Roode v. Sting Next Week: Starting Off With A Bang Or A Whimper?

[Jack-Hammer]

TNA announced that on next week's episode, which will be the first episode in the 8 pm timeslot and the first of weekly live shows, that Sting, who made his return last night, will meet TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode in a Lumberjack match.

Next week sort of kicks off a new era in TNA. Whether it'll be the start of permanent changes or temporary is anybody's guess at this time. Since next week is an opportunity to really go all out, is anyone disappointed in the main event?

Personally, I'm kind of let down. I wasn't a fan of the Sting/Roode feud when Sting was GM to begin with. True Sting is no longer IW GM, which means he's now just another opponent for Roode like any other wrestler on the roster. However, Sting hasn't been gone long enough for his return to feel special to me. In my opinion, it'd been more entertaining if they'd have gone with Roode taking on Styles, Ray, Hardy & Angle for the title next week and spent last night really building up the match. They then could've had Sting show up next week after the match and set the stage for next week. I just have a feeling that the main event for next week's show will ultimately boil down to a gigantic brawl with pretty much the whole locker room, resulting in a no contest.

I dunno, Roode vs. Sting just doesn't do it for me.

 

[The Liar]

I'm looking forward to it, and the fact that it's a lumberjack match makes it even more interesting. TNA has got me hooked just in time for the new era.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Sting vs. Roode the opening match of the night?

 

[iwinulose]

I agree with you, plus sting and roode have went at it before for the title, not to say it didn't help roode out at all getting wins over the icon, but they have done it, time to move on. I mean, TNA has so many wrestlers, do they really need sting to boost the ratings all the time?? Roode and hardy, angle, bully ray, storm, gunner, or aj, or whoever else would have been better, not to sure that sting can keep pace with roode. Roode/AJ would have been a much better choice in my own opinion. They could put on a great fast paced match up, and of course, lumberjacks are always cool, i mean, i do enjoy the big brawls that ensue. Seriously think TNA could have come up with something a bit better, but i'm sure it will be a alright match anyways.

 

[Lowdown]

I'm kinda over the whole Roode vs. Sting feud. Like Jack Hammer, it doesn't seem like Sting was gone long enough for this to have a spark to it. I know the fans in the Impact Zone popped at Stinger's appearance. But in truth, where will this lead? Is Sting getting a title shot if he beats Roode next week? Of course I'll be checking it out. But I'm wondering about the direction and progression in this.

 

[Indeed]

I marked out when Sting came back last night, because aside from a fan-chant at the end, "We want Sting!", I thought it was Storm. Can't wait for next week.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

In my opinion, it'd been more entertaining if they'd have gone with Roode taking on Styles, Ray, Hardy & Angle for the title next week and spent last night really building up the match.

I'm hoping they save that for King of the Mountain at Slammiversary!

As for Roode vs Sting I'm okay with it, though I guess I would've preferred Angle since the last time the two faced was at BFG and in different roles. And since Roode pretty much beat Sting clean, well he himself didn't do anything anyway lol.

I enjoyed Roode and Sting's last match. Hope this one is good too!

 

[Coco]

I love this direction. Sting vs Roode is probably one of the best feuds Sting's had in TNA and easily the best feud Roode has ever had. To see them resume it on the first match of their first live show of the summer pleases me greatly and it shows TNA felt as strongly about it as I did. Whether or not this will lead to a title shot is anyone's guess, but I'm more than willing to just enjoy the ride. I don't need Sting to have experienced a longer lay-off for this to feel special. It hit home for me. It's a great leaping off point for the rest of the show. Major thumbs up from me.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

I didn't even think this needed questioning, it's an intelligent decision and will be an entertaining one at that.

Sting was the first major player to join TNA in the early years, the hype when he debuted and returned full time a year or so later made people want to tune into TNA, because most believe if someone such as Sting, who has a good mind for the business, who nobody has a bad word against and who respects the business can place trust in this company then there must be something here. He's a multi-time World Heavyweight Champion, has been involved in some of the most intriguing angles, best matches and it is plausible to say he has the most respect from the wrestling fans than any other employee of TNA Wrestling.

Bobby Roode has been a phenomenon as TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Some say he wasn't "ready" and those people have been proven wrong. Roode looks like a Champion, acts like a Champion, talks like a Champion and is in my own opinion the best Champion presently in wrestling. That is taking CM Punk's WWE Championship reign into account. Roode uses the belt to a great effect, he has turned out to be a great Champion and what Hogan said is true, he has stabilized the proverbial rocking ship.

Allowing these two to open Impact Wrestling, going live, is a smart decision. People find Roode a worthy Champion of watching, people recognize Sting as a legend. Take their angle from Victory Road into the equation and you've the elements needed to make a great match that'll draw people in. Simple and effective.

 

[TellMeWhy]

Of course Sting vs. Roode is going to be a great bang to open up the live Impact next week. Sting is still in great shape, the right conditioning, moves well, and has the right size to be the perfect contender for Roode. I think it would've been more effective had Sting stayed away a bit longer myself but I'm still looking forward to see the two counteract because Sting looks refreshed, motivated, and reinvigorated with the time he had off. I'm willing to bet that they will have a fun match. Overall, I'm just excited for TNA's new direction. The show and the product feels freshened up.

 

[Philly88]

Im not against sting by any means. I loved the joker angle it was pretty funny. But what I am tired of is him going away then coming back months later all the time. I dont know how many times they have done it over the years but im sick of it. Regardless Ill be interested to see who wins.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Sting is the biggest name in the company. This is far and away a FANTASTIC decision to make regarding the opening of the new LIVE iMPACT! episodes. Better yet, you're putting the World Heavyweight Champion in a match to open the card early, and a lumberjack match no less? Say what you will about Sting's age, but people pay to see him, myself included.

 

[sfury2005]

Im not against sting by any means. I loved the joker angle it was pretty funny. But what I am tired of is him going away then coming back months later all the time. I dont know how many times they have done it over the years but im sick of it. Regardless Ill be interested to see who wins.

I doubt they have much choice to do anything but have him go away and return several times because he's most likely paid for a certain number of appearances in a year and when he goes away it's probably to save up days so they can use him later on in the year.

 

[whoopin' ass]

i find it interesting that they are using that to start their live show at a new time slot. obviously they want to start with a bang and using your world champ and a legend like sting will accomplish that. but it seems like a waste to me not to build it up for a ppv match, or at least build it up more than a week even for tv. i wonder if it will be a short match or something. is it for the belt? i can see sting winning if it isn't and then that will earn him the match at the ppv. i think the match is a bang but am still kind of shake my head as to why they are giving it away like this.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

i for one am looking forward to this match i think its gonna give us the ending to this fued once and for all they put on a show at victory road i expect a big show next week and this starts it off love it.

 

[Pimpin]

I definitely want to catch this match. I thought their Victory Road match was very well done, and truthfully we haven't really gotten the end of the feud yet. I'm a Roode fan and have been a Sting fan for years (he's still enjoyable to watch). Also think it's a great move to start the show off with this. It gives the signal that they're planning on trying to hit a home run with the first Impact in the new time slot. Again, good move by TNA in my opinion.

 

[RicSpade]

I like the idea of the match, but the question is which Sting will be at the match? If its the shirt wearing out of shape Sting, they are going to need a miracle to make this match work, but if the real Sting shows up this match could go down as another defining TNA moment. The only thing I could see the bad out of this is that if Sting wins the title after another absence just after Roode received high praise for being the longest running TNA champion in the companies history it pretty much spits in the face of his title run. Besides everyone knows when a face is running after a title its more of a draw then when the face is actually champion.

 

[New Hot Fed]

TNA announced that on next week's episode, which will be the first episode in the 8 pm timeslot and the first of weekly live shows, that Sting, who made his return last night, will meet TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode in a Lumberjack match.

Next week sort of kicks off a new era in TNA. Whether it'll be the start of permanent changes or temporary is anybody's guess at this time. Since next week is an opportunity to really go all out, is anyone disappointed in the main event?

Personally, I'm kind of let down. I wasn't a fan of the Sting/Roode feud when Sting was GM to begin with. True Sting is no longer IW GM, which means he's now just another opponent for Roode like any other wrestler on the roster. However, Sting hasn't been gone long enough for his return to feel special to me. In my opinion, it'd been more entertaining if they'd have gone with Roode taking on Styles, Ray, Hardy & Angle for the title next week and spent last night really building up the match. They then could've had Sting show up next week after the match and set the stage for next week. I just have a feeling that the main event for next week's show will ultimately boil down to a gigantic brawl with pretty much the whole locker room, resulting in a no contest.

I dunno, Roode vs. Sting just doesn't do it for me.

How can you not be a fan of the first Sting vs Roode feud? That feud made Roode, it brought the worst villain in him, it was great.

Now I support this turn of events even if they had not meet because after Roode's reign, after having defeated RVD and AJ, they throw him into a lumberjack match against a big star like Sting. It says to me that TNA are not resting on their laurels. They're willing from now to throw main event matchs with their top level stars on a constant basis. The last three weeks they have pulled all the stops and their shows have been great. We should appreciate that they do this and they're gonna do it again next week.

It's not like they're booking Roode vs Sting for the belt at a PPV. They're booking this match as sort of a revenge fight so Roode can finally get beat up to please the fans. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[BenChillin]

All these Roode matches are boring due to the predictable finish.

Dude gets too much love. James Storm is gonna come back, super kick, win, and then what?

Yawn

 

[roh85]

am i the only one worried where tna is going with this?
whether its "boring" or not. having the belt on roode for this long has elevated him and the title.
im worried tna are gonna give sting the belt. he doesnt need it and it is ultimately counterproductive.
i can see tna giving sting the belt. he loses it to rvd who loses it to jeff who vacates it to avoid the demons taking over like last time. they hold a battle royal for new champion and garrett wins.
it sounds like a joke but in a tna ring. possible. *shudders*