OO: Online Onslaught Special Features (Pro Wrestling News, Analysis, and Commentary... WWF, WCW, ECW, The Rock, Steve Austin, RVD, Undertaker, Triple H)

OO SPEC IAL FEATURE
TNA Bound for Glory 2009: A Beginner's Guide and Preview
October 16, 2009

by Chris "Lucky" Lopez
OO's Total Nonstop Analyst

Editor's Note: I know TNA doesn't get a whole lot of coverage on OO, so you may be wondering what's up with this Special Feature. Well, it's pretty simple: it's hard to find good help. By which I mean that even when it's not my name in the byline, OO is still MY site, and I like it to have a pretty cohesive "voice." And when it comes to TNA, you tend to only get a highly partisan/polarized type of view: people who lump it in with other indies as "bush league" or people who just blindly cheerlead for it as if they were a stakeholder. I hate that crap.

It's tough to find somebody who'll address TNA the way it should be: with a ton of genuine knowledge/expertise and enthusiasm, but level-headed enough to put TNA (warts and all) into a proper and balanced context. Last month, OO Forums' Mainstay LuckyLopez stepped up and started doing just that. So it's with his blessing that I reprint his preview of TNA's Biggest Show of the Year: Bound For Glory.

TNA fans will enjoy Lucky's insights, while casual observers and non-fans may find Lucky's summaries and explanations both engrossing AND honest enough to consider dropping some coin on Sunday night. So no matter your orientation, I encourage you to enjoy this piece, to thank Lucky for his work, and to feel free to drop me a line about if/how this changes your feelings for the amount of TNA coverage here at OO. I know I'll be watching this PPV, and if you harangue me enough, I can always post a quick recap on Sunday night; it's either that, or you can count on the OO Forums to have results for you. Ball's in your court, OO Nation, so lemme know.

Without further adu.... heeeeeeere's Lucky:

TNA OVERVIEW, OCTOBER 2009:
A Snapshot/Beginner's Guide Heading into Bound for Glory

Just for some simple assistance in understand the basic social order in TNA...

The Main Event Mafia are the big heel power that has menaced TNA for a year. Kurt Angle leads them and the roster includes Samoa Joe, the Legends Champion Kevin Nash, the Tag Team Champions Scott Steiner & Booker T, Traci Brooks, and Sharmell.

The World Elite is the midcard heel stable that formed to deal with what they perceived as racial inequality in TNA. They were loosely allied with the Mafia for some time but that fell apart recently. Eric Young leads a roster including the IWGP Tag Team Champions The British Invasion (Brutus Magnus & Doug Williams), Rob Terry, Kiyoshi, Sheik Abdul Bashir (WWE's Daivari), and Homicide.

There was once a face alliance called The Frontline that fought the Mafia, but they failed and fell apart. Now there's just a loose group of faces who have been much more effective in their wars with the Mafia and WE. World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles and Sting may be the defacto leaders but it also includes Matt Morgan, Hernandez, Bobby Lashley, Christopher Daniels, Beer Money (James Storm & Robert Roode), Team 3D (The Dudleyz), and probably others I'm missing.

Now onto the show...

TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
"The Icon" Sting vs. champion "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles

The history between AJ and Sting actually goes back 6 years as AJ was across the ring in Sting's very first match in TNA. Oddly enough the story between since 2003 has almost always been the same depending on whether AJ was a face or a heel. Sting has always been the veteran who demanded respect and AJ was either the young hero of TNA looking up to him or the cocky upstart disrespecting him.

A year ago the story took a slightly different spin when Sting felt AJ (and others) were lacking the proper respect for their elders and after one particularly brutal attack on Kurt Angle by AJ Sting took a stand and attacked AJ. Sting's stand for respect was the inspiration for the Main Event Mafia and for much of the last year of the Mafia's dominance Sting has stood as their philosophical leader. But as the Mafia grew more and more violent and selfish Sting became more and more conflicted as to whether they were doing the right thing. For months AJ and others plead with Sting to see the light and Sting refused to take part in unwarranted assaults on AJ and others even as the Mafia laid waste to TNA. Finally Sting took a stand and sought to reform the Mafia but for this he was banished from the group and he and AJ found themselves back on the same side.

Allied against a mutual enemy both men finally showed each other the respect they had both been fighting for for almost a year. Two months ago after a series of betrayals and tough losses AJ contemplated retirement, but Sting inspired him to keep going and follow his passion. This led to AJ earning a spot in a 4 way contest for the TNA World Title with Sting, Matt Morgan, and Kurt Angle. During this match Sting and AJ both had an opportunity to pin the champion but rather than fighting it out Sting opted to run interference and give AJ the opportunity to win. AJ recognized this sacrifice for what it was and immediately offered Sting the first title shot.

Now, will TNA recognize a year of backstory and how this is in many ways the culmination of the Main Event Mafia story going back to Sting's attack on AJ at Hard Justice 2008 14 months ago? I have no idea. What they WILL play up is the fact that Bound for Glory has very much become Sting's stage and he has entered into the last 3 BFGs as the challenger and walked out as the champion. If AJ can retain his title against Sting he'll do what Jarrett, Angle, and Joe could not. And if Sting loses it may well be his final Bound for Glory match and its at least being implied that it may be his last match.

While TNA has made no true "last match" or "retirement" stipulations it is well known that Sting has been ready to walk away for awhile and that his continued run may depend on solely on how inspired he feels and a title reign may well influence that.

WRESTLING'S BEST VS. WRESTLING'S FUTURE
Main Event Mafia leader Kurt Angle vs. "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan

While Sting was the symbol of the Mafia Angle has been the "Godfather" who made the decisions and pulled the strings to make the Mafia what it was. Along the way one of his primary tools was taking advantage of the desire of the young giant Matt Morgan to join this elite group. Angle dangled membership in the Mafia in front of Morgan all summer manipulating him into situation after situation that benefited Angle. But Morgan's patience began to run out a few months ago when Angle revealed that he wanted Morgan to pass up a world title shot in a 3 way with Sting.

Morgan and Angle eventually agreed to work together to eliminate their opponent and then fight it out amongst themselves. But when Morgan was on the brink of pinning Sting and winning the title Angle betrayed him so that he could retain his title. Having seen the light Morgan earned a spot in a 4 way title match with Angle, Sting, and AJ. This time he spoiled things for Angle when he was on the brink of winning the match and as a result Angle blames Morgan for his title loss.

Morgan wants to continue his climb up the TNA ladder and put an end to a mistaken chapter of his career with Angle and the Mafia. Angle wants to cut this young threat off at the knees and refocus on winning back the title. In many ways this is another match born out of the last year of the Main Event Mafia's dominance over young wrestlers and their recent successes in fighting back. Along with all of the Mafia's titles in great risk on Sunday Morgan topping the "Godfather" could well help to kill the Mafia.

As far as the wrestling goes Morgan has (to noone's surprise) had some of his best matches against Angle, and Angle has developed a reputation for busting his ass to make young guys look good in TNA. So there's a lot of reason to believe this will deliver as a big match.

MMA VS. TNA: SUBMISSION MATCH
"The Boss" Bobby Lashley vs. Samoa Joe

Bobby Lashley is a huge MMA star, or so says TNA. Just go with it.

He came to TNA with quite a bit of fanfare as TNA President Dixie Carter made her first (and to date only) TV appearance to hype him up as the man who would hold MMA and wrestling world titles simultaneously and the only man to ever compete in both. So with Brock Lesner shaking in his boots and Dan Severn wondering why no one remembers him Lashley was fed some jobbers and also found himself in conflict with the Main Event Mafia. Meanwhile Samoa Joe didn't like him because... well... Joe's mean?

While the two of these men DID face off in the "riot" that happened in TNA a couple of months ago the truth is this match was sort of thrown together because it seemed like a good one, and not because it felt organic. One day Joe decided to choke Lashley out. Lashley responded by costing Joe his X Division Title 2 weeks ago. So here we go. A wrestler-turned-MMA fighter vs a wrestler who trains in quasi MMA styles, so naturally it was made a submission match because... again, apparently no more reason than it sounded like a potentially good match.

So yeah, there isn't much story here beyond 2 big mean guys and the Mafia vs TNA story but it is one of the potential matches some people were up for when Lashley signed. Some might think Joe is destined to put over the new star but word is that TNA has cooled on Lashley quite a bit, which brings back some of the question in who may win this match.

MONSTER'S BALL: HARDCORE EXTREME
Mick Foley vs. "The Monster" Abyss

I have no idea what "Hardcore Extreme" means besides some weird homage to Japanese word play, but I'll try and catch you up on the story. It starts more or less earlier this year when Abyss sought out to better himself and control his destructive urges. After being released from the hospital he let us all know he was regularly attending a psychiatrist. Abyss began new relationships but found repeated failure and heartbreak when his best friend Matt Morgan turned on him and his psychiatrist Dr. Stevie (Richards) abused him. Eventually Abyss was convinced Stevie wasn't on the up-and-up and the two feuded through much of the summer with Stevie employing the aid of former allies like Raven, hired guns like Kevin Nash, and patients like Daffney.

This takes us to a few months ago when Abyss found a kindred spirit in Mick Foley. To no surprise the two bonded over their similar histories and personalities. Abyss saved Foley from Mafia attacks and Foley bought Abyss groceries. Abyss even took to wearing flannel and Dude Love t-shirts. But as it goes in wrestling no relationship stays stable. Problems started to form when Abyss' "simple" ways led him to cost Foley a Legends Title match. Foley was angry and Abyss was... grief stricken? In his grief Abyss apparently trashed Mick's office and destroyed a valued painting and in wrestling fashion when Foley found out it was him his natural response was to beat the bloody hell out of Abyss.

The feud started to make a little more sense after that.

Foley believes Abyss is a ripoff and pale imitation and wants to prove that Abyss is no Mick Foley. Abyss wants to prove that he is his own man and that while he may idolize the hardcore legend he has done more than his share to earn a place in hardcore history. And of course they want to get revenge on each other so lets do it in Abyss' signature match, Monster's Ball.

While I could confuse you with the original premise of "Monster's Ball" its much easier to describe it as a simple hardcore street fight and that what all of this nonsense amounts to is the fact that these two deranged individuals will do their best to kill each other and themselves on Sunday, and probably walk away from it happy, bloody, broken, bonded friends.

For trivia's sake you may be curious to know that this will be Abyss' 9th Monster's Ball match. The only one he was left out of was a Knockouts match. Sadly Abyss is only 2-6 in this match, despite it being his signature.

ULTIMATE X MATCH FOR THE X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Suicide vs. D'Angelo Dinero vs. Daniels vs. Homicide vs. champion The Amazing Red

No real story behind this one. Dinero (ECW's Elijah Burke) is a street preacher who objects to Suicide's emo ways of looking at the world. He and Suicide have warred for fairly unclear reasons but in surprisingly entertaining fashion. Daniels and Homicide have both tried to get the X title from Samoa Joe and have found each other as opposition in the World Elite/Main Event Mafia vs TNA war. So with nothing clear to do with its X Division wrestlers TNA did what it always does... throw them into a crazy match sure to entertain anyone who enjoys that stuff for a title shot.

At least, that was the case until this Thursday when new X Division champion Amazing Red defended his title against Suicide. Dinero got involved and Red chased him off. Red's new Personal Promoter Don West then announced that when Red told him he had never been in an Ultimate X match West decided he had to be in this one. So while one may question whether defending the X title in an Ultimate X match was really in Red's best interests at least it gets an X Title match on the show.

In case you're not aware what Ultimate X is the concept is... simple? Four poles extend from the corners and steel wires cross across the ring in an X. In the center of the X hangs the Title Belt. The man who retrieves it is champion, and ladders or other aids are not allowed. Besides some early troubles with keeping the belt up there its proven to be an exciting innovation and this will be the 17th match of its kind. For a clearer picture check out TNA's preview video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LECecOOAtL4

In case you're mildly curious (as I was), this is the 17th Ultimate X match in just over 6 years. Christopher Daniels has been in the match 6 times, I believe second only to Chris Sabin. He also won the match 5 of those 6 times, more than anyone else. Suicide won Ultimate X 16 but that was Daniels and not Frankie Kazarian, the current man under the mask. Kaz has been in it 4 times, winning once. Homicide has been in 3 matches, winning once (although in tag format with his partner Hernandez). Dinero and Red are both making their Ultimate X debuts.

FULL METAL MAYHEM FOR THE TNA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Team 3D vs. Beer Money vs. British Invasion vs. champions Scott Steiner & Booker T

These four teams have been at war pretty much since January when Team 3D won the IWGP Tag Titles and set their sights on grabbing Beer Money's TNA titles. The British Invasion is the only team not to hold those belts in 2009 (or ever) but they ARE the IWGP Champions which they won off of Team 3D with some assistance from Steiner & Booker. Beer Money and Team 3D have a mutual respect for each other after their wars but a loose alliance between The British Invasion and Booker/Steiner fell apart when the Main Event Mafia and the World Elite's alliance fell apart. So now it all comes to a head in what is being billed as the last time these teams clash (although who knows what that means since you have to assume at least 3 of them will remain active in the tag division).

For the record, if you're wondering what "Full Metal Mayhem" is, let me just point out to you that its been used by Team 3D, Christian Cage, and Jeff Hardy. Its a Ladder match in which "metal" items such as Chairs, Chains, and Tacks are legal, plus a bit of a logical leap for the structure of Tables. The Tacks and Chains are really because Abyss has been around them a bunch but basically we're talking about a TLC match without the copyright. As far as the prize, as you can see by the graphic and posted match name TNA's sent mixed messages as to whether the IWGP titles are on the line. This could be due to NJPW's screwiness but then again TNA is prone to booking confusing stips that they don't make clear until the match starts (or sometimes after). And IF both titles are on the line it does beg the question as to whether one team will walk away with two championships or if the possibility exists for 2 teams to retrieve titles and walk away champions. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Hernandez vs. Eric Young vs. champion Kevin Nash

Nash loves money. We should get that out of the way. Hernandez has been on his own and rising up the ladder in TNA for awhile now, but unfortunately that meant the death of LAX and the turning of Homicide. Eric Young leads the World Elite and wanted Hernandez with them, but when he couldn't make that happen he decided to settle on Homicide and making Hernandez' life miserable. EY cost Hernandez a spot in the title match at No Surrender. When Hernandez used his Feast or Fired (like Money in the Bank) title shot at No Surrender EY once again interfered and took him out of the match. And just last week when Hernandez got a Legends Title Match EY once again interfered. While this was happening the Main Event Mafia's leader Angle was putting out a contract on EY for $20K, something Nash was unaware of. When EY helped him retained the title the two struck a deal to take out Hernandez for $30K. When Angle objected to this Nash made the clear and inarguable point that $30K is more than $20K.

So the story here is will Nash and EY double team Hernandez or did Angle counter bid meaning Nash and Hernandez will both want EY? And of course there's a title on the line which a cynic might suggest seems designed to take the belt off a barely mobile Nash without him having to put someone over.

TNA KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Beautiful People vs. Taylor Wilde & Sarita

Wilde & Sarita became the first Women's Tag Champs last month at No Surrender by defeating the Beautiful People in a tournament final. Velvet Sky and Angelina Love were the front runners in the tournament as a long standing tag team, but when Love left TNA due to Visa troubles Madison Rayne stepped in to replace her. With Love gone Sky and Rayne apologized to the tag champs assuring them that it was Love who made them be bitches, but this was of course merely a set up to introduce their newest member Lacey Von Erich (daughter of Kerry).

Von Erich is hot but by most accounts pretty terrible in the ring. In 3 weeks in TNA she's managed to be so rude to Love (backstage) that TNA orders her to apologize, trip Shockmaster style during a run-in, injure herself without actually wrestling, and piss off Awesome Kong (backstage). So to no real surprise it will be Rayne and Sky in this match and Von Erich may not be long for TNA. Wilde & Sarita have turned into a very cohesive tag team in a short time and Sky has been improving in the ring, so while this probably isn't a show stealer it is some pretty women who should wrestle decently at least.

TNA KNOCKOUTS TITLE
ODB (c) vs Tara vs Awesome Kong

Tara (WWE's Victoria) arrived in TNA 5 months ago claiming she wanted to face the best women in the world. While she's held the Women's Title and competed for the Tag Titles the one clear confrontation to be had was with Awesome Kong. Over the last few months Kong and Tara have clashed repeatedly, regularly resulting in brawls but never in a 1-on-1 fight. These carried over to 4 weeks ago when Tara and ODB teamed up to try and win the Tag Titles only for Kong to drag Tara from the match. This led to Kong taking on ODB for the title but Tara interfered this time to get her revenge. This of course led to Tara vs ODB and you can imagine what happened. So that brings us to our logical place with a triple threat match. Tara and Kong face off for what I THINK is the first time and ODB may well be a lame duck champion as it seems she only won the title to engage in a short term comedy angle that we will not speak of.

So there you have it. TNA's biggest show of the year is this Sunday. It was teased as Sting's final show but that seems off the table. It is TNA's first PPV on the west coast as it comes from Los Angeles. TNA's undergone a youth movement of late and there's plenty of rumors or just an overall feel like the Main Event Mafia may die this Sunday, a year after it formed.

Word is the Motor City Machine Guns will take on Lethal Consequences in the pre show streamed online at mycontent.com/TNA. And Zakk Wylde will perform the National Anthem. If you care.

In addition to all of this TNA put together a well reviewed preview show called Before The Glory. This has been airing on Direct TV and on this week's Impact but if you missed it its a very well put together UFC/boxing style preview for the main matches on the show and worth your 30 minutes. If you've taken the time to read MY hype for the show, maybe you ought to give TNA's hype a try:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2W44-Ltiqo

Thanks for reading...

LUCKY's OO FORUMS PROFILE
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