Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
The Beautiful People vs. Gail Kim & Taryn Terrell
Gail and Velvet started the match. Gail and Taryn did a double elbow for a near fall. The announcers plugged that the online voting for the Knockouts calendar ends tonight at midnight. Taryn rolled up Angelina for a series of near falls. Velvet tripped up Taryn from the outside, which turned the tide for the Beautiful People. Velvet choked Taryn and stomped her in the corner. Taryn tried to fight back, but Velvet cut her off with a neckbreaker. Taryn and Velvet knocked each other down and tagged in their respective partners. Gail cleaned house on Angelina for a series of near falls. Taryn nailed a flying crossbody on the Beautiful People. Gail hit the Eat Defeat on Angelina for the pin.
Reaction: Weird seeing a Knockouts match open the show. Taryn looked great for her first TV match in almost a year. And it looks like Gail earned her rematch for the title with this victory.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MVP and Kenny King came out to the ring with two ladies. MVP introduced the new TNA World Champion Lashley, who was also escorted by a lady. The ring was decorated with a table and balloons. MVP bragged that he regained his power with the World Title in their possession. Eric Young came out with a sling on his arm. He talked briefly about losing the World Title and rushed to the ring, but MVP’s group beat him down three-on-one. Bobby Roode came out from the crowd and made the save for EY as the show went to break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Back from commercial, Bobby Roode said he has known Eric Young for 20 years and put over their history together. Roode brought up how MVP suspended him and took him away from his love of professional wrestling for the past month. Roode said he’s back and he’s going to take back TNA for all the men and women who bust their butts. Roode dared MVP to fire him if he
MVP got in the ring and talked to Roode face-to-face.
Some guy named Earl Sullivan Armstrong came out and said he represents the TNA Board of Directors. Earl informed MVP that he is no longer the Director of Wrestling Operations. MVP’s replacement will be at the arena shortly to pick up the mess. Roode made sure
Back from commercial, Bobby Roode said he has known Eric Young for 20 years and put over their history together. Roode brought up how MVP suspended him and took him away from his love of professional wrestling for the past month. Roode said he’s back and he’s going to take back TNA for all the men and women who bust their butts. Roode dared MVP to fire him.
MVP got in the ring and talked to Roode face-to-face. As MVP was about to fire Roode, some guy named Earl Sullivan Armstrong came out and said he represents the TNA Board of Directors. Earl informed MVP that he is no longer the Director of Wrestling Operations. MVP’s replacement will be at the arena shortly to pick up the mess. Roode made sure that MVP was removed from power and then punched him down.
Reaction: This was very reminiscent of Roode’s babyface promo from 2011, but so much more intense and badass. It was only a matter of time before MVP lost his power following his tantrum last week. I don’t understand how MVP can fire people when he’s only in charge of wrestling operations, but that’s irrelevant at this point. I’m glad they’re moving on from this angle.
Backstage, Knux was talking to someone on the phone. He said the money is not going through to save their carnival business back home. Knux gave a pep talk to Crazzy Steve that being a champion equals money and fired him up to challenge for the X Division Title. DJ Z and Manik interrupted, and the segment ended with Manik and Steve staring at each other.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Dixie Carter was happy that MVP was removed from the power. She said she would regain full control of her company tonight and asked Rockstar Spud to grab a bottle of champagne.
X Division Championship
Sanada vs. Manik vs. Crazzy Steve vs. DJ Z
Sanda came out and asked each guy if they want a title match. He decided to defend the title against all of them and the bell rang to start the match. Sanada got off to a quick flurry over all three challengers to start the match. Manik locked in a deathlock/abdominal stretch combo on both Sanada nad Steve. Manik broke it up and tossed Sanada to the outside. Manik did a somersault from the top rope onto his three opponents on the outside. The crowd chanted “TNA” as the action got back in the ring. Manik took down DJ Z and Steve down with a sunset flip powerbomb in the corner. Sanada finally hit the Dragon Suplex on DJ Z for the pin.
Reaction: This was a fun, vintage X Division match. All four guys nailed some really cool spots. It’s funny, even in a multi-man match where the champion doesn’t have to be pinned, no one can beat Sanada for the X Division Title. I wonder if they’re going to air some vignettes soon to hype the Option C stipulation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, MVP was furious about being removed from power. [Note: My picture froze temporarily so I missed what happened until Dixie’s entrance.]
Dixie Carter and Rockstar Spud came out to the ring for a promo. Dixie said she lost control of wrestling operations because she put her faith in the wrong people. Dixie put over herself as “Dixie 2.0” and then brought out the representative for the Board of Directors. Earl said this is an awkward situation, but Dixie is not the new Director of Wrestling Operations. Dixie flipped out and threw champagne at Earl’s face.
As Dixie continued her tantrum, Bully Ray came out. Dixie cowered behind Spud as the fans chanted “tables.” Bully said he’s going to kick Spud in the face and then took a chug from the champagne bottle. Dixie offered Bully $200,000 to not harm her. Bully said “Shut up, bitch” and said he’s just going to put her through a table. EC3 and Spud tried to attack Bully, but he fought them off. Bully picked up Dixie for a body slam, but Spud knocked over the table and pulled Dixie to safety.
Reaction: Haha, Dixie was just as bad as MVP was at abusing her power, so thank God they didn’t just ignore that detail. Dixie was very entertaining when she flipped out and practically begged for her life from going through a table. The teases are well-executed; hopefully we get that monstrous payoff.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Dixie and Spud left the arena while Bully said he would not rest until that he would put Dixie through a table.
Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm
Storm and Anderson brawled on the outside to start the match. Anderson took control, dropping an elbow and then tossing Storm into the ropes. He turns his back on Storm, which allows the Cowboy to take over with a kick and he looks for a pin. Storm whipped Anderson into the corner, but Anderson countered with a kick and a spinning neckbreaker. Anderson hit a rolling slam but was too groggy to capitalize. Storm hit the Backstabber for a near fall. Anderson went for the Mic Check, but Storm countered by hooking the ropes. Storm hit the Last Call superkick for the pin.
Reaction: The match was too short, but it’s nice to see Storm get his win back from Slammiversary. This program was basically filler for both guys but since Storm won it clean, he should move up the card again soon.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Gunner was with Samuel Shaw at the psych ward. Gunner said Shaw is being released from the ward under his supervision. Shaw agreed and they shook hands.
Backstage, James Storm congratulated Sanada on his win from earlier tonight. Storm asked if Sanada is willing to gamble the X Division Title for a shot at the World Title. Storm talked up the prospect of failure to Sanada and walked away.
Backstage, EC3 was on the phone asking Spud to come back and get him out of the arena. Tommy Dreamer came out of nowhere and started brawling with EC3. The fight broke out to the ringside area and both guys beat each other with weapons, including a chair, a trash can, and the steel steps. They continued to brawl inside the ring until the referees came out to break it up.
Reaction: Good follow-up from last week. Dreamer’s speech didn’t work, so yeah, let’s just fight. I’m enjoying watching EC3 transition into these hardcore brawls on behalf of his Aunt D.
Backstage, Willow and Abyss cut a promo on the Monster’s Ball match next. Abyss dropped some thumbtacks out of his hand and hinted that “Janice” will be used.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, MVP’s group harassed and beat down a limo driver to find out the identity of the new Director of Wrestling Operations.
Monster’s Ball Match
Abyss & Willow vs. Bram & Magnus
Both teams brawled to start the match. They brought in chairs, a trash can, and a barb wire board. Bram was busted open in the melee. Willow missed a Swanton on Bram. Abyss brought in Janice, but he missed . Magnus and Bram double-teamed Abyss and sent him to the outside. Bram handcuffed Abyss to the steel guardrail on the outside. Bram and Magnus double-teamed Willow in the ring with weapons. Abyss broke through the cuffs and cleaned house on Bram and Magnus. Willow hit a pair of Twist of Fates and went to the top rope, but Magnus threw a chair at Willow’s head to send him through a barb wire board on the outside. Abyss choke-slammed Magnus on the thumbtacks. Bram nailed Abyss in the gut with Janice for the pin.
Reaction: Brutal main event. All four guys worked hard and took some sick bumps. I really like the pairing of Bram and Magnus – TNA has been lacking in this type of edgy, powerhouse tag team in the division.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Earl introduced Kurt Angle as the new Executive Director. Angle said TNA has made a lot of mistakes in the past and brought up how MVP and Dixie were greedy and selfish. Angle said he has accomplished everything he can in the wrestling business and now it’s about giving back to the wrestlers and the fans. Angle said if anybody wants to test him, it’s about get damn real. MVP, Lashley and King came out. MVP threatened Angle and said nobody tells them what to do. Angle announced that Lashley will defend the World Title against Eric Young next. Angle also reinstated Roode to the active roster. EY and Roode rushed the ring and cleaned house on MVP’s group to end the show.
Reaction: Great choice! Kurt is a big name and a strong talker who puts over the TNA roster, plus it keeps him on TV despite his knee injury. All in all, another kickass show tonight from Pennsylvania. Keep ’em coming!
