By now most of you are aware of both Raw and Smackdown's Championship Scramble matches. After watching Smackdown, I'm very interested in this concept.
Much like this year's No Way Out, the concept for Unforgiven's main event is the same for Raw as it is for Smackdown, but they have different purposes.
While Raw's is due to a surplus of main eventers, Smackdown's is to raise the mid card. This is a very interesting, but much needed move.
This year's draft was good to both brands (and for the record ECW has done a good job staying entertaining while seemingly getting raped in the draft).
After the draft the two brands almost felt even, as Raw had an all-star cast of main eventers in Batista, John Cena, JBL, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Kane and Rey Mysterio. With the addition of CM Punk to the main event, you can run your own WrestleMania from that roster.
With Smackdown switching networks they took the "you gotta tune in" approach casting "must-see" wrestlers such as the always popular HHH, the always exciting Jeff Hardy, the unpredictable Edge, the (no introduction needed) Undertaker, The outspoken Mr. Kennedy, along with guys The Big Show, Umaga, The Great Khali, and MVP.
Raw's overcrowded approach seemed to work better for them, as they were able to use it to their advantage with everyone chasing a title or each other. The problem is they don't have enough faith in their champ to see him headline a PPV on his own. While CM Punk is popular, he doesn't have the star power like other guys.
Smackdown's luck in the world title picture...well, it kind of went dry. Mr. Kennedy and Umaga both went out to injury. Edge has to sell an injury. The Undertaker is seeking revenge on La Familia, Khali blew his chance at Summerslam, and The Big Show is being "overlooked."
So the WWE answered both of their problems with a concept new to the World Title's. A Championship Scramble. It seems like a great idea. Raw will no doubt have the main event of the night surrounding Punk with big names in an exciting match. Smackdown will put on a great showing with their new stars.
For many, this will be their first time in a world title match. Shelton Benjamin is a guy who could always put on a show but never could do much with his pushes. He has some credibility as he is the current United States champion and has actually beaten HHH before a few years back.
Jeff Hardy is right on the brink of the main event. He's had a bittersweet year as he's been arguably this year's hottest wrestler, but his personal problems have kept him from going to that next level.
MVP had a tremendous year last year and it seemed like he was on the brink this year competing in the elimination chamber and Money In the Bank then after losing to Matt Hardy he was kind of just lost on Smackdown. The WWE appears to be trying to build his momentum back up.
The biggest surprise in this match however is The Brian Kendrick. A man who re-debuted on Smackdown a few weeks ago. Since then he's been in a squashing jobbers with the help of his bodyguard. The WWE seems to have wanted to split him up from Paul London and give him a push for a while, even including a small heel turn just before Wrestlemania.
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
michael szego 10 months ago
good article,good read. only drawback,Umaga. Whenever they've cast Umaga in an out of control fashion,he's one of the best heels going. lately he seems reduced to mid-level performer,and i think that's a waste of talent.
And again PLEASE ! Khali is f'ing boring ! he's got to be the dullest act,since Hulk Hogan's 1 gazillionth leg drop across someone's chest.
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Alevyn Shareef 10 months ago
Your right Umaga's great when written properly, he's out on injury for a few weeks. I doubt he'll be shoved in the main event with out building him back up as a monster. He needs to do something big.
I never liked The Not So Great Khali myself he is boring, I'm glad that he's demoted back to the midcard now.
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Casey Emmanuel 10 months ago
I liked all of your ideas here Alevyn minus Randy leaving to Smackdown. I really hope he doesn't. Since the divorce of Rated-RKO a year ago and with Edge leaving to Smackdown, Randy has been RAW's only "real" heel. Yes they have Chris Jericho, but he is only battling with Shawn Micheals, Kane as well but he seems to be starting with Rey, and JBL ?? well no one really cares about him. Randy is really the only one universally hated by most of the wrestlers on the RAW roster and has been a thorn on the side of most of them. Also there is still a lot in store for him on RAW, imagine the awesomeness if he were to partner up with Batista and maybe even bring in some new cats such as Cody and Ted and create a new Evolution the storylines would be great. Battling it out with Cryme Tyme and Cena for dominance over Raw. It already seemed like a partnership with Batista was in the works since "One Night Stand" (I believe) when Randy went up to Batista and said they should work together again. I hope thats the case.
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Alevyn Shareef 10 months ago
You know your right that would be pure awesomeness. Randy Orton is a rare competitor in that in a short time he really has faced everyone, Raw and Smackdown that he can as a heel. I dont want to see a face turn or anything but ho is there left.
Him and Batista is still there left for him on Raw. But I don't really know what else. I know he can get a match with Punk. He need's a long feud (like shawn and jericho are having) when he gets back or a interesting alliance.
His injury really saved him from becoming stale. I love Orton, don't get me wrong but he got injured at a point where he had no where to go. Which is probably why his title reign ended, he didn't have challengers anymore.
Also I asked who did HHH have left for a mania. Who does orton have is the question. His Mania history might not be as big as HHH's but who is left that he hasn't fought that is a big match? Him and Batista but it looks like Batista has a mania match set.
I don't want to see Orton thrown back into Money In the Bank aka give them something to do.
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Adam Wright 10 months ago
I'm praying for the slim slim chance that MVP walks out the winner. I know the chances aren't good. But I would love to see it happen.
By the way, when he returns, Kennedy vs. MVP would be gold! Both great in the ring, and both unbelievable with the mic.
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michael szego 10 months ago
Also it continues to disapoint me,the inability to develop(after a lot of years) Chuck Palumbo,as a higher level heel. 'rasslin of late has babyfaces & fan fave badasses,there's few talented or promoted out right heels.
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Ross 10 months ago
Seeing Brian Kendrick win would be AWESOME!
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Greg Sprague 10 months ago
the one thing i dont like about this scramble thing is that they did it 6-7 years ago. during the invasion with the hardcore title. also im not sure how i like the whole superstars on raw up and comers on smackdown thing. i know vince is basically focusing on raw but then that means that more than half of the company is but on the back burner.
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M C 10 months ago
I don't think Kendrick's a lock for the match. It was a big surprise to see him make the field, but under the circumstances he won the Battle Royal I'm expecting Big Show to lobby for a spot...Maybe we see Show vs. Kendrick next week after Show complains to Vickie Guerrero.
I also agree with Greg above. I went to a WWE house show where they had a Hardcore title match and 10 guys ended up winning the belt officially before the night was over.
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David Trent 10 months ago
Jeff Hardys time is now, who wouldnt like to see him as champ. I heard on the radio that the reason they made triple h an kali fight was because kali is going to get surgery on one of his legs an that might be it for his wrestling career but hes going to star in more movies. Punk will probably pinn jbl for the win. I wanna see more out of Big Show. I rather see SD scramble cause there bringing in the mid carders to step there game up while on raw you get the same top opponents in one match.
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aditi anshu 10 months ago
yeah at unforgiven it should be Jeff hardy as new champion.
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