Judgment Day preview
Predictions for Sunday night’s WWE pay-per-view:
WWE champion Randy Orton vs. Batista: I don’t see Orton losing the title, but the finish has to be done in a way that keeps Batista strong so the program can keep going. One possibility is that Triple H shows up and attacks Orton, inadvertently costing Batista the title in the process.
World heavyweight champion Edge vs. Jeff Hardy: This is the odds-on favorite to be the best match on the show. It’s ridiculous how many short title reigns Edge has had, and the time seems right for him to hold the belt for a while. Edge retains the title and then faces Hardy in a rematch at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view next month. TLC, anyone?
John Cena vs. The Big Show: I can see this one going either way. It depends on how long WWE wants this program to continue and when Cena is taking time off to shoot his next movie. If Cena loses, he has a built-in excuse due to the injury angle. If he wins, Cena once again overcame long odds to pull out a victory. I’m leaning toward the first scenario.
ECW champion Christian vs. Jack Swagger: I think it’s too early to take the belt off Christian, although if Tommy Dreamer is getting a title shot at Extreme Rules next month, it makes more sense for Swagger to be the champ. I’m guessing that Mark Henry interferes and costs Christian the match.
Intercontinental champion Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho: According to Internet reports, these two have been having great matches at house shows, so this has the potential to steal the show. There has been speculation that Mysterio will put his mask on the line at some point in his program with Jericho, so I think Jericho wins the title and then makes Mysterio put up his mask to get a title shot.
CM Punk vs. Umaga: It’s a pretty safe bet that this will be a stiff match. I don’t see Umaga losing in his return to pay-per-view.
Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison: This figures to a really good match. Hopefully they won’t have to rush through it. With Morrison’s recent babyface turn, I think it makes sense for him to win to gain some momentum.
Comments
Kevin,
I agree that it would be ridiculous for Edge to lose another title this quickly. By hook or crook, Edge has to win tonight. It is too soon for Jeff to win back the title. As far the ECW Championship match, I think Dreamer will interfere, cost Swagger the match, and set up a triple threat match at "Extreme Rules." I don't think Jericho will win the title tonight since the feud between him and Rey is only two weeks old. He might win it eventually, but it is too soon for that. I'm surprised that you think Morrison is going to win tonight. He beat Benjamin two weeks ago, beat Haas last week, punched Benjamin on Superstars this week, and won the tag match on SmackDown. He has all the momentum he can handle at the moment! Benjamin needs to win tonight to stay strong in the eyes of the fans.
-Emilio Fox
Posted by: Emilio Fox | May 17, 2009 2:47 PM
The match that I am looking forward to the least is Cena vs. Big Show. Considering the injury angle, 90% of the match will probably consist of Cena writhing on the canvas, .
Posted by: Christopher | May 17, 2009 2:48 PM
I think Jericho would be wasted with the intercontinental championship, I think the match ends in a count out win for Jericho, as during the match I believe he will rip of Rey's mask and Rey will run off...thus keeping Rey champion and the feud ongoing
But I feel Jericho is a main eventer and shouldn't be going for the mid carder title...but have no complaints with a Jericho vs Mysterio match
Posted by: stan | May 17, 2009 2:49 PM
Agree with most of those predictions, but would they have most of the heels winning? They need to send the fans home happy.
I think Christian will retain, as otherwise his reign would be pointless, and they can add Dreamer to a 3-way at Extreme Rules.
Also, isn't the show taking place in Chicago? That makes me think they'd give Punk the win, wouldn't they? Either that, or he'd cash in MITB at the show - which I'm 50/50 on as Edge needs a lenghty reign, and if Jeff won then Punk pinning him would make everyone hate him, but they've been building the angle up leading to the show, so he might, especially if he loses to Umaga.
I'm not sure, do you think Punk will cash in tonight?
Bruce
Posted by: Bruce | May 17, 2009 2:52 PM
I can see Morrison vs Benjamin and Jericho vs Myserio completely stealing the show!
Posted by: Joe Thomas | May 17, 2009 4:40 PM
I'm a bit bored waiting for it to start so i'll make some predictions:-
Shelton vs. JoMo: Provided this match goes on first, these two have the potential to get the crowd going with a few nice acrobatic spots. Shelton needs a win but I think Morrison gets it and moves onto a program with Jericho.
ECW title match: Tommy Dreamer must be getting a shot at Extreme Rules so I guess Swagger is getting the strap back after some interference, although it would actually make more sense for Christian to face Dreamer as he has experience of Extreme Rules matches and could put on a real bloody spotfest with Dreamer.
Punk vs. Umaga: Umaga has to win. Apart from his short stint on Smackdown before his injury he was being borderline buried by repeated jobbing (think Snitsky) and if they are at all serious about this guy he needs some wins, although I wonder if it isn't actually company policy to bring these big guys in just as jobbers to the stars and then future endeavor them when they are no longer getting good heat. CM has the whole underdog thing going on anyway so a win doesn't really hurt him. Could be a great match as Umaga is the most underrated worker in WWE and Punk can bring it aswell.
Cena-Show: You know who cares about this match - NO ONE. No one over 12 anyway. Some spots may liven it up. I'm not a Cena hater but you know this one's going to suck. Show is so stale right now and really needs a killer angle to save his main event future - unfortunately, this isn't it.
Y2J vs. Rey Mysterio: This one is going to be an absolute hum-dinger. These seem to be nearly the only guys in WWE that bring out new moves or variations on a regular basis (I suppose there are a few others) and I fully expect to see a few tonight. I'm also expecting near falls galore and all their regular spots thrown in for good measure. Y2J wins to set up a title programme with Morrison, as a long chase and win for him could do something for the IC strap. That said, I could still see Rey winning.
Edge Vs. Jeff: This could be good, or it could be just sort of there. These two are fantastic spot wrestlers but i'm just not completely convinced by the prospect of a straight one-on-one, as we've seen their stuff so many times. My guess is they have a short, tidy match with Edge retaining via DQ or interference, and they save the good stuff for a stip rematch at Extreme Rules. The sad thing is I can almost see Jeff winnning, but the time just feels so right now to have Edge hang on to the belt for a while.
Randy vs. Dave: Legacy, Trips and Shane could all get involed and see Randy retain after being dominated for 10 minutes by the Animal - Whatever happens there's only one thing you can count on in this match, it will suck. We all know about Dave's ring work (and mic skills etc.) and I personally don't find Orton's work particularly exciting (although it is technically brilliant) as he is hampered by the fact he constantly has to work longer matches than most due to his spot on the card, meaning his matches are slower paced. I'm just not buying this angle fully and find Orton to be just a little bit dull at the moment unfortunately.
Posted by: Amos | May 17, 2009 7:31 PM
I don't think Triple H costs Batista.
I think Kennedy returns to thwart Batista and become Orton and Legacy's enforcer.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | May 17, 2009 8:29 PM
Wow, I wish I had my $40 back. That was the last $40 Vince will get from me.
Posted by: Jerry M | May 18, 2009 7:33 AM