TNA Sacrifice preview

Read on for what I'd do to book tonight's Sacrifice PPV.
While I bemoaned the lack of an MVP match at this show, I do feel like eight matches is enough for a PPV event and they all have a storyline purpose. I wouldn't add anything unless there's some kind of crazy last minute situation with a talent. Even then, they could probably just stretch out the other seven matches.

Anyway (in no particular order):

The Beautiful People attack Gail Kim backstage during an interview about the Knockouts Title match, preventing her from being at ringside. Madison reluctantly allows Brittany to accompany her. Velvet seeks to use the hairspray or whatever to blind Madison, but Brittany takes it from her before she can. Brittany then uses it on Madison herself to join the BP. Angelina gets the win and they take Brittany under their wings. This gives Brittany a chance to get over in a big way while learning the ropes alongside two veterans. It also sets her up with matches against Madison, Gail and Brooke, all of whom can help her up her game as opponents.

Sanada and Tigre Uno have been kind of swept under the rug, as each man's gimmick is pretty much just "hardworking, critically-acclaimed babyface international sensation". They both get the chance to show what they can do in the standard flippy spotfest the audience expects. Sanada wins and Tigre earns his respect. MVP gives them a tag team match on Impact in an X-Division exhibition against some indy spotmonkeys TNA has no plans of signing. After they win, Kenny King attacks and lays down a challenge for the X-Division Title. He beats Tigre to officially become #1 contender for Slammiversary.

The Wolves finally get the win over the Bro-Mans and DJ Z. I like the heels' act, but it's time for this one to be wrapped up. No screwjob finishes here. Just a straight-up win and solid showing from the indy sensations. The Hamsters retain in a rematch before starting to feud with EC3 and Spud. If you haven't noticed, TNA doesn't really have any other established challengers for them. About the only other idea I can think of is pairing Rob Terry and Hernandez as heels upset at being kept out of the TNA limelight for so long (they're both still employed, believe it or not).

If TNA's really stretched, they can have Samuel Shaw take either man as a bodyguard to make a new tag team. Garett Bischoff paired with either man would be something of a last resort. As for building EC3 and Spud after them being wrecked for so long, they can beat up their old pals Norv Fernum, Dewey Barnes, Shark Boy and whatever other cameos TNA can use for cannon fodder.

Beer Money make a pledge early in the night to watch each other's backs. As you might expect, this leads to Storm being instrumental in Roode getting the victory. I'd have Roode make a pretty good run for it on his own, though. Bully shouldn't dominate him as Roode has potential to be a top guy again. This match should be early on.

Later in the night once Bully's had enough time to sell being put through a table, he makes the save to prevent Beer Money going 2-for-2 with interference wins. Gunner gets a clean win over Storm, with the story being Storm's not quite good enough to beat Gunner without Roode's help.

While I think there can be some really interesting story points from Shaw being institutionalized, I think the natural way to go is Shaw getting the win. This sets up Anderson to make the big babyface comeback at Slammiversary to wrap up the feud once and for all. Anderson spends a few weeks in the madhouse to keep him and Shaw separate until the blowoff match. Shaw kidnaps Christy and eventually MVP has to step in to get Anderson out and to set up the match for the PPV.

The institution is portrayed in the usual fictional matter with "crazy people" and incompetent quack doctors and what have you. The doctors could make a case of keeping Anderson because he stalked Shaw to his house and did wear that Christy Hemme wig (their diagnosis in that part would be he's confused about his identity or something. It should be clear the doctors here are portrayed as crackpots and that a man dressing as a woman or wanting to be a woman is not sufficient reason to commit someone in real life). The plan would be for Anderson to win the blowoff match and Shaw would be committed himself (and thus written off for a time. They could either have Shaw come back "cured" or even worse after the ordeal of being committed).

Angle and Willow don't have too much trouble with their opponents. Realistically given how everyone here's been booked, that's about the only way to do things. Angle and Willow then set their sights on bigger things after a dominant win.

Eric Young gets the clean win over Magnus in a hard-fought match that leaves both men in prime position to face the wrath of Abyss in the post-match. Young and Magnus should look like credible main eventers and worthy wrestlers in the match itself, though.

Set for Slammiversary:
- The Beautiful People (including Brittany) vs. Madison Rayne, Gail Kim and Brooke Tessmacher (who is from Texas after all).
- TNA X-Division Championship: Sanada vs. Kenny King
- TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Wolves vs. Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud
- MVP vs. Samoa Joe
- Falls Count Anywhere Texas Street Fight: Bully Ray and Gunner vs. Beer Money
- Ambulance match: Mr. Anderson vs. Samuel Shaw
- King of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Eric Young vs. Magnus vs. Abyss vs. Kurt Angle vs. Willow

More wrestling coming up.