The finale to Raw last night was awesome, even though I was kicking myself for not writing here earlier that I believed Shane and Vince were going to assist Triple H in some way against Orton. Of course, I thought it would be a Wrestlemania surprise, which is why I was planning to wait until I posted my preview of that match either Friday or Saturday. Oh well.

At least I got one prediction in, and way ahead of time! Go back to December in my archives and you will see that I thought way back then that Matt was the attacking Jeff. When I checked, I saw I did not write then that I thought it would be Wrestlemania match, but that is what I thought we were leading up to...

So, Hardy v. Hardy... Extreme Rules Match... All I can say is THIS IS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME MATCH! I mean, the Hardy Boyz were Team Xtreme. Even though Matt, older by three years, is cartoonish as a villain, when the boys get in the ring, all hell is going to break loose, and we are going to forget how bad their video promos were.

My only concern is that this match will have a lame ending in which no one is declared winner because they make up before the end of the match. I almost think that if there is a winner, it would have to be Matt, so that perhaps there is a conclusion- he's finally gotten the physical advantage over his little brother-, because usually Wrestlemania is the conclusion to storylines. Right? Maybe we do need the lame ending... only after each are beaten to a pulp.

The Hardys are known for their wild stunts in ladder matches, and hopefully there will be some ladders left over for them from the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. In case you have been sleeping in a dark cave with Bret Hart in Canada for the past four years, The Money in the Bank Match gives the winner (who must be the first to climb a ladder to reach a suitcase suspended above the ring) the opportunity to face any World Title holder at any time in the next year.

The eight contenders are Christian, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, Finlay, Kane, MVP and Kofi Kingston. I think Shelton Benjamin will have the most impressive and memorable performance in this match, and perhaps he will win, but I just think he will be the distraction. There are only three men who I really think one of which will win- Christian, CM Punk and Kofi Kingston.

Kofi is my least likely of the three to win, but I think he could be the surprise choice to get a push over the next year. CM Punk could win because, as I said in a previous post, they didn't give JBL the Intercontinental Championship for nothing. And Christian, well, is sneaky enough to take advantage of situations and because he didn't come back to the WWE for nothing. Christian showed in TNA he could be a main event wrestler, and he has to be promised that opportunity in the WWE for him to be here. (Jeff Hardy came back from TNA three years ago and since was given a several title shots and eventually won the WWE Championship last year.)

The Undertaker has never lost at Wrestlemania, but "Mr. Wrestlemania" thinks he can be the one to break the Deadman's 16-0 streak. Here's my comparison of the two:

"Are you fifty?" a twosome once asked dX members Triple H and Shawn Michaels, and I wouldn't be surprised if they said the same thing about this match-up. But, neither Taker or HBK are 50, and in fact, there is no age advantage since Taker just turned 44 and HBK is turning the same age this summer. HBK joined the company in 1988 as Marty Jannetty's tag team partner in The Rockers and they competed in their first Wrestlemania in 1989 at Wrestlemania V The Undertaker joined the company in 1990 and competed in his first Wrestlemania in 1991 at Wrestlemania VII.

We all know Taker's record. Michaels, on the other hand is 6-9. However, Michaels has had more main event matches (4 v. Taker's 2) and, according to WWE, has even headlined more Wrestlemanias than Hulk Hogan. HBK has also had some of the most memorable matches, like the 60-minute Iron Man Match in which he defeated Bret Hart and the Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship which Razor Ramon won.

Three men show up on both men's list of Wrestlemania opponents- Diesel, Triple H and Ric Flair. Taker defeated Diesel at Wrestlemania XII, but HBK lost to Diesel just the year before. Michaels took on Triple H as well as Chris Benoit in WWE's forgotten match at Wrestlemania 20, in which Benoit won the World Heavyweight Championship in the Triple Threat match. Both defeated Flair.

Championship-wise, both have held the WWE, World Heavyweight and Tag Team Championships. Michaels has also held the Intercontinental Championship and the European Championship. Taker once held the Hardcore Championship. Taker, though, has been a champion 14 times, while Michaels has been a champion 12 times.

Michaels claims he has an advantage over Taker's past opponents because he does not fear him. Even though Taker has faltered lately, I say Taker still has an advantage and will leave the neutral field with yet another win.

Well, I'm back from my spring break in sunny, warm Florida and feel much colder than I remembered being in New Jersey. Anyway, since we are less than two weeks away from Wrestlemania 25 (and a few days aways from John Cena's new movie, which the WWE is almost promoting harder right now) I will start giving you my previews of the matches.

First off, Rey Mysterio v. JBL for the Intercontinental Championship. If this is not the opening match, it will be my bathroom/food and drink refill time. In recent years, JBL has made every Wrestlemania match he's participated in boring. Just ask John Cena, who won the WWE Championship for the first time against him in a forgettable match. I pick Rey Mysterio to win because he's the face.

Now, because that was so short, here's a special second preview- The 25-Diva Battle Royal. Current and past Divas will be in this match. The graphic displayed 19 Divas last week and only 17 Divas this week.

Who was missing? Candice Michelle and Gail Kim were both in the graphic last week and not in it this week. Is this because they won't be there? I don't know. This means there are at least 6 spots for former ladies of the ring and up to 8 spots.

Who do I think will fill those spots? Because they have come back before, I say Trish Stratus, Lita and Mae Young will be there. I would like to also see Stacy Keibler, Sunny and Victoria. Others I'd like to see, but I don't know how possible it we will see them are Rockin' Robin and Chyna (I'd love to see her face to face with Beth Phoenix, even though I think Joanie slimmed down a little...). (It's reported Sable is pregnant, so I don't think she's medically cleared to be considered.)

Who will win? My bet is on Mae Young. We love the 86-year-old, and she was "Miss Royal Rumble 2000," so why not add "Miss Wrestlemania to her list of accomplishments. After all, some of us watch between matches just to see if Mae is there backstage up to her antics, so I think the title is fitting. Who is she throwing over the top rope (or just out of the ring, as these Diva Battle Royals sometimes end up having as the rule)? I say she's left with a face Diva at the end, like Mickie James or Melina, and she takes herself out to give the title to Mae.

In one night, the World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania became a Triple Threat Match and WWE Champion Triple H became a threat to the Orton household and was arrested.

In a surprise ending (which I guessed was happening when we were introduced to Randy Orton's hot and nervous wife), Triple H showed up at Orton's house in Missouri instead of at his match at the arena in Florida. He got in via sledgehammer through the front door and went on tour of Orton's first floor, looking for Orton, but finding a different person hiding in each room (almost comically). Finally, Orton comes out of his hiding place as Triple H is about to find him and they break a few things in the living room as they pound on each other. Soon, Triple H throws Orton through the window and onto the front lawn where the fight continues until the deputies come to arrest Triple H I'm guessing on breaking and entering and battery charges.

Another expected surprise came earlier in the night when John Cena became a part of the World Heavyweight Championship match at the contract signing. How? He had footage of Vicki Guerrero and Big Show kissing. Edge wasn't very happy.

Other Notes:
- There will be a 25 Diva Battle Royal at Wrestlemania with both active and former female wrestlers. The winner will be named "Miss Wrestlemania." I can't wait to see who shows up for this match.

- It appears to be the year of the pet for the WWE Hall of Fame-- Koko B. Ware, who was accompanied to the ring by a parrot, is the latest announced inductee to the Hall. (Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, who had an iguana/kimono dragon/alligator, is another inductee) I think all that's left is Jake "The Snake" Roberts, which would be fitting since "The Wrestler" resembles his life...

- CM Punk lost the Intercontinental Championship to JBL, which frees him up to win that Money in the Bank match.

- Speaking of Money in the Bank, Kofi Kingston now joins CM Punk, Kane, Mark Henry, MVP and Shelton Benjamin in the match. The seventh and eighth competitors will qualify on ECW and Smackdown this week.

- Chris Jericho lost to Kingston when he was distracted by Ric Flair appearing in the arena. After the match, Jericho "dared" Flair to come out of retirement to face him next week on Raw.

- Undertaker interrupted Shawn Michaels the same way Michaels interrupted him on Smackdown-- with a Wrestlemania highlight video. When he classically appeared in the ring behind Michaels after the video ended, HBK wasn't shocked at all, and he talked to Taker like he was anyone in the locker room. Maybe this is the year...

Three Wrestlemania 25 matches were set (but are subject to change) Monday night:

1. Randy Orton challenges WWE Champion Triple H-- This one started off with Orton challenging the World Heavyweight Champion because he was pressing charges against Triple H and Triple H cannot wrestle from a jail cell. However, Triple H changed his mind, telling Orton this would be his opportunity to avenge what Triple H did to him in Evolution.

Orton changed his mind, dropping the charges and putting one condition on the match-- Triple H cannot put his hands on him until Wrestlemania unless physically provoked. Then, as Triple H left the ring, Orton proceeded to verbally provoke Triple H. Triple H angrily gets back to the ring and said, "Last time you and I fought in this ring, I broke your collarbone. That was just business. This is personal. This time I'm going to break your neck."

Just one comment, why hasn't Stephanie returned? I mean, she used to wrestle. In fact, she has been in a match which included Triple H and Chris Jericho as the only other competitors. She is not a frail person. An RKO should not keep her out this long.

2. Shawn Michaels v. Undertaker-- Yup, Vladimir Kozlov suffered his first loss in singles competition.

3. Big Show v. World Heavyweight Champion Edge-- Well, John Cena finally got his rematch Monday. Unfortunately, Edge decided to get himself disqualified, retaining the title. Vicki quickly announced Big Show as the #1 Contender. Somehow, I have a feeling Cena will be showing up on Smackdown to challenge this decision.

Other Notes:
- Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka made a guest appearance on Chris Jericho's version of Piper's Pit. In his version, Jericho told Snuka he is washed up and well, it ends pretty much like the last time Snuka was on Piper's Pit with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper about 25 years ago.

- Kane qualifed for Money in the Bank, defeating Mike Knox and Rey Mysterio.

- Cowboy Bill Watts was announced as an inductee to the Hall of Fame.