411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Night of Champions 2008

Posted by Stephen Randle on 06.28.2008

Every title is on the line this Sunday, and the 411 staff has all their thoughts on the PPV!



Introduction:

This Sunday, WWE continues a tradition that it started last year, with Night of Champions. On this PPV, every single title in WWE will be defended. Okay, so there's no official Intercontinental title match yet, but rest assured, it will be on the line. Plus, following this past Monday's roster draft, all sorts of intrigue has erupted, especially around the three top title matches on the card. Will Night of Champions be a contender for one of 2008's best PPVs? Or will it fall into the trap of last year, when only one title actually changed hands? Well, we're most likely guaranteed at least one World title change, but what else does WWE have in store for its fans? Let's see what the 411 staff has to say about this Sunday's big event.

Staff:

Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Jerome Cusson, 411Movies/TV Retro TV reviews

Michael O, The Dope on Smackdown

Jarrod Westerfeld, Scripted Through Sin

Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight

Michael Bauer, 411 ECW recapper

Mathew Sforcina, Evolution Schematic

Dan Torkel, Brooklyn Brawlin'

Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told

Matt Short, The Navigation Log

Jeremy Thomas, 411Movies/TV DVD reviews

Shawn S. Lealos, 411Movies/TV Alternate Takes

Robert Leighty Jr., From The Bowery

Julian Bond, Please Don't Hate

Andy Clark, The Shimmy

Brian Cramer, 411Movies/TV X-Files reviews

Neil Borenstein, 411Sports MLB Fastball


~WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS~


Mickie James(c) vs. Katie Lea Burchill - Women's Championship

Stephen Randle: This feud isn't as well developed yet as it could be, since Katie Lea's been sidetracked by her brother's feud with Kennedy. I think this feud continues past this show, which would be nice, since it'll keep Beth Phoenix out of the spotlight for a while, and I, personally, was getting a little tired of her obviously being better than every Diva on Raw.

Winner: Mickie James

Jerome Cusson: Burchill is way too new in my opinion to warrant a title victory. Plus, Mickie still has an issue with Beth Phoenix that needs to be settled down the road. Who would have ever thought that both the WWE and TNA would have well-booked women's divisions and Ring of Honor would be floundering when it came to women's wrestling and giving it a real big emphasis? Anyway, Mickie wins here in what should be a pretty good bout involving the ladies.

Winner AND STILL WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPION: Mickie James

Michael O: I'm assuming Natalya will beat whoever her opponent is for the new Diva belt, so may as well have a face hold on to the other one. By the way, I can't tell you how excited I am that we have no Jericho/HBK intercontinental match, but TWO women's title fights.

Winner: Mickie James

Jarrod Westerfeld: While this holds the potential to be a good match, the problem is this company has too many titles of which will be featured on this card. So once again the ladies will get the short end of the stick as they'll most likely get, at most, 8 minutes. In the end, I don't see Katie Lea getting the win for the strap – at least not just yet.

Winner: Mickie James (RETAINS Women's Championship)

Michael Weyer: I love Burchill, I really do. Talented, great on the mic but she's still rather new and this has the makings of a long-term feud, especially with Melina out for a while. So I see Mickie retaining here with a rematch down the road but Burchill should give it a good shot and keep up this nice boost for the division.

WINNER and still Woman's Champion: Our favorite psycho

Michael Bauer: Mickie James has been pinned twice by Katie Lee over the past month. Simple math says that ends when the title is on the line.

Winner: Mickie James

Mathew Sforcina: First off, Howard Finkle should be the special ring annoucer for this PPV. Second, I like Katie Lea, but this is not the time or the place to switch this belt, not with My Goddess winning the Diva's Title as well. Mickie to retain when Paul beats her up.

Winner, and STILL WWE Women's Champion: Mickie James (DQ after Twisted Sister by Paul)

Dan Torkel: The women's division has been built up greatly over the last few months and this match should be pretty good given Katie's work against the boys so far. With Melina getting hurt on Raw and Candace not back yet, Mickie is the only top face amongst the DIVAs so I see her taking this one and going back to feud with the Glamazon.

Winner and Still Women's Champion: Mickie James

Bayani Domingo: Where the hell did Beth Phoenix go? I can't see Katie Lea taking the title here as she's still pretty green and I'm still not 100% as to what her supposed "gimmick" is yet since they haven't really developed it. My guess is Mickie retains and Burchill roughs her up in retaliation, which will bring out Cena or someone else to help her.

Winner: Mickie "The Mouth of the South" James

Matt Short: I enjoyed the tag match that set up this title match a lot. It's too soon though to take the title off of Mickie and Katie Lea is still a pretty much unproven entity in the ring. Sure, she hasn't had any huge screw ups and has shown some potential but I wouldn't derail someone who's already doing fine with the belt.

Winner: Mickie James

Jeremy Thomas: Wow. You know, this is the ONE title match that hasn't gotten shuffled or changed in some way because of the draft. Again, why the hell did they do the draft right before the "all titles on the line" Pay-Per-View? Oh, that's right, to make all of us Roundtable-ers lose our freaking minds trying to predict this shit. Anyway, rant over. Katie's already showing herself to be a future contender and big name in the RAW Women's Division, but she's not going over here. Mickie's still got a ways to go with this title reign, and Beth is looming in the horizon. I predict a pretty decent match, and a clean win by the champ.

Winner: Mickie James (Long Kiss Goodnight; STILL WWE Women's Champion)

Shawn S. Lealos: Mickie James has been booked strong thanks to her title win over Beth Phoenix. Katie Lea has shown a lot of potential in her in-ring performance recently, but it is not time to change the title yet.

Winner: Mickie James

Robert Leighty Jr.: Still to early for Katie, but this could be a fun match. Not too confident they will get a lot of time due to all the title matches. They effort will be there, and I expect a decent contest.

Winner and Still Women's Champion: Mickie James

Julian Bond: I think that this match is really a testing ground for good ol' Katie to test the championship waters. So assumingly "oh, Mickey, she's so fine" James takes the W.

Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Mickie James

Andy Clark: This should be a good test of how good Katie Lea is in the ring. It's also a fresh match in the Women's division, which is a good thing. I don't see Katie winning the belt here, but it wouldn't surprise me that much if I were wrong.

Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Mickie James

Brian Cramer: I just found out that Katie Lea used "Get Back" by Ludacris as her entrance music in SHIMMER. I liked her before but now she fucking rocks. Unfortunately, she'll be rocking without the Women's Championship. She has yet to be involved in anything except tag-team matches on Raw and isn't going to get the W over Mickie James in her first official singles match - especially after pinning Mickie in both of their last two encounters.

Winner and STILL Women's Champion: Mickie James

Neil Borenstein: One would think, and many do, that it's not yet in the cards for Katie Lea to get that Women's Championship. But I don't think the WWE is one to hesitate much on this belt. Mickie James should have a longer run. And I don't think Katie Lea is ready yet to be the top Diva. But I think she's going to pull it out by some cheap trick and become the new champ.

Winner and NEW Women's Champion: Katie Lea Burchill


Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly (c) vs Ted Dibiase and ??? - World Tag Team Championship

Stephen Randle: Okay, obviously Dibiase and his partner are going to win here. The Rhodes turn seems obvious as well, but I think it could wait until a rematch on Raw. That said, it just popped into my head that there is now someone on the Raw roster who could, for all intents and purposes, be considered "priceless". In fact, you could even say he's "money".

Winners: Ted Dibiase and CM Punk

Jerome Cusson: With D.H. Smith being drafted to Smackdown, I think a lot of people's hopes got ruined for a real good faction. Instead, I think Rhodes will just turn on Holly and they'll win the tag belts. I just thought it would have meant more for Dibiase, Rhodes, Smith, and Carlito to be in a group together. Maybe even throw Orton in there as a leader.

Winners and NEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes

Michael O: Sometimes I have to stop and actually think about who the RAW tag champs are in order to remember. This could be a testament to the evil's of pot abuse, but I prefer to view it as a testament to how bland and forgettable the duo of Rhodes and Holly really is. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that D.H. Smith is the mystery partner and I'm going to go even further out on a different, though still attached to the same tree, limb and predict new champions.

Winner: Smith & Ted's excellent adventure

Jarrod Westerfeld: To be honest, I have no care here as Raw just doesn't treat their tag division to matter at any point. You have an over tag team in Cryme Tyme who is just too popular not to use, then you have London and Kendrick who looked to be getting on a roll only to drop off the radar, and in all of that the company decides they're going to give us Ted DiBiase and a mystery partner to suddenly appear and challenge for the titles? Yeah, that shit doesn't work for me.

While everyone is probably banking on DH Smith, I don't think the company is willing to trust him just yet considering his problems with the Wellness Policy, so I'm going to bank on the swerve in Cody Rhodes teaming up with Ted, only because I'm not sure if the WWE has fully pulled Mike DiBiase away from any of his other obligations to focus him as one of their own stars.

Winner: Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes (NEW World Tag Team Champions)

Michael Weyer: I'm so hoping its Ted's brother as the partner, I really am. But Smith would be perfect too and either way, the mystery partner makes it certain that we'll be seeing gold for DiBiase and promise a hot new team.

WINNERS and NEW Tag Team Champions: The Million Dollar Man's progeny

Michael Bauer: The mystery partner will be formerly of the Greasers... DEUCE!!!! He just got drafted to Raw and what better way to debut than on a new team of 2nd generation wrestlers. And of course, it has all been built for new champions to arise.

Winners: Dibiase Jr. and Snuka Jr. (NEW CHAMPS)

Mathew Sforcina: Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you a conundrum. Can someone both win and lose the tag belts in the same match? We'll find out. Cody will be found backstage, KOed. Holly has to go it alone, he and Ted brawl for a bit. Eventually Cody staggers out, then promptly bulldogs Holly. Ted pins him, grabs belts, gives Cody's one back, Ted and his partner, Cody, win the belts.

Winners, and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ted DiBiase Jr. & Cody Rhodes (See above)

Dan Torkel: I have been writing for weeks in my column that the second Generation stable starts here and it should go down with Dibiase going to introduce his mystery partner and having Cody turn on Hardcore and being named Dibiase's partner.

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ted Dibiase Jr and CODY RHODES (mystery partner)

Bayani Domingo: I can't believe that ??? is finally off their Wellness suspension. I was hoping Dibiase was going to pick up TBD or "Mystery Partner" instead but I guess ??? is due for a big push. I figured it would have been DH Smith who would have been Dibiase's partner which would have started that whole 2nd Generation angle, but you know the more I think about it the more I think this is a huge swerve where Cody Rhodes ends up turning on Holly and somehow illogically him and Dibiase win the title. Probably Dibiase pins Holly then gives Cody the other strap. Book it!!

Winner: Dibiase and Rhodes, aka The Million Dollar American Dreams

Matt Short: A lot of people thought we were going to get DH Smith as Dibiase's partner here. The supplemental draft certainly put the kibosh on that, but there's still hope for all those praying for the 2nd Generation stable. Deuce was drafted to Raw and could potentially make an appearance as the mystery partner, but like most people I'm leaning toward Cody Rhodes turning on Holly. WWE is definitely putting a lot of faith in young Dibiase here. They're debuting him on PPV and in a title match no less. Tag team wrestling might not be what it used to be in the WWE, but the potential for getting gold in your very first match is a sign that the company wants to do something with you. I just hope Dibiase has gotten better, because the last time I saw him wrestle he was fine in the ring but he wasn't exactly looking like he was deserving of a huge push right out the gate in the WWE.

Winners: Ted Dibiase and whoever he gets as a partner

Jeremy Thomas: The Cody Rhodes heel turn has been building for a while now and I called it the night of DiBiase's debut; I'm not backing away from it now. Of course, this could be a classic WWE bait-and-switch, but I doubt it. The second-generation stable is coming, and I see it being Rhodes & DiBiase, perhaps Deuce, under Orton. What do we call this? The new Evolution. Remember how Orton talked about it before? Yeah, it's totally going to happen; four guys who are young second-generation wrestlers. Get ready for all the Evolution marks to lose their minds. So yeah. Cody turns on Holly, DiBiase pins Holly, gives Rhodes the belt. We've all seen it coming for a while.

Winner: Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase (DiBiase pins Holly; NEW World Tag Team Champions)

Shawn S. Lealos: Everyone thought it would be DiBiase and D.H. Smith and the second-generation stable would begin. Then they moved Smith to Smackdown. Then they moved Carlito to Smackdown. That leaves Cody Rhodes as the only other person I can think of for that stable. Maybe we'll get the new Hart Foundation on Smackdown and a small second generation stable on Raw. It would give Randy Orton something to do for a while. I don't know who the partner would be but I like the idea of Cody turning on Holly and DiBiase getting the titles.

Winner: Ted DiBiase

Robert Leighty Jr.: I think the mystery partner will be a let down, but no matter who the partner is the titles are changing hands. Rhodes turning on Holly is certainly possible, but the other choice would be Snuka Jr. DH Smith is the 3rd option, but since he was sent to SD via the draft, I think that boat has sailed.

Winners and New World Tag Team Champions: Ted Dibiase Jr and ??? (Rhodes/Snuka Jr)

Julian Bond: Everyone pretty much believes that Rhodes is going to turn on the former Sparkplug Holly and so do I. The turn happens, they lose the belts, and Dibiase/Rhodes start a bad-ass 2nd generation tag team of their own.

Winner and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ted Dibiase (and then given to Rhodes)

Andy Clark: In the words of Mike Adamle: "Here comes The Deuce!" With DH Smith now on SmackDown that leaves the former Greaser to step in as DiBiase's partner. Second generation superstar? Check. Tag team specialist? Check. Recent addition to the Raw roster and in need of repackaging? Check. And for the record the idea of Cody Rhodes being the mystery partner is so asinine that TNA is probably planning on using it next month. Cody may very well turn heel, dropping off the apron when Holly goes for the tag, but he will NOT be the mystery partner and he will NOT leave as a tag team champion.

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ted DiBiase & Deuce Snuka

Brian Cramer: My 411 brethren have intelligent theories, as always, and a few have mentioned Deuce being the mystery partner after being drafted to Raw. While a wonderful theory (that I, quite frankly) wouldn't mind seeing come to fruition), I just can't believe it will go down that way. Kayfabe speaking, there was no way Dibiase could've know the young Snuka would be drafted (and thus, eligible for the match), so it makes no sense. I'm going with the conventional idea that Rhodes turns on Holly, allowing Dibiase to score the pinfall and the titles - then proceeding to hand one over to Cody.

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes

Neil Borenstein: I find the Cody Rhodes swerve theory interesting and it does seem more logical considering D.H. Smith's move to Smackdown. I'm just not sure the WWE is going to pull the swerve at this PPV. That whole scenario seems a bit more complicated than actually giving DiBiase a tag partner. The partner will probably be Deuce in this match and the team will take the loss, which will save the Rhodes heel turn and stable formation for a later date.

Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly


John Morrison and The Miz (c) vs Finlay and Hornswoggle - WWE Tag Team Championship

Stephen Randle: Stopgap measure while WWE realizes that once again, they have no tag teams. Morrison and Miz are so far above the rest of the potential competitors that it's silly.

Winner: Miz and Morrison

Jerome Cusson: Yes Virginia, the WWE is dumb enough to give Hornswaggle the tag team titles. I firmly believe that with ECW moving the night its taped, we're gonna see the WWE tag team titles switched back to Smackdown for good now. Won't it be nice to have a midget with a championship? That's exactly what we needed to help spice the WWE up. Sadly, Miz and Morrison are really just starting to hit their stride as titleholders, so of course they get buried in what amounts to a handicap match.

Winner and NEW WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Finlay and Hornswaggle

Michael O: My only hope is that with Horny's track record, they retire these straps shortly after. Really, we barely have enough teams to justify one set of tag titles. Having two just underscores how bad off the division is right now and while Miz and Morrison have been fun and a lot better than anybody expected, I say enough is enough. It's time for a change. Fingers are crossed for future title unification.

Winner: Finlay and his son

Jarrod Westerfeld: We all just lost. Seriously, this was a horrible decision, once again, showcasing that this company just doesn't care about its tag team division. Finlay and Hornswoggle are over, Horny being more so just because of his wild antics. But that doesn't mean they should be pushed in a division that actually showed promise at one point and could be rebuilt. If Hornswoggle wins here, they continue to place the emphasis on him being a Title Killer, which isn't a good thing. As a matter of fact, putting the title on Horny would only alienate his appeal with the general public that loves him, because now you're once again putting too much focus on him when the maintenance of his appeal should be you limit his appearances and his role. If Morrison and Miz win it's not a big accomplishment as the division already took a hit. If Finlay and Hornswoggle win, the titles mean even less than they do now. Lose/lose situation for us all.

Winner: John Morrison & The Miz (RETAIN WWE Tag Team Championship)

Michael Weyer: Normally, I'd say no chance in hell for a title change but then again, they let Hornswoggle run the Cruiserweight title into the ground last year. Yes, the Irishmen are over but giving them a tag title run is just insulting when WWE should be concentrating on really rebuilding the division. So expect some whacky "fun" before Morrison and Miz cheat to retain.

WINNERS and still WWE Tag Champions: Miz and Morrison

Michael Bauer: Speaking of 2nd generation, we have Finlay and Hornswoggle, just drafted to ECW, facing the Smackdown Tag Champs, also on ECW. Kinda weird, I know. Finlay and Hornswoggle do nothing for the titles and while the Tag Champs have slightly run stale, I can not see both Tag Titles changing hands.

Winners: Miz and Morrison

Mathew Sforcina: Great. Just... Great.

Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Finlay & Hornswoggle (Tadpole Splash to Miz)

Dan Torkel: Unlike the other tag straps, these Champs have been booked effectively defeating all comers and showing some real class as a Tag Team. I don't know who else there is to feud with, but Finlay was just drafted to ECW so here's hoping for a "World" Title run.

Winners and Still Champions: MNM 2

Bayani Domingo: Oh for the love of GOD do not let a midget be tag champion. Just ask Batista how that worked out for him. It's weird but maybe it's being paired with Morrison, but I can almost stand The Miz now…if he could just learn to actually excel past "barely passable" in the ring he'd be fine.

Winner: M&M part Deux

Matt Short: Remember when Hornswoggle first appeared and people thought that having a leprechaun was going to ruin Finlay, but instead he got the gimmick over while remaining badass? I don't mind Finlay getting a shot at gold, but I don't like the idea of Hornswoggle as a tag team champion. It would just be running the title into the ground at this point, which sucks considering how enjoyable the reign of Morrison & Miz has been. I'm pulling for the champs to retain.

Winners: John Morrison & The Miz

Jeremy Thomas: Oh, go to hell, WWE. I don't think this will kill Morrison & Miz's momentum, but it's still damned stupid. The main reason I don't think this will kill their momentum is because I don't see them losing. The 'E has shown that they love crapping on the tag division all the time, but I don't see this happening. The only reason it could is because:

a) they're realizing that Colin Delaney as Whipwreck worked, and they're hoping to capitalize on it with another Foley/Mikey situation in these two (Finley as the serious guy, Horny as comedy), and
b) they want to move Morrison (and maybe Miz) onto bigger and better things. They've shown how serious they are with these two in some singles matches and by putting them over Kane & Punk time and again; maybe they'll be moving them on.

Oh, hell. I just convinced myself. God damn it.

Winner: Finley & Hornswaggle (Hornswaggle pins Miz; NEW WWE Tag Team Champions)

Shawn S. Lealos: Giving the titles to Finley and Hornswaggle would be a mistake. MnM v2 is the best tag team in the WWE now that Kendrick and London have been separated. People question the ECW moving to RAW tapings and that would cost Smackdown its tag team titles, but as of the second week of August, Smackdown and ECW are still being recorded together. Only house shows combine RAW and ECW, so that has time to work itself out. MnM are the better team and should win here.

Winner: MnM v2

Robert Leighty Jr.: They have a good thing going with Morrison and Miz. They have been more entertaining the MNM, and Miz is starting to come into his own. It would be shame to job these two to a midget. Last year the CW Title was killed by Hornswoggle, and I pray it doesn't happen again this year with the WWE Tag Titles.

Winners and Still Champions: Miz and Morrison

Julian Bond: As much as I love the perfect team of Miz and Morrison, I think that their horribly long and surprisingly good tag title run come to an end. Finlay and Hornswaggle aren't the greatest tag team, but at least they're one of the most diverse set of wrestlers to pair in a long time.

Winner and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Finlay and Hornswoggle


Andy Clark: I was all prepared to guarantee a Finlay & Horny victory before they moved to ECW, but now I'm not so sure. With ECW moving to Monday night's I would imagine Miz and Morrison will need to drop the straps soon, but losing to another ECW team doesn't make much sense unless Finlay & Hornswoggle are going to be transitional champs to Hawkins & Ryder or something. I'll go with M'n'M to retain but it's not a confident pick.

Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: John Morrison & The Miz

Brian Cramer: I'm going to just copy and paste what I wrote in the 4Rs this week here - "...the Irishman and leprechaun are actually challenging for the fucking tag titles at NoC. Miz and Morrison deserve better than this. They've evolved into a phenomenal tag-team and have actually brought some dignity and prestige to the championships. They should have NO problem disposing of Finlay and the midget at the pay-per-view but it's WWE, so realistically, we're probably looking at new tag-team champions."

Winners and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Finlay and Hornswoggle

Neil Borenstein: Finlay and Hornswoggle grabbing the belts at this PPV seems entirely too convenient, and it also locks Finlay up in a situation where he won't do much singles action. And for a brand that needs Finlay wrestling in the singles department and not teaming up for some corny tag matches that will soon get old, I figure John Morrison and The Miz will hold onto the belts until more of a tag team comes along.

Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: John Morrison and The Miz


Matt Hardy (c) vs Chavo Guerrero - WWE United States Championship

Stephen Randle: Has a wrestler ever worn more gold without anyone caring than Chavo Guerrero? This belt is not for him, though.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Jerome Cusson: I'm not the biggest Chavo Guerrero fan at this point, so I could really care less about this match. To me, the draft and the big shift of ECW tapings from night to another really changes the tone of this show. While I think it adds a lot of drama, especially in a match like this and even the WWE title match, it also means we get stuck with Chavo Guerrero holding a title again. Matt Hardy gets a whopping two month title reign and a kick in the ass to ECW while Chavo gets rewarded despite not being nearly as over as Hardy. Welcome to the WWE.

Winner and NEW WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION: Chavo Guerrero

Michael O: I don't see any possible reason for Chavo to win here. Which almost makes me think he'll win. But he won't. And how awesome is it that instead of any furtherance of the Hardy/MVP feud, both have done nothing for the last two months and we get this last minute, thrown together clash with absolutely no build or story what-so-ever instead.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Jarrod Westerfeld: Both champion and contender ate pin losses on Monday night, and this match feels random enough as it is leaving me totally numb to the bout. All of the appeal around the US title when Matt was chasing, and now it's all gone that he has become champion and all thanks in large part to poor writing. This should be the time where Matt is riding a high in the mid card scene, a scene he should be viewed as having out grown at some point. Now, instead, we're treated to a meaningless bout with no story or meaning behind it – what a shame.

Winner: Matt Hardy (RETAINS United States Championship)

Michael Weyer: Before, I'd say Hardy retains easily. But then we got him drafted to ECW and Chavo is in with Edge so it makes sense he'd get the belt here, add more to La Familia and leave Matt to chase the ECW title. Yeah, a bit sad to see Matt beltless again but hopefully a good match.

WINNER and NEW US Champion: Chavo

Michael Bauer: Chavo Guerrero will not derail Matt Hardy in his first PPV Title defense. There is no logic that I can think of that defies that statement.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Mathew Sforcina: Given that ECW is meant to be filming with Raw now...

Winner, and NEW US Champion (and thus a Triple Crown Champion): Chavo Guerrero (La Famila beat down and/or Jeff heel turn)

Dan Torkel: I don't see Chavo going over here after Matt's long chase for the US Title. Now drafted to ECW, these two can have a decent feud before Matt moves on.

Winner and Still US Champion: Matt Hardy

Bayani Domingo: I can't imagine they'll let ECW keep the US title and my guess is Chavo takes the belt and then gets a permanent transfer to SD somehow…probably Vicki makes a trade or something. I would hope that Hardy would keep the strap but if my gut feeling is right then La Familia will need at least one belt in the family. Or…familia.

Winner: Chavito

Matt Short: I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Matt Hardy is a fine enough wrestler as is Chavo, but it seems like they just need to have the right opponent in there with them to bring out their best. I do like the story behind it though: Hardy only wants to defend against people who earned the right, so Chavo uses good old nepotism to get a title shot. The build after that has been really lackluster after that though. Hardy needs a really good opponent if people are going to keep caring about the US Title the way they did during the Hardy/MVP feud.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Jeremy Thomas: Matt's on ECW. Chavo's on SmackDown. ...wait a minute. Is Chavo on SmackDown? He was representing ECW in the Battle Royal on Raw. But...he...La Familia...okay, so they're both on ECW. Right?

Oh, fuck the brand extension. Chavo wins due to cheating in what should be a fairly good match, and the US Title and Chavo get back on SmackDown somehow.

Winner: Chavo Guerrero (La Familia Interference; NEW WWE United States Champion)

Shawn S. Lealos: Both guys are on ECW, but like I said before, they are still with Smackdown for the next couple of months at least. I think Chavo can get the win here due to outside interference but I don't think they are ready to push Matt in a World Championship feud. This may be his only chance to get a World Title, but I think for now he remains US Champ.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Robert Leighty Jr: Hardy gets a PPV Title defense, and he has to go over here. He is now the #1 guy (by default it seems) on the ECW Roster, and he can't do the JOB. Even if it is to a former ECW Champion. Good match if given time, and solid no matter what.

Winner and Still US Champion: Matt Hardy

Julian Bond: Matt just won the belt after his near year-long battle with MVP and it strangely seems like his run with it is already getting old. So with his drafting to ECW, I think that he's in line to chase after the ECW Title, which he will hopefully win down the line. So with that...

Winner and NEW US Champion: Chavo Guerrero

Andy Clark: Matt is another one that should be losing the title soon, but losing it to another ECW guy solves nothing. For the record I believe Chavo Guerrero is the potential exit strategy for JR as the could execute a three way trade for Chavo, JR, and Michael Cole to keep La Familia in tact when ECW moves. That being said, I think Shelton Benjamin is probably in line for the US Title on SmackDown so Matt can win here.

Winner and STILL United States Champion: Matt Hardy

Brian Cramer: I'm going with wishful thinking (mixed with a dab of logic) here. Hardy is now effectively at the top of the pecking order on ECW. With Mark Henry poised to win the ECW title, what other top-tier face is left to go against him? Hardy drops the title here to Chavo in order to progress into a world title program with Sexual Siverback. I'm also predicting that this will eventually end with Chavo dropping the title to an "official" member of Smackdown (Jeff Hardy or Kennedy, likely) to bring the US Title back to the blue brand.

Winner and NEW WWE United States Champion: Chavo Guerrero

Neil Borenstein: I like the idea of this match, since it has all the potential in the world to be entertaining if given the proper time. But I hate to think the WWE takes the belt away from Matt Hardy, considering they've already knocked him down a peg by sending him to ECW and it's not like they're going to give him a run at the ECW World Title anytime soon. For me to have any confidence that the WWE is even remotely interested in doing anything useful with Hardy, they keep him U.S. Champion right up until they're ready to give him that push into the main … which, again, isn't happening yet.

Winner and STILL United States Champion: Matt Hardy


Kane (c) vs The Big Show vs. Mark Henry - ECW Championship

Stephen Randle: A match full of intrigue, actually. Well, it has to be, because the match itself is probably going to suck, big time. I have this sense that Henry was inserted in the match simply because Kane was suddenly drafted to Raw, and they don't want to strip the ECW belt again. Ugh, just contemplating what that means makes me a little ill.

Winner: Mark Henry

Jerome Cusson: This insistence on pushing f'ing Mark Henry is an insult to the wrestlers who've actually worked hard these last few years. Henry has never had a good match in his 12 years in the WWE. If he wasn't big, he would have been tossed out on his ass a long time ago. Big Show and Kane may not be very good, but at least they have good charisma or a decent character. Henry is a useless lump who sadly will get the ECW title.

Winner and NEW ECW CHAMPION: Mark Henry

Michael O: Well slap a velvet turban on my head and call me Kreskin!
From the June 6th edition of The Dope on Smackdown:

They should put him in the match and make it a triple threat. It'd be like the Wrestlemania XX main event in bizzarro world. It's what IWC smarks watch on an endless loop when they die and go to hell.

It seems pointless to add him if he's not going to win, but then again it's Mark Henry we're talking about here, who's career has been defined by pointlessness. Then again, it's the ECW title we're talking about too, which still has one thing in common with the original ECW championship: it's not as important as the WWE one(s). So while I certainly think Mark is capable of being given the belt (sorry, but if it's good enough for Chavo...), I'll say that he's only there to take the fall so Kane doesn't look jobbed out when he shows up for work on Monday.
Either way, I know come 8pm Sunday night, both Mark Henry and the "ECW" title won't mean all that much.

Winner: I'll still say Big Show

Jarrod Westerfeld: Now a triple threat with some appeal as you have some story where all three men have an interaction with one another. Big Show is looking to reclaim gold, though his appeal post-Wrestlemania has died down tremendously, Henry is looking to prove his worth as the strongest and baddest big man in the company, and Kane is looking to solidify his championship reign. While it won't be a technical masterpiece, it should be a decent little bout given the story up until this point. In the end, I don't see anything changing here.

Winner: Kane (RETAINS ECW Championship)

Michael Weyer: This...could be ugly. I mean, really ugly. True, they do have some past history between all three, which is more than some triple threats have and each has surprised us in the past but still the potential for some ugly fighting. As for the result, I'll go with Show to give Kane time off as rumored.

WINNER and NEW ECW Champion: Big Show

Michael Bauer: Kane is on Raw, Mark Henry gets added to the match last second and just got drafted to ECW. It almost seems pretty obvious from that alone.

Winner: Mark Henry (NEW CHAMP)

Mathew Sforcina: Here we go
You're looking at the real deal now (Whoo)
Gonna kick your sorry ass out on the street
You used to think you own the streets
Well pack your bags, your ass is dead meat
Victory's sweet
(Bring it on)
Here's the receipt
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Is that what you got?
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Gonna kick your sorry ass
So whatcha gonna do?
You're looking at the real deal now
Gonna kick your sorry ass out on the street
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Is that what you got?
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Gonna kick your sorry ass
So whatcha gonna do?
You're looking at the real deal now (Whoo)
Gonna kick your sorry ass out on the street
(Is that what you got?)
You used to think you own the streets
Well pack your bags, your ass is dead meat
Victory's sweet
(Bring it on)
Here's the receipt
Whatcha gonna do?
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Is that what you got?
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Gonna kick your sorry ass
So whatcha gonna do?
You're looking at the real deal now
Gonna kick your sorry ass out on the street
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Is that what you got?
(Bring it on)
Whatcha gonna do about it?
(Bring it on)
Gonna kick your sorry ass
So whatcha gonna do?
You're looking at the real deal now (Whoo)
Gonna kick your sorry ass out on the street
(That what you got?)

Winner, and NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry (D'Lo Brown interference)

Dan Torkel: Part of me says Mark Henry was added to take the fall. Then it occurred to me that he is the ONLY ECW guy there and maybe is there to steal a pin. This "title" is so devalued, they should have Finlay beat Kane and feud with Matt Hardy. Back to the match, I don't even know, but I doubt Kane wins with so many top guys on Raw now. My spider sense says CM Punk may use his MITB here, but I am holding out hope for something bigger for him.

Winner and NEW ECW Champ: Big Show (because I refuse to choose Henry and I feel like SD ends the night with 3 World Titles)

Bayani Domingo: There is a ton of potential in this match…wait, no there isn't…there is just a TON in this match. My god this is going to be ugly because none of these guys sell particularly well and each are supposed to be a "monster". This is one of the more intriguing matches as each brand is represented, but I can't imagine they'll take the ECW title off ECW, if Show wins he should be going to ECW full time, if Henry wins then…protect your first born sons. I hate to think of what this will mean for the brand but I see Matt Hardy eventually holding the title and of these men only one of them would believably be able to job to him.

Winner: "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry

Matt Short: Henry just moved to ECW and that strangely enough makes him the potential savior of ECW. People are down on the guy a lot, but I do hope he wins this Sunday. Not just so ECW can have their title back, but because he's about due for some recognition from the WWE for his years of work with the company, no matter how bad his run has been at times. This is another case where I wish the build had fit the match better though. Kane vs. Big Show was getting a lot of air time and it felt like they were actually giving the ECW Title match some real build. Mark Henry biting at Show and Kane's heels detracted from that a lot in the long run. I don't expect people to like how this match turns out Sunday, whatever the outcome.

Winner: Mark Henry

Jeremy Thomas: Kane's on Raw. Show's on SmackDown. Mark Henry just got drafted to ECW. The World's Strongest Sexual King of the Chocolate Silverback Jungle is going to be the new ECW Champion. Jesus Christ.

Winner: Mark Henry (Pins Kane; NEW ECW Champion)

Shawn S. Lealos: Ugh. Kane is RAW and Big Show is Smackdown. Mark Henry gets sent to ECW and gets a clean pin on Kane, to set up the false hope he will get the title. Once again, since ECW is not moving right away, I think the Mark Henry thing is a swerve and Big Show takes his second ECW Championship.

Winner: The Big Show

Robert Leighty Jr.: Henry was added late and he is now the only ECW man in this match. The red light goes off, and I think the WWE rewards Henry for hanging around for the last 12 years.

Winner and New ECW Champ: Mark Henry

Julian Bond: If putting Mark Henry on every ECW and Smackdown for the last few weeks, along with his clean win over the champ Kane, wasn't an indicator of anything, then I don't know what is. With Kane to Raw and Big Show not really doing that much right now, Henry is the best choice for a new strong champ.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry

Andy Clark: All I can say is somebody is gonna get they ass kicked and somebody is gonna get they wig split. I'll let you pick which gets what.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry

Brian Cramer: As has been pointed out several times, Mark Henry is the only ACTUAL member of the ECW roster in the ECW Championship match. This isn't the only reason he's going over though. He's also likely being rewarded for his loyalty to WWE for as many long years as he's been around and a small part of me can't help but think that this might have just a LITTLE to do with a certain Freebird. In any case, Henry keeps the ECW Championship in ECW.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry

Neil Borenstein: Considering Mark Henry is the only ECW representative in this match and I highly doubt the WWE is going to leave the brand without a heavyweight belt, this seems pretty academic. The match itself is going to be a train wreck of massive proportions. But the result seems fairly easy to figure out.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Mark Henry


Edge (c) vs Batista - World Heavyweight Championship

Stephen Randle: Well, one of the two titles has to change hands, and for some reason, I don't see this being the one. My logic? Well, mostly that Edge's wedding still hasn't happened, and only after that gets screwed up will he drop the belt, I think.

Winner: Edge

Jerome Cusson: Edge just won his championship less than a month ago. Having him lose it so quickly is a dumb move if you ask me. I think him being the champion to go and have a feud with Triple H would also be interesting since those two have never really had a one-on-one feud before. I think there will of course be lots of chicanery involved, but Edge will walk out the champion.

Winner and STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Edge

Michael O: Well I would think that Edge is a lock, just like last year's show, but there is now an outside chance of a reversal of fortune, should HHH leave with his belt. This very predictable match just got slightly less predictable, though I'm still pretty sure Edge has it in the bag.

Winner: Edge

Jarrod Westerfeld: Edge isn't going to be a transitional champion here, and I can't see Raw going back to focusing around the second tier championship after just getting used to focusing on the historic WWE Championship. That title means main events, this title does not. So Batista will fall short, leaving everyone to speculate that perhaps Edge and Triple H will clash to unify the titles, but I'm not seeing that either. I guess one could speculate Edge dropping here and leaving the WWE championship as the focus of SmackDown as they look to get appeal around the show up for when they make the switch, but I think the appeal will be in a face chasing down Edge for the title, once again.

Winner: Edge (RETAINS World Heavyweight Championship)

Michael Weyer: With HHH going to Smackdown, it sounds a time to switch belts but I don't see it happening. This has been getting a good build up and Edge did just win the belt, plus they seem to be planning Edge/HHH (which is money, no doubt about it) so see Edge retain with Batista using that resentment in his move to RAW.

WINNER and still World Champion: Edge

Michael Bauer: Well, here comes the interesting part. Does Batista or John Cena bring the title back to Raw? Either way, you are looking at Edge facing off with Triple H for the summer, but should he be the challenger? I know most people say that Edge will win here, but I feel like the reverse will happen. I'll explain more in the next match.

Winner: Batista (NEW CHAMP)

Mathew Sforcina: Oh please Carlin don't let them make a spinner World Heavyweight Title. PLEASE!

Winners, and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge (Half a dozen spears and then a roll up after Vicky gets powerbombed)

Dan Torkel: This match was done to death last year, but this is a place holder until Batista goes to Raw. I hope they play up the head injury from SD because that was a crazy accidental spot and Batista's bloody head was awesome! They should play up the head injury and have Edge win in a cheap and yet semi-clean way, therefore saving Batista's heat and also making Edge look dominant. Just think what an Edge might sound like without listening to Michael Cole screaming "ULTIMATE OPPORTUNIST!!!" every few seconds.

Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champ: Edge

Bayani Domingo: Look, Batista can't keep being a choker here and I can't imagine that Edge is going to end up in the same damn program with HHH that he did with everyone else where he holds the title over their heads and they keep trying to jump up to reach it and fall flat on their faces. My thinking was that Edge would lose the title here but for some reason I don't think it will end up around Big Dave's waist. In fact I'm going with a really far out idea that Edge retains the belt here with a lot of help from his "friends" then actually brokers a deal later on in the night.

Winner: Edge

Matt Short: I don't want to see Edge lose the title here. He's got an established power base on Smackdown and it would be completely pointless to ruin that by having him without the title. And I'd rather not see some kind of champion Triple H vs. Authority Figure feud right out the gates, which is almost certain to happen if he walks in with a championship after an Edge loss to Batista. Very fitting that this is going to be the send off for Batista on Smackdown, with the hope of fresher matches for him to come.

Winner: Edge

Jeremy Thomas: The biggest problem I have with the draft is how it shot this Pay-Per-View in the foot; there's no mystery of who's winning what. This match was already a foregone conclusion, but still. Anyway, I expect Edge & Batista to have a good match that will be very back and forth, and Edge will win by sneaky, evil heel tactics somehow to give Batista the farewell to Raw.

Winner: Edge (Heel Tactics leading to Spear; STILL World Heavyweight Champion)

Shawn S. Lealos: One of the Big 2 is changing hands. I think it will be Batista taking his title back from Edge and carrying it to RAW for some fresh feuds. HBK is waiting for some revenge. Y2J is a fresh heal who might want the chance. I think Summerslam would be too soon for Batista vs Cena, but with the WWE, you never know. I could see Batista winning it here, moving the title to RAW where Summerslam would feature a 3-way match between Dave, Shawn and Jericho. Then a slow build for Cena vs Batista at Wrestlemania.

Winner: Batista

Robert Leighty Jr.: Batista is heading to RAW, and thankfully this should be the last we see of this match for now. They don't have the greatest of chemistry, but hopefully they pull out all stops in this match. I can't see the titles changing brands again. I also don't see the World Title changing hands for the 3rd time in less than 3 months.

Winner and Still World Heavyweight Champ: Edge

Julian Bond: With a huge "wedding" ahead for Edge and Vickie, along with tiny hints of La Famila breaking up, the attention of Smackdown should still be on the champ, which will result in Edge beating Batista. Bastista will move on to the better pastures of Raw, while Edge deals with new additions of HHH and Jeff Hardy.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champ: Edge

Andy Clark: This match got a whole lot more interesting with the draft. Batista going to Raw as the World Champion might be interesting but I think Edge is going to need to be the top dog on SmackDown, especially as long as Vickie Guerrero is in charge. Still, this match has much more intrigue then it otherwise would have thanks to the draft.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Brian Cramer: Thank GOD Batista finally got off of Smackdown. While their matches were never really "bad", if I had to see another Edge/Batista or Taker/Batista match...just ugh. But I digress. This match will likely be on par with their other matches, as nothing groundbreaking but certainly more than watchable. Look for some La Familia/Edge chicanery to allow the "Ultimate Opportunist" to hang on to his title on Smackdown (albeit through nefarious means).

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge

Neil Borenstein: Because I think the WWE Championship is going to find it's way back to RAW in some way, I anticipate this match to go in favor of Smackdown. Added with the whole Vickie Guerrero factor, this unfortunately means Edge retains and Batista begins his RAW stint with no title in hand.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Edge


Triple H (c) vs John Cena - WWE Championship

Stephen Randle: Well, by the logic of Edge retaining, this result should be easy to predict. Remember, to become a sixteen-time World Champion, you have to lose the belt a bunch, too.

Winner: John Cena

Jerome Cusson: Having Batista and now Triple H makes this Pay-Per-View just a little bit better in my opinion. I think it adds tension and unpredictability. I believe Cena or Batista are winning their respective match. In this case, I think Cena is going to be the big winner for a lot of reasons. The first is Triple H wants a lot of title reigns. He can very easily lose here and then go chase Edge for his championship. The second is I think they want an angry Batista, Orton, and possibly even Jericho coming after Cena's title. I know some have commented on Cena being a better chaser but with the way things are shaking out, I think he's got a lot of great challengers waiting in the wings.

Winner and NEW WWE CHAMPION: John Cena

Michael O: Much like Kane, it would seem that Hunter has to lose for the sake of tying up loose ends, but "The E" has shown an eagerness to surprise the fans this year (Cena wins the Rumble, Orton wins at 'Mania, Edge banishes 'Taker), so much so that I can almost see Hunter taking his belt with him to Tuesday's tapings while 'Tista brings the big gold belt back to RAW. I'm still going to stand by my feelings before the draft occurred, but being the intrigue aficionado that I am, I must say that the main events for this show are looking at lot more interesting now.

Winner: John Cena

Jarrod Westerfeld: Normally I'd be saying there's no title change here, but with things as they stand, I can see Triple H dropping the title, refocusing his character a bit on SmackDown, and then getting back the big title and win over Cena at Wrestlemania. You know it has to be on his mind as a win there means so much more than beating the "weak wrestler" on a throwaway pay-per-view that has no name value or history behind it beyond just last year.

Winner: John Cena (NEW WWE Champion)

Michael Weyer: I know I've been burned before in my picks for Cena but the time has come. He's done his dues since coming back, been bounced around but with HHH leaving for Smackdown and Batista and CM Punk arriving, it's time for Cena to get the belt back. These two always do great in the ring together and will probably blow it off big here with HHH putting Cena over great as a farewell to RAW and Cena back on track.

WINNER and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

Michael Bauer: With Batista winning, it's obvious I also have Triple H winning. Here is why. John Cena and Triple H kinda resemble Edge and Undertaker heading into Wrestlemania. Edge had always said that he has never lost to the Dead Man, but you could sense it would change. Cena has never lost in a one on one match to Triple H, going back to Wrestlemania two years ago. While Triple H chasing the title again seems logical, it seems even more logical for John Cena to chase Batista. I mean, he sold it perfectly on Raw. Triple H as champion gives him Edge to start off with, gives him back the rub fro Cena, and gives more time for Kennedy to build himself back up with the likes of Shelton and Jeff Hardy before getting a run at Edge, who wins back the title at Summerslam.

Winner: Triple H

Mathew Sforcina: Hey, he loses the belt here, gets another reign at Summerslam when he beats Edge.

Winners, and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena (3rd FU)

Dan Torkel: I simply don't buy this being a one and done deal with Triple H on Smackdown. I REALLY hope Triple H stays there to boost the shows and even things out, but I think something shady happens that allows for another match at Great American Bash. In my column I talked about a double pin, but they don't like that sort of thing, so I will say some sort of No Contest keeping the belt on Triple H and demanding a rematch. This feud has Ironman match written all over it and for those thinking ONE HOUR OF CENA...OH MY GOD!!! just remember his 55 minute MOTYC with Shawn on Raw last year.

Winner: No Contest/Double pin/Double DQ/Draw/you get the point...Triple H retains

Bayani Domingo: So my thinking here is with the World Heavyweight Title headed to RAW the entire match will be based on whether RAW gets both titles and I am of the thinking that it won't happen that way. With Edge retaining I could see him getting involved and costing Cena the title and it appearing as if he'll help his brand by having BOTH titles on the show, but he'll turn around and La Familia will lay a beat down on HHH and possibly Cena which will allow…CM PUNK to cash in his MiTB shot. That keeps HHH strong by not losing to Cena clean, it keeps continuity that Edge is a primadona who wants to be the ONLY champion on Smackdown and can't stand either men, gives Punk some heat, and let's HHH chase the title on Smackdown and Cena can chase "his" belt on RAW. While I think there are a lot more interesting heels on Smackdown, there really is a dearth of them on RAW at the moment and CM Punk can fill that role until Orton is all better. Sounds brilliant…meaning it won't happen.

Winner: HHH, but NEW WWE Champion…CM Punk

Matt Short: This match should rule if the build has been any indication. Last year's Nigh of Champions fell flat, partly due to boring booking but mostly because everyone forgot about it in the wake of the Benoit case. So the objective in building this match has been to make the main event of Night of Champions mean something and the WWE has done that very well. The time is right for Cena to get the title back and doing it against Triple H would be a terrific way to firmly establish that Cena is the face of Raw. It sets up the rematch down the line perfectly since these two are going to be on different brands, when they meet again it will be another special moment.

Winner: John Cena

Jeremy Thomas: Before the draft, it was interesting to see who was gonna win in this match. Now? Pretty much a foregone conclusion. Triple H is going to SmackDown where he can feud with Edge (which will probably come to play in this match), and Cena's going to win the Title. But wait! I'm with Bayani on this one. I see Punk coming down after the match and cashing in his Money in the Bank shot, and beating Cena in order to become the new champion. It gives them a ready-made feud with Cena/Punk that will last a month or two while Orton recovers, and will give Punk the legitimacy he needs now that he's on Raw. It also does what they've been reportedly recognized that they need to do (and what the draft was supposed to do), which is elevate new faces. It's the best solution...which probably means the 'E won't do it. But I'm holding onto a hope.

Winner: John Cena (Edge interference; NEW WWE Champion); then CM Punk (Go 2 Sleep; NEW WWE Champion)

Shawn S. Lealos: John Cena will lose here, making the scorecard read 1-1 between the two superstars. Then somewhere down the line, they get their rubber match. Smackdown needs Triple H when they move to the new network. Remember when they first moved and The Rock headlined the show? Same thing here. A champion Triple H will help boost ratings for the show big time.

Winner: Triple H

Robert Leighty Jr.: RAW needs a champion and John Cena is that champion. HHH finally wants to work Tuesdays it seems, and he has the title that was basically invented for him to play with now. Cena gets back the strap for the 1st time in 8 months, and we get the build to Cena vs. Batista (do they wait to WM XXV or do they hot shot it for SummerSlam).

Winner and New WWE Champion: John Cena

Julian Bond: I see two possible outcomes to this match. The first one is a crazy conspiracy theory with Edge running in to take out HHH, as to establish his top spot as the only champ on Smackdown, and thus giving Cena the win. The second is Cena cleanly beating HHH to win the belt, which I honestly think won't happen as not to make HHH look pretty weak going into his new home at Smackdown. Either way Cena finally wins his title back to slowly set-up a possible big-money feud with Bastista at Summerslam, while HHH loses and then takes his top spot at Smackdown with facing the Edgester.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

Andy Clark: Well, well, well. Cena is finally getting what is rightfully his and it doesn't look like he'll even have to give back his win. How awesome is that? This is another match that has added depth due to the draft and this match was already a big deal as it was. I wouldn't be too surprised to see CM Punk cash in his MITB here, but I wouldn't count on it. After Sunday night Cena can officially claim that THE CHAMP IS HERE.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena (!!!)


Brian Cramer: As much as the concept intrigues me, I just can't, in good faith, believe they'd let Hunter take the belt with him to Smackdown. With Edge retaining, I can't see what they'd do with both belts on the same brand, even if only for a short storyline. Cena's getting another win over the Game here, which is starting to feel like Austin/Rock. The H's will get his win back in spectacular fashion at some point down the road but on this night, Cena is the man.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

Neil Borenstein: Before the draft, I was so looking forward to this match. I mean, I'm not trying to knock the draft, since it was both necessary and effective. But I think it took a lot of steam off what could have been an excellent match between the company's two biggest stars right now. This match has been a long time coming and didn't need all these extra brand elements attached. Regardless, I feed into the believe that Triple H steps out of this match with the belt since he's not going to take two losses to Cena … but loses the belt and leaves Smackdown with just the World Heavyweight Title (held by Edge) when CM Punk cashes in his Money In The Bank and takes advantage of a weakened Triple H to become the new WWE Champion on RAW.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Triple H … followed by Winner and NEW WWE Champion: CM Punk