Entering Sound Stage 20, it was obvious that TNA had made some small production and design changes, although the set still had the familiar “Impact” graphics and banners around the six-sided ring. Most of the seating was set up along the left side of ring, and a few people lined the ring all the way around — some seated, and some standing.
A post-theme park day didn’t dull the crowd at all, as Jeremy Borash was able to get some good pop for both the wrestlers and the company throughout the night as MC, especially with the news that some loudly-cheering fans would get to head backstage for a meet-and-greet with the talent!
This crowd may have been mostly first-timers, but they seemed to know wrestling, with various chants being shouted as JB was prepping them for the first match.
1. Drew Galloway beat Bram. Both wrestlers came out to some pop from the crowd, but it was obvious that the crowd was behind Drew Galloway—as “Drew” chants quickly filled the sound stage. Vaunted veteran referee Earl Hebner struggled to keep both men separated while they waited for the bell to be rung. Immediately after the “ding,” these guys wasted no time locking up, with Bram throwing a cheap right to get separation, allowing him to slip out of the ring…something he would do constantly in this match. Drew pursued Bram, hitting the ropes and diving into Bram outside of the ring so hard a barrier pushed back into the crowd, who only amped up their intensity for Drew Galloway. After more of Bram running out of the ring and some heavy right hands being traded, Galloway was able to keep Bram inside the squared circle long enough to deliver a big Running Kick and cover for pinfall. “Drew” chants rung out as Galloway made his way backstage.
2. Rockstar Spud beat Grado. Always ones to play to a crowd, Spud and Grado had pop from the beginning—and that pop only grew louder as Spud went for a suplex on the heavier Grado. During the attempt, it appeared that Spud went diggin’ for gold when his thumb accidentally slipped into Grado’s backside. Things really went crazy when Spud offered Grado a “sniff” of his smelly thumb! Grado would get things moving after a Spud kick spurred him on. Throwing his weight around, Grado enjoyed an advantage during most of the match, including a sweet pedigree, until he appeared to get a little winded after an extended version of a running elbow drop. (People’s Elbow…complete with a weak elbow pad toss). Spud was able to mount a little offense during Grado’s run, with a few nice drop kicks and finally broke through with a stunner and Underdog for the win. The crowd loved Rock Star Spud and gave him a nice sendoff backstage.
3. Awesome Kong beat Madison Rayne Clearly, this was a pro-Kong crowd, since there were big cheers and “Kong” chants as the always intimidating Awesome Kong claimed her territory in the ring. However, Madison Rayne fans were nearby, too, with a nice pop for her as well. Again, size was little match for speed and agility, as Rayne could not get any significant offense mounted against the constant pushing and tossing of the much bigger Awesome Kong. Body slams, powerbombs and finally a spinning backfist an Implant Buster laid out Madison Rayne for a pinfall.
4. Ethan Carter III (w/Tyrus) fought Austin Aries (w/Thea Trinidad) to a draw. A non-title matchup of two TNA favorites, this contest saw both competitors enter the arena to solid pop and mighty “Yes” chants. Austin Aires and EC3 lock up, with each man’s name being chanted as the he mounted offense. Getting himself some separation, the Champ slid outside of the ring and near to the protection of the ever-lurking Tyrus. That protection wouldn’t come as Aries slammed EC3 face first into the apron followed by 10 solid lefts to the temple. With Aires throwing Carter back into the ring amidst “EC3 sucks” and “No he doesn’t” chants ringing EC3 would mount some offense, including a choke hold that would last for over a minute and near fall on the breathless Aires. After some back and forth (and a little distraction from Tyrus and Thea along the way), the match would come up against the 15 minute time limit, being declared officially a draw. Wanting more from these two hard-working veterans, the crowd chanted “Let them fight,” which EC3 took as a distraction and tried to attack Aries, who would mount his own offense and plant Carter with a brainbuster. The crowd loved it, and showed appreciation to Aires and Thea in the ring after the match.
5. Bobby Roode beat James Storm. In this match-up of the two former Beer Money members, there was no doubt who had what role, heel or face. Storm entered to a unified chorus of “boo’s” while Bobby Roode received all sorts of pop, including the “Rooooooode” chant. The crowd did chant for Storm, too, though they were singing “Let’s go fatboy!” Storm seemed reluctant or defiant, and didn’t lock up right away, but would hit the outside of the ring after some trading hard slaps and chops with Roode. At one point, Storm turned and gave the audience a little “Suck it” signage before he ended up outside the ring and thrown into the steel steps by Roode. Back in the ring, Storm builds some great heat with an unseen low blow to Roode. Furthering capitalizing, Storm delivers some hard boots to the chest of Roode, followed by an elbow drop and cover for a two count. Roode and Storm would trade off some nice offense until Storm hit Roode with his rope while the referee was looking outside the ring. With the 15 minute bell looming, Storm would kick and cover but find that Roode countered with a great roll-up and 3 count! Big appreciation was shown to each man after the match.
6. Abyss over Eric Young. Abyss, who entered to a nice pop once his music and Titantron video hit the crowd, seemed to come out as a face—especially against Eric Young, who had the crowd seething from his first steps in the arena. Young would get more heat throughout the match with his threats and disregard for legendary referee Earl Hebner—at one point telling Hebner that he would “bust his head.” EY would put all his anger into the match, but the Monster Abyss seemed focused and open for business as he laid out Young with Samoan Drops and big Choke Slams. With every move Abyss delivered, the crowd popped like country kettle corn in a grease fire—especially when he looked under the ring apron, bringing out his beloved Janice. Not one for nonsense inside of his squared circle, Earl Hebner disarmed Abyss immediately, opening up Abyss for a low blow by Eric Young while Hebner was distracted. No matter, after a quick two cover by Young, Abyss was able to rise to a vertical base and delivered a ring-shaking tilt-a-whirl side slam and cover for the win. Of course, the crowd loved it and gave Abyss a raucous send-off.
7. Brooke beat Gail Kim. Amidst a slight turning over of the crowd, Knockouts Champion Brooke Tessmacher (who, like EC3 and Tigre Uno, entered minus her championship belt) took on Gail Kim in what was fairly even match until Brooke pinned Kim for what most in the crowd thought was a two count, but ended up a three count called and victory for Brooke. Brooke appeared to have sustained some injury to her right arm area and left the ring pretty quickly. It was not announced what, if any, injury had happened.
8. Matt Hardy beat Davey Richards. In a match featuring two guys who can really hit the ropes and don’t mind sacrificing themselves for the good of the crowd, both men got some good pop and solid hits to one another, both inside the ring, and out. “Hardy” chants would ring out any time Richards was able to mount offense, whether that be a big drop kick or a nasty suplex, to the obvious crowd favorite, Matt Hardy. These guys are no strangers to the middle or top ropes, and used them frequently during the match—though neither competitor was really able to get high-flying because the other one would yank him down before anything could happen. Hardy was able to counter Richards and deliver a finishing Twist of Fate for the win.
9. Kenny King beat Aiden O’Shea. O’Shea is Jay Bradley. With O’Shea coming out in his Irish-brawler heel gimmick, the crowd could get behind Kenny King as a face—who won handily with a Springboard Blockbuster.
10. DJ Z. beat Tigre Uno. With solid crowd heat from start to finish, DJ Z was able to get a pinfall victory over the X-Division Champion Tigre Uno.
11. Tyrus beat Chris Melendez. Sgt. Chris Melendez would bring offense-a-plenty in this match against ECIII stooge, Tyrus. Melendez just would not quit amidst a flurry of big elbow drops from Tyrus, mustering the strength for a roll-up and two count at one point. However, dirty play from Tyrus and a solidly connecting right hand laid out Sarge and gave Tyrus a much-booed victory. Melendez would leave the ring to a roar of applause and loud “USA” chants.
Eli Drake delivered a promo and let the crowd know that he’s the “greatest TNA wrestler of all time” by simply “stepping through the door.” That got him some good heat from the crowd, which only carried into the match…especially after he bagged on former Rising members Drew Galloway and Micah, saying that Micah “didn’t have the guts to step up on his own.” Clearly, Micah took exception.
11. Micah beat Eli Drake. The match would see both wrestlers counted out in a double-count out, but not before Eli Drake generated a good bit of heat with his attacks on Micah and his almost taking out of a TNA cameraman, who himself looked ready to fight the former Faction member. Micah wasn’t satisfied with the results and called for chants of “five more minutes” from the crowd. Those wishes were granted by the always lovely Christie Hemme and the match re-started. Micah took advantage of the extra time and pinned Drake for a win.
12. Robbie E defeated Eddie Edwards. Robbie won with a Reverse DDT in a hard hitting and high-flying singles match.
13. Jessie Godderz defeated Crimson. Godderz won via submission with the Adonis Crab.
14. Manik beat Mandrews. Manik won via Detonation Kick.
15. Mahabali Shera over Crazzy Steve. Shera won with a Sky High.
Gail Kim protested the earlier suspect three count and was granted a re-start to the prior match. Brooke would roll-up Kim for a pinfall, though it was obvious Brooke was still favoring the right wrist or arm area.
16. Drew Galloway beat Grado. Despite Galloway’s early attempts at provoking Grado to anger, the chubby Scot seemed perfectly content to trade blows and compliment Galloway after each one. Finally growing weary and looking for a good answer, Galloway delivered a belly-to-belly suplex to Grado and begged him for some anger. Grado did finally oblige, mounting some solid offense until a big running boot to the face from Galloway shut it down for good and allowed for a Galloway victory via pinfall.
Eric Young jumped on the stick to cut a promo letting the audience know he is a “world class professional” and that he would win the whole tournament no matter who they sent out to him. The crowd responded by letting him know that he surely is a world class…ASS!! As Young was yammering on about winning, Bobby Roode’s music hit and the place lit up with pop for Roode.
17. Eric Young beat Bobby Roode. Roode was able to come down a shut EY up for a few minutes with some huge right hands, one finally sending Young to the mat. With the crowd behind him, Roode was able to land a nice spinebuster after Young recovered from the right crosses. Just as it seemed Roode had it all wrapped up and was set to deliver a top rope blockbuster, Eric Young grabbed referee Earl Hebner and pulled him in the way. This provided all the distraction needed for Young to hit a thunderous piledriver and steal a victory. “Boo’s” would accompany EY to the showers.
18. Bram defeated Rockstar Spud with an Implant DDT. Bram then took a mic and asked for the bell to be rung again so he could beat Rock Star Spud another time.
19. Rockstar Spud beat Bram. Spud won with an Underdog. Since the match did count towards the upcoming tournament, Rockstar Spud was declared a winner and advances to the finals. Spud then proclaims that the “underdog will win” to a nice cheer from the audience.
20. Lashley defeated Mr. Anderson. These two Impact heavyweights shook the building from before the bell even rang. Mr. Anderson’s entrance always gets great crowd participation as does Lashley’s hard-driving music. Seismic noise would continue as these big boys shook the six-sided ring with every step. Anderson and Lashley held back no intensity, delivering big, solid movements. Lashley would immediately shoot for, and get a takedown on Mr. Anderson, which would end up in both men rising to vertical base before Lashley delivered a nice belly-to-belly suplex. Trying to capitalize while Anderson was recovering, Lashley jumped for Spear and was met with a quick-moving Anderson and a bare steel ring post. Anderson would get a two count. Anderson would then mount his own brand of offense, getting in some big shoulder strikes and a drop kick to take down Lashley. A back and forth would continue until Mr. Anderson saw an opportunity on an ailing Lashley, who had just kicked out at two. Anderson measured up Lashley and went for the charge, but Lashley got his tonnage moving and crashed into the unguarded mid-section of Anderson, laying him out like a side walk drunk after closing time. As the crowd exploded, Lashley covered for a victory as the show went to close.
No comments:
Post a Comment