No Surrender is tomorrow night on pay per view and despite some lackluster build with many of the matches, it has the potential to be Pay Per View of the Year. The show has been built around the semi-finals of the BFG Series. When this show closes, we will have a great idea of what the lineup for TNA's biggest PPV of the year in Bound For Glory will be.
X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Sonjay Dutt vs Zema Ion
This match has received absolutely no build, which is an incredible shame. Sonjay Dutt was screwed out of the title at Destination X when Zema sprayed him in the eyes with hairspray during Ultimate X. It is quite disappointing that they didn't get a pretape, promo or even a vignette to hype this feud. I said not too long ago that Sonjay would be a good guy to feed to Zema while TNA builds the inevitable Ion vs Jesse Sorensen match. I expect Zema to retain here leading into a possible 3-Way involving these two and Kenny King at Bound For Glory.
Sonjay Dutt vs Zema Ion
This match has received absolutely no build, which is an incredible shame. Sonjay Dutt was screwed out of the title at Destination X when Zema sprayed him in the eyes with hairspray during Ultimate X. It is quite disappointing that they didn't get a pretape, promo or even a vignette to hype this feud. I said not too long ago that Sonjay would be a good guy to feed to Zema while TNA builds the inevitable Ion vs Jesse Sorensen match. I expect Zema to retain here leading into a possible 3-Way involving these two and Kenny King at Bound For Glory.
KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Tara vs Miss Tessmacher
I really like the whole student vs teacher element heading into this match. Tara and Tessmacher are close as Tara has taught Tessmacher alot of what she knows (aside from what she was taught from Lacey Von Erich). While I would have saved this match for Bound For Glory, I look forward to it at this show. I predict that Tessmacher retains and perhaps faces a newly turned Mickie James or even gives a rematch to Tara at Bound For Glory.
Tara vs Miss Tessmacher
I really like the whole student vs teacher element heading into this match. Tara and Tessmacher are close as Tara has taught Tessmacher alot of what she knows (aside from what she was taught from Lacey Von Erich). While I would have saved this match for Bound For Glory, I look forward to it at this show. I predict that Tessmacher retains and perhaps faces a newly turned Mickie James or even gives a rematch to Tara at Bound For Glory.
Magnus vs Rob Van Dam
This was a last minute addition to fill up the No Surrender card. Magnus recently turned heel on his partner Samoa Joe. He was extremely cocky this past Thursday on IMPACT running down Joe and RVD; leading to this match. These two actually have history as RVD pinned Magnus at Hardcore Justice last month. I see Magnus facing Joe at Bound For Glory so it would be nice for him to get momentum by defeating Rob Van Dam here.
This was a last minute addition to fill up the No Surrender card. Magnus recently turned heel on his partner Samoa Joe. He was extremely cocky this past Thursday on IMPACT running down Joe and RVD; leading to this match. These two actually have history as RVD pinned Magnus at Hardcore Justice last month. I see Magnus facing Joe at Bound For Glory so it would be nice for him to get momentum by defeating Rob Van Dam here.
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
AJ Styles and Kurt Angle vs The World Tag Team Champions of the World
These two teams faced off earlier this year in what could be the Match of the Year at Slammiversary. On that night, these two teams tore the house down as Angle and AJ defeated Kazarian and Daniels to become Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately, Angle suffered an injury recently that will very likely limit him in this match and make it hard for this match to reach the quality of their past PPV match. I expect Kazarian and Daniels to retain here hopefully moving AJ on from the yearlong feud against Daniels.
AJ Styles and Kurt Angle vs The World Tag Team Champions of the World
These two teams faced off earlier this year in what could be the Match of the Year at Slammiversary. On that night, these two teams tore the house down as Angle and AJ defeated Kazarian and Daniels to become Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately, Angle suffered an injury recently that will very likely limit him in this match and make it hard for this match to reach the quality of their past PPV match. I expect Kazarian and Daniels to retain here hopefully moving AJ on from the yearlong feud against Daniels.
BOUND FOR GLORY SEMI-FINAL MATCH
Bully Ray vs James Storm
From what I understand, the BFG Tournament is single elimination where points don't matter any more. I find it ironic that the two men who met in last year's BFG Semi-Final Match at No Surrender will go at it again this year. Last year, Bully Ray won after Storm was disqualified. While Storm is a favorite in the tournament, I think TNA will be going Roode vs Storm at BFG.
Bobby Roode recently took a hiatus from IMPACT Wrestling and hasn't been seen since then. I could see him interfere during the PPV to cost Storm his title shot vowing that if Roode can't be champion then neither will Storm. Because of this, I see Ray moving on.
Bully Ray vs James Storm
From what I understand, the BFG Tournament is single elimination where points don't matter any more. I find it ironic that the two men who met in last year's BFG Semi-Final Match at No Surrender will go at it again this year. Last year, Bully Ray won after Storm was disqualified. While Storm is a favorite in the tournament, I think TNA will be going Roode vs Storm at BFG.
Bobby Roode recently took a hiatus from IMPACT Wrestling and hasn't been seen since then. I could see him interfere during the PPV to cost Storm his title shot vowing that if Roode can't be champion then neither will Storm. Because of this, I see Ray moving on.
BOUND FOR GLORY SERIES SEMI-FINAL MATCH
Samoa Joe vs Jeff Hardy
These two met this past Thursday Night where Hardy shocked the world by forcing Joe to tap out. When James Storm chose to face Bully Ray at No Surrender, it gave Joe another shot to beat Jeff Hardy. I am thinking that TNA will be going with Joe vs Magnus at Bound For Glory. If Ray advances to the finals, Jeff Hardy would be the top name I would put against him.
I see it being Hardy vs Ray in the finals. I believe Bully Ray is Aces and 8s inside man in TNA and because of that, I feel it will play a part in how the tournament finals and the World Title Match play out. I could see the Aces and 8s reveal the alliance with Bully Ray after costing Hardy in the finals or I could see the reveal waiting until Bound For Glory.
Samoa Joe vs Jeff Hardy
These two met this past Thursday Night where Hardy shocked the world by forcing Joe to tap out. When James Storm chose to face Bully Ray at No Surrender, it gave Joe another shot to beat Jeff Hardy. I am thinking that TNA will be going with Joe vs Magnus at Bound For Glory. If Ray advances to the finals, Jeff Hardy would be the top name I would put against him.
I see it being Hardy vs Ray in the finals. I believe Bully Ray is Aces and 8s inside man in TNA and because of that, I feel it will play a part in how the tournament finals and the World Title Match play out. I could see the Aces and 8s reveal the alliance with Bully Ray after costing Hardy in the finals or I could see the reveal waiting until Bound For Glory.
AUSTIN ARIES FIGHTS "ARM BREAKER" FROM THE ACES AND 8s
Even though this match was added to the card at the last second, it could be one of the more compelling fights on the show. The Aces and 8s storyline has been on the forefront these past few months growing in importance every week. The member of the Aces and 8s who broke Austin Aries' arm a few weeks ago will be facing off against the champion at No Surrender in what will be deemed a fight.
I honestly do not know how the battle will turn out. I could see interference from other members of the TNA Roster as well as the Aces and 8s. I am hoping that we get some sort of reveal at No Surrender (whether it be a member reveal or the inside man is revealed) as progression of this storyline is needed. This fight should definitely be exciting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If there is one thing I can say about Bruce Pritchard, its that he has done an amazing job recently making PPVs mean something again. For years, PPVs felt secondary to the remainder of the product and that has changed in the past few months. Ever since Sacrifice, TNA has done a great job giving the fans three hours of good to great wrestling. I don't expect that to change at No Surrender as the countdown to Bound For Glory begins.
Even though this match was added to the card at the last second, it could be one of the more compelling fights on the show. The Aces and 8s storyline has been on the forefront these past few months growing in importance every week. The member of the Aces and 8s who broke Austin Aries' arm a few weeks ago will be facing off against the champion at No Surrender in what will be deemed a fight.
I honestly do not know how the battle will turn out. I could see interference from other members of the TNA Roster as well as the Aces and 8s. I am hoping that we get some sort of reveal at No Surrender (whether it be a member reveal or the inside man is revealed) as progression of this storyline is needed. This fight should definitely be exciting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If there is one thing I can say about Bruce Pritchard, its that he has done an amazing job recently making PPVs mean something again. For years, PPVs felt secondary to the remainder of the product and that has changed in the past few months. Ever since Sacrifice, TNA has done a great job giving the fans three hours of good to great wrestling. I don't expect that to change at No Surrender as the countdown to Bound For Glory begins.
