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OUTSIDE TALENTS VS. X-DIVISION STARS AND MORE: COMPLETE TNA ONE NIGHT ONLY - XTRAVAGANZA 2016 PPV COVERAGE

By Mike Johnson on 2016-08-26 21:06:00

Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of TNA One Night Only.  Since the company actually promoted this one, I decided to order the show and cover it.  I'm watching via the Fite App, streaming from my smart phone to my Roku and the quality on my HD TV is perfect.

The show opened (no big video package or even graphics) with Jeremy Borash in the ring welcoming everyone to Xtravaganza saying that tonight would feature talents from "outside this company" facing the top X-Division talents with the winners advancing into the grand finale match.  He also plugged an Ultimate X match.  He then introduced all the talents from outside of TNA who would be competing tonight.  They came to the ring.  Borash said they each had a great opportunity tonight.  He said that if any of them are successful, they will go on to the grand finale and earn a shot at the X-Division championship.

Borash said he wanted to find out about these competitors, but Rockstar Spud's music began playing as he came out and headed to the ring.  He said he was a two time former X-Division champion and said that he was the greatest star in the history of TNA.  He said that when he was X-Division champion, he cashed in Option C and beat the hell out of Kurt Angle.  He said he was the greatest success story the business has ever seen and this was his division. 

Spud said he recognized one of the talents, Shynron.  Shyron said that he had to find his Zen and did that when he fought Jeff Hardy last time he was in TNA.  He said he found it and said he is now known as the Aerial Artist, Zenshi.  Spud told him to go draw something.

Spud pulled David Starr out of the lineup and asked why he should be part of Spud's division.  He said he should be part of the the X-Division.  He cut a good promo with all his catchphrases.  He said he was really good at professional wrestling and said that if you can't see that, you need to take a step back and take a better look.  Good promo!

Spud pulled Caleb Konley out and asked him why he should be in the Division.  Konley said that he's here because the X-Division needs a hero to revolt against the status quo and needs someone to examplify that the X-Division means no limits.

Spud pulled Marshee Rockett out of the line and was surprised by his size.  Rockett said that he should be in the division because he has something special.  Spud mockingly asked him what that was.  Rockett challenged him to find out but Spud put Borash between them.

JT Dunn established himself as a heel by knocking the other competitors and said he was here to show that he could knock anyone out.  Spud cut him off and said he wasn't Spud. Dunn just taking that and walking off made him look a little weak.

The next man was Jonathan Gresham.  He said he and Spud have met before but that was a story for another time.  Gresham said he was the best wrestler in the world and that's why he should be in the division.  Spud told him to never speak to him like that again, because he's a star and none of them are.

The last man was Chuck Taylor, who Spud mocked with a Southern accent.  He said it must kill him that he must wrestle for $50 a week in Timbuk 2.  He said all of these guys want the people to like them while they have their five star matches.  He said there's only one star in his matches and that's him.  Taylor said that he's never been in Impact and challenged Spud to fight him right now.

Spud was mad Taylor stepped to him and said this was all their own fault and announced the grand finale would be a Ladder Match and the only way they would earn the X-Division championship was to win that.  He demanded they all leave the ring so he could fight one of them.  He said it was his division and his ring, then threatened to hit a child that was ragging on him.  Spud had a chance to do some really nice mic work in this segment.  It may have gone a little long though.

Chuck Taylor vs. Rockstar Spud

Taylor was all over Spud early, cleaning house.  Spud tried to walk out but Caleb Konley grabbed him and put him on his shoulders, carrying him back and tossing Spud into the ring.   Taylor nailed a series of jabs.  Spud retreated from the ring again but was blocked by all the outside talents.  At least this way, they are getting their revenge on Spud.

Spud cut off Taylor and began nailing him, screaming on the mic that he was what a real wrestler looks like.  He told all the wrestlers on the outside that he belonged with them and tossed Spud to the floor at their feet.  He cut a promo saying this was his PPV and his Division.  He continued ranting until Taylor returned behind him.  Spud tried to nail him but the shots were all blocked and Taylor exploded with an overhead throwing supex.

Taylor followed that up with a dropkick and then a knee off the ropes.  He slammed Spud and executed a moonsault, but there was no water in the pool.  Spud worked over Taylor but began arguing with the other wrestlers.  Taylor rolled him up and scored the pin.

Your winner, advancing to the Grand Finale, Chuck Taylor!

OK match.  The highlight was really Spud's mic work and him playing the fool while ripping on everyone.  Taylor looked fine here.

All the other talents looked down at Spud and walked out.  Spud shoved Earl Hebner, who shoved him down on the mat.

Josh Mathews and Pope discussed the show and the main event.

They went backstage where The Bromans and Raquel cut a promo about competing in the Ultimate X match tonight.  Raquel bent over to show her assets.

Backstage, Chuck Taylor said he this was his first time here.  He said he didn't like Rockstar Spud but admitted he was good.  He said he was pretty good at climbing and he thought victory would be his in the ladder match.  Good promo from Taylor.

Marshe Rockett vs. Mandrews

They showed a promo outside the Impact Zone from earlier with Rockett talking about how tonight was his debut and he was so excited to be outside the Impact Zone to show everyone what he was about.

Mandrews was at an extreme disadvantage when it came to size.  They went back and forth with some decent action.  Andrews nailed a series of armdrags and hit a high cross bodyblock off the buckles, only to be hit with a dropkick.  Rockett worked over Andrews and cinched in a side chinlock.  The announcers made a lot of references to TNA's Pat Kenney scouting with an eye towards the future.

Mandrews made a comeback and scored a two count with a forward roll.  He avoided a charge in the corner and then leapt in the ring with a double stomp.  Rockett went to the floor.  Mandrews went for a pescado but Rockett avoided it.  Mandrews landed on the apron and hit a standing moonsault to the floor.  He tossed Rockett back in the ring and nailed a running shooting star press for another two count.  Good action thus far.

Mandrews went to the top but was cut off by Rockett, who drilled his chest with some chops.  He went for a move but Mandrews turned it into a tornado DDT for a two count.   Mandrews tossed Rockett to the outside.  He teased a dive but Rockett drilled him with a knee to the face.  Rockett went for a move but Mandrews slipped out of the way.  The announcers thought it might be the turning point. 

Mandrews nailed a series of kicks and went for a springboard move, only to be caught and slammed down with a Uranage.   Rockett scored the pin.

Your winner, advancing, Marshe Rockett!

Good, solid match with some decent action.  Rockett looked good and so did Mandrews.

They showed a classic X-Division moment where Chris Sabin defeated Bully Ray to win the TNA title at Destination X.  That seems like 100 years ago.

Backstage, Rockett said that Mandrews was a tough man and had his respect.  He said that tonight was his night and that he made a statement, one that he's going to continue every time he steps into a TNA ring.  He promised fans they were in for a hell of a ride.  Rockett seemed really happy and that was pretty infectious.

DJ Zema cut a promo saying he's been in the X-Division for five years and fans have gotten to see him grow as a person and a performer.  He said that if anyone thinks they are going to come in here and make their name at his expense, they were going to be mistaken.  Decent promo.

Jonathan Gresham vs. DJ Zema

Gresham cut a promo backstage that he's been competing over the last eight years all over the world and now he's come to TNA.  He said there are lots of styles that have been seen in X-Division and he's been trying to perfect one style, but he learned that one style isn't the answer, so he's going to use everything he learned in Mexico, The UK and Japan to his advantage.

Gresham controlled the bout early.  They whipped out some cool back and forth matwork and reversals, which was completely different from anything else on the show, so it was fun to see.   They went back and forth until Gresham used the ropes to springboard into a rana.  Gresham shoved off a DJ dropkick but was caught with another.

Zema ended out on the floor.  Gresham teased a dive but caught himself on the ropes, landed on his feet on the apron and then hit a nice moonsault off the outside of the buckles to the floor.  Zema was tossed back in, where Gresham began working over his arm and even his fingers.  Gresham continued to manhandle Zema, slamming him down and then cinching in a hammerlock.  Pope began talking about The Andersons and the Murdochs.  Josh Mathews said it was 2016.  Pope put over wrestling history.  Hey Matthews, shut up and let the man talk Mid-Atlantic!

Zema took control and sent Gresham to the floor, hitting a nice flip dive to the floor.  He tossed Gresham back in the ring and ascended to the top.  He nailed a nice flying bodypress but Gresham rolled through.   Zema went for a DDT but Gresham avoided it, nailed an enziguiri and hit a sweet German suplex for a two count.

Gresham locked in an Octopus.  Antonio Inoki is smiling somewhere.  Zema slammed him and Gresham came down knees-first.  He should never take that bump ever again.  They went back and forth as Zema escaped some European style takedowns until Zema nailed a DDT and scored the pin.

Your winner, advancing, DJ Zema Ion!

Very fun match with Gresham whipping out some really cool mat wrestling and combinations.  Ion looked good too.  Good stuff.

Gresham did a post-match promo.  His talking isn't as polished as his wrestling, but that's OK.  He was happy with his win and said that TNA hadn't seen the last of him.

Backstage, David Starr cut a good promo saying that everywhere he goes, he gets good reactions.  He said he was "The King of Taunts." 

David Starr vs. Suicide

Suicide is Jonathan Gresham under the hood.  They didn't hide there were different versions of the character over the years.  I think Gresham may be the fifth or sixth guy doing it.

They had some decent action early with the highlight being a Starr clothesline to the outside.  He sent Suicide hard into the buckles and he bounced out.  The announcers built up that Starr's finisher was The Product Placement, a German suplex variation, so it meant something when Suicide kicked out of it.  They battled back and forth with chops and forearms in the corner.

Starr charged him in the corner but was nailed with a drop toehold.  Suicide nailed a delayed stomp   Suicide nailed Sliced Bread #2 and scored the pin.

Your winner, advancing, Suicide!

I wonder if they brought the old name back as a play on Suicide Squad.  Another decent match.  Starr has a ton of charisma.

They aired another classic moment, featuring Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn from 2011.

Backstage, David Starr said that win or loss, he showed the world that he was the best wrestler in the world.  He repeated his line from earlier saying that if you can't see that, you had better step back and take another look.  He was very serious in delivery this time and it was good.

Braxton Sutter said that for a decade, he's been working hard to break into TNA and he knows what it's like for those trying to do it now.  He's here to take over.

JT Dunn vs. Braxton Sutter.

Dunn cut a promo backstage before the bout saying he was the best striker in pro wrestler and he was the savior the X-Division needs.  He said it was going to be Death by Elbow tonight.  Decent promo.

Dunn took the mic and he said he knows everyone loves Sutter, but he doesn't see why they do.  He said Sutter has a good story of trying to get to the Impact Zone for over a decade.  He said that everyone loves a story like that, until someone like JT Dunn steps into the ring.  The crowd was booing Dunn.  He said that people like to boo him here and threatened to walk out and never come back.  The crowd liked that.  Dunn acted as if he was going to leave but turned to get back in Sutter's face, only to get nailed.

They locked up and muscled each other all over the ring.  Dunn slid between the ropes to prevent Sutter from getting to him, but Sutter soon caught up with him with a series of rights.  Sutter had some really great fire early.   He nailed a big backdrop for a two count.  Dunn fired back and nailed a series of chops.   Dunn cinched in a cravate.  Sutter went for a back suplex but Dunn landed on his feet and they went back and forth untl Dunn cut him off and raked at Sutter's face.

Dunn beat down Sutter, who tried to fire up from underneath.   Dunn nailed a German suplex for a two count.   Dunn came off the rope but Braxton caught him with a boot.  Dunn was busted open near the eye from the shot.  Sutter nailed some really nice offense.  Sutter nailed a powerslam  and a gutwrench powerbomb for another two count.  This was easily the best Sutter has looked thus far in TNA.

Dunn went for a superkick but Sutter grabbed it.  Dunn caught him with a rolling elbow for a two count.   Sutter nailed a backdrop over the top to the apron.  Dunn fought back but was snapped on the ropes.  He went to the floor.  Sutter teased a pescado but landed on his feet when he saw Dunn had recovered.  Dunn  took his legs out from under him and smashed him down across the apron, hanging him.  Dunn went to the apron and came off with a legdrop.  Sutter finally scored the pin.

Your winner, advancing, Braxton Sutter! 

Another solid match.

Coverage continues on Page 2.


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