Rasslin’ Roundtable — Night of Champions

WWE Championship:
Alberto Del Rio vs John Cena

CB: This has been a pretty lackluster feud for me, and the way Cena has buried Del Rio’s character has also been rather alarming. I mean, what’s the point in accusing Del Rio of renting his cars when it has nothing to do with the match at hand and it only serves to erase ADR’s somewhat credible ring entrance? Del Rio *HAS* to retain here to reestablish his persona after all of this nonsense, and I actually think SUPER CENA will lose unless WWE has really lost their minds. Not that I would be surprised if they have, but…
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Chris: Here’s a match with no stipulations involving the poster boy and a MitB winner and it seems like Cena has just been burying Del Rio. I don’t see this ending well for Del Rio unless there is a disruption, which is always a possibility.
Winner: Juan Cena

Scott Keith:  This seems like a perfect setup for a non-finish to extend this “John Cena chases some random jerk for the title” feud into Hell in the Cell next month.  Having seen them main-eventing a house show last month, I can note that the match was good but nothing I’d call special.  I’m guessing that Cena tries for the STF a million times and finally a frustrated ADR grabs a chair and uses it to draw a DQ and save his title.  Perhaps he can then apply the armbar afterwards to give Cena more odds to overcome when he finally does win the title in the rematch.
Winner:  John Cena by DQ.

M.C. Brown: I don’t see Del Rio’s title reign ending this quickly.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Rhett Davis:  Well I’m finally back in the Roundtable just in time for yet another ‘thrilling’ PPV.  Alberto del Rio has been made to look like a chump in this feud.  I can really only think of one moment when he came out on top and that was when he started bringing the title down on Cena, literally.  Even that beat-down was mediocre at best.  Meanwhile, ADR’s Visa is taken under review and what do we get?  John Cena taking everyone down a peg.  It’s time for a change in the main event picture.  I don’t know how, it just needs to be something different than John Cena versus the Cowardly Heel.  As for the match, I think it’s too soon for Alberto to lose the gold.  I mean sure go ahead and let him lose.  You might as well call him the All Latino Latino and give him a mascot which is actually Jamie Noble.
Winner (and STILL WWE Champion):  Alberto del Rio

Kyle Sparks: Del Rio absolutely must win here.  Nothing witty to say.  If he’s going to be a viable main-event level guy for the foreseeable future, he can’t simply fold at his first real challenge.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio (STILL WWE Champion)

Kelly Floyd: With these matches, I always find myself saying the same thing. “[The opponent] has this, this, and this going for him. Buuuttt…it’s Cena.” However, I feel like this exact moment has been building since he started. And who the hell is the WWE to get in the way of Destiny?
Winner: Alberto del Rio

Mike Gojira: You want to make del Rio look dangerous and not cowardly? Have him apply the arm bar to Cena on Raw and make him TAP OUT. It doesn’t have to be during a match, but the fact that del Rio has been avoiding Cena since his first assault doesn’t bode well for the champ. Del Rio is a great heel along the lines of Kurt Angle, where he could talk shit and still beat you clean to back it up. Ever since the ‘E put him in this program with Cena, he’s become the overused cliche of cowardly heel champion version 1. I don’t think he’s losing the gold on Sunday, but he needs to feud with someone who can put him over as dangerous or risk becoming Cena fodder a la Jack Swagger.  I definitely call shenanigans on this one.  There’s no way Cena loses clean.
Winner: Alberto del Rio

Steven Gepp: This whole feud has felt like an afterthought. Del Rio has been running away, Cena hasn’t been taking him seriously, Bret Hart got back into the ring, it’s been overshadowed by Punk/HHH. Not sure what they’re trying to do here, but I think there is a reason they have not made a big deal out of this, and that’s the winner.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

William Shakespeare: “ Our scene is alter’d from a serious thing, / And now changed to ‘The Beggar and the King.’” (King Richard II – Act 5, Scene 3)
Winner: John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship:
Randy Orton vs Mark Henry

CB: Our esteemed Rhett Davis offered up a great column this week explaining why Mark Henry deserves to be crowned the World Heavyweight Champion this Sunday, and I completely agree with him. After 15 LONG years the World’s Strongest Man has finally found his niche as an imposing and unstoppable heel force, and I really am rooting for Henry to get rewarded for his excellent work of late. For what it’s worth, Orton has shown his versatility at the top by transitioning seamlessly from his feud with Christian to this angle with Mark Henry, and Randy deserves a ton of credit for that.
Winner: Mark Henry

Chris: I’ve basically picked against Mark Henry this entire time, assuming he was a stepping stone for Big Show, Sheamus, etc. and I’ve been wrong every single, friggin’ time. Orton is the favorite for the kiddies and with him being on Smackdown, I guess that would make sense for Orton to keep it. However, the World title has been passed back and forth between him and Christian so that basically pokes holes in that theory and seeing as how WWE wants to ride this Henry tidal wave to the top, that leaves me to really one conclusion.
Winner: Mark Henry

Scott Keith:  I’m firmly in the camp of “We’ve come this far, we might as well go a little bit further” as far as Mark Henry goes.  They’ve invested a lot of time and money into pushing him thus far, so might as well bite the bullet and put him over here, if only to make Orton into an even bigger babyface.  Heck, they could even do an injury angle and let the surprisingly hot Sheamus chase the belt for a couple of months, or else have Christian get his final revenge by costing Orton the belt.  The match likely won’t be anything special, but that’s not what Henry is about anyway.
Winner:  Mark Henry by pinfall to win the World title.

M.C. Brown: No matter how much they build up Henry, it’s not believable to see him winning here.
Winner: Randy Orton

Rhett Davis:  Well as I wrote in my column this week, I think it is time for Mark Henry to obtain what he has yearned for the last 15 years.  With Mark Henry as champion, at least we’ll have some fresh match-ups.  If Orton wins then who does he fight next?  Christian again?  *groan* Sheamus?  That wouldn’t make sense considering he just went face and is getting pushed hard as a face.  The Great K… oh no.  Not to mention Randy winning would kill ALL of the momentum that they have worked all summer for with Mark Henry.  Mark Henry MUST win this match or else he falls right back to where he was before he was traded.  A mid-carder with no real purpose.  The only way I can see Orton getting out of this with his title is if we see a return of The Big Show or Kane.  I don’t think that’ll happen here though.
Winner (and NEW World Heavyweight Champion):  Mark Henry

Kyle Sparks: My heart says Mizzark.  He’s busted his chops the last few months building this character and it’s working.  My head says Randy, though.  Booking 101 says Randy, since Henry has gotten the best of him at every turn.  So much as I disagree, by a 2-to-1 score, the winner is…
Winner: Randy Orton by DQ (STILL WWE Champion)

Kelly Floyd: Absolutely everyone knows that the Blue Brand is my favorite. They always have been, and probably always will be. So then why the dick do I find myself not caring about this match? Or, specifically, either competitor? I’m bored of it, and it’s barely started, but I’ve never really been on Mark Henry’s side. For the first time, this may be a bathroom break for me. Don’t ask me why. My logic is complicated.
Winner: Randy Orton

Mike Gojira: Blair, I’m really sorry, but I want Henry to win this match. I’m tired of Orton as the go-to guy and Henry would be an interesting champion. It would definitely shake things up on Smackdown. I obviously don’t think he’d make a great champion with compelling matches, but I often wonder what we might experience with the World’s Strongest Man as World Heavyweight Champion. Let’s face it: Daniel Bryan is going nowhere at the moment, Sin Cara is in the middle of an identity crisis, and Christian is going to be fed to Sheamus. I want something fresh in the title scene and Henry can satisfy that craving.  THAT BEING SAID, I predict a win for Mizark.
Winner and New WHC: Sexual Chocolate

Steven Gepp: After so many years, Mark Henry finally looks like a legitimate championship threat. The booking has been really good for Henry leading up to this, and Orton losing (though by being a dumb-ass) to Rhodes adds some more element of doubt. Jaded viewers will say – Orton lost, Henry’s on a roll, so Orton retains. But I think it’s to make the winner less shocking in the eyes of the audience. Because a Henry champion will have not only Orton, but Sheamus, Kane and Big Show to feud with for the belt before finally falling victim at Wrestlemania to the plucky underdog Daniel Bryan. Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?
Winner: Mark Henry

William Shakespeare: “…besides your cheer, you shall have sport; I will show you a monster.” (The Merry Wives of Windsor – Act 3, Scene 2)
Winner: Randy Orton

Divas’ Championship:
Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix

CB: It is time for the Divas of Doom to bring home the Butterfly Belt, and hopefully this will lead to the reinstitution of the much more respectable Women’s Championship title.
Winner: Beth Phoenix

Chris: Again, with the emphasis mainly being on the new team of Beth and Natalya, it would make sense to put the title on Beth. That being said, WWE does enjoy forcing Kellyx2 down our throats so really this is a toss up. Analyzing Divas storylines is redundant and severely masterbatory…which probably wait the creepy, handsy old men that run the company are aiming for.
Winner: Not dignity…and I guess Beth? Maybe the terrorist win? Who knows

Scott Keith:  After a surprisingly coherent storyline to start this feud, they’ve kind of run out things to do outside of the DIVAS OF DOOM standing on the entrance way.  Kelly is a god-awful worker, but people love her and she tries hard, so I see no reason to change the title.  My original thought was that they’d do a tag match with Beth & Natty v. Kelly & Eve and have Kelly join the heels, but that direction seems to have disappeared along with Eve.  Probably it’ll just be Kelly getting beat up and then making the miracle comeback to retain.
Winner:  Kelly Kelly by fluke rollup.

M.C. Brown: For this storyline to have legs, Beth needs to win this. now.
Winner(and new Champion): Beth Phoenix

Rhett Davis:  Seriously if Beth Phoenix doesn’t win here then this entire feud is for naught.  In order for Beth and Natalya to be dominant in their recent push then they need this win.
Winner (and NEW Divas’ Champion):  Beth Phoenix

Kyle Sparks: Beth needs to win here for the Divas of Doom angle to have any legs WHATSOEVER.
Winner: Beth Phoenix (NEW Divas’ Champion)

Kelly Floyd: I’m the most anti-Kelly of all the world’s Kellys. I admitted her improvement on one edition of the Smackdown Report, but for months I’ve always said that “improved” does not mean “watchable”. That being said (and bias set aside), I really think that not only SHOULD Beth win, she needs to. Otherwise…what the hell is the point? I want to see her demolish Joan Cena.
Winner: Beth Phoenix

Mike Gojira: Kelly has had her fun as champ and has improved in the ring. There’s no denying that. She even got a big win over Beth at Summerslam. Now it’s the Glamazon’s time to shine; otherwise this entire angle is pointless.
Winner and New Champion: Beth Phoenix

Steven Gepp: Come on! I’ve heard people say Kelly Kelly Kelly’s wrestling has improved. Sure, but then again so has Megan Fox’s acting. Still doesn’t mean they’re any good. Problem is, when you hire some one on looks first, fitness second, looks third, looks fourth, ability to learn fifth, and in-ring ability last, you get Kelly Kelly Kelly. However, Beth Phoenix and Natalya both look like wrestlers, know their way around a ring and Phoenix should be having Kelly Kelly Kelly for lunch and then the two of them should kill people until they decide to hire another real wrestling female… or Kong/Kharma comes back.
Winner: (please) Beth Phoenix

William Shakespeare: “There is one tree, the phoenix’ throne, one phoenix / At this hour reigning there.” (The Tempest – Act 3, Scene 3)
Winner: Beth Phoenix

Tag Team Championship:
Air Boom vs Awesome Truth

CB: I absolutely love this match because all of the participants have simply been fun to watch. Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne will bring the energy, while Miz and Truth will bring the attitude, and it will all add up to the likely match of the night. As for the result, this is a rare instance where the WWE wins either way since both teams deserve to wear the tag straps. With that said, I think that there will be a teased title change that then gets reversed by the referee, which leads to an Air Boom win and more talk of conspiracies from Miz and Truth come Monday.
Winners: Air Boom

Chris: I’m gonna admit that this pick is purely me picking who I want to win and not really caring who probably is or isn’t. Awesome Truth have to win this because their segments are just gold in my eyes (which sounds painful). I very much dislike Kofi just because the guy has squandered every opportunity given to him and is now an “in-between” champion the company uses anytime they have someone better in the wings to come take the belt off him right after Kofi has it. Awesome Truth is that very team to do so and I know that contradicts their whole message of the conspiracy theory but I don’t care, its the WWE it happens and you know it.
Winners: Awesome Truth

Scott Keith:  After a hot start, Truth & Miz have been reduced to wacky comedy again, whereas Air Boom are likeable champions who the fans get behind.  So that likely means that the heels are getting the titles here.
Winners:  Miz & R-Truth after Miz delivers the Skull Crushing Finale to Bourne

M.C. Brown: While I think The Awesome Truth will hold the belts, it might happen on Raw and a big victory by Air Boom makes them more credible when The Awesome Truth beats them. Of course I can always have this wrong and Dolph retaining, but if that happens I just blame that on me not watching enough.
Winner: Air Boom

Rhett Davis:  I love tag team wrestling.  I’d love if these two teams could revitalize the now dead division, but I fear that this is a one and down PPV match.  The good part is that it gives guys like Kofi and Evan a PPV match without forcing them into a U.S. or I-C title match.  These two have gelled well together and I like the chemistry.  As for Awesome Truth, everything about them reeks awesomeness except the name.  Not a fan of the unoriginal name, but combine their entrances and give us something like JeriShow or ShowMiz and I’ll accept it.  I hope they move on to a bigger feud and possibly create some other teams to spice it up.  I don’t understand why WWE hasn’t put much stock into the tag division as of late, but it’s an easy way to get some of your younger stars over.  Just like it is Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston.  As for the match, I can’t see Awesome Truth taking it from them.  It’d be much like Mark Henry losing in the sense that it’d kill all of Air Boom’s momentum.
Winners (and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions):  Air Boom

Kyle Sparks: This was pretty thrown together.  I like the idea of Miz & Truth getting jobbed out here (fairly or not) to further their cries of “conspiracy,” before winning the titles next month.
Winner: Air Boom (STILL Tag Team Champions)

Kelly Floyd: I’m not sure what my thoughts are on this one. I’ve always held Miz in high regards, but the belts just seem to work for Kofi and Evan. They seem very right as a tag team, and I’d like to see some longevity.
Winner: AirBoom

Mike Gojira: Just as I claimed weeks ago, the Tag Team Division is merely getting a boost because the whole gimmick of the PPV is that every match is a title match (except the obvious one). I like Miz/Truth, as they are entertaining on the mic, but I don’t think Kofi/Bourne are done yet. I see a victory for Air Boom so that this feud can be extended for the next couple of months. Hell, it’ll keep all four guys busy. There’s no way the division will reach JeriShow levels of awesomeness, but the potential is there.
Winners: Air Boom

Steven Gepp: I’m looking forward to this one. It seems to me that they are going to have another go of making the tag division relevant. I have read rumours of tag teams from ROH and FCW being brought up sooner rather than later (and of course the apparently disrespectful Buck Boys), so we’ll see. But this could be fun. When motivated, all of them can go (even the Miz, who leaves me cold a lot of the time, but when he was in ShowMiz it was not too bad). Could be a fun match… if they give it more than 5 minutes.
Winner: Air Boom

William Shakespeare: “And, to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This monument of the victory will I bear…” (King Henry VI, Part ii – Act 4, Scene 3)
“Art thou aught else but place, degree and form, / Creating awe and fear in other men?” (King Henry V – Act 4, Scene 1)
Winner: Miz / Truth

United States Championship Fatal Four Way:
Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs John Morrison vs Alex Riley

CB: The business triangle between Vickie, Swagger and Ziggler has been the main focus of this particular story, so I have a feeling that one of the faces capitalizes on this tension and we wind up with a new United States Champion. Since Morrison has absolutely no momentum anymore, I’m actually going to go with Alex Riley as the mildly surprising victor. Not that Riley’s momentum is any better than JoMo’s at this point, but…
Winner: Alex Riley

Chris: This match really is just Ziggles and Swagger, the other two were thrown in because they didn’t want a match where its just heels facing off. That being said, in order to continue the Vickie story (ugh) I think Swagger has to take the belt here so Vickie will consider even more to take on Swagger in her stable (sounds like a romance novel idea…). Morrison will provide the circus tricks and Riley will just….yeah…sure.
Winner: Swagger

Scott Keith:  This is has turned into a tiresome feud, which might be redeemed somewhat if Team Vickie reveals that the dissention was all a big swerve and takes in Alex Riley for a giant beatdown on Morrison. It does, however, seem more likely that this will be the hot opener for the PPV, where Swagger gets his revenge on Ziggler and costs him the US Title.
Winner: Alex Riley wins the US title.

M.C. Brown: I smell a title change. I doubt Morrison has another boring uneventful run. Swagger right now? bleh. Maybe they try to build up Riley to justify the push behind his surprise ovations.
Winner(and new Champion): Alex Riley

Rhett Davis:  I’ll be one to say I’m glad they threw in A-Ry and JoMo.  A Fatal-4-Way adds in a different vibe from the rest of the card.  The rest of the matches are singles matches and one tag match.  A Fatal-4-Way changes that up a little bit.  Plus it wasn’t like WWE would give us a Heel v Heel match even if there is a possible swerve/Face-turn in the books.  Overall I think Vickie will get involved in the match and give Jack Swagger the win.  Dolph will turn face, JoMo will do some flippy moves, and Alex Riley will botch a headlock.
Winner (and NEW United States Champion):  Jack Swagger

Kyle Sparks: The entire purpose of this is to further the Ziggler/Swagger storyline.  Since WWE isn’t content to slow-burn anything, look for Vickie to turn on Ziggler and give her new man the US Title.
Winner: Jack Swagger (NEW United States Champion)

Kelly Floyd: Ugh.
Winner: John Morrison (you know, for funsies)

Mike Gojira: Not once during the Ziggler/Swagger feud did we get even a mention of the title. Hell, they’re not fighting over the damn thing; they’re fighting over the managerial services of one Vickie Guerrero. Miss Elizabeth she ain’t, I’ll tell you that. I love how this match was thrown onto the card at quite literally the last minute. I expect Swagger to screw over Dolph and take the title himself. Then we’ll see Vickie eventually turn on Ziggler which will effectively kick-start his face turn. Morrison and Riley are currently worth less than Evan Bourne as a singles competitor. They’re involved simply to give the fans someone to cheer for.
Winner and New US Champion: Jack Swagger

Steven Gepp: Ahh, the days of the belt being used as a mere background prop – in this case to the terrible break-up of Ziggler and Swagger over a woman. I reckon they’re going to counter each other, and we’ll see a surprise winner, and at the next PPV we’ll have Ziggler / Swagger, with the loser getting the services of Vickie Guerrero.
Winner: Alex Riley (the only one yet to have a singles title)

William Shakespeare: “Come, let us four to dinner: I dare say / This quarrel will drink blood another day…” (King Henry VI, Part I – Act 2, Scene 4)
“Deliver up my title… the queen / To your most gracious hands…” (King Henry VI, Part ii – Act 1, Scene 1)
Winner: Jack Swagger

Intercontinental Championship:
Cody Rhodes vs Ted DiBiase

CB: After months and months of floundering, WWE has *FINALLY* given Ted DiBiase a serviceable storyline. However, Cody Rhodes has been main eventing against Orton lately, so I’d have to guess that Cody’s hand will be raised here. The moral victory for Ted here will be that he and Cody will have a very well-paced, smooth-looking match, and hopefully that leads to more real opportunities now that he is no longer saddled with that AWFUL millionaire’s son gimmick.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Chris: The only way I see Cody losing this is if WWE wanted to immediately put him in the Heavyweight title hunt (which NEEDS to happen). I don’t think they want DiBiase to have the belt because…well…he’s boring as crap. I just hope they don’t use the easy “I put up with your crap and now its no more Mr. Nice-Ted” road but I can see that happening and the sigh escaping from my mouth will be heard far and wide, strengthening the resolve of our enemies abroad and weakening the resolve here at home, the borders will be overrun, the stock market would collapse, California will break away from the country, White Chicks would be considered the greatest movie ever and Tony Danza would be relevant again…and nobody wants that.
Winner: For the sake of Homeland Security, Cody Rhodes

Scott Keith:  Who in their right mind would make the privileged son of the Million Dollar Man into a babyface?  They need something else to do with him.
Winner:  Cody Rhodes retains.

M.C. Brown: Ted is still employed? Since a casual fan now doesn’t know Ted exists, Cody wins.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Rhett Davis:  The former Legacy boys are duking it out for the Intercontinental Championship and all feels right in the world.  Although I’m sure as soon as Cody beats Ted here, Ted will fade away into obscurity.  After all, he has no real gimmick, no real motive, and no real personality other than as Cody’s lackey who failed time and time again.  Cody will win by nefarious means and will move on to further escalate the status of the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner (and STILL Intercontinental Champion):  Cody Rhodes

Kyle Sparks: Hahahahahaha. Yeah, right.
Winner: Cody Rhodes (STILL Intercontinental Champion)

Kelly Floyd: They can’t seem to figure out how to make Teddy into something, whereas Cody is simply intoxicating.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Mike Gojira: This one’s easy.  Cody is on a roll and DiBiase has been getting his ass kicked.  I did say months ago that all of this would lead to a DiBiase face turn, but it won’t be successful…yet.  I say build Teddy up a month first.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Steven Gepp: I have high hopes for this match. Sure, it’s not going to be Steamboat/Savage, but it could well be entertaining, Rhodes has really improved in all facets in the past year or so, and I think he can bring Ted Jr along with him because I think they mesh well. I can feel a renewal of the Legacy stable, with Rhodes, DiBiase, Hennig and maybe a Rotundo. Young, hungry guys. Call it a hunch.
Winner: Rhodes

William Shakespeare: “For my part, noble lords, I care not which; Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.” (King Henry VI, Part ii – Act 1, Scene 3)
Act 4, Scene 5
“See, sons, what things you are! / How quickly nature falls into revolt / When gold becomes her object! / For this the foolish over-careful fathers / Have broke their sleep with thoughts, their brains with care, / Their bones with industry; / For this they have engrossed and piled up / The canker’d heaps of strange-achieved gold…” (King Henry IV, Part ii – Act 4, scene 5);
Winner: Rhodes

No Disqualification Match:

Triple H vs CM Punk

CB: This is the only real moneymaker on the card, so unlike their lackluster “go home” exchange on Raw, CM Punk and Triple H better deliver the goods in this spot. I mentioned this in the Comments thread a couple of times in response to what kind of payoff is needed to make the last few months count for something tangible, and so I will say it again here: CM Punk *MUST* win this match by nailing the Pepsi Plunge on Triple H, and then scoring the pin. I don’t care if a million people help Punk achieve this result — or if it’s merely BIG SWERVE Kevin Nash who helps him — this *HAS* to happen. It would be the perfect exclamation point to all of Punk’s proclamations, and it also creates the biggest possible level of interest for Monday’s Raw, since COOHHH would then have to be “relieved of his duties” based on the stipulations of this match.
Winner: CM Punk

Chris: Obviously this is the big match that’s putting people in the seats and I just see it being a stinker and it won’t be Punk’s fault at all. CM Punk will do his best to make HHH look legit but expect HHH to have a lot of slow moments where he’s just laying in the ring (I still say that HHH/Taker II bored the crap outta me, I’m sorry, it did) and in the end, we’ll get the highly predictable interference with Kevin Nash. Not exactly sure which way it’ll go but if its like any “Boss vs Anti-Hero” match in the past, the “Boss” gets whats been coming to him at the PPV match and this time, I see that coming in the form of Nash and Punk is kinda just a passenger on this one.
Winner by default: CM Punk

Scott Keith:  Well, with Kevin Nash fired, I guess they…BWAHAHAHA, sorry I couldn’t even finish typing that sentence.  Kevin Nash makes his SHOCKING return, and reveals that the Clique was in cahoots ALL ALONG.  Punk eats the powerbomb and moves down another notch on the ladder.
Winner:  HHH by pinfall.

M.C. Brown: I’m calling Shenanigans. Or SheNASHigans.
Winner: Triple H

Rhett Davis:  Yeah I was expecting this match at Survivor Series or WrestleMania, not Night of Champions.  Although I’m happy for the dream match, I’m sure this will be overbooked and strongly resemble Vince Russo’s handiwork.  Triple H will win after a Nash intervention, a John Laurenitis intervention, and heck maybe even a Vince McMahon intervention.  Hell maybe Shawn will superkick Punk to help Trips.  I don’t know, and quite frankly I’ve grown tired of this.
Winner:  Triple H

Kyle Sparks: I’m of two minds regarding this match.  One is that there’s no logical reason for Triple H to win this match.  Two is that the storyline calls for Triple H to win, since Punk has been the guy constantly deriding Trips’s family, masculinity, friends, etc.  Plus the addition of the COO stipulation.  So, the obvious solution is for Triple H to win and go heel with GOBS of corporate interference to maintain his position and giVe Punk a REASON to complain going forward.
Winner: Triple H (via COPIOUS interference)

Kelly Floyd: Part of me thinks that Punk can’t lose steam by losing here, but then again…it’s Trips. It just feels wrong to think of him losing in this situation, especially with the jabs and stabs from Punk. I can’t say I’ve been paying close attention to this angle, but hey. Shots in the dark are my forte.
Winner: Trips

Mike Gojira: I already stated my thoughts on this match in my column last week (cheap plug for moi!).  With the No DQ stipulation, there’s no way either guy wins clean and there’s no way the match can end in a No Contest.  I’m not really concerned over the winner.  I’m more concerned over the storyline implications following the match.  I guess I have to pick a winner, though.
Winner: CM Punk

Steven Gepp: I’m not sure I completely understand why this has gone the way it has. WWE had the perfect opportunity to let a sort of Austin-styled anti-hero develop organically, with maybe a little shove here and there, but they’ve gone and Added so much to it that it is rendered somewhat diluted. I’m going to give this one the benefit of the doubt. I think the story-line that Johnny Ace is working behind HHH’s back is working. It’s subtle and well-done. Now, why would he do that? Because he is Vince’s man, and he’s pissed that Vince is gone. So he arranges for Nash to interfere. He’s undermining HHH. But does Punk know about it? No, because he helped get rid of Vince, too. But HHH is the more immediate target, and I think it will all come down to this story.
Winner: HHH

William Shakespeare: “Swift as a shadow, short as any dream; / Brief as the lightning in the collied night, / That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth, / And ere a man hath power to say ‘Behold!’ / The jaws of darkness do devour it up: / So quick bright things come to confusion.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 1, Scene 1)
Winner: CM Punk