411’s PPV Round Table Preview: TNA Against All Odds 2007

Introduction:
Welcome once again to another 411 PPV Round Table Preview! This time it is a chance to preview the TNA Against All Odds PPV. We have two titles on the line (confirmed) as well as a Prison Brawl, Base-brawl, Little Italy Street Fight and a Motor City Chain match! If you like plunder and gimmicks, this will be the PPV for you! Who is facing who and what does the 411-staff think about the show and who will win? Let’s meet them and find out!

The Staff:
From Friendly Competition and other ventures, Stuart Carapola!

He was positive last month, but apparently had a change of heart, he is Ari Berenstein!

From the Fink’s Payload, Mathew Sforcina!

The man behind the truth, Bayani Domingo!

Spotlight operator Michael Weyer!

ECW Reporter Michael Bauer!

From the Independent Mid-Card Samuel Berman!

The Shimmy’s Andy Clark!

High Road is the way to go for SAT!

Screw Job master Daniel Wilcox!

One half of the Hidden Highlights team, JT~!

Meethinks it is MEEHAN!

From the 411 Sports Zone, Neil Borenstein!

Finally, the boss, it’s me, it is Larry Csonka!

TNA Against All Odds 2007~!size=36>

Christy Hemme vs. TBA

Stuart Carapola: Now how the hell am I supposed to make a serious prediction if I have no idea who Christy Hemme’s going to be facing? Is it going to be Kip James? It’s the most likely scenario. Could it be BG James, acting like he doesn’t want to fight Christy, but then just destroying her and having a good laugh with Kip? Are we going to see a rematch of the classic WrestleMania 21 Women’s Title Match with Trish Stratus? Could the mystery opponent be…JOANIE LAURER??? I would love it if it were Chyna, at least until I realized that it would mean that she’s probably stick around for a while as a result.

Winner: To Be Announced

Ari Berenstein: To Be Announced is a very able bodied veteran of the wrestling wars. Always ready to fight when called, always ready to give the right end to the suspense of a match. Then again, Christy Hemme is also very able bodied, but not of the wrestling wars. We really don’t know how her skills can match up with TBA and that devastating finisher, the Not Applicable (N/A). Also, Christy might want to be concerned about To Be Announced’s tag team partner, To Be Decided.

Winner: To Be Announced

Mathew Sforcina: Well now. Christy is the face in this, supposedly, and if Lita is to be the main focus of the division, I suppose she could be heel…well, heeler since this is Russo we are talking about. But I doubt that. It could be Sirelda, turning heel and staying with AJ (although that does not bode well for the 4 TNA-Men stable). Or it could be, in a perfect world, a SHIMMER girl, like Daizee Haze or Cheerleader Melissa (now THAT would be an interesting little match. Battle of the Cheerleader Leg Drops!). But then there’s the default ‘surprise’, namely Traci Brooks. Nothing against Traci, but come on…

Winner: TBA (The Dreaded ‘Subject To Change’-plex)

Bayani Domingo: TBA? TJG? TAFKANAO? Yeah, I’m kind of hoping it’s either Chyna (for shock value), Kip James in a “Hot Buns Contest” (it’s Russo right?), or someone even more shocking…say… another Red Head who might have some history as a “Diva”. Then again, I’ll just assume it’s a midget, cuz’ you know, midgets sell.

Winner: TBA via the TBD

Michael Weyer: It’s gonna be Kip James. I just know it’s gonna be Kip James and the VKM thing takes another stupid step.

WINNER: TBA

Samuel Berman: My sincere hope is that it ends up being Christy vs. Billy Gunn (I mean, umm, whatever name he uses now) and she pins him cleanly to finally destroy what’s left of his credibility. In reality (or what passes for it), we’ll probably get Chyna or someone more along those lines. Christy loses to whoever it is so that this storyline can continue for another month.

Winner: To Be Announced

Michael Bauer: This should be pretty bad, nough said.

Winner: the TBA

Andy Clark: Let it be Kip James and let him put the woman in her place. I am begging any of the Impact Zone faithful out there to start a “Make a Sandwich” chant. Then again if TNA is pissed at Kip for his radio comments I could see him get jobbed the fuck out to a chick. Either way Christy probably wins.

Winner: Christy Hemme

Sat: It is pretty hard to pick a winner, when you don’t know the opponent. So, there are two options. An easy win for Christy or outside interference for Kip. I think that Kip James is definitely going to factor into this match. So, I’ll say that Kip causes a distraction to allow the no name to win.

Winner: Christy Hemme

Daniel Wilcox: I hope TNA has plans to bring in a decent Women’s division as soon as they get that 2 hour timeslot, because otherwise there really is no point in this new angle with VKM and Christy at all. Christy’s opponent could be anyone from Sirelda, Chyna or even Lita. Maybe it’ll be Kip James himself, who then proceeds to smack Hemme around like a bitch. At this point I don’t actually care, and all I know is that TBA will get the win after some sort of distraction from Kip.

Winner: TBA

JT: Come on people. Christy Hemme hasn’t suffered nearly enough yet to start “fighting back” successfully. It will be several more weeks at the very least before she has been degraded and humiliated enough for me to actually believe any small victories she might start to get. Oh, and you silly billies, everyone knows the mystery opponent is Fluff Dupp.

WINNER: TBA

Meehan: It’s going to be Kip James. And it’s going to suck. Next.

Winner: The bathrooms… or Kip James. Both have equal talent, I suppose.

Neil Borenstein: I do like the fact that Christy Hemme is getting some in-ring work now that they have their dumb-blonde doing backstage interviews. This whole thing with Kip James is pretty retarded, but if it does spark some more women’s wrestling in TNA, then it’s for the better. Though I don’t think Hemme should be the company’s poster girl for women’s wrestling in TNA, she is a decent start. And with Gail Kim and Ms. Tennessee there as well, this could be the start of a legitimate women’s division. I fail to see the point in Hemme losing, even if she does go up against Kip. She will win in some fashion regardless of the opponent.

Winner: Christy Hemme

Larry Csonka: I think that this match will be to try and move along the whole women’s division as well as show off the “skills” that Hemme has, since she has been “training.” I use the quotes not as sarcasm, but more in doubt. I have heard she has been training a lot and heard she was improving, but will that show on PPV? In the last days when she was on Smackdown I do remember her improving and having a solid match with Melina, so maybe she has. Also I feel that the VKM will be involved, maybe providing the woman. They’ll probably get the Tranny that was with D’Amore’ school and tagged with AJ and Daniels at that PPV, Sirelda or some shit. She’s like Chyna you see, so they can playoff of the DX stuff with that…oy. Kip in particular will probably cost her the match and keep this going. How sad is it that Daniels and Joe don’t have matches?

Winner: “TBA”

Petey Williams & Gail Kim vs. James Storm & Miss Tennessee

Stuart Carapola: Storm has to stay strong for the eventual meeting with Chris Harris, assuming Harris will come back from that horrible eye injury. I wonder if Eric Young’s going to do a run-in and try to suffocate Storm by putting a rubber over his head? By the way, didn’t Miss Tennessee used to be Miss Texas? Wow, maybe I can change my name to Mr. Mexico after all.

Winner: Storm & Tennessee

Ari Berenstein: You see? There is a place for women in TNA! And that place is filling the charismatic void left by Petey Williams and James Storm. Anyone who doesn’t see Chris Harris’ interference coming a mile away may have a patch on their eye just like Chris Harris.

Winner: Petey Williams and Gail Kim

Mathew Sforcina: Canada vs. Tennessee! 8 Seconds vs. Destroyer! Matrix vs. Deliverance! Tits vs. Ass! Delay vs. Inevitable!

Winners: Team Canuck (Harris run-in)

Bayani Domingo: So is Petey and Gail the “New Team Canada”? How the hell are the Canadians ‘faces’ here? Just a damn shame, even more shocking than Eric Young…buyin’ rubbers…man, I’ve seen it all.

Winner: Jackie Storm

Michael Weyer: About damn time we saw Gail back in the ring and the former Jacqueline is doing pretty good. This should be a better mixed-tag match than most and elevate Storm’s heel push.

WINNER: Storm & Tennessee

Samuel Berman: Last month I questioned the whole Storm vs. Petey feud, but I’ll admit it’s not as bad as I expected. In any other universe, we’d actually have a six person tag with Storm/Roode/Jackie vs. Petey/Young/Gail, but this fits the bill well enough. I’d like to see the faces take this one, but Storm needs the momentum for the eventual AMW EXPLODES feud.

Winners: James Storm & Ms. Tennessee

Michael Bauer: Well, if Jackie and Gail can still go at it, this could a halfway decent match. Petey needs a win in this feud, so I’ve gotta say him.

Winner: Team Canada

Andy Clark: Is it wrong that I don’t care about Petey Williams as a face? Is it wrong that I haven’t cared about Ms. Tennessee since 1999?

Winners: James Storm & Ms. Tennessee

Sat: I see Chris Harris coming back, helping Petey Williams for the win and it sets up the match for the next pay per view with Harris versus Storm.

Winner: Petey Williams and Gail Kim

Daniel Wilcox: Are we still just passing time until Chris Harris returns, or is this now an actual feud? If Harris is on his way back soon I’d expect Storm and Tennessee to go over here, but on the other hand I’m not sure this mini-feud will be over quite yet, so let’s go with My Favorite Women’s Wrestler Ever to get the pin on the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

Winners: The ALL-NEW Team Canada!

JT: In the last match between Storm and Williams, Storm got the nod (albeit not clean) and Gail Kim suffered a Death Sentence at the hands of Ms. Tennessee, so look for the Canadians to repay the favor.

WINNER: Williams / Kim

Meehan: Petey’s been fighting a losing battle for some time now, but is it too soon for Chris Harris to show up to help him even the odds? Tough call here, as MeeThinks they’re still a while away from a Wildcat return — but then again, it *is* Russo holding the book, so we should always be prepared for that infamous “booking on the fly” approach the guy is known for.

Winner: Williams and Gail

Neil Borenstein: A solid looking mixed-tag finds its way to the Against All Odds card, and I like it. It won’t be a match of the night by any means, but this has been a decent feud of sorts and Petey Williams really needs to walk out with a victory at this point to keep it going. I don’t think Chris Harris will come back just yet, but it certainly isn’t out of the question. Either way, the Canadian Destroyer and his Asian counterpart take the win.

Winners: Petey Williams and Gail Kim

Larry Csonka: I actually like this. It plays nicely off of last month, yet is also keeping Chris Harris away from action as they play the “is he going to retire due to the injury by his turncoat tag team partner” story. I think that is important and I think they are booking this feud rather well. I think that Petey and Gail pick up the win here, with Gail pinning Tennessee. They then go for the post match beat down and beer bottle attack and then Chris Harris makes his triumphant return to save Petey and Gail, allowing us to transition into Harris vs. Storm finally.

Winner: Petey Williams & Gail Kim

Lance Hoyt w/David Eckstein vs. Dale Torborg w/AJ Pierzynski

Stuart Carapola: For those who weren’t already aware, Torborg CAN wrestle, and was in WCW for a while as the revered KISS Demon. No, he didn’t throw Hershey’s Kisses to the crowd. That would be stupid. The good news is that since most people watching won’t know this, it’ll look like any jackass can get in the ring and wrestle. I love when that happens. If they’re going to have baseball players on the show, I’m glad it’s just Hoyt and not Joe or Daniels. Hoyt has the size advantage, but gives up stamina because of all the time he’s spent smoking with Ron Killings on the movie set. This angle is probably going to continue until they get to St Louis, so…

Winner: Dale Torborg

Ari Berenstein: Oh JUST WHAT WE NEEDED, THE DEMON is back in the ring! OOOOOH BOY, that’s gonna put asses in the seats right there. Thank god the match is going to take a back seat to the true stars of TNA, the baseball players.

Winner: Dale Torborg w/ AJ Pirogi

Mathew Sforcina: Huh? Oh right, Baseball, that game for people with ADD who can’t handle Cricket. Right.

Winner: Lance Hoyt (Baseball bat to the crotch)

Bayani Domingo: I assume this is going to end up with TNA going over right? Then again, who saw the NASCAR guy going over the X-Division guys? Eh, well since this may be drug out a bit longer, we’ll give the duke to the ‘heels’.

Winner: The “Borg”

Michael Weyer: Oy vey with the poodles. This is gonna be ugly, folks. At least Hoye should be able to get the win as they’re trying to sell the White Sox as heels (sorry but not as easy to buy as the Yankees).

WINNER: Hoyt

Samuel Berman: This whole thing is silly to me, but I’ll go with Hoyt because I like the Cardinals and dislike the White Sox.

Winner: Lance Hoyt and National League fans everywhere

Michael Bauer: Why, oh why, do we need this match? I guess there is nothing better for Hoyt to do.

Winner: Dale Torborg

Andy Clark: If this feud is continuing give the heels the win.

Winner: The Demon

Sat: I really don’t care at all about this match. This match is definitely going to suck, but I’ll go with Hoyt for the win.

Winner: Lance Hoyt

Daniel Wilcox: Really, you think I give a shit? I don’t know or care what Eckstein, Torborg or Pierzynski have done in their respective careers, but I do know that this is wasting time on a wrestling PPV. Which is why I’m going with the actual WRESTLER.

Winner: Lance Hoyt

JT: Lance Hoyt is still employed by TNA? Could have fooled me! At any rate, they’ve given the “other sport” athletes the victory before, so I see no reason they wouldn’t do it again; Hoyt certainly isn’t in need of a victory because it isn’t like he’s in line for some big push. Besides, this is about the exposure anyway. Having baseball people job at PPV’s will get them laughed at. Having baseball people win matches at PPV’s will get them on Sports Center.

WINNER: Torborg

Meehan: One team has *one* baseball player, the other has “two.” Conventional booking, therefore, says that the team with the most “mainstream stars” on it would likely get the deuce (see: Leno, Malone, L.T., Federline, Arquette, etc.). But again, as the ominous voice so frequently reminds us at the top of every show… THIS-IS-T-N-A, which means all bets based on “conventional wisdom” should be thrown right out the window.

Winner: Tough call, but I’ll say Hoyt’s side.

Neil Borenstein: Why don’t they do a triple threat match between AJ Pierzynski, David Eckstein and Johnny Damon? Because the Yankee would kick everyone’s ass and TNA knows it, that’s why. I really don’t care either way since Lance Hoyt simply does nothing for me and the repeated appearances from Pierzynski and Dale Torborg are getting pretty old. I expect Eckstein to be the deciding factor here and he will help Hoyt leave Against All Odds with the win. But this is nothing more than filler to me.

Winner: Lance Hoyt w/ David Eckstein

Larry Csonka: I can’t say that I am excited to see the match, but I understand why they are doing it. I hope they get some more buzz and PPV buys from it, and ticket sales leading into Lockdown. How sad is it that Daniels and Joe don’t have matches?

Winner: Dale Torborg

TNA X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH: Chris Sabin © vs. Jerry Lynn

Stuart Carapola: This and the main event are the only matches on the card I have the slightest interest in for anything other than comedic value. I don’t think the feud’s going to end here, so I figure that Sabin will go over so that they can stretch it out and Sabin can say he got one over on the old man.

Winner: Chris Sabin

Ari Berenstein: Well, an actual wrestling match. How about that folks? Oh wait, its 50-50 if Sabin wears Depends to the ring, so maybe we’ll get the return of the infamous “Cry Baby” match. Just bring the baby powder. OR AN INFLATABLE DOLL.

Winner: Chris Sabin via RUSSO SHENANIGANS

Mathew Sforcina: It’s Russo. Lynn is old. Ergo…

Winner, and STILL X Division Champion: Chris Sabin (Roll up with tights)

Bayani Domingo: I can’t imagine why Lynn would go over here if Sabin is supposed to be the big X-Division heel. Then again, does anything have to make sense in TNA anymore?

Winner: Say-Bin

Michael Weyer: Sabin is getting good as the cocky heel and they’ll want to drag this feud out a little longer so I see him going over via sordid means.

WINNER and still X-Division Champion: Hail Sabin! Hail Sabin!

Samuel Berman: I’m really liking this whole storyline, because I think it’s giving Sabin a much-deserved chance to prove himself as more than a spot artist. The title’s been hotshotted around a lot lately, so I think this is where that stops, though I wouldn’t put it past TNA to book Lynn to win the title so that Sabin could regain it in Ultimate X or something. Long story short: Sabin should win and that’s my pick, but I’m not convinced they won’t go the other way.

Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Chris Sabin

Michael Bauer: Jerry LYnn hasn’t looked half bad. Still, it better not be him.

Winner: Chris Sabin

Andy Clark: And we finally get the one-on-one match. This should be a heck of a match and Jerry Lynn can really still go. I’m not so sure I see Lynn winning the belt here though. Perhaps in an Ultimate X match next month?

Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Chris Sabin

Sat: I could see both guys walking out with the win. I’ll take Chris Sabin winning this match by cheating to set up a rematch at the next pay per view.

Winner: Chris Sabin

Daniel Wilcox: Wow, a match that should produce a half decent wrestling contest on this card, whodda thunk it?! Like others, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see TNA hotshot the title again and put it on Lynn, but Sabin has been progressing nicely as a heel and I feel is only just getting started on what should be a very lengthy title reign.

Winner: Chris Sabin

JT: As I said before, I would have myself a nice little happy dance mark out session if Lynn actually did win the title, but as it was mentioned Sabin is being booked to be a major heel in TNA, and I just don’t see Russo taking the belt off of him at this point.

WINNER: And STILL X-Division Champion, Chris Sabin

Meehan: GROWN MEN WEARING DIAPERS ISNT WRESTLING, IT’S JUST STUPID!!! For what it’s worth, I’ve got no problem with the way this one’s been taking shape as even if it’s relying on some of the lamest and most played-out shticks in the book, at LEAST it’s giving us a Chris Sabin with some shred of a personality, which is a LOT more than I can say has happened for the man since as far back as I’ve been watching TNA. As for who wins? Crapshoot. But if Lynn is sticking around as a full-time performer, he’s gonna’ need to come away with a victory sooner or later. Smart odds, therefore, say “Mr. J.L.”

Winner: Jerry Lynn (title change optional, however)

Neil Borenstein: This should be a very entertaining match and should definitely make Jerry Lynn look good. But, in the end, I can’t see the sense in Chris Sabin dropping the belt at this point to Lynn. Though I don’t doubt Lynn will eventually wear the strap, I don’t think this particular match goes any further than Lynn looking very good in the ring but coming up just a bit short against Sabin, who should win in some evil heel-ish fashion.

Winner and STILL Champion: Chris Sabin

Larry Csonka: I think that this here is our leading candidate for Match of the Night. Sabin has been on a roll with two good matches with Senshi, two with Daniels and a good three way with Daniels and Lynn all on PPV. Five fine matches all at or above ***, and Sabin has really done well with the transition to heel. Lynn looked very good last month and I feel that he thinks he has something to prove and will bust his ass to do so. He has been working a lot of Indies if people didn’t know and on the UWF shows had two really good matches with Petey and Homicide. Lynn is primed and ready to go, age 43 or not. I expect very good things here, and probably a title change, just to show that young whippersnapper.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

MOTOR CITY CHAIN MATCH: AJ Styles vs. Rhino

Michael Bauer: So this gets announced at the last second, but it’s definitely worth the time. AJ can’t outsmart Rhino and lose by sitting down this time. If Rhino loses again, he is pretty much buried, so I give him the duke.

Winner: Rhino

Samuel Berman: I’ve actually liked this feud, as Rhino is a pretty big fan favorite for TNA fans and was exactly the kind of opponent that AJ could realistically turn heel against. The only trouble is that it’s unclear where either guy goes from here. Heel AJ can’t go after heel Sabin’s X Title (and going after the belt again is at best a lateral move for Styles). Rhino could win and use this to springboard into the World Title hunt, but there’s a pretty big logjam on top with Cage, Angle, Joe, Steiner, Abyss and Sting. I’d like to see AJ get the win (after a good bloody brawl) and start running his mouth to set up a big feud with Christopher Daniels.

Winner: AJ Styles

Andy Clark: I never thought I’d say this, but I love heel AJ. If rumors of this new heel stable are true AJ needs to get a real win in this feud, so have him beat the ever-loving hell out of Rhino.

Winner: AJ Styles

Mathew Sforcina: I’ve always liked Heel AJ. He’s just such a smarmy git, when he wants to be. Anyway, this is getting really close to over saturation, and while that would normally lead to Rhino going over to end it…I just can’t bet against Heel AJ. He’s just so…Smarmy.

Winner: AJ Styles (Clash with Chain Around Throat)

Stuart Carapola: I think it’s a really good thing they added this match at the last second, because the card was looking really anemic otherwise. I would like to see Rhino go over because the crowd loves him and wants to see him move back up the card, but he’s been running a treadmill. It’s been 16 months since his short NWA Title reign, and there have been so many false starts with him that I can’t help but feel like the same thing’s going to happen here.

Winner: AJ Styles

Ari Berenstein: I didn’t know that the Motor City relocated to Orlando. I can just see Mickey Mouse working the assembly line right now. This should be a very good, even great match, since AJ Styles and Rhino have found some chemistry in their encounters. Well, finally something nice to say about this card. I suspect it won’t last.
Winner: Rhino

Sat: Both guys have put together good matches before, so this match should also be good. Rhino really hasn’t won a meaningful match in awhile, so I’ll go with AJ Styles for the win.

Winner: AJ Styles

Daniel Wilcox: Should be good, should be bloody, and Rhino is going to job, once again. Maybe he should keep his nose out of his “friends” business and just sticking to fighting guys he might beat. Like Cassidy Riley. Oh snap, he’s with WWE now, right? Never mind. AJ wins to stay strong and hopefully become a full-time member of the Christian Coalition.

Winner: AJ Styles

JT: You know what I love about these two? They flat out love kicking each other’s asses, and that always makes for a good show. Since the match has a super-special title to it, and that means these guys will have free roam of the Impact Zone and any “weapon” therein. AJ can bring the technical prowess if he needs to, but I think this will simply be a fun little brawl. If the rumors about forming a stable are true, that may start tonight, and therefore AJ getting a win will help give the stable a strong and credible feel.

WINNER: AJ Styles

Meehan: Well AJ wimped out of the Last Man Standing match, and he’s rumored to be saddling up with Steiner, Tomko and Cage to help keep his heelishness firing on all cylinders. Rhino, meanwhile, continues to be little more than a “jobber to the stars” as he spins his wheels in the TNA midcard and puts over just about everyone on the roster along the way. Cage, Abyss, and now A.J.? While he might be glad he didn’t jump ship back to the “new” ECW, hate to say it here — but at least Tommy Dreamer gets a win every now and again.

Winner: AJ Styles

Neil Borenstein: These two have been impressive working together and this match should be fun. And by fun, I mean crazy. Will Rhino finally walk out with the win here? I think he reasonably could. Even if a stable is created and Styles does get the loss at Against All Odds, do you really think there won’t be another match between these two where Styles can show his dominance over Rhino? Rhino needs to win a match at some point, he can’t just keep dropping these fights all the time. And since the stipulation works in his favor and Styles can save some face later on – even if it comes on an iMPACT! – I’m going with Rhino for the win.

Winner: Rhino

Larry Csonka: While I think it was a mistake to announce the match so late, I think they may have made a bigger mistake in the stipulation. While these guys have had pretty good matches, picking a stipulation that takes away from what AJ Styles excels at may be worse. Hopefully it is intense and ends up good despite the stipulation.

Winner: Rhino

“LITTLE ITALY” Street Fight: LAX (Homicide y Hernandez) © vs. Team 3D

Stuart Carapola: As a man of Italian descent myself, I am going to lend my expert analysis by saying that Team 3D have been a flop in TNA and the stupidest thing TNA could do is put them over one of the hottest acts they’ve had in years. For the benefit of our Spanish speaking readers: “Team 3D son los perdedors, y son malos y estupidos y muy gordo. Mi abuela es mas bueno luchador.”

Winner: LAX

Ari Berenstein: Well, if it’s a Little Italy match we’ll obviously see some Italian flags…ON A POLE! Or maybe the entire match will be LAX and Team 3-D eating Italian Sandwiches and pasta in a sidewalk cafe. Then they can disagree on the tip and chaos can ensue! Team 3-D, I know Little Italy, and you sirs, are not Little Italy!

Winner: L.A.X. (Are the tag titles even on the line? In the words of Lex Luger, I DON’T KNOOOOOW!)

Mathew Sforcina: Konnan is still badass hardcore while talking from a walker. Team 3D have no chance at all.

Winners, STILL NWA Tag Champions: LAX (Walker shot to D-Von)

Bayani Domingo: “Little Italy Match”? The hell is that?? Since when is “Dudley” Italian? Eh, my guess is this brings out a new character, Big Guido Dudley. Yay!!

Winner: Mama Mia, Team-ah Three-ah D-ah, By DQ-ah

Michael Weyer: Is this non-title? Because if it is, I think it’s time for Team 3D to renegotiate their TNA contracts to get the “only one title shot per year) stip out of the way. And by the way, exactly what business do Mexicans have in a “Little Italy” match?

WINNER: LAX

Samuel Berman: Like I said about LAX last month, they’re the top team in the company and they should hold the belts for a good long time so that when they eventually lose, it really means something for the new champions. I’m talking like Joe & Angle win the belts in mid-June ala Rock & Sock Connection over the New Age Outlaws.

Winners and STILL NWA Tag Team Champions: LAX

Michael Bauer: Rule #1… if the titles are not on the line, the champs can lose. And they will here, before they win the tiebreaker for the titles.

Winner: Team 3D

Andy Clark: What the hell is a Little Italy match? And why wasn’t Brother Devon upset about his brother’s uncle getting attacked? The belts aren’t on the line so that means Team 3D actually gets to win.

Winners: Team 3D

Sat: I have no idea what a Little Italy match is. It shouldn’t matter because LAX wins this match.

Winner: LAX

Daniel Wilcox: So it’s the guys from NYC vs. the Mexican flag bearers, in a Little Italy Match? OK. Why not just call it a regular old ‘Street Fight? ‘Will we see more drunken antics from Runt? Will Konnan pull a Linda McMahon and rise from the wheelchair to beat down Team 3D? Who knows, and at this point with Team 3D, who cares? One would think that, seeing as the titles are not on the line, that Team 3D would be going over here, but what d’you know, Russo’s booking, so the champs get the win to (hopefully) put this feud to bed.

Winners: LAX

JT: The titles are not on the line. Thus, Team 3D will get the win here, only to take a loss when it comes time to fight them for the titles.

WINNER: Team 3D

Meehan: What? Seriously… “Little Italy” brawl?!? Here’s a novel gimmick for ya, TNA — MAKE IT A TAG TITLES MATCH AND CALL IT A DAY. No titles on the line = no reason to care about this match, and that’s not a good thing for WHOEVER wins or loses here, because if fans didn’t care about the last showdown, how is putting the straps up in the second (wait, third?!) encounter going to change anything? Just mind-boggling here, really.

Winners: The DUDleyz.

Neil Borenstein: So wait, TNA couldn’t do a street fight type match with the titles being on the line? Can’t chew gum and walk at the same time, I suppose. But, without the belts on the line, that does tend to favor Team 3D a lot since TNA is just delaying the Team 3D title reign as long as it possibly can. I’m not looking for too much out of this and my expectations are not very high, but there should be some good spots along the way.

Winners: Team 3D

Larry Csonka: I don’t foresee good things here. Their previous bouts have not been pretty. Hopefully with all of the gimmicks and brawling it will be fun, but the chemistry has not been there and 3D no-selling Cide has not helped the feud. Thankfully Konnan has been awesome as always. I figure Team 3D wins to set up the Cage match for the titles at Lockdown and the big win…finally.

Winner: TEAM 3D

PRISON YARD BRAWL: Abyss w/James Mitchell vs. Sting

Stuart Carapola: Is this Sting vs. Abyss or Steve Borden vs. Chris? Is Sting going to have Abyss’s father in his corner? Is it going to have a “gun on a pole” stipulation? That’d probably be the one thing we HAVEN’T seen in wrestling so far. Well, at least there’s no showers or soap involved, although I do think that they should add a stipulation where if Sting loses, he gets a couple cartons of cigarettes to buy a good boyfriend.

Winner: Abyss

Ari Berenstein: WHAT THE FUCK IS A PRISON YARD BRAWL? HOW THE FUCK DO YOU WIN THIS MATCH? WHY THE FUCK IS STING WEARING ABYSS’S MASK? OR IS IT JUST AN ABYSS MASK? IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF MIKE TENAY, WHAT’S GOING ON? FUCK IF I KNOW!

Winner: FUCK IF I CARE

Mathew Sforcina: Uh, guys, there are rules. There will be a tiny shark cage, and he who locks his opponent in their wins. It’s basically a slightly modified casket match, and that’s…oh yeah, sorry, Russo, I forgot. But really, given the visuals in mind, Sting has to win, in order to have Abyss go nuts inside a tiny cell.

Winner: Sting (Dodging a tack filled charging Abyss then locking the door…Wow, how manly.)

Bayani Domingo: Either someone is getting “Shanked” or someone is getting anally raped. At least I assume those are the only ways to win the match. It is a “Prison Yard” Brawl after all. I think in that case the advantage goes to the guy who I’m SURE will turn inexplicably face after it was found that his father abused him as a child and he shot him in self defense. Just cuz’ Russo likes to book random stuff like that. Remember Abyss, Scruffy says, “It’s shank or be shanked”.

Winner: Abyss-mal

Michael Weyer: Great, another Russo invention. This could be bad but Abyss does well in brawls. While Sting’s build has been a bit too Black Scorpion with the vanishing acts and such, it should still be a good battle and hopefully build back up Abyss as a major threat.

WINNER: Abyss

Samuel Berman: Has a single rule for this match been announced? I’ll admit I haven’t been watching these segments particularly carefully, but it seems to me that this feud is all sizzle and no steak, so to speak. I believe Sting can’t be realistically viewed as a long-term investment for TNA, so I’d like to think they put Abyss over here and then move him elsewhere (like a feud with AJ perhaps) while Sting goes on to put over someone like Daniels or Killings who would REALLY benefit from the rub.

Winner: Abyss

Michael Bauer: I am actually really looking forward to this match and I think it could steal the show (main events don’t steal shows, they kill them). I have no idea who would win this one, even if I had a week to think about it. I guess the match favors Abyss, but Sting is psycho recently. I’ll pick Abyss only because I don’t think they are done yet.

Winner: Abyss

Andy Clark: This could be interesting, could Sting finally put Abyss over? I’ll say yes.

Winner: Abyss

Sat: I have really begun to hate this feud. I want this feud to be over, but I don’t see that happening. So, I’ll take Abyss for the win here with Sting coming for revenge at the next pay per view.

Winner: Abyss

Daniel Wilcox: While the fireball incident was cool, this feud just sucks to me. It makes no sense, but that’s been covered a million times and I’m just here to tell y’all who I think will win. I expect it to be an OK brawl with several high spots, and I doubt we’ve seen the last of this rivalry, so…

Winner: Abyss

JT: These two have been beating the snot out of each other for the better part of three months. Sting – ever the psychologist – doing everything in his power to break the hold James Mitchell has over the monster Abyss. Sting has gotten the better of the deal thus far in terms of beat downs, so I see him taking a solid ass kicking from Abyss this time.

WINNER: Abyss

Meehan: Though I’m actually quite fond of the angle itself, I can’t for the life of Mee say that I’m anywhere NEAR rooting for Sting to come out victorious in this one. The guy has been getting a total free pass on his heelish antics simply as a result of his real-life faith and his kayfabe “face status,” but I’m just not buying it. Kick his ass, C-Bass (or is that A-byss?).

Winner: Abyss

Neil Borenstein: I’m a big fan of this feud. It takes two wrestlers that were literally just in the Heavyweight Title picture and transitions them out of the main event picture quite smoothly, leaving room for guys like Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe to move up there. This has been an intense feud and should be taken to the next level on Sunday. Since this is a match developed to give Abyss the “home field advantage,” Abyss should come out with the win this go around.

Winner: Abyss w/ James Mitchell

Larry Csonka: So this is what TNA has wanted all along I feel. They took a wacky way to get here, and the title match wasn’t good, but they wanted a wild Sting vs. Abyss brawl in hopes of capturing some of the Sting vs. Vader magic I feel. The beat down by Abyss a few weeks ago was awesome, including the fireball, and showed more potential than their lackluster single NWA Title match had. I have high hopes for this match, and since Sting doesn’t have to be pinned here, this will be like an Undertaker gimmick match and Abyss will, I hope, get the decisive win.

Winner: Abyss

NWA TITLE MATCH: Christian Cage w/Scott Steiner vs. Kurt Angle – SPECIAL ENFORCER Samoa Joe

Stuart Carapola: Hmmmm…I would normally say that Angle goes over easy so that he can drop the title to Joe down the line, but the presence of Scott Steiner makes me think twice about that happening. I also don’t think they’re going to kill Christian’s title reign just like that, and diverting Angle into what should be a good feud with Steiner would be a great way to hold off on the next Joe vs. Angle match. So does this mean that Joe will be the next title challenger?

Ari Berenstein: Does this mean that Samoa Joe, one of the best wrestlers on the roster, is NOT in a match on this pay per view? STUPID!!!!!! Oh holy snap, I just figured it out, JOE IS the TO BE ANNOUNCED that will fight Christy Hemme! Oh man, Joe is going to KILL HER! Run, Christy, Run!!!! Oh, right, the title match. It should be fine. Until we get the run ins. By the way, I apologize for the lack of positivity and analysis in these reviews, as you can tell, I’m really angry and pissed off about this company right now.

Winner: Christian Cage

Mathew Sforcina: I truly have no idea where the hell they are going with all this. But assuming that the 4 TNA Men is a go.

Winner, and STILL NWA World Champion: Christian Cage (AJ distraction of Joe, Tomko and Stiener-ferance on Angle)

Bayani Domingo: So Christian Cage hates Angle…Tomko hates Angle…Steiner hates Angle…and Samoa Joe hates Angle… So I assume he puts them all in simultaneous Ankle Locks right? Or he just gets beaten down. Way to give Angle like 4 possible opponents while other guys are left without a credible feud. Awesome. Btw, where the hell is AJ? Well at least we know this ends in Christian holding the belt and limping back up the “heel ramp” while Angle and Joe are in a pull apart brawl as the PPV fades out. Bank on it.

Winner: Christian Cage, via Steinko-ference.

Michael Weyer: Now this could be interesting. Sure, it seems a bit off that TNA is now doing a match that could have been on Smackdown a year and a half ago. But these two do still have it and it could make a good match up. I see it still early for Angle to get the title yet and we all want Joe to get it first so I see various interference with Christian retaining.

WINNER and still NWA Champion: Christian Cage.

Samuel Berman: ALL of the ODDS seem to be AGAINST Angle in this one. Coincidence? I think not. Still, even though the ‘overcoming adversity’ thing often pays off with the title changing hands, I don’t think Angle’s going to walk out with the belt. It’s probably going to take Steiner, an ill-fated shot from Joe, Tomko, three chairs, a ladder and a belt-shot to do it, but Cage will pull out an improbable and totally tainted victory here. I think they’re heading towards Cage-Joe for the strap (with Joe finally getting that elusive title shot) and Angle-Steiner, which works fine because Angle doesn’t need the title to be a draw. The sad part of this whole thing is that I think Angle and Christian could put on a really great and compelling match without all of the external garbage, but in all honesty that seems unlikely given Steiner, Joe and Tomko at ringside.

Winner and STILL NWA World Champion: Christian Cage

Michael Bauer: You can’t have Cage as a transitional champion, as it makes Scott Steiner worthless. Joe will probably not any real effect on the match, but I’m sure Steiner will. Cage retains, the feud continues, and I’ll be happy about it.

Winner: Christian Cage

Andy Clark: Cage has been gold since turning heel and Angle has been solid in the ring but annoying as hell as a character. I see Joe getting distracted by Steiner at ringside allowing Tomko to come in and boot Angle in the face for the pin.

Winner and STILL NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Christian Cage

Sat: Seems to be that the outcome of this match will be Christian Cage beating Kurt Angle with help from Steiner. Steiner than goes on to face Kurt Angle, while Samoa Joe can challenge for the NWA Title.

Winner: Christian Cage

Daniel Wilcox: Will Christian turn into the new Jeff Jarrett? Because I’m seeing tons of interference, title shots and ref bumps galore in this one. Wait, he doesn’t have a guitar! Thank God! The long awaited rematch from the 2001 King Of The Ring Semi-Final! Only now we have Big Poppa Pump and Samoa Joe hanging around ringside. Everyone’s money seems to be on Angle going on to feud with Steiner and Joe getting the next title shot, so I’ll go with that. Hey, did you know Tyson Tomko was trained by Shawn Michaels? I wonder why he sucks so much then.

Winner: Captain Charisma Canadian Rage Christian Cage!

JT: I hate to seem all 8-year-oldish and defensive, but why is this reign being considered transitional? He’s the biggest heel in the company and has been on FIRE lately…? Who cares if we know Joe or Angle will be next? If you ask me (which you’re not, but I’ll tell you anyway), he is most certainly NOT just keeping the belt warm for one of them. He has shined since his heel turn, and the addition of Tomko (and now Steiner) has been fresh. I’m with Berman that this could be a fine match all by it’s lonesome, but you know that just won’t be the case with all those extra bodies around the ring. Regardless, TNA seems to really behind Christian at this point, and there are other things Angle can do before getting his first NWA Title win.

WINNER: And STILL NWA Champion, Christian Cage

Meehan: Everybody’s saying “Angle vs. Joe” for the belt in the near future, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re due to see Steiner versus Angle instead. After all, Christian has a powerhouse new stable in the works (if rumors are true), and everybody knows that the best stables succeed when they surround their centerpiece for the sole purpose of keeping the company’s belt in their group’s possession (see: Horsemen, Flair; nWo, Hogan; Wolfpac, Nash; Evolution, Triple H; Planet Jarrett, Double J; etc.). Smart booking says Cage keeps the belt here, Angle goes on to a program with Steiner, and Samoa Joe can FINALLY involve himself in a match NOT involving Kurt Angle.

Winner: And still champion, Christian Cage

Neil Borenstein: I’m completely against Kurt Angle winning the belt right now as he just freakin’ got there! I’m not a big fan of Christian Cage holding the belt either, but I’d rather he keep it then Angle get the belt right now. The bringing back of Scott Steiner opens the door for plenty of different scenarios to play out besides an Angle vs. Samoa Joe IV match for the NWA Heavyweight Title – such as Angle vs. Steiner, Joe vs. Steiner, a continuation of Angle vs. Cage or even Angle/Joe vs. Cage/Steiner. The belt will stay with Cage for now.

Winner and STILL Champion: Christian Cage w/ Scott Steiner

Larry Csonka: And now we come to the main event of the show. I figure that this will be a pretty good match, if they can keep the crap and outside interference to a minimum. But with Joe and Steiner both being out there, TNA’s love of main event clusterfucks and Russo at the helm, I don’t see it happening that way. Joe and Steiner brawl, and eventually cost Angle the match. This sets up Angle vs. Steiner, and Joe vs. Cage for the title, in a cage, and Joe takes the NWA Title next month, why, because I felt like saying so. Or, Cage, Steiner, Tomko and Styles form Christian’s Coalition and battle Joe, Angle, Joe and Rhino in…LETHAL LOCKDOWN~! Apparently this is a real possibility as well as the MELTZ is reporting it, the faction that is.

Winner: Christian Cage

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