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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 7-7-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- ZACK RYDER vs. DREW MCINTYRE
Mathews said their personalities are completely different - Ryder likes to have a good time and Mac is all-business. Mac was the early aggressor, pounding and kicking and slapping Ryder. Stanford said some wrestlers have resentment toward Ryder because of the success of his Internet show. Mathews said Ryder has to prove himself in the ring, though. Mac became frustrated when he couldn't put away Ryder one minute in, so he rolled to the floor for a break. Ryder then surprised him with a plancha.
Back in the ring, McIntyre bailed from the ring again. Ryder took the bait and ate the ring apron as Mathews noted Mac's frustration often-times gets the best of him in terms of wins and losses. Back in the ring again, Mac began to work over Ryder while fighting his own frustration. Ryder made a comeback at 4:00 and knocked down Mac in the corner for a running Broski Boot. It was good for a two count only and Ryder began showing frustration. Ryder tried to follow with Rough Ryder, but Mac countered with a sit-out powerbomb for a close two count.
Mac sold frustration, then got a crazy look in his eyes. Mac tried to finish off Ryder with the Future Shock DDT, but Ryder countered with a quick jackknife pin for the win. Mathews noted Ryder was the more poised of the two wrestlers, which he surmised allowed Ryder to secure the win. After a replay of the finish, Ryder was shown celebrating on the stage as McIntyre warned Ryder he'll get him next time.
WINNER: Ryder at 5:25. Fine singles match. Ryder was positioned as the face, but WWE hasn't made that permanent, rendering it just a "Superstars thing." Meanwhile, McIntyre continues to be stuck in a post-Draft "frustration" program where he beats himself because he can't keep his head straight.
2 -- NATALYA vs. ALICIA FOX
Striker offered an...interesting analogy that Natalya is like Legos because she's built in sturdy pieces that makes her hard to break. Natalya took control and used Alicia's hair as a weapon against her. With the ring heavily mic'ed on Superstars, the Divas were heard trash-talking each other about their hair. They cut to break with Natalya in control.
Back from break, still more talk about the hair with Alicia in control. "Watch the hair!" ref Nunzio instructed the Divas. Jack Korpela filled time discussing Divas champ Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella at the PPV as Alicia continued to risk a DQ by using the ropes to wear down Natalya and breaking just before a five count. Korpela also noted Natalya deserves another Divas Title shot. At 7:30, Striker said he's excited for a lengthy Divas match because they don't get to see much action from "this genre" on a regular basis.
"Watch the hair!" Nunzio reprimanded Alicia again. The hair distraction finally gave Natalya an opening to make her comeback. Natalya scored multiple nearfalls as the announcers talked up Alicia's resiliency. Alicia then escaped the Sharpshooter and scored a quick pin on Natalya to score a surprise win. Striker talked up the match before they went to a hair-themed replay of the match action.
WINNER: Alicia at 9:25. Based on the main focus of this match, it has to lead to a hair vs. hair match. Striker gets the special referee gig. Solid action in a near-ten-minute match.
3 -- WADE BARRETT vs. DON GONZALES
Barrett taunted ol' Don to begin the match, prompting a slap to the face from Don. Barrett, irate, pounded Don to the ground and landed multiple punches to the face while risking a DQ by barely breaking before a five count. Barrett then nailed a big boot to the face as the announcers continued to focus on Barrett for ditching The Corre. Striker said Corre is yesterday's news and Barrett is no longer "being held back." Barrett cut off a brief comeback attempt from Don before nailing Wasteland for the win. Striker hyped Barrett's inclusion in the MITB ladder match and said he's on his way to a potential title shot opportunity.
WINNER: Barrett at 2:18. Good use of a squash match to re-focus on Barrett as a singles wrestler. Too bad no one will see this, as it would have been more effective on Smackdown to rebuild Barrett post-Corre and abysmal IC Title run.
Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 7-7-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Bax' complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 - CRIMSON vs. BOBBY ROODE - Bound For Glory Series Match
Right off the bat, Crimson hit a shoulder block that led Roode to favor his arm. Not long thereafter, Crimson hit some shoulder blocks to hurt Roode further.
Roode managed to fight back briefly but Crimson caught him attempting a floatover and guillotined him onto the top rope. As Roode was staggered, Crimson nailed another shoulder block to knock Roode to the apron.
As Roode got to his feet, Crimson suplexed him over the top rope into a sit down powerbomb for a near fall. Crimson earned another near fall moments later with some big knees out of a cravat before getting a third 2 count off of a T-Bone Suplex.
Crimson threw Roode into the corner but Bobby regained momentum at 3:00 with a nice reverse into a throw. Still favoring his shoulder, Roode fought back with some big right hands into a Double R Spinebuster for a two count.
Crimson tried to roll him up not long after, but Roode countered into a Fujiwara armbar that caused Crimson to scramble to the bottom rope. When he got back up, Crimson attempted his Red Sky powerbomb finishing move but Roode floated over.
But Crimson wasn't fooled and he whipped Roode hard into the corner, shoulder first. When he staggered back out, Crimson hit the Red Sky Bomb for the pinfall victory.
WINNER: CRIMSON in 4:40 to earn 7 Bound For Glory Series Points
2 - JACK EVANS vs. JESSE SORENSEN vs. ANTHONY NESE - X Division Contract Series Match
The crowd started a "Jack" chant before it broke out into some high-paced action. Jack Evans eventually broke up a pinfall with a springboard splash and then hit a front flip drop kick onto Sorensen.
Nese hit a clothesline on Evans before Sorensen kicked him out to ringside. Nese hit a big flying flip onto Sorensen. While both men were recovering, Evans hit a 450 splash over the top rope onto both men.
Nese is the powerhouse of the trio while Evans is the pure high flyer. Sorensen is more of a hybird between the two. Nese suplexed Sorensen into a pin but Evans hit a standing backflip to break up the pin.
A moment later, Sorensen set Evans on the top turnbuckle and appeared to attempt a Frankensteiner. However, Evans threw him off. Nese then climbed up but Evans threw him down too.
With Nese down in the ring, Evans hit what looked like an unbelievable double flip senton that Tenay called a Corkscrew 630 and that earned him the pinfall victory.
WINNER: JACK EVANS at 5:45 to earn a shot at a TNA contract at Destination X
3- ODB & JACKIE vs. VELVET SKY - Handicap Match
If Velvet wins, ODB and Jackie are never allowed back in the Impact Zone. At the start, Velvet was in complete control. After a Velvet Bulldog on ODB, Jackie finally returned to the ring and elbowed Velvet in the head from behind.
ODB and Jackie double teamed Velvet for a while before Velvet fought back and dumped ODB to ringside. Velvet hit a powerslam on Jackie for a near fall that ODB got back to make the save on just in time.
After that, Jackie and ODB got back in control and ODB eventually climbed onto the ring apron to establish the tag team aspect of the Handicap Match. Jackie and ODB traded tags before Velvet managed to counter when both women went for a tag team back drop off of an Irish whip by kicking ODB in the face.
Not long afterwards, ODB went to hit Velvet Sky with a Steel Chair. However, Velvet ducked and ODB hit Jackie in the face by accident. This allowed Velvet to kick ODB in the knee through the chair and that knocked her out to ringside.
Alone with Jackie, Velvet hit a DDT on Jackie for the pinfall victory.
WINNER: VELVET SKY in 5:15 to banish ODB & Jackie from the Impact Zone
4- A.J. STYLES vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. JERRY LYNN vs. ROB VAN DAM - Four Corners Match
Jerry Lynn made an early blind tag into the match on RVD. Daniels and Lynn squared off and Daniels had the early edge with a nice drop kick. But Lynn countered with a whirling head scissors that tossed Daniels into the corner.
A.J. tagged himself in and Styles and Lynn went toe to toe. Nice catch style wrestling that culminated in a Lynn roll through for a two count. Lynn still looks pretty good despite his age.
The crowd chanted for RVD and Styles went over to tag him in at Lynn's behest. Van Dam posed while Taz complained about Styles willingly leaving the match.
Once Van Dam and Lynn got going, they had another great set of back and forth counters that resulted in another draw. After they both nodded, Daniels tagged himself in at Lynn's expense and clotheslined RVD down.
Daniels had the early control but RVD took the edge at 3:30 with a standing moonsault that he quickly turned into Rolling Thunder. It wasn't long thereafter that Daniels tried to springboard over onto RVD but got a big kick to the chest for his efforts.
Both A.J. and Jerry Lynn tagged in and Lynn eventually hit a top rope head scissors on Styles. The momentum threw Styles across the ring, which allowed Daniels to tag in. He hit a big boot on Lynn for a near fall that RVD had to break up.
However, A.J. surprised him with a big springboard flying elbow. Styles then went for his backflip DDT, but Jerry Lynn countered and suplexed Styles stomach-first into the top rope and hurled him onto the floor.
Daniels and Lynn continued to fight in the ring and Daniels had the edge. With Lynn down, he went for the B-M-E, but Lynn managed to move. Daniels landed on his feet and drove Lynn into the corner, where RVD managed to tag himself in and Lynn out.
This proved to be very important, as Daniels went for the Angel's Wings, only to see Lynn counter it into a slam. With Lynn unaware that RVD had tagged in, he laid exhausted a few feet from Daniels. While Lynn was oblivious, Van Dam hit the Five Star Frog Splash onto Daniels and pulled out the three count before Lynn could break it up.
WINNER: ROB VAN DAM in 7:10
5- MATT MORGAN & JAMES STORM vs. DEVON & THE POPE - Bound For Glory Series Match
Reminder: The points only go to the winner of the fall, not the winning team. Storm and Devon started off first in the ring and Storm was in control for most of the first minute, getting a near fall.
While in his corner, Morgan blind tagged himself in on Storm. Morgan nailed a big bodyslam on Devon for a two count before throwing Devon back into their corner to go for his rapid-fire elbows. However, Storm tagged himself in as a comeback to Morgan's earlier blind tag.
This allowed Devon to make a comeback and he eventually tagged in Pope, who had some momentum on Storm. However, when Storm got back up, Pope quickly tagged in Devon and slid out of the ring.
Storm hit a few clotheslines on Devon before reluctantly tagging in Morgan. Morgan his his rapid fire elbows on Devon in a neutral corner before a side slam earned him a two count.
Storm was tagged back in and hit a flying forearm. But Devon countered at 3:45 and managed to make a hot tag to Pope. Pope hit a flying forearm and an inverted Atomic Drop on Storm before knocking Morgan to ringside with a drop kick.
Storm fought back after some mounted punches in the corner by hitting a Backstabber for what would have been a pinfall. However, Morgan broke up the pin, not wanting to lose BFG Series points to his tag partner. Devon attacked both of them while they were arguing and knocked Morgan to ringside.
Morgan laid clutching his knee on the floor and the ref bailed to check on him. While this was going on, Pope took Storm's title belt and bashed him in the head with the gold. As Pope posed over an unconscious Storm, Devon exhaustedly struggled to the apron.
But instead of taking the pinfall for himself after cheating, Pope tagged in Devon and gave him the pin over the downed Storm. Devon wasn't aware that Pope had cheated.
WINNER: DEVON in 5:50 to earn 7 Bound For Glory Series Points
6- KURT ANGLE vs. BULLY RAY, ABYSS, SCOTT STEINER & GUNNER - Handicap Match
Scott Steiner attacked him right away and the bell rang. Steiner threw Kurt into the corner, but found himself suplexed out of his boots. Steiner managed to tag in Ray after recovering with a clothesline.
Ray came in talking trash. "Jarrett says hello from Mexico" was one of his lines. Ray slapped Angle on the chest and went for the Bubba Bomb, but Angle countered it into another suplex.
Ray rolled over to tag Gunner in, who fared as poorly as his teammates. Angle hit a big suplex and a snap suplex and then tossed Gunner back into his corner. "He just punked Gunner!" said Taz.
Abyss was in next and he went for the chokeslam, but Kurt floated over and rolled into an Ankle Lock. At that point, Immortal charged the ring and broke up the hold and Immortal finally took control after Angle held his own for so long.
Rapid tags ensued with Steiner, Gunner and Abyss all getting in some offense and making pinfall attempts. After slamming Angle's face into Ray's waiting boot, Abyss was in next.
Abyss hit a big powerslam onto Angle and Ray came in with his steel chain. As Ray stood with the chain in his hand, out came Mr. Anderson. Bully Ray stared him down and Angle snuck in to hit the Angle Slam on Ray.
Anderson climbed up on the apron to join Angle's corner and got the hot tag. He came out like a house of fire on Immortal and took every man down before coming up to Ray and setting him up for the Mic Check.
But then he pushed him off and picked up Kurt Angle and hit the Mic Check on him instead. As Immortal stared on in disbelief, Anderson dragged Angle into the corner and tagged him back in.
Bully Ray immediately dove onto Angle for the pinfall victory.
WINNERS: IMMORTAL in 5:50
Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 7-8-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 – CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE vs. DANIEL BRYAN & EZEKIEL JACKSON
The announcers were shown on camera during Cody’s entrance, and Booker was once again given a bag by his bag men. During the opening minute they gave the WWE’s Twitter handle and implored fans to use #Smackdown. Bryan tagged out to Jackson quickly, and he manhandled DiBiase. Teddy was thrown out of the ring and Zeke knocked Rhodes off the apron. Bryan dove through the ropes and took out both Rhodes and DiBiase. They went to break at 1:36 of the match.
Back at 5:31 of the contest. Bryan was belting Rhodes with kicks in the corner, much to the delight of the Tucson crowd. Rhodes caught Bryan in the corner, however, and delivered an Alabama Slam for two. Booker still doesn’t know what a sidewalk slam is. DiBiase tagged in and worked Bryan over for a bit. For the record, Cole picked Barrett to win the MITB and Booker and Mathews chose Sin Cara. Eventually, Jackson got tired of seeing Bryan take the brunt of the punishment and interfered illegally. At 9:23, Jackson tagged in and cleaned house on DiBiase. The audio sweetener liked him a lot more than the live crowd did. Bodyslams for DiBiase and Rhodes. As the ref tried to get Bryan out of the ring, Rhodes gave Jackson a springboard kick and DiBiase followed up with Dream Street for the pinfall.
WINNERS: Rhodes and DiBiase, at 10:11. Good enough tag match. Surprised Jackson took the fall, but Bryan is in the MITB match and Zeke isn’t (even though he’s IC Champion).
2 – JINDER MAHAL vs. TRENT BARRETA
Believe it or not, Great Khali joined the commentators. When he spoke, Cole said his commentary sounds like Book’s. Early take-down for Barreta and a one-count. Barreta was catapulted into the corner by Mahal, who then landed a clothesline. Khali seemed to struggle with the headset. Jumping knee to the face by Mahal. Full-nelson slam finished it.
WINNER: Mahal, at 1:08. Not sure what the point of Khali on commentary was – he shouldn’t be played for comedy at this point with Mahal.
3 – TAMINA vs. AJ
AJ, accompanied by Natalya, came out to Natalya’s music. I wonder if that means they’re already ditching AJ’s theme, or if they thought Nattie’s theme would get her a better reaction. Tamina picked up AJ and put her in the corner. Alicia Fox seconded Tamina, by the way. Back elbow by Tamina put AJ down. Hard whip into the buckle by Tamina, then a running butt splash. Tamina worked the neck of AJ as Nattie got the crowd to start chanting “AJ” to get her back into it. Tamina missed a splash and AJ used the ropes to aid her in getting to her feet. Running knee to the face by AJ for two. Missed splash in the corner by Tamina, and AJ rolled her up for the win.
WINNER: AJ, at 2:28. This is such a bare-bones feud with both teams (Nattie/Kaitlyn/AJ and Tamina/Fox) trading wins back and forth. It seems to be treading water, though it’s also clear this feud is not a priority.
4 – KANE vs. MARK HENRY
Cole said the ringside WWE employees considered walking off the job tonight in fear of Mark Henry after what happened last week. That’s a nice little touch of realism that adds to Henry’s aura and takes little time and effort to get across to the fans. Henry knocked Kane down with a clothesline, but Kane went after Henry’s knee with a low dropkick. To the top went Kane, but he came down and landed in Henry’s arms. Slam by Henry for two. The two ended up trading blows in the middle of the ring two minutes into the match. Kane crushed Henry in the corner, then landed a big boot for two. Clothesline off the top by Kane, and he signaled it was time for the chokeslam. He applied the choke, but Henry broke free and headbutted Kane. World’s Strongest Slam countered and Kane chokeslammed Henry. He made the cover at 3:45, but Henry put his big leg on the bottom rope to break it up. That upset Kane, and he decided to rearrange some furniture at ringside. He set Henry up to chokeslam him through the table, but Henry broke free and drove Kane back-first into the ring post. Back in the ring, he splashed Kane for a two-count. Henry started to get angry and I’m sure Kane wouldn’t like Henry when he’s angry. Henry lifted Kane for the World’s Strongest Slam and planted him. Ref Charles Robinson registered the three-count.
WINNER: Henry, at 5:54. It was a Henry vs. Kane match, that’s for sure, but they had a good story with Henry’s rage that made up for the in-ring action.
5 – TYSON KIDD vs. SIN CARA
No manager with Kidd on this evening. Kidd took Cara down with a hammerlock early on, but Cara fought out of it. Tilt-a-whirl arm-drag by Cara, but Kidd brought Cara down head-first onto the apron to shake him up a bit. Cara got on the apron and nailed Kidd with a kick anyway, then flipped into a splash on Kidd back in the ring. Running dropkick to the head by Kidd for two. Springboard elbow-drop, but Cara got his knees up. Cara just tackled Kidd at one point and laid in the punches. That was different. Cara began his finishing sequence at about 3:10. Cara jumped off Kidd’s shoulders and rolled Kidd up for two. Cara tripped up Kidd as Tyson wanted to go to the top. Cara then went to the top and did the Spanish Fly for the win.
WINNER: Cara, at 4:15. Yes, you read that right: Henry vs. Kane went nearly two minutes longer than Kidd vs. Cara. There’s no justice.
6 – HEATH SLATER & JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. THE USOS
The Usos did their new tribal dance (and yelling from Jey) before the match. Quick suplex with a bridge by Jey. Slater made a blind tag and that allowed the former Corre members to take over. Gabriel came in and worked a cravat. Jimmy made a hot tag at about 2:00, and went to work on Slater. Booker said because they’re Samoans, Jimmy and Jey will end up putting on another 50 or 100 pounds. I can’t make this stuff up. Neck-breaker by Slater and Gabriel tagged in. Gabriel wanted Slater to put Jimmy in position for the 450, but Jimmy kicked Slater into the ropes, crotching Gabriel. Jey tagged in and did a splash off the top on Gabriel after Jimmy suplexed him off the top. Another win for the Usos.
WINNERS: The Usos, at 3:32. Predictably building to tension between Slater and Gabriel before MITB.
7 – RANDY ORTON vs. SHEAMUS
Before the match could begin, Christian made his way to the ring. He joined the commentary team once the match began. Orton got the crowd behind him by dropkicking Sheamus in the corner. Sheamus went to ringside before Orton could take advantage. Back in the ring, Orton pounded him with rights and gave Sheamus a Thesz Press. They brawled to ringside and Sheamus tossed Orton into the barricade. Then, on the apron, Sheamus pushed Orton shoulder-first into the ring post. Orton crumpled to ringside and Christian went to check on him. Sheamus came down and got in the middle of them to stop Christian. Sheamus picked Orton up and sent him into the post again. They went to break about 3:10 into the main event.
Sheamus got a near-fall back from break at 5:59. Christian was back at the announce table, but without a headset on. Mathews brought up a good point: Who decides what constitutes “bad officiating” as far as Christian’s contract for his title match with Orton? Sheamus tried to land a single-arm DDT, but Orton grabbed the rope to block it. Sheamus brought the arm over the top rope and dove over the top, missing a shoulder tackle. Orton took Sheamus down and got a two-count at 8:09. Sheamus recovered and went to the top rope. He landed a shoulder tackle for two. Irish Curse back-breaker for two by Sheamus. The Irishman dropped knees down across the throat of Orton. Both the Brogue Kick and RKO missed, but Orton landed a back-breaker. He set up for the RKO, but Christian ran in and booted Orton in the head for the DQ.
WINNER: Orton, via disqualification, at 10:42.
Christian pounded away on Orton, but was then greeted by Sheamus with a Brogue Kick. Orton struck with an RKO on Sheamus. They played his music as he surveyed the landscape. They replayed the finish, then Orton posed with the belt to end things.
Arcademan:
TNA Destination X PPV Results: 7-10-11 (next three posts)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).
1 -- KAZARIAN vs. SAMOA JOE
Quick start to the match and they quickly found themselves on the floor, where Joe landed a knockdown clothesline before high-fiving fans ringside. Joe, fired up, stalked Kazarian, who came back with forearm smashes. Joe then nonchalantly stepped aside as Kaz tried a turnaround splash from the ring apron, causing Kaz to eat the floor.
Back in the ring, Joe ripped into Kaz with strikes before leaning on Kaz with his boot to wash his face. Joe continued to destroy Kaz with signature offense before Kaz hip-tossed Joe to escape a rear naked choke. Joe came back with a hard knockdown clothesline, though, and resumed control of the action. Joe attempted a Musclebuster, but Kaz fought him off and landed a springboard dropkick that put both men on the mat.
At 5:00, they came to their feet trading bombs. Joe mainly no-sold before landing multiple forearm strikes. Kaz caught him off the ropes, though, and scoopslammed Joe before executing a springboard Tornado DDT for a two count. Tenay noted Joe is currently in the BFG Series, but Kaz is not in the Series, so the match doesn't count for standings. The crowd tried to rally behind Joe, who found himself up top. Kaz teased the Flux Capacitor, but Joe blocked and punted Kaz to the floor. Joe then flew through the ropes with a suicide dive/elbow smash that knocked both men to the floor.
Back in the ring, Joe and Kaz teased finishing moves before Joe nailed a powerbomb into STF center ring. Kaz fought the hold and eventually bit his way out of the hold. Kaz followed with a dropkick sending Joe to the corner, but Joe countered a corner splash with an E. Honda-style frontslam. "Joe, Joe, Joe" chant as he stalked Kazarian for the rear naked choke. Kaz slumped down to the mat, then Joe leaned back to trap Kaz center-ring. Kaz faded a bit, but managed to grab the bottom rope for a break. Joe started arguing with ref Earl Hebner, who tried stealing the spotlight arguing with Joe. The argument gave Kaz an opening to quickly roll up Joe for a three count out of nowhere. Post-match: The camera zoomed in on Joe frothing at the mouth and selling shock over the loss. Kaz was shown ringside satisfied with a win by the skin of his teeth. They went to a replay of the high points in the match
WINNER: Kaz at 11:19. Standard Even-Steven booking where Joe completely dominated the match before Kaz snuck out a sudden victory. Good action throughout and the display of signature moves from Joe was suitable for a "High School Reunion" type PPV event. (**3/4)
2 -- DOUG WILLIAMS (w/British Invasion) vs. MARK HASKINS
The announcers stressed Williams bringing a "ground and pound" style to the X Division last year that allowed him to keep the title throughout the year. After a series of nearfalls for each man, Haskins scored a too-close-for-comfort-nearfall and Williams bailed to the floor for a breather. Back in the ring, Haskins continued to frustrate Williams, who found himself on the floor again. Williams used Haskins's over-aggression against him to whip Haskins back-first across the ring apron to resume control of the action.
Back in the ring, Williams stretched Haskins with a bow & arrow submission followed by a modified Gory Stretch. The action moved up top, where Haskins knocked Williams to the mat before executing a dropkick. The two men then came to their feet for a standing exchange. Haskins won the exchange before executing high-flying offense as part of his comeback. The crowd popped when Williams teased the Chaos Theory, but Haskins escaped and executed a Diamond Cutter/RKO for a nearfall. Haskins tried to follow with a top-rope move, but slipped. The crowd booed, then he went up top again and missed with a Shooting Star Press. Williams followed right up with a roll-up for the win. Post-match: Williams started to leave the ring, but returned to the ring to shake Haskins's hand.
WINNER: Williams at 7:42. The crowd had no emotional investment in Haskins, so they ended up cheering for the heel "teacher" over the unknown "student." Haskins showed flashes of promise in the ring, but there wasn't enough to gauge his potential for TNA. (*1/2)
3 -- TV champion ERIC YOUNG & SHARK BOY vs. GENERATION ME (JEREMY & MAX BUCK)
Tenay and Borash recapped the Prince Brotherhood Justice era for Young Boy and recent issues between GenMe, which should make for an interesting match-up. Young and Shark spent the first minute trying to figure out who should start the match. Shark finally started things off and quickly took advantage on LittleMe Jeremy. Young tagged in and lost control, allowing BigMe Max to tag into the match. Young and Max exchanged offense, countered each other, and did other assorted fast-paced things before Young landed an enziguiri. Shark then re-entered and lost control, allowing GenMe to isolate Shark.
Suddenly, Young was in a different outfit, which inspired Shark to break free and hot-tag Young. The action broke down and Jeremy hit a combination of moves on Shark to clear him to the outside. Max scored a close nearfall on Young back in the ring, then the action broke down inside the ring again. Young then hit a wheelbarrow jawbreaker of sorts on Max and it was good for the win.
WINNERS: Young and Shark Boy at 7:22. The scheduled outcome doesn't say much about the X Division that GenMe - who were representing the "division" with Kendrick on TV the past three months - lost to a comedy team the announcers said were teaming together for the first time. Aside from that, a "feel good" match for the live crowd. (*)
4 -- ROBBIE E. (w/Cookie) vs. ALEX SHELLEY vs. SHANNON MOORE vs. AMAZING RED -- Ultimate X match -- #1 contender match to the X Division Title
Lots of flips and flops early on. Robbie teased an early climb to the red "X" hanging atop the structure before Red yanked him down to the mat. Shelley was the next wrestler to tease a climb, but Robbie yanked him down. Cookie a/k/a Vickie Guerrero screamed and shouted at Robbie to start climbing, but Red distracted him. Robbie then distracted himself posing for the hard camera, allowing Shannon to trap Robbie on the floor. Red, Moore, and Shelley then did some overly-choreographed moves in the ring before Robbie re-entered and took advantage of his size advantage to take control again. Red suddenly clocked Robbie with multiple spin kicks before splashing Shannon and Shelley on the floor. Robbie tried to climb the structure again, but Red dropkicked him in mid-air to knock both men down to the mat.
For their next trick, Moore re-entered the ring and climbed all the way to the top of the structure. Moore's Mohawk was nearly touching the ceiling. Meanwhile, Cookie was trying to hold Shelley in the corner to prevent him from climbing. Shelley had to sell forever as Moore and Red started racing toward the middle of the structure. Moore got to the middle and stepped down to the center of the criss-crossed cables to stomp Red down to the mat. Shelley finally escaped Cookie and reached the middle to kick Moore down to the mat. Shelley sat on the X and unhooked it, which gave him the win.
WINNER: Shelley at 10:37 to become #1 contender to the X Division Title. The first-half featured typical overly-choreographed spots and some awkwardness before the match improved in the second-half building to a climax.
Arcademan:
5 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. JERRY LYNN
Borash took control of the commentary to recap Lynn's career and discuss Lynn having some resentment toward RVD going back to their '90s feud and using the matches to advance their respective careers. There was discussion about the performance aspect of their matches, and nothing about who won or lost more matches. The wrestlers squared off with each other and avoided locking up as Tenay recapped this match being scheduled to happen at Hardcore Justice last year. Borash talked about his Forever Hardcore documentary and continued to talk up the RVD-Lynn series from ECW.
At 5:00, Lynn and RVD had that same exchange from Impact countering and avoiding each other's signature moves before Lynn sold frustration as they came to a standstill. RVD flashed that cocky smile toward Lynn and followed with a spin kick that knocked Lynn to the floor. RVD teased a flying move, but Lynn backed away to avoid. RVD then cockily invited Lynn back into the ring for a handshake. Lynn accepted, then threw RVD over the top rope into the guardrail. Lynn mocked RVD's signature gestures before inviting RVD back into the ring.
Back in the ring, Lynn won an exchange with a German Suplex with a bridge for a two count. Lynn then settled into a chinlock as RVD reached out looking for air. RVD fired back with a big spin kick that sent Lynn flying to the floor. RVD followed on the outside with signature offense to start wearing down Lynn. Back in the ring, RVD landed a slingshot legdrop before measuring Lynn for a Five-Star. Lynn hopped to his feet, though, and shoved RVD off the top rope into the guardrail on the floor.
Lynn rolled RVD back into the ring, then picked up a steel chair on the floor. Hebner reprimanded Lynn, who teased using it before they did a spot where Lynn countered RVD's counter to leg drop RVD into the chair. Lynn scored a two count and RVD came up bleeding from the forehead. Lynn then grabbed another chair as the camera zoomed in on RVD having a cut on his eyebrow. They set up another chair spot where Lynn executed a sunset flip bomb that sent RVD into the chair for a two count. That was Lynn's last gasp as RVD came back with a roundhouse kick sending the chair into Lynn's face. RVD followed right up with the Five-Star Frogsplash for the pin and the win.
WINNER: RVD at 16:52. Right at or slightly above expectations for RVD vs. Lynn in 2011. Good sequences and a decent story to the match (compared to the rest of the PPV), plus RVD looked more inspired than he has in past TNA matches where he's obviously been going through the motions. (***1/4)
6 -- AUSTIN ARIES vs. ZEMA ION vs. LOW-KI vs. JACK EVANS -- four-way TNA contract match
Low-Ki asserted himself early in the match before Evans unleashed high-flying offense as Borash noted Evans was trending on Twitter during Impact on Thursday. Aries then did sort of a fingernail scrape of doom splash attack on all three men before all three men kicked him in the head to clear Aries to the floor. Aries re-entered moments later leading to various sequences involving all four.
Aries and Ki then came face-to-face to jaw with each other before applying submission holds on the other two opponents in each other's faces. Good sequence before it came down to Aries and Ki again. Aries put a finger in Ki's face and Ki responded with a hard chop to the chest. Aries responded, prompting a standing exchange. Ki had a bridge pin, but Evans came out of nowhere with a sick splash on Ki to break up the pin. More four-way sequences before Ki took a dive to the outside. Evans tried a splash on Ki, but Ion yanked down the ropes to send Evans flying to the outside. Ion tried to fly on Ki, but Aries cut him off with a mid-ring clothesline for a two count. More four-way sequences ensued with an added level of intensity and all four men found themselves on the mat. The crowd chanted, "Sign them all," as Aries tried a pin attempt on all three opponents, to no success.
At 11:00, Aries and Ion had a standing exchange before Aries delivered a neckbreaker across the middle rope. Aries tried a top-rope move, but Ki executed a running cartwheel into an enzuigiri knocking Aries off the top to the mat for a nearfall. Ki then went up top, but Evans cut him off with a super top-rope huracanrana for a two count. Evans called for the 630 splash, but Ion knocked him off the top. Ion then nailed a 450 Splash on Ki, but Aries broke up a pin. Evans then tried the 630 Splash on Ki, but Ki got his knees up. Aries followed with lightning kicks on everyone before dropping Ki with a brainbuster suplex. Aries made the cover and it was good for the win. Aries gets the contract. Post-match: The crowd chanted, "Sign them all," as Aries's music played and they went to a replay of various high points in the match.
WINNER: Aries at 13:32. Amazing display of athleticism. Aries was the star, Evans is so charismatic and would be a valuable asset for any national promotion, Ion was impressive, and Low-Ki showed what WWE missed out on. Multiple-man matches are over-played, but this worked well as opposed to the Ultimate X match. (***3/4)
7 -- X Division champion ABYSS vs. BRIAN KENDRICK -- X Division Title match
They went for comedy early on with Kendrick attempting a flying cross-body, only to have Abyss just stand there like a brick wall, causing Kendrick to fall to the mat. Abyss continued to toy with Kendrick as TNA continued to send a message through the commentary that X Division wrestlers are novelty acts who can't hang in the "main event" scene and can't match up with a heavyweight like Abyss. Abyss took his time working over Kendrick while posing for the camera. Abyss then picked up his book and started thumbing through the pages for additional instructions. Kendrick tried body shots once Abyss turned around, but Abyss no-sold and beat him to a pulp in the corner. Abyss looked for more wisdom from the book while Kendrick tried to find his feet.
Kendrick suddenly landed a desperation shot to the face that opened up Abyss, who slowly turned around once he saw blood coming down from his forehead. Kendrick then used Abyss's anger against him to clear Abyss to the floor. Kendrick followed with a suicide dive on the floor, then continued to hold the advantage back in the ring. Kendrick wanted Sliced Bread #2, but Abyss caught Kendrick on the top turnbuckle and countered with the Shock Treatment. Kendrick kicked out of a pin attempt, though. Kendrick tried to fight back with gut shots before Hebner was bumped in the corner. Kendrick then hit Sliced Bread, but the ref was down and Kendrick scored a visual three count.
On cue, Eric Bischoff strutted down to the ring to boos. Bischoff shouted at Kendrick that he should fire him. Kendrick acted tormented, then landed a right hand that floored Bischoff. Suddenly, Immortal stormed the ring. Some X Division scrubs then hit the ring and Bully Ray started throwing haymakers. Immortal easily cleared the ring before Kendrick found himself alone in the ring. The next wave of X Division scrubs then hit the ring, ending the temporary feuds that were made up for the show. Eventually, Abyss and Kendrick were left alone in the ring. Kendrick scored a quick roll-up and Hebner counted a three from outside the ring to give Kendrick the win.
Post-match: Kendrick celebrated with the X Division wrestlers as Immortal stood dumbfounded on the stage. Abyss sat dejected on the ring apron as Borash offered some words about the X Title going back to a "true X Division wrestler," whatever that means. Some confetti fell to the ring as Kendrick's victory was celebrated. Abyss eventually made his way to the stage and Ray asked him what happened out there. Abyss shoved down Ray, whose eyes bugged out as Abyss walked to the back, with Ray dumbfounded.
WINNER: Kendrick at 10:16 to capture the X Division Title. It wouldn't be a TNA PPV without an overbooked, overcomplicated, ref-bump title match. The match story continued the inept TV build-up of the three X Division wrestlers equaling one "normal" wrestler and the "X Division brand" being comprised of brain-sharing individuals who don't have individual identities. (*)
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