And…
We're…
BACK!
No longer writing from the floor of an Atlantic City casino. I come to you like from SPRING! … wait… We got five inches of snow last night? That's NOT SPRING, NATURE! But the only season that REALLY matters?
Boom! We have four more matches to break down. The Main Events heading into Wrestlemania 31, or XXXI, or Press Play.
OVERVIEW!
Coming out of the Royal Rumble, John Cena and Rusev crossed paths. They set off on a feud. They had US Title match at Fastlane. Rusev won that, by locking Cena into the Accolade. Cena "Never Gives Up"… I mean it IS on all his shirts. So? His body did for him. He passed out. Rusev won. A HUGE win for Rusev. Something they SHOULD have done last year at Mania with Bray… Anyway, now we're all set for the rematch. Initially Rusev was like, "Nah, Captain America… I broke you. You get no rematch." Eventually super angry Cena erupted and whooped Rusev which led to this here rematch. The United States Championship has had a much higher profile during Rusev's reign. He's been booked super strong, and has yet to be pinned/submitted on WWE TV/PPV. Cena is Cena. He is the Face of the WWE. He's had an insane run at the top, and his presence with the US Title only serves to elevate that title. Him winning it only elevates it further. I look forward to this match, hopefully building on the good match they had at Fastlane.
Favorite!
John Cena: -300. I see John Cena walking out of Mania with the US Championship. I hope like hell this doesn't bring the return of the US spinner belt… But no matter what the Dr. of Thugonomics does with it? I see Cena being our next US Champion.
Underdog!
Rusev: +150. Its not impossible to see Rusev win here, but I mean… I… WE know better. It'll be interesting to see how WWE handles this for Rusev moving forward. Hopefully they learned from how they handled Bray coming out from this feud last year. I think him winning at Fastlane was already a step in a better direction. Still. Even in defeat here, he SHOULD come out a bigger star. The US Championship WILL come out more prestigious.
Prop Bets of the Match!
Over/Under: Total # of Attitude Adjustments: 2.5
Cena's Shorts: Jorts -200. Camo Cargo -100. Khaki Cargo Even Money. Apollo Creed's Red White and Blue Boxing Shorts +500 (But it'd be awesome though)
Over/Under: Captain America references: 4.5
OVERVIEW!
So we haven't seen Taker since LAST Wrestlemania. Rumors abound on whether or not he would wrestle at this Mania, and even doubt on if he'd compete ever again. Starting before Fastlane Bray Wyatt began cutting cryptic promos, not exactly out of the ordinary for Bray, but stood out was Bray was CLEARLY talking about someone. Quickly he began hinting at speaking about the Deadman. He began cutting promos where he was constructing something, which turned out to be a casket. Fastlane, the Deadman's Gong hit, cue druids, and a casket, and up sat Bray Wyatt. Wyatt wanted to face the man he was afraid of as a child, but no longer fears. Bray is the new face of fear in the WWE. Big kudos to Bray Wyatt who was tagged with selling and building this match by himself. When they're focused on SOMETHING his promos are some of the best in the bidness. Entrances for this should be awesome. After that? Well… we'll see what kind of shape Taker will be in. On the plus side this match doesn't need to be more than 10-12 minutes bell to bell. For whichever story they want to tell. And that's where some confusion sets in.
Favorite!
Bray Wyatt: -100. This is essentially a pick �em. I can see it going either way. They like Bray Wyatt a lot. But… then again… Its TAKER. Can I see the Undertaker losing consecutive Wrestlemania matches?
Can Bray REALLY lose another match like this? Especially considering how things went "post Cena" for him, where they ended up rebooting him.
So… yeah…
Underdog!
The Undertaker: +100. The margin is small on this one. It doesn't make sense for Taker to win, but still… Taker is the man in WWE.
Prop Bets of the Match!
Whose Entrance is Longer: Undertaker -250. Bray Wyatt +200.
Do we see THIS spot: Bray hanging upside down from the top rope, and Taker sits up. Yes: -150. No: +300
Taker's Hairstyle: Dark Mohawk -400. Grey Mohawk -150. Grey Stubble even money. Long +Eleventy Billion.
OVERVIEW!
Back at Survivor Series the Authority was battling for their existence. It was Ziggler versus the world. he eliminated some people and it then the Authority got worried. Triple H jumped in and was set to destroy Ziggler to ensure his squad could stay in power, BUT-BUT-BUT… Crows squawked. Lights went out, and sting made his way to the ring. He took out Triple H. Rolled Ziggler onto Rollins. Three count later AND… DING DONG… THE AUTHORITY WAS GONE! (For like… 3 weeks) … Once the Authority was put back in power, Triple H needed ANSWERS. So he challenged Sting to a FACE OFF at Fastlane. Faces were offed. We get this match. Sting still hasn't spoken LIVE on Television, but has said something on the WWE Network after coming to the ring to save Randy Orton from the Authority's wrath. For this match you don't really need much. You have Sting in a WWE ring, and having his FIRST, possibly LAST Wrestlemania match. You have Triple H who is a hall of fame performer and a very good ring worker, and one of WWE's most hated baddies. Simply for the atmosphere this match is must see.
Favorite!
Sting: -500. Sting is going to his first WWE match at Wrestlemania. Who knows how many matches the Franchise of WCW gets inside a WWE ring, and maybe he loses one, but not THIS one. Stinger Splash. Scorpion Deathdrop. Scorpion Deathlock. Ballgame.
Underdog!
Triple H: +400. Sure there is a chance if this is all part of a longer arcing story that Triple H will weasel a win for the Authority. The X-Factor in all this-
No. Not YOU guys. The potential question mark for all this? We don't really know what Sting's deal is. Will there be future matches? Will he continue to torment the Authority and hopefully rid us of their tedious villainy? Maybe if there is more to the plan Triple H wins, but its a long shot for sure.
Prop bets of the Match!
Better Entrance: Sting -250. Triple H +100.
Over/Under: 3.5 Run ins.
Vince Gets Involved: No -100. Yes +200.
Over/Under: Sting's Facepaint lasts 12 minutes.
OVERVIEW!
Brock Lesnar… if you've heard of him… Is quite the athlete. He's won the UFC Heavyweight Championship. He's been Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He's been King of the Ring. Won a Royal Rumble. He even got runner up in a 2nd grade spelling bee Sure he's a beast, and conquerer, but can he spell incarnate? – He dismantled John Cena at Summerslam, and there was much rejoicing. He has defended championship twice, and this will be his third defense since August… BUT you could read a lot more about Brock as I've done 2 parts of a 3 part dissection for Cheap-Heat. Roman Reigns won the Royal Rumble, and there was MUCH less rejoicing. Reigns' return from injury, "Superstar of the Year", and Royal Rumble win did NOT go over well. They had him face off with the "People's Champion", Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. An excellent match that Reigns won. They undid some of the mess they created, but their "Next Big Thing" is still dealing with a moderately negative to hostile crowd especially on TV. Will this match crown a new champion and enter us into a era and establish a Roman Empire? Or will the Beast Incarnate lay waste to the Roman Empire, leaving it in ruins?
Favorite!
Roman Reigns: -200. I think Reigns is winning the match. Though they've done a lot to knock this number down. After Fastlane I would have put this at -500+. If Lesnar IS staying around? There is a damn good chance he could walk out STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Do the crowd reactions impact what creative's plan for Roman are/were? It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, and REALLY interesting to see the reaction if Reigns IS victorious.
Underdog!
Brock Lesnar: +100. Not often Brock is put in the role of underdog. Well he's not really i the underdog ROLE, but just for the gambling. He is a beast and has been handled as such. The Heyman promos blatantly speaking on leaving stink of two things: They really want to get Reigns cheered. AND Lesnar is probably closer to staying than he is to leaving. But the tenor of the promos now about them OWNING the title and doing with it what they want, basically holding it hostage… THAT to me is about a long term story. A story that Roman Reigns could STILL be the man who dethrones Lesnar, just not on this night. Man… I'm nearly talking myself into switching Lesnar to a favorite, but… I WON'T. My own personal fantasy booking shouldn't impact my handicapping.
Prop Bets of the Match!
Over/Under: Lesnar Suplexes on Reigns: 8.5.
Which move happens first: F-5 -300. Spear -200.
Lesnar's Sweat Quotient: Sweatier than most, but not disgusting -250. Oh…My… I didn't think that was humanly possible -100. Puddles on the Mat Even Money.
If Reigns Win We Riot: No -300. Yes +200.
Rollins Cashes In: Yes -50. No +200.
Who Celebrates with Reigns: The Rock -400. The Usos -200. Dean Ambrose: Even Money. The Whole Face Roster +200. The Authority +1000.
Alright Gamblers! You have been armed with the necessary information to go out and make horrible HORRIBLE decisions with your tax returns. May the Force be With You… wait… no. May the Odds be EVER in your Favor. Nah. Probably not the best one to use. Good luck and goodnight. Close enough.
