|
 |
|
Countdown to TNA No Surrender
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
|
  
|
TNA is gearing up for another PPV this Sunday, as No Surrender will invade
television sets across North America.
Last month, TNA's future was in doubt after their deal to broadcast Impact
on Fox Sports Net expired. This will be the true test of TNA' staying power,
as they have had exposure in a very, very small amount of markets. You can get
people logging into your website all you want, but that's not what pays the
bills - strong PPV audiences do.
If the buyrate comes back very low, then we will be hearing more rumours about
TV contracts. TNA has to be applauded for putting together the single-best card
they've done in a long while, so if anything is going to keep their viewers
interested, it should be this event.
|
DOG COLLAR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Raven vs. Abyss
|
 |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
I like the buildup for this one, though I'm not sure the stipulation needed
to be added to their first championship encounter. I like Raven as champion,
and hope the company is committed to keeping it on him for a while longer.
Chris Sokol
Abyss would be a great champion, but Raven is a great champion himself; that's
what makes this an interesting match. Of course, this wouldn't be TNA if a gimmick
wasn't involved somehow. Raven will pick this one up thanks to Jeff Jarrett,
leaving Abyss and Jarrett to start something up.
Jon Waldman
Raven is about as good a torch-bearer as you can have in the biz right now,
and Abyss is going to be fodder. I'm actually surprised that Abyss is in the
main event slot, and not someone like Sandman, who would've kept momentum going
from Hardcore Homecoming. Nevertheless, this should be a bloodbath.
Corey David Lacroix
Carnage a'plenty in this one for sure. Raven needs to prove that his winning
of the NWA title was not an anomaly. Enter the Abyss. This will be bloody and
brutal as Abyss once again finds himself within grasp of championship gold.
But this time, he has James Mitchell in his corner. Will the former Sinister
Minister prove to be the deciding factor? Sadly, for Abyss, no. For Raven is
the hardcore veteran and will prove his mettle by retaining.
Jason Clevett
The first announced Jarrett-free title match on pay per view. Both men are stellar
brawlers and I expect this will be a violent, intense and psychologically thrilling
encounter. Do I think Abyss is going to be NWA Champ at some point? Yes. Is
it now? No. Raven's fresh and a good champion. I don't see him dropping the
belt in his first PPV defense. Then again, I didn't see Styles doing so last
month either. Winner: Raven
 |
X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Christopher Daniels vs. Petey Williams
|
 |
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
It gets repetitive to say for each TNA preview that the Christopher Daniels
match will be a great one – but it's matches like this that make it the
truth. Petey is a great competitor, and the Canadian Destroyer is the best finisher
in wrestling today bar none. With Team Canada's help, I think he'll pull out
the upset victory.
Chris Sokol
Another great match on this card. Daniels is developing a real good persona
as "Mr. TNA". He already has one of the greatest gimmicks in TNA as
"The Fallen Angel", but the "Mr. TNA" deal adds just a little
more to his heel character. He will continue to dominate, picking up a victory
over "The Canadian Destroyer".
Jon Waldman
More fodder for Daniels, as he continues to work an RVD-esque reign atop the
X-Division. Daniels needs to keep the belt here, especially against a recognized
X'er.
Corey David Lacroix
Williams returns to singles competition, ready to take on the champ, Christopher
Daniels. Williams has been in this kind of situation before, so no pressur...
uh, actually, mega pressure. Williams has a chance to be a two-time X-Division
Champion and he's taking on the best of the best, Daniels. He will no doubt
have to take it to another level if he has any hope of stripping the title from
Daniels. But this is the year of The Fallen Angel and even if Coach D'amore
has a match winning play, you can bet that it will be Daniels taking the gold
back to the locker room.
Jason Clevett
I expect this to be a stellar match. Both guys remain favorites of mine, and
while Petey has been doing a lot of tag work lately, it is good to see him back
in the X-division title hunt. The Fallen Angel will walk out of this particular
encounter with the belt still in his grasp.
 |
SPECIAL REFEREE MATCH
AJ Styles vs. Sean Waltman (Referee: Jerry Lynn)
|
 |
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
I've never been a big fan of Sean Waltman, but there is no denying his in-ring
work is good. It's like TNA has given him a new focus. Styles, of course, is
sheer brilliance in the ring, so this one should be a very good contest. I'm
salivating over the thought of a Styles-Lynn feud. Oh, the five-star matches
they could have! I think it may start with this match.
Chris Sokol
Waltman said he wasn't going to get hit with The Styles Clash, which obviously
means he will. Lynn will get into something with Waltman in order to re-hash
some old WWE Lightweight Title action, while Styles picks up the victory and
moves on to bigger and better things.
Jon Waldman
This is where Rhyno comes into the picture. Rhyno and JL had solid work against
each other in ECW, and a gang up by Lyynn and X-Pac on AJ will send the Man-beast
headed to the ring. DQ fun here.
Corey David Lacroix
I was very disappointed in the short reign of Styles as NWA heavyweight champion.
For Styles, this is a must win situation if he hopes to get back into the chase
for that covetted title. But it's not like Waltman is ready to be set out to
pasture, needing to prove that he can win over the new generation of high flying
grapplers. The deciding factor in this one may very well come in the form of
Jerry Lynn, or should I say, Jerry Lynn's agenda. What's that? Jerry Lynn doesn't
have an agenda? Believe me, everyone in professional wrestling has an agenda.
Jason Clevett
Sean Waltman has had his working shoes on lately and it shows. His match against
Raven and his performance in the King of the Mountain match made me remember
why I liked him in the first place. It's not the first time these two have met
up (they feuded over the X-Division Title in the early days of TNA) but AJ has
come so far since then and Waltman seems so motivated. I expect this to surpass
their stellar encounters. Look for Lynn to cost Styles the match - it's another
rehash of a feud from the early days, but considering how good those matches
were I can deal. Winner: Sean Waltman
| |
TAG-TEAM GRUDGE MATCH
Sh Squared vs. America's Most Wanted
|
|
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Good talent, but I can't say I'm really interested in this match.
Chris Sokol
AMW will do their little "We don't like each other" thing again after
they lose this match. TNA seems to like this angle for some reason. They don't
think it's stale despite the fact they use it every six months with the same
people.
Jon Waldman
Why should I care if TNA doesn't care about tag team wrestling?
Corey David Lacroix
The true test of one's ability to endure adversity is to overcome great lost
and reclaim one's past glory. That is where AMW is in this contest. They lit
the tag team wrestling division on fire and now find themselves in the position
of getting fans excited about them being legit contenders. The team of Shane
& Shelley still need to prove they belong in the tag team ranks. A victory
over AMW would prove tremendous in doing just that, not to mention earning a
title shot. This should be a good one, with AMW back on the winning path once
again.
Jason Clevett
It is so great to see a Goldilocks free Alex Shelley. I expect this to be a
decent match, but Shane and Shelley are going to just be fodder for the established
team. I still miss Kazarian and Shane. Sigh.
| |
GRUDGE MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin
|
|
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Look for Joe to dominate, as his super-push continues. It seems Sabin is kind
of directionless lately, and it's unfortunate that he'll have to do the job
– come on, TNA, put him back in the X- Division Title hunt!
Chris Sokol
Chris Sabin will put up a good fight, but it won't be enough, as TNA pushes
Joe on as an unstoppable force, ultimately landing him in title contention.
Jon Waldman
Why must Sabin be the sacrifice here? He deserves a whole lot better than to
be Samoa Joe's jobby boy. Get Sabin to Titan Towers, stat!
Corey David Lacroix
Another potential match of the night contender. Sabin never disappoints when
he's in the ring, but he's not facing some X Division rival here. It's Samoa
Joe, a man who is clearly focused on destroying anyone who gets in his way.
Joe possesses both strength and a diverse armoury of offence. Sabin will need
to stay mobile at all times if he has any hope of taking down the Samoan. Pick
Samoa Joe to continue his string of victories in TNA.
Jason Clevett
Joe is on a roll, while I expect this to be more competitive then the match
last month against Sonjay Dutt, The former ROH champ will be to much for Sabin.
Final Thoughts - Jason Clevett
This is one of the stronger lineups that TNA has had in a while, even with
the limited matches. Thus far, there isn't a match on here that, given the
right time, shouldn't be a really good to great match. It would take a lot
to screw this up - not saying it is impossible but I expect anyone who grabs
TNA's ninth monthly pay per view offering will get their moneys worth.
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
|
|
|
|
