According to a new report by The Pro Wrestling Torch, the
following is an early idea of what the card for WrestleMania 23 on
April 1, 2007 will look like next year: John Cena vs. Triple H for
the WWE Title, Batista vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight
Title, Bobby Lashley vs. Rob Van Dam or CM Punk for the ECW Title
and Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Show. Of course, plans can change at any
time, but these are believed to be the early ideas for the top four
matches (possibly more down the line) for WrestleMania 23.
John Cena vs. Triple H is said to be a tentative plan at the moment
as there is no plan to turn either heel. It is possible that
someone like Randy Orton could be put into a mix since the WWE
isn't very hot on a babyface vs. babyface main event at
WrestleMania. But as of now, there is no plan to have John Cena
lose the WWE Title heading into WrestleMania (although that was the
same plan last year and that changed quickly when the WWE did a
quick feud between Edge and Cena for the title).
As for Batista and The Undertaker, the idea is to have Batista put
his title on the line against Undertaker's winning streak at
WrestleMania. Another co-main event if everything goes to plan is
Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Show. Big Show recently turned down a
five-year, seven-figure-per-year deal to stay with WWE, but has
stated he is open to returning for one more match.
In regards to the ECW Title match, the original pitch by Paul
Heyman was to have a heel Bobby Lashley defend the title against a
babyface Rob Van Dam. McMahon wanted the direct opposite to take
place as he preferred to have Lashley as the babyface and RVD as
the heel, something Heyman was strongly against and one of the main
reasons for his departure from the company recently, among other
things. Given the ECW roster, it is possible they could throw other
names into a big ECW Title match involving CM Punk, Hardcore Holly,
Test and others.
Looking at this early lineup, it still leaves off many names from
both the Raw and Smackdown sides including Shawn Michaels, Edge,
Randy Orton, King Booker, Chris Benoit, Kane, Finlay and many
others. Getting Mr. Kennedy into a big WrestleMania program is also
a top priority for the company as he looks to be pushed heavily
throughout 2007, with one idea being pitched already of having JBL
come out of retirement to face him. Either way, we will continue to
follow this situation as it develops.
Steve Austin will also have a major role in WrestleMania 23
although WWE has given up on trying to get him to wrestle another
match. credits:www.pwmania.com
