December 16, 2005
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
While the setup for this match has been good - a nice slow burn over several months, with a big gimmick match payoff to end it - I can't find myself caring about this one at all. I blame Taker who, other than his entrances which I still find cool, just bores me to tears. Still, Orton has proven that he can work if given a chance, and I
expect he'll save this one by bumping and bleeding like nobody's business. And while I don't think Taker will officially pass the torch and lay down for Orton this time, the rub Randy gets from this one is what matters. He's got too much potential for them to keep him down much longer.
Chris Sokol
This match will be used to set off a WrestleMania storyline.Orton gets the duke after interference from The Boogeyman. In turn, The Undertaker plunges into a feud with the rising Smackdown star, finishing him off at 'Mania.
Jon Waldman
Anyone else remember the last time 'Taker was in a Cell match with a young up-and-comer? Yep, that was Brock Lesnar, and we know where that went. 'Taker has absolutely refused to lay down solidly for Orton up until now, so why should this match be any different? Calloway's selfish ways won't let him lay down here, as he still feels scorned by the one guy he ever really put over in WWE. UT wins.
Greg Oliver
Randy's been entertaining, but that doesn't say to me that he's going over. Undertaker wins the match, but then what??
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
I can't stand Rey Misterio in David andGoliath matchups. I didn't like it when he fought Kevin Nash in WCW, and I don't like it now against the Big Show. Go ahead, call me a mark for the big guys, but I just don't find it a believable story when he comes out on top. But, seeing that he's on the Smackdown team and this is that show's PPV, look for he and Batista to exact some revenge on the Raw duo.
Chris Sokol
It's Raw's turn to get some heat. With Batista injured, he will likely be taken out of the picture by Kane and Big Show, leaving Mysterio alone to get demolished. I wonder if they will keep the title on Batista, or strip it from him due to injury, and put it up for grabs in the Royal Rumble match.
Jon Waldman
If Batista has any hope of making it to 'Mania, he has to go out here. Since this is really a nothing PPV in comparison to the Royal Rumble, Raw takes it hear and the SD! guys get their heat back in the 30-man match.
Greg Oliver
It's Smackdown's PPV, so Smackdown wins. Somehow. Mysterio pins show, but afterwards, Batista gets beaten down again.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This is stupid. Of course Benoit should win, because having him lose in a sweep would invalidate the point of having them wrestle the series in the first place. But since everybody knows that, then there's no reason to care about the match. What awful booking.
Chris Sokol
Benoit turns the tables on Booker in this one, as he begins to start clawing back. The series will definately go to a seventh match, concluding at theRoyal Rumble as Chris Benoit regains the US championship.
Jon Waldman
We all know why WWE has booked this one to a 3-0 lead. Benoit's contract expires in a couple weeks, so the Fed wanted to be ready to bury him in case he chooses to not re-up. Should The Crippler sign, he goes over and gets four-straight. My thinking, however, is that Benoit will next drop anchor in TNA, so consider this is maiden voyage in WWE.
Greg Oliver
Wouldn't it be cool to have a sweep that no one predicted? Then have Benoit lament a bit on TV, how his mind wasn't in it because of Eddie, or something. Not an excuse. Just show that he's human. But who am I kidding. That would mean depth to the program. Benoit wins, feud continues.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Mexicools
Chris Sokol
The Mexicools will continue on their hot streak, leaving the tag champs in the dust.
Jon Waldman
Mexicools win as Juvi "distracts" Melina. I just hope WWE doesn't scratch their itch to make Guererra into Latino Heat v.2.
Greg Oliver
Lots of pretty hair in this one. Go with the Mexicools.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
JBL
Chris Sokol
Just another opportunity for Hardy to get squashed.
Jon Waldman
Hey Matt, ready to go to TNA yet? Only hope in hell that young Matthew has is Jeff returning.
Greg Oliver
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
Countdown to Armageddon 2005
By SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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WWE Smackdown! is headed to PPV once again with Armageddon this Sunday.
As has become the unfortunate norm in the Fed, only three matches have any real backstory going into the PPV. Hopefully, stories in the ring will fair better than the behind-the-scene counterparts, because if the ringwork isn't spectacular, WWE will end '05 on a really bad note. Let's see what's in store this Sunday.
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| MAIN EVENT: HELL IN A CELL Randy Orton vs. Undertaker |
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SLAM! Predictions
While the setup for this match has been good - a nice slow burn over several months, with a big gimmick match payoff to end it - I can't find myself caring about this one at all. I blame Taker who, other than his entrances which I still find cool, just bores me to tears. Still, Orton has proven that he can work if given a chance, and I
expect he'll save this one by bumping and bleeding like nobody's business. And while I don't think Taker will officially pass the torch and lay down for Orton this time, the rub Randy gets from this one is what matters. He's got too much potential for them to keep him down much longer.
This match will be used to set off a WrestleMania storyline.Orton gets the duke after interference from The Boogeyman. In turn, The Undertaker plunges into a feud with the rising Smackdown star, finishing him off at 'Mania.
Anyone else remember the last time 'Taker was in a Cell match with a young up-and-comer? Yep, that was Brock Lesnar, and we know where that went. 'Taker has absolutely refused to lay down solidly for Orton up until now, so why should this match be any different? Calloway's selfish ways won't let him lay down here, as he still feels scorned by the one guy he ever really put over in WWE. UT wins.
Randy's been entertaining, but that doesn't say to me that he's going over. Undertaker wins the match, but then what??
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INTERPROMOTIONAL TAG TEAM MATCH Rey Mysterio Jr/Batista vs. Big Show/Kane |
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SLAM! Predictions
I can't stand Rey Misterio in David andGoliath matchups. I didn't like it when he fought Kevin Nash in WCW, and I don't like it now against the Big Show. Go ahead, call me a mark for the big guys, but I just don't find it a believable story when he comes out on top. But, seeing that he's on the Smackdown team and this is that show's PPV, look for he and Batista to exact some revenge on the Raw duo.
It's Raw's turn to get some heat. With Batista injured, he will likely be taken out of the picture by Kane and Big Show, leaving Mysterio alone to get demolished. I wonder if they will keep the title on Batista, or strip it from him due to injury, and put it up for grabs in the Royal Rumble match.
If Batista has any hope of making it to 'Mania, he has to go out here. Since this is really a nothing PPV in comparison to the Royal Rumble, Raw takes it hear and the SD! guys get their heat back in the 30-man match.
It's Smackdown's PPV, so Smackdown wins. Somehow. Mysterio pins show, but afterwards, Batista gets beaten down again.
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UNITED STATES TITLE BEST OF 7 SERIES
MATCH (BOUT 4) Booker T vs. Chris Benoit |
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SLAM! Predictions
This is stupid. Of course Benoit should win, because having him lose in a sweep would invalidate the point of having them wrestle the series in the first place. But since everybody knows that, then there's no reason to care about the match. What awful booking.
Benoit turns the tables on Booker in this one, as he begins to start clawing back. The series will definately go to a seventh match, concluding at theRoyal Rumble as Chris Benoit regains the US championship.
We all know why WWE has booked this one to a 3-0 lead. Benoit's contract expires in a couple weeks, so the Fed wanted to be ready to bury him in case he chooses to not re-up. Should The Crippler sign, he goes over and gets four-straight. My thinking, however, is that Benoit will next drop anchor in TNA, so consider this is maiden voyage in WWE.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a sweep that no one predicted? Then have Benoit lament a bit on TV, how his mind wasn't in it because of Eddie, or something. Not an excuse. Just show that he's human. But who am I kidding. That would mean depth to the program. Benoit wins, feud continues.
| WWE TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH MNM vs. Mexicools |
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SLAM! Predictions
Mexicools
The Mexicools will continue on their hot streak, leaving the tag champs in the dust.
Mexicools win as Juvi "distracts" Melina. I just hope WWE doesn't scratch their itch to make Guererra into Latino Heat v.2.
Lots of pretty hair in this one. Go with the Mexicools.
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GRUDGE MATCH Matt Hardy vs. JBL |
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SLAM! Predictions
JBL
Just another opportunity for Hardy to get squashed.
Hey Matt, ready to go to TNA yet? Only hope in hell that young Matthew has is Jeff returning.
Thrown together at the last minute, so I'll pick JBL.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman