411’s PPV Round Table Preview: TNA Hard Justice 2007

Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.11.2007

All of the titles on the line in one match, a crazy 6–man cage match and more highlight TNA’s latest PPV offering!

Introduction:
We're back again for 411's PPV Round Table Preview, this time for TNA's latest PPV offering Hard Justice! All of the titles will be on the line with Samoa Joe facing off with Kurt Angle, a Doomsday Chamber of Blood match will determine the #1 contender for next month's show and there are SEVEN other matches on the card as well! Let's meet the staff and break down the latest offering from TNA!


THE STAFF~!:
Raw reporter Daniel Wilcox!

From Movies and TV Scotty Flamingo!

Shining a Spotlight's Michael Weyer!

One half of the, wait he quit Hidden Highlights. 411's Byte, wait, that was cancelled, what does JT do anyway?

One half of 411's Sunday Puro team Matt Short!

The Shimmy's Andy Clark!

Truth B Told's Bayani Domingo!

MEEthinks it's MEEHAN!

The Impact Crater's Ryan Byers!

And finally, the big boss, myself, Larry Csonka!




TNA HARD JUSTICE 2007!:

Raven vs. Frankie Kazarian

Daniel Wilcox: Now this I like. Kaz has been great the last month or so, I just hope they don't drag this feud out when they should end it now and make Kaz a contender in the X Division. But don't be surprised if Kaz/Raven turns into the new Roode/Young, assuming that ends tonight.

Winner: Kaz

JT: Ugh. I understand that TNA is trying to be supportive of Raven because of his health issues but I see no other reason for having this match other than to help elevate Frankie.

WINNER: Kazarian

Andy Clark: Let me start by saying that TNA has put together a damn fine card for this show and I'm even considering buying it. Good for them. Now, for the matches, Raven looks like he's in better shape than he was, and I'm actually digging Kaz's push. For once he's not putting me to sleep. Hanging out with Raven can do that. Even though Raven has back up I don't see him winning, although a post-match between isn't out of the question. If Raven loses does he get caned?

Winner: Kaz

Michael Weyer: I guess they needed to add this on for some reason. The build hasn't been as much as it could have been but both guys are still talented and Raven can still bring it so expect a good brawl but the rest of the group costing Frankie the win.

WINNER: Raven

Matt Short: It makes sense to have the match, but I don't know if they needed it to be on Hard Justice. Still it's getting Kazarian on PPV and I don't mind them pushing the guy. Raven has the advantage with having back-up. I'd like to see them keep going with this feud just to see where it goes.

Winner: Raven

Bayani Domingo: I'm fairly sure this feud isn't over yet. In the end I'm hoping this ends up with Frankie going over but you never know. I'm assuming Frankie takes the win then a massive beat down from the rest of the Morlocks.

Winner: "The COOLEST" Frankie Kazarian

Meehan: Raven is getting old and looking worse by the day. Kazarian has new Metallica-inspired ring tights, and we all know that your average 'rasslin fan likes Lars and company more than they do Eddie Vedder.

Winner: Kazarian

Ryan Byers: Given Raven's physical state lately, this will probably be pretty terrible unless they get plenty of gimmicks to work with. Hell, even if Raven was in his prime condition, this would have the potential to be a horrible clash of styles. Anyway, it's pretty obvious that Kazarian is a man at his physical peak and in the prime of his career, while Raven is coasting slowly (?) downhill. That alone should make the result obvious. The only thing surprising me is that Frankie didn't have to run the gauntlet through flunkies Michael Shane and Johnny Devine before getting to the big boss.

Winner: Frankie Kazarian

Larry Csonka: I love that they have decided to use Kazarian and actually do something with Serotonin as a whole. While I feel Kazarian needs the win and should win, I think that they drag it out a bit longer.

Winner: Raven

Humiliation Match: Eric Young vs. Robert Roode

Daniel Wilcox: I'm not even going to pretend I care anymore.

Winner: Who gives a shit. Not me.

Michael Weyer: Okay, the humiliating part is that this feud is STILL going on. Please, please, PLEASE end this already and get both guys onto something else. No idea what the stip means but I see Young winning and we can just hope it's the last time.

WINNER: Eric Young

JT: I feel like these two have been feuding since last year… OH WAIT! They HAVE been feuding since last year! Seriously, it is time for this to be done. It seems like Eric Young comes out on top of every PPV, and I would usually give Roode the nod here; but with the "Humiliation Match" name attached to it, I have a feeling Eric Young will get the better of him once again. Either way, they both need to get over each other and move on.

WINNER: Eric Young

Scotty Flamingo: PLEASE END THIS FUED NOW! It absolutely baffles me how the red hot Harris/Storm feud has been over for two months and this is STILL going. Hasn't Young won like the last 3 matches??? What else is there to do?? I really wish that Roode would absolutely destroy Eric, but that ain't gonna happen.

Winner: Young

Matt Short: They really can't think of anything else to do with these guys can they? The matches have been good enough, but nothing that merits a feud of this length. It should have ended when Young won his freedom. More of the same here I'll bet, but I hope it's the end of this. I don't know what the Humiliation Match stipulation is, but I've got a bad feeling about it.

Winner: Eric Young

Andy Clark: DEAR GO, END THIS FEUD. Robert Roode isn't nearly as boring as he used to be, which is good. Eric Young isn't nearly as entertaining as he used to be, which is bad. This feud has been going on for eons. Do I really care who wins at this point? And they keep having these stipulation matches that Eric has to win, killing any momentum Roode has. Gah!

Winner: Eric Young

Bayani Domingo: Isn't the continuation of this feud humiliation enough?? I really hope this is ending up with EY giving Traci the Dirty Sanchezing of a lifetime. Or maybe getting Roode to straight out his jheri curl. "Pantene feel, Pantene Shine". Oh yeah, the winner? No idea, but let's go with the guy who doesn't even need the win cuz' he's a comedy act.

Winner: EY, via Jarrett-ference

Meehan The real humiliation here is that this feud has been going on for just as long as John Cena's title reign. At least the good Doctor of Thuganomics has a shiny new spinner belt to show for his troubles. These two? Just a string of increasingly-over gimmicked PPV showdowns while neither man is any more over today than he was a year ago.

Winner: Eric Young, can we end this already?

Ryan Byers: For somebody that TNA supposedly wants to elevate, they sure as heck do put Bobby Roode in a lot of positions in which he's required to do a job. It doesn't make much sense for Young to be tarred and feathered on free TV and then again on the pay per view, so he's most likely picking up the victory.

Winner: Eric Young

Larry Csonka: I think everyone summed it up as best as could be.

Winner: EY

Chris Harris vs. Dustin Rhodes

Daniel Wilcox: Having missed Impact a few times in recent weeks, I have no idea what this is about other than Rhodes interfered and cost Harris a match. Having said that it shouldn't be too difficult to predict a winner here as Dustin has just returned to the company and should therefore go over. Whether or not it'll be a good match is a different story, as I can't remember the last time I saw Rhodes have a good match. This feud will continue though, so expect shenanigans!

Winner: Dustin Rhodes

Scotty Flamingo: Show of hands. Who else would've preferred Storm and Harris to have just wrestled rematches against each other for the past 3 months? I don't care about Dustin unless he's Golddust, and I'm not gonna care if he does a Golddust ripoff. I figure Harris wins here to trigger Dustin's transformation to Silverpowder or whatever they'll call him.

Winner: Harris

Michael Weyer: Not at all happy with Dustin's upcoming new gimmick but he and Harris are capable of some good stuff so I expect a fun brawl. I see Harris cheating to get over and sending Dustin to his new persona.

WINNER: Chris Harris

JT: Both men are capable of putting on a fun match, so let's hope that happens and that Dustin's new gimmick isn't completely and utterly stupid.

WINNER: Chris Harris

Matt Short: Man, when I saw Dustin Rhodes on Impact last week I had no idea what I was seeing. But oh well, I'll chalk it up to jet lag. I'm interested to see how Rhodes does but I'd really like to see Harris win this. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll go over the newcomer that they apparently have big plans for.

Winner: Dustin Rhodes

Andy Clark: If Dustin Rhodes wins, we riot.

Winner: Chris Harris

Bayani Domingo: Chris Harris is the only guy who both needs a push and needs to be on this roster. Then again I think a DQ is probably more in line than a straight loss. My guess is the loss is going send Rhodes into a spiraling madness that results in us never forgetting the name of "….SILVER DIRT".

Winner: Chris Harris

Meehan: They can go one of two ways with this. First, they bring in Dustin with the "Black Reign" makeover and have him absolutely destroy Harris and establish himself as a credible threat. Second, they bring Dustin in with the "Black Reign" gimmick only for the thing to amount to a second-rate "Uncle Fester ripoff" redux (yet again!), thus driving Dustin all the more crazy with yet another failed persona to his credit. With Russo holding the book, all bets are off, but I'm gonna' go with what I *want* to see on this one and say...

Winner: Dustin Rhodes.

Ryan Byers: Despite the fact that the company supposedly wants to make Chris Harris in to a main event player, Rhodes is most likely debuting his new "Black Reign" gimmick here. In order to get the new character over, he should get the victory. However, I would guess that it's done via relatively shady means in order to continue the feud and guarantee a Wildcat victory in the long run.

Winner: Goldustin

Larry Csonka: I figure Dustin wins because they need to extend the feud, and he is debuting his new gimmick. We'll see how that goes.

Winner: Black Reign

LAX (Homicide y Hernandez) vs. The James Gang (BG and KIP James) w/Roxxi Levreaux

Daniel Wilcox: It's not quite as intriguing as Dudleyz/Steiners, but it's about a thousand times better than VKM vs. Basham and Damaja, though I already miss Christy Hemme's outfits. Wait, VKM are the heels now? When did that happen? Oh well, like it matters. LAX 4LYF!

Winners: LAX

Scotty Flamingo: My favorite Tag Team in TNA against my least favorite team in TNA. I have never seen BG or Kip put on a good match and I'm going on two years of actively watching the promotion.

Winner: LAX or I riot.

Michael Weyer: So...LAX are faces now? It's sort of hard to tell sometimes. I do hope TNA will show some sense here and put the right team over but we all know how hard it can be for them to show sense. I sadly see TNA deciding to insert VKM in the Steiners/3D feud under the insane notion that the former NAO are on the same plane. It doesn't make sense but then neither does Russo much of the time.

WINNER: VKM

JT: Hernandez has really stepped up since Konnan left, and I don't see this feud ending just yet so I will give the heels (are they even really still heels?) the win.

WINNER: LAX

Matt Short: What's nice about this PPV is that they're taking the time to showcase their tag teams for when the tag belts are up for grabs after Angle vs. Joe. This one isn't going to be pretty though. LAX is great, but BG and Kip James just annoy the hell out of me. If these matches are supposed to be establishing future title contenders, then please let LAX win this one.

Winners: LAX

Andy Clark: The match won't be that great but at least it's a good showcase for the tag team division. LAX could match up with just about any of the other tag teams and have a good match. VKM can't, and even though Russo is probably higher on VKM, even he can't screw this one up. I hope.

Winners: LAX

Bayani Domingo: LAX can just not lose. I can't see why in the hell they'd push the overpaid and useless Middle Aged Outlaws over the one team they were actually able to get over and stayed over. Still, it's Russo and JJ booking right?

Winner: LAX

Meehan:I refuse to provide witty, expert analysis on any match where the best home-grown TNA tag team to date is stuck spinning their wheels in the midcard against an act that's five years (and three gimmick-changes) past relevant.

Winners: LAX

Ryan Byers: It's rare that a professional wrestling match occurs in which I'm cheering on the valet more than any of the actual competitors. This, however, fits that description. That's not to say that I don't love LAX now that Konnan is gone. They're still phenomenal. However, they've also been the Dwayne Gill and Barry Hardy of TNA's tag team division lately. Given that the big tag team promo a couple of weeks back seemed to be building towards a feud with the New Age Outlaws representing the WWF against the Steiner's representing WCW and the Dudleys representing ECW, I'd guess that the Outlaws win here to keep them strong for a match against the Steiner's or the Duds.

Winners: The New Age Outlaws

Larry Csonka: I am going with pre-PPV booking here, and since Kip got the pin on Impact, LAX wins here, as they should, I hope.

Winner: LAX

XXX (Daniels and Senshi) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs. "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt & "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal

Daniel Wilcox: I'm not sure if the addition of Lethal and Dutt will make this better or worse. Either way it'll be a great match and XXX will come out with the win, even though they shouldn't still be teaming.

Winners: XXX

Scotty Flamingo: This should be an awesome match. All four guys can go and the MCMG are an excellent team. The only problem here is that both teams are very recently formed and neither need to lose. However, I'll go with TNA history and say that Shelley does the J-O-B.

Winners: XXX

Michael Weyer: Okay, this is just a "throw whoever we've got left into the mix" match and its late addition shows that. Hard to pick a big winner here and I don't see any elevation for any of these guys but Lethal and Dutt might make it interesting. But I'll still go with my original pick.

WINNER: XXX

JT: What I said before this match was changed:

Both groups have benefited lately from their respective alliances. Shelley and Sabin have been gold to watch, and seeing Daniels and Senshi wrestling together is very rarely a bad thing. This could sneak in and be match of the night if they don't try to go too over the top with it.


Change the word "Both" to "All" and add in the fact that Black Machismo has been uber over, and I feel the exact same way; only now it has a better shot of taking MOTN. The real drama will unfold after the PPV, when certain people have some choice words for a particular member of this match (seriously, get the podcast people, it is time to make it rain in a way that has nothing to do with Pacman Jones).

WINNERS: Motor City Machine Guns

Matt Short: Now we're talking. I'm really looking forward to this one. It's a combination of guys who you just expect to click and do something great. It's hard to pick a winner in this as they're both new and returning teams and need the win. I'm going with Shelley and Sabin since they could use the win as a way to get started in a feud with XXX.

Winner: MCMG

Andy Clark: If I can steal a phrase from Don West, this match will be FREAKING INSANE. I really love this match and I hope they let them go crazy in there and have a real X-Division showdown. I only hope that this doesn't mean we're on the verge of X-Tag Team Titles.

Winners: Triple X

Bayani Domingo: This could be a show stealer if given at least 15 mins. I hope that TNA actually listens to its fans for once and cuts the Kaz/Harris/Rhyno matches short so they can give this more time. Then again, it could just be a 7 minute spotfest. Probably the spotfest. Still, you can't bring a team back together just to have them win. Especially since they have the numbers in their favor.

Winner: XXX

MeeThinks: This one could easily be the match of the night, as MeeThinks both of the main event showdowns are likely to suffer as the result of some serious outside interference/overbooking gimmicked nonsense. Of course, Triple X is not without their fair share of gimmicky nonsense either, ya' know. Remember when they were "forced to disband FOREVER?!" Thought not.

Winners: Triple X

Ryan Byers: I don't think that you have to look much further than the TV results over the last couple of months in order to determine who will be winning this one. XXX has been consistently pushed, while the Machine Guns have been getting pinned left and right and Dutt/Lethal have been missing in action. If that doesn't make the winning team clear, I don't know what will.

Winner: XXX

Larry Csonka: I was SO EXCITED about this match until I found out that Dutt and Machismo were added to the match. Don't get me wrong, I like both guys, but I was excited for the tag match as it was. Still it should be good, and I figure Soinjay is there to take the pin, which is good because the bastard still owes my wife a T-Shirt. Fucker.

Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns

BAR ROOM BRAWL: Rhino vs. James Storm

Daniel Wilcox: I really can not be bothered with this feud - I just can't get into it. Storm is one of the most boring wrestlers on TV right now and Rhino is the epitome of a JTTS, but Storm has one win on him and is probably lower down the totem pole, which means...

Winner: Rhino

Scotty Flamingo: I don't like Russo's matches that don't take place in a ring, but he's gotta try one at least once a year. I like this feud though, and if anyone can pull of something entertaining, its Rhino and Storm. Rhino gets his win back here.

Winner: Rhino

Michael Weyer: Still hard to get into this feud and I'm sorta sick of seeing Rhino used in all out brawls like this. But I see him winning to even up and set up a rubber match.

WINNER: Rhino

JT: This should also be a fun match. We know both men are more than capable of putting on an entertaining "brawl" type match, and now they get to do it in an environment that will allow them that even more so. I am looking forward to this match. I think Rhino will get the "how dare you bring up my past problems with alcohol!" revenge win here.

WINNER: Rhino

Matt Short: While the reasons for this feud are a little out there, I've heard worse story lines. These two have been good together and Storm has looked great as the super asshole heel in this. I don't think these two are done yet, so whatever happens here there will be a rematch next month.

Winner: James Storm

Andy Clark: This feud has entertained me and James Storm is on his way up. Does Rhino ever get to win these matches?

Winner: James Storm

Bayani Domingo: I hope they go all FIP and brawl in a titty bar. Otherwise, I could care less about this match. I think Storm is a much more intriguing character than Rhino, but I just don't feel like Storm is main event worthy yet. Still Storm has Jackie on his side and Jackie has two huge mammaries on her side…or front. Somehow this ends up with Storm getting Rhino drunk and Jackie giving him a hand job doesn't it?

Winner: James Storm, via Jackie SHE-ninigans *get it*

Meehan: Last month, I bet on Rhino and came up empty-handed, so I can't help but think that the War Machine is FINALLY due for a PPV win this time around. Then again, this *is* Rhino we're talking about here... so I could just as easily be making a serious error in judgment in failing to learn from my past mistakes. Ah well, even a stopped watch is right twice a day, no? Here's hoping.

Winner:Rhino

Ryan Byers: As with Raven versus Kazarian, here you've got a guy whose expiration date has passed against a guy who has seen his stock in TNA go nowhere but up over the last several months. Though some holdover ECW fans might be worried about keeping Rhino strong, the simple fact of the matter is that TNA's priorities should be helping guys like the Cowboy get over as opposed to clinging to folks with name value from the past.

Winner: James Storm

Larry Csonka: This could be really good, or really bad in a WWF Hardcore match from back in the day, maybe BG can come out and do roving commentary. Rhino NEEDS a PPV win, but I just don't know which way to go. Coin flip.

Winner: James Storm

Team 3D vs. The Steiner Brothers

Daniel Wilcox: Promo work aside, I can't see this match being any good when you look at the physical condition of the guys involved, their ages, and the limited ability they had when they were in their respective primes. From what I've been hearing, The Duds' contracts are coming up and it is probable that they are on their way out of the company (and possibly back to the E, oh joy!) so I see the Steiner's taking it. Oh and please don't let us have to see this match on three different pay-per-views.

Winners: The Steiner Brothers

Scotty Flamingo: I'm really worried that Scott is coming back too soon. I hope that that doesn't affect his health or the quality of the match. That said, I love this feud. TNA finally listened to me and turned 3D heel. Now all they need is Joel Gertner. The crowd should be super hot though and hopefully we'll get something special.

Winners: The Steiner's

Michael Weyer: While I still think this match is about eight years too late, the build up has been great and I'm looking forward to them finally matching up. Expect a wild brawl with maybe some technical skills now and then but I see the sympathy for Scott pushing through and allowing the Steiner's to get the win they deserved two months ago.

WINNER: Steiner's

JT: Man how I would have loved to see this 10 years ago. That being said, I am still pumped to see this. Steiner has busted out some of the old move set since his return, and with the promos these guys have been cutting this match actually has an important feel to it. Steiner's – with the face turn, and with the momentum from Scotty's recovery – should get them the win booking wise.

WINNER: Steiner Brothers

Matt Short: It's not going to be pretty, but people wanted it and now we're going to get it. Neither of these teams are in their prime any more but this one isn't about work rate, it's about Steiner's vs. 3D.

Winners: The Steiner Brothers

Andy Clark: Well, it's not one of the Big 3 PPVs but at least they're getting this match on. I really don't know whom to pick here, so I'll go with the Steiner's just for the hell of it. Scott was actually looking really good on Impact. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Rick.

Winners: The Steiner Brothers

Bayani Domingo: This feud has just started and my guess is the Steiner's go over but somehow end up with the short end of the stick anyways.

Winner: Dudleyz

Meehan: The promos leading into this showdown have been nothing short of brilliant, and Scott Steiner in particular has done a tremendous job of making Mee care about this "dream match" that's probably a good ten years past its prime. Regardless, I'm seriously hoping the Steiner's get themselves the win here, as Scotty has been through a LOT lately and Rick ate a pretty clean pinfall loss at the last PPV. Besides, Team 3D could easily find themselves looking for (and landing) work in WWE within a year anyhow -- so I see no point in jobbing out two guys (Rick & Scott) who are pretty much the one established "dream" team that the promotion has left. Plenty of new teams waiting in the wings, so keep the Steiner's strong and have 'em help put over some new talent on down the line!

Winner: The Steiner Brothers

Ryan Byers: This is a tricky one. On one hand, Rick Steiner is under a short-term deal, whereas the Dudleys are employees for the longer haul, meaning that under normal circumstances it would be more likely for them to win. However, there's still the New Age Outlaws factor to consider, as it appears from recent booking that TNA may want to do a Steiner's vs. Outlaws match at some point. If that's the case, Rick and Scott should pick up the victory, even if it is fairly certain that the Dog Faced Gremlin will be back in the real estate market before the end of the year.

Winner: The Steiner's

Larry Csonka: The Steiner's seem to be the popular choice, but this is just the beginning and I think they want to milk this out more, maybe with the titles involved.

Winner: 3D

WINNER TAKES ALL THE TITLES: Kurt Angle (IWGP and TNA WORLD CHAMPION) vs. Samoa Joe (TNA TAG TEAM and X-DIVISION CHAMPION)

Daniel Wilcox: You'd think I'd bee excited for this. Joe will kill a bitch.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Scotty Flamingo: Part of me thinks this a cool idea and part of me thinks it is a case of putting all your eggs in one basket. Hopefully, regardless of whoever wins, we'll get a reset on the Tag Team and X Divisions. Joe is really pushing the point where people don't care anymore because he never wins the big one. If he goes much longer, he'll become a Junkyard Dog, a guy who is as over as the main eventers, but isn't believable as one. They need to pull the trigger now. Besides, that will tie up Angle and Joe at 2 a piece so they can do the rubber match down the road (but hopefully not for awhile)

Winner: Samoa Joe

Michael Weyer: You could write an entire column on how badly TNA has botched this feud. Oh, wait, I already did. Having one guy take all the gold is just incredibly stupid and can promise to be a bad sign for the company's future. We can only hope TNA has enough sense to give it to the guy fans have wanted on top for so long.

WINNER and NEW...um...CHAMPION: Samoa Joe.

JT: They need to do two three things to have this payoff be as awesome as it has the potential to be.

1. Give them more time than their first couple of encounters (didn't they have a 30 minute Iron man match in their somewhere? Not counting that one).

2. Both men need to bring their A PLUS PLUS game, and not hold back at all (as I said, this is the payoff).

3. They NEED to give Samoa Joe the belts here. They have been building him as the man to take this company into the future, and with a 2 hour show on the horizon, and more PPV's/House shows outside of Orlando, now is DEFINITELY the time to finally reward him for his work in the company. There have been times before where I said very similar things, but looking at all the circumstances surrounding TNA – and the fact his opponent is Kurt Angle – I seriously cannot see any way that they do NOT pull the trigger.

WINNER: And NEW Champion of the TNA Universe, Samoa Joe

Matt Short: People have been saying that Joe's big title win should be saved for a special moment. I don't think there could be any bigger moment than holding all of the company's belts at the same time. That thing last week involving Angle's family was a bit much, but the match has had a decent build and has a lot of anticipation behind it. The match itself just needs to not fall short like their previous encounters have.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Andy Clark: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! My colleagues actually think that Samoa Joe is going to win the titles with Kurt Angle's "ex"-wife AT RINGSIDE?? You do remember who's booking this show right? Plus, Angle is defending a title that TNA shouldn't even be controlling in the "IWGP" Title. The only way we get swerved in this match is if Karen Angle DOESN'T screw Joe out of the titles.

Winner and CHAMPION of everything: Kurt Angle

Bayani Domingo: If you read "Fact or Fiction" you know what my prediction is. Either Angle's wife swerves everyone by helping him win the match and Joe ends up looking like a moron for falling for the 5th oldest trick in the book, or Angle gets a little help from his buddies Team 3D (or perhaps MCMG, oh GOD PLEASE let it be MCMG) and takes the pinfall in exchange for giving them the belts. Either way some people are gonna be PISSED.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Meehan: Though my heart is telling Mee to pull for Joe in this one, my gut is telling Mee that something is amiss going into this "final" showdown between our Olympic Hero and the Samoan Submission Machine, and so I can't help but second guess things. Maybe it's Joe's "unsigned" TNA contract. Maybe it's the rumors of the X-Division title being phased out. Maybe it's the "ringside presence" of Karen Angle, or maybe it's just because this entire feud has consistently failed to live up to its potential... but I'm just gonna' have to buck the odds on this one and say:

Winner: and STILL Champion, Kurt Angle.

Ryan Byers: Ultimately, I think that the result of this match hinges on the status of Joe's TNA contract. If he's decided that he's going to re-sign with the company, I can't see why TNA wouldn't give him the World Title. If he's decided that he's not going to re-sign with the company, I can see one of two things happening. The first is the promotion giving Joe all of the belts in an effort to make him happy. The second is the promotion giving Angle all of the belts so that Joe doesn't leave in the middle of a title reign. Given that Angle has received roughly fifty times the amount of TV air time that Joe has over the course of the last month, it seems to me that the plan is to phase Joe out as opposed to making him in to the guy that the company is built around. Plus Karen Angle will be in Joe's corner, and you know that Vince Russo can't resist pulling the trigger on a SWERVE~!

Winner: Kurt Angle

Larry Csonka: I want Samoa Joe to win. I think Samoa Joe should win. Actually I KNOW Samoa Joe should win. But I just can't pick him. Karen Angle at ringside, Vince Russo booking, yeah, swerve that isn't a swerve coming.

Winner: Angle

DOOMSDAY CHAMBER OF BLOOD MATCH: Andrew Martin, Sting and Abyss vs. Christian Cage, Tomko and AJ Styles

(Steel cage, barbed wire covering the top, you have to be bleeding to get pinned, #1 Contender's Match)
Daniel Wilcox: Can I just say how stupid it is to book a number one contender's match with teams! If being number one contender means as much as it should, you aren't going to get along as a team, you silly little TNA bookers. Having said that, this match should be all kinds of awesome, even with Test, sorry, The Punisher involved. With Joe being world champion after tonight, it would seem more likely that a heel would get the win, but it is too early for Tomko, Styles is still a JTTS, and Cage/Joe has been done recently. I think with NA looking to go two hours very soon, it would be a wise decision to have one those "dream matches" headline No Surrender.

Winner: Sting (pinning, who else, AJ)

Scotty Flamingo: This will be a trademark TNA "100 things happening at once" match. This also worries me because they are getting back to the pattern of CRAZY GIMMICKS IN EVERY MATCH like they did with Lockdown (the weakest show of the year). It should be fun to watch, but won't be up for Match of the Year or anything. The Coalition wins when Mitchell's new monster destroys Abyss.
The only question is who gets the pin. I'll go with Christian since he is the leader and he had an excellent match with Joe earlier this year.

Winner: Christian and Co. (Christian takes pin)

Michael Weyer: Okay, how can you have a contender's match with teams? And isn't this just a tad bit of overbooking, even for Russo? Expect action impossible to keep track of, big spots, violence, blood, Mitchell's monster attacking Abyss in the cage, AJ to do something totally insane but still be stuck in the lower ranks of the upper card and for the winner...

WINNER: Christian Cage

JT: I haven't watched iMPACT as of posting this, so I really have no idea how exactly you derive a #1 contender out of a three-on-three match. Maybe the person that gets the pin? I generally would have to go with the faces here, but for some reason I don't see them wanting to give either of those three men a shot at the title right now. Sting and Abyss are more than capable of being in big feuds without chasing a title, and Test JUST got there and I don't think they see him as name-power the way they did Christian, Kurt Angle, and Sting. AJ won't get it because he's currently playing the role "I need Christian's attention/approval", so I look for it to come down to Christian or Tomko and possibly the beginning of that because both men want the pin? Who knows, should be a good match regardless.

WINNER: Heels (Cage if pin prediction is necessary)

Matt Short: There's a lot of stipulations to this. Hmmm. This has all the makings of an entertaining little clusterfuck of a match and as long as Test doesn't win a title shot I can forgive whatever short comings happen in this match. A heel is probably going to win here and it'll probably be Christian.

Winner: The Christian Coalition (Cage gets the pin)

Andy Clark: Sounds both convoluted and cool at the same time. I'm picking Angle to retain so a face needs to win. Angle-Martin would be a lame main event, and Angle has beaten Abyss so many times already that a match really doesn't matter. There are still unresolved issues between Angle and Sting, so let's go with that.

Winner: Sting (and Abyss and Andrew "The Punisher" Martin)

Bayani Domingo: It's obvious isn't it? A-Mart just can't stay ‘face'. My guess is he ends up costing Sting the pin and turns heel. Eventually leading to Tomko vs. A-Mart. Oooh, smell the hossy goodness.

Winner: Christian Cage

Meehan: Here's a few "sure" things to expect from this one. First, there will be blood -- and LOTS of it, on just about every single guy in that ring. Second, there will be shenanigans -- the "mysterious" hand from under the ring still needs a payoff, and there's no time like the present for a Banderas debut. Third, if WARGAMES taught us anything, it's that there is nothing a crowd likes more than seeing a babyface team outnumbered in a bloody and brutal showdown -- only to overcome the odds and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when all is said and done. With that in mind (and with my bet that Angle -- a heel -- will walk out of this show with all the belts), MeeThinks the outcome of this one will necessitate a big time babyface payoff, and so I'll say...

Winner:Sting's Team (leading to Abyss vs. Banderas, Test vs. Wellness, Sting vs. Angle)

Ryan Byers: If Angle is getting the victory in the prior match, the number one contender is going to have to come from the face team. It's too soon for Test to be receiving a title shot, as he has yet to be built up as a top star in TNA and certainly wasn't one in WWE. Abyss is a more likely candidate, but he will still more likely than not have a singles match with Cage on the next show to wrap up that feud. This leaves the Stinger by process of elimination.

Winner: Sting

Larry Csonka: This should be a lot of fun actually. Sting is turning into Terry Funk as he is willing to do anything these days, Tomko is taking crazy bumps, Abyss is Abyss, AJ is AJ, Cage thrives in these matches and Test sucks. I guess Sting wins so we can have Angle vs. Sting in a PPV that 20,000 people are waiting to buy. Also, Judas debuts to kick off the feud with Abyss.

Winner: Sting gets the pin


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