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"Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares"
- The Unforgiven, Metallica
The above lyrics pretty much describe the fate of several combatants tonight.
For some pay-per-views, the SLAM! Wrestling crew has to take time to carefully consider how the WWE writers will scribe the outcome. Many matches genuinely have mystery behind them.
Others, like many that take place at Unforgiven tonight, have been set in stone (or in a tombstone, if you will) from their conception.
Let's look at the card, and at the same time hope that WWE changes the name
of this PPV next year. I'm running out of lyrics to rip each year boyos.
| MAIN EVENT: WWE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
MATCH John Cena vs. Randy Orton |
|---|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
This is an actual intriguing match-up. It's pretty much a given that the feud
does not end here, but does Cena retain or become the chaser? To me, Cena losing
the belt becomes a major milestone now that he's held the title for so long,
and dropping it mid-feud with Orton doesn't fit. I'm going with a screwy finish
here, possibly by Cena getting DQ'd.
Brian Elliott
Although they had a good match at Summerslam, for some reason I just can't get
excited about another Cena vs Orton contest. Perhaps it is because, at this
point, Orton is really the only viable challenger to Cena's title. Orton to
win under dubious circumstances.
Greg Oliver
The year has flown by, hasn't it? Congrats to Cena and WWE for making the belt
actually mean something. Therefore, it shouldn't change hands on a second-rate
PPV that no one is interested in. Somehow Cena comes out on top, maybe by getting
DQ'd for being too violent.
| WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH Batista vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Great Khali |
|---|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Again - what the hell has Batista done to deserve to be in this bout? It's moronic
booking like this that sends my urges to suspend disbelief packing. Attention
WWE writers (and yes, I'm especially pointing to you Michael Hayes): fans have
lost interest in Batista, and you've made Rey look weaker by having his big
buddy have to be inserted in the match to protect him. Get Batista out of the
picture already, before Mysterio's big comeback is killed dead. Khali wins.
Brian Elliott
Done correctly, a Mysterio vs Batista feud could have seen some excellent matches
this time last year. Sadly, injuries got in the way of that, and I don't see
them feuding in 2007. Khali will retain the belt here, and will continue to
surprise even optimists by failing to show any aptitude for professional wrestling.
Greg Oliver
Mysterio is in over his head, literally and figuratively. While Triple H slowly
goes through the midcarders on Raw, Mysterio gets thrown right to the top again.
Yet I don't see him winning here, or Batista for that matter. Khali retains.
| ECW HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke |
|---|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Well, it sure took WWE long enough to give Punk the belt eh? Meh, maybe this
will be the second-coming of Wally Pipp. At this point, Burke hasn't had enough
build to be credible contender. This screams stop-gap match while WWE puts the
Big Daddy V/Boogeyman storyline to bed. Hey, maybe Mabel won't end up being
the worst King of the Ring in history. Punk wins here in my pre-event vote for
Match of the Night.
Brian Elliott
John Morrison's suspension has really thrown a spanner in the ECW works, as
Burke has now been re-elevated to title contention, somewhere which he hasn't
really warranted based on ECW TV. Punk to retain.
Greg Oliver
Punk's time is only beginning, and judging by our poll on the anticipated matches,
he's one of the draws. He retains.
|
UNDERCARD
|
|---|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Carlito vs. HHH (Carlito cannot be disqualified) - Oh please. Like anything
is going to save Carlito. HHH wins.
Undertaker vs. Mark Henry - Oh please. Like anything is going to save Henry.
'Taker wins.
Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix (WWE Women's Title) - Oh please. Like
anything is going to save Candice. Phoenix wins.
Brian Kendrick/Paul London vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch (World Tag Team Titles)
- Oh please. Like anything... sorry, force of habit. the RoH'ers win.
Matt Hardy/MVP vs. Deuce/Domino (WWE Tag Team Titles) - I love the build
here. Hardy and MVP win.
Brian Elliott
Carlito vs. HHH (Carlito cannot be disqualified) - The No-DQ "clause"
is a ridiculous notion, as is the fact that anyone cares about this match. HHH
to win in less than ten minutes.
Undertaker vs. Mark Henry - In another stinker (entirely NOT the fault of
the ring-rusty 'Taker), the Deadman returns to win once again.
Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix (WWE Women's Title) - I'll choose Phoenix
to take the belt and dominate the Women's division.
Brian Kendrick/Paul London vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch (World Tag Team Titles)
- n a match which rightfully should be given twenty-five minutes, but won't
be, London & Kendrick score the win.
Matt Hardy/MVP vs. Deuce/Domino (WWE Tag Team Titles) - Hardy or MVP contrive
to cause the other to take a pinfall loss.
Greg Oliver
Carlito vs. HHH (Carlito cannot be disqualified) - A virtual McMahon
match. No. Chance. In. Hell. For. Carlito.
Undertaker vs. Mark Henry - Like Mark Henry has a chance.
Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix (WWE Women's Title) - They made the mistake
of rushing women before, and continue with Phoenix's win.
Brian Kendrick/Paul London vs. Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch (World Tag Team Titles)
- Probably match of the night, and I pick London/Kendrick.
Matt Hardy/MVP vs. Deuce/Domino (WWE Tag Team Titles) - The odd couple of
Hardy/MVP win.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman