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Pro's from the Palace (#216) - SD v Raw 08 reviews & Survivor Series pix |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 5:14 PM EST
Another two fold column. Part 1 will be reviews of the new WWE video game, Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 on PS 2 and DS. Part 2 is picks for tomorrow night's Survivor Series PPV. Let's go to work.
Playstation 2
Thanks to a magnanamous gesture by my son, I now have a PS 2, so I am just getting in to the Smackdown vs. Raw games in earnest. I had been stuck in the purgatory that was Day of Reckoning for Gamecube for a long long time. Now that I have ventured to the majors, I can say with conviction, I am shocked it took me this long to get here. But, with all that being said, I am not going to give Smackdown vs. Raw 08 five stars. But, let's do this scientifically. One. I love the new rosters, and the choices available. I like how the matches are chosen, and the graphics are intense. The backstage brawls I have yet to fully uncover the secrets, but for now, I am pleased. Here's my biggest pet peeve with the 2008 version. One. The controls are significantly more different than 2007. Yes, I know that there are new features, but I wanted to see some similarity to the 2007 version to help me in two fronts, and there really isn't. I know I'm knitpicking, but it is a concern of mine.
Also, and this is really knitpicking, but what I enjoy immensely about 2007 is the listing of the title defenses in exhibition mode. I have not been able to find that in 2008. While I am grateful for the more titles available, I liked being able to note the past 5 defenses, whatever they may be.
I am still exploring the game, so I will note more as I see it. I have two other things to mention. One. When you begin season mode, or WWE 24/7 Mode, you do not have the option of choosing anyone from ECW. Second, in the create a belt section, the WWE does actually have a design that matches the former TNA X Division title. In 2007, I did notice a design of the NWA World Heavyweight title, (which is also in 2008), but in 08, I did find a design that literally masked the TNA X Division title. I named it the WWE X Division championship. (Kane has it right now, so tell me how logical I am.) :)
Nintendo DS
I have to be honest. It's not that good. There's an awful lot you have to remember, which icon to touch with the stylus, too many combinations. Yes, for the intelligent, hardcore wrestling fan, it's definitely potentially enjoyable. For the average gamer, it's something that I don't think will thrill many. The voyage in to the world of Nintendo DS is a first for WWE, that I can remember, but I have to be honest. I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm going to keep trying it, but for now, I'm disappointed with the DS version. The PS2 version I enjoy, but it's still a work in progress. I probably will see it before all is said and done (christmas time) for either X Box 360 or PSP, so as I see more, I'll say more. I'll make some more comments on the games as I go through them on my blog, so if you're interested in debating me on it, that's the place to go. I'll provide a link at the end of the column here.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty of why I am here.
Survivor Series Picks
10 Divas tag team match
BETH PHOENIX, JILLIAN HALL, MELINA, VICTORIA & LAYLA vs. TORRIE WILSON, MICHELLE McCOOL, KELLY KELLY, MICKIE JAMES & MARIA
I am a huge fan of the divas. I don't dispute that for a minute. But this match scares me. Why? Simple. Outside of Melina, Mickie, Beth, Jillian, and Victoria, there's not much in the way of wrestling here. There's five players here that don't have much in the way of extensive wrestling experience, i.e. Layla, Kelly, Torrie, Michelle & Maria. Yeah, Torrie's had her moments, but she's not experienced like the others. One thing's for sure, don't expect this match to take too long. What I am wondering here is, is this a set up for Mickie James and Beth Phoenix to begin a rivalry, or is this basically just a way to make the rest of the divas seem inferior to Beth Phoenix? Either which way, this match will be nice on the eyes, candy wise, but for the technical wrestling fan, its a bathroom break.
WINNERS: Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, Melina, Victoria & Layla
HORNSWOGGLE vs. THE GREAT KHALI
I have to say, in all my years of watching WWE, this is the one match I cannot defend, accept, or discuss. It's just ridiculous. There's an angle here, there has to be. I am not even going to venture a guess as to what the angle is, but since Edge has not been given a match in his return, expect his return to occur sometime during this match. Outside of that, I have nothing to say about this match, because it's pathetic. End of story.
I predict no contest in this match
World Tag Team Championship
LANCE CADE & TREVOR MURDOCH vs. CODY RHODES & HARDCORE HOLLY
I like this. Why? Not because of the fact that we actually have a tag team title match in a pay per view, but because the unlikely tag team of the hard headed Holly teaming with the youngster Rhodes has limitless potential. Rhodes can still be groomed in to whatever WWE wants him to be, and a match in this venue during this PPV for tag team gold has to mean that the creative team has something in mind for the young son of the American Dream. My only concern is whether or not Holly pulls any politics and makes the kid's life difficult. Other than that, this match has me intrigued. Cade & Murdoch are poised to fall, especially with Trevor's recent involvement with Mickie James, and this may be the opportunity. I would rather see them drop to a more established team like the Highlanders or London & Kendrick, but hey, this has potential, and it's NEW and fresh for WWE to try. I'll go out on a limb and say the title changes hands tomorrow night.
WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly
ECW Championship
CM PUNK vs. JOHN MORRISON vs. THE MIZ
First and foremost, if there is the slightest bit of truth to the report I read that JBL dressed down the WWE Tag Team Champions for some sore behavior during the programming this past week, that will probably ruin any chances of Morrison touching ECW gold again. Meanwhile, the Miz I think scored a few backstage points if the report I read has any sort of truth. Whatever the case may be, with Morrison and Miz holding Smackdown tag team gold, the chances are pretty slim that they'd add ECW world title gold to their repetoire. I don't think WWE is prepared to have the title of dual champion on two different brands fall on the shoulders of two relative newcomers like Morrison and Miz. Punk has been growing a loyal fan base that has shown improvement week in week out, and frankly, a title change here seems doubtful at best.
WINNER: CM Punk
Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match
KANE, REY MYSTERIO, THE HARDYS, & TRIPLE H vs. UMAGA, BIG DADDY V, MR. KENNEDY, M.V.P., & FINLAY
On paper, this is a shoo in for the heels. Umaga and Big Daddy V combined weigh more than the Hardys and Rey combined, period. But, look at it from a feud vs. feud perspective, and there's some differences to discuss. Kane and Big Daddy V have just gotten started, and with V still ensconced in ECW, there's no real direction for either of them, so we can pretty much cross that out and call it even. The Hardys with Kennedy and MVP, it wouldn't be a shock to see some tag matches there in the coming months, but, I would give the nod to the heels and faces each with them, Jeff is liable to lose the IC title to Kennedy in the coming weeks, and MVP is due to lose the US title to Matt. Mysterio and Finlay has been intense, dramatic, and still ongoing, so that's almost a push, and Triple H has beaten Umaga on many different occasions, so I would continue to give the faces the edge there. So, when it comes down to it, based on storyline, the faces have a shot to win this match. One way or another, it's going to be entertaining. I almost wish they'd do more of these during this pay per view, because the combinations and permutations possible are awfully interesting to think about.
WINNERS: Triple H, Kane, Rey Mysterio, Matt & Jeff Hardy
Hell in A Cell for the World Heavyweight Championship
BATISTA vs. THE UNDERTAKER
I have not been a fan of Batista for some time. However, I thought his work on monday night during Raw was first rate. Along with Undertaker, who did a terrific job with his antics toward Batista before making the tag champs look like chumps. I missed Smackdown last night, so I didn't see for myself what transpired, but let's call it right now.
If Batista wins the Hell in a Cell match at Survivor Series, he has solidified himself as a major league world champion. Now, the question remains, will he win the match. My personal feeling is, and this actually hurts me to say this, but I think he will.
Taker looks beat up. He looks old. Yes, he still can run with the best of them, but a match like this with an opponent like this, I don't think he can rise up to the challenge. With that being said, I am still going to be the one who buys the DVD when it comes out to see this match for myself. I expect it to be major in every sense of the word. I expect intensity and emotion unparalleled. One thing is for sure, Undertaker can still psychologically perform with the best of them, and one way or another, he brings out the best in Batista.
WINNER: Batista
WWE Championship - Multiple Stipulations
SHAWN MICHAELS vs. RANDY ORTON
Michaels and Orton have performed this feud exceptionally well. One thing is for sure, Orton has stepped up his game since winning the WWE title. He did a tremendous job at No Mercy losing and winning the title back after having it handed to him on a silver platter. He sold the superkicks as well as they could be possibly sold. Now, the bottom line here is, is this the beginning of the journey that will lead a certain individual back to the throne as champion and as a heel, where he is the best at what he does. Let's be honest here, Michaels came back to WWE as a favor to Triple H because of the situation involving John Cena. If Michaels does come out of this with the belt, it won't be for long, because WWE house shows without a champion as the headliner won't sell tickets, and although that's only a small slice of the pie, it's legitimate to think that if Michaels does win, it won't be for long due to his scheduling agreement with WWE. Also, let's call this. One way or another, Michaels vs. Triple H, face vs. heel, will sell. Yes, it's been done ad nauseum. But, tell me you wouldn't watch it. Hell, I still watch the 2002 Summerslam match of HBK's return to WWE over Triple H in the NO DQ match.
Don't discount Orton, Orton has the chance to pull this one out, but the facts are simple. Outside of Michaels, who else is ready to take the realm as WWE champion as a face? I don't think Triple H is ready. And I went in to this in a previous column, so it's repetitive to try and do it now. One way or another, I would suspect this match to be full of high emotion on both men's parts, as they have brought their A game to this feud. Question remains is, who does WWE want to have run with the brand on his back.
Answer:
WINNER: Randy Orton
I just think Orton is more prepared than ever before to take the realm with the brand on his back long term. I think we'll see Triple H vs. Randy Orton for the title next month, or soon afterwards. For now, this will be a very positive match for WWE title standards, I believe.
DISCLAIMER
I was repeatedly interrupted during this column by three video game playing kids, so if this one isn't one of my best efforts, cut me a little slack, ok? :) Thanks. Rule #1 when trying to write. MUST HAVE PRIVACY. Grumble. :)
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