ONE NIGHT STAND HISTORY From the SLAM! Wrestling archives: June 4, 2007: One Night Stand a PPV gong show June 12, 2006: ECW resurrected at One Night Stand PPV June 13, 2005: One great Night of hardcore nostalgia 1997-2008 Pay-per-view-reports

WWE goes "extreme" tonight with their all-out gimmick pay-per-view, One Night Stand.

As all loyal readers know, we're not exactly fans of PPVs where every match has a gimmick, but at least we can applaud WWE for not having matches that require Mapquest for explanation, unlike the tendencies of another VeRy prominent booker in another league.

Still, with only two weeks worth of hype for this show, you have to wonder how much this show will draw, especially with Night of the Champions looming. Let's look at what may happen this evening.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

It's funny how this is called Edge's match, even though his most recent entry into such a bout resulted in a loss (in his semi-hometown no less). I'm really going into this one with a lot of intrigue, because, while Undertaker has unbelievably been incredible in his last half-year run, I can't see him doing well when there's a ladder involved. I can almost see 'Taker doing a chair-assisted Gogoplata to put Edge down, causing a distraction from Vickie before he can nab the title, who declares 'Taker DQ'd, giving Edge the strap. Then, while Edge is prone and bloody, CM Punk comes out and beats Copeland at his own game.

Jason Clevett

Although the outcome wasn't really in question, it was made that much more predictable with the additional stipulation that if Undertaker loses, he leaves WWE. That is such an annoying stipulation, because it completely foreshadows things. Regardless, I expect this to be a great one because these two work so well together. Taker may not have a lot of ladder match experience, but his match with Jeff Hardy a few years ago was excellent, and I expect no different here en route to Undertaker regaining the belt.

Matt Mackinder

Don’t rule out another screwy finish here, folks. A heel champ always makes the most sense to me, so putting the title on Edge is not a bad thing at all, even if both of these guys are injury-prone. I’ll roll with it and say Edge gets the gold with LOTS of help from the outside.

Greg Oliver

Does 'Taker drop the title here in Edge's specialty match? Oh wait, he's not "actually" the champ at the moment. I'll take Edge.

Bob Kapur

The whole decision to strip the Undertaker of the title, then keep putting him in title matches doesn't make sense to me at all. In any case, the advantage would seem to be Edge's, given his experience in TLC matches - so that means Undertaker should take it. But I expect they'll swerve everyone and have Edge win it. Hey, if they're going to do a full gimmick match show, might as well use Vince Russo logic in the booking too, right?

Andy McNamara

I am excited about this match because you just know Edge and Taker will be trying to steal the show. There will be tons of interference from La Familia, but in the end it will be The Undertaker finally getting back his World Title.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

While I like the psychology, I don't like the prospect of another match between these two. I really feel that this feud has not only dragged Orton down to midcard level, but has also, in large part, been a contributing factor to the ratings decline. It's time to see something new, but at the same time I can't see HHH wanting his last match with Randy to be at such a lowly PPV. I'm calling for a double count, and then Hell in a Cell at NOTC.

Jason Clevett

I'm sorry, but these two working together just isn't doing it for me. It's not that the matches are terrible, there is just no chemistry there and it translates into a dull match. The LMS match back in 2007 was decent however, so maybe the added stipulation will help. HHH retains, and hopefully moves on to new challengers.

Matt Mackinder

Triple H falling off his throne already? No chance. This should be a doozy and I hope it goes at least 20 minutes, if not longer. Both are stale wrestlers with their set routines, but that goes by the wayside for the most part in a Last Man Standing Match. However it gets done, probably with a sledgehammer, HHH retains here.

Greg Oliver

If Orton hasn't won the title back by now, then he sure won't here. And since HHH is a true hero, he'll probably use a sledgehammer to win. Yeah, that's fair and makes you look strong, buddy.

Bob Kapur

HHH wins this one. First, to get his payback for losing their last LMS match. Second, if Edge wins the Smackdown main event, this is the one to end the PPV on so the show ends on a happy note.

Andy McNamara

No way HHH is dropping the belt as he officially puts an end to the Age of Orton. Regardless of knowing the outcome this will be another strong bout on a pretty stellar card. Expect some colour.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

I like this match, but it always bugs me that the colour comes from the forehead. Yes, I know that that's the "traditional" blade spot, but just for once I'd like to see another bodypart get the colour - maybe a rake across the back or a bloody nose. I suspect that Cena wins here, because they'll need to get him on the NOTC card somehow.

Jason Clevett

Another match without a lot of chemistry. Expect a repeat of Judgment Day - JBL beats the hell out of Cena but can't draw blood, and some how Cena manages to draw blood to get the win.

Matt Mackinder

Another recycled feud that was okay the first time, but dull this time. It’s Cena the wall against JBL and his flab. Yikes. Cena gets the win after clocking Bradshaw with his dog tags or a chair or Lillian’s shoe. Something not out of the ordinary will decide this.

Greg Oliver

Yawn. JBL bleeds after beating up Cena.

Bob Kapur

As much as I hated their last match (and I really, really did hate it), this should be good - provided that it's a brutal hardcore fight and the win comes in gory fashion with about a gallon of the red stuff. Otherwise, what's the point? Cena wins.

Andy McNamara

These two do best with one another when there is plunder involved and that is what we will get here. I'm going to pick JBL because it continues the feud without Cena looking weak by not getting pinned.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

I've never been a fan of the stretcher, but it's not the worst gimmick in the world. It would seem to me that, given the knee being the focus of the feud, a last man standing stip would make better storyline sense, but disabling your opponent to the point where they cannot escape the gurney works also. I'm betting that Batista wins here, maybe with some help from Y2J.

Jason Clevett

Interesting stipulation for this one. Wouldn't be my choice, but maybe they are planning something. I can't see this three-way feud with Jericho ending so quickly, so I expect Batista to even the series 1-1.

Matt Mackinder

Oh boy. Here we go. Yes, that’s sarcasm you hear. Who jobs in this one? My money’s on Chris Jericho getting involved, KO’ing both guys and sending them both over the line on the stretcher. How’s that for booking?

Greg Oliver

This one is intriguing, and it makes sense for them to continue to play on the knee(s). Maybe Michaels hurts his knee, and no one believes him, like the boy who cried wolf. In the end, Michaels does the job.

Bob Kapur

Surely they could have come up with a better gimmick for this one? Hell in the Cell maybe? Of course they could have... and don't call me Shirley. Batista wins thanks to interference by Jericho.

Andy McNamara

As long as HBK has his working boots on this should be a fairly entertaining contest. Batista is another one who does best when he is not confined to the squared circle. Expect some sort of Jericho interference where I suspect a full heel turn and it is Y2K who assists The Animal in putting away The Show Stopper.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

While these two usually have good bouts, I've seen it way too many times to care. The temptation would be for this to go as crazy as the Chris Benoit/Kevin Sullivan match, but at the same time this is WWE. For stip sake, I'm betting on a pre-recorded segment outdoors, with Hardy leaping off the entrance to the arena and putting Umaga away with a Whisper in the Wind.

Jason Clevett

I am going to go out on a limb here and say Umaga takes it. He has usually stared up at the lights, and a definitive win over Hardy in this match would help towards making him a monster again.

Matt Mackinder

Hasn’t this feud run its course yet??? A match like this (at least in WWE) means it won’t leave the arena and to me, that’s a yawner. Hardy doesn’t seem to have lost any momentum since his suspension and Umaga is just flat-out boring to me. I’ll say Umaga pins Hardy on the ramp after Jeff misses some type of high-risk move.

Greg Oliver

This should be fun, at least, since Umaga has proven to be a real team player over his run. I could see a fall or two in the washroom even -- Twist of Fate off the urinal! Hardy wins.

Bob Kapur

These two work pretty well together, so this should be pretty good. Hardy wins after a spectacularly high Swanton (See how I did that? Clever).

Andy McNamara

The risk is that all of these matches being out and about the ring with plunder will all start to look the same. That won't be a problem with this one as it will go on early. Hardy begins another push for the title picture with a win.

WHAT YOU THINK
Who do you think will win the Singapore Cane Match for the right to face Kane for the ECW title at One Night Stand? Big Show - 61% John Morrison - 7% Tommy Dreamer - 14% Chavo Guerrero - 3% CM Punk - 15%

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

This is the only stip I'm not clear on. Is it simply that each man is armed with a kendo stick? Do you have to beat your opponent with the final blow coming from it? This would be better if it had been incorporated into the storyline. I half expect that Sandman (another former ECW champ) returns here and canes the crap out of everyone to win the number one contender position, but failing that I'd say give the shot to John Morrison.

Jason Clevett

Big Show wins, beats Kane for the belt.

Matt Mackinder

Hard to have a Singapore Cane Match without The Sandman, isn’t it? Odd. The Big Show in ECW is yet ANOTHER recycled storyline that bores the stew out of me. Too, when’s the last time Tommy Dreamer won a match? I’ll go with Tommy winning here and then getting the Benedict Arnold treatment from Colin Delaney after the match. I swear I should be a booker.

Greg Oliver

Betting money is on Big Show, since somebody, somewhere, thinks there is money in Kane against Big Show. I'd like to see Punk win, and I think he will, since he's been losing regularly on TV.

Bob Kapur

E-C-Dub! E-C-Dub! Yeah, I know... time to come back to reality. Big Show wins.

Andy McNamara

Wow an ECW match on an ECW pay-per-view! Punk has been kept to look fairly unimpressive for being the Money in the Bank winner so I'm guessing that he gets the nod.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

I like the concept, but there's something missing in the execution. Yes, Melina has been known to do a number of submission moves, and it's expected from Beth, but each woman winning one bout prior to the PPV with a tapout doesn't cut it for me. I'd love to see some colour here, as we haven't seen a woman bleed in WWE in ages. Beth wins, but Melina is kept strong.

Jason Clevett

There haven't been a lot of gimmick matches between women that don't involve lumberjills, so excellent that they are trying something different. I don't expect this one to last long. Beth dominates and makes Melina say I quit.

Matt Mackinder

This will be the Bathroom/Beer Break match of the evening. At least Beth can actually wrestle. She wins here with a torture move that makes Melina quit. Yawn.

Greg Oliver

There's no way that Melina can make Phoenix quit, even if there was outside interference from Mickie James.

Bob Kapur

Beth's juggernaut ways continue. She wins, but won't let go of the submission - and in doing so, completes Melina's babyface turn.