Keys to the Game 4.28.07: Four’s a Crowd
Posted by Joe Estee on 04.28.2007
Four men enter. One man leaves with the WWE Championship. Actually...one man might not even make it to Backlash.
A Fatal Four Way is a multi-competitor match in which four wrestlers compete under standard rules, the exception being that victory is usually restricted to a pin fall or submission. This format is non-elimination, meaning that all competitors remain in the bout until a single decision. A champion in this contest holds none of the advantages of a standard match; they need not be involved in the finish for the title to change hands.
This Sunday at Backlash, John Cena will attempt to safeguard his coveted WWE Championship against three of the most dangerous competitors in professional wrestling today.
THE PLAYERS
Name: John Cena
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 240 lbs
From: West Newbury, Mass
Signature Moves: FU, STFU
Career Highlights: United States Champion (3x), WWE Champion (3x) World Tag Team Champion, PWI 2006 Wrestler of the Year, WWE Magazine 2006 Superstar of the Year
John Cena is the current reigning WWE Champion and has dominated the division over the past two years. Cena has several championship victories over Edge as well as a key title defense against Shawn Michaels last month at WrestleMania.
Name: Shawn Michaels
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225 lbs
From: San Antonio, Texas
Signature Moves: Sweet Chin Music
Career Highlights: WWE Champion (3x), World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble Winner (1995 & 1996), Intercontinental Champion (3x), WWE World Tag Team Champion (4x), AWA World Tag Team Champion (2x), European Champion, Fourth Triple Crown Champion, First Grand Slam Champion
Failing to capture the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 23, Michaels has turned his undivided attention to attaining that goal. Just weeks ago, Michaels intentionally sabotaged his World Tag Team Title reign with Cena in an effort to minimize distractions. In an epic match-of-the-year candidate, Michaels handed John Cena his first clean defeat in over three years this past Monday night on RAW.
Name: Edge
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 240 lbs
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Signature Moves: Spear
Career Highlights: WWE Champion (2x), World Tag Team Champion (11x), WWE Tag Team Champion, Intercontinental Champion (5x), WCW United States Champion, Fourteenth Triple Crown Champion, 2005 Money in the Bank Winner
One of the more highly decorated superstars in WWE history, Edge is coming off a fruitful year that saw him capture his first two WWE Championships as well as adding a twelfth World Tag Team title reign to his résumé. Edge may possess a particular advantage in this match, as he was able to capture this title in a Triple Threat Match last year.
Name: Randy Orton
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 245 lbs
From: St. Louis
Signature Moves: RKO
Career Highlights: Youngest World Champion in history, Intercontinental Champion, World Tag Team Champion, PWI 2001 Rookie of the Year, Seventeenth Triple Crown Champion
In 2004, this third generation superstar followed up one of the most remarkable Intercontinental Title reigns in ten years by becoming the youngest World Champion in the history of the sport. Nevertheless, since that peak Orton has languished just above mediocrity in regards to championships. He was briefly engaged in competition for the World Heavyweight Championship last year on the SmackDown! brand, and recently had a brief World Tag Team Title run with Edge. This Sunday at Backlash will represent Orton's first true opportunity at the coveted WWE Championship. Due to a rumored behavioral issue that resulted in an early departure from last week's overseas tour, Orton's involvement in Sunday's competition is in question.
RECENT HISTORY
Since the Royal Rumble, these four men have been linked to each other in a variety of ways. Michaels secured victory in a Triple Threat Match against Edge and Orton for the right to challenge John Cena at WrestleMania 23. Michaels and Cena also seized the World Tag Team Championship from Edge & Orton (Rated RKO). Since that time, the two teams' chemistry has ranged from unstable to downright caustic. Michaels made a point to watch Cena's back in the month leading up to WrestleMania, and has since rescinded that protection. While Edge and Orton's alliance has always been unholy, it has now become uneasy as well, with neither man fully trusting the other.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Experience
With all four participants in this Sunday's title match having already attained the designation of being Triple Crown Champions,* Experience is almost negligible.
However, Edge, having collected twenty championship victories in his career, has established his aptitude in regards to seizing the moment, and in any multi-competitor match, recognizing opportunity could be the "Key to the Game." ADVANTAGE - Edge
*John Cena's Triple Crown status is unclear because WWE has never clarified if the United States Championship is considered as equal to the Intercontinental Championship as a second-tier title
Resiliency
While Cena and Michaels certainly rank amongst the most durable superstars in the WWE, they are also both coming off an epic fifty-five minute marathon against each other while both Edge and Orton have both enjoyed comparatively lighter schedules since WrestleMania, thus somewhat evening the playing field.
And while John Cena's legacy may well be defined by his astonishing resiliency, this past Monday Night, The Heartbreak Kid elevated his own legendary endurance to an entirely new plane. ADVANTAGE – Shawn Michaels
Power
At present time few can rival the pure strength of WWE Champion John Cena, although strength and power alone won't secure victory this Sunday. ADVANTAGE – John Cena
Intensity
Hasty instincts award John Cena the advantage in this category. Yet once again, Monday night's stellar performance by HBK weighs heavily into this week's dialogue. Shawn Michaels simply would not relent despite all of Cena's labors to the contrary. How then could this balance not fall in the favor of the Heartbreak Kid? ADVANTAGE – Shawn Michaels
Finisher
While all participants possess powerful finishers, a Fatal Four Way gala can place somewhat of an unusual twist on their effectiveness. With two other men looking to break up any impending pin fall, a swift move and cover is vital to obtain victory. For instance, ballistic closers like Edge's Spear or submission maneuvers like John Cena's STFU are less effective. Both Michael's Sweet Chin Music and Orton's RKO can manifest in practically any situation, making them much more attractive for this particular contest. However, Shawn Michaels has demonstrated his ability to close out matches with more efficiency and regularity. ADVANTAGE – Shawn Michaels
Psychology
With that victory over Cena four days ago, Shawn Michaels has completely swung momentum's pendulum to his side. Surely, Edge and Orton must have at first relished watching their future opponents expending the totality of their ability and endurance until the striking realization that in a mere six day's time, Edge and Orton themselves would not only face this level of ability and endurance but have to exceed it were they to entertain any hopes of victory.
As to the two participants in this instant classic, John Cena's walk back to the locker room Monday night showed his self-confidence had clearly been shaken. Michaels, on the other hand, had made a statement to all: he was indeed the better man. Whether or not Cena can harness this doubt as fuel for motivation remains to be seen. ADVANTAGE – Shawn Michaels
Intangibles
Fifty-five Minutes - While Edge and Orton will be at 100% come Sunday, it remains to be seen just how much of a toll did Monday night took on Cena and Michaels.
Three's Company - At present it is unknown how harsh the disciplinary action that WWE took against Randy Orton will amount to. It is also unknown if Edge would benefit from Orton's attendance or absence.
Unholy Alliance – If Rated RKO can coexist this Sunday, it most assuredly won't last for long. And while Edge typically has been the first to turn on the partnership, don't count out Orton's ability to backstab either. ADVANTAGE - Edge
KEYS TO VICTORY
John Cena
Cena needs to bear in mind that Sunday is about retaining his title and not about Shawn Michaels. Should he forget the other competitors, he's done. Cena also needs to shake off his defeat on Monday night, and keep his head in the present.
Shawn Michaels
Much like Cena, HBK must consider the other opponents involved in this contest. While HBK can certainly ride his current momentum into the match, he'll also need to keep his focus on here and now as his victory against Cena earns him nothing come Sunday.
Edge
Edge has positioned himself to claim his third WWE Championship. Both Cena and Michaels will be less than 100%, and Orton's participation is still in question. Edge needs to sit back and permit HBK and Cena to continue where they left off on RAW while waiting for an opportunity to present itself as it did last year when he covered RVD for the title.
Randy Orton
Regardless of participation, Randy Orton will be the X-Factor in this Sunday's match-up. If he does compete, his focus still remains in question due to his proclivity to desecrate hotel rooms and diva handbags. If Orton can focus past distraction, he may well have the advantage of having the least amount of one-on-one interaction with the other three.
IN THE END…
In the end it will come down to who has the most mental toughness. All four men enter Sunday's contest with substantial distraction. The ones that deal with it best have the greatest chance of coming out on top.
Shawn Michaels 33%
John Cena 31%
Edge 23%
Randy Orton 13%
