WWE Judgment Day 2009 Preview
WWE Returns For Its Next Pay-Per-View Event
Last year's WWE Judgment Day produced a thrilling encounter between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels, and an exciting Cage Match between Triple H and Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. What will this year's event hold? Read on to find out.
World Heavyweight Championship Match - Edge (champion) vs Jeff Hardy
Edge has always had great in-ring chemistry with each of the Hardy brothers. His previous main event encounter with Jeff at the 2009 Royal Rumble was an intense, fast-paced match, interrupted only by Matt Hardy's brutal betrayal of his brother, which cost Jeff the title.
Expect a similarly full-throttle match-up between the two - the most likely result, however, is a retention of his title by Edge. The SmackDown writers appear to be building a simmering tension between the World Heavyweight Champion and 'Mr. Money In The Bank' CM Punk, so Hardy will probably fall short.
Verdict: Edge wins, through nefarious means.
WWE Championship Match - Randy Orton (champion) vs Batista
Batista's return to the ring following WrestleMania XXV has seen the resurrection of his feud with Orton, that started last year when Orton put him on the shelf for several months. With Orton having regained the WWE Championship from Triple H at Backlash, he now finds himself taking the place he should have earned at WrestleMania, at the top of the pile on Monday Night Raw.
Batista could feasibly take the title from Orton here - however, it would make little sense from a storyline point of view. Orton's 'Legacy' faction have dominated Raw over the past few months, and they will ensure he keeps his belt. However, look for Triple H to potentially return to cost Batista the title, in the same way Batista's recklessness cost Triple H at Backlash.
Verdict: Orton retains his title, thanks to Triple H.
ECW Championship Match - Christian (champion) vs Jack Swagger
Swagger gets his rematch after losing the title to Christian at Backlash. After two weeks of storylines involving Tommy Dreamer on ECW, it can be assumed that he may be involved in the result of this match.
Dreamer's retirement angle would potentially require a heel champion to be involved in Dreamer's last match at the Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View next month - this could be the perfect opportunity to cement Swagger by having him win back his title. However, the fans love Christian, and he is the new face of ECW - it will be interesting to see which way this one goes.
Verdict: Christian retains, but Swagger stays in the title hunt.
Intercontinental Championship Match - Rey Mysterio (champion) vs Chris Jericho
Following Jericho's arrival on SmackDown in the 2009 WWE Draft, he has begun his time on the blue brand by whining and moaning his way into the main event scene, in trademark Jericho style. However, he now finds himself in a matchup against the agile Mysterio, a match which will surely prove a highlight of the night.
Jericho's challenge to Mysterio will most likely fall short - his presence is needed in main event feuds against Edge, CM Punk and Jeff Hardy - but a solid match here will elevate the Intercontinental Championship, and will set Rey up for a new feud against Shelton Benjamin or Dolph Ziggler.
Verdict: Mysterio retains in a top-class match.
John Cena vs Big Show
After Big Show put Cena through a spotlight at Backlash, Cena has been itching for retribution - however, for two weeks now on Raw he has been selling injuries sustained in that match. With Cena not 100% in storyline terms, this match will most likely not set the world alight.
Cena's injury may well be a set up for him to take some more time off to film another movie - with Triple H expected to return to television following Judgment Day, Monday Night Raw will still have at least one of its top two babyfaces left at all times. Expect Cena to lose, and be brutalised in the process, keeping him out for several weeks.
Verdict: Big Show triumphs, destroying Cena and putting him out of action.
'Mr. Money In The Bank' CM Punk vs Umaga
After several unprovoked attacks by the Samoan Bulldozer, making his return to regular television activity, CM Punk issued this challenge for a match at Judgment Day. The Straightedge Superstar has never faced Umaga in a WWE ring before - the match should prove exciting and fresh for SmackDown fans unfamiliar with either one of them.
Umaga has only competed in a handful of SmackDown matches since being drafted there last year, and this will be an opportunity for him to insert himself into the upper midcard. However, the 'X-Factor' in this match is that Judgment Day is held in Punk's hometown of Chicago - could we see Punk defeat Umaga and cash in his 'Money In The Bank' briefcase?
Verdict: CM Punk triumphs.
John Morrison vs Shelton Benjamin
A prime example of the midcard strength that SmackDown now possesses, this match is a rematch from the two's encounter three Fridays ago. Two athletic superstars looking for a move up the card should produce a thrilling encounter - with Benjamin likely to have old pal Charlie Haas in his corner, the odds will be stacked against Morrison.
However, Morrison's recent push as a babyface has proven effective so far, and with SmackDown in need of a stronger babyface roster, it is important that he is given sufficient time to shine. Look for him to triumph here, in a possible 'Match of the Night' contender.
Verdict: Morrison wins, but hopefully this won't be the last time we see these two face off.
For a look at WWE's last Pay-Per-View, Backlash, click here.
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