Sacrifice

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

If you haven't read the spoilers for the next impact I guess there's some spoilers in here. At least for the AJ/Petey match...but honestly we all knew it was going to come down to Joe/AJ anyway.

 

So...another TNA ppv is nearly upon us. They seem to have reached a steady pattern with these ppvs in the last couple months (RE: Since Dusty left). You've got your look good on paper matches, your looks like it's going to be bloody match, your storyline match involving a storyline that no one cares about and even less people don't know how it's going to end. And given who's not on the card yet (the tournament losers) I'd expect there to be the spotfest match thrown in also. Now that I think about it...the one thing this show doesn't have is a title match of any kind. hmm...They really better put over the X Cup as something special.

 

Anyway...here's the card as it stands:

 

 

The Great:

 

AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe

 

It has the potential to be the best match that TNA has ever had. Actually it has the potential to blow away the best match TNA has ever had. It's going to get some time to play with...and if you thought Joe was getting a good push before...wait till he chokes out Styles with Tenay screaming about how he can't be stopped.

 

 

The Very Good:

 

Christopher Daniels vs. Aries/Lethal/Strong/Sydal

 

I think Aries is winning the vote and I love the concept here. It's non title so I'd expect Daniels to win but for Aries to look really really good in defeat. As much as I like the guys in the upper middle part of the X division (Sabin, Williams, Shane) they've been around and in the mix for so long. Aries is perfect for joining the division that is topped by Daniels/Styles/Joe. A good showing here (combined with Joe totally being awesome) should open the door for not only Aries, but possibly other RoH guys as well. Hell...look at the top 2 matches I've listed here They're all RoH guys. Let's get some Homicide already!

 

 

The Good:

 

Jerry Lynn vs. Sean Waltman

 

Say what you want about Waltman...but unlike some ex-superstars that TNA has taken in (Shamrock, Hall) Waltman puts his boots on. He put in a nice performance filling in for Jeff Hardy against Raven, and then topped it last month against AJ. Plus...Lynn's back after a LONG time off. Throw in the history of these guys breaking in together and I think this one looks good on paper. Subject to falling apart...but good on paper.

 

 

The Slightly Better than Average:

 

Team Canada vs. AMW & The Naturals

 

I like 8 man tags. What can I say. There's alot of talent here that is good at getting hot crowds and putting on fun (even if they're not neccessarily good) matches. That's perfect for what TNA is asking of this match I think. Roode, Williams and Young are all better than the AMW and the Naturals. I just decided that. AMW really should have turned heel months ago.

 

 

The Trainwreck in waiting Main Event for this month:

 

Raven and Sabu vs. Rhino and Jeff Jarrett

 

I'll say this: Raven/Abyss wasn't bad last month because they took it violent and it looked like nothing else on the show. Problems this month: Instead of violence they'll let Sabu do his stupid spots. Oh yeah...and Abyss is totally better than Rhino and Jarrett...and Sabu is a liability. I know some people liked the little Sabu/Rhino match at ECW ONS...and I did too...but I don't think it should be main eventing a ppv. Anyway...Jarrett shouldn't either. I think it's obvious that they're heading towards Raven/Jarrett II (or III if they do it next month and then have a stipulation match) at Bound for Glory. That I'm fine with. But Jarrett really should be doing something other than dominating the main event storylines until then. This is what keeps getting them into trouble.

 

 

 

The Lance Hoyt test of the month:

 

Hoytamania vs. Abyss

 

They're finally giving Hoyt his shot at a big time singles match. Abyss is really good. Hoyt is really...popular. Another important match for Hoyt. Has Hoyt won a match since he started getting over by the way? I think this will be alright...but Hoyt is running out of places to go very quickly.

 

 

The same old shit:

 

The 2 Live Kru of Konnan and the terribly underutilized Ron Killings vs. Kip James and the even more terribly underutilized Monty Brown

 

BG James is ref. He'll turn on the Kru when they get TV. Until then they're just burying everyone with this crap.

 

 

 

 

 

After that...there's a lot of regulars in the X division that aren't getting play here (Sabin, Shane, Shelley, Shocker, Dutt) so they'll throw something together. How about a simple, yet effective Shane and Shelley vs. Sabin and one of the other guys X division tag match.

 

Thoughts, Predictions, Comments...all here

[Garth 0]

Good read BPS, I used to really enjoy it when you previewed the TNA weekly PPV's, so it's nice to see your TNA previews return.

 

Joe's definatly going over here IMO, Daniels/AJ's been done so there is no way they're building towards another title match between those two and factor in that Joe is on one hell of a roll. Should be a fantastic match and elevate Joe some.

 

I'm in agreement that Aries would fit perfectly into the current X-Division, I would love to see Rodders get a shot in TNA though as he's just fantastic as well and apparently only getting better.

 

The mainevent tag just seems kind of blah, Raven really could of done with getting another defence in I believe but I know they didn't want to blow their load in respect to a Raven/Rhino match just yet. I guess Rhino/Raven is one they would be saving until they get on TV. Makes sense that they're doing this as this is really just a stop gap PPV until they get on Spike.

[Michrome 0]

I think Aries has the poll in the bag. Joe/AJ and Daniels/Aries are enough to warrant a buy from me. I actually don't mind the tag main that much, largely because I enjoyed the set-up angle. It could be fun nonsense which is better than pure shit

 

The rest of the card looks fine barring the shitty ass 3LK stuff.

 

Here's an idea for the X division match:

 

Shelley vs. Shane vs. Strong vs. Lethal vs. Sabin vs. Sydal

 

This could actually kick major ass. You have the stooging heel in Bentley for everyone to beat on, and everyone else brings something unique to the table. Of course I wouldn't mind replacing Bentley with Dutt, but the TNA brass is intent on shoving Bentlet down everyone's throats.

[Zack Malibu 0]

I think Joe will be the one to finally unseat Daniels, and have a long X Division reign. I'd like to see him do something similar to what he did with the Pure Title in ROH and put the X belt over as being equal with the World Title. Then you could have something like Joe vs. the other "monsters" like Brown, Rhino and Abyss.

 

Aries is a good pickup. I'm surprised Lethal was on the ballot because I figure they might have gone for a more "name" guy like Homicide, Danielson, or even Cabana.

[Epic Reine 0]

Is this the only wrestling PPV in history to not have ANY titles be defended?

[Jebus 0]

No...Here's a couple:

 

- Royal Rumble 90

- Survivor Series 87 through 90

- WWF International Incident (July 96)

- ECW One Night Stand

 

Heroes of Wrestling!

[Vyce 0]

Who the fuck is Kip James?

[Guest Y2DAYDAY]

I thought Meltzer said they were doing Shocker vs Alex Shelley a few weeks back.

 

Does anyone know if that match is still on?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Who the fuck is Kip James?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Monty Sopp. Or Billy Gunn, whichever you prefer.

[RedJed 0]

I thought Meltzer said they were doing Shocker vs Alex Shelley a few weeks back.

 

Does anyone know if that match is still on?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I seriously doubt it - Shocker was trying to get himself out of working the last ppv and I dont expect much of a push from anytime forward from now. He's been unimpressive for a few months now and just isnt showing the magic he can do when he was in CMLL. For example his program with Vampiro was just off the chain. Havent had a chance to see any of his AAA stuff yet.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

tnawrestling.com has now stated that Shocker vs. Shelley will indeed take place at the show.

 

There first match was alright, there second match was kind of blah...but at least they both have one fluke roll up on each other...so this is kind of a blow off to the feud that never was.

 

They also say that a match with Sabin, Shark Boy and Dutt will be added on Friday (which is when voting for the Daniels match ends) so I expect to see a 6 man with the 3 losers (Strong, Sydal and Lethal...except it people) joining in.

 

 

 

If you are one of those people who is looking for a real alternative to the WWE...and has complained that TNA has not provided that while trying to market themselves as that...

 

AJ vs. Joe is the epitome of that. On top of that (which is just flat out going to be great) you'll get Daniels vs. Aries, Lynn vs. Waltman (I can't imagine it's just me that finds this interesting), Shocker vs. Shelley, an X division spotfest, and 8 man with guys that are better suited for it than an actual match and the Sabu/Raven/Rhino/IDon'tBelongHereJJ main event spectacle.

 

But...you know...Great American Bash had JBL vs. Batista and OJ vs. Benoit... So..yeah.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Hmm, Daniels vs. Aries just doesn't grab me for some reason.

 

Daniels vs. Sydal would be a true X-Division match, enough of a contrast in styles without being a mess. Daniels vs. Strong would be really interesting, even if Strong isn't a typical X-Division worker. Aries is only 3rd on my wantlist and that's only because I haven't seen much of Jay Lethal. I like Aries, he's obviously a great wrestler, but Daniels vs. Aries wouldn't convince me to buy this PPV any more than Daniels vs. Sydal and Daniels vs. Strong would.

 

Now, if they brought in Aries to wrestle Shelley instead of Shocker then that'd win me over instantly.

[Dangerous A 0]

For the first time, I'm ordering this bad boy.

 

AJ v Joe will rule.

 

Daniels v (hopefully) Aries will rock you.

 

And no bps, you are not the only one intrigued by Lynn v Waltman. I've seen their stuff from Minnesota and loved it, so I'm wondering if they'll work a smarter, slower paced match.

[Ripper 0]

Maybe its just me....well...I am sure its just me, but I don't want Joe to be the one to unseat Christopher Daniels.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Eh this PPV doesn't really sound like a PPV to build to the Spike TV show. It seems like they're just throwing matches together for the sake of it.

[zyn081 0]

Maybe its just me....well...I am sure its just me, but I don't want Joe to be the one to unseat Christopher Daniels.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Im not alone. Who should he lose it to though?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

An actual X-division style worker.

[TNABaddboi 0]

or a face....

[Ripper 0]

Yeah. Who? I am not sure, but not Joe. Although having Daniels win is going to pretty much make him a face. I personally would have rather seen him drop it to Shelly.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Is Joe a heel in TNA?

[Ripper 0]

Nope, but he is booked so strong, that any X division guy that takes him will be the face in the match. I mean, people loved Joe against Sabin, but you had no choice but to cheer Sabin in his offensive comebacks because Joe was just DESTROYING him, as he should. I think it is fairly obvious that Joe is going to take Christopher Daniels.

[Michrome 0]

Joe should take the title, because the whole goal behind the title is to provide a great match every show. Nobody in TNA can do that like Joe can. Joe with the X title assures me of a decent length Joe match on every PPV, which means they'll get my buys as long as they keep bringing in strong opponents for him.

[Dangerous A 0]

Eh this PPV doesn't really sound like a PPV to build to the Spike TV show. It seems like they're just throwing matches together for the sake of it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Well, they aren't going to get anymore audience through their internet shows, so they shouldn't blow their load in terms of storylines. If anytime, I think now is the time to spin the wheels in the mud storyline wise and just put on the best matches possible. The folks watching right now are the internet, workrate types anyway, so they should hold off on major storylines until there is TV. They should be re-examining the roster and storylines so when they do get to Spike, they come out guns blazing creatively.

[Astro101 0]

I don't think this PPV is thrown together. You've got the finals of the X Cup, built up from a month of tourney matches. 3LK vs Brown/Kip has been going on too long, as we know. Main event builds up from last ppv. The 8 man tag has been set up nicely over the past few weeks.

 

I think this could be their best ppv effort yet. I'm very excited for this one come Sunday.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

If this lineup (Styles/Joe, Daniels/Aries, Lynn/Waltman, Shocker/Shelley, More X division wackiness...) is the result of throwing things together...

 

Then I implore them to never spend a day pre-planning an event again.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Ahh right, Daniels/Aries was preplanned...

 

 

Look I'm sorry, I don't mean to shit on TNA. I hope they do well, but the card just doesn't excite me for some reason, and I've seen Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, etc work before so it's not ignorance.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I just look at what you are saying and can only equate it with someone wanting a piece of chocolate and instead finding a hundred dollar bill...

 

and throwing it away because it's not chocolate.

[zyn081 0]

An actual X-division style worker.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thats what I was implying. I was asking the who question not the what question?

[Team Angle Pusher 0]

Is that the Sydal who posts on EWB?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I just look at what you are saying and can only equate it with someone wanting a piece of chocolate and instead finding a hundred dollar bill...

 

and throwing it away because it's not chocolate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

No I'd definitely keep that 100 dollar bill. I guess I must be the only one who isn't salivating at the main event that once again has Jeff fucking Jarrett in it, a match that I think would be good but also counterproductive (as in AJ has no chance here), a match that was thrown together just to work the internet, HOYT, etc. But hey if you like the card, by all means, give your 30 bucks to TNA.