The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
The Bash: Preview & Predictions!
The Kingfish Arnie Katz gets you ready for WWE’s July pay per view event!.
The Bash, WWE’s July pay per view, is a transitional event. It will have some very strong matches, but few feuds will come to an end here.
Let’s look at the scheduled matches and delves into what fans might expect from The Bash.
The Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler
No-Disqualification
The Story: Dolph Ziggler went right at Khali from the day he landed on Smackdown The stipulation guarantees that the arrogant blond will pull out all the stops as will the Punjabi Playboy,
My Prediction: Whom did Khali offend to get into this one? This is a match between a guy who was over-pushed (Khali) and a guy who got a long, lame push (Ziggler).
They seem to be heading in opposite directions at present, but that can reverse in a hurry. Great Khali should eventually get some revenge, but it makes sense to do that at SummerSlam. That means this match will go to Ziggler, but only as a result of heavy use of a foreign object.
Predicted Grade: C-
Tommy Dreamer vs. Jack Swagger vs. Finlay vs. Mark Henry vs. Christian
ECW Championship
Scramble Match
The Story: Tommy Dreamer has never had it easy. Probably, he doesn’t even want it that way. This time, the Innovator of Violence faces all the top contenders. The odds are stacked against Tommy, but he has beaten long odds before. Can he do it again?
My Prediction: Finlay and Henry aren’t likely to get the title, even for a short period of time. That leaves Christian, Swagger and Dream. Dreamer will come through with the win – and probably will drop it to one of the other two at SummerSlam.
Predicted Grade: B-
Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
Intercontinental Championship
Rey Mysterio must unmask if he loses
The Story: Chris Jericho has the gold, but he wants something more: Rey Mysterio’s pride. He has goaded the Masked Marvel into putting up the hood in exchange for another chance to get at the wiseass Jericho.
My Prediction: If Rey Mysterio is going to unmask, it’ll be at SummerSlam. The finish here will see Mysterio run off with his hands shielding his face to give Jericho a count-out victory. This could lead to a match in which Mysterio risks losing his mask to protect his reputation as a wrestler after this COR loss.
Predicted Grade: B+
John Cena vs. The Miz
The Story: The Miz kept calling out John Cena on RAWM.I<, but he generally did so when Cena wasn’t in the arena. This time, The Miz will have to fight if he expects to leave the ring with his life, much less a victory.
My Prediction: It’s hard for me to predict this one, because I don’t fully understand why it is taking place. The Miz just doesn’t seem to be on anything close to the same level as John Cena.
This match smells. Sorry, the devil made me put the period there. This match smells like a heavily booked contest that will lead John Cena into an important SummerSlam match. How about this: someone interferes, perhaps as Cena heads to the ring, and John is unable to meet the bell. The match goes to The Miz by forfeit so he can continue to crow about it until Cena beats him in a squash on RAW. I’m not a praying man, but I may get down on my knees and beg the Wrestling Ghods not to let the attacker be Big Show. (But it probably will be.)
Predicted Grade: N/A
Melina vs. Michelle McCool
Women’s Championship
The Story: When Melina joined Smackdown, Michelle McCool targeted the Women’s World Champion. McCool plans to become the first woman to have held both the Diva and Women’s titles.
My Prediction: There’s evidence that WWE is shaking up he women’s division. Changing the title would be a good place to start, since it would elevate Michelle McCool by making her the first to win both belts.
Predicted Grade: B-
Primo & Carlito vs. The Legacy
Unified Tag Team Championship
The Story: Ted DiBiase’s injury stopped The Legacy’s climb to tag team greatness. Even after DiBiase returned, he and Rhodes seemed to function as little more than Orton’s henchmen. They’re still tightly bound to Randy Orton, but they are now refocused on getting their own careers back in gear. This match would certainly accomplish that, though the Colon brothers will have something to say about that.
My Prediction: It makes sense to put the straps around the waists of DiBiase and Rhodes, because they are largely under-utilized in their current roles. A good possibility is that Rhodes and DiBiase will win by under-handed methods. A new GM cold review the vid and rule that, though all decisions are final in wrestling, that the Colons merit a rematch at SummerSlam with a Special Guest Referee.
Predicted Grade: B
CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy</b
World Heavyweight Championship
The Story: CM Punk got the title by challenging Hard for the “Money in the Bank” match after the Charismatic Enigma had just won the gold in a grueling match. He’ll be fresh and ready this time, so Mr. Straight Edge will have his hands full in his first major title defense.
My Prediction: Jeff’s reluctance to sign a new contract guarantees that CM Punk will win this match and keep his title. Jeff will have to be satisfied on exiting on a tremendous match that will make fans, and WWE management, wish he was going to stay.
Predicted Grade: A-
Randy Orton vs. Triple H
WWE Championship match
Three Stages of Hell
The Story: The war continues. This time, the combatants have three falls to dismember each other. The EMTs will stand by on alert during this one.
My Prediction: It’ll go three falls. Interference by Legecy will help Orton keep the belt, despite a Herculean effort by The Game. The Game will receive a rematch.
Predicted Grade: A-
Predicted Grade for The Bash: B
That’s it for today. I’ll be back on Monday with another installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising daily wrestling column. I’ll have the recap and analysis of The Bash and you’ll be able to laugh at my predictions.
— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
(6/27/09)