411's Roundtable Preview: TNA's Hard Justice 2008
Posted by Chris Lansdell on 08.09.2008
Samoa Joe defends vs Booker T in a weapons-filled Six Sides of Steel match! Also, LAX defend against Beer Money, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles continue their feud in a Last Man Standing match, and Petey Williams puts the X-Division title on the line against Consequences Creed! Find out they way it's gonna go down, inside!
Introduction:
Greetings, humanity! Welcome back to another 411 Round Table Preview. I am your host, Chris Lansdell, and today's topic is TNA's hardcore offering, Hard Justice. With a gimmick-filled card include the TNA title being defended in a weapons-filled cage, a Black Tie Brawl and Chain match, and AJ Styles and Kurt Angle trying to determine who will be the last man standing, there's potential here for both classic brawls and absolute nonsense.
Who's going to do what to whom? Let's see what the 411 Illuminati have to say!
The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong vs. Taylor Wilde, Gail Kim and ODB
Dan Wilcox: I'm not going to pretend to be interested in this match, seeing as how we've already seen different variations of it for what seems like an age. I also cannot stand ODB and would much rather see Roxxi in there, but whatever. The Knockouts Division needs some new blood and fast because all these feuds have very much run their course. Seeing as the champ is on the face team and the title isn't on the line, I see Kong and co. getting the win setting up the blow off to Kong/Wilde somewhere down the road.
Winners: The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong
Jarrod Westerfeld: Why? Why would I want to see this? Taylor Wilde is getting a bigger push than Roxxi got when she came off of the Sacrifice pay-per-view; it's understandable as she's the champion, but why did Roxxi have the rug pulled out from under her push and feud with the Beautiful People to further keep the spotlight on Kim and ODB, two chicks that didn't need the extra attention? Why is Kong working for the Beautiful People? She should be killing any and all women of the company, regardless of their alignment. What about this match makes sense? Why? The magic coin toss will determine the winner of this masterful clusterfuck of a hack job.
Winner: Taylor Wilde, Gail Kim and ODB
Andy Clark: I know people are still going gaga over the Knockouts Division but I am definitely over it by now. Didn't we just see this match last week? I guess they need to still get Wilde over, so no reason for her to lose here.
Winners: Taylor Wilde, Gail Kim, and ODB
Shawn S. Lealos: I absolutely love the Knockouts Division right now. D'Amore left and it is still running wild. The fact that it main evented a couple of weeks ago says all that need to be said about it. I believe Tracy Brooks is going to be named as a type of commissioner as well for the division. Anyway, Taylor Wilde got a couple of pinfall wins over Kong and I think it's time Kong got her win back in a match without the title on the line.
WINNER: The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong
Owain J. Brimfield: Kong could do with the win to re-establish her credentials, and the faces always seem to be more successful than they ought to be in the Knockouts division.
WINNER: Kong and co.
Michael Weyer: As usual, the ladies will get a chance to shine as the setup for this has been good with the multiple feuds coming together. I see Kong getting the pin over Wilde to set up a title rematch but Roxxi should make herself a factor as well to make it a good battle.
WINNER: Beautiful People and Kong
Neil Borenstein: I'll admit that I'd rather see Taylor Wilde actually defend the Knockouts Title at Hard Justice, but I can deal with a six-woman tag match considering TNA wants to showcase more than just two of its assets in the Women's Division. This match should help continue to get Wilde over, all while reinforcing that Awesome Kong is still a force to be reckoned with. In addition, the vendetta between The Beautiful People and Gail Kim and ODB proceeds forward.
Winners: The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Very simple here: I'm taking the heels because they have Awesome Kong. Should be a fun match.
Winners: The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong
Matt Short: The Knockout Division almost always delivers and I don't think this will be an exception. Some people are already getting tired of the mega push Taylor Wilde has been getting, but it hasn't bothered me too much. Point is, I like the Knockouts and I like trios matches, so I'm interested in seeing what they do here on PPV.
Winners: Taylor Wilde, Gail Kim, & ODB
Gavin Napier: With the exception of Velvet Sky, this should be a really good match. While my personal preference would be to see ODB get a meaningful pinfall over Kong to set up an actual SECONDARY feud in the Knockouts division, I don't see it happening. I mean, how awesome would a ODB vs. Kong feud coupled with a Taylor Wilde vs. Beautiful People feud make the Knockouts division? Turn Roxxi and Jacqueline into a full blown feud and bring in somebody else for Gail to feud with and you could run an entire episode of IMPACT with just the ladies. But, I digress. Traditional booking sense says that Kong pins Wilde after some sort of shenanigans to make it look like Wilde's streak of luck is about to run out. Money's in the chase, people.
WINNER: The Beautiful People and Awesome Kong
Jeremy Thomas: I know we've seen different versions of this match all over the place for a while now, but I really can't complain. I'm becoming quite the Taylor fan, Love and Sky are great, Kim is the rock of the division, ODB's not bad, and who doesn't love watching Kong kill people? It's also an improvement, in my opinion, over the beginnings of when the Knockouts got hot, because we have more then one or two of the gals getting actual screen time. Anyway, this one should be enjoyable, and the People will probably keep Kim and ODB occupied enough for Wilde to eat the pin from Kong. I'd rather see someone else in the title feud so we don't just see the title bounced between Kong and whatever face gets to take it off her, but what can you do?
WINNER: The Beautiful People and Kong (Kong pins Wilde)
Dan Torkel: The faces have won on ppv before so it makes sense to give the heels a win here. The heel who wins should be given a #1 contender spot against Taylor. Since Velvet can't wrestle, lets say Kong and ODB go crazy and Angelina Love pins Taylor in the ruckus.
WINNER: The Beautiful People & Awesome Kong
Chris Lansdell: Why does the Knockouts division have so much talent, yet still feel like they're painting by numbers? We've seen some combination of the faces and Kong feuding for the title since day 1. I had hopes for a prolonged Jackie-Roxxi feud, with the winner going on to a title shot, but it seems Kong may be getting one more chance. As such, she gets the win here.
Winners: The Beauties and The Beast
Black Tie Brawl and Chain Match: Sonjay Dutt vs. "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal
Dan Wilcox: Isn't it sad when the only real swerve here would be if there was no swerve at all. Will Val turn on Lethal? I think so, and that means Dutt picks up the win and the feud must, unfortunately, continue. Considering they built to the eventual turn and the beginning of the feud for months, how pathetic has this feud been? Hopefully these guys can make something interesting out of an awful gimmick though.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Jarrod Westerfeld: Okay, so this pay-per-view is like One Night Stand, right? Where every match has a gimmick of some sort, barring one? That's what they're advertising, right? No? Oh, right, this is TNA they don't need reason to have an entire line-up filled to the brim with stipulation matches. Amazing, a Black Tie Brawl and Chain match – what the hell is that, anyway?
So we have Dutt and Lethal still going at one another, and I just have to wonder if the fans are still as into this feud as they were when TNA was teasing the start of the feud back around March and April. Then you add in the potential swerve of Val turning on Lethal, or is it Lethal turning on Val? Whatever, it seems like this will continue to escalate, potentially leading to an even bigger stipulation match, and the only way for that happen would be Dutt wins – but this is TNA and they do have a continuing war with common sense.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Andy Clark: Can this feud be over now? I say Dutt wins and tries to beat down Lethal but gets chased off by the Happy Fun Squad.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Shawn S. Lealos: I was really excited for this feud as it was building. Now it is boring. I don't understand because Lethal can bring it (look at his ROH stuff), so maybe its Dutt who is holding it down. Dutt is a great bad guy personality wise but there is something missing in this feud. I think Val turns on Lethal here. That won't help the feud and will only prolong it.
WINNER: Sonjay Dutt
Owain J. Brimfield: I really hope this isn't going to suck, but it's essentially a bra & panties match with men. I feel quite sorry for Dutt and Lethal, but I'm hoping Machismo gets the win to kill this lame duck of a feud.
WINNER: Jay Lethal
Michael Weyer: Not sure what that stip means. Then again, that's usual for TNA these days. Surprised they've been teasing this whole thing so long but I do think this is finally the one where Val swerves and helps Dutt win. Maybe then, hopefully, Lethal can drop this whole Macho Man gimmick and go back to himself as a more intent figure for revenge. Hopefully, they can both make the crazy gimmick work.
WINNER: Sonjay Dutt
Neil Borenstein: This feud is getting rather tiring at this point and a ridiculous stipulation match between these two probably means we won't even get a good match. Dutt and Lethal are two great wrestlers and should be allotted some time to just go. They don't need a silly gimmick match. And they sure as all hell don't need So Cal Val to fight over.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Robert S. Leighty Jr: I hope this is the blow-off, and in that case the face should go over strong. Could be a great match without the gimmick, but we will see what they can do with it. A chain match just seems weird to me with these two.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Matt Short: So does the match just have a cute name or are they actually going to be chained together? Because that would be badass. I've felt like this feud has never been able to quite reach the levels that it could, which I mostly blame on weak segments leading into the matches. In short, it could be a lot better. With enough time the in-ring stuff can make up for the weak build. Most people expect SoCal Val to turn on Lethal here. I'm inclined to agree, since the booking has been pretty transparent. It does leave room for a heartfelt reconciliation sometime down the line though. To really complete the Macho Man image as it were.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Gavin Napier: Chain matches are historically bad, with the exception of Valentine vs. Piper and the Road Warriors vs. The Russians. I don't think the flippy flippy stylings of Dutt and Lethal are going to do anything to change my opinion of things. These two had the potential to put on a tremendous series of matches that, like the angle with Val, is simply about two guys wanting to one-up each other and prove themselves the better man. A chain match isn't the way to do that, but hopefully they can dial up the intensity and make something out of it. As an aside, wouldn't this angle be PERFECT for Sonjay to shift modes from The Guru to the much more awesome "Original Playa from the Himalayas"? If Lethal wins, the feud is effectively over. If Sonjay wins, they need one last blowoff match..but where do you go from a chain match? I'm betting it'll be Val on a Pole. Make your own jokes here.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Jeremy Thomas: Excuse me, but what the fuck is a Black Tie Brawn and Chain Match? Are they going to be wearing tuxedos and Keystone Cop-style ball and chain outfits? Will there be a chain on a pole? Will they be chained to each other with nothing on but ball gags and black ties? You're welcome for that visual image, by the way...but hey, it's Russo, so really, who would be surprised? Anyway, I think the true tragedy of this feud is that it could have been great, but the booking of it has been beyond stupid, and it's done no one any favours whatsoever. We'll have a typical good match, Val will turn on Lethal in a SHOCKING SWERVE!!!!!!!!!!1111!!11one!, and Lethal will lose the match. This one isn't really rocket science.
WINNER: Sonjay Dutt (Pin via Val-erference)
Dan Torkel: Dutt won at the last show but this has the Russo slow build approach. Heel turns on face --> heel cheats to win first match using confused manager --> confused manager turns heel thus screwing face --> face wins ridiculous gimmick match. This is the second part so Dutt wins and Val turns heel.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
Chris Lansdell: Dear Russo: YOUR GIMMICK SUCKS! A Tuxedo match where pinfalls count? Sheesh. I have a terrible feeling that Val will get all lascivious (LOOK IT UP HAM 'N' EGGERS!) and strip Sonjay to get an eyeful of his manly manliness, thus turning AND costing Sonjay the match. See, it's Russo booking, and he's like that. However, I'm going to hope that's worst-case scenario and presume this gets dragged out another month.
WINNER: Jay Lethal
New Jersey Street Fight: Team 3D vs. Christian Cage and Rhino
Dan Wilcox: This is Team 3D's environment, and both Rhino and Cage excel in this kind of match as they've proved when they've been against each other, so this bout should be all kinds of fun. I can see Beer Money picking up the tag straps later in the evening, so logically, Cage and Rhino should go over so they can step up as the next challengers. Unfortunately (I'm using that word a lot in this round table), TNA usually defies logic. But considering Cage and Rhino still are yet to get revenge for the whole glass table/trying to break Rhino's neck deal, I have to think TNA will be smart and put Cage and Rhino over.
Winner: Christian Cage and Rhino
Jarrod Westerfeld: Okay, I only know as much as what I read off of Wilcox's sheet, and if there was indeed a glass table incident, along with Team 3D targeting Rhino's neck to end his career, I'd have to wonder if it was really a brilliant segment, or was it the typical TNA segment that was bogged down by other circumstances – such as focus pulled away from these four men to continue the on-going, "who's side is Sting on" non-sense that most fans seem to be turning on. If anything, with all of the talk about MCMG and LAX being split up, one can only assume that a title change is in the works, and that Cage and Rhino will be the next contenders to the strap, so once again, I'm copying off of Wilcox for now.
Winner: Christian Cage and Rhino
Andy Clark: This should actually be pretty good. Its a shame they've wasted the glass table spot on free TV because it won't mean much when they do it on the PPV. I expect Team 3D to win and Abyss to make the save. I'm thinking Rhino is probably due to turn heel soon so maybe that happens here.
Winners: Team 3D
Shawn S. Lealos: This should be a really fun match. Cage will do almost anything with his body and the other three guys are ECW originals, so this is gonna be wild. Team 3D has been running roughshod over everyone, so I think it's time for some revenge here. When is the last time Christian won anything meaningful?
WINNER: Christian Cage and Rhino
Owain J. Brimfield: This will hopefully be a good old-fashioned brawl to blow off this feud. 3D don't need to be picking up big wins at this point, so the fresher duo should take the win.
WINNER: Christian Cage and Rhino
Michael Weyer: Trying to remember the last time Team 3D was in a non-gimmick PPV match. Hell, I'm trying to remember when Cage was in a match that put him at the main event level again. Well, after the glass table thing, Cage and Rhino want revenge so even TNA can't ignore the logic of them going over, seeing as they make a fairly good team.
WINNERS: Cage and Rhino
Neil Borenstein: I really like this match, but question TNA's decision to offer so much between these two teams on recent weeks of iMPACT!. I mean, we just saw the glass table used – does it mean as much if used again on Sunday? I still anticipate a great brawl between four very capable wrestlers. I just think a lot has been given to us already that it's going to take a lot to make this match exceptionally significant.
Winners: Christian Cage and Rhino
Robert S. Leighty Jr: This will be a crazy ass brawl that some will love and some will hate. The old school ECW presence is enough to make sure this brawl is done well, and Cage can handle his own in this kind of match. Perhaps we get fire tables since the glass table was done for free in Impact. As for the winner, we'll go with Cage and Rhino. Just because.
Winners: Christian Cage and Rhino
Matt Short: This should be a nice, fun brawl. Lots of plunder and lots destruction. This serves a pretty simple purpose, which is to get the crowd riled up and give them a little blood and broken tables. I kind of see this being an unofficial number one contender's match, with a good, physical feud behind it. Since I see the heels winning the belts later on, it makes sense for Cage & Rhino to win to be the first challengers for new, heel champs. This is going to be your typical TNA-style hardcore brawl though. Not that it's a bad thing, especially with the guys in there.
Winners: Christian Cage & Rhino
Gavin Napier: Team 3D has done outstanding this year on job duty. Their contract is nearing an end and there haven't been any negotiations to bring them back. I'm not sure that's relevant, but it seems like it should be. Cage, Rhino, and their assorted babyface friends have taken a beating from Team 3D and Co. over the last month, and it makes sense for the good guys to get a little revenge here. The only thing keeping me from making a whole hearted and unashamed pick of Cage and Rhino is that Rhino is TNA's official High Priced Jobber. Seriously, when was the last time he won anything, much less something important? Cage is consistently TNA's most entertaining roster member, though, and I think he's the reason Cage and Rhino go over. Not sure what comes next for 3D, because I'm anticipating the soon-to-be-heel MCMG's to be feuding with LAX in the near future.
Winner: Christian Cage and Rhino
Jeremy Thomas: Normally, this would be a no-brainer; Team 3D still hasn't come to a deal with TNA, so Cage and Rhino should go over to ensure you're putting your talent that's sure to stay with you winning. Either way, this is going to be an awesome match, as 3D will be motivated to prove they're worth the extra bucks, and Cage & Rhino are always awesome. I'm going to go crazy and say that TNA actually follows logic, and Cage and Rhino get revenge and the win.
WINNER: Christian Cage and Rhino (Rhino pins Bubba Ray)
Dan Torkel: How does a New Jersey street fight differ from a ghetto brawl and from a Little Italy street fight? I think it's time the faces get some revenge here, using some of Cage's ladder experience.
Winners: Christian Cage & Rhino
Chris Lansdell: With the involvement of glass tables, the threats from 3D to end careers, and their attempted targeting of Rhyno's neck, this should be violent. However, I can't see 3D winning after weeks of owning the faces.
Winners: The Charisma Machine
Last Man Standing: AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
Dan Wilcox: What's this, a third gimmick match? This one is kind of needed, I guess, but I still don't like the choice of gimmick. A Last Man Standing match is better suited for brawlers and these two are not brawlers. Still, I can't see it being anything but a good match. Look for AJ to overcome Frank Trigg interference and pick up the win. Angle will move back into the title picture or a No Surrender feud with Sting, and AJ will carry Trigg through his first couple of matches in the coming months. Alternatively, maybe we'll get a swerve and Trigg will turn on Angle and reveal that he and AJ have been double-teaming Karen all along. Yeah, I prefer the first option too.
Winner: AJ Styles
Jarrod Westerfeld: Okay, are they actually going to build these two up for Bound for Glory, or is TNA just that much more interested in rushing this thing out to possibly end up with AJ Styles taking on Frank Trigg? I want to pay to see Styles and Angle, especially with a great blow off to this feud at one of the bigger pay-per-views. This is a good stipulation to have where Styles can get back the win from Victory Road without actually having to pin or submit Angle in the middle of the ring, so that should carry this through to No Surrender, and possibly over to Bound for Glory if we're lucky. Hopefully, though, the next bout between these two won't involve any stipulations, as a straight up singles match can portray the same kind of emotion that a stipulation match can, as well.
Winner: AJ Styles
Andy Clark: This is another match that should be good. The real story here is between AJ and Frank Trigg, so a beatdown on AJ leading to a potential match between the two at Bound for Glory is probably in order.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Shawn S. Lealos: Angle has been winning every match against A.J. thanks to Frank Trigg. I think this is where A.J. gets his win back. Trigg will probably try to interfere and Karen Angle will stop him, allowing A.J. to pick up the win. Trigg will go after Karen, A.J. will go after Trigg and we will get the MMA fighters first TNA in ring feud. I love A.J. versus Angle, but it's time to give it a little break.
WINNER: A.J. Styles
Owain J. Brimfield: Kudos to Angle for gutting out that sick ladder bump on Impact, but he's surely got to lose here and take some time to heal while AJ moves on to Trigg, and subsequently back into title contention.
WINNER: AJ Styles
Michael Weyer: Nice to see TNA giving this feud the attention it deserves at last and this is a gimmick that does suit them. True, Angle's been quieter than usual due to injuries and such but he should still pull it together to make this the highlight of the night. Because of said injuries, wouldn't be surprised to see AJ be put over by "brutalizing" Angle to give him time off and rise up a bit.
WINNER: The Phenomenal One
Neil Borenstein: This is one of the best feuds going on in TNA right now. Both guys want to go at each other so bad and this match is the perfect playground for them to take each other to the limit. It's about time AJ Styles grabbed a victory in this thing, so I fully expect him to score the win. But both wrestlers should look really good and give the fans some nice action, with some failed interference on the part of Frank Trigg, before The Phenomenal One gets his hand raised.
Winner: AJ Styles
Robert S. Leighty Jr: This should be pretty damn sweet. I have high expectations, and expect a very violent match. This feud has gotten better the more Karen has faded into the background, and here's hoping they can produce the MOTYC I've been waiting for.
Winner: AJ Styles
Matt Short: I think this could be the show stealer. Hurt or not, Kurt Angle always puts on good performances when he's called on. Whether that's a good thing has been will probably continue to be debated in great length. This is going to be where AJ finally gets his revenge on Angle. It's going to get wild and I hope we don't get another report afterwards about Kurt being hurt again. I just want to see a clean win with no drama afterwards.
Winner: AJ Styles
Gavin Napier: Well, if I were booking, Kurt Angle would get the win here. Not because he needs the win or because AJ can afford the win. It would just make more booking sense. Let AJ essentially dominate the match. A few Styles Clashes, some Superman forearms, even a Spiral Tap. Kurt Angle is a physical mess right now, and he needs to take a break, even if it's just for a month. So let AJ dominate but come just short of Kurt staying down for the 10 count. Then there's Trigg-ference, and Angle locks on an ankle lock. AJ fights, struggles, and almost escapes, but finally has to tap. Because of the damage to his leg, he can't beat the 10 count. Angle wins, and Trigg is to blame. AJ has a couple of matches with Trigg, gets his revenge, then has THE match with Angle and goes over there. But here? Angle's the right choice.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Jeremy Thomas: Okay, so Angle's been injured what, twice since the last Pay-Per-View if you count that nasty hardway shot on Impact? And so they've put him in a Last Man Standing Match. Unbelievable. I'm going to keep harping on this every Round table until the man takes a God damned break. I don't care how good the feud has been--and it has been--if Angle keeps putting his career in jeopardy month after month, it may be his last feud. How many painkillers ya takin' this time, Kurt? *Sighs*
Anyway, it'll be a fun match for most...that is, if you can avoid wincing with every bump Angle takes expecting him to be injured again. I can't, so I'm gonna hate it. Either way, if they don't put AJ over here, they're nuts. He needs this win back to blow off the feud.
WINNER: AJ Styles (Styles Clash after something nuts)
Dan Torkel: This has been the best feud in TNA over the past few months when Karen isn't involved. This should be a totally wild brawl and hopefully doesn't involve any interference. They are tied on ppv, and I can see the Bret/Austin ending where AJ passes out in the Ankle Lock, but I think Angle needs some time off and AJ is being groomed for another monster push towards the title. I think AJ wins in bloody awesome fashion.
Winner: AJ Styles
Chris Lansdell: Write down the time and date people, because I think this is a tremendous booking decision. AJ can get the win here without having to pin Angle or make him submit, meaning that we can have a blow-off that is a more pure wrestling match at the next PPV. I'm pulling for Iron Man, but that's unlikely.
Dan Wilcox: Fun fact: this is the only straight-up one on one match on the card. OK, not so much fun as pitiful? Anyway, I imagine these two will get some good time and open the show in a fun way. Petey's reign was really derailed by his injury and nothing has come of Little Petey Pump. Apparently, Creed is in line for a push, but for whatever reason, I'm thinking they stretch this one out a bit further.
Winner: Petey Williams
Jarrod Westerfeld: Consequences Creed should be a bigger star here, but he's not. Evan Bourne has had a bigger impact upon the fans than Creed, and it's all because TNA forgot they even had Creed on their roster for almost 2 months, only to end up feeding him to Booker T for some reason in a Stretcher match. The way this company works, I can totally expect a title change here, if only for the fact to use the title as a prop to give reason behind Creed.
Winner: Consequences Creed
Andy Clark: Here we have a match that could be good just based off of good old fashioned wrestling. Petey and Kaz had a great match at Slammiversary and I'm hoping to get a similar match here. Creed has been in some high profile Impact matches lately so I definitely can see him winning the belt here.
Winner and NEW X-Division Champion: Consequences Creed
Shawn S. Lealos: They let Creed pin a Shelley, and they let Shelley act all heelish about it. I see Creed beating Petey for the belt, allowing Petey to get some time off to heal. Then a Creed / Shelley feud for the X-Division title for one month with Creed holding on until Petey returns with his daddy, Big Poppa Pump, a couple of months down the road.
WINNER: Consequences Creed
Owain J. Brimfield: The only pure singles match on the card, and oddly enough probably the matchup that has the most potential. Creed and Williams seem to have some good chemistry, and provided Creed expands his currently (and understandably) limited moveset this should be a highly entertaining encounter. Hopefully, Creed wins and moves on to a MCMG-flavoured feud, which would rule.
WINNER: Petey Williams
Michael Weyer: I had honestly forgotten Petey was X Division champion, that's how poorly the division has been highlighted on TV lately. I do know Petey's coming off his injury and may not be his best but nice to see a straight-up match on the card. I'd like to say Creed just to shake things up but believe they'll want Petey to get back on track as a champ first before he drops the strap.
WINNER and still X Division Champion: Petey Williams
Neil Borenstein: I like Consequences Creed and think he has a ton of potential to be an impact player in TNA for some time. But I wouldn't strap a belt around his waist right now. Petey Williams is a comfortable champion and I think Creed can start up a feud against Alex Shelley without the X-Division title being handed to him this early in his young career.
Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Petey Williams
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Well, the WWE hot-shotted the IC Title on their unique, new Super Star, Kofi, so why can't TNA do the same with Creed. This will be a solid contest and could get real good if they are given time.
Winner and New X-Division Champion: Consequences Creed
Matt Short: I feel kind of bad for Petey. He had a nice push going when he was backing up Scott Steiner. But with Steiner out, he's been kind of directionless and just kind of hanging around with the belt. Then you've got Consequences Creed who turned heads when he filled in for Pacman Jones. People expected him to make more of an impact in TNA, but so far he's done next to nothing. I have a somewhat hard time seeing him as even an underdog challenger, but I think he's got a better shot of winning the title while Petey is kind of directionless. It could go either way, but I'll go with the Creed upset.
Winner: Consequences Creed
Gavin Napier: Let's make this one a math problem. Little Petey Pump - Scott Steiner = A Consequences Creed X Division Title win.
Winner: Consequences Creed
Jeremy Thomas: Hopefully, this is the rebuilding project after Creed was buried in that Stretcher Match on Impact a few weeks ago. Petey's had the title a good long while, and there's rumours Consequences is in line for a good push. The match itself should be X-Division-y goodness, and Petey and Creed should deliver nicely before Creed picks up the win.
WINNER: Consequences Creed (NEW TNA X-Division Champion)
Dan Torkel: This is a holding feud until they complete their angle with Kaz being a loser, and I cannot imagine them putting the X Title on Creed right now. Petey Canadian Destroys him.
Winner and still champion: Petey Williams
Chris Lansdell: This is a real shame. Petey's title run has had some great matches in it, and he's over, but it was marred by his injury which prevented a lot of defences and made his reign artificially long. That length combined with the push that Creed has been getting make a title change all but a certainty, which is not fair to Petey. I'm hoping that they hold off just one more month.
Dan Wilcox: I'm not as big on Beer Money as others around here but I think it's time for a title change. Hopefully they don't split LAX up after this though. This should also be a much better much than they had last week because they won't be held back by the stupid stipulations.
Winner: And NEW Tag Team Champions, Beer Money
Jarrod Westerfeld: Like I said earlier, so much talk about MCMG and LAX being split up, I can't see how LAX retains here. I just can't see it.
Winner: Beer Money Inc.
Andy Clark: One would hope without the limiting stipulation from last month these two teams should rock the house. Beer Money lost last time and they are one of the hottest acts in all of wrestling, TNA would be insane not to let them have a run with the belts.
Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: Beer Money
Shawn S. Lealos: Homicide was put through the glass table, and that sets up the Beer Money title win. I didn't like Beer Money when they first started teaming and I hated their name. Now, I love everything about them. They are both best known for tag team wrestling (America's Most Wanted and Team Canada) and are perfect together. There are also no top heal teams outside Beer Money and Team 3D for LAX to feud with. I see Beer Money winning here, and continuing the feud for another month before winning again. I already mentioned Shelley will probably be getting some singles action for the X-Division title next month. After Beer Money wins their rematch, we can finally get a chance to see the Motor City Machine Guns chase the Tag Titles.
WINNER: Beer Money
Owain J. Brimfield: Beer Money is greatness and should be kings of the world.
WINNER: Beer Money
Michael Weyer: While I still think it's a bad name, Beer Money has clicked as a team and gotten a lot of push so I think a title change is in the works. The rumours of LAX being split (which is a stupid idea) seem to confirm that and set up a Beer Money/MCMG title feud which can be fun.
WINNERS and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer Money
Neil Borenstein: I might be in the minority on this, but I'm not even remotely a fan of Beer Money. I always believed Bobby Roode was entirely overrated and James Storm is mediocre at best. But, they are on such a roll right now and most fans seem to like them that I can see TNA giving them the tag titles. It sucks that LAX, the true No. 1 tag team in TNA, would have to drop the belts to a team based on hype I can't for the life of me understand. But I can definitely see Beer Money taking the gold at Hard Justice.
Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer Money
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Beer Money eventually get their hands on the straps, but I don't think it happens yet. LAX gets the win here, and Beer Money does something heelish to lead to a rematch either on Impact (Boo) or a future PPV (Yeah). The match should be fine.
Winners and Still TNA Tag Team Champions: LAX
Matt Short: Catchy name, good catch phrases, and charisma to spare. Beer Money has been a real surprise hit as a team. I didn't expect Storm and Roode to become a regular duo, let alone a team with a name. I think they'll get the titles here and move on to feud with face teams, of which there are plenty in TNA. I like that it's a straight up tag match too. Without the handcuffs they had in the Fan's Revenge match, I expect some good action.
Winners: Beer Money
Gavin Napier: In a year, Roode and Storm (if they're not feuding) will be the new AMW. They're gelling quickly as a tag team, right down to the little things like Storm yelling "BEER" followed by Roode yelling "MONEY". Their time is definitely coming, probably as the tag team portion of a heel stable in TNA. And that's fine. They'll have their time and they'll have their title reign. But not yet. LAX is still over, and the potential for a LAX vs. freshly turned MCMG's is too much for even TNA's awful booking team to pass up. This should be the sleeper match of the night and I can't possibly see myself being disappointed with the match quality. LAX gets at least one more month with the belts.
Winner: Latin American eXchange
Jeremy Thomas: Math on this one isn't hard. LAX has break-up rumours flying about, and Beer Money is fun. Storm and Roode could use something to really establish themselves, and I think they pull off the win here to get the belts.
WINNER: Beer Money (Storm pins Homicide; NEW TNA Tag Team Champions)
Dan Torkel: Wait... this is NOT a gimmick match? No random type of "brawl" or "street fight"? What a concept, having two great teams wrestle. WOW! Beer Money jobbed twice in one show a few weeks back and LAX won the last match but Beer Money has two great tag team specialists and a win and reign here can do a lot for them until TNA decides they want to push either or as singles guys. Plus LAX are over without the belts and I'd love t see them pull the trigger on a Homicide push.
Winners and New Champions: BEER MONEY
Chris Lansdell: While I do enjoy Beer Money, I am not the huge fanboy that most of the staff seem to be. Still, Homicide going through the table, the split rumours and the crazy heel heat that Beer Money have will lead to a change here.
Dan Wilcox: Sting vs. Joe is obviously the money match for Bound For Glory, whether Sting is a heel or not, and Joe also has a match with Kevin Nash on the horizon which will take us through No Surrender. That means Joe wins here to kill this feud dead, and it hasn't come too soon if you ask me.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Jarrod Westerfeld: I foresee tragedy mounting as we'll probably get the one match that Vince Russo has wanted to see for nearly a decade: Booker T and Sting clash. The backstory is there based on this past year, as you can recall the two butting heads leading into Sacrifice, so they have a reason to play on these two for the main event at Bound for Glory. So in order to get there, we need Samoa Joe to finally lose to the guy that we've been sold he can't beat. The good news? Well, at least we won't have to suffer any more with this tragic farce of a title run for Joe.
Winner: Booker T
Andy Clark: I'm actually really digging this feud, even with the convoluted inclusion of Sting. I don't really see Joe dropping the title any time soon, but I look forward to some fun overbooking to make me double guess myself.
Winner and STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Samoa Joe
Shawn S. Lealos: I think the feud has been built great. This should be the blow off between Booker T and Samoa Joe. I think Joe will end up killing Booker and Sting will finally come down to face him. I do not believe Sting is going to turn bad, like reports suggest. Sting is supposed to be Joe's next challenger and that should be good. I do want to take the time to mention something. No one seems to understand why Sting and Joe are having these problems. Has no one been watching TNA? Joe and Sting teamed up a couple of years ago and after the match, Joe walked out on Sting, allowing Sting to get his butt demolished. The two have never been on good terms. This angle fits with the two men's history. With that said, Joe wins and moves on to the Icon.
WINNER: Samoa Joe
Owain J. Brimfield: I think these two would have been better served with a regular cage match than one filled with weapons, but if Joe can recapture the magic from the Lockdown main event, this should be good. As much as I love The T's heel character, he doesn't do it for me in the ring, so Joe wins to brush past him and head on to the Stinger.
WINNER: Samoa Joe
Michael Weyer: After the clusterfrack their last PPV main event was, these two have their work cut out for them making this good. Of course, TNA has taken a perfectly good setup and made it more convoluted with the "whose side is Sting on?" thing. Expect that to dominate talk while the two go at it in a wild brawl. I see Sting interfering to cost Booker the match and set up their fight while Joe retains for someone big at BFG.
WINNER and STILL TNA World Champion: Samoa Joe
Neil Borenstein: This match is entirely dictated by Sting and who TNA wants him to face at Bound For Glory with the TNA World Heavyweight Title on the line. I'm sure we'll see some great action once the bell rings between the match taking place in a cage and a whole bunch of weapons being at the competitors' disposal. But what will matter storyline-wise will come in the closing moments when Sting gets involved. I think Joe vs. Sting would make a great match for Bound For Glory and side with Joe retaining thanks to Sting interfering on his part. However, I'd be far from shocked if Booker T. took this one considering Vince Russo's influence.
Winner and STILL TNA World Champion: Samoa Joe
Robert S. Leighty Jr: Sting vs Samoa Joe seems to be where they are building for Oct. Booker having the title after the show doesn't help. Sure he could drop it later, but might as well start the build now for Joe/Sting. Here is another case where I think the stipulation will take away from the match. A standard cage would be OK, but I think the weapons will take away. There are so many other matches that will feature weapon shots, it will take away from the violence in this match.
Winner and Still TNA World Champion: Samoa Joe
Matt Short: All I can say is, unless Joe wins this convincingly his title reign will be a straight up joke. The booking has not made him look very strong where he should be a more dominant champion. Booker has played his part well, as the cocky veteran who knows that he's in his opponent's head. I'd love for there to be no Sting interference, but the lead to this match almost makes it too obvious that he may play a part. A dominant win for Joe would be best though. If this lives up to the cage match he had against Angle, they can start running a gimmick where he's a master of the Six Sides of Steel, which would be pretty cool. I'm hoping for a Joe retention.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Gavin Napier: I can't wait to see Sting vs. Joe. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to. Joe wins here, with the HELP of Sting this time. Yeah, I know. Doesn't make much sense. Anyway, that sets up Sting vs. Booker, giving each a high profile feud but keeping them out of the title picture. Nash will keep saying Joe couldn't beat Sting by himself and set up the highly anticipated Nash vs. Joe ppv main event. That was sarcasm, by the way. Sometimes it doesn't come through on the internet so well.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Jeremy Thomas: I really love the feud, even if the Sting insertion's just been dumbfuck stupid. Joe and Booker don't quite have the chemistry that Joe's had with some people, but that doesn't mean they're bad in the ring by any stretch, and I see a great brawling match that, unfortunately, will get run in on by one or two of half a dozen people. Joe will retain, and move on to Sting at BFG.
WINNER: Samoa Joe (STILL TNA World Champion)
Dan Torkel: In Houston they threw Booker a face run for a night and then the Nash and Sting stuff has been overshadowing the feud. With both Nash and Sting there, either Sting turns heel and Booker wins the Title, or Joe wins and we get the inevitable 3-way or Fatal 4-way. Since one way keeps Joe as champion, I'll go with that. Since there is two months to Bound to Glory and a first ever Joe vs. Sting match seems the biggest draw It seems likely Joe keeps the belt till then.
Winner and still TNA World Champion: Samoa Joe
Chris Lansdell: Sure, Sting's insertion has been annoying. Bear with me though. Sting and Nash were buddies (kayfabe) in WCW in the Wolfpack era. Nash asked Sting to tone down some of Joe's cockiness and make him livid by playing games with him, because that's the only way he could have beaten Booker. This will lead to Sting helping Joe tonight, giving Russo his Sting-Booker feud without the belt involved. I hope.
Winner: Samoa Joe
The Standings~!
Gavin Napier: 5 of 5 (1 show) 100%
Matt Short: 4 of 5 (1 show) 80%
Owain Brimfield: 4 of 5 (1 show) 80%
Shawn Lealos: 4 of 5 (1 show) 80%
Wendell Mitchell: 5 of 7 (1 show) 71.43%
Chris Lansdell: 8 of 12 (2 shows) 66.67%
Jeremy Thomas: 8 of 12 (2 shows) 66.67%
Dan Torkel: 4 of 7 (1 show) 57.14%
Andy Clark: 6 of 12 (2 shows) 50%
Bayani Domingo: 5 of 12 (2 shows) 41.67%
Larry Csonka: 5 of 12 (2 shows) 41.67%
Michael Weyer: 5 of 12 (2 shows) 41.67%
Robert S. Leighty Jr: 2 of 5 (1 show) 40%
Jarrod Westerfeld: 4 of 12 (2 shows) 33.33%
Dan Wilcox: 2 of 7 (1 show) 28.57%
Don't forget to join us Sunday night for LIVE coverage starting at 8pm!
"the most hardcore ppv of the year".....so how do we make it hardcore? let's just make straight up singles matches with all rules included.....OF COURSE there are going to be gimmick matches when it's being billed as hardcore..what do you expect?
The only thing i really don't care about is lethal vs dutt, everything else should be pretty good and as far as technical wrestling goes
aj vs angle SHOULD be the match of the month
Posted By: cj (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Jarrod I have to disagree with your statement about Joe's reign being a farce let's took a like at his and CM Punk's.
Samoa Joe's: At Lockdown he put his career on the line against Kurt Angle in a fantastic match to win the TNA title. He also wins the rematch in a good near twenty minute match two weeks later.
He then goes onto Sacrifice and beats Scott Steiner who challenged him and a highly impressive Kaz who replaced Angle in the main event.
Next, he goes to Slammiversary and becomes the first man to walk into King of The Mountain as champion and leave as Champion. He then beats Kaz in a short yet good match the next week on Impact.
Then he takes on Booker T in his hometown of Houston at Victory Road, the match went to a draw but Joe showed signs of becoming like the monster that people claimed him to be. And then ambushes T out of a ambulance the next week. He even tells Booker to keep the belt but that he'll take it back this sunday. Far from a farce if you ask me.
And here's Punk, After winning MITB he was on the biggest losing streak ever losing to even guys like The Miz, then after NOC he cashes in his briefcase and beats a semi conscious Edge to win the title which the wrestling Internet fans were all oogling over. Next week he beats Snitsky but then again, beating Snitsky is like beating Poland at War, nobody's impressed.
He then faces Batista who had defeated him in three minutes in a dark match after a RAW show. He had problems with Kane who's attacked him, and won by DQ at GAB which lead to him gloating and getting a Batista Bomb for his trouble's.
So far his only victories as champ have come by DQs and countouts and he often gets the hell beat out of him and made to look like a paper champion.
So tell me, who's the farce? Cause in my eyes it ain't Joe.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I love how everyone said I am not a huge fan of Beer Money like everyone else around here. It's kinda like JAG, no one was watching it but it was still in the top five in the nielson's every week. Also epic !!1!!one! joke, I fell out of my chair, epically funny sir.
1. Kong and her bitches
2. Dutt with the double reverse 360 two face swerve. Thats a swerve with a swerve where in fact you fake the swerve with another swerve. It's Russo stupid!
3. I like that Cage and Rhino became the young team in this. I am really sick of these two teams it seems like they have been feuding for two years. Flaming glass tables in the match, book it.
4. AJ wins only because Kurt Angle will actually die during this match. Did you see him lose all of his blood, theres no way he can have any left in his body to survive another match.
5. X Divison title = IC title in 03
6. Yay let's break up LAX and the Guns! Let's try and put together AMW VII! Were wrestilng! Hooray! Super Eric! Were wrestling! Nothing we do has consequences!!!
7. I want Samoa Joe to win, but I don't want him wearing suits on TV anymore, it scared me. Joe is proven he is really only fun and exciting to cheer for when he's chasing the title. He plays the screwed over no. 1 contender to well. TNA has not recapture his dominant ROH title personna at all during this run. Instead of feeding him a long number of risen no 1 contenders each month, he has come off weak against his first feud with Booker. But then again, TNA is a joke that sometimes blindly lucks into something great, but of most of the time is just horribly horribly..horribly awful.
Posted By: Kip (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 01:47 PM
the ladies:kong pins taylor setting up kong vs taylor in canada @ no surrender.kong wins the title nack here and sets up a 3 way betwen kong vs kim vs taylor at bfg.
dutt beats lethel due to so cal turning heel.dutt then wins the x title @ no surrender vs petey and sets up a three way between lethel vs petey vs dutt @ bfg.
cage and rhino win setting up their title match vs beer money @ no surrender which they lose as rhino turns on cage.
aj vs angle: angle wins due to trigg interference.then angle takes a month off by saying aj must beat trigg @ no surrender to get one more match with him @ bound for glory in an iron man match which aj wins.
petey beats creed setting up a lose to dutt @ no surrender then gets a rematch @ bound for glory aganist a returning lethel and new champ dutt.lethetl gets revenge on both by winning the title back.
beer money new champs.defend the titles vs cage/rhino @ no surrender and win.then a three way ultimate x vs lax and mcmg @ bfg.
joe wins with sting coming down to face him after the match for a staredown.then @ impact,sting comes down to face joe but booker attacks joe from behind, nash comes in for the save, but also attacks joe.sting just walks away.joe vs nash @ no surrender.joe wins.then joe vs sting @ bfg.joe wins. aj dethrons the dominant champion joe @ lockdown in a classic.
Posted By: dam (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 09:41 PM
I dunno how the Roundtable is structured or scheduled (I assume it starts after the last Impact airs?), but maybe whoever organizes it (Lansdell?) could include an explanation of the more, um, "innovative" matches for the benefit of the people who are making predictions.
They explained during Impact how the "Black Tie Brawl and Chain Match" works, which doesn't make it any less stupid -- and it is very stupid -- but it looks silly for half the Roundtable participants to have no idea what the match entails.
Posted By: Karlos (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Jarrod I have to disagree with your statement about Joe's reign being a farce let's took a like at his and CM Punk's.
Samoa Joe's: At Lockdown he put his career on the line against Kurt Angle in a fantastic match to win the TNA title. He also wins the rematch in a good near twenty minute match two weeks later.
He then goes onto Sacrifice and beats Scott Steiner who challenged him and a highly impressive Kaz who replaced Angle in the main event.
Next, he goes to Slammiversary and becomes the first man to walk into King of The Mountain as champion and leave as Champion. He then beats Kaz in a short yet good match the next week on Impact.
Then he takes on Booker T in his hometown of Houston at Victory Road, the match went to a draw but Joe showed signs of becoming like the monster that people claimed him to be. And then ambushes T out of a ambulance the next week. He even tells Booker to keep the belt but that he'll take it back this sunday. Far from a farce if you ask me.
And here's Punk, After winning MITB he was on the biggest losing streak ever losing to even guys like The Miz, then after NOC he cashes in his briefcase and beats a semi conscious Edge to win the title which the wrestling Internet fans were all oogling over. Next week he beats Snitsky but then again, beating Snitsky is like beating Poland at War, nobody's impressed.
He then faces Batista who had defeated him in three minutes in a dark match after a RAW show. He had problems with Kane who's attacked him, and won by DQ at GAB which lead to him gloating and getting a Batista Bomb for his trouble's.
So far his only victories as champ have come by DQs and countouts and he often gets the hell beat out of him and made to look like a paper champion.
So tell me, who's the farce? Cause in my eyes it ain't Joe.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Joe's and Punk's title reigns are completely different. When Joe got the title, he was to be portrayed as a dominant champ. He hasn't looked dominant. Punk's is supposed to look like he's a survivor and an underdog. Comparing Joe's and Punk's reigns is an "apples and oranges" situation.
Posted By: Bobby (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Jarrod Westerfeld you goof, if haven't been watching, who cares what your predictions are? And FYI Russo writes segments, he's is NOT A BOOKER. That means your argument for Booker defeating Joe is laughably invalid, which is why you'll notice you're alone in your pick.
Posted By: poffo316 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I would be surprised if Beer Money didn't take the straps. It has to happen as much as like LAX it has to happen. If not the whole glass table thing seems really dumb then. IT would also make beer money look weak. The main problem i have with gimmick matches in TNA is they lead to interference almost every time.
Posted By: Kyle (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 10:41 AM
It has become obvious that Jarrod barely watches TNA, so how can he call Joe's title reign a farce?
I'm sorry, Moral, but I find myself disagreeing more and more with the stuff you say, simply because its obvious you don't pay attention. You elude to TNA not advertising this as a hardcore ppv, when there's an advertisement that kicks off the article stating its "the most hardcore ppv event of the year."
I fully understand your point about Roxxi, but why complain about Kong with the beautiful people. Hasn't it become clear that one dimensional wrecking machines don't always have the longest shelf life. Why not spare Kong from the "Goldberg Effect" and have her mingle with a few of the other talents on the roster.
Joe's title reign a farce?...O so having someone go over the "established names" of the company to further cement himself as the real deal is considered a farce? Having someone involved in an intriguing storyline with the company's "icon" is considered a farce? Having someone come out and be a badass on the microphone without getting cut off by Batista, or Kane, or JBL is considered a farce? So Joe's title reign is a farce and Punk's isn't? ROH giving title shots to everyone on the roster isn't considered a farce?
But hehh, Joe's title reign is a farce, just wanted to throw that out there even though i haven't been watching TNA.
Like i said, its not that i disagree with you on everything. In fact some of what you say makes perfect sense to me. But you're barely into the product to watch it, how can you comment on it. You can generalize fine. TNA isn't your cup of tea, we can understand that. But don't make direct statements about things you don't even pay attention to.
Posted By: Hustle Theory (Registered) on August 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM
"TNA forgot they even had Creed on their roster for almost 2 months,"
---
It's called, "He's in college." Do you even read you own damn site?
I hate uninformed haters.
Posted By: JOsh (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 02:00 PM
"Joe's and Punk's title reigns are completely different. When Joe got the title, he was to be portrayed as a dominant champ. He hasn't looked dominant. Punk's is supposed to look like he's a survivor and an underdog. Comparing Joe's and Punk's reigns is an "apples and oranges" situation. "
But isn't the comment your responding to kinda proving Joe's being booked to be dominant if not strong. He certainly doesn't look weak. In fact the only time he does look weak is when it involves Sting and I can completely understand that as they're trying to build some intrigue for BFG.
For all of you that missed it, he cut an outstanding promo as to why he's letting Booker T carry around his (Joe's) title. He's basically put a target on Booker T's back up until Hard Justice and has been taking opportunities to beat down Booker T. He's being the hunter instead of the hunted and is teaching Booker T a hard lesson. His only problem is Sting.
I can understand them wanting to do the underdog thing with Punk, but he barely gets any promo time and is treated more like an afterthought than an underdog. They give him these cookie cutter lines to work with and he's so much better than that.
Posted By: Hustle Theory (Registered) on August 10, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Ok in the least amount of space Ill explain MY take on Joe and Punk. Everyone knows the "money is in the chase", Joe has been chasing for a LONG time and fans both here and out there have bitched about Joe "just chasing" so he HAD to GET the belt else risk losing relavancy. The way he's playing it now, he's got the belt and the respect of the FANS, but not the respect of the workers. THATS what he's chasing now.
As for Punk, Im seeing it as he's "overwhelmed" with BEING the champ, and not (yet) finding his "voice" in WWE he is regularly overshadowed in recent promos. Im seeing Punk take this a little further then he SNAPS. Becoming the HEEL Punk we know can REALLY bring some new depth to the product.
Then again Im not banging SMG so I dont get to be in Creative. Nor am I Dixie's bitch. Im sure theyll screw it all up like they usually do now.
Posted By: CM Wolf (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 06:37 PM
