Hello, everyone, and welcome to the only site that can claim to be the People's Wrestling Website, TPWW.net. We're only hours away from the WWF's latest Pay-Per-View extravaganza, Judgment Day, and as such, there are plenty of rumors flying about regarding the show. Let's get on with it, shall we?
The biggest and most prevalent rumor circling about the PPV is the possible return of the Man from the Dark Side, The Undertaker. The most likely scenario according to a number of people, IF he appears, would be preventing Vince McMahon from screwing The Rock out of the title. Ultimately, I can't see that happening, however. The WWF is sorely lacking in credible main-event heels, with only Triple H and to an extent Chris Benoit fitting the bill. There aren't enough heels for the top faces such as Rikishi, The Rock, Jericho, etc., to feud with. However, I can't see a way to introduce the 'Taker back as a heel, either.
Before I get any further, I'd like to wish the Canadian Crippler, Chris Benoit, a very happy 33rd birthday.
The talks between the WWF and USA Networks have broken off for the weekend. I seem to touch on this every time I do a report, but I really hope a resolution can be worked out, and soon. While it appears that every TV executive and their mother is saying the WWF will end up on the Viacom stations, I still have a small bit of hope that the WWF will remain on USA, which has faithfully served them for years upon years, even during some publicly disastrous times such as Vince McMahon's steroid distribution trial.
There is a rumor that Trish Stratus may be turning on T&A; sometime in the near future. T&A; does seem to be a dead-end angle, and it's sad to see just how far Test has fallen since November. On a side note, am I the only person who had nostalgic thoughts of the days of the old Corporation when Test and Bossman had Shane McMahon on their shoulders on SmackDown! on Thursday?
According to Entertainment Weekly, WWF SmackDown! ranked 103rd out of 150 ranked broadcast television shows in its year-end list, in terms of Nielsen ratings. It was the highest rated show on UPN, and it also beat out all shows on the WB network. On another side note, UPN is also home to the lowest-rated show on network television, which is the cretinous "Dilbert".
Last night, at ECW's house show, Chilly Willy & Kid Kash beat Chris Hamrick & Skyfire, Danny Doring & Roadkill beat Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger (w/Prodigy, Musketeer, and others), Scotty Anton beat Raven, Nova & Chris Chetti beat The Dangerous Alliance (C.W. Anderson & Wild Bill Wiles w/Lou E. Dangerously, Elektra), Mikey Whipwreck (w/Sinister Minister) & Balls Mahoney & Masato Tanaka beat The Baldies, Sandman beat Wing Kanemura, Rob Van Dam (w/Bill Alfonso) beat Little Guido (w/Big Sal), Justin Credible (w/Francine) beat Jerry Lynn to retain the ECW Title, and Tajiri beat Steve Corino (w/Jack Victory) in a hardcore death match. ECW really seems to be pushing Scotty Anton in a big way, but that's only my opinion. To check out a complete report by TPWW's own Jordan Redmond, click HERE.
It was announced on WCW Live! that the match between Sting and Vampiro at the Great American Bash will be none other than a "Human Torch" Match. Now frankly, it is my opinion that this is going too far. I've never been a proponent of Inferno Matches, because of the risk of serious injury. Granted, they did also state that pyrotechnics and fire safety officials will be brought in to supervise this business, but I still do not see the reason for it.
Juventud Guerrera's future is still up in the air. Guerrera, as many know, is planning to leave WCW in a few months and will attempt to join the WWF. He also, however, is battling two different legal charges. The first is a DUI, and the second comes from the same incident when he fled the police. Guerrera risks deportation if found guilty of either of these charges.
According to Dave Scherer, Raven has been offered an unconditional release from ECW. After returning last August and becoming one half of the ECW tag-team champions, Raven hasn't done much in ECW. In Tommy Dreamer's words, "if you come here and say you're going to the WWF in a year, you can't expect to be given much opportunity". Raven was nursing a rotator cuff injury when he returned. Raven will be unable to go to the WWF for another few months, however, because his non-compete clause in his previous WCW contract does not expire until August. Forgive me, but damn Paul Heyman for having such an ego. Raven is one of the few franchise players ECW has now, and for Heyman to simply refuse to satisfy his fans because of a personal dispute is utter stupidity on his part.
Well, I figure I'll get on down to my picks for WWF Judgment Day. Maybe I'll end up going 6-0 for my first official set of TPWW PPV predictions. Yeah, right. :-)
WWF Championship Title Match: Triple H v. The Rock (c) - 60 Minute Iron Man Match -- This represents the biggest question mark on the entire card. I'm just not sure Triple H and The Rock can put on an entertaining match for an hour. Yeah, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels did it, but they were far better ring technicians, and they also used many more rest holds, which don't set well with today's fans. We could see the return of The Undertaker, we could see a clean ending (not likely), and of course there exists Shawn Michaels as the guest referee. I would LIKE to see Triple H grab the title somehow, but I don't see that happening.
Prediction: Shawn Michaels turns on Triple H, Undertaker returns and turns on Michaels and The Rock, causing a draw. Rock retains.
WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Chris Jericho v. Chris Benoit (c) - Submissions Only Match -- This could steal the show, in terms of entertainment. Jericho and Benoit are two of the most well-rounded performers in all of wrestling today, and they have shown before that they can put on a hell of a match. There are a lot of rumors that we could see a WrestleMania XIII-esque ending, with one man passing out due to pain instead of tapping out. If that happens, I'd see Benoit making Jericho pass out. It's clear Jericho's on his way to true World Title contention, and it would also cement Benoit as even more of a kick-ass-take-names heel.
Prediction: Chris Benoit retains.
WWF European Championship Match: Dean Malenko v. Perry Saturn v. Eddie Guerrero (c) - Triple Threat Match -- This could be the sleeper hit tonight. Malenko, while nearing the end of his career, can still kick it in the ring. Guerrero is, well, Guerrero, that is, an amazing ring performer. Saturn, while under-utilized thus far in his WWF career, is also one of the best. Malenko still has his thing with the Lightheavyweight Title going, and I'm guessing Guerrero's gonna shoot up to IC contention, so my guess is to see Saturn take the strap.
Prediction: Perry Saturn wins the European Title.
Tag-Team Table Match: The Dudley Boyz v. The New New Age Outlaws -- I honestly don't know. The Dudleys have already done stuff like this before, at the Royal Rumble. However, that was with two of the greatest spot-artists the WWF has: the Hardy Boyz. D-Generation X has been stuck in neutral since its reincarnation in November, as they simply aren't over. The Dudleys have begun a face run likely culminating in a win over the Maple Leaf Blondes for the Tag Team straps, so I'm guessing we'll see the "heel" underdogs put both Dudleys through tables.
Prediction: The New New Age Outlaws.
Big Show v. Shane McMahon -- Well...Show has been everything but confirmed to be taking some time off after JD to heal his injured left knee. It's on virtue of that alone that I see Shane picking up the victory. We'll probably see the customary disturbing bumps by Shane, with some likely interference from possibly T&A.;
Prediction: Shane McMahon.
Too Cool & Rikishi Phatu v. Kurt Angle and Edge & Christian -- This has been one of the most entertaining angles in a while. Kurt Angle appears to have been paired with Edge & Christian to get them really over as heels, and their antics on Thursday's SmackDown! were classic in my eyes, as an Avalanche fan. :-) However, Too Cool is in dire need of some momentum, so I'm gonna go with them here.
Prediction: Too Cool & Rikishi Phatu.
Well, that'll close out this report. Remember, beginning at 8 PM Eastern/7 Central you can catch results from Judgment Day as they happen right HERE. And also, as Triple A mentioned yesterday, we will re-introduce The People's Feedback here at TPWW beginning with the PPV. Send your emails to feedback@tpww.net. Do remember to include a name and city with your email.
Enjoy Judgment Day, everyone, and I'll see you on Wednesday. Remember, I welcome all feedback, and while I'll probably come to regret this, you can send me an Instant Message at my screen name of MovieManTim. Have a great day.
Tim Brechlin
Tim@tpww.net