According to Meltzer.....

[Guest wildpegasus]

You must be joking with Eugene. Once they pushed him near the main event, the fans have rapidly lost interest. Remember those 'Eugene Sucks' chants? They were NOT what WWE wanted. Eugene was supposed to sympathetic in that instance, instead the crowd shit all over him.

 

Benoit = Most over face on Raw

Ummm...the Eugene sucks chants were what they wanted. The only time they chanted Eugene sucks was when he did heel things...like they were supposed to. That actually proves just how over he is..after doing one thing, such as hitting a face with a chair, the whole arena begin to chant badly at him..

Is it just me or did the "Eugene sucks" chants come about because he disrupted the flow of a match with storyline sportsentertainment? I never thought that the crowd was chanting "Eugune sucks" because he was attacking faces.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

The HHH/Eugene story is not over. The beatdown was simply the end of one stage of their dealings, and the beginning of another.

 

HHH/Eugene, for all of the focus put on it, was a sidestory to Benoit/HHH. Eugene was a tool to *cough* advance HHH's character (the cough there was because "HHH is a bad man" was established a long, long time ago and didn't need it). In this possibility, Eugene/HHH would be a _feud_, which it wasn't before. Thus making it a different entity. Granted, it is a feud with some backstory, but a feud is composed of certain things that couldn't be established in 3 weeks. Or, could be established, but would be very poorly done.

 

The crap about Orton/Benoit "blurring the divisions"is just that- crap. This isn't Pride where there are clearly defined mid card and upper card barriers in WWE shows any more.

 

Legitimizing and solidifying each division has long-term benefits in said division. There is no "rites of passage" anymore in the WWE, and that's a problem that can hurt them when trying to create new stars. What makes Orton so good that he can jump a division in a few weeks? Why should I believe that Orton is now a viable contender for Benoit even when he lost twice against Edge - someone who is lower ranked than Benoit? This is just common sense, and is certainly not "crap". I hope other MMA fans got a few giggles out of the PRIDE comment, cause it was really funny.

 

The only things to consider when planning out a ME match at a PPV are: 1.) Will this make money? 2.) How will this fit in with our long term plans?

 

True and not-so-true. If a match or feud doesn't make sense, no matter how much money it could make, it can end up hurting more than it can help depending on how high-profile it is. If Orton loses, then does that make him a failure? And even worse, if he wins, does that make him a fluke and devalues the title because a midcarder holds the belt?

 

What helps give matches their "value"? Why do fans want to pay to see two guys wrestle each other? I think a well-built, legitimate contender in Orton would be more valuable than a shot-up-the-card Orton. I like the idea of the two "best" wrestlers competing for the title. There's a certain excitement that is created by the notion that you're watching something that has meaning. One guy will win, one guy will lose; you will find out who the true "best" is. But that's me. I don't like "He interfered in my match therefore is my biggest challenge"-type storylines that this will probably be.

 

Since SS will have 4 matches that could be "draws" (UT/JBL, HHH/Eugene, Benoit/Orton, and Eddie/Angle) they don't even have to worry from a financial aspect either.

 

Angle and Eddie aren't draws (Angle generally isn't, and Eddie has lost a lot of steam), UT/JBL aren't draws (though IMO it's the most interesting match out of the 4), Eugene hasn't been a proven PPV draw, and Orton/Benoit is such an unlikely match I can't see how you'd consider it a draw. Those 4 matches may combine to be a "draw" if one would consider SS a "super card", but I don't really see it. This is really a neglible point, though, as the main point is "Orton/Benoit" is not there to make money. In terms of character development, I think a long-term, meaningful Orton/Benoit feud would further him, but not a quickie like this. If they had Orton break Benoit's arm in a tag match, have Benoit out for a few weeks and Orton calling himself "the crippler" or "the best technical wrestler", then there'd be something for him there that makes sense and a reason for Benoit to fight him.

 

Now is the PERFECT time. Orton's been playing with the big boys for a WHILE now (since Unforgiven 03, really), and is as a solid a choice for number one contender as any you're likely to find.

 

A solid choice for #3 contender. Not #1. Who has he beaten? What has he done? Explain to me how I should accept him in a title match? That's exactly what the WWE has to do, and since you believe it, it should be easy.

 

I'd say if it's THAT big of a deal give him a clean pin over benoit in the weeks leading up to SS to give him Main Event credibility.

 

To make this timeline, you'd have...

 

Week 1: Orton interferes in the Ironman match and pisses Benoit off.

Week 2: Orton vs. Benoit and Orton wins. A match is made.

Week 3: Orton cuts a promo on Benoit, Benoit puts Orton in the crossface.

 

That is a really shitty build and is certainly not "the perfect time" for building Orton into World Championship Main Event Calibre material.

 

He's obviously being built as the next top guy of the company, and the fans obviously buy into it.

 

I think there's a difference between "next top guy" and "next top challenger to HHH". That's not to say that Orton won't be a top guy in the next few years, but I don't see him being a true Main Eventer this year (that being, constantly in the ME like HHH, rather than occasionally like Angle or Cena). As for the fans "buying into it", I don't think it's as "obvious" as you say it is. I'm not an Orton hater, but I think you're putting him in a different light than he really is in.

 

The only reason not to would be that Orton would likely outpop Benoit, which isn't going to happen in Canada anyway.

 

You're already 'discussing' this, but this just seems like baiting (to) me. "Out popping"/"Splitting a crowd" with an incredibly bland and uninspired Edge on a PPV isn't exactly Austin/Hart territory and is certainly not Hogan/Rock level. Benoit is hard to get people to boo against and is stiff enough and bumps well enough to earn and keep the crowds respect. Orton -in terms of stiffness- can't even match it and against Benoit it's obvious. Fans would pop for his stooging and that's it. The comebacks and the finish they'd be behind Benoit.

[Exslade ZX 0]

You must be joking with Eugene. Once they pushed him near the main event, the fans have rapidly lost interest. Remember those 'Eugene Sucks' chants? They were NOT what WWE wanted. Eugene was supposed to sympathetic in that instance, instead the crowd shit all over him.

 

Benoit = Most over face on Raw

Ummm...the Eugene sucks chants were what they wanted. The only time they chanted Eugene sucks was when he did heel things...like they were supposed to. That actually proves just how over he is..after doing one thing, such as hitting a face with a chair, the whole arena begin to chant badly at him..

Is it just me or did the "Eugene sucks" chants come about because he disrupted the flow of a match with storyline sportsentertainment? I never thought that the crowd was chanting "Eugune sucks" because he was attacking faces.

If that were the case they would have chanted it during the match at Vengeance..

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Austin rewrote the rules on what a face can and can't do. If Eugene was of greater face value than those faces he attacked, then the crowd would have been receptive to it.

[strummer 0]

Yes, Orton is scheduled to go over Benoit at Summerslam for the belt, now Keller is saying the same thing as Johnson from PWI. From 411:

 

 

Later, at 3:15 PM on PWInsider.com's Elite Hotline and then at 5:19 PM on PWTorch.com's VIP Audio Update, Mike Johnson and Wade Keller, respectively, reported the following spoilers pertaining to this Monday's RAW and plans for SummerSlam (scroll down for spoilers):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- Chris Benoit is expected to hold on to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at RAW.

 

-- HHH is currently being scheduled to face Eugene Dinsmore at SummerSlam.

 

-- Chris Benoit is being scheduled to face Randy Orton at SummerSlam for the World Title, with current plans being to put the belt on Orton.

 

These are all still rumors, but are being reported by generally reliable sources.

 

[Credit: PWInsider.com, PWTorch.com, WrestlingObserver.com]

[Guest Tjhe CyNick]

A Few Things:

 

#1. I dont think there will be 10+ matches on this show. I mean there could be, but I just dont see it happening, I would say 9 max. The way I see it SD will have JBL-Taker (WWE Title), Eddie/Angle, Cena-BT (US Title), and some sort of 6 man tag, maybe a Tables or Elimination Match with Mysterio+Kidman+London against all three Dudleys (I see Spike turning on Tuesday). As for RAW thats a little more foggy, but if we accept the Orton rumours, then we'll have Orton/Benoit (World Title), HHH/Eugene, I guess Batista/Edge (IC Title) based on their match a couple weeks ago, Trish/Victoria (Women's Title) if Trish can work and then maybe something with Kane and Hardy. But I dont see a RAW tag title match, I could see that on Heat maybe and thats about it.

 

#2. About Benoit-Orton, I like the idea of Orton kinda winning the title out of nowhere because it will really kick start some major heat within Evolution, and as champion Orton would have a lot of opponents lined up (Benoit rematch, HBK, maybe even Benjamin for a TV match and of course Edge). But the problem I have is that they really haven't done anything to make Orton look like THE top guy since he dropped the title to Edge. I mean I think it would make more sense to have Batista get the World Title shot based on him laying out Benoit last week. Or even Edge would make more sense because they could play off their tag team history and do the title for title thing in Edge's hometown (even though he's not that over in Toronto). But with only two weeks to build it up (this week is taken up by the Iron Man match) it wont seem very special. I agree with whoever said they should wait and build it up a little.

 

#3. In terms of Orton being a draw, I think he has been put in positions to draw this year. At Mania he was in one of the 5 main events on the show, and his program with Foley was the key story in their match. At Backlash his match along with the title match was promoted in advertising, so thats a drawing position and same thing happened with his match with Edge at the last PPV. Has he been a big draw? Thats hard to say because he hasn't been put in a position to draw right at the top or on his own, but I would say its fair to say he's been put in positions to draw.

 

#4. I think its hard to say how Summerslam will do in terms of buys. If the speculated card goes down, I dont see one big match that will draw people out of left field (like say Rock-Orton might have). But at the same time, I dont think they have a fued that would do huge business that they could go to on the current roster. Taker possibly winning the title (again) might do something, but I doubt it. I dont think Eugene-HHH will draw like they probably think it will, Orton-Benoit will be pushed as a secondary match, so I cant see it doing all that well and Eddie-Angle will get the internet going crazy but does the average fan care? Probably not. The good thing though, after all these crappy single brand shows, this looks pretty stacked at least in terms of star power, so from that standpoint, it could do alright.

 

#5. One last thing, I dont think they want HBK on the SS show because its in Canada and HBK is Mr Heel in Canada, so that would be a tough place to tell a comeback from injury babyface story. Makes more sense to hold it off for the Oct PPVs.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

The only good thing I can see happening with Orton winning the title is the dynamic with HHH. That would probably be the most interesting thing to happen to HHH in a long, long, looooong time - if Orton were to have his gold and he lost to a retard.

[Guest Staravenger]

Orton can't win it so soon! he needs to be built up as legit main eventer, otherwise we'll just be getting Bret Hart 92-93 title reign...which would be Orton's lack of drawing money and interest.

 

Oh well, it's still better than Triple H winning it for the 67th time.

[Guest Trivia247]

Full credit for the following news goes to Mike Johnson and PWInsider.com:

 

As reported earlier, Chris Benoit will not wrestle Triple H at this year's Summerslam event. Instead, it will be Triple H vs. Eugene in one of the RAW main events on the show.

 

The second RAW main event will be Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Title. We are being told by reliable sources close to the situation that WWE is very interested in putting the title on Orton, and the plan right now is that Orton will indeed win the belt from Benoit at Summerslam.

 

WWE feels that this is the right time for Orton, and they will be putting a ton of pressure on him by having him defeat Benoit. There is a lot of feeling that this will do great things for Orton and the WWE, as The Rock was also in this sort of situation when he was given the belt, and he was able to grow into his role of being a larger than life superstar because of that opportunity.

 

 

 

Damn it. WWE has such a hardon for orton he is like a non samoan/black rocky to them.

[Guest wildpegasus]

This Orton situation reminds me of HHH. Nobody really cared about HHH back in the day just like with Orton today. Than they got pushed down the throats of all the wrestling fans until they got over to a degree mostly due just to them being around for awhile and as a result they get that fanfare from knowing somebody for so long. Orton tries in the ring but he still has a long ways to go as he's still green. He's nowhere near ready kayfabe wise or ring wise to be champion. I don't know, it just bugs me how the WWE says they listen to their fans but they don't. They only love doing what they want to do. Take for example Steven Richards. He could have done a much better job than Orton did if he was pushed to the moon and back and back to the moon again. There's no way the WWE couldn't know that. They just don't like him as much.

[Styles 0]

Positive spin: Benoit goes 3 straight wins over HHH without giving him the win and title back.

If they really are going with Orton, I think it's a good choice. I don't know if he's ready, but it's obvious they want to do HHH/Orton at WMXI, but this is a reversal of the expected roles obviously. They did the same thing with Brock 2 years ago giving him the title a little before he was ready but just on the verge of gaining some popularity and it worked to a degree.

[Silence 0]

Take for example Steven Richards. They just don't like him as much.

I believe it. He's practically been Heat alumni in WWE since 1999 and then once again in 2001 or 2002 (because he was getting somewhat of a push as an RTC leader in 2000, but it still made him look like a joke), I think.

[Exslade ZX 0]

I don't know, it just bugs me how the WWE says they listen to their fans but they don't. They only love doing what they want to do. Take for example Steven Richards. He could have done a much better job than Orton did if he was pushed to the moon and back and back to the moon again. There's no way the WWE couldn't know that. They just don't like him as much.

Ok..I understand theres some kind of unwritten rule that says most smarks are supposed to be in love with Richards or whatever...but seriously. Stevie Richards? Whether he was pushed to the moon or not, I seriously could not see him being a top guy. And the fans actually being behind him. His sucky gimmicks are really the only thing that's even gotten him over to the point that he is now. Of course he isn't bad in the ring..but really. Stevie Richards fighting for a title. Just pretend..Stevie Richards NEVER ented the WWE. If he debuted on RAW/Heat this week..and over months started gaining wins and wins until he was on RAW...and he was finally in a World Title situation. Could you truly picture him as a credible contender...?

 

And I think the top part may just be wrong...I believe the problem is, for once they ARE listening to the fans. I mean..he's a heel..constantly getting pops. Maybe this is there way of saying..what the hell the fans want to cheer him, let them cheer him,and even moreso let's really give them something to cheer about. I think the recent popularity of Orton..may have pushed up his face turn..

[Promoter 0]

Guys, this rumour makes a lot of sense. Look, Benoit goes over Triple H not only at WM XX, but at Backlash and Vengence. Triple H is scewing up left and right as he brings a retard into things. Orton on the other hand holds the I-C title and drops the title to Edge. They are setting up Edge for the first big defeat for Randy Orton WWE Champ. Orton will get his job back from Edge, but Edge will keep his title.

 

I agree with some about the divisions needing some kind of an illusion and people can't be jumping all over the place, but the wwe has a storyline tool for Orton getting a title shot. That is either Evolution breaking up or Orton trying to upstage Triple H by claiming he will get the job done(since Trips has dropped the ball*where have we heard that before?). The dissension in the group can work and perhaps Triple H losing to Eugene is the final nail in the coffin for Triple H fearless leader(disappears and does his movie). I think the wwe might know what they are doing with this one guys.

[AndrewTS 0]

Looking at this simply from a match standpoint, HHH-Eugene on PPV could be one awesome match. Dinsmore's shown a great deal of talent, and since he'll probably be cutting down on the comedy we should get an entertaining match either way.

 

Orton's made great strides lately even though I still personally don't like him. Working with Benoit can only do him a world of good. Remember that prior to the PPV he's going to be working house show matches with Benoit, likely, so the possibility of a really good match is quite high, IMO.

 

With several promising undercard matches in the works, I think this could be nearly as good as 2002's Summerslam.

[Guest Black Lightning]

Ok..I understand theres some kind of unwritten rule that says most smarks are supposed to be in love with Richards or whatever...but seriously. Stevie Richards? Whether he was pushed to the moon or not, I seriously could not see him being a top guy. And the fans actually being behind him. His sucky gimmicks are really the only thing that's even gotten him over to the point that he is now. Of course he isn't bad in the ring..but really. Stevie Richards fighting for a title. Just pretend..Stevie Richards NEVER ented the WWE. If he debuted on RAW/Heat this week..and over months started gaining wins and wins until he was on RAW...and he was finally in a World Title situation. Could you truly picture him as a credible contender...?

And this would be proof prositive that a push can be the difference between World Champion and Heat fodder. Stevie is good enough in the ring, is absolutely LOADED with charisma, and he can speak very well. If he got the God push, there is no doubt in my mind that he would've been where Orton is right now, at least a year ago.

 

And in the same context of not being able to fathom Stevie so high on the card, think back to 2002. Could you really imagine Randy Orton, 3rd Generation Superstar, Blue Chipper as a serious threat to the title?

 

Also, for the record, before I'm labeled an Orton hater, I'm not. I quite like him, actually, so please don't play that card.

Edited July 24, 2004 by Black Lightning

[4hartthreat 0]

Hmm, I said earlier that I'd be happy if the report was true and it's looking more and more like it is.

 

I don't like the idea of Orton winning the belt at SSlam, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea of Orton beating Benoit for the title.

 

Here's how I would do it:

 

Start Monday with Benoit beating Trips in the ironman with Eugene interfering. HHH goes to Bischoff and demands a match with Eug at Slam telling Bischoff that he will rid the WWE of Eugene once and for all. Bischoff of course grants his wish. Later Bischoff comes out and says Raw has one match for Slam, but we need to determine who Benoit will defend his title against at the ppv. He announces that the main event will be Orton vs. Edge with the winner getting the shot (I want to say Jericho just because Orton and Edge have faced so much recently, but I think the Orton-Edge match-up just gives them so many more angles to play up leading up to and during the match) at SSlam. Orton then wins the match.

 

Next week we find evolution in the locker room and HHH is telling Orton that at Slam, he will destroy Eugene and Orton will soften Benoit up so that H can take back his title. Orton balks at this and says he'd like to be champion too. HHH angrily tells Orton that it is his title and no one else will defeat Benoit for it. We leave it at that for now. They play this up for the weeks leaading into Slam.

 

At Slam HHH beats or loses to Eugene, I don't think it really matters. Then during the title match Orton looks like he is going to win (possibly with help from Flair or Batista) and HHH comes down to ask what the hell he (or they) think he's doing. This allows Benoit to get the crossface on and Orton taps.

 

In the following weeks they have Orton and HHH seemingly make ammends, but we aren't really sure. Then on a Raw Bischoff announces that there will be a 6 man tag as the main event between Evolution and a face team of like Jericho, Edge, and whoever, and the person who scores the pin will be named # 1 contender for the title (for whatever the next Raw ppv is). HHH tells Evolution that this is perfect and they are to make sure he wins. During the match Trips hits the pedigree on someone but is then pulled out of the ring. Orton seizes the opportunity and makes the cover for the win.

 

HHH is of course furious and tells Orton that he'd better not win the title at the ppv.

 

At the ppv Orton wins the belt. Then when we get to Raw, we have Flair and Batista celebrating with Orton and HHH walks in. He says he thought about it and he was wrong and is happy for Orton and everything is cool. He then says something about going out to the ring to take care of some business. He starts to lead the way and Orton stops him and says something about how since he's the champ now shouldn't he be the one leading the way. HHH gets one of his constipated faces and says "after you, champ."

 

And the story goes on from there. But like Rudo said, I really think this could be the most interesting thing to happen to HHH in YEARS.

[Promoter 0]

4hartthreat, I think Orton winning at SummerSlam would cause a bigger ripple. It would come out of nowhere, but it would have direction. People are saying it's a bit premature to do and maybe that's correct, but it also means people are kind of not wanting Benoit to lose so soon. Building it up would take the sting out of the feat since it could be telegraphed for the Orton/HHH feud. Orton will get some serious heat in Toronto beating Benoit, but then again if this rumour starts to spread the shock won't be the same. This city can be pretty smarky at times. I would not be surprised to see fans backing Triple H against Eugene. As for the HBK in Toronto heel thing that might not be true. The last few times he has been here he has got face pops against Canadians like Jericho(remember the program leading to Mania 19?).

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Orton winning the belt will be the end of Evolution.

 

Flair will side with HHH

Batista will side with Orton

 

I see many HHH/Flair vs Orton/Batista matches in RAW's future.

 

Eugene won't be a factor after Summerslam.

[Guest combat_rock]

Well, the WWE could certainly do worse than putting the belt on Orton (see: JBL). Personally though, I think that if they have to, they should wait untill Survivor Series. Why rush a Benoit/Orton feud when you can actually build it with no real detrement to the timetable for putting Orton vs. Triple H at Wrestlemania?

[Guest GreatOne]

Hell I guess I'm down with Orton getting the world title sometime this year, other than turning Edge or Jericho (LAME!), the returning Mizark (NOOOOO!) and Xian (not ready) you really don't have a heel to fill that role other than (UHHHHHHH!!!!!!!).

 

Hey maybe he can go remake a really crappy 60s scifi movie--Monster A Go-Go, though it's been awhile since my MST3K heyday--and take Kane with him since there's about as much for him to do as there was for Austin in WCW in 95.

[SuperJerk 0]

Three points:

 

1) I remember Anglesault saying six months ago the real reason Benoit was on Raw was to put Orton over.

I hate it when he's right.

 

2) Hasn't Benoit already gone over Orton on Raw?

 

3) An Orton/Jericho feud for the World Heavyweight Championship would be sweet.

[Dark Age 0]

Wow.

 

After SummerSlam, Orton and JBL could be champs. Taker and Triple H will be the ones to beat them. That's quite depressing.

 

I still don't think Orton will go over.

[SuperJerk 0]

After SummerSlam, Orton and JBL could be champs. Taker and Triple H will be the ones to beat them.

I actually think they'll let JBL and Orton keep their belts for a while.

 

 

Four more points...

 

1) Benoit retaining the title after the Iron Man match will probably help sell DVDs.

 

2) How are they going to justify giving Orton number one contendership when he can't even beat Edge for the IC Title? (This isn't that big of a deal, but they'll have to have him win it somehow instead of just awarding it to him.)

 

3) I can see Orton vs. Flair being Flair's retirement match if Evolution breaks up because of this.

 

4) In ring-wise, I think Orton is about where Kurt Angle was when he won his first World title. Before I get flamed, let me point out that I'm not saying by any means that Randy Orton is as talented as Kurt Angle. Angle had been pro for less time, and got 10x better within the next year...and Orton never won an Olympic gold medal with a broken friggin' neck!

[Dark Age 0]

But Kurt was alot better on the mic, alot more charasmatic and alot more hated by the fans. Orton hasn't had any really good singles matches yet. Foley was a gimmick, and there are very conflicting views on the Vengeance match with Edge. Other than that, what good matches has he had? Shelton Benjamin at Bad Blood? Jericho on Raw? Edge on Raw?

Also, keep in mind that Kurt was 11 months into his WWE career. Orton is nearly 2 1/2 years. Kurt showed more potential in less time than Orton.

Kurt 2000 > Orton 2004

And they can't justify it. It's stupid. He shouldn't be challenging for he belt at SSlam, but going over for it is unforgivable. Why not have him beat Jericho on pay per view so that he has an actual reason to be challenging for the title? Don't job him to Edge (a guy jobbing to GRENIER a month ago) twice, then suddenly have him challenge for, and win, the World Title. Batista is more buyable than Orton. Coming off a pay per view win over Jericho, beat the crap out of Benoit on Raw. All it would take is for him to beat another 'name' and he's the no. 1 contender.

 

I actually think they'll let JBL and Orton keep their belts for a while.

 

UGH.

[SuperJerk 0]

But Kurt was alot better on the mic, alot more charasmatic and alot more hated by the fans.

Orton's getting a lot of face pops, so I'll admit Angle was more over as a heel.

 

Orton hasn't had any really good singles matches yet.

He has (HBK, RVD, Jericho), but he needed to be carried.

 

Also, keep in mind that Kurt was 11 months into his WWE career. Orton is nearly 2 1/2 years. Kurt showed more potential in less time than Orton.

I'm sure I already said that. Yes, Angle >>>>>>> Orton, but Angle wasn't that good before his first World title win. (But, like I said, Orton didn't win the Olympics.)

 

And they can't justify it.

They can justify it by having him win a tournament or something.

 

Don't job him to Edge (a guy jobbing to GRENIER a month ago) twice, then suddenly have him challenge for, and win, the World Title.

That's a good point, but guys have lost the IC Title then turned around and won a World title before. Its not unheard of.

[Guest Trivia247]

then there is the storyline as to how Orton is able to slip into the World title picture in the first place. HHH wouldn't like having Orton being the world title contender and bitch n moan about it.

[Dark Age 0]

He has (HBK, RVD, Jericho), but he needed to be carried.

 

I enoyed the Jericho match, but DID NOT like the matches with Shawn and RVD at all. Neither were what I would call 'good'. Solid, maybe. Not good. The Shawn match at Unforgiven was a whole lot of nothing. I'm a little sketchy, but wasn't it just Orton walking over the arm of Shawn for 10 minutes or so, and they went absolutely NOWHERE with it. Why go for Shawn's arm? Go for the obvious target, the back. It's not like there was anywhere they COULD have taken it, as Orton didn't/doesn't have any moves to do with an opponent's arm. Plus the match was terribly boring, had bizarre selling from Shawn, and a TERRIBLE finish. Not a good match at all.

 

The RVD match on Raw was 'okay' but nothing more. Orton worked a bodyscissors for most of the match, yet finished with a DDT. Why? What did he plan to do? Was he using the bodyscissors to keep RVD grounded? If so, why not go for the obvious target, the legs? Go after the neck to set up the RKO or the ddt or whatever, but the bodyscissors was pointless. It would be fine if there was a strategy, but it just comes across as Orton filling time until they could start firing off the near falls.

 

Like I said, I enjoyed the Jericho match, so I'll give you that one. It was good, but not 'really good'.

 

I'm sure I already said that. Yes, Angle >>>>>>> Orton, but Angle wasn't that good before his first World title win. (But, like I said, Orton didn't win the Olympics.)

 

That wasn't my point. My point is that if Orton was being given the Title 11 months into his run, then yes, the comparisons with Angle are fine. However, Kurt Angle was as good at 11 months as Orton is now, after close to 30 months.

 

They can justify it by having him win a tournament or something.

 

In three shows? Keep in mind they already have the Iron Man Match booked for Monday. Sure, they COULD build the match. They COULD justify it. But it will be a terrible rush job. They've no time to have Benoit blow off his feud with Triple H, Orton win a tournament, and then give us a reason to care about the match.

 

That's a good point, but guys have lost the IC Title then turned around and won a World title before. Its not unheard of.

 

No, not unheard of. But the way it's been handled with Orton would be silly. He's lost TWICE to Edge. Edge, just a month ago, lost to La Resistance. Why would I buy Orton as a viable contender to Benoit? He's not better than Edge, who holds the secondary title, so why should he got a shot at the main title? We are led to believe that Benoit is better than Edge, so how is Orton a threat to Benoit? Now, if the would have waited a month or two, and rebuilt Orton with wins over Jericho, a returning Shelton and someone else (no other faces), then he would be believable in challenging Benoit. Not BEATING him, but challenging.

[Enigma 0]

"As I reported yesterday on my Elite Hotline, the current creative plan for the top Raw match at Summerslam is for WWE World champion Chris Benoit to defend the belt against Randy Orton. According to well placed sources, the working plan right now is for Orton to take the belt at the PPV.

 

Where does this leave Triple H at Summerslam, you say? Triple H is scheduled to face Eugene at the PPV."

 

Credit: PWInsider

 

So there you go.

 

Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Title with Orton winning the title and Triple H vs. Eugene, according to PWInsider.

[Dark Age 0]

Yup, been in a few threads now. I assume this leaves Edge/Batista (they're running that on house shows), Jericho/Kane and La Resistance vs Rhyno and Tajiri.

 

I explained why in the other thread, but Orton winning the title is an AWFUL idea.

 

I still think it will be Triple H vs Regal.