Countdown to TNA Hard Justice
By SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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Hard Justice goes live on pay-per-view tonight and unfortunately the timing
couldn't be any worse for TNA - and I'm not referring to the problems with Kurt
Angle (though that will almost definitely impact tonight's main event).
Rather, this month is a double whammy. First, it's Summerslam this month, which
is WWE's second biggest pay-per-view of the year, which means if a wrestling
fan picks one wrestling event a month, you can be assured it's going to be for
the Stamford, CT show.
On top of that though was last night's Strikeforce PPV, which featured the
much anticipated (but huge letdown) match between Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg,
which inevitably will draw buys away from tonight's card as well.
The result may be TNA's lowest buyrate ever, which unfortunately would be saying
a lot if rumoured buy-ins are indeed true.
Let's take a look at the card that awaits us tonight.
TNA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Matt Morgan |
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Well, we can't accuse TNA of having the same main event every month, because
now they're finally elevating Matt Morgan into the big picture. Before the Angle
incident over the weekend I would have assumed that Thursday's confrontation
between champion and new challenger was leading to a swerve (quel suprise),
but now, maybe Morgan indeed will take out Kurt completely. Ultimately, you
have to figure Sting takes the title here because Matt is probably a bout or
two away from winning the big one.
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TNA LEGENDS TITLE MATCH
Kevin Nash vs. Mick Foley |
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
This is the very definition of "clash of styles" --Mick's hardcore
edge versus Kevin's power game. The result should be a brutal beating on Foley,
but at this point I don't think anyone cares who has this belt. I'll take Nash
only because it looks like the Mafia is losing a title tonight.
TNA TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Scott Steiner/Booker T vs. Team 3D |
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SLAM! Predictions
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WHAT YOU THINK
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Who will win in the TNA tag team titles bout?
Booker T & Scott Steiner (champs) - 43%
Team 3D - 57%
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Jon Waldman
This is likely only the first bout in this feud so the titles will stay put.
It's a shame that the red hot Beer Money has been shuffled down the card in
favour of 3D.
X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Homicide |
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Looks like TNA is returning the division to its RoH roots, which is great in
my books. With Homicide as champ though, the possibilities are a bit more limited.
Look at it like this - the Asylum match looks to potentially go to Daniels,
and AJ Styles always available now that he's seemingly fully out of the main
event picture (for now). So in order for us to get look for a three way bout
between these guys at Bound For Glory, Joe must win tonight. Bank on it.
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TNA KNOCKOUTS TITLE MATCH
Angelina Love vs. ODB
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Okay I'm confused. The way Impact was teasing, the bout tonight was looking
like a tag match for the strap, but the online lineup has it as a singles match.
Somehow, I don't think TNA has made the decision yet. Now you would figure that
TNA by now would have put the belt on ODB as she is clearly the people's champion,
given the reaction she gets, but TNA seems hell bent on teasing a switch to
Love as title holder. At this point, figure Love to retain leading to a multi
woman match somewhere in the near future.
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X-DIVISION NUMBER ONE CONTENTER MATCH (Steel Asylum)
Christopher Daniels vs. Suicide vs. Chris Sabin vs. Alex Shelley vs. Amazing
Red vs. Consequences Creed vs. Jay Lethal
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
While I'd like to see Amazing Red elevated here, all signs point to Daniels
getting the win as noted before. Expect a few crazy spots here, as always, but
really, no one else is in a position at this point to be the number one contender.
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IWGP TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
British Invasion vs. Beer Money
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
TNA really needs to build up these belts a little bit more if they're going
to become a staple on Thursday nights. NJPW has the final say here, so I guess
the winner will be whomever is more inclined to do some travelling. Oh, does
it sound like i don't care who wins? Hmm....
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GRUDGE MATCH (HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BRIEFCASE)
Hernandez vs. Rob Terry
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Is the world ready for Terry? Nope. Hernandez wins in convincing fashion here.
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GRUDGE MATCH (BOUNTY)
Jethro Holliday vs. Abyss
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SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
Come to the table kids, it's time for dinner. Oh, what are we eating tonight?
Squash. Abyss wins.
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-- compiled by Jon Waldman
