
12. Triple H w/Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton (entire Raw & SD roster looking on backstage, especially Priceless and Linda & Shane McMahon.)
This match should feel like a defining moment in the WWE. All the superstars in the back who you normally don't see should all be watching. Rhodes and Dibiase at the front, Linda and Shane from their own private room. I don't think this would should be too surronded by the McMahons though. Maybe for one night only Steph will join Triple H again. Theres no much that could be tied in and culminate in this match; teacher vs. student, culmination of legacy, transending the McMahons. Could be a sybolically change of the times for WWE. As far as the match itself, I'm burnt out and figuring out how it would be, great storytelling I'm sure. Maybe Vince could make an appearence near the end, but he never liked his son-in-law. *sigh...* Well in the end I think Orton should come out on top decisively. Expect some surpises or changes in the match.
Twelve matches is the perfect number for a WM. It allows 20 minutes for each match. And of course some matches will be less and some you'll want to go longer, so its the perfect #. Think about it, if each superstar who was on this card made their match their own project to put on a good performance, this card in this year would be a classic wrestlemania.
