Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
The show opened with the trio of MVP, Kenny King and Bobby Lashley beating up Kazarian in the backstage area before making their way to the ring. MVP talked about how brilliant he is and how he took power in TNA. MVP explained that he was going to come back to the wrestling business on his own terms. MVP said you have to be a politician to be successful.
Kenny King took the mic and praised MVP as a genius for his plan. King took credit for both the exhibition match and walking out from his match with Lashley to throw the dummies off. Lashley took the mic and said it’s all part of the plan. Lashley called MVP a visionary.
The Wolves came out to confront MVP, King and Lashley. Davey Richards lashed out at MVP for making false promises at Lockdown. MVP took credit for giving the Wolves the opportunity to succeed as tag team champions in TNA. MVP said he didn’t include the Wolves in his plan because they don’t have the stomach to execute his plan.
The Wolves attacked King and Lashley, but they fell victim to the numbers game. Lashley speared Edwards to the mat while MVP tossed Richards out of the ring. Lashley carried Richards to the stage as MVP continued to talk about money, power and respect. Lashley speared Richards off the stage through a table and then the trio walked away.
Reaction: Ah yes, politics – the ugly side of pro wrestling. MVP, King and Lashley came off like ruthless gangsters with their destruction of the Wolves. The promo aspect was entertaining and made a lot of sense. It’s a little formulaic, but compelling in its own flavor.
Backstage, the Carters arrived in the arena. Also, Davey Richards was shown being put into an ambulance during the break.
Eric Young came out for a promo. As he started to talk, MVP interrupted and brought out King and Lashley. EY said MVP stabbed him in the back and then called King a scumbag. EY criticized Lashley for being a sellout. MVP retorted that they are not sellouts – they are simply motivated by money, power and respect. EY said he is motivated by the people and then attacked the trio.
EY was getting beat down until Austin Aries came out for the save. Aries took out King on the outside and attacked MVP. Lashley tossed Aries across the ring, but as he went for a charge, EY and Aries pulled the top rope to send Lashley to the outside. Aries got on the mic and called MVP a fake. Aries took responsibility for MVP’s ego and challenged him to a match. MVP accepted the challenge and said he has an opponent for EY that he’ll reveal later tonight.
Reaction: I get tired of hearing the word “sellout”. I like the way MVP responded to EY’s promo. Wrestling is a cutthroat business; not everybody is Mr. Righteous all the time. Great to see Aries step up and challenge MVP for tonight. #TGMTEL #AvengeTheLoss
Backstage, Bram told Magnus that he has booked a falls count anywhere match between Magnus and Willow for tonight. Magnus said he’s getting sick of Bram and punched him down. Bram started laughing and gave his approval.
Backstage, Angelina Love announced that she is issuing an open challenge for the Knockouts Title tonight. Gail Kim approached Angelina and said she is accepting the challenge. Angelina said Gail is not allowed and then Gail attacked her before security broke it up.
Knockouts Title Match
Angelina Love vs. Brittany
Angelina got on the mic and clarified that her open challenge excludes all former Knockouts Champions. She bragged that she’s a giver and that she wants to give a young up-and-comer an opportunity for the title. Brittany came out to accept the challenge. Angelina attacked Brittany before the opening bell.
Angelina hit a quick flurry of moves to start. Brittany got some momentum and hit Angelina with a dropkick followed by a Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Brittany delivered a handspring elbow, but Angelina countered with a punch to the back of the head. Brittany tossed Angelina off the top rope for another near fall. Brittany rolled up Angelina, but the referee was distracted by Velvet posing on the apron. Brittany knocked Velvet off the apron, but Angelina capitalized with a Botox Injection for the pin.
After the match, the Beautiful People smeared lipstick on Brittany’s face and put the brown paper bag over her head. Gail Kim came out for the save and attacked the Beautiful People. Angelina and Velvet retreated out of the ring.
Reaction: So should we call her Angelina Creed? It kinda seemed like Angelina was flaunting her ego with her own version of Gail Kim’s open challenge. At least Angelina didn’t use the hairspray this time to win a match. By the way, Brittany has been losing an awful lot of matches lately.
Backstage, Dixie Carter and EC3 slipped through security and Dixie told the camera man that she will address MVP’s actions later tonight.
Mr. Anderson and James Storm were shown at a bar, drinking beer. Anderson said he invited Storm so they could have some friendly competitions. Anderson agreed to face Storm in a drinking contest.
Austin Aries vs. MVP
Aries attacked MVP before the opening bell. Aries took MVP down with a dropkick and unloaded with some strikes. MVP took control and went for a kick, but Aries got out of the way and hit a lariat. MVP slipped out of a brainbuster, but Aries took him down with a discus clothesline. Aries hit a running dropkick and went for a 450, but King and Lashley shoved him off to cause the DQ.
After the match, the trio beat down Aries. Eric Young came out for the save, but he quickly fell victim to the numbers game. MVP announced that EY will face Bobby Lashley tonight. Dixie Carter’s music hit and she came out to the ring with EC3 as we went to commercial break.
Reaction: The action was good while it lasted. I liked the intensity and the aggression from both guys. I sense that Samoa Joe will be returning soon to even the numbers game.
Dixie Carter confronted MVP about his abuse of power. After some bantering, MVP told Dixie to cut to the chase. Dixie said it’s not about what she wants, but what she can do for MVP. Bully Ray came out and chased the Carters away. MVP said he banned both Dixie and Bully from the building and asked why he’s here. Bully called MVP a piece of crap for betraying everybody. Bully took credit for MVP being in power and criticized MVP for his actions. Bully praised EY as an honorable champion. King attacked Bully out of nowhere and the trio beat him down.
The Carter came back out as MVP’s gang walked away. Dixie stood over Bully and told EC3 to get the tables. EC3 set up a table in the ring. EC3 went for a powerbomb but Bully got out. As Bully stared down Dixie, EC3 recovered and hit a spinebuster on Bully through the table. Dixie said she fears nobody and they walked away.
Reaction: The segment was all right. Bully got put through a table again. You know, that used to be his thing, but now everybody makes it look so easy. Dixie/MVP wasn’t really much – please, no super faction swerve.
Backstage, the Carters were bragging about what they just did in the ring. As Bully limped up from behind, the Carters scrammed out of the building in their limousine.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
Willow vs. Magnus
Magnus took control early with some strikes. Both guys fought out of the ring and Magnus threw Willow into the steel steps. Magnus continued to work over Willow, but Willow countered with a suplex. Back in the ring, Willow hit a Whisper in the Wind for a near fall. They fought to the outside again where Willow hit a springboard splash for a near fall. Magnus countered a Twist of Fate and knocked Willow down. Bram gave Magnus a crowbar, but Magnus hesitated to use it a couple of times. Magnus tossed the weapon down, but he turned around into a Twist of Fate on the ramp for Willow to get the pin.
Reaction: Second week in a row that Magnus hesitated to use a weapon and lost the match. We’re inching closer and closer to seeing the old Magnus re-emerge in the coming weeks. Willow has been getting some nice wins out of this angle, so it’s indirectly benefited Hardy as well.
Gunner was shown in the mental hospital with Samuel Shaw. Gunner said he knows what Shaw is going through and admitted that he’s spent time in places with that. Shaw suddenly seemed interested as the video cut away.
Gunner talked about his past experience and how he wound up getting his fellow soldier committed to a mental hospital. Gunner said his friend got better and he wants to help Shaw as well. Shaw asked why he should trust Gunner, and then Gunner told him they can start by removing his straightjacket.
Eddie Edwards came out and demanded to fight MVP’s gang. Edwards brawled with King for a while. Both guys went back and forth before King finally hit an Exploder Suplex on Edwards on the ramp to end the fight. Edwards grabbed onto his shoulder.
Reaction: Damn, that was such a physical brawl. It may not have been a match, but that was freaking awesome. Two guys mano e mano, and King walked away with the “win”. Wolves vs. King/Lashley for the tag titles should be an intense match, maybe no holds barred, if that’s what they book for Slammiversary.
Anderson and Storm were at the bar, competing in a drinking contest. Apparently they bet $100 in this contest. They grabbed more beer and Storm said it’s going to be a long night.
Anderson and Storm were both drunk and goofing around. Anderson started laughing hysterically and then beat up Storm out of the bar. Anderson said he lost the bet, so he stuffed a $100 bill in Storm’s mouth and walked away.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed Eric Young about his match with Bobby Lashley up next.
Bobby Lashley vs. Eric Young
Lashley used his power early on to whip EY out of the ring. Back in the ring, Lashley continued to pummel EY with some big strikes as we went to a commercial break. Lashley remained in control and hit a vertical suplex for a near fall. Lashley trapped EY in a bear hug. EY fought out and hit a flying dropkick for a near fall. Lashley cut off EY’s momentum with a sidewalk slam. EY slipped out a powerslam attempt and nailed a piledriver. EY went to the top rope, but MVP and King interfered. Referee Brian Hebner was intimidated by MVP and didn’t call for a DQ. Lashley nailed a spear followed by a running powerslam for the pin.
After the match, MVP’s gang beat down EY some more. Aries tried to make the save, but the numbers game got to him as well. King hit the Coronation on Aries and the trio celebrated as the show went off the air.
Reaction: Decent main event that served its purpose of wearing down EY for Slammiversary. MVP, King and Lashley have been insanely dominant all night. Overall, it was a great episode that really established a new force in TNA.
