RedJed 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Got this off Observer site.. --It will be announced at tonight's TNA tapings that Tito Ortiz will referee the Jeff Jarrett vs. A.J. Styles match on 5/15 for the Hard Justice PPV. The entire card will have to be made clear tonight, but I believe there will be a Royal Rumble (not using that term of course) style match, using the gauntlet match name. Ortiz is a major pro wrestling fan who during a previous UFC contract issue in 2003, was in negotiations for months with WWE, and is good friends with several pro wrestlers, including Bill Goldberg and Rey Mysterio. ---------- Wow, Ortiz as special ref? This reminds me of Shamrock coming into WWE in 97 - wonder if they will actually sign him up to matches? I would think it has to be at a very high price to have him appear, much less wrestle in the future. Rest of the card will have to be finalized tonight at Impact tapings since its just three weeks away til the ppv and this one taping will serve the whole build. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nokia Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Ortiz is a good choice.... Thanks for the heads up... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 The cynic is me thinks this is the only way that they could get Jarrett to agree to drop the belt, with the possibility of him blaming Ortiz for the loss and doing a money match at a future PPV against Tito. Either way, I think this is a good move for TNA, though I still hope they show some continuity and include Abyss in the main event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Edgehead Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Hard Justice already looks very good. I would like to see AJ win but they could do an angle like WrestleMania where AJ (bloody), passes out due to the figure four leglock and inexperienced ref Ortiz stops the fight and awards victory to Jarrett. Then at Slammiversary we have a 3-way with Jarrett, AJ and the Gauntlet winner (I will predict right now it will be Monty Brown) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Wow, that came out of left field. Tito is made for wrestling though, I just wonder if he can work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Now the real question is, what kinda effect with this have on the buyrate? I'm sure that with the money they're shelling out, TNA is going to expect this to be it's most watched PPV, but can Ortiz have a Tyson-like effect (on a much smaller scale of course) on TNA? And if he doesn't, who gets the blame? (One guess) This is, after all, the first ME in the monthly era that doesn't feature one of the "names" on top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 I like edgeheads idea. also tito ortiz...wtf? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natey2k4 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 All Matches Getting A Special Referee?... Okay jokes dead. This could be HUGE For TNA, and let's hope Ortiz is a fan of wrestling and actually knows what a Referee does a least enough to not distract from the match. Shamrock was awesome at WM 13, maybe Ortiz can fit in like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 All Matches Getting A Special Referee?... Okay jokes dead. This could be HUGE For TNA, and let's hope Ortiz is a fan of wrestling and actually knows what a Referee does a least enough to not distract from the match. Shamrock was awesome at WM 13, maybe Ortiz can fit in like that. Ehem... Ortiz is a major pro wrestling fan who during a previous UFC contract issue in 2003, was in negotiations for months with WWE, and is good friends with several pro wrestlers, including Bill Goldberg and Rey Mysterio. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedJed 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 SPOILERS FROM IMPACT TAPING BELOW.......... Undercard was somewhat announced at the Impact tapings (which sounded ok including a tag title change as the Naturals beat AMW out of nowhere) which includes: Gauntlet for the Gold rumble for what I would assume is a title shot at the Anniversary show with 20 guys, Abyss is number 20 after winning THE EXACT SAME GAUNTLET MATCH off the third week of Impact. That is VERY weird to book the exact same match on TV with the (I would presume) all of the same 20 wrestlers that will be in the one on the ppv. Daniels v. Shocker for the X title which should be f'n tremendous Last man standing match w/ Raven v. Hardy Most likely AMW v. Naturals for the tag titles since Naturals beat AMW at the taping. And of course the Styles v. Jarrett match with Ortiz as ref Sounds like a decent ppv again this next time around, probably will be a few X division undercard matches and that should be the complete card. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 I'm sure you can add Sabin vs Shane or maybe a mixed tag between the two since they seem to have a nice little feud going from the spoilers. And a report I just read has the AMW/Naturals rematch confirmed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natey2k4 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 SPOILERS FROM IMPACT TAPING BELOW.......... Undercard was somewhat announced at the Impact tapings (which sounded ok including a tag title change as the Naturals beat AMW out of nowhere) which includes: Gauntlet for the Gold rumble for what I would assume is a title shot at the Anniversary show with 20 guys, Abyss is number 20 after winning THE EXACT SAME GAUNTLET MATCH off the third week of Impact. That is VERY weird to book the exact same match on TV with the (I would presume) all of the same 20 wrestlers that will be in the one on the ppv. Daniels v. Shocker for the X title which should be f'n tremendous Last man standing match w/ Raven v. Hardy Most likely AMW v. Naturals for the tag titles since Naturals beat AMW at the taping. And of course the Styles v. Jarrett match with Ortiz as ref Sounds like a decent ppv again this next time around, probably will be a few X division undercard matches and that should be the complete card. From what I re-collect from the Spoilers.. I'm thinking that on Impact it will be a battle royal for positioning of first and last in the match, while at the PPV it will be a Royal Rumble type match where a new man enters every couple minutes, until it comes down to the final two which will be a match. This is what I get from the Spoilers.. World Heavyweight Championship Match Jeff Jarrett © v. AJ Styles Special Referee - Tito Ortiz X Division Championship Match Christopher Daniels © v. Shocker v. Elix Skipper Tag Team Championship Match The Naturals © v. America's Most Wanted Last Man Standing Match Raven v. Jeff Hardy Michael Shane v. Chris Sabin (or Shane & Trinity v. Sabin & Traci) Gaunlet For Gold Match Abyss v. Petey Williams v. Bobby Roode v. Lance Hoyt v. Monty Brown v. Dallas Page v. Sean Waltman v. Ron Killings v. The Outlaw v. Trytan v. Dustin Rhodes v. BG James v. Konnan v. Apolo v. Sonny Siaki v. A-1 v. Eric Young v. 3 Others, possibly Nash. A combination of Quatermain, Lovett, David Young, Mikey Batts and Cassidy Riley will probably make up for the final 2 or 3. I think Shark Boy seems to be pretty much gone from TNA, if he isnt thought throw him into the Guanlet match instead of one of the jobbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 World Heavyweight Championship Match Jeff Jarrett © v. AJ Styles Special Referee - Tito Ortiz X Division Championship Match Christopher Daniels © v. Shocker v. Elix Skipper Tag Team Championship Match The Naturals © v. America's Most Wanted Last Man Standing Match Raven v. Jeff Hardy Michael Shane v. Chris Sabin (or Shane & Trinity v. Sabin & Traci) Gaunlet For Gold Match Abyss v. Petey Williams v. Bobby Roode v. Lance Hoyt v. Monty Brown v. Dallas Page v. Sean Waltman v. Ron Killings v. The Outlaw v. Trytan v. Dustin Rhodes v. BG James v. Konnan v. Apolo v. Sonny Siaki v. A-1 v. Eric Young v. 3 Others, possibly Nash. A combination of Quatermain, Lovett, David Young, Mikey Batts and Cassidy Riley will probably make up for the final 2 or 3. I said in another thread that you could probably add something with the 3LK and the Outlaw, most likely Konnan and James vs Outlaw and Monty or something like that. That be 7 matches, with the main likely to go 20 and the gauntlet likely to eat another half hour. And you could probably through something in there for Hoyt if they need another match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natey2k4 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 I would expect all those guys to be in the Gaunlet. And The Gaunlet is going to be a Royal Rumble type match apparently. So it may chew up like close to an hour. Styles v. Jarrett - 25-30 minutes Raven v. Jeff hardy - 15ish minutes Naturals v. AMW - 20 minutes Shane v. Sabin 15 minutes Shocker v. Skipper v. Daniels - 18 minutes. The Actual Battle Royal will probably be like 35-45 minutes. Plus a 10-15 minute Match to finish it off with the final two. That will leave probably about half an hour for backstage skits and stuff... should be pretty good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericholic82 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2005 you know, I f I cared at all about UFC, I might be excited, but alas Im not. Thats my point, bringing in someone that not everyone will know might be a risk. And whoever thought that "Slammaversary" was a good PPV name, should be shot at an Impact Taping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insane Bump Machine 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2005 Sooo...Tito Ortiz goes heel in the match to help Jarrett, Ken Shamrock comes from the crowd to make the save. The match ends without a real finish, and they have the Jarrett/Styles/Gauntlet winner match with maybe some sort of final stipulation (like WM XX, with Styles going over) and Ortiz/Shamrock at their anniversary show. Sound good? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2005 Sooo...Tito Ortiz goes heel in the match to help Jarrett, Ken Shamrock comes from the crowd to make the save. The match ends without a real finish, and they have the Jarrett/Styles/Gauntlet winner match with maybe some sort of final stipulation (like WM XX, with Styles going over) and Ortiz/Shamrock at their anniversary show. Sound good? I actually like that idea with Monty winning the Gauntlet and going face in the 3-way at Slammiversary. If they could convince Tito to work, which he might with Shamrock, that'd be a very good semi-man for the big show, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2005 And whoever thought that "Slammaversary" was a good PPV name, should be shot at an Impact Taping. Well, to be fair... How good of a name, when you take out the prestige of the event and such, is WrestleMania anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natey2k4 0 Report post Posted April 28, 2005 He's got a point... Anyway concerning the Monty Brown face turn, it'd be HIGHLY overshadowed by A.J. Styles because well.. the fans like AJ more than Monty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 They've officially announced the tag title match, bringing the current card to four matches plus the Gauntlet. I'm sure we'll see the mix tag and DDP/BG James vs Monty/Outlaw match getting added next week, but overall, I like the way the card is shaping up. Here's the press release on the tag title match: Nashville, TN (May 6, 2005) – America’s Most Wanted retained the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Team Canada inside Six Sides of Steel last month at “Lockdown.” AMW then lost the titles the following Friday on “iMPACT!” to long time rivals, The Naturals, with the help of the late Chris Candido. Next Sunday at TNA Wrestling’s “Hard Justice,” AMW will get a chance to re-gain the NWA World Tag Team Championship against The Naturals. These two teams have a long history of facing each other in TNA Wrestling and even outside TNA. They have battled across the country fighting each other time and time again, but this time the stakes have been raised with the belts on the line. The match up between these two teams is steadily growing into legendary status. Included in their epic battles is the first ever Six Sides of Steel match where all four men were left bloody and broken. The match up at “Hard Justice” is sure to be another great battle in this continuing war between AMW and The Naturals. Can AMW recover from the shocking loss on “iMPACT!”? Can The Naturals defeat AMW by themselves? The world will find out on May 15th at TNA Wrestling’s “Hard Justice” only on pay-per-view. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 AMW soon to be 5000x Tag Team Champs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedJed 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 Regarding the tag title match, maybe it wont matter or not, but does anyone think that the Naturals may get cheered strongly at the show just because of the affiliation with Candido? I almost wonder if this match could see a double turn, since AMW is so bland right now in their same role as usual that it needs a tweak and TNA has been suggesting to turning them for months now anyway. I almost hope that tag with Monte Brown doesnt happen - it sounds weak as hell and makes no sense. If anything just do Outlaw v. James or even Outlaw v. Killings. DDP could be used in the gauntlet match. Then add in a few more X division matches and you have a pretty solid card. Brown, according to this week's Torch, is really on questionable ground for now as he is trying to negotiate a hefty re-signing through his agent (same guy who works with Nash, Austin, etc) and the Jarretts wont even return a proposal back as they think its too high, so I am betting Brown is probably going to be a free agent soon and out of TNA. Biggest mistake ever there if TNA lets him go, but at this point it wouldnt surprise me if they do it since they obviously dont see the value in this guy with the way he's been used lately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 I would call losing Brown a bigger mistake than losing Styles....they better give the man whatever he wants. I think he could be huge in the WWE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 Regarding the tag title match, maybe it wont matter or not, but does anyone think that the Naturals may get cheered strongly at the show just because of the affiliation with Candido? I almost wonder if this match could see a double turn, since AMW is so bland right now in their same role as usual that it needs a tweak and TNA has been suggesting to turning them for months now anyway. I almost hope that tag with Monte Brown doesnt happen - it sounds weak as hell and makes no sense. If anything just do Outlaw v. James or even Outlaw v. Killings. DDP could be used in the gauntlet match. Then add in a few more X division matches and you have a pretty solid card. Brown, according to this week's Torch, is really on questionable ground for now as he is trying to negotiate a hefty re-signing through his agent (same guy who works with Nash, Austin, etc) and the Jarretts wont even return a proposal back as they think its too high, so I am betting Brown is probably going to be a free agent soon and out of TNA. Biggest mistake ever there if TNA lets him go, but at this point it wouldnt surprise me if they do it since they obviously dont see the value in this guy with the way he's been used lately. I do think that TNA should consider an AMW turn as they are one of the few people in TNA who've never turned, although they've flirted with splitting them up before. I do think that Monty would be better served in the gauntlet, but I do think that's match they're panning on. And they definitely need to resign Brown. As I said in other thread, TNA really blew it with him. They had a chance to legitimately make a new main eventer (not an import) for the first time since AJ Styles. Monty was over, he holding his own in longer matches and all they needed to do was have Jarrett eat a Pounce at Final Resolution or in a rematch at Against All Odds. However, instead, they made the classic mistake of believe past star power was more important than using the stars you have to create new ones, and they rushed a turn and inserted Nash into the title picture. Sure, Nash and Jarrett had a decent match (according to reports anyway...i've only seen the finish), but in the grand scheme of things, that move crippled TNA's main event scene for months. I'm still holding out hope for Monty to win the Gauntlet and ME Slammiversary, but I know it won't happen. A Monty/AJ ME on TNA's "biggest" PPV ever would definitely send a message that they are ready to be a real alternative, but for some reason, I think the fans want to cheer Monty, and I think they will if they show that he's been playing Jarrett all this time. I think the ideal ME for the anniversary PPV would be a deadly draw four-way with AJ, Jarrett, Monty and Abyss, with Monty going full-fledged face at some point in the match. Sorry for the rant, but seeing Final Resolution finally made the blown opportunity with Monty fresh in my mind again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2005 I think it would be a bad idea for AJ to go over Jarrett at this point. Jarrett has had such a long title reign, the last thing you wanna do is "JBL" this one. I think a very slow burn leading to a Monty face turn and him finally going over Jarrett cleanly is what TNA needs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites