Y2J The King Of The World

Man, does this PPV have "stinker" written all over it. I just want to reiterate that Smackdown's writers had TWO MONTHS to build this show, and this is the crap we're expected to shell out $35 for? Simply astounding...

WWE Championship: Eddie Guerrero vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Talk about a soft main event. Eddie has *just* become a main event player in the last three months. That means he should be proving that he's meant to be there by defeating established top-tier stars. Unfortunately, Smackdown is lacking in that department, so we're treated to JBL. Don't get me wrong - Bradshaw's 10x more interesting and entertaining as a heel than he was in his stale APA gimmick, but nobody views him as a credible threat to Eddie's belt. But, at the same time, Eddie's not at a solid enough point that it seems improbable for him to lose the belt to a legit contender, as he's only defended the title against one top star: Kurt Angle. So, Eddie won't elevate Bradshaw from this match, nor will he be elevated himself. I think most people predict that JBL will lose this match, and get the "Hardcore Holly treatment" by being sent back to Velocity. While I wouldn't put this past WWE, it would be a waste of the last month-and-a-half to do that. But, they did it with Holly, so why not Bradshaw? I'm obviously torn. While I think that it'd make for a more interesting situation on Smackdown to have JBL as champion (as they despately need uppercard heels), I have to go with common sense and pick Eddie to retain.
Y2Tim's Pick: Eddie Guerrero

United States Championship: John Cena vs. Renee Dupree
Much like Guerrero, Cena's a new champion who's white-hot right now. Dupree has finally been booked to look like a legit threat to him. This match definitely has the potential to be the match of the night (not a huge accomplishment given the undercard). I'm thinking that, unlike Guerrero, Cena losing this belt won't do much damage to him, but will do wonders for Dupree. Plus, I can see this feud going past Judgment Day.
Y2Tim's Pick: Renee Dupree

The Undertaker vs. Booker T
The internal conflict begins: Booker T is the only credible top-tier heel on Smackdown who's healthy right now. A win for him here would put him in the WWE title picture. The Undertakier squashes everybody. He's become a special attraction who seldom does the job. My guess is Mordecai will play some sort of role here, or the dirt on the unmarked grave will have some real significance, because Booker needs this win, Smackdown needs Booker to win, and Taker won't look weak if there is some sort of exterior circumstance that causes him to lose. Let's hope Smackdown doesn't sink with the wrong choice.
Y2Tim's Pick: Booker T

Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie
I've missed Smackdown two weeks ago, so I don't know why we're going back to the days of Al Wilson here. Neither lady is an accomplished wrestler. If they were, they'd be vying for the Cruiserweight strap (haha). I really don't care about the outcome, as there is no point in women's matches on Smackdown, spare a bit of T&A.
Y2Tim's Pick: Torrie Wilson

WWE Tag Team Championship: Rico & Charlie Haas vs. Hardcore Holly & Billy Gunn
Talk about slapped together at the last possible minute! I expect this to be a Velocity-calibre match, with Rico pulling his usual antics. Plus, Holly beat the "ambiguously gay solo" on Smackdown, so a receipt is in order.
Y2Tim's Pick: Rico & Haas

Dudley Boyz vs. Rob Van Dam & Rey Mysterio
No table match? What the...?!?! At least that *might* generate a little interest in this PPV. I liked the direction the Dudleys were heading with their Heyman-influenced heel turn, but now I'm not sure how to feel. They've done everything they possibly can as a tag team, but neither were able to get very far as singles competitors. They're stale. RVD should be in the running for the WWE title, but is instead thrown into this throwaway feud. Mysterio seems to be waiting his turn until he can get involved in the US title picture, so he's just killing time, as well. I'm disinterested. I've had 3 face wins vs. 2 heel wins so far, so I'm going for "The Dudley...and The Dudley."
Y2Tim's Pick: The Dudleys

Cruiserweight Championship: Jacqueline vs. Chavo Guerrero
Damn bookers. Who thought this was a good idea? Message to WWE writing staff: putting a men's championship on a woman doesn't make the woman look strong, it makes the man who lost it and the belt itself look like a joke. The only way I'd ever condone this storyline is if Jacqueline started a movement to have a women's belt on Smackdown (so that the underused ladies on Raw like Jazz and Ivory can finally be used properly), and the provision was that if Jackie won, then the CW belt would be no more, and a new women's belt would take its place, but if Chavo won, then the CW division would remain, and be open to men only. A little battle of the sexes, if you will. Unfortunately, that storyline would take a month or so to develop, and they started this a week ago. So, it's a crap angle. Go Chavo!
Y2Tim's Pick: Chavo Guerrero

Overall, I don't have much in the way of expectations for this PPV. It'd be a stacked Smackdown card, but not a PPV calibre event. All I have to say is that WWE better have some big surprises in store, and the matches had better deliver big time for this to work.