According to Daniel Pena of lordsofpain.net, there are at least 37 wrestlers who will not be at WrestleMania XXV.
Based on that list, I will rank the top 10 who I feel should be on the card.
I will not rank Batista or Mr. Kennedy, as they are both currently injured.
I am also assuming JBL will accept Rey Mysterio's challenge, and that my prediction of Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger will happen in at least a dark match.
Here's the list:
1. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase: I have to rank these two guys together, as they are a tag team. It's a shame they were shut out. It's proof they are just pawns right now in the Randy Orton vs. Triple H feud. They should be wrestling The Miz and John Morrison in a match between the top-two tag teams.
2. Vladimir Kozlov: I thought for sure WWE would pencil him in against JBL. Maybe that will still happen.
3. Tommy Dreamer: It's reportedly his last year, and like him or not, he's done a ton for this business.
4. R-Truth: He's got great entrance music, fans love him and he's an above-average wrestler.
5. Umaga: I can't quite figure out why a guy who seems healthy again isn't on the card. He's got the look, and he had the push, not too long ago.
6. Chavo Guerrero: I'd have him instead of Mark Henry in the ladder match. Does WWE have big plans for Henry, finally?
7. William Regal: As much as WWE has pushed him in the past, his absence is mind-boggling.
8. Tyson Kidd: Some of you may have never heard of him, but shame on you (watch ECW). This kid, pun intended, is talented. Lack of name value has him missing out.
9. The Great Khali: The biggest event of the year should have one of the biggest wrestlers, right? It's obvious Khali's lack of mobility hurt him in making the card.
10. Santino Marella: I know, if he was in a match, it would be a total squash. But he's entertaining. Expect him to have a comedy role in a segment.
If Bourne and Swagger are not on the card, rank them this way:
1. Evan Bourne: One of the top talents in WWE. He's a high-flyer who is very entertaining to watch.
2. Jack Swagger: He's the ECW champion, and he should be on the card just for that reason.
3. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
4. Vladimir Kozlov
5. Tommy Dreamer
6. R-Truth
7. Umaga
8. Chavo Guerrero
9. William Regal
10. Tyson Kidd
Bumped off the list: The Great Khali, Santino Marella.
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: I correctly predicted 17 of the 19 Divas (Alicia Fox and Tiffany were surprisingly added on, giving us only six open spots for past Divas. The confirmed Divas are: current face Divas: Melina, Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, Candice Michelle, Maria, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eve, Gail Kim, Tiffany; current heel Divas: Beth Phoenix, Layla, Rosa Mendes, Jillian, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Natayla Neidhart, Katie Lea Burchill, Alicia Fox. My predicted past Divas for the final six spots are: Tammy Sytch, Torrie Wilson, Trish Stratus, Luna Vachon, Victoria, Miss Jackie Gayda-Haas. Won't be in the match: Lita, Molly Holly, Wendi Richter, Terri Runnels, Ashley Massaro, Debra, Sable, Dawn Marie.
6. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy. It's brother vs. brother. This one will be entertaining.
7. Chris Jericho vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Ricky"The Dragon" Steamboat, with Ric Flair in the corner and Mickey Rourke in the front row at ringside. So, no Jerry Lawler angle. An unhealthy Hulk Hogan and no Steve Austin give us this 3-on-1 battle.
8. John Morrison and The Miz vs. Carlito and Primo. I can't figure out for the life of me as to why WWE thinks Carlito and Primo as a team deserve a match on this card. The only thing I can think of is that WWE wants to merge both tag-team titles into one title, and it wants to push along a feud between the Bella Twins. It's a shame the second-best tag-team of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase aren't in this match against The Miz and Morrison.
Other matches in order of probability:
1. Vladimir Kozlov vs. JBL or JBL vs. Rey Mysterio: 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. JBL claims this isn't his plan to "shock the wrestling world,'' which makes one wonder what his plan is. Maybe it involves Mysterio, which is the match WWE seems to be leaning toward.
2. Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger. Why not have Bourne wrestle for the ECW title in his return?
Among the wrestlers who may miss out: Batista (injured), Vladimir Kozlov, R-Truth, Mike Knox, Mr. Kennedy (injured), William Regal, Umaga, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Chavo Guerrero, Santino Marella, The Brian Kendrick, The Great Khali, Tommy Dreamer, Tyson Kidd.
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), Howard Finkel (reportedly).
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
According to ABC, a woman saw Test in a strange position the day before she called the cops, and Test may have been dead for a couple of days. REACT: Nothing unusual here. The woman was concerned, and when she realized her concerns were feared, she called the police.
Mick Foley's first TNA Wrestling match on free TV. REACT: Surprising, but TNA needs viewers now, and this is the best way to get them. It has me intrigued to watch, and I am not a Foley fan.
Hulk Hogan's friend Todd Farmer tells Bubba's radio show that there have been wild parties at the Hogan family home where Linda and boyfriend Charlie Hill live. Farmer said his oldest daughter, coming off a rehab stint, was offered drugs there. REACT: It'll be interesting to see if this is brought up in the Hogan divorce trial.
$20 tickets at WWE events. REACT: Due to the economy, this is a smart thing to generate higher attendance.
Debra wants to join TNA Wrestling. REACT: A job is a job. TNA Wrestling is a great option for those who don't want a WWE travel schedule.
WWE releases Tyson Tomko. REACT: Wow,. I didn't even know he was still on the roster.
Booker T says he changes his accent all the time because he is promoting himself for movie roles. REACT: That's funny, although Booker T is smart to do all he can if that's what he wants to do after wrestling. I think he could get some part-time roles.
Sunny says Sable looks 60 years old. REACT: Man, it's really a shame Sable isn't in the Divas match at WM XXV. I would mark for that.
Ric Flair's son Reid, 21, arrested on a driving while impaired charge in Mecklenburg County, N.C., on March 4. REACT: Reid needs help, as he's had past problems.
WWE nixes Iron Sheik's book. REACT: No shock, as the Iron Sheik is always vocally outrageous -- act or no act. Imagine him having the time to put his thoughts in writing. Talk about the censors being pushed!
