411’s Roundtable PPV Preview: TNA Hardcore Justice 2011

Welcome, 411 wrestling readers, to 411Mania’s TNA Pay-Per-View Roundtable! Last month, TNA held Destination X where Brian Kendrick defeated Abyss to become the new X Division Champion, AJ Styles beat Daniels, Rob Van Dam took down Jerry Lynn, and Kazarian kept Samoa Joe’s losing streak alive. Austin Aries earned a TNA contract in a fourway, Alex Shelley earned an X Division title shot in Ultimate X, the impromptu tag team of Eric Young and Shark Boy beat Generation Me, and Douglas Williams bested his mystery opponent, Mark Haskins.

This month, TNA holds Hardcore Justice as Sting defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Kurt Angle, Brian Kendrick puts the X Division Title on the line in a threeway with Alex Shelley and Austin Aries, Winter challenges Mickie James for the Knockouts Ladies Championship, and Beer Money defends the Tag Titles against Mexican America! Fortune and Immortal compete in a six-man tag match, two Bound for Glory Series matches happen with Rob Van Dam vs. Crimson and Devon vs. the Pope, and Mr. Anderson and Bully Ray try to settle their inter-Immortal differences. It’s another packed show from TNA, so let’s get right down to it!

Before we do, though, don’t forget to bookmark 411Mania for all your entertainment needs, or even make it your home page! And don’t forget the Twitters too!

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Joining the Roundtable this month are:

Andy Critchell, co-host of the Monday edition of the 411 on Wrestling Podcast and man who demanded that I include this link!
Known better as the Black Scorpion and writer of the Wrestling Sandwich, Wes Kirk!
The man who shines a spotlight on wrestling each and every week, Michael Weyer!
Greg De Marco of the Wrestling 5 & 1!
And of course, yours truly Chad Nevett!

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

And not a hardcore match in the bunch… I guess they wasted all of the extreme matches on Impact Wrestling.

TNA HARDCORE JUSTICE

THE CARD:

Andy Critchell: In the small microcosm of TNA this match is pretty much a worthless throw in. Whatever. But in the larger context this is actually a pretty interesting study of opportunity and motivation. Bully Ray is a guy who has been seen as strictly a tag guy for the majority of his career. He got one shot as a singles competitor in WWE, it failed miserably and he was sent back to the tag ranks for another few years. He got really fat, started just going through the motions, and was basically just a guy drawing a paycheck. It seemed as if Bully Ray was heading for the decline that most older wrestlers go through before they are finally washed up for good. But somehow he got one more shot at being a singles competitor and he has delivered beyond anyone’s expectations. He’s motivated and strong. He’s delivering the best heel promos in the company and is consistently a bright spot in an otherwise dim promotion. Now contrast Bully Ray with Anderson; a guy who has been given opportunity after opportunity because he showed so much promise and yet his career has been failure after failure. His title runs have been meaningless, his feuds have lacked any kind of real interest, and he’s been exposed as a promo guy with limited skills. When Anderson was in WWE he was reigned in which I feel helped hide some of his glaring flaws but TNA has let him be as out there as he wants and it has only made him look worse. Overall I feel that if he was motivated Anderson could be an exciting draw but right now I feel he is pretty lazy and willing to just coast by on his slightly better than average charisma. And that’s how we’ve arrived at a 40 year old wrestler with 20 years in the business having more upside and potential than at 35 year old wrestler with just 12 years in the business.

Winner: Bully Ray

Wes Kirk: Immortal implodes as Bully Ray finally ends up taking on Mr. Anderson after weeks of dissent between the two. While on the surface it looks like an ordinary filler match this may have major consequences in terms of a possible face turn by one of the two men. I think it’ll be a decent match, nothing to write home about but certainly nothing as bad as most of the guys here would make you believe.

Winner: Mr. Anderson…..ANNNNDERRRSOOOOON.

Michael Weyer: Ray has been catching on with some great promos and the mix is interesting. The tension has been well done and we can hope the match lives up to it, if a bit rough. In the end, Anderson is more the star so he should get the big push here. For more, I cite Andy’s amazingly well done analysis above.

Winner: Anderson

Greg DeMarco: I’m glad this match got added to the card. I’ve never cared for an “in-fighting” storyline, but this has some potential. Bully Ray has been amazing since the split of Team 3D. Seriously, before the split I felt like they needed to retire—now Bully Ray is one of my favorite performers. Anderson is underrated as well. I hope they can realize their potential here, both in action and storytelling.

Winner: Bully Ray

Chad Nevett: Neither man really has anything to do, but this has felt natural enough. Ray would be a little miffed at not being the top dog in Immortal and Anderson would naturally be frustrated that joining the faction hasn’t kept him on top in TNA. I could see Ray going over to establish a bit of dominance over Anderson, which is, honestly, more interesting.

Winner: Ray

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Bully Ray over Mr. Anderson [3-2]

Andy Critchell: Fortune might go down as the most worthless stable of all time. Have they even done anything since Flair left? Immortal isn’t much better, especially given how much they talk about how important it is to get the belt and the “power” that goes along with it, only to lose it almost immediately. Still, a win here would help keep Immortal from looking completely incompetent so I guess that’s something to think about. I think this match should be pretty decent despite the involvement of Abyss, hopefully he misses his flight and has to be replaced. That’s the best case scenario.

Winner: Immortal

Wes Kirk: I am smelling a Daniels heel turn to Immortal here, seriously. The way they have been having AJ and Daniels bicker and cost AJ the match on Thursday makes me think whatever Daniels wants to talk to AJ about has to do with AJ pinning him and him wanting another match, but because AJ won’t give him the time of day Daniels will make a statement in this match and cost his friend the victory, likely joining Immortal to get AJ into a rematch with him.

Winner: Immortal

Michael Weyer: One the one hand, three fantastic athletes capable of elevating any match to four star levels. On the other, three bigger, slower guys who don’t always get along. I’d love to say Fortune but I sense a heel turn for Daniels here, which makes little sense but that’s how things often work. On the plus side, would give us more great Styles/Daniels battles in the future so some good comes out of it.

Winners: Immortal

Greg DeMarco: It might appear thrown together on the surface, but it makes total sense. Scott Steiner is great in small doses, Abyss can work with the more athletic opposition, and Gunner gets better with every outing. As for Fortune, they have a stupid name but all three are amazing talents. I expect this match to deliver.

Winner: Immortal (possible Christopher Daniels turn)

Chad Nevett: Damn, does Immortal seem like the weakest bullshit faction ever? They NEED a win here. Otherwise, why bother? People seem to think a Daniels turn will be the reason and I’d like to see that happen. Daniels has always been more engaging to me as a heel.

Winner: Immortal

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Immortal over Fortune [5-0]

Andy Critchell: Crimson has really been a roll and his position at the top of the BFG standings has been a constant for quite a while now. Despite his limited skills he seems to be a guy on the rise and someone the fans can really get behind. So of course he’s going to lose. Wrestling matters!

Winner: RVD

Wes Kirk: Our top two face off with Crimson and RVD, respectively with 38 and 35 points on the leaderboard. Obviously both men will be going for a pin off their finisher, which would be worth 7 points unless Crimson debuts a brand new submission tonight. I think Crimson continues the undefeated streak and RVD puts over the kid while still looking good in defeat and we might have a very good match out of the two considering Crimson has been improving slowly and steadily since his debut.

Winner: Crimson

Michael Weyer: TNA really is intent on pushing Crimson as a big star and so far, they’ve been handling it well. It should be a good battle and possible that to push the BFG series, RVD gets the win but I’ll go with Crimson to continue his rise.

Winner: Crimson

Greg DeMarco: After their match and promo on Thursday, I’m a little more excited about this match. Crimson was way better on the mic than I thought he’d be. I don’t him to win the whole thing, but it might elevate him in a good way. RVD seems motivated, and hopefully the thought of jobbing to Crimson won’t kill that.

Winner: Crimson

Chad Nevett: I don’t see TNA ending Crimson’s undefeated streak yet. I’m not sure he’ll make it to the World Title match at Bound for Glory either, but he won’t lose here. The match will be interesting. Will RVD bring his working boots? Will Crimson hold his own? I don’t know…

Winner: Crimson

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Crimson over Rob Van Dam [4-1]

Andy Critchell: I’m still unsure how Pope is supposed to be the heel when all he’s done is try and be a friend to Devon but I digress. I predict that this weird angle will somehow continue with Pope making some kind of sacrifice to allow Devon to get the points. Also Devon’s sons will be involved. Maybe on a pole, who knows? Isn’t this fun you guys??

Winner: Devon

Wes Kirk: Devon is getting quite tired of Pope hitting on his wife and messing around with his children and pretending to be their friend, and it is obvious they are setting up some type of situation involving the family and we all know Pope is a nasty human being according to his kayfabe character. This will likely mean a dirty victory leaving Devon wondering what happened and his family wanting him to cool off and not take things so seriously while Pope continues working his way between Devon and his kids.

Winner: The Pope

Michael Weyer: Even by TNA’s standards, this is a weird angle, hard to tell what’s going on sometimes and how it fits the characters. I guess I’ll go with Pope coming out fighting mad and ready to pound Devon down but expect whacky interference to mar it.

Winner: The Pope

Greg DeMarco: Devon is another case of a seriously motivated guy, and Pope can deliver. But I expect this match to be marred in controversy thanks to Pope’s involvement with Devon’s family. So I have low expectations. I do think Pope might sacrifice himself for Devon again as well.

Winner: Devon

Chad Nevett: This is a feud that had the potential to be bigger and better than it was. But, TNA never got behind it and only trotted it out to fill time it seemed. I think the Pope will go over, corrupting Devon’s family completely as he becomes frustrated and obsessed with the idea that the Pope cheated to win despite it being clean.

Winner: The Pope

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: The Pope over Devon [3-2]

Andy Critchell: Winter is 10x hotter and Mickie James has another awful country CD to record so I’m thinking Arby’s smelling title switch.

Winner: Winter

Wes Kirk: I can’t disagree that Winter is the hottest in this match, but whether or not Mickie drops the championship is about more than which Knockout is hot. Mickie has performed well in TNA and showed some risky moves such as her Thesz Press off the top of a cage that some men wouldn’t even try, but Winter also has Angelina at her side willing to interfere. In order for the storyline to advance, we’ll go with the heel again.

Winner: Winter

Michael Weyer: Sensing time for a title change here as Winter will have Angelina backing her up and that will push the switch.

Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Winter

Greg DeMarco: Mickie James has been very disappointing in her title run, and Winter hasn’t exactly impressed in her recent TNA outings. Mickie has a country album to promote, and I have no idea if she’s missing any time to promote it, or if TNA will actually be a big part of that promotion. I think it’s the latter, so I think she retains the title.

Winner: Mickie James

Chad Nevett: For me, it’s about looking ahead to Bound for Glory and who would be the better opponent/feud for Velvet Sky. They’ve been building her this past year with feuds that were meant to suggest she’s a little nothing and, then, she came out on top. Her business with Winter and Angelina Love was never really finished and that seems like the logical opponents for Sky come Bound for Glory.

Winner and NEW Knockouts Ladies Champion: Winter

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Winter over Mickie James [4-1]

Andy Critchell: I like Beer Money a lot and I think they can pull a good match out of Mexican America. I don’t see any reason for Beer Money to drop the titles at all right now, much less to these guys, Storm’s vaguely racist comments notwithstanding.

Winner: Beer Money

Wes Kirk: It appears that Beer Money have been given an excuse to lose this match with Roode’s shoulder and Storm’s back being worked over on Impact, so I think this is going to revolve around Los Prostitutos distracting the champions long enough for a cheap Mexican America victory.

Winner: AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, MEXICAN AMERICA!

Michael Weyer: Good setup for this and while I don’t agree with the characters, Mex-America is showing some stuff. With Roode and Storm seemingly injured, it’s a good excuse to switch the titles here after a good match.

Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: Mex-American

Greg DeMarco: Ugh, this match is so challenging for me. If Mexican America wins the titles, you’ll have a crappy team leading a crappy division (if Beer Money focuses on singles competition). On the flip side, I think Roode & Storm are ripe for singles runs while still remaining allies. And after years of teaming, a Roode-Storm feud would be outstanding (far better than Bully Ray-Devon, that’s for sure). I can’t shake the feeling that Beer Money is dropping the straps here.

Winner: Mexican America

Chad Nevett: I don’t think Mexican America deserve the belts. They’re not over enough, they’re not good enough in the ring or on the mics, and Beer Money is obviously superior in every way. So, look for a belt change.

Winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: Mexican America

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Mexican America over Beer Money [4-1]

Andy Critchell: Now this match looks really good. All three of these guys can work an exciting and fast paced style without it being a spotfest. Aries can be a breath of fresh air for the X-Division, especially as a heel champ.

Winner: Austin Aries

Wes Kirk: Brian Kendrick has been doing well as the champion of the X-Division, you know, the division everybody said was going to just vanish and be buried but now is stronger than ever with new guys signed? Yeah, well in this match I expect to see another very good match out of the three and I’m pretty sure Aries is being built up to take the victory, possibly by being a good heel and taking Kendrick out, then pinning Shelley so Kendrick has a legitimate beef to get a rematch.

Winner: AND NEW X-DIVISION CHAMPION, AUSTIN ARIES!

Michael Weyer: After showing their stuff last month, the X Division is a lot stronger now and this should be another reminder of that. Aries and Shelley each have a shot at the belt but Kendrick just won it and if they’re serious about pushing the X Division again, he won’t drop it just yet so he’ll retain after a barn-burner of a match.

Winner and STILL X Division Champion: Kendrick

Greg DeMarco: Here’s your likely match of the night. We had some teases on Impact Wrestling about new faces arriving in the X-Division, and Austin Aries is the perfect heel to oppose them all. Rebuilding the division by having everyone chase Aries is the way to go, but he needs to win the strap first.

Winner: Austin Aries

Chad Nevett: I’m not normally a fan of someone joining a company and immediately getting pushed, but Austin Aries has done more in his month in TNA to establish his character and entertain me than pretty much anyone else in the past six months. He has been nothing but gold in the ring and on the mic, and the smartest thing to do right now is to make him X Division Champion. The story only works if the valiant faces are chasing the cheating heel.

Winner and NEW X Division Champion: Austin Aries

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Austin Aries over Brian Kendrick [4-1]

Andy Critchell: If Kurt Angle winning the belt will get Sting off my TV for a while then I’m all for it. Sting’s act is supposed to be Heath Ledger but instead it is the worst combination of Caesar Romeo & 90s era Jim Carrey. While I can never be mistaken for someone who was a fan of Anderson’s title run, Sting’s has been a abject failure. Sting doesn’t have good matches anymore and his character is beyond grating so having him as a champion is doing much more harm than good. Angle at least can have the kind of matches that will make a PPV title bout feel epic. For the good of the promotion Sting needs to drop the belt.

Winner: Angle

Wes Kirk: I don’t get all the hate for Sting. The man has busted his butt for over twenty-five years and people are pissing all over him and his gimmick because he’s the world champion. I mean, it isn’t like he was some green rookie who won the title by putting a champion through a table or something! Sting and Angle are veterans and know how to work a good match, and whatever their limitations I am sure they can figure out a good match in order for the fans. After all, how often does Kurt Angle disappoint in the ring? I thought so.

Winner: Sting

Michael Weyer: Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends…Man, and people complain about WWE repeating main events with the same guys all the time. Sting’s act isn’t as fun as TNA likes to think it is and Angle is showing some roughness in the ring. I’d like to give it to Angle but something tells me Sting will retain to keep up his crazy character for more ugly promos.

Winner and still TNA World Champion: Sting

Greg DeMarco: The one time Sting needed to be crazy (trying to psyche out Angle) he went serious. I’m not sure why they took the belt off of Mr. Anderson on a TV taping, as Angle-Anderson would have been a better match. I love that Angle thinks this is the best Sting’s ever been, I’m guessing he hasn’t watched any of Sting’s career. Unless Angle is taking time off, he needs to take the title and let Sting and Hogan play their little games with no title involvement. Actually, that’s a great feud to involve the Legends title—oh, nevermind.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Chad Nevett: This COULD be good. This has the potential to steal the show. I don’t think it will, though. Sting’s work in the ring has been lackluster lately and not even Kurt Angle is going to save this. It will be fine. There may be some interference. In fact, I expect interference. They seem dead set on Sting/Hogan and, come on, like the World Belt won’t be in the mix…

Winner and STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Sting

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: Sting over Kurt Angle

What are your overall thoughts on Hardcore Justice? Is it worth buying or not?

Andy Critchell: Do you remember how much anticipation there was for Destination X? The whole show felt new & different, fans and critics alike thought that it could signal a new direction for wrestling’s favorite punchline promotion, and even people who didn’t regularly watch TNA were interested. Do you remember all that? Well Hardcore Justice is just like that, except the exact opposite. Even TNA itself can’t be bothered to properly promote this show. If they don’t care, why should I? I honestly can’t imagine anyone being interested in this show at all, much less interested enough to actually buy it. Look, only two matches on this show will even be worth watching so what’s the point?

Buy or No Buy: No Buy

Wes Kirk: As usual, my colleagues are going to foam at the mouth with hatred and vitriol for all things TNA. On this card we have several matches with a history behind them such as Devon vs. Pope and Immortal vs. Fortune, an exciting X-Division showcase, a potentially good brawl for the tag team championship, and two of the best main eventers in the last twenty years facing off for the gold. Every match here has some type of a story behind it for at least several weeks, and therefore the matches should seem more important as they will advance the stories and whatever is up next. TNA is also kind enough to offer a PPV for less money during a bad economy, and have been promoting this PPV on their site, on Spike, and of course on Impact.

Buy or No Buy: Buy The PPV!

Michael Weyer: After the great Destination X show last month, this feels like typical TNA, which is to say a mix. The Sting/Angle main event is tired out and most of the undercard looks weak as well, aside from Knockouts and the six-man. Overall, I’d have to say skip this one as it looks rather forgettable in the main picture.

Buy or No Buy: No Buy

Greg DeMarco: Overall, this is actually a good card. The 6-man tag, Crimson-RVD, the X-Division title match and Ray-Anderson all have tremendous potential. If some of the other matches deliver, this could be a sleeper PPV for TNA.

Buy or No Buy: Buy

Chad Nevett: There are some good matches on the card and some stinkers. But, what pushes me in one direction is that, usually, the call for predictions on these roundtables go out on Tuesday nights. If I forget, Larry sends me a message to remind me. I didn’t put out the call until Wednesday and, a couple of minutes after, Larry sent a message to remind me. We both watch Impact Wrestling every week and we forgot that this pay per view was coming up. If we don’t remember, what does that say about the quality of the show?

Buy or No Buy: No Buy

411Mania Roundtable Consensus: No Buy over Buy [3-2]

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: Immortal over Fortune [5-0]
Anyone’s Game: Bully Ray over Mr. Anderson / The Pope over Devon / Sting over Kurt Angle [3-2]

And of course…the standings Year-to-Date! Slammiversary reset the rankings, making Destination X the first show of the standings year.

Wes Kirk: 4 of 7 (57.14%)
Larry Csonka: 3 of 7 (42.86%)
Michael Weyer: 2 of 7 (28.57%)
Andy Critchell: 2 of 7 (28.57%)
Chad Nevett: 1 of 7 (14.29%)

As you can see, Destination X was not kind to us roundtable participants, least of all me. Wes proved that his TNA love could help, while Larry’s experience carried him to second place. It’s bound to get better for all involved as the year progresses. God, I hope so.

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 to discuss the IMPACT Wrestling, WWE Releases, WWE Smackdown, the latest on Sin Cara, a preview of the Hardcore Justice PPV, your calls and more!

You can listen to the show on the player below, or you can download the show here.

The show is also available on iTunes!

Listen to internet radio with Larry Csonka on Blog Talk Radio