TNA Wrestling House Show in Toledo, Ohio
Report by Fred Vallongo, PWTorch.com Reader
The card was held at the Seagate Convention Center, and was TNA’s first appearance in Toledo. The crowd of about 1,000 was super hot before the action started. Kurt Angle, who appeared to be in considerable pain, kicked things off by thanking all of the fans for coming out see TNA in action.
He announced that rib injuries suffered in his match with Jeff Hardy at the last Pay-Per-View prevented him from competing tonight, but that he would be the “special enforcer” for the main event tag team title bout between the Motor City Machineguns (defending their belts) against Beer Money.
Angle then introduced a group of Army recruiters, and nine Toledo recruits who were to be sworn in. First, he called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of 9/11 and the men and women of the Armed Forces. Afterward, the recruits were sworn in and marched away.
Jermy Borash then announced that backstage passes would be given to several of the loudest fans. A.J. Styles stormed out to object, demanding that no fans be allowed backstage, As the crowd booed, “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero, who was hugely over with the fans, came out to challenge Styles to a match to settle the backstage passes issue.
(1) The Pope D’Angelo Dinero beat A.J. Styles. This was a tremendous bout with Dinero scoring the win to everyone’s delight.
(2) Knockouts champion Angelina Love (w/Velvet Sky) beat Madison Rayne to retain the KO Title. Pretty much what you would expect from this trio: a solid match with Love picking up the win. I have to say the rope-straddle routine was way too tawdry for a crowd heavily populated by youngsters.
(3) Kazarian, representing “Fortune,” beat Suicide. Kazarian picked up the win with the flux capacitor. During this match, a fan held up a sign reading, “All TNA Wrestlers are WWE
Rejects,” for several minutes before it was confiscated by security.
(4) Mr. Anderson beat Jeff Jarrett. The crowd was pretty split on this one, with plenty of support for each man. Anderson won with the Mic check, and then thanked Jarrett “on behalf of all the boys in the back, and all the fans.” Jarrett shook hands and quickly left the ring.
It was time for intermission, and a major push by Don West for merchandise sales.
(5) Matt Morgan beat Rhino. After intermission, Matt Morgan took on Rhino. The crowd was solidly for Rhino with a recurring chant of “Let’s go Rhino!” It was all to no avail as Morgan ultimately prevailed with a kick to the face and a cover for the win.
(6) TNA tag champions Motor City Machineguns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) beat Beer Money (James Storm & Robert Roode) to retain the TNA Tag Titles. This was definitely the best match of the night, as the Guns and Beer Money brought their A-games! The crowd was again split with chants for both teams rocking the house. There were some simply awesome aerial maneuvers, with the Guns ultimately prevailing. Angle then told the Guns, “This may have been your first main event, but it won’t be your last.” The crowd cheered their support to close the show on a happy note.
Loudest pops: The Pope, followed by Kurt Angle
Most heat: A.J. Styles, followed by Kazarian
