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NoDQ.com > Columns > Jay's Ways-WrestleMania 24 Thoughts/Picks
Posted by Justin Watry on 03/29/2008 at 01:22 AM

Jay’s Ways
By Justin Watry

Wrestle Mania 24 Picks

I am going to go the route that every other columnist goes this time of year. I am going to give my thoughts/picks on WrestleMania. It wasn’t a hard topic to finally come upon; it was just that the timing is right, and people love to read theories on the event. What I will do is give you my original match prediction for Mania, and then I will have the actual match and tell you how wrong I was, so let’s begin…..
My Mania: ECW Title Match-CM Punk © vs. Shelton Benjamin
Actual Mania: ECW Title Match- Chavo © vs. 24 Man Battle Royal Winner
My Thoughts/Pick: I was off on this one, but it may be for the better. I do foresee Punk moving up in the ranks, so that is a plus, but I don’t see Shelton moving anywhere. Chavo is a legit wrestler who can go in the ring anytime called upon, so he deserves this one on one title match at Mania. Now, who will win this battle royal? Well, right away I thought Mysterio or RVD because this match was made so unexpectedly that a returning star is fitting. Then the competitors were named, and I thought Kane or a slight chance of Matt Hardy being added in. With all that has happened, the favorites are Kane, Dreamer or even Kofi. I have Kane winning the battle royal, but the title is a different story. Initially I was dead set on picking a new ECW champ, but then some startling news broke out. The 24 Man Battle Royal will be held pre-show. That made me re-think the title changing hands business. Through it all, I have Kane winning the title, despite my conscious saying ‘don’t pick a new champ’. It would seem rushed, but a pick is a pick.
My Mania: Batista vs. Orton
Actual Mania: Batista vs. Umaga
My Thoughts/Pick: I figured Batista would not make it to the title picture, and I suspected an advertised RAW VS. SMACKDOWN battle. I assumed Orton will be knocked out of the RAW title picture, so it made sense. In this case, Umaga and Batista will tear each other apart. Rumor has it one of these men will switch shows to continue the feud. I see Umaga going crazy and getting himself DQ’d allowing Big Dave to win via a disqualification. This should be a fun little match-up here that may be a sleeper in match of the night. Batista is announced the winner by hook or crook.
My Mania: Vince vs. Finlay-Belfast Brawl
Actual Mania: JBL vs. Finlay-Belfast brawl
My Thoughts/Pick: Honestly, my way was their best option, but I guess Vince wasn’t feeling it. Something must have crossed his mind not to wrestle at Mania for the second straight year. JBL was thrown in here so quick. Yes, it solved some problems, but it just seemed so ‘out of the hat’. Hornswoggle will likely return here and interfere. I would love to pick Finlay to win, but I have to pick my man, JBL. It should be a blood bath, but JBL will pull it out. Everyone will get involved from the Little Bastard to McMahon, but it should be a nice addition to the card.
My Mania: JBL vs. Jericho-Bull Rope Match
Actual Mania: JBL was thrown into the McMahon/Son fiasco, and Jericho was put into the MITB ladder match. Jericho is now your new IC champ, and JBL is getting ready for another brawl in which he does very well.
My Mania: United States Championship: MVP © vs. Matt Hardy
Actual Mania: Matt Hardy has yet to return, which makes me a little nervous, and MVP was put into the MITB as a serious possible winner. This match just seemed so right, but it just didn’t pan out for whatever reason.
My Mania: Money in the Bank-Jeff Hardy, Chavo Guerrero, Mr. Kennedy, Kane, Rey Mysterio, and Umaga
Actual Mania: Money in the Bank- Carlito, John Morrison, MVP, Y2J, CM Punk, Mr. Kennedy, and Shelton Benjamin
My Thoughts/Pick: It is a shame Jeff Hardy left due to his stupidity, but the show must go on. I had him as a dead set favorite, but as I stated- the only man stopping Jeff is Jeff. Now onto the match, I had Kennedy right in there, and well, that was it. Rey Rey is hurt. Umaga has Batista. Chavo is still ECW champion, and his challenger may be Kane. Other than that, I like these 7 men in this match. There could be an additional member, but I guess we will wait and see. Carltio isn’t winning. Johnny M. is not winning. Shelton will provide a highlight, but he isn’t winning. MVP is a tough one, but Matt Hardy returning to screw him sounds sweet to me. Jericho is the IC champ, and he looks to be fine without a briefcase. It comes down to last year’s options-Kennedy and CM. I would pick Kennedy, but he already stated that he would cash in the MITB hours later in the main event. I can not see WWE doing that, so my pick is for CM Punk. I see big things for him in 2008, and one of them is another title reign, whether it be ECW, RAW or Smack down. Expect a great match with ECW’s own CM Punk winning it.
My Mania: Women’s Championship Match-Beth Phoenix vs. Candice
Actual Mania: BunnyMania-Ashley/Maria vs. Melina/Beth
My Thoughts/Pick: Candice got hurt a few days ago, so Ashley took her spot in the tag. It is a shame the title could not be defended, but you know WWE and Playboy. The good girls win one here. Melina is in there to take the pin from Maria. Snoop Dogg will be involved, so expect a fun celebration afterwards.
Actual Mania: No Holds Barred- Floyd May weather vs. Big Show
I am not even going to pretend I picked something like this. This is something that really shook everybody up at No Way Out. The rules are in-pin fall, submission or knockout. I suspect a brawl between WWE and boxing posses, with Mysterio making his comeback and getting pay back on Show. This feud has been built up so nicely that a great ending has to cap off this publicity. Floyd is not coming in here to lose. If he does, good for him, but he should win here, so Show has someone to feud with after Mania. This is going to be a ton of fun come Sunday night. Floyd wins via knockout.
My Mania: Career Threatening Match-Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels
Actual Mania: Career Threatening Match-Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels
My Thoughts/Pick: Wow, you know it is coming, but you just don’t want to accept it. Flair is retiring from wrestling. For all that have bashed Ric for not retiring years ago-this is why he didn’t. He needs a proper send off, and it is as good as it gets. The Nature Boy vs. “Mr. WrestleMania” at the grandest stage of them all just rolls off the tongue. Flair will be an emotional wreck this weekend, but we need him to put on one final classic. Turn back the clock and go like it is 1985 again Ric. HBK can be there for you, as he is the consummate professional, but you need to be the man one more time Sunday night in front of the world. As for the winner, anybody that thinks Flair is winning is just trying to have some wishful thinking on their part. They must be in the denial phase. Flair is done after Sunday. With all that being said, I have loved the build, especially the final RAW, and I have Flair winning. It is wishful thinking, but Flair winning, beating Shawn on ‘his’ turf is just too good to pass up. He can grab a microphone, and announce his retirement after the match. He can say he beat the best even at his age in his life, and there is no better feeling than to retire on top and on your own terms. He can say screw Vince and his edict. I retire, and I thank you all. Ride off into the sunset. That is my vision. For all you realists out there, HBK is winning and Flair is going to have a tearful exit. There won’t be a dry eye in the Citrus Bowl, but win, lose or draw, this is the end of the road for Flair.
My Mania: Heavyweight Title Match-Edge © vs. Undertaker
Actual Mania: Heavyweight Title Match-Edge © vs. Undertaker
My Thoughts/Pick: Taker wins. There is no other option here. Edge has been a gat guy, but the bells tolls for him March 30th. The build has not been that amazing, but it has done its job. Edge can reclaim the gold whenever he wants, but he isn’t retaining it Sunday. I am not even going to talk about ‘if’ and ‘what abouts’. Edge loses. Taker is your new World Champ.
My Mania: WWE Championship- John Cena © vs. HHH
Actual Mania: WWE Championship- Randy Orton © vs. HHH vs. John Cena
My Thoughts/Pick: I really thought that Cena/Triple H II was their best option. I guess Orton has grown on them. This is a triple threat match at WM for the title. Some like that theory. Others hate it. I am in the middle. I can be just fine, especially if they pull one out like at WM XX. We can wait and watch this match like the rest of the world before judging. Triple H is winning the title. Orton has no chance of winning. Cena is the wild card, like usual. I have tons of faces winning at Mania. Heels will not bode well in Orlando, and why should they? Triple wins his 12th World Title and stands tall.
That ends today’s WM edition of Jay’s Ways. You know the email address. You know the drill. I read all email. Drop me a line. There is no need for three ‘Ways’, as there are all of my ways, and that is the only way I like it………..Enjoy WrestleMania 24!

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