The Great American Bash preview
Predictions for tonight’s WWE pay-per-view:
WWE champion Triple H vs. Edge: With Edge and Vickie Guerrero breaking up on Smackdown Friday, it seems unlikely that Edge would win the title here. Guerrero probably will somehow cost him the match, perhaps by reinstating The Undertaker and having him take out her new (and soon-to-be former) husband.
World heavyweight champion CM Punk vs. Batista: To say that Punk hasn’t looked strong since winning the title – or, for that matter, even before winning the title – would be an understatement. That could mean that WWE has no confidence in Punk as champion and he is dropping the title tonight. Or maybe that is what WWE wants us to think and Punk is going over. I’m going with the latter scenario, although I bet it will be one of those deals in which Batista dominates the match and basically has it won before Punk pulls out another fluke win. I’m guessing that Kane will interfere and cost Batista the match.
John Cena vs. JBL in a New York City Parking Lot Brawl: This feud has been very one-sided. I picked JBL to win his past two pay-per-view matches against Cena but was wrong both times. JBL has to win one sooner or later, doesn’t he? Somehow, perhaps with interference from Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes, JBL finally will get a victory over Cena.
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels: This story line has been booked so well and both guys have been so good in their roles that this match feels like the real main event. Since Michaels won their previous meeting – and to keep the program going – I think Jericho wins this one, perhaps with an assist from Lance Cade. I expect Michaels’ eye injury to be a factor.
ECW champion Mark Henry vs. Tommy Dreamer: I don’t give Dreamer much chance of winning. Frankly, it seems kind of weak to have Dreamer in a pay-per-view title match (even if it is just for the ECW championship). Look for Henry to score a convincing victory in his first title defense.
WWE tag team champions John Morrison and The Miz vs. Fit Finlay and Hornswoggle vs. Jesse and Festus vs. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins: Morrison and Miz have held the title for eight months, so it might be time for a switch. I don’t think the “Edge guys” are winning, and it would be a travesty if Finlay and Hornswoggle got the belts. That leaves Jesse and Festus. They are over with the crowd – especially Festus – and just might have earned themselves a title run. I say “Biscuits and Gravy” all the way.
Michelle McCool vs. Natalya to crown the WWE divas champion: It might be wishful thinking, but I’m picking Natalya. She is much more believable as a champion than McCool is.
Comments
Festus has the face of a WWE Tag Team Champion.
After jobbing to Carmella, Joy Giovanni, Amy Weber, Christy Hemme, Maria, and someone named Tracie Wright in the 2004 Diva Search, I expect Michelle McCool will job to the heiress apparent of The Hart Foundation.
Posted by: Quin | July 20, 2008 4:52 AM
Pretty much that is what I expect from the Bash. However Mr. Eck forgot the latest match-up: Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin for the US Championship... I think Matt has fought too long for the belt, and since the feus is just starting, Matt will get the victory... I expect this feud to continue though, they're both good wrestlers and put on good fights.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I know that it has been reported on several sites that Hardy-Benjamin was added, but it is not listed on wwe.com's lineup. Maybe it was just an oversight on WWE's part, but I subscribe to the theory of "When in doubt, leave it out."
Posted by: Jay | July 20, 2008 9:46 AM
I think Cena is going to beat JBL. I think JBL has to take time off for either a hurt back or breast reduction surgery, one of the two.
Posted by: Elevation | July 20, 2008 1:48 PM
"Frankly, it seems kink of weak to have Dreamer in a pay-per-view title match...."
I agree. Not only has Dreamer been squashed by Henry multiple times, but he has lost cleanly to everyone from Mike Knox to Chavo Guerrero to the vampire who is no longer on the roster. The only opponent whom I can recall Dreamer beating in recent times is Colin Delaney.
If that isn't a hard sell for a title match, then I don't know what is.
Posted by: Christopher | July 20, 2008 2:04 PM
I hope WWE don't take the strap off Punk tonight but it feels really 50-50 at the moment, why would they put it on him in the first place when Batista was wrestling Edge the night before? but then again they could be wanting to bury this guy so much that they just wanted a quick-fix, attention-grabbing way of getting the MITB away from him. All they need to do for him to get over as a credible champ is just push the discipline side his lifestyle as giving him a mental edge or something - maybe do a few VT's of him training or something and he'd be fine. I can't think of anything more dull than Batista and HHH as the champs, as faces anyway. Bring on an HHH Taker feud but please make one turn as you have the two best heels of the last decade here gfetting stale as faces.
Posted by: Amos | July 20, 2008 2:43 PM
I guess I'm the only one that sees the swerve on this wedding angle. Edge and Vickie Guerrero are putting one over on the fans and Triple H with this setup. Edge is going to steal the title from Trips tonight thanks to Vickie. It's just way too soon to end that angle
Posted by: Chris | July 20, 2008 7:39 PM
Wow, Kev, it is freaky how close you were on this one. You had just about every angle spotted. You get a bye on the interference call in the JBL match simply because the way they have been booking that fued has not made any sense so far.
With Michelle, we all knew who should've won and we all knew who was going to win. Admit it, you saw that one coming.
Posted by: Mr. E | July 21, 2008 2:07 AM