Raw 3-for-All preview
For the first time since WWE established ECW as a third brand in 2006, the WWE, world heavyweight and ECW titles will all be defended on the same network TV program (at least it’s the first time that I recall it happening) tonight in a three-hour edition of Raw dubbed 3-for-All.
Here are my predictions for the three title matches:
John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. The Big Show vs. Triple H in a fatal four-way for the vacant WWE title: As I wrote last week, I think the title is going back to Orton. The belt never should have been taken off of him in the first place. I don’t think fans really care to see any of the other three participants as champion right now, especially Triple H. Unless Triple H turned heel, another reign for him would be stale. Quite a few people have speculated that MVP will somehow end up in the match and get a surprise win. I would love to see it, but I have a hard time believing that WWE will go that route. As much as I have been in favor of pushing MVP, I don’t think fans have truly taken to him as a babyface, and that’s more a reflection on questionable booking rather than MVP’s talent. The only way it might work is if MVP costs either Cena or Triple H the title and he goes back to being a cocky heel.
World heavyweight champion CM Punk vs. Edge vs. Jeff Hardy: It would be crazy to take the belt off of Punk this quickly. If WWE books Punk as a credible champion, the company will have a much-needed fresh face at the top of the card. I see the finish going down like this: Hardy hits a Swanton Bomb on Edge and goes for the cover. Just before the referee slaps the mat a third time, Punk breaks up the pin attempt, throws Hardy out of the ring and covers Edge for the win.
ECW champion Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian: Dreamer got his moment of glory, but now it’s time to put the title back on someone with a bit more credibility. Let’s be honest: Even when Dreamer was in the old ECW, he was never the top guy; his lone reign as ECW champ in 2000 lasted a matter of minutes. I think Jack Swagger will interfere and cost Dreamer the title, setting up a feud between the two of them while new champ Christian moves on to another program, perhaps against Mark Henry or Evan Bourne.
Comments
Kevin-
You can't use logic anymore when trying to predict WWE. Whatever makes the least sense will happen:
HHH for Raw
CM Punk for SD
Swagger for ECW
Posted by: Elevation | June 15, 2009 4:01 PM
Swagger can not win the ECW Championship because he's not in the match.
I think they will make him retain, to give a little bit of credibility to his skills, and I also think that Christian needs to be put in bigger things as the WWE or World Heavyweight championships matches
It's been a long time since Cena won his last WWE belt, so I think he has a lot of chances of winning tonight, the other choice I would pick is Randy Orton, remember he has Cody & Ted...and Chris Masters is returning one of this days too
On the Smackdown brand prediction, I could not agree more in what you think it's gonna happen
Great article ;)
RESPONSE FROM KE: Let me clarify. I know that Swagger cannot win the title tonight. I think he will interfere and cost Dreamer the title, thus making Christian champion again.
Posted by: Joe | June 15, 2009 4:19 PM
WWE- HHH
SD- Punk
ECW- Dreamer
Alot of different angles on each match but I'm sticking with these picks.
Thanks Kevin.
Posted by: Prime Time Bobby Lee | June 15, 2009 4:32 PM
I think Orton will win the WWE title but, while I'm fine with that, Cena might be a better option if they want to keep Orton-HHH going. Their feud doesn't need the title involved, as we have seen during the past 4 months. If Cena wins the title, then his upcoming feud with Miz could be for the belt and that would really add to their rivalry.
As for the World title, I'm rooting for Edge just so that he can win his 10th world title. Watch out HHH and Flair...
Posted by: jobbers | June 15, 2009 4:53 PM
What's with all of your hate for Tommy Dreamer? Its obvious that he is not a long term champion. He gets the second biggest face reaction on ECW, it makes for a nice story and then Tommy will do what he has done every single time: He will put a younger talent over.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I have no "hate" for Dreamer. I'd just rather see someone else as ECW champion. I don't find him all that entertaining, but that's just my opinion.
Posted by: T.J. | June 15, 2009 5:10 PM
You're too good at this Kev, I was just about to email you and ask if you were going to do a 3 For All Preview.
Outsmarted for the great one once again.
Posted by: Mike C | June 15, 2009 5:29 PM
How about The Big Show some how can't compete, and either Edge or CM Punk, hopefully Punk, substitutes toward the end of the match and wins becoming champ for both shows.
Posted by: Matt | June 15, 2009 6:11 PM
I guess you didn't see the ratings from last week's ECW after Dreamer's win on Extreme Rules, huh?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Sure I did. ECW did a 1.2 last week, up from 1.1 the previous week. I think, in general, ratings go up the first show after a PPV. After Judgment Day, ECW went from 0.9 to 1.1.
Posted by: Kelvin | June 15, 2009 6:12 PM
I am going to guess The Miz interferes at some point during the match as well, costing Cena...
PWI is reporting Carlos Colon is backstage I believe Legacy will beat him down, add fuel to the fire to the feud for the tag titles.
Posted by: Curtis | June 15, 2009 6:35 PM
Remember when a Night of Champions used to be reserved for ppv? I'd say the show is desperate for ratings, but this isbasically a 3 hour reset on some shady world title bookings and not much in terms of excitement.
Are we sure a HHH heel turn would be fresh at all? He uses the heel sledgehammer as a face, so I don't see what changes other than who he goes after and all that's really there is Cena. Cena is still the one person I think just needs to "snap" at always being picked on and go back to a heel character. I know he sells merchandise, but it forces your hand to elevate someone else finally (say MVP) and fill that void. If they just embraced it, heel Hogan spiked ratings and actually brought in viewers because it was new and compelling. I just think they need to mix it up on Raw. Things can't get any worse, that's for sure (ugh, I hope).
Posted by: James C | June 15, 2009 7:43 PM
Kevin, I'm wondering, did Batista have a pre-existing injury that forced him to have surgery on his left arm? Because it is inconceivable to me that anybody would just say, "ok, break my arm on national television just for the hell of it." I also find it hard to believe the Orton could snap like that in real life and get away with it.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Batista went into the cage match at Exterme Rules with a torn biceps.
Posted by: Paul | June 15, 2009 8:52 PM
Possible Spoiler?
The information for ECW on Tuesday says "ECW Champion, Tommy Dreamer"
Posted by: Bri on LI | June 15, 2009 9:04 PM
Great call on the Smackdown match Kevin.
When Vince said he once thought there was no way in hell this individual would own part of the WWE, I thought, oh no it's Trump.
Was the Hogan heel turn a success just because it was different or because of the whole NWO story line? You can turn Cena heel but do we trust the Raw writers to come up with a compelling story line the way things have been?
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | June 15, 2009 11:21 PM
Wow. The smackdown match result is exactly right. EXACTLY. Nice
Posted by: Alza | June 16, 2009 5:05 AM
Interesting blog site and comments.
I had the same Oh no feeling when it clicked that it was Trump.I love Raw..more than the other 2 brands, even if my fav is on SD, but the writing is just STALE!! While I'm not going to hold my breath that Trump will add anyuthing other than a few chuckles at Vince's expense, it would be nice to see some fresh something. I'm sick of Cena/Big Show (and I swear if one more comment is made about Cena being able to give Show the attitude adjustment (it IS NOT the 1st time!) I'm going to throw something threw my tv and make sure it hits the person that said it.
Miz is another example of plain bad writing. I think he has some talent, but isn't being given the chance to show it..Morrison always showed him up.
Maybe they should let the talent write their own story lines for a month. If they are so worried about ratings, that would be appealing enough to get people watching.
At any rate..I hope things get better.
Posted by: Stephanie T | June 16, 2009 9:20 PM