After my unfortunate absense last time, it's now time for The D-Lucks Bragging Rights Predictions! As usual, winners in bold, matches/stips in italics, yadda yadda.
1. Divas Champion Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim vs Women's Champion Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Natalya
If there's any justice in the world, the arguably more talented team of McCool, Phoenix and Natalya should win this. I just think that a win from the SD team would be more believable in terms of kayfabe, as two of the strongest Divas on the whole roster are on that side in Beth and Nattie.
However.
The thing I can't shake off here is the possibility of Beth turning on McCool during the match to stake her claim to a future title shot, seeing as Beth's already made her intentions clear on SD verbally, or after the match should McCool get pinned by any of the Raw team. Although that's not to say Beth could turn on McCool after a win too, I'm guessing either McCool gets turned on mid-match leading to a roll-up from Raw, or McCool getting pinned anyway leading to a Beth turn. (tweener Beth perhaps?)
Raw Divas to win, possibly via Beth shenanigans.
2. Intercontinental Champion John Morrison vs United States Champion The Miz
Not only is this match pretty damn difficult to predict, it's also quite possibly the match I'm anticipating most on the card. The Dirt Sheet segment between the two on last week's SD was just brilliant and Morrison managed to show he does have some charisma despite the critisisms of some. In regards to the match Sunday night though, either man could really walk away with the 'W'. For ages I was leaning towards Miz winning this as I thought (and still think to a degree) that Miz needs the win more than Morrison does, and that JoMo could afford to take the loss more than Miz could after Miz's Super Castration with Cena a couple of months back.
However, I get the feeling that Morrison's going to be given the win purely based on the fact it's what most people want to see, and I get the feeling that's what WWE will deliver. Also due to the 'Morrison is Janetty' claims Miz has been making pretty much since the team split up after the draft.
Although I'd love to be proved wrong and see that Miz will get the nod, I can't shake the feeling that Morrison wins Sunday. Both guys have momentum going in and it's incredibly difficult to pick a winner, but I'm going to have to go with JoMo here. Though I don't mind if I'm wrong on this one.
Morrison to win.
3. Team Raw (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Unified Tag Team Champion Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston and Mark Henry) vs Team Smackdown (United Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy, R-Truth, Finlay, David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) (Seven Man Bragging Rights Tag Match)
Before the events of this week's Smackdown, Team Raw looked incredibly stacked in comparison to Team SD. McIntyre and Escobar? While I'm sure they'll do well on SD in future (although McIntyre more than Escobar I feel), I thought it was way too early to include them in such a big match on the PPV, Escobar especially. However, now Smackdown's got some bigger threats on their team, they have a more credible chance of winning than before.
That said however, Team Raw is still incredibly stacked in comparison. Combined with their comments towards SD's team on Raw this week (regardless of the team change since), if Smackdown lose this match all the message will be is "Look we were right, Smackdown is weak, watch Raw instead". Raw's going to get ratings in the 3.0's and above regardless of whether they win or lose at the PPV; Smackdown however really does deserve a win.
What I think will transpire? Well what I think is most likely and most credible is Big Show turning on his team and laying them out, leading to Jericho getting the pin over say, Kofi or maybe even HHH or Michaels (a man can dream, besides it's better to have one of DX pinned rather than someone else on the team like Swagger who could lose their credibility if pinned).
In fact, I'd much prefer if this actually happened; it sends the message that the bond as Unified Tag Champs is stronger than brand loyalty (as it arguably should be, oh and ignore the shitty Jericho/Big Show Raw match from a couple of weeks ago) and it again pushes Jerishow as crafty and intelligent champions. Not to mention the whole Smackdown team gets the rub of beating such a strong Raw team.
Or of course WWE could just throw a massive 'fuck you' to Smackdown and just have Raw with their beloved DX bury Smackdown, the credibility of the tag belts and maybe even Cody and Swagger for good measures just because they're the team's other heels. And if this happened I would just facepalm massively and lose even more faith in the product.
So here's hoping for some Jerishow shenanigans and a Smackdown win Sunday.
Team Smackdown to win... hopefully.
4. World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker vs CM Punk vs Batista vs Rey Mysterio (Fatal Four Way Match)
Well with the way things are headed, it's probably safe to say we're going to have some sort of Undertaker/Vince McMahon culmination at WM26, so it's far too early to be pushing that program fully yet. Therefore, I'm inclined to believe the title stays on Taker for the time being, so that Taker can lose it in perhaps one or two PPV's time, which should be ample allowance for a WM26 rivalry push with Vince, who they're making out to be pretty obviously behind Taker getting screwed in the first place. I don't think anyone believes at this point that Rey's going to win the championship Sunday due the fact it would make no sense whatsoever. Batista would be believable to an extent, but then it would kinda ruin Taker's program. And with the way they've built up Rey and Big Dave as being such 'good friends' the last few weeks I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps seeds are sown for a Batista heel turn in the match, perhaps with Batista attacking Rey "by mistake", or something along those lines. I wouldn't really complain, plus it would keep them two busy and out of the title picture for the months proceeding.
But yeah, I don't think we'll have Punk win tonight either unfortunately, although perhaps in a PPV or two's time when the whole Vince/Taker thing comes into effect. But for now, I'm seeing Taker keep the belt for a month or two more.
So Taker to retain.
5. WWE Champion Randy Orton vs John Cena (1 Hour, Anything Goes Iron Man Match)
Let's be honest, this match will most likely suck out loud. I'd like to be proved otherwise, but it will probably be pretty crap. 20 minute Cena/Orton matches usually aren't fantastic, so how the hell are we meant to put up with an hour of it? I wouldn't be surprised if we have a few falls, then a "brawl to the back" (*cough*prerecorded*cough*) for about 20 minutes, then they return to the ring after resting for the last few bits. I don't think it's Falls Count Anywhere rules, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do this just because it's an excuse for more 'extreme' spots and to 'cause more damage so they're weak for the ring'. Blah.
Anyway, what I'm really waiting for in this match is whether Ted DiBiase turns face on Orton or not. They've been teasing it for so long now and they can only tease for so long before the fans lose interest in it. It's best to execute it now while the fans still care about it rather than pulling the trigger at say, the Royal Rumble where people won't care anymore.
That's really why I've got Cena down as winning this. DiBiase comes out when the hour is nearly up (Cena/Orton have equal falls) and attacks Cena; Orton is pleased. DiBiase then lays out Orton, gets a pop. Cena magically no-sells as usual and recovers as if nothing happens, AA's Randy and gets the last fall; avoids going to SD/ECW (like that would happen). Cena's champ again, Orton/Ted feud just in time for a certain DVD's release. Everybody's happy.
So yeah, Cena to win after Ted face turn.
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And that's it. Thoughts
