Flashback Reviews TNA Global Impact 2008

The yearly January 4th New Japan Tokyo Dome Show is biggest show that company runs all year. In 2008 New Japan and TNA reached a deal to do a company vs company show. Looking to do something different from it's normal TV tapings and PPV airing TNA convinced Spike to TV to do a special they called Global Impact. Although only the Kurt Angle vs Yuji Nagata for the IWGP 3rd Belt (I'll explain later) was shown on the special there was enough interest to do a full blown DVD of al the TNA vs New Japan matches. The special got rave reviews (I guess even the IWC can't help TNA when it works with Japan) and the DVD is one I really enjoyed. Also given TNA just announced a deal with Wrestle-1 witch will include a company vs company One Night Only PPV I figured why not look back at this. Just to note I am only reviewing the matches that were on the DVD TNA put out there other matches on that card how ever. Also I'm just doing the matches as included on the set or Pre Show matches post match press conferences and even a look at TNA start going around Japan.  Basically the interviews its a mix of being in Japan the guy's story and than a little pre-match hype. Post match again is mostly guys in gimmick. The look around Japan is interesting but nothing you have to see

Mike Tenay and Don West welcome us as the show gets under way. Mike goes over the history of the 1/4 comparing it to opening day for MLB. In a couple of nice touches while New Japan has only once entrance ramp they have a TNA side and New Japan side selling the idea of two team going against each other. Also Jeremy Borash is there to do the announcements in English. Finally I can't stress how cool a venue the Tokyo Dome is. I know in America we have done massive stadiums show but they just never have these same feeling as the ones in the Dome do. 

TNA Christian Cage, AJ Styles and Petey Williams vs New Japan Milano Collection AT, Minoru and Prince Devitt- AJ and Christian were allies at this time and Petey was just staring to do his Maple Leaf Muscle gimmick. AJ also had his TNA tag team title with him. Don and Mike put over the star power TNA has to start. The New Japan guys were all members of CTU stable. Milano has popped up in the US a few times even working the world X-Cup for TNA. Minoru has worked for TNA in a previous World X-Cup. Mike calls Devitt by his Fergel name he does put over Devitt have traveled all the way from Ireland to train in Japan. Devitt has really become one of the top guys in Japan since this show and the WWE is said to be offering him a deal as of writing this. Minoru and AJ start us off. AJ hits a drop kicks. Minoru goes for one but AJ holds back and Minoru hits the ground. Minoru whips AJ and this time connects with the kick. Tag to Petey and Milano. Milano locks Petey up in the ropes and hits the running hesitation drop kick to free him. Tag to Devitt Triple team series of moves but the New Japan stars. Cage comes in hitting a series of chops but Devitt with a perfect looking dropkick. Devitt than follows it up with a backwards bicycle kick an an airplane spin. in comedy Cage stumbles into the New Japan corner and pays for it. Petey with a hesitation dropkick on Devitt. Devitt catapult Cage in AJ and than rolls him up for two. The TNA team stomps on a Devitt  with the referee back turned.  Petey leaps but Devitt catches him and hits a gut buster. Petey with a rana over the top to the floor on Milano. Cage with a dive takes out Minuro. More comedy as the referee tries to stop Devitt from diving but he just uses him as a spring board and AJ takes everyone out the falls berry flop. Devitt fells the Canadian Destroyer. AJ hits the Styles class on Minoru for the win. Really fun match. everyone got a chance to look good. All the TNA guys hit there finishers witch I'm sure was cool for the New Japan fan. And you could really tell AJ, Petey and Christian were having a lot of fun working in front of such  large crowd. Devitt looked great here and it's not shocking he would go to do what he has done since. 

We get a preview of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title match. Problem is it's the video New Japan did some it's all it Japanese except for a few words. We see Wataru Inoue win the title and some highlights for both Inoue and Daniels. We get Daniels saying its time for him to capture some championship gold. I get why they wanted to keep video to keep the show intact but it's in another language it be like me doing the review in Japanese.

IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship 

New Japan Wataru Inoue © vs TNA Christopher Daniels- Don puts over Daniels success in Japan during his career. In storyline at this time Daniels was "fired" from TNA in reality he was doing his Curry Man gimmick.  Mike explains that had already singed the contract for this match before he was let go. Hey it beats what WWE would do witch is just ignore the stipulation. Don and Mike talk about how important winning the title could be for the fired Daniels. Daniels bullrushes Inoue into the corner and strikes him down and stomps him. Inoue responds and hits a big shoulder tackle. Slingshot plancha by Inouce to the floor series of chops by the champion but he misses and hits the pole. Daniels drives Inouce into the pole stomach first. Daniels works over the mid section with a few different gut busters. Daniels with some slaps but Inoue responds until he gets shut down with a knee by Daniels. Split legged moonsault by Daniels for two. Series of big chop but Inoue but Daniels again shuts him down with a thumb to the eyes. Big running forearm by Inoue. Bully to back Suplex by Inoue. Daniels hits the BME for two and than he goes for the Koji Clutch. Inouce rolls into a step over arm bar.  Daniels coiners into a pin. Another sires of roll up by each guy for two counts. Inoue counters the Angels Wings into a back body drop. Inoue with a cross legged brian buster for two. Another cross legged brain buster gets the win for Inoue. Good match but Inoue one used the knife edge chop. Also I don't like he doing a move he already got a two count with and than going right for it again for the win. Post match match we get Inoue getting presented with his belt and a trophy for his win. I always like this as it makes a title win an even bigger deal. We see Daniels walks off as Inoue holds his belt aloft. 

We got another video setting up for the Monster Abyss vs Manabu Nakanishi again its in Japanese but it's a nice video to highlight the two guys and even show New Japan fans the Abyss gimmick.

TNA Abyss vs New Japan Manabu Nakanishi- Don says Abyss is unlike anyone Japan has ever seen in that pain drives him on. Mike talks about guys that are similar to Abyss how ever I think it was more him trying to cover for Don. Mike mentions that Nakanishi was on the WCW roster at one point he also mentions his nickname is the Japanese Hercules. Colloid of bodies to start Nakanishi power Abyss back and some chops. But Abyss goes for a choke slam but Nakanis elbows out and sends Abyss to the floor. Abyss pulls Nakanishi to the floor and rams him into the ring pole and sends him into the guard rail. They fight up the ramp. Abyss power slams Nakanishi on the ramp. Abyss gets the bag of tacks and lays them on the ramp. Nakanishi escapes a power slam and bulldogs Abyss into the tacks.  Abyss escapes a Torture Rack and hits a choke slam for two. Nakanishi with a big spear and than a body slam and a release German Suplex. Than another German Suplex with a bridge it appears Abyss got his shoulder up but the ref still counts three. Good match different than what you see a lot in Japan. I assume they were setting up for a rematch with that finish. We see Abyss chase some of the photographers after the match. 

Video for the hardcore tag title match we see Team 3D. Team 3D cut a promo I don't know it seemed like New Japan was trying to point them as miscast heel with some of the editing they did. We also get the New Japan announcer say "This is Hardcore Match… Dead or Alive" 

Hardcore Match

New Japan Tagi Makabe and Taoru Yano with Hanma vs TNA Team 3D Brother Ray and Brother Devon- Don and Mike put over how similar the two team are how they are both used to hardcore matches. Kind of strange this would follow up the Abyss match where he did tack spot. 3D has TNA flags but Devon holds his upside down at first.  Makabe and Yano jump 3D before the bell. Double clothesline but that wakes 3D up. Stereo Suplexs . Big Splash on both men by Ray. Makabe and Devon exchange blow shoulder block by Makabe take Devon down. Tag to Ray and calls out Yano. Yano goes for a shoulder block but Ray no sells it but a spear takes Ray down.  Yano gets a trash can and takes out 3D. Spike Pile driver by Yano and Makabe takes out Devon. Yano gets the time keepers hammer and nails Ray. SoI guess all the TNA wresters that got nailed with a hammer by Aces and Eights have Yano to blame for planting the idea in Ray and Devon's head. Devon gets hit with a chain and than whipped into unpadded turnbuckle. Hot tag to Ray after a double clotheslines. Ray with a chair beats down the New Japan team. Devon hands Ray a ladder and its helicopter time and than he tosses it at Yano and Makabe. 3D sets up the table but Yano and Makabe recover and spear 3D. Sloppy atomic drop by Makabe. Makabe wraps a chain around his arm Lariat on Ray. Yano goes through the table thanks to a power power bomb. 3D on Makbe for the win. Match sucked at this stage Ray and Devon were both out of shape and just kind of costing on there star power. Even with the hardcore stuff I never really found this match all that exciting. 

We get clips of the Steiner Brother in New Japan over the years and even holding the IWGP Tag Team Titles. Than we get footage of than current champions Tomko and Giant Bernard. Another decent video if only I could understand what its saying. Jeff Jarrett is introduced. At this stage Jarrett was off TV still dealing with the death of his wife Jill. Jarrett's role here was as a witness on behave of TNA. Don puts over what a big moment this is for Jarrett since he the founder of TNA. Jarrett address the fans thanking them for coming and says after the two title matches they will know TNA is the greatest wrestling organization in the world. 

IWGP Tag Team Championship

New Japan Tomko and Giant Bernard © vs TNA The Steiner Brothers Rick and Scott- The Stenier's had reunited in TNA in 07. Mike puts over how much success the Steiners have had in Japan. Don calls Rick and Scott Global legends. Tomko was splitting his time with New Japan and TNA and was one half of the TNA tag team champions with AJ Styles. Tomko had his TNA belt with him as Mike talked about how awkward it was to have Tomko on both rosters. Don put over howe serious Tomko took his role as IWGP champion. Don tells us Tomko and Bernard are nearing a year as champions. What sad is Tomko was peaking at this point and the guy looked like he could do big things in TNA and New Japan and than he took an offer to return to WWE that failed and he never got going again. Sadly the guy has also had some drug issues. Bernard better known as A-Train, Albert or Tensi in the US has paint on his body to match Tomko's tattoos which for somer reason I really like kind of like guys wearing the same style gear. Scott is wearing his usual TNA gear while it looks like Rick is just in a T-shirt and sweat pants could he have at least  found an old singlet? Tomko and Scott start us off. Tomko no sells the clothesline and than catches Scott with a big boot. Over head belly to belly by Scott Steiner. Tag to Rick and Bernard. HIgh scope and a slam by Bernard. Power slam by Rick gets two. Tomko goes for a big move off the ropes but Scott plus the ropes down causing him to crash to the floor. We see there is a guitar on the table Jarrett is at and he didn't bring down with him for his entrance so I guess someone in New Japan likes to jam during down time at the matches. Belly to belly on Tomko by Scott but Bernard makes the save. Rick sloppy brings Tomko down in a cross face it looks like Tomko dropped to soon leaving Rick standing and having to drop. Snap slam by Tomko on Rick and tag to Bernard. Bernard with the Vader Bomb after a running corner splash.  Sidewalk slam by Tomko as Bernard hits an elbow on Rick. Scott with the Franken Steiner on Tomko. Its just a cool move to see Scott pull it off. Sloppy suplex by Scott drops Bernard on his face.  Steiner's hit the corner bull dog. Referee gets bumped. I think they were trying to have it be Rick landed on him but the guy was out of position so Rick had to get up and than fall into him again. On the outside Bernard shoves Jarrett I assume TNA edited something out to make Bernard look hellish while it was Jarrett that did something to start it in Japan. Set up for the top rope DDT by Bernards breaks it. Top rope clothesline by Scott. Jarrett comes in with the guitar but Yano runs in and takes the shot instead. Rick is on the top rope but Makabe pushes him off. Tomko and Bernard hit the Magic Killer for the win.  Not that good of a match there were some really sloppy spots and it way to slow at times. Also I get why New Japan would want to bring back the Steiner Brothers but Rick was all but retired until TNA brought him back to do a 3D vs Steiner feud and Scott would have good matches he also had some off days. Post match we see the award ceremony for Tomko and Bernard.

Since the Angle vs Nagata match aired on US TV we get a preview in English for it. The announcers says Nagata is looking to regain the title the defined his career while looks to hold onto both titles and his title of most dominate champion. Angle warns that if Nagata doesn't tap his ankle will go snap. Nagata says he respect Angle but he is not the True IWGP title. And he's was right! Ok its a long story but I do think I should explain it. See when Brock Lesnar's NFL career died a fast death he returned to Wrestling working for New Japan and won the IWGP title. Brock and New Japan had a falling out and Brock left with the belt. New Japan brought back an older version of the title and crowned a new champion. Than Antonio Inoki the founder of New Japan departed the company to start a new company called IGF.They worked out a deal and had Brock return to Japan and drop his IWGP belt to Kurt. And i know there is more but those are just the cliff notes.

IWGP Championship 

TNA Kurt Angle © vs New Japan Yuji Nagata- This was just the same match as shown on the Spike Special. It good because West and Tenay do a good calling it but has the bad because they kept in the commercial breaks and parts of the match were taken out. I am guessing there is some kind of rights issues but i wish we could just see the full match with any commentary added to help things out. Tenay puts over Nagata's career and the various big names that have wrestled in the Dome. Kurt was the TNA World Champion at this stage and has both belts with him. Mike also explains a little about the version of the IWGP tile Kurt has. Kurt jumps Nagata at the start. Over head belly to belly by Angle. Nagata fries right back with one of his own. Tenay puts over how similar the two men are even down the age and similar amateur credentials. Nagata with a drop toe hold and goes for a cross face but Angle gets the ropes. Angle takes out out Nagata's legs West and Tenay point out that sets up for the ankle lock and takes away Nagata's kicks. Kurt locks in the figure four. Nagata gets close to reversing the hold a couple of times but Kurt fight it back. Finally Nagata reaches the ropes. Angles goes for ti again but Nagata is able to kick Angle away and get him in an arm bar. Sadly this is where one of the breaks happens and when we come back Kurt is suplexing Nagata. Kurt goes for the legs but Nagata escapes and gets the cross face. Angles reverses into the ankle lock. Nagata with a reversal back into  a head lock Kurt tires to escape but it turns into a cross face. Angle rolls out Olympic Slam for two. Angle moonsault misses. Overhead belly to bell by Nagata off the tope rope gets two. Another cross face Tenay and West talk about Kurt's neck issues. Nagata turns it into the rings of Saturn and than rolls into a pin for two. Exchange of strikes. Kurt takes Nagata down with a clothesline. Nagata goes for a big kick but Kurt catches it and locks in the Ankle Lock Kurt drops down for the grapevine. Nagata finally taps out. Very good match the one break did damage it I wish TNA just could have keep the match complete on the DVD. Also it felt like Nagata over used the over head belly to belly and the cross face. But still a match between two legends. Post match Mike lists the great champions Kurt has already beat and talks about what a big win it is for Angle to come to New Japan and beat one of there top guys. We close with Kurt Angle  being handed his two championship belts and standing tall. We than get footage of Kurt meeting with the media.Kurt puts over how great Nagata is and puts over TNA as the best.

This show is still awesome. Yeah the two tag matches kind of lack but otherwise we get some really good matches and some matches we will never see again. Also it's a nice break the usual TNA fair. When ever WWE goes to Japan they just do a WWE show there the same show we could get from New York or LA. West and Tenay do a great job and you tell the level of respect they both have for Japan. It you want to see a fun show with some rare gems make it a point to track this down. And I can't wait to see what happens when TNA meets Wrestle-1.