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| Can The Undertaker stay undefeated at WrestleMania ? photo credit :wikimedia commons |
In this second of three WrestleMania XXVIII Previews & Predictions, I will cover the three feature matches right below the John Cena vs The Rock main event.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Daniel Bryan w/ AJ Lee vs Sheamus
Preview
Sheamus won the 2012 Royal Rumble match to earn a shot at a championship of his choice. Sheamus chose Daniel Bryan's World Heavyweight Championship. I put this match in part two because it's for the World Heavyweight Championship but this match honestly has been promoted more like an undercard match.
Prediction
I'm hearing that this match is one of four matches ( Rock-Cena,Taker-Trips, Punk-Y2J) at WrestleMania XXVIII that will receive 20 plus minutes. I'm not buying those reports. Rock vs Cena might end up with 30-40 minutes ( plus reportedly The Rock is going to get a lot of promo time). This match will get 10-15 minutes tops and Sheamus will get the win.
Aftermath
World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus will be drafted to Raw and look for Alberto Del Rio to be his heel challenger. They did some things together on recent house shows which could have been WWE testing to see fan reaction to the two together. Daniel Bryan will remain on SmackDown where he could be the heel challenger to CM Punk's WWE Championship.
WWE Championship Match
Champion CM Punk vs Chris Jericho
Preview
Jericho came up short at the Royal Rumble ( drew #30 and still lost), was embarrassed at Elimination Chamber ( Punk kicked him in the head and he was unable to continue), and then finally won a #1 contender's battle royal by last eliminating the Big Show but got help from Cody Rhodes to do so. Jericho's reputation speaks for itself ( 6 time World Champion ) but recent history may suggest that he is one of the weakest challengers for a world title in WWE history. And now the WWE Championship has taken a back seat to Jericho's verbal attacks on Punk's family. To me this would be a storyline for two guys in a grudge match and not a WWE title match.
Prediction
First, you might be thinking that I'm going to say this is not going to be a great match but I'm not. This actually has a shot at being a show stealer despite the match not being built properly in my opinion. Secondly, you probably think you already know my result prediction because of my earlier comments in regard to Daniel Bryan but you don't. I think Jericho will win but the title reign will be short. Punk will end up on SmackDown and his two heel challengers are going to be Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan.
Aftermath
CM Punk will regain the title from Jericho in some type of match that will send Jericho on his way to another sabbatical ( as it is rumored). Maybe a last man standing match or a no holds barred match.
Late Breaking Development
Chris Jericho has reportedly signed an extension to remain with WWE at least into the summer.
The End of an Era Hell in a Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as special referee
The Undertaker vs Triple H
Preview
Triple H started making comments about "ending The Undertaker" despite not beating him at last year's WrestleMania XXVII. This obviously drew the ire of the Deadman. The Undertaker returned to challenge Triple H to another WrestleMania showdown. But Triple H refused saying he did not want to end the streak or The Undertaker because as a WWE executive it was "bad for business". Not even his good buddy Shawn Michaels could convince The Game to take the match with The Undertaker. Then The Undertaker did the unthinkable when he first ruined his brand new wig by taking clippers to it ( oh the humanity) and then told Triple H that Shawn Michaels was better than The Game. This made Triple H not only take the match but up the ante by wanting a Hell in a Cell match. This however apparently started some friction between Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Michaels apparently got his feelings hurt when Triple H only accepted the match after Undertaker said Michaels was better. Michaels then appeared to one up Trips by announcing he had been named special referee ( but come on folks who would have the power to appoint Michaels? Triple H for sure right ?) . Now it looks like Michaels maybe working with Triple H after The Game delivered the classic DX crotch chop in The Undertaker's direction after Michaels told Taker how ironic it is that he may be the man that still ultimately ends the streak. Wow, folks, I think I saw this story on Dallas years ago. In any case, we've got a solid story being told by three veterans going into the biggest show on the WWE calendar.
Prediction
I don't expect the in ring work to be as good as last year's but these guys know how to tell a story in the ring and I'm sure the addition of HBK will add to the drama. I have gone back and forth on who I think will win. I initially was pissed because I figured Triple H was going to be selfish yet again and end the streak. But then I thought about the burden of having the streak continue and how maybe it might be better for Taker to move on from the streak. Then the addition of HBK had the opposite effect; it screamed to me of a Taker victory against the odds. Now, I'm going back to thinking that the streak is more of a burden and it may open up new opportunities for Undertaker to lose. I actually wrote on my WrestleMania XXVIII page that I thought Triple H would end the streak and that's what I'm sticking with. I also see this done in a way that even in losing The Undertaker will look good and he will obviously get a standing ovation.
Aftermath
The Undertaker goes away until next year. Next year, could be John Cena or if he finally comes to his senses, Sting. However, if my prediction holds true, then The Undertaker might want revenge on both Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Could we see DX vs The Undertaker and a partner at WrestleMania XXIX ? How cool would DX vs The Undertaker & Sting be ? Triple H will go back into his role as executive for a while but he just signed a new 4 year compete contract so I expect him to be active here and there. Shawn Michaels will also go away until next year.
Other Related Posts :
WrestleMania XXVIII Previews and Predictions Part 1
