The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
Backlash: Preview & Predictions!
The Kingfish Arnie Katz gets you ready for WWE’s April pay per view with a full preview and his predictions!
Backlash is often seen as a transitional payer view. It launches from the events at WrestleMania and it begins the road to SummerSlam This time might be a little different, though. There’s an unusual amount of spill-over from WM, which means we could see some climactic scenes as well as the blossoming of recently begun plotlines.
Big Show vs. Great Khali
The Story: Coming off his ignominious defeat by a man one-third his size at WrestleMania<, what could be more natural than to pair up Big Show with the largest man in WWE? This is an archetypal Battle of the Giants in the manner of Hulk Hogan versus John Studd.
My Prediction: Big Show has eased back into the babyface role, which suits him much better, as a result of his feud with the thoroughly dislikable Great Khali. The logical thing to do is have Khali win and Big Show challenge him to a Punjabi Prison Match at the next pay per view, so Great Khali will beat Big Show, but in a way that leaves Show spoiling for a rematch, even if it is according to Khali’s rules.
Predicted Grade: C+
Matt Hardy vs. MVP
United States Championship Match
The Story: The war between Matt Hardy and MVP has gone on even longer than Porter’s championship run. It has survived Matt being out with an injury for an extended period. Even when they teamed, successfully, they remained at odds. Now MVP has the belt and Matt wants to ride the crest of his popularity to greater heights – and the first step is to take the US title from his hated antagonist.
My Prediction: There’s really no reason to have this match if Matt Hardy isn’t going to capture the title. MVP wouldn’t get much of a boost from a successful defense and Hardy would take a significant hit by losing. On the other hand, if Matt wins, there’s at least a short program in which MVP tries to regain the belt. If I were booking this, I would have Hardy win and, after the re-match, reassign MVP to RAW to open up new storylines for him.
Predicted Grade: B
Chavo Guerrero vs. Kane
ECW Championship
The Story: Ever since Kane captured the ECW title from Kane, he has been the target of Chavo and his familia. Now Chavo, bolstered by his new bodyguard Bam Neeley, is ready to challenge the Big Red Machine.
My Prediction: Kane is going to win, but most of the action will take place after the match when half the world storms the ring and administers a group beatdown.
Predicted Grade: C+ (but B- counting the post-match)
Mickie James, Maria, Cherry, Michelle McCool, Ashley & Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix, Natalia (Nattie Neidhart), Melina, Victoria, Jillian Hall & Layla
Twelve-Diva Tag Mess
The Story: The Nice Girls came to the ring to celebrate Mickie James’ title-winning victory over Beth Phoenix. The mean girls came out and the two groups made faces at each other. Now they’re going to all slide to the ring on Jerry Lawler’s drool to settle the issue between them.
Prediction: I’m sure everyone would much rather see this cluster schmazz than a title match between Mickie James and Beth Phoenix. This is the ultimate meaningless match. It doesn’t matter who wins as long as they get to tease James-Phoenix a little and the fans get to see a lot of scantily clad , well-toned women with prodigious silicone breasts. I’d book this as Beth Phoenix, with a little outside help, pins Mickie James, but I have a hunch WWE’s bookers will give the Nice Girls the decision.
Predicted Grade: C+ (each girl will display a couple of moves and a lot of skin)
Batista vs. Shawn Michaels
Special referee: Chris Jericho
The Story: Batista has bad feelings about tHBK’s role in the Ric Flair retirement match. He brushed aside the evidence that Flair wanted to Pass the Torch to Shawn Michaels and that Michaels beat Flair only with the greatest reluctance and wants to dismember Michaels in the ring. Chris Jericho has fanned the flames of discontent so effectively that he got the job of Special Guest Referee.
My Prediction: Chris Jericho is the catalyst and, most likely, the true focus of the match. He has been an equal opportunity offender, getting into scrapes with both men, so anything he does during the match will be a surprise to the fans. Batista is going to win, because he needs the win and Shawn is coming off the biggest win of his career, but I think he’ll get it with the inadvertent help of Chris Jericho. I expect Y2J to call it down the middle until he tries to take out Batista and hits Michaels instead. That will precipitate a feud between Jericho and HBK.
Predicted Grade: A-
WWE Championship Match
Elimination Match
The Story: Randy Orton has what the others want, that championship gold around is waist. Each of the three challengers feels they are going to win, but it’s going to be a rocky road to the title for anyone who survives this meat grinder.
My Prediction: John Cena and then JBL will fall, which leaves Randy Orton in the ring with The Games. Triple H will take the title.
Predicted Grade: A-
Undertaker v Edge
World Heavyweight Title Match
The Story: Edge lost the title to Taker, but he is far from a beaten man. With Vickie Guerrero in his corner along with Hawkins and Ryder, numbers alone guarantee that the Ultimate Opportunist has a great chance to re-take the title.
My Prediction: This match could easily be overbooked with a lot of interference from the familia. In the end, though, Edge will Rest in Peace, at least for purposes of this match.
Predicted Grade: B+
Predicted Grade for Backlash: B
That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another installment of the Internets fast-rising daily wrestling column.
– Arnie Katz
Crossfire4@xox.net
(4/25/08)
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