XHeadlines has always been known for its strong abilities to correctly predict the outcomes of the WWE’s pay-per-view shows. One of the most shocking predictions was made by Jacob Spades when he accurately picked the winner of the 2007 Survivor Series Elimination match, even being as bold as to predict that Jeff Hardy pinning Umaga while Hardy and Triple H were the final two standing with seven eliminations. XHeadlines will no doubt continue its impressive ways as we anticipate WWE One Night Stand. Let’s meet the participants:
Joe Balrog is the Owner and Founder of both XHeadlines and TBL Wrestling. Joe also writes a daily blog called Joe’s Journal and at one time wrote TBL’s News and Rumor Report. And every once in a while, you might catch one of his RAW Wishes reviews, though you’re more likely to catch one of his TNA Major Impact reports!
Jacob Spades is the Webmaster of XHeadlines. Jacob spent nearly four years as part of the TBL Wrestling family before undertaking the large task of overseeing Joe’s most recent project. Back in his days at TBL Wrestling, Jacob wrote the opinion column “Tricks of the Trade” reviewing several WrestleMania shows while reporting news. Now he spends most of his time assisting his XHeadlines staff while still finding time to churn out “The Crap Shoot” (a weekly RAW Review) and “Tricks of the Trade” (a PPV novelty).
Barb Pinnella has been with the TBL Wrestling/XHeadlines family for years upon years. Her contributions are regular gems and always a treat to read. Her column “Howlings” often takes a look at some of the more controversial topics behind the scenes of wrestling. Most notably, her writings of “Chris Benoit” and “B is for Bleed” get our readers fired up!
Big Phil is one of the internet’s most sought-after syndicate columnists, producing his famed “Phil’s Ramblings” focusing on everything from the Memories of Ric Flair to his own Hall of Fame Induction. XHeadlines is privileged to host Phil’s weekly columns and allow him to offer his priceless insight into the wrestling business.
One Night Stand Card
5-Man Singapore Cane Match
CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Big Show
Falls Count Anywhere Match
Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
“I Quit” Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Melina
First Blood Match
JBL vs. John Cena
Stretcher Match
Batista vs. Shawn Michaels
Last Man Standing WWE Title Match
Triple H (c)vs. Randy Orton
TLC World Heavyweight Title Match (vacated)
Edge vs. The Undertaker
XHeadlines Staff Predictions
5-Man Singapore Cane Match
CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Big Show
Joe: (Big Show) Dreamer never wins, Morrison is busy in the tag ranks, Punk has no reason to win, and Guerrero is too bland at this point.
Phil: (Big Show) They’ve been teasing it so much, although Dreamer could possibly pull it out.
Barb: (Big Show) At first glance the ECW man of extreme, Dreamer, should walk away with this. But somehow I don’t think that he will be allowed to do that. I think that after giving a lot of punishment to the others, there is only one man the powers that be will want to face Kane.
Spades: (Big Show) Not much to say here that hasn’t already been said. Basically ditto Joe, with a slice of Barb thrown in (Dreamer might pull it out).
Falls Count Anywhere Match
Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
Joe: (Jeff Hardy) Is there any reason for Umaga to win this match?
Phil: (Jeff Hardy) Easily. This match is just an excuse to do a sick Swanton from the top of the set.
Spades: (Umaga) Officially this is the 14,438th time these two have met. I wish I were being sarcastic. Even as often as they meet, they both seem to work so well together and bring so many new things to the table that their matches are still entertaining. You know you have a great rivalry when you can pit two men against each other for the better part of a couple years and their matches still be some of the highest rated and anticipated. I’m going to align myself with Umaga on this one. Something tells me WWE still wants to make Hardy pay for his suspension.
Barb: (Jeff Hardy) First I must say that I am so glad Jeff is back, and I hope he can hold it together this time. This man has more talent in his little finger than most wrestlers could only hope to have during their entire career. OK, about the match. Obviously, Umaga has a huge size advantage; ridiculously so. But Hardy has always been able to overcome adversity, and I think this type of match will work for Jeff rather than against him. It might take a while, but I have my pick.
“I Quit” Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Melina
Barb: (Melina) I have not been a big fan of women wrestlers of late, mainly because I haven’t seen many who look like they have much talent. Not the case here. Both of these women are tough and have a lot of talent in the ring, and this should be a good match. I hope they get enough time to show off their skills. Phoenix looks to be the stronger here, but I have really liked Melina since she has been on her own without Morrison.
Joe: (Beth Phoenix) Phoenix is one nasty, mean woman. I wouldn’t get in her way.
Spades: (Beth Phoenix) This feud has actually been quite pleasant to watch. I think the WWE has done a great job in turning Melina face. Besides, it’s not hard to root for a ‘caliente chica’, eh? I think the only prayer Melina has is with some interference by some of the former Playboy cover-girl divas. Otherwise, she’s toast. Therefore, I select Beth Phoenix as the top diva that night.
Phil: (Not sure) I really don’t know. Maybe Phoenix will keep looking strong and challenge for the title again.
First Blood Match
JBL vs. John Cena
Spades: (John Cena) When John Cena and JBL first fought in a street fight at Judgment Day a few years back, I was really into the JBL character and wanted to see him succeed in every way. Since his return in December he has fallen flat and is grotesquely out of shape. After about 25 minutes of beating the holy hell out of each other, I’d expect to see John Cena arise the victor.
Barb: (JBL) Just to be sure that there will be blood on this night, WWE has given us a First Blood Match. As far as I’m concerned, this will not be the only match where blood will be spilled, but I guess the powers that be wanted to ensure that would happen. I am still unsure why JBL is back in the ring, considering his physical condition, but that is irrelevant. Cena can take a beating, but will he be able to make “The Wrestling God” bleed first? This is a toss-up for me, so I’m just throwing it out there.
Joe: (John Cena) JBL, one of my favorites, has been a bitch since returning.
Phil: (John Cena) JBL won his Mania match, so I can’t see him winning this.
Stretcher Match
Batista vs. Shawn Michaels
Phil: (Batista) HBK won at backlash. I’m sensing this will have interference.
Barb: (Batista) The brutality continues with this match. Batista and HBK should tear down the house with this one. We all know just how Michaels can get the crowd going, whether it is cheering for him or booing the hell out of him. This is another match that I’m on the fence about, but I must choose one.
Spades: (Shawn Michaels) This is my candidate of match of the night. The common-ground between these two is Chris Jericho, he’s also the wild-card. We’ve seen the great matches of Shawn Michaels and Jericho, and we were also treated to a phenomenal match between Batista and Jericho a few weeks ago on RAW. Now we get to see HBK and The Animal rip each other apart. While I don’t anticipate much finesse in this match, I do foresee the continuation of Jericho’s involvement between these two. I am looking for a Shawn Michaels win, and I think that Jericho will rethink his actions of sparing Michaels on RAW.
Joe: (Batista) Michaels has won too much lately and Batista is a damn machine!
Last Man Standing WWE Title Match
Triple H (c)vs. Randy Orton
Phil: (Triple H) There is absolutely no way his reign is ending so soon. He gets this win to cancel out his loss at No Mercy.
Barb: (Triple H) Here will be an example of what I just said; that many of the matches might be brutal. These two should put on a great display of wrestling and physicality. Triple H and Orton work well together, and it should be a really good match. But do I think that Randy will end up with the belt? Nah, I think that HHH will be holding it over his head at the final bell.
Joe: (Triple H) Jean Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon-Levesque are in another one of their “Triple H is the greatest performer in the history of wrestling AND entertainment!” modes, so don’t expect JPL to lose his title so quickly. Maybe when ratings hit rock bottom they’ll finally take the strap off of him.
Spades: (Triple H) This particular match featuring these two particular wrestlers fighting for that particular belt is something that is not new to wrestling fans. Triple H and Orton have hooked up in a LMS match before, and the match was absolutely spectacular. I don’t believe that a match of that caliber can be repeated, but I expect this to be one of the hardest hitting matches of the night. I have to agree with Joe’s claims on “JPL’s” grip on RAW and the belt, so I’ll play it conservative and pick Triple H.
TLC World Heavyweight Title Match (vacated)
Edge vs. The Undertaker
Joe: (The Undertaker) I really feel like Edge is going to win this, but I can’t imagine Taker going out like that. The poor guy is the best employee that WWE could ever ask for and they take the belt away from him in a bullshit fashion? I have to believe that this travesty won’t stand.
Phil: (Not sure) I was saying Taker all along. But, with this stipulation about Taker being fired, I get the feeling that he’ll be fired and go to RAW perhaps. Vince has said he preferred Edge as champ rather than challenger.
Spades: (The Undertaker) Perhaps this is one of the main reasons behind the upcoming WWE Draft. SmackDown has just been so stale in every sense of the word, and while looking at the card, this is the ONLY true SmackDown match that ONS has to offer. Edge’s experience in the TLC world gives him a distinct advantage, but Undertaker’s brutality and height give him a different advantage (less rungs to climb). I can’t understand why they would have The Undertaker leave the WWE right now, unless it is just for a few weeks off before the draft. I anticipate Undertaker regaining the title on behalf of backfiring interference.
Barb: (The Undertaker) Wow, a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for the Title? To say that Edge should have the ‘edge’ here is obvious. This is his cup of tea, and he should excel, no doubt. But just how mad is The Undertaker, what with all of the antics of Edge’s fiancé of late? Mad enough to push himself to another level? Anyone who has ever read any of my work knows who is my favorite wrestler.
Damn, I wrote practically nothing compared to everyone else.
No worries, Phil. I think I wrote too much anyway!
Hey, I KNOW I wrote too much – I get way too long-winded!