Hey folks,
I’m back for a second edition of RAW Preview. I think I did OK last week. I did call some of the stuff that happened, after all! Let’s see how I do this time around…
* I would expect Triple H to finally get the better out of Batista. This has become the classical WWE formula for top feuds, where the face is supposed to get the most out of it. The face leads the feud, and gets the better out of the heel, the heel does one big stunt that puts him ahead, and the face is on the comeback until the PPV, where he/she wins it all. I would expect Triple H to leave some impact this week, if not next. Looking at the calendar, this week fits better.
* They might tease where Flair stands, and a possible Flair turn at WrestleMania. It’s been talked about online, and they might do it to spike interest. I’m not sure on that one, we’ll see!
* Haivng the Six-Men Ladder Match on mind, usually, a three-on-three tag team match would be happening at this point in time. However, seeing as there’s four faces involved, and only two heels (Edge and Christian), I won’t be surprised to see a tag match (Edge and Christian vs. Jericho and Benoit would be my guess, and man what a match that would be!). Look for some sort of combination of people and tag teams here, unless they do decide to go with three on three. There’s also a possibility they’ll get Tyson Tomko involved into this, since this feud lacks heels.
* Seeing as Benjamin is involved in the match above, that means the IC belt won’t be defended at WrestleMania, unless he loses it. (I don’t see them making the ladder match for the IC title as well, seeing as it already has a pretty good stipulation.) If they do decide to have Benjamin drop the belt (which I don’t think is a good idea, personally), tonight would be the time to do it.
* There should be another Stratus/Lita/Hemme segment, and I expect Stratus to be at her best tonight. Prepare yourself for a good laugh. (Did anybody catch Lawler sneak a fast one in last week when he said “Lita is a cheater” and then paused awkwardly? Poor Matt.)
* Man, WWE forgot completely about the tag teams division. If they do decide to put Tajiri and Regal at the PPV, I would look for some feud to start tonight.
* We should definitely hear from HBK on his feud with Kurt Angle, as well as the Martty Janetty ordeal. They’re giving this feud a lot of TV time, and I think that’s a good thing at this point in time.
* I am unsure if they’ll have ‘Taker show up on RAW in his program with Orton, but I think we will most likely get “messages” from him, like we did for last year’s PPV match/feud with Kane. That type of thing. It might start next week, it might start this week. I do expect Orton cementing his return to being the Legend Killer in some fashion.
* Another short segment or promo by Mohammad Hassan should be on RAW this week, so Bischoff can finally put him in the card against Hogan in some way. I expect them to keep it a surprise, so Bischoff will probably say he has “something” for Hassan for the PPV. I think that will happen next week though, and this week, we’ll get another “bitching” segment from Hassan.
* Chris Masters will probably kill another poor soul.
Well, that’s my take on tonight’s RAW! Let’s see if my calling of the future is any good!
Eddie
Levski11@aol.com
