TNA house show report
March 13, 2010
Pittsburgh, Pa. at Ches-A-Rena
Report by William Wellek of Latrobe, Pa., Torch reader

TNA finally made their debut in Pittsburgh (actually, Cheswick, Pa.) at the sold out Ches-A-Rena. I'd estimate the crowd at 1,000, give or take about 100. They were one of the hottest small house show crowds that I ever heard. They really made themselves part of the event and the wrestlers seemed to acknowledge it.

(1) Kazarian beat Amazing Red in a great opening match. It was the second best of the night in my opinion.

The crowd started a very loud RVD chant between the first and second match, which Jeremy Borash acknowledged. Not much reaction when JB mentioned Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, or Mick Foley...but, RVD, wow! Take note, TNA management.

(2) Rhino beat Dr. Stevie in a "what you would expect" sort of bout.

(3) Knockouts tag champions The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky & Madison Rayne) beat Taylor Wilde & Sarita to retain the KO tag titles. Sarita was pinned by I believe Velvet Sky, but I'm not totally sure about that because a guy with big hair blocked my view at the worst possible time. During the match, Earl Hebner was attired in his "Hell Yes I Did" shirt and snuck in a kiss from one of the Beautiful People. What a lucky guy!

(4) Abyss beat X Division champion Doug Williams in a non-title match. Williams declared the X Division match was "non-title" and he proceeded to get pinned by Abyss.

Intermission. Note to Don West - the $20 specials with the four DVDs and a t-shirt is the best thing going today. However, isn't there some sort of way for people being allowed to exchange a DVD if they get a double from a previous show? Maybe a large exchange bin? Taylor Wilde and Sarita had a HUGE autograph line and security was telling people to move as soon as they got their pictures and autographs. The problem with this was there was no place to move to and the table was set up close to the merchandise stand AND between the men's room and the snack bar. I'm very surprised somebody wasn't injured due to the congestion. Earl Hebner was signing his "Hell Yes I Did" shirt at the merchandise table. I gave him a piece of paper to sign so he wouldn't sign the shirt because doesn't marker fade and make a mess when you wash a white shirt?

Back to the show...

(5) TNA Global champion Rob Terry beat Brutus Magnus in mere seconds to retain the Global Title. We didn't even see a single move in the match. I was checking my cell phone and the next thing I heard was the bell ringing to end the match. That sucks considering that you PAY to see wrestling.

(6) Jeff Jarrett & The Pope beat Beer Money (James Storm & Robert Roode). The Pope took the victory by pinning Roode. Very entertaining match as far as the crowd goes. They seemed to be split down the middle as to who to cheer for. Jeff got a very nice "Thank You, Jeff" chant and he looked pretty pleased about it. James Storm had his trunks pulled down around his butt for the absolute longest time that I have ever seen this stunt pulled. I'm surprised the cops didn't show up and arrest him for indecent exposure. Storm and Roode had the crowd eating out of their hands and it's a wonder TNA doesn't do more with them.

The main event - and what everybody was waiting for - was Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles. However, Styles came out first and declared it a non-title match.

(7) Kurt Angle beat TNA World Hvt. champion A.J. Styles in a non-title match. Kurt won with the Angle Slam at the 15-minute mark in what was the best match of the night by default. They've had better matches, but it was all about Kurt coming home, so they had to get him the clean win or else there might have been a riot. Styles took the mic after the match and said he might not like Kurt but he respects him. He offered to shake hands and when Angle reached out, A.J. did the old pullaway. Afterwards, Kurt brought his children into the ring to get some props and the show ended with the usual TNA autograph push with a chance to get pictures around and in the ring.

Final thoughts - I really enjoy TNA house shows. I was hoping to see Desmond Wolfe, though. They must have given him the night off. This is what WWE should be doing at smaller venues such as this with some of their workers who don't get enough ring time. Gyms, small hockey rinks, anyplace that has to wait months and months to get a big show close to them. Get your guys out there and work the smaller towns and do some barnstorming, Vince! The last time I saw a TNA show at Johnstown, Pa., I meet Don West in the men's room and that didn't happen this time around. I think he was avoiding me for some reason...just kidding. He was too busy working his tail off and I didn't have a chance to remind him of our first meeting. As I was walking out of the building, Jeff Jarrett was at the autograph table and Earl Hebner was still at the merchandise table signing his shirt. Great show from TNA.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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