Before you think you’ve stumbled upon the spoiler card for Wrestlemania, please understand this is merely a realistic fantasy card for the 28th installment of WWE’s superbowl of sports entertainment. Back in May, I pictured myself in Mr. McMahon’s seat as I penciled in possible matchups. First let’s put all those wet dreams of Sting signing a WWE contract to job to the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar leaving a lucrative deal with the UFC for a one time shot at Wrestlemania. Sure we can all have our dream matches, but let’s try to be realistic here. More importantly, to save my creative skin, please consider how this was thought up back in May.

DISCLAIMER: RingWriters is not affiliated with WWE and by no means is promoting or representing their products.

In all, there are eleven matches, not counting the dark match, and would ideally fit into a 4 hour PPV broadcast. Though given how some of the matches are not likely to occur, I think it would be safe to cut one or two of them and fit it all in a 3 hour format. Even if some of the matches are short, the WWE can always give the fans a prolonged rematch on the house show circuit. It pains me to leave out a traditional tag match for the title, but given the current state of tag teams in the WWE, it’s doubtful there would even be teams worthy to compete on the card. Overall I’m excited at the prospects and would definitely trek to Miami and buy myself a seat in Miami. The matches appear in reverse order from the main events to the opening matches.

PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, CONCERNS, AND OTHER IDEAS FOR MATCHES.

Champion of Champions Match

WWE Champ Alberto Del Rio VS World Heavyweight Champ Randy Orton VS US Champ Miz VS IC Champ Christian

Championships need to be important again. This match would in fact close the show and would feature the four current champions in an elimination match with every title on the line. Therefore, titles could change hands throughout the match with the idea being that the winner will hold all four titles, which in fact would happen. Then following wrestlemania, the champ can parade around and possibly have a feud with Chris Jericho (first ever undisputed champion) before three of the titles are put up for grabs in meaningful tournaments. You may also be wondering how the winner of the rumble factors in here. Well, they don’t. I would have had the winner of the rumble becoming either the WWE or World Heavyweight champ, thus no longer using the Rumble as a mere stepping stone towards Wrestlemania. I want the Rumble to stand alone on its own. The wrestlers chosen can easily be switched with others, but the match itself should stand. In this version I’ve got two heels (Del Rio & Miz) going against two faces (Orton and Christian). Among them there is enough presence, fan buy in, and talent to put on an epic match. I would have Orton win it all.

Rock VS John Cena

There was no getting around the already booked main event of John Cena vs the Rock, but I would have kept this match regardless. I wouldn’t make this a title match, as then fans would speculate that Rock would lose because in the end he wouldn’t be around to stay champion and defend.

Bulk Bogan (Ezekial Jackson) VS The Giant (Big Show)

This is my personal favorite of the card. Wrestlemania 28 is mathematically the 25th anniversary of arguably the biggest match in wrestling history when Hulk Hogan defeated Andre the Giant. Why not try to recreate that magic? But… Andre is no longer with us, and neither is Hulk, atleast what’s left of him after shameless promotion, TNA and his ex-wife ripped him to shreds. So how do pay homage to that match without the men who made it happen. Well, start taking notes. Ezekial Jackson would be re-packaged as Bulk Bogan, the mega-face African-Americanized version of Hulk Hogan. This would not be a one-time deal and I think could truly excel Ezekial to the main event. Prior to Wrestlemania, Bulk would be a guest on Piper’s Pit whereby Big Show, then a face, would make a heel turn just like Andre did back in the day. Big Show would also return to his WCW Dungeon of Doom Giant gimmick. I’m not sure of a manager, but somehow w/ the presence of a Bobby Heenan would be a must! This doesn’t need to be a long match, but it will be treated in a serious light so it can be hilarious yet nostalgic for old school fans.

CASKET MATCH: Undertaker & HHH VS Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Wade Barrett 

This was the hardest match to book. If possible Sting vs UT is the obvious choice, but it’s not realistic. Therefore, it’s pointless to put a veteran in this match, because any up-and-comer will instantly attain fame by being placed in this match. But let’s also be honest, it’s tough to waste that spot on just one wrestler. And truth be told, the Undertaker is not in the best of shape, so it only makes sense to give him a partner to lessen the load, but also add to the speculation that perhaps HHH will turn on him. Basically there would be 5 caskets laid out around the ring and even though its a “handicap” match it would more or less end up becoming a free for all. Sure the casket match has been done before, but it’s the staple UT match and with the three young superstars he’s facing, there’s a strong chance that he may in fact not win this time around. But of course… he will.

Steve Austin vs. Silent Rage 

I originally planned it as the Tough Enough winner, which ended up being “Silent Rage.” I doubt Steve Austin would agree to this match, but there is no better way to boost PPV buys, promote the probably second season of Tough Enough, and enshrine a legacy behind the TE winner. Steve Austin could be replaced by another veteran, active or retired. The greater the star, the better. The Miz could be taken out of the championship match and plugged in here to use his heat to get Silent Rage over.

MASK VS MASK: Sin Cara VS Rey Misterio

This is a no brainer. A mask vs. mask match is certainly a big deal and shouldn’t be used until absolutely necessary, but especially with a hispanic heavy audience in Miami, this match will go over well. In the end I would have Sin Cara lose, and just adopt his old Mistico persona (still w/ a mask) after briefly showing his face. Or Rey could lose his if the WWE is confident in the sales of Cara masks.

TABLES, LADDERS, CHAIRS for the DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP: 6 TBA Divas

It’s about time the Divas get their due for their wrestling abilities and not their looks. Forget the gimmick matches, this time around they will produce their own iconic version of a classic, TLC. While this is a PPV of its own, I don’t see why giving this to the Divas for Wrestlemania will take away from it. I have the Divas as TBA, because it doesn’t really matter who’s in it, just simply choose the 6 best wrestlers in the Divas division at the time of Wrestlemania, but of course build up to it.

Daniel Bryan w/ Ricky Steamboat VS Kofi Kingston w/ Macho Man Randy Savage

While Hulk and Andre got the press at Wrestlemania 3, Steamboat and Savage stole the show. So it’s only fitting that two young superstars can attempt to duplicate that match. Now Kofi Kingston is no Steamboat, but I’m a fan and he has enough experience to put on a show under the guidance of well seasoned ring specialist Daniel Bryan. It would be unlikely if Vince would green light Macho Man’s appearance, but given the Florida location and the 25th anniversary of his match with Ricky Steamboat, there’s a chance he may appear especially if he gets into the hall of fame. Sadly, Macho Man passed away after this card was drafted. Though this match or one like it should happen as a tribute to Randy.

CAREER ENDING MATCH: Goldust VS Cody Rhodes w/ Special Referee Dusty Rhodes

I’m a huge Goldust fan and I’m surprise this match hasn’t happened yet. I would lead up to it by having Goldust and Cody Rhodes reluctantly teaming together to win the tag team titles. This would be a fitting retirement send off for Goldust and a way to enshrine Cody in wrestling history. I would also consider keeping the tag titles on them thus explaining why there was no title defense. Then after we’ve said goodbye to Goldust, the WWE could focus on rebuilding the tag division by having Cody hunt down a new partner.

Four-Way 20 Man Tag Match

This is just my way of featuring the undercard talent without doing the all-too-obvious battle royal. It would feature four five-man teams. The massive cage from Dragon Lair would be left in tact and at the midpoint would it would turn into an all out brawl. The GM would come out to try and stop the madness and then proclaim the match under steel cage rules with the first 5-man team escaping becoming the winners.

DRAGON LAIR MATCH: CM Punk w/ NEXUS  VS Yoshi Tatsu w/ Dragon Disciples

Sure CM Punk is a big deal right now, but when I scripted this he was still a mid-card heel. Every Wrestlemania needs a gimmicky match. The Dragon Lair Match will fill that void. Yoshi Tatsu needs a push and what better way to do so than by having a great match with CM Punk. This would have been the farewell to the Nexus stable as the Dragon Disciples end up just being the Nexus members under masks thus allowing Yoshi to have a fair and clean win over CM Punk. The gimmick I admit is lame since it’s just a lumberjack match within a surrounding cage, but it promotes that there’s no escape. Yoshi would be the underdog so when the Nexus are revealed as the Dragon Disciples, the match would be your standard fare, but fans won’t be disapointed because the cage will be left in tact for the 20 man match to create the carnal battle fans would want to see. I also feel it’s important to have a Japanese presence to elicit Japan buy in. Plus, this would go great if Ultimo Dragon was enshrined in the hall of fame. It’s true that now NEXUS has been disbanded, but I would have kept the stable going for as long as possible.

DARK MATCH: Tough Enough 2 Contestant Battle Royal

This is a no brainer and a great way to promote the second season, if that were to happen. If not, just add a tag match with 4 under used talents.