Here’s our extensive preview piece on each and every announced matchup that will appear on the WWE Network airing of 2015’s WWE Live From Madison Square Garden!
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Predictions & Winner: The never ending feud between these two men seems to simply exist to drive us all mad. It’s gotten to the point where we expect to see this match happen on an annual basis…actually, a bi-weekly basis. Don’t get us wrong, babyface Orton and “I DON’T LOOK STUPID!” Sheamus are favorites of ours. But we’re not too keen on seeing both Superstars face off with each other for the umpteenth time.
This is a live house show that’s actually gonna be shown to the world, so we know it should be decent. We stopped caring about this matchup a long time ago, though. We pick Sheamus here simply because he’s gotta remain strong as Mr. Money in the Bank 2015.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E and/or Xavier Woods) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) (WWE Tag Team Championship)
Predictions & Winners: You know what’s pretty crazy to think? The best feud in the WWE right now is between the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day and the returning Dudley Boyz. And to be quite honest, a great tag team feud is always something we’re always down to witness. We figured The New Day’s top act would keep them on the top longer as tag team champs until the next PPV or longer than that.
But there’s two factors here that make us think The Dudley Boyz are going to get the surprise title win here – they’re going to compete in their home base of NY and it’s about time they grabbed those titles. This feud needs a shocker and this title match is gonna be it. Look for both teams to keep their war raging on at Hell in a Cell 2015.
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Chris Jericho (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
Predictions & Winner: Two of Canada’s best wrestlers are competing in a fantasy matchup for the Intercontinental Championship. Our gut feeling tells us this is going to be the best match of the entire evening. Owens just defeated Ryback for the title he now wears proudly, so it’s really hard for us to see him giving up the title so quickly. Especially to a part-timer like Chris Jericho. Owens is going to retain here. Just look forward to an incredible match between two technical greats here.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae)
Predictions & Winner: These guys aren’t done killing each other their female accomplices yet? Guess Ziggler and Rusev still have some issues they need to iron out. Rusev took an embarrassing loss to Ziggler at Night of Champions last month, which means he’s extra prepared to get his hands on Zigs one again. In a house show format though, it’s pretty common to see the good guys nab a lot of the wins. Ziggler gets the victory here and does something even more embarrassing to his Russian brute of a rival.
Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)
Predictions & Winner: These guys have a storied history. Ever since 2002, Lesnar and Show have pushed each other to the limit in a variety of bouts. At Survivor Series 2002 in MSG, Show actually won (well, stole) the WWE Championship from Lesnar. Now in 2015, Lesnar is seemingly back for revenge against one of his greatest rivals. This match will be a lot more even than their completely one-sided Royal Rumble 2014 match.
It’s no surprise here who the winner will be – Brock Lesnar. This event is a part of his October 2015 tour after all, so why would he take the L in such a big match? Lesnar’s gotta maintain his badass aura going into his Hell in a Cell 2015 bout with The Undertaker. Speaking of The Deadman, wouldn’t it be cool if he made a rare appearance at The Garden that evening? Just sayin…
John Cena (c) vs. Seth Rollins (Steel Cage Match for the WWE United States Championship)
Predictions & Winner: These guys…AGAIN? Man, this isn’t as bad as Orton vs. Sheamus #5389, but still. Now both guys tend to put on some amazing matches, but the fresh factor has worn off and we find it hard to care every time they have a rematch. They’re going head to head once again for the WWE United States Championship. Only this time, it will be contested within the confines of a Steel Cage. WWE tends to break this stipulation out for house shows, especially when it involves the main event.
Cena will retain his title here, of course. For such a premier main event, WWE’s always (mostly) triumphant hero shall prevail. By the match’s end, we see Kane transforming into the monster he truly is once again to terrorize Rollins after his big win here. Just to send the MSG crowd home even happier than usual, he’s going to chokeslam him to hell and set off his flames to end the evening.