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Countdown to TNA Sacrifice
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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TNA hits the PPV airwaves Sunday with their big event, Sacrifice.
From...well...almost top to bottom this is as solid a card as TNA has ever done. There's only one match that on paper sticks out as being an odd mix, so we have a potential PPV of the year candidate here. Let's hope they follow through.
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TAG-TEAM GRUDGE MATCH
Jeff Jarrett/Rhino vs. Raven/Sabu
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This is like that Sesame Street song - One of these things is not like the other,
can you tell me which one doesn't belong? Seriously, doesn't Jarrett seem completely
out of place among these hardcore icons? I'm hoping for a brutal brawl filled
with tables and chairs and other inventive ways for the other three to beat
the bejeezus
out of each other. But in the end, Jarrett's guitar (and his backstage stroke)
proves to be the deadliest weapon of them all.
Jon Waldman
Hmm... didn't take long for Jarrett to insert himself back into the main event.
Methinks this is as much and f-you to Triple H over who has the more poer in
their respective companies. It's been said before, but Jarrett has no right
to be in the middle of this ECW bloodbath. If one of the two hardcore icons
lays down for Jarrett's guitar, it's the last time you'll ever see me comment
on a TNA main event.
Corey David Lacroix
Not exactly the way I wanted to see Rhino make his first TNA PPV match. It will
be interesting to see how Jarrett meshes with the team of Sabu andRaven. No
title on the line, so this one will be all about bragging rights. Rhino needs
to establish himself as the new monster of TNA, which will hopefully lead to
future showdowns with the likes of Abyss and Samoa Joe. Jarrett & Rhino
come out on top.
John Milner
One has to assume that since Jarrett will, no doubt, head back to a World title
shot against Raven, his team will go over, probably with Jarrett pinning Raven,
thanks to Rhino's interference. That way, Jarrett has a legitimate (if tainted)
claim that he holds a victory over Raven.
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X-CUP FINALS MATCH
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
I've really enjoyed the tournament matches, and this one should be no exception.
If there are still any doubters as to Joe's talent, they should be put to rest
after this one. Besides, even if Joe wasn't so good, Styles can carry just about
anyone to a minimum of 3-stars. In order to really get Joe over, they should
continue his push and give him the win.
Jon Waldman
Admittedly, I haven't been following the tourney, but once Chris Sabin was eliminated,
my interest completely washed away. I don't know why TNA keeps putting AJ in
the X mix, because all its really doing is holding him back. You have to wonder
if Chris Daniels will get involved, because face vs. face matches are rarely,
if ever, good bouts. There has to be a screwy ending here, maybe with an AJ
heel turn.
Corey David Lacroix
Dare I say this will be Styles greatest challenge to date in TNA? Samoa Joe
is on a rampage of destruction and is absolutely set on ushering in a new era
of the X-Division by winning the tournament and moving on to the title bout.
I know many dispute the idea of Joe in the X-Division, but he's there for now.
This one should be the show stealer, with Styles pulling out all the stops to
put down the Samoan wrecking machine. Despite this however, it'll be Samoa Joe
who will claim victory.
John Milner
Samoa Joe is the newcomer. AJ Styles is one of the biggest stars in TNA. This
one might be a tough one to call. Was this whole tournament set up just to get
Samoa Joe over upon his arrival in TNA? If so, it seems silly to have him lose
in the finals. Still, it's a relunctant vote for Samoa Joe.
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DREAM MATCH
"Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels vs. ???
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Well, unless an American-Idol-type phone scandal takes place in the next couple
of days, it looks like Austin Aires will be facing Daniels at the PPV. Should
be a good match, but I don't see them putting him over.
Jon Waldman
Well, the big question here is which of the two RoH matches will be first on
the card. The two matches should go long, maybe 20 minutes each (hopefully),
with all four men getting their chances to shine. Austin Aries looks to fill
this spot, which should be a wicked good bout. Daniels has to go over here,
and in a convincing enough manner to show that he can beat anyone from anywhere.
Daniels coming out on Impact next week and saying he's beat the best of TNA
and RoH could lead to a good feud with WWE castoffs like Billy Kidman, Shannon
Moore or Akio.
Corey David Lacroix
From checking out the website, it appears that Daniel's opponent will be none
other than Ring of Honor standout Austin Aries. I applaud TNA for this interactive
concept, it's a great way to inject some new blood into the product while giving
fans the opportunity of playing a role in the match making scheme of things.
Match of the night contender for sure, with Aries busting out all kinds of offence
to take out Daniels. But the Fallen Angel has the experience, attitude and ability
to handle the pressure. Give this one to Daniels.
John Milner
With my limited knowledge of NWA-TNA, none of the guys in the "dream match"
voting are all that familiar to me. I'm going to say that no matter who wins
the voting, Daniels gets the win.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Sean Waltman vs. Jerry Lynn - Don't know what they have in store for either
guy, so this one is a toss-up.
Naturals/America's Most Wanted vs. Team Canada - To paraphrase the Superfans
on the Saturday Night Live skit from a few years back, D'Amore will find a way.
Abyss vs. Lance Hoyt - Hoyt-amania continues to run wild, and he'll get the
duke in the first of what I think will be many encounters between these two.
Kip James/Monty Brown vs. Ron Killings/Konnan - A turn by BG James is too obvious,
so I'm calling a swerve. I pick Konnan to leave the 3 Live Kru and join up ith
Kip and Monty.
Shocker vs. Alex Shelley - I just looked it up, but until now, I thought Guapo
was something you got free with a gordito combo.
Jon Waldman
Sean Waltman vs. Jerry Lynn - Well, I guess a Minnesota feud can get over in
Orlando. Interesting bout, but won't live up to expectations.
Naturals/America's Most Wanted vs. Team Canada - Finally, we'll get the AMW
heel turn here. Team Canada beats down an abandoned Naturals team.
Abyss vs. Lance Hoyt - Lance Hoyt is getting over? Wow; didn't see that one
coming (note: no sarcasm at all). This has to be a double DQ schmoz.
Kip James/Monty Brown vs. Ron Killings/Konnan - Could TNA finally pull the trigger
on this one? Not the same night as the AMW turn.
Shocker vs. Alex Shelley - Let's all say it together - Curtain Jerker!
Corey David Lacroix
Sean Waltman vs. Jerry Lynn - Despite this being Lynn's comeback match, Waltman
will take this one.
Naturals/America's Most Wanted vs. Team Canada - Team Canada all the way...
eh!
Abyss vs. Lance Hoyt - I know this is the era of Hoytamania, but Abyss will
be victorious in the battel of the big men. Potential feud here folks.
Kip James/Monty Brown vs. Ron Killings/Konnan - Killings & Konnan will win,
BG will feign allegiance, then attack his former 3 Live Kru mates, while Kip
will submarine The Alpha Male. The James gang reunites!
Shocker vs. Alex Shelley - Shocker needs to recover from being outsted from
the X Division and will do so at Shelley's expense.
John Milner
Sean Waltman vs. Jerry Lynn - If both men bring their "A" game and
still have it in them, could be a great match. I'll give the nod to Lynn.
Naturals/America's Most Wanted vs. Team Canada - I'd like to vote Team Canada
but I'll go with AMW.
Abyss vs. Lance Hoyt - Abyss rebounds from his title loss last time with a victory
here.
Kip James/Monty Brown vs. Ron Killings/Konnan - BG James is the special referee
so I see a heel turn from the former Road Dogg who reunites the New Age Outlaws.
Shocker vs. Alex Shelley - Shocker is my pick here.
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
See one of Samoa Joe and AJ Styles' previous bouts at Pro Wrestling Guerilla's All Star Night!
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
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