WrestleMania Preview
Anticipated Preshow Matches
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale
Trying to figure out why I should care about this match. Considering the participants and the build, not sure I'll come up with a reason to care by Sunday.
Prediction: It's a Battle Royale with a bunch of nobodies - anything could happen. Considering the participants, I think all of us would love to see the Wyatt Family come in and clear the ring, but that would just be giving Creative far too much credit.
Potential for swerve: it's a Battle Royale, so there will obviously be some kind of swerve or janky finish. But, considering the participants, not sure why I should care.
Usos vs. Dudley Boyz
Once again, trying to figure out why I should care about this match. The Usos are about as popular as Roman Reigns at this point, but at least Reigns is booed out of every arena he visits. Outside of their Haka intro, which, sure, fine, whatever, they generate virtually no reaction. As far as the Dudleyz, their return to WWE has been awful. Not that I necessarily blame them, as in spite of been booked into oblivion (nothing new with Creative), they've still managed to put on quality matches. I think the bigger problem is the state of the division itself - until Enzo and Cass are called up, the only team worth caring about are New Day. Outside of these two teams and New Day, you have the Ascension (a team without a shred of credibility left), Lucha Dragons (who seem to be doing their own things lately), and combinations of the League of Nations (which seemed like a great idea at the time, but have been booked into oblivion). Harper and Rowan should be reeking havoc on this division, but, as Creative does, they haven't figured this out yet. Nobody cares about the tag team division because we don't have a reason to care, and as such, nobody cares about this match. Quite frankly, this should be the match's theme song:
[video=youtube;0Y1wm7CFRCQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y1wm7CFRCQ[/video]
Prediction: Do I really have to do this? Fine. Usos simply as a way of killing this painful feud. Hopefully both teams go on to better things, but considering the state of the division and WWE's creative, I wouldn't place money on it.
Potential for swerve: None. Like I said, I think everyone just wants to be done with this.
Team Total Divas (Paige, Natalya, Brie, Foxy, and Eva Marie) vs. Team B.A.D & Blonde (Naomi, Tamina, Lana, Summer Rae, and Emma)
I find myself caring for this match a lot more than I should, and ironically, it has to do with them involving Eva Marie. Last night all of us groaned when her music hit last night as we found out she'd be the final member of Team Total Divas. While she has actually improved a lot training with Kendrick and NXT, she still remains awkward and clueless in the ring, marginal on the mic, and has incredible X-Pac heat (which, to her credit, she has adjusted her character appropriately to receive it as heel heat). To make matters worse, there are rumors flying around today that Creative sent Eva out there thinking that by placing her on Team Total Divas that she would be welcomed with a loud pop (and if this is the case, the only question that remains is "just to what extent exactly is Creative out of touch with the fans?" I mean, we all know Vince is not a fan of NXT, but if they actually believed this, then it's proof that they don't even watch their own product. Eva is an outright heel on NXT, yet you're having her join the face team at WrestleMania - how's that supposed to work?). However, if you look at the way things played out last night, I don't think this is necessarily the case. Team Total Divas, despite being short, had actually gained control of the ring before Eva's music hit. She then took a few seconds to pose. Then, with her team surrounding Lana, Eva runs to the ring, attacks Lana, then celebrates like she saved her team, while Paige, Nattie, Brie, and Foxy all looked "less than thrilled" that Eva was there. Something else is going on here - either Creative accidentally stumbled into this, or Creative sneakily booked this incredibly well. This match is also likely Brie's "swan song" (rumor is she's announcing her retirement at SmarkaMania) Not to mention it's also nice to see Summer Rae and Emma getting some action. Every other WrestleMania this would be a bathroom break-quality match (and, in terms of quality, it very well could be the case again). However, there's something else going on here and they have my attention.
Prediction: Team B.A.D.&B. beats Team TD with Paige eating Lana's pin (I mean, with Paige losing to Summer Rae last month and Emma last night, Lana has to be the only main roster Diva Paige hasn't jobbed to in the last 365 days).
Potential Swerve: There has to be, and it has to center around the fact that Eva is a bonafide heel that's going to turn on her team due to all of the things said about her on Total Divas the last year.
Kalisto (C) vs. Ryback (United States Championship)
A David vs. Goliath matchup where David happens to be the champion. If we're being honest, this should be the ladder match, not the ICC. There just isn't much to get excited about Kalisto vs. Ryback. Ryback clearly is a much better heel than face, but his heel turn isn't even complete yet as all he's really done is verbally threatened Kalisto, stared him down, and started dressing like Goldberg. Perhaps had Creative actually developed Ryback a little more... Further, I can think of few wrestlers that likely will mesh together worse than Kalisto and Ryback. Kalisto is your typical Luchador; Ryback is your typical bulldozer.
Prediction: Kalisto retains UST in an entirely forgettable match.
Potential for Swerve: Near none. Another feud that would be best left behind post-Mania.
