411’s PPV Round Table Preview: TNA Victory Road 2006
Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.15.2006
More tag team matches than you can shake a stick at, plus a HUGE #1 contender’s match!
Welcome once again to another 411 Round Table Preview! On Friday we previewed WWE's
Saturday Night's Main Event, and we are back today to bring you our thoughts on the latest PPV offering from TNA, Victory Road 2006. There is a lot on tap for the show, a hair vs. hair match, the NWA tag titles are on the line as well as a huge #1 contender's match; where the winner will get a shot at the NWA Title next month of PPV. Let's meet the staff and get down to business!
The Staff~!
The man that could buy 27 VHS Wrestling tapes, and still get change from a $5; Ryan Byers!
As a Jew, Ari Berenstein!
He's either high or Low, he's Sat!
Small, very Jeff Small!
Andy Clark's girl is very sweet, but we all know who she is in love with.
He's from the Fink's Payload and Ask 411, Chris Clarke!
He did a last minute fill in, but is still stuck with HEAT; Scott Slimmer!
He likes good looking Asian Transvestites, Bayani Domingo!
A fellow STILLERS fan, Ron Gamble!
He's hardcore, he likes Kool-Aid, he's Stuart Carapola!
The man that brings Puerto Rico to 411, Armando Rodriguez!
Last night he evolved into a duck-billed platypus, he's Mathew Sforcina!
From FIP, ROH, PWG reviews, he loves initials, he's Brad Garoon!
From the twisted steel section of Dudleyville, 25 and 3/8 inches of the largest arms in the world attached to the man who last night took such liberties with your mother that he is now recognized as your father in 17 states, the gargantuan who is known as BIG Steve Cook!
And finally, the Franchise of 411; Larry Csonka!
TNA Victory Road~!:
Match #1: The Naturals vs. The Diamonds in the Rough
Ryan Byers: One team has a new manager, a new series of video packages, and a new chubby, bleached blond guardian angel. The other team has Simon Diamond and a PPV record so poor that it would make Kenny King blush. The call here is obvious.
Winners: The Naturals
Ari Berenstein: For better or for worse, The Naturals are on the come back trail...so that means we replace one jobber to the stars tag team with another for a few months. I am one of the few who could tell each Natural from each other but even I have to realize that their peak was last summer with their tag title run that no one saw because they weren't on Spike TV yet.
Winner: The Naturals
Sat: The Naturals definitely win here to start the climb to the tag titles
Winner: The Naturals
Jeff Small: Is this the pre-show match? I hope so. I mean 9 matches!!! That's like a Vince Russo produced show. Regardless, even though the Naturals are in the doghouse, they will probably still pick up the win here as the Diamonds are the anti-Triple H (you never pick them to win).
Winners: The Naturals
Andy Clark: Man, somehow the Diamonds in the Rough always manage to get on PPV. So, will The Naturals start there winning ways here or lose what small momentum they have. TNA is good at drawing things out so let's go with the "upset."
Winners: Diamonds in the Rough
Chris Clarke: Easy - the gimmick is that Douglas is getting these boys into shape. Not that they are IN shape. Naturals continue making mistakes, costing themselves matches, leading to some kind of streak in the future. But not yet.
Winner: Heels
Scott Slimmer: So here's a deep philosophical question for you. When two JTTS tag teams face each other in a match with no stars, who does the job? And does that get you demoted from JTTS to JTTJ? And if so, how the hell do you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning? Well, I guess we'll just have to ask Skipper and Young on Monday morning, because they'll be the ones doing the job on Sunday night.
Winners: The Naturals
Bayani Domingo: Wait, which one of these teams have had a vignette shot about them on the last 3 tapings of Impact? That's right, The Natural Franchises. Oh and random note: Is it just me or are the DitR kinda a weird younger, skinnier version of Team 3D if David Young grew his hair out a little?
Winner: The Natural Franchise Boys
Brad Garoon: Maybe I'm just a bit behind the storyline, but I thought the Naturals were done and the Douglas thing was aborted. I'm confused.
Winner: Diamonds in the Rough
Ron Gamble: Let's see, we have one team that's been getting the "We're rebuilding" push, versus two guys that should not be a team (Elix Skipper REALLY needs to be a solo in the X Division). I wonder...
WINNERS: Da Nacherels
Mathew Sforcina: So wait...Shane Douglas is meant to be a FACE manager? Ga-huh?
Winners: The Naturals (I don't care, I still don't get this...)
Stuart Carapola: I don't really care one way or the other, but I think it'd make sense for the Naturals to lose so Douglas can chew them out some more.
Winner: Diamonds In The Rough
Larry Csonka: Well, this is the test I suppose. I still have a fear that Douglas will be more over than the team, and that is never good, but hopefully I will be wrong. The Naturals should basically demolish the Diamonds and then whoop their ass afterwards when Douglas gives them some special instruction:
Douglas: Sweep the leg. [The Naturals stare at him in shock] Douglas: Do you have a problem with FAGS? Naturals: No, Franchise! Douglas: No mercy.
Winner: The Naturals
Match #2: The LAX vs. Dutt and Killings
Ryan Byers: Sonjay Dutt really just gets used as filler in this company, so his presence in the match just throws up a big red flag that the heels will be pinning him in short order. Hopefully Killings continues to feud with LAX, as a singles match against Homicide could be quite fun given the right amount of time.
Winners: LAX
Ari Berenstein: DUTT MUST DIE! If American Danielson doesn't finish the job at Saturday's ROH show, then Homicide will surely do it. Hell, his name means MURDER! DIE DUTT! DIE!
Winner: LAX
Sat: An actual tag team against a tag team that was thrown together.
Winner: The LAX
Jeff Small: I feel bad for the Truth here. Last month, he was in the main event match. Now, he's going to be on the losing end to Konnan's team.
Winners: The LAX
Andy Clark: This should be a fun match. Killings is the yo-yo of TNA, going up and down the card every month. Does Sonjay ever actually win a match?
Winners: LAX (Cop Killa, err, The Killa, on Sonjay)
Scott Slimmer: You know, they almost had me going there for a minute. A month ago I was just about ready to believe that Ron Killings was going to get another shot at a serious singles career after finally breaking free from the shackles of the 3LK, but now I see that it was all just a cruel joke. There's no reason for a thrown together tag team to pick up a win over a (somewhat) established stable, so it looks like it's going to be a long night for Dutt and Killings.
Winners: The LAX
Bayani Domingo: LAX needs a real push damn it. Dutt vs. Homicide would be a pretty sweet little feud too. I'm going with the numbers game here and Homicide getting his first real win since he just signed that contract.
Winner: LAX, via the "No parking in the Red Zone".
Brad Garoon: No brainer here as the LAX come back from their hiatus with a win over two guys with nothing going on.
Winner: LAX
Ron Gamble: LAX had to be put on the shelf for a few weeks for some reason, right?
WINNERS: LAXative (only if Konnan's in the match)
Mathew Sforcina: Hey, ROH guys, is there a nice little chant that's Homicide's? Like Joe's Gonna Kill You and A. Dragon's one.
Winners: LAX (Homicide. By Homicide.)
Larry Csonka: The LAX needs a win, and we need more Homicide in TNA matches.
Winner: LAX
Match #3: Monty Brown vs. Rhino
Ryan Byers: It's the pounce! It's the gore! When you put those together, the match will be POOR! POOR! POOOOOOOR!
Winner: Rhino
Ari Berenstein: NOW WE'RE TALKING! And I'm not even being sarcastic there--this is a great big man vs. big man match and since both are also on the come back trail this could really be a sleeper hit. Rhyno seems to be "Mr. July Through October", because last year he went on a huge run in TNA that culminated in his TNA title win at Bound For Glory (Nash circumstances aside). Rhyno is red hot with his promos and he has the fans support.
Winner: Rhyno
Sat: Rhino has to win this match after giving that promo on Impact
Winner: Rhino
Jeff Small: As everyone mentioned, this match is all about the GORE vs. the Pounce. And since that spot must happen, expect neither man to make it up for the 10 count. While that's a cop-out ending, it keeps both men strong.
Winner: Nobody
Andy Clark: Well at least Monty is on the card, but neither of these guys can afford a loss. Rhino is their weapon against ECW and Monty looks like he could be the first challenger to Joe's NWA Title down the road. My guess?
Winner: Double count out, as they each hit the Gore and the Pounce at the same time and knock each other out
Chris Clarke: Ugh - this is a tough one to pick. Rhyno is getting his push as the Anti-Vince, Anti-ECW face, but Monty is just starting his new streak. I don't know if it will be clean or legit, but Monty is going over.
Winner: Monty Man!
Scott Slimmer: Dude, seriously, what the hell happened to Monty Brown's career? Eighteen months ago I would have told you that Monty was destined to be TNA's first mainstream breakout star, but now he seems to be stuck in booking limbo. WTF? Anyway, TNA seems hell bent on having Rhino wage a one man war on ECW, so they damn well better book him strong along the way. Look for Rhino to pick up the win and continue to build momentum for his little holy war.
Winner: Rhino
Bayani Domingo: Wow, neither of these guys can afford to lose here, but a long feud between them would be pretty sweet. I guess this is the matter of the Gore vs. the Pounce. I would love to see them both go full tilt running into each other and see what happens. My guess, the 2nd big bang. I guess if they shot all those Rhino promos they are doing it for a reason. Then again every good feud usually starts with a cheap win.
Winner: Monty Brown
Brad Garoon: I always dig a good power match on a TNA show. It's a nice change of pace. Rhino may be cutting promos that hurt TNA more than they help it, but he's still plowing through Monty here.
Winner: Rhino
Ron Gamble: Rhino got the killer promo to start Impact on Thursday. Do you think he'll lose three nights later? Vince ain't booking this, you know...
WINNER: Rhino
Mathew Sforcina: Let's see, when Gore hits Pounce, which is so the main spot of the match, who will recover first? Brown is a former American Football Player. Rhino has been promoting a rival brand. Bonehead vs. Helmet wearer? Seems obvious.
Winner, and STILL 'True' Blank-Black-Black World Champion (as they will bill him)- Rhino (Gore meets Pounce then BBB Belt Shot)
Stuart Carapola: I like Rhino's spirit, but question TNA's decision to indirectly promote a brand that's been doing better ratings than them from day one. Still, it put Rhino in the limelight, and Monty Brown's kind of in limbo these days, so I expect Rhino to go over in a match I've wanted to see for a while.
Winner: Rhino
Larry Csonka: I have gotten to see these guys work on some TNA house show DVD's and one match live. The matches weren't bad, and I think they could do pretty well. Neither man can lose here, so this is one of those time I would be OK with a non-decision on PPV.
Winner: No Contest
Match #4: Alex Shelley and Kevin Nash w/Johnny Devine vs. Chris Sabin and Jay Lethal
Ryan Byers: I feel incredibly bad for Alex Shelley. His association with Kevin Nash had the potential to elevate him to the next level and make him a main event player in TNA. Instead, he's just another goofy X Division pawn in Nash's grand scheme to keep himself over. Combine that with the fact that the company is building up Jay Lethal for a title match next Thursday night on Impact, and you've got all the makings of young @I_x counting the lights.
Winners: Lethal and Sabin
Ari Berenstein: Do you know how Kevin Nash is going to put the X-Division over in this match? THAT'S RIGHT--Alex Shelley will do the job.
Winner: Sabin and Lethal
Sat: One thing is for sure, Kevin Nash will not get pinned. So, I have to say that Shelley takes the loss.
Winner: Chris Sabin and Jay Lethal
Jeff Small: Oh Kevin Nash. Defeat Sabin last month and now give him the rub by letting him or Lethal pin Alex Shelley. Then watch Nash turn on Shelley to show he's above the whole feud.
Winners: Sabin and Lethal
Winner of the Whole Storyline: Kevin Nash
Andy Clark: So when did Lethal become Sabin's partner instead of Sonjay? And I hate when they debut an underlings tag team (Shelley and Devine) and then have one of them team with the boss. Here the ref gets knocked loopy and Sabin pins Devine for the win, logic be damned.
Winners: Sabin & Lethal
Chris Clarke: This whole angle is designed for Nash to only job once - to AJ Styles. Is AJ in this match? No you say?
Winner: Nash
Scott Slimmer: Hmm… a big guy and four midgets. Where the hell have I seen that before? Oh yeah, that's right, it was one of those Ron Jeremy movies that I "borrowed" from my roommate sophomore year. I'm guessing this match ends much like that movie did with the big guy giving it to the little guys. Lethal is set to move on to bigger and better things with his upcoming title shot, so look for Sabin to do the job.
Winners: Alex Shelly and Kevin Nash w/ Johnny Devine
Bayani Domingo: Why do I have the feeling Shelley is taking the pin here?
Winner: Ebony and Ivory
Ron Gamble: Kevin Nash's romp through the X Division continues, for some reason...
WINNERS: Big Daddy Old and his Baby Bear
Stuart Carapola: Nash and Shelley are awesome. The X-Division Job Crew is totally going down.
Winner: Kevin Nash & Alex Shelley
Armando Rodriguez: Everybody knows Nash will win all but the last match and I also second Matthew's view of the camera getting involved as a weapon. So yes, Nash and Shelley will win, with interference from Devine, which will bring in another X guy to help out and set up a Six Man Tag at the next PPV.
Winners: Nash and Shelley(Devine camera shot, Austin Starr makes the save and sets up 6 man Tag)
Mathew Sforcina: I think this will be the match were the damm camera is finally used as a weapon. Of course, it doesn't matter, Nash will win all but the last match, which while not helping, should be comedic. Which isn't a good thing in the long run...
Winners: Nash & Shelly (Devine Camera Shot, and no, not Melina)
Brad Garoon: I'm digging this feud quite a bit. Nash and Shelley are golden and the X-Division will eventually put the big man in his place. It's about time the old slug helped someone out. However, this match will see Nash and Shelley continue to dominate. At least I hope so, because I need to see Sabin pin Nash in a singles match to end the feud.
Winner: Nash & Shelley
Steve Cook: Kevin Nash is the future of the X Division. Sabin & Lethal are the future of the Crips.
Winners: Shelley & Nash
Larry Csonka: I think that this will be a fun match. Sabin, Lethal and Shelley will all work hard, Nash worked hard last month and bumped well and Devine will be a little toady, and help them win.
Winner: Paparazzi Productions w/Director Kevin Nash
Match #5: HAIR VERSUS HAIR MATCH: Raven vs. Larry Z
Ryan Byers: God, this angle has dragged out forever, hasn't it? Word on the street is that Zbyszko is legitimately going in for some sort of hair transplant surgery and that the hair vs. hair stipulation is being done because he'll have to shave his natural hair anyway. Even if that wasn't the case, this feud needs to come to an end, and there's no reason why the non-wrestler heel should go over in the blow off.
Winner: Raven
Ari Berenstein: A match two hundred and fifty million years in the making. No, literally, this match was originally booked for when the dinosaurs were roaming the Earth. Finally there will be restitution! Finally there will be justice! SOMEONE WILL BE SHAVED BALD! Yeah, I'm not so interested either.
Winner: Raven, and Larry goes back to the golf course with a new toupee.
Sat: Let's hope that this is an actual hair versus hair and not like that Chris Jericho/Kevin Nash hair versus hair match from a few years ago.
Winner: Raven
Jeff Small: I guess a bald Raven would help divert attention away from his fat gut. However, he won't be losing here.
Winner: Raven
Andy Clark: Raven SHOULD win this match and give some closure to all this. However, Bobby Roode doesn't have anything to do on this card making him Larry Z's defacto bodyguard and starting a Roode-Raven feud. I'd hate to see Raven bald at this point, but given his new look anyhow a new haircut would fit in.
Winner: Larry Z thanks to Roode-ference
Chris Clarke: Oh those bookers - trying to trick us with a fun comedy match.
Winner: Larry Z via typical screwjob.
Scott Slimmer: This is only slightly more intriguing than a hair vs. hair match between Sabu and Paul Heyman would be. Actually, somebody is probably already booking that match for Summerslam, so I guess we'll be able to find out for sure soon enough. Anyway, we all know that Raven is going to win the blow off match when this feud finally (and mercifully) comes to a close. If Zbyszko picks up the win here, then this feud will have to continue for at least another month, and really, nobody wants to see that happen. Here's hoping that Raven gets the win on Sunday and washes his hands off this whole Zbyszko mess once and for all.
Winner: Raven
Bayani Domingo: Yikes, has any American wrestler ever lost two consecutive Hair vs. Hair matches in the same promotion? I can't imagine that Raven would look any worse bald than he does now. Was this guy ever in shape? Oh wait, he was Scotty the Body for a while right? I figure this might be one of those randomly booked matches, but I can't imagine wanting to keep LZ strong for…well anything.
Winner: Quoth the Raven, never diet.
Ron Gamble: They were passing around pictures of what Zbyszko would look like bald. That can mean just one thing, if I know my wrestling-booking handbook.
WINNER: Z-Man
Stuart Carapola: Having Larry Zbyszko in this match is like in 1998 when Vader had that mask vs. mask match against Kane. There's not much to lose here, folks. And unfortunately for Larry, he's not in there with Regal or Bischoff.
Winner: Raven
Armando Rodriguez: I think it is time to close out the Raven/Larry Z feud. I see Raven winning here since he has a lot more uses for TNA than Larry Z. I predict Raven to win, but getting beaten down by Larry Z's new lackeys. Something to keep Larry Z in the picture as a manager or something.
Winner: Raven (Evenflow DDT, gets beat down by Larry Z's new lackeys...The Naturals!)
Mathew Sforcina: Well, if this ends up like the last one in TNA... Did Larry take the blood tests?
Winner: Raven (Evenflow onto Shampoo bottle)
Brad Garoon: I'd have gone with a "loser leaves town" match here, as it's way more appropriate given the feud, but people want Larry to stay around I guess so I'll have to settle for an escalation in his male pattern baldness.
Winner: Raven.
Steve Cook: The obvious pick here would be Raven...which is why I'm going with the original King of the Resthold. It's not like Raven's hair has looked that good ever since he got scalped the last time he was in a hair vs. hair match, y'know?
Winner: Larry Z
Larry Csonka: This has been brewing since last summer and needs its resolution here, it would have been sooner, but Raven took ill and couldn't work. Raven wins, Larry goes bald and gets the HBK hair plug plan. Oh, and this will be a classic stall-fest.
Winner: Raven
Match #6: Team 3D (Ray, Devon and Runt) vs. The James Gang and "The Monster" Abyss
Ryan Byers: Unfortunately, Team 3D will be without one of their staunchest supporters this Sunday night on pay per view. Any of you who watched Impact on Thursday know exactly what I'm talking about. Papa Meehan was ON HIS FEET for the Duds, and I don't know if they can pull out a victory without him and the rest of the Mee-clan in their corner.
Winners: Abyss James, Kip James, BG James, and James Mitchell James
Ari Berenstein: How again is this not the WWE? Oh right, Abyss is in this match. To quote Meehan, "Nobody Moves, Nobody Cares!" And Nobody's Watching This Match.
Winner: James Gang and Abyss
Sat: Why are we having this match a third time? They should have stopped this feud at two. Expect Runt to lose to Abyss to keep the feud between Team 3D and The James Gang going.
Winner: The James Gang and Abyss
Jeff Small: Who cares...
Winners: Abyss and the James Gang
Andy Clark: This should be an interesting brawl, but ultimately it will see Abyss kill poor Spike, winning the match and then destroying his two tag team partners.
Winners: The James Trio
Chris Clarke: 3D likes to think they're not a stale act, but boy are they ever. At least it will be fun watching Abyss kill Spike.
Winner: Heels
Scott Slimmer: The popular opinion seems to dictate that Abyss will be the X factor that puts the James Gang over the top in this match, but I see things a bit differently. James Mitchell would like us to believe that Abyss is just a monster for hire, but I wonder how long the monster can really be contained. I'm guessing that miscommunication between Abyss and the James Gang will lead to a victory by Team 3D. That will set up a feud between Abyss and the James Gang while Team 3D moves on to challenge to the Tag Team Titles.
Winners: Team 3D
Bayani Domingo: Uh…I don't care.
Winner: James Gang via Abyss eating Brother Runt, shitting him out and powering bombing the feces in a bed of tacks…and lemon wedges.
Ron Gamble: Has Spi... um, Runt wrestled yet in TNA? I really don't know. If he hasn't, this is not a good way to make a debut.
WINNERS: The Jameseseseses and Abyssssssss
Stuart Carapola: Normally I'd easily pick 3D to go over, but the DeGeneration X B-Team has Abyss on their side this time around.
Winner: James Gang and Abyss
Armando Rodriguez: Yes, this match. I am not a fan of this feud and I hope it will end, but alas, they need to keep this teams doing something. I pick The James Gang and Abyss, if only because they will challenge for the titles next month while we continue to wait on the eventual Team 3D title win.
Winners: The James Gang and Abyss(James Gang vs. AJ and Daniels next month)
Mathew Sforcina: New rule for TNA PPVs- If nothing is on the line, take Abyss.
Winners: ABYSS~! and those other guys (Runt Black Hole Slammed onto Bingo Tumbler)
Brad Garoon: I haven't been paying any attention to this feud so I don't feel comfortable commenting on it. The coin chooses...
Winner: James Gang & Abyss
Steve Cook: Team 3D has more experience as a team, and nobody ends up well off after teaming with Abyss.
Winners: Team 3D
Larry Csonka: This feud has had fine matches, just too much WWE promoting. Abyss pins Runt to kick off their feud, ala Awesome and Spike in ECW.
Winner: James Gang and Abyss
Match #7: NWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: Champions AJ Styles and The Fallen Angel and Sirelda vs. America's Most Wanted and Gail Kim
Ryan Byers: This is a match in which the winner is almost too obvious for everybody's own good. Having the heels go over means that AJ & Daniels only get a month with the titles, which makes them look weak. It would have a similar effect on their new female companion, who would look like the world's least effective "Neutralizer" if she couldn't help her team to a win in her first match. On top of that, a bad guy win puts the belts back on to AMW, and the fresh match-ups for that tandem are nonexistent given the amount of time that they have been on top of the tag ranks.
Winners: Daniels, Styles, and Their Female Partner Who Embarrassingly Outweighs Both of Them
Ari Berenstein: So why is it that the tag team titles are on the line in an inter-gender, trans-species SIX person / being / creatures match? Is it because AMWA vs. Styles and Daniels for the third time in a row on a pay per view would be REDUNDANT? So we need to spice things up...right...can't anyone else besides Americas Most Worn Out Welcome challenge for those belts?
Winner: Styles and Daniels retain
Sat: I don't see AMW winning the titles back this quickly,
Winner: AJ Styles and The Fallen Angel and "The Tranny"
Jeff Small: Don't expect a title change. Do hope for an injury angle to get the Tranny off of my screen. While the match won't top last months, it should be damn entertaining.
Winners: Styles, Daniels, and That Bitch
Andy Clark: The match should be good, but does anybody not named Domingo actually want to watch "The Tranny" wrestle? AMW aren't winning the belts back for at least another month so our trans-gender loving amigos win this fight.
Winners and STILL NWA World Tag Team Champions (and a Tranny): AJ & Chris & Sirelda
Chris Clarke: I can't see this being anything but good, as long as the women aren't heavily involved. I have no idea how well the monster woman can work - but I doubt its Gail's level. Tranny kills Gail dead for the pin.
Winner: Faces
Scott Slimmer: The addition of somewhere between one and two women to this match doesn't change anything that's been said over the course of the last few months. AMW had become stale and, dare I say, a bit boring as Tag Team Champions, while Styles and Daniels are a nice change of pace. TNA has the best tag team division on television right now (although that really isn't saying much), so I hope they don't drop the ball and hand the titles back to AMW. Look for the team with three Y-chromosomes to pick up the win.
Winners: AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels
Bayani Domingo: Wow, a fresh team with the belts. I gotta say though that usually a hulking Tranny equates to success. Look at DX, look at Shane/Kazarian. The proof is in the man-pudding. Then again I hate to see Gail take the pin, but I love to see her ‘going down' for the 1…2…………..2 and a half…….3.
Winner: Phenomangels.
Ron Gamble: AMW held the belts long enough. They wouldn't end "the longest NWA World Tag Team title reign in over 30 years" just to give it back to them the next month.
WINNERS: PhenomenAngels and, um, her
Stuart Carapola: AMW just got off a nice long reign as champions, they don't need to hold the title again. Styles and Daniels, on the other hand, have really transitioned well from X-Division rivals to World Tag Team Champions, and I don't think their story is done being told yet.
Winner: AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels
Armando Rodriguez: I imagine the champs retain, with the tranny winning this one. This sets up a women's match next month and AJ & Daniels vs. James Gang for the titles. Or better yet, AMW start complaining about Gail taking the fall and not them, building to a huge 4-team elimination match next month. Yeah, I dig that one better.
Winners: AJ & Daniels & Tranny(Yay for multi-team elimination matches!)
Mathew Sforcina: Wow, such hatred. But yeah, how dare TNA use one of their first developmental talents who won a contest to get said contract! I mean, that's like, a logical and good step for a wrestling company trying to establish itself as an alternative, to cultivate home grown talent and prove they are a legit company, doesn't TNA know they are meant to only put on good matches and make boneheaded mistakes? For shame, TNA, for SHAME! Match outcome won't be different though.
Winners, and STILL NWA World Tag Team Champions: The Fallen Amazon Styles (Sirelda Chokeslam to Gail)
Brad Garoon: Just because they've added... umm... non-males to the match doesn't change the fact that it's just another tag title match featuring AMW. I'm begging them to put together a pair of teams and leave the cowboys out of it.
Winner: Styles and Daniels and their friend.
Steve Cook: Knowing Domingo's preferences for Asians and transsexuals, he must be really psyched up for this one. It should be a pretty good match, though the whole thought of Styles & Daniels needing a large woman to save their bacon is a little weird to me. Call me old school, but I don't really like it when the valet is taller than the wrestlers. Styles & Daniels shall retain, but AMW will have the better party afterwards.
Winners: Styles, Daniels & Tranny
Larry Csonka: This should be a fun match, probably not as good as the other they have had, but it may surprise us. No need for a title change just yet.
Winner: AJ and Daniels and can't say the name I use because it offends certain people with no sense of humor.
Match #8: The Road To Victory, #1 Contender's Match: Sting vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christian Cage vs. Scott Steiner
Ryan Byers: From what I've heard about TNA's booking, they are of the mindset that slowly building angles is the best way to go. That means a Joe victory here will not happen, as he's only been a member of the heavyweight division for a couple of months and hasn't fully established himself as a World Title contender. Besides, you can get at least one more PPV singles match out of Joe/Steiner, and that will kill some time while another man guns for the title. The slow build mentality also precludes a Steiner win, as you would need to turn him baby face for the title match, and that could not effectively be done before the next PPV. Meanwhile, if the company really wanted Christian to be in the main events, chances are good that he never would have dropped the title in the first place. That leaves one man to be your winner, and that man is Sting. It makes sense given that he and Double J have been at each other's throats since January without having a singles match. It's time to do that, and it's time to do it with TNA's biggest prize on the line.
Winner: Sting
Ari Berenstein: GREAT WORK THERE Jimmy Crack Cornette--you've really started off your administration on the right foot by not only ALLOWING Jarrett to keep the belt he illegitimately won... you DON'T put in the two other guys who got screwed out of the title from last month (Killings and Abyss) in THIS MATCH. That said, these four HAVE brought the quality wrestling wise and mic work wise and the fans DO care about this match, so as a main event you could do worse. Like say, Jeff Jarrett DEFENDING his title (say, where is he anyway no actually don't bother answering). It would be rose-colored Samoa Joe fanboyism to say he smashes through everyone here and wins the title next month. I think there's still one more match with Steiner in the works, so Sting or Christian winning here would be the play--and since we've never truly gotten Sting vs. JJJJJJJJJJ one on one...
Winner: Sting
Sat: Sting wins, allowing Cage to turn heel and it also allows for Samoa Joe and Scott Steiner to keep feuding.
Winner: Sting
Jeff Small: Man, this card really is a one-match show. But what a match it is. Seriously, each man could actually win the match. When do you ever see that happening? I think TNA is getting a bit restless with Sting since as the months pass, he's getting less over. So I expect him to win with a pinfall on Christian Cage, who will probably go back to staring at the lights after a year off.
Winner: Sting
Andy Clark: Unless TNA is planning on doing Samoa Joe vs. Monty Brown at Bound For Glory then Sting has to win this match. I'll repeat this PPV schedule again, with it being Jarrett-Sting, Sting-Cage, and then Sting-Joe at the biggest show of the year. If TNA does decide to put Joe over here it will be a mistake because there is still unfinished business between Joe and Steiner that needs to be resolved...in the SIX SIDES OF STEEL!.
Winner and NEW #1 Contender: Sting
Chris Clarke: Ahhh yes - the tease that they're going to put Joe over the top. But its not going to happen yet. Jarrett is going to screw Joe out of the title shot, leaving Christian to get his rematch.
Winner: Christian
Scott Slimmer: Okay kids, it's once again time for a little process of elimination. A Scott Steiner / Jeff Jarrett program would require one of them to turn face, and I can't see that happening any time soon. A Samoa Joe / Jeff Jarrett program would require that either Joe wins the title next month or Joe loses to Jarrett next month, and I can't see either of those scenarios actually happening. We've seen the Christian / Jeff Jarrett program for the better part of the year, and I'm not really sure what they could do to freshen it up this time around. That leaves Sting / Jeff Jarrett as the only viable possibility. I'm betting Sting picks up the win on Sunday to set up the feud that TNA has been teasing us with all year long.
Winner: Sting
Bayani Domingo: Steiner can't win, no one would buy him as a face. Christian can't win because then the rumored Sting/JJ program would never happen. My guess, Joe wins and then gets cheated out of the title by Steiner to continue their feud….eventually culminating in the long awaited….Midjah on a pole match. Wait…that shit is ridiculous…let's just go with the dude who is getting paid the half a mil.
Winner: Sting
Ron Gamble: There's only one-way for this match to end, and there's only one ending the people will accept.
WINNER: Samoa Joe Kills Bitches Dead
Stuart Carapola: I know there was some leaked promotional material for the next PPV that spoiled this, but I forgot what it said. That being the case, I'd love for Joe to win again here, but I'm going to say the immediate money is in Sting headlining, at least until Joe's at the point where he's ready to beat him.
Winner: Sting
Armando Rodriguez: I think Matthew has said it all regarding this match. I see the exact same finish happening and Cage joining JJ next month. As for Joe/Steiner, I think we will see the TNA debut of the I Quit Match next month.
Winner: Sting
Mathew Sforcina: Samoa Joe will be your next NWA World Champion. But it sure as hell won't be next month. I mean, the booking here is so obvious to be silly, really. All 4 men show no friends, taking on everyone. In the end, Joe locks in the Bitch Choker on Steiner, who fights it. As Christian goes to break that up, Sting comes back from a frog splash to hit the Death drop, covers Christian, pinfall as Steiner passes out. Hence, Joe is pissed at Scott for not tapping out (leading to a submission match next month) while Christian blames Sting for pinning him when he could have broken up the submission and won the match, and Christian turns heel to cost Sting the title next month, leading to Sting/Christian and Joe/Bitch at Bound For Glory, what they want their WM to be, if they could get finally pick one. Joe ain't winning here.
Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Sting (See Above.)
Brad Garoon: While it makes no sense from a storyline standpoint to have Jarrett keep the title until the next PPV (he should have to defend it on Impact) it does further my belief that Joe is winning here and then taking the belt. Fingers crossed kids.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Steve Cook: I don't think it's quite time for Joe to go up to the World title, and I think that Scott Steiner will be on his agenda for a little while longer. Christian looks to be on his way back to the heeldom that he knows so well, so a match with Jarrett is out of the cards. So, I pick Sting to win yet another main event, and in August he will serve some Hard Justice to ol' Double J.
Winner: Sting
Larry Csonka: From my July 4th news report: Excellent. I had a conversation about this saying how bad an idea it was that they would crown a number one contender, and then have the match that night with NO build. That isn't good business really; you need to build the marquee title matches. IF you are going to change the title, which seems to be the plan to either put it on Joe or Sting, you HAVE to give that a build of at least a month. That way, it will actually mean something. I am still thinking that they will go with Sting for the match, Cage turns heel, Joe faces Steiner again and then Joe defeats Sting for the title at Bound for Glory in October. Just a theory, I could be wrong, but we will see. Anyway, I think this was a good idea all around.
Winner: Sting
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