From Even Further Outside

[TNABaddboi 0]

Wuzup everyone….once again, it is the one and only TNABaddboi and I’m here to get you hyped for this week’s double dose of TNA!

 

Last week, I debuted a new feature in From Even Further Outside, THE MAILBAG, but unfortunately, it is empty this week (sad ain’t it?), so we’ll skip right to the THE RECAP:

 

LAST WEEK IN TNA

 

Wow! My trip to the Asylum was so much fun, that’s all I can say. This week was TNA’s “big” show and while it was universally panned, I have to admit that I kind of liked it. Of course, I know that is only because of the live experience, but hey, what can I say? With that stated, let's break it down:

 

Ron “The Truth” Killings finally got his shot at our lord and savior, the end all and be all, King of the Mountain World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett. Going in, I was expecting Jarrett/Raven levels of run ins, but thankfully, to my great surprise, TNA resisted the urge to have 3LK, the Elite Guard, D’Lo Brown and/or Monty Brown spoil the action. Of course, they made up for it by teasing the good ol’ Dusty Finish (complete with Dusty Promo!), before delivering a NON-FINISH, for which the company was crucified for by the IWC. My two cents on it are this: I’m somewhere in the middle. I didn’t love the ending (especially after driving 4 hours each way to see the event), but I didn’t hate it either. I got what TNA was trying to do. Most of the angst comes from people who view this show as TNA’s Wrestlemania and you don’t do that finish at your crown jewel event. It’s just a wrestling no-no. IMHO, however, TNA never promoted this show as bigger than the rest. They didn’t last year and they didn’t this year. Hell, last year, they delivered the goods the week before and after the anniversary show (Styles title win, first ever cage match). And I don’t blame them for that, because unlike WWE’s big show, they don’t have four more weeks to rebuild after blowing everything off in one night. TNA has to get you come back the next week, and the week after that, so in theory, one show cannot be bigger than the others. TNA has always just kind of said join us as we celebrate our anniversary. As for the match itself, Killings and Jarrett work well together, so the match itself was no surprise, and the crowd was certainly into it, which is always a plus. I will admit that I monetarily marked out for the pin, before Russo reared his ugly head. I automatically knew where we were headed from there. My biggest beef with this match is that apparently I missed the memo where guitar shots equal death. We’ve seen people kick out of death-defying moves and steel chair shots, but a shot from a wooden guitar is enough to put someone down for the 1-2-3. In fact, its apparently such a horrible offense that it warrants an automatic DQ, whereas chairshots in plain view of the referee can be shrugged due to the magnitude of the match. Gimme a break TNA! Russo was to decide the winner on Impact, but TNA responded to net pressure for giving away a pay show result on free TV by pushing the decision back to the next PPV, further pissing off net fans with a bait and switch.

I get that TNA was trying to use cliffhangers to increase interest, but I fear that they might have pissed off paying customers, which will do wonders for the buyrates. OR NOT! Anyway, morale of the story: Announce a winner to all title matches before you leave the air. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this all leads to the belt being held up (which should never happen again, TNA! Not unless injury makes it necessary) and decided in a Guitar on a Pole match, which would suck royally.

 

With the number one contender to the X Title on the shelf, fighting champion AJ Styles issued an open challenge and TNA promised a huge surprise. And for the first time since Raven’s debut, a TNA surprise delivered. The crowd reaction that entire match was bone-chilling. I tried my best to help the AJ chants, but the Hardy chants were deafening. Styles and Hardy worked a safe match that was made 100 times better by the crowd, ala Rock/Hogan at WM18. And of course, Styles brought the BEST DROPKICK IN THE BUSINESS with him while I marked like a school girl. The X-Division Dream Match (sez Tenay) ended with another Non-Finish as Kash and Dallas ran in. Hardy and Styles teamed up to fight them off before they finished jawing with each other. On Impact, Styles and D’Lo Brown finally teamed up, but since Kash has a “broken leg,” Abyss replaced him as Dallas’ partner. It was very good TV main event and it was great seeing what Abyss can do when he’s not on his steady SQUASH diet. Post-match, Kash attacked AJ and leveled him with the MoneyMaker, and noticeably, his crutch and limp (broken foot, remember?) were all gone, leading me to believe his injury was just an angle to introduce Hardy. I thought it might be all along because I figured TNA wouldn’t do Jarrett/Killings AND Styles/Kash on the same night, because both could be draws. Kash’s amazing recovery powers sealed it for me. Overall, it was a good week for the X-Division as Styles defended the belt in a high-profile match while continuing his hot feud with Kid Kash.

 

The Raven/Sabu feud fell flat this week as Raven’s heavily hyped “tribute” to the Sheik was a huge bust. Raven just hung up a scarecrow with a picture of the Sheik, which didn’t really seem to bother Sabu too much at all. The real story is that Raven was sick and not at the show, so TNA had to scrap their elaborate plan and do this last-minute, but the end result is that one 2 minute throw segment completely took the air out of completely hot feud. And with no mention of it at all on Impact, who knows what the next step is. Hopefully TNA can regain some momentum with this one as it was a well-told story before Wednesday night.

 

America’s Most Wanted’s random challenger generator brought them Team Japan this week on PPV and they defeated them in a nifty little tag match. Post match, the Naturals attacked and continued to show us their dastardlyness by putting make-up on the champs (is that red? how dare they!) The Naturals then cost AMW a non-title match on Impact, leading to a grudge match on PPV. This feud has potential and has played out by the books so far, so I won’t complain. And of course, Team Canada defeated the champs in a non-title match has got to put them in line for a title shot, right? RIGHT? Of course it does. So Team Canada is now well on the way to single-handedly saving the tag team division. Actually, to be fair, I have to give credit where credit is due. A few shot months ago, the tag team titles were worthless after AJ Styles beat the champions by himself (I know he’s Phenomenal and all, but C’MON) and then vacated the titles. After a tournament to crown new champs put a little shine back on the belts, TNA ruined them again by playing hot potato with make-shift teams. R.I.P TNA Tag Division. July 2002-April 2003. Then, a funny thing happened. Actually, a couple of funny things happened. Kid Kash and Dallas gelled into a nice little team. AMW reformed and regain the belts as the Naturals boarded the train from Xplosion-ville. And ~Team Canada got bored with the X Cups and decided to broaden their horizons. TNA is now once again the home of the best tag division in wrestling that will only be better once the belts are north of the border. Bravo TNA!

 

In another smart move, TNA has started a feud between two men they desperately want to move up the card, D’Lo “JellyNeck” Brown and Monty Green. Ok, I kind of like Monty’s character, but he needs some in-ring work, and until he gets it, I will call him Monty Green. Besides, we can’t have a feud between two guys named Brown, now can we? How would we ever tell them apart? Anyway, ever since the Deadly Draw, paranoid hunter Monty Brown has had the world title in his sights, because he is after all, the Alpha Male. In fact, he cut a hilarious promo before that match in which he joined Scott Hudson “at the bottom of the food chain” (while crouching), before coming back to the “the top of the food chain” (upright) to discuss how all the “Omega Males” in the ring that night would feel the POUNCE…Period. Like I said, Monty's got loads of charisma. He’s just not very fluid in the ring yet. To help get him over, TNA called on old reliable, D’Lo Brown. If there’s anybody on the TNA roster, not named AJ Styles, of course, who can make Monty look like a star, it’s D’Lo. Hell, he made Sonny F’N Siaki look like the Rock figuratively and not just literally. Anyway, the story goes that D’Lo returned to TNA to chase the World Title because he was inspired by his friend AJ Styles X-Title win. Apparently, he spoke too loudly on Monty’s hunting ground because Monty jumped him backstage and the feud was on. Monty attacked D’Lo on Impact just to remind him that he would have to feel the Pounce to get to the World Title. Basic premise for a feud here and I like it. Notice how no one is pregnant or dead here, boys! Way to differentiate yourselves, TNA! This feud should be good since Monty can bring it on the mic and D’Lo can bring it in the ring. I’m sure Monty will go over in the end to cement himself as a main eventer, but the feud should rock until then.

 

Erik Watts and Goldy still hate each other and TNA isn’t big enough for the 2 of them. TNA didn’t really tell us that too much this week, but I remember from last week. This is TNA’s “casual fan attraction” feud and it has played out well, but I still feel like Abyss is just wasted here. I’d like to see him in the World Title picture. But anyway, it should be over soon, but unfortunately Abyss is probably going to have to job to Erik F’N Watts to get rid of Goldy once and fall. Tragic, ain’t it?

 

Trinity extended the feud with will never die by defeating Desire in a very enjoyable stretcher match, with help from the newest member of the NYC, Big Vito. After losing the Ultimate Humilation match, Glen Gilberti is an angry little leprechaun while Swinger is vaguely homosexual. Speaking of losing, David Young gave the NYC advice on how to lose the stupid get up while Gilberti gave him advice on how to end his pathetic losing streak. So Young attack the cute little Mexican minis and demanded referee Mike Posey count his victory. D-Ray 3000 found the ring in enough time to try to make the save, but he ATE a spinebuster for his efforts. Posey had seen enough and delivered an AJ Styles-esque dropkick to Young and the minis and D-Ray all pinned him as the referee counted a quick three. Very funny stuff here. Of course, D-Ray is made to look like a chump in having to be saved by THE REFEREE, but that was the whole point, and I definitely appreciated the irony.

 

Now…onto the preview:

 

THIS WEEK ON TNA

 

This is the first show of year three for TNA and in many fans eyes, TNA’s owes them a huge apology for the second anniversary show. This is like the show after Jarrett/Raven, which bps accurately called the Reconstruction. While I don’t think Wednesday’s finish did as much damage as that one, TNA did leave a sour taste in many fans mouth last week. This week, we get to see TNA’s best Ruben Studdard imitation as they say I’m sorry. We’ll see how everything turns out. These are the matches listed in the official preview:

 

X-Division Title: AJ Styles © vs Kid Kash w/ Dallas

World Title Contender’s Match:”The Alpha Male” Monty Brown vs D’Lo Brown

Contract vs Money Match: Erik Watts vs Abyss w/ Goldylocks

Non-Title Grudge Match: America’s Most Wanted vs. The Naturals

Sabu and Sonjay Dutt vs Team Canada w/ Scott D’Amore

Double or Nothing Ultimate Humiliation Match: Sonny Siaki and “Irish” Pat Kenney vs The New York Connection w/ Trinity

 

Good line-up this week, IMO. You have the X-Title match that has been building for a month as the draw and some good solid match-ups on the undercard that either continue established feuds or start new ones. What I like about TNA right now is that everyone (except the X guys) is doing something, a hallmark of a Russo booked show. Whether I like what they’re doing or not, 90% of the guys on the show have a purpose. Now if they’d just apply that principle to the X-Division, I’d be a very happy guy. Anyway, onto the break down:

 

AJ Styles finally defends the X-Division Title against Kid Kash and it should be the main event this week. I fully expect this match to get the Styles/Kazarian treatment and go on last with at least 15 minutes to work and I for one won’t complain. Without knowing how legit Kash’s injury was, I expect this match to be excellent and the heat should be great here as well. I’m looking for Styles to retain in some sort of fashion that allows the feud to continue as I don’t think TNA is ready to blow this one off just yet. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Jeff Hardy was lurking around to even up the odds, to give Kash something to do with his time after Styles moves on to Daniels.

 

D’Lo Brown versus Monty Brown will be an intriguing match. TNA is just kind of throwing Monty in the fire here. This is certainly his highest profile match of this run with the company, and the highest profile match of his career aside from his World Title match loss to the Truth a few years ago that TNA wants us to forget. Either D’Lo is going to make Monty look really good, like AMW did in the tag match last week, or Monty is going to be exposed as not being ready for prime time. I'm thinking this one ends in a double countout or some other cheap ending, as they're not going to want to end Monty's "undefeated" streak (he's about as undefeated as Goldberg was) and they don't want to job D'Lo either, I don't think. If we do get a real finish here, it will be very telling as to who gets the 10 pounds of gold from Russo.

 

Erik Watts versus Abyss won’t be pretty, but at least the crowd will be into it. I am just glad this feud is headed to a conclusion. I’m looking for Goldy to “accidentally” cost Abyss the match, leading the big man to find someone else to be manipulated by (Kash, Jarrett, Goldy, ???). Watts gets his job and money back and Goldy shrivels up and dies. Ok, that was harsh. I know, I know. She actually just goes away for awhile to allow me to remember when I didn’t hate her so.

 

AMW versus the Naturals should be a solid match. My live experience at the Asylum proved that my ears did not deceive me and that the Naturals just are NOT over in any sense of the word, no matter how much dastardlyness they show us, so I get the feeling TNA is going to cut that feud short and move Team Canada up to face AMW. That said, the Naturals will win here, underhandedly of course, to set up their title match, where they will get steamrolled.

 

Speaking of ~Team Canada, after an impressive showing on Impact against the champs, they will continue their ascension up the tag ranks this weeks by taking on Sabu and Sonjay Dutt. Sabu and Dutt won their only other tag match together a few weeks ago on Impact against the Naturals, who are the current #1 contender’s to the belts. Get what TNA is going for here? So do I. I have to admit that I really like this match-up. It makes it seem like the tag division is more than AMW and tells 2 stories at once. Anyway, the match will be good as long as Sabu is waiting for the hot tag. I’m sure Raven gets involved here to give Team Canada another win and more credibility to get up for their title run.

 

And finally, last and certainly least, is the Double or Nothing Ultimate Humilation match between Sonny Siaki and “Irish” Pat Kenney and The New York Connection. This is the longest run feud in the company at this point, working on five months! Maybe TNA management has hearing problems, because from what I have seen, it has played to silence. While Gilberti and Swinger have been enjoyable as buffoons, I’m guessing they’ll win here because that joke is gonna wear thin sooner rather than later.

 

In non-match stuff, we’ll finally find out who the World Champ is this week is as well. Hooray! Like I said earlier, I think Russo is going to hold up the belt and have it decided in a Guitar on a Pole match, which I said earlier would will suck royally. Also, we find out if TNA has signed Jeff Hardy. Of course, I’m sure they’ve worked something out with him or else they’re incredibility stupid. I don’t think they’d be dumb enough to make an angle out of not being able to sign a “hot free agent,” if they hadn’t signed said ‘free agent,’ because that would make them look more bush league than the midget jacking off in the trash can.

 

Oh yeah. Dennis Rodman may appear. The less I say about that, the better.

 

RANDOM TNA NEWS:

 

Before I go, let me quickly discuss some news in the TNA world.

 

According to Meltzer, the early Impact numbers were wrong. He now says the first show drew a 0.16 and the second show drew a 0.32. The first number being lower is a little disappointing, but TNA had next to negative promotion. I’m sure that doubling was due to word of mouth and word of mouth alone.

 

Minsa, played by the former Gorgeous George, is done with TNA after just 2 weeks. Apparently she was something of a prima donna and TNA decided she wasn’t worth the headache.

 

Jonny Fairplay will return to TNA television this week, in an undefined role. Rumor has it he will be paired with former Redshirt Security member Ryan Wilson under a mask. We will just have to wait and see.

 

Dennis Rodman will be appearing on Impact this week in a one-off deal to spike interest in the show. It will be interesting to see what TNA does with him and if it gets mentioned on SportsCenter, ala the Brian Urlacher or Tennessee Titans incidents.

 

In the first sign of cross-promotion with FSN, TNA has signed FSN NASCAR analyst Jeff Hammond to the Impact broadcasting team. I am no NASCAR fan, so I don’t really know the guy too well and I am willing to give him a chance. I am not a fan of 3 man announce teams though (TNA’s announcing improve 10x after Ferrara left), so I hope they end up letting Hammond do Impact with Tenay, while West does the PPVs. Or better yet, let Hammond and Hudson do Impact and Tenay and West do the PPVs. At any rate, this ought to get TNA some mentions during NASCAR coverage on FSN, which will help awareness since they don’t get any commercials on the stations.

 

That's it and that's all. Lemme know what you guys think. Agree, disagree? I don't care, just FEEDBACK ME!!!! E-mail me at: [email protected].

[TNABaddboi 0]

C'mon! SOMEBODY. SAY. SOMETHING. ANYTHING! This thing took a long time you know!!!! *end of whining about lack of feedback*

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Thanks for the article, a good read. Now, just a couple of comments.

 

as they're not going to want to end Monty's "undefeated" streak (he's about as undefeated as Goldberg was)

 

But Goldberg WAS undefeated until the TASER incident. I don't understand your point here.

 

Dennis Rodman will be appearing on Impact this week in a one-off deal to spike interest in the show. It will be interesting to see what TNA does with him and if it gets mentioned on SportsCenter, ala the Brian Urlacher or Tennessee Titans incidents.

 

The only thing they could do interesting here is never, ever, mention Rodman's name again. I have no clue how anyone could think bringing him in is a good idea.

 

Or better yet, let Hammond and Hudson do Impact and Tenay and West do the PPVs.

 

At this point I think they need to have Tenay be "the voice of TNA". I don't mind them switching up his partners for different shows, but I really think he is the best in the business right now, and capable of adding to every match. I can't say that for any of the other mentioned names.

[Kardo 0]

Thanks for the article, a good read. Now, just a couple of comments.

 

as they're not going to want to end Monty's "undefeated" streak (he's about as undefeated as Goldberg was)

 

But Goldberg WAS undefeated until the TASER incident. I don't understand your point here.

Dark matches and the such, so he wasn't within the company.

[TNABaddboi 0]

But Goldberg WAS undefeated until the TASER incident. I don't understand your point here.

 

 

 

Dark matches and the such, so he wasn't within the company.

 

It wasn't just dark matches either. He lost TV matches before his push started too. Goldberg was a heel who wondered aimlessly through the later part of 97 before WCW decided he was an unbeatable monster. I actually believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that he came out on the losing end of a feud with Mongo McMichael of all people.

 

At this point I think they need to have Tenay be "the voice of TNA". I don't mind them switching up his partners for different shows, but I really think he is the best in the business right now, and capable of adding to every match. I can't say that for any of the other mentioned names.

 

Yeah, the more I think about, Tenay is the voice of TNA. It's just like how I hate WWE shows without Jim Ross, because he was the voice for so long. So point well taken.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

It wasn't just dark matches either. He lost TV matches before his push started too. Goldberg was a heel who wondered aimlessly through the later part of 97 before WCW decided he was an unbeatable monster. I actually believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that he came out on the losing end of a feud with Mongo McMichael of all people

 

I really don't think this is correct. It is possible that he lost before his first televised match, (though I don't recall hearing that) but I was pretty sure I stayed up with him after his first match on TV with Hugh Morris.

[TNABaddboi 0]

I really don't think this is correct. It is possible that he lost before his first televised match, (though I don't recall hearing that) but I was pretty sure I stayed up with him after his first match on TV with Hugh Morris.

 

Ok....that might be true. I will readily admit that my WCW knowledge is second hand. I just wasn't interested enough to watch. Anyway, I know he was heel during his initial run and that he was losing dark matches, kinda like Monty, who was pinned by The Truth at the first Impact taping.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

Yeah, the more I think about, Tenay is the voice of TNA. It's just like how I hate WWE shows without Jim Ross, because he was the voice for so long. So point well taken.

The sad thing is, I'm not a fan of Tenay. I have reasons, but I don't think many people feel the same way. I do agree, though, that he is the voice of TNA

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

So what are a couple of reasons? Not that I could really argue with it, because it's your opinion, but I would like to know why you wouldn't like Tenay.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

So what are a couple of reasons? Not that I could really argue with it, because it's your opinion, but I would like to know why you wouldn't like Tenay.

I think he gets too personally involved in what's going on. (i.e.-when Russo told Jarrett that he couldn't use the guitar without losing the belt, Tenay said something like "DO YOU HEAR THAT JARRETT?) I think, as a former radio student and broadcaster, that it's important for the broadcaster to maintain a neutral position. It's ok to be surprised by something, but don't take sides.

Another problem is that I'm not a huge fan of the fact that he knows so much and lets us know during the broadcast. I'd rather not hear how many promotions someone has worked for in the middle of the match. I think that Tenay needs to focus more on calling the action. I do like the "Ask the Professor" column, when people ask good questions, though.

 

These have been my two major gripes with him. They could have improved some, but I haven't payed as much attention as I used to. When TNA started out, I bought the PPV's and could hardly bear the announce teams. I've gotten used to them, so I don't listen as intently as I used to.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

think he gets too personally involved in what's going on. (i.e.-when Russo told Jarrett that he couldn't use the guitar without losing the belt, Tenay said something like "DO YOU HEAR THAT JARRETT?) I think, as a former radio student and broadcaster, that it's important for the broadcaster to maintain a neutral position. It's ok to be surprised by something, but don't take sides.

 

I can agree with you on that. I hate heel/face announcers. It just exposes the business so bad. The guy shouldn't sit there and root for one guy or the other. Another example of this would be JR making excuses for Stone Cold stunning Stacy. Yeah, just stupid. Good point.

 

But, I think his sharing of knowledge is a plus. Just personal taste I guess.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Good read. One thing though, and this isn't necessarily to you Baddboi, but to all that say Monte sucks in the ring.

 

It's only because he's being booked as a monster. If you saw his early TNA work, he was VERY fluid in the ring, and although still green, at least knew when to make his comebacks and he sold like a champ. His match with Elix Skipper during (I believe) Week 7 or Week 8 was a **1/2 affair, and it was mostly Brown doing the work.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Laz, the problem with him then was how sloppy he was. Now that he's being booked as a monster I think that's improved alot, so I have turned 180 on my opinion of the guy. He needs to bust out teh Alpha Bomb again...

[TNABaddboi 0]

Good read. One thing though, and this isn't necessarily to you Baddboi, but to all that say Monte sucks in the ring.

 

It's only because he's being booked as a monster. If you saw his early TNA work, he was VERY fluid in the ring, and although still green, at least knew when to make his comebacks and he sold like a champ. His match with Elix Skipper during (I believe) Week 7 or Week 8 was a **1/2 affair, and it was mostly Brown doing the work.

 

Thanks Laz. I do remember that match with Skipper, a street fight I believe, being entertaining, but I think the garbage stips helped alot. I also remember him and Skipper teaming up against Diamond & Swinger (I think, not sure though) in the match where Skipper turned heel and Truth hung Brown. That match was decent as well, but again, the tag stips helped conceal Brown's weaknesses. I think the fact that his recent matches have been missable is that he's been on the SQUASH diet for a while to be put over as a monster. I think the longest match he's had since he's come back was with BG James, and that is clearly not the right opponent to have a breakthrough match against. He's not terrible, he just could use some work to look more polished. And his finisher sucks the meat missle.

 

 

Laz, the problem with him then was how sloppy he was. Now that he's being booked as a monster I think that's improved alot, so I have turned 180 on my opinion of the guy. He needs to bust out teh Alpha Bomb again...

 

Yeah....like I said, I find him entertaining. I just haven't seen him have that solid match to look like a big time player, like say the Truth. I'm not talking about a ***** affair, but just a well worked big match such Truth/Jarrett I. I think maybe we'll see that this week. D'Lo could be the right opponent to bring that out of him. And he should definitely ditch the Pounce for the Alpha Bomb, IMO.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

And his finisher sucks the meat missle.

 

Couldn't have said it better.

 

Seriously that lame shoulder-block for a finisher KILLS this guy in my eyes. If he's a monster, give him a power move of some sort.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

It works with the gimmick though. Not saying I like it, but again, I like to show the other side of things.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

It works with the gimmick though.

 

Only if the gimmick happens to be, "Hey, I'm a guy who can't perform a real wrestling move."

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Why not have him do a quick and easy, yet seemingly devastating, move? I dunno, give him an Emerald Fusion, or something.