TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode
The last time a title match was built this well going into a huge event, Chris Benoit won the World Heavyweight title at Wrestlemania 20. Kurt Angle, despite his recent bad publicity, is still the greatest pure wrestler the sport has ever seen. He is one of the only guys that can still hold a title and bring it instant prestige and value. Given his heavy involvement with Immortal, Kurt is a huge heel that can't even get the support of the marks in the Impact Zone. This entire angle was perfectly crafted for the young, incredibly talented Bobby Roode to step in and claim his place atop the world of professional wrestling. Or, as close as you can get being a champion in TNA… Putting him up against his Fortune brothers was brilliant. Not only did it put AJ, Kazarian, and James Storm in a much-needed spotlight, it gave us three fantastic Impact matches leading up to this title bout. The message is clear: Bobby Roode has beaten the best Impact Wrestling has to offer, and the only thing he has left to do is climb the final step and dethrone the reigning World Champion Kurt Angle. The only way they could possibly screw this up is to have Angle somehow retain the title. For once, I'm actually not against a run-in or swerve here, as long as it's done with creativity, tact, and adds to the match. Some of the best matches of all time have had climactic moments where factions hit the ring, only to be cleared out. I don't want Roode to get a cheap win, but if Fortune and Immortal have to brawl and take each other other leading to the conclusion, than let it happen. I'm not sure why, but I have faith in TNA creative to pull this match off. May god help us all…
Prediction: Bobby Roode to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The Immortal vs. The Icon
This year's Bound for Glory has a stacked card of technically sound matches, intense rivalries, and a well-placed blood-bath. It has shaped up to be one of TNA's best events in a very long time. And yet…this is the one thing that could ruin it all. Despite all the careful planning and the payout from the rest of the night, here is the blemish that could leave a bad taste in every fan's mouth. One fight, not even a match, that could bring down a whole PPV card… I've been trying to remember that Hulk Hogan has defined professional wrestling, and that I need to stay positive going into this event to be able to fully enjoy myself. But after mulling it over for what seems like hours, I just can't think of a single situation that could make this segment turn out for the better. I just don't understand how TNA could responsibly let something like this happen… Hulk Hogan cannot wrestle a match, and he shouldn't be anywhere near the ring. This is a nostalgia play, pure and simple, and it's put out there more for Hogan's ego than anything else. I haven't heard from a single fan excited about this “fight”, especially after the wonderful news that Hogan will not be taking any “bumps” from Sting. I can remain hopeful that TNA pulls something random out of their ass and shocks me with a fantastic conclusion to Bound for Glory, but I have braced myself to forget this segment even happened if it goes as expected… It's just sad that something like this could potentially bring down a PPV that so many guys have worked to turn into a great event. If I were AJ Styles or Bobby Roode I would be having a serious conversation with my loved ones about whether it was worth it to stick around now that Hogan has resigned for another two years. At the very least this should have been the Ric Flair vs. Sting match that flopped on Impact several weeks ago. At this point I've come to terms with the likely quality of the angle. As more than a fan, as a human being I'm genuinely concerned with the health of a guy I spent my childhood admiring.
Prediction: Nobody wins. Sting may have his armed raised when all is said and done, but I can't predict a scenario in which anybody really wins from all of this.
So that's Bound for Glory in a nutshell. A slightly jaded, but still rather anticipated nutshell. AJ Styles and Daniels will steal the show, Roode's win will be a great moment in wrestling history, the X-Division will do their thing, the Mayhem match will be fun, and the rest of the card is solid enough to hold momentum throughout the PPV. For once I can say I am legitimately excited for a TNA event, and with Jeff Hardy scheduled to make an appearance and guys like Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, Ric Flair, and Kazarian not on the card I'm predicting some swerves and run-ins that will hopefully add to the night rather than take away from it.
Overall Bound for Glory prediction: B
