Anthony Zinzi, regular reader and former Pulse writer decided to handle this one and, if I do say so myself, it’s excellent. I’ll be adding my picks and thoughts at the end under Glazer’s Take, but the rest is all Zinzi. Without further ado…
Greetings, Pulse Wrestling fans, and welcome to the 2011 WCW Souled Out TNA Genesis pay per view preview EXTRAVAGANZA. Let me start off by thanking Glazer for giving me this spot to work out my issues in hopes that I can set myself straight. Ace, you’re a true friend. With that said, my name is Anthony and I watch TNA. It’s not something I set out to do, believe me. For the longest time, I wouldn’t touch the stuff. And then Hulk Hogan sucked me in. I mean, c’mon, he’s The Hulkster, he would steer me wrong…right? In the beginning, it was perverse enjoyment, kind of like rubber necking…or Tracy Smothers’ dancing. I thought I could quit anytime I wanted. Next thing you know, a year’s passed, TNA’s essentially in the same position, and I’m out a year of my life. Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and train my ass…but I’m not bitter.
TNA, believe it or not, has produced a pretty stacked card to start the year, with five of eight matches having the potential, if given the proper time and story, to fall into the B to A- minus range. Like all game plans, however, it all comes down to execution, something that TNA can sometimes foul up royally. Without any further ado, let’s get down to business:
Bully Ray v. Brother Devon
Team 3D lost to the Motor City Machine Guns with the stipulation being that it was their last match regardless of the outcome. Devon did the job, and Ray used that as the catalyst for his heel turn. In typical bully fashion, Ray has turned tail every time Devon tried to engage him, but when he has the advantage, Ray has exploited it.
The in-ring story: A Zbyszko level stall job by Ray, followed by an all out brawl once it really gets going.
Who goes over: Devon pulls out the victory but Ray gets his heat back post match, putting him through a table, leading to a tables match next month.
Glazer’s Take: I think Brother Ray pulls this one off, likely via cheating, then D-Von gets his heat back countering a post-match beatdown into a table tease. That allows for a future tables match to be built, which kind of has to be the blowoff here.
TNA X Division Title
Kazarian v. Jay Lethal (c)
Immortal has set its sights on the TNA titles not under their control. Kazarian won a four-way match against Gen Me and Robbie E. to become the number one contender to Lethal’s X-Division title. Since that point, Kazarian has gotten the upper hand on Lethal both verbally and physically.
The in-ring story: Lethal is brawling from the get go, seeking retribution for Kaz’ verbal rundown of the Lethal family and the subsequent beat downs Lethal’s suffered. Kaz weathers the storm early on, getting increasingly cocky as he gets the upper hand, trying to show up Lethal as well as beat him.
Who goes over: In a fast-paced contest, Kazarian gets a desperation win after both guys throw the kitchen sink at each other.
Glazer’s Take: I actually forgot this one in the earlier backlash of the day. It’s difficult for me to look forward to this match, as Kazarian is the most hit or miss performer on the TNA roster. He could be excellent with Lethal or this could be a nothing, short spotfest. Lethal will likely win here. I see Fortune finally breaking away from Immortal and losses here being the catalyst.
TNA World Tag Team Titles:
Beer Money v. Motor City Machine Guns (c)
These two teams had a killer series, culminating in the Guns finally winning the titles. From there, the Guns entered a program with Gen Me while Beer Money, as a part of Fourtune, went against EV 2.0. Immortal wants the belts, it makes sense to have Beer Money go after them.
The in-ring story: Faced paced, high impact, back and forth action.
Who goes over: Beer Money hits the DWI and captures the tag team titles.
Glazer’s Take: Seriously, sick of this. I like the matches, but most of them are spotfests and I’ve seen all of these guys spots. My pick is MCMG- Fortune either wins all of these or none and I’d really prefer none so they can feud with Immortal.
Double J, Double M A Exhibition:
Kurt Angle v. Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett has finally found something that’s gotten him over – pissing on the legs of guys like Angle and Samoa Joe by claiming MMA expertise. Throw in the back-story with Jarrett putting Angle out after Angle lost at Bound for Glory (and the love triangle drama behind the curtain) and this has the potential to be pretty fun.
The in-ring story: Angle (Is it me or does he look more and more like Randy Couture by the day?) completely outclasses Jarrett at every turn.
Who goes over: After the usual overbooking, probably involving Team Jarrett, Amazing Red and his brother, Angle makes Jarrett tap. This will cause Jarrett to lobby for Angle’s reinstatement so he can get his win back.
Glazer’s Take: I love this angle and this actually could be great now that I recall the chemistry these two have. Then I realize how early it is in the angle and how overbooked the finish has to be. Angle absolutely must win so JJ can demand a re-match for his reinstatement.
TNA Television Title (if Styles loses, he’s out of Immortal):
The Phenomenal AJ Styles v. Douglas Williams (c)
Williams beat Styles for the belt and they fought to a draw in an Iron Man Match, prompting this rubber match to settle the score. Williams threw out the challenge to Styles to put his spot in Immortal on the line. Styles declined but Uncle Eric accepted on his behalf, leading to growing friction between the two.
The in-ring story: Williams is wrestling his typical style match, not taking any unnecessary chances, while also selling the arm damage from this week’s Impact. Styles, however, wrestles with reckless abandon, as he has more to lose in the contest.
Who goes over: With the Anderson/Morgan contest looming, it doesn’t really make sense to turn AJ yet. So, Styles catches Williams with a Styles Clash after a chain wrestling sequence, bringing the belt home to Immortal.
Glazer’s Take: While I dislike Williams for his pointless mat wrestling in early ROH, they are dangerously close to making him a star. With that and TNA logic about making their own guys stars, I’d predict a Styles win, but AJ should really lose so he and the rest of Fortune can be kicked out of Immortal.
TNA Knockouts Title:
Mickie James v. Madison Rayne (c)
Mickie wants to be champ, but she and Tara had unfinished business. With that settled, Mickie can now move on to Rayne.
The in-ring story: Rayne has clearly bitten off more than she can chew, so she cheats as much as possible, maybe even pulling out the Jerry Lawler “Hide the Foreign Object†game.
Who goes over: Mickie after a Mick Kick.
Glazer’s Take: The division is clearly being built around Mickie, so she’ll win here. Whatever, WWE just signed TNA’s top Knockout ever.
Number One Contender’s Match:
Mr. Anderson (Anderson) v. The Blueprint Matt Morgan
The culmination of the concussion storyline – with the winner getting a shot at Jeff Hardy.
The in-ring story: Anderson wrestles his normal match, but at a slower pace, seemingly still affected by the concussion symptoms. Morgan wrestles high impact, but appears to be holding back, not wanting to further injure Anderson.
Who goes over: Morgan is awarded the match after Anderson blacks out while attempting the Lambeau Leap. Immortal jumps Morgan post match, but Lethal, the Guns, and RVD charge the ring to chase them off as Jeff Hardy’s about to deliver a chair shot to a prone Morgan.
*I wouldn’t make this the main event if this was the actual plan, but hey, I don’t book for TNA.
Glazer’s Take: Kennedy absolutely has to pass out due to the concussion here, giving Morgan the win. Actually, no, this is TNA. Kennedy will fake being knocked out, Morgan will be concerned and then Kennedy will steal the win. That should set up Morgan turning heel on Kennedy because he’s pissed during the Kennedy vs. Jeff match nicely.
Rob Van Dam v. Immortal’s Mystery Opponent
In the infant stages of the Immortal angle, Abyss took out Van Dam. At which point, Bischoff stripped him of the title leading to Jeff Hardy eventually winning it. Upon Van Dam’s return, Bischoff has put up multiple roadblocks between RVD and Hardy, such as Rhyno and Rob Terry. Is it a foregone conclusion that this will be Matt Hardy? Maybe it will be The Pope, proving Samoa Joe right. Perhaps a former EV 2.0 member “selling out†for a one-night payday, like Sabu. I don’t have an answer, so for the sake of argument, we’ll go with Matt Hardy.
The in-ring story: RVD will be unprepared and slightly off his game, since it’s supposed to be a mystery. Hardy will have a renewed intensity and viciousness, having something to prove, in storyline sense, to Immortal.
Who goes over: RVD is building momentum, so there’s no reason for that momentum to stop here. Van Daminator and Five Star Frog Splash after a ref bump gets RVD the 1, 2, 3.
Glazer’s Take: If this is Matt Hardy, Matt will win and be pushed to the moon. Anyone else and RVD wins. I kind of like the Sabu idea in storyline, although RVD and Sabu again on PPV is a bit much.
Like what I’ve put together? Have your own ideas? I welcome your feedback. See you (hopefully) next month.
