Hello and welcome to the 51st installment of the CBlog. It’s hard to believe I just posted my last blog earlier this month. It seems like an eternity since my last CBlog. In this edition, I will be providing my thoughts on last Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, as well as give my predictions for the rapidly approaching WWE TLC event. I will also be discussing Rey Mysterio and his need for another knee surgery, as well as Big Show’s knee injury. The rumored WWE Network is another topic I will discuss, as well as the 2009 Slammy Awards (who should be Superstar of the Year, Diva of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year, etc.) and, as usual, expect some other opinions to be tossed around as well.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Mine was littered with some sick family members, but it was good nonetheless. I am fortunate enough to have a pretty good immune system. It will hit me soon, I am sure.
Before I get into the blog, I just wanted to shamelessly plug a big moment for me as a writer, editor, etc. on W101; and that is my first wrestler interview! Coming soon to Wrestling101.com is my first ever wrestler interview and it is with former WWE & TNA star Nick Cvjetkovich; better known as Kizarny in WWE and as Sinn in TNA. It will definitely be a fascinating read and I encourage all of you to read it once it becomes available, which should be very soon.
The 23rd annual Survivor Series was last Sunday night and, of course, I watched it. I really did enjoy the event and everything seemed to be laid out very well and the matches were all fairly good. I know this lacks any real insight, but if I don’t write about the event less than a day from the event happening, then I lose any real interest in it. We all know how it is when you are dealing with at least four new WWE television shows a week; anything a week old is old news.
Survivor Series was last week and now WWE TLC is just two weeks away. It might not be a bad idea to move Survivor Series to a week earlier or so.
Anyways, on to my WWE TLC predictions. As of this blog, four championship matches have been announced for the event with John Cena defending the WWE Title against Sheamus in a Tables Match, Christian defending the ECW Title against Shelton Benjamin in a Ladder Match, The Undertaker defending the World Heavyweight Title against Batista in, what looks to be, a match with no disqualifications or count-outs, and Jeri-Show defending the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles against DX in a TLC Match.
Like most of you out there, I was a bit surprised that Sheamus was the one “selected” to be the new #1 Contender for the WWE Title. The more I think about it, the more I think it’s possible that Vince McMahon thinks that fans complaining about wanting to see new stars in the title picture led him to this rather abrupt decision.I am not saying that Sheamus is not talented enough to be in the title picture, but I think it needs to be more of a gradual rise in the ranks; like they have been doing with Kofi Kingston as of late. Sheamus went from “retiring” Jamie Noble and picking on Jerry Lawler to challenging for the WWE Title. There was no middle ground there and that may prove to be the mistake here.
When I saw the final lineup for the Breakthrough Battle Royal, I naturally assumed one of three wrestlers would win it. Either Randy Orton would be given another title shot, Kofi Kingston would take his place in the main event scene, or R-Truth would win as the only SmackDown Superstar in the match.
As for a prediction, I see Cena retaining in this one. To me, Sheamus is not at the level to be WWE Champion just yet.
I purposely listed the ECW Title match before the World Heavyweight Title match because I really think that the Ladder Match between Christian & Shelton Benjamin for the ECW Title will steal the show at WWE TLC. I think Christian will retain, but I am hoping and expecting this match to be a great one.
To me, it’s a “do or die” situation as far as ECW’s representation on pay-per-views go. If the Ladder Match does not go well, ECW not being included on pay-per-views (or if they are included, having them be a small part of the show) could be something more permanent.
The ECW roster has the talent to be able to put on good shows every Tuesday night, but I think the veteran shows, RAW & SmackDown, are considered a lot more important than ECW to the point that no one tries too hard to make ECW good. I’m not saying the show sucks, but there is much need for improvement in different areas.
I am a little bit confused about the World Heavyweight Title match, but I do believe I have it figured out. While it is not being billed as a “Chairs Match” (which, let’s face it, would have sucked any way you slice it), I think they are going with an unannounced no disqualification rule for the match or a “chairs-are-legal” stipulation.
It seems like we have seen Batista Vs. Undertaker in every way imaginable, but I think it will feel like a fairly new match now that Batista is a heel.
I have expressed, on numerous occasions, in past blogs about the shape that The Undertaker is in. To me, Undertaker looks to be handling things just fine and he may very well end up with a long title reign after all. I think it is very possible that WWE is successfully making Undertaker look more “capable” in matches, but that’s fine by me.
The TLC Match for the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles between Jeri-Show and DX; most notably Big Show being involved in a match that requires you to climb a ladder to win it. Can you imagine Big Show climbing a ladder? Much less doing spots off one?
Well, I say it won’t happen, plain and simple. With it becoming evident at Survivor Series that Big Show is having knee problems, I think this match will be modified somehow before the event. I could see them taking Triple H out of the match and have Chris Jericho Vs. Shawn Michaels for the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles in a one-on-one match. They could also have Jericho compete against both Triple H & Shawn Michaels in a Handicap Match. The most likely scenario is that they will have someone repeat what they did at Night of Champions and replace the injured champion. As to who it would be is anyone’s guess; especially considering the tag champion could be from any brand. Vance Archer is the first name that pops into my head as a possible replacement.
Given the unknown specifics of Big Show’s knee injury, my prediction is nowhere near “solid”, but I will predict that DX will win the tag titles in this match. The match seemed to be made rather hastily so I think it is being done to get the tag titles off of Jeri-Show.
In a natural transition, I move on to Rey Mysterio needing another knee surgery. My thoughts on this are simple: Rey should seriously consider hanging it up and retiring from wrestling.
A rumor going around that I am personally excited about is that WWE signing a new contract with NBC Universal that would keep RAW on the USA Network through 2014 might have involved some “under wraps” negotiations about NBC Universal being the parent company of an new WWE Network! I would really love to see this, as long as it is made a regular channel.
The 2009 Slammy Awards will be coming up on December 14 (the night after WWE TLC) and there is one thing I am certain on and that is CM Punk being the 2009 Superstar of the Year. Punk has had a great year, plain and simple. Despite some great matches this year, I still think The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 25 will take the 2009 Match of the Year. Diva of the Year will more than likely go to Michelle McCool. If they have a Breakout Star of the Year category this time around, I think Kofi Kingston will take that prize. For the Tag Team of the Year, I would have to say DX. I am not sure if they will use the same categories this year as last year, but hopefully they will announce that beforehand.
Well, that’s all for this edition of the CBlog. I hope you all enjoyed it and don’t forget that you can follow me on Twitter at Wrestling101com (yes, I changed my username again).
Peace out!
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