411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Backlash 2006 (Part 1)
Posted by Stephen Randle on 04.29.2006
Faces are heels, heels are faces, God's a wrestler, and the 411 staff has all the predictions you need!
This Sunday night, WWE Raw presents Backlash, the first post-WrestleMania PPV. Traditionally a PPV all about settling scores from WrestleMania, this year's card features several matches that developed, both directly and indirectly, from the fallout of this year's big Mania event. This is also, due to ECW One Night Stand, the last Raw-only PPV until Vengeance in June, so almost anything can happen.
I could wax poetic all day if I had the time, but for more details on all the feuds and such that brought us to Backlash, check out Leonard Hayhurst's PPV preview column.
And here's everyone who took part in this month's Roundtable. 411's done a hiring binge this month, so to embarass the new people a little extra, I've highlighted their names with cute little stars. Awwww...
Stephen Randle, Wrestling News Experience
Andy Clark, The Shimmy
Ryan Frank, *new* Have We Seen This Before
Dan Zubruegg, *new* Velocity recapper
Matt Foster, *new* The Big Show in 411 Sports
Tim O'Sullivan, Fact or Fiction: Movies
Mathew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic
Taareq Elsokari, *new* The Thursday Kick-Off in 411 Sports
Grayson Hammill, *new* The Butterfly Effect
Larry Csonka, one baaaad mutha...hey, I'm just talking about Larry.
Sean Garner, *new* Triple Threat
Nick Marsico, News To Start Your Weekend
Caleb Newby, *new* UFC recapper in 411 Sports
Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told
Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor
Steve Sullivan, senior OVW correspondent
Ian Smart, *new* High and Tight in 411 Sports
Jeff Small, The Small-For-All Sunday News Report
Derek Martin, live Raw recapper
Steve Cook, News From Cook's Corner
Stuart Carapola, That Was Then
John Meehan, Meethinks
Scott Slimmer, Heat recapper
and JT, he does a mean Smallville recap.
Boy...that's a lot of people this month. Such dedication from the newbies. So, now that you've met all the new faces, let's take a look at the card.
Please remember, all predictions are for entertainment purposes only. Using these as a basis for betting actual money would be really, really stupid of you.
Ric Flair vs. Umaga
Stephen Randle: Hey, remember Ric Flair? I hear he used to be the greatest wrestler alive. Even held the World title a couple times and wrestled for a title shot just under a month ago. Nah, my memory must be playing tricks on me.
Winner: Umaga
Andy Clark: This is actually a pretty tough match to call. Ric Flair seemed to be on his way to his "old man push" and Umaga is the new face on the block. When in doubt, put the monster over with a DQ or reverse decision.
Winner: Umaga (referee reverses the decision when Umaga won't let up on the Asiatic spike)
Ryan Frank: I agree with Andy; this is a tough one to call, because Flair is just below title-contender level at this point but Umaga is getting the Debuting Monster Push. I expect a no-contest.
Winner: Ric Flair by DQ
Dan Zurbruegg: This one's pretty easy for me. Flair will get most of the offense in this match, but Umaga will end up with the victory. Flair is one of the few wrestlers who can lose, and still maintain his credibility and popularity. If they're serious about pushing Umaga, there's no reason to have Flair win.
Winner: Umaga
Matt Foster: The less I say about this, the better. Umaga beating Ric Flair here is just disgraceful. All this does is remind me that all the crazy McMahon vignettes are not all show. Aren't we a little past the "Crazy Islander" thing yet in wrestling?
Winner: Umaga, thus getting us nowhere.
O'Sullivan: This has got 'no contest' written all over it. Not literally, but it may as well have. Umaga will go nuts, and the referees won't be able to control him. By the text book.
Winner: No Contest
Mathew Sforcina: Umaga gets more out of losing this and then destorying Flair than beating Flair. Hell, RICO's beaten Flair, and look where he is now.
Winner: Ric Flair (Cheating followed by CSC ((Cuban/Samoan Connection)) beatdown.)
Taareq Elsokari: Since it's Samoa....i mean Umaga's PPV debut there's noway they can cut the groud from under him although there is a little strain on it (i know a poor fat joke). But in all seriousness, this should be an Umaga and Estrada victory by cheating to put Flair away while he gets his eye problem sorted.
Winner: Umaga by use of a foreign object
Grayson Hamill: A crazy badass Samoan vs. a crazy old guy who used to be the man. Didn't we just see this at Lockdown?
Winner: Umaga
Larry Csonka: Well I have no clue what the hell they have planned for either Flair or Umaga. They are high on Osama's mic work, so that could give Umaga some more stability on the roster. This is also odd because the last person that I would put Flair in the ring with is a 300 lb guy just back from Japan where he learned to love stiff striking. I figure that they carry this on for a bit so that Flair and Osama can have mic battles, so Umaga gains the victory with Osama's help.
Winner: Umaga
Sean Garmer: Poor Flair he has to be involved with a guy that has one of the worst gimmicks ever. Still it is Umaga's first time on PPV and they will probably want him to look strong but not so much that he kills Flair. Since it does not really look like they have anything else for Flair to do, I say Armando does something to help Umaga get the pin.
Winner: Umaga thanks to Armando Alejandro Estrada
Nick Marsico: It's almost a shame that they didn't have at least one more week to build this one up, honestly. If Flair could have made his big return 2 weeks before BackLash (and it was a bit more impactful that the half-assed attack from this past Monday) and then on the final RAW before the PPV cut a promo on Umaga (maybe a good back and forth between Flair and Armando Alejandro Estrada) it would have hyped me up pretty good for this match, I think. As it is, Umaga's not done much that I care about, as he quickly became quite an afterthought following his match with Michaels and otherwise has been in very MEH squashes and AAE hasn't had nearly the opportunity to speak as he should have (they should have had him, oh, I don't know, talk about how Umaga took out Flair, which would then build more anticipation for his return). But I don't want to get into fantasy booking here; I'll save that for talking about the tag team division. The outcome seems like a no brainer for me, honestly.
Winner: Ric Flair
Caleb Newby: As much as I love the Nature Boy, lately watching him wrestle I am afraid he will break a hip. Umaga… bleh. But they are pushing Umaga, and Flair is Flair and shalt always be over.
Winner: Umaga via Estrada's help
Bayani Domingo: Umaga means "Morning" in Tagalog. This is important to note because we know the Flair is a party animal, not a morning person. So I think this is pretty obvious don't you? Right? Yeah? Oh, forget it. I'm going with the new guy and the running stink face of doom.
Winner: Umaga, Cuban-terference.
Ari Berenstein: Well, after watching the laugh out loud hilarity of Johnny Jeter getting "fucking initiated" (as John Cena put it so well) by UMMMMMAAAAAAAGGAAAAA, I'm really worried about Flair in this one. Samoa Jamal can go chop for chop with Flair, PLUS he's got the ASIATIC SPIKE~!, which isn't really a spike, but a thumb. By the way, why is this guy's thumb Asiatic if he's Samoan?
Winner: Samoa Joe-mal...ga
Steve Sullivan: You know, I thought Flair was headed for another reign? Instead it's "rain"ing feces on him. The only thing that's been good about this feud is Flair and Estrada's promos. Both men can deliever a blow and are always entertaining on the mic. The only thing is, Umaga is wrestling. Oh well.
Winner- Ric Flair By DQ
Ian Smart: While I will admit that Armando Alejandro Estrada is entertaining, I cannot help but think that Umaga will be gone by July. That being said, he is the WWE flavour of the month, so Flair will be fed to him.
Winner: Umaga
Jeff Small: Man, I really wish Umaga would display some personality in his matches since he seems like quite the fun person for initiations. As for this match, doesn't Flair need some sort of eye surgery? Expect the dreaded thumb to the eye submission hold to keep Flair out of action for a couple more weeks. And for those of you who might bitch about Flair jobbing to Jamal, he's jobbed to Rico before and we all forget about that.
Winner: UUUUUUUUMMMMMAAAAAGGGGGAAAA!!!!
Derek Martin: I was waiting for Flair's triumphant revenge against Umaga, and I wasn't disappointed this past Monday when Flair returned to grab Umaga's nuts. Last year Flair was winning IC Titles at this point. Now he's wrestling Umaga?
WINNER: Umaga
Steve Cook: Umaga needs John Cena at ringside screaming "UMAGAAAAAAA" during his matches. That would rule. Flair doesn't really need to win for the rest of his career, so unless they've already given up on Umaga, he will win.
Winner: Umaga
Stuart Carapola: Since Flair seems to have become the default legend they'll job to anyone young they're trying to get over, this one seems pretty obvious.
Winner: Umaga
Meehan: Let's see - in the battle of "new guy" versus "old guy," has the man with the new gimmick *EVER* lost his ppv debut? (checks notes) Shit - Gregory Helms jobbed to Jerry Lawler last year... there goes THAT theory. That said though - Umaga seems to be a McMahon pet-project (as opposed to Glass Ceiling Helms), so there seems like little chance that he'll be eating a decisive loss here. There's also the long shot chance that the 'E will pull a Flair surprise win only to lead to some post-match nastiness to get heat on the big Samoan and put Flair on the shelf for a few more weeks. So with that, I'll buck the trend and say...
Winner: Ric Flair. Seems only fitting that the "Nature" Boy would best the "Island" savage, no?
Scott Slimmer: Ric Flair is the living embodiment of "permanently over." He IS professional wrestling, and one loss to a random Samoan isn't going to change that in any way. Sure watching Umaga chop the hell out of Johnny Jeter is all kinds of fun (that was seriously the funniest video I've seen in a long time), but picking up a win over Ric Flair will really give Umaga some momentum in the ring.
Winner: Umaga
JT: Well, to me this is the most unpredictable match on the card. Flair loses nothing by giving Umaga the rub, but at the same time, is Umaga at that level yet where he just cleanly goes over Ric Flair (I know, he's 60, but still)? I won't go with the double DQ or even the DQ, and go out on a limb and say that Flair cheats to get the win, and then gets destroyed by the rookie.
WINNER: Ric Flair
Big Show vs. Kane
Stephen Randle: Thanks for pushing that whole "May 19th" thing, WWE. Because I'd forgotten what day the Da Vinci Code opened. Seriously, all the opening weekends available and you picked the one sandwiched around an incredibly (and stupidly, but that's another story) religiously controversial blockbuster, the newest Mission Impossible (which is controversial for other reasons that we all know and don't need to discuss), and most importantly, X-Men 3? Thumbs up for thinking ahead, people. Anyway...
Winner: Kane.
Andy Clark: Man, I thought Mike Tenay was busy selling the SIX SIDES OF STEEL, but if I hear MAY 19 one more time, I'm liable to start ripping people's eyes out, too. I still don't understand what Kane's issue is (I mean, he had to be sane enough to film a movie), but the two of them have pretty good matches. Fun fact: this is the fourth time Kane and Big Show have feuded.
Winner: The man with the movie (coming to theaters May 19!)
Ryan Frank: Battle of the JTTS!!! Kane's being pushed right now, Show isn't. Easy call.
Winner: Kane
Dan Zurbruegg: I'm starting to REALLY hate this angle, but, if booked properly, the match could be fun. I still have no interest in it, however. Turning Kane heel and breaking up the tag team is ridiculous, since I can't see Kane getting over as a heel, and there's no competition for the Spirit Squad. I'll say Big Show wins by DQ, with Kane going crazy and repeatedly destroying Show with weapons.
Winner: Big Show (via DQ)
Matt Foster: There is no friggin' way that Kane doesn't go over. The potential dollar $ign$ Vince is seeing in the movie biz means that Kane is going to et some kind of monster push here over the next month or so. That means Show takes the loss here, and Kane gets bumped to a MAIN EVENT FEUD! Also, the nature of the movie tells me that Kane will be using nefarious international objects here as well.
Winner: Kane
O'Sullivan: Not even the WWE can balls this up.....surely? They are trying to mirror Kane's silver screen persona with that of his small screen one in time for the release of the movie, and the only way they can enhance that is by allowing him to crush The Big Show here.
Winner: Kane
Mathew Sforcina: Duh.
Winner: Preacher Kane (Chokeslam)
Taareq Elsokari: I wish they would go back to the old freaky Kane in a mask. He was so much more interesting that way and he even looked like a legit Psycho. In saying that, i think we will see alot more here than just a chokeslam to the Big Show but we should see some of "Kane's amazing strength" that will be needed to push him a little, and then who knows maybe his dreaded yearly title push.
Winner: The man who hears voices in his head that the rest of the world can too.
Grayson Hamill: Kane is getting the movie push, so of course he has to stay strong until May 26th, when his movie is pulled from theaters.
Winner: Kane
Larry Csonka: This could be a decent big man match, or it could be a total abortion. They are playing up crazy Kane and his movie, which also could be decent or a total abortion. I figure Kane wins so that Show can eventually get revenge/bring Kane back to the side of good. I WISH that Show would disfigure Kane again so that he could go back to the mask and get a tan.
Winner: Kane
Sean Garmer: I'm about ready for May 19th to get here already so I can go laugh at the actors who get their eyes pulled from their sockets by Jacob Goodnight. Mr. "See No Evil" will make his evil presence felt in this one and we may possibly see a Chokeslam on Big Show. This could be pretty decent as long as there is more action than walking around. Maybe the voices will torment Kane so bad that he rips out Big Show's eye too.
Winner: Kane
Nick Marsico: I've been pushing for this one since January, if not earlier, and actually wanted it for WrestleMania. The feud has been silly, and now they've just made it hokey, as Kane is mimicking his "Jacob Goodnight" character by attacking Big Show's eye. Can't wait to see Show with that eye patch or bandage on Sunday!
Winner: Kane
Caleb Newby: The crowd loves to cheer Kane when he goes nuts and destroys people. Even when a heel there are kids with Kane signs rooting on the monster. What I like about this feud is so far, they haven't turned Show into a wuss either. I like both of these guys, but I like Kane more. If WWE can figure out a way to get Kane back into the mask in this feud, all the better.
Winner: Big Show via DQ
Bayani Domingo: Kane has a movie coming out where he looks like a psycho. This isn't a non-DQ match. Hence…
Winner: Big Show, via DQ and possibly having his eye taken out and put in a jar.
Ari Berenstein: Hey Kane, GO FOR THE OTHER EYE! Why stop at one? After this match I fully expect a one-eyed Big Show to team up with Pirate Paul Birchall on Smackdown after this match. Oh and what's the big deal with May 19th? I know. Kane FEARS Tom Hanks!
Winner: Kane (MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th MAY 19th)
Steve Sullivan: You know, May 19th has always had a special place in my heart. That was the first day I ever worked a real job. With that being said, and many many years later...I have a lot of hate for that day too! Kane needs to win big and do some really evil things to Big Show to help promote his movie. They are going to need all the help they can get going head to head with the Da Vinci Code (which I'm dying to see!).
Winner: Kane
Ian Smart: With the movie, knowledge that Kane gets one monster push every year, and the fact that Big Show has nothing to gain from a win…
Winner: Kane
Jeff Small: Here's hoping that 7 years of experience will help them erase the never-ending stank of their King of the Ring 1999 match. You know, the one with the 4 minute chokehold. While this match won't be pretty, I am at least hoping for some decent big-man action. Show's looked motivated as of late and I've always liked Kane. As for the winner, I expect Kane to pick up the win via some nefarious means. Maybe he can use that really long chain he has in the horror movie.
Winner: Kane
Derek Martin: You had to see this one coming back when Kane and Show won the tag titles. I just don't know why it took so long. I'm not sure where each of these two guys will go following Backlash so there might be a screw job here. I'll go with....
WINNER: Kane (promoting See No Evil)
Steve Cook: Piss break time!
Winner: My bladder and maybe WWE if I don't go buy a t-shirt before the show.
Stuart Carapola: We've seen these guys break up a million times before and wrestle each other a million and fifty times before. I'll go with the result of about 900,000 of those matches.
Winner: Kane
Meehan: This match MAY be like the NINETEENTH time that these two have actually come to blows, but then again - fans have been looking for them to pull the trigger for a "clash of the titans" for a while now, so it could be fun. MAY we see the NINETEENTH version of "Kane goes psycho?!" MAY we see the NINETEENTH match with "Big Show is a wounded Giant?!" Either way - could be a solid undercard bout just the same.
Winner: Glen Jacobs Goodnight, The Eye Scream Man who can See No Evil.
Scott Slimmer: I'd like to say that this should be a no-brainer, but seriously, you really never can tell when WWE Creative is going to decide to do something INSANELY stupid. You know, like job out Kane right before his movie hits theaters. Anyway, I'll give WWE the benefit of the doubt and pick Kane to get the win and look like a dominant monster for the debut of his movie. Oh yeah, I'd also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Vince McMahon for not including necrophilia in this angle.
Winner: Kane
JT: I mean, it's been said throughout this thing and there is no need for dissection. Neither man lose anything by not winning, and they are clearly giving Kane a little push to help boost the ticket sales of his new flick (and speaking of which, that little segment on SD that showed some bonus footage actually has me wanting to see this for the gore factor alone).
WINNER: Kane
Carlito vs. Chris Masters
Stephen Randle: Did not think the Carlito face turn would work, and I'm pleased that they're letting him remain heelish and not get along with RVD and Haas during the tag match. Gee, maybe they've figured out WHY heels are popular and faces get booed. Well, in this case, anyway.
Winner: Carlito
Andy Clark: Despite the fact that I'm a huge Carlito fan, I'm on of the few people that's not enamored with his face turn at this point. Here's hoping some things change, but unfortunately I don't see Carlito winning here, especialled since Masters has looked like an idiot in this feud. I love ya, Carlito, but NOBODY breaks the Masterlock!
Ryan Frank: Carlito has been making Masters look like a total shmuck in this feud. So, unless they're trying to totally bury Masters (which I wouldn't mind one bit), it's got to be Masters winning, with Carlito winning the feud down the line.
Winner: Chris Masters
Dan Zurbruegg: Carlito needs a win to solidify himself as an over face, and he will get one against the meathead. Carlito will win by cheating somehow.
Winner: Carlito
Matt Foster: I really like Carlito, but he doesn't need to win here to maintain credibility and likeability. I think with the addition of Matt Striker to this feud, Carlito should lose this match due to interference and move on to fighting Striker's new prized pupil after Backlash: Shelton Benjamin. Masters needs a win here, and definitely needs to leave the crushed velvet at home. Ew.
Winner: Chris Masters
O'Sullivan: This is cool. They both have the potential to have a big year, and it just depends who the creative team have in line for the push first.
Winner: Carlito
Mathew Sforcina: Maybe Carlito and Flair could form Cheaters United or something. That said, Stryker gets involved and gives Masters the win, thus getting Masters away from Carlito and then onto SD.
Winner: Chris Masters (The Head Of The Class into the Masterlock)
Taareq Elsokari: For some reason they are still behind Masters. Although he has improved a little over the last year i just dont see him being backed more than Carlito. In saying that, Masters has looked like a dope before he got the upper hand during the awesome Stryker (Striker??) segment last week so i think if Carlito wins then feud is over but Masters wins feud continues. Yep you guessed it...
Winner: Chris Masters
Grayson Hamill: It's summertime. Masters has to win here through cheating, giving Carlito a need for revenge.
Winner: Masters
Larry Csonka: This could be ugly. Don't get me wrong, Carlito is finally coming into his own in the ring and breaking out more of the offense that we had heard he was capable of and Masters has improved a lot. But the question is, can they carry a PPV match with just the two of them in the ring? We will see this Sunday, I have my doubts but will be open-minded. Masters should win so that we have he and Carlito, with possibly Striker and other feuding in the mid-card.
Winner: Chris Masters via Striker-ferance
Sean Garmer: Oh God! It's the guy that's full of talent in Carlito facing Mr. Masterlock Chris Masters. Carlito is going to have to do some major baby-sitting in this one. Seriously it could be better than we think if Masters has decided to learn something else besides his finisher. I'm a big Carlito fan and it pains me to say that Masters will find some way or another to get the victory. I don't think Carlito will tap to the Masterlock though, he may just have someone waiting in the wings.
Winner: Chris Masters, because Matt Striker is still offended that Carlito didn't put down that "piece of produce."
Nick Marsico: The build for this one kind of died down after the MasterLock challenge a couple weeks ago. The turn was great and so was the challenge, but while Strike and Carlito was entertaining, the Masters run in certainly didn't light the world on fire. There wasn't enough interaction this past Monday, either, although Carlito did what he could as far as his interactions with Masters during the 6 man tag. It's odd, though, since he's the clear face now and that's obviously how he's being pushed, yet he's still acting like a chickenshit heel against Masters. Which is good, by the way, because that means they're actually letting him keep the character that got the fans to cheer him in the first place instead of making him into a vanilla babyface character. I feel like this one can go either way, but if I'm lucky they'll be done with each other after BackLash and Carlito can move on to Striker for the summer. In fact, my pick is based solely on my faith that Striker interferes and costs Carlito the match. I don't think it will happen, but why not give it a try?
Winner: Chris Masters
Caleb Newby: This feud has plenty of life to it given the history between these two and Carlito is popular enough to not suffer with a loss here. Popular wisdom has Striker helping Masters get the win. Which is fine, Carlito can take another match between the two down the road.
Winner: Chris Masters
Bayani Domingo: Carlito can't lose can he? Well clearly there is going to be some kind of Striker-ference so a loss by Carlito either extends the feud or moves it to Striker. Where this will cause a new Tag Team to form called, Pretty Smart ™
Winner: The Rated "D-" Superstar, Chris Masters
Ari Berenstein: Oh my god...the suck factor in this match is going off the scale...in fact, the wrestling of this match may create a black hole that sucks up the entire pay per view and the entire known universe.
Winner: NOT the entire known universe...but maybe Carlito
Steve Sullivan: You know, when I did my Wrestlemania Watch, I apparently was a month ahead of myself. I picked like half of the Backlash card before the Royal Rumble. Anyway, this match for all intents and purposes should have been on the card at Wrestlemania. Carlito is getting the big push right now. He's doing some of the in ring antics that remind me a lot of how The Rock became huge. And Chris Masters is...well....not the winner of this match. That's about it.
Winner- Carlito
Ian Smart: Carlito is over with the crowd, and so logic would dictate that he should keep his momentum and get the win over Masters. And yes, while it may seem unconventional, I'm going with logic.
Winner: Carlito
Jeff Small: If the WWE is smart, Carlito picks up the win and starts off his face turn with a win. Since Lord knows that's not always the case, I expect Masters to pick up the win and deflate the crowd right off the bat.
Winner: Chris Masters
Derek Martin: One of the matches that I'm most looking forward to. Carlito has been awesome building this feud up which goes all the way back to New Year's Revolution. I have to hand it to the Masterpiece as well. He has also been very good. Look for Matt Striker to get involved here.
WINNER: Chris Masters
Steve Cook: I can not pick Chris Masters over anybody. I'm sorry, but....I just can't. Besides, Carlito is cool, and you can buy muscles, but you can't buy cool.
Winner: Carlito
Stuart Carapola: One of these two men has a brain and promo skills. Chris Masters is not this person.
Winner: Carlito
Meehan: Cool thing about Carlito - the second verse of his theme music has this killer ladies' chorus, where a bevy of Puerto Rican mamacitas can be heard echoing "Carlito! Carlito! Carlito!" And with the face turn in full effect, I think we could well be looking forward to months on end of ladies-only cheers for the guy if his turn to "the good side" comes at the cost of the swagger that made him so cool in the first place (see: Cena, John). I'd like to think that Carlito is naturally cocky and charismatic enough to pull the transition off without losing his edge, but some 'net fans are already hedging their bets on the guy from the word go - and the influence of the IWC is not something to take lightly when looking at how well or poorly a performer's gimmick is received. Regardless - let Mee be the first to say good luck with the face turn, Carlito - I'm pulling for ya, and a win here will help.
Winner: Carlito Caribbean Cool.
Scott Slimmer: Like Mick Foley said, Carlito is neato. However, Masters has the most feared move since, um, anything that Lita does in the ring. Both of these guys seem to be slated for big things in the future, so neither guy should be made to look weak. Carlito has gotten the better of Masters for the better part of the last month, so I have to believe that Masters will pick up the win here in order to regain a bit of credibility. I could even see Masters torment Carlito for another couple of months before Carlito finally beats Masters into the ground at a PPV some time this summer.
Winner: Chris Masters
JT: It's clear who they're trying to push here. In my opinion the only way Masters wins this is if they try to continue the feud. But I imagine they have other plans for Carlito. An IC program with a heel Shelton would be perfect here to let him "appear" to be face yet still get in all of his heel tendancies. Masters will move on to some weaker guy to make him stay strong, and Carlito will move on to an IC feud after Shelton ends this with RVD at the same PPV.
WINNER: Carlito
Vince & Shane McMahon vs. Shawn Michaels & God
Stephen Randle: Only Vince McMahon would think he had a fighting chance against an omnipotent deity. And that's actually the crazy stuff, because there's no debate as to if God will be an actual wrestler, they're treating it like an actual higher power is acting against Vince. Either way, Shawn wins here because this feud MUST NOT CONTINUE.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Andy Clark: You realize Vince will pin God right? I mean really, picture it. HBK is cleaning house, but Vince lets the referee know that God made a blind tag. Michaels stands there with a "WTF?" face when Shane blindsides him and Vince "rolls up" God. Now Vince can say he beat the federal government, Ted Turner...and God!
Winner: The God of McMahonism and his Mighty Semen
Ryan Frank: Vince & Shane, for two reasons. 1) If Michaels is going down to Foley-ish part-time status, this is as good a time as any to do it and 2) I'd be willing to bet that a large part of the reason for this feud is so that, in all of his promos from now on, Vince can say he beat God.
Winner: The Lord Our Vince & His Only-Begotten Son
Dan Zurbruegg: I honestly have no idea what to expect with this match. With Vince and Shane put over on RAW, I'm expecting HBK win. Hopefully they don't go too over the top with the whole God thing.
Winner: HBK & God
Matt Foster: I think it's great that the Rock is coming back for a match. I thought he should have been back a month ago for Wrestlemania, but hey, I'll take Backlash. It should be entertaining to see him partner with HBK since they have so much real-life heat. But if there is one thing I know about Rocky, it's that he's a prof... wait, THE God? Oh, Christ this is stupid. May the hand of God rip apart another one of Vince's quads so that we don't have to see any more of this feud.
Winner: Us, as long as the angle is dead after this (McMahon's will be the "victors" in the ring, however
O'Sullivan: Something ridiculous will happen as Shawn is face down on the mat. Divine intervention or whatever. This angle has left a bad taste in the mouth, and I couldn't give two shits about this blasfomous excuse of a wrestling match.
Winner: HBK
Mathew Sforcina: He gets to claim he's beaten God and make lots of "Where's Your Messiah Now?" jokes? No way.
Winners: Vince & Shane (Some huge move to take out both Shane and HBK leading to Vince pinning HBK)
Taareq Elsokari: This is a joke right? So are they playing this as a Handicap match but Shawns faith should help him through it or some crap like that, coz well this feud sucks and the only way to end it is if Vinny and the Fruits of His Loin come out victorious. So lets hope that happens.......SORRY GOD, Please forgive me
Winner: The Macs
Grayson Hamill: I may not be religious at all myself, but I never bet against a team that includes somebody's deity. Just in case.
Winner: HBK & God
Larry Csonka: Fuck WWE™ (Vinnie V)…Ari will get that.
Winner: HBK
Sean Garmer: While I have a problem with this storyline for religious reasons. I still can never lose faith that the LORD will prevail. Hey he's the Omni-potent MAN I can't vote against him.
Winners: HBK & GOD
Nick Marsico: The final RAW before the PPV actually made me less hyped for this one -- I was enjoying the build in the fact that at least I was being entertained (for shock value alone, really) but the Shane vs. Shawn match was very meh and the short Vince promo afterward was nothing special either, and that kind of took me out of it. I have stated in my column, I think, that the only way that I'm going to care about this match is if they go extremely over the top with the "God" pyro at BackLash to the point where it's just silly and goofy as to how much pyro they're using. Then after the show, they act on RAW like none of this ever happened. Not so much because I think this should all be forgotten, but they've gone with this Vince versus Shawn angle from playing it very seriously to gradually getting less and less serious with it to the point where they should just treat it like a complete gag at the PPV -- hence if they mention it again on RAW, it takes away from the sheer amount of ridiculous that was displayed at the show, and it's best to leave it at that and let it be the unspoken end of the angle. It would make me, in retrospect, a fan of the entire storyline from beginning to end.
Winner: Shawn Michaels and "God"
Caleb Newby: This storyline sucks. My biggest hope is that Shane turns on dad here, as the seed has been planted. Maybe Vince crosses the line and Shane has had enough. But who am I to go against God? Oh, a final thought paraphrased from Dunn a few weeks ago, "With all the things going on in the world today… God decides to get involved in a wrestling feud?"
Winner: HBK
Bayani Domingo: Logic says Vince gets his win back and this feud continues. But… how do you make God do the job? No, I'm being serious, like how? How would you know when his shoulders were on the matt or if he tapped out? It just doesn't' make sense unless a chair miraculously flies through the air through some invisible force and hits Vince causing a DQ. Dang, I hope we get a run in by Buddha.
Winner: Vince/Shane/Satan
Ari Berenstein: Larry, I get EXACTLY what you mean. And I will echo your comments for this match. Vincent Kennedy McMahon...listen closely...this isn't God speaking to you...but it is a former fan and customer of your product. FUCK. YOU. FUCK. THE. WWE. FUCK. YOU. VERY. MUCH.
Winner:HBK AND !~GOD~!
Steve Sullivan: Being 3rd row at Backlash means I'll be in good chance to get God's autograph on my Bible! It also means that if Vince pisses off God enough, I'll be among the first 3 rows of people to be wiped out by the Appocolypse. Either way, I'm cool!
Winner: Shawn & God via a Sweet Hymn Music from God
Ian Smart: I'm really tired of seeing the McMahons in wrestling matches. I can respect that Shane is willing to kill himself for our entertainment, but this angle just seems like another futile attempt by Vince McMahon at recapturing the Attitude Era. As far as the outcome, even Vince McMahon doesn't have the audacity to put himself over the Almighty.
Winner: HBK and God
Jeff Small: Now this is the real main event. On one side of the ring, you have the WWE Owner and the product of his semen. On the other side of the ring, you have one of the most influential superstars in the company and God. Tough choice, here. Expect HBK to win this match and end this mind-numbing feud.
Winner: HBK and the Highest Power
Derek Martin: This is the match I'm least looking forward to. If it weren't for Shane-O-Mac I would shit all over this match. But since he IS there, and he WILL deliver yet another mind numbing spot I may actually enjoy watching this. If Vince and Shane go over, though, I will forever remember Backlash as horseshit.
WINNER: Shawn Michaels and God
Steve Cook: YOU bet against God. I'm sure as hell not...I gotta be in the building with the guy and he just might hold a grudge.
Winners: HBK & God
Stuart Carapola: I'm in the minority here, as I have loved the build to this match, it's easily the storyline that's entertained me the most since Wrestlemania. Hopefully we don't see a wrestling god like Hogan or somebody come out as Shawn's partner (although I would piss myself if Steve Corino came out and did his "fucking god of professional wrestling" schtick here), but I definitely expect the McMahons to win so Vince can say "I've beaten the US Government, I've beaten Ted Turner, and now I've even beaten God Himself!"
Winners: Vince & Shane McMahon
Meehan: I've already said my piece on this matter right here, so I'll just reiterate the (un-hidden) highlights as a point of reference here. Bafoonery? Yes. Blashphemy? No. (And I'm Catholic, I'd know!). Funny? Debateable. Entertaining? Let's wait to see how it pays off, yes?
Winner: Shawn Michaels, because with GOD - ALL things are possible.
Scott Slimmer: Michaels may be transitioning to part time status, but he'll undoubtedly make guest appearances from time to time. Seriously, you know that Vince isn't going to be able to resist a Michaels / Harry Smith feud. Anyway, if Michaels is going to have any shred of credibility when he does return, then he can't get his ass handed to him by a sixty year old man on the way out the door. Besides, a loss to Michaels doesn't hurt Vince or Shane in the slightest, but that's mostly because, you know, they're not actually wrestlers.
Winner: Shawn Michaels and God
JT: I honestly can't call this. It's either Shawn Michaels overcomes again and pulls off a miraculous win, or Vince wants to prove that he's so amazing, he can beat God. Meh. It isn't that I'm not looking forward to it, I just can't see a logical booking reason for either to win. Whoever wins wins. Whoever doesn't is still who they are, be it Vince or HBK.
Winner: No Prediction
Mickie James (c) vs. Trish Stratus - Women's Championship
Stephen Randle: As this storyline winds down, are they going to start addressing the fact that after Trish, there aren't any other legitimate challengers for the belt?
Winner: Mickie James
Andy Clark: I'm looking forward to this rematch, but I'm disappointed we're not seeing as crazy a Mickie anymore. You know what would be sweet? Mickie starts imitating Christy Hemme and Trish gets caught up imitating Mickie and SHE turns crazy. Oh, and lots of making out, too.
Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Mickie James
Ryan Frank: The most logical place for this feud to go next is for Trish-playing-Mickie to be champion, pushing Mickie even further over the breaking point (and maybe turning her face in the process).
Winner: Trish Stratus
Dan Zurbruegg: The first two matches between these two were extremely entertaining, but I'm actually expecting them to step it up a bit on Sunday. While Mickie is probably expected to retain, I'll go with Trish just because Mickie isn't "crazy" anymore (at least for now). Even though it's the 3rd match between the two, I don't see this feud ending yet.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Matt Foster: Trish has to win this match, if only to send Mickie back into superfun Crazyland. Then we get a nice Hardcore Match to wrap this feud up before the Draft splits up the best two women wrestlers we've had in a long time.
Winner: Trish Stratus
O'Sullivan: Mickie is on a roll, and I really don't want to see this feud end just yet. Hard to call, and that's credit to the strength of the storyline.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Mathew Sforcina: Trish is about to win when Victoria runs out and destroys both of them, claiming she's the original psycho bitch. And there is much rejoicing. Please?
Winner: No Contest (Widow's Peaks For All!)
Taareq Elsokari: Is this going to be Micky James vs. Micky James, or Micky James vs Trish Stratus, or Trish Stratus vs. Trish Stratus? Who knows. I dont think we have seen the end of Psycho Micky yet. The Wrestlemania match was awesome. The crowd was pumped and the match was something you couldn't take your eyes off, especially with Micky's version of the mandible claw. I hope they are able to recreate that match and even better it as this feud has easily been the best the E has come up with in a while. I also think we might see a return for Ashley now she's out of her cast so who knows, heel turn for the Diva Search winner and leading to ......
Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Mickie James/Trish Stratus
Grayson Hamill: Trish is turning heel. Mickie's turning "poor deluded crazy hot girl" face. This feud has to stay alive.
Winner: Trish
Larry Csonka: Oh my I have loved this feud. These bitches are INDEED crazy, and I love it. Their WrestleMania match was one of the better WWE Women's matches in a long ass time (even with the botched finish), and I think that they can do better. Trish has the fire and is playing the crazy card as well now so who knows what will happen here. Mickie needs to retain and they need to bulk up the Women's division as well. Bring up Beth Phoenix, let Victoria be Victoria, hell even bring Lita back in eventually and look to some outside talent and shit will get even better.
Winner: Mickie James
Sean Garmer: I have loved this feud since it first started and I really hope it continues. The twists and turns from these past few weeks with the wardrobe changes have even made it better. I wouldn't be surprised to see the crowd turn on Trish again to make her become full on heel. I really hope Mickie doesn't lose the title as a result because it has given it some much needed new life. Here's hoping it stays that way when Mickie kicks Trish to the sky.
Winner and still Champion: Mickie James
Nick Marsico: I'm honestly beginning to get a bit tired of this angle. For me the peak of it was Mickie's present to Trish (which I believe was the last RAW before WrestleMania) and since then it's been on a decline. They've been running the angle for a really long time now (6 and a half months) and its time is just about officially up. I actually read somewhere, although it might have just been speculation on the part of a columnist, that they were considering letting them go at it in a cage -- personally I think that would have been a fantastic way to end the feud. I'd have had Mickie decisively defeat Trish and then have them shake hands in a respect moment, but then of course still keep Mickie as a heel and have them just go their separate ways for a while. I think that now that Jillian's been fired by JBL, Mickie vs. Jillian is going to be the next step for the Women's division, as a newly face-turned Jillian will make her debut on RAW to start a feud for the summer with the new dominant champion. Yeah, it's kind of fantasy-bookish, but I'm honestly just about ready to wash my hands in the Mickie/Trish storyline and I really could barely muster up the motivation to write about it here. Hell, I had to take a short break when I got to this match because I just didn't feel like talking about it. I'm burnt out on it. So yeah, I'm looking forward to another very good match at BackLash, and I'm voting with what I want here, regardless of what I think will happen (which, sadly, is the opposite of my pick).
Winner: Mickie James
Caleb Newby: These two have made the women's division interesting again. I hope Mickie returns to full fledged insane-o here and Trish keeps up her mind games. Why have Trish take the belt again at this point when that was the status quo for so long?
Winner: Mickie James
Bayani Domingo: Trish doesn't sell that many shirts or giant foam fingers. So I don't see Mickie James getting "Edged" here with a 1 PPV title reign.
Winner: Lovers of bare be-thonged ass everywhere. I mean Mickie James.
Ari Berenstein: Mickey Trish or Trishy Mick? James Stratus? I am thoroughly confused as to who is who at this point. At least it isn't bra and panties, then who knows whose clothing will get mixed up in the laundry.
Winner: Trish regains the title
Steve Sullivan: I'll be really sad if Trish goes back to being her normal self. I'm really digging the thong view. That's about as close as we'll get fellas! They seem to be really putting over Mickie here and the crowd is loving her. Though they seem throughly confused, I think the crowd is digging Mickie right now and taking the strap off her so soon isn't the best of ideas.
Winner- Mickie James
Ian Smart: Like most, I've felt that this feud has been a major bright spot on RAW, but I think all good things must come to an end. Mickie needs to be kept strong so that she can have a program, and eventually put over Jillian Hall and/or Beth Phoenix later this summer. That being said, I think that these two will just snap leading to a double DQ, and the cage match that Nick Marsico speaks of on RAW sometime before the draft.
Winner: Double DQ (Mickie Retains)
Jeff Small: Man, why did Mickie have to revert back to her old persona already? I would have loved an identity-swapped match. This whole feud reminds me of the awesome movie, Single White Female, so expect someone to get stabbed in the eye with a shoe. Man, what's with all my eye references today? Anyway, Trish doesn't need the belt back yet so let's go Mickie!!!
Winner: Mickie James
Derek Martin: And I thought this feud couldn't get any better. Then - what do they do? Bring Trish out dressed like Mickie (THONG AND ALL!), and I knew this was about to get better. And, of course, it hasn't disappointed. From Trish's head games to Mickie knocking the SHIT out of "Jack" everything has been PURE GOLD, baby! Let's hope the match lives up to the build.
WINNER: Mickie James
Steve Cook: Who's the next challenger? Will there be a next challenger? Sexually deviated males across the planet do not give a shit.
Winner: Mickster
Stuart Carapola: Mickie James is the best thing the Women's division has seen in years, I really hope they don't blow her whole angle by having her drop the strap already.
Winner: Mickie James
Meehan: Hey look - it's another IWC-about-face! First they LOVED Mickie (see: WrestleMania 22), and now they're already writing her off as another psycho-chick flavor of the month. Here's hoping Ms. James can score a solid win and silence her critics in the process. Too bad the women's division only has like three active competitors, though - so regardless of who goes over here, expect things to continue.
Winner: and STILL Women's Champion, Mickie James
Scott Slimmer: It's been a LONG time since we've had a women's feud anywhere near this good, and I'm all for WWE milking this thing for everything that it's worth. There's no point in having Mickie lose the belt this soon. We've seen Mickie chase Trish and the belt for months, but I think there's still money to be made with Trish chasing Mickie for the belt. I do love me the crazy chicks.
Winner: Mickie James
JT: Finally! Something I can dig! I don't know who came up with this angle or whose kept it going, but that person should just be named lead booker. They've completely switched roles, both ladies have played it perfectly, and I honestly wouldn't care if I saw three more months of this. That being said, I doubt they'd give Mickie a three week "Edge" title run. Hopefully they learned their lesson on that one. Trish had it for over a year, so I say Mickie shenanigans keeps this alive.
WINNER: And STILL Women's Champion, Mickie James
Part Two of the 411 Roundtable can be found right here!
