TNA (4/24) Recap: The Rematch!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, steps in to bring us all the twists and turns in this week’s TNA broadcast
Our main event was Samoa Joe v Kurt Angle, in a re-match for the TNA World Title. We were also scheduled to get an update on the tag team situation and the Knockout special stipulation at Sacrifice.
Matt Morgan talked with the new interview girl, Lauren. Matt attacked Kip James and told Lauren to watch. He kicked Kip in the head.
We then went to a look back at the title matches from last week. We saw Petey Williams win the X-Title, Kong defend the Knockout title, and the tag team titles won by Kaz and Super Eric/Eric Young and then held up.
Tonight’s Episode: What are you willing to sacrifice?
The pyros exploded as Mike Tenay ran down the card. West joined in to cheer lead the TNA title re-match. Tenay is the best play-by-play man in the industry. He is the Gordon Solie of this generation. While I didn’t care for Don West, at first, I’ve warmed up to him. His enthusiasm isn’t faked. He truly seems to enjoy what he does.
The music of Booker T rocked the Impact Zone. The crowd gave Booker a slightly mixed reaction. Booker had a mic with him. TNA seems to be teasing a heel turn. Booker wanted to talk to Sting. He asked Sting to come to the ring. The music of Sting echoed through the building. Sting shook hands with the fans as he walked down the ramp. Sting looked a little cautious as he stepped between the ropes.
Booker talked about the wars that Sting and he battled in. Booker talked about watching a company crumble around us. Booker admitted to disrespecting Sting, last week. Booker asked for forgiveness. The two men shook hands as James Storm, Jacqueline Moore and Robert Roode came out. Storm ridiculed Sting and Booker about talking about their past glories. Storm suggested that Sting and Booker “should just get married” on national TV. Roode grabbed the stick and suggested that everyone wanted to see Sting and Booker fight. Roode tried to create a match between Sting and Booker.
Jim Cornette stopped Roode’s rant. He reminded everyone that Jim Cornette was the match-maker. Jim made a special announcement about the tag team tournament. He unveiled the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament. Over the next two weeks, 8 teams will compete in 4 tag team matches. The winners of those four matches will be going to Sacrifice. At Sacrifice, 8 singles wrestlers will be randomly partnered in 4 additional tag team matches. This is so similar to the old Lethal Lottery of the WCW days. I always loved that concept. The winners of the Deuces Wild tourney at Sacrifice will be the new tag team champions. Before Jim left the ring, he made our second main event: Robert Roode & James Storm v Booker T & Sting. Roode and Storm were livid at the announcement.
We went to the back, where JB talked with A.J. Styles. Styles mentioned that he and Tomko were going to win their match, next week, and go on to Sacrifice to regain their titles. Styles mentioned that Tomko was in Japan. Styles brought out Karen Angle. Karen started freaking out that she was in the Impact Zone. JB asked about what Kurt would think about Karen being in the building. Styles and Karen told JB that Kurt wasn’t going to find out. They forced JB to swear to secrecy.
We came to the ring for the first tag team qualifying match. Black Reign and RelliK made their entrance. They were scheduled to face the most decorated tag team in wrestling history, Team 3D. Ray and Devon looked dead serious as they came to the ring.
Team 3D d The Monsters (Black Reign & RelliK)
Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament Qualifying Match
The two teams stared each other down. RelliK and Ray locked up with a Collar and Elbow. They moved to the corner. RelliK threw a shoulder and then beat down on Ray. Ray caught RelliK with a Sidewalk Slam. Devon tagged in and they brother hit a Double Suplex. Black Reign tagged in and beat on Devon.Black Reign used the Irish Whip to send Devon to the ropes. Devon ducked a Clothesline and hit a Flying Shoulder Tackle. RelliK prevented the pin. Ray ran in and threw RelliK to the floor. Team 3D Double Irish Whipped Black Reign to the ropes. Reign came off the ropes and hit dual Goldust Uppercuts on Ray and Devon. Ray went for the Flip, Flop and Fly but Reign moved. Devon almost Clotheslined Ray due to a miscommunication. They had problems, last week. They started yelling at each other. Reign nailed Devon from behind. Devon crashed into Ray, who fell out of the ring. We went to a commercial break.
RelliK and Reign double teamed Team 3D as we returned. RelliK locked in a Rear Chinlock. The crowd was almost 100% behind Team3D. RelliK went for a Big Boot, but Devon caught the foot. Devon spun RelliK, who hit a Spin Kick to drop Devon. RelliK sent to the top rope, but got caught. Devon hit a Superplex. Reign stopped the count. RelliK and Devon were both down. Devon made the tag out to Ray.
Ray came in and dropped RelliK, numerous times. Ray caught both RelliK and Reign with Back Body Drops. Ray then hit Stereo Clotheslines on The Monsters. He whipped Reign into RelliK, who had propped himself up in the corner. Ray then hit a monster Splash onto both men. Ray caught RelliK with the Uranage. Everyone thought Ray had the pin, but the ref said no. Ray planted Reign and went for the Whazzup!. RelliK shoved Devon off the ropes before they could hit the move. Ray got double teamed by the Monsters, but Devon made the save. It looked bad for Team 3D, but they caught RelliK with the 3D. The sudden change of momentum was enough for Team 3D to advance to Sacrifice as one of the Great Eight.
Grade: A-
Ray and Devon seemed to have a tense moment as they looked at each other. They then slapped hands and hugged. All seemed back on track for the Brothers, formerly from Dudleyville.
We went to the back with Lauren and the Knockouts. Gail Kim tried to figured out what the special invitations are for. They all suggested different concepts. The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky and Angelina Love) started to make fun of ODB. It looked like we were heading for a rumble, but we went to break, instead.
JB talked with Kurt Angle about the re-match, tonight. JB tried to tell Kurt about Karen, but Kurt stopped JB before he could say anything. Kurt talked about regaining the title and battling Rick Steiner. JB corrected Kurt about the defense being against Scott Steiner. Kurt answered “Whatever.” JB then told Kurt that Karen and Styles were together in the arena. Kurt lost his focus and stormed off with JB to find Styles and Karen.
We went to a great promo for the Angle v Joe feud. It talked about Kurt Angle being the first TNA champion, ever. It talked about Kurt’s 12 World titles and 3 NCAA wins. It then switched to Samoa Joe. The video talked about how Joe lost 1 match in 3 years, before joining TNA. We saw Joe claim the TNA title at Lockdown.
We went to a training session with Samoa Joe that was filmed earlier in the day. Kevin Nash was working with Joe. Mike Tenay asked Joe if he realized that if Kurt didn’t beat him that it might be Angle’s last shot at the title. Joe sounded totally confident in his ability to get past Angle, and then battle Scott Steiner at Sacrifice. We went to break.
We looked at the whole Kaz/Super Eric/Eric Young situation. Super Eric pinned Styles to win the titles. Styles claimed that Eric Young was responsible for outside interference by having Super Eric wrestle in the match. When Super Eric denied being Eric Young, Jim Cornette stripped them of the tag team titles.
Lauren tried to talk with Eric Young. Eric denied that he was Super Eric. Kaz tried to talk with Eric about losing the tag team championships due to Eric’s weird behavior. Next week, Eric Young and Kaz will be able to fight in the Deuces Wild tournament. Kaz begged Eric to call Super Eric and tell him to stay away from the match, next week.
We went back to the ring for our next match. It was our second Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament Qualifying match. The Motor City Machine Guns came out first. Rhino came out to a new, earthquake rocking a city intro video. Rhino hit the ring at a dead run. Christian Cage rounded out the quartet.
Rhino & Christian Cage d The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
Deuces Wild Tag Team Qualifying Match
Shelley and Cage started the match. Shelley worked over the arm of Cage and flipped Cage to the mat. Shelley tried to hyper-extend the arm of Cage, but Cage got free and rolled over the body of Shelley. The two men got to their feet and Cage hit a Shoulder Block to drop Shelley. Shelley flipped out of a Hip Toss and hit a Back Kick on Cage. Shelley went for an Acid Drop, but Cage pushed Shelley off. Cage went for the Unprettier but Shelley unhooked his arms and leaped over Cage. Shelley hit a Back Elbow and then quickly climbed the ropes. Shelley sent Cage to the mat with a Crossbody. Cage rolled through t he move and almost pinned Shelley.
The two men slapped hands as a show of respect. Cage grabbed the arm of Shelley and dragged him to the Cage/Rhino corner. Rhino tagged into the match. Shelley kicked at Rhino’s knee. Shelley hit a Jawbreaker and then tagged Sabin into the match. Shelley held Rhino’s arm extended as Sabin vaulted over his partner and landed on Rhino’s arm. Rhino kicked Sabin and flipped him to the mat. Sabin tried several acrobatic moves to get free from Rhino. Rhino just over-powered Sabin. Rhino Irish Whipped Sabin to the corner, but caught a Back Spin Kick. Sabin charged out of the corner, only to fall victim to a Clothesline. Rhino chopped at Sabin and then nailed a Belly to Belly Suplex. Rhino set for the Gore! but Sabin moved. Rhino hit the corner and then fell to the floor. Sabin climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Cage pushed him off his perch. Sabin crashed into the barrier, outside the ring. Shelley rushed in and sent Cage to the floor. Shelley then hit a Tope Con Hilo to take out both Cage and Rhino. We went to break.
Shelley tagged in and hit a Senton over the ropes. Sabin hit a move over the ropes as well. Rhino recovered and hit the Anderson Spinebuster. Cage tagged in and chopped Shelley. Cage locked in a Rear Headlock. Shelley chpped and punched his way out. Cage caught Shelley off the ropes with a Back Elbow. Rhino tagged back in and pounded on Shelley. Rhino hit a Shoulder Block in the corner. Cage tagged back in and caught Shelley with a Powerslam. Cage twisted the neck and head of Shelley. Shelley fought out. Cage tried for the Inverted DDT, but Shelley converted into Sliced Bread. Shelley crawled to his corner. Sabin tagged in.
Sabin flew off the ropes with a Missile Dropkick to Cage. Sabin then blasted Rhino with a Step-up Enziguri. Sabin launched Cage with a Back Body Drop. Sabin threw Rhino out of the ring. Sabin threw his whole body into Cage, in the corner. Sabin flew off the ropes with a Clothesline. Sabin tried for the Cradle Shock, but Cage battled free. The Guns went for a double team move, but Cage flipped out of harm’s way. Shelley ran into Rhino, who hit the T-K-O on Shelley. Cage planted Sabin with a Brainbuster. Sabin kicked out at two. Cage and Rhino lifted Sabin for a Flapjack, but Sabin turned it into a Double DDT.
Sabin placed Cage on the ropes. Sabin and Cage fought on the ropes. Cage knocked Sabin off the ropes. Cage went for the Frog Splash, but missed. The Guns loaded up for their Firing Both Barrels finisher (a pair of Superkicks, followed by a Front/Back Kick to the head). Rhino Gored Shelley and Cage nailed the Unprettier to seal the deal on this one.
Grade: A-
The Knockouts all left the make-up room. They were going to find out the answers behind the special invitation, after a break.
Jim Cornette was back in the ring. The invitation had to do with a special match for Sacrifice. Jim called out all the Knockouts. Every single Knockout, except Kong and Raesha Saeed, made their way to the ring. Jim announced the TNA Knockout Battle Royal. Kong and Saeed stood on the rampway to listen. All the women, except Kong, would fight in an Over-the-top rope Battle Royal. The final two girls would battle in a Ladder Match to recover a contract for a title shot against Kong. The runner-up will find herself with a make-over. The make-over will get a Brittany Spears, head shaved, make-over in the ring. I’m putting my money on ODB to lose her hair.
Lauren talked with Booker T and Sting. Lauren accused Jim Cornette of “losing it”. Lauren asked Sting and Booker about having to possibly face each other. Booker said it’s all about winning. Sting asked Booker if Booker meant winning as partners or opponents. Booker simply talked about tonight. Sacrifice was another day.
Robert Roode made his way to the ring. Roode was missing Payton Banks, again this week. I’m not sure if she’s gone or just taking a break. James Storm and Jacqueline Moore made their entrance. Storm is probably the most under-rated star in TNA.
Booker T came out to a huge cheer from the crowd. Tenay kept talking about the possibility of Booker facing Sting at Sacrifice in the Deuces Wild tournament. I so smell a heel turn for Booker. The lights went out to herald the arrival of Sting.
Booker T & Sting d Robert Roode & James Storm
Roode Pearl Harbored Booker to start the match. Booker recovered and used a ton of Knife Edge Chops on Storm. Booker hit the Crescent Kick to drop Storm. Booker tagged Sting into the match. Sting went after Storm. Storm raked the eyes and tagged Roode into the match. Roode and Sting traded nasty fists and kicks. Sting moved Roode to the corner and rained down punches. Sting Hip Tossed Roode out of the corner and hit a Dropkick.
Booker tagged back into the match. Sting and Booker used the Double Irish Whip to send Roode to the ropes. Double Back Elbows sent Roode onto his back. Booker chopped Roode in the corner, several rimes. Booker hit a kneelift, but Roode went to the eyes. Roode Irish Whipped Booker to the corner, but Booker hit a Back Elbow to stun Roode. While the ref checked on Roode, Storm hit an Enziguri, from the apron, to the back of Booker’s head. Roode caught Booker with a Dropkick. Roode tagged Storm into the match, as we went to break.
Booker and Storm traded blows as we returned. Roode and Storm worked together to hit a Whirlwind Running Clothesline on Booker. Roode used the Hennig Neck Snap on Booker. Storm dropped the leg of Booker. Roode then dropped a knee onto Booker’s chest. Storm tagged back in and pounded on Booker in the corner. Storm grabbed his cowboy hat and donned it. He chomped down on the skull of Booker. Storm tagged out and Roode locked in a Front Face Lock. Booker fought to his feet, but Roode slowed Booker’s momentum with a couple of shots. Roode came off the ropes and straight into a Spinebuster.
Both Storm and Sting tagged into the match. Sting threw elbows and fists at both of his opponents. Sting then hit Stinger Splashes in opposite corners on Storm and Roode. Sting Face Planted Storm but Roode made the save. Booker went after Roode. Booker went for the Ax Kick, but Jacqueline grabbed Booker’s ankle and tripped him. Roode hit a DDt on Booker. Roode climbed the ropes but Sting caught him. Sting tried for the Superplex on Roode, but both Roode and Sting hit the mat as Storm Powerbombed Sting in mid-Superplex. Storm and Booker Double Clotheslined each other. Sting went to the floor. Roode grabbed the beer bottle and almost smashed it into the face of Storm. Storm and Roode had a shouting match in center ring. Sting slipped up behind Storm and dropped him with the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting hooked the leg for the win.
Grade: A
Roode and Storm got into a major shoving match after the match. Jacqueline did her best to break the two apart.
We went to the back where Kurt Angle got in A.J. Styles’ face. Kurt went off on Karen about coming to the show. Styles and Kurt almost came to blows over Karen. That feud is going to be amazing. We took a break before our TNA World title match.
Lauren was in Jim Cornette’s office. Cornette talked about all the spoiled wrestlers. Cornette pulled out another “back in the old days” rant. Jim hinted about a brutal, life-threatening match. Cornette called himself “The Puppet Master”. Jim giggled as he walked away. I’m liking the “new” Jim Cornette. He’s moving back to the mastermind that elevated multiple versions of the Midnight Express and the Heavenly Bodies to tag team supremacy.
It was time for our main event of the evening. It was a TNA World title re-match.We started with a “Tale of the Tape”. The two were pretty well matched.
Kurt Angle rose from the depths to a hail of boos and jeers. Angle showed absolutely no emotion and he jogged to the ring. Samoa Joe walked to the ring with the belt draped over his shoulder.The match was set to go after another break.
Samoa Joe d Kurt Angle
TNA World Heavyweight Title Match
Joe and Angle stalked each other. Joe moved Angle to the corner. The ref forced the break. Angle caught Joe with the Go Behind, but Joe reversed it. Angle moved them to the ropes. Angle grabbed a Headlock. Joe shoved Angle into the ropes and then dropped him with a Shoulder Block. Angle went to the floor.
When Angle returned to the ring, Joe grabbed another Headlock. Angle sent Joe to the ropes. Joe dropped Angle with the Shoulder Block. Angle rolled out the floor. Angle clutched his ribs. Joe grabbed the Headlock on Angle when he got back in the ring. Angle sent Joe to the ropes and then dropped to the mat. Joe ran over Angle and bounced off the opposite ropes. Angle tried for a Hip Toss, but Joe blocked it. Joe then almost decapitated Angle with a Clothesline. Joe took Angle to the mat with the Side Headlock Take-over. Angle got to his feet and moved Joe to the corner. Angle Irish Whipped Joe to the corner. Joe moved out of the way of Angle’s charge. The former champ hit the corner at full speed. Joe used the Side Headlock Take-over to flip Angle onto his back.
Joe kept most of his weight on Angle’s chest. Angle got to his feet and moved Joe to the corner, again. Angle raked Joe’s eyes and then nailed a European Uppercut. Angle threw fists and another European Uppercut. Angle went to Spear Joe in the corner, but ended up Spearing the corner post. Angle fell to the floor. Joe stepped back and then took off at a dead run towards the ropes. Joe sailed through the ropes with a Suicide Dive into a Flying Fore-arm. We took a quick break.
Angle hit several European Uppercuts on Joe as we returned. Angle Irish
Whipped Joe to the ropes. Angle went for the Leapfrog but Joe caught him and turned it into an Inverted Atomic Drop. Joe then backed up and hit a Running Boot. Joe then flew onto Angle with a Sen ton Back Splash. Angle kicked out at two. Joe hit several kicks and dropped the knee to Angle’s head. Angle retreated to the corner. Joe Face Washed Angle with the boot. Joe hit a Snap Suplex. Angle kicked out of the pin. Joe locked in a Cross Armbreaker. Angle scooted to the ropes to force the break.
Joe punched the face of Angle but Angle kicked the ribs and hit the German Suplex. Angle locked in the Rear Chin Lock. Joe got to his feet but we sent flying with an Overhead Belly to Belly Release Suplex. Angle locked in a Rear Chinlock. Joe fought to his feet. Angle raked the eyes. Angle charged at Joe, who caught Angle with the Chokeslam.
Joe punched at the ear of Angle. Angle seemed to be dazed. Joe flew over the ropes and landed on his knee. Joe collapsed when he tried to get to his feet. Angle slid out of the ring and attacked the knee. Earl Hebner slid out of the ring to check on the knee. Joe refused to give up. Would Joe be able to continue? We had to wait for another round of commercials to end before we found out.
Angle locked in a Figure Four LegLock on Joe as we returned. The crowd began to “whoo” for Angle. Kevin Nash and the trainers came out during the break to check on Joe. Nash told Joe to continue and not to fail “us”. Joe tried to crawl to the ropes. He also tried to unlock the legs. Joe reached with the last of his strength to force the break. Angle wrenched the knee of Joe. Joe chopped his way free. Joe and Angle exchanged fists. Joe Irish Whipped Angle to the corner. Joe caught Kurt with the Anderson Spinebuster. Angle kicked out at the last possible moment.
Angle hit another European Uppercut on Joe. Joe caught Angle with the Snap Slam. Angle went for the Anglelock, but Joe rolled over to send Angle to the corner before the Olympian could cinch in the move. Joe charged the corner, but Angle side-stepped the charge. Angle hit the AngleSlam. Amazingly, Joe kicked out at two. Angle showed a lot of frustration. Angle climbed the ropes and went for the Top Rope Moonsault. Joe moved at the last minute so Angle hit nothing but canvas.
Joe rolled over and tried to lock in the Kokina Clutch. Angle dropped down and locked in the AngleLock. Joe couldn’t roll out, initially. Joe was able to trip Angle. Angle fell backwards into the Kokina Clutch. Angle was able to grab the ropes to break the submission hold. Joe lifted Angle up onto the top rope. Joe wanted the Muscle Buster, but Angle fought free. Joe went for the Enziguri, but Angle moved and Earl Hebner took the full blow. There was a huge roar from the crowd when Earl got blasted.
Angle kicked Joe in the groin and then planted him with the AngleSlam. Angle dropped the straps. Angle tried to wake up Earl Hebner. Angle locked in the AngleLock, again. Joe rolled onto his back and pushed Angle off. Angle fell into the ropes. Scott Steiner came out of nowhere and blasted Angle in the head with a lead pipe! Joe lifted Angle up and hit a Powerslam/Brainbuster to take the win.
Grade: A+
Scott Steiner climbed into the ring and stared at Kurt Angle. Scott told Kurt “you never disrespect me”. Scott screamed at Joe. Joe slapped Scott. Jim Cornette came out and warned Scott that he would fine Scott Steiner “six months pay” if he touched anyone. Jim changed the World title match at Sacrifice to a Three Way match between Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle and Scott Steiner.
Final Grade: A
Final Thoughts: That was the way to put on a wrestling show. The action was excellent. The vignettes were a little silly but they fit perfectly into the whole scheme of things. Sacrifice is going to be a killer Pay-per-view. The tag team tournament is going to be absolutely incredible. The three way match should be really great. Samoa Joe v Scott Steiner would have been a good match. Throwing Kurt into the mix elevated it to the level of awesome.
Don’t forget that Backlash is this week-end.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(4/25/08)
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