411’s PPV Roundtable Preview: TNA Lockdown 2010

Welcome, 411 wrestling readers, to 411Mania’s April TNA Pay-Per-View Roundtable! TNA took us to Destination X last month, where AJ Styles retained his TNA World Title by fighting Abyss to a no contest. Kurt Angle defeated Mr. Anderson, Kevin Nash showed his true colors and helped his opponents in the Band get TNA contracts, and the Motor City Machineguns beat Generation Me to become the #1 Contenders to the TNA World Tag Team Titles. Meanwhile Morgan and Hernandez didn’t get along but retained the Tag belts against Beer Money, Doug Williams kept his X-Division Title in a battle with Shannon Moore and Rob Terry and Tara retained their titles as well.

This month, TNA goes into the steel cage for Lockdown. AJ Styles defends the World Title in a one-on-one match against The Pope D’Angelo Dinero, while Abyss has moved on to become the captain of Team Hogan, taking on Sting’s Team Flair in the brutal Lethal Lockdown match. Team 3D will battle the Band, Eric Young seeks revenge against Kevin Nash and Shannon Moore has another shot at the Williams and X-Division Title…with Kaz added to the mix. Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson’s feud continues and the Beautiful People will battle Angelina Love and Tara with all the Knockout Titles on the line. Once again the card is stacked, so let’s get right 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!

411Mania.com
411 Wrestling
411 Movies & TV
411 Music
411 Games
411 MMA
411 Boxing
Follow Jeremy!

Joining the Roundtable this month are:

Chad Nevett, the man behind “High Road/Low Road” and my cohort in the R’s, covering Impact!
Michael Weyer, from “Shining a Spotlight!”
The man who gives us our dose of wrestling news every week in Cook’s Corner, Steve Cook!
The head of the Wrestling and MMA Zones, the Man, the Myth, Larry Csonka!
And of course, yours truly Jeremy Thomas!

---

TNA’S OFFICIAL “PLEASE BUY OUR PAY-PER-VIEW” VIDEO:

I like them doing the openings to the Pay-Per-Views as hype videos, it’s a solid idea.

TNA Lockdown 2010

THE CARD:

TNA WORLD TITLE MATCH
AJ Styles © vs. D’Angelo Dinero

Chad Nevett: Wow, the build to this has been subdued and mixed with the build to the Lethal Lockdown match with this one taking the back seat. Don’t you just love it when the world title is buried like that? Maybe setting up a number one contender for the PPV after the next one isn’t the smartest idea… you think? I think this could be a really good match since both of these guys are great in the ring. I imagine it will get killed by outside interference and the focus being shifted. Still, I don’t see AJ dropping the belt yet.

Winner and STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: AJ Styles

Michael Weyer: Given the quality of the competitors, I expected a bit of a better build to this. It’s always annoying when the world title is given a backseat to the “more important” bouts. It should be a great match between them, AJ always does wonders in a cage and against Angelo, it should be good too but I don’t see a title change yet.

Winner and STILL TNA World Champion: The Phenomenal One

Steve Cook: I hear a lot of people say that the Pope is the best thing in TNA. People love the guy and think he’s the future of pro wrestling. When I see the Pope, I see a guy doing a Dusty Rhodes impression. It’s not as obvious as Black Machismo’s tribute to Randy Savage because Pope doesn’t wear the polka dots, but Pope so wants to be the American Dream, if you weel. Sadly for the Pope, he’s facing AJ Styles, who has recently been repackaged into a Ric Flair wannabe. There are people in this company that aren’t trying to be other people, right? Anyway, Flair always beat Rhodes, so Styles will beat Pope.

Winner: AJ Styles

Larry Csonka: Since winning the 8 Card Stud Wait Nine Weeks For Your Title Shot Tournament, the booking of the Pope has been, well, not good. There has been a ton of talk about AJ running with the title until Bound for Glory, but also that he would drop the title for a VERY short time before that. I think that if Flair bleeds buckets during Lethal Lockdown, and if he doesn’t come out with AJ, that they will do the short title switch here to try and repair damage done to Pope. TNA loves doing the quick title change.

Winner: The Pope D’Angelo Dinero

Jeremy Thomas: I like me some Pope, I really do. (Hi Benedict!) But I just can’t see them putting him over Styles at this point. Sure, it would be huge to his career and AJ could stand to drop the belt, but I don’t believe he’s doing that yet. Instead, I think this will be a great match that will end in either a no-contest like last months, or that Styles will put Dinero down after a hard-fought match. Will I be enjoying this? You betcha. Will I be expecting a title change? Nope.

Winner: AJ Styles (STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: AJ Styles (4-1)

LETHAL LOCKDOWN
Team Hogan (Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, RVD and Jeff Hardy) vs. Team Flair (Sting, Beer Money and Desmond Wolfe)

Chad Nevett: This has the potential to be really good. The only over-the-hill guy is Sting with Jarrett as the next senior participant and both can still deliver in the ring. Hogan and Flair not being in the match is a big plus. Since I predict Team Flair will have the numbers advantage, I see Team Hogan pulling out the win to counteract AJ retaining the belt and setting up his next challenge.

Winner: Team Hogan

Michael Weyer: With all that talent, one can hope this match is good but who knows. I’m sure both Hogan and Flair will interject themselves into things as we can expect a wild clusterfrak with numerous spots. As for the victor, who do you think?

Winners: Team Hogan

Steve Cook: I’m a big fan of the people Ric Flair has been surrounding himself with lately. Styles, Wolfe & Beer Money are a good foursome to wreak havoc and have tremendous matches with anybody on the card. I’m not really sure what Sting’s doing there. At least when he was with the Main Event Mafia he had a reason (no respeck from the young’ins). Maybe he really hates Hogan for the whole Starrcade ’97 thing. It’d be nice to know. Lethal Lockdown matches are always fun and I expect this one to be no different…I would say that Team Flair should win because Abyss got hit with a car and Jeff Hardy got hit by a fireball last week on television, but it’s Team Hogan so they should be just fine. Flair always beat Dusty, but he always lost to Hulk.

Winner: Team Hogan

Larry Csonka: I like Lethal Lockdown, it usually has a good lineup and results in a good to great match. Minus 2005 (Sean Waltman, Diamond Dallas Page, and B.G. James defeated Jeff Jarrett, Monty Brown, and The Outlaw). ANYWAY, we have a great line up of guys in here, stars, guys that will take big bumps, guys that will bust ass and guys that will bleed. I figure Hogan and Flair will participate in outside shenanigans which will see Flair bleed more than the eight guys in the match. Should be fun.

Winner: TEAM HOGAN

Jeremy Thomas: With AJ going over in the main event, you can have the faces win here. Lethal Lockdown is usually fun, and this should be no different. I have a feeling that this will be their attempt to truly make Abyss a star, as he comes out as the savior for his team and scores the win.

Winner: Team Hogan

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Team Hogan (5-0)

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson

Chad Nevett: Mr. Anderson goes into this with the momentum after winning their ladder match on Impact to earn the key to the cage, which is an advantage of some kind, I imagine. I’ve been enjoying this feud more as it’s progressed, but it needs to end with Mr. Anderson getting the definitive victory that will put him over and won’t hurt Angle at all.

Winner: Mr. Anderson

Michael Weyer: This feud has been pretty good with Anderson showing his stuff but I think Angle gets the win here. Sure, Anderson has the “keys to the cage” but that just gives Angle more to overcome and make his win more important.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Steve Cook: I’ve liked parts of this feud a lot. Some of it’s been a bit useless, but you’ll have that. Angle will be sure to kick it up a notch or two since he’s going to be taking some time off, and Anderson can be pretty good at doing his thing. I think he’s a little underrated as a wrestler because he gets injured all the time and seems like a colossal asshole. With Angle saying he’s taking a break, I see no reason for Anderson to lose. Unless he’s getting fired.

Winner: Mr. Anderson……………Anderson

B>Larry Csonka: These two have had pretty good matches together, not great, but good. The main problem with the feud is that they have started and stopped the program like three times already. It is that reason why I have been losing interest. A ladder match before the cage match? To get a key? They hate each other so much that to settle the score they are going to RUN AWAY FROM EACH OTHER since the rules are escape only? Fucking hell. The booking sucks, but their effort and decent chemistry should provide a good match. With Angle taking time off, Anderson SHOULD win here since he will be around when Kurt isn’t.

Winner: Mr. Anderson

Jeremy Thomas: Easy pick. Anderson could really use the win and Angle is taking time off. Best way to have him rest is by having Anderson beat him and gain some heat off of it. The match should be good, though I don’t expect this to be a show stealer.

Winner: Mr. Anderson

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Mr. Anderson (4-1)

STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR THE TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Douglas Williams © vs. Shannon Moore vs. Kazarian

Chad Nevett: I’m really liking Douglas Williams as X-Division champ and really don’t like Shannon Moore’s gimmick. Kazarian is just sort of there. The only story that makes any sense is Williams retaining and continuing his ‘technical wrestling is best, jumping around is stupid’ character as champ. That that’s what makes sense has me thinking I should pick anyone but Williams to win, but still…

Winner and STILL TNA X-Division Champion: Douglas Williams

Michael Weyer: Williams is growing on me as X Division champ but this is pretty much filler to me. No real change of a title change but the trio should make it a great spotfest nonetheless.

Winner and STILL X Division Champion: Douglas Williams

Steve Cook: Douglas Williams is a top-flight wrestler trying to bring wrestling back to the X Division. Kazarian is a generic flippy-floppy guy, and Moore babbles on about glam rock and DILLIGAF and I want to put his head through a wall. If there is any justice in the world, the Empire shall prevail.

Winner: Douglas Williams

Larry Csonka: This of course could be completely awesome if they get the time, but with nine matches on the show, I doubt that they will. Douglas Williams as the “Catch as Catch Can” champion is completely awesome. He’s solid on the mic, the character fits him and it makes the fans genuinely hate him. Kaz and Moore had a really fun match on Impact recently, with Williams being great, I hope that we get to have a long, and good match here. Douglas Williams will slap Antonio Banderas and then shove the book of DILLIGAF up Moore’s ass to retain the title.

Winner: Douglas Williams

Jeremy Thomas: Kaz and Moore don’t have the high profile to earn a win here, much as it would be nice to see Kaz get the win. So in a pretty bad-ass match, I see Williams retaining and rolling on with the belt.

Winner: Douglas Williams (STILL TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPION)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Douglas Williams (5-0-0)

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Kevin Nash vs. Eric Young

Chad Nevett: With this and the Team 3D/Band match on the card, I’m not sure what to expect. I’d love to see Eric Young go over Nash, but I’m almost expecting yet another swerve to reveal that Young was in on it the whole time and it’s all been a work for reasons that lack logic.

Winner: Kevin Nash

Michael Weyer: A cage could actually help Nash out, limit mobility more and give him more of a brawling chance. Young is out for payback and logically can go over. But we know how “logic” and “Nash matches” don’t always go together.

Winner: Kevin Nash

Steve Cook: We’ll find out if Nash actually likes Eric Young if he bothers showing up for the match or not. You know how those neck injuries can be, they just sneak up on you out of nowhere. I think Young will win the match, but in a way that makes sure that everybody knows that Nash is the real star. It’ll be great because then Nash can tell people that he’s a team player because he put over Eric Young. Unless, of course, he has a heart attack, or a neck injury, or an acute case of jobberitis.

Winner: Eric Young

Larry Csonka: This one is kind of a hard one to choose. Nash is a fan of Young’s and wants to see him succeed. But then again, this is PPV, and when it comes to singles matches on PPV, Nash has a way of getting out of the old job. I figure Young bumps his ass off and does a big bump. Cook and I think too much alike at times, because all I could think was that “Nash jobs without really putting Young over.” Let’s hope for the best.

Winner: Eric Young

Jeremy Thomas: I guess I’m the tie breaker here. I think Young could easily win, and probably will. That allows the Band to split the wins—oops, gave away a pick—and helps Nash get Young over, who he likes.

Winner: Eric Young

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Eric Young (3-2)

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Team 3D vs. The Band

Chad Nevett: Eric Young interferes and costs Team 3D the match. Or Bubba the Love Sponge interferes and costs Team 3D the match. Or Bubba the Love Sponge interferes and gets put through a table. I’m hoping for option #3, but fearing #1 or #2…

Winner: The Band

Michael Weyer: Yet again, TNA gives us a dream match a decade too late. It should be a decent enough brawl but could also be ugly to watch, especially with Hall. The Band should get the win here to continue their dominance.

Winners: Hall and Syxx-Pac

Steve Cook: Thank goodness they brought in Hall & Waltman to put over the young up and coming talent like Team 3D.

Winners: Team 3D

Larry Csonka: if I am honest, I am not looking forward to this one that much either. With the Nasty’s gone, they had to do something with 3D, and unfortunately this is it. 3D works hard on PPV, especially in gimmicked matches and Waltman has worked all right since his return. Hopefully that is enough to make this passable. I figure the band wins to get them some form of momentum, and to keep the feud going.

Winner: The Band

Jeremy Thomas: Yeah, the Band is taking this one. I don’t think it will be very good and I’ll be happy to see it over, because I just don’t see these teams working very well against each other no matter how hard they may try. Too bad too, because this could have been something in the prime of both teams.

Winner: The Band

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: The Band (4-1)

STEEL CAGE MATCH WITH ALL KNOCKOUTS TITLES ON THE LINE
The Beautiful People vs. Angelina Love & Tara

Chad Nevett: I’ve got to wonder if they want to put the tag belts on Love and Tara, which would be a reprise of the Morgan/Hernandez story of tag champs that don’t get along. I think it’s more likely that a rift will happen in the Beautiful People after Madison Rayne becomes the TNA Knockouts Champion, upstaging Velvet Sky.

Winner and NEW TNA Knockouts Champion: The Beautiful People (Madison Rayne)

Michael Weyer: I’ve never been a fan of the “multiple titles on the line in one match” gimmick and the women in a cage won’t be as hard-hitting as the guys. As usual with these types of bouts, I’ll lean toward the current singles champ adding a tag belt to her collection as Love and Tara as partners is the sort of intriguing idea Russo loves.

Winners and NEW Knockouts Tag Team Champions: Angelina Love and Tar

Steve Cook: Vince Russo is with TNA, right? In all of the televised wrestling I’ve watched that Vinnie Ru has had a hand in, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an established tag team beat TAG TEAM PARTNERS THAT HATE EACH OTHER! WOOOOOOOOO! Of course, all women hate each other so it’s really a moot point.

Winners: Angelina Love & Tara

Larry Csonka: I have to say that I HATE the “double title stipulation,” because it is such a Vince Russo crutch. I feel that they either go the tag team partners that hate each other route, or that they do the “horsemen” beat down of Tara, and have Love reunite with the girls. Probably short, which unfortunately is for the better these days with the TNA ladies.

Winner: Angelina Love (c) and Tara

Jeremy Thomas: WACKY TAG TEAM PARTNERS DO NOT GET ALONG! Sorry, I have to say that once a Roundtable. It’s like Lansdell’s contractual obligation regarding Kong. Anyway, I’ll go one further than Nevett and Csonka—I freaking LOATHE the “all titles on the line” thing when any company does it. The WWE’s done it and it sucks, TNA’s done it and it sucks. Anyway, I see Angelina and Tara winning here, which will of course add tension to their eventual feud.

Winner: Angelina Love & Tara (NEW TNA KNOCKOUT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Angelina Love & Tara (4-1)

STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR LETHAL LOCKDOWN ADVANTAGE
James Storm vs. Rob Van Dam

Chad Nevett: This continues the RVD & Hardy/Beer Money feud. The only thing that makes sense is for Storm to win via interference and give the heels the advantage in numbers in Lethal Lockdown.

Winner: James Storm

Michael Weyer: This is a late addition for the card and just set-up for the Lethal Lockdown. I know TNA has dropped the ball a bit with RVD but he should get a win here to help his team out.

Winner: RVD

Steve Cook: It’s like I asked Manu Bumb when I heard about this: why don’t they just flip a freaking coin? Just because the NFL doesn’t use coin tosses anymore doesn’t mean wrestling should give up on them. Flip the coin, have the heels win, let them get some heat. Seems pretty obvious to me. So, Storm will win, but it’ll be a waste of five minutes.

Winner: James Storm

Larry Csonka: Again, this is a match that we didn’t need on the show. Sometimes less is more, but TNA refuses to see that. To do a proper War Games/Lethal Lockdown match, the heels have to have the advantage. That means that Storm wins here. While the win over RVD will be good for him, this will be short on time, and thusly won’t be as good as it could be.

Winner: James Storm

Jeremy Thomas: Yeah, we needed this. Really. I think Storm wins, which will set up the “Oh no! Can the faces overcome the disadvantage?” commentary,

Winner: James Storm

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: James Storm (4-1)

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Brian Kendrick & Homicide

Chad Nevett: This could be a really good match given the participants, but anything other than the Guns winning would be stupid. They need the win after losing to Matt Morgan and Amazing Red, and, well, the other team isn’t even a proper tag team.

Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns

Steve Cook: I refuse to believe this will be anything other than a dark match. Kendrick & Homicide have no history together, no future together and no reason to win this match. Of course, those can be seen as three reasons that the Guns will put them over…but I don’t see that happening.

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns

Larry Csonka: While I am glad that these guys are getting on PPV, and likely some form of bonus, this match was added just to add a meaningless and useless 9th match to the card. It will be short on time, and thusly won’t be as good as it could be.

Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns

Jeremy Thomas: This match Is so last minute and tossed together that I just don’t care. The established team, I suppose.

Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: The Motor City Machine Guns (5-0)

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: The Motor City Machine Guns over Kendrick & Homicide; Team Hogan over Team Sting; Douglas Williams over Kaz & Shannon Moore (5-0)
Anyone’s Game: Eric Young over Kevin Nash (3-2)

And of course…the standings Year-to-Date! Destination X was a good PPV for most of us; particularly Chad and Mathew, who went 8 for 9! Let’s check out the rankings!

Mathew Sforcina: 21 of 25 (84.00%)
Aaron Hubbard: 13 of 16 (81.25%)
Chad Nevett: 29 of 40 (72.50%)
Robert S. Leighty: 10 of 14 (71.43%)
Larry Csonka: 33 of 49 (67.35%)
Jeremy Thomas: 52 of 80 (65.00%)
Julian Bond: 45 of 71 (63.38%)
Andy Clark: 29 of 47 (61.70%)
Michael Weyer: 46 of 79 (58.23%)
Chris Lansdell: 9 of 16 (56.25%)

Sforcina has lead with only two shows to go…including this one! But Hubbard is right on his tail; will he be able to beat him? We’ll find out soon enough!

And, of course, don’t forget to join us Sunday night for LIVE coverage starting at 7:30 pm!