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October 16th
On this day in history in ....
1976 - A big NWA Mid-Atlantic event in Greensboro, North Carolina saw three title changes take place on one card. Tim Woods defeated Angelo Mosca to win the Television Title (ending Mosca's second reign), Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel for the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title (ending McDaniel's third reign and beginning Flair's third), and Paul Jones defeated Blackjack Mulligan to begin his second reign as United States Champion.
1976 - Eric The Red defeats Carlos Colon for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. On the same show, Higo Hamaguci & Gordon Nelson defeat Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez for the WWC North American Tag Team Title.
1981 - Les Thorton defeats Jerry Brisco in Knoxville, Tennessee to become a three-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
1982 - Invader I defeats Dory Funk Jr. in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win his second WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title.
1987 - Nelson Royal is awarded the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, making him a four time champion. The previous champion, LazerTron (Hector Guerrero) had left the company.
1987 - The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) defeat The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) to win the UWF Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Missouri. The Sheepherders would be the last UWF tag champs, as the company was soon absorbed into Jim Crockett Promotions.
1988 - Brad & Bart Batten defeated Chicky & Ron Starr to win the WWC World Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending the Starrs second title reign and beginning the second reign for the Battens.
1988 - WWF held their King Of The Ring tournament in Providence, Rhode Island at the Providence Civic Center. Here are the results:
First Round:
- Ted DiBiase defeated Brutus Beefcake.
- Ken Patera defeated Nikolai Volkoff.
- Ron Bass defeated The Barbarian.
- Shawn Michaels defeated Danny Davis.
- Hercules Hernandez vs. Bad News Brown ended in a double DQ.
- Randy Savage defeated Virgil.
- Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Boris Zuhkov.
- Terry Taylor defeated Marty Jannetty.
Quarterfinals:
-Ted DiBiase defeated Ken Patera.
- Ron Bass defeated Shawn Michaels.
- Terry Taylor defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
- Randy Savage received a bye.
Semifinals:
- Ted DiBiase defeated Ron Bass.
- Randy Savage defeated Terry Taylor.
Finals:
- Ted DiBiase defeated Randy Savage to win the King Of The Ring tournament. Savage's WWF World Title was not on the line.
1995 - The Monday Night Wars continued, with WWF Monday Night Raw on USA Network earning a 2.6 rating, while WCW Monday Nitro on TNT did a 2.2.
1997 - Bam Bam Bigelow defeats Shane Douglas for the ECW World Heavyweight Title in Queens, New York at the Elks Lodge, which was dubbed the "Madhouse Of Extreme". The storyline was that Rick Rude had been acting as an advisor to Douglas, and lining up opponents (like Al Snow and Phil LaFon) in order to make Douglas a better champion. However, Rude "f***ed with the Franchise" on this night by bringing out Bam Bam Bigelow, Douglas' stablemate in the Triple Threat. Bigelow, who punched out fellow Triple Threat member Chris Candido when he tried to stop Bigelow from having the match, defeated Shane Douglas with a powerbomb to win the title.
1999 - Lobo defeats Justice Pain in Mantua, New Jersey to win the CZW Ironman Title, beginning his second reign with the belt.
2000 - William Regal defeats Al Snow for the WWF European Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan.
2002 - NWA:TNA held their weekly Pay-per-view at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. A major draw for the show was NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler teaming with BG James to defeat Jeff Jarrett and Bruce. The rest of the show saw: Brian Lawler defeat David Young, Sonny Siaki defeat Jorge Estrada, Ace Steel defeat Derek Wylde, Ron Harris defeat Norman Smiley, NWA World Tag Team Champions America's Most Wanted defeated Chris & Rick Michaels, AJ Styles defeated X-Division Champion X-Pac via disqualification, and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ron Killings defeated Curt Hennig.
2003 - Izzy & Dixie of Special K defeat The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid & Johnny Kashmere) in Glen Burnie, Maryland to win the Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championship.
2007 - Former WWE and WCW World champion Booker T posted the following statement on his official website www.BookerTOnline.com in regard to the WWE depature of he and wife Sharmell from World Wrestling Entertainment:
We want to begin by thanking the many wonderful WWE fans that we have had the privilege of entertaining over the last eight years. Sharmell and I have enjoyed the opportunity to put smiles on your faces night after night. We also want to thank everyone in the wrestling community for their support of our very own P.W.A. (Pro Wrestling Alliance). The dream of bringing professional wrestling back to my home town of Houston, Texas is coming to fruition, and we have you to thank for it.
I want to address something that has been on my mind for quite some time now in regards to my recent suspension from WWE. I want to state for the record that I was not taking any illegal substance, or anything outside of my physician's care, and that the suspension was unwarranted. However, rather than fight the suspension or publicly voice my discontent, I used this recent hiatus to rest, work with the P.W.A., and reflect on the direction of my career as a professional wrestler. I also, for the record, have never at any time ordered anything from "Signature Pharmacy". This allegation is upsetting, and the careless and slanderous reporting of this matter is currently being addressed by my legal counsel.
I would like to also address any possible rumors or misinformation regarding our release from WWE. I had been unhappy for quite some time with the direction that the Company was going in. In fact, I asked for my release back in July for that very reason. However, after further contemplation, I decided to continue on with WWE because of my passion for this industry and my desire to entertain the fans. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that my unhappiness with my work environment was beginning to take a great toll on other aspects of my life.
I knew that it was time to make some extremely tough decisions. Therefore, in the interest of my mental, physical, and spiritual well being, I along with my wife, asked for our release from World Wrestling Entertainment for the second time within months. We were graciously granted our release and we have since amicably parted ways.
While the business relationship between ourselves and the WWE has ended, we will continue to be i involved in Professional Wrestling. We hope that our loyal fans will follow us as we make this transition.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, and we will see you soon!
Booker T. and Sharmell
2008 - TNA broadcasts Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at Bound for Glory. Did you know that Sting won the title? We see Booker defeat Christian Cage and A.J. Styles. Taylor Wilde held on to the title as did James Storm and Robert Roode. Jeff Jarrett beat Kurt Angle with some help from Mick Foley. Kevin Nash shows that someone from Detroit can make contact with a bat.
We have comments from Jeff Jarrett after the pay per view. He says the last place he needs to be is in a wrestling ring. It is one and done for him.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Home Sweet Home Next Week’ Tenay and Don ‘How Bout Them Titans’ West.
Don gives us an update on Abyss. He was released from the hospital after suffering some serious burns.
Match Number One: Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin versus Sheik Abdul Bashir and Sonjay Dutt with So Cal Val
Sabin and Dutt start things off and Dutt with a knee and wrist lock. Sabin reverses with an arm drag. Dutt with a satellite head scissors to Sabin and then he dances for the camera. Sabin with a leg sweep and back senton. Sabin sends Dutt outside the ring by Bashir and Sabin with a somersault plancha onto Bashir and Dutt. Sabin with punches to Dutt and Bashir trips Sabin and that allows Dutt to hit a drop kick. Dutt with a punch and then he charges into boots. Shelley tags in and he hits Bashir. Shelley drops Dutt on the mat and then he hits a superkick on Bashir. Shelley with a face driver to Dutt and then he hits a suicide dive on Bashir. Val trips Shelley and then Dutt falls victim to a clothesline from Sabin.
Dutt with a kick to Sabin but Sabin with an enzuigiri that stops Dutt. Sabin with a rana from the top turnbuckle and then Shelley with a frog splash for the three count.
Winners: Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
After the match, Kurt Angle’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Shelley and Sabin stand in the ring and then Angle kicks Sabin and clotheslines Shelley and sends him out of the ring. Angle tosses Sabin out of the ring. Angle with a clothesline to Shelley on the floor followed by one to Sabin. Angle hits the Olympic Slam on Dutt.
Angle takes a mic and he is going to address the fans. Angle says that nobody gets a win over him and leaves wrestling. Angle says that with the help of Foley, Jarrett might have won the battle, but he did not win the war. Angle asks Jarrett if he is a champion like him or a candy a** hick from Nashville. Angle says that he is going to pick apart the TNA talent until it is just the two of them. Angle says that he will get Jarrett back into the ring. Until then, the bloodshed will be on his hands.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to footage from the main event when Sting got his third chance to win the title at Bound for Glory and he succeeded.
Sting comes to the ring and he is going to have something to say. He says that he stands here the new TNA Heavyweight Champion. He says that it is not him who is supposed to be standing here with the belt. It is supposed to be Samoa Joe who is standing here. Sting says that he could look Joe in the eye and tell Joe that he was the better wrestler on Sunday. Sting tells Joe that he is the better wrestler. Sting tells Joe that he bit off more than he could chew. He also tells Joe that he was taken places he never went before. Sting says that Joe had him beaten ten minutes into the match. But Joe chose to do what he always did. That was to mock him and his generation. Sting says that Joe tried to embarrass him and Joe put him out of wrestling while Joe humiliating him. Sting tells Joe that it is because of his disrespect that he is the champion. Sting asks Joe how many times he had Ric Flair in a place where he did not know where he was. Because of Joe’s disrespect, the title is his. After Bound for Glory, there were some guys who shook his hand and some did not. Sting says that A.J. was one of those people. Sting says that he knows that A.J. is friends with Joe.
A.J. Styles comes to the ring and he tells Sting that he is friends with Samoa Joe and has been his friend for a long time. If Sting would listen to what people had to say, then he would get his respect. The reason why Sting got no respect from Joe at Bound for Glory was because he showed no respect. A.J. says that Sting talks about how people aren’t giving him respect. A.J. says that he is on the road making money for the company while Sting is spending it. A.J. says that he is away from his family while Sting is coaching his son’s football team. In 2002, it was guys like Christopher Daniels and Low Ki who laid the ground work for the company. Him and Joe are laying the bricks for this foundation. A.J. says that Sting can think that he can come in and hang the fancy chandelier, but he can leave.
Sting tells A.J. that he did not like the way that his dad raised him. Sting tells A.J. that he is going to turn into his dad. A.J. slaps Sting. A.J. slaps Sting again and then Sting and A.J. fight in and out of the ring. Security comes out to separate them.
TO THE BACK and Kurt Angle is beating up Curry Man. Shark Boy tries to get involved but Kurt Angle takes care of Shark Boy. Eric Young comes over to help, but Angle goes after Young and they are separated. We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to Booker T with Jeremy Borash in his dressing room. Booker asks Jeremy if he wants to talk about power and size. Booker says that in his country, the lion is the king of the jungle, but the elephant is the real king of the jungle. Booker says that he is a big game hunter. Booker says that the ivory from the elephant is an aphrodisiac. Booker tells Jeremy never to rub him again. Booker says that Gonzalez is going to have the time of his life and he will fall at the feet of Booker. Jeremy asks about the briefcase. Sharmell says that next week, Booker will reveal the contents of his case.
Match Number Two: Hernandez with Homicide versus Booker T with Sharmell
They lock up and Hernandez over powers Booker. Booker with a side head lock and Hernandez with a shoulder tackle. They lock up again and Hernandez backs Booker into the corner but Booker with a knee and chops. Booker tries a suplex but Hernandez blocks it and hits a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Hernandez with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow and Booker with a heel kick for a near fall. Booker with the back heel kick and he punches Hernandez. Booker with a reverse chin lock. Booker misses the axe kick and Hernandez with a shoulder tackle. Hernandez with a clothesline to Booker followed by an Irish whip and splash and body block for a near fall.
Hernandez with a slam and then he goes to the apron for the slingshot shoulder tackle for a two count. Hernandez sets for the border toss but Sharmell gets on the apron. Sharmell hands the briefcase to Booker. Booker with a low kick and then he hits Hernandez with the briefcase followed by an axe kick as the referee stops talking to Homicide and focuses on the action to make the three count.
Winner: Booker T
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle is beating people up. This time it is Jimmy Rave and Lance Rock who are getting beaten up by Angle. Christy is begging for mercy.
Lauren is with Roxxi and Roxxi says that she doesn’t give a f*** about Kong. Lauren tells Roxxi to watch her language and then Roxxi says that she doesn’t give a f*** about SpikeTV. Roxxi says that she learned a long time ago, it is not about how many matches you win, it is that you are standing here. She got her head shaved. She is a survivor. Roxxi tells Kong to kiss her a**. Roxxi apologizes for swearing.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Christy Hemme. Lauren asks for an update. Christy is stopped by Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Kip James. Angelina asks Christy why she is taking their television time. They have a new set to debut tonight. They also have an HD test for next week’s show. Velvet says that HD will make every blemish make Christy look ten times uglier. Angelina punches Christy after Christy flips off Angelina. They attack Christy and they fight into the stairwell. They put a bag on Christy and leave.
Kurt Angle walks to the ringside area and he hits Dave Penzer. Angle throws Penzer into the ring. Angle with a short arm clothesline and then Angle beats Penzer with his own shoe. Angle with the ankle lock to Penzer and security comes into the ring and security goes down. Referees come to the ring and they are taken care of by Angle.
Jeff Jarrett’s music plays and he comes out. Angle says that he wants his rematch and he wants it now. Jarrett says that it is over. Angle wanted him at Bound for Glory and that is where he got him. Jarrett says the last place he needs to be is in the ring. Angle says that Jarrett didn’t beat him and that match was bulls***. Angle says that it isn’t over. Angle talks about the lunch that they had two years ago before he signed with TNA. Angle says that he knows where Jarrett lives and Kurt suggests that Uncle Kurt make a visit. Jarrett returns to the ring and then Kurt leaves. Jarrett tries to go after Angle but the referees hold him back.
Mick Foley is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Mick Foley comes to the ring. Mick says that he is not sure if he deserves the applause. Mick says that he has something to say that after twenty-three years he says that he is a junkie. A roller coaster junkie. When you wrestle the style he does and when you land on concrete floors, he was able to look at it successfully as if the world was his own personal theme park. As long as he had a coaster to look forward to, he could take the time away. Mick goes cheap pop for the Hulk roller coaster. Mick says that he has been on a twenty-three year thrill ride. Maybe the chair shot rattled his brain on Sunday. Some times you just need to step away and enjoy a nice swim at the pool so you can get ready for more thrills and more fun. This summer, he found himself having less fun and being more stressed. Mick says that his decision to come to TNA was like a nice refreshing swim in the pool. Mick says that he is ready for more thrills and more fun. With the athletes in TNA, the last few weeks have been one of the best thrill rides of his life. The reality is that you can only be the special guest enforcer so many times, and that is one. While he loved every minute of his time in TNA, it is time to say goodbye. Mick thanks the fans for a hell of a ride and he wishes that it would have lasted a bit longer.
Consequences Creed, Jay Lethal, and some of the referees come out to shake Foley’s hand. A.J. Styles comes out and hugs Foley. Jeff Jarrett comes back out and he applauds Foley. Jarrett says that he wants ten minutes with Foley to discuss a few things.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jim Cornette is on the phone from Las Vegas. Cornette talks about how Impact will be going HD. Cornette talks about how Kurt Angle has gone crazy on everyone. Angle will face Matt Morgan tonight.
Match Number Three: Raisha Saeed with Awesome Kong versus Roxxi Laveaux
Saeed charges before the bell but Roxxi moves. Saeed with a rake of the eyes followed by punches to the midsection. Saeed chokes Roxxi in the corner. Saeed with forearms and Roxxi goes to the mat. Saeed with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Saeed with a suplex. Saeed tries for a surfboard and then she chokes Roxxi and gets a near fall. Saeed with a slam and then she goes up top for a missile drop kick, but Roxxi moves out of the way. Roxxi with forearms to Saeed followed by a roaring forearm. Roxxi with a running boot to Saeed followed by a fallaway slam. Roxxi goes outside and Kong with a clothesline. Kong misses the back fist and then Roxxi goes after Kong and kicks her. Roxxi with the Voodoo Drop for the three count.
Winner: Roxxi Laveaux
After the match, Kong with a body block followed by the Implant Buster.
TO THE BACK where Lauren is with Matt Morgan. Lauren updates us in case you missed anything earlier. Lauren asks Matt about Abyss. Matt says that he is a main event waiting to happen. He says that his mind is as far away from the match as possible. Matt says that his mind is on his best buddy, Chris Parks. Morgan says that he does not blame anyone else for what happened to Chris at Bound for Glory. We see footage of the fire table spot from Sunday. Matt says that Kurt has been talking about the wrong place at the wrong time, and tonight it is a seven foot understatement.
We are back and time for more comments from Christy Hemme who is with Lauren. Christy says that if she didn’t have to go to the hospital, she would be taking care of those sluts. Next week, neither will leave Las Vegas. Christy vows to be PMSing next week.
We run through the card for next week’s Impact.
Jeremy Borash is with Consequences Creed. Creed says that there is never a wrong time for opportunity. He will shoot his way to the top tonight. He tells Jeremy to tell Nash to bring everything.
We go to commercial.
We are back and TNA is on tour.
Match Number Four: Kevin Nash versus Consequences Creed
Nash with a knee to Creed followed by a forearm to the back. Nash with another forearm to the back followed by knees. Creed with a drop kick to the knee followed by jabs and a roundhouse punch. Creed dazzles Nash with his speed. Nash blocks a super kick and he hits a short arm clothesline. Nash with a Cobra Clutch slam and then it is time for the jackknife power bomb for the three count.
Winner: Kevin Nash
After the match, Nash gets on the mic and he talks about the new generation of wrestlers in TNA. He says that they are either the most arrogant or the stupidest sons of b****es he ever met. If Joe couldn’t see what was coming at Bound for Glory, I guess he didn’t remember running his mouth about Scott Hall ten months ago. The only person stupider than Joe are the people in the Impact Zone. Those people are still cheering for him. Nash says that everyone wonders what it is like to be Kevin Nash. Nash says that he is the most intelligent man this business ever produced. Nash says that he spends more in a strip club in a month than everyone in the Impact Zone earns.
TO THE BACK and Jeremy Borash is outside the office for the secret meeting. Mick Foley asks Jarrett if he is serious about what he is saying. Jeff says that he is serious. Mick says that he is also serious. Mick says that Jeff Jarrett is a maverick.
We go to commercial.
Lauren is with Team 3D in the back and she says that Sunday was an assault on Chris Parks, not a match. Ray says that you should have expected that from the most violent tag team in the most violent match. Ray asks if she was expecting a head lock or single leg take down. Ray says that Abyss and the fans got what they expected. In Las Vegas, the rematch happens. This time the fans pick the order of entry. They will take it to a new level in Vegas.
Match Number Five: Kurt Angle versus Matt Morgan
They lock up and Morgan back Angle into the corner and Morgan with a clean break. They lock up again and Morgan powers Angle to the mat. Angle with a side head lock and Morgan with a shoulder tackle and Angle goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and Angle with a kick and elbow followed by European uppercuts. Angle tries for a cross body and Morgan catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Morgan puts Angle in the ropes and Morgan with a splash to the back and Morgan goes to the floor. Morgan with a forearm to Angle and then he hits a leg drop on the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Morgan with a cross body for a two count. Morgan points to the heavens and he sets for the Hellevator but Angle goes out of the ring. Morgan chases Angle around the ring and then Angle beats Morgan back into the ring and works on the leg. Morgan kicks Angle off but Angle clips Morgan twice. Morgan with a clothesline to Angle and both men are down. Angle and Morgan exchange punches and Morgan with a back elbow and clotheslines. Morgan with a splash into the corner followed by a side slam for a two count. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Morgan gets out of the hold and Morgan with the bicycle kick for a two count. Angle puts Morgan in the ankle lock. Morgan gets out of the hold and then he hits a uranage for a two count. Morgan sets for the Hellevator but Angle escapes the hold and hits the Olympic Slam for the three count.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle works on the leg and knee. Morgan tries to fight off Angle, but Abyss’s music plays and he is in street clothes and he is wearing his mask. Angle backs off Morgan.
Abyss turns around and that gives Angle the opportunity to attack Abyss and he punches Abyss in the head. Angle rips Abyss’s shirt off and we see his bandaged chest. Angle puts Abyss in the ankle lock.
TO THE BACK we go to Jeremy Borash who see Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley. Jeremy wants to know what they are talking about. Jeff says that they were talking politics and the bailout package. Mick says that he is going to Vegas. Jeremy reminds Mick that he said goodbye tonight, but Mick says that things have changed. Mick says that he is going to make a declaration that will shake the foundation of the business.
We go to credits and to watch the rest of the American League Championship Series.
World Wrestling Entertainment announced this morning that Shane McMahon would be leaving the company at the end of the year with the following press release:
STAMFORD, CT – Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President of Global Media, announced today he has tendered his resignation effective January 1, 2010.
Shane stated, “It has been an incredible experience to help build WWE® into a global phenomenon. However, having been associated with this organization for the majority of my life, I feel this is the opportune time in my career to pursue outside ventures.”
“Even though I am personally saddened by Shane’s decision to leave the company, I am proud of the enormous contributions he has made. He will unquestionably bring passion, commitment and extensive business experience to any endeavor he pursues,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO.
2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured an article on the death of Chris Benoit and the belief that steroids caused him to kill his family before committing suicide. Benoit's father Michael is interviewed in the piece, noting his belief that the brain damage to Benoit from years of the physical abuse he took in the ring over the course of his career was the cause of his mental issues at the end of his life.
Michael Benoit noted that when the The Sports Legacy Institute examined Benoit's brain, it was the worst damage they had ever found while testing for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, including damage to the brain stem.
The article also noted that when the Benoit family doctor, Phil Astin, was sentenced to prison, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Horn told reporters that there was "no evidence in the court record" of a link between Benoit's drug use and the killings.
2011 - TNA held their annual Bound for Glory PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to the Bound for Glory Pre Show, live on TNA’s Facebook page. Christy Hemme and Jeremy Borash welcome everyone to the pre show.
Jeremy and Christy discuss the matches on the show tonight.
We see the fans in the building as well as the ring.
We see a video package for the World Heavyweight Title Match between Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode.
Jeremy Borash is in the interview area and he talks about the Falls Count Anywhere Match and he is with Ken Anderson. Ken says that Bully Ray grew up in the mean streets of New York. Back when you had to know how to fight to protect yourself. He learned to be a bully. Ken grew up in a small town outside of Green Bay and there wasn’t much to do. You could drink, watch football, play football, and fight. It was people not unlike Bully Ray who forced him to learn how to defend himself and to fight. To take it to the person before they bring it to you. The best way is to walk up to the bully and punch them in their mouth. Ken points out that they are in Philadelphia and he knows about their reputation. They play hard, they live hard, and they like to fight. Ken says that if he wasn’t from Green Bay, Wisconsin there is no other place he would rather be from than the City of Brotherly Love.
It is time for our pre-show match but first we go to the ‘Tag Lines’ for the match.
Your announcers are Mike Tenay and Taz.
TNA Tag Team Championship Match: Ink Inc (with Toxine) versus Mexican America (with Rosita and Sarita)
Shannon and Anarquia start things off and Moore with punches followed by a back elbow. Moore with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Moore blocks a hip toss and connects with a hip toss of his own and applies a key lock. Neal is tagged in and they hit a double hip toss and Neal gets a near fall. Neal with a front face lock and Moore tags in. Neal with a suplex and Moore with a slingshot senton and then he knocks Hernandez off the apron with a drop kick. Hernandez hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker while Sarita and Rosita distract the referee.
Anarquia gets a near fall and Hernandez tags in. Hernandez leap frogs Anarquia and hits a splash on Moore for a near fall. Hernandez gets Moore on his shoulder for a back breaker and then he drops down to his knees to add more pressure to the back and he gets a near fall. Anarquia tags in and Hernandez with an Irish whip and then he gets sent into the corner and Anarquia gets thrown into the corner for another splash and he gets a near fall.
Anarquia with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Moore with punches to the midsection but Anarquia sends Moore to the mat. Anarquia throws Moore to the floor an Hernandez attacks Moore while Anarquia deals with the referee and Neal. Sarita and Rosita join in and Anarquia gets a near fall when Moore is returned to the ring. Anarquia rakes the eyes with his boots and then he applies a rear chin lock.
Moore with elbows but Anarquia with a forearm and an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow from Moore. Moore goes up top for a moonsault and both men are down. Anarquia does not know where his corner is but he makes the tag and Neal tags in too. Neal with forearms and a clothesline. Neal with a back body drop to Anarquia. Neal with a flying forearm to Hernandez. Neal with a face first driver to Anarquia and then Neal with a spear but Anarquia breaks up the cover.
Moore clotheslines Anarquia over the top rope. Moore sends Neal over the top rope to the floor but Neal moves. Moore with a baseball slide followed by an Asai Moonsault onto Anarquia. Hernandez is in the ring by himself and tries for a plancha but Moore moves out of the way.
Rosita and Sarita goe into the ring but Toxine with a spear to Rosita. Toxine with a head butt to Sarita and then she takes off Sarita’s mask and hits a neck breaker and face driver. Toxine with a head butt to Anarquia and then he pulls down Anarquia’s pants. Hernandez with a rollup on Neal as Moore and Anarquia are sent to the floor.
Winners: Mexican America
Jeremy Borash is at ringside with Christy Hemme and they talk about the crowd and that they have come from all over the world for this show.
They run through the show again and mention that the X Division Title Match will open the pay per view at the top of the hour.
Jeremy Borash is with Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett. We are told that Jeff Hardy is not allowed in the arena. Karen says that it is bad enough that she has to deal with the wench Knockouts, but now Jeff has to worry about Hardy.
Jarrett says that he cannot believe that Hardy walked into the arena five minutes ago. He knows that Jeff could show up at the Fanfest because he was part of the DVD viewing party. He cannot believe that Hardy has the balls to show up. He warned Hardy on Thursday not to show up. He brought Hardy into the company and tonight he will remove Hardy from the company. Jeff and Karen storm off.
Jeremy and Christy do a final hard sell for the pay per view.
Welcome to PWInsider.com’s live, ongoing coverage of Bound for Glory from Philadelphia, PA!
The PPV opened with a great opening video previewing the TNA title bout and Hulk Hogan vs. Sting.
Mike Tenay and Taz welcomed everyone to the broadcast, noting that the future direction of the company would be determined tonight.
TNA X-Division champion Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick
Big pop for Aries since he really carved his name in Philly, which Taz pointed out. They locked up and Aries and Kendrick began exchanging holds. Nice chant for Aries early. Aries took him down with a headlock takeover but Kendrick reversed it and they faced off.
Aries was sent into the ropes but shoulderblocked Kendrick down. Kendrick came back with a headscissors. They led to a back and forth reversal until Kendrick dropkicked Aries out of the ring. Aries called for a time out, trying to slow Kendrick’s momentum.
Aries was kicked off the apron and Kendrick his a slingshot pescado to the floor. The crowd booed him for that. Kendrick sent him back into the ring and scored a two count with a flying bodypress. Kendrick nailed a pair of monkey flips but was shoved off while going for a trifecta. Aries drilled him with a clothesline for a two count.
Aries drilled Kendrick with an elbow across the top of the head. Kendrick rebounded off the ropes with a stiff elbow for another near fall. Aries nailed a back elbow to take Kendrick down for another two count. Aries continued to work on Aries until Kendrick fired back with a series of forearms and kicks. Aries avoided one but was nailed with a double axe handle for a two count. Kendrick comes off the top but Aries avoided it and nailed an STO and a Pendulum elbow for a two count.
Kendick kicked off Aries during a charge and nailed a tornado DDT. Aries kicked out and the crowd began chanting for him. Kendrick went for Sliced Bread #2 but was sent to the floor. Aries hit a nasty torpedo dive to the outside, leading to a “TNA” chant.
Aries drilled him with an elbow and hit a hard running dropkick in the corner. Aries went for the brainbuster but Kendrick drilled him with knees to the head and small packaged him for a two count. Kendrick superkicked Aries and went for Sliced Bread #2 but Aries stopped it and they battled on the top. Aries battered him with elbows and hit Sliced Bread #2 off the top rope but Aries draped his foot on the ropes at the last second.
Kendrick went for Sliced Bread again but was shoved to the floor. Aries punted Kendrick hard as he returned to the ring and nailed another stiff dropkick. Aries spiked him with a brainbuster and scored the pin clean.
Your winner and still X-Division champion, Austin Aries!
Very good, hard fought entertaining match to kick off the show. Both were really on their game.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash and Traci Brooks were playing with the Jarrett children when Karen Jarrett came in and was obviously pissed about it. She ripped on Brooks’ attire and then announced she would be refereeing the Knockouts title bout herself. Jarrett told Brooks that she was not to come to ringside unless she was in “harm’s way” tonight.
Full Metal Mayhem: Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam
Pretty large “ECW” chant for a few seconds, but it quickly died out. They went back and forth trying to take each other down. RVD went for an armbar but couldn’t lock it on. Van Dam used leg scissors to cover Lynn for a two count. RVD nailed a spinkick in the corner.
RVD went for Rolling Thunder but Lynn dropkicked him coming out of the somersault. Lynn went for a tornado DDT but RVD countered and they went back and forth with counters until facing off. Van Dam kicked Lynn in the gut and avoided a clothesline. They collided against each other near the ropes. Van Dam nailed a guillotine legdrop across the apron.
They battled on the floor. Van Dam went for a moonsault off the railing but Lynn moved and RVD hit the ground. Lynn pulled a ladder into the ring. Van Dam tossed Lynn into the ring but began favoring his leg from hitting the ground. Van Dam grabbed a chair from under the ring but as he returned, Lynn nailed a sliding dropkick into the ladder, slamming it into RVD.
Back in the ring, Van Dam nailed a bodypress off the ropes, crashing Lynn down onto a chair in the ring for a two count. Van Dam set up Lynn in the corner for the skateboarding dropkick. Van Dam set up a ladder in the corner and whipped Lynn hard into it. He fell with the ladder landing atop of him. Van Dam nailed Rolling Thunder onto the ladder. Big “ECW” chant.
Van Dam kicked at Lynn who dropkicked Rob into a chair. Lynn clotheslined RVD atop the ladder, who was leaning on the ropes. Lynn went for a flying legdrop but RVD rolled out of the way and Lynn ate nothing but ladder. Lynn slammed a chair into RVD’s face and hit a German suplex with a bridge for a two count.
They battled over a suplex near the ladder with RVD winning the war. All the crazy spots got ECW chants. Van Dam nailed a rolling thunder onto the ladder for another two count. Rob sent Lynn into the corner for a monkey flip but Lynn clotheslined Rob in mid-air. Lynn rolled to the outside to retrieve a second ladder. He bridged it between the ring and the ring barrier.
Lynn and RVD battled over the ladder. The ladder slipped off the apron as they battled. They still did a sunset flip powerbomb with RVD’s head bouncing nastily off the ladder and the ring barrier. Lynn rolled RVD back in but only scored a two count. Lynn went to nail RVD with the chair but Rob ducked and nailed the Van Daminator for a two count.
Van Dam set up a ladder over Lynn and went for the Van Terminator. The crowd chanted, “Holy sh**.” Van Dam pulled Lynn into the ring and scored the pin.
Your winner, Rob Van Dam!
It wasn’t a pure wrestling match but there were a lot of entertaining and scary looking spots. You could see they were giving you all they had to give. The crowd really enjoyed themselves and I can’t help but love the effort, but some of those spots looked way too dangerous for these guys to be doing. But, still quite the spectacle.
Van Dam and Lynn raised each other’s arms after the bout.
They showed footage of Dixie Carter and her husband Serg arriving at the arena earlier in the day.
Samoa Joe vs. Matt Morgan vs. Crimson
Joe immediately told the others to fight but they instead put the boots to Joe. The crowd booed them. Morgan nailed the rapid fire elbows in the corner. Crimson went to punch Joe but caught Morgan. That allowed Joe to work over Crimson. Joe was caught in the middle of them being punched back and forth. The crowd was booing all of this, since Joe has a history in Philly.
Crimson charged Joe but Joe dropped down and Crimson crashed to the floor. Joe took down Morgan. He tagged Morgan with some kicks to the chest. There were some “Joe is gonna kill you” catcalls. Morgan catches Joe with the sideslam and Crimson tried to catch the pin. Morgan wasn’t happy about that, allowing Joe to take them out, tossing Crimson out on top of Morgan. Joe hit a flying elbowsmash tope on Crimson.
Joe and Crimson battled on the floor. Morgan went to the top rope and dove off, wiping out Crimson as Joe stepped out of the way. Morgan was grabbing at his knee after. Joe rolled Crimson in as Philadelphia gave Earl Hebner static for screwing Bret. Joe peppered Crimson with punches. Crimson fired back and nailed a neckbreaker.
Crimson suplexed Joe but Morgan tried to steal the pin this time. Crimson wasn’t happy and they had words again. They jawed but Joe raked their eyes. They nailed Joe only this time, they prevented the other from making the pin. Joe rolled out of the ring as they argued and started battling back and forth. Morgan finally got the better of the exchange but Joe pulled him out of the ring and sent him into the railing. Joe then hit the ring and began drilling Crimson with strikes and a running kick to the head in the corner.
Joe placed Crimson on the top for a mucle buster. As he went for it, Morgan returned to the ring and kick Joe in the gut. Morgan nailed a running knee to Joe’s head. Morgan got caught up in the ropes. Joe staggered into a Crimson spear and was pinned.
Your winner, Crimson!
OK match but nothing of real note. They had a decent pace but it was more of a series of sequences than a hard fought back and forth competitive bout. The building tension between Morgan-Crimson was fine but Crimson still needs a lot of work. The story was that Crimson with the least experience, scored the win. The finish came off a little weak. The crowd booed Crimson on the way out. Welcome to Philadelphia!Jeremy Borash interviewed Bully Ray. Ray said he didn’t need any introduction because he’s the meanest, toughest pro wrestler walking the Earth. He said that if Anderson thinks he’s gotten one over on him because it’s a Falls Count Anywhere match in Philadelphia, he has to be kidding. Ray ripped on Philly, saying he’s been milking the white trash fans there for every dime they are worth and has seven cars and five houses because of it. He said Screw you and Screw Philadelphia. Good usual Ray promo.
Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson: Philadelphia Falls Count Anywhere Match
Anderson ran into the ring and they brawled back and forth in the ring. Ray got the upper hand and smashed him into the turnbuckles. Anderson came back with a neckbreaker for a one count. Ray started to climb the ropes but was punched in the happy sacks. Anderson still was nailed with a kick to the face.
Ray ripped Anderson’s shirt off and chopped him hard in the chest. Anderson took out Ray and grabbed a sign from a fan, which was covering a “Dead End” sign. That had to have been planted but was a nice homage to ECW. Anderson nailed Ray again. Ray went to the floor. Anderson followed and beat him with punches. Anderson grabbed a beer and smashed it into Ray’s face. Anderson worked him over in the corner outside, then slammed him into the barricade. He followed that up by slamming Ray into a chair.
Anderson went to whip Ray into the stairs outside but Ray reversed it and Anderson ate the steel. Ray pulled a table out from under the ring. “ECW” chants for that. Anderson fired back before Ray could use it and they battled up the aisle towards the entrance stage. There was a trickle of blood coming from Ray’s head. Anderson went for a suplex but Ray reversed it and covered him for a two count on the stage.
Ray called for Anderson’s mic, which came down. Ray announced himself from Hell’s Kitchen. Anderson nailed him and said into the mic, “Welcome to Philly, bitch” and nailed Ray with the mic. They brawled backstage, which the crowd booed. Ray tried to nail Anderson with a pipe and then nailed a piledriver on the concrete backstage for a two count.
Ray threw a wooden table towards Anderson, which exploded. He then used a chair to choke Anderson. Ray dragged Anderson back towards the Arena and they battled on the floor behind the ringside seats. Anderson stomped him low. They brawled past Atlas Security and back into the ring. Anderson brought a section of the guard rail into the ring but was caught with a running clothesline by Ray. Ray pulled another table out from under the ring. He set it up in the ring and charged Anderson, but was backdropped over onto the railing.
Anderson went to the top for a swanton but Ray rolled and Anderson landed on the steel. Anderson was bleeding from the nose and mouth. Ray drilled him with the sit down Bubba Bomb through a table for a two count. Ray grabbed the railing as the crowd chanted, “Anderson.” He placed Anderson on the steel and went for a senton splash off the ropes but this time, Anderson moved. Anderson nailed the Mic Check on the rail but Ray kicked out.
Ray went to the outside. Anderson grabbed a trash can full of weapons. He nailed Ray with the trash can and Ray landed on the table. Anderson went to the top rope and nailed his rolling swanton splash but overshot and barely nailed the table or Ray. The crowd knew it. Anderson nailed a Mic Check through the table and scored the pin.
Your winner, Mr. Anderson!
Taz said, “Sometimes, you gotta call an audible.” No Kidding!
Entertaining, hard hitting brawl. Lots of stiff shots with weapons. Other than the miss at the end with the swanton, this was a decent hardcore style match. The crowd really got behind Anderson as the match went on. Ray is just a top notch heel.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff spoke to Jackson James and thanked him for doing everything he has done in the last few months, noting that no one has figured anything out. Bischoff told him tonight Hulk Hogan had to win and they had to take Sting out. Jackson said, “I got your back, Dad.” Bischoff thanked him and they shook hands and embraced. So, there’s the big reveal that James is actually Bischoff’s son (legitimately, as we broke here on the site the week he started with Impact).
I really HATE these backstage segments where guys are talking but don’t notice the camera is there. It’s compounded by doing these segments “through the closed windows” where we can still hear everyone clearly! Why the hell would Sting or anyone else let him referee their matches after that???
TNA Knockouts champion Winter (with Angelina Love) vs. Mickie James vs. Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne with Karen Jarrett as the special referee
Winter and Mickie started off. The story early was that Jarrett wasn’t in position early. Winter threw James into the corner and kicked away at her. She whipped James into the buckles again but James nailed her with an elbow and a rana. James nailed a neckbreaker, but Winter went to the outside.
Rayne entered the ring and hit the worst slap of all time on James. She and Jarrett giggled over it. James nailed her with a series of rights. Jarrett was obviously biased. Rayne tossed James outside. Sky hit the ring and nailed a running bulldog. Sky covered Rayne but Jarrett was too busy tying her shoe. Sky argued with her allowing Rayne to attack her. Winter re-entered but Jarrett convinced them to tag the babyfaces in as opposed to fighting the other.
Sky and James went back and forth but Jarrett wouldn’t count the pin on either. This is dying a slow death as you can hear the boring chants already. James was sent into the ropes but shoulderblocked Sky and nailed a dropkick. Rayne tried to get involved but James knocked her off the apron. Sky kicked at James and used a flying headscissor takedown. Winter tried to get involved but was knocked off by Sky.
James tagged Velvet with some stiff shots. The heels grabbed the babyfaces and pulled them to the outside. Back in the ring, the babyfaces used stereo double leg takedowns and began working over Winter and Rayne. Winter tossed Sky to the outside and worked over James. James sent her into the corner for a running clothesline. James peppered her on the mat with punches.
Jarrett began arguing with James as Angelina Love handed Winter something she put in her mouth. Jarrett pulled James off Winter. Winter spewed a spray at James, who ducked and Jarrett was blinded and went down. Traci Brooks ran to the ring. James and Winter were sent to the ring. Sky DDT’d Rayne and scored the pin with Brooks counting.
Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Velvet Sky!
Way too much going on and the match was really more a backdrop for Jarrett antics than a hard fought wrestling match. You had to be happy for Sky, who really earned that position, but the match itself wasn’t strong.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Frankie Kazarian. He said he’s psyched for Bobby Roode but is torn over the AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels match. He said that he hoped they would beat the hell out of each other and get it out of their system, but the way Daniels has been, he doesn’t know. He just said that he’s torn.
I Quit Match: AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
Daniels tried to attack Styles but was taken down. They battled back and forth with strikes. Daniels used an STO and began working over Styles. He screamed for Styles to say that he quit but Styles refused. Styles gained control and drilled Daniels with a series of kicks. He nailed Daniels with the mic and then tried to shove it down his throat.
Styles used a pump handle slam into a gutbuster. He locked on an armbar and tried to force a submission but Daniels refused. Daniels drilled Styles but missed a clothesline. Styles cinched in an abdominal stretch in the center of the ring. Daniels finally hiptossed him over. Daniels went for the suplex but Styles reversed it and held a delayed suplex. Styles locked on the Oriental Torture Device but Daniels refused to give up.
Daniels peppered Styles with forearms but Styles locked on a cross armbreaker. Daniels bit Styles’ fingers to break the hold. They exchanged chops. Daniels nailed an elbow to the back of the neck. Styles avoided Daniels and nailed him with a dropkick off the criss-cross. Daniels went to the outside and Styles hit a flip dive to the floor.
Styles sent Daniels into the ring. Daniels went under the ring but was pulled out by his feet. He had grabbed a toolbox. Daniels grabbed a wrench and nailed Styles with it. Styles returned to the ring and Daniels grabbed a screwdriver, trying to ram it down into Styles’ face. Styles used several knee strikes to break it.
They battled in the corner. Daniels tried to stab Styles with the screwdriver but Styles moved and the turnbuckle got stabbed. Styles got the better of their exchange. He tried to suplex Daniels to the outside but they landed on the apron. Daniels suplexed Styles into the ropes and he crashed dangerously across the apron and to the floor.
Back in the ring, Daniels began demanding that Styles give up but he refused. Daniels continued to trash Styles. He nailed the BME across Styles’ back as he was on his hands and knees. Daniels locked on a single leg crab. Styles clawed his way to the ropes and made it, forcing the break. Daniels began firing back with elbows and chops. Daniels cut him off with a backbreaker across the knees.
Daniels went to the outside to retrieve a chair. Daniels placed it over Styles’ thoat and sat on it. Daniels took the mic and said he’s been dreaming about this moment for months – the moment where he sees Styles pass out and breath his last breath. He said that everything Styles had in TNA should have been Daniels’ and now it will be. He said he never wanted Styles to quit, he wanted to bash his brains in. He said that he will tell Styles’ wife that his last words were, I love you. Daniels told Styles’ wife to take the kids out of the room so they don’t see their father murdered in cold blood.
This fired up Styles, who cleaned house and drilled Daniels with a spinkick. Styles used the moonsault into the inverted DDT and screamed. He nailed an enziguiri and clotheslined Daniels. Styles nailed the springboard flying forearm and called for the Styles Clash. Daniels blocked it and nailed the Uranage. Styles escaped a BWE attempt and nailed a Pele Kick. AJ nailed the Styles Clash.
Styles, who had a trickle of blood from his brow, grabbed the chair and went to use it, but saw the screwdriver embedded in the buckle. Daniels backed off and said that he quit. The referee rang the bell. Terrible ending!!!
Your winner, AJ Styles!
Styles still tried to nail Daniels with the screwdriver but Daniels ran from the ring like a marathon sprinter.
Nowhere near the level of their best matches and just as Styles was going to get his comeuppance, they went to a really lame finish. The work was fine but it was like watching the first half of a movie and seeing the reel break just as it was getting into the most dramatic part. Nowhere near adequate for the “biggest show of the year.”
As Styles left, Daniels attacked him and nailed Angel’s Wings on the stage. He screamed that Styles never beat him and asked who the real winner was.
Jeff Jarrett came out to the ring. He said that he told Jeff Hardy not to come to the building but it’s not about not wanting Hardy in the venue. He said that no one that works for the company want to see him back in the company. He said none of the fans want him here and claimed he and Karen polled fans and 9 out of 10 didn’t want to see him back.
Jarrett said that Hardy was hiding in the parking lot and catering and wherever he is now but he’s calling out Hardy now. He said, “I brought you into this organization bitch, and I’m taking you out.”
Hardy’s music start and he came out to new ring music. Hardy came out in street clothes. Hardy said that he only wanted to say one thing and attacked Jarrett. He drilled him with a clothesline but Jarrett nailed him with a right. Jarrett worked over Hardy in the corner. Hardy was whipped into the corner but came back out with a big clothesline.
Hardy worked over Jarrett but security hit the ring to break it up. Hardy broke free and dove across the ring on Jarrett. He was pulled away and Jarrett broke through and began working over Hardy. They start brawling again as several referees come out. Several agents and Ronnie Lang’s Atlas Security hit the ring but Hardy still attacks Jarrett again. Security pulled Jarrett out against his will and walked him out of the ring. Hardy mugged for the crowd.
Angle was fine for setting up Jarrett vs. Hardy down the line.
Next up is Hulk Hogan vs. Sting so the TNA title, as it should, is going on last.
Hulk Hogan vs. Sting
Nice pop for Hogan, who is wearing jeans and an Impact t-shirt. He has red kneepads over the jeans like Dusty Rhodes going into a Bunkhouse Stampede. They showed a concerned Dixie Carter and her husband in the crowd. Sting came out wearing a Hulkamania t-shirt over his tights.
They rang the bell and they stood in the center of the ring throwing jabs in the air. Hogan stopped and called for Ric Flair to come to the ring. Out came Flair in street clothes, complete with theme music.
Hogan and Sting locked up and Sting grabbed a side headlock. Hogan sent him into the ropes and shoulderblocks Sting down. Hogan did his poses and crotch chopped Sting. Sting went after Hogan but Hogan nailed rights and a thrust to the throat.
Hogan clamped down on Sting with a nerve hold but Sting fired back. Hogan clotheslined him down. Sting went to the outside. Sting returned to the ring and Hogan nailed him across the back. Hogan raked his back. Hogan nailed him with a right and Sting went down.
Hogan tossed Sting to the floor, where Flair used his jacket to choke Sting, then drilled him with a series of chops right in front of Carter. Hogan lowblowed Sting on the floor. Hogan slammed Sting into the guard rail. The entire bout has been all Hogan.
Hogan started biting Sting’s forehead. Flair slipped Hogan an object and Hogan drilled Sting in the forehead. Sting was whipped into the railing and Hogan started stabbing Sting in the forehead, busting Sting open. Of all the people to channel the Sheik and Sabu, Hogan?
Hogan brought Sting back in the ring, took him out with a right hand and pulled out the Fargo Strut. Sting fired back with a series of rights and Hogan went down. Sting chased Flair on the floor and then followed up with a another series of punches. Sting went after Flair again and Sting grabbed the object. He started spiking Hogan with it and Hogan was bleeding as well.
Sting nailed the Stinger Splash in the corner and nailed Flair. Sting nailed another Splash onto Hogan’s bad back in the corner and locked on the Scorpion Deathlock. Hogan almost immediately tapped and Bischoff’s son called it.
Your winner, Sting!
Flair immediately attacked Sting while Hogan was out. Immortal came to the ring. Ray drilled him across the back with a chair. Gunner and Scott Steiner followed suit with chairshots. They showed a shot of Abyss watching backstage. Bischoff’s son grabbed one of the chairs and told him to stop. Ray grabbed him and Bischoff drilled his own son with the chair. Immortal kept working over Sting as Hogan finally recovered to his feet and was hurt in the corner. They continued beating down Sting.
Sting asked Hogan to help him. Oh God, it’s Return of the Jedi!!! The crowd got into that and chanted for Hogan. Hogan tore off his shirt, turned babyface and started cleaning house on all the heels. Immortal regrouped and tried to jump Hogan but Sting jumped in and they cleaned house on the heels. Sting nailed a Stinger Splash on Flair. With Immortal dispatched, Hogan and Sting were left in the ring with a cowering Bischoff. Hogan drilled Bischoff with a big right hand. They showed Dixie Carter cheering in the front row. Hogan said, “I’m back.”
Hogan and Sting faced off. Hogan asked him if he wanted to go. Sting instead said he wanted Hulkamania back and lead cheers for Hogan. The crowd started chanting for “Hogan.” Hogan and Sting embraced in the crowd. Jackson James returned to the ring to raise their hands.
The match itself was exactly what you would expect given the limitations. The post-match angle was good for nostalgia but let’s hope the power struggle stuff is over and Hogan can stay out of the ring as it was obvious he shouldn’t be in there. Very strange that there was no post-match celebration with Dixie Carter and Sting.
TNA champ Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode
Not a lot of time here.
They started out fast with Roode going for the Crossface early. Angle’s leg is wrapped up. Angle and Roode ended up on the outside with Roode chasing Angle around the ring. Angle rolled back in and nailed Roode with a kick as he returned through the ropes.
Angle worked over Roode with shoulderblocks, then snapped him with a suplex for a two count. Angle rode Roode on the mat, working him over. Roode fired back with a series of elbows but was caught with another suplex. Angle kneed him and covered Roode for another two count. Angle held Roode to the mat with a waistlock. There was a “Let’s go Roode” chant.
Roode fought his way to his feet. He nailed several right hands and went for a clothesline but Angle ducked and started throwing German suplexes. Angle went to the ropes for a moonsault but Roode jumped up and nailed a crazy throwing suplex into the ring. Angle did almost a full rotation taking the bump.
The referee was counting both men down as they returned to their knees and battled back and forth with punches. They exchanged uppercuts and right hands. Roode nailed a flying forearm and a series of rights. He clotheslined Angle down. Roode went to the middle rope and nailed a neckbreaker off the ropes for a two count.
Roode chopped Angle but was caught with an overhead release belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Angle and Roode went back and forth with reversals until Angle nailed a DDT for a two count. Roode began trash talking Roode as he went for the Angle Slam. Roode slipped out and nailed the spinebuster for a two count. Roode went to the top rope but was caught by Angle, who suplexed him off for a two count.
The referee counted them both down. Angle tried to grab Roode, who maneuvered him down and locked in the crossface. Angle grabbed an anklelock and forced Roode into the submission. Fans chanted for “Bobby.” Roode reversed it back into the crossface, rolling through. Angle slipped out and rolled Roode up for a two count. Roode kicked out and went right back to the crossface.
Angle nailed the Olympic Slam, slipping out for a two count. Angle grabbed the anklelock. Roode rolled through and kicked Angle off, then caught him with a spinebuster. Roode nailed a Perfectplex but Angle kicked out at the last possible second. The fans began with the dueling chant.
Angle went back for the anklelock but Roode rolled through with a forward roll for a two count. Roode slipped out of an Olympic Slam and Angle was sent into the corner. Angle kicked Roode low as the referee missed it. Angle nailed the Olympic Slam but Roode kicked out at the last second. Fans were chanting for “Bobby.”
Angle nailed a German suplex and began the sequences of Germans. Roode slipped out of the third and went right back to the crossface. Angle’s eyes were covered so he moved himself under the ropes reaching for them, forcing a break. Roode whipped Angle, who reversed it and speared Roode for a two count.
Angle went to the top rope for a double axehandle or something but Roode saw him coming and locked in the crossface again. Angle slipped out but missed the Olympic Slam. Roode missed the Perfectplex attempt. Angle nailed the Olympic Slam and covered Roode, who’s arm was under the ropes while Angle was grabbing the rope for the pin.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Kurt Angle!
Angle was helped from the ring as Roode sat up despondent over losing.
Match was OK but you could see they were rushing against the clock. They really needed a classic match for that sort of finish to work so the fans have this great sympathy for Roode coming out of it, but with the shortened time involved, it didn’t come across. In fact, I’d describe it as deflating Roode more than helping him.If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
