Countdown to TNA Victory Road By SLAM! Wrestling Staff

Victory Road: Submission wins and title changes

Is this pay-per-view Victory Road or Souled Out? Going by the card available Wednesday evening, it sure felt like we were back in the nWo era, where either a member or someone associated with the rebel rousers would be featured in every match.

If TNA's thought process is that by replicating this formula, which was successful for maybe three pay-per-views before fans got annoyed and WCW smartened up and gave non-nWo matches, they'll capture lightning in a bottle, then in all likelihood they'll find themselves dead wrong.

However, sometimes lightning does strike twice so maybe it's worth the risk for a single PPV experiment. So let's see what happens at Victory Road, then judge.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

I don't think anyone thinks Mick has a hope in hell here. It seems that this is Kurt's match for the taking. I'm guessing this will be a five-minute short match leading up to the more important return of Lashley.

Chris Sokol

Kurt Angle is going strong right now, so I expect to see him win here. Jeff Jarrett will get involved in some form or fashion, especially considering he is not booked for a match on the card. I also see Bobby Lashley making an appearance during this match. Either way, Angle is your winner.

Greg Oliver

Going forward for the company, it makes more sense for Angle to stay on top and build towards something with Bobby Lashley. Angle wins.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

AJ deserves the world title, but it's crammed up in the main event slot so he gets shuffled down the card. Nash doesn't need the title, necessarily, but it furthers the Mafia storyline so I'm betting he takes the strap.

Chris Sokol

AJ Styles will put up a good fight, but in the end K-Nash will have his hand raised in victory, thanks to some Mafia shenanigans.

Greg Oliver

Here's where Nash walks the talk about letting the next generation get some rub. Styles wins, however much we have to suspend disbelief to accept it.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

The question here is whether BMI will be strong enough in the chaser role. I'm betting that TNA gambles on the chase and hands the titles over to Scott Steiner and Booker T.

Chris Sokol

With the big storyline going into Victory Road being the Main Event Mafia capturing all the gold they set out for, I see Booker and Steiner coming away from this match with the tag straps.

Greg Oliver

Beer Money is on such a run that Steiner and Booker are mere speed bumps. The over/under on outside interference from Team 3D or the British Invasion is 6 minutes, 30 seconds.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

This has good potential, and if TNA runs the storyline long enough it could serve to be Sting's last feud in wrestling. Take Joe here with outside interference.

Chris Sokol

Sting gets the disqualification win after Samoa Joe's adviser gets involved. Sting and Joe both stay strong and their feud continues with an added dynamic. Greg Oliver

Perhaps the most intriguing match on the show, and a definite clash style-wise. I can see Sting taking the duke in a bit of an upset, leading to another bout down the road with Samoa Joe fully trained under his adviser.

SLAM! Predictions

WHAT YOU THINK
What match at TNA Victory Road are you most looking forward to? Angle vs Foley - 21% Styles vs Nash - 7% Beer Money vs Booker T & Steiner - 12% Samoa Joe vs Sting - 46% Sharmell vs Morasca - 7% Morgan vs Daniels - 7%

Jon Waldman

Well, we knew it was going to happen eventually, so let's just grin and bear it.

Chris Sokol

Is there a winner in all of this? I guess I'll go with Sharmell thanks to some interference.

Greg Oliver

God, please make this short. There is zero reason for this to be on the PPV. I suppose Morasca has to win since they have invested money in her, and Sharmell means nothing to business.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

Morgan doesn't need to be in the Mafia. There. I said it. Daniels wins.

Chris Sokol

Daniels sneaks in a win here, to keep Matt Morgan on the outside looking in with the Main Event Mafia.

Greg Oliver

Could steal the show. Morgan takes the win.

SLAM! Predictions

Jon Waldman

Russo?

Chris Sokol

Johnny Fairplay. Just kidding... it's got to be Taz!

Greg Oliver

Taz. No one else makes sense.

-- compiled by Jon Waldman

VICTORY ROAD HISTORY
From the SLAM! Wrestling archives: July 18, 2008: Main event mars Victory Road July 16, 2007: Victory Road full of surprises July 17, 2006: Sting succeeds on Victory Road Nov. 8, 2004: Victory Road bombs 1997-2008 Pay-per-view-reports