Countdown to TNA Sacrifice

TNA serves up mostly straightforward wrestling at Sacrifice

Think there's a bit of pressure on TNA's talent tonight folks?

After being thoroughly beaten in the "Monday Night Wars" and having to retreat back to Thursday nights, morale in the locker room can't be very high going into Sacrifice tonight.

So it becomes incumbent on veterans like AJ Styles to lead the way and push the newer guys (both in career and TNA experience) to give it their all tonight, buyrates be damned.

Let's take a look at Sacrifice

This one could be an Match of the Year contender, but RVD has to do a bit more with his repertoire in the ring. I challenge you to watch a match since he came into TNA and find more than five grapple moves. Seriously. AJ's unquestionably one of, if not the best, ring technicians and he can lead a match incredibly well, but he still pulls out eye-popping crowd-pleasing moves which he shouldn't be doing as a heel. I think RVD retains here, and to push the program along it's due to shenanigans.

If it didn't feel like these guys have feuded 100 times over the last five years I'd be more excited for this match. Sting can still put on a good bout despite his age, and hopefully after this match ends he'll be put in a feud that will help elevate a younger guy. Jarrett's position in TNA is interesting -- he's keeping himself out of the title hunt even though he could realistically be working the main event with Styles. With Kurt Angle due back, likely in face mode, look for Sting to win and beat on Jeff until Kurt makes the save.

This feels like a rushed match, with TNA hoping that Anderson can get some main event rub from Hardy. Jeff's future in TNA is always in doubt with the trial looming, so don't be surprised if Anderson goes over.

Dud. Pac win thanks to Eric Young.

I'm looking at this being the show-stealer. I'm really digging Williams and the Rolling German may be the best finisher in wrestling today. I have the feeling TNA will keep the belt on Kaz, but I'd look for this feud to finish up next month in a ladder match a la HBK/Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X.

I'm really upset that Abyss has yet to bust out "the precious" when talking about the ring. Lord of the Rings references would make this feud more interesting. Smeagol rocks! I hate the thought of Chelsea ending up with Abyss, so while the masked man will win (because Desmond winning a match is apparently cardinal sin), expect some sort of out clause to spare us some torture.

It's Razor/Goldust redux, except neither Terry nor Jordan have the heat-drawing ability of Hall or Runnels. Jordan's trying to be risque but he's nowhere near the level that Dustin went to with the Goldust character. Hopefully Terry obliterates Jordan, but I get the feeling that the former WWE'er takes the belt tonight.

Is it beyond the realm of thought that Tara was working the Twitterverse? Not with Russo still involved in the company. This could go either way, and sadly I really don't care what happens.

Team 3D wins here to set up another "legendary" tag title match. Boring.

Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!

Get the best of TNA's PPVs in the SLAM! Store!

PREVIOUS TNA SACRIFICE PPV REPORTS
Aug 1, 2009: Sacrifice: Sting the new face to Main Event Mafia May 12, 2008: TNA Sacrifice: Joe retains; LAX regains May 14, 2007: World title picture muddied after good Sacrifice May 15, 2006: TNA makes good on Sacrifice PPV Aug 15, 2004: TNA makes a great Sacrifice