WrestleMania 26 Predictions

March 25, 2010

It’s time once again for my annual WrestleMania prediction commentary. This is my 5th year doing this and I’m hopeful this will be a more successful year for me. I’ve got far more interest in WrestleMania this year and I’m quite excited about the show. I’m even ordering it on PPV this year, which is only the second time I’ve done so (I ordered 24 for the Flair retirement match). Before I get into my thoughts for the big day lets take a look back at my track record, and keep in mind I purposely avoid talking to any of my buddies in WWE about what they may or may not be doing at WrestleMania so I can fairly predict based solely on watching the build on RAW and SD like a fan would.

WrestleMania 22= 63%
WrestleMania 23= 63%
WrestleMania 24= 44%
WrestleMania 25= 50%
Over all Average= 55%

Mania 24 was a bad year for me, but I find with the way I predict, if I miss judge just one key match I usually miss out on others. The problem is I never just look at each match individually I take into account how many faces or heels are going over on the show or whether I think they will want to switch both big titles, so if I predict that they are switching the World Title I’m less apt to predict they will also switch the WWE Title.

Anyway, enough of my rambling excuses, let’s peer into the Storm crystal ball and see what lays a head for WrestleMania 26

Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker: This is the big one and a real tough one to predict. The Streak is the Streak and it’s hard to bet against it, but I can’t see Shawn getting beat 2 years in a row, and I really don’t want them going back on a retirement stipulation. There is also the problem that if Shawn does lose and is forced to ‘retire’ they are almost obligated to do a big send off like they did for Ric Flair, 2 years ago, and if they do that it’s going to make fans even more upset if Shawn returns in a year or less. Because of this I’m going out on a limb here and predicting Shawn breaks the streak and after Sunday Taker moves to 17-1.

Bret Hart vs Vince: This has to be the safest prediction I’ve ever had to make. I just can’t conceive any possible finish other than Bret Hart making Vince tap to the Sharp Shooter. I’m predicting a big Hitman victory and if I miss this one I’m doomed.

Chris Jericho vs Edge: This here is one of those do or die moments because I’m basing this one partly on how I see the WWE Title match going. I could see either of these guys getting the win, and there is always the possibility that this decision hasn’t even been made yet, but I’m going with Edge winning the Title. I want to add an extra bit to this but I won’t count it in my prediction percentage but if I get it right I’ll brag like a fool. I think there is a strong possibility that MITB will be cashed in the same night (With MITB as a PPV this year it might be the last chance to do this at Mania) and if it is I’m expecting Edge to still retain for the surprise pop. The first time MITB gets cashed in at Mania and the first time it’s cashed in unsuccessfully.

Dave Batista vs John Cena: They have done an awesome job building this match up, and I’m way more interested in this match than I ever thought possible. Dave has done just an amazing job at being a complete ass so I’m hoping he retains to keep this program going, and enable Dave to remain on RAW. Dave retains.

Money in the Bank: This damn match is always an average killer, because it’s tough enough with a 50/50 chance and this match there are now 10 potential winners. I should be allowed to pick 2 possible winners just to give me a fighting chance and if I were to do that it would be Christian or Drew McIntyre. I think these guys are the leading candidates and I could see either of them challenging Edge later in the show and losing. To pick just one I’ll go with Drew, fingers crossed.

Miz-Show vs Truth & Morrison: I really have no idea on this one, and to be honest I don’t care all that much. I’d rather see the titles on Truth and Morrison just so they can work with the Hart Dynasty but I’m not sure if that will be the case. So at just a guess I’m going to go with the Title switch bases solely on the fact that I have a lot of heels picking up wins on the show so I think a big baby face title win here will help balance out the show and keep fans happy. If WWE wants to keep the belts on Miz-Show they can always get them back in their title rematch.

HHH vs Sheamus: I think I’ve gotten more HHH predictions wrong than any other individual but I think I’ve got a good chance this year. HHH was left strong on Monday so I figure things look good for the Celtic Warrior. I think the office is big on this guy and HHH is so established a loss here won’t hurt him at all. I predict HHH does good business and Sheamus picks up the win. On a side note, could HHH’s tan have been any darker on Monday? My god, he’s working with Sheamus, does he really need the extra tan? (LOL)

Orton vs Rhodes vs Dibiase: Not crazy about this match going in, I think they jumped the shark unfortunately, but I think it’s a fairly safe call that Randy is picking up the win. If I had a clue where they were going with Orton after this, I might predict a run in of some kind to cost Randy the match and move him into a new program but absolutely nothing has been hinted at so I don’t see it. I don’t see the point in continuing this story with a Rhodes or Dibiase win either so I’m going with an Orton victory.

Rey Mysterio vs C M Punk: I haven’t been following SD as much as I’d like so I don’t have a great feel for this match but with the stipulation of “If Rey loses he must join the SES” I think Punk winning provides this program with the most legs and this is a program that certainly still has legs. As long as they don’t add any more stipulations on Friday, I’m picking Punk to win so Rey is forced to join the SES.

Hopefully they won’t announce any more matches on Friday, because I don’t know if I will have time to add another prediction before Sunday. I’m actually going to be out of town for the weekend and will be ordering the show and recording it for when I get back. IF they do add a Divas match I’ll do my best to post a prediction, but if not I’ll just omit that match when I calculate my accuracy.

Enjoy the show everyone,
Lance