An Early Look At WrestleMania XXVI
Where Will The WWE Be In A Year's Time?
WrestleMania XXVI will take place in Phoenix, Arizona on March 28, 2010, just under one year from now. It's impossible for us to know much about what to expect from it at this point; however, there's no harm in speculating. Here's a look at what we could see, starting at the bottom of the card, for all those WWE fans who are already looking forward to next year's event.
'Money In The Bank' Ladder Match - Mr. Kennedy vs Jack Swagger vs Rey Mysterio vs Matt Hardy vs Brian Kendrick vs John Morrison vs Umaga vs Shelton Benjamin
The 'Money In The Bank' match is traditionally used to put over a new star, and next year's match will have a host of possible winners. There are plenty of young stars in WWE desperate for a push at the moment - a match like this could be used to finally elevate Shelton Benjamin or Matt Hardy to main event status, or it could be used to launch the career of Jack Swagger or Brian Kendrick to the next level.
World Tag Team Championship Match - Edge and Christian (Champions) vs Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
Assuming the two Tag Team Championships remain unified from now on, it can also be safely assumed that Legacy as a unit will be pushed heavily over the coming year. With WrestleMania XXVI probably falling a little too soon for either Rhodes or DiBiase to take on their leader Randy Orton, winning the tag team titles from one of the greatest tag teams of all time would be a great WrestleMania moment for the two second-generation superstars.
Unified Intercontinental Championship Match - DH Smith (Intercontinental Champion) vs Kofi Kingston (United States Champion)
With the Tag Team Championships already unified, it is surely only a matter of time before the two midcard titles are also unified. This match would be a great way to put over these two young talents, by giving them a chance to showcase themselves on the Grandest Stage Of Them All - DH Smith's rumoured call-up to Legacy is sure to happen soon, and Legacy are set to play a big part in the WWE's future over the next year or two.
Loser Leaves WWE Match - Batista vs MVP
With Batista rumoured to be looking to retire from wrestling in a year or so, this match would provide the perfect send-off for him. It would serve as a vehicle to put over MVP - who is sure to turn heel again sometime soon, as he is far more effective that way - and MVP's mic ability would be able to carry Batista to a decent feud.
Falls Count Anywhere Match - Evan Bourne vs Chris Jericho
Another feud that would serve to put over a young star, this match would surely be a show-stealer. Jericho's expertise would bring on Bourne in leaps and bounds, and his mic ability would ensure that the audience were hooked into a feud that could launch Bourne to the next level. The stipulation on this match would surely allow for some impressive acrobatics from Bourne.
Straightedge Rules Match - Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk
Now, this one may seem a little odd, but bear with me. CM Punk is set to turn heel over the next few months, if rumours are to be believed. If he does, a feud with Jeff Hardy seems perfect for him. Their in-ring styles would suit one another, and their gimmicks are almost polar opposites. Punk's desire to prove that he doesn't need weapons or ladders to beat Jeff would lead to a match based around proving who is the better wrestler, with rules limiting rope breaks available and strict enforcement of disqualification and count-out rules. This gimmick match could catch on for Punk if brought in regularly.
Kurt Angle vs Randy Orton
With rumours abounding that former Olympic Gold Medallist Kurt Angle will return to WWE when his TNA contract expires this September, next year's WrestleMania would be his first since leaving the company in late 2006. A match against Orton would surely be a classic, and with Orton's Legacy faction surely reaching their peak by this point, a babyface Angle could set about taking them down.
World Heavyweight Championship Match - John Cena (Champion) vs The Undertaker
Title vs Streak - we've seen it before, but we all knew how it would end. John Cena, however, is the only man with a realistic chance of breaking The Undertaker's now 17-0 WrestleMania unbeaten streak, and a title match between the two at WrestleMania XXVI could blow the roof off the University of Phoenix Stadium. Surely an all-time great WrestleMania moment in the making.
WWE Championship Match and Shawn Michaels' Retirement Match - Shawn Michaels (Champion) vs Triple H
With suggestions that Shawn Michaels is considering retirement from wrestling at next year's WrestleMania thanks to his deteriorating physical condition, he will surely choose to wrestle longtime friend Triple H in his last match. We've seen this match many times before - however, a new twist on it would be to give Michaels one last WWE Championship reign going into the match, and focus the angle around HBK's quest to be the first man to retire as WWE Champion. Another epic WrestleMania match for Michaels, and a deserved retirement ceremony to boot.
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