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WWE Smackdown! is headed to PPV once again with a mixed bag of matches and yet another crossover. It's as if the Brand Split is slowly dissolving before our eyes...
Well, that's a discussion for another day. For now, we've got three of Smackdown's four titles on the line, and two gimmick matches laying ahead of us tonight. Here's what should happen at Armageddon.
| MAIN EVENT: TAG TEAM MATCH Batista/John Cena vs. King Booker/Fit Finlay |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Wow, can you tell Smackdown is hurting for main-eventers? But, that said, this
could be a decent match if all four have their working boots on. Cena and Batista
win.
Matt Mackinder
My gut says there's a heel turn here, but probably not. I'm not sure why
Cena is even in a Smackdown main event, but maybe I do know when I remember
The Hardy Boyz on an ECW pay-per-view a couple weeks back. Hard to see the champs
not winning, so I'll go with Cena and Big Dave here.
Jon Waldman
In a perfect world, Cena would cause the loss here, slow-building towards the
Rumble where he ultimately screws Batista out of the title. Why? Because of
what happened at the Rumble two years ago. Batista and Cena then battle at WrestleMania.
Unfortunately, seeing "The Marine" turn heel is about as likely as
seeing Triple H not in the 'Mania main event. The champs win here, pinning Finlay.
Greg Oliver
The champ, Batista, can lay down here and not lose any momentum, and in the
process elevate Finlay or continue the feud with Booker. But if I was a betting
man, I'd take Finlay to take the fall.
Brian Elliott
This tag team match is a curious way to headline a pay-per-view, even if it
does involve the Cena crossover from RAW. With the appearance of the WWE Champion,
it is unthinkable that his team will not triumph here, likely with Finlay -
by far the best wrestler in the contest - losing the decision.
| INFERNO MATCH MVP vs. Kane |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
MVP hasn't really impressed me so far, but I'm not sure how much of that is
becuase of him or because he's working with Kane so much and Kane can't really
elevate guys. Fire is Kane's gimmick so look for him to win after a dull, plodding
affair.
Matt Mackinder
With the push Terrell Owens, er, MVP has been getting, odds are he ekes out
a win here. I'd love to see MVP afire, but I'm afraid Kane gets torched
here. The MVP push continues, as long as a snitch isn't involved.
Jon Waldman
Has Kane ever won an Inferno Match? I really can't think of one that he did
win, but I'm sure I'll get a correction e-mail by 5pm. In any case, MVP could
win here, but he won't thanks to Mr. Kennedy.
Greg Oliver
Kane will be hot with this one. I've yet to find anyone "hot" over
MVP, so I'll take Kane to win.
Brian Elliott
MVP has been getting somewhat of a push on Smackdown recently, but that is not going to help him in what is possibly my least favourite gimmick match. Kane to win decisively.
| LAST RIDE MATCH Undertaker vs. Ken Kennedy |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Kennedy has been great in this feud, with his promos, and his willingness to go a bit hardcore when necessary - that chair shot he took last time was teeth-crunching. Taker's already lost a couple of times, so look for him to win this one definitively.
Matt Mackinder
Of course ‘Taker wins here. It's hard to not say that Kennedy will win, though if he did, Undertaker could make another comeback at either the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania. Nah, I'll stick with the Dead Man sending Kennedy off in the hearse.
Jon Waldman
The Undertaker, unlike his brother, has won this gimmick match, so he'd be the "odds on favourite". He most definitely will win, after MVP puts the screws to Mr. Kennedy, setting up Ken's long-awaited face turn.
Greg Oliver
Undertaker lost last time with a crazy finish, so he decimates Mr. Kennedy here.
Brian Elliott
The Brothers of Destruction will make it 2-0, as The Undertaker lays his feud
with Kennedy to rest, and begins preparing for Wrestlemania.
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UNDERCARD
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (US Title) - Unfortunately, this won't be given nearly enough time, and will end in a screwjob. Chavo lies, cheats, and steals the title from Benoit.
Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title) - Unfortunately, this won't be given nearly enough time, and will end cleanly with Helms retaining.
The Miz vs. Boogeyman - Unfortunately, this will be given way too much time, and hopefully will end by the time I come back from the bathroom.
Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor (WWE Tag Team Titles) - Unfortunately, this won't be given nearly enough time, as I would love to see an Iron-Man tag match, or a 2-out-of-3 falls match between these guys. Taylor and Regal win the belts.
Matt Mackinder
Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (US Title) - Chavito wins gold here. Benoit continues to get a raw deal.
Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title) - The Hurricane retains and I have already lost interest because Amy has been axed from the WWE payroll.
The Miz vs. Boogeyman - From the "Who Cares Dept." is this match. Miz cheats to get the duke.
Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor (WWE Tag Team Titles) - London and Kendrick retain, but friction continues to build.
Jon Waldman
Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (US Title) - Chavo cheats to win!
Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title) - Yang winning here would be a good move, but it's not going to happen. Helms takes it.
The Miz vs. Boogeyman - If there's any reason to watch this PPV, it is to hear JBL on commentary during this match. Who cares who wins?
Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor (WWE Tag Team Titles) - I'm thinking injury here a la the Rockers vs. Power and Glory at Summerslam, eventually leading to the plateglass window.
Greg Oliver
Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (US Title) - Will it ever end? Take
Chavo here.
Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title) - Just getting started.
Helms.
The Miz vs. Boogeyman - Boogeyman all the way.
Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor (WWE Tag Team Titles)
- Great clash of styles. London & Kendrick.
Brian Elliott
Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero (US Title) - This is a tough one to
call, for if Chavo can't remove the belt from Benoit's waist, where does he
go from there? With assistance from Vickie, a new champion will be crowned.
Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang (Cruiserweight Title) - Yang has been
impressive so far in the WWE - no mean feat given his gimmick. Perhaps for the
first prolonged period in his career, Helms has been tremendously consistent
recently, and as such, will retain here.
The Miz vs. Boogeyman - I can't believe The Miz has made it to PPV. Boogeyman
to win.
Paul London/Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal/Dave Taylor (WWE Tag Team Titles)
- One of the few WWE matches that has excited me this year, if Taylor's
knee is in any shape at all after his recent surgery, I expect the Britons to
be crowned champions. Furthermore, they'll have, by far, the match of the night.
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Is it the end of the world as we know it? Could be if this is only the start of a PPV run for Miz. Better get protection now - buy shirts, caps and other apocalypse-proof gear in the SLAM! Store!
-- compiled by Jon Waldman