Tonight's Judgment Day PPV may not have had the best build to get you excited for the show (that's what happens when you only have 20 days to build a PPV), but on paper, this has the opportunity to be one of the best shows of the year. We have a pretty solid card from top to bottom, and a few of the matches could be great. Tonight's show is in Chicago, the it should be a hot crowd that appreciates good wrestling. Let's get right into it.
Rey Mysterio Jr (c) vs Chris Jericho - Intercontinental Championship Match
Mysterio was injured this past week at the Superstars taping so we'll see what kind of condition he's in tonight. Like I said, I don't feel like this is one of those feuds that hasn't had a ton of time put into it, but the match itself could be very good. I think this is a good place for Jericho to take the title. Mysterio brought the title to Smackdown, so it doesn't really signify anything yet on that show. This is scheduled to be a long term program, most likely with Mysterio's mask eventually being put on the line as was reported. Jericho wins the title here, and Mysterio chases for the title over the summer, until the eventual climax with the mask on the line when he regains the title. Should be a good match if Mysterio is healthy.
Prediction: Chris Jericho - New Intercontinental Champion
CM Punk vs Umaga
Umaga hasn't been in around in months. He returned suddenly a few weeks back attacking CM Punk and costing him the opportunity to possibly cash in the MITB and win the World Title. This match is in Punk's hometown, and if I've learned one thing about the WWE's booking style over the years, it's that hometown wrestlers lose, especially if they're a face. It draws extra heat on the heel. Plus, with this being Umaga's first match back, it makes sense that he gets the win here. Just as with the opener, this should be a very good match as long as Umaga is in the same shape he was when he left. Hopefully the WWE decides to build Umaga back into the monster heel he once was since the WWE is desperately lacking for top heels.
Prediction: Umaga
Christian (c) vs Jack Swagger - ECW Championship Match
This has been a good feud so far. Christian is without a doubt the top performer on ECW right now, but the WWE probably has higher aspirations for Swagger in the future. I really don't know which way they are going to go in this one. If Swagger wins the title back, where does Christian go? There aren't that many other people he can feud with in ECW. If Christian retains, I guess this feud keeps going. I'm going to go with the latter because I think they can get at least one more PPV match between these two. Then Swagger can regain the title and Bourne can move into the number one contenders spot. This should be another good match.
Prediction: Christian - Retains ECW Title
Shelton Benjamin vs John Morrison
This match was added at the last minute, but it has the opportunity to steal the show if they're given enough time. I don't know if Morrison has officially turned face, but he is certainly on his way. Benjamin still seems to be in a state of limbo. He temporarily reformed The World's Greatest Tag Team this past week on Smackdown with Charlie Haas. Haas may make an appearance tonight, but I don't believe he will. Morrison should get the clean win and continue his climb up the Smackdown ladder.
Prediction: John Morrison
John Cena vs The Big Show
This is one of the least anticipated Cena PPV matches I've seen in quite some time. The phrase "7000 watt searchlight" has been repeated so many times it has been comical. Cena was unable to walk for the next two weeks, yet made appearances on Raw, once to be beat down by The Big Show. Then Cena and The Miz had an exhibition match where Cena won, only to be beat up by The Miz after it was over. Considering how this feud was put together and with the Extreme Rules PPV coming up soon, it seems to me that this program continues. The Show gets the win tonight, and the two will have a stipulation match next month to finish it with Cena going over then. This may be the worst match of the card.
Prediction: The Big Show
Edge (c) vs Jeff Hardy - World Championship Match
Jeff Hardy won an excellent Fourway Elimination Match a few weeks back over Jericho, Mysterio, and Kane to become the #1 contender for the World Title. With Edge just having won the World Title and the news that the WWE may actually be looking to have fewer title changes. It's always hard to get a good feel on where Jeff Hardy stands in the WWE. I still haven't seen any reports that say he has officially re-signed. If Hardy wins the belt tonight, I guess that would seal it, but my guess is he's still pondering that new contract and Edge retains. Should be another good match.
Prediction: Edge - Retains World Title
Randy Orton (c) vs Batista - WWE Championship Match
The problem with this match is the WWE has spent more time building up Shane McMahon as the baddest man on the planet instead of establishing Orton has a champion or Batista as a legit contender. Just another problem with the McMahon ego-driven booking. Anyway, even JR has said Batista won't win in his blog. Batista has been in this position probably more than any other wrestler in the WWE. It seems Batista headlines at least six PPVs a year, but he never walks away with the title. The crowd isn't that into Batista anymore. Just like they're not that into HHH. If they are going to continue to job him at PPVs, why not elevate a younger star into the top spot and give him a chance? We've seen some news bytes about it that it may actually happen, but I won't believe it until it does. I'm not expecting a ton from this match. It's two guys with boring styles, especially Batista who is so roided up that he can barely move. This match may not even close the show, unless they possibly plan on HHH returning. However, it feels too soon for HHH's return just yet. Hopefully I'm right.
Prediction: Randy Orton - Retains WWE Title
So the card has a chance to have five excellent matches. Hopefully it leads to a great show tonight. Not a surprise considering the show is built around Smackdown matches.
RESULTS:
Umaga def CM Punk - ** 3/4 - Solid opener. Made Umaga look very strong in his PPV return which was needed. Punk wasn't buried either. I think this will be the end of the feud, as I don't see how it can go forward without hurting the push of either man.
Christian def Jack Swagger - ** - Fine match, but nothing great. Fluky finish means they'll be facing each other again.
John Morrison def Shelton Benjamin - ** 3/4 - Lots of great spots, but sloppy at times as well. It looks like they have big things planned for Morrison. Shelton is sadly left behind again.
Rey Mysterio def Chris Jericho - *** - Best match of the night. Good chemistry, and lots of near finishes. Again, another feud that will continue.
Batista def Randy Orton via DQ - ** - Not a bad match, but not a good match either. Batista needs to be removed from the main event picture. Flair's return was the surprise of the night.
John Cena vs The Big Show - * - Hated this match, thanks mainly inpart to The Big Slow. He does not deserve his spot in the company.
Edge def Jeff Hardy - ** 3/4 - Match started slow but finished hot. Cool finishing spot with the top rope implant DDT. Does Matt Hardy's involvement mean the Hardy/Hardy feud isn't over yet?
0 COMMENTS!!!:
Post a Comment