TNA Vs Raw Predictions Plus *Massive Spoilers*

[KeepingTheFaith]

Less than 48 hours to go and while we won't be forced to chose over here it's sill going to be very interesting to see what happens.

Anyone want to make a prediction?

I'm picking TNA to come up with a very solid number for the first hour before taking a hit when Raw starts (especially as most people will be expecting Hart to kick off the show)

I think things will be fairly consistent after that with some ups and downs during ad breaks.

I will agree with both Hogan and Bischoff though, TNA making this move has already been a win as it's forced the WWE to really focus hard on this week's Raw. While I'm expecting Raw to win very comfortably I think we'll see both TNA and WWE put on two shows that are a step up from what we've seen in the last couple of months.


Matches confirmed for Impact

ODB V Tara - Knockout Championship
Wilde/Sarita V Hamada/Kong - Knockout Tag Titles
Steel Cage Asylum Match - X Division Title.

Hogan will debut.

Angelina Love has re-signed with TNA is expected to appear as well.

RVD, Scott Hall, X-Pac are the three most heavily rumoured wrestlers to make an appearance.


Matches confirmed for Raw

Kingston V Orton
DX V Show/Jericho

Of course the big one is Bret Hart returning to Raw. I hope they don't overdo the opening promo. It'd be nice if they didn't have Michaels/Vince/Hart all come out within minutes of each other to start it off. Some anticipation/build up would be nice.

The Hart Dynasty have also been shifted to Raw for this Monday so that will be very interesting to watch.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

While I've got nothing to back this up, I can't help feeling that TNA are going to bring something out of left field. Give them credit, they did a great job of keeping Lashley quiet, and to a lesser extenet Angle.

Mr Kennedy (under a different name of course) perhaps. They've made it obvious that Flair hasn't signed yet (a work perhaps). We'll see.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Shannon Moore got a call from TNA officials and is apparently driving down for Impact tonight for a meeting. Probably means he's unlikely to be involved in the show though.

Jeff Hardy is also driving down with Moore, but as a visitor only.

 

[Special K]

I actually agree with JBL..

From JBL's Facebook page:

I am loving the Monday Night Wars being back, or at least a one night skirmish on January 4th between WWE and TNA.

Greatest trade in history was Vince Russo to WCW, it drove WCW into bankruptcy and WWE to buying their competitor and establishing world dominance. We, at the time, were starting to think that Vince McMahon was sending Russo to destroy the competition it was so bad.

Now, years later you have the same characters going at it again. For fair competition I hope TNA got rid of their version of Ryan Leaf or else it will be short war.

I can remember the invasion of WCW in Virginia. Brisco organized the guys to stay around in case something happened after the show, so everyone-Shamrock, Blackman, the Harris boys, Ron and I and many others "escorted" Vince to his car that night because it was that wild of a time. It was fun.

What would have been real fun is if Haku had showed up and he and Shamrock had gotten into it-it might still be going on. Talk about two tough guys. From what I understand the guys who "invaded" WCW were told that if Haku had come out, just go ahead and find a way to get out of dodge.

Talk about the wild west. I don't think it will get that crazy again, but you never know.

WCW was run by the inmates from what I understand. Which is one reason I think they lost. Also, I think WWE just had a better machine run by Vince and Kevin Dunn. However, if not for WCW the "Attittude" era would probably have not come into being. And, if not for Eric Bsichoff-guaranteed contracts would not have come into being.

A couple of great stars were created in that era. Goldberg, Stone Cold and The Rock being the biggest along with DX. Probably the greatest time in wrestling history. I can remember doing an 8 average for the second hour of Raw.

Of course, got to brag-the highest rated segement of the era-Ron Simmons versus Bradshaw followed by Stooges versus Mean Street Posse. We did an 8.6 if I remember, the highest rated regular segment ever in wrestling TV history that didn't have an overrun.

Now to my friend Mick Foley, if I am wrong here I will admit it. But as far as I remember this was the highest rated segment ever that didn't have an overrun-if I am wrong please correct me. I have been hit on the head with many chairs and numbers get mixed up now.

So the big question is-how does this war end?

My guess-WWE will win but TNA will make a place for themselves.

WWE has better overall talent and a deeper roster. However, as much respect as I have for that top talent-they have been the top talent for some time except for a few exceptions-Sheamus. Somewhere down the line WWE fans will get tired of top talent wrestling each other over and over. In the past WWE has created new talent, their future still depends upon that because a lot of the top talent are older and won't be around in 5 years.

TNA has the underdog and new guy going its way, it also has Eric Bischoff who I greatly respect. I think Eric on his round two with Vince will be prepared. Along with Hulk who wants to badly compete with Vince as well.

Main thing here is international TV rights, which both covet and make money off of. With Hulk and Eric in the mix, TNA will get clearance in many good markets to add to their international profile. Also, with Dixie Carter, who is a good friend and someone I respect-you won't have the WCW oversized corporation.

TNA can live of of International tours and international TV rights by the way.

While still a WWE guy, I have good friends in TNA who have many things going for them at this time and WWE is going to be in for a fight again. Warning-WWE has never lost one of these fights.

WCW killed Germany for us, they would book top stars who wouldn't show up and that killed a great market. Of course I had a little problem in Germany, but I can't blame that on WCW.

I have made my prediction-WWE wins but not by knockout and TNA comes through it to carve their own niche. All better for the guys that wrestle and for fans. It's going to be fun and glad to be watching this time from the outside.

WWE has a machine that is hard to beat and until Vince and Kevin Dunn are no longer with company, which I think only death will stop them working, I think they continue to be a great sports entertainment company that throws off a lot of cash for shareholders.

Eric is in a much better situationthan last time, this time it is different- but he is still fighting a great machine in WWE- let the fighting begin!!

http://nodq.com/wwe/264487495.shtml

 

[Bulldog Force]

I never thought I'd say this but it looks like TNA got the money here. People will love to see Hogan again. Having X-Pac and RVS tipped to returned on sweetens the deal for them.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Rumour mill seems to be saying RVD has officially signed with TNA

However RVD twittered a little early saying he won't be appearing.

Hall and Waltman (Xpac) are near certainties though.

 

[pennywisealfie]

go hall!

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

I think Van Dam will be there. Kennedy will definitly be there.

I also read Paul Heyman has been in talks.

 

[Special K]

RVD has came out and said don't expect him to be on either show.

Rumor has it Booker T for Raw also.

I bet half these things don't happen. But it does show how much potential there is for a head to head show to battle Raw.

 

[griffo346]

Report says Angelina Love back with TNA

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that former TNA Knockouts Champion Angelina Love (Lauren Williams) has signed a new deal with TNA Wrestling to make her official return to the company. Williams parted ways with the company back in September. While not confirmed, it is possible she will make her return during this Monday's big three-hour Impact.

http://wrestleview.com/

 

[griffo346]

imo rvd to return at the rumble

 

[Bulldog Force]

imo rvd to return at the rumble

I think you're just a tad off the mark here...

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Great news about Angeline love, the beautiful people have gone to the sh*t since she left and before they were a top heel stable.

Good influx with Hall and Waltman.

Would kill to see RVD @ TNA.

 

[The Colonel]

I watch with interest as to how the influx of talent will sit with the likes of Samoa Joe and some of the very decent but considerably overlooked TNA talent. Already some talk that Joe may head to WWE, again, particularly given how well he has performed in matches in the past with CM Punk.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

I watch with interest as to how the influx of talent will sit with the likes of Samoa Joe and some of the very decent but considerably overlooked TNA talent. Already some talk that Joe may head to WWE, again, particularly given how well he has performed in matches in the past with CM Punk.

I've been saying it for a while TNA need a second show, even if its just an hour "heat" like show that they can put up and comming talent on.

Way too much talent sitting idle @ anyone time.

Deadset you go weeks without seeing Beer $, Eric Young....... Good knows how much other talent.

 

[Big Pete]

Missing Beer Money is a shame but Eric Young...

I couldn't care less about Hall these days. He's just a slob who makes his way wrestling in Indy promotions.

Did anyone care about X-Pac to begin with? Even when he was over I found him to be a pissant.

After reading an interview with Hogan I hope he sticks to his word and makes AJ Styles into a household name. That's what TNA needs to do, push the stars that they've had and get them to break on through to a stage of popularity that makes people remember them. Styles can put on a hell of a match, but TNA has done a lousy job of promoting him. To me, he should be the TNA equivalent of Shawn Michaels.

 

[The Colonel]

Missing Beer Money is a shame but Eric Young...

I couldn't care less about Hall these days. He's just a slob who makes his way wrestling in Indy promotions.

Did anyone care about X-Pac to begin with? Even when he was over I found him to be a pissant.

After reading an interview with Hogan I hope he sticks to his word and makes AJ Styles into a household name. That's what TNA needs to do, push the stars that they've had and get them to break on through to a stage of popularity that makes people remember them. Styles can put on a hell of a match, but TNA has done a lousy job of promoting him. To me, he should be the TNA equivalent of Shawn Michaels.

Hogan has always been about promoting Hogn so it will be interesting to say the least...... with names like Hall and Waltman being thrown about if I was a wrestler like Hernandez, Styles, Beer Money, Joe..... I'd be quietly looking at what options are available. It is a decent thing though that Bischoff is a smart operator and probably has a bit more to work with then he did in WCW....

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

It's already begun, Hogan giving friends jobs.

Expected to debut tomorrow night is the new backstage personality Bubba The Love Sponge. :crazy:

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Apparently TNA has 6-7 confirmed names who will be coming into the company in the next few weeks (not all of them tomorrow, and there may be more additions in coming weeks)

1. Angelina Love (confirmed as a signing, likely to debut.)
2. Scott Hall - nothing official, but you could bet your house on it (especially if you rent)
3. Sean Waltman - see Scott Hall
4-5. Young Bucks - confirmed signing, may or may not debut tomorrow

Sid and RVD are looking more and more likely, but don't expect to see either of them tomorrow.

Heyman is still a possibility, but definately won't be tomorrow, if at all.

Names being thrown around include.

Shannon Moore - likely to sign, may appear tomorrow.

Jeff Hardy - Is travelling down with Moore, nothing more than that. Is being pursued for a WM match against Punk.

Ken Anderson - Could be a left field surprise tomorrow.

Tommy Dreamer - Was recently released, but surely would have a no compete clause.

Goldberg - Good friends with Hogan, but I can't see it happening.

Flair - Like Anderson could be a surprise

Also, the entire TNA roster has been requested for the show, and that includes Sting who hasn't been seen on TNA for some time.

 

[Special K]

A photo of Hall at the Hogan TNA party... Da Bad guy is lookin like da old guy chico