Hi there folks, how are you today? I hope you like the new design we’ve got here and I recommend you click around on the new sections and have a read or two.
Two things worth mentioning; one is that thanks to my crappy predictions for Unforgiven I’m no longer the IP Roundtable champ. Boooo. Also, I’ve taken the SmackDown spoilers into account, so if you don’t want to know what happens, then tough, as this is just a SmackDown column.
With Unforgiven on Sunday and no sign of the ECW PPV yet, I just don’t have much to write about. So, turning a negative into a positive, this week’s LA is a SMACKDOWN SPECIAL!
SMACKDOWN
Next PPV – No Mercy; 08/10/06
The Announced Card
King Booker vs. Bobby Lashley – World Championship
This was announced during the SmackDown tapings, and I’m all for it. It’s on a throwaway PPV, so it won’t mean much in the grand scheme of things if they don’t deliver a decent match, and also it’s a good opportunity to test the waters with Lashley in the main event.
The Undertaker vs. Ken Kennedy
This could possibly kill the momentum of Kennedy dead in it’s tracks if Taker decides to no-sell most of the offence. Hopefully that won’t happen though, and this could be the match that bumps Kennedy up a few notches in the fans eyes. I see Kennedy stealing a win, Taker getting pissed off and this feud continuing for another month or so.
Finlay vs. Batista
Awesome! Also announced during the SD tapings was this match, and I’m really looking forward to it, because I KNOW it will be a stiff, brutal match. Finlay is the main reason I look forward to SmackDown every week, and although I don’t like the stupid little leprechaun he has following him, he delivers the goods on EVERY match.
Batista has fallen by the wayside recently, so look for some intensity from the “Animal” to bring him back on track. I’d say Batista will win, but I just can’t shake the feeling that we’ll be seeing Finlay go over. I loves me some Irish!
Chavo Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio – Steel Cage Match
Adding the Steel Cage stipulation works in two-fold. Firstly, it’s a great gimmick match and could be used to finally end the feud once and for all. Secondly, it will help bump up the PPV buys, which might not be so high due to the Booker vs. Lashley main event (assuming the match is indeed the final match on the card).
Plus, the steel cage is a good place to do a kayfabe injury angle for Mysterio, who needs some time out to get his knee fixed. So yeah, good call WWE!
Speculation…
Gregory Helms vs. Matt Hardy
The feud is just starting to warm up, so whether they throw this on the PPV or not is up to them. They’ve already had a couple of matches against each other on SmackDown in recent weeks, so I can’t see why they won’t get a spot on the card. The question is, will it be a gimmick match or not? Personally, I’d give them a No-DQ match or something that could up the ante of the match.
The Last Bit…
A little streamlined this week, but hopefully next week I’ll have more material to work with.
Stay wet…
Danny Wallace.
