Normally I would use this column to give you my Smackdown thoughts, however since tomorrow night is one of WWE’s biggest pay per views, Royal Rumble, I feel obligated to share my predictions with you. Seriously, I swear this show is totally unpredictable since I’ve started watching wrestling. I don’t know if I can even get one right, wait yeah I can get one for sure other than one match, I think after Sunday I will have to wear a bag over my face to hide my identity. I am getting so many predictions from so many of you please keep them coming in. I want to give all of you that have sent me your predictions days ago major props, I wish to God I had the confidence to do that. I’m still struggling but what the hell, it’s all about fun right? Okay before I hit you with my predictions, very quickly let me give tell you what I thought of Smackdown.
I liked it a lot. This was another show that came through for me. Without a doubt Randy Orton vs. Chris Benoit was the match of the night. This was just a fantastic match and I couldn’t have been happier that these two guys were given so much time to put on a 5 star match. I thought Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry was again done very well. And yes I will still credit Rey for making this a good match, but I will also give Mark Henry credit for coming off okay. Do I feel after that he deserves his spot tomorrow night against Kurt Angle? No, but in a non title match and with a star like Rey as his opposition I thought he held his own. The Royal Rumble qualifying match with the Mexicools vs. Nunzio and Vito vs. The Dicks was fast and it worked for me. I still do not care for the Dicks, they are a little to limp for me, oh okay give me a break here. But the match was fast paced and naturally the Mexicools victory pleased me. And just like last week, Fit Finlay still appealed to me. Of course Funaki wasn’t going to win, but this match lasted a little longer than I expected and Funaki played Finlay’s victim perfectly and I still like his attitude. I think the main reason that Finlay is working for me is that he can wrestle, he’s not like so many of WWE’s guys that come in and have a gimmick and week after week get shoved down our throats even though in the ring they are sub par. So right now I give Fit Finlay thumbs up. JBL reacting to a shower of worms and rolling all over them after falling on the mat was very sickening but it all goes so well with the Boogeyman and his gimmick. I think the buildup between both of these men has been super. I again liked Jillian referring to that massive mole on her face as a small beauty mark. Finally I was glad that Melina was back with Mercury and Nitro and back to being bitchy. The main event with MNM vs. Kurt Angle was okay, nothing special. So a good Smackdown and I feel that the show did a better job building for tomorrow’s pay per view than Raw did on Monday night.
And speaking of the Rumble I will now share my predictions with you. I might as well just pick numbers out of a hat, but what the hell okay here I go.
The Boogeyman vs. JBL – I hope this is one of those times where the gimmick and the wrestling all come together. I am concerned about my favorite freak Boogeyman. We have never seen him in any match with substance, so I cannot tell you how much I hope he can deliver. While this won’t be the match of the night, this could be fun and this could be good. I hope the fans that are there live bring umbrella’s in case it starts raining worms. I just think this could be one cool segment to watch. I am going with the Boogeyman for a win and a rematch at No Way Out.
Winner: Boogeyman
Mickie James vs. Ashley – Trish Stratus as special guest referee
When I heard on Smackdown that Trish would be the special ref, something hit me. I know most of us feel Mickie is going to be the heel but why would a face Trish be a special ref and call the match right down the middle and not be a part of some controversy? I can’t see Ashley turning heel. Okay here’s what I see, it would be easy for me to say this won’t be so hot; however with Trish involved and Mickie in there I say this could turn out to be okay. And while I don’t know if Trish will align with Mickie or who will turn I’ll just tell you I see Mickie winning.
Winner: Mickie James
World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry
Here’s the one that I know I got right. Angle wins, and honestly I really have nothing else to say about this one. I just hope there are no major injuries during this match.
Winner: Kurt Angle
WWE Champion Edge vs. John Cena
This match seems to be getting a lot of talk around the internet. So many feel that even with three weeks of outstanding ratings since Edge became champion, Vince is pulling the title from Edge and giving it back to John Cena. Now three weeks ago that’s exactly what I saw, but now not only with ratings up, you now have the majority of the fans backing Cena again. They like that title off of him. No way do I see Edge losing tomorrow night. I expect this match to be good not great but I do see another win for Edge.
Winner: Edge
2006 Royal Rumble Match – Rob Van Dam ,Big Show, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Masters, Carlito, Trevor Murdoch, Shelton Benjamin, Viscera, Chavo Guerrero, Jonathan Coachman, Ric Flair/Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Matt Hardy, Orlando Jordan, Lashley, Sylvan, Road Warrior Animal, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Simon Dean, Booker T, Super Crazy and Psicosis
As you can see there three spots opened, and I’m guessing Taker will get in there. But no matter what here’s what I see. One of my readers feels and I agree with him that Shawn will be the number one entrant since Vince McMahon is giving out the numbers. So I see Shawn coming out first and Vince somewhere down the line making sure Shawn loses and that will be the beginning of what’s to come at Wrestlemania. Remember Kane gets the 30th spot, but I don’t see Kane winning the Rumble. I do not see Hunter winning. There are two guys that could win this. I need to flip a coin to determine whom I believe will win. It’s between Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio. Rey is dedicating this match and a win to Eddie Guerrero. Randy is now supposedly set to meet Angle at Wretlemania, but we all know how things can change. This is very difficult for me but after a lot of deliberating, and more of just guessing I will go with Rey for the win. No wait Randy, no wait, okay let me get serious here, I will stick with Rey.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
There you have it. Now let me say this. I’m not proud of this announcement but I am not ordering the show. This is the first time that I have let Royal Rumble go since 1999. I think the commercial and a few other things set the tone for my lack of interest in this show. The ad with the McMahons had to be one of the most unfunniest and forced ads that WWE has put out. What a disappointment to have Vince, Linda, Shane and Stephanie in there and not one wrestler. Also Mark Henry in a title race at such an important pay per view is a joke, let’s face it he’s not winning, nor should he. The lack of build up for the Rumble match itself leaves me cold and Edge vs. John Cena for me is nothing more than a Raw match. So I’m passing this up, HOWEVER, if I find out that this show is really worth ordering then I will order the encore. Now for all of you that order Royal Rumble or are there live I hope you guys really enjoy the show and I also would love to hear your thoughts on how your thought it was. Okay I will leave you with the following from a reader. I was wondering if anyone had the WCW Nitro where Scotty Riggs’s wrestled Saturn for the TV title and jumped off the top rope out into the front row and took out the Flock. My email is quiksilver38034@yahoo.com
