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I’ve gotten back into the game, though doubtless I’ll fall back out of it again even though I still have my future plans. Anyway, here’s my WrestleMania 24 card:
World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Edge (C)
Chris Jericho made his shocking surprise return at the Royal Rumble, going on to win the match and earn his chance to once again headline WrestleMania, this time as the challenger. Edge has tried to make Y2J’s life a living hell, and has made certain to mention that he has yet to be pinned or forced to submit at Mania, while Y2J choked the last time he main-evented the grand daddy of them all.
WWE Championship: Booker T (C) vs. John Cena
Booker T has been on a tear ever since his unthinkable victory at the Royal Rumble when he wrestled the championship away from Randy Orton. Orton failed to reclaim his title and bring it back to the Corporate ranks. Now, Vince McMahon has appointed John Cena in charge of bringing the belt home “where it belongs”. Cena has had quite a WrestleMania streak building, so he has to be considered a favorite.
ECW Championship: CM Punk (C) vs. Ace Steel vs. Colt Cabana
Punk and Cabana, once the best of friends, have had several classic matches over the ECW Championship thus far…and it appeared to be headed in that direction again for WM. But now, enter Ace Steel…the man who trained both Punk and Cabana and was the third man in their Second City Saints triumvirate. Steel has been red hot since debuting in the land of the Extreme, and can’t be overlooked as he knows all of Punk and Colt’s tricks of the trade.
8-Man Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Representing SmackDown are United States Champion MVP and “The Animal” Batista. MVP certainly cannot be discounted, as he’s held that US Title since May. Batista has never competed in a ladder match before, so it should be interesting to see how the beast fares.
ECW has two representatives. First you have “Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer. He is no stranger to matches of the extreme variety, and so he should feel right at home. He would love nothing more than to win this match and get an ECW Title shot. Also from ECW is “The King of Old School” Steve Corino, who made a surprise appearance at No Way Out by assaulting Dreamer and Sandman, and he’s been a force to be reckoned with on ECW since them.
Raw has the most representation, with four superstars. “The Game” Triple H has been a perennial thorn in the side of the Corporation. He has not been in a ladder match in some time, but when the situation calls for it, the “King of Kings” always seems to rise to the occasion. Also involved is Bobby Lashley, the powerhouse of a man who has been steamrolling his way up the Raw ranks. He has some ladder match experience, as he was a participant in the MITB match at WM22.
Also within Raw, the Corporation has two representatives in the match in Randy Orton and Mr. Kennedy, both of whom competed in the WM23 MITB and know what to expect, the latter of which actually won. Will their Corporate bond cause them to work together in this match, or will it truly be every man for himself?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy (C) vs. Shawn Michaels
After being screwed out of his MITB qualifier by the Corporation, the Heartbreak Kid has sought a way to get onto the show where he has thrived so much. He turned his attention to Jeff Hardy, the long reigning IC Champion who has held the belt since September. Both men have the utmost respect for one another and have helped each other out whenever possible, but they will be foes come WM. Will the Showstopper come through again or will Hardy be able to oust his childhood hero?
The Undertaker vs. Kane vs. Kevin Thorn vs. Umaga
The Undertaker’s 15-0 record at WrestleMania has never before been in so much jeopardy. Originally, Taker was entangled in a struggle with the cryptic warrior Kevin Thorn, who was certain he could be the one to end the streak. However since then, the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga has run in on their matches, prompting Taker’s brother Kane to come to his aid, but at WM it will be a fatal four-way, one fall to a finish bout. Taker’s amazing run seems to be in peril against three monsters, and he doesn’t even have to be pinned for it to end.
Street Fight for Control of ECW: Mick Foley vs. Marcus Cor Von
The war between the ECW Originals and the New Breed has reached the absolute boiling point. Neither side is backing down, until ECW Co-GM Mick Foley finally decided to lay down the law. He challenged any member of the cocky New Breed to a match at WrestleMania, with the winning brand getting control of the brand. The New Breed chose the powerful and dangerous Marcus Cor Von to lead the group into battle.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Mysterio vs. Carlito (C)
The sly Raw superstar Carlito shell-shocked Rey Mysterio by entering the No Way Out cruiserweight open as a surprise participant and winning the title just minutes after Rey thought he was the new champion. Rey has stopped at nothing to get the championship back, including traveling to Raw to face fellow Corporation members who were friends of Carlito. It should be an exciting match.
Matt Hardy and Finlay vs. William Regal and Dave Taylor
Hardy and Finlay, originally an odd-couple team, have managed to hold the WWE Tag Team championships since November and are possibly the most dominant team in the company today. This didn’t sit well with Raw GM William Regal and fellow Englishman Dave Taylor, the World Tag Team champions. This match isn’t about titles, it’s about pride.
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