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LOOKING AT THIS YEAR'S SURVIVOR SERIES

Preparing for a "what should be" at Survivor Series

Before I begin, I must comment on how much of an improvement RAW was this week. It is very rare that WWE put a lot of effort into Monday night's shows and this one paid off. Good matches, good angles. Great build up to Survivor Series. The ladder match was solid and makes me wonder if RAW will beat Smackdown for the first time in months in terms of quality.

Anyways, enough about RAW - time for Survivor Series build up. Firstly, I'd like to say how much I've approved of the whole "matches announced on WWE.com" idea. Not only has it allowed WWE to build up matches for two weeks now (at least), but it got people temporarily interested in this event. The only problem with this year's Survivor Series: Too few matches - and considering you could still throw Benjamin and Carlito (wow, wasn't it only two months ago that he was second last match on the card at Unforgiven?) into the mix, its kinda weird. Another problem is: 3 Title matches when every single champion (minus London and Kendrick - again, not on the card?) is on the card. But, as long as the Traditional Survivor Series matches pay off, I'm fine.

The thing that cheeses me off about people not being on the card is this -  Benjamin's last PPV match was Vengeance 2006 - stole the show; Carlito at Unforgiven against Orton - amazing match; London and Kendrick - consistently put on good matches in the lower card of Smackdown events and they are undoubtedly, in my mind, the best tag team in WWE at the moment (that says very little, I know). Quite frankly, the thing these people suffer from are either lack of air time (Carlito, Benjamin, etc) or lack of mic skills (Benjamin, London and Kendrick - from what I've seen). And you know what, I couldn't care less if their match has no build up or purpose. Right now, I just need to see these guys back on the card. They are the future of WWE and it is actually horrible not to see them on the card. Also: No Regal!? Makes me mad. Ranting over, lets get the actual analysis done.

Spirit Squad vs The Legends
"Damn!" Had to say it. You know what I'd kill for in this match? Getting JBL on commentary for Ron Simmons being back in the ring. I'd love to hear what JBL could come out with about him. Basically put, in terms of skill, this will probably be the lowest on the card in terms of quality. But then again, you do have Ron Simmons and Kenny. Ric Flair can still has shades of his old talent. If Spirit Squad break up (I could have sworn they were going to break up at Cyber Sunday and they've been teasing it ever since), I won't be
happy but perhaps it will give the talented ones (gee I wonder who) a chance to shine on a single's level. In terms of entertainment, its always going to be great if you have Rhodes, Slaughter, Flair and Simmons - but I'm unsure if I'm looking forward to it. If this isn't the worst match on the card, then I'm sorry but whatever was has seriously done itself a serious
injustice.

My Prediction: Legends, probably with Simmons being the sole survivor.

Chris Benoit vs Chavo Guerrero - United States Championship
Can't wait. Simply put, that's it. I mean, I've always seen this quintet of talent that have been clustered together: Eddie, Chavo, Rey and Benoit.  Everyone knows (or should do) the history these four have, but look at it like this: Chavo vs Eddie had some great matches. Rey vs Eddie was just awesome last year (despite the crappy storyline). Benoit and Eddie just
speaks for itself (Armageddon 2002, anyone?). Rey and Chavo had a horrible storyline but some great matches this year. That's why I'm so optimistic about this latest chapter. Once again, the story behind it is awful, but quite frankly I'm just wanting to see these guys steal the show.

These two guys are why I'm such a believer that Smackdown is better than RAW. Such technical prowess from the two of them, added to the occasional high flying of Chavo and the one-off headbutt from Benoit. This one should combine technical ability, spots, shoots, old school, submission and high flying and if they can execute it into a match that flows, we could have a potential show stealer. This is one of the four matches I really don't mind
who wins at all. I'm a big fan of the two of them and hope they are given the time they need to perform.

Match Prediction: Chris Benoit via Submission.

Team Cena vs Team Big Show
If WWE is smart, this one should have a blatant winner. Its far too random a time to kill the undefeated streak of Umaga. Not really random, but he's in a match against five people - two of which I don't ever recall him interacting with and one (Sabu) was a squash on Monday night on RAW. Umaga should (emphasis on the word should) keep his undefeated streak. He's the most obvious contender for Cena's title and, not to sound like a "hater",
but Cena's efforts these past few months are nowhere near main event standard. Umaga, on the other hand, has a great gimmick, great manager, and a very athletic superstar. On a totally random note: how great would it be to have Estrada come out and call Umaga the "only undefeated Samoan in professional wrestling today". I mean, for all TNA talk about WWE, that could just be a total "SHUT THE HELL UP" to them.

Onto the match, I'm expecting an early elimination from Big Show, due to him still favouring an injury. I mean, at Cyber Sunday you could see just how much he was being made to take time out. Sabu needs, and I mean needs, to be eliminated early. I really don't like Sabu to start with, and the fact that there's no flaming barbed wire tables and "30 feet" ladders makes me think that Sabu is going to have to do a headlock. Ah, that would be comedy. RVD should stay in for a while, as he is proven to put on good contests. Kane is a guy I don't like to see in the ring. Done nothing good in years. I'm looking over WWE.com and seeing just how much better, in terms of quality, that Big Show's team really is. I mean, Finlay, MVP (he is actually impressing me - seriously), even Test has had his good few matches on ECW. And lets not forget Umaga. Cena will get a bit of momentum, but I can see interference leading to a Samoan Spike (the most underrated and realistic move in wrestling today) - and nobody kicks out after the spike. But it is John Cena... This is one match I really want my prediction to come true.

Prediction: Team Big Show - Umaga getting the pin on either John Cena or
Kane.

Lita vs Mickie James - Women's Championship

Take a good long look at what I believe to be the last good match in Women's wrestling before the final nail is dug into its coffin. Of course, I'm talking about Lita retiring. Somehow, them announcing it has made it all the more predictable. You're bound to see Mickie pull off a victory and the crowd chanting "nah nah nah nah, goodbye" to Lita. And I can't see them doing a Trish and having Lita win the last match and vacating the title.  Mickie will prove why she is probably the best active woman wrestler in any of the major companies, and Lita will just be Lita. Good wrestler, but no way the best of the past few years. I'm not being sexist, but Women Wrestling is pathetic in WWE right now. Mickie James or Torrie Wilson - which person would I rather see? Mickie. Who gets paid more? Torrie. Why? She can happily prance about in her "bra and panties". This match cannot be
as bad as the match at Cyber Sunday - simply because there is no lumberjacks on the outside.

Match Prediction: Mickie - cleanly, probably with a roll up.

Kennedy vs Undertaker - First Blood
Just give them as long as they had at No Mercy. The match at No Mercy was undeniably amazing, in my opinion, and it still managed to leave room for improvement. Kennedy can still cut probably the sickest promo in WWE right now, and Undertaker is just flawless, even at his age. The injury he's rumoured to have will not hold Undertaker back as much as people think. If anything, it may add an extra dimension to the first blood match. Kennedy
goes to strike Undertaker, looks like he's gonna hit him in the head (for obvious reasons), but he suckers 'Taker and hits him in the gut. Great psychology.

I'm all for this match in every way. Its a lot like Orton vs Undertaker of last year, only less Cowboy Bob Orton...that can only be good. A cocky young athlete who is destined for great things in WWE against the veteran Undertaker. I could really see Undertaker winning this one and then leading to the final match at Armageddon. I could also see this being a lot like the classic Austin vs Undertaker first blood match of '98 (or was it '99?). This one, along with Chavo vs Benoit, is my pick for match of the night. I don't care who wins, as long as they continue this feud and put on a great match.

Match Prediction: Undertaker.

Team D-X vs Team Rated RKO
Right now: Let Orton win. Take his Survivor Series streak, and I will lose all faith in WWE. I'm already in a bad mood with D-X and their complete lack of putting people over for the past five months, but taking Orton's streak which I believe he could build up to be remarkable. For all people complain about Undertaker potentially losing his streak at Wrestlemania or Hogan losing his SummerSlam streak - I believe Orton could be starting a streak like that, and he's already building a legacy around it.

In terms of match quality, this one should go along with some of the classic Survivor Series matches over the years. 2001 was probably still the best one in history, just due to the build up and the stakes. The 2003 one with Team Bischoff vs Team Austin could also be a serious contender for the best of them. I recommend those two. The RAW vs Smackdown of 2005 was probably third best I've seen.

This one should be as good. The only wild card is Mike Knox, but I have no doubt he'll be the first eliminated (if he's not, WWE creative want shot ... even more). I highly expect this match to get a good twenty minutes. People like Helms, Nitro and Knox will be eliminated quickly, I believe. Nitro may last longer. As long as CM Punk and Orton get a few minutes in the ring together (its a dream match for me, really) I'll be happy. Triple H should be the first of the "big four" to be eliminated, leaving Michaels vs Edge and Orton. Michaels does his miraculous comeback, and eliminates Edge. Then Orton cheats and picks up his fourth Survivor Series victory. This is the match I care about most, just for Orton's streak. Next match is one I just don't want WWE to mess up.

Match Prediction: Team Rated RKO - Orton being sole survivor and cheating to pin HBK.

Batista vs King Booker - World Heavyweight Championship
Why can I smell a potential disaster here? Oh yes: Batista vs Booker at SummerSlam was terrible. Absolutely terrible in every meaning of the word. Also, I could see Batista getting "The Cena Treatment". I can picture it now.  WWE Executives: "Hey, you're one of the worst wrestlers on the show but you make the most money ... here have the title!"

That is what I hate about WWE. Finally, WWE finds a World Heavyweight Champion that is truly amazing. Booker has mic skills, wrestling skills, championship material (FIVE TIME SUCKA!), and has put on consistently good matches on Smackdown. He has a gimmick which makes you hate him, without you being shoved down your throat too much - which makes it a successful and a good gimmick for a heel. He's got everything you could ask for, including a manager/wife who you just have to hate, and that's her job. Ever since Sharmell was brought in last year, she was being paid to make you hate her. Which means she's doing well right? Its like Coach - you have to hate him, but if you think about it, he's just doing his job and does it really well.  Batista is sloppy. He's still rusty from when he was injured, and even before his injury, he was still a pretty terrible wrestler. For all people complain about Cena having his "Five moves of Doom", well Batista has about three. Spinebuster, Jackhammer, Powerbomb. Ooh! Compare that to Booker's moveset and who's the better wrestler? At least Booker could pull of a headlock. The thing that makes me think that Batista will win is because marks want to see him as champion. Guess what! I don't. I hope Batista just leaves, I really don't like him and he's just too different to the likes of Finlay, Benoit, Booker, Chavo who make Smackdown awesome. Booker just has to
win and continue onto Wrestlemania as champion - and have someone like Benoit take it from there. Not Batista though - anyone but Batista. Match Prediction: Booker...by any means necessary.

Send any thoughts to stu0862@hotmail.co.uk - I hope you enjoyed my first article for PWInsider and I'm always willing to talk to wrestling fans.