No Way Out 2008 Predictions

This Sunday night, the WWE presents No Way Out. My predictions for the event are listed below and in the order that I believe the matches will take place. In addition to telling you who I think will win the matches, I’m going to explain why. Since this show will determine what we will be seeing at WrestleMania 24, I'm also going to predict what will be taking place at that show. Feel free to let me know what you think will happen at this show and what we will be seeing at WrestleMania 24 by clicking on the comments link below.

Before I get to my predictions, you might have noticed the strange picture to the left. That is the artwork for a contest on Habbo.com. If you create the best virtual elimination chamber, you can win a free replica championship belt. I don't know anything about the virtual world of Habbo, but I have to admit that those avatars look pretty cool.

Ric Flair's Career on the Line: Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy - Quick history lesson, back in 2000 Mick Foley was forced to retire due to his loss at No Way Out but found himself in the main event of WrestleMania a few weeks later. While I doubt we will be seeing Flair in the main event of WrestleMania I can see him in a match at the show and walking out a winner in his final match just as Roddy Piper did at WrestleMania 3. As far as Mr. Kennedy goes, I can't think of anyone else on the roster that would benefit as much by being the man to retire Flair. Predicted Winner: Mr. Kennedy by DQ

ECW Title: Champ Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk - I am really, really sick of this feud. It's obvious that the WWE doesn't care about this brand anymore and I have to admit that I have been watching the show in fast-forward on my TIVO. Here is an example of just how far ECW has fallen. In 2006, the ECW Champion was part of the Champion of Champions match. In 2007, the WWE made a big deal to have the champions from all three brands appear on the cover of WWE magazine. In 2008, the ECW Champion was in the Royal Rumble hoping to get a shot at another title. The only thing that the new ECW has accomplished is making sure that fans no longer chant "E-C-Dub" whenever they see something they like. Predicted Winner: CM Punk regains the title

World Heavyweight Championship: Champion Edge vs. Rey Mysterio - Amazingly, Edge has never been in the main event of a WrestleMania. That changes this year. Ironically, Rey only made it to the main event of WrestleMania due to what many have called "Eddiesploitation". It appears that part of Edge's run to the main event will also involve a degree of "Eddiesploitation" due to his love affair with Vickie Guerrero, the widow of Eddie Guerrero. Predicted Winner: Edge

WWE Championship: Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena - Now that the number one draw in the WWE is back, it only makes sense that he will be in the main event at WrestleMania. As far as Randy goes, I can see him either using a rematch clause to make be in the main event of the show or being part of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. I'll go out on a limb and go with the main event. Predicted Winner: John Cena

RAW Elimination Chamber Match: Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy vs. JBL vs. Umaga - John Cena stated on his DVD that he was originally supposed to face Triple H at WrestleMania last year but the match didn't happen due to Triple H's injury. I'm certain that we'll see it happen this year though. As far as the other guys in the match go, with the exception of Shawn Michaels, I say Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Predicted Winner: Triple H

SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match: The Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Finlay vs. Great Khali vs. MVP vs Big Daddy V - Undertaker vs. Edge will be the selling point of this year's WrestleMania. 21 matches at WrestleMania between them and neither man has ever been pinned or forced to submit. Finlay looks like he will be feuding with Vince McMahon at the big show. Speaking of the big show, the wrestler that goes by the same name has recently been resigned by the WWE. I can definitely see him costing Batista this match and then fighting him at WrestleMania. For those that don't remember, Big Show made his WWE debut by interfering in a cage match at the PPV right before WrestleMania. Predicted Winner: Undertaker

My Predicted WrestleMania 24 Card

• World Heavyweight Championship: Champion Edge vs. The Undertaker
  
• WWE Championship Match: Champion John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Randy Orton
  
• U.S. Title Match: Champion MVP vs Matt Hardy
  
• Ric Flair's Final Match: Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy
  
• Batista vs. Big Show
  
• Women's Title: Champion Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix
  
• Vince McMahon vs Finlay
  
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Chris Jericho vs. JBL vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga vs. Kane vs. Big Daddy V vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk
  
• RAW vs. SmackDown Dream Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Shawn Michaels

_{Photo: © 2008 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.}