411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Backlash 2007
Posted by Stephen Randle on 04.28.2007
Every match at Backlash has titles on the line, and the 411 staff has their picks for who’s going home with gold.
This month brings to us, the wrestling fans, the end of single brand WWE PPV's, as all three brands find representation on the Backlash card. In addition, and in an unexpected benefit to using three brands to fill one card, every match just happens to be a title match. Something like that hasn't happened for a very long time. Sure, the Smackdown tag titles, Intercontinental title, and Cruiserweight belt aren't on the line, but that's nit-picking. Besides, they have to have title matches left over for Judgement Day in a few weeks.
The 411 staff came out in force for the first PPV since WrestleMania, and for a new feature, for each match, you can skip to the end to see the total number of picks for each participant. But read everyone's thoughts too, they worked hard on them and they'll cry if you don't. Seriously, it's embarassing.
So, who stepped up to the plate for Backlash?
Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience
Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight
Dan Wilcox, Schmozzes and Screwjobs
Rob Halden, You're An Idiot And Here's Why
Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor
Andy Clark, The Shimmy
Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told
Matt Adamson, Destiny
Larry Csonka, guy in charge of everything
Stuart Carapola, The Ominous Thoughts News Report
Brad Borchardt, Smackdown recapper
Mike Minotti, Can They Be Champ?
Michael Bauer, ECW recapper
Sat, High Road/Low Road
Matthew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic
Andy Critchell, Indy Insights, a division of The Shimmy
Samuel Berman, The Indy Midcard
Neil Borenstein, 411 Sports' MLB Fastball
JT, Hidden Highlights
and Julian Williams, The Top Ten
With everyone present and no accounting for, let's take a look at the champion-studded card that is WWE Backlash, now with special vote tallies at the end!
Stephen Randle: Melina has held the belt about a month too long, but at least they didn't put it on another non-wrestler. Mickie's a better wrestler and better looking too, it's time they tried and made her into the second coming of Trish Stratus for real, instead of just in storyline.
Winner: Mickie James
Michael Weyer: Now I like Melina and all but isn't it time we got this belt on an actual wrestler who can really show some great stuff in the ring? Yes, I know such logic doesn't always pertain to WWE but maybe it's time to think that way so Mickie can really fill the void and give the belt a tad more credibility.
WINNER and NEW Women's Champion: America's favorite psycho.
Dan Wilcox: First of all I don't really understand why this is just a straight up one-on-one match considering they had a Falls Count Anywhere match a few weeks ago on Raw. Perhaps they should have gone with a Hardcore stip or something but it just seems like they are running things backwards. Aside from the no show from Mickie on Raw last week the challenger has had the upper hand on Melina for the past several weeks would normally suggest Melina retains but it's usually a different case in the Women's division so I think Mickie will pick up her fourth (officially third) title here and freshen things up because Melina is quite stale.
Winner: And NEW Women's Champion Mickie James!
Rob Halden: For some reason bouncy, bouncy happy girls don't do it for me. I've gotta see 'em pouting and stuff. I think I'm emotionally damaged.
Winner: Melina
Ari Berenstein: I believe the women's title should belong around the waist of Mickie James. However, it doesn't feel like it's the "right time" to make the switch. Some more heat needs to be added to ratchet up the emotional power of a title win. Wait, am I actually talking about the "emotional power" of a WOMEN's title win? What am I thinking?
Winner: Melina
Andy Clark: I think Ari said it best when he said it didn't feel like the "right time" to make the switch. If they wanted Mickie to have the belt on the PPV then they wouldn't have given her the win in Paris.
Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Melina
Bayani Domingo: Does anyone even care about the women's division anymore? Seriously. We have 3 trained women in the division and the most dominating one is a jobber for Playboy bunnies. Yikes. That being said, no point in taking the belt off Melina yet.
Winner: Melina
Matt Adamson: I love me some women's wrestling and I generally love the WWE Divas, but there is one particular Diva that I could never see again and I wouldn't shed a tear and that's Melina. She bores me to tears and her character is so sloppy and repetitive that I have little to no interest in it. Add to that the fact that I think she isn't as attractive as most people find her. So, with that in mind, GO MICKIE! If not for the sole reason of seeing less Melina on my TV.
Winner and new champ: Mickie
Larry Csonka: This match has no steam right now since they did nothing to promote it on Monday. But the bottom line is that I would lay it to Mickie James' jeans, and will to console her as she loses here.
Winner: Melina
Stuart Carapola: Anyone else think it devalues the titles when every match on a PPV is a title match? Anyone else think it's a shame the IC Title isn't one of the ones being defended? Anyone else think it's insulting that the IC Title isn't being defended, but this is? Yeah, me too.
Winner: Mickie James
Brad Borchardt: I really want Mickie James to win the title here, but with all the overseas Women's Championship mayhem, I feel they will keep the title on Melina here.
Winner: Mickie James
Mike Minotti: I'm guessing that Melina's time is up. Her absence by Nitro's side has really hurt his push, so I'm hoping they put her back to being his full time manager. This will be a good opportunity to put the belt on someone who's a pretty decent wrestler.
Winner: Mickie James
Michael Bauer: So we had a slip up in Paris with Mickie winning the belt, could it be foreshadowing to what will happen at Backlash? I sure as hell hope so. No offense to Melina, but Mickie is a much better wrestler and should have the title aroung her waist. Not to mention, Mickie has gotten hotter every time I see her, Melina, not as much
Winner and New Champion: Mickie James
Sat: Could the women's title change three times in one week? I don't see this happening, so expect Melina to win with some help from Johnny Nitro.
Winner: Melina
Mathew Sforcina: I was all set to declare this a Mickie cakewalk...and then Paris ruined everything. While Mickie winning would make sence, WWE probably doesn't want to have to bounce the belt around more. So, Melina gets a reprieve, and she can be the one to be destroyed by Nattie.
Winner, and STILL WWE Women's Champion: Melina (Cheap roll up)
Andy Critchell: This match has "time filler" written all over it. Neither of these girls is really very good BUT Melina has injured fewer people so I guess that's something. As for the result, I can't really see them switching the title back to Mickie just yet. Hopefully they will build this into a halfway compelling storyline.
Winner: Melina
Samuel Berman: I'll go with the heel here, because there're a lot of faces going over elsewhere.
Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Melina
Neil Borenstein: I really could go either way on this match. I think giving Mickie James the belt back and having a face champion again could open some new storylines, but I don't mind Melina keeping the belt either and having a heel remain the lead in the division. These two are the best overall female professional wrestlers the WWE has right now (which might not be saying much), and they're likely going to be the only consistent commodities in the women's division that aren't there solely for eye candy until the WWE goes after some new talent (BRING IN DAIZEE HAZE!). I guess to keep the fight going, I'll go with Melina retaining the strap.
Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Melina
JT: If the net reports are any indication (although they have to be taken with a grain of salt), Melina has been only slightly less of a Diva backstage than Ashley (thus explaining her win at WM). Mickie on the other hand seems to be liked by all and it would seem that a face Mickie and a heel Victoria would be a good way for the division to head while the rest of the ladies eat their humble pie. They could kick off this feud by putting the title on Mickie here.
WINNER: And NEW Women's Champion, Mickie James
Julian Williams: They seem to be pushing Melina hard as the Women's Champ so I'll stick with her until they make somebody seem like a credible threat to her. Besides, I want Mickie to lose so she'l snap and we'll see CRAZY BITCH Mickie again.
Stephen Randle: MVP has indeed proven he can hang…with Chris Benoit. Let's see how good he is after a couple months of title defences against luminaries like, oh, I don't know, Kane.
Winner: MVP
Michael Weyer: Kudos to WWE for letting this one boil so Benoit could really give MVP the rub and show what the guy can do. MVP has really won folks over and so it's finally time to give him the belt, which will mean a lot more now than it would have a month ago.
WINNER and NEW US Champion: MVP
Dan Wilcox: So everyone has really jumped on the MVP bandwagon then, huh? At WrestleMania they had a good 10 minute match and a few weeks later on SmackDown they had an even better 20 minute match so that should mean they get a little longer at Backlash to give us something special. However I think that'll be too much to ask and this will only get fifteen minutes or so but it should still be good. Putting the title on MVP and Mania would have been a bad move but now people have seen what MVP van do in the ring and on the stick now is the right time. I hope they continue to feud throughout the summer and give us some good gimmick matches along the way. 2 Out of 3 Falls, anyone? Ballin'
Winner: And NEW US Champion, Montel Vontavious Porter!
Rob Halden: I'm looking forward to this more than anything else other than the Last Man Standing Match. I'm very psyched about this, and at the 'Mania Roundtable I called the title-change to happen at this show, so I'm sticking with it.
Winner: MVP your Ballin' US Champ
Ari Berenstein: It's clear that the last two months have been an auditioning process for MVP. He has "won the part" so speak by being able to hang with Benoit in these matches. MVP finally gets the gold here.
Winner: and NEW US Champion, MVP
Andy Clark: This is what SHOULD have happened at WrestleMania.
Winner and NEW United States Champion: Montel Vontavious Porter
Bayani Domingo: I have the feeling this could be MVP's coming out party. I'm hoping for some good wrestling here, but I think this could be his chance to show the nuances of his character he apparently had in DSW that he never got to show on Smackdown. Benoit doesn't need this belt and if they are going to start pushing more main event level young stars it needs to start with MVP. I'm not totally sold on his wrestling yet, but with King Booker gone, they really need a shot of charisma in the upper middle card.
Winner: Ballin'…MVP
Matt Adamson: I was a huge skeptic of MVP when he first started out. He is currently being pushed too hard for my liking, but compared to others who've been in similar spots, he's actually decent in the ring and has a good character personality to boot. In his last two matches with Benoit it's been fairly clear that they are grooming MVP to be a big star. I suppose Benoit is the guy to take care of the in-ring grooming and from what I can tell, things have gone well and MVP has been nothing short of impressive. I think Backlash is going to be his first opportunity to show what he is made of by getting a run with the United States title.
Winner and new champ: MVP
Larry Csonka: They had a damn fine match at WM, they followed it up again with another tremendous effort of Smackdown a few weeks back. Hopefully they can capture magic a 3rd time, and I feel that now is the time for the title switch.
Winner: MVP
Stuart Carapola: Speaking of the IC Title, how is it that, in the WWE Universe mind you, their secondary title which has been around since 1979 is rarely defended on PPV anymore, but the title named after the competition's is? At least it'll be a good match.
Winner: Chris Benoit
Brad Borchardt: This should be a great match and hopefully MVP doesn't turn out to be just a flash in the pan and puts on a good preformance here. Benoit should lose the title here and hopefully feud with Undertaker over the World Heavyweight Championship.
Winner: MVP
Mike Minotti: I'm sure they want to put the title on MVP, and since I can't really see them being able to extend this feud after Backlash if MVP loses, I'm pretty confident that he's going to win it here. Judging by their last two encounters, I'm thinking this will turn out to be a pretty good match.
Winner: MVP
Michael Bauer: I am still shocked as all hell that MVP didn't win at Wrestlemania. That means this match would have happened anyway at Backlash, with Benoit chasing MVP. Still though, Porter has done nothing but impress everyone since his Wrestlemania title match and there is no doubt he is ready to be the US Champion.
Winner and New Champion: MVP
Sat: Okay, so I picked MVP to win at WrestleMania and it didn't happen. So, that means that it definitely happens here. MVP had an amazing match and win against Chris Benoit a few weeks back, so that leads me to believe that he wins the title on Sunday.
Winner: MVP
Mathew Sforcina: I maintain that they really need to either give MVP an entourage to really drive home the fact that he's a selfish, rich kid young sports brat, or they need to have him here just snap and totally dismantle Benoit. If you see the guy without the Power Ranger outfit, he's like a fricking tank, he's wearing that thing to downplay his body. Regardless, the point of these matches is almost here. MVP gets established, check. Benoit teaches him a bit, check. MVP gets title...Check.
Winner, and NEW WWE US Champion: MVP (Reversal of Crossface to pinfall with ropes)
Andy Critchell: MVP has shown in to matches with Benoit that he is capable and ready to take over as US Champ. I expect the BALLIN' elbow to be in full effect and me to be in full mark out mode.
Winner: MVP
Samuel Berman: I think they're going to give the title to MVP here, but I also think it's a mistake. I'm not sure that MVP is ready to carry a match yet, which he doesn't have to do when he's facing Benoit. I suppose it'd be fine if they trade the strap for a bit, but that's wishful thinking at this point.
Winner and NEW U.S. Champion: MVP
Neil Borenstein: While I'm not entirely thrilled that Chris Benoit has to drop the title to MVP here, these US Championship matches are happening too often for Benoit to win them all. I'm not completely on the MVP bandwagon yet, though I think he is improving. Do I think he's ready to be a champion and hold a more significant role on Smackdown? Not even a little bit. And that's why I'm not happy Benoit has to lose to MVP now. But again, the overabundance of Benoit vs. MVP title matches means this thing can't stretch out too much long and the enviable conclusion is MVP as the new US Champion.
Winner and NEW US Champion: MVP
JT: While I was a bit confused as to why they wanted to take this past WrestleMania, I am certainly glad that they did. MVP's time working with Benoit has seemingly helped legitimize him with not only people in the back, but in the eyes of the fans. It appears that MVP may have the potential to be huge one day, and that first step towards all of that will come at Backlash.
WINNER: And NEW United States Champion, MVP
Julian Williams: I'm definitely looking forward to this match because these two have proven that they have great chemistry together. They had a fun match at Wrestlemania, a great match a few weeks later on Smackdown and I think if they are given enough time, this match will trump both those matches. If Benoit wins here again, it'll completely kill MVP's momentum (see Guerrero, Chavo). So I look for MVP to win his first title in the WWE here and continue this feud with Benoit (hopefully) for a couple more weeks.
Winner: MVP
Final Tally: 19-1 in favour of MVP, pretty much as close to a sure bet as you're going to get.
Stephen Randle: WWE has realized that all the money exists in the Hardyz as a tag team. Only problem is, there's no Edge and Christian or Dudleyz around to be seen as the same level with marks, and with smarts, there's really only Kendrick and London. Until a bonafide tag team (New Hart Foundation or a non-jobber WGTT, anyone?) can step up, there's no reason to job the Hardyz yet.
Winners: The Hardyz
Michael Weyer: This one's a toughie. The Hardys as champs just seem so natural and Cade and Murdoch haven't done anything important in months. Are they really that eager to split the Hardys back up? I don't think so. I think the Hardys will make this a good match but squeak out with the titles nonetheless.
WINNER and still World Tag Team Champions: Team Xtreme.
Dan Wilcox: I love how when pay-per-views were first made tri-branded everyone thought teams like London and Kendrick would never get on the show and here we have the Heat main stays with a tag title shot. But I hate how they are using the same tag team booking on Raw and SmackDown; challengers pick up victories over the champs in non-title/singles matches and then get jobbed out at the pay-per-view. Cade and Murdoch haven't been hanging around on Raw long enough to warrant taking the tag straps off of the Hardys yet so that should mean Matt and Jeff retain and move on the next challengers, the World's Greatest Tag Team! *crosses fingers*
Winners: And STILL Tag Team Champions, The Hardys
Rob Halden: The amount I like Matt Hardy is severely tempered by the amount I freakin' hate his little sister Jeff. Jeff is very good at falling off things, but I don't think the term 'wrestler' actually applies to her. I'd love it if Cade and Murdoch won, but the WWE is only capable of pushing 2 tag teams at any one time, and Deuce & Domino took spot number two last week.
Winner: Matt Hardy & His Little Sister
Ari Berenstein: Cade and Murdoch have been built up again as solid contenders to the title, but I still can't take them seriously. I mean, Lance Cade? Uggh. Hopefully the Hardys dispatch the battling country boys and we start another month of building another team du jour to challenge for the titles.
Winners: The Hardys
Andy Clark: So we cut down on the number of name stars we can get on a show due to the tri-branding and yet Cade & Murdoch somehow make the show? If both of these guys hadn't won their singles matches I may actually give them a shot, but since they got the sweep the Hardys must retain.
Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: The Hardys
Bayani Domingo: If Murdoch busts out the "Code Red-Neck" again I think Matt Hardy might die. I'm hoping for a fairly quick match because I don't know how well these guys will mesh. I'm sure they'll try to recreate a Hardyz/Dudleyz style of match from about 6 years ago but I think the "Texas Rangers" are more Blackjacks than Dudleyz. No way do they take the belts off the actual Merchandise sellers. Remember, that's what REALLY makes a push work.
Winner: Hardyz
Matt Adamson: I really enjoy Cade and Murdoch and their obvious Southern style of wrestling. They remind me a lot of a redneck Midnight Express in how they control the ring. If only they had a redneck Jim Cornette to make things that much better. No matter how much I enjoy them, I know they aren't going to win the titles here. I do hope however that this is the beginning of a push for the team and that I get to see more of them on my TV. The Hardyz are fully capable when neccessary to use a more southern style which will make this match pretty interesting. Heck, I have a feeling it'll be one of the best matches of the night if given enough time.
Winners: The Hardyz (with a "Z")
Larry Csonka: Classic WWE Booking 101: Who Ever Gets the Advantage Going into the PPV will Lose. The Redneck Whirling Dervish stole the singles matches, and will lose here. I just hope that they work well together and have a damn good match so that the Redneck Whirling Dervish doesn't fall back to obscurity.
Winner: The Hardy's
Stuart Carapola: Unlike most, I take Cade and Murdoch seriously. However, I don't take them seriously enough to believe that they're getting the title.
Winner: Matt & Jeff Hardy
Brad Borchardt: I don't mind Cade and Murdoch, but this should of been a unification match with London & Kendrick or a regular defense against The World's Greatest Tag Team. They could of drawn out a Hardy Boyz/TWGTT feud all summer ending in a ladder match at Summerslam that would have brought instant credibility back to the tag team division.
Winner: Hardyz
Mike Minotti: The Hardy's are an incredibly popular tag team, and this is their first PPV defense of the titles. Also, Cade and Murdoch have been jobbed out too many times in the past for anyone to take them seriously as the tag team champions. I'm honestly having a hard time taking them seriously as challengers to the belt.
Winner: The Hardy's
Michael Bauer: Cade and Murdouch getting a title shot… yesh, it's the end of 2005 again, when they lost the titles to Big Show and Kane. The Hardy brothers did not become champions to just lose the titles in a quickie change to a team hat has done nothing in the past year other than get jobbed to DX. Easy retention by the Hardy Boyz.
Winners and Still Champions: The Hardy Boyz
Sat: Cade and Murdoch are an okay team, but they aren't beating the Hardys. There is no way that they can each get a single win over the Hardys and then beat them for the title. The Hardys definitely win this match.
Winner: The Hardys
Mathew Sforcina: Well, at least they aren't unifing the tag belts. After all, that would just be silly...
Winners, and STILL World Tag Team Champions: The Hardys (Twist of Swanton to Cade)
Andy Critchell: Something tells me that Cade and Murdoch are going to bust out a "HOLY SHIT" moment in this match. I have no idea why. That being said, booking 101 says that while a strong team can be beat individually, they can't be beat as a team, a "greater than the sum of their parts" kind of thing.
Winners: The Hardys
Samuel Berman: Cade & Murdoch do nothing for me, as I really think the money match was a title vs. title match between Kendrick & London and the Hardys. Unfortunately they took the other pair of belts off of Spanky & Paul, so now we're left with the Hardy brothers treading water against uninspired challengers. Hardys retain and go on to face someone more interesting next month.
Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: Matt & Jeff Hardy
Neil Borenstein: Man, I hate Cade and Murdoch. To me, Cade is a nothing more than a lower card jobber while Murdoch only has a job in the WWE because of his father. If the WWE plants the belts on them with a win over The Hardy Boyz, that's just going to infuriate me even further. I don't want Cade and Murdoch anywhere near those tag team titles, and I sure as hell don't want them getting them over Matt and Jeff, who really just won them not too long ago. What in the blue hell happened to Cryme Tyme and The Highlanders? Why aren't they getting a title shot here? Or even the World's Greatest Tag Team, which is probably the best tag team on RAW right now. Cade and Murdoch – the hell with that!
Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: The Hardy Boyz
JT: Cade and Murdoch have about as much chance of winning this match as I do of marrying Stacy Keibler. Even if booking is considering a title change, there is not a parallel universe known to man in which I would honestly buy Cade and Murdoch beating The Hardy's.
WINNER: And STILL World Tag Team Champions, The Hardy's
Julian Williams: I dig The Redneck Wrecking Crew, but I don't think they should get the tag titles yet. Let the Hardys win here and continue their feud with the Rednecks until eventually the Rednecks win through NEFARIOUS MEANS and TA-DA! You have a brand new feud over the tag titles that the fans will get into. Why the hell did I just say TA-DA? I need to stop watching Bravo.
Winner: The Hardys
Final Tally: A clean sweep for the Hardyz, I guess nobody thinks Cade and Murdoch are title material quite yet.
Stephen Randle: Okay, this is only really fair because Vince and Shane could only stand up to Lashley in the ring in Vince's own mind, but this feud should have ended at Mania. That notwithstanding, it had better end here, so we can get another break from Vince on TV. Hey, hasn't he been looking for a new Raw GM for about a year or so now?
Winner: Lashley
Michael Weyer: Oh, brother. Look, I like Lashley and I like Umaga, both guys have shown vast improvement. But tossing Vince and Shane into it just makes this a mess waiting to happen. Still, Vince has shown how he enjoys being the one CEO to let himself be battered around so expect that to continue but Lashley still gets the rub.
WINNER and still ECW Champion: Lashley
Dan Wilcox: Please let this be the end of this feud. Although I love seeing Shane McMahon and I like Umaga, I hate Lashley and Vince McMahon in any sort of storyline on my TV. With that being said this is almost guaranteed to be a good match as we all know that the McMahon's bring their A-game to pay-per-view. It's fairly obvious that Lashley's retaining here but I'm hoping Shane does something crazy to take himself out (misses an elbow off the tron?) and then Lashley takes out Umaga which will leave Vince to get destroyed by Lashley which would be a damn fine way to end this feud, in my opinion. If the McMahons and Umaga win I shall cry like a little bitch. Vince's hat rules.
Winner: And STILL ECW Champion, Lashley!
Rob Halden: I think this match would have benefited from a lack of McMahons and the inclusion of a cage or a Hardcore stipulation. I think Umaga is awesome and needs to start getting back some heat, not giving it away to Vinnie. But, y'know, I'm not an idiot. That'll never happen.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Ari Berenstein: Did Umaga clear out the Intercontinental title to trade up to some Heavyweight gold? Even if it's ECW gold, the deal seems like a good one. 3 on 1 odds are hard to beat and it devalues the idea of a handicapped match like this if Lashley does come out on top...again.
Winner: and NEW ECW Champion, UMAGA!
Andy Clark: I want the title switch so badly here, but who do I choose? Before Mania I was pushing for Vinnie Mac to win the belt and then give it to Umaga after Mania, but things have changed. Umaga has earned a World Title run, even if it's just the ECW Title. But then there is Shane. How awesome for it be for Shane to walk away with the belt here? Since they have been booking Vince as the guy to score the fall, how about Shane wins the belt, screwing up Vince's plans and turning Shane quasi-face. Then we have the option of either a Shane & Lashley vs. Vince & Umaga tag match or a Shane vs. Lashley vs. Umaga three-way. Sounds good to me.
Winner and NEW ECW World Champion: Shane McMahon
Bayani Domingo: So the whole point of this match is to establish that Bobby Lashley is the new Stone Cold Steve Austin because Cena already had dibs on Hulk Hogan's booking right? You know, the SCSA-esque storyline where McMahon has all the cards stacked against him and makes it his personal mission to get rid of Lashley, only to in the end, have Lashley come out on top? Yikes. It's like Cena-lite. I think in this case however they at least will give us a little bit of a payoff as ECW is so light on "Main Eventers" that they need to import a suitable foil for Blackzilla.
Winner: Umaga
Matt Adamson: I groan when I think of this match. Not because The McMahon's are in it, because I think they'll steal the show, but because Bobby Lashley needs somebody on his side to balance out the work rate. At this point Lashley hasn't really grown much. He's done some cool stuff, but he looks green like the Libyan flag. The match is going to be a load of fun because of Vince and Shane who never disappoint on PPV. Sadly and annoyingly Lashley's monster of monster pushes will continue and hopefully it will end the feud and we can all move on to something better.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Larry Csonka: Not really looking forward to the match I have to say. Hopefully Shane takes some crazy ass bumps to entertain me.
Winner: Um…er…Uma…Sh…Vince's Fedora
Stuart Carapola: I'm no fan of Bobby Lashley, but as much as I'd love to see Umaga join the ranks of men such as Shane Douglas, Taz, Terry Funk, and Raven as the ECW World Champion, I get the feeling that Vince and Shane are in there to take the fall and make us laugh at Vince's bald head again. I'd much rather see that than the possibility of Vince or Shane as ECW Champion.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Brad Borchardt: When's the last time Bobby Lashley defended his ECW Championship against, oh, let's say somebody from ECW? Just have him drop the title and send him to RAW already. For a tri-branded PPV, ECW is only represented one time and that is in this match. They could have easily made Umaga vs. Lashley in a cage and RVD vs. Punk vs. Burke for the title or something. Sorry I went on that rant. Hopefully, Lashley wins here and puts this feud to rest.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Mike Minotti: Man, how bad is Umaga going to look when, even with help from Shane and Vince, he still can't beat Lashley? I wonder if his days as an indestructible monster will be done.
Winner: Lashley
Michael Bauer: I never thought I could dread a match that involved Bobby Lashley, but I do here. This will be bad, but only because Mr. Clean and the Demon Spawn have to be involved. Hopefully this will be quick and not so painful, but I'm not sure my hopes will come true.
Winner and Still Champion: Bobby Lashley
Sat: Bobby Lashley should lose this match, but I don't see it happening. I see this match having Lashley getting a beating for most of the match and then he makes a comeback by beating up all three guys. I would say that Vince McMahon is the guy taking the loss.
Winner: Lashley
Mathew Sforcina: You know, Vince, the character, clearly isn't THAT smart. Why make this a handicap? Why not make it a 4 way, flip a coin with Shane, have Umaga bearhug Lashley then either pin Shane or let Shane pin him and get the belt off him that way. That said... Lashley loses the belt, but they don't move Umaga over. Instead, Umaga does all the hard work, then Shane flies in with an elbow and gets the 123, Shane wins ECW World Title, then does his usual put over job involving very high fall and/or totally killing next month to give the belt back to Lashley, then we transition to Lashley/Snitsky. After all, they want to push Lashley, and a Shane attempted suicide does wonders...
Winner, and NEW ECW World Champion: Shane McMahon (Unplanned elbow drop into cover)
Andy Critchell: Shane makes matches great, Vince makes matches great, and Lashley and Umaga are fun to watch in a Clash of the Titans sort of way. Now the Samoan Bulldozer has lost a bit lately and I think a win here would keep him strong and make for a fun babyface title chase with Lashley over the summer.
Winner: Umaga
Samuel Berman: This feud is barely even an ECW one anymore, taking place elsewhere as much as on Tuesday nights. They seem committed to getting Lashley over when there are better, more interesting guys to push instead (for instance, where's Mr. Kennedy on this card??). I guess they could put the title on Umaga, but it would be pretty dumb, as that would leave us with the following ECW Title lineage: RVD - Big Show - Lashley - Umaga. Talk about uninspired.
Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Bobby Lashley
Neil Borenstein: Oh, this isn't even remotely predictable. Please, like Bobby Lashley isn't going to overcome this disadvantage and go absolutely crazy on the McMahons and Umaga. I still don't get why Umaga occupies such a big role on RAW to begin with, let alone being an accomplice to McMahon against Lashley. I expect Lashley to take a pounding for most of this match, but then he'll turn into the Incredible Hulk (and perhaps even turn green, who knows) and take out all three of his opponents, as well as Armando Alejandro Estrada. McMahon is the likeliest of the bunch to actually take the pin. And then, we can have more storyline fun involving Lashley and McMahon – oh boy!
Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Bobby Lashley
JT: I don't mind Vince McMahon on television, I really don't. My problem with him is that once he gets on television, he keeps himself around about three matches too long. This always happens, and is starting to feel like that here. Lashley is a beast. We get it. Umaga is a beast. We get it. You're bald, we get it. Now get off my television for three months so I can get used to you not being around anymore, thus ensuring that I won't mind the next time you start a feud with a wrestler.
WINNER: And NEW ECW Champion, Umaga
Julian Williams: This feud needs to end. Now. Now. NOW!!! I understand that they are trying to get Lashley over by making him a nemesis of The Boss, but Lashley needs to be feuding with actual wrestlers and getting better in the ring and on the mic if he's REALLY going to get over. If they want him to continue his feud with Umaga, just move Umaga over to ECW and then keep the McMahons far, FAR away. Lashley wins this one to seem even more superhuman and then hopefully he'll go on to feud with an actual wrestler instead of the McMahons.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Final Tally: 13 for Lashley, 4 for Umaga, 2 for Shane, and 1 pick of Vince's Fedora. I must admit, it's a bitchin' fedora.
Stephen Randle: Every time Orton shows up in title matches, I get worried. Until a couple weeks before the match, when he publicly screws up and ends up jobbing. That said, I think the money is in an Edge win here with a series of Edge-HBK matches for the spring. Only problem is, who does Cena feud with?
Winner: Edge
Michael Weyer: Now this is a four-way match that sounds fun. Orton is out due to his backstage problems and Edge is good but has already had a few runs. So will they decide to give it HBK? It might indeed be time but I also don't see them dropping Cena just yet. Expect a terrific battle with the three guys helping to put Cena over big.
WINNER and still WWE Champion: John Cena
Dan Wilcox: Make no mistake about it; this will rock your face. I'm sure it'll remain a four way because wwe.com has got rid of all links to the news of Orton's disciplinary action so they probably have no plans to punish him further at this point in time. Orton's behaviour does just about ensure that he will not be picking up the title in this match. Seeing as Cena got pinned clean on Monday night in my match of the year (so far) against Shawn Michaels, he would be the smart bet to retain here as they don't want him losing twice in a row (shock horror!). However I think the smart way to go would have Edge pick up the title by pinning Orton and then they can claim that 56 minute epic on Raw took everything out of Cena so he doesn't lose too much credibility. It'll freshen things up and maybe we can get some HBK vs. Edge goodness in the coming months while Cena lays low for a few months. It's not like Cena needs the championship to stay over and it wouldn't hurt to go in a different direction for a change.
Winner: And NEW WWE Champion, Edge!
Rob Halden: Just for kicks and giggles I wanna pick Randy Orton in the biggest swerve ever pulled on the .net reading public. This match should have happened about 8 times by now, considering how long all four men have been around the title. But I think it's nice we waited this long....although it seems like they're throwing it away by sticking it on Backlash instead of Summerslam or something. Anyway, I'm gonna go mad and not pick Cena. It's that time of year.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Ari Berenstein: Until last week, there seemed to be a bit of intrigue as far as who could walk away as champion. Then Randy freaking Orton had to ruin everything, as usual. Cena is THE WWE 21st Century FRANCHISE and after a huge performance on Raw in a non title loss to HBK, a win here will keep the Cena train on the move onwards and upwards.
Winner: John Cena (Orton jobs out)
Andy Clark: I'm quite looking forward to this, but Orton screwing up this week throws a monkey wrench into what I would have guessed. Cena isn't winning here as he needs a month or two away from the title, Orton can't win for obvious reasons, so that leaves us with two. Whoever wins here I see an HBK-Edge title match at next month's PPV, the question is who will be champ. The winner will be in line for a short reign, and I don't think they can do that to Edge again, therefore...
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Shawn Michaels
Bayani Domingo: I have no doubt this will be a decent to very good match. I also have no doubt Orton will be jobbing here. To whom is the real question. I don't think Edge vs Orton is the big money draw so one would assume it will go to Cena or HBK. They each have 1 win apiece so my guess is one of them gets the win and they settle it in a 3rd match. My best guess is that Cena will take out Orton with an FU, then HBK will Superkick Cena, which leads to Edge spearing HBK out of the ring along with himself and Cena landing on top of Orton for the win. My reasoning? That just sounds like a cool finish. Either way, most multi-men matches favor the incumbent champion, but since we're using the Super Cena rule it just doubles his chances for a retention.
Winner: Hulk Cena
Matt Adamson: I'm really excited for this match, but I'll only be satisfied with it if Edge wins, as I think he will. I don't "hate" Cena. He has proven himself in the ring, and while I think his position on the card is undeserving, he has gotten extremely over and that means he's gonna be around for a while. What I want to see from Cena is something that I haven't seen since before WrestleMania 21. I want to see him in a storyline/feud that doesn't revolve around the WWE title. I'd love to see Edge and HBK feud over the title for a while. I'm hoping this match is the catalyst for a change of pace.
Winner and new champ: Edge
Larry Csonka: Lots of talent in the ring, yet as a 4-way match it could have a lot of problems. It is just the logistics of the match. Hopefully they go in there with a good game plan, and deliver the goods.
Winner: Not Randy Orton
Stuart Carapola: I guess Randy Orton's going to be in the match after all, but I think we can all rest assured that he's not getting the title here. Edge is entertaining as hell, but he and Cena has been done to death, so let's leave him out. That brings us down to Cena and Michaels, and as much as I'd love to see Shawn get the title, I don't see it happening here. Note that I said "here" because I do think he's going to briefly get the title later this year before dropping it again, possibly at Summerslam.
Winner: John Cena
Brad Borchardt: I'm not saying this match would be better than HBK vs. Cena, but this should have been the main event at WrestleMania. Insert a Randy Orton joke here and we got three guys left with a chance. I would love a swerve and having Cena and HBK duke it out in the end with Edge getting a sneaky victory to win the belt and feud with HBK, but I see Cena winning it. But then, Mr. Kennedy comes from the crowd, blasts Cena with the briefcase, declares he's cashing in his Money in the Bank concract and heading to RAW, pins Cena after a Kenton Bomb, and is your NEW WWE Champion!
Winner: Cena of the Four Way followed by Kennedy beating Cena
Mike Minotti: They let HBK win that singles match last Monday to help make him look like a big threat to Cena again. That win will also help this feud last past Backlash if they really want it to. I mean, even though this is a fatal-four way, this match seems to be all about Cena and Michaels. Maybe some of that can be blamed on Orton missing the last Raw, but I don't think one segment would have helped. Anyways, I'm not expecting Cena to lose his title at a fatal-four way match at Backlash.
Winner: Cena
Michael Bauer: Ok, let's start with the obvious. Randy orton will not win. Is it just me or is it when Randy Orton looks ready to win the title, he becomes a little bitch? Now, let's try to decide who will win. I can't see Edge getting another title reign right now, I can't see HBK getting a title reign, and in a way I can see Cena losing the title. This is really the toughest match of the night and could possibly be the match of the night. I'm going with my gut here, but I can imagine how wrong I am.
Winner and Still Champion: John Cena
Sat: This is the best opportunity for the WWE to take the title off of John Cena. He has been champion for a long time and now would be a good time for a change. But, the match on Monday seems to suggest that John Cena is walking out with the title at Backlash and then losing the title at the next pay per view to Shawn Michaels. The one thing that I can guarantee about this match is that Randy Orton is definitely talking the loss.
Winner: John Cena
Mathew Sforcina: Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey...Who am I kidding? He jobs here then gets the title the next night.
Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: John 'Never Bet Against' Cena (STFU on Orton in 2 minutes 45)
Andy Critchell: If you think Cena is losing this match then you're nuts. That being said, this has potential to really kick some ass. Cena/HBK on Raw was epic and Edge & Orton can only add to the awesomeness.
Winner: John Cena
Samuel Berman: I'm just hoping to god that this whole Orton thing isn't an elaborate work on the smarks to surprise us when he wins the belt. Assuming it's not (which I think is safe), then they're probably going to either let Cena retain again or give the ball to HBK to see how he draws as champion this late in his career. I hope they saw enough from Shawn on Monday to pull the trigger, but I don't think they're going to just yet. Cena vs. Michaels, Hell in a Cell next month, perhaps?
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
Neil Borenstein: Damn it! Why must the WWE have the three biggest scumbags on RAW take on John Cena in a match that really isn't favoring him one little bit? I may have screwed myself over with my Wrestlemania 23 prediction of the WWE giving Shawn Michaels the WWE Title to close out the show, but I don't want to cause myself to lose anymore sleep with predictions that I'm vehemently opposed to. So because I hate the three challengers with a passion, and also because there really isn't any reason to take the belt off of John Cena right now, I'll take the former Doctor of Thuganomics to retain the WWE Championship again. This is the only way I'm going to continue to feel good about RAW.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: John Cena
JT: Tough call here. With SuperCena you just never know if he's going to lose it or not, but having a four way certainly puts them in a position to have him drop the title while still looking strong. I seriously doubt Orton has a shot in hell, so I think it will come down to Edge or HBK. I'm going with HBK though because he has busted his ass since Trips left, and I think they may give him one last title shot before that window closes. Edge has plenty of time to win more titles.
WINNER: And NEW WWE Champion, Shawn Michaels
Julian Williams: I was foolish enough to bet against Cena at Wrestlemania. I won't be that foolish again.
Winner: John Cena
Final Tally: 12 for Cena, 3 each for Edge and HBK, Larry went the absolute safest route and picked anyone but Orton, and one vote for Kennedy using his MITB shot to win the title. Am I going to be seeing those for the next twelve months?
Stephen Randle: I'm leery of a LMS match here because Cena and Umaga already had one this year, and it was far better than this one will probably end up. That said, I'd bank on another stip match between these two for Judgement Day, so we'll go with the BS ending that comes along when you write yourself into a LMS match with no way out.
Winner: Draw
Michael Weyer: Their Wrestlemania battle was shockingly good so expectations will be higher for this matchup. It will be a rough battle but I think both guys know the spotlight is on them and will do their best to make this match even better than the last one. I see King Booker finding a way to interfere to pay back Undertaker and let Batista get the belt back, putting him over nicely as the new champ once more.
WINNER and NEW World Champion: The Animal.
Dan Wilcox: I'll admit I was impressed by their WrestleMania match and I've got my hopes up for a repeat performance here. While it might not be as good as Mania, Taker did get a great Last Man Standing match out of THE GREAT KHALI last year so I do have high expectations. I can't see the E wanting to job Batista out clean on two straight pay-per-views but on the other hand there's no way they are cutting Taker's reign short here so that leaves us with one option. Actually two. We could get interference from Finlay and Kennedy that allows Taker to win but then I would want to know why they target just Batista and not both men. So I think they will go with the double knock out and call it a draw, thus The Undertaker retains. The crowd won't like it but it will allow for the third and final match (Hell in a Cell, you know it's coming) between the two so everything should turn out all good.
Winner: Draw, thus Taker retains!
Rob Halden: If these guys can expand on what they had at 'Mania then they'll tear the house down. And I truly hope they do because Wrestlemania was the first time in years that I've found myself enjoying the Undertaker. And I'd like us to part on good terms. You need to apply the standard rule of Last Man Standing Matches/Occasional I Quit Matches and call for the draw. It's the only way to keep Batista's heat.
Winner: Double KO Draw - Undertaker retains
Ari Berenstein: Can they go two for two as far as great matches? How about I answer that question with a question that is also an often repeated sports cliche. Do you believe in miracles?
Winner: The Undertaker
Andy Clark: This is a tough one. Should be a great match either way, but I really don't know which way to go. They've go to do Hell in a Cell next month but I'd hate to see Batista lose twice, especially since Taker is supposed to get a long reign. I hate to say it goes to a draw but I really don't see any other way unless they let Taker and Batista trade the title back and forth for a bit.
Winner: Draw
Bayani Domingo: This is going to either be very good or very mediocre. I'm talking *1/2 or ****, I don't see an in between for these guys. Something tells me though that since Kennedy isn't ready to take the belt off Undertaker and Finlay won't get that chance they will push the Batista/Taker feud to at least one more match so that ‘Tista can complete a full heel turn. Hopefully. If ‘Taker wins clean then the feud should be over, if ‘Tista wins then the WM win for ‘Taker is somewhat moot. Only one choice here.
Winner: Double 10 count, via Kennedy-ference
Matt Adamson: I hope the WWE sees what the possibilities are having Undertaker as the World Champion. Right now he is about to go up against Batista again and hopefully end the feud with Undertaker coming out on top so we can have some interesting new matches down the road. Hopefully the Taker title reign will result in at least three more feuds until he finally drops the title. There are a handful of guys on the Smackdown roster that I would love to see go after Taker's title, but he has to come out on top at Backlash to make that happen.
Winner: The Undertaker
Larry Csonka: Can they do it again? Can they put on that level of performance from WM? I don't know. Not only do the have to follow up on the WM match, but also Cena and Umaga had one hell of a LMS match earlier this year, so they have that to live up to. That's a lot of pressure, and I just hope they can live up to it. No need to take the title from Taker, let's say Mark Henry returns and screws Batista.
Winner: The Undertaker
Stuart Carapola: I think it'd be nice if they gave Undertaker and Batista the final slot on the show to make up for totally jobbing them at Wrestlemania. I think WWE came to the realization long before Wrestlemania that Batista wasn't working as champion, and as such I have no expectation that he's going to get the title back a month later.
Winner: Undertaker
Brad Borchardt: I liked their match at Mania and I think this match can hide weaknesses, but for some reason I'm seeing a slow, some what boring brawl. Hopefully I'm wrong and these guys have enough talent to prove me wrong, but I just have a bad feeling. I'll go with an Undertaker win so he can feud with Finlay or Benoit while Batista vs. Mark Henry gets added to the Judgment Day card.
Winner: Undertaker
Mike Minotti: I was ready to predict Undertaker, but some of my colleagues have made the double count-out prediction that sounds like a pretty safe bet. But I have a feeling that this match is going to go on last (to make it up to them for having to be in the middle of the card at WrestleMania), and I don't think they'll end the show on a non-finish. At least I'd like to hope not.
Winner: Undertaker
Michael Bauer: This should be a hell of a rematch and hopefully they give them the respect they deserve and make this the true main event. It will be hard to top the match at Wrestlemania, but hopefully the Last Man Standing stipulation doesn't hinder these two. No way Batista wins the belt back here. Taker as the champ is better for the current time.
Winner and Still Champion: The Undertaker
Sat: The build-up to the rematch has been very weak. I was expecting the build to be better, but the WWE decides to put this feud on cruise control. This is a last man standing match, so you would have to assume this is the last man in the feud, so I'll take the Undertaker just because of the rumors that he is going to have an extended run as champion.
Winner: The Undertaker
Mathew Sforcina: Is Dave turning heel? If he is, then this is a draw to have him bitch and get his final rematch, if he isn't, then Taker beats him and he admits Taker's a better man. Given that I don't care either way...let's go with the one more resembling a job.
Result: Draw (Belt shot during Last Ride, everyone falls down)
Andy Critchell: The great thing about this match is I know what the result will be but I have no idea how it will happen and that's what makes it so compelling. I expect violence, I expect blood, I expect carnage, and I expect the Deadman to retain.
Winner: The Undertaker
Samuel Berman: This has been some of the worst, weakest buildup to a PPV main event that I can remember. And where's Kennedy. Hopefully these guys beat each other senseless for twenty minutes and then Kennedy pulls an Edge and wins the title immediately after the match ends. If not, I'm going with the champ.
Winner and STILL World Champion: The Undertaker (Possible switch to Kennedy immediately following)
Neil Borenstein: Considering I doubt this is the last time these two wrestlers are going to square off one-on-one in the ring, I don't anticipate anything huge happening at Backlash. This should be a good brawl and allow for even further development in a storyline between the two, but I doubt The Undertaker is dropping the title. The draw scenario is a possibility here, but I'll go with a straight win for The Deadman in what will be a pretty reckless fight.
Winner and STILL World Champion: The Undertaker
JT: As long as these two don't get too lazy with the calling of the match (excessive headlocks, armbars, etc) then they should be fine. They will have a lot to live up to as their match at WM was very, very entertaining. That and like Csonka said they're coming off the heels of the Cena/Umaga LMS match. Taker has been almost as hot as HBK for half a year now, so Big Dave would more be my concern here. Either way, crappy or spectacular, I see it ending the same.
WINNER; And STILL World Heavyweight Champion, Undertaker
Julian Williams: If these guys are able to recreate the magic of their Wrestlemania match, I think this will easily be the match of the night. Given the fact that this is a Last Man Standing Match, I'm sure we'll see plenty of PLUNDER AND MAYHEM and these two will beat the hell out of each other. I expect 'Taker to retain the title, which will probably make Batista snap and beat down 'Taker which will result in a final blowoff match (Hell In A Cell?).
Winner: The Undertaker
Final Tally: 13 for Undertaker, 6 for a Draw, and Batista gets a lonely single vote. How far he has fallen in our eyes.
