411’s PPV Round Table Preview: TNA Final Resolution
Posted by Larry Csonka on 01.13.2007
It is the second PPV of the year, and the gang is all here again to break it down. How does it look to us? Who will win and more importantly how will it impact the rest of the year? Come on in to find out!
Introduction:
Here we are again, back for more round table goodness. This month it is TNA Final Resolution! We have rematches galore, title matches, PCS, 3-ways, and just about any kind of match you want. I have gathered the brave staff of 411 once again to break this down as only we can. Let's meet the staff and break this show down!
The Staff~!
DVD Reviewer and soon to be WSX reviewer John Gregory!
I shine the spotlight on Michael Weyer!
The flunky I got to cover ECW, Michael Bauer!
He speaks the truth, he is Bayani Domingo!
The Independent Mid-Card lover, Samuel Berman!
Column of Honor author Ari Berenstein
I promise he isn't actually Raven, but he is Scotty Flamingo!
Always on the High Road, Sat!
Screw Job Master Daniel Wilcox!
Earning his Christmas Bonus for next year Stuart Carapola!
Just MEEHAN!
Smackdown reporter Brad Borchardt!
The big man Mathew Sforcina!
And in the end it is I, your humble host Larry Csonka.
TNA FINAL RESOLUTION 2006~!
James Storm vs. Petey Williams
Ari Berenstein: This is like the great USA vs. Canada feuds of wrestling yore...except, this time, Canada is the good guy, eh? Petey can bring it with highflying offense, but Storm is relatively untested in singles so it's best to keep it short and simple. Gail Kim will make her wonderful presence known and perhaps Chris Harris will come in for revenge. Either way, The kid from Canada will ride again.
Winner: Petey Williams
Samuel Berman: Isn't the feud between James Storm and Chris Harris? I clearly haven't watched enough Impact lately. Storm needs the win to stay strong while wrestling solo because Storm vs. Harris is clearly the match they're building to. And Petey's always over because of the Canadian Destroyer anyway.
Winner: James Storm
Michael Bauer: This match could be a sleeper as these guys should know each other's style very well. I think it all depends on what Gail Kim does. I honestly think she'll flip the script and go with Storm, because she so totally rocks as a heel.
Winner: James Storm
Bayani Domingo: Okay, so these guys used to feud as part of AMW and Team Canada, but Petey was a Heel and Storm was a face. So, logically this makes sense right? No? Aww hell. I'll go with Fat Redneck then.
Winner: James Storm
Michael Weyer: Well, they are pushing Storm as a singles guy now so unless Harris makes a surprise appearance, I'm giving Storm the nod to keep him going.
WINNER: James Storm
Scotty Flamingo: Why is this on PPV? This is the type of thing that should be on Impact. Two guys that can work, but not enough of a storyline to be on the big shows.
Winner: Storm
Sat: James Storm takes the loss here because of interference from Chris Harris
Winner: Petey Williams
Daniel Wilcox: This is just to add extra build to Storm vs. Harris, and there's no question who's coming out on top.
Winner: James Storm
Stuart Carapola: Petey Williams has been reduced to lower-midcard semi-job guy. James Storm is looking ahead to a feud with former partner Chris Harris. This does not add up to a good formula for Williams.
Winner: James Storm
Meehan: Yikes... sorry, Petey.
Winner: Storm (barring Pirate-ference, of course)
Brad Borchardt- This is a shame. I don't catch TNA all the time but I do know that Williams is not being used to his talent. He's the Gregory Helms of TNA if you win. Gotta go with Storm here to keep him strong before his big blow off match with Harris.
Winner: James Storm
Mathew Sforcina: Well, this is all kinds of messed up. How can Storm counter the Destroyer with a glass bottle? Unless he slams it into Petey's crotch, which doesn't really make sense. Still, Storm is the one that needs the win, Petey can just wave the American flag and get heat back. Wait, what did I just type?
Winner: James Storm (Glass Bottle to some part of Petey's body)
Larry Csonka: I like this match. They have set it through the interviews and the angle as a whole. Harris is not sure he can return, Storm wants to prove himself as a singles competitor and Petey has been involved, taking the side of Harris. Gail will be the wildcard. I say she gets involved, but Storm comes away with the win to build momentum for the feud upcoming with Harris. Both guys have the tools to go, and this should be a fine match.
Winner: James Storm
Paparazzi Championship Series Finals 10-Minute Time Limit: Austin Starr vs. Alex Shelley
Samuel Berman: The PCS stuff has been some of the most entertaining stuff I've seen from either TNA or WWE in a long, long time. Everything from Senshi no-selling the whole thing to Shelley's over-the-top attempts at getting approval from Nash have really made this one of the must-see parts of the show. I think Starr and Shelley are both great (check out their awesome match at ROH Manhattan Mayhem, by the way) and this should be a great showcase for what they can do against each other. Starr wins here, because Shelley's way better as a frustrated punk trying to gain acceptance from Nash.
Winner: Austin Starr
Michael Bauer: Am I the only one who has been bored as hell watching this? Seriously, this means absolutely nothing to any of these guys unless they get a title shot. Plus, with all this crap happening every week, none of these guys have gotten, I don't know, actual matches! Hopefully as this is the finals, we can finally end this crap. As for the match, I kinda think we all saw this coming. The guest judge better not be Backland. That's too predictable.
Winner: Alex Shelley
Ari Berenstein: This is a NO NEGATIVITY ZONE for my predictions this month. This will be tough considering who is the booker in charge, but I will do my best. Starr and Shelley have great matches in the ring. Their added tete a tete for the heart and affection of Kevin Nash will provide a little bit of extra showmanship for the match. Each will try to out-do the other to make sure they take the PCS home. However, this match will come down to the special guest judges, among them Disco Inferno, Bob Backlund, and this is only speculation, but...DAVE COULIER may be the final judge! Or...Kevin Nash. Which would mean the fix is in for one of these guys.
Winner: Austin Starr (Ten Minute Time Limit, 2-1 Judges Shootout)
Scotty Flamingo: 10 minutes is really not enough time to do anything. This match will hopefully kick off a Starr/Shelley feud and finally get something going on in the X-Division other the humorous, but pointless skits.
Winner: Starr (followed by Shelley being kicked out of the Paparazzi)
Sat: This should be an interesting match. The time limit suggests that they will go to the distance with the judges determining the winner. Expect Backlund to have the deciding vote and he votes for Starr
Winner: Austin Starr
Daniel Wilcox: While some of the PCS skits have been really funny, I still think it's a bad use of the X Division. This was always going to come down to these two, and this is probably the match I have most difficulty picking a winner for. Coin toss; heads, Shelley, tails, Starr. It's heads.
Winner: Alex Shelley (via judges decision)
Stuart Carapola: These guys have had some excellent matches, especially their blow away match in ROH at Manhattan Mayhem. I don't think they'll be able to put on as good of a match with only ten minutes to work with, but it'll be good nevertheless. I expect that it'll go to the time limit and will go to THE JUDGES.
Winner: Draw (Judges pick Starr)
Meehan: Expect Backlund to choose Shelley, and for Shelley to splinter off from Nash/Starr to buddy up with Bob thereafter.
Winner: Shelley.
Brad Borchardt: I see Shelly get the win on this and slowly getting in the X Division Championship picture.
Winner: Alex Shelley
Mathew Sforcina: There are judges, thusly this is clearly going to go 10 minutes. As for who actually wins... Nash/Starr vs. Shelly/Backlund. That would be several kinds of awesome. After all, if anyone can match Nash on the mic, it'd be Crazy Bob. Book it!
Winner: Starr (2-1 Judges Decision, leading to a Backlund/Shelly face turn snapping)
Larry Csonka: I disagree about the time deal. You can do plenty in 10-minutes and it has been proven throughout wrestling history. With the time limit and addition if judges (BACKLUND~! DISCO~!) I feel the draw is obvious to pay that off. @lex gets the surprise win, and is booted by Nash and Starr Horsemen like to make him the lone wolf of the division. Should be a really fun, and possibly really good match.
Winner: @lex Shelley
Last Man Standing: Rhino vs. AJ Styles
John Gregory: Rhino winning? I'd bet more on Nader in 08.
Winner: The Phenoma-heel AJ Styles
Michael Weyer: This I'm looking forward to with AJ finally going the big time heel we knew he could be. The match itself should be a good brawl but I see AJ getting on top to further his heel push.
WINNER: AJ Styles
Michael Bauer: AJ won the first match between these guys with tricks. AJ won the tag match against Rhino and Angle through tricks. And in between there have been about 7,000 haymakers thrown. With these rules, you have got to figure it favors Rhino, therefore...
Winner: Double knockout as nobody answers the ten count
Bayani Domingo: Um…this is match 2 in the feud right? AJ won the last match right?
Winner: Rhino
Samuel Berman: I like AJ as a heel, because I actually think it's a lot more like his default position anyway. What made AJ a face was that he's flashy and does a lot of high-impact moves, but Rhino is the kind of guy who can cut a promo that gets a crowd behind him. I think this match could surprise a lot of people because if there's one thing Rhino can do, it's brawl, and AJ's never been one to turn down a fight. I'm predicting the Rock-Mankind '99 finish here to lead to a Cage or a Dog Collar match or something next month.
Winner: Draw (both men unable to answer 10 count)
Ari Berenstein: Well, I still don't want to boo AJ Styles, but I do love watching Rhino hit the GORE...GORE...GORE! Therefore I find myself in quite the catastrofuck. Here's how I solve it--I like AJ Styles new tormented shirt more that Rhino's hoodie. Shirt beats hoodie via the ten count, last chance rematch for Rhino at the next PPV.
Winner: AJ Styles
Scotty Flamingo: I think that this match could either be really good or a train wreck. Rhino is good with garbage brawls, Styles is good with in-ring Arial action. If they can come up with a good mix of both, it should be a fun match.
Winner: Rhino
Sat: A Last Man Standing match has to give the edge to Rhino, but Rhino hasn't won a meaningful match in a long time, so I'll go with AJ.
Winner: AJ Styles
Daniel Wilcox: I expect this to be runner-up for MOTN. I can't see Rhino winning this match, but then again I can't see the feud ending just yet, and thus Styles won't win again, so that leaves just one option.
Winner: No-one, draw. (Double count-out)
Stuart Carapola: I would think that Rhino would win here, except that it seems that whenever he should go over, he instead gets the rug yanked out from under him and he loses instead, while the guy he loses to goes on to something better. I get the feeling the same thing's going to happen here.
Winner: AJ Styles
Meehan: A Last Man Standing match AND an Iron Man Match ON THE SAME PPV?!?! PLUS a ten-minute time limit match that we are all pretty sure will go the distance anyhow? Eesh. Can you say "going to the well one too many times," much? Either way, should be a good one -- and since MeeThinks heels are likely to go over in the other timed contests, then we need a big baby face win to even the playing field. Plus Rhino's due, right? ...Right?
Winner: Rhino
Brad Borchardt- You're kidding me, right? This should be a great match but when is the last time Rhino won a major PPV match? Styles is still adjusting to his heelish ways so expect TNA to keep him strong with a win here.
Winner: AJ Styles
Mathew Sforcina: Well now, where do they go from here if Rhino wins? I mean, LMS is pretty definite, and since I refuse to accept Rhino in an sort of Ultimate X match, this has to be the blow off, or Rhino has some ultra-violent match in store. Either way...
Winner: AJ Styles (Styles Clash on the concrete)
Larry Csonka: They had a fine match at the last PPV, brutal and hard hitting. I feel they will step it up here and have another really good match, with AJ getting the win due to Roode-ferance.
John Gregory: I saw Sabin at an Indy show this past weekend, and I'm just hoping he actually acts like a heel. Otherwise, why not get a new champion for a few days, huh?
Winner and new X Division Champ: JERRY LYNN
Michael Weyer: Another fun one that's tough to call. I'm a huge Daniels mark but they've been pushing Lynn a bit more. Still, he's been on the sidelines for a while so giving him the title may be a bit much. Then again, this is Russo, so....
WINNER and NEW X Division champion: Jerry Lynn
Michael Bauer: I've actually liked this feud as it is hard to tell where exactly Lynn will stand in this match. I just hope they don't give him the title, we don't need to see a comeback tour for him.
Winner: Christopher Daniels (Still X-Division Champion)
Bayani Domingo: Good dynamic actually, a past, present, future kind of feel to it. This could easily be the 2nd best match of the night. At this point you really have to give the win to Sabin to establish him as the top heel in the X-Division, because as of now, you really don't have any. I'd love to see Lynn cost Daniels the match to set up a short feud for those guys while Sabin returns to the rest of the division for some madder cap madness with Uncle Kevin.
Winner: Christopher …………………………………Sabin.
Samuel Berman: Sabin wins the title and Daniels and Lynn segue into a 'respect' feud. Yeah, that's pretty much all I've got on this one. I really like all three guys and I'm glad to see Lynn back in the ring for TNA. I think eventual matches with him against Shelley, Senshi and Starr will give the young X-Division guys the rub from a respected veteran that even having them go over Daniels can't do.
Winner: Chris Sabin
Ari Berenstein: Jerry Lynn's return to the ring should be very special, because even though he doesn't seem like it, he can still bring it in the ring. Last year he was heating it up with Sean Waltman, and with better quality opposition in the ring for this one, I feel he can exceed that match. Daniels actually has had a stable run as X-champ for the last two months (which lasts longer-Russo booked title runs or celebrity weddings? I know I said I'd be positive but I had to get that one in). This match is wide open for a title change to Sabin out of some chaotic situation.
Winner: Chris Sabin, new X-Division champion
Scotty Flamingo: I'm looking forward to this match. Daniels can work with anyone and Sabin is solid even though he bores me to tears even as a heel. The real measure of this match is going to be what Mr. JL has left in the tank. As for a winner, I see either Daniels or Sabin and see them going with the safe bet.
Winner: Daniels
Sat: Tough match to call here. I don't see Lynn winning the title, so it's down to Daniels and Sabin. I could see either guy walking out the champion. Sabin deserves another run as champion because his last run was very short. Daniels has done a good job as champion and he still deserves to be champion. Either guy could win, so flip a coin.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Daniel Wilcox: OK, I change my mind; this is the hardest match to predict. A X-title run for Lynn would be awesome, but it wouldn't help anyone in the long run. Daniels doesn't need the title at this point and so...
Winner: And NEW X-Division Champion, Chris Sabin!
Stuart Carapola: I don't care who wins as long as we get at least a couple Daniels vs. Lynn matches, but I expect some kind of miscommunication to allow Sabin to sneak out with the title and leave Daniels and Lynn fighting each other.
Winner: Chris Sabin
Meehan: Hotshot booking 101 says Lynn gets it here, and with Russo working his magic behind the scenes (and with TNA agents like Lynn being relieved of their non-wrestling duties to boot)-- Jerry's gonna' need some reason to collect a paycheck, so a title win is just about as likely a result as any other. Sorry, folks named "Chris" -- MeeThinks "The X Division Pioneer" gets it back here to kick start his return to regular action.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Brad Borchardt- This should be a fun little match. I got to go with Sabin here though. He picks up the win while Daniels and Lynn argue after the match and we get a one on one match at next month's PPV.
Winner and NEW X DIVISION CHAMPION- Chris Sabin
Mathew Sforcina: Lynn turns heel. It's the only Russo-esque plot twist that will work. At least in his mind.
Winner, and NEW X Division Champion: Chris Sabin (Generation Gap Spike Cradle Shock)
Larry Csonka: By Russo standards Daniels has had the title WAY too long. It sounds like a joke, but it is the truth. Anyway, this should be a damn fine match. Lynn, from his recent work I have seen can still go with no issues. Last year he had a great match with Waltman so I don't see why he can't do it here. The two Daniels vs. Sabin matches have been really good and this should work out well. Miscommunication gives Sabin the title and Daniels and Lynn battle next month.
John Gregory: This should be subtitled Team 3D earning their paycheck. They've been awful ever since debuting in TNA, and they are in no place to dethrone the hottest team in years.
Winners: LAX
Michael Weyer: It's about a year too late for Team 3D to get the belts but given the rough tag scene in TNA now, it may be time for a change. However, letting LAX escape with the titles can help give this feud more life and set up a big tables title match for an upcoming show.
WINNER and still NWA Tag Team Champions: LAX
Michael Bauer: Well, they are back and they already buried a revived Naturals team. As much as everyone knows they will eventually be the NWA Tag team Champions, now is just not the time for it. LAX has started to grow on me more and more each week, so let's hope the hot streak continues.
Winner: LAX (Still Tag Team Champions)
Bayani Domingo: Do the heels usually go over in the first match of a feud? Not sure, but it would seem like this is headed for a Tables match at some point where Team 3D will finally win the belts before dropping them again to a much more over LAX. So let's say in Round 1 the heels retain via shenanigans. Which, by the way, would be an awesome name for a strip club. Just saying.
Winner: Latino Americano Exchango
Samuel Berman: LAX is fantastic and there's no reason to take the titles off of them at this point. TNA hot-shotted the belts around all summer between LAX and Styles & Daniels, so it doesn't make sense to me to have them do that again here. I actually like Team 3D a lot more than other people seem to, but if they want them to get the tag titles, then TNA should build to it in a few months at Lockdown or Hard Justice (or whatever they're calling the June PPV this year). Long story short, LAX should get a long reign so that it's a really big deal when they're finally defeated.
Winner: LAX
Ari Berenstein: I'm trying to find something positive to say about 3-D...this one is tough...hmm, well, I'll say this, Bubba looks slimmer in Camo. They should have never gone away from that look to begin with. I fear the title switch and that would not be cool since LAX has been awesome as champs, but they have cooled down a bit and with Konnan out of the picture, we could see another change here. My guess is that LAX will cheat their way out of any danger, at least this month.
Winner: LAX, retains the titles.
Scotty Flamingo: I'm really not sure where they are gonna go here. If 3D loses, then they look like losers who can't win the big one. Sure you can make a storyline out of that, but those storylines more often than not kill a wrestler's career. On the other hand, LAX is red hot and obviously on the rise. Do they really want to job out more up and coming stars to old WWE guys? I expect a wild brawl here that will either be great, or business as usual, depending on how motivated the Dudleys are.
Winners: LAX
Sat: This feud hasn't been that good, but it is going to continue for another pay per view. There really are no teams for LAX to face, so Team 3D wins and drops the titles back to LAX at the next pay per view.
Winner: Team 3D
Daniel Wilcox: Wow, they missed the boat with Team 3D a LONG time ago. Again, this feud is far from over and as champs, LAX are going to retain here, as they are still the hottest act in TNA right now.
Winner: And STILL Tag Team Champions, LAX
Stuart Carapola: Please don't let Team 3D win the title. 3D's time has passed, and by giving the title, it would invalidate what LAX has accomplished over the last six months by having them drop the title to a couple of past-their-prime one trick ponies.
Winners: LAX
Meehan: Should be... interesting. Since they've only got two viable tag teams in the entire company, don't expect a clear finish here either way. Gotta' stretch the feud out, you know. And no, I don't count the Voodoo Kin Mafia...
Winners" (via DQ or count out, so no title swap) Team 3D
Brad Borchardt- I thought TNA had a good tag team division but I guess they blew that with America's Most Wanted splitting and the constant need to job the Naturals. I see LAX getting the win here and as much as I hate to say it....but I think VKM will be next in line for a title shot as the tag scene is thin and with HHH being injured, it effects not only what WWE does, but what VKM will do. I hope I'm wrong though. I truly do.
Winners and STILL NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS- LAX
Mathew Sforcina: Have you ever actually read the Mexican National Anthem?
Mexicans, at the cry of war,
prepare the steel and the steed,
and may the earth shake at its core
to the resounding roar of the cannon.
And so on. I'd put the rest, but it didn't work with Victoria so I won't jinx it.
Winners, and STILL NWA Tag Team Champions: LAX (Konnan's Cane shot)
Larry Csonka: I just can't see taking the titles off of LAX right now. I really feel they will stretch this out until Lockdown where 3D will get retribution in the cage, where LAX took out Daniels and Styles.
John Gregory: I've really enjoyed this feud, as everyone has played their role very nicely. In any case, you've got to see Sting vs. Angle as the next big match, so...
Winner and NEW NWA WORLD CHAMP: Sting
Michael Weyer: I would have said Cage but Abyss is really getting a rub now with this whole "dark secret" and becoming a bit more of a face. Sting's time is winding down in TNA so letting Abyss keep the title could be good, especially if it sets up a future battle with Christian.
WINNER and still NWA World Champion: Abyss
Michael Bauer: As an elimination match, we know that this could not be harder to predict. The ending on January 4th Impact made it looks like Sting and Christian would be the last two standing (and I'm writing this before this week's Impact), but I just can't see Abyss being eliminated first. I also can't see Abyss walking out as champion, and I can say the same for Sting. So my guess would be Christian, but Tomko is banned from ringside, so how can he? This is how Russo has screwed the pooch with these guys. In the end, the secret has yet to be revealed, so Abyss needs to be the champion.
Winner: Abyss (Still NWA Champion)
Bayani Domingo: Abyss will probably be eliminated first… probably by Sting. Which sucks, but at least it gives them a feud while the winner of the match goes on to face someone fairly benign in their first title rematch. Like Hoyt. Or Killings.
Winner: "Canadian Rage" Christian Cage
Samuel Berman: I don't like Abyss having the top spot in the company, but it's TNA's money so they can do whatever they want. As usual, I'm doing some backwards booking to draw my conclusions. I think they want Angle or Joe to face a heel when one of them eventually gets a title shot, and with Abyss as a 'tweener at this point, Cage is real heel in this match. I think Sting eliminates Abyss and then Cage upends Sting via nefarious means.
Winner: Christian Cage
Ari Berenstein: I bet Abyss sticks around with Mitchell because he gets discounts at all the local Red Lobsters. I'll go for the shock elimination of Abyss first so we finally get an epic Sting vs. Cage match.
Winner: Christian Cage, new NWA World Heavyweight champion.
Scotty Flamingo: I'm glad this is Elimination rules as I hate "pinner is the winner". I think this has had the best storyline of any of the matches on the card. I think that Russo and Sting have created a Christian storyline of redemption that uses the themes, but doesn't beat you over the head with preaching. You basically have Sting playing the angel battling Jim Mitchell's devil over the soul of Abyss. But at the same time, you have Sting trying to regain the World Heavyweight Title. Throw Christian, Tomko, and a secret into the mix and it is compelling TV. A lot of this storyline hinges on what the "secret" will be. Here's to hoping the big reveal isn't in the same category as the Higher Power or Rikishi running over Austin. Who will win? I don't know. I can see all three guys winning it, but it really seems like they are gonna have to get the belt on Angle or Joe sooner rather than later. I'll go with Sting regaining the title and an angry Mitchell and Christian blabbing Abyss's secret to the world and leaving him for dead.
Winner: Sting
Sat: It seems to be that the storyline between Cage and Abyss will continue after this match. So, I say that neither wins/retains the title and that leaves Sting has the only one left.
Winner: Sting
Daniel Wilcox: I don't care who wins, as long as it's not Abyss. Or Sting. And I'm going with my heart as opposed to my head here.
Winner: And NEW NWA Champion, Captain Charisma Canadian Rage Christian Cage!
Stuart Carapola: The way this has been booked, it seems to me that any of them could walk out with the title and it could work. If I had to play Survivor, let's bump Sting out and leave it with Christian and Abyss. I have this funny feeling that the show is going to end with Christian holding the NWA Title, Mitchell standing with him and laughing, Abyss crumpled on the mat, and Sting running to the rescue.
Winner: Christian Cage
Meehan: Well that Abyss angle with Sting took an abrupt turn for the worse, now didn't it? Regardless, I'm a big fan of the whole "walls closing in on the champ" storyline, as it gives EVERY competitor in this fight a perfectly justifiable reason to be in the title hunt picture (and equal likelihood of winning it, no less). Regardless of who wins, the fuse has all but burned out on the "slow burn" of Abyss' storyline -- so chances are one way or another, we'll get the whole story by next Thursday at the latest. Non-Russo logic says "Mitchell knows the most" -- so chances are he'll be the one to give it up once Abyss retains and turns on him. Course, this *is* Russo we're talking about here...
Winner: Abyss
Brad Borchardt- This feud for the most part has been booked well. I'm happy Abyss finally captured the title, but I feel that TNA will take it way from him on Sunday. I'm going with Sting in this match to pick up the victory and feud with Kurt Angle until dropping the title to him.
Winner and NEW NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION- Sting
Mathew Sforcina: There is only one outcome of this that works. And that's Cage winning the belt.
Winner, and NEW NWA World Champion: Christian Cage (Unprettier to Sting as Abyss cries to himself)
Larry Csonka: Now this is where things get VERY tricky. Once again I could see things going any of the three ways. Also add in the elimination rules and wow, complication. Cage gets eliminated first, and later returns to cost Sting the title. I will go with Abyss retaining the title. Cage and Sting can go off and have the one on one battle they have put off, and Abyss can have a rematch with…
Winner: Abyss
Thirty Minute Iron man Match: Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe
John Gregory: Though this match shouldn't be happening, it should be good while it is. Angle is the new face of TNA, and he will be champion in the next few months.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Michael Weyer: It says a lot that a match I would have salivated for only six months ago now simply seems a bit cool. The setups have been over the top with Angle attacking a woman and how does a ten minute brawl around the Zone set up a technical battle? Still, it is two masters going at it for thirty minutes so here's hoping the last one is the best. If TNA is smart (no cracks, too easy), they'll give it to Joe to set up the Joe/Abyss title match that can be a real joy to see.
WINNER: Samoa Joe.
Michael Bauer: Well, this can only end two ways. 1) We go to overtime. 2) Somebody is down by one and has his signature submission locked in only for the bell to ring one second before a tap out. I don't know which way it will be, but I know this. Kurt Angle is the new face of TNA and probably should get a title shot before Joe, who is THE face of TNA. As this is the rubber match, you have got to expect the winner to straight for the belt. And since we know who beat Abyss in their debut...
Winner: Kurt Angle (2 falls to 1)
Bayani Domingo: Damn, if it wasn't for me probably being broke from the gamblers, strippers, and porn stars this weekend, this match alone would be worth buying the PPV. Although, top to bottom it's pretty strong, no doubt this will be MOTN. Too bad it'll end in a less than satisfying way as clearly Joe won't be 100% to do the kind of stuff they really want to do to blow off this "first" phase of their feud. Oh, make no mistake about it, Joe vs. Angle could end up being the long standing feud that wrestling "USED" to have. Aka, Flair/Steamboat, Stone Cold/Rock, Hogan/Savage, Jeff Hardy/Sobriety, Orlando Jordan/Josh Matthews, you get my drift.
Winner: Draw. Hence….they're both…Looooooooosers.
Samuel Berman: Conventional wisdom is that Angle is the new face of the company, so he gets the win. I happen to think that Angle will go under here in overtime, a finish that keeps both guys strong. Angle is the one person in the company (or two if you decide to count AJ) who doesn't really need the NWA Title at this point. Joe needs an eventual run with the title to validate everything else he's done in the company: long undefeated streak, X-Division Title, pinning Jarrett when he was champion. Thus, Joe wins here (either 3-2 or 2-1) in overtime.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Ari Berenstein: Well, it's Angle, it's Joe and it's an Iron Man Match. What more analysis do you want? They will fight, they will wrestle, they will rock the house. In the ring, it doesn't matter how they were booked, because they deliver each and every month. I say Kurt Angle wins 3 falls to 2, gaining a last second submission for the win.
Winner: Kurt Angle.
Scotty Flamingo: This match will be awesome of course. It's just a matter of how awesome. 30 minutes is short for an Iron Man Match, but that saves room for the inevitable 60-minute match down the road. I think Angle wins for a few reasons. First, he needs the win more as he still has only a handful of TNA matches under his belt. Second, I think that if they put the belt on Sting, they'll sell Sting/Angle as a never before seen "dream match". Also, I think that the fans would get behind Sting facing Angle a lot easier than they would against Joe. Finally, if Joe is who they are wanting to make their next big thing, then he needs a good champion to chase. I think that Angle is the best choice for the guy Joe beats for his first title.
Winner: Angle
Sat: The person who wins this match is going on to the NWA Title. I have Sting winning, so either guy could work as his next opponent. However, I will go with Kurt Angle because of Samoa Joe's injury.
Winner: Kurt Angle (2-1 in sudden death)
Daniel Wilcox: So, they really messed up with the execution of this feud, huh? I think Larry pretty much covered it in the 3 R's this week. The match will be amazing, no doubt, but I should be a lot more hyped about this than I actually am. Winner? Um. Coin toss! Heads, Angle, tails, Joe. Heads again.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Stuart Carapola: Like I've said elsewhere, I think that they'll meet again later this year, but this is going to be the blow off for now, and will probably determine which of the two gets the NWA Title Match so they can drop it to the other later on. I have a feeling it would work better for Angle to get the title and then drop it to Joe down the line in the REAL blow off match, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say Angle wins.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Meehan: Since Angle's the heel, Joe has more to lose if he comes out of "the rubber match" with a clean defeat here. Couple that with the fact that Joe was well on his way to a title shot, and it's a good guess that he'll be headed back that way once all's said and done. Then again, now Cornette seems to have promised that very same shot to Angle -- so unless they declare this one a "number one contender's match" at the last second, we're looking at no reason for EITHER Joe OR Angle to be fully through with the other one REGARDLESS of who wins (Joe wins, Angle bitches that Cornette promised him the shot. Angle wins, Joe claims he was still the #1 contender before the match, etc.). Oy. Tough call, but I'll say Samoa Joe.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Brad Borchardt: There won't be a winner here. They got to keep both men strong and they probably won't have them face each other until Slammiversary or Bound For Glory for the NWA Heavyweight Champion.
Winner- DRAW nobody gets a victory
Mathew Sforcina: This will go to overtime, and thus, given that Angle is heel, at least in this feud...
Winner: Samoa Joe (3-2 in Angle Demanded Overtime)
Larry Csonka: While I agree that the feud has been rushed to a degree that it hurt the company from a financial standpoint, both matches have been excellent and we all know how Larry loves a good match. I HOPE that this doesn't go to the predictable overtime, and feel it will be a 1-0 affair, with Angle sneaking a pin in the late minutes; and then Joe fights for a quick pin as time expires, setting up a title match with the man Angle has already defeated.
Winner: Kurt Angle
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