All Things PPV
Posted by Douglas Nunnally
on 02/15/2006
Originally posted on November 12, 2004.
Scott Stover: Welcome everyone to this week's edition of TWV's Wrestling Roundtable. I am your moderator and resident doctor, Scott Stover. You have to forgive me for half our panel is sick this week, but are still here ready to go. With us this week are Douglas Nunnally, Matt Green, Phil Snyder, and Anthony Borg. The topic this week is "All Things PPV" with thoughts on last week's TNA's Victory Road and the upcoming WWE's Survivor Series with predictions galore. First though, we will start with TNA's Victory Road.
Douglas Nunnally: Victory Road was, to be perfectly blunt, utter and complete crap. This was by far one of the worst PPVs I have ever witnessed in my whole life. The main problem? As always with TNA, it was the booking. For starters, the rules of two matches weren't explained until the PPV or even the match started. This caused people to be utterly confused as to what the hell was going on such as with the Monster's Ball and XXX/AMW matches. That to me is horrible booking and just pure idiocy. One of the biggest problems also was the fact that the opening match was longer than the 2 matches that were built up the most, including the main event. So what, a 20 man Battle Royal is more important than a NWA World Title match? And of course, Jeff Jarrett just can not do ladders. At all. Even when he had a decent one with Benoit in WCW, you could tell it was a carry job all the way as Jarrett looked lost half the time. In the end, the only good thing about this PPV was that the crowd was so into it, but other than that, this belongs in the trash.
Matt Green: While I whole heartedly agree this PPV belongs in the trash can from storyline/build perspective, after watching it at 3 am this morning I was mildly surprised at how good the in ring action was with the exception of the mini match and AMW/XXX, I was pretty much into everything action wise. A couple of matches should have been longer, AJ/Petey & the main event, but Jarrett wasn't going to go 30 minutes with someone who couldn't carry him. Apparently, AJ/Petey was cut because of time constraints. My main beef with Doug's comments is that if you've ever seen the trash WCW produced in 1999 in the way of Bash at the Beach & Starrcade, you would not be calling this the worst PPV ever. Those were failures from building standpoints and in-ring aspects. In the end, Victory Road doesn't accomplish anything TNA are trying to accomplish in trying to become competition to Vince, but if they want TNA to become Nash and Hogan's playground, so be it.
Douglas Nunnally: A lot of the matches on the card like the Tag Team title match and Petey/AJ were somewhat decent, but they could have been a hell of a lot better. Looking at the card, this should have been an excellent PPV in my eyes, instead being very dumb. They let the first match run too long, and then with the combination of vignettes and pointless matches, they cut all the other important matches down significantly, and it showed. A lot of the matches felt rushed and just as I was getting into it, it stopped.
Matt Green: I think any hopes of this PPV being a success on screen or financially were fairly far fetched. TNA does not possess a cult following like ECW and that made their PPVs somewhat successful, although it did nothing for them in the long run. See TNA are trying to be an opposite to the WWE, but all they are, and the WCW old boys sum this point up perfectly, is a poor man's WWE; and until they do something so revolutionary in terms of how their product is put across, they will just be a poor man's WWE.
Anthony Borg: I didn't watch Victory Road, but it sounded like a decent show. Some of the matches I know didn't have build up, but remember that TNA has only about 40 minute shows. I also have to agree with Mr. Green about the way TNA are going with things because it seems TNA are just getting big names to gain popularity and in my opinion, that isn't a way to go with things. TNA should find a way to become different from other companies. They should try something new that will attract the fans. That is the only way TNA will be a success.
Phil Snyder: The only thing about Victory Road that really got on my nerves was The Outsiders and Randy Savage. I love how TNA built up their return as the return of Scott Hall & Kevin Nash, like they were supposed to be on the same team all along, not on opposite sides. But the things I don't understand is how you can have Randy Savage just stand there while the PPV goes off the air. Doesn't make any sense to me, so Savage is standing there, pointing his finger or whatever he was doing, who cares? There was no point to the segment at all and didn't build up anything for next month. I don't usually watch TNA much at all, but I did check the results to this and it seemed like it was a pretty predictable PPV, even for someone like me who barely ever watches it.
Scott Stover: There are internet rumors that Savage is gone already after a backstage run in with Hulk Hogan. Does that change your thoughts?
Phil Snyder: Yeah it does, even though they say he may be coming back. If he doesn't come back, then that entire match ending was pointless. Fans that might only watch the PPVs will be saying next month, "Where the hell is Savage?" and the answer to that is on his couch at his house or in his recording studio making a song telling The Repo Man to "Be a Man."
Scott Stover: Now it's time to take a look at this weekend's WWE Survivor Series. Before we get to match by match predictions, are there any thoughts that jump out in general about this upcoming pay-per-view?
Douglas Nunnally: To be honest, this year's Survivor Series match looks like a better version of last year. You have 2 classic survivor series matches. One is to end a feud that has been building since before Wrestlemania and involves Angle. The other plays a big part in the control of Raw. Those two matches remind me exactly of last year's 2 survivor series matches, but with a little better twist. Overall though, I am really looking forward to Survivor Series.
Matt Green: To be honest, I can't really say much more than Doug has. Despite the past couple of months of WWE being dire from the week that the Raw brand stood up against HHH and Evolution, it's been fairly well built up and same goes for the SmackDown! brand, and hopefully it will lead to a good PPV. I should think Taker will take his annual holiday after this PPV, which will mean he loses with a screwy finish or he wins then gets killed (again). I think the PPV will be watchable, as it traditionally is. I don't see it being a classic show though as Survivor Series 2002 was.
Phil Snyder: I too am really looking forward to buying Survivor Series this Sunday. It will be the first WWE PPV I've bought in many, many years, and I can't wait. Overall, the build up has been fantastic and it has made me not being able to wait until Monday to see who has control of Raw. I just wish there was another elimination match per show, 4 total would have made the card that much better.
Anthony Borg: Survivor Series looks great, in my opinion, especially from the RAW side. I like the idea of having a match for the control RAW and the way it was built up to this was great too. I like the new Eric Bischoff because I was sick of the old heel. I think it was about time to see a new side of him. Then we also have Christian vs. Benjamin for the IC Title, which will also be a great match to watch. From the RAW side, I think it looks excellent. From SD, it also looks good. Team Guerrero against Team Angle has some great talent and I expect a great match. Booker T vs. JBL I think will turn out to be a decent match because JBL as champ has usually always provided good matches. But I think the match of the night will be the Cruiserweight title match where I hope Chavo will come out on top, overall this PPV will be worth it.
Scott Stover: First let's take a look at the SmackDown! Brand matches with the Fatal Four Way Cruiserweight Title Match between champion Spike Dudley, Chavo Guerrero, Billy Kidman, and Rey Mysterio.
Douglas Nunnally: I think Chavo Guerrero will come up on top to go on and feud with Billy Kidman for the title
Anthony Borg: Chavo Guerrero will win, but then after the match will be attacked by Kidman to continue the feud.
Matt Green: Spike will more than likely retain because it kills any heat he has if he loses at this point. Although I have a niggling doubt that they might chuck the strap back on Rey. When in doubt, give the CW strap to Mysterio.
Phil Snyder: I agree with Matt and I think that Spike will retain as well. It would make sense to give the belt to Chavo to feud with Kidman, but it would make just as much sense to have Kidman give him a shooting star and pin him or vice versa, setting up a feud. I think Spike will retain it because he's way to over right now for him to lose it.
Scott Stover: Next match on the docket is The Undertaker vs. Heidenreich.
Anthony Borg: I think there is no chance in hell of the Undertaker jobbing and I am sure that he will come out on top in this match because if he doesn't he will lose his status.
Matt Green: Taker will go over no doubt, however, he will be more than likely put out of action by a bunch of heels post match for his annual holiday.
Douglas Nunnally: With WM 21 so close and people saying Taker will have a big part, I seriously doubt it. I think Taker will go over and then go back to the title picture.
Phil Snyder: I too think Taker will go over. There's not much more that can be said. For some reason, I don't feel that this will be a very long match either.
Scott Stover: Now let's talk about the match for the WWE Championship. John Bradshaw Layfield defends against Booker T.
Anthony Borg: I think JBL had his time with the belt and now it's Booker`s turn to hold to strap. JBL might take a break or go to RAW.
Matt Green: I'm split on this. I just think JBL's reign never really took off in a direction that actually did anything for him or anyone else. So a complimentary title run is awaiting Booker methinks.
Douglas Nunnally: Booker T going over at last. That's all I have to say.
Phil Snyder: Well, the WWE usually gives us one title change per every large show, and I don't think any of the others will go anywhere, maybe the women's, but I'm definitely thinking Booker will go over in this one.
Scott Stover: And now the final SmackDown! brand match, The "Classic Survivor Series Elimination Match" featuring Kurt Angle, Mark Jindrak, Luther Reigns, and Carlito Caribbean Cool taking on Eddie Guerrero, Rob Van Dam, Big Show, and John Cena.
Douglas Nunnally: I think the heels will go over for some reason. Call it a gut instinct.
Phil Snyder: It's got to be Team Angle, I have a feeling someone might turn heel from Guerrero's team as well. I think Angle and Cool will be the sole survivors.
Anthony Borg: Yes, I agree with Doug because usually in these elimination matches you will have a heel team win from a show then from the other show a face team will win. So this time it will be Team Angle coming out on top.
Scott Stover: And now to start with the Raw side of things, we look at the Women's Championship Match. Trish Stratus defends against Lita.
Douglas Nunnally: I think Lita will win by DQ for some odd reason.
Anthony Borg: Lita will win. I think it's her time to hold the belt; she's lost enough title shots.
Phil Snyder: Trish will beat Lita cheating her way to victory somehow.
Scott Stover: Now its time for thoughts on the Intercontinental Title match. Shelton Benjamin defends against Christian.
Phil Snyder: Benjamin will retain the IC title because there's no way he will lose it this quickly.
Douglas Nunnally: Benjamin will retain after Christian gets DQ-ed most likely.
Anthony Borg: Benjamin will retain.
Scott Stover: And now for the final match, the Classic Survivor Series Elimination Match between the team of Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Maven, and the team of Triple H, Batista, Edge, and Gene Snitsky.
Phil Snyder: I hope to God that the face's win the Survivor Series match, and I really think they will, hopefully we will have an entertaining Raw for a month.
Douglas Nunnally: If the faces don't win the Raw Survivor Series match, it will be a month's worth of build up for nothing.
Anthony Borg: And Team Orton will win with Randy pinning the Game.
Scott Stover: This has been a fast and furious roundtable with a lot to take in. I hope you enjoyed this edition of TWV's Wrestling Roundtable. Please stop by the TWV Asylum and leave us feedback and topic ideas for future roundtables. Say bye to the readers!
Douglas Nunnally: See ya.
Phil Snyder: Bye.
Anthony Borg: Bye.
Scott Stover: Unfortunately, Matt Green had to leave our roundtable early, but he says bye too! Until next time, this is Scott Stover. See you all next time!
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