Post by EoE: Well There's Your Problem on Jan 13, 2013 22:19:50 GMT -5
(Slightly rambly, but I think you guys will make sense of it)
I know some aren't interested in the World Heavyweight Championship picture because (apparently) WWE doesn't think it's important anymore, but I'm finding myself quite intrigued by the possibilities in the lead-up to WrestleMania. While the WWE Championship picture looks locked up between Rock, Punk and Cena at least until the summer, it could very well be open season for the big gold belt in comparison...
Alberto Del Rio - The current World Heavyweight Champion, but many aren't expecting him to even make it past the Royal Rumble as champion, let alone make it to WrestleMania, as he may just be a transitional face for Ziggler's cash-in. If he loses it at the Rumble, I'm not expecting him to be involved in the title chase beyond Elimination Chamber.
Big Show - At this time, he's the only guy that looks set to definitely get a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, with a rematch clause from losing it to Del Rio ready to go. Whether or not he wins it back any time between Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber is the key to all the rest of the challengers. Win in that time, and it opens up things for Ryback, Sheamus and maybe Orton, especially if they win the Rumble. Lose, and it brings Ziggler's cash-in back into play, which could also open it up to Bryan if Ziggler is successful. However, the much-expected Ryback match could happen without the title though, as it's pretty much expected for the "WrestleMania Moment" of Ryback hitting the Shell Shock on the biggest guy in the company, so the only way I see Big Show being champion going into WrestleMania is if Ryback wins the Rumble.
Sheamus - I think he's probably the favourite to be involved in the WrestleMania title match, although it probably won't be from winning the Rumble. "18 Seconds" hurt him more than it did Bryan, and he was the guy that WON, so I think this would be a make-good showcase for him to win the belt back over either Big Show or heel Orton.
Randy Orton - It's a pretty safe bet that Orton could be involved heading into WrestleMania. He's a company favourite and a crowd favourite, after all. Not to mention that news sites have been making rumours that he'll be there as part of a possible heel turn. However, I think it all depends on what happens with Sheamus, his rumoured opponent. If Sheamus wins the Rumble, Orton would be a favourite for winning the title in the Chamber.
Ryback - While he's been a contender for the WWE Championship for months now, many are saying that he's losing momentum in not picking up that gold (right, never mind all that outside interference and corrupt refereeing, it's obviously Ryback's fault). And those same people would likely say that going for the World Heavyweight Championship would be a downgrade for him. Well, there are good arguments on both sides as to why it is and it isn't, but all I know is that I wouldn't bet against him should he have the shot come WrestleMania, especially should Big Show be champion again walking in to MetLife Stadium. I doubt that his feud with The Shield will still be going by then anyway.
Dolph Ziggler - The wildcard, bitches. No one has held on to the Money In The Bank briefcase this long since Edge won the very first one and kept it for a tick over 9 months, even though he's tried many times to use it. Now, with AJ Lee by his side and Big E Langston watching his back, it seems to me that it's only a matter of time before Mr. Ziggles cashes in and wins the belt. When this could happen, only he knows... Royal Rumble? Elimination Chamber? Maybe WrestleMania itself? But, he does have poor records against nearly all the other contenders...
Daniel Bryan - He'll probably only come into the equation should Ziggler be the champion going into WM, either as a dark horse pick for the Rumble or by winning a No. 1 Contender match elsewhere (I don't see him winning the title in the Chamber match). There's a great story for Bryan ready to be told should the cards fall into place with redemption for "18 Seconds" and a chance to get one over on his ex AJ for dumping him at the altar at the top of that list... and that could be the thing that finally gets him back into full "YES!" mode.
Kane - At best, I probably only see him as a warm body for the Chamber match and maybe as an ally for Bryan to counter Big E should Bryan end up with a shot at Ziggler. But he's worth mentioning.
Of course, there are other factors, like a guy winning the Royal Rumble and going for the WWE Championship, or whether or not a multi-man match happens over a singles match, to take into account. But for a belt that is apparently worth nothing, there could be a lot of people who want the damn thing.
I know some aren't interested in the World Heavyweight Championship picture because (apparently) WWE doesn't think it's important anymore, but I'm finding myself quite intrigued by the possibilities in the lead-up to WrestleMania. While the WWE Championship picture looks locked up between Rock, Punk and Cena at least until the summer, it could very well be open season for the big gold belt in comparison...
Alberto Del Rio - The current World Heavyweight Champion, but many aren't expecting him to even make it past the Royal Rumble as champion, let alone make it to WrestleMania, as he may just be a transitional face for Ziggler's cash-in. If he loses it at the Rumble, I'm not expecting him to be involved in the title chase beyond Elimination Chamber.
Big Show - At this time, he's the only guy that looks set to definitely get a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, with a rematch clause from losing it to Del Rio ready to go. Whether or not he wins it back any time between Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber is the key to all the rest of the challengers. Win in that time, and it opens up things for Ryback, Sheamus and maybe Orton, especially if they win the Rumble. Lose, and it brings Ziggler's cash-in back into play, which could also open it up to Bryan if Ziggler is successful. However, the much-expected Ryback match could happen without the title though, as it's pretty much expected for the "WrestleMania Moment" of Ryback hitting the Shell Shock on the biggest guy in the company, so the only way I see Big Show being champion going into WrestleMania is if Ryback wins the Rumble.
Sheamus - I think he's probably the favourite to be involved in the WrestleMania title match, although it probably won't be from winning the Rumble. "18 Seconds" hurt him more than it did Bryan, and he was the guy that WON, so I think this would be a make-good showcase for him to win the belt back over either Big Show or heel Orton.
Randy Orton - It's a pretty safe bet that Orton could be involved heading into WrestleMania. He's a company favourite and a crowd favourite, after all. Not to mention that news sites have been making rumours that he'll be there as part of a possible heel turn. However, I think it all depends on what happens with Sheamus, his rumoured opponent. If Sheamus wins the Rumble, Orton would be a favourite for winning the title in the Chamber.
Ryback - While he's been a contender for the WWE Championship for months now, many are saying that he's losing momentum in not picking up that gold (right, never mind all that outside interference and corrupt refereeing, it's obviously Ryback's fault). And those same people would likely say that going for the World Heavyweight Championship would be a downgrade for him. Well, there are good arguments on both sides as to why it is and it isn't, but all I know is that I wouldn't bet against him should he have the shot come WrestleMania, especially should Big Show be champion again walking in to MetLife Stadium. I doubt that his feud with The Shield will still be going by then anyway.
Dolph Ziggler - The wildcard, bitches. No one has held on to the Money In The Bank briefcase this long since Edge won the very first one and kept it for a tick over 9 months, even though he's tried many times to use it. Now, with AJ Lee by his side and Big E Langston watching his back, it seems to me that it's only a matter of time before Mr. Ziggles cashes in and wins the belt. When this could happen, only he knows... Royal Rumble? Elimination Chamber? Maybe WrestleMania itself? But, he does have poor records against nearly all the other contenders...
Daniel Bryan - He'll probably only come into the equation should Ziggler be the champion going into WM, either as a dark horse pick for the Rumble or by winning a No. 1 Contender match elsewhere (I don't see him winning the title in the Chamber match). There's a great story for Bryan ready to be told should the cards fall into place with redemption for "18 Seconds" and a chance to get one over on his ex AJ for dumping him at the altar at the top of that list... and that could be the thing that finally gets him back into full "YES!" mode.
Kane - At best, I probably only see him as a warm body for the Chamber match and maybe as an ally for Bryan to counter Big E should Bryan end up with a shot at Ziggler. But he's worth mentioning.
Of course, there are other factors, like a guy winning the Royal Rumble and going for the WWE Championship, or whether or not a multi-man match happens over a singles match, to take into account. But for a belt that is apparently worth nothing, there could be a lot of people who want the damn thing.
