Tha O Show's WWE Unforgiven Preview

The triple-team is back to preview Sunday’s Unforgiven, a card headlined by the much-anticipated match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, as well as the Scramble Matches from “Raw,” “SmackDown!,” and “ECW.” Tha O Show's Andrew Gray, Christopher Casur and D.J.B. run down the entire card. Will any new champions be crowned? Is this the end of the HBK-Jericho angle? Click on the link below to find out what we think. And don’t forget to check out “Extras” for highlights from past editions of Unforgiven.

World Heavyweight Championship Scramble

Andrew Gray says: I wrongly predicted that CM Punk would lose the title to Batista at The Bash, but I’m still going with Batista here. Orton’s appearance on “Raw” almost made me change my mind and choose Punk when a seed was nicely planted for a future feud between the two men. But I think Batista is the man WWE wants with the title, as shown by his victory over Cena at SummerSlam. Plus, they’ve been hyping up the fact that the champ is at a disadvantage in all of the Scramble matches, so they’d better book at least one switch.

Winner: Batista

Christopher Casur says: This one I'm not as decisive on as the others. I would've thought at one point that JBL would go over, but Batista seems to be getting an awful lot of shine lately. Then there was the hint that Randy Orton and Punk are going to feud for the title. Orton/Punk would be a big money feud, and the best possible feud WWE could churn up in such a short time. You know what? Just for shits and giggles, I'll pick the one guy who has no chance of winning. I'm going to be wrong no matter what, so I may as well be gloriously wrong.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

D.J.B. says: Punk retains or wins it a second time to start up the program with Orton. This match should be half decent, but yet another nonsensical cluster that makes people scratch a bald spot on their heads.

Winner: CM Punk


WWE Championship Scramble

Andrew Gray says: This is arguably the most intriguing of all the Scramble matches, because you’d think if Triple H were to lose the title, he’d do so in a match like this where he could lose without ever being pinned. With that said, you can rule out guys like Shelton and THE Brian Kendrick from winning the strap. And it wouldn’t make sense for Hardy to win his first world title in such a gimmicky mess – it wouldn’t have the same impact as winning cleanly in a one-on-one contest. So that leaves MVP, who probably isn’t ready to carry the WWE Championship (at least he hasn’t been presented that way on “SmackDown!” recently). Plus, MVP has some heat backstage for harassing one of the urine test monitors. So I guess that means I pick Triple H . . . almost went out on a limb.

Winner: Triple H

Christopher Casur says: Remember when I said that Friday nights were short on main eventers? Yeah. Moving Triple H over to solve that problem is the equivalent of blowing your car up because the change oil light came on.

Winner: Triple H

D.J.B. says: Triple H buries the competition again. He makes everyone look bad at the expense of himself with only streaks of brilliance from each and the only extended shine going to Jeff Hardy...maybe. This is one PPV I will not be watching because the bathroom breaks will far outweigh the interesting matches. This is a bathroom break. Hardy will most likely be the last entrant and may get a shot, but historical evidence proves otherwise, though Triple H's comments about being champ for a decade make it a toss up.

Winner: Triple H


ECW Championship Scramble

Andrew Gray says: The creative team for “ECW” really dropped the ball in naming the participants in this match, particularly as it concerns not including Evan Bourne. He really could have used the rub from just being in the match, and being involved in a PPV. The match will assuredly be a spot-fest, so why not include someone who masters the flippy-dippys? Same can be said for John Morrison, who’s had some great spots in MITB ladder matches at WrestleMania. He’s clearly more talented than his partner, The Miz, who inexplicably won a spot in this match. When the result can be seen a mile away, the opportunity shouldn’t be lost in putting over other Superstars too.

Winner: Mark Henry

Christopher Casur says: I see where Donnie's coming from in his take, and he's right. You could easily use this to put the belt on Matt Hardy, but I think that right now Matt is doing a great job of chasing the title, and there's no need to change what's already working, especially when you have such an easy way to continue his chase in a match like this. Henry retains, though I won't be unhappy if I'm wrong.

Winner: Mark Henry

D.J.B. says: The only Scramble that makes sense, could make sense or even would make sense. Mark Henry has been terrific as champion with Matt Hardy as his challenger. The ECW Championship is a championship that can mean something and is on the verge of really being something. Matt Hardy will win this championship or be screwed like a hot hooker on two-for-one night by Henry and Atlas. In the end we all get to see something interesting and that will have a payoff.

Winner: Mark Henry


Unsanctioned Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho

Andrew Gray says: Reports state that Michaels suffered a small tear of his left tricep rather than a severe one, leaving the potential long-term plans for this storyline in tact . . . unless of course Michaels injures himself further on Sunday night. Undoubtedly, this match should headline the show, even with HBK not being 100% healthy. I expect it to be the match of the night, and also expect an appearance by Rebecca at some point.

This feud has legs – and even though they’ve already done so with the eye injury, I think they could get away with another injury angle, perhaps playing up Michaels’ tricep injury. Jericho could beat him down right in front of his wife at the PPV, followed by Jericho once again calling for Michaels to retire (saying he’s too beat up and beaten down to continue on). They could even keep Rebecca involved by having her say that she thinks Michaels should retire too, only to have her change her mind when HBK heals up and Jericho continues to egg her husband on. HBK would likely only return with his wife's blessing anyways. Their feud could culminate at Survivor Series.

Yes, I realize that was more fantasy booking than preview, but there’s really not much more to say about this angle that hasn’t already been said – it’s been executed well by two of the best workers alive today. And I’d like it to continue.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Christopher Casur says: I think this is the big blowoff. Even with a torn tricep, Michaels will almost certainly go balls out, especially if he's going to take time off anyway. Michaels goes over in what will be the match of the night on an otherwise lackluster card.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

D.J.B. says: Great story, great workers, terrible stage to have a mach of this caliber on. This was a SummerSlam or Survivor Series match. Unforgiven has a six match card, which will be one of the worst cards put together in history. Michaels and Jericho will have a four to five star match even with Michaels "torn" muscle. Hard to call, because the story won't end this Sunday, but with the way it's going Jericho could come out with this one.

Winner: Chris Jericho


World Tag Team Championship: Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase vs. Cryme Tyme

Andrew Gray says: With some motivation from Randy Orton, Simply Priceless should retain their titles. The champs need to look strong after recent losses to the team of John Cena and Batista and the one-man team known as John Cena. Plus, seeing as how these are the only credible tag teams on “Raw,” the heels need to win to lengthen the feud.

Winners: Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes

Christopher Casur says: When these two started feuding, it was as the henchmen of JBL and John Cena. Now their feud has shifted focus to the tag team championship. Cryme Tyme will eventually win the belts, but I don't think it happens this Sunday. Priceless will cheat their way into a win.

Winners: Simply Priceless

D.J.B. says: This'll be a great tag team match with two teams that can go. I really enjoy Cryme Tyme most of the time, but their return, aside from the Cena association which was still tolerable has been especially enjoyable. DiBiase and Rhodes continue to impress and that shouldn't stop. DiBiase is also rumored to work Undertaker at WrestleMania (which one isn't known) and his name is being tossed around to end the streak. Cryme Tyme and Priceless is a great matchup and a feud that could extend, but I do see the white boys coming away victorious after their firing up at the hands of Orton.

Winners: Rhodes and DiBiase


Divas Championship: Michelle McCool vs. Maryse

Andrew Gray says: I’m going to base my prediction for this match on the fact that I don’t even know what Maryse looks like.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Christopher Casur says: Fuck this match.

D.J.B. says: . . .

That's about all I got on that one because it's so damn irrelevant I can't believe it.

Winner: Absolutely nobody that cares about wrestling. Oh and the girl whose name starts with an M.


Extras

1. Dude Love vs. Steve Austin from the 1998 edition – Unforgiven: In Your House (Part 1; Part 2)

2. The Match of the Year in 1999: Al Snow vs. Big Bossman in the Kennel from Hell Match (Part 1; Part 2).

3. Triple H takes on Kurt Angle in 2000 as part of the love triangle storyline with Stephanie McMahon (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3).

4. The Rock beats Booker T and Shane McMahon in 2001 to retain the WCW Championship.

5. Goldberg vs. Triple H from Unforgiven 2003.

6. Ladder Match for the vacant Intercontinental Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Christian (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3).

7. The understandably angry Matt Hardy vs. Edge in a Steel Cage Match at Unforgiven 2005 (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3).

8. More gimmicks: Edge vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship in a TLC Match.

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