WrestlingNerd Presents: WWE WrestleMania 28 Rundown Part II

Welcome back to the WrestleMania 28 Rundown. If you didn't catch part I, go to the link below to check it out. If not, let's talk about the last four matches. 

WrestleMania 28 Rundown Part I

Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus; World Heavyweight Championship

Time to talk about the first of the two world title matches. I never imagined the WWE allowing Daniel Bryan to go into WM as the WHC. Just say it out-loud and it doesn't feel right. Despite this, Bryan has become an interesting WHC. Notice my choice of words. I didn't say he was a good WHC, but he's definitely interesting. Ever since Bryan won the world title back at TLC, the man has gone through an ego trip. He picked up a girlfriend that he treats like crap, he continues to weasel his way out of matches, and he acts he just won the Super Bowl after every victory. How can you not laugh when you see this entrance every week?

Hey, he learned from the master….

As for Sheamus, he won the 2012 Royal Rumble match, so he's had his WM ticket punched since January. Sheamus has talked about how Bryan has become nothing more than a bully, and he doesn't like bullies. I almost get the feeling WWE should be putting the "Be a Star" logo in the middle of this rivalry. Bryan vs Sheamus, sponsored by the Anti-Bullying campaign. Just slap the logo on there and now it all makes sense. In fact, I'll do it for you. 

Anyway, it's amazing how these two were supposed to compete in a US Championship match at WM 27. So, is this the WWE's way of saying, "We're sorry"? I'm not sure about that, but this is still a match I am looking forward to. Even though most people say Sheamus should get the victory since he won the RR, I would like to see Bryan steal this one. I'm really enjoying Bryan as the champion. Not only that, but Bryan has been forcing AJ into more competition, as if he wants her to become the Divas Champ. I would like to see how far he can take that storyline. Besides, does Bryan stop saying, "Yes" once he loses the championship? Maybe it can lead to him buying one of those replica titles and pretending it's the real belt. It would be stupid, but at least he would have a reason to say YES. 

Who should win:

That's a tough one. Both guys have a strong claim to be the WHC. If I had to lean towards one, I would say Sheamus since I can see some people wanting to see a new champ. 

Who creative will pick:

Even though it's common for the RR winner to get the world title, it's not a guarantee. In fact, some RR winners ended up getting the world title at future PPVs. The last few RR winners didn't get the title at WM. Could Sheamus break that trend or will he join that list?

My final pick:

This one can go either way. At the moment, I will pick Sheamus. Still, I want to see Bryan win. That would mean Bryan and AJ will go celebrate…..YES YES YES!!!

Undertaker vs Triple H; Hell in a Cell match (Shawn Michaels as special referee)

A match that is getting a very mixed reaction. Casual wrestling fans seem to be okay with this match, but the IWC has been pretty vocal in not liking this idea. I'm somewhere in the middle. I like the idea, but I'm not "in love" with it as well. Then again, I always look forward to Taker's WM match. There is no WM without a Taker match in my eyes and I do want to see these matches. Hey, he only competes one time out of the year and I think that's the way it should go….ahem, STING. Anyway, I like to consider Taker, Mr. WM. Yeah, I know HBK has been given that title, but how can you not give it to Taker with his undefeated record? Taker IS WM. HBK has been very vocal with this match. In many ways, the story can be will Shawn call the match fairly or will he screw over Taker? For some reason, I can't help but think this match being the set up for something else. Think about it? Taker is undefeated at WM. Trips claims he knows what it takes to end the streak. Then you have HBK playing the middle man in all of this. I get the feeling that something else will happen down the road like a match between Shawn and Hunter or Shawn wanting to challenge Taker yet again, or maybe even a triple threat match. It's hard to put it into words, but you get the feeling that the storyline with this match will NOT end at WM 28 and it will be one of those things that will continue. In fact, you can say that this storyline has been going on since WM 25. Also, I can see some people not liking the HIAC idea. I know that HIAC matches have gotten pretty tame over the years, but I would like to think Taker and Trips will be able to make something happen. And I don't buy that argument that blood makes HIAC. I think you can make a great HIAC match WITHOUT blood. It's about the atmosphere the structure brings to the table, not the gore factor. Hopefully, WWE can give Taker and Trips a little bit of free range in the HIAC structure. If they don't, than bringing in the HIAC is a disappointing concept. 

Who should win:

WWE has also built up this storyline as if Taker has nothing left in the tank, thus making people believe the streak will finally end. That's not a bad selling point. Most Taker matches are about the individual trying to conquer the streak, but it's almost as if Taker is the one who has the most to prove in this match. From that perspective, I like that certain element in the storyline. Taker has the most to gain, but he also has the most to lose. 

Who creative will pick:

Like I said before, HBK being involved seems to set up the fact that a future match is on the way involving the Showstopper. Creative is leaning towards Taker, but Shawn's involvement can be very interesting for future events. 

My final pick:

It's a Taker match, so it makes the most sense to pick the Deadman in this occasion. The steak rounding out to a perfect 20-0. Seems appropriate. 

CM Punk vs Chris Jericho; WWE Championship

In many ways, this is the match I am looking forward to the most. Ever since the "It Begins" promos late last year into this year, I was hoping it would be Jericho and he would start a program with the Best in the World. Well, if you read my "It Begins" article back in January, then you would know that my original theory was correct. Punk and Jericho have cut some pretty good promos leading up to this match, but I can't help but think it could've been better. Then again, I blame that mostly on Rock and Cena. I understand that's the main event, but I think WWE focused too much on Rock and Cena and almost forgot about the other matches. Despite not getting a ton of screen time, Punk and Jericho have been able to make it work. The story started with the concept of who was the best. Jericho went out of his way to call Punk a Jericho wannabe since Punk and Jericho are similar in many ways. That might be true, but I think Punk has more than enough of his OWN characteristics to stand out. Since Jericho can be a master psychologist in the wrestling ring, he took a different approach to get Punk off his game. This has forced Jericho to go MacGyver on Punk and dig around for some dirt. Well, Jericho did cover up that Punk's father did have a drinking problem. The ironic part is that it's true. Punk's father really did have a drinking problem, but has since defeated his addiction. Although, I'm not sure about Punk's sister and mother. It could be real, but it can also be kayfabe. Punk has gotten very angry at the fact that Jericho is playing this type of card. I like this storyline/rivalry because it seems real. Sure, they used some real-life elements in the storyline, but it just feels real. Punk and Jericho have given some genuine reactions during this rivalry. I know some people are disappointed that Punk and Jericho didn't talk face-to-face for the last couple of weeks, but I think it makes the storytelling that much better. I know most of this is acting, but Punk and Jericho are giving some pretty convincing acting performances here, which is why this rivalry feels real. Cena can learn a thing or two from Punk and Jericho, since both can give some pretty good acting. I'm still waiting for CM Punk: The Movie. It will be a classic. Most people don't like how the rivalry was brought about, and I do admit that this rivalry didn't get enough screen time going into WM, but I still think they did a decent job in making this match work. I think this will be one of the best wrestling matches of the night. Yeah, people will talk about Rock and Cena for years to come, but I think Punk and Jericho will put together one of the best WRESTLING matches at WM 28. Potential show stealer right here. 

Who should win:

The storyline has been set up for Punk to overcome all the harsh things Jericho has said about the Straight Edge Superstar. I would like to see Punk win, but I don't want to see this rivalry end at the same time. I think it would be great to see Punk and Jericho compete in a gimmick match at a later PPV. 

Who creative will pick:

Creative has a good idea how long Jericho will be sticking around. Yeah, there have been reports that Jericho will stay on between blah, blah, blah to beeble blabble, but how much can you trust those reports? If Jericho is willing to work 3-4 matches with Punk, he might take the title at WM. Then again, he can always steal it at the rematch. There is plenty of options here.

My final pick:

"Best in the world" or "Best in the world at what I do"? For the time being, I'm going with Punk to retain his championship, in what should be a great match. 

The Rock vs John Cena

The match that has been talked about for the last year. I'm gonna go ahead and get this out of the way. This match has been overhyped. I think most of you can agree to that. I'm still looking forward to the match, but you can't doubt the fact the match has been ridiculously overhyped. I think the match will be talked about for years to come, but it's might be impossible to match the hype. Hype hype hype hype hype….I better stop. I'm still feeling the effects from the previous Falcon Punch. You gotta watch out for those things. As far as the match goes, it's a clash of two different eras of pro wrestling. Most people have their own reasons for siding with who. People side with Cena because he never left the business and vows he will remain with WWE. The Rock left for Hollywood, so some view Rocky as a traitor. Many people have expressed why so-and-so should win. I've heard some people say Rock should win since it will open the door for Cena to change his character. It's a long-shot since I have a hard time buying WWE doing a major change with Cena's character, but Cena losing this match would definitely open the door. Remember when Rock defeated Hogan back at WM 18? The Rock left the business for a while, but returned and came back as a heel. He even expressed the reasons for his character change is because the people turned on him when they were rooting for Hogan. I can actually see Cena doing the same thing…..sort of. Cena seems okay with the fact that people love and hate him. Some people want to see Rock win because they WANT to see a change in Cena's character. I do admit that I grow tired of Cena's character. There are times in which I like it, but then he shows up with that smile. You know which smile I'm talking about. I bet many of you want to slap that smile off his face. Now, I don't want to dive into all the contributing factors for people not liking Cena. Believe me, we'll be here all day if I did that. The list ranges from him winning all the time, to Super Cena, to his repetitive matches, and a bunch of other reasons. The argument for Cena winning is people will view it as a passing of the torch. Similar to what Hogan did with the Rock at WM 18. At the same time, I don't completely buy that. Remember when Hogan went up against Shawn Michaels? If you went by the logic of the legend passing the torch to the current talent, HBK should've won the match. Oh, but that's not what happened, did it? Yeah, so don't be surprised if Rock comes out the victory for this match. Oh, and if you're gonna ask me which team I am on, don't even bother. I respect what both guys bring to the business and I do look forward to this match, but I'm not really one of those guys who will pick a side. When I watch wrestling, I'm really just looking to be entertained. If you pick a side, that's cool. I definitely don't have a problem with that. In fact, I encourage it. Yeah, I allow a lot of free range on this page, but that's because I don't take things too seriously and I'm just here to have some fun. Well, looks like I trailed off again. I gotta stop doing that. You can also make the argument that Cena needs this victory since he didn't compete in the same era as the Rock. I can actually agree with that argument…..to some degree. Anyway, this match has been talked about so much for over the last year, so I don't think there is anything new that I can add to it. Most of what I talked about is stuff I have written in past reviews. 

Who should win:

Cena has the most to gain for this victory. Rock will go back to Hollywood and be drinking some coffee on the set while Cena will continue to work for WWE. Hmmm….is there a way we can work a trade? I'm just kidding…..or am I….

Who creative will pick:

Well, if we knew that, would we be doing this match? Anyway, let's ask the anonymous Raw GM…..

Never mind. 

My final pick:

Since I heard the match was going to happen, I assumed that Cena would win the match. Even though there are plenty of people who want to see him lose and get a character change, I think they are passing the torch this Sunday. Regardless of who wins, I can safely say that people will be happy, angry, sad, depressed, and excited for whoever wins the match. That's a guarantee. 

And that FINALLY does it for the WM 28 Rundown. Damn, this was a long article. This was probably the longest article I have ever written. That's why I released it in two parts. I just think it would've been overkill to put the entire thing on one page. Overall, I'm pretty excited for WM 28. I like this card a lot more than WM 27. I actually looked back at WM 27 and I don't think its aged well. That's not a good sign for a WM that only happened a year ago. Hopefully, this can be one of the better WMs as of late. I'm not saying we have had bad WMs for the last decade. We have had GOOD WMs during that time, but we haven't had too many GREAT WMs. I really hoping this can be one of the great WMs when it's all said and done. Well, I better wrap this up because we have gone on way too long now. That's going to do it for the rundown and I hope you enjoyed me. Tell me what YOU think will end up happening at WM 28. Also tell me how you feel overall about WM 28. I will see you guys and girls on the next WrestlingNerd show. See you next time.