TNA Slammiversary: AJ Styles vs. Jay Lethal

[Ferreira]

This has yet to be announced on iMPACT! or at the PPV's website, but it has been announced on Before the Bell that they uploaded to YouTube.

So I guess it's official. I'm gonna say this: I don't know who I want to win this one. If Lethal wins then I guess AJ will take time off (kayfabe) and think about what he has become in the last month or two.

But if AJ wins it, then Jay Lethal's push is totally pointless, they push the guy with Ric Flair, he beats AJ on iMPACT! and then he loses to AJ on Slammiversary? Doesn't seem right. But it's TNA, it might happen.

So what is your predicition for this one? I'm quite sure it's gonna be a heck of a match.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yeh...i also think Styles will take time out...like Flair told him too.. So I have to go with a Lethal victory here (see what i did there?)...It just makes sense..i mean they're pushing Lethal and for him to lose won't be good and his push wouldn't have any reason behind it...

 

[Lazerball]

this match is a travesty, AJ was jus world champ, and should not be workin with a terrible no gimmick loser like lethal. this is a waste of AJ and really upsets me. im sure the match will be good, but AJ should destroy him, it shouldnt even be a contest. Lethal has no gmmick and nothing goin for him, hes the TNA guy, u know he kneels down and points at the logo on the ramp when he comes out, he should of been the one released and not Chris Daniels. TNA has no clue how to use their guys, and it is just beyong terrible at this point. AJ could be doin a million other things, and it would be tons better, but no, a match with lame ole Jay Lethal come one.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It's kind of hard to tell when it comes to TNA as logic and cohesion aren't necessarily two strong points as far as the booking goes. Jay Lethal has been getting pushed by TNA for the past several weeks and it makes a lot of sense to have Lethal go over at the ppv. Lethal is talented in the ring but he really needs credibility at this point. After all, the last few times we saw Jay Lethal as "Black Machismo" was when he was jobbing cleanly to Jim Neidhart and Tatanka. A win over Styles in a singles match will definitely give him credibility.

Also, there's been a lot of speculation that Styles might be turning face sometime soon, so losing and taking time off as Flair suggested would be an easy and effective way for Styles to do it. On his time off, the angle could work out as to where he thinks about his life, the kind of person he's become since hooking up with Flair, not liking that person, etc. If the plan is also to turn Styles face while pushing Lethal, then that's another reason for Lethal to go over.

If TNA has AJ Styles beat Lethal at the ppv, then I think a lot of the steam that Lethal has built up over the past several weeks will have been little more than a waste of time. Lethal doesn't have to win every match he wrestles in order to still be getting pushed, but it all comes back down to credibility. Lethal needs this match far more than Styles does if TNA is serious about building Lethal into a serious force.

 

[The Prod1gy]

Lethal really needs this one, this push is based around him and didn't he just pin Styles in a triple threat with Kazarian. Also I originally thought it would be Styles Vs Kazarian for Ric Flairs managerial services.

 

[dionlyone18]

This how Fed up TNA is sometimes..i didnt even know they were fueding...i thought this was between flair and lethal..why throw a match together and they havent had a decent program together yet...stupid on TNAs part and of course Styles will win

 

[Adam08]

I'm going with Aj Styles here I just don't see Jay winning this match. yes Lethal is getting a pushed but I don't see him winning because of interference by Flair or even Kaz.

Should be a good to great match go if given time though.

 

[Greenlight13]

I don't think it would be wrong for AJ to go over. Lethal's already pinned him, doing it twice might be considered overkill. I'm not against Jay winning, but just saying, if AJ wins I wouldn't look at it as Lethal's push being pointless.

Two months ago he wasn't even on Impact unless it was doing his Macho Man impression in Hogan's office and now he's got a pin over TNA's MVP, and is getting a one on one PPV match with a main event talent, which I believe is only his second (after his match against Kurt Angle where he pinned him for the X-Divison title).

How's that not a push?

However, from a storyline point of view, it would probably be better for Lethal to beat AJ with a cradle and then Flair chews Styles out again and he walks away looking dejected as Kazarian gets treated as the new golden boy. I don't think AJ should come back and turn face by attacking him, but that option would be open. But him coming back re-focused would be good whether he's heel or face, as it seems to be what they're building towards.

 

[wrestlemaniac]

it's a toss up. I mean either, yea it'd make sense for lethal to win cleanly here but I don't think that really does anything here. Sure, I guess it can help with he whole flair storyline but then what? If that were to be the thing that happens then I would have AJ off of tv for a while up until bound for glory where he accepts an open challenge to anyone set by kaz. Of course kaz would become an egomaniac in AJ's absence leading up to this. You can also have lethal win or lose thanks to an interference by kaz...and it has to be kaz. No matter if lethal wins or loses here...i'd have AJ interfere and cost kaz his match leading to a feud between them. Yet another route they can take is have lethal beat AJ cleanly, have kaz come out after the match and beat on a worn out AJ and have lethal come back and make the save, clothesline kaz out the ring and helpAJ up before leaving AJ with a confused look on his face

 

[MWats]

Even though Jay Lethal is the definition of a rusty jabroni nipple, I'd give him the win right here. Hopefully, leading to a feud with Styles. Jay would be a good addition to the midcard and another guy to keep around just in case some one gets injured. Also a feud with Lethal could possibly keep Styles heel, as AJ is devoid of all substance and character when he is a face. He's basically just a happy redneck when he's a face and they already have a better version of that in Jeff Hardy. It's like turning Shad face again, when you have R-Truth. Although, the 'big booty girl' skits were pure, riveting genius.

 

[MooseDaddy]

If the rumors are true about Abyss turning heel again soon, they could also decide that the AJ Heel experiment has gone on long enough and turn him face again here. He could be about to have the win over Jay via interference by Ric Flair or something or maybe Flair opens Lethal up with a pair of brass knuckles and AJ turns on Flair and Lethal gets the win again.

 

[The Incredible Mr. C]

Haven't watched TNA in weeks, and can tell you that Lethal will lose. Unless they get Ole, Arn and Tully to come in and screw AJ out of a win...

So, yeah, counting on the fact that the above will never happen, AJ wins, and Lethal, a pretty talented dude, will be imitating, um, I don't know, the Ultimate Warrior next week.

Maybe that will bring old Warrior in, which would be priceless, if only to hear him emphatically tell Orlando Jordan that, "queering don't make the world work."

I know, awesome.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

So AJ Styles has only just come off a 6 month world title run and now he's facing Jay Lethal. Intresting considering that Bischoff & Hogan pointed out how stupid the Black Machismo gimmick is when they first joined the company.

I'd like to think that AJ Styles is in the bad books with management. It seems like a possibility, he has to be confused as to the direction of his character since he turned heel and aligned himself with Ric Flair. He also seems like the sort of gentleman who'd bring up any grievance he may have, which TNA management might have frowned upon because, in their eyes, they've given Styles everything in recent months.

 

[Post]

I made a thread on Friday titled, "How far can Jay Lethal really go." It is still in the TNA section.

Anyway, I would be really surprised if Lethal does not get the win here. TNA is showing faith in Jay with his latest feud with Ric Flair. Thus, it makes sense that Lethal picks up the W. I'm not expecting a dominating performance by Lethal, or really anything all that spectacular. I see him winning with some type of small package or sudden roll-up (possibly while AJ is being distracted by Kaz or Flair).

I do not consider a loss for AJ here to be jobbing. AJ is a former multiple time TNA WHC. He can lose a couple of matches and still not lose credibility. People here always argue the same thing about Chris Jericho. The bottom line is that having Lethal go over clean on AJ is good for business.

If Lethal wins it sets up several possibilities for the future:

1. AJ takes time off, returns as a face and feuds w/ Flair or Kaz (or both).
2. Lethal can continue his feud w/ Flair by battling with Kaz.
3. AJ takes time off, comes back and has a longer program with Lethal in means of getting revenge. By this time Jay Lethal may have vaulted himself into holding a title, and the two could battle for the X division or Global championship.
4. AJ does not take time off and after his loss, focuses on beating Jay for himself (not Flair).

 

[Trill Co$by]

this match is a travesty, AJ was jus world champ, and should not be workin with a terrible no gimmick loser like lethal. this is a waste of AJ and really upsets me. im sure the match will be good, but AJ should destroy him, it shouldnt even be a contest. Lethal has no gmmick and nothing goin for him, hes the TNA guy, u know he kneels down and points at the logo on the ramp when he comes out, he should of been the one released and not Chris Daniels. TNA has no clue how to use their guys, and it is just beyong terrible at this point. AJ could be doin a million other things, and it would be tons better, but no, a match with lame ole Jay Lethal come one.

Yes because using your former world champion to elevate new talent who can take the place of one of the guys using a crutch is completely not in the question. I mean TNA could like totally not be trying get Lethal over and up in popularity so he could be a legit main eventer who didn't come from WWE or WCW. Yes because building new superstars is completely fictional.



As for the match, I think this is going to be a solid bout between the two, and depending on how well it goes... it could be just enough to elevate Lethal to the main event spot. I mean with someone like Lethal in a match against RVD for the World title, that could be really exciting in terms of crowd reaction... that is if RVD still has it left in the tank.

I predict that AJ will lose, leave TV for a while, and come back as a baby face... and then maybe by then there will be another heel world champion and AJ could once again be the face of TNA. Or maybe a feud with Kaz to help elevate him to the main event and upper mid-card picture.

As Kevin Kelly said in his post the other day, TNA doesn't have their key four, and it's about time that they start finding them.

 

[akash]

This has yet to be announced on iMPACT! or at the PPV's website, but it has been announced on Before the Bell that they uploaded to YouTube.

So I guess it's official. I'm gonna say this: I don't know who I want to win this one. If Lethal wins then I guess AJ will take time off (kayfabe) and think about what he has become in the last month or two.

But if AJ wins it, then Jay Lethal's push is totally pointless, they push the guy with Ric Flair, he beats AJ on iMPACT! and then he loses to AJ on Slammiversary? Doesn't seem right. But it's TNA, it might happen.

So what is your predicition for this one? I'm quite sure it's gonna be a heck of a match.

its important for AJ to win this one as a credible leader is very much needed for the group of BM,wolfe and AJ.win at slammiversary and then destroying kaz and flair on impact will give them a real reason to be hated as well as may help kaz getting over as face.i wouldn't like a face turn for AJ atleast before BFG.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Random filler match that will only be good because it has Styles in it. AJ will win the match because he (kayfabe) needs to get back on Flair's good side, whereas Lethal.... well his Flair impression is funny but it does not give him ANY credibility in the ring. AJ Styles has this match won before it even begins since one of the top guys should always win if put against someone that people don't really take seriously.

DAGGER'S PREDICTION
AJ Styles will defeat Jay Lethal.

 

[a0161613]

This may be a career best match for Lethal. I am certain that he and Styles will work very well together and while it may be one long Flair parody, I expect this to be a very decent 15 minute match.

No idea who would win it though. I think Styles needs it even if his heel turn continues to be dire.