skysports.com's WWE expert previews Wrestlemania XXIV and tells you which way the bouts will go.
WRESTLEMANIA XXIV PREDICTIONS
This Sunday night at 1am on Sky Box Office the wait is finally over for Wrestlemania XXIV.
After his 100% success with eight out of eight correct predictions for Wrestlemania XXIII, Sky Sports' Wrestling Expert Richard Parr examines this year's card and predicts who will be leaving the Citrus Bowl victorious.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
RANDY ORTON (c) v TRIPLE H v JOHN CENA
After making his shocking return at the Royal Rumble, John Cena failed to capitalise on banking in his WWE title opportunity early at No Way Out. The crafty Champion Randy Orton got himself purposely disqualified to keep hold of the belt.
On the same night Triple H defeated 5 other Superstars in the Raw Elimination Chamber to become the number one contender to face Randy Orton at Wrestlemania XXIV. One night later at Raw, John Cena turned the Wrestlemania Main Event into a triple threat by defeating Randy Orton (with Triple H as guest referee).
Over the past few weeks each combatant has got the one-up on each other but in the end all that matters is whoever's hand will be raised in victory at the Citrus Bowl.
Prediction: This is very, very tough. Orton has been unstoppable since he became Champion in October at No Mercy. John Cena has won the last two Wrestlemania Main Events against Shawn Michaels last year and Triple H the year before. But Triple H missed last year's event due to injury and this maybe a key factor which will take him to victory.
'The Game' has admitted how difficult it was for him to watch last year's event and the defeat to Cena two years ago will still be hurting the 'King of Kings'. The atmosphere will be electric for this bout and Triple H is likely to be the fans' favourite. Wrestlemania normally sends the fans home happy and they will be if Triple H is victorious.
WINNER: Triple H
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
EDGE (c) v THE UNDERTAKER
The Undertaker has one of the best records in all of sport with his undefeated 15-0 record at Wrestlemania. After winning the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out the 'Phenom' now has the chance to make it 16-0 and to become the World Heavyweight Champion for a second consecutive Wrestlemania.
Edge has also never been pinned nor has he submitted at Wrestlemania. He only lost last year at Wrestlemania 23 when a psychotic leap by Jeff Hardy dismantled 'The Rated R' Superstar so that he could no longer continue.
Prediction:If bookmakers took bets on wrestling matches the book would be closed on this bout. Edge is likely to come very close to winning and may get a lot of assistance from his Edgeheads: Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. However The Undertaker is unstoppable at 'Mania and I would be shocked if he doesn't leave Orlando as the new World Heavyweight Champion.
WINNER: The Undertaker
WRESTLER v BOXER
THE BIG SHOW v FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR
The World's largest athlete against the World's greatest fighter. Wherever Floyd 'Money' Mayweather goes controversy follows. Arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer, Mayweather let the Big Show feel the force of his lightning fast punches when he defended his pal Rey Mysterio at No Way Out.
The Big Show then laid down the gauntlet to the WBC Cruiserweight Champion by challenging him to a match at Wrestlemania which Mayweather duly accepted.
At 250lbs difference in weight and a foot difference in height The Big Show towers over Floyd Mayweather but like his fight with Ricky Hatton, the boxer has been running his mouth and playing his mind games.
Prediction: Will this provide a Wrestlemania moment? It's hard to tell particularly as we don't know what type of match it will be. Will it be like Mr T v Rowdy Roddy Piper at WM2 or like Lawrence Taylor v Bam Bam Bigelow at WM11, or will it be like Rocky Balboa against Thunderlips in Rocky 3?
Mayweather's posse could play a factor, as they did standing up to the Big Show's colleagues on Raw. But even with the size difference, with a record of 39-0 in professional fights, depending how the match plays out, I believe that Mayweather will slay the giant.
WINNER: Floyd Mayweather
FLAIR RETIREMENT MATCH
RIC FLAIR v SHAWN MICHAELS
The night before Wrestlemania XXIV Ric Flair will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame but one day later he may wrestle in the last match of his career. When Ric Flair returned to the WWE in November Chairman Vince McMahon told the Nature Boy that the next time he lost he would be forced to retire.
Having defeated Randy Orton, Triple H, MVP and Mr Kennedy since then, Ric Flair handpicked his opponent for the Citrus Bowl: his friend Shawn Michaels. Describing the Heartbreak Kid as "unbelievable", Flair wants to put his ability to the limits against 'Mr Wrestlemania'.
Prediction: This is likely to be a very emotional match. Flair will showcase many of the traits which have made him one of the greatest wrestlers for over four decades. Nonetheless Michaels really is Mr Wrestlemania and is known to steal the show and on Sunday night he will likely end the career of the great Ric Flair.
WINNER: Shawn Michaels
MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH
CM PUNK v MR. KENNEDY v SHELTON BENJAMIN v CHRIS JERICHO v CARLITO v JOHN MORRISON v MVP
The Money in the Bank Ladder Match returns to Wrestlemania for its fourth consecutive year. Once again it includes 7 superstars from all 3 brands. The winner is the Superstar who climbs the ladder and collects a briefcase hanging over the ring. Inside the briefcase contains a contract stipulating that the winner of this match can have a title match at any time of his choice within the next 12 months.
Prediction: One of the toughest matches to predict. Last year Mr Kennedy won the match but wasted his opportunity for a title match when he lost the briefcase to Edge. Had Jeff Hardy still been in the match I would have banked on him. It could be one of the seven but despite his lukewarm return to the WWE I'll stick my neck out with the recently crowned Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho.
WINNER: Chris Jericho
PLAYBOY BUNNYMANIA LUMBERJACK MATCH
FEATURING SNOOP DOGG
MARIA & ASHLEY v BETH PHOENIX & MELINA
This year Maria becomes the latest Diva to grace the cover of Playboy magazine. She joins an alumnus which includes Ashley and Candice Michelle. Initially Candice was supposed to tag with Maria but following an injury and surgery to her clavicle, Ashley will now take her place in the match. Together at Wrestlemania they take on the Women's Champion Beth Phoenix and Melina.
With a ring surrounded by all of the other WWE Diva's, a Master of Ceremonies was required and who better to take control of a group of gorgeous Divas than Snoop Dogg.
Prediction: Women's Champion Beth Phoenix has dominated every Diva who has stood in her way and I can't see anything changing at Wrestlemania. Had Candice Michelle still been in the match Maria's team would have had a better chance. It will be a gutsy display from Maria and Ashley but the power and technical ability of the Glamazon and Melina will be too much.
WINNER: Beth Phoenix & Melina
RAW v SMACKDOWN
UMAGA v BATISTA
Ever since the brands split in 2002 brand superiority has raged throughout the WWE. In the latest battle for dominance Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero challenged the Raw General Manager William Regal to pick a Raw Superstar to face a Smackdown Superstar of her choice at Wrestlemania XXIV.
Regal accepted and chose the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga. Only a few days later Batista stepped forward to represent Smackdown to face the super-heavyweight.
Prediction: I don't normally like to bet against Batista but I think now might be the time for Umaga to step to the next level. During his WWE career the Samoan Bulldozer has destroyed many opponents with ease except when he has faced the WWE's top tier of talent. Pay-per-view defeats to John Cena, Bobby Lashley and Triple H have shown Umaga needs a little bit more craft in the ring to reach the upper echelons of the WWE. Batista's last two Wrestlemania matches have been for the World Heavyweight Championship. With no title at stake 'The Animal' may not have the same motivation which could give Umaga the perfect opportunity for a massive victory.
WINNER: Umaga
BELFAST BRAWL
FINLAY v JBL
Finlay and 'John Bradshaw Layfield' are both used to fighting and it will be no different at Wrestlemania XXIV when they face off in a Belfast Brawl. Finlay will be looking to exact revenge against JBL for attacking Hornswoggle.
JBL had revealed Vince McMahon was not the father of Hornswoggle but that it was actually Finlay. JBL has continued to torment Finlay and Hornswoggle but at Wrestlemania XXIV all the frustrations will be released in the Citrus Bowl.
Prediction: This will be a brutal encounter and could perhaps be very bloody as well. Both of these Superstars love a good scrap and I think that's what we will see. Unfortunately for Finlay, JBL has one joker in his deck with the fact that he will more than likely be assisted by Mr McMahon and when you "cross the boss" the consequences are often devastating.
WINNER: John "Bradshaw" Layfield
ECW 24 MAN BATTLE ROYAL
24 SUPERSTARS FROM RAW, SMACKDOWN AND ECW
ECW General Manager Armando Estrada announced that at the 'Granddaddy of them all' 24 Superstars from all three brands will compete in an over-the-top rope Battle Royal. The match will appear on wwe.com just prior to 'Mania. The winner will then battle Chavo Guerrero for the ECW Championship, live on Sky Box Office.
Prediction: Well thanks to this match it looks like my 100% record is definitely out of the window! This will be very difficult to pick particularly as there are quite a few huge Superstars such as The Great Khali, Big Daddy V, Kane and Mark Henry. But I will plump for one and I think Kane will go on to face Guerrero.
WINNER: Kane
ECW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CHAVO GUERRERO (c) v WINNER OF THE BATTLE ROYAL
Chavo Guerrero became ECW Champion in January but at Wrestlemania he will not know who his title match is against until the winner of the 24 man Battle Royal is declared.
Prediction: Chavo Guerrero may not know who is opponent will be but he will have the advantage of being fresh. His opponent will have gone through 23 Superstars before even facing the ECW Champion. Guerrero is a wily ring veteran and that will help him reclaim his belt.
WINNER: Chavo Guerrero
