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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 4-14-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- CRIMSON (w/Scott Steiner) vs. JESSE NEAL (w/Shannon Moore) vs. DOUG WILLIAMS (w/Magnus) vs. ORLANDO JORDAN (w/Eric Young)
Taz said it's like a captain's match previewing the four-team match at Lockdown. He tried to promote an actual tag team rankings, with the winning team supposedly having a chance to move up said rankings with a win at Lockdown. There was more action on the outside early on with Steiner stalking Shannon Moore, who has antagonized Steiner recently. Shannon kept flexing in Steiner's face, then Neal tried to wave off Shannon's antics. Steiner eventually rammed Shannon into the guardrail and Neal gave chase. Crimson then went looking for Steiner and Abyss randomly showed up to clothesline Crimson. On the other side of the ring, Young and Magnus were doing a dance move or something. The camera caught it mid-action, so it looked completely out of place. Abyss then removed a portion of the guardrail and chokeslammed Crimson onto the guardrail.
In the ring, Jordan and Williams battled, then EY randomly entered the ring and tried to suplex the referee. Jordan then dropped Williams with the Gender Bender - a spinning facebuster - for the win. Taz noted there were a lot of moving parts, which is code for it was horribly over-booked. Medics quickly checked on Crimson and they quickly cut away.
WINNER: Jordan at 4:28. What a mess to start the in-ring portion of the Lockdown lead-in show. How is that first match action out of the chute going to inspire anyone to order a PPV in three days?
2 -- X Division champion KAZARIAN (w/Fortune) vs. MATT HARDY (w/Immortal) -- non-title match
Kazarian scored an early nearfall with a surprise crucifix pin right after the bell sounded, then Hardy regrouped and went to work on Kazarian. Hardy focused on Kazarian's neck as Tenay noted it will be Storm vs. Abyss later tonight and Ric Flair will be wrestling if a third match is needed. Yes, they barely slipped in an ad for Flair possibly wrestling on this show. By TNA's attempted booking logic, if The Network wants ratings, wouldn't they promote the heck out of Flair possibly wrestling and book Flair in match #1 or #2 to ensure he wrestles tonight?
In any event, Kazarian made a comeback and went for his inverted piledriver, but Hardy rolled through. Kazarian came back with a springboard missile dropkick and made a cover, but Hardy got his foot on the bottom rope. Hardy then crawled to his feet and ate a boot to the face. Hardy sold the heck out of it, suckering Hebner in to help bump Kazarian from the top rope. Hardy then applied the...Ice Pick...a neck-vice submission hold that forced Kaz to tap out, giving Hardy the win.
WINNER: Hardy via submission at 5:10. Fine match with Hardy working the neck throughout the match setting up his submission finisher. (*1/2)
3 -- SAMOA JOE & MATT MORGAN & KURT ANGLE vs. JEFF JARRETT (w/Karen Jarrett) & HERNANDEZ (w/Mexican America) & "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO
Jarrett feigned starting the match off with Angle and danced around the ring a bit before quickly tagging out to Hernandez. Jarrett quickly slipped to the outside and Jarrett pointed to his head to show how smart he is, then they cut to an early break.
Back from break, Pope landed right hand jabs to Morgan's mid-section, but Morgan came back with his trademark rapid-fire elbows in the corner. Morgan missed with a big boot in the corner when Pope moved, so the heels went right to work on Morgan's left knee. Hernandez cockily tagged in and went to work on his injured opponent at Lockdown, but Morgan came back with a big discus clothesline. Angle then took a tag and ran right into Hernandez's boot, but Angle responded with a cat-like leap up top for an overhead toss. Angle sold the effects more than Hernandez did, then Angle tagged in Joe as Jarrett tagged in for Hernandez. Joe tried to submit Jarrett, but the action broke down. Bodies started flying, then Jarrett took off running to the back. Angle, hunched over, chased Jarrett to the back. In the ring, Joe tried the rear naked choke on Hernandez, but Pope came off the top with an elbow smash. A gimmick was introduced, which took the ref's eyes off the ball. Pope then smashed Joe with the knucks and made the cover for the win.
Post-match: MexAm put the boots to Morgan before rolling Morgan back into the ring. Hernandez then landed a pulled punch to the forehead that put Morgan out cold next to Joe in the ring. MexAm and The Pope stood over their Lockdown opponents confident with their work this week.
WINNERS: Team Pope at 9:28. Fine for setting up three matches at Lockdown in one match, but not well-paced moving right along to the Hogan Show rather than letting the events sink in. (*1/4)
4 -- ABYSS vs. TNA tag champion JAMES STORM
Tenay plugged the Angle vs. Jarrett match at Lockdown with the new stipulation of a best-of-three falls match via pin, submission, and escape. Early on, Abyss wanted a charging corner splash, but Storm waited for the hourglass to expire before moving out of the way. Tenay advertised match three of the series was still to come tonight. He was cut off mid-sentence before he could add the qualifier that only if Storm won this one. Storm landed a backstabber on Abyss for a nearfall, then wanted a superkick, but Abyss countered with a Black Hole Slam for the win.
Post-match: Bully Ray led Immortal to the ring to celebrate Abyss's victory, giving them the man advantage at Lockdown. Taz noted Flair wasn't even dressed to wrestle. Immortal teased a post-match attack on Storm before Fortune stormed the ring to save Storm.
WINNER: Abyss at 3:45. TNA picks the oddest times to have rare clean finishes on TV, as their X Division champ and one-half of the tag champions were both pinned clean on the same show. For the Lockdown, the heels are supposed to cheat to get the man advantage. Now, the babyfaces just look like chumps. Skipping ahead, at least there was follow-up from Beer Money at the very end of the show vowing revenge on Immortal, which was a nice recovery touch. (*)
5a -- MR. ANDERSON vs. MURPHY
Anderson finished off Murphy rather easily with the Mic Check.
WINNER: Anderson at 1:27.
5b -- MR. ANDERSON vs. ROB TERRY
No rest period for Anderson here as Terry hit the ring and nearly walked into a small package for a pin, but Terry kicked out in time. Anderson then ducked a clothesline and hit the Mic Check.
WINNER: Anderson at 3:23.
5c -- MR. ANDERSON vs. TV champion GUNNER -- non-title match
Bully Ray sent Gunner to the ring and Gunner focused on Anderson's injured knee and leg. Gunner is just too over-the-top with his intensity to be taken seriously. Anderson fought out of the corner with a series of clotheslines before executing a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Ray paced nervously on-stage as Anderson avoided a corner splash. Anderson then hit the Mic Check again for a pin.
WINNER: Anderson at 5:14. That makes three champions taking clean losses on this week's show.
5d -- MR. ANDERSON vs. BULLY RAY
Ray slowly made his way to the ring as Anderson sold on the mat. Ray shouted down at Anderson to get up and fight him. Ray landed repeated elbow smashes "with all the weight behind it," as Tenay put it. Ray then hung Anderson upside-down in the corner and pounded on Anderson's knee. Taz wondered what condition Anderson will be in at Lockdown. Taz heeled on Anderson for disrespecting Immortal and questioning their authority. Shouldn't there be a pro-babyface talking point advocating Anderson standing up to authority figures who abuse their power and try to put people in compromising positions for their own gain? Anderson scored a desperation nearfall after a rolling gutbuster, then both men slowly made it back to their feet.
Rey knocked Anderson to the floor, then cracked the ref over the head. Ray dragged Anderson up the stage looking for the powerbomb ala A.J. Styles, but Hogan's music interrupted. Hogan wanted the honors here. Hogan took off the backbrace, then set up Anderson for a powerbomb off the stage, but Sting snuck up behind Hogan. Abyss came out, but Sting smashed him with a baseball bat. Sting and Ray then came face-to-face and Sting jabbed him in the gut. Sting then stood over Anderson and his music played. Anderson begged off as Taz tried to save the Lockdown main event sales pitch by introducing RVD into the equation, wondering what he must thinking right now.
WINNER: No Finish at 13:08 when they cut to break.
Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 4-15-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 – EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Jackson was already in the ring, with the rest of Corre on commentary. That’s a bit of overkill. Corre teased dissension almost immediately. Jackson powered Kingston down, but Kofi came back with some kicks to the body. He went to jump on Jackson in the corner, but Zeke pushed him off. Springboard forearm by Kingston, followed by a dropkick. Jackson was sent to ringside, then Kingston dropkicked him through the middle rope. Jackson pushed Kofi into the side of the ring, then press slammed Kofi right into the rest of Corre at the announce table. Back in the ring, Kofi caught Jackson and was about to finish him off when Barrett tried to get involved, though it wasn’t clear if he was trying to go after Jackson or not. That distraction led Jackson to hit Kingston with the uranage for the win.
WINNER: Jackson, at 2:23. So much for building up some mid-card babyfaces to fill in for Edge’s loss. And why have Josh Mathews call out Heath Slater for his grammar on commentary? The announcers should be putting the wrestlers over, not making them look like fools.
2 – REY MYSTERIO vs. DREW MCINTYRE
Cole said McIntyre is upset at having been left off the Wrestlemania card. Yeah, he and the rest of the locker room that wasn’t on the show, I’m sure. McIntyre slowed Rey down with a scoop slam for a near-fall. He stepped on Rey’s head as Rey was set up under the bottom rope. Hard whip into the buckle by Drew. Mac paused before hitting a side slam, allowing Rey to come back. Dropkick by Rey, followed by a baseball slide on the outside. McIntyre caught Mysterio as Rey tried to do a headscissors at ringside, and Mac slammed Rey head-first into the barricade. They went to break at 2:50 of the match.
Back to action at the 6:17 mark. Mysterio fought out of a rest-hold, then ushered McIntyre through the middle rope and out of the ring as McIntyre had him in a rear waist-lock. Rey caught Mac trying to come back in and gave him a legdrop with McIntyre draped over the middle rope. Mysterio ran the ropes and ended up being caught in a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker for two. Hard shots to the chest of Mysterio. Another rest-hold at 8:26 of the contest, but it was a quick one. McIntyre rammed his shoulder into Rey’s gut in the corner, but missed a second time and caught all ring post. To the top went Rey, and he dropped the dime on McIntyre. Headscissors take-over then a springboard cross-body for two. Sunset flip by McIntyre, but Rey flipped out and ran right into a big boot for a near-fall. Booker called him out for a lax cover. Rey came off the top and DDT’d McIntyre. He made the cover, but McIntyre got his foot on the rope to break it up. Big clothesline almost took Rey’s head off. And it was done in the kneeling position by Drew. Short clothesline attempt, but Rey flipped around Drew’s back and set up the 619. It connected, as did his splash off the top rope for the win.
WINNER: Mysterio, at 12:17. Above-average TV match. They were really playing up how McIntyre had his chances to win, but was taking too much time.
3 – KELLY KELLY vs. LAYLA
McCool walked to the ring ahead of Layla. She joined in on commentary when the match began. Layla was on offense to start but Kelly came back with a Thesz Press. Kick to the knee by Layla, but Kelly came back and choked Layla in the ropes with her legs. She pulled Layla out of the ring, with Layla landing face-first on the ringside mat. More fighting at ringside and Kelly pushed Layla into the Cole Mine. Layla stared at McCool, and Kelly gave Layla the face-buster on the outside. As Layla was on her way to being counted out, McCool aggressively grabbed Layla and threw her into the ring. Kelly rolled her up for the win.
WINNER: Kelly, at 2:03.
After the match, McCool confronted Layla in the ring. Layla tried to talk to Michelle, but Michelle was having none of it. Layla grabbed McCool’s hand, but McCool pulled it away and shoved Layla down. Then she left the ring. Hate to see the two break up, but at least they’re making the right one the babyface.
4 – 20-MAN BATTLE ROYAL TO DETERMINE ALBERTO DEL RIO’S OPPONENT AT EXTREME RULES
JTG was eliminated at 16 seconds, by Big Show. Trent Barreta tried to toss Show, but he ended up getting thrown out at :37. Wade Barrett was working over Yoshi Tatsu. Isn’t Tatsu on Raw? Heath Slater almost out, but he held onto the apron. Show punched him out at 1:13, then charged at Zeke Jackson. Both he and Big Show went out at 1:23 on a clothesline by Show. Chavo Guerrero darted around the apron, avoiding contact, as they went to break at about 2:30.
They returned to action at six minutes exactly. Doesn’t look like anyone else has been eliminated. Rhodes and Mysterio were going at it in the corner, and Chris Masters almost pushed him out as Rhodes perched himself on the top rope. Kane and Kingston teamed up to try to get Barrett out. Tyler Reks bodyslammed Justin Gabriel in the middle of the ring. Cole was cheering for Swagger. Springboard dropkick sent Rhodes out via Mysterio at 7:38. Curt Hawkins went out at 7:49 when Mysterio headscissored him out. Brodus Clay ran over Drew McIntyre, who was on the apron, at 8:14. Chavo jumped on Clay’s back and Clay dumped him at 8:29. Kane and Clay faced off and Kane gave him an uppercut. He went for a chokeslam, which drew a pop from the fans, but Kane couldn’t hit it. Clay couldn’t slam Kane, and Kane tossed him at 9:24, much to the chagrin of Alberto Del Rio. They went to break again at 9:40 of the match.
Kingston skinned the cat just as they returned from break, and grabbed Barrett between his legs. Barrett kicked Kingston in the chest to eliminate him at 13:40. Masters and Reks rekindled their Superstars feud. They haven’t yet focused on Christian, and I was beginning to wonder if he was even in the match. Christian dumped Reks to the apron and brought him down throat-first on the top rope to send him home at 14:46. Christian tossed out Tatsu at 15:05. Kane started hitting anything that moved, and he grabbed Gabriel and Barrett by the throat. They broke free and double clotheslined Kane out at 15:44. Masters was booted out by Barrett at 16:24, then Gabriel came from behind and tossed Barrett at 16:26. Down to four with Swagger, Mysterio, Gabriel and Christian. Rey paired off with Gabriel and Christian with Swagger. Standing heel kick by Gabriel on Rey, but Rey threw Gabriel into 619 position. Gabriel fought his way out but Rey hurricanrana’d Gabriel out at 17:57. I think he’s contractually obligated to do that once per battle royal. Swagger tried to throw Rey out, but Rey held on. To the top rope he went, and he positioned Swagger for the 619. Cole ran up and protected Swagger from the 619. Swagger then eliminated Rey at 19:04. Down to Swagger and Christian. Swagger tried a Swagger bomb, but Christian grabbed him and tried to toss him. He couldn’t and Swagger ended up on the advantage. Christian and Swagger fought on the apron just after the 20:00 mark. Swagger locked on the ankle-lock there and both men came back into the ring. Christian flipped out of it, but Swagger put Christian on his shoulders. Christian failed to throw Swagger out and Christian held onto the top rope on Swagger’s toss. Christian fought with him and Del Rio came from the announce table and tried to pull Christian’s foot off the apron. Swagger charged and Christian low-bridged him, giving him the win.
WINNER: Christian, at 22:18. Pretty solid for a battle royal.
Edge came out to congratulate Christian, hugging him in the middle of the ring. Del Rio stood on the announce table, pointing at the title as Christian and Edge looked on from the ring. Edge raised Christian’s arm as the show ended.
Arcademan:
TNA Lockdown PPV Results: 4-17-11 (next three posts!)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).
1 -- ULTIMATE XSCAPE MATCH -- #1 contender match
To recap, it's an eight-man bout with Max Buck vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Chris Sabin vs. Suicide vs. Robbie E. vs. Jay Lethal vs. Amazing Red vs. Brian Kendrick. Robbie eliminated Suicide with a random move at 2:46. The crowd lightly booed this development. Tenay noted Alex Shelley was scheduled for this match, but he couldn't get doctor's clearance for his shoulder issues. Red then eliminated Lethal at 4:55 with his Code Red finisher. Sabin followed a massive clothesline on Red for the next elimination at 5:50. Next, Max Buck eliminated Sabin with a top-rope maneuver at 7:20. The crowd was completely indifferent.
Brian Kendrick entered after sitting in the corner rocking back and forth for the first seven minutes. The Buck brothers then battled a bit. Younger brother Jeremy showed some fire before Max rolled him with a small package for the next fall at 9:42. Kendrick fought against the remaining heels, Max and Robbie. Kendrick then dropped Robbie with a kick to pin him at 11:29.
So, now it's escape the cage between Kendrick and Max. Kendrick kept yanking Max down as Max tried to escape, then the two ended up battling on the top turnbuckle. Kendrick knocked Max off the top, then began to climb out, but Max shoved the ref into the cage and Kendrick kind of fell to the mat. Max took advantage by quickly climbing over the top of the cage and dropping to the floor to win. It's Kazarian vs. Max in the next X Title match.
WINNER: Max Buck at 13:33. The falls were just so ridiculous like a multiple-falls Cruiserweight-style match from the mid-2000s Smackdown era. The crowd had no idea who these interchangeable men were, so they sat on their hands for the most part. There was some interest in Kendrick as the underdog babyface, but that was about it. (*)
2 -- SCOTT STEINER & CRIMSON vs. BRITISH INVASION (DOUG WILLIAMS & MAGNUS) vs. INK, INC. (JESSE NEAL & SHANNON MOORE) vs. ERIC YOUNG & ORLANDO JORDAN
The bell sounded and EY teased climbing the cage before settling for just bouncing up and down on the top rope. Suddenly, Young and Neal had a wrestling exchange. Neal came up laughing and smiling since winning and losing isn't that important. Shannon took exception to Neal's laughter and tagged himself in to serious-it-up. The commentary made sure the match didn't stay serious with some puns related to BI and OJ. The crowd briefly chanted for Steiner as BI worked over Neal. Steiner eventually tagged in to work on Williams and Magnus. Signature moves by Steiner before Steiner and Magnus did a bit of a square dance trying to set up a corner move.
Bodies started flying before Shannon tagged himself in and mocked Steiner's signature bits. Steiner completely ignored him and kept working on Williams. Shannon repeated the bit went to work on Williams. Young then dropped his shorts to reveal "team unity" leopard-print trunks. Flashbacks to Flyin' Brian in Cincinnati and Taz dropped a Bengals reference. More helter-skelter action before Young easily climbed up, then over the cage. Meanwhile, Moore hit the Mooregasm on a member of the British Invasion for the pin.
WINNERS: Ink, Inc. at 8:51. So much unintentional comedy and little substance here. It was just all over the place. Two poorly-booked matches to start the PPV. (1/2*)
3 -- Knockouts champion MADISON RAYNE vs. MICKIE JAMES -- Knockouts Title match -- Mickie's hair on the line
Madison brought a hair kit to the ring for the potential haircut to follow the match. After Madison delayed the start for a long time, Mickie took it right to Madison and dropped her with a swinging DDT for a quick pin in 40 seconds.
WINNER: Mickie at 0:36 to capture the Knockouts Title.
4 -- SAMOA JOE vs. "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO
Pope tried to dance around the cage to avoid locking up with Joe to start the match. It worked for the first minute before Joe landed strikes, jabs, and kicks. Pope then begged off in the corner before suckering Joe in to take control. Pope tried climbing out of the cage, but Joe rammed him head-first into the side of the cage. Pope did a comedy self-crotch across the top rope to sell the force behind Joe's offense. Joe tried to follow with a running boot in the corner, but the ref was randomly standing in front of Pope, causing Joe to put on the brakes. Pope then kicked Joe in the gut to re-take control.
Joe came back with a snap suplex, then the two men came to their feet and traded bombs. Joe landed signature offense for a two count before attempting and connecting with the Muscle Buster out of the corner. Joe made a cover, but Pope got his foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin. Pope tried to climb out, but Joe grabbed Pope's trunks for a full-moon shot that got a cheap reaction. Taz didn't know what to say, so Tenay said it for him that it's not Orlando Jordan up there. Pope scored with offense, then went for the DDE in the corner, but Joe rammed Pope back-first into the side of the cage. Joe went back to the Muscle Buster and connected center ring. Joe then applied the rear naked choke and that was it.
WINNER: Joe via submission at 10:25. Decent-to-good match trying to get this PPV on-track after an awful first hour. Hopefully this means the end of the Joe-Pope feud once and for all. (**)
5 -- MATT MORGAN vs. HERNANDEZ (w/Mexican America)
The two big men didn't waste any time trading right hand bombs to start the match. Morgan followed with trademark elbow smashes out of the corner before landing a sidewalk slam for a two count. Morgan went for a corner attack, but Anarquia grabbed Morgan's foot from the outside through the camera hole. Hernandez took advantage with a corner splash to begin working on Morgan. There was a "Morgan, Morgan" chant leading to a teased comeback before Hernandez landed a big shoulder tackle that sent Morgan flying across the ring. Hernandez choked Morgan with a towel before shoving a boot to Morgan's throat.
Hernandez played to the crowd for a while as Morgan sold face-down on the mat. Hernandez acted cocky one second too long and walked into a big desperation clothesline from Morgan. Morgan then started feeling the power and came to his feet to deliver right hand blows. Morgan got the crowd into his comeback pointing to the cage and sending Hernandez face-first into the wall two times. Hernandez then responded with a big shoulder tackle for a nearfall. Morgan made another comeback and MA teased climbing into the cage, but Morgan shoved Anarquia off the cage wall. Hernandez then tried to come off the top, but Morgan blasted Hernandez with a mid-air Carbon Footprint. The announcers were wowed, then Morgan made a cover on Hernandez for the win. Post-match: Morgan celebrated on top of the cage before doing the belt-around-the-waist motion to indicate he wants the gold.
WINNER: Morgan at 8:13. Good singles match giving Morgan the presumed final victory over Hernandez in their series and setting up Morgan's re-inclusion in the title picture. (**)
Arcademan:
6 -- KURT ANGLE vs. JEFF JARRETT -- Ultra Male Rules two-out-of-three falls match
Before the match started, Karen was given the boot by ref Brian Hebner. Karen refused to leave as Jeff protested. Karen finally walked out as Jeff tried to re-focus before entering the cage. The bell sounded and Tenay noted the first fall will be decided by submission, the second by pinfall, and the potential third by escaping the cage. Angle applied a figure-four and lay on his back, and for some reason, the referee counted nearfalls. The announcers were dumbfounded trying to explain this one since the first fall is submission only. Moments later, Tenay covered for Hebner's error. Angle and Jarrett traded submission holds, then Angle slapped on the anklelock for a tap out at 4:54. Another way-too-early fall, but it could be explained by Jarrett trying to save himself for the final two falls by tapping out early.
***Angle 1, Jarrett 0***
Now for the pinfall-only second fall. Jarrett scored a very close nearfall early in the fall, then went to work on Angle before they had a double knock-down. "Angle, Angle" chant before Angle scored with a belly-to-belly suplex. Angle made a cover and Jarrett did his energy-conserving roll-the-shoulder to escape a three count. Jarrett then scored with a desperation mule kick out of the ref's line of vision, giving Jeff an opening. Jeff tried the Stroke, but Angle countered with a super-spinning Angle Slam for a close two count.
Angle then stumbled trying to climb up top for a super belly-to-belly suplex before executing the move and crunching Jarrett's face on the way down. Angle made a cover for a nearfall, then scored with a Diamond Cutter for a nearfall. Somewhere, DDP is firing up Twitter to note Angle stole his move. Greg Parks checked in that it looked like an RKO, which would be a "receipt" on WrestleMania. Moments later, Jarrett rolled up Angle with a small package and hooked the tights for the second fall at 11:27.
***Jarrett 1, Angle 1***
For the final fall, it's escape the cage. Jarrett tried to unlock the cage while fighting off Angle before successfully unlocking the door. Angle then snuck up behind Jarrett to deliver multiple German Suplexes. Jarrett was down and out, then Angle went to leave the cage. Angle was on the steps ready to leave, but decided to re-enter the cage for more punishment on Jarrett. Angle locked the cage door before putting the key down his trunks. The crowd chanted for blood and, on cue, Jarrett came up bleeding from the forehead.
Angle asked Jarrett if he wanted some more, then Jarrett tried to climb out before Angle landed right hand blows to the forehead. Both men stood on the top turnbuckle before both men crashed to the mat simultaneously. The announcers "went there" with Angle's history of neck issues. They went to a replay to show Angle nearly breaking his neck attempting a huracanrana. Angle suddenly came to life and dropped Jarrett off the top with a big Angle Slam to get the fist truly big reaction of the night. Angle decided he had enough and went to leave the cage door, but it was locked.
Angle then tried to climb over the top of the cage as Gunner came running down to ringside to swing a chair toward Angle. Angle then regrouped and perched himself on the top of the cage. The camera completely missed it as Angle went for a moonsault from the top of the cage and crashed onto Jarrett. The ref immediately checked on Angle, who sold on the mat. Steiner then came running down to yank the chair away from Gunner, who ran off. Angle went to leave through the cage door, but Karen came running down to ringside to spray something in Kurt's eyes. Ref Hebner didn't see it, but then saw Karen ringside. He was apparently now okay with Karen ringside. Kurt, blinded, then popped the ref in the face.
Jeff tried to leave through the door, but Kurt dragged him back to center ring. Karen slipped Jeff a guitar to bash over Kurt's head, though. Jeff then tried to leave, but Kurt grabbed him around the ankle again. Karen grabbed a hold of Jeff, then she slammed the cage door across Kurt's face, sending Kurt reeling across the ring. Jeff then fell out of the cage and the ref awarded Jeff the win. Post-match: Karen helped Jeff crawl across the entrance ramp as Kurt held his head selling the agony of defeat.
WINNER: Jarrett 2-1 at 22:37. The first match to get a really strong emotional investment from the crowd during that final fall, so credit Jeff and Kurt in that area. It was over-booked in classic Jeff Jarrett big match fashion and the referee incompetence was on display, as expected. This was also a scary match with Angle doing the top-of-the-cage moonsault spot. Oh, and the top-rope huracanrana botch. The risks far outweighed the benefits. At some point, TNA has to consider pulling Angle out of the ring before he kills himself. (***)
7 -- TNA World Hvt. champion STING vs. ROB VAN DAM vs. MR. ANDERSON -- Three-way TNA World Title match
The bell sounded and Anderson got in Sting's face to tell him the title belt is coming home. RVD then popped Anderson, who popcorned back and forth between right hand blows from RVD and Sting. Sting then smashed Anderson with a Stinger Splash and slapped on the Scorpion Deathlock. RVD broke it up with a spin kick to cut off Sting's early offense. Moments later, Sting caught both men flat on their backs center-ring and applied a double Scorpion. It got an initial reaction, then Sting maintained the hold for a while and then it just looked weird. After that sequence, Anderson came to life and landed a double Mic Check. Sting, then RVD kicked out in time. After another sequence, all three men found themselves on the mat.
Suddenly, Hulk Hogan's music hit at 6:15. Hogan slowly marched to the ring with some sort of object over his shoulder. They cut to a shot of Hogan's family ringside. Hogan banged on the cage door, then tried to hand a pipe to RVD, who grabbed it after some reluctance. "Knock him out, brother!" Hogan said. RVD then threw the pipe into the cage door, so Anderson grabbed it and smashed it over RVD's back. Anderson flipped off Hogan and said that was for himself. Anderson forgot about Sting, who grappled Anderson to deliver the Scorpion Deathdrop. It was good for the win.
WINNER: Sting at 7:55. Weak for a top title match, but at least they slotted it in the semi-main event rather than having back-to-back weak PPV main event title matches. (*1/2)
Arcademan:
8 -- IMMORTAL (RIC FLAIR & ABYSS & MATT HARDY & BULLY RAY) vs. FORTUNE (DANIELS & X Division champion KAZARIAN & TNA tag champions BEER MONEY) -- Lethal Lockdown match
Three-minute session to start between Abyss and Kazarian. Abyss tried to rearrange Kaz's face as Immortal shouted encouragement from the outside. Kaz took control just before 3:00 expired, which should have led to Immortal re-taking control with Hardy's entry. Well, in theory, as Kaz easily thwarted Hardy's entry and landed high-impact offense as Abyss recovered in the corner. Abyss eventually came to life and helped Hardy take the numbers advantage. Hardy slapped on the Ice Pick and Kaz faded out. Hardy eventually just released the hold since there aren't any falls in this portion of the match.
At 5:00, Daniels entered the cage to even up the match. Fortune wore down Abyss and Hardy with double-team offense before the next two minutes expired to bring in Ric Flair to a babyface reaction since the crowd just wanted to see Flair. Flair, in a black wifebeater tanktop and black dress pants, went to work on the faces with chops and low blows. Flair then thrust in Storm's face as Storm just stood there on the outside of the cage.
After another two minutes expired, Storm took a swig of beer and entered the cage. Flair begged off as Storm continued to finish his beer. Storm then bashed the gimmicked bottle over Flair's forehead. The camera followed Flair to the mat as Flair pulled out a blade and gigged himself. They cut away just before Flair swiped his forehead. Flair came up bleeding moments later and Fortune lit up Flair, whose shirt was ripped off, pants were torn, and rear end was exposed. The heels, with Bully Ray in the match, worked over Fortune before the final two minutes expired to bring in Robert Roode.
With all four men in the cage at 13:00, the roof was supposed to come down. No sign of the roof yet. The two factions traded control, specifically Roode and Flair having a chopfest exchange. Beer Money then did their Beer...Money dance as the lights flashed and the weapons-filled roof finally came down to officially start Lethal Lockdown. Fortune grabbed the weapons to start bashing Immortal. Suddenly, Abyss went flying through the cage door to the floor. Daniels followed to the outside, then Hardy went to the outside. Hardy climbed the side of the cage to the roof and Daniels followed him. Hardy, trapped, walked into a right hand from Daniels. Daniels teased Angel's Wings, but Hardy back-dropped him and Daniels nearly fell off the roof, but thankfully grabbed the side of the cage before he fell clear down to the ground below.
In the cage, Flair had been screaming for minutes as the camera focused on Daniels and Hardy. They showed why, as Flair was just drenched in blood and taking weapon shots to the head. The camera re-focused on Daniels on top of the cage, where he came flying down onto Hardy and Abyss on the floor. The crowd popped and TNA replayed the spot a few times. In the ring, Roode applied the figure-four on a bloody mess called Ric Flair. Ray broke it up, though, with a trash can shot. Ray smashed everyone with trashcan lids and kendo sticks as he took control of the match. Flair demanded more punishment. Daniels came up bleeding from the forehead and Ray taunted him. Ray told Daniels this is for his good friend, A.J.
Speaking of which...A.J. Styles's music suddenly hit and Styles came flying down the ramp into the cage. Styles smashed Ray with blows before ripping off t-shirt. Flair tried to get his hands on Styles, but Roode cut him off. Flair ate a kendo stick shot and a superkick, then Roode applied an armbar on Flair. Fortune held off Immortal and Flair tapped out, giving Fortune the win.
Post-match: Fortune celebrated in the cage as the camera captured the damage done to Immortal. In the background, Styles smashed Ray over the head with a trash can before standing tall over a fallen bully. They went to a replay video package and went back to Fortune standing tall in the cage. Tenay and Taz signed off with a question of how Immortal will react going forward after a bad night for Immortal. They signed off nine minutes before the top of the hour.
WINNERS: Team Fortune at 22:52. A lot of gimmicks that looked like a copy of a copy from the Attitude Era. Styles's return was a nice surprise for PPV customers leading to the satisfying finish with Fortune standing tall. Flair bleeding everywhere and weapon shots all over the place made for an uncomfortable main event at the end of the day. (*1/2)
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