Really quick, here are my picks for tonight's WWE Summerslam 2009 pay-per-view...
ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
ECW Champion Christian vs. William Regal
MY PICK: Christian. While Regal may have made a terrific champion a few years ago, and a heel champion might do wonders for ECW's ratings and viewership, Christian is much too popular to fall to Regal.
"MVP" Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Jack Swagger
MY PICK: Jack Swagger. WWE has been trying desperately to get Swagger over as a heel, and with MVP's popularity always rising, it's a perfect time to put Swagger over help both stars get to that "next level".
Kane vs. The Great Khali
MY PICK: Kane. I don't care how hard WWE tries to fabricate charisma for the (ugh) "Punjabi Playboy", he is little more than an "attraction" star. Kane has always held a special connection with the fans, whether face or heel, and this is a great way to establish his dominance.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler
MY PICK: I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler may be as charismatic as a brick, but if he's ever going to get over, Rey Mysterio is the perfect guy to help him do it.
UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Unified Tag Team Champions The Big Show & Chris Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme
MY PICK: The Big Show & Chris Jericho. They work so well as heel champions. While Cryme Tyme poses some excellent competition, I don't think they're strong enough to hold the unified tag team gold. I would save that for The Legacy's Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.
D-Generation X vs. The Legacy
MY PICK: D-Generation X. While a rub from DX would do wonders for the already hot Legacy, there's no way Triple H and Shawn Michaels are taking the fall after already being attacked from behind by Orton's young bucks on Raw. The sad part is, this angle is probably short term and do nothing for Legacy in the long run.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
C.M. Punk vs. World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy
MY PICK: C.M. Punk. I love Jeff Hardy as champion, but anyone who thinks the Hardys are back together is incredibly near-sighted. Matt Hardy will interfere to cost Jeff his title. The two will then go on to a nice, long feud.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena
MY PICK: John Cena. Orton has had a nice long run as champion, but I think WWE execs are getting anxious for something to happen. They will, naturally, fall back on Cena and take things from there. I hate to see Orton fall now, with the Legacy in full swing. It'd be great to see Orton retain, let Cena join DX, and start a nice long faction feud that will top anything TNA can do with the Main Event Mofia.
It's not very clear what direction WWE wants to go in right now, or what their overall vision for the company is at this stage. I guess the old saying holds true: anything can happen in the WWE...it's just not always clear why.
