Backlash Discussion

[Aero 0]

My predictions:

 

Batista vs. HHH

They can't job Batista yet, especially to HHH. I'm expecting about the same thing as WM, nothing horrible but nothing amazing, either. Obviously, HHH will hit the Pedigree near the end, and after a dramatic two count (maybe after the ref is just revived from a bump), Batista will barely get the shoulder up. HHH is shocked, loses it, and Batista takes advantage and hits the Batista Bomb withing minutes to win.

Prediction: Batista

 

Edge vs. Benoit

This one is kind of a toss-up. On one hand, Edge is the no. 1 contender with his contract, but on the other, if he loses, it won't mean alot when he decides to take his title shot in (for example) August since they can give him a proper build then. While I think Edge is going to wait it out and take his title shot around Summerslam (especially since HHH-Batista III is supposed to happen in HIAC at Vengeance), I still think he'll win. They haven't been doing anything with Benoit lately except have him sell his arm injury. He already got one win over Edge after WM, so Edge will probably regain his, here. I'm guessing that Edge works the arm the entire match and eventually, Benoit passes out because of it.

Prediction: Edge

 

HBK & Hogan vs. Hassan & Daivari

They've hyped the "dream team" too much to lose now, but I still don't think they want Hassan to be pinned, yet. A DQ or countout would be really lame since they've already done it several times, so Daivari will most definitely be pinned. Hogan pinning him would mean nothing really, but HBK needs to get his job back from weeks ago. As Hogan & HBK hit their finishers on Daivari, Hassan will likely step back and retreat or something.

Winners: HBK & Hogan

 

Benjamin vs. Jericho

Even though their matches from October weren't really great or anything, I'm still kind of interested in this one. I think it's been a decent build, but I'm still unsure of who the heel is (I'm leaning toward Benjamin as the heel, though). I'm hoping Jericho gets traded to SD and Haas comes to Raw to feud with Benjamin. If Benjamin were to win, Jericho could snap and turn heel again, perhaps. I really do hate him as a face, right now, so I'd welcome a heel turn.

Prediction: Benjamin

 

Kane vs. Viscera

This depends on what WWE wants to do on Raw afterwards: (1) Have Kane win and keep chasing Trish since he's a huge monster, or (2) Have Viscera manage to cheaply win, and then have hilarity ensue when he tries to get Trish in bed like she promised. Choice (2) is obviously what WWE wants to do, I think. The match will likely be horrible.

Prediction: Viscera

 

Tag Team Turmoil

Besides the champs, the only team I can see winning are Hurricane & Rosey, but I think they need a turn to the 'evil side' or something, first. Here's my predictions: (1) La Rez def. Heart Throbs, (2) Hurricane & Rosey def. La Rez, (3) Hurricane & Rosey def. Maven & Dean, (4) Regal & Tajiri def. Hurricane & Rosey. It might be unlikely due to starting with two heel teams though. Maybe after Hurricane & Rosey lose, they turn heel or something after so many losses and actually get to feud with Regal & Tajiri.

Prediction: Regal & Tajiri

 

Only six matches, so I'm guessing HHH-Batista and Last Man Standing go long, and the IC Title will likely be between 15-20 minutes. The thing left to add is maybe a Masterlock challenge (please no!) or Christian vs. Val Venis, or something. If Christian is actually not wrestling, hopefully he can cut a promo complaining about it and praising SD. I won't be ordering, because it does look pretty bad. Plus, I don't want to miss the first new Family Guy.

[algrim 0]

Knowing Vince, he's probably going to add Chris Masters' "Masterlock" challenge to the PPV.

[JoeDirt 0]

Meltzer writes:

 

Of course, Backlash is tomorrow from Manchester, NH, in the most heavily promoted "B" show in a long time, largely due to Hulk Hogan appearing, which has gotten more pub that the HHH vs. Batista main event, including a huge ad in USA Today yesterday and cable systems playing phone calls with Hogan, as well as Hogan doing lots of media, and tons of radio buys. In reality, the rematch from Wrestlemania is being promoted as second from the top, even though the title match should appear last on the show:

*HHH vs. Batista - There is no secret this is building to a Hell in a Cell match as per current plans, which would have that match in late June. I can't imagine HHH winning this early, so I'll leave it at that.

*Hogan & Shawn Michaels vs. Daivari & Muhammad Hassan. Everyone knows what this is going in. Michaels sells till he dies, makes the hot tag, and Hogan cleans house, pinning one or the other. The only mystery is whether Hogan will do the kneedrop for nostalgia on his recently surgically replaced hip. If you want to see Hogan "one last time" (and guaranteed this is not the last time, because he's going to be wrestling until he's close to 60 like Flair and Crusher), you know what it is going in.

*Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Jericho for the IC title. This should be a good match. Even though the crowd turned on Benjamin last week on TV, this goes in without a clearly defined face or heel, and to some crowds that can make for a difficult match

*Edge vs. Chris Benoit last man standing. Unfortunately, the rules of this match make submission moves mean less, and you don't get the dramatic two counts for near falls. I've never really liked them, but these two are good enough that they can overcome the psychological handicaps and should have a hell of a match, and probably the match to the night

*Kane vs. Viscera. Please keep this short

*I haven't seen official confirmation of the tag match for the titles, but as was at least planned at one point, it's Regal & Tajiri vs. Hurricane & Rosey vs. La Resistance vs. Heart Throbs vs. Maven & Dean. The tag belts are so dead the champs have become featured more on Heat than Raw. La Resistance are past passe. Heart Throbs are too early and haven't gotten over due to their act being introduced badly and their gimmick already blown. Hurricane & Rosey shouldn't win. So you've either got a title retention, or Maven & Dean. I'm guessing the latter but in the big picture, it doesn't matter at all.

[Carnival 0]

The only mystery is whether Hogan will do the kneedrop for nostalgia on his recently surgically replaced hip.

I'm sure he means legdrop...but is that the reason he hasn't done it yet. The hip? Will he ever be able to do it. If he can't even fall on his ass, how can he bump at all? If that is the case this may be his last match.

[Guest jm29195]

I'm sure he means legdrop...but is that the reason he hasn't done it yet. The hip? Will he ever be able to do it. If he can't even fall on his ass, how can he bump at all? If that is the case this may be his last match.

 

 

Piper's been wrestling since Summer 92 with an artificial hip, not very well mind, but still.......

 

 

 

What about Christian, they've got to have him on the card, he was more over than Batista in the Raw main event, it was nuts!

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Give Christian 5 mins of mic time and let him run wild all over RAW, Smackdown, the entire company. Just let him rip into Batista, Cena, HHH (well, maybe not HHH) and the top guys.

 

Christian should be the wrestler who's at the centre of attention for the RAW side of the draft.

[Taker666 0]

Well, WWE.com confirmed that the Tag Team Termoil is infact gonna happen at Backlash.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Well, WWE.com confirmed that the Tag Team Termoil is infact gonna happen at Backlash.

Hmm...

 

I wonder if WWE will do with this Tag Team Turmoil what they did with the one when the Dudleys were last World (not WWE) tag team champions.

 

Like...Hassan and Daivari lose against Hogan and Michaels...but get themselves put into the Tag Team Turmoil match and win the titles.

 

...for some sick reason, I can see that happening.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Good call, Chris, though I don't see the Turmoil match taking card precedence over Hogan/Michaels.

 

Unless they have Davari/Hassan enter the tag match as the last team, win the titles the put them on the line against Hogan and Michaels and they do a double title switch.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Good call, Chris, though I don't see the Turmoil match taking card precedence over Hogan/Michaels.

 

Unless they have Davari/Hassan enter the tag match as the last team, win the titles the put them on the line against Hogan and Michaels and they do a double title switch.

You never know.

 

The Women's Title match took precedence over Hogan/Rock at Mania X-8.

 

EDIT: Plus, for some reason, I don't see Vince giving Hogan...who is on his last legs...a title in the company again.

 

EDIT 2: POST 10,000! WHOO!

[strummer 0]

HHH/Batista is going to be a screwjob ending, probably Hunter will get himself DQ'd after not being able to put away Batista. With there being a non-finish in the main, I think it's guarenteed Shawn and Hogan are going over Hassan and Davari to give the fans a happy ending in one of the big matches.

[Slickster 0]

Heart Throbs are too early and haven't gotten over due to their act being introduced badly and their gimmick already blown.

"Blew your gimmick, mate!"

[Lord of The Curry 0]

HHH/Batista is going to be a screwjob ending, probably Hunter will get himself DQ'd after not being able to put away Batista. With there being a non-finish in the main, I think it's guarenteed Shawn and Hogan are going over Hassan and Davari to give the fans a happy ending in one of the big matches.

I just got a flashback to HHH/Steiner from the Rumble '03, with HHH trying to get himself dq'd because he couldn't take Steiner down. The crowd's reaction was less the enthused.

[CanadianChick 0]

If Christian doesn't get mic time on this PPV, there is something seriously wrong. I mean, Simon freaking Dean is on the card, but not the guy who faced Batista in the main event last week?

 

I do like Curry's idea of him ripping everyone: face, heel, Smackdown, Raw. There's plenty of ammo.

[natey2k4 0]

Batista vs. HHH

Probably by DQ or something. I really don't care about this match, because I'm just stick of Triple H headlining cards. He's a decent talent, but he either needs to get out of the main event and do something, not main eventish or rehash his gimmick. Batitsa should win, but it'll probably be by DQ to stretch out the feud.

 

Edge vs. Benoit

Benoit won on RAW, so Edge picks up the victory here. I love Benoit, but with the storylines and stuff their pushing, I don't see the face going over, or them shooting down Edge who they've worked on to get the fans to love. Should be a GREAT match..

 

 

HBK & Hogan vs. Hassan & Daivari

I honestly don't see the point to this. We all know Hassan & Daivari are going to the do the job. But I guess a loss against the two 'biggest' stars they have, the 'dream team' won't hurt him as much? I don't know their thinking, Hassan & Daivari should go over, but I expect Hogan to pin Daivari after a Leg Drop.

 

Benjamin vs. Jericho

This should be solid. I predict Benjamin because I just don't see Jericho winning. Jericho WILL be the face in this match, but I really dont see the WWE letting Jericho win after saying he's going to leave.

 

Kane vs. Viscera

This is STUPID! If they let Viscera win, Kane looks TERRIBLE. If they let Kane win, We won't get the funny segments between Big Vis and Trish. Oh well, whatever way, I hope Lita gets a BIG VIS SPLASH! Everyone knows, this match will be Matt Hardy chants, right?

 

Tag Team Turmoil

Simon Dean & Maven or La Rez will take out the Super Heros, before Regal & Tajiri come in and take out both those two teams (Dean/Maven & La Rez). The Heart Throbs will then get their job back, and take the titles.

Prediction: the Heart Throbs

 

Christian d. RAW

Why? Because he's the most entertaining guy, if he doesnt get a match ill be pissed.

[CanadianChick 0]

Batista vs. HHH

Batista. That'd be stupid if he didn't win to be honest.

 

Edge vs. Benoit

Edge. The main reason is because Benoit is the man at selling exhaustion and pain, which is exactly what will happen of course.

 

HBK & Hogan vs. Hassan & Daivari

HBK/Hogan. I don't really see any other way unless Hogan is coming back for more than one more match (dear God, no).

 

Benjamin vs. Jericho

Benjamin. I don't know how nicely the crowd is going to react to Benjamin though.

 

Kane vs. Viscera

Hopefully Viscera and then he destroys Lita too, just for fun. Big Vis deserves some lovin' from Trish...

 

Tag Team Turmoil

Heartthrobs. Why not? The tag division is so dead, the tag champions don't even regularly appear on Raw.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Benjamin has the inate ability to win a crowd over strictly on his in-ring work so even if his entrance gets booed I think he'll do ok during the match. The crowd popped well enough for his balls-out springboard bulldog on Jericho during the Triple Threat a few weeks ago and his counter to the Walls that scored him the pin post-Taboo Tuesday was righteous.

[CanadianChick 0]

I think it really depends on how Jericho works the match though. If he just works and doesn't play to the crowd, yeah Shelton could be fine. But if he really plays up the crowd, I dunno. It'll be interesting. Maybe it'll be similar to how Angle/Cena was at No Mercy '03.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Batista vs. HHH

Batista. And hopefully HHH takes some time off after this to just go away. And very doubtful...but I'm hoping Batista does the Warrior no-sell to the Pedigree.

 

Edge vs. Benoit

I'd say Edge has to win this, since he's got the Number One Contender's contract on the line. It's the only way that I see it could really work...even though I like Benoit better.

 

HBK & Hogan vs. Hassan & Daivari

Mega Maniacs 2.0. Which will lead to...

 

Tag Team Turmoil

As I stated above, my gut feeling is that they'll repeat the spot with how Batista and Flair first won the titles...Regal and Tajiri playing The Dudleys, and Hassan and Daivari playing Flair and Batista

 

Benjamin vs. Jericho

Hmm...it's a toss up. Personally though...I'd enjoy it if they had Benjamin beat Honky Tonk Man's record for the IC title reign. So, just by that, I'll pick Shelton.

 

Kane vs. Viscera

Viscera...just because back in 1995 he gave me an autographed picture of himself back when he was King Mabel.

[SuperJerk 0]

Wow, 6 scheduled matches.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I think it really depends on how Jericho works the match though. If he just works and doesn't play to the crowd, yeah Shelton could be fine. But if he really plays up the crowd, I dunno. It'll be interesting. Maybe it'll be similar to how Angle/Cena was at No Mercy '03.

This match kinda reminds me of Jericho/Rock from No Mercy and Jericho ended up working as a heel and still getting cheered. At least during Angle/Cena there was a fairly clear heel/face division.

 

If they aren't sending either of them to Smackdown then after Backlash would be the time to fire up the Benoit/Benjamin feud.

[iggymcfly 0]

I think it really depends on how Jericho works the match though. If he just works and doesn't play to the crowd, yeah Shelton could be fine. But if he really plays up the crowd, I dunno. It'll be interesting. Maybe it'll be similar to how Angle/Cena was at No Mercy '03.

This match kinda reminds me of Jericho/Rock from No Mercy and Jericho ended up working as a heel and still getting cheered. At least during Angle/Cena there was a fairly clear heel/face division.

 

If they aren't sending either of them to Smackdown then after Backlash would be the time to fire up the Benoit/Benjamin feud.

Actually, Rocky was playing full-on heel the entire match until the finish. That's the part that made it so "shocking" when Jericho used the chair on Rock to turn heel and pick up the win.

[Dark Age 0]

Jericho didn't turn heel, nor did he use the chair on Rocky. The chair was just there, due to Steph.

[Dandy 0]

The Warrior no-sell of the Pedigree wouldn't work as well after Batista sold the move for so long last week. If HHH wouldn't have landed it, then it would have been perfect. I think Batista will kick out at 2 3/4, then no-sell everything HHH throws at him before getting the duke.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

The Warrior no-sell of the Pedigree wouldn't work as well after Batista sold the move for so long last week. If HHH wouldn't have landed it, then it would have been perfect. I think Batista will kick out at 2 3/4, then no-sell everything HHH throws at him before getting the duke.

Maybe, maybe not.

 

Think...now Batista knows what the Pedigree feels like, he knows now, if he can find a way, to soften the blow of the Pedigree.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Jericho didn't turn heel, nor did he use the chair on Rocky. The chair was just there, due to Steph.

Didn't he do the stroke (or whatever the move is called in WWE) onto the chair before pinning the Rock?

[PLAGIARISM! 0]

Christian has to do something, even if it's just his announcement that he's leaving raw.

[Gary Floyd 0]

-Tag Team Turmoil-The Heartbreakers are going to win. The tag-title division is pretty much DOA at this point, and come on, like they'll put the titles on anyone else at this point.

 

-Kane vs. Big Vis-Most likely Viscera, but either way, I don't care, as long as the crowd tears Lita a new one tonight, then I'll be happy.

 

-Benjamin vs. Jericho-Benjamin, especially since it's been reported (or rumored) that Chris isn't very happy in the WWE right now (can't say I blame him)

 

-Benot vs. Edge-Edge will win, though it will be a great match. Besides, they need to keep Edge's momentum right now.

 

-The Dream Team vs. Hassan & Divari-The Dream Team, though I wouldn't be suprised if Hassan & Divarri won.

 

-Batista vs. HHH-Hopefully Batista, since it wouldn't make any sense to give the belt or the win to HHH right now.

[Guest Rrrsh]

Batista keeps his belt, but I think HHH might win via DQ or something.

 

I say Benoit wins, due to WWE viewing this Money in teh Bank as a good reaosn for Edge to put everyone over. Plus, WWE likes making Edge lose.

 

Davari does the job to Hogan with Hassen leaving the ring and vowing to get them back. I think Hassen will eventually beat HBK in a blowoff, but not here.

 

Benjerman wins in a really fun match.

 

Kane wins because its VISERSA FOR FUCKS SAKE.

 

I also think a "other team" enters and wins. If someone booked wins, it will be The Heartthrobs.

[JoeDirt 0]

There's a Free For All you can watch at www.wwe.com if you want to see all the video packages that will air tonight.