Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Friday, October 7, 2005 at 2:52 AM EST

Pro's from the Palace turns 50! Wow! I can't believe it. I am shocked. OK, down to bus-i-ness. On a weekend where I renew my "friendship" with da champ, (more later in the weekend), let's go down the road with picks for No Mercy, come sunday night in Houston, Texas.

First, obviously Houston is really ready for the WWE. No response to the press conference, filled with Katrina refugees, and just off the Rita evacuation, I commend WWE for deciding to put a pay per view in a locale that probably would want wrestling about as much as they would want another storm.

But, that's just me.

Let's go to work.

HARDCORE HOLLY vs. KEN KENNEDY
Smackdown's younger flavor is definitely showing in this pay per view with this one, and one more match coming up later. This one came about through the use of the website, as Holly challenged the up and comer to a fight. Kennedy, not one to pull out of a fight any time soon, accepted the challenge, and here we go. Experience, obviously, there is no question, Holly is the victor, no questions asked. Stiff competitors, both men are equally matched. I could see some significant physicality come down the pike from this one, and, as much as people would disagree, that's one of the reasons I love watching Hardcore Holly compete. He reminds me of Tommy Dreamer. Maybe not the most talented competitor in the ring, but one of the most intense, dangerous men in the past decade of WWE. I would suspect that maybe only one or two other men have managed to maintain their status in WWE as long as Holly, and te only one that comes to my mind right now is a dude in a black trenchcoat and hat that talks something about over a decade of destruction.

Unfortunately, as I would like to see Holly take a run at a title, I think that WWE is pulling Kennedy for some significant push in the singles division. With a recent win over Rey Mysterio, Kennedy has the beginnings of a significant push. This will continue the push with a pay per view singles victory. Something any new talent desperately needs.

WINNER: Ken Kennedy

SIMON DEAN vs. BOBBY LASHLEY
The younger flavor of Smackdown is also shown here with this rematch from Smackdown, as Lashley debuted and demolished Dean with little to no resistance. Dean is a tremendous entertainer. A performer of untapped potential and experience. However, Lashley's pure power is unparalleled, even though he is as green as a macintosh apple. I would be absolutely shocked if Dean gets any significant offense in this one, as Lashley continues his undefeated streak leading in to a feud of some significant meaning in the near future.

WINNER: Bobby Lashley

CHRISTY HEMME & the LEGION OF DOOM vs. M.N.M.
Recently, Christy & Melina got involved in a confrontation in the parking lot before a Smackdown episode. Melina, not one to be outdone by anyone, immediately wanted to get back at Christy, and scored a singles victory over the fiery redhead. Now, with the help of the WWE Tag Team Champions, this six person inter-gender match is one for the annals, I would suspect. Hemme is continually improving her in ring skills, and Melina is talented, in more ways than one. However, since the Great American Bash, it appears that the LOD has MNM's number, and I would believe that the number continues to fall in the favor of Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich. Ok. Maybe that's not the most scientific reason for the pick. How's this? I think Christy is the hottest diva of the WWE. End of story.

WINNERS: Christy Hemme, Heidenreich & Road Warrior Animal

REY MYSTERIO vs. JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD
JBL is still trying to re-find himself after his triad of losses to the Animal trying to re-claim world title gold. Now, with his image surely in flux, he tries to gain a measure of revenge against Mysterio, who picked up a very impressive, almost surprising win against the former WWE champion. On paper, this is a classic case of David vs. Goliath. Personally, I think Mysterio has the opportunity of performing rings aroujnd JBL. It'll be very interesting how they book this one, as JBL has obviously lost his spot as top heel to the #1 contender for the World title, but this one could go either which way, personally, I think it's a pick 'em match. I am going to go with the fan favorite, as I think Mysterio has more to gain with a win over JBL, than JBL would with a victory over Mysterio.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio

WWE United States Championship
CHRIS BENOIT (c) vs. ORLANDO JORDAN vs. BOOKER T. vs. CHRISTIAN
Well, it's pretty certain that this will last past 30 seconds, so Jordan will not suffer the embarassment that he has been subjected to since Summerslam. Personally, I think WWE is foolish to perform a title change at this point, and unfortunately, I could see Booker re-claim the US title here, or even Christian pull off an upset. I know Benoit made the challenge, and I respect three out of four of the competitors immensely. I think Jordan has lost his respect as a WWE competitor with the angle that has been portrayed up to this point. I still think the use of Booker T.'s wife Sharmell is a major league detriment to the advancement of Booker's career, and Christian, well, what can I say? He goes from competing in Raw and Smackdown's main event in the same week, to virtual non-existence on the blue and white brand. I would be SHOCKED if he won, but I could see WWE put the belt on him. I am going to pick Benoit, because I love Benoit as a competitor, he is ultra intense, and could probably handle eight to ten opponents at once. I hope, for WWE's sake, they keep the belt on the Wolverine, because it needs to be respected again, and Benoit can do that.

WINNER: Chris Benoit

Handicap Match
COWBOY BOB ORTON & RANDY ORTON vs. THE UNDERTAKER
Nobody can tell me, under any circumstance, that having Bob Orton compete, in any form, for any storyline at this time, is a good thing. Geriatric wrestling seems to be running rampant as Hulk Hogan preps to wrestle Stone Cold, Ric Flair is set for a feud with Triple H, and Bob Orton warms up for this match with a handicap match against of all people, Rowdy Roddy Piper. When does the geriatrics end? When does the so called legends of WWE realize that it's time to hang it up? This time out, Bob Orton competing is a ridiculous attempt to elaborate on a storyline between Randy Orton and the Dead Man.

This will be difficult for 'Taker to win because it's obviously two on one. But, I think in the general scheme of things, Undertaker has the strength to fend off the attack from two competitors, even if its someone who is older than the dirt you're standing on. Well, ok, maybe cement. Whatever the case, this one ends the feud, and leads Orton to Mysterio, and 'Taker to God knows who.

WINNER: The Undertaker

World Heavyweight Championship
BATISTA (c) vs. EDDIE GUERRERO
Eddie has been involved as the top heel on Smackdown for some time, and he has become a tremendous performer again. His reign as WWE champion prior to Wrestlemania 20 was tremendous, even if he says otherwise. This "friendship" is obviously going to try and bust up in Batista's face, but the experience of being turned on by the master, Triple H, should provide Batista with enough background information to be ready for anything, and even though Eddie is going to pull every single solitary trick in the book, I think Batista is as close to the total package as possible, and the power, sheer raw power of the Animal may be too much for Latino Heat to overcome.

WINNER: Batista

Ok.. More later in the weekend after I have a few words with da champ!

One last statement, on these rumours involving Jim Ross:

HOW REDUNDANT ARE WE GETTING? HOW MANY TIMES WILL JIM ROSS PAY FOR STONE COLD'S CHAOS? Give us all a break, please. It's redundant.

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Kimosabe, Sumo!?!?!?