So in other news, we get the return of Christian in the most anticlimatic way possible. I called this card “tricky” in the title because that’s exactly what it is. As I look on this card, this PPV has much potential, and with the right booking decisions and proper time given to each match, this could be one of the best cards of the year. That’s what I also said about Battleground, and that didn’t turn out so well. I will go through each match on the card, give you my predictions and pose as an advocate for the WWWE Netowork. Yes you read that right, it’s three W’s now. Triple H said so. As Jim Ross would say, BOTCHAMANIA IS RUNNING WILD!
Sheamus (C) vs. Cesaro – United States Championship
Anyone else find the irony in an Irishman and a Swiss fighting over the United States championship? Just me? Well anyways, throw these two in a ring, give them fifteen minutes, and don’t try and tell me you won’t be entertained. These two have unbreakable chemistry and are two great physical specimens. Never a dull moment with these two. Now, here is the thing. I want to give Cesaro the victory. I am more than up for that. What I can’t get past though, is the lack of strong mid-card faces he can feud with for a prolonged period of time. At the present time, I can’t see Cesaro feuding with anyone besides Jack Swagger or Big Show. The mid card face roster isn’t exactly deep and I don’t think any of those would be entertaining. If for only that, I say Sheamus picks up the win in a terrific back and forth. There are certain men that just click together, and these two are prime examples of that. Great, underrated workhorses.
Winner: Sheamus
The Usos (C) vs. Stardust and Goldust – WWE Tag Team Championship
I absolutely love the Usos. They have been such great champions having great matches with the likes of the Wyatts and even Rybaxel. This lengthy run they have had since the RAW after Elimination Chamber has been great, but I think its time it comes to an end. Its funny, every time I predict the Usos would lose, like at Money In The Bank and Battleground, they end up victorious. Its nice to see that WWE has faith in these two. But I think we are due for a title change. I am digging this heel turn by Cody Rho, er, Stardust and Goldust. I have no idea what in the hell this “cosmic key” is, and their eccentric behavior gets me a tad uncomfortable at times. But they are still entertaining to watch. Stardust is a great worker, and major props to Goldust, who still manages to put on terrific matches at his advanced age. Here is where the issue comes in though. Where does the tag team division advance from this point? This is where the horrible booking of Erick Rowan and Luke Harper comes in. Instead of looking strong, they have been made to job to two old, overweight veterans who have no business going over younger talent at this late stage in their careers. And the rest of the division is a far cry from last year, when you had The Usos/The Shield/Rybaxel/PTP/Rybaxel/Mysterio and Show/New Age Outlaws. Henry/Show are momentarily split, Ryback is out due to injury for the moment so no Rybaxel, PTP are gone and Harper and Rowan have been looking incredibly weak the last couple of months. Slater and O’neil hasn’t been looking prime for a title run, especially since one seems incapable of taking on a stranger in a bunny costume. They could always make The Miz and Sandow a tag team, but at the moment, they are really meant for comic relief. WWE needs to fix this problem, and fast.
Winners: Stardust and Goldust
Dolph Ziggler (C) vs. The Miz : Intercontinental Championship
Anyone who knows my wrestling fandom knows that I absolutely abhor The Miz. But I also hate that Dolph pinned Miz as opposed to Sandow. Not to mention Dolph played heel for one week by “exposing” The Miz. The Miz has been at the disadvantage towards the PPV and I can’t help but feel that this may lead to The Miz winning it back. And I don’t want that happening. The Miz holding the title again only after one month of separation would make absolutely no sense. If the rumors of Bray Wyatt feuding with Dolph over the title have validity, then the safe pick is Dolph. But having The Miz booked this weakly towards his match leads me to believe an upset is in store and not totally out of the question.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho
This was a must see match 7 years ago. In 2014, not too much. The issue I have seen with some of Orton’s matches as of late is that he is too damn slow with his offense to get me into it. He needs to pick up the pace a bit. Too many draining moments of headlocks and slow stomps. It also doesn’t help that he is working with an advanced-aged Chris Jericho. Jericho can still go in the ring, but I’m not sure if they would put on a great match. It will be good, and I think if given some time it could potentially steal the show. But I’m not holding my breath for it just yet. Now I think it’s more than obvious who should win this match. Jericho is finishing this run in WWE and he has nothing to gain by winning this match. Meanwhile, for some reason, WWE has to make us believe that Orton can still be a sadistic viper. Jericho has nothing to lose, which is why he is the one who is going to lose. Orton needs to win much more to restore is credibility. Especially when you put into consideration that his last PPV victory came at Elimination Chamber, and he didn’t exactly look strong in that PPV either. Orton needs a win, and in convincing fashion to build him up for his next feud, whoever it may be with. And what better way to have Jericho leave for an extended period of time than with a good old fashioned punt kick to the head?
Winner: Randy Orton
Paige (C) vs. AJ vs. Nikki Bella – Divas Championship
Anyone else gets the strange idea that WWE may be slowly pushing AJ away from the main roster? I mean, without a feud for the title, what is left for her to do? Guess what else? who would Paige feud with after this match? I could only see Natayla and Summer Rae, and even that is a stretch. Anyways, I will absolutely throw my remote at my TV if someone who’s last name rhymes with “nutela” wins in this match. Does anyone seriously care about this Bella feud? I mean its been downright awful. The croc tears, the repugnant acting, its all been such a big mess. And its a shame that the Bella storyline has taken precedence over Paige and AJ. I don’t think WWE would give the Divas title back to AJ only after a brief time, and I don’t think I would be mentally ready for a Divas division revolving around a Bella. Paige is the clear logical choice here. I am digging everything she does. We just need to build up the other Divas to look like threats. NOT EVA FREAKING MARIE.
Mark Henry vs. Rusev
Now I am not going to do the typical thing and speak on behalf of every wrestling fan by saying no one cares about this match. I know somewhere in America there is some die hard Henry fan who wishes to touch Henry’s temple. And I know somewhere across the world, there is someone who screams LETS GO RUSEV! But I’ll tell you this much. This feud should not have closed RAW last night. The Louisana fans seemed into it, but you simply do not book a go-home edition of RAW with an ending that isn’t one of the main events. I’ll tell you this much. I don’t give a rat’s behind about this match. This match will be slow. It will be boring. It will be uninspiring. Rusev will win. Cause he’s younger, and a monster heel. Henry will let us down. JBL will berate will cornily berate him. Need I say more?
Winner: Rusev
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
In what universe does WWE think that having the exact match you are going to advertise on a PPV one week in advance? And why have a clean finish to the match nonetheless? I really don’t understand it. And why is WWE advertising this as the rematch when this match was set in stone before Monday? Now WWE has given themselves a conundrum, at least me in terms of predicting the winner of this bout. Now I generally enjoyed this match, and I think they will one-up theirs on PPV. I actually am calling this the match of the night, because Rollins is that great an athlete. But here is a situation where neither the heel or face can afford to look weak, especially Rollins. And since Reigns has been pushed to Jupiter and back, he can’t afford to have him being pinned as well, much more clean. So there is only one solution for this situation. Yes, you guessed it. The c-word. Controversy. There shouldn’t be a clean finish to this match. I am pondering on whether or not Ambrose should return at the PPV, but I think it would make sense if Ambrose cost Rollins the match. Maybe we might get a stipulation change for this match by the end of the week to make it No DQ. I personally believe that it will be Roman winning or Rollins winning with shenanigans. But since I don’t want to go both ways and pick one, I will be safe and pick Roman. But they need to make Rollins look strong in defeat.
Winner: Roman Reigns
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (C) – WWE World Heavyweight Championship
I really don’t like Michael Cole. I detest him. Cena attacks Brock when his back is turned and has the unmitigated temerity to ask us if we believe Cena can win now? Yet on the last RAW of 2013, Cena came out to attack Orton after a match with Daniel Bryan, says nothing, and when Orton comes back in the ring and RKO’s Cena, he calls it a cheapshot. Boy I miss Jim Ross. Anyways, Cena should not win the title this Sunday. Absolutely not. You can’t have Cena look like a jobber on one PPV and then all of a sudden disregard all of that and have Cena “defy the odds” once again. A healthy run away from the title would do Cena good and build up Brock even more. This bolds especially true if they are having Reigns vs. Lesnar at Mania. And Lesnar should not just win this match, he should dominate Cena again so we can hear what excuse Cena will have for his performance. Not sure where Lesnar goes after this PPV, but wherever he goes, he must dominate. As for Cena, as long as heis restrained from getting near the title, then all will be well. Yet, with Vince McMahon’s insatiable affinity for Cena, I can’t help but think we may have the unattractive option of Cena winning come to fruition. We shall see.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Like I said, WWE needs to tread carefully with this PPV. On the surface this looks like a damn good card. But it can be a total DUD if WWE creative smokes while booking this card. Disagree? Agree? Don’t care? Comment below. Glad to be writing again.
