2009 No Way Out Predictions

Sunday's No Way Out Pay-Per-View in Seattle, Washington features a double dose of one of the most grueling matches for WWE Superstars to be a part of. The steel structure known as "The Elimination Chamber" features 6 men confined inside fighting for the ultimate prize: a championship belt. In one match, World Heavyweight Champ, John Cena, defends against 5 of his fellow Raw roster members. In the other match, WWE Champ, Edge, will defend against 5 Smackdown stars who qualified for the match. There's no sure thing in these matches as the current champ can be pinned or submit early on, yet the match will go on until one man remains. That final competitor will be named the champion. So in essence neither Edge nor John Cena need to be pinned to lose their championship. These two matches make for an exciting double main event with several other compelling undercard matches which really will provide us with a precursor for Wrestlemania 25. Here's match by match analysis and predictions for the 2009 No Way Out Pay-Per-View!

Finlay vs. Jack Swagger
ECW Title Match

Jack's definitely had the Swagger for quite some time now on ECW, but in the past 2 weeks he's lost matches against and thanks to Finlay. These seem to do nothing more than stir the champ up who will find a way to win this Sunday at No Way Out. Possibly the shilaleigh gets involved again this time with Swagger using one to knock out Finlay and get the last laugh. It just seems more plausible that Christian's return will have him facing the cocky Jack Swagger at Wrestlemania 25, rather than a Christian vs. Finlay title fight.

Prediction: Swagger wins by pinfall after some sort of cheap shot to Finlay or distraction due to Hornswoggle at ringside.

---

Shawn Michaels vs. JBL

This may be considered the true wild card match of the night and the one everbody's wondering about. The outcome will determine whether Shawn Michaels is free from his employee service to JBL, or if JBL gets to own the Michaels' name forever. Based on the results here, we may know whether or not Shawn Michaels and JBL will have some sort of rematch at Wrestlemania 25, or if JBL will order Michaels into a match at the event. WWE Characters the Blog is going to go on a limb here and anticipate some sort of cheap win by JBL which forces a rematch or some more to the feud. It seems unlikely that this ends after just one match with the feud lasting as long as it has, but stranger things have happened!

Prediction: JBL manages to win this in some cheap way to set up a rematch or future stipulation.

---

Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton
No Holds Barred

Just weeks ago Randy Orton snapped just as Chairman Vince McMahon was about to fire him. Due to the violent outburst Mr. McMahon was knocked to the mat by Orton, then received a punt kick to his head. The incident left Mr. McMahon injured in the hospital, with Orton blaming a violent anger disorder for the whole thing. Due to the wrongful actions, Stephanie McMahon called in her brother Shane to come give Orton a McMahon-style beatdown. Orton claims he and Legacy allowed the attack so they wouldn't get jumped by 30 anxious Raw roster members up on the ramp. In subsequent weeks, Orton's Legacy team has seemed to gain an upperhand, knocking Shane into Stephanie, then trying to do a number on the Undertaker. Shane rushed in to save Taker last week on Raw, and the two seemed to rid the ring of Legacy.

This match seems like a precursor to Orton's Road to Wrestlemania. One McMahon down, one to go. Vince is in the hospital, now Orton will find a way to brutally win this match and send Shane away injured, leaving just Stephanie to yell at him Raw. This will provide the backdrop as rage-filled Orton will head to Wrestlemania 25 where he will be in the main event fight against either Cena for the World Heavyweight Championship or possibly Triple H for the WWE Title. Since this is No Holds Barred match, we most likely see Legacy get involved and then another Orton Punt Kick delivered to Shane's head rather than his back.

Prediction: Randy Orton sends yet another McMahon to the hospital as he prepares for Wrestlemania 25.

---

Raw Elimination Chamber
World Heavyweight Championship

John Cena defends in this one against Kane, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio and yes, Mike Knox. Many are calling this the weaker of the two chamber matches and with good reason. Kofi Kingston and Knox can pretty much be ruled out as winning the title. It's also doubtful that Jericho wins due to the recent situations he's been in (Rourke, Flair, fan incident). That leaves Kane or the current champ John Cena. Based on so many previous results, looks like Cena takes the belt to Wrestlemania 25 and this match will build up his stature for that main event. That main event is still questionable; will Cena face Orton, or someone else? (WWE's been quiet about Batista lately) Realistically Cena is the logical winner of this one, because who else would WWE want headlining the silver anniversary edition of their biggest event?

Prediction: John Cena emerges from the chamber as the victor after using his submission and finisher to eliminate several others.

---

Smackdown Elimination Chamber
WWE Championship

This definitely makes for the more compelling of the two chambers. It features Edge defending against Undertaker, Triple H, Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov and former champ Jeff Hardy. There's some former champions in here and some of the heaviest hitters in WWE right now which will make for some exciting situations in the steel structure. Also with Matt Hardy not in the match or on the card, why wouldn't he find some way to come out and cause his brother to lose again. That builds up their feud as we head to Wrestlemania 25. Most likely conclusion in this match will see Triple H vs. Edge, or another wrestler left with them. Edge will manage to win it questionably over Triple H with a quick move or someone else's move finishing HHH. That of course will set the stage for Wrestlemania 25: Triple H vs. Edge for the WWE Title, a match which has been in the making for several months now. This match could also produce Triple H as the new champion to set up a match between he and Orton for Wrestlemania 25.

Prediction: Edge retains the WWE Title with Triple H his final competitor.

---

Make sure to check WWE Characters the Blog starting after 8PM EST Sunday night for updates as the event goes on! Full results will be posted after 11PM EST. Enjoy the 2009 No Way Out Pay-Per-View!