Tag Archives: Bobby Roode

Dec 10 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Final Resolution (2012) Review

by Daniel Johnson

finalresolution2012The 2012 edition of TNA Final Resolution probably falls somewhere in the middle of all the pay-per-views the company has had this year in terms of quality. There were no mind blowing matches, but at the same time there were no stinkers either. Predictably AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels had the match of the night even though that rivalry has been played out to death. In fact, the commentators even pointed out that all in all TNA estimates that Styles/Daniels happened 115 times in one form or another. Austin Aries/Bully Ray had the second best competition and managed to improve on their beyond decent performance at TNA Sacrifice 2012. Rob Van Dam/Kenny King and Tara/Mickie James exceeded expectations with the latter being the best women’s match the company has had on pay-per-view in sometime. With that said let’s take a tad closer look at the night that was.

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James Storm defeated Kazarian

James Storm opened the show by cutting a promo. He talked about how he wasn’t scheduled to compete at the event, but would still like to take apart Bobby Roode. Instead Kazarian came out and insulted Storm and the audience for being alcoholics. Storm demanded a match with Kazarian and a referee came down to make it official.  The match had the feeling of a typical opener from TNA’s weekly TV show rather than being pay-per-view worthy. Just when the action starts to get going Storm signals for the last call super kick. Luckily, the heelish Kazarian pulls the ref in front of him. Unluckily, about five seconds later Storm hits the kick and the match ends anyway.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Rob Van Dam (c) defeated Kenny King to retain the TNA X Division Championship

Last month RVD ruined what could have been Joey Ryan’s first great X division pay-per-view match like he has ruined so many other matches. Of course I’m talking about his excessive showboating. RVD appeared very unlike how he is these days in this contest and I mean that in the best possible way. Van Dam kept his head in the game for this one, that is until King nearly knocked it off. When RVD went for a top rope maneuver the former WWF Tough Enough contestant  cut him off with a kick that sent the ECW alumnus to the outside. These guys couldn’t keep up a lightning quick pace forever and the bout started to slow down after this spot. King came close to hitting RVD with the royal flush, but RVD instead caught him with a body scissors pin to triumph.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez (c) defeated Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship

Poor Joey Ryan. When is he ever going to catch a break on a TNA pay-per-view? Okay, nothing he has been in has been too bad including this match, which is at least decent. However, if you’ve seen some of his indie work then you can attest that Ryan is capable of so much more. If he doesn’t have a near 4 star X division match in the next six months than it will be obvious TNA has no idea how to unleash his full potential. Anyway, the heels come off as a threat here and the most interesting part of the bout prior to the conclusion is when Morgan and Hernandez get in the ring together. Morgan keeps challenging Hernandez to bounce off the ropes and knock him down, but Morgan continues to hold his ground. Still, as tough as the challengers look it isn’t long before Chavo hits a frog splash on Ryan for the pin and…Morgan pulls the ref out. The champions retain, but it is via disqualification. Morgan lets loose on Chavo after the bell rings and Hernandez does his splash over the top rope.

Rating: 3 stars

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Austin Aries defeated Bully Ray

Bully Ray gets busted open in this match that is a good deal more physical than their previous pay-per-view encounter. The Brooke Hogan/Bully Ray storyline continues as Brooke comes out to check on her battered Bubba toy. Aries becomes livid (or at least more livid) and grabs Brooke and throws her in the ring. Before Aries can do anything else to Brooke, Bully awakens and starts laying into Aries. Hulk Hogan also comes out and Bully yells at him that they have to get Brooke out of there as if Aries was wielding an axe and high on PCP. With Bully still distracted by Brooke, Aries hits him with a nut shot and gets the win. On a side note it is a good thing they are not paying Hogan on a per appearance deal. He really added nothing to this show.

Rating: 4 stars

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Tara (c) (with Jessie Godderz) defeated Mickie James to retain the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

Micke James brings some fiery offense to the table early on, but Tara nearly hits a widow’s peak. Mickie manages to avoid it. After some clotheslines and striking it looks like it is time for Tara to retreat so Jessie pulls her out of the ring. Mickie shows her disdain for this move by hitting a sweet looking Lou Thesz press to the outside. Jessie is not quite done interfering and distracts Mickie again. Jessie gets a kick for his trouble, but Mickie lets her eye wander from Tara. Tara takes advantage of this with a widow’s peak. If they wanted to push this match from good to great than Mickie would have kicked out and the match would have went another five minutes. However, this is 2012 TNA and the company just can’t allow a great women’s match.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Garett Bischoff and Wes Brisco defeated Devon, DOC and two masked members of Aces & 8s

Kudos to TNA for not going with the obvious swerve by having Wes Brisco and/or Garett Bischoff turn on Angle and Joe. Other than that TNA doesn’t deserve kudos for much else in this match. The Aces & 8s’ storyline needs to either be overhauled or ended immediately. It was bad enough when they were just having Hogan and Sting get into whacky adventures with them every week. Now they are wasting Angle and Joe in pay-per-view matches with a gaggle of rejected Scooby-Doo villains. As for this encounter the match starts with Angle and Devon. Angle has to physically restrain Joe from ripping apart the members of the heel stable. Oddly enough when Joe is tagged in it is not long before  Aces & 8s are thoroughly gang assaulting him. Angle comes back in  ready to go and it is not long before Angle pins the smaller masked man after an Angle slam.

Rating: 3 stars

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Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles

As many times as this match has happened and as much as Daniels needs to move on, in terms of match quality it is always going to be money in the bank. Here, we get serious Daniels. Well, at least as serious as he can be for a guy who walks to ring with an even more exaggerated version of the McMahon walk. The fight spills outside when Syles does a suplex off of the ring apron. Not to be outdone Daniels drives Styles into the very edge of the ring mat and bounces outside with a uranage slam. Styles sells his exasperation when he just barely misses defeating Daniels with a Styles clash. AJ wants that win even if he has to repeat the move from the ropes. Unfortunately for him Daniels holds on. To add insult to injury Daniels defeats his longtime opponent for the “final time” with a Styles clash of his own.

Rating: 4.25 stars

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Jeff Hardy (c) defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Anyone ever notice how recently Jeff Hardy has been ganging 20 pounds between the tale of the tape segment and the ring introductions? Anyway, there is a decent amount of back and forth action. Perhaps the spot of match is Hardy missing an attack by using the ring steps to jump off of onto Roode only to instead land in the audience. Aces & 8s come out and the commentators play up Roode’s recent alliance with them. However, Roode just gets distracted with their presence and Hardy defeats him with a twist of fate. After the match Aces & 8s attack both wrestlers. Again, can this angle either be overhauled or ended?

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Nov 25 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Turning Point (2012) Review

by Daniel Johnson

The 2012 edition of TNA Turning Point was comprised of eight matches, the vast majority of which were above 3 stars. Jeff Hardy and Austin Aries indeed brought their A Double game to the table and put on a ladder match that was a significant improvement from their previous contest at Bound for Glory. The James Storm/Bobby Roode/AJ Styles affair was capable of being a 5 star bout given that all three involved have been on a hot streak as of late. While the match didn’t deliver what it could have it still managed to be one of the best of the night. The two other standout matches were the superb opener of Samoa Joe/Magnus and Christopher Daniels and Kazarian taking on Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez. Speaking of hot streaks Daniels has been on a crazy one lately. Can we get this guy in the main event scene already? Anyway, here is a rundown of what happened.

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Samoa Joe (c) defeated Magnus to retain the TNA Television Championship in a no disqualification match

Prior to the first match Taz opened the show by bringing out Bully Ray and local Florida radio personality, Buckethead. Personally, I was disappointed that the latter didn’t come out wearing a KFC bucket and jam with Axl Rose. Instead Buckethead asked fans to text in order to donate $10 to the American Red Cross to help assist victims of Hurricane Sandy. After they left the real in-ring action began, but oddly enough not in the ring. The match starts outside with some brawling and Joe gets in some stiff shots before throwing Magnus into the squared circle. Magnus demonstrates what a no disqualification match is later on when he goes outside, grabs a chair and just launches it into Joe’s head while he is trying to go after the Englishman. Joe eventually gets back to the floor by flipping over the ropes onto Magnus. There is some more back and forth, but Magnus has been destined to submit. Joe emerges victorious with a rear naked choke.

Rating: 4 stars

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ODB and Eric Young defeated Tara and Jessie Godderz in a mixed tag team match

Before the bout ODB gives an interview and teases that she can’t find the long missing Eric Young. Young sneaks up behind her and he is back on a TNA pay-per-view for the first time in a longtime. Although with tons of comedy spots and the never pleasant bronco buster from ODB the match is decent. There is an awkward spot where ODB runs in and slams Young to get him closer to their corner so he can make the tag. Why she didn’t just drag him over is beyond me. Young gets the tag, pulls down his pants and delivers a Randy Savage elbow drop from off the top to win it.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Rob Van Dam (c) defeated Joey Ryan to retain the TNA X Division Championship

The action nearly comes to a stop in this one. Joey Ryan appears eager to wrestle his heart out. Too bad he has RVD to do it with. Tons of showboating ruins this match as RVD takes extended poses after just about every one of his signature moves and some regular moves. Really, with RVD’s attitude you’d think him performing a dropkick to the face was as important as passing the Affordable Care Act. RVD wins it with a 5 star frogsplash only to get a carbon footprint from Matt Morgan while he is making his way to the back.

Rating: 2.5 stars

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DOC defeated Joseph Park

This match was full of stalling and a little brawling. DOC teased beating the crap out of Park throughout the match and at one point even attempted to bring in a hammer. However, before DOC could do to Park what he recently did to Sting, Park speared him. DOC still managed to beat Park for much of the match and eventually ended it with a chokeslam. DOC also tore Park up with a spiked belt somewhere in there, but this one is kind of tough to watch and not space out. Bully Ray comes in later to make the save before Aces & 8s can cause any real damage. On a side note Luke Gallows looks just like Horus Hogan with this gimmick.

Rating: 1.75 stars

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Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez (c) defeated Christopher Daniels and Kazarian to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship

Arguably the match of the night this bout had some sweet high flying action and Hernandez mixed it up by bringing his power to the table. Chavo missed a frogsplash early on and his delivery of the move looked awkward as heck. Daniels and Kazarian then take control and simultaneously do the Gangnam Style dance. This is how to play a heel tag team, ladies and gentlemen. Hernandez is not content with simply being the power guy and jumps over the top ropes to hit Daniels and Kazarian with a double clothesline. This move is a sign of things to come as Hernandez lifts Daniels up in the doomsday device position later on and Chavo knocks him off with a crossbody to win.

Rating: 4.25 stars

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James Storm defeated AJ Styles and Bobby Roode to become the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a three way match

The stipulation for this contest is that the winner gets to wrestle for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship while whoever is pinned cannot get a match for the title until Bound for Glory 2013. This match could have been a classic, but we’ll have to settle for just a good match. Poor us. Some nifty spots in this one including Storm and Roode nearly doing their Beer Money pose after teaming up to suplex Styles. However, the heel in Roode won’t let him do it as he tries to attack Storm only to be met with a stiff shot. This isn’t the last time that Storm beats Roode to the punch as Roode gets hit with back stabber while he is preparing a fisherman’s suplex. Storm executes his last call super kick on Styles and pins him for his chance at the tile. AJ looks defeated after the three count and later on refuses to say anything backstage when he is asked about his future.

Rating: 4 stars

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Kurt Angle defeated Devon

Some nice back and forth action in this fairly physical match. Devon heels it up by constantly bullying the ref throughout. Devon and his brother really have swapped gimmicks. Too bad Devon just isn’t as good at it. Anyway, what is good is Angles offense. Unfortunately for him it gets cut off when members of Aces & 8s come out and he gets distracted. Angle turns around and gets tackled by Devon. Devon cannot stay in control and in a flash he is caught in an ankle lock with a grapevine to boot! Devon taps!

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Jeff Hardy (c) defeated Austin Aries to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a ladder match

While Jeremy Borash is announcing Aries, Aries holds up a cloth banner featuring Jeff Hardy and spits on it before throwing it at the champ. Hardy stays cool, but there is a speedy demon pent up inside of him. He wants both belts, the conventional TNA belt and his custom one that are hanging just above the ladder. The action erupts early and Hardy attempts to make his way up the ladder only to get cut off by Aries who hits a variation of the Russian legsweep to knock his foe off the ladder. Later on Aries tries to trap Hardy on the outside by sticking him between a ladder and covering it with the ring steps. Aries slowly make his way up the ladder, but goes back down to check on Hardy. To his surprise Hardy is nowhere to be found, but when he looks backs in the ring Hardy is climbing the ladder. Aries pushes the ladder over and Hardy comes crashing down to the Earth violently. Hardy takes charge of the match and nearly grabs the title only for the belts to suddenly be raised higher. Hardy looks around and it is revealed that outside of the ring Aries has the controls to raise and lower the belts. Hardy goes after Aries before reaching under the ring to pull out an even taller ladder. The fight ends when the larger ladder falls down with Hardy and Aries on it. It lands on top of another ladder that had been set up horizontally in one of the corners of the ring. Hardy delivers the twist of fate on this ladder and Aries flies to the outside. Hardy then captures the belts.

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Oct 15 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Bound for Glory (2012) Review

TNA Bound for Glory (2012) delivered. Could the Austin Aries/Jeff Hardy main event have been better? Sure. Was the main event beyond decent at least? Absolutely! Add to that, that there were at least two matches even better including an awesome Bobby Roode/James Storm encounter and you’ve got quite a show. I recently mentioned that I wished TNA would have kept the title on Roode and this bout supports that line of thinking. Storm and Roode should gain huge momentum from this match and it will be a crime if in two months neither of them is in the pay-per-view main event. Perhaps the best part of Bound for Glory was that there was not a stinker in the bunch. Okay, the women’s match could have been a lot better (especially considering the participants), but it was pretty short and far from awful.

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Rob Van Dam defeated Zema Ion (c) to win the TNA X Division Championship

Zema gets twin two counts after an awkward spinning DDT. Zema pushes RVD out of the ring and flips over the top rope onto him. Inside, RVD misses a monkey flip and Zema goes up top, nailing a dropkick. RVD turns the match completely around by hitting a dropkick, a rolling thunder and a 5 star frog splash all in a row to win.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Samoa Joe (c) defeated Magnus to retain the TNA Television Championship

Magnus hits a variety of impressive maneuvers while he is in control. He gets Joe in a 619 position and drops a sharp running elbow on his back. Magnus shortly after hits a move resembling a Michinoku driver on the hefty Samoan. Joe fights back and soon clamps on an STF and turns that into a pure arm submission, but Magnus reaches the ropes. Joe attempts a muscle buster, but gets shoved off of the ropes and hit with a top rope elbow. Oh yeah! Joe tries the rear naked choke with Magnus escaping twice. The third time proves to be a charm for Joe and he retains by tap out.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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James Storm defeated Bobby Roode in a street fight

King Mo serves as the special guest enforcer during this battle. There is tons of brawling to start and Storm knocks Roode all over the outside. Mo stares down Roode then stares down Storm. Storm introduces chairs into the match, but doesn’t really do anything with them. Roode slingshots Storm into the ring post on the floor and Storm blades. Roode whacks Storm on the back with a chair and goes after his wound. The two go back inside along with some weapons and Storm begins to dominate with a kendo stick and trash can including a nut shot using the two. Storm is covered in a full crimson mask, but DDTs Roode on the ramp. A fan gives Storm a crutch and he hits Roode with it. The two end up on the announce table and Roode spears Storm off the regular announce table and through the Spanish one. Roode tries to pick on referee Earl Hebner, but Mo shoves him. Storm attacks and hits a last call super kick for a super close two count. Roode shoves Storm into a chair and schoolboys him, but only gets two. Roode takes out some thumbtacks, but gets pushed off the top rope onto them as Storm drops a top rope elbow…for two. Oh…no? Roode takes out Storm’s beer bottles, but Storm grabs one and throws it at Roode’s face. The crowd chants, “one more time” and Storm responds with a last call super kick to send Roode onto the thumbtacks for the victory.

Rating: 4.75 stars

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Joey Ryan defeated Al Snow

If Joey Ryan wins this match he will get a permanent contract with TNA. There are some “we want head” chants to start and Snow offers Ryan the chance to mount him…what a way for Joey Ryan to enter TNA (and hopefully not Al Snow!). Anyway, Ryan can’t get in any offense early on until he scores some cheap shots and manages a one count after a suplex. Al headbutts Ryan, tugs on his chest hair and Snow plows him, but only gets two. Al gets Head out from under the ring, but Ryan shoves Al into the ref as soon as he comes back in. Ryan kisses Head and slides to the outside. Snow traps Ryan by using the ring apron, but gets a big boot from an interfering Matt Morgan. Snow gets rolled back into the ring and Ryan pins him. Ryan and Morgan shake hands afterward.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Christopher Daniels and Kazarian (c) and AJ Styles and Kurt Angle to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship in a three way match

AJ and Chavo start off with some mat wrestling and Chavo wraps on a few headlocks. The action picks up quickly and at one point Kazarian flips AJ over so high that it looks like he really is ready to fly. AJ hits the pele and tags in Angle who hits some Germans on Kazarian. Chavo and Hernandez get back into the action and there are a series of awesome moves to the outside. These include a moonsault by Daniels, a plancha by Hernandez and a flip that AJ performs after jumping from one top rope to another! More carnage erupts, but clears leaving Hernandez to pin Daniels after a border toss and a frog splash from Chavo.

Rating: 4 stars

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Tara defeated Brooke Tessmacher (c) to win the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

The crowd is pretty quiet for this one even when Brooke manages an impressive hurricanrana jumping from the top rope and landing onto Tara. Tara wins the belt with a widow’s peak and gets on the mic to announce her celebrity boyfriend, Jessie Godderz from the reality show Big Brother 10. An appropriate “who are you?” chant breaks out.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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Two members of Aces & 8s defeated Sting and Bully Ray in a no disqualification match

Before the match clips from Sting’s TNA Hall of Fame induction ceremony are shown featuring speeches from Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter. The stakes are high as if Aces & 8s win they get full access to TNA, but if they lose then they will go away forever. Sting comes out in a classic colorful Sting jacket and Bully has on some face paint in the style of surfer Sting. The two members of Aces & 8s come out with Joseph Park and give him a shot to the gut and handcuff him to the guardrail before the four participants dive head first into some brawling. Sting tries a Stinger’s splash on the guardrail, but misses. The match goes inside and Aces & 8s dominate until Sting makes a hot tag to Bully. A third member of Aces & 8s comes in, but Park breaks free and fights him to the back. Sting signals for the table, but a fourth member of Aces & 8s shows up and drives Bully through it. Aces & 8s win and Mike Tenay and Taz sell it hard. Hulk Hogan comes out and attacks members of Aces & 8s as more are coming in. Hogan Hulks up on the one who put Bully through a table and unmasks him to reveal…Devon! “This is awkward” chants break out. Seriously.

Rating: 3 stars

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Jeff Hardy defeated Austin Aries (c) to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Aries heels it up like never before by pulling on hair, sneaking in cheap shots, etc. The crowd doesn’t buy any of it and sounds split about 60 to 40 in favor of Aries. As the match unfolds Aries tries a brainbuster, but is blocked by Hardy and instead gets his face smashed into the mat. On the outsie Hardy misses a dive onto Aries and Aries fires back with a suicide dive. Back inside and Aries is bloody as he locks on the last chancery, but is unable to get a submission. After some more back and forth action Jeff hits the twist of fate and tries a swanton bomb. Aries cuts him off with a hurricanrana and gets a super close two count with a brainbuster. Hardy battles back and wins it with another twist of fate and a swanton bomb.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Oct 13 2012
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Wrestling Clips

Going with Aries

Above is an example of Austin Aries wrestling after a run with a company’s top title. There is some basic mat wrestling to start and a bunch of cookie cutter moves with then ROH newbie, Eddie Edwards hitting the most impressive looking move in the first half with an enzuigiri. Aries balances out the match by performing three great maneuvers near the end: a twisting body press, an Asai moonsault and a 450 splash.

Before I sing Aries’ praises I have to note that if I had my way he would not be holding the TNA World Heavyweight Championship right now. That is not because Aries is not an incredible performer. Aries is wildly talented. However, the company had a good plan going with Bobby Roode, but instead of making him the leader of a heel stable and making a few more faces chase him, TNA switched directions and went with Aries. As good as Aries may be I value long title runs and these days a long heel title run tends to be more interesting than a long face title run.

It is worth considering that if TNA play their cards right they could book Aries like Bret Hart in the mid-1990s and make him a fighting champion. Aries has proven that he can produce worthwhile performances with just about any type of opponent and would fit the role. The Aces & 8s storyline provides a perfect opportunity to give Aries an array of opponents that audiences could be happily surprised with.

On the other hand Aries could lose the title tomorrow and by next week be shuffled down the card in cookie cutter matches like the one above. There is some evidence against this because a while back even Hulk Hogan said he didn’t think Jeff Hardy holding the title was a good idea.

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Sep 29 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Hardcore Justice (2012) Review

TNA Hardcore Justice (2012) was just above the middle of the road for recent TNA pay-per-views. It wasn’t the best production by a long shot, but certainly above average quality. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode continued to not live up to the potential an Aries/Roode encounter could be. Yet, they still gave a great performance. The first two Bound for Glory Series matches were so-so, but the final one featuring AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle more than delivered. Everything else was just kind of there, but at least there were no stinkers. In the end the show did a good job of developing existing feuds and creating anticipation for what Austin Aries will do next.

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Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Gunner and Kid Kash

Not a bad opener that sees the team of Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez in their first pay-per-view encounter. Chavo does a good job of hiding Hernandez’s weaknesses, which proves that Hernandez is best suited for the tag business. Hernandez gets in his usual plancha and pops the crowd with shoulder blocks on Gunner and Kash. Still, not seeing Homicide in his corner really makes me miss LAX.

Rating: 3 stars

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Rob Van Dam defeated Mr. Anderson and Magnus in a falls count anywhere Bound for Glory Series match

The winner of this bout will receive 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series. D’Angelo Dinero was supposed to be in this match, but when Dinero’s music plays no one comes out. A video is then shown of Aces & 8s taking out Dinero by slamming a door into his arm. RVD is in the ring already and looks on at all of this before his opponents, Mr. Anderson and Magnus enter. Mr. Anderson eats a frog splash in this match and Magnus is surprisingly forceful. He even drops an f-bomb when looking for a chair to attack RVD with. When Magnus finds it RVD just kicks it right back in his face and grabs the win.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Devon (c) defeated Kazarian to retain the TNA Television Championship

The shortest match of the night so far and it is not surprising. Devon and Kazarian’s styles don’t exactly compliment each other and the outcome is predictable since Kazarian is not getting a two titles simultaneously-type push. Kazarian takes a spinebuster after a fade to black attempt and Devon celebrates the pin.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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Madison Rayne defeated Brooke Tessmacher (c) to win the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

Before the match a recap video is shown of Madison Rayne’s crush being revealed as…Earl Hebner. Lame! During the video Hebner is shown wearing Bret Hart glasses and mocking an audience. Yes, Hebner still hasn’t gotten over the Montreal Screwjob. Combine that with TNA’s tendency to beat a dead horse and we’re in for trouble. At least the in-ring performers are both competent and Tessmacher is really beginning to earn her spot as the top knockout. It’s a shame that she doesn’t get to show it here. In under six minutes Madison rolls up Brooke and keeps her down by holding on to the ropes. Great, another screwjob angle.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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Bully Ray defeated James Storm, Jeff Hardy and Robbie E in a tables Bound for Glory Series match

Whoever emerges as the winner of this battle will earn 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series. This is a meh match, which is disappointing given that two of the innovators of the TLC match are in it. Plus, James Storm and Robbie E are solid performers in their own right. There is a botch early on when Bully is almost suplexed through a table by Storm and Hardy. Robbie moves it out of the way, but not fast enough so Bully breaks off the edge of the structure. You can tell it’s a botch because of the way Mike Tenay and Taz keep going over how a participant has to go through a table in order for the ref to decide a winner. Aces & 8s make their second appearance of the night when they cause a distraction that leads James Storm to hit the last call super kick on Hardy. This continues the speculation that Storm is tied to the heel stable. The distraction is not enough though because Bully comes back and powerbombs Hardy through a table to win it.

Rating: 3 stars

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Zema Ion (c) defeated Kenny King to retain the TNA X Division Championship

King takes an early lead in this fight and even sends Zema to the floor after a shot. There are plenty of high flying spots in this bout for fans of flippy action including Zema avoiding one moonsault from King only to be met with another one. In the end Zema brings it back to basics by planting King on his face and picking up the three count. It is the best match of the night so far and Zema/King have great chemistry. It would be swell to see these two lock up again in  a couple of years after they have really fine tuned their respective skill sets.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle in a ladder Bound for Glory Series match

As with the two previous matches the winner of this one gets 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series. Now, look at the names involved. Was there any doubt that this would be the match of the night? Joe looks like a beast early on, but before long he takes one in the gut from Daniels who gets too cocky. Joe pays him back with a slam on the ladder. The most entertaining part of this encounter though was when Joe and Angle took turns just destroying Daniels. First they do it by trading suplexes and then move on to actually sticking Daniels between the ladder and punishing him. They can only have so much fun with their cue ball headed opponent though and soon they are fighting on top of the ladder for the clipboard that hangs above. Joe wins the scuffle, but out of nowhere Styles springboards onto the ladder and snatches the prize.

Rating: 4 stars

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Austin Aries (c) defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

There are two important parts to the story leading into this match. The first is that since losing his title to Aries the previous month, Roode has been constantly berating his opponent and calling his victory a fluke. The second part is that Aries put the stipulation forward that regardless of who loses there will not be a rematch. The bout is not as good as their pay-per-view encounter the previous month, but the last few minutes are great. First, after a ref bump Roode is declared the winner after he superplexes Aries off the top rope and the two men cradle each other. With two refs counting, one says that Roode’s shoulder came up and the other says that Aries’ shoulder came up. Senior official Earl Hebner comes out and decides that the match will be restarted as Roode is holding the title on the floor and is ready to leave. As soon as the bell rings Aries comes out with a suicide dive and knocks himself out by hitting the title. Roode rolls him in and attempts to pin him, but Aries just manages to wake up and kick out. Aries is then able to roll up Roode to retain.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Sep 26 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Destination X (2012) Review

TNA Destination X (2012) gave a chance for some new stars to shine, which was a nice change of pace from a lot of TNA’s pay-per-views this year. The main event offered an entertaining match even if with the talent involved, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode, the encounter could have been better. Also, AJ Styles took on Christopher Daniels in a match that has been done to death. Even though Styles and Daniels has been done more often than most can count it was still a great showing and at least equally as good as the main event. On the downside the Ultimate X match wasn’t nearly as good as it could have been and some of the qualifying matches left a lot to be desired. Overall the show had more tasty treats to give than offerings that would leave sour tastes in the mouths of viewers.

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Mason Andrews defeated Dakota Darsow, Rubix and Lars Only in a fatal four way to qualify for the TNA X Division Championship Tournament

Before this fight Mike Tenay announced that Jeremy Borash will be substituting for Taz on commentary. This night is starting off underwhelming. Darsow begins by looking good…for a second. Darsow quickly gets dumped out of the ring by Andrews. Andrews and Rubix exit as Darsow comes back in after a while and really lays his boots into Only. Darsow knocks Andrews and Rubix off the apron as they try to re-enter. A while later Andrews takes a sick dive onto Darsow and Only, bur this gets overshadowed by Rubix’s even sicker dive. Andrew gets the final laugh after he puts Only in a fireman’s carry and slams him down with a bulldog.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Mason Andrews defeated Kid Kash in the TNA X Division Championship Tournament semi-finals

Andrews celebrates briefly, but turns around to be attacked by Kid Kash. Andrews has no down time and will have to defeat Kash if he wants to advance. Kash beats the tar out of Andrews until Andrews rebounds slightly with two dropkicks. It is not enough and Kash stays dominant until Andrews holds his knees up when Kash attempts a moonsault. The two go back and forth until Andrews defeats Kash with a schoolboy.

Rating: 2.25 stars

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Kenny King defeated Douglas Williams in the TNA X Division Championship Tournament semi-finals

Williams starts off with a headlock that begins a slew of mat wrestling. Williams is not in charge long because he is soon out of the ring and King twists over the top rope to the outside and lands on Williams while he is taking a breather. The two hit a variety of impressive moves including a flying European uppercut and a high knee from the top rope to the floor by Williams and a blockbuster off the ropes from King. Yet, there is no rhyme or reason for most of the moves. In the end King wins it.

Rating: 2.5 stars

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Sonjay Dutt defeated Rashad Cameron in the TNA X Division Championship Tournamnet semi-finals

An amazing amount of dropkicks from both wrestlers opens the match. After one dropkick Sonjay rolls out of the ring and Rashad flips over the top rope onto him. Dutt hits an impressive move when he knocks Rashad onto the mat so that his head is sticking out past the ropes and then Dutt slingshots over the ropes to the outside delivering a legdrop. Later on Sonjay finishes him off with a backflip off of the top into a double stomp.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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 Zema Ion defeated Flip Cassanova in the TNA X Division Championship Tournament semi-finals

Jesse Sorensen gave an update on his status after suffering a broken neck in a match with Zema Ion. Zema interrupts Sorensen as he is leaving and gets some massive heel heat. Zema begins the bout by getting in control for a while until Flip holds up his knees when Zema tries a moonsault from the second rope. As can be expected Flip does a ton of flippy stuff, but Zema responds by just dumping him on his face for the pin.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle in a Bound for Glory Series match

Samoa Joe hits the first big spot of the bout by back dropping Angle outside and following up with a suicide dive. Joe soon attempts a muscle buster, but gets a headbutt and a dropkick from Angle from off of the top instead. Angle eventually manages three rolling German suplexes, but it tires him and Joe nearly hits the muscle buster. Joe attempts the muscle buster a third time and hits it, but only gets two. The fight continues until Joe makes Angle pass out with a rear naked choke. Joe earns 10 points in the Bound for Glory Series.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in a last man standing match

Daniels dodges Styles early on and spits in his face. Styles gets his hands on Daniels and strikes him hard. Daniel fights back with some blows of his own. A chair is the first weapon to come into the math when Daniels plows Styles onto one. Daniels continues the punishment by punching AJ in the head until he blades. Styles fights back and bounces Daniels head off of the ring steps. Daniels blades and the blood really becomes noticeable as the two fight up the entrance ramp. AJ attempts a Styles clash, but Daniels reverses it with a back body drop. AJ flips off of a part of the set and reverse DDTs Daniels. The ref begins a 10 count, but Kazarian comes out of nowhere and pushes AJ off of the stage. Daniels and AJ rise and AJ comes back by taking care of Kazarian. AJ then ends the match by giving a Styles clash to Daniels off of the stage and through a table.

Rating: 4 stars

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Zema Ion defeated Mason Andrews, Kenny King and Sonjay Dutt in an Ultimate X match in the TNA X Division Championship Tournament finals to win the TNA X Division Championship

Zema gets shot into a corner and gives elbows to his opponents as they charge him. Zema goes up top and gets a triple dropkick from his foes. Sonjay gets taken out of the match with a possible injury as the action continues. There is no time to grieve as Andrews jumps over the top rope onto Zema and King. Zema goes for the title, but gets tackled down by King. Sonjay sneaks back into the match and all four go after the title. Andrews and King fall off while Sonjay and Zema fight at the very top of the Ultimate X structure. Zema sprays Sonjay in the face with his hairspray and grabs the belt.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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 Austin Aries defeated Bobby Roode (c) to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Some good back and forth action to begin as Jeremy Borash talks up their respective diets for some reason. Roode really gets an advantage when Aries misses a dropkick from the top rope and Roode puts his boots to him. Aries fights back and almost gets on the last chancery. However, Aries makes another mistake when he attempts a suicide dive and eats the guardrail. Back inside Aries starts selling an injury to his arm. Roode keeps working him over and insults him by saying, “you’re not even in my league.” Aries Hulks up and no-sells a ton of offense. Aries hits the suicide dive and the top rope dropkick that he missed earlier. Aries’ momentum stops when Roode catches him with a slam. Roode goes after Aries on the mat…but gets put in the last chancery. Roode reverses it into a crossface that gets reversed back into the last chancery. The hold gets broken and Aries goes for a 450 splash that misses. Roode gets in a spinebuster on Aries for two and goes after Aries’ arm. A little later the ref takes a bump and Aries gets hit with Roode’s belt for the pin…and Roode only gets a two count. Aries gets up and soon finishes the match with a punt to the head and brainbuster. Aries now has the TNA World Heavyweight Championship!

Rating: 4 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Sep 20 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Slammiversary (2012) Review

It was kind of tough to get excited for the main event of TNA Slammiversary (2012). Sting taking on Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship had an atmosphere similar to Shawn Michaels/John Cena at Wrestlemania 23, but on a much smaller scale. By that I mean sure Sting/Shawn Michaels had a big enough reputation to be in the main event, but it would make no sense for the challenger to come out as champion whether in terms of business or storyline. The undercard wasn’t that great either though the match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship could not possibly be bad and of course it delivered.

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Austin Aries (c) defeated Samoa Joe to retain the TNA X Division Championship

Mike Tenay and Taz play up that Aries is thrown off because he expected a non-title match, which Hulk Hogan switched at the last minute. Speaking of defense, Aries is put on the defensive early and often. The flow of the match starts to change when Samoa Joe misses a back splash. Before the match is over Aries hits a 450 splash and then finishes it with a brainbuster.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Hernandez defeated Kid Kash

Too bad Homicide wasn’t returning. Hernandez wins in a match that I can’t help but space out during. He does manage to grab my attention fro a second though when he hits a sick top rope plancha.

Rating: 2.5 stars

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Devon and Garett Bischoff defeated Robbie E and Robbie T

The feud between Devon and the Robbies was way past it’s expiration date at this point and adding Garett Bischoff didn’t help. Madison Rayne comes out during it. Good! Can something, anything interesting happen? Please? Bischoff does a bad Ricky Morton impression during this match. It would help if fans could feel sympathy for him. Devon gets the hot tag and clears the ring. Soon Robbie E is down for the count. Devon and Bischoff do some cheesy dancing to celebrate and Madison leaves without incident.

Rating: 2.5 stars

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Mr. Anderson defeated Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy to become the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Early on Jeff Hardy does his running dropkick to RVD using Anderson as a step stool. It looks butt ugly. RVD attempts a splash and misses both guys leading to a spot where all three take a breather way too early in the battle. Taz says, “there’s nothing fancy about that’ when RVD hits a kick. He might as well be talking about the match. Hardy comes alive when he hits a nifty spot jumping from the top rope to the floor and splashing RVD/Anderson. Hardy hits an ugly twist of fate, but a good swanton. Anderson gets the pin when RVD attempts a rolling thunder that leads right into a mic check. Am I sensing a pattern of mediocrity here?

Rating: 2.5 stars

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James Storm defeated Crimson

After Crimson cuts his usual annoying promo fans start a Goldberg chant only for James Storm to answer the challenge. Storm doesn’t even bother to take off his coat before laying into Crimson. Storm hits the last call super kick and pins Crimson to end his undefeated streak. Couldn’t someone else have used that momentum?

Rating: 2 stars

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Brooke Tessmacher defeated Gail Kim (c) to win the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

These two have had better matches and it says something when a fair amount into the fight the most interesting move is Kim leveraging a headscissors. Brooke also botches a belly-to-back suplex pretty noticeably. At least they try to sell it as a work. Brooke wins it with an awkward looking roll up.

Rating: 1.5 stars

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Joseph Park defeated Bully Ray

Joseph Park delays getting in as “Yankees suck” and “Lets go Rangers” chants break out. The crowd must be bored. Bully offers Park the first shot and it is a swing and a miss. After Bully paws at him, Joseph gets in a smack. The rest of the match consists of a ton of stalling and Bully punishing Joseph a bunch. Bully gets in some chair shots, but Park manages some offense of his own even getting a two count after a shot with a kendo stick. Park goes under the ring only for Park’s brother, Abyss to appear from underneath that same ring. Abyss chokeslams Bully through a table and goes back under from where he came. Park emerges and pins Bully. This was actually decent.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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AJ Styles and Kurt Angle defeated Christoper Daniels and Kazarian (c) to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship

This is a sweet match, but it is a shame that it did not have a better storyline going along with it. AJ Styles is by far the MVP of the match (and the night really) by hitting some incredible moves and managing to do a fairly good job of paying attention to the psychology behind the action. One of Styles’ more awe inducing maneuvers is a springboard off the guardrail leading to punching Kazarian in the face. “Right in the face” in fact to quote Don West. Angle doesn’t let AJ overshadow him completely and hits three rolling German suplexes on Kazarian capping it off by also German suplexing Daniels at the same time. Styles gets back to being the MVP by flipping over Kazarian and giving him a reverse DDT while he simultaneously DDTs Daniels. The action concludes with Styles performing a shooting star press over the ropes onto Daniels on the floor. Right after this, Angles gets a submission from Kazarian to win the bout and the belts.

Rating: 4.25 stars

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Bobby Roode (c) defeated Sting to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Earlier in the night Sting was announced as the first inductee of the TNA Hall of Fame. Former TNA wrestler Christian Cage (WWE’s Christian) also returned to announce Sting as having the number one moment in TNA history, which was his return in 2006. The battle begins with Roode ducking out of the ring a few times to start. Sting comes out to get him and Roode slides back in and stomps Sting upon re-entry. Roode is constantly avoiding Sting throughout and at one point this even leads to some brawling around the entrance way. Getting back to ringside Sting offers a Stinger’s splash on the guardrail and then locks on a scorpion deathlock on the announce table. Roode taps, but it doesn’t count since they are outside of the ring. Roode finds some beer bottles that Storm left behind. After the ref confiscates one, Roode wallops Sing with a second brew. Roode retains and Sting (with a modest blade job) attacks him afterward.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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Sep 10 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA No Surrender (2012) Review

This year’s TNA No Surrender pay-per-view had a difficult card to pull off on paper. There was no world title match, four of the company’s best athletes were used in one match and the three match tournament that ended the Bound for Glory Series could go either way. In the end TNA avoided going car crash bad with this event. Still, the company has had much better shows this year and depending on the buildup could have one again with the 2012 TNA Bound for Glory event. Still, before we get their let us look at the event that was.

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Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe in the Bound for Glory Series semi-finals

The Bound for Glory Series isn’t that bad of an idea, but couldn’t they change the name by now? With how much importance is placed on winning it, it should be at least as prestigious as the WWE used to make winning The King of the Ring. Heck, Mike Tenay even poked fun at how complicated the tournament is right before this match. Anyway, both guys’ injuries are played up early on, but don’t seem to factor in a whole lot until Samoa Joe hits a suicide dive and starts selling his forearm injury. As the match winds down Hardy hits a whisper in the wind, but only gets two. Soon after Joe goes for a muscle buster, but it is reversed and Hardy hits a butt ugly twist of fate. Hardy goes for a submission, but Joe reverses it into a pin. Hardy pulls out his own pinning reversal and wins.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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Bully Ray defeated James Storm in the Bound for Glory Series semi-finals

James Storm cuts a promo saying he is, “bound for glory” before the match. Gee, how original. Bully Ray runs his mouth to start and Storm spits in his face, then slaps it with plenty of stalling along the way. There are some interesting spots in this match including Storm headbutting Bully’s groin then powerbombing him and not one, but two ref bumps. Ray picks up the win after Bobby Roode interferes and breaks a beer bottle over Storm’s noggin while Storm had Bully down with a super kick. Storm later attacks Roode backstage.

Rating: 3.25 stars

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Brooke Tessmacher defeated Tara to retain the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

The commentators play up the student/teacher relationship of the two beforehand. Tara gets in at least a few good moves including a swinging side slam. Yet, she cannot pick up the win and Brooke rolls her up after escaping from the widow’s peak position.

Rating: 2.25 stars

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Austin Aries fought The Armbreaker with no decision rendered

Austin Aries cuts a promo beforehand saying his encounter with the Aces & 8s’ henchman isn’t going to have a referee or pins, but is going to be a fight. After some stalling The Armbreaker comes out and circles the ring. Aries suicide dives at him and then just starts throwing punches. This does not last long because The Armbreaker gives Aries a low blow when he is trying to unmask him. The Armbreaker beating down Aries is slow and plodding, giving me horrible memories of Black Reign. Aries gets back in control when in the middle of a powerbomb attempt he throws powder in his opponent’s face. Aries eventually hits a brainbuster and is about to unmask The Armbreaker when Aces & 8s interfere. The TNA locker room empties including Hulk Hogan. After Aces & 8s is run off Bully Rays tells Hogan that Jeff Hardy has been hurt and Hogan calls for the cops. The plot thickens. Should I even rate this? I guess so.

Rating: 1.75 stars

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Zema Ion defeated Sonjay Dutt to retain the TNA X Division Championship

Sonjay Dutt’s shoulder injury is hyped leading into the bout. Odd to see that Dutt looks like he is on the Scott Steiner aging system where he looks about 20 years older after five years. Still, he can go with the best high flying athletes and proves it in particular with a move where he rolls onto the ring apron directly into giving Zema Ion a hurricanrana. Zema is no slouch either and eventually hits a belly-to-back suplex variation where he completely flips Dutt over (okay maybe Dutt deserves more of the credit for this). Continuing, Dutt gets in a top rope hurricanrana and follows it with a standing moonsault. On the outside, Dutt hits a lightening quick Asai moonsault then gets in a springboard back on the inside. Zema gets in some offense and goes after Dutt’s shoulder with a submission. After a series of two counts Zema comes up with the win.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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Rob Van Dam defeated Magnus

Magnus has control of the match more or less from the start. He locks on a Texas cloverleaf, but it is not drawn out long enough to add to the match. Magnus plays to the crowd a lot (even more than RVD) until RVD gets things going for himself with a running spin kick. Magnus gets in a little more posing and RVD gets in a lot more offense until hitting the 5 star frogsplash for the win. Meh.

Rating: 3 stars

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Christopher Daniels and Kazarian defeated AJ Styles and Kurt Angle to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship

Christopher Daniels gets in a Thunderlips reference and drinks an appletini in the pre-match promo so yo know its going to be good! Kurt Angle and Christopher Daniels start off with Daniels slugging Angle, but Angle fights back with more powerful blows. AJ gets tagged in as does Kazarian. AJ does little except a snap suplex before tagging in Kurt. AJ gets an equally quick tag in and starts getting double teamed. Kurt gets the hot tag after AJ pushes his opponents into each other. Kurt gets knocked down, but Kazarian only manages a one count. AJ and Daniels are both tagged in after an Angle slam from the ropes on Kazarian. AJ doesn’t do much except eat a sick looking dropkick from Kazarian. Angle gets back in and the straps come down, but he is unable to score a pin or submission. AJ does a springboard into a 450 splash on Kazarian while Angle has Daniels in an ankle lock, but only gets two. Kazarian soon gets a two count of his own. Angle and Daniels come in, but in a flash are back on the floor with Angle grabbing his groin. Daniels throws his appletini in Styles’ face and Kazarian rolls him up for the win.

Rating: 4 stars

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Jeff Hardy defeated Bully Ray in the Bound for Glory Series finals

Before the match Hulk Hogan demands police brutality if Aces & 8s interferes in the bout. Bully Ray then cuts a promo in the back and enters the ring. Hardy’s music plays, but Hogan comes out instead and proposes delaying the match until this week’s television show. Gee, TNA is really making these pay-per-views worth their price. Hardy finally comes out with his shoulder heavily bandaged. Hey, at least its not the first time that Hardy wrestled at a TNA pay-per-view despite being in no condition to perform! Bully goes straight for the shoulder and butchers Hardy until Ray misses a big splash. Hardy then gets in some offense and hits a twist of fate followed by a swanton bomb. Bully comes back with a Bully bomb, but only gets two. Hardy nails the whisper in the win, but misses a second one which is followed up by a Bubba cutter from Bully. No dice. Hardy comes back with another twist of fate then misses a swanton. Bully hits another Bubba cutter for two. Hardy then gets a third then fourth twist of fate and goes to the top to nail a swanton for three!

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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May 17 2012
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Wrestling Reviews

TNA Sacrifice (2012) Review

This past Sunday’s TNA Sacrifice pay-per-view had its moments despite the show generally marking a drop-off in quality from last month’s Lockdown event. The opener was a little underwhelming because of it having little, if any real storyline. Interestingly enough the match of the night was similar as AJ Styles was defeated by Kurt Angle. Thankfully, this match was of much better quality than the opener. The Austin Aries/Bully Ray showdown was good and presented enough material to follow-up on. The main event is the best example of the drop-off in quality as James Storm/Bobby Roode was much better built last month and this match ended too abruptly with an unspectacular finisher.

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Christopher Daniels and Kazarian defeated Samoa Joe and Magnus (c) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship

The never-ending Christopher Daniels/AJ Styles feud is picking up some steam, which makes this match unfortunate. TNA really needs to get their booking straight as despite the talent of all four individuals in this match it had no heat. Are Samoa Joe and Magnus faces or heels now? Who cares? Obviously not TNA. Anyway the best part of this match was Christopher Daniels randomly missing a moonsault while Samoa Joe was standing. It’s a shame that a moment of unintentional comedy stands out the most in this match, but there you have it. The titles change hands, which will set up Christopher Daniels and Kazarian versus AJ Styles and Kurt Angle.

Rating: 2.75 stars

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            Gail Kim (c) defeated Brooke Tessmacher to retain the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship

Before the match, an ironic hype video is shown where viewers are told not to view Brooke as just a sex object. In the course of the video she is shown in a bikini, taking off her shirt and jiggling her butt. If you don’t blink during it you can also catch her doing a dropkick and a moonsault. As for the match itself there is some really fast paced action right from the start as Gail dives at Brooke. Gail plays a great heel during the match, but then again she always does. It is a shame there isn’t a bigger venue for good women’s wrestling. Gail is quite dedicated to her craft when she is not eliminating herself from battle royals. Brooke hit a pretty fair looking elbow drop from off the top at one point, but she is no match for the treacherous Kim. Gail pins Brooke with her feet on the ropes.

Rating: 2 stars

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Devon (c) defeated Robbie E and Robbie T to retain the TNA Television Championship in a three way match

I was tired of this match before it started. Does Devon really need to wrestle Robbie E again, let alone on pay-per-view? There is some brawling to start off until Devon clotheslines Robbie T over the top. Devon keeps command of the match and hits a Lou Thesz press on Robbie E and punches away. Devon makes a mistake by going to the outside to attack Robbie T. Robbie T mows Devon down on the outside. Around this time Taz gives Robbie T an odd compliment by calling him “A tugboat with abs.” Robbie T almost pins Devon, but Robbie E stops it. Devon gets the pin with a schoolboy while the Robbies argue.

Rating: 1.25 stars

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Mr. Anderson defeated Jeff Hardy

The first match of the night with no title involved and the second match of the night to have a fairly interesting story leading into it. The commentators do a good job playing up the psychology of the match by pointing out how Mr. Anderson was targeting Hardy’s arm. Anderson also does a good job of selling after Hardy puts his knees up to protect himself from an attempted aerial maneuver by Anderson. Anderson manages to pin Hardy, but Hardy kicks out right before the three. Or does he? Anderson is awarded the match, but the commentators play up the fact that Hardy might have kicked out in time.

Rating: 3 stars

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Crimson defeated Eric Young

Crimson comes out and issues an open challenge. The ref starts a 10 count so that Crimson can then claim a victory over…well that part is never explained. Anyway, before the ref reaches 10, Eric Young and ODB come out to answer Crimson’s challenge. Of course, Young doesn’t really want to take on Crimson so he comically goes after the ref instead. When Young and Crimson finally come to blows, Young surprisingly gets in some offense, but remember this is Crimson. You know the guy TNA has been building up seemingly forever and is “undefeated.” Young goes down at a little over six minutes.

Rating: .75 stars

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Austin Aries defeated Bully Ray

Fans had reason to have high expectations going into this match. It was the best developed storyline of the night and two capable hands were in the match. Aries with his ability to pull good matches out of slouches and Bully Ray being white hot left fans with something to anticipate. Fortunately, the two delivered. The craziest moment of the match was Bully Ray kicking Aries in the face while he was on the top rope. Aries fell to the outside hitting the guardrail and looks to have legitimately scuffed up his back. Abyss’ brother, Joseph Park eventually makes a run-in leading Aries to get Bully Ray in a submission hold and the big bully taps.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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            Kurt Angle defeated AJ Styles

These two guys have no real reason to fight or at least nothing to fight about that has actually been mentioned on TV in the last two months and been interesting. However, it is Kurt Angle and AJ Styles we’re talking about so it is not like they’re going to have a bad match. The two use a lot of holds and some good, basic technical wrestling to start things off. As the match progresses Angle signals for the Styles Clash at one point, hoping to finish Styles off. Oddly enough the signal he uses is Scott Hall’s old taunt. Angle doesn’t win the match just yet though as shenanigans need to take place. After Christopher Daniels and Kazarian distract AJ Styles while he is in control of the match, Angle picks up the victory. The fight isn’t over yet though as Angle aids Styles in preventing a beat down from Daniels and Kazarian.

Rating: 3.75 stars

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Bobby Roode (c) defeated Rob Van Dam to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a ladder match

After the previous two matches this match was sure to disappoint unless Van Dam or Roode pulled out some surprises. Some crazy spots would have been nice, but what can fans expect with Van Dam being his 40s and a far cry from the RVD of 1998. Roode tries his best, but he is clearly out of his element. The match ends after Van Dam twists his leg while it is between the rungs of a ladder and Van Dam is on the mat. This looks weak despite the commentators trying their best to play up the injury. Van Dam comes out of the match looking bad, but he has presented much weaker performances in recent years. Maybe he will be in the zone come next month’s pay-per-view. Likewise, Roode may deliver depending on who he is paired with.

Rating: 3 stars

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Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

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May 13 2012
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Wrestling Clips

TNA Sacrifice is Tonight

TNA Sacrifice goes down tonight and I for one am excited! The two matches that standout most to me are the main event of Bobby Roode/Rob Van Dam and Bully Ray/Austin Aries. I think Roode/Van Dam will put on a great performance, but I hope it isn’t too formulaic. Since I consider RVD more of a spot wrestler these days than anything, I hope his spots are at least surprising. I expect Roode to retain and hope it happens with an interesting twist just like at last month’s pay-per-view. Ray/Aries is tougher to predict in terms of outcome and match quality. It will also be interesting to see how Abyss will play into any of this.

Since three of the guys on card tonight are in this bout, I thought I would post the following match from FMW. Some impressions I got from the match.

*Aries wasn’t kidding when he recently called Bully Ray, “Blubber Ray.” I remembered him being fat, but my goodness! Also, I don’t even think this was at his fattest. He really got himself in shape.

*I would have loved to see Alfonso jump over the top rope. At least it would have stopped that whistle.

*Sabu really proves worthy of his title, “The King of Botches” in this one. Look for him barely grazing D-Von’s head at the conclusion of the match.

*Despite the negatives, this match is probably better than anything that will happen tonight! I hope I’m wrong though. Surprise me TNA!

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