Two parts this time out. First, as a continuing theme from chapter 230, my views and wishes for Smackdown in 2008. Second, the Royal Rumble is tomorrow, so its pick time for the first time this year in WWE. Let’s get down to business with the Royal Rumble Picks right off the bat.
CHRIS JERICHO VS. JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD
It’s difficult for me to try and pick this, because I am concerned how WWE took Jericho immediately out of contention for the title, and how JBL was brought back literally weeks after Jericho’s hyped debut. Is this feud meant as a springboard for Jericho back to the title hunt, or is it a springboard for Layfield, and a burying tool for Jericho. I am beginning to think the latter may be the case, because I have to think that WWE can’t be pleased with how Jericho’s fan reactions have been if JBL was brought out of retirement so soon after the months of hype leading to Jericho’s codebreaking.
Obviously, with Orton as champion, it’s easy to say that Jericho would figure out a way to win, and be in line for another shot at the title come No Way Out. However, I don’t see it. I see JBL winning this match. Whether or not JBL came back for the love on his own, or at the influence of Vince McMahon, he’s gotta know he doesn’t have much time before his body breaks down for good, and he’s probably worked out a deal to get him in line for a title shot/run pretty quickly. Maybe not Wrestlemania quick, but soon afterwards. With that being said, I see JBL going over, and I see Jericho being buried and possibly even beginning to think that he made a mistake coming back to WWE.
WINNER: John Bradshaw Layfield
Ric Flair’s Career on the line
MONTEL VONTAVIOUS PORTER vs. RIC FLAIR
Ric Flair is almost looking at his shadow in this match. MVP has been playing the limo riding character of Flair back in the Horsemen days to a tee, and it’s actually quite interesting and intriguing to see the two exchange words in various segments. It’s obvious that if this was a straight unskewered one on one contest, at this time in Flair’s career, MVP could out wrestle him. But not many people can out dirty the hall of famer like Ric Flair. It’s pretty obvious that Flair will keep his career going in the win column for the forseeable future, and one way or another, he’ll get through this hurdle. Perhaps some assistance from Matt Hardy to re-vitalize that feud? It’s a longshot, but possible.
WINNER: Ric Flair
World Heavyweight Championship
EDGE vs. REY MYSTERIO
On paper, alone, this match is a main event in any corner of the globe. No question. And truth be told, I would watch it any time, no questions asked. However, at present, I am disliking how they are going with Edge as world champion because I would rather see the “go it alone” heel than the “stack the deck” heel as a champion because it becomes so predictable when there’s four layers of cronies to go through before you can get to the champion. When its Batista, it’s the Edgeheads, when its the Undertaker, its Vickie Guerrero, and now when its Rey Mysterio, its Chavo Guerrero. One way or another, Edge has layered himself with cronies that make it near impossible to get at him and cause any significant damage. This will be no different. And it’s a shame. This match could be a classic, any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, but all the peripheral activity will make it all but close to unwatchable.
WINNER: Edge
WWE Championship
RANDY ORTON vs. JEFF HARDY
I’m thrilled Hardy has this chance. I am very pleased with how the feud has transpired. However, I can’t see WWE putting the belt on Jeff for any reason. I guess it’s possible, if they’ve done it before with Edge winning at NY Revolution, and then losing it back at the Royal Rumble, perhaps it is possible that Jeff could win it, and then lose it back to correct the error, one way or another, but I don’t see it. I think Jeff will try for the big spot, the big dive, the big pop, and forget for a split second the big picture and the real golden ticket at the end of the rainbow. It’s sad, too, because I think WWE would benefit immensely from Jeff Hardy as a World champion, if only briefly, but I don’t think the suits will let it happen.
WINNER: Randy Orton
30 Man Over the Top Rope Royal Rumble Match
As I read the post with the updated card from yesterday, six spots still remain open for the Rumble. I doubt any of those final six to get in will make a significant difference in the general outcome of the match. I believe it’s a virtual lock Triple H will be somewhere near the final group when this match begins to unfold to the climax. You’ll probably also see Undertaker as well. When you see Undertaker involved in a title situation, Batista won’t be too far behind, and I would suspect he’d be close to the vest with the end of this match. I also believe that, and I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I think Hornswoggle will figure out a way to be close to the end of the match, alongside Finlay. There’s got to be a way for the WWE to be able to explain the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out, and the best way, I think, to do it, is to potentially have a “tainted” winner at the Rumble. The easiest way to have that tainted victory would be to have Hornswoggle win the match. It would further the storyline of “tough love”, it would definitely make things very unique as the road to Wrestlemania begins, and it definitely would provide the necessary ammunition to book the Chamber match next month. I can’t believe I’m going to say this. Someone tell me that any other columnist has the guts to try this out.
WINNER: Hornswoggle
I think it’s kind of pathetic to have this go down this way, and frankly, I hope to hell I’m wrong, but I just see something screwy coming out of this match, especially if they intend on going forward with the Chamber match next month, as it has been foreseen throughout the sites over the past few weeks.
Ok, let’s move on to Smackdown, and the Palace’s forecast for the blue and white come the remainder of 2008.….Edge will be champion until Wrestlemania at the earliest. He has all the tools and all the layers in place to make himself nearly inpenetrable until then. Perhaps we may see a feud blossom between Edge and former ECW Champion CM Punk with the goings on that recently transpired when Edge helped Chavo Guerrero win the ECW title. I would personally love to see it, but it’s a bit of a pipe dream. I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going 
to happen with the World title up to Wrestlemania, and it’s going to be Edge vs. the Taker for the strap at Orlando. It’s a virtual lock. Write it down…..If MVP hasn’t dropped the US title yet, it’s pretty certain he’ll hold on to it till Matt Hardy is ready to take it and run with it for a significant amount of time. It’s not a tremendous problem, as MVP has been an unbelievable champion, and one of the solid foundations on Smackdown. I would think that this run as US champion will guarantee him a shot at the world title sooner rather than later once he eventually drops the belt. As for when he’ll drop the US title, it’s anyone’s guess. I would think when Matt returns is when we’ll see that rivalry re-surface, and eventually, the shoe will fall on Porter’s reign as United States champion.….As for the WWE Tag Team Championships, the future of this title is completely up in the air. If the ECW duo of Miz and Morrison can take the belts, who knows who’s going to get them next. I know Henry and Khali would make impressive champions, if only for their sheer size, but again, like I said, it’s really anybody’s guess what they’ll do. I wish I could tell you, but I just don’t have a clue. I personally have one wish, but I doubt it would happen, and that’s for Colt Cabana to be called up to the main roster, and team with CM Punk and win the titles. That I want to see. I didn’t get a chance to see Punk and Cabana together as a team in ROH, and I think they would be a lot of fun as title holders in WWE. But, it’s a pipe dream, I know, and I am not expecting miracles.
For anything out of the ordinary, I doubt that they’ll bring back the cruiserweight title anytime soon, unless they plan on trying to revitalize the division using Matt Sydal as its focal point. From there, who knows. I do know that there could be or should be something unusual sometime during this year, but your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps the draft lottery that has been rumoured I believe could provide some unique qualities to Smackdown and the rest of WWE, but it’s difficult to say…..I will say one thing though, I do believe ECW will merge with Smackdown in to one brand before the end of the year. Perhaps that is the one “unique” aspect of the WWE that will make things a little more fresh. Bringing ECW in to Smackdown full time and merging the ECW title in to either its own entity on Smackdown or renaming it to some other form would provide a lot of opportunities.
Only time will tell.
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I have been asked to write about my favorite Wrestlemania moment. This is a very hard decision for me. There have been so many great moments, from Hogan slamming Andre to Austin winning the WWE Title for the first time against Shawn Michaels. I thought of all these great moments and settled on WrestleMania 6 when the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan took on the Ultimate Warrior. It was the Intercontinental Champion vs. WWE Champion. Title for Title. It was the first time in history that two babyfaces headlined Wrestlemania and it was the first time two titles were on the line. Hulk Hogan was the main draw for the WWE for 5 years and here came this wild, colorful, almost superhero-like character in the Ultimate Warrior to try to push him off his mountain. You had everything you could ever want in this match. The crowd was on hot; you had the two biggest superstars go at it, for two of the most honored titles in history. As a kid, this was so cool. My heart skipped a few beats when Hogan went for the Leg Drop and the Warrior moved and went for the Warrior Splash for the win and the title. This match was much better then any of the smart wrestling fans would have expected. This propelled my enjoyment of wrestling to a whole new level. That match caused me to become obsessed with wrestling. (For better or worst)
We all have our preferred Wrestlemania moments. What makes it such an amazing event is that at the end of each ‘Mania we are all left with that one defining moment we think about for an entire year! Whether it’s Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant, or Edge winning the ‘Money in the Bank’, these moments irrevocably alter the business for the better or the worse, and that is what sets WWE’s Wrestlemania ahead of all the others shows out there! I’m sure the other writers will name a more ‘important’ event then I will. The fact of the matter is, my Wrestlemania memory isn’t that great history altering moment that I should have picked. My moment, my great Wrestlemania memory is a more recent match. A match that in my mind, helped reshape the career of a modern great. That match took place at Wrestlemania 22; Mick Foley vs. Edge in a hardcore match. I remember watching this match and thinking to myself, “wow, Edge really is a great wrestler”. I had been on the fence about his heel turn for quite some time, however it was after this match that I remembered why I at one time had considered myself an ‘Edge Head’. I’m lucky enough to have this match on DVD, and I have watched it several times since. It really represents what ‘hardcore’ pro wrestling should have been. It told a story. Edge’s struggle to keep up with the ‘Hardcore Legend’ turned to glory after he realized he could take the abuse. He rose to the challenge and showed the world why he is the top star he has become! I will always believe this match epitomises both hardcore wrestling, and Edges rise to success!
Wow there are many great moments. Hugo and WrestlingLove both mentioned the “Slam heard around the world” when Hogan slammed Andre to the mat. There also Austin vs HBK with Mike Tyson as the special guest referee. I would also put Hugo’s choice; Edge vs Mick Foley in my top 10 moments.But when it comes to what moment I remember the most after over 20 years as a fan I would have to agree with WrestlingLove. Hogan vs Warrior was one of the most anticipated WWE matches of all time. Two babyfaces going at it. I remember the build up…. Both Warrior and Hogan saving each other. It was one of the few times that true sportsmanship was shown in the ring. It was the passing of the torch. Before that moment I didn’t know that one man could hold two titles. And before anyone asked…. Yes The Eagle marked out for the Warrior and wanted him to topple the “Immortal” one.
