No Mercy is upon us, and with it comes what looks to be the conclusion of a
couple storylines.
Both members of DX seem to be on the edge of moving on, while the Women's Title
picture could move in another direction following tonight's event. Many are
hoping that other grudge feuds (I'm sure that we're all thinking the same way
without saying it out loud) will cease.
With these possibilities in mind, tonight's PPV should be one of the better
ones for storylines this year. Let's see what WWE has prepared for us tonight.
|
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (LADDER
MATCH)
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
While conventional booking would be that HBK goes over, this is definitely Jericho's
match. I don't think anyone would bet against Y2J these days, especially since
a Michaels/Batista match (more on the latter later) has proven to not be that
big a draw. The former Y2J wins.
Greg Oliver
Part of me thinks that HBK gets one more title run. There are some decent heels
for him to play off of. But then I think about how hot Jericho is right now
and it would be silly to chop him off at the ankles. So I'm going to take Jericho
in a dramatic finish to retain the title.
Matt Mackinder
The potential feud of the year with a potential match of the year is how I see
this. Please, WWE, please do not overbook this. Keep Lance Cade and his undercard
status away. Keep anyone away. Just don’t give HBK the title. He's too
bald and too past his prime, but the man can still work, even if it is still
the same routine he’s had the past 10 years. Jericho keeps the NWA, er,
World Heavyweight title.
Jason Clevett
The match to "Save Us" from what on paper seems like a fairly weak
pay per view. I certainly expect this to continue their streak of great matches,
although some fans will probably grumble after since I expect the match will
focus more on them beating the crap out of each other than diving off a ladder.
Since both men are so good in these matches, it will be something special. Jericho
finally gets his victory and retains.
| |
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy |
| |
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
I'm really surprised that WWE hasn't built the "No Mercy" factor up
for this match more, since this PPV essentially launched the career of Jeff
Hardy way back when. Then again, Hardy's extra-curricular activities aren't exactly earning
him the right to such a build. I'm betting on Triple H to win, but not after
Vladimir Kozlov interferes... and aligns himself with The Game. Yep boys and
girls, HHH is turning heel tonight.
Greg Oliver
Hardy is his own worst enemy and as accommodating as Triple H has been, boosting
him to main event levels on Smackdown, he isn't going over here. HHH retains.
Matt Mackinder
Jeff Hardy as WWE champion. Funny. As if the boss’s son-in-law would give
up his precious little title to a guy just teetering on the brink of getting
fired. HHH and his veins keep the belt.
Jason Clevett
It is fairly evident that WWE is building towards HHH vs. Vladimir Kozlov, so
unless they pull a swerve it looks like Hardy's title push is ending here. HHH
wins, the two shakes hands, and both get taken out by a Russian.
|
ECW TITLE MATCH
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Hardy is better with the belt than Henry; it's that simple. Let Matt keep the
belt, then after Survivor Series simultaneously feud with John Morrison and
The Miz.
Greg Oliver
One Hardy has to win, and it'll be Matt, probably with interference from Tony
Atlas backfiring.
Matt Mackinder
Henry must have some dirt on someone to still be employed. And who did Matt
piss off to be the “champion” on Tuesday Night Velocity? Who wins
here? Who cares? I’ll say Hardy just because I like his first name.
Jason Clevett
This one is hard to pick. Does Henry, who never lost the belt, regain or does
the Hardy train run a little longer? I am going to go with Hardy, but there
will be a rematch in the future and Henry will regain.
| |
#1 CONTENDER MATCH
Batista vs. JBL |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Batista has to win here for the sake of good wrestling (notice I didn't say
great wrestling). JBL should spend his time trying to rebuild the fortune that
got sliced and diced in recent weeks on the trading floor, not in the ring.
Greg Oliver
Yawn, and double yawn. Batista wins.
Matt Mackinder
Recycled feuds = lack of new talent. Go catch some Z’s or tap the keg while
chanting “BORRRRING!” at your TV.
Jason Clevett
I have never been entertained by these two wrestling each other. I can't see
Jericho vs. JBL, so Batista wins and heads to a Survivor Series showdown with
Chris.
| |
GRUDGE MATCH
Undertaker vs. Big Show |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Yawn. Next!
Greg Oliver
I think that both have to be kept somewhat strong, so I see a non-finish of
some sort here -- referee stops it when Vickie Guerrero gets involved or something.
Or Edge shows up.
Matt Mackinder
See Batista and JBL.
Jason Clevett
I hope Big Show has his working boots on as when he wants to, he can have some
very good matches. Taker has been on a streak of amazing matches with Edge and
I can't see him having that end. I've noticed Undertaker feuds tend to have
a certain progression - lose, lose, lose, win in gimmick match. Such will be
the case here as Big Show gets the first win in what will be a long feud. World's
largest casket anyone?
| |
WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH
Beth Phoenix vs. Candice Michelle |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
If Candice had even a hint of her past wrestling acumen left, I'd call her
to win; instead, she should be relegated to the B division (i.e. the Divas)
in a trade for Natalya. Beth wins, but not before Santino makes his presence
felt.
Greg Oliver
I think it could go either way. Beth Phoenix could lose because of something
Santino Marella does wrong, or Candice Michelle loses because of Santino Marella.
Either way, the match is more about Santino than the women. I'm picking Phoenix
to retain.
Matt Mackinder
This might be a decent match as both have actually worked to become bonafide
wrestlers. But a title change? Nah. Give Beth the win.
Jason Clevett
Candice Michelle is very rusty, but Candice Michelle is also busty, so she will
win the belt unjustly.
| |
GRUDGE MATCH (MASK VS. NOTHING MATCH)
Kane vs. Rey Mysterio |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
WWE's making too much money selling replica Rey masks. Kane loses here, with
a stip for Survivor Series that he must re-mask if he loses.
Greg Oliver
Probably the most intriguing match on the card because it has to be believable
after all this build-up. Mysterio squeaks out a win, but suffers a major beatdown
before and after the match.
Matt Mackinder
This would actually be intriguing if old WCW fans didn’t remember Rey unmasking
back in the day. Rather than this being a recycled feud, it’s a recycled
gimmick. We know what Rey looks like and he looks all of 11 years old. That
said, Rey wins. Somehow.
Jason Clevett
Yawn. Is this WWE's way of being able to release WCW footage of Rey without
a mask on their next DVD? I doubt it. Rey wins and keeps his mask.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
