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Countdown to TNA Against All Odds
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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I fail to see the point in calling a pay-per-view Against All Odds when the
company hasn't exactly overcome anything in the last few months.
True, brand recognition is important - but so is logic. Since the last PPV,
TNA has a prime time spot on television, has done PPVs outside of Universal
Studios and has established itself as a destination for disgruntled wrestlers. Have they beat any odds to get to this level? Heck no; all they did was give something different, and while the doomsayers from a couple years ago would've said TNA wasn't likely to survive, those whispers are now silenced.
Be that as it may, we have a decent card to explore here. So enough of the
appetizers; let's get to the main course.
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MAIN EVENT: NWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Kurt Angle vs. Christian Cage (w/Samoa Joe as the outside enforcer) |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
This has been one of the most convoluted build-ups in some time, with too many
players (did we really need Scott Steiner involved?) and I think it's taken away from
the importance of a title match. One has to think Joe will be throwing down
the gauntlet to whomever wins - and they'll probably want at least one more
Joe-Angle match. So I pick Angle to win, despite the interference from Tomko
and Steiner.
Matt Mackinder
I like Cage as champ, but I fear TNA may want to put the belt on Angle so Joe
can then assume the title. That being said, however, I think Scott Steiner assists
Cage (and maybe Joe does, too) and the Canuck retains.
Greg Oliver
Intriguing. Cage and Angle should have some good chemistry. Samoa Joe isn't
really necessary here, but what can you do? I take Cage to retain, somehow,
with help from either Tomko or Joe.
Jon Waldman
You'd think I'd be excited about this match - but really, it's just another
WWE castaway match, and it's a WWE undercard bout this time around. While I
can't say with any certainty that the two met up on WWE TV, it's almost a guarantee
they did. Chemistry and wrestling would be good here, but it's the Russo era
and we're likely to get four or five run-ins. I'll take Christian after shenanigans
a go-go.
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PRISON YAR MATCH
Sting vs. Abyss |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Just when I thought the last one was convoluted. Abyss shot his father? Who
thinks up this stuff? Sting wins, and after getting berated by Jim Mitchell
for losing, Abyss loses it, Black Hole Slams Mitchell, and redeems his soul.
Matt Mackinder
If Sting wins, what does that prove storyline-wise? This feud has gone on long
enough and I like the Monster going over here. He then turns on James Mitchell
and defects to the babyface realm.
Greg Oliver
I think this will be the only non-finish of the night, with Abyss beating Sting
almost senseless, then realizing the error of his way. The bout ends with a
big group hug.
Jon Waldman
Even a wrestling fan who hasn't watched since WCW folded would know this is
a Russo creation. Why a prison match? Is it because that's where Abyss should
be after shooting his father? Once again, wrestling defies the law of
the land and shows, apparently, that the squared circle is an independent nation.
Suspend this disbelief Russo! I don't care who wins because in the end either
the Abyss character is done for good or Sting ends up looking like a moron...again.
Unfortunately, Sting wins here.
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X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Jerry Lynn vs. Chris Sabin |
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SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
Should be the easy Match of the Night winner, given these two. Lynn's a sentimental
favourite to win, but I think Sabin will pull off a devious victory.
Matt Mackinder
As a heel, Sabin's charisma is on display at its best. JL is past his prime, but
can still get around in the ring. Lynn as champ? Nah. I see the champ retaining
the gold.
Greg Oliver
Lynn deserves another run with the title, and having him upset and frustrate Sabin
will further their storyline. But I think Sabin will win, alas.
Jon Waldman
What did I say last week about up-and-comers? Look, just because WWE brings Fit
Finlay back doesn't mean TNA can pull off the same trick. Finlay is a hell of
a lot better than Lynn is or ever was. What's next, Terry Taylor? Sabin has to
win here, or whatever credibility was left for the X Division officially ends
up being flushed.
SLAM! Predictions
Bob Kapur
James Storm/Miss Tennesse vs. Petey Williams/Gail Kim - I think they're
really going to push Storm as a singles guy, so look for he and Miss Tennessee
to pull some chicanery and squeak out a win.
Team Eckstein vs. Team Pierszynski - Baseball been bery bery good to Lance
Hoyt - in that he's finally getting some TV time. The good guys win.
Christy Hemme vs. ? - Her opponent turns out to be the woman-hating Kip
James. BG James helps Hemme win.
Matt Mackinder
James Storm/Miss Tennesse vs. Petey Williams/Gail Kim - As much as I
love the Canadian Destroyer, Petey doesn't get to use it here and his team does
the job.
Team Eckstein vs. Team Pierzynski - In the "who cares?" portion
of the show, Team Jewish wins over Team Polish.
Christy Hemme vs. ? - Whichever gal Hemme meets will take the fall. Lita?
Not yet. Chyna? Ha. Then who?
Greg Oliver
James Storm/Miss Tennesse vs. Petey Williams/Gail Kim - Women actually
wrestling in TNA? How original. Gimme Storm & Miss T.
Team Eckstein vs. Team Pierzynski - The Cards are the current baseball champs,
so Eckstein's team prevails.
Christy Hemme vs. ? - Hemme goes over, otherwise, why else hype her?
Jon Waldman
James Storm/Miss Tennesse vs. Petey Williams/Gail Kim - It's nice to
see some variety, but yet another WWE Diva being brought in? Ugh. The rednecks
win.
Team Eckstein vs. Team Pierzynski - Considering how baseball is the second
least violent sport (next to basketball, save for a Ron Artest game), I have
no interest. I'll go with TE just for the hell of it.
Christy Hemme vs. ? - And yet another WWE castoff will come back here.
Instinct tells me Chyna, but after the Larry King meltdown, she's the last person
anyone wants to see. Methinks Ivory comes in and shows Christy what real women's
wrestling is all about. Hemme loses.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
