WWE Championship
Randy Orton © vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho's return hasn't lived up to expectations. The crowd was dead for his return. The crowd was dead the next week. Past week or so it's been ok. Nevertheless, Jericho was thrust right into the title picture. I don't think the fans of today's WWE remember Jericho. I realize he's only been away for about 2 years but people forget pretty easily. Just look at the storylines they do and people forget about. This feud hasn't been built up a whole lot. They've brawled a little but nothing where you really want to see the match. Throw in the RAW Anniversary show and the build up doesn't get much better. Did the creative team screw up Y2J's first run? I'll answer that in a few months but it's looking like they have. You can't put it all on them because the first few crowds Jericho was in front of didn't pop like I thought they should have. If you add the comments by Triple H backstage, things aren't looking bright for Chris Jericho. On Orton's side of things, I think he's had a good run so far as champion. I wish he would do a few gruesome acts against whoever he's facing. That was one thing that got people hating him was beating up and bloodying people. With the stuff happening in the Triple H-Jeff Hardy match, I don't think Jericho wins here. I do think they'll do a Jericho-Triple H match in a year or two. Right now, Orton wins and goes on to face…maybe Jeff Hardy.
My Projected Winner: Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Championship
Triple Threat Match
Batista © vs. The Undertaker vs. Edge
With the rumors about Wrestlemania, this would be the perfect time for Edge to get the belt. I've heard streak vs. streak for 'Mania and I don't see Undertaker losing. It kind of makes me regret selling my WM ticket. Edge returned at Survivor Series and made a huge impact by beating down Undertaker, which was great for a heel. I think this match will be one that sends Batista back down to the lower level of the main event tier. He's been in every main event for over the past year. It's about time for him to drop down a little. I'm interested in seeing what he does with Elijah Burke. As for Sunday, I see Edge becoming the World Heavyweight Champion, if not Sunday, certainly at the Royal Rumble.
My Projected Winner: Edge

United States Championship
MVP © vs. Rey Mysterio
I think this match will steal the show. These two seem to work together. While I thought Mysterio should come back and rebuild the Cruiserweight Division then move to the US title division, I'm glad to seem him getting a shot. I find it a tad odd that he went from going for the World Heavyweight Championship to going after the United States Championship. MVP has been rolling since won the belt. I didn't think he would last this long but he's done some good work. His feud with Matt Hardy was great and I wish it could continue. But, medical stuff happens and storylines have to be altered. I think Mysterio & MVP bring a good contrast in styles. I don't see Mysterio getting the belt just yet, if that's even part of the plan. So, I'll take MVP with a dirty victory in this one.
My Projected Winner: MVP

Women's Championship
Beth Phoenix © vs. Mickie James
Beth has been built up as the ultimate, dominant Diva. She's got the look. She's got the power. She's got it all. I'm glad they're letting Mickie "feud" with her. It hasn't been much but I'm enjoying it. I think they should let the Divas who have been trained and wrestle the best feud. In other words, the eye candy that can't make it around a ring without tripping and falling don't deserve to be in there. I don't see Beth losing the belt anytime soon unless it's in a hardcore match or one with multiple combatants. Give me Beth with a quick, dominant finish.
My Projected Winner: Beth Phoenix

#1 Contender's Match: WWE Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H
This is perhaps the most interesting match on the card. I've heard a lot of stuff over the past few weeks about how Triple H likes Jeff Hardy and other stuff. We all know Triple H won't hesitate to bury younger talent to get himself over. Sound familiar? I'm not questioning Trips' motives for marrying into the McMahon family. He can still perform and do just about anything. Either one of the Hardys deserves a shot at the title belt. We all know that. This would be a great shot to at least throw the fans a bone. The going plan is for an Edge-Undertaker and Batista-Triple H WM main event combo. So, I guess Randy Orton is out. Then again, they could do a 3-way, hyping the fact that they're all old buddies. It's too early to start Wrestlemania feuds, or at least it is in my opinion. We all know my opinion doesn't mean jack to the higher ups in the WWE. For this one, I think Jeff Hardy will score an upset victory over Triple H, maybe with a rollup.
My Projected Winner: Jeff Hardy

Mr. Kennedy vs. Shawn Michaels
If this match was on another PPV, I would probably be looking forward to it. However, the past few weeks haven't given it the greatest buildup. I think this could be a good feud going into Wrestlemania. I enjoyed the segment where Kennedy was talking about the HBK DVD, the segment with HBK's old buddies, and even Michaels' promo where he said Kennedy a million times during the 15th Anniversary show. They could have built it up a little more but they've done the best job with the time they had to work with. With both of these guys coming back a few months ago, it's hard to see who needs the win the most. HBK has already had a few shots at the title. Kennedy is the one who was supposed to be getting a monster heel push since coming to RAW. The thing is, since his arrival, he hasn't done much. If Kennedy is going to fight Triple H at Wrestlemania with the illegitimate son storyline, it's about time to start it up. I'll take Kennedy with a clean victory.
My Projected Winner: Mr. Kennedy

Finlay vs. The Great Khali
I usually look forward to matches involving Finlay. I like his hard, brawler style. But, with The Great Khali involved, a match goes from "good" to "bad" just with him involved. I wish Finlay would get a push and become World Heavyweight Champion. They missed that boat with they gave the belt to Crappy Khali. Khali has done all he can do and it's time for him to go. Please. Just leave Khali.
My Projected Winner: Finlay

ECW Champion CM Punk & Kane vs. Big Daddy V & Mark Henry
The dud matches continue with this one. While I have no problem with Kane or CM Punk, their opponents are another story. Big Daddy V used to be able to wrestle about a hundred pounds and years ago. Mark Henry is known for hurting people during his matches and not in the kayfabe way. If I were Punk or Kane, I would stay clear of both of them. The fans made their voices heard during Cyber Sunday when Big Daddy V didn't even finish 2nd in the voting for Punk's opponent. Instead of continuing to listen to the fans, they put Miz & Morrison together, which is ok, and put Big Flabby V into a feud with Punk. What the hell? I don't see how this benefits anybody. ECW continues to be a little bitch show with no direction whatsoever.
My Projected Winner: CM Punk & Kane

Excess Power Rankings
1. Randy Orton
2. Batista +1
3. The Undertaker -1
4. CM Punk
5. Triple H +1
6. Jeff Hardy +2
7. Chris Jericho -2
8. Edge +1
9. Shawn Michaels NEW
10. Mr. Kennedy

You can e-mail me at lukeparks@hotmail.com. If you send me spam, I will knock your block off. Just kidding, but seriously, I will. If I don't respond to your e-mail, chances are it got caught up in my junk mail folder.

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