WWE is simply advertising Sunday's main event as a "WWE Championship Match." Has WWE ever been this close to a PPV without a named main event, not counting a tournament format such as King of the Ring of WrestleMania IV?
It's not by choice that they're in this situation, but it is their lack of depth, half-hearted commitment to recruiting and developmental in the last ten years, and most of all their shoddy treatment of mid-card up-and-coming wrestlers on TV in recent years that puts them in a position where there's almost nobody fans are rooting for to step up and fill in for Cena.
In an ideal circumstance, Cena's injury would be unfortunate and undesired, but an obvious opportunity for someone there just wasn't room for at the top of cards. Instead, the options begin and end with Triple H and Randy Orton (and perhaps longshot Mr. Kennedy), with the pending arrival of Chris Jericho the wildcard, and the fans' sympathetic pick being Val Venis of all people.
With Triple H still listed against Umaga, and Mr. Kennedy without a listed opponent, Orton and Kennedy are obvious candidates to fill the main event slot. Problem is, unless Vince McMahon decides to turn one of them babyface, it's not an appealing match for fans who either will be rooting against both heels, who are both jerks on camera, or having to pick a favorite and cheer, which could go against WWE's plans.
WWE is coming off a very disappointing PPV last month with a really lousy, ill-received finish to Cena-Orton and an even worse Undertaker vs. Mark Henry main event. They can't afford to disappoint fans again in the main event.
The ideal scenario for me would be something along these lines. Vince McMahon steps out and says that desperate times call for desperate measures. While everyone is devastated that Cena's title reign ended the way it did, they must move forward without him as he recovers from surgery and rehabs. Therefore, he's going to create a huge main event featuring the top contender Randy Orton, another top contender who lost opportunities earlier this year due to injury, Mr. Kennedy, and a Wildcard Entry.
He can explain the wildcard entry was offered to past WWE Champions who hadn't been around recently, but because of their resume, would be worthy of stepping right in to get a title shot. He could say several invitations were sent out to former World Champions, and the first to accept was this man... Then Chris Jericho's music plays and he walks out, explains that he couldn't turn down the chance to become a world champion again, and is looking forward to a new chapter in his wrestling career.
Triple H [artist Grand Gould (c) PWTorch]
Then Jericho goes on to win in part because Kennedy and Orton couldn't get along. The fans are given something to happy about as a babyface wins. It also puts Jericho in the unique position of essentially replacing WWE's top star John Cena in an even swap. Then Jericho is in a no-lose situation in a way because if ratings go up, he gets credit even if the "shake-up" was the main reason for renewed interest, not just his star power. If ratings go down, well, how could anyone fill Cena's shoes - even Jericho - considering how much of a loyal fanbase Cena had built in the past couple years. If ratings stay steady, Jericho is a savior who stepped in and kept the ship on course. It also helps Jericho that ratings have been sinking. If they keep sinking, he joined a sinking ship. If they go up, he righted the ship. Jericho is a big enough star with enough skills on the mic and in the ring to fill in well for Cena and WWE is fortunate if they have secured him in time for No Mercy on Sunday.
Because of the possibility of Jericho's return and in general the fact that WWE will likely be motivated to really overdeliver in Cena's absence, I'd recommend this show on that basis alone. And I stress that basis alone, because the undercard is a sign of WWE's weakness right now.
The Punjabi Prison match is not promising. Batista and Great Khali is not a good combination in general. The prison match gimmick may help distract from how bad the action is. It's not a reason to buy the PPV unless you're big into contraptions.
C.M. Punk vs. Big Daddy V is just one of those matches interchangeable with something that'd be on an episode of ECW you'd probably skip.
Finlay vs. Rey Mysterio is just a typical Smackdown match. Nothing worth paying for.
Candice vs. Beth Phoenix has been built up nicely on Raw and could be an okay addition to the undercard.
Triple H vs. Umaga is the third-from-the-top billed match, but it's hardly enough to compel someone teetering on buying the PPV to make the call do push the order button. It could be okay. There's not a lot on the line, and either (a) Hunter wins clean and in the process undercuts the credibility of one of Raw's few heels before Umaga is sent to Smackdown to feud with Undertaker; or (b) there is a controversial finish (or a post-match attack by Umaga after losing) that leads to a rematch next month. Let's just say it's not history in the making.
There isn't one undercard match advertised where you look at it and think it's must-see. Collectively, there isn't even much promise that it will be an thoroughly entertaining two hours leading up to the top title matches. So if you are considering ordering this, it should only to be to see history made as WWE transitioned from the Cena era to whatever they have up their sleeve as a replacement.
For other recent Keller's Takes, just scan down a few inches to the listing of links...
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1037 (16 PAGES)
This issue begins with a cover story on the annoucement on Raw that Mike Adamle is the new Raw G.M... Wade Keller's BBL features a number of other shocking G.M. possibilities for WWE to consider... Page 2 Buzz with Jason Powell features his exclusive insider news galore... Pat McNeill continues his series of articles reviewing the history of Summerslam... Bruce Mitchell continues his series of Ric Flair DVD Liner Notes with a focus on "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers htis week... Part four of the "Torch Talk" with Doug Basham... Sean Radican reviews in detail the ROH PPV before it's offered nationally on PPV... Plus the Torch Newswire, Top Five Stories, reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, and more......
