Raw (07/26/04): Iron Man Match

[Chazz]

Well guys, it is here. Tonight is the night where Chris Benoit defends his World Heavyweight title against HHH in a 60-minute, Iron Man match. So, this is a thread for your predictions on this match.


Here's mine. With SummerSlam just three weeks away, it seems to me that it would be premature to have Benoit drop the belt tonight. I mean, if the plan was to put the belt back on Hunter, then why not do it at Vengeance? Instead, Eugene got involved and really did cost Hunter the belt (so to speak), and the two have had there storyline going for some time now (as it is the featured story on Raw :thumsdown ). So, in my mind, I honestly see Eugene facing HHH at SummerSlam.

Here is another thing. Say Benoit does keep the belt and goes to SS. Well, he would have (gasp!), two whole weeks to start a program with somebody. Nobody has been involved with in except HHH and Eugene. The guy is the friggin World Heavyweight Champion and if he does keep his belt, then he has very little time to start a good feud with someone. So, in another way, it would make sense to have Benoit drop the belt to Hunter. Then, at least Hunter vs. Eugene would be even more significant because it would be for the title. :eek:

IMO, this match should not happen on Raw. I like the idea of it, but right now Raw simply cannot justify having it because they have done nothing to promote SummerSlam and tonight would only have an hour to really do that much. Nevertheless, we will see this match so I will make my prediction.

I feel that Benoit should win, and win cleanly. He should be the focus of Raw, and he should already be involved in a high profile feud for SummerSlam. But, I believe Hunter will win tonight and with this win he will single handingly bury Raw again. That is how I feel. I hope that I am wrong.

[12]

I see Benoit winning tonight, I don't think it'll be a clean win becuase Triple H is going to want to hang around the title picture for a while so losing cleanly to Benoit wouldn't be good for that. I see Eugene costing Triple H the match and those two will carry on a feud till Sumerslam. I agree that it should happen at SS, the match, it would be a great and logical main event for the PPV.

If the rumours are true and Orton is going on to face Benoit for the belt at the PPV I would be surprised, especially if he wins, whihc was also stated. I don't want this to happen for three reasons:
1) Orton isn't ready just yet, especialy at a PPV of this scale
2) Benoit shouldn't lose the title to Orton becuase it will do his credibility no good as Orton is still considered upper-midcard by the majority of fans and the match has a very short build up time.
3) It could lead to an Evoloution break up and I don't think we have seen the best from the faction yet, it would be stupid to have the highlight of the faction be the breaking up.

The only other option I can see happening is a triple threat for the World title at SummerSlam, Benoit vs Eugene vs Triple H, now this isn't really a strong main event for the second biggest PPV of the year as in my opinion Eugene isn't a strong enough contender yet but it is a better alternative that Orton or Eugene alone challenging for the belt.

[Chazz]

Well, if Orton does meet Benoit at SS, then you can bet your ass he won't win the title. If he did, I would slit my wrists because this would mean that Mac Daddy would be PK's gimp! :eek: JK! I just can't see Orton being the champ right now, when Jericho is much more deserving of being the champ. If Orton/Benoit had had more time to build up, then maybe it could happen. But right now, I just don't see it.

Eugene is over with the fans, and he has been a positive influence on many backstage, mostly because the guy has paid his dues in the business and is now getting a chance to shine. Well, we really haven't seen his full potential, but from what I understand he is a very sound, technically gifted wrestler. I think he and Hunter could have a good match, and if they do this could propel Eugene even further. I just hope Hunter doesn't bury the guy before he gains momentum, much like he did Booker T.

[12]

I knew of all that and Dinsmore deserves the push he is geting but to most fans that doesn't mean much. All they know is the character and whilst he may be over with them I don't think we have seen him in a high enough profile feud for him to be challenging for the title just yet. Maybe if Hunter does put him over (which I am sceptical about at the moment) then he would be ready for a title feud, but then again with Benoit as champ, it would be a face vs face feud and Benoit would come out looking worse even if he held onto title. Maybe Benoit will lose this monday and then Eugene will go onto face Trips for the title at SS, that would seriously suck if it did happen. What would happen to Benoit.

I'd still like to see Benoit vs Triple H as the mian event even though I agree that Eugene and Triple could have a good match.

There is a lot resting on tonights match when you think about it.

[Chazz]

Yes there is, because the WWE has decided to make this match occupy one full hour of a show that is mainly used to develop feuds and storylines. I just feel it is bad timing to have this match, cause many other things need to be addressed. I just hope that with the one hour that Raw will tonight to promote matches for SS, that they will not rush it. Smackdown may be SummerSlam's only saving grace.

[Y2J World Champ]

Yes there is, because the WWE has decided to make this match occupy one full hour of a show that is mainly used to develop feuds and storylines. I just feel it is bad timing to have this match, cause many other things need to be addressed. I just hope that with the one hour that Raw will tonight to promote matches for SS, that they will not rush it. Smackdown may be SummerSlam's only saving grace.

Thats true but I just hope the WWE can develop some other feuds for Summerslam in less than an hour.

[Lover Nuts]

Well the bottom line is that RAW will have to work it's ass off tonight to make storylines up for Summerslam. It will interesting to see how this turns out when I watch RAW on Friday.

[Y2J World Champ]

Well the bottom line is that RAW will have to work it's ass off tonight to make storylines up for Summerslam. It will interesting to see how this turns out when I watch RAW on Friday.

That sucks you have to wait on friday.

So far I have only heard two rumored matches, Triple H vs Eugene and Benoit vs Orton for the World Title, well rumors have it that HBK will be out of the WWE for a few more months so who will Kane face? I doubt it will be Matt Hardy again so the only real superstar I can see Kane facing will probably be Edge or Y2J Chris Jericho.

[Chazz]

I think Jericho will probably face Batista at SS, which will be good for Dave as it will give another high profile match at a high-profile ppv.

[The Great One]

I have no clue who Kane will be facing, i mean it looks like Batista will be fighting with Jericho for another PPV. I don't know, but Jericho has been feuding with both Batista and Kane so can i smell a triple threat on the cards.

[Y2J World Champ]

I don't know, but Jericho has been feuding with both Batista and Kane so can i smell a triple threat on the cards.

That could happen but knowing the WWE they will probably have Jericho face Batista, Kane and Matt Hardy in a Fatal Four Way Match.

[The Kid]

OK, I don't really think that Raw so much has to work hard to create fueds so much as they just have to work smart to create fueds. That means don't use anything that doesn't need to be used. No 20 minute promos where they basically say nothing and no pointless filler matches. They also have to make the most of their over-run.

I'd have Orton cost Benoit a fall in the Iron Man match and Eugene cost Triple H a fall. Then we have reasons for both fueds to take place at Summerslam. I have a bad feeling that Orton will pull out a victory against Benoit which I seriously hope doesn't happen.

Rhyno and Tajiri will most likely face La Resistance and that fued has been building for a little while so they don't really have to build that. I'm not excatly excited about that match but it probably won't be too bad.

Now left over you have Edge, Chris Jericho, Kane, Flair and Batista. If Shelton Benjamen can come back then they really have a problem. I'd have Jericho stop Batista from interfering in Benoit's match which sets up a fued there. With Edge, he'll defend his title but I really don't know against who. I guess Kane'll be the odd man out.

So Raw doesn't really need to work too much harder. If they go by my plan, which they very well could be planning, then they will set up 3 matches for Summerslam in that 1 Iron Man match.

[Y2J World Champ]

Now left over you have Edge, Chris Jericho, Kane, Flair and Batista. If Shelton Benjamen can come back then they really have a problem. I'd have Jericho stop Batista from interfering in Benoit's match which sets up a fued there. With Edge, he'll defend his title but I really don't know against who. I guess Kane'll be the odd man out.

Well with Edge having his war with Evolution I think Edge would probably defend his title against Batista and just have Jericho face Kane and maybe Matt Hardy in a triple thread match. As for Shelton Benjamin, I don't think he will come back in time to wrestle at Summerslam.