D's Top 5 of the week, Week of July 4th

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

This is the first edition of a new feature I'm running. Each week, after Smackdown airs, I will make a top 5 list for each show, as well as somebody who's on their way up, and somebody who's on their way down. Feel free to comment on it

RAW

Top 5

1. Shawn Michaels: The Heartbreak Kid continued his domination of Raw since his return roughly one month ago. Not only did he main-event the show for the second straight week (and successfully at that), this fan favorite shocked us all by turning on the ultimate babyface, the Immortal Hulk Hogan. What was his motivation? Could it be jealousy? We're sure to find out soon enough

2. John Cena: A week after sharing the main event with two of the all-time greats, the WWE Champion had the week off from in-ring competition, but that doesnt mean he wasnt up for a fight. He appeared on Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel and took all of Y2J's verbal jabs without losing his cool. The leader of the Chain Gang then had a few words for Y2J, which led to a wild brawl. Looks like the seeds are being planted for our Summerslam main event

3. Chris Jericho: It's been quite some time since Y2J was firmly entrenched in the championship spotlight, but he's solidified his place at the top of the card once again. Ironic, because his interest in wrestling currently seems to be secondary to his interest in his band, Fozzy. Although Jericho is one of WWE's biggest wise-mouths, he may have met his match in WWE champion John Cena.

4. Kurt Angle: Although Kurt was on the losing end of this week's main event, he made a profound impact earlier in the show when he interrupted Carlito's Cabana with some words for the Immortal Hulk Hogan. He reminded us all that he made Hulk Hogan tap out to the ankle lock when they squared off at King of the Ring 2002, and also insinuated he had some plans for Hogan's teenage daughter. Kurt's issues with both Hogan and HBK could make for some interesting television in upcoming weeks

5. Kane: After finally getting his revenge on Edge at Vengeance, Kane was victorious once again, this time in a tag match. Although it was Snitsky, and not Edge, that he covered for the pin, the Big Red Machine was surely pleased nonetheless.

Rising star: Carlito. Besides being the Intercontinental Champion, this youngster shared the main-event stage with three legends this week. He also hosted Carlito's Cabana with possibly the biggest star wrestling has ever seen, Hulk Hogan. I expect big things out of this young guy in upcoming months

Falling fast: Shelton Benjamin. Where, oh where have you gone, Mr. Benjamin? After an impressive 8-month reign with the IC title, this spectacular athlete lost the title, couldn't regain it back six days later at Vengeance, and was a no-show on Raw this week. Things are not looking good for this young man right now

Smackdown!

Top 5

1. Batista: The Animal has already made quite an impact in his first two weeks on Smackdown. This week, he was victorious against fellow draftee Christian, and then fended off a post-match attack by U.S. Champion Orlando Jordan and #1 Contender JBL. Can anyone stop this freak of nature?

2. MNM: Still undefeated since their debut, MNM defeated two of Smackdown's best singles competitors, Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. Although Eddie's motives in the match were certainly questionable, it was a win nonetheless. With no apparent threat to their tag titles, I don't expect to see them drop the titles anytime soon

3. Chris Benoit: The Rabid Wolverine was successful in a hard-fought match versus Booker T for the #1 contender spot for Orlando Jordan's U.S. Title. With his World Title pedigree, and OJ's relative inexperience, I fully expect to see a title change next week on Smackdown

4. Undertaker: The phenom first was named to a #1 contender match versus Muhammad Hassan at the Great American Bash, then he squashed Hassan's manager, Daivari, in the middle of the ring. The Dead Man's night was marred, however, by an attack by 5 masked men led by Muhammad Hassan. It will be interesting to see how this grizzled veteran responds.

5. Eddie Guerrero: Despite losing a match to MNM this week, it was obvious Eddie had other things on his mind. For several weeks, Latino Heat has been playing mind games with Rey, and he seemingly has him at his beck and call. What exactly does Eddie know about Rey that none of us do? I guess we'll have to tune in to find out.

Rising Star: Muhammad Hassan. Despite not being in action this week, and seeing his manager squashed by the Undertaker, Hassan certainly made his presence felt. He was announced for a #1 Contender match with the Phenom at the Great American Bash, for the World Heavyweight Championship. Further, following Daivari's match with the Dead Man, Hassan had 5 masked men attack the Undertaker, while Hassan finished it off with a Camel Clutch for good measure. The Dead Man is sure to be unhappy. Let's see if this rookie has bitten off a little more than he can chew

Falling fast: JBL. He may be #1 contender, but things are not looking good for the former WWE Champion. He was beaten this week by Blue Meanie, a former member of the J.O.B. Squad, albeit via interference from Batista. Further, his attempted ambush of the champion was unsuccessful. Things do not look good for the "Wrestling God" heading into the Great American Bash

Steveo

The "wrestling god's" time has come and we all know it. See ya Bradshaw I hated you from the first time you stepped off Velocity.

By the way, is HHH gonna be at Summerslam?

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Yeah, I would expect to se Triple H at SummerSlam in some capacity, but the word is he will no be going after Cena's Title at the event. However, things could change.

With HBK, I gotta agree..the guy is on top of the wrestling world. Everyone was shocked to see him turn heel on Hogan or turn heel at all for that matter. Now, the whole focus surrounding RAW this week will be about HBK's thoughts...I can't wait. This heel turn has the potential to be HUGE for the company.

With MNM, I'm not sure I'd have them in the two slot on SD! but they are definitely getting pusjed hard right now...I don't know if it's because of the tag division being so weak or the gimmick, or the sexy Melina, but they have basically been on every episode of SD! since they debuted. If you look at the Hurricane & Rosey as being the RAW tag champs, they can't even get more than 30 seconds on that show and MNM is all over SD!

With Benjamin, it saddens me that WWE has nothing for him right now...I thought a heel turn would be a great thing for him, but now with HBK turning RAW is low on babyfaces for the top of the card..I just hope they find something for him quick and he doesn't end up jobbing to every heel RAW is trying to push..I mean, the long Intercontinental Title reign was supposed to elevate Shelton when he lost the strap, not hurt him..

And finally with JBL, I agree things aren't looking good...Imagine if Lesnar gets signed to SD! ? Haha..JBL would be toast on that show. I can't say I'm too upset by it..the guy has been overexposed like a mother, and he isn't half as good the heel as Triple H is yet he's ben getting the same treatment on SD! as The Game gets on RAW.

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

Well, I put MNM so high because besides them and Batista, everybody else on SD has been getting both semi-pushed and semi-buried

JBL's been made to look like a punk since Batista debuted, Chris Benoit is now fighting for the US Title (a title which is below him, frankly), Orlando Jordan is the champ but has done nothing of note with it, Undertaker is still a legend, but was taken out by Hassan, this Rey-Eddie feud is never-ending and weird...there was nobody else really to put in that 2 slot besides MNM. Plus, Melina is smoking hot

I'll put it this way, I had a lot more trouble putting together my SD Top 5, than my Raw Top 5