Shannon: Backlash Preview
Our resident ring-wise philosopher weighs in with his preview and predictions for Backlash.
I haven’t done all that well with my predictions, as of late. I used to be able to mind-read the writers and nail the match results with about a 90% accuracy rating. I only got Wrestlemania about half-right. When it came to TNA’s Lockdown, I was embarrassed at how bad I missed the mark. Being a glutton for punishment, I decided to put new batteries in my crystal ball, brew a fresh pot of really hot tea to get decent tea leaves, and break out the star charts to see if I can do a little better with picking the winners for Backlash.
Big Show v The Great Khali
This match should have been booked for Wrestlemania. Sadly, Khali was thrown into the ECW Battle Royal, while Big Show had to job to an over-paid, under-talented boxer. There’s no sense crying over spilt milk, so I do look forward to this match.
Big Show is due a reward for doing the job to Mayweather at Wrestlemania. A dominant thrashing of the Indian Giant would be a good first start. That win could launch Show to a main event battle against the WWE champ, whoever that ends up being. The Great Khali might challenge for the ECW strap, but he’s just not being pushed to the level of World or WWE title matches.
Another reason for my choice in this match has to do with marketing. Khali is minimally marketable, these days. There just isn’t a long line at the concession stands to get those Khali T-shirts. Big Show, on the other hand, has always brought decent revenue to the vendors. For multiple reasons, I can only see two options for this match. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the writers cheat the fans with a count-out or double DQ ending. If there is going to be an actual winner, then I go with the man being pushed.
Predicted Winner: The Big Show
Predicted Grade: B-
Matt Hardy v MVP
U.S. Title Match
MVP has held the US strap since he took it from Chris Benoit, last year. The WWE has kept the strap on MVP for so long, in my opinion, to give time for fans to forget who MVP beat for it. That may sound odd, but the writers often like to submerge history. There are dozens of examples that I could quote, but this is about the US title match.
Matt Hardy has been given his brother’s push. Jeff flaked, again, and Matt has had to try and pick up the pieces. Matt has done a great job of re-establishing the name of Hardy as one of honor and hard work. With the soon-to-be-released Hardy Boyz DVD on the horizon, Matt needs to be spotlighted, even more. The US title would be a great way to showcase him. Matt could face several great stars to further his push.
MVP has basically battled everyone in sight. He’s running out of competition on Smackdown. If MVP were to drop the US title, he could jump to Raw (possibly as part of this year’s draft). MVP could challenge Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental title. He could also eventually challenge for the WWE title. It would be best for MVP to drop the title.
Predicted Winner: Matt Hardy
Predicted Grade: A
Kane v Chavo Guerrero
ECW Championship Match
On Tuesday’s ECW, La Familia attacked Kane during an episode of The Cutting Edge. Chavo blasted Kane’s knee, over and over, with a steel chair. Kane is going into the match at a disadvantage. Chavo also has Bam Neely as his bodyguard. There is just no way that Kane should be able to keep his title. That being said, Kane will survive a brutal attack on his knee to beat Chavo.
I expect a massive swerve on this one. After being almost destroyed by Chavo, Kane goes to leave with his ECW title. C.M. Punk chooses to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot and challenges Kane. Punk goes after Kane’s knee with a flurry of kicks. Punk picks Kane up and nails the G-T-S to regain his title. This could also turn Punk into a heel.
Expected Winner: C.M. Punk
Expected Grade: B
Mickie James, Maria, Cherry, Michelle McCool, Ashley & Kelly Kelly v Beth Phoenix, Natalia (Nattie Neidhart), Melina, Victoria, Jillian Hall & Layla
12-Diva Tag Match
I can only hope this match ends quickly. I’ll admit that the Diva group is starting to get better, as far as wrestling ability. Mickie, Beth, Nattie, and Victoria are actually decent grapplers. Melina, Kelly and Maria can hold their own in a good fight. As for the others, well they needed filler for this one.
To be absolutely honest, I really could care less who wins this Bathroom Break match. Mickie is in the middle of a solid push, so it would make sense for her to take the win with her Implant DDT. The thing that makes this one a little difficult to call is that there are low-talents on both sides. Beth or Victoria could take out Cherry, Kelly or Ashley with little effort. Mickie could drop Jillian or Layla without breaking a sweat.
Predited Winners: Mickie, Maria, Ashley, Cherry, Michelle & Kelly
Predicted Grade: C-
Batista v Shawn Michaels
Special ref: Chris Jericho
Jericho is going to be the deciding factor in this match. Y2J is heading at warp speed towards a heel turn. Batista is also on the verge of swapping his white hat for a black one. Batista has a great deal of anger about the whole Ric Flair situation. That might make him careless in the ring. He might be so tempted to hurt Shawn that the Heartbreak Kid will be able to slip in Sweet Chin Music and take the win.
Shawn is the face. He did what was asked of him at Wrestlemania. Shawn should be the White Knight who rides in and vanquishes the evil threat. It all comes back to Jericho. I anticipate a Jericho v Shawn battle for the I-C title in the next few months. If the writers want to set up a good feud between Jericho and Shawn, then Jericho needs to screw over Shawn in this match.
Predicted Winner: Batista (due to Jericho’s help)
Predicted Grade: A-
Randy Orton v JBL v Triple H v John Cena
Fatal Four-Way WWE Championship Match
I’ve predicted, over and over, that Randy Orton will drop the belt. I’ve been wrong, so many times. This time, I’m going with the champ. Orton is going to sit back and watch as the others eliminate each other. Orton will then strike like a cobra and take out the last challenger and retain. I expect JBL to do well in this match. I could actually see the match coming down to JBL and Orton.
If Orton is going to lose the strap, he’ll be the first man eliminated. JR and Lawler could keep pushing the fact that there will be a new champion. If that were to happen, then JBL would surprise the world and take the belt. I just don’t see that angle being worked. For some odd reason, the writers want to keep the belt on Orton. He’s a decent heel but he’s running out of contenders. If Orton survives this match, he would likely face Big Show, next. Show would be the best person to take the strap off Orton.
Predicted Winner: Randy Orton
Predicted Grade: A-
Undertaker v Edge
World Heavyweight Title Match
This match is almost a given. All the rumors have this as Undertaker’s Last Ride. He’s likely got a job for life behind the scenes with the WWE. I expect him to hold the belt straight through to Wrestlemania XXV.
This battle is going to be chaotic and brutal. I expect La Familia to be massively involved in this battle. Undertaker is going to have to over-come the Edgeheads, Bam Neely, and possibly Chavo. Somehow, Undertaker will be able to vanquish the entire group to retain. Undertaker is possibly going to end up a bloody mess, but he’s still going to keep the gold.
Predicted Winner: Undertaker
Predicted Grade: A
Final Grade: B
Final Thoughts: I think Backlash will have its moments. I think the best match of the night is going to be MVP v Matt Hardy. I really hope that I’m right on the ECW situation. That’s how I would book it. I have always loved swerves. It’s so time for Orton to drop the belt, but the Age of Orton has just started. It would be counter-productive to have him end up without the gold. I’m hoping that Undertaker gets the chance to really shine in his match. This should actually be as good, if not better, than Wrestlemania. I hope you all enjoy the show.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(4/24/08)
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