The WWE should seriously think about cutting a Pay Per View or two as there are way too many this time of year and they are all bunched together just three weeks apart. It is hard to build up the feuds and storylines in only three weeks. Having said that, there are some intriguing match-ups signed for this Sunday's Judgment Day at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Here is a preview.
John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin
These are two of the most talented athletes in the WWE and it is nice to see them on the Pay Per View card. This should be a very good match featuring great athleticism from both combatants. They had a good match on Smackdown a couple weeks back and this one should be no different. The WWE appears to have big plans for Morrison who looks to have turned face while Benjamin has been languishing in the mid-card for years and doesn't appear likely to leave it any time soon. Gotta like Morrison's chances here.
Prediction: John Morrison
C.M. Punk vs. Umaga
Umaga has attacked C.M. Punk several times over the past few weeks and prevented him from cashing in his "Money in the Bank" title match. Punk will get his shot at retribution here. The match might be a little awkward due to the contrasting styles and the fact that Umaga has been out for so long. In the end, expect Punk to get his revenge with a fluke win, perhaps a role up or something like that so they can keep Umaga strong. This might only be the start of Punk's night but more on that later.
Prediction: C.M. Punk
John Cena vs. Big Show
These two have worked together quite a bit over the years and though neither has a reputation for being a great wrestler, they have had some entertaining matches. Should be a decent match with Show controlling most of the way and Cena selling his injuries. Cena basically guaranteed victory saying "I will win," and when guys do that they usually come out on top. Expect Cena to show off his great strength hitting the Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere to pick up the win. There is talk that Cena may take some time off soon to film a movie so this could lead to a rematch at the Extreme Rules PPV in June where Show will have the platform to get his revenge and take Cena out.
Prediction: John Cena
Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho (Intercontinental Title Match)
This is a strong contender for "Match of the Night." These are two of the most exciting high flyers in the WWE and this should be a very entertaining match. These two had some great matches in the old WCW but they haven't worked together much in the WWE so this is a fresh match-up. Mysterio cost Jericho a shot at the world title and attacked him twice, meanwhile Jericho hasn't laid a finger on Mysterio yet. That means that chances are good that he will get his revenge on Sunday and take the title. Jericho is above the IC title but it will likely be a short reign with Mysterio regaining it eventually, allowing Jericho to move on to bigger and better things.
Prediction: Chris Jericho
Christian vs. Jack Swagger (ECW Title Match)
This is a rematch from Backlash. Christian cheated/outsmarted Swagger to win the title then in a decent match. Christian has long been an underrated wrestler and Swagger has shown some promise early in his career so expect this to be an entertaining contest. The world titles have been changing hands way too much of late and they need to bring some stability back to the world title picture. That being said, expect Christian to retain, perhaps with the help of Tommy Dreamer, who was screwed out of his title opportunity by Swagger a couple weeks ago in Madison Square Garden.
Prediction: Christian
Batista vs. Randy Orton (WWE Title Match)
This match has been several months in the making. Ever since Orton put Batista out of action with a devestating punt to the head, Batista has been looking forward to his chance at revenge. He got some retribution last week on Raw when he attacked Legacy including a vicious beatdown of Orton. Now he will look to get the ultimate retribution by taking the title from Orton. That is unlikely to happen, though. As mentioned earlier, they need to bring stability back to the world titles so that it means something and feels more special when a title does change hands. Orton is just the man to do that. He has done some great work of late and has the aura of a huge star. If they want to establish Legacy as a dominant force, they need Dibiase and Rhodes to do what the Horsemen did for Flair and Evolution did for HHH, do whatever it takes to make sure their leader remains the champion. That said, expect Batista to dominate the match until Dibiase and Rhodes interfere allowing Orton to retain.
Prediction: Randy Orton
Jeff Hardy vs. Edge (World Title Match)
These have been two of the hottest wrestlers in the WWE the last few years. However, the WWE clearly has more confidence in Edge than Hardy as Edge has been a nine time world champion with Hardy only having one world title reign. Hardy's average mic skills and out of the ring issues may have something to do with that. These two have very good chemistry and have worked together a lot dating back to their tag team days. This figures to be a hotly contested, grueling match. In the end, though, expect Edge to pull it out.
Prediction: Edge
As mentioned earlier, this should be a grueling match that will leave Edge ripe for the pickings. They have teased C.M. Punk cashing in his "Money in the Bank" title match for weeks and it is likely to culminate with him finally cashing in at Judgment Day in his hometown of Chicago and becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion.
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