My favorite to win this was Edge, figuring he'd win a good fight with Christian. Forget all that.
I can't see how everyone assumed Christian to begin with. Edge was the more violent of the two, and the more innovative with gimmicks. Christian's the better technical wrestler, but way out of his league in a strictly violent environment, such as E.C.W.
At least Edge has more experience in violent matches. Christian against Steamboat is in Christian's favor due to fans and his T.L.C. matches, as I don't know Steamboat for anything "extreme", but that isn't to say he couldn't go.
Evenflow DDT is the perfcet reversal for Edge's spear.
Raven was never quick enough to stop a spear with a DDT. Raven's counter to the spear would be just like anyone else, to simply get out of the way, then hit the Evenflow.
But once again, that's if Raven can get out of the way quick enough. AS I say yet again, Raven was never known for speed.
Raven is at home in ECW, and seems to enjoy receiving pain, as much as he likes dishing it out.
This is the part that gets to me. Raven is as bad ass as they come. He enjoyed receiving and giving pain, yet he isn't unstoppable and has even come to lose to guy's like Terry Funk, well beyond his prime. (granted with slight Dreamer help)
The thing here is, Edge will give Raven as much pain as he wants. And Raven's incredible endurance to pain isn't going to stop him from being pinned via a roll-up, or a sudden spear.
There's not a weapon Edge could use that would slow Raven down in an ECW match.
The one thing I've always thought odd about Raven, is his weakness is his own finisher. Tommy Dreamer
never defeated Raven until their final match in E.C.W.. in which Dreamer did everything he could, yet couldn't put Raven away.. until he hit his own version of the Evenflow (Dreamer DDT) to win.
Everyone needs to remember, Edge has a DDT of his own. Infact, it won him a couple Intercontinental Championships. So on that note, Edge could very well hold the one "weakness" that Raven can't seem to get away from.
Edge will keep the fight interesting, but I don't think he'll win.
Be Optimistic. McMahon once won the Royal Rumble, by eliminating Steve Austin. Anything is possible.
The match would probably start out as a wrestling match, ehich Edge would win easily. But, once he gets Raven frustrated, and he steps out of the ring for a chair, table, 2x4, or wooden cross, Edge is done.
You say that as if Edge can't stand pain. This is the same individual who was tore open and apart by Mick Foley, and barbwire. Not to mention handled Shawn Michaels in street fights, went toe-to-toe with the Undertaker in Hell's playground, and is the king of T.L.C.
Edge might not have as much experience using weapons as Raven, but he's hardly "done" from it.
Edge obviously has more fans, but the fact that Raven is an ECW Original really plays to his favor.
Agreed. On both accounts. Edge's fan base might play a part, when even as an Edge fan I believe that's wrong.. but then again, several individuals in this tournament will get boosted by fan support when they shouldn't. So who cares.
Raven definately drew a great spot here. But in the end, if he's lucky enough to do anything.. he'll never get beyond Steve Austin, Vader, or Brock Lesnar. As the "fans" won't allow it.