Yo. You’re reading News and Analysis, weekend edition. This will be a very short update where you’ll basically find my Judgment Day predictions. I’m not looking forward to the PPV, as besides one match, there really is nothing else happening, so that’s why I don’t expect this to be too long.
Sable vs. Torrie Wilson — Bikini Challenge
– If you’ve seen both of them naked, be honest, would you really care that they’re having a Bikini Challenge? Thought so. Well, after all, it is the two “wildest” divas WWE has had, I guess, and it is a big deal in a way. Since Torrie is the “future,” I’d go with her.
Prediction: Torrie Wilson
Roddy Piper vs. Mr. America
– WWE announced that match three days before a PPV. OK, so I understand that Vince feels that nostalgia will bring more viewers to the screen, and some hardcore old-school fans who remember both these guys very well, and who remember that Hogan has indeed never defeated Piper one-on-one would want to see that match and buy the PPV for it. I think we all know that there isn’t that many fans who would actually do that and that nostalgia is not the way to go to improve today’s business, but still, just close your eyes and imagine it is for a second. If it was, would you book the feud and the match the way it’s been done?! It was announced three days before the PPV! Reason being Piper wasn’t signed under contract for last week’s SmackDown!. Anyhow, I don’t expect this to be pretty and I would have good things to say if it was Hogan vs. O’Haire, not Hogan vs. Piper. Hogan America wins it, and the only thing to look forward to here is the history value where wrestling is concerned. I guess Tenacious Z/Hogan America vs. Piper/O’Haire will be happening for the whole next month. No wonder SmackDown!’s rating is a 3.2.
Prediction: Hogan America, Mr. America, Hulk Hogan
Test and Scott Steiner vs. La Resistance
– La Resistance have done good in the ring since their debut. It kind of sucks that these guys are engaged in such a gimmick, because they do seem to have some skills, besides what others say. On the other hand, their gimmick is really getting them over, though it’s not morally right, so it’s an edgy deal there. I would expect for Steiner and Test to get the win and go on to feud each other, probably after a disagreement on RAW, but then again, there’s the possibility of the two failing as a team during the PPV match. Also, there’s Stacy Keibler to engage herself in the bout somehow, and who knows, maybe Chris Nowinski will show up. I’m taking a guess here.
Prediction: La Resistance
Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar
– I seriously, seriously, seriously do not care about that match. Not only do I see absolutely no purpose to it, but I would much rather see an improved John Cena take on Lesnar again. I’ve said this in this section before, and I’ll say it again. WWE can’t just say “Angle is injured, we’re filling time in!” They should have turned Benoit heel and give him a main-event spot. I truly hope they have something big planned for Benoit, or Rhyno, or another one of the strong midcarders on SmackDown! that are waiting for a push, and they’re holding off on it, just keeping them in their roles, while filling time with guys like Show and Cena (Cena I was OK with) getting shots at Brock. In my opinion, you can’t have Big Show on a PPV, and have Matt Hardy, Jamie Noble, or Rey Mysterio sitting at home. It’s a disgrace.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Trish Stratus vs. Jacqueline vs. Jazz vs. Victoria
– I’m looking forward to this match, as the women’s division has kind of gone down a bit as of lately. However, the ladies try their best and in an era when we have crappy PPVs and matches, damn it, that’s got to count for something. Jazz is not exactly the best champion when it comes to getting over with the crowd, but WWE can’t just give Trish the belt again, as it’s been a bit too much of her. Stratus is my favorite diva personally, and I feel that she’s the #1 diva in the division (not wrestler, DIVA), as she’s over with the fans the most, has picked it up incredibly much in the ring, and is representing WWE all the way. Word form the locker room also has it that she’s one of the nicest people around in WWE. Anyway, I don’t see Jackie winning the belt, and Victoria winning means another Victoria/Jazz/Trish ordeal since Victoria vs. Jazz will be two heels and no crowd reaction to it. Lita will return soon, and until then these three will probably go at it.
Prediction: Jazz
Triple H with Ric Flair vs. Kevin Nash with Shawn Michaels
– WWE had absolutely no luck with Kevin Nash. The man who before his injury was about to turn into a pretty solid and loved face on RAW, has now been booed and yawned at due to the poor booking on RAW and the fact WWE can’t realize Canadian fans will always love Jericho, even if he cuts the most heelish promo in the world on them, therefore having someone diss him (especially when he’s nice to them) will pretty much result in boo’s. They’ll learn one of these days. As far as Hunter goes, he just doesn’t want to part with that World title doesn’t he?! He’s now pushing for his feud with Goldberg to happen at SummerSlam in 3 months and not at Bad Blood. I think it’s going down at Bad Blood no matter what, and with how things have gone in this feud, I can’t help but say that Triple H will win, or that Nash will get the “win” via DQ. Flair and HBK being at ringside will hopefully help things out, as H and Nash as ironic as it is don’t “click/cliq” with each other.
Prediction: Kevin Nash via DQ
Intercontinental Championship Battle Royal
– Looking forward to that one as well. It’s good to see the IC title back, it should have never left TV in the first place. Now if your name is Booker T, RVD, Kane, Chris Jericho, Test, Christian, Scott Steiner, Goldust, Rico, Maven, Lance Storm, Hurricane, Spike Dudley, Tommy Dreamer, Steven Richards, etc., you actually have a purpose of being on RAW. That’s until Triple H realizes that more people will follow a match between Jericho and RVD for the IC belt (for example) than his crappy things (I can’t call them matches) with Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, or whoever the next victim is. Then I guess we’ll be back to unifying belts.
Prediction: Chris Jericho
Chris Benoit, Rhyno, Spanky vs. FBI and Cena
– Looking forward to that one in a way, as well. It’s good to see that Chris Benoit has a spot on the card this time, and that Rhyno, Cena, FBI, and Spanky were also honored with a match as well. All of these six guys deserve a spot on the card. FBI has stepped it up BIG time and I’m a huge fan of theirs at this time. John Cena is innovative and makes the best out of his character (just like FBI, and Matt Hardy all do, Hardy, FBI, and Cena are the only people who actually have a solid gimmick on SmackDown! in my opinion), and he obviously has the will to do so. Spanky was given a chance this past month to show what he can do, and he has taken the opportunity and done the best with it as well. WWE can’t even realize how badly Rhyno is buried right now. There were rumors of him being the next World or WWE Champ before returning from injury, and now he’s a nothing, quite frankly. They just haven’t done anything to build on his character the way they should have. After all, Mr. America is more important. I’m very happy that six great wrestlers will be in one match at the PPV, but it’s really sad that they can’t be in the main event and were matched in the last moment to do something about it. As far as I know, this match hasn’t even been confirmed. I’m going to take another guess as far as a prediction goes.
Prediction: FBI, and Cena
Team Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero and a partner of his choice
– This is the one match I care about and would like to see on the PPV card. Team Angle continue to impress with their in-ring work. If I have only one complain to make towards them, it would be that they’re kind of used as Kurt Angle’s secondary helpers (if that made sense), or secondary students so to speak. Everything they do has to involve Kurt (the whole medals and portrait ordeal), and WWE didn’t use Angle’s injury to give Team Angle some sort of persona or a more in-depth character. I still love those guys, as they’re great inside the ring. Eddie Guerrero is one of the top superstars on SmackDown!, and with Chavo now injured, I would expect for him to FINALLY step up and do something in singles action as he deserves it. I hope another feud with Benoit is not the answer. As far as Eddie Guerrero’s partner goes, I would have to go with either Rey Mysterio or Ultimo Dragon. Don’t forget that it’s a ladder match, and this will definitely add on to the excitement. Looking forward to that one.
Prediction: Team Angle
There you have it. Not exactly positive, but I hope you understand my arguments. I’m sure Judgment Day won’t be that bad of a PPV, but the way they built storylines and the way they’ve acted for this PPV, knowing it’s their last “combined brands” one, well just for that they don’t deserve $35, and they’re not going to get them from me.
Why isn’t Goldberg on the card? Where is Matt Hardy? Does anyone remember that Bill DeMott is a wrestler on SmackDown!?
Thanks for reading. See ya.
Eddie
