Long Road To Ruin: TNA Victory Road Preview

TNA started off with such promise in the Top 25. But thanks to an onslaught from the three faces of WWE, they have gone from Top 10 superstars to basement dwellers. But this Sunday, it isn't about RAW, SmackDown! or ECW. It's all about TNA's Victory Road live from Houston, Texas.

Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love (Old Rivalries Die Hard)

Ever since they both started their careers in Canada, Gail Kim and Angelina Love have been dreaming about this day for quite some time. The reason: the animosity that one shares for another's success. After Kim embarked on her journey to WWE and her first major professional championship, Love has felt something inside of her that just won't go away.

This Sunday, the two former friends collide in an epic battle that has been brewing long before their days with TNA. They say old habits die hard. In this case, jealousy is a Royal Canadien Mounted Bitch.

Jay Lethal vs. Sonjay Dutt (Love isn't a many splendored thing.)

At Slammiversary, "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal and SoCal Val were supposed to have a match made in heaven. But thanks to "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt, that moment of bliss was shattered by his profession of love for the TNA Ring Girl. Since then, Lethal has been a Lethal Weapon in his pursuit of revenge.

Though Val has been quiet about her thoughts on this situation, Dutt swears that Val is in love with him as well. Her actions over the past few weeks have shown a different side to the story. After the incident at The Pink Taco, TNA Management's Jim Cornette had no other choice but have these two X Division superstars settle it the old fashion way: BY BEATING THE HOLY HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER! They get their chance to finish their war this Sunday.

World X Cup Finals (Time to cash in those frequent flyer miles, bub)

Over the past month, TNA has been showcasing the best X Division superstars from all over the world. Divided into four teams (TNA, International, Mexico & Japan), the World X Cup is the ultimate test of testicular fortitude. This Sunday, it all comes down to who wants it more.

Led by Team Captain Kaz, Team TNA defends their championship against the best the world has to offer in an four team elimination match. The winner will have the advantage going into the Ultimate Finale at Victory Road. After the elimination match, it is the return of Ultimate X in which the advantage clearly goes to Kaz who has been unstoppable to say the least in these X Division style matches. At the end of Ultimate X, the team with the most points wins the World X Cup and has the right to be called...Champions!

Taylor vs. Awesome Kong (TNA Knockouts Championship)

Underdog meets Unstoppable Behemoth. Underdog shocks Behemoth. Underdog beats Behemoth and takes championship. That's the short and sweet storyline between these two rivals. Taylor had been itching for a shot at Kong and the TNA Knockouts Championship. This past Thursday, she took full advantage of the opportunity as she won the cash and the gold.

But Kong wouldn't go quietly into the night as she invoked her rematch clause, and now the storied rivalry will add another chapter this Sunday as Taylor will defend her newly won Knockouts Championship against the 300-pound monster she took it from just three days before. Win or lose, the record books will show that Taylor took advantage of her opportunity and defied the odds on that Thursday night.

AJ Styles, Christian Cage & Rhino vs. Kurt Angle & Team 3D (Payback's a Bitch, ain't it?)

Over the last few months, the bond between AJ Styles and Karen Angle has been tested by her husband and his "supporters." Despite all that, neither Kurt nor Team 3D have been able to keep The Phenomenal One down. Going into Victory Road, he's got some serious backup.

After feeling the cheap assaults from Team 3D, both Christian Cage and Rhino are slated to come back this Sunday ready for a war. And that's exactly what it will be because the fans get to decide what type of match it will be. The fans choices: Falls Count Anywhere, Tables Match or old school ECW with Full Metal Mayhem. Take a guess what I'm voting for. Voting begins tomorrow at the start of the pay per view.

LAX vs. Beer Money (TNA World Tag Team Championships/Strap This!)

In one of the most anticipated matches of the night, Alvaro Riojas of Laredo, Texas will join other fans around the ring for the Fans Revenge Match between LAX and Robert Roode & James Storm (aka Beer Money). For weeks, the duo of Roode and Storm have been making it their business to do what they want when they want.

This Sunday, it's the fans turn to get some payback. Thanks to LAX, Alvaro won the Fan's Revenge Contest to earn a trip to Houston to carry the leather strap that will have the hides of Beer Money wrapped around it. Oh, and there's a tag team championship match in the midst of it, but honestly, it's not about that at all.

Samoa Joe vs. Booker T (TNA World Heavyweight Championship/When Egos Collide)

This Sunday, Samoa Joe has a chance to prove something to himself and to Kevin Nash. Booker T has a chance to return home a champion. Something will give this Sunday as the best of the past takes on the best of the present. Booker T has held world championships in every major company he's been at...all except for one.

On Sunday, he has a chance to change that as the 5x WCW Champion and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion will have the opportunity to add TNA World Champion to his already impressive resume. But there are at least two equalizers to think about in this match.

The head games of Booker T have driven a wedge between Joe and Nash. Joe's ego wants to win, but does Joe's determination going to lead him there? On top of all that, it is also known that "The Icon" Sting will be present during this match, but it is not known to what role The Icon will play. If Sting had his way, he would be fighting for the gold. Instead, like fellow Wolfpac member Nash, Sting will have to watch and wait.

This Sunday, the Road To Bound for Glory officially continues. Houston, we don't have a problem, but we will have a fight. TNA takes center stage at the Reliant Arena for Victory Road!