Wrestlemania: The Matches & Predictions

Wrestlemania is now under 1 week away! The major notion is that most titles do change hands at the "Superbowl of Wrestlemanias". Here are my predictions for the majority of matches, excluding the ECW tag match. I would be picking that match blindly at this point.


MVP vs. Chris Benoit (US Championship) - It just might be time for MVP to finally claim a title in the WWE and back up all that talk he's done since entering the Smackdown roster.

Prediction: Benoit retains the title with his fierce in-ring style. MVP has yet to prove he has much more than cheap tactics, but hasn't shown much in terms of his wrestling abilities yet

Ashley vs. Melina - Smackdown hasn't seen the Women's title yet, but I don't expect this one to change hands just yet. This match is more to promote Ashley's Playboy Cover, but Melina is one tough cookie. With DIVAS surrounding the ring, its tough to imagine that it will be an unfair fight, but that also gives more reason to believe someone will interfere in the outcome.

Prediction: Melina keeps the title somehow, possibly there is interference by one of the other Playboy cover girls outside the ring, either Candice or Torrie Wilson.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match - You'd have to think this is Randy Orton's time to shine. This is by far the toughest of the matches to predict, as it has 8 contenders and it could go any way. Orton seems to want this one badly though, to prove to Edge he's not as good as he thinks. According to the poll running on the WWE Characters site now, Jeff Hardy is the favorite but is very closely followed by Randy Orton. Keep in mind also Edge is undefeated in Wrestlemanias and a Ladder Match veteran.

Prediction: Edge and Orton seem like the most likely WWE title contenders here, with King Booker a 3rd. Orton beats out Edge in a close one. I hate to make a second choice, but it would be hard to overlook CM Punk as well.

Battle of the Billionaires - Umaga vs. Bobby Lashley - Give the edge to Lashley here, the extreme champ. He's overcome many odds and beaten some great competitors. While the Samoan bulldozer is no slouch either, he has been defeated twice by John Cena, and Lashley is another tough champ.

Prediction: Lashley out muscles the Samoan and Mr. McMahon gets stunned by Stone Cold, then strapped into the chair and shaved bald.

HBK vs John Cena (WWE Championship) - The big titles almost always change hands at Wrestlemania. It would be surprising if this one doesn't go to HBK. He's due a win and it will set up an interesting scenario; HBK and Cena will still hold the tag belts, but the heavyweight title will change hands. Also, keep in mind, HHH is set to return to the WWE in several months.

Prediction: HBK wins the WWE championship and sets up a potential feud with HHH when he returns in several months.

Undertaker vs Batista (World Heavyweight Championship) - This one seems like a no-brainer. Undertaker is undefeated in Wrestlemania and it would be hard to believe that streak will end here. While Batista is a great champ and overall powerhouse competitor, the Undertaker is the ring veteran here.

Prediction: Undertaker takes the title once again, going down as 15-0 in Wrestlemania history.

Kane vs The Great Khali - This one should be a vicious battle. It's tough to see Khali losing, because he has such a size advantage, despite Kane's maniacal style.

Prediction: These 2 giants wont see the end of each other here..maybe a disqualification or countout, possibly a draw.

The title matches this year are some of the best in recent history on paper. If HHH was still around, I think HHH vs Cena would be even more of a classic than HBK vs Cena, but fans are still backing the DX star all the way. Seeing the undefeated Undertaker go for Batista's gold is also going to be something to see!

If I had to choose one match I would pay to see of them all, it is by far the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. These matches offer a ton of excitement and action and with those 8 competitors I think fans are in for a real treat. The Hardy's are high fliers, as is Edge who is undefeated at Wrestlemania. Then we get to see guys like Randy Orton, CM Punk and Mr Kennedy who have yet to be involved in this style of match.

In addition, fans may be treated to a shaved Vince McMahon and at least two new WWE title holders...