|
 |
|
Countdown to Taboo Tuesday
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
|
  
|
Anyone left?
This may be the first PPV where WWE needs to take a headcount before the show starts. With some stars injured and others seemingly vanishing by the day from WWE, they may not have much of a roster left by the time Taboo Tuesday airs.
Kane is injured but is apparently going to work, Edge is injured and will be in action, Christian has given his notice, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is out of his match with Jonathan Coachman, Ric Flair just turned 75 ... See what we mean?
Assuming no one else backs out, here's how we think the PPV will break down.
|
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
John Cena vs. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels/Kane/Big Show
|
|
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Pick Shawn Michaels - It's actually too bad that HBK was an option in this one.
To me, he and Angle should be kept apart except for special one-on-ones, to have
them in there with Cena can only dilute the specialness of their matches. Look
for them to take each other out, and let Cena walk away with his belt.
Chris Sokol
Pick - HBK - Having Shawn Michaels in the mix would be good. Cena had one of
his better title defenses against Angle and, with the addition of Michaels, the match could
turn out to be the best on the PPV. No matter who gets voted in, Cena will retain
the championship and continue to push himself into obscure amounts of fan admiration.
Jon Waldman
Pick - Big Show - Okay, so that won't happen, but hey I voted for him. In any
case, Cena retains until his movie comes out.
Greg Oliver
Pick - Kane - For some reason, the WWE just loves the Big Red Machine. Regardless of who gets into the main event, I think Cena retains the belt.
 |
INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH
Submission/Steel Cage/One Fall
Ric Flair vs. Triple H
|
 |
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Pick - Steel Cage - Having a cage match as the first in a feud is much too early,
but it's going to happen nonetheless. Say what you will about Triple H, but
there are very few people that he can't have a great match with. With someone
as talented as Flair in there with him, this should be gold. The way these two
talk about each other, I can actually see either one of them feeling proud to
do the honours for the other. But I think Flair uses this opportunity to formally
pass the torch.
Chris Sokol
Pick - Steel Cage - I am not picking that match because Flair blantantly told
fans that the voting was a work by requesting a steel cage match several times.
I figure this would be a good match for the two considering HHH really doesn't
have a submission move, aside from the rarely-used Indian Death Lock. Steel
cage seems like the sensible choice for this one, with HHH walking out the new
Intercontinental Champion.
Jon Waldman
Pick - Submission - If you're a fan of Flair, you'll have voted for the Submission
Match. I know I did. We know HHH goes over here, but it's only a question of
how long they drag the feud out. My thinking is Royal Rumble.
Greg Oliver
Pick - Cage - I think Flair's going to go over too, in a sea of blood and mutual respect.
| |
RAW VS. SMACKDOWN MATCH
Chris Masters and Edge vs. Two of Matt Hardy/Rey Mysterio Jr./JBL/Christian/Bob
Holly
|
|
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Picks - Christian and Matt Hardy - Though last Monday made it clear that the
company wants JBL and Rey to be on the show, I think the votes will be made
for these two. I think enough people are hoping to see Hardy get some payback
on Edge, so will vote for him. And I think that people want to see Christian,
period. I actually voted for JBL, since I liked seeing him play the face role
on Raw last week, but he's probably worn out his welcome for most fans.
Chris Sokol
Picks - JBL/Christian - I have a feeling that it is going to be JBL and Rey
Mysterio, but Christian would be better due to his past with Edge. Masters has
really come into his own and JBL has always been there. Should be a good match
that will set up the Inter-promotional showdown at Survivor Series. SmackDown!
draws first blood on the Raw PPV.
Jon Waldman
Picks - Rey/JBL - Can I help it? I really like how JBL is transitioning to babyface.
Rey is being elevated to SD's top babyface, so it's natural he'll get in here.
Greg Oliver
Picks - Rey/JBL - The above picks were all made before Christian indicated that he was leaving. But regardless, I think that the play Rey & JBL have been getting on Raw is a strong push by the WWE to get them over further. I can see Edge and Masters failing to co-operate, leading to Edge getting pinned.
| OTHER MATCHES |
| GRUDGE MATCH: Carlito vs. Cactus Jack/Dude
Love/Mankind |
| |
Bob Kapur: I see Cactus Jack going completely hardcore,
but Carlito somehow sneaks out a victory.
Chris Sokol: After getting beaten into the ground, expect
Cactus Jack to make his triumphant return and defeat Carlito.
Jon Waldman: The sock or the guns? Neither is cool.
Carlito wins.
Greg Oliver: This match will indicate Foley's plans for the next few months. If he wins, he won't be wrestling much. If he loses, we can expect this to continue on as a (hopefully entertaining) feud.
|
| Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko vs. Eugene
& Kamala/Jim Duggan/Jimmy Snuka |
Bob Kapur: Even in their primes, Snuka was the only
one of these three I liked. Seeing him deliver a Superfly Splash on
Raw Homecoming really took me back.
Chris Sokol: Conway picks up the win over the team with
a serious language gap, as the fans pick Kamala.
Jon Waldman: Could Duggan actually find favour with
the fans? He didn't with me, but he'll take this spot.
Greg Oliver: I think the fans will vote for Duggan, but the baddies will be triumphant.
|
| DIVA BATTLE ROYAL: Trish vs. Ashley
vs. Maria vs. Micki vs. Victoria vs. Candice |
Bob Kapur: Let the pom-pom's fly!
Chris Sokol: Lingerie will be the fashion of choice,
but who cares?
Jon Waldman: Who cares about the unis? Someway, somehow,
Micki costs Trish the title. Who wins it? I'll go for the wildcard and
choose Maria.
Greg Oliver: Fans will vote in lingerie and viewers win.
|
| OTHER MATCHES |
| Batista vs. Jonathan Coachman
|
| WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Cade & Murdoch vs. Kane & Big Show/Kane & Shawn Michaels/Big Show & Shawn Michaels
|
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Wrestlemania: The Complete Anthology DVD Boxset
|
|
|
|
