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Pro's from the Palace (#43) - PPV picks & Quest with Batista & Candice |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Sunday, August 21, 2005 at 11:01 AM EST
As many times as I have been fortunate enough to attend autograph signings, it still never ceases to amaze me the physical stature of the talent that World Wrestling Entertainment employs. Certainly, one in a league of his own is the World Heavyweight Champion, Batista. This past friday evening, I was fortunate enough for the 2nd time to meet Batista, along with newly drafted Smackdown diva Candice Michelle.
Taking place in Massapequa, Long Island at New York Sports Works in the Sunrise Mall, Batista and Candice arrived on time, and to a major league reaction. Batista was in his "summer mode" attire, with the muscles and trademark artwork showing rather predominantly to the delight of all the females in the crowd. Candice looked absolutely ravishing in her blue top and black pants. It's almost scary the reaction that da champ got when the crowd was able to feast their collective eyes on the specimen, the freak of nature, to use Jim Ross's own words.
I have attended many different signings with upwards of 20 to 30 talents, and each of them, with no exceptions, have been nothing short of professional toward my three young children, my wife, and I. This was, of course, no different. Da champ spoke briefly with my family, with my wife even going so far as to cheerfully 'demand' a full blown ass kicking on JBL this sunday night in Washington at Summerslam. I shook the champ's hand, told him I was happy to see him again as he signed my World Tag Team championship replica belt. I spoke briefly with Candice as we headed out of the very crowded, highly animated area where the talent were signing.
I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but it's true to the letter. Take the time to meet the talent of WWE. They are all fully aware of the factor that the fans play in their product, and take the extra effort to show geneorsity and compassion toward their consumers. I would strongly suggest that anyone who has the opportunity take it. I guarantee you an experience that will be enjoyable, to the last.
In closing, a thank you to Alex, Mike and the boys, once again, from New York Sports Works. Check out their site at NewYorkSportsWorksInc.com. I know of a few more signings coming in September, and I can guarantee you it's going to be a rockin' time in Massapequa at Westfield Sunrise Mall.
Now, on to the other task at hand. It's time to talk Summerflop. Yeah, I am contradicting myself from when I talk about how positive the experience I had at the signing, and how terrible the product is in my opinion at this moment, but I'll try and clarify. The product may be enjoyable to me, but the storylines are ridiculously offensive. I still am boycotting Smackdown until such time as the Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero storyline is over, because I can't stomach it anymore. But, I will still complete my duties, and go through the card, one by one.
MATT HARDY vs. EDGE
Now, in a perfect world, the both of these guys will end up in the hospital from this one. I am not fond of either one of these inidividuals, and the storyline, since the first encounter on Raw between Hardy and Edge has become dangerously predictable. If the restrictions that WWE are off for this one, this one could be bloody in a hurry. I would suspect, and probably anticipate some blood spilling in this contest anyway. I think the wild card factor will be Lita, seeing what or where her loyalties may lie. I suspect that Edge will continue to get Lita's support, and this one is going to end up as a double DQ. If the emotion is as geniune as they tend to emulate, then this one will be difficult to predict, hence, the pick is a no contest.
NO CONTEST
KURT ANGLE vs. EUGENE
A no time limit match for Angle's gold medal. I think Angle is miserable in this storyline with Eugene. I would suspect Angle may be beginning to morph in to the madman character he's been depicting in some interviews. Eugene's run since his return from his injury at New Year's Revolution has been positive, and his teaming with Christy Hemme has been a fun ride for the fans, but I think this is where the angle, sorry for the pun, ends. Angle wins in an intensely fought contest, taking back his gold medal, and restarting the Kurt Angle invitational.
WINNER: Kurt Angle
RANDY ORTON vs. THE UNDERTAKER
Orton's been waiting for this match since Wrestlemania 21. His showing against the Dead Man, injured and all, was impressive to say the least, even in a loss. Now, the angle has continued, and has been positively done, from what I have seen up to this point. Where they go with this one is a guess in my opinion, as I can't see any real post Summerslam scenario for either individual if they win. I am going to pick the Undertaker to end this feud with a victory because it has been rumoured that Orton has an opponent waiting for him in the wings, either Batista or Rey Mysterio. Hence, I would suspect this reprisal will last one match, and that'd be the end of it.
WINNER: The Undertaker
WWE United States Championship Match
ORLANDO JORDAN (c) vs. CHRIS BENOIT
Wow, I am shocked, two Smackdown pay per views, and we have two US title defenses. I cannot figure out why Jordan was successful in the title defense against Benoit at the Bash, being that Benoit is ten times more talented than the so called champion. I would suspect however that WWE decided to wait till Summerslam to put the title on a very worthy contender, that being the Wolverine. I can't believe lightning is going to strike twice on this one, and we're going to have a new champion come the end of this contest.
WINNER: New US Champion Chris Benoit
Ladder Match for custody of Dominick
REY MYSTERIO vs. EDDIE GUERRERO
Taking the storyline out of the element, this match will be a potential show stopper. Both men are hall of fame competitors, and this match will be difficult to call. I would suspect some major bumps will be encountered during this contest, and I would fathom a guess that, I hope, this will finally end this way overdue and overwraught feud. I am sickened by the fact that this one has such 'stakes', but taking that out of consideration, I think that this one will be tremendous to watch. I'm going to take Mysterio with the win, because this whole thing needs to end, honestly, it does. I'm sorry I don't have some analytical reasoning for this one, It's just a hunch I am going with.
WINNER: Rey Mysterio
No Holds Barred for the World Heavyweight Championship
BATISTA (c) vs. JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD
JBL was battered and bloodied majorly in the I Quit match with John Cena for the WWE title back at Judgment Day. I think this one will be even bloodier. I believe whole heartedly that the finish at the Great American Bash was not scripted, and was, in no short of words, a mistake. From that, I would suspect that the WWE is going to finish this feud at this contest, and have the ending come up the way it was originally scripted. I believe that ending is JBL going for a Batista Bomb ride for the successful title defense for the champion.
WINNER: Batista
WWE Championship
JOHN CENA (c) vs. CHRIS JERICHO
WWE blew this one way out of the water a while back when it leaked out contract negotiation status reports on Jericho, and how Jericho has plans to do some touring with Fozzy soon after the pay per view. Even so, the feud between the two has been wonderfully done as far as I can tell, and I would suspect this match will be very back and forth in momentum for the bulk of the time allotted for it. Obviously, Bischoff and Carlito will play some part in this contest, and it will be up to Cena to either hold them off, or garner some help to stave off the evil henchmen. I don't know how I came up with this, but perhaps Cena has a wildcard in the drawer waiting for this one. I wonder if RVD is healthy enough to make a run in at Carlito? Carlito needs an opponent since Shelton Benjamin has gone in to jobber status following his losses to Carlito for the IC title. RVD was attacked in the cabana after his drafting. Carlito has no real feud waiting for him right now, hence, no IC title defense at the major summer pay per view, but perhaps, with this one obviously being skewed in the challenger's favor, Cena pulls a rabbit, or in this case, an extreme rabbit, out of his hat for a little bit of odds equality. It's a hunch. I got no proof, but the theory fits the pieces.
WINNER: John Cena
HULK HOGAN vs. SHAWN MICHAELS
WWE is placing an awful lot of pressure on Michaels to carry this one out. Hogan's abilities are seriously compromised, and the fact remains that there is some legitimate heat between the two of them, which may affect how this match plays out. There's a possibility of a lot of potential run ins during this match, from Brock Lesnar to Ric Flair to Triple H coming down to skew the match in one man's favor or the other. I am really interested to see if Shawn Michaels's enormous ego can handle the fact of having to put Hulk Hogan over. I would suspect and probably guess 100% that Hogan did not agree to this match without a pre determined guarantee of a victory scripted for him. Anyway, this one will be bowling shoe ugly, and not because of blood loss, but because of a significant loss or lack of ability on Hulk Hogan's part. When the smoke clears, the WWE better pay Shawn Michaels a lot of money for this one, because he's going to be working a double shift for this one to come out the way they want it.
WINNER: Hulk Hogan
Ok. That's it. Debate me, guys. I am sorry for this coming out late, but things are things, yanno what I'm sayin'.... Click here to drop a email.
Kimosabe, SUMO!?!?!?!?!??!
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