Who Will Be Out of the World Title Scene Until BFG 2013?

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

A very interesting stipulation no doubt, and one I am not very keen on the idea of. But I guess there's no way we can stop it now. Storm vs Roode vs Styles. Whoever gets pinned cannot challenge for the world title until BFG 2013! Damn...

So who do you want out of the world title picture? And what do you think of this stipulation?

For me, I want Bobby Roode to be pinned. He's had the longest reign in TNA history, whereas the other two I want back in the title picture. If Storm or Styles gets pinned that would be a real shame for either.

 

[Godfather81]

I think that either Aj Styles or James storm will win this match i dont see roode back in the title hunt anytime soon both aj and storm have been out of the title picture so it would make sense to me to have one of them win

 

[bigandpissed]

I could see A.J. losing, and then TNA using the BFG series to build him back up.

 

[RawIsJericho]

It's difficult because you ask "who do you want out of the world title picture?" and really I couldn't say I "want" any of them out of it. But given that I'm forced to choose one, I'm going to begrudgingly say Roode even though I would probably argue he is the best world champion of the three.

I don't want to say Storm because I think the potential for a Storm world title run really has not been explored properly and while I'm not exactly a big Cowboy fan, there's certainly many who are and we've just been through a year of him getting screwed out of the title or not being in the title scene because of Roode or whatever, so expanding that out another year is no good for him at all.

I don't want to say AJ because I love AJ, I want AJ to have another run sometime soon. I'm an AJ mark so it's as simple as that. It's been long enough.

So it comes down to Roode, who I thought still had plenty to offer on his title run, though I understand why they shifted the belt on to A Double. But for the time being, he's the one who needs the belt the least, he's the one best positioned to go a year without it.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

I could see A.J. losing, and then TNA using the BFG series to build him back up.

Precisely.

The minute I heard that stipulation I thought that whoever loses this match will win the BFG series. C'mon, why until Bound for Glory? Why not until next year's Turning Point or something?

It makes for a perfect storyline too. They can build this guy up until next year, have him perform so well, mention that he deserves a title shot but can't get one because of one silly loss he had a while back, have him watch as the belt changes hands and so on.

Then he wins the BFG series and maybe the title.

Sounds like a great storyline for AJ Styles, doesn't it?

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I think it'll be Styles who ultimately gets pinned. Once I heard the rather unusual stipulation that the winner won't get another title opportunity for almost a year, it sort of clicked that this will be the opportunity to use the BFG Series to build up the person who gets pinned here. A lot of fans on these boards have wanted to see Styles back in the title scene. Using the time in 2013 to build Styles back up into a main eventer would be a good use of the time. Right now, Styles is someone that's been bogged down in an almost never ending feud with Daniels & Kazarian. It came to an end only very, very recently and stopped being interesting a long time ago. TNA can use the BFG Series to get back on track with Styles.

I don't think that Hardy will be dropping the title. TNA wants him to sign a new deal once his current deal expires so I don't see him having another lame duck run as champion. If he does retain, then he needs a strong heel to go into a feud with, including someone to carry the lion's share of the feud when it comes to telling a story via the promo segments.

Styles is someone that can't really do that. In my opinion, he's awful as a heel and I don't see TNA turning him. Even if they did, I think this would be a heel feud without any real heat. They could always just go for a face vs. face feud with Hardy & Styles, which is possible. But I just don't see them going that route. I might be wrong but I just have a feeling that won't happen.

James Storm is one of the strongest babyfaces on the roster. He's arguably the strongest of the "homegrown" TNA faces on the roster right now. Storm's money as a face right now. Again, TNA could keep him as a face to go against Hardy but I just don't see it happening that way.

To me, a feud with Bobby Roode simply sounds more entertaining at this point. Roode's a damn good heel, he can deliver inside the ring & on the mic and I think the matches would be great. Hardy could have strong matches with any of these three when you get right down to it.

 

[HBsam31]

I think AJ will take the pin as well. I agree that it would be a perfect storyline for AJ to lose, and then have a great showing and possibly win the BFG series next year. I see Roode winning the match and feuding with Hardy, and I see Storm holing the title this year as well getting a more substantial run. AJ is the one that I think will lose this match, and hopefully through that more focus will be put on him next year in his comeback, and him trying to finally earn himself a title shot. I like this stipulation if it will benefit someone later on.

 

[SpecialFNK]

I have to think AJ will be the one to get pinned. he hasn't even been around the main event scene. as far as I remember he's only had 1 title match in like forever back shortly after Roode won the title and Storm had the concussion, maybe around a year ago. even longer than that TNA hasn't really been using AJ in the main event scene anyway. although I do think that is a shame, as personally I would rather see AJ Styles on that level more than someone like Austin Aries.
I can't help but to also wonder if this is something that will just be forgotten. maybe AJ gets pinned, and this "stipulation" will never get mentioned again. then "IF" AJ is up around the main event scene again within the next year it just wont be mentioned and TNA will hope/expect everyone to just forget it was ever mentioned to begin with.

I don't know who I want to win between Roode and Storm. I could see both of them winning. Roode was a dominating heavyweight champion and could be that way again. but I also think Storm could have a good run as champion.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I am not a fan of this stipulation at all. Why take one of your top stars out of the title picture for a whole year, what happens if injuries occur to your other main eventers, or Jeff Hardy returns to WWE, or whoever is champion flops on top?

Seems a bit pointless to me.

The only positive outcome I can see occuring from this match is that AJ Styles loses, and then goes on to win the Bound For Glory series next year, and goes on to win the belt at BFG from whoever is champion at the time. AJ could be pushed over the next year, showing us all he is back to his best, and the commentators could all be putting him over as a worthy champion, saying he deserves a shot at the belt but can't have one.

He could then win the BFG series with a huge wave of momentum and the fans behind him, and then win the title at the PPV after a year out of contention. AJ Styles is Mr TNA for me and will forever be a welcome part of the title picture for all fans of the company. This would be a perfect way to give him another title run.

I don't see any upside whatsoever in either Bobby Roode or James Storm losing this match. Storm needs the belt again soon to solidify him as a top level player and Roode has proven to be a top-class main eventer in the last 12 months, why the hell would you not want him in the title picture for a whole year?

It has to be Styles losing this. Although if Roode or Storm lost they could go on to win the BFG series next year as Styles could, I feel they are more valuable in the title picture for the nxt 12 months than AJ and I hope that is the route TNA take here.

 

[Sting's Stinger]

i can't believe no one has figured this booking out yet. AJ will lose because this will give him a reason to go back to the X division. I personally believe AJ's time is almost up since hes beeen around for 10 years. So why not send him back to the X diviosn and that way it can be helped out and keep it relevant again.

 

[edgehead113]

Personally I love the stipulation for this match. "I don't want one of them to be out of the Title picture" means that this match will absolutely sell because the implications are so profound. There's many ways this could be booked, and I agree the loser here gets a Big Push towards BFG.

First, Storm vs. Roode is presumably closed at this point, it wasn't for the Title but Storm finally beat him, so I'm guessing one of those 2 will win and move on to the Title picture while the other can feud elsewhere.

Here's how I'd book this to work out.

-Bobby Roode pins James Storm, steals the win from AJ or through cheating or even Aces and 8s if Roode is going to be involved. Regardless, Roode pins Storm, woohoo.

-Jeff Hardy eventually drops the Title to AJ Styles in about 2 months. Austin Aries and James Storm feud, with Aries(heel) getting the best of him several times.

-After Styles holds the Title for 4 months, have Austin Aries beat him and become the champion again.

- Make the BFG Series ll about James Storm overcoming a bad year. After losing to Roode again and Aries beating him several times the fans will be super behind him as a face.

- In the BFG Final, have Bobby Roode face James Storm and screw him. It's a tragic end for Storm's BFG resurrection.

- Let Hulk Hogan (assuming he has "conquered Aces and 8s by now) get to be the hero and appease his ego, Hogan makes BFG Title match a Triple Threat between Aries (c), Roode, and Storm. TNAs top 3 non-WWE stars in their biggest match of the year, Storm vs. his 2 heel nemeses, Aries will have been on top for almost half a year at that point, etc.

Everybody wins.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

I agree with the majority here that AJ will take the fall here and probably join RVD in helping to rebuild the X Division. I just hope Roode does not win this match he JUST had the longest run in the company history im sick of him being in the title picture. Storm needs the win here more than anybody else.

I do think theres a good chance of AJ winning the BFG Series next year but at the same time it seems Hogan hates him so it's not something I would put money on.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Isn't the obvious choice here AJ Styles? Because with all due respect to the man, he hasn't been in the World Title picture in like forever anyway. I doubt there is any tangible plan for him to be in contention for the next 12 months anyway, so isn't keeping him out of the title picture pretty much a maintenance of the status quo? This can be debated in terms of whether or not he should be in the title picture, and I for one think he should, but if the last several months are any indication, he's far more likely to be involved with stuff like Claire Lynch and Christopher Daniels than he is to be involved with Jeff Hardy, Austin Aries, or all of the other guys in TNA deemed to be more main event worthy than Styles.

Roode and Storm, rightly or wrongly, have had title activity far more recently than Styles has. Excluding them from the title scene has far more impact upon TNA than keeping Styles at arm's length. Suggesting that not having Styles in the World Title hunt is about as significant as lamenting the fact that RVD or Ken Anderson are not vying gor the TNA World Heavyweight title.

 

[Spinebreaker]

Joe's bringing back some credibility to the TV title. (TBH, I think D-Von was doing that too before...) so whoever is out of the main event picture, can simply shift focus to another title...

My money would be on Roode to lose TBH.

He's come out of a few months of not being able to tackle Aries for the Championship. That's finally over, and he's in a match that keeps him out of it for another year. It's strong on Storyline possibilities...

 

[TheMaskedNewton]

I think both Bobby Roode and James Storm are on much higher level right now as compared to Styles. This seems like a custom made storyline for AJ Styles. And a very strong long term booking, if it plays out well. I actually love these small stipulations that TNA keeps coming with - Bobby Roode won't be able to challenge for the World Title again as long as Austin Aries was the Champion, AJ/BR/JS will not get a shot at the World Title until next year's BFG! Good stuff.

 

[lil bitch Kid]

Styles doesn't need to be in the title picture to be over in TNA. He could shift to tag team, X division or the TV title picture and given his rep and fan base, it wouldn't be seen as a step down. That being said, him losing and then winning the BFG next year is most likely. The problem is that they should have a heel win the BFG at some point. I remember the angry whiny promos that Roode delivered after he wasn,t allowed to challenge Aries anymore. So, how about:
-Roode gets pinned, Aries takes the title off Hardy, Storn takes the title off Aries, and Storm and Roode meet next year at BFG with the story being that Storm won the previous year as well as beating the guy who beat Roode.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

The thing with AJ is that him winning the World Title doesn't mean it's a great business decision that will draw in money and viewers (which is one of the most important reasons why you put the strap on someone, I would imagine). AJ winning the belt is a feel good moment, not an investment. It's nice to see AJ with the World Title since he's the embodiment of TNA. However, you can only have so many feel good moments so you need to space them out.

In terms of value of AJ as a Champion, he'd really need strong writing to turn him from a feel good moment wrestler to an important and interesting character with depth.

When's the last time AJ's cut an amazing promo? When's the last time AJ was in a great storyline? When's the last time AJ was in a shittier storyline but made the most out of it a-la Bully Ray when he feuded with D-Von.

Personally - I can't recall. But I remember when he had a great match. It was his latest one. And the one before, and the one before.

Fact is, AJ is/was too caught up with being a wrestler and being stuck in this indy mentality, thus all those years he was booked as a pure wrestler, not an entertainer. I think now he's coming to a point where he's seeing what a wrestler should really be. He sees guys like Roode, like Storm, like Aries, Hardy and Bully and sees people whose skills as entertainers overhwelm their wrestling skills (Aries is an exception here) and they're on top of the world.

If AJ wants to be on their level, and trust me he isn't (not overall), he has to become a personality, a character and you do that through storylines and promos. Step one is for TNA to start writing good stuff for AJ. Step two is for AJ to capitalize on it. I think he's trying but it'll take time. That promo he had with Roode was straight up awkward. He was having such a hard time getting his words out, stopping mid-sentence and just shit you'd expect from Alex Silva, not AJ Styles.

I also consider the possibility of Styles actually winning this. TNA loves doing stuff like that. It won't mean jack shit in the long run, he's not winning the belt THAT soon, but just the fact that AJ is ANY kind of World Title run speaks for itself.

Either way, they're clearly going for a Roode/Styles feud so if anyone's winning this it's Storm and I imagine Roode will screw AJ in some fashion and slap the horrible stipulation on him, continuing the storyline and I am NOT interested in a Hardy vs Storm feud.

I like Storm but I'm growing a bit tired of him. He's turning in too much of a drama queen. My wife this, my daughter that, my family is important, this guy screwed me that guy screwed me. His whole charm is wearing off on me, he needs to do something refreshing.

 

[Cena's #1 In My Heart]

I could see A.J. losing, and then TNA using the BFG series to build him back up.

My thoughts. I think it would work wonders for him too, TNA really has kind of buried him lately. Mind as well go full blown with a reason why AJ Styles hasn't been in the main event and World Title picture.

If he lost and had to scratch and claw his way back to the top throughout the year. Culminating with a BFG Series win... I'd love that. Especially if it ended with AJ Styles as our World Champion once again. Give him a long title reign as a face, let him defend his title against a bunch of top contenders over the course of months. We could get so many dream matches. Austin Aries Vs AJ Styles is the main one in my mind.

 

[JustAnotherJames]

It's obvious that AJ will take the fall but mind you... Can anyone else see what AJ could do storyline wise if he does lose? SO perhaps it will be AJ that will take the win.

 

[Albert T]

Precisely.

The minute I heard that stipulation I thought that whoever loses this match will win the BFG series. C'mon, why until Bound for Glory? Why not until next year's Turning Point or something?

It makes for a perfect storyline too. They can build this guy up until next year, have him perform so well, mention that he deserves a title shot but can't get one because of one silly loss he had a while back, have him watch as the belt changes hands and so on.

Then he wins the BFG series and maybe the title.

Sounds like a great storyline for AJ Styles, doesn't it?

That's the exact same thing I thought. It's a great way to build up more interest in AJ Styles becoming champion again. Additionally, depending on the finish, they could use this match as a way for a Roode/Styles feud throughout the year, or a James Storm heel turn and subsequent feud with AJ.

 

[JustAnotherJames]

Now that sounds much better and as you said a great way to build up AJ.

 

[lil bitch Kid]

The other possibility would be AJ takes the fall, and then rejoins the X-division. At Destination X the title holder has the choice to either keep the X title or cash it in for the World title match. That would, at least, make it less than a year before AJ gets a title match and would not only give him something to do, but would give the X division some much needed direction.