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411’s Roundtable PPV Preview: TNA Bound for Glory 2011
Welcome, 411 wrestling readers, to 411Mania’s TNA Pay-Per-View Roundtable! This month, TNA holds its biggest show of the year, Bound for Glory! It’s a show so big that the Tag Team Title match between Mexican America and Ink, Inc. is being held on the pre-show just like the WWE and WrestleMania. See, they’re learning. On the actual show are Kurt Angle defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against the Bound for Glory Series winner Robert Roode, Sting and Hulk Hogan battling for control of the company, Austin Aries defending the X Division Title against Brian Kendrick, and a Knockouts Ladies Championship Fourway match between champion Winter, Mickie James, Madison Rayne, and Velvet Sky. AJ Styles and Daniels will try to make one another say “I quit!” while Mr. Anderson and Bully Ray settle their personal issues in a Falls Count Anywhere Philadelphia Street Fight, Samoa Joe, Crimson, and Matt Morgan face off in a Threeway, and the Rob Van Dam/Jerry Lynn rivalry is settled in Full Metal Mayhem. It’s another packed show from TNA, so let’s get right down to it!
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Joining the Roundtable this month are:
Ring Crew reviewer Jack Bramma!
Known better as the Black Scorpion and writer of the Wrestling Sandwich, Wes Kirk!
Interviewer and reviewer extraordinaire TJ Hawke!
Impact Wrestling Instant Analyzer RC Sutton!
The man who shines a spotlight on wrestling each and every week, Michael Weyer!
And of course, yours truly Chad Nevett!
You know, with Slammiversary getting the roman numerals, you’d think it would be TNA’s WrestleMania. Just sayin’.
TNA BOUND FOR GLORY
THE CARD:
Note: This match was added too late for the roundtable, so no predictions. I’m sure all three men are disappointed.
Jack Bramma: The team of Ink, Inc. does nothing for me. Also, I’m going to go out on a limb and hope that TNA has plans for the tag belts and won’t do a switch on the pre-show just to work the masses.
Winner: Mexican America
Wes Kirk: Mexican America took out Ink Inc four months ago and they never forgot. When the Mexican America contingent went to get some new ink, they walked into the one tattoo parlor they will never be welcome in and we saw them beaten down by an angry Ink Inc. Mexican America may also be on the lookout for Christina Von Eerie, who was the female employee there and threw a wicked elbow! Mexican America is going to probably need both of their mamacitas to fight off Ink Inc, and I just don’t see the match ending with new champions YET.
Winner: Mexican America
TJ Hawke: I don’t like Mexican America at all, but I’m guessing TNA thinks it is a really great gimmick given the way they have been pushed. Ink Inc. is a really fun undercard team, but even if TNA were to make the change (which I would be fine with), I don’t think a tag title change should happen on Facebook when the company has a national TV deal and the biggest PPV of their year happening 30 minutes later.
Winner: Mexican America
R.C. Sutton: I was surprised when I heard that this match had been bumped to the pre-show. They seemed to want this to mean something with the tattoo parlor beat down and with Mexican America putting a whoopin’ on Ink Inc. the following week. I don’t see the tag titles changing hands on the pre-show though. Ink Inc. might end up with the belts, but not here.
Winner: Mexican America
Michael Weyer: Not sure why this is getting on the pre-show when they’ve been building it up on Impact so much. It’s not a bad mix but not quite an A-list matchup. I don’t see any title change on a pre-show so the evil heels retain.
Winner and still TNA World Tag Team Champions: Mexican America
Chad Nevett: Relegated to the pre-show… ouch. Then again, given the teams in this match that’s not surprising. It may be for the tag titles, but we’re not talking about two well-respected, interesting teams here or anything. This would be like Otunga/McGillicutty defending agains the Usos or something. Meaning, it’s hard to really have a strong opinion one way or the other. I’ll go with Mexican America, because why not.
Winners and STILL TNA World Tag Team Champions: Mexican America
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Mexican America over Ink, Inc. [6-0]
Jack Bramma: The gimmick being throw in makes it seem like this is an excuse for them to do some hardcore carnage but also to allow Kennedy to show a mean(er) streak and beat Bubba in his own environment. Plus, Kennedy is yet to get a semblance of payback on Immortal and I see this as a stepping stone to move him back up the card toward the world title.
Winner: Kennedy
Wes Kirk: Anderson has been on a major losing streak lately and Bully Ray has upped his game to the point he’s probably more over now as a singles wrestler than he was for years as a tag team wrestler, depending on which years. Basically this is a do or die situation for Anderson so either he is victorious or Bully gets yet another notch on his belt, and frankly I think there’s only one solution because you should know what happens when you mix a bully and an asshole…
Winner: MISTAHHHHHHHHHH ANDERSOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
TJ Hawke: This match is going to suck. That is all.
Winner: Kennedy Kennedy
R.C. Sutton: I like the street fight idea. It plays well to the strengths of both men and should help hide their limitations. Bully Ray has been great on the microphone and has a brute style in the ring. Anderson for the most part has been mailing it in as of late, and at least here it isn’t about match psychology. My brain tells me to pick Anderson here, but I think in the long run it would be more fun if Bully Ray won.
Winner: Bully Ray
Michael Weyer: At the start of the year, who’d have guessed Ray would become one of TNA’s best workers and promo guys while Anderson would sink in drive? It’s a good matchup with a nice build, Anderson ready to get revenge while Bully will brawl it out nicely. I see Bully getting good shots but Anderson is due for a win after all this so finally gets it on the big show.
Winner: Anderson
Chad Nevett: Bully Ray has been great this year and didn’t get a world title shot in the Bound for Glory Series, so putting him over Anderson here is the least TNA can do to reward some damn fine work.
Winner: Bully Ray
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Mr. Anderson over Bully Ray [4-2]
Jack Bramma: In their entire series dating back to ECW, Lynn was always booked just a SHADE lower than RVD. They matches were razor thin and would go for upwards of half an hour, but Lynn always seemed a step slower or a move too late to ever capture a victory. I don’t see that changing here.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Wes Kirk: Before you guys whine about how these guys are in their early 40’s and such, remember they can go like few others their age. They had a very good match at Destination X and this time there will be chairs, tables, ladders, and anything metal you can get your hands on or at least containing metal. RVD is known for his chair assisted moves and Lynn has shown a few new tricks on Van Dam lately so expect it to come down to which one wants this victory the most!
Winner: Rob Van Dam
TJ Hawke: I would be looking forward to this if it was just a straight up 1v1 matchup, but I don’t want to see these two 40+ year-olds kill each other in a match that doesn’t matter. I hope they stay safe.
Winner: RVD
R.C. Sutton: If I’m remembering correctly, Jerry Lynn hasn’t wrestled in TNA since Destination X and has had very limited work in TNA for the last few years. I don’t see why he’s being forced into a spot on BFG, but I guess that’s neither here nor there. I expect both men to be motivated enough for it to be a fun match with some neat spots. RVD is picking up the win though.
Winner: RVD
Michael Weyer: Lynn’s been absent for a while from the ring but still good when he’s got the drive. This will be an excuse for lots of brawling and battling it out, worried that the stip will cost some actual wrestling. For victory, I don’t see them trotting out Lynn if he doesn’t win so gets a victory here.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Chad Nevett: I kind of feel sorry for Jerry Lynn. At this point, he won’t beat Rob Van Dam. There’s no reason for it. RVD is the marketable commodity and Lynn’s involvement is merely an exercise in nostalgia. Still, it’s work.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Rob Van Dam over Jerry Lynn [5-1]
Jack Bramma: Daniels is so great as a heel that it’s unfortunate he doesn’t get to play one more often. AJ’s probably going over here but I’m picking with my desire for who I want to win, rather than who I think will win.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Wes Kirk: With the heel transformation of Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles now has to contend with not just his former best friend but a man who knows him extremely well and came within an eyelash of beating him at Destination X. Daniels and AJ have been getting some good time lately and this should be a hell of a match, most likely ending with controversy and perhaps ending a friendship in kayfabe forever.
Winner: AJ Styles
TJ Hawke: Once again, I would prefer that this wasn’t gimmick match. As good as their matches usually are, I just don’t need to see these two feud anymore. I rather they just be a tag team again to give that division some credibility.
Winner: AJ Styles
R.C. Sutton: I don’t care how many times I see AJ/Daniels it’s usually a very good match. In the series between the two, AJ seems to just about always come out on top, sans the top rope slip a few weeks back. This is another situation where I think Daniels could be really awesome if he were to pick up the win. Can you imagine the promos he would cut if he beat AJ in an “I Quit” match? I think the storyline possibilities there are awesome. I can’t convince myself that Daniels is going over AJ though. I want to, but I can’t.
Winner: AJ Styles
MIchael Weyer: As these two couldn’t put on a bad match if they tried, expect the match of the night here. The new heat between them will make it even better and interesting to see them in a submission bout. Expect fantastic action and moves while I see AJ getting the win after the attacks and being pushed so much, Daniels due to a fall. Either way, we’re winners for watching.
Winner: The Phenomenal One
Chad Nevett: And the odds-on favourite for ‘show stealer’ goes to… This is one of those matches where either guy winning would be great. AJ Styles winning would put him in a position to move on to bigger and better things as the dominant one, while Daniels winning would elevate his heel turn and make him insufferable as he gloats. Okay, Daniels should win.
Winner: Daniels
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: AJ Styles over Christopher Daniels [4-2]
Jack Bramma: Sting has to win this, right? Even moreso after the revealed Hogan heel turn. I suppose they COULD make it go another month before the final blowoff, but picking against Sting at Bound for Glory is like picking against UT at Wrestlemania, other than that one hiccup with Styles a couple years ago.
Winner: Sting
Wes Kirk: More accurately, this is the “fight” for control of TNA as Hogan specifically said he will not wrestle but he will fight. In this case, we need some interference just to keep things interesting as Hogan is likely not going to be able to do very much but if they keep it basic, let Hogan take mild bumps at best and allow Sting to destroy a few Immortal members who aren’t doing anything before scoring the victory, it won’t be half bad. Expect Hogan to lose and be kicked out of Immortal but return to his red and yellow ways thanks to the Stinger’s help!
Winner: Sting
TJ Hawke: I don’t think there are words to describe how little I care about this match. I just hope that they stay safe and neither of them suffer a horrible injury.
Winner: Hogan
R.C. Sutton: They made sure to point out this is a “Fight” more so than a match. The leaves the door open for Immortal to do most of the heavy lifting here which makes much more sense than a straight up Sting/Hogan match. I legitimately hope Hogan makes it through this, as I don’t wish to see anyone get hurt in the ring. This should kill Immortal which would suit me just fine.
Winner: Sting
Michael Weyer: Yes, TNA believes this is the match that’ll make the show worth buying. Seeing a slow Hogan vs the whacko Sting is probably going to mean a lot of bathroom breaks, can’t see them putting on anything good. For the winner, the “control” stip and the fact Hogan isn’t going to drag himself back into the ring just to get beat means Sting is going down and Hogan keeps up the same act.
Winner: Hulk Hogan
Chad Nevett: I just hope no one dies or winds up crippled. That is all.
Winner: Hulk Hogan (Loser: Everyone watching)
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Sting over Hulk Hogan / Hulk Hogan over Sting [3-3]
Jack Bramma: Both coins came up tails and according to the Nash Equilibrium, two tails = Velvet Sky.
Winner: Velvet Sky
Wes Kirk: This is the Knockouts Championship match and I think I know why things are built the way they are for this particular event. Winter split up the Beautiful People and took Angelina as her pet of sorts, while Rayne is trying to kiss ass to get ahead with Karen Angle. Mickie is pretty much just stuck in the thick of things and Winter wants to keep the title and Angelina more than anything. So, in the end, I think this is when we finally pull the trigger and put the title on the most deserving girl in TNA to hold Knockouts single gold leading to her finally attempting to get Angelina back on track.
Winner: AND NEW KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION, VELVET SKY!
TJ Hawke: I guess Mickie James is winning because she is the most famous, but other than that, I don’t really have any thoughts on this match.
Winner: Mickie James
R.C. Sutton: The trendy pick here seems to be Velvet Sky, and she has definitely been doing solid work in the ring lately. I could really see any 1 of these 4 winning at BFG, so I may as well jump on the bandwagon too. If it means more of letting the pigeons loose, sign me up.
Winner: Velvet Sky
Michael Weyer: This should be pretty good, all four ladies able to mix it up well and nice to see them bounce off each other. Velvet is the popular pick here but these things tend to favor the champion. So I’ll go with the odd pick off with Madison taking advantage of a cheap pin to get the belt.
Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Madison Rayne
Chad Nevett: This match bugs me, because it’s so overbooked. The obvious (read: logical) story here was Velvet Sky vs. Winter for the title as Sky fights to regain her best friend, Angelina Love. This entire year has been building to Sky winning the Knockouts Title as she overcame Sarita, ODB and Jackie, and even temporarily gained the upperhand against Winter and Love before they moved onto a short feud with Mickie James that brought the title into the picture. Really, James and Rayne shouldn’t be in the match. This could have been a BIG moment (which the Knockouts Division has very few of) with the triumph of Velvet Sky and, instead, it’s just a fourway… nicely done, TNA.
Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Velvet Sky
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Velvet Sky over Mickie James, Madison Rayne, and Winter [4-1-1-0]
Jack Bramma: Austin just won the belt last month and has looked great since coming off. Don’t really see a reason to hotshot it over to Kendrick, especially when it looks like Kendrick might have a feud with Kid Kash.
Winner: Austin Aries
Wes Kirk: The gold is on the line in another exciting X-Division encounter when The Greatest Man That Ever Lived takes on quite possibly the Oddest Man That Ever Wrestled In TNA. Aries can combine fast and furious offense with traditional heel techniques and shortcuts while Kendrick is known as a high-flyer and a risk taker but also has some good wrestling ability if he busts it out. I expect another good to great match here and I think Aries is going to go on with the title around his waist despite Kendrick’s physical manifestations.
Winner: Austin Aries
TJ Hawke: I would have preferred to see Alex Shelley challenge Aries, but perhaps they are saving him for when there is less going on. This match should be good.
Winner: A Double
R.C. Sutton: I’m glad TNA didn’t opt for the “throw the entire X division into 1 match” idea that they seem to do whenever they want to get everybody on the card. These 2 have done good work with each other so far, and have given me no reason to believe that this match should be any different. I suspect Kid Kash ends up involved here somehow. A Double wins here and moves on to other things.
Winner: Austin Aries
Michael Weyer: Happy we didn’t get some massive X Division free-for-all but a one-on-one match. Aries has been great as the arrogant heel champion, not seeing him losing the belt so fast. Kendrick will do his best but in the end, Aries uses some sneaky moves to retain and keep the X Division strong.
Winner and still X Division Champion: Austin Aries
Chad Nevett: When I stopped doing the Impact Wrestling Instant Analysis, I stopped watching the show (really, it was my not wanting to watch the show anymore that prompted me to stop reviewing it) and the only thing I miss is Austin Aries. He made the last couple of months of watching that show worthwhile. I like Brian Kendrick, but taking the belt off Aries would be sheer idiocy.
Winner and STILL X Division Champion: Austin Aries
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Austin Aries over Brian Kendrick [6-0]
Jack Bramma: In terms of interest for me, this is the selling point to the PPV. I’m not saying the other matches aren’t good on paper and won’t be phenomenal in execution, because they are and I hope they will be. I’ll be honest: I don’t have a lot of confidence in TNA doing what I feel is the right thing here which is putting the belt on Booby Roode. In credit to them, they have REALLY given Roode the hard sell by having him win the Bound for Glory series and producing the best video packages for wrestling in MONTHS if not YEARS. Against my better nature, they have convinced the fan in me that Roode has a chance and will win this. The cynic in me wants to doubt it and prognosticate a Storm heel turn based on what happened on Impact recently to cost Roode the match and generally, expect the least interesting path for TNA, which would be keeping the belt on Angle. But this is the same company that put the belt on Abyss when no one say it coming, this is the same company that put the belt on AJ Styles again in 09 when it didn’t seem likely. I’m going to again pick with my heart and say Roode takes it.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Wes Kirk: This is it! The cocky overachieving champion taking on the newest contender and big time underdog in a classically built match that has done wonders so far for making Robert Roode the newest singles star. With Angle obviously underestimating Roode and Roode working for thirteen years to get to the big time and win the TNA title, it will be a great match as Angle slowly realizes how much he underestimated his opponent and both begin a titanic struggle to maintain or gain championship gold. In the end, I think we see a Rocky style underdog upset that will cement a new main eventer in TNA.
Winner: AND NEW TNA CHAMPION, ROBERT ROODE!
TJ Hawke: Now, this is a match that I am completely behind. Robert Roode may not get a lengthy title reign if he wins, but TNA can go a long way in creating a new star at this show if this match is booked right.
Winner: Robert Roode
R.C. Sutton: The match of the card. The main event. I’m going to give TNA a lot of credit here, when Bobby Roode won the BFG series, I was hoping they could make him a credible challenger. They’ve done such a fantastic job of building him up, that it’s actually going to suck if he doesn’t win. A good majority of the build towards this match has been all about Roode. He has definitely taken the ball and run with it. The matches he has been having with Fortune this last month have been very good and Kurt Angle always delivers. The place should explode when they announce:
Winner: NNEEEEW World Heavyweight Champion Robert Roode
Michael Weyer: I want to be wrong on this. I really do, forget the “correct pick” stats. Everyone is picking Roode and it makes sense as TNA has been building him up strong and fantastic in promos, really selling him as the guy who takes the belt and the top spot. I know it makes sense and all after all the build. But….something is telling me it won’t happen. This is TNA, after all, they’d love the “shocking swerve” and all that, not to mention blowing a big payoff. As much as I hate to say it, I think Storm turns heel, costs his partner the match and Angle retains. Sucks, yes, but it just won’t go away in my mind.
Winner and STILL TNA World Champion: Kurt Angle
Chad Nevett: Unlike Velvet Sky’s story, this one has been handled perfectly. Roode has been built up as a credible contender and, yet, still seen as the underdog. Him winning the title here would be a BIG moment — one of those ones that TNA could put on DVDs for the rest of its run when talking about big moments in the company’s history. I hope they recognize this. It doesn’t matter if everyone is predicting Roode — those predictions are more hopes than predictions. No one really thinks Roode will win, we all just hope he will. He should.
Winner and NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Robert Roode
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Robert Roode over Kurt Angle [5-1]
Jack Bramma: For me, absolutely because I will be buying it. Again, TNA has convinced me against usual pragmatism that Roode has a chance at winning the belt. I honestly don’t want to miss that if it happens. RVD/Lynn is always great. Styles/Daniels is match of the year potential as long as Styles doesn’t get his belt rung like he did at Hardcore Justice.
Buy or No Buy: Buy
Wes Kirk: Jesus, why don’t we have these last two questions on WWE PPV’s? More bias! Frankly put, this is one of three MUST SEE TNA events of the year if you never watch anything else. The other ones are Lockdown and Destination X considering the former contains LETHAL LOCKDOWN and the latter contains awesome high spots galore. Bound for Glory is the real WrestleMania and will feature some great matches, great talent, and hopefully some moments we’ll never forget for all the right reasons. There is no comparison to an event featuring two giant fat slugs wrestling over who can hold the World title in the worst transitional reign compared to this particular show in which either of our main event players can outwrestle all the “champions” in the other company combined. Look for this one to exceed your expectations and show you TNA is a player in the business.
Buy or No Buy: Definite BUY!
TJ Hawke: I may not like TNA’s general creative direction over the last, well, the entire history of the company, but I do appreciate that they have completely loaded up the card of their biggest show of the year. If you are a fan of TNA, then I definitely recommend buying the show.
Buy or No Buy: Wait for the reviews and then maybe check out the replay
R.C. Sutton: On paper it’s a good card. I want to believe that with only 7 matches on the card they will be given a good amount of time and the ability to shine. I’m fearful that it just means there’s going to be a lot of filler garbage and that the Sting/Hogan mess is going to take longer than it should. I’m going to put pessimism aside and hope for the best. Angle/Roode, AJ/Daniels and Aries/Kendrick should all be very good. The Knockouts match should be decent to good. The Lynn/RVD & Anderson/Bully Ray matches should be spotfest fun times.
Buy or No Buy: Buy
Michael Weyer: This is the big show of the year for TNA and they’re doing their best to promote it. Styles/Daniels alone means a reason to buy and the Knockouts and X Division title bouts look strong too. Hogan/Sting may not be good but the rest of the card seems strong and will be interesting to see if they really pull the trigger on Roode as champion. Either way, this is the show that will have folks talking about TNA so worth checking out.
Buy or No Buy: Buy
Chad Nevett: It’s TNA’s WrestleMania and they’ve built about as good a card as they could all things considered. There are certain people missing (most of the X Division, James Storm, the Pope, the British Invasion, Kazarian, Jeff Jarrett), but no one that stands out as a major absence. Almost every match has some sort of longstanding story that’s built to here and a few look like potentially great matches.
Buy or No Buy: Buy
411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Buy over No Buy [5-1]
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: Mexican America over Ink, Inc. / Austin Aries over Brian Kendrick [6-0]
Anyone’s Game: Sting vs. Hulk Hogan [3-3]
And of course…the standings Year-to-Date! No Surrender was a very kind show to us underperfoming 411 writers, all of whom were below 50% in accuracy. Three of us (myself, De Marco, and Rinehart) went six for seven, while Weyer got three correct, and Wes “TNA Fanboy Numero Uno” Kirk only got two right.
Colin Rinehart: 6 of 7 (85.71%)
Greg De Marco: 9 of 15 (60.00%)
Chad Nevett: 11 of 22 (50.00%)
Larry Csonka: 3 of 7 (42.86%)
Michael Weyer: 9 of 22 (40.91%)
Wes Kirk: 9 of 22 (40.91%)
Andy Critchell: 6 of 15 (40.00%)
Colin Rinehart jumps out to an impressive lead on the strength of his No Surrender predictions, while De Marco and I manage to actually reach the 50% mark or above finally. Hopefully, Bound for Glory will continue the turnaround.
And, of course, don’t forget to join 411’s Colin Rinehart on Sunday night for LIVE coverage starting at 7:30 pm!
Listen to the latest edition of the 411 on Wrestling podcast! On the show, 411’s Larry Csonka is joined by co-host Steve Cook for a loaded show. During the show, the guys talk with Kristin Astara (formerly Krissy Vaine) of Lucha Libre USA! Kristin discusses her 10-year career, breaking in working with Amber O’Neal, her WWE Developmental time, her brief run on the main roster, what led to her leaving the company, her name change, return to wrestling and how she got involved with Lucha Libre USA!
From there, Larry and Steve discuss Hulk Hogan’s comments on Bobby Roode not being “the guy,” Dave Lagana signing with TNA and the company’s plans for an additional international brand, review Impact, preview Bound for Glory and so much more! The show is nearly three hours long, and free, so enjoy and share the link with everyone you know!
You can listen to the show on the player below, or you can download the show here.
