CHEAP HEAT: LET THE BAD BOOKING OF SPRING PPV'S BEGIN

by Matt Loede, Let's Wrestle

Last week in our edition of "Cheap Heat" I wrote an article about how the WWE needs to keep up the momentum coming out of Mania, as it seems that right after their biggest event of the year they have a knack for dropping the ball. Well, after watching the first two shows of the week, and getting some heads-up on SmackDown, where basically right where I thought we'd be - back to some bad TV and bad booking.

Backlash, the next WWE PPV offering, is two weeks from Sunday, and the TV on Monday and Tuesday did nothing to make me want to part with the $39.99 that they are requiring for viewing. The angle to start Monday night on RAW was about as confusing as I have seen from a booking standpoint on WWE TV in quite some time. You first have GM William Regal telling us that John Bradshaw Layfield is the "most deserving #1 contender in WWE history" (why I still have no idea), and then you have two lackluster matches to get both Triple H and John Cena in the main to make it a "fatal four-way."

The only thing fatal about this match or the card in general right now appears to be the buyrate, which will be awful. You decide to keep the WWE title on Randy Orton, then out of the biggest show of the year do a poorly thrown together match with an overweight and boring JBL, and the two men that he just beat at Mania. I actually would have had no problems with a rematch of the Mania title match, but at the same time, forcing JBL in this match is about as big a head scratcher as I have seen by the bookers in quite awhile.

The other two rematches I have no real issues with, other than it's a case of "been there, done that." Edge and Taker do deserve another shot on a big stage, and here is hoping it's again the main event of the show. I think if you really push it, this is the feud that can carry the company for the spring. As far as Chavo and Kane are concerned, I don't know exactly how well these two will work together, but it will have to be better than the 8-second squash at Mania that earned Kane the title. Plus now with Chavo bringing in a "bodyguard" (a developmental wrestler they are calling "Bam Neely"), it does add more flair (no pun intended) to the match.

The fourth match on the show I have very mixed feelings about, as they are putting two very over babyfaces in a match as Shawn Michaels will take on Batista. The angle is that Batista is mad that Michaels "retired" his friend - Ric Flair. Batista even is using the famous "Shawn doesn't job to no one" line that has been bantered about in the WWE for years. It's a silly angle from the standpoint that Flair's retirement was so long in coming, no matter who he would have fought last, you knew that it was coming.

There is that bit of shoot angle involved, but really, for those that just watch the WWE for what it is, they likely are confused as to some of the phrasing of what big Dave is saying, while those that do know some of the backstage stuff that goes on are not buying for a second the "real life" feel to the angle at all. Plus from all indications, neither of these stars are going heel, meaning you'll have a 1-on-1 at the PPV and that will basically be it. Strange.

* WWE is planning to launch a Hall of Fame facility in the next few years. Officials from the company have been looking at various sights over the years, including one in Orlando, Florida. Shane McMahon recently said that WWE is anxious to get it done, but nothing is confirmed yet. The company has been collecting memorabilia for years now and storing it in a warehouse that is under lock and key. Every piece of memorabilia that is collected gets dated and filed for future reference. This is a great idea, and a for sure money maker for the company.

* Reports are that the WWE has been toying with the idea of turning CM Punk heel, but since his merchandise is selling far better than someone in his position should be selling, some believe that he should be built up higher as a babyface. Punk seems further away from the ECW title picture than ever with Kane now having the belt, but the thought is that eventually he'll cash in Money in the Bank for a shot at the SmackDown champ during the late summer.

* The 2008 edition of the Great American Bash PPV will go on sale 5/10 via Ticketmaster with prices ranging $300 down to $35. The 7/20 PPV will take place in Uniondale, Long Island at the Nassau Coliseum, which has hosted Wrestlemania 2 and Summerslam 2002 in the past.

* At Wednesday's Raw brand house show in Trenton, New Jersey, Ron Killings apparently hurt his shoulder working a match with Charlie Haas. The referee put up the X symbol and a stretcher was brought out for him. Killings managed to walk back on his own though.