Source: HitTheRopes.com
TNA airs Thursday nights so every year they will have a show that falls on Thanksgiving. Now, unless your family/friends are hardcore wrestling people, I am sure many weren’t watching TNA this week. Not sure what the ratings will show but I wouldn’t be surprised if the ratings were less than a 1.0 on the Neilsen scale.
With all this said, let’s get on to the recap, which will not be as in-depth as usual.
So TNA decides they are going to hold a eight-man tournament (TNA Championship Series) to award the winner a future title shot. The competitors are: Bobby Lashley, Abyss, Kurt Angle, Black Pope D’Angelo Dinero, Desmond Wolfe, Suicide, Homicide, and Robert Roode. The way this works is: If Lashley, Abyss, Angle, or Wolfe wins, they get a shot at the TNA World Championship. Suicide and Homicide would earn a shot at the X Division belt, while Roode would garner a chance at the tag titles.
This leaves me asking one thing: Where is the representative from the Motor City Machine Guns?
First Round Matches
* Bobby Lashley vs. Abyss: Lashley was able to get the victory after Kristal caused a distraction by faking an injury. Seems like something Sharmell would do. Either way, Lashley was able to get Abyss in the Dragon Sleeper for the win. How heelish of you, Bobby.
* Desmond Wolfe vs. Suicide: Would we say that it was career suicide by Kaz to ask for his release a few weeks ago? The winner of this match was clear from the onset. Wolfe Tower of London’d Suicide for the ‘W’.
* Kurt Angle vs. D’Angelo Dinero: Everyone should know I am a Pope fan. Glad to see him get his chance here but there was no way he would be going over Angle here. This was a good match, nonetheless. A hug and handshake to show respect afterward.
* Homicide vs. Robert Roode: Another good match here. Way to go, TNA. Homicide was like a shark smelling blood. He was ruthless on his attack but eventually Roode was able to get the upperhand and secure the win with a spinebuster. Homicide went all six-years-old on us throwing a hissy fit.
The ladies weren’t to be left out as there was a battle royal to crown ODB‘s next challenger for the Knockouts title. ODB was the special guest referee here. Not sure why you really need a special ref for a battle royal, though. All the current Knockouts, including Lacey von Erich, but excluding Awesome Kong, were involved. In the end, Tara reigned supreme. ODB didn’t seem to happy with things at the end, though. Dare I say heel turn? Also seems like Traci Brooks and Alissa Flash aren’t done as they went at it even after being eliminated.
Round Two Matches
* Wolfe vs. Lashley: Kristal is all good again; it’s a miracle, I tell ya. Lashley was powerful throughout. Wolfe was DQ’d after not releasing Lashley from a move while in the ropes.
* Angle vs. Roode: A delight of a match to view. Roode hung with Angle every step. Neither man looked weak here at all. The finish came with Wolfe coming out and Angle getting distracted long enough to be counted out.
Finals: Roode vs. Lashley
* Lashley seemed to have his biggest challenger of the night in Roode. It’s weird since Wolfe was supposed to be this big force since coming to TNA but Lashley had a fairly easier time with Wolfe than Roode. Either way, a good match with Lashley procuring the win and a future title shot.
Rest of Show
We had some backstage segments with Foley trying to get more information about Hulk Hogan. Angle informed Foley that he should get on board with the idea of Hogan coming in.
Eric Young, with Kevin Nash accompanying, continues to speak about being discriminated against.
Dixie Carter will be appearing on next week’s show to speak about, what else, Hogan.
AJ Styles and Daniels had a confrontation in the ring. Daniels is still being jealous, Styles is still trying to prove to be a friend who was always there. Daniels tells AJ to tell the family that Uncle Chris will put AJ in his place.
Overall
A very solid show. Wrestling was focused on, which is a good thing. I just don’t understand why this great show would be given on a night when TNA might lose fans thanks to the holiday.
Pope, Roode, and Angle were the stars of the show.
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