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WWE Backlash, which goes down tonight on pay-per-view, is the start of a new era in the Fed. Starting tonight Smackdown, Raw and ECW will no longer have their own special events. Instead, all three brands team up to present a supercard every month.
As an indicator of this new philosphy, all three World belts are up for grabs tonight. Three other matches highlight the card as well. For a closer look, let's check in with the SLAM! crew and see what they have to say.
Bob Kapur
Fatal Four Way Match (WWE Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
I'd actually prefer a rematch between HBK and Cena after the fantastic match they had on RAW this past week. Edge and Orton just seem thrown in after-the-fact, and it seems they'll only be in there as a way of setting up their feud. Look for them to eliminate each other from contention and Cena getting the win over Shawn to retain.
3-on-1 Handicap Match (ECW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon/Shane McMahon/Umaga
Despite all the attempts to make Lashley a superstar, I just can't find myself to care. He's just too bland and too green for me to invest anything in him or in his matches. Lashley will overcome the odds and win - hopefully very quickly.
Last Man Standing Match (World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker vs. Batista
I doubt that Undertaker will be able to carry Batista to another solid performance
like he did at Mania. But if they use the gimmick well, and it ends up being
a hardcore war filled with weapons and blood, it may be distracting enough that
it doesn't matter. Taker retains.
World Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch
Cade and Murdoch got their singles wins on consecutive RAW's, but the Hardy
Boyz will give them their comeuppance tonight.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
If nothing else, working with Benoit is at least building up MVP's credibility
somewhat. His outfit still sucks, though. Benoit retains.
Women's Championship Match
Women's Champion Melina vs. Mickie James
They've exchanged the belts on this recent tour, so I'm seeing that as a sign
of things to come. Mickie is your new champ.
Greg Oliver
Fatal Four Way Match (WWE Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
The intrigue for insiders is how Orton is used, if he's used at all. The cynic in me says it's all a swerve and that Orton goes over here. The brain in me says that Cena, somehow, survives with his belt. If he loses, it should be one-on-one.
3-on-1 Handicap Match (ECW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon/Shane McMahon/Umaga
Sigh. This again? Will Lashley ever have a real challenger? Lashley wins, but gets really beaten up in the process, making him more superhuman.
Last Man Standing Match (World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker vs. Batista
I didn't really care at 'Mania, and I don't really care now. Batista bores me,
and 'Taker, well, it's been a good run, but ... 'Taker retains.
World Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch
I've always liked Cade & Murdoch, though WWE has done zilch as far as character
development. Hardys win.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
The progression of MVP continues with an upset victory.
Women's Championship Match
Women's Champion Melina vs. Mickie James
They've switched in Europe, and they'll switch here.
Matt Mackinder
Fatal Four Way Match (WWE Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
Four-way matches always seem so busy in the ring as guys are confined and can't
put on a decent show. Cena can't drop the title so soon after WrestleMania
can he? Edge is still hurt and Orton can't behave himself. The only logical
ending to this match is Cena pinning Orton (doing the job) with HBK having a
fit and getting a rematch at the next PPV.
3-on-1 Handicap Match (ECW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon/Shane McMahon/Umaga
Like I said in my ECW report two weeks ago, if McMahon wins the belt here, I will once and for all say something nice about VKM. I don't see that happening, so I hope to God that Lashley retains and continues his roll. At least lately, Lashley has developed a mean streak, but still not as extreme as ECW would lead you to believe.
Last Man Standing Match (World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker vs. Batista
This will either be a gong show or a solid match. Both guys should juice and
both should put it all on the line. I think this may go 20-25 minutes, but we'll
see. I like the Dead Man retaining the gold here and perhaps dropping it to
Mr. Kennedy...Kennedy at SummerSlam.
World Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch
If the titles get taken from the Hardys, it'll be because of cheap tactics.
Please retain, Hardys.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
Will Benoit ever get off the undercard? Maybe, because MVP wins the title here.
Women's Championship Match
Women's Champion Melina vs. Mickie James
Mickie can actually wrestle, but Melina is the no-talented eye candy Vince wants
us to drool over. Give Mickie the belt already.
Brian Elliott
Fatal Four Way Match (WWE Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
Michaels' defeat of Cena in that spectacular match in London, England was a
demonstration to fans that "The Heartbreak Kid" is capable of pinning
the champ, something that Edge had also proved throughout 2006. That only leaves
Orton, this bout's fall guy, primarily because of his recent behavioural indiscretions.
Cena to pin Orton.
3-on-1 Handicap Match (ECW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon/Shane McMahon/Umaga
Given such a close call by Umaga at WrestleMania, one would think that 3-1
odds in favour of the McMahon team would be too much for even Lashley. However,
I believe he will scrape another win in this one, with Shane McMahon the one
to go down.
Last Man Standing Match (World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker vs. Batista
It is interesting that this bout is a Last Man Standing match only two bouts
into the Undertaker vs Batista feud. Even more interesting to note will be how
Batista performs after one of his best ever matches at WrestleMania. The Undertaker
character continues to be immensely strong on television, but I can see a short
changing of the guard here, before Undertaker regains the title in a rubber
match.
World Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch
In a match which hopefully receives the time that Cade andMurdoch deserve, the
Hardys run out victors.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
MVP takes the belt in suspicious circumstances.
Women's Championship Match
Women's Champion Melina vs. Mickie James
Melina holds on to the title and begins to become established as a long-term
champion.
Jon Waldman
Fatal Four Way Match (WWE Heavyweight Championship)
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
I get a sneaking suspicion that the whole "Randy Orton trashes the hotel
again" is a ruse. After all, it's the first time that I can remember that
wwe.com has reported on "disciplinary action", despite the wellness
suspensions. I certainly wouldn't put it past WWE to swerve everyone via the
'net. So as bizarre as it sounds, I'm putting my money on Orton to take the
title.
3-on-1 Handicap Match (ECW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon/Shane McMahon/Umaga
Two titles changing hands on one show? You bet. While fans will get a sick
feeling over the threat ofVinnie Mac being the ECW champ, I have little doubt
that the Fed has thought this out in advance. Instead, Shane McMahon, who in
the ring is more extreme than Lashley could ever dream of being, will be the
one wearing the strap at the end of the night.
Last Man Standing Match (World Heavyweight Championship)
Undertaker vs. Batista
Whoever wins here will pretty much go on to face Ken Kennedy. That's inevitable.
What we don't know is how WWE's book will take this one. The nature of the LMS
match would almost make you think that Kennedy will take his opportunity to
get the belt here and now, and that's what should happen tonight. The reality
is neither Batista nor 'Taker need the belt now, and a feud between them puts
the belt in a secondary spot. So let Undertaker retain, just for fun, but lose
to Mr. Kennedy...Kennedy in the end.
World Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch
Could we be in line for another title switch? Why not. Cade and Murdoch need
the credibility.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
It's MVP's time to get the belt, or his fantastic wrestling of late will be
forgotten. MVP takes the title.
Women's Championship Match
Women's Champion Melina vs. Mickie James
It's a clean sweep folks. Every title changes hands tonight, as Mickie James
wins here, then gets a rude awakening from Beth Phoenix on Monday.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman