In so many ways, I do not like this Pay Per View. My feelings on themed Pay Per Views are no secret, and putting one on just 2 weeks after another show just seems like a recipe for failure to me. With that said, even with a limited card, this show has great potential. I've been impressed with how a card was able to come together in just 2 weeks, and there are certainly great things to look forward to tomorrow.
As for today, it's time to make my picks. However, I will not be doing so alone today. A man known only as SM Punk is by my side, and he has proclaimed himself to be wrestling's version of Nostradamus.................Ok, I may have exaggerated a little bit, but he says he knows his stuff. Let's see if the Mouth can out-pick the Punk.
United States Championship - Daniel Bryan(c) vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison in a Submissions Count Anywhere Match
MotSS - I got Daniel Bryan in this one. I can't see the WWE derailing the kid's push so soon. He just won the belt 2 weeks ago and I believe that putting Morrison in the match is just a way to have Bryan win while not making the Miz look any weaker. Miz and Morrison will debut some new submissions, but the master will ultimately win out.
SM - I disagree Mouth. I see John Morrison pulling this one out. He has been getting a push lately and I think adding a submission to his repertoire will only make him more appealing. Plus, I think it's obvious that Bryan is the favorite in this match, which is why I think you'll get the swerve going the other way. It won't be Miz since I think bigger things are in store for him, but Morrison could certainly carry the belt well.
Unified Divas Championship - Michelle McCool(c) vs. Natalya
MotSS - This one is easy. Laycool is still the hottest thing in women's wrestling (yea, nothing has changed since I wrote this 2 weeks ago) and Natalya literally hasn't had a singles match in about 2 years. Having her win would be absolutely ridiculous. I know a lot of internet fans love Natalya, and we all know she was trained well, but look at this from a kayfabe and a real perspective. Anyone who doesn't work for a while is going to be rusty, and Michelle is someone who can exploit that ring rust. Plus, she has backup just in case. Laycool, by way of Ms. McCool retain here.
SM - Laycool will retain here. They were the ones to unify the belts for a reason. I do think that it won't be without controversy though. Melina is still unhappy with the team and I believe she gets involved, only to be neutralized by Layla. After the mayhem, McCool will still get the pin, leading to a Bragging Rights tag team match between Raw's Melina and Natalya against Smackdown's Laycool.
John Cena vs. Wade Barrett (If Cena wins, Nexus disbands. If Barrett wins, Cena joins Nexus)
MotSS - Obviously this is a tough one. Heck, I presented this as the poll question this month and I still struggle to figure out which way the WWE will ultimately go with this one. However, with sinking ratings, I'm going out on a limb with this. I'm picking Barrett. I'm not sure how it will happen, but I think there's more that can happen with a Barrett victory that with a Cena victory. Ultimately, I think the WWE may actually be coming around on John Cena the heel, and while I will hold off on my full prediction on how that will happen, I think Cena will lose, perhaps with Darren Young's help (who will rejoin Nexus the next night due to his help), and he will begrudgingly be a part of Nexus for at least a few weeks. After that, we will see where the story goes, but I think the best move business-wise is to find a way for Barrett to go over without Cena looking completely weak.
SM - As much as there might be more to offer with a Cena loss, I just can't see it happening here. Barrett isn't at the point yet where he is believable in beating Cena 1 on 1, so I think Cena has to win here. It may mean the end of Nexus, an I'm not sure what that means for all of its members, but it's probably what has to happen. I would think that Nexus would still try and help each other out since they've never been rule followers anyway, but they may ultimately be backed into a corner. If that's the case, some may go to Smackdown, some may get fired (sent back to developmental in reality), and some may be able to expand their characters as singles. We'll see, but I just don't know that I can buy Cena losing in this one.
World Heavyweight Championship in Hell in a Cell - Kane(c) vs. Undertaker
MotSS - Gotta go with the Undertaker here. He has his power back, and if he loses, the feud is over. This is the type of feud that deserves longevity, and especially with Paul Bearer back in the fold, you have to continue this rivalry purely for the potential new information that could be revealed. Taker looks like himself again, and this could be his last great feud of his career. Why cut it short? Put Taker over in a hard fought match and book the rematch for Bragging rights.
SM - I have to agree here. There's no way Taker can lose. Hell in a Cell is his specialty, he has his powers back, and he has his best friend by his side. No way Taker loses and we will get the rematch at Bragging rights. Easy pick.
WWE Championship in Hell in a Cell - Randy Orton(c) vs. Sheamus
MotSS - Easiest pick of the night. Orton just won the belt and he's the most over superstar in the company. They gave him the belt for a reason and it's not to lose to Sheamus. Orton wins here. It gets dicey afterwords because this may very well be a brutal affair, leading to Miz cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase. I'm going to go with that happening, giving Orton a short feud before he gets the belt back for a run to Wrestlemania.
SM - Can't disagree here. My colleague and I see that demonic structure and figure it's the perfect opportunity for Miz to cash in. He will do so on Orton, who will retain. This gives Orton a new feud, while Sheamus will probably get a returning Triple H sometime in the not too distant future. It all seems to play out perfectly.
There you have it. Will I outshine SM Punk? Or will the newcomer take me down? Find out tomorrow at 8. It should be a pretty exciting show.
PS: Expect another match or 2 to happen as well. Most likely possibilities are Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio and a Unified Tag Title match which could feature any number of teams matching up with Dashing Dreams (yep, that's the name I'm going with for the Rhodes/McIntyre team, and it makes A LOT of sense!)
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