wrestling / Columns
411’s PPV Roundtable Preview: TNA No Surrender 2007
Welcome one and all to another edition of the 411 PPV Roundtable Preview! We are back once again to break down yet another PPV offering, this time it is the TNA No Surrender PPV! This is an interesting PPV because not only are all three TNA Titles on the line, but ONE MAN, Kurt Angle will be defending all of these titles on the show! Will it be a success, or will this PPV fail to deliver? Let’s meet the staff members brave enough to join me in this endeavor and then breakdown the show!
ECW Reporter Michael Bauer!
Joining us from the Video Game Zone, Owain J. Brimfield!
The Shimmy’s Andy Clark!
From Shining a Spotlight, Michael Weyer!
Master of the Movies and TV Zone, Leonard Hayhurst!
The 411 Forums Favorite Impact Reporter, Ryan Byers!
Finally, the fearless leader of the wrestling zone Larry Csonka!
Remember to join 411 for our LIVE PPV coverage, starting at 7:30pm Sunday night!
Robert Roode vs. Kazarian
Michael Bauer: Why I should care? Kaz’s first main feud since Serotonin broke up. Why I don’t? Because Roode is so above this.
Winner: Robert Roode
Owain J. Brimfield: This should be the sleeper of the night, as both men have been on a roll lately, and both have a lot to prove. It’s disappointing that this will probably end up as the opener, as Roode and Kazarian both belong in the upper mid-card. I see Roode gaining the W but Frankie making off somehow with Ms. Brooks to widen the split between her and Bobby.
Winner: Robert Roode
Andy Clark: Wow, I never thought I’d see the day where a match between these two men would actually interest me. Kazarian has managed to escape the pattern of boring that he’s been in ever since his flopped WWE run, and Robert Roode has been surprisingly non-sucktacular over the past few months. It’s hard to decide who goes over here, but since I think because of Ms. Brooks’ involvement this will be a longer feud, let’s go with the heel.
Winner: Robert Roode
Michel Weyer: Oh, thank God, Roode isn’t fighting Eric Young again. This could actually be a pretty fun match as Kazarian is rising and it’s about time they get Roode’s push back on track so I see him going over here with a little help from Brooks.
WINNER: Robert Roode
Leonard Hayhurst: Both of these guys are lucky to be on the show and that’s a shame. I get the sense that TNA doesn’t know what to do with either one, or doesn’t care. Kaz would most benefit from the win, but Roode is a little further up the card. I think they want to build Roode, but they’re not sure what to build him into. How about Rick Rude? He even comes with his own hot chick.
Winner: Roode
Ryan Byers: As I mentioned in the last edition of the Impact Crater, I’m glad to see both of these guys involved in a feud that has gotten a good deal of television time. Kazarian has languished in obscurity for far too long, as he is probably better than at least half of the former X Division Champions. However, he’s not in a position in which he’s going to lose a lot of credibility if he drops this match. That works out perfectly, because Roode is in a situation in which he needs a win in order to boost him up the card after being bogged down in the Eric Young rivalry for so long.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Larry Csonka: As some have mentioned, it is great to see Robert Roode in a match and feud not involving Eric Young. As Ryan mentioned, both of these guys are involved in a feud that has gotten a good deal of television time, and that is always nice. Kazarian has successfully split from Serotonin and got the win over Raven last month, but with the new feud on the horizon I feel Roode will use his bag of tricks and sneak out with the win. I can see Traci fully turning on Roode to go with Kazarian, allowing Roode to hopefully introduce a new lady into the mix.
Winner: Robert Roode
NO DQ MATCH: Chris Harris vs. Black Reign
Michael Bauer: Why I should care? Dustin Rhodes has done everything he can to hold Chris Harris down and Harris should be doing a lot more now. Why I don’t? Because Black Reign is his worst name ever. Yes, worse than Dusty Dust.
Winner: Chris Harris
Owain J. Brimfield: Black Reign has great potential as a gimmick – Dustin’s promos have been good, the video packages are interesting and that scythe weapon he carries looks absolutely evil. Sadly, the character’s being played by a fat slob in a gimp suit and silver paint. Poor Chris Harris – from TNA’s best feud of the year against James Storm to the worst. Here’s hoping Harris goes over and hastens Rhodes’ exit – once again – from the company.
Winner: ‘The Wildcat’ Chris Harris
Andy Clark: Chris Harris was poised to break out a few months ago. Now he’s stuck in a dead end feud with one of Russo’s favorites. I’m picking this winner based off who I want to win. Lord knows what we’ll actually get.
Winner: Chris Harris
Michael Weyer: You know my previous PPV rants about ignoring the stuff of VKM? Well, I’m now extending it to Black Reign. I HATE this gimmick with a passion as it lacks even the fun Goldust had at the beginning. But Russo likes it so it’s going over here and Harris gets another shove down.
WINNER: Black Reign
Leonard Hayhurst: They should have gave that handle to Pacman Jones. When WWE releases Cody Rhodes he should come in as the Green Wave. Dustin Rhodes is a total joke and this looks like it’s going to be on par with his ‘hardcore’ matches with Blacktop Bully back in WCW. And yes I put air quotes on that. Much like everyone else, I’m going to pick Harris to win, but don’t be surprised if Dustin reigns. Actually, you know what, I don’t trust Russo one damn bit.
Winner: Black Reign
Ryan Byers: This one is odd, because on one hand Chris Harris needs to win this feud in order to avoid being a midcarder for life, but, on the other hand, Chocolate Reign should probably get a victory in order to put over the new character. When you weigh the two against each other, though, Harris has much more of a future in professional wrestling than Rhodes does, meaning he’s the more logical winner.
Winner: The Wildcat
Larry Csonka: I first thought that this would be a replay of last month, but with Harris getting the DQ for excessive violence. But with the NO DQ stipulation, I see Black Reign taking it again, and probably leading to an October tradition, Monster’s Ball.
Winner: Black Reign
Christian Cage vs. Samoa Joe
Michael Bauer: Why I should care? The winner most likely get the next shot at Kurt Angle. Why I don’t? Because this could be a real funny feud that should have been saved for when Joe has the title.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Owain J. Brimfield: If their last encounter is anything to go by, this could well be MOTN. This should be the night that Christian is pinned or forced to submit for the first time since joining the company – Joe wins clean to gain momentum once again going into another title defense at Bound for Glory. Well, if anyone sensible is booking, that is.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Andy Clark: These two had a great match earlier in the year that nobody remembers because it didn’t end up meaning anything. This seems like a holding pattern match for both men, and should be fun, but again ultimately meaningless. Christian Cage is still undefeated and he has back up. Samoa Joe is still in TNA. All that leads to…
Winner: Christian Cage
Michael Weyer: Oh, Joe, Joe, Joe. We all hoped you’d be the champ last month, now it’s a midcard feud with Cage, a match we’ve seen before. But it was a good match and this one has a little more heat to it so expect Joe to demolish Cage to build himself back up as a monster in what promises to be a highlight of the night.
WINNER: Samoa Joe.
Leonard Hayhurst: This is a very interesting match that could go either way. The fact that Cage is undefeated still is a mark in his favor, but if anyone is going to beat him it would be Joe. A win by Joe here would poise him to go back after Angle for the TNA title. A schmozz or Joe by DQ is possible here.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Ryan Byers: Despite the fact that I think that the ship has sailed on Joe as champion, rumors persist that he’ll be getting the title shot at Bound for Glory. After all, he does have an issue with Angle that has gone completely unresolved over the course of the past month. If Joe is in fact getting the title shot, he needs to win a major match so that he is reestablished as a top level guy, and this is as good of a place for him to get the duke as any. The unfortunate thing is that TNA hasn’t played up Christian’s “never pinned or submitted in TNA” gimmick in recent weeks, which would make the victory an even bigger deal for everybody’s favorite Samoan.
Winner: Samoan Joseph
Larry Csonka: Ryan hit the nail on the head here, “If Joe is in fact getting the title shot, he needs to win a major match so that he is reestablished as a top level guy.” Cage has gotten the upper hand and holds a win over Joe, in what was a great match. I see another good match here, and Joe getting revenge for his SAMOAN BROTHERS!
Winner: Samoa Joe
James Storm vs. Rhino
Michael Bauer: Why should I care? Strom and Rhino have had one hell of a brutal feud so far that has gone deep with the drinking issues. Why I don’t? Russo’s booking allows Rhino to start drinking again willingly, the reason he got booted from the WWE.
Winner: Rhino
Owain J. Brimfield: A solid if not spectacular feud that would best be served coming to an end in conjunction with Harris / Rhodes in order to get the AMW blow-off match we’ve been so anticipating. I can’t remember the last time Rhino won a match, so it has to go to Heat City USA Mayor, James Storm.
Winner: ‘Cowboy’ James Storm
Andy Clark: No gimmick? Really? Wow. It’s Rhino on PPV, what do YOU think is going to happen?
Winner: James Storm
Michael Weyer: Hmm…no gimmick this time, interesting. I don’t like the whole thing with Rhino drinking but the matches have been pretty great brawls and this one seems like a good way to blow it off to set up the former-AMW battle we’ve been waiting for.
WINNER: Rhino
Leonard Hayhurst: Nobody is giving Rhyno a chance here. I think his track record says why. They’re also pushing Storm and he still has some heat with Harris. I’m going to predict on the post feud storyline that Rhino becomes a drunk again and Raven takes him under his wing.
Winner: James Storm
Ryan Byers: Rhino’s TNA record is what, seven wins and three hundred losses? He’s already dropped a couple of bouts in this feud, so logic would dictate that he comes back to win the blow off. However, the smart money in TNA is always in betting against Rhino, and I’m not going to go against that trend.
Winner: James Storm
Larry Csonka: While Rhino has had a shitty win/loss record, I think that he’ll pull out a win here. Not sure why, but I see him winning and then both men could meet again in an October tradition, Monster’s Ball. It’s a theme.
Winner: Rhino
Tag Team Gauntlet Match:
THE TEAMS: XXX vs. LAX vs. The Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Eric Young and Shark Boy vs. The Motor City Machine Guns vs. Lance Hoyt and Jimmy Rave vs. AJ and Tomko vs. Team 3D vs. Sonjay Dutt & Petey Williams vs. Raven & Havok
Michael Bauer: Why should I care? I don’t know honestly. Seeing Jimmy Rave in TNA is cool, but some of these teams are whack. Why I don’t? This seems like filler to just get everyone involved and unless I am missing something, this has no benefit to the winner.
Winners: XXX
Owain J. Brimfield: I generally enjoy TNA’s gauntlet matches, and the entrants in this one show a surprising depth to a tag division that was looking pretty dismal a few months ago. Of the contenders, EY, Sharky, Sonjay and Petey are only there to hit a couple of signature moves, and the remnants of Serotonin should probably finish off that angle here. Lord knows what the company has planned for Jimmy Rave, but it’s safe to say that teaming with Hoyt isn’t a surefire way to success. VKM sucks, 3D is still feuding with the Steiner’s, and Tomko/AJ haven’t been built properly as a team – that leaves XXX, MCMG and LAX, any of whom are worthy winners. I’ll go with the latter.
Winner: LAX
Andy Clark: So TNA needs to fire one of the Serotonin guys and they get rid of the one that is actually good? And now they bring in Jimmy Rave to suck up space? I’m guessing this is a No. 1 Contender’s Match and so I’ll go with the team that can fight both faces and heels for the belts. That, and they rule.
Winners: XXX
Michael Weyer: I like gauntlets and a tag one is interesting with all that talent. Expect some wild battles and encounters but I see it coming down to LAX and XXX. And since they just went to the trouble to get XXX back together and boosting them, expect them to take it here setting up a fun match down the line.
WINNER: XXX
Leonard Hayhurst: I like that TNA has a tag division and this might be a good way to showcase it and get some guys over. I’d push the MCMG to the moon. I can see the winner of this getting a tag title program and that will probably be against Team Pacman. LAX matches up best with them and could be built into the best feud based on personalities.
Winner: LAX
Ryan Byers: Jimmy Rave. Jimmy Rave. Of all of the Indy wrestlers in all of the promotions in the world, they had to sign Jimmy Rave? Oh well, at least he’s teaming with Hoyt, which virtually guarantees that he’ll be confined to Xplosion and unable to bore me to death. Anyway, at first it appears that this only exists to get a bunch of guys a payday, but I think that it could be used to further the Dudley Boys/Steiner Brothers feud. That’s why I’m going to do something I rarely do and predict a victory by an unannounced last minute set of entrants . . .
Winners: Rick & Scott Steiner
Larry Csonka: This could be a lot of fun. They did one of these last year, and while it wasn’t a blow away match it was good and made good booking sense I thought. Let’s look at the teams and see who has a chance of winning:
XXX – Very good chance
LAX – Very good chance.
The Voodoo Kin Mafia – If they win, we riot.
Eric Young and Shark Boy – No chance in hell.
The Motor City Machine Guns – Always a possibility, but highly doubtful.
Lance Hoyt and Jimmy Rave – They could swerve us, Russo loves Rave apparently. Very low chance.
AJ and Tomko – Always a possibility, but highly doubtful.
Team 3D – They don’t need the win.
Sonjay Dutt & Petey Williams – No chance in hell.
Raven & Havok – No chance in hell.
That being said, I will go with…
Winner: LAX
TNA X-Division Title Match: Kurt Angle © vs. “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal
Michael Bauer: Why should I care? Kurt Angle fighting an X Division style is very, very different. Why I don’t? Because he won’t with two other title matches in the night. Oh, and Russo booking means he loses this match with some annoying run in.
Winner: Black Machismo
Owain J. Brimfield: This could be an interesting one. Lethal is no slouch in the ring, even if he has used a grand total of four moves since taking on the Black Machismo persona, and it will be intriguing to see a real veteran vs. young gun battle. Giving Lethal the strap makes the most sense by far – Angle should only have been given the X Division title in order to give someone the rub, and that someone should be the most over previous champion on the roster. Plus, an Angle loss would cast a lot more doubt over the outcome of the following two matches (assuming this is the first defense).
Winner: ‘Black Machismo’ Jay Lethal
Andy Clark: I’m actually really looking forward to this match as it’s a new match up. I’m guessing this opens the show, which will probably be good. They need to get the X-Division Title off of Angle but I’m not sure they want Lethal pinning Angle. I say Angle can’t put Lethal away so he says screw it and gets DQed. Of course in TNA a DQ means a title change so…
Winner (by Disqualification) and NEW X-Division Champion: Jay Lethal
Michael Weyer: Of the three big matches for Kurt, this is the most promising. Lethal has a great gimmick and had the X title taken off him way too fast plus Kurt doesn’t need the belt here. I see him losing this first to build up the whole “three defenses in a night” thing better and let the X Division try to rebuild again.
WINNER and NEW X Division Champion: Jay Lethal
Leonard Hayhurst: When a guy has to wrestle multiple times in one night, he always loses the first match. I doubt he’ll job clean to Lethal, so look for shenanigans. A clean win is possible though to really build the tension of Angle losing later and getting Lethal super over. Lethal has a lot of potential, but I think the Black Machismo gimmick might have grown tired already. Hopefully winning the title and having a good run will allow him to grow as a character.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Ryan Byers: Of all of Angle’s title defenses, I see this as being the one in which a switch is most likely. I’m guessing that the match will end in some sort of wacky run-in with Team Pac-Man, Sting, and/or Abyss which will be meant to “set up” one of the later matches despite the fact that setting them up is no longer needed when people have already purchased the show. Is it bad that I’m now anticipating stupid booking from this company?
Winner: Jay Lethal
Larry Csonka: The first title match of the night, and while the ego trip was what Angle wanted, I hope that it is over Black Machismo can get the title run he had earned.
Winner: Black Machismo
TNA Tag Team Title Match: Sting and Kurt Angle © vs. Team Pacman (Ron Killings and Adam “Pacman” Jones
Michael Bauer: Why should I care? Pacman Jones in a wrestling match SHOULD be interesting. Why I don’t? Because this is a glorified handicap match. Pacman can’t be touched and is more worthless than all three people who were released because of him COMBINED. Plus, Russo booking can’t possible put a title on a celeb… ah shit, DAVID FUCKING ARQUETTE!
Winners: Team Pacman (Kill me now!)
Owain J. Brimfield: Probably the most surreal match you’ll see on paper all year. This won’t be any good in-ring, but should advance a few storylines. I see Team Pac getting the nod to kickstart a reboot of the tag division and justify all the money lavished on Adam Jones.
Winner: Team Pacman
Andy Clark: I still want to know how they’re gonna pull this off. The addition of Sting does make things a little more interesting. Again, they need to get the belts off of Angle and they’re dying to give Pacman a title. Angle walks out on Sting and Sting gets beat down, Ghetto style.
Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: Team Pacman
Michael Weyer: I’m not going to waste time ranting once more on the fact that TNA is promoting this when everyone knows Jones can’t compete in the ring. I really don’t know how they’ll do it but I expect Angle to cost his team the titles and build up tension over losing his big belt. Which means we’ll have a championship tag team where one guy is prohibited from competing at all. And we thought WWE’s tag division was in bad shape.
WINNER and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Team Pacman (I can’t believe I’m saying that).
Leonard Hayhurst: I’m interested to see how they work this with Pacman not being able to physically wrestle. I could see Angle claiming he’s injured or walking out on Sting, so this basically winds up being Sting vs. Killings for the belts. Vince Russo has booked a singles match for tag belts before and he’ll do it again. Angle and Sting make an interesting team and it’s too bad they won’t get a feud with some of the interesting teams in the division.
Winner: Team Pacman
Ryan Byers: Predicting the winner of this match isn’t too thrilling. Predicting what TNA will do in order to get around the fact that Pac-Man can’t wrestle is far more exciting. At this point, my money is on Jones weaseling out on the bout and finding a replacement, though I have no clue who that replacement will actually be. Regardless, I doubt that the Pacs will actually walk out with the belts, primarily because the Steiner’s and the Dudley’s are the two top teams at the moment, and I doubt that TNA will be able to pass up the opportunity to book a “dream match” between Sting/Angle and the Duds and/or Steiner’s.
Winners: Kurt Angle & Sting
Larry Csonka: I have no earthly idea what they will do with dip shit Jones as far as wrestling, but they had said he would be in a tag team and go for gold, which means TNA will do just that. Dissention between Angle and Sting leads to the predicted three way at Bound for Glory with Sting vs. Angle vs. Joe.
Winner: Team Pacman
TNA World Title Match: Kurt Angle © vs. Abyss
Michael Bauer: Why should I care? Because Abyss has been reborn and now finally gets a break from dealing Christian Cage. Why I don’t? His first title reign started as a joke with the way Sting lost and Russo can’t have Kurt Angle lose three times in one night… can he?
Winner: Kurt Angle
Owain J. Brimfield: I’m still not sure whether or not the Abyss/Christian feud has actually finished, which is hugely annoying. Still, there’s no good reason for Abyss to go over here, and the match will probably see James Mitchell and Judas Mesias return to destroy Abyss. I’m undecided whether this will factor into the match itself, but either way, Angle retains.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Andy Clark: Angle has beaten Abyss in every match they’ve had and I don’t see that changing. Plus, they’re going to want to have Angle as champ for Bound For Glory, so the outcome is easy here. Judas Mesias interferes to take out Abyss and Angle retains.
Winner and STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Kurt Angle
Michael Weyer: This looks like a fun battle as we all know Abyss brings it to the table in absolute brawls and having lost his first two belts, Angle will be hyper about keeping this one, adding to the heat. But they seem intent on Angle defending at Bound for Glory so expect him to keep this one after a wild match.
WINNER and still TNA World Champion: Kurt Angle
Leonard Hayhurst: Angle will lose the other two matches and win here. It’s pretty much set in stone. James Mitchell’s new guy should debut here to take out Abyss and set up a match for the next ppv. Look for Sting or Joe to attack Angle set up the title match for the next ppv.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Ryan Byers: Unless Ricky Banderas’ first feud in TNA is going to be for the World Title, we all know how this one is going to end.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Larry Csonka: Angle will be losing the other titles and did a clean job to Abyss Thursday, so he retains here. Judas Mesias will play a role here, finally, and Angle goes home to make sweet anal love to the stripper next door. With Mesias likely to play a factor here, ala Kane in the HIAC with Taker and HBK, I can see he and Abyss first meeting in an October tradition, Monster’s Ball with some of the others mentioned.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Remember to join 411 for our LIVE PPV coverage, starting at 7:30pm Sunday night!
