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Countdown to TNA Lockdown
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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After weeks of waiting, TNA Lockdown is finally here.
Yes, the pay-per-view that every analyst is declaring to be the death of the
Steel Cage match (as opposed to the Steel Cage Death Match, which many would
find very interesting). While it's hard to predict how the crowd will react
to the PPV, SLAM! has taken another prediction road - that of the match outcomes.
Here's what we think will happen this Sunday.
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LETHAL LOCKDOWN MATCH
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Jeff Jarrett/Monty Brown/Outlaw
vs.
Kevin Nash*/DDP/6-Pac
*note: Kevin Nash's participation in the match is unconfirmed at
this point.
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SLAM! Predictions
Steve Rennie
Another star-studded TNA main event. Fresh off a heel turn, it’ll be interesting
to see what they have in store for “The Alpha Male”. I’m not
holding my breath waiting for Nash to pull out a moonsault from the top of the
cage, so I see this one becoming an “Elimination Chamber”-style brawl.
I think the team of Jarrett, Brown, and The Outlaw will win after some outside
interference.
John Milner
I'll vote for the Nash, DDP, Waltman team since they're the faces and it makes
sense for them to go over. The fans go home happy, as it were, and since the
belt isn't on the line, Jarrett doesn't have to worry about his status or his
heat.
Jon Waldman
I'm semi-curious if Nash will be wrestling. My feeling is that someone will
replace him in the cage, maybe a guy like Sting. Either way, this is going to
be a suckfest. I'll take the Rudos here.
Jason Clevett
Zzzz... sorry what? A weak attempt at recreating War Games. While this match at least has history (as opposed to most of the other ones), I expect we will see lots of blood and some good work from most of the people in the match. I'm picking Jarrett to take the pin to look strong for his challenger in May.
Chris Sokol
Time for TNA to start calling out some more favors. Nash injured again, no surprise there. Jarrett and his honchos take this one, leading to them gaining more power. AJ Styles will then defeat The Outlaw and Brown on Impact, show up the Champ and then defeat him in May for the title. Everyone's happy.
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NUMBER ONE CONTENDER'S MATCH
AJ Styles vs. Abyss
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SLAM! Predictions
Steve Rennie
This promises to be a brutal affair. Look for Styles to take a beating at the
hands of Abyss. Since Styles is rumoured to be in line for a huge push soon,
my money is on him to take this one.
John Milner
What little I've seen of Styles impressed the heck out of me. Against Abyss,
it's the classic David vs. Goliath story here, with David coming out on top.
Jon Waldman
AJ looks to have the push here, but Abyss has been good also. A heel vs. heel
title match rarely draws, so my gut feeling is AJ will win here and take the
belt at (ugh) Slammiversary.
Jason Clevett
The pressure is on as Styles and Abyss will have the unenviable task of trying to cap off the show in front of a crowd that has seen seven previous cage matches. I expect this one to be a hell of a match regardless, and hopefully the crowd will be able to regain their enthusiasm. It's a tough pick, but I am going to go with the big man as the guy to potentially take the belt off Jarrett.
Chris Sokol
With TNA realizing that Jarrett isn't the most popular wrestler in this day and age, they will pass the torch on to Styles, who will receive his title shot after going over "The Monster" Abyss.
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X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Christopher Daniels vs. Elix Skipper
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SLAM! Predictions
Steve Rennie
This should be one hell of a match. Daniels and Skipper are two of TNA’s
brightest stars, and given Skipper’s death-defying move off the top of
the cage a few months ago, I see these guys pulling out all the stops to put
on a classic. Let’s hope they’re given enough time to deliver something
special. Look for Daniels to retain in this one.
John Milner
Daniels has that "indy-star-moving-up-a-notch" cred going for him
(is there such a thing?) and since he's just become champion a short while back,
I think it's probably too soon to drop the belt here if they want to keep building
him up.
Jon Waldman
The thing about this match is whether they'll let Daniels go over and keep him
on top of the X-Division, or if he'll drop the belt and move to the NWA title
hunt. My feeling is that it's too soon to move the Fallen Angel up, and he needs
a long run to really establish himself as a dominant force in TNA.
Jason Clevett
Another match that should be stellar. I wouldn't be looking for another cagetop 'rana however. Daniels and Skipper will be going out to steal the show, and if they are on early enough, they will.
Chris Sokol
This feud should have been played out longer before going directly to a steel cage match, but this is TNA folks. Anyway, Daniels picks up the scraps and this feud rolls on, ending in a regular singles match. Catch the irony.
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WORLD TAG-TEAM TITLE FLAG MATCH
Team Canada vs. America's Most Wanted
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SLAM! Predictions
Steve Rennie
AMW is billed as the masters of the cage match, but Team Canada is, in my opinion,
one of the bright spots in TNA right now. Look for Coach D’Amore to somehow
find a way to get involved in this one, sealing the victory for Team Canada.
John Milner
I think I used this line before but it bears repeating: It's hard for me to
vote against Team Canada. I'm more familiar with them and hey, it's Team
Canada; what self-respecting, patriotic Canuck would I be if I didn't
give them the nod?
Jon Waldman
How many times can these guys fight each other? Seriously, it's enough already.
I'm going to go with Team Canada, for obvious reasons.
Jason Clevett
This should also be a really good match, as AMW is really good with the right opponents and Young and Williams will be able to pull out something. The flag aspect is dumb, but hopefully this will be a wrestling match as opposed to a climbing contest.
Chris Sokol
AMW has ruled the cage match in TNA. Different opponents, same old story.
SLAM! Predictions
Steve Rennie
Jeff Hardy vs. Raven (Tables Match) - Both men will probably take plenty of
sick bumps, but I think Hardy will go over in this one.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Bobby Roode (Prince of Darkness Match) - Where’s Jake
“The Snake” Roberts and Rick “The Model” Martel when you
need them? I’m picking Rhodes, but only because he shares a last name with
TNA’s booker.
Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Chris Sabin vs. Shocker (XScape Match) - With
Kid Kash out of the picture, this match takes on an interesting dimension. I’ll
go with Shane.
Apolo vs. Lance Hoyt - Honestly, who cares? I’ll go with Apolo, but I think
this match may coincide with a trip to the snack bar.
John Milner
Jeff Hardy vs. Raven (Tables Match) - A tough one to call, so I'll take a chance
on Hardy, due to his experience in TLC matches.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Bobby Roode (Prince of Darkness Match) - Something tells me
that Rhodes will go over here, thanks to some pull backstage.
Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Chris Sabin vs. Shocker (XScape Match) - Chris
Sabin is my pick here.
Apolo vs. Lance Hoyt - I flip-flopped on this one but my final pick is Apolo.
Jon Waldman
Jeff Hardy vs. Raven (Tables Match) - Hardy's cage-top Swanton will meet wood.
Raven wins.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Bobby Roode (Prince of Darkness Match) - Don't care. Rhodes
will win because of Big Dust.
Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Chris Sabin vs. Shocker (XScape Match) - Sabin
gets my vote. He'll be next to go up against Daniels for the X belt.
Apolo vs. Lance Hoyt - I refuse to recognize the name Lance Hoyt for a wrestler,
thus Apolo wins.
Jason Clevett
Jeff Hardy vs. Raven (Tables Match) - Hardy will do something crazy and Raven will go through the table.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Bobby Roode (Prince of Darkness Match) - Roode (hopefully).
Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Chris Sabin vs. Shocker (XScape Match) - Sabin. This should be a good opener.
Apolo vs. Lance Hoyt - Hoyt, to try and build him up after losing his partner
Chris Sokol
Jeff Hardy vs. Raven (Tables Match) - Hardy has been on the receiving end of a push, expect him to continue gaining momentum. Winner Jeff Hardy
Dustin Rhodes vs. Bobby Roode (Prince of Darkness Match) - Well let's see, Dusty Rhodes is the booker, and Dustin is his son... Winner Dustin Rhodes
Michael Shane vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Chris Sabin vs. Shocker (XScape Match) - Same deal as Apolo, Shocker will pick up the victory in this one.
Apolo vs. Lance Hoyt - Apolo is a dreadful wrestler. Hoyt deserves the win, and if Apolo wasn't part of a deal with a Mexican promotion, he would get it.Winner Apolo
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
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