No Way Out preview
Predictions for tonight's WWE pay-per-view:
WWE champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena: It’s certainly not far-fetched to assume that Cena will win the title tonight and then face Triple H at WrestleMania, but I have a hunch that’s not happening. WWE has done such a good job of building Orton into a credible champion that I just don’t see him dropping the belt anywhere but on the big stage at WrestleMania. I think Orton will retain the title in a disputed finish, leading to a triple-threat match at WrestleMania between Orton, Cena and Triple H.
World heavyweight champion Edge vs. Rey Mysterio: There is some question as to whether Mysterio will be able to wrestle after suffering what was believed to have been a torn biceps during a match in Chile last week. Regardless of Mysterio’s condition, Edge will retain the title.
Raw elimination chamber match (Jeff Hardy, JBL, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels,Triple H, Umaga): There are only two people who have a shot at winning this match — Hardy and Triple H, and I already indicated in my analysis of the Orton-Cena match that I’m going with Triple H. Even though I think Hardy will come up short, I expect him to come out of this match with his momentum in tact.
Smackdown elimination chamber match (Batista, Big Daddy V, Finlay, The Great Khali, MVP, The Undertaker): Most likely it will come down to rivals Batista and The Undertaker, and I would be extremely shocked if The Undertaker doesn’t win.
Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy: I’m looking forward to this match after their verbal confrontation on Raw last week. I expect Kennedy to dominate the match before Flair pulls out the victory and winds up his career at WrestleMania.
ECW champion Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk: I think it’s too soon for Guerrero to lose the title, so I anticipate the champion winning in nefarious fashion.
Comments
The thing that is impressing me right now about WWE over TNA is that they seem to have the flexibility to realize when they underestimate what wrestler can sell and adjust their plans . (i.e., Jeff Hardy) TNA probably planned this swerve with Tomko all along. But when he evolved into someone fans could get behind and sell tickets with, they lacked the vision or flexibility to tweak the plan to take advantage of a potential gold mine. That is why like Vince McMahon or hate him, you have to concede there is a reason he is the most successful. It is that flexibility. Look at what they have done with Hardy. Rather than see the reaction to his loss to Orton as overrating his popularity, they saw the reaction for what it really was: His fans genuinely were disappointed that he did not win the title. The fans became invested in what a Hardy title run might bring and were let down that it didn't happen. They were able to see he had made the leap from credible opponent to headliner and they are obviously positioning him for a run that will end with the title. Vince has made it interesting to see what will happen with Jeff Hardy. He converted a possible negative to a positive. He's given us a REASON to watch. Perhaps TNA will learn that eventually...
Posted by: Walter Hollman | February 17, 2008 5:55 AM
Big Show is back.
Never expected to see him, Floyd Mayweather, and Shane O Man together at the same time.
Posted by: John | February 17, 2008 9:52 PM
Way to call it Kevin. For such a "no-upsets" PPV (Big Show/Mayweather excluded), it was really quite a show.
I'm certainly not a Hardy fan at all but I even found myself rooting for him to pull it out at the end.
The Cena-Orton ending felt a little cheap and inconsistent..Orton had the upperhand at the moment as Cena had just barely made it in before a 10-count. But perhaps he had a "WTF? I can't beat this guy!" moment and bailed out. I read on another site about "cool heels" who you sort of root for even when you know you shouldn't (ex: Edge, Kennedy) and "true heels" who you just hate no matter who they're fighting (ex: Orton). Tonight proved to be a good example of that.
Moment of the night for me was Undertaker waiting for MVP's cell to open and delivering a beatdown before MVP could step out. It's always interesting when they throw in a little "veteran common sense" to an otherwise irrational sport.
Posted by: RJ | February 18, 2008 12:57 AM