In terms of match quality, this seems like a pretty damn good show. If I could choose, I'd put a stipulation on RVD/Roode because I doubt Roode can carry RVD to a great singles match tbh. Other than his matches against Jerry Lynn at Destination X and BFG, I don't think Rob has had one good singles match in TNA.
Jeff Hardy vs. Mr Anderson shall be good. It's nice to see Anderson put some effort in because he didn't seem quite right after his main event run last summer. He just seemed to not give a shit for whatever reason and now he's lost that little bit of fat and he generally seems motivated again, which is only good news because he is a great performer. The same applies to Jeff Hardy also, the dude has been great in ring since returning and tbh he's never looked healthier. Should be a good match, even if the build-up towards it hasn't been amazing.
AJ vs. Kurt will be good, as it always has been. No doubt it will probably be a spot fest and more of a filler for AJ as he moves on to the end of his feud with Kazarian and Daniels heading in to Slammiversary, but whatever. These two have never disappointing when they've been given time to go up against each other, and even if the build up is lacking, the match it's self will more than make up for it. I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if Angle "officially" turned face in this match, maybe with a post match handshake and hug with AJ, of maybe helping AJ after an assault from Kaz/Daniels? I have a feeling Roode will be feuding with Angle and Anderson during the summer.
Kazarian and Daniels vs. Joe and Magnus will be a fun little match. Daniels has been great on impact recently, and we all know all four men can go. Both teams have chemistry and Kazarian, Daniels and Joe are all very familiar with one another. That's not to rule out Magnus either, he's a very solid competitor in his own right and will add an interesting aspect to the match. Should be good, even if it is very filler'esque.
Aries and Ray have been the two standout stars in Impact over the past 3-4 months or so, for various reasons. Their promos, their segments and their matches have been great and now the two are feuding, it's even better. Their segment on this week's impact was great and this is the highlight match on the card for me. I'm hoping Ray gets the win here so we see Aries win the final match at Slammiversary before he can return back to the X-Division, drop the belt and hopefully move on up in to the upper-midcard/main event scene.
Finally, as much as I can't stand Brooke's in-ring skills, I applaud TNA on what they're doing with her. They're giving her the ball and she's running with it and to be fair she's not done a bad job and Gail isn't carrying her whatsoever. I really doubt she's going to win the title but at least they're pushing someone else other than Velvet or Mickie, which I would normally expect of TNA. It won't be a stellar match but it gives Brooke some of the spotlight and keeps Gail looking strong heading in to Slammiversary where hopefully she'll be put in to a meaningful feud.
So here's some predictions.
Bobby Roode vs. Rob Van Dam
It's obvious this is filler for Roode as he rolls in to Slammiversary. This is the easiest match on the card simply because of that. RVD has no momentum and he's literally came from nowhere to be put in to this match so the champ retaining is probably the safest bet here. If Rob Van Dam wins then I will facepalm harder than any other facepalm in the history of facepalming.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Jeff Hardy vs. Mr Anderson
Jeff Hardy has had his opportunities against Roode in recent months and has taken up a fair amount of main event time. I'm thinking he'll probably be a part of the BFG series to add some serious star quality to it and make it feel legit, which they didn't quite do last year. I'm also expecting Anderson to be keeping Roode busy, alongside Angle, throughout the summer heading in to BFG where "hopefully" Storm will be challenging. So for that reason, I'm going for Anderson.
Winner: Mr Anderson
AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
I genuinely don't have a clue. Like Anderson, I'm thinking Kurt will be feuding with Roode over the summer so he will get more to gain out of this than AJ, who is stuck in his feud with Kaz and Daniels and will probably be a filler in the BFG series. But then again I'm thinking that Kaz and Daniels will interfere, attack AJ and therefor AJ will win via interference, thus prompting an attack and a subsequent face turn by Angle. Yeah, that sounds best.
Winner: AJ Styles via Interference
Kaz and Daniels vs. Joe and Magnus
Seems very filler to me, and Kaz and Daniels don't need the titles yet due to their feud with AJ. So Joe and Magnus retain, I suppose.
Winners: Joe and Magnus
Austin Aries vs. Bully Ray
This is the match that I'm most interested in. On one hand, you have Aries, who despite being X-Division Champion, is having another PPV match that doesn't revolve around the title it's self and just making the whole division an afterthought. So with that in mind, he could win and then just return to the X-Division and have a meaningful feud and title match at Slammiversary for the title. Or you could ahve Bully Ray win, keep this amazing feud going and then have Aries win the final match at Slammiversary, putting over Aries and as a result, putting over the X-Division and belt, somehow.
Winner: Bully Ray
Brooke Tessmacher vs. Gail Kim
Filler for Kim heading in to Slammiversary, yawn.
Winner: Gail Kim