411’s PPV Roundtable Preview: TNA Against All Odds 2008
Posted by Larry Csonka on 02.09.2008
The 411 staff breaks down TNA’s second PPV of the year!
Introduction:
Welcome back to another edition of the TNA PPV Roundtable Preview! It's the second month of the year, and we are onto TNA's 2nd PPV Against All Odds. The show will be live from Greenville South Carolina, and feature Kurt Angle defending the TNA World Title against Christian Cage, with Samoa Joe as the referee. Awesome Kong will defend the Knockouts Title against ODB while AJ Styles and Tomko will defend the TNA World Tag Team Titles against BG James and Bullet Bob Armstrong! Those are just three of NINE matches scheduled for the event. Let's meet the staff and check the preview information, and then breakdown the card.
ATTENTION: The staff will discuss the Barbed Wire Massacre match, but will not select winners since the match has already been taped. Also, we will discuss it as if we do not know the results, so that we do not spoil the match for anyone.
THE STAFF:
From the Wonder Years, Owain J. Brimfield!
The man that brings you his Viral Dose of Reality, Jarrod Westerfeld!
From the 411 ECW Report, Michael Bauer!
Shining a Spotlight's Michael Weyer!
Straight from the Seventh Dimension, TJ T.G. Corke!
Truth B Told's Bayani Domingo!
The Shimmy's Andy Clark!
WHAMMY…it's Jeff Small!
Finally the King Arthur of this roundtable, I am Larry Csonka!
TNA'S OFFICIAL VIDEO PREVIEW
~TNA AGAINST ALL ODDS 2008~
VS CASE vs. CASE: Scott Steiner vs. Petey Williams
Winner gets both Cases
Jarrod Westerfeld: And I should care why? Okay, I like Petey's new look, and I want to see Scott get the X Division title to help reinstate the ideal that the X-Division isn't about weight limits, but it doesn't matter anymore, so this match is meaningless to me. Plus, I don't care about this because it's not Tomko vs. Angle!
Winner: Petey Williams
Michael Bauer: I like this concept because now we know that nobody is getting a Heavyweight Title shot. And if they are, they also get an X-Division title shot. Why? Because I think it is time for Petey to get over like Kaz has been.
Winner: Petey Williams
Michael Weyer: The feud over the cases has been surprisingly good and I do like Petey's new attitude so this should be an interesting clash. I see Petey getting it as they do seem ready to give him a push now and that should play into it.
WINNER: Petey Williams
T.G. Corke: The stipulations of the 3D/Devine/Machismo/MCMG match mean that this is an absolute forgone conclusion as to who's getting the win. If the X-Division has a weight limit, Steiner won't be able to use his shot because he's 15lbs over. If the X-Division is eradicated, Steiner has a worthless briefcase and looks like an idiot. However, Petey is well within the proposed weight constraints, and nobody would shed any tears for him if he couldn't get his shot. I rest my case (pun intended).
Winner: Scott Steiner
Bayani Domingo: So if Steiner wins then he'll get an X-Division shot, but if the Motor City Machismos lose then it's pointless. But if Petey wins and the MCMGs lose then it's also moot. But if the MCMGs win and Steiner wins the match then he still has to cut weight down to 275 lbs. But if the….awww crap. I think I just had a small stroke. Okay….alright, all better now. Let's just go with whatever makes less sense here…which is really a tie.
Winner: "Canadian Muscle" Petey Williams
Andy Clark: The should swerve us all and have this match be for a case...of beer. I'm pulling for Scott Steiner because I'm really not interested in seeing Petey Williams get a World Title shot, and with any luck the X-Division will be dead and buried by the end of the night.
Winner: Scott Steiner
Jeff Small: I wonder which of the two is on more juice. Regardless, I don't see the true point of this match. Does the winner get both cases? And what happens when the winner opens the wrong case? And will they even get a title shot? Whatever. As for the match, Petey's not in Steiner's league.
Winner: Scott Steiner
Larry Csonka: Overall I like both men, but don't exactly think we'll be getting a great match. Steiner, while he can still talk and be fun in tag settings, is coming to the end of his usefulness in my eyes but maybe he'll prove me wrong here. I hope he does actually. Petey has been making Steiner look like an idiot as of late, so I guess Scotty gets the win here.
Winner: Scott Steiner
The staff draws 4-4.
BARBED WIRE MASSACRE: Abyss vs. Judas Mesias
Owain J. Brimfield: Gotta wonder if Mesias will change his wrestling attire for this one. I haven't checked the spoilers for this one, but barbed wire matches are done infrequently enough that they are still compelling to watch (at least in the major feds), and we all know Abyss has no shame about being cut to shreds. Violent, but nothing more is my expectation.
Jarrod Westerfeld: Well, it's that time again to act like I give a shit about the entire TNA product and add to the Round Table discussion – this should be fun. More hate mail will be in my inbox by the time I'm done ranting here – YIPEE! Now what are we starting up with here? Oh God, are we serious? A match that's been pre-taped, the results have been leaked, revolves around a storyline I don't care for, and is the main selling point of this pay-per-view. *YAWN* It'll probably be a fun spot fest, but other than that, I don't care.
Michael Bauer: Well, spoilers were already given, so I won't comment on a given.
Michael Weyer: Gee, Abyss in a hardcore match, never seen that before. (rolling eyes) I see no real reason to comment on the winner here since we all know how it's gonna end and why they're even bothering putting this on PPV is beyond me...
T.G. Corke: Nobody's daring to spoil the result of this pre-taped match, and as much as I'd love to be the one to buck that trend, I have a feeling I'd be omitted from the Roundtable if I did. And there's no way I'm risking that, with this being the FIRST TIME I've remembered to predict a TNA pay-per-view on here despite being with the site for nearly five months now. So I'll just leave well alone here, and say that I'm expecting an entertaining but uninspiring bloodbath.
Bayani Domingo: I can't imagine how much longer this feud will go on, especially with the revelation that Abyss' father is actually Paul Bearer and his opponent is his Step Brother Kane. OR something, maybe I'm confused. I guess this calls for some retribution, but I can't see Abyss winning this actually being the "blow off" to this feud. Wow, TNA is certainly littered with recycled storylines from WWF. At least TNA is a "Green" company.
Andy Clark: I believe I am one of the few people that hasn't checked out the spoiler for this match, but I have a feeling we all kind of know how it's going to go anyhow. I mean come on, it's Abyss on PPV. I was actually looking forward to them pulling out the Barbed Wire Massacre again at some point, but a combination of me not caring about Judas Mesias and the fact that this match will no doubt feel out of place kind of ruins that.
Jeff Small: Allow me to continue the trend.
Larry Csonka: While they do this kind of stuff way too often, they have tried to stay away from it a bit with these two over the last month to at least try and give the blood bath a chance to sell. We all know that Abyss will do anything, and Mesias is a crazy bastard as well. This could actually be a sleeper of a match, of course, it all depends on if you enjoy this style of match. The feud has been Russo Rehash Shit, but Mitchell's promo the other week was great and as long as they work hard and we get away from the base of the angle and just move on, it should be fine, I hope.
Owain J. Brimfield: So is this actually a wrestling match, or a drinking contest? Whichever it is, no doubt it'll be nothing more than mildly diverting given the bizarre nature of these guys' relationship. Hopefully Storm wins in a suitably violent manner to shrug off the goofy hell persona he's developed recently, and return to being a badass cowboy.
Winner: James Storm
Jarrod Westerfeld: A toy WWE Spinner Belt with booze and decorations is worth fighting over in TNA? How is this pushing Storm or Young? And does anyone else think AJ is playing the character Eric Young should've become by now?! Ugh, another fucking match I don't care for, and one that has no meaning to it because it's not Tomko vs. Angle. I guess the only way I can win points in my decisions is to try and forget logic exists and pick the guy that shouldn't win.
Winner: Certainly not the fans – Eric Young?
Michael Bauer: Insert Larry's usual rant about this fucking bullshit on Pay Per View. Because I have to pick someone...
Winner: James Storm
Michael Weyer: And we thought the Eric-Roode feud was idiotic. Why is a talent like Storm wasted on fighting for a belt that's actually been given more credit by TNA than the X Division title lately? Well, if I have to pick, Storm gets it back through cheating in a bad match.
WINNER: James Storm
T.G. Corke: I wonder if this will become like a Hardcore Championship for TNA? Anything goes as long as you're supping brews while you're grappling. Could be somewhat fun, albeit stupid and setting a bad example for kids. Not that I'm worried, since I'm a complete alki. But anyway, I've not really been paying too much attention to this one. I know Storm tried to beat Young down after Tomko squashed Eric, but Tomko stopped him. That's all I really remember, aside from several occasions where one guy or the other pissed their pants. I'm not particularly enthralled, but I can't see there being too many other title switches tonight so...
Winner: James Storm
Bayani Domingo: You know what's sad? This contest actually makes more sense than 1/3 of the rest of the card. Flip a coin, TNA does all the time.
Winner: James Storm
Andy Clark: We're actually counting this as a match? I suppose I'll just go with the challenger for lack of any intelligent commentary on this match.
Winner and NEW Beer Drinking Champion: James Storm
Jeff Small: Is this even a real match? And if it is, how come we never voted on those Matt Hardy vs. MVP challenges. If James Storm doesn't win, JP's going to be a very unhappy camper. And since JP hates me...
Winner: Eric Young
Larry Csonka: I think this is actually going to be a wrestling match. At least I hope it is. Their last match was actually really good, and if they could keep away from the stupid ass booking, then things would be fine. Isn't that the TNA mantra as of late, "if they could keep away from the stupid ass booking, then things would be fine." Oh well.
Winner: James Storm
The staff picks James Storm 7-2.
Miss Peyton Banks vs. Traci Brooks
Owain J. Brimfield: Hopefully TNA have learned the lessons of Rebboj and the importance of not making new talent look weak. Plus, Traci isn't going to be hurt by a loss at this point.
Winner: Ms. Banks
Jarrod Westerfeld: Okay build, but it took too long to get to this point considering Brooks should've left Roode about a year ago, or at the very least, have run off with Kaz, the gentleman of the TNA roster. It should be a fun watch, but again, I don't care, it's not Tomko vs. Angle.
Winner: Ms. Peyton Banks?
Michael Bauer: Well, neither one of these can two can really wrestle, so I just hope this doesn't turn into a train wreck... or more of one than we know it will be. Since this won't be the end of it, give it to the new chick.
Winner: Ms. Banks
Michael Weyer: While a good personality, Traci has never been a good in-ring worker. Banks we haven't really seen do anything yet so this should be a short affair but I do see Traci actually getting ahead to get one on Roode and such.
WINNER: Traci
T.G. Corke: Who wants to bet that Traci wins and Robert Roode immediately turns on banks afterwards for being so inept? Nah, doesn't seem too likely even for Russo. The only slight doubt comes from thinking that Awesome Kong is probably killing a bitch of her own later in the night, so they may decide to have a face female win here instead of two heel ladies. But I don't think that would help with the storyline, so surely Banks has this one in the bag.
Winner: Ms. Peyton Banks
Bayani Domingo: They need to really do a "Ms" on a pole match where these ladies fight over the right to keep the "Ms" in their names. I'm going with the chick with the smaller chest and less manly face.
Winner: Ms. Peyton Banks
Andy Clark: Peyton Banks came from SHIMMER so here's hoping she's pretty good in the ring. This has been a nice feud and while I think it would make sense for Traci to get some payback, it would also make sense for Banks to win her first match. It's a toss up but I think I'll go with Traci.
Winner: Traci Brooks
Jeff Small: CATFIGHT! You know I always hate breakups where the woman turns face. After the new bitch takes her place, the face woman (this being Brooks) will win a quick feud before languishing in the unknown. Sad really.
Winner: Ms Brooks
Larry Csonka: I think most people have gotten the point here. Brooks is a "fine" wrestler. She isn't great, but won't cause a match to actively suck. Also, this is Banks first one on one match, and she needs a win. Another thing is that we know that this is not over as of yet, so the heel winning the first encounter makes sense. Banks is a rather accomplished wrestler, and I hope that she gets to show it off here.
Winner: Miss Peyton Banks wants to have my babies…
The staff picks Miss Banks 6-3.
Robert Roode vs. Booker T
Owain J. Brimfield: I've really enjoyed this feud, despite the fact that more of it has happened outside of the ring. As much as I'd love to see Roode go over so he can (fiiiiiiinally) start ascending the ladder, surely there's no way TNA will allow man-on-woman violence to go unavenged.
Winner: Booker T
Jarrod Westerfeld: Again, okay build, should be decent action to watch, and this'll certainly be the match that defines Roode – if he can hang and do well with Booker, then people can buy him getting a bigger role on the roster, if he fails, then only he loses out because I doubt he's got a strong enough fan base to care about him losing momentum. It started off poorly with Roode simply striking Sharmell, and if you've seen what the Dudleyz did in the Attitude era to women, you can't believe how fragile Sharmell is. But, alas, I still don't care because it's not Tomko vs. Angle.
Winner: Robert Roode?
Michael Bauer: I do not want to be Robert Roode, because I feel that this match will be stiff as freaking hell. Booker T has all the momentum from his attacks during the last two weeks, which means...
Winner: Robert Roode
Michael Weyer: I'm still a bit ticked that they're doing an angle involving hitting a woman only a few months after the Benoit mess. Still, Booker does look intense in TNA and he and Roode should have a hard fight but Booker should get the win to avenge his wife's honor.
WINNER: Booker T
T.G. Corke: Interesting. Booker has had a lot of the momentum going into this, which often means that he'll be on the losing end. However, what started the feud in the first place? Robert Roode being a chauvinist who broke Sharmelle's jaw. And he's been winning matches against other people ever since, so there's a good chance Booker will get his revenge here. It's one of the most difficult matches to call of the night. I'll say Booker, but either way I think we'll get another match out of this at the next event.
Winner: Booker T
Bayani Domingo: If this gets time this could be pretty good. I'm not a fan per say of Roode's work and I think Booker has been kind of under whelming thus far in his short tenure, but I think these guys could work very well together and so long as they keep this competitive and not a total knock out "brawl" that I think it might end up as, and to be honest it probably should from Booker's point of view, this could be decent. If Booker loses here I have to wonder if he'll rethink his employment choice. One way or another I smell a DQ for someone.
Winner: Booker T
Andy Clark: Apparently they had a pretty hot encounter on the last PPV so hopefully that carries over here. I'm not particularly interested in either man, but I'd be more than welcomed to be surprised here. I think you have to let Roode actually win one of these high profile matches at some point.
Winner: Robert Roode
Jeff Small: Booker has WWE cred while Roode does not. That's all you need to know.
Winner: Booker T
Larry Csonka: While I would like to see a clean finish, I think that they will go with the DQ deal here, with Booker out for vengeance and him being completely obsessed. I think that would lead to a mixed tag next month with Booker teaming with Brooks while Sharmell is still out (Roode would get the pin in that match) and then they would blow it off at Lockdown. But that's just me.
Winner: DQ FINISH (Roode)
The staff picks Booker T 5-4.
If the team of Sabin, Shelley and Machismo win the match Ray and Devon will have to weigh in at 275lbs to continue wrestling in TNA. Also if Sabin, Shelley and Machismo win, the person on the team that gets the pin wins the X-Title. If Team 3D and Devine win, the X-Division disappears FOREVER
HARDCORE STREET FIGHT: Team 3D and Brother Devine vs. The Motor City Machine Guns and Black Machismo
Owain J. Brimfield: Let's ignore the ridiculous stipulations and concentrate on the fact that these two teams have shown decent chemistry in and out of the ring, despite some at times maddening booking of the feud. As weak as the X Division is these days, you'd have to think TNA realize something as basic as the outcry there'd be if it were disbanded altogether. That, plus the beat down the faces received on Impact t'other week, leads me to believe the good guys will finally get the big victory.
Winner: MCMG & Machismo
Jarrod Westerfeld: Wait, what the *BLEEP*?! I thought the idea here was that if Team 3D lose, they have to drop weight to continue fighting the X-Division, not keep their jobs in TNA! Now I can't see how this isn't a direct assassination of the X-Division. It started off great, got a little weird, went off topic, and is now a cluster fucked storyline that kills off the X-Division no matter how you look at it – weight limits on the X-Division kills it and makes it into a Cruiserweight division, end of discussion. Now I really don't fucking care, especially now because it's not Tomko vs. Angle.
Winner: Team 3D and Johnny Fairplay (or is it Johnny No-One-Cares?)
Michael Bauer: Ok, does anyone in the world expect Team 3D to get themselves under 275 pounds each EVER? Devon could do it easily, but Bubba... get real. There is no way the X-Division dies here, because that would give half the roster nothing to do. I have loved the angle after time, liked the build, and now we need a great finish. Also, I give the title back to Jay Lethal.
Winners: Sabin, Shelly, and Chismo
Michael Weyer: Oh. My. Lord. Even for Russo, this is overbooking and ridiculous stipulations to the extreme. I'm truly afraid that TNA might really decide to just get rid of the X Division with this, they've pushed it down so much. However, I do think Lethal will get the pin to get his title back.
WINNER: Lethal and MCMG, Lethal gets X Division title
T.G. Corke: I know it's been rumored in the past that TNA want to do away with the X-Division, but I hope for their sake that the rumor has no truth behind it. Getting rid of the X-Division, especially in a match which would require three of its former stars to lose and therefore have nowhere to go other than aimless midcard purgatory and eventually minor tag glory, would be about the worst thing the company could possibly do. I'm not a big fan of the alternative, though. But heck, maybe we'll actually see some DIVISION from now on, instead of simply 'Heavyweight A >pwns> X-jobber A'.
Winners: Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and Jay Lethal
Bayani Domingo: I have to think that at some point the whole match will be a total clusterf**k, but it could be fun. I can't see the X-Division being disbanded, not with so many storylines revolving around it. So my thing is that Devine will probably end up costing his team because he might realize that he actually WANTS the X-Division around since he's the Champion. Then again maybe Steiner or Petey get involved as well. Who knows, this will be a fun little brawl that will be tremendously overbooked. Oh well, let's hope the MCMG's move on to bigger and better feuds with StyKo.
Winner: Motor City Machismos
Andy Clark: Is it wrong that I'm cheering for Team 3D? The X-Division as it stands is a joke right now, full of jobbers, comedy acts, and damn good tag teams. Just blow up the whole X-Division and assimilate the X-Division wrestler into other divisions. Unfortunately I doubt TNA will go that route.
Winner and NEW X-Division Champion: Jay Lethal (and the Motor City Machine Guns)
Jeff Small: By gawd, that's a lot of stipulations. On one hand, the faces could win this match and we can get a month of "comedy" watching Team 3D lose weight. On the other hand, the heels could win and we mourn the loss of what used to be an innovative division. I think that makes for better television.
Winners: Team 3D and Divine
Larry Csonka: There are way too many stipulations and or possible stipulations here. Hardcore, street fight, X-Division could die, 3D may have to weigh in to wrestle in TNA and if we heard Tenay right the other week if the Guns and Machismo win, who ever gets the pin or submission of those three guys then gets the title. WHO, WHAT, HOW, WHY, WHERE? I am so damn confused sometimes. Anyway, I think that the match will come down to one man, and that is Johnny Devine. When you think about the Devine/3D partnership it makes sense on many levels. The Devine character, over his career has had the need to be accepted and feel like he belonged. He was with Team Canada, he was with Paparazzi as a lackey, he was a part of Serotonin and then right into the 3D angle. The man has psychological issues where he has to be a part of a group and or feel needed. His father obviously never hugged him enough as a kid. He's a conformist. But I think that it will come to an end this Sunday, because he will finally realize that if he wins the match he will then not be a champion anymore. He can try to be like Kurt Angle at the end of the invasion, he could be the bastard hero of the X-Division. I could also see Steiner or Petey involved, depending on who wins the match, because they will be greedy and want two title shots.
Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns and Black Machismo
The staff picks The Motor City Machine Guns and Black Machismo 7-2.
Owain J. Brimfield: More teams that don't get along. Hopefully Bullet Bob won't stick around too long (even if he is more charismatic than BG and Kip put together) and allow the champs to move on to some credible challengers like the MCMG.
Winner: AJ Styles & Tomko
Jarrod Westerfeld: I'd care more for this if it was simply Tomko vs. AJ Styles instead, but no, now we have to devalue the tag division on the same night you devalue the X-Division. BRILLIANT!
Winner: Certainly not the FANS! (The Armstrong Family Tree)
Michael Bauer: Everything says that Tomko and Styles are losing due to their issues in the main event. The problem is, there has been ZERO build to this match from the champions' side and that is a major problem. BG and his dad have everything working for them, including having the National Guard or some shit coming down. Honestly, it's a sad day, but the titles need to move.
Winners: BG James and Bob Armstrong (PLEASE LET ME BE WRONG)
Michael Weyer: Oh, come on...even Russo isn't crazy enough to give the aged Armstrong a tag team title. Yeah, it'd make sense to do the Tomko/AJ split and all but there's been zero build to it and....Oh, damn, why even bother pretending?
WINNERS and NEW (I can't believe I'm saying that) TNA Tag Team Champions: The Armstrong's
T.G. Corke: There are certainly better teams to take the tag titles here, but at least this one has a decent amount of intrigue (even if for the wrong reasons). I can't remember any other father/son World Tag Team Champions, so this could be a bit of history in the making. It might be leading to an angle where Kip is jealous and turns on the both, which would be at least semi-interesting as long as it's not a swerve where Bob turns on his son and sides with Kip. Anyway, it's a shame for Tomko and AJ to lose the straps (if they do), but it could enhance their own dissention as well. That said, I'm still holding out hope that they're retaining. My prediction shall reflect that.
Winners: Tomko and AJ Styles
Bayani Domingo: You know just this is all some plot to get Kip James to turn on BG and move into a feud where no one gives a shit. Half the participants in this match need to be banished from TV forever…and don't forget about that butch chick in the flowery stirrup pants either.
Winner: Styles/Tomko
Andy Clark: Part of me thinks that TNA can't be stupid enough to have Bullet Bob win. Then another part of me realizes that AJ and Tomko are going to break up any day now. I really don't want to say this but...
Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: BG James & "Bullet" Bob Armstrong
Jeff Small: The clear question here is if Styles and Tomko can co-exist because BG James and Armstrong shouldn't pose much of a threat. I am hoping Styles and Tomko do pick up the duke because it would pain me to see TNA destroy two divisions in one night.
Winner: Styles and Tomko
Larry Csonka: I was convinced that they would have AJ and Tomko lose the match, until I saw Impact this week. BG gave a good promo and he and Bullet Bob were ready to go, and then Kip came in and said he fully supported them. Right. I don't buy it chief. AJ and Tomko may have issues, but I think they retain.
Owain J. Brimfield: There's no chance in hell Kong will lose in her first PPV defense after being built as such a monster. ODB should put up a decent fight though to maintain some interest at the top end of the women's division.
Winner: KONG
Jarrod Westerfeld: This'll be okay – the build is a little weird considering the focus is still around Kim vs. Kong, so I can't really see ODB walking away looking like a real contender all things considered. I'll give TNA credit for this, at least; they certainly remembered they put ODB over Gail before, so you can see why she's the more reasonable fit for this title, though they did drop the ball on the booking of ODB during her match against Angelina Love and Roxxi Laveaux. This'll be fun to watch.
Winner: Awesome Kong
Michael Bauer: Does anyone expect Kong to lose here? I didn't think so.
Winner: Awesome KONG!!!!!
Michael Weyer: It says volumes the women's division is the one thing TNA is doing right. The push for this has been quite good with ODB really getting over so we'll get a nice power battle that might even be the highlight of the night. But it's Kong's first PPV defense and don't see her losing it just yet.
WINNER: Kong
T.G. Corke: ODB is good, but she's no New York Giants. She'd have a better chance of splitting atoms with garden shears than she does of winning the Women's' title on this occasion. Better luck next time.
Winner: Queen Kong
Bayani Domingo: Two of my favorite women's' wrestlers are involved in this match, unfortunately only one of them is actually wrestling. I actually like ODB, she's different, she's competent in the ring and she's a lot of fun. I have a feeling this will end up being a placeholder for when Gail is well again, but to her credit ODB managed to get a good backing and emerge form the other Knockouts. Awesome Kong wins here in a match up that will end up being more competitive than it should be however.
Winner: Awesome Kong
Andy Clark: This could be could. I doubt ODB stands much of a chance here, but I think they'll still put her over strong. Masked Melissa will probably interfere to give Kong the win.
Winner and STILL TNA Knockouts Champion: Awesome Kong
Jeff Small: Well if ODB can't win a regular match on television, she surely isn't taking down the champ. The money's still on an official rematch with Gail Kim so Kong should roll through the Dirty One.
Winner: Awesome Kong
Larry Csonka: While I don't think there is any chance that ODB wins the title here, it should be pretty entertaining. I imagine a brawl heavy match with ODB proving to be a problem due to her size, strength and lack of fear. But in the end Kong wins. I just pray that Riesha Said/Masked Melissa does not get involved. Kong doesn't need help winning matches.
Owain J. Brimfield: If they can top their performance from last month this should easily be match of the night. I'd like to see Angle dethroned, but there seem to be more feuds in the pipeline for him (Tomko, Joe etc) than with Cage. Expect some form of shenanigans, though.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Jarrod Westerfeld: Wait, was there even build for this or is this a title match for the sake of having a title match? This is like the booking of the ROH World Title – a guy wins a shot at the champion, but gets no build into that title match, and the only thing you remember that match by was that it was fun, and well performed in the ring. This is that match, and the only thing I'll care about this thing is that this build could lead us to Tomko entering the fray, slowly moving Cage into an actual direction for his character that is genuine: a face Cage acting heelish doesn't work for me, he needs to be heel and that's all. I could care for this match – but it's certainly not Tomko vs. Angle … I just had to throw that in.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Michael Bauer: There are WAY too many shenanigans already in this match as it is so it is obvious that TNA booking will happen. Samoa Joe will call it down the middle and just not care who interferes on behalf of anybody. In the end... well, just read below...
Winner: Kurt Angle (via Samoa Joe doesn't care that Tomko blasts AJ Styles and then just blasts Cage anyway and kicks Styles out of the Angle Alliance while Karen just stands there and does nothing)
Michael Weyer: The build has been good and we know they work great together. Sure, it'd be nice for TNA to have a main event that wouldn't have been a Smackdown match three years ago but this should still be a great match. I see Angle retaining to keep things going with Booker T and maybe even Joe with some interference to aid him.
WINNER and still TNA World Champion: Kurt Angle
T.G. Corke: The mark in me would love for Christian to win, and it would help the belt as it's so far only had two names hold it (one of whom lasted for just two days - or eleven, depending who you ask). But it won't happen, as we've got Steiner lined up for a shot at some point and I'm sure he'll be a face for that match. Plus, there's almost certainly going to be another attempt at pushing Joe, and the chances are HE'LL be the face for that despite currently being heelish. So I don't know. Maybe Cage WILL win, defend against heel Steiner and heel Joe and lose to tweener Joe, who then turns face. We'll wait and see, but my money's on Angle.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Bayani Domingo: I don't care about this match. That is what is so sad, because this will be a good match. It will be a MotyC up until the ending when horrendous booking knocks a full * off the rating. Samoa Joe needs to be wrestling, not baby sitting. If Joe doesn't take the title off Angle soon then I don't know what to say. Since when did Kurt become the HHH of TNA? Although at least no one has called Karen a "brutal trash bag Ho" yet.
Winner: Kurt Angle, via SWERVE!!
Andy Clark: Didn't we get the exact same match at last year's Against All Odds, Samoa Joe as enforcer and all? I don't know if Joe is getting his title shot at Destination X or not, but if he is I doubt it would be against Christian (although in terms of quality matches Joe-Christian has proven to be more of sure thing than Joe-Angle). Going with that I think we'll see an Angle retention followed by a post-match beat down by Joe.
Winner and STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle
Jeff Small: How many times has TNA given this match to us as a main event? It should be solid, like all of their other encounters, but I can't see it being the show-stealer that it probably needs to be to save this PPV. Cage has been such an afterthought over these last weeks that I don't even see him getting a phantom pinfall. Angle retains before getting into a show-closing slugfest with Samoa Joe. That is if Bobby Lashley doesn't interfere first.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Larry Csonka: Prediction – This will be a great match for 13-15 minutes. Then Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Tomko, Karen Angle, Jim Cornette, Kevin Nash and possibly others all get involved. This will lead to Joe getting pissed and in the Russo bag of tricks (Ask Cook, I told him this Wednesday) he takes out both Angle and Cage, counts the double pin, flips the bird to Cornette and then gets fired because he never signed the new contract.
Winner: Not us. (Angle retains)
The staff picks Kurt Angle 9-0.
Remember to join 411 at 7:30pm EST this Sunday night for our LIVE PPV Coverage!
Also, feel free to leave your picks for the show in the comment section!
Great idea, Larry! And then Matt Morgan can hire Joe back to stick it to Cornette only to turn on Joe when he gets his title shot at the next PPV. Nobody would ever expect it!
Posted By: Andy Clark (Registered) on February 09, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Where is Byers...???
Posted By: ???? (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 12:55 AM
If I had to guess, Byers is busy with the 3-DVD Set of GLOW I sent him. He'll have a full PPV Preview in his news column on Sunday.
Posted By: Larry Csonka (Registered) on February 09, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Thanks,Csonka! I was just wondering... I like Byers insight!
Posted By: ???? (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:28 AM
ONLY 1 THING WRONG WITH THAT LARRY. CORNETTE WONT BE IN GREENVILLE OR AT LEAST NOT ON THE PPV. TO SELL THE BWM BEING LIVE ON THE SHOW
Posted By: TOM WIGAL (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:39 AM
tna has completely lost it
their booking is bad i mean really bad
any1 remembers
america's most wanted vs the naturals inside a steel cage!
that was the best match of tna 4 me.
Posted By: Suraj (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:52 AM
So why exactly is Devine helping Team 3D eliminate the division that he's supposed to be the champion of?
Posted By: JS (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:53 AM
Wait, I think I have an answer to my own question: CONTINGENCY SWERVE! Devine will make Team 3D lose, Team 3D doesn't lose "cleanly" though they will look stupid and make the entire X-division look "smart."
Yeah, Russo would book an angle with "insider" terms.
Posted By: JS (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:55 AM
Jarrod Westerfeld-Angle/Tomko isn't going to revolutionive the wrestling world, so give it a break.
Posted By: Jarrod Westerfeld is a Fag (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 02:06 AM
How can you devalue a division that has no value in the first place?
The TNA tag division died on it's butt last year - ONE person held the tag belts for two months and the belts themselves weren't defended for at least three months.
The TNA tag belts mean about as much as the TNA 'Drinking' title.
Posted By: Hank (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Tomko vs. Angle isn't going to revolutionise the wrestling world, but it's a potential feud that has more logic and quality booking than nearly all the other crap on TNA. The Ange vs. Cage feud is doing nothing for me, both guys are total dick heels in my book, guys I enjoy hating and like watching get beat up. Am I the only person who no longer gives a crap about Samoa Joe?
Posted By: JAK (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 06:18 AM
As an avid Womens wrestling fan, I have to say that you have ALL severely underrated the Traci/Peyton match. Sure both women aren't at the level of Awesome Kong, but so few women are. Traci is an above average wrestler who can hold together a good 5/6 minute match before she starts to get sloppy, Peyton is a former SHIMMER athlete and one half of the MHWC(Minnesota Hom Wrecking Crew) she is more than capable in the ring and can go toe to toe with Traci. This womens match should be pretty dang good, but people writing it off as though it's going to automatically going to terrible, just ain't right.
And not caring about a match JUST because it doesn't involve A.J and Tomko is a little sad
Posted By: Mick420 (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 08:19 AM
SWERVE!!!!!!
Posted By: vinnie ru (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Awesome Kong=Chop, chop, Kong Bomb. Real talent eh?
Posted By: SAVE_TNA_222 (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 12:05 PM
The rabid Tomko fans who want TNA to put him in a headlining feud when his push is only just beginning to build steam would be so pissed off at the result if it actually happened (and surely they'd blame the 'booking'). Tomko is decent in the ring and has personality, but I just don't think he has that electric x-factor. Still, he's reminiscent of Batista: a big, tatted-up powerhouse who *speaks* rather than shouts in his promos. I actually like Batista, but I never understood why he got SO popular in '05. I guess it makes sense that his popularity has been a little shaky by comparison for the last year and a half. Regardless, I don't think TNA has the resources to give Tomko that sort of massive push.
Posted By: KanyonKreist (Registered) on February 09, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Steiner wins the World Title breifcase.
Lethal/Guns win the street fight.
Lethal becomes the X Champion, Steiner runs in and cracks him in the head with the X Title briefcase, hands it to the ref to cash it in, pins Lethal and becomes the new X Champ.
Tomko walks out on AJ (as payback for AJ walking out on him when he carried Karen to the back) and the Armstrongs win the Tag Team Titles, with Kip coming in to be a third wheel and they defend the Titles under the Freebird Rule.
Cage vs Angle is ruled a no contest when AJ, Tomko, and Steiner all interfere, and at Destination X there will be a 6-way dance for the World Title:
Angle vs Cage vs Joe vs AJ vs Tomko vs Steiner.
Posted By: victormalar (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I see Devine costing his team the match, as someone pointed out in the main column, he is the X Division champion.
As for the tag title match, am I the only one who see's Kip screwing BG and Bob out of the titles? His promo on Thursday just made me think he was about to turn on BG for not teaming with him.
Posted By: Chris (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 02:55 PM
TNA is horrible right now. This ppv looks HORRIBLE!!!
Why are we being punished. I mean, we have to suffer through "Stone Cold" Shark Boy every week. Jeremy Borash thinking he's talent. Johnny Devine as the X-Champ when he's the jobber of the division. TNA needs to get their head out of their butts and start putting on better shows. And Robert Roode is a JOBBER, he's not a main event talent TNA so stop pushing him like he's any good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: Guest#3100 (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 04:23 PM
i'm gonna order it, cus its the ppvs that i don't expect to be anything special that usually turn out to be good. thats with every company, i'm always misjudging sjit. idk how this is gonna turn out so i'm goin in w/ low expectations. i think next month it'll be joe vs angle vs christian for some reason. i can't clearly predict what'll happen. so at the very least, i'm intrigued by this ppv because God only knows what direction they'll take the storylines. here's hoping it's a decent ppv effort.
Posted By: bighustle (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 06:43 PM
KanyonKriest, I'm not crying that he should be in the main event right now, I want to see TNA book around Tomko well enough that it would sell Tomko as a main eventer, much in the way I would've liked TNA to have gotten behind Joe in 06, and again in 07.
So far, I've liked what they've written for Tomko, and it's done in a way that it makes sense to me without having to watch everything that led to Tomko being split from Christian's side - hell, I even liked the segment he had with Cage before his match with Mesias.
TNA has given me no reason to care for Joe anymore outside of him being some random bad ass that does whatever he wants, but the appeal is gone. I don't even understand what Joe is trying to accomplish anymore - he wants a title, but refused the opportunity to get a shot at it for a contract that pays him more money than Angle - and for two weeks, he hasn't signed it, leaving me to wonder what his goal is, and what the payoff to all of this is (aside from a match with Morgan).
If they can build Tomko up to at least tease a championship match at Bound for Glory, I'd happily buy that pay-per-view and watch. If not, then TNA better do something else to grab at my interest, and do that well.
Posted By: Jarrod Westerfeld (Registered) on February 09, 2008 at 10:11 PM
What pains me is as much as I hate nearly every match on this card, I am going to stupidly buy it and watch it... self hating wrestling fan..
Posted By: Kip (Guest) on February 10, 2008 at 01:20 AM
As a service to future readers, please inform Jarrod Westerfeld that if he doesn't care about the product, he should sit out of the preview. It's fine if he doesn't enjoy TNA, but making constant smart remarks adds nothing to the discussion.
Also, Kong's role is a beast. There is no need for her to use a dozen moves besides the brutal ones she does. Her "talent" is fine.
Many people would enjoy wrestling more if they simply reacted, rather than overanalyzing how they SHOULD feel. Oh, the days of childhood....
Posted By: Guest#0123 (Guest) on February 10, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Westerfield, SHUT THE FUCK UP. Waaaaah, it's not Angle vs Tomko........ya want some french cries with your wahmburger?
Posted By: Guest#3528 (Guest) on February 10, 2008 at 02:28 PM
VS 
