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DEJ Experience District
Take It All. Please. McNEILL Previews WWE Judgment Day.
May 18, 2008 - 2:37:37 PM |
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By Pat McNeill, Torch Columnist
Wake the pets and call the neighbors, it's time for this month's WWE pay-per-view projections!
DISCLAIMER: Projections are made by myself and for myself with absolutely no assistance from the Incredible Shrinking WWE Creative Team. Projections are not predictions. This preview has been sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk & Wagnall's porch since noon today. Some of our departing contestants will receive the complete 22 volume World Book Encyclopedia for 2006. World Book Encyclopedia, the number-one selling print encyclopedia in the world, a division of Berkshire Hathaway. Remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, please, no wagering. This lineup is based on the best available information as of this writing. These predictions are based on what the columnist would do if he had creative control over WWE except for the part where he'd have to run to the store for pickles and ice cream for pregnant Stephanie McMahon.
We here at McNeill's Take have heard from a surprising number of wrestling fans who just aren't interested in WWE television. Based on Vince McMahon's reaction to submitted scripts over the past several weeks, it sounds like he isn't that interested in his current television shows either. That might explain why WWE is experiencing its lowest television ratings in over a decade. There's also the small problem of having the same six to eight guys headlining WWE pay-per-views in perpetuity, which is why watching Floyd Mayweather in action at WrestleMania seem like such a nice break.
Also On the Show: If you somehow missed Monday's episode of Raw with John Cena taking on Randy Orton, I'm sure Jack Korpela will present it for you on the preshow.
Big Show vs. Mark Henry: Paul Wight has to beat every big clod on the Smackdown and ECW rosters to get built up for his inevitable feud with the Undertaker this summer. Smackdown's running out of big clods, and who would thought we'd ever get to that point? Projection? Show wins with the chokeslam. Mark Henry sits back and waits for whatever big plan Michael Hayes will have for him when the head Smackdown writer returns from his long vacation.
Shawn Michaels vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho: This classic tilt will be a non-title match, because it would cause irreparable damage to World Wrestling Entertainment if anyone cared, even for a moment, about the WWE Intercontinental Title. Projection? Jericho beats Michaels when Michaels injures his knee, for real this time, and Michales passes out from the pain while in the Walls of Jericho.
John Cena vs. John Bradshaw Layfield (Battle of the Johns): John Cena, fresh off filming a movie, definitely needs to be in a new feud against a heel he hasn't faced in a while. The trouble with that is, Bradshaw has mostly bored the hell out of WWE fans over the past five months. Oh, her promos are fine, but you wouldn't want to sit through his matches. Cena will have to carry him. Projection? Cena beats JBL clean with the F-U as the desperate quest to bring Layfield back to his 2005 workrate continues.
Mickie James vs. Melina Perez vs. Beth Phoenix (WWE Women's Title Match): All the heat this month has been between Melina and beth. How can anyone stay mad at that sweet Mickie James? Someone is WWE must be upset with Mickie for hooking up with an undercarder, because Mickie's character had to ask John Cena out on Raw. Not that Cena was complaining. Projection? Mickie pins Melina as WWE pushes back the singles return bout between James and Phoenix for as long as humanly possible.
The Undertaker vs. Edge (Smackdown World Heavyweight Title): WWE had Undertaker stripped of the Smackdown belt sixteen days ago on television. Did you think they did that so the company could turn back around and give the Dead Man the belt again? Actually, they might have. It's been crazy lately. Projection? Forty million people interfere and Edge wins his belt back. there are plenty of options for booking a show around heel champion Edge. There's not that much to do with Undertaker as champion.
John Morrison & The Miz vs. Kane & C.M. Punk (WWE Smackdown Tag Team Titles): They'd better do this match, since it's the only feud the ECW television show has set up over the past few weeks. Projection? Morrison pins Punk. The tag team champions retain against the two biggest fan favorites on the program. Hey, if any of you want to see Kane and Punk win the belts together and one of them slowly turns heel on the other one, that's great. But I get the feeling this feud has more life left in it.
Triple H vs. Randy Orton (WWE Heavyweight Title – Steel Cage): Sure, you've seen it before, but this time it's in a cage. It will also be a good match. Projection? Triple H wears the crimson mask, pins Orton clean.
Aftermath: One Night Stand is only two weeks away. Let's go with Triple H vs. William Regal in an Extreme Rule Match, Cena vs. Orton in a street fight and Kane and Undertaker team up to fight Edge and his Edgeheads in a Casket Match. Then let's get some fresh main eventers.
***
Pat McNeill of Fairfax, Virginia has been a Torch columnist since February 2001. He's only happy when it rains, especially during allergy season. His longer, weekly column appears exclusively in the Torch Newsletter.
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LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...
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| Articles Grouped by Category |
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| Torch Today |
| PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with? |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews |
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| WWE News |
| WWE News: A YouTube video puts new spin on Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho saga |
| Ratings News: John Cena surgery a success, estimated time out of the ring determined (w/Keller's Analysis) |
| Ratings News: USA replay audience added to live Sci-Fi audience makes up for drop in rating |
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| TNA News |
| Interview Highlights: Chris Jericho talks about Guitar Hero, Reinventing his Character, Short Tights |
| TNA News: Details on Gail Kim's reasons for leaving TNA come to surface this week (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA News: WWE legend Mick Foley agrees to terms with TNA, set to debut as soon as September (w/Keller Analysyis) |
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| ROH News |
| Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together |
| 7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time." |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
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| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Sabin & Shelley, Lynn, Jake Roberts, ROH results |
| ETC. News: Jesse Ventura in talks for a court show, according to TV Week (w/Keller Analysis) |
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| PPV Reports |
| CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event |
| KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage |
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| TV Reports |
| 8/28 TNA IMPACT Review by Wilkenfeld: Sting steals the show |
| CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 8/28: Nash vs. Angle, Sting speaks, Jarrett teases return, Knockouts in main event |
| CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 8/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show |
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| Arena Reports |
| 8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse |
| 8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt |
| 8/24 WWE in Bethlehem, Pa.: Cody & Ted vs. Cryme Tyme, Jericho & Kane vs. Cena & Batista |
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| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday |
| KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage |
| UFC 87 PREVIEW: Fight analysis, predictions, odds for Lesnar vs. Herring, GSP vs. Fitch, Huerta vs. Florian |
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| KELLER'S TAKE |
| VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037) |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
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| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair |
| WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next |
| VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection |
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| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam |
| Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice! |
| VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two |
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| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 8/18 - Shawn Michaels showed strength, not weakness by not attacking Jericho |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Finally, Matt Striker has found his calling with ECW on Tuesday nights |
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| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 |
| DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom! |
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| The Specialists |
| CAREER PATH: Christian Cage's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/28 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have |
| MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Draft Picks to Build a Wrestling Company |
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| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest |
| EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return |
| EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw |
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| Torch Feedback |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #5 featuring top picks of Sting, Rob Van Dam, Edge, plus Danielson, Shelley, Bourne, Briscoes |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #4 featuring top picks of Nigel, Edge, Awesome Kong, plus CIMA, Bourne, Hogan, Ross, Kim |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #3 featuring top picks of Mick Foley, Brian Danielson, John Cena, plus Abyss, Shiozaki, Teddy Hart |
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| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
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| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
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| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-28-03): Truth, D-Lo, Abyss, Sandman, Raven, Styles, Dusty |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-25-03): Gail Kim vs. Trish, Jericho headlines Raw against... Shane McMahon? Linda a guest on Highlight Reel, |
| WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense." |
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| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
| 8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip) |
| VIP - PWTorch Today Bulletin #12 (PDF): McDevitt comments on lawsuit regarding employment status of wrestlers |
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| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2 |
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| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept? |
| POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers? |
| POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw? |
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| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
| 8/28 Radican Audio Showcase with Burgan: Foley to TNA, HBK-Jericho capture the heart and mind, Torch Draft, more! (5 min. free clip) |
| 8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip) |
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| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
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