Welcome back, one and all, to my increasingly infrequent columns, as I find less and less to write about while not having time to write a weekly report.  TNA keep bringing in some decent names, but they seem to be bringing them in to the detriment of those that TNA created themselves.  However, this week I’d like to give you all my insight into how WrestleMania XXVI could turn out.

Firstly I’d like to say that I’m a bit surprised that they’ve chosen Audioslave’s ‘Be Yourself’ as one of the main theme songs, as the Out of Exile album has been on the shelves for about 4 and a half years now.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great track from a good album, but I'd have expected something more contemporary.

CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio – Street Fight - If Mysterio loses he must join the Straight Edge Society

When this was first floated as a ‘Hair vs. Mask’ fight, I was strongly against it because everyone knows that Rey Mysterio’s mask will never come off, just like John Cena will never turn heel and Shelton Benjamin will never win a major title because he just can’t quite cut a great promo.  This new stipulation has made me change my mind, because it means I don’t know who’s going to win, unlike several of the later matches on this card.

Punk and Mysterio’s rivalry has included a lot in a fairly short timeframe, it’s become personal from the inclusion of the family (yeah it was forced, who brings their family to the ring?  Honestly?  Mysterio should have known better) and Mysterio’s cost Punk in some big recent matches, including his MITB qualifier.

This match has the potential to be very good, and I’m predicting the CM Punk win.  I think creative has run out of ideas for what to do with Mysterio, he’s been the underdog for his entire career and even the WWE writers know they can’t just keep doing that forever.  Who knows, they might try... but in this case I think they’ll want Mysterio to go in a different direction, and here’s why.  Firstly, it gives Punk a massive heel boost, by turning the crowd favourite into one of his lackeys.  It’ll be similar to when Right to Censor got rolling, and made Val Venis and The Godfather join their ranks.  Secondly, it gives Mysterio something to fight back against, and gives him a good storyline to go through until at least May, where he’ll finally be able to throw off the shackles of oppression.  Thirdly, CM Punk deserves a high profile win, and Mysterio doesn’t need any more popularity.  His merchandise will sell regardless of whether he’s in the SES or not.

Prediction:  CM Punk

Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes - (Triple Threat Match)

Finally we see the implosion of Legacy, which has been coming for so long, and to give the writers some credit for a change, they’ve done this storyline perfectly.  Each of the members in turn have had their moments where they could have caused everything to come to an end, but it’s finally happened.

Of course to start with, DiBiase and Rhodes will team up and beat down Orton, but the first man to go for a serious pin will be stopped by the other, and that’s when the match will truly begin.  At this stage, Orton will be the underdog and he’ll come so close to being pinned only to kick out at the last second, before finally getting back on top.  By then it’ll really be every man for himself, and that should mean that Orton gets the win... right?

No, Ted DiBiase will get the win, and here’s why.  Cody Rhodes isn’t as good as him, he’s alright, but I’d say he’s US/IC title standard at best.  Ted DiBiase needs that breakout moment where he goes from that level to a Heavyweight/WWE championship challenger, and this is the perfect opportunity.  Orton doesn’t need to come out on top of this one, he’s got a perfectly good reason to lose this match, because he’ll be dominated from the outset.  He’s got very little to gain from proving he’s better than DiBiase and Rhodes, whereas this is a career-changing match for both of the others.  Whoever does win from those two will go on to greater things at great cost to the other, and that’s why my pick is DiBiase

Prediction: Ted DiBiase

Triple H vs. Sheamus – Single

There’s not a great deal to say about this match.  Sheamus will win because Triple H likes him, so the WWE likes him.  They’ll work a decent standard match, both of them have a lot of powerful moves in their arsenal so I’d expect to see them all, but the last one is going to be the Crucifix Powerbomb.

Prediction: Sheamus

Big Show & The Miz vs. John Morrison & R-Truth – Unified Tag Team Championship

I’m not so sure about this one yet.  Morrison and Truth have been pushed quite heavily as a team in recent weeks, picking up a quick win over The Hart Dynasty and appearing particularly tactically astute.  On the other hand, I can’t see either of them pinning or even taking down Big Show for any extended period of time, and there lies the problem for the tag division in the WWE.  To beat ShowMiz, a team has to at least take down Big Show, and to make that look convincing one of the members of the team has to have a finisher that looks like it would work on him.  That list is small, and neither Truth nor Morrison has that kind of power.  Knockout punch it is then.

Prediction: ShowMiz

Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Rules to the MITB match

1)      If you’ve got a major spot, you’re not going to win – remove Shelton Benjamin and Evan Bourne

2)      If you’ve already got a title, you’re not going to win – bye bye McIntyre

3)      If your brother’s just gone to TNA... no chance – Matt Hardy’s out then

4)      If you’re past your peak – Kane’s out

5)      If you’ve not received any kind of push in the last year – If Kane wasn’t out now he would be here, but that takes care of MVP and Swagger

6)      If you’ve just held a major title for a long time recently – Christian’s out

7)      If you’ve been seen holding the MITB briefcase before Wrestlemania – Ziggler falls at the last

That leaves Kofi Kingston, the man who can run up a vertical ladder, has that great leaping ability and of course, the ‘Controlled Frenzy’ that I wish Cole would just shut up about.  He’s got to the stage now where he has to be after a title, following a decent feud with Orton and a long run as the US Champion.  If he doesn’t win MITB this year or get a title opportunity very soon, then he’s going to become the next MVP or Shelton Benjamin – can put on a great match but will never be a top star.

If they do decide to bury Kingston then Ziggler is the next choice.  WWE.com chose him as the #1 in people who are going to win a title in 2010 (Ezekiel Jackson was #10, and he’s won the now defunct ECW Championship, the list also included Ryder, The Hart Dynasty and Alicia Fox) which would indicate he’s got a good chance of winning something soon, after several good showings against Kane.  Third favourite in my book is Christian, although he’s just held a ‘major’ title for a significant period, and although he’s a fan favourite and a consistently good performer, I don’t see him as WWE/Heavyweight Champion material.  Of course... there’s always the chance for something truly epic to happen, should Christian win and Edge beats Jericho later in the night.  Christian vs. Edge as MITB is cashed in at Wrestlemania...  I seriously doubt that will happen though, as the MITB threat is too good a storyline to hold on to.  I’ll predict that whoever wins will cash in within three months.

Prediction: Kofi Kingston

Chris Jericho vs. Edge – World Heavyweight Championship

They’ve set this up pretty badly, though it could be a very good match.  All this emphasis on the Spear means that this has to finish it, but I’d predict it to be Jericho hitting a flawless Spear on Edge to finish the match.  Edge is just back from injury and Jericho doesn’t deserve just to be a transitional champion following a win at the Elimination Chamber.  This one has the potential to be an excellent match, plenty of back and forth, plenty to cheer about, but I can’t see it lasting longer than 15 minutes simply because Edge hasn’t been back all that long.

Prediction: Chris Jericho

Batista vs. John Cena – WWE Championship

John Cena going in as the underdog.  Batista always ends up hurting Cena badly when they’re in the ring together.  Cena’s going to win.  The match is going to be dire.  Batista on top for a long while, Cena kicks out of about 30 powerbombs, 50 spears and 100 spinebusters.  Batista kicks out of an Attitude Adjustment and spends a while in the STF before getting to the ropes, but loses to a second AA.  The live crowd will love it, everyone else might as well turn off their TVs as soon as Cena hits that first diving shoulder charge.

Prediction: John Cena

Bret Hart vs. Mr. McMahon

I’m predicting this to be the annual Wrestlemania squash match.  Bret Hart’s supposedly unable to land on his back, which means that Vince will come out brawling, be on top for a little while and Hart will lock in the Sharpshooter after a couple of minutes to give the fans that final farewell.  Vince might want to give himself more of a showing, just to boost his ego a little more, but I think he’s got to put Bret’s physical condition ahead of his showmanship for a change.

Prediction: Bret Hart

Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker – Career vs. Streak

Well, this is the least predictable match I reckon.  Both of them are said to be retiring following Wrestlemania for different reasons.  Michaels is certainly taking a long time off, as that’s his contract.  Undertaker needs surgery, which could even be as serious as a knee replacement.  So that leaves us with two possible scenarios – either Undertaker wins and Shawn Michaels retires, Undertaker takes a very long time out to go rest up and eventually his streak will be broken after a long rehabilitation, when it won’t mean quite as much, or Shawn Michaels wins and retires anyway as a shocking twist.

I’m sure everybody wants the streak to remain intact, and the Undertaker to be victorious again, but that would mean that they’d have to try to outdo last year’s magnificent effort with the same outcome.  If Shawn Michaels wins, then they’ll have an uprising on their hands, because as far as I can tell nobody wants HBK winning this one.  I’ve not really gauged opinions on this, but I’ve completely lost interest in HBK as a character.  For me he’s done nothing of any value or interest since last year’s WrestleMania.  He reformed the censored version of DX, where Triple H was the funny one.  Basically he’s showing his age, while Undertaker still carries around that menace that he always has.  Sure he’s a little slower, but he’s as technically good as ever.  For everyone’s sake, I hope The Streak remains alive and well, and someone more deserving can end it in the future, if absolutely necessary.

Prediction: The Undertaker

I think Wrestlemania could be really good this year, but it has the potential to go so wrong in several matches.  As long as Batista-Cena and McMahon-Hart are relatively short then the fans should come away happy.

I’ve been The General, now go enjoy Wrestlemania!  Over and out.