Below is the current card for TNA Impact Wrestling’s Against All Odds PPV, along with my thoughts:
1. TNA World Heavyweight Championship Four-Way Match: Robert Roode (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. James Storm vs. Bully Ray
CB’s Slant: Bully Ray has been the real revelation here among these four participants, and I would LOVE to see Ray get the nod here and actually win the match to secure a heavyweight singles championship title that he truly deserves for his work over the past few months. With that said, I have a feeling that the Ray – Roode relationship is something that has yet to be fully explored, so my gut feeling tells me that Roode will score the victory after Ray does the bulk of the work on the two baby face competitors. This will logically set up a singles storyline of Ray vs. Roode for the title that they have been teasing on Impact lately through their back and forth comments. Meanwhile, Jeff Hardy and James Storm could also cost each other in different spots during this match, setting the table for what I think would be an entertaining feud that keeps Hardy far away from the TNA championship picture.
CB says: Roode retains.
2. TNA Tag Team Championship Match: Matt Morgan & Crimson (c) vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus
CB’s Slant: I definitely think it’s time for Samoa Joe and Magnus to get the tag team gold around their waists, otherwise why build them up the way they have? Also, it’s time for Crimson and Morgan to break up so that they can resume their singles careers, likely against each other with Morgan going after Crimson’s streak next.
CB says: Samoa Joe and Magnus are the new champs.
3. X Division Championship Match: Austin Aries (c) vs. Alex Shelley
CB’s Slant: This has been a fun feud that seeems to just be getting started. I’d love to see Shelley kick Austin Aries’ ass from pillar to post, but then Aries escapes with the win. Best of 7 series, anyone?
CB says: Aries retains.
4. #1 Contender’s Match for the X Division Championship: Jesse Sorensen vs. Zema Ion
CB says: I have a feeling the winner of this match will simply be fed to whoever wins the X title match so that Shelley and Aries can continue their storyline. Since I am going with Aries in the title match, I’ll have to pick Sorensen out of these two since he is the face.
CB says: Jesse Sorensen takes the ball and runs with it, at least for one night.
5. TNA Knockouts Championship Match: Gail Kim (c) vs. Tara
CB’s Slant: I say this with the utmost sincerity: Tara is one of my favorite female wrestlers of all time. She has always kicked ass, the Widow’s Peak is an awesome finisher, and I’ve always appreciated her continued efforts to go all-in with her characters (at least she did back in WWE before Vince relegated the Divas to mere eye candy and Booty Pops). At the same time, Gail Kim should really remain the Knockouts Champ because I feel like Gail has finally gotten back on track now that all the Karen Jarrett nonsense is overwith. It’s going to be a good match, and Gail will hold onto the title.
CB says: Gail retains.
6. A.J. Styles vs. Kazarian (with Christopher Daniels)
CB’s Slant: Ah, yes, the prerequisite “WE WANT ANSWERS” match from TNA. That being said, I am kind of curious as to what Daniels could possibly be holding over Franky Kazarian’s head to make Kaz turn on AJ because in TNA-Land it can be just about anything. The good news is that regardless of whatever the big reveal winds up being, at least AJ and Kaz can work a solid match, and I hope they are able to showcase their in-ring abilities before whatever screwy finish was concocted by TNA Creative.
CB says: Kazarian wins via shenanigans.
Stay tuned to Pulse Wrestling for Against All Odds PPV coverage this weekend.
That’s all from me — CB.
