Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
The show opened with MVP, Lashley and Kenny King heading out to the ring. MVP hyped Lashley as the toughest man on the planet. X Division Champion Samoa Joe came out as the crowd chanted “Joe’s Gonna Kill You!” Joe gave props to Lashley, but took offense and said Lashley is not the toughest man on the planet. Joe challenged him to a match tonight. Kenny King started to get in Joe’s face, but Joe knocked him down and the heels beat him down until security broke it up. MVP accepted the challenge on Lashley’s behalf.
Reaction: Hot start to tonight’s show. Joe got right in Lashley’s face and challenged him head on. I like the idea of two powerhouse champions let loose to find out who is the toughest.
A vignette aired to hype Havok’s arrival, followed by a video package for the Gail/Taryn match.
Knockouts Title Match
Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell
Taryn went for a bunch of rollups to start. Taryn nailed a series of clotheslines and a neckbreaker for a two count. The announcers noted that they will reveal the cover girl for the Knockouts calendar next week. Gail knocked Taryn off the rope and took control. Gail and Taryn fought on the apron, and then Gail hit a neckbreaker on Taryn on top of the steel steps. The crowd chanted “Better Than Divas” as both ladies rolled back in the ring. Gail hit the Eat Defeat out of nowhere for a two count. Gail went for the Eat Defeat again, but Taryn countered into a cutter. Taryn hit a crossbody from the top rope, but Gail rolled over from the momentum and scored the pin.
After the match, Havok came out and attacked Gail and Taryn in the ring. Havok laid out both Gail and Taryn with an Air Raid Crash and then screamed maniacally.
Reaction: Short but awesome match. Obviously it was nowhere near as exciting as their feud last year, but it was much more competitive and fast-paced than I expected. Havok’s debut was cool; she made an immediate statement by laying out the top Knockouts with ease.
Backstage, MVP talked to Eric Young but EY simply walked away.
EC3 and Rockstar Spud came out for a promo. EC3 blamed Rhino for being responsible for Dixie Carter going through a table. EC3 said his reign of violence will continue and then listed three demands: 1) Bully Ray needs to be terminated from TNA, 2) the words “hardcore” and “extreme” will not be mentioned anymore, and 3) he deserves respect. Rhino came out over the guardrail and challenged EC3 to a match. EC3 accepted but volunteered Spud for the match.
Reaction: Haha, EC3 really knows how to interact with the crowd. I love watching this side of EC3 as he continues to lash out over his Aunt D going through a table. Oh, and #PrayForSpud.
Backstage, Gunner was talking to Samuel Shaw as Brittany stared at Shaw from the background.
Bram and Magnus vs. Gunner and Samuel Shaw
Magnus and Shaw did some chain wrestling to start. Gunner and Bram tagged in and exchanged strikes in the corner. Shaw tagged himself in, but Bram knocked him down. Magnus hit a suplex on Shaw for a two count. Magnus and Shaw collided, and then their partners tagged in. Gunner went for a leap off the second rope but Bram moved out of the way and chop blocked Gunner’s knee for the pin. After the match, Shaw had a crazed look on his face but Gunner calmed him down.
Reaction: Solid match. I guess the only talking points were that Bram got another win and Shaw is overprotective of Gunner. Talk about a weird friendship between Gunner and Shaw.
Backstage, MVP walked up to Bobby Roode and tried to stir the pot for the #1 contender’s match.
The BroMans were shown matched up with the Beautiful People for their date. DJ Z said love is in the air and asked the camera man for privacy.
World Title #1 Contender’s Match
Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young
Roode and EY exchanged quick flurries to start. Both men countered each other’s offense back and forth. Roode hit a spinebuster for a two count. Roode went for the Roode Bomb but EY countered into a wheelbarrow suplex for a two count. Roode and EY exchanged a series of near falls. Rode finally hit the Roode Bomb for the pin. Both men hugged after the match.
Reaction: Wow, that was an action-packed, super-competitive match. Both guys told a great story with so many near falls and counters back and forth. Straight-up wrestling at its finest.
Backstage, Bobby Roode celebrated his victory and came face to face with Lashley.
Backstage, Team 3D talked about the resurgence of tag team wrestling in TNA. Bully said they will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Tag Team Champions.
X Division #1 Contender’s Match
Low Ki vs. Homicide vs. Tigre Uno vs. Manik vs. Crazzy Steve vs. DJ Z
Low Ki and Tigre kicked things off with a quick flurry. Manik and DJ Z tagged in and went at it in the ring. The match broke down with a series of high-risk moves. Homicide and Manik were left in the ring as the other wrestlers dropped to the outside. Homicide nailed a cutter as Manik came off the top rope. Homicide hit the Gringo Killer on Manik for the pin and becomes the new #1 contender for the X Division Title.
After the match, James Storm and The Great Muta came out. Storm gave the thumbs down and Storm hit a kick on Manik in the ring. Storm and Sanada grabbed Manik by the legs and dragged his body to the back.
Reaction: Fun match; nothing more, nothing less. I’m getting a little tired of the SIX-Division lately, but Homicide vs. Joe should be another good one-on-one for the title. Also, it should be interesting to see how Manik figures into the revolution against his will.
Austin Aries came out to the ring and called out James Storm and the Great Sanada. Storm said he offered Sanada a vision of championships and greatness. Aries criticized Sanada for turning his back on the Great Muta and brought out Tajiri. Aries and Tajiri brawled with Storm and Sanada before the heels got out of the ring to end the segment.
Reaction: It looks like we have a nice program building to BFG. Tajiri is a Japanese legend, so adding him to the mix is a cool touch to emphasize Sanada’s betrayal.
A vignette aired for Chris Melendez. The American hero will make his in-ring debut next week.
Rhino vs. Rockstar Spud
Rhino overpowered Spud to start the match. Spud tried to fight back to no effect. Spud brought a trash can from under the ring, but Rhino nailed a Gore for the pin. After the match, EC3 walked away and left Spud in the ring.
Reaction: Poor little bugger. Spud got mauled by his former pet Rhino, and now he might lose his best friend. On the plus side, EC3 and Rhino are headed for a violent battle in the coming weeks.
Lashley vs. Samoa Joe
Joe took the fight to Lashley to start. Lashley fought back and grounded Joe on the mat. Joe got out and locked in a guillotine choke, but Lashley powered him into the corner. Lashley slammed Joe for a two count. Lashley missed a spear and Joe locked in the rear naked choke. All of a sudden Kenny King ran out and went to the top rope, but Joe knocked him off. Lashley capitalized on the ditraction with a full nelson slam for a two count. Lashley finally hit the spear for the pin.
Reaction: Eh, Kenny King’s involvement wasn’t needed and the match could have used a little more time to decide who really is tougher, but it was still a good main event. Lashley continues to destroy our heroes while Bobby Roode steps up as his next challenger.
