This is a match-up that is nothing more than midcard filler in the context of a WrestleMania card. This bout as been fairly rushed with little reasoning behind it other than Vickie Guerrero & William Regal having a little bicker over which was the superior WWE brand. Actually, even that last point was done on the cheap as from memory it was in the form of a letter. Couldn't they have bumped into each other at 'No Way Out'...???

That last point suggests that this match-up may not have been the original plan for both men.

I actually like the match-up. The main reason for my opinion is that not only have both men been kept rather strong of late, but they have both been impressive in the ring. In fact, it's almost a shame that neither had an obvious bigger direction into WrestleMania 24, but at least WWE have rewarded their good work (especially Umaga as Batista was never going to be left off the card) by giving them a singles bout at the biggest event of the year.

Furthermore, I am quietly confident that the form of the 2 men in conjunction with their explosive wrestling styles & characters will result in a pretty darn good match come the night. Sure, it's not going to be a classic & it's unlikely to be the kind of match-up that the bookers set aside a great deal of time for either, but even though it is filler, there should be no reason as to why it couldn't be good quality filler.

The result will be interesting too. Logic dictates that Batista would be a clear cut favorite & I definitely favor him at the moment. But I just wonder if this won't be the end of the feud as an interbrand match would suggest. There has been talk (even if it is just rumor) of both men switching brands over the past 6-9 months & this could be the time to do it as there would be reasoning for it.

In fact, the whole match-up could be on the WrestleMania 24 card simply for that reasoning. Could WWE be thinking about a potential Batista vs Orton feud on Raw? Or how about a heel turn leading to a WWE Championship feud with Triple H? Furthermore, Umaga has pretty much exhausted all feuds on the Raw brand & a move to SmackDown could see him freshened up at just the correct time. Or maybe I'm getting too far ahead of myself & this was simply a match-up to get 2 in-form wrestlers on to the biggest card of the year.