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Countdown to TNA Against All Odds
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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TNA is back on PPV with a card chock full of wrestling goodness.
As has come to be the hallmark of Total Nonstop Action, the card for Against All Odds has a little something for everyone. There is little doubt that you will get enjoyment out of at least one of the matches TNA is offering up this Sunday.
Let's take a look at the card.
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MAIN EVENT: NWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Jeff Jarrett vs. Christian Cage |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Jarrett has held the belt so long and beaten so many contenders that if they
don't shake things up soon, people will simply lose interest in the main event
scene. With the belt only being defended every other PPV, it's already becoming
hard to care about the championship. A fresh face is required, and there doesn't
seem to be anyone that the fans want to see with the title more than Christian. Hopefully,
after he wins it at the PPV, he'll be able to keep it for a while.
Ed Ludwig
Christian Cage over Jeff Jarrett by DQ. The King Of The Mountain's gang of misfits
will get involved and cost Christian a chance at capturing the gold.
Jon Waldman
On the last edition of Ringside Wrapup, I talked about how Trippy has killed
Raw's title by making everyone seem like a non-contender. Jarrett is getting
dangerously close to that as well. Yes, the chase is what fuels excitement,
but at the same time too many people chasing leads to nothingness. Christian
has to go over here if the NWA Title is to have any meaning.
Greg Oliver
Shouldn't Christian Cage feel like a world championship contender? Well, he
does and he doesn't for me. He's totally Jarrett's equal talent-wise and, at
this point, a bigger star. On the flipside, however, I don't buy him - yet -
as the world champ. I think that Double J retains here, and the chase for the
title continues.
Jason Clevett
I'd really like Christian to win the belt, although TNA should focus on its
home-grown talent. As much as I like guys like Rhino and Raven, continuously
having ex-WWE stars who "couldn't cut it" in WWE makes TNA seem very
second banana to the Fed. Christian may be the exception as he was on the cusp
of main eventdom before having his legs cut out from under him. Expect 200 run-ins
to keep the belt on Jarrett.
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X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Their last three-way dance was one of the best matches of 2005, so these guys
have a lot to live up to. The friction between Styles and Daniels will be the
focus of the match, and they'll be so concerned about taking each other out,
that Joe will walk away with the win.
Ed Ludwig
Samoa Joe's reign of terror will continue and he will retain the title. The
friction between AJ Styles and Chris Daniels will make it an easy night for
the champ.
Jon Waldman
And here we go with another booking problem. In this case, the X-Division title
is secondary to the hot feud among the grapplers. The title would probably be
better served around the waist of someone like Alex Shelley or Chris Sabin since
all three guys have established themselves as main eventers. You have to figure
Joe gets screwed here somehow. Pulling off the double switch with AJ is possible,
but it's hard when Daniels is in the mix. My vote is to the Fallen Angel.
Greg Oliver
You know this is going to be great, but how will it end? It won't end with Joe
laying down for the 1-2-3, but I'm guessing that the rules will allow the title
to be lost without the champ being pinned. So I'd take the belt off Joe here,
and he can complain for the next couple of weeks about losing without being
pinned. I hope that this match starts the slow movement towards a Styles heel
run too. So Daniels wins the belt, pinning Styles.
Jason Clevett
The pressure is on to try and meet expectations after the last stellar three
way with these guys. The combos of AJ, Joe and Daniels have been done so many
times in so many promotions, yet I don't get tired of them. Expect a great match
- this could be a way to get the belt of Joe without having him lose, but I
don't think his reign is done yet.
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NWA TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
AMW vs. Chris Sabin/Sonjay Dutt (Tournament winners) |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
AMW's reign won't end at anyone's hands but Team 3-D's. As good as Sabin and Dutt
are, they will fall victim to some sort of shenanigans by the champs.
Ed Ludwig
Someone has to lose the gold and that will be AMW. Chris Sabin and Sonjay Dutt
will pull off the unexpected and defeat AMW.
Jon Waldman
Here we are with booking problem number three. TNA has a decent amount of actual
tag teams, yet throw-togethers are battling for the belts. There's no reason why
the Naturals, Team 3D, Team Canada or another solid combo shouldn't be in this
spot. The match might be good, but the damage is done. AMW takes it.
Greg Oliver
Makeshift teams don't win quality tag team titles on their first try; leave that
nonsense for McMahon-land. AMW keeps their belts.
Jason Clevett
AMW is a consistantly entertaining team. Whomever they face, it should be a
good match.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Rhino vs. Abyss - This one should be a stellar hardcore battle, and I'm
calling the over/under for number of tables broken during the match at five. Rhino
gets the duke with a GORE.
Team 3D vs. Team Canada - Does it seem like Team Canada is getting de-pushed
lately? Team 3-D wins.
James Gang vs. LAE - I thought it was L.A.X. As in, short for laxative. As
in, any match featuring the James Gang is a good bathroom break. The Latinos win.
Ed Ludwig
Rhino vs. Abyss - Can't bury Rhino so soon with back-to-back losses against
Abyss. Rhino takes it.
Team 3D vs. Team Canada - 3D takes it in an interference filled match that
will backfire on the Canadians.
James Gang vs. LAE - Latin American Exchange will win this to give them some
credibility and prolong the feud.
Jon Waldman
Rhino vs. Abyss - It almost hurts me to say it, but I just don't care about
Rhino anymore. Abyss takes this one.
Team 3D vs. Team Canada - With Devon's injury getting so much play, you gotta
figure there's blood a-plenty here. Canada wins.
James Gang vs. LAE - Viva La Raza. Konnan's team takes it.
Greg Oliver
Rhino vs. Abyss - Nothing's really at stake here, which makes it hard
to care about. Abyss.
Team 3D vs. Team Canada - Team 3D topples the Canucks, but we're still bringing
home two hockey gold medals.
James Gang vs. LAE - James Gang gets their revenge on Konnan, but K-Dogg
isn't the one pinned, letting Homicide do the job.
Jason Clevett
Rhino vs. Abyss - I enjoy these matches, but having a hardcore style
match on every PPV gets repetitive. Abyss gets the duke.
Team 3D vs. Team Canada - Could be the sleeper match of the night. I'll
take Team 3D.
James Gang vs. LAE - This feud will continue, which means I suspect the
L.A.E. get a dirty W.I.N.
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Recent TNA DVD releases:
TNA Best of the Bloodiest Brawls Vol. 1 DVD
TNA Best of Christopher Daniels DVD
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
