Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
Backstage, Kenny King was looking for Samoa Joe. MVP and Lashley were elsewhere also looking for him. They intimidated a stage hand backstage.
Samoa Joe headed to the ring in his bright red shirt. Joe said that since MVP and his group had issues finding him, he called him out to the ring to “figure a few things out.” MVP obliged and was flanked by King and Lashley. King took the mic and introduced MVP. He said that week after week, another guy starts acting like a whiny broad. Joe asked if King was his mouthpiece because the first thing he should have done is kiss his ass.
Joe called MVP alot of different things saying he trusted him. Joe said absolute power corrupts. MVP reminded the fans that Joe didn’t show a few months ago for the Gauntlet Match. Joe admitted to not doing his job and then challenged the three of them to a handicap match. MVP said Joe wasn’t THAT stupid. Austin Aries interrupted and trash-talked MVP saying his tail was tucked between his legs. MVP only wants to fight when he can stack the favor.
MVP told Aries that Joe was in breach of his contract so his hands were tied. MVP announced that Joe would face Austin Aries tonight. If Joe wins, he is re-instated but if he loses he is done in TNA. If Aries loses, he is also done. One of them will lose their job tonight.
Reaction: Aries vs Joe is intriguing as hell. These shows feel like a vacuum which means any emotion gets sucked up due to being taped so far in advance. I like MVP’s strategies of him putting his enemies against each other. Since TNA is low on villains, this strategy makes tons of sense. I am excited for Joe vs Aries.
Backstage, Bram was getting ready when Magnus walked in. Magnus told Bram to be ready because he isn’t facing Jeff Hardy but Willow. Willow is the guy who became that after Magnus defeated him for the World Title. Bram told Magnus that he lost his edge after winning the title. Bram said he hopes that happens but if not, more opportunity for him.
Reaction: Thank god Bram brought up the title reign. While there are holes in logic, thankfully they are headed in a direction that will rebuild Magnus.
Willow vs Bram
Bram was in the ring when Hardy made his entrance. Willow immediately went after Bram, sending him outside early on. Bram sent Willow hard into the ring barrier. Bram yelled at Willow as he continued the assault in the ring. Willow went after Bram on the outside but the brit sent him into the ring steps.
Willow hit a nice clothesline on Bram from the ring apron. Willow hit the springboard into Bram on the outside. Willow laid Bram onto the stepds and then dove onto him from the ring. Bram moved out of the ring sending Willow crashing into the steps. Bram grabbed a pry bar from under the ring and was going to use it. Magnus came out of nowhere and grabbed the bar. He used it on Willow over and over again.
Bram taunted Willow while Magnus continued the beatdown with the weapon. Bram was very proud of his childhood friend.
Reaction: Looks like Magnus has regained that edge. Here’s hoping it lasts and eventually elevates Magnus back to the World Title.
MVP was in his office where The Wolves were sitting. Davey called them the Wolves and MVP the sheep in wolves’ clothing. MVP told them that tonight it would be Davey Richards vs Eddie Edwards where there must be a winner. If they don’t wrestle, he will strip them of the tag team titles.
Reaction: Eric Young vs Bully last week, Aries vs Joe tonight and now Davey vs Eddie. Its a good strategy. This should be a very good TV Match.
Backstage, Mr. Anderson was dressed as a Cowboy. He screamed that he liked beer.
Davey Richards vs Eddie Edwards
Davey’s ribs were taped. Kenny King appeared on the stage at the beginning of the match. Both men chain-wrestled for the first few minutes. There were a handful of really cool exchanges. Davey favored his ribs and when Eddie checked on him, Kenny King told them that they better see some teeth or the belts were going back to the Bro Mans.
The chain-wrestling continued where both Davey and Eddie locked their opponents in submissions. Eddie locked in a single crab while King told him to break Davey’s leg. A series of more reversals lead to Eddie rolling up Davey for the win.
After the match, Kenny King got in the ring. He said they came to a fight and he wanted to see one. He didn’t see one punch or one kick. King said the belts were going bye-bye. The Wolves then hit the Alarm Clock sending King running.
Reaction: We don’t get alot of great wrestling on IMPACT but that was some fun chain-wrestling. Both of these guys are great wrestlers and I hope someday, we see a much more hard-hitting match between the two.
MVP walked into Dixie Carter backstage. She questioned if MVP had this contract vs contract match under control. After tonight someone was getting fired. After he walked off, Dixie corrected him on the type of wine she drinks.
Madison Rayne was getting ready backstage when Brittany walked up. Brittany apologized for last week. She said that she was here for Madison. Madison told her not to do anything tonight. Brittany agreed and Madison walked off.
Jessie and DJ Z was happy over their phone when Robbie walked in. He was worried about the Menagerie. He was worried about the clown. In third grade, there was a clown that messed him up.
Reaction: I love Robbie. I hope after his time on Amazing Race, that he gets a more serious push. Team him with Brooke and elevate him up the card.
Brian Hebner was backstage when MVP walked up. MVP called him his number one ref. He told Hebner that there needs to be a clear winner and loser. One person wins and one person loses.
Reaction: Well that should rule out any double-pins etc. That may prevent a clear winner.
Elsewhere, Joe called the situation ridiculous. He asked MVP for a clean title shot and never received it. He said he vouched for MVP and he let him down. He said that is why he went home. Aries walked up and told Joe that he saw MVP for what he was right off the bat. He was sent home by MVP. Tonight, one of them was going home. However much respect he has for him, he has to make sure he still has a job.
Reaction: Aries should be a face of the company and he has sat on the sidelines for the past few months. I liked the recap in this segment that closed some logic gaps.
The Bro Mans were in the ring with DJ Z. DJ Z gave them a big buildup. Z asked Robbie what was going on as he has been acting weird all day. Robbie said everyone knows he is afraid of clowns. Jessie tried to give him confidence. The creepy carnival barker introduced the Menagerie, who made their entrance.
The Menagerie got in the ring with the Bro Mans. Knux said they were just like them but only had Rebel. Jessie flexed but Crazzy Steve got close and Robbie freaked out. The Freak grabbed DJ Z up for a big press while The Bro Mans got into it with Crazzy Steve and Knux. Knux threw the two from the ring while The Freak pressed DJ Z out onto them.
Reaction: Aside from spectacle, TNA isn’t doing a good job making the Menagerie compelling. Robbie is entertaining but this segment looked bush-league. Alot of rambling and chaos.
Bully Ray and Eric Young talked to Brian Hebner backstage. They were trying to convince Brian to do the right thing. Bully said MVP was trying to Bully him. Brian said he had to do what he had to do to put food on his family’s table. After he left, Bully told EY that they also had to do what they had to do.
Reaction: Bully and EY have to be some of the biggest panderers in the company. Ever since EY became champion, he lost his comedic edge. Ever since Bully became a hero, he lost his edge. Its disappointing.
At the psych ward, Gunner was with Samuel Shaw. They were playing Go Fish. Shaw didn’t even check his cards before telling Gunner to Go Fish. Shaw was good at the game. Shaw was monotoned and told Gunner to see Dave for a drink.
Reaction: Lol, that was a strange segment. I love Go Fish on a wrestling show.
Austin Aries vs Samoa Joe
Contract vs Contract Match
The loser of this match is done with TNA. Neither Joe nor Aries could get a significant advantage until Joe caught Aries with chops in the corner. Aries fought off the Musclebuster and got a nearfall. Aries fought off a Rear-Naked Choke a few moments later.
Aries fought off a second Muscle Buster and snapped the neck of Joe on the top rope. Aries countered out of STJoe and locked in the Last Chancery. Brian was going to call the match when Eric Young came in and pulled out the referee. EY pleaded with Hebner to do the right thing. Hebner told him that he has a family to feed. While arguing, Bully Ray came in from behind and punched Hebner out.
Eric Young apologized to Hebner saying this is bigger than them. MVP and his boys came out and demanded to know what was going on. Bully said he had a god complex and that MVP was ruining this place. Bully challenged to a eight man tag of Bully Ray, Eric Young, Austin Aries and Samoa Joe vs MVP, Kenny King, Lashley and EC3. EY whispered something to Bully who challenged them to a First Blood Match. MVP was going to turn them down but Kenny King grabbed the mic and accepted the match. MVP yelled at King while they were heading backstage.
Reaction: The match was okay for what it was. TNA has a major problem with presentation. They need to work on how they can make their show feel big-time. I like the idea of the 8-Man First Blood Match as it is unique.
Anderson was backstage talking about how he liked beer.
Mr. Anderson came out to James Storm’s entrance music while dressed as a Western Sheriff. He had a bad accent and kept saying that he liked beer. Anderson got in the ring and asked Christy Hemme if she liked beer. Anderson told her “Sorry Bout My Damn Breath.” Anderson was cut off by James Storm who slowly made his way out.
Storm asked if Anderson thinks this is funny. Storm said he thought it was funny to drink with a man only to reveal that he didn’t even consume alcohol. Storm said that Anderson pissed him off and he was here to go another round. Anderson asked if he wanted to go right now? Storm said no because he was closed for business tonight. Eventually, Anderson and Storm got into a brawl at ringside.
Storm grabbed a fan’s beer and threw it into Anderson’s face. He choked Anderson with the ring apron. Moments later, he finished Anderson off with a Last Call. Storm stood over Anderson told him that if he wanted to play Cowboy, come June 15th at Slammiversary he could dance with the devil.
Reaction: The Anderson spoof was kinda stupid. I liked Storm in this segment. He is such a star that should be another face of TNA. Looks like another match is confirmed for Slammiversary.
Back in the psych ward, Gunner brought Shaw’s sketchbook. Gunner asked if he could look at some of Shaw’s drawings. Shaw eventually agreed.
Gunner asked Shaw about his drawings. Shaw talked about his room, his mother, being Christy’s shadow etc. Gunner asked Shaw about a picture that looked like him. Shaw grabbed the picture and said he wasn’t finished. Gunner asked him if he could finish the photo for him.
Reaction: This is probably the most interesting thing about the show…in such a bizarre way.
Madison Rayne vs Angelina Love
Knockouts Championship
Interference from Velvet Sky allowed Angelina Love to get the advantage. Brittany came from the back to support Madison. Madison reminded her to not get involved but Brittany ignored her. Madison hit her signature spots when Velvet got on the apron. She sprayed Madison in the eyes with spray while Brittany stood there and watched. Angelina retained while Brittany walked to the back.
Reaction: This clears the Knockouts of Madison’s obligatory rematch while progressing the Madison/Brittany story. Brittany can claim that Madison told her not to get involved.
Backstage, MVP and Posse approached EC3 and told him not to mess this up. He reminded them that he was undefeated.
Madison Rayne stormed up to Brittany and asked her why she did nothing moments ago. Brittany told her that she did exactly what she told her to…nothing.
Three matches are official for Slammiversary: EY vs MVP (which may be off due to MVP’s injury), EC3 vs Bully Ray and Anderson vs Storm.
Reaction: Shouldn’t more be announced by now since Slammiversary is one of TNA’s biggest shows of the year? Isn’t this why TNA dropped down their PPVs?
MVP, Lashley, King and EC3 vs Bully Ray, Eric Young, Austin Aries and Samoa Joe
First Blood Match
Austin Aries locked Last Chancery on in the opening moments on King. Bully and MVP exchanged fisticuffs with Bully getting the upperhand with a big boot. Lashley and Joe went at it to head into the commercial break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Eric Young and Samoa Joe double-teamed Bobby Lashley until Lashley took down EY with a back body drop. The heels worked over EY for the next few minutes. Young eventually fought out and made the hot tag to Samoa Joe. Everyone in the match started hitting their signature moves.
EC3 was in the ring with Bully Ray where he connected with a big Spinebuster. Bully had a chain and used it on EC3 who was busted open to give the heroes the victory. MVP, King and Lashley headed to the back while the heroes celebrated their victory.
Backstage, MVP, Lashley and King were beating down EC3. Dixie Carter demanded that they let him go. Dixie promised that they would pay. MVP said historically, power isn’t seized without the spilling of blood. Dixie told him to prepare to bleed.
Reaction: I really liked that closing segment. I wonder if this will lead to Dixie attempting to rid TNA of MVP by going to the board. Poor EC3 got his ass handed to him tonight.
