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The Katz Files – Arnie Katz

Who Will Steal the WM 25 Show?

The Kingfish Arnie Katz warms up his crystal ball will a look at which WrestleMania 25 match will “steal the show.”

One of Shawn Michaels’ many nicknames is “The Showstoppa.” You could apply it to Vladimir Kozlov, too, but in HBK case, it’s a positive thing. <pre than once, Michaels has risen up from the upper mid-card to help deliver an outstanding match that becomes the show’s most memorable contest.

Michaels has the chance, working with Undertaker, to do the same at this year’s WrestleMania. Will he steal the show or just give us a good, enjoyable match? That’s the subject of today’s column: my predictions about which match, or matches, will steal the show.

First, it must be said that every match has the potential to be the show-stealer. That said, some are likelier candidates than others. So here, in ascending order of probability, are the matches most likely to steal the show at WrestleMania/

The 25-Diva Battle Royal

This is the least likely entry in the “steal the show” sweepstakes. I’m not sure if even the spontaneous eruption of girl-on-girl love could elevate this above the level of eye candy and a nice opportunity for a food run and bathroom break.

Chris Jericho vs. The Legends

It’ll be nice to see the golden age grapplers, though not in terms of their actual ring work. If there’s a show stealer here, it’ll depend on Mickey Rourke. He’s a certified loose cannon, so it is possible that he will rush to the ring and take out Jericho with a Cross Body from the top rope! That would certainly be a highlight reel clip, but it still probably can’t turn this into the “match of the show.”

John Bradshaw Leyfield vs. Rey Mysterio
Intercontinental Championship

The Cowboy Financier has promised to do something historic. What he does has a lot to do with how the match goes over with fans. He might retire from wrestling, he could trash can the belt after beating Mysterio or he could try to remove Rey’s mask. If he unmasked Rey Mysterio, beat him to retain the title and then retired with it in his possession… that might make this recycled contest sit up and sing.

Edge vs. John Cena vs. Big Show
World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match

Fans expect this to be one of the best contests at WrestleMania and they are pretty sure to be right. I don’t think this will be quite as good as the other major singles title match.

Triple H vs. Randy Orton
WWE Championship

With these participants and the big build up behind it, this match should be the best at WrestleMania. The surprise will be if it isn’t. That means it would take a real shocker to put this over as the show-stealer. If they think Cena winning and doing a spot with Vickie is the answer, I respectfully say that I don’t agree. This will be an A-/A match, but not the surprise hit.

The Colons vs. The Miz & John Morrison
Tag Title Unification Match
Lumberjack Match

I’m not sure a lumberjack match can be the match of the card. They’re interesting enough, but somehow, they always seem to have a low upside. The heels should win a very entertaining victory, but it isn’t going to be the highlight of WM

Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy>

Jeff and Matt could certainly produce a match that would have fans shaking their heads in wonder and gabbing about it for weeks. It probably won’t happen, though, because that wouldn’t fit the overall plan for WrestleMania.

The brother-versus-brother feud has not really caught fire with the fans. There are a lot of reasons, which would make an article in itself, but the bottom line is that there’s not much heat here.

WWE bookers may well tell the Hardy Boys to do “good, but not too good” so as not to take the spotlight away from the contests with greater meaning and impact.

The Money in the Bank Match

The ladder match for a title shot is always exciting and could well steal the event from the WWE and World tilts. A Christian victory might push it over the top. The more likely outcome, a win for Shelton Benjamin, probably won’t excite fans too much.

Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker

This match is perfectly set up to be the show stopper. The build-up worked well and fans are primed for this clash of popular wrestlers. Since Undertaker is virtually certain to keep his streak, the match will have to give Shawn Michaels room to look fantastic in defeat. The combination is my pick as the most likely to steal the show.

That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another installment f the Internet’s fastest=rising daily wrestling column. I hope you’ll come back and join me – and, please, bring your friends.

— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
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