[Bouchie]

So here's where we can place our predictions for Backlash. I realize not all matches are announced yet but I will edit my post to add any future matches that are announced on RAW.

World Title Triple Threat Final Encounter
Let's hope this lives up to its name and really is the last time we ever have to watch these three in the ring. I still think Beniot is going to turn heel, even though it makes no sense at all. I'm going to say Triple H wins this, but he damn well better not.
Prediction: Triple H

IC Title Hardcore match: Mick Foley (Cactus Jack) vs Randy Orton
Orton should win this. Foley's job is to put him over at this point in his career.
Prediction: Randy Orton

Chris Jericho vs Christian & Trish
Jericho will win this simply because the odds are against him and he needs the receipt for WrestleMania.
Prediction: Chris Jericho

Edge vs Kane
Poor Kane. Too bad that he has to be victim to Edge's big return, and Taker's.lol. Ah well...
Prediction: Edge

Women's Title Lita vs Victoria
I hope Victoria because Lita sucks. Perhaps Lita will turn heel because she clearly sucks so much now. Course, I never liked her back in her prime. At any rate...
Prediction: Victoria

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Prediction: Shelton Benjamin

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
Prediction: Bathroom break, followed by Tajiri

Ok, now your turn. Remember to add the other matches into your post as soon as they are announced. Like last time, how you think the person will win doesn't matter. As long as you have the prediction right as to who wins, you get the point. After Backlash I'll post the list of how everyone did. Ok bye.

[DLman91]

OK let's get my 100% wrong predictions out of the way...


Triple Threat for World Title II: Son of Triple Threat
Well, it's hard to imagine anyone but Benoit walking out of Edmonton with the World Title, but maybe WWE is having second thoughts about Benoit on top? Anyways, me thinks Trips is leaving to shoot a movie soon (knock on wood), so I think it will probably be Benoit, but hell, Shawn might win it just to annoy me. We'll go with the hometown boy.

Winner: Chris Benoit


Intercontinental Championship: Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley
I don't know about everyone else, but it's sad to see Foley putting all these people over, when he's still so over himself. I wish it was still 1999 and Foley was going strong, but those days are over, and Foley beating Orton here makes no sense.
Winner and STILL IC Champion: Randy Orton



Chris Jericho vs. Christian/Trish Stratus
I am still mad they messed up this angle, but then again, WWE doesn't have a good history of booking love triangles (remember HHH/Angle/Stephanie?). So Jericho gets the win here, because the crowd is really taking to his new face turn, and it's about time. I imagine Jericho would get the pin on Trish, a little sweet revenge
Winner: Chris Jericho


Edge vs. Kane
So did they just waste a few months of RAW time to build up Kane and then have him get squashed by that over-the-hill, no selling, no drawing, fat ass Undertaker?? Then they have him go and lose to Tajiri by countout, and we're supposed to still view him as an unstoppable monster? I could see them protecting Kane here, Edge will probably get the win by DQ, letting the fans watch Edge and Kane's contrasting styles stink up arenas for another month (hope they prove me wrong).
Winner: Edge


Women's Title: Lita vs. Victoria
Why why why why do I have to sit through this. Lita is horrible, I'm sorry. Whatever wrestling talent she had was sucked out of her during her latest roll in the sack with Matt Hardy, because she is brutal in the ring. Unfortunately, Vince seems to love Lita, which is trouble now, because I like Victoria, but she's out of steam ever since moving away from the "psycho rountine". If Lita wins, at least let Victoria lose her top or something.
Winnner: Lita


Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
Wow, what a concept, get traded to RAW and get to fight the Coach!! Where do I sign?? The sad part is that I can honestly see the Coach winning this match thanks to interference, which is really sad because I feel like Vince Russo is booking again, that's the last time I had to fear this sort of thing. Anyways, Tajiri can't feud with the Coach, so I'm looking for someone to interfere and cost him the match.
Winner: The Coach

Shelton Benjamin vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Well, we know that Benjamin is getting the mega-push, so it's just a matter of him going through the ranks of Evolution to get to the top, which is actually most likely Randy Orton after Foley is gone. Even though Benjamin will beat Flair, he will NEVER be able to "style and profile" like Naitch. WHOOOOOO!!!
Winner: Shelton Benjamin

[Y2J The King Of The World]

World Heavyweight Championship - Triple Threat Match
Chris Benoit (Champion) vs. HHH vs. Shawn Michaels
I'm not thrilled about this rematch. Granted, their Mania match was one of the better triple threat matches ever, but I don't like the match format and have serious doubts about that match being replicated or bettered in this encounter. I really, really hope WWE isn't stupid enough to take the title off of Benoit yet. He just won the belt, and they're not going to get him over as a full-time main eventer if he's given a flash-in-the-pan title run. Hopefully, either he or HBK will turn heel in this match, and they will feud with each other sans-HHH.
Winner: Chris Benoit

Intercontinental Championship - No Holds Barred Match
Randy Orton (Champion) vs. Mick Foley
This is a tough call. On one hand, Foley was pinned by Orton at Mania, so standard booking logic says he'll get the receipt at Backlash. On the other hand, the whole point of this feud is to put over Orton huge, which it's done a good job of thus far. Plus, having Orton drop the I-C belt already would be stupid (much like having Benoit drop the belt). To top it off, it looks like a lot of faces are slated to win at the PPV anyway, so I see Foley going down after a classic, hard-fought battle.
Winner: Randy Orton

Chris Jericho vs. Christian & Trish Stratus
This one is pretty easy to predict. Christian & Trish pulled a fast one on Jericho at Mania, so he's due the receipt. This storyline has been great, but has also run its course. A fitting end to a good feud, hopefully resulting in a push for Jericho back into the World title picture.
Winner: Chris Jericho

Edge vs. Kane
Another easy one. Poor Kane. He was put in a good storyline for Taker's big return, but was obviously set to lose the entire time. Now, he's being fed to Edge on his return. Seeing Kane job out to Taker is believable, but Edge is much smaller than him, so they need to be very careful how they book this one. Maybe this will have some kind of surprise twist in it, but I'm not placing any bets.
Winner: Edge

Women's Championship
Victoria (Champion) vs. Lita
This one really shouldn't be happening right now. Maybe if they had done something cool with Lita and turned her heel, it'd be one thing, but a face vs. face match with one very accomplished wrestler against one used-to-be-good-until-everyone-else-learned-how-to-wrestle-while-she-was-out-on-injury wrestler won't be representative of the quality of the women's division right now. The Victoria/Molly match at Mania was solid, but I don't think that having a rematch of that so soon wouldn't be the best idea - especially since most of the other matches are a rematch of Mania already. I would've preferred to see someone other than Lita in this match, but whatever. The real downside to this is that I can see them putting the title on Lita for a few reasons: she's over, a Lita vs. Trish feud would draw, and there should be some title that switches at this PPV. With all of those things factored in, I see a new champ.
Winner and new Champion: Lita

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
Horrible idea here. I called this a "Shotgun Saturday Night" match in my Raw review, and I'll stick with that. Hopefully, this will have some sort of story tied into it, possibly the start of Coach as a manager in some capacity. Otherwise, this match does nothing for Tajiri, and even less for Coach. I'm going out on a limb and hoping that Coach has something (i.e. someone) up his sleeve.
Winner: Jonathan Coachman

Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin
The potential sleeper hit of the show here. While the outcome is pretty obvious, Flair can still go, and Shelton has been incredible since moving to Raw. I'm expecting a quality match here.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin

[Bouchie]

Ok we have 2 new matches that were announced last night on RAW. They are:

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman

So I guess that's the final card. Get those predictions in.

[Dr. Giganto]

World Title Triple Threat Final Encounter: If all is right in the world, Benoit will win. Benoit makes HBK tap, so he can say he made both HBK and HHH tap

By the way, if HHH wins, I am planning on boycotting RAW until he drops the title again

IC Title Hardcore match: Mick Foley (Cactus Jack) vs Randy Orton
Maybe if this wasnt an IC title match, i would say Foley. after all, Foley has barely ever came out on top since this storyline began. But, i see no eason to put the IC title on Foley, especially if hes not returning full-time. so, Orton will win

Chris Jericho vs Christian & Trish
Jericho makes Trish tap to the Walls of Jericho

Edge vs Kane
Edge wins his big return. too bad it has to be against Kane

Women's Title Lita vs Victoria
Lita, who's gonna feud with Trish next. maybe Molly Holly gets involved and costs Victoria the match as payback for her head-shaving. I officially hate Molly now, by the way, because of that MollyLover prick

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
i know Shelton is the up-and-coming star, and it would make sense for him to win his first PPV match, but just to throw some unpredictability in there, i'm gonna take Flair. Batista isnt doing anything else on the card, so he'll help flair take this one. And a loss to one of the greatest of all time wont exactly kill shelton's momentum, especially since he beat HHH twice recently

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
Uh...Tajiri, i guess...at least i get to hear Coach's awesome entrance music

so, in summation:
Benoit, Orton, Y2J, Edge, Lita, Flair, Tajiri

[BackLash]

World Title Triple Threat Final Encounter
It's been a good month run for Benoit. I was on cloud 9, but now it's time to drag my ass down to reality. Let's recap the last four weeks of Trips life shall we. First he lost his leather to Benoit at Mania. Then he was temporailly traded to Smackdown! without Evolution. Then he jobed to Shleton Benjamin clean!!! Then despite it being a count out, lost to Benjamin again!!! (understand since the brand extention loosing twice in two weeks to even main eventers practicly unheard of with Trips in the match). Now yesterday he lost not only to Shelton, but Benoit (the guy who took his leather), HBK (his most hated rival) and Mic Foley. Are you kidding? Benoit ain't keeping dat strap, I say HBK turns heel and becomes a part of Evolution while Trips is making himself a star. With that said Trips would win on his own cause of his thesbian commitments.
Prediction: Shawn Michaels

IC Title Hardcore match: Mick Foley (Cactus Jack) vs Randy Orton
1. Foley's never won the IC in his carrer.
2. Orton's been billed as "The Legend Killer" and he's wacked many a legend and will continue to wack dem legends.
3. Orton's been pretty much over this entire fued and wins most of his matches, one loss to Foley won't hutr him.
4. I feel that spit in the face should be justified. I don't know how you'd feel, but scripted or not I woud be pissed off if I was compinsated in some way.

So Foley takes it.
Prediction: Foley

Chris Jericho vs Christian & Trish
Personally once is enough for me, so I don't care who wins. I'm gonna flip to see who wins.
Prediction: (flips coin) Christain & Trish

Edge vs Kane
It's obvious who's gonna win and loose here, though Edge may have a tough time with Johnny Nitro (who may do ref duty, or just get involed)
Prediction: Edge

Women's Title Lita vs Victoria
I feel bad for Lita, I have never been a fan of her's but she had a huge fan base. Now, ever since her injury everyone hates her because she dosen't want to reaggervate her injuries, I think that's sad. But to the match, Lita takes it.
Prediction: Lita

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Flair will get Benjamin over, no thanks to Batista
Prediction: Shelton Benjamin

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
This should be an easy pick, but I think the Coach will pull some kind of trick up his sleeve.
Prediction: Jonathan Coachman

[Erin]

World Heavyweight Championship - Triple Threat Match
Benoit vs. HBK vs. Triple H
The same match two months in a row? What the hell is that? The new hometown thing is going to play a role in this match. I think it's too predictable for Benoit to take the win. I also have a feeling they're gonna do an angle somehow releated to the Montreal Survivor Series screw-job with Bret. Or perhaps Vince will run out and interfere, leading to Bret taking out Vince. Or Bret could screw Benoit over, claiming he is denying his Canadian roots, leading to an angle similar to the team Canada one Y2J mentioned earlier. As much as I would like to see it, i don't see Benoit taking this one.
Pink's Pick: Trips

IC Championship - No Holds Barred Match
Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley
Both guys are gonna be busted open within 5 minutes of this match.
I have a feeling this is one of those matches that will go on far too long. Outside interferance leads to a win for Orton.
[b]Pink's Pick: Randy Orton

Christian/Trish Stratus vs Chris Jericho
HAHA I love this angle. Pretty much my 3 favorite Raw stars in one match. I hope they give it time to be decent. I think the outcome if this one is fairly ovious, with Jericho getting the win one of two ways:
1) Trish taps to the walls.
2) (and proably the more interesting choice), Christian inadvertinly hits Trish, resulting in Jericho pinning her.
But truthfully, how much longer can Trish and Christian stay together and continue this angle. It looks like Trish is getting back into the womens division with a fued with Lita, and Christan and Jericho's fued may wind down soon. I think it would be cool if Trish turned on Christian and left both guys in the ring, saying that she was done with both of them. Or if they wanted to go back with the Jericho/Trish thing, have Christian attack Trish after she costs them the match, and have Jericho make the save.
I just hope they do something interesting with it, cause this is proably my favorite angle in a long time.
[b]Pink's Pick: Chris Jericho

Edge vs. Kane
I've never been much of a Kane fan. I don't think Edge will lost the the Big Red Jobbing machine on his first match back.
[b]Pink's Pick: Edge

Women's Championship
Victoria vs. Lita
I think Lita's getting another push. Bad news for Victoria. It;s not that I hate Lita or anything, but she can be rather boring without a strong angle. She's not one of those workers who just has that make you want to watch the all the time. Trish and Lita work really well together in my opinion, and I would love to see another program with them. Hopefully Victoria doesnt disappear.
[b]Pink's Pick: Lita

Tajiri vs. The Coach
Someone explain to me why the Coach is on this card but Lance Storm isnt. Brutal. If Coach beats a legit wrestler... well i wont really do anything, but i'll complain.
[b]Pinks' Pick: Tajiri


Ric Flair vs Shelton Benjamin
Might as well go for a clean sweep in all matches Evolution are involved in. But Shelton will look really good in the match.
Pink's Pick: Ric Flair
Good luck everyone!

[Crocker]

World Title Triple Threat Final Encounter
I can see a Shawn Micheals heel turn here but Benoit still takes it leading to Benoit/HBK match at Bad Blood
Prediction: Chris Benoit

IC Title Hardcore match: Mick Foley (Cactus Jack) vs Randy Orton
Randy Orton to live up to the moniker of the legend killer without any help this is the match im most looking forward to
Prediction: Randy Orton

Chris Jericho vs Christian & Trish
I would have liked to have seen this as a cage match but I see Y2J taking it.
Prediction: Chris Jericho

Edge vs Kane
Edge to win, but they should have give him a diffrent opponent
Prediction: Edge

Women's Title Lita vs Victoria
Lita to win to lead to Trish/Lita fuedPrediction: Lita

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair
Flair has to put him over, Shelton in line for a big push I can see him fighting Randy Orton at Bad Blood for the IC Title
Prediction: Shelton Benjamin

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman
Taijiri to rip the coach apart
Prediction:Tajiri

[Chair Shot Fan]

World Title Triple Threat Final Encounter

With all the Triple H losses, I'm really hoping that they don't put the belt on him. Keep it on Benoit instead, leading to an HBK/Benoit ladder match down the line.

Winner: Chris Benoit

IC Title Hardcore match: Mick Foley (Cactus Jack) vs Randy Orton

Even though Jack is back, I think taking the title off Orton would take away some of the prestige they've been building with the belt.

Winner: Randy Orton

Chris Jericho vs Christian & Trish

Obvious pick: Jericho gets the payoff for WM & makes Trish tap.

Winner:Chris Jericho

Women's Title Lita vs Victoria

A Lita/Trish program is in the works; Lita takes the title to defend against Trish.

Winner: Lita

Shelton Benjamin vs. Ric Flair

WWE had Michaels go through Evolution for a few weeks & that really built a lot of momentum. I'm thinking botched interference by Batista will give Benjamin the win.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Edge vs Kane

Going against anyone & everyone on the board, I'm thinking Kane takes this one. Seeing him sit up after Edge's spear was great - that's how he should be booked. Edge has had the upper hand, so unless Johnny Nitro goes down & Shane McMahon comes running from the back to make the count, Edge's return will be dashed.

Winner: Kane

Tajiri vs. Jonathan Coachman

Tajiri is to RAW what Rico is to Smackdown = cheapened entertainment value. To make up for a lack of good booking, Tajiri picks up the victory, even with Al Snow joining in commentary.

Winner:Tajiri

[Creature of the Night]

HBK vs HHH vs Benoit = Win for Benoit. With all the Canadian hype machine surrounding Benoit's return to Canada, I can see two possibilities... a HUGE Benoit heel turn, or a Benoit win. I cant see them turning him heel anytime soon because there's just a lack of babyface talent right now on Raw.

Cactus Jack vs Randy Orton = Win for Cactus! I know its controversial, I know it seems odd to put the IC strap on Cactus but I think its the ideal way to go forward. It elevates the IC title, which has remained stagnant for absolutely ages now, and it means that when Orton wins it back (which he will), it gives it that much more meaning. I think Cactus goes over if only to elevate Orton in the long run. It just gives the feud a bit more credibility if Foley isnt getting buried in the Won/Lost stat for the feud.

Jericho vs Christian/Trish = win for Jericho. WM Payoff is needed so that Jericho can move on to bigger and better things. I think that he'll pin Trish clean so as not to hurt Christian. I have a funny feeling he'll do it with Christian's unprettier just to up middle finger Christian and use the name of the move in a future promo against them (I know its farfetched but this is a predictions thread, what the hell ;))

Lita vs Victoria = Lita win. I cant see anything other than a Lita win here because, as has been said, theres a Lita-Trish program brewing.

Shelton Benjamin vs Ric Flair = win for Shelton. To have Shelton job to Flair at this point of his push would be criminal and pointless. It'll only undermine his push and his victories against HHH. Im thinking Benjamin convincingly. Flair doesnt need to look good here, hes the mentor of Evolution, the voice and experience of the group and doesnt particularly need the win because he's Ric Flair.

Edge vs Kane = win for Edge under suspicious circumstances. Unless they want to give this feud some legs (which they havent because the match was just announced and had no backstory whatsoever), then Kane wins. I think theyll use Kane as polishing material for Edge, making him look like a credible high-midcarder again in a solid match. Kane shouldn't be made to job, and it sucks that he is, but I think he will, albeit not in the cleanest of circumstances. Maybe that cast will come into play?

Tajiri vs Coach = Win for Tajiri. I remember reading on a newsboard about a soon to debut oriental wrestler that had joined WWE, I think Tajiri will use him as his 'ace in the hole' after Coach hires some cronies to help him out.