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One of the chapters in the book of Genesis, for us biblically minded folk, described the beginning of a brave new world following the flood. Much the same way, tonight's pay-per-view of the same name signifies the start of a new era for TNA.
Sure, Thursday night's two-hour kickoff fiesta was a major event, but this PPV may be even more groundbreaking as Kurt Angle makes his official in-ring PPV debut. This is where the true test lies - whether the Olympic Hero can bring in those all-important buyrates TNA needs in order to properly compete with WWE. Only time will tell, but for now, let us look not at the financials, but the actual competition set to take place at TNA Genesis.
| MAIN EVENT: NWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH Abyss vs. Sting |
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SLAM! Predictions
Mike Mastandrea
I don't even know where to begin with this one. Remember, Vince Russo has
put titles on such names as Judy Bagwell and David Arquette, so Lord knows (sorry
I couldn't resist) what his plans are for this one.
Matt Mackinder
THIS is the main event? I don't see any chance of Sting dropping the belt
to Abyss of all people. Abyss will control much of the match, but Sting no-sells
the Black Hole Slam and wins shortly thereafter, possibly with the Scorpion
Deathlock.
Jon Waldman
Sting is nothing more than a lame duck champ, holding the title to have his
final reign before he retires. In a perfect world, this would be against Ric
Flair so we could see one of wrestling's oldest and, quite honestly, best rivalries
end with a dual curtain call, much like the end of WCW. Unfortunately, Flair
won't leave WWE and Sting would never go to the Fed. What we will see, instead,
is Abyss obliterate Sting and keep the title warm for Kurt Angle.
Greg Oliver
How silly would it be to have Sting lose in his first title defence? It'll be
a good, back-and-forth match, but Stinger wins, unless Abyss gets the belt as
a reward for putting Angle over on the primetime Impact.
| GRUDGE MATCH Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle |
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SLAM! Predictions
Mike Mastandrea
Well the go-home edition of Impact ended with Joe having the upper hand on Angle
so expect Angle to make the comeback and be the last one standing this time
around.
Matt Mackinder
It pains me to say this, but I see Joe's first TNA loss by pinfall or submission
coming here. I think TNA rushed this match as it would have been a perfect main
event at a future pay-per-view (Bound For Glory '07), but hey, what do
I know? Angle takes it.
Jon Waldman
This is classic WCW hotshotting. You have two huge stars who you could build
a program around for months, but instead you have it done in one month. At least
this one's on PPV. Of course, this is also a classic example of booking yourself
into a corner. Let's say Joe wins - that shows Angle to be not as special as
everyone thought he was; if Angle wins though, it's a WWE guy coming in and
beating the guy who no one in TNA could beat. Either way, you've completely
screwed yourself. Remind me why Russo is back? I've said it before and I'll
say it again - this match is like war; there are no winners, only losers.
Greg Oliver
Easily the most anticipated match. But the program was so rushed as well. I
think the smart thing to do is to let them beat the hell out of each other,
but without a conclusive ending. That way they can do it again, with even more
buildup. So I'm picking a non-finish.
| NWA TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH AMW vs. LAX |
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SLAM! Predictions
Mike Mastandrea
LAX is on fire right now, so the titles should stay where they are for now, but Petey Williams will begin his face push so he should make an appearance here.
Matt Mackinder
I'm such a mark for LAX. I love their gimmick, I love their promos and I dig their theme music. It was just weeks ago that AMW was teasing a break-up, so putting them in this feud means they're sticking together. Gotta go with the champs retaining here.
Jon Waldman
Another example of non-sensical booking. Is TNA really that afraid that Storm and Harris will not be able to survive on their own? Surely one of these guys is HBK material... right? LAX wins decisively.
Greg Oliver
This war is just beginning and apparently AMW are babyfaces again, so the chase has to continue. Take LAX to win a real battle.
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UNDERCARD
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SLAM! Predictions
Mike Mastandrea
Christopher Daniels vs. Chris Sabin (X-Division Title) - Daniels just won the title so plan on him to hold onto it for a few more weeks.
AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage - If TNA wants Christian to get over as a heel, he has to get the win over the mega-face AJ Styles. Rhino is nowhere on the card so I can see some interference on his part for this one.
Robert Roode vs. ??? - I guess Shark Boy has to be used at some point???
The Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Matt Bentley, Kazarian and Johnny Devine -VKM (ugggg) is in the beginning their reincarnation so no way they are going to lose this one.
Ron Killings/Lance Hoyt vs. Austin Starr/Alex Shelley - I'm going to stick my neck out a bit on this one and say that Truth and Hoyt will get the win here thanks to Alex Shelley messing up.
Naturals vs. Sonjay Dutt/Jay Lethal - The Naturals just gave Team 3D their first ever loss in a Tables match, so expect them to continue riding the wave.
Matt Mackinder
Christopher Daniels vs. Chris Sabin (X-Division Title) - I always thought Sabin should never have lost it to A.J. Styles in the first place, so I see the belt going back to Sabin here.
AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage - If TNA does this right, a solid program is in the making. I'll go with Styles.
Robert Roode vs. ??? - Two words: Petey Williams. The new face should beat Roode, but LAX and Ms. Brooks get Roode the win.
The Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Matt Bentley, Kazarian and Johnny Devine - How can the VKM lose here? They can't, and won't.
Ron Killings/Lance Hoyt vs. Austin Starr/Alex Shelley - Killings' raps are so 1994. Just thought I'd add that. Starr and Shelley keep it together to win.
Naturals vs. Sonjay Dutt/Jay Lethal - The Naturals should get a title shot soon. But first, they defeat Dutt and Lethal.
Jon Waldman
Christopher Daniels vs. Chris Sabin (X-Division Title) - Sabin should
never have lost the belt in the first place. He regains here, leading to Ultimate
X.
AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage - Cage takes the W here and goes on to be in
the top title mix.
Robert Roode vs. ??? - Roode has to lose here. I smell new blood boiling.
Perhaps another WWE castoff, or Chris Hero.
The Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Matt Bentley, Kazarian and Johnny Devine - VKM
gets it done... in this very ring.
Ron Killings/Lance Hoyt vs. Austin Starr/Alex Shelley - Starr needs the
W, but I can see Shelley losing the match for his crew, then getting beat down.
Naturals vs. Sonjay Dutt/Jay Lethal - Naturals, natch.
Greg Oliver
Christopher Daniels vs. Chris Sabin (X-Division Title) - Daniels takes
it with more authority than his actual title win.
AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage - What a rush job. Styles wins by DQ.
Robert Roode vs. ??? - Um, how about Eric Young as the foe? I'll take Roode
though.
The Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Matt Bentley, Kazarian and Johnny Devine - Sigh.
More silly punk worship of Raven. VKM to win.
Ron Killings/Lance Hoyt vs. Austin Starr/Alex Shelley - Nash's guys have
momentum, though they will bicker a lot.
Naturals vs. Sonjay Dutt/Jay Lethal - Naturals just beat Team 3-D. They
ain't losing to Lethal & Dutt.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman