Bragging Rights 2009 Confirmed Matches & Mini-Preview
Find out what matches are currently scheduled to take place at Bragging Rights 2009.
The following matches have been confirmed for Bragging Rights on the 25th October at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ECW Championship Match
Singles Match
Christian (c)
Vs.
Yoshi Tatsu
There isn’t a whole lot to say about this match.
Tatsu became the #1 contender for the ECW Championship after beating Zack Ryder just 5 days before Bragging Rights.
William Regal will no doubt be infuriated by the decision to place Tatsu and Ryder in a #1 contendership match over himself and his two lackeys, so expect them to show up at some point during the match.
“Champion Vs. Champion” Match
Singles Match
John Morrison (c)
Vs.
The Miz (c)
This match has the potential to be a show stealer between two of the best young talents in the WWE; United States Champion The Miz Vs. Intercontinental Champion John Morrison.
Despite both champions facing off, neither title is on the line, so this is truly all about bragging rights.
The former tag team champions and Slammy Award Winners will meet to determine who the ‘Marty Janetty’ of the pair is, and who could potentially go on to emulate the legendary Showstopper himself, Shawn Michaels.
Will ‘Mizzy Janetty’ have what it takes to defeat the Guru of Greatness himself, or will John Morrison continue his climb towards the upper echelons of the WWE?
Smackdown Vs. Raw Divas Match
6 Diva Tag Match
Melina, Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim
Vs.
Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix & Natalya
The pride of both Diva Locker Room’s will be on the line as arguably the top three ladies from each brand meet in this 3 on 3 tag team bout.
While Team Raw seem to have the upper hand in as much as they are all friends and on the same page, Team Smackdown have perhaps a more experienced and skilled team.
Whether Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool can put the Women’s Title out of their mind or not remains to be seen and a sudden surge of jealousy could be the only thing that separates these two teams come Bragging Rights.
WWE Championship Match
No Disqualification Iron Man Match
Randy Orton (c)
Vs.
John Cena
Once again Randy Orton and John Cena will meet for the WWE Championship.
This will be the third consecutive PPV that these two have met, and (for the time being at least) could well be the last.
Not only is Randy Orton’s title on the line, but if Cena loses, then he will be banished from Raw and have to join either ECW or more likely Smackdown.
There have been a number of memorable ‘Iron Man’ matches over the years, including Bret “Hitman” Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels, and The Rock Vs. Triple H, so this match will have some way to go to live up to those past epics.
Having secured a victory a-piece in both an ‘I Quit’ and ‘Hell in a Cell’ match, this match will test every last ounce of endurance these two Superstars have, and should form the conclusion of this long-standing rivalry.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Fatal 4-Way Match
The Undertaker (c)
Vs.
CM Punk
Vs.
Batista
Vs.
Rey Mysterio
The Undertaker will face a stern challenge for his title as he faces three competitors in a match where (as we are constantly reminded) the champion does not have to be pinned for the title to change hands.
Batista has been on a red hot streak since his return to Smackdown, with victories against Kane, Chris Jericho and The Big Show, whilst few would bet against the eternal underdog Rey Mysterio, who is no stranger to facing seemingly impossible odds.
There are a number of interesting sub-plots that could play a part in the outcome of this match and there is every chance The Deadman might not make it to Bragging Rights with the gold, as a Breaking Point rematch is scheduled to take place just 2 days beforehand.
Following the “Montreal Screwjob pt. 2″ at Breaking Point (and possibly pt. 3 on Smackdown), does CM Punk have a further ace up his Straight Edge sleeve? Can long-time friends and partners Batista and Rey Mysterio maintain a bond with the World Heavyweight Championship at stake? Or will the dead man continue his reign of terror?
Raw Vs. Smackdown “Bragging Rights” Match
7-on-7 Tag Team Match
Team Raw
Triple H
Shawn Michaels
Cody Rhodes
The Big Show
Mark Henry
Jack Swagger
Kofi Kingston
Vs.
Team Smackdown
Chris Jericho
Kane
Dolph Ziggler Matt Hardy
Shad Gaspard R-Truth
JTG Finlay
Eric Escobar Tyson Kidd
Drew McIntyre D.H Smith
This is what the show is all about.
A 14(!) man tag match to determine the dominant brand in the WWE.
Rather than taking the obvious route and throwing all the main eventers into this match,the creative team have gone for a nice blend of mid-card and main event talent that should ensure a good push for some of the lower Superstars (Drew McIntyre in particular if The Weekly Informer is to be believed).
This is also the obvious match for a major plot-twist. With John Cena competing for not only the WWE Championship, but also his spot on Raw, don’t be too surprised to see him turn up here in some capacity.
On paper, the Raw team appear the stronger force, with a larger number of established main eventers, whilst a significant proportion of the Smackdown team has been formed by up-and-coming talent.
However, experienced team captains Kane and Chris Jericho should at least ensure that Smackdown has a real chance of a victory here.
Update: Team Smackdown were ‘tuned up’ by Chris Jericho on Smackdown just days before Bragging Rights, placing them in a 4 on 5 match (Shad of Cryme Tyme apparently has flu) with the stipulation that the winning team would remain on Team Smackdown.
Thanks to some handy Shaleighle work by Finlay, the newcomers picked up the victory and altered the 7 on 7 Main event quite considerably.
Whether things will stay this way remain to be seen, but you can find out by joining us for the Bragging Rights Live Results as soon as the event begins.
