CHEAP HEAT: WWE GRABS MAYWEATHER TO HYPE WRESTLEMANIA 24

by Matt Loede, Let's Wrestle

It's the time of the year where the WWE pulls out all the stops when it comes to trying to get mainstream exposure for its mega WrestleMania event, which this year will take place on March 30th in Orlando, Florida. The company put that policy in motion on Sunday night at its latest PPV - No Way Out, which took place in Las Vegas, as they kicked off an angle with returning wrestler The Big Show and pro boxer Floyd Mayweather. The angle was that Show attacked Mayweather's "friend" Rey Mysterio, who was legit hurt with a torn biceps that he suffered during a house show the week before.

Show came out after Mysterio lost a five-minute bout to Edge, and after a short speech grabbed Mysterio and starting beating on him. Then Show taunted Mayweather, who was sitting first row. Mayweather then jumped the barrier and jumped in the ring, going right up to Show. After a stare down, Show pushed Mayweather, who then was held back by his posse. Show, showing his huge height and weight advantage, then got on his knees to taunt Mayweather, who responded with three flush punches in the face.

A brawl then ensued with Show pushing people out of his way as Mayweather ran out of the ring. Show suffered a broken nose due to the punches, which made for one of the best visuals the WWE has had in years, a wrestler taking three straight in the face punches from a boxing champ, causing him to bleed, and setting up an angle that is sure to gain a ton of attention. As for Show, he and Mayweather officially were back in the ring on Monday night, announcing they will go at it at Mania.

It wasn't that easy though, as the original plan actually involved fellow boxer Oscar De La Hoya, who was invited in the angle. The original match was actually Mysterio and De La Hoya vs Mayweather and fellow heel MVP. After De La Hoya turned down the invite, they set their sights on Mayweather, who will reportedly get about $5 mil for doing the show in Orlando. Then the plan was Mysterio and Mayweather vs Show and Shane McMahon, but after Mysterio was hurt, they eventually pushed the plan for a 1-on-1 with Show and Mayweahter, which will take a lot of planning.

Give the WWE credit, they have pulled off two major surprises in the last two months as they lead up to Mania. First the return of John Cena, who came in the Royal Rumble as the last wrestler and won the event in stunning fashion. Now we have Mayweather, setting up what could be one of the more memorable matches in Mania history if they pull it off right. Not to say it won't be easy to make this match believable, but Show is a solid pro that should be able to carry the match as best he can.

* Following the PPV Sunday and RAW Monday, the two WrestleMania main events now seem to be all but set in stone. First on the SmackDown side in a match we knew was coming, the Undertaker will challenge Edge for the World Heavyweight Title. The company has done a good job keeping these two away from each other, setting this match up. As for RAW, it will be a three-way for the title with Randy Orton defending against Triple H and John Cena. I personally don't like the three-way, as I thought there would be more heat for a simple Cena vs HHH rematch of the main event from WM 22 in Chicago.

* A lot of the undercard matches for Mania will begin to take shape in the next 1-2 weeks. One match that seems to be happening is Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair. Monday night Flair was announced as the first member in this years class of the WWE Hall of Fame, a show that will take place the night before Mania. Of course if you want a mega match with Flair, Hulk Hogan said in an MTV interview this past week he'd like to wrestle Flair at the event. Very unlikely.

* The odd man out for now of the Mania main event picture is Jeff Hardy, who lost to Triple H at the end of the RAW elimination chamber match of the PPV Sunday night. Hardy won on Monday night in a match that will place him in the "Money in the Bank" match at Mania. There are still some rumblings that Hardy will eventually find himself in the main event that will make the already triple threat match a fatal four-way, the first of its kind at Mania since WM 16 with Triple H, Mick Foley, the Big Show and The Rock.