I hate it when people make retarded speculations when it comes to characters in new games. Makes me want to punch people when I hear "OOOOOOOO the characters are obviously Cloud, Master Chief, Shadow, Bayonetta, and Megaman. They are totally going to be in the next Smash and if they aren't I wont buy the game because then it will be stupid" WTF!? Use your god damn brains! If you look at the smash series there have only been two third party characters and one is in because not only was it the fans #1 pick but Sonic is basically Nintendo's now and as for Snake his creator had to beg to get him in the game. If your going to speculating at least use your brain a tiny bit. Characters like Cloud, Master Chief, Shadow, Bayonetta, and Megaman have no chance of making it into the Smash series. Know why? They aren't Nintendo and I know some will argue about Snake and Sonic not being Nintendo but like I said before they had their reasons for joining in. What reason does Master Chief have for joining in the series? NONE! He has never appeared on a Nintendo console and is just not Nintendo and unless his creators beg and weep for him to make it in like Snake's did he has no chance. Even some of Nintendo's own characters can't be in the series. Like Metroid boss Ridley. I'm sorry Ridley is just to big and would not fit into the cast even if they wanted him playable. If you want to dream that's fine as long as you can back it up with at least a little proof. Like lets take the White Mage for an example...
This one...
Lets say I was predicting her for the next Smash game. I can give proof of her possibly making an appearance in said game. Square has taken an intrest in the Smash series, she is a major character in some of the Mario sports games, she has abilities that could be used for special attacks. This White Mage is pretty much an all Nintendo character other than being based off a Square one. See White Mage would have a legit reason to join in Smash but Master Cheif and others wouldn't.
Sorry my blind fit of rant and rage is over I just had to write it down to get it out of me.
This one...

Lets say I was predicting her for the next Smash game. I can give proof of her possibly making an appearance in said game. Square has taken an intrest in the Smash series, she is a major character in some of the Mario sports games, she has abilities that could be used for special attacks. This White Mage is pretty much an all Nintendo character other than being based off a Square one. See White Mage would have a legit reason to join in Smash but Master Cheif and others wouldn't.
Sorry my blind fit of rant and rage is over I just had to write it down to get it out of me.