411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Judgment Day 2007

This month, WWE presents Judgment Day, a PPV which in the past has often flown under the radar, due to its positioning between the post-Mania Backlash and other, larger PPVs such as King of the Ring and One Night Stand. With the sudden influx of injuries to the upper card on Smackdown, the card went a quick re-shuffle, and the result is Edge making his first defense of his newly-won World Heavyweight title. Plus, the loss of Edge on Raw has resulted in the elevation of the immense Great Khali to a WWE Championship match. And in the undercard, has MVP’s time finally come? All this and more is set to take place this Sunday, and here’s the 411 Staff that had free time to tell you what they think of WWE’s offering this month.

Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Daniel Wilcox, Schmozzes and Screwjobs

Matt Adamson, Destiny

Stuart Carapola, The Ominous Thoughts News Report

Andy Clark, The Shimmy

Michael Bauer, ECW recapper

Matt Short, The Navigation Log

Andy Critchell, vagrant at large

Rob Halden, You’re An Idiot And Here’s Why

Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told

Samuel Berman, ROH roundtable

Neil Borenstein, 411 Sports’ MLB Fastball

Brad Borchardt, Smackdown recapper

Sean McCabe, 411 Games’ The Retrospective

Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight

and Larry Csonka, boss-type person

Introductions out of the way, here’s the advertised card for this Sunday’s PPV offering, WWE Judgment Day.

Ric Flair vs. Carlito

Stephen Randle: It’s been hard to believe that beating Flair means anything since the days of him jobbing cleanly to Rico on Raw, but I guess we’re going for one more kick at the can. I remember saying two years ago that there was no real reason to turn Carlito face, and it looks like they’ve finally given up on it as well. Bring back the apple spitting!

Winner: Carlito

Daniel Wilcox: There should only be one winner in this one. Carlito’s heel turn has been a long time coming because he just wasn’t cutting it as a face and was looking lazy. He said he didn’t enjoy being face so now he has his chance to shine. Carlito needs this win to start sending him back up the card to be in a viable position to at least be Intercontinental Champion.

Winner: Carlito (pin with feet on the ropes)

Matt Adamson: Back in February when I attended Raw live at the Rose Garden, this was one of the matches. The fact that this is on Pay Per View boggles my mind. I’m sure the big payoff of Carlito finally learning how to cheat from the dirtiest player in the game is finally going to happen and Carlito will shock nobody in the process.

Winner: Carlito

Stuart Carapola: I have to say that I find it very difficult sometimes reconciling the greatest champion of the 80s with the old guy who jerks the curtain if he even makes the PPV. Well, at least they’re not burying him in the desert.

Winner: Ric Flair

Andy Clark: At long last we get this match. I’m not sure who they put over here, but considering this was designed to help Carlito (and Raw is in desperate need of some top heels) I’d say he’s the safe pick.

Winner: Carlito

Michael Bauer: We should have had this match two months ago at Wrestlemania, but we get it now with Carlito fully turned heel again, where he should have stayed from the start. Anyway, the fact that he is in there with the dirtiest player in the game makes me believe that Carlito will go over here using some of those “old tricks” that rubbed off the Nature Boy. Otherwise, where else could they go?

Winner: Carlito

Matt Short: Carlito finally turns heel and we get the PPV match everyone has been waiting for. Maybe not with bated breath, but this will hopefully this will be the start of Carlito being able to get back on track. An average match at best, but the point should be to get Carlito over as a heel and a convincing win here can do it.

Winner: Carlito

Andy Critchell: This is the feud that will seemingly never end. Let’s hope Judgment Day is its resolution. As for the match, Flair winning does nothing except bury what tiny shred of a career Carlito has left. Also, on Raw JR said that St. Louis was “Flair Country” and if there is one thing Flair does in Flair country, it’s lose.

Winner: Carlito

Rob Halden: This should have been a stellar feud but, y’know, it isn’t. What they need to do with Flair, is put him on a big-ass winning streak. He needs to use his ‘dirtiest player in the game’ stuff to pull off some upsets, get us thinking that he CAN win again. Cuz otherwise no one cares. Hence…

Winner: Carlito

Bayani Domingo: Oh man, why do I have the feeling this is going to be sloppy. Consider Flair as pretty much the Missy Hyatte of RAW right now, because every young buck gets to pin him at least once. Then again, why the hell would Carlito throw away a perfectly good piece of ass like Torie Wilson in the first place? I mean, do heel turns just totally kill your desire to get some quality trim? Okay, that was pointless, but just sayin’ is all.

Winner: Carlito

Samuel Berman: I hope they just blow this one off here with Carlito winning strong, because Flair’s best role on the roster at this point is to put over young talent who can earn a reputation partially from beating a legend. Moving Torrie over to be Flair’s new valet in the process won’t be a bad move either.

Winner: Carlito

Neil Borenstein: I have to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of Carlito since I don’t think he’s really done anything with the WWE during his entire tenure there. But his feud with Ric Flair could change all of that since it seems to be going somewhere pretty meaningful. Carlito has shown an edge to his game ever since telling Flair to take his advice and shove it and sending Torrie Wilson walking. And with this match between Carlito and Flair in the works for some time now, it should get pretty intense at Judgment Day. Nobody puts the young guy over quite as well as “The Nature Boy,” and considering this feud should go past Sunday, I can’t imagine Carlito taking the first loss.

Winner: Carlito

Brad Borchardt: I really enjoyed the match between Val Venis and Carlito this week and I hope by turning heel, Carlito turns it up in the ring. I was hoping for one more title run out of the Nature Boy but alas, he is stuck as the jobber now and if WWE wants to repair Carlito, he needs the win here.

Winner: Carlito

Sean McCabe: The winner of this match really depends on whether or not the general feeling is Carlito has learnt his lesson. Personally, I think a loss to Flair might motivate him, or at least that’s what Vince feels.

Winner: Ric Flair

Michael Weyer: I know we’ve seen these two go at it before but this one has been coming for a while. I think turning Carlito heel is a good thing and maybe even elevate himself for a boost against Cena which may be good. So see Carlito getting over here with Flair doing his best to make it work.

WINNER: Carlito

Larry Csonka: This feud MUST continue, because it has sucked my soul to live thus far. Please let this be at least decent.

Winner: Flair

Final Tally: Only 3 people think Flair has what it takes to pull this one out, with all 13 other votes going for Carlito.

CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke

Stephen Randle: They can’t end this feud, simply because it’s one of the only two real feuds on ECW TV right now. Expect more heel miscommunication involving Striker, but I bet Burke pulls this one out through nefarious use of Cor Von.

Winner: Elijah Burke

Daniel Wilcox: I have high hopes for this match. I saw a clip of a match they had down in OVW and while it was short, it was certainly a decent match which means now that Elijah has presumably improve a ton in the ring, and CM Punk is CM Punk, this should be a great match assuming that it is given enough time to develop. Both of these guys are future stars on ECW so it’s difficult to chose a winner between the two, but I sense a New Breed backlash against Burke that eventually costs him the match.

Winner: CM Punk (G2S)

Matt Adamson: If this match is given enough time it will be spectacular. Burke still has a lot to prove to me, but I believe he can pull this off. Punk wrestles like he’s been out there for 15 years and I sure as heck hope he gets the win here, but as fans we win either way.

Winner: CM Punk

Stuart Carapola: I can totally see this headlining PPVs one day. I heard a theory thrown around that they’re going to do an angle where the New Breed turns on Elijah and goes with Punk, but if it’s going to happen I don’t think it’ll be here. Actually, I expect this one to be free of shenanigans.

Winner: CM Punk

Andy Clark: This should be good, but anyone expecting it to get a lot of time is deluding themselves. For whatver reason WWE sees Burke as more of a breakout star than Punk, so he’ll win here, perhaps by nefarious means.

Winner: Elijah Burke

Michael Bauer: I’m looking forward to this, but I have to wonder what shot it really has of making an impact. They seem to really playing on Punk having injured ribs, so they may keep Punk limited because of that. If that is the case, this match won’t be half as good as it could be. Still, Punk should go over here as Striker does something a teacher would never do, like something stupid, and continue the division of the New Breed.

Winner: CM Punk

Matt Short: This feud is really only just starting. Punk and Burke will hopefully get enough time to show off on the PPV and actually show that they can be future main eventers. Burke right now is the one with friends, so I’d give the advantage to him. Unless Punk himself takes over the New Breed, this could be the catalyst for Punk to start his own group.

Winner: Elijah Burke

Andy Critchell: This match has the potential to steal the show, potential being the operative word as both guys have it in spades. Punk seems to be the no-brainer pick here but so did MVP at Wrestlemania AND Backlash.

Winner: Elijah Burke (likely due to shady means)

Rob Halden: Another feud that should have been awesome, but the ‘E has managed to screw up. Both awesome talents, both on the rise, started off with a great angle….and then it all went horribly wrong. They pulled the trigger on Punk’s heel turn too soon, then to try and undo their mistake they made another one and pulled the trigger on his un-heel turn too soon. Why am I cheering for Punk again? Cuz he was a good guy, then kind of a bad-guy and now he’s less of a bag-guy? Woo. Hoo.

Winner: CM Punk

Bayani Domingo: I guess if they’re feuding they need to build up to it so I’m fairly sure that the heel usually wins the first match right? I just hope this doesn’t end up with the vampire becoming Punk’s back up against the rest of the NB. “What? I don’t do drugs or drink either…I just suck blood…big deal”.

Winner: Elijah Burke

Samuel Berman: If you’ve read pretty much anything I’ve written in the past couple of months, you know that I’ve been waiting for this match for a while. I think Burke is really underrated in the ring, and I really liked a lot of his OVW work from 2005-06. I’m obviously a huge Punk fan, and I think his talent is pretty obvious to anyone who watches him for longer than about 25 seconds. Thus, this will be a show-stealer as far as my thinking goes. Burke will probably get the win here, but it sets up some sort of big blowoff between the two down the road. If WWE watched any of Punk’s ROH work, they’d know that the way to go is have Burke torture Punk mentally and physically for the next couple of months until their next big show in Chicago. Now, seeing as there’s no WWE Pay-Per-Views in Chicago in the next few months, how about a Cage Match in East Rutherford, NJ at SummerSlam?

Winner: Elijah Burke

Neil Borenstein: I love it. This really is going to be a money feud for ECW and should be the most promoted one on the brand. With Sabu gone and RVD seemingly on the outs, ECW needs to and probably is being built around Elijah Burke and CM Punk. This should just be the first match in a long feud, and I just hope its given enough time to be effective and really start these two out right inside the ring. We just need to look for any New Breed interference and any chemistry between Punk and Burke. Those are the most important things here. Eventually, these two will get their spot to go all out. Judgment Day is just about building the heat between these two.

Winner: CM Punk

Brad Borchardt: This could be the best match of the night, but I have a feeling WWE is going to rush this match just like they did with the storyline to this match. Hopefully WWE has this feud continue through the summer since ECW has nothing else. I expect CM Punk to win here to start off a great series of matches.

Winner: CM Punk

Sean McCabe: I think I can see where this is going. Punk is basically outnumbered 3 to 1, and his name is not Bobby Lashley, so unlike Lashely, he’ll go down here, either getting the DQ victory and taking a post match beatdown, or shenanigans (read, POUNCE!!!!) resulting in Burke getting the victory… and Punk still recieving the post match beatdown

Winner: POUNCE!!!!! Oh, and Burke I suppose

Michael Weyer: This should be a great match, running from technical to brawling and one can only hope they give the win to the guy folks really want to take off in ECW.

WINNER: CM Punk, baby!

Larry Csonka: These guys have a ton to prove not only to the company, but also to the crowd. If they can go out there and have a good math, excite the crowd and take that next step, then they are in great shape. They are the planned faces of the new ECW, but how far that goes will be in how well they do here. Burke wins, and they rematch with WACKY rules at Not Quite a One Night Stand III, wait, this is your cousin and not you?

Winner: Burke

Final Tally: We’re split right down the middle, with eight votes for each competitor. Are Burke and Punk the HHH and Rock of the early Attitude Era? Only time will tell.

Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton

Stephen Randle: This match really means nothing at all, but I guess it won’t suck in-ring. Orton, as far as I know, is still working off his latest debts. I wish I still got to be in ***+ matches on PPVs while I was being punished for stupid things I did.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Daniel Wilcox: Now I’m really looking forward to this match. Despite Orton’s recent antics in Europe, I really hope Orton wins this and gets a push because with the departure of Edge, Raw doesn’t have a top heel outside of The Great Khali. Michaels doesn’t need the win anywhere near as much as Orton because we all know HBK has a program to conclude with Cena somewhere down the line. In saying that, Triple H is back in a couple of months and he’ll make Orton his bitch before becoming the top heel himself, so a win for Orton probably wouldn’t do much in the long run. But I’m going with my instinct.

Winner: Randy Orton

Matt Adamson: Hmmm, I just don’t care. As much as I like Michaels, I don’t like Orton. Actually it’s funny, I’m one of the few that gets a huge kick out of Orton’s behavior away from work, but I fall asleep when he shows up on my TV screen. They need to take full advantage of his real personality and he might be one of the craziest S.O.B’s in the WWE. I don’t think he’s winning here though, Michaels is the come from behind kid of 2007.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Stuart Carapola: I hear that Orton’s got Triple H when he returns from the quad injury so it would make sense that he stay strong, but he IS going to be in there with Shawn Michaels. Pffff.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Andy Clark: This is a toss up. I guess they’re keeping Michaels strong for the eventual Cena-Michaels III but Raw needs main event heels so it’s probably time for Orton to start winning again. If HBK is still doing the concussion angle then this is an easy win for RKO.

Winner: Randy Orton

Michael Bauer: This is a tough one to call here, more so if the rumors about Snitsky coming to Raw are true. If they are, then the winner here really gains nothing by winning. I still think Orton is in the doghouse, so Michaels should get the clean win here. But remember, like Punk, they are playing that damn injury angle, so I would not be shocked if Orton wins here.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Matt Short: Remember when we all thought that Orton was really going to get it for his escapade in Europe? Like suspensions and being jobbed out mercilessly? It could happen here, but the WWE has always been so intent on pushing Orton that I doubt HBK is just going to bury him here. Michaels can perform great with anybody and Orton wants to prove why he shouldn’t get canned so they’ll put on a good show together. But there’s no real reason to care about it otherwise unless this was for a title shot or something.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Andy Critchell: Another potential show stealer, as is just about every match with HBK. I expect Orton to bring his working shoes as it is in front of the hometown and I doubt HBK would let him slack off in the slightest. I expect Orton to work himself out of the doghouse with his performance in this match. Still, that’s not going to get him the win.

Winner: HBK

Rob Halden: Though receiving one of the weakest build ups I’ve ever seen (“Hey let’s fight on Sunday!” “OK!”) this should prove to be an entertaining match if Orton coaxes his way through, and a stellar match if he brings his A-Game. The hastily added HBK-concussion storyline should provide some nice pyschology to the ring action, but kinda gives away the ending already.

Winner: Randy Orton

Bayani Domingo: HBK just pinned the WHC clean, doesn’t that make him the #1 contender? Something tells me that was payback for jobbing to Khali. I can’t see Orton going over HBK here. The power of Christ compels HBK to job out Orton. Or is that the power of booking?

Winner: He’s just a sexy boy….HBK

Samuel Berman: This was booked late and Orton stood tall (literally and proverbially) on Monday, so I’ll go with Shawn on PPV, when he always brings the goods anyway. Actually, to be fair HBK’s pretty much brought the goods in general this whole year, so huzzah for career revivals.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Neil Borenstein: Note to WWE – Stop putting Randy Orton on TV! Or PPV! Or allowing him into arenas in general! This guy will never learn if he just continues to be rewarded with big matches. Hell, put him on Smackdown and make him lose to Funaki for a four straight weeks. Maybe that will make Orton realize just how far he can fall if he doesn’t stop acting like a jackass. Regardless, Shawn Michaels should get the win here anyway. Orton is the only opponent Michaels had from Backlash that he hasn’t beaten in recent weeks (he beat Cena in the Wrestlemania 23, 55-minute classic rematch from RAW a few weeks ago and Edge last week in Edge’s final RAW appearance), so I’m sure Michaels is going to have to go over here. And for the first time in a long time, I don’t have a problem with Michaels getting the win. Damn it Orton!

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Brad Borchardt: Throw away match just to give HBK a PPV win for his great efforts against Cena.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Sean McCabe: I hate both these guys, and Micheals jobbing out Edge was the biggest load of bull since The Great Khali got a title shot. But who do I hate less?

Winner: Randy Orton, for shits and giggles

Michael Weyer: This one’s a toughie. Common wisdom says they should put Michaels over to punish Orton for his mess in Europe. Then again, with Edge gone, they need another top heel and Orton certainly fits the bill. Still, I see Shawn managing the win here but Orton at least doing his best.

WINNER: HBK

Larry Csonka: HBK will be headed towards a title shot and possible short title run soon, and Randy Orton is an idiot.

Winner: HBK

Final Tally: 4 out of 16 means a solid quarter of the staff think Orton’s getting the victory this Sunday.

Chris Benoit (c) vs. MVP – 2/3 Falls – United States Championship

Stephen Randle: I have to keep picking him until they finally pull the trigger. At least Benoit’s earning some more face time in case they want him to put on a series of great matches with Edge during the summer. Just asking.

Winner: MVP

Daniel Wilcox: I was 80% sure MVP would win the US strap at WrestleMania 23 and was shocked and angry when he didn’t. So I was 100% sure he’d win it at Backlash, and was stunned and disappointed when he didn’t. But now we have this 2/3 Falls match and judging by the matches they’ve had together of the last two months this should be all kinds of awesomeness. And now is the time to put the title on MVP. I truly believe that he can be a huge star in a few years and a shoe-in for a world champ withing the next year or two. Ballin’!

Winner: And NEW US Champion, MVP!

Matt Adamson: This match is the reason to buy this show. 2/3 falls matches are a rarity in the WWE as it is, so this will be a treat for that reason alone. What will make it even more special is the fact that these two have tons of chemistry and have already proven that the more time they have, the better they become. Due to the length of this feud and the fact that I’ve predicted MVP to win each time before, I’m going to keep things exactly the same and pick MVP yet again, because this is going to be the time he wins it.

Winner: MVP

Stuart Carapola: I think that if I keep picking MVP every month, eventually he’ll win, so we’ll do that until he finally beats Benoit.

Winner: MVP

Andy Clark: Take my comments from Burke-Punk and place them here. I hate when WWE does 2/3 Falls Matchs on PPV because they never get enough time for the falls. Hopefully since two of the three main events probably shouldn’t get that much time this one has time to develop. If MVP doesn’t win the title here then I just don’t have a clue what WWE is thinking.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: MVP

Michael Bauer: Maybe I was overzealous with MVP winning at Wrestlemania, but there is no way in hell MVP should have lost twice to Benoit. If he loses again, he enters Chavo Guerrero territory, in which case, we would unfairly not have to give a crap about him for the rest of his pathetic existence. (Side note: Where the fuck has Chavo been anyway?) And that sucks, since MVP has been very much improved in the ring lately. He has earned his title shots and more importantly, a title run.

Winner and NEW Champion: MVP

Matt Short: I picked MVP at Wrestlemania. He lost. I picked him again for Backlash. He lost. Now he’s going up against Benoit one more time in a 2/3 Falls match. Multi-fall matches are always good in my book and this is a really appropriate way to end this feud. Benoit and MVP have been nothing short of gold in their matches. MVP should win here. It makes no sense to put Benoit over again as he’s got nothing else left to do with the title and MVP needs a run with the belt.

Winner and NEW US Champion: Montel Vontavious Porter

Andy Critchell – I think this match has the best chance to steal the show. What looked to be a throwaway feud while MVP climbed the ladder of success has instead turned into a very competitive series of contests that have been highlighted by excellent wrestling from both men. And the two out of three gimmick ensures a nice long match that will showcase the styles of both men and show that MVP is indeed ready to go up to the next level.

Winner and NEW US Champion: MVP!

Rob Halden: Now this, my friends, is a well-built up match. A longish feud that hasn’t turned stale, every match in the series has improved in quality and now we get a wonderful gimmick-blowoff. When Benoit won the US title for yet another run I couldn’t really see the point in it. But as a platform for him to turn MVP into a star I think it’s been a great move and great reign. This should be Porter’s coming out party.

Winner: MVP

Bayani Domingo: I would love to see Benoit just make MVP tap out twice in a row in like 5 minutes…just to piss off the rest of the IWC who are hangin’ off MVP’s nuts like a short n’ curly. Me, I think he was better before his character got neutered by the WWE, but then again it ain’t like he can’t step it up later. Still, I hate to see Benoit job out to MVP unless it means a future feud with Edge. Oh well, can’t stop MVP, you can only hope to contain him.

Winner: BALLIN’ … MVP

Samuel Berman: I’d say it’s time to give MVP the title, especially considering that I’ve been commenting on this matchup for what seems like the last seven PPV Roundtables. Benoit will win the first fall decisively by submission, but then MVP will squeeze out two consecutive close falls with rollups to win the belt. If their last couple of matches are any indication, MVP is more than game to be carried to a classic by the veteran.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: MVP

Neil Borenstein: The WWE has to decide whether it wants to give MVP a US Title run or not. I can’t deal with these two fighting endlessly for the next year and a half. I think MVP has held is own in this feud and the WWE wouldn’t be completely insane to have him take the title from Chris Benoit. With the feud going this long, eventually the WWE needs to give MVP the belt, and I see no reason for it to not happen at Judgment. I think MVP will get the first fall, Benoit will get fall No. 2 and MVP will take the last fall via some form of cheating to capture the United States Championship. If it doesn’t happen here, the feud just needs to end because it’s growing a bit stale.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: MVP

Brad Borchardt: Judging from their previous matches, this should be all kinds of greatness. MVP finally wins the US Title here and hopefully Benoit jumps to RAW since they are hurting on main eventers now.

Winner and NEW WWE United States Champion: MVP

Sean McCabe: I’ve not seen too much of this feud, but MVP ain’t bad from what I’ve seen. I think they’re playing the basic story well here. MVP is the naturally gifted young buck trying to take the spot of a veteran, but that veteran has just been too crafty for him till now. It’s trial by fire, and although I expect it to be close, I think now is the time.

Winner: And new US CHampion, MVP. Here’s to hoping his US title reign goes better than young RKO’s world title reign. Then it will be less of a waste of Benoit’s ability to. I’m also picking this MOTN honors.

Michael Weyer: First, kudos to WWE for actually letting this one go long like this so you can buy MVP as a champion. He’s showed he can hang with the best and now it’s time to finally bring it to a close. Expect a terrific battle with MVP finally getting the title and Benoit doing his damnedest to make him a star.

WINNER and NEW US Champion: MVP

Larry Csonka: They have had great matches thus far and NOW is the time to pull the switch on MVP. They have good chemistry, but the booking and length of the 2 of 3 falls gimmick has limited great men with chemistry. I hope they get the time to tell the story they can, and MVP will not only look great in beating Benoit, but will have truly had his coming out party.

Winner: MVP

Final Tally: Absolutely everyone thinks that MVP’s time has finally come. Only time will tell if we’re more right this month than last month.

Vince McMahon (c), Shane McMahon, and Umaga vs. Bobby Lashley – 3 vs 1 Handicap Match – ECW Championship

Stephen Randle: God, this is so lame. The sad part is, it’s still not the lamest match-up on the card. I’m just unsure what’s changed since the last match that makes for a different outcome.

Winner: Vince, Shane, and Umaga.

Daniel Wilcox: This was bad enough last month at Backlash and I’m not looking forward to seeing it again on Sunday. While the match wasn’t terrible, it was pretty dull and not worth a rematch. Lashley vs. Vince should be the way to go but I’m assuming they want to hold that off until One Night Stand. I look for the McMahons and Umaga to pick up the win again only in a more screwy fashion, unless we get a retainsion by DQ. In fact that sounds more likely. Let’s go with that.

Winners: Vince, Shane and Umaga by DQ

Matt Adamson: I still hate handicapped matches. I don’t even know what to think of this match. Do I care? absolutely not. In fact I care so little that this will likely be the opportunity to get food or use the WC. That is all.

Winner: Vince, Shane and Jamal

Stuart Carapola: While I would normally consider it a no brainer to have Lashley get the title back here, I think that Vince is having too much fun holding the ECW World Title to give it up so quickly, and if Vince and company go back to Raw for good after Judgment Day, then who does that leave Lashley to feud with?

Winner: Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon & Umaga

Andy Clark: This wasn’t very good last month, so hopefully this will be short and sweet. I actually see Umaga getting pissed off that he’s being used and laying out Vince and Shane allowing Lashley to give Shane the running powerslam for the win.

Winner and NEW ECW World Champion: Bobby Lashley

Michael Bauer: Wake me up when this crap ends. Seriously, I cover the ECW and I just can’t stand watching this crap anymore.

Winner: Bobby Lashley by DQ (Vince retains the fucking worthless title)

Matt Short: Unlike the US Title rematch, this one I can do without. Gangster Vince has been hilarious, but they really don’t need to repeat the handicap match. I fully support Umaga turning and going ape shit on the McMahons. And I don’t really want to see Lashley win the belt back anyway. His promos remind of Corky St. Claire from Waiting For Guffman.

Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Dr. Vince McMahon

Andy Critchell – This match should be fun. Umaga is a terrific worker and Shane bounces around the ring like a super Ball. Lashley’s not bad either. This match is a great chance to make Lashley look dominant again and that is exactly the direction they need to go with him.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Bobby Lashley!

Rob Halden: This will be the Backlash match, only this time Lashley will win. I’m sure Vinnie thinks he’s giving Blackberg/Black Lesnar ‘the rub’ with this programme but….he’s not. All it’s doing is pointlessly seperating the ECW title from the rest of the ECW roster. Also, there are entirely too many people in the WWE using the Spear. Give Lashley something else.

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Bayani Domingo: I feel like the original spirit of ECW is like a Japanese co-ed in “Hostel” and Vince is holding the blow torch.

Winner: Vince’s Ego

Samuel Berman: Ugh. Am I allowed to pick ‘all four guys get violently ill and the match ends up not being contested at all’ as the result? I’m not? Crap. Ok, well then Vince keeps his vanity belt as they continue to push Lashley by having a senior citizen pin him in the middle of the ring. Great booking guys. Although I’m not really sold on Lashley anyway, so I guess if they’re going to destroy someone’s credibility by having Vince, Shane & Umaga beat them repeatedly, better it be him than Punk.

Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Vince McMahon (with partners Shane McMahon & Umaga)

Neil Borenstein: If Vince McMahon holds this title past Judgment Day, it’s going to be brutal. He shouldn’t have won the title in the first place, but his damn ego just had to get the ECW World Championship. This match is going to blow chunks and will probably have Bobby Lashley on the sour end of a beat down for most of the match. But, when it’s all said and done, Lashley will conquer all and take everybody out to put the title he should have never lost back around his waist.

Winner and NEW ECW World Champion: Bobby Lashley

Brad Borchardt: The last time the ECW Championship was in a match with just ECW guys on a PPV was the Royal Rumble….that is pathetic. With Cena feuding with Khali, I sometimes forget what title is supposed to be on RAW. I think the only reason Vince put the title on himself was to get to RVD’s head and now that he is out of the picture, expect Lashley to get his belt back or at least the match end in a DQ to make Lashley come off strong. I think we’re going to get another one of these handicap matches at One Night Stand in an Extreme Rules Match, but I’m going to be optimistic and say Lashley walks out champion here and he has new guys to face.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Bobby Lashley

Sean McCabe: In my fantasy world, Paul Heyman is on the titantron as this match is starting, and proclaims that this new ECW is an abberation on his dreams, and now the only thing he can do is see it destroyed. Cue someone, anyone, Corino, RVD, Rhyno, anyone from the old ECW that can still be taken halfway seriously anymore, come out and lay hardcore waste to all four of these clowns. Or perhaps more realistically, but still no more chance of happening, if earlier in the night CM Punk gets a little help from his “buddies” in developmental to finally take out Burke and Co., that the Second City Saints reunite and do so in the name of quality wrestling. Sigh.

Winner: Nobody but VInce’s ego and fetish for “well” men

Michael Weyer: And here we get to the possible train wreck of the night according to most. But as we all know, Vince and Shane are capable of surprising in the ring and Umaga is better in big matches than expected. Combine that with Lashley’s power and the big buildup, this can be just the thing to really sell Lashley as an ECW champ and keep Vince in the spotlight which he loves.

WINNER and NEW ECW Champion: Lashley

Larry Csonka: Vince vs. Lispy at the ONS PPV, so Vince retains here. Joy. He better have the fucking doo rag on.

Winner: Three’s Company

Final Tally: 9-7 gives the slight edge to Vince’s team, because really, it’s three guys against one.

John Cena (c) vs. The Great Khali – WWE Championship

Stephen Randle: If Cena manages a miracle, I vote we give him 2007 Wrestler of the Year right now, because he will have spun straw into gold with Umaga, and then dog doo into platinum with Khali. But I sense this feud…must continue.

Winner: Cena by DQ

Daniel Wilcox: I said it in my column a few weeks ago and I stand by it – John Cena will get a decent match out of Khali. I’m not talking ****, but something passable. Shawn Michaels managed it on Raw last week and Cena is on par with Michaels, only in my mind, a better seller. This should just be a transitional feud for Cena to restart his program with HBK after this show. Who knows where Khali will go from there, but it ain’t no place I wanna be. If Khali does win the WWE title, I am going on my first ever sabbatical from watching wrestling.

Winner: John Cena

Matt Adamson: Wow, if this match comes directly after the handicapped match I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. If Cena ever had the opportunity to prove himself, this would be that moment. Like Bret Hart had in Yokozuna in 1993 and 1994, Cena has Khali in 2007. A huge man who can hardly move and has an extremely limited set of moves. What is Cena to do? Look like 1987 Hulk Hogan is what. This is going to be brutal to watch.

Winner: John Cena

Stuart Carapola: I just recently realized that Cena’s been champion for eight months now. Edge is on Smackdown now. Triple H is out with injury. He’s already gone through every other challenger on Raw. For some reason, I don’t think the idea of Khali getting the title at Judgment Day sounds that crazy all things considered.

Winner: The Great Khali

Andy Clark: I don’t believe in God, but I believe in John Cena.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Michael Bauer: Let me say this very clearly: Mr. McMahon should be closer to a fucking World Title than The Great Khali. Granted, Khali is actually a wrestler, but his work rate is so bad that they had to pull him off of Pay Per Views last year, remember? Has he gotten better? Yes. Was anyone else an option? Probably not. Will he win the title from Cena. Hell fucking no.

Winner and Still Champion: John Cena

Matt Short: Oh Jesus Christ. You know, I really can handle Khali. Sure he sucks, but he’s got his own little niche in the WWE. He’s a giant no one can understand and he beats the crap out of people. There have been worse gimmicks. Though I still find it extremely hard to justify putting him in a match for the title. Yeah, it gives us a break from Cena vs. HBK but Khali should be no where near the belt. But if there’s anyone who can carry Khali to a decent match, it’s going to be Cena. And you know when he gets the FU on Khali, it’s going to be cool.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Andy Critchell – I don’t think any of us have any hope that this match will be any good. Those lowered expectations added to what will likely be a gimmicked up match and Cena’s uncanny charisma should lead to a surprisingly watchable spectacle, which is what the WWE should be going for here.

Winner: John Cena

Rob Halden: Has had slightly more build up than Orton/HBK, and to be honest I’m actually quite interested in this match. Whilst you can legally be sectioned for predicting as John Cena loss….something in the back of my mind is whispering that they might just be crazy enough to give the thing to Khali. So it’s time to pop those pills the doctor gave me and say in unison with the rest of the world….

Winner: John Cena

Bayani Domingo: We know who’s gonna win. Probably by DQ too, but still, you can always dream can’t you?? I’m putting money on Cena barely escaping so we can keep this feud going long enough for TNA to put the title on Samoa Joe and try to steal a few pissed off WWE marks. Or not, who cares, I’m watching Stalker Ichikawa LIVE on Sunday.

Winner: The Great Khali…I know he won’t…but don’t wake me from this dream just yet

Samuel Berman: If there is any justice, this match will be seven minutes or less and Cena will FU Khali and win cleanly. Because this is World Wrestling Entertainment, Cena will probably get disqualified leading to Khali getting a rematch down the line. I’m going to say this here for all to see: if they put the title on Khali (except for the Kane-esque ‘win on PPV, hotshot back on RAW’ move), I will not watch anything WWE-related until SummerSlam. Period.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena (possibly by DQ)

Neil Borenstein: I don’t like The Great Khali and he has no business with a job or a title shot. But … the WWE was kind of left with very few alternatives. The only alternatives the WWE did have were to re-hash older feuds, and that was just going to get old real quick. So, for a month or two, we’ll have John Cena vs. the big guy, where Khali will get most of the upperhands but Cena will basically win all the matches. It’s highly predictable and only in place until the WWE finds something else for Cena. Man, who knew the WWE would miss Triple H this badly?

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Brad Borchardt: I have a bad feeling Khali will walk out champ since Cena has nobody else to face unless they do Cena/HBK 3 at One Night Stand or have Benoit jump to RAW. With that said though, there is just no way in hell I am going to pick Khali in a match involving a world championship….well maybe if it was the ECW title.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena

Sean McCabe: What God did we all offend for this to happen? JBL, forgive us, please! Oh well. It’s all up to you Cena. Never in my life did I ever think I’d wish to see Hogan like selling and 5 moves of doom, but if Cena can destroy Khali’s credibility now, we may be spared much anguish down the road.

Winner: John Cena

Michael Weyer: Again, most expect this to be a complete mess. Cena is capable of pulling out good stuff in big matches but Khali isn’t what you call a great ring technician. Still, this may be a bit better than we think but don’t expect an upset.

WINNER and still WWE Champion: John Cena

Larry Csonka: Lord, I try not to bother you with such trivial things as wrestling matches, but if you could let Cena retain that would be just dandy. Peace out, tell JC I said, “Boom shakalaka~!” He’ll know what it means.

Winner: Cena

Final Tally: 2 people were brave (or something) enough to pick Khali to win and take the title. I think I’ll join my voice in prayer with Larry.

Edge (c) vs. Batista – World Heavyweight Championship

Stephen Randle: This is going to be a good match, as Edge has seemingly reached his peak over the last year and a half to the point the he can actually carry people to matches. That said, if they were going to give the belt to Batista, they would have done it in the cage match, instead of this whole convoluted scenario with Edge.

Winner: Edge

Daniel Wilcox: Good to see a nice fresh match-up on pay-per-view. Batista has been gaining steam ever since his program with The Undertaker began and Edge is the new World Champion and will want to impress on his new show. I’m hoping Batista’s new edge will carry through to this match because if it doesn’t then this will not be too pretty. Edge should retain here to keep The Animal chasing for another month before some of the new contenders step up/return.

Winner: Edge (after second Spear)

Matt Adamson: Now here is a match that has potential. While I don’t particularly care for Batista and feel he is still very green, Edge is just the opposite and knows the ring as well as the greats in the business. I think it would be a waste for Edge to be a transitional champ right now with Mark Henry back, so look for Henry to be the difference maker and cost Batista the match.

Winner: Edge

Stuart Carapola: By being given the World Title, Edge has the opportunity to not only work against fresh talent, but actually be put in a position where he’s carrying an entire brand for the first time in his career. I don’t think that’s going to end just yet because I have heard nothing about there being any consideration given to Batista getting the title in the wake of the whole Undertaker/Kennedy injury situation. I don’t necessarily know that Edge will get a 100% clean victory, but he’s definitely not losing the title.

Winner: Edge

Andy Clark: This match will be the best of the three main events but it won’t go on last (that’d be Cena-Khali). There’s really no build here, which is understandable given the circumstances. Can you imagine what this card would have looked like if we actually had Taker-Batista HIAC? This should be a decent, if unspectacular match. Edge definitely retains and Mark Henry probably interjects himself to cost Batista the match.

Winner: Edge

Michael Bauer: Yes, I am looking forward to this as it is a match that we really haven’t seen in about two years when Edge first won the Money in the Bank and Cena was killing JBL on Smackdown. Edge as a transitional champion for a second (third, depending how you look at it) time makes no sense here, since Smackdown really needs a heel champion to keep Batista busy until Kennedy comes back to a babyface pop. Sure, Mark Henry will be involved somehow, but he distracts Batista, frankly, who else could Edge feud with… wait, yes, his personal punching bag is on Smackdown.

Winner and Still Champion: Edge

Matt Short: Now this could be pure greatness. Again, it’s a break from the constant Undertaker vs. Batista matches, but unlike the Cena/Khali match both guys involved can actually move around the ring. Edge just won the title so I can’t see him losing here. Batista will hopefully bring the same level of interest to this match that he’s had against Taker these past few months.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Andy Critchell – The Batista/Taker matches showed us that when working with the right guy, Batista can be very effective and very good. As for Edge, the last year has shown us that he can work with just about anyone and make it a good match. Needless to say, I have high expectations for this match and I expect that it will deliver. Besides, it makes no sense for Edge to lose the belt so quickly and Batista is better in the chase anyway. A Mark Henry appearance is likely as well.

Winner: Edge

Rob Halden: An interesting a fresh title match up! What a miracle! In fact, this makes two interesting and fresh title match ups! I can’t wait to see how Edge is going to fit in to the Smackdown scene and he should provide an excellent heel foil for Batista (who has sorely needed one for months now). But clearly the WWE didn’t want to put the title on ‘Tista last week, so I doubt they’ll do it this week.

Winner: Edge

Bayani Domingo: I’d love to see Edge get jobbed out in his first title defense like he was wrestling John Cena, but it won’t happen. He has too many fresh feuds: Benoit, Matt Hardy, Fit Finlay, Booker T (revisiting that great Japanese Shampoo commercial angle that was a diamond in the dog shit). Besides Batista has that awesome feud lined up with Mark Henry right?….right? *sigh* So lemme guess…Edge goes for a spear, Batista moves and he spears the ref instead, batista hits him with a spinebuster, shakes the ropes, sets him up for a Batista Bomb and then Mark Henry comes over to clothesline him and hit him with the world’s strongest slam, thereby allowing Edge to hit a spear and cover him just as the ref comes to. Believe it!!

Winner: You think you know him? Edge

Samuel Berman: Edge losing would be nice parallel structure to his first Money in the Bank cash in, as he held the belt for all of a week or so that time before losing it back to Cena. This time, I think he manages to make it out of his first PPV defense. It’ll probably be close and they’ll keep Batista looking strong, but they seem dead-set on making Edge the next ‘face of the company’ guy alongside Cena. The truth is that they should probably have just let Kennedy hold onto the briefcase until he got back from injury, but that’s water under the bridge now.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Neil Borenstein: I’d still like to know why the WWE couldn’t just give the belt to Batista in the cage match instead of having Edge win and cash in the MITB shot basically the same way he did the last time. But hey, I guess that would be logical. Whatever the case, Edge won’t lose the belt this quickly to Batista – it will probably take at least a month. So, Edge should walk back out with the belt in either the first of many battles against Batista or just the first of many defenses against a cluster of new contenders if the WWE takes Batista out of the picture after this match. Either way, Edge will retain.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Brad Borchardt: Edge is my boy, but I don’t think this match will be very good. I expect Henry to be involved in the match and have Henry vs. Batista or Edge vs. Henry vs. Batista at One Night Stand. Hopefully Kennedy will be ready by One Night Stand and we get Edge vs. Kennedy. No way Batista is walking out champ here.

Winner and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Sean McCabe: I think this could be fairly solid if both guys have their working boots on. I see Edge retaining via a belt shot or something, but I don’t see the ending being clean.

Winner: Edge

Michael Weyer: Ah, now this should be fun. I can’t recall seeing these guys wrestle one on one before so seeing them go at it here should be a highlight. Batista showed he can still work well in the ring with the Undertaker bouts and Edge as champ is a great image. But I see them waiting a while for a title change to let Edge really control the scene on Smackdown over the summer.

Winner and still World Champion: Edge

Larry Csonka: Edge retains because he is the best heel in the company. Henry costs Batista, they move into a program and Edge walks away with the gold.

Winner: Edge

Final Tally: Everyone’s on the Edge bandwagon, where I’ve been for years. Go Canada!