411’s PPV Roundtable Preview: TNA Final Resolution 2008

Hello, 411 Wrestling fans! This is your Raw/SmackDown R’s guy, film/DVD reviewer and, starting this week, Wrestler of the Week organizer Jeremy Thomas with the 411 Roundtable Preview for TNA Final Resolution! Last month, the Main Event Mafia rocked the show and swept their matches at Turning Point. This month, the Frontline is back to try and even the score, with TNA Frontline leader Rhino battling Kurt Angle and an eight-man tag match that will decide the World Title! In other matches, Abyss and Matt Morgan try to take the gold from Beer Money again, Christy Hemme gets her shot at Knockout gold, and Eric Young battles Sheik Abdul Bashir for the X-Division Title. Plus, six-woman Knockout action and the infamous “Feast or Fired Match!” TNA’s back to the Russo over-booking, so let’s get right into it before we have to think about it too much and need an Advil!

Joining the Roundtable this month are:

Scripted In Sin’s own Jarrod Westerfeld!
The man who “Shines a Spotlight” on professional wrestling every week, Michael Weyer!
Andy Clark, who “Shimmy”‘s for you week in and week out!
The Movie Zone’s Sean S. Lealos, who presents us with his “Alternate Takes” each week!
The man with all the answers behind “Ask 411 Wrestling,” Chris Lansdell!
Dan Torkel , who knows a thing or two about fist-fighting in New York boroughs (or, as we like to call it, “Brooklyn Brawlin'”)!
Truth B Told’s Bayani Domingo!
Julian Bond of “Against the Grain!”
The organizer of the 411 Movie Zone Monthly Roundtable, Owain J. Brimfield!
James Craig of the Movie Zone’s excellent “East Coast Musings!”
And of course, yours truly, Jeremy Thomas!

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TNA’S OFFICIAL “PLEASE BUY OUR PAY-PER-VIEW” VIDEO:

They couldn’t even put together the usual three and a half to four minute music video thing? Yeah, they care about this Pay-Per-View…really.

TNA Final Resolution 2008

THE CARD:

TNA World Champion Sting, Legends Champion Booker T, Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner (The Main Event Mafia) vs. Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and Team 3D (TNA Frontline)
If TNA Frontline wins, AJ Styles becomes the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion

Jarrod Westerfeld: This is a fucking mess. This was a fucking mess when the WWE did this back at the King of the Ring 2000! You want to sell us a World title match, then sell us a world title match, not a tag team bout that hosts a series of rules that interpret themselves that if Team Frontline wins the bout by pin or submission, you crown a new World Champion in someone who may not even have been responsible for collecting the pin or submission victory, and without the champion actually being in a position to lose their title on their own. And for the love of God, TNA, don’t give us the obvious swerve to the swerve! I’m begging that this NOT end with Team 3D turning on the Frontline as a means to strengthen MEM, because they’re already strong enough as it is and don’t need that kind of booking. In addition to that, we, as the fans, don’t need another pay-per-view main event that ends without a clean finish! You know, like what we got back at Lockdown, something that leaves everyone thinking that they got some resolution and allows the fans the idea that these guys can beat each other cleanly in the ring? How about that, just this fucking once with your clusterfuck main events, please? Even if it doesn’t result with everyone’s hope of a AJ Styles title victory, something that you should be setting up for in a singles match, anyway.

Winner: The Main Event Mafia

Michael Weyer: Give credit for building up this program well and the big tag match was the logical showdown. Throwing in Styles winning the belt is a bit much, however, as I just don’t see the change coming in a tag match like this when there’s still money to be made in more one-on-one matches with Sting and the Frontline members. It promises to be a pretty wild brawl but I think the faces still win so Sting keeps the belt.

WINNERS: The Main Event Mafia

Andy Clark: I know most people don’t like the Russo swerves, but I hope Team 3D turns on the Frontline because they totally do not fit with the group. I’ll make the easy call for this one with them turning, but I actually wouldn’t be too surprised if I’m wrong. Regardless of their affiliation the title won’t change hands in a match like this.

Winner (and one of them is STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion): Sting, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, & Booker T

Shawn S. Lealos The MEM swept the last PPV. I already predicted Angle would win so would that mean a clean sweep for the second month in a row. It has to end up that way. No way they take the best away from the Mafia this early in the storyline. What could happen here? One idea is Team 3D turns bad and joins the Mafia. That is something Russo would do and it would strengthen the old guys while seemingly crippling the originals. However, Sting has been showing a lot of doubt over the last couple of weeks. He has never been solidly behind the Mafia and their attempts at gang warfare. Sting is in this for respect while his cohorts are in it for control. There is a chance Sting could start to turn and maybe we would get a double swerve here with Team 3D turning on Styles and Joe and after the MEM wins, Sting comes to their rescue. Then we get a few weeks of whose side is Sting on, with the World Title as the true prize. That’s all fantasy booking right now, but I don’t see Sting losing the title here. You know, A.J. Styles is a former World Champion. Could you see Styles putting these doubts into Sting’s head and then the swerve being Styles turning bad while the MEM turns on Sting, allowing Styles to capture the title and join the MEM. It could work.

Winner: THE MAIN EVENT MAFIA

Chris Lansdell: Styles is almost ready. Almost ready != is ready. MEM needs one more sweep. Team 3D need to swerve.

Winners: Main Event Mafia (3D swerve-nanigans)

Dan Torkel: I hate hate hate this match! Let me rephrase, I hate hate hate the stipulation. If it were a 4 on 4 match, I say, awesome, give Frontline a win back and get some momentum. But changing the WORLD TITLE in a TAG match is SO FUCKING STUPID!!! Remember when Rock won the WWE Title from Triple H in a 6-man Tag at KOTR 2000 by pinning VINCE MCMAHON!!! NO, because the ppv sucked and the concept sucked! There are multiple different ending for this match, all of which are retarded. A) The most obvious, Team 3D are actually MEM and turn on AJ and Joe leaving Frontline decimated. B) Slightly less obvious, Christian Cage re-ups with TNA and adheres to the stips and sides with the MEM despite the beatdown and helps them win. C) The faces win due to Cage returning and AJ gets the Title D) Christopher Daniels returns and helps his good buddy AJ win the title. I have been on TNA’s side so much but this match really pisses me off. Heels win and we all suffer…Fuck You Russo!

Winner: Main Event Mafia (the obvious Team 3D turn)

Bayani Domingo: No way does AJ Styles become champion, at least not now. Actually I would hope that Curry Man would be the one to beat Sting and reveal himself as Daniels. I actually still think that could happen, but I highly doubt it. Something tells me another swerve is coming so if no one turns in the Rhino/Angle match then expect it here. Oh for the love of God if it is 3D I’m hunting down Russo and breaking his writing hand. I think the way to go here is to have Sting hold on to the title but some underhanded things and cheating will make him question whether or not he chose the right side. It will play out and sometime at Genesis I see him dropping the belt. Until then we have more MEM dominance, circa the old nWo booking early on in the angle.

Winner: Main Event Mafia

Julian Bond: This should be an excellent main event with everyone involved. It’s even more interesting because we all know that something shady is going down during this match. The honest thing is that I personally don’t even know what that may be. I’m thinking that either Team 3D turns on Styles and Joe to join the MEM (cause they are admittingly a weird fit in the group) or that the horribly “humiliated” Motor City Machineguns interferes to cost the Frontline the match and joins the MEM or the MEM just plain as day cheats their way to another huge victory. Either way, Sting will be retaining his belt…unless TNA does something truly shocking and gives the belt to A.J. (which I would like, but would be probably too soon in the feud).

Winner: The Main Event Mafia

Owain J. Brimfield: Surely there’s no way it’s time to pull the title change yet, least of all on what is likely to be TNA’s least-watched PPV of the year. Personally I’d like to see the predicted swerve here and 3D join the Mafia, as the Frontline outnumbers the supposed bad guys twice over with them in the ranks.

James Craig: The recent installments of Impact scream of a 3D swerve and turning on the Frontline. while I think it is very possible, I have this strange feeling that this is where the Frontline gains a bit of steam AND we get the swerve at the same time. See it isn’t unheard of to have a very short title reign for Sting. It’s been twice before and this can very well be the third time. AJ will overcome the odds, fight through the MEM and get the win…just before eating a 3D through a table.

Winner: NEW TNA World Champ, AJ Styles

Winner: Main Event Mafia

Jeremy Thomas: It goes without saying that I hate this type of booking where someone can win a championship in a tag match. I hate it badly enough when it’s a “whoever scores the pin wins the title” situation, but this is even worse. If AJ wins here, he’s officially won the title in the third-weakest way he possibly can, right behind having it handed to you and winning in a “Title Change on DQ” match. That said, we don’t need to worry because he isn’t winning here. This is a throwaway pay-per-view for TNA and they aren’t going to change the big title on it. Styles will get a run with the title, I’m sure of it, just not now. This will be a good match as long as they keep Nash’s involvement to a minimum. Even odds on whether Team 3D swerves or Angle interferes, but either way shenanigans results in an overbooked ending that sees the MEM win.

Winners: The Main Event Mafia (Sting pins AJ via shenanigans; Sting STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Main Event Mafia 10, TNA Frontline 1

“The War Machine” Rhino vs. Kurt Angle
Special Enforcer: Mick Foley
If Rhino wins, Angle is gone from TNA; if Angle wins, he gets his rematch against Jeff Jarrett

Jarrod Westerfeld: Anyone else believe Rhino is winning, thus sending Kurt Angle out of TNA? No? Didn’t fucking think so.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Michael Weyer: Well, the stip pretty much gives the whole result away already, doesn’t it? Any real sense discussing the match now?

WINNER: Kurt Angle

Andy Clark: Could they have telegraphed this one any more with the stips? Actually, with this being TNA Rhino will win due to shenanigans like Jarrett getting involved and Foley will allow Angle to keep his job anyhow.

Winner: Rhino (with the stipulation ultimately being meaningless)

Shawn S. Lealos I hate this stipulation. Kurt Angle ain’t going anywhere and his rematch with Jeff Jarrett is guaranteed. Rhino is on fire, so I figure it will be a great match, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mick Foley become the latest World Champion to join the MEM. Could you imagine how much fans would boo Foley if he came out in a suit? That would rule everything. Eh, Foley ain’t turning bad but Angle is going to win and Foley will be forced to count the three count.

Winner: KURT ANGLE

Chris Lansdell: Chances of Angle leaving TNA: 0. Chances of Rhino winning: 0.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Dan Torkel: OK, so Angle leaves the company, or we get a rematch of a 4 star match…HMMM…

Winner: Kurt Angle via Ankle Lock grapevine

Bayani Domingo: So is it Terry Funk or Mikey Whipwreck? How funny would it be if it was Socko? Not very. Still, no way does Kurt get fired here but somehow Rhino either gets screwed or somehow this is a swerve. That would suck, but something screwy here is going down.

Winner: Kirk Angel

Julian Bond: I think that it’s plain as day here that Angle will taking the win here to set up the anticipated rematch with Jarrett. But the question really is who’s Angle’s partner of crime will be in the whole thing. Since they mentioned that this person is a former World Champ and tag champ w/Foley, I’m thinking that it may end up being crazy man Terry Funk or possibly even Mikey Whipwreck. Whoever it may be, Angle’s taking out Rhino with the win.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Owain J. Brimfield: I’m expecting Kurt to get some form of revenge, however small, on Foley here. Maybe through some botched interference from the Enforcer. Anyway, I really can’t see Rhino’s rather unexpected streak continuing here.

Winner: Kurt Angle

James Craig: The stipulations kind of spoil the result of the match, don’t they? Angle is a major focus in the MEM/ TNA FL storyline so he’s not going anywhere, and Rhino is the leader of the Frontline. no matter which way this goes, TNA shoots themselves in the foot, unless Foley interferes, on Rhino’s behalf and somehow screws the pooch. That could work. Angle get s the pin, Rhino gets to keep some momentum and Double J gets thrown into the mix.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Jeremy Thomas: This is an easy one to call. No way does Kurt leave TNA, and they need to get their Jarrett match in. It sucks that Rhino is going to lose after he’s been building some good momentum, but Angle wins in what should be a great match to move on and finally face J-A-Double R-E-Double T.

Winners: Kurt Angle (Angle Slam)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Kurt Angle 10, Rhino 1

TNA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champions Beer Money, Inc. vs. Abyss & Matt Morgan

Jarrod Westerfeld: No comments, just one word: BEERMONEY!

Winner: Beer Money Inc. (Retain)

Michael Weyer: We just saw this a few months ago, right? I don’t see why Abyss and Morgan earn another shot and I don’t see the result being any different as the champs retain after the faces self-destruct.

WINNERS and still TNA Tag Team Champions: Beer Money

Andy Clark: Abyss and Morgan would be a much better addition to The Frontline than Team 3D. The winner of this match rests on whether we see a swerve with 3D in the main event because they will likely challenge the winners for the tag titles. Let’s go with new champs.

Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: Matt Morgan & Abyss

Shawn S. Lealos I don’t get it. Is Abyss still going to be drunk on Sunday? What was the purpose of that angle other than to just beat him up after he got drunk? What did Beer Money accomplish? Matt Morgan and Abyss are monsters but Beer Money is just simply priceless. Wait…

Winner: BEER MONEY

Chris Lansdell: Beer Money should not lose. They will. Team 3D need a run. Shame really. Beer Money rule.

Winners: Abyss and Matt Morgan

Dan Torkel: I continue to be a huge Beer Money fan and would love to see a rematch between them and the Guns with the Guns finally taking the straps. I think we see some miscommunication between the faces here leading to a heel victory.

Winner: AND STILL TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS – BEER MONEY INC via superkick on Abyss

Bayani Domingo: I

Winner: Beer $

Julian Bond: I honest to goodness have no idea what random direction they are heading now with the Tag Team division, but I’ve been thinking from day one that Abyss and Morgan (as good as they are together as a team) will eventually turn on each other or take a good while till they win the straps. Don’t know which one will come first, but sure as hell believe that they’re definitely not winning here.

Winner: STILL Tag Team Champions Beer Money

Owain J. Brimfield: I’m quite looking forward to this, and while Beer Money can retain the titles in every defence for the next few years to keep me happy, this could actually be a decent feud. The Real World’s Greatest Tag Team should get the duke to keep their greatness going though.

Winner: Beer! Money!

James Craig: Both Matt Morgan and Abyss seem to be in a holding pattern until something a spot or two some up for them in the main event scene. A feud with Beer Money over the next few months with Beer Money isn’t the worst thing that could happen. While Beer Money are awesome, I think they will be equally awesome trying to regain their titles through any means necessary in the new year.

Winners: AND NEW Tag Team Champs, Abyss and Matt Morgan

Jeremy Thomas: I like Abyss, and Morgan’s okay. However, Beer Money still rules all as a tag team, and I don’t see any reason to take it off of them for two guys who are still pretty much singles guys. The more likely story is Abyss and Morgan losing and it turning into a feud between them.

Winners: Beer Money (Roode pins Abyss; STILL TNA Tag Team Champions)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Beer Money 8, Abyss & Matt Morgan 3

TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Eric Young

Jarrod Westerfeld: If TNA is serious about Young, now’s the time to put the strap on him, whether we like it or not.

Winner: Eric Young (NEW X Division Champion)

Michael Weyer: The swap of the belt did liven things up in the X Division but it’s pretty clear Bashir will retain as I don’t see them putting the belt back on Eric so fast. It should be a fair match but expect Bashir to retain in the end.

WINNER and still X Division Champion: Bashir

Andy Clark: I wouldn’t mind seeing EY win the belt if they insist on making him a focal point of the Frontline, but if that was the case why bother reversing the decision in their last match?

Winner and STILL X-Division Champion: Sheik Abdul Bashir

Shawn S. Lealos Bashir is being pushed in a great way. His character is just like Hussain was in the WWE until they pushed the terrorist angle. I loved the beginnings of the Hussain angle until they dropped the ball. So far, with the exception of the planes crashing in his entrance back at the start of his run, TNA has not dropped the ball. I assume Shane Sewell will be refereeing this match, but I am starting to think there will be a Danny Davis type swerve here soon. Either way, I love Eric Young’s new attitude but Bashir is a strong bad guy and needs the title right now more.

Winner: SHEIK ABDUL BASHIR

Chris Lansdell: Torn here. Could be either. Young needs a win, Front Line needs gold. Bashir IS gold. Young already has a win, Bashir needs it back.

Winner: Sheik Abdul Bashir

Dan Torkel: They teased the title change on Impact, and think they go with it here, with some screwy ref stuff so that they can blow off the Bashir/Shane Sewell angle. I like giving Eric the belt as it solidifies another member of the Frontline.

Winner: AND NEW X DIVISION CHAMPION – Eric Young

Bayani Domingo: I kind of like how everyone isn’t involved in the “Frontline vs MEM” storyline and this at least let’s some storylines take on a life of their own. I think it’s high time Eric Young gets his just due, but if my earlier prediction is to hold up then I’ll have to give Bashir the “duke” here.

Winner: Sheik “It like a Polaroid picture” Abdul Bashir

Julian Bond: Tragically Young won and then lost this belt to Bashir in a pretty goofy reverse decision. So with that, the belt probably won’t change again here, but I expect good ol’ referee Shane to be affected in this match by Bashir and set-up the horribly long-awaited feud between the two.

Winner: STILL X-Division Champion Sheik Abdul Bashir

Owain J. Brimfield: It’s great to see EY back in his ‘Showtime’ persona again. Sheik is just awesome as the champion though, and despite the occasional botch on TNA’s part (WMDDT?) his character has evolved superbly thus far. I still see an eventual loss to Creed though.

Winner: Sheik Abdul Bashir

James Craig: Remember when X-Divison matches used to be the highlight of any given TNA ppv event? Yeah, I do too. This isn’t going to remind you much of the good old days either. While both men are talented and Eric Young is always over, he has been treated like a joke for waaaaay too long to be taken seriously now. Bashir will retain via dastardly means and E Y keeps on being TNA’s lovable loser.

Winner: And still X-Division Champ, Sheik Abdul Bashir

Jeremy Thomas: I sure don’t mind that Bashir’s got the belt, but I think Young deserves something for all the crap he’s gone through for this company. His current persona is exactly the way to do it, and they can give the Frontline some gold in the process. Bashir will get a chance at another run, but I think the current one is over.

Winners: Eric Young (Reversal of the WMD into a roll-up; NEW TNA X-Division Champion)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Sheik Abdul Bashir 8, Eric Young 3

TNA KNOCKOUT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Champion Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) vs. Christy Hemme

Jarrod Westerfeld: Kong kills bitches dead. Christy is nothing more than a bitch that will be killed dead. Put the two together and you know where I’m going with this equation.

Winner: Awesome Kong (Retains)

Michael Weyer: Conventional wisdom has Kong crushing Hemme to keep on top. But we all know how conventional wisdom and TNA don’t always go together as they seem to be building for Hemme to pull off an upset which might get her more attention.

WINNER and NEW Knockouts Champion: Christy Hemme

Andy Clark: The easy pick is for Kong to destroy Hemme, but I have a sneaking suspicion we might see a new champ. Maybe Rhaka Khan turns on Kong, alowing Hemme to win the championship.

Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Christy Hemme

Shawn S. Lealos A.J. Styles has been training Hemme and thanks to him she got the pin on Kong this week. It doesn’t matter, because Kong is gonna kill a bitch Sunday.

Winner: AWESOME KONG

Chris Lansdell: Only one person should win this match. She ain’t a redhead. Plucky showing followed by a quasi-squash.

Winner: Awesome KONG~! (she kills bitches dead, don’t you know)

Dan Torkel: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…wait…really…I guess she did a Wrestlemania Title shot…but really?

Winner: KONG KILLS BITCHES DEAD

Bayani Domingo: Kong is going to eat Christy. Which wouldn’t be the first time she was eaten by a wrestler. ZING!!

Winner: Awesome Kong

Julian Bond: As much I love watching Kong in action (killing people and stuff), I really think that she doesn’t need the belt to establish that she’s the baddest, as silly as this sounds. So I propose (and hope) that TNA switches up the belt holder and gives it to a now up-and-coming Hemme. Some people hate on her because she’s not the greatest wrestler amongst the Knockouts, but I think that her horribly long stay with the company (compared to the other women) should pay off with a nice little run with the title.

Winner: NEW Knockouts Champion Christy Hemme

Owain J. Brimfield: The only way I’ll enjoy this is if Christy gets in zero offence. She looks great, but Kong can’t show any weakness here, and should retain to set up a new international challenger.

Winner: KONG

James Craig: This should be a squash match all the way. It won’t be just because Hemme needs to stay in the Knockouts title picture just a tad bit longer. Don’t expect a lot out of this, but do expect a DQ as KONG plain out kills Hemme outside the ring. Hemme wins, but won’t be conscious to celebrate.

Winner: Christ Hemme via DQ

Jeremy Thomas: Insert your own joke about Kong killing a bitch here.

Winner: Awesome Kong (Awesome Bomb; STILL TNA Knockout Champion)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Awesome Kong 7, Christy Hemme 4

KNOCKOUTS MATCH
The Beautiful People & Sharmel vs. ODB, Taylor Wilde & Roxxi

Jarrod Westerfeld: The Beautiful People need to join up with the Main Event Mafia as it boosts up their stock value and gives them new direction and power in the Knockouts division. Other than that, this is a bit of a toss away match that should have just come down to a singles bout between Sharmell and ODB considering that came completely out of left field for no reason other than to fill up a card that has a clusterfuck main event. If we’re to get TBP into the MEM, then a win here is needed to sell their stock as being worth an investment.

Winner: Sharmell and The Beautiful People

Michael Weyer: Well, they have set it up in a fair way but a bit sad this is pretty much the bulk of the Knockout division here. Sharmell will be rough in the ring but the rest should help her along as the heels will pull off some cheating to win.

WINNERS: Sharmell and the Beautiful People

Andy Clark: Let me see if I can be grammatically correct this month. How about I COULDN’T care less about the Knockouts Division? And I hate Sharmell to boot. The Beautiful People should win due to Palin-ference.

Winners: Sharmell & The Beautiful People (You Betcha!)

Shawn S. Lealos I guess this is their way of saying they don’t trust Sharmell in a single’s match. The Beautiful People are being pushed to the moon but I think Roxxi continues on to her eventual feud with Kong.

Winner: ODB, ROXXI and TAYLOR WILDE

Chris Lansdell: Was going to hate it. Others were added. I hate it less. Still going to be un-good. Probably the only chance the Front Line have tonight. Chance != sure thing.

Winner: Sharmell and Dat Azz Squared (Sharmell gets the pin)

Dan Torkel: The faces need to win to establish another challenger to KONG, so they take it here.

Winner: ODB, Roxxi and Taylor via pinning Sharmell

Bayani Domingo: Every time I see their name I think of Marilyn Manson…and titty clubs. Seriously, that song always gets played in a titty club when I’m there. The Beautiful People…The Beautiful People….makes me think of some big ass jiggly fake titties. Oh, well as far as the match goes, it makes no sense for Sharmell to win the match because she’s not a full on wrestler and at least ODB seems to be filling in for Gail Kim as the main focus of the KO division so I’ll go with logic here.

Winner: One Wilde Roxxi Bitch

Julian Bond: I honestly can’t remember the last time that the Beautiful People has gained a significant win. So I think that they’ll help Sharmell to grab one here.

Winner: Sharmell and the Beautiful People

Owain J. Brimfield: The knockouts need a bit of a shakeup at this point, and this match doesn’t represent that. This is the only out-and-out dud on the card for me. Roxxi desperately needs a win to build herself up again.

Winner: ODB, Roxxi and Taylor Wilde

James Craig: The Beautiful people have insinuated themselves into the MEM nicely and it make sense. I like the pairing with Sharmell as well . Of course they are up against the very over ODB as well and Roxxi and plucky under dog Taylor Wilde. I think that given enough time this has the chance to not suck. I see ODB getting the pin and the faces taking the win. Expect some post match hijinks afterwards just to keep things going between all the ladies. Perhaps an unexpected swerve? Just throwing it out there.

Winners:Roxxi and Taylor Wilde

Jeremy Thomas: As much as I love TBP, I think this one has to go to the faces. They need a solid contender to Kong’s belt, and Hemme certainly isn’t going to be it after she gets flattened on this show. Roxxi gets the pin on Sharmell, and we move on from there hopefully.

Winners: ODB, Roxxi and Taylor (Roxxi pins Sharmell)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: ODB/Roxxi/Taylor 6, Sharmell & The Beautiful People 5

FEAST OR FIRED MATCH
Participants: The Motor City Machineguns, The Latin American Xchange, Rock N’ Rave Infection, “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal, “The Guru” Sonjay Dutt, “Maple Leaf Muscle” Petey Williams, BG James, Consequences Creed, Curry Man, Cute Kip and Shark Boy
Three People Will Get Title Shots, One Person Will Get Fired

Jarrod Westerfeld: You know, if TNA doesn’t care about this pay-per-view, why should I? After all, look at what we’re starting off with here! Who really wanted this back? Better yet, why was this brought back if, say for the sake of argument, there were no fans clamoring for this matches return? The only person people would like to see fired here is BG James under the premise that he’s not being used and has no role so is easy to write off, but odds are we could also see Sonjay Dutt fired for almost no reason other than TNA management is retarded – monkey-butt-fucking without protection retarded! You have some options for the other title contracts, but none of them totally make a lot of sense when you give into the idea that you have a lot of Frontline members who could be put together to form a tandem for the tag title shot and that could upset the balance this match could create. Because I’ll be going with Young taking down the title legibly this time he’d need a good heel to confront him for the title, so I’ll go with Alex Shelley to take down that honor, Machismo and Creed teaming up to fight for the tag titles and Petey Williams becoming a sacrificial lamb to Sting’s title reign. That leaves me with the fear of Dutt being fired if it doesn’t fall onto BG’s shoulders. In the perfect world, however, Kip would just be let go as he does almost nothing to aid the Beautiful People.

Winner: Alex Shelley (X Division Title); Jay Lethal & Consequences Creed (Tag Titles); Petey Williams (World Title); Sonjay Dutt (Fired)

Michael Weyer: Never enjoyed this match and putting it on the PPV seems a real waste, more of a “fit as many folks as we can” onto things. The rules always confuse me but I do see this as an opportunity to get rid of Curry Man and finally have Christopher Daniels back as the Fallen Angel to shake things up. For the actual winner, I’ll go and say Creed to give him another boost at the X Division belt.

WINNER: Consequences Creed
FIRED: Curry Man

Andy Clark: Ah, everybody’s favorite Money in the Bank ripoff. This might not be so bad so long as everyone just holds on to their briefcases and we don’t have a bunch of switches and matches for briefcases again this year. Is there an extra briefcase this year since the Legend’s Title is around?

Winners: Petey Williams (World); Consequences Creed (X-Division); Alex Shelley (Tag Team); Jay Lethal (Legend’s)
Fired: Curry Man

Shawn S. Lealos This match is always a clusterfuck but it also includes some of the best wrestlers in the TNA. Who will win is probably going to be based on TNA enjoying mixing things up. The winner of the tag team briefcase will probably be a singles star, the world title an X-Division star and the X-Division briefcase a heavyweight. And I thought B.G. James stopped wrestling and was only working backstage.

Winner:
WORLD TITLE MATCH: CONSEQUENCES CREED
X-DIVISION TITLE MATCH: HERNANDEZ
TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: ALEX SHELLEY (MOTOR CITY MACHINEGUNS)
YOU’RE FIRED!!!!!!: BG JAMES

Chris Lansdell: X-Division guys. One big guy. 2 dinosaurs. One in a stable, one who is never on TV. Who gets fired? I wonder. Who gets the world title shot? I wonder again.

Winners: Hernandez gets the big boy shot, Dutt the little boy shot and the Guns the two boy shot.
Fired: BG James

Dan Torkel: Is this the return of the 4 boxes – One is World Champ contender, one tag, one X, and one is fired? If so, then I’ll hope Kip gets fired. I think they will pull some triggers here to promote future booking, like the return of a certain Fallen Angel.

Winner: X Shot goes to Homicide, Tag Titles go to Shelley and the Guns, World Title shot goes to Petey and Curry Man gets FIRED to bring back Daniels for the Frontline.

Bayani Domingo: So many names in here that seem to either be integral to the company or could really use a push. If I look at the potential firees I’d say that Lance Rock hasn’t been used much lately, BG James is rumored to already be on his way out as a wrestler, Shark Boy really doesn’t add much at all to the roster and it may be time for Curry Man to say “Sayonara”. To me it comes down to either BG James or Curry Man. They keep name dropping Christopher Daniels and I could see him coming back after Curry Man disappears. Either that or Curry Man somehow winning the X-Division title or the TNA Heavyweight Title and unmasking to reveal it is in fact Daniels and now he somehow gets a guaranteed contract as a result. Yeah, I think I’ll go with that. I guess that means that BG James gets shown the door, although I wish like hell it was Cute Kip. If I’m going with a Tag Team shot I think MCMG’s make the most sense. I guess I’ll go with my “dream scenerio” in letting Curry Man beat Sting for the title and unmasking, so someone has to go after Bashir or Eric Young right? Let’s go with Creed.

Winners: Curry Man (TNA), Consequences Creed (X), Alex Shelley (Tag), and BG James (Fired)…though not quite a “winner”.

Julian Bond: It’s sad that everyone and their mama hates on this match simply because it’s something random and different (minus the obvious Money in The Bank influence). While it’s not the greatest bout in the world, it at least provides some suspense as to what suitcase is picked by whom. If TNA doesn’t mess up the aftermath process of it, like last year, then it should be a good turnout. My guesses: I’m thinking that BG James should get the “Fired” case since he’s supposely just being a road agent/commentator right now, but I’m guessing that Curry Man may get it cause’ the random Prince Justice Brotherhood is assumed dead and gone and everyone on the Net’ keeps talking about TNA possibly having Daniels reappear as himself to join the Frontline, Petey should get a shot at Heavyweight Title for revenge on his beatdown from MEM (assuming that Sting retains), Hernandez should randomly (cause there has to be at least one random to someone not in that particular division) get the X-Division shot since they’ve been promoting LAX (in Rough Cuts) as of late, and Creed should get the Tag Team shot to pick Lethal for a bout possibly with the tag champs in the form of MEM. Usually, I’m very wrong with these picks, but here’s hoping that I’m right.

Winner: Consequences Creed (Tag Team), Hernandez (X-Division), Petey Williams (Heavyweight), Curry Man(Fired)

Owain J. Brimfield: I’m going to go completely against the grain here – the first FOF, while not really a great match, set up some decent storylines (the rebirth of Petey Williams and the merciful death of VKM), and I’m expecting this year’s outing to do the same. I’m undecided as to whether BG or Curry Man makes more sense for the pink slip, but given that BG has already been quietly slipping away I’d love to see a fond farewell to Curry to set up the return of Daniels.

Winner: Consequences Creed (world title), Hernandez (X division), Alex Shelley (tag), Curry Man (fired)

James Craig I’m positive this will be over booked. I’m positive that it won’t be all that great. I am also positive, however, that goods things will come from this match. Looking at the talent involved there’s a couple ways I’d like to see the win going, however I think it may come down to either Curry Man or Homicide. Curry Man winning would be the pay off to the whole Daniels “saga” and may play well into the MEM/FL storyline. Homicide is purely awesome and as much as I love him in the tag ranks, I would like to see him get a singles push of some sort. The loser seems more clear cut. BG is taking on more responsibilities backstage and hasn’t done anything of note on screen for quite some time.

Winners: World Title – Curry Man (to unmask as Daniels) X-Division – Homicide Tag – Alex Shelley
Loser: BG James

Jeremy Thomas: Hate the concept. Hate it so much. I don’t even want to spend too many words on it, other then to say that Curry Man makes the most sense to be fired so that Daniels can come back, and the MCMG’s had better get the tag shot. Everything else is a crap shoot.

Winner: Hernandez (World Title), Petey Williams (X-Division), Alex Shelly (Tag Team), Curry Man (Fired)

411Mania Roundtable Consensus-World Title: Petey Williams 4, Consequences Creed 2, Hernandex 2, Curry Man 2
411Mania Roundtable Consensus-X-Division Title: Consequences Creed 3, Hernandez 3, Homicide 2, Alex Shelley 1, Sonjay Dutt 1, Petey Williams 1
411Mania Roundtable Consensus-Tag Title: Alex Shelley 8, Jay Lethal 1, Consequences Creed 1
411Mania Roundtable Consensus-Fired: Curry Man 5, BG James 5, Sonjay Dutt 1

There you have it folks. And now for the monthly Roundtable awards…the 411Mania staff’s sure pick of the show and anyone’s game match!

Sure Pick of the Show: Main Event Mafia over TNA Frontline and Kurt Angle over Rhino (10-1)
Anyone’s Game: The Feast or Fired Match as a whole, but particularly the X-Division Briefcase winner and the Fired Briefcase “Winner”

And of course…the standings Year-to-Date!

Matt Short: 17 of 21 (80.95%)
Wendell Mitchell: 5 of 7 (71.43%)
Chris Lansdell: 24 of 36 (66.67%)
Owain Brimfield: 24 of 36 (66.67%)
Shawn Lealos: 8 of 12 (66.67%)
Julian Bond: 10 of 16 (62.50%)
Jeremy Thomas: 26 of 44 (59.09%)
Gavin Napier: 7 of 12 (58.33%)
Dan Torkel: 21 of 37 (56.76%)
Larry Csonka: 19 of 36 (52.78%)
Dan Wilcox: 7 of 14 (50.00%)
James Craig: 4 of 8 (50.00%)
Jarrod Westerfeld: 21 of 44 (47.73%)
Michael Weyer: 21 of 44 (47.73%)
Andy Clark: 20 of 44 (45.45%)
Robert S. Leighty Jr: 12 of 28 (42.86%)
Bayani Domingo: 5 of 12 (41.67%)

There are only five pay-per-views to go until the yearly standings are over; can anyone topple Matt from his top spot? It’ll be a tough job, but it’s still very doable!

And, of course, don’t forget to join us Sunday night for LIVE coverage starting at 8pm!