* SPOILERS * This article contains spoilers regarding this week's Smackdown tapings. With just two full weeks before Wrestlemania descends upon the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the Road to Wrestlemania truly ratcheted up a notch this week, with The Rock and Cena getting musical, CM Punk and Chris Jericho getting personal, and HBK getting tuned up.
The Rock vs John Cena
In the last edition of the Road to Wrestlemania 2012, I suggested that after their two previous meetings, John Cena had gained the upper hand over The Rock with his much more effective promos and apparent ability to cut through The Rock's catchphrases. Predictably, this was met with much condemnation. As neither of them are particularly my favourite wrestler, I am simply calling it as I see it, and with no loyalties involved, the simple fact is Cena has looked the sharper. This week on Raw, for some reason, each man was challenged to channel their grievances through their own musical 'talents'. The Rock would stage a rock concert, while Cena would bring back his Doctor of Thuganomics character and force us to sit through one of his infamously stuttering raps. Both had their moments, with Rock getting plenty of laughs from a receptive crowd, and even Cena getting some pops from his now typically hostile audience. Neither man particularly progressed their point, and there was nothing new to see here. We get it, they do not like each other, and they both cannot wait to beat the crap out of each other at Wrestlemania. I for one would quite like to see The Rock step into the ring, but it seems clear that won't happen. Even better, wouldn't it be great to genuinely see emotion spill over and one of them lose it, leading to a classic locker room brawl? Worrying rumours have surfaced this week though regarding The Miz. There is apparently talk that his current losing streak is all part of an angle, that will culminate on or after the big show. Any suggestion he may interfere in the match between The Rock and John Cena needs to be banished right now. This match has been given such a build that a finish as the result of outside interference would destroy any credibility. It is understandable that the WWE does not want to damage either man or make them look weak, but there are better ways to avoid that than having The Miz run down and get involved. Current prediction: Rumours of The Miz blur things a little, so perhaps a Rock win.
The Undertaker v Triple H - Shawn Michaels special guest ref.
This week saw a confrontation between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, who was last week announced as the special guest referee for 'Takers Hell in a Cell match with The Game. The two spoke about their history, and The Undertaker brought up HBK's insecurities about not being able to beat him. This lead Shawn to say how ironic it was that after all it could be him who ends The Streak. Taker retaliated by saying that if Shawn let his ego interfere with the outcome of the match, he would end him. When Shawn walked up the ramp, leaving The Phenom in the ring, out came Triple HHH, smirking as HBK walked past, before throwing a crotch chop in the direction of The Undertaker. A sign that Triple HHH believes he has HBK on side? Perhaps, or just a standard WWE bluff leading to the double twist that might see HBK take out his friend The Game so he doesn't have to see somebody else end The Streak when he could not. Current prediction: The Undertaker, with some involvement from HBK.
WWE Championship - CM Punk v Chris Jericho
This feud was taken to a new, intense level this week thanks to a few choice words from Jericho. I have to say, I am very much enjoying the personal battles that are being established for this year's Wrestlemania, with the heat between the Rock and Cena, the history between The Undertaker, Triple HHH and Shawn Michaels, and now the back and forth between CM Punk and Chris Jericho. Taking it to a personal level builds heat between the superstars, and makes it all the more believable that they might genuinely want to beat the hell out of each other come the big night. After CM Punk dispatched of The Miz on this week's Raw, Chris Jericho appeared on the big screen. He claimed he had some dirt on CM Punk and why he was straight edge, and ran his mouth about Punk's alcoholic father. Jericho said that after he beats him at Wrestlemania, he will drive him to drink and Punk will be nothing more than a pathetic drunk like his father. Punk looked visibly shocked, kayfabe at least, and walked off slowly, head down. If the story is true, I am amazed Punk let WWE use it for a storyline, but either way, it certainly created an animosity between the two wrestlers. On Smackdown, Jericho was in action against Sheamus. Prior to the match Jericho once again spoke about CM Punk's father, attempting to get the crowd to chant 'CM Drunk', though to no avail. This is a clever twist in the feud, really building the heat between them. It will be interesting to see how Punk responds next week, though I hope he does not sacrifice his usual wit and edge on the mic for the emotional, 'Cena-esque' reaction. Current prediction: CM Punk
World Heavyweight Championship - Daniel Bryan v Sheamus
Interesting that in a week when the other major feuds got a little personal, still we see nothing of the sort from Daniel Bryan and Sheamus. This is quickly becoming lost on the card, granted less attention even than the supposedly mid-card matches. Sheamus picked up another win on Raw, with a good showing against Dolph Ziggler, and then the camera panned to Bryan watching on, looking unimpressed, with his girlfriend AJ Lee. So far, so what? On Smackdown, Sheamus took on Chris Jericho. Mid-match, Bryan ran down, costing Sheamus the match when he was counted out after Bryan's beat down. But really, what is the point? Yes, we know Bryan does not want to lose his title, and we know Sheamus wants it. Give us something more WWE. Current prediction: Starting to lose any interest, but I still think Sheamus will be given his Wrestlemania moment.
Intercontinental Championship - Cody Rhodes v Big Show
Again, not a great deal to report on another match that is being swept out of the way at the moment. Cody Rhodes cut another promo ridiculing Big Show on Smackdown, before defeating The Great Khali, while Big Show squashed Drew McIntryre with his knockout punch. Pretty standard fare really, but I still expect this to be an enjoyable match on the night. Current prediction: Cody Rhodes retains.
Team Long v Team Laurinaitis
This match has now been officially set by the WWE Board of Directors, and each GM will pick six superstars, with the winner of the 12-man tag match taking overall control of both Raw and Smackdown. With Santino Marella, the US Champ, declared as the captain for Team Teddy, Laurinaitis put Santino into a handicap match against his own captain, David Otunga, and the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry. In the match, Long came out and shoved Laurinaitis over a chair at the announcer's table, before Henry eventually squashed Santino. Mark Henry was promptly announced as the latest member of Team Jonny, and along with Otunga he proceeded to continue the beat down on Santino. This in turn brought out Kofi Kingston, and then R-Truth, who were quickly granted a beating themselves. Kofi was announced as the latest member of Team Teddy on Smackdown, with Truth certain to follow, and later picked up the win over Otunga in a match-up. Meanwhile on Smackdown, Christian finally made his long awaited return to host a special edition of the Peep show, with Long and Laurinaitis as guests. Christian gave each GM the chance to convince him to join their team, eventually joining Team Johnny when the Raw GM offered him a title shot if he is victorious at Wrestlemania. With Santino, Kofi and R-Truth on one side, and with Christian and Mark Henry making up for David Otunga's many flaws, this could shape up to be an entertaining match and a good way to boost the mid-card. Talk is Alberto del Rio will return to join Team Johnny, and personally I hope he is joined by Dolph Ziggler, and probably Jack Swagger. The three members who will join Team Teddy are less easy to call, though it is worth noting both Zack Ryder and Justin Gabriel have put themselves forward. Ryder deserves his moment after a successful year, and I can see him getting the nod, along with perhaps a returning Rey Mysterio, whose presence is a boost to any match. Current prediction: At the moment Laurinaitis seems the more likely victor.
Randy Orton v Kane
On Raw this week, after Randy Orton picked up a convincing win over Jack Swagger and his music was playing, Kane's pyro hit but the man himself did not appear. Most likely this was just to keep the feud in people's minds, though clearly we were supposed to fear some sinister motive. On Smackdown things were made much more clear. Orton came to the ring and called out The Big Red Monster. When Kane came to the stage he showed a video from last year, when Kane was without his mask and faced Orton. Orton beat him, and then the two shook hands, a sign of respect between two faces. Kane says that however made him look sick and weak, and at Wrestlemania he will find closure. So with the match now official, this should be a good bout between two strong wrestlers and seasoned pros. The excuse for the match is tenuous at best, but if they can build up some apparent animosity between the two, it should still be a good ten minute contest. Current prediction: Randy Orton.