I was shamed last WWE Pay Per View. I lost by one pick to SM Punk and I have had it on my mind ever since. Now comes the time for redemption, but this card is one of the hardest we've ever had to call. Without messing around, let's get right to the picks:
United States Title: Daniel Bryan(c) vs. Ted Dibiase
SM - I'm going with Dibiase here. He has someone on his side, and that always helps in high profile matches. Heck, it helped as he defeated Goldust in his last PPV appearance. Bryan's title reign has been lackluster since the feud with Miz ended, and it may just be time for a change.
MotSS - I couldn't DISAGREE more. Ted Dibiase has been utter garbage, such wasted potential, since his partner was shipped to Smackdown. On top of that, this match has NO build and just came about this week. If you are going to take the title off of a guy, at least make it someone worthy and someone that has been built up. Somehow, beating Goldust (if you can call it that), doesn't qualify in my eyes. Ted goes down here, and Maryse may even turn on Ted to have eyes for "the ladies man" Daniel Bryan. I still hold out that it will be a Nexus member that takes the title off of Bryan.
Sheamus vs. John Morrison
SM - Gotta go with the Irishman, fella. Morrison will do well, but Sheamus will be too much for him. It's just not time yet for Morrison to get that big victory.
MotSS - This time I agree. Morrison will come close and Sheamus will make him look like a legitimate competitor, but the redhead is coming out on top. I get a feeling that Morrison is priming for a big victory soon though, and after that, it may be time for Money in the Bank for the Shaman of Sexy..........
Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. Kaval
SM - I'm going Kaval here. Ziggler has been an ok champion, but his time has been overshadowed by his girlfriend and her NXT pro. They can continue that storyline without the title, and Kaval brings a fresh face to the belt. He can feud with all the young heels he desires, and it opens up a lot of possibilities.
MotSS - I'm going to agree. Ziggler has run out of options for feuds, but Kaval could have many. I know I argued before that a short build shouldn't lead to a title change, but actually, this build is longer than you think. Kaval won a title shot from his NXT win, so it was only a matter of time before he chose which title to go for. It is the prestigious Intercontinental title, and I'm not sure you have the first guy to truly cash in his NXT prize go down. Thus, Kaval will be your next IC champion.
WWE Tag Team Titles: Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater(c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Koslov
MotSS - It's gong to be Nexus here. Anything else would be just wrong. Nexus may levae this Pay Per View with two titles, but they sure as heck aren't dropping this one. They just won it, they have strength in numbers, the team they are facing isn't great, and Nexus is the hottest thing in wrestling. If that isn't a formula for a win, I don't know what is. At least we'll get to see Justin Gabriel in a Pay Per View match. That's always a good thing.
SM - Yea, can't go against you here. Nexus is too strong and too big as a group to lose to this comedy team. As much as I'd love to see it, Nexus will retain here.
Survivor Series Match: Rey Mysterio, Big Show, MVP, Kofi Kingston, and Chris Masters vs. Alberto Del Rio, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Tyler Reks, and Jack Swagger
SM - Gotta keep the fans happy. I'm going with Team Mysterio here. Rey and Big Show stand tall (so to speak) at the end of the match, eliminating Alberto Del Rio last. Rey finally gets his revenge on the Mexican royal pain the butt.
MotSS - I'm going the other way on this one. The build has shown the faces on top too much for me to pick them to win again at the Pay Per View. I'm tempted to side with you given Rey Mysterio's presence, but I think the WWE is pretty set on pushing ADR, so I think he elminates Rey last to win the match. He survives with Cody Rhodes and the heels are victorious. Rey will get the last laugh at TLC, but the bad guys gets the win here.
Unified Divas Title Handicap Match: Michelle McCool and Layla(c) vs. Natalya
MotSS - Gotta still be Laycool here. Now that have a LEGAL advantage in a match they've won with cheating tactics twice. How can they lose? Plus, I still think the money is in a feud with Beth Phoenix when she comes back, which should be any day now.......
SM - I'm picking against you buddy. Natalya can't lose 3 times in a row. How much sense would that make? She has to finally go over and I think she does with the help of all the face divas which will cause a distraction. Natalya becomes the new champ finally.
World Heavyweight Title: Kane(c) vs. Edge
MotSS - Thinking in advance here, you have to realize that the next PPV is TLC. Edge is an expert in that realm. You have to figure he'll be in the title match, but how? Will he win the belt already? I'm going to say yes, and that Kane's rematch comes at TLC where Edge proves his dominance. I know it sounds crazy since Kane beat Undertaker 3 times prior to this match, but keep in mind Undertaker was weak for two of them and the third he was beat up by Nexus. Don't use simple logic as a dictator of thought, using actual logic. Edge wins the title here, his first time as a babyface!
SM - I too think we will see Kane vs. Edge at TLC, but Kane will still hold the title. Paul Bearer will probably be mad at Edge (wouldn't you if he abducted you?) and will play a major role in this match. I actually think Edge will get the win...........by disqualification. Bearer gets Kane disqualified, giving Edge the win and an excuse for another match at TLC.
WWE Title Match: Randy Orton(c) vs. Wade Barrett with Special guest referee John Cena
*If Barrett wins, Cena is free from Nexus, but if Orton wins, Cena is fired
SM - This one is hard. It literally can go so many ways. I think though that Barrett comes out on top. I can't see Cena getting fired (or taking time off for that matter), so ultimately Barrett needs to win. What I can't figure out is HOW he'll win. With Nexus banned from ringside, I'm thinking Skip Sheffield might come back to help, earning his way back into the group in the process, but I think it's unlikely that interference happens with a wrestler as ref. I think Cena will help Barrett win but explain himself as saying that his job was the most important thing.
MotSS - If that happens, the fans reaction could dictate Cena's character for the next few months. If the fans despise him for it, it could facilitate a heel turn as he could essentially turn on the fans for not understanding. This might be the best course of action, so I'm going to go to with Barrett as well. There's a lot more than can happen with a Barrett win. Obviously a rematch with Orton and then possibly Triple H once he is back and done with Sheamus. Perhaps he'll even take on the Undertaker at Wrestlemania? It could happen, but things need to get in motion, and that will happen with a changing of the guard this Sunday. I'm prepared for it and I believe this will be the likely course of action.
To be honest, the main event is the main draw of this show, but it's a good one. So much could happen and it's very much a must-see ending. The rest of the show will be defined by the quality of the matches. I expect Kaval/Ziggler to be a solid contest, and I'm hoping Daniel Bryan can get a solid match out of Ted Dibiase. Watch out for Sheamus/Morrison as well, as I think Morrison is the type of guy who could do something unique and crazy at any given time. Check back Monday for my thoughts on the booking, and hopefully I'l be back with my chest out and head high, as I do not intend on being out-picked again!
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