Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Sunday, April 23, 2006 at 10:37 AM EST

There are a few items I'd like to address within WWE, but that can wait. It's PPV pick time, and I am short on it, so let's do the Lockdown picks right now.

CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. A MYSTERY OPPONENT

I haven't a clue who they are planning on picking. I know Liger was originally booked, but they had to dump him due to issues. As I am writing this there is one possibility, someone who is not that active lately, and who would have an instant beef with Christopher Daniels to either A) cause a feud and a half, or B) reunite one of TNA's greatest tag teams. That person.

Low Ki.

With Ki's departure from ROH, and TNA's minimal sked, and the rumours of Ki coming to TNA in the past few months, this could be the possibility and the jump that Ki was waiting for to make this type of impact. I have zero proof, just a theory that sprang in to my head as I am writing this. I won't make a pick on this one, for obvious reasons, but if it is Low Ki, I want some kudos thrown my way, ok? :) I guess the obvious choice may be a Jeff Hardy, but why? What would be the reason behind it to book Hardy in a cage match with Daniels? There's a lot more sense and a lot more backstory behind Ki and Daniels going at it. We'll have to wait and see.

ARM WRESTLING CHALLENGE
KONANN vs. "Bullet" BOB ARMSTRONG

Question: Why can't we just go ahead and book the LAX vs. the James Gang in a cage match? Why must Bullet Bob interject himself in this? I don't understand the booking behind this except to say two words.

Filler time.

Or Miller time, as the case may be. If I was watching this PPV tonight, I'd be picking up a coke and going to the john during this one. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me, and truth be told, I have zero interest in even picking a winner, because everyone and their mother knows two things, Hernandez, Homicide, and the James Boys will be in this match in some way, shape, or form. That is a lock.

X Division XSCAPE Match
CHRIS SABIN vs. CHASE STEVENS vs. PUMA vs. SHARK BOY vs. PETEY WILLIAMS vs. ELIX SKIPPER

This one could steal the show. I guess Andy Douglas is still hurt from the Steiner Recliner, causing Stevens to be booked solo in this match. Puma, I have limited knowledge of, specifically from the Victory Road 04 gauntlet match, the others I know pretty well. I would suspect this one will come down to two former X Division title holders, the Canadian Destroyer and Chris Sabin. While Sabin could use some push as a X Division top tier contender again, I would suspect the push will continue for D'Amore's team Canada boys, especially going in to the World X Cup, so give the win here to Petey.

WINNER: Petey Williams

World X Cup Preview Match
TEAM JAPAN of BLACK TIGER, HIROOKI GOTO & MINORU TANAKA vs. TEAM USA of ALEX SHELLEY, JAY LETHAL & SONJAY DUTT

I can't pick this one either. I have zero knowledge of the Japanese competitors. Zero. I know however the talents of Team USA, and I have this to say. Can Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt trust Alex Shelley? If Shelley is in this for the team, then this is a formidable unit that will make a lot of headway in the World X Cup. If Shelley is out for number one, then this team is in a lot of trouble. I think that is the wild card to think about when watching this match. However, to be fair, I am not going to pick a winner.

Anthem Match
TEAM 3D vs. TEAM CANADA
Brothers Ray, Devon & Runt vs. A-1, Bobby Roode & Eric Young

I am happy for Runt to be in TNA with the boys. I think having the trio on the same page will open some eyes for TNA. However, why is this feud with Team Canada even going on when 3D should be kicking the hell out of AMW for the World Tag team titles? I don't understand that one. However, the patriotism of 3D is heir apparent, and the fact that they are hardcore veterans of the ECW days, I would suspect the brothers 3D will triumph in this one, and the red, white, and blue will wave proudly.

WINNERS: Brother Ray, Brother Devon & Brother Runt of Team 3D

X Division Championship
SAMOA JOE defends against SABU

Everything in my being says this will be brutal to the word go, and I can't wait to see it on DVD. But, questions abound. 1. Why does Larry Z want Joe to branch outside the X Division, then TNA goes ahead and puts the X title back on the Samoan giant? 2. Why is Sabu suddenly involved in the X Division? He hasn't shown a desire to go for a title in all the time he has been in TNA. I mean, he has the barbed wire match with Abyss, and then turns around and disappears? It doesn't make any sense.

The obvious issue, however, is Sabu's health. Rumour has it he has a broken arm. If that is the case, Joe will eat him alive. Sabu and Joe on an even playing field in a cage, advantage Sabu for all his experience. With Sabu hurt, then the obvious tide turns towards the champion. Also, quite truthfully, Sabu is not ensconced in TNA with a contract, so I would highly doubt they would put the X title on him. Any way you slice it, brutal it shall be, but the Samoan Submission Machine will come out triumphant.

WINNER: Samoa Joe

Lethal Lockdown Match
STING, RHINO, A.J STYLES & RON "THE TRUTH" KILLINGS vs. AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, SCOTT STEINER & JEFF JARRETT

1. It's nice to see a PPV and Jarrett not be in the World title picture in any way, shape, or form. 2. I don't like AMW being in this match, they should be involved in defending the tag belts. It's like the same problem I have with WWE. No title defenses for teams that are qualified, i.e., Team 3D, the James Boys, Team Canada, even the Diamonds in the Rough, but I know I'm stretching it there. 3. Can Sting and Steiner go at this level? They haven't competed on this level in some time, and I would have to suspect some conditioning issues.

However, be that as it is, I like the pairings here. Styles and Rhino definitely have beefs with Jarrett. Sting wants Steiner and Jarrett, and the Truth wants AMW. Everybody has issues here that need to be addressed. The only man who would make this match even more enjoyable, especially with the stipulations, would be the Master of the ClockWork Orange Matches, Raven. Can Raven return to TNA and make his way in to this match? Something to ponder.

Anyway, I'll take Sting's army to come out with the win, but blood will be spilled in a big, big way. This should be a very entertaining match.

WINNERS: Sting, Rhino, AJ Styles & Ron "The Truth" Killings

NWA World Championship
CHRISTIAN CAGE defends against ABYSS

Ok. Opinion #1. I HATE the use of family. With Sting's family involved getting Sting & Jarrett to this point, and the involvement of Christian's wife to get this match is repulsive, repugnant, and wrong. However, Christian has developed in his promotion a sense of intensity that I like. If he can bring that to the ring against Abyss, then this will be a hell of a lot more entertaining that I would have initially given this match credit for. I don't think Abyss will come out with the NWA World title, because I think they have intentions on having Cage keep the belt for some time. Abyss will take a chunk out of the World Champ, (man I am having trouble calling Christian a world champ), but Cage will find a way to win. He is that "cagey" to use a pun.

Besides, I need to see the NWA title belt in person when Cage comes to Ring of Honor in Long Island on May 12th. So, he has to win.

WINNER: Christian Cage

Closing time.

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Beaucoup cenabling!