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It's time for some caged heat!
Once again, TNA's finest enter the six sides of steel for one of the most unique PPVs in all of sports entertainment. Another mixed bag event, TNA looks to continue a hot streak of well-done shows with a mixture of high-impact (pardon the pun) matches with some bloody-good fun. Here's what highlights this month's PPV.
| MAIN EVENT: NWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH Abyss vs. Christian Cage |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
I liked the old-school buildup for this one with Abyss taking the conflict outside
of the arena - like when the Horsemen used to attack guys in the parking lot
and such - though I can see how the new generation may find all the video vignettes
a bit cheesy. Christian has been doing well as champion, and it's too early
to have him drop the belt just yet.
Ed Ludwig
I have a gut feeling that we are in for a very good match. The Monster Abyss
often brings out more in his opponents, meaning the best. Christian Cage will
retain the title in what could be the champion's first lenghty TNA feud.
Jon Waldman
As much as Abyss has been a good company man (well, aside from that whole almost-signing
with WWE), Cage needs to keep the belt to make it mean something before JJ takes
it back, which is as inevitable as Trippy getting his title again. This one's
a clear-cut contest.
Chris Sokol
Cage has been an excellent champion thus far. He is getting in touch with a
more serious side of his character, rather than sticking strictly to his comedy
portion, which is another phenomenal evolution. Overall, he can be seen as the
biggest success TNA has had in quite some time. While Abyss is another deserving
champion, he won't be able to top Cage on this occasion.
| LETHAL LOCKDOWN MATCH Sting/AJ Styles/Rhino/Ron Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett/Scott Steiner/America's Most Wanted |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
TNA has been featuring eight-man tags for a while now, and maybe it's just me
but I typically find them too frantic to really get into them. I'm thinking
I'll like this one more, however, since this format will have participants enter
one at a time and the action will be confined to the cage. It's too early for
Sting to get his revenge, so look for Team Jarrett to steal a victory.
Ed Ludwig
The faces will take this one. Sting will score the victory for his team by pinning
Jeff Jarrett and gain a measure of revenge. Hopefully the match is given a lot
of time.
Jon Waldman
Well, this is as close to War Games as we'll get. Thankfully there isn't an
electric chair; that's all I'll say. You have to figure Steiner and Sting will
have a big confrontation, but I doubt it will go anywhere.
Chris Sokol
This match is another one that should pretty entertaining. Team Jarrett has
to have another ace up their sleeve, so the possibility for another debut is
high. Expect Jarrett's team to pull out all the stops and squeak a win by Team
Sting.
| X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH Samoa Joe vs. Sabu |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Ooooh, mama! Just the thought of these two in a cage has me flapping my arms all Gertner-like, excited over how hardcore this one is going to be. Joe has become one of my favourite wrestlers lately, and Sabu can never do any wrong as far as I'm concerned. Joe wins in a bloodbath.
Ed Ludwig
This could be the match of the night and the most one sided. Not sure what the plans are for Samoa Joe? I thought he was done with the X Division following his title loss at Destination X. Samoa Joe defeats Sabu and retains the title.
Jon Waldman
So much of this match is non-sensical. First, Sabu is not X-Division material. Second, Joe does not need the belt and there's no reason it was taken off Chris Daniels. If the idea here is to make Joe look more "extreme" by beating the ECW legend, then I guess they're accomplishing their goal, but really, this is going to turn into a Sabu burial for his signing on for ECW One Night Stand.
Chris Sokol
I still don't understand how Samoa Joe is considered to be a "cruiserweight"-type wrestler, same with Sabu, but who cares? This should be another good pairing and possibly the most brutal match on the card. Joe will continue his "undefeated" streak and retain the X-Division Championship over the extreme superstar.
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UNDERCARD
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Team 3D vs. Team Canada (Anthem Match) - What kind of Canadian would I be if I didn't pick Team Canada to win? Sure, the Dudley's have got Spike with them now, but Coach D'Amore will find a way to get the advantage.
Bob Armstrong vs. Konnan (Arm-Wrestling Match) - I just want to see Konnan throw his shoe at the Bullet - that'd be pretty funny.
Ed Ludwig
Team 3D vs. Team Canada (Anthem Match) - Team 3D takes this one.
Bob Armstrong vs. Konnan (Arm-Wrestling Match) - Yawn! Why on earth is this on Pay Per View? This one ends in a no contest.
Jon Waldman
Team 3D vs. Team Canada (Anthem Match) - At this point, I could really care less about the Dudleys, and it's inevitable that they'll turn on Spike again. Canucks win.
Bob Armstrong vs. Konnan (Arm-Wrestling Match) - Someone explain the rules of a steel-cage arm wrestling match to me. Al Wilson interferes here.
Chris Sokol
Team 3D vs. Team Canada (Anthem Match) - Team 3D will finally get some
revenge on the Canadians, picking up a huge win here and moving on towards a
Tag Title shot.
Bob Armstrong vs. Konnan (Arm-Wrestling Match) - There are so many better
things for Konnan to be doing. An arm wrestling steel cage match?
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman