The Grappling Greek's Guesses

Okay, everybody. As promised I'm back with my predictions for One Night Stand. The card is absolutely loaded, so let's get right into things.

Melina v. Beth Phoenix (I Quit Match)

This little feud started when Melina accidentally hit Phoenix in a recent match against Mickie James. The feud continued at the last PPV when Melina did the job to Mickie, leaving The Glamazon on the outside looking in.

Prediction: While I really like the push that Melina has been getting and her turn to the babyface side of things, I simply can't see how she would go over the Glamazon in this match. They've built up Phoenix for months. Tearing her down now just doesn't make sense.

Winner : Beth Phoenix


Big Show v. John Morrison v. Tommy Dreamer v. Chavo Guerrero v. CM Punk (Singapore Cane Match)

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a regular watching of ECW, however I do know one thing. Tommy Dreamer will not win this match. Now, having said that, who will? Chavo? He doesn't need it...he's already getting the rub from the Familla and has other tacos to toast. John Morrison? Well, he pinned Punk cleanly on Tuesday night, which means he's not winning Sunday. That leaves Big Show and CM. My hope is that CM gets the duke. He was really making headway after winning the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania, but his push has been stalled out lately. He's the one I hope wins because he's a young star who has the potential to carry the company someday, in my opinion. However, I'm not sure the WWE has the foresight to have him go over Big Show, who really doesn't need this match. Winning here will do nothing for his career.

Prediction: CM Punk, but I'm nervous Big Show will actually win.


Jeff Hardy v. Umaga (falls count anywhere match)

Of all the matches on the card, this is the one that I feel is the toughest to call. Both wrestlers have jobbed to each other in the past. Hardy was on a real roll until his substance abuse suspension slowed him down. Umaga continues to impress in-ring and remains a marketable monster, capable of anything. Will the Fed punish Jeff for his out-of-ring transgressions, or do they want to fast-track him back toward the top of the card. My guess is the latter.

Prediction: Jeff Hardy


Shawn Michaels v. Batista (Stretcher Match)

This may be one of the better stories the WWE has told in a long time. It all started with Batista resenting Michaels for being the one who retired Ric Flair. Bats didn't believe Michaels claims that he didn't want to retire Flair, he was simply doing his job. He said Michaels ego is so big that he relished in being the one who forced the Nature Boy to hang up his boots. So at their PPV match, the two fought it out. Bats looked to be in control of things until Michaels blew out his knee. Bats laid off because he was genuinely concerned for Michaels. Then out of nowhere, HBK connected with a booming superkick for the 3 count. That left special guest referee Chris Jericho puzzled. He accused Michaels of faking the injury. Michaels denied it for weeks, until once again scrambling Jericho's brain with another round of Sweet Chin Music. Meanwhile, Bats vowed to injure HBK if his knee injury turned out to be a hoax, which it did. As for Jericho, his inability to beat HBK has caused him to nearly lose it. He threatened a full heel turn attack on Raw Monday night by going after HBK with a steel chair. But before doing the deed, he reconsidered at the last minute. How will Jericho affect this match on Sunday?

My guess is that Batista lays out HBK, with some help from Jericho. Batista walks away from the match saying he didn't ask for the help, but what happened, happened. It's just business. That's good enough to keep him on the fans side. As for Jericho, he goes full blown heel, asking how true wrestling fans can root for a faker like Michaels. HBK takes a few weeks off because of serious injuries he suffered during the match (maybe even a knee injury?) and then returns stronger than ever, in full babyface mode.

Prediction: Batista


John Cena v. John Bradshaw Layfield (First Blood Match)

The history between these two is well-documented. JBL has been chasing the gold since leaving his color commentary post on Smackdown! He needs to get through Cena to get to his ultimate goal, the WWE world championship. Cena also wants his belt back, and JBL stands in the way.

This type of match favors JBL. He's a much better brawler than wrestler, and that will certainly help him here. Also, my guess is that JBL will be next one to challenge HHH for the gold, so that means he goes over Cena here.

Prediction: JBL


Edge v. Undertaker (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match)

Talk about feuds that have long legs...this one has been going on for months on end. Briefly, Edge lost his title to the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, and has been doing everything in his power to get it back. That includes literally getting into bed with Smackdown! general manager Vicki Guerrero. Vicki and her Familla have done everything they can to screw with the Undertaker, including stripping him of his belt. They also staged an attack on Smackdown! that left the Undertaker in a casket and Edge standing triumphant on a ladder. That is until the lights went out, and Undertaker mysteriously emerged from the casket to throw Edge off the ladder and destroy the rest of The Familla. Can I digress for a moment? I appreciate the Undertaker and everything he's done in his 18 years in the WWE. But am I supposed to believe he magically escaped a casket after being attacked by six guys? Boy, it's not a lot to ask for Undertaker to do the job to six guys, is it?

Anyway, my guess here is that Edge wins the belt with copious amounts of help from the Familla. Undertaker is due for a vacation, and it is summer after all.

Prediction: Edge


WWE Champion HHH v. Randy Orton (Last Man Standing Match)

And speaking of feuds with long legs, here's another one. This two have been battling for the belt for months. Both are former members of Evolution, now they're bitter enemies. There's nothing really more to say than that.

As for the actual match, it should be long and brutal. But in the end, there's no way HHH loses here. I think the dip in ratings during the Randall era clearly got through to Vince, and he's going to stick with someone he trusts, HHH. Oh, and did I mention that HHH is schtooping Vince's daughter?!?!?

Prediction: HHH


This looks like a fantastic card. How profetic am I? We'll find out Sunday night. I'll be back with a quick ppv recap on Monday. See ya then!