Hard Target 2024 Predictions

PREDICTIONS

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Rules Obviously abstain from predicting if you edited, recorded or participated in one of the matches mark as NA or something

 

OCW CHAMPIONSHIP - SHELDON TREMBLAY vs. EL PARCA*

The time is finally here after weeks after anticipation... Sheldon the youngest OCW Champion in history looks to avenge his loss of the title last year. It has been a long climb back, but Kid Icarus is here and Hard Target he has his chance. 

 

El Primero has reigned over OCW since he won the title back from Maxx Edwards earlier this year. The emergence of Nova Rosalio being his enforcer has added even more security for the reigning OCW Champion. Parca has made no secret about letting the world know he does not think Sheldon is ready. 

 

A couple of questions for me include, does Nova Rosalio and subsequently John Carter make an appearance during this match? My money would be on yes at some point to likely cancel each other out. This is going to come down to which competitor is the better wrestler. 

 

When Sheldon is on, he looks like one the best in the world. El Parca for me is more consistent in his performance outside of the loss he suffered to Sheldon weeks back. Should be a spirited back and forth affair in the beginning, but much like a championship fighter I see El Parca getting better when he is in the deep waters. I personally like both of these characters but with all of that being said. 

 

Prediction -  EL PRIMERO BURNS DOWN HOTEL BERLIN AND SENDS SHELDON TREMBLAY HOME TO THE ASHES

 

 

NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP - C-NOTE vs. JYNX*

This is sure to be a skill based bonanza. These two made sparks fly at Summercide when Jynx lifted the championship off of C-Note. C-Note is trying to avenge that loss but this has been about much more.

 

The level of mind games both men have taken to get here has been astounding. This is one of the OCW feuds that doesn't really have a clear babyface. Just bad guys doing bad shit to each other. Jynx had the advantage early but C-Note showed his cunning outwitting the Mad Hatter. 

 

Both men are very proficient from an in ring perspective, and having seen each other before it will likely be about who can adapt their style and pacing in a way to throw the other off. Jynx has a real big task in his first title defense, beating Benjamin C-Note Franklin as Jay would put it... Twice is a big ask of anyone. 

 

Prediction -  THE TRUE MESSIAH WINS OUT AND JYNX RETAINS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

WOMEN'S PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP - DRAGANA CESAR vs. SUE PLEX*

The much anticipated match by myself. We are getting Dragana vs Sue Plex in Sue's toughest defense by far. Dragana Cesar is a Hall Of Famer for a reason. She is also on a tear since returning to full time competition. 

 

I will also make the argument Sue Plex has been the hardest working person in professional wrestling the last month or so, with a number of title defenses she has had. I think I have been a bigger fan of Sue's title run than the average fan. She has been on a roll recently but Dragana is a tall ask for anyone.

 

Sue is going to have to get out of the gates fast and surprise Quiet Mami if she has hopes of retaining her championship. Hot take here is Sue gets either disqualified or counted out early setting up another match up at.... NEXT PPV.

 

Prediction -  DRAGANA WINS THE MATCH BUT NOT THE TITLE

 

 

OCW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - COLD FRONT vs. MASS EFFECT*

I feel like the Cold Front team is being slept on from an in ring competition stand point to start this one. Mass Effect has been a consistent force within the division since they formed early is season 18. I just think at this point Samsin and Nate are doing some their best work of their collective careers with this odd but intriguing pairing. 

 

A battle royal to decide the new challengers was an interesting move, but what comes out of it is interesting. Combine two guys who have been suffering for at the hands of DNS in different ways for a long period of time. Their promos have been a breath of fresh air together too, they both cut a nice voice promo. The champs have been rolling since they beat G&G for the titles and haven't looked back. 

 

The champs might be up for their fiercest competition they have had up to this point. Mass Effect has their chemistry down at this point, for me it has been astounding how well the Cold Front has gelled with one another in a short amount of time. This match should be even throughout, but in my mind there are some wildcards who could enter the picture and cost either team. I fully expect this match to be one of the longer ones on the card from a time perspective. 

 

Mass Effect is going to come out and hit Cold Front in the mouth but these guys are still standing after this initial flurry. They trade blows until the tag team champions fall. 

 

Prediction -  WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS AND THERE IS A COLD FRONT HITTING OCW!

 

INTERGENDER GRUDGE MATCH - VALKYRIE vs. BASH

 

 

OCW LEGENDS TITLE (OCW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP) - FATAL 4 WAY - PAUL PUGH vs. RUST COHLE vs. NATE ORTIZ vs. LARRY MUGEN*

Surely this is going to be entertaining. So many different storylines that can come out of this match. Uneasy alliances it would appear between The Lobby in Rust/Pugh and whatever you would call the relationship between Mugen/Nate. Mugen took the title off of Rust Cohle prior to Summercide and has been on a tour of space and time ever since. 

 

My scenario here is that Mugen and Nate knock each other out late in the match. Rust & Pugh stand staring at each other and they finally just go after one another. Then one of them beats the other for the championship, and it creates a really interesting dynamic moving forward.

 

If I had to put money on which one is going heel it would be Pugh based on the way their written promos have been recently. Pugh would be the new Champion and a top flight feud would occur from it. Not really sure where this leaves the other two in that scenario but I could easily see it being against each other.

 

Prediction -  KID EGO LEAVES HARD TARGET GOLDEN AGAIN LIKE HIS FAKE ASS BLONDE HAIR

 

 

CCW CHAMPIONSHIP - TRIPLE THREAT SPLINTERS - KASSIDY HAYES vs. WREX vs. B17*

Honestly not sure of the specifics in the stipulation outside of it being some type of tables match. I looked at a SplinterFest match that happened previously so if that is the case then both opponents must be put through a table. With that being said I firmly believe that favors someone like Wrex who is more attuned to the hardcore at this time than the others. 

 

Kass managed to get his way into this match once EMP pulled his ban on the CCW championship picture Quartz once had earned over him. The tension between these three men spans back years, and many championships. Arguably the biggest test of B17's extremely impressive modern day CCW Championship run.

 

Wrex has regained his form in the last couple of months including his impressive wins against Rust Cohle, and H20 to name a few in recently. Kass looks to be in great shape as well following his match with Nate Ortiz. B17 losing to Mugen might have set off some alarms bells with most. I think he gives it his all but comes up short here. This match has B17 and Kass focusing too much on eachother. Wrex comes in and cleans up.

 

Prediction -  THE MAN WHO LOOKS LIKE A TRASHMAN PUTS DADDY AND THE LEADER OF THE CHURCH INTO THE WOOD (NO DIDDY)

 

 

OCW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - EMP vs. DEBORAH SOTO*

I for one am super interested to see how the Ambulance match is executed by these two. Having tried it offline the mechanics are annoying but I am sure Jake/EMP can make this work better than anyone else could. Deborah is on a historic run right now but she has run into the woman who ends careers.

 

EMP is on a roll when she does wrestle the last time I can even remember her losing was the controversial S-Cup finals. It would be tough to see her lose a match, but the same argument can be made for one Deborah Soto. Deborah hasn't lost in close to 18 months outside of a DQ loss to Shianne Lovelace who EMP is very familiar with. 

 

Speaking of Shianne and her absence in TOG opened up a spot for Junko to step in. Junko has been a thorn in Deborah's side since this interaction started. I fully expect Junko/Kameyo to make some type of appearance in support of EMP during the match. Conversely I believe Shianne makes an appearance on behalf of Deborah. 

 

Deborah wanted the baddest woman in all of OCW and she got her. I feel as if career suicide is mere days away for Deborah Soto. While her career is not officially on the line Deborah will need to start strong and finish strong to have any chance of retaining her title. The choice is clear for me. 

 

Prediction -  EMPRESS CLIMBS THE MOUNTAIN AGAIN AND CONTINUES TO MAKE HER GOAT ARGUMENT THAT MUCH BETTER