May 17, 2009
Countdown to WWE Judgment Day
By SLAM! Wrestling Staff

What's this? A card without any gimmick matches?

Yes, believe it or not, this pay-per-view has no stip matches whatsoever - just some pure wrestling bouts that look to make Judgement Day one of the most intriguing lineups this year. Let's take a closer look.

(Editor's note: WWE pulled a TNA and announced a bout - the John Morrison/Shelton Benjamin match - after we had made our picks).

WWE TITLE MATCH

Randy Orton vs. Batista

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

It would seem too obvious for Triple H to return now and cost Batista the bout. They'll hold that off for another month. In the interim, Orton takes the win here.

Andy McNamara

Orton is on way too much of a roll with Legacy to be dethroned just yet...that honour will be saved for Triple H. Probably some outside interference from DiBiase and Rhodes leads to Randy retaining.


Greg Oliver

They have done a good job building up Batista again. He's a legitimate contender and this should be a decent bout. But I think to give the title more credibility, and therefore Orton, Randy has to go over, even if it comes with some help.

 
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

Edge vs. Jeff Hardy
 

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

With Hardy seemingly on his way out, this should be quick and dirty unless they build to a title vs. career match at Summerslam, which would necessitate a DQ finish, or a quick title exchange. I'll take Edge here with a chair to draw the "ring the bell" call from the ref.

Andy McNamara

This will be an outstanding match up as usual with at least a couple of impressive high spots. Hardy will be cheated somehow for Edge to sneak out a victory and keep his gold.

Greg Oliver

Is this the carrot dangling in front of Jeff to keep him around as his contract approaches expiration? Perhaps. While this might be the match of the night, it'll still be Edge's night.

ECW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Jack Swagger vs. Christian

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

A title switch would seem obvious here to build to Tommy Dreamer's last chance match at Extreme rules, except they could reach back into the ECW historty books just as easily and do a three-way dance. I'll cautiously take Christian to retain.

Andy McNamara

This one could go either way, and with the two main titles being kept I could see a title switch here. I think it's a pick'em, but will go with Swagger upsetting Christian.

Greg Oliver

Is it me, or is there just something not quite there about Swagger yet? Good skills, but ... I'll take Christian to retain the belt, and perhaps the next contender for the title will make himself known with a run-in or something.

  GRUDGE MATCH
John Cena vs. Big Show		  

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

Yawn. Show wins with outside help. Next!

Andy McNamara

Yawn. Cena wins with a FU (or Attitude Adjustment...whatever). This would have been more interesting with a stipulation. Greg Oliver

You'd almost think this was the main event given the air time it has been given. I'll take Big Show in a bit of an upset since someone behind the scenes seems determined to make something of him.

 

INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH

Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio


SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

Part of me is really excited by this bout, but another part of me wonders if, 10 or so years later, these two can still have the magic they did back in WCW. I'll take the odds that they can and suggest this to be the best bout on the card. Jericho takes the title, mainly due to Rey's injury.

Andy McNamara

If Christian is going to keep the ECW title then this is where a belt changes hand. Mysterio nor Jericho really needs I.C. gold, but Jericho having the belt and still getting no repect is the natural progression to his character.

Greg Oliver

Rey's history of injuries, including the recent one, put this bout into question. But his heart has never been in question. If indeed they do have the match and Mysterio can go, then man, should be a good one. But Jericho retains.

 

GRUDGE MATCH

CM Punk vs. Umaga

 

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

If the idea is for Umaga to steal the briefcase then he should have done that already. As is, this match is as flat as the Punk/Kane match last month. Punk needs the duke.

Andy McNamara

Umaga dominates throughout and Punk makes the late comeback to win courtesy of a GTS.

Greg Oliver

A throw-in popcorn match. Punk wins.


PREVIOUS JUDGMENT DAY PPV REPORTS

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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
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