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It's time for TNA's hardcore PPV of the year, Hard Justice, and you know what
that means - gimmicks a-go-go.
Yes friends, the combination of ordinary special matches into super-stip clusters
happens again tonight.
Give TNA credit though - there are a couple gimmick-free bouts as well, though they're not in as large a populous as one would hope.
Let's get to the action.
| TNA WORLD TITLE MATCH (SIX SIDES OF STEEL
WITH WEAPONS MATCH) Samoa Joe vs. Booker T |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Two things happen here: 1> Joe retains. 2> Someone comes out in Sting
garb, followed by the real Sting coming out to save Joe, who then goes into
the rafters or something for a half a year. Yes, it's The Crow v.2.0. Babyfaces
never learn, do they?
Greg Oliver
How will Sting figure into this? That is the real question. There will be a
baseball bat involved somehow... I think we'll see Sting show his true colours,
and definitely help Samoa Joe win against that baddie Booker T.
Jason Clevett
The top of the gimmickry heap, although there is enough background to this match
to justify it. This is TNA, so a solid match will probably be marred with some
confusing booking involving Sting, but I can't see them taking the belt of Joe
just yet.
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Matt Mackinder
Hopefully, this match lives up to the hype. Booker may be out of his element
in a match like this, but he has the ability to make it work. That being said,
Joe keeps the belt.
| GRUDGE MATCH (LAST MAN STANDING) AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
I like the concept of this match, but I fear for Angle's life. With this many
injuries in the last half-year, Kurt should not be near a wrestling ring. Hopefully
in storyline he's put on the shelf for the rest of '08. Styles wins.
Greg Oliver
If they really let these two go, this could be a super match. But I suspect
the usual plethora of outside interference, whether from Karen or some other
lackey. Angle wins in the end, though.
Jason Clevett
I really enjoyed their last match and have high expectations for a lot of drama
with the last man standing stip. Just let the two guys fight and keep the external
stuff to a minimum. Styles beat Angle last time, so Kurt narrowly stands before
a 10 count this time.
Matt Mackinder
I'm looking for this match to steal the show, but as long as Karen Angle gets
involved, it won't. It's a shame, too, because these two guys could tear the
house down. Even at 160 pounds, Kurt still can. But I digress. Angle wins.
| TNA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH LAX vs. Beer Money, Inc. |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
I like the basic concept of Beer Money, but I hate the name. LAX has done great
with the belts and the feud has been entertaining despite it being the heels
chasing. I think BMI takes the straps, maybe with a Hector Guerrero turn just for the
hell of it.
Greg Oliver
Beer Money has been entertaining for a thrown-together team, but LAX wins.
Jason Clevett
New Jersey is Homicide's old stomping grounds. I expect the crowd to be hugely
into LAX which should add to the match. The champs retain.
Matt Mackinder
What? No gimmick? "Just" a world title match? Whoa. LAX has it going
on and the whole beer gimmick with the other guys is getting stale, much like
their beer. LAX keeps the gold and hopefully wins clean.
| GRUDGE MATCH (JERSEY STREET FIGHT) Christian Cage/Rhino vs. Team 3D |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Given that 3D's contracts are up soon (and I get the feeling they're headed
back to WWE), this will be the beginning of the end of their TNA careers. I'm
guessing there will be glass here, which is never a good thing.
Greg Oliver
The future of Team 3D is a little up in the air, and this match may offer a
good clue -- if they win, which I believe they will, they'll be sticking around
longer.
Jason Clevett
Speaking of stomping grounds, the pay per view is also very much in Dudleyville,
and I expect a really interesting dynamic to this match. Should be filled with
plunder, and a Dudleyz win.
Matt Mackinder
The loser has to go back to WWE. Seriously, wouldn't that make a good stipulation?
Through my 3D glasses, I have the Dudleyz going over here.
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GRUDGE MATCH (BLACK TIE BRAWL N' CHAIN) |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
I liked the build for this feud post-wedding, but that has dissipated, namely
because this feud feels like it's been running forever. I'm guessing Val will
turn here, but then again we've been guessing that for every show. There will
be blood, but other than that the match will conclude in a clusterfrick.
Greg Oliver
Will this (hopefully) end this soap opera? Doubtful. I see Lethal winning, but
Dutt getting heat back afterwards by leaving him a bloody mess.
Jason Clevett
Perhaps best left to a different pay per view. Really, since there will likely
be blood in at least two other matches, I can't see crimson in this one, and
what's the point of a chain match without it? Dutt wins because the chain is
legal, probably choking out Lethal while Val begs him to stop.
Matt Mackinder
Both of these guys can do so much more than this garbage. Of course, So Cal
Val interjects. Of course. And Lethal wins. How about the winner of this match
has to lose their obnoxious gimmick?
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SIX-WOMAN TAG TEAM MATCH |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
It's really non-sensical for Kong to be teaming with anyone, and I'm guessing
a turn on her 'mates happens here. I love the BP's but Kim and ODB teaming still
doesn't sit well with me. I'm guessing that the faces win, but it's impossible
to predict who will take the fall.
Greg Oliver
It's hard to pick when there are Toronto gals on both sides! I'll take the evil
gals in this sure-to-be wild bout.
Jason Clevett
This will probably be short but fun. Wilde scores the pin for her team.
Matt Mackinder
I love that the ladies get the top ratings on Impact. I really do. These gals
can really work, but with six (seven if you count Kong's face) it may be a cluster-you-know-what.
Gail's team wins.
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X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Subtlety, Creed has become the American posterboy, especially with the Apollo
Creed-esque USA shorts. It's just too bad that TNA is so absent-minded that
they didn't take advantage of the border fight natural angle, especially when
you know Canadians are likely to come down for the show. Creed needs the title
to cement himself, and Williams is lost with Steiner on the shelf, so look for
a switch here.
Greg Oliver
Alas, sort of a throwaway match in the grand scheme of things. Somebody seems
to believe in Creed, so I see him going over here.
Jason Clevett
Petey has to retain. Please let Petey retain.
Matt Mackinder
Is it "real" muscle or store-bought Maple Leaf Muscle for Petey? Oh
well, his run ends here as Apollo, er, Consequences Creed wins his first title.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman