Predictions from the Faculty
WWE Money in the Bank Ladder Match
July 15, 2012
Predictions by: Wrestleview Columnists and Staff
Written by: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Note: Last week, I completed the Destination X PPV Predictions and I typed up the column and thought I sent it over to Wrestleview on July 8, 2012. However, I completely forgot to make the attachment from my e-mail to Adam Martin. I was unable to drive back home, as I was celebrating my daughter’s birthday and family comes first in my life.
So due to my error, I did not count individual standings for the Wrestleview Readers last weekend for Destination X. Trey Schoen and Jeremy Samples will remain the Students of the Week. Besides, the X Division Tournament was very difficult to predict as the brackets were not announced until the PPV was beginning to air. I did accumulate the total wins for the readers and that will be posted.
Again, my apologies. Now let’s begin with a new, fresh round of Predictions from the Faculty.
Introduction
Welcome to the Round #12 of “Predictions from the Faculty” (Season #4). This weekend, we gathered our thoughts for the upcoming WWE Pay-Per-View, as we will provide our selections for Money in the Bank! The show will be live at the US Airway Center in Phoenix, AZ.
The card is currently booked to have five matches. This is of course as of Saturday, July 14th. If they add any matches after Saturday evening then the matches will not count.
In case you are new to reading these predictions, here is the format. Each Pay-Per-View a few of the columnists, recappers, and radio hosts at Wrestleview provide predictions on who they think will win the matches. We accumulate the records throughout the end of the Faculty’s year (in this case, the 2013 Royal Rumble or WreslteMania XXIX as we are unsure of the decision).
What makes this entirely different to others is that you, the reader, can provide your picks for a spot to have yours posted in an upcoming PPV. You can participate by contacting me in any means under the “Dismissal” portion of this piece. The winner among the “Wrestleview Students” will win an opportunity to post their picks as a “Student of the Week” (if they outright defeat the reigning Students of the Week). We all thank you for your participation.
Tie-Breakers will determine standings!
I have decided to prevent some tiebreakers, I will issue points to Title Matches that are predicted correctly. There will be two championship matches on the card, so the maximum amount of points to go along with the win/loss standing will be TWO points. Also, if I throw out a pick for a championship, then obviously no bonus will be counted for that particular match.
But wait, to the Wrestleview “students”, there is more!
I got approval for this decision, and for the SECOND time in our four seasons the students will compete for PRIZES!!! That is right; we felt that your loyalty to the article shall be rewarded. However, the prizes* will not be handed out until the FINAL PPV Prediction of the season (which will be WWE’s Royal Rumble 2013). So not only will one get a chance to earn a Gold Star and be a part of this game, but it will be for a competition.
*Prizes go out to the top three (the most picked correctly and if needed tiebreaker points) positions and the worst (most matches picked incorrectly with the fewest tiebreaker points).
The 2012-2013 Wrestleview Staff Standings (As of TNA Destination X)
1) Nick Gray (Independent Roundtable Host)………………………………………57-22 (5-4)
2) Evan O’Brien (WV International Desk)………………………………………………55-24 (2-7)
3) David Stephens (WWE Raw Recaps/Teacher’s Lounge)……………………54-25 (3-6)
4) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V/Teacher’s Lounge)……………54-25 (4-5)
5) Jason Namako (ROH/WWE Superstars recaps/Ind. Round. Host)……53-26 (2-7)
6) Josh Boutwell (Impact Recaps/Viva La Raza)…………………………………53-26 (4-5)
7) Wrestleview Readers…………………………………………………………………………52-27 (4-5)
8) Greg McNeish (WV International Desk/WV Telemundo)……………………51-27 (5-3)
9) Darragh O’Connor (WV International Desk)…………………………………….51-28 (5-4)
10) Gregory “Grash” Walek (WWE NXT Recapper)………………………………51-28 (6-3)
11) Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds/WV Polls)…………………………47-23 (NR)
12) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings/Eye Gouge)………………………………33-15 (NR)
13) Mike Tedesco (WWE Smackdown Recapper/WV Telemundo)……………31-9 (NR)
Tie-Breaker Points – Which are based on Championship matches correct
32: David Stephens; Evan O’Brien
30: Nick Gray; Anthony Valvo
29: Jason Namako; Josh Boutwell
28: Greg McNeish
27: Darragh O’Connor; Matt O’Brien
26: Gregory “Grash” Walek
19: Jose Marrero; Mike Tedesco
The Best of the Class (Top 3 earn a prize. Tie-Breaker Points in parentheses)
**To the Top Three and the person with the most incorrect picks please contact me and we will talk about what prize you will receive.**
Just an update: One of the prizes was shipped. Still hearing word on the others.
Prizes:
1st Place – A DVD Set of our choosing (max 3 disc set).
2nd Place – A T-Shirt
3rd Place – A Coffee Mug
Worst – TNA Victory Road 2009 (or 2011) DVD.
Current Season “Fave Five” (as of WWE No Way Out)
(Note: As mentioned before, the records for the Wrestleview Readers were not updated for Destination X)
1) Wade Bradford………………………………………54-16 (6-1) (30)
2) Damon Clark………………………………………..52-18 (5-2) (32)
3) James Lacerenza…………………………………..52-18 (6-1) (30)
4) Jordan Benterman………………………………..51-19 (6-1) (30) (2011 Winner)
5) Jamie Sowter……………………………………….51-19 (6-1) (30)
Our Students of the Week this week are Trey Schoen and Jeremy Samples. Both students went a perfect 7-0 after the conclusion of the WWE No Way Out PPV.
As of Press Time Dave Stephens (will announce on “The Teacher’s Lounge”), Josh Boutwell, Jose Marrero, Mike Tedesco, and Jeremy Samples have yet to send predictions. If they e-mails them, I will post them in the “comments”.
Predictions for WWE Money in the Bank
(Note: N/A means that a person’s picks are “not available” at the moment).
*** Non-Title Matches ***
YouTube Pre-Show Tag Team Match
Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Hunico and Camacho
Nick G. – DA BLACK GUYZ~!
Evan O. – KOFI KINGSTON AND R-TRUTH
Anthony V. – KINGSTON and TRUTH. I know they need contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship, but Hunico and Camacho are not the team to be over them. I know it is non-title, but no difference.
Jason N. – KOFI & TROOF.
Greg M. – KOFI & TRUTH; Booking Hunico in the pre-show is practically begging people to not tune in.
Darragh O. – KOFI KINGSTON AND R-TRUTH.
Grash – TRUTH AND KOFI.
Matt O. – KINGSTON AND TRUTH.
Trey S. – TRUTH/KINGSTON.
Jeremy S. – KOFI KINGSTON AND R-TRUTH. These pre-show matches are just meant to get the YouTube viewers excited for the PPV. Going to the Over The Limit PPV Live, it was amazing to me how late they actually opened the doors. It was about twenty minutes before they went live for the thousands of fans who were wrapped around the building to get in. Not all fans made it to their seat until the start of the PPV. Then, when I watch that YouTube pre-show and other live WWE PPV Pre-Shows, I notice how they are always plugging that the fans are still arriving. Hence, to show you that you still have the opportunity to order the PPV at home. So, Kingston and Truth go over here.
CONSENSUS: TRUTH/KINGSTON 10-0. In a unanimous decision, the Wrestleview Staff predict that the champions will have no problems with Hunico and Camacho in this non-title match.
Money in the Bank Ladder match to earn a World Heavyweight Championship match (good for one year)
Damien Sandow vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Tensai vs. Christian vs. Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sin Cara
Nick G. – ZIGGLER.
Evan O. – DOLPH ZIGGLER.
Anthony V. – RHODES. Originally I was going to pick Ziggler, but after what I saw this week with Vickie developing an infatuation with Tensai that logic is out. Kidd, Sandow, and Marella have no chance. Sin Cara is the darkhorse and could win this match. That leaves Rhodes and Christian. Christian had his time with the title. It’s time to add new blood. Rhodes wins, but loses when he cashes his case in the future.
Jason N. – SIN CARA.
Greg M. – DOLPH ZIGGLER; It’s sink or swim time for ol’ Dolphy.
Darragh O. – CODY RHODES.
Grash – RHODES.
Matt O. – DOLPH ZIGGLER.
Trey S. – CHRISTIAN.
Jeremy S. – DOLPH ZIGGLER. This match is one of the most unpredictable on the PPV. A match where they can literally go in so many different directions. We may see the launching of Tyson Kidd’s career into a higher card status. We could see Damien Sandow prove how unworthy these opponents are, and actually have proof to back it up. Tensai, Santino, and Sin Cara are contenders that I think can automatically be eliminated, as they have either lost faith in these guys or they don’t need it, as in Santino’s case. Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler are along the same lines, of the most able to be permanently established talents after this match. It’s a toss-up, but they have placed Dolph Ziggler in more publicity opportunities, he has his own WWE YouTube show, and thus more of an opportunity to be placed in the main event scene.
CONSENSUS: ZIGGLER had the most with 5 staff members predicting him as the winner (3 predicted Rhodes, 1 predicted Christian, and 1 predicted Sin Cara). The Wrestleview staff are a bit undecided as to who will win the “Blue” Money in the Bank briefcase, but in the end it is a safe bet to go with Dolph Ziggler to earn a well-deserved championship reign.
Money in the Bank Ladder match to earn a WWE Championship match (good for one year)
Big Show vs. Kane vs. John Cena vs. Chris Jericho
Nick G. – CENA.
Evan O. – JOHN CENA.
Anthony V. – THE BIG SHOW. In my opinion, it is all about Cena and Show. Jericho will be the work the best in this match, but I expect disappointment in this match. Show destroys everyone and wins the case.
Jason N. – JERICHO.
Greg M. – JOHN CENA; I’m in the camp that sees Cena being the first to unsuccessfully cash in.
Darragh O. – JOHN CENA.
Grash – CENA.
Matt O. – BIG SHOW.
Trey S. – CENA.
Jeremy S. – JOHN CENA. I know this choice is not taking much risk, as Cena is the one most expect to take this match. I think the real question is whether Cena cashes in at Money In The Bank or holds on to the case for awhile. I think that he will keep the case until, at least, after SummerSlam. I could see him doing a program with Daniel Bryan later in the year. Reasons other participants won’t win: Big Show — As much as they are making him out to be a monster, at the same time he really has not done anything substantial lately. He’ll continue to be a force, but not a WWE Title one. Kane — He had the slight main-event presence in the Punk/Bryan storyline, but has obviously been worked out of that. Unfortunately, I see that as a sign that he will not be used to any great length. We’ll be seeing Kane as a stagnant guy to put up-and-coming wrestlers against to build their credibility. Chris Jericho — He’s going to be gone pretty soon with Fozzy, so they are not going to place much responsibility upon his shoulders.
CONSENSUS: CENA had the most with 7 staff members predicting that he will win (2 predicted Big Show and 1 predicted Chris Jericho). John Cena is on a roll recently with his promo work prior to this event as well as his in-ring intensity. Cena is the best choice, according to our staff, to earn the “Red” briefcase and earn a title shot.
*** Championship Matches ***
Singles Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio
Nick G. – SHEAMUS.
Evan O. – SHEAMUS.
Anthony V. – SHEAMUS. Call me crazy, but I am not ready for a Del Rio title run. Del Rio did not do much except drive cars, call his opponents dogs, and end matches with a Cross Arm Breaker. Sheamus will shock him with a Brouge Kick.
Jason N. – ADR.
Greg M. – SHEAMUS; It’s been a lacklustre title reign, but Sheamus is the right guy to fall victim to a quick cash-in.
Darragh O. – SHEAMUS.
Grash – SHEAMUS.
Matt O. – SHEAMUS.
Trey S. – SHEAMUS.
Jeremy S. – ALBERTO DEL RIO. Yes, I know this will most likely be a match that I predict incorrectly. However, I love how they have reinvigorated Alberto Del Rio’s character lately. It has been something that he has been devoid of during his time in WWE. My heart can’t deny him the World Title, and as David Stephens always says, I need to stop questioning my heart. Word has come out about how much they have been banking, no pun intended, on him for their international market. He is going to be one of the key players for the next year, or so. Then, he may retire, as word has also stated. To me, Sheamus has gotten very, very stale. Even though, I will agree that he has one of the best finishers in wrestling today. Sheamus starts to show some vulnerability against Del Rio here, and this intensifies his character. I think he may regain the title in a rematch at Summerslam.
CONSENSUS: SHEAMUS 8-2. The worst thing for Del Rio is to get under an Irishman’s skin. Sheamus will unleash his temper tonight in a well-earned victory.
Singles Match for the WWE Championship
(Special Referee: AJ)
CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
Nick G. – PUNK.
Evan O. – CM PUNK.
Anthony V. – PUNK. I am going with the safe bet. AJ realizes that Punk is just trying to help her and Bryan is trying to use her. AJ will get that for a brief moment, give Punk the win, and then slap him in the end. It is pro wrestling soap opera at its finest.
Jason N. – CP Munk…excuse me…CM PUNK.
Greg M. – CM PUNK; Daniel Bryan got hot, and they made strides to squeeze every dollar out of him that they could. He’s a spent force, at this point.
Darragh O. – CM PUNK.
Grash – BRYAN.
Matt O. – CM PUNK.
Trey S. – CM PUNK.
Jeremy S. – CM PUNK. Just as in the storyline, I doubt that AJ will seriously impact the finish of the match at this PPV. I think this match is just going to intensify the storyline for the SummerSlam PPV. SummerSlam is where we find out where AJ’s heart truly lies, and I believe that it will be a whole maniacal plan with Daniel Bryan. During the match, AJ will both impact it first in Daniel Bryan’s favor, then in CM Punk’s favor, but it will not have any impact on the finish of the match. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan should actually be able to work a fairly technical, well-paced match with plenty of time. I think it may be second to their Over The Limit match, but just due to AJ also being billed on the match and its perception. This match will also have many viewers watching closely for Cena to possibly cash in on the title, but, as I said above, I think that WWE will hold off on this until later in the year, as this Punk-Bryan feud will go a little past SummerSlam. Cena will most likely then get revenge on Bryan. I can’t wait to see the interaction between AJ and Cena. That will be must-see television.
CONSENSUS: PUNK 8-1. AJ is the real factor to this match and whoever is her most recent crush will probably win this match and, therefore, the WWE Championship.
Dismissal
Well, that does it for THE TWELVTH ROUND of “Predictions from the Faculty” for the 2012-2013 season.
And remember students, this is YOUR column too! Please present to me your choices and the winner of each PPV will be granted approval to join us to provide picks for the next PPV.
Well, that does it for us, class. On behalf of my peers on Wrestleview I bid you farewell. We will be taking a well-deserved 28-day recess and will be back with our predictions for the next PPV of Season #4, TNA Hardcore Justice! As always, thank you for reading our predictions. Now go and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Be sure to check out all the VIP material before WWE Money in the Bank! For $4.99 a month you get so much for your money, including this weekend’s Pay-Per-View Post-Show hosted by Adam Martin, Hunter Golden and Doug Lackey. For more visit vip.wrestleview.com.
Thank you for reading and to those that do, participated in the column. We appreciate your feedback.
Once again, here is how you can join in on our predictions game. Please use these methods. If you post them under the “comments”, they will NOT be counted.
Facebook: Inbox Message to Anthony J. Valvo
Facebook: Leave your picks on my “Desk of Mr. V” Page
E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com
Twitter: @TheMisterV
You are…DISMISSED!