Ah, the time has come once again for TNA’s X-Division spotlight PPV, Destination X. The PPV where TNA’s flippy-do guys get to showcase their best flippy-dos, all for our enjoyment. From this year on, however, the PPV will mean much more than it typically does. Per a stipulation introduced by Austin Aries, whichever man is lucky enough to be holding the X-Division Championship (of the 4 or 5 X-Division guys TNA usually has at any given time), has the chance to drop it for a World Heavyweight Championship shot. That’s exactly what one Austin Aries decided to do this year, but more on that later.
So, without further ado, let’s start this thing, shall we?
Last Chance Fourway
Dakota Darsow vs. Rubix vs. Lars Only vs. Mason Andrews
Ever since Hulk Hogan agreed to honor Aries’ stipulation of dropping the X strap for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, TNA has been bringing in various indy guys, most under hilariously awesome names, to fatten up the division. Some of these participants include, Dakota Darsow (perhaps better known as Maverick Darsow to FCW fans), Rubix (better known as Jigsaw, of CHIKARA fame), Lars Only (known as Johnny Yuma to most indy fans, known to Heath Slater as his long lost brother), and Mason Andrews (or Scorpio Sky). Even those these guys lost their matches to qualify for the X-Division Tournament, fret not gentlemen, for you are being given a second chance!
My Prediction
Rubix Wins
Even though I’m not a big indy guy, I know enough to know that Jigsaw is one of the most famous indy wrestlers of modern times. He seems to be very well liked, and most people from what I’ve read would love to see him stick around and win. I think that those people will get their wishes granted, as I see Rubix winning this match and advancing in this tournament. The only other guy I could see winning, sticking around, and being a force in the X-Division is Andrews, but I give the edge to Rubix.
X-Division Tournament
Doug Williams vs. Kid Kash vs. Zema Ion vs. Flip Cassanova vs. Kenny King vs. Rashad Cameron vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. the Winner of the Fourway Match (Rubix, in this case).
Regardless of who wins the Losers Special Four Way match, they have to keep the boots on and hop right back in the ring, this time to take on 7 other guys. The participants in this match are largely made up of guys who have won their Impact qualifying matches, along with Doug Williams, Kid Kash, and Zema Ion just ‘cuz.
My Prediction
Kenny King wins
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve gone two-for-two and predicted a Rubix win again, but given recent circumstances (read that as shady doings by one Kenny King at ROH’s expense) I have changed my prediction to Kenny King. I won’t go into too much detail about the circumstances, as it’s not really what the article is about, but King better hope he’s booked to win or else he’s in deep trouble. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming TNA wants to make a big deal out of this guy, plus he’s great in the ring, so it makes sense from that standpoint.
Ultimate X Match for the TNA X-Division Championship
TNA really wants to run their X guys ragged, as this is stage 3 in crowning a new champion all in one night – thanks Aries! I’m sure the guys really appreciate having to wrestle multiple times a night just because you got greedy – *pouty face*.
My Prediction
Kenny King wins, or Joey Ryan wins
Now, the former is my prediction based off of what we know so far, but the latter is my actual prediction. TNA has really been building this Joey Ryan thing nice and slow, and I wouldn’t be surprised (or mad) to see Joey Ryan as a part of the match, inserted by himself most likely. However, as I’m not sure that’ll happen, I’ll stick with the former for now, for the same reasons given for the previous match.
Bound for Glory Series Match
Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle
THE dream match....in 2007
Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle, a match that was largely regarded as a dream match before it actually happened shortly after Angle’s TNA debut. Even though the two have fought many, many times over the years, and the feud happened too fast in this guy’s opinion, I love seeing these two guys wrestle. Two of, in my opinion, the best wrestlers in the world, this time squaring off for those illustrious Bound for Glory series points.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of the Bound for Glory series, in Layman’s terms, it’s a series of matches for points, and at the end of the series the man with the most points gets to face the World Heavyweight Champion at Bound for Glory. Last year, Joe played jobber to damn near everybody, but since the company got Robbie E to fill that role, Joe is 2nd in points to James Storm’s 1st.
My Prediction
Kurt Angle wins
As much as I would like to see Joe win, I think Angle takes this one. Angle needs it more, only having 10 points to Joe’s 27, but regardless of who wins this ought to be a great match.
Last Man Standing Match
Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles
Russo would've put a fetus on a pole for this one.
As good as Impact has been recently, and it’s the best it’s ever been in my opinion, there always has to be bad to go with the good. Right now, the bad comes in the form of a storyline that could be classified as bizarre, if one is generous.
For weeks, Christopher Daniels and his partner Kaz had been teasing to release dirt they had on AJ Styles, which would prove that AJ was having an affair with Dixie Carter, the company President.. This led to various confrontations, numerous Appletinis consumed, and finally the reveal of said dirt. The dirt was damning calls between AJ Styles and Carter, and a video of the two embracing and moving into a hotel room. Presumably to play Twister, order Chinese Food, and watch Ghost, or whatever it is consenting adults go to hotels to do.
Anyway, recently it was revealed that the two weren’t having an affair at all, they were helping a pregnant drug addict overcome her problems! Simple screw up, right?
Fast forward to today, and AJ is pissed and wants to kill Daniels…something he’s wanted approximately 34 times throughout the company’s history, in between the times they made up and won tag belts. So, they’ll meet in a Last Man Standing match to settle the score once and for all….until three years from now that is, when the two inevitably feud once more.
My Prediction
Christopher Daniels wins
I really went back and forth with this one, as I’m truthfully not sure who’ll end up winning. However, I have a duty, and I have to pick, so I’ll go Daniels. I think through interference by Kaz, and some other wacky hijinks, Daniels walks away with a victory. Then, AJ will do that face that he does, which closely resembles a 5 year old throwing a temper-tantrum when he didn’t get his way.
Yeah, that one!
World Heavyweight Championship
Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode
Okay Aries, further back...further...further...further - perfect!
One of the criticisms that has remained true throughout TNA’s history is their bad habit of bringing in former WWE talent and handing them everything the company has to offer. As true as that had been in past years, TNA has really settled into its own, and finally seems comfortable in pushing their own talent.
The best example of this is the main event of the evening, Austin Aries the challenger vs. Bobby Roode the champion. Even though Aries has bopped around on the indies, both him and Roode are mainly TNA guys, so it’s great to see them in the deserving position of headlining a major PPV. Even though these two haven’t been feuding long, because of Aries’ stipulation being only recently introduced, it’s still been a great feud. Bobby Roode, in my opinion, is the greatest heel in the wrestling world today. In a short time he went from a super over Tag Team champion, to the most hated guy in the company. To watch his rise to fame has been absolutely incredible, and he deserves every last bit of it. That being said…
My Prediction
Austin Aries wins
As much as I have been enjoying Roode’s title reign, and I have been, I think he loses the strap come Destination X. As soon as this match was announced, I had it set in my head that there was no way Roode was going to lose. However, as time has gone on, I’ve changed my prediction to Aries winning. Why, you may ask? Well, I and many others believe that TNA is building towards Bobby Roode vs. James Storm at Bound for Glory. Given the recent angle with Storm, about him being so shaken up over his loss to Roode in front of his hometown that he had to step away, I can’t seen any other conclusion other than Storm getting revenge at TNA’s biggest PPV. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Roode has to hold the strap until October, and I don’t believe he will.
TNA has recently been booking Aries to be a very big deal, which is great because he’s worth it. That is one reason why I think he wins at Destination X, and the other has to do with the recent influx of X-Division talent. If you have Roode go over Aries, he’s going to either ask for a rematch or try and get his X-Division title back. However, he’ll be dropped in a division with a new champion, and more talent than just a couple months ago, and I just don’t think it’s worth it for Aries or the other talent.
I see Aries beating Roode, and then dropping the strap to him at No Surrender, the PPV before Bound for Glory. I personally believe this is a better scenario than having Roode hold the strap until Bound for Glory, but I could see them doing that as well.
So, there you have it – my predictions in all their glory. Feel free to enjoy them now, and then come back and laugh at them after the PPV when I get every one wrong. Regardless, thank you very much for reading, and enjoy the PPV!