411’s PPV Preview: WWE Summerslam 2008

Disclaimer: The concept for this preview to the 2008 edition of Summerslam was borrowed from Leonard Hayhurst. Leonard did an outstanding job in previewing plethora of pay per views for this site for quite a while. There was a spot open to preview Summerslam, and I volunteered. Since Mr. Hayhurst had an efficient, enjoyable, and highly informative format to his previews, I’ve decided to use his previous example.

The previous paragraph is what we call giving credit where credit is due. Other websites could learn to do the same. Now, let’s preview some matches, shall we?

SHAWN MICHAELS’ ANNOUNCEMENT

Background: Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho have been feuding since on or about June 2, 2008, when Chris Jericho dedicated his Intercontinental title defense to HBK. A week later, Jericho turned heel by throwing Michaels through the obscenely expensive Jeri-tron 6000, damaging HBK’s eye. HBK retaliated by costing Jericho the Intercontinental title on June 29, at Night of Champions. Lance Cade, a former protégé of HBK’s, aligned himself with Jericho shortly afterward. Jericho and Shawn faced off in a Grudge Match at Great American Bash, a match that Jericho won by referee stoppage. Since this time, Chris Jericho has declared HBK’s career to be over. The announcement at Summerslam is expected to reveal whether or not Shawn Michaels is retiring or not.

Outcome: Expect Shawn Michaels to announce a return at a pay-per-view to be named later, in another grudge match against Chris Jericho.

WINNER TAKE ALL MATCH: KOFI KINGSTON (c) and MICKIE JAMES (c) vs. SANTINO MARELLA AND BETH PHOENIX

Background: Kofi Kingston won the Intercontinental title on June 29th, 2008. Mickie James won the WWE Women’s title from Beth Phoenix on April 14, 2008. Kofi Kingston and Mickie James have teamed several times against Paul and Katie Lea Burchill. Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix formed a romantic/tag team connection after an intergender match on July 14, 2008. The team that wins this match will win both titles.

Match up: Kingston and James both won their titles in what would be considered major upsets. Santino has yet to truly establish himself as much more than a comedy character, while Beth Phoenix has been the focus of the WWE Women’s division since her arrival. Kingston and James have met with success when teaming against the Burchills, while Marella and Phoenix only have one intergender tag team match under their belt. That experience should serve them well. Kingston would be considered a favorite in a singles match against Marella, while Phoenix would likely be picked to win over Mickie James, and could certainly present problems for Kingston in the ring as well. Expect a match that has a decent amount of heat, but a few clashes of style could cause the match to drag a little.

Outcome: Kingston is the feel good story of WWE in 2008, and James is consistently over. However, it seems as though they’re trying to build something with Marella and Phoenix, so I’d expect them to win this match. Look for a “swerve” that sees Marella pin Mickie James, giving him the Women’s title and Beth Phoenix the Intercontinental title.

MONTEL VONTAVIOUS PORTER VS. JEFF HARDY

Background: Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, and Montel Vontavious Porter at No Way Out 2007. MVP had a prolonged feud with Jeff’s brother, Matt, over the WWE United States title on Smackdown!. On the July 25, 2008 of the VIP Lounge, MVP insulted Jeff Hardy for his behavior in and out of the ring. Jeff Hardy has landed the Twist of Fate on MVP on multiple occasions since then in post-match attacks.

Match up: This is the potential show-stealer on the card. Porter has proven his worth in matches against a variety of superstars such as Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy, and Shelton Benjamin. Jeff Hardy knows how to entertain a crowd with a high-energy mix of daredevil moves and high impact attacks. These two show a genuine dislike for each other when they are on camera together, and it should translate into an exciting under card match. Expect each man to try to one-up the other, leading to a fast and furious set of closing moments and an abrupt finish.

Outcome: MVP was on a roll for nearly a year before losing his United States title to Matt Hardy. Jeff has been trying to regain the momentum he lost with a wellness related absence. This match should provide quite the opportunity for both men to get the ball rolling again, win or lose. MVP isn’t above cheating to win, though, and that combined with Jeff’s reckless tendencies should give MVP the victory.

JOHN CENA VS. BATISTA

Background: This will be John Cena and Dave Batista’s first one on one encounter in WWE. Cena and Batista come to blows on the July 21, 2008 edition of RAW, after Cena accidentally knocked Batista out of the ring following a match with CM Punk. The two smoothed over the difference, only to begin arguing again about who deserved to be the number one contender. John and Dave recently had a one week reign as WWE Tag Team Champions, defeating and losing the belts back to Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr.

Match up: Power, power, and more power. Just looking at Dave Batista is enough to let you know that the name of his game is power. He’s large enough and powerful enough to toss around 99 percent of the WWE roster, and typically manhandles smaller opponents with shoulder blocks, clotheslines, and slams before finishing them off with his version of the sit-out power bomb. Cena, however, has also shown incredible strength, including delivering the F-U to the Big Show. Much like Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior in 1990, expect these two powerhouses to wear each other down with familiar power moves rather than trying to emulate Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat. Should be high impact and crowd pleasing from start to finish.

Outcome: The general reaction to this match was surprise that it’s not happening as a Wrestlemania main event. I expect that this is the beginning of a feud that will carry into Wrestlemania with on and off encounters. This should lay the foundation for that by not giving a clear-cut winner, either a double disqualification or double count out.

ECW CHAMPIONSHIP: MARK HENRY (c) vs. MATT HARDY

Background: Mark Henry has been ECW Champion since June 29, 2008. Matt Hardy and Mark Henry were both drafted to ECW on June 23, 2008. Matt Hardy won the right to face Mark Henry by defeating Finlay, John Morrison, and The Miz in a four way on ECW.

Match up: This should be a classic big man vs. little man match up. So far, Mark Henry has proven his ability to defeat other super heavyweights like Kane and the Big Show, as well as defeating Tommy Dreamer to keep his ECW title. Matt Hardy has made a career out of being an underdog and not only surviving, but winning in those situation. Hardy will throw everything he has against the “World’s Strongest Champion”, while Henry will use his size and strength to weather the storm and deal out massive amounts of damage to Hardy in a short amount of time.

Outcome: The addition of Tony Atlas as Mark Henry’s manager spells trouble for Matt Hardy here. Hardy will fight valiantly, but the odds are stacked against him. Barring surprise interference from brother Jeff, Matt will probably lose here. Expect Henry’s heel reign to continue.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: CM PUNK (c) vs. JBL

Background: CM Punk won the World Heavyweight Championship on June 30, 2008. His first title defense was later that night against John Bradshaw Layfield. In the time since then, John Bradshaw Layfield has hounded CM Punk as being unworthy of his position, culminating in the promo on this past week’s edition of RAW that saw CM Punk spit alcohol on JBL. Layfield was deemed number one contender by virtue of defeating John Cena in a parking lot brawl, then scoring the pin against Punk in a handicap match in which his partner was Chris Jericho.

Match up: CM Punk will use his slightly WWE-ized independent stylings of unique offense and chain wrestling into a match against JBL’s old school, Stan Hansen-esque efforts. Typically, scientific wrestlers vs. brawlers account for good matches, and the heat that JBL generates added with the fan support that CM Punk has gathered as a surprising champion should hold the fans’ attention. JBL will try to use his brawling techniques to wear down Punk to the point that the GTS cannot be utilized, while CM Punk will spend his time in the ring breaking down the larger man in an attempt to avoid the Clothesline From Hell and power bombs. Both men have shown an ability to perform in the spotlight – Punk at Money in the Bank, JBL during his title reign on Smackdown!. I don’t expect them to slack off here, as they are arguably being overshadowed by the non title match of Cena vs. Batista and will want to correct that slight.

Outcome: JBL has proven that he can still draw main event level heel heat since his comeback. That puts him in an excellent position to add legitimacy to Punk’s (so far) highly criticized title reign. A clean win over an established star is what Punk needs, and JBL should be the man to give it to him.

WWE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHP: TRIPLE H (c) vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Background: Triple H has been WWE Heavyweight Champion since April 27, 2008. The Great Khali was World Heavyweight Champions from July 20, 2007 until September 16, 2007, and will be attempting to win his second world title. The Great Khali won the right for this match by winning a battle royal on Smackdown! on July 25, 2008. Khali attacked Triple H during a “broken glass arm wrestling challenge” on the August 8, 2008 Smackdown!, and the two had an altercation on the August 15, 2008 edition of Smackdown!.

Match up: The Great Khali isn’t known for his five star classic, breathtaking matches full of high spots. However, as (extraordinarily) big men go, he’s more capable in the ring than The Yeti or El Gigante. Triple H has shown an ability, similar to his idol Ric Flair, to produce high quality matches with ninety percent of people, and watchable matches with the other ten percent. Triple H will do what he can to work over Khali’s legs, after his promise to “break both of his legs” at Summerslam, and at some point should lead to Triple H attempting to finish the match with the Indian Death Lock. Khali, not surprisingly, will try to slow Triple H down with chops, boots, and generic power offense before going for his Vise Grip submission.

Outcome: Expect a methodical match here that sees Triple H retain his title before heading into the fall ppv season (read: Survivor Series) with another big name opponent such as Edge, Undertaker, or a recently elevated star.

HELL IN A CELL: EDGE VS. UNDERTAKER

Background: The Dudley Boyz defeated Edge and Christian and The Undertaker and Kane in a 3-way tables match at No Way Out 2001. John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, and Batista defeated Edge, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, and MVP on the February 12, 2007 RAW. Undertaker and Batista defeated Rated RKO on the February 16, 2007 RAW. Edge defeated the Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship on the May 11, 2007 Smackdown! by cashing in his Money In the Bank title shot following Undertaker’s Steel Cage match with Batista and an attack by Mark Henry. Edge cost Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista at Survivor Series 2007. Undertaker interfered in the Edge vs. Batista championship match on the November 30, 2007 Smackdown!. Edge defeated Undertaker and Batista at Armageddon 2007 to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge pinned the Undertaker in a 3 on 1 Handicap match (Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder) on the March 7, 2008 Smackdown!. Edge delivered a conchairto to Undertaker on the March 21, 2008 Smackdown!. The Undertaker defeated Edge to regain the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 24. Edge, Chavo Guerrero, JBL, and Randy Orton defeated Undertaker, Kane, John Cena, and Triple H on the April 21, 2008 RAW. Undertaker defeated Edge by submission at Backlash 2008 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge, The Rated Rmy, and Vickie Guerrero vs. The Undertaker went to a no-contest on the May 16, 2008 Smackdown!. Undertaker defeated Edge by count out at Judgment Day 2008. Edge defeated Undertaker in a TLC match at One Night Stand 2008 to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. This loss resulted in the Undertaker being “banished” from WWE. Due to an “adulterous” act by Edge, Vickie Guerrero reinstated the Undertaker and placed him in a Hell in a Cell match against Edge. One of the greatest feuds in recent WWE history will resume at Summerslam, in the company’s 16th Hell In A Cell match.

Match up: Edge wrestles “smart” against the Undertaker, using common sense counters to the Undertaker’s traditional, well known, and most devastating moves. The Undertaker does what the Undertaker does, and keeps coming forward until he meets with success. These two have turned in several excellent matches over the course of their rivalry, and there is no reason to think that their 7th pay per view encounter (six singles matches, one three way tag match) will disappoint. Hell In A Cell is a traditionally brutal match, with Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, Undertaker vs. Mankind, Triple H vs. Cactus Jack, Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker, and other match ups underlining just how vicious the match can be. The Undertaker is in his element, but Edge has shown an ability to adapt, and will be looking to beat Undertaker at his own game and prove that he can beat Undertaker without the assistance of Vickie Guerrero, The Rated Rmy, or a Money In The Bank Title shot.

Outcome: Edge has shown an ability to stand up to Undertaker in every circumstance, and occasionally to outsmart him. He’ll need every trick he can think of to do so here. Undertaker is coming back not only fresh, but motivated to get revenge on the man that put him out of the WWE for the duration of the summer. The Undertaker’s record is strong in “comeback” matches, and should only improve with a win here.

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