* SPOILERS * With Wrestlemania 28 just round the corner, feuds went into overdrive this week to cement there heat as they go into the big show. Chris Jericho continued to dig into CM Punk's shady family life, while The Rock delivered a thunderous statement in front of John Cena, and there was an in-ring confrontation between The Undertaker, Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Oh and there is going to be a Divas match for you to go to the toilet or get a drink on the night.
The Undertaker vs Triple H - Hell in a Cell
This week on Raw the three protagonists involved in this match-up, The Undertaker, Triple H and special guest referee Shawn Michaels, were finally in the same ring to confront some of the issues blighting the build up to their match. The Heartbreak Kid kicked things off, talking about always stealing the show at Wrestlemania and how he enjoys being able to end an era. He was quickly interrupted by The Undertaker, who said again how much the match needs to be fair, before he too was interrupted, by The Game. Triple H and The Phenom discussed their entwined history with Hell in a Cell (they have been in 19 of 24 HiaC matches), and how they will both sacrifice it all to win. Same old really, they both really want it, and they have both been around ages, we get it. As Taker went to leave the ring, he stopped and asked Triple H if he remembered when he said HBK was the better of the two, before reiterating that sentiment, leaving HBK and The Game to stare each other down in the ring as The Phenom walked away. It is plain WWE wants to keep the fans guessing as to who HBK might screw out of the victory, but it is still so hard to envisage The Undertaker losing his streak to Triple H.
Current prediction: The Undertaker.
John Cena vs The Rock
Earlier in the week John Cena was involved in a minor car accident, which must have sent fevered panic throughout WWE creative as they battled with the realisation that without Cena Wrestlemania was suddenly not the stacked card it is now, and that the match that has taken a year to build would be off. Thankfully for them Cena was unscathed and will still compete on April 1st. Tonight he would face Mark Henry, but first there was a video from The Rock out in Philadelphia with the Rocky statue. He talks about his Wrestlemania history, cuts a scathing promo on Cena, before promising that he will be at the arena soon enough. In his match-up with Mark Henry, Cena as always played the face in peril, took a beating, before turning up Super Cena and somehow delivering an Attitude Adjustment to the World's Strongest Man for the pin and win. After the match, out came The Rock, who rushed to the ring, delivered a Rock Bottom to Henry right in front of Cena, before he marched back up the ramp. Make of it what you will, it looked good, was the first action we've seen from The Rock, and at least was a change from their insult swapping. Talk is that next week Cena and Rocky will get physical to take them into Wrestlemania, which will perhap give us a hint of who will take the win on the night.
Current prediction: The Rock.
CM Punk vs Chris Jericho - WWE Championship
After Jericho stung Punk last week by talking about his alcoholic father, Punk took to the ring to say he does not hide anything, and is here for the whole world to see. He said he sees that Jericho is trying to get in his head, but that if there is a monster inside him, he will let it out at Wrestlemania, and that he will prove he is the best in the world. Claiming his father overcame his alcoholism, Punk said he is proud of his father and the fact he is straight edge. After an impassioned and as always engaging promo, Jericho came on the big screen, live on satellite, and apologised for bringing up Punk's father last week. Jericho claimed he would never talk about his father again - however his sister was another matter. Claiming she has a substance abuse problem, Jericho said it is inevitable Punk will end up like the rest of his family, and that at Wrestlemania he will make Punk drink. This got Punk truly riled up, who shouted a number of things that were bleeped out by the censors, before walking away up the ramp. On Smackdown CM Punk was in a tag match, picking up the win over Daniel Bryan and The Miz thanks to his partner Sheamus. The build between Punk and Jericho is reaching boiling point, creating real heat between the two, that should take their already highly promising match to the next level.
Current prediction: CM Punk.
Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus- World Heavyweight Championship
This week on Raw, Bryan picked up a win over Zack Ryder, while Sheamus defeated The Miz. No interaction between the two again. On Smackdown, Bryan came out to some serious heat, which intensified when he insisted his girlfriend AJ explain why she loves him. I love where they are going with Bryan's heel persona, and think he is well worth his title run. Sheamus interrupted and declared he would win at Wrestlemania. Later Sheamus and CM Punk beat Daniel Bryan and The Miz in a tag-match when Sheamus pinned The Miz after delivering the Brogue Kick. If only WWE had let these two men build this feud properly. I think with Bryan's obnoxious, weasly heel persona, and Sheamus as the brutish, passionate Irish brawler, Bryan could have wound Sheamus up week in-week out, always avoiding any beatings from the Celtic Warrior, until he had no escape at Wrestlemania. But instead there is no build, and we will have to settle for a decent wrestling match and little else.
Current prediction: Sheamus.
Cody Rhodes v Big Show - Intercontinental Championship
The feud between Rhodes and Big Show was given some serious push this week, with Cody Rhodes gaining the upper hand on both Raw and Smackdown. Big Show faced Kane on Raw, with Rhodes coming out to ring side before the bell and showing another video mocking Show's Wrestlemania history. During the match Rhodes distracted Show, allowing Kane to deliver a chokeslam from the top rope and take the win. Afterwards, Rhodes knocked Show down with the Beautiful Disaster, before handcuffing him to the ropes. Putting on boxing gloves, Rhodes re-enacted the scene when Floyd Mayweather Jr beat Big Show at Wrestlemania. A good show of Rhodes getting to the World's Largest Athlete, and Show took a real beating before finally being cut out. On Smackdown, Big Show again faced Kane, and Rhodes again interfered, leading to Show chasing Rhodes off through the crowd. The feud has been built nicely after the two were seemingly thrown together, and Rhodes should get the win to cement his Intercontinental Championship legacy.
Current prediction: Cody Rhodes
Team Laurinaitis v Team Long
In the week, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger were added to Team Laurinaitis, joining David Otunga, Mark Henry and Christian. Ziggler had to be on the card somewhere and always guarantees a wrestling clinic, so hopefully he will be given a substantial role in the outcome of the match. Team Johnny is looking strong, with rumours that Alberto del Rio will be the final member. On Raw, Otunga got the win over opposing team captain Santino Marella, whilst Ziggler and Swagger beat Kofi Kingston and R-Truth to take a dominant position for Team Jonny. On Smackdown, after Mark Henry squashed R-Truth, Teddy announced Zack Ryder and The Great Khali as the two latest members of his team. Ryder has had a good year and deserves his spot, and one can only assume Khali is there for his size and to negate that of Henry. Ryder went on to beat Swagger later in the night. Later, The Great Khali faced Ziggler. With Christian on commentary, Laurinaitis and Otunga joined Ziggler, while Teddy and Santino came down with The Great Khali. A quick call for the bell from Laurinaitis allowed Ziggler to apply the sleeper hold and take a quick win. When Teddy restarted the match, Kofi and Santino tossed Ziggler back into the ring, where he received a chop from Khali. With one more member to join each group, this should be an entertaining match that could perhaps be a solid opener to the card.
Current prediction: Team Laurinaitis.
Randy Orton v Kane
Other than a promo from Orton about how and why he would beat Kane, there was not much between the Viper and the Big Red Machine until Orton crept in after Kane's match with Big Show on Smackdown and delivered a RKO. Not much to add really, but I still think this will be a solid match on the night.
Current prediction: Randy Orton.
Kelly and Maria Menounos vs Beth Phoenix and Eve
Well it was inevitable I guess, that a Divas match would be thrown together, with the token celeb in the mix too. Apparently this has been played out in the media and there is a reason for this match, but I have struggled to find anyone who knows or cares. Toilet break I think.
Current prediction: I will make it to the toilet and back in the time this match takes.