411’s PPV Preview: Road to Judgment Day

WWE Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels (non title)

By The Numbers:

Chris Jericho is 1-3 at Judgment Day. In 2000, Chris Jericho lost to WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit in a Submission Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. In 2001, Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit won a Tag Team Turmoil Match involving Edge and Christian, APA, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, Justin Credible and X-Pac, Dudley Boyz, and Hardy Boyz to become #1 Contenders for the WWF World Tag Team Championship. In 2002, Chris Jericho lost to Triple H in a Hell In A Cell Match. In 2003, Chris Jericho lost a battle royal for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship to Christian that also involved Booker T, Kane, Val Venis, Goldust, Rob Van Dam, Lance Storm, and Test.

Shawn Michaels is 0-1 at Judgment Day. In 2007, Shawn Michaels lost to Randy Orton.

Background: At Backlash, Chris Jericho was named the special guest referee for the Shawn Michaels vs. Batista match. HBK ended up winning that match due to Batista thinking HBK was hurt and got hit with Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere. Since then, Jericho accused HBK of faking the knee injury while HBK defended himself. Shortly after Jericho brought this up, WWE.Com announced that they would meet at Judgment Day. Last week, HBK admitted to Jericho and the world that he was indeed faking the leg injury, then hit Sweet Chin Music on Jericho.

Match Up: This should be your match of the night. These two have great chemistry together and it amazes me how little they have faced each other, especially since 2003. Michaels has the clear cut advantage with the mind games. Jericho was paranoid about Michaels being hurt or not last week on RAW and Michaels has proven that he will do anything, even fake an injury, to win a match. But….if HBK was bluffing and the knee isn’t 100%, if Jericho finds out he will do everything in his power to concentrate on that leg and the Walls of Jericho could prove deadly to HBK in this match.

Outcome: The build to Judgment Day has been pretty bad but this match is the one that has been built well. These two have great chemistry and this is one of the reasons I’m ordering the show. I think Jericho needs the win as he hasn’t really done much to note since his return. My heart says HBK is going to win this match, but I’m going to go with a Jericho upset after Batista gets his revenge on HBK for faking the leg injury.

John Bradshaw Layfield vs. John Cena

By The Numbers:

John Bradshaw Layfield is 1-3 at Judgment Day. In 2001, JBL as Bradshaw and Faarooq as the APA lost a Tag Team Turmoil Match involving Edge and Christian, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, Justin Credible and X-Pac, Dudley Boyz, and Hardy Boyz for the #1 Contendership for the WWF World Tag Team Championship. In 2004, JBL defeated WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero by disqualification in a match for the WWE Championship. In 2005, JBL lost to WWE Champion John Cena in an I Quit Match for the WWE Championship. In 2006, JBL lost to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio in a match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

John Cena is 4-0 at Judgment Day. In 2003, John Cena, Chuck Palumbo, and Johnny Stamboli defeated Brian Kendrick known as Spanky, Chris Benoit, and Rhyno. In 2004, John Cena successfully defended the WWE United States Championship against Rene Dupree. In 2005, John Cena successfully defended the WWE Championship against JBL in an I Quit Match. In 2007, John Cena successfully defended the WWE Championship against Great Khali.

Background: JBL and John Cena were both involved in the Fatal Four Way Match at Backlash for the WWE Championship. Cena eliminated JBL out of the match and JBL was furious that he did not receive a title match for Judgment Day. Due to Cena eliminating JBL and their past history, Regal signed JBL vs. Cena for Judgment Day. JBL has been on a rampage against the likes of the Highlanders and D.H. Smith while Cena has been filming his movie. Last week on RAW, while Cena faced off against Randy Orton, JBL replaced the original referee in their match and screwed Cena out of the match. After Triple H saved Cena from a two on one beat down, Cena and JBL brawled away from the ring as HHH and Orton took care of their business.

Match Up: John Cena has the advantage in this match. He has JBL’s number as he has defeated JBL in every high profile match they have ever had, including eliminating him last month at Backlash. The only thing Cena has to worry about is if William Regal as he disrespected him last week on RAW. Also, is all the time away from the ring to much of a distraction for Cena?

Outcome: If this was a gimmick match, I would be excited, but I still have nightmares of their WrestleMania 21 Match. It seems like they didn’t know what to do with these two guys and I’m not sure where they are going after this. I don’t see Cena jobbing out after not winning anything really since the Rumble even though it makes more sense to build up JBL as a challenger to HHH’s WWE Championship.

WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Women’s Championship

By the Numbers:

Melina is 0-1 at Judgment Day. In 2006, Melina lost to Jillian Hall.

Beth Phoenix and Mickie James are making their Judgment Day debuts.

Background: Ever since Mickie James defeated Beth Phoenix for the WWE Women’s Championship, the women’s locker room has been divided. Melina ended up joining sides with Phoenix but accidently cost her the Women’s Championship against James in a Lumberjack match after missing James and nailing Phoenix with her boot. After the match, Phoenix and Melina got into a brawl backstage, setting up this triple threat match.

Match Up: James is at a disadvantage as she does not have to be pinned to win the title. She could take advantage of this match up though. With the apparent bad blood brewing between Melina and Phoenix, along with Mickie’s current hot streak, she will have all the confidence in the world and her two opponents might be too distracted with each to worry about any gold.

Outcome: I don’t see James losing the title quite yet. I’m still thinking there is going to be a draft with Neidhart coming to RAW and challenging James. Besides, Melina or Phoenix with the title would be stale as they have already conquered the Women’s division before.

WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and Miz vs. ECW Champion Kane and CM Punk for the WWE Tag Team Championship

By the Numbers:

John Morrison is 1-1 at Judgment Day. In 2005, John Morrison as Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury, together known as MNM, successfully defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Charlie Haas and Hardcore Holly. In 2006, MNM lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Brian Kendrick and Paul London.

Miz is making his Judgment Day debut.

CM Punk is 1-0 at Judgment Day. In 2007, CM Punk defeated Elijah Burke.

Kane is 1-1-1 at Judgment Day. In 1998, Undertaker fought Kane to a draw in a match for the WWF Championship. Steve Austin was the special guest referee. In 2001, Kane defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Triple H in a Chain Match to become WWF Intercontinental Champion. In 2003, Kane lost a battle royal for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship to Christian that also involved Booker T, Chris Jericho, Val Venis, Goldust, Rob Van Dam, Lance Storm, and Test.

Background: On the 100th episode of ECW on Sci Fi, the on again, off again, team of CM Punk and Kane defeated Bam Neely and Chavo Guerrero. After the show, Punk and Kane wanted to prove that they are the team to beat in WWE and issued a challenge to WWE Tag Team Champions Miz and John Morrison. The next week on ECW, Miz and Morrison got some momentum on their side as Miz defeated CM Punk and Morrison defeated Kane.

Match Up: CM Punk and Kane have teamed several times, but Miz and Morrison have been on a tag team roll since winning the titles in November. Their chemistry increases every week and they carry a lot of momentum with singles victories over their challengers. Another question arises with the challengers as well. Can Kane trust CM Punk? Punk has a certain briefcase that Kane might be thinking about in the back of his head.

Outcome: I think Punk and Kane will pick up the titles here so they can be transitional champions for Hawkins and Ryder. I would hate for Miz and Morrison to lose the titles, but they won’t give Yang and Moore a shot with the belts and they have run down the rest of the tag division. Morrison is way too good not to be given a singles push anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if they experimented with him and turned him face for a couple months with Miz before turning heel again and feuding over gold. I would love to see him stay heel and feud with Hardy for the US Championship.

Edge vs. Undertaker for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

By the Numbers:

Edge is 2-2 at Judgment Day. In 2000, Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle lost to Rikishi and Too Cool. In 2001, Edge and Christian lost a Tag Team Turmoil Match involving APA, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, Justin Credible and X-Pac, Dudley Boyz, and Hardy Boyz for the #1 Contendership for the WWF World Tag Team Championship. In 2002, Edge defeated Kurt Angle in a Hair vs. Hair Match. In 2007, Edge successfully defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Batista.

Undertaker is 2-2-1 at Judgment Day. In 1998, Undertaker fought Kane to a draw in a match for the WWF Championship. Steve Austin was the special guest referee. In 2001, Undertaker lost to WWF Champion Steve Austin in a match for the WWF Championship. In 2002, Undertaker defeated WWE Undisputed Champion Hulk Hogan to win the WWE Undisputed Championship. In 2004, Undertaker defeated Booker T. In 2006, Undertaker lost to Great Khali.

Background: At Backlash, Edge used his rematch clause after losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania to Undertaker. After another competitive match from these two, Undertaker repeated victory with his mysterious, yet vicious, submission hold. Later that week on Smackdown, Vicky Guerrero informed Undertaker that due to his submission hold being illegal in the WWE, that she had no choice but to strip him of the championship. After sending out Great Khali, Taker locked him into the submission hold while Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder ran down and took the World Heavyweight Championship. The next week on Smackdown, Vicky Guerrero announced that Undertaker will be part of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Judgment Day. His opponent would be determined by a Championship Chase involving former WWE World Heavyweight Champions, ECW Champions, and WWE United States Champions from Smackdown and ECW except for Great Khali who was injured from Taker’s choke hold and Edge who was not medically cleared to wrestle since Backlash. In singles matches, Batista defeated John Morrison, MVP and Finlay fought to a draw, Matt Hardy defeated CM Punk, Kane defeated Chavo Guerrero, and Big Show defeated Tommy Dreamer. All the winners, including MVP and Finlay, were placed in a Battle Royal as the last part of the Chase. Batista emerged victorious….it seemed. Vicky Guerrero came out and announced that Edge was medically cleared to compete so he ran out and Speared Batista off the ring apron to become the other half of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at Judgment Day. Edge wasn’t left laughing however as the podium incasing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was struck by lightning.

Match Up: Undertaker has two straight wins over Edge for the title but now you take the submission hold away that has won him those matches, along with the usual numbers game and power Edge has, Edge could be the favorite here.

Outcome: I guess Vinny Mac doesn’t like Taker as Champion. Plus, Kane and Triple H carry world titles so maybe they want a heel to carry some major gold. This could also be a sign of Punk possibly cashing in his briefcase and if they want to keep him face, then you have him beat Edge for the title rather than have him booed out of the building for challenging Taker or Triple H.

WWE Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton in a Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship

By the Numbers:

Triple H is 2-2 at Judgment Day. In 2000, Triple H defeated WWF Champion Rock in an Iron Man Match to become WWF Champion. In 2001, Triple H lost the WWF Intercontinental Championship to Kane in a Chain Match. In 2002, Triple H defeated Chris Jericho in a Hell In A Cell Match. In 2003, Triple H successfully defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kevin Nash after being disqualified.

Randy Orton is 1-0 at Judgment Day. In 2007, Randy Orton defeated Shawn Michaels.

Background: At Backlash, it came down to Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against Triple H after JBL and John Cena had been eliminated in the Fatal Four Way Elimination Match. After months of Orton reigning as WWE Champion, Triple H was able to hit the Pedigree on Orton and in the process, win his twelfth World Championship. The next night on RAW, Orton used his rematch clause and they competed in the main event for the WWE Championship. After a back and forth contest, William Regal abused his powers by shutting down production of RAW and killing the lights, thus ending RAW and the WWE Championship Match in total darkness and with no winner. It was announced on WWE.com after RAW that due to the actions of Regal, Triple H and Orton would have another rematch at Judgment Day, this time in a Steel Cage. The next week on RAW, Triple H laid down the law to Regal so Regal punished him by forcing him to team with Mr. Kennedy to take on the entire ECW roster. After ECW became victorious, the lights were shut off. This time, they came back on and Orton was in the ring and delivered an RKO to Triple H. The next week on RAW, Triple H would get his revenge as he saved Cena from a two on one beat down from JBL and Orton. HHH nailed a spinebuster and tossed Orton out of the ring as the Steel Cage lowered and he celebrated on top of it.

Match Up: Both these men are no strangers to the cage as they have both competed in cages, cells, and chambers in the past few years. HHH should have the advantage here though as he has the experience edge over Orton and when they have faced off in the past for World Titles, HHH has come up everytime except for an occasional multiple man match or if he had to wrestler twice prior to their match.

Outcome: With Orton requesting some time off and Triple H just winning the belt, I don’t expect them to have HHH drop the title this soon. Orton has faced everyone in title situations and HHH still has JBL, Cena, Jericho, Hardy, and others. This could be a great match with their track record.

Remember to join 411 for our LIVE WWE Judgment Day coverage, starting at 7:30pm Sunday night!