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Countdown to WWE Judgment Day
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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The second PPV of the WWE "season" is upon us, with a mixed-bag card.
Of note, only one of the matches on the card is a rematch from the last show,
and one other is a modification from Backlash. This is an example of good booking
that TNA can greatly learn from. While some may question the quality of some
of the match-ups, none will deny the potential there is for a couple hot bouts
as well as some good drama.
Let's get to the action.
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MAIN EVENT: WWE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
John Cena vs. Great Khali |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
With Edge gone and Orton not yet ready, RAW is running short on heels. Khali
destroys Cena, but gets DQ'd, and this one extends for another month until HHH's
return.
Matt Mackinder
Of course Cena wins here. I don’t think he pins the ogre, but maybe a countout
win keeps the belt with Cena, who could also lose via countout. I say Cena retains.
Jon Waldman
Well, we know Khali has to go over here to build the longer feud. The question
is whether or not he'll win the title. As the old axiom goes in wrestling, the
chase is more exciting than the championship, so I expect Cena to drop the belt.
Greg Oliver
Ugh. How bad could it be? Pretty ugly. But Cena will retain.
Andy McNamara
This will not be a technical classic to say the least! I see Khali getting the
title by knocking Cena out cold and forcing a referee stoppage.
Brian Elliott
Although he is certainly one of the least-skilled wrestlers to ever main-event
a PPV, WWE have done an excellent job of building up The Great Khali in recent
weeks. Given that, I expect him to take the title for a short run.
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WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Edge vs. Batista |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Hopefully Edge can be the MVP of Friday like he was on Monday this past year
- Smackdown's injury-prone roster needs the help! He cheats to win.
Matt Mackinder
Edge just got the title and will keep it somehow here, perhaps with cheating
or something of that nature. Batista will probably get a rematch, however, but
I don't know why.
Jon Waldman
One question - why Batista? Has he not fumbled the ball enough times? I'm guessing
Edge prevails thanks to an attack from Mark Henry.
Greg Oliver
I don't see the point of Edge jumping brands, and then losing in his first title
defense. So the Rated R Superstar retains here and sets up a hot feud with Batista,
probably reaching a climax at SummerSlam.
Andy McNamara
This match is way too rushed with no build they really should've held off. I'm
picking Batista to win by DQ to continue the new feud.
Brian Elliott
I've heard several people knock the change of the World Heavyweight Title to
Edge, and for the life of me, I can't understand it. Hard-working, skilled and
a great interview, he is one of the best performers in the entire company. Edge
will emerge from this bout with the title intact, albeit via disqualification.
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3-on-1 HANDICAP/ECW TITLE MATCH
Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga/Shane McMahon/Vince McMahon |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Hear that? That's the sound of nobody caring about ECW any more. Lashley
wins.
Matt Mackinder
I see Lashley getting his title back here. At some point, I hope he rips Vince’s
doo-rag off his dome or at least untucks Vince's ears.
Jon Waldman
You have to figure Lashley gets the belt back here or at One Night Stand. I'll
go with the latter.
Greg Oliver
Been there, done that. Superman can't win all the fights, and neither can Lashley.
But at least Superman had a little charisma. McMahons & Umaga win, for what
it matters.
Andy McNamara
In this Backlash rematch something has to give. I am giving the edge to Lashley
as he pins McMahon once Umaga takes out Shane by mistake.
Brian Elliott
I can comprehend the fact that Vince McMahon feels that there is no better ECW
heel than himself, given what the original ECW stood for. But this isn't the
original ECW - far from it - and a 3-on-1 handicap stipulation is ridiculous.
Lashley to regain.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - This match may be the only
reason to buy the PPV. Kudos to Benoit for elevating MVP to superstar status.
MVP pulls off a surprising win.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - Wow, did they hotshot this angle or what? Punk
will look like a star, but the New Breed will interfere and help Burke get the
win.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - This should be the night's other highlight.
Orton loses after some Sweet Chin Music.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - Carlito draws first blood in what will be another
lengthy feud.
Matt Mackinder
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - These guys are pretty exciting
to watch. Is MVP ready for a title run? You betcha.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - Punk should be the face of ECW and with this pay-per-view
win over Sidney Deane (look it up) takes another step in that direction.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - They sure rushed this match eh? Is Orton
still in the doghouse? Was he ever out? Give HBK the win.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - This is what Ric Flair has been relegated to these
days. Sad. And he loses, too.
Jon Waldman
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - Gotta free up Benoit for
a summer rivalry with Edge, so let's take MVP this time, with a handshake at the
end.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - Believe it or not, this is Punk's first singles
match on PPV in WWE. He'll get the W here.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - I have to pick Orton over the H-airbrush
Kid.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - Carlito has been made to look rediculous thus far
in the feud. Anything but a dominant win seals his fate. Ric Flair winning? That's
not cool.
Greg Oliver
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - Probably the match of
the night, provided they are given enough time. MVP has got to come out on top
eventually, otherwise the "constantly frustrated" storyline doesn't
make sense. This is the time, since Benoit can get screwed on one fall.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - Punk takes it, but Burke gets a good showing.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - Neither will be hurt by a loss, and neither
really gets a boost from a win. The feud will continue, so I expect a non-finish.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - It's not time for Flair to get his comeuppance,
so super heel Carlito wins.
Andy McNamara
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - MVP continues to improve,
however, after a hard fought battle The Crippler pulls it out and retains.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - CM Punk pulls it out in this fast paced match-up.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - This random grudge fest should be great
in-ring work. Orton puts on a good show to continue his climb back up the ladder,
but HBK ends things with Sweet Chin Music.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - Carlito cheats to win.
Brian Elliott
Chris Benoit vs. MVP (US Title/2 of 3 falls) - With 2 out of 3 falls
at their disposal - and please, at least thirty minutes - this will be a hit.
MVP to go over.
Elijah Burke vs. CM Punk - Burke is a great young talent, and Punk needs
to have a memorable match to kickstart his WWE career. This could be another
great one, and I see Punk winning.
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton - Both men are supremely talented, but I
can't help but feel I've seen this too many times before. Still, the match has
promise, and I expect Michaels to take this one, as Orton continues to take
punishment for his indiscretions.
Carlito vs. Ric Flair - Though in my opinion, it is the wrong decision,
I expect Carlito's comments to Tim Baines to have sealed his fate.
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