WrestleMania: 26 days away

Weekly recap:

It's starting to pick up a bit. More matches are coming together. There's finally some continuity from Elimination Chamber with Christian making the save for Edge (again) at the end of this week's SmackDown. And the feud between John Cena and The Rock continues to gain steam.

Announced WrestleMania matches:

WWE Championship: The Miz (c) vs. John Cena

It seems fairly evident that The Rock will be getting involved with the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania. Not sure exactly what else his official duties are as the guest host of WrestleMania. It also seems evident that The Rock has lost a step when it comes to trash talking. Cena has out talked The Rock twice now. And thumbs up to The Miz for jumping Cena at the end of his promo. The main event for WrestleMania is Miz vs. Cena, not Cena vs. The Rock. Let's have a little respect for the champion.

Predicted % chance of winning: Cena (75%) - Miz (25%)

World Heavyweight Championship: Edge (c) vs. Alberto del Rio

It really seems like they're going to put Christian in this match. They're just taking their sweet time. First, they tease Christian's return for next week's SmackDown, but instead have him do the save that same night. Then they tease Christian vs. del Rio on RAW last night, only to have Christian go through del Rio's NXT rookie first. And del Rio jumps Christian afterwards. So maybe Friday, they'll let Christian and Edge hash it out and finally elevate Captain Charisma to the main event. Cross your fingers.

Predicted % chance of winning: Edge (60%) - del Rio (40%)

The Undertaker vs. Triple H

Build up is slow. All talk, no action. But this should still be a good one.

Predicted % chance of winning: Undertaker (100%) - Triple H (0%)

CM Punk vs. Randy Orton

Orton beat David Otunga this week to bar him from ringside at WM. He also punted Otunga which is an automatic two or three weeks on the shelf in WWE storylines. Orton only needs to beat Mason Ryan next week to have a honest to goodness one on one match with Punk at WM. At this rate, it looks like the rest of Nexus may not get to have a match at WrestleMania which would be a shame. Give Punk a little more time with this group before he goes solo again.

Predicted % chance of winning: Punk (50%) - Orton (50%)

Jerry "The King Lawler" vs. Michael Cole with Jack Swagger in his corner -- Special Guest Referee Stone Cold Steve Austin

The set up for this one was brilliant. Cole announces that a returning JBL will be the special guest ref for his match. Instead, Austin interrupts, delivers a Stone Cold Stunner to JBL, drinks some beers, and signs the referee-ing contract himself. More beers, dumps some beer on Cole, more beers. Classic Austin. Heads up Jack Swagger. Expect to receive a Stunner of your own at WrestleMania.

Predicted % chance of winning: Lawler (90%) - Cole (10%)

Rey Mysterio vs. "Dashing" Cody Rhodes

The challenge was issued by Rhodes. This is a very high profile match for him so it looks like WWE may be pushing him post-WrestleMania.

Predicted % chance of winning: Mysterio (40%) - Rhodes (60%)

Possible WrestleMania matches:

The Big Show and Kane vs. The Corre

So the Kane vs. Big Show match this week on SmackDown broke down after The Corre gave Kane a chair. Kane, being who he is, promptly hit Show with it and got DQed. Enter The Corre. They proceed to beat down Show for a bit, but as Show fights back, Justin Gabriel gets knocked backward into Kane. Turns out Kane doesn't like being run into, even accidentally. Chairshot for Gabriel and The Corre goes running. So now Kane and Show stand in the ring together but not really united. If you remember, the Kane and Big Show tag team was virtually unstoppable back in 05-06. So maybe they join forces for one night and face The Corre in a handicap match.

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Sheamus laid out the challenge on RAW that if he couldn't beat Daniel Bryan for the United States Championship next week, then he would quit. So guess what? Sheamus will be the next US Champion next week and maybe Bryan will invoke his rematch clause at WrestleMania. I think I'd rather see Intercontinental champ Kofi Kingston come over from SmackDown and challenge Sheamus and then they can have a unification match at WrestleMania.

WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2011:

• Shawn Michaels
• Hacksaw Jim Duggan
• Bullet Bob Armstrong
• Sunny

In addition to HBK, Duggan, Armstrong, and Sunny have been announced as inductees to the Hall of Fame. Duggan is an interesting choice. I doubt anyone is thinking to themselves "Wow, what an obvious pick for the Hall of Fame", but he was certainly a loyal employee and fairly entertaining wrestler. But that's not necessarily Hall of Fame credentials. But if Koko B Ware can be a Hall of Famer, anyone can. Don't know much about Armstrong and WWE didn't even bother to show his induction video last week. It's nice to see that Sunny is getting inducted. For many years in the "New Generation" era of WWE (circa WrestleMania X thru 13), Sunny was of the only women in WWE and she deserves recognition.

Who needs a WrestleMania dance partner?

• John Morrison
• R-Truth
  
• Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston
• All the Divas
  
• Drew McIntyre
• Ted DiBiase
• Dolph Ziggler
• Mark Henry
• Santino Marella
• Vladimir Kozlov

Again, no real feuds building for Morrison or Truth. I'm a little afraid that instead of adding Christian to the World Championship match, they'll have him enter a feud with Drew McIntyre. Not the worst thing in the world, but it's no main event. See you in a week!