SummerSlam, Deja Vu?

[Skwid]

This year's WWE SummerSlam is shaping up to be quite the event. First, and foremost, the return of Triple H is finally going to happen. I'm not sure I'm in favour of his first match back...but if it shuts Booker T up, I'm cool with that. Booker has been calling himself King Booker ever since he won King of the Ring a while back. Things finally came to a head when he challenged Jerry 'The King' Lawler to a match...the loser crowning the 'One True King'. Lawler lost, however, wouldn't crown the victor. It seems there's still one king left...the King of Kings, Triple H.

One can only hope that there is a sledgehammer in Booker's immediate future.

SS also marks the return of Rey Mysterio. Bah. Oh, don't get me wrong...I like Rey. However, he lost an 'I quit' match to Chavo Guererro and was never again to return to Smackdown. He could have gone to RAW. Ah, well...he's back, on Smackdown and is likely going to send Chavo into retirement at SS.

The main event. For months John Cena has been taking out bigger and badder opponents. He's been leaping over seemingly insurmountable odds. He has shown that there is no challenge he can't overcome. But now, his biggest obstacle stands before him in the form of......uh, Randy Orton? Oh, hey...I like Orton. Talented, outspoken and innovative. But after the likes of Umaga, Khali and Lashley...Orton seems like kind of a pushover.

Figures...cuz this is likely the end of the road for Cena's current reign. I think an Evolutionary war is gearing up, with Triple H, Batista, Orton and Flair all wanting another stint at the top. Flair is set for retirement soon...and he'd like to have his 17th belt before he goes. Batista and Orton are still young and putting their title numbers behind them. Triple H has been vying for his 11th world title for a little too long now, and I'm betting it won't be long before he has it.

Speaking of Batista...I think that, with Edge out for longer than expected, Batista will take the title again and likely hang onto it for a bit. Khali has already been defeated by Cena, so it's not like anyone can't imagine the bigger, stronger Batista to do the same. I'm sure Flair will have something to do with it.

John Morrison vs. CM Punk. Honestly...this is a total waste of talent. Two of the best talents that WWE has to offer, and their fighting over a title that no one cares about. They both need to work on their mic skills...but they have the in-ring ability, to be sure.

I was at SS in 2004 and watched Orton become the youngest world champion in WWE history. He hasn't had a second reign, and I'm sure I'll be witnessing the start of it on August 26th.

So...my predictions so far (I'll add more as more matches are announced):

Orton def. Cena
HHH def. Booker T
CM Punk def. Morrison
Mysterio def. Chavo
Batista def. Khali

[Janiln]

Good thing I stopped watching the 'E, cause that card is absolute crap.

The only reason Cena's gonna lose is because Trip's is twisting Vince's arm. Which is a mixed blessing; it's good because someone finally gets the belt off that no count; bad because it's a sign that the belt will be heading back to Trip's waist soon.

It's been widely rumored that the Triple H vs. King Booker feud will be a major one-sided joke feud (guess who wins that one).

Poor Smackdown; there I was looking forward to possibly seeing Kane finally go over someone, and Edge goes and falls for the Smackdown curse. Meanwhile the shittiest hosses on the roster (who no doubt more roided up than Edge or Mysterio or anyone else who was injured) remain healthy. Title goes back to Batista <i>again</i>.

Punk vs. Morrison could be good; it's just a shame that WWECW is buried. And Punk needs work on his mic skills?! Watch his ROH stuff!

Mysterio vs. Chavo could be good; haven't watched Smackdown lately.

The only sad thing is that it'll still be better than Hard Justice or No Surrender. Vince Russo and Dutch Mantell have this to compete against, and they still can't book a decent feud or match!

[Skwid]

The Kane thing is driving me absolutely nuts. They've been on the verge of giving him the final push and perhaps giving him a 'real' title run, but always seem to come up short. I mean, he can't be any more of a fan fave than he is right now.

Russo couldn't write his way out of a grade six essay. WCW suffered from exactly the same thing that TNA is suffering from now...EGO. It's the same four guys every night. Doesn't matter what's happening in the ring, because even during the match they're commentating about the main eventers instead of calling the damn match and giving the guys in the ring some much needed exposure. And this one guy holding every title? What the hell is THAT? Just one more thing that's wrong with TNA. I'm glad Cage is getting a break...but mark my words...he WILL be back in WWE, and it will be as a headliner, now that TNA made it possible for people to believe it was in him.

[Janiln]

Cage will never be a headliner in the WWE. For how long you've been watching the WWE, Skwid, you oughta know about Vince's big guy fetish. :rolleyes:

Speakin' of Summerslam 04... heh heh... tell me what's wrong with this video.

Believe it or not, that's not a fan edit. That's taken straight from the latest batch of WWE dvds.

[Skwid]

That's absolute crap. You know, I realize what Benoit did was a serious matter and that there are many people who wish not to remember him in certain ways...but to completely wipe out all that he did in his career? C'mon...that makes them no bloody better than the WWF wanting Vince to edit out all the 'F's in past televised matches.

As for Cage, Damilin...I disagree. I agree with you on the Vince thing, though there has been the odd exception...but I think Cage will continue to get bigger. Keep in mind, Edge isn't that big either. Nor is Rey...nor was Benoit. And really, Shawn and Bret weren't all that big either. The fans were really starting to take to Christian, and if he comes back, it will be huge for WWE.

I personally think that Cage is the best thing TNA has going for them. Everyone else is either too old, too hyped or second rate.