Wrestlemania XX Preview

Well, we're just a few days away from the granddaddy of them all. Wrestlemania XX emanates from Madison Square Garden this coming Sunday, and with the various web sites I write for asking for my opinions on what's going to happen, I thought that I might as well jump on board, as it were. So here goes.....

World Tag-Team Championship
ROB VAN DAM & BOOKER T (c) V MARK JINDRAK & GARRISON CADE V LA RESISTANCE V THE DUDLEY BOYS
Well, at least it looks as if RVD is getting a major spot on the main card this year, and while it's nice that the Jindrak/Cade team is getting the chance to shine on the major stage, it seems to me that the creative bods may decide to go where it's been before and stick the belts back on the Dudleys. If this is the case, then this is a mistake. The Dudleys have become very stale as of late. Granted, they are legends, but how much more can they really accomplish?

As for La Resistance, although this gimmick is relatively new, it really has run it's course, especially given the fact that one of them really isn't French! (Hope I didn't spoil this for you!)

Anyways, would love to see Booker & RVD retain the belts, but my head tells me the Duds will come out on top.


THE ROCK 'N' SOCK CONNECTION V EVOLUTION
This handicap match promises much. It gives us the return of the hard-core legend himself, Mick Foley, and the return of the People's Champion, The Rock, going up against two of Raw's up-and-coming stars in Batista and Randy Orton, and the legendary Nature Boy himself.

It will be interesting to see how this one pans out. It's obvious that the Rock is now more of an actor than a wrestler, and that Foley will never make a full-time return to active competition. So will they be put over the up-and-comers. This may be the match where Ric Flair does what he's best at these days. Flair will take the pin. From whom it does not matter.

CHRISTIAN V CHRIS JERICHO
This could be the sleeper on the card. After years of languishing in lower-mid-card obscurity, Christian has the chance to show what he can do against one of the company's top wrestlers. Jericho has certainly been one to watch over the past year or so. Whether it be as a heel or face, he has certainly entertained the crowd. This match promises much between two evenly matched wrestlers, and could steal the show. To be honest I don't really care who wins this one. I just hope it delivers some good action.

VICTORIA V MOLLY HOLLY
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Victoria the wrestler. She is certainly one of the top female stars in America at the moment. And Molly Holly isn't far behind.

This match probably won't earn the plaudits that the rest of the card will, but it will certainly be entertaining. If you're looking for good, solid, female wrestling action that doesn't involve anyone getting their tops ripped off or being dipped in a giant gravy bowl, then this could be the one for you. Victoria is my pick for this one.

CRUISER WEIGHT OPEN
At the time of writing I have absolutely no idea what the rules of this match will be, but at least some of the top stars of the Smackdown brand will be able to showcase their talents on the big stage. With Chavo Guerrero defending the belt against the likes of Rey Mysterio, Jamie Knoble, Tajiri, Ultimo Dragon and more, this will certainly be a contest for fans of high-flying wrestling. It's just a shame that some of Smackdown's lesser lights (i.e. Paul London) didn't make it to this match. But hopefully London's time will come. Who will win? Would love to see Mysterio regain the gold, but Chavo will probably retain.

U.S. Championship
THE BIG SHOW V JOHN CENA
Cena is another of those guys who has been on a roll as of late. With the need to create new superstars, Cena has certainly taken the ball with this one as he provides the Big Show with one of the few credible challenges he has faced since he won the title.

As for the big guy, while his work has improved a little, it would be nice to see Cena defeat him for the belt. He hasn't really done anything to either elevate himself or the title during his reign. The fans are impressed by some of his moves, but it seems like they don't really give a hoot about him. If the title was on a wrestler like Cena though, well, that would be a different case entirely.

Playboy Evening Gown Match
STACEY KIEBLER & MISS JACKIE V TORRIE WILSON & SABLE
This match will definitely steal the show, as we see an exhibition of technical skill the likes of which will make Benoit v Angle look like a lame backyard match.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm being sarcastic. While I admit to being a hot-blooded male, to be completely honest with you, I'm not really looking forward to this. Maybe it's just the old school fan in me, but I'd rather see a wrestling match on a wrestling card than something like this. Does this match really belong on this card? Well, even though we've seen Trish Stratus v Jazz on television and pay-per-view many times before, I would have enjoyed seeing that sort of match than this sort of match. Who will win? Who cares!

WWE Championship
EDDIE GUERRERO (c) V KURT ANGLE
Woah baby! I said earlier that while Christian v Jericho could steal the show, this one has show-stealer written all over it. In Eddie Guerrero you have possibly the most over wrestler the WWE has seen in years. Nobody expected him to walk away with the WWE title, yet he did. The powers-that-be, it seems, finally realised that they could have another champion under six foot in height.

Angle & Guerrero are the two best wrestlers on the Smackdown brand at the moment, and the only thing that could hamper this kind of contest could be Angle's well documented injury problems. However, Angle has earned a reputation as a team player, and I'm sure that both guys will give their all in this bout. Head says Angle will win, but heart hopes that Guerrero retains the belt.

THE UNDERTAKER V KANE
The dead man cometh. Although these two have clashed on numerous occasions before, the two men coming into this match are entirely different characters. Kane is now the ultimate psycho, bereft of mask and on a path of destruction the likes of which hasn't been seen since his entry into the company nearly seven years ago. As for the Undertaker, as he enters his fourteenth year of active competition in the world's biggest wrestling company, he's going back to his roots, back to the gimmick that brought him world-wide acclaim and fame. The dead man will certainly get a more than favourable welcome at MSG, but will he get the win. Something tells me this will end in a draw, and we won't see the last of this confrontation.

World Heavyweight Championship
TRIPLE H (c) V SHAWN MICHAELS V CHRIS BENOIT
Long-time devotees of the Two Sheds Review will remember that a couple of weeks ago I wrote about how I was disappointed with this turn of events, of how I would have preferred a straight singles match between Triple H and Benoit rather than a triple threat match with Shawn Michaels thrown into the mix, and how Wrestlemania main events should be singles matches, citing the disappointing fatal four way at Wrestlemania 2000.

But I must admit that the build-up in the story line for this match has been top-notch, well thought out, well planned, and well executed by all concerned. But it still leaves me a little disappointing. I could go on all night about this, but I'm sure that you have got far better things to do than to listen to me rabbit on about this.

So who will win? Well, along with the rest of the Internet, I'd love to see Benoit win. He is certainly one of the best wrestlers on the Raw brand at the moment. But if he did win, does he have what it takes to carry the company? Many of the so-called experts say no. So, while my heart will go with Benoit, my head will go with Triple H. If this happens, this will annoy the hell out of the smart marks, but then again, if Triple H is getting this sort of response, then he is playing his role as a heel champion to perfection.

BROCK LESNAR V GOLDBERG
Special Referee - Steve Austin
This match will certainly prove interesting, mainly because of the news that has appeared over the past few days. While it's a known fact that this will be Goldberg's last appearance for the WWE, hardly anyone was expecting the news that Lesnar was also going to leave. But then again, there is the thinking that perhaps the whole Lesnar situation is nothing more than a work on the part of Vince McMahon.

Hopefully this will have no bearing on the match itself. If you're expecting a clinical, scientific type of match, then don't look here. What you're going to get is a war, a knockdown, drawn-out type of affair between two powerhouses. Lesnar v Goldberg was perhaps one of the last few dream matches. It had many fans salivating at the prospect when it was announced that Goldberg had signed with the WWE a year ago. Now, with both men apparently leaving the company, this could prove to be an apt swan song for both men. Who will win? Well, that's uncertain at the moment. What is certain is that the crowd will certainly go crazy when these two monsters step into the ring.

Well, that's it for my own, personal preview of Wrestlemania XX. At this moment in time I have no idea if I'll be watching the show live. Even though I suffer from insomnia, I don't think I'll be able to stay up until five in the morning to watch this.