Powell Editorials Powell's Editorial: WrestleMania 25 preview and predictions - Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title, Edge vs. Big Show vs. John Cena for the World Hvt. Title, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels By Jason Powell Apr 5, 2009 - 12:27 PM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing The following article features WrestleMania 25 predictions. These picks are not based on inside information. I'm guessing just like you are. Check back tonight for my "Live Coverage" of the show. Plus, Dot Net Members can listen to my audio recap of the show with former WWE creative team member Seth Mates, plus a second audio recap with Rich Twilling late tonight. To sign up for the ad-free version of the site and gain access to all WrestleMania audio for only $5 per month, visit the Dot Net Members' Signup Page. WrestleMania 25 is finally here! For all the justifiable complaints about the build to this year's WrestleMania, one of the fun things about this show is that I don't feel like I know what the outcome of the majority of the matches will be. There's more mystery to the match outcomes than in year's past, which will make each near fall that much more fun and believable. As always, check back tonight for Dot Net "Live Coverage" of the show. Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Title: The obvious outcome would seem to be Hunter goes over on Orton to avenge everything Randy has done to his family. However, I'm going against the grain and picking Orton to get his second WrestleMania title win in a row. This should be his WrestleMania moment. It will be interesting to see whether WWE abandons its usual formula of sending the crowd home happy by having Orton win to close the show. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels: Jerry Lawler referred to this match as The Streak vs. Mr. WrestleMania during last night's WWE Hall of Fame. By the way, kudos to The King for setting the tone last night and generating the WrestleMania feel that's been missing from so much of the buildup. The build for this match has not been an issue. It's been outstanding and it seems like most people view this as the true main event of WrestleMania. Shawn will still be Mr. WrestleMania when he loses the match, and Taker's streak moves to 17-0 on the big stage. Edge vs. Big Show vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat for the World Hvt. Championship. I can't remember the last time I've been so uninspired by a WrestleMania World Title match. The awkward blend of soap opera and comedy that existed throughout the build the for this match failed to capture the spirit of WrestleMania. That said, I think people will be pleasantly surprised by this match, as it's sure to be better than the recent singles matches we've seen from these competitors on television lately. I'd love to see Edge retain and I'm not ruling out a surprising Big Show win, but if I were a betting man I'd put my money on Cena to capture the title. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy in an Extreme Rules match: Lousy build. I've noted previously that all the other stars crossed the brand lines to promote their matches, but Jeff appeared on Raw once, and Matt never got a chance to hype his match on the flagship show. I've been really disappointed with the buildup for this match, but I'm sure these two will tear the house down and deliver a memorable match. One can only assume that their both more motivated than ever to deliver on the big stage given how disappointing the build has been. I'll take Jeff to win, but Matt does something afterward to get his heat back. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Finlay vs. C.M. Punk: I've complained enough about the lineup for this match. There's one more base wrestler than needed in this match, but I'm sure we'll get plenty of innovative MITB spots. MVP doesn't need the win because he's already the U.S. Champion. Shelton is a legit candidate to win. However, I'm going with Christian. Vince may not see him as a main event star, but that doesn't mean he won't give him a chance to step up. If Christian does win this match, I'll really be pulling for Edge to retain to set up some interesting storylines between the longtime tag partners. Christian stole some TNA shows with his innovative, high risk spots, so don't be surprised if he is the architect for something big in this match. Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy Snuka in an elimination match. We know Mickey Rourke will be sitting in the front row. We know Ric Flair will be at ringside. What we don't know is whether Steve Austin will make an appearance and dish out a Stunner or two to Jericho. Here's hoping Austin, who was awesome at the Hall of Fame, shows up along with the rest of the Class of 2009. I'll take Jericho to win, only to be humiliated by the legends afterward. As history has shown us, it's nothing his character can't bounce right back from. 25-Diva Battle Royal: It's a fun spectacle match with some names from the past showing up to participate. No word yet on whether Trish Stratus will be one of Divas from the past making a surprise appearance. She'd be an obvious candidate to win if she shows up. If not, then I'm sticking with my hope that Santino somehow becomes Miss WrestleMania. The victory celebration would be off the charts. JBL vs. Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title: The buzz is that this will be the opening match on the show. It will be interesting to see whether the Texas crowd cheers the hometown JBL, who has been promising some type of memorable WrestleMania moment. Retirement and/or a move to the broadcast table is a possibility. Logic tells me that Rey, who just beat JBL on Raw, won't make it two wins in a row. Screw logic. I'm taking Mysterio to win and get the show off to a hot start. John Morrison and The Miz vs. Primo and Carlito in a lumberjack match for the WWE and World Tag Titles: Want to get depressed? Take a look at some of the talent that will be wasted in a lumberjack role during this match. How could they not have Evan Bourne or Jack Swagger working actual matches? Bourne and should-be long-term rival Tyson Kidd would have been great in the MITB match. That said, I expect Bourne to get one big spot in this match. I'd prefer a straight up match between these two teams minus the lumberjacks and the Bellas, but I still expect this to be a fun match. I'll take Miz and Morrison to unify the tag titles. If they lose, it could be a sign that they'll be split up at the draft. Don't forget that you can watch along with me via my "Live Coverage" report tonight, or just check in for the results as they happen. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) (or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store) FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!) FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!) CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell Editorials Latest Twelve Articles TNA Impact Hitlist: Hulk Hogan hype, Kurt Angle and A.J. 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