November 1, 2005
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.
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.
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.
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Wrestlemania: The Complete Anthology DVD Boxset
Countdown to Taboo Tuesday
By SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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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.
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John Cena vs. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels/Kane/Big Show |
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SLAM! Predictions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Submission/Steel Cage/One Fall Ric Flair vs. Triple H |
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SLAM! Predictions
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.
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.
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.
Pick - Cage - I think Flair's going to go over too, in a sea of blood and mutual respect.
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Chris Masters and Edge vs. Two of Matt Hardy/Rey Mysterio Jr./JBL/Christian/Bob Holly |
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SLAM! Predictions
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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| GRUDGE MATCH: Carlito vs. Cactus Jack/Dude Love/Mankind |
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| Rob Conway & Tyson Tomko vs. Eugene & Kamala/Jim Duggan/Jimmy Snuka |
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| DIVA BATTLE ROYAL: Trish vs. Ashley vs. Maria vs. Micki vs. Victoria vs. Candice |
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| OTHER MATCHES |
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| 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