The Fans Are In Control, The Titles Are Always Safe

Hey everyone,

Cyber Sunday, the 5th annual (3rd under the current title) begins in just over 2 hours. I thought I'd use this column to make my voting predictions, because after going 6 for 7 three straight PPV's, I can't very well make any match predictions because the WWE Universe doesn't know what matches will happen! Yes, the votes are being cast everywhere, from elections to wrestling PPV's. I've always liked this event because I'm a big fan of interactivity. But I noticed something interesting in the title picture for this PPV.

None of the World titles have ever changed hands. The secondary titles have been exchanged only once total in 4 separate matches. The only title change of those happened in the first match of the first PPV when Shelton Benjamin, defending his title in the warm-up match tonight at quarter to 8, won the vote and beat Chris Jericho for the IC title. The WWE tag titles (SD!'s version) have never been defended on the PPV, despite being around all five years. However one title bucks the safehouse trend of the others.

The World Tag team titles, currently held by Team Priceless, have been defended three times over the years. Each time, they have changed hands. Now I'm hoping the tag match voted in is the Tag title match between TP and Punk/Kingston. It's sad to see what WWE is doing to CM Punk's character. Make him look like a paper champion, all through his reign make it a secondary part of each RAW and then start cutting him from even appearing on PPV. Vince, if you don't wake up, you're going to end up regretting it. I'd love to be able to threaten bodily harm to the Chairman for his stupidity in booking Punk, but I'm sure he'll listen more if I threaten his pocketbook, which I thnk is a real concern. Punk sells and still has tons of fans, despite the losing streak. They put him on the poster, make Vince pay for his insolent booking which I believe is still a product of a childish feud with Paul Heyman that began before he was fired for wanting Punk as ECW World Champion, not to mention every other idea he had for ECW that clashed with Vince's vision which now looks like a worthless brand. All I'm saying is vote Punk in to wrestle and give Vince something to think about.

I'd like to say this now before I announce my votes. Except for two which were on WWE.com, the others won't count. That's because I don't text to begin with and wasn't going to start just to make the Chairman think he'd done a good thing by making the fans pay to vote after 4 years of voting online where the amount of votes climbed every year. I expect the votes to be far less this year than last and hopefully that wil change his mind for next year. Here's the matches I'd like to see.

Preview Match-US Title

Shelton Benjamin defends against ??

The three choices fans got were R-Truth, formerly WWF's K-Kwik and TNA's Ron Killings; Festus of Biscuits n Gravy; and MVP, the man who cannot win to save his life. He's lost nine straight outings dating back to August. Which is why I voted a whack of times for MVP. Shelton is finally getting the ball, has a good gimmick that can make him some money if they do it correctly, I don't want to see him lose his title to another up and comer in R-Truth. His push makes me think of Punk's in the way that it's only temporary. Let's hope Benjamin retains at the very least, and keeps the rivalry going, or gives MVP his 10th straight loss.

Big Show vs. Undertaker

Match type: Knockout, I Quit or Last Man Standing.

I voted LMS and I Quit. The I Quit match intrigues me since neither have ever said it and are so successful that it'd be a shock to hear one of them utter those five letters. Last Man Standing is always a good chance to determine who is the better of the two because it's a big fight that only ends when the other man is unconscious. If that doesn't say finality, I don't know what does. I think it's Taker's turn to win here.

Now we come to the votes that cost us. No thank you, WWE. But had it stayed free this is how I would have voted and why.

IC Title Match: Santino vs ??

All three of his potential opponents are old-school performers. First we have Hall of Famer, Rowdy Roddy Piper. Santino pointed out on RAW exactly why I don't want to see Piper wrestle. He's out of shape. I'm one of Piper's biggest fans and always will be but I'd rather see a better match tonight. Sorry Roddy, you're out. Then there's the Honkey Donkey Man. Honky Tonk almost lost a finger in a dumb guitar related stunt a few months ago, but he says he'll be at Cyber Sunday. I think the majority will vote for him just to have that match after Santino debuted the Honk-a-meter a few months ago. But if you want my vote, I chose Goldust. Recently released from TNA where he was playing Black Reign and had a pet rat named after his ex-wife (As Kelso would say, BURN!!), Dustin Runnels is the only one of the three who is in good enough shape and has been in active competition recently to be chosen if you want to see a good match rather than a throw-away comedy fight. Plus I love his theme song and kinda want to see what Santino makes of his mind games.

The Divas having their little Halloween Costume. Vote Maria. I don't care what she's wearing. Maria. OK??

I already discussed my choice for the tag match. The other two to choose from has one that is sure to get votes and a throw-away that really belongs on HEAT. Too bad Heat isn't around anymore. Regal/Layla vs Jamie Noble/Mickie. Love Mickie, Like Regal, but the other two is what makes this match not worth PPV time. RAW is fine if it happens early on tomorrow's show. But not tonight. The other is the battle of the talk shows. Cryme Tyme vs Miz and Morrison. If that match is voted in, Expect Cryme Tyme to get the duke and end the feud. If not, we're looking at new tag champions, I hope.

Kane vs Rey Mysterio, match types to vote for are: Falls Count Anywhere, No Holds Barred and Best 2/3 Falls. I'd love to see the latter. Getting two (or more!) matches for the price of one with this caliber of supers-sorry Vince, entertainers?? Worth every penny.

Finally we come to the main events, although the ECW match will probably open the show again because Vince hates spending any real time pushing his new ECW. Matt Hardy will likely face Evan Bourne, but personally, I'm hoping it's Finlay the fans voted for. He's an old-school grappler who knows how to tell a story. He reminds me of Hall of Famer Greg Valentine whenever he gets in the ring, with his hard-nosed moveset and ability to take punishment and still find ways to win. If anyone saw Finlay vs Benoit a few years ago at Judgement Day, there's no way you can't agree Finlay knows what he's doing in that ring. So did Chris Benoit, unfortunately his story didn't end the way it should have. Moving on. Bourne will likely get the vote, but not the title.

Chris Jericho defends against Batista. How many more title matches will Batista get.?? I agree he's a great talent, but him chasing the title isn't working anymore. At least he's on the show. Jericho will have to contend with one of three referees: HBK, Randy Orton or Stone Cold Steve Austin. A landslide for Austin?? I don't think so. I vote to see HBK in there, because as big a star Austin is, he's not a very good referee. He counts slow and has trouble getting in position. If HBK were voted in, as a writer, I'd have Austin come out late in the match and just stun Batista and HBK, smile at Jericho, then stun him during the proverbial beer bash. Batista would get another shot at the title in that case, but it would be a small price to pay. Have I mentioned how phenomenal Jericho looks every week in this new character?? Go Canada!! Jericho will retain, no matter which ref gets voted in.

Finally, we come to what will be the main event. Is this Jeff Hardy's last chance?? I don't think so, but I do know he and Triple H are going to have one hell of a fight before Kozlov interferes having not been voted in. I said this a few weeks ago, I want to see Jeff win the Title and have him be the one to end Kozlov's streak. Triple H is great and all, but he has his legacy written in stone. Reward another star instead of giving your son in law even more accolades than he needs, Vinnie Mac. Jeff will either shock the world and win a World title at Cyber Sunday, or Kozlov will interfere. Either way look out at Survivor Series, where I believe Jeff Hardy will FINALLY win the big one.

Americans are voting for Obama. I voted for the NDP here in Ontario and we won. Conservatives still won a large minority, but the NDP has taken over Southern ON and it's about time. As for the WWE, how will the votes go tonight?? Whatever happens, remember it's you fans who have all the power in the world to send a message tonight and change WWE one more time. Enjoy Cyber Sunday.