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Countdown to TNA Turning Point
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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The title of this week's pay-per-view would imply that our subject, TNA, is
headed to a road paved with gold. That is entirely possible, but if that is
the case that paved highway will have a different toll-booth owner every month. Yes,
welcome to a new era in TNA, where titles change hands as frequently as the
wrestlers change their tights.
Maybe this month will see a bit of stability. Two titles are on the line at
Turning Point tonight, while other feuds are warming up. Let's get to the action.
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NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Sting vs. Abyss vs. Christian Cage |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
After title changes at both of the last PPVs, it would be nice to see a champion
hold the belt for a while. But unfortunately, I think the trend will continue
at Turning Point. Sting and Abyss will pummel each other, allowing Cage (with
help from Tomko, his outside man) to pull some sort of shenanigans, and win
the title.
Matt Mackinder
Somehow, Abyss will retain here. Cage and Sting should have a long-running feud
and like someone said in the Genesis preview, Abyss is only keeping the belt
warm for Kurt Angle. Then again, with Vince Russo booking these days, who knows
what this match will yield? I'll stick to my guns and say Abyss keeps the
gold.
Jon Waldman
Let's face it - with Russo holding the book we're lucky not to get a different
champion every week. Sting's efforts to humanize Abyss are looking like a turn
for the worst. My guess is Sting's guidance costs the big guy the belt this
time, giving Christian a heel run. The return match happens on Impact, and Abyss
turns on Sting, ripping him to shreds in the process.
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GRUDGE MATCH
Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
If logic comes into play, Joe's winning should be a slam dunk pick. That would
tie the series 1-1, and they can have a rubber match later on; but the way they've
hot-shotted this feud already, who knows what they'll do. I wouldn't be surprised
if they keep Angle strong and have him win again. Go with sense prevailing,
and Joe gets the duke.
Matt Mackinder
TNA should have made this a "best of" series. Angle won the first
one at Genesis, so it only makes sense to give Joe the win here and set up a
rubber match at Final Resolution (aptly named). However, whatever Russo wants
goes. I still say Joe gets a clean win.
Jon Waldman
The seemingly logical move would be for Joe to get a measure of revenge, but
this is the Russo book. My guess is Joe loses again, maybe with some shenanigans
involved to firmly establish angle as the heel.
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X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Chris Sabin vs. Chris Daniels |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Isn't it time Daniels started competing for the world championship? The guy's
done it all in the X and Tag division, and he deserves to be elevated. Sabin shouldn't
have lost the belt after he won it at Bound for Glory, so I look for him to regain
it here.
Matt Mackinder
This title has changed hands more times in the past month than I can remember.
Sabin as a heel is decent, but I always thought Daniels played the role better.
Special ref Jerry Lynn may figure into the outcome (screwing Sabin somehow?) and
would be great back in the ring for a series of matches with Sabin. I go with
Daniels retaining here.
Jon Waldman
Haven't I seen this match 10 times already? The basic problem with the X-Division
right now is it's pretty much the same four guys (these two, AJ Styles and Senshi/Low
Ki) involved in the title match on every PPV. The division is in serious need
of new blood. Oh, and it's Russo booking, so Jerry Lynn aligns himself with
Sabin.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
AMW vs. LAX (Flag Match) - I don't remember ever seeing the heels win
a flag match over hometown heroes, but can you imagine how intense their heat
would be if they did? I'm picking LAX, because I really want to see this one
escalate even further.
Rhino vs. AJ Styles - I'm still not sure why Rhino cares if AJ and Daniels
stop being friends - when did Rhino start caring about people anyway? Styles
wins to cement his villainous ways.
Paparazzi Elimination Match - Austin Starr seems to be Nash's chosen one,
so look for him to beat Shelley.
Eric Young vs. Tracy Brooks (Bikini Contest) - This will be lame comedy.
Both deserve better, as does Robert Roode, who gets involved.
Matt Mackinder
AMW vs. LAX (Flag Match) - Another Flag Match so soon after LockDown?
LAX wins in the sleeper match on the card.
Rhino vs. AJ Styles - AJ Styles as a heel? He's not too bad, actually.
He cheats to beat Rhino here.
Paparazzi Elimination Match - Austin Starr wins and begins a feud with Alex
Shelley. Should be a good one.
Eric Young vs. Tracy Brooks (Bikini Contest) - This is on a pay-per-view?
How is one to judge? Tracy's assets win any day of the week.
Jon Waldman
AMW vs. LAX (Flag Match) - LAX needs the victory to stay hot, but you
have to figure that AMW gets to Konnan who is in desperate need of surgery.
Rhino vs. AJ Styles - Styles cheats to win!
Paparazzi Elimination Match - You have to figure Austin Starr wins here.
Eric Young vs. Tracy Brooks (Bikini Contest) - A male wrestler mixing it
up with a female? It's Russo-rific! Who cares.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
