Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Saturday, January 6, 2007 at 9:19 AM EST

Once again, it's picks time. For 2007, I am going to try and actually keep track of my picks, and see how I do for all of these PPVs. I think it may be fun, and a good idea to work with on my myspace page. I'll keep the running tally there somehow. Anyway, New Year's Revolution is tomorrow, for the first time in 2 years, without an elimination chamber match. And after the last one, it's probably a good idea.

CARLITO vs. CHRIS MASTERS

Ok, look. Carlito is an up and coming superstar of the company. Nobody's questioning that. Masters has the potential athletic ability to be a major player in the future, no question. If he is over his issues chemically, then his upside is significant. But, how many times are we going to be subject to this match? Since the duo broke up as a tag team soon after Wrestlemania 22, it appears like these two have been locked in a feud that's lasted close to 7 months. Um, excuse me, overkill?

Anyway, it's the classic battle, speed vs. power. This is a pretty even matchup when you break it down the middle, so the question remains, who's got more to lose with being beaten here? I think the answer to that is Carlito. I am expecting a push for him back toward the IC title in the not too distant future, and a PPV loss would spear those thoughts in half. Masters is still working out his issues from his return, and I don't think he's quite up to speed with the rest of the roster. I think Masters takes the fall here and hence Carlito and his latest squeeze Torrie Wilson move forward in their quest to make Raw more "cool."

WINNER: Carlito

RIC FLAIR vs. KENNY DYKSTRA

Who else is going to have difficulty spelling Kenny's new last name?? The WWE website screwed it up the other day, I noticed, so it's going to be a challenge. I do like the reference to former Met Lenny Dykstra as Kenny's decision to use the name, although I don't know why Ken DOANE wouldn't have worked as well. Maybe not as spicy, but hey, I like real, what can I tell you?

This match is going to be one of the biggest in Kenny's career, if not the biggest currently. Anything he's done prior to now is asterisked with the Squad at his corner. Now, the four have gone, (mysteriously vanished), and Kenny's on his own against the hall of fame bound Flair. Flair may take the fall here if WWE intends on pushing Kenny as a singles title contender, but the fact remains, Flair is going to discipline Kenny in the school of hard knocks before this one is over, that is a definite. And personally, Kenny is not ready to take the next step to title contention. I personally think he needs the experience of being knocked on his ass a few times, and this is the perfect location for a glorifed wrestling lesson ass kicking by one of the best ever. Give Flair the dupe here.

WINNER: Ric Flair

Four title matches. I'm stunned!

WWE Women's Championship
MICKIE JAMES vs. VICTORIA

The two remaining "wrestlers" in the women's division take center stage for the title. Victoria has been on an evil rampage, which is her specialty, to say the least. James has the experience and ability to go with her blow for blow, but the question is, does James have the killer instinct that is prevelant with Victoria? I think so, but we haven't seen it yet. Perhaps a rebirth of the "psycho" in this match is in order so that Mickie can raise her intensity to meet Victoria's head on. I would suspect this match to be very competitive. I am picking James to retain, but this feud is by no means over.

WINNER: Mickie James

WWE Intercontinental Championship - Steel Cage Match
JEFF HARDY vs. JOHNNY NITRO

Nitro steps in to an element he is not entirely familiar with, while Hardy has been down the road of a ton of gimmick matches, so the experience aspect goes to the champion in a big big way. I suspect we'll see some major league spot or two out of this match out of either one, or both of these combatants. Both men are capable of going to the top of the cage and dropping successfully on their opponent in some way, shape, or form. Now, it gets down to this. Athletically, they're virtually similar. So, the question is, what does creative have to say?

Vince is against the Hardys reuniting full time, but the world wants to see it. MNM had a brief run, but Mercury is back on the shelf, so Nitro is back by himself. I also don't think Vince likes two babyface champions on a brand long term, and with that being said, and the possibility of a full time Hardy Boyz reunion, I think Nitro will take this. Besides, there needs to be a new challenger after this one, and the most likely candidate is Carlito, and I don't think Hardy vs. Carlito will work, but Nitro vs. Carlito and Torrie vs. Melina will definitely work, in more ways than one.

WINNER: Johnny Nitro

World Tag Team Championship
RATED RKO vs. D-GENERATION X

I never thought when DX reformed at Vengenance last year that it would get to this point. Do I like the team of Triple H and Shawn Michaels? Sure, who wouldn't? Two hall of fame calibre combatants together as a unit? Deadly. Am I a little tired of the DX schtick? Yeah, I am getting a little tired. If DX is killing the sophmoric humor, and going to the aspect of walking up to their target, waving their hand, and kicking them in the face, then I will gain a new found vigor for the team. I did read that they intended on dropping the comedy, and honestly, I would like to see that. Triple H is as deadly as they come, and if he returns to the level of ass kicking that he was when he returned from his quad, then we have a new team entirely, and this spot they're in is justified.

Then we get to RKO. I could sit here and rip them a new one from pillar to post, and I would mean every word. Edge and Orton are obnoxious, pompous, and nauseating to me. But, with that being said, they are the quintessential heel team, and have done amazingly well as a unit since forming. It's no surprise. Orton has it in the blood, and Edge has been a tag team specialist for years. But, from my own opinion, I hate them. Which means, they're doing their job, to an absolute tee.

The question comes down to this. Is WWE going to put the tag straps on DX? Interesting question. When you think about potential next challengers for the tag straps, the teams that come to mind are the WGTT, the Highlanders, and Cryme Tyme. Haas & Benjamin are locked in with Cryme Tyme for the time being, and the Highlanders have been reduced to midcard jobbers. What I think is going to happen here is this one will get ultra violent, in a big big way. This one has a lot of history, on all four counts. I think this match will end up a no contest to set up a gimmick match to end the feud later in the month at the Rumble. Perhaps tag team hell in a cell?

Bottom line, I can see both teams winning, and I can see both teams losing. With that being said, it's best to go this route.

NO CONTEST

WWE Championship
JOHN CENA vs. UMAGA

As much as I cannot stand to say this, WWE has packaged Umaga perfectly. They have made him virtually unstoppable, even holding a win over Cena in the past. But, the fact remains, Umaga is not a titlist character. As good as Estrada is on the mike, I don't think he's ready to hold the pressure of a brand on his vocal cords. If anyone is going to be able to "beat the odds" and take down the undefeated Samoan, it's the guy who has FU'ed the Big Show. Yeah, I know, ladies and gentlemen, you're going to rip me a new one saying I'm biased, and I admit it. I am. I am biased for Cena. Can Estrada handle a WWE champion? Can Umaga be a good WWE champion? I think it's possible, but I don't think WWE has that in the character's plans. I think Umaga is going to stay in the top level status bracket for some time, and continue to wreak havoc on anyone in his path, but breaking the glass ceiling, I just don't see it.

I could also see this one continuing past here and to the Rumble. Cena does need an opponent for the Rumble, and there really isn't anyone else ready to take the next step.

WINNER: John Cena

I caught a good portion of Smackdown, and would like to weigh in on a few things.

How coincidental is it that the sprint tournament had the tag team champions fighting each other? It's so sad that such a good team like London and Kendrick are going to be broken up sooner rather than later. I would like to see them continue to tag, and continue to compete at the high level they have been. I know Helms needs challengers, but why take out the tag team division to bolster the cruiserweights? It's puzzling to me.

I know Kennedy has the potential to be World Champion, and he has wins over Batista, but come on, when are they going to let Benoit compete for the top prize again? He has been so loyal to WWE, and he continues to get screwed at every possibility to get another crack at the top prize. Wouldn't you like to see Benoit vs. Batista for the World title? I think that would be tremendous. And if Kennedy does not travel on to the Rumble to face Batista, does this win give him a #1 contendership to the US title?

I have to give major props to MVP for competing in that type of match at Armageddon. It looked like he paid a heavy price for it. For someone with the experience level of MVP, to step up like that is a big notch in my book for him. I hated his character when he came on board, he sounded so pompous and arrogant, but his ability in the ring has turned me in to almost an MVP fan. Let's see where WWE takes it from here.

Where are they going with the Vickie Guerrero angle? It is so uncomfortable to watch it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

This week I will be able to catch Raw live for the first time in a long while. And since it's off a PPV, it'll be a damn good one to write a piece on, so I'll be back early next week. Until then, let's get the links done, shall we?

Myspace page is here.

Email is here.

Have a good weekend, everybody.