More on WrestleMania XXV, and the latest on Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.
I had JBL pegged for a match against Batista for weeks before JBL won the Intercontinental title recently.
Now, it looks like JBL wants to retire with the Intercontinental title, due to his back problems.
If that's the case, doing so against a Russian wrestler in his home state with a win would be the perfect way to go out. Yes, JBL would go out as a face (good guy) in his final match, as Texas fans wouldn't cheer the heel (bad guy) Russian.
And I guess the IC title would be retired, maybe for good. I'm not sure I like that thought.
While I've never been a huge fan of JBL, he's a smart businessman. His recent buy-in into OVW is something he did to keep him going financially. If and when he builds that up and combines it with MMA in some fashion, he should do well in that part of the country.
WHERE WRESTLEMANIA XXV STANDS
If that's the case, doing so against a Russian wrestler in his home state with a win would be the perfect way to go out. Yes, JBL would go out as a face (good guy) in his final match, as Texas fans wouldn't cheer the heel (bad guy) Russian.
And I guess the IC title would be retired, maybe for good. I'm not sure I like that thought.
While I've never been a huge fan of JBL, he's a smart businessman. His recent buy-in into OVW is something he did to keep him going financially. If and when he builds that up and combines it with MMA in some fashion, he should do well in that part of the country.
WHERE WRESTLEMANIA XXV STANDS
Official matches:
1. Randy Orton vs. Triple H. This one is set in stone. Yes, we've seen it before, but WWE has brought the real-life marriage of Stephanie and HHH into the story lines. This time, it's personal.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker. With Michaels' win over Kozlov, this one is official. It's huge. It should main-event the show, too. The question is, who will win? Two colleagues of mine will break down these two guys in a few weeks, and I'll reveal the answer to that question.
3. Money in the bank match. We have eight wrestlers. They are CM Punk, Mark Henry, Kane, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, Kofi Kingston and Christian. My early favorite is MVP.
4. Edge vs. Big Show vs. John Cena. Looks like Hulk Hogan isn't in the WM XXV picture. Enter Cena into this match, which could go in a few directions.
5. 25-Diva Battle Royal: My predicted Divas are: past Divas: Tammy Sytch, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Trish Stratus, Lita, Miss Jackie Gayda-Haas, Jazz, Molly Holly; current face Divas: Melina, Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Candice, Maria, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eve, Gail Kim; current heel Divas: Beth Phoenix, Layla, Rosa Mendes, Jillian, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Natayla, Katie Lea Burchill. Missing out: Wendi Richter, Debra, Stacy Keibler, Chyna. Lita is claiming she won't be there, but I don't buy it. Molly Holly and Debra reportedly won't be there. If Molly isn't there, throw Sable in there as a surprise replacement.
1. Randy Orton vs. Triple H. This one is set in stone. Yes, we've seen it before, but WWE has brought the real-life marriage of Stephanie and HHH into the story lines. This time, it's personal.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker. With Michaels' win over Kozlov, this one is official. It's huge. It should main-event the show, too. The question is, who will win? Two colleagues of mine will break down these two guys in a few weeks, and I'll reveal the answer to that question.
3. Money in the bank match. We have eight wrestlers. They are CM Punk, Mark Henry, Kane, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, Finlay, Kofi Kingston and Christian. My early favorite is MVP.
4. Edge vs. Big Show vs. John Cena. Looks like Hulk Hogan isn't in the WM XXV picture. Enter Cena into this match, which could go in a few directions.
5. 25-Diva Battle Royal: My predicted Divas are: past Divas: Tammy Sytch, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Trish Stratus, Lita, Miss Jackie Gayda-Haas, Jazz, Molly Holly; current face Divas: Melina, Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Candice, Maria, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eve, Gail Kim; current heel Divas: Beth Phoenix, Layla, Rosa Mendes, Jillian, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Natayla, Katie Lea Burchill. Missing out: Wendi Richter, Debra, Stacy Keibler, Chyna. Lita is claiming she won't be there, but I don't buy it. Molly Holly and Debra reportedly won't be there. If Molly isn't there, throw Sable in there as a surprise replacement.
Other matches in order of probability:
1. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy. It's brother vs. brother. Yes, it's not official yet, but all signs point to it happening.
2. Vladimir Kozlov vs. JBL. So much for my great JBL vs. Batista match. This one looks very likely.
3. Jerry Lawler vs. Chris Jericho, with Mickey Rourke assisting Lawler in victory. Unless WWE has another legend in mind (Austin the most likely), this match is a strong possibility. One would think Jericho could protect Austin's real-life neck issues, if Austin were to be the legend, right?
4. Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger. Why not have Bourne wrestle for the ECW title in his return?
5. The Miz and John Morrison vs. Cody Rhodes/Ted DiBiase: The greatest tag team in recent memory has to be on this card. Why not have a match against the next best tag team? Although it's rumored we may get Miz/Morrison vs. the Colons. I just don't think the Colons are WM XXV material right now.
1. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy. It's brother vs. brother. Yes, it's not official yet, but all signs point to it happening.
2. Vladimir Kozlov vs. JBL. So much for my great JBL vs. Batista match. This one looks very likely.
3. Jerry Lawler vs. Chris Jericho, with Mickey Rourke assisting Lawler in victory. Unless WWE has another legend in mind (Austin the most likely), this match is a strong possibility. One would think Jericho could protect Austin's real-life neck issues, if Austin were to be the legend, right?
4. Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger. Why not have Bourne wrestle for the ECW title in his return?
5. The Miz and John Morrison vs. Cody Rhodes/Ted DiBiase: The greatest tag team in recent memory has to be on this card. Why not have a match against the next best tag team? Although it's rumored we may get Miz/Morrison vs. the Colons. I just don't think the Colons are WM XXV material right now.
These guys may miss out: Batista, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, Jack Swagger, Mike Knox, Mr. Kennedy, William Regal, Umaga, Carlito, Chavo Guerrero.
WWE Hall of Fame (April 4): Stone Cold Steve Austin (likely inducted by Vince McMahon, or maybe Bret Hart), "Cowboy" Bill Watts (inducted by Jim Ross), Ricky Steamboat (inducted by Ric Flair), Terry and Dory Funk Jr. (inducted by Dusty Rhodes), the Von Erich family (likely inducted by Michael Hayes), Koko B. Ware (inducted by Honky Tonk Man).
LATEST ON HULK HOGAN
Judge grants Hogan $225,000 in frozen assets for bills.
REACT: The Hogans are dealing with an insane amount of money. On some levels, this is worse than what Alex Rodriguez gets for sitting on a bench the next month or so. Hogan said he is afraid the divorce (what Linda gets) will not leave enough for John Graziano and his family.
Did everyone see the clip of Hogan and his lawyer?
Seemed to me like the lawyer wanting to do a wrestling angle with Hogan.
LATEST ON RANDY SAVAGE
ESPN did an interview with Paul Edwards, who designed the Legends of WrestleMania video game. Edwards confirmed what we all feared -- that Savage was among those not allowed to be in the game due to "legal issues."
"It's one of those things where, honestly, we were kind of limited by the roster itself. Once we found out who we could and could not have, we went back and looked at the matches from Wrestlemanias I through XV. We had to focus on who we did have in the game and focus on those matches.''
REACT: To me, this is like excluding Bonds from the top of the home-run list or Chris Benoit out of the WWE record books for steroids and murder, respectively. You can't erase history, or in this case, the true legends of WrestleMania. Like them or not.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
ESPN did an interview with Paul Edwards, who designed the Legends of WrestleMania video game. Edwards confirmed what we all feared -- that Savage was among those not allowed to be in the game due to "legal issues."
"It's one of those things where, honestly, we were kind of limited by the roster itself. Once we found out who we could and could not have, we went back and looked at the matches from Wrestlemanias I through XV. We had to focus on who we did have in the game and focus on those matches.''
REACT: To me, this is like excluding Bonds from the top of the home-run list or Chris Benoit out of the WWE record books for steroids and murder, respectively. You can't erase history, or in this case, the true legends of WrestleMania. Like them or not.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE reportedly upset with President Obama. REACT: I've seen nothing about Obama not liking wrestling.
The Boogeyman reportedly owns his name. REACT: That would surprise me, as WWE makes every attempt to own their names.
Nicolas Cage said he turned down part for "The Wrestler" because he didn't think he "had enough time to achieve the look of a wrestle who was on steroids," which he said he would never do. REACT: Good for Cage.
Danny Bonaduce "graduates" to TNA Wrestling. REACT: Good for him, I think.
WWE.com hints at Hacksaw Jim Duggan being Kelly Kelly's dad. REACT: Ho!!!!!!
Michael Hayes wants Rey Mysterio back on Raw. REACT: That is surprising, as I thought the Hispanic viewers were more of a focus for Smackdown.
Kizarny wanted Vince McMahon to dress up as Doink the Clown. REACT: Dumb idea.
Paul London apologizes for Evan Bourne comments, but then says Triple H isn't very funny. REACT: Good for the apology, but don't expect him to wrestle in WWE again after that HHH comment.
Former WWE employee says Vince McMahon cares more about his "doormat" than Christian. REACT: At least he didn't say toilet paper.
Ken Shamrock tests positive for steroids. REACT: Poor Bobby Lashley, who must now settle for Jason Guida on March 21.
Jesse Ventura said he would investigate WWE if he was in the Senate. REACT: Would he really do that to what made him?
No charges for Verne Gagne. REACT: That's refreshing.
Paul London's new outfit is a full-body military-esque costume with a nerd/Air Force blend. REACT: Interesting twist, as long as London doesn't smile.
