WWE Armageddon Predictions: Whose End Is Here?

Hey guys,

Since I didn't have a lot to vent about this week, as Montreal lost a pair of games (yay) and Ottawa won (yay), I thought I'd write my predictions for the last PPV offering of the year by WWE: Armageddon.

The show airs from Buffalo, NY, home of Women's Champion and one half of Glamarella, Beth Phoenix. I find it a bit wrong that a woman who can wrestle as well as Phoenix can, and one being pushed so hard by the company doesn't even have a match in her hometown...Looks like she'll only get airtime tonight if a Santino segment happens.

If TNA has anything going for it against WWE, it's the way it promotes its women wrestlers. But this is a prediction article not a rant, so let's get going.

So, I went 6-1 in three consecutive PPV's in the summer, ending with the Cyber Sunday offering where I didn't do so well. I was still a winner at Unforgiven, but CS kicked my butt. So, please think about my run but also the fact that predictions are still crapshoots when you read everyone's articles on who they think will win at PPV's.

First, let's get the Divas match out of the way. An eight diva tag, where Maria, Kelly, Mickie and Michelle face Victoria, Jillian, Maryse and Nattie Neidhart, who may soon be paired with her family members as a part of a much better push.

I think all the signs are pointing to a heel victory in this one. If it's one fall, you can bet it'll be a lot of sloppy back and forth action, unless Mickie, Maryse or Natalya are in the ring. Michelle has been worrying me of late, but as she gets worse, Maryse and Maria have continued to improve. Maybe this will be the match where Michelle will finally lose her cool and turn heel, but only after being pinned or having her "good friend" Maria cost her team the victory.

Prediction: Team Heel (Maryse, Jillian, Victoria, Natalya)

Next, we have the Belfast Brawl between Finlay and Mark Henry. This storyline intrigued me for a few weeks, with Atlas returning to the ring, and Finlay finally doing something other than comedy. I want to see Finlay fight, not laugh. I like Horny, I really do, but he's not doing anything for Finlay's reputation at the moment.

Perhaps Henry will get the win off a distraction, or Finlay will win and then Henry and Atlas will get the jump on Hornswoggle and send him to the hospital. I'm not 100% on the winner of this one, but it being Finlay's match, I think he'll get a lucky win, although I won't be surprised either way.

Prediction: Finlay

Vladimir Kozlov debuted in April and still hasn't been pinned. Now after failing to win the WWE Title, which he had no business challenging for in the first place, he's gotten himself in a fight with ECW Champion Matt Hardy. As a major MFer, I think Matt has the goods to make this match watchable. I don't exactly like Kozlov's slow pace but he is solid in his skills...just very one-dimensional at this point.

Perhaps this mini-feud with Matt can help him out a bit. Thank God it's non-title, because the only thing worse than Kozlov winning a title to early is having him steal gold from a man who truly deserves it and earned it simply because Vince wants to push Kozlov as far as he can. I still would love to see Jeff Hardy end the Kozlov streak to help his legacy, and so I say Kozlov will beat the older brother tonight.

Prediction: Kozlov

Finals of the IC Title Tournament: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

This match will likely be the best of the night. Not only is CM Punk determined to get his hands on King Regal and stamp his name on the IC Title legit after using the briefcase to win the World Title, but the styles of these two fan favourites mesh so well. I love it when the fans are involved, and trust me, they'll be ready for this one.

Mysterio is stuck in another storyline at the moment with Mike Knox, the small wrestler hater. Knowing this, I doubt he'll dive into another important story like challenging for a singles title. Punk also had a bad time in Hamilton, ON recently...at a house show, he and Kofi lost their World Tag Titles to Morrison and Miz.

Punk dropping the title tells me WWE is ready to give him a shot at my favourite title, one that has made careers. It's a stepping stone to better things, and about time WWE trusts Punk with this opportunity. He won't waste it.

Prediction: CM Punk

Legacy was officially born at RAW's 3 hour Slammy Awards show Dec. 8. With DiBiase Jr. out of action (he actually got written out so he could film The Marine II), Randy Orton has steadily melded his attitudes and skills with Cody Rhodes and Manu. They were able to take down Triple H and Batista in a handicap match at the Slammy show, but with the new year on the way, it's time to re-visit Batista's winning ways and prep him for his rematch with John Cena at WM 25.

A lot of writers I've read are saying Orton will win simply to cement "Legacy," but I think Batista will win this one to start building him up-but not by pinfall. I'm going with Legacy having enough and attacking Batista, leading to a DQ...and maybe a save by Triple H, or perhaps, The Champ himself.

Prediction: Batista (DQ)

World Heavyweight Title: Chris Jericho vs. John Cena (c)

As I said above, Batista and Cena are on a collision course as of this writing. And so, with Jericho cheating his way in and out of the title the last half of the year, I think Super Cena is just the man to finally put an end once and for all to Jericho's winning ways. I was very happy to see Jericho get this opportunity to carry the brand again, as he is a Canadian and one of the best heels of our time, not to mention a pretty good wrestler.

But what is all that compared to a man who brawls but sells merchandise?? Cena will retain, and although I knock him a lot, he did impress me in his return in Boston. Maybe he'll be given another chance to show he knows more than five moves.

Prediction: Cena retains

WWE Title: Edge (c) vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy

This is Jeff Hardy's breakout match, right here. All he has to do is use it. Edge winning the title back shocked me a bit, but putting him back together with Vickie shocked me even more. Despite the rehash, he knows what to say and do to succeed, and the Ultimate Opportunist out of Toronto Canada will do it again, just barely surviving his date with the Game and the Extreme Enigma.

The trick here is how will he win, and what will it mean for SmackDown? This may be the perfect set-up to Jeff Hardy being denied any more chances...except if he earns it against 30 other superstars, which I assume, is where the Game's next battle lies as well. Edge's next opponent for the Rumble is anyone's guess, but for tonight, Edge will prevail and the SD! locker room will be forced to deal with the consequences of this crooked Power Couple.

Prediction: Edge retains.

That's my take on the PPV tonight, which starts in just over an hour. Enjoy the show, and like you, I can't wait for the Royal Rumble.

Happy Holidays!!

I'll be back  with the 10th editon of On The Take once more before 2009.

Until next time,

This is your Crowd Coach signing off.