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Pro's from the Palace (#41) - NWA TNA Sacrifice PPV picks and thoughts |
» Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
» On Friday, August 12, 2005 at 4:09 AM EST
It's been some time since the Palace has graced the pages of Wrestleview.com, and quite frankly, the reason why is simple. I have begun and continue to boycott Smackdown due to the offensive, obscene, and disgusting storyline involving two hall of fame competitors like Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, and, to be truthful, Hulk Hogan on Raw just does not thrill me. It actually makes me physically ill.
I have had the chance to observe and watch the four weeks of TNA iMPACTs leading up to this weekend's Sacrifice Pay Per View, and if I am lucky enough to convince the authority figure in my home, I will be ordering Sacrifice instead of the ridiculous product that's supposed to be a WWE major pay per view coming the following week. Although I will come in with predictions for Summerflop next week, I am going to try and come with my best TNA predicts for Sacrifice coming this sunday. Let's go to work.
SHOCKER vs. ALEX SHELLEY
Shelley has a tremendous amount of talent and skill, as seen in his competition in the Super X tournament with his win over Shocker, and his resilliance in taking the punishment before faltering to the finalist, Samoa Joe. Shocker doesn't thrill me, he just doesn't show me a tremendous amount of that "it" factor in the whole package. Honestly, I haven't seen much out of Shocker in my limited TNA exposure, but I can see Shelley getting some push with his new look, and his new attitude. I think Shelley will take this one, but I can see TNA trying to extend this to a five match series, similar to the Booker/Benoit and Booker/Cena sagas that WCW and WWE have done.
WINNER: Alex Shelley
ABYSS w/James Mitchell vs. LANCE HOYT
On paper, this is a pretty close matchup. However, Abyss has a tremendous threshold for pain, as easily shown in last month's match vs. Raven for the NWA World Heavyweight title. I don't think that Hoyt is prepared for the rage that Abyss is liable to bring toward him. I suspect Hoyt will falter to the torment that Abyss brings in all of his matches, and even if he is able to come with some significant offense, the wildcard at ringside will figure out a way to make sure the monster comes out on top. Besides, I don't see Hoyt beginning a push at this time, while Abyss still could end up going after Raven once he disposes of TNA's version of Triple H.
WINNER: Abyss
Added Friday, August 12th, 9pm
CHRIS SABIN, SHARK BOY & SONJAY DUTT vs. SIMON DIAMOND, DAVID YOUNG, & PRIME TIME ELIX SKIPPER
I am surprised, but maybe not so much that they put Diamond and Young together with Prime Time, but honestly, this looks to me like a push beginning for Simon and his "Diamond in the Rough" David Young, even if their upset victory over AMW last week on Impact was with the help of Team Canada. Sabin, Shark Boy & Dutt will bring the house down, but I suspect TNA may have some plans for the newly formed tag team. Where Prime Time ends up in this, I'm not quite sure.
WINNERS: Simon Diamond, David Young & Elix Skipper
INTERNET DREAM MATCH - X DIVISION NON - TITLE
The Fallen Angel CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. the Winner of the Internet Poll, AUSTIN ARIES
Friday night, 9pm is when I found out about the winner of the Internet vote, and I am pleased that it was Austin Aries from ROH. Not that there was much of a chance of an upset, as Aries had about a 40 plus percentage point victory. I am glad to see ROH and TNA working together, I hope the relationship continues, because it can do nothing but benefit both parties. Aries and Daniels can use this match either to vault Aries in to TNA, or sprout a rising rivalry within the confines of ROH. Either which way, the match will be tremendous to watch, and one I am going to be hard pressed to miss. I'll stick with my original pick of Christopher Daniels to win, but, this is going to be a close call, either which way.
WINNER: The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels
As I said before, with regard to both of these competitors, Aries and Daniels, if I saw them coming toward me, even with my 100 plus pound weight advantage, I would run, literally RUN out of their way, they are that evil. I love it. It's freakin' great.
SPECIAL REFEREE: B.G. JAMES
KIP JAMES & The Alpha Male MONTY BROWN vs.3 Live Kru RON "The Truth" KILLINGS & KONANN
The violence in this feud is very enjoyable to watch. I am not so sure of Monty Brown anymore, I think his 'talent' has kind of slipped lately, but the feud here has to go down the road I, as well as the rest of the world expect. TNA would be foolish not to reunite the New Age Outlaws. Regardless of the anti-WWE feelings throughout TNA, the Outlaws, under any name, would have a cult following the likes of no team to come before them. Seeing BG and Kip run rampant through AMW, the Naturals, Team Canada, and the rest of the tag team division in TNA would be very enjoyable to see, and the type of major names TNA is looking for heading in to October and their eventual debut on Spike TV. Sorry Kru, the 3 Live Kru turns in to the 2 Live Kru after this match.
WINNERS: Kip James & Monty Brown
THE NATURALS & AMERICA'S MOST WANTED vs. TEAM CANADA
Ah, the wonders of tag team competition. Remember tag teams, WWE? Remember? Nevermind. I like the fact of the two rival teams of the champion Naturals teaming with their #1 rivals, AMW to take out their collective cancers, Team Canada. The Canadians as a group are somewhat on the inexperienced side, with A-1, Roode, and Young, but Williams as the lead dog in the match takes out any potential inexperience disadvantages in a big, big way. There could be the possibilities of a turn by either the Naturals or AMW against each other, but I suspect not. I think, however, the continuity of the four person team from up north may be too much for the champs & AMW to overcome. I also could see the return of the coach, Scott D'Amore for this one, to ensure the victory for his charges.
WINNERS: Team Canada
SEAN WALTMAN vs. JERRY LYNN
I got an email a while back critcizing me of my opinions on Sean Waltman. And you know what, you're right. I was being biased about Waltman. I have not seen the reincarnation of Sean Waltman, I only know him back from the days of X Pac in WWF, and honestly, that character always irked me. This one, however, regardless of any maturation done by the former DX member is going to be tuff as hell. Lynn is a pioneer, in all ways possible, from his extreme days with Rob Van Dam to his beginnings in TNA with the X Division. If Lynn is healthy, and ready to go, this could be a classic. What I do believe, 110%, however, is this is the BEGINNING of a long standing feud for both of these men against each other. Their name recognition alone, for both of them, is just what the doctor ordered for some heavy duty steak for TNA going in to some very important time leading up to October.
WINNER: Jerry Lynn
And yes, I am picking Lynn because I don't like either of them, but I think Lynn is more talented. I thought Lynn was a crybaby during his cup of coffee with WWE, but I do know for fact that both men are very talented competitors, but Lynn has the experience factor I believe over Waltman, and honestly, Waltman makes me physically sick.
SUPER X CUP TOURNAMENT FINAL
SAMOA JOE vs. THE PHENOMENAL A.J. STYLES
There aren't enough words to describe how badly I need to see this match. Two of THE ABSOLUTE BEST of the business on the independent scene going for the chance to fight for gold against Daniels in this absolute lock of a classic contest. The high flying, high risk attack of Styles versus the ground and pound submission repetoire of the much stronger, bigger Joe will be a clash that I can't wait to see how it plays out. There is no bad result here, either man will give Daniels a run for his money the likes of no other, I don't care about the past, where Styles lost to Daniels at Destination X. I will say however, that I suspect TNA has some major league plans for Samoa Joe, and I can see Joe squeaking this one out for an eventual program with the Fallen Angel, the undefeated X Division rampager against the longest reigning X Division title holder of all time. More steak and sizzle for TNA as they progress forward toward Bound For Glory, and other milestones in the company. PERSONALLY, I'm happy for either man who wins this one, but I'm gonna take Joe, because, he is just too damn devastating.
WINNER: Samoa Joe
RAVEN & SABU vs. JEFF JARRETT & RHINO
How to take a mediocre team like Jarrett & Rhino and make them in to a main event match? Hrm. Find the one man that is more hardcore than Raven, and you got a deal. TNA does exactly what they needed to do, they bring Sabu in for this one, which I can guarantee you will up the buy rates of this pay per view. I can't believe that people aren't flocking to this one because of this match just like I am. It worries me that TNA may use this match to propel Jarrett back in to title contention, but the violence and brutality should overcome any fears of that happening pretty damn quickly. Rhino and Sabu have some scores to settle from the ass kicking Rhino got at One Night Stand. Raven & Jarrett will more than likely destroy each other to a level that may surpass No Surrender's main event. Hey, man, if ECW did it this way, and it worked, if the accounting holds out, TNA can probably succeed and do it the same damn way. As far as I am concerned, roll with it, man, because it's light years better than the garbage eminating from Stamford. As far as a winner, I'll pick the dream team from hell.
WINNERS: Raven & Sabu
I'll come at you next week with some thoughts on Summerflop, and maybe sooner if I'm lucky enough to order Sacrifice. But before I go, let's think about something here....
9 matches, well 8 right now, with one more announced, PLUS the pre show match, so TEN MATCHES for a pay per view that TNA does not consider a major, and Summerflop has only SIX......hrm.. Who's doing it the right way? Is WWE doing the right thing by booking less matches, and having more time, or is TNA doing the right thing by getting more talent out there for the world to see?
A good debating question for some emails. Good replies will make it to my next column. Click here to email me.
Till next time.....
KIMOSABE, SUMO!?!?!?!?!?
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