Previewing Judgement Day this Sunday
The WWE's string of rather weak PPV's that always seem to signify the spring months following WrestleMania continue Sunday, as Judgement Day takes place at the Qwest Center in Omaha. This PPV in the past has had some pretty solid moments, such as the return of the Undertaker in a memorable 60-minute "Ironman" match between the Rock and Triple H back in 2000, a blood-bath between then SmackDown champ Eddie Guerrero and JBL in 2004, and a very good "I Quit" match with WWE Champ John Cena and JBL the following year in 2005.
For the most part though, this is a PPV to set things up for the next few months leading into SummerSlam, which will take place in Indianapolis in mid-August. This years card will be highlighted by only six announced matches, with a steel cage match for the WWE title being the main event between Triple H and Randy Orton. Here is a breakdown of the card along with some predictions.
WWE Title Match - Triple H (C) vs Randy Orton in a Steel Cage: Your standard series of rematches between these two foes will highlight the remainder of the summer until John Cena gets back in the mix in time for SummerSlam. HHH and Orton have had solid matches to this point, with their match on RAW that was cut short by William Regal being one of the better RAW matches in sometime. Look for Triple H to retain, as I see no reason to rush the belt back on Orton for any reason.
Undertaker vs Edge for the vacant World Heavyweight Title: Reportedly Vince McMahon made the call behind the scenes to do the stripping of the belt from Taker for whatever reason, forcing this third match between the two. Another pair that seem to have good matches, but again, is there any question that Taker wins and regains the strap here? They need to move these two on to other feuds before this starts to bore the fans, despite the fact that Edge is really the only true heel on the SmackDown roster that can match Taker in the ring.
WWE Tag Team Title Match - Miz and John Morrison (C) vs ECW Champion Kane and C.M. Punk: I thought this was supposed to be a match on ECW this week, but instead they threw it on the PPV to give Tazz and Mike Adamle something to do. Miz and Morrison have been solid tag champs, and I think having them go over here would be a big boost to their careers. Of course the WWE loves to have odd couples hold the belts, so I wouldn't doubt a shift to allow Kane and Punk to win the straps for some reason, which I think here is a mistake.
JBL vs John Cena: These two had a long feud when Cena beat JBL for the WWE Title back in 2005, and now it seems like neither have much to do, so let's rekindle the feud for a month with a meaningless match at a PPV. Don't mean to be negative, but frankly this match does nothing for me, nor should it for many WWE fans who can see through it's on the card for no other reason than to have Cena there for the fans, and JBL continues to have PPV matches for reasons I have no idea. Cena wins, but does it matter?
WWE Women's Title Match - Mickie James (C) vs Beth Phoenix vs Melina in a Triple Threat: I feel a title switch as well as a swerve coming here, as they played off Phoenix walking out on Melina last week and then having a fight backstage. In the end, look for Melina to play the face role, going after Phoenix and helping James, but in the end turning on James and laying her out to let Phoenix win the belt back. Just a guess, but that's my feeling going in.
IC Champ Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michales: No belt up here for some reason, and as usual with Michaels PPV matches going in, this has the shot to steal the show. I have to believe that HBK was not all that happy with his Backlash match with Batista last month, and he and Jericho will go all out to make up for it here. Jericho continues to be a "tweener" character, sometimes good, sometimes bad. As for Michaels, I can see a win here, but what it will lead to is anyones guess.
Labels: chris jericho, edge, judgement day, randy orton, shawn michaels, undertaker
