Last night’s WWE Judgment Day PPV turned out a lot like this year’s NBA Playoffs thus far: no upsets, modest levels of excitement, good performances by workmanlike professionals, but ultimately a lackluster show. No titles changed, no blood, and no can’t-miss moments. Although the Y2J - Shawn Michaels match came close.

In fact, if you had looked at the WWE’s own pre-Judgment Day Power 25 rankings you would have known the winner in all four planned singles matches. All the top seeds won.

#1 Triple H defeated #4 Randy Orton
#2 The Undertaker defeated #7 Edge
#3 Shawn Michaels defeated #9 Chris Jericho and
#13 John Cena defeated unranked JBL

In the other singles match Jeff Hardy hadn’t yet been ranked in the Power 25 post suspension. If he had been ranked he definitely would have charted higher than the long-sleeved unitarded stiff MVP. Hardy’s win was no surprise.

Neither were the results from the other two matches where the reigning belt holders – Miz and Morrison and Mickie James – both retained their titles.

So was the $39.95 PPV price tag for Sunday’s event worth it? Considering the WWE storyline, belt holders, and plot are at pretty much the same place they were on Friday I would say no.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

WWE Judgment Day 2008 Final Judgment

A poll on last night’s SmackDown revealed that 76% of WWE viewers think the title stripping move was unfair. We agree, but The Undertaker hasn’t really lost the title yet. He will still be fighting for it at the Judgment Day PPV where we are sure the see the banned choke hold again. Bank on it.

In the meantime he needs an opponent and what better way than a tournament? So yesterday Vicki Guerrero organized an entertaining tourney placing all current or past World, U.S., or ECW champs – except for The Edge and the Great Khali who “doctors” deemed unfit to compete – into a big pool. The winners of the first match would then be tossed into the maelstrom of a battle royal. The winner would be The Undertaker’s Judgment Day opponent.

First Round Results
Matt Hardy defeats CM Punk
MVP and Finlay draw. Both men advance.
Batista defeats John Morrison
Big Show defeats Tommy Dreamer
Kane defeats Chavo Guerrero

Which of the six finalists would successfully channel the ghosts of Andre the Giant and Big John Studd and prevail? Only three of the six – Big Show, Batista, and Kane – ever had a realistic chance. To win a battle royal you need two special kinds of skills: lots of weight and lots of strength.

The winner couldn’t be Kane, he’s too boring, so that left Batista and Big Show. Our loyalties were split. Once the fight started our smaller heroes forgot rule #1 for battle royal success: gang up on the big guy. For too long a time Big Show ruled the roost with head butts and slaps. Yawn. The planners also forget rule #2: the dead weight has to leave early. The match dragged on until finally and inevitably only Big Show and Batista were left.

Image details: Forks of Lightning served by picapp.com

As the 11:00 p.m. witching hour approached Batista somehow managed to get Big Show over the top rope and onto the floor. In the process Batista himself was flipped over the top rope but managed to gather himself on the canvas. At that moment Vicky Guerrero cackled joyfully that Edge was now medically able to compete. He rushed down to the ring, knocked Batista out(!) and claimed his spot against The Undertaker at Judgment Day.

The title belt, which had been on display inside the arena, was then struck by lightning in what was either a meteorological miracle or an example of The Undertaker’s dark powers. We’re still dubious about Edge’s place in the Judgment Day match and suspect that he’s going to have to face someone next Friday to solidify that spot.

The Undertake and Edge Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Friday’s SmackDown: Shock Battle Royal Ending