This is fairly difficult to do, because with injuries, uncertainty about Superstars futures, and Vince changing his mind more then my wife changes clothes, looking over a year in advance is difficult to do. And as much as I hate playing the prediction game, this seems harmless enough. So in no particular order of importance, I'll justify them as best I can.
1. Chris Jericho vs Randy Orton: This is a match that has to happen, and could make for a great Wrestlemania match if built properly. It seems all but certain that Jericho will NOT be back for this year's Wrestlemania, so keeping him "on the shelf" until next years Royal Rumble could even do the trick. There's a built in storyline with Orton taking Jericho out, so a Jericho return at the Rumble to cost Orton the title would make for great drama. WWE hasn't shied away from going "to the vault" with the Punk/Orton feud, and Im glad they haven't. This was a more recent event, and certainly would be priority number one for Jericho upon returning. Im betting he will, and this match happens.
2. CM Punk(C) vs John Cena(WWE Title): Punk is going to win another title in the next year, be sure of that. WWE has been pushing him as the top heel on the Raw brand, even above the champion Miz, in my opinion. I don't see any reason why that won't continue. I don't see Randy Orton being successful at destroying the entire New Nexus, as I see Mason Ryan staying with Punk for some time until he's less green in the ring. As we've seen in the best, large bodyguards with top heels = championships, and I believe that time will come for CM Punk. Cena and Punk feuded briefly this year, but it never took off. I believe it will once Punk ios wearing gold, and it won't be as a transitional champion this time. Based upon the limited work we've seen between the two in the past, they work well together. Cena, much to my delight, will be in the championship picture every Wrestlemania, so this seems like a natural fit between two men who have yet to have a long feud.
3. John Morrison(C) vs Sheamus US Title: I love both these guys, I really do. I just believe Sheamus stock has dropped considerably, and Im not convinced he'll rise up out of his upper mid-card status of now. As for Morrison, I'm convinced that the numerous "close pushes" he's received are as good as it gets for him, and he's not destined to headline a Wrestlemania. Both of these men's best work has come against each other, so I expect US Champion John Morrison to enter WM 28 with a match against Sheamus.
4. The Miz vs Daniel Bryan(Loser Leaves Raw): How many times does a man have to get jumped from behind before he's had enough? Im going to guess "many more", and it will lead up to the arrogant Miz claiming the show isn't big enough for the two of them. Bryan won't dodge a challenge, and the match will be made. They'll play up the whole mentor/mentee relationship from the past, once again dipping into the video vault. We may see this match again next week even, but another 20 minute match between the two could be even better then their previous encounters. This isn't a donwgrade for either man, but will allow one to move to Smackdown and into the main event scene there.
5. Edge(C) vs HHH, World Heavyweight Championship: You don't really think HHH is returning simply for a match so he can retire, do you? If so, youre quite silly! Either the streak will be broken, unfortunately, or Hunter's career won't be on the line. I'm guessing the latter. This match to me is quite the stretch, not because I can't see it happening, but the possible ramifications of it. Im going to go out on the furthest limb in my backyard and say this match will be to determine the first 17 time World Champion, to break Flair's record. It wouldn't be a stretch for HHH, but it would mean Edge winning 5 more titles within the year. Well folks, he's won 11 since 2006 despite missing almost 2 years with injuries, so theoretically it could happen. The best part? Both men have safely moved into "iconic" status that neither has to be the heel here. HHH wins the Rumble, which leads to great, emotional promos of the importance of breaking Flair's record leading up to what I would think would be a great match.
6. Kurt Angle vs The Undertaker: Shawn Michaels, Triple H. Two of the biggest names in the business, both of which Takers squared will have squared off with at the past 3 'Mania's. Despite all his "love for Dixie", I do expect Angle to return for one last run when his contract expires this August. And outside of Cena, he may be the biggest name Taker has yet to face at WM, and worthy of being the one Taker goes to 20-0 against. They've had two of the greatest matches of their respective careers against each other, and they could do it one more time. Angle returns as a heel, and after failed attempts to win the World Title, he costs Undertaker one himself. Simple, but effective. There's not many men Taker has yet to face at Mania, and unless theyre ready to pull the trigger on one of the largest heel turns in wrestling history with Cena, those two shouldn't face off at WM. Angle is more then suitable enough instead, and I do believe he'll return and get the "HBK schedule".
7. Rey Mysterio vs Alberto Del Rio: With rumors a'plenty that Rey will be leaving WWE when his contract expires next year, this could be a career match. Rey has already given Del Rio a rub, but their feud ended very anti-climatically last year. I see no issue with them resuming it sometime in the next year after Del Rio wins the title this year. The feud between the two was always bigger then any title, and it could be again. Del Rio's not going to main event every Wrestlemania, and what better match, in possibly his final WWE one, then against Rey? I can't think of one.
8. Money in the Bank 2012: I don't expect them to drop this match in 2011, and even if they do, people will be clammoring for its return come WM 28. They'll get their wish. With men switching positions via the draft in mind, Ill say Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, Sin Cara and Wade Barrett round out the Smackdown side, while Christian, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, and Ted DiBiase round out the Raw side. Oh, and Barrett wins this.
9. Awesome Kong vs Natalya: With the possibility of Kong not debuting until after Wrestlemania a very real possibility, this is a match that could very well wait until WM 28. I fully believe they took the title off Natalya not to make her look like another Diva, but to protect her from being squashed by Kong upon her debut. I expect Kong to run roughshod over the Diva's division until she finds herself facing Natalya. The soon to be most dominant champion in WWE history vs her toughest challenge to date.
10. Kane vs Mason Ryan: Ryan has an impressive look, but he's still green in the ring. I expect that to change over the next year, and Ryan's matches, while sporadic, will lead to bigger and better things for him. Kane will be even closer to his career's end then he is now, so I don't expect any huge plans for him. He would be a nice rub for Ryan though, and possibly allow Ryan to move into the main event picture.
That sounds about right, as Wrestlemania is generally a larger card then the other PPV's because of the extra hour. Expect the pre-show battle royal to give the undercard guys a Wrestlemania payday. Like WM 27, there's no match that feels extraordinary here, but many solid matchups that could go either way for the most part. If there was someone I left out, it's not really because I left them out. It's because I don't care enough about them. I still feel this is a solid card, with a few reaches, but the most part very palpable.
