The Royal Rumble:
The big enchilada this coming Sunday at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view is the 30-man Royal Rumble match, where the winner gets a title shot at WrestleMania XXVI on March 28.
The Undertaker won in 2007. John Cena won in 2008. Neither one will win this one.
Undertaker isn't in the match, while Cena is working with a bulging disc but working house shows. Cena is also rumored to be battling Batista at WrestleMania, so he doesn't need to win here.
Based off WWE.com, there are 26 names officially in the match. Why John Morrison isn't one of those names, I have no idea.
The favorites are Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho -- in that order.
Triple H is the odds-on favorite. It just makes the most sense that he headlines WrestleMania against Sheamus, his workout buddy in real life.
Michaels may wrestle the Undertaker at WrestleMania, so he could win.
Jericho has been huge for WWE the past few years, so he might be rewarded. But I think a match with the returning Edge is in his WrestleMania future.
The rest are Cena, Batista, Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Ted DiBiase, The Great Khali, Cody Rhodes, Yoshi Tatsu, MVP, Chris Masters, The Miz, William Regal, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Mark Henry, Zach Ryder, Jack Swagger, Big Show, The Hurricane, Evan Bourne, Carlito and Santino Marella.
Hardy, The Great Khali, Yoshi Tatsu, Chris Masters, William Regal, Kofi Kingston, Zach Ryder and The Hurricane were thrown into the match after my January 11 predictions blog post. None of them stand a chance, outside of Kofi Kingston.
On that note, based on my Jan. 11 post, in addition to Morrison, where are Vladimir Kozlov, Dolph Ziggler and JTG of Cryme Tyme? And will RVD and Booker T be surprise entrants? And what about corporate favorite Drew McIntyre?
Since only four more can be added off the WWE.com list, I think it's safe to say Morrison, RVD, Booker T and Drew McIntyre will be the final four entrants.
I am going to pick Morrison to win. WWE recently released a DVD of him, he's young, he's popular and he would be a surprise winner that would make the fans happy. He also deserves a chance to headline WrestleMania. He's ready.
Of course, I am assuming politics do not rear their ugly head and Triple H is the last man standing.
PICK: Morrison.
World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio:
There are numerous possibilities at WrestleMania with Undertaker as champion. He could defend the title and have his streak on the line. That is huge. Not so much with Mysterio, who is rumored to be battling CM Punk at WrestleMania. I am tempted to pick Mysterio in this one so Mysterio-Punk would be for the title at WrestleMania, but I just don't see WWE giving Mysterio the belt again. It's also not needed in a Mysterio-Punk feud. In fact, Undertaker-Punk would be enticing for WrestleMania, assuming we don't get Undertaker-Michaels. PICK: Undertaker.
WWE Champion Sheamus vs. Randy Orton:
This a very tough match to call. Orton, as a five-time champion, is a huge favorite on paper. But the rumor mill, as I mentioned above, has Sheamus defending the strap at WrestleMania against Triple H. For that to happen, obviously, Sheamus has to win here. I think it would be stupid to take the title off Sheamus, although he hasn't been pushed much lately. In fact, our last image of him was him being laid out in the middle of the ring, along with Orton, as Cena stood tall. I'm thinking there are more possibilities with Orton as champion the next few months than there are with Sheamus. On that note... PICK: Orton.
ECW Champion Christian vs. Ezekiel Jackson:
It's unreal to think Ezekiel has a match on this card, but I have to remind myself this is the ECW title match. At 6-foot-4, 309 pounds, Ezekiel is intimidating. I just don't see a future for him as champion, unless WWE is planning on moving Christian off of ECW and onto Raw. I'll go with my first thought. PICK: Christian.
Women's Champion Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James:
McCool has had a fun time making fun of "Piggy James." I have found the feud mildly entertaining as well. McCool has had help in Layla, and I think that might be her downfall. Whether Mickie gets an assist from Beth Phoenix or not, I think it's her turn to one-up McCool. PICK: James.
Likely WrestleMania Matches:
1. Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon -- Fans want this.
2. John Cena vs. Batista -- The Rock said no.3. John Morrison vs. Undertaker -- Morrison deserves a shot.
4. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Sheamus -- Sheamus can be a nice wild card here.
5. Edge vs. Chris Jericho -- Jericho will be careful with Edge.
6. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. -- It's time for The Legacy to feud.
7. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio -- Mask vs. hair
8. Money in the Bank Ladder Match -- Christian or Kofi Kingston will win, but does it matter? This match rules.
9. Maryse vs. Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix -- Top four women's names in a fatal fourway match.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
Atlanta or Miami likely to be announced Monday as the site for WrestleMania in 2011. REACT: I'd be very happy with either one.
WWE trying to get Conan O'Brien as guest host. REACT: This would be huge. Sooner the better, though.
WWE reportedly working on a sitcom starring Santino Marella. REACT: WWE.com only, I'm guessing.
Ted DiBiase Jr. speaks out on Hulk Hogan and Jeff Hardy. REACT: Surprising to verbally bash the competition, but whatever.
Kizarny tells carnagecrew.net he once saw Undertaker bobbing his head and signing to R-Truth's entrance music. REACT: Talk about the Undertaker being out of character.
TMZ.com reports Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms were both charged with public intoxication. REACT: Doesn't look like there will be WWE repercussions, but we'll have to wait and see. I did find the report that CM Punk and Christian posted bail for them to be funny. Matt Hardy, who was also at the scene, seems to have stayed out of trouble.
Former Diva Torrie Wilson, on her Twitter page, said she accidentally fired off a loaded pistol into her ceiling because she was alone in her house and felt scared. REACT: Best of luck to Torrie. Sounds like she needs it.
Randy Orton recently signed a new 10-year contract. REACT: Smart one to lock up longer.
http://www.dutchmantell.com/ REACT: Dutch Mantell has an awesome read here about life on the road overseas back in the day.
Curt Hawkins given tryout as color commentator. REACT: Very surprising, as I thought he had in-ring talent.
Rey Mysterio said he has 2 to 3 more years before retirement and that he doesn't think there is a Mexican star who can successfully replace him. REACT: Mysterio seems like he could wrestle forever, but his knee is banged up. I'm sure one day there will be another Tito Santana/Rey Mysterio character, but it might not be soon.
Norman Smiley now a Lieutenant General Manager in FCW. REACT: I've always been a fan of Smiley.
There is talk of WWE continuing the guest host angle if TNA Wrestling goes to Monday nights permanently. REACT: Would be smart for a few more months.
TNA Wrestling
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff want to hold 10 of 12 pay-per-views in Orlando. REACT: Awesome.
TNA Wrestling close to signing The Honky Tonk Man. REACT: Does he have anything left in his tank?
Vince Russo bashes people who count the number of wrestling minutes (16 out of 120 recently) on the weekly shows. REACT: Well, that number is very low!
Linda Hogan to write a book. REACT: I can't say I blame her.
TNA Wrestling reportedly to go live again on March 1. REACT: Finally! Let's hope we get a live show every 2 weeks as we're hearing.
Diamond Dallas Page thinking of making some appearances. REACT: Would be good. I enjoyed DDP's work late in his career.
Sid Vicious makes mention of fan petition to bring him in. REACT: He's greatly underrated.
Hulk Hogan says no to Ultimate Warrior coming in and yes to Randy Savage. REACT: Warrior speaks his mind, and Hogan doesn't like that. Savage, on the other hand, has been quiet for years.
Also
Wrestling Chatterbox editor Georgiann Makropoulos dies. REACT: Can't say I know much about her, but she contributed a lot. R.I.P.
http://www.clubwwi.com/ REACT: Unbelievably awesome Web site, if you have the time. I don't.
