Hello and welcome to the 8,497th WWE Backlash predictions column that you will probably read today! In the spirit of attempting to do something different, I will not only give you a full preview column, but I will also be adding a feature that tells you where each wrestler was at this time last year! Often, itâ<80><99>s very interesting to see how far one person has fallen or risen in one year. So sit back, grab a cold one, and enjoy this exclusive preview column for the first multi-brand Backlash since 2003!
Melina vs. Mickie James for the Womenâ<80><99>s Championship:
Not really much to say about this one, other than the fact we are getting a rematch between these two on PPV. What I donâ<80><99>t understand, is that we are always hearing these negative reports about Melinaâ<80><99>s attitude backstage, yet she always manages to hang on to that title. I see that happening here tonight as well, as I think they will wait to give Mickie back the title at a later date.
This time last year:
This yearâ<80><99>s Backlash is the second Backlash in a row where Mickie James is in a Womenâ<80><99>s Title match, as last year she defended her newly won Womenâ<80><99>s Title against Trish Stratus, where she lost via DQ. Melina was still on SmackDown at this time, part of the MNM stable with Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury.
Chris Benoit vs. MVP for the United States Championship:
Iâ<80><99>m very happy that we are getting a rematch between these two from WrestleMania, because their match that night was easily the sleeper of the card, and also was not a blatant carry job by Chris Benoit as many said it would be. MVP worked his ass off in that match, as he has in subsequent matches. Iâ<80><99>m excited for this rematch, and I think this one will just as good as the WM one, and the win will most likely go to MVP.
This time last year:
Chris Benoit is pretty much in the same position this year, as he had just lost the US Title to JBL around this time last year. But in a just a few short weeks, he would deliver a fantastic match with Finlay at Judgment Day. MVP had yet to be seen on WWE television at this point, as it would be a few months until we started seeing him â<80><9c>negotiatingâ<80> with Teddy Long for a contract.
The Hardys vs. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Team Championship:
Itâ<80><99>s good to see the good ole rednecks back in the tag title scene. The Hardys reunion really seemed to be a spur of the moment situation, so it will be interesting to see if WWE is really keen on pushing them as the tag champs. For that reason, Iâ<80><99>m really split on who will be winning this match, but Iâ<80><99>m leaning more toward the Hardys just because their win will keep the crowd going, and give more time for the rednecks to build themselves up before the titles are given to them. This will be a good to great match, as the workers involved have proven they can do great things. I think people will judge this based on the spots worked in, but overall, it shouldnâ<80><99>t be anything bad.
This time last year:
Matt Hardy was on SmackDown and wasnâ<80><99>t yet jumping between brands aimlessly as he is now (and according to WWE.com, he is still a SmackDown guy even though he holds a Raw title). Instead he was just a mid-card jobber, so all things considered, he seems much better off this year. Jeff Hardy was coming to the end of his TNA tenure, as he consistently no-showed their shows. Meanwhile, Iâ<80><99>m not even going to find out what Cade and Murdoch were doing last year since they were in low-card hell and nowhere to be seen. I will say that this is the first PPV they have been on since Taboo Tuesday 2005 where these lost their tag titles to Big Show and Kane. That seems like years ago. Wow.
Undertaker vs. Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing Match:
I have to be honest, I am dreading this match. While their match at WrestleMania exceeded everyoneâ<80><99>s expectations, Iâ<80><99>m thinking that they wonâ<80><99>t be able to do that again. A lot of what made their first match so good was the fact that it had the WresteMania aura, as well as Takerâ<80><99>s streak on the line. This time, itâ<80><99>s just another match with WWE adding a gimmick to make it passable. Will it be terrible? No, Takerâ<80><99>s in there so it wonâ<80><99>t be that bad. After all, this is the man who got a decent LMS match out of Khali (no small feat). Hopefully Batista will have his working shoes on, and we will get something decent. My pick goes to Undertaker, as it would be a huge injustice to have him lose the title in less than 4 weeks.
This time last year:
Undertaker was involved in a horrid feud with Khali, where he would be â<80><9c>taken outâ<80> in a few short weeks at Judgment Day. Batista was still injured, and would be returning in a few months to feud with King Booker.
Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and Umaga in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match for the ECW Championship:
This is ridiculous. Not only is it extremely predictable in Lashley winning, but the ECW title is being defended against not one, not two, but THREE guys who have NOTHING to do with ECW. Meanwhile, Lashley is essentially a Raw star at this point, so this does not have an ECW feel. Is it supposed to be feel ECW? No, but whatâ<80><99>s the point in tarnishing the ECW title any further it has by this point. Itâ<80><99>s just being used as a prop to get Lashley over while the McMahons fight him in a desperate move make the fans care about him. Lashley will win, but not until after he gets his ass kicked for the majority of the match and mounts a miraculous comeback. Yay.
This time last year:
The McMahons were once again involved in a handicap more or less last year against Shawn Michaels and â<80><9c>God.â<80> Amazing. Umaga had his PPV debut against Ric Flair, where he destroyed the 16-time champion. Lashley was still on SmackDown, involved in the King of the Ring tournament, where he lost the honor to Booker T in a few weeks at Judgment Day.
John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels in a Fatal Four Match for the WWE Championship
I donâ<80><99>t really know what to say about this. The build-up has been, weird, to say the least. It makes sense that they are using this match to forward the feud between Orton and Edge, and the feud between Cena and HBK. It still seems a bit forced, but in the end this is a Fatal Four Way, and it should be exciting. As far as the winner goes, it will either be HBK or Cena. Thereâ<80><99>s no way Orton will win, due to the heat he has. Edge wonâ<80><99>t be champion since that would most likely restart his feud with Cena, which is one Iâ<80><99>m sure WWE doesnâ<80><99>t want to right now. HBK has a chance, and I think this is the opportune time, but Cena seems to always retain. My final pick goes to Cena, but HBK definitely has a chance.
This time last year:
This is the second year in a row that the title will be defended in a multi-man situation. Edge and John Cena were both in the main event last year, involved in a triple threat with Triple H where Cena retained. Orton was serving his suspension time, and it seems heâ<80><99>s not too far from that again. HBK was paired with God to take on the McMahons. I guess everyone involved in this match is better off or the same since last year, and thatâ<80><99>s a good thing.
Overall:
I think this will be a decent event. Nothing special or memorable will happen, but it has the potential to come through and make people get their moneyâ<80><99>s worth. Will I order it? Probably not, and since I wonâ<80><99>t, I will be following the event through TheWrestlingVoice.comâ<80><99>s Live Coverage:
TheWrestlingVoice.com has free live coverage of Backlash 2007 for those not watching the event live. It is the most in-depth live coverage of WWE PPVs on-line as well as the fastest (on average by fifteen minutes) and most interactive. It is also pop-up free for easier surfing and experience. You can find all information at http://thewrestlingvoice.com/live/ The live coverage will start promptly at 7:45 PM EST on Sunday evening.
Any feedback? Just reach me by:
Email: timothywronka@yahoo.com
AIM: TimW14
Look out for a new column in the coming weeks!
Until next time this has been From the Eye of the Dragonâ<80>¦
