GrzeTim Books...Backlash

Once again, I’m in a rush at 1:30 the day of the show to put up my predictions. Let’s get right to it:

GrzeTim Books…Backlash

Women's Championship - Mickie James(c) vs. Trish Stratus – I’ve loved how they have gone about booking this feud. Trish dressing up as Mickie (they finally called her Trishy James on TV, as I’ve been doing since the first time she came out like that) has been a hoot. I’m expecting Trish to continue her mental attack on Mickie tonight. My only concern is that Trish might focus too much on mentally beating her and Mickie will pull it out with a quick roll up.
Winner and STILL Women’s Champion – Mickie James

Ric Flair vs. Umaga – I’m not even going to get into this match too much. It’s, once again, Ric Flair lying down for the new talent. Umaga / Jamal isn’t even new talent. Also, whose idea was it to put a Cuban manager with an Islanders rip-off? I see Umaga going over on this to push his character as a “monster” with his thumb of death.
Winner - Umaga

Kane vs. Big Show – I’m surprised how fast they jumped on this one. I expect the usual big man vs. big man stuff. It would be cool to see Kane go psycho and start to hit that MAYBE he is the man from the See No Evil movie. Maybe even bring the hook from the movie down with him. Kane will get himself DQed by using a weapon of some kind.
Winner via DQ – Big Show

Intercontinental Championship vs. Money in the Bank - Shelton Benjamin(c) vs. Rob Van Dam (MITB) – This could be the match of the night. Both these guys can deliver in the ring and while they have conflicting styles, if they can mesh, it’ll be something special. I expect a lot of “crash and burn” high spots in this one. With the ECW One Night Stand poster having RVD with the briefcase, I would be VERY surprised if he doesn’t win here and go on to One Night Stand to face the WWE Champ.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion – Rob Van Dam

Carlito vs. Chris Masters – This is another match I’m looking forward to. The slow build has been great. They had been hinting at Carlito turning on him since before WrestleMania. The time is right; the crowd is REALLY into Carlito. He needs to be the one to break the Masterlock. I see it as he takes a bite of the apple, gets caught in the lock, looks up and spits in his face. This allows Carlito to break the hold and reverse it into the back cracker for the win.
Winner - Carlito

Shawn Michaels & "God" vs. Mr. McMahon & Shane McMahon – While this is a handicap match on the surface, a lot can happen here. I could see them doing things with the lights, ring, and pyro to make it seem like Michaels has a partner. I have the same feeling about this match as I did about the Michaels vs. Mr. McMahon match from WM. A lot can happen in this match, but I’m not building it up too much in my head. I expect the McMahon’s to get their win back in this one.
Winners – Mr. McMahon & Shane McMahon

WWE Championship – John Cena(c) vs. Edge vs. Triple H – Now the match everyone is waiting for. I thought I had this one figured out, but with RVD going to be using the Money in the Bank at ECW One Night Stand, everything is out the window. Let’s look at the three possible outcomes in the match starting with the least likely and going up:

3. Cena retains the title. I SERIOUSLY doubt this will happen. I think it would be a massive mistake to send Cena to the ECW PPV as the champ. The crowd there will eat him alive…or worse yet they’ll leave when he comes out. While I do see the flip side that it’ll make RVD into a superman to the fans, does RVD really NEED the cheap heat going into an ECW PPV?

2. Edge wins the title. If Edge wins, he will NOT pin Cena. That way, there is an easy setup for a rematch. I do like the idea of Edge bad mouthing ECW for a month. He could be pissed about how he is the WWE Champion, not the champ of a bingo hall and he wont defend there. Also, Edge just had a nasty Hardcore Match with Foley at WM, so his toughness won’t be in question.

1. Triple H wins the title. This could be a win over either man. Triple H is the most likely person to go into an ECW PPV as the champ. RVD and Triple H have some title history in the past and imagine Triple H walking into ECW Arena…the fans will go nuts on him. Even more so, what if he BEATS RVD there…he better get the three, grab the belt, and RUN.

In the end, this all comes down to who they want to walk into the ECW PPV as the champ. I have to go with the best choice (in my opinion)
Winner and NEW WWE Champion – Triple H

Enjoy the PPV folks. I’ll post the results tonight or tomorrow.