wrestleman

Welcome to the 10th edition of WRESTLEMAN’s weekly column. This edition will feature my predictions for Sunday’s Judgment Day PPV, and also my thoughts on the returned King of the Ring tournament.

After Wrestlemania, SmackDown has to wait 7 weeks until a PPV, whereas RAW only has to wait 3/4 weeks. The King of the Ring tournament just seems a perfect way to fill that void, and give this time of year some more meaning. It’s nice to see that it is SmackDown! only, because its pretty rare that they show any interest in their storylines compared to RAW. Saying that, it would be nice for it to be and inter-promotional tournament as well.

I used to prefer the old system when the tournament took place all in one night. For instance, when Bret Hart won the tournament, he won three different matches on the same night – so it seemed like more of an achievement. But, it’s just more practical to stretch it out over the seven weeks, for obvious reasons.

The standard of matches in this year’s tournament has been very good. Randy Orton v Kurt Angle was a good match, but obviously the result was in no doubt because news of Orton’s suspension had already broken. Booker T v Matt Hardy was arguably the best match so far – although again, it was pretty obvious Booker was going to win. Benoit v Finlay showed what great workers both men are, and it really elevated Finlay’s credibility with fans. Then the semi-final between Finlay and Lashley improved the status of both men considerably also.

You may notice I conveniently left out Mark Henry vs Lashley – because it was a stinker!

The main thing that was noticeable was the amount of time each match was allowed, despite not being the main event. Every match was exciting, and some of the false finishes left you genuinely unsure who was going to win (although you already knew from logic). The great matches have done wonders for the tournament, giving it such an importance. It’s no longer just a mid-card attraction, it has moved up to the upper-mid card now.

The ongoing feud between Lashley and Booker T has been booked throughout the tournament and that as built a lot of hype for the final. Neither man has fought each other in the ring yet, but it feels like they have been feuding for ages. Although Lashley is unproven on a stage this big, I think the King of the Ring will deliver again, and I anticipate another exciting match – and this time the result is in doubt!

Although the card does not strong, I’m getting a good feeling for this PPV, and for SmackDown! in general. SmackDown! has been much more enjoyable than RAW lately, and that’s because of the flexibility that their larger roster gives them. You can have as many big stars as you want, but if they are doing the same thing every week its boring! The card looks fresh, so we are least going to see something different. I am an optimist by nature though. Anyway on with the predictions;

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
MNM vs London & Kendrick

If this match is the first on the card, which I think it will be, I think the babyfaces will go over, because WWE generally like to have a ‘happy start’ to the PPVs. If it is later on the card, I think there will be more chance that MNM will retain. I’ve seen two very good matches on Velocity between these two teams that have both been very good. I expect this match to be even better, now there is more heat involved. Is it just me, or does anybody wish these four were given a ladder to play with? … That could be brilliant. Gymini have been getting a push recently, so London & Kendrick will probably start a title feud with them, while MNM move up the card. One year from their debut PPV, MNM have made so much progress that they are now above the tag-team division.

WINNERS AND NEW TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS – LONDON & KENDRICK

CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION
SuperCrazy vs Gregory Helms

Looking at their position on the roster, this almost seems like a mismatch. Helms has been so good since switching to SmackDown!, that it barely seems feasible that Crazy could beat him right now. I’m a big fan of SuperCrazy’s ringwork, but Helms is more of a complete package as a champion. If they are given about 9/10 minutes this should be pretty entertaining.

WINNER AND STILL CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION – GREGORY HELMS

Finlay vs Chris Benoit

It was pretty obvious this match was going to be added to the card, as they were the only two ‘big names’ that didn’t have an opponent. The King of the Ring match was very good, and I don’t expect this one to be any different. Chris Benoit will probably get the equalizer, and level them up at 1-1. I’d much prefer this to be no-holds-barred, but as we know the stipulation matches are usually reserved for RAW. It would be a bit out of character for Finlay to tap out, so its possible Benoit could win without using the crossface.

WINNER CHRIS BENOIT

Undertaker vs Great Khali

This match is going to stink! Plain and simple. I would honestly be shocked if this match performs to anything like passable. Hopefully this will be the end the Great Khali character before he’s even got started. People say that Undertaker vs Giant Gonzalez was the worst of all time – I’d say this match will be worse! Two things could save this a little bit are a BIG Tombstone, or Daivari taking a big bump for the cause. If they decide to give Khali the win, it means they are intending to keep him on our screens for a while longer! So hopefully the wrestling world will join me in a prayer that Taker wins.

WINNER (HOPEFULLY) UNDERTAKER

Mark Henry vs Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle always has a good match. Mark Henry rarely has a good match, but if anyone can drag a good match out of him – it’s Kurt Angle. I don’t mind Mark Henry picking up victories here and there, but he should not be beating Kurt Angle at a PPV. So hopefully WWE will see this too. Mark Henry will probably take a big(ish) bump for the finish – because he probably won’t tap out.

WINNER KURT ANGLE

Melina vs Jillian

This match will at least serve its purpose, and will probably even surpass expectations. Melina is a much better wrestler than she gets credit for, and I’ve seen Jillian on a few occasions, and she looks competent. Melina does not need the win, and the defeat will actually tie-in better with the squabbling of MNM.

WINNER JILLIAN HALL

KOTR FINAL
Booker T vs Bobby Lashley

If the rest of the KOTR matches are anything to go by, this match should be very entertaining. There are obvious doubts about Lashley’s inexperience, but he’s improving considerably, and Booker has got bags of experience that should guide him through. Predicting the winner is very difficult. Lashley may be too much of a risk as winner because he may never succeed after the tournament. Booker will be successful, but he hasn’t got too much more career left in which to be successful. The comedy moments that would arise from a Booker T victory must be too good to refuse, and Lashley’s charisma is not his strong point.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Rey Mysterio vs JBL

Despite the rumours that Rey Mysterio could be in need of knee surgery, I still think he will retain. I refuse to believe that Rey will lose this match after being buried for the last few weeks. Anything but a victory for Rey would go against all the history and logic of the wrestling business. So I predict a clean win for Rey. As for the quality of the match, on previous occasions these two have had decent matches (obviously, because Rey is so good he can adjust to any opponent brilliantly). As a main event this match is risky. This is Rey’s first one-on-one PPV main event, so he will be judged on the quality of this match.

WINNER AND STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION - REY MYSTERIO

Whatever happens at Judgment Day, I am sure to defeat my score from my Backlash Predictions. For those of you that don’t know, I scored a big fat zero.

Piczo