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TNA Pay Per View Pick 'Em: Bound For Glory '07
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October 12, 2007 - TNA Crew
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More like, Bound For... um, STUPID. I got nothin'. |
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Here we are, building up to TNA's biggest PPV of the year and I'm almost completely apathetic about the whole thing. Impact has gone to two hours and I almost forgot it was on this week. In all fairness, it's not TNA's fault. My thursdays have been crazy lately and the new fall TV season has started, so all of a sudden The Office and 30 Rock are back to distract me. This week's Impact is sitting there on my DVR, as-of-yet unwatched.
But it's okay. I read the spoilers. PACMAN FEARS DML.
TNA's first two hour show was a strong, wrestling-laden effort. Unfortunately, Kurt Angle had to go and attack Sting's son at a football game and drag the show down a notch or twelve. I can only assume to know what turmoil is raging in fellow TNA Crew member Chris Alt's heart.
Speaking of Chris, he and I and Cory make picks every month. We do so in order to try to show up each other in the hopes of becoming the DML TNA PPV pick champion of the universe. This'll be the last set of picks for TNA's calendar year and therefore after BFG we'll have a champion to crown. I'm winning right now, so I'm just gonna go ahead and declare victory for myself. That's right, I'M WINNING. Don't believe me? See for yourself...
Told ya. However, Chris made a big push, stepping up his game to the tune of a 2% increase from last month. Cory fell 2%. I maintained. If this pattern continues, my even-steven tactics might be able to secure me that victory I promised earlier. But obviously, anything can happen, we just have to take it one match at a time, and it's still anybody's game... and other sportly clichés.
Will we be Bound for CORY? Or will Chris prove to have the ALTimate X factor? Or, um... Six Sides of SMOLEY!?
Oh, let's just get straight to it, and get this over with...
Kurt Angle v. Sting
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World Title
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Cory: Sting | Brad: Angle | Chris: Sting
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Cory's Pick:
TNA PRESENTS: BOUND FOR CORY! I’ve been on Total Nonstop Disappointment ever since this whole Angle/Sting thing was set in stone. I know, I know: it’s silly to get wrapped up in your own fantasy booking, but I really can’t believe Samoa Joe isn’t competing for the title here. And even if they were still (for some reason) holding off on Joe getting the strap, Sting in the main event of the biggest show of the year baffles me. He’s been around for almost two years now; you’re not going to get any new faces with him in a prominent role. It’s not as if he’s been chomping at the bit for the title all year. Also, he won the freakin’ title last year, and his 1-month title reign was nothing short of forgettable. Blah.
I guess the buildup has been all right, mostly because Angle in the high school bleachers was entertaining. This match should be more entertaining than last year’s BFG title match, since Angle is better than Jarrett. I think it’ll be fitting for Sting to beat Angle, take his title, and leave with Angle broken and empty in the ring.
Brad's Pick:
I'm dreading this. Really. Could TNA be silly enough to put the strap on Sting? Somehow I doubt it. Maybe I'm naive, but I think TNA might actually be willing to take things in a new direction now that they have two hours. The match could be interesting enough, if not great, but Sting and Angle could also have shit for ring-chemistry. I'm really really going with my gut on this one hoping that TNA sees the merits of a final Joe/Angle blow-off for the title. Angle defeating Sting is a step in that direction. So that's what I'm going with.
Chris's Pick:
I don't even really want to talk about it, honestly. TNA is pissing away Samoa Joe, their hottest star, in a nothing match (against Christian Cage, who, in all fairness, is as badly misused as Joe) while 49 year-old has-been Sting gets ready for what looks to be yet another run with the title. I would ask why, but at this point I've noticed the more I bitch about Sting, the more TNA pushes him. I don't even know what's worse: the completely ridiculous build-up to this match that involved Angle physically assaulting Sting's teenage son (a felony, last I checked, even by wrestling's silly standards), or the fact that considering Bound For Glory is TNA's equivilant of WrestleMania I don't even have the naiveity to hope Angle somehow wins this. Whatever, TNA. It's your promotion to run, I'm perfectly capable of hitting the fast forward on my DVR whenever you want to parade Sting around like he still has some shred of relevancy left in the industry.
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Jay Lethal v. Christopher Daniels
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X-Division Title
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Cory: Lethal | Brad: Daniels | Chris: Lethal
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Cory's Pick:
This seems like the biggest toss-up of the night, but it should also be one of the 4 most entertaining matches on the card, so I won’t complain. I don’t think they’re going to slow Lethal’s momentum, plus he’s only had the title for a month, plus Randy Savage is scheduled to appear (okay, no: he’s actually behind the save_us.222 stuff), and I’m predicting every other title to change hands, so let’s keep it on Lethal, and let’s hope we get to see Don West interview Sonjay Dutt again in a strange ethnic outfit.
Brad's Pick:
Ever since upsetting Angle on the last PPV Lethal has been made to look weak as hell. He's gotten beat up by Team 3D on a couple of occasions if memory serves me, and even gotten man-handled a mere hour or so after winning the belt from Angle. Things are not looking up for the Afro-American Delusional Man's Man. Unfortunately, Daniels hasn't had a whole hell of a lot to do to promote himself either. Part of me would like to see Lethal run with the ball, but honestly, I think the smart move right now is to put the belt on Daniels to give it back some credibility. Daniels wins.
Chris's Pick:
This should be some good stuff right here. Daniels got a big win a few weeks back on Impact; but another run with the belt won't do near as much for him as a victory over him would do for Lethal. Of course, since that's the sensible thing to do TNA will probably go the opposite direction, but what can ya do? I'm sticking to my guns and saying Lethal wins.
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Team Pacman v. AJ Styles/Tomko
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Tag Team Titles
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Cory: Styles/Tomko | Brad: Styles/Tomko | Chris: Pacman
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Cory's Pick:
Personally, I’m waiting for Team Pacman to split. Too bad one can’t really turn on the other, since there’s no contact allowed, but I’m having fun imagining Pacman pretending to throw Killings through a plate glass window or something. Speaking of no contact, I’m sick of Team Pacman matches already. It’s not creative when half your fanbase knows he can’t be touched, and him standing in the ring for prolonged periods is just ridiculous. Killings has been carrying this, and I really want "One of the top 20 most controversial figures in sports" Pacman Jones to just go away. I’m half hoping that, in this match, Tomko just says "Fuck it!" and powerbombs him. AJ/Killings stuff should be fun, and although this match has such a weird dynamic, I’m really curious to see if it’s Pacman’s swan song. Let’s make it so.
Brad's Pick:
I like that Killings is back in the spotlight. I hate that Pacman has no charisma at all. The one thing that will be interesting about this match is how many creative ways TNA finds to get Jones involved with the action without any actual fighting. Unfortunately, that'll last about 30 seconds and Ron will have to go on carrying the weight of the team for the rest of the match. Ideally, Styles and Tomko dominate the tag-champs and move on to feud with LAX or XXX. That way, Pacman's contract can expire quietly and Killings can expound upon the fact that he carried the team for three months while spinning pointlessly after punching someone. Pacman pussies out, Killings gets pinned. Because I'm stupid: Styles/Tomko take it.
Chris's Pick:
Sad but true: Two months ago, I defended TNA's decision to bring in Pacman Jones; under the assumption that he would be able to wrestle and could probably get fairly over as a face. Oh, Past Chris, you are such a fool.
I really hate seeing AJ in the idiot sidekick role, but Tomko looks ready to break out as a good guy so I think AJ will be playing the Robin to Cage's Batman for awhile yet. Team Pacman probably should lose the belts here for the sake of telling new stories, but they've got Pacman under contract for awhile and this is the only effective way to use him. AJ/Tomko miscommunication lets the Pac win and results in an ugly split between the Christian Coalition.
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Samoa Joe v. Christan Cage
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Must Be A Winner - Special Enforcer: Matt Morgan
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Cory: Joe | Brad: Joe | Chris: Christian
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Cory's Pick:
We know how great both of these guys are. Joe’s consolation prize? Ending Christian’s streak. What they do from there? No clue. Christian vs. Morgan, I’m guessing, since Morgan will cost The Champ the match. Go Joe!
Brad's Pick:
Without going into what SHOULD have happened last month, this match probably shouldn't be happening. I mean, I can't even really remember why Joe is so pissed of at Christian anyway. I mean, I think it had something to do with screwing him out of the title or thinking he was in line for a title shot instead of Joe or something, but I'm starting to think Joe is mentally ill. He's just not stable. Now, Matt morgan intrigues me. That could be an interesting addition. He'll most assuredly toss Christian back into the ring a few times, but I'm really interested in seeing how he tries to contain Joe. At any rate, Morgan or not, Christian is finally pinned or submits to Joe at BFG. Shit, pin him and THEN make him submit too... that would fucking ROCK.
Chris's Pick:
Gee, Matt Morgan couldn't possibly cost Joe the match, could he? I love both of these guys, but let's face it, a child could call the ending for this one from a mile away. I'll care again when they both move on to something better.
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LAX v. Triple X
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Ultimate X
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Cory: LAX | Brad: LAX | Chris: LAX
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Cory's Pick:
The best thing about the upgrade to Two-Hour Nonstop Action is more LAX. The best thing about the undercard of this show just might be this match. All four of these guys are highly capable, and if they use the Elevation X structure instead of the ropes, Hernandez can get more involved, too, and maybe take a huge bump. I love how they advertise this as "The Return"; they have one of these at least 4 times a year. That’s like being overly excited about Hot Wheels in McDonald’s Happy Meals: you know they only do it when they have nothing else to put forward. Regardless, this is kind of a toss-up, but Homicide took the pin on iMPACT, so let’s give it to them. Fans should be happy.
Brad's Pick:
Classic case of "whoever loses, we win". I'm not a huge fan of Skipper, to be honest, but he is the Rick Scaia Award Winner for High Flyer of the Year 2001-2007, so at least that's something. I'm thinking that the most interesting dynamic that can be achieved here is Styles and Tomko facing LAX at the next PPV for the Tag Titles. Big guy/flippy guy vs. big guy/flippy guy just sounds like all kinds of fun. Based on that premise, I can only assume TNA will actually do the opposite and give us XXX vs Team Pacman. But the theme of my picks this month is "blind optimism" so I'm going with the LAX option.
Chris's Pick:
Triple X? LAX? Ultimate X? Too many Xes for me. This match really sort of popped up out of nowhere, but on paper it looks to be forty pounds of awesome in a ten pound bag. Since this is the Elix Skipper version of XXX and LAX hasn't won anything big in awhile, I'm going to have to roll LAX.
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Steiner Brothers v. Team 3D
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Tables Match
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Cory: Steiners | Brad: Steiners | Chris: Steiners
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Cory's Pick:
Enough with Team 3D already. I really don’t get Brother Ray’s promos, where he switches from dastardly heel to TMZ blogger and back. I also don’t know why The Steiners are cool with Team Pacman, but whatever. This is a 2-out-of-3-falls table match, so I’m not sure if one guy can go through a table twice, or if the one person who doesn’t get tabled gets to stay in, or if a double suplex through a table will win the match. I’m sure Rick will be taken out first—if there’s a God, that is—and that it’ll come down to Scott Steiner giving a FrankenSteiner at the end. The question is: will it get blocked and will he be powerbombed through the table, or will he pull it off and send Brother Ray into the UNFORGIVING PLYWOOD? I’m guessing the latter. This goes out to all my freaks out there: respond in the DML Message Boards if you hear me.
Brad's Pick:
Hey Ray, Rick Steiner always wanted to meet the family of the linebacker that played for the New England Patriots. DEVON! GET THE Vrabels! Hey Ray, Scott Steiner is looking for a book about a little orphan girl who gets mistakenly sent to a couple on a farm who originally wanted a boy. DEVON! Get the Anne of Green Gables! Okay, whatever. Two tables have to be broken to win. It's the former Dud's signature match, so therefor they won't win it. Rick Steiner needs to just leave... holla if ya hear me. 3D loses.
Chris's Pick:
Ya know, to be completely honest the match these two teams had a few months back wasn't half bad at all. This one... eh, probably not so much. Of all possible gimmick matches, table matches are among the most stupid. I just really want the Steiners to win this and have 3D disappear for awhile.
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Abyss v. Rhino v. Black Reign v. Raven
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Monster's Ball
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Cory: Rhino | Brad: Abyss | Chris: No Pick
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Cory's Pick:
Well, this isn’t on TNA’s website, but I’m sure it’s going to happen. If it’s like a traditional monster’s ball match, they’ll be locked in isolation for 24 hours straight. But since TNA is less retarded than they used to be, it’s just a lot of weapons. Since I care about this much for Black Reign, I don’t want him to win. Raven is pretty much a waste now. Let’s go with Rhino. That’ll make everyone happy.
Brad's Pick:
This hasn't officially been announced, but that makes it all that much more OMG~!DANGEROUS!11!!~! Mesias finally debut in TNA and then promptly went to Mexico and did what everyone does in Mexico, develop a horribly painful injury. Way to go you scary scary monster. Anyway, Raven was plugged into his slot (nice) and away things went. I think a Raven/Reign tag team has potential to become the new Booker/Goldust in odd-couple pairings. Their interactions could be a lot of fun outside the ring, and brutally entertaining inside. Make it happen. Anyway, since Mesias isn't around to make Mitchell look like a fool by losing, it hurts no one for Abyss to win, so let's go with that.
Chris's Pick:
[In all fairness to Chris, this match was not listed on the TNA website at the time this piece was put together, so he will not be penalized for not making the pick. I know he's cheating. I just don't feel like calling him on it. CHEATER.]
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Knockouts Gauntlet Match
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Participants: Christy Hemme, Gail Kim, Ms. Brooks, Jackie Moore, Roxxy Laveaux, Amazing Kong, ODB, Talia Madison, Angel Williams, Shelly Martinez.
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Cory: Jackie Moore | Brad: Kong | Chris: Gail Kim
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Cory's Pick:
I was all ready to just go with Gail Kim until the Amazing Kong showed up this week and just kicked the heck out of her. I really have no idea on any of the new "Knockouts" (Why don’t they just call ‘em "The TNA Bitches"?), so we’re left with just a couple contenders: Jackie Moore, Kim, Kong, The Voodoo Queen, and Ms. Brooks, who wasn’t at ringside last week. My big dilemma—as far as you can have a big dilemma when you’re talking about women’s wrestling--revolves around what direction TNA wants to go with the title: will they reward it to the top women’s face, Gail Kim, and give it to the most talented TNA mainstay? Or do they want to give it to a heel, so the first storyline can be a traditional face-chase? I’m not sure if running the Amazing Kong out there to start was just going to be the beginning of the domination, but I think it would be better to save her as a champion for later. The girls somehow get the monster out of the ring, and the final two are Jackie Moore and Gail Kim, with the Pride of Tennessee coming out on top.
Brad's Pick:
Kudos to TNA for going out there and picking up some Indie chicks that can friggin' GO. I don't have any personal knowledge of any of their abilities, but rest assured, they'll all have more to offer than your typical WWE Diva Search slut. Except for Christy Hemme. I mean, seriously, why the fuck? Anyway, Amazing Kong debuted this past week and looks like the favorite to win the thing, but TNA might throw the belt on Gail at first and then have Kong dominate her in another one-on-one match-up. Or Gail could chase Kong. Beats me. OH FINE, Kong wins and then eats a banana.
Chris's Pick:
How sad is it that I'm more excited about this match than any other on the show? Probably pretty sad. After seeing Amazing Kong its very tempting to say she wins this match in a landslide, but I've seen enough battle royals to know that the other girls are going to team up and dump her out. That said, Gail Kim is certainly the next most logical choice to win.
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Fight For the Right Match (World Title Shot)
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Participants: Robert Roode, James Storm, B.G. James, Kip James, Lance Hoyt, Jimmy Rave, Chris Harris, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Kaz, Eric Young, Petey Williams, Junior Fatu, more???
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Cory: Jarrett | Brad: Fatu | Chris: Fatu
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Cory's Pick:
...And here’s the biggest crapshoot of the evening. Is it just the guys who aren’t on the card (Storm, Harris, Judas, Sharkboy, Roode, etc.), or will this be later on and everyone gets a shot (like Joe or Christian). The fact that there’s no date for the title shot doesn’t make matters easier. But since I anticipate Sting to be the champion when all is said and done, it should be somebody who can come in and have a quick little 1-2 week feud. Will they build Mitchell’s monster Mesias back up (He might be injured or something; I forgot)? Will they just shove Storm or Roode in there real quick?? I have a bad feeling that this match is going to cost me the year-long predictions title. Crap. I’m so tempted to pick Harris, Storm, or Roode, but let’s go with... Jeff Jarrett! Yeah. I’m a retarded.
Brad's Pick:
Another "gauntlet style" battle royal on the card, most likely to make sure everyone gets on the show. I'm cool with that. Let's see... the most compelling thing they could do is have the final four end up being Storm and Harris and Roode and Kaz, but I get the feeling that Junior Fatu will back his fat ass into that group. The most deserving out of these guys would have to be Roode or Storm. So TNA won't go with that. Assuming that Angle retains the belt and has to face one of these four guys, Harris seems like the most likely to be his challenger, but I can see Fatu challenging for the belt on an episode of Impact in the main event. Seems exactly like something TNA would do, and since picking the winner of a battle royal is pretty much like picking which Uwe Boll movie sucks the worst, I'm gonna go with Fatu.
Chris's Pick:
It's pretty hard to pick a winner without a complete list of participants, but screw it, Junior Fatu and his C-section scar are my bet to take it.
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Final Thoughts...
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Cory's Thoughts:
Well, I’m definitely not as psyched about this show as last year’s, but that’s probably because Brad and I don’t have ringside seats like we did last year. Instead, we’ll have to watch it on squiggles, since I’m too cheap to get cable, and I won’t be able to tell if we’re watching Rikishi or Fat Women of Fantasy on the PPV channel. As far as actual extras, I don’t really see too much happening: I think the wrestling will be the focus, and Jarrett is probably the only big return we’ll see. 2 titles will change hands, 1 new title will be given, and nearly everyone on the roster will be on the card. Can’t complain too much. I don’t know what’s going to happen after this, though. What I do know is that 2 hours of TNA is harder to swallow than I thought. That’ll take some getting used to. Finally—I’m just behind Brad in the picks competition. I’d consider any of our picks that are identical him copying off me, playing defensively to protect his lead. He might switch up a few picks, but it’s all a ruse.
Brad's Thoughts:
Looks like a pretty entertaining card if you ask me. I am disappointed that we aren't getting Joe/Angle part 12 for the belt, but I can live with what we got here. I'm curious to see how things go in Atlanta and whether or not TNA can draw there. As far as I can tell, pretty much all of the bases have been covered and everyone on the roster is involved in some capacity.
Chris's Thoughts:
It may look from my uber-brief comments that I'm not excited for BFG, but I am; its just late and I'm tired and want to get this written on time. I'm hoping TNA can put on a great show and I can recharge my batteries in order to crank out something with a lot more time and effort next month.
Oh, and maybe RVD shows up. But I doubt it.
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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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