Wrestlemania XXVII, the Super Bowl of the wrestling business, sees the WWE at a crossroads where the organisation seems to be going through a rather difficult transition from their current crop of stars to the new generation. Many of their top tier stars such as The Undertaker and Triple H are likely only a few years or one serious injury away from retirement. The two major stars of the last five years John Cena and Randy Orton are both suffering from over exposure in the main event. Last year’s crop of new stars such as Jack Swagger, Sheamus, Wade Barrett and CM Punk who were all given pushes and title runs are now appearing in midcard matches, having failed to secure any sort of permanent position at the head of the company. The match with the biggest build up on this card is a grudge match between two commentators and the star getting the biggest audience reaction is The Rock who is now retired and not actually wrestling on the show.
With that in mind, the best thing about this show is that there is the potential for the company to do something radical or unexpected because there is very little for them to lose by doing so.
Here’s a rundown of the card and some predictions.
JOHN CENA VS THE ROCK
The Rock and John Cena have been having a war of words in the weeks building up to Wrestlemania with speculation that they will clash in some sort of capacity (perhaps an impromptu match). Whats unknown is how long The Rock plans to hang around after Wrestlemania if at all. Regardless, the two of them fighting is something of a dream match between two stars of the Attitude Era and the PG-Rated Era. Also, apparently John Cena is fighting the company’s World Champion The Miz but that is something of a novelty side attraction.
Prediction: Cena wins the title, fights with The Rock, setting up a match at a future show.
THE UNDERTAKER VS TRIPLE H
No Holds Barred Match
Streak vs Nose
We’re probably at the penultimate Wrestlemania appearance for The Undertaker so its pretty safe to assume he wins this.
Prediction: Old Man Taker wins, stretching his undefeated streak to 19-0. Not quite as impressive as Brisbane Roar’s 28 game streak but pretty good nonetheless.
RANDY ORTON VS CM PUNK
The build up to this match has seen Orton systematically wiping out Punk’s entire stable of followers. Orton doesn’t really gain anything from winning this match whereas it would really boost Punk’s profile if he scores the upset. So expect Orton to go over.
Prediction: Orton wins.
ALBERTO DEL RIO VS EDGE
There is literally no one left for Edge to feud with if he retains the title so its a pretty safe assumption that Del Rio wins here.
Prediction: Del Rio wins.
JERRY LAWLER VS MICHAEL COLE
Special Guest Referee: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Michael Cole getting his come uppance has been months in the making. Pretty strange that this match has such a high profile.
Prediction: Lawler wins.
REY MYSTERIO VS CODY RHODES
Mask vs Nose Match
The build up to this grudge match began with Cody Rhodes blaming Rey for disfiguring his face. He has promised retribution at Wrestlemania by removing Rey’s mask. Which obviously isn’t going to happen. Which makes the result pretty easy to pick.
Prediction: Rey wins.
TEAM SNOOKI VS LEYCOOL
Um, I don’t really know what to make of this. I guess its kinda neat to see Trish Stratus back in town. Team Snooki will win with a possible cameo from The Situation. Good lord.
Prediction: Team Snooki
SHEAMUS VS DANIEL BRYAN
I’m pretty stoked that ‘American Dragon’ Bryan Danielsen is appearing at Wrestlemania. That is all.
Prediction: Sheamus
THE CORRS VS RANDOM BUNCH OF FACES
This is the very epitomy of We Don’t Know What To Do With These Guys So Lets Just Throw Them Into A Random Match.
Prediction: The Corrs