Wrestlemania 23 Live Thread Pre-during-post PPV Discussion

DD · 03-31-2007, 11:11 AM

Who is ordering the PPV? I will certainly be.

None of my freaking friends want to go out to a bar and watch it with me, so I figure I will shell out the 40-50 bucks for it and do a live thread...........

Who else will be ordering the PPV? I will do some play by play and commenting even if nobody else is doing it (which I would find hard to believe)

Here is my early predictions if you missed them........

I have highlighted who I think will win in red.

World Heavyweight Championship

Batista {c} vs The Undertaker

Call me crazy, but not even Batista's mother wants The Undertakers streak broken. The Undertakers record is layered with stud wrestlers. Sure there were a few duds along the way, but you can't have a stacked lineup all of the last 17 years with 14 of those resulting in wins.

Take a look at the list....
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (WrestleMania VII in 1991)

Jake "The Snake" Roberts (WrestleMania VIII in 1992)
Giant Gonzales (WrestleMania IX in 1993 by disqualification)
King Kong Bundy (WrestleMania XI in 1995)
Diesel (WrestleMania XII in 1996)
Sycho Sid (WrestleMania 13 in 1997 for the WWF Championship)
Kane (WrestleMania XIV in 1998)
The Big Boss Man (WrestleMania XV in a Hell in a Cell match in 1999)
Triple H (WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001)
Ric Flair (WrestleMania X8 in a No Disqualification match in 2002)
A-Train and The Big Show (WrestleMania XIX in a Handicap match in 2003)
Kane (WrestleMania XX in 2004)
Randy Orton (WrestleMania 21 in 2005)
Mark Henry (WrestleMania 22 in a Casket match in 2006)

Granted Mark Henry, Giant Gonzalez and A-Train are in there, the point is they didn't WIN. Like I said two years ago. If Randy Orton doesn't break it in 2005, nobody does. Orton had and has all the makeup for absolute superstar, had already been champion and was looking for a nice boost for his career. This was also prior to his "poop in a pocket backstage fun." Lol, sorry. Couldn't help it. Clearly if Undertaker and Vince werent confident enough in Randy "The Future" Orton, then why blow it on 41 year old Batista.

People are bored of Batista. Unless Batista goes full blown heel Sunday I see no way he takes home the title. From here, I would take Batista, have him go a little beserk and return to his evil ways circa Evolution. He is dry to alot of people. Some claim he can't wrestle. I tend to disagree a bit, but heels generally can be the worse of

I would just HATE to see a no-finish. But clearly this is all about the Undertaker right now. Its almost an afterthought of who he is facing. It just happens to be the Champion.

Undertaker. Tombstone. 123 for the win.

He goes out 15-0, not 14-1.

WWE Title

John Cena {c} vs Shawn Michaels

I was convinced that they were going with the theme of "One last run at the top" going into this a few weeks ago with Taker and HBK getting the nod as the old school legend.

The other side of the fence says that only a stroke from the wrestling gods will get that title off Cena. John Cena has held the title for two years now essentially. Edge has taken the title off him twice. The first time I believe was simply to make the MITB match a legit source of interest and legitimacy and the second time was to get the crowd back behind Cena as he was melting under the heat of the crowd.

The superkick on Monday to Cena though was the deciding factor in what made me also feel that Cena has this one in the bag. Often times as we all know, the person that is about to lose gets the upper hand on their opponent going into the PPV.

With that being said, I am going with my heart and not my brain which tells me Cena is going to win clean.

Battle Of The Billionaires

Umaga vs Bobby Lashley

See last.... Lashley wins for two reasons. He got his rear end handed to him on Monday and the other obvious choice. Trump isnt shaving his head.

Although it would present shock and awe for all those watching as Vince McMahon shaved Donalds head.

Ivanka was quoted in a recent article saying that her father is tired of everyone talking about his hair and was really thinking of a new look........so the real outside potential is there.

The fun thing about watching this match is simply going to be the reaction of the loser, as I can imagine neither of them think bald is ideal. They are both known for their hair. Should be fun.

Money In The Bank

Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk vs Edge vs Randy Orton vs King Booker vs Finlay vs Mr Kennedy

Too many damn people in the ring. This should have been kept to six and left at six. Edge is undefeated at Manias at 5-0. I think Vince sees long term with Edge and wants to keep this streak intact just incase he needs to pull the undefeated card out each year down the line.

Edge in the past was known for long lasting injuries but for the past 2 years he has been the model for which a wrestler should aspire.

The only other people I see potentially taking this is Randy Orton or Mr. Kennedy. But to be honest I dont see main event in Mr. Kennedys future. Randy Orton will win it at the hands of Edge if he does. It will be both men at the top of the ladder with Edge getting tossed off by Orton. I still don't see it happening though.

Edge goes to 6-0 at Mania.

Kane vs The Great Khali

Through Hellfire and Brimstone its KANE !!!!! The best main event jobber of all time !!!!!! Khali wins. I take a much deserved smoke break.

US Title

Chris Benoit {c} vs MVP

Chris Benoit is a former World Heavyweight Champion, yet is constantly regulated to US and IC title reigns. Its as if nobody knows what to do with him due to his lackluster mic skills.

MVP on the other hand is essentially the polar opposite of Benoit. Not a fantastic wrestler, uses his mic skills and charisma to get himself over.

I see more gold being added to the already ludacris <-- entrance.

MVP with a schoolboy with assistance from the ropes to steal the title. Benoit goes back into storyline limbo.

Womens Title Lumberjill Match

Melina {c} vs Ashley

There are really only two scenarios that can happen. Melina wins and keeps the title on Raw, or Ashley wins and moves to Raw.

I believe they are too invested in Melina on Raw right now to let her loose her title to Ashley. Ashley is also kinda doing her thing on SD with the Tag Champs and seems to have finally found her groove there.

I do like all the hot valets and interviewers the WWE has hired lately, lets hope that some are the next Mickie, Trish or Ashley and not just pretty faces.

Wishful thinking though

ECW Originals vs The New Breed

Rob Van Dam/Tommy Dreamer/Sabu/The Sandman vs Marcus Cor Von/Matt Striker/Kevin Thorne/Elijah Burke

What a pile of crap ECW has become. Why did they even bother. I couldnt care less about this match on principal alone. The storyline in itself is so against what ECW was ever about. They should just call themselves WWEjr. as its all it is.

If I were a wrestler I would rather be the Intercontinetal Champion then the ECW Champion.

See you tomorrow night here for a live thread. We will start at 7pm. Thanks

DD

K Jay · 03-31-2007, 12:22 PM

Like every rasslin fan in the world ive had this scenario in my head....

But where does it go? Fairy enough Austin is bac and somewhoe controversailly it will make for 15-20 mins of good wretlemania

Bryond that mania looks like any other PPV this year, I really want to reall its specai; but right now is's absolutley nothing!

Brandon · 03-31-2007, 03:27 PM

Yeah, I feel like last year. Card doesn't look great but maybe we'll be surprised. I'm ordering it because honestly, if I don't order this PPV then what wrestling PPV will I order?

It's Wrestlemania! Something has to happen.

I agree with Danny on most of his predictions. I'll be pulling for HBK hard.