Keys to the Game 5.19.07: To Slay a Giant
Posted by Joe Estee on 05.19.2007
The latest immovable object meets the current irresistible force this Sunday night at Judgment Day when John Cena Clashes with The Great Khali.
Giants have a long standing tradition in professional wrestling of being the ultimate challenge for a great champion. From Bruno Sammartino and Haystacks Calhoun to Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan… let's get ready to break down the latest Champion vs. Giant gala of John Cena vs. The Great Khali
THE PLAYERS
Name: John Cena
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 240 lbs
From: West Newbury, Ma
Signature Moves: FU, STFU
Career Highlights: United States Champion (x3), WWE Champion (x3), World Tag Team Champion, PWI 2006 Wrestler of the Year, WWE Magazine 2006 Superstar of the Year.
Over the past few years, John Cena has experienced one of the most remarkable championship runs in professional wrestling history. He has been ranked in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 10 for 123 straight weeks and is presently in his third reign as WWE Champion, which he captured in September of 2006. However, the past few months have contained a considerable share of plight for the WWE Champion. Last month, in a classic fifty-five minute epic match against Shawn Michaels, Cena was handed his first decisive defeat in over three years. Later that week, Cena managed to retain the WWE title by good fortune alone, as he picked up a chance victory while out cold…once again compliments of the Heart Break Kid.
Name: The Great Khali
Height: 7'3"
Weight: 420 lbs
From: India
Signature Moves: Double Choke Slam, Brain Chop
Career Highlights: Defeated The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2006
The 34 year old giant from India got his launched his professional wrestling career in 2000 when he began competing for All Star Wrestling. Khali eventually signed with WWE and made his in ring debut on SmackDown! in April 2006. Khali swiftly instigated a feud with The Undertaker, where he handed the dead man a humiliating rout at Judgment Day 2006. Khali would eventually be signed by ECW and began terrorizing the lower end of the roster. After lingering in ECW for months, Khali finally landed on RAW where he continued his punishment of the lesser talent, at times overcoming multiple opponents at once. Regardless of quality of opposition, Khali has up till now not been pinned or made to submit since entering the WWE.
Finally, Khali has set his sights on obtaining the ultimate prize in sports entertainment: The WWE Championship.
RECENT HISTORY
Three weeks ago on RAW, The Great Khali signified his intentions to challenge for the WWE Championship in a rather exceptional style. Throughout the broadcast, the top three contenders for Cena's title, Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Randy Orton, were all assaulted in private. Soon after, when Cena called out the offender, Khali revealed himself and physically pounded the champion. The subsequent week on RAW Khali appeared at ringside during Cena's match with Randy Orton and seized the WWE Championship belt. Cena's effort to retrieve his trophy proved unsuccessful as he was once again laid out by the mighty Khali
Last week on RAW, Khali taunted Cena backstage with the title belt as well as mocked Cena with his own catch phrase. Cena, accepting the challenge, set off to confront Khali. Unfortunately for the champion, Cena was once again physically dominated by Khali, left beaten and unconscious backstage.
Tomorrow night at Judgment Day, The Great Khali will have his first opportunity for WWE gold when he squares off against John Cena for the WWE Championship.
KEYS TO THE GAME
POWER
For this contest, power is very relative. While it is debatable whether or not Cena possesses more pure strength than the seven foot giant, his ability to apply that power on Khali is lopsided in comparison to the ease in which Khali can physically effect Cena. For the first time in recent memory, Cena will be facing an opponent where his extraordinary power may be negated. Advantage – The Great Khali
PSYCHOLOGY
Cena has been viably shaken by Khali's actions over the past several weeks. This culminated with the giant's seizure of Cena's WWE Title belt and taunting of "If you want some, come get some" that prompted Cena to a backstage showdown where he was physically overwhelmed by the giant.
While Cena does possess the ability to shut out distraction and focus come game time, Khali's actions are compounded with Cena's recent frustration of being outperformed by Shawn Michaels over the last months and may finally serve to distress the Champ. Advantage – The Great Khali
EXPERIENCE
This is the category where Cena has a decided advantage. While Khali has been impressive, he has scarcely been tested in his foundational year in the WWE. Though has recorded noteworthy decisions over The Undertaker and Shawn Michael, the rest of Khali's resume is inundated with success over trivial opponents.
Cena on the other hand has contended, and overcome, in nearly every circumstance during his tenure as WWE Champion. Cena is also not unfamiliar to opposing a "giant." Three years ago, Cena made his WrestleMania debut by conquering the 500 lb Big Show to capture his first United States Championship. Advantage – John Cena
SPEED
The past months of conflict with Shawn Michaels may well serve as salvation for the WWE Champion. Throughout that time, Cena had to contend with the individual who perfected dealing with larger, more powerful opponents into a fine art. Cena, who has demonstrated tremendous adaptability over the years, needs to take a chapter out of HBK's book tomorrow night. Cena must withdraw from any might on might confrontation in the early stages of the match and employ his superior athleticism if he has any expectation of victory over the 7'4" Khali. Advantage – John Cena
INTENSITY
Two distinct styles of intensity will collide this Sunday night as John Cena's almost unparalleled amount of adrenalin-laced passion collides with the silent stone faced focus of The Great Khali. This author is unable to determine which method, if any, will overcome at Judgment Day. Advantage – Draw
FINISHER
Over the past year, The Great Khali has typically employed two unusual closing maneuvers; A Double Handed Choke-Slam, and what is sometime referred to as the "Brain Chop". The DHCS has been the most successful closer as of late. Khali hoists his opponent upright in front of him with both hands clasped around his adversary's collar. He then hurls them crashing to the mat from an altitude of over eight feet. The "Brain Chop" is an overhand, ridge handed hack to the skull. Both of these moves will be fairly simply to execute on the much smaller Cena. Still, these finishers still remain relatively untested against higher echelon opponents.
In spite of of the immense size of The Great Khali, Cena should be capable of performing his signature FU on the 420 lb monster. Cena has previously demonstrated that he is capable of hoisting Khali into the Fireman's Carry position. In addition, Cena has FU'd the 500lb plus Big Show multiple times in a single match. Khali, who has rarely even been taken off his feet, may be unsettled enough for Cena to score the pin fall after an FU.
Cena's STFU in contrast is a maneuver that may absent in the champ's Sunday night strategy. It is unknown if Cena would even be capable to lock his submission on Khali's colossal figure. Advantage – John Cena
KEYS TO VICTORY
John Cena
Cena potentially faces his supreme challenge to date in the form of the 7'4" Khali. The champ needs to set aside the power game early on, and center on utilizing his superior speed an athleticism in order to wear down Khali. Cena could also profit from a drawn out contest, as he has established his ability to perform in extended contests. Khali mass and method is not designed to perform well past fifteen to twenty minutes. If Cena can extend the match out, his odds of victory increase.
The Great Khali
Khali needs to keep Cena close and maintain a constant power assault. The big man needs to stick to his strong points and not pursue Cena out of the ring where much of his advantage could be negated by neighboring obstacles. In addition, Khali needs to maintain the match at a sluggish pace in order to extend his peak timetable. Khali should also be weary of allowing Cena to be disqualified, as a return bout benefits the title holder by giving him a hands-on scouting report.
IN THE END…
The rhythm of the match will determine much of how this contest is decided. If Khali can maintain a slow offense he has an excellent opportunity to leave as the new WWE Champion. Whereas John Cena needs to accelerate the tempo just to survive…
