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Countdown to No Mercy
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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Wait a minute, there's a pay-per-view this weekend?
Yes folks, No Mercy caught a lot of the SLAM! staff off guard. You see, all
we had been really hearing about over the last few weeks was WWE Homecoming.
Apparantly we're not the only ones, as word across the 'net is about how scared
WWE is about the potentially low buyrate for this show.
As a result, we could potentially see a Raw "Invasion" at the PPV,
setting up a Survivor Series bout between the two brands. That should tell you
a lot about how lame-duck this PPV could be.
Let's take a look at the card.
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WORLD TITLE MATCH
Batista vs. Eddy Guererro
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This might very well be the worst build-up for a title match ever. It doesn't
seem like even these two know what the writers are trying to do here, the way
it's been so disjointedly played out. Even worse, is that there's really no
good way to book these two together. I can't see them give the belt to Eddy
the first time they meet, but to not do so means Batista has to look vulnerable,
and he's so much better when booked as an unstoppable monster. I'll pick Batista
to win by DQ, setting up a rematch down the road.
Chris Sokol
While it would be satisfying to see Guerrero take the title off the horrible
champion, Batista, it's not going to happen. Batista will lose the title at
Survivor Series, but will hold strong until then. This feud hasn't really been
given a run yet; it sort of came out of nowhere and has been a mess since it
started. By the way, logically speaking, why offer a guy a Title Shot after
he lost 90% of his matches since Wrestlemania? Just asking...
Jon Waldman
This really should have been Batista vs. Randy Orton, with a DQ setting up a
match at Survivor Series. As is, the match should be decent. The mystique here
is Guererro beat someone of similar size and style (Brock Lesnar) for his first
title win, so he could pull off the trick here or at Survivor Series, ultimately
leading to him vs. Chris Benoit at WrestleMania XXII.
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U.S. FATAL FOUR-WAY TITLE MATCH
Chris Benoit vs. Christian vs. Orlando Jordan vs. Booker T
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
While I do like the way the US Title is starting to feel important again now
that Benoit's holding it, I'm not sure this kind of a match helps in that regard.
Usually, having multiple guys in a match turns into a big sloppy mess, which
devalues the belt, in my view. Having Jordan in there doesn't help much either.
Benoit retains,
starts feuding with Booker, and Christian turns face and starts warring against
Jordan..
Chris Sokol
If WWE has any common sense, they will give the title to Christian, but considering
their track record, expect a Booker T/Chris Benoit feud to come out of this
one, as Booker turns heel. Way to listen to the "Peeple".
Jon Waldman
Well, we don't even know the format for this one yet. Is it elimination? Is
it first-fall? Let's assume elimination. Jordan goes out in about a minute,
then as Christian is mocking him, he gets rolled up by Booker. From there, we
get a decent bout that ends in DQ thanks to Sharmell.
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HANDICAP MATCH
The Ortons vs. The Undertaker
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Move over, Chavo Classic! Bob Orton's return has been a lot of fun so far, though
I do think he should bring back the loaded cast. Look for Piper to run in to
take out Bob, leaving Randy alone and prone for the Tombstone.
Chris Sokol
This could be somewhat of a decent match, more so because of Randy Orton's involvement.
After all the Ortons have done to The Undertaker, it's evident that he will
emerge successful, defeating the crafty father and son duo, leaving them to
squander about for a new angle.
Jon Waldman
Well, we could get a good bout here, but we'll end up with 'Taker burying (pun
not intended) both. Randy needs the win here, but c'mon - this is Undertaker
we're talking about. Unless a dummy in the casket suddenly comes to life (where
is Brian Lee these days anyways?), UT is going over.
| OTHER MATCHES |
| WWE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE MATCH: Nunzio
vs. Juventud Guererra |
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Bob Kapur: Juvi wins with help from the Mexicools.
Chris Sokol: The un-identified title will be on the
line, as Nunzio retains.
Jon Waldman: Viva la Raza. Juvi goes over.
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GRUDGE MATCH: JBL vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. |
Bob Kapur: Rey wins, renewing his giant-killer gimmick
from WCW, which is sadly what Smackdown is feeling like more and more
every week.
Chris Sokol: Another feud that doesn't really capture
anyone's interest. JBL wins I guess...
Jon Waldman: No contest. Of all the matches on the card,
this one is most likely to get the Raw Run-in
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GRUDGE MATCH: Bobby Lashley vs. Simon
Dean |
Bob Kapur: Lashley wins in a squash
Chris Sokol: Maybe they should change the title of the
PPV to "No-Body Cares". Lashley takes this one.
Jon Waldman: Lashley = Brock 2005. He's going over,
hands down.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
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