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Pro's from the Palace (#30) - TNA PPV predictions & WWE DVD reviews |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Friday, June 17, 2005 at 9:20 AM EST
I have two topics to discuss. Some DVD reviewing, and predictions for TNA's Slammiversary card coming up this Sunday.
So, let's not waste time, and go through the prognostications, hi, my name is Mike The Greek.
Just kidding.
Shocker vs. Alex Shelley
Shelley, a ROH veteran, makes his return to TNA against the Mexican X Division star. Personally, I think TNA is going to do some work with Shelley, give him a moderate push in the X Division, so I think Shocker is going to be used as a stepping stone in the beginning of this operation, hence, the dupe will go to the returning Shelley. Should be a pretty aerial style matchup, however.
Winner: Alex Shelley
Sonjay Dutt vs. Samoa Joe
It really bothers me that a debuting star is booked against someone with the talent of Sonjay Dutt. It's obvious who's going to win this contest, but that in itself is a bit of a travesty because Sonjay is a tremendously gifted talent, and deserves a hell of a lot more respect than to be fed to the wolves, figuratively, by being Joe's first TNA victim. No disrespect to Samoa Joe, he is obviously a tremendous competitor, with all the interest shown in him by WWE and TNA, but seeing Sonjay take the shaft like this bothers me.
Winner: Samoa Joe
6 Man X Division Match
Primetime Elix Skipper vs. Shark Boy vs. Delirious vs. Zach Gowen vs. Jerelle Clark vs. Amazing Red
A unique spread of talent. You've got the masked character from hell in Shark Boy. You've got the one legged aerial wonder in Zach Gowen. Mr. 630 in Jerelle Clark, the returning Amazing Red, and in my personal opinion, one of the best pure athletes in the X Division as a whole in Prime time. I have zero knowledge on this Delirious character, so I can't comment on him whatsoever. Do not be surprised if this one doesn't use each and every inch of the Impact Zone. You're going to see some major league bumps in this one before the smoke clears. I'd like to think TNA would throw another returning star a bone and give Red the dupe in this one, but, I have to go with who I think is the purest talent in the match, so....
Winner: Primetime Elix Skipper
Lance Hoyt vs. Bobby Roode
With Kid Kash gone, this guy is in limbo, lower now. Big time. Was there even a slight buildup of a storyline leading in to this match? I doubt it. Hoyt is a big, huge competitor, and Roode has the talent, and the backup with his Team Canada mates. From my own thoughts, technical skills can take out a monster any day of the week, so let's go out on a limb, and say Scott D'Amore plays a part in this one to give his man the victory.
Winner: Bobby Roode
The Outlaw vs. Ron "The Truth" Killings
Heh. It's funny. I have a Survivor Series tape from 2001, I believe where these two guys were on the same damn team. Now, they're opponents. It's speed vs. power, the ever present debate in this one, as Outlaw has the power edge, but Killings is as fast as a hiccup. Both have some serious backup, as Outlaw would probably lean on either Monty Brown or Jeff Jarrett, where Killings would garner some backup from his fellow 3LK mates. This one is a bit of a pick 'em, personally, but I think Outlaw is getting a bit more push from the higher ups within TNA, so I'll give him the dupe in this one.
Winner: The Outlaw
America's Most Wanted vs. BG James & Konann
3LK has a legitimate major test in former NWA World Tag Team Champions Storm and Harris. I would suspect AMW to be major league pissed off that they're not in the 3 year anniversary PPV going for the belts again. I wonder if Konann is suspecting James to still be in slight cahoots with the Outlaw. This one is liable to have some good sized emotion behind it. Not nearly some of the emotion we witnessed at One Night Stand this past weekend, but possible. I'll give the nod to the former champions, as I think they're headed back to a feud with the champions, whomever they may be. I also think 3LK is in trouble of staying together, as I believe the seedlings of James teaming back up with Outlaw is still fresh in Konann's mind.
Winner: America's Most Wanted
NWA World Tag Team Championship
The Naturals defend against Petey Williams and Eric Young of Team Canada
The champs say they have a new advisor, even though they're probably still on the emotional roller coaster with the tragic passing of Chris Candido. If they're smart, they figure out a way to debut that advisor in this contest, because the little slug from up north, Scott D'Amore, will do whatever he has to do to make sure Team Canada takes the victory. I think this one will be major league violent, but when the dust settles, I think the champs will eek it out, literally, with some help, from whomever. The emotional ride of the Naturals will continue.
Winners: The Naturals
NWA TNA X Division Championship
Christopher Daniels defends against Chris Sabin and Michael Shane
This one has all the makings of a classic. Daniels is as tough as they come, and Sabin and Shane are elite competitors in the X Division. This one will be difficult for the champion to come out with the belt around his waist. I would suspect the ladies of TNA to play a role in some way, shape, or form in this contest, as I know Trinity and Traci have some history with Shane and Sabin. I am going to put Daniels over as the victor in this contest, but he is going to earn it, the hard way.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
King of the Mountain Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
AJ Styles defends against Jeff Jarrett, Monty Brown, Abyss, and Sean Waltman
Abyss scares me in this match. His strength and size will be difficult to overcome. There really is not any alliances in this contest. Although Styles and Waltman have paired up before, I would doubt they'll form an alliance to try and take out Jarrett, Brown, or Abyss in this contest. Jarrett & Brown will more than likely team up to take out the champion, and the former DGeneration X superstar. Abyss, as I said, remains the wild card in this contest. The format of this match kind of bothers me, but that's a story for another day. I would be MORTIFIED if TNA puts the belt back on Jeff Jarrett. I would have to believe that when the smoke clears, there are three potential victors, Abyss, Monty Brown, or the champion, AJ Styles. I don't think Waltman is ready for World title status in the eyes of the company, yet. Brown I think is the most likely to be Styles' successor as champion, considering as well, to my knowledge, he is still a possibility to defect to WWE when his contract is up.
However, it bothers me to think that the title can change hands in such a wild match, and not a one on one contest. So, with that in mind, I am going to say the Phenomenal One retains. It's going to be a war. Someone's going to bleed. Someone's going to have their lives changed, forever, but Styles as champion continues the possibilities of having Jarrett, Brown, Abyss, and even possibly Outlaw gunning for him, while it is difficult to think of possible babyfaces who are ready to go for world title contention within the TNA roster.
Winner: AJ Styles
DVD Reviews: Best of the Road Warriors
Once again, WWE home video does not disappoint. This one has some major league information about the birth, and reign of the most dominating tag team to ever roam the halls of the AWA, WCW, and WWE. With tremendous narration by Road Warrior Animal, the lineage of the forming of the Road Warriors is shown in tremendous detail, from Animal and Hawk's upbringing, to their alliance with Precious Paul Ellering, to their introduction in to the business of pro wrestling, to their eventual domination of the business, in all 3 federations. The package is nothing short of top notch.
There are some major league extras in this one as well. Promos galore, matches galore, from all three promotions, gives you the taste of how damn good this team was. Personally, one of my favorites was the scaffold match between LOD and the Midnight Express back from Starrcade '86. There's a tremendous amount of matches available in this two disc DVD set, and none of them disappoint.
I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but I've taken a liking to picking up these packages on specific talent, i.e. Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, The Rock, John Cena, etc. Each and every one, with maybe one exception, the package on Andre the Giant, were 100% quality, top notch, and beautifully done. I can say without reproach that this one is also beautifully done, and top quality production. If you're a fan of the Legion of Doom, buy this set. End of story.
DVD Reviews: Greatest Superstars of the 80's
I gotta admit, I am a little surprised on this one. I thought we'd see matches galore, and that's about it. There are 15 superstars in this three disc set, and you have Confidential style segments about their lives, from childhood to legend, about each of them. I have not had the pleasure of seeing all of it, yet, but I will. The roster on this set is quite the sight for any wrestling fan. Allow me to illustrate.
Bobby Heenan, Junkyard Dog, Sgt. Slaughter, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Jerry Lawler, Arn Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, Jimmy Snuka, Bob Orton, the Iron Sheik, Paul Orndorff, and Hulk Hogan
You have a ton of promos, interviews, skits, and matches from each of them, as there is approximately 5 superstars on each of the three DVDs on this set. Once you see the segment on the legend itself, you check out the extras for matches galore. I have seen a possibility of easter eggs on this set, so let me investigate it further, and if I find them, I'll let you all know.
I would say for anyone who wants to know the insides of some of the legends of the 'decade of decadence', this set is for you. I won't give it as high a mark as I did for the LOD set, simply because, I haven't had the chance to see it all, yet. However, the pieces I have seen have been tremendous. Hell, there's one part that makes this set almost a must buy in its own right.
A match between the Ultimate Warrior, and Bobby Heenan. Yes, Heenan. Heenan gets his ass kicked, and in the process, after the match, the Warrior stuffs the Brain in to a human sized weasel suit. I guess we all know now, or now, we have seen the origin, of Bobby "The Weasel" Heenan. A classic, in every sense of the word.
Anyway, WWE does not disappoint, again, in these DVDs. I recommend them, both. Let me know, if you get them, what you think of them.
Click here to drop me an email.
That's all for now. The Palace turns 30! It's a miracle!!!! I hope you've liked my work up to now.
Kimosabe, Sumo!?!?!?!
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