Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
Kurt Angle’s music opened IMPACT from NYC. He was standing in the crowd and called NYC the wrestling mecca of the world. He introduced the return of the Six Sided Ring. Angle put over TNA’s incredible talent. He asked if we were ready for some TNA.
Elsewhere in the crowd, Taz appeared. He was happy to be back in New York. Taz put over how vital wrestling was. Taz reminisced about being part of the greatest wrestling revolution of all time. Taz put over the TNA locker room. He said they would do some different stuff here. Taz did his “mood is about to change.” Taz did his, beat me if you can phrase.
Reaction: I am surprised they included these two promos, however both set the tone about where TNA wants to go. Seeing the Six Sided Ring brought back some good memories. It feels like a new day in TNA.
Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer made their entrance. Bully said TNA would grab the world by the balls and rip them off. Bully said he promised that he would put Dixie Carter through a table in New York. Tommy took the mic and talked about his past in New York. He thanked the fans for supporting them throughout the years. Dreamer called this the new madhouse of extreme.
EC3‘s music interrupted Tommy and Carter and Rhino made their way down the ramp. EC3 said if Bully thought he would put Dixie through a table, it would be over his dead body. Ethan made fun of the New York fans. Rhino said the fans needed to respect them or else he would beat all of them up. The fans said Rhino sold out.
Carter the guys in the ring shitbags and dirtballs. Carter called the town “the big crapple.” Dreamer said New York hasn’t ever been correct. This isn’t a PG product. He would like to see less talking and more action. And that point, Bully and Dreamer pounced on their opponents.
Reaction: TNA is really playing up the town’s ECW history. This is a vocal and rabid crowd but they are so far highly supportive of the product.
EC3 and Rhino vs Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer
The tag team match was already started as we returned from break with Bully in control. Dreamer and Bully took control and did simultaneous ten punches. Rockstar Spud came out and interfered, leading to Bully chasing him around the ring. This gave the villains the advantage.
Bully made the hot tag and went after EC3 with the Dusty Combo. Bully and Dreamer hit a Reverse 3D for a two count. While Rhino brawled with Bully outside the ring, Dreamer hit EC3 with a Dreamer Driver. A brief distraction from Rockstar Spud allowed EC3 to roll up Dreamer for the win.
Reaction: Solid tag team match. The crowd is so into the product right now. They are creating a great atmosphere for this show. TNAsylum‘s Will Cross and Mortimer Plumtree are in the audience for these shows.
Kurt Angle ran into Austin Aries backstage. Angle said Aries had one more stop before he gets to make his Option C choice. It will be an 8-Man X Division Gauntlet Match. Aries said he looks forward to that challenge. Angle said he was up first and wished him luck.
James Storm stopped Sanada backstage. Storm called Sanada smart, driven and disciplined. He slapped Sanada but the former champion did nothing. Storm said if Sanada keeps listening to Muta, he will turn out to be a loser and a choke artist. He told him to watch out who he listens to.
Reaction: I made the comparison to Emperor Palpatine/Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars and I keep getting that gist from these segments.
Gauntlet Match
X Division Championship
Austin Aries and Eddie Edwards are the first two stars out. An “ROH” chant started and wasn’t edited out by production. Manik entered at number 3 and hit a nice Hurricanrana on Eddie Edwards. Tenay put over how the Six Sided Ring helps the high-flying style of the X Division. #4 was Davey Richards. The Wolves hit a cool double team move to Aries and then doubled on Manik. DJ Z came out next.
We got a flurry of aerial moves as the fans gave an awesome chant. Manik hurricanrana’d DJ Z to the outside to eliminate both of them.
Reaction: The ROH chant was incredibly disrespectful to this company but so far the X Division has been highlighted. I like how Tenay spoke about how the Six Sided Ring accentuates the style of the X Division.
Crazzy Steve and Tigre Uno were in the ring as Sanada followed them. He was the final entrant in this match. Steve ran the ropes and then shot silly string at Tigre Uno then eliminated him. Steve was eliminated by Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. Sanada eliminated Edwards with the Hurricanrana and then backdropped Richards out of the ring leaving Aries and Sanada as the final two. It was now down to pinfall or submission.
Aries shoved Sanada to the outside and then dove on him moments later. Aries locked in the Last Chancery but Sanada got to the ropes. Sanada went up top for the Moonsault but Aries stopped him. A Tiger Suplex got Sanada a two count. Aries dodged the Moonsault, hit two Discus Elbows, the Corner Dropkick and the Brainbuster to successfully retain the X Title.
After the match, Aries extended his hand to Sanada who shook it. Aries will decide if he will trade in the title at Destination X.
Reaction: Good X Division Match. It looks as if Sanada is headed towards a heel turn while Aries will be cashing in his X Title for a World Title shot. I am intrigued by both scenarios.
Backstage, Bobby Roode was with Eric Young. Roode said it felt good to be teaming up again. Roode and EY complained about how MVP and company kept messing with them.
Elsewhere, Storm called Sanada a loser. He then attacked him, pummeling him on the ground. He called Muta a fraud.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy was interviewed. He said Willow was created to battle the darkness over TNA but now there is a light, and he is back to win the World Title.
In the ring, MVP trash talked NYC. He was on crutches while Kenny King stood next to him. King said he could beat Roode and EY by himself. MVP said he would wrestle but it was under formal protest.
Eric Young and Bobby Roode vs Kenny King and MVP
Roode and EY worked over King for most of the match while MVP kept dodging his opponents. MVP eventually made his way in and despite favoring his leg, had short bursts of offense on EY. King backflipped out of a move but ran into a Crossbody but Young.
Roode tagged in and kicked the ass of King, MVP tried a sneak attacked but Roode locked him in the Crossface. King broke up the move. Moments later, MVP used the crutch on Roode for the dq loss. EY tried helping Roode but King attacked EY with the other crutch. Both men continued attacking their opponents with the crutches.
Reaction: MVP was protected here since he couldn’t wrestle at 100%. TNA told a good story and it made sense to end it like this for when Roode and EY eventually get their revenge.
Great Muta will be in New York next week. How will he react to Sanada?
Brittany vs Madison Rayne
No Disqualification, No Countout Match
Madison went after Brittany immediately. Brittany locked an Armbar on Rayne over the top rope. Rayne hit a Crossbody on Brittany from the apron. Madison went to piledriver Brittany on the outside but the move was reversed.
Madison Rayne countered out of a Reverse DDT into a Northern Lights Suplex. Madison got a two with a kick to the head. Rayne countered the Springboard Back Elbow into the “Package DDT” for the win.
Reaction: That was a better-than-expected matchup. The two ladies were pretty physical. The crowd really wasn’t into it which was disappointing. I love Rayne’s new finisher. She retired Roxxi from TNA so she can claim her Voodoo Drop.
Backstage, Dixie Carter was asked why she was here tonight. Dixie said she was sick of hearing about Bully. She said Bully was all bark while she was all bite.
Backstage, Aries was about to be interviewed but Kurt Angle walked up to him. Aries told Kurt that he created Option C because he respected what the X Division stands for. Angle said next week, he makes the decision. He wished Aries luck.
Reaction: I hope this eventually leads to a Kurt Angle vs Austin Aries match at Bound For Glory. I figure Kurt is on his way out and that is one dream match that I see that could be a major part of BFG.
Lashley vs Jeff Hardy
World Heavyweight Title
Loud Hardy chants kick things off. Lashley used his superhuman strength early on. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate early but Lashley hit a running shoulder tackle on him. Hardy sent Lashley to the floor moments later and hit a big dive on him seconds later. Hardy pulled the stairs. He tried springing off them but Lashley tripped him, sending him face-first into the steps.
Lashley was in control through the break. Hardy hit a few of his signature moves on Lashley. Lashley went for the Powerslam but Hardy countered and then hit two Twists of Fates on Lashley. Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb moments later for a nearfall.
Lashley rolled to the outside which allowed Hardy to set him up on the steps. Hardy went on the top turnbuckle. He went to Swanton Lashley but missed and smashed into the steps in a brutal spot. Moments later, Lashley hit a big spear in the ring to retain the World Title.
Reaction: The Swanton on the steps was brutal and the highlight of the match. I thought this was a very good championship match. Lashley looked dominant kicking out of Hardy’s finisher and then finishing him moments later. The crowd was hot for it as well.
Kurt Angle was being interviewed when Dixie Carter tried walking by him. Kurt stopped her and wanted to know what she was doing. Dixie told him to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge because she was going to talk to her people.
MVP and Kenny King celebrated with Lashley backstage. Kurt Angle showed up pissed off. He announced that MVP would face Bobby Roode next week.
Rockstar Spud was in the ring wearing a bright orange suit. He introduced Dixie Carter. The President came to the ring surrounded by Rhino and EC3. Dixie looked disgusted and asked what this was what the fuss was about. She said she didn’t love them. She called the fans brash. She said New York was depressing for her. She mocked Tommy Dreamer as being a crybaby.
She then crapped on Bully Ray saying he was a C-Rated star. She said she wanted to be called the Hardcore Star because she put Bully through table after table. The music of Bully hit as he and Tommy Dreamer carried a table to the ring.
A brawl broke out in the ring as Bully and Dreamer faced off against EC3 and Rhino. The heroes cleared the villains of the ring and then threw Spud from the ring. They cornered Dixie in the corner. They looked to put her through a table but Rhino, EC3 and Spud saved her. Dixie, Rhino and Spud escaped through the crowd.
Team 3D’s music hit as Devon came from the entrance. He grabbed EC3 and threw him back in the ring. Bully and Devon hit the What’s Up Headbutt on EC3. Devon grabbed another table and set it up. Team 3D sent EC3 through a table with the 3D as Team Dixie watched on.
Reaction: Dixie Carter will be going through a table sometime in New York. This was just a teaser. I thought it was a cool moment to see Devon back, even if I am not much of an ECW fan. The sides continue to grow.
