Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 6:39 AM EST

Since this one is the grand daddy of them all, so to speak, and since there actually is A LOT OF MATCHES, especially for a WWE pay per view, I thought it best to get the picks out early, also to provide my loyal comrades the chance to debate my completely off the wall opinions with my picsk for Wrestlemania 22.

Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle in a Playboy Pillow Fight

A little eye candy for the grand daddy. Honestly, this one is about as sensible as the Torrie/Sable vs. Jackie/Stacy deal from Wrestlemania 20, when Torrie and Sable were in Playboy. There is no sense to it. Both ladies are incredibly goregous, this one will be fun on the male eyeballs, but from a traditionalist's perspective, there is no reason for this match. You have no cruiserweight title match because of Gregory Helms' injury, but you have this match. What about a cruiserweight battle royale or something to that effect in place of something like this?

WINNER: Candice Michelle

The Boogeyman vs. Booker T. & Sharmell in a Handicap Match

Booegyman is going to squash Booker T. As sad as it may be for Booker T's career to be putting over the rookie, there is no other way of getting this one done. Sharmell is going to end up in some form of precarious situation, force Booker's hand, and Boogeyman will take the dupe. Boogeyman may be, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the most bizarre gimmick ever to appear at a Wrestlemania.

WINNER: The Boogeyman

Trish Stratus defends the Women's Championship against Mickie James

I think honestly the tenure of Trish Stratus ends here. She needs to develop an edge in a big way and become the chaser. James has been nipping at Trish's heels, and other parts of her anatomy for almost six months, with little to show for it. Nobody else is nearly as talented a wrestler as James, which two exceptions. Lita, who is ensconced in the Edge storyline, and Victoria, who has had multiple chances, and failed each time since Stratus came back. Like what happened with the WWE title, and Cena's loss to Edge to build up some fan support, I think that the Women's title needs the same type of infusion.

WINNER: New Champion Mickie James

World Tag Team Champions Kane & The Big Show defend against Carlito & Chris Masters

In the next year or two, both Carlito and Masters will be involved in main event style matches at Wrestlemanias. Now, they are the victim of what would likely to be the biggest ass kicking on the planet. Kane & Show have been given the push as invincible champions, and I don't see the Master Piece or the man from the Caribbean being able to slow down the train that is the World Tag Team Champions. Kane & Big Show in an intense war.

WINNERS: Kane & The Big Show

Chris Benoit defends the United States Championship against John Bradshaw Layfield

This one will be a intensity filled battle from the opening bell. Layfield, if healthy, can give Benoit a run for his money. If his hand is healed up 100%, the chances of a title change here are slim, but not totally out of the realm of possibility. The storyline here has been good in its buildup, and honestly, this is a pick em match. I am a huge Benoit mark, and I am going to pick him for more fan reaction than analytical thought. I think JBL may end up going for the World title in the next couple of months if/when Batista either regains it, or whomever takes it out of Wrestlemania.

WINNER: Chris Benoiit

Edge vs. Mick Foley in a Hardcore Match

What can be said? Both men are hardcore veterans. Foley, if he can reach in to the Cactus Jack days, and bring out some of the bumps of his prime can make this match a must see. If Foley shows his age, then this is going to flop in a big big way. Edge, as much as I hate him from a character perspective, can get hardcore in a hurry, and I am going to pick him here, for one simple reason. Youth over age. I think this one was a transition feud for Edge to get him eventually back in to the WWE title contention, or perhaps a transition to Smackdown in the future for competition for the World title...Foley does not have the damage suffered to his status in the company that Edge would if he lost this match. Also, I think WWE will begin to promote Edge's undefeated Wrestlemania Record once Undertaker retires or loses at this pay per view.

WINNER: Edge

The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry in a Casket Match

Ok, someone explain this to me. Henry returns, injures Batista to the point he has to relinquish the World title, and he is rewarded with a world title program with Kurt Angle, and a main event spot in Wrestlemania against the Undertaker. Where is the logic here? Where is the reason? This match sickens me, because there is such a high risk of Henry botching a spot here and injuring Undertaker to the point of nearly no return. How's this for a resume, Injure Batista, Kurt Angle, and the Undertaker in the span of six months, all from botched moves...

It's entirely possible that Taker could lose this match, or his career, and that, I think is a risk WWE should not be making. I'm going to pick the Taker, but this match really scares me, and it disgusts me in the same sense.

WINNER: The Undertaker

In the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Raw vs. Smackdown, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, & WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin will compete against Smackdown's Fit Finlay, Bobby Lashley & Matt Hardy

Heart says Flair wins, and gets one more shot at the top of the mountain. Finlay and Lashley will probably cancel each other out from the intense war they have had on the blue & white. I don't expect Matt Hardy to play a major role in this contest, I am honestly kind of surprised he's in it. Shelton in the MiTB veteran, having competed in last year's, and I expect he to take the lead in this contest for the most part. However, the more likely scenario is to have the extreme competitor, RVD take the dupe for this contest, and hereto cash in his shot at the ECW PPV. It allows WWE to finally kill ECW if they decide they need to, or to almost allow ECW to be reborn once again, especially if RVD would be successful in winning this match, and then the forthcoming title match.

Ok, it's a stretch, but it's a worthwhile stretch, isn't it?

WINNER: Rob Van Dam

BTW, I got that idea from an email from one of my readers. Unfortunately, it's not in front of me, so I can't credit them, yet.

In a No Holds Barred Match, Vince McMahon meets Shawn Michaels

I can summarize this match in one word.

Yawn.

Ok. Couple of things. First off, as a preface to the brass of Wrestleview, I apologize for what I am about to say, but this is an opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

It is so obvious who should appear at this match, and already the speculation is running rampant that he's gone as soon as the HoF is done. Can someone be a little more cynical? Maybe, just maybe, after nearly 10 years, it's time to drop the grudges and the bad feelings. I know the business took a turn for the surreal and the stupid back in 1997, but it's 2006. Is it possible you could move on? And don't tell me that anyone has, because if you read the article I did, nobody's moved on, they're just jockeying for a paycheck, that's all.

Now, back to the lecture at hand, if the chips fall as they have been written, Shawn will win the match. Vince knows not to put his ego over his talent, and Shawn is one of his best. Without the addition of the outside element, this is going to be hell on earth for Shawn, but somehow he's going to find a way to pull it off. I'll pick him for now, but this match has the possibility to either be a yawner from the word go, or something that is liable to make me madder than a wet hen on steroids for the next six years. Oops, did I say steroids? Sorry, not talking about baseball here.

WINNER: Shawn Michaels

As I travel to the main events, one question arises. Why doesn't MNM have a challenger for the WWE tag team titles?

For the World Heavyweight Championship, Kurt Angle defends against Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton

Orton needs to be destroyed in this match. The bull-S angle with him disparaging Eddie Guerrero, and slinging his name through the mud, I don't give a damn if it was approved, vetoed, or whatever, is offensive, wrong, and disgusting. Now, with that said, Rey Mysterio needs to let him go. He needs to fight his own fight, and win this one, as this one pales in comparison to the Royal Rumble with the importance factor. One on one, this is a pick em between any of the three talents. All three together, it's impossible to choose. I think, however, you're going to see the former champ, Batista get involved in some way, and allow Kurt to defend, so that Kurt can face Batista in a true title match to determine the World champion. Another stretch, but it's feasible, I would think.

WINNER: Kurt Angle

Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna be rooting for Rey Mysterio. But, Angle is so experienced in these types of matches, it's so hard to pick against him.

For the WWE Championship. John Cena defends against Triple H

You have the babyface champion who half the world hates, and the heel challenger who nobody wants to see take the title back. Me, I see a nearly even matchup. Strength is almost even. Experience obviously goes to the Game. Stamina is nearly even. Quickness is a slight edge to the champion. As a brawler, it's definitely even. The one aspect of this contest, on paper, where H has Cena beat is his strategy. H could out think the champion out of his boots, and that is not an insult to the champ, because he has grown considerably in his in ring strategy. Honestly, I am looking forward to this one, and it doesn't bother me who wins or loses. H is worthy of the shot, he's waited his turn, and the time is indeed right for the King of Kings to return to his throne. Whether or not he does at this shot, or perhaps down the line, is another matter.

Anyway, war. War will envelop the Wrestlemania crowd with this one, as I would suspect a much better, more crisper contest out of these two combatants than what occurred during the champ's first title win over JBL at last year's Wrestlemania. And, as much of a fan as I am of Cena, and believe you me, I am going to be rooting for him tooth and nail, I gotta pick the Game. I think Cena right now would do more good as a chaser of the title, and not as a defender. Triple H would cement his position back as the top heel of Raw, and nearly of WWE, and the rest would fall in to place. Besides, can we forecast who would be next? Not really. So, either which way, whomever wins, there is more than likely more shots for the loser in the forthcoming PPVs.

WINNER: New Champion Triple H

Man, did that hurt for me to write that.

Ok. Debate time. I"ll read everything, I'll do my best to publish what I can. I'll reply to as much as possible. Here's how to reach me.

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Till next time, ladies and germs....

Beaucoup Cenabling!