Royal Rumble '07 Predictions

I kind of got burned out a little bit with the predictions posts on
account that there seemed to be a pay per view every week there for a
while. Unfortunately, I don't use a nice and concise format like the
Crosblog. Curse you Gib.


MNM VS The Hardys

This was supposed to be a "dream" match for one night only. That kind
of changed. What started as a Jeff Hardy VS Johnny Nitro feud for the
IC title on Raw has developed into a cross-brand fued between the two
teams, and I am sure Matt Hardy is happiest of all because it gives
him something to do each week. The last time all four men were in the
ring together was at WWE Armageddon, where Joey Mercury had his face
completely re-arranged via a ladder shotcourtesy of Matt & Jeff. To
me, the blow itself didn't look to be particularly brutal, but the end
result sure was. As a result, Mercury has to wear a protective face
mask to prevent further injury. I think they'll kick off the show with
this match as a solid high flying opening bout. I'm a little ticked
that Jeff, Matt and Johnny Nitro are all still in the Rumble despite
being in a match. They could have opened those spots up to other
people to get them on the show. But back to the match, I think Nitro &
Mercury will take it. The Hardy's have been all over MNM as of late
and MNM need to get some heat back. Clusterf*ck ending with Melina
getting involved (And no complaints there, my love of Milena knows no
bounds).

Winners: MNM


Next up are the three title matches, each brand having their flagship
title on the line. Having the three main titles being defended makes
it hard for me to predict the outcomes. I doubt they would want each
title to change hands on the same show. I was really hoping they would
have some kind of tag team gauntlet featuring teams from all brands,
as a way to get them on the show too. London & Kendrick, Cade &
Murdoch, Cryme Tyme, Highlanders, 1/2 of The World's Greatest Tag Team
Charlie Hass, Taylor & Regal, and James & Stevens. I'm all about
participation. Ah well, I don't make the matches.


For the ECW Title
Lashley VS Test

I'm not sure why they made the last minute change of having Test VS
Lashley free on ECW tv this week. I hate it when they give away
matches right before they want us to shell money out to see it. The
fact that Lashley beat Test this week could signify that Test will get
his heat back on Lashley by beating him at The Rumble. Then again,
it's Test. What heat? Lashley just got the belt and they seem to be
building the brand around him. I don't see anything changing here.

Winner: Bobby Lashley


For the World Heavyweight title
Batista VS Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy has been the center of Smackdown as of late and rightfully so.
He has undeniable charisma, great in-ring skills and looks to be ready
to break out in 2007. However, not yet. It doesn't look like they're
ready to take the belt off of Batista yet, and are building up to a
program with the Undertaker. I think this match will make Kennedy and
give him a sense of legitimacy, much like what happened during Chris
Benoit VS Kurt Angle a few Rumble's ago. I expect Kennedy to bleed,
and bleed lot's, and I expect him to ALMOST take it. But somehow,
Batista triumphs.

Winner: Dave Batista


For the WWE Title
Last Man Standing
John Cena VS Uuuuuuuuuuuumaga

I wish they would let Armando Estrada work the mic more... They are
doing just about everything to back Cena into a corner in an attempt
to make the champ look better when he defeats Umaga, even as far as
faking an injury to make the champ look tough. I don't have much to
say about this one, I think it will mirror the New Year's Revolution
bout between the two, this time with last man standing rules. I can't
see them ever putting the belt on Umaga. Stranger things have
happened, but I doubt they'd want the Samoan Bulldozer as the face of
their flagship brand leading into Wrestlemania.

Winner: John Cena

So I am predicting that all three champs retain. Not sure what the
likelihood of it is, but this is me trying to figure out long term
booking plans. If it were up to me, I'd have Test & Kennedy take the
titles. Test, so that RVD can beat him for it next week and then turn
heel and work a program with C.M Punk leading up to Wrestlemania. And
I'd would give Kennedy a nice long run with the belt, because I think
he's got the skill to carry the brand with it.


30 Man Royal Rumble Match

Participants:

RAW
Viscera, Shelton Benjamin, Johnny Nitro, Jeff Hardy, Chris Masters,
Kenny Dykstra, Ric Flair, Carlito, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Randy Orton,
Super Crazy, The Great Khali

SmackDown
Chris Benoit, MVP, Matt Hardy, Mike the Miz, Chavo Guerrero, Finlay,
The Undertaker, Kane, King Booker, Gregory Helms

ECW
CM Punk, Sabu, Sandman, Rob Van Dam, Hardcore Holly, Tommy Dreamer, Kevin Thorn

I think that list correctly displays the pecking order of importance
within WWE. Raw has 13 competitors, Smackdown has 10 and ECW only has
7. TECHNICALLY the fair thing to do would have been 10 spots per
brand. But that is nitpicking...

I'm looking forward to the Rumble. I do every year. Like many, it is
my favorite pay per view of the year. It's something different that we
don't see every week on the shows. I am also a mark for battle royals,
so that certainly factors into things. If I had to predict a winner, I
would go with The Undertaker. He was my pick several weeks ago, before
they really started teasing a feud with Batista. It's no secret that
Taker's career is winding down (although I think I say that every year
around this time). They appear to be building an Undertaker VS Batista
title match for Wrestlemania. But both men are face. What better way
to make them go at it then by having the Undertaker win the Rumble?
That way no one has to turn. I also think they will have Batista end
the Taker's streak, *IF* that is what they are building up for. The
trade off for the Deadman is getting the glory of finally winning a
Rumble. I'm not buying into HBK winning the Rumble. He doesn't need it
to compete for the World title. *IF* someone from Raw were to win the
Rumble, I would place my money on Randy Orton. He's the only one left
that is a main eventer on Raw that hasn't faced off with Cena.

On a side note, I really wish they would do away with the stipulation
that the winner gets a Wrestlemania title shot. It really eliminates
that aura of unpredictability that should be associated with the
Rumble. It could be anyone's match. Just getting tired of it always
going to the biggest names out there. I'd love to see Flair win a big
one, one more time. Or it could really make a guy like Carlitto. Also
the formula of the Rumble winner ALWAYS taking the title at
Wrestlemania is getting tired. And faces winning the Rumble... I guess
I'm just saying I wish they'd mix it up.

I'm expecting a good show. But I hope I am wrong with all of my
predictions. I want to be surprised and proven wrong.