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WrestleMania Prediction Machine Pt.2

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

As we get a week closer to WrestleMania 28 in Miami, we know four confirmed matches that have been announced.

John Cena vs. The Rock

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship

C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship

Triple H vs. The Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell

Each week, I will be writing a new article with new opinions from other WrestleZone staff, as well as tweaking what unravels in front of us. This week, Justin LaBar gives his opinions on a few more matches that could fill the card out. Emailed to me his opinions on Tuesday morning, Justin breaks down what we COULD see April 1st.

For Part 1 of the WrestleMania Prediction Machine, Click Here

World Heavyweight Championship- Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus vs Randy Orton vs Mark Henry


Justin LaBar:

I love the fact that both of these guys were bumped from the WrestleMania 27 pay-per-view last year and this year are in a world title match. I probably love it more than the average person because I was looking forward to this match so much last year that when it was taken off the main card I was furious. Although this match is good enough for me to care about it, I don't think WWE brass feels the same. The addition of Randy Orton and Wade Barrett would have been a perfect choice for WWE to add a proven main event star like Orton. This also would have obviously been a great pay off for the long running feud with Barrett to culminate at WrestleMania in a title match that both could possibly lose. Wade Barrett's injury on RAW nixed that idea.

I still think a fatal four is the way to go and WWE will substitute Barrett for Mark Henry. It makes sense. Henry has crossed paths with the other three in the match plus with so many other one-on-one matches already in place- been saying for months prior to Royal Rumble that there should be at least 3 men involved in the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 28. ""

Opinion:

Given how much they invested their time in 2011 with Mark Henry, I would really agree with Justin on this match. Now, given some events that occurred on Smackdown this past week, we may not have this match but let's think about this for a minute. Orton has been involved in Bryan's title reign for months, even though he has never faced him. Sheamus and Orton have a long running history, and Mark Henry is considered as the powerful underdog. Henry should be in this match because of what he accomplished in 2011. From impregnating Mae Young and being Sexual Chocolate to what he is now, it is shocking that Henry is still on the roster. He did a great job making his world title reign not be irrelavent.

I really would love to see a title match that is not a single's match, but I fear that is what we are still going to get. Give the Smackdown stars a chance and not bury them in some weak match with little to no meaning. These are your four biggest faces and heels, so it would make sense to put them all together to give us our first fatal four way World Title match since 2000.

Team Long vs Team Laurinaitis

Justin LaBar:

This seems to be an inevitable match based on the quickly escalating power struggle. A winner take all the power of RAW & Smackdown WrestleMania match that can get at least 8 guys involved. I would be in favor of this because it has a purpose rather than a pointless 8 or 10 man tag like we have seen at WrestleMania's in the past. This would also be the substitute a Money In The Bank match to get more guys featured on the card.

If I had to guess right now I'd say John Laurinaitis, David Otunga, Alberto Del Rio and Christian vs Teddy Long, Ezekial Jackson, Drew McInytre (trying to win Teddy over) and Rey Mysterio. If Mysterio wants to be on the card and can bypass any of this reported heat he has from WWE officials, it would make a lot of sense. He has history with Alberto Del Rio and a match like this would allow him to be protected from a heavy work load. I also think Laurinaitis and Long will be fighting members of their team. Both are trained and having both gear up for a one night only match is something it seems Vince McMahon would find entertaining, at least for him to watch.

FANYASY BOOKING: There has been conflicting reports on Brodus Clay, I wouldn't be shocked if he had a spot on Teddy Long's team. I still stand by that the real reason Clay hasn't been on television as much is due to time. He has squashed everyone to squash and they don't have a feud for him going in to WrestleMania. He gets put in this match and either is the same old Funkasauraus OR.....he drops the gimmick by turning on Team Long and siding with Lauriniaitis who for months was seen talking to him on the phone. 

Opinion:

This is a great idea and the way the WWE is heading. My only concern is that I do not think they need Long and Laurinaitis in the ring. They can put together a set of 4 guys to represent them. I realize they are trained in the ring, but a quick scuffle on the outside or a way for them to break up a count would be enough action I would want to see from them. I am sick of seeing guys like Mickey Rourke, Michael Cole. and others get time to fight and waste a valuable spot in the biggest night in Sports Entertainment.

For Laurinaitis, I would have Otunga team up with Del Rio, Christian, and Mark Henry (Given that Henry was suspended by Long and if he is not involved in the World Heavyweight Championship match) face off against Teddy Long's team of Santino, Ezekiel Jackson, Rey Mysterio, and Drew McIntyre. My biggest swerve is to have Mysterio not be announced until coming out as a surprise at the event. You do not need to advertise him, especially because there are so many other reasons people will buy the Pay Per View. He would be a nice surprise to the live crowd and a nice little dramatic element for the next few weeks. Maybe have Long keep searching and then say he will have his fourth member at Mania. Either way, I like the importance of the match even though I do not want to see either of these guys run BOTH shows.

Your Opinions below or Tweet @JoshIsenberg4. Thanks to Justin LaBar for giving me his thoughts on building the rest of the WrestleMania card. Stay Reading because Part 3 will be up next Wednesday.

Title This: WWE Smackdown Reaction 2-22

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WWE SmackdownIn Ring Segment:

Daniel Bryan talks about being champion heading into WrestleMania. He says Santino is like Rocky Balboa, but he is the real role model. The Miz comes out, says he knew Bryan would be champion because he trained him on NXT, and congratulates him. Miz says he wants to form a tag team with him, but out comes Sheamus. He calls Bryan a hypocrit and an ass. He says everyone will congratulate him once WrestleMania is over. Bryan sucker punches Sheamus, and Sheamus gets a shot on The Miz. Bryan escapes.

What I Liked:

The history between Miz and Bryan was great, but I enjoyed how they interacted with one another here. I thought the microphone work was solid from all three guys, and felt Sheamus took a big step in the words he said. They felt meaningful and the crowd was behind him. I could easily see Miz/Bryan as a tag team in the summer, but right now they should not be in any program together. Find something for Miz separately.

What I Disliked:

Miz needs to find his own feud, a reason for himself to bs used at Mania. I wonder what plans they have for him, if any. Also, why is Sheamus beating strong opponents while Bryan faces jokes like Santino? Let both men garner respectable victories and not just Sheamus. Bryan could benefit from that.

Grade: B

Sheamus def. The Miz:

What I Liked:

The match was solid because I liked how they continued to work on telling a story. Miz worked on Sheamus' arm for a bit, targeted it, and was aggressive doing it. Sheamus is always the aggressor, so it was nice to see a change of pace for him. Sheamus does a great job at reversals, getting out of many moves. I thought Miz held his own with a much more powerful star.

What I Disliked:

Give this match more time, and let Bryan be involved somehow. It will get very boring if all we see is Bryan win a match and Sheamus win one. Let Sheamus lose one or two due to Bryan's interference. It will give an ego and confidence boost to someone who could use it. I also wonder if they tested out The Miz on Smackdown for a possible draft to the show. Do not rule out that idea here, and the idea that Miz could be on Smackdown as a face. He is likable and could make that switch.
 

Grade: B-

John Laurinaitis and Otunga interrupts Aksana and Long. They do the same thing from Raw, setting up Jackson vs. Otunga once again.

 Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger def. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth

What I Liked:

Seeing these four in a match was refreshing from the usual tag matches involving The Uso's. Four established guys who are popular with the crowd in different way. I liked how Ziggler and Swagger picked up the victory, even if they may not be in the tag title picture. I personally would love to see it and bring credibility back. Truth and Kofi are very good together, better than Bourne and Kofi could be. Truth is more of the brawler, while Kofi can utilize his strengths, which is speed and athleticism. Dolph's "show-off" persona is growing on me, as he is so good at making people hate him. The crunches are hilarious to me.

What I Disliked:

The match was alright, nothing spectacular here. They did not get enough time to really get into their moves, their chemistry, and their timing. If Swagger and Ziggler do team up more, do they go to WrestleMania in some sort of Tag Team Championship match? I wouldn't love this idea because I would rather see them in a really good one on one match with others or Money in the Bank, but it's a possibility to have them on and maybe try to make it a point of emphasis to make the titles relevant. They are stuck because so many matches and superstars are over shadowing them currently .

Grade: C+

Santino is backstage and Heath Slater comes in. He knocks cups off the table, and Santino has the Cobra spit in his face.

The Great Khali def. Drew McIntyre:

What I Liked:

Nothing whatsoever, what can you like from this match? Two moves and that is it. A waste of time and space on Smackdown. Give McIntyre SOMETHING to do, and get rid of Khali. He does not deserve to be in a match with his lack of ability. Use him as an Embassador role to keep up their international ties.

Grade: F

Cody RhodesThe Big Show vs. Mark Henry ended in No Contest:

What I Liked:

We got a typical slugfest, which is the only match you will get with these guys. I did like how Show attacked fast and strong in the beginning, but it was Henry who did a better job at turning the tide to gain the upper hand. The spear Big Show uses is fierce. Furthermore,  Show has done a fantastic job the past few weeks with selling for his opponents, including Orton on Raw last week. I liked the ending, giving Rhodes a reason to be relevant outside of the IC Championship. Show and Rhodes is an interesting pairing, and I wonder where it is going to go?

What I Disliked:

How will the much rumored Shaquile O'Neil be involved if Show is in this feud? Rhodes letting the match end in a no contest was okay, but they did not call for the bell or say anything about the match ending. It also devalues Henry and what they can do with him. Will people want to see Rhodes and Henry vs. Show and Shaq? What do you think should happen with this feud? Discuss below, NOW!

Grade: B-

David Otunga def. Ezekiel Jackson:

What I Liked:

Not much to gain from this match that we did not gain a night before. Jackson is getting buried and Otunga is rising. They are pawns in the game of Long vs. Laurinaitis. I like that little side rivalry as each man is trying to seize power. I do not think either of them are deserving of GM for both shows, but it makes for a more interesting storyline than the usual garbage we get, especially from Long.

What I Disliked:

Why not have two other guys in this match, mix it up for the GM's. Long and Laurinaitis could benefit from giving time to other guys to state their case. It looks like at WrestleMania, their jobs will be on the line in some sort of Survivor Series type match.

Grade: D

 Daniel Bryan vs. C.M, Punk Ends in a No Contest:

What I Liked:

A fantastic bell to bell match here, with two techincians in the ring working perfectly. I loved the aggression we got from each Bryan kick, as well as the meticulous way Punk was able to regain his offensive steam. Bryan's suicide dive followed by a clothesline off the top rope is a great way to transition into his next moves. It has athleticism and intelligence. When Long restarted the match, it was just a way to get him to take more control. Control issues are always important when "running a show." I liked this facet. Also, neither looked weak and the match was excellent due to their equal opportunities and offensive maneuvers. Long and Laurinaitis are continuing to feud at the end of the night.

What I Disliked:

This is a prime example of why Otunga vs. Jackson did NOT need to be on the card. Let the feud progress from mid carders to main eventers. That is a logical way to do this. Also, I wonder if Bryan will ever get a clean and impressive win. What will happen in the coming weeks with him? You know we will see Jericho and Bryan vs. Punk and Sheamus soon, but each week needs to have some sort of conflict from all guys involved.

Grade: A

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