James: LAST TIME ON THE POWER HOUR: TNA saw their Final Resolutions of the year come to fruition, as Beer Money got a shot at the TNA Tag Titles, still held by the Motor City Machine Guns after winning Full Metal Mayhem against Generation Me. Mickie James meanwhile was denied a shot at Knockout’s Champion Madison Rayne after she helped Tara defeat Mickie in the Impact Zone Men’s room. Elsewhere, Robbie E barely kept his X Division Title, while AJ Styles lost his TV Title, Abyss shut the lid on The Pope, RVD sent the Manbeast Rhino packing, and Jeff Jarrett once again proved his MMA superiority. But most importantly, despite a Guest Ref who hated him and an imposing 7ft tall monster in front of him, Jeff Hardy retained the TNA Title with a little help from Eric Bischoff. Now we head in 2011, and the TNA roster has to ask themselves this question: Will Immortal’s iron grip grow tighter or can TNA fight back and take back the company for the fans?
Seán: It’s a show where Immortal look to claim all of the gold and have total control of TNA! It’s the first of the year! It’s Genesis 2011!
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Happy Days are here again
JT: Pyro, ballyhoo, and helloooooo everyone, welcome back to the Power Hour, as always I’m “Not Cute Kip” James here to help lead you through the dank pee pee soaked heckhole that is The Immortal Era of TNA!!
S: We’re back at the wheel once again with our rundown of The Antichrist Saga of one, Jeffrey Nero Hardy. Despite complications with Impact Plus, they couldn’t keep us down for the three count, Jack! We’re here. James, how are you feeling today?
JT: As Dixie Carter might say, I’ve got a little bit of rocket fuel in my day with this here Power Hour, like you said we were put on hold for a bit due to ImpactPlus related technical difficulties, but now I’m so glad to be here talking to you about the greatest company in the world for silly wrestling nonsense! How are you doing chum? Are you excited as I am to be back on the Power Hour grind?
S: Oh most definitely, we’re currently in the second half of Season 2 so I’m well excited to talk about this show, the sooner we get to the third season, the more giddy I become per show to be honest. I’m doing alright for the most part these days, just started college in Maynooth and the workload is pretty heavy at the moment so this form of escapism is most definitely needed.
JT: Yeah I’m just hitting the ending segment of my school year, so having a reprieve from education for something like this is much needed. Now before we get into this here show, I think it’s about the time for your notes!! So Seán give us them sweet, sweet details about how this show did on PPV? I gotta know, did the first show of 2011 start TNA off on the right foot for this year or not?
S: TNA Genesis 2011! One year on since the first Hogan and Bischoff PPV (Genesis 2010) where they ditched the six sided ring, Sean Morley jobbed out Christopher Daniels to the disgust of the Impact Zone regulars where they all ditched the company and never returned. But anyways, this show takes place from The Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida on the 9th of January 2011, usual attendance of 1,100. The show pulled out 20,000 PPV buys which is the joint second highest of the year.
JT: 2nd best!! Well, well, that doesn’t seem so bad!! Wait, how many buys did they get to start the year last year, in the midst of the second (and greater) Monday Night War?
S: Last year, Genesis 2010 pulled in 15,000 buys, so this show has seen a 5,000 increase from last year’s show! Finally, some form of victory for TNA!
JT: Well, looks like numerical, TNA is off to a good start to 2011!! But, how is the actual quality of their event? Well that’s for us, the absolutely most objective critics in all pro wrestling and really media criticism as a whole, to find out!
S: Do you think it’s time we kick this show off?
JT: Pull out your bibles and open up to page one, we’re going back to Genesis!!
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Lethal’s Leap Year
JT: Our inaugural contest is scheduled for one fall, and is for the TNA X Division Championship!! It’s Immortal’s Frankie Kazarian going for his 5th X Division Title reign against…..defending Champion Jay Lethal!! Hey wait a minute, where’s our boy Robbie E? Where’s our main slice Cookie? Where is our chum Shark Boy?!?
S: Where the hell is everybody? You’ve got the questions James, but have you got the answers?
JT: Well I know the when and where, in that I know Jay Lethal finally won his title back from Robbie E on Impact about a week after Final Resolution, but I don’t the why! Why have Robbie E lost the belt when he did after the months building him up? Did he fail a drug test? Did something happen behind the scenes? Did they just give up on him? Rhetorical questions aside, I believe he lost the belt because something happened with Cookie. But again, I’m not sure.
S: Well James, on the 16th December episode of Impact! Jay Lethal would finally defeat Robbie E and finally have an answer to Cookie’s constant interference in the form of Christy Hemme! Jay overcomes the numbers game of The Shore, he gets the belt back, he finally beats Robbie E and whaddya know? He even managed to snag a kiss with Christy and everything. It’s a Christmas miracle! Hoorah!
JT: Good for Jay!! Now a 6x X Division Champion!! But seriously, why do the swap now? And why bother throwing Shark Boy into the mix, was it just a gag?
S: Yeah from my knowledge of TNA around this time, whenever Shark Boy would be wheeled out, it was usually always for a gag, a pop and a comedic segment.
JT: So as a whole, that means him standing tall was for a gag. At least it was fun to see him? Still you would’ve thought they could have had the blowoff for the Lethal/Robbie thing on PPV. But that’s okay, we’ve got this bad boy on first. Shall I run through the build to this one?
S: I think it’s about time we start running this opener down, excited to chat about this one.
JT: So this one is a cog in a bigger story going on here. Dixie Carter, former TNA President who accidentally handed her company over to Hulk Hogan, is now suing the shit out of Immortal. Like she’s got them properly in a bind, and Eric & Hulk are pretty worried about it. Hulk has been forced away from the Impact Zone by these legal measures and Easy E know they need to do something to turn things in their favor. So what’s his plan? Simple, win all the gold. As per wrestling shows dictate, if you have the titles you have the power, and maybe just maybe if Immortal can hold Dixie’s titles hostage they can get some extra leverage. So that’s how we’ve got Kaz going for the X Division Title here. He won a #1 Contenders 4 Way featuring Robbie E, Jeremy Buck and Max Buck to get this shot, then Immortal pulled their slippery heel tactics on Jay. They put him in a match against Abyss shortly before this PPV, where Abyss just got himself DQ’d and beat the pulp out of him. Kazarian is already an accomplished X Division Wrestler, but now Jay has to go in hurt for a match that was already going to be a challenge.
S: Poor old Just Jay, he just can’t face anyone straight up one on one, can he? There’s always someone sticking their nose in his business, first The Cookie Maestro, now Abyss. Just Jay can’t catch a break in this arc.
JT: At least he’s champ again! Now let me ask you a question real quick before we get into this match. So Kaz & Jay, they don’t have a real personal association in this match, they haven’t really done anything to each other in this. So I’ve gotta ask you about this, how do you feel about having matches with less build in order to fit in a branded scheme? Do you think it’s worth it to sacrifice individual build in order to fit a bigger storyline?
S: Usually I would want more of a story or build to this match but the fact it’s more as a plot point in a larger company wide storyline, I like that if I’m being frank. The fact that this match, despite it’s lack of build is a part of a power struggle story makes the title feel way more important than it did back in Bound For Glory where we had two excellent workers in Jay and Doug Williams, with pretty much nothing going into it and coming out if it.
JT: I agree and should tell you that my question was pretty much a trick question. It the right situations I’m a okay with these sort of grander narratives, and this match is one of those cases. I mean it’s the X Division, which has never been big on storylines. So it just gives an excuse to have a match between two very talented X Division guys, so I’ve got no complaints considering that most X Division/Cruiserweight style titles get no build anyway. I think we’ve laid the groundwork well enough, shall we get into our first match of the episode?
S: Let’s kick it off!
JT: Lethal goes after Kaz before the bell has rung, he’s got a real sense of urgency here tonight! He gets a Hurricanrana, lands some big right hands, and the crowd is behind him with loud Lethal chants. He hits a hip toss but can’t follow up with his usual Dropkick Kaz rolls to the floor, so Jay improvised as he runs and flies through the ropes with a Suicide Dive. Fighting on the floor, Lethal chops him as somebody in the impact zone loudly yells “CHOP HIM!”. Did you hear that Impatmaniac? Ain’t that what the Impact Zone is all about?
S: Oh it most certainly is, James. Let me tell ya that much, we need this new class of Impactamaniacs to carry the torch their predecessors carried for a good five years beforehand. These guys got potential.
JT: They need these types of guys after scarring off all the long timers by getting rid of the 6 side! Anywho, as they continue brawling on the outside, Kaz tries to whip him into the apron but Lethal jumps up onto it, leaping from there to hit a Springboard Moonsault! From there he sends Kaz in, then gets his hip toss dropkick combo. He’s just wrestling circles around Kaz, catching a kick turning it into a Slingshot, followed by a nip up and a single leg Dropkick. Now Seán, don’t get me wrong, Lethal has had some good performances to this point in this arc of ours, but this feels like the first get to see Lethal at his fastest. He is just working such a great pace and is still so clean and smooth with his moves!
S: Yeah honestly, this is a prime example of Jay Lethal at his best around this time, he would get even better once he went to ROH but man, he’s on bloody fire in this match. He is just extremely slick here. This is him being allowed to go all out.
JT: Sadly for Jay, his early onslaught just couldn’t last against someone as talented as Kaz, who turns the tide with a Spinebuster, then hammers on Lethal with punches as the crowd boos. He lifts up Jay then just dumps him down with a nice Gutwrench Suplex, followed by the Patented Springboard Leg Drop by Kaz but it’s only enough for a 2 count. The pace starts to quicken as Lethal tries to make his comeback, as he leapfrogs Kaz, ducks a shot and hits a Handspring Back Elbow! They start trading punches, with the favor turning in Jay’s direction, only for Kaz to rake the eyes. He hits the ropes but runs back into a chop, then Lethal grabs him and leaps over the top to the floor, bouncing Kaz throat first off the top rope. Lethal goes from the floor back to the apron, but then Kaz slingshots Lethal back into the ring and into Cutter!! Kaz places Jay up top, Lethal fights him off and hits a Sunset Flip Powerbomb, 1–2–Kickout!! He gets Kaz up, nails an Enziguri, then the Lethal Combination, 1—2–Kickout again!! He prepares to hit something that can put Kaz away, but Kaz starts to lift him for the Belly to Back Piledriver, but Lethal rolls through, only for Kaz to roll through himself, rolling under the bottom rope then hopping back to the apron before slinging himself back in with a Slingshot DDT!! He makes the pin, he puts his feet on the ropes: 1—2–Kickout!! Just great X Division action!!
S: This match is a prime example of the type of X-Division action I was calling for from the get go of this arc. You can always rely on these two lads to knock it out of the park at this time.
JT: Kaz is really starting to feel like he’s got things wrapped up now as he just smacks Lethal with a disrespectful slap, prompting Lethal to fire up with punches and chops, sending Kazarian reeling back to the ropes. Lethal with a Suplex, goes up top, but takes too long hotdogging as Kaz kicks him with an Enziguri. Kaz goes for the Belly to Back Piledriver from the top, but Lethal fights him off, but in the process, sends him back into the referee! Realizing the eyes of the law are off of him, Kaz jumps and grabs the top rope, crouching Lethal!! Jay falls off the top, leaving him totally prone as Kazarian picks him up, then drives him down with the Belly to Back Piledriver!! He covers, 1—2—3!! We’ve got ourselves a new X Division Champion!! And boy, that was a breath of fresh air!!
S: Absolutely, this match was the perfect way to kick off this show. As you said, a real breath of fresh air in the X-Division as opposed to the matches we previously had. Not saying that they’re bad by any means, they were fine but this is the standard of X-Division matches that should be expected of anyone looking to put on any TNA show from this time. It’s a shame Jay is sacrificed for this storyline but his performance is more than enough of a positive to take away from his loss, Kaz is just fantastic too, the chemistry these two lads had was brilliant. Massive thumbs up from me. Whopper opener!
JT: Yeah this one was great. Again, it’s not like the other X Division matches have been bad, but this was like the type of bread and butter the division was based on, it’s the exact sort of fun we’ve come to expect from the division. And like you noted, Jay really got sacrificed here for the name of Immortal, and if you think about, he’s been getting sacrificed this whole arc. It was his job to get Robbie over, and now he’s gotta be the one to get Immortal’s title storyline over. Honestly, I’d argue this is why Lethal was good but never as great as he could’ve been in Impact. I think he was just hurt by being there, dare I say, too early. Like, by this time he’s already been a face fans are used to seeing, his best sequences have become a norm in the Impact Zone. And with that being the case, it feels like creative has cooled on him a bit. Not like they don’t like him, but more so that he’s settled into his role as “X Division do-gooder”. He’s been put into a box, and I think he’s realized that. I hate to say it, but this will be the last appearance of Jay Lethal in this arc. He would go on to have just 5 more matches in TNA, all of them in losing efforts, with all but one under 10 minutes, with his last TNA match coming at Lockdown 2011 as just another body in an Xcape Steel Cage #1 Contenders match.
S: I was thinking this was really close to the end of his run alright but FIVE MORE TV MATCHES?! Wasn’t he employed for another six months after this??
JT: Lockdown is in April, so here’s what happens between now and then. On January 18th Xplosion (just over a week after this show) his jobs out to Rob Terry in 6:40. On the January 20th Impact, he loses his title rematch against Kaz in less than 5 minutes. On the February 3rd Impact, he loses a 1st round X Division Title Tournament Three Way to Jeremy Buck, where he got pinned after eating the Rolling Chaos and Jeremy stole the pin. His next to last match (which was actually filmed at the end of March but aired after Lockdown, so technically that was his last TNA match, oops) was losing a Three Way on Xplosion to “Sangriento” aka Amazing Res under a mask, where he ate the pin and Chris Sabin was also there.
S: Boy, Sangriento. What a great idea that was from Vinny Ru. Poor Jay. Poor Red.
JT: Poor Red, and poor TNA! Now that Immortal has captured the X Division Title, that’s 1 title down and 2 more to go!
S: I don’t like TNA’s chances here…
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It Always Raynes in Philadelphia
JT: So though Immortal is trying to secure the gold in TNA, there’s one division they’re not represented in, and that’s the Knockout Division!! Our story that start all the way back at BFG is finally coming to fruition!! She can’t be denied any longer, Micke James is finally getting her shot at the reigning, defending, Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne!!
S: Few things I need to bring up about this match. Madison Rayne’s theme song, James. Is it a banger? Because I think it’s amazing.
JT: I certainly think so. She’d make Freddie Mercury and Yoshikage Kira with that theme song. It’s a good one, not only musically but character wise. Someone with a theme that fits their character and that isn’t just noise?!? Who would’ve thought!!
S: I thought it was nigh on impossible for us to reach these such high heights!
JT: Now last time we saw Micke James losing to Tara in a Falls Count Anywhere match, so y’all may be wondering, how did she get this match here tonight? Well speaking of high heights, Mickie only beat Tara by hitting a Thesz Press off the top of a Cage during their Steel Cage match on Impact! So in the process, Tara got a broken arm, meaning not only does Madison have to face Mickie, but she can’t even have Tara at ringside in the same capacity as before! Of course, in this build we also got into the elements of their obvious character differences. Madison is the prim and proper Queen, where as Mickie is Hardcore Country. On Impact, Madison berated Mickie in her fanciest dress, saying that the fans want the image of perfection as Champion, and not some “Backwater, Hardcore Country, slut”. And how did Mickie respond? Well she just stripped Madison of her dress and left her running up the ramp in her skivvies. And just like that, we arrive tonight at Genesis. I’ve gotta say, I think this build has been pretty great so far.
S: Yeah definitely, I think so far from what we’ve seen from the Knockouts Division, they’ve really built and executed storylines really well. I’ve praised Tara vs Mickie so many times and I really think Mickie vs Madison has been booked swimmingly so far.
JT: I definitely think it does. Has it fallen a bit into the typical women’s storyline stereotypes with the name calling and the stripping? Sure, but it works given the character dynamic. To have someone who calls herself a classy queen be reduced to name calling and being embarrassed shows that Mickie knows exactly how to get to her, and that Madison knows her title reign is in trouble.
S: Exactly, it works really well with the characters involved. Should we get into this match while we’re at it?
JT: We can get to the match in just a minute, but before we do, I just wanted to note that as Madison “Let the Pigeons loose” as Taz my say, the camera basically fucking missed it. Useless company.
S: That’s literally the number one priority that cameramen in TNA from 2008-2014 are given. That’s their sole purpose. And they missed it. I’m not asking for it but lads, that’s in your job descriptions per Russo, Jarrett, Hogan and Bischoff.
JT: Look, if you’re going to make softcore porn a signature part of your product, don’t coward out on us now after all these years!
S: It’s encrypted in their DNA since their inception. Sure just look at the name of the company like! It’s an innuendo for fuck’s sake! 😂
JT: Well said. So now that we’ve got the important stuff out of the way, it’s time to get to the wrestling I suppose. It’s time for our first chance to see how Madison faires on her own, with nobody but Mickie there to support her. So we start things off with some quick arm drag takedowns and quick covers, followed by a Dropkick by Mickie James that sends Madison to the apron early on. Madison squeals to the Ref to try and get him to slow down Mickie, but Mickie grabs her and sends her back in the ring. Mickie grabs a headlock, to get the rope break, but with Mickie holding her up so high, when she breaks she just drops Rayne like a sack of potatoes. Madison tries to get control but still gets a hair pull throw from Mickie and is sent to the floor. Madison plays the old “kill time outside, run back in, run back out” with Mickie before snapping her down on the ropes for a 2 count. Aside from that though it’s been all Mickie, and the crowd lays in her with some “You can’t wrestle” chants. Whether or not she can wrestle is something I’ll leave to the end of this match to discuss, but there is another discussion going on, in that there’s a lot of commentary chatter about Madison’s cackling and screaming. And I know going into this you have something to say about this, so please take it away Seán. Say your piece.
S: Well James, in one of our previous reviews. I stated that Madison reminded me of The Waitress from It’s Always Sunny during this and my god! That statement could not be any more true in this match!
JT: Ohhh spicy!! If you don’t mind, would you just give a brief outline of who “The Waitress” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is, and what Madison has done to remind you of her?
S: Alright so for those who don’t know, The Waitress is a recurring character in It’s Always Sunny played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis. She’s the love interest of Charlie Kelly, played by Charlie Day. Ironically, they’re legit married in real life. So her character is just this cold, bitchy waitress who continuously turns Charlie down. So her personality is reminiscent of Madison here but also, the hair which Rayne has in this match, is very reminiscent of The Waitress in probably one of the later seasons. I also think they’re very alike, like spitting image of one another and they have an eerily similar tone of voice, especially when they’re both shrieking.
JT: Yeah if you’re not familiar with the show, all you need to know is that there is often a lot of mean spirited yelling in the show, and there is a lot of that going around. Madison makes sure that people in the nosebleeds know what’s going on, that’s for sure.
S: So yeah. Madison Rayne = The Waitress.
JT: So after the waitress got a brief bit of offense on Mickie, she then goes on to miss a high kick as Mickie slides underneath it, gets snapmare and a low Dropkick for a 2. Madison later tries for a pin of with her feet on the ropes, but Mickie also kicks out at 2.
Mickie with a Headscissor out of the corner, Madison lands right on her head, but manages to come back and throw Mickie off the top after looking for the Thesz Press. The Killer Queen kills the pace of the match as she slows the match down big time with rest holds, and managing to kick out of the attempted roll up by Mickie. Madison tries to go for her signature Headscissor Driver, but Mickie counters, turning it into a Wheelbarrow Facebuster! The tide is turning in the favor of Hardcore Country as she gets some Clotheslines, then a Flapjack and a nip up. Madison slips out of the DDT attempt, then tries to run away and gets spanked, and Taz wants to see if “it left a red mark”. Classy as always my man. In the process Madison manages to draws the ref in, allowing her to poke Mickie in the eye, but then she misses a Scissor Kick and gets a Neckbreaker. Mickie off the top with the Thesz Press, then she sets up the Mickie DDT, but Tara’s music hits and out comes Tara. Mickie tries to go out after her, but the ref keeps them separated, meanwhile Madison loads up her glove and then plays possum. Mickie picks her back up, while the ref is still dealing with Tara, allowing Madison hits her with the loaded glove and get off scot-free with the 1–2–3 victory as she retains her title.
S: Mickie gets screwed yet again. That fecking numbers game! James, I thought this match was grand if I’m being honest with ya.
JT: Oh really? Do tell, what made this match for you?
S: I said it was grand, not great. Don’t hang me out to dry here haha. I mean it served a purpose but look, Mickie did the best she could with Madison, like I think we all can agree that Madison was very green around this time, right? Like she would improve greatly. The restholds kinda killed the crowd and the finish was typical dumb face loses via shenanigans.
JT: Ok, I thought I was gonna disagree with you from your initial reaction, but I agree. Was it the best Knockouts Match we’ve had this arc? No, I think we can agree the Mickie/Tara matches were far and away better than this one. I agree that the rest holds really killed this one, and I feel like for the finish they could’ve called for a more obvious method of cheating. Like I get she “loaded up her glove” or whatever, but it would’ve gotten a bigger reaction if they given Madison a different prop like brass knuckles or like a more obviously loaded glove. And Madison probably could’ve done a bigger gesture to show it was loaded. But those criticisms aside, it painted a clear picture that Mickie would have Madison beat if she could just get her alone. They’ve done a great job making Mickie look like an actual star and not just going “She’s from the other company!”, and they’ve to make a nicely paced storyline out of Mickie’a title chase rather than having her get it immediately.
S: Yeah I completely agree, they have treated Mickie like a big deal since she debuted. Like at least when she’s been losing, she’s losing by nefarious means. The finish was very eh. It served a purpose, it was fine but probably the weakest Knockouts match we’ve seen during this season so far.
JT: I’d say it’s just below the bottom. IMO this just beats out the 4 Way from BFG, although not by a huge margin. But again, considering most of WWE’s women’s matches at the time? At least there’s a consistent story this whole time. It’s not the best performance but it can be so much worse than what we got, which was still enjoyable, if not a big slow and dull, wrestling.
S: Yeah this is for sure one of many things the KO’s division has over the diiiiiiiiva’s division. Women in TNA are given time, storylines and something to work with. So a thumbs up for effort to be honest.
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Motor City Limit
JT: So before we move on to our next match, we have a pair of directly related Immortal backstage segments to break down first. So Seán, do you mind if I run through them real quick?
S: Oh belt ahead my friend, I need my Immortal fix.
JT: Ok first, we start off in Immortal HQ, aka Eric Bischoff’s office, with Easy E, Ricohlas Flair, and Allan Jones Styles. So I may be joking around with their names but rest assured, they’re all real serious because they’ve got a big problem: AJ Styles is hurt. According to AJ, he chased his kid down after it looked like they would crash their four wheeler and exacerbated an injury in his leg. He’s got a limp he can’t wrestle tonight for the TV Title against Douglass Williams. Ric tries to stick up for AJ, but Eric yells at him, blaming him for doing nothing as Immortal is in serious jeopardy and has made big promises (“Kaz barely won by the skin of his teeth”) and also gives him the Lesnar treatment, he doesn’t give a shit about AJ’s kids. AJ is steamed and pushes a bunch of shit off Eric’s desk before limping out, while Flair puts his confidence in Eric to end the segment, reassuring him that he’ll come up with a plan to fix all this. This leads us into our next interview, with new X Division Champion Kazarian, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff. Kaz brags to Christy Hemme and the fans about being 4x X Division Champ, he says they’ve got 1 title down 2 to go thanks to him. Ric is a maniac this whole time, as he just goes into Woo overdrive, saying absolutely nothing of an importance but making lots of noise in the process. Christy asks Eric about who is replacing AJ in his TV Title match against Douglas Williams, and who is RVD’s mystery opponent. Eric says the AJ thing isn’t something you can plan for, but he guarantees that his replacement Abyss is very motivated and he has confidence in him. He says RVD’s opponent will be a mystery until he comes out. Eric guarantees Immortal will win all of the Gold tonight. And that leads us into our next match, Beer Money reigniting their rivalry agains the Motor City Machine Guns, with the TNA Tag Team Titles on the line!!
S: It’s about to go down! Boy oh boy, this has probably been my most anticipated match of the arc, which can be said about any MCMG match to be honest.
JT: I am really excited for this one too!! So let’s not draw it out, let’s get straight into the build! So Beer Money won the #1 Contership beating Ink Inc last time at Final Resolution. After earning their shot they went right after the Guns, saying they have been defending their titles against boys when they should be fighting men like them. MCMG says they won’t take shit from Beer Money, because they are the best, the smartest, the most brutal tag team in wrestling. Beer Money says they’ve been held back and that they could’ve ended their reign anytime they wanted, but MCMG says they have the most heart and they will always get back up. There’s not been a whole lot of confrontation between them in the hype package, but honestly, they just had to say “Hey Beer Money & MCMG are fighting against” and everyone would be plenty happy. And for good reason! Less we forget their Best of 5 Series!!
S: How could anyone forget their best of five series from the year before this? That whole series was absolute magic, I personally feel like I need to see the old best of series come back more regularly these days. Like wasn’t the last one Shambo and Cesaro from 2016?
JT: That I can think of, yes? And it showed the versatility of that format. For The Guns & Beer Money, it was the end of their rivalry (at least for a good 8 months) and for Cesaro & Sheamus, it was just the start of their relationship, that formed honestly one of the best WWE tag teams of the last decade if you ask me. Those first 3ish years of The Bar were just great.
S: Yeah agreed, The Bar were a fantastic tag team, always got hard done by at WrestleMania but that’s a story for another day.
JT: Yeah it is. So before to get our story for today, mind running through their Best of 5 for those who don’t know? It’s essential knowledge before we get into this one.
S: Alright for context on this feud. The Guns beat Beer Money at Victory Road for the vacated Tag Titles, over the next five episodes of Impact! The two teams would enter a best of five series with Storm and Roode. Beer Money would win the first two encounters, a ladder match and a street fight, respectively. The Guns would claw it back to two wins apiece with victories, in a Steel Cage and in Ultimate X. On the Whole F’n Show episode of Impact! Sabin and Shelley would win the finale in the series in a Two out of Three Falls match.
JT: These two teams are really just foundational to TNA. Not just as teams (those their arguably the two best in the company’s history) but even as singles wrestlers too. This is just as TNA as it gets, in a good way! What we’ve got here is a team that has spent the last 8 months going from a team with potential to being the team everyone knew they could be, against a desperate, dangerous team who are craving for the titles more than they have ever before. I am so jazzed to talk about this!!
S: I can safely say that I am most certainly in the same boat as ya. Let’s fucking do it!!!!
JT: Alright so real quick, we’ve got the Tag Lines!!
-Beer Money’s Final Resolution: Beer Money won their shot by beating Ink Inc the month before at FR
-Immortal’s Quest For Gold: Kaz just won his title match, ball’s in Beer Money’s court
-Two best Tag Teams in Wrestling Today: Tenay bring up their Best of 5 Series last year, which was the best matches in the history of wrestling (which MCMG won)
So Beer Money come out, there’s no Boozer Cruiser and just generic Fortune shirts but Beer Money still drip with confidence, wearing Royal Purple tights. The Guns meanwhile look their usual selves, ready to go as Shelley throws his shirt at Roode and they begin shoving and trash talking. They want to go, and so do the crowd! Start off with Shelley & Roode, doing something nice chain wrestling, Roode with the knockdown, Shelley with some quickness to move around and a spin kick to knock Roode down. Storm tags in but Shelley slides between Roode’s legs and comes out of the corner, catching the incoming Storm with a Hip Toss before getting him in his own corner. Tag in to Sabin, they get their classic video game dream sequence, followed by a pair of big kicks to an interrupting Roode. These two teams are homegrown favorites, and I know that some of Immortal guys have been cheered even after the events of 10.10.10, but boy the crowd is real behind the MCMG!! Sabin leapfrogs over Shelley to come down on Roode’s Arm and nail him with an axe handle, which prompts the ref goes after Shelley for that last sequence. This allows Storm to poke the eye of Sabin, but then Shelley gets the blind tag, sending Roode to the apron, then dropping to his knees for the Poetry in Motion Dropkick!! Sabin knocks Roode off the apron, then stereo suicide dives!! Shelley rolls Storm in but misses the diving stomp, and though he catches Storm with a roundhouse, Roode comes in from behind with a clothesline to shift the balance. Before we go straight through this whole thing, let’s just take a second to just say: Fuck yeah. Just a general, fuck yeah.
S: I think it really speaks volumes of the ability and chemistry of these two teams that they have us literally gushing at the opening stages of the match. Absolute caramel wrestling. Roode’s Northern Lariat, someone needs to bring that move back, honestly.
JT: Oh yeah for sure. I watch NJPW, and occasionally other Puro, so I’m not short on lariats, but I will never get tired of it. We need someone to takeover JBL’s mantle of throwing awesome clothesline in a major American promotion. Hangman Page’s Buckshot is close but it has a bit too much setup to hit the same.
S: It does have a bit much of a setup but at least the move looks absolutely phenomenal whenever it’s hit, he always gets whopper connection on it too so Hangman, keep doing what you’re doing.
JT: Anyway enough 2020 chit chat. Back to the match! So Beer Money have stopped the momentum of the Guns and are slowing down the pace with tag team offense. On commentary, Tenay & Tazz notes how the Guns have a more pronounced mean streak since the GenMe feud, including using nightsticks on Gunner & Murphy when they tried to attack them in the lead up to this match. Storm spits at Sabin, drawing him out of the corner, allowing him & Roode to try a double team but Shelley kicks them both and hits Sliced Bread! Shelley lunges for the tag, Roode pulls Sabin off, and just like that, the moment’s gone and Beer Money go back to working over Shelley. Man, does any modern tag team absolutely nail this classic spot like Beer Money do?
S: The only team which springs to mind would’ve been FTR or The Revival when they were in NXT against the likes of DIY and American Alpha. When they were doing it there, they did it to perfection and it always got a reaction.
JT: That’s fair. But oh man, Beer Money never fail on their timing with that spot. Sabin tries to fire up the crowd to get Shelley pumping but Alex just can’t break free. Feeling on top of their game, Beer Money take this time to absolutely milk everything from the BEER MONEY taunt. Meanwhile, the crowd chants for Sabin as Beer Money continues to work the head and neck of Shelley. They go for a Catapult, but Shelley catches Storm with a Forearm, stomps Roode, hits an Enziguri to knock Storm to the floor, then catches Roode and drives him into the turnbuckle with a Flatliner. Storm tries to knock Sabin out of position for a tag, but Sabin leaps over him and hits a penalty kick from the apron, before getting the tag from a rolling Shelley! Sabin ducks a clothesline, hits two of his own, hits a Headscissor, rolls through an attempted Sunset Flip and hits a Kick! He hangs Roode up in the corner, then nails a big Hesitation Dropkick! He goes for a cover, Storm comes to break up the pin, Sabin gets up, hits a kick and Suplexes Storm on Roode. Shelley comes in now, Sabin puts him on his shoulders to hit a Swinging DDT on Roode!! Cover, but this time Storm breaks up and he and Sabin brawl as Roode puts Shelley on the top rope. Shelley fights him off, Sabin comes back in with a top rope clothesline, then a Diving Double Stomp with Sabin covering but only getting a 2. Storm comes in, hitting a Stun Gun on Shelley then a Backstabber, sending Shelley to the floor, then he goes after Sabin but gets an Enziguri and gets sent to the floor himself. Back in the ring, Sabin misses a high kick, Roode picks him up for a Back Suplex but Sabin flips through landing on his feet behind him, O’Connor Roll by Sabin, 1—2—Kickout that sends Sabin to the ropes where Storm spits beer into his eyes!! He falls back into a RR Spinebuster by Roode!! 1—2—Kickout!! I’ve got to say, I love the way Beer Money just uses beer. It might seem like a basic comment, but just these two make the most of their gimmick don’t they?
S: Yeah their two gimmicks really play off each other really well, don’t they? The beer mist is always a great spot, like Storm doesn’t have a massive beer bash, it’s just a bit of craic when he’s drinking, he’s not like Sandman who has a full sixer before wrestling.
JT: I’ve always thought spitting mist is cool spot, but it’s like a vaguely asian thing, so doing Beer is a nice substitute! Also whenever someone pulls out a beer bottle and crack it over someone’s head, it’s great. To have 2 extra gimmicks to not only aid their heelness but to fit their characters? Good stuff!
S: Wouldn’t mind a beer now actually…. mmmmmm beer.
JT: Homer please control yourself. We have a review to finish. So Shelley comes in and goes after Roode and even the odds, only to get sent across but then hits a baseball slide on Storm, then hits Roode with an elbow, then flies over the top onto Roode with a Plancha!! Sabin sends Roode into the corner, Yakuza Kick & Enziguri to the head in the corner from the MCMG signal for the end as they go for and connect with Skull & Bones, AND IT CONNECTS!! 1—2———Storm pulls the ref!! Beer Money are just on that next level!! MCMG have to dig deep, so Shelley goes to the top and dives onto Storm as Sabin goes for a Springboard Tornado DDT but Roode catches him and turns it into a Northern Lights!! 1—2—Kickout!! Shelley with a shoulder from the outside to Roode, he slingshots back in and goes for combo kicks with Sabin, but Roode catches his kick and turns him around into the Last Call!! Sabin tries to fight them both off but his kick gets blocked and counter with a kick to the gut from Roode, before lifting him into the arms of Storm, DWI!! 1———2———-KICKOUT!!! Both teams have thrown their best at each other, and yet both teams are still in it. Boy goes this out both teams over, huh?
S: I never thought of it like that but man, you’ve hit the nail on the head there, it’s great to see that these two teams are being elevated to a higher level to what they were already at, which was pretty damn high. It’s truly excellent booking.
JT: After the Guns kicked out of their biggest move, Roode is in the face of the ref, he can’t believe it. So with no better ideas, he and Storm try for DWI one more time, only for Sabin to push Storm away with his leg. Shelley grabs Roode from behind, but Roode drives him back into the corner. Still, Shelley has him held, so Sabin goes for a Yakuza Kick, only for Roode to move last second, SABIN NAILS SHELLEY!! Sabin cannot believe the mistake he just made, AND ROODE ROLLS HIM UP FROM BEHIND!!! HE’S GOT THE TIGHTS!! 1——-2——3!!! Beer Money are champions again!! The reign started against them, but they ended the MCMG greatness themselves by the skin of their teeth!!
S: Boy oh boy! That was a beautiful finish, the fact the finish came whenever one of the teams made a mistake leading to their defeat was just such a perfect way to end it. Shocker alert guys, The Guns kill it again, Beer Money were magnificent and this match ruled. Four for four on amazing tag team title matches on TNA PPV’s. This match was just brilliantly paced, the psychology was immense, the chemistry was impeccable and I literally could come up with about fifteen more adjectives to describe how amazing this match was. It’s just clear proof of why the tag scene was booming in TNA with these two lads at the forefront. Match of the night, spoilers.
JT: At this point, it’s not a spoiler. We’re going into these shows expecting the Motor City Machine Guns will be in the best match on the show. I think these two teams demonstrated here that you don’t need to have a complicated story to have a great match. They kept it simply but just did it perfectly. Desperate, aggressive heel team vs determined, big heart high flyer faces. Perfecto.
Sadly, this rainbow of a match goes come with some rain. After 4 amazing match in a row on PPV, this is the last appearance of Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley on this arc. But it’s even worse from there. After losing the belts to Beer Money, they would lose a rematch to Beer Money on the January 10th episode of Impact, and only 6 days later, Alex Shelley broke his collarbone in a House Show match against GenMe!! But that’s okay, it’s only a temporary injury, he was back by April 28th running in to save Sabin….who happened to suffer a serious knee injury that very show. There wouldn’t be another MCMG match in TNA until 2012, which would then be followed up by a PPV Match at Lockdown 2012…..which would be the last televised MCMG match in TNA until they returned on Impact this year, as Shelley chose to leave TNA. So really, we just saw the last great match of the Guns original run!
S: Yeah I was thinking that this was the point where The Guns were nearing the end of their proper run as a team. Lethal and The Guns more or less nearly out the door, Sabin would stick around until 2014, he peaked in TNA in 2013, winning the World Title. Then dropped it back to Bully Ray a few weeks later because of interference from Tito Ortiz. Why? He would win the X Title a few more times, trading it back and forth with Aries, he became an obnoxious heel who would treat his on screen and at the time, irl girlfriend Velvet Sky, unfairly. Why? He then left in 2014 and would have some great moments but then would get hampered by injuries which sucked.
JT: I think the Guns & Lethal leaving around the same sort of time adds to the feeling that TNA “as it was” had ended. I mean no Guns, no Lethal, AJ doing nothing, Joe doing nothing, no 6 side?!? You can understand why older TNA fans felt like the sky was falling. That said, as a sendoff, what a great job! Like you mentioned, it’s so rare that a team loses on a miscommunication (without immediately heading into a break up storyline) and Beer Money winning the way they did just adds to how desperate Immortal are to cling to power.
S: And with that, Immortal are only one title away from complete and total power. I fear for the worst, I don’t like the good guys’ chances, James.
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BetRAYer
JT: But before we get to that last title match, we’ve got some unfinished business!! At Turning Point, we saw the retirement match of the greatest tag team of all time, Team 3D. MCMG defeated them, and Brother Ray & Brother Devon were ready to ride into the sunset. They said one last big thank you, one last TESITFY, hugged it out, and then BAM!!! One shot from behind, and a Bully was born. Now Seán, before we go into this turn to any degree, can we please talk about the reaction in the Impact Zone to Bully Ray turning on his brother?
S: Pathetic. That’s the only word for it. Jesus Christ, it’s the same reaction for a rest spot.
JT: To give the Impact Zone some credit, it felt like they had to at least take a second to register what just happened. Taz however, Taz man you’ve gotta step up your game. You’ve known them for a decade plus, and all you can muster is “Oh”?!? Fucks sake.
S: It was literally a crowd reaction of ‘Oh he turned on him, did he? Whatever…’
It’s not like they’ve been a tag team for fifteen years at this point or anything…
JT: Yeah shocking how little of a response there was. I mean yeah I know they already had a very unsuccessful break up before, and yeah I know they’re older now, but really?!? Nothing?!?
S: I had it built up in my mind from when I was like ten years old that Bully Ray got showered in boos and there was a visceral reaction. What a dope I was because a flush of a toilet would’ve made more noise than that crowd that night.
JT: So uhhh, Bully Ray is here! He’s been saying that he’s disappointed in himself for not doing this earlier. He’s a master of disguising Devon’s flaws, and that all the things Devon does is because those are the only things he does well, and that he taught him to do those things. He says Devon has only ever been over because he’s connected to him. Meanwhile, Devon ain’t happy about these developments! In an interview with Christy Hemme beforehand he says that tonight’s the night that Bubba will continue to spill that garbage about how he carried Devon, and that back in the old days they used to beat the hell out of each other just to make their names, so when he reaches out his hand for him, it won’t be to tag in and do the work, it’ll be to whoop his ass! Really thus far it’s been Bully getting some sneak attacks, but Devon hasn’t gotten a chance to get his hands on him. Devon is fired up, as you can tell by his solid promo.
S: Man, Devon is actually a really solid promo when you watch him cut a proper promo aside from the usual catchphrases he did. He’s got a brilliant delivery and tone.
JT: He’s always been a solid promo, his brother just happens to been even a level above. Another note, he’s a pretty great wrestler in his own merits, and for all Bully’s trash talk about carrying him, did you remember that Devon actually got all the hot tags so far this arc?
S: I was figuring that Devon was the guy who was more or less rallying the crowd because I didn’t remember any Bully Ray hot tags in the match against MCMG.
JT: So, how fitting that the one saving the day gets the “I carried you” treatment from his heel partner? Good stuff! So before we dive into the match, I just want to have a little chat about Bully Ray’s look, music and new name. What do you think of it all?
S: The new name certainly fits the direction of the character, the look is pretty fucking dope, he looks awesome. The theme song, it’s literally an alternate version of Sabu’s theme, I mean come on you know.
JT: Yeah his theme is fine, it’s whatever, but he really does a good job getting a fitting new character. And I’d argue that his drip peaks with Aces & Eights. I mean just that look plus the A&E Vest, plus the TNA Title, just the best.
S: Did Bully ever wear a Yankees beanie? I feel like that’s something he would’ve copped during his run.
JT: Yeah he definitely did. It’s not quite the classic Yankee hat, but it still fits his take no shit New Yorker attitude.
S: Is he billed from Hell’s Kitchen at this point too?
JT: He is! God I love the different neighborhood names in NYC.
S: It is a great touch to the character, or perhaps he could be a huge fan of the Gordon Ramsay show?
JT: I’m sure he has some actual connections to that area, but now I love the idea of Bully Ray hamming up his New York accent while doing famous Ramsay bits. But since this is a written affair and not a vocal one, I say we leave it on the back burner and get to our match.
S: Let’s get to it! Will it be a chef’s kiss? Or will it be a kitchen nightmare? Time to find out.
JT: While Bully took his time getting to the ring, as soon as Devon gets his introduction, he books it to the ring and Bully immediately flees. He just doesn’t want a piece of his brother now that everything is on even footing, and he even takes SoCal Val as a hostage to try to keep him away. Luckily for Devon and Val, she is able to give Bully a big old slap and break free, allowing Devon to go right after him. He throws him into the barricade, chokes him with camera cables, hits him with a water bottle, slams him off the steps and the crowd wants the tables. It’s all Devon early on, as he’s choking Bully with his new vest, which Taz says Bully was very proud of. Devon rolls him in, the bell rings as Bully is on his knees begging for forgiveness. Of course it’s all a trick to go for a low blow, but Devon knows his brother and blocks it, coming down with hammering shots to the back. Devon avoids a running splash in the corner and hits a jumping clothesline, then a Thesz Press press with big punches. Like I said, it’s all Devon, as he slams Bully, goes to Bret’s rope, and Bully can only roll to the floor. Devon gets him on the floor,and the ref tries to get him back in, which allows Bully to hit him from behind. What does Bully do now that he finally got a shot in and can turn the tide? He tries to run away through the crowd. Seán, it feels like Team 3D have always been deceptively big in their career, but for a big guy boy does Bully play a great coward!
S: Yeah this was always one of Bully’s main strengths whenever he played heel, he’s very good at being a total asshole bully but also being a massive chicken shit coward. Also, ya love to see Devon and Bully resorting to walking brawl, even against each other! Genius!
JT: As a Team they walk and brawl together, and apart, they still walk and brawl together. Bless Em. So Bully tries to escape but Devon catches up to him, and they commence walk and brawl as he throws Bully into the wall hard of the Impact Zone. Some guy is waving around his shoe the people around him chant “use the shoe” and Devon says what the hell and actually asks for it! They throw him the show, he catches it, and like the old pro he is, he clocks Bully with it and adds a little “P.U.!” motion to before throwing the shoe back to its owner. This was such a fun little moment. It just shows that guys like Devon and Bully are just always locked in, they know their character, they know the psychology, they can just do a little bit like this no problem on the fly.
S: Yeah those two really know their psychology and always manage to control a crowd. Except when the crowd is nonchalant towards a big heel turn, but I digress.
JT: So as they make their way back in, Bully finally gets a shot in as he clubs Devon with a double axe handle to the head as he steps between the ropes. He almost immediately taunts the crowd after getting his first real offensive move of the match. From there he disrespectfully slaps his brother, who begins to fire up, so Bully pokes the eyes to shut him down. Bully with a Splash in the corner, he sends him across and tries the other side but Devon gets the boot up. He goes to Bret’s rope, dives off….only to get caught with a Bully Cutter! 1—2–Kickout!! Bully loads up for a big elbow but he Devon moves, getting up and swinging at him but Bully catches his arms and tries for the Bully Bomb, only for Devon to spin out and hit a Last Rites Spinebuster!! 1—2—-Kickout!! From there Devon goes up top, but Bully crotches him by grabbing the ropes. The two huge men fly off the top rope with a Superplex by Bully, 1—2—Kickout!! Bully goes and gets the chain, swinging wildly and misses in the corner. He then takes a long time wrapping it around his hand before going after Devon again only to get clotheslines and a back body drop!! He drops the chain, Devon sees it, and decides it time for payback, result be damned. He gets swings, and connects right across the back of Bully, and now he’s DQ’d and the match is done for. Ref Jackson James is helpless to stop Devon as he whips Bully with the chain over and other again, so extra refs come out to restrain him. Still, the Dudleys don’t care about no stinking referees as the two of them brawl as the refs try to split them up and the crowd chants let them fight. As the refs finally manage to get control, Bully manages to land a “swift kick to the yambag region” before running off up the ramp. Seán, I feel like I don’t where to place my feeling on the one, so if you don’t mind, could you tell us all first what you thought of this match?
S: To be honest with ya, I was expecting this to completely suck the life out of me after the tag title match but to be fair to them, I think they did well all things considered. The finish is bollocks but clearly it’s leading to some sort of stipulation match next month so I’m fine with it. The action was grand, nothing particularly bad. Not a great match by any means but it did it’s job well by prolonging the feud.
JT: I think that’s a pretty fair assessment. I think everything about evens out in this. The action isn’t particularly exciting or interesting, but it makes sense in the context of the story and Bully in particular really nails his character. The finish is dumb, but it’s clearly got a point and it clearly makes sense for the narrative. Considering neither of these guys have ever been engaging singles wrestler, and considering their ages when this breakup began, and the lack of a response their breakup got, this was a fine match. I don’t think it particularly matches the level of Tara & Mickie James’s match that ended in a DQ though.
S: No not at all, I think what helped that match was that the match itself was great and the crowd was up for it. This one, there is some crowd involvement and the match is grand.
JT: Agreed, this wasn’t the best thing ever but it does plant some interesting seeds for later down the line.
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The Recharge
JT: NOW HOLD ON A MINITE PLAYAH!! Before you get much further into this review, you’ve gotta go ONE ON ONE, with The Recharge!!!
S: But we were supposed to talk about the TV/Legends/Global/King of the Mountain Title match, ah whatever you say.
JT: Do worry folks, we’ll get to some Abyss vs Doug Williams in just a moment, but first let’s add in a little breather we like to call the recharge. Recurring readers know what this is, but for any newbies, this is just a little segment where Seán and I can go off the script (more deliberately anyway) and talk about things other than TNA 2010. So Seán, how you doing fella?
S: Ah I’m doing grand now, getting close to the big twenty, only one fifth of the way to the century so all is well. How about yourself?
JT: I’m doing well. I’m just hunkering down for the end of my semester, which is at least partially responsible for this episode taking longer than usual to come out. My bad y’all, but you know how it is. I’m enjoying the lovely autumn colors are here, what about you? How’s your neck of the woods looking this time of the year?
S: Fine some days, dark gloomy and full of rain most of them, it’s not the most attractive weather but sure look, we’re in lockdown again so I’m just watching through all of Malcolm in the Middle right now since I’ve finished Scrubs.
JT: Love me some Malcom in the Middle!! What a great show! I don’t have much to say about Scrubs since I haven’t seen it though. Myself, I’ve been rewatching Dragon Prince on Netflix? Have you seen Dragon Prince? It’s made by the guy who made Avatar The Last Airbender.
S: I have not seen Dragon Prince, Avatar The Last Airbender is a show which is always recommended to me though, considering how great that show is, I’d say Dragon Prince is just as good. Might as well jot that down on the must watch list.
JT: It’s a solid show! It’s got computer animation which can be kind of janky sometimes, but the character models are really great. The story also has some Avatar-isms as far as like the construction of the fantasy world goes, but it’s got some solid writing. Would recommend. Well, I mean I am recommending it right now. You know the phrase. Anyways, shall we get to our traditional recharge trivia?
S: I’ll definitely keep the recommendation in mind. I think it’s about time we get down to our wrestling trivia!
JT: Alright, let’s go! Do you want to ask the questions, or do you want to be the guy with all the answers?
S: I think I’ll give you the honours of kicking this one off. The floor is yours, my man.
JT: Sweet! So, we just saw Beer Money end Sabin & Shelley’s impressive 182 day title reign, I thought I’d ask you this: Which Team has had the single longest TNA Tag Title reign of all time? Not before I let you answer, I should also set the ground rules. First, this is the TNA Tag Titles, so any reigns with the NWA Tag Titles in TNA don’t count (sorry AMW). Secondly, I’m not going to count the actual longest reign, that being The North’s 380 Day reign from 2019-2020. Obviously it counts in the history books, but A) It’s too easy because it’s too recent B) COVID obviously took a large chunk out of that reign where they couldn’t defend their titles. With that out of the way I’ll give you three guesses, and one hint, for you to figure out “which team had the longest TNA Tag Title reign of all time”?
S: Alright, my first guess is going to have to be, was it by any chance Team 3D?
JT: No it is not Team 3D. In fact, I was surprised to learn that under both the NWA & TNA branding, Bubba & Devon never held the titles for more than 70 Days across their 1 NWA Reign and 2 TNA Title reigns! I guess it goes to show that the Dudleys were big enough to not even need the tag titles!
S: Now that’s surprising, I’m trying to brush up on my TNA knowledge here. I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and throw out AJ Styles and Tomko perhaps?
JT: Wow, stupendous guess!! AJ & Tomko are not the longest reigning TNA Tag Champs ever, HOWEVER they do have the 2nd longest reign ever for a team to only hold the titles once. The Christian Coalition held the Tag Titles for 184 Days in their solo reign in TNA. And as an extra brucie bonus hint and a fun fact, The Decay have the single longest reign for a team to only hold the belts once, at 197 days.
S: Woah woah, are we talking about the longest combined reigns here?
JT: Nope not combined reigns, just one single reign by a team. As I’m sure is no surprise to you, teams who get multiple reigns tend to be more likely to have longer reigns. Since, ya know, the company trusts them enough to give them multiple title reigns. Like the New Day, longest Tag Title Reign in WWE History, 10 time tag champions!! But we’re not focusing on overall success, just a single stretch. So, considering you’re down to your last guess, would you like your proper actual hint?
S: I think I know what the answer is here sonny Jim, I’m thinking that the actual team in question has got to be The American Wolves in Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards, right?
JT: While the American Wolves do have the 3rd most cumulative time as tag champions, that’s incorrect! Funny enough, the 2nd most cumulative days goes to Beer Money, who happen to have the second longest title run ever at 212 days! And the longest title reign, capping off at 267 days (232 if you go by airing date) is none other than the team with the most cumulative time as TNA Tag Champs, Santana & Ortiz, LAX!!
S: Oh of course! I completely forgot that they had their incredible run from 2017-2019. Fair play James, ya got me on that one.
JT: Lest we forget, as good as Santana & Ortiz are as AEW’s Proud N Powerful, cornerstones of the tag division and Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle faction, there was a reason they were so coveted when they entered AEW. It’s because Impact put absolutely 110% effort into making them stars. They were the tag division for that 3 year stretch, and even if that was when TNA was really struggling, we shouldn’t overlook how they really gave those two guys a chance to show how good they were.
S: Yeah Santana and Ortiz are an amazing tag team, I really hope AEW can find a way to fit them into the tag title scene soon because they’re way to good to not in the mix. Shall we get down to my question while we’re at it?
JT: Yeah I think Santana & Ortiz have been good in AEW, but they definitely have been shafted a bit as Inner Circle henchmen. You gotta believe they’re going to be in the running to take the Tag Titles off the Young Bucks. But anyways, I’d love to hear your question, lay it on me!
S: So in the first match you mentioned Kaz’s finisher, the old belly to back piledriver but did you know there is a name on the move? Would you like to take a crack at what the name of the move is?
JT: Ahh!! I’m glad you asked this, because when I was doing my due diligence in preparing my match write ups, I couldn’t find the name for it! I don’t know what it is, but considering Kaz is now our X Division Champ, odds are we’ll be seeing him use it again. So my first guess is going to be something sort of generic, but related to his “The Future” nickname. Is it, the Future Shock Piledriver?
S: It is not called the Future Shock Piledriver, would you like a hint?
JT: I would like a hint. Move names can be really wacky, and honestly without it I’m kind of shooting in the dark. Hint please!
S: So the hint is as follows, the name of Kaz’s finisher shares the same name as an iconic Metallica song.
JT: Okay! I think I’ve got the answer! Kazarian’s Belly to Back Piledriver’s name is it….Ride the Lightning?
S: It is not, your final guess, what have you got for me?
JT: Well I’m proper stumped. I really thought I had it there. So I suppose my final guess will be Seek & Destroy.
S: Unfortunately, it is not. The move is also known as….. the FADE TO BLACK! I honestly think that’s the first time we were both wrong during our trivia segment. ‘Tis a dark day.
JT: Well “Fade to Black” is a pretty snappy name for a snappy move. That one came to mind, but I think I wrote it off as a Michael Cole-ism (not Murphy) for whenever Aleister Black hits his finisher. Well, this has been educational hasn’t it!
S: It sure has and I think it’s time we let our usual Recharge fade to black, time to go back to the Imapct Zone where Douglas Williams is set to defend his TV Title against Abyss!
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Championship Clean Sweep?
JT: Well just like Seán said, we’re back to the regular old review, and we’ve got our final *cough* title match of the night! Immortal have already picked up the X Division & Tag Title tonight, and now they’re looking for the only (men’s) gold they don’t own!! After picking up the win of his career, Douglass Williams was ready to face AJ Styles for his TV Title, but AJ is out, so he’s gotta plan last minute for The Monster, Abyss!!
S: He’s got to defend his title, the family crest and TNA itself! Oh the agonising pressure on Doug!
JT: Okay so first things first, I gotta ask, do you know if AJ’s injury is kayfabe or not? Because I genuinely don’t know.
S: Well I couldn’t find anything regarding him being injured so I’m going to assume that it’s kayfabe and used to build tension between Immortal and Fortune Four.
JT: Probably more Vinny Ru reality based shenanigans in kayfabe. Always lovely. But we’ll tell you more about that later on, we’ll explain. So anyways, they didn’t build to AJ/Doug all that much leading to this show, the biggest thing to happen is that AJ hurt Doug’s hand in order to prevent him from a getting a good grip during the Rolling Chaos. And this is going to make things ever harder now that he’s paired up against Abyss! Funny thing is (and more evidence that this is probably a kayfabe injury) that he and Doug do actually have some history. As Taz & Tenay speculate on commentary, Abyss apparently faced Doug in Doug’s first title defense, where Doug got the pinfall win, but couldn’t hit the Chaos Theory. So with that in mind, do you think in kayfabe, picking Abyss to replace AJ was a good move by Easy E?
S: I think in kayfabe, it’s an excellent move by Bischoff. AJ injured probably would’ve been picked apart by Doug so why not just change the style of match by throwing in someone with the size and presence of Abyss? A great kayfabe decision.
JT: Yeah at first when I thought about this in kayfabe I thought “Eric picked a guy Doug already beat, what is he, stupid?” but then I realized it’s more so a case of playing the percentages. Doug may have beaten Abyss before, but the odds are if he keeps putting Abyss in there with him, Abyss will grind through him at some point. He’s betting on the fluke, and I guess we’ll just have to see whether he was right or not. Shall we get into our TV Title match?
S: I think it’s time we get into it, sir.
JT: And we’re off!! Right off the bell, Doug grabs a waistlock but is immediately slung out of the ring by Abyss. He comes back in, and quickly tries to go after The Monster. He gets a Shoulder block, we get a little bit of ALOHA ABYSS, but he can’t bring him down with the Sunset Flip, but manages to avoid Abyss as he goes for a sit out splash. He quickly runs and jumps at him for a Crossbody but gets caught, only for Doug to slip free, goes behind and tries for Rolling Chaos but can’t get the grip. Abyss charges, Doug moves and rolls him up but only gets 2. The action so far seems fine, just a typical slippery face against a big bad guy, but the crowd is just quiet.
S: Yeah this crowd is just parched at this stage, I think this has been an issue we’ve had with these shows during this season, hasn’t it? They’re hot for a few matches and then they’re not for one or two, hell maybe even half the damn card like at Turning Point.
JT: Yeah sadly this just can’t keep up like they used to, there’s always one or two matches that are smack dab in the middle of the show that kills off the crowd. This match isn’t helped out much by the fact that Abyss manages to move out of the way of a shoulder in the corner, so Doug hits the post shoulder first. This starts off a section where Abyss works over the arm, as he slams it into the post. Doug tries to come back but Abyss shrugs his offense off and he slams Doug’s hand on the stairs. To just continue the confusion, it sounds like you can hear “Let’s go Williams/NO” and “USA” chants during this heat section, which is not inspiring. So, Doug tries to go off Bret’s rope, but Abyss catches him around the throat, only for Doug to fight him off but run into a big boot. Doug rolls out to the floor, Abyss goes after him, Abyss throws him hand first into the guardrail as the Crowd chants “We Want AJ”. Abyss grabs the TV Title, swings at the injured hand but misses, hitting the apron. Sadly, this still isn’t enough for Doug to create an opening, as Abyss stomps the hand. Finally Doug tries to come back with forearms, then a knee, then a Diving European Uppercut. He gets battering Ram Headbutts, uppercuts, and running knee in the corner. He goes for a German, Abyss breaks the grip, Doug grabs him and hits a Back Suplex!! He goes up top, lands a flying knee, 1-2-Kickout!! Doug goes for the running Knee again, Abyss goozles him and slams him down to the mat for a Chokeslam. 1–2–Kickout!! Abyss goes under the ring and the crowd comes alive as he grabs Janice. But it’s not just that brings them alive, as AJ Styles comes through the crowd and despite his limp, manages to nail Doug with the TV Title!!
Abyss puts Janice away, gets back in, hits the Blackhole Slam, and 1-2-3, new TV Chanpion!! This was just, rough going, I’ve gotta say.
S: Yeah honestly man, this match was as dull as dishwater. Really rough trying to watch this one, it felt like a fucking chore in all honesty. The fact that Abyss, this MONSTER OF A MAN is winning via interference and underhanded tactics in his last three matches tells you all about the ass backwards booking of Abyss since the Immortal formation. Literally hasn’t won a single match clean. At Turning Point, he won due to The Congregation turning on The Pope, beats him again in a casket match, getting the upper hand at the end with a LOW BLOW and here tonight.
JT: This win has got to be the saddest of them all. He’s fighting a guy he out-sizes, overpowers, who has a injured hand coming into the match, and he needs a run in from a dude with a limp to win the match. The state of you Abyss, the absolute state of you!!
S: We still love ya Abyss, but man, state of ya lad.
JT: Abyss has had great moments in the past and his character has been on the decline for some time now but boy by the time Hogan came into the gold, he’s just dropped off a cliff. And the sad thing is, even though he’s now champion, this is the last match by our TNA TV Champion!! This is our final Abyss match of the arc!! First the Guns, now the Monster, we’re running out of the fixtures of our shows!
S: Wow, we’re sure bleeding pure TNA mainstays in this arc, aren’t we? That’s four gone in this show, guess it gives us more time for Gunner and Murphy.
JT: Be careful what you wish for….
S: Ah no…
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The Angelic Diablo Appears!!
JT: Moving on!! Backstage, we’ve got Bobbert Van Dabbert confronting Eric B. He wants to know who his mystery opponent is. He says if if it’s not Hardy, it’s a waste of everyone’s time because he’s the only one he wants and he knows Jeff is here. He has pretty much said “Eric man, this storyline isn’t progressing dude! I should fight Hardy already or whatever.” Eric has no choice but to tell him: “You want Hardy, you got Hardy in the ring!”. Of course, Rob should’ve picked his words more carefully because good god almighty!! He’s here!! He’s here!! Here he is!! It’s none other than….Matt Hardy!!
S: MY GOD! IT’S COLD BLOOD! THE ANGELIC DIABLO HAS ARRIVED! And my word what are those dreads?
JT: White guys with braids, never a good look! On top of that, he’s got his shitty music, boy does he look like fried shit!
S: And it doesn’t help that he’s clearly not in a good place at this time, he’s got a big roid belly as well. Which sucks because I honestly love Matt Hardy, we talked to death about how awesome he was in Season (V)1. You know this song is actually a PeroxWhy?Gen song but without the lyrics?
JT: No I didn’t! Makes sense though. So Big Money Matt!! How did he get here? Well, let’s do a lil recap of Matt’s tenure in WWE, since his brother left the company. In 2009 Matt had turned heel and feuded with Jeff through WM25, winning at Mania but losing the follow up I Quit match. Later that year he would be drafted to SmackDown where he would apologize to Jeff and the two would team during the last few months of Jeff’s feud with CM Punk. The feuded ended with Punk kicking Jeff out of WWE, and as such, Matt lost his direction for a while. Lots of midcard meandering from August to April, the highlight of which was being in the MITB at WM26 but losing. From there he’d enter a feud with Drew McIntyre, stemming from beating him to qualify for the MITB. Drew would dispute the win, Matt attacked him over it, and would get suspended by Mr McMahon for attacking The Chosen One. Basically for weeks at end he sat on the sidelines, cutting promos on YouTube talking about how he was going to get back at Drew. This all came to a head when he cost Drew the Intercontinental Title at Fatal 4 Way in June, running in and giving him the ToF to help Kofi Kingston get the win. Teddy Long, another enemy of Drew, would reinstate Matt, who beat Drew on SD to blow off their feud as Drew’s work visa expired and his “Chosen One” gimmick died. He’d take part in the SD MITB at the first ever MITB PPV in July of 2010, but that would really be the last notable thing he’d do in WWE for nearly 7 years. He started using his YouTube to do out of kayfabe things now, mostly relating to giving out about WWE’s product and his lack of interest, and how he wanted out. By October 2010 he was given his release and now in January, he’s ready to rock and roll!!
S: I mean he looks like he’s ready to rollie pollie at this stage. How will we fare tonight? Well I guess it’s time we find out.
JT: One last thing before we move on to the match, that being Matt Hardy vs Rob Van Dam, and that is just about Rob. He seemed real fired up at the thought of actually getting Jeff tonight, and when he was met with Matt, he looks….miffed. Just, mild disappointment/annoyance. That’s the face of “jesus they’re pushing me off on Matt now?”
Insert RVD face
S: Yeah like Rob was buzzing at the idea of facing Jeff and to be fair, it woke the crowd up and to be fair, Matt coming out got a real big reaction.
JT: Yeah we can joke at Matt’s expense, but really ever since he had made his name, Matt had been a WWE lifer (save for a weeks in 2005). Seeing him outside of WWE naturally would’ve felt like a big deal, it’s just hard to match that excitement given our hindsight.
S: Yeah, so I think it’s best we run Matthew Moore Hardy’s TNA debut, isn’t it?
JT: It is that time!! So unlike his nasty POS brother, Matt is a good guy. He even offers a handshake to Rob, saying “I’m not my brother”, but Rob doesn’t take it. So just like that, we’re off to the races! Big slug fest as they trade punches, RVD sends Matt across, Matt hangs on, goes behind and hits a Sleeper Slam, I think? Followed by some jogging by Matt, just little circles around the ring. He then mocks RVD taunt and gets a kick to the face for his effort, has nobody learned that that never goes well for them? So now Rob is building some momentum, as he gets a Flying Kick, then a kick in the corner, then a Spin Kick to the back of the head, then a Springboard Kick to send Matt off the apron to the guardrail RVD fakes a Plancha, leaping to the apron as Matt tries to move out of the way, and is unable to see the Moonsault from RVD coming! RVD scoops Matt off the floor of the Impact Zone, shuttles him back, and gets a Crossbody off the top for 2 count. He picks him up and Matt tries for the Twist of Hate out of nowhere but RVD pushes him off. He goes after Matt, Matt goes behind and just yanks him backwards into the bottom turnbuckle. He follows it up with a Clothesline in the corner, and RVD falls down. Matt then has to promptly get him back up in position in the corner so he can Clothesline him again, then follow through and get the Bulldog. A little miscommunication there, but man does Rob bump his ass off for that Bulldog!
S: Yeah Rob really saved that spot there, he’s just a master of making the little spots look great with his spring-loaded spike bump.
JT: So off the bulldog, Matt slows this match way down. Matt slows the match down with a Full Nelson, and when RVD tries to fight out, he gets the Skull Crushing Finale for his troubles. Matt is feeling it again as he does more RVD taunt mockingbird. He hits a Neckbreaker and goes for the Diving Elbow, but RVD counters with a kick to knock him out of the air. We’re back at square one as they are trading punches again, only for Matt to duck a shot and hit a Side Effect (with a pop from the crowd) 1-2-Kickout!! Matt is in full control now as he just beats down on RVD. RVD starts to fire up as he gets a kick in the corner and a body scissor for a nearfall, and starts to rally with Clotheslines, a Superkick, he counters Matt’s kick with one of his own, then hits another spin kick, 1-2-Kickout!! He’s rolling now, Matt tries in vain to win a small package, 1-2-Kickout!! They get back up, Rob hits a Flying Kick then Rolling Thunder, then he goes up top and nails the Five Star Frog Splash, 1—2—-Hand is under the bottom rope? It looks like some real limp shit, and RVD is not happy about it. He argues with the ref Jackson James about it, who then forces RVD to give Matt so space, allowing Matt to get up, then catch him out of nowhere with the Twist of Hate!! Matt covers, and 1–2—wait RVD’s foot is under the rope!! Doesn’t matter, James counts the 3 and Matt Hardy wins his Impact debut!!
S: This match was certainly better than the previous match but man, the finish just didn’t spawn a reaction from the crowd again, there were just so many moments where the crowd were just silent. Technically, not a bad match, another convoluted finish which keeps planting the seeds that Jackson James is a crooked referee. Matt looked, well, not the best if I may say, he got through the match fine but he’s clearly not the guy he was three years ago even.
JT: Yep ah what we’re seeing here is a real rough patch in Matt’s career. He’s clearly still got a mind for wrestling, as I think the story here works well. He starts off trying to place nice guy, then abandons that and is a dick, only to go a step farther in pursuit of victory, straight up winning by having the rules manipulated. That said, physically he couldn’t make that story pop. He is just not in great shape here. He’s visibly slower, he really only does punches and his usual signature spots, aside from rest holds. I also felt like RVD phoned it in a bit, it felt to me like he exclusively used the same three kicks like he was a fighting game character in a game I’ve never played before. Just “fuck this move works, I’ll just keep doing this until I win”. Like by this point RVD’s move pool is already limited compared to his ECW or even early WWE days, but it felt to me at least like he knew they were working this match at a disadvantage, and that he didn’t want to bother trying to make it good.
S: Yeah, this is almost regular of RVD around this four or five year period from 2010 up until he did his year long WWE comeback from 2013-2014. He really does phone it in a lot and I do understand that he clearly does slow down a lot and you can’t keep that same style going for about nearly 20 years.
JT: Let’s be real, RVD is the man. The fact that he’s clearly doing half of what he once could for all of his original TNA and last WWE run, and yet was still over, goes to show how his sort of skill set has never really been matched. I know we joke around at Rob’s expense, but he seriously is a one of a kind talent (pun intended).
S: Yeah honestly, Rob can clearly still go, we know that, he had bangers with AJ and even Sabu at Hardcore Justice the previous year. He is in a position to make Matt look good but sure look, he phoned it in, it was what it was.
JT: Yeah, we’ll get chance to see them try again down the line….
S: Brilliant…
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Mixed Martial Angle
JT: So up next we have a very special event. It’s not a match, but a very special one of a kind event. It’s the Double J Double M A Exhibition between Jeff Jarrett of course, and the returning Kurt Angle!!
S: MMA Legend vs Olympic Gold Medalist. A showdown for the absolute ages!
JT: Well lets be real here Seán, it’s not an even fight here. As Jeff tells in a backstage interview with Christy Hemme, this is an MMA match, the question isn’t if he’s man enough, it’s if Kurt is. Has Kurt ever faced someone of his caliber? Has Kurt even had an MMA match? Jeff is undefeated in his MMA career!! He hasn’t been knocked down, he hasn’t been taken down, he’s never been defeated, and with
$100,000 of his own money on the line, Kurt is in for a bad night. In fact, Jarrett is so confident, he lays out his plan for everyone to know, because he’s so sure he’s going to execute as plan. Round 1 is feeling out, just giving a Kurt a chance to feel how out of his depth he is. Round 2 is putting Kurt in submissions to establish dominance on the mat, even though he won’t hurt Kurt at all (though he could). And Round 3, well that’s just up up to Kurt’s imagination because god help him when Jarrett goes wild in his domain. Now as you all would have noticed, I mentioned rounds. So this is as good of a time as any to bring them up. Seán, will you please lay out the rules for this special exhibition for these avid readers of ours.
S: Well James, the rules for the Double J Double M A Exhibition for tonight are as follows:
– There are three two minute rounds with thirty second rest periods.
– This exhibition is strictly grappling and submission only by orders of Jarrett as he “doesn’t want anyone to get hurt”.
Ain’t he a cheeky bugger?
JT: That he is. I mean he’s the one claiming that he doesn’t anyone to get hurt because Kurt hasn’t been in a ring in 6 months, and that he’s in his physical prime. What a great gimmick this is, I love it.
S: That Kurt hasn’t been in a ring in 6 months line is such bollocks! And they keep hamming it home. TNA, it’s been THREE MONTHS since Bound For Glory, that’s half of SIX MONTHS. A real nitpick I had with this show.
JT: Yeah like I get they want to sell that Kurt hasn’t wrestled in a while but they’ve done bigger write off than Kurt going “well I guess I said I’d retire if I lost” at BFG. Of course, at least this leads to a zinger from Kurt who says “If Jeff wants to know what kind of shape he’s in, why doesn’t he ask his wife!” GOT EM!!
S: That line popped me huge, brilliant zinger from Kurt.
JT: So that was one from the build package, where we also learned that Kurt got this by interrupting an edition of the Double M A Challenge, getting to sign an open contract for $100,000. However, we also learn that one of the guys who got beaten down in Jarrett’s MMA reign of terror was fucking Amazing Red. What the fuck Russo?!? Why do you hate Red so much?!?
S: I mean first he barely uses him as well as several X Division guys, then jobs him out to Jarrett, then he puts him in a mask. James! Do you know what TNA legend has just made his debut around this time?
JT: Oh shit! I think I know exactly who you’re talking about, but I can’t quite remember his name. Who is it?
S: Well on the 30th December episode of Impact! Amazing Red introduced us to his little brother for a Double J Double M A exhibition. It was Little Red or better known as, CRIMSON!!!
JT: Oh my god!! Crimson, Jesus Christ I forgot all about Crimson. What a man. What a very red man.
S: The man who would go on to have a 470 day undefeated streak and even beat SAMOA JOE at SLAMMIVERSARY!
JT: Alright, lets not get too off track. Crimson won’t show up on this arc sadly, so let’s stick to Team Jarrett against Kurt. Even though “6 months” is an exaggerated number, Kurt still hasn’t wrestled in a while and he’s walking into a setup that Jarrett has made to benefit him and his skill sets (or what he thinks he’s good at anyways). Let’s not waste any more time, it’s time for Angle/Jarrett, MMA Special Edition!!
S: In the words of Mike Goldberg, heeeere we go!
JT: Round 1, Fight!! Right off the bat, Jeff is scrambling with his back against the ropes, acting really on edge, like how he pushes the ref when he’s in his way. He refuses to make contact with Kurt, who just wants Jarrett to go for it as he drops to his back then lies down flat in the middle of the ring. Jeff is looking really apprehensive as Kurt just lies there. Jeff still won’t grab him, so Kurt goes to incite contact himself as Jeff is just running away from him. Kurt rips him off the ropes, puts him down in the middle in a choke and the bell rings on round 1. Crowd chants bullshit, and it’s easy to understand why. Jeff made sure absolutely nothing happened that round.
S: I think it’s great cowardly heel stuff from Jarrett here, making sure the absolute minimal happens to him as he’d know that Kurt would just kill him on the mat in this environment. Good opening round.
JT: Round 2, Fight!! Kurt starts from square one again, as he wants Jeff to try and take him down. With reinvigorated spirit, Jeff actually goes straight at him, only for Kurt to immediately stop him, get a Key Lock in, and immediately let go of it before Jeff can squeal. Jeff tries to go at him again, but Kurt takes him down, gets a head and arm choke and lets go again. The whole round goes like this where Kurt counter’s Jarrett attempt at something, gets a submission in, immediately let’s go, right up until he gets the Ankle Lock in but time just expires before he can really do any damage with it. It looks like as though Kurt really took Jeff’s plan for round 2 and applied it perfectly, really humiliating Jeff for everyone to see. This only pisses Jeff off (and you know what they say about pissing him off), and you can tell because Jeff spits at him right as he’s pulled back to his own corner, leading the crowd to chant “Angle’s gonna kill you”. And given what we’ve seen thus far, there’s no reason to doubt that. Kurt has embarrassed Jarrett in his own exhibition.
S: Yeah I like how the first few moments of this was Angle leading Jarrett in a false sense of security and now Jarrett, in the words of one Eamon Dunphy, is being found out. Nothing fighter.
JT: You’re right, Jarrett’s being exposed, and I think he realizes that. As they’re preparing for the next round, Gunner & Murphy hand something to Jeff that he rubs on his arm. As soon as Round 3 begins, he immediately rubs it into Kurt’s eyes, blinding him. Jeff forearms him in the face, then punches him repeatedly, cutting him open. Extended beat down by Jeff in Kurt, just bleeding grossly onto the mat, as this one has been thrown out. So much for nobody getting hurt right? Looks like Jeff is done playing around, as he announces that he’s retiring from MMA undefeated, and he’s going to host a retirement party with only 3 people invited. Which 3 people? Himself, Kurt and one last person, but I’m sure we all know who that refers to. So Double M A Jeff Jarrett is in the books, what did you think of this Exhibition, and what did you think of this gimmick as a whole?
S: I thought this was done really really well, a really good gimmick match, more of an angle (no pun intended) than anything but I thought it was great. Round one, Jarrett thinks he’s sound, gets caught in a rear naked choke, saved by the bell. Round two, gets found out and spits at Kurt, showing his frustration. Round three, resorts to clocking Kurt with an illegal object, the exhibition gets thrown out and ‘retires’ undefeated, like that one dickhead in primary school who’s on the opposite team to you, declares himself as “the ref” in a game of football and gives all the decisions in favour of his team. Brilliant stuff, really look forward to seeing more of this feud.
JT: Though this did feel like more of an Impact segment than something for PPV, if you wanted to sell it on the idea of Angle/Jarrett in the same ring at the same time, fair enough. And when I say it was an impact segment, I don’t mean it was bad. This was, as you said, smartly planned out. I think Jarrett’s MMA gimmick is really funny, shame they sacrificed Samoa Joe to get it over, but I appreciate that Jarrett’s given it up now. He had his fun, and clearly he knows he can’t keep this act up any longer. It’s time to get serious, and it’s time to bring someone to Impact to really show that he’s in control.
S: Yeah I like how the gimmick was a short term thing rather than him dragging it out. Would you say that you’re excited to see where their feud goes from here?
JT: I actually am. The idea of Jarrett vs Angle is really founded on a really unique situation, one that’s very truly happened before though there are things that have come close. I’m expecting this to get a good deal of time on the next few episodes.
S: I must say that I’m pretty jazzed for it too not gonna lie, looking forward to seeing where the feud progresses from here.
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Fight of the Misters (Mayor vs Anderson)
JT: Moving right along, we’ve got a quick little backstage promo with our Immortal, Antichrist Champion Jeff Hardy, who says both these guys are amazing & phenomenal, and that’ll he’ll be watching this main event closely. “Welcome to Chapter Genesis, where anything can happen”. And just like that, it’s time for our MAIN EVENT!! It’s two men who feel their destiny is to be champion, having to go through each other to get to the man who’s screwed them over. The Blueprint, The DNA of TNA, Mr Mayor, Matt Morgan, facing off against against the Loudmouth, The Asshole, Mr Anderson himself!!
S: And this match is a number one contender’s match where the winner will face Jeff Hardy straight afterwards!
JT: As our Champion said, “anything can happen”. Too bad neither of them, or either of our commentators know what’s in the plans for them. Since this is the perceived main event of the night, we get the Tale of the Tape!
“-Morgan just “thisclose” (yes, with no space) to winning World Championship”: he had Jeff pinned at Turning Point & Final Resolution
-Anderson’s post-concussion question: is he fully healthy
-Who’s next for Jeff Hardy?: kinda obvious isn’t it?
So first out is Mr Mayor, who gets a warm reception for but no longe has his awesome robe. Mr Anderson in comparison comes out in his hunting hat, which is always kind of outputting for a main eventer, but he does his ring introduction gimmick with extra pizzaz tonight. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you the next TNA Heavyweight Champion, MISSSSSTERRRRRRR ANDEERRRRSSOOONNNN!! AN-DER-SON!!!” From there, Jeremy Borash with the big ring introductions for our “main event”. And just like that, it’s time for our #1 Contenders Match! Anything to say before we jump right into our in ring action?
S: Not really except to say that I hate Mr. Anderson’s entrance gear with his shit no sleeve shirt which makes him look naked and hunting.
JT: Yeah I know it fits for his character and personality to dress laid back, but he has a real divorced dad energy doesn’t he?
S: Yeah it smacks of that alright, I don’t know if this look or his stripper tracksuit at Mania 24 is worse.
JT: Let’s just settle on neither is great. So, shall we get this #1 Contenders Match underway?
S: Let’s take it home.
JT: Kicking things off with typical starting off action. Y’know what I mean. Headlock by Anderson, Morgan pushes off the ropes, big knockdown by MM, Ken tries with another headlock, but he can’t get the knockdown when he does a shoulder block. Again MM with the knockdown, Anderson with the impressive leapfrog but his hip toss is blocked and MM hits one of his own. MM misses the follow up leg drop, gets a sliding clothesline from Anderson for a quick cover and Kickout, then a quick sweep and cover by Morgan for 2. Crowd likes both guys here but seems to favor Anderson, and though they can’t hear commentary, in my personal opinion they don’t do a great job of persuading us to be on Morgan’s side. Did you hear Taz talk about a certain piece of decor in Mr Mayor’s home?
S: I can’t say that I remember, please fill me in on this one.
JT: Well according to Taz, and most likely Joey Numbers, the rumor is that Matt Morgan sleeps with a PICTURE OF THE TNA CHAMPIONSHIP ON HIS NIGHTSTAND!!
S: WHAT A GEEEEEEK! OH MY GOD I REMEMBER THAT GOLDEN NUGGET OF A LINE NOW HAHAHAHA. If you’re good for Santy this year, Mr. Mayor, you’ll get your TNA title.
JT: I know Taz was trying to base that idea off like real pro athletes who do that sort of thing, but I’ve gotta think there’s less weird was of actualizing your dreams, y’know?
S: Like it’s one thing when the Edmonton Oilers team which had Gretzky in the 80’s would have a picture of the Stanley Cup and The Islanders holding the cup in their locker room as a motivation before every game in a season but sleeping with a picture of the belt by your bedside locker? Not as effective tbh.
JT: Yeah I think I’d personally get anxious thinking about that every night. Then again, I’m not 7 feet tall and jacked. So, Morgan throws Anderson back to the corner and clubs him with shots and hits some stomps, followed by a big clothesline and a Sideslam for a 2 count. Morgan already tries to wrap things up with the Carbon Footprint, but Anderson ducks from the and Morgan spills over the top rope to the floor. Ken tries to take advantage by jumping off the apron at him but Morgan caught him and slammed him into the post back first. Morgan pushes him in the corner for his signature repeated back elbows, but Anderson pushes him out, only to get pushed right back and get the big elbows anyway. Our boy Ken is being overmatched thus far, the power advantage has to be neutralized for him to get anywhere. Understand this, Anderson connects with a chop block to take down Morgan, now stepping onto and stomping the ankle. Not a very babyface move of him, but what can he say, he’s an asshole. He gets him in a Single Leg Crab, and Ken yells “Ahhh you big bastard” as Morgan reaches out and gets the ropes. The crowd is split at the moment with “Let’s go Morgan/Anderson” chants. Morgan runs into the corner, catching Anderson’s boot, but Ken fights him off and pushes off, going to the middle rope only to get goozled and nailed with a Chokeslam!! 1–2—Kickout!! Morgan tries to press his advantage as he gets a Big Short-Armed Clotheslines by Morgan, then he goes for a Discus Clothesline, but Anderson hooks him out of nowhere!! Mic Check drives him right into the mat!! 1—2—Kickout!! Morgan kicks out of the Mic Check!!
S: Spoilers folks, there’s A LOT of finisher kickouts over these next two matches so get ready for me to unload in a while.
JT: Both men get back up to their knees, trading shots, then standing, still swinging hard and reeling back after every shot. The crowd is behind both men as they go back and forth, only for Morgan to get knocked back, and come back with the Carbon Footprint!! 1—-2—Kickout!! He lines up one more, Anderson ducks, Morgan swings and gets caught for another Mic Check!! 1—-2——Kickout again!!He goes for one more, Mic Check, Morgan fights it off, Anderson comes back with a flying elbow, Morgan falls against the ropes, then leans in so Anderson can grab him and get a Small Package!! 1—-2—3!! Anderson gets the win as is the new #1 Contender!! What do you think of this finishing sequence and the closing moments?
S: Ehm, I thought it was alright. Which is what you’d almost expect in this current era of TNA. Two finisher kickouts each is just unnecessary in a number one contender’s match in my opinion, it’s not even the main event like. The closing stages were actually well done and I did like the sudden finish but man, poor auld Matt Morgan, four PPV losses in a row. His stock has dropped MASSIVELY.
JT: I will say, I’m not one to defend finisher kickouts, but given how the main event goes, I think it was acceptable. The audience were under the impression this was the last match of the night, so having another after this gives the impression that they just tired themselves out. That all said, it was okay? I thought the idea to end on a Small Package was good but Morgan’s so tall that just looked extra telegraphed because Ken just can’t grab his giant frame from the mat. And yeah, him losing 4 straight PPV Loses in a row really takes the shine off him. I mean, it’s not like he’s a bette pick to main event over Anderson, or that he should’ve won the belt. But I can’t help but feel maybe he could’ve had a better chance of being a main eventer again if they ran, say…Anderson vs Van Dam to get Hardy instead of him. But it is what it is, isn’t it?
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Smoked Out
JT: Well he won’t be the only person crying tonight, because before Anderson can even get up and celebrate his victory, Eric Bischoff comes out with a chair!! He doesn’t use it on “Kenny Boy” as Eric calls him, instead he pops a squat in the middle of the ring as he tells him he’s got his TNA Title match right now!! Immortal has all the gold, they’ve got Ken beaten and battered, they’re going to try and screw him right now, since their luck’s running high tonight!
S: And out comes Jeff Hardy in his, well edgy corporate attire. AND THIS IS THE SHOW WHERE JEFF SMOKES INDOORS!
JT: R-Truth would be following suit later this year. Big no no Jeff, think of the children!! Well honestly, he doesn’t seem to thinking about anything tonight. He looks like he just woke up from a nap! He’s in his street clothes, he’s smoking, he’s doing some basic stretches. He looks like he’s either headed off to a 8AM class, or he’s just woken up at 3 PM and is heading over to the 7/11 for munchies, I can tell which. Regardless, it’s to say Jeff doesn’t seem real concerned with his title match tonight, does he?
S: Nah he’s nonchalant in regards to Ken Skellington being out for the count. In his mind, in kayfabe, he knows he’s got this one in the bag, an easy day at the office.
JT: Yeah given how things have gone tonight, why wouldn’t he and Eric feel confident? They got the Tag Titles, they got the TV Title despite a last second substitute, Matt Hardy “beat” RVD, and Ken is looking worse for wear. Jeff’s managed to beat Morgan and outwit Kenneth in a month, why wouldn’t he be able to win tonight?
S: It’s a plan which surely cannot backfire, right?
JT: Surely not! A man in acid wash jeans can’t ever be wrong! Jeff slides in, Anderson rushes him but is quickly beat down. He picks him up, Jeff quickly nails the Twist of Hate: 1–2———KICKOUT!! Jeff is surprised to not have won already, but he’s already annoyed. After all, he can just beats him down some more, gets him up again, hit the Twist of Hate again. And that should be it. 1—2—Emphatic Kickout!! Big time Kickout by Ken, Jeff is looking extra pissed as the crowd chants for Anderson and chants Hardy sucks!!
S: This did get a big pop from the live crowd but James, was this getting to a stage of perhaps too many finisher kickouts for your liking?
JT: It’s definitely right at that border for me. Like we’ve discussed, I can be pretty conservative in regards to finishers, I think 1 should finish the match most times…unless there’s a story to be told. By hitting another ToH, you really get the idea that that’s it, it’s over. Having him kick out actually means something here. It’s not just a cheap Kickout for shock value, but it puts over Hardy’s hubris and Anderson’s drive to win the title and get revenge. I’m right at the border though, they do it again and I’m not gonna be as happy.
S: I don’t know how I felt on this one, I think kicking out of two Carbon Footprints in hindsight is fine given it did get build up as a big match as by the promo package they aired at the start of the show and before the match. Two ToH’s, if only they put over that he’s running on pure adrenaline, fine. It did annoy me a bit but then again, it’s not like the Twist of Hate has been put over as a one hit of it and you’re out for the count like.
JT: Yeah like if he kicked out of the Swanton at this point, that’d got past the tipping point for me. By the way, on the topic, I like how that move has faded out of his repertoire. Like it’s obviously something the crowd would pop for, and at this point Jeff isn’t about making crowd’s cheer or taking risks. Really this match itself shows that perfectly. Theoretically, this title defense should be no risk at all.
S: That’s what I really like about the heel turn so far, the fact he’s lessened or almost completely drop his high flying offence and the Swanton for the most part. Its an effective heel tactic.
JT: Yeah, that’s one of a few things I’ve noticed about this heel run, that we can really discuss as a whole once we reach the end of this arc. But for now, let’s keep going through our Main Event! So Jeff pulls him up for the ToH one last time , when suddenly Anderson has a burst of energy, slinging Hardy between the ropes to the floor! Out on the floor, Matt Morgan with a Discus Clothesline to Jeff!! Immortal have been cheating all night, there’s some payback!! He rolls Jeff back in, Anderson covers: 1–2–Kickout! They’re trading shots now, Anderson finally getting some offense, and the crowd is firmly behind Anderson. We may have had worries about Jeff being booed as a heel, but they’re behind Ken now! He gets a clothesline, a back elbow, a Spinning Neckbreaker!! 1–2—Kickout!! Anderson is looking to pull out the upset, meanwhile Jeff’s ripped his pants. This is not going as expected. Anderson wants to get bigger shots, but when he sends Jeff into the corner,
Jeff hits a Whisper in the Wind that sends Anderson to the floor. Jeff’s real sick of this shit now, he goes and gets a chair to try and concuss Ken and put him out for good, when suddenly, Mick Foley?!?! Huh?!? And now, Ric Flair our to come after Ric, splitting them up. What is going on? Why is Mick here, why does Ric want Mick’s head? Why now?!?
S: Because he’s keeping the spirit of EV2.0 alive! I knew he’d stick up to the injustice of our favourite extreme icons from (impending Hardcore Justice reference) THAT Philadelphia company.
JT: Where has he been since then? I’m sure irl it has to do with his number of contracted dates, but is there any kayfabe reason why he was gone as his buddies all got kicked of the company one by one?
S: I mean Mickey’s nearly out the gap here, I’m pretty sure he’s gone in the next few months but in kayfabe, I’ve no idea other than to defend TNA and stick it to Bischoff.
JT: As a wise man once said, dammit D-Lo. So after all the commotion on the floor, Jeff goes up top, Anderson crotches him up there, but then Jeff shoves him back down, and leaps off, catching him flush with the Swanton Bomb!! 1—2—-KICKOUT!! Remember what I said earlier about my tipping point? Yeah, that. They’re really trying to put Anderson over big, continued as Jeff tries to pick him up post-Swanton, only for Ken to counter with the Rolling Fireman’s Carry!! Jeff flees to the floor and calls for brotherly assistance. Matt Hardy comes down to help, but RVD comes down and takes him out and they brawl to the back. With Jeff and the ref distracted, Easy E comes in with a chair with Ken’s name on it, only for Anderson to catch him mid swing with a kick and the Mic Check!! Jeff comes back in and tries for the Twist of Hate, Anderson spins out, Mic Check!! 1—-2—3!!! NEW TNA CHAMPION!! As Taz so eloquently put it,“Holy Backfire Batman”!!
S: I liked the finish but the match, James. Your thoughts?
JT: This is definitely something I would have liked if you had drawn it up but I think the execution leaves much to desired. I mean you had interference from Matt Morgan, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, Matt Hardy, Rob Van Dam AND Eric Bischoff. Tonight, Mr Anderson kicked out of a cumulative 2 Carbon Footprints, 2 Twists of Hate, and a Swanton Bomb. Like, you gotta put your champ over, I get that. But he was booked stronger than someone like Morgan, who has him beat in height and weight significantly. The idea though, was good. Anderson refuses to be beaten, Jeff loses his cool composure, Morgan gives Anderson the green light, and Ken squashes both Eric & Jeff for their ego and past discretions to sour what had been a perfect night for Immortal. Just in the process of getting to that final moment, they overbooked it’s. If it’s up to me, keep the Morgan bit the same, keep the ending the same, but a change other stuff. You can have Ken kick out of the ToH and maybe even the Swanton, but you don’t need 2 ToH and a Swanton. It might seem like semantics but it did get to me. Also cut any run ins by anyone other than Eric. Maybe Jeff can throw the Ref down and that’s how you get the attempted chair shot and the Easy E run in. The match was nothing special, and the overall execution was okay but not great. That said, it still works for the grander narrative. Again, big fan of the heels thinking they pitched a perfect game, only to blow it in the 9th due to their own overconfidence.
S: Yeah I’d agree with you there, I didn’t hate the match, I thought it was better than the match before this and the previous two main events we’ve had with Jeff. I do like how the heel Immortal just got way too confident for their own liking and ultimately fucked up, they don’t have all the belts, their prized possession of the group, their own IDENTITY OF A BELT is no longer their’s. I really had a huge problem with Ken kicking out of five finishers. Leave Johnny Gargano alone fellas because this is where your aggression needs to go towards. The crowd was up for this one, thank the lord because they’ve been apathetic the last two main events. The fact it was shorter in length too made it more digestible for me. So a mild thumbs up. Definitely the second best main event we’ve had.
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The Wrap Up
JT: Alright so that’s the first PPV of 2011 done and dusted. With Genesis now in the books, Seán I gotta ask, what’s your overall impression of this show?
S: I thought this was a fine show, it had it’s flaws but it did have it’s shining moments throughout it. It was a relatively easy watch, I watched it in two separate sittings, which has been the norm for me in this arc. It was a show which really did a good job in further building and prolonging storylines such as Bully vs Devon and Jarrett vs Angle. The pros were, the opener between Kaz and Jay Lethal, MCMG and Beer Money, of course. The execution in the angle between Jarrett and Angle, just really well done in my opinion and the ongoing story of Immortal, where they think they’re home and dry with all the power but now there’s a shift in the lay of the land with Anderson’s title win, the crowd for the main event is another pro for me too. The cons would be the crowd for Abyss vs Doug and that match itself and of course Mr. Mayor, Matt Morgan’s massive drop in legitimacy. The rest I would be fairly indifferent on like the actual match between Devon and Bully and Morgan vs Anderson. What about you, James?
JT: I, for one, liked the ongoing story they went with all night. Like I said before, you felt that Immortal were desperate to win all the gold and do everything they can to get power. No matter what happened, they had a backup plan, and it really felt like an episode of Power Rangers where the baddies had one in the end…until they got too cocky and blew it. If you have a big dominant group like Immortal that run the show, these are the sort of stories to see. I like when the opening & midcard matches are treated like important matches, that they’re goals for the overall group. If you ask me, too often stables have a vague connection and members will have matches that just don’t matter in the context of the group. But tonight they mattered. As far as match quality goes, Tag Titles & X Division were the best of the bunch, Jeff/Anderson, Jarrett/Angle and Bully/Devon were the tier below, Madison/Mickie was below that, and the TV Title, Matt/RVD & Morgan/Anderson closed out the bunch. Morgan/Anderson just did nothing for me, and neither did Matt Hardy’s debut. I think aside from the main overarching story, TNA is kind of struggling on a micro level. They’re building their main event matches well, Angle/Jarrett well, the Dudleys feud well and the Knockouts Title well. But the rest of the card is messy. RVD has been meandering for months on end with no end in site. Abyss fel backwards into a title reign, Doug’s push appeared and disappeared, same for Robbie E and Mr Mayor. Plus you have the likes of the Guns, Lethal, and almost all the EV2.0 disappearing in a short window. It seems like they know where they want to go in general, but further down the card is chaos.
S: Yeah totally agree with you there, there’s a lot of guys slowly being phased out, a good lot who are flat out gone and there’s LOADS of guys who are just being pushed and depushed like those few you mentioned there. So James, all that’s left for me to ask is what is your Match of the Night and MVP for Genesis 2011?
JT: Let’s just cut to the chase. This arc has had a trend, and I’m not bucking it at the final turn. The MOTY for me is Beer Money against the Motor City Machine Guns. It was just damn good, plain and simple. As for my MVP, it’s actually going to be an outside pick. Now while MCMG and Beer Money were great, I feel they both really shared the load in making the match great. So my MVP is actually going to be…..Eric Bischoff. Easy E was all over this show, and he really made the greater narrative work. He was the one calling the shots for Immortal. When they were on the hot seat early on, he showed the frustration and fear. He directed the troops into battle, winning all the gold, leading RVD into a trap and making the last minute sub of Abyss. Then to cap things off, you have this feud with Mr Anderson coming to a head in a desperate ploy to assert dominance that blew up in his face. All night he was getting one over on the goodies, and he ate shit for it at the very end. What about you, what is your MOTY and who is your MVP?
S: My MOTY should come as no surprise to anyone, it’s of course Beer Money cs The Guns. Need I say more? No but I’m going to anyways, the contrasting styles of the two teams just really played off well, excellently if I may say so. As far as MVP goes, I didn’t even put thought into Bischoff as an MVP, great shout from yourself there James. For the sake of going different and making things more interesting around the Power Zone for a change, I’m actually going to say Beer Money. I thought Roode and Storm were fucking excellent on this show, they really put in a perfect old school heel team performance, they came across like total assholes in the promo package, that’s a massive plus but the heel work they did throughout the match with the cutting off the hot tag at the last possible second, beer mist and capitalising on The Guns’ one mistake leading to the W. MVP’s for me.
JT: So just like that, we’re down to our last 3 episodes of this arc! Our next TNA episode will be the next PPV, Against All Odds!! But before then, we’ve got a little surprise in store!!
S: Well we figured since it’s the holiday season, it’ll be coming up to an anniversary of where a certain Charismatic Enigma had his crowning moment in his career and of course there’s certain Christmas themed things on this show so next time on The Power Hour! James and I are going back to WWE in the year of 2008 to watch Armageddon 2008!
JT: Pssst!! *Whispering* we also had some issues with Impact Plus registering the payment method for our account, and we started this show while we waited for the issues to resolved….BUT HEY! Doing it as a special Christmas episode is also a nice little bonus treat, and it works with the timing of Armageddon!! And before we hurtle towards the low point of Brother Nero’s career, might as well remember the rainbows along with the rain clouds, right?
S: Absolutely, it’ll be more than nice to see Jeff at his most popular and the zenyth of his wrestling career and it’ll also be cool to review a show from a period which was more or less my childhood era.
JT: It’s a weird period in WWE, and it’ll be a nice little break from this weird period in TNA. We’ll have this one show to process having no more MCMG matches to review, and then it’ll be back to business as usual. So far now, happy trails from me, James!
S: And a smell ya later from me, Seán!
JT: And as always, the Power Hour will keep rolling down the line!!
The JT & Seány Mc Power Hour 