411’s PPV Roundtable Preview: TNA Slammiversary 2009
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 06.20.2009
TNA Slammiversary is LIVE this Sunday on PPV, bringing us two King of the Mountain Title Matches, the Tag Team and Knockouts Titles on the line, Daniels fighting for his job, Sting battling for his spot in the Main Event Mafia and more! Come see what the 411 Staff has to say about Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's latest Pay-Per-View offering!
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 411 Roundtable Preview for TNA Slammiversary! I'm your host Jeremy Thomas, here with the 411 staff to bring you our thoughts on TNA's latest Pay-Per-View offering. Last month Sting won the Ultimate Sacrifice but did NOT win the TNA World Title, while AJ Styles retained the Legends Title and Suicide did the same with the X-Division title thanks to a draw. This month it's all about King of the Mountain as we have not one but TWO of the signature TNA match, the first being for the World Title while the second is for the X-Division belt! Meanwhile Team 3D defends their Tag Team Titles against former champions Beer Money and Tara gets her first Knockouts Title Match! All that and much more…shall we get down to it?
Before we do, though, don't forget to bookmark 411Mania for all your entertainment needs, or even make it your home page! And don't forget the Twitters too!
"The Shimmy's" Andy Clark!
"Shining A Spolight" Guru Michael Weyer!
"Against the Grain's" Julian Bond!
The Godfather of the 411Mania's Main Event Mafia, Larry Csonka!
The man behind "If I Can Be Serious For A Moment" and "A Brace For Impact," Chris Lansdell
And of course, yours truly Jeremy Thomas!
TNA'S OFFICIAL "PLEASE BUY OUR PAY-PER-VIEW" VIDEO:
Not bad this month, though I preferred their music video hard-sells. And the commercials are still odd…but whatever makes them money I guess!
Andy Clark: I love the annual King of the Mountain Match despite last year's match not being that great. Foley has been awesome as champion, but with his call to defend the title between one to four times a year I suppose he has to drop the title. The question is to who. I'd say either Jeff Jarrett or Samoa Joe are the likely choices. I'll go with Jarrett so they can run the Jarrett-Foley one-on-one match next month. Plus this will be the first time that Jarrett has held the TNA World Heavyweight Title in its two year existence.
Winner and NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Jarrett
Michael Weyer: It's a toughie to pick here. I think it's time to get the belt off Foley, he just isn't doing it as champion. AJ would be a great pick but already has that "legends" belt and Jarrett seems likely. However, given all the boost for him, seems a good time to get the belt back on Joe and let him run rampant over the company as a monster at last which would be awesome for TNA.
Winner: Samoa Joe (NEW TNA World Champion)
Julian Bond: This should be a very interested bout here. The booking has (as usual) still been a little bit wacky, but I like it that TNA's been doing a pretty bang-up job in promoting this bout. In another one of my crazy TNA "Storyline Theories", which usually (with the exception of my sole lucky guess here at Foley's win a couple of months ago) never occurs due to TNA's logic taking over, I think that Jarrett will take the belt one last time here, Foley will be pissed at the result and in turn will get Samoa Joe and his "Nation of Violence" to get it back, Foley will be revealed as the "higher power" who's been talking to Joe the whole time (totally would make sense since Foley is "the King of Hardcore"), Joe will get the belt from Jarrett, and hopefully everything will be right in the world. If I get this whole thing right, will someone give me a cookie?
Winner and NEW TNA World Champion: Jeff Jarrett
Larry Csonka: And then we come to our main event of the evening. I, like Clark, actually like the KOTM match. This one could be in trouble if we are honest. Joe is injured, JJ is injured, Foley tries but is slow. That means AJ and Angle will have to lead and carry this bad boy. Actually, that may not be a bad thing. I highly doubt Foley retains, so I will go with Angle winning so that they can do the Horsemen beatdown of Sting on Impact the next week and bring Morgan into the fold. Why not.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Chris Lansdell: Still too many people. For me this match comes down to one unavoidable fact: Jeff Jarrett has never lost King of the Mountain. It's his nickname, it's his company, he's feuding with Mick Foley, he hasn't held the title in a while and I'm sure he thinks we're all dying for a Foley-Jarrett match. With Angle and AJ in here it might even be watchable.
Winner, and NEW TNA World Champion: Jeff Jarrett!
Jeremy Thomas: You know what? I'm going WAY out on a limb here, because I did it for Tommy Dreamer and looked what happened. That's right…I MADE TOMMY DREAMER THE ECW CHAMPION BY MY PREDICTING POWER! *Aherm* Anyway, I would love to see Styles win here, and I think it would be a surprise that would really shake things up. They could certainly do worse, and since I suck at predicting TNA World Title matches anyway, why not?
Winner: AJ Styles (NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion)
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Jeff Jarrett (3-1-1-1)
Andy Clark: Not a big fan of adding a second King of the Mountain match although I do like the stip. Suicide needs to stop feuding with tag teams because it's stupid for any of these challengers to win. I'd expect a good match, though.
Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Suicide
Michael Weyer: Putting two KOTM matches on is a bit much, takes away from the uniquness of the bout. But the mix here should make it a cool match nonetheless. It's tough to pick as the four challengers are all former champs and each has a shot but Suicide is catching on enough to retain here and this should be a great showcase for the division.
Winner: Suicide (STILL X Division Champion)
Julian Bond: While this match should be an awesome bout, my patience is getting a little bit thin with the whole "We all hate Suicide" story. I think the masked man retains again here and I hope that either the man is finally de-masked here at the end of the match OR they finally led up to someone finally doing the deed of unmasking him.
Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Suicide
Larry Csonka: I, Like many, feel that this match could be great. But I also agree with the fact that Suicide feuds with tag teams way to much, and I am also not sold on a 2nd KOTM match. Not because it is overkill, but because these guys could ruin it for the main event later on. I guess Suicide retains, not really a clue otherwise unless Doug Williams cashes in his stolen briefcase.
Winner: Suicide
Chris Lansdell: Too many people to break this one down. I expect this will open the show, to keep it as far away from possible from the Big Boys' version. I also expect a faster, spot-filled joygasm that will make me cry while trying to recap it. I DON'T expect a title change, although we may see a mask removal.
Winner, and STILL X-Division champion: Suicide
Jeremy Thomas: Gonna keep this one simple. The X-Division champion vs. four tag team guys wrestling as singles competitors. You do the math.
Andy Clark: Team 3D won at Lockdown because they were in Philly, despite it meaning more for Beer Money to win. I say Beer Money Inc. gets their payback here and walk out as the new TNA World Tag Team Champions.
Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: Beer Money Inc.
Michael Weyer: I think the win at Lockdown was just "long years of service recognition" for the former Dudleyz. Beer Money makes such an awesome heel champ pairing that it's about time they get it back and enjoy their wild antics again.
Winners: Beer Money Inc (NEW TNA Tag Team Champions)
Julian Bond: This has been a good slow brewing rivalry between these two, which is a nice refresher from the usual storylines that have been seen already in the past. I keep having a deep feeling that Beer Money will eventually turn back heel on 3D and destroy them, but I think that it will come a little later. I think Beer Money gets the straps back here (via the British Invasion interference) to get back on the map and then set-up a possible future Triple Threat match with 3D and The Brits.
Winner and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer Money
Larry Csonka: They had a good match at Lockdown, and Beer Money has been on a roll, last month is proof as they got a great match out of the Magnus. Doug Williams is awesome. Anyway, 3D works really hard on the big shows and they will likely get to use some toys, depending on where they are on the card, but they don't need much. I hope that Beer Money gets the titles back here. I have high hopes for them to have a GREAT match. The have had good ones, but I think they can have a great one.
Winner: Beer Money
Chris Lansdell: It breaks down like this:
Team 3D - One of the best tag teams of yesteryear who are over like rover with or without the title.
Beer! Money~! - One of the best tag teams around today who are over like rover with or without the title...AND are important to the future of TNA.
Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer! MONEY~!
Jeremy Thomas: Personally, as much as I love Beer Money I'd like to see Team 3D retain and end up losing to the British Invasion to shoot them to the moon. I don't think it's happening here though, and BMI will become the champs again. Either way these guys always put on good matches and I'm looking forward to it.
Andy Clark: It's always a question in a match like this, do you pull the trigger on the title change right away while the character is hot, or do you stretch it out and make it not as big of a deal? Knowing TNA I say they stretch it out.
Winner and STILL TNA Knockout's Champion: Angelina Love
Michael Weyer: Still not sold on Tara as Love has done good as a heel champ and I don't see a title switch just yet. Should be fair but Love cheats a win out of it to keep the division going a bit.
Winner: Angelina Love (STILL Knockouts Champion)
Julian Bond: Tara…man, that's one of the lamest "name changes" I've ever heard in wrestling. To go from Victoria (because that sounds like the name of a fancy lady or a straight-up crazy one) to just…Tara (no offense to any Tara out there) is kind of weird. Anywho, I think that Victo…I mean…Tara needs the belt now to really make a big first impact in TNA. If she just roams around the place for awhile without a big win, then she'll sadly become "just another Knockout". Should be good bout here.
Winner and NEW TNA Knockouts Champion: Tara
Larry Csonka: Part of me hates that they jumped to this right away. It's like the Jericho return, where he challenged Orton, lost and then lost steam for a while. Love is just at the beginning of her title run in my opinion and Kong hasn't gotten her revenge on her yet. But then again, they did the big stare down with Kong and Tara on Impact this week. I call title retention by Love and a three way next month.
Winner: Angelina Love
Chris Lansdell: It breaks down like this:
Love - Just won the title and is the top women's heel in the company with a dominant ass to back up. Err I mean stable.
Tara - Just won her freedom from dancing in a banana suit on live TV and is the newest talent on the roster with plenty of time to pick the win back up.
Winner, and STILL TNA Knockouts Champion: 1/3 of DAT AZZ CUBED, Angelina Love!
Jeremy Thomas: Like my comrades, I am not pleased they pushed Tara right into the title match; it's the equivalent of blowing your load a minute and a half into some seriously amazing sex. Yeah, I went there. I don't think that she wins here, and I see this feud continuing, so Love goes over via either chicanery or shenanigans…I can't decide which.
Winner: Angelina Love (STILL TNA Knockouts Champion)
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Angelina Love (5-1)
DANIELS'S ROSTER SPOT ON THE LINE
Daniels vs. Shane Douglas
Andy Clark: Daniels wins. I don't have much to say otherwise. If Douglas were in shape I'd be really excited about this match, but he's not and it would be stupid for him to win.
Winner: Daniels
Michael Weyer: Man, even ten years ago, this would have been a terrific match. But today with the shape Douglas is in, don't see it as much more than filler with Daniels winning naturally to get him back into the mix of things.
Winner: The Fallen Angel
Julian Bond: I like Daniels. I like Douglas. But honest to goodness, from a storyline, this feels totally put together just to get Daniels on the big PPV card. If Douglas came back with a vengeance and really took out Daniels (like maybe bloodied him up or something), it may have been interesting. But all that has been done is Douglas hitting Daniels with a chain, Douglas losing easily to AJ Styles (CLEANLY mind you with no DQs or anything), Douglas hitting Daniels again this time with handcuffs, and then Daniels is all of a sudden putting his roster spot on the line (?!?!?). So the actual match shouldn't be that bad, but it's SO plain as day that it's just a way to give the returning Daniels another win.
Winner: Daniels
Larry Csonka: I am afraid of this match due to TNA's sketchy booking. Shane Douglas, while I like the guy, should NOT win here in any scenario. He is old, slow, out of shape, not over and there is NO excuse for the farmer's tan on national TV.
Winner: Daniels
Chris Lansdell: It breaks down like this:
Daniels - Internet darling who can pull a good match out of almost anyone and who was the subject of loud chants while absent from TNA.
Douglas - Legend in his own mind who can pull a good 200 pounds out of the warehouse without a pallet jack and was the subject of loud PA system announcements while absent from TNA. "Carryout at lane 3!"
Winner, and STILL employed: Daniels
Jeremy Thomas: I've always thought Shane deserved a better chance during his peak. This…is not his peak. If he goes over Daniels here it will be criminal…and in an alternate reality. Daniels already got fired twice, three times would be a bit of overkill, don't you think?
Winner: Daniels
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Daniels (6-0)
STING'S MAIN EVENT MAFIA SPOT ON THE LINE
Sting vs. Matt Morgan
Andy Clark: I hate the idea of a non-World Champion entering the Mafia, but I suppose we should be looking at the beginning of the end of the Mafia pretty soon, so this could be it.
Winner: Matt Morgan
Michael Weyer: The setup's been okay but I just don't see Sting leaving the Mafia just yet as I think TNA will still be dragging that thing out a while. But the match should be good with Sting eking out the win to set a rematch up.
Winner: Sting
Julian Bond: Don't really know what's up with the sudden "special stipulation" with the MEM leadership on the line in this match, but it should be a nice little way to FINALLY get Matt Morgan over a mega-heel…cause God knows TNA currently needs more of them. Can't really imagine Morgan being leader of Mafia, so I think the Stinger takes it here.
Winner: Sting
Larry Csonka: The Main Event Mafia is made up of former world champions, and Morgan isn't one of them. Sure the excuse would be that he beat Sting to get in, but I didn't see it. Also, the last Sting wanted to job clean to a young talent (Abyss and Daniels) TNA would not allow him. I see the same thing here.
Winner: Sting
Chris Lansdell: It breaks down like this:
Sting - Icon who is on his way out and really doesn't fit with the Mafia any more.
Matt Morgan - Gifted youngster who is on the rise and would be perfect for the Mafia.
Winner: Matt Morgan
Jeremy Thomas: As high as TNA is on Morgan, I don't see them putting him over their Icon. Sting is going to win this match, but Morgan's chances of getting in the Mafia aren't over yet.
Winner: Sting
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Sting (4-2)
MONSTER'S BALL MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
Raven & Daffney vs. Abyss & Taylor Wilde
Andy Clark: For the second month in a row they kill the Monster's Ball stipulation. I'd be stoked about this match if it were just Raven and Abyss, but the chicks should just water things down. I'll go with Raven in hopes that he sticks around.
Winners: Raven & Daffney
Michael Weyer: Monster's Ball used to be unique for once a year but using it two PPVs in a row? In a mixed tag bout too? Kind of ruins the stip there. It should be an interesting mix of wrestlers here but just don't see it being that good really. Think the heels can get it to boost Raven back up a bit.
Winners: Raven & Daffney
Julian Bond: Kind of, sort of liking this angle here. Like the fact that Raven is back and gathering up people again as usual, with his latest partner-in-crime with Daffney and Stevie Richards. The crazed duo should easily go over here in a hopefully semi-violent match…since it's MONSTER'S BALL and all (hope they don't start abusing the name!!).
Winner: Raven & Daffney
Larry Csonka: Odd one to call, Raven is supposedly here for the short–term, but that can always change. I do not see it ending this soon, and there have been some rumors of Wilde being pregnant. I'll go with the heels here.
Winner: Raven & Daffney
Chris Lansdell: On one team you have an old, slower hardcore guy and a spookily hot psycho bitch. On the other side you have a psycho hardcore guy and a spunky little luchadora who may or may not be pregnant. Seems like a toss-up to me!
Winners, by dint of heads: Raven and Daffney
Jeremy Thomas: I've made no secret about the fact that I'm a Raven mark, and I really like Daffney too. All indications here say that that they're going to go over in what should be a mildly entertaining match.
There you have it folks. And now for the monthly Roundtable awards…the 411Mania staff's sure pick of the show and anyone's game match!
Sure Pick of the Show: Practically every friggin' match (6-0) Anyone's Game: Jeff Jarrett over Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles & Mick Foley (3-1-1-1)
And of course...the standings Year-to-Date! And these are FINAL Standings, as our year is done! For fairness, people with less than fifteen total predictions were not counted here so as to not let one very good prediction run skew the winner.
Matt Short: 27 of 36 (75.00%)
Julian Bond: 42 of 60 (70.00%)
Owain Brimfield: 48 of 71 (67.61%)
Dan Torkel: 42 of 64 (65.63%)
Shawn Lealos: 16 of 25 (64.00%)
Chris Lansdell: 39 of 63 (61.90%)
Jeremy Thomas: 53 of 87 (62.82%)
Michael Weyer: 47 of 88 (53.41%)
Larry Csonka: 19 of 36 (52.78%)
Robert S. Leighty Jr: 22 of 42 (52.38%)
Andy Clark: 41 of 82 (50.00%)
Bayani Domingo: 9 of 18 (50.00%)
James Craig: 13 of 27 (48.15%)
So despite a last-show plunge out of the 80's, Matt Short is the first year TNA Prediction Champion!
And, of course, don't forget to join us Sunday night for LIVE coverage starting at 8pm!
That may just be the stupidest thing i have EVER heard.
Posted By: jonah (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:57 AM
I say JJ hits Foley with the guitar as Foley is going up with the belt and then hold down Foley as AJ or Joe climb the ladder to get the belt. It has continuation in it in that Jarret is just wrestling so Foley can lose the title, not so he can win it.
Posted By: Guest#9361 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 02:26 AM
Taylor Wilde Is TNA .
Without her , TNA Knockouts are useless.
Posted By: GOD (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 02:46 AM
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN MATCH FOR THE TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jeff Jarrett
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN MATCH FOR THE TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Suicide
TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Beer Money
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Tara
DANIELS'S ROSTER SPOT ON THE LINE
Daniels
MAIN EVENT MAFIA SPOT ON THE LINE
Sting
MONSTER'S BALL MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
Wilde / Abyss .
MOTN - KOTM .
Hope it delivers , might be the TNA PPV of the year .
Posted By: HBK (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 02:51 AM
lol Spike and TNA arent gonna pay Foley all that money and not get him to in a mainevent title match at BFG V.
I doubt he drops it and even if he does who in that match NEEDS the title right now?
Joe should get his title back at BFG not at Slammiversay cuz Foley and him aarent feuding..
Most that happens is JJ gets its and loses it on iMPACT! or a Summer PPV right back to Foley..
I doubt it changes hands..
Posted By: MacDollarz. (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 04:15 AM
I think Morgan should lose but they could continue the fued for longer if they wanna make him a main eventer.
Maybe let him take that Legends title from AJ for a while..
Have him become the "hitman" for the mafia and try to take out Joe and AJ,etc..
Posted By: MacDollarz. (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 04:19 AM
I say JJ hits Foley with the guitar as Foley is going up with the belt and then hold down Foley as AJ or Joe climb the ladder to get the belt. It has continuation in it in that Jarret is just wrestling so Foley can lose the title, not so he can win it.
Posted By: Guest#9361 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 02:26 AM
Good call.
Posted By: Guest#5832 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 07:11 AM
Never really watch TNA just wondering if Joes Tattoo on his face is real??????????
Posted By: Marco (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 09:44 AM
If wilde is pregnant, why put her in a monsters ball match? Wouldnt that be a bit dangerous for her baby? If they want to write her off thats fine, but they should just have her jumped backstage before the match and put kong in her place.
Posted By: dogpound7382 (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 11:54 AM
If Joe is really hurt, then Jarrett or AJ is winning this thing; I'm more inclined to believe that Double J will be walking out as champ than Styles.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Damn you Matt Short!!!!! :)
Posted By: Julian Bond (Registered) on June 20, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Never really watch TNA just wondering if Joes Tattoo on his face is real??????????
Posted By: Marco (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 09:44 AM
No its not, you can see it start to come off when he wrestles. I almost guarantee its not even there by the end of the KOTM match if he participates.
Posted By: Kevin (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 01:36 PM
I claim the real victory, since I made double the number of predictions Matt made.
Posted By: Owain J. Brimfield (Registered) on June 20, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Everybody knows Foley will lose. Seriously, if he wins, he's gonna defend it once a year. Do you honestly think he'll win? No one will buy PPVs where the major title isn't defended. That'd be promotion suicide.
Posted By: Sweeney Tom (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 08:13 PM
I think AJ will win the KOTM due to AJ "not having anything to distract him." Joe just wants to destroy Angle, it was even said he doesn't care about the championship. Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett will end up killing each other leaving AJ the opportunity to hang the belt and win. Although AJ is the Legends champion so unless they unify them, i would say Jarrett will win because he has won every KOTM he has been in so far.
Posted By: ihaveaname (Guest) on June 20, 2009 at 11:13 PM
World Title KOTM - AJ wins the belt causing Foley to make him pull double duty at the next PPV.
X-Division KOTM - Suicide wins and either unmasks or gets unmasked to reveal Kaz.
Tag Team Title - Beer Money wins, 3-way with 3D and The Invasion at the next PPV.
Knockouts Title - Love via Beautiful People interference, Kong makes the save
Second Chance match - Daniels wins, Foley gives Douglas a spot for his "efforts"
MEM Spot Match - Sting wins, Morgan destroys him afterwards
Monster's Ball - Raven and Daffney, Lauren comes out to check on Abyss and they attack her
Posted By: RDMT (Guest) on June 21, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Alot of unanimous picks here, especially for a TNA ppv. Which means there'll be swerves, and the'll probably all be wrong.
Posted By: Official Manhugger (Guest) on June 21, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Here's the crazy thing: who was champ when TNA's ratings were consistently up? Sting. What's happened to their ratings since he lost the belt? That's right, they're down. So, who's the main eventer that's not in the KOTM match? Yup, the Stinger. Story of his career, really -- WCW never let him run with the belt for very long, either; and let's see -- hmmmm -- they're not around any more. It seems that booker's just don't understand how much wrestling fans like the guy.
It would seem the one guy who definitely shouldn't win the KOTM match is Foley, but I'm afraid he's going to, since Russo might think running the "champ refuses to defend the belt" angle might be cool. I don't think they've noticed that most of us are finding Foley's act a little boring these days, and that he's got almost nothing left in the ring. Not that he ever was a great wrestler, even in what passed for his prime.
Myself, I wouldn't mind seeing Jarrett take the belt for a final, short run with it (and his first as a face.) Morgan could qualify for the mafia by winning the belt from JJ (which would help cement Morgan's status as a real up and comer) and then Morgan could lose it to AJ, Joe, or Daniels. I know, that's not going to happen, but it wouldn't be a bad direction for TNA to take.
Posted By: the ghost of Gordon Solie (Guest) on June 21, 2009 at 02:09 AM
Well , I was mostly right .
Only got the Joe swerve wrong , but nobody saw that coming & missed the KNockouts title one .
But i did say it would be TNA ppv of the year , With KOTM being MOTN , And i think I was right on both occasions .
Posted By: HBK (Guest) on June 22, 2009 at 02:57 AM
