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TNA Pay Per View Pick 'Em: Victory Road '08
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July 11, 2008 - TNA Crew
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Can't a white dude get into a title match? Sheesh. |
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TNA's on it's way to Houston for the Victory Road PPV this weekend and that in and of itself is a pretty good thing. TNA seems to be keeping good on its promise to stop doing PPVs in Orlando. Next year, rumor has it, they'll all be on the road. Good for you TNA. Baby steppin' it.
Unfortunately, I have to admit that I've become very bored with TNA lately. I still catch the shows, and most of them have been very good. Better than WWE, anyway. Perhaps my fandom is just finally winding down after a couple of decades of following wrestling. Or maybe TNA isn't the same company that got me all a twitter a few years ago.
Either way, TNA's still doing a good job and I just don't really care. I'm bringing this up because after BFG, this'll probably be the last year for the PPV picks. I dunno, maybe things will change and I'll get reinvigorated. Or maybe not.
If it is the last year, well, then the next few months are REALLY important if we wanna unseat Lucky from his throne. He's started to slide, so it might actually be doable...
Lucky IS mortal after all. He only got half of his picks right like lowly old me and Thai. Cory was consistent as ever, but the big story was Chris almost running the table by only missing one pick. Good for you, buddy!
This month's card is pretty good, and I can't tell you how excited I am about Beer Money. Two of my favorite dudes in TNA teaming up. I'm telling you a few solid months of Storm and Roode together and TNA might have themselves a cool-heel faction on their hands. Anyway, that's the kind of stuff I should be saving for the picks. So here we go...
TNA Heavyweight Title Match
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Samoa Joe vs. Booker T
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Joe |
Joe |
Joe |
Joe |
Joe |
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Cory's Pick:
Man, someone needs to console Eric Young. He feuded with Robert Roode for a year and only sniffed a main event once. Booker T, though, feuds with Roode half of that time and is suddenly the number 1 contender. Now, I'm not saying this feud has come out of nowhere, but it almost feels like they decided to have a PPV in Houston and then figured to put Booker in the championship match. On the plus side, this will be better than pretty much any TNA alternative; their heels aren't so good right now. Still too early to take the belt off of Joe--he hasn't had the requisite Nash match (oh, please don't do it at Bound for Glory), and they can do Booker/Sting without the title. Should be a solid bout, with Joe coming out the victor.
Brad's Pick:
It might be interesting if TNA threw Booker a home-town bone, they are gonna be in in Houston after all. But, c'mon... Joe's not dropping the belt now. The real story is the Joe/Nash disintegration, but that's not what this match is about. Nash might interfere, and Sting might get involved at some point, but Joe will overcome and walk out still holding the belt.
Chris's Pick:
Well, considering that Booker has been more of an innocent bystander in the Joe-Nash feud than somebody being built as a threat to the title, I'm thinking Joe retains. Maybe Nash helps him just to piss him off, which would also maybe set up a triple threat which would be a good thing since Nash really doesn't have the gas to go 15+ with Joe anymore.
Thai's Pick:
Joe. But I also think this is a feud worth dragging out, so the best bet is to have Booker lose by just a hair, and keep it going. Booker does deserve to be champ, but not at the expense of Joe.
Lucky's Pick:
Booker's been built up as a worthy challenger and he would make a strong champ but its still way too early and Joe losing after Booker and Nash say so many times that he can't beat Booker would be... well, like Booker losing to HHH after HHH said so many times that he can't beat him. Joe wins, Nash and Sting are both set up for the next few months.
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TNA Tag Team Championship Match - Fan's Revenge Strap Match
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LAX vs. Beer Money
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
LAX
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Beer Money
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LAX
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LAX
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Beer Money
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Cory's Pick:
I hope the fans turn heel and whip LAX. As a reward, they can get a sweet "Beer Money" t-shirt. Good stuff. I'm tempted to give Beer Money the win here. After all, they've been featured as much as anyone on iMPACT the last month. But "fan's revenge" just screams send 'em home happy, and unless the fans turn heel, or Storm and Roode handcuff them all, which would be funny, LAX is winning. Even if they're not funny and wear hats.
Brad's Pick:
I'm really REALLY torn about this. I feel that LAX deserves an extended title run, but at the same time, Beer Money is pretty much a TNA dream-team for me. James Storm is funny. Robert Roode is a prick. It's a great pairing that I really want to see more of. Straps? Meh. Don't care. I think it'd be much more fun if Beer Money walked out with the belts, so let's go with them.
Chris's Pick:
You know what would be a great OMG SWERVE~!? The fans turning heel on LAX. Not going to happen though. No idea what to do with Roode and Storm from here.
Thai's Pick:
LAX. They are the premier tag team of today. Beer Money has a lot of potential, but let's not have LAX already lose the belt.
Lucky's Pick:
I want to pick LAX but Beer Money are being pushed hard here. If Joe stays with the gold and Kong fails to reclaim her belt Roode and Storm stealing the tag gold with a dozen fans at ringside makes for some real heel moments. And LAX realistically could be stronger chasing the gold then defending it as faces.
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Six Man Tag Team WAR!!!! - Fan's Pick the Stipulation
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AJ Styles, Christian Cage & Rhino vs. Kurt Angle, & Team 3D
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Team Angle |
Team AJ |
Team Angle |
Team Angle |
Team AJ |
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Cory's Pick:
Speaking of the fans, I also hope they pick the lamest stipulation possible. This poll is the equivalent of "Who would you rather sleep with? A stuffed monkey, a jar of pickle juice, or Gail Kim?" While some might enjoy the sensation of brine tickling their penis, there's going to be lots of metal here. Unless it's Full MEDAL Mayhem, and then Angle wins. While Angle killing himself in the match is always a possibility, this just might be the bout of the night if Ultimate X disappoints. Since this seems pretty face heavy, I'm picking Angle/3D, even if iMPACT ended with AJ in the ankle lock. AJ will still be the star, though.
Brad's Pick:
It's a WAR! With fan-chosen stipulations! C'mon, it's gonna be Full Metal Mayhem. Letting the fans pick the stip is always silly. They pick the craziest one. Every time. Just get ready for those full-metal tables! Anyway, AJ's team got the win on Impact, but got beat down anyway. I think his team will get the reciprocal win as a result.
Chris's Pick:
AJ got one over on Angle last month. Lightning doesn't strike twice.
Thai's Pick:
Angle and the Dudleys. Mainly because AJ won the last match, and it's good to have the faces lose sometimes.
Lucky's Pick:
The faces have taken a LOT of beatings and this match seems designed to protect Angle and his questionable health. So letting AJ get the pin on Bubba seems appropriate, even if I am making this a very happy moment PPV. If Angle's good to go soon they can follow up that story and if not they get the win.
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X-Cup Finals - Ultimate X
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One member from TNA, Mexico, Japan and Team International
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| International |
TNA |
TNA |
Mexico |
TNA |
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Cory's Pick:
So I'm assuming the captains will be in this match, although that just might be an error in logic. It is worth the most points. Part of me thinks that Team USA is going to win just because they're in prideful Texas, but they have won 2 in a row, and it's lame to see that kind of dominance. The local Hispanic population might enjoy a Team Mexico win, but I'm not picking a team without everyone announced (not that I know anything). Daivari has been seen regularly on iMPACT, and who knows, he might become a TNA fixture. A Daivari win would have a "global" impact (GET IT!?), so let's give Team International the win and the upset victory. UN! UN! UN!
Brad's Pick:
I think the deal is that the captains of each team are going to be in the Ultimate X. That'd be Kaz, Daivari, Ultimo Guerrero, and um, Japanese Guy. I think team international is gonna win the elimination tag match to make things almost out of reach for the home team (Team TNA) but Kaz has been on such a role as of late in X-Division specialty matches, that there's no way I'm not picking him (if he's in this, which I'm obviously assuming he is) to win Ultimate X. Team TNA takes it.
Chris's Pick:
Golly, it isn't possible that Team TNA is going to win this, is it?
Thai's Pick:
Team Mexico. On the strength of Bucanero and Ultimo Guerrero alone. This is going to be awesome.
Lucky's Pick:
TNA wins because Kaz is dreamy. Even Doug Williams taking the win in an effort to build him as a star and the newest member of the TNA roster seems possible. But I'll just go with the safe bet. Kaz wins any matches that don't involve titles. And I'm sure he'll get an X title match from it lose.
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X-Cup Finals - 12 Man Tag Team Elimination Match
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3 members from TNA, Mexico, Japan and Team International
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Japan |
International |
International |
TNA |
International |
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Cory's Pick:
I have no idea how this is scored. Winner take all, probably. To avoid a tiebreaker final (based on my Team Int'l pick for the Ultimate X match), Team Japan, with 2 points, has to win. Although Team TNA tied for last is weird. I suppose Team Mexico could win this, and Team TNA wins the other and... blah blah blah. Let Team USA suffer. We'll get 'em back at the Olympics.
Brad's Pick:
Looking at the standings, you have TNA with 3 points, Team Mexico with 3, Team International with 2 and Team Japan with 2. If team TNA or Mexico win, then the Ultimate X match is almost moot, unless the winner of this match also wins that match. So it's either gonna be the Japs or the Mutts. The guys that I'd like to see stick around most are Alex Koslov, Doug Williams and Daivari, so I'm thinking that the "heel" team of international wrestlers pulls out the victory here, just to make things interesting for Team Mexico or Team TNA in Ultimate X.
Chris's Pick:
Team TNA is winning the Cup, so based on how bad Team International got shafted building up to this I think they'll get the booby prize by winning this. Then Tyson Dux can hit the road and TNA can get busy signing the other three.
Thai's Pick:
I don't really know how this will work. It'll still probably be awesome. Uh... Team TNA. GO CURRY MAN!
Lucky's Pick:
I think Doug Williams has to come out a big player somewhere and Kaz the other place so I'm just splitting it this way. Team Japan never wins this stuff and isn't going to hang around, and we've yet to even see who the 2nd half of Team Mexico is.
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Super Turbo Grudge Match
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Jay Lethal vs. Sonjay Dutt
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Dutt |
Dutt |
Lethal |
Dutt |
Lethal |
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Cory's Pick:
Good job, TNA. I went from liking everything about this (pre-wedding) to not caring at all. So I'm not going to care, but this feud will probably keep going until they get to a gimmick. Nutty Dutty gets it.
Brad's Pick:
So the question is, after all of Val's "thinking", will she reaffirm her love for Lethal, or realize she's a slut for Dutt? I think the most interesting thing to do would be to turn Val after she realizes she's more of a guru-gal, and further enrage Machismo to extend the feud. Val interferes and Dutt wins.
Chris's Pick:
Lethal draws first blood, but this isn't over.
Thai's Pick:
Dutt wins by nefarious means. He needs the push. Lethal winnning outright only hurts Dutt. Dutt winning wil not hurt Lethal at all. Either way, this should be a good match.
Lucky's Pick:
Lethal wins. I guess. I really don't care about this feud at all.
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Knockout Championship Match
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Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Taylor Wilde |
Taylor Wilde |
Taylor Wilde |
Taylor Wilde |
Taylor Wilde |
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Cory's Pick:
Wow. I was pleasantly surprised with iMPACT, and that match will definitely set some eyeballs onto TNA. What kind of vengeance will Kong unleash after the loss? And what kind of name is just "Taylor"? Kong will definitely emerge from this as the dominant figure, but with Roxxi at ringside, anything can happen. I think Taylor wins, but by DQ--Kong just goes nuts at some point.
Brad's Pick:
Honestly, this is pretty darn cool as far as story lines go. The build has been simple, but interesting. Having a relative unknown snatch the belt away from Kong was surprising and exciting. So, does TNA make Taylor Wilde look legit? Or do they have Kong destroy her and show that it was just a fluke? If they want to continue to improve the look (and talent) of the Knockout Division, they'll let Taylor keep the belt.
Chris's Pick:
Hell if I know. Hopefully Taylor retains, because she's new and interesting.
Thai's Pick:
KONG! When are we going to have Cheerleader Melissa fight Kong? That's what I want to know. Aw what the hell! I didn't know this Taylor chick beat Kong this Thursday! I change my vote. Taylor Wilde wins! Change it!
Lucky's Pick:
Yeah, I'm gonna call the shocking win, but probably by DQ in the same way Gail won her first match over Kong. Keep the Taylor momentum going... Kong gets frustrated and gets DQed. Everyone's happy. Taylor's being made a star and its awesome.
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Knockout Grudge Match
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Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love
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| Cory: |
Brad: |
Chris: |
Thai: |
Lucky: |
| Angelina Love |
Angelina Love |
Gail Kim |
Gail Kim |
Angelina Love |
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Cory's Pick:
I've liked the Beautiful People/everyone else feud. It's not surprising that TNA gains ratings whenever the Knockouts are on. There really is no physical reason for Angelina to win, but I'm going to pick her to keep Kim occupied before moving on. Plus, Lucky's Baby Mamma ODB will be at ringside to put a paper bag over her crotch.
Brad's Pick:
Consistently, and surprisingly, the most straightforward story lines are coming from the women's division. the rub here is that Gail and Angelina came up through the Indies together and never really liked each other. Love cost Kim the title a few months back, and now they're gonna fight about it. I'm in. If Taylor's winning the belt, I think Kim's gonna have to lose as a matter of heel/face victory balance. Sorry, lady.
Chris's Pick:
The real winners are us, the fans. I dunno, I guess Gail wins since TNA hasn't been very smart about protecting TBP.
Thai's Pick:
Gail Kim wins, but Love will get the last laugh as Talia's ass will play a part of a Gail Kim beatdown.
Lucky's Pick:
Well I have faces winning damn near everywhere else so lets give one to Love. I've enjoyed this very much and its been a nice thing TNA has done to build matches in a simple and straight forward boxing/MMA sort of way where you just talk it up. Playing on Love and Kim's history on Border City and the whole time in TNA has been a lot of fun and since the story has been Love's desperation to be better than Kim her scoring a win seems to make a lot of sense. Help establish another star in this division.
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Extra Thoughts
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Cory's Thoughts:
So, pickwise, I'm three behind Lucky. I just need to gain one pick per PPV to take this thing. WOOOO! For a generally low-key month, this is a pretty good card. Lots of stips and multi-team and person matches. I can do w/o Abyss, and am not too upset that SC Shark Boy has been MIA lately. Tomko sure has fallen a lot. Grr. TNA has been doing a good job of interweaving storylines, and now that they're on a straight shot to their big PPV, there are lots of interesting options. Should be a solid PPV.
Brad's Thoughts:
Like I said before, TNA hasn't exactly been a priority for me lately, but that's not because they aren't doing a really good job of building to their PPVs. Victory Road is no exception. There are a bunch of guys not on the show, but hey, sometimes you just don't get to be on a PPV. Sorry Eric. Abyss and Tonko might get a short match if TNA feels like being froggy. But with eight matches announced, hopefully there won't be a whole lot of time for unnessicary matches or dumb talky bullshit.
Chris's Thoughts:
I don't really have anything this month, sorry. I'm still digging TNA and all, but I've got that whole summer A.D.D. thing coupled with a new job, so I'm sorta all over the place. Hopefully I'll be more focused for next month.
Thai's Thoughts:
As always, I have none.
Lucky's Thoughts:
I got nothing.
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| Victory Road Results |
Cory |
Brad |
Chris |
Thai |
Lucky |
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| TOTAL CORRECT: |
-/8 |
-/8 |
-/8 |
-/8 |
-/8 |
| % CORRECT: |
-% |
--% |
--% |
--% |
--% |
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Opinions, we all have them. Our's is not the same as yours. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. The point is, if you don't agree fine. If you do agree, even better. Just realize this: everything said on these pages, is an opinion, and should be taken as such. If you are offended by what is said, just don't come back. Please do not resort to childish flaming or spamming of our message board or monk.e.mail address below, but do feel free to drop us a line with any intelligent comments you may have.
Thanks,
Brad & Tim. |
DMLives@gmail.com
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