Predictions from the Faculty
TNA Hardcore Justice Edition
August 7, 2011
Predictions by: Wrestleview Columnists and Staff
Written by: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Introduction
Welcome to the latest edition of “Predictions from the Faculty” (Season #3). This weekend, we gathered our thoughts for the upcoming TNA Pay-Per-View, as we will provide our selections for TNA’s Hardcore Justice PPV. The show will be held in beautiful Orlando, FL.
The card currently will have nine matches.
In case you are new to reading these predictions, here is the format. Each Pay-Per-View a few of the columnists on WrestleView provide predictions on who they think will win the matches. We accumulate throughout the end of the Faculty’s year (in this case, the 2012 Royal Rumble).
What makes this entirely different to others is that you, the reader, can provide your picks for a spot to have yours posted in an upcoming PPV. All the readers have to do is either leave me a message on Facebook or e-mail at mistervwv@hotmail.com. The winner among the “WrestleView Students” will win an opportunity to post their picks as a “Student of the Week” (if they outright defeat the reigning Students of the Week). We all thank you for your participation.
Tie-Breakers will determine standings!
I have decided to prevent some tiebreakers, I will issue points to Title Matches that are predicted correctly. There will be five championship matches on the card, so the maximum amount of points to go along with the win/loss standing will be five points. Also, if I throw out a pick for a championship, then obviously no bonus will be counted for that particular match.
But what, to the WrestleView “students”, there is more!
I got approval for this decision, and for the FIRST time in our three seasons the students will compete for PRIZES!!! That is right; we felt that your loyalty to the article shall be rewarded. However, the prizes* will not be handed out until the FINAL PPV Prediction of the season (which will be WWE’s Royal Rumble 2012). So not only will one get a chance to earn a Gold Star and be a part of this game, but it will be for a competition.
*Prizes go out to the top three (the most picked correctly and if needed tiebreaker points) positions and the worst (most matches picked incorrectly with the fewest tiebreaker points).
Current WrestleView Prediction Standings (As of WWE’s Money in the Bank 2011)
2011-2012 Predictions from the Faculty Roster
1) Jose Marrero (Wrestling Rumblings/The Eye Gouge)……………55-30 (4-2)
2) Ryan Rivera (ROH on HDNet Recapper)…………………………..54-32 (2-4)
3) Dave Stephens (Raw Recaps/That’s a Wrap/Teachers Lounge….54-32 (3-3)
4) Wrestleview Students (The Readers of the article)………………54-32 (4-2)
5) Nicholas Gray (The Velvet Room)…………………………………..53-33 (3-3)
6) Gregory “Grash” Walek (WWE NXT Recapper)……………………52-34 (3-3)
7) Mike Tedesco (WWE Smackdown Recapper)……………………..51-35 (4-2)
8) Josh Boutwell (TNA Impact Recaps/Viva La Raza)………………50-30 (NR)
9) Greg McNeish (The Velvet Room)………………………………….50-36 (3-3)
10) Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V/Teacher’s Lounge)…..48-38 (3-3)
11) Darragh O’Connor (WV International Desk)……………………..46-29 (NR)
12) Evan O’Brien (WV International Desk)……………………………47-39 (2-4)
13) Matt O’Brien (Notes from the Nosebleeds)……………………….46-40 (3-3)
14) Andrew Hayman (WWE Superstars Recapper)…………………..43-30 (4-2)
As of Press Time, Dave Stephens and Greg McNeish were still working on the predictions. They will be posted under the “comments” section in this article.
Mike Tedesco provided his predictions on last Saturday’s “Teacher’s Lounge”. After the taping, they added two new matches. Expect them to arrive later.
Tie-Breaker Points – Which are based on Championship matches correct
26: Nicholas Gray;
25: Gregory Walek; Mike Tedesco
24: Jose Marrero
23: Ryan Rivera; Dave Stephens
22: Josh Boutwell; Greg McNeish; Anthony Valvo
21: Evan O’Brien
17: Darragh O’Connor; Andrew Hayman
16: Matt O’Brien
There will be two NEW Students of the Week for Hardcore Justice. They are Sean McNally and Wade Bradford.
And of course, the WV Students average will be part of the standings. I have taken out the “Students of the Week” for this season. However, do not worry. Those that scored the highest will still be welcomed to participate in an upcoming article.
The Best of the Class (Top 3 earn a prize. Tie-Breaker Points in parentheses)
Prizes:
1st Place – A DVD Set of our choosing (max 3 disc set).
2nd Place – A T-Shirt
3rd Place – A Coffee Mug
Worst – TNA Victory Road 2009 (or 2011) DVD.
(W/L from WWE’s Over the Limit)
(Tiebreaker Points are in second)
Top 5
I will just type out the Top Five readers at this time. The first set of parentheses is the W/L record for WWE’s Money in the Bank. The second parentheses are the Tie-Breaker points.
1) Nick Latham…………………………………………………….59-27 (4-2) (27) – #1
2) Paul Meade……………………………………………………..58-28 (4-2) (26) – #2
3) Jordan Benterman…………………………………………..58-28 (3-3) (25) – Tie #3
4) Jason Namako…………………………………………………58-28 (2-4) (25) – Tie #3
5) Goose Oberstar………………………………………………56-30 (2-4) (25)
6) Michael Fox……………………………………………………56-30 (2-4) (25)
The person with the most picks incorrect is currently 50-36 with 26 tiebreaker points. Therefore, I deem that score the worst.
Also to those that have participated in all PPVs, keep it up. You can still be a Student of the Week.
And now, the moment you all have been waiting for…
Predictions for TNA’s Destination X Pay-Per-View
*** NON-TITLE MATCHES ***
Singles Match
Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson
Jose M. – MR. ANDERSON
Ryan R. – MR. ANDERSON.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – ANDERSON….Anderson…..Kennedy.
Gregory W. – A$$HOLE. oh wait, They’re both A$$holes. I go with the Cheese and Packer loving a$$hole from the frozen tundra. ANDERSON. … wait for it… Anderson.
Mike T. – N/A.
Josh B. – ANDERSON.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – BULLY RAY. He never wins clean, but he does get the three count by any means necessary.
Darragh O. – MR. ANDERSON.
Evan O. – MR. ANDERSON.
Matt O. – MR. ANDERSON.
Andrew H. – MR. ANDERSON.
Sean M. – MR. ANDERSON.
Wade B. – This match is a prime example of just how schizophrenic TNA booking is. Why are these two feuding? Why is Anderson even in Immortal? Do they even know what to do with him anymore? I’m picking MR. ANDERSON just because he’s higher up on the totem pole, but I don’t really know why this match is even happening.
CONSENSUS: ANDERSON. There is a small feud within Immortal between the self-proclaimed #1 outside of Hogan and Bischoff (Bully) and the newest member of the faction (Anderson). The staff believes that it will be Mr. Anderson defeating the bully and finally making Ray lose a bit of steam.
MR. ANDERSON 11; Bully Ray 1.
Singles Match in the Bound for Glory Series
D’Angelo Dinero vs. Devon
Jose M. – D’ANGELO DINERO.
Ryan R. – DEVON.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – POPE (DINERO).
Gregory W. – D’ANGELO DINERO.
Mike T. – D’ANGELO DINERO.
Josh B. – POPE (DINERO).
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – DEVON. This is a very low-grade storyline in which Dinero has previous helped Devon gets points at his expense. I expect this to go the same route.
Darragh O. – DINERO.
Evan O. – D’ANGELO DINERO.
Matt O. – DEVON.
Andrew H. – D’ANGELO DINERO.
Sean M. – DEVON. Much like Ray got his chance to shine I think TNA are away to give Devon his.
Wade B. – If Devon’s got such a problem with Pope hanging around his family, why doesn’t he just tell them to stay home? Or is that injecting too much logic into this? Besides, then we wouldn’t have all the family drama that makes this feud soooooo interesting (sarcasm). Pope’s been fooling with Devon’s family for a while now, and if it doesn’t pay off for him in this match then what was the point of all of this? Pope’s not going to win the BFG Series, but he can still play spoiler for someone. POPE wins.
CONSENSUS: DINERO. This has been a fued that has been going on for a few weeks at the moment and I believe it is their first battle since Dinero was seen with Devon’s family. The staff thinks that in this Bound for Glory Series match that Dinero will early a few points with a victory over Devon.
D’ ANGLEO DINERO 9; Devon 4.
Singles Match in the Bound for Glory Series
Crimson vs. Rob Van Dam
Jose M. – CRIMSON.
Ryan R. – CRIMSON.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – CRIMSON.
Gregory W. – CRIMSON.
Mike T. – CRIMSON.
Josh B. – CRIMSON.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – CRIMSON. They are building him to this bit threat. I expect him to beat the former TNA Champion.
Darragh O. – CRIMSON.
Evan O. – CRIMSON.
Matt O. – CRIMSON.
Andrew H. – CRIMSON.
Sean M. – CRIMSON. I can’t see TNA giving Crimson a loss.
Wade B. – They’re really building Crimson to be TNA’s Goldberg with the undefeated streak, so why would that stop here? You take that away from him and he’s just another average big man on the roster. CRIMSON wins. By the way, am I the only one who feels that any second now RVD’s going to turn heel?
CONSENSUS: CRIMSON. Crimson is on a roll since debuting in TNA and has never been pinned or fallen to submission. The staff expects the trend to continue, as we unanimously select Crimson to win this match.
CRIMSON 13; Rob Van Dam 0.
Six Man Tag Team Match
Fortune (AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Kazarian) vs. Immortal (Gunner, Abyss, and Scott Steiner)
Jose M. – IMMORTAL.
Ryan R. – IMMORTAL.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – 4TUNE.
Gregory W. – FORTUNE.
Mike T. – FORTUNE.
Josh B. – IMMORTAL.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – IMMORTAL. Daniels is talking decisions with Styles. Will one turn? Will both turn? I expect them to be distracted and Immortal gets a cheap win. I say Gunner pins Kaz.
Darragh O. – FORTUNE.
Evan O. – IMMORTAL.
Matt O. – FORTUNE.
Andrew H. – FORTUNE.
Sean M. – IMMORTAL.
Wade B. – Daniels wants another match with Styles badly, which sounds like a good match on the BFG card, but not before we get some real heat between the two. Daniels costs Fourtune this match, and it’s the beginning of the end for the whole faction. Steiner, Gunner, and Abyss (IMMORTAL) win.
CONSENSUS: IMMORTAL. Recently, Daniels and Styles were talking about “something”. It cost Styles a few points in the Bound for Glory Series recently while these three men in Fortune have something to prove for their faction. It’s almost split, but the staff predicts that Immortal will have better chemistry and win the six-man tag match.
IMMORTAL 7; Fortune 6.
*** CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES ***
Tag Team Match for the TNA Knockout’s Tag Team Championship
Tara and Miss Tessmacher (c’s) vs. Sarita and Rosita
Jose M. – TARA AND TESSMACHER.
Ryan R. – TARA AND TESSMACHER.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – TARA/MISS A$$MACHER
Gregory W. – SARITA AND ROSITA.
Mike T. – N/A.
Josh B. – SARITA AND ROSITA.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – TARA AND TESSMACHER. I don’t know why, it’s a real coin flip.
Darragh O. – TARA AND TESSMACHER.
Evan O. – SARITA AND ROSITA.
Matt O. – SARITA AND ROSITA.
Andrew H. – TARA AND MISS TESSMACHER.
Sean M. – SARITA AND ROSITA.
Wade B. – I keep thinking that the idea all along was for all of Mex Am to be holding belts to help push them as a dominant faction. We all know what happened with Sarita, and TNA took the titles off her and Rosita so quickly after that it almost seemed like a knee-jerk reaction to it, just in case she couldn’t compete. Now that it looks like Sarita’s good to go again, and since such a meaningless match like this was put in so last minute, I think this is TNA putting the titles back where they wanted them all along. SARITA AND ROSITA win back the KO tag titles.
CONSENSUS: SPLIT. The female team representing Mexican America have something to prove after losing their titles a few days ago to Tara and Tessmacher. This is a complete split, but the staff is not sure who will be the Knockouts Tag Team Champions after Sunday.
Sarita and Rosita 6; Miss Tessmacher and Tara 6.
Singles Match for the TNA Knockout Championship
Mickie James (c) vs. Winter
Jose M. – WINTER.
Ryan R. – WINTER.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – HARDCORE ARBY’S (MICKIE).
Gregory W. – MICKIE JAMES.
Mike T. – WINTER.
Josh B. – MICKIE.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – MICKIE JAMES. She has held the title for almost three months with no fanfare. I think James holds onto it for at least the next set of Impact tapings or the next PPV.
Darragh O. – MICKIE JAMES.
Evan O. – MICKIE JAMES.
Matt O. – WINTER.
Andrew H. – MICKIE JAMES.
Sean M. – WINTER.
Wade B. – They’re building Velvet Sky to become KO champ someday (which will probably happen at BFG), and it would make for a more compelling storyline if she did it against Angelina Love. Which means Winter’s got no chance. MICKIE JAMES retains the KO title, but look for her to drop it to Love sometime soon.
CONSENSUS: JAMES. Winter has been getting a bit of momentum thanks to her associate Angelina Love, but the most of the staff do not believe that a title change is in the works. At Hardcore Justice, “Hardcore” Country prevails and retains her title.
MICKIE JAMES 8; Winter 5.
Three Way Match for the TNA X Division Championship
Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Alex Shelley vs. Austin Aries
Jose M. – BRIAN KENDRICK.
Ryan R. – KENDRICK.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – A DOUBLE (ARIES).
Gregory W. – BRIAN KENDRICK.
Mike T. – AUSTIN ARIES.
Josh B. – ARIES.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – AUSTIN ARIES. Kendrick’s gimmick is to make the title “pure”. I think Aries finds a way to weasel his way near the finish and win the championship. Aries has something no one else has in that X Division, personality.
Darragh O. – ARIES.
Evan O. – BRIAN KENDRICK.
Matt O. – ARIES.
Andrew H. – ALEX SHELLEY.
Sean M. – AUSTIN ARIES.
Wade B. – This is a toss-up between Kendrick and Aries. Kendrick just won the title, but Aries’ whole gimmick is the cocky perfectionist who can do no wrong. We’ve seen many times in the past that TNA has no problem at all booking brief title runs, so I’m going to pick AUSTIN ARIES to win the X-title and become the focal point of the whole division. Any wrestler who can rock a pink boa is a champ in my book.
CONSENSUS: ARIES. Some may be shocked at the majority’s selection when they read the predicted winner. Even though Aries only returned to TNA mere weeks ago, he is the favorite among the staff to capture the X Division Championship by “any means necessary”.
AUSTIN ARIES 8; Brian Kendrick 4; Alex Shelley 1.
Tag Team Match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship
Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Bobby Roode) (c’s) vs. Mexican America (Hernandez and Anarquia)
Jose M. – MEXICAN AMERICA.
Ryan R. – BEER MONEY, INC.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – N/A.
Gregory W. – HERNANDEZ AND ANARQUIA (MEXICAN AMERICA).
Mike T. – BEER MONEY, INC.
Josh B. – MEXICAN AMERICA.
Greg M. – MEXICANS.
Anthony V. – MEXICAN AMERICA. Beer Money has held these titles since January and there were hints weeks ago that they would break up. MexAm wins this title, and I could not be happier for Hernandez.
Darragh O. – BEER MONEY.
Evan O. – BEER MONEY.
Matt O. – MEXICAN AMERICA.
Andrew H. – MEXICAN AMERICA.
Sean M. – MEXICAN AMERICA. Beer Money aren’t doing much with the titles and are all ready a fairly established team. Dropping them would be good.
Wade B. – The writing’s been on the wall for some time now that TNA wants to split Beer Money up into singles wrestlers. They’re busted up, they’ve both got the BFG Series to worry about. Now’s the time to drop the belts, and Mex Am is the logical team to drop them to. MEXICAN AMERICA wins the tag titles.
CONSENSUS: MEXICAN AMERICA. Hernandez and Anarquia have done very little since forming their faction. Beer Money has been doing little as a tag team the past few weeks. With rumors of a split-up of TNA’s most successful tag team, the majority of the staff believe that Mex-Am will earn their first tag championships.
MEXICAN AMERICA 9; Beer Money, Inc. 4.
Singles Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Sting (c) vs. Kurt Angle
Jose M. – STING.
Ryan R. – STING.
Dave S. – N/A.
Nicholas G. – THE “JOKER” STING.
Gregory W. – KURT ANGLE.
Mike T. – STING.
Josh B. – ANGLE.
Greg M. – N/A.
Anthony V. – KURT ANGLE. I never go against a wrestler from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sting needs no championship for his gimmick.
Darragh O. – STING.
Evan O. – STING.
Matt O. – KURT ANGLE.
Andrew H. – KURT ANGLE.
Sean M. – STING. I can’t see Sting dropping the title especially if they want Hogan/Sting for some stupid reason.
Wade B. – I just can’t see Sting, in his “comically crazy” persona, being the one facing the BFG Series winner at BFG. He’ll be doing something ridiculous with Hogan in October. Angle’s the one who’ll give the Series winner a more legitimate challenge at BFG, so now’s a good time to give him the title. They keep bringing up that he’s never beaten Sting clean, so Immortal will probably interfere to make Sting lose and mess with Angle’s head, but the result will be the same. KURT ANGLE wins the title.
CONSENSUS: STING. It’s a close prediction, as overall we expect a lot of moving around in the standings because the card for once is pretty much unpredictable. In the World Title match, a small majority of the staff choose Sting as the winner because if his crazy behavior as of late.
STING 7; Kurt Angle 6.
Dismissal
Well, that does it for the thirteenth round of Predictions from the Faculty for the 2011-2012 season.
And remember students, this is YOUR column too! Please present to me your choices for the winners of any PPV by e-mail at mistervwv@hotmail.com or by sending me an inbox message on Facebook. Winner of each PPV receives a coveted (and NEVER duplicated) Gold Star in my next column and will be named the “Student of the Week” for the next Predictions article. Also, you are one step closer to a prize that if one is in the top three they will win a prize (and even the last place person as well, no one in between).
Well, that does it for us, class. On behalf of my peers on WrestleView I bid you farewell. We will be taking a 7-day recess and will be back with our predictions for WWE’s Money In The Bank PPV. As always, thank you for reading our predictions. Now go and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Be sure to check out all the VIP material before Hardcore Justice. Also, for $4.99 a month you get so much for your money, including this weekend’s Pay-Per-View Post-Show hosted by David Stephens, Mike Tedesco, and Greg McNeish.
Thank you for reading and to those that do, participated in the column. We appreciate your feedback.
Once again, here is how you can join in on our predictions game. Please use these methods. If you post them under the “comments”, they will NOT be counted.
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E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com
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