CB’s Slant: TNA Bound for Glory 2013 PPV Preview: Final Card and Match Predictions (AJ Styles vs. Bully Ray, Ultimate X, More)

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Welcome to my TNA Bound for Glory preview for Sunday 10/20/13! I’m your host CB, and like my good friend and fellow columnist Steven Gepp and long-time commenter Incognito, I have been watching all of the episodes of TNA Impact leading up to tomorrow’s big show.

Below you will find the final list of matches for TNA’s biggest PPV of the year, along with my own thoughts and predictions for each contest.

Let’s get to it!

PRESHOW GAUNTLET MATCH
Bad Influence vs Joseph Park & Eric Young vs The BroMans vs Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez

I like it when both WWE and TNA use their preshow matches in a logical way that sets up something on the main show to come. In this case, we have a tag team gauntlet match to determine who will face GunStorm for the tag titles on the actual BFG PPV. There is no way that the nod doesn’t go to Bad Influence here, as Christopher Daniels and Kazarian have already been feuding with Storm and Gunner and, well, they just deserve the spot the most. I don’t expect much from BroMans and Park/EY other than comic relief (if that), and when it comes down to it Chavo and Hernandez should have broken up a long time ago. The apple martinis will flow after this one, as Bad Influence will be victorious.

Winners: Bad Influence

WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
James Storm & Gunner (c) vs. Preshow Match WinnersBad Influence

I actually think that the GunStorm tag team has been a good re-launching point for the Gunner character. On the other hand, this was a huge step down for James Storm, who really should be more useful at this point. I am hoping that Bad Influence wins the tag titles here because they have been the most cohesive (and actually hilarious) tag team in TNA for awhile now, and I’d love to see the celebration that would ensue after they won.

As for GunStorm, they could go one of three directions if they lose: 1. Have Gunner take the pin and turn James Storm heel (it could happen but I wouldn’t be sold on this); 2. Have Storm take the pin and turn Gunner heel (not likely considering the amount of stops and starts Gunner has already had); or 3. Have them stay together, lose their rematch against Bad Influence and then dissolve as TNA forgets about them for weeks or even months before we see either of them again (this is the most likely scenario in my opinion). Either way…

Winners and NEW tag team champions: Bad Influence

KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
ODB (c) vs. Gail Kim vs. Brooke Tessmacher

I expect ODB and Gail Kim to handle the bulk of the workload for this match, at least that’s what I’m hoping. As much as I’ve liked ODB over the years for her sheer energy and commitment to her character, I like Gail Kim a whole lot better as Knockouts Champion and the face of the TNA Knockouts division. Besides, Gail Kim as Knockouts Champ with Lei’D Tapa waiting in the wings might be the most compelling Knockouts feud since Kim vs. Kong.

Winner and NEW Knockouts Champion: Gail Kim

ULTIMATE X MATCH FOR THE X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Austin Aries vs. Manik (c) vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jeff Hardy vs Samoa Joe

http://youtu.be/s6nG3WM0waA

This will easily be the match of the night. Regardless of all of the ways TNA has managed to screw things up over the years, Ultimate X still stands tall as one of their most innovative accomplishments. I never get sick of seeing the kind of athletic display that Ultimate X demands, and I like the fact that everyone in this match is capable of delivering the goods. In fact, the current X Champ Manik is probably the weakest of this very strong lot, and that’s not really a knock on TJ Perkins considering the competition he’s up against here.

At the end of the day, I don’t like Manik’s chances of retaining the title here. I have no idea which of the four opponents will come out on top, but I actually think giving Samoa Joe the nod here would work out pretty well. Therefore…

Winner and NEW X Division Champion: Samoa Joe

After all, if you can leave Bound for Glory with Bad Influence (Daniels and Kazarian) as the tag champs, Gail Kim as the Knockouts Champ, Samoa Joe as the X Champ, and AJ Styles (as I predict, more on this later) as the World Champ, that will definitely leave the long-time die-hard TNA fans with a sense of satisfaction and gratification since a lot of their favorites left Bound for Glory with these titles.

TNA Hall of Famer Kurt Angle vs. E.G.O. Hall of Famer Bobby Roode

http://youtu.be/zORRJTt-Ey8

This will be Angle’s weekend to shine, and I think that holds true for this match. While Bobby Roode and E.G.O. have made this match a little more entertaining, I don’t think the outcome was ever in doubt.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Magnus vs. “The Icon” Sting

I couldn’t care less about this match or its outcome. Magnus hasn’t ever really impressed me, and while I can appreciate the whole “pass the torch” sentiment, I feel like this one is a waste of time. Magnus will likely win and turn heel, or lose and turn heel after a feigned sportsmanlike handshake, or something like that.

Winner: Magnus

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles vs Bully Ray (c)

http://youtu.be/RDPkBh7oDrk

I just want to say that for all of Aces and 8s’ faults and for all of the glaring mistakes TNA has made, Bully Ray has done a simply amazing job as the top heel in the company. His run as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion — Chris Sabin footnote aside — has been absolutely incredible to watch.

That being said, it’s time for TNA to back to its roots, and it’s time for AJ Styles to once again become both the TNA World Heavyweight Champion and the Company’s top face.

I expect this match to be pretty good until it reaches its inevitable conclusion that will feature a completely overbooked finish, perhaps with Dixie Carter pulling out all of the stops to prevent AJ Styles from winning before all of the people that Bully Ray has stepped on in the past come back to exact their sweet revenge.

And I’d be shocked if that brigade wasn’t led by, you guessed it, a returning Mr. Anderson. Not saying I want that to happen, but you have to know it’s coming, right?

Either way, AJ Styles will win this match and leave Bound for Glory as the TNA World Champion who still doesn’t have a new contract. Sound familiar?

Winner and NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion: AJ Styles

What do you think of my Bound for Glory picks and predictions? How would YOU book the show? Sound off in the comments section below!

That’s all from me — CB.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.