By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV Review
October 14, 2007
Atlanta, Ga.
By: James Caldwell, Torch columnist

They start with a black and white video package focusing on TNA's quest for a dream, and to become the next Hulk Hogan. Hint hint. The color portion of the video focused on individual wrestlers, including Angle, Sting, Styles, Abyss, Christian, and Joe. Pretty good until the voice-over man went the usual over philosophical route.

1 -- TRIPLE X (SENSHI & ELIX SKIPPER) vs. LAX (HOMICIDE & HERNANDEZ) -- Ultimate X match

They added an issue before the match that the #1 Contender slot to the tag titles is on the line here. Hernandez, the most underutilized wrestler on the roster, looked like the 6 foot tall kid in fourth grade, just straight beating people up. Crowd is really hot for the match. Skipper hit a sick flying splash onto Hernandez from the top of the Ultimate X structure, but he couldn't recover to climb for the X in the center of the structure. Hernandez had enough of Skipper and gave him a Border Toss over the top rope onto everyone on the floor. He then hopped on the structure and climbed across before grabbing the X hanging in the center. He handed it down to Homicide to celebrate.

WINNERS: LAX in 12:00. Great way to open the show. Hot crowd. Great spots. Hernandez putting on another individual outstanding performance. (***)

They showed footage from earlier in the day when Kurt and Karen Angle arrived at the building at separate times. They showed Kevin Nash arriving two hours before the PPV started.

Crystal, the interviewer, tried to interview Christian's group, but the audio was off. Christian cut off Styles and Tomko and ripped on the Fight for Your Right tournament. Christian wanted to know why he isn't automatically #1 Contender. Styles had a deer in the headlights look, so Christian answered for him that it's because of Samoa Joe. Styles looked like a broken man standing there while Christian kept talking. Christian left, then Styles cut a promo about being in his backyard. Tomko had enough and said the charade Pacman and Killings have been putting on ends tonight.

2 -- FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT REVERSE BATTLE ROYALE DEALIE

When you're using a size 12 font for the graphic explaining the match, you know it's too complicated. Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt came out first. Next were Havok, Shark Boy, Petey Williams, Kaz, Sabin and Shelley, Guru, Kip and B.G., James Storm, Eric Young, Robert Roode, Chris Harris, and Junior Fatu. Slick Johnson is back on the roster sporting his soccer referee shorts. Fatu easily made it into the ring as the first one. Kaz brought Roode with him into the ring. Shelley made it in. Young fell into the ring. Sabin made it in. And none of this matters because they're doing a tournament on Impact and this match is only determining seeding. Storm was the last one into the ring, beating Harris by inches. And they flew eight of these men in for a meaningless match.

2b -- BATTLE ROYALE

Young tossed Storm over the top rope to the floor. Young and Fatu then shared a moment over Storm's beer and Fatu's booty. Fatu then stacked up four wrestlers in the corner and made a sandwich. Hoyt then took a stinkface, but he got up and smashed Fatu in the face with a big boot. They did the spot where everyone gangs up on the fat/tall guy and dumped Fatu to the floor. This led to Sabin and Shelley working over Hoyt with rapid-fire blows. Suddenly, Kaz kicked Sabin off the apron to the floor for an elimination. Roode then ended Kaz's night with a Rock Bottom from the apron to the floor. Hoyt got greedy going up top, and Roode shoved him off the top to the floor. Shelley was out next, giving us another Roode vs. Young match-up. The feud will simply never end.

2c -- ROBERT ROODE vs. ERIC YOUNG

After back and forth action for two minutes, Roode was about to hit the Payoff, but Young countered with a quick roll up for the win. Young gets the no. 1 seed in the tournament.

WINNER: Young in 12:00. Not as bad as the first reverse battle royale. It just didn't accomplish much other than determining seedings for a TV tournament, which certainly wasn't advertised for this match on TV leading to the PPV. (1/2*)

They aired a video package on Pacman Jones. Backstage, Crystal interviewed Pacman and Killings about their title defense. Killings said they're better and badder wrestlers than Styles and Killings. He said they have an announcement to make. TNA couldn't strike a back room deal with the Titans, so Pacman isn't wrestling. Gee, what a shock. Killings said they have a replacement named Consequences Creed or something to that effect. Pacman cut an inaudible promo, then suddenly, the camera found Kurt and Karen arguing off to the side. Apparently, we're sneaking in on the conversation with the camera shaking. Karen screamed at Kurt about making the issue with Sting personal. Kurt told her to get out of her face.

3 -- TEAM PACMAN (RON KILLINGS & CONSEQUENCES CREED w/Pacman Jones) vs. A.J. STYLES & TOMKO -- TNA Tag Title match

The new guy came out dressed like Apolo Creed from the Rocky movie series to date the show 20 years. Styles and Tomko worked babyface in Styles's home state, while Killings was booed when he took a tag from Creed. It looked like the old A.J. in the early going, not the lackey character he's been playing with Christian. The action broke down at 6:00, then Pacman pulled down the top rope, causing Tomko to fall to the floor. Suddenly, Killings flew over the top rope on top of Tomko and Creed. Styles remained in the ring and he measured all three men with a back flip splash on the floor. Tenay screamed at Keith Mitchell to show the replay. Pacman then pulled out a wad of cash and Styles stole it. Killings tried to roll up Styles from behind, but Styles threw the money in the air, distracting referee Hebner, who started scooping up the cash and stuffing it in his pocket. After that bit trying to get the heat on the ref, Tomko slammed Creed for the pin and the win for the belts.

WINNERS: Styles & Tomko in 10:00 to capture the TNA Tag Titles. Hopefully that ends the Pacman experiment. Match was good until the silly referee spot with the cash. (*3/4)

Backstage, Borash asked Karen if she was in the mood. Well, actually, he asked Karen if she realizes how much money goes with being champion. Karen went looking for Kevin Nash, who was alone in the locker room with a knockout. Karen told her to get lost, then she tried to convince Nash to help Kurt. Nash didn't want to talk to Kurt. Karen then reminded Nash that Kurt is their meal ticket with Nash's bogus therapy sessions. Karen screamed at Nash that he can't wrestle, with one more shot to the knee sending him to a wheelchair. Nash inaudibly said something, then left to talk to Angle.

4 -- JAY LETHAL vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS -- X Division Title match

Daniels dominated the early portion of the match before they went into a rapid-fire sequence of counters and nearfalls. Daniels missed with a top rope huricanrana, then Lethal missed with a top rope elbow drop. Daniels took Lethal up top for an STO, but Lethal countered with a nice version of the Lethal Combination for the win to retain the belt.

WINNER: Lethal in 12:00 to retain the X Division Title. Nice, clean X Division match. Not memorable, though. Could have used more TV emphasis leading to the PPV to create an actual issue between the two. (**1/2)

Backstage, Crystal tried to interview the Steiners, but Scott covered her mouth and cut a promo on Team 3D. Rick mouthed Scott's promo while Scott repeated fat boy over and over. Looked like Will Smith in the first few episodes of Fresh Prince where he mouthed everyone else's lines in the middle of a scene.

5 -- SCOTT & RICK STEINER vs. BROTHER RAY & BROTHER DEVON -- 2 out of 3 Tables match

Team 3D came out second, and the Steiners met them on the walkway to start the fight in the entrance area. Scott was thirsty for beer, so he kept stealing people's beer to spit on the Dudleys. The fight spilled into the stands and they brawled among the fans, with the Steienrs dominating. Back in the ring, Team 3D shoved Scott to the outside, then put Rick through a table with the 3D to earn the first table spot. 3D tried to set up Scott for a top rope powerbomb, but Scott kicked Ray in the groin before going up top. He executed a Frankensteiner and Ray leaped across the ring to barely crack the table, apparently giving the Steiners the second table spot. Ray gave Scott a low blow, then he pulled off his belt and started whipping Scott. I'm surprised Ray's pants didn't fall down. They placed Scott on a table and the table broke, with Scott sliding off to the mat. The announcers covered that the person must be put through a table, as opposed to simply being placed on the table. The fans booed, then 3D brought another table into the ring. Suddenly, Shelley and Sabin came to ringside and distracted 3D. Devon then accidentally smashed Ray in the face with a chair. Scott then put Devon on his shoulders and Rick hit a top rope bulldog through a table for the win.

WINNERS: Steiners 2-1 in 14:00. Two old teams doing a stunt brawl, complete with an accidental broken table spot. (*)

They quickly went backstage where Borash tried to interview four of the new knockouts, including Shelley "Ariel" Martinez, but ODB took the mic and started describing the other three. She looked like a character out of Mad TV. Everyone then ran away when Amazing Kong snuck up behind Borash.

6 -- TEN-WOMAN GAUNTLET MATCH -- Women's Title match

Ms. Brooks jiggled out to the ring and the rapid-fire camera shots made everyone nauseous. Ms. Jackie Moore came out second to start the match against Brooks. Shelly Martinez came out third after the first 60 seconds expired. Amazing Kong was out next, to a variation of Goldberg's music. Kong barely got into the ring when the next period of time expired and ODB walked out. Brooks, Martinez, and Jackie were then eliminated by Kong. Angel "Ashley Massaro" Williams came out next and tried to gang up on Kong, but she shoved both women away. Christy Hemme came out next and tried to run away from Kong, but she yanked Christy into the ring. Kong then put Christy up in the Torture Rack and bent her in half like a Thighmaster before smashing her with a powerbomb. Gail Kim came out next and went after Kong. Christy was apparently KO'ed, as medics came to ringside to check on her. The divas then ganged up on Kong and dumped her over the top rope, with Kong's top coming off on the way down. Fortunately, her top landed on top of her to prevent a full wardrobe malfunction. Talia Madison came out next, then Gail and ODB eliminated Angel. Roxxi then rounded out the field as the final participant. Talia was out, followed by ODB.

6B -- GAIL KIM vs. ROXXI LAVEAUX

Gail slapped on an octopus hold in center ring 30 seconds into the singles portion of the match, but Roxxi reached the ropes to break the hold. Gail then missed with a top rope dropkick and Roxxi scored a nearfall. Roxxi started to do her crazy gyrations, but Gail blocked a clothesline and hit a fallaway slam for the pin in two minutes of singles action. They have a white belt, ala the Women's Title that Madusa chucked in the trash on Nitro.

WINNER: Gail Kim in 13:00 to capture the Women's Title. Another battle royale-style match with a two-minute singles match. Nice win for Gail to get the first Women's Title, but it would have meant more if it was in a competitive 10-minute singles match. (*)

They went backstage where Nash approached Kurt Angle to discuss some apology options for Kurt. He suggested that Kurt apologize to Sting for making things personal, and just have a good wrestling match. Kurt laughed at the notion, then asked Nash if he's a pussy. Nash said he wouldn't have Kurt's back tonight. Angle laughed and said Nash can't even get in the ring. He told him to buy a ticket and sit with the other idiot fans. Angle told Nash to excuse him while he goes and takes a big nasty...nash. Angle left, then Nash picked up a chair and chucked it across the locker room.

They aired one of the over-the-top philosophical video packages on Joe vs. Christian. Matt "Test" Morgan walked out as the special enforcer. Christian Cage then came out, followed by Samoa Joe with the Samoan dance entrance. Or, as Don West said, "the guys who spit the fire."

7 -- SAMOA JOE vs. CHRISTIAN CAGE -- Matt Morgan special enforcer

Joe dominated early on and washed Christian's face with his boot before missing with a running boot to the face. Joe quickly recovered and went back to smash Christian in the face. West said Christian's streak appears to be over four minutes into the match. Joe then nailed a suicide dive elbow smash on the floor. He put Christian on a chair, then he hit a running Ole kick to the face and took the guardrail out in the process. Christian took control momentarily with a DDT on the floor, but Joe came back on the offensive in the ring with a sick clothesline. He took Christian to the corner for a Muscle Buster, but Christian slipped out. That didn't affect Joe, who nailed a big boot to the face and running sentaun splash for a nearfall. They teased finishers before Joe hit a snap powerslam for a nearfall. After Joe headbutted Christian to the floor, Tomko started walking out. Matt Morgan told him to get lost, but Tomko threw a right hand. Morgan and Tomko started having a fight, meanwhile, Styles came to ringside and tried to sneak in, but Morgan caught him and slammed him onto Tomko. Morgan then chased Styles and Tomko to the back. Back in the ring, Christian nailed a low blow on Joe and hit the Unprettier, but Joe kicked out facing dire circumstances to pop the crowd. Joe then escaped a rear naked choke from Christian and hit a big kick to the head. He followed with the Muscle Buster before slapping on a rear naked choke. Christian fought the hold before tapping out.

WINNER: Joe in 16:00. If you like seeing an ass-kicking from Samoa Joe, then this was the match for you. Brutal, explosive offense from Joe that was a flashback to 2005 when TNA capitalized on Joe's strength as a human weapon. One of Christian's better TNA matches, thanks to Joe carrying the match. (***1/2)

No time to focus on Joe's win, as they went backstage where Borash followed Nash to Sting's lair. Nash tried to explain that Kurt has gone too far. Sting confirmed that it's not about wrestling; it's personal. Nash quietly asked Sting what happened to turning the other cheek. Sting paused, then screamed at Nash why he keeps defending Angle. Nash screamed back that he's all he has to get close to the main event. Sting paused and said he's sorry, but game over. Sting left Nash with his head hung in despair.

8 -- RHINO vs. RAVEN vs. BLACK REIGN DUSTIN RHODES vs. ABYSS -- Monster's Ball match

As usual, they did the deal where everyone starts fighting before Abyss comes out as the final participant. Tenay and West presented this as a brawl without any purpose to actually win a match. It would be like having a henchmen contest on a Batman episode to see who can go through the most amount of weapons or props. They did a spot on the ramp where Rhino missed a Gore through the stage and he fell to the floor. Raven, busted open, argued with Reign over who should splash Abyss on a table below the bleachers. Raven had enough of Reign's hesitation and dove onto Abyss himself. Raven tried to break his fall on the way down, but sold an arm injury. The fight moved to the ring and Reign hit the Golden Globes kick to the crotch on Raven. And West commented: "He just creamed him in the balls." There is no filter on this man. Suddenly, James Mitchell emerged with a bag and he told Raven to finish off Abyss. Raven took the bag and dumped some glass on top of thumbtacks. Raven went for a DDT, but Abyss countered with a Black Hole Slam into the weapon concoction. Abyss then covered Raven for the win. Naturally, Mitchell was pissed after the match and he shook with rage on the stage.

WINNER: Abyss in 10:00. Another gimmick stunt brawl that's just another ten minutes of action to fill another PPV, and will be quickly forgotten by this week's TV taping. (*1/2)

They aired a video package on Sting vs. Kurt Angle and their background in Atlanta. Tenay broke down the graphic bullet points and mentioned Sting's time in WCW. Sting then came out first for the title match. Kurt Angle followed out next before Borash handled the formal intros.

9 -- KURT ANGLE vs. STING -- TNA World Hvt. Title match

Sting dominated the early going, surprising Angle. The action settled into a tug-of-war before both men landed double clotheslines. They reached their feet and exchanged right hand blows before Sting landed a spinebuster for a nearfall. Sting then hit two Stinger splashes before landing a running bulldog. Sting curiously went up top and Angle quickly ran up to the corner for a top rope belly-to-belly suplex. Angle followed with three German Suplexes for a nearfall. He slapped on the anklelock, but Sting made a nice counter to the Scorpion Deathlock in center ring. Suddenly, Karen Angle came to ringside and jumped on the apron to distract Sting. Kevin Nash then showed up while the ref was distracted by Karen being arrested for violating the restraining order. Nash nailed Sting with a clothesline, then Angle hit the Olympic Slam. He couldn't get a cover, as the ref was occupied with Karen. With Sting prone on the mat, Angle went up top and nearly fell off the top rope before hitting an ugly flip splash with his knees crashing into Sting. Sting kicked out, then Angle slapped on the ankle lock. Sting then flipped Angle into Nash, who standing by the apron. The ref was then KO'ed and Sting hit the Scorpion Death drop. He had a pin, and a second ref came out, but Nash yanked him out and nailed him on the floor. Nash then entered the ring and started pounding on Sting. Sting ducked a clothesline, and clotheslined Angle and Nash. Angle came back with a low blow on Sting, though. Angle tried to use Sting's baseball bat, but Sting stole it and smashed Angle in the face. Nash took a crotch ride on the top rope, then Sting dropped Angle with the Scorpion death drop. He covered Angle and the original ref awoke, counting a three count for Sting to win the belt. Afterward, Sting celebrated with the belt until they went off the air.

WINNER: Sting in 20:00 to capture the TNA Title. No surprise on the bag of tricks to help create the drama, but at least there was some logic behind it based on the storyline created on TV and throughout the PPV. Match was actually going quite well before the WCW-style run-ins, with both men bringing good athleticism to the ring. Depending on when the title change was planned out, it gives the appearance of a political decision. (***1/4)

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