The Triple Threat Column 10.10.10: The 207th Edition – Bound For Glory, John Cena In Nexus, More

Topic # 1 TNA‘s Bound for Glory is this Sunday. What are your thoughts on the card?

David Martell: I am going to be honest here, this PPV doesn’t feel like a big PPV. There are matches on the card that just don’t matter and don’t need to be on TNA’s “biggest PPV of the year.” Ink Ink vs. Orlando Jordan and Eric Young has no point. Seriously, who is paying to see this match? It is just unnecessary fluff. Nash, Sting and the Pope vs. Joe and Jarrett also doesn’t seem very important. It is sad to even see Pope as part of this match, they just threw him in. Without those two matches, we have a solid PPV. Generation Me vs. the MCMGs should be awesome. Generation Me reminds me of the early Hardy Boyz. EV2 vs. The Fortune in a Lethal Lockdown match should be fun as well. Even the Knockouts title match doesn’t look bad although I would take out Mickie James as the guest ref. Jay Lethal vs. Douglas Williams should be good but I am worried it wont get much time. I really feel that TNA doesn’t care to much about the X Division any more so This match could be short. Abyss vs. RVD in a Monsters Ball match should be brutal. I wonder if “They” will interfere in anyways. It better be a good surprise who “They” is. I am guessing that Team 3D is going to announce that they are retiring because what else could it be. Angle vs. Anderson vs. Hardy will be good but I doubt it will be MOTY. I really don’t think Anderson is good enough to have a MOTY match. It will be good, maybe even great but not match of the year. Minus the first two matches I talked about, this PPV is solid. I would say it is a buy but don’t expect it to be the best and biggest PPV of the year.

Jacob San Antonio: This PPV could have some serious repercussions for the TNA roster, and altogether it looks like a seriously exciting event. Starting with the X Division, I’m still unsure as to whether or not Jay Lethal will drop the title to Douglas Williams. It’s obvious that TNA planned on having the title on Amazing Red, so I’m not sure if Lethal’s going to lose again to give it to the next best option or if he’s going to start a new X Division reign. If I have to make a decision, I’m going with Lethal for the win. If TNA wanted the belt on Williams, they’d have just have Red drop the title to Williams. Eric Young and Orlando Jordan vs Ink Inc looks to be an entertaining tag match, and I think Ink Inc is going to walk away with the win. The three on two handicap match with Sting, Nash and Dinero vs Samoa Joe and Jarret will end in a win for Joe and Jarret through some form of interference or face/heel turn. Nash has been dropping hints lately that he’s on his way out of TNA, so I think this match just might be the end for him. Velvet Sky will upset Angelina Love, Madison Rayne and Tara in the 4 way for the Knockouts Championship. I think the Motor City Machineguns will retain against Generation Me, as I don’t think they’re ready to drop the belts just yet. Fortune will come out victorious against EV 2.0 in the Lethal Lockdown match, as I seriously expect for someone on EV 2.0 to turn on their team. RVD will put away Abyss in the Monster’s Ball matchup, and finally I think Anderson is going to shock both Hardy and Angle to win the TNA Heavyweight Championship. I think Angle’s on his way out of TNA, and Hardy still has a court date or two coming up. I expect this match to be a close one, and to have a heartbreaking ending for Kurt Angle, maybe with him just barely losing in the end. Hopefully, it’ll be the match of the night. So as it stands, I think TNA is going to lose two members of its roster at Bound for Glory. There’s no real way to know how the company will deal with this if it happens, but I’m looking forward to seeing what comes of it.

Zach Brown: I think this year’s Bound for Glory is a solid card on paper, but it all depends on the booking in my opinion. And I’m kind of thinking that there are way too many multi-man matches on the card…but oh well. Jay Lethal vs. Douglas Williams could be a hot opener for the card and could be a sleeper hit of the night. Lethal should retain here. Eric Young and Orlando Jordan vs. Ink Inc is a real throwaway match on paper, but it could be a decent two star match if done right. Sting, Nash, and Dinero vs. Joe and Jarrett could be somewhat decent. I think they need to find a way to get Sting or Nash out of this match early to make it a little more watchable. But I expect Sting, Nash, and Dinero to win here. The 4 way match for the Knockouts title is as good as a women’s match that TNA can put together right now, and it might actually be a standout match for women this year if done right. I expect Love to retain here, or Rayne to win. But whoever holds it for now might just be waiting around for Mickie James to claim the title. MCMG vs. Generation Me is definitely going to steal the show in my opinion. This is a match that should sell PPVs and should definitely be at least four stars. Fortune vs. EV 2.0 could be decent as long as it doesn’t turn into a clusterfuck, and as long as most of the weight on EV 2.0’s side is put on Dreamer and Stevie Richards’s shoulders. But I expect Fortune to win easy here. RVD vs. Abyss could be halfway decent, but I’m not expecting much. Abyss should win here since RVD is still coming back from being “hospitalized.” And Abyss’s whole “10-10-10” shindig should play out here, which will finally answer a lot of questions for fans. Finally, Angle vs. Anderson vs. Hardy should be a great match. I’m hoping that Anderson or Angle wins the match. Specifically, I’m hoping for Anderson to win, and for some sort of storyline to start that would make Angle not want to retire. Angle retiring would be so unbelievable at this point anyway since he just signed a new contract. Overall, Bound for Glory looks like a solid card, and a definite buy for TNA fans. It’s not yet on the level of what should be “TNA’s Wrestlemania,” but it’s a good card nonetheless.

Topic # 2 How do you feel about Cena joining the Nexus?

David Martell: I am actually very excited about this storyline. I was almost pissed off when Cena was going to take out the Nexus from with in by disobeying and beating up all the members of the team. I like how the RAW GM forced Cena to be in the Nexus and do all of Wade Barrett’s bidding. I just hope this storyline lasts over a month. I want to see Cena become a true member of the Nexus, basically being a heel and then turn on the Nexus. But all that takes time. If the WWE ends this storyline in a month it wont be anything special but if they drag it on for a few months, we will be in store for some great TV. I hope that Cena helps Barrett win the WWE title, I mean I want the whole shebang. I want to see everyone turn on Cena until he reaches that breaking point where everyone will be behind him. This could be great lets just hope the WWE doesn’t screw it up.

Jacob San Antonio: This doesn’t really count as a heel turn for Cena, but it’s still refreshing to see the unthinkable finally happen. After a pretty great match between Barrett and Cena, Cena’s working for the Nexus. Where does he go from here? Regardless of what the mystery GM has stated, don’t be surprised to see Cena working to destroy the Nexus from the inside anyway. With Otunga showing more and more signs of creating a rift in the stable, it’s looking pretty apparent now that Cena will play off of the rift and split the team from there. I’ll admit, it’ll be a little disappointing to see Nexus go out that way, but it’s been a fun ride. The team’s been struggling with injuries, their members’ lower level of ability in the ring, and just weird booking. Despite it all they’ve appeared as a dangerous faction to cross. So all in all, even with Cena in the stable working against it (albeit slowly), I’m pretty upbeat about the whole situation. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the entire Nexus angle will come to a head at Survivor Series, but we’ll see how Bragging Rights goes first.

Zach Brown: Oh man, this was rich. I wish the cameramen at Hell in a Cell had pointed to David and I, because while all those kids were crying and the parents were covering their mouths, I was just pointing and laughing uncontrollably. It really surprised me that WWE took this route since they typically stray from a face being forced to join a heel stable. I’m happy they went this route because Nexus didn’t need to end, and it’s an interesting storyline right now. Plus adding McGillicutty and Harris to the group is a smart decision. There might be people that say having Cena lose at HIAC was a bad decision since it had such a negative reaction from kids and parents. I think it was a great idea because it gets people interested, Cena fans get behind him more than ever, and Cena haters are getting a good moment as well. Overall, it’s an interesting storyline. And while I sincerely doubt that it will lead to a long overdue Cena heel turn (even though it could work since Orton is a huge face right now), I think it will be an entertaining storyline no matter how it ends up playing out.

Topic # 3 What are your thoughts on Edge being traded to Smackdown?

David Martell: With Smackdown moving to Syfy, they are in need of some more main event talent and Edge is that man. Edge will help out the main event scene over on Smackdown and hopefully help some of the younger guys get over. It is kind of funny how he turned from heel to face in like a night. A feud with Swagger is a good start for him too. I am hoping that Christian returns in time for Wrestlemania so maybe, just maybe, we will see and E&C reunion or at least a feud. That is all I am asking for our of Edge.

Jacob San Antonio: This is a good move for Edge, especially if he’s going back to being a face. He wasn’t making a good showing on Raw after he became a heel, with lackluster promos and somewhat interesting matches, so perhaps this move will help him bring his ability back up. I don’t blame him for the awkward time he’s had getting back into the WWE full-time, since his return from injury consisted entirely of “face Jericho, and then…we’ll figure it out later.” Creative didn’t really have much for him other than a Jericho feud, so for the past few months he’s just been injected into whatever feud the WWE could find. If Edge’s headed for Smackdown, he can spend his time feuding with Swagger until he moves on to one of the other many faces available on the roster. I’m optimistic about this roster switch for Edge. With any luck, he’ll be in prime condition for Wrestlemania.

Zach Brown: It seems like they shuffle Edge around more than anyone nowadays. He goes from Smackdown to Raw to Smackdown over and over. What is the point really? On one hand, yes, Smackdown needs someone else that is credible in the main event after Kane and Taker end their thing. But at the same time, Edge had a storyline going where he could have revealed the mystery Raw GM, which is a storyline that has gone on for far too long. Whatever. I guess Smackdown is Edge’s favorite brand for whatever reason. And with Smackdown’s recent move to Syfy, it could make sense to move a pretty big star like Edge over to build the brand on cable. Overall, I’m conflicted because I was excited for Edge to possibly end this stupid GM storyline, but Smackdown might need it’s golden boy back in the end. It is what it is.

Topic # 4 How do you feel about CM Punk being on the RAW roster?

David Martell: I think this is great for CM Punk. After the SES failed, he has been floundering over on Smackdown. He needs a fresh start. CM Punk is a GREAT heel and it will be interesting to see who he will feud with on RAW. With Jericho gone, Punk will be a great replacement guy on the mic. Punk cuts some of the best heel promos in the business and he always knows how to make the crowd hate him. I would love to see a Punk vs. Orton feud at some point or even a Punk vs. Cena feud. Both would be great. I just hope that Punk can finally get back in the main event.

Jacob San Antonio: I’m curious about this switch. Darren Young has been seen on Raw these past few weeks. Could we see a feud between Young and Punk over their time together on NXT? I think it’d make for an interesting feud, though I admit I’m just hoping Young doesn’t disappear within a couple of months. Other than Darren Young, I’m just not sure who Punk could feud with on Raw. It’d be great to see a couple of matches between Punk and Evan Bourne, but I doubt you could really make a long term feud out of that. I suppose there’s always John Morrison and Daniel Bryan to feud with, but I’d like to think that CM Punk is at a level high enough to aim for the main event. Altogether, I’m just not sure where Punk’s going to go with his switch to Raw. Best case scenario, we see a renewed Young/Punk feud. Worst case, weeks upon weeks of straight edge promos followed by jobber of the week coming in to shut him up.

Zach Brown: CM Punk moving to Raw is a good decision right now. SES ended up failing miserably and losing all the promise that it once had. It’s good for CM Punk to move to Raw, start fresh, and wash the bad taste of the ending of SES out of everyone’s mouth. He needs to start over and start strong on Raw. He needs to start cutting good damn promos again like he used to. He could be the top heel on Raw if he wanted, so I really hope they let him turn it on. Ever since he got his head shaved, and especially since he lost his mask, CM Punk has just not been as entertaining lately as he has been in 2008 and 2009. I just hope that CM Punk’s move to Raw is indicative of a fresh start for him, and not getting lost in the midcard shuffle.

Topic # 5 Who would you want to be on the RAW and Smackdown Bragging Rights teams?

David Martell: I really can’t complain with Miz being the captain of team RAW. I wouldn’t want him to be teamed up with the rest of Nexus though because lets face it, not all of the Nexus is great. If I had to choose someone to represent the Nexus on team RAW it would be Justin Gabriel. To round out the team I would want Sheamus, Daniel Bryan and Morrison. Sheamus would be good as the brawn of the team and the interactions between Bryan/Morrison and the Miz would be good television. Smackdown is a little harder to choose for with all the feuds going on. Big Show as captain is fine because who wouldn’t want the Big Show on the team anyways. Since Kofi isn’t really doing anything he is obviously going to be on the team. Kaval is another guy with nothing to do. Maybe the Bragging Rights match will give him an opportunity to show off and if he can get any time with Bryan, I am all for it. I would have Cody Rhodes and McIntyre fill out the team. Its not like they would have any tag teams to go against anyways. With that said, I think team RAW is definitely going to take the trophy this year.

Jacob San Antonio: I’m going to go with neither. I expect for the members of Nexus that somehow qualify for the brand team on Raw will win the match and take the trophy for themselves. Even if that doesn’t happen, Raw is going to win this year. The differences between the two brands is really lopsided, and I don’t think the members of team Smackdown will even be able to cooperate with each other before the match. So I’m putting my money down on Nexus shenanigans. That way, if Barrett doesn’t win against Orton, Otunga will have something to rub in his face. It’ll tie into the teased split to Nexus that’s been coming for a while. I’m not really that excited about Bragging Rights this year, to be honest, mostly due to how underpowered Smackdown’s roster currently looks. I just don’t think the match will be any good, even if Smackdown does find a way to cooperate.

Zach Brown: Well I think it’s a no-brainer that Raw will win this year’s Bragging Rights match since Miz is the team captain, and Smackdown won it last year. For Miz’s team, I think a good team would be Evan Bourne, someone random like R-Truth, Mark Henry, or DiBiase, and then both Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. I think it would be very entertaining for Miz to have contention with 2 members of his team such as them. Alex Riley would also make sense to be on his team, and would be a good addition. As for Big Show’s team, I’d like to see Edge, Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, and either Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, or Kaval. But I’m far less interested in Smackdown’s team because Raw’s team is potentially much more exciting and interesting. And even with any sort of possible contention that Miz will have with his team members, I expect Miz and his team to pull out the victory simply because WWE is about to strap a rocket to Miz’s ass.

Our thoughts on The Undertaker.

David Martell: It is hard not to like the Undertaker. He is one of the most over guys in WWE history and he truly is a legend. He has giving us some of the best storylines and matches. Not to mention some of the worst. At the age he is at, it is surprising what he can still bring to the table. Although the Undertaker gimmick isn’t really something that fits with wrestling now a days, you have to respect the guy. At a storyline standpoint, I really enjoy his current feud with Kane. The problem is, you cant really expect great matches out of these guys. Both are capable of having good matches but not together at least not now. With that said, I am hoping that this storyline comes to a close soon, if it drags to Wrestlemania, I will be very disappointed. I am sure he will eventually conquer Kane and get the World Title anyways. I think Taker will still be around for at least two more years. I think he will get to 20 and 0 and call it quits. I know people want him to go out on his back but I just don’t see it happening. I can’t think of someone on the roster today who I would want to beat him. I just hope he at least has a Mania match with Cena at one point. I am pretty sure that is a match everyone wants to see eventually.

Jacob San Antonio: Does anybody else think this man is a robot at this point? I’m joking, but the Undertaker has been wrestling for what feels like forever to me. He’s had some great moments in his career, feuding with pretty much every big name in the company at some point or another, and despite how beaten up and battered his body has to be at this point the Undertaker is still going at it. Currently he’s in the middle of a feud between Kane that’s supposed to have spanned since the Attitude Era, and for that little bit of nostalgia I’ve been enjoying it immensely. The Undertaker is one of two wrestlers that I can put up with that has a supernatural gimmick, and he plays the part so well it’s genuinely impressive to this day. The two big questions everyone asks about the Undertaker are about his retirement and his Wrestlemania streak. Unfortunately, these aren’t easy questions to answer. I personally think the Undertaker will make it to 20-0, or at the very least he wants to make it that far. I don’t think the streak will end, since a loss at the end of it would cheapen the record a bit. As far as retirement goes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Undertaker wanted to wrestle longer than a 20-0 streak at Wrestlemania. However, the man’s body has to be kept together with glue and tape at this point, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped out after two more Wrestlemanias. Regardless, the Undertaker is a living legend of the wrestling business. He’s been doing it for as long as some of the younger fans have been alive, and even since some of the older fans have been children. He’s a common link between the current generation of wrestling to the older generation, and given the shelf life of most wrestlers that’s not an easy feat to accomplish.

Zach Brown: The Undertaker is a timeless wrestler, plain and simple. He has had some of the greatest matches in WWE history, and he has given us two MOTY candidates in a row at WM 25 and 26. But at the same time, I’m kind of hoping that this will be Undertaker’s last year. If Hell in a Cell was any indication, Undertaker isn’t the most entertaining act on the card anymore. Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, Wade Barrett, and even Miz, Daniel Bryan and John Morrison were the best talents at Hell in a Cell, and they all definitely stole the show. Maybe he just had bad chemistry with Kane, but the main event was easily the most disappointing match that night. I’m hoping he retires at Wrestlemania this year. Whether or not he drops his streak is not something I’m terribly concerned with. If he does, he does. If he doesn’t, that’s cool too. Another thing is that while Taker is great and all, he is constantly taking breaks, and doesn’t wrestle all year around. Yes, it’s obvious that this is because Taker is getting older, but I really think this should be the year he retires for that reason. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Undertaker fan and I love watching him each and every time he wrestles. But I want him to go out while he’s still on top, like Shawn Michaels did. I don’t want him to stick around for far too long like Ric Flair has.

That is it for this week. Feel free to comment at the bottom of the page and have a great week in wrestling! CYA!