411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Cyber Sunday 2006
Posted by Stephen Randle on 11.04.2006
WWE cybers with the fans, and 411 has all sorts of predictions for this "interactive" PPV
The PPV formerly known as Taboo Tuesday has moved to a more normal Sunday date, and with it re-christened as Cyber Sunday, WWE has lined up the usual "interactive" choices to help make ever match at this PPV a more unique experience. Sure, the voting's probably fixed and most of the choices have very little to do with the outcomes, but at least we can pretend that our input matters for one day of the year. Hey, it's good practise for the midterm elections, at least.
411 will have live coverage of the PPV this Sunday starting at 8 pm EST, but for now, you can get ready for all the action by finding out what our staff thinks is going to happen during the show. We don't pretend to know the future, but we're at least half as reliable as a Magic 8-Ball, with a Fox attitude.
As always, you should never use our predictions as a basis for betting. Not that you should really bet on pro wrestling anyway, because that's one of those signs you might have a gambling addiction.
That said, let's check in on the staff and see who showed up with their predictions in hand this month.
Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience
Andy Clark, The Shimmy
Ryan Byers, The Impact Crater
Larry Csonka, disguised as a gorilla
Mathew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic
Stuart Carapola, The Week In Hardcore
Michael Melchor, Double M's Rasslin' Report
Sat, High Road/Low Road
Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor
Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told
John Meehan, Meethinks
Jeff Small, The Small-For-All News Report
Steve Sullivan, The Crystal Ball
Julian Williams, The Top Ten
All right, let's get on to the card. For this very special and unique PPV, we'll also be predicting the vote (whether it's who we would vote for or who we think will win, it's all good) in addition to the victor. We're cool like that.
Cryme Tyme vs Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs Viscera & Charlie Haas vs The Highlanders
Fans Vote For Match Stipulation: Fatal Fourway, Tag Team Turmoil, Texas Tornado
Stephen Randle: The match-up so important, it got announced on WWE.com after Raw had aired. Anyway, one of these teams is not like the others: it's getting pushed. Hey, weren't the Highlanders getting pushed last month?
Vote: Texas Tornado
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Andy Clark: Come one, how do you not pick Tag Team Turmoil? I wish they would have added Hacksaw & Eugene and Val & Snitsky to make it more interesting, just change the Fatal Four-Way to a Battle Royal. Anyhow, I have faith that the fans will vote with me here.
My Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Winners: Cryme Tyme (beating Cade & Murdoch in the final match)
Ryan Byers: Is the winner of this match even really in question? Shad and JTG will most definitely be picking up the victory. I just hope that the company is smart enough to shoot some kind of angle between them and the Redneck Whirling Dirvish so that Crime Time will be occupied while the Spirit Squad win the tag straps back from Flair and Dusty.
Fan Vote: Fans seem to enjoy clusters, so I'll say Texas Tornado.
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Larry Csonka: Tag Team Turmoil would work best I think. What sucks is that Cade and Murdoch have been buried through the shittiest of booking the last year, both from the losses to Kane/Show, no TV time, being treated like goofs and then DX killing them. They could have been something fun, and they will most likely lose here. The Highlanders aren't great in the ring, but were over enough to have a short run, and they'll lose. Haas and Vicera are useless. Haas should be back with Shelton since he isn't doing dick. Cryme Tyme is the new thing, but as someone already said it will be another win that translates into no title shot. Ah well.
WWE: We hate tag team wrestling.
Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Mathew Sforcina: You know, this match is kinda making me wonder if they will have the Squad win and then lose to CT the following night on Raw. Regardless, this match will be a clusterfuck of clusterfucks, so why not go ALL out and make it Tornado? That way, Cryme Tyme can steal the win.
Even Money Lawler makes that EXACT joke when they do.
Fans 'Vote': Texas Tornado
Winners: Cryme Tyme (The big one pins Haas after a Scot Drop)
Michael Melchor: Is anyone going to vote for the most confusing of the bunch, the Turmoil match? I hope not, simply because the other two sound more fun. Out of the two remaining choices, the casual fans probably forgot what a Texas Tornado match - potentially the wildest of the bunch - is. I guess it really doesn't matter as JTG and Shad are set to continue their push no matter how it happens.
My Vote: Texas Tornado
Fan's Vote: Fatal Four Way
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Sat: I've always been a big fan of Tag Team Turmoil, so lets go with that.
My Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Ari Berenstein I like elimination / gauntlet matches so let's do it Turmoil style. Also, it will be great to have Cryme Tyme win again, against almost the entire tag division...and STILL not receive a title shot.
My Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Bayani Domingo: The build to this match was incredible. This kinda attention to the Tag Division is what has been sorely lacking lately on RAW and in the "e" in general. Man, I can not WAIT to see how this match turns out. Sometimes, I hear it is hard to decipher sarcasm when it is written instead of spoken.
Vote: Texas Tornado
Winner: Newest Tag Team to Debut.
Meehan: It will be a Cryme Tyme party no matter *what* the stipulation is (and really, it'll probably wind up devolving into the same "ref loses control of these eight men") storyline we've seen a million times REGARDLESS of what rules the bout is contested under. But let's say "Tag Team Turmoil," just cause I likes the sound of it best.
Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Winner: Cryme Tyme
Jeff Small: No fatal fourway, no fatal fourway, please. I think the writing's on the wall as to the winners here as the headline for the match is "See Cryme Tyme in action." Plus no one wants to see Big Vis in action.
My Vote: Tag Team Turmoil
Fan's Vote: Fatal Four Way
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Steve Sullivan: Shoo dawg, I gotta go with my boys, yaknowwhatimean shawty.
Vote: Texas Tornado
Winner: Criz Tizzle
Julian Williams: Well these stipulations certainly suck. Would it be too much to ask for a table match, a hardcore match or even a bar room brawl? Anyway, I guess if these are the choices we're stuck with, a Texas Tornado would be the most interesting. The fans will probably vote for a Fatal Fourway, but no matter what the match is, I expect Cryme Tyme to win as they are the newest team on the scene and WWE-logic entails that all new teams must go on a two month winning streak before being jobbed out repeatedly.
My Vote: Texas Tornado
Winners: Cryme Tyme
Umaga vs Fan's Choice
Fans Vote For Umaga's Opponent: Chris Benoit, Kane, Sandman
Stephen Randle: I just hope people don't vote for Benoit, since we know Umaga's streak isn't ending here. On the other hand, it's too bad Benoit, former World Champion, isn't popular enough to win a vote against two aging midcarders.
Vote: Sandman
Winner: Umaga
Andy Clark: Anyone other than Kane would really suffice here. Unfortunately we'll probably end up with Kane. I'm holding out hope that Chris Benoit will get some support, though, just so we can see a good match. Umaga vs. Benoit would be all kinds of stiff goodness. Umaga vs. Sandman would be a lot of fun, but there is no way Sandy gets enough votes.
My Vote: Chris Benoit
Winner: Umaga (over Kane)
Ryan Byers: When you compare it with the other matches on the show, I'm surprised by how little WWE has pushed one of the options over another. However, it does seem like the obvious pick is Kane, given his recent history with the Samoan Bulldozer. As far as a winner is concerned, the time is still not right to end Umaga's undefeated streak, but I can't see Mr. Jacobs doing yet another clean job, as it would seriously devalue him on Smackdown. I'm still betting on an Umaga win . . . just one caused by interference from the MVP.
Vote: Kane
Winner: OOOOOOOOOMAGA!
Larry Csonka: WWE fans are predictable for stuff like this. Kane is popular and they will vote for him, which I will hate. Umaga can't lose yet.
Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga
Mathew Sforcina: For the record, I personally feel the entire vote is rigged, (since no-one has yet given me a satisfactory reason as to how the hell Mankind won a vote out of him, Dude and Cactus), so the 'my vote' segment is merely what I hope to see, and not that I actually voted, since I didn't bother. So, onto predictions. Umaga will win. Shocking, I know.
My 'Vote': The Sandman
Winner: Umaga (The usual, except without cigar since Sandman will have already stolen and smoked it, since they'll pick him to make that one visual gag, ala Mankind and the afro-sock).
Stuart Carapola: Let me start by saying that I am certain that while this thing might not be rigged in the classic sense, I have no doubt that vince will have everyone in the office spend all afternoon voting over and over to achieve the desired result. This defeats the entire purpose of the show, and makes the whole thing a complete joke. I don't know why they even bother. But having gotten that out of the way, the thing to keep in mind about this match is that Umaga's not losing here, so whoever wins the vote is necessarily going to do the job, unless they cop out and have a DQ or countout finish, but I don't see that. I certainly don't want to see Benoit doing the job already, so that leaves Kane and Sandman, but I'll go with Kane since he means nearly nothing these days.
My Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga
Michael Melchor: I would go into elaborate discussion about how neat it would be to see Benoit attempt to wrestle circles around Umaga, or how fun it would be to watch he and Sandman engage in an all-out brawl, but why bother? It's damn near a foregone conclusion who's going to be voted in – and he's STILL gonna lose because no one knows how to do an "undefeated monster" angle right anymore.
My Vote: Anyone other than...
Fan's Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga
Sat: It's pretty obvious who the fans are going to pick and who is going to win. Kane will get picked and lose to Umaga.
Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga
Ari Berenstein: The world was meant to see Umaga vs. Sandman. It is just too good a combination not to happen.
My Vote: Sandman
Winner: Umaga
Bayani Domingo: Oh man, Kane vs umaga part Dos?? The master of the deadly thumb vs the master of the beer can blade job. I think it's pretty obvious who the fans should, and WILL vote for. Eugene.
Vote: The Canadian Bulldozer.
Winner: The dude with the killer thumb.
Meehan: Sandman has been pushed the hardest, so I think he's a lock to be in the match. Putting Benoit up to the challenge would definitely make for the more intriguing booking in the long run (would they really let Umaga get a cheap win over the renewed and fresh-off-sabbatical Benoit?), but any other of the options ultimately just leaves us with the same outcome. Sorry Sandfans, but OOOOmaga has got this one on lockdown.
Vote: Sandman
Winner: Umaga
Jeff Small: Has there even been any build to this match? Has Sandman or Benoit even mentioned Umaga in the last eight months. What lazy ass booking. Speaking of which, Umaga wins with the spike regardless of who he faces.
My Vote: Chris Benoit
Fan's Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga
Steve Sullivan: I say your vote because what I want to see, won't happen. Fans will vote for Kane because they feel sorry for him and want to see him get revenge on Umaga. That's right, feel sorry for the big red psycho who "killed his parents". Kane goes crazy with a chair. If Sandman actually gets in, replace the chair with the cane. One way or the other, Umaga is going to get some Kane/Cane.
Vote: Kane
Winner: Umaga by DQ
Julian Williams: Anybody but Kane. Anybody but Kane. Anybody but Kane. Anybody but Kane. Anybody but Kane.
My Vote: Anybody but Kane. (More specifically, Chris Benoit)
Winner: UUUUUUUUMMMMMAAAAAGGGGAAAAAAA!!
D-Generation X vs Edge and Randy Orton
Fans Vote For Special Referee: Eric Bischoff, The Coach, Vince McMahon
Stephen Randle: Well, at least they aren't feuding with the McMahons directly anymore. The match might be decent, but I bet it gets overshadowed by unnecessary shenanigans. Anyway, DX has dominated leading up to the PPV, so Edge and Orton get the cheap win. Of course, the Spirit Squad never really got to win either, so...
Vote: Eric Bischoff
Winners: Edge and Orton
Andy Clark: Eric Bischoff is the obvious choice, and he's also the most interesting. Edge & Orton SHOULD win, but I have no reason to believe they will. I think so sort of screwjob ending is in order, especially since "controversy creates cash."
My Vote: Eric Bischoff
Winners: DX (Bischoff turns on Edge & Orton, rebelling against Vince McMahon, setting the wheels in motion for a match at WrestleMania 23. Come on, you know Vince wants to beat up Bischoff in front of 70,000 people)
Ryan Byers: Jesus, what an abysmally booked feud this has been. The bad guys lose to the good guys week after week after week, and now we're supposed to pay to see the bad guys cheat to win. It's like the creative team wrote the story arc on Opposite Day. Really, though, with DX having gone over so strong leading up to this show, I'd imagine that Edge and Orton finally have to get a victory in order to keep them from being completely buried. Then again, I said the same thing about Orton vs. Hogan at Summerslam, and look how well that one worked out for me.
Vote: It doesn't really matter. The outcome will be the same anyway. We'll just say Vince.
Winner: The Rated RKO Superstars
Larry Csonka: Same old shit. I hope it isn't but history tells me otherwise.
Vote: Vince McMahon
Winner: DX
Mathew Sforcina: Hands up who honestly think DX will lose. You're all really stupid.
My 'Vote': Eric Bischoff
Winners: DX (The Usual)
Stuart Carapola: The referee is meaningless here, as they all supposedly want to screw DX out of the win, so if we take that element out of the equation, DX has been the biggest thing going in WWE this year, and if they're going to do a job to Orton and Edge, I don't think it's going to be here. Also, even though I think the whole thing is rigged, if there was one vote Vince would want to get his hands in, it would be this one.
My Vote: Vince McMahon
Winners: DX
Michael Melchor: The way this is leaning, Eric Bischoff seems to be the frontrunner. That'd be interesting to add him to the feud with the whole angle that "you guys ripped off my nWo!" He could help Edge and Orton score an actual win, thereby saving what's damn-near a dead feud already. I don't think McMahon will get the nod (since he's almost becoming a ‘tweener until the rumored Foley program) and no one's voting for Coach to get his revenge for this past Monday. Otherwise, why would he have won by 70%+ to get his ass handed to him by Cena?
Vote: Eric Bischoff
Winner: Edge/Orton
Sat: All of the special referees are siding with Orton and Edge, so the outcome is obvious.
Vote: Eric Bischoff
Winner: Edge and Randy Orton
Ari Berenstein: If Triple H doesn't care who will be the special guest referee, why should I? and if D-X has already handed Edge and Randy Orton their ass, why should I care if they do it one more time here?
My Vote: Vince McMahon
Winner: D-X
Bayani Domingo: Man, Edge and Orton have been buried deeper than my secret dream to one day star on Broadway as Rum Tum Tugger in "Cats". Uh...I mean to say... Suck it?
Vote: Doesn't matter but I'll go with the Bisch
Winner: Degeneration Grave Diggers
Meehan: Despite the fact that I'm somewhat put off by the fact that *every year's* "fan interactive PPV tends to be filled with a card-full of matches that pretty well render the notion of "free will" to the point of "illusion" - I for one am PUMPED to see Bisch back on WWE programming, as I still believe he has a lot to offer as an onscreen persona. Go back and watch the glory-days of the Monday Night Wars to see what I'm talking about! Anyhow - winners in this one? Gotta go with the Edge/Orton Can-Am Connection, as they've been made to look like chumps thus far - and they're in desperate need of a win here if the feud is to continue.
Vote: Easy E
Winners: Rated RKO
Jeff Small: On Monday we learned that Triple H > Edge and Randy Orton. So why are we even having this match?
My Vote: Eric Bischoff
Fan's Vote: Vince McMahon
Winners: Edge and Orton
Steve Sullivan: It really doesn't matter here. D-X is going to escape this one with a win. Bischoff will get the crap beat out of him and that's the only positive I se coming out of this.
Vote: Eric Bischoff
Winners- Edge & Orton
Julian Williams: Out of all the stipulations they could have come up with for these two teams, the best they could come up with is the special ref stip? My biggest fear is that Vince will win the vote and this will just be a continuation of the DX/McMahons feud with Vince using Edge and Orton as his heavies. Let's all pray that this isnt the case and this is a one time deal so we can see Vince as far away from this feud as possible.
My Vote: Bischoff
Winners: Edge and Orton
Mickie James vs Lita - Women's Championship
Fans Vote For Match Stipulation: No DQ, Diva Lumberjacks, Submission
Stephen Randle: Lita's contract ends December 1. I don't think they'll do a one-month title reign, but one never knows.
Vote: Lumberjacks
Winner: Mickie James
Andy Clark: This match could be very interesting. Hopefully the fans won't vote for the Diva Lumberjack Match, but I doubt it.
My Vote: Submission Match
Winner and NEW Women's Champion: Mickie James (when Lita gets turned on by the Lumberjills)
Ryan Byers: Odd how Mickie is magically no longer a lesbian now that she's supposed to be a face. How stupid was WWE to not realize that sort of behavior was what was turning her in the first place? Anyway, with Lita on her way out the door, we need to get the belt on to somebody else, and Mickie's the best choice. Sadly, I'd put money on her being among the last if not the last Women's Champion for several years.
Vote: The perverts will want to see more implants, so I'll go with lumberjacks.
Winner: Mickie James
Larry Csonka: The "Lumber-Jill" match is the "sexiest" stipulation available so that is what the sheep will chose. Lita takes the title through debauchery setting up Mickie for the big win before Lita leaves soon.
Vote: Lumber-Jill Match
Winner: Lita
Mathew Sforcina: James needs to go after the belt a bit more. Ergo, Lita screws over everyone to win the belt. As usual.
My 'Vote': Lumber-Jill match...your god that's a stupid term.
Winner, and NEW WWE Women's Champion: Lita (Melina/Victoria beatdown)
Stuart Carapola: What, no cute outfit vote this year? Bummer. As much as I love Mickie (and thinks she's gorgeous), I get the feeling Lita's getting her title back here.
My Vote: Diva Lumberjacks (because it would be the most absurdly entertaining of the choices)
Winner: Lita
Michael Melchor: I'd be all about a Submission Match since we're dealing with two ladies that can actually work. Alas, leave it to the (m)asses to go with one of the other two choices. And since, surprisingly, WWE hasn't pushed the hell out of their usual "tease" option, I'd say the middle one is our winner. That being the case, I say Mickie continues the "new Trish" push despite the fact that no one's explained her character's sudden turnaround.
My Vote: Submission
Fan's Vote: No DQ
Winner: Mickie James
Sat: Seems to be that Lita will win and start to feud with Mickie.
Vote: Submission
Winner: Lita
Ari Berenstein: James is the heiress apparent to the women's division. Lita will put her over here,
My Vote: Diva's Lumberjill
Winner: Mickie James
Bayani Domingo: I was hoping for Victoria vs Mickie, but I'd settle for this. Still not sure how Mickie suddenly became a face, but at least we didn't end up with Maria vs Candice. Clearly Lita is close to retirement so Mickie going over makes sense.
Vote: ‘Anal Ease' on a Pole Ma...I mean, Submission.
Winner: Usually I'd say Lita submits to anything...but Mickie gets the win
Meehan: Because fans are easily lured by the promise of boobs (the more the merrier, no?) - I'm mighty inclined to believe the obvious vote-getter here will be for the Diva Lumberjanes... just so WWE can trot out as many beauties as possible in one show's time. No DQ would be the better choice, in my humble opinion... if only because it would force WWE to get creative in giving fans a reason for Mickie's revenge match (which you just KNOW will take place at Survivor Series), as Lita's inevitable cheat-to-win victory to be (technically speaking) "as legal as a wristlock."
Vote: Diva Lumberjanes
Winner: Lita
Jeff Small: I will laugh my ass off if the submission stipulation gets picked. Almost as much as I did watching Mickie James stumble through her first visit at the announce tables. Considering Lita's gone in one month, it really makes no sense for her to win.
My Vote: Submission
Fan's Vote: Diva's Lumberjills
Winner: Mickie James
Steve Sullivan: In honor or Lita's acting career, I'm going to act like I care about this. Wait for it. Nope...not happening. Mickie was stripped of the belt so Trish could win it back. Now that she's gone and we got that over with, let's get back to where we were. Which was nowhere.
Vote: Diva Lumberjacks
Winner- Mickie James
Julian Williams: Why oh why is my precious Mickie a face? I miss my favorite crazy psycho bitch. This is just like when they turned Victoria from a crazy, vicious bitch to a lovable dancer overnight. But I digress. Since Lita is allegedly going to be retiring shortly after Survivor Series, I would expect that Mickie wins the title here and goes on to feud with......Hell if I know.
My Vote: No DQ
Winner: Mickie James
The Spirit Squad (c) vs Ric Flair & Fan's Choice - World Tag Team Championship
Stephen Randle: See, normally you'd bring back legends to help new characters get over. WWE prefers to bring back legends to wrestle full schedules instead of new guys they've failed to get over due to crappy writing.
Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winners: Flair and Rhodes
Andy Clark: Please, dear God, DON'T LET IT BE DUSTY RHODES. The less of him on my screen the better.
My Vote: Roddy Piper
Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ric Flair & Roddy Piper
Ryan Byers: WOOOOO! For the last two years, WWE has featured a title change based on fan voting on its "interactive" PPVs. It makes sense, as it leaves the fans with the feeling that they actually affected something . . . even if it was the result that the company was planning on going with all along. This seems to be the match in which they'll do the change this year, as the Spirit Squad are on a huge losing streak, and having them trade the titles back and forth with the legends in about a week won't hurt them any more than they already have been.
Vote: This is one of the more interesting outcomes on the show. The way TV has been booked, it seems like WWE wants Dusty in the match, and that's certainly the most intriguing storyline idea given the history between Flair & Rhodes. However, part of me feels that Piper might get the nod, because this is still WWE, where he was a much bigger star than Big Dust. I'll flip a coin and predict Dusty, though.
Winners: Flair & Rhodes
Larry Csonka: The Spirit Squad is dead and HAS been dead for moths due to the DX feud. Let Flair and Dusty ride once again, hell, at least well get great promos, Dusty's music and both of them dancing wacky! Also, this could lead to that "one last match" they both want to have. The promos leading to that would be tremendous, I am all for this.
Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winner: Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes
Mathew Sforcina: I'd have liked this to be a total schmozz to set up the Survivor Series match, but we can just go with the smart option that sets up the revenge SS match.
My 'Vote': 'Rowdy' 'Roddy' 'Piper'
Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Ric Flair and Whoever (Figure 4 Leg Lock/Sleeper OR Cobra Clutch OR Second Figure 4 Combo)
Stuart Carapola: I don't think we even need to debate whether or not the Spirit Squad is doing the job here, but which ancient, jiggly, recently reanimated corpse is going to be Flair's partner? I've seen enough of Piper and Slaughter this year, get Dusty out here, and make him wear tights instead of that jeans crap he's been doing for ten years or so. We need the splotch! Also, can you imagine how low his boobs are sagging these days? OH OH OH, and make him wear the polka dot tights and come out to his old WWF music from the 80s! Hey, and what's Sapphire doing these days? Oh yeah. Nevermind.
My Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winners: Flair & Whoever
Michael Melchor: This is the one match I have gone to WWE.com and voted on. Slaughter is a perennial fave and people love to see Roddy lose his mind, but when's the last time anyone saw Dusty Rhodes this involved? If I get to see this show at all, this is why I will. I'll admit it – I'm almost taken back 20 years to being a star-eyed fan at the thought of seeing these two in the same ring. That they're partners is a first ever (as far as I can recall) and it'd be worth every penny for me to see both Ric and Dusty strut after clearing the ring. It'd be even more awesome (damn their ages and popular internet opinion) to see them win and then turn on each other, setting up a Legends Match at WrestleMania 23.
Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winner: Flair/Rhodes
Sat: The Spirit Squad is definitely losing here.
Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winner: Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes
Ari Berenstein: if this vote wasn't rigged, the fans would still go with Dusty baby. I'd love for it to be Piper given their close friendship behind the scenes and how cool it would be to see them together playing off each other in the ring. But it will probably be Dusty. Nothing like a pair of near septugenarians challenging twenty year olds for a title and winning it.
My Vote: Roddy Piper
Winner: Flair and partner
Bayani Domingo: Yeah...I got no clue why this is happening. Kenny is going solo so could cost the Squad the match, or turn on them after the match. Either way...who cares?
Vote: Repo Man....or Dusty, either/or.
Winner: Fruity Squad, then Kenny beat down
Meehan: Wheel the Dustah man tag team with his longtime rahhval Ric Flayuhhh? Oh you bettah buleeve it, baby doll - the Uhmmereecon Dureeem is gonna flip, he's gonna' flop and you bettah buleeve he's gonna flah, by golly - ALL over 'dem no good Spirit Squad punkahs, if you wheeeeel.
... I got nothin'.
Vote: Dusty
Winner: The Old Timers
Jeff Small: It has to be the dream. It just has to.
My Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Fan's Vote: Roddy Piper
Winners: the Spirit Squad
Steve Sullivan: I gotta admit, the promos these three made on Raw last Monday made me mark out harder than I had in a long time. Slaughter is always out there jobbing but little do we forget how great he was on the mic. I really wanted to see Slaughter get this but, because we've seen Slaughter in a ring recently and Piper beat the Spirit Squad last with The Highlanders...I guess we'll stick the dream in there. It doesn't matter though. The titles aren't changing hands.
Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winners- The Spirit Squad by DQ
Julian Williams: It's kind of sad when one of the more intriguing matches on a wrestling card involve wrestlers that are damn near 60. Flair has been making this feud interesting with some great promos as well as frequently bringing out his legendary friends. At first I wanted to see Piper win this, but I must admit that it would be kind of cool to see The Nature Boy and The Dream as tag champs. I see this match as the final straw for the Spirit Squad before they split for good.
My Vote: Dusty Rhodes
Winners: Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes
Jeff Hardy (c) vs Fan's Choice - Intercontinental Championship
Fans Vote For Hardy's Opponent: Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, Johnny Nitro
Stephen Randle: Fairly sure the face in the voting wins the vote, although it'd make more sense for Shelton or Nitro to face Hardy. This is just a stopgap so this long game of musical opponents can continue.
Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Andy Clark: Well, there is only one face in this match, although Shelton is still pretty popular. I think a match up with either Carlito or Shelton would be good, although there is more chance of a carwreck with Hardy-Shelton.
My Vote: Carlito
Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy
Ryan Byers: I'm really sick of seeing all of these men wrestle each other. Every time I tune in to Raw, I'm watching some combination of at least three of them. Worst of all, the match never winds up being good. It's time for WWE to shit or get off the pot. Either elevate one of these men or release them all. (Hint: If you elevate one of them, make it Nitro.)
Vote: Carlito has clearly been booked as the strongest of the whole lot, and he's the only major face. I'd be amazed if it wasn't him. I wish it was Super Crazy, though.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Larry Csonka: This will either be a good match, or a train wreck and that is no matter who is against Hardy.
Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Mathew Sforcina: Ok, either get Jeff on SD where he can do some good or have him reactivate the Euro title. Quickly.
My 'Vote': Carlito
Winner, and NEW WWE IC Champion: Whoever (Interference from Melina/Torrie/Joy/Charlie Haas/Someone)
Stuart Carapola: I would vote for Shelton in a second...if I planned on voting. Or if I thought he had any chance of winning this vote. Or if he won the vote, if he would have a hope in hell of getting that title back. Honestly, this match just depressed me because Shelton is light years ahead of any of these guys. Whoever it is might actually have a shot at winning the title here, but I'll go with Carlito since he's the only one of these guys the fans care about.
My Vote: Shelton Benjamin (but I think Carlito will win)
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Michael Melchor: Way to confuse the shit out of your buying public here – push a particular face to square off against another popular gent over the belt. I'd like to see Shelton win the vote and the belt after one hell of a match, but I know full well that that's not "cool" enough for WWE or its general audience.
My Vote: Shelton Benjamin
Fan's Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Sat: Only one obvious choice here and he win the title too.
Vote: Carlito
Winner: Carlito
Ari Berenstein: What happened to Super Crazy and Chris Masters? I thought we got to vote them in also? Nothing like eliminating the REAL fans choice in Super Crazy.
My Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Bayani Domingo: Oh lord, why didn't K-Fed get a slot? This is one of the few matches that may surprise a few people. No real bad match ups here, but it's clear the "e" is pulling for Carlito, so I say, f*ck it and go with the "e" version of K-Fed.
Vote: Johnny "Monday" Nitro
Winner: Nitro. Sorry, I hate Hardy even though he'll actually win
Meehan: Gee, I *wonder* if Carlito is gonna' get the nod here? Should be a fun little match if he does... but expect some mandatory Nitro-ference to set up the next logical progam with whoever walks out of this match as the champion. With a Torrie pairing in the works, Carlito is on track for yet another dance with uppermidcard glass ceiling stardom - which means the 'E could go the easy way and give him a belt for his troubles. Not like he *needs* either Torrie OR the IC title to remain over, of course. As such, I'll go with my gut and say look for Hardy to retain here simply because it will lead to an immediate program with Nitro (and perhaps even Carlito) in the near future.
Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Jeff Small: Where's Super Crazy for this one? Hell, where's Masters? Both have a better shot at winning than Johnny Nitro, who just came off of a feud with Hardy. As much as I would like Shelton Benjamin to pick up the vote here, that won't happen.
My Vote: Shelton Benjamin
Fan's Vote: Carlito
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Steve Sullivan: The only thing this makes is Shelton Benjamin's new gimmick. Because you won't vote for a black man, he's going to be held down. Expect to see this on your TV over the next few weeks. As for Carlito, getting the IC strap back on him as at least a step in the right direction for getting him back into the WWE Title picture. And that's cool. Plus everytime the IC title is on the line at a pay-per-view, that's usually the one that changes, so yeah. There ya go.
Vote: Carlito
Winner and NEW IC Champion- Carlito (thanks to Shelton interfering)
Julian Williams: I think that no matter who wins the vote, this will wind up being a very good match. Hardy has been very motivated since making his return and has had numerous good outings. I must admit that a Carlito/Hardy match is intriguing and that's probably what the fans will vote for, but I got to stick with the Brotherman and go with my man Shelton.
My Vote: Shelton Benjamin
Winner: Jeff Hardy
John Cena vs Big Show vs King Booker - Triple Threat Match
Fans Vote For Which Title Is Defended: WWE Championship, ECW Championship, World Heavyweight Championship
Stephen Randle: For the very first time, all three major titles will be defended in a single match...at the traditionally lowest-bought PPV in history. Well, it's stunt booking, all right. But it's probably also going too far. Anyway, either Cena's title is on the line, and he wins, or it ends in a giant schmozz. Whatever. I really shouldn't be so blase about this, should I? Who do I see about that?
Vote: WWE Championship
Winner: John Cena
Andy Clark: I'm really looking forward to this match as it's one of the most unpredictable main events in recent history. Any of these three could win the match, and the ECW World Title is the only one that doesn't stand a chance of getting picked. Most will say that whoever's title is on the line will be the one that wins, but I think WWE needs to deliver on a title change this year. I'm not sure whether Booker or Cena's title will be on the line, so this makes it hard to guess.
My Vote: World Heavyweight Title
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: John Cena
Ryan Byers: You know, for a match that is supposedly so "epic," this feels like it's an afterthought compared to the DX bout. Maybe that has something to do wit the fact that this "title vs. title vs. title" match was set up by the actions of general managers as opposed to wrestlers. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that there have only been three weeks of build. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that professional wrestling companies have completely devalued titles in 2006. Whatever the cause, this is a major snoozer.
Vote: WWE is hinting that they want the Raw Title on the line, so that's probably what will happen. However, you'd think that if the fans REALLY liked Cena, they'd vote for the Smackdown or ECW Championships so that their hero could keep his belt no matter what.
Winner: John Cena
Larry Csonka: For an "Epic" Champions of Champions match, they have done a pretty piss poor job of making it seem important. Match should be ok, and Super-Cena comes out on top, while his movie bottoms out.
Vote: WWE Title
Winner: John Cena
Mathew Sforcina: There are 2, and only 2, ways this match goes down. Either Cena makes Booker tap to retain his belt, or this ends as a giant 3 brand brawl. I'd prefer the second, visually.
My 'Vote': ECW Title. Just coz.
Winner: No-one (Big fat brawl)
Stuart Carapola: I get the feeling we might get swerved on this one. WWE knows that everybody's expecting Cena to win because he's Cena. the possibility (and likelihood) that his title will not be on the line gives us a little bit of leeway with the booking. I doubt that the ECW Title's winning the vote, so if we're left with Cena's title or Booker's, I'm going to expect Booker's to be on the line. I don't expect Big Show to take the fall in any scenario. So in the end, if Cena's title is on the line, he gets the fall on Booker, and if Booker's title is on the line, he gets the fall on Cena. I'm going to pick Booker to win this one, which will probably lead to more appearances by Cena on Smackdown.
My Vote: World Heavyweight Championship
Winner: King Booker
Michael Melchor: I'm sorry, did I say that the IC Title match was confusing? Instead of letting people vote for one of the heels to lose their respective titles, they're swaying the vote so that John Cena defends – and keeps – his WWE Title. Alas, I'd rather see Show defend his so that 1) he could attempt to prove his claim of being the most dominant champion ever, and 2) he could fail and ECW actually gets shaken up a bit, prompting me to watch the show again.
My Vote: ECW Title
Fan's Vote: WWE Title
Winner: John Cena
Sat: The WWE is hinting at wanting the WWE Title to be on the line, so that is what is going to happen.
Vote: WWE Title
Winner: John Cena
Ari Berenstein: WWE Triple Threats have a history of being solid to very good matches and I'm thinking this one will deliver well. King Booker is on fire right now with his act. Big Show once looked dominant but is very vulnerable lately with two losses to RVD and John Cena is the man right now. Not even an appearance by Kevin Federline on the PPV will stop him from winning the match,
My Vote: WWE Championship on the line
Winner: John Cena
Bayani Domingo: Either Cena wins and defends his belt, or he gets taken out by 25 other ECW/Smackdown wrestlers and King Booker takes it. I hear rumors of Big Show retiring, but I think he drops the belt on ECW instead. Goodness knows they need the ratings. I am intrigued by this match, but with Cena being pushed as Hulk Hogan Jr. it will take a stroke of genius booking for this to not be a disappointing ending.
Vote: ECW. Aka Extreme Rules.
Winner: Cena....who else?
Meehan: Remember back when all of us IWC "smart" fans first championed the brand extension? And remember when we all couldn't help but dream of the day when the two (now three) brands' respective champions would FINALLY go at it in a head-to-head contest to see which show would ultimately reign supreme? Well here's that "dream match," fellas... and frankly, it just doesn't seem to live up to expectations. Back when there were *really* two distinct wrasslin programs for fans to choose between, feuds like Goldberg (as WCW Champ) vs. Austin (as WWF champ) would have been a crazy draw. Just after WrestleMania XX, Benoit (as RAW's World Champion) and Eddie (as Smackdown!'s WWE champion) could have done INCREDIBLE numbers. And heck - even such modern-day rival champs like Christian (as NWA champ) versus Edge (as WWE Champ) would likewise have made for a heck of a contest. Instead - we get Cena, Show and Booker T... not exactly taylor-made for "must see" television, ya' know? And with Cena's title likely to be on the line in this one... don't expect any "must see" outcomes to this match either -- as we can pretty much *all* guess who's entrance music will be filling the arena by the time this one's all said and done.
Vote: Cena's WWE Title
Winner: Cena
Jeff Small: And to think this feud will be extended through Survivor Series. Yawn.
My Vote: ECW Championship
Fan's Vote: WWE Championship
Winner: John Cena
Steve Sullivan: Just another way to try and shove the idea that John Cena is cool and the greatest the company has to offer. It doesn't matter who wins here, if a title changes hands, I'll be shocked. But it would make for an awesome leadup to Survivor Series.
Vote: WWE Title
Winner- John Cena
Julian Williams: There's a little bit of a problem I have with this match. I think the 'E wants us to vote for Cena's title to be on the line, but why the hell would the fans, most of whom are probably Cena fans, vote for Cena's title to be on the line? If the WWE title winds up being defended, I'll know that the fix is in. Either way, I think it's obvious that the WWE wants Cena to be the Champions of Champions so look for his title to be defended and for him to pick up the W here.
