Raw VS SmackDown!

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

*Spoilers*

 

Raw VS SmackDown!

14/05/04-15/05/04

By iB (iB@shooterswrestling)

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Welcome again this week.

 

Well, I officially don't own my house anymore - the new owners came through today for an inspection (the woman was a bitch - I felt like slapping her). I'm renting for two weeks, and then it's off to a new place for a new adventure!

 

On the wrestling side of things...

 

A note about the new ratings system - The system being used now is an /10 system, rather than snowflakes. Bear in mind that this alters how matches and segments seem, and unrelated, matches and segments are still rated individually for what a match or a segment gives us. There's no more quarters either. I've decided to distance it as far as possible from /5 system by making it /10 so as to save snowflakes for special occasions, such as WrestleMania - in fact, WrestleMania 21 is more than likely the next time that you will see them.

 

Raw have five announced matches for us this week in Triple H VS Shelton Benjamin, Batista VS Tajiri, Randy Orton VS Edge for the Intercontinental Championship, Eugene VS Rob Conway and Chris Jericho VS Christian in a Steel Cage match! (I refuse to use the "fifteen foot-high" cliche)

 

SmackDown! ? Well, we have one show before Judgment Day, and the show can either boost those last-minute buyrates or make it as if last week was the pre-PPV show. There's probably a happy medium in there somewhere, too.

 

Let's do it!

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Great vidcap of last week's main event to start things off - it did a damn good job of highlighting last week's excellent main event.

 

7.5/10

 

This is WWE Raw for the 14/05/04 here, and 10/05/04 in the USA, where we are LIVE from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA - Your announcers are Jim "J.R." Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler

 

I know, sometimes showing the matches advertised here before the show officially starts and more often than not not doing it is stupid.

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Scheduled for one fall: Triple H VS Shelton Benjamin

 

Wow, Triple H jerks the curtain two weeks in a row - nice work. It can't be killing his ego, because if he didn't like it and didn't need to be doing it, he wouldn't have to.

 

I thought that a third match between these two was a bit of an overkill. Even a rubber match would've been for a mini-feud.

 

Good choice for an opener, getting the crowd pumped up to see Triple H right away, as well as Benjamin. Nice work to start off - the same kind of stuff that we've been seeing in previous matches since Benjamin debuted on Raw. The pure wrestling portion of the match went to Benjamin, but there was still a decent workrate from Trips, and the two work swimmingly well together - if they were given a very serious match with a decent time limit, I think that they could blow the roof off.

 

Booking this match was a wise decision, as it made sense for three reasons.

 

1. Triple H and Shelton Benjamin have had issues in the past.

2. It follows on from previous events.

3. It sets up a match with Shawn Michaels very nicely.

 

If booked correctly, I'd love to see another Shawn Michaels/Triple H match. I will admit that their previous feud/s has/have been a bit of a ratrace, but I think that reasoning in regards to them during a promo could help that.

 

It's rumoured to be Shawn Michaels VS Triple H at Bad Blood - Hell in a Cell (hey, if you didn't know and didn't want to, you saw the top. Didn't you?). That bracketed material is due to the fact that I believe that this match could happen. I can't see Triple H winning the big Battle Royale on next week's show, and he has to be on the card somewhere - and right here, it looks to be VS Shawn Michaels (there sure as fuck would not be another Triple-Threat match), and his arrest only furthers that theory's likelihood.

 

Hell in a Cell would fit that feud very nicely - the most brutal match type ever devised in conventional wrestling for a such a feud. I'd love to see it.

 

Nice choice for an opener, nice wrestling, nice development.

 

6/10

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Before we get to Evolution hanging out backstage, a nice video package. Nothing groundbreaking, but it, like the opening vidcap, covered the Orton/Edge mini-feud quite well - but there should've been a promo a little before the match, as this package was in the wrong place.

 

3/10

 

Evolution hang out backstage

 

Evolution promos and/or backstage segments are usually entertaining, and this one wasn't bad, because watching those guys interact can keep you glued to your screen.

 

If I hadn't known that a 20-Man Battle Royale was booked for next week, I'd've been groaning when Triple H was announced as the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship - on Raw, presuming that there would be no additions and/or changes.

 

And hey, it told us what we've got next.

 

3/10

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Scheduled for one fall: Batista VS Tajiri

 

Man, how long's it been since we've heard that theme music of Batista's?

 

I was interested in seeing if Batista would continue his trail of destruction, or if Tajiri would manage to squeak one in on him.

 

But with Vince McMahon at the helm, the result was pretty obvious.

 

Not as much of a squash as that may have led you to believe if you haven't seen the show - a nice big man VS little man affair, and not a bad workrate by either.

 

If Tajiri had been to pick up a win via the green mist, it would've helped him and not hurt Batista really at all - the post-match beatdown did hurt Tajiri in his job even more, and wasn't needed - although the mist seeping out of his mouth was a nice effect. But why didn't he use it earlier?

 

Due to the fact that it wasn't a squash and had some nice, fast-paced action, it didn't suck.

 

3/10

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The womens division

 

If Stacy hadn't proceeded to show that video after it was mentioned, then damn, a blatant discreet plug. No typo there.

 

It was wise in that it entices people to go out and buy the DVD/video, moreso in that the highlights weren't completely shown.

 

I wasn't actually expecting a match scheduled for later in the night - I figured that the material here would be strung-out until Bad Blood, but there you go.

 

The six-woman tag team results can further the womens division, however, even if there is only one feud at a time and we know what the Bad Blood match is going to be.

 

The following backstage segment is included here.

 

4.5/10

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Chris Jericho cuts a promo

 

The promo content itself here was nothing more than cliched - but it was still entertaining, showed how focused Jericho is on tonight's main event.

 

Of course it was going to be short, but it was fine.

 

3.5/10

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Insert misplaced video package.

 

Intercontinental Championship contest scheduled for one fall: Randy Orton (Champion) VS Edge

 

The wasn't what it could've been.

 

Both Orton and Edge have a very similar style and are at about the same ability level - in other words, none are exactly technical geniuses.

 

As we headed towards the finish, things started to pick up a bit - my problem with the match is that it was somewhat slow-paced for the majority and contained fairly lackluster wrestling for it.

 

At least it got a decent amount of time (although a better workrate in that time wouldn't have gone astray), and that just increases the chances of Edge not being worked into Bad Blood's Intercontinental Championship match.

 

Could the ending be hinting at Flair/Edge? I wouldn't mind that match, but it would probably just result in Flair being Orton's opponent's bitch again, which yes, means that the chances of Benjamin/Orton at Bad Blood are, despite the lack of hype so far, extremely high, and it's another rumoured Bad Blood match.

 

3.5/10

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William Regal and Eric Bischoff take care of business

 

Nice hype here heading into Eugene's first televised match. This and the match content wasn't a full-blown heel turn for Regal, and it got the crowd behind Eugene furthermore.

 

The fact that he was oblivious to everything that was going on took that further. It's damn good to see that Eugene is beind used correctly.

 

6/10

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Six woman tag team match scheduled for one fall: The token face team in Stacy Keibler, Nidia and Victoria VS the token heel team in Molly Holly, Gail Kim and Jazz

 

I guess it's a good thing that this wasn't strung-out until Bad Blood; It didn't take itself so seriously, couldn't have grade grade A hype each week and is serving as build for the Womens Championship match that we will be getting.

 

Rather short, actually - expected it to be given a bit more time. The short match time didn't really negate it's credibility a whole lot, which was good. It was farely quick, and Stacy didn't have to act like she knew how to wrestle.

 

It seems as though that new submission hold is Gail's new finisher - well, maybe she fucked it up last week and they're giving it to her now. Or maybe it was just supposed to be that in the first place.

 

Nice usage of the other face and heel Divas on the Raw side, and the short match length showed how serious Gail is about that Championship.

 

Hey, at least Trish and Lita are out of the picture for once.

 

3/10

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Storytelling

 

Nice continual hype for tonight's main event. For some reason, I was seeing that Cage match as being the opener, but instead, it was Triple H who opened for us. Speculating (well, I'm pretty damn certain now) for the title picture, it's good to see Jericho getting given the main event spot, building him up.

 

This also built anticipation as to just who the hell was getting a title shot next week.

 

Aswell with this little Trish/Lita angle, I can see a Matt Hardy/Christian feud coming out of this deal between those two, while Kane and Jericho head into the title picture.

 

Just nice plain storytelling here.

 

4.5/10

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Scheduled for one fall: Matt Hardy v1.0 VS Val Venis

 

Dammit, that could've actually been a decent match.

 

The face on the 'TRON~! is always a good effect to use to convey fear, as it did here.

 

As well as the continual development of this Matt Hardy/Kane mini-feud, a new element was added here in that there was some sort of a verbal agreement (on Kane's behalf, at least) between Lita and Kane that none of us, including Matt, know about.

 

It'll be interesting to see how things blow-off before the end of next week's show, presuming that that's what's happening.

 

Promo: 4.5/10

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Scheduled for one fall: Rob Conway w/ Sylvain Grenier VS Eugene w/ William Regal

 

I tell you what, that's the epitome of fitting entrance music.

 

This was a damn good match. As well as the natural ability of Conway and Eugene, Regal's awesome facial expressions at ringside combined with you wondering just what was going to happen added to the non-wrestling portion of it.

 

Nick Dinsmore is definitely fucking talented - standard, solid wrestling given by him. He's quick, he's skilled, and this 'Rain Man' approach now on wrestling is definitely working for him.

 

He was over as hell throughout the match. When Regal tripped him up and tried to tell him that it was the apron skirt, the crowd were all over him (Regal) with heat.

 

The loss didn't hurt Conway a great deal, and I'm 90% sure that we'll have a rematch next week and/or another match for him, with Conway or not, taking him to Bad Blood.

 

It was short, but it did the job alright. Great work.

 

6.5/10

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Two for the price of... well, two

 

I'm liking how Raw is continually giving us reasons to tune in next week.

 

I mean, yeah, I don't expect Lita/Trish to be a straight one-on-one contest either, and if it were, we'd more than likely get an absolute train wreck, but this match is great for the purpose of angle development. And at this point, it looks as though it could be a good angle worth watching for.

 

Also next week, a 20-Man Battle Royale. I love this idea. Setting straight the confusion over both Christian's and Triple H's claims isn't such a big deal, but the title picture is somewhat empty at the moment. Shawn Michaels and Triple H are busy. Kane? Chris Jericho? Well, I'm saying Kane at this point (in the title picture), so we'll just have to see.

 

5.5/10

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Steel Cage match scheduled for one fall: Chris Jericho VS Christian w/ Trish Stratus and Tyson Tomko

 

If you were looking for a long, drawn-out Steel Cage match that runs for 40 minutes with blood everywhere and noone being able to walk after it, you've come to the wrong place.

 

This match contained none of those aspects. Is that a bad thing? In this case it's not.

 

At WrestleMania XX, Christian and Trish Stratus came together to screw Jericho out of getting the win. At Backlash, Chris Jericho faced both of them in a Handicap match and came out victorious. The night after, Christian and Jericho went one-on-one again, but Christian's new instigator and "problem-solver", Travis "Tyson" Tomko cost Jericho the victory.

 

So whenever these two have gone at it one-on-one, there hasn't been a clean ending, thanks to Christian's pals. Tonight is Chris Jericho's chance to rectify things.

 

This match was high-energy and entertaining-as-hell. Some might say that the short match time in the Steel Cage in the main event slot makes it hard to take it seriously (well, probably not - I'm just assuming and am taking the other side for a second here). They may have a point, but I disagree.

 

The match was in one commercial break, so it couldn't've been too long, and it wasn't. These two went at it, Jericho with the odds against him in, as well as Christian, Trish and Tomko, the latter which he noticed when perched atop the Cage.

 

After a fast-paced start between the two, he did indeed end up up there, but found it a bit difficult in escaping over the top. So what happens? Meh. Let's just come back in with a crossbody off the top. And that's just what he did.

 

The two men continue in still a high-energy war as the pains starts to set in.

 

Switching modes, the entire match had an extremely high level of energy. No slowing done, we're going to put on the best damn show possible in the time given inside this Cage.

 

Christian sure as hell felt it, Trish sure as hell felt it, and Tyson Tomko remains intimidating as the problem-solver.

 

He's done it! Chris Jericho has done it! And we close the book on a feud more than a year and a half in the making.

 

7.5/10

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So, Raw are *entertaining* and/or developing for us in the womens division, the Intercontinental Championship picture and the title picture. Does that sound good to you?

 

Sure, there's nothing in the way of the World Tag Team Championship, so I think that Benoit and Michaels should be stripped of those belts soon, as they're both just too busy in two other divisions to include the tag team division aswell. Oh, if only Lance were here to reunite with Regal...

 

Speaking of Regal, Eugene was damn entertaining and made an awesome television debut. And back on track with the tag team division, guess who wasn't here this evening? That's right, the World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit. And while it's always great to see him in the ring, this was proof that Raw can give us a great show with great development, satisfying matches and a Bad Blood to speculate upon without the Champ gracing us with his presence.

 

8/10

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The opening vidcap was long, and despite an enjoyable part or two, it's focus was more on recapping than style aswell.

 

2/10

 

And hey, a new start video. What, you're not expecting a rating for that, are you?

 

This is WWE SmackDown! for the 15/05/04 here in Australia, and the 13/05/04 in North America, where we are taped 11/05/04 from the in Reno, NV - Your announcers are Michael Cole and Tazz

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Scheduled for one fall: Rob Van Dam VS D'Von Dudley w/ Bubba Ray Dudley

 

Wow, who didn't see that little trick coming at the start? And Bubba, lose the headband.

 

Things were a bit slow at the start with a bit too much submission maneuvre for this type of match, but as we got towards the end, the pace picked up a bit and was almost, well, pretty alright.

 

Bubba Ray Dudley was used well here to stack the odds against the face, and while Rey Mysterio had a good run-in (what the hell does that mean?), it is very late hype for a tag team match at Judgment Day which, while it will probably be a winner, has no actual reason to happen on Rey's behalf.

 

2/10

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Eddy and Angle converse while Luther stands there looking like Kurt Angle's idiot clapmonkey

 

At least something makes sense - Eddy's grief over his mother's "heart attack".

 

Taking into account the events surrounding WrestleMania XX, I was interested in seeing how Eddy and Kurt would interact. It was interesting for about that only, and when Eddy walks off, you just know that he's got something in mind.

 

I thought the Champ was gonna snap there for a second.

 

1.5/10

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Look at that, we missed our Kenzo Suzuki promo. Nice work, WWE.

 

A shitty promo and a shitty match for what will no doubt be another shitty match

 

Am I the only one that finds Jacqueline extremely annoying on the mic? And why the fuck does Michael Cole have to come into the ring whenever an undercarder cuts a promo?

 

The promo's main shittiness is attributed to last week's shitty booking. And what adds to that is that they couldn't even do it enough before the PPV to actually build some interest in it, as if there would've been any anyway.

 

This next match is about all that they could have for Judgment Day build, match-wise. So here it is.

 

1/10

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Non-title contest scheduled for one fall: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jacqueline (*shiver*) VS Chavo Guerrero Sr.

 

I flat-out refuse to call him Chavo Classic. It just sounds stupid.

 

About the only reason that I gave a shit about this was again because of something that WWE weren't intending on - seeing how Chavo Sr. works in the ring now.

 

Chavo can still handle himself in there, no doubt. But it's not exactly a compliment to his legacy to be involved in a feud with his son where he is facing a woman as the Cruiserweight Champion when she isn't even a cruiserweight.

 

Not long, thus less offensive. And I wish that Tazz would stop talking about the whole "family love" thing.

 

Nice work, WWE. Way to make your cruiserweights look strong when two of them have to cheat to beat a woman. And she's not Chyna.

 

Add to the paragraph three up. And the only way that she can get heat is by dakking him and not finding it funny herself for about 7 seconds.

 

.5/10

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Kurt sends Luther to fetch Eddy

 

Very short segment, so a lack of things to say about it. No rating either.

 

Maybe I could take this time to voice my opinions on Kurt Angle as General Manager of SmackDown! ? Ok.

 

In brief:

 

When I first heard that Kurt was being brought in as SmackDown!'s new GM, I marked the fuck out. I thought it to be an excellent position with his natural charisma and a great way to let his body heal.

 

It turned out that, as well as wearing shitty apparel each week, his mic work is less than special, he is involved in some terrible happenings on the program, he's not doing a good enough job as a heel GM thanks to that and I'm afraid that some might not think of him in the same light when he returns to in-ring competition. And he's experiencing fucking numbness in his fingers.

 

So there.

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Video package covering Booker T's inter-arena escapades

 

Not put together well. The somewhat amusing yet stupid content (at least what it could be leading to) can pretty much account for the entire rating.

 

1/10

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Kurt catches up with Eddy

 

Entertaining for what it was, but it just covered everything that we saw previously, and Kurt said that he hadn't finished talking, which, unless he was just going to repeat himself, he had.

 

2/10

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On the phone: John Bradshaw DiBiase

 

Yeah, the phone was a cool effect, as was the lettering.

 

"WWE SmackDown! - 60% more talk show, 40% less wrestling!"

 

Very standard. Weak hype for the main event, but the "on my way" thing with a distance always seems to possess something.

 

1/10

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Two-on-one Handicap match scheduled for one fall: Booker T VS 2/3 of the FBI that never got to be 3/3 in Nunzio and Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli

 

Had a nice pace to it, so nothing horrible. At least Booker is being made look strong for Judgment Day, even if it at the expense of the FBI. No, I don't agree with that, that last part was me in WWE mode. [/end wwe mode]

 

The hype was also there on The Undertaker's side. Percival came out a little early, but it set up for that nice sit-up effect in the ring.

 

The sense of mystery is there too - what's in the bag? Well, I'm sure that we all know what the secret is, but I'm hoping that it isn't stupid in working in with that bag.

 

Match: 1.5/10

Hype: 2.5/10

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The best Eddy Guerrero promo of this feud so far (one of very few proper)

 

The reason that I enjoyed this promo so much was because it covered everything that's happened in his feud with JBD so far. The events in the mixed-up promos and his mother's "heart attack." He was raw, he was serious, and he was damn believable. I loved.

 

This was it on Eddy's behalf until Judgment Day, as he was "arrested". Oh, WWE, how fucking original. You arrest him. Kudos.

 

The in-ring portion was about the only thing of note here, sadly, unless you get off on watching cars get smashed up during WWE storylines. If so, watch more often.

 

I'm having to downgrade for Bradshaw's portion, very unfortunately. Actually, no.

 

Eddy's promo: 6/10

Bradshaw's portion: .5/10

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Scheduled for one fall: Rico w/ Jackie Gayda & Charlie Haas VS Hardcore Holly w/ Billy Gunn

 

First up, I appreciate the fact that SmackDown! are doing something to rectify the problem that is the current tag team division, but this Holly/Gunn team just doesn't make sense. They're complete opposites - not even a backstage segment where they each want to win the Tag Team Championship? Sure, whatever.

 

I liked here the way that Rico's gimmick was toned-down, and he was able to focus more on his opponent. Fast-paced, but the anticipation for Judgment Day just wasn't there, obviously.

 

Smart ending - it shows that Holly could just win the match like *iB clicks fingers* that.

 

We're going to have to focus on the wrestling, because there'll be no psychology at Judgment Day.

 

2/10

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Cafe de Renee

 

These promos just aren't what WWE hoped for them to be. They might be if they actually put a bit of effort into them.

 

Nothing but a standard promo. No stepping into the grey area to deliver something different - just the standard "I'm going to beat you" wrap.

 

It didn't do a whole lot except show that, well, Dupree thinks he'll beat Cena at Judgment Day.

 

1/10

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Mordecai. Look at that. We missed another fucking debut vignette.

 

Non-title contest scheduled for one fall: WWE US Champion John Cena VS Ryan "Kenji" Sakoda w/ Jimmy "Akio" Yang

 

You should all know by now what to expect from a Cena match now, at least on SmackDown!. Apart from the obvious tool at ringside in Akio, you can refer back at least a month of Raw VS SmackDown! to know what I thought of the match.

 

1.5/10

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Miscellaneous bits

 

Yeah, it was a good Raw Rebound, thanks to a good Raw - but Cole comparing it to this show is just ludicrous.

 

The construction of these things should be changed into an awesome video package.

 

3/10

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Scheduled for one fall: John Bradshaw DiBiase VS Rey Mysterio

 

Um... Can someone please tell me why Rey Mysterio is having this match?

 

Not a squash, as you may have been led to believe if you didn't see the show (lucky you). Decently-timed match with some nice back-and-forth action.

 

You would've thought we had a squash here if you saw the end portion, as they got to be that way - powerbomb on turnbuckle, Clothesline From Hell, 1-2-3. I appreciate the fact that the match as a whole wasn't a squash, but there was no reason for the match except for blatant unnecessary getting-over and the fact that there was no contradictory cheating victory to finish us off frightens me into thinking that the possiblity of Bradshaw going over at Judgment Day is there.

 

Good for what it was.

 

And WWE, if those little post-match comments are what you consider formidable last-minute build-up, then I worry for you. Well, I already do - at least for this show.

 

2.5/10 - extra points for Rey's awesome attire

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Of course Raw had a much better show this week. They built for pretty much everything they could, there's some awesome speculation, and the wrestling was there.

 

SmackDown! ? Well, I'm sure that I'm one of about 17 that know there is a PPV in a couple of days. Horrible build-up, and they didn't make up for it in the last week as I had hoped. Not just horrible build-up, horrible wrestling as a whole aswell.

 

2/10

 

The winner of Raw VS SmackDown! for the 14/05/04-15/05/04: WWE Raw, defeating SmackDown! by 6 digits!

 

I don't care about 99% of Judgment Day, but I'll see you there anyway. Er... Well, here...

 

Onto the card:

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iB's WWE Judgment Day opinions and predictions:

 

Taking what I presume it will be:

 

WWE Championship contest scheduled for one fall: Eddy Guerrero (Champion) VS John Bradshaw DiBiase

 

Horrible, lackluster repetitive hype for this match.

 

This is indeed the first match in quite a while where a pushed, deserving champion has faced a pushed champion, deserving or not.

 

I think that the possibility of the two surprising us is possible... Whether Eddy has to carry Bradshaw or not, I think that this one might just please.

 

Whether it'll be a solid (doesn't that word just make you want to grit your teeth?) wrestling match in a good or bad way, I think that that's just what it could be.

 

Even though that applies to the match's body, I'm predicting a run-in finish - most likely by Booker T.

 

The match time should (as in "would") probably be around the 20-25 minute mark.

 

The winner? They wouldn't dare, they couldn't dare...

 

iB's prediction: Eddy Guerrero in a 5/10 match (being very lenient here)

 

U.S. Champion contest scheduled for one fall: John Cena (Champion) VS Rene Dupree

 

Hmmm... Dupree's just come over to SmackDown!, and will most likely be put over. Then again, Cena is a great U.S. Champion when booked correctly, and it's sad that ratings-wise, SmackDown! can't afford to give Dupree the belt right now. Or, more precisely, let Cena lose the belt right now.

 

Actually, it's hard to predict what the match itself will be like. I can't seem to let my mind believe that it'll be a clean match, with no outside interference. But if these two are just let go, I have faith in a PPV-worthy match.

 

iB's prediction: Rene Dupree in a 7/10 match, to be optimistic

 

WWE Cruiserweight Championship contest scheduled for one fall: Jacqueline (Champion) VS Chavo Guerrero Jr. w/ Chavo Guerrero Sr.

 

Don't get me back on what a stupid, stupid decision it was to give Jacqueline this championship.

 

Wow, this is a weird PPV. I'm not expecting a PPV-worthy match. I'm not even expecting a cruiserweight match. Keeping it short would still leave some credibility. It would also negate that of the cruiserweight division itself.

 

Just give Chavo the fucking belt back. Save a sliver of credibility.

 

iB's prediction: Chavo Guerrero Jr. in a DUD-1/10 match

 

The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer VS Booker T

 

The build and future is a nice little package - 'Taker wants to show Booker respect (probably), setting up respective Mordecai and Eddy Guerrero feuds. Being presumptious.

 

Not expecting much of a match here - I don't think that Booker and the 'Taker can work that way. But hey, I could be proved wrong.

 

Definitely not expecting a clean ending here, because either clean ending would have something bad attached to it. I'm predicting a Mordecai run-in with the Undertaker to set up a feud there, with Booker moving on into the Championship hunt. A run-in can make 'Taker not look weak, and also not make it seem as if Booker deserves to move on - but he will.

 

iB's prediction: Booker T in a 3/10 match

 

WWE Tag Team Championship contest scheduled for one fall: Rico and Charlie Haas (Champions) VS Hardcore Holly and Billy Gunn

 

I like how two teams have been made from singles stars who aren't really doing a lot lately. It doesn't guarantee good matches, but at least it's a start.

 

I don't know if Haas and Rico are going to give up their belts just yet - Holly and Gunn haven't had enough hype yet as a tag team, and a title change will most likely happen on SmackDown!, presuming that a decent tag team feud wouldn't be able to be held until, say, Vengeance.

 

It should be a fun match for obvious reasons. I honestly can't say how Gunn and Holly will go as a tag team, but we'll see.

 

Oh, and the Dudley Boyz can't be far away...

 

iB's prediction: Rico and Charlie Haas in a 4/10 match

 

Scheduled for one fall: Torrie Wilson VS Dawn Marie

 

Right, Cole. A "huge" match.

 

I don't care as far as the match goes - it shouldn't even be on the card. The only real purpose that I can see for it is to give Cena and Dupree both valets, which really shouldn't matter considering that this is the blow-off match for them (or so you would think) - but Torrie and Dawn could aid their respective partners in the future.

 

iB's prediction: He doesn't give a shit, but the match will probably be before Cena/Dupree so as for a run-in finish to spice up the Cena/Dupree match later on - No Contest in a DUD-.5/10 match

 

Or a DQ, I don't know.

 

Tag team contest scheduled for one fall: The Dudley Boyz VS Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio

 

This is the match that I'm probably looking forward to the most. While the Dudley Boyz pretty much suck as wrestlers, they can at least work an entertaining match when need be, as can Van Dam and Mysterio, obviously.

 

I feel great chemistry between these four - Van Dam and the Dudleyz are not strangers, and I'd love to see how Mysterio fits in here.

 

I can't see a face victory though, even if I'd love to see them stay as a permanent tag team - I can see a clean finish, but not a happy one.

 

I'm hoping that this match and these teams give the current SmackDown! tag team division a helping hand.

 

iB's prediction: The Dudley Boyz in a 6/10 match, being optimistic again

 

Mordecai VS a mystery opponent

 

I can see him making an impact over a jobber - possibly a member of the FBI, or a more established Superstar for his debut, because he's going to make an impact.

 

This match has to be on first so that he's been familiarised with the fans when he runs in during Undertaker/Booker. And it abolishes the 'PPV run-in debut' cliche here.

 

iB's prediction: Mordecai

 

Some of those ratings up there may look like they dispute others, but you need not worry - they don't

 

I think that that about covers the lot. A few things to see doesn't even make a "fairly good" PPV - what we're getting is the bare mininum of a PPV requirement.

 

iB's prediction: 3.5/10 - despite a possible winner or three, this won't be a good show. The only Judgment Day will be for me and about 16 other people.

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So there you have it.

 

'Til next time,

Beau

 

Send the feedback (linked as [email protected]) and check out the archives, as well as the versatile discs.

 

Unfortunately, see you at Judgment Day! I'm bitching about the show, not you!