4 - Edge & Jericho inserted into the Unified Tag Team title match & wins: 6/10
5 - McCool unloads on Melina's knee & becomes the first to achieve the "Diva Double": 7/10
6 - Punk gets DQ'd but retains the WHC: 7/10 (could've been a 8)
7 - Cena STF's Miz: 7/10
8 - Orton wins the 3 Stages of Hell but gets flattened by HHH: 8/10 (9 without Legacy)
OVERALL CARD RATING: 7.25/10
So, for the Extreme Rules--Bash Segment...
Superstar of the Segment - Randy Orton...narrowly! He gets the narrow edge over CM Punk & Tommy Dreamer. He won back the belt on Raw's 3-For-All, then held it at The Bash. Legacy, of course, helped him keep the Age of Orton alive, but for how long?
Diva of the Segment - Michelle McCool. Hands down, she had the most momentum out of any Diva in all 3 brands this segment. A series of wins on SmackDown, and some help from Alicia Fox parlayed into her being the first Diva to achieve the "Diva Double", and on the same PPV, no less. Convincingly, she broke down Melina's injured leg, and finished her off with the Faith Breaker.
Match of the Segment - The ECW Championship Scramble. This one was, by far, the best match in the entire segment! It narrowly beats the most previous United States Championship match on Superstars, which Kofi convincingly retained.
WHAT I WANT TO SEE AT NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
WWE Championship - Elimination Style: HHH v. Randy Orton v. John Cena v. The Big Show v. MVP
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk v. Jeff Hardy/John Morrison
ECW Championship: Tommy Dreamer v. Mark Henry
Intercontinetal Championship: Rey Mysterio v. Dolph Ziggler
United States Championship: Kofi Kingston v. William Regal/The Miz/MVP
Unified Tag Team Championship: Edge & Chris Jericho v. Carlito & Primo
Women's Championship: Michelle McCool v. Melina/Gail Kim
*** 3 Stages of Hell Match, for the WWE Championship Triple H vs. Randy Orton (c)
-- 18 points for correct winner
Choices: Triple H, Randy Orton, or No Contest
My Prediction: Randy Orton
*** Match for the World Heavyweight Championship Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: No Contest, No Contest, Yes - interference
*** Match for the ECW Championship Finlay vs. Mark Henry vs. Jack Swagger vs. Christian vs. Tommy Dreamer (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner
Choices: Finlay, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Christian, Tommy Dreamer, or No Contest
My Prediction: Tommy Dreamer
*** Match for the Intercontinental Championship Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Rey Mysterio, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** Match for the World Tag Team Championship Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr vs. Carlito (c) & Primo Colon (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr, Carlito & Primo Colon, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr, Pinfall, No - no interference
*** John Cena vs. The Miz
-- 12 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: John Cena, The Miz, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest
My Prediction: John Cena, Submission
*** Match for the Women's Championship Michelle McCool vs. Melina (c)
-- 12 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: Michelle McCool, Melina, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, KO / Referee Stoppage, DQ, Count-out, or No Contest
My Prediction: Michelle McCool, Pinfall
*** The Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler
-- 10 points for correct winner
Choices: The Great Khali, Dolph Ziggler, or No Contest
My Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
*** Will the 3 Stages of Hell match go to the Stretcher Match for a 3rd fall?
-- 8 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No, the match will be decided in the first two falls
My Prediction: Yes
*** Will Chris Jericho completely unmask Rey Mysterio during their match?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No
My Prediction: No
*** How many times will the interim champion change in the ECW Championship Scramble?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 to 4 5 6 to 10 More than 10
My Prediction: 6 to 10
*** How many times will Tommy Dreamer become interim champion in the Scramble match?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 4 or more
My Prediction: 1
*** Who will be the last entrant in the ECW Championship Scramble?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: Finlay Mark Henry Jack Swagger Christian Tommy Dreamer
My Prediction: Christian
*** Who will be the person pinned/submitted in the last fall of the ECW Championship Scramble?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: Finlay Mark Henry Jack Swagger Christian Tommy Dreamer No pinfalls or submissions will occur in the match
My Prediction: Jack Swagger
*** Who will be pinned/submitted in the Unified Tag Team Championship match?
-- 4 points for correct answer
Choices: Cody Rhodes Ted DiBiase Jr Carlito Primo Colon The match will not end by pinfall or submission
My Prediction: Primo Colon
*** How many titles will change hands at The Bash?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 or more
My Prediction: 1
This is probably another one of those PPV's where it looks highly unpredictable on paper, but when they actually compete in Sacramento this Sunday, it's a whole different...animal.
PREDICTED MATCH ORDER
Unified Tag Team Championship match
The Great Khali v. Dolph Ziggler (No-DQ)
ECW Championship Scramble
WWE Women's Championship match
Intercontinental Championship v. Rey's Mask
John Cena v. The Miz
World Heavyweight Championship
WWE Championship - 3 Stages of Hell
WWE Championship 3 Stages of Hell: This one is probably the 2nd most unpredictable match, although a good case can be made that Orton will retain. Orton probably has the narrow edge in Stage 1 - a regular singles match, while Triple H has the narrow edge in Stage 2 - a falls count anywhere match. I think that will lead to the Final Stage - the stretcher match, and I think it will go that way to allow Legacy & Mr. Sledgy to come into play. This could go either way, and I would be content with either outcome, as long as Orton & Hunter beat the **** out of each other. Narrow edge to The Champ.
World Heavyweight Championship: Looks like growing bad blood between CM Punk & Jeff Hardy, and you can't blame The Enigma for his state of mind after the final outcome at Extreme Rules. I see both Superstars going for the GTS or the Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combo, but I'm going to make the bold prediction and say No Contest because of possible interference from...Edge.
John Cena v. The Miz: This one will be Miz's biggest chance to shine & show why he's so...awesome. While I do think Big Show will have a say in this one, most likely to Camel Clutch John Cena into next year & maybe "Punch Out" The Miz, I think that Cena will reverse a Reality Check into a STF and make Miz tapout.
ECW Championship Scramble: Most unpredictable match on the card IMO.....obviously. I think it will really depend on the order they come out, and I think there will be plenty of pinfalls and submissions in this one, with plenty of finishers being used. The shillelaigh will definitely be in play here, even if Finaly has to use it behind the referee's back. I think Tommy Dreamer will nail Jack Swagger with the Dreamer Driver and get the final pinfall at around 19:50-19:55. This is generally a pick-em, though.
The Mask or the Intercontinental Championship: Probably one of the more anticipated match IMO. Everyone who follows Lucha Libre enough knows that alot of shame is brought upon any luchador who is forced to unmask and not cover his face. If Jericho does pull off his feat for the "sicko-fans", then kudos to him. But I don't think that'll happen for other reasons, and that's why I think Rey will finish Jericho with the 619/Springboard combo.
Unified Tag Team Championship: Legacy can really set the tone for The Bash, especially if they open the card in their match with The Colon Brothers. I see both teams beating the **** out of each other, but I think Ted Dibiase will nail Primo Colon with Dream Street and win the belts.
Khali or Ziggler: With this being no-dq, I think Dolph Ziggler can fire the chairs at Khali in this one, and he may have to do that to keep away from Khali's big reach. This could go either way, but I think Ziggler will get those needed weapon shots in and get the pinfall.
WWE Women's Championship: I think Michelle McCool is riding on too much momentum to not wrest the belt away from Melina. With a string of singles & tag team victories at SmackDown, Michelle will certainly unload on Melina, because Melina will definitely do the same. I think Melina will try to go for her L.A. Sunset finisher, only to have it broken up and McCool will unload her Faith Breaker to win the belt and be the first Diva to have held both women's belts.
SUPERSTAR OF THE SEGMENT: CM Punk - No-brainer here. He had a fiery weekend. He surprised everyone by taking out Umaga with the GTS on SmackDown, then does it again while winning the Samoan Strap match at Extreme Rules, then comes back cashes in MitB, and takes down Jeff Hardy with a third GTS to become a 2-time World Heavyweight Champion. Regardless of the fan reaction at the next SmackDown, he certainly "felt his fire burn bright".
TOP DIVA THIS SEGMENT: It's hard to say, but the narrowest of edge here goes to Melina.
SUPERSTAR/DIVA WITH THE BIGGEST SETBACK: Vickie Guerrero. "Excuse me!" She had the worst of luck this segment, getting put in, then losing in that Hog Pen match by the Marellas, then she got the "hammer dropped on her" when Edge "filed for divorce".
BEST PROMO: Chris Jericho. The man that's "saving himself" from the "hypocrites, lying, cheating people" stayed true to his word at Extreme Rules. He ripped Rey's mask off, then won his 9th Intercontinental Championship. Question is, will he have Rey come to the next SmackDown unmasked? He's certainly going to be smiling this Friday.
MY POWER 10:
1 - CM Punk; 2 - Tommy Dreamer; 3 - Batista; 4 - Kofi Kingston; 5 - Chris Jericho; 6 - Santino & "Santina" Marella; 7 - John Cena; 8 - Jeff Hardy; 9 - Randy Orton; 10 - Edge
*** Steel Cage Match, for the WWE Championship Batista vs. Randy Orton (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish) + 2 points for interference
Choices: Batista, Randy Orton, or No Contest Finishes: Cage Escape, Pinfall/Submission, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Randy Orton, Cage Escape, Yes - interference
*** Ladder Match, for the World Heavyweight Championship Jeff Hardy vs. Edge (c)
-- 15 points for correct winner + 2 points for interference
Choices: Jeff Hardy, Edge, or No Contest Interference: Yes or No
My Prediction: Edge, Yes - interference
*** Hardcore Match, for the ECW Championship Jack Swagger vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian (c)
-- 10 points for correct winner
Choices: Jack Swagger, Tommy Dreamer, Christian, or No Contest
My Prediction: Tommy Dreamer
*** No Holds Barred Match, for the Intercontinental Championship Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio (c)
-- 12 points for correct winner
Choices: Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, or No Contest
My Prediction: Rey Mysterio
*** Submission Match, John Cena vs. Big Show
-- 12 points for correct winner
Choices: John Cena, Big Show, or No Contest
My Prediction: John Cena
*** Samoan Strap Match, CM Punk vs. Umaga
-- 10 points for correct winner
Choices: CM Punk, Umaga, or No Contest
My Prediction: CM Punk
*** Hog Pen Match, Santino Marella vs. Vickie Guerrero
-- 8 points for correct winner
Choices: Santino Marella, Vickie Guerrero, or No Contest
My Prediction: Vickie Guerrero
*** Match for the United States Championship MVP vs. William Regal vs. Matt Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston (c)
-- 10 points for correct winner + 2 points for correct finish (bonus 2 points for correct winner & finish)
Choices: MVP, William Regal, Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, or No Contest Finishes: Pinfall, Submission, or No Contest
My Prediction: Kofi Kingston, Pinfall
*** Who will be pinned/submitted in the ECW Championship Triple Threat match?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: Jack Swagger Tommy Dreamer Christian Somehow, the match will not end by pinfall or submission
My Prediction: Jack Swagger
*** Who will be pinned/submitted in the US Championship Fatal Fourway?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: MVP William Regal Matt Hardy Kofi Kingston The match will not end by pinfall or submission
My Prediction: William Regal
*** Who of the following will appear live at Extreme Rules?
-- 0 points per correct answer, no incorrect answers allowed to score points
Choices: Rob Van Dam Shawn Michaels Triple H Undertaker None of the above
My Prediction: None of the above
*** Will the Money in the Bank briefcase get cashed in at Extreme Rules?
-- 10 points for correct answer
Choices: Yes No
My Prediction: No
*** How many titles will change hands at Extreme Rules?
-- 5 points for correct answer
Choices: None 1 2 3 or more
My Prediction: 1
It'll be interesting to see how much content the brass in Stamford, CT keeps a PG-rating, given how much violence is likely to be given by all the involved Superstars and Divas in the only PPV where every match is hardcore, although I don't think it'll be as extreme as last year's edition; and I still get goosebumps recalling last year's PPV main event. The sight of seeing Undertaker go through 4 tables at the end of that TLC match with Edge still gives me shivers, moreso because I was there, at the San Diego Sports Arena, to see it live.
Randy Orton v. Batista in the steel cage: I see this one being real brutal for both men in this one, with so much at stake. While I do see both men unleashing their trademark moves, I do see Legacy having a say in this one. They could distract Batista while Orton loads a RKO or a Punt, and if they do help and/or Orton is able to Punt Dave's head off, then expect him to nonchalantly get out of the cage. My lock of the PPV.
Edge v. Jeff Hardy in the ladder match: Similar to the above match, although if Edge wants "De-ja-vu" from last year, he could push Jeff Hardy off the ladder, and onto the announcer's table easily. I do think Matt Hardy will have a say at the end of this match, and that could be more than enough for Edge to remain "King of the Ladders" and World...Heavyweight...Champion!
Christian, Swagger, or Dreamer: This is one where I will be content with any result in this ECW-style Hardcore match, and you can be sure to see road signs, trash cans, tables, kendo sticks, and maybe a ladder or two used in this one. The Hart Dynasty could also play a role in this one, considering what happened earlier in the week on ECW & Superstars. Still, while I do envision either a Killswitch or a Gut-Wrench Powerbomb used late in the match, I would like to see a Dreamer Driver DDT end it all. Sentimental choice to the last ECW Original.
Who taps? Big Show, or John Cena? This one is quite a head-scratcher for me. Cena could be playing mind games with Show in not being able to snatch Show in a STF. While I do hope that Big Show can lock in a vicious Camel Clutch & humiliate Cena by making him tapout or say "I quit", I do think Cena will find a way to lock the STF on Show and he will get the 500-lb man to tap.
No Holds Barred, Intercontinental Edition: This could go either way IMO. I do see Rey going for a 6-1-9 or two here, and Jericho looking to wear Rey out with the Walls of Jericho and the Codebreaker. I do expect to see plenty of chairs used in this one, because at least 2 chair shots is what Jericho will need if he wants to unmask Rey & say that "IC is Jericho for the 9th time!"
US Championship 4-way: This one could be surprisingly normal match-wise instead of weapons--Matt Hardy's cast not included--being used. It was great to see Montel be a good sport and hand the belt over to Kofi last Monday on Raw, and I think Kofi will retain no matter who he pins, and how he does it. 3 Trouble in Paradise shots won't hurt either, and allow MVP to gun for Orton later this summer.
Samoan Strap: Punk showed last Friday on SmackDown that hauling up 300+ lbs of Umaga, with such a low center of gravity, for a GTS is not a problem. But now he and Umaga get strapped up for their PPV match, where they have to tap the turnbuckles in consecutive manner to win. Umaga obviously has the power edge, but as we saw last Friday, don't underestimate Punk. Brutal match no matter who wins.
Into the Hog Pen! If this match between Santina & Vickie isn't hardcore enough, I think the comedic factor of this one will offset the brutality of the match. Any intervention from Chavo Guerrero, William Regal, and Beth Phoenix could tip this match in the Raw GM's favor, and she could easily dunk Santina into the Hog Pen. Heck, she could fire one or both Marellas, if she want to too, if she wins.
So there you have it. One PPV, 10 people will be going down!...HARDCORE!
Kelly Kelly d. Maryse by DQ - 6/10 - would've at least loved to see Maryse do her trademark Camel Clutch.
Kofi wins the triple threat match over Matt Hardy & Regal to earn a shot next week at the U.S. Championship - 9/10 - awesome match; should've brought in my classic Kofi sign.
Santino & Mickie d. Chavo & Beth; then booking the Hog Pen match for "Santina" v. Vickie - 8/10 - Santino was so funny on the mic
Goldust & Hornswoggle d. The Kendrick & Festus - 7/10 - good save by Primo to stop a Kendrick chair shot on Festus
"Lakers" d. "Nuggets" - 10/10 - at least the real Kroenke's night was "saved" when his real Nuggets leveled the NBA West Finals series at 2-2.
OVERALL: 8.5/10
Great to see the return of....MMMRRRRR....KENNEDY!.....KENNEDY!
ECW
Vladimir Kozlov d. Russ "Ryan" Taylor & Joey Ninos in a handicap match - 6/10
Evan Bourne d. Mark Henry by count-out - 8/10 - nice way for Evan to pull off the win
Jack Swagger & The Hart Dynasty d. Christian & Tommy Dreamer - 9/10 - great team finisher by The Hart Dynasty.
OVERALL: 7.75/10
Is it just me, or does this big win put The Hart Dynasty in the hunt for The Colon Brothers' Unified Tag Team Championship?
