Arts & Entertainment
 

WWE stars get ready to show 'Vengence'

Wrestling … Yay!

Ed De La Garza

Anyone curious enough to pay $10 a week to see NWA:TNA on pay-per-view knew about Zach Gowen long before he appeared in Word Wrestling Entertainment. He was known as Tenacious Z in that company and initially made a name for himself for being a one-legged wrestler.

Eventually, people saw he could out-wrestle many known stars. He couldn't escape his handicap, but he didn't want people's sympathy. He only wanted a chance. It's a good thing WWE finally got rid of the insane Mr. America gimmick and let Gowen go at it alone.

It is a little disconcerting to see him with WWE. It's a company that wouldn't know what to do if Jesus Christ Himself signed a contract. But you get the feeling Gowen will always be a crowd favorite, not because of the writing, but because of his desire. Corny as it sounds, he's everything that's good about sports entertainment. No politics, no over-the-top gimmicks. Just showmanship.

With that said, he'll make his wrestling debut against McMahon at Sunday's Vengeance PPV. It used to be said that Ric Flair could wrestle a mop and put on a good match. McMahon's the mop at Vengeance.

WWE wants Vengeance

There are a couple of weak matches (the APA Bar Room Brawl and Stephanie McMahon vs. Sable), but on the whole, Vengeance (7 p.m. Sunday) shouldn't be that bad.

WWE World Title: Brock Lesnar (champion) vs. Kurt Angle vs. Big Show -- This should be a good match, provided Big Show doesn't actually do any wrestling, or heaven forbid, walk out with the title. Lesnar and Angle's buddy story line is getting old quick, as is the Big Show's inclusion in the main event mix. Prediction: Lesnar hangs on to the title.

WWE U.S. Title: Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit -- The U.S. Title used to be World Championship Wrestling's equivalent to the Intercontinental Title. Letting two former WCW employees go at it seems like a perfect idea. This will be the best match of the night. Benoit's better when he's chasing a title. Prediction: Guerrero.

Tag Team Titles: Shelton Benjamin/Charlie Haas vs. Rey Mysterio/Billy Kidman -- This should be another standout match, but there's really not a reason to give Mysterio and Kidman the belts. Benjamin and Haas are great heels and should keep the titles. Prediction: Benjamin and Haas.

And the rest: The Undertaker meets John Cena; Gowen faces Vince McMahon; Sable faces Stephanie McMahon; and the APA hold a "Bar Room Brawl." More matches will be announced Thursday on Smackdown. Predictions: Undertaker (with some outside help), Gowen, Stephanie McMahon and some nonsense involving busted chairs and beer bottles with the APA.
 
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