Predictions from the Faculty
TNA Slammiversary VIII
June 13, 2010
Introduction and Closure by: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Predictions by: Wrestleview Columnists and Recappers
Introduction
Welcome the long-awaited Predictions column! I wish I had a long introduction for you this weekend but it is very late Saturday night as I typed this and was out all day (celebrated a USA draw over England). So I will provide you with this.
It has been eight years for TNA. They are once again celebrating the Slammiversary PPV, this time in the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida.
Many wrestlers came and went since Slammiversary took place. Let me provide you all the card from the very first TNA Slammiversary PPV:
One would actually they had one every year, however the first ever Slammiversary happened during their three-year anniversary in 2005. On that card there were some names one has heard of, while others draw a blank. Here was the card and winners:
1) Shark Boy defeated Elix Skipper, Zach Gowen, Amazing Red, Delirious, and Jarelle Clark.
2) Shocker defeated Alex Shelley
3) Ron Killings defeated The Outlaw
4) The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) defeated Team Canada (Petey Williams and Eric Young w/Scott D’Amore and A-1). The Naturals retained their NWA World Tag Team Championship.
5) Samoa Joe defeated Sonjay Dutt
6) Bobby Roode (w/Scott D’Amore) defeated Lance Hoyt
7) America’s Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris) defeated 3LiveKru (Konnan and B.G. James w/Ron Killings)
8) Christopher Daniels defeated Chris Sabin (w/Trinity) and Michael Shane (w/Traci) to retain the X Division Championship
9) Raven defeated AJ Styles, Monty Brown, Abyss, and Sean Waltman. Raven won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that was held before by Styles.
TNA said it is a big deal, and looking at this card it is hard to dispute. You have some of these names that are big in Mexico (Shocker), some Ring of Honor wrestlers (Delirious, Christopher Daniels, and Sonjay Dutt to name a few). Heck, there are names here that are now WWE Superstars (Killings is now a United States Champion and Hoyt is making a name for himself on Smackdown). Most importantly, TNA still have some of these names on their active roster and were former world champions such as AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, secondary champions like Eric Young and Alex Shelley, and Tag Team champions in Roode and Storm (known now as Beer Money).
So many mock TNA’s Slammiversary events and write them off. However after looking at the first ever card for this PPV I for one am sold that TNA does in fact take pride with their events. Sure, they may not look good on paper but who knows. Maybe we may see a star-in-the-making (Maybe a Desmond Wolfe or a Jay Lethal will get their benchmark victory). Only time will tell and I will be reading Adam Martin’s recaps for each match hoping that the booking did their job well. Enjoy the Slammiversary PPV, students!
Before I present our selections, I would like to thank the students of the week for their quick participation. The students of the week this week are Evan O’Brien, Crystal Mai, Jeremy Samples, Sean Martin, and Sam Newstone.
As always before the predictions, please allow me to show you the current standings as of WWE’s Over the Limit.
2010-2011 Season (As of WWE Over The Limit)
1) Josh Boutwell (Viva La Raza and TNA Recapper)……………….38-22 (3-4)
2) David Stephens (That’s a Wrap and RAW Recapper)………….37-23 (4-3)
3) Students of the Week (The Best from Prev. PPV)………………36-24 (4-3)*
4) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings)……………………………………35-25 (2-5)
5) Matt O’Brien (Notes From The Nosebleeds)…………………………34-26 (1-6)
6) Daniel Browne (For Queen and Country)……………………………..34-26 (2-5)
7) WrestleView Students (The Loyal Readers)………………………..34-26 (4-3)
8) Mike Tedesco (Smackdown and NXT Recapper)…………………32-21 (6-1)
9) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V/ROH Recaps)……….31-29 (4-3)
10) Doug Lackey (Reality From Ringside)………………………………….30-30 (4-3)
11) Sean Hurley (The Sharpshooter)………………………………………..28-32 (1-6)
12) Jeff Springer (WWE Superstars Recapper)……………………………25-16 (0-0)
13) Joe Baiamonte (Baiamonte’s Casa/2009 WV Champ)………24-20 (0-0)
*Students of the Week: Evan O’Brien, Jeremy Samples, Crystal Mai, Sean Martin, and Sam Newstone.
Absent from this edition are (columnists that may have posted them, but after press time): Daniel Browne, Sean Hurley, and Joe Baiamonte.
And now…our selections for each match!
Predictions
**Non-Title Matches**
Brother Ray vs. Jesse Neal
Josh B. – RAY.
David S. – JESSE NEAL.
Evan O. – JESSE NEAL.
Jeremy S. – BROTHER RAY. This is one of the very lackluster feuds on this PPV. The set-up live was even worse than what’s been shown on TV. Don’t really know what to think, but I see Ray beating the kid…possibly with another turn by D-Von.
Crystal M. – I think something is going down between Ray and D’Von this Sunday and it’s going to result in JESSE NEAL getting the upset win.
Sean M. – JESSE NEAL.
Sam N. – BROTHER RAY.
Jose M. – I am going to pick JESSE NEAL on this because of something that may happen with Brother Devon.
Matt O. – JESSE NEAL.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – JESSE NEAL.
Anthony V. – Ah yes, the student vs. teacher moment. Usually from experience, the teacher always beats the student in mind games. However, Jesse Neal is not in Elementary School. Brother Ray is awfully distracted and needs to get focused. I say the lack of focus by Ray will give JESSE NEAL the victory.
Doug L. – NEAL via… um… spikey hair thingy to the eye. Angle: Ray’s feelings are hurt that Neal said he would ‘take care of something for them’…. compelling…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – BROTHER RAY.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: JESSE NEAL 9-4.
**Monster’s Ball**
Desmond Wolfe vs. Abyss (w/Chelsea)
Josh B. – WOLFE.
David S. – DESMOND WOLFE.
Evan O. – DESMOND WOLFE.
Jeremy S. – ABYSS. Ah, Abyss is still Hogan’s pick. He’ll go over and somehow it will involve Chelsea. Will this be the Russo every match has a turn PPV…I see Chelsea costing Desmond the victory.
Crystal M. – Chelsea’s reluctance to do Desmond’s bidding this week makes me feel like my worse fear is coming true; she’s going to end up with Abyss. This should be the match that ends this feud and I feel as if Chelsea is going to side with the monster, Abyss, and Desmond is going to left out to try. It makes me sick. ABYSS wins thanks to Chelsea.
Sean M. – ABYSS.
Sam N. – Let’s see…Abyss won the last one, right? So DESMOND WOLFE will win this round.
Jose M. – ABYSS due to interference from Chelsea.
Matt O. – DESMOND WOLFE.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – DESMOND WOLFE.
Anthony V. – This all revolves around Chelsea. Whoever she sides with, that wrestler will be the winner of this contest. I give TNA credit for making me guess here. I think Abyss will take some very, VERY sick bumps and will be distracted. I think DESMOND WOLFE finally gets the victory, and the girl.
Doug L. – ABYSS via Chelsea giving ‘stare of doom’. Angle: Wolfe’s mad at Abyss for winning Chelsea’s services (standing at ringside… that’s it?!), so he wants a hardcore match with him even though she returns to him after Sunday night… engaging…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – ABYSS.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: DESMOND WOLFE 7-6.
AJ Styles vs. Jay Lethal
Josh B. – AJ.
David S. – JAY LETHAL.
Evan O. – JAY LETHAL.
Jeremy S. – JAY LETHAL. This is actually one of the good feuds this PPV. Very interesting with Kaz and Flair’s interaction. Kaz will continue it and cost AJ the match.
Crystal M. – My bb AJ is in the doghouse with his mentor, Ric Flair, and I’m afraid his grave is going to get dug a little deeper. JAY LETHAL is going to somehow pull off the upset in this match and my poor AJ is going to need a shoulder to cry on when all is said and done. AJ, my shoulder is available.
Sean M. – JAY LETHAL.
Sam N. – I’ll go with AJ STYLES here.
Jose M. – JAY LETHAL because whatever push that is going on for him cannot stop now and AJ really won’t lose nothing with his current angle by losing this match.
Matt O. – AJ STYLES.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – AJ STYLES.
Anthony V. – I am very impressed with AJ Styles and Jay Lethal so far in this feud. They may actually have the match of the night based on the current card. AJ can still be over even if he loses. I think TNA strikes while the iron is hot and gives JAY LETHAL one of those wins that Lethal will remember for years to come.
Doug L. – LETHAL via breakout of emotion. Angle: Styles wants to get Dad’s approval again. Lethal didn’t mean to wear Dad’s ring in front of everyone and get him angry… riveting…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – AJ STYLES.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: JAY LETHAL 7-6.
**For Kazarian’s #10 Spot**
Kurt Angle vs. Kazarian
Josh B. – ANGLE.
David S. – KURT ANGLE.
Evan O. – KURT ANGLE.
Jeremy S. – KURT ANGLE. AJ will cost Kaz the match. Angle will continue his momentum and, at least, win a few more matches before he gets a loss.
Crystal M. – Like I said, AJ is in the doghouse and he will lose to Lethal. It’s only fitting that KAZARIAN pulls off a cheap win against Kurt Angle. It’s the next logical step in this Styles/Kazarian angle they have going on and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I’m almost interested in it.
Sean M. – KAZARIAN.
Sam N. – Eh, I’ll go with KURT ANGLE to win.
Jose M. – ANGLE because this race for the top 10 gimmick can’t be one and done. I think AJ tries to interfere and screws it up and this may lead to an AJ Styles face turn.
Matt O. – ANGLE.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – KURT ANGLE.
Anthony V. – This match should be good and have its moments. I am only going with KURT ANGLE because he and I share a hometown.
Doug L. – ANGLE via ‘however-the-hell-long-this-is-supposed-to-be winning streak’. Angle took a month off to find himself and rejected the #2 slot in imaginary #10. Kazarian, back from recently finding himself, is new #10 contender and also trying to make Dad happy. Angle likes to wrestle… so he will wrestle all 10 in order to satisfy wrestling urges… enchanting…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – KAZARIAN.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: KURT ANGLE 10-3.
Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez
Josh B. – HERNANDEZ.
David S. – HERNANDEZ.
Evan O. – HERNANDEZ.
Jeremy S. – HERNANDEZ. They didn’t send Hernandez to Mexico and build up a huge comeback just to bury him to Matt Morgan. Hernandez definitely gets revenge on his former partner here.
Crystal M. – I have no idea what’s going on between these two so I’m just going to pick MATT MORGAN because he’s really hot.
Sean M. – HERNANDEZ.
Sam N. – I’ll pick MATT MORGAN to win since Hernandez ruined his tag title shot last night. Glad to see Super Mex back.
Jose M. – HERNANDEZ because he just came back.
Matt O. – HERNANDEZ.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – MATT MORGAN.
Anthony V. – HERNANDEZ gets his glorious revenge over the Blueprint tonight. However, I will not be surprised if this was a No Contest or even a Morgan DQ victory.
Doug L. – HERNANDEZ via whatever he learned in AAA. Angle: Hernandez is back from a 3 month ‘shelving’ after being kicked in the noggin by Morgan & is seeking revenge… ?!?!… HOLY $#!t! A match without an emotional backstory! *throws confetti*
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – HERNANDEZ.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: HERNANDEZ 10-3.
Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy vs. Beer Money Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm)
Josh B. – HARDY AND ANDERSON.
David S. – JEFF HARDY AND MR. ANDERSON.
Evan O. – JEFF HARDY AND MR. ANDERSON.
Jeremy S. – BEER MONEY, INC. Hardy and Anderson are a good temporary team. Nice to put both of their personalities together. I’d hope they would give the win to Beer Money, though, since they are the more established tag team and have been with TNA longer.
Crystal M. – I’m not really buying the solidarity between Jeff Hardy and Mr. Asshole. I think Anderson is going to walk out on or turn on Hardy sometime during the match, so I’m going with BEER MONEY, INC. to pick up the win.
Sean M. – HARDY/ANDERSON.
Sam N. – Wait, is Anderson a face now? I must have missed that. I’ll pick BEER MONEY to win.
Jose M. – HARDY/ANDERSON because Beer Money hasn’t won a meaningful match in months.
Matt O. – HARDY & ANDERSON.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – BEER MONEY.
Anthony V. – Whoever loses this match may potentially be buried, so this puts these four guys in a tough situation. Beer Money may have to take the job here. ANDERSON AND HARDY in a potentially good match (if Anderson is not an a$$hole).
Doug L. – BEER MONEY via reenactment of ‘The Hills’ in the opposite corner. Angle: Anderson likes being obnoxious. Hardy likes being himself (with the help of opiates). They used to be mad, but now are glad. Beer Money is just there… engaging…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – HARDY AND ANDERSON.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: JEFF HARDY AND MR. ANDERSON 8-5.
**Championship Matches**
**For the TNA Knockout’s Championship**
Madison Rayne (c) vs. Roxxi
Josh B. – RAYNE.
David S. – MADISON RAYNE.
Evan O. – MADISON RAYNE.
Jeremy S. – MADISON RAYNE. Roxxi’s only here temporarily again, I feel. She actually mentioned this to me during a discussion I had with her at the Tuesday taping. She’s just supposed to be something different. Rayne will continue her streak of winning the championship matches. Plus, she’s a Cubs fan…and we all know…the Cubs never lose…
Crystal M. – TNA just did a superb job of building this match up, let me tell you. The interaction between these two women is nothing short of genius. This is no doubt going to be the match of the night because TNA just loves their Knockouts oh so much. Excuse me while I go throw up now. Big time disappointment right here. MADISON wins and no one is even going to care.
Sean M. – ROXXI.
Sam N. – I don’t see the BP losing any gold anytime soon. MADISON RAYNE retains.
Jose M. – MADISON RAYNE.
Matt O. – MADISON RAYNE.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – MADISON RAYNE.
Anthony V. – This one I thought maybe..just maybe Roxxi can pull this out. I also predict the Beautiful People will be banned from ringside. With that said, I still predict that MADISON RAYNE will defend her championship over a very hungry challenger.
Doug L. – RAYNE ala Rainbow Brite annihilating Murky (Look at their attire! How could it not be a reenactment?). Angle: Roxxi pinned Rayne in a non-title match on May 20. Automatic title shot. The two are only shown on TV again 2 weeks later (6/4)… hair-raising…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – MADISON RAYNE.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: MADISON RAYNE 12-1.
**For the TNA X Division Championship**
Douglas Williams (c) vs. Brian Kendrick
Josh B. – WILLIAMS.
David S. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS.
Evan O. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS.
Jeremy S. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS. I don’t see Brain Kendrick being a guy that TNA will really invest in. Doug Williams has the good angle going on and there’s no sense in having him lose to a Brian Kendrick.
Crystal M. – TNA seems to like Brian Kendrick for reasons I still can’t fathom. They also like Douglas Williams for even more ridiculous reasons that I can’t figure out. I’m just going to go with BRIAN KENDRICK because he used to be known as Spanky and that’s pretty awesome.
Sean M. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS.
Sam N. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS via “technical wrestling.”
Jose M. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS.
Matt O. – WILLIAMS.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – BRIAN KENDRICK.
Anthony V. – I know the creative team is big on Kendrick, but I am not. Kendrick did cut a weird promo last Thursday and beat Homicide but it did nothing for me. DOUGLAS WILLIAMS uses his technical wrestling style to beat the high-flyer.
Doug L. – WILLIAMS via flinging poo at circus monkey. Angle: Kendrick pinned Williams in a non-title match on… lemmee see… May 14… tomorrow will be June 13. Notice how these two matches have nothing to do with hatred or anger… engaging…
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – DOUGLAS WILLIAMS.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: DOUGLAS WILLIAMS 11-2.
**For the TNA World Heavyweight Championship**
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Sting
Josh B. – RVD.
David S. – ROB VAN DAM.
Evan O. – ROB VAN DAM.
Jeremy S. – ROB VAN DAM. Sting is injured. I’m not sure why they went for this main event for their anniversary PPV. Right now, Sting cannot work. He looked horrible in person last month, and this will be a real test of RVD. Hopefully he can carry Sting to a good match.
Crystal M. – I don’t think they’re gunna take the title from RVD just yet and that’s so boring to me. I don’t even know what’s going on with Sting because that’s how little I care about TNA. So yeah, RVD, lol.
Sean M. – ROB VAN DAM.
Sam N. – Sting turned 51 this year. No world champion should be that old. RVD retains.
Jose M. – ROB VAN DAM.
Matt O. – ROB VAN DAM.
Daniel B. – N/A.
Mike T. – ROB VAN DAM.
Anthony V. – To me, this is a no brainer. Sting is truly an icon in professional wrestling, but sadly he is past his prime. If he wins, I will be disappointed. I am going to say the champ (ROB VAN DAM) retains.
Doug L. – STING via Deception DDT on Deception Belt with Deception on the mind of a Deceptive kind of person. Angle: Sting was #1 on the top 10 thingy; Sting has issues involving words like ‘deception’. RVD is just defending his title and seems about as angry as any other stoner is… oblivious to their surroundings… *insert soul-stirring adjective here*
Sean H. – N/A.
Jeff S. – RVD.
Joe B. – N/A.
Consensus: ROB VAN DAM. 12-1.
Dismissal
Well, that does it for another round of Predictions from the Faculty for the 2010-2011 season.
And remember students, this is YOUR column too! Please present to me your choices for the winners of any PPV by e-mail at mistervwv@hotmail.com or by sending me an inbox message on Facebook. Winner of each PPV receives a coveted (and NEVER duplicated) Gold Star in my latest column and is named the “Student of the Week” for the next Predictions article.
Well, that does it for us, class. On behalf of my peers on WrestleView I bid you farewell. We will be taking a 6-day recess and will be back with our predictions for WWE’s first-ever Fatal 4-Way. As always, thank you for reading our predictions. Now go and enjoy the rest of your weekend! You are all………DISMISSED!!
Thank you for reading and to those that do, participate. We appreciate your feedback.