Hell in the Cell Triple Threat!

We are going to be treated to a triple threat match inside the cell for the WWE championship featuring title holder John Cena and two challengers CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio.  I wasn’t a fan of taking the belt off Del Rio so soon and I am not a Cena hater or anything either.  I am wondering what could happen here.  It would seem that CM Punk has to get his due again soon or later being that the spotlight has been on him so much for so long.  Then again, we saw Punk and Cena manage to get on the same page recently on Raw.  Could this be foreshadowing something? Could the Hell in the Cell match end in controversy with Del Rio reclaiming the gold causing Cena and Punk  to join forces against whatever faction caused them both to be strapless at the end of the PPV?  There is the possibility of Kevin Nash, plus we got The Miz and R-Truth who are “fired” and will no doubt play a big role somewhere soon.

Also, I thought that John Laurinatis’s speech on Smackdown that assured everyone that HHH was in complete control and not to worry was a bit fishy.  Maybe, we finally get some sort or NWO, Kliq or other group form at Hell in the Cell.  John Laurinatis, Kevin Nash, The Miz and R-Truth maybe?  Leaving HHH to join forces with Cena and Punk.  Add another couple wrestlers and it could set up some sort of Survivor Series match.  We shall see. 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Back later this week.  Cheers!

Smackdown Thoughts, September 24th

Thanks to my DVR I was able to watch Raw and Smackdown this week, it’s been a busy one.  Some quick thoughts on Smackdown to start my Saturday.

I love how they are not slowing down on the animal that is Mark Henry character.  He showed us this week that he is still just as ruthless and doesn’t care about anything but hanging on to his title.  I enjoyed the opening segment on Smackdown, it wasn’t too long and dragged out and looks like I made a correct prediction for a change.  It appears that Christian will be Mark Henry’s first victim as champion. 

Sheamus continues to be on a major role and it really getting hyped by the broadcast team.  I am thinking he is a lurking shark now, just waiting.  It seems like he is continuing to be pushed until they need him in a main event slot.  Assuming Mark Henry remains champion he could be tangling with Sheamus again down the road.

Wade Barrett and Heath Slater fill some time with a match and a Barrett win.  Not much going on for Barrett lately.

Divas are up in a tag match.  Beth Phoenix and Natalya win a tag match only because Kelly Kelly is not on the team facing them.  The WWE continue to push Kelly Kelly.  I have nothing more to say about the Divas that I haven’t said the last few weeks.

Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes go at it again for the third time in recent weeks.  Orton snaps and gets disqualified but the beat down doesn’t stop after the bell.  The end result it an enraged and sinister Orton and a beaten up and bloody Rhodes.  Great matches between these two!

We are getting The Great Khali and Jinder Mahal already.  I am glad they are not hyping this up to a PPV match.  The Great Khali enters the ring to some cheers from the crowd and doesn’t have much trouble with Mahal.  He gives him a kind of mocking pin by just standing above him and laying his foot on his chest.  What, if anything, could be meaningful for both of these two next?

Dim the lights, light the candles, set the table, it’s time for ..... Sin Cara.  Tonight he is taking on Daniel Bryan.  Doesn’t matter what happens here because you just know that second Sin Cara is going to show up.  There is a bit of a twist tonight.  The second Sin Cara enters and takes out the first Sin Cara.  The second Sin Cara then takes over and wins the match.  I can’t help it; I am still being very entertained by this.

Tag Team Champs Air Boom get a victory over The Usos in a decent match.  This Air Boom team really worked out and continues to be entertaining.  They need another high profile opponent.  Problem being, is there such a thing currently in tag team wrestling?

Main event is a lumberjack match – classic – love it!  Wouldn’t it be a shocker it Christian won the match!  Haha – never going to happen.  Mark Henry eventually ends up outside the ring and the entire group of lumberjacks cannot get him back in.  The crowd are actually chanting Khali’s name at one point when he is one of the last standing after Henry’s onslaught.  Christain decides to leave but thanks to Sheamus is thrown back in to the ring, falls victim to the world’s strongest match, 1..2..3, Henry wins.

I know it plays into the Christian’s character but I didn’t like him wanting to bail out on the match.  It should all be about the title.  He could still be cowardly and try to win the match, maybe by still trying to be crafty and desperately trying to find allies. 

I liked both Smackdown and Raw this week.   If I have some time I may be back later this weekend with some more comments.  Have a good one! 

Raw Thoughts, September 19th

Raw starts in the usual fashion.  CM Punk has been screaming for change.  Here’s an idea.  Why not stop starting off the majority of episodes of Raw with another Punk and HHH argument.  Yes, I am bored with this.   During the opening segment we do learn that there will be a Triple Threat Hell in the Cell match for the title featuring John Cena, CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio at the upcoming Hell in a Cell event. 

We get an 8 man tag next with Sheamus, Air Boom and Justin Gabriel  vs David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty, Christian and Wade Barrett.  Sheamus, who has been on a role, picks up the pin.  Not a bad match.  How much longer are they going to put off Christian vs Sheamus?  Next PPV?

The former champion Alberto Del Rio takes on John Morrison.  I was so disappointed that Del Rio lost the title.  Speaking of which, we had two new champions last night, we are over 30 minutes into the show and have seen neither of them.  This match ends quickly with Morrison tapping out.  Del Rio appears angry, I like this.  I liked the quick submission, building Del Rio up to be a solid contender for the title and not a fluke champion.  Leading into his Night of Champions match when he had the title, he was ducking Cena at every opportunity.  I like the over cocky Del Rio who also appears a bit ruthless. 

Celebrity guest appearance time featuring Hugh Jackman.  So we all know someone will interrupt him, but who?  Ahhhh...plug your ears...that shrill...it’s Vicky Guerrero, being accompanied to the ring by United States Champion Dolf Ziggler.  A war of words continue between Ziggler and Jackman.  Jackman says he is going to find the biggest underdog to defeat Ziggler tonight and the crowd almost immediately starts chanting for Ryder.  WOO WOO WOO!  Man that guy is over with the crowd, but can he become a legitimate and believable contender in the ring?   

Here comes Sin Cara...which Sin Cara is this?  He is on taking the awesome Cody Rhodes.  Wait...here comes the other Sin Cara.  They have an entertaining exchange of high flying moves.  I don’t know where Cody Rhodes disappeared to, but he doesn’t appear anymore in this segment.  So when these two lock up for real, what will it be like?  They showed us tonight that it could be a very entertaining wrestling match.  But will we care about this?  Two guys looking exactly the same that we don’t have much emotional investment either way.  Having said that, I am finding it very entertaining.  I would love to see this lead to a match with one clearly emerging as a heel and then remove the mask for a big and shocking reveal as to who is in there. 

Finally, about an hour into the program and we have one of our new champions show up as Mark Henry is interviewed by Jim Ross.  Great segment.  Henry has the title and is showing no signs of being any less ruthless or vicious.  He takes out and Ross and Jerry Lawler.   Awesome!

Divas are up as Micheal Cole and Josh Matthews appear very concerned about Ross and Lawler.  This is great too, helps to keep building up Mark Henry’s character.  The Diva’s tag match gets underway with the Divas chamption (still?) Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres vs Natalya and Beth Phoenix.  Kelly and Eve win.  The monster to what could have been Beth Phoenix is dead.

WOO WOO WOO it’s the “Internet Champion” Zack Ryder, with Hugh Jackman vs Dolf Ziggler.  Ryder gets the wins thanks to interference from Jackman.  I enjoyed this match.  WOO WOO WOO!

After a brief and mostly friendly exchange between Cena and Punk back stage we get the main event going with The Miz and R-Truth entering the ring to their totally awesome “You suck” rap song.  I made this comment before but I will briefly make it again.  First when it appeared that these two might become a team I didn’t think I was going to like it.  But I love them together.  They have been very good for each other too.  On to the bout...good match!  I love CM Punk’s actions on the side of the ring waiting to be tagged, which is where he spends much of the match.  He is totally into it.  I have been hard on his lengthy speeches in the ring lately, but he is a great performer.  He ends up getting the pin for the victory here.

Time to play the game....we are not done, here come HHH who promises he would fire someone tonight and it’s Miz and Truth getting the axe.  HHH is then attacked by them back stage in front of the rest of the roster.  In the end Miz and Truth are tossed out of the building.  I liked the end here.  Miz and Truth, although “fired” are thrust right back into the spotlight.  This could get good!  Oh btw....where is Kevin Nash, are we done with him now? 

See you next time!

Some Quick Night of Champions Reflections

It’s been a busy day.  So I only have time for some very quick hits reflecting on last night's Night of Champions PPV.  Oh yeah, I am also focussing on the results of my predictions.  That’s right I got ZERO right...nadda!  I like surprises but I mean a couple correct would have been nice.  Here we go...

Air Boom successfully defend the titles.  I was wrong.  I was ok with it.  The Miz and R-Truth had other plans for later in the evening and they are awesome anyway.  It also further legitimizes Air Boom as a solid tag team. 

Cody Rhodes retains Intercontinental Title over Ted Dibiase.  I was wrong again but not really surprised here at all.  I thought maybe if he lost Rhodes may go on to battle Randy Orton for the World Heavy Weight Title.  But Orton lost that later in the night too so the outcome of this match makes total sense.  Rhodes is awesome.

Dolf Ziggler successfully retains United States Championship in a fatal four way match.  Wrong again.  I was watching this wondering if they might be making the move to make Jack Swagger a face.  He did all the work at the end and Ziggler steals the pin and then leaves with Vicky Guerrero.  Who knows, but I can’t picture Swagger as a face. 

Christian still wants one more match but end up getting Sheamus’s boot to the head.  I can see him getting his match now against Mark Henry and being the World’s Strongest Man’s first successful title defence.

Kelly Kelly over Beth Phoenix two PPVs in a row.  Really?  REALLY?  Oh yeah I was wrong here too!

Mark Henry wins the World Heavy Weight Championship.  Just to make sure you are following, yeah, I was wrong here too.  But awesome, I was rooting for Henry and am looking forward to this.  I loved his speech after he won the title.

John Cena wins the WWE Championship.  W.R.O.N.G.  Of all my incorrect predictions I was most surprised with this one (except for Kelly Kelly winning again).  I really thought Alberto Del Rio would make it to at least one more PPV as champion.

HHH beats CM Punk.  And yes....just as well as at this point to round off the night with a big goose egg in the predictions department (wrong again).  Call me old school again by the way but I think the main event of every PPV should be a title match.  I don’t even know what to say about the end of this one.  The WWE fans have the best one word response for this as they do so often....”WHAT?”  Tune into Raw tonight where I am sure more questions will remained unanswered!

Hope you all enjoyed the show!  Enjoy Raw tonight...back soon!

Night of Champions Predictions

Here we go with some quick Night of Champion predictions.  Great card!!

Divas Championship, Kelly Kelly (c) vs Beth Phoenix

These two hooked up during the last PPV at Summerslam.  It seemed we were poised for a Beth Phoenix title reign but Kelly Kelly pulled out the surprise win.  Like Summerslam, my prediction here is the same.  New champ, Beth Phoenix wins (see if I am right this time). 

United States Championship Fatal Fourway Match, Dolf Ziggler (c) vs Jack Swagger vs John Morrison vs Alex Riley

I think they keep this feud with Ziggler and Swagger going with Vickie Guerrero right in the middle of it.  It really hasn’t even got going yet apart from some arguing and a bit of shoving.  Morrison and Riley I think are in here to get another couple of faces on the card.  Prediction: New United States champion, Jack Swagger.  (but more matches with him and Ziggler to follow)

Tag Team Championship Match, Air Boom Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne vs The Miz and R-Truth

The Miz and R-Truth have been doing some great bits as of late.  I am guessing the spotlight would be better served by falling on them who could even be more entertaining with the belts.  Kingston and Bourne both lost in singles competition recently to Miz and Truth respectively.  Makes you wonder if their leaning towards an Air Boom victory and keeping this going.  However I am going this way.  Prediction:  New champs, The Miz and R-Truth win.

Intercontinental Championship Match, Cody Rhodes (c) vs Ted Dibiase

I like both these guys!  Rhodes has great potential and I think is a great Intercontinental Champ.  A couple weeks ago I was wondering if Rhodes was going to be Orton’s next feud assuming he remains champ after this PPV.  However, Orton and Rhodes have already tangled twice on TV, but no titles on the line yet, so I don’t think this is done.  I don't say this with confidence but...Prediction:  New champ DiBiase wins (but expecting Rhodes to be elevated into more of a main event status with Orton).   

CM Punk vs HHH, no disqualification match

I am finding this one hard to predict although it has the potential to be an awesome match no matter what the outcome. If HHH loses he resigns as COO.  This could open new story line angles by adding a new person in place of The Game.  We also have to wonder if Kevin Nash shows up to have some influence in this one.  Prediction:  CM Punk wins. (but this whole story is far from over). 

WWE Championship Match, Alberto Del Rio (c) vs John Cena

A few weeks ago I thought the whole HHH, Kevin Nash, fake text messages, etc. was going to play a role here.  But all that has moved away from this match.  I haven’t ruled out that they could be fooling us.  I don’t see them putting the belt on Cena again right now.  Prediction:  Alberto Del Rio retains the title (with some controversy of course).    

World Heavyweight Championship, Match Randy Orton (c) vs Mark Henry

I am finding it hard to predict this one too.  I think there has to be some controversy to allow us to keep buying into the beast that is Mark Henry.  I am hoping for a return of Big Show or Kane.  Prediction:  Randy Orton retains. (with interference from Kane or Big Show) 

All in all I have predicted 4 title changes.  I don’t know.  I find nothing obvious here which makes for a great card.  Enjoy everyone, back next week. 

Smackdown Thoughts, September 16th

So great to see Edge again!  I am hoping he is back to stay in some capacity.  You know he is going to be interrupted, but by who?  It’s Cody Rhodes!  I am really enjoying Rhodes, this guy should have great potential to be a future main eventer.  It wasn’t that long ago Ezekiel Jackson was the Intercontinental Champion, that was so much more boring that this guy.  I loved the way this segment ended with Rhodes being surprised by Ted Dibease in the crowd, reminded me of the start of an old school WWE feud.  Hopefully this sets up the final match to be announced for Night of Champions. 

Dim the lights it’s Sin Cara for his match with Daniel Bryan.  The WWE Universe once again proves its strangeness.  Imagine if every time the Celtics took to the court they filled the arena with a green tint for the entire game.  Anyway...the match rolls on and Sin Cara is disqualified.  And yes, they are actually going with the two Sin Caras angle!  What do you think?  Will people actually go for this?  Could at least be an entertaining match when it happens, but I don’t see it going too far beyond that.  Unless there is a shocker behind one of those masks.  Who knows...I am intrigued.  This angle reminds me of something you might see in old school WWE too.  Should be fun!

Divas time....AJ vs Beth Phoenix....squash as expected by Phoenix.  After the match Phoenix tells us that the fairy tale ends for all the Divas at Night of Champions.  I think she wins, but we will see how much attention she can bring to the Divas division as champ.

We got not only Edge back tonight but also Canadian and former WWE Diva Trish Stratus hanging out backstage.  Christian interrupts and he is still talking about one more shot.  What do you think?  Does he get it?  I would still love Edge to manage him!  But for now at least they still appear to be having some differences. 

We get a tag team match with Wade Barrett and Christian vs Justin Gabriel and Sheamus.  Four wrestlers in the ring and four different countries represented.  Justin Gabriel picks up the pin on Wade Barrett.  Barrett has been really floundering lately too being the jobber more times than not.  After the match we get more flirting with the idea of a Christian vs Sheamus match.  As I have said lately, looking forward to this one whenever it happens. 

The Great Khali vs. Heath Slater is up.  Sounds like another squash to me.  I am guessing maybe some interference from Jinder Mahal after.  I was wrong.  The match is barely underway and he is coming down the ramp already.  Mahal interferes causing the ref to ring the bell and a beat down ensues with Slater and Mahal double teaming Khali.  It is Khali who over powers them both.  The Smackdown crowd seem very quiet during all of this.  I am not sure how much people really care about this match between Khali and Mahal that will undoubtedly happen in the near future. 

Evan Bourne is set to take on R-Truth.  The Miz and R-Truth enter the ring to R-Truth rapping and slamming the Canadian crowd.  It’s an awesome entrance, these guys are great.  It’s a much faster match than I expect with Truth picking up the clean pin.  The Awesome Truth I guess they are calling this team.  Great stuff, should be another good Night of Champions match!

For the second time this week the main event slot is filled by microphone time, at least it’s not more of the whiny married couple (HHH and CM Punk).  We got Edge back in the ring again hosting a segment with Randy Orton and Mark Henry.  The history of both superstars is briefly traced.  Edge leaves the ring and mayhem quickly explodes and it takes a good chunk of the roster to attempt to keep them apart.  Of course it doesn’t work and Henry delivers some damage to Orton and several others.  Good final setup before the match reminding us one more time that Mark Henry is an absolute animal.   

OMG The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History DVD Review

I had a chance recently to watch one of the WWE’s latest DVD releases titled OMG The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History.  I must say I was far more entertained than I thought I would be.  This one took me on a trip back through memory lane with plenty of footage I haven’t seen in years, some of which I had forgotten about, or maybe blocked out - haha. 

The shocking moments featured on this DVD can fit into a couple of different categories.  They could be shocking because of some sort of surprise that you didn’t see coming.  This would include a heel turn or a surprise ending to a match.  There are a few of these featured on here.  They could also be shocking because you end up thinking (yes I will use the title) Oh My God I can’t believe they are doing this.  Most of these moments happen outside of the ring or in non-wrestling incidents.  It was these that had me laughing out loud several times while watching this DVD.

I won’t go into too much detail, but a few highlights none the less.  Mae Young, oh my.  Did I forget or did my memory block out some of the outrageous stunts she pulled and segments she appeared in during her time in the WWE during the late 90’s.  Some of these moments had me laughing hard and in disbelief that they even happened.

Then there were some childhood memories I haven’t seen in years including the two Dave Hefner’s, one an evil referee who blatantly robbed Hulk Hogan out of the title.  And I chuckled when Hulk proclaimed “Who paid for the plastic surgery man!?!?”    And then there was Jake Roberts’ snake attacking and viciously biting Randy “Macho Man” Savage in the ring.  They carried off Savage as Vince Mcmahon, then a play by play man, screams about all the poison that must be running through his veins as the Macho Man tumbled from the stretcher.  These are just a couple I remember vividly from my younger years, but they are tame in comparison to many of the moments on the disc.

In addition to these outlandish moments there are some jaw dropping wrestling feats to relive too.  They include The Undertaker and Mick Foley’s infamous Hell in a Cell match, some of Jeff Hardy’s most wild moments and some pretty amazing feats from Shane Mcmahon. 

Another thing I took from this movie is how much I miss Stone Cold Steve Austin.  He is featured here more times than any other.   Austin arguably has more classic moments in the WWE than any other wrestler in its history.

This DVD is ridiculous, crazy and fun!  If you are trying to get wrestling over on some of your non-wrestling fan friends, this is probably not the one to show them.  Then again, maybe it is!   

Raw thoughts, September 12th

Well here we go.  Who steps out of the gate first on Raw this week?  Will it be HHH?  CM Punk?  No...it’s the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio!!  He’s upset...because we make fun of him!  As Miz would say...”Really”?  Wait...can it be...could it be...yes, Bret Hart!  We are in Canada after all.  So Bret just happens to be in Ottawa and I guess and he is not too fond of Alberto Del Rio so he struts into the ring to say his piece.  This is the WWE universe after all.  I have never been too fond of such angles because they don’t make a lot of sense to me.  What would Bret Hart, a retired superstar, gain in going out and getting into a war of words with the current champion?  It would make sense if there was more of a history between the two.  The Hitman is one of my all time favourites, but the last couple times I have saw him on TV it didn’t really work for me, as much as I hate to say it. 

Wait...here comes John Cena to ... “save” this segment.  I have been complaining about too much HHH and CM Punk lately, and now I got something different to start to the show I am finding myself missing them a bit.  The segment ends and we have ourselves a match later tonight with Cena and Hart taking on Del Rio and his ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez.

We got a tag team match next with John Morrison and Alex Riley vs Dolf Ziggler and Jack Swagger.  John Morrison is someone who hasn’t really been involved in anything meaningful as of late and I wish he was.  I thought this match had potential, but it doesn’t amount to much.  There is some arguing between Swagger and Ziggler after they lose the match.  I wish they would just hurry up and put these two in the ring against each other.  This has been built up enough now.

The Miz and R-Truth are my new favourite team.  I am hoping they get the straps at Night of Champions.  We need more of these two.  The Miz takes on one half of the tag team champions Kofi Kingston in a decent match.  The Miz picks up the win with no interference and no controversy.  AWWWEEEEESOMMMMEEEE!!!! 

Well the US Championship match is finally announced and I was wrong. Champion Dolf Ziggler will get a chance to tangle with challenger Jack Swagger but added to the mix are Alex Riley and John Morrison in a fatal four way.  Who might win this one?  Will the WWE pull some sort of surprise and strap Morrison or Riley?  My obvious choice goes with Swagger or Ziggler thus continuing the heat here.  This has to potential to be a great match in what is shaping up to be a great card. 

So are we getting Jerry Lawler and new partner each week against David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty?  This week we get Sheamus teaming with Lawler.  Sheamus scores the pin and the former champs go down again.  What is the point of this other than filling time?

Well the Bret Hart returns to “action” as he enters the ring with John Cena to face Ricardo Rodriguez and John Cena.  It was kind of funny watching Cena beating up on Rodriguez, but I don’t like Del Rio playing the “chicken”.  You can be a heel and still be fearless.  In any event the match is pretty much all Cena.  He lays out Rodriguez and tags Bret who comes in long enough to apply a sharpshooter to which Rodriguez instantly taps out.  I don’t know.  As I said earlier, I love Bret, but there wasn’t much here.  Although I do recognize that although it didn’t make for compelling TV, if I were in the audience and got to see the legend come out and apply his signature move one more time I would have been standing on my feet cheering loudly.  He is a legend and there is nothing wrong with getting a glimpse of him once in a while even if it is in such fashion.  Moving on...

It’s Diva’s time.  Kelly Kelly vs. Vickie Guerrero.  The most interesting thing here is the action outside the ring between Swagger and Ziggler, and that doesn’t do much for me now that the match has been set.  Kelly Kelly wins quickly, enter Beth Phoenix but as usual it turns to next to nothing.  NEXT please....

Round two of the champion vs champion Chody Rhodes vs Randy Orton match that we got just last week on Smackdown.  I am thinking that there has to be something in the works here since we just saw this match days ago.  My initial thinking is that Ted Dibiase enters to interfere with Rhodes thus setting up the final piece of the Night of Champions’ puzzle.  Instead we get Rhodes scoring the victory thanks to interference from Mark Henry.  There’s still Smackdown to figure out what the Intercontinental Championship match will be I guess. 

So I guess the main event tonight is a war of words between CM Punk and HHH.  I must sound like I am complaining a lot lately, but man, these bits are annoying me.  I don’t like you, don’t like me, I am going to pin you, no I am going to pin you etc. etc.....these two are sounding like an old whiny married couple!  I guess we are supposed to be somewhat interested in what CM Punk was going to say after they cut him off, but I wasn’t really.  However, I am very interested in this match and the outcome, but it’s time to stop these verbal marathons and get to it!

One more episode of Smackdown and we’ve made it to Night of Champions, should be a great PPV!

Thoughts on the Upcoming Randy Orton and Mark Henry Match

Well what are some possible scenarios that could play out here?  The WWE has done a splendid job building up Mark Henry and this match.  I feel there is more interest centred on these two than the John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio match.  In any event here are some possibilities that could happen at Night of Champions. 

Scenario One:  Orton wins cleanly

Mark Henry and Randy Orton could have a great match pushing each other to the limit with near pin falls on both accounts.  That will likely happen anyway.  In the end Orton hits the RKO and gets the 1..2..3.  Problem with this is it could put a spike through the heart of the monster that they have done an excellent job creating in Mark Henry.  He could move on to another feud or he could keep doing damage until he gets a rematch, but it wouldn’t be the same if he loses cleanly here.

Scenario Two:  Henry wins cleanly

Henry could defeat Orton cleanly proving to the entire WWE universe that he is indeed the man.  I don’t see that happening either.  Orton has been on a bit of a role himself.  I am not sure where they would go with that one.  Orton would likely not be done with Henry in this case.  The "voices in his head" would probably cause him to become a bit more of a monster himself and chase Henry until another match in sanctioned.

Scenario Three:  Sheamus and/or Christian play a factor.

Could Sheamus interfere here and cost Henry the match thus continuing their feud.  What about Christian?   He did say he wanted one more match with Orton.  It could happen but I am thinking these two will be focusing on each other in the next coming weeks leaving them out of this one.  Although, I wouldn’t rule it out completely.

Scenario Four:  A Return

Then there is the trail of destruction Henry left behind as he created the "Hall of Pain" which featured Big Show and Kane.  Could we see a return and some revenge delivered that would ultimately cost Henry the match?  This could be the most exciting finish and have the most future potential.  It could create more heat between Henry and one of the aforementioned superstars.  It could also leave unanswered questions between Henry and Orton for another match down the road.  Also, Orton’s title reign continues and so does the beast character that Mark Henry has become.   

I am going to go with option four.  I would love to see Mark Henry get a shot with the title, but if it happens I am thinking it is still a little further down the road.  Perhaps he has to go through Kane or Big Show again before he gets another shot and then the title. 

Props to the WWE on building this one up, excellent job with Mark Henry the last few months. 

Smackdown Thoughts, September 9th

Mark Henry starts off Smackdown.  It took 15 years but Henry finally got his character right.  I am really enjoying it but I am thinking it is not going to last once Randy Orton wins at Night of Champions, which is my prediction.

Here comes Zack Ryder to tell Henry that he and Orton are in action tonight, but not against each other.  Also they are not to put their hands on each.  Ryder is getting huge cheers from the crowds lately and seems to be getting more and more popular each week.  Ryder is sensing trouble and decides to go on the offense before Henry strikes.  It doesn’t work as he quickly becomes victim of Henry’s World’s Strongest Slam.  Ryder has carved out a loveable loser type character for himself but I wonder where he can go with this in the ring.  Woo Woo Woo!  

Here comes Ezekiel Jackson...ding ding....we got our first match.  Jackson and Henry start their match with a test of strength, classic, love it, but it doesn’t last very long.  In fact neither does the match really. It’s pretty much all Mark Henry as he continues to get over as one of the most dominating forces in the WWE leading into his title shot at the Night of Champions.  It doesn’t fair well for Jackson who has been floundering since he lost the Intercontinental  Championship, since before that really.  He is one of the WWE’s big men, but as of late is not being sold as too much of a force. 

Next up Sin Cara picks up another win over Tyson Kid.  I am watching the match and wondering what is in store for this guy (Cara).  Maybe a long term plan to have him vs Rey Mysterio.  Maybe a Sin Cara vs Sin Cara match to determine who is the “real Sin Cara”.  There have been reports of two different guys playing this character and this one now...wow...speaks English, and he’s more aggressive.  I get my answer now for the immediate future when Daniel Bryan enters the ring and challenges him to a rematch next week.  Sin Cara responds with a kick and a submission move.

Divas are up, Kelly Kelly taking on Natalya.  If Beth Phoenix and Natalya are going to save the Diva’s division I wish they would hurry up and do it.  Kelly Kelly wins...nothing really happens after....next please....

Christian comes out.  Christian is one of my favourites and it’s time for him to get another good feud going.  I think we have it starting with Sheamus, another of my favourites, as he interrupts Christian’s remarks.  I made the comment a couple of weeks ago that these guys could be good for each other right now and it looks like I am getting my wish.  Sheamus and Wade Barret lock up for their match but Christian interferes and an attempted beat down ensues but Sheamus overpowers.  A match between the Celtic Warrior and Christian is a certainty.  I am looking forward to this one!  It should be a very entertaining match, or series of matches if this turns into something long term.

It’s Air Boom!  You know the name is hokey, they even appear a little hokey themselves, but I like them.  They are a good tag team, but will the reign last past the match at Night of Champions against The Miz and R-Truth?  My prediction on that and the rest of the card to follow.   Tonight they face The Great Khali and Jinder Mahal.  These two have been headed for a certain split the last few weeks and it looks like it might be official.  A slap in the face from Khali after they lose the match and he walks away.  Not much of an official split, I would have expected a bit more of a physical assault from the monster Khali.  A feud between these two doesn’t interest me a lot, but who knows, maybe it will lead to better things for Khali who has been very boring lately.

The main event is next.  Wow...no HHH...no CM Punk....I thought with the new supershows we may get them yet again tonight.  Smart move to leave them off tonight.  It’s great stuff, but a bit too much as of late. 

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton fill the main event slot in a decent match.  I am loving Cody Rhodes and am thinking that down the road there could be big things from him.  After Orton picks up the win Mark Henry comes in the physicality begins.  Henry comes out on top of this one and ends up looking down on Orton, spares him from breaking his legs telling him it’s only the title his interested in.  I would like to see him have a shot with it.    

Overall, I found both Raw and Smackdown to be not too compelling this week.  It’s getting to that point where it’s time for the next PPV now.  One more week to go.  We still have a couple more matches to be added so there maybe a few more developments next week.

Coming up later this week I hope to post some thoughts on the DVD OMG:  The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History, which I watched recently. 

Cheers!

Raw Thoughts, September 5th

Raw starts off with the star of the show addressing us again, who else but CM Punk!  You know I always loved this guy, but I have been saying lately that I am getting bored with him.  I am not finding his lengthy ring rants so compelling anymore.  This is beginning to sound like long dull psychotherapy – here’s what’s wrong with me, here’s what’s wrong with you, here’s what’s wrong with HHH, Cena and Nash and  here’s what’s wrong with the WWE.  

Anyway, the segment ends with HHH punching and firing Kevin Nash.  Not likely.  What will happen here?  Either it’s a hoax concocted by HHH and Nash or Nash has one of those “iron clad” contracts that he waves in the face of the COO.  If this is the case maybe he costs HHH the match at Night of Champions.  This of course would lead to a match between HHH and Nash at some point.  But who knows where they are going with all this yet?   

Tag team champions Air Boom enter the ring (together finally) and tonight they face Jinder Mahal and The Great Khali in a nontitle match.  Khali botches the double team which results in them losing the match.  You have to think this will result in more friction between the two.  Does a potential match between these two interest you?   Me neither.

Next up it’s the Divas.  They tried to hype up the Diva’s division on wwe.com the last few days.  This one is a number one contender’s match between Eve and Beth Phoenix to see who’s next to face Kelly Kelly for the title.  Beth wins and gets her rematch at Night of Champions for the title.  No question, Beth wins this one!  (I think)

I am tired of this Inside Out preview!   Besides aren’t previews supposed to make you want to see the movie?  I take the opportunity to pour up a small glass of whiskey to sip on.  Oh wow, the preview wasn’t too long tonight, back to the show. 

R-Truth enters the ring and he’s dissing CM Punk.  Soon after his buddy The Miz joins him.  At first I had reservations about them teaming together, but it’s really starting to work for me.  The Miz tells us that he and R-Truth will be facing Air Boom for the titles at Night of Champions.  I loved The Miz poking fun of the Air Boon name!  Not sure what they will do with this one at Night of Champions but I am looking forward to it.  CM Punk enters for his match with R-Truth.  Not surprising, CM PUNK gets the 1, 2, 3. 

Right after the match HHH enters the ring and I am fearing more lengthy talking between him and Punk.  HHH tells us his match with Punk is a no DQ.  Punk responds that he wants the stipulation that if he wins HHH resigns.  OK, this does make it a little more interesting although I was looking forward to this one anyway.   I guess that contract they signed on Smackdown needs to be rewritten.

The WWE network is coming....awesome!

Jerry ”The King” Lawler and Zack Ryder face former tag team champions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty as a result of The King dissing his opponents over the last few weeks.  Lawler and Ryder make pretty fast work of Otunga and McGillicutty.  Things going downhill fast for the former champs.   

Randy Orton is becoming a fixture on both Raw and Smackdown.  Tonight Heath Slater is the jobber for Orton in a brief match with no aftermath from Mark Henry or any other characters.

Alberto Del Rio has been featured off and on through the night in a series of brief backstage segments.  The end result of this is four of his “amigos” attempting to beat down John Cena while Del Rio stands back and looks on.  The first couple of weeks after his title win I thought his in ring rants were great and his was winning matches cleanly and really getting over as champ.  They way they are using him tonight is not working for me.   

The beat down of Cena doesn’t last long before Sheamus, Alex Riley and John Morrison come to the rescue and the result is a pretty good main event.  We end up with an elimination 8 man tag team match with Cena, Riley, Morrison and Sheamus vs. Christian, Dolf Ziggler, Jack Swagger and Wade Barrett.  Cena is the last man standing with a brief attempt of an opportunistic attack after by Del Rio but nothing too much happens.

Overall, the show was mediocre I thought.  The matches were not too compelling although I did enjoy the main event.  We only have one more Raw before Night of Champions.  That’s a good thing because the WWE has done a good job building some of the matches and angles up and too much more time in between might only do damage.  Speaking of Night of Champions I think we are going to get a good card. 

Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend if you had one and enjoy the rest of the week!