Ruthless Roundtable: WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions

“It’s time, once again, for everybody to come aboard” The Ruthless Roundtable…

Borrowing just a little bit from The Godfather, we all know how that quote is supposed to end…and if you don’t, you didn’t live through the Attitude Era…

Tonight is the 2012 Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View, with out a doubt my favorite PPV of the year. But I’m going to happily miss this years viewings because we were out last night celebrating my 30th birthday. So, while the actual event is going on, I might just be asleep.

I got myself up out of a nap just to finish this thing up. And I have to be honest with you, my explanations might not be that thorough. But not to worry, there are plenty of others on the list that either explained their thoughts or like me, just kind of answered the question.

WWE Royal Rumble 2012 card (as of today), matches are subjected to be added:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII
Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry.

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee. Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside.

John Cena vs. Kane Singles match

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Anyway, here we go!

Cos’s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions:

Again, this is the short version:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII
Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry.

2012 Royal Rumble winner: Chris Jericho

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee. VickieGuerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside.

Winner and Still WWE Champion: CM Punk
John Cena vs. Kane Singles match

Winner: Kane

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Daniel Bryan

Mother Brain’s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions
By Mother Brain

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship

I see Bryan skating by on this one. He’s got the size advantage against the much larger Henry and Big Show. Plus there’s a tremendous amount of drama with Bryan’s slow heel turn which has made his World Heavyweight Title run more interesting. Expect him to go over against these giants and carry the title into Elimination Chamber.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

John Cena vs. Kane

Many of us still want the Cena heel turn to happen. But all I’m seeing is a wuss company man finally growing some balls and embracing “the hate”. With a lack of momentum and a series of losses in the past few PPV’s, Cena has to go over and get his revenge against Kane.

Winner: John Cena

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee (Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside)

The real story of this match is whether or not Johnny Ace will screw Punk in the match. I get the feeling there will be a ton of moments where he’ll tease it. But he’ll ultimately have to make the right call so he can save his job. No Y2J or Triple H run ins. Punk wins clean over Ziggler.

Winner: CM Punk

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII (Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry)

Only 3 possibilities I can see winning the Rumble this year: Y2J, Randy Orton, or Triple H. Jericho has not ever won a Rumble match and many signs point to a serious feud with CM Punk very soon. Orton has the St. Louis hometown advantage and the fact that a babyface is due to win this year. Triple H is my wildcard pick because he’s rumored to face Punk instead of Undertaker at Wrestlemania. For now, I place my bets on Jericho.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Ato’s Royal Rumble Predictions:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII
Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry.

Winner: Y2J Chris Jericho

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee. Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside.

Winner: CM Punk
John Cena vs. Kane Singles match

Winner: Kane

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Winner: CM Punk

Chosen 1′s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions:

Biggest Surprise entrant – Rey Mysterio (return from injury)

JJJ’s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII
Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry.

Winner: Wade Barrett

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee. Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside.

Winner: CM Punk

John Cena vs. Kane Singles match

Winner: Kane

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Justice’s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions:

Triple threat world title match: Winner: Daniel Bryan- I have a feeling Bryan doesn’t go to Wrestlemania as champion but I don’t see him losing here. I think he’ll lose at Elimination Chamber to either Barrett or Orton

John Cena vs. Kane: Kane will look so weak losing to Cena here so thats Why I see Cena winning. Eventually we all want to see Cena turn heel and while this may be a catalyst to a turn,don’t expect to see it yet.

Dolph Ziggler vs. CM Punk: Even with Laurinitis trying to screw him, CM Punk wins and rides a wave of momentum all the way to Wrestlemania. I expect this to be a great match-of-the-year candidate.

Royal Rumble match: I see Orton being one of the last 2 competitors but I don’t see him winning. There’s the new “everyone is eligible” rule so I see some sort of swerve going on but I predict Jericho

Smark Central’s Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions

30-Man Royal Rumble Match Winner receives his choice of a WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXVIII
Note: The Miz (due to losing a match to R-Truth) will be the #1 entry.
What I want to see: I think it’d be interesting to see one of the title holders or challengers (not henry or show) to win this thing. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. I mean that “everyone is eligible to enter” stipulation is there for a reason so while it may not be a lock, its certainly something to keep in mind.
What will happen: Usually the logical choice usually takes it. If you look back over the years the winner is obvious. With that said, I’d look for Jericho, Barrett, or Orton to take it.

CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler Singles match for the WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as special guest referee. Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger are banned from ringside.
What I want to see: This is a tough one. I mean you literally have the two BEST wrestlers in the business today vying for the title (what a concept). I want Punk to win only because if Ziggler wins, his reign will not last. Punk would without a doubt, win it back before mania. Dolph deserved better than a 1 month chump change reign.
What will happen: Punk wins

John Cena vs. Kane Singles match
What I want to see: This feud has been good, but it’s borderlined on cheesy at times (as all Cena and Kane storylines tend to do). However, the intrigue has been there despite most people with a brain knowing that Cena will never turn heel (psst…constipation faces into the camera don’t count). I don’t care who wins. I just don’t want Kane to miss the Rumble because of Cena and his phony anger routine.
What we will see: Cena wins, Kane jobs (haven’t you been watching for the past 7 years?)

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show Triple Threat Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship
What I want to see: Bryan is really coming into his heel persona. It’d be a shame to cut him off at the legs now. I really hope Vince knows how good this guy is.
What will happen: I don’t see any of these guys making it to Mania as champ, but Bryan will win it here.

A little late, but better late then never. Here are the Ruthless Roundtable’s 2011 Year End Wrestling Awards!

We actually have a huge panel of people giving their picks for 2011′s wrestling awards.

In my opinion this was a hot and cold year, from the lukewarm beginning to the fiery hot summer to the cold end, with some sprinkles of hope with Punk, Bryan and Ryder as our new champions; along with Rhodes, Kingston & Bourne, Beth Phoenix. All of these fresh faces at the top makes most of us feel good about the future of professional wrestling.

Anyway, here are the generic topics that most of us will be talking about; same as last year:

Match of the Year:
Most Outstanding Wrestler:
Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:
Feud of the Year:
Worst Feud of the Year:
Tag Team of the Year:
Most Improved:
Rookie of the Year:
Most Overrated:
Most Underrated:
Best Gimmick:
Worst Gimmick:
Best Babyface:
Best Heel:
Worst Tag Team:
Most Embarrassing Wrestler:
Best Return:

Some of our panel (myself (Cos), Mother Brain, Ato, Chosen 1, Smark Central, JJJ, and Justice added their own to this list. Also, it is quite refreshing seeing that this list doesn’t just have WWE on it, but TNA/Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor. I am happy to admit that it feels good to see more than just WWE on this list.

Let us know what you think and if you agree or disagree. Leave your 2011 Year End Wrestling Awards below!

Cos’ Year End Wrestling Awards

Match of the Year: CM Punk vs John Cena for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank

This one was obvious from the build to the match to the fact that, Punk, not only won the match but walked out of the WWE afterward. We all cheered when he hit the Go To Sleep on Cena, won and then literally walked out of the arena.

I will say, I’ve always felt as if they should have allowed Punk to have wandered around with the WWE Championship for a little bit longer than 3 weeks. They should have allowed Rey Mysterio (even though I’m not a fan of his) to have had a much lengthier reign then an hour! They could have built up SummerSlam around the fact that Cena and Mysterio have never faced each other and then have Punk come out at the very end. That would have gotten a lot of people talking about watching Raw the next night.

But, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. And I for one still think Punk vs Cena and Money in the Bank was the match of the year.

Runner Up: John Morrison vs The Miz for the WWE Championship on the first Raw of 2011

Most Outstanding Wrestler: CM Punk

Punk did a complete 180 from being the leader of the failed New Nexus to the Agent of Change from this past summer. I for one think that he is the face of the company as it stands right now and they need to let him ride for a bit.

He needs to be built up big time. And I for one will back him up 100%. I still want his t-shirt!

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler: Beth Phoenix

If Kharma had remained, this probably would have been her. Women’s wrestling has being sorely lacking in both WWE and TNA/Impact Wrestling. Beth Phoenix is the stand out of the year.

Feud of the Year: Summer of Punk (CM Punk vs John Cena/WWE/Triple H/Kevin Nash)

I can’t, 100% , say that Punk vs Cena was the feud of the year. But anything involving Punk has been entertaining. Which is why I added all of the above to the “Summer of Punk” (also known as, Summer of Punk 2—part 1 took place in Ring of Honor). I would have even enjoyed seeing Nash vs Punk at Night of Champions…

Worst Feud of the Year: Fall of “H” (Triple H vs CM Punk/WWE/John Laurenitis/Kevin Nash)

I figured if the summer feud was called “Summer of Punk” then right around when Triple H carjacked the entire thing became what I call the “Fall of H”. Triple H took what was the most interesting and compelling storyline with CM Punk and spearheaded it into a ladder match with Kevin Nash.

We no longer hear about any conspiracies. Triple H no longer wants to fight John Laurinaitis. No one is even questioning who Laurinaitis is texting. The appeal was completely gone!

Tag Team of the Year: Awesome Truth

The Tag Team division started out with a decent little resurgence and then came Awesome Truth, which I assumed would have gone on longer had R-Truth not been busted for a wellness violation. But in the few months that they a team they were fantastic!

Probably the best make-shift tag team in a long time in the WWE. I had actually wanted to do a Roundtable about the best make-shift tag teams around the time that Awesome Truth broke up. Didn’t pan out, it was at the wrong time I guess, holiday season. But I’ll post my top five right here; mind you, I’ve been a fan of wrestling since late 1998, so this is my list. I’m sure there are a bunch of people that would disagree. But, again, my blog, my opinion.

This list does not include Awesome Truth, but was inspired by them:

1. Rock and Sock Connection-The Rock and Mankind
2. Rated RKO- Edge and Randy Orton
3. Kane and X-pac
4. The Two Man Power Trip- Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H
5. Jerishow- Chris Jericho and The Big Show

Let me know what your favorite makeshift tag team.

Also, I can only hope for a revival of Awesome Truth sometime in 2012.

Most Improved: Wade Barrett

At the end of 2010, Wade Barrett was on the beating side of a tables match with John Cena. He would be banished to Raw where he would put together the group known as The Corre (that’s right, with two “R’s” ) which ended up failing big time. And we all figured that was it with Barrett. Then came the Barrett Barrage, and he has been tearing it up on Smackdown ever since. I see big things for Barrett in the new year.

Rookie of the Year: Zack Ryder

Zack Ryder stands out to me this year because he started the year off with nothing and ended up becoming the United States Champion simply by sheer perseverance. He created a youtube show that has garnered a lot of followers, so much so that for months people would chant for Zack Ryder at WWE shows.

Maybe Rookie of the Year is a bit harsh for someone who has been wrestling for years, but this is his breakout year and for that I give him the title Rookie of the Year.

Most Overrated: Alberto Del Rio

Last year I was very high on Alberto Del Rio. I thought that after weeks of video packages about him, he was going to fall flat on his face, like Kizarny; or any other video packaged superstar. He ended up being entertaining. But this year has been a lot of misses for Del Rio. He won the Royal Rumble only to lose at Wrestlemania in what would become Edge’s final match and he would win the Money in the Bank ladder match and cash in on CM Punk at SummerSlam, only to lose the Championship a month later to Cena. He would win it back at Hell in a Cell only to lose it to Punk at Survivor Series. For all the wins he has had in what should be a great year, Del Rio has been very bland. What appealed to me at first, his old school style bad guy feel, I’ve grown weary of and now I’m simply bored by his Mexican JBL type of character.

Come to think of it, I would love to see what John “Bradshaw” Layfield would do in a (dream) match against Alberto Del Rio. Book it!

Most Underrated: Daniel Bryan

I feel as if the WWE needs to back up who they place as champion in order for the audience to be able to back them up. They haven’t been doing that with Daniel Bryan. He needs to get the type of treatment that every other champion that was worthy of holding a world championship has earned. He’s made it to the top and they need to give him a good reign.

Best Gimmick: Cody Rhodes

Here is someone who has had three different character changes or evolutions in the past year. He went from being Dashing to the slow talking, masked Cody Rhodes to now being a combination of the two of them. He has become a very entertaining character. One I can see becoming a world champion this year.

If you would have told me that during the time in Legacy, that Cody Rhodes would be the one to come out with a better gimmick then Ted DiBiasi I would have laughed at you.

Worst Gimmick: Ezekiel Jackson

Runner up: Mason Ryan

Best Babyface: Alex Riley

While he was still being pushed. They could have totally made a new superstar out of him.

Best Heel:  R-Truth

If you had told me that R-Truth would have made himself entertaining a year ago, I would have laughed in your face. With the exception of the fact that he has returned and he is now a baby face, I enjoyed watching Truth as a heel. Especially when he was paired up with The Miz.

Runner up: Mark Henry I know, not the person to put on here, I’ve never spoken highly of Mark Henry, but I’ve always thought he could be (and should only be) a heel. This was his year to shine. They gave him a “Kane” reign with the World Heavyweight Championship. Let’s see what happens from here.

Worst Tag Team: David Otunga and Michael McGullicutty

Seriously, these two were tag team champions from May 23^rd to August 22^nd. No wonder no one really cares about tag team wrestling. If there was ever a time where the championships were put on someone just so they could disappear, it was while they were on these two.

Most Embarrassing Wrestler: Sin Cara

I wanted to really like Sin Cara, but I spent most of my time watching it, cringing that he wouldn’t botch his next move. I was at Surivivor Series at The Garden when he did his move that would ultimately put him out of action for the remainder of the year and so far we don’t know if he’ll ever come back.

Runner up: Crimson from TNA/Impact Wrestling

Best Return: The Rock

Seriously, this thing had a lot of people talking. Even a friend of mine who is not a wrestling fan was asking me about it when The Rock returned.

Mother Brain’s 2011 Wrestling Awards
By Mother Brain

Match of the Year: John Cena vs. CM Punk for WWE Championship @ Money in the Bank

While the early part of the year was driven by the announcement of Cena vs. Rock match for Wrestlemania 28, no one could imagine that the most talked about matchup would take place on a 2nd tier PPV. The title match between Cena and Punk was originally part of Cena’s cliched runs with monster heel superstars and Punk was on his way out from the company. But the historic shoot-style promo which took place a few weeks before the event helped to make to most realistic wrestling story angle in years. As for the match itself, it truly did feel controversial with Punk having the hometown advantage over Cena and the suspense hanging around our heads as to whether or not Punk would truly leave WWE with the championship. Also to give credit, it was without a doubt one of Cena’s better in-ring performances.

Most Outstanding Wrestler: CM Punk

I can’t say much that I’ve already said. Punk made wrestling relevant again and brought a new edge to a stale product. Although many will argue he’s regressed as a character since that time, he’s still the man who can run with the ball no matter what he’s handed to him (i.e. Straight Edge Society, New Nexus, NXT commentator, etc).

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler: Beth Phoenix

Had the year gone differently, this award would have belonged to Kharma. But impending motherhood put her out of action. So I’ll have to go with Beth on default since the rest of the Divas division (except Natalya) is crap.

Feud of the Year: John Cena vs. CM Punk

It was truly Superman vs. Batman. Nuff said.

Worst Feud of the Year: Triple H vs. Kevin Nash

This had the potential to work… in 2003. Let’s face it folks. This feud was born out of a conspiracy angle with no structure and went absolutely nowhere. It was inconsistent due to Nash’s sporadic appearances on television. By the time the match went down at TLC, I completely forgot the match was even booked. Nash is as done as his quads and the Game is an office manager.

Tag Team of the Year: Air Boom

There was some brief hope of the tag team division making a comeback in 2011. It didn’t exactly return to the glory days but it was a little bit better than the last couple of years and it only makes sense that the team with the longer title reign this year should get this award.

Most Improved: Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler had always been talented. Problem was he couldn’t generate a crowd reaction. Pairing him with Vickie Gurrerro helped out a lot; however, Ziggler proved how much of a beast he can be not only in the ring but also on the mic this year. He’s now more like Mr. Perfect than Mr. Perfect’s own son. I guarantee he’ll be a main eventer in 2012.

Rookie of the Year: Kharma

Her stint on TV was short as I mentioned above. But there really were not that many rookies who made a big impact in wrestling period. The fact is Kharma was built up the right way with the old school video packages and she got over from the very moment she stepped into a WWE ring to squash multiple divas. I hope her character doesn’t get butchered when she returns.

Most Overrated: Randy Orton

I’ve always said Orton worked best as a heel. To be honest, I have a hard time seeing why people like him outside of his rKo finisher. He’s had uninteresting feuds with CM Punk and Wade Barrett, won the World Heavyweight Championship as soon as he got drafted to Smackdown, and he’s still dull on the mic. Don’t even get me started with his issues regarding the Spanish announce table.

Most Underrated: Cody Rhodes

I’d put him in a tie with Dolph Ziggler for most improved. Here’s a guy who toned down his Rick Rude-like gimmick to become more of a disturbing menace. On top of that, he made the Intercontinental Title important again by bringing the old generation era belt back. He’s another superstar ready for a main event push in 2012.

Best Gimmick: Zack Ryder

The fact that WWE never took advantage of his Jersey Shore-like image is beyond me. Ryder got himself over like CM Punk: WITHOUT CREATIVE’S IMPUT. He took it to the public via Twitter and YouTube, causing his fan-base to grow in a matter of months. Today, it has paid off with a US Title run.

Worst Gimmick: The New Nexus

The old Nexus with Wade Barrett crashed and burned by the end of 2010. Then WWE decided to revive it with CM Punk as the leader and splitting the group with Wade Barrett’s The Corre on Smackdown. The whole revival was pointless and didn’t help anyone’s career. It also lacked the initial impact of Nexus’ debut the previous summer and died very quietly when Punk turned babyface.

Best Babyface: Daniel Bryan

I couldn’t name anyone else who was equally hated (Cena) or sort of a tweener (Punk). So I had to go with the guy who I truly believe is the company underdog. For someone who had to defy the obstacles of losing countless matches and condescending comments from Michael Cole, Daniel Bryan is the ultimate babyface. Now can he step up his game in the new year as World Heavyweight Champion?

Best Heel: John Lauranitis

Road Warrior Animal’s skateboard riding, mullet haired brother calls the shots and we all despise him. Period.

Worst Tag Team: David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty

……..

Most Embarrassing Wrestler: Sin Cara

A perfect example of something promising that doesn’t live up to the hype. He a walking botchamania moment with big merchandise sales and that’s it. Blue lights? Sin Cara Negro? Big injuries sustained at 2 PPVs this year? I couldn’t trust this guy if he was mowing my lawn.

Best Return: The Rock

So what if Cena complains about him leaving and returning? It’s the Rock. He has very little left to prove to a mediocre roster in a stale product. Like Punk, Rocky made wrestling interesting again. Who gets the mainstream talking about Wrestlemania more? Exactly my point.

Ato’s year end awards:

Match of the Year:

Cena vs. Punk at MITB
Most Outstanding Wrestler:

CM Punk
Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Beth Phoenix
Feud of the Year:

WWE Management vs. CM Punk (does that work)
Worst Feud of the Year:

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole
Most Unnecessary Feud of the Year:

Kevin Nash vs. Triple H
Tag Team of the Year:

Awesome Truth
Most Improved:

R Truth (character wise)
Rookie of the Year:

Nobody
Most Overrated:

John Cena or Triple H (close tie)
Most Underrated:

Satino Marella (they need to stop making him a joke character)
Best Gimmick:

Zack Ryder
Worst Gimmick:

Michael Cole being knighted by the Queen
Best Babyface:

Satino Marella (sure why not)
Best Heel:

Michael Cole
Worst Tag Team:

The Rock and John Cena (it just should never happen, period)
Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Sin Cara
Best Return:

The Rock
Worst Return:

TIE:

Triple H right after the Undertaker made his return on Raw
Kevin Nash returns (not the Royal Rumble return)

Chosen 1′s Year End Awards:

Match of the Year:

John Cena vs. CM punk Money in the bank Punks lead up to this match was some of the greatest mic work ever and the fact that he took out Super Cena to walk out of his home town with championship and “away” from the WWE was a classic moment in sports entertainment history. The match itself was great and one that didn’t disappoint. I don’t think anybody truly believed Punk would leave the WWE but the fact that Vince allowed him to beat Super Cena and have the opportunity to walk out was classic
Most Outstanding Wrestler:

CM PUNK- The guy just has the whole package. Great mic skills tremendous in ring ability will make anybody look 10 times better then they actually are. And anybody who raises the chances to bring back the WWE Ice cream bars has to shoot strait to the top

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Mickie James – A lot of people are going to go strait to Beth Pheonix here but I feel that Mickie did everything the WWE ever asked her to do and then took her talents to Orlando. With a more respected division of female fighters in TNA she still continues to bring it every match. She proves the grass isn’t always greener in the WWE.

Feud of the Year:

Christian vs. Randy Orton these 2 had some of the greatest matches of the year in a feud that lasted the better part of Christian’s 2011. I feel over the last year Randy has grown so incredibly much and I have to think a part of that is thanks to Christian.
Worst Feud of the Year: Big Show vs. Mark Henry – There was absolutely nothing positive I can say about this feud.
Tag Team of the Year:

Awesome Truth- Miz is an absolute beast in this business. He was able to elevate R-truth to a much higher level then I think he deserves to be. But these two had some great tag matches and worked real well with each other on the mic. I have to believe that if Truth doesn’t get suspended they would have carried it strait through next year.
Most Improved:

Cody Rhodes- I really feel that Cody has improved leaps and bounds from his days as the member of Legacy everybody thought was lease likely to succeed. I am looking for him to hit the main event in 2012 for the better part of the year.
Rookie of the Year:

Crimson – Hasn’t lost a match in 2011 came into TNA billed as Amazing Red’s younger brother he blew right past that angle and was a serious power house beating opponent after opponent. He feuded with the likes of Abyss, Samoa Joe, and Kurt Angle. He had a commanding lead in TNA’s Bound for Glory Tourney before being “injured” at the hands of Samoa Joe.
Most Overrated:

John Cena- Even he I believe is starting to lose the hype of himself. Despite being the voice of the WWE (makes all the “major” announcements) during house shows and such he agreed to the WWE to start selling Cena Sucks shirts. We can all just hope that the shelf-life on Super Cena is running out.
Most Underrated:

Michael McGillicutty – One of the top standouts from NXT but not being used at all. He is a great wrestler and with a little practice on the mic could be just as “Perfect” as his dad.

Best Gimmick:

Kharma – They built her up great I was really interested in seeing what her deal was. She should be back soon and hope they can reboot her character.

Worst Gimmick:

good sin cara vs. evil sin cara- not only a stupid gimmick but it didnt make any sense. The WWE was down on Sin Cara after bringing him in. He botched entrances botched spots suspensions, he was a train wreck so lets bring in another one and have them battle it out to see who the real Sin Cara is… AWFUL
Best Babyface:

Zack Ryder- nobody else in professional wrestling has ever shown his ability to use social media to bring their career to a new highs. He used his fan status to make his character and it has brought him into a new light.
Best Heel:

Christian – He had the best turn of the year. We have seen Christian on both sides many times, but he is such a better heel. He is able to raise the bar every match and will say whatever he has to say to make his character work.

Worst Tag Team:

The Uso’s- Its not even their fault. The WWE takes one of their only teams that consists of an actual team and not two singles wrestlers they just threw together and have them job out of their minds and to do it after such a “bad-ass” war dance…

Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Sin Cara – Huge disappointment. He was built up so much and then sucked in the ring sucked out of the ring then gets suspended then sucks again then finishes the year out of wrestling with a dislocated knee.
Best Return:

The best return of the year was the Rock followed closely by CM Punk as “The best in the world”. But you gotta give the nod to the Rock. It still makes your spine tingle when its quiet and you start hearing the fans cheer Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocky and then you there it “DO YOU SMELLLLLLL WHAT THE ROCK ….. IS COOKING”

Smark Central’s Year End Awards:

Match of the Year: CM Punk Vs John Cena – MITB

I know there were probably a few matches that were more technically sound, but the excitement, atmosphere, and intrigue of this match blew all the others completely away.  We may not get excited about a single match like this again for awhile.

Money in the Bank PPV: $50 Snacks for Friends: $25 Marking Out: Priceless

Most Outstanding Wrestler: CM Punk

As if it could be anyone else.  Punk broke out this year with his outstanding shoot promo and hasn’t looked back since.

All Hail the new King

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler: Beth Phoenix

She is just amazing.  Her and Nataylia continue to carry the weak women’s division on their (very broad) shoulders.  It’s just such a shame that despite being the champion she still has to job to the likes of Kelly Kelly and Eve on a weekly basis.  Hopefully better things are in store for 2012.  A feud with Awesome Kong would probably help.

Feud of the Year: Randy Orton Vs Christian

I was thinking about Punk-Cena, but based on the overall body of work, I thought this one was just a hair better.  This feud really lead the way on Smackdown with two pros going at it every week and it rarely disappointed.

Worst Feud of the Year: HHH Vs Kevin Nash

Really WWE?  Really?  This was the best you could do?  A feud between two guys whose combined age is 91?  Or is it just another grim sign of how things will run with HHH in charge?  I didn’t want to see this feud in 2003, I certainly want nothing to do with it now.
Tag Team of the Year: Awesome Truth

No, they didn’t win the tag titles, they won like one match on RAW(I think), and they were “fired” for a month and YET they were STILL the best team this year.  I try not to put too much stock in somebody’s “entertainment value”, but these guys just made for a lot of fun TV.  With the exception of their rapping, this team was just plain AWWWWSOOOME!

“Wake up sleepy head”

Most Improved: Zack Ryder

Maybe Ryder didn’t improve much in the ring, but certainly his standing in the company improved dramatically thanks to his youtube show: Z! True Long Island story.  I’ve never seen someone go from the brink of a pink slip to U.S. champion in such a short period of time.  The Ryder revolution is in full swing and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.
Rookie of the Year: No one from NXT and no one who came up to the main rosters really showed me anything either so this one’s a wash for 2011.
Most Overrated: Sin Cara

This guy bombed in a hurry.  WWE hasn’t has a flop this big in awhile.  They rush down to Mexico to sign this guy, he comes to the main roster right away, botches every match he has (thus giving Botchamania another star), within a few months he gets busted for a wellness violation, comes back and has a terrible Good Sin Cara Vs Evil Sin Cara feud, then gets injured and is out for 6 months.  In fact, that may be the WORST flop WWE has ever had.  It’s going to be tough for anyone (past or present) to top.

and somehow it gets worse

“EEK, A PENIS!”

Most Underrated: Tyson Kidd

This kid would be the perfect centerpiece for any cruiserweight division.  Unfortunately, WWE doesn’t have one.  They just have a bunch of small guys with nothing to do except wallow on Superstars which is only shown on WWE.com.  Doesn’t get any more underrated than Superstars folks.  I know Vince is a size queen, but this guy is too good a hand to be relegated to a show that only gets like 30,000 views a week.  I think if he could get a little exposure and some mic time, he could have some great feuds and matches.  He just needs a chance.  Come on, WWE have a little Hart.

Best Gimmick: Cody Rhodes – Phantom of the Opera-esque deformed freak

2011 saw some people really tank it badly and some rose to the occasion thus making the future of the WWE a little clearer. We’re starting to see who the future main eventers are and Cody Rhodes is going to be one of them.  Yes, this gimmick was over the top, but it worked.  I didn’t see Cody as evil, but he had me convinced at times that there was something truly wrong with him.  The only thing wrong with it was the overuse of the paper bag gimmick which would have been better as a one off thing, but this is the WWE. If something works, they find a way to beat it into the ground.  However, I thought bringing back the classic I.C. title from the mid-90’s was a REAL nice touch.  Now if only they’d do something about that awful WWE title.

Worst Gimmick: Ted DiBiase – Generic Smiley Babyface with cutesy name for his fans (all 3 of them)

The sad thing about this is I think he won this award from me last year for doing a horrible impersonation of his father.  The guy is a very good wrestler, very well trained, but I’m sorry he has no fucking charisma NONE.  I am simply amazed that he came from the Million Dollar Man’s genitals.  He, Joe Hennig, and Harry Smith have been major major let downs.  It doesn’t help that the WWE has basically given them jack shit to work with, but you can’t fake personality.  Some guys have it, some don’t.  Teddy is a sinking ship right now and this DiBiase Posse crap is definitely not helping.

One of these guys is a future World champion and the other will be on a flyer for a Indy wrestling show which will be hanging in a bagel shop window

Best Return: The Rock

Nothing really needs to be said, but I will say that I was genuinely surprised on February 15^th to find out that the Rock had indeed returned after seven years.  With the return we got some classic Rock promos and a pretty fun tag match at Survivor Series.  Not to mention a Rock-Cena showdown set for WrestleMania XXVIII.  Not even a terrible show like WrestleMania XXVII could ruin the Rock’s latest (and possibly final) run with the WWE.

JJJ’s Year End Wrestling Awards:

Most Outstanding Wrestler:

CM Punk
Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Beth Pheonix
Feud of the Year:

Cena vs Punk
Worst Feud of the Year:

Cole and JR
Tag Team of the Year:

Awesome Truth
Most Improved:

Wade Barrett
Rookie of the Year:

unofficially Daniel Bryan
Most Overrated:

Triple H
Most Underrated:

Dolph Ziggler
Best Gimmick:

Zack Ryder
Worst Gimmick:

Sin Cara / Sin Cara Negro
Best Babyface:

The Rock
Best Heel:

John Lauranitis
Worst Tag Team:

??????????? Too many to name
Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Sin Cara
Best Return:

Punk on Raw after Cena won the title
honorable mention for best return Cody with the white IC title

Justice’s Year End Awards:

Match of the Year:

Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards ROH Final Battle: Witnessing it in person made me feel a part of something special
Most Outstanding Wrestler:

CM Punk- Really, is there anyone else?
Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Beth Phoenix: one of the best in the business
Breakout Star of the Year:

Cody Rhodes- Went from bland to one of the best in a year. One of the only reasons to watch Smackdown.
Feud of the Year:

Christian vs. Randy Orton- Brought out the best in each other
Worst Feud of the Year:

Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara: BORING! And lackluster
Tag Team of the Year:

AirBoom- Redefining the tag team division
Most Improved:

Zack Ryder- From almost future endeavored to a US title run, one of the best stories of the year
Rookie of the Year:

Alex Riley- This is by default. Who else is there? I ,mean he did beat the Miz
Most Overrated:

Mark Henry- same boring guy but now with a World title
Most Underrated:

Dolph Ziggler- How it took him a full year to become a main eventer is way beyond my comprehension (Honorable Mention: Daniel Bryan)
Best Gimmick:

Wade Barrett’s Barrett Barrage- The guy became a bulldozer once the Barrett Barrage got started. It solidified him as a main eventer.

Honorable Mention: All 3 Cody Rhodes gimmicks
Worst Gimmick:

Hunico- He went from a fake Sin Cara to a stereotype. Either way, bad, bad gimmick
Best Babyface:

Daniel Bryan- He’s Vegan, not annoying, a great wrestler and a World Champion. Top face in the company
Best Heel:

Dolph Ziggler/Christian (tie)- Both guys had stellar years and showed how to be a top heel
Worst Tag Team:

David Otunga and Michael McGuillitcutty
Most Embarassing Wrestler:

Eric Young- Every time I see him I feel bad for the poor guy, it actually upsets me
Best Return:

The Rock- Seeing his return to the ring live was simply electrifying

Ruthless Rountable: WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Charis 2011 Predictions:

Today is the WWE’s final Pay-Per-View of the year. They aren’t expecting high buy rates for this one, and why should they, they haven’t been booking the PPVs all that well recently. But I will say, if history shows, the TLC PPV is usually the a pretty good one and the matches are usually above the norm of the matches seen on other shows.

This month we have a guest who will be posting there predictions. Seeing that they are a huge CM Punk fan, I figured I’d just use CM Punk’s logo as their icon:

Also, they will be called JJJ. I didn’t get a chance to ask them for a nick name or anything. Hopefully, that’s cool!

I hope that this PPV ends some feuds and really starts some strong ones heading into the Rumble (my personal favorite of all the PPVs) and ultimately into Wrestlemania.

Anyway, here is the match listing that we will all be working off of:

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
Tables match

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship

Cos’ Predictions:

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Seeing how poorly Mark Henry has been booked recently, I just have a feeling his feel good run as World Heavyweight Champion (WHC) is over. Essentially ending his “Kane” WHC reign is coming to an end (if you have been sleeping under a rock, the WWE gave Kane the WHC last year and his reign ended at TLC last year) and I have a huge feeling he will be loosing his championship over to Big Show (despite no one wanting to see this), and as far as I’m concerned, Big Show will simply be the transitional champion who will ultimately loose it (probably at Elimination Chamber in February) to Wade Barrett; who will probably face Randy Orton (currently my prediction for Rumble winner for 2012) at Wrestlemania.

Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: The Big Show

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)

Was I the only one who mildly cringed when Kevin Nash had his 45 second match the other week against Santino and won? Mind you, I am a huge fan of Kevin Nash and I want him to do well, especially in his “last” run in the WWE. But out of all the people to be in ladder matches why, WHY, Triple H and Kevin Nash. I mean, Triple H has been in his share of ladder matches. But I just don’t see this ending well.

Seeing that no one else wants to see this continue, I’m pretty sure this is the first and most likely last match between these two (although personally, I can see them both entering the Rumble next month and continuing their feud further).

Winner: Triple H

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

The only match on the card that has an actual story behind it. Although I think it would have been much bigger if they were able to wait until Wrestlemania for this title change, I think it is about damn time they give this one over to Ryder.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: Zack Ryder

Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
Tables match

Barrett and his Barrage have been on a freaking role recently. Barrett isn’t like Cody Rhodes, he needs a strong win against Orton. And seeing that this is a tables match and isn’t a real pin, I can see Barrett winning this one easily.

Winner: Wade Barrett

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Unlike most people, I would love to see Booker T walk away from this one the WWE Intercontinental Champion. Booker only won the Intercontinental Championship only once (to my shock and awe–he is more remember for his multiple United States Championship reigns in both WCW and WWE) and I think it is about time he have it again. Besides, what better way to get Cody Rhodes over than to give him a strong win against the legend of Booker T at either the Royal Rumble, a Raw show or the Elimination Chamber match.

Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion: Booker T

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship

I have to say, I’ve missed The Miz. I didn’t realize how great he was as a main eventer and he entertains me. I was on the Alberto Del Rio bang wagon at the beginning of this year but now I’m bored (they honestly should have given him the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania) . But there isn’t any reason to get the Championship off of Punk just yet.
Should be a bad ass match.

Winner and still WWE Champion: CM Punk

Mother Brain’s WWE TLC 2011 Predictions
By Mother Brain

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Judging by the lack of crowd reaction at Survivor Series, this is the match that blows off this lackluster feud. With the World’s Strongest Man nursing a few injuries, expect Big Show to go over and win the title… only to become a transitional champion who loses the title to Wade Barrett before Wrestlemania.

Winner and new World Heavyweight Champ: Big Show

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)

Another lackluster feud with poor booking and inconsistency. In fact as I witnessed Triple H’s return on Raw last monday, I completely forgot that this match was happening. It’s an obvious bust with the Game destroying Nash and gearing up for Undertaker.

Winner: Triple H

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

How long will this keep going on for? If Ryder loses, then he’s just another Brutus Beefcake. But I don’t see it. It’s time to push Ziggler to the main event scene in 2012 and it’s time for Ryder to solidify his popularity. Ryder becomes the new US champ.

Winner and new US Champ: Zack Ryder

Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
Tables match

Why are they feuding again? Who cares? Orton wins clean.

Winner: Randy Orton

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

I think this match will be much better than people expect. Rhodes has been on a roll and facing Booker T will only help to elevate him more than Miz with the Jerry Lawler feud from last year. Rhodes retains.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship

The odds are becoming more stacked against the best in the world. But there’s no way the company will put the title back on either one of his opponents anytime soon. Unless a major Johnny Ace screwjob comes into effect, I expect Punk to retain and have the Santa Claus ending to the PPV like Bret Hart and Lex Luger had at Survivor Series ’92 & ’93… until Santa whacks him from behind and reveals himself as CHRIS JERICHO! Just wishful thinking.

Smark Central’s Predictions:

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship

What I want to see: Two other people feuding for the WHC.  Honestly, this feud should have been over by now.  When you have guys like Cody and Sheamus stuck in the mid-card there is something wrong.  Like the past two months, I’d take Henry over Show any day

What will happen: WWE has the habit of booking themselves into a corner and this feud is no different.  They pretty much HAVE to give Big Show the title.  I doubt it would last longer than a month, but still why de-rail a good title run just so the good guy gets the last word?

 “Is it cold in here?”

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)

What I want to see: This match shouldn’t even be happening.  No one cares about it and combined these two are 91 years old.  That’s way too high to be wrestling a high profile match on PPV.  It was nice seeing Nash at the Rumble and even him costing Punk was kind of interesting, but since then Nash has been complete dead weight.  It’s also sad to see how little has changed with HHH booking himself and his friends ahead of younger and more deserving talent.  Hopefully HHH destroys Nash and the feud ends before they turn an annoyance into a full blown rage-a-thon.

What will happen: HHH wins

 It’s not nice to laugh at old people when they fall down

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

What I want to see: I want to see the same thing I’ve wanted to see for months, the thing that should have happened at Survivor Series and that is Zack Ryder becoming U.S. champ (WOO WOO WOO, you know it!).  It needs to happen now because if it doesn’t people are just going to give up on the guy and stop caring.

What will happen: WWE never envisioned this happening a year ago and they’ve done everything they could to stop it, but the Ryder revolution has forced their hand and I believe they will finally pull the trigger on Zack’s U.S. title reign.

#Adamantium Punch

Randy Orton Vs Wade Barrett
Tables match

What I want to see: I have no preference.  I know I usually pick youth over experience, but I don’t think a loss here would hurt Barrett.  Not being pinned helps that a lot.  Plus who the hell doesn’t want to see an RKO through a table?

What will happen: If their smart Barrett goes over, but this is WWE and 90% of the time they make the wrong choice so probably Orton.

Probably hates tables too.  Along with Holiday Inns, duffel bags, and random drug testing

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship

What I want to see: I honestly don’t think Miz or Berto deserves the title right now.  Punk is still the hottest thing going (with Ryder being a close second) there’s no logical sense to anyone but Punk walking out with the belt here.  Punk winning from here till mania would be ideal.

What will happen: Punks wins a close one

 Speaks for itself

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

What I want to see: Another veteran taking up a spot that a younger guy should be in.  I love Booker T, but the guy needs to stay behind the desk (also toning down the jive talk would nice).  I’d like to see Cody go over clean.

What will happen: Cody wins by taking a shortcut.

“Is it my birthday?”

Chosen 1′s Predictions:

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship
It looks like they aren’t quite done with this crap.  It will get about 7 minutes. I think there might be another appearance of Kane taking out Big Show this time. I mean come on whats the purple kool aid with out big red? All kidding aside I have to believe that they have stuck with him this far without losing to anybody other then the likes of a Cena or there bouts I think Henry will retain the title up to the rumble.

Winner and still champ Mark Henry.
Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)
HHH will get his ass kicked for a better part of the match only to take advantage of some scenario that sees Nash hurt himself and HHH get the Sledgehammer and send Nash out with a loss.

Winner: HHH
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

Dolph is ready for a big time push needs to drop the US title sooner or later. I think this would be it sending him towards the Rumble in order to gain his title shot?

Winner and New champion Zack Ryder
Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
Tables match
Wade Barrett going for another push I think this one breaks down into a brawl and gets double DQs and gets a stipulation added to it and restarted as a no DQ of some sort. Barrett comes out on top regardless. Looks like Randy is starting to do some jobbing… Not a bad thing its about time for him to heel turn again. Right about the time we see who is coming back on January 2…

Winner: Wade Barrett

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship
They have already announced that these guys plus John Cena will main event Raw the following night here in Philly. Look for Punk to get the doop with some sorta help from Super Cena… Should be a hell of a match none the less.
Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Not a chance in the world Cody Rhodes drops the title to Booker T. Cody ends it quick with the cross rhodes ….

Best match of the night: WWE championship TLC

Biggest spot: Something from Punk in the TLC match GTS off the ladder through a table?

Biggest pop: Cena coming out to make the save for PUNK

hmmmmm might as well just allow the WWE championship match to go for the length of the PPV cause thats about the only decent match on the card other then Orton and Barrett…

JJJ’s Predictions:

Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
Chairs match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Mark Henry def Big Show

Triple H vs. Kevin Nash
Sledgehammer Ladder match
(A sledgehammer will be hung above the ring and can be used as a weapon once a participant grabs it. The winner will be decided by pinfall or submission.)

Nash def. HHH

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
Singles match for the WWE United States Championship

Ryder def. Ziggler

Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
Tables match

Barrett def. Orton

Cody Rhodes (c) vs Booker T
Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Cody def. Booker T

CM Punk (c) vs. The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio
Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWE Championship

CM Punk def. Miz and Del Rio

WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

The Ruthless Roundtable has returned to its full glory as we have myself, Cos, Mother Brain, Chosen 1, Justice and Smark Central all bringing our thoughts and predictions to tonight’s returning WWE Pay-Per-View (PPV): Vengeance.

The last time there was a Vengeance it was back on June 24th of 2007 and that was when the show was called: “Vengeance: Night of Champions”. The very next year it was simply called Night of Champions and now we have the third WWE PPV in less then two months. The span of September and October has been a breeding ground for too many WWE PPVs for at least the last three years and Hell in a Cell seems to be the only one to still have the same name. I feel as if they need to cut back their PPVs to only one a month. But who am I and what do I know? The build to these three PPVs have been completely lackluster.

But I’m going to get off of my soapbox for the moment and move into the card for tonight’s PPV. The final card as of yesterday afternoon is as follows:

WWE Vengeance

Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Title:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena

WWE World Title Match:
Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

WWE Divas Title Match:
Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres

CM Punk and Triple H vs. The Miz and R-Truth

WWE Tag Team Title Match:
Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne (c’s) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

U.S. Title Match:
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder

Sheamus vs. Christian

Now, with the card out of the way, here are our predictions.

Follow us on twitter: @cosblog

Leave comments below or send comments or your own predictions to: cos@cosmelentertainment.com

Cos’ WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Sheamus vs. Christian
Singles Match

How many matches do these two need? We all know Sheamus is continuing on towards the main event, and I’m not that big of a fan of Sheamus as a face. Every time Sheamus’ music hits I can’t get his heel persona out of my head. I don’t really care much for this match. I’m sure it’ll be great, and it’ll probably open the PPV, but I doubt Christian will push forward by winning.

Winner: Sheamus

WWE Tag Team Title Match:
Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne (c’s) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

Air Boom and their terrible tag team name will probably loose their championship to Ziggler and Swagger tonight. Probably only to win it back next month at Survivor Series (which I will be at!) or at December’s TLC but I think it is time to get some new hands on the Tag Team Championship. And Vickie Guerrero’s stable just continues to grow and I think this would be a great step towards solidifying themselves as major players in WWE.

Winners and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

U.S. Title Match:
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder

This will be Dolph Ziggler’s second match of the night, depending on where the match actually happens (either before or after his Tag Team championship match) I think will have an effect on if Ziggler retains or not. I don’t know if the WWE is ready to pull the trigger on Ryder yet. But I do know the U.S. Championship is not being done any favors stuck on Ziggler. I do feel as if it is time that the championship gets put on some fresh hands and that it would give the title some much needed attention. Kind of like how the Intercontinental Championship being on Cody Rhodes has actually helped it, in my opinion, and now seems as if it has come back from the obscurity and back into the prominence that the title actually deserves. Especially after some less then memorable reigns in recent memory.

If Ziggler wins the Tag Team Championship, then I can see them putting the title on Ryder. So despite my original thought of Ziggler retaining, I’m going with:

Winner and NEW United States Champion: Zack Ryder

CM Punk and Triple H vs. The Miz and R-Truth

Probably the worst storyline in recent memory as Miz and Truth, who were the reasons why Triple H was given a vote of no confidence get to come back to Raw and now Triple H and Punk, who just a month ago were feuding are now tagging together.

I don’t see there being too big of any sort of swerve here and I feel as if this storyline will continue on for the foreseeable future.

And quite frankly, I just don’t care.

Winners: CM Punk and Triple H

WWE Divas Title Match:
Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres

Sadly, I don’t really care about this match, like the Punk/Triple H match, I really don’t care. Phoenix should be Diva’s champ until Karma comes back. That’s just my opinion.

Winner and still Diva’s Champion: Beth Phoenix

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
I feel as if Cody Rhodes is on fire and who better to give him the rub than his former mentor, Randy Orton. Who thought a year ago to two years ago that out of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiasi, it would be Rhodes that would have broken out and created something for himself. I think it would be a mistake for Rhodes not to win. I don’t see it being a clean win for Rhodes, but I do see him winning.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show

Mark Henry is someone else who has been on fire recently. I for one hope that they don’t give Big Show the World Heavyweight Championship just yet. I can see them giving the title to him at the rumored Scramble Match at next months Survivor Series (a Scramble Match that would include: Mark Henry, Big Show and Kane; and including at least two other WWE Superstars). However, I do know that Big Show has to win somehow. I can see both Henry and Show getting too rough and the ref calling a disqualification (DQ) for one or both of them. I can even see Kane returning back too.

Winner: by DQ Big Show
Still World Heavyweight Champion: Mark Henry

Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Title:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena

John Cena has been in a lot of Last Man Standing Matches, in fact, if you are going against him in a match and he gets to pick the stipulation (and the PPV you are heading into isn’t already named after a match type: Money in the Bank, Hell in a Cell, Elimination Chamber) there is a good chance he is going to pick Last Man Standing.

If rumors are true that Cena will be moving on from the main event picture to focus more on The Rock and that Del Rio will begin to focus more on CM Punk, then I can’t see Cena winning here. I think it would be terrible for Del Rio to loose here.

I can see there being a ton of shenanigans, perhaps with any of the heels from the walk out which will cause Cena to turn his attention towards the main focus of the show, the John Larinaitis and who is in charge of the WWE.

Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

Mother Brain’s WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Tag Team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) (c) vs. Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler

I think this must be the 50th time these two teams fought against one another. What happened to all that talk about revitalizing the tag team division months ago? As far as this match goes, Swagger and Ziggler seem to be on the same page lately and with Evan Bourne slightly injured, it would be a safe bet to see a title change go down.

Winners and new Tag Team Champs: Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler

Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres

Beth loses the title after three weeks? I sincerely doubt it. But I’d love to see a Kelly Kelly heel turn should Eve win. Yet, Kelly is getting the John Cena treatment by management. So screw it.

Winner and still Divas Champ: Beth Phoenix

Singles match for the U.S. Championship: Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder

Winner and still U.S. Champ: Dolph Ziggler

Sheamus vs. Christian

Winner: Sheamus

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

Orton suffered two PPV losses in a row thus far. I don’t see a third.

Winner: Randy Orton.

Triple H and CM Punk vs. R-Truth and The Miz

This one could go either way. Obviously something controversial has to happen like Kevin Nash showing up and breaking his leg on the way to the ring! But seriously, I’d have a hard time seeing the Game and the Best in the World lose to a pair of hipsters. Gotta go with the faces on this one.

Winners: Triple H and CM Punk

Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena

I’ve been constantly predicting SuperCena getting over on everyone for months now. This time is going to be different because he’s teaming with Rock at Survivor Series next month and Del Rio still has to prove he’s not a transitional champion. I expect some big interference (Miz and Truth?) to cost Cena the match.

Winner and still WWE Champ: Alberto Del Rio

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry (c) vs. The Big Show

Most people will lead you to believe Big Show will get over on the World’s Strongest Man because he’s been out for weeks and is mad as hell. On top of that, no average-sized performer has been capable of dethroning the ex-Kool Aid Man. I’ll say for now that Big Show will get another title run and I guarantee it won’t last a month.

Winner and new World Heavyweight Champ: Big Show

Chosen 1′s WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Mark Henry (c) vs. The Big Show
Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Worst Singles match for heavyweight championship ever? its gotta be put on the list for discussion. This is gonna break down into a fight. Big show gets the win by DQ Henry keeps the title for one more PPV

Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena
Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship

Del Rio wins with help from somebody who knows lol

Triple H and CM Punk vs. R-Truth and The Miz
Tag Team match

HHH gets screwed by Punk New faction to form Truth, Miz and Punk???? hmmmmm

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
Singles match

Thought I would be big on this match when the first started the build up for it but dont like how its been booked Cody has basically owned the last couple of weeks that I have seen. Look for Orton to get some retribution by beating the hell out of Cody but Cody gets the win…

Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres
Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship

Beth Phoenix destroys Eve thats all about that… Look for Kelly Kelly to Lose it again after the match and beat down Eve.

Air Boom (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) (c) vs. Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler
Tag Team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

So this is the new Tag Team division push we were “promised” I like all these guys as singles wrestlers Can we get a real tag team with their own music and gimmick? Winners and new tag team champions just because thats how WWE rolls Zig-Swag…

Dolph Ziggler vs Zack Ryder
Singles match for United States Championship

The internet champ takes a step forward wins the match doesn’t win the gold look for a run in from swag.

Sheamus vs Christian

The great white sheamus annihilates Christian he is a beast and is really starting to win me over. Christian begins a long spiral back down to sub main event status smh…

PPV score 3/10 stars
Biggest pop CM punk
Biggest spot Air-Boom

Justice’s WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Mark Henry vs. Big Show: I don’t see how after this bulldozer of a push they have given Henry how he possibly drops the title here especially at an even as low-rent as Vengence
Winner: Mark Henry

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes: Could be a show stealer if booked right. If they want to build Cody into main event material then a big win is a huge step in the right direction
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Beth Phoenix vs. Eve- Beth destroys Eve. Waste of a Divas title match. Wake me up when Karma comes back!

Air Boom vs Swagger and Ziggler: well if Ziggler is double booked, you figure he wins one and loses one. This is the one he loses
Winners: Air Boom

CM Punk and Triple H vs. Miz and R-Truth: I don’t see this ending cleanly and it will be a war. Expect a lot of fist fighting during this one
Winner: somebody by dq. Its going to have to either be a lead in to Survivor Series or something that continues for a little while longer so I can’t see there being a clean finish

Sheamus vs. Christian- Sheamus has been unstoppable lately and as much as I love Christian, I don’t see him being the one to stop him. Sheamus will be Mark Henry’s next challenger and he needs to look ultra strong
Winner: Sheamus

Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder: I would love to see Long Island Iced Z get his first taste of WWE singles gold but I don’t see it here. Ziggler has a program with Mason Ryan waiting for him
Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena- honestly, I don’t know how Alberto wins this match, but he will. How can you keep Superman down for 10 Seconds short of killing him? It will be. Interesting to find out
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Smark Central’s WWE Vengeance 2011 Predictions

Mark Henry (c) vs. The Big Show
Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
What I want to see: A WHC championship match w/o two immobile hosses. Seriously this match at NOC was unwatchable, why would adding a title make it any better?
What will happen: Henry won’t lose it here.

Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. John Cena
Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship
What I want to see: Sigh…here we go again. This better be the last title shot Cena gets for at least 6 months.
What will happen: Del Rio wins by some underhanded tactic thus allowing Cena to still look good.

Triple H and CM Punk vs. R-Truth and The Miz
Tag Team match
What I want to see: I’d like to see Punk/HHH’s win w/Punk getting all the glory, but most likely it’ll go to HHH.
What will happen: You do remember what happens to tag teams when they run into HHH right?

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
Singles match
What I want to see: These two could actually have a good match if they don’t abuse the headlocks. I don’t think Cody HAS to win here, but I’m still sick of Orton and would like to see him lose more.
What will happen: Orton will get his revenge, but will hopefully get Cody over in the process

Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres
Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship
What I want to see: Beth continue to dominate
What will happen: Logic dictates Beth would retain but WWE threw that out the window a long time ago especially with titles so who knows.

Air Boom (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) (c) vs. Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler
Tag Team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
What I want to see: Zig-Swag have won one match two weeks ago since becoming a team. They should prob win another so they dont look like complete crap
What will happen: Air Boom loses the titles this time

The Ruthless Roundtable returns with the most talk about Pay Per View not to be included within the BIG FOUR of Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. I for one have been paying close attention to WWE television recently, especially with CM Punk on Raw who has been on fire recently with his mic work and his ruthless but very truthful rants.

Below we will give you our predictions for tonight’s 2nd annual Money in the Bank PPV.

 Money in the Bank 2011

Matches
WWE Champion John Cena vs. CM Punk
World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Christian
Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match
SmackDown Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Big Show vs. Mark Henry
Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella

Cos’ Money in the Bank 2011 Predictions

I’m going to be quick with these:

 WWE Champion John Cena vs. CM Punk

Winner and New WWE Champion: CM Punk

But that’s not to say that someone who wins the Money in the Bank match won’t cash in.

World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Christian
Hopefully: Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Christian

Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Winner: The Miz

SmackDown Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Big Show vs. Mark Henry
Winner: Mark Henry

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella

Winner and still Champion: Kelly Kelly

Mother Brain’s Money in the Bank 2011 Predictions

By Mother Brain

Justice’s Money in the Bank 2011 Predictions:

Chosen One’s Money in the Bank 2011 Predictions:

Here is the card for tonight’s WrestlManie 27, predicted this year by Cos, Mother Brain, Justice andChosen 1.

Let us know what you think, do you agree or disagree?

Here is the WWE WrestleMania 27 PPV card:

Special Host: The Rock

WWE Title Match:
The Miz © vs. John Cena

1
World Title Match:
Edge © vs. Alberto Del Rio

No Holds Barred Match:
Triple H vs. The Undertaker

1

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger (Steve Austin as Referee)

1

US Title Match:
Sheamus © vs. Daniel Bryan

Dolph Ziggler and LayCool vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

1
CM Punk (Mason Ryan, Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga are banned from ringside) vs. Randy Orton

Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

The Corre vs The Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

Cos’ WrestleMania XXVII Predictions:

I consider this WrestleMania a tribute to the Attitude Era, with The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Trish Stratus, Triple H and The Undertaker all in attendance in some capacity at the event, even with the potential for Jim Ross to call matches, Shawn Michaels (who actually helped to usher in the Attitude Era, but was in fact completely out of the majority of the Era) being inducted into the Hall of Fame and even Booker T. who was apart of WCW during the height of the Attitude Era but did join WWE after the buy out and was there towards the tail end of it. This went from the rumored WCW tribute to an Attitude Era tribute of sorts. I’m excited about seeing some true SuperStars and how they will hopefully outshine the current crop of stars and give them reasons to become better characters and better in ring workers.

US Title Match:
Sheamus © vs. Daniel Bryan

I think this will be this year’s opening match, what better way to get the show fired up then with Daniel Bryan.  I think that I’ve come a long way with Sheamus, I do think that he is a great presence in the ring but one that has been put on the back burner for a bit; and now he’s back. I think that it is a cop out for him to be stuck in with the mid-card championship, especially for someone that should be main eventing. But I think that both Sheamus and Daniel Bryan will be at there very best at Wrestlemania.

With Sheamus winning the US Championship a few week’s ago, I doubt we’ll see it dropped here, but we should see this match again next month at Extreme Rules. I also see this one possibly stealing the show.

Winner and Still United States Champion: Sheamus

The Corre vs The Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

This one reminds me of the X-Pac and Road Dogg vs Kane and Rikishi match from WrestleMania 2000. Can we say squash?

Also, this match may help to build up to more matches in the coming months. I can see there being either another Santino/Kozlov or Kane/Show VS Gabriel/Slater match for the tag championship or Barrett VS Kane or Show for the US Championship. Only person left out would be Ezekiel Jackson who I’m sure they’ll find a way to push him on us.

The Corre could do well in this match, they should in fact win to help build them up more, but knowing WWE at Wrestlemania, they are going to let their giants win big here and give the fans what they don’t want.

Winners: The Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

If I thought that the Sheamus vs Byran match might steal the show, there is an even bigger chance of this one doing just that. This may be where Cody Rhodes is allowed to Shine. I am utterly shocked that the shining star out of Legacy was Cody Rhodes. I just assumed that Ted DiBiasi would have been the break out star and he isn’t even near the card for this year’s event.

This feud will continue, and for that to happen…

Winner: Cody Rhodes

CM Punk (Mason Ryan, Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga are banned from ringside) vs. Randy Orton

I’ve heard nothing but great things about this feud, that it is one of the only ones outside of Rock/Cena and Cole/Lawler that have been done correctly. I just don’t know if I’m going to be excited about this match. I’m tired of Orton and I think it’s time to turn him heel. Which won’t happen.

Another one that should have a great match, and another one that will continue next month at Extreme Rules. It’s sad when you know that WrestleMania is no longer the culmination of a feud but the beginning or middle of one.

Winner: CM Punk

Dolph Ziggler and LayCool vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

This is what we call a bathroom break. I don’t really care much for this match. I think Trish being in this match is a waste and I think Snooki is a complete waste and will hopefully be booed. The only silver lining for this match is that hopefully this will lead to some great matches with a continued feud between Ziggler and Morrison.

However, with a “celebrity” among the faces, I can’t see them loosing.

Winners: John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger (Steve Austin as Referee)

Everyone wants to see Michael Cole get what is coming to him, I just hope this is a quick match with a ton of shenanigans from Swagger and Austin. We know who will ultimately win this one. But I’m sure it’ll be fun, regardless of whether or not it is a waste at WrestleMania. It has been built as a solid feud and I’m hoping that this leads Cole to becoming a manager…possibly to Swagger!

Also, this one needs some stunners and beer!

Winner: Jerry Lawler

No Holds Barred Match:
Triple H vs. The Undertaker

I have to say, not really that excited about this one. They could have gone in completely different directions and I don’t think having to see this match again, ten years later, is the way to go.

The winner, if it goes the wrong way would be a disappointment.

Winner: 19-0 The Undertaker

World Title Match:
Edge © vs. Alberto Del Rio

What should be a refreshing change to the stale WM main events of the last few years feels like creative went into cruise control on this feud. I fully expect Christian to get involved (most likely turning heel) and costing Edge the championship and fulfilling Del Rio’s destiny.

What I would love to happen, last minute they change the match to a triple threat and bring Christian in, this would be a fantastic match!

Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

WWE Title Match:
The Miz © vs. John Cena

What will most likely be the main event of this year’s WrestleMania, Miz should win this to solidify himself a place as a true Main Eventer, but being Wrestlemania, I doubt that will happen.

I will say, that what I would love to happen is that the Anonymous Raw General Manager, not wanting to be outdone by his Smackdown counterpart, makes Miz vs Cena a triple threat as well and he adds The Rock to this, thus making it a triple threat as well and finally The Rock laying the smackdown on everyone’s candy ass and then winning the championship. Dropping it the next night on Raw, he will be there the next night, so it isn’t that far fetched. But that’s in a perfect world.

Unfortunately, with Del Rio winning, to heels cannot be the faces of the company…so…

Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena

Mother Brain’s Wrestlemania XXVII Predictions:

By Mother Brain

Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

I could easily see this as the opening match of the night. Not too crazy about Cody’s new gimmick with the protective mask even though it does add dimension to his character. Could be a nice back and forth match with Mysterio easily getting the win.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

CM Punk (Mason Ryan, Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga are banned from ringside) vs. Randy Orton

If you haven’t noticed already, Nexus is dead. It’s been dead since Royal Rumble. What started out as a promising rebirth of the group with CM Punk as their leader has split between the new millennium version of nWo Black and White and nWo Wolfpack i.e. The Corre. I’m sure the match itself will be solid. But I expect Orton to take down Punk and Nexus for good.

Winner: Randy Orton

Dolph Ziggler and LayCool vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

Poor John Morrison and Trish Stratus. One who’s always close but no cigar to the main event. The other should have stayed retired as soon as Jersey Shore’s Snooki was announced to be part of this bathroom break of a match. I’ll go out on a whim and say Vickie will interfere to help her team win but only to get humiliated by Snooki and the gang for the usual funny Wrestlemania moment. In truth though, we as fans will shake our heads in shame.

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and LayCool

U.S. Title Match: Sheamus (Champ) vs. Daniel Bryan

Bryan may be on the downside right now. But that’s ok. He had the U.S. title long enough and Sheamus needs to prove some credibility as a long term player by not being in the main event as much as he was last year. Bryan will give a solid effort but the champ will walk away still champ.

Winner and still U.S. Champion: Sheamus

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger (Steve Austin as Referee)

This one pretty much goes without saying AND I DON’T QUOTE: Jerry Lawler will beat the living shit out of Michael Cole and Austin will stun Cole at the end. But will the Raw GM nonsense will finally come to an end at Wrestlemania? That’s one specific Wrestlemania moment I will shell out money to see. Then again, the real question is will Cole still have a job post-Wrestlemania after his homophobic comment on Twitter?

World Heavyweight Title Match: Edge (Champ) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Christian(?!)

The one title match that I haven’t paid much attention to and I really don’t give a damn about it. Whether or not Christian makes it into a 3 way, he will turn heel, cost Edge the title, and Del Rio will be the dominant champion of most of 2011.

Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

No Holds Barred Match: Triple H vs. The Undertaker

The build-up in the last few weeks has been extremely lackluster. But this past Raw made it a clear selling point that Triple H could well be the man to make it 18-1 for the Dead Man. However, he may have already spoiled the match by stating in the True Story of Wrestlemania DVD that the streak should never end. No joke. And I think he’s right. Now can WWE lift the “no blood” ban for just this one match please?!

Winner: Undertaker 19-0

WWE Title Match: The Miz (Champ) vs. John Cena

Spoiler alert kiddies: John Cena will have his multi-million dollar entrance like every year, get beat down, do his five or six moves of doom, and walk out of Wrestlemania as the WWE champion! He’ll spend another several months feuding with Miz and other monster heels while selling merchandise, making bad movies, and appearing in NASCAR shows! That’s what us real wrestling fans will be facing unless The Rock somehow stays around long enough to reclaim the throne that once belonged to him.

Winner and new WWE Champion: John Cena

Possible Bonus Match: The Corre vs. Big Show, Kane, Kofi Kingston and Christian (?!)

If this happens, the chances of Christian being in the match are slim. Aside from that, The Corre has been built up strong in the past few weeks even though poor Ezekiel Jackson doesn’t have a title. I think their dominance will continue since Kofi Kingston seems to be having bad luck and that will most certainly rub off on his teammates.

Winners: The Corre

Justice’s Wrestlemania XXVII Predictions:

So here we are again. The Grand daddy of them all. Wrestlemania is upon us. Before I dive into the predictions I gotta say that I feel the WWE has only booked 3 matches correctly for Wrestlemania this year: Lawler vs. Cole, Undertaker vs. Triple H and Cena vs. The Miz. I feel that this year’s show lacks the flare that Wrestlemania usually brings and i’m not looking foward to this years big even as much as I usually would. Maybe it’s because of my hatred for the Jersey Shore and Snooki’s involvement, the fact that Kofi Kingston and Christian were left off the show (as of press time) or that maybe this show just isn’t good on paper. Anyway, here’s what I think is going to go down:

WWE United States Title: Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan:

This is a big moment for the man formerly known as the “American Dragon”. Not many indy superstars make it to the WWE, let alone debut as a challenger in a title match. I’m a big Sheamus fan but I honestly feel that if the WWE is actually serious about Daniel Bryan having a bright future with their company, he gets a big win on the biggest night of the year. Otherwise, Sheamus gets demoted to mid-card status until he gets drafted to Smackdown.
Winner and new WWE United States Champion: Daniel Bryan

8- Man Tag Team Match: Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. the Corre (WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel and Ezekiel Jackson):

The Corre has excellent momentum right now and are quickly becoming one of the most dominate forces in the WWE. Losing at Wrestlemania would slow that- especially to a second-rate tag team and 2 toned down monsters. Wade Barrett has the brightest of futures ahead of him and this being his first Wrestlemania, I feel he will be the shining star of the match.
Winners: The Corre

6-Person tag team match: Trish Stratus, Snooki and John Morrison vs. Lay-Cool and Dolph Ziggler:

Oh how bad I feel for all involved. Instead of having a big match on the big show, 2 of the most improved talents of the year (Morrison and Ziggler) are in a match with a talent-less reality star. And this is Trish Stratus’ big return to the WWE? Talk about misused. Snooki gets a spot on the Wrestlemania card and Diva’s champion Eve Torres sits on the sidelines. Ouch.
Winners: John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki

Rey Mysterio vs. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes:

I LOVE Cody Rhodes. And this is his moment. Rey is just a sitting duck at this point until his inevitable tag team title run with Sin Cara and he has the opportunity to “make” Cody Rhodes. This may be the darkhorse match of the night as this very well could be Rey Mysterio’s last big Wrestlemania match and the beginning of a great singles career for Cody Rhodes.
Winner: “Dashing” Cody Rhodes

Michael Cole W/ Jack Swagger vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler- Special guest referee “Stone Cold” Steve Austin:

After a fantastic heel turn, Michael Cole finally gets what he deserves. Typical specialty match with a lot of outside interference and fun to watch Michael Cole get beat up.
Winner: Jerry “the King” Lawler

CM Punk vs. Randy Orton:

A match, which to me, was totally booked the wrong way. Orton became “Super- Orton”, (not to be confused with but very comparable to Super-Cena) beat up and took out the Nexus- the most formidable stable in the WWE in years. The idea of the punt from all those years ago setting the stage for this feud was a great idea, though. I think Orton needs this more than Punk. Punk is over and Randy’s been floundering since he lost the WWE championship.
Winner: Randy Orton

No Hold’s Barred: Triple H vs. The Undertaker:

GREAT BUILD-UP! If this match were a movie, I’d see it in theatre’s twice. 2 of the greatest of our generation- and all time- lock horns in a no hold’s barred match with the Undertaker’s famed streak on the line. Quite frankly, the streak may be worth more than the Diva’s, U.S., Intercontinental and Tag Team titles put together. This has all the makings of being the absolute show stealer of the night. While it may not be as good as Undertaker’s previous 2 Wrestlemania matches, Triple H is as good as anyone in a No Holds Barred environment. I can’t wait for this one.
Winner: The Undertaker

World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto Del Rio vs. Edge:

As impressed with Alberto Del Rio as I was a month ago, the WWE has booked him into a rut recently, regularly losing to Christian- a guy who, although I’m a huge fan, who’s been out for 6 months. Now, I’m not a rocket scientist but how smart is it to make the winner of the royal rumble look like he can’t win a match before he wrestles the biggest match of his career? Still, Del Rio has a destiny and it is to be World Champion and he has all the makings of bring the top star in the WWE.
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio

WWE Championship: The Miz vs. John Cena

How doesn’t the Rock get involved in this one somehow? All the trash talking is over and now its pretty much time to find out who the Rock feels like screwing over. After all the fantastic build-up to this match, we’ll either see the loud-mouth up-start champion prove his claims and retain or… well, the usual, John Cena defying all the odds and once again winning the World title at the biggest pay per view of the year. All I can hope for is a Wrestlemania- sized Rock bottom and People’s elbow!

Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena

Chosen 1′s Wrestlemania XXVII Predictions:

Wow its time for the “greatest Wrestlemania of all time” or at least thats what I heard on the radio as I drove into work this morning. The Radio commercial as I am sure you have all heard starts with the “Finally the Rock has come back to Wrestlemania” kinda gets you excited. Then it begins to list the nights events. Hosted by, of course, The ROCK (I like this move but wasn’t it just like 2 years ago when he just wanted to be called Dwayne? I guess Dwayne was starting to fizzle out in Hollywood I can’t imagine why wasn’t “The Toothfairy” an awesome movie… So any way I am glad he has realized where his calling is.

Next, on the commercial STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN. He of course will always get a pop out of me no matter how shot his knees, neck, and back are.

Then, finally, the matches and of course they would start with the big match of the night the match that we wait for every WrestleMania, Undertakers streak… oh no not quite, the championship match theres two of them nope not those either… they begin with the match that I will begin with in my predictions Dolph Ziggler and LayCool vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki…. SNOOKI really??? I guess TNA already stole JWOW the only one i could possibly see ever being able to fight from the show. oh well SOOOOO of course this match will get about 5 mins with my guess being the faces getting the win and hopefully snooki doesnt get the pinfall but she prolly will.
Cena vs. Miz was next up on the list so I will go there next. I HATE CENA…. I used to HATE the MIZ…. The Miz has gotten so over with me the last year that I love how much an asshole he is and his inring skill has grown so much to almost match his ego. Unfortunately I think they are going to give the nod to Cena here. but i would figure this fued to continue for a little while. they cant dump Miz he has gotten too big.
Jump over to the other title match Edge and Del Rio. I love Del Rio’s persona. I think he is ready to be a champion. This match has just been very strangely put together we have known edge vs. del rio for a while but then they teased added christian and making a four way and this and that and in the end we end up with what we started with but with christian being in edges corner. I still feel del rio walks with the title and they set up a Christian Edge Del Rio Feud for a rematch at the next ppv.

The Main Event Taker vs. HHH The Streak cannot die. Undertaker can do no wrong in the WWE as his career is coming to an end soon at this point they are going to let it go for as long as he stays with the company. HHH will hit at least 2 pedigrees but will fall victim to the last ride. Not so sure I like the No Holds Barred Stip though but whatever…
Punk vs. Orton
If given enough time could be a match of the night candidate. I think somebody comes out to help Punk after the ref gets nocked down. Punk gets the win but not cleanly… Should be some back and forth close calls with the RKO and the GTS….
Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes. WOW dont know where to start with this match. They have been building it up for a while now but I just dont see anything here. Rey is losing his WOW factor and Cody’s narcistic thing ehhhh been done too many times… I guess Rey is due some time off coming up cause he had to work through his time off when all the injuries started last year. So i think Cody gets the win and Rey gets “injured”

Sheamus vs. Bryan Ive said it before and I’ll say it again Daniel Bryan will get his push…. Sheamus on his way down Bryan will make him Tap…

Lawler vs. Cole A nice little filler match with how good Cole has gotten at being hated. Add a Stunner and some beers…. Cant go wrong here. “and I quote” Lawler wins the match “what” drinks a beer “What” catches a stunner “What”…. Its stone cold you gotta remember DTA

Kane, Big show, Santino and Kozlov vs Corre.
Kane has once again pissed somebody off and been put in an 8 man tag that his team cant possibly win. As “unstoppable” as Kane and Show seem to be right now they are teaming with Kozlov and Santino I love Santino cause he will do literally anything for the company. But The Corre has to win this match in order for there to continue to be any relevance to their faction.

The Rock and Cena will not amount to much in my opinion. The fans are so hot for Rock right now that it will kill whats left of Cena’s fans to have him get beat up by or beat up the Rock… I would however be a huge fan of CENA catching the peoples elbow If you smell what the rock is cooking…

We are back with another Ruthless Roundtable with predictions for this years Royal Rumble Pay Per View on Sunday, January 30th.

Today is my birthday and I think today is a great day to post this on here. Let’s hope that that fact helps with my luck in predicting the right outcomes for each match. I am joined today by Mother Brain, Smark Central, Chosen 1 and Justice.

By the way, who is that sandwiched in between Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio…can’t figure that one out…

Leave comments and let us know what you think:

Cos’ Royal Rumble 2011 Predictions:

40-man Royal Rumble match

Winner receives a championship match at WrestleMania XXVII

This is a tough one. A lot of things are leading to John Cena. I for one would like to think that the WWE is on this youth kick, as is evident by Dolph Ziggler being the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, but we’ll get to that one soon enough. I would like to think that they should continue to use already established gimmicks, like the Royal Rumble, to help push their new, up and coming stars. But there are very few up and coming stars that I think are shinning that bright right now. The WWE is poised to have a lot of superstars by the end of this year, but as of right now only two really stand out: Wade Barrett, who according to rumors will be Main Eventing against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 27 and Alberto del Rio.

And I have to say that the WWE already knows that winning the  Royal Rumble doesn’t mean anything, the winner doesn’t have to main event anything aside from a championship match and even that doesn’t mean that you’ll be going on last, for example Rey Mysterio in 2006 and Edge last year.  It just means you are in the championship match at WrestleMania.Which isn’t at all shabby, but lets just spell this out. There are two championships (WWE and World Heavyweight) and they technically don’t need an established superstar to win the Rumble because between now, the next Pay Per View (Elimination Chamber) and Mania, they can either add another person to the championship match or give the championship to an already established star. So, with that said…

Between the two people I mentioned above, one has been attached to two strong stables and has been meddling with a bunch of upper main eventers and the other has been popping up on both brands and stirring up some trouble on both shows….hmm, both of these two are being pushed hard but one of these guys already has a story set with The Undertaker and the other one seems to be ready to explode into the main event.

Winner and 2011 Royal Rumble winner: Alberto del Rio

The Miz (c) vs. Randy Orton WWE Championship

Singles match for the WWE Championship

I have to say how little interest I actually have in seeing this match. I don’t know if WWE realizes but I was really excited to see Mix vs Morrison until they blew that wad a few weeks ago. It was a fantastic match, the first match of the year and it was the first match of the year contender, in my opinion, but imagine them putting this on at the Royal Rumble…unless my prediction above for the Royal Rumble winner ends up being Morrison…I just felt like Miz and Morrison have Rock and Triple H history how with every move to the next level, they were at each other’s throats vying for whatever championship they were at at that point in time. I feel as if John Morrison got shafted over the “bigger” main eventer. How boring is Randy Orton now? That’s just my opinion. I’m done with him being face, move him back into heel category and let’s be done with this.

Plus, with all the build up for the “youth movement” in WWE, how counter productive would it be for them to take the championship off of The Miz right now?

Winner and Still WWE Champion: The Miz

Edge (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler World Heavyweight Championship

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Continuing on with the whole youth trend that I’ve been speaking of, this looks to be a fantastic match. Veteren Edge vs up and coming main eventer Dolph Ziggler, couldn’t be happier. This is the direction that WWE needs to be going in. They need to continue to elevate the superstars of tomorrow. Does that mean that Dolph will win here? I don’t think so. The championship has just been put on Edge and while that hasn’t stopped WWE before (just check out all of Edge’s 10 world championship reigns, how many of them are over a month long?) I don’t see them giving this to Dolph, who if they do give the championship to him, I don’t seem him surviving the Elimination Chamber. I can see them adding Ziggler to a triple threat match at WrestleMania, but I don’t see them giving it to him here.

Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Natalya (c) vs. LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool)  Diva’s Championship

2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

Kind of like with Miz and Randy Orton, I’m tired of this match, I would have liked to have seen the last of this and I was looking forward to a new rivalry with Melina, unfortunately they gave that one to us on last Monday. So it looks like we have to deal with this one. I can see them giving it back to LayCool and then have Natalya vie for the championship through WrestleMania for the face win.

Winners and New Diva’s Champions: LayCool

Mother Brain’s Royal Rumble 2011 Predictions

1) 40-man Royal Rumble match

Winner receives a championship match at WrestleMania XXVII

Something tells me that with the way he’s being booked as of late, 2011 will be the year of Alberto Del Rio. To me, he has the same rising top heel push as Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase circa Wrestlemania IV. Since the Rumble has flip-flopped on faces and heels winning the past few years (Cena in ’08, Orton as a heel in ’09, Edge as a face in ’10), a heel should be guaranteed to win this one and I see Del Rio as the only major heel worthy of a Wrestlemania title shot.

Winner – Alberto Del Rio

2 ) The Miz (c) vs. Randy Orton

Singles match for the WWE Championship

At this point, The Miz has proven he’s worthy of being more than a transitional champion. Any champion who can put up with feuding with Jerry Lawler for more than 3 weeks is a real trooper. Orton as a babyface is one-dimensional and only gets real pops when he’s either “coiling” or executing an rKo. Keep the title on the guy with personality.

Winner – The Miz

3) Edge (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Ziggler deserves this title shot. But is he ready to become World Heavyweight Champion? Probably not. I think the company learned their lesson after Jack Swagger’s floundering title run last year. But I see this feud going on for a bit. Most likely ends with Vickie interfering and causing a DQ.

Winner – Edge

4) Natalya (c) vs. LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool)

2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

I love Natalya with a passion. If she was a Hershey’s Chocolate Bar, I’d eat like no tomorrow! But competition in the Divas division is still lacking right now. Squashing Melina on Raw pretty much settles that feud. Unless Awesome Kong shows up soon to feud with Natalya for the title, I see another LayCool title run sadly.

Winner and new Divas champs – LayCool

Smark Central’s Royal Rumble 2011 Predictions

1 40-man Royal Rumble match

Winner receives a championship match at WrestleMania XXVII

What I want to see: Somebody new win it. Dont care who – Punk, JoMo, Sheamus, Barrett, Del Rio
What will happen: Unfortunately, somebody new won’t sell enough tickets or PPV buys so Cena will most likely win. All the build up has been geared toward Cena and his showdown w/the Miz seems inevitable. I only hope Cena doesn’t win at Mania.

2 The Miz (c) vs. Randy Orton

Singles match for the WWE Championship

What I want to see: Miz retain
What will happen: I think the tease of Orton winning is good, but I don’t think it will happen. If Orton does become champion before WM, I don’t think it’ll be now. Miz wins.

3 Edge (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

What I want to see: As nice as it would be to see a fresh face as WHC, I don’t think Ziggler is ready yet. He needs to show he can stand on his own and cut good promos himself. He’s not quite there yet. Edge
What will happen: Edge retains

4 Natalya (c) vs. LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool)

2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

What I want to see: I think Nattie has done a great job of bringing some credibility to the barbie belt so I hope she retains
What will happen: I always assume LayCool will win and I’m not going to change that now. There just seems to be a lot better face challengers than heel ones right now so it makes more sense to have a heel champion. Laycool wins

Chosen 1′s Royal Rumble 2011 predictions:

40-man Royal Rumble match

Winner receives a championship match at WrestleMania XXVII

Funny thing I was watching tv this morning and they showed a promo for this years royal rumble where the superstars kept saying 29 men will go over the top I will outlast 29 others etc etc. makes you wonder exactly when wwe decided to increase the participants…oh well so I am thinking there will be 6 “surprise” entrants in this years royal rumble. 4 “hall of famers” or old heads ie. Jerry Lawler and 2 actual legit surprises maybe Awesome Kong for one and the Raw General Manager will do something stupid for one. So I just like many others would like to see some new blood win the rumble. And I am actually going to go out there and say that Alberto Del Rio is going to win this year.

Most eliminations by Ezekial Jackson
Quickest eliminated yoshi tatsu
Longest Survivor Wade Barrett
Final 4 Wade Barrett, HHH, Cena, Mason Ryan

The Miz (c) vs. Randy Orton

Singles match for the WWE Championship

I think this is going to be another great match so long as Orton stays healthy. I honestly feel that Miz will win but I just dont see it happening cleanly. Its dumb because as strong as Orton is They could just make Miz AWESOME with a clean win over Orton. I think Miz wins with some sort of interference and they have a stipulation match at the next payperview. cage, no dq, last man standing etc.

Edge (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Oh how far Dolph has come, not quite far enough though, Dolph’s win goes to Edge. Not much to say about this. I honestly just dont get it. Time for another draft soon??? Can not wait for Christian to get healthy again really want to see him back and drafted to the same show as edge… we can dream for a reunion cant we?

Natalya (c) vs. LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool)

2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

Aren’t there any other women allowed to fight on pay-per-views??? Natalya has to retain im soooooo sick of LayCool maybe if I say they will not break up then maybe they do?

Justice’s Royal Rumble 2011Preditions:

40-man Royal Rumble match

Winner receives a championship match at WrestleMania XXVII

I’d love to see CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, John Morrison, Wade Barrett or Sheamus win but the WWE hates its true fans so Cena will probably win. Other options are Sheamus winning and facing Edge, Del Rio winning or a swervefest to us all, John Morrison wins so Cena can keep his program going with Punk until Wrestlemania
Winner: John Cena

The Miz (c) vs. Randy Orton WWE Championship

Singles match for the WWE Championship

Randy Orton vs. Miz: There’s no way the Miz drops the title here. It hurts all they built up to with him.
Winner: The Miz

Edge (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler World Heavyweight Championship

Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

I would love to see Dolph win his first world title and defend it sucessfully at Wrestlemania. Upon normal circumstances I would say Edge wins but with lack of heel depth on Smackdown a win would sloidify Dolph and put him in gear to main event Wrestlemania… but Del Rio is a Drakhorse to win the rumble so anything is possible.
Winner: Edge

Natalya (c) vs. LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool)  Diva’s Championship

2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

For me i think LayCool has slowed a bit and Natalya seems to be due for a bigger match with Melina.
Winner- Natalya

This is a no brainer of a post, recommended by Chosen 1, we’ve been talking wrestling for a good part of this year, we might as well express who and what we thought was good and bad.

This roundtable’s members are: Cos, Smark Central, Mother Brain, Justice and Chosen 1, and we all have our own lists of choices for awards for wrestling.

After reading, let us know what you think:

Cos’ Awards:

Match of the Year:

The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania

Nothing else really stands out this year but this match and I feel as if the lack of Shawn Michaels in WWE has definitely been felt since this match. I personally like their first match better, but this one is hard to beat in a year where there weren’t that many great matches.

Most Outstanding Wrestler:

The Miz

Who else in 2010 had as great of a year as The Miz. Miz started in WWE as a joke and now the joke is on everyone else who didn’t think he would amount to anything. Clearly listening to what he is being told to do and then adding on about a hundred and ten percent of AWE-SOME to it. I know, cheesy, but I had to. Starting with the Tag Team Championship at the beginning of the year along with the United States Championship and then going to win the Raw Money in the Bank and finally the WWE Championship. Tell me who else has had such a stellar year?

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Velvet Sky

Not because she’s won anything notable, or because she’s an outstanding wrestler. I don’t think there has been anyone that has actually done a great job in the ring in a long time. But I do think Velvet Sky is the hottest female wrestler out there right now, so this one is a freebie for her.

Feud of the Year:

Cena vs The Nexus

What else stands out from this year but the fact that WWE made eight random wrestlers into superstars in one night with an attack on John Cena. A feud that would go on for months (and quite possibly isn’t over as I type this). This was the must see feud this year and brought some excitement into WWE. That is until…

Worst Feud of the Year:

Cena vs The Nexus

That’s right, I’m putting Cena vs The Nexus as both the best and worst feud of the year because where as it started off strong, the direction the WWE took the feud after John Cena became a member of the Nexus was an extreme disappointment.

Note, as of writing this, I think the “New Management” angle that was seen on the December 27^th episode of Raw with CM Punk becoming the new leader has definitely brought the interest level back into this “dead” feud.

Runner up to Worst Feud of the Year would be Kane vs Edge with Paul Beaer…also Runner up to feud of the year would be, in my opinion, The Miz vs Daniel Bryan.

Tag Team of the Year:

ShoMiz

Aside from last year’s Jerishow tag team, I don’t think there has been as dominate of a tag team then the extremely entertaining ShowMiz. While not a popular or long lived, I do see them as being the best one of this year.

I will say, I don’t watch TNA and I am told that they have some of the best tag teams in wrestling, but I’ve never had a chance to watch them at their best.

Most Improved:

Sheamus

Or rather, King Sheamus;  at this time last year I hated Sheamus (aside from the fact that I’m not a fan of wrestlers having only one name—like Christian) he was the WWE Champion and everyone felt he had not earned it yet. Now I see him as a huge threat, a main eventer and someone that needs to get back into the main event, he’s been on a downward spiral and I feel that when Triple H returns, that spiral is only going to keep falling.

Rookie of the Year:

Alex Riley (A-Ri)

An odd choice for Rookie of the Year, but who else has broken the barrier of main eventer’s stooge and continues to look strong at everything that they do? I hope to see huge things from Alex Riley in 2011.

Most Overrated:

Drew McIntyre

I really want to like Drew McIntyre, and perhaps 2011 will be his stand out year, but I am not a fan of his work. I can’t even sit and watch a match of his. I think it all stems from the fact that when I (and some of the people who are writing below) went to WWE’s 2009 Hell in a Cell PPV, there was an unannounced Drew McIntyre vs R-Truth match that I still feel was un-called for. I didn’t even know who he was, but he won. I’ve heard great things about him, but I still have yet to see it.

Most Underrated:

CM Punk

Talk about someone who had a less than stellar year, stuck in mostly bad feuds all year, except with Rey Mysterio, a feud that seemingly died a early and unfortunate death, but his Straight Edge Society fell apart quickly and had a lackluster run and he got stuck jobbing to The Big Show for most of the year.

As an update, 2011 seems to be the beginning to a new and fresh feud with CM Punk and John Cena.

Best Gimmick:

“Dashing” Cody Rhodes

I hate to say it but Cody Rhodes’ gimmick is great, I laugh every time I see him come out with a mirror on his back and I just think they need to keep it going.

Worst Gimmick:

Ted DiBiasi

As for the other Legacy member, Ted DiBiasi is stuck in a rut as The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiasi’s son and he’s dragging poor Maryse with him. He has been on a losing streak, which never EVER gets people over and I just don’t know what they can do for him aside from forming the proposed “Fortunate Son’s” stable that  was rumored right after Wrestlemania.

Best Babyface:

Daniel Bryan

I don’t think he’s the best character, but his performance in the ring along with a brutal submission move that forces anyone that he applies it to to tap, the Lebell Lock, extremely reminiscent of the Crippler Crossface made famous by “The Rabid Wolverine” {Name Deleted}. Only difference is that Daniel Bryan seems to be a much more fun persona and I just hope they continue to push him.

Best Heel:

Wade Barrett

I think this might be a controversial choice, but who was fresher then Barrett? Perhaps only CM Punk, but I’m a fan of not giving two to the same person. I was hoping for Barrett to win the WWE Championship, but at the same time, his move set is pretty slim and I think he needs a few more months to refine his wrestling, but I do believe he is a bona fide main eventer and should stay there for some time.

Worst Tag Team:

John Cena and David Otunga

I wish nothing but great things for anyone of the members of the NXT group The Nexus, but David Otunga needs to learn, or rather refine his in ring work. I think this was the worst Tag Team of the year because not only did it end a semi promising tag team that was really a tag team in The Hart Dynasty, but also because it was a thrown together group whose reign lasted only a day. Leave these types of championship reigns to the heyday of the Attitude Era.

Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Abyss

Please tell me someone saw the following video:

OK, so you’re telling me that “The Monster: Abyss went from crazy monster to chicken shit guy with a flannel shirt who squeals? I know he’s turn heel and his a lot more like he was back in the day but characters in wrestling shouldn’t have to go backwards because their characters were better, they need to evolve and not be forced to go back. Abyss was even touted as TNA’s John Cena by Hulk Hogan (how he was labeled as that, I’ll never know) but  that is the farthest thing from the truth. Outside of hardcore matches, I don’t think there is much of a market for Abyss.

Smark Central’s Awards:

Match of the Year:  The Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XXVI

I hate to go w/the obvious choice here, but no other matches really stand out for me.  There have been some great matches this year, but this epic was great simply for the emotion it brought out in everyone who saw it.  There were people who didn’t want the streak to end.  Some (like me) couldn’t envision the WWE w/o HBK.  Regardless, it was amazing and had one of the greatest endings ever.  Just two all time greats giving everything they had and unfortunately for Shawn he lost, but it was the best possible way to go.

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Chris Jericho –

Yes, Im aware he didn’t wrestle the whole year, but I think it says even more about this man.  He is amazing.  He can have a great match w/anyone on the roster and if it’s not a great wrestling match, it still entertains the crap out of you.  It is a shame Chris left after the summer, but I’m, certain he will return a-gain.

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:Michelle McCool –

was debating whether to even give a name for this one, but I thought about it and this was the choice I had to make.  As much as I despise the LayCool gimmick and the fact that she slept her way to the title, her work has kept her there.  She has not only improved tremendously in the ring, but she is probably one of the top heels in the company.  That’s amazing considering how dull she was when she started.

Feud of the Year: John Cena Vs Nexus –

I have to admit it, WWE actually had one feud this year that was interesting.  Why was it interesting? Because they actually put effort into it.  They tried Edge-Jericho, but that fizzled out because they had Swagger cash in on Jericho.  Rey-Punk was good, but way one sided.  Taker-HBK was too short.  The Nexus-Cena feud has kept RAW going since the summer and while it is becoming stale now, it certainly kept our attention for the past few months.  The start of the feud alone far exceeds any other feuds this past year.

Tag Team of the Year: HAHAHA Tag Teams.

If only there was an actual division w/actual teams that I cared about.  It’s so sad that unless there are two big names holding the belts that WWE doesn’t give a shit.  I can’t give this to anyone because no one stood out enough to win it.

Most Improved: The Miz –

Come on.  Seriously, could there be another choice.  Every year this guy gets better.  He works hard, has good matches w/almost anyone and is the most compelling guy on the mic since the Rock.  Long live the Era of Awesome!

Rookie of the Year: Wade Barrett –

Another no contest.  This guy has exploded onto the scene like no one else in recent years.  Sheamus did ok last year, but this guy takes the evil foreigner character to a new level.  He still has a ways to go in the ring, but he is a great mic guy and has carried the entire Nexus group on his shoulders.

Most Overrated: John Cena –

I hate to beat a dead horse, but as long as we are forced to sit through his matches and his Supermarine gimmick then I will continue to moan and groan w/the rest of the internet.  Yes, it’s nice that he wasn’t WWE champion all year like he used to be, but he’s still the focus of the show.  Even for the 3 weeks he was “fired” the WWE couldn’t bear to take him off TV.  He’s so stale and so overrated and it’s so painfully obvious to anyone over the age of 12.

Most Underrated:  Goldust –

I’m really going out to left field here, but I needed to make this point.  Underneath all his weirdness and the comedy skits there is still a great wrestler under there.  Someone who can help young superstars hone their craft and someone who still has a lot to give to the wrestling business.  His original character is long gone, but he can still be relevant and I think a pity IC or US title reign before he retires isn’t too much to ask.  If they gave Tommy Dreamer the WWECW title, they can throw Dustin a bone.

Best Weekly Television Show: I can’t make a fair call on this one.

I pretty much only watch RAW so I can’t say w/certainty what was the best show.  However, I will say that I enjoyed watching NXT (at least the first season).  For a few weeks (the weeks Bryan was feuding w/Cole) it was the best show out of the 4 they have, but the second season was more of a downer.  The stupid challenges didn’t help matters either, but it was interesting to see how the future of the WWE looks in action.

Best Gimmick:  “Dashing” Cody Rhodes –

Not since the days of Rick “The Model” Martel and HBK has there been a better pretty boy.  Cody took a stupid WWE.com poll and turned it into gold.  Is it over the top? Sure, but it’s believable and it’s working.  He is certainly if nothing else the more successful member of Legacy so far.  Looks like Ted has some catching up to do.

Worst Gimmick:  R-Truth –

Let me be clear. I HATE R-Truth.  I hate him.  His gimmick is such stereotypical garbage.  I hate his moves, his clothes, and especially his music.  Adding Eve’s horrible dancing just makes things worse.  Every time he comes out, I dive for the remote because I’d rather risk twisting my ankle than watch one second of this retards entrance.  Fuck him.

Best Babyface: Randy Orton –

Randy pulled a face turn this year and it turned out very well for him.  He (unlike Cena) has the entire crowd cheering for him especially when he nails an RKO.  He plays the silent loner character well and does more w/one facial expression than almost anyone else can do w/two minutes on the mic.

Best Heel: Sheamus –

I would love to give this to The Miz, but in all honesty to me a heel should be universally hated and everyone hates this guy for one reason or another.  He looks the part, he talks the part, and he walks the part.

Worst Wrestler:

(NOTE: I was going to try and get all 15 wrestlers on here, more for a joke, but they didn’t all fit)

A 15 way tie between Mark Henry, Koslov, Jackson, Khali, Darren Young, The Usos, Michael Tarver, Chris Masters, Rosa Mendes (seriously when was her last match?), Tiffany (thankfully canned), Trent Barretta, Caylon Croft (also canned), Kelly Kelly (Barbie doll w/Suction action), and Luke Gallows.  Seriously, pick one.

Worst Tag Team:

All of them except ShowMiz.

Most Embarrassing Wrestler: Percy Watson –

Seriously I don’t mind goofy characters, but even this guy would be a total embarrassment to the wrestling business and let me remind you were talking about a business that has had wrestling plumbers, hockey players, and NASCAR drivers.  A gay Eddie Murphy, yea that’s what this company needs.  If you think I’m wrong, why haven’t we seen him on TV yet?  I rest my case.

Moment of the year: Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels bury the hatchet –

I hate to go from talking about the worst thing of the year to the best, but I like going out on a high note.  This was for me one of the greatest moments not just of this year, but ever.  Everything about this was total win.  It was one of those rare “real” moments that we almost never see in the “fake” World of professional wrestling.  Here were two grown men who made mistakes and had to be humbled at some point in order to see those mistakes and they looked each other in the eye and found a totally new respect for the other guy.  It was amazing to be a part of because you never got to see these two guys be humble.  You always heard how great they were and how they both wanted to be “the guy”, but you never saw them admit they were wrong.  It was so refreshing and it was so necessary because we all needed to move on.  Thirteen years was long enough and it showed on their faces and obviously in their words.  These weren’t two guys in their primes fighting for their “spot” anymore.  These were two guys who let it all go and made sure no one walked away feeling bitter anymore.  The sight of them shaking hands and then hugging is something I will never forget.

Mother Brain’s 2010 Year in Wrestling Awards

Match of the Year:

Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels (Streak vs. Career) at Wrestlemania 26

This was easily the shoe-in for this award. The Dead Man and HBK’s previous match at Wrestlemania 25 solidified their status not only as the best in the business but also being the greatest WWE superstars of all time. Of course it was not an easy rematch to top. But the drama of HBK’s obsession with ending the streak hooked every wrestling fan for months and proved to be a far better buildup than the first match. If WWE needs reminders on how to properly build a feud and pay it off with a match that puts asses in seats, always look back at this one.

Most Outstanding Wrestler:

Daniel Bryan

There are few wrestlers in WWE right now who actually elevate their opponents and still give 5 star matches. Daniel Bryan has so much in-ring experience to prove that he truly is the best in the world. More on that later.

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Natalya

Michelle McCool may be the top women’s wrestler in PWI’s 2010 list. But she didn’t have the greatest matches due to her Laycool gimmick overshadowing her actual in-ring ability. I’ve been waiting a long time to see Natalya in action as a babyface. At a time when the Divas division lacks depth and the TNA Knockouts lost their luster, Natalya shows more promise than any Diva right now no matter who they’re married to.

Feud of the Year:

John Cena vs. Nexus

It’s more like the biggest soap opera of the year. It not only stands out because of it’s scope. The feud does have it’s flaws. But to me, this feud was more about suppressing Super Cena to the extent where we actually feel sorry for him. Since becoming the top company face, Cena has been booked like Hulk Hogan where monster heels are built up and easily defeated. Now he’s up against a whole faction which he ultimately joins against his will and gets humiliated week after week. This was the best way to humanize the John Cena character while pushing the next generation of stars like Wade Barrett and Justin Gabriel.

Worst Feud of the Year:

Edge vs. Kane

The cartoon feel of this whole feud make me feel like I’m watching WWE in 1993 all over again. Kane is boring, Edge is not appealing at all, and Paul Bearer is embarrassing himself. Please end this crap right away.

Tag Team of the Year:

Motor City Machine Guns

The tag team division in WWE is dead. TNA has the team of the decade. MCMG have come a long way in the midst of all the political shakeups in TNA. Their best of 5 series of matches with Beer Money was the best tag team feud since the Hardys/Edge & Christian/Dudley Boyz matches of the early 2000’s. Then their victory over Team 3D at Turning Point was the passing of the torch. Let’s hope they stay together a little while longer.

Most Improved:

The Miz

I like every other wrestling fan was on the anti-Miz bandwagon when he first arrived in WWE. But over the years, his in-ring skills and character charisma gave me some confidence in him. Of course he bounced around with tag team gold and 2nd rate mid-card feuds with MVP and Kofi Kingston. But the feud with Daniel Bryan only made him that much hated but also loved at the same time. His WWE Championship win solidifies his stance as a company player and arguably the 2nd coming of The Rock which WWE desperately needs right now.

Rookie of the Year:

Wade Barrett

Because Daniel Bryan already made a name for himself in Ring of Honor, I didn’t consider him a rookie at all. Wade Barrett is undoubtedly the new kid on the block who didn’t get a great deal of attention on NXT until the Nexus angle began. Even though he has not won any titles, Barrett has gained more momentum and heat in his first 6 months than the likes of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. He’s also the one heel who has been able to make John Cena look vulnerable which has been a very difficult feat to pull of over the years.

Best Flying Wrestler:

John Morrison

There are not too many high flyers I can think of who are a big deal in the business right now. Morrison shows the most promise because of his athleticism and he could possibly fill the void left by Jeff Hardy in the near future.

Most Overrated:

Randy Orton

Let’s be honest. Orton was always at his best as a heel. Fans only pop for him because of the rKo. He may be a company favorite who gets big pops from the “universe”; however, his championship run was overshadowed by the Cena/Nexus angle and he eventually dropped the title to the Miz. On top of that, Orton is injury prone. So why is WWE still so high on him as a face?

Most Underrated:

Christian

Yes he’s injured right now. But Christian is a total package when it comes to his in-ring work and mic skills. The fact that he hasn’t been pushed to main event status or even engaged in a major feud only proves that Vince McMahon still holds a grudge on him for going to TNA. Christian deserves so much better as does ex-TNA Knockout, Gail Kim.

Best Weekly Television Show:

Monday Night Raw

No arguments here. Smackdown took a step down in the past year, ECW ended, NXT was weird, TNA Impact has no identity, and I keep missing ROH on Mondays. Raw had all the big moments in wrestling this year (Return of Bret Hart, Nexus beatdown on Cena, HBK’s farewell speech, etc).

Best Gimmick:

CM Punk

This man can adapt to anything that is handed to him. His Straight Edge Society angle sparked controversy and brought out the best in Punk as a creepy heel character. Now as a color commentator, he breathes some life into Raw when Michael Cole is unbearable to listen to.

Worst Gimmick:

The Anonymous Raw GM Manager

This shit has gone on for too long. I’m surprised Apple hasn’t sued for the use of it’s annoying beep. You know WWE is in the shitter when Edge attacks the computer and the computer also makes Michael Cole the biggest heel in the business.

Best Babyface:

Daniel Bryan

Nobody in the business has that Rocky-like persona better than Bryan right now. We all cheered him on during NXT. Then we fell in love with him after his honest shoot-style promo which lead to a beatdown on Michael Cole. Even after he was fired during the summer, the fans pushed hard to bring him back and Vince finally listened for once in a long time.

Best Heel:

Michael Cole

I never liked Cole since he arrived in 1997 to replace Todd Pettengill. He was like the nerd who wanted to be like Jim Ross but couldn’t because he was too stiff. Now after enduring years of torment from the Rock and gang rape by Heidenreich, Cole has put himself in the AND I QUOTE “vintage” Bobby Heenan spot of ripping on every babyface except John Cena. If 2010 was the year Cole came out of the closet, 2011 will be the year he becomes the new Mr. McMahon.

Worst Wrestler:

Chris Masters

Why is this steroid freak still employed? Next!

Worst Tag Team:

Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

As I said before, tag team division in WWE is dead.

Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Ted DiBiase

DiBiase showed a great deal of promise while in Legacy. Now he’s the one with the identity crisis. While Orton became champion and Cody Rhodes got over as “dashing”, DiBiase can’t decide whether he wants to be like his dad (Million Dollar belt, Virgil in his corner, expensive suits, etc) or try to gain attention with a Canadian-French gold-digger at his side (Maryse). DiBiase lost his momentum this year. Let’s hope he finds it in the new one.

Best Moment of the Year:

Nexus’ first attack on John Cena at Raw

I remember on the night it happened, I turned the TV off when I saw Cena wrestling CM Punk expecting a typical Raw ending. Then my dad calls my cell phone to tell me that a bunch of guys jumped into the ring and beat up Cena along with destroying the entire ringside set. It wasn’t nWo that came to mind. It was Shawn Michaels getting beat up by marines in 1995. Then I turn it on and realize it’s staged because of the Nexus armbands. Still, it was an unforgettable and surreal moment and the most edgy moment in the PG era.

Worst Moment of the Year:

TNA HardCORE Justice

Sadly, I paid money to see this bullshit. Now I was always a die hard ECW fan during its peak. This PPV, however, was literally pissing on its grave. From the gloomy blue lighting to the washed up has-beens to the mediocre matches, it was the worst wrestling PPV since WWECW’s December to Dismember in 2006. Again, this was living proof that TNA has no identity as a company.

Justice’s Awards:

Match of the Year:

Alright, let’s face it. I hate to sit here and sound like a total WWE suck-up but it really just doesn’t get any better than HBK vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. The match was Shawn’s last and it had everything possible… technical wrestling, flying, submissons, suspense and high spots. Wrestling PERFECTION.

Most Outstanding Wrestler:

How can you argue that The Miz didn’t have the best year in wrestling? WWE Tag Team, United States champion at the same time, Money in the Bank winner and WWE champion. In ONE YEAR! Most guys don’t do that their whole career! The Miz’s year was AAAWWWWEEESSSOOOOMMMMEEEEEE!!!!!

Most Outstanding Female Wrestler:

Michelle McCool-

I love the Lay-Cool gimmick… I may be the only one. Michelle is fantastic in the ring and on the mic. She carries the team even with Layla improving every day. at the end of the day, Michelle is FLAWLESS

Feud of the Year:

Beer Money Inc vs. Motor City Machineguns-

Yeah I know a lot of people expected to see names like Orton, Cena, Barrett, Jericho and Edge up here but the best feud this year was over the TNA tag team titles. I have never seen a 5 match tag team series like these guys had. They brought out the best in eachother and they didn’t need to sell it on the mic, they sold it in the ring

Tag Team of the Year:

Motor City Machine Guns-

Damn they’re good. Almost too good. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelly’s pictures should be next to tag team wrestling in the Wrestling Encyclopedia. They’re funny and fun to watch and finally worked their way out of the TNA doghouse to become world tag team champions.

Most Improved:

John Morrison-

Morrison started this year as a plain babyface and ends this year in a #1 contender ladder match at the TLC ppv. While most (Including myself) thought John was going to be the breakout star of the Dirt Sheet tandem, Morrison sort of stalled out. Now that he’s embraced his attitude, used his unique offensive and defensive talents (and grew a beard), John Morrison is on the fast track to superstardom.

Rookie of the Year:

Daniel Bryan-

Yeah so he’s not REALLY a rookie but he was on NXT- a show about rookies so that justifies my statement. After 10 long years “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson made it to the big leagues… and beat the current WWE champion for the US title… and looks to sleeping with bot the Bella Twins… Congrats man!

Best Flying Wrestler:

Generation ME (Max and Jeremy Buck)-

These guys are phenomonal! They do things I can’t even picture myself ever wanting to attempt… and they do it at the same time! The Young Bucks impressed me a lot this year. (Runners up- Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston)

Most Overrated:

John Cena…

enough said

(Runner up- Drew McIntyre)

Most Underrated:

Dolph Ziggler-

Man, this guy is amazing. He has all the tools to be a big star some day. Too bad the WWE puts him with Vickie Gurrerro in a love triangle with Kaitlyn. What a waste of who could be the next big thing in the WWE (Runner up- Jack Swagger)

Best Weekly Television Show:

Will always be Monday Night Raw…

every other show will always be second-great

Best Gimmick:

Dashing Cody Rhodes-

Yeah, I said it! The music, the entrance, the “don’t hurt my face” in-ring thing. And he plays it out fantastically.

Worst Gimmick:

John Cena in Nexus-

NOTE: This was a photoshopped image I found online.

PUT THE GUY IN A NEXUS SHIRT AND RUN WITH THE GIMMICK YOU TOOLS! remember when the WWE had a set of balls and didn’t just care about merchandise sales?

Best Babyface:

Randy Orton-

by process of elimination- Randy’s not even a babyface… he’s a modern-day Stone Cold. But he gets cheered and beats up bad guys so it counts

Best Heel:

Wade Barrett-

Wade wins NXT, beats up the entire WWE roster and makes the biggest good-guy in the company a part of his group. Totally bad-ass and instant heat as soon as his music hits.

Worst Wrestler:

John Cena-

Again, is an explanation needed?

Worst Tag Team:

Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel-

Because Heath Slater sucks in everything he does

Most Embarrassing Wrestler:

Santino Marella-

He actually has talent and the WWE won’t let him use it. It pisses me off because i’m a big fan of Santino.

Worst Feud of the Year:

Jay Lethal and Robbie E-

I actually like the tool Jersey Shore gimmick and Robbie E plays it well… but just as it seemed like Jay Lethal was going to get the push he deserved, he lost the X-division title to Robbie E.

Best Moment of the Year:

Shawn Michaels good-bye…

That brought my wrestling world full circle

1 Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett Pinfall-and-submissions-only singles match for the WWE Championship, with special referee John Cena.

2 Kane (c) vs. Edge Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

3 Team Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (c) vs. Natalya 2-on-1 handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

4 Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

5 John Morrison vs. Sheamus Singles match

6 Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show and Montel Vontavious Porter) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes) Traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match

7 Dolph Ziggler (c) vs Kaval Singles match for the Intercontinetal championship

(Possibly 8 Daniel Bryan (c) vs Ted DiBiasi Singles match for the United States championship)

Cos’ Survivor Series Predictions:

I’m going to be quick with my choices:

1 Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett Pinfall-and-submissions-only singles match for the WWE Championship, with special referee John Cena.

I’d like to think that Miz would cash in, because that would take the focus off of the WWE Championship, but seeing that this is the only interesting Main Event feud, I don’t think it’ll be taken off that easily.

Winner and New WWE Champion: Wade Barrett

2 Kane (c) vs. Edge Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

WWE has done a good job not knowing what to do with it’s non-gimmick PPV’s, a lot of the matches on SummerSlam and Survivor Series look as if they were geared for Unforgiven or No Mercy, something to be buried and forgotten in the middle of fall; just like this match.

Winner and still Champion: Kane

3 Team Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (c) vs. Natalya 2-on-1 handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

Winner and New Diva’s Champion: Natalya

4 Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

One of those really pointless matches I was talking about above, this one reminds me of the worst of Vince Russo during his Attitude Era days. Seriously no point, so I think why allow Nexus to look weak.

Winners and still WWE Champions: Nexus

5 John Morrison vs. Sheamus Singles match

Add this match to the Santino/Kozlov tag team match, where could they be going with this? They need another face at the top and Sheamus is already considered a Main Eventer so…

Winner: John Morrison

6 Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show and Montel Vontavious Porter) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes) Traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match

Here is a match I could really care less for. I like the guys on Team Del Rio more then on Team Mysterio, so this was an easy one for me…even though they’ll probably go with Mysterio.

Winners: Team Del Rio

7 Dolph Ziggler (c) vs Kaval Singles match for the Intercontinetal championship

After getting squashed since his NXT season 2 win, I hope that this is a big win for Kaval.

Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Kaval

8 Daniel Bryan (c) vs Ted DiBiasi Singles match for the United States championship

We don’t even think this is happening, but after a slight build to it this past Monday on the Old School Raw, there is a possibility that this may be on the card. But who knows.

Winner and Still Champion: Daniel Bryan

Chosen 1′s Survivor Series predictions:

Barrett d Orton (c)-

This one will basically turn into a Nexus vs. Orton with Cena doing his best to help out Orton. Barrett will get the win after Cena catches an RKO for his trouble and of course no sells it AA on Orton Barrett wins the title.

Kane (c) d. Edge -

Edge makes this a great match hits a lot of spots but will come up just short Kane gets some late offense with the help of the urn hits the tomb stone for the win. They will continue the feud through at least one more ppv.

Natalya d Lay-Cool (c)

I know I have been calling for it for a while now but its gotta happen sooner or later Lay-cool will split up and Natalya will pin Layla because Taker has the power to protect his wife from looking bad

Gabriel and Wendy i mean Slater ( i really hate that guy) d. Santino and Kozlov.

I miss real tag teams this match is just a filler. Most likely some comedy routine placed in there i mean it is Santino its what he is good at making you pee yourself laughing.

Sheamus d Morrison

I think this will be the match of the night. Morrison will have some sick spots I think he misses one and Sheamus capitlizes with the boot.

Team Del Rio d. Team Mysterio.

The match comes down to MVP vs Del Rio and Swagger. Del Rio gets the win

Daniel Bryan d Ted Dibiase.

Bryan gets the win via submission. Only a matter of time before this kid is a main eventer

Kaval d Ziggler (c)

Kaval cashes in his NXT win for zigglers intercontinental title. Looks to be another Spot fest. Ziggler has really been impressing me lately and Kaval is one of the hardest workers in the biz despite being passed around like a unwanted christmas present in a “Yankee Swap”

Smark Central’s Survivor Series predictions:

Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett Pinfall-and-submissions-only singles match for the WWE Championship, with special referee John Cena.

What I want to See: Obviously like a lot of net fans I would love to see a John Cena heel turn, but I’m a realist and I know thats not going to happen.
What will happen: This has to be the hardest match to predict all year (way to go WWE you finally did it) bc it can actually turn out several different ways. My gut tells me Cena costs Orton the title by accident and wins his freedom. I could also see the Miz and/or R-Truth playing a role. That no DQ/no CO rule is there for a reason.

Kane (c) vs. Edge Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

What I want: Honestly I haven’t heard or seen much about this feud so I’m assuming its been pretty ordinary. It seems Kane w/o Undertaker is like a blow job w/o saliva – rough and unpleasant. It’d be nice if Edge won so he could feud w/one of the many up and coming heels on SD
What will happen: Kane probably retains bc it seems like WWE is just going w/it for the time being. They obviously had planned to put the belt on Taker, but w/Taker’s latest injury thats not going to happen so Kane is just in a waiting stage right now.

Team Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (c) vs. Natalya

What I want to see: Normally I don’t care about women’s matches, but it’d be nice to see Natalya shine in the wake of the Hart Dynasty break up
What will happen: Laycool retains

Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

What I want to see: As always, I’d like to see real teams fighting, but WWE only has interest in breaking those teams up for no reason.
What will happen: Nexus retains easily.

John Morrison vs. Sheamus

What I want to see: Here’s another interesting feud that seems to have Morrison moving up the card and Sheamus kinda coming back to Earth. Hopefully they keep w/that trend and have Morrison get a big win.
What will happen: Sheamus wins but probably takes a shortcut to do it so Morrison won’t look like a total chump.

Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show and Montel Vontavious Porter) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes) Traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match

What I want to see: More of these. Its Survivor Series and we only have ONE traditional match and it wasn’t even announced until this past Monday. Why no love for the Series Vince?
What will happen: Usually the faces go over and I expect no different here despite all the talent on the other side that could use the rub.

Dolph Ziggler (c) Vs Kaval – I.C. Title match

What I want to see: Something similar to the clinics Ziggler and Bryan have been putting on lately w/Kaval winning it.
What will happen: Well it’d be nice if the challenger didn’t have to be everyone’s bitch all the time, but this is WWE and Vince’s ego is king so well have to watch as Kaval limps (figuratively) into this match and he’ll probably get the squash treatment

Daniel Bryan (c) Vs Ted Dibiase Jr. – U.S. Title match

What I want to see: I want to see a competitive match w/near falls aplenty and Bryan retaining (for now).
What will happen: They’ll get the usual 7-10 mins and probably have Bryan get a lucky win (WARNING: sarcasm ahead) bc clearly the guy doesn’t have the talent to win clean

Mother Brain’s Survivor Series Predictions:

Survivor Series Predictions
By Mother Brain

Daniel Bryan (c) Vs Ted Dibiase Jr. – U.S. Title match

I see this as the perfect opportunity to finally put DiBiase over as a credible heel. From adopting his dad’s gimmick to feuding with Goldust in a lousy effort to make NXT season 3 seem watchable, he’s been completely misused since Legacy split up. Don’t seem him getting the belt at the PPV though. This feud is just filler time before CM Punk returns to the ring and starts his highly anticipated program with Bryan.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

Dolph Ziggler (c) Vs Kaval – I.C. Title match

Another highly talented performer wasted as a jobber on Friday nights. Didn’t this guy win NXT and become the WWE’s next breakout star? Yet he can’t even get a win over Chavo Guerrero? Ziggler is due for another win after losing to Daniel Bryan 3 matches in a row.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show and Montel Vontavious Porter) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes) Traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match

I hate the names of these teams. What happened to the old days when you had S.S. teams like The Dream Team, Rude Brood, Million Dollar Team, Heenan Family, etc.? Oh that’s right! Vince thinks the concept is dated now! Truthfully, I don’t care for this one. Team Del Rio squeeks through with Del Rio as sole survivor.

Winner: Team Del Rio

John Morrison vs. Sheamus

The fact that this feud started because of Santino Marella is a joke. But this can also be a single defining moment for John Morrison to get a serious win over a dominant heel. The last few weeks have been a slow buildup to pushing Morrison into the main even picture. Just look at the backstage promos of his training regimen. Now if they can work on his mic skills, I’d say he’ll be WWE champ in a year. On the flip side though, it it sad that he’s still a mid-carder after 6 years while Sheamus got over in a matter of months.

Winner: John Morrison

Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

No comment. Next.

Winner: Nexus

Team Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (c) vs. Natalya

Natalya is destined to be a champion. As some have mentioned, it would be easier for her to pin Layla for the win so Michelle doesn’t look bad. I can also see Natalya get the win and it only heats up the Hart Dynasty split. So overall, Lay-Cool had a long enough run with the title. Time for a change.

Winner and new Diva’s Champion: Natalya

Kane (c) vs. Edge Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

With Undertaker out of action, the only real face to take on Kane is Edge. Once again, I think Kane has held on the title long enough and Edge should win so he can continue his quest to end all things stupid in WWE. However, it won’t be a long title reign.

Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett Pinfall-and-submissions-only singles match for the WWE Championship, with special referee John Cena.

This match can go in so many different ways. On one hand, Cena could let Orton win and some bullshit swerve occurs so he doesn’t get fired. After all, he’s got a new DVD set coming out. But on the other hand, Wade Barrett is the most over heel in the company right now and showing more promise than Sheamus ever did. And in the midst of all of this, Randy Orton is the lost in the shuffle champion that I don’t care for anymore. Sure he gets big pops with his rKo. But unfortunately, he’s not the face of the WWE and certainly does not have the personality to make that work. So I’m going to be bold in saying that Barrett will defeat Orton for the title and it’s going to happen “screwjob” style.

Winner and new WWE Champion: Wade Barrett

Justice’s Survivors Series Predictions:

okay so here goes:

Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater) (c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Santino and Kozlov upset the Nexus to become new WWE tag team champions… only to get beat to a pulp and drop them the next night on RAW

Daniel Bryan (c) vs Ted DiBiasi Singles match for the United States championship

Daniel Bryan beats DiBiase after getting his ass kicked for most of the match… even with the title they still won’t let Bryan show all he can do… i can’t wait for his heel turn

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs Kaval Singles match for the Intercontinetal championship

in the show stealer Kaval beats Ziggler for the IC title by suprise. Kaval wins cleanly in their re-matches and Ziggler breaks into the top teir

John Morrison vs. Sheamus Singles match

John Morrison beats Sheamus in a great match … Raw has 2 credible babyfaces… Cena and Orton… they need another and Morrison will be that guy

Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters, Big Show and Montel Vontavious Porter) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes) Traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match

Albert Del Rio and Cody Rhodes will be the survivors in the Survivor series match… both guys will continue on to big sucess in the future and this will help build them up to that level

Kane (c) vs. Edge Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Edge beats Kane for the title… Kane’s title run was great but Edge has so many interesting opponents in guys like Del Rio Ziggler Swagger and Rhodes… smackdowns young crop of talent should get its chance to shine soon

Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett Pinfall-and-submissions-only singles match for the WWE Championship, with special referee John Cena.

as far as Barrett vs Orton there are 2 things i think could happen… the obvious is Cena calls it down the middle but things get out of hand and Cena has no choice but to count Orton down and Barrett wins the belt. Cena then beats Barrett down and Miz cashes in and becomes champion. The other option is Orton is about to win and Cena stops his count at 2 gives orton the you cant see me gesture has words with him and fast counts Orton down giing Barrett the win and revealing Cena was a real deal member of Nexus all along finally turning heel. lets face it thats what we all want to see… but the WWE being what it is they wont give it to us. i seriously think Miz becomes champion and feuds with Orton while Cena finally feuds with Barrett

Team Lay-Cool (Layla and Michelle McCool) (c) vs. Natalya 2-on-1 handicap match for the WWE Divas Championship

oh yeah and Natalya beats Lay-Cool to finally become Divas champ… it was only a matter of time for this and as much as i love Lay-cool (yes i just said that. they’re awesome female heels but the WWE is known to end good gimmicks prematurely) but i think they split with McCool staying heel and Layla eventually getting lost in the shuffle

I sent this out to whoever wanted to respond to it with a simple question:

You can choose between these two (very very similar questions):
Who is your favorite Tag Team of all time or who are your top three tag teams of all time? And why?

I think that picking just one would be too hard, so most people tend to go with top three tag teams of all time. When currently TNA has the best tag teams in wrestling and WWE keeps splitting their tag teams up, its good to look back and see what we as the viewers would prefer to see as a tag team.

Cos’ Top Three Tag Teams:

Just to clarify, I was mostly a product of the Attitude Era, I started paying attention in late 1998, but I’ve worked hard at learning about the past so as not to be caught without my wrestling knowledge. I know a lot about wrestling’s past and I can hang with a lot of people that have been watching their whole lives. With that said, my three picks come from the Attitude Era:

1. The New Age Outlaws

These guys defined what a tag team should be for me. They were cool, they were bad ass and they were exactly what I needed in a tag team back in the day. I find it interesting at how crude and rude a lot of the things that DX did back in the day. In fact, a lot of it represented where I was as a teenager back then. They did things that we would only dream about doing to the people above us and The New Age Outlaws were the perfect fit. The mouth piece The Road Dogg Jesse James, the muscle in Bad Ass Billy Gunn; both would not fit in today’s PG world, but they totally should come back, if only for a night.

2. Edge & Christian

I loved these guys, I remember my first live show was at the (then) Continental Airlines Arena back in August of 2000 (I looked it up and it was: WWF HeAT Taping and SmackDown! Taping @ East Rutherford, NJ – Continental Airlines Arena – Tuesday 8th August 2000) where Edge & Christian got a huge pop and even did their famous five second pose. I’ve been dying for WWE to get these two back together, I know Christian is injured, but I always thought that they could get back together and reinvigorate the tag team division. I hated how they were brothers back in the day and over time they became only friends. Great job rewriting history, WWE! Also, I was always a fan of Christian, I had to warm up to Edge. I didn’t jump on the Edge bandwagon until after he turned heel and wanted the WWE championship, which seems like so long ago now.

3. The Rock N’ Sock Connection

Yeah, I know, kind of a let down of a third pick, I know. But I wasn’t a huge fan of The Hardy Boyz or The Dudley Boyz. And there aren’t that many tag teams that stand out in my mind that I can honestly say I looked forward to seeing. Rock and Mankind were that put together tag team that wasn’t meant to be but they did well with the two Tag Team championship reigns that they had (totaling 9 days). How many other tag teams that have had less then a month reigns can you remember, let alone their tag team name? I bet that WWE has been dying to get this type of odd ball tag team back again, but you can’t with the current crop of superstars.

Speaking of Odd Ball tag teams, I wonder why the WWE crapped on Booker Dust, does anyone remember them?

Smark Central’s Top Tag Teams

My Top 3 Tag Teams of All Time

The Hart Foundation –

The Harts were main players in the golden age of tag team wrestling (1985-1993 approx.).  The age of tag teams where guys wore matching outfits and had clever names and didn’t break up a week after they lost the tag belts.  The great thing about these guys was that they balanced each other out.  You had the technical wrestler in Bret and the powerful bruiser in Neidhart.  It worked because they just knew each other so well.  One could start a move and the other would finish it without batting an eye.  They brought technique and showmanship to a division that severely lacked it at times (I’m looking at you, Bushwackers).  They are to me what a tag team should be.

Edge & Christian –

While the Harts may have the formula for a perfect team, no one was a better fit for each other than these two guys.  Edge and Christian were the best of both Worlds.  They were both great wrestlers who could do it all and they were golden on the mics.  It was so funny because you would think two guys from Canada acting like airhead surfers would never get over, but they did because Edge and Christian had the talent to do it.  Their talent as a team never shown more brightly than during their TLC matches w/the Dudleyz and the Hary Boyz.  Not only did they win those matches, but they forever made their mark on the business by taking greater risks than anyone had ever taken before (The spear on Jeff at WM 17 anyone?).  Never had big sunglasses, sodas, or 5 second poses reeked of such awesomeness.

The Legion of Doom/Road Warriors –

Yes the Harts were technically gifted and Edge and Christian were Gods on the mic, but my unquestioned favorite of all time was LOD.  They just kicked ass and looked awesome doing it.  They were the ultimate tough guys.  When you saw them walk down the aisle wearing black tights, shoulder pads w/spikes on them, and with their faces painted, you knew someone was getting their ass kicked.  As a kid there was nothing better than watching Hawk and Animal demolish some poor shmuck tag team in two minutes flat.  While they had their way with a lot of teams, they also had memorable bouts w/the like of the Four Horsemen and The Midnight Express.  On the mic they weren’t as polished as other people, but they certainly held your attention.  Hawk especially was adept at coming off as tough and intimidating yet funny at the same time.  Another thing that was great about them was their finisher – The Doomsday Device.  Tag teams finishers are definitely a thing of the past, but back in that golden age there were some awesome ones and LOD’s was tops.  I could go on for awhile, but it wouldn’t cover how great they were.  Its too bad Hawk passed away in 2003.  I think they could have had one last great run.

Mother Brain’s Top Tag Teams

Mother Brain’s Top 3 Tag Teams of All Time
By Mother Brain

I’ll start with my 3rd favorite and end with my number one pick:

British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

They were not exactly the greatest talkers in the WWE. But they were damn so entertaining. Their matches with the Hart Foundation truly raised the bar for tag team wrestling in the 80s due both teams’ speed and strength. The Dynamite Kid alone was a huge influence with his aerial maneuvers as well as his punishing superplexes and headbutts. Davey Boy of course was physically amazing too. The Bulldogs had the ability to have 5 star matches with any 2nd rate team whether it was Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake, Sheik and Volkoff, or the Rougeau Brothers. Even though they won the tag team titles on one occasion, the Bulldogs never had a long enough run due to Dynamite Kid’s injuries and negative attitude behind the scenes.

The Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart)

Like the Bulldogs, the Harts not only had great matches with any team but they also complemented each other extremely well. Bret had the speed and the superb technical ability while Anvil had the strength and the power. As heels with Jimmy Hart as their manager, they manipulated their way to the top while retaining some bragging rights for their technical skills in the ring. As faces, they could put rally the fans on their side when taking on the likes of Demolition, the Brain Busters, Rhythm & Blues, etc. I also appreciated the differences in the personalities with Bret was the no-nonsense street fighter and Anvil carrying the team’s promos with his wildman persona. I don’t think there’s ever been a team that oozed cool ever since.

The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk)

I really wanted to be bias and put the Hart Foundation at #1. But thinking back to the L.O.D. DVD that came out 5 years ago, I had to go with arguably the best team ever. While most teams usually split up and one member becomes the bigger superstar, L.O.D. stayed in-tact for almost 20 years and dominated every organization they stepped foot on: NWA, AWA, WWE, WCW, etc. Animal and Hawk were quick, incredibly strong, and had the whole package as a team. One could say they were the first heels who only turned face because of the fan response. Never mind how things ended for them, particularly Hawk. But I still say they had a better run than the Dudley Boyz/Team 3D because of the variety of good teams that existed in their time compared to the lack of competition during the Dudley’s era. They were just simply two badass mo’fos!

Honorable Mentions:

The Rockers
The Hardy Boyz
Edge and Christian
Dudley Boyz
Harlem Heat
The New Age Outlaws
Motor City Machine Guns
Wild Samoans
Demolition
Money Inc.
The Brain Busters
The Outsiders

Chosen 1′s Favorite Tag Team:

With such a terrible disarray of tag team potential floundering around in the WWE I think back to the days of old. I try to remember when Tag Teams were plentiful and stayed together for more then a few weeks or months. Teams that couldn’t be torn apart due to one member having a little more of something then the other. Good solid teams were one. They fought as if together they were one single wrestler. Each team would have their own style. Not an individual gimmick for each teammate but a team gimmick and wrestling style that they stuck to. When it worked it worked to perfection when it would backfire it would almost always result in a loss. Many great teams throughout history of wrestling brought prestige to the tag team division to name a few we had the Heart Foundation, Demolition, Rock and Roll Express, Midnight Express, The Stiener Brothers, and, The Brain Busters, The Funks and the Fabulous Freebirds were all classic tag teams.

There were many great tag teams in the next generation as well. Harlem Heat, Edge and Christian, Hardy Boyz, The dudlys, The New Age Outlaws, the Outsiders, all members of great tag teams who garnered a lot of accolades throughout their tenure. Of recent day the Tag Team Division has not been as filled with great tag team talent as it had been as I was growing up.There are good teams MCM, Beer Money, ummmm before recent the Hart Dynasty… But its just lacking so much. I am sure while I was going through the list of great tag teams I missed a few along the way.

One of most glaring I’m sure is that of my favorite team of all team The Road Warriors Hawk and Animal.

These guys just brought it day in and day out. Just fought tooth and nail every match. They had power, athleticism and could play any role heel or face. I remember one of the greatest moments is when Dusty Rhodes called them down to help him out and they spiked him in the eye with one of their trade mark shoulder pads. These guys were the original bad asses. From the days with Paul Ellering in their corner til their final match together through all their personal issues with themselves and one another they never forgot who they were and what their jobs were when they got in that ring. Not to mention they originated one of the first tag team finishers that I can remember in the DOOMSDAY Device. I doubt too many will discount what they did for the history of tag team wrestling. RIP HAWK

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Looks as if The Road Warriors/LOD were the favorite of this group. The Hart Foundation and Edge & Christian coming up second. Not that I never got into The Road Warriors, but my first experience with them was on Raw in 1999 when Droz was in the group and Hawk eventually jumping off of the Titantron. Later on in 2003 I remember when they returned for a match and lost, and I think everyone thought they would get a contract and they didn’t and Hawk would pass away a few months later. Animal would return in 2005 and team with Heindreich and reform the group (who thought that was a good idea?) and once Heindreich was released it left Animal as simply The Road Warrior. I wish I had gotten more into this group as I’ve seen a bunch of matches of theirs and I just wish we could go back to the days where both Tag Team members both looked the same and/or at least wrestled as one and not just two random people put together.

Please leave any comments and/or opinions.