Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
Eric Young was in the parking lot when a limo arrived. EY tried to go after MVP, but security restrained him as MVP smirked and went away.
Eric Young came out to the ring and talked about how last week he was betrayed by someone he trusted. EY said all the guys were hoping for change from MVP and that anything was better than Dixie in charge. EY said if MVP wanted a shot at the World Title, all he had to do was ask. EY called out MVP and wanted to fight.
MVP appeared on the big screen and said EY was ungrateful because he’s the one who gave EY the opportunity to win the World Title in the first place. MVP said he had a plan in place and EY winning the title sped things up. MVP said life is about money, power and respect, and he wants the World Title. EY wanted a fight, but MVP said no contract, no contact. MVP said he’s bringing security along as EY ran to the backstage area.
Reaction: Decent follow-up from MVP’s heel turn last week. It makes sense that MVP orchestrated this plan to get to the World Title. EY vs. MVP needs some pizzazz heading into Slammiversary, and this was a good start.
There was a pre-tape with Rockstar Spud and Dixie Carter in Nashville. As Spud and Dixie drove to Dixie’s home, they noticed a sign that read “Dixie Fears Bully.” Dixie told the cameras to keep the cameras rolling.
Backstage, Willow talked about the attack on him last week by Magnus and Bram. Willow challenged them both to face him tonight.
Handicap Match
Willow vs. Bram and Magnus
Bram and Magnus attacked Willow backstage before they fought towards the ring. Bram manhandled Willow to start. Willow hit the Whisper in the Wind on Bram and took control. Willow went for the Twist of Fate, but Bram shoved him off and Magnus tripped him from the outside. Bram nailed a suplex and tagged in Magnus. Bram went to the outside and rolled in a crowbar into the ring, but Magnus kicked it out. Magnus went for the Mag Daddy Driver, but Willow countered into a small package for the pin.
Reaction: So far I like Bram – he’s all business. Eventually Magnus will embrace his old edge again, but for now the story is progressing nicely while establishing their relationship as well as Bram’s character to the audience. I’m a little surprised that Bram didn’t get more offense for his in-ring debut.
Backstage, Eric Young got past security and trashed MVP’s office.
Dixie and Spud were in the yard, which was full of tables. Bully called on the phone and said he is in the house, so Dixie sent in Spud and the camera crew to investigate.
Gail Kim came out to the ring and challenged the Beautiful People to a fight. Angelina accepted the challenge and Velvet Sky attacked Gail from behind. A referee came out to start a match.
Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky
Velvet took control with a series of flurries. Gail fought back with some dropkicks. Angelina distracted Gail, allowing Velvet to knock her to the outside. Velvet put a brown bag over Gail’s head and kicked her in the back. Velvet locked in a chinlock, but Gail fought out with a jawbreaker. Velvet hit a neckbreaker for a near fall. Velvet grabbed Gail by the neck, but Gail reversed into an Eat Defeat for the pin.
After the match, Angelina attacked Gail from behind with the Knockouts Title. The Beautiful People stood tall over Gail and talked trash.
Reaction: Yep, they are definitely setting up Gail vs. Angelina for the Knockouts Title at Slammiversary. Velvet was much more aggressive in this match, so that was a welcome change. I like this direction for Gail as a hybrid of her heel and babyface characters in TNA – she’s all about integrity but she’s still a ninja in the ring.
A pre-tape aired from last week of Jeremy Broash interviewing EC3 after his match with Kurt Angle. It’s the same #IMPACT365 video from YouTube earlier this week.
Kazarian vs. Crazzy Steve
The Menagerie’s music was still playing and their lights were still on as the match started. Steve offered Kazarian some balloons, but Kazarian punched him and threw the ballons to the outside. The Freak backed Kazarian, who fell backwards from Steve crouched over. Steve was goofing around and did a top rope splash onto his balloons. Rebel and The Freak got the apron and goofed around with gymnastics or something. It looked Steve pantsed the referee and got disqualified, giving Kazarian the win. The Menagerie got in the ring and celebrated
Reaction: Well, that was… different, for a lack of a better word. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many weird things happen all at once during a “match” (if you want to call it that). TNA is going all-out to push the Menagerie as a wacky circus act, so that’s pretty much what we got here.
Austin Aries tried to go after MVP backstage, but security held him back and MVP punched Aries in the gut. As the guards took Aries out of the arena, Eric Young showed up from behind and attacked MVP.
Back from the break, EY and MVP brawled from the backstage area to the ring. The fight lasted for a few minutes, with MVP targeting the arm of EY. MVP finally laid out EY in the ring and booked a match between them for the World Title tonight.
Spud was hiding behind the couch as Bully entered the living room. The camera guy said that Dixie sent “them”, so Bully grabbed Spud from behind the couch and told them to stay tuned for what’s next.
Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm
Storm and Anderson exchanged strikes to begin. Storm slammed Anderson’s arm into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Anderson nailed his rolling slam and went for a Mic Check, but Storm hit a low blow. Storm hit a DDT for a near fall. Storm grabbed a beer bottle and went to hit Anderson with it. Anderson went for a Mic Check and as the referee took the bottle away, Storm spit beer into Anderson’s face. Storm hit the Last Call for the pin.
Reaction: Solid match. It’s nice to see Storm get a good singles win again after losing to Gunner so many times.
There was a pre-tape with Samuel Shaw locked in a straightjacket at the mental hospital. A doctor came in and said Shaw had a visitor, and he kept asking if it was Christy.
X Division Championship
Sanada vs. DJ Z vs. Tigre Uno
The announcers acknowledged that the Option C stipulation is still valid for Destination X. Sanada and Tigre threw DJ out of the ring and worked each other for a bit. DJ came back in and Sanada rolled him up for a near fall. DJ took control over Sanada in the ring as Tigre regrouped on the outside. Sanada regained momentum with some chops. Tigre came back in with a double dropkick followed by a twisting splash to the outside. Sanada hit a springboard chop on DJ followed by a Tiger Suplex for the pin.
Reaction: Another great showcase for Sanada. Interesting that they brought up Option C for Destination X. I would be fine if Sanada didn’t cash in because he’s doing a great job with the X Division Title right now, but we’ll see. I also love the Sanada vignettes as well.
Gunner visited Samuel Shaw in the mental hospital. Gunner said Shaw needs someone to talk to as they cut to a video package on the Angle/EC3 feud.
Dixie was scared as she talked to Bully on the phone. Dixie found Spud knocked out in the living room. Bully appeared and blamed Dixie for causing him to be at her house. Bully asked Dixie if she really thinks he’s afraid of her. Bully told Dixie to admit that she fears him and as she went to do so, EC3 knocked out Bully from behind. Dixie said she fears no one.
Reaction: I enjoyed these skits. Now that Angle is on the shelf for a while, it’s a seamless transition for EC3 to represent Dixie in this feud with Bully. It’s another notch to EC3’s (undefeated) belt.
World Championship
Eric Young vs. MVP
EY attacked MVP on the outside, but MVP targeted EY’s arm and slammed it on the steel steps. MVP continued to work over EY’s arm with some stomps as the show went to commercial break. Back from the break, MVP continued to work over EY’s arm in the ring. EY fought back with some strikes and nailed a discus clothesline. EY went to the top rope, but Kenny King came out and nailed the Coronation on EY. The referee rang the bell and MVP told him to restart the match, but the ref said no.
King punched the referee and continued to attack EY. Bobby Lashley came out and speared EY. King set up two chairs in the ring and Lashley hit a body slam on EY through the chairs. MVP posed with the World Title and celebrated with King and Lashley.
Reaction: Hmm. So MVP was in cahoots with King and Lashley this whole time or he spoke their language if you get the drift. Something about this trio feels interesting. MVP, The King of the Night and an MMA fighter beating down Eric Young is such a weird swerve but kinda curious at the same time.
