WWE Heavyweight Championship: Triple H vs. Vladimir Koslov

[Shocky]

Warning, the following thread contains spoilers for Survivor Series. Obviously this will be renamed when the showing airs.

Announced this upcoming Smackdown, The Game Triple H will defend his WWE Championship against the Russian Wrecking Machine, Vladamir Kozlov. To me, I'm intrigued about this match. Are they pushing the big russian too soon.

You would think that with the recent blow ups of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley, that the WWE would caution itself against skyrocketing a guy to the moon so quickly, but I guess the WWE doesn't learn it's lesson.

I'm intrigued, because the Russian shouldn't lose this match. He would pretty much lose every bit of momentum he has going by losing the one tough match that he's wanted. Triple H however, I can't see losing that title, especially with WM25 on the horizon. This is a move of questionable booking on the WWE's part in my opinion. I don't mind this match, but I think the WWE is painted into a corner with this one, as well as the WHC match.

 

[Checkmate]

I'm both excited and terrified at the thought of this match. Excited because it can be an excellent contest that sets the pace of programming for the next few months. Terrified because it could be a disaster.

I'm a fan of Koslov for many reasons, but mainly because his character just seems so badass. He looks like he can hurt you, and aside from the headbutt, his moves back that up. Everything about him screams power, but not the raw power of someone like Batista. More like concentrated power. He reminds me of the power of Brock Lesnar with the style of Chris Benoit; a very lethal combination indeed. Add this to his push, and I'm on board.

However, I haven't seen Koslov work a very long match before. Everything that he has done has ended quickly (squash) or he attacks someone after their match. Now, I know HHH can work a long match, and can carry most people in the company right now, but I don't know how much Koslov can do, and how well he will mesh with HHH. For this, I'm a bit scared to see the result.

I don't want to see a DQ finish, but it may happen anyway. I'm not going to entertain that thought right now, and assume that the match will end clean. I don't see HHH letting Koslov go over him right now. Not without some serious payback and another title reign in HHH's future. Koslov winning would have to be considered an upset, as it would be his first big match (not counting Friday's match against Taker). So, as much as I would want Koslov to win, I don't see it happening.

The question then becomes, how would HHH win? A DQ finish allows HHH to keep the title and Koslov to keep his credibility. HHH winning cleanly buried Koslov, and that is something that should not happen, as he has proven to be a rising heel force on Smackdown.

Another option I would entertain is Koslov winning, despite all the odds against him in this one. Perhaps HHH gets screwed by someone, perhaps not. I don't know. However, Koslov as champion gives Jeff Hardy a fresh chance to challenge for the belt, without another HHH/Hardy matchup that has been done to death.

So, I'm intrigued with this match more than others, mainly because it is a fresh smackdown main event, and Jeff Hardy isn't involved. I'm not against Hardy, but another match where he doesn't win just wouldn't be PPV worthy. I'm going to assume that the WWE knows where they are going with this, and it will likely become more evident who is going to win based upon the next few weeks on Smackdown. We can only wait and see...

 

[My$terio_Fan]

I'm actually looking forward to this match. I am a huge Jeff Hardy fan but if I had to watch him lose to trips one more time I would be pissed. Anyways Kozlov had been getting pushed to the moon but will he go over HHH? I'm not sure but I can possibly see Jeff interfering and than having a triple threat at Armegadon(where Jeff beat HHH last year). Kozlov has been getting better and is a strong threat but are they willing to put the title on him? If so you would think it wouldn;t last too long since WM is coming up. But the match should be enjoyable and in the end I see HHH retaining however.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

I blame most of the wrestling fan's for this blunder. On one side of the ball, I'm looking forward to this match-up and I honestly believe Kozlov has as good a chance as anyone to win. But on the opposite side of things, Kozlov's shot could've easily happened at Cyber Sunday and we'd be looking at either a Triple Threat, or a whole different opponent for Survivor Series.

Somehow with what I've read from the spoilers I think Jeff Hardy will find himself involved in this match. I hope it doesn't lead to a Triple Threat, because I can't take too much more of Hardy in title matches. He's become Smackdown's new "Batista" for getting TOO many shots. (which is horrible, considering he's only had in his career some odd 4 shots)

 

[Monkey_Mania]

I see Koslov winning. Not by pinning Triple H though. Hardy will come into this match most likely. I think next week on Smackdown Jeff Hardy will win is match with The Undertaker via DQ. He then gets implanted into this match making it a Triple Threat. Where it will culminate in Jeff almost grabbing that brass ring, only to be trounced by Koslov with Koslov pinning Hardy. This way Triple H doesnt lose any momentum and Koslov keeps getting momentum.

Or it will stay a one on one match. Ending with a DQ victory for Koslov. Then there might be a rematch. Either way. I am looking forward to this match as well.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Koslov needs to win this, otherwise all that hard work WWE have done for months will be a waste of time. He's probably not experienced enough to recover from it at this point. If he loses he'll just become another big guy on the roster. Which WWE really don't need at this point. The better option would probably to add a newly heel Jeff Hardy to the match.

 

[CCS]

Does Kozlov even deserve a WWE title reign yet ? Think about this. If he wins the WWE title right now it's going to make everything else he does look inferior. For instance , If one year from now he wins the Intercontinental title everybody will think "Damn that Kozlov guy has fell far since he was WWE champion" They've built up Kozlov as a legit contender. But i think they should give him a ECW or U.S. title run first. The only way i see Vladamir winning is if he loses the WWE back to Triple H at Armageddon one month later.

 

[DeadmanFan]

I think Kozlov should win this. This match brings back shades of Umaga when he was undefeated and "unstoppable" yet Cena beat him during his superman stint, effectively killing his career. (What has he done since then, his current absence disregarded?) Unfortunately, Triple H is turning out to be to 2008 what Cena was to 2007, and it is getting boring as HELL. I am not a Triple H hater and have always thought he was a good in-ring competitor as well as on the mic, but he and WWE should do the right thing and put the belt on Kozlov, if only for a short time like when Undertaker beat Hogan in '91.

If Kozlov does lose, it should not be cleanly. But even then would kill much of the persona he has built throughout the course of this year. I say give him the gold and see where it goes.

 

[Spunky]

Koslov as the WWE champion? I believe!

I'm REALLY excited by this match up, Kozlov has a style that will compliment Triple H very well, They could lay the match out as either a power match, Or a brawling match, Or even both.

The way I see it is, Triple H has had the title for too long now, But Koslov is nowhere near ready to carry the title, Even though I would mark out, So it's got me thinking that there will be some involvment from Jeff Hardy to set up a triple threat at the next PPV.

But with that said I do hope they sling the title around Koslov's waist even if it is just for a month.

 

[Tim]

I could care less about this matchup. The styles compliment each other nicely, and they could put on a pretty good match. But they could just as easily put on a shocker. It really depends on whether they try or not. There is no way in hell that Kozlov will win this cleanly. He will win by DQ or by Jeff Hardy interfering, but he will not lose, clean or not. I think DeadmanFan hit the nail on the head, that this is like Cena and Umaga. If Triple H beats Kozlov, his career is dead, much like Umaga's career died. If Hardy interferes, it will be a triple threat at Armageddon. If Kozlov wins by DQ, it will be a no DQ match at Armageddon. But Kozlov is not ready for the title at the moment, and maybe not even at Armageddon. Give him a couple more months before giving him the title.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

Please please please please please please PLEASE let Koslov win this match. I would consider November THE best month of 2008 if i could buy a WM ticket, watch Batista lose the WHC after 8 days AND see HHH get beaten for the WWE title by a rookie, all within 28 days.

We're all talking about a Jeff Hardy heel turn..... Don't you see that that would suck a wad of cock? Heels are supposed to garner hatred through words and Jeff can't talk his way out of a paper bag. Plus, if we adopt a Sly method of thinking, Jeff Hardy's wrestling style is totally un-heel. Heel with aerial offense doesn't tend to work at all and I'd like someone to name a high flying heel who got a lot of heat and wasn't cheered (oh, and wasn't part of the original ECW either)

also, does no one else think this would be a perfect time for Edge to reappear?

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Please please please please please please PLEASE let Koslov win this match. I would consider November THE best month of 2008 if i could buy a WM ticket, watch Batista lose the WHC after 8 days AND see HHH get beaten for the WWE title by a rookie, all within 28 days.

I was hoping for a Koslov win. But then Lance Storm of all people pointed this out to me. HHH won't lose to somebody like Koslov. Because a new WWE Champion now is likely to be Smackdowns WWE Champion at Mani. And out of all the main event wrestlers on Smackdown, Big Show, Taker, Jeff Hardy, Koslov is the one that I just can't see having a proper mania matches.

I'd be more inclined to think Big Show will take the title off Jeff Hardy

We're all talking about a Jeff Hardy heel turn..... Don't you see that that would suck a wad of cock? Heels are supposed to garner hatred through words and Jeff can't talk his way out of a paper bag. Plus, if we adopt a Sly method of thinking, Jeff Hardy's wrestling style is totally un-heel. Heel with aerial offense doesn't tend to work at all and I'd like someone to name a high flying heel who got a lot of heat and wasn't cheered (oh, and wasn't part of the original ECW either)

It'll be intresting and new. Even if it's a total failure.

 

[MaskedKane]

I smell an interference by Jeff Hardy for this match, considering he interfered in two matches on smackdown the other night. At least I hope he attacks Triple H first so Kozlov is DQ'ed, not HHH.

 

[Fizzy]

I really think their pushing Kozlov to soon. He has been here for a few months and he is already in the world title picture? Not only that but they make it so he basically can't lose this match. He just has so much momentum going his way that it would really just make him look so bad if they have him lose. I really don't see how he could win either. Triple H is by far the most capable champ on Smackdown right now, and he needs to hold the belt until Wrestlemania at least. I'm really intrigued to see what WWE has in store for this match because I honostly do not know.

 

[mcflyboy]

No way is HHH losing. Someone already said it, and I agree....this is a rehashing of cena vs. umaga back when cena couldn't be defeated, and umaga was this unstoppable monster.

The only thing that is up in the air is how HHH will retain. If HHH's ego is willing to make the sacrifice and creative wants to keep pushing koslov as some unstoppable monster, it could be that HHH retains due to outside interference. If they don't care about an unstoppable monster gimmick for koslov anymore, then by all means, HHH will pin.

 

[Dead Kennedy]

Well, we have a date for the killing of Kozlov's momentum, finally. Only a DQ finish can save some face here. I like Kozlov, but his WWE Championship push came too soon.

Two things can happen: Triple H completely buries the guy and barely lets him have any offense or Triple H retains via DQ. Kozlov winning is unlikely, to say the least. Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing Kozlov going over since Triple H is back in the complacency mood and all that.

Could be a good match if Triple H gives Kozlov some decent showcase time. But it could suck if he does not. And that would result in the end of Kozlov's monster push, like what happened to Umaga about a year ago.

 

[8five]

Jeff is going to be added to this match and will be pinned. It most likely about 95% will be HHH and 4% it could be koslov the other 1% is Jeff does something stupid and manages to pin himself. At least it should be entertaining for awhile until a standard finish

 

[Showtime]

DQ finish. HHH picks up the win, get's beaten down good. Rematch at Armageddon, HHH wins clean; that is how I see this feud playing out. As much as I would love to see Kozlov win this, I'm sure WWE has no intentions of taking the belt off HHH till Wrestlemania. But to prevent all of Kozlov's credibility to be dashed in one match, WWE will have some DQ finish where Kozlov destorys HHH. Then rematch sees HHH pick up the stunning win. Kozlov wrestles in the Rumble, future US title reign maybe. HHH wrestles someone else (my guess Big Show) at Royal Rumble.

True story, you'll see in a few months.

 

[48.7 is Approximately 49 Times Better Than You]

I'm excited to see Koslov in the main event.. But..

He won't win the title.

Either HHH will pin him and ruin his career, or Jeff Hardy will run out and destroy both Trips and Kozlov, ending the match in a no contest. There is no realistic chance of Kozlov going over HHH here. At all. Anyone who thinks differently is not very bright.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I think Trips finally vanquishing the unstoppable Russian is perfectly plausible here. All you need to realize all this talk of "momentum" and "push" means shit to the general veiwing public. If Trips beats him soundly at survivor series, and then Kozlov comes out the next friday an attacks him after a match and leaves him laying in a pool of blood, he will have the same heat. Do you think the 8 year old watching in the crowd or on TV at home cares if "Tripz goes ovah him clean". no, he wont. SO nothing is going to get "ruined". stop acting like idiots

And I dont necessarily think that if Kozlov wins, he will carry it til WM. there are PLENTY of ppv shows between now and then were a change could be made, especially since retaining the title at WM as become somewhat commonplace at WM in recent history. That being said, I could still entirely see Kozlov taking this, or Trips keeping it. this is one of the more intriuging, up-in-the-air title matches of the year thus far.

 

[simpsons_fanatic742]

I think this match will be pretty good and honestly I don't know how this will play out. Koslov could win to keep credibility because HH losing won't hurt him at all or I could see HHH winning, but Koslov still in the shuffle. If Jeff Hardy gets inserted into the, which I am thinking will happen much more now, then I can see Koslov winning and Hardy going completely crazy and attacking both HHH and Koslov, further turning heelish.

 

[Christian Battlez]

See on one side of this thing we have Triple H who has been WWE Champion since Backlash and will probably hold the title until Wrestlemania. On the other side we have the undefeated Moscow Mauler Vladimir Kozlov. Now it was announced on Smackdown tonight that next week it will be Jeff Hardy vs Triple H and if Hardy wins the match at SS is a Triple Threat which makes me think Hardy will win next week making everyone think he will finally get the brass ring only to get pinned by the game at the ppv. Then he will stay away from the title until he wins the Royal Rumble and defeats a heel Triple H at Wrestlemania. But as much as a heel turn for Hardy would intrigue me his style is too exciting and would not work. He needs to stay a face and win it at Wrestlemania 25 and bask in the fans admiration.

 

[Bernkastel]

I can say that I am intrigued by this match and I have been for a while. When Kozlov first debuted, I was a little hesitant of him because he was a bit stiff in the ring, but I think that stiffness is what makes his character somewhat unique. I can say that I was not expecting the WWE to push him this far this quickly, and I agree with some of the others that have said that this match really paints WWE into a corner, because on one side you have Kozlov, whose credibility has been built up to this match and on the other you have HHH whose given track record may make one think that it would be hard for him to job in a championship match to an unseasoned rookie. I am interested to see what the Booking team decides to do especially with the potential of Jeff Hardy thrown into the mix. I have a feeling that if the match does end up becoming a triple threat that Jeff has a more probable chance of Kozlov of winning the title, simply because he's built up more, and at this point he's not even a full fledged heel, just a tweener, so if Jeff does get the belt, there's really no telling if he'll stay face or turn heel.

 

[psykohurricane]

here'S my opinion on this match, unless thing change, Jeff HArdy will probably win against HHH next week on smackdown and this match will become a triple threat match, which is a good thing for HHH and Koslov because with Jeff in the match they don't have the be the one to lose and are still looking strong going in to armageddon when they will finally fight one on one. I might be wrong but i'm seeing a Koslov win here. Let me explain, i see jeff Hardy hitting the swanton on HHH and just has he goes for the pin koslov comes back in the ring and it the headbutt of doom on Hardy then goes for the pin on HArdy. That way HHH lose the belt for a month, Koslov is still undeafeated. Has for Jeff, let's face it, he going to look strong through out the match but is purpose is to make the other 2 look good. Hardy made is bed when he got suspended last may and is arrest at the airport even if it was minor and nothing came of it didn'T help matter. So Jeff has good as he is will play the role of the jobber during the match and for now, am o.k with it.

 

[relik]

I haven't read the spoilers for next week but I think it's pretty obvious Jeff will win and it'll be a triple threat match. I think it will be Jeff getting pinned and losing and I have 2 thoughts on how this will happen: first I think a returning Edge will be the reason why or Jeff will continue his close but no cigar storyline (I thought I remembering reading an article a while back saying that Matt was going to originally going to have this storyline).

With the road to Wrestlemania getting ready to start up Edge needs to make his pressence known sooner rather than later. Waiting til Armageddon might not give him enough time to reestablish himself on Smackdown before the rumble, plus the more we see of Edge the better IMO. Also, who wouldn't love to see the eventual Jeff/Edge feud.