Judgment Day preview
Predictions for tonight’s WWE pay-per-view:
WWE champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton (steel cage match): There’s no way WWE had Triple H go through a long chase to regain the title just to have him lose it a month later. The “Age of Orton” won’t resume tonight, as Triple H retains.
Edge vs. The Undertaker for the vacant world heavyweight title: When The Undertaker defeated Edge for the title seven weeks ago at WrestleMania XXIV, the logical assumption was that he would be getting the long reign that he was denied last year due to injury. That still may be the case, but I have a feeling that Edge is getting the title back tonight. Edge makes a better champion, and Undertaker doesn’t need the belt to get over.
John Cena vs. JBL: Cena has been on a bit of a losing streak lately, and I think it is going to continue tonight. Look for JBL to cheat his way to a win and become Triple H’s next challenger.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: This is the match I’m looking forward to the most. Heel turns have been teased by both men, and Batista basically came right out and said that he was going to show up to hurt Michaels. WWE has me guessing as to how it’s all going to play out, but I think a heel turn is imminent for Jericho, and he will come away with the win.
Big Show vs. Mark Henry: WWE isn’t doing Big Show any favors by having him face The Great Khali and Henry on consecutive pay-per-views. This match probably will be kept short, with Big Show getting the victory.
World tag-team champions John Morrison and The Miz vs. Kane and CM Punk: The way Punk has been booked lately has been odd to say the least, so I have no feel for where his character is going. With Morrison beating Kane and Miz beating Punk on ECW Tuesday, one would assume the babyfaces would avenge those losses and win the title. But Morrison and Miz are actually starting to get over as a team, and I don’t see Kane and Punk as tag champs. Somehow, Morrison and Miz will retain the title.
WWE women’s champion Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina: I expect James to pin Melina and retain the title, which will keep her program with Phoenix going.
Comments
Kevin, it's practically a crime what they're doing to Big Show. You hit the nail on the head. Mark friggin Henry???? Show had a ton of momentum coming off of 'Mania, he was a natural candidate for a push into title contention on Smackdown or Raw, and they have him wrestling Khali and Mark Henry? What a waste of an oppurtunity for a push. Paul Wight is the best wrestling big man I've ever seen, and he's solid on the mic as well. There's no reason why he shouldn't be in title contention for the WWE and/or World Heavyweight belts more often than not.
Posted by: Bill Drain | May 18, 2008 10:45 AM
Kevin- This is kinda off-topic, but is there a bar in Baltimore that shows WWE pay-per-views? I really don't feel like kicking out $40 if I can help it. Thanks man.
Posted by: Dennis | May 18, 2008 11:42 AM
I agree with your confusion as to how Punk is being booked; I thought winning MITB was supposed to be a springboard for him to bigger and better things, yet he seems to lose now more than ever. Maybe it's time to set up a Jeff Hardy vs. Punk match for the briefcase (a la Kennedy vs Edge), so at least the case will belong to someone who is being booked as a championship contender.
And thanks for the heads-up on the existence of a Big Show/ Henry match...it should be a barn-burner!
Posted by: glen | May 18, 2008 12:28 PM
"The way Punk has been booked lately has been odd to say the least...."
I couldn't agree more. A few weeks ago, he got a clean win over Jericho, but he most recently suffered a clean defeat at the hands of the Miz. If any more of the latter happens, the fans may not buy Punk as a potential world title challenger. To support my case, I present Exhibit A: Punk got a huge reaction on ECW, but one Miz put over later, the same crowd gave him less of a response when he wrestled on the Smackdown taping.
Posted by: Christopher | May 18, 2008 12:50 PM
I hope Edge doesn't win. I don't know where they are going with it though. If Edge wins, that keeps the feud with him and Undertaker going, and that feud has become very stale...it's been going since what, Survivor Series? Lame...
Posted by: BHC | May 18, 2008 1:33 PM
I agree with the first poster about Big Show. They should move into a Show-Edge program for the SD! title.
I'm tired of Edge-Undertaker-Batista and Cena-Hunter-Orton constantly dominating the two shows' title matches every single ppv. Its time ti raise up Big Show, Morrison, MVP, Jeff Hardy, and Kennedy to the mian event scene.
I think Cena will beat JBL. Cena has been getting pinned a ton lately.
Posted by: john | May 18, 2008 2:14 PM
Kevin,first of all i must let you know that i enjoy coming to the B-Sun and reading what you have to say in your wrestling blog..
I've been following NWA,WWF,CWA,AWA,and the organization based out of Dallas Texas wrestling since the early 80's and i wonder which era of wrestling do you think was better?
I think that we both can agree that wrestling is geared today for the younger generation,but i'm noticing that my interest in wrestling is declining every Monday night.It's getting to the point where it's getting so repititious with the same four main eventers,the same two or three tag teams wrestling four the belts and noone that can even become the next Rock N Rock Express or the Road Warriors...
Anyway Kevin,i have tuned in to TNA for a couple of months now and fortunately this organization has some potential to make me consider not giving up on wrestling just yet.
Thanks Kevin for this blog and keep up the good analysis on wrestling.
And by the way,its a shame what the Hulkster and his family has gone through recently...
Posted by: Reggie | May 18, 2008 8:06 PM