411 PPV Preview: The Road to One Night Stand

KANE VS. MARK HENRY IN A LUMBERJACK MATCH

Background: On the Smackdown following Judgment Day Batista won a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Title over Finlay, Mark Henry and Kane. On June 1st, Kane and Henry squared off with Henry winning by count out after leaving Kane on the floor spent from a bearhug.

Match Up: Kane and Henry are big mean, straight ahead power wrestlers. While Kane has shown time and again to be a force of nature, Henry is bigger, meaner and stronger than any opponent Kane has probably ever faced. Making this a lumberjack match is almost laughable as no amount of WWE superstars could pick up either one to throw back in the ring or force them back in if they didn’t want to go. This will disintegrate into a wild brawl with a lot of strewn bodies.

Outcome: This is just a match to get the most people on the pay per view as possible. WWE also wants to use Henry after reintroducing him. However, it would be better for Kane to be built up as a possible challenger to Edge. Look for Henry and Kane to take out most of the lumberjacks and make them a non-factor. Henry will probably win, but this will only work out in storylines if Batista takes the belt back.

RANDY ORTON VS. ROB VAN DAM IN A STETCHER MATCH

Background: In an interview on WWE.com Rob Van Dam chastised Randy Orton for the way he took out Shawn Michaels and gave him a possible career ending concussion. Orton responded by challenging RVD to a match on the May 28th RAW. Orton kicked Rob in the head repeatedly. After winning the match he gave RVD an RKO that saw Van Dam landing square on his skull. The next night on ECW Orton announced that Van Dam had a concussion, but still wanted to face him at One Night Stand. Tommy Dreamer came out and challenged Orton. Orton won the match and lined up Dreamer for a concussion when Van Dam made the save. However, he was still in bad shape and Orton easily handled him.

Match Up: RVD will still be suffering the effects of his concussion. He needs to protect his head and play keep away from Orton. Orton will be aggressive and go after the head to start. Van Dam needs to take control of the match and try to end it early. The longer it goes the worst off for him. Orton is going to lay in the beating as long as he can. It won’t be pretty if Orton has his way.

Outcome: Everyone knows that RVD is on his way out and off to TNA. In a best case scenario, Van Dam will put Orton over in a great match and then get a standing ovation on his way out the door from the remaining ECW faithful. In a worst case scenario, WWE will humiliate Van Dam by having Orton punk him out in the worst way possible they can come up with. It’s also odd that after Orton was so recently in the doghouse he’s the guy that gets put over by a former double World Champion.

MELINA VS. CANDICE MICHELLE IN A PUDDING MATCH

Background: On the May 7th RAW Candice Michelle and Mickie James defeated Victoria and Melina when Candice hit Melina with a spinkick. The next week Candice beat Victoria while Melina sat in on commentary. The night after Judgment Day Candice won a non-title affair over Melina to prove she was no fluke. On May 28th Candice beat Melina again in a diva battle royal water fight that also included Mickie James, Michelle McCool, the Expose dancers, Jillian Hall, Kristal Marshall and Maria.

Match Up: Forming strategy for such a match is very sticky, pun intended. Melina and Candice have both showed to be improving female grapplers, but that will matter little here. If you have to fight in pudding, you might as well try to use it to your advantage to blind, choke and smother. Melina is most likely to use the dirty tactics. She seems to still be selling Candice short despite recent wins. Look for Candice to sneak out another close one if Melina gets cocky.

Outcome: At least the Women’s title isn’t on the line. Due to this though, Candice will probably get the win even though it’s counterproductive to build her up as a real wrestler for weeks and then put her in such a sexually gratuitous match. Not to mention it is also degrading to do so to the Women’s champion. Having such a match fits in with the theme of the pay per view, but what overall purpose does it serve in putting over either woman or the women’s division.

CM PUNK, TOMMY DREAMER AND SANDMAN VS. MATT STRIKER, MARCHUS COR VON AND ELIJAH BURKE

Background: Rob Van Dam of the Originals and Elijah Burke of the New Breed both tried to convince CM Punk to join their factions for weeks. On April 10th Punk told them both that he would give his answer to them that night. Punk defeated Stevie Richards. In the main event Marcus Cor Von beat Rob Van Dam. Punk ran out seeming to be with the Originals, but he turned on them to join the New Breed. The next week Punk said he had good reason for joining the New Breed, but he wasn’t going to go into it. RVD led out the Originals. Van Dam challenged Burke to a match, but Punk said if he wanted to face a real leader he should fight Punk. Burke took exception to this. Later Burke asked Punk if he thought he was scared of Punk and he said yes. After Kevin Thorn and Marcus Cor Von lost a match to Tommy Dreamer and the Sandman Punk gave them a pep talk. Burke told Punk to fall in line and stop trying to be the leader of the group. In the main event Punk slid a chair into the ring. It went right past Burke to RVD. He used it for the win. Punk apologized the next week, but still tried to exert himself as leader of the group. The main event was an elimination eight man. Burke told Punk to take a seat for the match. The end came down to Burke and RVD. Burke was thrown to the floor and kicked by Punk. RVD beat him. Punk then hit Burke with the Go 2 Sleep and sarcastically said he was sorry. On May 1st Burke forced Thorn to fight Punk. He lost and Thorn quit the New Breed. Later on Striker and Cor Von lost a tag match to the Majors Brothers. On May 7th Burke helped Cor Von beat Punk. Burke then later showed the boys how it was done by beat Brian Majors. On May 15th Punk survived bad ribs from the week before to pin Richards. Burke, Striker and Cor Von lost a handicap match to Bobby Lashley.

Elijah Burke won at Judgment Day thanks to Punk being hampered by a rib injury. On ECW that week Punk teamed with RVD against Burke and Cor Von. Cor Von illegally hit the Pounce on Punk to draw the DQ and then followed with one on RVD. On the May 29th episode Burke won a no disqualification match when Cor Von delivered the Pounce to drive Punk through a table.

Match Up: Punk couldn’t have two better partners for a tables match in the hardcore icons Dreamer and Sandman. Yet, that team could have friction due to Punk turning on the Originals to join the New Breed just mere weeks ago. On the other side Striker appears to be on the outs with Burke and Cor Von. In a team match like this, communication will be important. The team that doesn’t have it will lose. It will also be important to work together in order to tip the numbers in your favor. The first team to take an opponent out will have a big advantage.

Outcome: It’s odd to have Punk turn his back on the Originals and now be teaming with them. With the Originals virtually disbanded with RVD and Sabu gone it would be trivial to have Punk turn on Dreamer and Sandman as some master plan of Burke’s. It also seems possible that Cor Von could be moved to RAW or Smackdown in the upcoming draft as a potential break out star. Striker appears to be on the outs with Burke. His announcement for the Majors Brothers teased on the last ECW could be a new tag team he’ll be managing outside the New Breed. Since the heels have won so much lately, the face could be in line to win. The New Breed have lost the majority of the big matches too.

THE HARDY BOYS VS. THE WORLD’S GREATEST TAG TEAM IN A LADDER MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM TITLES

Background: On the RAW following Judgment Day the Hardy Boys battled Kenny Dykstra and Johnny Nitro. Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas watched at ringside, saying they were scouting talent. The World’s Greatest Tag Team attacked after the Hardys won. Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade made the save. On May 28th, the Hardys teamed with Cade and Murdoch to face Dykstra, Nitro and TWGTT. Jeff pinned Dykstra. Benjamin and Haas stated that since they didn’t get pinned in the match they should get a tag team title shot. Jeff and Matt accepted, while Cade and Murdoch seemed put off.

Match Up: Benjamin and Haas might be inexperienced when it comes to a ladder match, but they have the skills that match them up well with the Hardy Boys. Matt and Jeff are ladder match veterans. Working with the ladders so many times they know all the spots you can do with them as well as how to pace themselves. Benjamin and Haas will be smart to go for the early win, but being aggressive early could be costly. Look for the Hardys to give a master class in ladders matches.

Outcome: It would be great for Benjamin and Haas to receive a push. Sorrowfully this might just be another chapter in the odd feud between Cade and Murdoch and the Hardy Boys. The once heels and now pseudo faces are poised for a turn at any time and everyone is expecting it. This might be a plum time for it. Cade and Murdoch could cost the Hardys the belts inadvertently and then demand a title shot with the new champs. Or just full out turn on the Hardys in demanding their own title shot. This could be the match of the night as Matt and Jeff have two great, inventive athletes that can hang with them in a ladder match.

VINCE MCMAHON VS. BOBBY LASHLEY IN A STREET FIGHT FOR THE ECW TITLE

Background: To cash in on the public feud of Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump, Vince McMahon booked a match between the two on the January 8th RAW. The two were played by imposters with the faux Trump winning. The following week McMahon attempted to call the real Trump, but could not get through. Vince was doing so because of a letter he received from the billionaire not just trashing the sketch from the previous week, but claiming that McMahon did not have the best interest of the fans at heart. McMahon further tried to humiliate Trump by making Torrie Wilson pose as Miss USA, who Trump left off the hook for alleged drinking and carousing. Carlito made the save and told McMahon that the fans paid to see people fight, so Vince sacrificed him to the Great Khali. On January 22nd, McMahon made a formal rebuttal to Trump’s letter, which was just more grandstanding by him. John Cena interrupted and tricked Jonathan Coachman into badmouthing Vince. McMahon booked Coach to face Cena later that night. January 30th was fan appreciation night on RAW. McMahon showed one fan appreciation by giving her a blown up picture of his Muscle and Fitness Magazine cover. Donald Trump appeared on the Titantron and showed the fans some real appreciation by dropping money from the ceiling. Trump sent a second letter to McMahon on the February 5th RAW stating he had a business proposition, while McMahon had one of his own for Trump to join his Kiss My Ass Club.

Trump and McMahon went nose to nose on the February 15th RAW. Trump challenged McMahon to a match at Wrestlemania, but he refused. It was then suggested that the two pick representatives to fight for them. Trump accepted that, but wanted it to be a hair vs. hair match between the two billionaires. McMahon thought Trump had something up his sleeve, but agreed. On the February 19th RAW McMahon announced Umaga as his representative. He immediately won the IC title from Jeff Hardy. On the February 23rd Smackdown Rey Mysterio returned to his hometown of San Diego. He got interrupted by Vince McMahon. Mysterio backed Trump in the hair vs. hair match. McMahon had Umaga thrash the still injured Mysterio. McMahon used photo wizardy to make fun of Trump on the next RAW by showing what he would look like with various haircuts. However, Vince wasn’t laughing when the Donald pulled a trump card of Bobby Lashley as his Wrestlemania man. Umaga and Lashley brawled. On RAW of February 26th McMahon was informed that the WWE board of directors wanted a special guest referee for the match. The next night on ECW McMahon made the title cage match between Lashley and Hardcore Holly a beat the clock match. Yet, a five minute time limit was nothing Lashley was unable to conquer. Umaga ran out and Lashley headed him off by jumping into the cage wall and knocking it down onto Umaga.

On the March 2nd Smackdown McMahon gave Lashley a chance to get out of the Wrestlemania match, but he refused and got physical with McMahon. Ken Kennedy then asked McMahon for an ECW title shot that night. McMahon granted it by allowing Kennedy to participate under extreme rules, but Lashley had to toe the line. It didn’t matter as Lashley won. On the March 5th RAW McMahon announced that he had sent his son Shane McMahon to the board of directors to be named the special guest referee. McMahon took the ring to announce his son, but got Eric Bischoff instead. Bischoff just wanted to say that he hoped McMahon would get shaved bald. He gave way to Mick Foley who plugged his new book and teased being the referee. Shane then appeared, but he didn’t look happy. Finally the guest referee came out in the persona of Steve Austin. Austin promised to call the match down the middle and he wouldn’t take any guff. He also promised that someone was walking out of Wrestlemania with their head shaved. Elsewhere, Umaga retained the IC Title over Jeff Hardy. On ECW for March 6th McMahon put over that he liked Austin as the referee. He also said that Lashley apologized for roughing him up on the last Smackdown. Lashley came out and did apologize to Vince…for not kicking his ass more. Later on Austin came out to talk more about the match and poll the crowd on what they thought would happen in the hair vs. hair match. On the March 12th RAW the Rock appeared via a pre-tape to put down McMahon and reveal that Umaga in Samoan meant “shriveled up monkey penis.” A contract signing between the billionaires was held with Austin maintaining order. Trump finally got revenge for weeks of bald pictures of him with a bald picture of McMahon. Trump then challenged McMahon to bring it. Vince obliged and got shoved over the contract-signing table by Trump to a huge pop from the fans.

Edge didn’t like that Randy Orton got into the Money in the Bank ladder match and convinced McMahon to book Orton vs. Lashley for ECW. If Orton didn’t take the match he would lose his slot. Orton showed up, but then Edge got himself tossed from ringside allowing Lashley to score the win. Lashley showed up on RAW on March 19th to take the Masterlock Challenge. He became the first man to break it. McMahon congratulated him by kicking Lashley out of the building. Eugene happened by and spilled a drink on McMahon. He booked him against Umaga for it. After getting crushed, McMahon shaved Dinsmore’s head. Masters went to ECW the next night seeking revenge on Lashley, but was defeated in a real match. McMahon opened the March 23rd Smackdown to book Lashley in a handicap tables match with Randy Orton and Ken Kennedy. Lashley put both men through tables to win. McMahon fed up with Lashley finally booked himself against the man for RAW. McMahon used Cade and Murdoch, Masters and Umaga to soften up Lashley before he pinned him twice. McMahon then asked Donald Trump what he thought about that, which was Eugene in a Trump wig. On ECW the next night McMahon and Lashley had a war of words via satellite with Vince at WWE headquarters.

Lashley won at Wrestlemania through mass interference and with a little help from referee Stone Cold. McMahon tried to sneak away, but Lashley dragged him back to the ring and shaved his head with Trump’s help. McMahon appeared the next night on RAW sporting a sweet fedora. He downplayed what happened the night before and then booked Umaga against Lashley. Lashley appeared and stole Vince’s hat. He tried to cover his baldhead with JR’s hat, Lawler’s crown and Lillian Garcia’s dress. Lashley ripped off her skirt to reveal a frightened McMahon peeking out from between her legs. McMahon fumed about what happened in the back while Estrada tried to calm him down. This just riled Vince up more and he put the manager in the match with Umaga. That proved a poor move as Lashley knocked Umaga to the floor and pinned Estrada to retain his title. Lashley celebrated the next night on ECW and stated he was not afraid of McMahon coming for him. On the April 14th RAW it was Shane McMahon that came for him. He booked himself in an ECW title match with Lashley. Lahley accepted only if Shane put his hair on the line. Shane accepted. Umaga came out to rough Lashley up, but Shane said he didn’t need the Samoan’s help. Shane got himself disqualified, but didn’t get his head shaved. A three on one beat down on Lashley then ensued with Umaga and Vince. Vince hovered over a bloody Lashley and booked a three on one handicap match for Backlash. Vince recapped the beating the next night on ECW with Lashley off nursing his wounds. RAW on 4/16 came from Italy. Vince McMahon recapped the events from last week and then challenged anyone in the back to face Umaga. No one showed. He made it an Intercontinental title match. Still no one showed. McMahon then decided to open the challenge up to the crowd and he chose a man in the front row named Santino Marella. Marella started off well, so Vince made the bout a handicap match. This backfired and Lashley ran out to turn the tide and help Marella win the championship in a major upset. Lashley introduced Marella the next night on ECW and celebrated in the ring with him. On April 23rd Shane McMahon challenged local English wrestler Robbie Brookside. Shane worked him over for a few minutes and then made the bout a handicap match with Umaga as his partner. Umaga laid in a beating. Shane then made it a three on one handicap match with Vince strolling out for the easy pin. The next night on ECW Lashley and Umaga squared off in a singles match. Estrada interfered for the disqualification. Lashley got revenge on Estrada while Vince held Umaga back. Lashley could not overcome the odds at Backlash. A title shot by Shane led to several splashes by Umaga. They allowed Vince to take the pin and become the ECW Champion.

On the May 1st ECW Lashley promised to take the ECW title back. Armando Estrada came out in a wheelchair. He told Lashley he would have his rematch, but he would lose it if he touched Umaga, Vince or Shane. Estrada was not on the list, so Lashley beat him up. Vince showed up later to address the Originals. They all wanted a piece of him. Vince booked a four way dance to find a challenger for him for the following week. RVD won over Tommy Dreamer, Sabu and Sandman. Vince changed the booking to a handicap match with Umaga and Shane. RVD never had a chance. The previous night on RAW Lashley took out his frustration on Jonathan Coachman. A real match between the two took place on May 14th. Lashley won quickly and was then attacked by Umaga and Shane. Lashley chased Shane to the back where Vince hit him from behind with the ECW title belt. The next night on ECW Vince booked Lashley in a handicap match with the New Breed to soften him up. Lashley showed he may have learned a few things by winning the bout by pinning Matt Striker.

At Judgment Day Bobby Lashley pinned Shane McMahon early in the contest, but Vince then proclaimed that since he was champion and he wasn’t pinned in the handicap match then he retained the ECW title. Lashley challenged Vince to a title match the next night on RAW. Vince teased he would be defending the belt at One Night Stand against the Blue Meanie. Shane then suggested that Lashley get the title shot, but he had to run a gauntlet first. In the first match Lashley defeated Chris Masters. In the second he took on the monster Viscera. In the third match he won via disqualification when Umaga hit him with a chair. This was just supposed to soften him up for Shane, but Lashley came back and won. On the May 28th RAW Lashley teamed with Cena to face Shane, Umaga and the Great Khali. Lashley was slammed by Khali and then pinned by Shane off of an elbow drop. The next night on ECW Lashley and Vince had a debate over their upcoming match at One Night Stand. At Saturday Night’s Main Event Lashley was booked to face Vince in an arm wrestling match. He brought out Henry to arm wrestle for him. Lashley took an advantage and Henry attacked. Lashley speared Henry, but was caught from behind by Vince with a chair.

Match Up: Vince McMahon has fought many street fights in WWE. This is because it gives him the most opportunity to use foreign objects and have legal interference. Lashley has shown that he can weather being against the odds. McMahon will cheap shot Lashley early and take the advantage. He’ll get cocky and allow Lashley to come back. This is when Shane and other troops will come out for the boss. Lashley has to take them out while keeping an eye on Vince. A street fight might work out better for Lashley than Vince thinks. He’ll feel a lot of pain and Lashley will have the tools to take out Vince’s help.

Outcome: The build would say that Lashley takes the belt back here, but a bigger blow off could be on tap for SummerSlam. More likely Vince will send a bigger challenge after Lashley once he loses. Since he already used Umaga, Khali could be next in line. Look for Shane and Umaga to get involved and possibly cost Vince the lost. An Umaga face turn could also be an outside shot.

EDGE VS. BATISTA IN A STEEL CAGE FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

Background: Ken Kennedy won the Money in the Bank Ladder match at Wrestlemania. On the April 30th RAW he announced that he cash it in next year at Wrestlemania. On the May 7th RAW Edge challenged Kennedy to a match for the title shot, stating that he was the real Mr. Money in the Bank and defended while he had it. Kennedy accepted the match. Edge jumped Kennedy before the match and bashed a monitor over his head. Kennedy consented for the match to start, but quickly ate a spear for the loss. That Friday on Smackdown Undertaker and Batista had a cage match for the World Heavyweight Title. Both men escaped the cage and seemingly hit the floor at the same time. The bout was declared a tie and Undertaker retained. Mark Henry then appeared and beat up UT further. Edge came out with a huge smile on his face and cashed in his title match. He covered Undertaker quickly, but he kicked out. Edge covered again and he kicked out. Finally a spear put him down. Edge appeared on the May 14th RAW to give his farewell address. He was challenged to a match by Shawn Michaels and loss. On Smackdown that week Edge was officially awarded the title by Teddy Long. Batista came out and said the title was rightfully his and he would take it back at Judgment Day.

At Judgment Day Batista’s bad leg collapsed on a spinebuster and Edge won with a schoolboy rollup. That week on Smackdown Batista defeated Finlay, Mark Henry and Kane to earn another title shot. Batista was Edge’s guest on the Cutting Edge. The two slapped each other, pushed each other and then Batista decked Edge. On Saturday Night’s Main Event, Edge walked out on his partner MVP to be defeated by Batista and Chris Benoit.

Match Up: Batista is hungry to get his belt back. Having Edge trapped inside a steel cage seems to be something he will really enjoy. The arrogant new champion will run to escape early and play keep away from Batista. Batista can’t be obsessed with destroying Edge and not going for the win. His drive for the title will probably keep him in check. Edge is more resilient than people give him credit for, so this will not be a walk in the park for the former champ. Batista might think Edge beat him on a fluke at Judgment Day, but that is what Edge wants him to think so he’ll sell him short. If you have to give Edge one thing, it’s that he is crafty.

Outcome: There aren’t a whole lot of superstars for Edge or Batista to defend against no matter who is champion. The upcoming draft lottery could fix that. Kane or Mark Henry could be built up as well. Batista has to be in the title picture to be the most effective and Edge is still building himself up as a long term champion. Look for a huge blow off at SummerSlam.

JOHN CENA VS. THE GREAT KHALI IN A FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE, NO SUBMISSION MATCH FOR THE WWE TITLE

Background: On the April 30th RAW Shawn Michaels was scheduled to face John Cena in the main event. He was found beaten to a pulp in the back. Edge seemed like a likely culprit, but then he was found taken out. Focus turned to Randy Orton. Orton was then found out cold in the bathroom. Vince McMahon said he knew who the mystery attacker was and told Coach to have John Cean take the ring. Cena hit the ring and asked for the mystery man to come face him. He got the Great Khali. Khali destroyed Cena too. On May 7th Vince McMahon was ready to book Khali vs. Cena for the WWE Title for Judgment Day when Michaels interrupted. He didn’t get to face Cena last week. Vince never gives him anything, but he’ll want to give him this. He wants to earn his title match against Khali and it could even be no DQ. This played against Shawn as Khali choke slammed him through the announce table for a referee stoppage. In the main event Cena defeated Orton. Khali came out and took the WWE Title belt. He nailed Cean with the strap and left. On the May 14th RAW Cena was solemn as he took the ring. Khali had something that belonged to him and he wanted it back. Khali appeared on the Titantron in the back with an interpreter. Cean ran to the back to get his belt back, but was thrashed soundly once more.

At Judgment Day Cena incredibly made Khali tap out to the STFU. However, footage clearly showed that Khali’s leg was under the bottom rope and the move should have been broken. Khali through his interrupter complained of this the next night on RAW. Cena came out and said he wasn’t afraid of Khali anymore after scoring a win over him. Khali laid him out. Cena teamed with Lashley the following week on May 28th to go against Umaga, Khali and Shane McMahon. Lashley was pinned by Shane after a slam by Khali to take the loss. Khali won a non-title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Match Up: Cena somehow scored a submission victory at Judgment Day, but that option has been take away from him here. Cena will need to stick and move over such a large and lumbering challenger. Fall count anywhere will allow him to do that. One tactic might just be for Cena to make Khali chase him through the building until he’s tired out. Khali will want to grab Cena and keep him close for his standard beat down. Heart and determination won’t help Cena win here, he’ll need brains.

Outcome: A falls count anywhere match is not good for Khali because it makes him have to move. He’s slower than molasses running up hill in January. Cena has shown that he’s not up to carrying him in a match. Khali will be able to brawl, but he doesn’t even do that particularly well. Cena doesn’t have anyone else on RAW for him to feud with, but the draft lottery should fix that. Hopefully we’ll get a better match up with Cena for SummerSlam.