Hello, folks to the official review of Bound For Glory. TNA’s ‘WrestleMania’, as it is dubbed, it kinda has a buzz surrounding it and I was looking forward to it. But, TNA always diminishes my hopes no matter how much interest I take in it.
For my predictions, click
here. NOTE: My thoughts are in italics.
Without further ado, let’s start.
For starters, we get the tag team title match.
Match: Mexican America(C) vs Ink Inc for the tag titles
We go to the ring and out first comes the team of Shannon Moore and Jesse Neal – Ink Inc. They’ve got their new sidekick with them, I think her name is Toxine? Out next come the TNA Tag Team Champions Anarquia and Hernandez, with Rosita and Sarita. Shannon and Anarquia start things off with some back and forth action. Hernandez and the ladies end up interfering and Anarquia takes control. Hernandez comes in and they double team Moore.
Hernandez keeps in control of Moore and tags in Anarquia for more double teaming. Moore tries to make a comeback but Anarquia dumps him over the top rope. Hernandez chokes Moore on the floor and holds him while Sarita and Rosita work him over. 2 count for Anarquia. Anarquia keeps Moore grounded on the mat as Neal rallies the crowd. Anarquia stops another comeback from Moore. Moore with an elbow and a moonsault from the top. Neal and Hernandez come in at the same time and go at it. Neal clotheslines Hernandez and backdrops Anarquia. Neal with a sledgehammer shot to Hernandez and a front slam to Anarquia. Neal spears Hernandez but he kicks out at 2.
Moore clotheslines Anarquia to the floor. Moore backdrops Neal over the top but Anarquia moves and Neal hits the floor. Moore with a baseball slide dropkick and a moonsault from the apron onto Anarquia and the floor. Hernandez runs the ropes now and leaps over the top, barely landing on Moore and Anarquia on the floor. Sarita and Rosita run the ropes now but Toxine comes in and spears Rosita. She goes at it wth Sarita and sends her out to the floor. Anarquia comes in but Toxine scratches him and pulls his pants down. Moore and Neal double dropkick Anarquia, sending him out to the floor. Hernandez rams Neal into Moore, sending Moore out to the floor. Hernandez gets the pin on Neal for the win.
Winners: Mexican America
Okay match to begin the show, I would’ve preferred Brian- AA though.
Tenay hypes us the history o the city et al and also promotes the main events which are Angle/Roode and Sting/Hogan. In my opinion, Mke Tenay is not suited for TNA. He’s a play-by-play announcer and sports entertainment (yep, I consider TNA also in sports entertainment) and he should work in ROH or UFC. Just my opinion, though.
Next match is the X-Division title match..
Match: Austin Aries(C) vs Brian Kendrickfor the X-Division championship
The Champion, Austin Aries, is the next man to make his way out to the ring, wearing a pretty awesome cape. Aries gets a really nice pop from this Philly crowd, probably due to his long tenure in Philly-based Ring of Honor.
The bell rings, and we’re ready to kick things off. Both men circle each other for just a bit before locking up. Aries goes right for Kendrick’s arm, but Kendrick is able to turn things right around. Aries changes things up again, and both men end up on either side of the ring staring the other down. Aries locks in a side head lock, but Kendrick takes him right to the ropes and launches him off, only to go down to a shoulder block. Aries runs across the ring but he’s surprised with a hip toss from Kendrick. Kendrick takes Aries over four times with a side head lock, but Aries keeps countering, only to have Kendrick counter right back. Kendrick hits a drop kick and Aries bails to the floor to jaw with the fans a bit. When Aries gets to the apron he’s surprised with a kick from Kendrick that sends him to the outside. Kendrick launches himself over the ropes on top of Aries before sending Aries into the ring and following with a cross body from the top for a near fall. Kendrick monkey-flips Aries out of the corner, then hits another. Kendrick down for a third but Aries hold on to the ropes and follows up with a sick clothesline.
Aries picks Kendrick up and slams him to the mat hard before going to the apron and sling-shotting himself in on top of Kendrick, and following up with a huge elbow drop. Kendrick tries to fight back but he’s dropped by a back elbow from Aries that’s good for another near fall. Aries rakes Kendrick’s face with his boots, then does it a second time.
Aries sits Kendrick up and drops a big knee right into Kendrick’s back before locking in a rear chin lock. Kendrick is able to fight up to his feet and out of the hold, but Kendrick takes him right back down with a big judo-style leg sweep. Aries plays to the crowd before trying for his pendulum elbow, but Kendrick catches him with a boot to the face instead. Kendrick hits a couple of flying forearms, and a couple of enzugiris, but when he goes for a third Aries avoids it. Kendrick is able to connect with a double sledge to the back of Aries’ head for a two count. Kendrick goes to the top turnbuckle and leaps over Aries. Aries puts Kendrick down to the mat and hits the pendulum elbow for another two count.
Aries goes for his corner dropkick, but Kendrick gets his feet up, then follows up with a giant tornado DDT for a two count. Kendrick goes for sliced bread, but Aries fights it off and sends Kendrick to the outside. Aries launches himself to the outside with the heat seeking missile. He sends Kendrick back into the ring and catches him in the corner with a couple of elbows. Aries backs away to the other corner and hits his signature corner dropkick. Aries goes for the brainbuster, but Kendrick is able to fight it off and gets a near fall. Kendrick kicks Aries hard and goes for the sliced bread, but Aries seats him on the turnbuckle instead. Aries goes for something, but he takes too much time and Kendrick connects with sliced bread, but Aries is able to grab the ropes to break the pin.
Kendrick tries for sliced bread on the apron, but Aries tosses him off to the floor instead. While Kendrick struggles back into the ring Aries catches him with a kick to the head. Aries hits the corner dropkick, then the brainbuster, and pins Kendrick for the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
AA doesn’t disappoint. He gives us a great performance like he always does. I’m a believer in him and mark my words, he is the future of TNA.
Tracy Brooks is shown backstage hanging out with Karen Jarrett’s kids. Karen is angry that Brooks is playing with her kids, then tells her to put her breasts away. Jarrett pulls out a referee’s outfit, and it looks like she will be reffing the Knockout’s match tonight. Brooks isn’t pleased, and asks why they can’t have a normal match. Brooks and Jarrett argue, but they end with the understanding that Brooks won’t be leaving the locker room unless something happens to Karen.
We get a video package detailing the history between these two men, as well as more recent events that have led up to this match.
Match: RVD vs Jerry Lynn in a Full Metal Mayhem match
Jerry Lynn is the first man to make his way out to the ring, and he gets a decent reaction, but I’m honestly surprised. This man is a Philly legend and deserves a much bigger pop. Van Dam is the next man out to the ring, and he gets a better reaction, but not by much..
The bell rings and we get a bit of an ‘ECW’ chant from the crowd. Lynn goes behind RVD with a waistlock, and it’s quickly turned around. Lynn turns it around yet again and RVD hits a couple of back elbows. Lynn tries for a roll up but RVD goes for Lynn’s arm instead. Both men struggle, but back off and stare each other down. RVD works over Lynn with a couple of quick clotheslines and a big spinning kick in the corner. Van Dam poses for the crowd and goes for rolling thunder, but Lynn meets him with a dropkick instead. RVD sends Lynn into the corner but eats a kick. Lynn tries for a tornado DDT but RVD blocks it. Lynn tries for a reverse DDT but RVD blocks that as well. Lynn and RVD trade forearms. We get a bit of back and forth between both men that ends in a very sloppy cross body from Lynn. RVD hits a leg drop while Lynn is draped over the apron and both men tumble to the outside.
RVD tries to whip Lynn into the guard rail but it’s reversed. RVD catches Lynn with a boot to the face, but when he goes for a moonsault from the guard rail, Lynn moves and RVD crashes to the floor. Lynn goes under the ring and grabs a ladder, sending it into the ring. RVD attacks Lynn from behind and sends him back into the ring. RVD goes under the ring and grabs a chair, but Lynn dropkicks the ladder, sending it right into RVD’s face. Lynn goes to the outside and sends RVD into the ring, following with the chair in hand. Lynn drops the chair on the mat. Lynn tries to send RVD into the corner but RVD reverses. RVD hits a moonsault press that connects and send both men down on top of the chair.
RVD chokes Lynn with his boot in the corner before he grabs the chair again. RVD holds the chair and runs to the corner, putting it in front of his feet and hitting a corner dropkick to a seated Lynn. RVD sets up the ladder in the corner and whips Lynn into it hard. The ladder falls on top of Lynn, so RVD follows up with a rolling thunder to the ladder that’s still on top of Lynn. RVD goes for the cover but he can still only get two.
RVD chokes Lynn with his boot in the corner before he grabs the chair again. RVD holds the chair and runs to the corner, putting it in front of his feet and hitting a corner dropkick to a seated Lynn. RVD sets up the ladder in the corner and whips Lynn into it hard. The ladder falls on top of Lynn, so RVD follows up with a rolling thunder to the ladder that’s still on top of Lynn. RVD goes for the cover but he can still only get two.
RVD does a weird backflip for no reason, only to grab a chair, and he’s taken out by Lynn as soon as he grabs the chair. Lynn sets up the ladder, propping it against the middle rope. Lynn pushes RVD down on the ladder hard, then goes for a senton, but RVD moves out of the way and Lynn connects with the ladder. Lynn is able to come back with a bridging German suplex for another two count. Lynn tries to suplex Van Dam on the chair, but it’s reversed and RVD suplexes Lynn onto the ladder before springboarding off middle rope and launching himself into Lynn, who’s still on the ladder.
RVD sends Lynn into the corner, but when RVD comes in after him, he leaps from the middle rope with a big clothesline. Lynn goes back to the outside and grabs another chair, propping it up on the guard rail. Lynn goes back to RVD, but he’s clotheslined back into the ring. RVD teases a suplex out of the ring on to the ladder, but Lynn reverses into a sunset bomb, planting RVD on the ladder. Lynn sends RVD back into the ring and goes for the pin but he’s still only able to get two.
Lynn tries to waffle RVD with the chair, but RVD ducks and kicks the chair hard into Lynn’s face, getting another two count for his troubles. RVD picks up the ladder and wedges it in between the middle and bottom rope in the corner with Lynn behind it. RVD grabs the chair and goes up to the top rope. RVD launches himself off the turnbuckle with a coast to coast dropkick, putting his feet into a chair, into a ladder, into Lynn’s face! RVD pins Lynn while he’s still under the ladder, and gets the three count.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Lynn gust got owned. Good match, that’s all I can say about it. Next.
And Lynn turns face. Oh yeah, last year, we had so many turning heel, this year, they all will turn face.
We get a quick video of Dixie Carter arriving to the building earlier in the day.
This leads right into a video package detailing the reasons why the triple threat match between Samoa Joe, Crimson and Matt Morgan is necessary.
Match: Joe vs Crimson vs Morgan
Samoa Joe is the first man to make his way out to the ring, and he gets a pretty good reaction from the crowd.
Matt Morgan is the second man out to the ring, and he gets a decent reaction from the crowd. I don’t know if the music is too loud, or if the crowd is dead, but aside from Austin Aries a lot of these entrances have had weak pops. Crimson is the last man to make it out to the ring, and he gets an OK pop, but still not great.
The bell rings and Joe incites the other two men to fight. This leads directly into Crimson and Morgan attacking Joe. Morgan hits the rapid fire elbows in the corner, and Crimson follows it up with a few punches to Joe’s face. Miscommunication between Crimson and Morgan allows Joe to turn things around and lay into Crimson with a series of right hands. Joe tries to get Morgan to attack Crimson, but he turns right around into a right hand from Morgan. Morgan and Crimson continue to work over Joe, hitting a double hip toss. Joe is able to low bridge Crimson to send him to the outside before focusing on Morgan with a big chop block to the back of the knee.
Joe kicks away at Morgan, but Morgan comes right back with a big side slam. Crimson is back in to try and steal the pin, but Joe kicks out at two. Joe sends Morgan to the outside while he and Crimson argue, then Joe tosses Crimson to the outside on top of Morgan. Joe follows out with an elbow suicide to Crimson.
Joe kicks away at Morgan, but Morgan comes right back with a big side slam. Crimson is back in to try and steal the pin, but Joe kicks out at two. Joe sends Morgan to the outside while he and Crimson argue, then Joe tosses Crimson to the outside on top of Morgan. Joe follows out with an elbow suicide to Crimson.
Joe and Crimson fight on the outside while Morgan goes up to the top turnbuckle. Morgan launches himself to the outside but Joe sidesteps him and Morgan connects with Crimson. Joe picks up Crimson and sends him back into the ring, trying for a pin and getting a two count. Joe kicks Crimson in the face before hitting him with chops and punches to the face. Crimson blocks a punch and fights back, taking Joe out with knees to the face and a big cravat. Crimson hits a big suplex and Morgan slides in to try and steal the pin.
Morgan and Crimson argue for a bit before they’re both eye-raked by Joe. Crimson and Morgan hit a double clothesline and both men go for the pin before pulling each other off. The alliance breaks down as Crimson and Morgan begin trading rights in the middle of the ring. Morgan takes Crimson down with a shoulderblock, but he’s pulled to the outside by Joe who slams him head first into the guard rail. Joe comes back in to the ring and takes it right to Crimson with rights and lefts, a splash in the corner, and a big kick to the back of Crimson’s head. Joe seats Crimson on the top rope and tries for the muscle buster, but Morgan is in with a boot to Joe’s gut. Morgan hits a running knee to Joe’s face, and Crimson hits a spear. Crimson pins Joe, and he gets the three count.
Winner: Crimson
Bad booking by TNA. Joe needed a win. And it’s never good to see your heel being cheered and the face being booed.
Joe kicks away at Morgan, but Morgan comes right back with a big side slam. Crimson is back in to try and steal the pin, but Joe kicks out at two. Joe sends Morgan to the outside while he and Crimson argue, then Joe tosses Crimson to the outside on top of Morgan. Joe follows out with an elbow suicide to Crimson.
Joe and Crimson fight on the outside while Morgan goes up to the top turnbuckle. Morgan launches himself to the outside but Joe sidesteps him and Morgan connects with Crimson. Joe picks up Crimson and sends him back into the ring, trying for a pin and getting a two count. Joe kicks Crimson in the face before hitting him with chops and punches to the face. Crimson blocks a punch and fights back, taking Joe out with knees to the face and a big cravat. Crimson hits a big suplex and Morgan slides in to try and steal the pin.
JB is backstage with Bully Ray. Ray says he doesn’t need any introduction because we all know who he is. He introduces himself anyway, letting us know he is indeed, Bully Ray. He says Anderson thinks he has Ray right where he wants him, but he’s kidding himself. Ray has been exploiting the city of Philadelphia for years, milking the fans for every penny they’re worth. He says he’s been abusing and taking advantage of these fans for years. He says screw Anderson, and screw Philly, he’s Bully Ray and he’s from New York City.
Good solid promo by Ray. I’m liking his work nowadays.
Match: Mr. Anderson vs. Bully Ray
The cameras follow Ray from the interview area all the way out to the ramp, and to the ring. Ray gets a healthy amount of heat on his way to the ring, due mostly to his pre-match promo, no doubt.
Mr. Anderson is out next, and he gets a big pop from the Philly crowd. Anderson doesn’t call for the mic, but instead runs right down to the ring and begins trading blows with Bully Ray. Ray gets the advantage, slamming Anderson’s head into the turnbuckle, but he’s taken out by a couple of big clotheslines, then a spinning neckbreaker from Anderson. Ray goes up the ropes, but Anderson catches him with a low blow. Anderson shoulders Ray, but Ray drops down and gets his foot right in Anderson’s face to take him down to the mat.
Ray picks Anderson up and shoves him into the corner hard. Ray rips off Anderson’s t-shirt and hits him with a huge chop before raking him eyes from behind. Ray hits Anderson with another huge chop that echoes throughout the building. Ray hits yet another chop, but Anderson ducks a clothesline and is able to come up with a big kick to Ray’s head for a near fall.
Anderson goes to the outside and grabs a sign from a fan that says ‘Welcome to Philly A**hole’. Anderson hits Ray with the sign, then opens the sign up to reveal a Dead End sign, before hitting Ray with it again. Ray goes to the outside, and Anderson is quick to follow, laying in with big right hands. Anderson grabs a beer from a fan in the front row and smashes it into Ray’s head. Anderson continues punching away at Ray before slamming his head into the barricade. Anderson then slams Ray’s head into a chair sitting at ringside, but when he goes to throw Anderson in the ring steps, Ray reverses and slams Anderson into the steps, which is good for a two count.
Ray goes under the ring and grabs a table that he sets up at ringside. Anderson is able to bring the attack back to Bully Ray, punching him all the way up the entrance ramp. Anderson tries for a suplex at the top of the entrance ramp, but it’s reversed by Ray, who tries for an immediate cover for a two count. Ray stands up and calls down Anderson’s mic at the top of the ramp. He says ladies and gentlemen, from Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, but he’s stopped short by Anderson. Anderson says this isn’t NYC, but welcome to Philly B****. Anderson cracks Ray over the head with the mic which is good or another two count. Ray and Anderson fight to the back, to the boos of the crowd. Ray takes Anderson and smashes him headfirst into some equipment cases. Ray tries to hit Anderson with a big pipe but Anderson moves out of the way. Ray connects with a pile driver on the cement floor for a two count.
Ray is furious and he grabs a chair to use to choke Anderson. Ray takes Anderson back out to the arena and the two trade blows, with Anderson clotheslining Ray to the floor. Anderson picks up Ray’s legs and plants his foot right in Ray’s groin. Both men move back toward the ring, and eventually make it back through the barricade. Ray rolls into the ring and Anderson catches him with a right to the face. Anderson grabs part of the barricade and brings it into the ring, but when he turns around he walks right into a big clothesline from Ray.
Ray goes to the outside and grabs another table, which he brings into the ring to set up. Ray sets up the table near the corner. Ray waits for Anderson to get up, and he charges, but Anderson back body drops Ray into the barricade, bending it in the process. Anderson goes to the top rope and comes off with a swanton, but Ray moves and Anderson lands on the barricade. Anderson gets to his feet and he’s bubba-bombed through the table in the ring. Ray goes for the pin but Anderson is able to kick out at two.
Ray brings the barricade into the center of the ring and drops Anderson on top of it. Ray goes to the top and goes for a back splash, but Anderson rolls out of the way, and Ray crashes into the barricade. Anderson connects with the mic check, sending Ray face first into the barricade, but it’s still not enough to keep Ray down for a three count.
Ray goes for the outside to recover, but Anderson is quick to follow. Anderson goes under the ring and grabs a trash can, which he uses to hit Ray in the face. Both men are bleeding just a bit. Ray ends up laying on the table on the outside and Anderson goes up the steps to the apron. Anderson then goes up to the top turnbuckle and launches himself off but he overshoots Ray and barely hits him, which the crowd lets him hear it for. Anderson picks up Ray and mic checks him through the table, pinning him out on the floor and getting the three count.
Winner: Mr. Anderson
Good match. Maybe the match of the night if Roode-Angle doesn’t disappoint.
Eric Bischoff is standing backstage with referee Jackson James, asking him if he’s ready for tonight. He says that he’s been able to be in the right place and make the right calls without anyone noticing. He says tonight two things need to happen. Number one, Hulk has to win, and number two, they want to take Sting out permanently. Bischoff asks if he’s ready, and he says he is. They hug, and Bischoff says let’s get it done.
Match: Velvet Sky vs Winter vs Mickie James vs Angelina Love
We get the tale of the tape for this four way KO Championship match, but not much buildup, and no video package. Velvet Sky is the first woman to make her way out to the ring, and she gets a decent pop from the crowd.
Sky’s former partner, Madison Rayne, is the next woman to make her way out to the ring, waving to the crowd the whole way.
Mickie James is the last of the challengers to make her way out to the ring, and she gets a really nice pop from the crowd.
The Champion, Winter, is the final woman to make her way to the ring, with Angelina Love accompanying her.
The special guest referee, Karen Jarrett, is actually the last woman to enter the ring, and she’s smiling all the way down, despite being booed quite heavily by the crowd.
The bell rings and it looks like Winter and Mickie will be kicking things off. We get a lock up and Mickie takes her right over with a roll up, but Karen doesn’t even try to count. Winter is able to lock in an arm bar, and Karen begins counting for some reason. Mickie fights up to her feet, but she’s yanked back down to the mat by her hair. Winter slams Mickie’s head into the turnbuckle before sending her hard into the corner. Winter charges but she’s caught by an elbow. Mickie is able to hit a headscissors, and a drop down neckbreaker, but Winter rolls to the outside. Rayne comes in and slaps Mickie with something, but I can’t see what it is.
Mickie and Rayne go back and forth, with Karen supporting Rayne. Rayne tosses Mickie to the outside and Sky comes in, hitting a couple of knees and bull-dogging Rayne to the mat, but when Sky goes for the pin, Karen won’t count. Rayne slams Sky to the mat, but Winter comes in to break up a pin. The heels fight amongst themselves, but Karen stops them and sends them out of the ring. Sky and James are in now and they’re slow to start things out. Sky locks in a side headlock and goes for a roll up, but Karen still won’t count. Mickie rolls up Sky and gets the same treatment.
Mickie and Sky continue to fight it out but the crowd is not liking this at all. James snap mares Sky and hits a low dropkick before slapping Rayne off of the apron. When Mickie goes back she’s caught by chops and kicks from Sky. Sky connects with a flying headscissors before sending Winter off the apron. Mickie and Sky continue to trade blows, but they’re pulled to the outside by Rayne and Winter respectively. Now all four women are in the ring with the heels standing tall. The faces are able to turn things around, but Karen threatens to throw them both out. Winter shoves Sky out to the floor and James sends out Rayne. Mickie sends Winter into the corner.
Mickie and Karen argue between themselves, and that allows Angelina to hand something to Winter. Winter tries to spit mist into Mickie’s eyes, but James drops down and Winter sprays Karen. Mickie hits a big jumping DDT, but there’s no ref. Traci Brooks runs down to the ring to attend to Karen. Mickie and Winter fight to the outside. Sky hits a double underhook facebuster to Rayne and pins her for the three count, with Brooks counting.
Winner: Velvet Sky
As predicted. Velvet Sky is the face of Knockout’s now.
JB is backstage with Kazarian. Kaz says he saw Bobby Roode earlier and he’s so happy for his friend. He also says he’s torn because his two best friends are in a match where they’ll try and force each other to quit (Styles and Daniels). He says he hopes this will be the end of things between the two men, but with the way Daniels has been acting he can’t be sure.
This leads us right into a video package highlighting the history between these two men that has led up to tonight. That video package is good, I must admit.
Match: AJ Styles vs Daniels
Christopher Daniels is the first man to make his way out to the ring, and he doesn’t get much of a reaction either way out of the crowd.
AJ Styles is the next man out to the ring, and he gets a pretty nice pop from the Philly crowd.
Styles poses for the crowd and when he turns around Daniels is waiting for him. Daniels doesn’t surprise AJ though, as Styles takes him down to the mat and lays in with right hands. Daniels rakes Styles eyes and puts him down with a leg sweep. Daniels pounds on Styles, telling him to quit and shoving the mic in his face. Styles won’t quit. Styles gets back to his feet and kicks Daniels in the back hard, then kicks him again. Styles tells Daniels to quit, but Daniels tells Styles to suck, but he’s cut off as Styles hits him in the head then shoves the mic in Daniels’ mouth. Styles works over Daniels, hitting an awesome pumphandle gutbuster. Styles works over Daniels’ arm, but he still won’t quit.
Daniels gets to his feet but Styles locks in an abdominal stretch. Daniels is able to counter with a hip toss. Daniels tries for a suplex, but Styles reverses, delaying the suplex and holding Daniels up for about ten seconds. Styles locks in a modified reverse chancery, but Daniels is able to break it. Daniels hits Styles with a nasty forearm, but Styles is able to come right back with an arm bar. Daniels bites Styles’ fingers to break the hold. Daniels hits Styles with a series of chops and elbows to the back of the head. Styles is able to come right back with a dropkick that sends Daniels to the outside, then he follows with a big tope con hilo.
Styles lays in to Daniels with more forearms before slamming him head first into the apron. Daniels goes under the ring and Styles pulls him out. Daniels has a tool box in hand, and he grabs a wrench out of it. Daniels launches the wrench at AJ, but Styles moves and the wrench connects with the ring steps. Daniels hits Styles with some head butts before sending Styles back into the ring and following with a screwdriver. Daniels tries to gouge Styles with the screwdriver, but Styles is able to hold him off. Daniels charges Styles in the corner but Styles moves out of the way and out to the apron. Daniels comes out to the apron and he and Styles trade blows. Daniels brings AJ up and suplexes him down on the apron but AJ gets caught in the ropes for a really scary landing.
Daniels asks Styles to quit but he won’t, so Daniels sends him back into the ring and hits a big back body drop. Daniels locks in a rear chin lock and continues to shove the mic in AJ’s face. Styles still refuses to quit, but Daniels is determined. Daniels hits the BME on Styles while he’s on his hands and knees. Daniels pats himself on the back while the crowd jeers him. Daniels goes right into a single leg crab, flipping off the Philly crowd. The ref holds the mic in Styles’ face, but Styles still refuses to quit.
Styles struggles to the ropes and pulls himself up to force a break of the hold. Styles goes for a kick, but Daniels blocks it and puts AJ down across his knee with a big back breaker. Daniels goes to the outside where he grabs a chair. Daniels makes it back into the ring with the chair. Daniels sets the chair down across Styles’ throat, then sits down in it. Daniels grabs the mic and says he’s been dreaming about this moment for months. The moment that Styles passes out. He says everything Styles has been given will be his. He tells the people they know they love him more than Styles. Daniels says he never wanted Styles to say the word, he was more than happy to bash his head in, in the ring, but he promises AJ he’ll tell his wife that his last words were ‘I love you’. Daniels talks to the camera and asks Styles’ wife to take his children out of the room because they shouldn’t see their father murdered in cold blood.
Daniels goes for a chair shot but Styles moves. Styles comes back with a splash and a series of kicks. Styles hits his moonsault reverse DDT and follows it up with an enzugiri. Styles hits Daniels with a clothesline in the corner then goes out to the apron. Styles bring himself back into the ring with a flying springboard clothesline. Styles tries for the Styles clash but Daniels bklocks it and hits a urunage. Daniels tries for the BME again but Styles moves. Styles is able to connect with the Pele, and follows up with the Styles clash.
Styles picks up the chair and plays to the crowd for a bit, but then he tosses the chair aside. Styles goes to the corner and grabs the screwdriver that Daniels brought into the ring. Daniels grabs the mic, backs away, and quits to avoid Styles hurting him.
Winner: AJ Styles
Good match here, but didn’t need the promo and the screwdriver shenanigans, a clean match would’ve been better. And why I quit, TNA?
Daniels flees from the ring with Styles trying to attack him with the screwdriver. Styles doesn’t chase him up the ramp, but instead stays in the ring to have his hand raised.
While Styles celebrates at the top of the ramp, he’s attacked from behind by Daniels who connects with the Angel’s wings at the top of the ramp. Daniels says Styles never beat him, and asks who wins now?”
Mike Tenay and Taz are interrupted after the Styles/Daniels match, by Jeff Jarrett’s music. The founder of TNA makes his way out to the ring to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Jarrett calls for the mic, yelling at So Cal Val to bring the mic to him. After a long pause, Jarrett calls out Jeff Hardy. He says three days ago he told Hardy not to step into the hell-hole of a city that they’re in tonight. He says this isn’t about him not wanted Hardy in some building or some town, this is an entire organization wanting him to have nothing to do with the event. The backstage personnel, the office, the roster, and everyone here wants nothing to do with Hardy.
He says he and Karen went out into the streets today while things were getting set up, and 9 out of 10 fans said they hoped to never see Hardy in another ring again. Jarrett says he knows Hardy has been hiding in the back all day, but it’s time for Hardy to face the music, and Jarrett is calling him out. Jarrett says he brought him into the organization, and he’s taking him out tonight.
Hardy grabs the mic. Hardy says he just wants to say one thing. Hardy drops the mic and goes to work, laying into Jarrett with a series of right hands. Jarrett comes back with rights of his own, taking him into the corner and punching away. Hardy takes Jarrett down with a clothesline and begins ripping at his shirt. Security makes their way down to the ring and separate the two men. Hardy breaks free and attacks Jarrett, but he’s pulled away. Jarrett breaks free and attacks Hardy but he’s pulled away.
Referees come down to the ring too, but Hardy is able to break away and continue the fight for a bit. TNA Agents, including D-Lo Brown, make their way out too, but Hardy is still able to break free. Jarrett is pulled out of the ring. The crowd is chanting for D-Lo Brown, which shows how much that segment meant to the Philly fans.
Hardy poses on the turnbuckle, and I’m not sure, but it looks like he’s got his own mugshot on the front of his t-shirt. Hardy gets a good bit of love from the crowd.
HH said it, and I believe this will happen. They’ll make Hardy the face of TNA. But, he is still being treated like crap.
Yes, this match is happening. And yes, we are still in the year 2011. To prove it, we get a video package detailing the recent events between these two men, in what has been a small part of the epic history between these two legends.
The first main event of the night is next…
Match: HH vs Sting
After a TON of stalling by Taz and Tenay, during which it seems like even they didn’t know what was going on, Hulk Hogan’s music hits, and the Immortal one himself makes his way out to the ring.
Dixie Carter is shown in the crowd watching as Hogan limps his way into the ring. Sting’s music hits, as Tenay and Taz complain about the fact that the referee is Bischoff’s son. Sting makes his way down to the ring, wearing a Hulkamania t-shirt, and gets a big pop.
Both men look like they’re going to be wrestling in tights and t-shirts. This is really a sad spectacle. The bell rings and both men begin circling. Hogan jabs at Sting but Sting avoids the punches. Hogan holds his hand up, then calls to the back. Ric Flair’s music hit, and the Nature Boy makes his way down the ramp toward the ring.
Dixie Carter doesn’t look too happy as Flair walks down to the ring, and shakes hands with Hogan on the way to Hogan’s corner. Both men begin circling again. We get a lock up and Sting locks in a side head lock. Sting clamps down, bringing Hogan down to one knee, but Hogan is quick to get back up, and send Sting into the ropes. Hogan hits a shoulder block that sends Sting down to the mat. Hogan poses for the fans, even throwing in a crotch chop. Sting takes off his shirt and throws it at Flair. Hogan connects with several rights before stomping Sting and locking in a rear chin lock.
Sting breaks the hold, but goes back down to a big clothesline. Sting rolls to the outside while Hogan jaws with the ref. Sting heads back into the ring and eats a couple of right hands before raking Sting’s back, then his eyes. Hogan hits another right hand before tossing Sting to the outside. Flair wraps his jacket around Sting’s neck to choke him. Flair hits Sting with chops and punches before hitting a low blow. Hogan goes out after Sting and hits another low blow on the Icon. Hogan slams Sting into the guard rail head first before hitting him with chops and biting Sting’s forehead.
Flair hands Hogan something, which Hogan uses to hit Sting in the forehead. Flair sends Sting into the guard rail, and Hogan follows, pounding Sting repeatedly with the foreign object. Hogan sends Sting back into the ring and hits Sting with another right hand before strutting around the ring. Flair hands Hogan something else, but Sting blocks the punch and hits Hogan with some right hands of his own. Sting goes to the outside and chases Flair around the ring before getting back into the ring. Sting continues hitting Hogan with rights and Hogan goes to his back for the second time in this match.
Sting goes to the outside to chase Flair again, and this time he catches him. Sting grabs the weapon from Flair and uses it on Hogan, hitting him in the forehead twice and busting him open. Sting rips at Hogan’s forehead, taking him into the corner with kicks and punches. Sting hits the Stinger splash, punches Flair off the apron, then hits a Stinger splash to the back of Hogan. Hogan falls to the mat and Sting grabs his legs. Sting is able to turn Hogan into one of the worst scorpion death locks I’ve ever seen. Hogan taps, but the ref won’t call for the bell. Hogan continues to tap, and the ref is forced to call the bout in favor of Sting.
Winner: Sting
I expected a sh@! match, but it wasn’t. It was very painful though, not for the competitors, but the crowd.
Flair attacks Sting following the match, and Bischoff comes out with Scott Steiner, Bully Ray, and Gunner in tow, all carrying chairs. Immortal take the beat down to Sting, laying in with chairs and Abyss is shown looking on in the back. Bischoff goes to hit Sting but his son grabs the chair. Bully Ray grabs him and Bischoff instead hits his own son with the chair. Flair beats on Sting in the corner, and Hogan has barely moved since the actual match, keeping himself propped up in the corner.
Sting is asking for Hogan’s help, but he’s pulled away by the members of Immortal. Hogan begins hulking up. He takes out Flair, then Steiner, then Ray, then Gunner, all in succession. Hogan and Sting team up and take down everyone. Sting splashes Flair in the corner and Hogan tosses Gunner from the ring. Hogan and Sting have cleared the ring of everyone except Bischoff, who’s cowering in the corner. Sting and Hogan lock eyes and stare each other down. Hogan points to Bischoff.
Hogan tells Sting he’s got it, and he hits Bischoff with a big windmill punch to a lot of love from the crowd.
Hogan tosses Bischoff from the ring, and he and Sting stand tall in the center of the ring. Hogan says he’s back. Sting mounts the turnbuckle and the crowd chants for Hogan. Hogan offers his hand to Sting, and the Icon takes it. Hogan and Sting raise each other’s arms before leaving the ring and heading to the back.
Yeah, Hogan turns face.. and gets his spotlight back. Next.
We get a really well done video package that highlights Roode’s journey to this title match, as well as Angle’s history as the World Champ of TNA.
The real main event we’ve all been looking for..
Match: Kurt Angle vs Bobby (Robert) Roode
Bobby Roode is the first man out to the ring by himself, no Storm in tow. Roode gets a really good reaction from the crowd.
The Champion, Kurt Angle, is out to the ring next, and it’s interesting to note that JB is performing ring introductions while they make their way down, so it looks like we won’t have formal ring introductions with both men in the ring tonight. Probably due to time constraints.
The bell rings and the crowd seems pretty solidly behind Roode. We get a lock up and Roode locks in a side head lock. Angle sends Roode off the ropes and Roode comes right back with a shoulderblock. Roode blocks a hip toss and tries for the cross face, but Angle gets to the ropes to force a break. Angle rolls to the outside, and pulls Roode out after him. Roode hits Angle with right hands, beating him around the ringside area. Angle rolls back into the ring, and kicks the ropes into Roode’s groin as he makes his way back into the ring.
Angle sends Roode into the corner and buries his shoulder in Roode’s midsection before suplexing him hard for a two count. Angle locks in a waistlock trying to wear Roode down, but Roode is able to fight out of it. Angle hits Roode with a knee to the gut before going right back into the waistlock.
Both men are able to get up to beat the count and they trade right hands. Engle hits Roode with European uppercuts, but Roode won’t die. Roode hits a running forearm, then a couple of clotheslines before being sent into the corner and coming right back out with another clothesline. Roode goes to the middle rope and hits a sort-of blockbuster that’s good for another two count. Roode hits Angle with a nasty chop, but Angle responds with an explosive belly-to-belly suplex that’s good for another near fall.
Angle is able to connect with a nasty DDT for another near fall, but Roode is able to come back with a spinebuster for a near fall of his own. Roode goes to the apron and climbs the turnbuckle, but Angle jumps up the ropes and launches Roode with a superplex of his own.
Roode is able to lock in the cross face out of nowhere. Angle looks to be in pain, but he’s able to grab hold of Roode’s ankle and transition into the ankle lock. Roode rolls through and locks in another cross face.
Angle is able to turn the submission into a near fall, but Roode kicks out. Both men get up but Roode takes Angle right back down to the mat in another cross face. Angle rolls over and shoulders Roode somehow, countering the cross face with an Angle slam. Angle locks on another ankle lock, and Roode struggles, and is able to kick Angle away. Roode plants Angle with a spinebuster before hitting the fisheman’s suplex, hanging on to pin Angle for two.
Angle is able to lock in the ankle lock again, but Roode rolls through into a pin for a near fall. Angle goes for the Angle slam, but Roode reverses it. Roode goes to the top, but Angle pulls the ref in front of him. Roode comes to the mat, and pushes the ref aside, but he gets a kick to the groin and an Angle slam for his troubles. Angle goes for the pin, but he’s still only able to get a two count. Angle stalks Roode and locks his hands around Roode’s waist. Angle hits one German suplex, then another, but when he tries for the third, Roode rolls around and is able to lock in the cross face out of nowhere.
Angle is able to get his hand under the rope to force Roode to break the hold. Roode is sent into the corner hard and Angle connects with a big spear, but it’s still not enough to keep Roode down for a three count. Angle goes out to the apron and climbs the turnbuckles. Angle gets to the top and goes for a flying clothesline, but Roode catches him on the way down and puts him in the cross face again. Angle fights out and tries for the Angle slam but can’t get it. Roode tries for the fisherman’s suplex but can’t get it. Angle connects with the Angle slam and holds on to the ropes. It doesn’t look like he got a three, especially as Roode got his hand under the ropes, but the ref calls for the bell and this one is over.
Winner and STILL TNA World Champion: Kurt Angle
Good match but the finish spoiled it for me.
During the replay it’s easy to see that the ending was supposed to be screwy, but the referee did indeed screw up the count, so it looked even worse for it. The show ends with Roode looking on dejectedly from the corner as Angle is handed his title.
–
Average PPV in my opinion. Really disappointed since this was billed as TNA’s WM. Moving on,
Awesome stuff:
- AA produces a stellar show
- Match quality was good except Sting-Hogan
- Sting wins
Need to improve:
- Is Hogan your draw? Then, why are you giving him the spotlight?
- Kurt-Roode result; Bobby should have won
- RVD-Lynn, AJ-Daniels produce average finishes
- Karen is the main focus of the Knockouts division
Overall PPV rating- 6.0/10
-SiD
