Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

How about Chris Jerciho, his return sure blows. After his PPV match it's back to the midcard for him.

Perhaps it's the fact his character is a bit too flamboyant. The fact that it was the worst kept secret in professional wrestling probably didn't help either. Or maybe the expectations were too high.

[Lean]

He's not included on RR, and it was said that when he return, he may have a feud with Triple H.

Another squash match for Triple H? Hopefully not, the WWE needs a titleholder that can give good entertainment in the mic or in a match.

How about Chris Jerciho, his return sure blows. After his PPV match it's back to the midcard for him.

I think the hype regarding his return helped the WWE get ratings.

And as for that mini-Batista Bomb, honestly I don't remember if that was actually done. I'll edit this post if that is indeed done.

[Chino]

And as for that mini-Batista Bomb, honestly I don't remember if that was actually done. I'll edit this post if that is indeed done.

Yeah, It was actually done and It was awesome! Check
the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2F2a8aS0Fg
It is on 6:33

Also, I notice that mini-Kane is the smallest and the chokeslam is funny too.

[Andrew]

I think the hype regarding his return helped the WWE get ratings.

The hype probably worked against him, too. Jericho is a great performer but even though his return angle was to be the "saviour" of the WWE, one wrestler alone can't turn around a product that a lot of fans seem to be at least a little disgruntled with.

[Chino]

We got a new ECW champion. Just look at wwe.com who was it.

[Andrew]

Perhaps they're trying to improve the brand by placing the belt on a more experienced wrestler and CM Punk in the more sympathetic (for lack of a better word) role as the face chasing the title. Punk's run was alright though, as good as he's going to get on what is distinctly the C Show. I read that TNA finally beat ECW in the ratings recently.

I'm guessing the card isn't final but since there's a few Royal Rumble matches to predict, here goes.

Royal Rumble Predictions

Chris Jericho vs JBL

I don't think is going to be the proverbial five star classic but Jericho being the worker that he is, he's a good choice for JBL's official in-ring return. The feud itself isn't exactly captivating television (even by professional wrestling standards) and one would expect the crowd to give Jericho a more favourable reaction. Since JBL is the returning star and they could probably spin things out a little further, I'll pick him to win here.

Winner: JBL

Ric Flair vs MVP (Career Threatening Match)

Unless they're going to pull the plug on the angle early, all the wrestling sites assert that the Flair retirement tour will continue until Wrestlemania 24, culminating in some big send off. Given MVP's promising future it wouldn't surprise me if he's protected by a DQ finish or Flair pulling out some more heelish tactics in the name of being The Dirtiest Player in the Game, ultimately getting the victory.

Winner: Ric Flair

Edge vs Rey Mysterio (World Heavyweight Championship)

It seems likely that Edge will be going through to Wrestlemania as champion, with Rey thrown in there to keep the title picture fresh and make the most out of Vickie Guerrero's presence. They could always have Rey win it and then Vickie declare the result null or order a rematch or somehow get Edge the belt back in heelish fashion but my prediction is that he'll simply retain, just not cleanly.

Winner: Edge

Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy (WWE Championship)

Up until RAW I though there might be a good chance that Jeff Hardy would win the title briefly, with Orton getting it back at No Way Out in time to face off against Triple H at Wrestlemania. With Jeff getting the last word on RAW though, I'm guessing that it's going to be the standard telegraphed ending with Orton retaining the belt...which is fine, since it would be a bit of an overkill to have such a brief change just for a moment. Hopefully Hardy remains in the title picture though.

Winner: Randy Orton

The Royal Rumble

Tough this year, some of the spoilers have suggested that The Undertaker is going to go back to back but with Triple H's recent trials and tribulations revolving around his spot in the Rumble and his efforts to get another shot at the title, he seems like the safe bet. They could well be the final two participants, with the runner up ultimately finding a way to challenge for his brand's title.

Winner: Triple H

[Chino]

My prediction:

JBL vs Jericho= Jericho

I just feel that Jericho will win because fans are over him and maybe this will be a payback time for Jericho after what JBL had done to him.

Ric Flair vs MVP= Ric Flair

It's really obvious that Flair will win because all the wrestling site(maybe) said that the plans for Ric is to continue his battle for his career until Wrestlemania.

Edge vs Rey Mysterio= Edge

Like what Andrew said, this match will just keep the title picture fresh and probably the Edge-heads will interfere or Vickie will order a rematch. And I think Edge will win because there were plans that Edge will defend the title to Taker on Wrestlemania and also their winning streak is on the line.

Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy= Randy Orton

For me, it's too early for Orton to lose the title and like the WHC match, it will just make the title picture fresh.

Rumble match= Undertaker

I feel that Undertaker will win again this time and probably Triple H will win the elimination chamber and face Orton on WM24.

Well that's my prediction on RR 08.

[deihatein]

Do you think that injured wrestlers like Cena,Lashley,Matt Hardy will going to be back in the ring by going in to the RR? Cause i have seen wrestlers like that.

[Chino]

Do you think that injured wrestlers like Cena,Lashley,Matt Hardy will going to be back in the ring by going in to the RR? Cause i have seen wrestlers like that.

I heard that Cena will comeback on mid-2008 but also there are rumors that he may return on Wrestlemania 24, maybe in a segment or a referee. Maybe Bobby Lashley will return on Rumble because I heard that he already recovered from his shoulder injury.

As for Matt, I think he's not because he's recovering from appendicetomy.

Edit: http://www.wrestlezone.com/article.php? ... =203120190
Looks like we'll not see a return but WWE haven't confirm it so we'll just have to wait.

Edit again: http://www.wrestlezone.com/article.php? ... =203131638
It's confirmed but haven't annouced yet by WWE. The web shows what are the reasons Lahley left WWE.

[Lean]

Oh, predictions time.


Chris Jericho vs. JBL:

I'd be picking JBL since - as Andrew said - he's the returning guy. He'd probably win it in a heelish way (DQ). And probably the feud will be extended.


Ric Flair vs. MVP

Flair would probably win this one. No offense to MVP, he's up to his character, and could have a big future ahead of him, but I think he's not the guy who'd end up Naitch's career.


Edge vs. Rey Mysterio

I take the storyline of this match as a "filler," and the loser of this match couldn't be involved in the Wrestlemania feud. Edge would win this one for sure.


Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy:

I'll pick Orton to win this one, and it could be Triple H vs. Orton on Wrestlemania.


Royal Rumble Match:

We got 'Taker, Kane, HBK and other big names in the match but I'm certain that Triple H would win this one, given the recent "screw-ups" he faced on Raw.

[Andrew]

According to this article over at Rajah's, Lashley supposedly wants out partly because of Kristal's release because of a storyline she found offensive and because he feels disrespected by the WWE.

[Lean]

Shucks, one of the better talents being disrespected by the company. Lashley is needed by either SmackDown or ECW but I guess the moral damage has been done.

[Andrew]

Well, in all fairness that is just one side of the story. One could also conceivably look at it as being arrogance on Lashley's part; plenty of talented performers have had to wait years for their big break to come and I'm sure have had their disagreements with the company.

[deihatein]

A down for the WWE for releasing Lashley

[Andrew]

But as I said in my previous post, there's two sides to every story and Lashley reportedly asked for his release. It's easy to blame the company but we don't know whether there was a misunderstanding or which side was being unreasonable; so far, we've only heard a little bit of the story from Lashley.

With all the Undertaker/Big Daddy V/Mark Henry stuff, I've got a bad feeling that they're going to have those guys eliminate Taker in the Rumble setting up a match at Wrestlemania. Frankly, I can do without Taker/Henry Part Two and he and Big Daddy V squared off thirteen years ago when V was King Mabel. We can probably all do without seeing history repeat itself there as well.

[Lean]

Are Viscera and Mark Henry members of Men on a Mission?

'Taker vs. Henry on Unforgiven last year was pretty boring. Henry/Viscera vs. 'Taker will make it more boring IMO.

[[Q]]

no, Viscera aka Big Daddy V was called Mabel back in the day (King Mabel after he won the King of the Ring). Men On a Mission featured Mo & Mabel who wrestled and some dude I tihnk his name was Oscar or something with an O to fit the M.O.M. acronym. Mark henry came later in the 90s as "The World's Strongest Man" and later the Nation of Domination with Faarooq (Ron Simmons)

[shadowgrin]

I'm enjoying Hardy's push. He's not great on the mic but he's enjoyable to watch in the ring. He's one of those few wrestlers that can be great to watch without the need for mic or off-ring acting skills.

EDIT: gave an in-depth watching of that Mini Rumble link again

4:12 - Hornswoggle power lifts Kennedy
5:00 - Batista spears Hornswoggle
6:24 - Spinebuster by Batista
6:35 - Batista bomb!

That Batista midget should be hired by the WWE. His in-ring talent is much better than some of WWE's wrestlers.

[Lean]

no, Viscera aka Big Daddy V was called Mabel back in the day (King Mabel after he won the King of the Ring). Men On a Mission featured Mo & Mabel who wrestled and some dude I tihnk his name was Oscar or something with an O to fit the M.O.M. acronym. Mark henry came later in the 90s as "The World's Strongest Man" and later the Nation of Domination with Faarooq (Ron Simmons)

Thanks for the info. I can barely remember those rap segments.

EDIT: gave an in-depth watching of that Mini Rumble link again :lol"

That's one of the best Raw moments ever, including this past Raw's "handshake" segment with Orton and Hardy.

[Andrew]

'Taker vs. Henry on Unforgiven last year was pretty boring. Henry/Viscera vs. 'Taker will make it more boring IMO.

I didn't see it but I can imagine it would be pretty painful. I haven't read any rumours that suggest it will happen, in fact most "insiders" are hinting at Edge/Taker at Wrestlemania but all the same, it wouldn't totally surprise me if they went down that road. Of course, they could just have HHH win the Rumble and then have Taker square off against V, Henry and others at No Way Out (after they cost him the victory at the Rumble) and win a title shot that way.

[Andrew]

For the first time in a few years I didn't bother ordering the Rumble so I can't comment on the quality of the matches. However...

[spoiler]...I picked correctly on every match except the Rumble and frankly, who saw that coming with Cena supposedly out until after Wrestlemania? As for the decision, I'm not a fan. I don't hate Cena the way a lot of people nor is anyone getting injured cause for celebration but if there's one positive it did freshen up the title picture. Getting him right back in the mix with a title shot is a mistake. If they ever want him to have a true face run he needs to be challenged and denied title shots so the crowd might actually get behind him and want to see him take the belt off a heel.[/spoiler]

[Chino]

John Cena winning the rumble was so shocking to me and didn't saw that coming. Why do WWE need to put him back on title picture again on Wrestlemania three times in a row? We need new challengers for WWE title and WHC title. I don't hate Cena but I think putting him on Wrestlemania Main Event three times in a row is just wrong.

[Lean]

That ain't cool. I was expecting Cena to return on Unforgiven. I thought all the hype will give Triple H a title run but this is just not cool.

[Drex]

C'mon Lean, spoiler tags. They're there for a reason

[J@3]

I think Jeff Hardy's time as a main eventer has just been flushed down a hugely muscled and stupidly boring toilet.