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I thought that the final segment of SmackDown Live this week was one of the best things I've seen on television in quite some time. The fiery intensity of Kofi Kingston and Vince McMahon tugging the emotional strings of the WWE Universe like a maestro made for some compelling television.
The final task for the ultimate underdog lies in front of him next week. Vince McMahon made a match that will test Kofi Kingston and establish whether he's worthy of being a main eventer. How does he beat 5 of the best in the business?
Let me suggest 5 potential finishes in this contest. It's almost a certainty that Kofi Kingston will win the match and go all the way to WrestleMania this year.
But then, how does he go about doing it?
#5 Orton is distracted by AJ Styles
Randy Orton is clearly the toughest challenger in Kofi Kingston's path to WrestleMania this year. He is a multi-time champion and has the most deadly move known to the WWE Universe in the RKO, which can turn any match around in a matter of seconds. So how does Kofi Kingston get past The Viper who wins more than he loses?
The truth of the matter is that AJ Styles is currently embroiled in a feud with Randy Orton. The two men got into a heated war of words this week, and a flurry of fists at WWE Fastlane, during Elias' segment. The two men certainly have unfinished business that they will settle when WrestleMania comes around.
I can totally see AJ Styles consciously play a part in this match, that allows Kofi Kingston to move on to the next opponent in the gauntlet. This will also build heat for Styles vs. Orton.
#4 The New Day assists him
Where one member goes, the others follow. I can absolutely see Xavier Woods and Big E play a role in this match, to help their brother get to the next step. In my personal opinion, this is a logical move for the trio.
While some may say that a babyface should win all by his lonesome, through his own merit, one knows when the odds are stacked against a certain individual. And we saw The New Day snap and disrupt a tag team match on SmackDown Live this week because they'd all had enough. I can totally see them get involved in this match, in some capacity.
Even if the distraction entails something silly like throwing pancakes or playing the trombone, it could shift the odds in Kofi Kingston's favour. The WWE Universe loves The New Day so much, they wouldn't be opposed to this move.
#3 7-second dance break distracts Joe
Samoa Joe and R-Truth were supposed to take each other on in a title match on SmackDown Live, during this week's show. Not only did the match not happen, the babyface team scored a victory with Rey Mysterio pinning the current champion.
Since automatic rematches are no longer a thing, Carmella has been petitioning for R-Truth to get another title shot, and this is a storyline that may not have concluded yet. To write the next chapter of the story, we could have Carmella and R-Truth come out to perform a dance break during the match.
As a result of the same, Kofi Kingston could capitalise on the distraction and hit a Trouble in Paradise on Samoa Joe to pick up the win. This would help him eliminate the largest competitor in the gauntlet match.
As silly as this sounds, it's a very real possibility, in my opinion.
#2 The Usos help The New Day defeat The Bar
The Usos may not have shown up in the ring during this week's show. But at the same time, they did cut a promo backstage and even referenced The New Day. These two teams have waged wars in the past and now they're back on the same page again.
I can see them being the reason that The Bar gets eliminated from the match. Simply put, The Usos do not have an opponent for WrestleMania yet and The Bar could be worthy contenders for the coveted spot, in my opinion. Just when Cesaro or Sheamus have the upper hand, The Usos music could hit and Kofi Kingston would use the distraction to eliminate the deadly duo.
In a way, this would be like the locker room coming together to help Kofi Kingston out. His story is of the everyman, trying to catch a break.
#1 Kofi Kingston does it on his own
Let me begin by saying that there's yet another possibility. Maybe Kofi Kingston doesn't win this match and he has another task to accomplish next week, to potentially qualify. He is certain to be at WrestleMania, facing off against Daniel Bryan. But at the same time, his road could be treacherous.
But you know what, I think that Kofi Kingston will ask his buddies from The New Day to stay at the back. He will step out to challenge 5 other men and he will defeat them all, to script his own story of perseverance. Bards will sing his praises for years and years, remembering this heroic day.
And let's be fair. This is the only way he proves to Vince McMahon that he is worthy of being a part of WrestleMania, in the main event match.
Do you guys think he'll defeat all those men?
