MY NWA TNA Week 8 Report

[Guest Gamengiri2002]

Hey TNA fans, or people interested in converting over as TNA fans. I'm Matt Hammitt and I bring you now my review of the most crucial show of NWA-TNA's brief history. I understand that The Dames reviews TNA's weekly PPV's for the site and I do like his reviews, I feel the need to do one of my own. As TNA has made it clear, it's good to have alternatives, even in wrestling show reviews; where Dameses reviews are well thought out and good, mine intend to be clusterfucked and bad. It's important to keep in mind ALL members of the reading audience.

 

NWA-TNA has debuted amongst a plethora of wanna-be competitive promotions for the WWE. The WWA, the XWF, to a lesser extent even MECW (remember that flash in the pan?) have all arose in the era post-WCW buyout. And all of them have failed miserably. The problem being that no one has produced a formula that can be considered "alternative" to that of McMahon's powerhouse. When Jerry Jarrett announced a promotion to serve as an "alternative" to the WWE, it seemed like another destined failure. In fact, it SEEMED like WWA run by Jerry Jarrett.

 

But TNA did what the other promotions couldn't do, they found a formula that worked. They found a balance between the past and the future of the sport. They took the old-school booking style, the southern style of wrestling promotion that proceeded McMahon's "rock and wrestling" and "attitude". A type of promotion that is preferred by a lot of wrestling's viewership. They also tapped into a market WWE has been blind to with their much talked about X-Division. At times, it feels like you are watching two shows at once. One segment might seem like it was born from the mind of 80's era Bill Watts, the next might more closely resemble Ring of Honor. This diversity, accompanied with a very polished look and good aesthetic presence has made TNA a cut above the rest, with the very possible chance of succeeding where others have failed.

 

For seven weeks, NWA TNA has been establishing itself. Building a reputation from the ground up. A very solid build indeed. The X division got over with the fans very well. Heels were established, faces were established, and we even got our shades of gray. One of these is Ron Killings. I'm not going to paint a picture for you of the circumstances around Killings, as bps did it better than anyone could have done in his "The Truth about Ron Killings" column. But Killings is the star that people weren't ready for over the last seven weeks of TNA. Shamrock was a safe bet, he was already over and solid enough to help get the company recognized as their flagship guy. But now people are ready, NWA TNA has established themselves as a promotion. The set up is complete. And now the company moves into it's first run as a true "alternative" to the WWE. The way I see it, NWA TNA as a promotion begins tonight.

 

Week Eight...

 

Mike Tenay welcomes us to the show tonight as we see The Dupps and Apolo standing outside Steamboat's door. Apparently, a lot of people have been wanting to see Rick Steamboat as he is now the man responsible for restoring order to the promotion after a turbulant start.

 

FIRST MATCH: The Spanish Announce Team (SAT) v. The Flying Elvis'

 

Having seen Red scarcely and the Maximo's even less, this was a treat for me going in. Sonny Siaki has been openly egomaniacal in past weeks and his association with the Elvis' seems merely formal. Going into tonight, one must wonder if Yang and Estrada, Siaki's partners, will be willing to work with Siaki and, if they cannot, how The Elvis' have a chance in hell of winning the match.

 

Big Brawl to start. Eventually in winds down to Siaki and Red in the ring. Red is amazing and bumps like a god. Red is out and Joel Maximo comes in. From what I've seen, if there is a weaker link in The SAT, it's Joel. Joel gets triple teamed by the Elvis' The Elvis' continue to triple team each member of The SAT individually, culminating in Siaki sending The Truly Amazing Red over the top rope into both Jose & Joel.

 

As This happens, there is noticable dissent in The Elvis' alliance. Estrada and Yang begin to show disgust with Siaki's ego. Siaki discourages Yang and Estrada's dancing so that he can maintain the spotlight for himself. Siaki refuses a tag from both men and continues to work over Joel Maximo. Estrada and Yang head over to the announce position, deciding to allow Siaki the spotlight and the beating to come with it. The SAT triple team Siaki in the corner as Yang expresses frustration, through guest commentary, with Siaki's attitude.

 

Siaki is picked apart by the SAT. Red Star Press gets the 2 count. Jorge Estrada treats us to some very painful karaoke that basically says that he agrees with everything Yang has said. Aside from the horrible rythm of the improvised serenade, The match picks up again as Siaki mounts a failed offensive and gets caught with the SAT Stretch. I love innovation in wrestling. Siaki tires of Red's "flip-floppy shit" and pump handle suplexes him damn near across the ring.

 

Jimmy Yang gets back onto the apron to prove to everyone that Siaki is too full of himself to tag out. A good idea, but it spawned one of the most non-sensical, confusing calls I've heard in a while by Yang:

 

"I think his head is getting too big. His heads getting bigger by the second. He looks like a 'big ole' hound dog."

 

Yeah, I don't get it either. And I choose not to try, For my own sanity. Siaki sells a kick that barely connected, so much so that the crowd easily picked up on it. The Maximo's come in and nail Siaki with THE SPANISH FLY!! Which will replace the 3D as my favorite double team move ever. Red up top hits the Infrared,which is likewise incredible,and goes for the cover... but Yang and Estrada make the save and I smell overdrive.

 

Yang springboards off of Estrada and onto both Maximo's on the outside. Red turns Estrada around and hits the Code Red for a heated near fall. Estrada counters a sunset flip from Red with EZ Money's finisher "Money in the Bank." But it only gets two before the pin is broken.

 

Estrada goes up top but is cut off by the Maximo's who go for another Spanish Fly but instead receive a double DDT from Estrada off the top. Red attacks Estrada then turns and gets wiped the fuck out by Jimmy Yang with a vicious flying kick. Yang and Estrada take a page out of RVD and Sabu's play book and hit the combination splash/legdrop from opposite turnbuckles onto Red, then, while Yang and Estrada pose for the crowd, Siaki rolls in and gets the pin and the win.

 

Final Analysis: This was a good opener, not great, but good. And a nice introduction to the SAT for most fans. A couple of moves were botched but were well recovered from. Only a few moments standout as really messed up but such is understandable in a match where so many risks are taken. No notable psychology, but this is one of those matches where I don't really give a shit.

 

Tenay recaps the Three Main Events tonight. Malice/Harris First Blood, Truth/Shamrock, and the X title Triple Threat.

 

Apolo interview with Mike Tenay. Apolo expresses his anger towards his loss of HIS number one contendership to The Truth. Apolo calls Steamboat corrupt, and I can see that from his perspective. Apolo. Shades of gray.

 

Steamboat brushes off Apolo upon their first confrontation, he then brushes of the Dupps who are in their "church clothes". AJ Styles and Lynn beat the shit out of each other until being broken up. Good stuff all around. I love how these TNA backstage segways pan out.

 

Steamboat gives The Dupps (Russo) permission to do whatever they (Russo) want to do to make them happy (Completely waste our time)

 

SECOND MATCH: NWA World Championship: Ron "The Truth" Killings v. Ken Shamrock.

 

Time constraints are called as the reasons behind this match being on so early. Which is good. X-Title will ME now. Rick Steamboat is at ringside for commentary. Killings and Shamrock go back and forth. Truth is over here tonight. Killings kicks Shamrock out of the splits. Shamrock tries to retake the offense but is cut off by Killings once again. Killings continues to maintain control of the match until Shamrock connects with a powerbomb out of the corner.

 

Shamrock continues the attack with a powerslam and a jumping leg lariat.Shamrock hits a hurracanrana and segues it into an Anklelock. Shamrock then lets go and clotheslines Killings to the outside, intent on proving himself as a fighting champion. Battle on the outside rages as both The Disciples of The New Church and Monty Brown look on from the stage. I like how they are building up this match as a pivotal moment in the company. Killings suplexes Shamrock on the outside. This match is better than I thought it would be, as i don't particularly care for Shamrock's style.

 

Don Harris stands at the base of the ramp to stave off interference. Shamrock locks in a cross armbreaker but Killings refuses to tap out. Killings gets back body dropped over the top rope and the brawl on the outside continues.

 

Apolo pushes past Harris and attacks Killings as does Malice, Slash, and Monty Brown. Steamboat then walks over and clears the ringside area, rolling Shamrock back into the ring where Shamrock falls victim to a weak Ace Crusher for the win and the title. Killings holds the belt post match and my proposed "new era" begins...

 

Final Analysis: Aside from the lame finish, this was the best World title match that TNA has provided thus far. Everything leading into it was flawless and it has the distinction of being the only match this year that i have been genuinely emotionally involved in. Killings emotion at the end seemed very real and made his past indiscretions seem almost justified. As a match this was solid approaching good, but as a moment it was the best this year excluding the X Title match in Week 2.

 

Apolo and Jarrett come out demanding title shots. Jarrett plays the "reverse discrimination" card. Apolo gets hostile. All of this prompts a spirited "this bullshit is gonna stop" from Steamboat, which is actually significant coming from a guy who never even says "ass" but instead "BUTT". Anyway, Apolo and Jarrett is solidified as a number one contenders match with Steamboat as the referee.

 

This next segment will be recapped very concisely as my brain hurts enough already as late as it is. Disco comes out for jive talking. His extravagant set is missing. The work of his guests... The Dupps. The dupps announce the Dupp Cupp, to be the hardcore title for TNA. Disco laughs this off before realizing that they are serious. The Dupp Cupp is based on a point system with ten very pathetic rules. With the exception of 2 and a half points for punching Jeremy Borash, that's fucking hilarious.

 

Disco asks the Dupps who their opponent will be. The Dupps nominate Disco. But Paulina the Ox comes out to discourage that idea. So The Dupps promise that if someone beats them, they will receive a night with Fluff Dupp. So as I regretably realize that the show isn't within driving distance, Ed Ferrera steps up to the challenge. He punches Borash, hits Bo Dupp in the head a few times with stuff and gets beaten up in return. The finish comes when Ferrera smacks Bo Dupp on his bare ass with a hobby horse (If this sentence has ever been said before, than we, as a race, are in serious trouble) only to see that Bo likes it causing him to lose points. Bo then puts Ferrera through a table and ends this Russo segment. Jarrett needs to start using his power of veto much more often. As for Russo, I don't know what to say... Midgets with guns, gay men wanting to be recognized as the best woman in the promotion, The Dupp Cupp, Don Harris on my TV, this is just really really bad. So bad that I can't bear to take jabs at Russo personally. I can just sit in muted and fearfull awe.

 

THIRD MATCH: First Blood: Don Harris v. Malice.

 

Both men go at it quite quickly and the fight spills into the crowd very fast. Near the concession stand, the funniest visual of the year occurs. Malice and Harris beat the shit out of each other with a steel chair, and as fans yell and scream, and two men continue to brawl throughout the arena without using any discretion for the safety of others, a policeman walks past the camera, very nonchalantly, chewing on a pretzel.

 

Malice and Harris brawl back to ringside. This hasn't been bad. Harris and Malice get onto the stage. Harris backbody drops Malice onto the stage and tosses him off into the guardrail. Slash comes out, armed with an icepick, but Harris cuts him off and stabs him with it a couple of times. Slash is busted open. Malice takes advantage of the distraction and attacks Harris. Harris hits a Bossman slam on Malice in the ring, the sheer force of which bursts through Harris' face causing him to bleed. Or at least that's what I make of it. Malice wins.

 

Final Analysis: I dunno, it was watchable and not nearly as bad as i thought. But why harris bladed then doesn't make any sense. Good bladejob nonetheless. I guess I'll let this pass free of ridicule but absent of praise.

 

Siaki seeks out Ricky Steamboat, Bruce pushes pass Goldy and Siaki into the women's locker room where Taylor Vaughn challenges him to a Evening Gown Match. The Low Ki and styles spill into the room where they beat each other up. Ki hits a cool Tidal Wave hanging fromthe ceiling.

 

FOURTH MATCH: Apolo v. Jeff Jarrett, Special Referee Rick Steamboat

 

Socio-political commentary the Vince Russo way. Both men feel each other out. Steamboat steps in front of Jarrett to block the close fist. He does the same for Apolo. Apolo clotheslines Jarrett and fight goes to the outside. Apolo is on tonight. Apolo gets a Sky high in the ring for a two count.

 

Another nearfall from Apolo. Brawling on the outside again. A couple of bumps into the ringsteps and Apolo is busted open. Steamboat stops the outside fighting Enziguri by Jarrett gets two. Jarrett racks Apolo on the turnbuckle. Apolo tries to leapfrog Jarrett but Jarrett clips the knee as he goes past. Figure Four time!

 

Apolo refuses to give up. After Apolo stops moving, steamboat counts the pin. but Apolo kicks out. DDT by Apolo. Both men are down. Steamboat counts but both men are up at 8. A series of reversals ends as Apolo nails Jarrett with a superkick for 2 and seven eighths.

 

German Suplex by Apolo. Three count is made. But Jarrett got his shoulder up. Apolo however, had both shoulders down the whole time. Jarrett wins.

 

Postmatch, Steamboat has Apolo escorted to the back and tells Jarrett that since he promised him The Truth and the Truth he will get... as a tag partner. Against Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles nest week for the Tag Team titles. Not a popular decision. "Steamboat Sucks" chants. Well, I agree that the DECISION sucks...

 

Final analysis: The match itself is the best one that hasn't involved an X Division guy thus far. And I like how it ended. But Steamboat's decision is all fucked up. Is this supposed to create sympathy for Jarrett? I'm guessing that it is to initiate a feud with Killings, but surely there are better ways of going about it than this. Bullshit indeed.

 

I just hope Killings/Jarrett don't win the titles next week.

 

FIFTH MATCH: Evening Gown Match: Bruce v. Taylor Vaughn.

 

Bruce wins. Then strips anyway. *shudders*

 

Final Anaylsis: Bruce in thong. Bo Dupps bare ass. WHAT. THE. FUCK?

 

Don West pimps merchandise. It's still a little funny. But will wear off very soon.

 

SIXTH MATCH: X Title: Lo-Ki v. Jerry Lynn v. AJ Styles

 

YES!! Here it is folks! Why is Lynn coming out to Styles music sans lyrics? Anyway, Ki and Lynn double team Styles, then turn on each other. Tilt a Whirl gets two. Ki begins to work on Lynn. Kick to the knee. Kick to the face. Styles then comes back and kicks Ki off only to turn back into a clothesline by Lynn.

 

Powerslam by Styles. Styles attempta a German Suplex but Lynn counters. Ki charges both men and is back body dropped for his troubles. Gory Special on styles by Lynn. Lo-Ki dropkicks Lynn while he has the hold applied and both him and Styles are down. Ki drops an elbow on Styles for a two.

 

Styles hits the hurracanrana from his back on Ki and follows it up with a Torture Rack flipped into a face smash onto the knee. Stiff spin kick by Styles. Lynn comes from behind. Styles is back on the offensive. Styles smacks both men around. Lynn counters a hurrancanrana into a face buster. It gets two and the pin is broken by Lo-Ki.

 

Lo-ki and Lynn exchange offense. An exchange on the ring apron ends with a legdrop through the ropes by Lynn. Lynn gets Styles in a back grapple, Lo-Ki slingshots himself over the ropes and into a roll up an Lynn but as Lynn falls he carries AJ over with a german suplex. Two count for the double pin. Once again, innovation rules!

 

Exchange of chops betwixt Lynn and Ki. Lo-Ki counters Styles attempted Reverse powerbomb into a Dragon clutch. He then puts Lynn in the Clutch. Lynn counters with a stiff DDT. Two count by Lynn broken by Styles. Lynn DDT's Styles who is sitting on the top turnbuckle for two broken by Lo-Ki.

 

Lo-Ki rolls through on a snap suplex for a pin but Lynn kicks out at two once again. Lo-Ki works over Styles. Double Underhook Suplex by Ki floated over into a pin. Broken by Lynn. In a cool ass spot. Styles kick at Lynn, who catches his foot, Lynn flips Styles backwards into a Reverse DDT on Ki. Styles covers but Lynn breaks it at two and a half!Lynn then attempts the pin on Ki for another nearfall.

 

Lynn perches Ki on the top rope and attempts a superplex, but Ki shrugs him off, Styles then positions himself for the suplex but Lynn springboards off of the second rope and sunset flips Styles who carries over Ki with the suplex. Two count on AJ Styles. Amazing!! Cover on Ki. Two and three fourths.

 

This is followed by the singular coolest series of pinfall attempts i have ever seen but I cannot describe them quickly enough to be worth it. Styles goes for the Styles Clash but Lynn stops it. Styles is caught in the moonsault body block by both men and is slammed into the top rope. Hanging Dragon by Lo-Ki!!

 

Lo-Ki counters a Tornado DDT into the Bite of The Dragon. Lynn catches Ki with a few elbows and Ki starts to fall backwards but as he does Styles moonsaults off the perpendicular ropes and lands on Ki in a pin attempt that gets two before Styles sees Lynn slingshotting over the ropes and moves. Lynn lands on Ki for ANOTHER two broken by Styles. Hangman's Noose Neckbreaker by Styles and Lynn barely kicks out.

 

Ki lifts Styles for the Ki Krusher 99 but Styles reverses it into a sunset flip attempts which Ki stops by getting him into a powerbomb position which he segues into the STYLES CLASH ON AJ STYLES!!! 2 AND NINE-TENTHS!! Ki gets up and turns into the KI KRUSHER 99 ON LO-KI BY JERRY LYNN!! ANOTHER TWO AND NINE-TENTHS!! Styles counters a cradle piledriver by Lynn into one of his own for 2 and 279-300ths!!

 

The referee gets taken out. Styles and Lynn backdrop Lo-Ki to the outside. Styles rolls out and gets the chair and CREMATES Lynn with it!! Styles then goes up to for The Spiral Tap. But Lo-Ki rolls onto Lynn and the referee counts: 1...2...SPIRAL TAP!! BUT LO-KI MAINTAINS THE PIN...3!!! LO-KI WINS THE X TITLE!!

 

Final Analysis: Great great great GREAT match. Best NWA TNA bout thus far. Beats out the First X Title match for suspense alone. Lo-Ki will be a better champion for accepting all challengers i'm glad he won the title.

 

Backstage, The Truth and Jarrett almost get into it. Meanwhile Styles and Lynn continue to brawl. And the whole thing reaches a powder keg and WE'VE GOTTA GO!!

 

Final Thoughts Overall: Inside the ring, tonight was fantastic. SAT's v. Elvis' was good. Shamrock v. Killings was good. Malice v. Harris was watchable. Vaughn v. Bruce was short thank God. Apolo v. Jarrett was good approaching very good. And The Main Event was INCREDIBLE.

 

But something was lacking in plot development tonight. All the elements for progress are there, but they didn't start the progress in motion. Other than Killings title win there was no noticable step forward and that was almost cancelled out b The Dupp Cupp and Steamboats swerve on Jarrett which were definate steps backward. Perhaps next week they will solidify the direction they are heading.

 

Ideally, Styles and Lynn will retain as Jarrett will attack The Truth. Plus, the company doesn't need to "fluke" tandems as the first representatives of the belts. Apolo needs to continue his progress, ideally against Shamrock. Steve Corino could be back soon and an angle with him and Hall or even him and The Disciples of the New Church could be interesting. Monty Brown and Elix Skipper will be good. the Truth and Jarrett seems like the money feud that TNA has been looking for. Styles and Lynn still have momentum and the match between the two will be a great draw. Lo-Ki can now defend against Daniels and Red and Mamaluke and really open the door to some new faces in the X division with Skipper, Styles, and Lynn tied up elsewhere. Things can really be looking up if pursued the right way as the roster seems stable now and the set up is there.

 

However, it remains to be seen if the Jarrett's will know how to capitalize AND if they'll be able to keep Russo in check.

 

One last note... We Need More Briscoe Boys!

 

Thank you and good night

[Guest ShooterJay]

One last note... We Need More Briscoe Boys!

I've been saying that since Week 4.

 

Heck, bring in all of the RoH/QWA/CZW Juniors and tag teams, they truly represent the alternative pro wrestling style, and they aren't going to see the WWE spotlight anytime soon, and it would be great to get them national exposure.

 

How would you like to see Da Hit Squad, the Backseat Boyz or Quiet Storm on an NWATNA stage, or Jody Fleisch challenge Low Ki for the X title? I sure would.

 

Back on topic- Excellent, excellent review. Keep them coming.

[Guest Kingpk]

We're looking for a TNA reviewer at Smark Talk you know.

[Guest Tony149]

That was a good review.

 

Although sometimes I think people forget the Dupps were in TNA before Russo got there. But if it's bad, it was Russo's idea.

 

Anyway, good review.

[Guest Gamengiri2002]

Well, Kingpk, if you want to recommend me to Mr. Rant I'll be happy to review the shows for you guys

[Guest goodhelmet]

i will recommend you to mr. rant with flying colors!!! esp. since you were selected to write for thesmartmarks but disappeared without a trace. but hey, the important thing is your work gets read so keep writing!

[Guest Gamengiri2002]

Oh, and i maintain that the best way to handle the "Dupp Cupp" would be for Ferrera to accept the challenge and then turn around and knock the shit out of Borash about five or six times giving Ferrera enough points to win. It would have been quick, funny, it would have assured Fluff Dupp back on tv next week, and Ferrera wouldn't have to leave Tenay and West alone on commentary throughout the rest of the night.

 

Plus, what I wouldn't give to knock the ever-loving piss out of Jeremy Borash, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I DON'T LIKE HIM! But something makes me want to rearrange his vital organs with a nine iron.

[Guest Gamengiri2002]

this is odd, I actually didn't intend on getting any feedback on this, positive or otherwise, just kinda did it on a whim.

 

But what the fuck, continue to validate my existence to your heart's desire.

 

I appreciate it guys, thanks...

[Guest Gamengiri2002]

Oh, and Tony, I'm not blaming the Dupp's on Russo. Heck, The Dupps are pretty good in their role. But I know that Russo HAD to be behind This "Dupp Cupp" nightmare.

[Guest goodhelmet]

um..yeah. thanks for acknowledging me