History Making Wrestlemania

Ladies and gentleman, as you're reading this, take a look at the image above this piece.  Some of the words described for this above image were heartbreak, shock, and surrealism.  The streak no one thought could end, ended this past Sunday at Wrestlemania XXX.  The streak that, for 21 years, has been of legendary stature in not just wrestling, but all of sports.  The Undertaker's iconic Wrestlemania undefeated streak has come to a decisive end.  More on this in a few.
However, the rest of the night was not nearly as saddening and shocking.  If anything, out of the tragedy came triumph.  Daniel Bryan pulled off, what many feel, as one of the best Wrestlemania performances in recent memory, as he defeated not one, not two, but three men in two matches to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.  The evening kicked off with what was clearly a historic Wrestlemania moment, in Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and The Rock all sharing the ring in what was a goose bump-inducing moment for viewers across the world and for the live 74,000 fans in New Orleans.  From there, the HHH/D-Bryan match took place (which was preceded by a quite awesome HHH entrance).  The very hard fought 20-minute match resulted in Bryan defeating "The Game", only to get ambushed and humiliated by WWE's version of Jay-Z and Beyonce, HHH and Stephanie McMahon (Levesque).  The 30-man Andre The Giant Invitational Battle Royal soon occurred.  While Kofi Kingston did quite an impressive spot to prevent getting eliminated (sadly he got eliminated shortly thereafter), the event belonged to new found fan fave Caesaro, who definitively eliminated the 7-foot, 500-lb. Big Show by literally scoop slamming him up and over the top rope.  The six man tag match of The (now baby face good guys) Shield vs. Kane and The New Age Outlaws.  This was nothing but domination from the opening bell by The Shield, in which they defeated Kane and NAO in under 5 minutes.  As a side note, Billy Gunn was injured as a result of the power bomb from Roman Reigns.  Although he was noticeably coughing up blood, he was not seriously injured.  Doctors diagnosed him with suffering a damaged blood vessel in his lungs but will make a full recovery.  The John Cena/Bray Wyatt match was next and I must say, what a tremendous entrance from The Wyatt Family.  Complete with a voodoo aura and a mysterious dancer, The Wyatts made their way to the ring with Mark Crozar and The Rels performing the Wyatt theme "Broken Out Of Love (Live In Fear)".  The match was more of a story than an actually hard hitting, highly competitive match.  However, Bray proved that he belonged on the main stage by hanging with Cena.  Clearly with the fans in the palm of his hands (at one point, they were actually singing "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands").  Cena, however, came away with the win but unquestionably a new found respect for the young Mr. Wyatt.  Next up, the match that will now go down in wrestling history as the match that ended the streak.  Taker, complete with yet another incredible entrance, was set to compete against off and on rival, Brock Lesnar.  At one point during the match, Lesnar executed a single leg takedown, and apparently Taker hit his head against the mats on the floor outside.  This reportedly caused quite a severe concussion.  This, along with a few other shots where Taker bounced his head off the mat, caused him to perform virtually on auto-pilot for the remainder of the match.  Soon after, the unthinkable happened.  Lesnar countered the Tombstone piledriver into Lesnar's third F-5 slam onto the Taker in the match.  The referee counts 1-2-3!!  There's a stunned gasp among the nearly sold out crowd in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as they witnessed history.  The Undertaker's 21 year Wrestlemania undefeated streak came to an end by "The Beast Incarnate".  After several minutes, Take finally got to his feet and received a standing ovation as he slowly walked to the back.  Unfortunately, things turned serious as, according to witnesses in the locker room, Taker collapsed to the floor backstage.  From there, he was transported to the hospital via ambulance and was followed by Lesnar and Vince McMahon.  He was released the next day with a severe concussion and nearly suffered a cracked skull and a broken neck.  Let's hope this doesn't mean the end of the 30-plus year career of the Taker.  After the heavy shock and emotion of the match the fans just witnessed, the Vickie Guerrero Divas Invitational was next and clearly the fans were out of it.  Although the action was fast paced and competitive, the fans were just not in it.  At Vickie's final event for WWE, she witnessed the champion AJ Lee retain her title (good luck to Vickie in all her future endeavors).  The main event was finally up, and a less-than-100% Daniel Bryan were taking two fresh guys in Batista and the WWE World Champ Randy Orton.  The match was as hotly contested as anticipated but Bryan made Batista tap out and became the new WWE World Champ.  The sold out crowd, who was just in dismay over the death of the streak, was in unison as they loudly celebrated with Bryan his huge win.  Complete with fireworks and dozens of confetti, Bryan won for the underdog and ended a very emotional night on a very positive note, just as the night started with Hogan, Austin, and The Rock.  While the last few Wrestlemanias weren't the most memorable besides the matches with Cena vs. The Rock and Taker vs. HHH or CM Punk, this Wrestlemania was quite excellent and will be remembered for many years to come.  By the way, in a match before the actual show began, The Usos retained their Tag belts by defeating The Real Americans (Caesaro then turned against Swagger), Rybaxel, and Los Matadores.  Here's a look at the highlights of the big event.

A Warrior's Legacy

First off let me send my condolences to the family of The Ultimate Warrior.  The man formerly known as James Brian Hellwig was pronounced dead yesterday around 5:00 PST after reportedly collapsing outside his hotel in Arizona.   He had just been inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame this past weekend, along with the likes of Mr. T, Lita, the late William “Paul Bearer” Moody, Carlos Colon, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.  Introduced by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s wife, Linda McMahon, as the type that “would be willing to help and extend a hand, but hated excuses and laziness”, he was arm-in-arm with his two beautiful daughters and his speech was widely considered as “epic”.  He had a long-standing controversial relationship with the WWE, especially after the company released a video entitled, “The Self Destruction Of The Ultimate Warrior”, where it highlights all of his bad business dealings and frequent attitude problems.  One incident of note was when he reportedly held up a Summerslam main event, that he was supposed to be a part of, for money that he supposedly wasn’t paid.  The video showed people subsequently making fun of him and mocking him.  His career, while off and on, was still of topic around the WWE community, as he would return every few years for short runs.  He, then, emerged after years in limbo in WCW in 1998, where he feuded with Hollywood Hulk Hogan.  He retired that year and was pretty much a recluse, besides doing a few blogs and occasional public speaking.  Some of his views, especially concerning organized religion, drugs, and homosexuality, were at times quite venomous.  

When it was announced that Warrior (he legally changed his name to Warrior) had agreed to a deal with WWE in 2013 to use his likeness and character for WWE 2K14, fans were surprised considering the love/hate relationship he had with the company.  Then months later, the WWE announced that Warrior would headline the class of 2014 at the Hall Of Fame on Wrestlemania weekend.  To fans that grew up to him in the 80s, this was thrilling news considering many had wanted him to be a hall of famer a long time ago.  

With oft-times tears in his eyes, he expressed how misunderstood he was as a man and as a businessman while working in WWE.  WHat was of note was that he seemingly made peace with everyone he had issues with, including Ted Dibiase, Vince McMahon, and Triple H, who had some pretty disparaging things to say about him in the past.  Interestingly enough, he made zero eye contact with another man he had a lot of personal and business issues with, Hulk hogan (who was sitting front row).  

The next evening was Wrestlemania, and as was customary, he, along with his other Hall Of Fame classmates, was saluted and recognized during the event and there was a rousing ovation from the 74,000 fans in attendance.  The next night, he was introduced to the RAW audience, and his signature theme song was played.  He didn’t do his usual shindig of running to the ring with high-adrenaline.  He just casually walked down the aisle and greeted the fans.  He did, however in classic Warrior fashion, shake the ring ropes once he got to ringside.  He was, in turn, alarmingly out of breath shortly after.  The speech that he gave now serves as almost an eerie epithet of what was to come.  Here’s an excerpt:

“No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe deeper in something larger than life then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized. By the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him and make the running the man did live forever. You, you, you, you, you, you are the legend makers of Ultimate Warrior. In the back I see many potential legends. Some of them with warrior spirits. And you will do the same for them. You will decide if they lived with the passion and intensity. So much so that you will tell your stories and you will make them legends, as well. I am Ultimate Warrior. You are the Ultimate Warrior fans. And the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior will run forever!”

This, without a doubt, is one of the more heartbreaking losses the WWE has suffered in quite some time.  Earlier this year, the WWE community suffered an equally saddening loss with the passing of WWE Hall Of Famer Mae Young.  No matter his controversies or his issues, Warrior was one of the most impactful wrestlers during the 80s and early 90s.  His matches with the likes of the late Ravishing Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect, the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage and especially his match with Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VI were (and still are) highly talked about and considered some of the best matches of his career.  He was an original and there will never be anyone like him.  May the warrior’s spirit live on.  

Return Of Hollywood

In the recorded history of professional wrestling, none captivated crossover appeal to the worldwide masses quite like Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea.  He's the end-all-be-all of the entertainment aspect of the business, thus the sacrilegious term "sports entertainment".  Sure, us purists know very well that, in terms of talent, there wasn't a bigger name in the 80s or early/mid90s then Ric Flair.  However, in terms of draw appeal and ticket sells, the name was Hogan, bottom line.  Before The Rock became the proverbial "wrestler-turned-successful actor", Hogan was it.  Granted, Hogan wasn't the only one starring in movies (remember Roddy Piper's very witty gum line in They Live??), but because of his then-unmatched crossover appeal, he was more in-demand then the likes of Piper or even Terry Funk (Road House anybody?).  His first glimpse of movie stardom came in the form of the annoying, yet very entertaining, Thunder Lips in Rocky III.  From there came his first official headlining role, the  successful No Holds Barred.  Although widely criticized and panned, it's also just as much a cult classic.  While other movies of his like Mr. Nanny and Suburban Commando (how funny was The Undertaker as one of the bounty hunters ??) were just as panned if not moreso, it was the fact that the biggest star in the business had his own movies and was headlining them.
When the 90s hit, especially the mid 90s, it was a new time, a new era.  People were becoming more rebellious, and less complacent.  Attitude was becoming the "in" thing (thank you Paul Heyman and ECW).  Fans were more vocal.  They grew up.  The things that they grew up on were now boring and they wanted a change.  Hogan's decade long motto of "Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and believe in yourself" had greatly grown on deaf ears.  One can't have the same hokey message at 17 that they did at 7, or at least without new ways of expressing it.  Fans had started to boo the immortal one.
Alas, the unthinkable occurred.  At the tail end of the Bash At The Beach event, he finally turned heel (a bad guy for those that aren't in the wrestling lingo).  That shows the insight of Hogan.  He knew that times had changed and he needed to keep up with them, which meant he needed to reinvent himself.  Boy did he!  He easily went from the loved guy in the business, to the most hated man in the business (give or take a Vince McMahon at this time).  His run as Hollywood Hulk Hogan was nothing short of masterful.  However, after while, people started to miss the nostalgia of the red and yellow.
Before too long, the red and yellow returned, and people realized just how cool Hogan was and is.  The fans just needed a break from the overindulgence of his "pray, vitamins, self-esteem" aura.  The fans deeply honor and appreciate the value of Hogan in this business.  If it wasn't for Hogan, there would be no other megastars in the game like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (a guy many feel eclipsed Hogan as being the biggest star in wrestling history), The Rock, and today's version of Hogan, John Cena.  Hogan showed what it took to be a megastar and a worldwide icon and for him to be a part of Wrestlemania 30 as its host is very appropriate.  He headlined the first one (and 9 others after that), so it's only fair and convenient to have him be the MC and host of the 30th anniversary of the biggest wrestling event of the year in any organization in the world of wrestling.  Besides, let's face it, although Austin became a star at Wrestlemania, Shawn Michaels is known as "Mr. Wrestlemania", Undertaker has the historic 21-year undefeated streak at Wrestlemania, and John Cena is the biggest spokesman for the event, Hogan MADE Wrestlemania.  From him headlining the first one, to his legendary battle with late friend and equally important icon Andre The Giant and his torch-passing match with The Rock and Wrestlemania XVIII, nobody exemplified the grandeur and worldwide success of the event like Hogan, and dare I say, as great as Cena is as the flagship of the company and the business, there will never completely be another Hulk Hogan.  SO with that said, WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN HULK HOGAN AND WRESTLEMANIA WEEKEND RUN WILD ON YOU?!?!?! (if you thought I could resist that, boy were you mistaken!!).  Here's a video look at one of the single greatest icons in the history of this great sport.

WWE Hall Of Fame

This is Wrestlemania weekend and we're finally knee deep in it.  The excitement has build to all WWE fans, including the hard-to-please Internet "mark" fans.  The only event that even comes close to the grandeur and climax of the actual Wrestlemania is the prestigious WWE Hall Of Fame.  There have been some very memorable ones since the genesis of it in 1993, in which Andre The Giant was the inaugural inductee.  Since then, names like Ric Flair, Trish Stratus, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Junkyard Dog have made it to the immortal class of the pro wrestling industry.  This year, we have another very intriguing class.  Headlining the class of 2014 is the ever-energetic and enigmatic Ultimate Warrior.  Don't confuse Warrior the character with Warrior the man, however.  Warrior (he legally changed his name to Warrior, I'm not making this up), the man, has often times been considered controversial with his views on religion, drugs, and homosexuality.  After his career ended, he became an ultra-conservative speaker who would conduct speeches at universities across the country.  However, his in-ring career was one of high-adrenaline, energy-inducing matches.  Although not really known for 5-star matches per se (he's mostly accredited for having great matches with Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage), his matches were at least entertaining.  An 80s original, Warrior was considered one of the most popular figures of his era.
There are other very notable figures in this year's class.  Congrats are especially in order to two guys who have really had devastating years with alcohol and substance abuse for over two decades.  These two guys are Scott Hall and Jake " The Snake" Roberts.  Scott Hall will be inducted under his character Razor Ramon, a 6'8", 280 lb. bully of Cuban descent that was very stylish.  His career included 4 Inter-Continental title reigns, 8 Tag Team Championships, and 2 WCW U.S. Title reigns.  As for Jake Roberts, his career has spanned nearly 40 years and he's widely considered one of the most impactful wrestlers in the sport's history.  Widely billed as the originator the DDT, Roberts was notoriously known for his love of snakes.  Throughout the 80s, he would bring a huge burlap sack down to ringside with his enormous python he named "Damian", to intimidate his opponents.  Both guys, now clean and sober, have refreshed outlooks on life and deserve their spots in the HOF.
Another notable figure going into the HOF this year is legendary wrestler and promoter Carlos Colon.  Widely considered the most successful and most known wrestler of Puerto Rican descent in the sport's history, Carlos Colon was a big star in the old WWWF (Vince McMahon's father's promotion) but ascended to great heights when he founded the WWC (World Wrestling Council).  He amassed 26 World Titles, and also put his sons of Carlito and Primo (Diego of Los Matadores fame) on the map, as well as Epico, who is Colon's nephew (Frenando of Los Matadores).
This year's female induction should serve as no real big surprise.  Being that last year, Trish Stratus was inducted, it's only right that her main rival during the historic "Attitude Era" of the WWE get inducted as well.  Amy Dumas, better known as Lita, was considered a big time trailblazer for the Women's division (before it became the highly watered down Divas division).  Lita was known for her exceptional athleticism and her willingness to fight guys in an era where (besides Chyna), you didn't see stuff like that often.  She won 4 WWE Women's Titles during her tenure, but is also touted as a big influence to a lot of younger female wrestlers, including current Divas Champ AJ Lee.
The celeb inductee this year is famed actor and all around badass, Mr. T.  What's the relevance?  He was a part of the first Wrestlemania in Madison Msquare Garden, where the main event was Hulk Hogan (another Hall Of Famer and the man who will induct him) and Mr. T vs. two other Hall Of Famers, Rowdy Roddy piper and the grossly under-appreciated "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff.  The star of the awesome 80s-TV Show A-Team and star of Rocky III (remember Clubber Lang?!?!) is also a former amateur wrestling champion and former tough man champion.  However, to this day, Piper still has no love lost for "First name-Mr, middle-name period, last-name T".  Their issues went beyond the camera, but I don't expect any fireworks between the two during this event.
Last but certainly not least, the next inductee is a posthumous one.  The late, great William Moody will be inducted this year.  He was known for his on-camera roles as Percy Pringle III down in WCCW out of Texas, but more known the world over as Paul Bearer, the famed and loved manager of The Undertaker (without question, a future first-ballot Hall Of Famer whenever he decides to retire).  Throughout the majority of Mark Callaway's WWE career, which spans 24 years, Bearer has been his partner-at-arms, carrying his urn at ringside for strength and somewhat supernatural powers to the Undertaker.  Moody sadly passed last March from complications of a blood clot at the age of 58.  A true loss for the wrestling family.
This will be a very special Hall Of Fame, but I suppose they're special every year.  One can only imagine, with rumors of Own Hart, the NWO and The Rock headlining the Hall Of Fame next year, the Hall Of Fame classes keep getting better and better.  Catch it fully on the WWE Network.  If you don't already subscribe to it, take it from the word of a devoted, yet critical wrestling (mark) fan, it's worth the $9.99 per month.  Before we go, here's a video look at a few of the inductees.  Have an AWESOME Wrestlemania weekend!  I know I will.

Wrestlemania XXX

Welcome everyone to my initial blog entry entitled, "The Wrestling Cypher".  In this "cypher", I will cover everything that has to do with wrestling.  From the indies to the majors.  From controversies to joyous moments, they will all get covered in this blog.  We will start with the most anticipated professional wrestling event in the sport (yes I said SPORT), Wrestlemania XXX (30).  With this being the WWE's premier event of the year, the natural thing to do would be to promote this event heavier than any other event during the year.  What was a slow burn in promoting the event initially has now become an eagerly awaited event.  The card is as follows:

• Randy Orton vs. Batista (WWE World Heavyweight Title) *winner of Daniel Bryan vs. HHH will be added to main event and will then be a Triple Threat Match for title*
• Daniel Bryan vs. HHH w/ Stephanie McMahon-Levesque
• Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
• 30-Man Andre The Giant Battle Royal *winner to win Andre The Giant trophy*
• John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt w/ The Wyatt Family
• The Shield vs. Kane & The New Age Outlaws
• Vickie Guerrero Divas Invitational (WWE Divas Title)
• The Usos vs. RyBaxel vs. The Real Americans w/ Zeb Coulture vs. Los Matadores (Fatal Four-Way match for WWE Tag Team Titles)

Here is where I will dissect the matches and give my early predictions to this event.  

WWE World Tag Team Championship

The Usos vs. The Real Americans vs. RyBaxel vs. Los Matadores

Twin brothers Jimmy and Jey Uso (sons of former WWE star Rikishi, cousins of The Rock, Shield member Roman Reigns, and nephews of late WWE stars Yokozuna and Umaga) finally secured the proverbial "brass ring" by finally becoming the new WWE Tag Team Champions on the Feb. 14th edition of RAW by defeating The New Age Outlaws.  Widely considered the most under appreciated team on the entire tag team roster, they finally captured the gold that had been alluding them for 4 years.  Since then, competition has stepped up in the form of the team of RyBaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel), Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando), and The Real Americans (Jack Swagger and Caesaro).  Based upon momentum alone and the "over" factor, I fully expect The Uso brothers to retain the titles over two less-than-stellar teams and one team on the verge of a possible break-up due to their on-air friction.  Likely a somewhat exciting match, I look for the Uso twins to retain the belts.

Winners: The Usos

WWE Divas Title

Divas Invitational (AJ Lee, Tamina, Naomi, Cameron, Emma, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Natalya, Oksana, Summer Rae, Alicia Fox, and Rosa Mendes)

Okay, truthfully, if I may be honest, this will be the least exciting match of the evening.  Through no fault of their own (in most cases), the Divas division is a really, really struggling division, even more so than the tag division.  There are some naturally talented young ladies in the division (Natalya-who's the niece of famed WWE star and WWE Hall Of Famer Bret "Hitman" Hart and daughter of Bret's longtime tag partner Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, the Divas Champion AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka-daughter of Hall Of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Naomi, and Emma) and there are those that need to really go back to the NXT Developmental system of WWE.  This has all the makings of a non-thrilling snoozefest, but based upon how AJ is the clear target of all the Divas, I expect the Diva with the most momentum to take the title from her, which would be Naomi.  Naomi, who just returned after being out for 6 weeks due to a brutal eye injury suffered at the hands of Oksana and an accidental knee drop to her orbital bone and eye socket, is as red hot as ever and I predict a big win for the newly married Diva.

Winner & new champion: Naomi

The Shield vs. Kane & The New Age Outlaws

One of the hottest factions the WWE has seen in recent years is The Shield.  The Shield is comprised of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns.  They first busted on the scene costing Ryback a chance at the WWE Title at the 2012 Survivor Series.  Since then, the guys have been unstoppable.  All three of these guys came from the WWE's developmental (minor league) promotion, NXT.  All have significant credit to their individual careers.  Seth is a former ROH World Champion, TV Champion and Tag Team Champion, as well as a former NXT Champion and Tag Team Champion (before it was NXT, it was known as Florida Championship Wrestling).  Dean is likewise an indie darling, especially in promotions such as CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling) and DGUSA (Dragon Gate USA).  Roman's pedigree alone is measured in his history as a standout in the University of Georgia's football team, plus his famous family that was previously noted.  Seth and Roman are former WWE Tag Team Champions, while Dean is currently the WWE U.S. Champion (and currently the longest reigning champion in the promotion other than AJ Lee).  While they have had some series of on-camera friction, the one variable they have is the hatred for Kane and The New Age Outlaws.  Kane, who's widely revered as one of WWE's most feared big men ever, and the NAO, former 6-time Tag Team Champions, represent the "authority" of the WWE, but this clearly is a case of youth vs. experience.  The "authority" representatives are literally knocking on the age of 50, while the average age of The Shield is 28, and they're completely on fire right now, especially the 6'4", 270 lb. Reigns.  I completely expect The Shield to continue to be the "hounds of justice" and to keep dominating the WWE.  Hopefully this will be the signal for The Outlaws and Kane to finally start collecting the AARP checks.

Winners: The Shield

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt

This truthfully is the match I'm definitely waiting to see.  Bray Wyatt is the most intriguing newcomer the WWE has had in years.  The third generation star (son of former WWE star Mike Rotundo, nephew of Hall Of Famer/Horsemen member Barry Windham, and grandson of another Hall Of Famer, Blackjack Mulligan) is enigmatic, mysterious, creepy, and one of the best microphone guys in the business today, bar none.  Many longtime fans may briefly remember him as Husky Harris years ago, but with his hair considerably longer, his beard down to his chest practically, and 50 pounds less, Wyatt stands to have a breakout year.  He's currently undefeated since his debut at Summerslam last August.  He'll be accompanied by Wyatt's two big brutes, whom he calls brothers but we call followers Luke Harper and Derek Rowan.  However, the man he's facing is our generation's Hulk Hogan.  John Cena is the most known guy in the business.  His pedigree speaks for itself in the form of movies (The Marine), music (his gold-selling You Can't See Me album), commercials, television appearances and oh yes, 14-time World Champion.  Although Cena has expressed his "fear" of Bray and his intentions of destroying Cena's legacy, I expect Cena to fight his heart out on the biggest stage.  However, I expect the young, twisted upstart to continue his winning ways, with or without his monsters Harper and Rowan and The Wyatt Family will continue to terrorize the promotion.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

30-Man Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Hulk Hogan, who will serve as Wrestlemania's "guest host", introduced the inaugural Andre The Giant Battle Royal, named after one of the sport's all-time most beloved and iconic figures Andre The Giant.  This will be a 30-man, over-the-top-rope battle royal.  The winner will receive a quite gorgeous trophy with the likeness molded of Andre.  Names like Shaemus, Big E (Inter-Continental Champion), Goldust, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, and Drew McIntyre.  I don't expect this to be a big show-stealer, but I do expect the Big Show to be the winner.  How do you bet against 7', 500-plus pounds of superb athlete?  

Winner: Big Show

Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

There isn't a more celebrated competitor at Wrestlemania than the legendary Undertaker.  The near 7', 295 lb. phenom has amassed a historic 21-0 record at the event (picture Dallas Cowboys winning 21 straight Super Bowls or the Boston Celtics winning 21 straight NBA Championships).  From Hall Of Famers like Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, and Edge to the likes of Kevin Nash, HHH, Jake Roberts, and  the recently WWE departed CM Punk, Taker is now doubt a future first-ballot Hall Of Famer whenever he decides to retire.  This will also be the weekend he will induct his longtime manager and friend, the late Paul Bearer, into the HOF.  Although he's won 7 Tag Team Championships and 7 World Titles, he's obviously nearing the end of his amazing career.  The age old question is now, "Who will end the streak?" Next possible candidate, former WWE and UFC Champion "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar.  This match will be a down home fight from the offset.  Brock is managed by one of wrestling's best managers and mic guys Paul Heyman (man, I miss ECW!!).  While Brock's credentials are as impressive as anyone seen in this industry (let's not forget he's a former NCAA Heavyweight Champion in his weight class from University of Minnesota).  As potentially awesome as this match will likely be, the question now is "Will Brock be THAT guy?"  Prediction...wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...!!

Winner: The Undertaker (22-0)

Daniel Bryan vs. HHH

There's been no hotter star over the past year than the 5'8", 200-kb. Daniel Bryan.  His catch phrase "YES, YES, YES" has become a worldwide phenomenon.  A young guy with over 23 career titles (including 3 World Titles in the WWE) has been the company's organic, surprise hit.  Without question the most popular star on the roster across the board, he comes across the biggest match of his career in the challenge of the 13-time World Champion, HHH.  The real-life Executive Vice President of Creative, Talent, and Live Events (on camera he's the Chief Operating Officer) will step back into the ring and put down the 3-piece suit for the time being.  This is a classic case of the underdog against corporate evil.  While Daniel may not have nearly the same breakout charisma as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the 30-year old still represents the blue-collar worker that has lots to prove against the corporate authority.  HHH has screwed him over and over again, plus has thrown many obstacles in his way to bury him and keep him at an underachieved level.  This will be the most important match of the night because this determines who will face Batista and WWE Champion Randy Orton later in the night.  I expect to see Daniel bring out the best performance of his career at the grand stage.  I expect this to be the match of the night and by far the show stealer, but I expect Bryan to come out a winner and go to the main event to compete for the title.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

WWE World Heavyweight Title

Batista vs. Randy Orton vs. (Daniel Bryan)

Should Bryan survive in his match with "The Game", which I fully expect for him to do, he will be in a match with the returning Batista and the 10-time WWE Champion Randy Orton.  Batista has just returned after a 4 year absence to less than stellar acclaim.  He made his official in-ring return at the 2014 Royal Rumble in the Rumble match and won.  The fans clearly didn't appreciate a guy who hasn't been in the ring in 4 years instantly get thrusted into the main event.  Orton, in the meantime, is in the prime of his young career.  The third generation star (son of Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. and and grandson of Bob Orton Sr.) has been considered one of the most naturally gifted wrestlers in the sport's history.  However, with the possible added element of Bryan, this has the makings of quite an interesting match.  What a better story than to have the underdog Bryan, who likely will have been beaten like crazy by HHH, come in and, with a courageous effort, defeat Orton and Batista for the belt.  Far-fetched?  Not at all.  In fact, that's my prediction.

Winner & new WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Daniel Bryan

Overall, this will be an interesting, albeit not overly impressive Wrestlemania in my view.  The big possible star will be the kid formerly known as "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson (yes that Daniel Bryan's real name).  If my predictions are up to par, the New Orleans Superdome will be LIT UP!!!!  Regardless, this will be a Wrestlemania to be viewed and Vince will do anything possible to make this among the most talked about Wrestlemanias ever.  Here's a look at the matches in video form.