Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 12:11 PM EST

First and foremost, best wishes to Gregory Helms for a speedy recovery. He was the 2nd autograph I ever received, and for some inexplicable reason, his injury really hits home with me. He was one of the first characters all of my kids could relate to, and one of the few gimmicks that encompassed the spectrum of ages when he was the Hurricane. He is also, a class act. Just a personal note I needed to write publicly here before I get in to the Judgment Day PPV predictions.

CM PUNK vs. ELIJAH BURKE
Two men who are fastly becoming the faces of ECW, whether the traditionalists like it or not. Burke can obviously talk a good game, and so can Punk, without question. This should showcase both men's abilities within the confines of the squared circle. Personally, it could be one of the better non title matches on the card, as both men are technically very sound. When it comes to a creative aspect, it's kind of fifty fifty how this could roll out. There are potential storyline possibilities for both men winning, i.e., Burke uses the New Breed to continue to beat on Punk, or Punk starts getting more self-assured and tries to venture up to the next level and title contention. I said tries, as obviously shown by previous reports of what is likely going to be the One Night Stand PPV main event. Whichever way you put it, this should be an entertaining match. Without sounding condesecending and talking about the political asspects of who wins and who loses, I am going to go by my heart and pick...

WINNER: CM Punk

RIC FLAIR vs. CARLITO
This is sink or swim for the Caribbean native. He's got to step it up here or he could be looking at the ass end of a pink slip. If the WWE is getting rid of some "house cleaning" as Stephanie McMahon says, and one of them was Kevin Thorn's valet, who was on television almost weekly, Carlito better damn realize that his place in the company is by no means secure. A good showing against Flair, win or lose, can boost his stature within the confines of Raw, and perhaps re-enegrize his character. With Edge's departure from Raw, Raw needs a heel in the worst way to step up until Triple H is ready to resume that role. Carlito has the opportunity to do it, and obviously dumping Torrie Wilson was the first step. If Flair allows Carlito to go over, and you all know Flair could stop that, he has that power, I would believe, then Carlito is en route to a re-birth, which is beneficial for him, the show, and the company. If Carlito's attitude gets in the way, expect a school lesson to be taught, Nature Boy style. It's all up to Carlito here. He's got the chance to take the ball and run with it, and I think Flair is willing to give him the torch, the question is, can his head handle the responsibility. My answer....

No.

WINNER: Ric Flair

SHAWN MICHAELS vs. RANDY ORTON
I have to think that, with the current status of both of these combatants, that this is a present for HBK for having to get destroyed by Khali. Orton is obviously one step on a banana peel with his status in WWE, and is probably, I think, more than likely, going to be jobbing for the forseeable future, and I think WWE creative is giving Michaels a present for taking the pounding his already weakened back has endured. Obviously, there's a little backstory with this match from the fatal four way last month, and the beat down that Orton put on HBK, but the deal is the deal. I don't see much of the way creative can boost either one of these men following this match, win or lose. It will be entertaining, don't get me wrong, both of these men can put a show on like no other, but this match doesn't have the importance that the other ones do within the card. It would not surprise me that this one opens the show. A good marquis name match with not much on the line. Winner is obviously, from where I sit...

WINNER: Shawn Michaels

ECW Championship - 3 vs 1 Handicap Match
ECW ChampionMR. McMAHON, SHANE McMAHON & UMAGA vs. BOBBY LASHLEY
This was a dumb match when it was booked the first time. Yes, it's supposed to be ECW, but who honestly thinks that 3 on 1 is fair, any way you slice it? Don't tell me that one of the guys is Vince, and he's barely going to comepte, so it's going to be 2 on 1 more often than not, because I'm going to tell you you're right, but it doesn't change my opinion. This match is poorly booked, and stupid, plain and simple. It's not going to be fun to watch, it's going to be predictable. Lashley gets his shots in, but the odds take him out, and Vince figures out a way to get the pin fall. My only query here is how are they going to sow the roots for the eventual one on one match that is supposed to happen at One Night Stand. Now THAT I want to see, because at least there, It may be more of a possible even set up. Here, it's obvious how it's going to play out. And that's just poor booking, from what I think.

WINNER: Mr. McMahon

WWE United States Championship - 2 out of 3 falls
CHRIS BENOIT vs. M.V.P.
Ok, couple of things right off the bat. First off, extreme kudos go out to MVP and Matt Hardy for putting on a show and a half for an opening contest on Smackdown last night. It was intense, it was physical, and it was damn fun to watch. I have my feelings on Matt Hardy, and they're not entirely positive, but I garnered a lot of respect for him after the match he endured with MVP last night. And for the former FIP and Deep South star, damn, man, this guy is good. Yes, he talks trash with the best of them, and it's good trash talking, not the obnoxious style. I can't describe what I mean there, but let's just say he can talk the trash and not offend people in the process. But,. man, can this guy back it up in the ring.

Now, let's go to my conundrum. I am as huge a Benoit fan as I am a Cena fan. (I have a comment I need to say about a report I read about Benoit being held back, but I'll wait till the picks are over....) I have picked MVP to win the match and the title back at Wrestlemania and Backlash. From what I hear, and I am anxious to see the WM 23 match when I pick up the DVD this week, the matches were incredible. However, Benoit got the win. If this match was one fall, I would think third time's the charm, and Benoit's done. However, the two out of three falls thing definitely puts MVP in the disadvantage spot for one reason.

Beating Benoit once is tough enough. Beating Benoit twice in the same match, it's almost impossible. With that being said, I am going to against my initial thought for this match when it was booked, and pick the Wolverine. One thing is damn well for certain. Chris Benoit has brought out the absolute best in Montel Vontavious Porter, and MVP has brought the Crippler out of the Wolverine. Both men are better from this feud, and it's only a matter of time, and not much time, I would think, before MVP is a World Champion of some type.

WINNER: Chris Benoit

I know I'm going to regret that pick, but I can't pick against one of my favorite wrestlers three months in a row, I just can't do it. I think MVP is going to win the title, but I just don't know when.

World Heavyweight Championship
EDGE vs. BATISTA
There's a couple of things I need to say here. First off, I hate Edge. But, not to the point of not being able to stand him. Which leads me to this point. What WWE did with the injuries to Undertaker and Kennedy was brilliant. Edge winning money in the bank, and then taking out Undertaker following the cage match with Batista, it was absolutely brilliant. Yes, it had been done before, but it worked like a charm when Edge did it to Cena following the Elimination Chamber, and it worked again like a charm. There's a but to this comment I need to address before getting in to the match. So, Edge wins the title, has an absolute plethora of new rivalries to go through, and is the absolute desperately needed influx of new fresh heel talent that Smackdown needed. Yes, Slim, I said it. I said something positive about the one who is not rated PG-13.

However, there is an off topic but I need to put in here before getting in to the match.

Why in the name of hell do you need to put Mark Henry in to that mix? Why? It was forced, it was pathetic, and it looked like it hurt Undertaker ten times more to be manhandled by Henry than the entire cage match with Batista. Henry is such an untalented oaf in the ring and he's going out there for the first time in almost a year and taking out the absolute cornerstone of the show, and the company? I'm sorry, but Vince McMahon has lost his mind to think that Mark Henry attacking the Undertaker at that particular point and time made any sense whatsoever. It was a waste of time, it took away the effectiveness of the beating that the cage match caused, and personally, it put the entire Smackdown locker room on red alert, because someone else major is going to get seriously injured by this guy who does not deserve to be in a wrestling ring.

OK, back to the match.

I said in the beginning I hate Edge. Well, I hate Batista more. You want an example? Here's a perfect one. I watched Smackdown from bell to bell last night. I thought the promos for Edge's inagural address were lame, redundant and pathetic. But, when he came out, I didn't care, because he was ready to compete. He was in his gear, ready to go. Whether or not it was because he was headed to Raw the instant he got done is irrelevant, because here's the point I am going to make.

Why the hell does Dave Batista come out in a suit? Jesus H Crime-a-nitly, what are we doing here, competing as wrestlers or trying to get on the cover of GQ? The suit thing worked as a member of Evolution, without question. I had zero issue with that whole schtick because it worked like a charm. But this guy's nickname is the Animal, and he comes out looking like a businessman walking to a transaction instead of someone looking to take the prize possession of a company back. It was corny, it's petty, and it's stupid, I know, but I HATE BATISTA. He is an overpushed, overhyped, self-absorbed, grumble....

I had a very bad experience with Batista back in the day during an autograph session, and I have not forgiven him. That's why I feel the way I feel. Taking that off for a second, this match will be fun to watch, because Batista obviously has the power edge, no pun intended, but the champion has experience, and a lot of saavy as one of the dirtiest sumbitches in the game at present. (Sorry for the pun, Triple H and Ric Flair.) One thing is for certain, Batista will get his ass kicked, and so will Edge, but Edge is the "ruler" of the Smackdown world for the forseeable future, and the former Evolution Animal and his Armani suit is not going to change that.

WINNER: Edge

WWE Championship
JOHN CENA vs. THE GREAT KHALI
I never thought I'd see the day when I'd say this, but Raw is in trouble. Raw has nobody to challenge for the title. Rumours are, the next in line is Gene Snitsky. And with this ridiculous challenge on tap for tomorrow night, John Cena is in a world of trouble. Not for losing the title, I think, but for getting seriously hurt. Khali has done everything asked of him, and put Cena in to a corner like he has never been in his title reigns. I know people are going to question me on that, but I think that's the case. Cena is bruised, battered, and beaten over this last 3 week period. No question about it. The issue here is, does he have the strength and the experience to take Khali to a good match? I hope so, because with the inexperience of Khali in a match of this magnitude, I don't know about you, but if I'm WWE, I am holding my breath that Cena does not get carted out of this match due to a botched spot.

One last statement, where's Triple H? Raw needs him in a hurry. A big hurry.

WINNER: John Cena

Quickly, as I finish, who the hell is Michael Hayes to say anything about anyone's promotion ability? A report came out that Hayes does not think Benoit is a main event competitor because of his weakness on the mike. I think Hayes has lost his mind, personally. Maybe Benoit isn't the most charismatic orator like a Kennedy or others in the roster, but his ability is second to none, and if the only reason, or one of the only main reasons why Chris Benoit has not seen another world title reign is the opinion of this former Fabulous Freebird, well, ladies and gentlemen, this is a prime example of the idiocy that I believe is heir apparent throughout WWE creative. And that's just one fan with a forum's opinion.

Till next time, One note. My myspace is acting up on me. I can't blog. I've been posting little bits and pieces there, but it's not letting me post anything for the last couple of weeks. I have tried to contact them to ask why, but got a ridiculous FAQ post back about blogs. After over 200 entries, I replied in kind, in a way I can't publish here. I will not provide my myspace link here because if I don't get answers this week, it's done. When I figure out how I'm going to proceed, I'll put a link up here for you guys to check it out. In the meantime.

Click here to drop me an email.

Enjoy Judgment Day, everybody.