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Can you believe it's been two weeks since there was a live wrestling pay-per-view event?
Yes, we actually have had a decent break between
megashows (well, except for the absolutely amazing UFC pay-per-view), and while
this card doesn't have a Liddell vs. Ortiz-level blow-away main event, the
matches are still very intriguing. Here's what's on tap tonight at Club NYR.
| MAIN EVENT: WWE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH John Cena vs. Umaga |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
With the Royal Rumble only three weeks away, and therefore no time to set up
a different feud for Cena, it stands to reason that he will be facing Umaga
there as well. For that to make sense, he shouldn't win at NYR. Look for a DQ
win by the Samoan to keep his winning streak alive, but not win the championship.
Jon Waldman
Conventional wisdom would dictate that this is the end of the line for Umaga's
victory streak. Then again, conventional wisdom would've also stated that John
Cena curb-stomped Kevin Federline. Given Federline's win, you have to figure
he's not done in WWE and should make his presence felt tonight, costing Cena
the belt, allowing Umaga a decent-sized run before he loses the belt at 'Mania
to the Royal Rumble winner (wonder whhho that will be) while Cena spends the
next few months chasing Fed-Ex.
Andy McNamara
This feud doesn't really do anything for me and I don't think will be a big
draw on top. Umaga has been booked strong for months now, and I think it's time
for the big Samoan's undefeated streak to end. After a lot of plunder and interference,
Cena pulls it out and retains the title.
Greg Oliver
For the life of me, I can't understand the booking of this one. It's not 1986,
and the monster heel beating down the hero doesn't have the same value. But
something else hasn't changed from the days of King Kong Bundy, Kamala and Earthquake
battling Hulk Hogan - the champ isn't going down. Cena wins, and ends Umaga's
streak.
Brian Elliott
One of WWE's 2006 success stories was Cena's challenger here, also known as
"The Samoan Bulldozer". Umaga has remained undefeated since April
return, and has even defeated the likes of Kane, Shawn Michaels and Triple H
on his way to this title match. Having had such a build-up, it is tempting to
predict a title change, but with WrestleMania upcoming, and having suffered
an embarrasing loss to Kevin Federline this past week, I predict Cena to retain.
Matt Mackinder
Does WWE pull a TNA maneuver here and give the belt to a “monster”
a la Abyss? It wouldn’t shock me, but Cena dropped the title at New Year’s
Revolution last year, so I’ll say he overcomes Hollywood (no, not Hogan)
interference Hollywood to retain the gold.
| TAG-TEAM GRUDGE MATCH Rated RKO vs. DX |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This feud has been built up really well - if nothing else, DX hasn't buried
these two like they did with all the other teams they've faced. After laying
out D-X a couple of weeks ago, tonight Rated RKO will get their comeuppance.
Jon Waldman
This feud has been money all the way, so you have to guess it will continue.
The good thing here is that Orton and Edge have actually been allowed to look
credible, so this one actually has a lot to go with. My spidey sense says that
Rated RKO wins here, setting up a stip. match at the Rumble (maybe First Blood?),
before all for men go into the 30-man match, whhhere one of the four will win
the title opportunity at 'Mania.
Andy McNamara
This is an interesting scenerio, and I think the outcome depends on whether
the belts are on the line or not. Orton and Edge destroyed Flair last week so
logic suggests DX will pull out a victory to avenge their fallen friend. Rated
RKO is an amazing heel team and I hope they can continue their run a while longer.
DX has no other real opponents after this so I predict some kind of DQ or inconclusive
finish to carry the rivalry onto the Royal Rumble.
Greg Oliver
It's all about revenge, and not the titles, so DX will win a bloody affair.
But it's about time to start sewing some seeds of discontent on both sides between
partners as well to build for down the road.
Brian Elliott
Team Rated-RKO might be a combination that was thrown together out of necessity,
but in my view the combination brings together two of the best heels the company
has to offer. I am not such a fan of DX, but at least this match has a little
intrigue, unlike their recent bouts with The Spirit Squad and The McMahons.
Orton and Edge to win.
Matt Mackinder
As much as I’d like to see DX with a championship, it’s hard to see
Edge and Orton losing here. Then again, if HHH and HBK do win the straps, it’d
give them the opportunity to face more than just Edge/Orton and Cade/Murdoch.
I’ll go out on a limb and say we get new champs.
| INTERCONTINENTAL MATCH (STEEL CAGE) Jeff Hardy vs. Johnny Nitro |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This gimmick match will have to be really amazing, after the ladder match on the last PPV - hopefully neither guy gets hurt as bad as Joey Mercury did there. Nitro has really blossomed over the past few months and seems to be poised for singles gold - but not quite yet. Hardy retains, but this feud continues.
Jon Waldman
You know, if any of the Raw bookers watched Armageddon, this bout would have had so much more build-up. Obviously, that isn't the case, as what could have been a true blood feud has been pushed aside in favour of sending Rob Conway to ECW or Smackdown and keeping Nitro close to Fed-Ex. What we end up with is another match that will steal the show but have no momentum whatsoever. Given the number of faces in the Intercontinental Division, bank on Nitro winning, hopefully with some help from Mercury to further that awesome battle.
Andy McNamara
This one has the potential to be the match of the night. Nitro continues to improve in the ring and has proven to be quite the daredevil in his own right. With these two high flyers one can only hope that they won't hurt themselves too badly. Hardy will get over with or without the title so I think they let Nitro get the big cage win to allow his star to continue to rise.
Greg Oliver
Ah, a great forgotten feud. To build for their match, on RAW Hardy faced ... Rob Conway? Silly. Should be a good match. Hardy retains.
Brian Elliott
After their formidable ladder match on the November 20th edition of RAW, this is another chance for Hardy and Nitro to steal the show, in what will no doubt be another high-risk match. Currently, Nitro is been positioned rather high on the RAW roster, partly because of his association with Kevin Federline, and thus I expect him to take this one.
Matt Mackinder
I’m pumped for this match and I’ll admit it, I’m a mark for cage matches in general. Hopefully, this match ends the feud once and for all with Hardy retaining in convincing fashion.
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UNDERCARD
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Mickie James vs. Victoria - Victoria has really shone in her current
storyline, and it seems to have worked in portraying her as a strong threat.
She finishes her
checklist and takes the gold.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - Carlito pulls off some shenanigans to beat the
big oaf.
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - After two losses to the former cheerleader,
Flair finally gets a win - and the respect from Kenny that he deserves.
Jon Waldman
Mickie James vs. Victoria - I'm actually going to pick Mickie here, driving
Victoria even crazier and setting up a gimmick match for the Rumble (Last Woman
Standing would be novel, n'est pas?).
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - Carlito wins here, no question. The only intrigue
is whether or not the breaks the Masterlock in the process, which I'm betting
he does.
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - Kenny keeps his momentum going here, cheating
to win. Flair then contemplates retirement and has his final bout at 'Mania,
likely against Rhodes or Steamboat (for old times' sake).
Andy McNamara
Mickie James vs. Victoria - Outside of this rivalry the women's division
is dead. Victoria has run wild lately so I think the champ gets the stop to
retain the title.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - Both these promising youngsters are stuck in
neutral and this feud does nothing to change that. Carlito wins clean with the
Back Cracker.
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - Flair will be playing the injured underdog
role here. Kenny has cheated to win several times over the last few weeks and
it is time for the wiley old vet to get a win back.
Greg Oliver
Mickie James vs. Victoria - Victoria is on such a roll that she wins
the title back here.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - It's about momentum, so go with Carlito.
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - Flair has laid down and laid down. This time,
he goes over.
Brian Elliott
Mickie James vs. Victoria - Victoria takes the title, and hopefully WWE
can find a quality opponent for her, from outside their current ranks.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - In a match which has "curtain-jerker"
written all over it, Carlito picks up the win.
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - The former Spirit Squad member was easily
the stand-out contributor to that group, and I expect him to get the win here.
Matt Mackinder
Mickie James vs. Victoria - Victoria has had a decent schtick lately
and deserves the title. Switcharoo.
Carlito vs. Chris Masters - Carlito should win with his Back Cracker (I
love that move!).
Ric Flair vs. Kenny Dykstra - Dykstra was born the year the New York Mets
(and Lenny Dykstra) won the World Series. Flair was already in his prime. I
say Kenny cheats again to topple Naitch.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman