WrestleMania XXVI match-by-match recap

WWE delivered a solid show with WrestleMania XXVI. Chris Jericho retained his title while John Cena became the new WWE Champion. Jack Swagger surprisingly pulled down the briefcase to become Mr. Money in the Bank and The Undertaker retired Shawn Michaels. Below is a match-by-match look at the card.

The Undertaker defeated Shawn Michaels in a No-DQ, No-Countout Streak v. Career Match
It isn’t often when a match as hyped as this lives up to the talk. But the rematch between HBK and ‘Taker certainly did. I don’t know if it was as good as their original encounter at WrestleMania XXV but it was definitely the match of the night.

The Undertaker suffered a kayfabe leg injury early in the match, which allowed even more for the possibility of Shawn Michaels ending the streak. Michaels was tombstoned on the outside of the ring and then kicked out of another tombstone in the ring. After Undertaker yelled at Michaels to stay down, HBK gave him his own trademark throat slash gesture, which incensed the Undertaker, who then delivered a jumping tombstone for the victory after about 23 minutes.

After the match, Undertaker and Michaels embraced, and the crowd chanted for HBK as he saluted them, walking up the ramp with tears in his eyes. I doubt this is really goodbye for Michaels, but he will almost certainly not wrestle until at least SummerSlam. Even then, he’ll be on more of a limited, big time appearance schedule.

WWE WrestleMania XXVI preview and predictions

The biggest spectacle in professional wrestling, WrestleMania, is just two days away. WrestleMania XXVI airs live on pay-per-view this Sunday, starting at 7pm EST. The build for the show has been great and this is one of the better overall cards in recent ‘Mania history.

Below is a preview and predictions for the 10-match event. Leave your own picks in the comments section!

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Edge v. Chris Jericho (C)

Edge pretty much has to win this match based on the way he stormed back at the Royal Rumble. But the build for this has had Edge coming out on top in most of the interactions between he and Jericho, making me think Y2J could keep the belt and extend the feud. Since I have to pick, though, I’ll go with Edge becoming the new champ.

Streak v. Career Match
Must win by pinfall or submission
The Undertaker v. Shawn Michaels

As much as the outcome of this match is obvious, I wouldn’t be shocked to see ‘Taker’s streak end at the hands of The Heartbreak Kid. But we all know Michaels is going to take his usual summer vacation from the ‘E, meaning The Undertaker‘s streak lives on. WWE’s Creative Team has done a nice job of making us believe it could be otherwise, though.

Thoughts on Money in the Bank match now including 10 participants

Michael Cole announced during the broadcast of WWE Superstars that the Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania will now feature 10 participants. One of those will be revealed (if you haven’t read the spoilers already) tonight on Smackdown and the final contestant will be determined on this Monday’s Raw.

The obvious choice would be Kofi Kingston. He has nothing lined up for ‘Mania and put on a nice performance in last year’s MITB contest.

But I could also see WWE’s creative team going in a different direction, giving the final spot to one of Cody Rhodes or Ted DiBiase, freeing up the other man to go one-on-one with Randy Orton in a WrestleMania singles match.

If I had to bet on it, I’d pick Kofi as the final man, but the Rhodes-DiBiase idea is an interesting tidbit to chew on while we wait for Monday night to get here.

A lot of people are complaining that there will be 10 wrestlers in the MITB match, but I don’t mind. It’s always a spotfest anyway, so why not toss a few more guys in there? It doesn’t say much for WWE’s creative plans, since they’re likely amending this match at the last minute, but we’ll see what happens.