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3/10 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE BIG CAT ERNIE LADD PASSES AWAY

By Mike Johnson on 2014-03-10 07:00:01

March 10th

On this day in history in ....


1870 - James H. McLaughlin wins a tournament in Detroit, Michigan to become American Collar-and-Elbow Champion.

1908 - Orville Brown is born in Sharon, Kansas.

1950 - Tommy O'Toole defeats Sonny Myers in a tournament final in St. Joseph, Missouri to win the vacant NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title.

1952 - Ann LaVerne defeats Betty Hawkins for the NWA Florida Women's Title in Tampa, Florida.

1959 - Mighty Ursus and Shag Thomas defeat Maurice and Paul Vachon to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Edmonton, Alberta, ending the Vachons' second reign.

1959 - Andre Bollet and Frank Valois defeat Johnny Walker and The Amazing Zuma for the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning their second reign.

1960 - Bob Ellis wins his second NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from Kinji Shibuya in Kansas City, Kansas.

1960 - Mighty Ortega and Alex Perez defeat Dory Funk, Sr. and Dick Hutton for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Title in Amarillo, Texas.

1967 - The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeat Skandor Akbar and Swede Karlson to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

1968 - Yukiko Tomoe defeats The Fabulous Moolah for the NWA World Women's Title in Osaka, Japan, ending Moolah's second reign.

1970 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Joe Turco defeated Eric the Red.
- Waldo Von Erich defeated The Masked Demon.
- Little Brutus and Sky Low Low defeated Sonny Boy Hayes and Joey Russell.
- Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Jean DuBois.
- Mario Milano and Victor Rivera defeated Karl Kovacs and Killer Kowalski.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ernie Ladd.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and Ivan Koloff fought to a draw.

1972 - John Tolos defeats Killer Kowalski in Los Angeles, California to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title for the third time.

1975 - George Barnes and Bill Dundee defeat Eddie Marlin and Tojo Yamamoto in Memphis, Tennessee for the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title.

1978 - Ron Bass and Moondog Lonnie Mayne defeat Chavo Guerrero and El Halcón for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.

1980 - Jack Brisco and Jimmy Garvin defeat Stanley Lane and Bryan St. John to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in West Palm Beach, Florida, ending Lane and St. John's second reign.

1983 - Billy Jack Haynes and Stan Stasiak defeat The Assassin (David Sierra) and Rip Hamilton for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Salem, Oregon, ending their second reign.

1985 - The WWF held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- Bret Hart defeated Goldie Rogers.
- Jesse Ventura defeated Jim Young.
- The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) defeated Terry Gibbs and Mr. X.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Matt Borne.
- Ken Patera defeated Tony Atlas.
- WWF Women's Champion Leilani Kai defeated Wendi Richter.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham) defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in a no-disqualification match.
- André the Giant defeated Big John Studd by disqualification.

1985 - MS-1, Pirata Morgan and Santanico defeat Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata) in Mexico City, Mexico to become the first Mexican National Trios Champions.

1986 - Brian Adias defeats The Grappler to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title in Fort Worth, Texas.

1988 - Peter Bainbridge defeats Jim Breaks for the European Lightweight Title in Bristol, England. This began Bainbridge's third reign and ended Breaks' 12th.

1990 - Invaders I and IV defeat The New Mercenaries (Cuban Assassin and Ron Starr) for the WWC Caribbean Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

1991 - Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata defeat Perro Aguayo and Gran Hamada to win the UWA World Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

1992 - Dr. Death defeats Tom Prichard to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, ending Prichard's fourth reign.

1995 - Scott D'Amore defeats Mickey Doyle for the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Heavyweight Title in Oldcastle, Ontario. This began D'Amore's third reign and ended Doyle's second.

1998 - Black Warrior defeats Shocker to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, beginning his second reign.

1999 - Yumiko Hotta wins her second WWWA World Singles Title from Shinobu Kandori in Tokyo, Japan.

2000 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 24: First Defense at the Civic Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The results were:
Preliminary bouts:
- Scott Adams defeated Ian Freeman by submission (heel hook) at 3:09 of round one in a Middleweight bout.
- Shonie Carter defeated Brad Gumm by unanimous decision after three rounds in a Lightweight bout.
Pay-per-view bouts:
- Jens Pulver defeated David Velasquez by TKO (strikes) at 2:41 of round two in a Lightweight bout.
- Bob Cook defeated Tiki Ghosen by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:29 of round two in a Lightweight bout.
- Dave Menne defeated Fabiano Iha by unanimous decision after three rounds in a Lightweight bout.
- Lance Gibson defeated Jermaine Andre by knockout (knee) at 3:37 of round three in a Middleweight bout.
- Tedd Williams defeated Steve Judson by TKO (strikes) at 3:24 of round one in a Heavyweight bout. Kevin Randleman was originally scheduled to defend his UFC Heavyweight title against Pedro Rizzo, but Randleman slipped on the concrete floor and hit his head, knocking himself out completely. Randleman was taken by ambulance to the hospital, and diagnosed with a concussion. The fight took place at UFC 26 in June, with Randleman retaining the title.

2000 - The Equalizer defeats Rocko Dorsey, Big Dick Dudley and Kronus in a four-way match for the NWA Jersey Heavyweight Title in South Amboy, New Jersey. The title was stripped from Chris Candido on that same day, due to his signing with WCW.

2000 - Jeremy Jett defeats Zane Morris in North Richland Hills, Texas to win the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title.

2001 - Eddie Colón defeats Damien Steel to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Morovis, Puerto Rico. This ended and began both men's second reigns.

2001 - Masaaki Mochizuki defeats Tiger Mask IV for the Michinoku Pro Wrestling British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Tiger Mask's second reign.

2001 - Qenaan Creed defeats Gregory Martin to win the Maryland Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Title in Paw Paw, West Virginia, beginning his second reign.

2001 - Jeff Daniels and Tim Renesto defeat Sweet-n-Sassy (Quinton Charisma and Farren Foxx) for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee.

2001 - Naughty by Nature (Rude and Tully) win their seventh NWA Mid-South Tag Team Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, defeating the Pink Flamingos.

2001 - Slayer defeats Dave Misterio to become the first NWA Jersey Junior Heavyweight Champion in Middletown, New Jersey.

2002 - Bobby Collins wins a battle royal for the vacant Canadian Wrestling Federation Hardcore Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At the same event, Spyder defeats Brian Sylver to win his second NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title, and The Big Kahuna and Overkill defeat The Mad Bomber and JC Owens for the CWF Tag Team Title.

2005 - Canadian Extreme (C.K. Sexx and J.T. Thorn) defeat Kerry Brown and Kwang Chang for the vacant CWF Tag Team Title in Black Rat Lake, Saskatchewan.

2006 - Apocalypse wins a battle royal, last eliminating champion T.J. Wilson to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta.

2006 - Matt Kuma defeats Dave Holiday to win the Pro Wrestling WORLD-1 Southern Heavyweight Title in Valdosta, Georgia. Jon Davis had left WORLD-1 three days earlier, leaving the title vacant.

2007 - Ernie Ladd, one of the first black wrestlers to rise to prominence in the United States, died in Franklin, Louisiana at age 68 after a three-year battle with cancer. Nicknamed as "The Big Cat", Ladd was one of many athletes to venture off the football field and into the squared circle. Ladd, a defensive tackle at Grambling State University, was drafted by the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1961 draft, and he played in the AFL for eight seasons with the Chargers, Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs, including a 1963 championship with the Chargers. At 6 feet, 9 inches tall, and 315 pounds, Ladd was arguably the biggest and strongest man in not just the AFL, but all of professional football during his career. He was inducted to the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1981. Ladd made his wrestling debut in 1961, wrestling during the football off-season, and became one of wrestling's most hated heels during the 1970s, and had feuds throughout the years with André the Giant, Paul Orndorff and The Junkyard Dog. He won titles all over the country: in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New York, Los Angeles, and in Mid-South, where the majority of his title wins took place. Ladd was inducted to the WCW and WWF Halls of Fame in 1994 and 1995, respectively.

2007 - Full Impact Pro held the First-Annual Eddie Graham Memorial Battle of the Belts at the National Guard Armory in Crystal River, Florida. The event featured a tournament named in honor of legendary Florida promoter Eddie Graham, held to crown the first FIP Florida Heritage Champion.
- FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong defeated Jimmy Rave in a first round match.
- FIP Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe defeated Larry Sweeney in a first round match.
- Erick Stevens defeated Shingo in a first round match.
- Delirious defeated FIP Tag Team Champion Mark Briscoe in a first round match.
- FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong defeated FIP Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe in a semifinal match.
- Erick Stevens defeated Delirious in a semifinal match.
- The YRR (Kenny King, Chasyn Rance and Sal Rinauro) defeated Kory Chavis, Jerrelle Clark and Seth Delay.
- Erick Stevens defeated FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong to win the Eddie Graham Memorial Battle of the Belts Tournament become the first FIP Florida Heritage Champion.

2007 - Beau Douglas defeats Jason Rumble for the NWA New England Heavyweight Title in Saugus, Massachusetts, beginning Douglas' second reign and ending Rumble's third. At the same event, Matt Ledge defeats Legion Cage, Paul Hudson, Cameron Matthews and Scotty Vegas in an elimination match to win the NWA New England Cruiserweight Title. The same day, the promotion left the National Wrestling Alliance, which it had been a member of for 10 years, and reverted to its original name, the Century Wrestling Alliance.

2007 - Billy Roc defeats Chad Collyer to win the NWA Indiana Heavyweight Title in Frankfort, Indiana.

2007 - The Outlaw defeats Exile for the NWA Oregon Heavyweight Title in Corvallis, Oregon.

2007 - El Guapo defeats Bushido X to win the NWA Hawaii Junior Heavyweight Title in Waianae, Hawaii. The title had been vacated by Mr. Spa Fitness after he won the AWA Inter-Island Heavyweight Title on September 23, after Hawaii Championship Wrestling ended its relationship with NWA Hawaii and became an AWA member.

2008 - WWE announced Jack and Jerry Brisco would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

2009 - Boston police announced that they were filing 29 charges/a> against an artist, Shepard Fairey today for allegedly putting up posters and stickers of a piece of artwork featuring the visage of former WWE champion Andre the Giant and the word "Obey".

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Jacksonville, Florida and your announcers are Matt ‘Not Quite Dennis Miller’ Striker and Todd ‘You mean they weren’t really in St. Louis last night’ Grisham.

We see footage from the Dirt Sheet where Miz and Morrison portray The Colons as rear ends.

Match Number One: The Miz with John Morrison versus Primo Colon with Carlito and the Bellas
John Morrison, Carlito, and the Bellas are at the announce table.

They lock up and Miz with a waist lock and Primo with a standing switch. Miz gets to the ropes and Primo breaks the hold. Miz with a side head lock and he holds on. Primo with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Primo with a kick and leg sweep followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Primo with a drop kick that sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Primo with punches of cinco. Primo sends Miz into the turnbuckles again and gets a near fall. Primo with boots to Miz but Miz sends Primo off the apron and Primo lands hard. We go to commercial.

We are back and Miz with a rear chin lock. Primo with forearms and an Irish whip. Miz sends Primo to the apron and then Primo goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Primo misses a cross body and goes to the floor. Miz goes to the floor and connects with a forearm to the head right in front of Carlito. Miz rolls Primo back into the ring and Miz with knees to the back. Miz with a kick to the chest and then he catapults Primo into the bottom rope and gets a near fall. Miz tries to work on Primo’s back as he stretches him and puts the knee in the back. Primo with a kick and punches. Miz runs Primo into the corner and he works on the lower back. Primo with an electric chair drop and both men are down. Miz and Primo exchange left hands and Primo with a flying back elbow and clothesline followed by a drop kick. Primo with a springboard drop kick for a two count.

Miz with a modified Stroke that lands Primo on top of his head. Primo with a rollup and Miz rolls through for a near fall. Miz runs into an elbow and then Primo comes off the turnbuckles but Miz turns it into a power slam for a near fall. Miz sets for the running clothesline into the corner but Primo moves and then he hits a lungblower for the three count.
Winner: Primo

After the match, Primo and Carlito celebrate with the Bellas while Morrison checks on Miz in the ring.

It is time for ECW to take a look at 12 Rounds (or Orange Sash . . . The Early Years).

Great Khali and Runjin Singh are in the back talking about something as we go to commercial.

We are back and Male Teens love ECW as much as Germans love David Hasselhoff.

We have the Extreme Rewind: Natalya defeating Alicia Fox and DJ Gabriel attacking Tyson Kidd.

Match Number Two: Tyson Kidd with Natalya versus DJ Gabriel with Alicia Fox
Kidd with a knee and forearms but Gabriel with an uppercut and forearm followed by a back body drop. Kidd backs into the corner followed by an Irish whip but Kidd moves and hits a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles. They both go to the floor and Kidd with a kick to the head. They return to the ring and Kidd with a near fall. Kidd with a kick to the back and then he hits a kick to the chest for a near fall. Kidd with a leg drop and then he puts Gabriel in a rear chin lock. Gabriel with an arm drag but Kidd with a kick. Gabriel with a wheelbarrow suplex and a near fall. Kidd with elbows and then Gabriel tries for a suplex but Kidd is able to get to the apron and he drops Gabriel on the top rope and then Kidd gets the three count after a springboard elbow drop.
Winner: Tyson Kidd

We are back and Evan Bourne is one week away from his return.

It is time for a look back at the Triple H/Randy Orton Home Invasion Adventure.

Time to take a look back at the Wrestlemania where Jim Ross started, in Las Vegas.

Match Number Three: The Tri-Brand Battle Royale Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
The participants in this match are JTG, Shad Gaspard, Kung Fu Naki, Christian, Vladimir Kozlov, Great Khali, Chavo Guerrero, William Regal, R Truth, Tommy Dreamer, Goldust, Jimmy Wang Yang, Paul Burchill, Dolph Ziggler, Charlie Haas, and Ricky Ortiz.

There is pandemonium in the ring and Ricky Ortiz is eliminated by Khali. Kozlov with a head butt to Funaki and then he is eliminated. Khali pushes Kozlov over by the leg. Then everyone else eliminates Khali. Haas and Ziggler eliminate Yang. Ziggler drop kicks Goldust over the top rope. With Ziggler and Haas on the apron, Cryme Tyme eliminate each of them.

Things slow down a bit as Cryme Tyme work on Paul Burchill but he lands on the apron. Then Shad and JTG punch Burchill off. JTG eliminates his tag team partner as we go to commercial.

We are back and Christian, William Regal, Tommy Dreamer, R Truth, and Chavo Guerrero are left. We see a TNA-tastic tower of doom move. William Regal falls victim to a DDT from Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer picks up Regal and Regal is able to keep his feet off the floor. Regal pulls Dreamer over the top rope to eliminate him. R Truth and Christian battle in the center of the ring and Truth with a clothesline. Christian tries to eliminate R Truth and he avoids him but Truth misses a side kick. Chavo throws Truth over the top rope and he is eliminated. Chavo goes after Christian but Christian holds on and kicks Chavo away. Christian punches Chavo and tries for an Unprettier but Regal with a forearm. Regal with a head and arm suplex that sends Chavo into Christian. Regal throws Christian to the apron and then he charges at Christian and Christian eliminates Regal. Christian rolls back in from the apron and he kicks Chavo. Chavo with kicks and forearms to Christian. Chavo shimmies and sets for the Three Amigos and hits it. Chavo goes up top for the frog splash but Christian gets up. Christian tries for the Unprettier but Chavo escapes the hold. Chavo is sent to the apron and then Chavo tries to pulls Christian over like Big Show was eliminated in a past Royal Rumble. Chavo with forearms and Christian uses the ropes to kick Chavo to the floor to eliminate him.
Winner: Christian

We go to credits with Christian pointing to the sign.

2010 - Tommy Dreamer wrote about his decision to leave WWE on their own website via his blog, writing, "My leaving WWE was the hardest thing to do in my life. I refer to it as WWE A.D.(After Dreamer).I worked almost 10 years there. I truly liked all the people associated with the company. I miss them and the fans everyday. I left for many reasons, which I will not discuss here. ECW was my world and all that I have is because of ECW. My connection to the fans is something that means so much to me. Fact, when I was the main event on ECW I was the highest rated main event every year. You can look it up. (me and Chavo Guerrero 1.6, me and Mark Henry 1.5, me and Koslov 1.3 and that match was poopoo. Hell me and Big Daddy V did a 1.2) many men and women came on that show and it was good old reliable me that was the highest rated every year. That is a hard pill to swallow, when you hear of the failing ratings of ECW. Networks wanting to change the show because of ratings. If you want to read into my leaving ECW, you can relate it to the Conan O Brien saga with his show. I felt I left my mark in WWE with the many men and women I hired to help realize their dreams. The many people I have encountered in my tenure in WWE is something I hold deep within my heart. I hope that I have influenced your life somehow, because you all have influenced mine. See you on Twitter or www.thetommydreamer.coma>."

2011 - John Morrison and Melina, then working for WWE, decided to jump into the pool at Skybar, a well known club and ended up being "banned for life", according to Morrison on his Twitter.

2011 - WWE broadcast Superstars.  Here is Richard Trioinfo's original TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers Matt Striker and Jack Korpela.

Before we start our first match, we see highlights from last week when Chris Masters defeated Curt Hawkins only to fall victim to a post match attack from Tyler Reks and a Burning Hammer.

Match Number One: Chris Masters versus Tyler Reks

Masters attacks Reks as soon as the bell rings. Reks pushes him away but Masters keeps the pressure on and he chops Reks a few times followed by an Irish whip. Masters with a kick and swinging neck breaker. Masters tries for the Master Lock but Reks is able to get free before it is locked in and Reks goes to the floor to regroup.

Reks returns to the ring and Masters kicks him as he gets back in. Reks with a kick and Masters with punches. Reks with punches and forearms followed by a slam. Masters with a chop. Reks with a forearm followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Reks with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Reks with an arm bar and chin lock and then he pulls Masters down to the mat. Reks with a knee to the back and then he rakes the face. Masters kicks Reks and then punches him. Reks with a kick. Reks with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot and Masters with a shoulder tackle from the turnbuckles followed by a clothesline over the top rope.

Masters sends Reks into the ring steps while they battle on the floor. Masters tries to send Reks into the ring post but Reks escapes and sends Masters into the post. Reks with a clothesline and elbow combination on the floor and we go to commercial.

We are back and Reks has Masters in a single leg crab but Masters gets to the ropes. Reks kicks Masters in the chest and then he hits a back breaker and gets a near fall. Masters with a punch to the midsection but Reks with a punch of his own. Reks with an elbow to the head but Masters blocks a punch and gets a near fall with a back slide. Masters with a Samoan drop and they are both down. Masters with a reverse atomic drop followed by a chop.

Masters with a flying shoulder tackle followed by a punch that knocks Reks down. Masters with an Irish whip and Sky High for a near fall. Reks with an elbow and then hits a flatline and gets a near fall when Masters gets his foot on the rope to stop the count. Reks waits for Masters to get up and he kicks him in the chest. Reks gets Masters up for the Burning Hammer but Masters escapes the hold with elbows and Masters puts Reks in the Master Lock and Reks taps out.

Winner: Chris Masters

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is already time for the Raw portion of this weeks show and your announcers are Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews.

We go to highlights from Raw when we found out who the hand picked referee for the Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler match is going to be. It ends up that you can have a hand picked referee who is not your actual pick when you are the one doing the picking. Steve Austin is your referee and he also got to pour some beer on people and give them stunners.

We go to commercial with a Sin Cara video package.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov with Santino Marella and Tamina versus Zack Ryder with Primo

Ryder woo woos as the bell rings. Ryder retreats to the ropes before he locks up. Ryder with a waist lock but Kozlov with a fireman’s carry and Ryder yells at and pushes Kozlov. Kozlov pushes Ryder down. Ryder with kicks and forearms but Kozlov with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Kozlov works on the leg and Ryder gets to the ropes. Ryder with a side head lock but Kozlov catches him on a cross body attempt and he hits a fallaway slam and Ryder goes to the floor.

Kozlov punches Ryder in the ribs and then he sends Ryder back into the ring. Ryder with a double sledge as Kozlov returns to the ring. Kozlov with head butts to the chest followed by an arm wringer and shoulders in the corner. Kozlov with a hip toss from the apron and then he hits a boot to the head.

Primo gets on the apron and Santino pulls him off. Ryder gets out of a slam attempt and he hits a jaw breaker followed by the Rough Ryder and he gets the three count.

Winner: Zack Ryder

It is time for more comments from Shawn Michaels about the Undertaker/Triple H match at Wrestlemania.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to see what John Cena had to say to Rock as well as what the Miz did to Cena.

Match Number Three: Natalya, Mark Henry, and Great Khali versus Tyson Kidd, Melina, and William Regal

The women start things off and they lock up and Natalya gets a near fall. Melina sends Natalya to the mat and she screams for no reason. Melina with a head scissors and Natalya escapes and she slaps Melina. Melina tries for a kick but Natalya blocks it and she tries for a sharpshooter but Melina gets to the ropes. They fight into the ropes again and the referee has to separate them.

Kidd makes the blind tag and Melina yells at Tyson. Tyson tells Natalya to get out of the ring and Henry comes in. Kidd tags Regal in before locking up. Henry with a head butt and then he backs Regal into the corner and Khali is tagged in. Khali with a chop to Regal’s chest but Regal with a kick to the knee followed by a forearm and knees. Kidd tags in and he punches Khali but then he realizes that Khali is okay. Regal refuses the tag and Melina goes to the floor.

Kidd offers his hand to Khali and Khali chops Kidd and then he hits the vertical choke slam for the three count.

Winners: Natalya, Mark Henry, and Great Khali

After the match, Henry with a splash on Kidd and then Natalya adds insult to injury by putting Kidd in the sharpshooter and Kidd taps for no reason.

Kidd’s partners decide not to be left out of the attack on Kidd and Regal puts Kidd in the Regal Stretch and then Melina slaps Kidd.

2011 - TNA broadcast Impact.  Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com!

We open the show with a recap of last week's big event where we found out Hulk Hogan won the lawsuit and is now 100% owner of TNA, Kurt Angle ruined the Jarrett renewal ceremony, and Sting made his surprise(?) return to beat Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Title.

We're still in Fayetteville, and it's time for our show opening promo with new World Champion Sting, who is STILL carrying around that ridiculous belt. He says he's felt like he's accomplished a lot of things throughout his career, but he knows that he couldn't have done it on his own. From the first time he stepped in the ring, the fans have supported him every step of the way, and he thanks them for that. He's also thankful for Jeff Hardy, and he's not on board with Hardy's personal philosophy, but says that he's one of the greatest that he's ever faced in the ring, and one day when he gets his head screwed back on straight, he hopes he'll give back to the fans for everything they've given him all these years.

Hulk Hogan's music hits, and he and Eric Bischoff come out applauding Sting's speech as we take another look back at last week. Hogan says it's good to see Sting again, but it's weird that after the history they've had, they had gone their separate ways the last few months. He always knew that they'd end up back in the ring together where it all started, and he's got to give Sting credit because he saw this coming the entire time and he tried to warn everyone, but when nobody listened to him, all the momentum fell in Hogan's lap. When that happened, Sting took his ball and went home, and now that he's back he's a day late and a dollar short, and the fans don't need another hero because they've already got Hulk Hogan. Sting says he's right that he quit and went home, but he didn't quit on the people, he quit on the thought of having to deal with Hogan, Bischoff and Flair and having to deal with them making his life hell every day. The more he sat at home, the more a fire burned inside him, and it was the same fire he had the first time he wrestled Flair, the first time he dropped Bischoff on his head, the first time he stepped in the ring with Hogan, and the same fire that told him he wasn't going anywhere. He's got another job to do, and that's to take back what never belonged to Hogan, and that's this right here. (indicating the belt)

Ken Anderson's music hits, and he steps into the ring to join the power luncheon. He says that he's obviously not spoken clearly or loudly enough, so he says that he wants his rematch, with the key word being "MY" rematch. Since Hogan's little bitch Jeff Hardy just happened to lose it to this guy (Sting), Sting becomes that guy for him. He doesn't care what Hogan, Bischoff, Immortal, or the network wants because everyone here knows who he is, but he doesn't think they've been formally introduced, so his name is MISTER ANDERSOOOOOOOOOOON...ANDERSON, and he is AN ASSHOLE. Sting smiles at Anderson, but now Jeff Hardy's music hits and he strolls out because he's got some thoughts he'd like to share as well. He'd first like to let Fayetteville know that they can kiss his charismatic ass, and in case we don't know, he's the Antichrist of professional wrestling and he was robbed because he had no chance to prepare for his opponent, and the line for a title shot starts behind him.

Okay, now Rob Van Dam's music hits and he comes out to throw in his two cents. He can't believe what he's hearing because this all started when he got stripped of the title because the guy he trusted the most nearly got him killed. He'd have already gotten the title back if a certain special referee with an agenda and selective vision wasn't involved. RVD doesn't know where Sting's been, but it takes balls to walk in after four months and declare that he's calling the shots. Hogan says nobody calls the shots around here except him, and Bischoff says that after hearing all this and being the opportunist that he is, we know that Jeff Hardy faces Sting for the title and RVD will face Ken Anderson in a grudge match, but tonight we can have a little grudge match with Ken Anderson and Jeff Hardy teaming up to take on RVD and Sting.

Okay, we knew this was coming: we go backstage where the Beautiful People get into it with Angelina, Sarita, and Cookie. They talk until I zone out, and then Velvet tells Angelina that her girlfriend better be on the same page as them tonight or Velvet and Angelina are going to have problems.

Up next: Samoa Joe faces the Pope!

Samoa Joe vs The Pope

Pope comes out of the crowd and nails Okado, Joe goes out and chases him around ringside and into the ring, but Pope catches him coming in and tries to hit him with the chain, but Joe ducks and beats Pope down in the corner. Joe with a running elbow and leaping enziguiri in the corner and Pope goes down on his face. Joe with more jabs in the corner, but Pope reverses a whip into a back elbow and gets a kneeling uppercut. Joe pops back up and gets more jabs, an inverted atomic drop, and a running boot, followed by a senton. Joe whips Pope hard into the corner and catches him coming out with a snap powerslam for 2. Pope begs for mercy, but Joe smacks him in the face and goes for something, but Pope gets an STO for a very close 2. Pope pulls off the top turnbuckle and the referee does nothing, but Joe catches him with a uranage suplex. Finally the referee gets distracted putting the top turnbuckle back on and misses Pope punching Joe in the face with the chain, but turns around in time to see Pope cover Joe and count three.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Bully Ray is backstage and the Mystery Cameraman asks him where he's going, and he says wherever he wants. Tommy Dreamer stuck his fat ass where it doesn't belong and calls him the martyr of the wrestling business, but if Dreamer wants to get involved in his business, he'll be out waiting for him in the parking lot.

Madison Rayne comes out with Tara and she says the reason the girls in TNA are called Knockouts is because that's what happens every time one of the girls get in the ring with her. She's getting bored with the competition in TNA, so once again she's issuing a challenge to any girl on the planet to come out so she can make them famous. This week's challenger is...

Knockouts Title Match: Madison Rayne vs Roxxi

Madison attacks Nikki as soon as she gets in the ring, ramming knees to her face and slamming her to the mat. Nikki boots her in the face on a backdrop attempt and runs her over with clotheslines and a back elbow, but misses a big boot and gets shishkebabed on the ropes. Madison with a charge but Nikki catches her and hits a spinebuster for 2. Madison with a chinbreaker but Nikki gets a schoolgirl rollup for 2 and goes for the Barbie Crusher, but Madison slips out and hits her twisty neckbreaker thing for the win.

Winner: Madison Rayne

Madison attacks Nikki after the match and then HARDCORE COUNTRY hits and Mickie James S-L-O-W-L-Y trots down the ramp, nails Tara, then gets in the ring and Madison heads for the high ground so she can exchange angry looks with Mickie.

Tommy Dreamer says that if Bully Ray wants to fight him in the parking lot, he's going to go out there and kick his ass. He goes to the parking lot and tells Bully Ray to get his fat ass out there now.

Bully Ray is out in the parking lot calling him a coward and saying he knew he wouldn't show, and yells for Dreamer to come out and play. He doesn't show, but Devon comes out and attacks him, and Bully Ray tries to roll away but Devon yells at him for what he did to his kids and rams him into the side of a truck, then takes a parking cone and bashes him in the head with it. He calls Bully Ray a son of a bitch and puts the boots to him, then pounds on him with more rights. Ray tries to get away but Devon goes after him and rams him into the fence. Bully Ray pleads that it's been enough, but Devon grabs a chain and starts whipping him with it as some guy in a suit watches on from the background. Bully Ray begs for mercy again and says they're brothers and to think about it, and Devon says he's thought about it and gives him one last shot with the chain, then goes and grabs a sledgehammer from the truck. Dreamer finally shows up and tells Devon that it's enough as Bully Ray begs Dreamer to tell him to stop. Dreamer holds Devon back as Devon calls Bully Ray a bitch. Some security guys comes out and helps Bully Ray up, so Bully Ray suckerpunches him, calls him a piece of crap, and tells him not to ever put his hands on him, then takes the chain and whips him with it before picking up a section of guardrail and just SLAMMING it on top of the poor guy. That guy earned his money tonight.

Time for our next match...

Angelina Love, Velvet Sky & Winter vs Sarita, Cookie & Angelina

Angelina (from Jersey Shore) starts out with Velvet and Sarita grabs at Velvet from the outside, allowing Angelina to take her down and attack her, but Velvet gets the advantage and starts slamming her head into the mat. Everyone runs into the ring and eventually Robbie E comes in and grabs Velvet to let the girls go after her. Winter comes in and says no, let me nail her, then lays out Cookie and Sarita. Angelina sneaks up behind her, but Winter turns around and Angelina freezes, allowing Velvet to roll her up and get the win.

Winners: Velvet Sky, Angelina Love & Winter

Velvet sticks her ass out of the ring and slaps it at the evil Knockouts.

We take a look back at last week as Kurt Angle talks about how he used to like Bart Scott, but he disrespected him by getting in the ring. Ken Anderson mocks Bart Scott for what happened, and Angle said that if there is an NFL strike next year, that he'll be waiting for Bart Scott in TNA.

We go to the locker room where Ken Anderson is with Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, and Eric Bischoff, and Anderson talks about how they must be ribbing him, and he knows Hogan hasn't been around much, but he and Hardy aren't exactly buddies and he might just take him out. Hardy gets offended by that, but Bischoff says that for as big of an asshole as he is, Anderson is outnumbered and RVD doesn't like him much either so he should use his head and think about what he'll do out there. Hogan tells Hardy that it's the nature of the beast and it's strictly business.

We go to a video package looking at the Flair-Fortune split and Fortune's confrontation with Hogan last week, and then we're off to the ring for our next match...

Three Way Streetfight: Ric Flair vs Matt Hardy vs AJ Styles

Before the match starts, Ric Flair tells AJ that he's in Flair Country, but AJ says Flair's in TNA, the house that AJ built. Flair says he prematurely lost his temper last night, then tells the crowd that he slept with all their mothers and fertilized Fayetteville, so AJ needs to get on his hands and knees and kiss his ass in front of everyone. AJ tells Flair to shut up and says he doesn't have all night, but Hardy cuts him off and says he doesn't know him, "kid", but before he and Flair destroy him, he wants Kid to know that he doesn't know what he's been through in this business but he's been through miserable times and he wouldn't wish it on anyone, even him, but he does understand AJ because he was once like him. Hardy says he became a victim of all the negative aspects of the business, and he once had aspirations and goals until he realized it was never about what he wanted, it's about what the system wanted, and AJ will learn that, but what happens tonight won't be personal...kiddo. AJ says he understands that, but he doesn't like him or his brother, then he goes after Hardy and puts the boots to him as we go to commercial.

We're back and the streetfight is now officially underway. AJ tries to grab at Flair on the floor, but turns his back long enough for Hardy to hit a clothesline and Flair comes in to put the boots to AJ. Flair misses a bunch of elbowdrops and AJ tosses Hardy to the floor then tries a kick at Flair, Flair catches the boot but AJ hits an enzigiuri and gets Flair in the figure four. Hardy gets back in the ring and hits the yodeling legdrop and covers AJ for 2. Hardy mouts AJ and drills him in the face with right hands, then tosses AJ to the floor where Flair pokes him in the eyes. Flair tries to ram AJ into the barricade, but AJ blocks and rams Flair in and...you guessed it, FLAIR BLEEDS! AJ keeps jabbing him in the head but Hardy comes from behind and smashes a garbage can over AJ's back several times, rams him into the guardrail, then rolls AJ into the ring. Hardy grabs a chair and a ladder from under the ring and brings them in the ring. Hardy rams the ladder into AJ's chest and then sets the ladder up against the ropes and tries to whip AJ into the ladder, but AJ blocks and rams Hardy into the ladder. Flair comes in and lays AJ out with a chop and then works him over in the corner, but AJ fires back with some right hands and Flair does the Flop. Hardy ducks a clothesline and hits the Side Effect for 2 and goes for it again but AJ blocks so Hardy powers him down and tries an elbowdrop but misses. Flair goes after AJ with a chair but AJ kicks him, tears his shirt open, and lays in some chops before hitting the Pelle Kick on Hardy. Now AJ gets the chair and goes for the Styles Clash on the chair, but Flair uppercuts him in the groin and Hardy hits the Twist Of Hate on the chair and allows Flair to crawl over and pin AJ.

Winner: Ric Flair

We go backstage where Sting tells RVD that he got it wrong because Sting thought RVD was part of it since Hogan brought him in. He says he's sorry, but RVD just says he's sorry too and walks out.

Time for our next match...

Generation Me vs Ink Inc

Beer Money join us on commentary for the next match, and Jeremy starts with Shannon Moore. They do a fast paced sequence as James Storm tells us about how he and Shannon used to travel the road together about 12 or 13 years ago. Jeremy hits a facebuster on Moore and Max tags himself in and goes for a cover, but only gets 2 so he tags Jeremy back in to hit a springboard dropkick for 2. Jeremy with a leg lariat on Moore and Max tags himself in again to cover for another 2. Max puts the boots to Shannon and hits a dropkick for 2, then goes to a chinlock. Moore fights his way out but Max nails him again and covers for 2, Moore gets a small package out of nowhere for 2 and then fights his way out of GenMe's clutches and dives for the tag but Max catches him, so Moore rolls into a sunset flip for 2 and tags Jesse Neal. Neal comes in and destroys Max Buck then launches him into orbit with a backdrop. Neal ducks a clothesline and hits a springboard crossbody out of the corner on Max for 2, then an atomic slam on Jeremy. Max gets a superkick and sets Neal up top, then tags his brother in and leapfrogs him into the air at Neal, but Neal spears him off the top rope and Moore nails Max, then they hit their fireman's neckbreaker combo for the win.

Winners: Ink Inc

Max yells at Jeremy on their way to the back as Moore grabs the mic and tells Beer Money that the Book Of DILLIGAF says that there's going to be new tag champs at Victory Road. James Storm says that they're going to whip some ass at Victory Road because they're sorry about Ink Inc's damn luck.

Ken Anderson is taping up backstage and Jeff Hardy comes in and sits face to face with him. Hardy asks Anderson what's going to happen out there tonight and if Anderson's going to turn on him and give him the receipt he's been waiting for. They're talking about RVD and Sting, and if he were Anderson, he wouldn't like the odds of being left alone against them. Anderson says those odds don't sound great but he's a little unorthodox in the sense that he's illogical, and does Hardy know why? Because he's AN ASSHOLE...asshole.

We go to Pope, who says he's sick of Samoa Joe and his sidekick, and sooner or later, he's going to end it once and for all.

We see a recap of last week's festivities with the Jarrett wedding and Kurt Angle, and then we go backstage to the Jarretts as Jeff said everything was beautiful (even though Karen says Kurt still ruined everything), but Jeff says that after a wedding comes a honeymoon, and Karen gushes as he tells her that they're going on their honeymoon in Orlando, Florida.

We see a video package about how Frankie Kazarian will be coming to Ultimate X and, after five times in the Ultimate X match, he'll defend the X Division Title against Robbie E and both members of Generation Me at Victory Road in an Ultimate X match. We then go to Mike Tenay and Taz as they run down this Sunday's card.

We go to a video package where Sting talked about how he had no desire to get into pro wrestling, but then he went to a show and saw how big it was going to get. He thought he wrestled his last match in 2001, but came to TNA and loved it there...until Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came to town and ruined everything. He returned last week and won the TNA World Title and that leads us to a backstage interview where Jeremy Borash asks him how he feels about teaming with Rob Van Dam just one week after winning the title. Sting says one of the reasons he came back was because he loved stirring it up, and he apologized to RVD but we'll see what happens when they get out there. He doesn't remember how many times he's been champion, but he's going to defend the title and continue playing the game in TNA. Suddenly, Ken Anderson runs in and kicks Sting's ass and says that the TNA World Title is his and he wants his rematch.

It's main event time!

Ken Anderson & Jeff Hardy vs Sting & Rob Van Dam

Sting of course doesn't come out since Anderson beat him up backstage, so Anderson rushes RVD and beats him down in the corner as Hardy casually steps out to the apron. RVD gets his boot up on an Anderson charge and nails a series of clotheslines and a springboard jumpkick for 2. RVD goes for a monkey flip but Anderson holds the ropes and RVD hits hard, so Anderson goes over and tags Hardy in by smacking him in the head. Hardy walks right into a spinkick from RVD followed by a twisting legdrop and a leg lariat. Hardy goes for the Twist Of Hate but RVD shoves him off into the corner and follows in with a spinkick and then hits Rolling Thunder for 2. Hardy goes to the eyes and tries to tag Anderson, but Anderson drops off the apron and RVD gets a bodyscissors rollup for 2. Hardy yanks RVD down by the hair and smacks Anderson in the chest, which constitutes a tag and Anderson goes to step into the ring, but RVD accidentally runs into him and Anderson nails him, then Hardy hits the Twist Of Hate and covers. Referee slowly counts 2, but Anderson comes in and stops the count and gives Hardy the Mic Check. The lights go out and when they come up, Sting is in the ring and he beats Anderson down and hits the Scorpion Deathdrop, then signals for RVD to go up for the Five Star. RVD obliges and covers Anderson for the win.

Winners: Sting & Rob Van Dam

Sting and RVD celebrate in the ring to close the show.

2013 - TNA broadcast Lockdown.  Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
 

TNA Lockdown opened with a video package reviewing the top matches on the card and the saga of Aces & Eights, including D'Lo Brown being revealed as the VP.

They went live and noted it was the largest crowd in TNA history.  The crowd looked really nice.  I'd guess about 7000 fans.  There is someone wearing a shirt that reads, "I'm a Vince Russo guy" in the front row.  That was funny.

TNA X-Division champion Kenny King vs. Zema Ion vs. Christian York.

King attacked York but was nailed by Ion.  York clotheslined King down but was nailed by Ion.  King was went to the floor.  Ion went for a rana but York landed on his feet and clotheslined him down.    King returned to the fray but then jumped back to the floor, trying to psych out his opponents.  York nailed him with a suicide dive.  Ion went for one of his own but was nailed with a kick.  King tried to use the back of Ion as a base for an Asai Moonsault but he didn't get the rotation and drilled himself into the railed back of the head and shoulders first.  OUCH.  Ion went to the top and hit a twisting dive off the top onto King and York.

Back in the ring, York caught Ion during a rana attempt and held him up but King to nailed a rolling neckbreaker of the ropes for a two count.   King is lucky he is even standing, much less wrestling.  York nailed a float over suplex but was nailed a knee to gut.  King covered him for a near fall and worked over York in the corner.   King chopped York in the chest but York responded in kind.  King cut him off and slammed York down.  He went to the top but was nailed by Ion with an axehandle to the head.  Ion nailed a rana on King, sending him down and crashing on York for a two count at the same time.

Ion hit a springboard moonsault for a two count.  He was grabbed from the outside by King and nailed.  King and York battled on the apron.  York hung him out to dry and hit a guillotine legdrop off the ropes for a two count.  King broke the pinfall by grabbing the ropes.  Ion nailed a kick to York's head and dropkicked King to the floor.  He nailed a kick to the head and a DDT for a two count on York.

King slammed Ion on the rampway leading to the ring and then nailed a springboard legdrop onto it.  He began selling his lower back.  York pulled Ion in for a two count but King broke it up.  King and York battled in the ring.  York got the worst of it.  King went for a Fall Away Slam off the top on Ion but York slipped under and powerbombed him at the same time.  York began putting together a series of hot offensive maneuvers and a series of near falls.  York nailed a back suplex on King and then on Ion, scoring a two count.

York and King exchange kicks.  Ion raked his back but York absorbed it.  He and King doubled up on Ion but Ion nailed both with a dropkick for pinfall attempts on each.  York kicked Ion hard in the corner and went to the top.  He nailed the top rope double stomp and then hit a running cannonball in the corner on King.  York grabbed Ion for a move but was drilled by King with a pair of charging knees.  King went for a move but York turned it into a small package for a two count.  York was caught with a TKO and pinned by King.

Your winner and still X-Division champion, Kenny King!

Decent X-Division match where they tried lots of crazy spots and worked a hard, frenetic pace.  The crowd was into the big spots but as a match designed to be a kickass athletic bout, it was just OK.

Jeremy Borash was interviewing Joseph Park when Bad Influence showed up and told him that Dixie Carter was looking for him. They took over the interview and said they were tired of being disrespected by the fans, by Carter and by Hernandez and Guerrero. He said they were going to get the belts back and prove they were the best tag team. The usual awesome interview from Kazarian and Daniels.

Joey Ryan vs. Joseph Parks

Park was disgusted by Ryan oiling up his body.  Ryan took the mic and said that Park "was a big mark" like everyone in the building and didn't belong in the ring with him.  Ryan said that he had the size advantage where it counts (down below) and was about to find out that "size matters."  Park cut a promo putting over San Antonio after Ryan had knocked them but Ryan attacked him from behind.  When Park had the chance to make a comeback, Ryan went to the floor.  Park tried to grab him by the hair but Ryan snapped him over the ropes.

Ryan went for a flying bodypress but he bounced off Park.  Ryan took him off his feet and nailed a series of right hands.   Ryan continued to work over Park, scoring several two counts.  Ryan kept rubbing his oiled body in Park's face, blinding him.  Park finally grabbed him by the hairy chest and ripped at it.  He gave Ryan a wedgie and nailed him with a shoulderblock and an inverted atomic drop.

Park nailed a running charge in the corner and Park teased going to the ropes.   He tried to hit a splash off the ropes but Ryan rolled out of the ring.   Ryan nailed a sunset flip off the ropes but Park was able to stop himself and jumped down with an Earthquake splash for the pin.

Your winner, Joseph Park!

A nice spotlight for the Park character and for some comedy.  OK and exactly what you would expect. Felt like a TV bout.

They showed footage of Jeff Hardy arriving earlier today.

Backstage, Brooke Hogan said that Bully Ray worked his whole life for this. She said that she's proud of him and her dad is behind him. Ray said that he knows she's proud but he's nervous. He is so happy with her and happy her dad is behind him, but for the first time, he's proud of himself and wants to make her proud too. Hulk Hogan, on crutches showed up and asked to speak to Ray personally. Hogan said that it's time for someone to carry the company to the next level. He said that Jeff Hardy was great for now and can even carry the company forward but there's something he sees in Bully Ray and believes he can carry the company going forward. He tells Bully that he made Brooke happy after all the hurt Hogan put his daughter through with the divorce and the family problems. He told Ray he loves him and wants to see his family have the title. Hogan said that he can live through Ray and told a story of how Andre the Giant pulled him aside before he won his first World title and told him to make sure the fans remember him as long as he lives. He asked Ray to do the same. Ray said that's an awesome story and said he promises the fans will remember him tonight. Good segment. They pretty much spelled out there would a title change and based on whether they turn Ray or not, his comments about being remembered could be foreshadowing. That does seem to be where the story is going, so we'll see soon enough. Crazy to see Hogan crap all over Hardy like that, even for storyline. Why should he ever defend TNA again?

TNA Knockouts champion Velvet Sky vs. Gail Kim

Sky and Kim went back and forth.  Kim nailed a back elbow but was caught with a swinging neckbreaker by Sky for a two count.   Sky dropkicked Kim off the apron to the floor.  Sky then hit a Thesz Press-esque maneuver off the apron to the floor on Kim.  She grabbed Kim but was slammed backwards into the ringpost.

Kim tossed Sky into the ring and peppered her with kicks to the legs.  Kin nailed her sideways splash in the corner on Kim.     Sky fired back with several forearms but was nailed with a high round kick.  Kim picked her up for a Fireman's Carry and dumped her down.  She covered Sky and grabbed the ropes for leverage but referee Taryn Terrell caught her.   Kim choked Sky against the ropes.

Kim dropped Sky with an over the knee backbreaker for a two count.  Sky whipped Kim into the corner.  Kim went for a head scissors out of the corner but Sky dropped down, smashing Kim face-first to the mat.     Sky nailed her with a series of clotheslines.  Sky nailed a running bulldog for a two count and drilled her to the mat for another two count.

Sky tried to whip Kim who grabbed the referee.  Terrell pulled herself free but that allowed Kim to nail the Eat Defeat for a two count.   Kim began arguing with Terrell and shoved her several times into the corner.  She slapped Terrell.  Kim told her to DQ her because she didn't care and would just get another rematch.  Terrell finally exploded with a spear and began beating Kim with right hands.   Kim went to face her but Sky kicked Kim and nailed her with the In Your Face for the pin.

Your winner and still Knockouts champion, Velvet Sky!

The Terrell thing finally paid off after months of Kim having an issue with her.  The match wasn't much. Just a backdrop to pay off the angle.

Jeremy Borash interviewed Robbie E. He said that he got Rob Terry on the list and got him girls and had his back and Terry turned his back on him. He talked slow so Texas could understand.

Robbie E. vs. Rob Terry

My God is Terry a frightening looking man.   Robbie E. tried to hide behind So Cal Val at ringside.   E stalled early.  E then tried to hug it out with Terry.  Wrong company!  Terry wanted nothing to do with it and smashed him down to the mat.   E then started "warming up."

E. grabbed a side headlock but Terry easily broke it and shoved E down.  E ran for the ropes to stop him.  E then went for a single leg takedown but was grabbed and tossed into the air with a Gut Wrench suplex.  He tried to scamper out but was pancaked into the air.  Terry missed a charge in the corner, allow E to beat him with a series of shots to the back.  E played to the crowd, allowing Terry to recover.  He grabbed E.  E nailed several chops but they didn't faze Terry.  E nailed a chop block and a dropkick to Terry for a one count.

E jumped on his back for a sleeper.  Terry marched around the ring trying to escape but  finally sunk to one knee.    E tried to come off the ropes but was caught and slammed.  Terry nailed a clothesline and a press slam.  Terry nailed a spinebuster for a three count.

Your winner, Rob Terry!

Exactly what you would expect from this match.  Some comedy stuff from E and some stalling before Terry made a comeback and killed him for the pin. The show is at the point they need a kickass second half to make it memorable.

Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA Tag Team champion Austin Aries.  Borash asked him where Bobby Roode is.  Aries said that people have been asking him that for weeks.  He asked if they all forgot who he was because he's proven he doesn't need Roode to get the job done and retain the Tag Team titles.  He said he could defeat all four by himself, but it's not necessary.  Out walked Roode, who asked Borash, "Did you miss me?"

TNA Tag Team champions Austin Aries & Bobby Roode vs. Hernandez & Chavo Guerrero vs. Bad Influence

Hernandez and Chavo didn't get the big reaction you'd expect, despite each being Texas born.   Roode and Guerrero started off but Roode tagged off to Daniels.  Guerrero shoulderblocked Daniels down but Daniels nailed one of his own as well.  Guerrero nailed a series of forearms and backdropped Daniels over.  Daniels was sent into Hernandez in the corner where he was nailed with a pair of chops.  Hernandez and Guerrero cleaned house of all four.

Hernandez used the ropes to sling Daniels back in the ring so Guerrero could hit a twisting splash on him.  Hernandez locked in a bearhug, then hit a tossing suplex.  Guerrero covered Daniels but Kazarian kicked him to break up the pin.   Guerrero slammed Kazarian and then was slammed atop of him by Hernandez.  Hernandez splashed him but missed a charge in the corner.  Kazarian nailed a missile dropkick off the ropes and peppered him with a series of right hands.

Bad Influence double teamed on Hernandez with a series of moves.  They tried to suplex Hernandez but were instead nailed with a suplex on both.  Guerrero tagged in and nailed the Three Amigos, starting on Daniels, then turning it to Kazarian, then Roode and finally Aries as they all tried to interfere.  That was entertaining!

The villains all started putting the boots to Guerrero.  Bad Influence tagged in and out working him over.   Roode and Aries tagged in as well, continuing to control Guerrero.  They nailed a catapult into the ropes.  Guerrero landed on Roode's knees, allowing Aries to splash him.  Roode stomped away on Guerrero in the corner, then drilled him with a series of shoulderblocks.    Guerrero finally came back with a big punch on Roode as he was sent into the corner.  Guerrero backflipped out of the corner.  He and Aries caught each other with clotheslines.

Aries nailed everyone on the outside of the ring, which led to a faceoff between Bad Influence, Aries and Roode.  All four brawled.  Kazarian and Aries crashed mid-air going for high cross bodyblocks at the same time.  Guerrero came off the top with a flying bodypress.  Hernandez began cleaning house, including a leaping double clothesline on Bad Influence.

Hernandez nailed a double over the shoulder backbreaker on both Aries and Roode but only got a two count as Influence was distracting referee Earl Hebner.  Hernandez called for the Border Toss but Aries nailed him.  Hernandez wiped him out with a clothesline.  This led to a sequence where everyone hit their signature moves.  Kazarian drilled Roode with a DDT and went for the Fade to Black but Guerrero returned.  Aries returned and went to the top but was crotched by Daniels.  Daniels and Aries  battled back and forth but Hernandez charged down the ramp and dove over the top with a big double shoulderblock.  They missed the charge on camera.

They went into another series of hot spots, ending with Guerrero nailing Daniels off the top and sending to the mat.  Guerrerro hit a top rope frog splash but Roode tagged in as Guerrero was in the ring.  Guerrero was confused and nailed by Aries as Roode covered Daniels for the win.

Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries!

Real good three way tag that they booked to have each team shine. Some of this was really good and well put together.  Easily the best thing on the show. I enjoyed this one.

So far, an OK show but nothing you need to go out of your way to see.  It's just there.

They pushed that tickets for the 6/2 Slammiversary PPV will go on sale 3/29.

Backstage, Aces & Eights said the entire plan has come together.  He praised Devon for allowing them to have access into TNA.  D'Lo praised Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff for allowing them to trap Kurt Angle and told Brisco to take him out tonight.  He praised Anderson for being the smartest guy in TNA for accepting their invitation.  Brown asked them to review their strategy for the Lethal Lockdown.   He asked who wanted into the cage first and they all wanted in.

Kurt Angle was interviewed by Jeremy Borash.  He said that tonight he was going to make Wes Brisco famous.  He warned D'Lo Brown that he hasn't forgotten about him either and warned Brown he was next.  Angle said Wes isn't like his father or his uncle and that he's a snot-nosed punk.  He told Brisco that tonight he was going to kick his ass.

 Steel Cage: Wes Brisco vs. Kurt Angle

They locked up and Angle drove him to the mat with a double leg takedown.  The crowd chanted "USA", which was by far the largest chant thus far on the broadcast.   Briscoe gained control and tried to climb over the top, as you can win by escaping.  Angle dumped him backwards off the cage with a suplex.     Something happened in the crowd as everyone was looking to the left side of the Arena.

Angle continued working over Brisco who came back with several kicks and right hands.  He ripped off Angle's shirt and choked him with it.   Brisco cinched in a side chinlock.  Angle was sent into the ropes and flapjacked down to the mat.   Brisco sent Angle into the corner but was kicked off.  Angle made a comeback with a series of suplexes.  Angle threw Brisco into the cage and nailed a series of German suplexes.

Briscoe nailed a low blow to cut off Angle.   Brisco tried to crawl out the door onto the ramp but Angle locked in an anklelock.  Briscoe rolled through, sending Angle into the cage head-first.   Brisco tried to climb up but Angle grabbed him and pulled him down.  They battled back and forth while standing on the ropes.  Angle drilled his head into the cage over and over, then stepped behind him on the top and nailed a German suplex into the ring.

Angle went for the Angle Slam but Brisco slipped out.  Angle went for a clothesline but Brisco ducked and the referee got killed.  Angle locked on the anklelock and Brisco tapped but there was no referee.  Angle nailed another Angleslam,.    He walked out of the cage but the referee didn't see it.  D'Lo Brown attacked Angle, drilling him into the cage and tossed him back into the ring.  Brown pulled Brisco out and the referee saw him on the ramp.

Your winner, Wes Brisco!

Far and away the worst Kurt Angle PPV match I can ever remember.  Awful stuff. You got no feeling Brisco was really a threat at all and if this was meant to put Brisco on the map with a great match, well, they were nowhere near that, either. He just isn't ready to be spotlighted in this sort of match. He was just there to be the dummy for what felt like a Angle greatest hits package but at no point was there any real drama to it. The suplex off the ropes was a cool spot. This was nowhere near memorable overall.

Lethal Lockdown: Aces & Eights vs. Team TNA

Mr. Anderson is in first for Aces & Eights.   Of course, they send an Anderson in first.  Magnus was in first for TNA.  After three minutes, they start the Wargames style entrances.  Once everyone is in, they can win.   Anderson was controlled early by Magnus.  Magnus nailed a flying knee and clotheslined Anderson.    Anderson cut him off and worked over Magnus in the corner.

Knox was out second.  They worked over Magnus.  Samoa Joe came out to even things up.  The crowd loved that and loved all his offense as he nailed strikes and leg lariats.    Joe and Magnus teamed up with a series of double team moves, playing off their old team.  Joe and Magnus worked over Knox and Anderson.  Team TNA cleaned house on Aces and Eights.

Garett Bischoff was number three, so the tide turned again for the Aces & Eights.    Out came Eric Young.  He hit the ring with a big dropkick and cleaned house on everyone.  He had a hell of a promo on Impact but it's so weird to see the guy who does silly suddenly kicking the badasses asses. 

Devon was fourth out for Aces & Eights.  He missed a charge in the corner and was nailed by a Young forearm but Barrett immediately attacked him.  Joe and Anderson battled in the corner.  Everyone battled back and forth with no real story.  It was just guys battling.   James Storm was fourth out for TNA.  He nailed a ton of offense on the Aces.  You could hear a small "Cowboy" chant.  He drilled Knox with the Last Call superkick.

TNA gained control of the ring as the crowd chanted for TNA.  The last man out was D.O.C.   Aces & Eights regained control of the ring and worked over TNA.  Last man out was Sting, who brought two trash cans full of weapons down with him.   The crowd was really into Sting when he came out.  Sting began using his baseball bat.  Apparently, TNA forgot the roof of the cage in Nashville or something, so no chance of crazy spots off and on the roof.

The TNA team used the weapons to beat the hell out of Aces & Eights.   Storm used a cane to the trash can on Devon's groin.  The crowd chanted for Sting.   Joe drilled Garett with a trash can.   The crowd live was into the carnage.   Sting nailed a Stinger splash in the corner into a trash can on Bischoff.  TNA continued to assault Aces & Eights.  Sting nailed another Stinger Splash on Anderson, who had a trash can over his head. 

Young went to use the bat on Anderson who moved and Sting was almost hit by accident.  This allowed Aces & Eights to gain control of the weapons and beat down Team TNA.  Doc chokeslammed Young.  Storm made a comeback with a series of shots.  Bischoff tried to escape and went to the top and that led to a triple decker Tower of Doom that saw Bischoff take a superplex off the top of the cage, sort of.  That was a cool visual.  Joe went for a choke on Anderson but it was broken up.  Sting nailed the Scorpion Death Drop on Knox.  

Young went to the top rope but Sting told him to go to the top of the cage.  He's not going to catch any fish there.  Young nailed an elbow off the top of the cage for the pin.

Your winners, Team TNA!

The crowd was big-time into this once Sting came out but the story of the match was pretty much you beat me up, I beat you up.  There were a few cool spots towards the end and they did their job with those and the weapons popping the crowd but it felt like something was missing here especially during the segment with the entrances, which should have been designed for building drama and it didn't feel like there was any heightened sense of danger or twists and turns.  Watching this, you'd get the idea TNA had won a major battle here and the announcers treated it like that tonight, so obviously a big angle and likely a title change is coming next. Those involved took a lot of physical punishment, especially Bischoff and I respect the hell out of that. It was good (how can I not enjoy the plunder) but this wasn't one of those wars of attrition that when they are over you are thinking, "Wow, I gotta see that again."

TNA champion Jeff Hardy vs. Bully Ray

Jeremy Borash was the ring announcer.  Taz was ripping on Ray hard when he came out.  They were treating this like it was a bigtime match, which is how it should be presented.

They locked up and Ray shoulderblocked him down.  They locked up again and Ray grabbed a side headlock.  Ray controlled early and slammed Hardy for a two count.  Hardy made a comeback and nailed a sprinboard splash for a two count.   Hardy climbed up the cage but Ray followed him and smashed his knee into the cage several times.  Hardy was crotched on the top rope after a boot to the face, then fell into the ring. 

Ray returned to the ring and worked over Hardy.  Ray slammed Hardy for a two count.   Hardy tried to escape the cage but was pulled back in and drilled with shot after shot across the back.  Ray tossed Hardy into the ropes and nailed a clothesline.  Ray began working over Hardy's back, picking his shots and measuring his shots.  Hardy was locked in a bear hug.  Ray missed a splash off the corner.  Hardy avoided an attempted Bubba Bomb and nailed a Twist of Fate.

Aces & Eight's Wes Briscoe and Garett Bischoff showed up and climbed the cage.   Hardy began battling them.  Ray clotheslined them both and teamed with Hardy to lay them out.  They opened the door and tossed Bischoff, who took a hell of a flip bump onto the rail.  They then tossed Brisco who nearly killed himself being tossed out.  They closed the door and Ray said "right now" meaning they were going to go.  The crowd got into that.

They battled back and forth with punches in the center of the ring.   Hardy nailed a series of rights but Ray sent him into the ropes.  Hardy nailed a forearm off the ropes and the cruncher legdrop on Ray.   Hardy covered him for a two count.   Hardy tried to climb out but again, Ray pulled him down, just like the first time.  They battled in the corner with chops.   Ray grabbed a leg so Hardy kicked him with another, crashing into the ring.  Ray, dazed, then fell atop of Hardy for a two count.  It appeared they were going to do the sitdown Bubba Bomb off the top but went with something else.  Hardy drilled Ray and climbed up but again Ray pursued him.  Ray slipped under and now they hit the sitdown Bully Bomb, which looked awesome.  The crowd chanted, "Holy sh**"  Ray covered him for a two count.

As both men recovered, Hulk and Brooke Hogan came to the ringside area.  Hogan was cheering Ray on, telling him to get up.  Aces & Eights hit the scene and surrounded the ring.  Ray handed Hardy a chain and they stood back to back to defend themselves.  Devon climbed over the top and pulled out a hammer.  He tossed it to Ray.  Ray slowly turned and nailed Hardy in the back of the head with it.  He and Devon hugged.  Ray covered Hardy for the title.  Hogan and Brooke were shocked.  Ray told Brooke she meant nothing to him.  Hogan told Ray he was a dead man and Ray told him to do something "you old bastard."

Ray got a mic and said, "Let that stupid bitch cry."  Ray told Hogan that he used him and screwed Brooke.   You could see some real heat as fans were throwing lots of bottles and garbage into the cage.  Ray said that he fooled every single one of the fans.  He declared he was the President of Aces & Eights and was the TNA champion.  Lots of stuff being thrown at the cage. Looks like Atlas Security has their work cut out for them.

Well, there's the big angle TNA was building to all this time. I liked the turn. The match was OK but the turn was fun. If they go full blown ECW Bubba Ray Dudley with this (minus all the XXX mic work) they can really turn him into a big-time heel. Looking at their roster, there isn't anyone else who has the ability to cut promos and try and get people so pissed they want to pay to see him get his ass kicked, so it was the best choice in that regard.


 

 

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