Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 6:45 PM EST

It's been almost two weeks since I've graced the pages of the Palace column with thoughts and other musings. Why the layoff? Well, two reasons. One I won't get in to because honestly, it's not for public consumption, and two, the product lately has just been God awful. However, with that being said, and a Pay Per View coming up tomorrow, it's only fair to make a return for picks for TNA Genesis. Ready, set, go...

The NATURALS (w/Shane Douglas) vs. SONJAY DUTT & JAY LETHAL

It appears Douglas and Stevens are going to get re-pushed with their alliance alongside the Franchise. Personally, I like the Franchise, because he's evil, twisted, and a little crazy. I saw the highlights of the tables match win over 3D from last week, and the Franchise showed his committment to his team by sacrificing himself to a 3D through a table. With that win, it's obvious that the Naturals are en route to a tag title program in the near future, so unfortunately for Dutt & Lethal, they are stepping stones in this juggernaut's progression to eventual star-quality programs.

WINNERS: The Naturals

The ROBERT ROODE Open Challenge

This wreaks of a new face coming on board, but I don't know who. I don't like this "businessman" idea for Roode & Ms. Brooks. I would like the old Canadian Enforcer back, the man who kicked ass, took names, and said next. Be that as it may, I can't really make a pick on this one except to say they'll make Roode look good, in one way or another.

VOODOO KIN MAFIA (BG & Kip James) vs. KAZARIAN, MATT BENTLEY & JOHNNY DEVINE

First, isn't Devine with the "Paparazzi"? One of the first questionable bookings that I am going to mention. But, let's digress. Kazarian has done absolutely ZERO since coming back to TNA, and he has basically been a pawn for this new found reincarnation of the James Gang. What I am trying to figure out is why. TNA made themselves known to the world when they signed Kurt Angle. Taking pot shots at Vince, no matter how they do it, isn't, what I would consider to be, the proper aspect. Maybe I am wrong. When I mean proper, I mean good for business. BG & Kip will make this fun and entertaining to watch, don't get me wrong, but this may not be the best idea to try and tick off the northern mastermind. This screams Vince Russo, and I hope he knows what he's doing. The Mafia win this hands down, and hopefully, there will be some clarity toward this program following this contest.

WINNERS: Voodoo Kin Mafia

AUSTIN STARR & ALEX SHELLEY vs. RON "THE TRUTH" KILLINGS & LANCE HOYT

If there is one guy who has to be livid about his status in TNA, it's the Truth. Since 3LK went their separate ways, he has done zero. And not because of lack of ability, its from lack of storyline. Now, he's paired with the life long midcarder Hoyt in an obvious underdog role against Nash's X Division boys of Alex Shelley and Austin Aries Starr. Shelley & Starr make a hell of a tag team. Both men are technical wizards, both men can fly with the best of them, and this team could be contenders for the world tag team straps in a short period of time. Having Kevin Nash back them up is not a bad idea as well. Truth & Hoyt are in for a long night, I would think on this one.

WINNERS: Austin Starr & Alex Shelley

AJ STYLES vs. CHRISTIAN CAGE

Styles vs. Cage is a terrific match. I do not dispute that. What I dispute, and another questionable booking thing, is how Styles and Daniels were so quickly disbanded after Bound For Glory. Styles went in to the tournament, won the X title on a fluke vignette with Chris Sabin, lost it to Daniels on another fluke with Cage and Sabin, and now is in a match with Cage. Is he a tag wrestler, a X division star, or a heavyweight contender? Styles' status in TNA right now is in limbo, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a difficult task for someone of Styles' resume to handle. With that in mind, this match will still be tremendous, but it will be marred by interference from the War Machine, that is a virtual lock. I would suspect Cage wins this in a fluke style decision to remain "undefeated", but he pays a pretty high price at the hands of Rhino & Styles.

WINNER: Christian Cage

NWA World Tag Team Championship
LAX vs. AMERICA'S MOST WANTED

Ok. Curious. 1. Isn't AMW heels? 2. Why are they back in the tag title picture? I know the whole flag vignette thing with LAX is sure to bring AMW out of hiding and in to the fracas for a shot at LAX, and subsequently, the tag titles, but where is the rematch for Styles & Daniels again? Where is the James Gang getting a shot at running with the belts? What about Team 3D? Why go back to AMW again when they had been siding with Jarrett for so long? Now, we're supposed to think they're back to being babyfaces because Jarrett is off PPV and TV? Come on, TNA, this is a little far fetched.

Take all that out of the equation, and this match is going to be good, but it's going to result in a title change, because nobody's as good at tag team wrestling than Harris & Storm. Nobody at this current level, that is.

WINNERS: America's Most Wanted

TNA X Division Championship
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. CHRIS SABIN

Months ago, Sabin was revered as the captain of Team USA going in to the World X Cup. Now, how times have changed. He has turned in to a jealous insecure person bent on winning back the X title that he lost by opening his mouth during the tournament to find a challenger for the World title. This is his chance. However, he has to fight #1A in the X Division as a whole at this time. If Styles is the best current X Division star out there, then Daniels is #1A. He is that damn good. Sorry for the pun, but it's still true. Sabin has a bright future as he continues to develop, but right now, Daniels is the man, and he will remain the man. Title defense for the Fallen Angel.

WINNER: Christopher Daniels

KURT ANGLE vs. SAMOA JOE

IF Kurt Angle is not lying to the world about his health, and I would have to believe with the amount of media he has done in the past few weeks that he is not, then this match has the potential to be one of the most violent normal rules matches in some time. Both men can bring their intensity levels to a point that is unmatched by any other competitor in any wrestling promotion. Both men can go hold for hold, headbutt for headbutt, and punch for punch. The bottom line is who is going to make a mistake. That will determine your winner. The question is, has TNA decided that Kurt Angle is going to be the man to end Samoa Joe's undefeated streak within TNA? My answer is....

WINNER: Samoa Joe

No. Angle hurts Joe, big time during this match, but somehow or other, Joe gets the dupe. This one is just getting started.

NWA World Heavyweight Championship
STING vs. ABYSS

Well, here we go again, ladies and gentlemen, with another shot for Abyss to win the World Heavyweight title. Is it me, or does every single time that there is a change at the top of the mountain, somewhere in the realm of the first few title defenses is a shot for this guy? I remember shots against Cage, obviously, I think Rhino, Jarrett, Raven, need I say more? Don't get me wrong, the guy is good, but when is he going to get over the hump and win the big one and take the title, legitimately, not like what he did to Cage following Lockdown.

There's a couple of ways you can see this. Sting loses, and Abyss faces Angle as his first defense. Sting wins, and still faces Angle, or Joe next time out. Or, we get nothing, and a cluster to follow, because somewhere on everybody's heels in this title mix will end up being AJ Styles. Personally, if TNA got Sting to the top of the ladder, they're not going to knock him off of it yet. Sting wins in a difficult, but blood-less match. I don't think Sting can handle Abyss's style of violence, so I would not be surprised if this one is toned down significantly from past matches involving the Monster. But, give the win to Sting.

WINNER: Sting

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM THE PALACE

Kurt Angle did an interview in New York on 92.3 Free FM that was tremendous. I had the chance to speak with Kurt briefly, (as a radio caller), and I hope to somehow find a way to get the tape so I can re-listen to it, and write a proper review. One thing that can be said for certain, if Angle's views of the insides of WWE are as poignant as he has said in his interviews, there may be more jumps in the coming months than we can possibly shake a stick at.

Bobby Lashley going to ECW is not a bad move whatsoever. I don't think that he will fare in the decision at the Chamber, but Lashley can make a mark in ECW, and cause some havoc. Hopefully, they don't make the mistake of putting Monty Brown in ECW, because he reminds me a tremendous amount of Lashley, and I would suspect that two guys of almost equal appearance, style, and credibility will not bode well for the brand. I think Brown needs to go to Smackdown, to give that brand a needed boost of named talent.

Speaking of the Chamber match, if CM Punk doesn't find a way to come out of that match with the ECW World title, I will be shocked.

Survivor Series has some very impressive traditional matches on the card. Makes me want to buy the DVD already, and we're not even up to the PPV. Sad to hear about Piper being hurt. I don't know why WWE put the titles on Flair and the Hot Rod, but it would've been nice to see them run with it for a little longer instead of having to have the emergency change of hands to Edge and Orton. Although, with that being said, don't be the least bit surprised if DX walks around with tag team gold before 2006 is put to bed.

I know I posted a bit about the differences in the Best of the X Division 2 pack, and the X Division Vol 1. DVD, but someone else beat me to it in listing the differences, so that's why I didn't bring it back up, although I was kind of, well, nevermind.

I haven't had the chance to re-launch my quest of meeting WWE stars, because quite truthfully, my schedule hasn't worked out. I missed Kane a while back, and I am bummed out about that, but hopefully, as the time progresses, I can get that back on track. I know AJ Styles is coming to an upstate town near me, and if he was 1 hour closer, I'd be there with bells on. Man, does that sound corny, ladies and gentlemen? Moving on.

Be careful out there when you pick up your wrestling toys. Yes, I collect them, I have no life, but still. I picked up the Lockdown six sides of steel ring, and apparently, Toys R Us and their lovely management repackaged a returned ring, with the labels already on it, and no chair and ladder inside. The ring is in good shape, and I am not disappointed about the quality of the ring but the fact remains that, during this time of the Holiday season, you gotta be extra careful what you get, ladies and gentlemen.

I will be in attendance this friday night at Ring of Honor on Long Island. I hope to see some people there. Samoa Joe vs. Jay Briscoe is the main event. One thing I am noticing, I guess Bryan Danielson is in NOAH, so we won't see the ROH World champion, and that's always a bummer. Hopefully, it'll be a good card. I'll write a full blown recap of that one when it's all said and done.

That's it for now, ladies and gentlemen. Here's closing time.

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We should've went to the beach.