411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Unforgiven 2006
Posted by Stephen Randle on 09.16.2006
WWE PPV comes back to Toronto, and 411 knows how it's going to go down in Bizzaro World.
It's that time of the month again, time for a whole lot of anger and bleeding. But it's also time for Unforgiven, WWE's September PPV, which, in case you didn't know, is Raw brand only. With a sprinkling of ECW.
For all the history of the buildup to Unforgiven, Leonard Hayhurst provides you with an extensive preview. But for random thoughts, occasional witty remarks, and pure unadulterated predictions, you've come to the right place, because it's Roundtable time again, and we've got everything you need to know.
Let's see who stepped up this month and got the job done.
Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience
Mike Hamflett, Story Lines
Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor
Andy Clark, The Shimmy and mortal enemy of Canadians everywhere
Mathew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic
John Gregory, new IWA correspondent
Arnold Furious, Furious Flashbacks
Julian Williams, The Top Ten
Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight
Chris Clarke, Ask 411
Brian Bayless, video recapper
Brad Garoon, video recapper
Jeff Small, Heat recapper
Stuart Carapola, The Week in Hardcore
J.D. Dunn, TV/PPV recapper
Mike LaFave, Getting Over
Dan Zurbruegg, ECW recapper
Steve Cook, News From Cook's Corner
John Meehan, Meethinks
and Steve Sullivan, OVW correspondent
With that done, we head to the temperate regions of southern Canada, where the snow is still a couple months away, and see what the Unforgiven card looks like.
Kane vs Umaga
Stephen Randle: Really, all this match provides is another opportunity for us to see exactly how many U's we can put in Umaga's name. Well, I'm not going to play along.
Winner: Oooooomaga
Mike Hamflett: Let's hope WWE really roll the dice on this one and put Umaga over big time. I still expect Kane to hit the chokeslam and face some sort of outside threat, but Umaga winning is the all important thing. A really dated character with a really dated story, but the bottom line is they've kept with him and I'm now happy to buy him as a threat.
Winner - Umaga
Ari Berenstein: Abyss vs. Samoa Joe, this is not. Not even if Abyss was unmasked. If two taped thumbs equals a bloodied mouth, then the obvious solution will be for Kane to cut off Umaga's opposables. Barring that, thumb of death for the win and Samoa Joe, wait, back the car up....rrrrrr...Umaga's win streak continues.
Winner: Umaga
Andy Clark: They've done a good job of setting this one up, even if it's hard to see where Kane goes from here. I think a trip to Tuesdays could be a good thing for him, but that boat already sailed. In any case, this is the only sure bet of the evening as the Sam-oan Bull-do-zer goes over.
Winner: Umaga
Mathew Sforcina: Since I don't care about this PPV, short, simple answers. So sue me. Umaga- Proof that Managers in Pro Wrestling will ALWAYS work.
Winner: Umaga (1 2 3 4, I declare a thumb war.)
John Gregory: It seems like Umaga's rumored monster push towards main events has stalled somewhat, as he's been put in this midcard program with Kane. That being said, Kane hasn't had a decent feud for years and isn't the kind of man to stop any undefeated streak, no matter how misguided.
Winner: Umaga
Arnold Furious: The battle to proclaim the biggest monster on RAW. It's been Kane's gig since his debut in 1997 so Umaga has a lot to live up to. Kane has already put him over quite a bit as well with the blood spitting after the diving Samoan Spike. That said Umaga is unbeaten and they haven't felt the need to job him to Shawn Michaels or Triple H. I get the feeling it'll take a bigger stage than this to wipe out his unbeaten run. They should save that for Wrestlemania now it's been going so long and put someone over big time by getting that first win.
Winner – Umaga.
Julian Williams: The Samoan Bulldozer is on a roll and I don't see Kane putting an end to it. This might end with a screwy, DQ finish to continue the feud, but most likely Arrrmmmmannnndooooo Eleeeejjjjannnddrrooooo Eeeessssttttraaaadddaaa will interfere and help his man pick up the W.
Winner: Umaga
Michael Weyer: Do we really need to pick a winner here? All right, all right, I'll go with Umaga as Kane is about due for the loss part of his annual push cycle anyway. Let's just hope they can make it somewhat entertaining.
WINNER: Umaga
Chris Clarke: Easy pick - Kane's enhancment talent, Umaga is WWE's version of Wrath's push on Nitro. But it's not time to kill it yet!
Winner: Umaga
Brian Bayless: No way that Kane is ending his undefeated streak. His character is beyond stale. Umaga should go over clean and move on to something else.
Winnter: Umaga
Brad Garoon: Unfortunately for Kane he hasn't quite gotten the Undertaker treatment when it comes to not having to put over new monsters. Umaga's undefeated streak will remain in tact here and the match will stink up the joint.
Winner: Umaga
Jeff Small: Considering the WWE had no problem with jobbing Kane to the Fake Kane, they will not blink twice about him getting the short end of the stick here. Umaga needs this win to pick up steam heading towards his eneviable(sp) Championship feud with John Cena.
Winner: uuuuuuuMMMMMMAAAAGGGGGGGAAAA
Stuart Carapola: Undefeated streaks by Samoans rule. Kane is stuck on a treadmill to nowhere.
Winner: Umaga
J.D. Dunn: They want Umaga to be the big monster, and we know that Kane can bounce back from just about any loss and get himself over again, so this one is probably a no-brainer.
Winner: Umaga
Mike LaFave: This should be an interesting battle of monsters. The Big Red Machine vs. the Samoan Bull Dozer! Kane has reached the point in his career where putting over the next generation is the role he needs to be in. Like it or not, Umaga is part of that next generation and a win here will go a long way in getting him over!
Winner: Uuuumagaaa!!!
Dan Zurbruegg: What I don't understand is why I am enjoying Umaga, his character and his winning streak. Maybe it's Armando, I don't know. But as for this match, they need to spice everything up a bit, so why not have Kane end Umaga's streak? Just do it through DQ, so Umaga is still put over.
Winner: Kane by DQ
Steve Cook: Thank God Sforcina's series on Kane finally ended so I could read his column again.
Winner: UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMAGA
Meehan: It's the battle of the titans, version 8.o as Kane desperately attempts to salvage "monster" credibility and fend off WWE's latest big-guy-du-jour. The only problem? The Big Red Machine hasn't gone over in a major PPV feud since he was hooking jumper cables to Shane-o's nutsack, so I honestly can't see him being the guy to unseat Umaga at this point in either man's career. Strange how Kane stays hella-over yet never seems to win, eh? On a longshot, I'd say look for the Undertaker to be forced to pick up the pieces where Kane falls short here (heck, maybe even at WrestleMania).
Winner: UUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuMAGA
Steve Sullivan: Me Kane. (haha) Me Like Fire. (haha) Me Umaga. (haha) Me Like Eat. (haha) Me Eat Kane (haha).
Winner: Uuuuuuuuuuuumaga (haha)
Carlito vs Randy Orton
Stephen Randle: Randy Orton, fast becoming a poster child for how having very little talent and a bad personality means nothing as long as you've got a decent physique and hang around with the right people. Hell, they changed the entire Wellness program just so he wouldn't get taken off TV for the second time in six months. If Orton wins, the Wellness program becomes the biggest joke in the modern world.
Winner: Carlito
Mike Hamflett: Battle of those who could main event the blue show. Other egos on Raw have left these two totally out in the cold as of late, and as a result left them with nothing better to do than to fighht each other. Orton desperately needs this after getting Hoganed at Summerslam, and Carlito is hardly white hot at the moment so it should really go the legend killer's way.
Winner - Randy Orton
Ari Berenstein: Silly T-Shirt and Apple Spit vs. Boring Promo and WELLNESS. No one wins in this match, certainly not the fans. Carlito squeaks by because drugs r bad mmmmkay.
Winner: Carlito
Andy Clark: This match should be really good, but I have a feeling those whacky Canadians will turn on both of them. Carlito deserves the win here, and a feud between he and Edge for the title would make sense. However, since Edge won't be champion past tonight anyhow Mr. RKO gets the duke.
Winner: Randy Orton
Mathew Sforcina: Orton failed his drug test. Hence this is the litmus test. If Orton wins, then the policy is offically a joke.
Winner: Carlito (Backcracker)
John Gregory: This one could steal the show if Orton brings his workrate boots. Hopefully this lasts past this PPV, but for the time being Orton needs his heat back.
Winner: Orton
Arnold Furious: Thankfully Carlito has expanded his repertoire of late or this could have been a real stinker. We all know how Orton loves his chinlocks. If Carlito goes over here it pretty much ends the feud and should see Cena losing and off to Smackdown in order for Carlito to hit up some main events. But I don't think he's ready. He doesn't quite have his various moves over enough to main event. It needs more time. So logically Orton goes over here to set up Cena-Orton when Cena is done with the Edge feud. I don't see that ending until Survivor Series now anyway.
Winner – Randy Orton
Julian Williams: Well this certainly is a tough pick as neither man can really afford a loss at this point. If Carlito wins the feud is pretty much over and since they don't have much for either man to do, I see Orton picking up the win through NEFARIOUS MEANS so that the feud can continue.
Winner: Orton
Michael Weyer: A tough one to call as both guys could use big wins. Carlito has the edge with the fans but Orton still has a bit of pull due to heritage. I'll lean towards Orton, who needs something to put him back after losing to Hogan and might be able to rebuild a bit.
WINNER: Randy Orton
Chris Clarke: Randy is going to be heading for Title involvment soon enough, so best not to job him to mid-card talent.
Winner: Dorkie McHep C
Brian Bayless: I know that Orton has been suspended with pay but if this feud is to continue he needs to win, and win by cheating. If both workers are motivated it might end up being match of the night.
Winner: Randy Orton
Brad Garoon: This feud feels really slapped together to me. It reminds me of the Jericho v. Kane feud from a few years back, but without the ridiculous coffee spilling catalyst. With heels crawling all over the main event scene I don't see Orton getting pushed too hard, but Carlito could be a good opponent for Edge.
Winner: Carlito
Jeff Small: Up until Orton's recent drug test blunders, it seemed obvious that he would pick up the victory here considering Carlito has gotten the best of him for the majority of the build. But now considering that Orton's a heatless drugmule and Carlito has been getting great pops, it only makes sense for him to win.
Winner: Carlito
Stuart Carapola: Since we're morons who don't know about Orton's upcoming suspension following this show, we're supposed to pick Orton. I pick Carlito because he actually has a future in this business.
Winner: Carlito
J.D. Dunn: There's a cynical side to me that thinks Trish's retirement is all part of a work where she'll double-cross Carlito and run off with Orton. At any rate, in spite of the drug rumors, Orton will probably take this one. There's just too much going against Carlito here.
Winner: Randy Orton
Mike LaFave: This match is a tough one for me personally, as it pits my two favorite Raw SuperStars against each other. Originally I thought the best way to go about this would be to have Orton go over but with lots of foul play, keeping Carlito strong and possibly extending the feud for another month or so, before Randy moved on to the main event, winning the belt and setting up the main event of Wrestlemania 23 Orton vs. Cena. But Randy can't seem to stay out of trouble. I'm excited about the gimmick matches, but this is MY main event for Unforgiven!
Winner: I know cool, and Carlito winning is cool!!!
Dan Zurbruegg: Interesting matchup here. Carlito's not great in the ring, but has improved considerably and has been entertaining. Orton can put on a show sometimes, while other times he does not. This match could make or break the PPV, as it alone could make the undercard solid. Carlito will win, while Orton has to job AND not get paid for it.
Winner: Carlito
Steve Cook: Randy Orton is suspended. The choice here is obvious.
Winner: Randy Orton
Meehan: Normally this one would be a crapshoot. With Orton desperately needing a win after his Hogan fiasco and with Carlito building momentum at the fringes of main event-dom, it could easily have gone either way were this match held like two weeks ago. But in the past seven days, our beloved Randy seems to have gotten nailed for doping - so I can't honestly see WWE rewarding him with a PPV win so close to his recent Wellness violation. Then again, Vince might just be a spiteful prick and put Randy over at a PPV but refuse to pay him (as a punishment for the Wellness violation), just for the sake of costing him what would have been the winner's purse of a PPV buyrate. That said - Carlito's on a roll, so I'll say...
Winner: Carlito
Steve Sullivan: Failing drug tests. That's not kewl.
Winner: Carlito
The Spirit Squad (c) vs The Highlanders - World Tag Team Championship
Stephen Randle: Well, I've got to go with the Scottish blood within me, that sings every time I watch Braveheart. I'm shocked Lawler hasn't made any Gibson jokes. Or maybe he has, I just tune him out anyway.
Winners: The Highlanders
Mike Hamflett: Burial after burial after burial has left the SS totally high and dry, and the split probably comes here. Lots of wrestlers always say look strong, even in defeat, and sometimes it gets them heat for being selfish workers. However, this is a perfect example of why it should be that way. SS are weak as piss now, so they have no love. The Highlanders may win the gold, but they look weak for only beating the weak. Nobody really goes anywhere. Tag team merry-go-round continues.
Winners - The Highlanders
Ari Berenstein: Total IQ of participants in this match is in the single digits. That's counting the sheep (wha?). Spirit Squad lacks the proper amount of spirit lately, maybe they need more cowbell. Or airhorn. You could go either way in this match but to me the Highlanders aren't tag belt material right now. Unless Piper is in the fold, it's the Squad.
Winners: The Cheerleaders
Andy Clark: This is a tough call, but the Squad have held the belts for a while. Plus, Cryme Time is coming and Cade & Murdoch have reappeared, so we need face champions.
Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: The Highlanders (I'm Robby!)
Mathew Sforcina: Sure, Piper's better than this comedy act. But dammit, Piper talking on screen is a good thing.
Winners, and NEW World Tag Team Champions: The Highlanders (Piper taking care of 3 of them, Scot Drop.)
John Gregory: Highlanders take the titles, and Spirit Squad splits up, continuing the cycle of breaking teams up as soon as there is another team on the brand.
Winner: Highlanders
Arnold Furious: Spirit Squad have had those belts for a good long time and not really done anything with them. The lack of a tag team division is the main reason. With, ugh, Cryme Tyme debuting soon a Highlanders win would freshen up the division and they're over enough to deserve the ‘honour'.
Winners and NEW tag teams champions – Highlanders
Julian Williams: I automatically want the Highlanders to win because I was in MSG for RAW and they brought out Piper with them, I marked out like Bobby Brown when his new crack supply comes in. This supposed Spirit Squad breakup has been rumored for some time, so a loss here would probably be the catalyst for their split. I'M ROBBIE!
Winner: And NEWWWWWWWWW Tag Champs, The Highlanders
Michael Weyer: Frankly surprised they've held off this long on the Squad losing the belts but the time is finally right for it. Highlanders are actually getting over a bit and the titles could use some new blood.
WINNERS AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Highlanders
Chris Clarke: Time for the comedy team win!
Winner: The Highlanders
Brian Bayless: Highlanders will win and the Spirit Squad will break up. Besides Kenny and maybe Johnny, the rest of the squad will have a really tough time on their own.
Winner: Highlanders
Brad Garoon: As much as I like that the tag champs will finally be defending the belts on Pay Per View I just can't get excited about this match. I believe that the Highlanders are the same team I watched on AWWL TV just a couple years back, but even that hasn't gotten me enthused about the passed-dead tag division.
Winners: Spirit Squad
Jeff Small: I'm ROBBIE!!!
Winners: The Highlanders
Stuart Carapola: The Spirit Squad is awesome, I hope they don't lose to title here just because of a lack of other credible challengers.
Winners: Spirit Squad
J.D. Dunn: JR made some sort of comment about the tag division needing a shot in the arm...and maybe use those paddle things on its chest while you're at it. Anyhoo, the Spirit Squad aren't really over (people may get a kick out of their antics, but they don't clamor to see them). Neither are the Highlanders, for that matter. This feels like a WCW situation where you have one team that might be able to generate some heat if given a chance, but you're going to use them to put over the other team hoping to have two teams that are over. It never really works out that way, but that's what I predict they'll try.
Winners: The Highlanders
Mike LaFave: This match has the potential to actually be surprisingly good especially if the more talented members of the Squad are representing the champs. I think Cryme Tyme will be debuting as a championship contending tag team and I think they will be faces, so that means the winners here have to be…
Winners: The Spirit Squad
Dan Zurbruegg: They absolutely have to make a title switch here, without question. The Highlanders are slowly getting over, and are providing RAW's tag team division with some much needed life. Could this be the long awaited split of the Spirit Squad? As much as I wish I could say so, I can't see it happening as RAW doesn't have anything else to offer in terms of tag teams. I'd like to see Kenny split and get involved in this refreshened Intercontinental Division, though, with the likes of Nitro, Hardy, Carlito, Shelton and possibly Super Crazy.
Winner: The Highlanders
Steve Cook: JR hinted pretty strongly at an oncoming Spirit Squad breakup in his blog. We'll see if he's full of shit or not here.
Winner: Highlanders
Meehan: With Cryme Tyme on their way in, it seems only logical to jettison the tag straps away from the last failed comedy act and onto the newest slapstick duo. Since Cryme Tyme could easily be *either* faces OR heels, though, there seems to be little incentive to pit them against such a clear-cut group of heels as the Spirit Squad (as that'd pretty well force Cryme Tyme to go all-out face by default) As such, I'd say shoot the belts The Highlanders way and let the good times roll.
Winners: AND NEW CHAMPIONS - The Highlanders
Steve Sullivan: It looks like it's about that time to split these guys up and shut the internet fans. I can finally quit trying to back these guys up! The Highlanders had the ultimate sign of a championship run. They were special guests at the broadcast booth AND they got to team with a legend at Madison Square Garden.
Steve Sullivan: Roll your tongue...Rorrrrrry and Rrrrrobby!
Lita (c) vs Trish Stratus - Women's Championship
Stephen Randle: One of a couple reasons I'm regretting my decision not to go to Unforgiven is this match here. If this wasn't for the title, I'd believe Trish wins her final match. But then there's the time-honored tradition in wrestling, where you go out on your back. Trish is a traditional girl, after all.
Winner: Lita
Mike Hamflett: I really believe they're gonna put Trish over. Have her beat Lita then either relinquish the title for a tourney, hotshot it to Mickie or Melina as a final job, or retire with the gold to mark the true demise of the women's division.
Winner - Trish
Ari Berenstein: Trish Stratus-best female wrestler of the modern WWE era. Lita-best ho of the modern WWE era. It all ends here, and it's very appropriate. In honor of Trish's last match, here is a reprise of my Trish-Lita haiku from the Survivor Series 2004 roundtable:
Bitch! Slut! Bitch! Slut! Bitch!
Cheerleading tramp whore bitch slut
Miscarriaged slut bitch
Ah, good times.
Winner: Lita (and a curtain call / standing O for Trish afterwards)
Andy Clark: I've never been as excited for a Women's Match as this. And yet excited is still not the right word. It's quite sad to see Trish leave WWE and I really hope this match gets the time and respect (hear that, Bizarro World?) that it deserves. While I think this match does deserve the second main event slot, I fear that they'll but it between Hell in a Cell and TLC, making the crowd dead. Trish Stratus is the greatest female wrestler EVER (yes, I'm including Moolah and Nakano and the rest in that) as she is one of the most legitimate female superstars of all time. I hope her hometown of Toronto will treat the match as more epic than NYC did this Monday. As for the ending, WWE is never keen on happy endings that don't happen at WrestleMania, plus a loss leaves the door open for a rematch in Detroit.
Winner and Still Women's Champion: Lita
Mathew Sforcina: Goodbye Trish. We'll miss you.
Winner, and NEW WWE Women's Champion: Trish Stratus (Chick Kick X3)
John Gregory: Trish gets her revenge and leaves the WWE as champion to set up some sort of tournament. Should happen, but won't. Lita retains with interference or a sloppy finisher.
Winner: Lita
Arnold Furious: Hopefully there's more of a reaction for Trish in Toronto than in New York on Monday. WWE are probably concerned after the flat crowd at MSG but Canada is different as Trish is more of a celebrity up there. If Trish is gone the women's division is practically dead. It'll be Mickie James, Victoria (who is almost certain to get the boot if there's no womens belt) and Lita who spends more time at Edge's side. It seems the experiment could well be at an end. So I'm picking Trish to win and it to be at least the start of the end of the division entirely.
Winner and NEW Women's champion – Trish Stratus
Julian Williams: Trish's final match in her hometown of Toronto, please WWE don't fuck this up by having her lose. After virtually rebuilding the women's division to a respectable level almost single-handedly, the woman deserves to win her final match. Then Trish can go home to enjoy her marriage and hopefully take lots and lots of backshots so that when she eventually returns, she'll have the ghetto booty she had when she first entered the E. I loves me some ghetto booty.
Winner: Trish
Michael Weyer: After all she's done for this company and the entire women's division, I don't see Trish getting a screwjob in her last match in her home country. Plus, Vince is hoping she'll come back sometime in the future so will want to let her leave on the best terms possible. And I'm sure both women will do their best to make this encounter one to remember.
WINNER AND NEW WOMAN'S CHAMPION: Trish Stratus
Chris Clarke: Swerve time!
Winner: Trish
Brian Bayless: Trish will put on a great performance at her last match. Lita most likely will win but needs to cheat. Toronto will give a standing ovation afterwards.
Winner: Lita
Brad Garoon: My hope would be for Trish to win and take the belt with her into retirement so that we won't be subjected to the torture that the WWE tries to pass as women's wrestling anymore. Unfortunately that won't happen as Lita and Edge will continue to go where only HHH and Stephanie have gone before and the women's division will be forced on us for years to come.
Winner: Lita
Jeff Small: And to think I'm almost tempted to have Carlito turn on Trish. It would totally lack logic which is right up the WWE's alley. So yup, expect Carlito to turn on Trish allowing Lita to retain.
Winner: Lita
Stuart Carapola: Canadians have a funny habit of losing their last big matches in WWE, especially if it's for a World Title.
Winner: Lita
J.D. Dunn: With no one else being hired, there aren't many directions they can go after this. Hopefully, they'll have Trish win and retire the belt in a nice moment before trying to rebuild the division again in a few months.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Mike LaFave: I have to be honest and tell you that I normally use women's matches as a piss break, but this one is different. Its Trish's going away match, the last match for possibly the best woman in the history of North American wrestling and she's facing her archrival for the championship. I think the WWE gives the Toronto fans a happy ending here with a Trish win, but they set Mickey James up for a program against Lita so while Trish wins the match, Lita keeps the belt.
Winner: Trish by count out or dq
Dan Zurbruegg: I'd love for Trish to win it with the help of the rest of the women's wrestlers, and then retire to a standing ovation.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Steve Cook: Nice of Trish to put over the young bucks on her way out.
Winner: Lita
Meehan: A Canadian having their last WWE match in Canada, and it's for a title no less!? Yeah, I'm SURE Vince is planning on letting Trish walk out of Toronto with WWE gold in tow. Sorry, Ms. Stratus -- but we can't be letting outgoing Canadian would-be champions get the best of Vince McMahon & Company, you know...
Winner: Lita, likely on the giving end of what could well be her first "screwjob" in history (snicker, snicker...)
Steve Sullivan: Rumor is a survey at the school for the obvious came back positive. In reality, Trish wins this and drops the title for a women's tournament to get started up. That way, we can get the feud between Mickie James and Beth Phoenix started again. I can't wait to see what kind of bisexual storylines Vince has been sitting on for the last few months!
Winner- Trish
Johnny Nitro (c) vs Jeff Hardy - Intercontinental Championship
Stephen Randle: I see this as similar to when Eddie Guerrero returned following rehab. This is the litmus test for Jeff: can he handle the pressure of a fairly high-profile match right out of the gates? Whether he wins or loses is irrelevant in the long run, but I have a feeling that Nitro's time as champ is done for now.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Mike Hamflett: Toughie. Jeff is unproven since his return, and it's a mighty mighty reward for coming back and not screwing up for three whole weeks. However Vince seems hard on Nitro right now, and to be honest, as bland a worker as he is, I say why not stick with him. Offbeat shenanigans aplenty in the finish though.
Winner - Johnny Nitro
Ari Berenstein: Jeff Hardy + Paint = Surrealism Reborn. Nitro + promo that got fucked up = major humiliations on the way. Still, Nitro retains to set up a future rematch and / or the return of Mick Foley.
Winner: Nitro
Andy Clark: How much do you want to bet that Nitro is still green on Sunday? (come on guys, that gives you the opportunity to make a smart ass joke) I like Jeff's potential and he really does seem to be rejuvenated during this run. Small rewards along the way are the way to keep him motivated.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy
Mathew Sforcina: Jeff Hardy, IC Champ. UGH. Nitro, IC Champ. Ugh. See the difference?
Winner, and STILL IC Champ: Johnny Nitro (Melina-ferance)
John Gregory: Nitro has athleticism, I'll give him that. And Hardy has looked better in the past 3 weeks than he ever did in TNA. They'll use Hardy's past credibility to put over Nitro here and possibly continue the feud.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
Arnold Furious: Trying to care about this one is going to be tough. Hardy has looked somewhat more motivated since his return but Nitro really isn't the guy to help him out should he start getting sloppy, like he did Monday, out there. Jeff doesn't need the belt anyway because all the girls make enough noise when he comes out there. Nitro on the other hand is just getting some momentum with the belt after the feeble ‘press conference' segment a few weeks back. Taking the title off him would be counterproductive and probably end the Melina-Nitro team that has been good at covering for each others weaknesses.
Winner – Johnny Nitro
Julian Williams: This is either going to be a disaster of epic proportions or an entertaining spotfest. The match they had on RAW a few weeks back was surprisingly fun to watch so if they exceed the quality of that match, we should have a damn good contest here. I don't see Nitro dropping the strap yet, I reserve that for Mick Foley's eventual return where he'll cause Nitro to lose his beloved title. Nitro wins here through bitch-eference from Melina.
Winner: Nitro
Michael Weyer: Another tricky one. Seeing Hardy as a singles champ is pretty weird but WWE has made a big deal about him coming back and may want to make it pay off. Of course, there's the question of how it'll effect Jeff's backstage attitude but given the cult following he has, WWE may decide to just go for it.
WINNER AND NEW IC CHAMPION: Jeff Hardy
Chris Clarke: Jeff's sober right now, but won't be soon enough. Better to get this out of the way now!!
Winner and New Champ: Jeff "Hillbilly Heroin" Hardy!
Brian Bayless: I think that this feud will continue so Melina will interfere on Nitro's behalf.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
Brad Garoon: Nitro does nothing for me as IC champ with Melina stealing all his heat, but nothing could be worse than another Jeff Hardy reign. I can't see how WWE will get Jeff over to Smackdown to reunite with Matt but we all know its coming. Perhaps Matt and Edge can put their differences aside and the Hardys will reunite on RAW to take out the Spirit Squad. Either scenario sees the lesser of two evils going over here.
Winner: Nitro
Jeff Small: As long as this match gets time and does not end with a lame DQ finish, I'll be happy. If Hardy is meant to win the IC Title, it will happen on an upcoming Raw and not a PPV.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
Stuart Carapola: Who'd have thought that Jeff would turn out to be the Hardy with the entertainment value? Assuming he doesn't oversleep and miss the PPV, I'd say he'd be a good choice to win the title.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
J.D. Dunn: Nitro is finally starting to get some traction on his own, independent of Melina. Having him lose here would be a monumentally stupid thing to do, especially considering Jeff doesn't really need the title to get himself over.
Winner: Nitro
Mike LaFave: I'm not really sure what they are going to do here. It's obvious that they are setting Nitro up for a big program against Foley, but what's not obvious is when it's going to happen and if the IC strap will be on the line like it was in his feud w/ Orton. I'll say the program is starting soon and the IC championship will not be apart of it.
Winner: (as much as it pains me to say this…) Jeff Hardy…
Dan Zurbruegg: Much like the Orton/Carlito match, this matchup could make or break the PPV. I'm not sure if you can book it incorrectly, either. You can put Hardy over by having him win it, or have Nitro put over by cheating.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
Steve Cook: Jeff Hardy still sucks. Yeah, I said it.
Winner: Johnny Nitro
Meehan: Oh man, wouldn't it be a real kick in the balls to Matt Hardy to watch Unforgiven go down in the record books as the night that BOTH Edge AND Lita AND "The Prodigal Son" Jeff Hardy walked away with WWE gold!? Matt, meanwhile, is stuck tapping out to Vito's dress and dilly-dallying in an undercard feud with Greg Helms. Dude- what happened to chapter six of the glorious WWE return story, Matt!?! If Lita's match ends as I suspect it will and the WWE Title match goes on last -- that means that (at least for an hour or so) everybody once close to Matt Hardy will have simultaneously been successful where he himself has failed. Think about it - Sunday night, 9:37pm... Edge is champion, Lita's a champion, and Jeff might well add another WWE title reign to his resume before this one's said and done.
Winner: Jeff Hardy (in WWE's hopes that a belt might keep him clean and sober)
Steve Sullivan: If they are serious about Johnny Nitro, they CANNOT let Hardy have the title here. It almost seems like the WWE is picking up with Hardy where he left off, trying to win the IC title. I don't think it's wise for two reasons, one, Nitro becomes the new Shelton Benjamin. Two, if you are serious about a Hardy Boys reunion in the future, you can't have Jeff winning gold and Matt jobbing to cruisers.
Winner- Johnny Nitro
D-Generation X vs Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and The Big Show - Hell in a Cell
Stephen Randle: Ah, it's lovely to watch the inconstant Internet turn on DX, mere months after virtually demanding it be brought back. Or maybe it's not us, it's just the fact that the entire thing is a giant waste of time that exists to let Vince be evil for thirty minutes every week. The main questions are: will Shane take a stupid dive off the cage at his advancing age, will ECW get involved, and just exactly how many times will the crowd be able to chant "You Screwed Bret" before they get bored and just start doing the Wave? Everything else is just more of the same.
Winners: D-Generation X
Mike Hamflett: Circle jerk circle jerk circle jerk. As much as I can't bear another awful moment of this torrid angle, I'm actually going to say McMahons and Show, simply because there's probably another payoff down the line. Gah, I can't even bear to think about it.
Winner: Vinnie, Shane and Show.
Ari Berenstein: Sorry Shane, time to fall off a cage to prove to Vince how much you love him. Or MAYBE...we get a call back to St.Valentine's Day Massacre and Big Show fucks up the cage panel. Or MAYBE...Shawn breaks his back again after taking the big fall. Or MAYBE...HHH beats the snot out of the McMahons and Big Show, then pins all three at once. I'm betting on one and four.
Winner: Degeneration X (NOW EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS ANGLE GET THE FUCK OFF OF THE TELEVISION!)
Andy Clark: I'm really dissappointed that Sabu was never added to this match. Anyhow, this should be fun chaos and I expect Big Show to "injure" HBK so he can finally go get that surgery he's needed since June. I actually do think that this is the end of this fued, so hooray for that.
Winners: Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, & Big Show
Mathew Sforcina: Shane takes the bump, Show gets slumped in the corner...And Vince is gonna die. And yet, I don't give a damm.
Winners: DX (Pedigree onto metal on Vince)
John Gregory: PLEASE LET IT END. Why is Big Show in this again? My only hope is some sick Shane bump or the appearance of an ECW wrestler to team with DX against Big Show. This should mark the end of the new DX.
Winners: DX
Arnold Furious: It does seem to me that they can't carry on after this show. The only thing they have left after this is to do a Survivor match featuring an assortment of guest stars as Vince tries to buy a win and DX get to hang out with some old buddies. Waltman in a one off wouldn't be a shocker. The only thing the McMahons have on their side is the Big Slow so I expect DX to have some way to neutralise that factor and then move in for the kill on Vince. I haven't enjoyed the last couple of big matches this angle has built towards and this one looks like being just as bad.
Winners - DX
Julian Williams: Dear Sweet Baby Jesus with your diaper full of glorious poop and your butter soft skin, please make this DX/McMahons feud end and get Vince and Shane off our TV for a couple months until Vince's eventual feud with Mick Foley leading up to WM23(I'm calling it now!). This feud ran its course like 2 months ago so hopefully DX will pick up the win here, get the McMahons off TV and start to feud with some actual wrestlers.
Winners: DX
Michael Weyer: With Big Show I have doubts but we all know how HHH and HBK can work magic in HITC with most anyone. Add Vince's willingless to bleed and Shane's daredevil attitude and you can expect a pretty wild match, the perfect way to end this whole thing.
WINNERS: DX
Chris Clarke: Like the faces are losing in this one!
Winner: The Midlife Crisis
Brian Bayless: I could not care less. DX is long past it's expiration date. Vince needs to go behind the camera because seeing a 60 year old man roided to the gills wrestling for a half hour is just plain ridiculous.
Winner: DX
Brad Garoon: As much as we've complained about the poor quality of some HITC matches in the past this one is sure to bite the hardest. Up until very recently this has been a complete comedy feud and the finale is HITC? There's no real animosity between Show and DX and the McMahons are as credible in a deathmatch environment as Show is in an ironman match. The fact that there's no need for this match to end this feud is made even more obvious by the fact that there's already a huge gimmick match on this very show! I just hope that Hunter and Shawn are allowed to beat up the McMahons enough to get them off TV.
Winners: DX
Jeff Small: Please God, make your triumphant return to the WWE and end this madness once and for all. Regardless of if this is their final encounter, we know HHH will pick up the victory after being pinned on Raw.
Winners: DX
Stuart Carapola: Does anybody here actually think Vince McMahon will be able to resist putting himself over in his only appearance in Hell In A Cell? Me neither, although the addition of the Big Show would be a convenient way of getting Vince and Shane out of doing the job.
Winners: Vince, Shane, & Big Show
J.D. Dunn: Honestly, the one match I would want to see out of this whole thing is a DX breakup with a heel Shawn fighting a babyface Triple H. The DX reunion has been tedious because neither guy is really in the place anymore. It's like Matthew McConaughey in "Dazed and Confused" just hanging around with the younger kids and reliving the glory days. When you have kids and a bald spot, it's time to put down the spraypaint. It's not rebellious, it's just creepy. Oh, the match. Yeah, DX will win because they're being set up not to.
Winners: DX
Mike LaFave: I'm not part of the pack that hates the DX return. I have found the majority of their segments to be very entertaining. That being said, I wish they feud w/ actual Raw WRESTLERS! DX's wins and moves on…but hopefully we'll see some cool bumps along the way.
Winners: DX
Dan Zurbruegg: As much as this storyline has grown bland, this match has all the potential in the world. Just think about it. Vince will always put on a great performance in a gimmick match. Shane will do the same and has the testicular fortitude to do a crazy bump. Michaels is the most over-dramatic seller out there. If Triple H is motivated, he could put on a show as well. And Big Show... well, he's big... I guess.
Winner: D-Generation X
Steve Cook: I really don't care.
Winners: DX
Meehan: There are very few fueds in the history of professional wrestling that I *haven't* liked. Billy and Chuck versus Three Minute Warning? No problem. Torrie Wilson versus Dawn Marie? You got it. Hogan and Bischoff versus Page and Leno!? Sure, why not. But the McMahon-overflow has pretty well rendered the dX "reunion tour" stale beyond all recognition at this point. Yes, Vince is an insanely over heel... but where does this get everybody when all is said and done? No new stars, no new feuds, and no real reason to stay tuned as we all know Michaels and Hunter are pretty much done with the dX nostalgia trip once the McMahon angle wraps up (for after all, who else on the RAW roster is *really* capable of stacking up against such a dream team at this point)? All told - the McMahon/dX storyline has completely sucked all the fun and momentum out of the reunited Michaels/HHH experiment for Mee, and I just can't see things going anywhere but back to square one (or worse, an nWo feud? Please Lord, no!) once this one's in the books. That said, though - McMahons + gimmicks + Show in cages + Michaels selling + Hunter bleeding ALWAYS sends the crowds home happy, so at least this match will be fun.
Winners: dX... though I have no real explanation as to "why," mind you.
Steve Sullivan: Is this still happening?
Winner- D-X
Edge (c) vs John Cena - TLC - WWE Championship
Stephen Randle: Once again, WWE proves it doesn't know its audience, as they've stacked the odds completely against John Cena, with the intent of him pulling out a big babyface comeback win. The only problem is, there is no way in all seven levels of hell that John Cena is going to be a face in Toronto. I was all set to believe that WWE "got it", and was set to have Edge get the big win in his hometown. Then they had to tack on the "Cena goes to Smackdown" stip, and now there's no way Cena's going to lose.
Winner: When Cena wins, Toronto riots.
Mike Hamflett: It seems so perfect that Edge go over here, truly cement his role as champion, shake off John Cena for a little while and move on to bigger things on Raw. It seems perfect that John Cena gets a fresh go of things on the taped Smackdown, gasping for a star his size just to shore up the main events against the King. Edge has his TLC records, Cena has nothing left to prove, it just makes sense that this be Edge's night. So why do I have a feeling that WWE will go totally the other way and hand it to Cena. I'll go with what I want, not what my gut is telling me.
Winner - Edge
Ari Berenstein: WHEN Toronto reminds the WWE that they hate John Cena, just remember, the crowd isn't "normal." When John Cena then wins the belt from Edge in Edge's own match in Edge's own hometown, the crowd can then remind the WWE what a riot looks like.
Winner: John the fake Marine Cena HOORAH, NEW WWE Champion
Andy Clark: This match should be glorious! How does nobody remember that it was Toronto that caused Edge's heel turn to begin with, when his own hometown booed his ass out of the building. Still, I'm sure they'll embrace him once again as he fights the anti-Christ in John Cena. While the idea of Cena on SmackDown intrigues me, it would be way to much fun to see Cena win HIS championship back right in the middle of Bizarro World. FU, Canadians!
Winner and NEW and Rightfully Deserved, World Wrestling Entertainment Champion: "The Greatest Champion of the Last Half Decade" "The Doctor of Thuganomics" John Cena!
Mathew Sforcina: Nananana, Hey hey hey, Goodbye!
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: Edge (Kennedy-ferance)
John Gregory: What is this? A match with months of history behind it? With a backstory to why they are doing this gimmick match? This could be awesome or dreadful. But it should end the same-close out the feud, and give Smackdown some much needed help.
Winner: Edge
Arnold Furious: Edge has deserved his title runs in 2006. He worked really hard and improved on his weak points. He also made himself look like a legitimate main event player off the back of the Matt Hardy feud. But I don't see him going over here. Simply because if Cena goes over to Smackdown it leaves RAW a little weak at the top end. On the babyface side of things you have HHH and Shawn Michaels and they're both stuck in this McMahon feud for at least another month I'd have thought. Sending Cena away might create room for a brief main event flirtation for Carlito but it does seem more likely that Cena simply takes the belt back as I can't see him being the one to take the big bump that will almost certainly end a TLC match.
Winner and NEW WWE champion – John Cena
Julian Williams: Ya know, a couple weeks ago I thought there was no way that Cena was losing this match, but now I'm not so sure. Cena going to Smackdown for their premiere on the CW network would garner instant interest and could turn a lot of RAW viewers into Smackdown viewers as well. I just can't see Vince taking the golden boy off the flagship show even though it would make sense in terms of longterm booking. Cena loses and then goes to SD to feud with Kennedy who's been talking smack about him for a while and in the meantime Edge feuds with HHH in a feud that's been brewing since all the way back in 2002 when they were both faces. Edge is able to keep the title throughout his battles with HHH, HBK and maybe even Carlito while Cena feuds with Kennedy, King Booker and Finlay until the Royal Rumble where Cena wins the Rumble and goes on to switch brands to challenge Edge for the title at WM23. It makes sense, but I don't see it happening because Cena being off RAW could impact RAW negatively in a huge way. So I'm looking for Cena to regain the title here, but with all the twists and turns WWE Creative have been throwing at us this year, Edge winning isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Winner: And NEEEEWWWWWWWW WWE Champion, John Cena
Michael Weyer: This is really up in the air. I am a fan of Cena and with his movie coming out, he'd get a big push as champ again. But Edge has been good as the champion too and this is his style of match. Still, with Lita about to leave, Edge is going to lose some of his heat and Cena is starting to get back some popularity so I suspect WWE might decide to put the belt back on Cena and prove the whole "jump to Smackdown" was just a red herring.
WINNER AND NEW WWE CHAMPION: John Cena
Chris Clarke: Edge goes over, thanks to the interference of... Batista???
Winner and STILL Champ: Edge!
Brian Bayless: Edge deserves the belt but I still think that they are grooming Umaga vs Cena very shortly. I could say that with Cena's movie coming out that the belt would give him more press but after the whole "May 19" deal with Kane they might use his movie to promote Smackdown's move to CW.
Winner: Edge
Brad Garoon: This is actually the only match on the show that I'm really looking forward too. Cena always steps up his game on PPV and Edge is seasoned in this match. They could actually run a great story through this match if they let Edge use the TLC elements to his advantage while Cena just tries to power through with raw skill. The end should see Cena lose and leave for Smackdown and Batista return to his rightful place on Raw, so hopefully that is what will happen.
Winner: Edge
Jeff Small: If the WWE wasn't so set on burying Smackdown, it would make the most sense to have Cena lose this match. But Raw must be the A Show and must still revolve around our least-favorite wannabe rapper. Poor Transitional Champion Edge (at least his reign was 2 months).
Winner: John Cena
Stuart Carapola: If anyone thinks for a second that John Cena is being sent to the B-Show, they're off their John Rocker.
Winner: John Cena (but may not actually take the title)
J.D. Dunn: Sending Cena to Smackdown would shore up that roster and make a ton of sense because Edge still has a lineup of babyfaces to square off against (HHH, HBK, Carlito). If Cena wins, the only money match left for him is against Orton (and some form of inevitable feud with the McMahons). If Cena went Blue again, he'd have fresh rivalries with Batista, Booker, Finlay. But that would be taking a risk with your hottest superstar, and the WWE doesn't like taking those kind of risks anymore. Cena wins. Cena stays.
Winner: John Cena
Mike LaFave: Well this is the million dollar questions isn't it? Does Edge once again find a way to get past Cena and retain his belt? Will SmackDown! SuperStars intervene causing Cena to join their show? Or, will Cena overcome the odds and once again be able to say, "The Champ Is Here!" I wrote at length in my column about why Cena needs to win this match, so if you want to know more, go check out Getting Over Shannon Moore.
Winner: and NEW WWE Champ, The Marine, John Cena!!!
Dan Zurbruegg: Honestly, Edge has a much better chance of winning than people believe. Nothing would solidify himself as Champion than a win over Cena once again, and in his hometown. I'd say Cena loses and switches over to Smackdown in time for their debut on the CW Network, but with Mr. Kennedy already booked for No Mercy, I'm not sure what they could do with him. Nonetheless, Cena moving to Smackdown would set up Batista/Cena at Wrestlemania, which is only less than seven months away. And what's the point of giving Edge a new title, when he'd just drop it anyways?
Winner: Edge
Steve Cook: Cena could use some new scenery around him. The only question is who would replace him challenging for the WWE title. Oh yeah, Triple H is still on Raw, right? And once he wins the title he can defend it against the man who beat him, Mr. McMahon. Life is good.
Winner: Edge
Meehan: Now THIS is what I'm talking about. Everything that's missing from McMahons/dX is jam packed into this often overlooked (and underbooked) program between WWE's latest torchbearers-to-be. Sure, plenty of fans will point out that this is pretty much just a Rock/Austin retread with "half the charisma of the original" -- but I thoroughly disagree. Edge is easily becoming the best natural heel in sports entertainment (and I don't even LIKE the guy!), and Cena is a charisma juggernaut - even if anyone with a penis and a driver's license refuses to "give him props, yo." If this program's lacking anything, it's hardly "charisma..." and more like main-event-level television billing. Scrap McMahons and dX, this one could easily become RAW's money feud right up and through WrestleMania.
Winner: John Cena (but I wouldn't be surprised to see the title contested due to fishy circumstances shortly thereafter)
Steve Sullivan: This is your annual setup for Survivor Series. I'm going to go ahead and spoil the whole thing for you right here. The entire Smackdown roster is going to come beat the hell out of John Cena and let Edge get the title so that Cena will come be a part of Smackdown. This will lead up to a feud between Coach and Long where they find Cena doesn't have to show up on Smackdown. So a Raw vs. Smackdown battle ensues with Cena stuck in the middle, maybe as a guest ref. Consider yourself disappointed.
