Now before I get hated on for that paragraph, that's not to dispute Angle's pro wrestling skills, the hard work and drive he showed through his career, or to put down his toughness. Obviously he's one of the baddest dudes in the country to have won the Olympic gold medal in wrestling, and to then perform at such full throttle (no one suggests he's taken a Hulk Hogan or Kevin Nash-esque easy ride) as he has in pro wrestling. He definitely has a high risk style. But at least in pro wrestling if you need an easier night now and then -- you *could*, in theory, get one. No one's looking out for you in MMA. Oh Kurt ... with a young daughter and a little boy on the way, I fear you won't see out this decade. Given the extent of your injuries, really I don't need to be a doctor to know you should probably at least be off 1-2 years, if not permanently. I just hope you don't come to regret this decision. I can't watch.
Anyway ... on with the TNA "No Surrender" predix.
THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
This could in theory be any number of things -- a new timeslot on Spike, an extension to a two hour show (or a second show), a major new signing (like Bill Goldberg), or what have you. Given Vinnie Russo's going to be at the show tonight, I think we've got ourselves a new TNA head writer or executive producer or something of that ilk -- wihch could be good, or could be less so. Hear me out, I truly belive Russo is the best at his style of writing, at what he does -- the WWE-style soap opera-esque, "real people being real" brand of writing. BUT, I also don't think TNA's best chances of success lie in mimicking the WWE. They lie in promoting themselves as an alternative, something different from WWE. JR's right when he says you can't out-WWE the WWE, and that's all Russo's going to do. Although I will say -- if TNA ends up folding in the coming months, I will never be convinced again that he's not a double agent for Vince McMahon. His great writing work for the WWE rapidly went down hill with WCW, and his showing at TNA before was just weak. We'll see. Enh ... the fact I'm talking about a major announcement before the matches on a TNA card doesn't really bode well. But movving on ...
ULTIMATE X MATCH: LAX VS. AJ STYLES AND CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
I expect this'll be an awesome match. Konnan's not a bad wrestler, and Styles and Daniels are obviously tremendous. And I kinda like the Ultimate X format. I look for S&D to go over here; it's their niche, their backyard in terms of the style of match. It should be exciting to watch.
TNA CHAMPION JEFF JARRETT VS. SAMOA JOE
Given they're already touting Jarrett vs. Sting next month, I'm pretty confident (unfortunately) about who's leaving with the title in this one. I just hope they don't hand Joe's streak (one of the more prestigious wins you can get in TNA right now) to Double J, who really doesn't need any more of a rub than he's already got (just as I don't want to see Umaga's streak ended by Triple H, or the Masterlock broken out of by Trips when it's been protected for so long); I'm hoping this is some kind of DQ or countout win for Joe, that he's thrown into the Sting-Jarrett match next month, and that he takes it at Bound for Glory -- TNA's Wrestlemania, and a good new start for everyone to finally let the uncrowned king of TNA, the champion in waiting for a very long time, ascend his throne.
X DIVISION CHAMPION SENSHI VS. CHRIS SABIN
I suspect we'll see Chris Sabin pull it out here -- I don't tend to like seeing belts change hands too fast, but Senshi's held the belt most or all of the summer now, and having a few people be legitimate X Division championship contenders would actually make the division more prestigious right now, and bring it back to the forefront where it belongs, as a showcase of the difference between TNA and WWE. For the record: if Kevin Nash is returning to TNA and not negotiating with WWE as rumoured, look for his return to be here.
RHINO VS. CHRISTIAN CAGE
Expect the winner here to sort of predict where the championship scene is going to go in coming months: once the Jarrett-Joe-Sting dust settles, these are two top contenders, and it will be very telling as to whether the heel or face comes out on top here. Or maybe not quite so much as it would be in WWE, since TNA doesn't have such black and white lines (just look at Joe) in that sense. I'll predict Rhino getting the duke here, as I think this feud's been going on awhile and ready to end.
ABYSS VS. RAVEN VS. BROTHER RUNT
What a bloody mess this one'll be! But a good one for people who like this kind of match (have to admit to respecting them, but getting a bit squeamish about this type of style myself these days). I'm going to predict Abyss to come out on top here, I think -- haven't been following the contours of this feud as closely as I should, but just looking at the names I'll hazard a guess for him.
PETEY WILLIAMS VS. JAY LETHAL
I'm thinking Petey'll come out on top here, especially predicting Sabin coming out with the X Division title. Bam, we have our new title feud.
ERIC YOUNG VS. A1
I have to admit to knowing nothing about this match. I find Young incredibly entertaining when I catch him, but I really don't know how this feud has been going, for how long, who they're pushing, etc. I'll say Eric will win, as he seems to be on a roll from what I can tell, but again, similar to the three-way match, it's somewhat guessing.
18 TEAMS FOR A TAG TITLE SHOT BATTLE ROYAL
What a great concept, that WWE could really take note of to jump start it's highly sad (though improving!) tag team division. I'm going to predict AMW here if the champs retain, the James Gang if LAX wins.