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Obviously, this show is going to be a huge step down from the usual BFG presentation of being the "biggest show of the year", but on paper they did have the potential to present a good show. So, let's see how they do!
The pre-game show featured a video piece on EC3, a video piece on Havok winning the Knockouts championship, clips of Team 3D victories on previous TNA PPVs and a video piece on the creation of James Storm's Revolution, along with promotion for a few bouts. Nothing that would really drive you to order the show, but in 2014, I don't know that the 30 minute pre-game shows really do that anymore, either. In a lot of ways, they are truly an antiquated concept.
The PPV opened up with a video showcasing Bound for Glory going to Tokyo, pushing it as a unique, one time only special event. They then pushed the
They went live to Korakuen Hall, where they showed fans cheering. Jeremy Borash in the ring pushed that they were at the most famous wrestling arena in Japan (well, it is the Japanese equivalent of the ECW Arena). You can see empty seats in the venue easily. I can see people already knocking the look of the show, as it’s obvious it’s very bare-bones. For those wondering, they are using a four sided ring.
TNA vs. Wrestle-1: Manik vs. Minoru Tanaka
Taz and Mike Tenay acknowledged they were in a studio calling the show.
They went back and forth with some back and forth mat wrestling. Tanaka missed a dive, as did Manik. Manik went under the ring to escape a tope. He came out the other side and caught Tanaka with the neckbreaker. The crowd was chanting a lot more thann you would expect a traditional Japanese crowd to chant.
Manik snapmared and dropkicked Tanaka for a two count. He tried up Tanaka on the mat, trying to force a submission. Mike Tenay and Taz talked about the history of the venue, putting it over as a place where ever major wrestler of the last 50 years has competed. Manik nailed a back suplex for a two count. He whipped Tanaka into the corner but was kicked off. Tanaka missed a dropkick but caught Manik with one as he rebounded off the ropes.
Manik reversed a whip into the corner but was kicked in the face and nailed with a missile dropkick for a two count. Tanaka nailed a snap suplex for another near fall. So far, a good athletic bout.
Manik was sent to the floor. Tanaka nailed a moonsault off the top to the floor. They showed a replay. Manik was sent back into the ring and nailed with several chops. Manik avoided a charge and hit a springboard dropkick. Manik drilled him to the mat for a two count. Manik went to the top for a frog splash but Tanaka pulled his knees up. Tanaka drilled him with a dropkick and placed him atop the ropes. He went to the top himself and nailed a superplex variation for a good near fall.
Tanaka drilled him with a kick and went for a forward roll but Manik stopped it and caught him for a two count. They battled over a backslide. Manik was able to drill him with a brainbuster for another near fall. Manik worked over Tanaka but was caught with a stiff kick and rolled over into an armbreaker for the submission.
Your winner, Minoru Tanaka!
Real good opener with good back and forth athletic wrestling.
They aired footage of Team 3D vs. Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal from the 2007 Slammiversary.
Backstage, EC3 was stopped and asked about Rockstar Spud. He said that he told Spud he was fired on Wednesday and this week, he will debut Spud’s replacement. He said it’s been a year since he debuted in TNA. He said he’s been a terminator and an eliminator. That was good as an appetizer but now it’s time for the main course, teasing he wanted championship gold. He said the bigger his opponent is, the more impressive the victory and that tonight is no exception. He said his winning streak goes worldwide tonight.
They aired a video package on EC3, replaying it from the pre-game show.
TNA vs. Wrestle-1: EC3 vs. Ryota Hama
EC3 got a nice pop when he came out. He said he was finally in a country that showed him the respect he deserved, then mocked the Japanese fans by speaking in broken English. He said, “Me…very good!†The crowd chanted, “Yes!†Whooops. He then cut a promo saying he was the greatest wrestler alive today. He said he has beaten every single TNA Hall of Famer and beat them at their own game. He ran down how he beat each of them. He said he was going to beat Ryota Homa via strength and power. He promised to slam him.
Hama came out smiling. EC3 clapped for him as Jeremy Borash announced his name. Hama backed EC3 in the corner easily, then broke clean. Hama easily steamrolled over EC3 with shoulderblocks. Tenay and Taz talked about how the media covered wrestling in Japan and the history of Rikidozan as a former sumo wrestler.
EC3 began mocking Hama’s status as a former sumo star. Hama nailed him with a flapjack and stood on his chest. Hama continued working him over but missed his splash. EC3 went right to work on him with some big shots to the back and slammed Hama head-first into the mat several times.
Hama cut him off with a pretty bad looking clothesline and nailed an elbow. Hama did a Rikishi-like back splash in the corner after pulling his sumo tights up, then covered him for a two count. EC3 went for a sunset flip but Hama tried to sit down. EC3 moved out of the way, so there was no one underneath. EC3 covered him but Hama kicked out. He gave EC3 the Stinkface but was nailed with a lowblow. EC3 nailed the 1%er and scored the pin.
Your winner, EC3.
OK match. Some of the early stuff with Carter and Hama playing off their size differences with some comedy was fun. The match never really got out of first gear as Hama is pretty limited as a comedy, heavy guy and once he started doing Rikishi spots, it hurt the flow. EC3’s promo was very good and he’s really been one of the few bright spots of TNA’s last year.
They showed clips of Beer Money vs. Team 3D in a Cage.
MVP cut a promo backstage saying he gets asked all the time why he walked away from a “multi-million dollar†position to compete in Japan. He said the best wrestlers in the world were in Japan and that he’s not afraid to walk away from money to prove himself. He name-checked Misawa, Chono, Muta and Kawada as his heroes. He said he came to Japan to show he was fearless and won gold here in Japan. He said he was back in Tokyo and Bound for Glory. He said he doesn’t know a lot about Sakamoto but he’s done his homework and he’s not impressed. He then promised that Sakamoto would be.
TNA vs. Wrestle-1: MVP vs. Kazma Sakamoto
Big reaction for MVP when he came out. They had a feeling out process early. MVP ran him over with a big shoulderblock. That frustrated Sakamoto. Sakamoto tried to nail several shoulderblocks but MVP wasn’t fazed and grabbed him by his ponytail before drilling him with several shots and a slam. MVP went for the Ballin’ elbow but Sakamoto rolled out of the ring. MVP caught Sakamoto off guard by hitting a pescado to the floor.
MVP worked over Sakamoto and brought him back into the ring for a two count. Sakamoto cut him off with several strikes and nailed a series of shots across the back. He used his boot to choke MVP in the corner. Sakamoto nailed a series of kicks and covered MVP for a two count.
Sakamoto mocked MVP with the Ballin’ elbow but was kicked in the face. MVP nailed a backdrop and drilled him with a series of right hands. MVP drilled him with a lariat in the corner and nailed an exploder suplex. He drilled Sakamoto into his knee and called for the Ballin’ Elbow, this time nailing it.
MVP used a Perfectplex for a two count. MVP went for a big boot in the corner but Sakamoto moved out of the way and drilled him with a kick to the face for a two count. Sakamoto nailed a leg lariat for a two count. MVP ducked another kick but was rolled up for a two count. MVP nailed a shining wizard and scored the pin.
OK back and forth match. I don't think it appeared MVP was ever in danger of losing but MVP looked good and obviously wanted to showcase his skills.
Mike Tenay and Taz are doing a good job so far. Tenay is pulling out all sorts of newsbits and historical stories about Japan and quite honestly, it’s been his best call in a long time as he was really passionate about it and Taz was a lot of fun in responding. Really enjoyable.
Samoa Joe cut a promo saying that he has a mission to bring back the X-Division back to its prominence and said the belt was the most coveting prize in the world. Joe said that challenger after challenger has fallen before him and now he faces two - Kaz Hayashi and Low Ki. He said they will both take it to whatever level is necessary to win championships and warned them to be prepared to take it even higher and to be disappointed. He said that he was the X-Division champion.
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