Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
Tables Match
Bobby Roode & Ethan Carter III vs. Bully Ray & Willow
Bully and Willow charged the ring and took the fight to Roode and EC3. The faces did a Poetry in Motion on the heels followed by a Wassup headbutt. The faces brought a table into the ring but the heels took control. Willow and EC3 fought in the ring as Bully and Roode went out of the ring. Willow hit a Twist of Fate and set up EC3 on the table. Rockstar Spud rolled out in a wheelchair and distracted Willow. Spud ate a dropkick and then Willow carried him to the back.
Bully went to the top rope but Roode shoved him off. Bully reversed a double team and cleaned house with some strikes. Roode hit a spinebuster on Bully through the table for the win. After the match, Bully took a Roode Bomb through a table followed by a top rope splash through another table. Roode talked smack to Bully’s face to end the segment.
Reaction: Hot match to start the show. Oh, Rockstar Spud, that poor little bugger. I enjoyed the fast-paced, free-for-all style of this match. The extra table spots were a little too much, in my opinion. I don’t know, maybe they’re setting up Full Metal Mayhem at Sacrifice?
Backstage, Kenny King arrived in a golf cart but the stagehand said he’s not booked for anything tonight. King walked in anyway and asked for MVP.
Backstage, MVP ran down the card for tonight’s show. Kenny King walked into the office but MVP told him that they’ll talk later.
Straightjacket Match
Mr. Anderson vs. Samuel Shaw
Anderson and Shaw exchanged brief promos before the match. Anderson jumped Shaw on the outside. They brawled around ringside, trying to put the straightjacket on their opponent.
Back from the break, Shaw took control by choking Anderson in the ring. Shaw put the jacket on Anderson but as he celebrated, Anderson recovered and hit some quick strikes. Anderson got the jacket on Shaw but he took a low blow before he could fasten the straps. Shaw locked in the Kata Gatame and put the jacket on Anderson for the win.
Reaction: Eh, it was a decent match. The straightjacket gimmick was kinda silly, though the development of Shaw in a straightjacket would have been very entertaining. Where they go from here is anybody’s guess.
Backstage, The Beautiful People talked about their tag match against Madison Rayne and a partner.
Earlier today, Eric Young talked about his World Title opportunity in the four-way main event.
X Division champion Sanada and Tigre Uno came out for the first match in their Best of Three series. However, Kenny King interrupted and started bragging about how he is the X Division. MVP came out and asked King if he’s out of his mind for interrupting his show. MVP told King that they can go back to his office and talk about things. King got in MVP’s face and said he’s not going anywhere. King challenged MVP to an exhibition match and then shoved him as he was about to leave the ring. MVP accepted and that match is happening later on.
Reaction: Judging from that promo, I guess the “King of the Night” is supposed to be a VIP type character mixed with Kenny’s mojo. It’s not really anything new, but it does feel like a smooth upgrade from his previous gimmick.
Best-of-Three Series: Match #1
Sanada vs. Tigre Uno
Both men exchanged a quick flurry to start. Tigre took control with a dropkick and arm stretch. Sanada broke out and did a series of rolling cradles for a near fall. Tigre hit a spin kick and went for a springboard move which was countered into a dropkick from Sanada. Tigre went for a moonsault but Sanada got his knees up. Sanada capitalized with a Tigre Suplex for the pin.
Reaction: Fun match. Both guys can really turn it up in the ring, and this was definitely a nice breather from all the storyline-driven content on the show. The Best-of-Three seems like a modified version of a two-out-of-three-falls match to extend this program until Sacrifice.
Backstage, Brittany told Madison Rayne how much she admires the reigning Knockouts champ. Brittany offered to be Madison’s partner and told Madison she’s just looking for an opportunity. Madison accepted and told Brittany to close the door so they can talk strategy.
Magnus came to the ring for a promo. The champ introduced Abyss, who came out in a suit. Magnus complimented Abyss. Magnus hyped up the title match and said he treats Abyss like a star and a human being. Magnus mentioned how badly James Mitchell and Eric Young treated Abyss in the past. Magnus said “I love you” to Abyss and then hugged him. As they left the ring, Eric Young attacked Abyss from behind. The numbers game was too much and then Samoa Joe cleaned house on the heels. Joe and EY stared each other down to end the segment.
Reaction: Good hype for the main event. Magnus continued to manipulate Abyss, and then Joe and EY got involved while building off their tension from last week. It has all the elements to be an interesting match.
Backstage, MVP said The Wolves are getting a tag title match tonight. However, Robbie came in with a doctor’s note and said Jessie Godderz injured his leg while working out. Robbie threatened a lawsuit and MVP said the match was off.
They showed a video package of Knux returning to his hometown. Knux visited his father and said he could stay for a few days to help get the carnival business back on track.
The Beautiful People vs. Madison Rayne & Brittany
Brittany did a flurry of arm drags and body slams to Angelina to start. The Beautiful People double teamed Brittany for a while. Brittany countered an irish whip into a Russian leg sweep. Madison got the hot tag and cleaned house. Velvet broke up a pin attempt and then Brittany tagged in. The Beautiful People hit the Makeover (double team kick) and Angelina covered Brittany for the pin.
Reaction: I’ll be honest, that was a cool nostalgia moment for me. I really like the BP’s new entrance, though their outfits look hideous. Not surprised that Brittany ate the pin as Angelina is gaining momentum for a title match against Madison.
Exhibition Match
MVP vs. Kenny King
Lockup and chain wrestling to start. King smiled and posed after each exchange. MVP tripped King and applied a STF but King rolled out. They locked up again and MVP took King over with a side headlock. MVP took down King again but King hit a back elbow as he became a little frustrated. The exhibition turned serious and they started brawling. The referee called for the bell. The crowd chanted “Let them fight” as more referees came out to break it up. King hit a cheap shot on MVP from behind and left the ring.
Reaction: Well, King’s got skills, homie. This could be a solid upper mid-card feud to hopefully rebuild King’s credibility as a rising star. They planted the seeds with the non-finish, so I’m looking forward to the follow-up in the coming weeks.
Backstage, Magnus talked with Ethan Carter III. Magnus was trying to suck up to EC3 to help him in the title match tonight, but EC3 brushed him off and waked away.
Backstage, Kenny King talked about what he just did to MVP. As he started bragging a little bit, MVP attacked King and got into a brawl. The Wolves restrained MVP as King walked away.
World Title Match
Magnus vs. Samoa Joe vs. Eric Young vs. Abyss
Magnus squared off with Joe while Abyss squared off with EY. Joe and Magnus fought on the outside. EY dropkicked Abyss to the outside and did a suicide dive on the other three guys. EY hit a crossbody on Magnus for a near fall. Joe and EY started arguing and then Magnus and Abyss attacked them from behind.
Back from the break, Magnus instructed Abyss to attack Joe. Magnus focused his offense on EY in the ring for a couple of near falls. Abyss and Magnus went for a double team but EY fought back until he got thrown out of the ring. Joe came back in the ring and cleaned house on the heels. Joe hit a powerslam on each of his opponents. Joe applied the rear naked choke but Magnus hit a low blow. Abyss hit a pair of Black Hole Slams on Joe and EY. Abyss didn’t go for the pin, however, as Magnus convinced him to step aside. Magnus hit the diving elbow on EY for the pin.
Reaction: And there you have it, Magnus retained his title fair and square. Joe has failed three times, so I imagine he’s out of the title picture at this point. The match was fine. It was a simple four-way; nothing more, nothing less.
