SummerSlam Preview

On paper the biggest party of the summer appears to have a few decent matches with several bathroom breaks mixed in.

Further evidence that there are too many titles and too many brands being represented ... of the matches announced, only a couple of them don't have a strap on the line. Is every PPV Night Of Champions? Then again, I may not have a problem with that business model - if the champions didn't compete on free television. As it is, they are overexposed. All this does is serve to exhaust the fans and make them turn on the poster boys.

That being said, let's examine SummerSlam '08.

Winners Take All Tag Team Match
Kofi Kingston & Mickie James VS. Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix
Not only am I sick of Kofi's fake accent and 3 spots he gets in every match without showing us anything new, but he's up against a Toronto boy and a woman who spent much of her indy career in the T Dot. Ya, there's no way I'm cheerin for the Ebony and Ivory Express.

The storylines with Beth and Santino as a mid card, comedy version of the "power couple" are limitless. I think Kofi's surprise win for the title over Jericho did what it was intended to do but has fallen flat ever since.
Prediction: New Champs - Santino and Beth

Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Jeff Hardy
There isn't any reason at all for MVP to go over here. If he loses this match, you really have to question why he was moved to "SmackDown!" at all. I mean, MVP spent almost a year married to big brother Matt. For Jeff, anything less than a win would be perceived as a major step down the pecking order.
Prediction: Jeff Hardy

ECW Championship Match
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy
It seems all too logical. Matt drops the U.S. title shortly after being drafted to "SmackDown!", never asks for a rematch, and is now gunning for the top title on his respective brand. Of course, Jim Ross himself said on TV that the ECW title is on par with U.S. belt, so is this a lateral move or a jump forward for Cham Pain's bro?

Personally, I'd love to see Matt come out of this with the gold (er platinum?) belt, but I think it's too easy. Mark Henry, despite what Dan-e-o thinks, belongs on tv and has a spot at the top of the card - especially on ECW. He's a 12 year vet who has still not been overexposed.

I am surprised Tha O Show's Black Prophet has never focused his hate on Matt though. I mean anytime a black guy has a belt, Matt has to go and take it.
Prediction: Mark Henry to retain

John Cena vs. Batista
I find it amusing that the match that no smark wants to see is also being quietly protested by the participants themselves. Not because they don't want to work each other... they just don't want to work each other NOW. Both men have spoken publicly over their frustration and the lack of build to this match that has been "six years in the making".

I still think they could have applied the Matt Hardy / MVP story with a twist of Rated RKO to these two. Reluctant partners holding the tag gold together - eventually start working as a cohesive unit. Turn them both fully heel and have them run rough shod over the WWE. The whole thing can blow up in their faces at the Rumble leading to a huge match at Mania. That would also give us a full year without either of them touching a top belt. And that's a good thing.

Alas, the fed is shooting their load early, so I'll pick a winner. Cena. Just cuz.
Prediction: John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk vs. JBL
If you've ever heard Tha O Show or read my articles, you know I'm a huge fan of JBL, but there's no hope in hell he's taking the title this weekend. Bet the house and your grandma on Punk to retain.
Prediction: CM Punk

WWE Championship
Triple H vs. The Great Khali
Khali has been booked in such a ho-hum fashion since his last title run. Then they suddenly look around and say "Oh shit Hunter. We don't have anyone for you to work". Instant contender - here's Khali. No chance in hell does Hunter put the big freak over. If anything, I think Khali will look weaker than he has since his mini feud with Cena.
Prediction: Triple H

Hell in a Cell Match
Edge vs. Undertaker
The other day I was talking to LuFisto about this match. She asked a question that really got me thinking ... "What else can they do with the Cell that we haven't seen?"

You know Edge will take some nasty bumps - but will they show us something new, or perhaps (my thought at this point) recreate ALL of the big Cell bumps that Taker has dished out over the years. They have been showing those old clips and in my mind, foreshadowing what Edge has coming.

All that being said, I think the new, more focused version of Orangeville's favourite son (appologies to Christian and Mike VanTastic) will come out victorious here. I know, it goes against all logic. Taker lost his last match, and is making a big comeback... he SHOULD go over. Plus, you want a babyface raising his hand at the end of the night... but for whatever reason, I just have a gut feeling about Edge here.
Prediction: Edge

So, what do you think O-sters?

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