WWE RAW Results (05/12/08) Jim Ross welcomes us to the Joe Louis Arena as we go into the show with the lights out in the arena. The lights come back on and William Regal is in the ring...
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! This Sunday, the WWE presents the Royal Rumble. Now I know I have been talking about the Rumble for a few weeks now, but it's just one of those PPV's where the WWE could throw a curve ball and surprise the fans at any time. Allow me to get down to business and give you guys my predictions for how the Rumble may turn out.
To open the show, I see JBL vs. Chris Jericho. This feud has gotten very personal, very quickly. This is a good thing, but a bad thing at the same time. Good as it adds a very personal element into the match, bad because the feud itself seems a bit rushed and hasn't had enough time to FULLY develop. I expect the feud to continue past the Rumble and end perhaps at No Way Out or even Wrestlemania. That said, Jericho gets the win here. He needs a big win as he came up short against Orton, and he needs retribution against JBL for all he's done. Jericho with the win.
I see the World Heavyweight Title match between Edge and Rey Mysterio following. All in all, this seems to be a "filler feud" in between Edge/Undertaker at 'mania. I expect a great ppv quality match here as both men have great chemistry with one another and both give it 100% all the time. Edge wins with help from Chavo and his Edge-Heads. Don't be surprised to see CM Punk involved as well, as I think the WWE may be planning to move Punk to the blue brand full-time very soon. Edge walks out with the win.
MVP taking on Ric Flair should follow. This career-threatning match should be a decent one. Flair gives 110% each time he steps between the ropes, and MVP improves by leaps and bounds everytime I see him. Flair wins to stay afloat another day and begin his road to Wrestlemania.
Now, the big time match of the night. Other than the Rumble itself, the WWE Championship match between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton will steal the show. The WWE should be very pleased with these two men as this program has turned into the HOT TICKET of the year. Fans have gotten behind Hardy and he has responded in kind.
I have no problem accepting Hardy as a main-event player, but I don't think he's WWE Champion material just yet. I say, have Hardy come up just short, then have him continue defending his Intercontinental Title while being in main event matches at the same time (ex. Elimination Chamber @ No Way Out). That way the WWE can see if Hardy has what it takes to stay main-event status while not chasing the title directly. Either way, Hardy appears to have shaken the demons from early in his career and appears to be ready to truly step to the next level.
That said, I believe this is where the WWE will throw their curve. Jeff Hardy will leave the Rumble as the new WWE Champion! Watch for it because I believe it will happen.
The Rumble itself, I see Triple H walking away victorious. Why? The WWE could play off the tension between Hardy and HHH from earlier in the year for a perfect and unique 'Mania main event. Add Orton to the mix and the HOT TICKET continues. Early rumors had Batista winning, this is something I don't see. Triple H wins his second Rumble.
That does it for now peeps, hope everyone enjoys the Rumble no matter how it turns out. 'Til next time remember, you're always welcome...at The Dog Pound.
