The Road To Glory
We're just a few short weeks away from TNA's crown-jewel PPV in Bound For Glory and only two matches have been officially announced. While more are heavily rumored, TNA has a long way to make Bound For Glory feel like the biggest show of the year.
Like WWE before Wrestlemania, this time should be the best product that TNA delivers during the year. This season isn't only about Bound For Glory but the shows leading up to it. Bound For Glory (or in WWE's case, Wrestlemania) is the culmination of the awesomeness that we should be seeing. Not only is the PPV the final chapter but the episodes of IMPACT leading up to it should be filled with great moments and great intrigue.
TNA has laid the groundwork for Bound For Glory but with only a few weeks left, they need to do alot to give each match on the card the build it needs. I have highlighted my suspected matches at Bound For Glory, how the build has been and what I expect at the show.
Al Snow vs Joey Ryan- Gutcheck Match
TNA has laid the groundwork for this match as Al Snow teased it a few weeks ago. This storyline has been going on since about June (which is about two months too long) and only until just recently has started to pick up. Ryan has been running his mouth and making waves since being the first participant turned down from Gutcheck.This being one of the lower matches on the card, I don't expect much more build aside from Ryan likely accepting Al Snow's challenge during IMPACT this week. The match will earn Ryan a contract at TNA if he wins; which is what I suspect will happen.
X Division Championship
Destination X looked to be a yearly "fresh start" for the X Division but surely hasn't ended up like that. Out of all the talented wrestlers involved leading up to DX, only Sonjay Dutt and Kenny King seem to have had major roles with the company. TNA should have signed four or five guys and rotated them in.Champion, Zema Ion has already defeated both Kenny King and Sonjay Dutt cleanly in the ring. He has displayed a more aggressive attitude with his new armbar submission hold. It is clearly leading to something.
The best case scenario for BFG is that Jesse Sorensen is healthy enough to return at Bound For Glory. Even if he doesn't wrestle, making a return at the show would be awesome. I suspect Ion will defend the title in some form of multi-man match, retain at the PPV and then attack one of his challengers afterwards. This could be a good return for Jesse Sorensen at that moment.
Miss Tessmacher vs Tara- Knockouts Championship
I like the whole teacher vs student theme we have been getting between these two. The intrigue of this storyline is finding out who the new boyfriend of Tara is that has led to her darker attitude recently. TNA has done a fine job building up this match with the tease of consequences this week on IMPACT Wrestling.
Magnus vs Samoa Joe
Both men are scheduled for the Television Title selection on IMPACT this week and there is a great chance one of the two men will walk out as the TV champion. These former partners have been at odds recently due to Magnus' new found attitude. He has attacked Joe on a few occasions which actually cost him vital point in the Bound For Glory Series.This is one of those matches that are on the right course but needs some work over the next few weeks. These two have basic heat but Joe hasn't shown motivation in kicking the crap out of Magnus. Putting the title on one of these two could aid in that buildup.
#WTTCOTW vs Angle and AJ vs Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez- Tag Team Championship
This is a match that has gotten build the past two weeks. I am actually disappointed in the addition of Chavo and Hernandez to the match as it should be the final blowoff between the teams of AJ/Angle and Kazarian/Daniels. Right now that storyline has hit the backburner as this match is strictly about the title. I expect a series of singles and tag team matches over the next few weeks that don't really progress the storylines but preview the match.
The War of the Aces and 8s
I think the success of Bound For Glory will be highly dependent of what happens with the Aces and 8s, what kind of involvement they are in at Bound For Glory and what happens with the group at Bound For Glory. Hogan will be going to the group's clubhouse this week and will be trying to save Joseph Park. I suspect this week's segment will be highly important in this overall storyline.If I was booking this show, I would have Aces and 8s challenge Sting and the TNA Roster to a 10-Man War. "You bring five of your guys and we will bring five of our guys. At Bound For Glory, we beat the sh*t out of each other to see who comes out on top. And at Bound For Glory, you will see who the Aces and 8s really are."
With five Aces and 8s, you need five TNA Roster members. I don't think it would be wise to put Hogan in a match, even though he could have some involvement during it. I would have Sting captain the Anti-Aces and 8s group. You could fill out the team with Mr. Anderson and RVD.
With Joseph Park's involvement recently, we could possibly be seeing a return of Abyss at Bound For Glory. I would round out Team Sting with the celebrity involvement of Shaquille O'Neal for promotional reasons. He said he had Hogan's back and a multi-man brawl could keep his involvement at the minimum while giving the show interest from the media.
At Bound For Glory, I am hoping a member or two is revealed or the leader is revealed. Bringing the group to the show to deliver nothing would be a major letdown.
James Storm vs Bobby Roode- No Holds Barred
This is a main event quality match that has building for about a year. While many felt this should be the World Heavyweight Title Match, I understand TNA keeping the belt out of this feud, which should now be a grudge match. I expect this week that some sort of No DQ stipulation match will be had between these two at Bound For Glory. I anticipate more great build for this match over the next few weeks just as we have been getting.
Austin Aries vs Jeff Hardy- World Heavyweight Championship
TNA kicked this match into high gear with Austin Aries' jealousy of Jeff Hardy's success this past week on IMPACT. The angle gives Aries an edge and actually heats up the match as opposed to making it a babyface vs babyface respect match. Hardy vs Aries is a dream match for TNA's diehard audience.The intriguing thing is the Bully Ray factor. He has been involved in this feud for the past few weeks and just picked up a win over Aries last week. I could definitely see him inserted into this thing which would make storyline sense but not booking sense. I don't like the idea of Ray being in this as it would water down the BFG Series win of Hardy. Nonetheless, I could see this thing turning out to be a Triple Threat at Bound For Glory.
If it is a Triple Threat and if Bully Ray is part of this match, I am predicting that he ends up walking out as champion by screwing the other two and revealing his association with the Aces and 8s. It makes storyline sense to have the reveal happen in the main event. Following that, Hardy and Aries could settle their personal feud while Ray faces another challenger.
That is eight matches featuring the majority of players on TNA's roster. There will be names like Eric Young, Robbie E and others who will be left off the main PPV but you could put them on the Spike TV countdown show involved in smaller matchups.
I would be pretty happy with the lineup I mentioned above however for that to work, TNA has alot of buildup to do. I am hoping TNA surprises me, impresses me and sells me hard on this show. This has potential to be one of the best PPVs in TNA's history!
