TNA Lockdown 2012 Preview and Predictions

TNA Lockdown

Tonight, TNA presents one of its big three pay-per-views, TNA Lockdown, from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The concept of the show is similar to WWE Survivor Series, but instead every match is contested inside the Steel Cage.

Lockdown will include many emotional, dramatic, and heavily-hyped contests that will have the potential to steal the show. In this article, I will analyze each match on the card with its preview, my predicted victors, and its chances of playing out as a worthy bout. On a side note, it is rare I write articles on TNA Wrestling, so feel free to correct me where I'm wrong and stay open-minded.

Will the show be able to surpass the last few excellent TNA pay-per-views of 2011? Will it set the bar for future events for the Nashville-based organization? Will it be a memorable or forgettable event? Get ready for these questions to be answered among many more, so here we go!

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Bobby Roode vs. James Storm for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

I give major props to TNA for building this rivalry up as one of the biggest in the company's history as it deserves to be. Their history in Beer Money together was nothing short of excellence, as this feud has felt so far. Given from their matches together in the past, I have no doubt in my mind that these two will deliver a strong performance with intriguing story telling. Their promo from this past Thursday's Impact Wrestling broadcast certainly sold me on this bout after building towards this since last November. Roode has progressed tremendously as a heel, while Storm has shined as a face through his rivalries with Kurt Angle and Bully Ray. Since this will occur inside the Steel Cage, it's very possible Roode escapes and retains his title as always to continue the feud, but the hometown setting will make for a great moment if Storm does indeed recapture the title. That being said, I predict James Storm to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

Team Eric vs. Team Garrett in a Lethal Lockdown Match

Much like any other viewer, I have not at all enjoyed Garrett Bischoff's run as a wrestler in TNA as of late. He's sub-par at best, and doesn't do anything to intrigue me. Regardless, the officials that be have pushed this guy to the limit and plan on doing so for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, they've added enough credible in this match that the action should be very exciting and worth watching. I have no doubt in my mind that Garrett's team goes over here, sending Eric off television for a good while.

Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle

If their matches in 2010 and at Victory Road last month, this bout should be solid without question. Angle provides his best performances in the Steel Cage setting, while Hardy has the potential to do some high risk stuff as well. However, the build-up to this feud seemed a bit random and lackluster, which is a shame because it could been something much greater. Angle is once again injured at the moment, so I see Hardy exacting revenge on Angle and pulling out the victory here.

Magnus and Samoa Joe vs. Motor City Machine Guns for the TNA World Tag Team Championships

I'm very excited regarding the return of the Motor City Machine Guns and how they can help resurrect the dying tag team division in TNA. Pairing them against Magnus and Joe should be a very fun match and could lead to a great rivalry. Joe and Magnus haven't held the straps that long and the Guns just recently came back, so I expect this feud to continue with the tag champs retaining here.

Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky for the TNA Knockout Championship

Since capturing the title last November, Kim has provided some quality matches with Mickie James, Tara, and Madison Rayne. While Sky may not be the best worker, she's certainly earned a longer run with the belt than what he received late last year. As big of a fan as I am of Sky, I don't see her winning the title after the momentum she's received as of late.

Matt Morgan vs. Crimson

This feud has been brewing since last October, and I must say myself that it's been built pretty damn well. The went from enemies as faces, to tag team partners, to enemies once again but with Crimson turning heel. Sure, their match at Turning Point last year was uninspiring and sloppy, but I hope they have a better bout tonight given the Steel Cage stipulation. The real key here is Crimson's undefeated streak and whether Morgan will be able to break it. Morgan should be the one to break it, but is it too early in the feud? I believe so. Crimson wins with sly tactics by escaping the cage to keep his streak alive.

Devon vs. Robbie E for the TNA Television Championship

The only reason for this match is because Devon defeated Robbie last month at Victory Road in an Open Challenge to capture the title and Robbie E is cashing in his rematch clause. If Devon is supposed to be the Television Champion, then why hasn't he appeared on Impact since winning the strap? Nobody cares about this bout nor its finish, but expect Devon to retain here.

Tune in tonight live on pay-per-view at 8 p.m. Eastern time for the answers to many questions, emotional and dramatic story-telling, and of course the anticipated, intense action! GSM out.