With Summerslam a little over 4 weeks away, I wonder what will be the main event on the RAW side of things. I was really surprised that Benoit retained last Sunday because I thought it would end up being HHH vs. Edge for the world title in his hometown. I would assume Benoit will go into Toronto defending his World Title, but that could change. Here's his prospective opponents for Summerslam:
HHH-Helsmely still wants the world title, but now it seems he's got quite a bit of business with Eugene as well. What did HHH expect getting help from a retarded person? Though for once I'd like to see someone compete for the world title other than HHH.
Edge-There have been rumors circulating lately that Edge will soon debut with a new look and attitude. Could this be the start of a heel turn for Edge? Summerslam is in his hometown, and it would be interesting to see an all canadian world title main event between Benoit and Edge.
Randy Orton-Now that Randy is no longer IC champion, he might want to start going after the world title. Orton/Benoit is a fresh match and feud since they've yet to go up against each another one on one. Though Orton may not be ready for a world title feud or run yet.
Chris Jericho-This doesn't seem very likely looking at recent months. Jericho is also Canadian though it doesn't seem like a world title feud is in the cards for him right now. I'd still be open to it since Benoit and Jericho have had great matches in the past, and they've never competed against each other for a world title.
Eugene-hey they just had a world title match on Monday? And after weeks of shoving Eugene down our throats and pushing him into a spot where he doesn't belong, maybe that's all just the tip of the iceberg.
Other-Maybe WWE has something else planned for a Summerslam main event like a triple threat, fatal fourway, or an elimination chamber match since they did that last year. Though I think an elimination chamber match would be a bad idea since it would probably take away RAW's better wrestlers for good undercard matches.
(edited by The Vile1 on 17.7.04 1659)
"Don't compare my arm to your cheap arm!" -Edward Elric
It'll be Triple H/Benoit. Edge winning the IC Title at Vengeance solidified it for me. They're going to prolong the Edge/HHH feud by having him face one of the other Evo members at SummerSlam and then build him up as a main eventer throughout the autumn. If he catches on then he'll be good to go for WrestleMania XXI, if he doesn't then they won't have commited themselves too deeply and can easily demote him back to the upper-midcard.
Originally posted by leggoIt'll be Triple H/Benoit. Edge winning the IC Title at Vengeance solidified it for me. They're going to prolong the Edge/HHH feud by having him face one of the other Evo members at SummerSlam and then build him up as a main eventer throughout the autumn. If he catches on then he'll be good to go for WrestleMania XXI, if he doesn't then they won't have commited themselves too deeply and can easily demote him back to the upper-midcard.
I think it will be Orton who he faces in this role. It gives Chris a chance to elevate Orton and maybe a chance to rock Evo a little over it. Trips is going to take Eugene down, perhaps, while maybe Batista goes after Edge.
Then if Edge tanks (and he will- because he has all the amazing charisma of Test), Randy can step up (after the breakup of Evo) to go after Trip's belt at WM21.
(edited by AWArulz on 17.7.04 2035) Now, is it ok for me yell THEATRE! in a crowded fire?
SUMMERSLAM: World Champion Chris Benoit vs. ??? Eugene vs. Triple H I think they'll save Benoit/HHH for the next month, as HHH has unfinished business with Eugene.
UNFORGIVEN [No Mercy is a Smackdown PPV, and the RAW October PPV is a few weeks later. They won't do back-to-back SD! PPVs]: World Champion Chris Benoit vs. Triple H Title switch!?
SURVIVOR SERIES: (World Champion) Triple H vs. Edge Chris Benoit vs. Randy Orton (?) Orton costs Benoit the title at Unforgiven, we get this...
CALGARY FLAMES: Your 2004 Western Conference Champions DVDs I Own
I'd wager on HHH to go for (and win) the title, while delegating someone else in Evolution to go after Eugene (probably Batista, who needs to avenge himself after that Chucky Cheese trip). He's the top heel on the company's second-biggest show of the year. Especially with Eddie possibly out on the Smackdown side, it's up to Raw to put up a solid main event.
I can't believe that people are going on about Edge not making it as a World Title contender but then are saying Orton will be wrestling for the title at WM. Is Edge a great World Title holder? No. But he's way better than Orton is and probably ever will be.
The Raw side of the ppv is going to have to be the main event because I don't see any matchup on the Smackdown side good enough. So it's going to have to either be Triple H, HBK (how long is he going to be gone), or Jericho. I don't think anything else is going to be main event for a main ppv caliber match.
-RAW World Title, Ladder Match: Chris Benoit (c) Vs. HHH -Six Man Elimination Tag Match: Randy Orton/Batista/Ric Flair Vs. Edge/Eugene/William Regal -No-DQ Match: Chris Jericho Vs. Kane -Tag Team Title Match: La Resistance (c) Vs. Rhyno/Tajiri
Then SD! could do:
-WWE Title Match: JBL (c) Vs. The Undertaker -No. 1 Contendership Match: Kurt Angle Vs. John Cena Vs. Eddie Guerrero -US Title Tournament Final: Charlie Haas Vs. Booker T -Six Man Tag Team Match: Paul London/Billy Kidman/Re Mysterio Vs. Bubba Ray, D-Von & Spike Dudley
A pretty good, well-built card that could be really hot by the time the event rolls around.
Once upon a time in China, some believe, around the year one double-ought three, head priest of the White Lotus Clan, Pai Mei was walking down the road, contemplating whatever it is that a man of Pai Mei's infinite power contemplates - which is another way of saying "who knows" - when a Shaolin monk appeared, traveling in the opposite direction. As the monk and the priest crossed paths, Pai Mei, in a practically unfathomable display of generosity, gave the monk the slightest of nods. The nod was not returned. Now was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai Mei or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture? The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known, are the consequences. The next morning Pai Mei appeared at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple's head abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei was inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin Temple and all 60 of the monks inside at the fists of the White Lotus. And so began the legend of Pai Mei's five point palm exploding heart technique.
Originally posted by oldschoolhero-Six Man Elimination Tag Match: Randy Orton/Batista/Ric Flair Vs. Edge/Eugene/William Regal
Yo, I'm down, but they just did one of those. How about Batista v. Eugene (that would be awesome), Regal v. Orton and Edge, I don't really care what Edge does. But ooh! Idea - how about Edge wrestles Jericho for the IC strap in the great country of Canada? And they hug post-match? That's fun for everyone.
Six Man Tag Team Match: Paul London/Billy Kidman/Re Mysterio Vs. Bubba Ray, D-Von & Spike Dudley
I'd like to see, and have a niggling feeling they're going with, Orton vs. Rock at SummerSlam. Giving Edge the IC Title might've been something to keep his anti-Evolution momentum going while temporarily taking the strap off Orton, as who would believe that Rock is actually going to win the title with his part-time schedule? I mean, if you hadn't heard Foley talk about how he wanted to put over Orton before their match, you MIGHT see it as feasible that he'll make a comeback as a champ, but Rock I just can't buy into. And judging by their interaction a few weeks ago on Raw, there's definite unfinished business there. Why else would Randy just randomly interupt him?
Hardly original thinking, I know, but here's what I figure will happen:
Chris Benoit Vs. Triple H (special referee Eugene) Edge Vs. Randy Orton Shawn Michaels Vs. Kane Trish Stratus Vs. Victoria Rhyno/Tajiri Vs. La Resistance
Undertaker Vs. JBL (Too early for a HIAC match, I suppose?) Eddie Guerrero Vs. Kurt Angle Billy Kidman/Paul London/Rey Mysterio Vs. The Dudleyz (oldschoolhero's idea, but it's a great one) John Cena Vs. Kenzo Suzuki (or some sort of mini-U.S. Title Tourney/battle royale that features the afforementioned guys, as well as RVD, Booker T, Rene Dupree, etc.)
How many times must they throw HHH into the main event,he is getting as bad as Jarrett was in the last days of WCW. If they give the belt to HHH in Canada, I don't think everyone is leaving that show alive. I think if they had built Jericho up it would be a nice Warrior vs. Hogan match since its in Toronto, they could do it. However, I get the feeling they will do HHH/Benoit probably in some weird stip even though HHH is no longer the no 1 contender.
If Rock does come back, I'm all for it as long as he doesn't job to Orton. I do believe Mick hurt his career by doing that, so I would want Rock to win and then on Raw, Orton can take him out. If does job to Orton and when HHH does beat Orton dead, it'll cement HHH more as the real legend in the WWE.
Smackdown is pretty much dead weight on the card minus Eddie/Kurt and Cena/how the hell really cares. Taker will take the belt off of JBL, because Bradshaw is not caring that thing till Unforgiven. I do think if they do a TLC match with the Dudleyz and Kidman/London, it will be a cool.
I got tickets for this thing and I'm driving seven to eight hours to see it, so I am hoping for something incrediable, but since seeing this year's Rumble, its going to tough.
Personally, I've been begging for a Benoit/Jericho feud for months even though I know it's not happening. Seeing as how they're both face and Summerslam is in Canada, the crowd reaction should be tremendous. They'd actually need a decent storyline, other than relying on Eugene(Triple H/Benoit) or someone else as the center of the story. Jericho is coming off a long feud with the Trish/Tomko/Christian gang and really has nothing better to do. He hasn't the strap since losing to HHH at Wrestlemania X8...think it's about time.
Back to reality...it'll probably be another watered down feud with Benoit/HHH with Eugene as the ref.
Originally posted by A FanHow many times must they throw HHH into the main event,he is getting as bad as Jarrett was in the last days of WCW. If they give the belt to HHH in Canada, I don't think everyone is leaving that show alive. I think if they had built Jericho up it would be a nice Warrior vs. Hogan match since its in Toronto, they could do it. However, I get the feeling they will do HHH/Benoit probably in some weird stip even though HHH is no longer the no 1 contender.
Jarrett wasn't that over in WCW. Nowhere near as over as HHH is right now or even five years ago. Wrestlers often lose in their hometown, nevermind their home country. (Speaking of which, I predict Edge losing the IC Title in his hometown at Summerslam). I don't see how the location of the event will matter in a Benoit/HHH match. HHH getting a rematch won't need to be a weird stip either, as the last one wasn't a clean victory for Benoit. You may not want to see it, but prepare yourself for another HHH/Benoit match. I'd bet money it's going to happen...and it'll probably be good like all the others have been. This program is not yet finished, and since there haven't been any bad matches between them, I'm fine with that. It's better than some of the alternative HHH feuds we've seen previously: vs. Nash, vs. Steiner.
The way I see it, Benoit is nowhere near the heights of notoriety, fame, or popularity that Bret Hart enjoyed from Canadians. There would be no riot in Toronto over HHH beating Benoit. I highly doubt there'd be anything other than booing - moreso probably from HHH winning than Benoit losing. Most non-wrestling fans I know can tell me who Bret Hart (or Hogan or Rock) is, but they have no idea who Benoit is. Benoit isn't a Canadian hero like Bret became. Torontonians in general probably feel no real attachment to Benoit other than cheering for him like they would Jericho or Edge.
A Jericho/Benoit match would be nice - on RAW - but as a PPV main event at this point in time, it would only be an inexplicable diversion from the storylines they've been pushing for the past six months. That's more fantasy wishing than anything, but I will agree it'd be a good match to watch again.
Well, to be fair, HHH is not a household name either. The WWE drives him down our throat like he is, but lets face it he is not Hogan, Flair, Austin or Rock. Hell more people know Taker and Foley than HHH. Benoit maynot be a legend, but its like he has been main eventing for long either. HHH has been main eventing almost five years straight and the last thing people remeber him from is his DX days.
HHH will never be as over as Rock, Hogan or Austin. When he did return from his injury, it took the fans less then two months shit on him. He jobbed the title to Hogan for christ's sakes if you want proof. HHH/Benoit in some form has been main eventing the last three out of four Raw PPVS and a Co-sponsored PPV. HHH did job cleanly to Benoit at Wrestlemania, so why bother. I want something new and exciting. Jericho/Benoit would be new exciting and would have the fans behind it a 100%. Why put a main event at the second most important PPV of the year when the fans will pissed at the end of it. It has never made sense to me for the WWE to send the fans home angry. You want to see a decline in wrestling take the statistic for every PPV where a heel wins and see if there is a drop on Raw or the next PPV. It would be an interesting study and probably one that will show you a drop in attendance.
Originally posted by A FanHHH will never be as over as Rock, Hogan or Austin. When he did return from his injury, it took the fans less then two months shit on him. He jobbed the title to Hogan for christ's sakes if you want proof. HHH/Benoit in some form has been main eventing the last three out of four Raw PPVS and a Co-sponsored PPV. HHH did job cleanly to Benoit at Wrestlemania, so why bother. I want something new and exciting. Jericho/Benoit would be new exciting and would have the fans behind it a 100%. Why put a main event at the second most important PPV of the year when the fans will pissed at the end of it. It has never made sense to me for the WWE to send the fans home angry. You want to see a decline in wrestling take the statistic for every PPV where a heel wins and see if there is a drop on Raw or the next PPV. It would be an interesting study and probably one that will show you a drop in attendance.
There's too much speculation going on in that post - from who's going to win a match that hasn't yet been announced to TV ratings - but you're free to see things your way. If you're right about everything you say, then Vince and co. are missing the boat on the biggest grossing feud to ever hit wrestling. The WWE must be run by idiots who don't know anything about wrestling or making money.
p.s. I agree about HHH not being a household name...but I fail to see how that relates to anything in my or your own post. My point about Benoit not being a household name (who Canadian fans care as deeply about as they did with Bret) was in response to you saying "nobody will leave alive" if HHH beats Benoit.
I think then you need to clarify what you mean by a household name. Canada consists of three religions, beer, hockey and wrestling. Benoit is the World Champ, who was trained by the famous Canadian Wrestling family, the Harts. Right now, he is their Chosen One, he is Gretsky without the skates and hair. To say, lets have him drop the belt on the second most important PPV of the year in front of a very vocal and sometimes weird crowd, is begging for shit to happen. You know, stuff happens at live events, shit that never gets reported on the net or by the WWE. I have been to about ten live events, 4 PPVS, 2 houseshows, 2 Smackdowns and 2 Raws, out of those I have been in three different crowds, MSG, Philly and Pittsburg and at least one of them someone tries to do something stupid ie jump the barriers, flash or get into fights. Security is very tight at these events, but I would not want to risk something like that just because TripleBaby wants his bottle back. If HHH wants it back, they should have done it at Vengance, if it does happen to be HHH/Benoit it has about as much interest as Great American Bash.
HHH beating Jericho at WM18 didn't cause a riot in Toronto. Then again, that could've been because everyone left after the Rock/Hogan match.
I would bet solid money on Benoit facing HHH in a one-on-one match. I'd hope they wouldn't do an elimination chamber gimmick since, frankly, I'd save it for the next Smackdown PPV; those shows need SOMETHING to offer the audience.
THE QUEST FOR LORD STANLEY'S CUP
Tied for 9th: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators Tied for 5th:Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche Tied for 3rd:San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers Second:Calgary Flames The Champion:Tampa Bay Lightning
Chris Benoit is not on Bret Hart's level as a Canadian Icon/Hero here, probably not even close. Everyone in Canada knows who Bret Hart is, wrestling fans or not.
So I think Toronto would recover from Benoit losing the title BUT I don't think its worth risking. It'll cross that line into the "wrong type of heat".
That doesn't mean they won't do it. The plan was always for Triple H to get the title back at SummerSlam, though. But the fans accept Benoit as World Champion and he gives Triple H good matches so I could see them stretching those out a little longer.
You know, if there was ever a time and place to do the Shawn Michaels heel turn, wouldn't it be screwing Benoit in Toronto and helping Triple H win the title? Kane is busy with Matt Hardy and they could always just say that brutal attack opened Shawn's eyes and he knows that he needs friends.
That sets up HHH/Edge and Michaels/Benoit as the top two programs in the Fall on RAW. Not too shabby, if you ask me. Shelton Benjamin will be back to do his feud with Orton that never really got into full gear as well.
WWE now serving only -> "DIET CHAVO - All the taste - Half the fat!"
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