411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Unforgiven 2008

Introduction:
This Sunday, WWE presents Unforgiven, live on PPV. This year’s edition features a brand new match concept, one that will take place not once, not twice, but thrice during the Pay Per View: The Scramble Match. If you don’t know the rules by now, we really can’t help you, but what the 411 staff can provide is their own personal picks and predictions for the big show.

Once again this month, 411Mania is proud to take part in the StableWars Play-Per-View Challenge for Unforgiven, where we will be entering our picks (including a listed tiebreaker) with StableWars, and seeing how our staff stacks up against other self-proclaimed wrestling gurus. You could be one of them, so why not head over to StableWars yourself and get in on the action!

For those who are interested, here’s how the 411 Staff did in the StableWars SummerSlam Play-Per-View Challenge, out of the amazing total of 262 people who entered.

The best of the entire 411 Staff and winner of 411 Curt Hennig Memorial Award for “Perfection” in PPV Prediction, coming in at 7th overall in StableWars…Mike Chin, author of 411’s “The Importance Of…”

8 – Daniel Wilcox
20 – Michael Weyer
24 – Mathew Sforcina
27 – Jeremy Thomas
53 – Aaron Hubbard
57 – Andy Clark
72 – Shawn S. Lealos
75 – Ari Berenstein
86 – Julian Bond
114 – Robert S. Leighty Jr.
173 – Matt Short
175 – Michael Bauer
193 – Michael O

And last at 411 but at least not the bottom of StableWars, coming in 205th overall…Jarrod Westerfeld, author of 411’s “Scripted Through Sin”, who can console himself with the very special 411 Iron Mike Sharpe Award for “Participation” in PPV Prediction

With that out of the way, let’s look at who stepped up to the plate this time.

The Staff:
Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Andy Clark, The Shimmy

Dan Torkel, Brooklyn Brawlin’

Jarrod Westerfeld, Scripted Through Sin

Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor

Julian Bond, Please Don’t Hate

Michael Weyer, Shining a Spotlight

Michael Bauer, ECW recapper

Larry Csonka, enemy of all humanity

Shawn S. Lealos, 411 Movies’ Alternate Takes

Matt Short, The Navigation Log

Dan Wilcox, Thoughts From The Top Rope

Robert S. Leighty, Jr, From The Bowery

And Michael O, Smackdown recapper

~WWE UNFORGIVEN 2008~

WWE Divas Title Match: Michelle McCool © vs. Maryse

Stephen Randle: Has a title ever become so irrelevant so fast? I understand that they’re keeping McCool away from the rematch with Natalya, where Nattie obviously takes the gold, but when your only remaining available challenger is Maryse, that’s a real hit of credibility on a brand new title. Not that it was ever going to mean much, but hell, at least the other Women’s title involves decent women’s wrestling and a bunch of real challengers.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Andy Clark: I generally don’t like to call a match filler BUT…

Winner and STILL Diva’s Champion: Michelle McCool

Dan Torkel: – Wait, this is a match they added and are making people pay to see. Why not, I don’t know… anything else.

Winner and Still Champion: Michelle McCool

Jarrod Westerfeld: Of all the title matches you could place on this card, you end up placing the mediocre McCool in the ring with a very poor Maryse? Why? Oh well, there’s no way we can see Michelle drop her title this soon into her reign, so she walks out with the retention.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Ari Berenstein: I think WWE should take a hint from UFC’s recent announcement of a “heavyweight title unification tournament” by doing the same with their two Women’s titles? I mean, do we REALLY need two of them? As for this one, McCool is the chosen one for Smackdown! right now and Maryse has shown no ability to be competent in the ring. No chance for her.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Julian Bond: I honestly haven’t been watching the Smackdown as of late, since my girl Neidhart lost a couple of months ago and I don’t really know who Maryse is! So with that…

Winner and STILL Divas Champion: Michelle McCool

Michael Weyer: Still surprised they put Maryse in there. It should be a fair match, nothing special and I don’t see any title switch just yet so expect Michelle to retain.

WINNER and still Divas Champion: Michelle McCool

Michael Bauer: Football Season is back so it time for the oddsmaker to return. Odds this match last no more than 5 minutes: 3 to 1. Honestly, this match is just to get a sixth match on the card, since the US Champ is busy.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Larry Csonka: Oh this will not end well…

Winner: Maryse

Shawn S. Lealos: Why is there a Divas Title Match instead of a Women’s Championship match? Wouldn’t people rather see Beth Phoenix and Micky James? Guess not. Who is Maryse?

Winner: Michelle McCool

Matt Short: I’m the kind of guy who usually tries to look at the bright side of things. Like “Hey, maybe this won’t be as bad as we think!” I don’t have the same kind of optimism here. McCool is decent, but I doubt she’s good enough to carry Maryse.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Dan Wilcox:Considering all the other matches that could have been on this card (Santino/Kofi/D’Lo, Beth/Mickie, Beth/Candice, Show/Kozlov), I’m not sure why this is here other than pure filler, and I guess it helps the prestige of that new Divas’ Championship if it gets defended on pay-per-view, or something. The good thing here is that I don’t see Maryse getting the win because the first champion should have a fairly lengthy reign, at least in my opinion. On the other hand, the division is hardly deep and there are only a couple of Divas Michelle can feud with. I’ll stick with my initial feeling and go with a retention.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Robert S. Leighty Jr.:Well, I guess they had to eventually get this title on a PPV. McCool shouldn’t be dropping the strap in her first defense on a PPV. This will be short, and possibly will follow Michaels/Jericho in the death slot.

Winner and Still Divas Champ: Michelle McCool

Michael O: Hopefully this goes on later in the night so those hash cookies have enough time to do their thing.

Winner: Michelle McCallaway

Unsanctioned Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

Stephen Randle: Thank whatever god is responsible for stuff like this, assuming one exists, that this match will happen despite Shawn’s injury. The only down side is that, at some point, this feud must end. And really, once you have a match where there are no rules at all and both men have sworn to, essentially, kill each other in the ring, where can you go?

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Andy Clark: This feud has gotten so good. I had my doubts about it at points, but since they kicked things into high gear at SummerSlam this has been gold. I’m incredibly excited about this match, I only hope that HBK’s injury doesn’t hamper things too badly. Still, HBK at 60% is better than most guys at 100%. As for booking, Michaels needs to get his payback, but Jericho is probably more important to the title picture. I’ll go with HBK getting the win, but Jericho attacking him afterwards to get his heat back.

Winner: Shawn Michaels (but not for long)

Dan Torkel: – This is the money. They should really main event the show with this match as the Scramble idea will be watered down by the third one. This has to go 30 minutes, be bloody, be violent and be just plain awesome! My first thought after hearing about the Shawn injury, was that they have Jericho win by using Shawn’s wife as a ploy to distract Shawn and then injuring him further to win. Now Shawn’s injury is not that bad, so does he get the clean blow off win. This feud has been such gold in the ring and on the mic that I would love them to have Jericho destroy an overzealous Shawn en route to winning the World Title from Punk and holding it till Wrestlemania for the true end all be all blow off.

Winner: Chris Jericho via bloody awesome cheating awesomeness!!!!

Jarrod Westerfeld: Michaels is hurt and will be limited in what he can do to avoid further injury. With the structure of the story, this is where Michaels should get his win, but because he’s injured, Jericho has a victory over the current Raw champion, and Orton is still out to rehab his injury it looks more like Jericho is the favorite to walk out with the victory. This could allow this feud to be stretched out for the length of Michaels injury, and pick up later on where it can end on the happy ending note.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Ari Berenstein: After having a short scare with the Michaels injury news, this one is back on track and I think both men will work their butts off to make it live up to all of the previous build. A Michaels win here is called for because Jericho has had two major heel actions in a row (injuring the eye, hitting Rebecca Michaels). An HBK win would take some of the sting off of that antagonism, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their issue–they can extend this with more post match attacks and such to keep it going well into the end of the year.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Julian Bond: I was a bit disappointed before that this match wasn’t happening at Summerslam, but the built-up for this has been played up perfectly and it was good decision to wait until now to let these two go at it. This should be a crazy brawl with both men stealing the show, ending with Michaels finally getting a win and Jericho attacking afterwards to extend a feud that still shouldn’t end anytime soon.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Michael Weyer: I still think it’s a bad idea for Michaels to do this injured. He’ll have to take it easy so it won’t be the wild battle we expected but it’s still HBK and Y2J and that means quality. Even a bit slower, it’ll be a great matchup. I had expected Michaels to go over but with his injury meaning time off, expect Jericho to get the win, making it look like a real beat down to sell him as a career-killer. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn out to be for real.

WINNER: Y2J

Michael Bauer: Odds that this will be the match of the night: 5 to 4. No offense to any of the title matches, but this feud has become so personal that this match may not be able to life up to the hype, especially with Michaels’ latest injury. I have to pick Jericho to win, because the only logical next step for him is another run at the title.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Larry Csonka: With HBK’s triceps tear, no matter how minor, he’ll have to take some time off. I think Jericho has to take the win here to put HBK on the shelf for some time, which could lead to Jericho and Punk feuding and HBK returning to cost him the title down the line. This feud has been AWESOME, and is the greatest thing I seen ALL TIME…ALL MY LIFE!

Winner: Chris Jericho

Shawn S. Lealos: This is the best thing going in wrestling today. I do not want it to end in this match. I think one of two things is going to happen. Either, Shawn Michaels will get the win and then get severely beaten down following the match, taking him out of commission for awhile to heal up or Chris Jericho will win the match by beating the hell out of Shawn, same as the last time they fought. With this feud being written by guys who actually know something about wrestling, I think they will do the smart thing here. That would be allowing Shawn to get the win, to even things up a little, and Jericho almost crippling him after the match. This keeps both men strong, lets Shawn get the rest he needs, and can keep Jericho walking around like a big shot for putting Shawn out of commission again. Chris can then feud with someone else for a couple of months leading to Shawn’s big return and the continuation of this great feud.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Matt Short: This feud has been amazing. The transformation of Jericho coupled with the slow deterioration of Michaels has made for compelling TV and resulted in some fun moments. When word came down about Michaels’ muscle tear, it didn’t look like this was going to happen. As long as they aren’t trying to downplay the severity of it, let the match go on. It’s a tough call on the winner. On one hand Michaels needs to get some revenge. He’s been on the defensive almost the entire feud and it stands to reason that he can get one win on Jericho. On the other hand another big win for Jericho would firmly set him as the top heel on Raw. Win or lose I think Jericho will be the one walking out at Unforgiven after leaving HBK lying again.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Dan Wilcox: As far as I’m concerned, this is the main event. (Presumably) the blow off to the best-booked angle professional wrestling has seen in years, fought between two all time greats. Hopefully, Shawn’s injury won’t effect him too much (I believe Taker worked a cage match with the same injury) and he’ll be able to go 100% and with Jericho, put on the MOTYC that this rivalry has deserved but until this point, lacked. Shawn’s injury kind of throws the outcome into doubt as it would make more sense for Jericho to win and Shawn to take time off, but then really, the face should go over. I think the mostly likely scenario is Michaels pulling off the win only to be beaten down after the match. But as something of a fantasy-booking fanatic, here’s an idea. Say Jericho takes advantage of the rules and he and Lance Cade double team Michaels. Michaels tries to fight back but keeps falling to the numbers game. But here comes Paul London to make the save… only to turn on Shawn. Likely? Ha, no. But it has potential. An anti-Michaels stable running rough shot over Raw while Michaels is on the shelf has a lot of potential, much like this match (understatement).

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Robert S. Leighty Jr.: Feud of the year, and I really don’t want to see it end. The build and execution to this has been epic, and one of the greatest feuds/angles seen in years. Selfishly, I had hoped Shawn was going to be on the shelf because I was hoping the blow-off would wait until WM XXV when I’m there live. No matter as this will steal the show and be one of the more intense matches you’ll ever see. These 2 men know how to tell a story in the ring, and can also put on a classic. The winner to me is secondary because both men are coming out of this feud for the better. I guess this is the final blow-off and that means the face gets the win.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Michael O: Hmmmm. Well, nobody seems like they’re in a rush to put this feud to bed and Michaels is hurt, so conventional wisdom would certainly make Jericho the favorite. Then again, it would appear that Shawn has it in his contract that he cannot be pinned by Chris under any circumstances but you never know…maybe they made a trip together this week to have the contract amended. Hope so. Either way, fucking killer match!

Winner: Chris Jericho

World Tag Team Title Match: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase © vs. Cryme Tyme

Stephen Randle: It’s a nice little mini-feud, but with Orton (presumably) about to return, and an obvious alliance looming, his lackeys need to hold onto the titles.

Winners: Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 7:00

Andy Clark: WWE needs to stretch this feud for a bit since these are the only two teams they have on Raw. After Orton’s pep talk on Monday DiBiase and Rhodes need a nice win, so we have a retention here.

Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes

Dan Torkel: The champs need the win to legitimize them after a bad month of booking had them job to Cena in a Handicap match. Cryme Tyme is an over team without the belts. Maybe have them lose, steal the belts back and hold for a ladder match or something.

Winners and Still Champions: Simply Priceless

Jarrod Westerfeld: I know some are looking for Rhodes and DiBiase to retain and regain their stolen tag titles, but seeing as these two are the last teams of Raw and you can stretch out the feud by having Cryme Tyme take the titles now. This leaves Priceless on the chase, and gives them an opportunity to form the young group that everyone has been talking about, when Orton returns to action to help the two take back what was stolen from them in the first place.

Winner: Cryme Tyme (NEW World Tag Team Champion)
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 8:15

Ari Berenstein: This has been a decent mid card tag feud, something WWE was sorely lacking for a while. Rhodes and Dibiase are being pushed too much for them to lose now.

Winner: Rhodes and Dibiase retain the Tag Team titles.
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 7:15

Julian Bond: I’m so glad that Cryme Tyme is finally coming into their own as a solid tag-team rather than a running punch-line. This is their first real title shot (not counting multiple tag team matches) and it should be a good mesh with the awesome duo of Simply Priceless. The Monday night pep talk from future potential mentor Randy Orton gives Rhodes and Dibiase the willpower to grab another win.

Winner and STILL World Tag Team Champions: Rhodes and Dibiase

Michael Weyer: I know most will say Rhodes and DiBiase will retain but Cryme Tyme have been over for quite a while and about time they take the big step for the belts. It might not be a long reign but just letting them taste it will be a nice shakeup for the division and champs fans really can get behind.

WINNERS and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Cryme Tyme

Michael Bauer: You know, I want Cryme Tyme to win the titles, I really do. But I don’t know. Odds that Cryme Tyme wins the titles: 20 to 1. I don’t think Rhodes an Dibiase can afford to drop the straps again, because they don’t have feuding rivals to win them back from this time.

Winners: Simply Priceless
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 11:08

Larry Csonka: I think it would be a mistake to take the straps off of Simply Priceless at this point. That doesn’t mean they won’t do the title change, but I hoe that they don’t pull the title change at this time. Simply Priceless has been great, the crowd loves Cryme Tyme, so this could be decent.

Winner: Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 8:30

Shawn S. Lealos: There is no way in hell Cryme Tyme should win here. Dibiase and Rhodes are awesome heals and should continue to build their heat. The WWE should also stop making them look like bitches every week on RAW. These guys can be the perfect bad guys for everyone to hate and the more they do good (making Jim Duggan a crying little bitch), the more they do wrong (making them John Cena’s bitches). I HATE THE WWE’S TAG TEAM BOOKING!

Winner: Simply Priceless
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 7:10

Matt Short: I’ve been expecting this feud since Cryme Tyme and Simply Priceless started teaming with John Cena and JBL respectively. It don’t know if the build to this match has been quite all there though, but it’s to be expected since WWE doesn’t care too much about tag teams. But hey, at least when the champs got their belts stolen they got them back before the PPV. It showed that Rhodes and Dibiase are serious and won’t get flustered at Cryme Tyme’s antics (even if they needed Orton to slap them around for it to happen). I’m anxious to see how well they’ll work on their own on a PPV, but if the booking helps them out enough the match should be fine. It feels too soon for Simply Priceless to lose the belts (again) and they should use this to add more fuel to the fire of the feud. I’d like to see an actual build for a bigger war between the teams, but I’ll at least be realistic about the chances of seeing that.

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 10:15

Dan Wilcox: I love the set up to this match. Congenital booking has Cryme Tyme winning here seeing as they got laid out Monday night but while I do see them picking up the tag straps somewhere down the road, it’s probably not the best time to do. Still, how great is it that we have TWO really over tag teams on Raw and that they’re going to get some pay-per-view time?

Winner: Simply Priceless
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 8:22

Robert S. Leighty Jr.: We have an honest to go tag feud and it’s over the tag titles none the less. Both teams are getting over quite well, and Cryme Tyme seems a little more seasoned after that time away from the WWE. Simply Priceless already did an unnecessary job to the Super Team a few weeks back, so I can’t see them dropping the straps again.

Winner and Still World Tag Champions: Simply Priceless
StableWars Tiebreaker Bell-to-Bell Time: 7:47

Michael O: I don’t see why Simply Priceless would be dropping the gold, though I still don’t see why Miz & Morrison did, so never say never.

Winner: Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase

ECW Title Scramble Match: Mark Henry © vs. Matt Hardy vs. The Miz vs. Finlay vs. Chavo Guerrero

Stephen Randle: I’m going to say that this match goes on to open the show, in order to introduce the concept of the match with a belt that doesn’t really matter, including the high potential for the champion to lose the belt. Frankly, the belt is really Matt’s to lose at this point, hopefully leading to a fun series of autumn matches with John Morrison and The Miz.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Andy Clark: Everyone has a shot in this match except Chavo, sorry Chavito. While Finlay winning the belt would be cool, I doubt we’ll get that. They have built this up as potentially Matt Hardy’s moment, and Mark Henry has been the best booked World Champion in 2008 in any promotion. Still, I’m going with the upset: The Miz. Miz finally gets a chance to step out of Morrison’s shadow, and it makes the tag team even more impressive if both men are former World Champs. Miz can feud with Hardy, Finlay, Evan Bourne, even Henry or Morrison if need be. I’m not saying he’d be champ long, but I think Unforgiven is the Chick Magnet’s night to shine.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: The Miz

Dan Torkel: I hate this idea… so much. People killed TNA when they had an Impact with 4 Gauntlet matches (an idea I liked because those matches are fun). The problem is that after two of these the fans will probably get restless. Plus where is Matt’s rematch after the shitty DQ win at Summerslam. I think these are geared for Vince to listen to fan pops on meaningless “title switches” and then have those matches at No Mercy. Not to ruin my next two picks but that means the Champs retain. Matt and Finlay will probably get tastes of the title before Mark takes it back with moments to spare.

Winner and Still Champion: Mark Henry

Jarrod Westerfeld: The structure of this match means that there is no Champions advantage, and because of this and the fact that there are three of these bouts on the card, you’re looking at only one title retention for the night. This isn’t that match.

Mark Henry’s title reign has worked out but the bigger draw in Matt Hardy is ready to take over the show as the lead face who now has to battle off the worst of ECW (The Miz, MORRISON, Chavo and rematches with Mark Henry).

Winner: Matt Hardy (NEW ECW Champion)

Ari Berenstein: I like the idea of the scramble concept, but these could be a huge mess if not carefully booked. I expect three title changes here. First Chavo will cheat to win (without beating Henry) and take the title. Finlay wins the title after a shillelagh shot. Finally Mark Henry wins the title back with the World’s Strongest Slam on Finlay. Hardy has a last chance opportunity to win the belt but doesn’t get it done.

Winner: Mark Henry ultimately is recognized as ECW Champion.

Julian Bond: Everyone seems to be pointing to Mark Henry retaining the title, which I hope he does because he’s been a great champ so far. But since I’m strongly guessing that both the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles won’t change hands, I think that the WWE want to have the fans on edge by having a title lost in the first scramble match of the night. So I think that Hardy FINALLY wins the big one here and it would definitely save Henry face if he’s not even pinned in the process.

Winner and NEW ECW Champ: Matt Hardy

MIchael Weyer: If any belt is going to change hands, it’s this one. Fact is, it’s about time for Matt Hardy to step up to the plate as champion and give ECW a nicer boost. It’ll be wild but in the end, he should get it and liven up the brand.

WINNER and NEW ECW Champion: Matt Hardy

Michael Bauer: Ok, for the scrambles, I’ll go with the odds each person has of winning. The Miz: 100 to 1. No offense, but Morrison would have been better. Finlay: 40 to 1. I would love Finlay as champ, but that would mean Mike Knox gets title shots and I don’t like that. Chavo Guerrero: 25 to 1. He has been there before, but the way he lost it makes me believe he doesn’t have it anymore. Matt Hardy: 10 to 1. Matt Hardy most likely has this one, but you can’t have him be the favorite when a guy like Mark Henry is here. Mark Henry: 5 to 1. The problem is this. Mark Henry only has been pinned since being drafted to ECW once and it came after 3 splashes and then a Twist fo Fate. If that were to happen again, who would get the pin and would anyone else stop it? I think Mark Henry will “lose” the title before he even enters the match and it will be Matt Hardy walking out as champion to a HUGE pop.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Larry Csonka: I think that this scramble will be the first, likely the PPV opener and we’ll get a title change to pay off the scramble stipulation. It maybe time for Matt to take the title.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Shawn S. Lealos: I like The Miz being in this match. Every week I am amazed at how good he has become in the ring. When he started he was so green it wasn’t funny, then they put him with John Morrison and he developed into something special. I also like Chavo being in this match, because I don’t care if you like him or not, he is a great bad guy and has developed an arrogance that makes him fun to watch. Finley is doing what he was brought on the show to do, help work with the younger wrestlers. Mark Henry has been the best champion in ECW since Paul Heyman managed The Big Show. Color me surprised. The guy is delivering in a big way. And then we have Matt Hardy, the guy being pushed down our throats as the “most popular wrestler in the world.” I like Matt, but every time John confuses him with Jeff, I laugh. There is only two choices here: Matt Hardy or Mark Henry. Henry needs the title to be over and Matt is better right now as the underdog chasing him. I think if Matt wins it, he needs to do it one on one to solidify himself. Henry wins, but Matt gets at least one pin on him in the match to continue his momentum – and eventual win.

Winner: Mark Henry

Matt Short: I think that of the three Scramble Matches, this is the one with the highest probability of a title change. Matt Hardy just pinned the champion this past week and it’s looked apparent since Summerslam that Hardy has Henry’s number. But it almost feels too obvious at this stage of the game. Do you actually pull the trigger on the title switch or try for another month of build? I kind of want to see an Extreme Rules match between the two, but then this match has the promise of at least going 20 minutes and I don’t see any other ECW Title match on PPV getting that much time. I’ll say Mike Knox costs Finlay the belts, Chavo chokes, and The Miz ends up being the guy pinned at the end that gives Hardy the win. Then at least Henry can say he was never pinned for the belt and leave the door open for that Extreme Rules match I’m so desperate for.

Winner: Matt Hardy

Dan Wilcox: I’ve said a many times over the last few weeks that I hate this Scramble line up, devoid of Bourne and Morrison. I’d take out Guerrero and Finlay, but the aforementioned duo in, and replace Michelle/Maryse with a Finlay/Knox Belfast Brawl. Anyway, one would imagine that to not kill this gimmick off in one go, at least one title will have to change hands and the smart money is on Hardy winning the ECW Championship. But in my eyes, that would be bad booking, as the story here is surely Hardy trying to overcome the mammoth Henry, but in this environment, he doesn’t have to beat Henry. Plus, there aren’t enough top quality heels on ECW for Hardy to work with as champion so I’ll say Henry retains.

Winner: Mark Henry

Robert S. Leighty Jr.: I can’t shake this feeling that Henry is dropping the strap, especially after his dominant win in the Battle Royal on RAW. However he got crushed on ECW on Sci-Fi (though that was taped before the RAW Battle Royal), so I am not so sure now. The Hardy/Henry feud would seemingly need to end with Hardy winning the title in a 1 on 1 match against the monster. Chavo, and the Miz I don’t think have a real shot, and while Finlay would be a great story this match seemingly comes down to Hardy or Henry. Henry has done fine with the title so leave it with him, and build to the eventual Hardy/Henry blow-off.

Winner and Still ECW Champion: Mark Henry

Michael O: You and I both have to admit, whether we like it or not, that ECW has been doing pretty well for itself with Mark Henry on top. It’s hard to say whether his sexy and chocolaty time has come and we get some new blood before things stagnate or whether Henry is merely in the middle of a lifelong midcarder reform style super reign a la JBL. I do think that one of the Scramble matches, either this one or the Smackdown one, will be seeing a new champ crowned, and since I reluctantly sold out my gut feelings in the WWE title prediction, I’ll pick Matt for the sake of continuity. But really, I’d put my money on Henry. Is there any where you can bet on wrestling matches? I know you can bet online on dumb shit like how long until Britney Spears gets pregnant again, so it’s within the realm of possibility.
If there is, let me know!

Winner: Matt Hardy

World Title Scramble Match: CM Punk © vs. Kane vs. JBL vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio

Stephen Randle: I actually picked a winner, changed my mind, and then changed it again. Really, all the booking points towards the unstoppable Animal plowing through everyone and walking out the champion, especially after SummerSlam. However, I also think the injury to John Cena has changed WWE’s booking plans in a big way, as evidenced by the injured Orton suddenly confronting Punk. Thus, Punk gets an intermediate feud with Orton until Cena can return from his injury, and we build towards Cena-Orton, one-on-one at WrestleMania, one more time. Meanwhile, I bet Batista spears everyone with ten seconds left, pins someone, then while he celebrates, Punk steals a pin on one of the unconscious competitors and once again, escapes with the belt, perhaps driving Batista further towards heelishness.

Winner: CM Punk

Andy Clark: From a star power perspective this is the biggest match of the night. I was poised to say Batista would walk away with the strap but after seeing Punk and Orton stare down I’ve got to believe we’ll be getting that match for the title. A chaotic match like this is the perfect environment for a title retention.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk

Dan Torkel: This is the only Scramble where a title change could occur, although them hinting an Orton/Punk feud would lead me to think Punk escapes here. The only challenger with an actual claim to being a contender is Batista as JBL lost twice to Punk, and Kane and Rey are “feuding.” I think Punk holds out and Batista grabs him and destroys him with the Batista Bomb as time expires giving Batista a claim to the title at No Mercy while Punk gets another fluke-ish win.

Winner and still Champion: CM Punk

Jarrod Westerfeld: This is the only bout that’ll see a title retention, though we’ll see several pin falls. Punk has a future planned out for him with money feuds with Orton upon his return, and Chris Jericho who has claimed a pin over him in his own home town, so it makes sense for Punk to walk out of this still the champion. Kane will be busy with Mysterio, and JBL will probably be moved on to feud with Batista, who still needs to be away from the title scene to keep him from growing too stale with the Raw crowds.

Winner: CM Punk (Retains World Heavyweight Championship)

Ari Berenstein: I am rooting and pulling for a Punk title retention but I think the chances are pretty bleak. Kane will destroy Rey but Batista will get pulled in to help his old time buddy as well as blocking Kane from winning the title. Punk goes coast to coast in this one and at the end of the time limit no one will have been pinned, thus Punk keeps the title.

Winner: CM Punk ultimately is recognized as World Heavyweight Champion.

Julian Bond: Great set of opponents and an even better back story for each of them. In the end, Punk continues his “on the edge” winning ways by baring getting the pin at the last second to retain the title. My overall guess is that the man won’t lose the strap until around Survivor Series when Orton comes back to the main event (which is a great thing for Punk!).

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champ: CM Punk

Michael Weyer: I know most are predicting the end of the Era of Punk here with JBL the likely one. But even WWE has to see the money waiting with Punk as champion against Jericho or Cena down the line. The match should be the best of the scrambles but in the end, I see Punk retaining for some bigger things down the line.

WINNER and still World Champion: CM PUNK BABY!

Michael Bauer: I can’t believe this isn’t last. Rey Mysterio: 50 to 1. Yeah, he’s back, but I agree with the notion that you don’t need the title on him when he feuds with… Kane: 50 to 1. It’s the same reasoning as Mysterio plus I don’t actually believe anyone thinks he is credible enough as a champion, even after being ECW Champ this year. JBL: 30 to 1. JBL has looked really good lately and seems to be the biggest threat, but for as good as he has looked, he still hasn’t been the same JBL from three years ago. CM Punk: 20 to 1. Punk is the champion, but out of the three, he has the toughest road to go through to retain the title, regardless of how he has been booked. Batista: 10 to 1. Big Dave has to be considered the favorite for the sheer tear he has been on as of late. In the end, I again stay away from the favorite. CM Punk looked good enough on Raw to be considered viable plus this match would easily take the “paper champion” term and remove it from Cole’s dictionary.

Winner: CM Punk

Larry Csonka: I am not thinking title change here. Judging from Orton’s interaction with Punk on Monday, I think that they will head to a feud with them and Punk eventually taking the title from him. Straight edge survives for now as Kane and Rey split off to feud and possibly JBL and Batista. Joy.

Winner: CM Punk

Shawn S. Lealos: JBL? No. Rye? No. Kane? No. Batista? Maybe. I think Rey and Kane will cancel each other out. I don’t think the WWE should put the title on JBL, because he is gold without the belt. That leaves two choices: C.M. Punk and Batista. I can really see them putting it on Big Dave in this match, but I don’t know if they will. I see this being the match where someone gets a fluke pin with time running out and that person will be Punk.

Winner: C.M. Punk

Matt Short: This match here is the one where they hint so strongly at a title change that they’re telegraphing the fact that it won’t happen. Punk has shown to be a good underdog champion, even if he’s taken a lot of losses in his time. Compared to Rey Mysterio’s run he’s doing better because his promo skills are able to carry it and he’s not so small that it’s unbelievable that he can beat some guys. While they seem to have stressed that Punk is at a huge disadvantage here, they haven’t exactly provided a guy who is most likely to win. Kane and Mysterio are heading for a feud, JBL has been beaten by Punk multiple times, while Batista, though a heartbeat away from the title before, doesn’t seem like he’ll be the one to upset Punk. This reign still has some legs to it and I’m willing to call for Punk to beat the here again.

Winner: CM Punk

Dan Wilcox: Well this is a two-horse race, no? This match has a fair amount of potential, but I think Rey and Punk will have to keep things interesting for the first half of the match before we get to the inevitable finisher-frenzy and all that stuff. But again, there are only two likely winners here but I see Punk continuing to reign until Orton comes back… unless Orton shows up and costs Punk the title, forming Evolution 2.0 with Batista in the process.

Winner: CM Punk

Robert S. Leighty Jr.: Another scramble match where it basically comes down to 2 men: Batista and CM Punk. Kane and Rey had their own issue to resolve, and they don’t need a title involved. JBL is basically CM Punk and Batista’s bitch at this point. That leaves Batista and Punk, and I see no reason to take the title off Punk now. Orton is coming back soon, and it seems the feud that they are building to is Punk and Orton. The Punk reign continues for at least another month.

Winner and Still World Champion: CM Punk

Michael O: It’s funny that, considering this is the most “star studded” Scramble of the night, I can see absolutely nobody else winning here besides Punk. Should still be fun though, with Punk “regaining” his title in the closing moments from, oh, let’s say…Kane.

Winner: CM Punk

WWE Title Scramble Match: HHH © vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP vs. THE Brian Kendrick

Stephen Randle: And here’s the match where, realistically, there are no credible contenders to the Almighty H. Well, there’s Jeff Hardy, but they’re not giving him a real title reign so soon after his second strike. Plus, don’t forget, The Great Khali is still out there. And with WWE virtually guaranteeing that the nature of the Scramble ensures new champions, it’d be foolish to kill off the match concept by having the majority of champions retain. I’m not saying they won’t do it anyway, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that WWE may take a chance on the man who I feel is one of the most deserving and capable individuals in the match, and see how he can hang with a short reign on top.

Winner: MVP

Andy Clark: This is up there with the Jericho-Michaels match as the one I am anticipating the most. I think with the nature of the gimmick we have to see a title change here, and I’m intrigued by the idea that Vickie could offer a title shot to Undertaker as a peace offering, or at the very least have a transitional title switch for the MyNetwork TV debut. Triple H still has Khali to feud with over the No. 1 Contender’s spot, so we’ve established he’ll lose. Of the four challengers there is only one person that would work as a transitional champ that would either hurt their worth (Hardy, MVP) or the title (Kendrick); that man is Shelton Benjamin. He works for a variety of reasons: 1) It fits the “Gold Standard” gimmick, and he loses nothing because he still has the US Title; 2) It helps build the Scramble gimmick; 3) It goes with the new ethnically centered directive and helps erase some of Michael Hayes past racist indiscretions; 4) It serves as both a reward to Shelton for upping his game and as a motivation for other guys like Carlito. Like I said, Shelton would merely be a transitional champion (and I’m probably dead wrong anyhow) but that’s the shot I’m calling.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Shelton Benjamin

Dan Torkel: If they were counting the title changes, I’d say Triple H breaks Flair’s record in this match. I don’t buy anyone else here as Champ unless they pull the string on Jeff finally. Put I think a one on one Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy match would draw more. MVP and Shelton could get clean pins on the Game to test the waters for one on one matches down the road. But in the end we all know…

Winner and New Champion: THE Brian Kendrick!!!! Oh Wait, No…
Winner and Still Champion: THE Triple H

Jarrod Westerfeld: Normally this would be an easy dismissal in favor of Triple H, but again the rules here allow for the Champion to lose their title without being involved, and the best candidate to take the title off of Triple H here is Jeff Hardy. The end result? Triple H and Jeff Hardy battle it out for the title, leaving Jeff a transitional fix before we end up heading onto the road of Wrestlemania, where Triple H will probably have a new heel lined up to challenge his throne.

Winner: Jeff Hardy (NEW WWE Champion)

Ari Berenstein: This is the one where while it seems unlikely Triple H could lose the title an ultimate upset may occur. MVP is reportedly in the political doghouse, but he could come in as an “opportunist” and come away with the victory. OR, this could be Jeff Hardy’s time to shine, with the crowd behind him and taking advantage of a situation to walk away champion. If that happens, Triple H won’t be involved. It’s possible, but I think I’ll go with MVP as the shocker of the PPV.

Winner: MVP ultimately is recognized as NEW WWE Champion

Julian Bond: Another great set of opponents for this match. Me guessing that Hardy, Benjamin, and MVP will come close but will lose only to feud later on for the US belt, and that my boy Kendrick will get the second to last pin only to lose in the end to Triple H, and hopefully this will lead to the two having a nice little “test” feud for the strap at No Mercy.

Winner and STILL WWE Champ: Triple H

Michael Weyer: HHH has done a great job as champ on Smackdown and the question is if that’ll continue. I know some are still pulling for Jeff Hardy but think his suspension still puts too much of a shadow on that. Kendrick is too new to the big scene, Benjamin doesn’t seem right and while he’s come up big, MVP still seems too young for the big spot. So it’s another wild battle but in the end, I see HHH retaining.

WINNER and still WWE Champion: HHH

Michael Bauer: Ok, this one should be easier to dissect. THE Brian Kendrick: 1,000 to 1. I love that he gets a push, but geez, get real if you think he wins. Shelton Benjamin: 100 to 1. Shelton could do it, but I doubt they want double champion problems. MVP: 75 to 1. MVP keeps impressing me more and more, but he is not championship material. Jeff Hardy: 30 to 1. Jeff Hardy is the dark horse here. I mean, imagine Matt and Jeff Hardy winning World Titles on the same night. (Phone rings. “Hello… I’m sorry, but I can’t retract that… I doubt it happens… No, your home won’t freeze over Satan.”) Sorry, that guy is such a pain. Triple H: 3 to 2. Look, there is no questions to be asked, Triple H has no real threats in this match. And if by some chance he does start off or comes in third, then my final odds get cut in half. Odds that no pinfalls are made in the Smackdown Scramble: 20 to 1.

Winner: Triple H

Larry Csonka: I think that before the rumors of MVP being in the doghouse hit that there was a possibility of him taking the title here, if you believe the other rumors. Interesting. But quite honestly I just don’t see HHH dropping the title at this time. THE Brian Kendrick will go back to the building phase, Shelton, Jeff and MVP will feud over the US Title and HHH moves onto the Big Show.

Winner: Triple H

Shawn S. Lealos: Wouldn’t that be freaking cool if The Brian Kendrick won the title here? No? It would make me happy, as I usually fast forward my DVR through Smackdown each week just to see Kendrick. This is the strangest scramble of them all. RAW and ECW has the main event guys battling for the belt. This one looks like Triple H and the cruiserweight division going to battle. I know they aren’t cruiserweights (well The Brian Kendrick would have been) but it still feels that way. If this was like the others, it would be Triple H, Kennedy (if he had not gotten injured), Jeff Hardy, Undertaker and Edge (making his return from HELLLLLLL). This just looks like Triple H against the undercard. And I like it. Kendrick is not ready for the big time (although I see a bit of Shawn Michaels in him, Zeke being his Diesel). I don’t think they will put it on MVP or Shelton Benjamin, because neither man has proven to me they can handle that position. Benjamin can’t talk and is still way too sloppy. MVP is closer to being ready, and could become the next Rock, but not yet. Are they ready to take a chance on Jeff Hardy, so soon after his recent suspension? I’d like to see Hardy as the champion, although his promos are just a small level above Benjamin’s. I can’t see anyone in this match as the top champion and they brought in Triple H to represent the company as they prepare to premiere on their new network. Could they have Triple H lose it here and win it back on the debut episode on the new station?

Winner: Triple H

Matt Short: I can actually see a title change here, though it seems like the least likely of the three Scramble Matches. MVP and Shelton Benjamin have looked quite good in the build, though MVP apparently has heat on him now. Benjamin is already US Champion and I’m not sure if they’d trust him with the WWE Title just yet. THE Brian Kendrick could be a surprise winner, but it’s just not going to happen. His role will be as the genius in the match trying to stay one step ahead of everyone else. He could come close, but will falter at the end. I think Jeff Hardy will win this though. It just feels right, even if the booking seems to point at a three-way US Title feud. There would be the touch of irony that the man Triple H helped get into the Scramble came out with the title. I’ll go out on a limb with this one and say Jeff Hardy wins it all.

Winner: Jeff Hardy

Dan Wilcox: As with the other big Scramble match, I really only see two winners here. Triple H should retain but I also think MVP has a good shot of picking up the title for a brief spell via typical heel tactics such as tossing The Game out of the ring after he Pedigrees somebody and picking up the pieces. Great Khali should have some involvement here too but there’s a good chance The Game will overcome that. Of the 3 Scrambles, this is the one that could, and should, be really good.

Winner: Triple H

Robert S. Leighty Jr.: This is the Scramble that I have the most interest. There is a lot of new blood injected in this match, and the pessimist in me feels HHH might just bury all of them in 1 night. However, I think HHH is a bigger man than that (I hope), and this type of match gives him a chance to drop the strap in a non-jobbing way. THE Brian Kendrick is great, but he is not ready for the WWE Title obviously, and I think Shelton is fine with the US Title for now (though I would mark out like crazy if he was given the gold here). MVP, HHH, and Hardy are the 3 men I feel have the only chance to walk out with the title. I think we are destined for HHH/Taker at some point, but I think that waits at least until the Rumble or Mania. HHH has to drop the strap sometime before then, and what better time than now. Hardy could always get the strap (he was the most over guy when I was at the SD taping in Pittsburgh), and has more opponents lined up than MVP. Really though, I would cheer like crazy if anyone but HHH leaves this match with the title.

Winner and New WWE Champion: Jeff Hardy

Michael O: I’ve had this feeling since the Scramble was announced that HHH would not leave as WWE champion but when I review the world title prospects of his various opponents, I don’t really see anybody else who could right now.

Shelton Benjamin? He’s really come a long way from the ECW afterthought he was at the beginning of the year, recently emerging as one of Smackdown’s pre-eminent heels and he’s coming off a strong streak of impressive matches, but the notion of Shelton Benjamin becoming the WWE champion in two days still seems pretty far-fetched to me.

MVP? Eh, wouldn’t be entirely out of left field, but one gets the sense that were MVP slated for that big of a promotion, he would’ve been built up a little more than he has been in recent times.

THE Brian Kendrick? Uh, yeah, I don’t think so.

Jeff? He’s a prime candidate for a big title win with confetti and all that jazz and if the top belt is in his future, I think they’ll save it for a bigger time in a bigger place, replete with longer burning redemptive story arc. Still, out of the four challengers his win would be the least surprising.

So despite the fact that my women’s intuition tells me Hunter leaves Unforgiven sans belt, I am penciling in his name as the winner because I can’t for the life of me choose which of the other Scramblers could dethrone him right now. But if Hunter loses (and probably wins it back in short order in) you heard it here almost first, in a loose, non-committal sort of way.

Winner: Triple H

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