Sunday’s Total Nonstop Action (TNA) pay-per-view event brings the promise of some exciting match-ups including the rubber match between Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle and three championship matches featuring a triple threat match for the NWA Heavyweight Championship.  So far TNA’s website www.tnawrestling.com has listed the following matches (with the exception of the Paparazzi Finals' competitors which was provided to me thanks to WWI Forum member Xofdre):

1. Paparazzi Championship Finals: Kevin Nash’ tournament of comedy has provided a few laughs but not much wrestling.  The finals should change all that as Alex Shelly and Austin Starr square off to not only win the series but hopefully their spot as Kevin Nash’ pet.   

2.  Petey Williams vs. James Storm: With the team of America’s Most Wanted now split apart thanks to the betrayal of James Storm, singles competition seems to be the new direction for James Storm career.  Standing in his way is Petey Williams, the master of the “Canadian Destroyer”.  Williams recently began hearing the cheers of the fans after he stood up against the Latin American Exchange (LAX).  Both men are looking to advance their singles careers and a win will undoubtedly push either man in the right direction to compete for the X Division Championship or the NWA Championship.  The match looks even on paper but Storm seems to have some momentum thanks to his split with former partner “Wildcat” Chris Harris.  Look for Storm to edge his way to victory as fans and TNA management see what he is capable of on his own.

3. “The Phenomenal” A.J. Styles vs. Rhino (LAST MAN STANDING MATCH): When Rhino tried to act as peacemaker between Styles and Christopher Daniels, he couldn’t have imagined his efforts failing so miserably.  Rather than patching things up, he now finds himself in the middle of a war with Styles, TNA’s Triple Crown winner (X Division champion, NWA champion, and NWA World Tag Team Champion).  In their last PPV battle, Styles stole a pinfall victory after he manipulated Rhino by feigning injury.   Styles now faces a much warier Rhino in the type of match which favors the powerhouse brawling style of the “War Machine”.   While Styles speed and repertoire of high-flying moves will aid him, the rules of this match favor Rhino and any victory by Styles can only be seen as an upset.  Look for some wild brawling by Rhino along with the incredible moves which have earned Styles his nickname.

4. NWA World Tag Team Championship: The Latin American Exchange  (Champions Homicide and Hernandez) vs. Team 3D (Brother Ray & Brother Devon) -for the past few months, LAX has dominated TNA’s tag team division.  Whether it was the “dream team” of Christopher Daniels and A.J. Styles or TNA’s most decorated team America’s Most Wanted; no one has been able to stop the combination of Homicide and Hernandez for long.  Now, with the LAX’ leader Konnan out of commission, Team 3D looks not only to stop the LAX but to win the tag team title that has eluded them for over a year.  This match should be a terrific brawl but given the ferocity of both teams, a clear-cut victory seems unlikely in anything short of a cage match.  Look for both teams to go all out and for one or both teams to get disqualified.  This one should be brutal and bloody.

5. X Division Championship: Christopher Daniels (Champion)  vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Chris Sabin-Chris Sabin’s new attitude has won over no one save himself.  Still, it has won him more than his fair share of matches as well as a series of X Division title matches with Christopher Daniels.  With Jerry Lynn in the mix, this match could easily rival Angle/Joe for match of the night as well as capture the fans’ nomination as match of the year.  Jerry Lynn has been called the “Architect of the X Division” and he could very well walk away with the X Division Championship.  The real question though is whether he will stay true to the principles he helped establish for the X Division or follow the maverick trail being blazed by Chris Sabin.  This one is too hard to call but I’m going to say that Chris Sabin will pick up the pieces after Daniels and Lynn hash out their differences in the ring.  The true winner will be the fans who enjoy lightning fast action and precision wrestling as all three men will no doubt be putting on a clinic.

6. Iron Man Match: Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe: While most fans are used to the idea of an Iron Man match lasting sixty minutes, there’s definitely been a precedent for thirty minute Iron Man matches before whether it was the classic bout in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) between Ricky Steamboat and Rick Rude or recent thirty minute matches in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and TNA rings.

 The battle between Angle and Joe has crossed the line from one of professional pride to one of personal animosity ever since Samoa Joe evened the series at 1-1 and Angle attacked Joe’s girlfriend to land a rematch of his own.  Given the intensity of the first two matches, it’s probably better that these two wrestling machines only have thirty minutes against each other or someone’s career might end prematurely.  Given the drive of both men and their professional pride being on the line, it’s anybody’s guess who will come out with the win.  I think it’s very likely that both wrestlers will wrestle to a draw and that TNA will have to sanction a fourth bout to find out who the better man is.  If you thought Joe/Angle II was good, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

7. NWA Heavyweight Championship: Abyss (Champion) vs. Sting vs. Christian Cage (Elimination Match)-for the last two months, Sting has worked to help Abyss leave his personal demons behind him and become a man rather than a monster.  Sting is playing a dangerous game, especially with Christian Cage thrown into the mix.  Cage will stop at nothing to regain the NWA Heavyweight Championship, a belt he feels he never lost in the first place and you can bet that he will do his best to manipulate Abyss into destroying Sting for him.  Abyss’ fragile state of mind makes it just as likely that he will destroy Sting as it is that he will trust him.  When you factor in the methodical mind possessed by Christian as well as the secret he has on Abyss’ past, you can’t help but predict Christian Cage maneuvering his way to his second NWA championship with Sting being laid out by Abyss in the process. The action in the ring between these three hasn’t been main event material but the combination of wrestling and intrigue should make it an enjoyable bout.