August 27, 2003
Your hosts are Don West and Mike Tenay
The show opens with a video package about tonight’s matches
that came off well
that came off well
Shane Douglas &
Slash & Sinn w/James Mitchell vs. Three Live Kru
Slash & Sinn w/James Mitchell vs. Three Live Kru
Konnan pumps up the crowd before the match as Mitchell joins
the announcers table but there is an audio problem and we cannot hear him.
Konnan hits Slash with an inverted DDT then tags Killings. 3LK cleans house,
using triple-team moves, until Slash boots BG in the face. The heels get heat
on BG as Mitchell’s microphone is now working. Mitchell then notes how Alexis
is not there this week (she left the company after signing with the WWE) then
proclaims that Raven will lose his hair. Slash gets a few near-falls then tags
Douglas, who puts on an abdominal stretch. BG breaks that up with a hiptoss
then hits a clothesline and both men are down. Hot-tag to Killings and beats on
Douglas. The match breaks down shortly after
that and Mitchell goes in the ring and goes after Killings but Julio and CM
Punk come out and the ref rings the bell, ruling the match as a no-contest (7:07)
*3/4.
the announcers table but there is an audio problem and we cannot hear him.
Konnan hits Slash with an inverted DDT then tags Killings. 3LK cleans house,
using triple-team moves, until Slash boots BG in the face. The heels get heat
on BG as Mitchell’s microphone is now working. Mitchell then notes how Alexis
is not there this week (she left the company after signing with the WWE) then
proclaims that Raven will lose his hair. Slash gets a few near-falls then tags
Douglas, who puts on an abdominal stretch. BG breaks that up with a hiptoss
then hits a clothesline and both men are down. Hot-tag to Killings and beats on
Douglas. The match breaks down shortly after
that and Mitchell goes in the ring and goes after Killings but Julio and CM
Punk come out and the ref rings the bell, ruling the match as a no-contest (7:07)
*3/4.
Thoughts: Not much of a match but the crowd loves 3LK and
this really got the crowd going
this really got the crowd going
Terry Taylor, filling in for Scott Hudson who was on
assignment, is in the parking lot with Trinity and Sonny Siaki as they direct
the hearse. Taylor
then informs Siaki that is match is starting right now and he runs into the
ring. Taylor is really bad as a backstage interviewer.
assignment, is in the parking lot with Trinity and Sonny Siaki as they direct
the hearse. Taylor
then informs Siaki that is match is starting right now and he runs into the
ring. Taylor is really bad as a backstage interviewer.
Sonny Siaki vs. D’Lo
Brown
Brown
Siaki meets D’Lo on the ramp but ends up getting destroyed.
D’Lo rolls him into the ring and gets two off a slingshot senton. Siaki gets
backdropped to the floor and D’Lo tries to go between the ropes but Siaki
catches him and powerbombs him on the floor. Siaki rolls him back in and hits a
sloppy split-legged moonsault for two. Both men are now down after D’Lo catches
Siaki with a cutter. They get up and have a slugfest that is won by D’Lo. He
hits the Sky High but Trinity distracts the ref and Siaki hits the Siakalypse
but that only gets two. D’Lo hits a catatonic but Trinity hits him with a DDT
and that allows Siaki to it the Siakalypse now for the win (4:55) *1/4. After
the match, Siaki and Trinity beat on D’Lo all the way to the parking lot until
Jeff Jarrett makes the save and throws Siaki into the hearse. You could hear
some boos from the crowd towards Jarrett.
D’Lo rolls him into the ring and gets two off a slingshot senton. Siaki gets
backdropped to the floor and D’Lo tries to go between the ropes but Siaki
catches him and powerbombs him on the floor. Siaki rolls him back in and hits a
sloppy split-legged moonsault for two. Both men are now down after D’Lo catches
Siaki with a cutter. They get up and have a slugfest that is won by D’Lo. He
hits the Sky High but Trinity distracts the ref and Siaki hits the Siakalypse
but that only gets two. D’Lo hits a catatonic but Trinity hits him with a DDT
and that allows Siaki to it the Siakalypse now for the win (4:55) *1/4. After
the match, Siaki and Trinity beat on D’Lo all the way to the parking lot until
Jeff Jarrett makes the save and throws Siaki into the hearse. You could hear
some boos from the crowd towards Jarrett.
Thoughts: Not much of a match as this feud is ice cold.
Siaki is overpushed and the love for D’Lo has pretty much gone away. Also, the fans
are turning on Jarrett a bit as they are presumably sick of him being booked
like Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Siaki is overpushed and the love for D’Lo has pretty much gone away. Also, the fans
are turning on Jarrett a bit as they are presumably sick of him being booked
like Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Don Callis comes out and interrupts Tenay. He is angry that
the NWA allowed Jerry Lynn to get a shot at the X Division Title tonight.
the NWA allowed Jerry Lynn to get a shot at the X Division Title tonight.
A video recap of last week’s Ultimate X match is shown. I
thought they did a great job with this and got over the concept.
thought they did a great job with this and got over the concept.
Michael Shane is backstage with Terry Taylor. He is now
completely ripping of HBK and uses his catchphrases, while mentioning that he
is his cousin.
completely ripping of HBK and uses his catchphrases, while mentioning that he
is his cousin.
X Division Title
Match
Match
Jerry Lynn vs.
Michael Shane (Champion)
Callis is with the announcers. Lynn works a side headlock for a while. They
trade hammerlocks then Lynn
stomps on Shane after he acted cocky. Lynn
beats on Shane in the corner then points at Callis. Lynn hits a pair of armdrags and goes to work
on the arm. They slug it out for a bit until Shane snaps Lynn’s head off the ropes. Shane takes him
down with a baseball slide as Callis talks up Shane. Lynn pulls Shane off the ropes but gets
whipped into the guardrail. Shane sends Lynn
into the steps with a drop toehold then rolls him back inside. Shane plays to
the crowd and that allows Lynn
to take control. He takes Shane off the apron with a springboard dropkick then
roughs him up outside. They have a reversal sequence in the ring that ends with
Shane getting a hotshot. They trade hairpulls before Lynn gets tossed to the floor. In the ring,
Shane punches away but Lynn
sends him into the corner with a drop toehold. Shane comes back with a flying
forearm and a scoop slam. He heads up top then jumps off and sets up for the
Sweet Chin Music but Lynn blocks that and takes him down with a boot to the face.
Lynn slaps him
down and yells at Callis. Shane gets two off a small package after a low blow. Lynn counters a
piledriver attempt and beats him with mounted punches. Callis flips out and
heads to the locker room as Lynn
continues the assault. He hits a powerbomb and then the TKO but doesn’t cover.
Lynn now tries the cradle piledriver but Red-Shirt Security comes out and
distracts him, allowing Shane to hit a super kick for the win (12:22) ***.
trade hammerlocks then Lynn
stomps on Shane after he acted cocky. Lynn
beats on Shane in the corner then points at Callis. Lynn hits a pair of armdrags and goes to work
on the arm. They slug it out for a bit until Shane snaps Lynn’s head off the ropes. Shane takes him
down with a baseball slide as Callis talks up Shane. Lynn pulls Shane off the ropes but gets
whipped into the guardrail. Shane sends Lynn
into the steps with a drop toehold then rolls him back inside. Shane plays to
the crowd and that allows Lynn
to take control. He takes Shane off the apron with a springboard dropkick then
roughs him up outside. They have a reversal sequence in the ring that ends with
Shane getting a hotshot. They trade hairpulls before Lynn gets tossed to the floor. In the ring,
Shane punches away but Lynn
sends him into the corner with a drop toehold. Shane comes back with a flying
forearm and a scoop slam. He heads up top then jumps off and sets up for the
Sweet Chin Music but Lynn blocks that and takes him down with a boot to the face.
Lynn slaps him
down and yells at Callis. Shane gets two off a small package after a low blow. Lynn counters a
piledriver attempt and beats him with mounted punches. Callis flips out and
heads to the locker room as Lynn
continues the assault. He hits a powerbomb and then the TKO but doesn’t cover.
Lynn now tries the cradle piledriver but Red-Shirt Security comes out and
distracts him, allowing Shane to hit a super kick for the win (12:22) ***.
Thoughts: Good match. Not your typical X Division match as
there were few highspots and it wasn’t wrestled at a rushed pace. Shane will
never get over as a HBK ripoff though and the Callis/Lynn eud is not doing Lynn
any favors.
there were few highspots and it wasn’t wrestled at a rushed pace. Shane will
never get over as a HBK ripoff though and the Callis/Lynn eud is not doing Lynn
any favors.
Mike Tenay is with Raven. He asks him about Mitchell and Douglas and their obsession with cutting his hair. Raven
says that his destiny is to become the World Champion and brings up how Tommy
Rich became the youngest NWA champ 20 years ago but got involved in a
blood-feud with Buzz Sawyer and never made it back to the title. Raven brings
up his feuds with Tommy Dreamer and the Sandman and that he came to NWA-TNA
because he knew that he could become champion and that Mitchell, Douglas, and
the mystery man want to keep him from the prize. AJ Styles and Vince Russo
interrupt and taunt Raven, who retaliates. AJ and Russo retreat.
says that his destiny is to become the World Champion and brings up how Tommy
Rich became the youngest NWA champ 20 years ago but got involved in a
blood-feud with Buzz Sawyer and never made it back to the title. Raven brings
up his feuds with Tommy Dreamer and the Sandman and that he came to NWA-TNA
because he knew that he could become champion and that Mitchell, Douglas, and
the mystery man want to keep him from the prize. AJ Styles and Vince Russo
interrupt and taunt Raven, who retaliates. AJ and Russo retreat.
A video package on Abyss airs. It highlights his performance
in the gauntlet. They did an excellent job building him up as a monster last
week.
in the gauntlet. They did an excellent job building him up as a monster last
week.
Abyss vs. Sandman
Sandman spits beer in the face of Abyss and uses the kendo
sitck. Abyss then takes him down and fires away. He pulls up Sandman’s shirt
and chops him hard on the chest before tossing him to the floor. Sandman fights
back but Abyss catches him after a pescado attempt and rams him into the post.
They brawl outside and Sandman jumps off a chair and elbows Abyss before
setting up a table. They end up in the ring and Sandman gets two off a senton.
Kid Kash runs in and pushes the ref into Sandman. He then yells at Abyss and
slaps him a few times. Kash takes him outside with a rana and Abyss bounced off
the table then gets rolled back inside and shortly after that, Abyss hits him
with the Black Hole Slam for the win (3:31) ¾*.
sitck. Abyss then takes him down and fires away. He pulls up Sandman’s shirt
and chops him hard on the chest before tossing him to the floor. Sandman fights
back but Abyss catches him after a pescado attempt and rams him into the post.
They brawl outside and Sandman jumps off a chair and elbows Abyss before
setting up a table. They end up in the ring and Sandman gets two off a senton.
Kid Kash runs in and pushes the ref into Sandman. He then yells at Abyss and
slaps him a few times. Kash takes him outside with a rana and Abyss bounced off
the table then gets rolled back inside and shortly after that, Abyss hits him
with the Black Hole Slam for the win (3:31) ¾*.
Thoughts: Abyss looked decent here and got a win over
Sandman, who at least has name value.
Sandman, who at least has name value.
Taylor interviews Kash and acts like a badass. Abyss comes
through and stops Taylor
from going after Kash after being slapped. They are now going with the idea
that Kash is in control of Abyss. Taylor is intolerable in this role.
through and stops Taylor
from going after Kash after being slapped. They are now going with the idea
that Kash is in control of Abyss. Taylor is intolerable in this role.
Tag-Team Title Match
Simon Diamond &
Johnny Swinger vs. America’s
Most Wanted
Gilbertti is absent as Tenay notes he is training for his
bullrope match against Dusty, which is coming up next. Both teams brawl outside
the ring for a few minutes until the bell rings, which makes no sense at all.
They continue to brawl outside for another minute or so until they bring it
into the ring. Diamond & Swinger use quick tags to neutralize Storm and
this lasts for a few minutes. The fans are chanting for Storm as he gets
destroyed. He fights back and eventually makes the tag to Harris. He runs wild
until Swinger attacks him from behind. Harris regains control and heads up top
for a crossbody block that gets two. Storm is still down in the corner as his
partner fights both men. Storm comes back with a super kick on Diamond that
gets two. Swinger hits Harris with a low blow and that allows Diamond to get a
small package but that only gets two. Storm is placed on top and Diamond goes for
a superplex and this leads to an awesome stacked superplex/powerbomb spot
involving all four men. Gilbertti then comes out and distracts the ref as
Swinger slides the belt to Diamond. Harris ends up kicking the belt into his
face but Gilbertti pulls the ref out of the ring at two. The ref takes the belt
to the table and Gilbertti hits Harris with the chair then he gets hit with the
Problem Solver (DDT/Flapjack combo) and Diamond gets the win as he have new
Tag-Team Champions (9:08) ***. Funny moment after the match as Borash fucks up
and announces the winner as “America’s
Most Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger.” Dusty comes out and the heels bail.
He grabs the mic and calls this a bunch of “unadulterated bullshit” and orders
Gilbertti to get back into the ring so he can kick his ass.
bullrope match against Dusty, which is coming up next. Both teams brawl outside
the ring for a few minutes until the bell rings, which makes no sense at all.
They continue to brawl outside for another minute or so until they bring it
into the ring. Diamond & Swinger use quick tags to neutralize Storm and
this lasts for a few minutes. The fans are chanting for Storm as he gets
destroyed. He fights back and eventually makes the tag to Harris. He runs wild
until Swinger attacks him from behind. Harris regains control and heads up top
for a crossbody block that gets two. Storm is still down in the corner as his
partner fights both men. Storm comes back with a super kick on Diamond that
gets two. Swinger hits Harris with a low blow and that allows Diamond to get a
small package but that only gets two. Storm is placed on top and Diamond goes for
a superplex and this leads to an awesome stacked superplex/powerbomb spot
involving all four men. Gilbertti then comes out and distracts the ref as
Swinger slides the belt to Diamond. Harris ends up kicking the belt into his
face but Gilbertti pulls the ref out of the ring at two. The ref takes the belt
to the table and Gilbertti hits Harris with the chair then he gets hit with the
Problem Solver (DDT/Flapjack combo) and Diamond gets the win as he have new
Tag-Team Champions (9:08) ***. Funny moment after the match as Borash fucks up
and announces the winner as “America’s
Most Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger.” Dusty comes out and the heels bail.
He grabs the mic and calls this a bunch of “unadulterated bullshit” and orders
Gilbertti to get back into the ring so he can kick his ass.
Thoughts: Good match and it made sense for AMW to lose the
belts. Now, they can chase Diamond & Swinger to regain them. These teams
have awesome chemistry.
belts. Now, they can chase Diamond & Swinger to regain them. These teams
have awesome chemistry.
Bullrope Match
Dusty Rhodes vs. Glen Gilbertti
A loud chant for Dusty breaks out. Gilbertti backtracks but
Dusty takes him down with a bionic elbow. He punches away then chokes him out. Gilbertti
goes outside but Dusty pulls him back and he comes back inside. Gilbertti is
busted up as Dusty grinds the cowbell into his head. Gilbertti goes low and
imitates Dusty’s offense but ends up walking into an elbow. Dusty grabs his
personal bellrope but Christopher Daniels attacks him from behind and Gilbertti
covers for the win (4:55) *. After the match, Daniels goes back in the ring and
assaults Dusty. Chris Harris runs out for the save and takes out both men until
Diamond and Gilbertti come out. Jarrett then runs out and takes out the heels
with a guitar.
Dusty takes him down with a bionic elbow. He punches away then chokes him out. Gilbertti
goes outside but Dusty pulls him back and he comes back inside. Gilbertti is
busted up as Dusty grinds the cowbell into his head. Gilbertti goes low and
imitates Dusty’s offense but ends up walking into an elbow. Dusty grabs his
personal bellrope but Christopher Daniels attacks him from behind and Gilbertti
covers for the win (4:55) *. After the match, Daniels goes back in the ring and
assaults Dusty. Chris Harris runs out for the save and takes out both men until
Diamond and Gilbertti come out. Jarrett then runs out and takes out the heels
with a guitar.
Thoughts: Not as bad as you would think. Gilbertti sold well
for Dusty and it was a fine segment.
for Dusty and it was a fine segment.
Tenay is with Mad Mikey. He asks him why he was mad and asks
if he had a traumatic childhood. He talks about his wrestling background and
how he was trained by Mae Young. He tells Tenay that even though his hand might
be his girlfriend, he will have gold around his waist soon. He closes by
throwing a tantrum. This is starting to get old.
if he had a traumatic childhood. He talks about his wrestling background and
how he was trained by Mae Young. He tells Tenay that even though his hand might
be his girlfriend, he will have gold around his waist soon. He closes by
throwing a tantrum. This is starting to get old.
Taylor
is with 3 Live Kru. He asks if they are high and they confirm. The tag champs
and Gilbertti interrupt and Jarrett takes out Gilbertti with a guitar. Great.
is with 3 Live Kru. He asks if they are high and they confirm. The tag champs
and Gilbertti interrupt and Jarrett takes out Gilbertti with a guitar. Great.
A video airs hyping an upcoming appearance of Roddy Piper.
Apparently, he is pissed.
Apparently, he is pissed.
Tenay plugs the show next week, which will feature the
“Super X” Tournament, featuring Teddy Hart, Jonny Storm, Juventud Guerrera,
Nosawa, Jerry Lynn, Frankie Kazarian, Michael Shane, and Chris Sabin.
“Super X” Tournament, featuring Teddy Hart, Jonny Storm, Juventud Guerrera,
Nosawa, Jerry Lynn, Frankie Kazarian, Michael Shane, and Chris Sabin.
A hype video for Raven airs.
World Heavyweight
Title Match
Title Match
Raven vs. AJ Styles
w/Vince Russo
Both guys start by trading off stuff. Raven grabs a few
near-falls then goes for the Raven Effect but AJ escapes. Raven boots AJ
through the ropes and he tosses him back into the ring. Suplex gets two. Raven
tosses AJ over the top rope then slams his head off the steel steps. He whacks
AJ with a trashcan, busting him open, then takes him into the guardrail with
several side Russian legsweeps. Russo complains to the ref as both guys to back
into the ring. AJ hits the Phenomenon in sloppy fashion then we see CM Punk and
Julio carry Russo backstage. They slug it out until AJ takes Raven down with an
enziguiri. AJ takes control of the match. AJ hits a springboard rana then
starts kicking Raven in the back. He puts Raven in a deathlock/chinlock combo
but he is able to crawl to the ropes. AJ grabs a chair and steals Raven’s drop
toehold spot. AJ gets frustrated as he cannot put Raven then has the chair
bounced off his head. Raven fires away and gets a few nearfalls as the crowd
awakes. AJ leaps off the chair and springs off the top rope but Raven hits him
in the face with the chair. Raven gets two off that then hits the Styles Clash
but Sinn disrupts the count. Raven kicks out of a DDT then dodges a dropkick
that sends Sinn off the apron. He goes for the Raven Effect but AJ rams him
into the corner and into the referee. Slash comes out with powder but Raven kicks
it into his face and Slash ends up accidentally hitting AJ with a helicopter
slam. Raven clotheslines him to the floor and covers but only gets two. Raven
goes for a superplex but Douglas shoves him
off the top rope but he is able to powerbomb AJ as he leaps from the top rope
and that gets two. Raven fights off everyone until Douglas hits a low blow and
AJ hits the Styles Clash for the win (15:02) ***3/4. After the match, James
Mitchell is shown laughing on the ramp. Chris Harris, accompanied by D’Lo
Brown, runs down and grabs the mic and says he is sick of everything. Storm is
selling his injury from the previous match. He is also not going to let them
screw Raven out of the championship and orders the ref to restart the match or
to reverse the decision. Diamond & Swinger run out as does Daniels and they
bet on Raven until Jarrett runs out and the ring clears. Watts comes off too
and says that next week, they will have a Wargames match that will also involve
weapons. He will also be the special referee. Dusty comes out and promotes the
match as a bloody mess. The show closes with everyone brawling in the ring.
near-falls then goes for the Raven Effect but AJ escapes. Raven boots AJ
through the ropes and he tosses him back into the ring. Suplex gets two. Raven
tosses AJ over the top rope then slams his head off the steel steps. He whacks
AJ with a trashcan, busting him open, then takes him into the guardrail with
several side Russian legsweeps. Russo complains to the ref as both guys to back
into the ring. AJ hits the Phenomenon in sloppy fashion then we see CM Punk and
Julio carry Russo backstage. They slug it out until AJ takes Raven down with an
enziguiri. AJ takes control of the match. AJ hits a springboard rana then
starts kicking Raven in the back. He puts Raven in a deathlock/chinlock combo
but he is able to crawl to the ropes. AJ grabs a chair and steals Raven’s drop
toehold spot. AJ gets frustrated as he cannot put Raven then has the chair
bounced off his head. Raven fires away and gets a few nearfalls as the crowd
awakes. AJ leaps off the chair and springs off the top rope but Raven hits him
in the face with the chair. Raven gets two off that then hits the Styles Clash
but Sinn disrupts the count. Raven kicks out of a DDT then dodges a dropkick
that sends Sinn off the apron. He goes for the Raven Effect but AJ rams him
into the corner and into the referee. Slash comes out with powder but Raven kicks
it into his face and Slash ends up accidentally hitting AJ with a helicopter
slam. Raven clotheslines him to the floor and covers but only gets two. Raven
goes for a superplex but Douglas shoves him
off the top rope but he is able to powerbomb AJ as he leaps from the top rope
and that gets two. Raven fights off everyone until Douglas hits a low blow and
AJ hits the Styles Clash for the win (15:02) ***3/4. After the match, James
Mitchell is shown laughing on the ramp. Chris Harris, accompanied by D’Lo
Brown, runs down and grabs the mic and says he is sick of everything. Storm is
selling his injury from the previous match. He is also not going to let them
screw Raven out of the championship and orders the ref to restart the match or
to reverse the decision. Diamond & Swinger run out as does Daniels and they
bet on Raven until Jarrett runs out and the ring clears. Watts comes off too
and says that next week, they will have a Wargames match that will also involve
weapons. He will also be the special referee. Dusty comes out and promotes the
match as a bloody mess. The show closes with everyone brawling in the ring.
Thoughts: A really good match. Some of the spots were really
clunky but it had great heat. The end result will be the main event for the
next show, which was taped after this show.
clunky but it had great heat. The end result will be the main event for the
next show, which was taped after this show.
Final Thoughts: TNA
is continuing to put on good shows. They actually seem to have a direction and
have an intriguing show next week featuring X Division talent. Next week’s show
has some incredible matches too.
is continuing to put on good shows. They actually seem to have a direction and
have an intriguing show next week featuring X Division talent. Next week’s show
has some incredible matches too.