411 Roundtable Preview: TNA Bound For Glory 2015

~THE STAFF~
* The man behind 411’s Magic 8 Ball, he is Mike Hammerlock.
* Long time 411 contributor and a true throwback to the era of the Apter mags, he is Dino Zee.
* 411 contributor Mitch Nickelson.
* 411’s NXT reporter and he also reviews a ton of other stuff, he is Kevin Pantoja.
* Long time 411 movie and wrestling contributor Michael Weyer.
* 411 TNA Impact Reporter Aaron Scott.

Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young

Mike Hammerlock: Assuming they’ve jammed Angle on this card to act as a draw, this is the laziest way of doing it. First, they beat Angle vs. Young into the ground during the spring. I like both of these of guys, but I don’t need to see them wrestle again. And why are they fighting now? This really is a case of, “Hey, look, Kurt Angle!” Additionally I continue to worry that Angle’s going to go out like Randy the Ram.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Dino Zee: Kurt Angle has been out of action for a bit now, while Eric Young has been terrorizing Chris Melendez, even winning his prosthetic leg at one point. The question in this match, for me, is who feels like he has something to prove? And, for me, that answer is Kurt Angle. Eric Young is confidant in who he is, and he loves being the crazy guy that does horrible things. Meanwhile, Angle will look to maybe set himself up for one more push at a title, and beating a former champ in Eric Young is a great place to start. Angle will have some rust to shake, no doubt, but I trust that the former Olympian is up to the task of getting the win here.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Mitch Nickelson: If logic prevails then this should be a very easy call. Kurt Angle has already stated that he has no intention of re-signing with TNA when his contract runs out at the end of the year so there’s no reason whatsoever for him to go over. Also, Eric Young literally just lost to a one-legged man. Bouncing back with a big win over an Olympic gold medal winner and one of the biggest icons of the last decade or more would be a good way to get Young back on the right track.

Winner: Eric Young

Kevin Pantoja: Since losing my access to Destination America earlier this year, I haven’t seen much TNA to I apologize if I come off a bit misinformed in some of these picks. Kurt Angle is nearing the end of his career and I can only assume that he’s on a retirement tour of sorts right now. It is Kurt Angle though, so he may try to wrestle another 10 years or something. I’ve seen these two have some solid matches, which I expect here. Angle goes over on his way out.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Michael Weyer: Should be an okay battle but nothing too great as Young’s heat has faded in TNA. Angle is still Angle and this is more a “retirement tour” type feel so it should be a decent enough match but nothing truly spectacular. I’ll go with Angle here but still nothing truly special to check out.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Aaron: Eric Young is truly one of the best all around performers on the TNA roster. He is a consummate pro as either face, heel, and just connects with the crowd like very few can. He has been trumpeting his retirement of Kurt Angle for months, so it is fitting that the TNA Hall of Famer and Olympian gets his revenge against Eric Young. I think the fans will be into this the most, and somehow EY will find the way to finish Kurt off once and for all.

Winner: Eric Young

Bound for Gold Gauntlet #1 Contender’s Match

Mike Hammerlock: In what universe are these guys the top contenders for anything? If it weren’t for the stipulation, this would qualify as an also-on-the-roster schmozz. The key piece of information we need here is that TNA will be taping shows in India in a couple of months. Given that, it would be mildly shocking if Shera didn’t win.

Winner: Mahabali Shera

Dino Zee: So many options, so many hungry contenders. While Mr. Anderson recently reignited his love to compete, and Abyss recently freed himself of The Revolution, we’ve also seen guys like Robbie E and Eli Drake split from former teams to forge their own path. Jessie Godderz seems to be on the brink of figuring it all out, and even Mahabali Shera seems primed to make a statement. But will he be too focused on his awesome new dance to get the big win? Call me crazy, but I’d like to see Tyrus win here, and then we would see what happens if EC3 were to retain his title. However, due to his EC3 connections, I can see the rest of the participants attempt to eliminate Tyrus as soon as possible. I’m going with Mr. Anderson, as he’s had problems with the current champ before, and he would be a great test should Drew pull it out.

Winner: Mr. Anderson……….. Anderson

Mitch Nickelson: After separating Mahabali Shera from James Storm’s Revolution, TNA has been trying to build him as a singles star. He hasn’t been a runaway sensation by any means but his value is mostly intended for the international market. TNA tours India at the end of November and early December and Shera is an investment to appeal to that demographic. He should be given the win here and then presented as a believable winner from here on out.

Winner: Mahabali Shera

Kevin Pantoja: Well, this is really slim pickings. I was going to pick Rockstar Spud because his Hair vs. Hair match with EC3 back in March was great, but EC3 just beat him again. I was tempted to go with Mr. Anderson, who has had his issues with EC3 this year and since TNA loves to give him a fair amount of main event level booking. However, I’m picking Mahabali Shera. The ridiculous Shera Shuffle has kind of become a thing and I see TNA trying to capitalize on it, especially with their rumored tapings in India coming up. I see Shera winning here to set up a title match in his home country. He should come up short there though.

Winner: Mahabali Shera

Michael Weyer: These matches are usually a fun watch but geez, no idea about over half these guys. Anderson is way past his prime abilities, ditto for Abyss and Robbie and Spud are still mostly jokes. I’ll go with Shera here, TNA wants to take advantage of the India tapings and his goofy actions so he’ll get a win here even though it doesn’t seem much.

Winner: Shera

Aaron: Gauntlet matches are often fun because they require in a combination of luck, surprise and perseverance to win. Of all these athletes Ken Anderson, Abyss and Spud have the favored veteran experience to win. Eli Drake is the true upcoming star in TNA but the one rising even faster is the former Khoya in Mahabali Shera. The fans like him, he can take a beating and I forsee his arrival to title contender come Bound For Glory. Whether this is as far as he goes remains to be seen.

Winner: Mahabali Shera

TNA X-Division Ultimate X Title Match: Champion Tigre Uno vs. Andrew Everett vs. DJ Z vs. TJP (TJ Perkins)

Mitch Nickelson: The X-Division has been very uninspiring and needs some rehabbing. Tigre Uno isn’t a bad competitor but the most memorable moments from his reign has been his anti-Donald Trump promos – and those weren’t anything special at all. When Rockstar Spud was in this match I was rooting for him to win. He’s a likeable guy. But now that’s he’s out of the match I don’t care too highly where the belt goes. Hopefully this is a fun spotfest of a match but I’ll pick Tigre Uno just because he could use some more time to make his title run more noteworthy.

Winner: Tigre Uno

Mike Hammerlock: I love Ultimate X matches. Once upon a time, I loved TNA’s X Division. It was deep and excellent. Now it’s all they can do to scrape together enough guys to have an Ultimate X match. Rockstar Spud originally was supposed to be in here. He’d have been the nominal “star” of this group. Everett’s here to replace him. Best as I can determine this marks Everett’s TNA debut. Seeing that TNA uses the other three, and the X Division, for filler matches, let’s go with the new guy. PWG fans will love it. TNA fans will ask, “Who?”

Winner: Andrew Everett

Dino Zee: Always tough to call a match as chaotic as Ultimate X tends to be! Tigre Uno has, after a slow start, really found himself in TNA. An exciting champion, his particular brand of lucha libre has been difficult for the TNA guys to figure out. However, he’s going in there with two former X Champions, and they are both looking to reclaim their gold. I haven’t seen Andrew Everett before, but I feel that his first time on the big stage may see him get butterflies, so he’s not the hot pick as far as I’m concerned. Manik/TJP can probably expect a little distraction from James Storm, which makes me wonder if he’s going to be able to pull out the win. That leaves either Tigre Uno or DJ Z getting the win, and though the DJ can absolutely rock the party, I think he’s going to come up short here. *Horn sound*

Winner: And STILL TNA X Division Champion… Tigre Uno!

Kevin Pantoja: When TNA doesn’t know what to do with the X-Division, they just through them into an Ultimate X match. Remember when the X Division was THE reason to watch TNA? Now their biggest show of the year features four guys that are pretty unknown. I honestly don’t know who to pick, so I’m gonna say Tigre Uno retains, since I like him the most.

Winner: Tigre Uno

Michael Weyer: I usually adore Ultimate X but this looks rather rough. The guys are capable of delivering a terrific battle and the Ultimate X spices it up but it doesn’t seem to matter as much as it once did. That’s a shame due to the potential of the division and how it was once so great so this may surprise but at the moment still looks low.

Winner: Tigre Uno

Aaron: Tigre Uno has anchored the division all summer long, beating back multiple challengers in defending his belt. However, to my knowledge he has never competed in an Ultimate X Match. There is one wrestler who has over and again and finally has a new direction and a purpose. I am talking TJP in TJ Perkins. To take nothing away from GFW’s Andrew Everett or loyal stalwart DJ Z, this is TJ’s time to step up and prove he has what it takes to become Mr. X-Division.

Winner: TJP

TNA Tag Team Title Match: Champions The Wolves vs. Trevor Lee and Brian Myers

Mike Hammerlock: Arguably, the Wolves are the best tag team in the business. Unfortunately, like with its X Division, the once glorious TNA tag scene has become a shambles. The division is so thin that Lee and Myers (playing the role of GFW interlopers) had no competition to wade through to build their credentials as worthy challengers. It’s hard to view them as a serious threat.

Winner: The Wolves

Dino Zee: These two teams have split the two match series thus far, and look to blow the whole thing off in an incredible rubber match! While Lee and Myers were able to take advantage of some incredible circumstances to win the belts in the first place, the rematch saw The Wolves learn from their mistakes and win the belts back. However, that week of championship glory has infected the Global Force tandem, and one would think that Lee and Myers are going to come back better than ever! The Wolves have better tag team moves, but Lee and Myers seem to enjoy the brawling a bit more than the finesse based Davey and Eddie. In the end, I’m sure Davey will force someone to DDT their own partner, and TNA will send GFW packing for good.

Winner: And STILL TNA Tag Team Champions… The Wolves!

Mitch Nickelson: I wasn’t crazy about the brief hotshotting of the TNA Tag Titles off of The Wolves during the GFW Invasion angle, but the couple of matches that were done in the process were awesome. Trevor Lee and Brian Myers are a great team who work very well with The Wolves so I’m very much looking forward to this one. Give them a solid 15 minutes and this will be a show stealer. The belts need to stay on Edwards and Richards, but this will be a very good match.

Winner: The Wolves

Kevin Pantoja: Is the GFW/TNA “war” still going on? I do recall that Myers and Lee won the straps because of that “war”. I always liked Brian Myers and the Wolves are pretty damn good. This should be a solid match, though I haven’t seen their previous encounters. The TNA guys retain over the GFW guys.

Winner: The Wolves

Michael Weyer: Seeing as how the initial reign of Lee and Myers went nowhere, a follow-up seems unlikely. Then again, this is TNA we’re talking about and the Wolves’ injuries can work against them. It should be a good battle overall but I don’t see it as the big dream encounter others might want and just continuing the feud more.

Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Lee and Myers

Aaron: These teams have consistently put on the best fights between both companies, and I would be lying if I said I hope Lee and Myers win if only to keep them in TNA. Brian Myers has proven how underrated he’s been, and Trevor Lee seems to defy physics with his spinning cross body and awesome dives. He’s a rarity for a professional wrestler in all he can do and I want to see more. The Wolves are incredible talents and worth the price of admission. I want to see this feud continue and to do that, the tag titles must change hands. I hope they do.

Winner: Trevor Lee & Brian Myers

TNA King of the Mountain Match: Champion Bobby Roode vs. Lashley

Mike Hammerlock: This probably will be the match of the night and neither one ever truly got the upper hand in their trilogy from late 2014-early 2015. So I can at least see some rationale to the match, though the build to it has been pitifully thin. It’s a bit of statement that the rest of the BDC guys who helped Lashley win the last encounter are now gone from the company. In the narrow view, could be a great match. In the wide view, it’s playing out inside a vortex of chaos.

Winner: Bobby Roode

Dino Zee: The Bobbys will collide here, with the vaunted King of the Mountain championship up for grabs! Clearly, Lashley owns a physicality edge, as his amateur wrestling and professional MMA experiences will show. Lashley hits hard, but does a good job of not unleashing haymakers early on, knowing there’s plenty of time left. Still, I think that Bobby Roode’s best chance here is to utilize his superior gas tank to eventually wear Lashley down. There is an issue with finishers here, as Lashley can basically hit the spear from previously unseen locations, while Roode will need Lashley to practically be unconscious if he wants the Roode Bomb to be a viable move. There’s a lot on the line, and with Roode recently feeling jilted by the events that took place while Global Force was invading, one has to wonder if he’s completely focused on Lashley. If he’s not, it’s going to be a long night for the It Factor of professional wrestling. If he is, however, then the best that TNA has to offer will be standing proud with his belt held high. I’m banking on Roode coming in focused.

Winner: And STILL TNA King of the Mountain… Bobby Roode!

Mitch Nickelson: I’m writing this before watching this week’s episode of Impact so maybe there’s a setup to this match on it, but I honestly don’t know why this specific match is happening. There may or may not be a story going into this. I have very little interest in the KOTM Championship so an extended run with the belt by Bobby Roode might be a good way to give it value. Passing it around frivolously will make my already low level of interest wane away completely.

Winner: Bobby Roode

Kevin Pantoja: What does this title even mean? Lashley has grown on me during his current TNA run, which has been much better than his first and his WWE time. He’s had good matches with Bobby Roode before, and seemed motivated to have some really strong matches while champion earlier this year. Since then, his place on the card seems to have fallen a bit, so I’m unsure how motivated he will be. Roode should honestly retain here.

Winner: Bobby Roode

Michael Weyer: Seriously, what does this belt even mean? It was just made as a push for Jarrett’s ego and sounded like only could be defended in a KOTM match. Yet somehow Roode has it and just seems a total waste of time. So it’s hard to get into this that much despite the talent of both guys. It could be a good match overall but it’s really for nothing so I’ll pick Roode to “retain” a belt that has less meaning than most in TNA.

Winner: Bobby Roode

Aaron: Bobby Roode is as close to an Original you’re going to get, and he will be cheered and booed in the same match, doing whatever needs to done to get a win with mastery. Perhaps the top tweener in the business today, Roode works an old school style that can adapt to any opponent. Lashley is Lashley and that’s good enough to go over anyone. This will be the best match on the card. This is also the match I have the hardest time picking. Because it’s Roode, because Lashley has beaten him, because it’s Bound For Glory I see Roode surviving and cheating if necessary. He may not win, but unless luck is against him he will be keeping the King of the Mountain title.

Winner: Bobby Roode

TNA Knockouts Title Match: Champion Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong

Mike Hammerlock: I appreciate that they’re trying to give BFG a big card feel by rolling out their greatest hits, or a least the greatest hits they still can play, but, like most of this card, it feels thrown together in hasty fashion. Compare TNA to ROH, where even lower-level feuds like Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young build over time and evolve in order to get fans invested in them. I’m notionally all for Kim Kong, but I’m not exactly sure why the here and now matter. To borrow from Idiocracy, I want to know whose ass it is and why it’s farting.

Winner: Awesome Kong

Dino Zee: This is the one match where a breakdown really isn’t too necessary. These grapplers have gone at it multiple times, with each winning their fair share. We know who Gail Kim is. She’s fast, she’s almost like a ninja, and she has exceptional submission skills, along with a finisher in Eat Defeat that can bring anyone to a complete stop in an instant. Awesome Kong is big, strong, has great striking and her Awesome Bomb will end anyone’s night on a moment’s notice. We know who they are, they know who they are, and this really is a case of just making your pick, sitting back, and watching the magic happen. For me, I always make the same pick when these two go at it.

Winner: And NEW TNA Knockouts Champion… Awesome Kong!

Mitch Nickelson: These two have had an amazing history together and that’s the appeal of this match. I think both women are fine choices as the Knockouts Champion but I have to give the pick to Awesome Kong on this one. If she’s the heel champ then that keeps Kim as a consistent challenger as well as Brooke. I like that as the current landscape of the Knockouts division over the next few months.

Winner: Awesome Kong

Kevin Pantoja: I recall these two making women’s wrestling seem important for a while in 2007. Then it all came crashing down. It’s cool to see this happening again in 2015, and part of me expects Gail Kim to overcome the odds. A bigger part of me thinks that Kong beats her here, setting up a possible future big win for someone. There’s one thing that TNA has gotten pretty right in their history and that’s the booking of Awesome Kong.

Winner: Awesome Kong

Michael Weyer: These two have had an amazing hot and fantastic feud…in 2007. Today, they’re pretty much all that’s left of the once-great Knockouts division, you can smell the desperation from TNA trying to keep it going and the pickings so slim. I’ll go for Kong to dominate and win the belt but damn, so sad seeing the once great women’s section of TNA fallen like this.

Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Awesome Kong

Aaron: From our Fact or Fiction Dino Zee and I both agreed that this was the match we wanted to see. I said especially so, because both are faces. And unlike Roode, I believe Kim and Kong will wrestle with honor. You see they’ve faced each other so much, at this point each talent wants to see who the better woman really is. Without shenanigans, without interference. Is Gail Kim the Living Legend people say she is? Is Awesome Kong the most dominant monster the Knockouts have ever seen? In my personal opinion, and I could be wrong, Gail is one step better than Kong and on paper she should be able to beat her rival. Will she is anybody’s guess. But I will give the edge to the reigning Champ. I am really looking forward to this match.

Winner: Gail Kim

TNA World Title Match: Champion Ethan Carter III vs. Drew Galloway vs. Matt hardy

Mitch Nickelson: This is a very hard call for me because I feel like Drew Galloway should be a top tier TNA guy. Defeating Carter for the belt is a way to solidify his spot while a loss here might spoil that build. But the problem with establishing Galloway on that level is that EC3 would have to drop the title and that’s not a world that I want to live in. He’s the best thing about TNA and one of the most entertaining characters in all of wrestling right now. Matt Hardy is a late edition to this match and a likely option for winner. His name recognition and desire for redemption for what EC3 has put Jeff Hardy through (as a result of Matt’s loss) makes him look very appealing as TNA World Champion. From where TNA has been struggling, there’s an uncertainty if they’ll even have a US cable deal in 2016. The temptation to shake things up is there but I’ll pray that they don’t do it. EC3 is there Champ and that’s the one thing that TNA is absolutely doing right.

Winner: Ethan Carter III

Mike Hammerlock: I swear I had nice things to say about this match until they jammed Matt Hardy in here. I don’t have anything against Hardy, but he does not bode well for this encounter. He’s not the potential future of this company. His job is to do the job, protecting both the other guys. Too bad, because the finale of your big show should involve an emphatic conclusion, something that causes major buzz. The self-obsessed EC3 vs. Galloway, who just rallied TNA to stave off the GFW invasion (man, did that come and go in a flash) made of ton of sense. Carter’s been an odd bird, a fighting heel champ. This is already his 10th defense of the belt. A cleanish win over Galloway would have established him as perhaps an unbeatable force. A clean win for Galloway would have cast him as TNA’s resident savior. Pinning Matt Hardy does little more than advance some storylines. Big whoop. Not sure who wins, though it seems too early for Carter to drop the belt, but I’m 100% positive about who’s losing. Well, I say that, but maybe TNA’s getting on the Mattitude bandwagon 12 years too late.

Winner: Ethan Carter III

Dino Zee: EC3 has, since day one, done things his way, and he’s reaped the benefits every step of the way. Wins over legends, an unpinned/unsubmitted streak, and all the power he could hope for. He’s had some rough outings, and a couple close calls, but overall, TNA has been his own personal playground. It has appeared for a while that no one was going to take the belt from him. But Drew Galloway has, since his arrival to TNA, looked to change the status quo. He looked to overthrow the BDC when MVP’s power got out of hand. He helped defend TNA from a Global Force invasion. He’s always willing to stand up for anyone who needs the help, and he appears to be the perfect foil for EC3. Both young, both hungry, and both still looking to show the world how good they are, I am very excited for this match up. Matt Hardy will be there, too, but I don’t see him bringing anything to the table besides a warm body, and will probably end up losing the match. Unless, of course, Jeff decides he wants to actually join Team EC3 on a permanent basis. Either way, I consider Matt a complete non-factor in this match. In order to keep his gold, EC3 is going to want to slow down the pace, and not allow for any scenario where Drew can go crazy. If this gets turned into a brawl, I expect Drew to coast. But if EC3 can continually break momentum, take breaks outside the ring, and, yes, cheat when necessary, then I see this as a very winnable match. Sadly, I think the momentum is all with Drew, and I think he’s going to steamroll his way to the top of TNA. Not gonna be a good night for MY BOY, I’m afraid…

Winner: And NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion… Drew Galloway!

Kevin Pantoja: I don’t get why TNA didn’t advertise the Hardy Boyz being in the main event of a PPV in their home state way earlier in advance. Hey, that’s TNA for you though. I do enjoy Drew Galloway, but I think that if it was going to be in Charlotte, it should have been EC3 vs. Jeff Hardy, with EC3 going over. Regardless, there is no way that Carter should take the loss and drop the title here. He should retain and hold the gold into 2016.

Winner: Ethan Carter III

Michael Weyer: So we had a perfectly okay setup for ECIII and Galloway and then TNA throws the Hardys in with no reason or build-up. We all know where this is going. Matt gets the advantage, the big push of him finally winning the World title and then Jeff turns on him to cost him the match. It’s trite, it’s cliché, it’s needless which means it’s perfect TNA. ECIII retains but the story is all about the Hardys and somewhat fitting what could be the last TNA PPV ends with a couple of ex-WWE guys dominating.

Winner: ECIII

Aaron: It’s not easy being the World Champion in any league, but Ethan has made it harder on himself as he abandoned TNA and did not lead them against Jeff Jarrett. Carter has no friends save Tyrus, and he has humiliated Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and basically everyone he’s ever fought. Even his Aunt Dixie is tired of his antics, and clearly prefers her newest chosen one in Drew Galloway to EC3. She has fallen into old habits, stacking the deck against wrestlers she doesn’t like by giving Matt Hardy entrance into this match. Now, look at the hometown advantage the Hardys possess going into BFG. Short of tying a hand behind his back, there is nothing more TNA can do to place the odds against EC3. Which means we will not be seeing a title change. Why? Because Ethan Carter III has stepped up to the plate to silence his critics every single time he’s been tested. EC3 has eliminated challenge after challenge from Icons, Superstars and Hall of Famers. He has a masterful grip on the fans and opponents, and deserves his spot at the top of the card. And when all the chips are down that’s when he goes into GOD MODE and finds the way to win- even cleanly if all else fails. EC3 is undefeated, unbreakable, undisputed and as much as I like Drew Galloway, Matt and Jeff Hardy, none of them have what it takes to dethrone Carter and perhaps no one ever will. …I’m a fan.

Winner: E…C…3.

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