Yeah, yeah…I know I’m not the only one here with a preview column for this Sunday’s WWE PPV, but you’ll just have to deal with it this week. Hell, if the WWE can set itself on auto-pilot the week before a PPV, why can’t I?
Youtube Pre-Show: WWE Tag Team Championship: R-Truth and Kofi Kingston vs Hunico and Camacho
Despite the fact that this match (and the titles themselves, for that matter) was barely advertised, I fully expect these two teams to put on quite a show. Look, they’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain from free exposure; with at least 15 minutes of a half-hour show dedicated to their bout, we could see a great match. I expect some shenanigans from the Primetime Players, but hopefully that’s either kept to a bare minimum or held off until after the match.
Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Dolph Ziggler vs Sin Cara vs Tyson Kidd vs Cody Rhodes vs Christian vs Santino Marella vs Tensai vs Damien Sandow
I haven’t checked out the Smackdown spoilers, but based on Tensai’s treatment of Tyson Kidd for the past two weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s removed from the match to get more crowd sympathy and Zack Ryder, the guest GM, gives himself the spot. While I think it’s a stupid move reminiscent of Kaval’s removal from the Survivor Series team two years ago, the angle with Tensai seems to be leading to that conclusion. Regardless of that possible hiccup, there’s no way either Kidd or Ryder would get the briefcase anyhow. Christian is the fan favorite here and the ring general when it comes to ladder matches, so expect a lot of drama with him climbing the ladder repeatedly. I also suspect we’ll see a Santino moment where it looks like he might win the damn thing, only to have a heel screw him out of the opportunity (likely Sandow). Sin Cara is there for a spotfest and Tensai is the obligatory hoss who will weaponize the ladders. That leaves me with Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler – the two most deserving of the briefcase angle. I’d put money (ha!) on either of them winning the match.
Raw Money in the Bank Ladder Match: John Cena vs Kane vs Big Show vs Chris Jericho
People have bemoaned this match the moment it was announced, but yours truly attempted to give it a positive spin two weeks ago. I don’t see Big Show or Kane winning this match: Kane already did that two years ago and Big Show is not a good choice. Cena is the most likely to win…which is why I don’t see it happening. Look, Big Show still has beef with Cena. Were John to win the briefcase, I guarantee Show would still come after him. The Punk/Cena match rumored to take place at Summerslam would have to wait anyway. The best way to avoid that is to have Cena and Show counteract one another in the ladder match a la Hogan/Andre in the Wrestlemania IV tournament, and with Jericho seemingly the dark horse of the match, it would be a great moment if he won. It would validate his otherwise stagnant return (yes, he had great matches with Punk, but he hasn’t done anything of significance) and would precipitate my dream match of Punk/Bryan/Jericho at Summerslam.
WWE Divas’ Championship: Layla vs ???
I expect a Diva match thrown in for good measure, but if the company doesn’t give a shit, neither should you.
World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus vs Alberto del Rio
About six months ago I might have been excited for this match. Del Rio is more than capable of bringing it in the ring; he just seems….well, neutered as of late. This could be a sleeper hit of a match, but the feud has not been developed well at all. Perhaps it’s a victim of a start-stop push due to del Rio’s “concussion” not too long ago, but I’m not excited to see this.
WWE Championship: CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan w/ Special Referee AJ
The marriage proposal sent this angle off the rails a bit, but this is one of two matches I’m most looking forward to (the other being the Smackdown MitB). This contest can go either way, which is a good thing because having either Bryan or Punk as champ is a win/win for all involved. AJ’s placement is simply to add intrigue and hopefully the end doesn’t become some elaborate Dusty Finish via a silly double pin or bullshit heel turn from the ref.
And there you have it: this Sunday’s PPV in a nutshell. It can’t possibly match up with TNA’s Destination X and it most certainly won’t turn heads like last year’s PPV, but it does have a WWE Championship match as the main event for the first time in over NINE months….so there’s that.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
