WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton (c) vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan
It's a match all three men have to win, and no man can afford to lose. For Bryan, this match is about honor and pride, looking to once and for all settle the score. Keeping mentally focused will be key as he feels his way through the opening minutes of this triple-threat, brawling with Orton and pummeling Batista with kicks and multiple elbow strikes. Wrestling extensively in Japan and Britain, and through the indies from Full Impact Pro to Ring of Honor, Bryan has proven to be a hybrid, and this match-up will be no different as he adapts his style to the extreme violence we can expect from the Animal and the Viper. Like the legendary Harley Race, Orton knows how to dictate the pace of a match -- even a three-way -- and will dominate Bryan with a series of jumping knee drops before catching Batista in a well-time rope hung DDT. Keeping Batista grounded will be both Orton's and Bryan's strategy. Batista will fight back though, tossing Bryan and Orton around like rag dolls, demonstrating his phenomenal strength and aggression before Bryan comes back with a running big boot. The emotionally charged audience should be at a fever pitch by the time Bryan hits a high knee from the ring apron on Orton on the floor. By the 20-minute mark, it becomes evident we're watching the match of the year as Bryan evades both an RKO and a Batista Bomb, before delivering a series of European uppercuts followed by running knees to the head of his downed opponents. Reversal after reversal, two count after two count, Bryan will eventually knock Batista over the top rope crashing down to the floor giving him just enough time to catch Orton in the Yes Lock as the fans erupt. Can Bryan capture gold at WrestleMania? The answer, I believe, is a resounding YES. It's time. After a spectacular and highly emotional roller coaster ride, Bryan makes Orton submit at the 32-minute mark to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, ushering in a new era in professional wrestling. Winner: Daniel Bryan
Marshall Ward is an arts, music, entertainment and professional wrestling writer based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. A weekly columnist with the Waterloo Chronicle newspaper, Ward is also a contributing writer for Rock Cellar Magazine and has interviewed everyone from William Shatner to Olivia Newton-John to Ringo Starr. Email is welcome at marshall_ward@hotmail.com.
