The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
Breaking Point: Preview & Predictions!
The Kingfish Arnie Katz gets you ready for WWE’s all-submission September .
Breaking Point, WWE’s September PPV, is built around the theme of submission matches. They’ll be tap-tap-tapping on a card that has few fresh pairings. WWE is banking on a few high-visibility contests to pull the card through even though some of the lesser matches aren’t very appealing.
Let’s look at the scheduled matches and delves into what fans might expect from Breaking Point.
Great Khali vs. Kane
Singapore Cane Match
The Story: Jane never liked the Punjabi Playboy. Still, it was only recently that the Big Red Machine revived his dislike and began attacking Khali.
My Prediction: The best thing about this match is that we won’t have to see these two in separate matches. Kane is heavier and less mobile than he was and Khali has always moved slowly and stiffly. Khali should win, and that is my prediction, but that doesn’t mean he will. Kane seems to take a lot of losses, but if WWE wants to prolong the agony that is the Kane-Khali feud, Khali could win by DQ, I hope this isn’t really the first match on the card it would make a swell bathroom break if it comes around the middle of the show.
Predicted Grade: D
John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Championship
The Story: John Morrison benefited from being hot just at the right time. Rey Mysterio’s suspension was Morrison’s expressway to the title. Dolph Ziggler has switched his quest to the new champion.
My Prediction: While WWE may not, quite understandably, want to give Morrison such a short reign, a Ziggler win by foul means makes a lot of sense in this spot. Morrison would do better as the challenger, which doesn’t explain why Ziggler didn’t take the title directly from the Masked Marvel. How about this: Ziggler beats Morrison and then is challenged by the returning Mysterio.
Predicted Grade: B
Mark Henry & MVP vs. Big Show & Chris Jericho
Unified Tag Team Championship
The Story: An unlikely pairing challenges the tag champs for the gold.
My Prediction: Jericho and Big Show may have to bend the rules a bit, but there’s no reason to think that the challengers can win this one. Actually, this would be a good match in which to turn Henry, who could then feud with MVP.
Predicted Grade: B-
Christian vs. William Regal
ECW Championship
The Story: The Ruthless Roundtable has put a target on Christian’s chest. William Regal hopes that his nefarious partners can help him bury the shame of an eight-second loss at the last Pay Per View.
My Prediction: This match may well turn out to be more of a plot point than a match. It would be good for what’s left of Regal’s career to win, but that probably isn’t the best way to advance the story. Since Regal is now to9tally discredited as a challenge, this match will set up one of the other members of the Ruthless Roundtable to go against Christian. The ECW Champion will get the decision, but it may well be by a DQ and be followed by one of those epic beat-downs.
Predicted Grade: C+
DX vs. Legacy
Submissions Count Anywhere
The Story: The feud continues! DX has reunited (and it feels so good) and will try to destroy Randy Orton‘s sidekicks.
My Prediction: Since it hardly matters who wins or loses this one, because it’s not the main focus of the feud, WWE will likely give the fans a “feel good” ending. Frankly, this is the type of show that can use all the “fell good” moments it can get.
Predicted Grade: B+
John Cena vs. Randy Orton
WWE championship
“I Quit” Match
The Story: Will it ever end between these two implacable enemies? Probably not, but this stipulation may provide a reason to stop for now.
My Prediction: This looks like a good opportunity to put Cena on top and have Orton challenge him for a while. This match will end with the coronation of a new title-holder.
Predicted Grade: A-
C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker
World Championship
Submission-only Rules
The Story: As he has done periodically over the years, Undertaker has served notice that he is back to reclaim his yard. Mr. Straight Edge believes that it won’t be an easy task for the Dead Man and plans to fight him every step of the way.
My Prediction: This doesn’t feel like the end for the program that pits these two against each other. And after this match, the fans will surely cry for more. Undertaker will wring a submission from Punk and take the title to pave the way for something like a Casket Match.
Predicted Grade: A
Predicted Grade for Breaking Point: B
The top matches, while not exactly fresh, should be quite good. The undercard is very weak, but fans may not care if Breaking point delivers the goods on the World and WWE title matches and the DX-Legacy showdown.
That’s it for today. I’ll be back on Monday with another installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising daily wrestling column. I’ll have the recap and analysis of Breaking Point and you’ll be able to laugh at my predictions.
— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
Crossfire4@cox.net
(9/12/09)