411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE New Year's Revolution 2006
Posted by Stephen Randle on 01.07.2006
The Elimination Chamber returns, Trish celebrates one year as Women's Champ, and 411 has all the predictions you need.
Welcome, everyone, to a new year full of promise, full of possibilities, but more importantly, full of WWE on Pay Per View. And after debuting in Puerto Rico last year, the first PPV of the new year is now the Raw brand's New Year's Revolution. It's 2006, WrestleMania is just around the corner, let's see what WWE can offer us this time.
I'm Stephen Randle, co-editor of the Wrestling Zone, and I run this show. But with me is an entire gaggle of 411 writers, just salivating to give you their views and witticisms on what you'll see this Sunday.
Larry Csonka, the other Wrestling Zone co-editor, and he runs pretty much every other show than this one.
Steve Sullivan, covers everything OVW, so you could say he runs the farm.
Mathew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic, and he's a big guy, so he runs whatever he wants to.
Ryan Byers, Cheap Wrestling For Cheap People, he runs the discount bin.
Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor, he runs the indies.
Andy Clark, The Shimmy, he's too new to run anything yet.
John Meehan, MeeThinks, we're not sure what he runs.
James "JT" Thomlison, Hidden Highlights, he runs from the Boogeyman.
Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told, he runs the coffee machine in the break room.
Jeff Small, Final Fantasy Heat, he runs the Internet.
Steve Cook, News From Cook's Corner, he's not allowed to run anything by court order.
Nick Marsico, News To Start Your Weekend, he runs Fridays (duh).
Neil Borenstein, 411 Sports, he runs some sports, but not all of them.
And Scott Slimmer, 411 Heat Report, and I'm sure he'd like to point out that I've run this schtick into the ground a while back.
He'll be missed.
I kid, really I do. But I'm not kidding when I tell you that New Year's Revolution is Sunday night, and if you happen to watch it, well, this is what you'll see.
Awkward segues rule!
Gregory Helms vs Jerry "The King" Lawler
Stephen Randle: The feud so explosive, WWE Unlimited could not contain it! You know, in theory, when they made Helms give up his incredibly marketable and merchandisable gimmick, you'd think they would have had a plan for him. Having faith is such a burden sometimes. Let's see, to pick a winner. Helms has sent me two emails, Lawler...none. Well, that makes it easier. Hey, you all knew I could be bribed when I started here.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Larry Csonka: Does this remind you of anything? Last year, same PPV, Lawler vs. Hassan? Here's the deal, Lawler can still work and he's great. But I don't get what Helms gets out of this? He ran from a 60-year old dude on Raw? That makes him a bad ass? Poor booking here. Lawler will get too much offense, Helms will win and still not be over because of the shitty booking.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Steve Sullivan: Beating up announcers to get over as a heel never gets old I guess. I have a feeling that after Helms somehow wins this match, Rosey and Jamal are going to reunite and beat the hell outta Helms.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Mathew Sforcina: While we'll see a piledriver in this match, I'm hoping for something else. It'll never happen, but wouldn't Helms Vertebreaking King a) look cool, b) be cool and c) get him off TV, thus leaving us with Coach/Styles? Hell, this might be how they do it...
Winner: Gregory Helms (Giving King an injury.)
Ryan Byers: Well, it looks like WWE has completely given up on Rob Conway and decided to give his look, personality, and push to the former Hurricane. I've always like Helms and am all for his push, but I have to question what a match with Jerry Lawler will do for anybody's career at this point in time. Oh well, at least it gets him on the show and gets him a nice payoff.
Winner: Gregory "Can't I just have Shane back?" Helms
Ari Berenstein: This worked for Tazz...and Coach...and Hassan and Davari...no wait, it didn't.
Winner: Jerry "The King Lawler" (Helms attacks post-match, but who cares...he's "just a guy who sucks.")
Andy Clark: I don't think Lawler's actually beaten a wrestler since Steven Richards in 2001. I don't see that changing here. Here's hoping Helms does better than Hassan did though (shudders).
Winner: Gregory Helms
John Meehan: Seven days' worth of stubble? Check! Metrosexual flare? Check! Cocky mean streak? Check! Mega push? Here we go... "Christian, Version 2.0" - your shining wizard awaits!
Winner: Your friendly neighborhood Gregory Helms.
JT: I believe this is "Gregory's" first match since the big switch, and if they have any intentions of doing anything whatsoever with him, I would expect that would start with a win.
WINNER: Gregory Helms
Bayani Domingo: Why doesn't Helms have a manager yelling during the whole match in some kinda foreign language? Maybe he can get Evan Karagias to come out and yell in pig latin or Yiddish or something. Who the hell loses to "The King"??
Winner: "Sugar" Greg Helms
Jeff Small: I wonder if the King will wrestle at every New Year's Revolution. Hell a better grudge match would be if the King fought that creepy Burger King guy. I would totally purchase a PPV just to see that. But as for this match, if Helms does not start the match with 5 bodyslams, I will be disappointed.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Steve Cook: I was going to cut and paste my response to Lawler's match at last year's PPV here, but I can't find that roundtable in the archives. Fuckin A. So instead I'll just say that Lawler's still a competent worker but nobody cares about him in a WWE ring because he's an announcer and nobody wants to see announcers fighting. Helms is going over here unless he really pissed off somebody in the office.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Marsico: It's one of the two new NYR traditions, a shitty Lawler match against a bad character!
Winner: Jerry "The King" Lawler
Neil Borenstein: This is just plain stupid, and I felt like running into the ring and spearing both King and Helms when I was live at RAW when this whole thing came about. Naturally, such a move would hurt me more than either one of them, plus, running into the ring as a fan is against the law kids! Anyway, this is just a measure to push Helms, and I really don't understand why they scrapped The Hurricane gimmick to begin with. Oh, wait, it's the WWE.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Scott Slimmer: This has all the markings of a new push for Helms, so traditional booking logic would dictate that Helms goes over here. However, this is the WWE, and I don't really think anyone in the IWC would be shocked if they completely dropped the ball and let Lawler get the pin. I'll give everybody involved the benefit of the doubt and go with Helms, but just prepare yourselves for either eventuality.
Winner: Gregory Helms
Ashley vs Maria vs Victoria vs Candace Michelle vs Torrie Wilson - Bra and Panties Gauntlet Match
Stephen Randle: You realize that this means that the Women's division actually has more depth than...well, pretty much any other division. Last time that happened, they fired half the women. Anyway, it's really, really hard to predict what the hell this match is supposed to be, since nobody actually knows the rules. Then again, nobody really cares, either.
Winner: Maria
Larry Csonka: Victoria is the ONLY real wrestler in the match, let her win and strip the bimbos.
Winner: Victoria
Steve Sullivan: Who cares??? There's goin to be lots of half naked bodies for my viewing pleasure! It really seems the WWE is trying to get Maria over for some reason. Perhaps trying to get her popular enough to be the next Playboy centerfold?? And I'm not sure about this, but I don't think Maria has actually lost a match! She usually tags with the winning team. So I'm going for the upset here.
Winner: Maria
Mathew Sforcina: Regardless of how stupid it is, given the way the WWE runs, (she was just pinned by Maria! I love Maria as much as the next guy, well, not Csonka, but that's not right) I have to go with my Goddess.
Winner: Victoria (Bimbo Stripping)
Ryan Byers: At least they finally got Trish away from trash like this. Candace is probably in line for a big push given that her ass will be gracing Playboy soon, so I wouldn't be surprised if they give her the victory here to kick that off.
Winner: Candace "Soon to be Replaced by Another Superbowl Commercial Fad" Michelle
Ari Berenstein: The winners are...the fans! Oh come on, you knew someone was going to say it.
Winner: Maria
Andy Clark: I don't get it, is it five way elimination or an actual gauntlet match, like Tag Team Turmoil? In any event this will just kill time, why not go with the underdog.
Winner: By hook or by crook, Maria
John Meehan: MeeThinks Trish (the "face") will take the Women's Title match, so it's totally conceiveable that they'll put a heel diva over in this one. So who wins? (Flips coin) TAILS?! Tail indeed... ;-)
Winner: Candice Michelle
JT: The E apparently could care less if Ashley, Victoria, Torrie, or Candace ever win a match as long as they're getting half naked. As for Maria, it really seems that thye're trying to do something with her. In the last month alone they've had her A. Actually look intelligent a la the trial of Eric Bischoff (indicating she may be playing everyone for fools by making everyone think she's weak), B. Getting some face time as backstage reporter and KissMeCam girl, and C. Starting to actually get some matches.
WINNER: Maria
Bayani Domingo: I hope this is just like American Gladiators and they end up running through various gladiators with big pads. Ahh…Brings back memories, huh Csonka? Well its tough to choose the winner of this match because we got Victoria…um…and useless pussy #1 through 4. Since Victoria is the only REAL wrestler here I think the choice is obvious.
Winner: Ashley
Jeff Small: Now this is more like it. If the WWE is truly going back to days of Crash TV, this match must be in a swimming pool. The big mystery of this match is whether the King will be around to call it. As for the winner, Candace has a Playboy coming out so she shouldn't lose.
Winner: Candace
Steve Cook: I hope for Lawler's sake that he gets to commentate for this match. I don't know why we bother picking winners for these matches because nobody cares who wins as long as we see some bra and panty action. Since we saw Maria on Raw, I'm guessing she goes over here somehow and continues on her road to the Women's title.
Winner: Maria
Marsico: I just want Victoria in a thong.
Winner: Candice, and me if Vicki wears a thong
Neil Borenstein: While it is true that Maria has certainly gained a few key victories as of late in the WWE, and it comes as a complete shock, I was really intrigued with how Ashley came down for the save on the latest RAW, and really went after the heel group. I would think Ashley getting a push would be much more viable than pushing Maria, who definitely works better as the dumb as a brick backstage reporter. Ashley has more skill in the ring, and would really work well as a top Diva on RAW. The best way to get her there is to get her some wins against the other top Divas. I'll miss seeing her half naked, but I'm not ordering the PPV anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
Winner: Ashley
Scott Slimmer: JUST. DOESN'T. MATTER. Seriously, anybody who thinks the outcome of this match will play into any sort of ongoing storyline is a fool. Clothes will fly every which way, but no one will remember who won by the end of the show. I'll go with Ashley, but I again want to emphasis how little it really matters.
Winner: Ashley
Triple H vs Big Show
Stephen Randle: As opposed to the other giant lump that got a 10-year ironclad contract, Show has actually worked his ass off for the last few years. This feud has been well-built, and Show's credibility is at an all-time high. Go figure, book the 7'0", 500 pound guy as someone who can destroy things with very little effort, and he gets over. Triple H should win this match, but don't be shocked if he sells like a maniac beforehand. In the end, though, it's just the Big Show, nobody really expects him to be winning.
Winner: Triple H
Larry Csonka: This feud has been great so far. Awesome verbal and mental sparring which in turn has rejuvenated HHH. HHH needs to win, three losses to Big Dave, time off, a loss to Flair and then a win finally was a rough start to the year. While some people may not count these, he lost to Benoit on the Eddie Tribute show and to HBK at the Raw for the troops show. The H's has done their part and now they want to win, so it is written and so it shall come to pass. Just watch out for the Hulk hand that Show has, he really needs to paint that bitch green.
Winner: HHH
Steve Sullivan- Watching the Big Show tear the place apart on Raw was great. All I wanted to hear him say was Fi-Fo-Fo-Fum. And although he can punch holes through steel chairs and dent the steps, that cast will never stand a chance against the immovable object that is Triple H's ego.
Winner: Triple H
Mathew Sforcina: Good build up. Won't change the outcome, given who will be in the Main Event of WM.
Winner: Triple H (2nd Pedigree)
Ryan Byers: I'm amazed that Triple H decided to do this instead of being inserted in to the main event, but it did cause the booking to actually be surprising for once. The feud itself has also been put together well, aside from the fact that they're booking Triple H to be the underdog when he's the heel. I doubt the angle will continue, though, as Trips needs to get out of here and in to something more important for Mania.
Winner: Triple H
Ari Berenstein: Where does Sldgehammer rank in Rock/Paper/Scissors? Triple H is gearing up for a new run up top, as house show and local Raw commercials seem to be pushing H/Cena heading into WM 22. I'll say Triple H does one more job though before the next big run, which starts with a possible Rumble win.
Winner: Big Show
Andy Clark: I've been enjoying this feud, and I could see this stretching out to WrestleMania if the Cena match gets scratched. I'm actually getting tired of Triple H losing, and if they want a win for Cena to mean a damn thing Triple H needs to become a beast again.
Winner: HHH
John Meehan: A well-booked feud with a solid build-up to boot. Here's hoping the "one handed giant" injury angle doesnt bog down what was shaping up to be a pretty sweet confrontation TOO too much.
Winner: Trips. So so sneaky...
JT: I'd say the cast would actually be an advantage for Big Show, but I get the feeling that it will just be something else to make HHH look stronger when he wins. Besides, what are they going to do, have Show vs. Trips at WM? I think not.
WINNER: Triple H
Bayani Domingo: "Oh GOD, my hand is broke…good thing I got a cast on, now its SUPER HUMAN" How the f*ck does that work? Break your hand and a magical cast makes your hand impervious to pain. Is this the "one cast" , has this cast somehow survived an attack by Voldemort, is this cast made of the skulls of 1,000 Samoan wrestlers?? Then again, he's facing HHH, does it really even matter….Triple H… c'mon.
Winner: Trip-Pull- AyCH
Jeff Small: Some people think the Big Show will win. Some people are morons.
Winner: Triple H
Steve Cook: Why does Triple H fear somebody he beat for the WWF title in 2000? Because nobody on WWE Creative remembers what happened 5 months ago, much less 5 years ago. Triple H will win here because he's Triple H and Big Show is Big Show. Do I need to explain this any further? Hell, it's not like I'm going to even if you say "Yes".
Winner: Triple H
Marsico: It'll be interesting to see how they go about doing the match and how the finish will go.
Winner: Triple H
Neil Borenstein: I love the setup for this match. Yes, I said it. I am complimenting the WWE on something. Triple H and Big Show both managed upper hands against each other, and are really proving to have a true hatred for each other on camera. They've really worked well with each other, and what's truly surprising is that Triple H is doing this without having a WWE Title on the line. It's only a matter of time before he goes after the belt again (like WM22), but I almost miss Triple H not holding the belt for 11 months out of the year. Triple H is going to get the momentum with a win here.
Winner: Triple H
Scott Slimmer: There's only so many times that one man can job in a year, even if that man isn't Triple H. However, we actually are talking about Triple H, so you can bet the proverbial farm that the jobbing ends here. Triple H, much like Edge, has bigger and better things in his future, so he needs to get some momentum behind him here. Besides, the Big Show still has a shiny gold belt of his own to keep him busy after he loses the match.
Winner: Triple H
Trish Stratus (c) vs Micki James - Women's Championship
Stephen Randle: I'm fairly sure we're seeing a new champion here. It's how we get to that which mystifies me, and that's a good thing. So well booked, and on any given day, one or the other has shown signs of turning. Intrigue!
Winner: Micki James
Larry Csonka: Trish made it a point to say that she has had the title for One-Year. She just needs to drop it to freshen things up. Mickey will do something to freak her out, and Trish will get flustered and lose the match. Then someone turns on someone, or they make out. Could be cool.
Winner: Micki James
Steve Sullivan- This just gets more and more interesting. Mickie James has done everything every male wrestling fan on earth has wanted to do to Trish. She's kissed her. She's seen her naked. And now she's going to get to get on top of her and pin her for 3 seconds and be finished.
Winner and NEW Women's Champion: Mickie James
Mathew Sforcina: Maybe Trish should kiss Micki back, thus making her forget all about the match. Actually, this is probably the best writen WWE storyline they have going. After all, name any other one they have where you can honestly say "Either of them could turn and it would make sense". Hmm?
Winner, and NEW WWE Women's Champion: Micki James (Hey Micki Splits Dodge into a roll up with feet on ropes)
Ryan Byers: Generally speaking, faces chase heels to win titles. It looks like the company is heading towards a Stratus heel turn, and I can't imagine that they'd switch possession of the belt until that turn actually takes place.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Ari Berenstein: My guess is that Micki can't help but try to mack it with Trish when she's got her pinned, and Trish uses that against her to get a rollup/small package combo. But, can I get sum more pleae?
Winner: Trish Stratus
Andy Clark: This is a tough one, but I could see Mickie winning with some sort of lesbianosity freaking out Trish. Then we could get an Eddie-Chyna relationship between the two, leading to a rematch at Royal Rumble where Mickie snaps.
Winner: and NEW Women's Champion: Mickie James
John Meehan: MeeThinks they'll keep stretching this feud out till just around 'Mania, so it makes little sense to hotshot the belt to Mickie as they're almost certain to swap the face/heel dynamic in a few weeks anyhow. Why muddy the waters more than necessary, eh?
Winner: Trish Stratus and her "nice boobs."
JT: Man, this is a tough one. Over a year seems like a REALLY long time to have the belt, but honestly, has the Women's Division done anything to need that to be otherwise? I suppose since we had a few Divas trade shows, had a few new characters, and Ashley won the Diva Search, they've been trying. For kicks and giggles, I'm picked Micki, and then waiting on one of them to turn.
WINNER: And NEW Women's Champion, Micki James
Bayani Domingo: What?? No evening gowns? No fulfill your monkey spanking fantasy match? No Gravy Bowl?? Sheeesh, considering that so far we've only seen a kiss, this seems a bit classy for Vince's booking. I had no idea Trish has had the title for over a year now till she said it on RAW, meaning….
Winner: Oh Micki you're so fine, you're so fine I blow my…um….nevermind, Hey MICKI.
Jeff Small: This is currently my favorite feud on Raw. The big question is whether Mickie is playing mind games or just a confused lesbo. Considering this is the WWE, after the PPV, Mickie will be a confused Women's Champion lesbo.
Winner: Mickie James
Steve Cook: Only in wrestling can a woman be despised for not acting on lesbian impulses. Poor Trish. She'll win here though because the story's not over yet and it's not the right time for Mickie to win it. It is the right time for Trish to turn, so she'll do just that.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Marsico: They're hot. They're good wrestlers. Should be a lot of fun.
Winner: Your **NEW** WWE Women's Champion, Mickie James
Neil Borenstein: Why couldn't they just call her Alexis Laree?!? It doesn't matter because there isn't a more superior female wrestler than my woman – Trish Stratus! Honestly, I like Micki James, and I think this whole thing between her and Trish works really well. It's another well-planned and well-thought-out storyline. Wow, two in a row. I know Micki will eventually take the belt from Trish and gain a win on her, but everybody is sensing the heel turn in Trish, and I'm sensing it too. And she will do it in a way that allows her to retain the title.
Winner and Still Champion: Trish Stratus
Scott Slimmer: Trish Stratus IS the WWE Women's Division, and things just go all to hell if she isn't involved in the title picture. I see this playing out as a face vs. face match where Trish wins clean, but that finally causes Micki to snap. She can't handle the fact that her idol is seemingly trying to hold her back, so she gives Trish a solid post-match beat-down. Look for the feud to continue to Wrestlemania XXII.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Ric Flair (c) vs Edge - Intercontinental Championship
Stephen Randle: The result here will be a sign of how much faith WWE still has in Edge. The IC Title shouldn't be involved here, because Edge doesn't need it and still has to cash in his title shot. However, Edge is a crafty one, and I sense an angle masquerading as a match, where Flair retains his title, possibly when Edge gets purposely DQ'd, saving himself to steal Cena's title after the Chamber. There's no reason for Edge to win, and a plain loss pretty much kills his momentum again, so we'll go with that and hope.
Winner: Ric Flair
Larry Csonka: This could be good, one has to wonder how healed up Edge is from the torn peck. Flair has had the title for a while, and I think they look to freshen things up at this PPV.
Winner: Edge
Steve Sullivan: I've almost gone from Edge hater to Edge Head the last couple of weeks. The promos that Edge has done on Flair have been priceless! However, I don't think Edge is going to get involved in the Intercontinental Championship when he has that briefcase.
Winner: Ric Flair
Mathew Sforcina: This pick revolves around the Elimination Chamber match, so bear with me.
Winner, and STILL WWE Intercontinetal Champion: Ric Flair (Cheating).
Ryan Byers: Edge is still lugging around his Money in the Bank Title shot, and I can't imagine that they'd but the IC strap on him when he's in line for a WWE Title shot. The Intercontinental Title has been devalued to the point that doing so would make the Edgester look like a second-rate competitor who couldn't take home the big prize. They will need some sort of screwjob to protect the man's heat, though. Disqualifying Flair accomplishes that goal perfectly, as it doesn't result in anybody jobbing and can give Edge more fuel with which to taunt the Nature Boy (saying that he "lost control" at NYR just like he lost control with his road rage).
Winner: Edge (DQ)
Ari Berenstein: Flair has been getting the verbal smack down laid on him lately, but he is still THE NATCHURE BOY WOOO! I don't trust the WWE to ever get The Money in the Bank shot used...but for some reason, I'm gonna bet it all that it happens on this PPV. And if I lose...double or nothing for The Royal Rumble! And um...by the way, what happened to the feud with Triple H?
Winner: Ric Flair
Andy Clark: I like how Edge is trying to "rescue" the Intercontinental Title, but if he's going to do anything with the Money in the Bank Shot, as I think he might, he can't have the IC Title, as we know WWE never lets anyone not named Warrior to hold both belts at once. Still, I can't see him jobbing to Flair unless its with a rollup.
Winner: Flair by DQ
John Meehan: Edge won't win here (see MeeThinks on the outcome of the Chamber for my reasons why not), but Flair will make him look like a serious contender just the same. Then add one post-match "it's not over and I'll have the last laugh" promo from one Mistah Copeland, and we might just see the "Rated R Superstar" getting that last laugh by night's end. Not my first choice, of course... but this is a predictions thread, not a personal preference one.
Winner: Whoooo! THIS IS MY TOWN! Flair
JT: Ric Flair has *gulp* had one of the best years out of ANYONE on the roster. Both of these men have a very "I will do what I have to in order to fuck you up" attitude, so I suspect this will be a halfway decent match. A Naitch IC run was decent I guess for Nostalgia purposes, but it really is time to get the belt off of him. Of course, then you have an IC champ who happens to have a briefcase with a title shot in it... eh?
WINNER: And NEW Intercontinental Champion, Edge
Bayani Domingo: Whooooo!! Man, there is no bad time for a "Whoooo". This feud makes no sense, I don't think a win gets either guy much of a rub. Edge needs to use that damn MITB shot fast. If he uses it after the Elimination Chamber, that would be sweet. But I doubt it. Edge has held the IC title far too many times and I feel Flair deserves the win after all the constant ribbing he's been getting.
Winner: Good ol' Naitch
Jeff Small: I'm assuming that this match will open the PPV considering nothing else can really fit the slot (there is no chance in hell that Triple H will open a PPV). While Flair as IC champion has run its course, I cannot see Edge using his MitB opportunity as an IC champion. So that's why DQ finishes were invented.
Winner: Edge via DQ
Steve Cook: When Flair loses the IC title it needs to be to somebody who can really benefit from it. Edge has gotten all the rub he can from the Intercontinental title, having held it about 87 times. Edge dominates, but Flair wins by some interesting method like the testicular claw.
Winner: Ric Flair
Marsico: The only reason this belt is being defended is because somewhere down the line, they forgot to take the belt off Flair, or they just plain forgot that he had the belt. I don't think it's even been seen on television since November, or whenever he last defended it, which was in November, I think.
Winner: Flair
Neil Borenstein: Edge is not using his MITB shot … yet. It always sounded fishy last year when they had the match for the MITB when they made sure to note every single time they stated the timeline that it could be used all the way up to Wrestlemania 22. Now, you will notice that I have stated before that Triple H is going to fight for the belt at WM22. Well, nobody ever said Edge had to face the champion on RAW. In fact, the title that was on RAW when Edge won the MITB was the World Heavyweight Championship – currently held by one David Batista. And with Big Dave hurting on Smackdown!, it could make a lot of sense to transfer Edge over to the Friday Night show to carry the strap for a while. He's not being used tremendously well on RAW, and a Matt Hardy feud could be rekindled – a feud I always thought ended prematurely. In other words, the IC title has to remain on RAW, and Ric Flair is remaining on RAW with it. The MITB shot will come, just not yet.
Winner and Still Champion: Ric Flair
Scott Slimmer: This one's easy. Edge has bigger and better things in his future, and he doesn't need to be bogged down by the Intercontinental Championship. Side Note: How sad is it that the Intercontinental Championship has been cheapened to the point that it can actually cause a wrestler to be "bogged down." That belt should be used to MAKE wrestlers, not hold them back. But I digress. Anyway, Edge needs to still look strong but not win the belt, so look for him to get caught beating on Naitch in some form of illegal manner.
Winner: Ric Flair
John Cena (c) vs Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels vs Carlito vs Chris Masters vs Kane - WWE Championship - Elimination Chamber
Stephen Randle: What I need to see here is Chris Masters and Carlito being the first two eliminated. Not like that Survivor Series match. Once the rookie deadwood squad is gone, the veterans should put together a nice little match. Cena will win, but it won't help the perspective that he always, always wins matches with impossible odds, and after the Chamber, the only tougher matches to retain a title in are...I dunno...a battle royal or something. But WWE Creative can distract from their complete boneheaded mangling of Cena's run by having Edge cash in his shot after the match and steal the title. That's not this match, however, so the winner is Cena.
Winner: John Cena
Larry Csonka: I picked two title changes already, so I doubt they would do 3; but that would be a nice change and really shake things up. I think Cena will survive this, barely. Carltio, Kane and Masters have NO chance. They just don't. Angle needs to lose and get all pissy so he can go anti-American, which would lead to my Angle vs. Hogan WM Match. Vince will screw HBK in some way, so they can build to a WM match, which leaves Cena with the title still. Rolling to WM to face HHH.
Winner: John Cena
Steve Sullivan: Somehow. Someway. The WWE is trying to attract Bret Hart to be a part of Wrestlemania. What better bait than to put the strap on someone who Bret Hart would love to be able to screw out of the title. Cena is stale, hence the boos. You don't want a stale product going into Wrestlemania.
Winner AND NEW WWE Champion: Shawn Michaels
Mathew Sforcina: Ok, so let's say either Cena or HBK walk out the champ. They pose on the outside of the Chamber, turn, and get speared into the side of the chamber by an enraged Edge. If it's Cena, he puts up a fight, but falls to Edge. If it's HBK, he puts up a fight, but when Edge locks in the Edgecution, Vince walks out and calls for the bell, giving Edge the match. Either way, Edge is walking out with the belt, and a ton of heat. Shame he won't keep the belt that long.
Winner, and NEW WWE Champion: Edge (MITB shot after the Chamber).
Ryan Byers: There are only three men in this match who could be viable champions - Cena, Michaels, and Angle. Ultimately, the winner will be determined by the company's plans for Wrestlemania. It looks like HBK is busy working a program with Vince McMahon, which may even result in a WM22 match. Angle, meanwhile, would be better suited by working some sort of "dream match" program at WM. That leaves Johnny Boy by process of elimination.
Winner: John Cena
Ari Berenstein: HBK will have to be the glue to pull together the early part of the match. I don't have much faith that anything cool or new will be done for this match, as most of the participants are too green or too beat up to do anything really huge. Personally I'd love to see someone actually attempt that cross body block off the cage netting like you can do in the Smackdown! video games.
The only way to stop the bleeding, so to speak, of the audience boos is to have Cena get his ass stomped repeatedly in this match...juuuuuust barely win it...then have Edge come down and take the belt with the MITB shot. John Cena...we hardly knew ye.
Winner: John Cena wins the chamber, then loses to Edge (new WWE champion at the end of the night)
Andy Clark: This could be tricky if they wanted it to be. Carlito and Masters don't stand a chance. Angle would work if they were building to a rematch with HBK at either the Rumble or Mania (or even against Hogan or RVD), Michaels could be good in order to give Vince something to screw him out of. Kane would be an interesting choice to win for one night and then lose to Edge the next night on Raw (keeping pace with history). In the end Cena is just the safe bet.
Winner: John Cena
John Meehan: damned Berenstein... stole my finish for the end of the night! Only I'd say take John Cena and replace him with Shawn Michaels as your underdog longshot winner of the Chamber for the night. Give Cena a chance to simmer down and have Vinny Mac compel HBK to defend the WWE Title against Edge's Money in the Bank title shot immediately after HBK's gone the distance and won a greuling match. That way, you get the belt off Cena and let him give chase for a bit (to freshen him up), you give Edge a quick test run as WWE Champ (still not thrilled about that one), and you further the Michaels/Vince storyline to build towards 'Mania 22.
Winner: HBK, then Edge to close out the night.
JT: Won't be Kurt. Won't be Shawn. Thus, I don't care. Okay, that's not true. This should be a good match. Three of those guys can help the other three put on a decent match, but the reality is this Elimination Chamber is a "transitional" Championship match to get everything rolling towards Mania.
WINNER: And STILL WWE Champion, John Cena
Bayani Domingo: There has been some reports that a house show scheduled in Michigan has been advertised as Chris Masters vs Big Show for the WWE title. I believe the show is in a little town called Hell. Because that is the only place where Masters would be defending the belt. HBK won't win here, there wasn't enough build. Carlito won't win because…he can't wrestler. Ditto Kane, but also add that last in means you never get the win. Angle and Cena are the only possibilities, but Cena is the only one with a program already brewing for Wrestlemania (HHH). Cena goes over, but garners more heat than he should, the only way he gets a full pop is if the last guy in the cage with him isn't HBK or Angle.
Winner: The Proctologist of Thuganomics
While the match will not be as good as either the 1st or 3rd chamber match (due to the contestants involved), it should still be entertaining. The order of contestants is actually pretty easy (even before the WWE gave out the #1 slot). HBK and Angle will start to ensure a good match, either Carlito or Masters will be next (I think Carlito for stamina reasons), Cena will follow to even the sides, Masters and Kane follows. As for the winner, HBK sides with Vinne Mac after putting Cena in the sharpshooter. Sure it's the 100th version of Montreal but that hasn't stopped them before.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Steve Cook: At least they put HBK in first so the match might be good. As long as Masters is 5 and Kane is 6, this match could be interesting for most of the time. Of course, this is a nothing PPV so there won't be a title change here. Sorry to all you Cena haters, but you'll have to put up with him a little while longer. And no Edge run-ins, please...for the love of God...no Edge run-ins.
Winner: John Cena
Marsico: The only actual feud in this thing is Angle vs. Cena. It would have been nice if, in the month they've had since they announce the match, they would have built some other stories into this to make it more interesting than "will Angle be able to take the title, and how hard will the crowd pop for it?" I wonder if they will be smart enough to keep Cena away from HBK, though. Someone put Masters out of my misery, by the way.
Winner: Your **NEW** WWE Champion, Kurt Angle
Neil Borenstein: While it would be highly amusing for Carlito or Chris Masters to win, they are going to be two big non-factors in this match. Kane would actually be just as amusing, except for the fact that I think he could put forth a worthwhile title run. Unfortunately for him, it is too close to Wrestlemania, and Kane can't main event the granddaddy of them all. That leaves us with Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, and the current champ, John Cena. Michaels and Vince are going at it, and I doubt that they would involve the belt in that. Angle would certainly make a decent Champion, but I think Cena vs. HHH is more of a "money" match than Angle vs. HHH, which allows Cena to keep the belt a little bit longer, and survive the Elimination Chamber.
Winner and Still Champion: John Cena
Scott Slimmer: Okay, it's process of elimination time. The next challenger for the WWE Championship will be either Edge or Triple H. Both of these guys are heels, so the champion needs to be a face. That means that a face needs to win the Elimination Chamber Match, so Angle, Carlito, and Masters are all s.o.l. and we're left with Cena, Michaels, and Kane. Kane already has a shiny gold belt to carry around and has never drawn a dime as champion, so we'll cross his name off the list. That leaves Cena and Michaels. People have predicted that either Cena or Michaels will turn heel, side with Mr. McMahon, and screw the other out of the title. The problem there is that we're still left with a heel champion, and I've already said that we need the champion to be a face. I can, however, see Cena turning heel, siding with Mr. McMahon, but still failing to screw Michaels out of the title. Michaels pulls out the heroic victory (see also, E.C. I in 2002), loses the belt to Edge in the near future (possibly even the same night), and we're all set for a title feud at Wrestlemania XXII involving Edge and Cena and Triple H. And yes, I will mark like all get out for a Michaels victory, even if it does only last five minutes.
