Bam Bam Bigelow/HBK vs. Christian Cage???
This match will either be in a Hell in the Cell or a TLC. In a one on one match in a cell, I would give HBK the nod over Cage, and Bigelow the nod over Cage, but in a Triple Threat, I'm fucked beyond belief picking a clear cut winner. If this match becomes a TLC, you would have to give the nod to Cage over Bigelow simply do to experience, but if it becomes HBK vs. Cage, it's a virtual push in my opinion.
I like Bam Bam Bigelow in a triple threat situation should he and HBK push. Cage would have a great deal of experience in the TLC atmosphere, but how much does experience really play there? Michaels is arguably better than ANYONE with ladders and Bigelow is no slouch with a steel chair. Also, Bam Bam is an old school ECW alum and legend in Japanese legend, so he can and has adapted well to hardcore environments. Finally, I'd see Cage and Michaels "egos" causing them to target one another, perhaps after Bigelow takes a spill to the outside. Let them wear each other down and Bam Bam levels the playing field. In Hell in a Cell, don't disqualify Bigelow's cage experience either. Though Michaels would be a clear cut HIAC favorite.
Sting vs. Benoit:
I doubt either Pillman or Joe can make a comeback at this point. If this match is a cell match, I have to go with the Stinger. Sting is just used to these types of matches more, however, I don't think Sting is a clear cut winner. Benoit is just as dangerous in this environment. If this match is a TLC, Benoit becomes the favorite, but certainly Sting has a shot in this match. Damn good matchup either way.
Could go either way. I think Sting has a touch more going for him from the cage side of things, but to my knowledge Sting has never dealt with a ladder environment before - at least not often. So HIAC favors Sting and TLC favors Benoit, but like you said CA, neither stip gives an advantage.
WCW Region:
Kane/Hart vs. Savage:
I'm willing to bet that the Kane/Hart match is pretty much done. Hart needs a big rally to win, but anything is possible. If this match is a 60 minute Iron Man Match, then Savage would have a huge advantage over Kane. Kane is impressive, but I don't think he has near the stamina of Savage. If it's Hart vs. Savage for an hour, I would sell my soul to watch that match and I couldn't pick a winner at this point. If this is the Triple Tiered Cage and Kane is facing Savage, I think I'm going to give the nod to Savage. It is a cage match, yes, and that makes it dangerous for anyone to be locked in with Kane, but it is also a climbing match as well.
The fact that we miss out on the very thought of a Hart vs Savage iron man match is a crime and everyone who voted for Kane should apologize. Yes, in an iron man match with Kane, Savage is smart enough to wear the big guy down, maybe going down 1-0 in the early going, but winning 3-2 or 2-1 when all is said and done. I agree with CA's assessment of Savage's climbing ability and stamina being a clear cut advantage in a triple tiered cage match. If Savage can get up a level, it will take Kane some time, so Savage gets to rest. Kane gets ambushed as soon as his body limply drapes over the floor of the 2nd tier.
Hogan vs. Triple H
Simply put, if this becomes an Iron Man match, I see no shot of Hogan winning this thing. Triple H is simply in better Cardio shape then Hogan has ever been in. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Hogan has never had a 30 minute classic, let alone a 60 minute classic. This match just oozes of Triple H winning. If it becomes a Triple Tier cage match, I'm going with Hogan. Triple H is good in Cell's, but Hogan is incredibly good in cage matches. Yes, a climbing element is involved in t his match, but no one gets a clear cut advantage. The only advantage would be is if Tripel H were able to use the bodies he has buried throughout his career as a stepping ladder to the top, but that won't happen.
HHH has a great deal of cage experience as well. Many of Hogan's cage matches in his prime were against larger, out of shape opponents such as King Kong Bundy and Big Boss Man. HHH can withstand the onslaught and stay in there. Whether it has been HIAC, Elimination Chamber, or straight cage match, HHH has damn sure performed. I take Hunter in either match, though it should have been Andre.
TNA Region:
Kurt Angle/Dean Malenko vs. Rob Van Dam
Angle and Malenko is still within reach, but it's looking to be Angle. RVD should win the ladder match at this point. If this match becomes an Ultimate X match, then obviously RVD is the clear cut favorite. The guy could probably jump a good long ways fromt he turnbuckle to the middle of the ropes to get a good head start. However, don't discount Kurt Angle. Angle is pretty damn agile himself, moreso then the Rock. If it becomes a Monster's Ball, forget about it. RVD is great in a hardcore environment, but no one in the business is as intense as Kurt Angle. I see Kurt Angle dominating a match with RVD where there are no rules and no climbing stipulations.
Both men (Angle and RVD) are fantastic athletes, but both stipulations give RVD a realistic shot at winning. Angle has terrific upper body strength, but RVD has built a career on his ability to use the ropes creatively for offense, defense, etc. He'd flourish in an Ultimate X match. Even with Angle being more experienced in the six sided ring, RVD can take to the air and neutralize that advantage FAST. Also, I think RVD would adapt to the faster ring VERY quickly. As for Monster's Ball, these two guys would straight up brutalize each other, and it'd be a push. RVD is better in a hardcore environment and is far more creative, but Angle is a tremendous athlete. I'd see a tie here and a 6th round triple threat.
Austin/Hennig vs. Vader:
Oh boy. There is still an outside Shot for Hennig but I doubt he will pull through. Ultimate X will obviously favor the lighter guy in either situation. Vader, let's face it, is a big guy, and as strong as he is, I doubt he's going to impress anyone with his monkey bar skills. Hell, I'd wager to say that the ropes are going to snap before Vader reaches the X.
Monster's Ball is clearly going to favor Vader. Sure Austin can brawl with the best of them, but Vader is a freaking monster, and the match is called Monster's ball for a reason. I simply see Austin beign destroyed by Vader in that matchup.
Ok, here we go. Vader wins in either match, hands down. Here's why:
1. Vader is significantly more agile than Austin. The man hit top and 2nd rope splashes and moonsaults on a regular basis both in the US and in Japan, wrestled very well in cage matches during his career, and has no issue adapting to different ring styles. Remember, Vader did a short stint in TNA in the early 2000's. Austin is not a high flyer by any stretch of the imagination, seems completely out of place in the air, and would finally be hindered by the existance of the 6-sided ring here instead of the classic WCW and WWE rings he is used to.
2. The ropes breaking? Are you serious? Recent Ultimate X matches have seen the likes of Hernandez and the Dudleyz dangling from the ropes along with their opponents. In the most recent Ultimate X match featuring the Dudleyz and Devine vs the Motor City Machine Guns and Jay Lethal, how many guys were hanging from the ropes at once? A fair number, and the ropes were MORE than ok. Vader is only one, large man. His weight is less that that of the Dudleyz. Even with Austin, it's still not even remotely an issue. THEY ARE RING ROPES FOR GOD's SAKE! Lesnar superplexed Big Show and the RING collapsed before the ropes broke. Vader will be fine, and he'll win with his crazy upper body strength. Also, if Austin is approaching and Vader wrapps him up, he's not shaking Vader off. Imaging the rings on American Gladiators, only with a 450-lb man wrapped around you as you cling to life.
3. Monster's Ball is a walk, just like the House O Fun was over Flair. Vader is so hardcore, whether he was popping HIS OWN EYE back in his head in Japan, throwing Mick Foley through barbed wire in Germany, or decimating Cactus Jack in a Texas Death Match in the US - Austin stands no chance against Vader.
ECW Region:
Jericho vs. The Big Show.
Well not the match I was hoping for it will do. Jericho better hope it doesn't become a barbed wire match, because the thought of Big Show throwing Jericho into Barbed Wire is sickening. If this is the match, there is no way Jericho wins in my opinion. 3 Stages of Hell would favor Jericho in my opinion. The longer the match goes, the more it favors the man with the stamina. This of course depends on the three stipulations for the matches, and that's even if match 3 would be needed. Jericho could be gone this round.
Ok, so Show throwing Jericho into barbed wire would hurt, yes, because of Show's power. Think of it this way - Jericho could leap the rope and hit the floor because he is agile enough to do it. Role reversal - Jericho throws or propels Show towards the ropes. Well, Show can't stop his momentum, and when his near 500-lb frame presses INTO the barbed wire, those little shards of metal will dig SO FAR INTO HIS SKIN that they will rip out chunks of Show. Both matches favor a lighter, more athletic Jericho. And if you think Jericho can't handle the blood, watch him and Lance Storm face The Heavenly Bodies at SMW and see the blood on Chris's face. Sick.
Undertaker vs. Foley.
They met in last years tournament, they'll meet again. Now this becomes an environment that Foley has to have an advantage in. If it becomes a barbed wire match, I think the deadman is done. He has never been in a match like that. I would think the ECW crowd would die of an orgasm from a match like this. 3 Stages of Hell would favor the deadman, but then again, there has been one guy that has had a ton of success agaisnt the Undertaker, and his name is Mick Foley. I simply don't know how either m atch would play out.
I know how it'd play out. No winner. Both men - dead. Jericho gets a bye.
