In about a week and a half, the WWE will welcome the 2018 Hall of Fame class in New Orleans, kicking off five nights of activity for the company in the Big Easy. Following, then, is the list of inductees, as of this writing:
Bill Goldberg (to be inducted by Paul Heyman): "Da Man!", as Bobby Heenan christened Goldberg 20 years ago, is the headline star of this group. That Heyman, Brock Lesnar's advisor, is the one inducting him, is a sign of respect from the veteran manager to Goldberg, who had a series of matches with Lesnar in 2016-17.
The Dudley Boyz: I'd have expected Heyman to do the honors for Bubba & D-Von, but instead Edge & Christian have that honor. They're asking for the Hardys to join them on stage, as the three teams were the top tier of the tag division at the turn of the century.
Hillbilly Jim: To think that he started off on television as a ringside fan, then mentored by Hulk Hogan (I'm almost expecting the Huckster himself to induct Jim). Now a goodwill ambassador for the company.
Jeff Jarrett (inducted by Road Dogg): Double J's most recent rehab stint was funded by WWE, and I would not bet against him making one more run with the company.
Ivory: Like Goldberg and the Dudleys, Ivory is a product of the Attitude Era, but Lisa Moretti is also a veteran dating back to the 80's and the original Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. I'm stunned she wasn't invited to be part of the new GLOW on Netflix.
Mark Henry: The Olympic powerhouse, a former World & ECW champion, joins fellow 1996 Olympian Kurt Angle in the Hall. Bet the farm either Angle or someone else, like, say for example, the Rock, does the inducting.
Kid Rock (Celebrity wing): His presence could be a sign as it relates to the Undertaker.
Jarrius "JJ" Robertson is this year's Warrior Award winner, to be presented by Dana Warrior.
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I have to get this in.
Everyone on the planet knows that Triple H & Stephanie McMahon will end up losing vs. Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania. The evil boss schtick continues with the "power couple", but that's also where it should end. The worst case scenario, even as HHH gets an "L" next to his name for the 3rd straight year at the Show of Shows, is Stephiekins joining big brother Shane in the hospital. Pardon the obvious pun, but this should snap her back to reality and stop playing ventriloquist puppet for her father.
Add Shane. As Daniel Bryan is finally activated off the disabled list, Shane goes on it with the same ailment that ended Brock Lesnar's first UFC run, diverticulitis. The timing is bad enough, but who replaces Shane against Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens? Who could punctuate the return of Bryan to in-ring action with a boss pop? No, the Rock won't be available. Huckster Hogan can't go in a long match anymore. They say Chris Jericho may not be available due to Fozzy's current tour, which hits my area just days before Mania. Vince is too old, and while he may also crave revenge on Owens for what happened six months ago, there's still lingering issues with D-Bry. I guess we'll know by 10 pm (ET) tonight.
I've said all along that Alexa Bliss has an underdog story to be told, but they insist on portraying her as a coward, a female Miz. Bliss will lose her title---finally---at Mania, losing for the 2nd straight year, this time to Nia Jax. Even though Jax isn't really fully polished, there's the small matter of a dual coronation with her cousin, Roman Reigns, and....!
In all, I see Bliss, Miz, Charlotte Flair, and likely the Bar and/or Randy Orton losing their belts at the big dance. Miz has an excuse (paternity leave). Flair is too obvious. Orton doesn't need the US title, except to rubber-stamp entrance into the Grand Slam Club. As for Braun Strowman, I'd say, call up Lars Sullivan or Killian Dain from NXT to be his partner, as teaming with former foes Elias and/or Kane makes little sense at this point.
Will Undertaker return to face John Cena? They're milking it as much as possible, right down to the last drop for a change. Pundits are calling for the return of the "American Bad Ass", who hasn't been seen since Survivor Series '03. After all, 'Taker did leave his trenchcoat and hat behind last year, and the "BikerTaker" is my favorite persona of the Dead Man.
By this time next year, they may need to unify the men's & wmen's World titles and the tag titles, since Brand Extension 2.0 hasn't worked so well due to the usual uncreative stupidity. Just sayin'.
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Well, that's it. After three go-rounds here over the last 11 years, it's time for me to say good-bye. Webmaster Jason Freda did a disappearing act a while back, and other columnists have left in recent months, leaving ye scribe to figuratively lock the door and throw away the key. It's been a blast. I'll turn up somewhere else before the year is out.
Hasta la vista.
