(March 13th, 2002) Hello, wrestling fans and welcome back for another dose of Ring Rust. Since we are a mere four days away from the biggest wrestling event of the year Wrestlemania 18, I would like to give my thoughts as well as predictions to this event. I will be giving you a match by match breakdown of who I think will win and why. Plus I will also give you who I would let win if I where in charge of the WWF storylines.
First off let me say I do think a couple of matches will be added to the card. Since this event is in Canada I would only imagine the WWF would find matches for the other Canadian born WWF superstars like Lance Storm and Test. Plus other fan favorite wrestlers like Rikishi, I personally think we will be seeing a Mr. Perfect vs. Rikishi match at WM18.
24/7 anyone? Don’t forget about the two time Hardcore Champion and every teenage girls dream (my wife included) Maven. The “Tough Enough” winner will shock the world again by beating Al Snow for the Hardcore Title on Smackdown this Thursday Night. This means we will likely see a Hardcore Match of some kind at WM18. I predict a Hardcore Match will take place several times over the course of the night in the Skydome and fought in all the venues throughout the arena. Well I’ve talked long enough let’s get to the predictions.

***Please note as of this time (03-13-02) there is only ten matches on the WM18 card***

Edge vs. Booker T

Who will win? Edge
Why? The people love to love Edge.
Who I would let win? Booker T
Why? Four words for you “Five-Time-WCW-Champion”. Plus I love the dreads.

Christian vs. Diamond Dallas Page for the European Championship

Who will win? DDP
Why? The fans will love seeing Christian become a big baby and throwing a fit after losing this match.
Who I would let win? DDP
Why? DDP could be a good face if used properly. Will the WWF ever figure this out? I doubt it. Vince “call me I could help ya out on this one”.

Kane vs. Kurt Angle

Who will win? Kane
Why? Kane has been the “Jobber to the Stars” the whole freak’n year. Even Vince knows Kane needs a good solid win.
Who I would let win? Kane
Why? Kane has done the “J-O-B” to everyone in the past year. Its time for the “Big Red Machine” to return and say goodbye to the “Soft Pink Vagina.”

Lita vs. Jazz vs. Trish Stratus for the Women’s Championship

Who will win? Trish Stratus
Why? Fans love her and she’s from Canada.
Who I would let win? Jazz
Why? She has the wrestling talent plus great heel heat. It would piss the crowd off and I love pissing people off.

Billy & Chuck vs. APA vs. Hardys vs. Dudleys for the Tag Team Championship

Who will win? Billy & Chuck
Why? Their hyping this match by saying how the tag titles has switched hands at the last two Wrestlemania’s. They want you to think that it will happen again. It’s a swerve the titles won’t change hands. The Dudley’s and Hardy’s have both been there and done that, the APA is too old and can’t hold water much less a good wrestling match. You know this and even Vince knows this. That is why Billy and Chuck will remain Tag Team Champions. Besides they’re what the Tag Team division needs two guys with great in-ring chemistry and Headbands!
Who I would let win? Billy & Chuck
Why? For all the reasons I mentioned above.

Ric Flair vs. Undertaker in a No DQ Match

Who will win? Undertaker
Why? Vince will help the Deadman beat Flair. This will cause the start of the “Roster Split Angle” in which both Ric and Vince will get their own weekly shows
Who I would let win? Undertaker
Why? Flair is the legend, but I’d like to see the powerful Undertaker of old return and get the outright win. If you don’t agree then answer me this. What benefit do you get by letting Flair win? Answer: None.

William Regal vs. Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship

Who will win? RVD
Why? It’s time to let cream rise closer to the top.
Who I would let win? RVD
Why? Regal’s style is old school (not that I mind it) but RVD’s highflying style will allow more excitement in the Intercontinental Division.

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Scott Hall

Who will win? Scott Hall
Why? He has Kevin Nash is in his corner and it’s time for Austin to lose a Wrestlemania. In addition someone from the nWo needs to win or else the build up was for nothing.
Who I would let win? Scott Hall
Why? Same as mentioned above.

Triple H vs. Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship

Who will win? Triple H
Why? Triple H’s story began last year when he tore his quad muscle and finished the match. Through hard work and a dedication he returned in time for the Royal Rumble. He won the Royal Rumble and now will be fully rewarded for his hard work by winning the Undisputed Championship at WM18.
Who I would let win? Chris Jericho
Why? I would shock the fans and let Jericho win. No ones aspects this to happen that’s why I would do it. I would let Jericho win and the next night drop the title to HHH on Raw.

Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock

Who will win? The Rock
Why? The Rock always loses at Wrestlemania (check the record book), so now finally the Rock will win the big one at WM19 in the biggest “Ego” match ever.
Who I would let win? Hollywood Hogan
Why? If you had to bring the nWo back you MUST establish them as Monster Heels, and Hogan’s the head monster. Plus this could set up a Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley at King of the Ring. The Battle to see who is the real “HHH”.

Well that’s my thoughts and the reason why I think this way. Next time I will look back at WM18 and we will see how accurate I really was.

Till next time you marks.

-Scott