WWE debuts a new pay-per-view on Sunday, and as usual I’ll be here for the live coverage. Let’s take a look at the show and my thoughts for each announced match.
World Heavyweight Championship Match – Randy Orton vs. Christian
I know this entire feud has been a bone of contention with the Internet about the way Christian has been “treated,†and while I was initially frustrated that he lost the belt so quickly I think this has developed into the most interesting feud in the company right now. Christian is a good heel and he and Orton have had some terrific matches together already when he was a face, so I think this is going to be even better. With news of Orton’s recent concussion, it might be a good time to move the belt back to Christian for a run. The only concern would be who Christian would feud with if not Orton. I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict a new champion.
WINNER – Christian (NEW Champion)
WWE Championship Match – John Cena vs. R-Truth
Speaking of interesting feuds, this one came out of nowhere as R-Truth has become legitimately entertaining for the first time, in, well, ever. His promos have been a little hit and miss but he’s really going for it and creative is really letting giving him the chance. People complain all the time that no one new is in the title scene, but now that Christian and R-Truth are there people still find a reason to complain. R-Truth is still not the greatest wrestler, so this match probably won’t be amazing, but Cena brings it on PPV and the crowd should be hot so it could be fun. No way the title changes hands though.
WINNER – John Cena (Retains)
United States Championship Match – Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
These two seem to keep running in circles, as six months ago they were feuding for the Intercontinental Title on Smackdown. However, Raw is a step up from that show, so maybe there’s some small growth happening here. Both guys have shown potential to be main event players, and hopefully this round of their feud can help at least one of them get there. I think Kofi would have been better left on Smackdown, where there is a dearth of babyfaces and he could have been a top guy, but at least they’re paying attention to the U.S. Title again. I think Ziggler will be champion, but not in this match.
WINNER – Kofi Kingston (Retains)
Intercontinental Championship Match – Wade Barrett vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Last month’s match was nothing special, but as with the U.S. Title, at least they’re paying some attention to the Intercontinental Title. Barrett has been treading water since leaving Raw, and Ezekiel is on the upswing of his push so I expect a title change here. I have no clue where either guy goes from here.
WINNER – Ezekiel Jackson (NEW Champion)
Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio seems to just be killing time before getting pushed to a title match with Cena at SummerSlam, and this is a perfectly fine way to do it. Show is better than most people give him credit for, and he’s over enough with most of the audience that it helps Del Rio to go over him.
WINNER – Alberto Del Rio
Alex Riley vs. The Miz
I bet PK LOVES how Riley was drafted to Smackdown, but then just moved back to Raw with no explanation when his beat down on the Miz got him Over. Riley has been mingling with the top guys lately and he doesn’t look entirely out of place. If they play their cards right they could really have something with Riley. He’s got to look strong in this match, but I think it best that Miz goes over at this point, and they hold off on a big Riley win for the rematch or even the match after that.
WINNER – The Miz
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk
With rumors of Punk leaving, everyone on the Internet is super sensitive to everything that happens to him, and every time he loses a match people go nuts. But did anyone even say anything when he pinned the WWE Champion last week (albeit with interference)? I didn’t think so. I honestly don’t know why these two are feuding again, but I don’t believe they’ve had a bad match together so I’m all for seeing this on PPV.
WINNER – Rey Mysterio
Join me for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday night!
