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CALDWELL'S TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV REPORT 10/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the second-half of the show with Styles vs. Sting

TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV REPORT
October 18, 2009
Live from Irvine, Cal.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Thanks to Greg Parks for covering the first-half of the show. I'll be covering the rest of the show from here on.

Video package: Tara is a former diva. ODB is the Knockouts champion. Awesome Kong is the force of the division. Let's see how it all plays out.

In-ring: Awesome Kong came out first to a nice reaction. Tara was billed as being "from the state of California" for a hometown reaction. ODB then came out to defend the title.

5 -- Knockouts champion ODB vs. TARA vs. AWESOME KONG -- Knockouts Title match

Kong was knocked to the floor early on to set up one-on-one action between Tara and ODB. Tara went for the appropriately-named tarantula hold in the ropes, but Kong slipped back into the ring to smash Tara as she exposed herself for an attack. Tara went to the floor and security was shown on-camera ringside. Suddenly, the action slowed to a crawl as ODB and Kong looked to the floor selling that they were unsure what was going on. Tara then bailed to the backstage area, leaving the match. Odd. Back to the action where ODB nailed a big Samoan Drop that popped the crowd. Tara then reappeared as Kong splashed ODB with a top rope frog splash for a close two count. Kong then tried to finish off ODB with the implant buster, but ODB kicked out again. Super ODB here. Raisha Saeed then came to ringside and tried to give Kong a chair, but Kong said she doesn't need one. Kong wanted another implant buster and Raisha shoved the chair back in the middle of the ring as ODB countered into a facebuster right into the chair. ODB made the cover for the win to retain the title. Afterward, ODB was shown shaking with anger from Raisha screwing things up.

WINNER: ODB in 7:00 to retain the Knockouts Title. Why the outside interference? TNA really, really, really gave ODB a lot of credibility here by having her kick out of two Kong finishers. Tara's mid-ring disappearance was odd and took away from the flow of the match, scripted or unscripted. (*1/2)

Backstage: Matt Morgan was interviewed by Lauren about facing Kurt Angle tonight. Morgan said he's not some dumb giant, but a legit, college-educated man. He said Angle is the underdog for the first time in his career. Morgan added that he is the future.

In-ring: Samoa Joe came to the ring first to face Bobby Lashley. Joe was sporting a more athletic look for what TNA is selling as MMA-style match-up. Bobby Lashley then came out to a barely-there reaction. He has the taped ribs. Crowd behind Joe tonight.

6 -- SAMOA JOE vs. BOBBY LASHLEY -- 15 minute time limit -- Submissions match

They started with a collar-and-elbow lockup before going into an exchange of submission holds. They cut to a shot of Krystal Marshall sitting ringside cheering on Lashley. Joe took a slight advantage with a rear naked chok, which drew cheers, then Joe slid to the outside to take a break from Lashley when he regained control. Joe returned to the ring and gave ref Earl Hebner a kick in the left knee when he was aiming for Lashley. Hebner turned his back, so Joe landed a shot to the taped ribs area. Lashley slid to the floor and Joe landed a suicide dive that drew big cheers. Announcers noted the hometown crowd for Joe, who is from Orange County. Back in the ring, Joe went on the attack again. Joe nailed a big snap powerslam and followed with an armbreaker that Lashley broke free of. Joe then landed successive "Joe" right hand blows that the crowd ate up. Lashley then came back with a forearm to the back followed by an overhead suplex that the crowd booed. Lashley wanted to follow with a corner splash, but Joe did a trademark block with the E. Honda frontslam. He tried a uranage, but Lashley blocked and landed a sweeping tackle. He then slapped on a submission hold and Joe tapped out. Announcers said they didn't see Joe tap out. Tenay said the ref must have thought Joe lost consciousness.

WINNER: Lashley via submission in 9:00. Wrong man was booked to win here. But, TNA has put so much money and effort into building up a mid-card act from WWE with MMA cross-over potential that they had to give Lashley the win. Joe was very popular in his hometown, but that will translate back in Orlando at TV if TNA puts Joe back in his rightful position of being a badass with a mean streak who delivers awesome wrestling. Match was good for only nine minutes. (**3/4)

Backstage: Jeremy Borash caught up with Mick Foley to get his thoughts on facing Abyss. Foley said you can't just look and act like Mick Foley and call yourself Mick Foley. Borash asked Foley if he's not so much concerned about being ripped off as much as he's afraid of being overshadowed by Abyss. Foley said they'll find out...the hard way.

In-ring: Dr. Stevie Richards came out first as the special referee. Abyss then came out. I'm beginning to think this entire storyline was to get Abyss out of that ridiculous indy show ring wear. Much better look with just a flannel cut-off shirt. Foley jumped Abyss on the ring entrance, though, and the match was on.

7 -- ABYSS vs. MICK FOLEY -- Extreme Monster's Ball match

Bell sounded with a brawl on the floor. Foley went climbing up the ring entrance BFG set, then Abyss followed him up there. Announcers needed to sell the peril here, but TNA has done this spot so many times that it wasn't anything new. Foley then punched Abyss off the stage through the entrance ramp. Abyss even did his little fingers-shaking thing like he just fell into thumbtacks. Crowd popped for a few seconds, then quieted as Foley gingerly walked down the entrance ramp. No sympathy for Abyss, as the crowd was behind Foley. Foley then ran off the entrance stage and delivered a barbed wire baseball shot to Abyss. Dr. Stevie congratulated Foley on finishing off Abyss as Foley slowly walked to the ring. Taz said on commentary he had no idea what was going on.

Suddenly, Abyss popped up from the entrance ramp, of course. SuperAbyss then stumbled down to ringside and started finding weapons to his liking. They finally entered the ring and Abyss pulled out a barbed wire board. He placed it in the ring, then teased a chokeslam, but Foley blocked and DDT'ed Abyss into the barbed wire. Foley got some of that too. Foley then raked the barbed wire bat across Abyss's forehead to draw blood. I wonder if Abyss thinks he's earning respect by doing these spots. Or, if everyone is just laughing at him behind his back. Abyss was then victimized by a barbed wire sandwich with Stevie's help. But, Abyss kicked out of a pin attempt. Some fans encouraged them some more with an unnecessary "this is awesome" chant. Taz called them sick people. Thumbtacks were introduced into the match and Abyss teased a chokeslam into the tacks, but he opted to give Richards the Shock Treatment. Daffney then came to ringside and slid Foley a gimmicked taser. Taz said they looked like clippers. Foley said it's a taser. That exchange captured the absurdity of this match. Foley tasered him, but there were no sparks initially. Abyss started selling before the gimmick sparks flew like last month with Kevin Nash. That was some unintentional comedy. A second ref then hit the ring and counted a three count, then Abyss kicked out at four. Crowd booed the crap going on here. They quickly forgot when bodies started flying into weapons. First, Daffney took a chokeslam into barbed wire on the floor. Abyss then put Richards through tacks. He finally finished off Foley and slapped Richards's arm down three times to score the win. Taz called it the strangest, most oddest situations he's ever seen. "I don't know what the hell just happened," Taz said.

WINNER: Abyss in 12:00. The dumbest, most stupid, most ridiculous, most asinine match I've ever watched. Just set wrestling back 15 years. Get this crap off the TNA TV product. Dumb spots, no one selling anything, outside interference again, a four count, a ridiculous referee situation, and the laughable taser gimmick again. Every month, I say something like "It wasn't for me" or "This isn't my type of match," but this was just plain stupid. This company just doesn't get it. (DUD)

Backstage: They showed Kurt Angle for a promo before facing Matt Morgan. Angle said he never really wanted Morgan in the Main Event Mafia anyways.

In-ring: Matt Morgan came to the ring first, followed by Kurt Angle. Announcers said it hasn't been a good night for the Mafia with Nash losing the Legends Title, Booker & Steiner losing the tag titles, and Samoa Joe losing to Bobby Lashley. Taz said Angle has to clean up the Mafia's mess.

8 -- KURT ANGLE vs. MATT MORGAN

Crowd started with a dueling "Let's go Morgan, "Let's go Angle" chant. Angle ducked out of the ring early on a few times to make Morgan sweat and wait for him. Crowd then chanted "Angle sucks" at him. Back in the ring, Morgan went to work on Angle with shots to the well-chronicled injured angle followed by a big seated smash across the top rope while Angle was draped across it. Morgan let down his guard for a second and Angle tried to rake his eyes for the advantage, but Morgan rammed him into the ringpost. Back in the ring, big old Matt Morgan went up top and nearly flew out of the camera shot for an awkward splash onto Angle. Morgan tried to finish him off with a bicycle kick, but Angle ducked and chop blocked Morgan at the knee to begin working him over. Crowd with a "Let's go Angle" chant as Morgan sold a knee injury. Angle slapped on the figure four, but Morgan reversed the hold to reverse the pressure onto Angle. No matter, as Angle broke free then went back to work. Morgan landed a clothesline from his knees to slow down Angle, then TNA went to a crowd shot of a Boyz II Men band member. TNA really is trying to bring back the '90s.

At 8:00, Morgan landed an overhead slam on Angle, who really is the sympathetic figure in this match. Morgan wanted a chokeslam, but Angle rolled through and scored a two count. Morgan then caught Angle for a chokeslam, but Angle kicked out. Morgan started to point to his wrist to deliver the Hellevator, but Angle ducked and hit a German suplex. He followed with two more and received a nice applause. Morgan then avoided the Olympic Slam and hit the big bicycle kick, but Angle kicked out. Crowd rallied behind Angle, who avoided a corner splash and nailed the Olympic Slam for a close two count. Crowd wanted three.

Angle dropped his straps to the crowd's delight and he slapped on the anklelock in center ring, but Morgan flung him away. Morgan then wanted a powerbomb, but Angle flipped over into an anklelock on the mat. Morgan broke free again, then Angle ate the ringpost with a shoulder tackle attempt. Morgan then hit the Hellevator and made a cover, but Angle kicked out just before three. Crowd loved the false finish. Morgan sold disbelief. Morgan, ever the big-man finisher "borrower," wanted a Tombstone Piledriver, but Angle rolled through into an anklelock. Morgan escaped again and scored another two count following a big move. Crowd firmly behind Angle with a "Morgan Sucks" chant. Morgan then slowly went up top again. Angle was playing opossum, though, and ran up the ropes for a suplex that nearly killed both men. Angle landed an Olympic Slam, then went up top and nailed a frog splash (what?) for a very close two count. Angle and Morgan reset themselves, then Morgan wanted an electric chair, but Angle rolled through for a victory roll. One, two, three, and Angle wins to the delight of the crowd.

Post-match: Morgan sold disbelief. Angle then reached down to shake Morgan's hand. Morgan did his "You want me to do what?" look and gesture. Morgan shook his hand, then raised Angle's arm in victory. Angle left and saluted the crowd as the announcers talked about Morgan earning Angle's respect with Angle giving him his seal of approval.

WINNER: Angle in 16:00. Excellent match. Of course, anything following the Abyss-Foley disaster would have been awesome. But, this, as a standalone match, was terrific. And the right man won. Angle proved once again why he's one of the best wrestlers in the business right now. He carried Abyss to an awesome PPV match a few months ago and carried Morgan to a great match here. Morgan was solid here, but he's better-suited as a heel. Fans just haven't been given any reason to cheer him. Meanwhile, Angle is ready for a babyface turn with the Mafia being knocked down a peg or two. (****)

In-ring: After a brief word from the announcers, they quickly went to Sting coming out to the ring for the main event. No intro, no backstage hallway-walk, just here's Sting for the "Final Curtain." They're not that pressed for time. Sting played to the hometown crowd, then World champ A.J. Styles came to the ring to defend the title. Jeremy Borash handled the formal ring intros with ref Earl Hebner booed as the ref tonight. Sting was introduced first to a big hometown reaction. Styles received a mixed reaction, but the fans were vocal going with the "A-J-Styles" ring intro.

9 -- TNA World Hvt. champion A.J. STYLES vs. STING -- TNA World Hvt. Title match

They started with a feeling-out process and Styles teased a few highspots. Crowd chanted, "TNA" after a nice exchange. Taz went back to the old ECW days when people chanted "ECW" and now they chant "TNA." Yep, Taz is right at home in TNA: Bringing the '90s back since 2002. Styles missed with a corner splash and landed back-first on the turnbuckles. He sold a back injury and went to the floor. Sting then showed good sportsmanship by lowering the middle rope for Styles to slide back into the ring. Styles then hit a really nice-looking enziguiri kick moments later. Styles rammed Sting hard into the ringpost and now both men are selling back injuries. Styles then landed a nice leaping dropkick that sent Sting to the outside. Styles tried to hit a flying splash, but Sting moved and Styles ate the guardrail. Moments later, Styles reversed a whip to the guardrail and Sting ate the rail. Styles went back into the ring and stopped the ref's ten count to allow Sting to get back in the ring.

At 10:00, Styles greeted Sting with a palm thrust, but missed with a Stinger splash. Action moved to the corner where Styles tried a Tombstone, but Sting countered into a Tombstone Piledriver of his own for a two count. What's with the Tombstones tonight? Styles and Sting then had a good exchange after Styles nearly botched the back flip reverse DDT. Sting with a Scorpion Deathdrop of his own and a Stinger Splash for a two count. Sting then slapped on the Scorpion Deathlock and there was ref Earl sitting right there staring at Montreal 1997. Styles escaped, though, and Sting did his old-school Sting no-sell after Styles tried to attack him with chest strikes. The match moved to the corner where Styles head butted Sting to the mat and fell down to the mat himself. Styles then hit the Pele kick from the apron and followed with a springboard splash for the pin and the win to retain the TNA Title. Afterward, Taz sold surprise that Styles retained. Tenay talked about Sting passing the torch.

WINNER: Styles in 14:00 to retain the TNA World Title. Fine match with Styles doing his thing athletically to cover for Sting, who is limited in the ring. Wasn't particularly memorable, but it held its own as a TNA PPV main event. (***)

Post-match, Styles had his hand raised, then Styles brought Sting back into the ring for a handshake. Announcers asked if it was Showtime for the last time. Styles then took the mic, which malfunctioned pretty poorly. He told Sting to get back in the ring. A second mic wouldn't work. He finally got one to work and he told Sting to get back in here for his spotlight. Sting shook his head no, then Styles left the ring and gave Sting the ring. Sting surveyed the crowd and thanked them for their support. He said this moment is about their new World champ. Sting said if he's going to lose, he's glad to have done it to someone like A.J. Styles. Lots of talk about losing here. Fans chanted "You still got it" as they approached the top of the hour. Sting said he has a platform to address his possible retirement. Fans chanted "One more year." He said he's not pulling a Brett Favre here, but he's not prepared to make an announcement. Sting said this "isn't some kayfabe, teaser type of an answer," but he really doesn't know right now. Sting said some of the things people said at Fanfest and are saying right now makes him want to stay forever. And his music hit three minutes before the top of the hour to conclude the PPV with Sting shaking hands ringside. So, in other words, thanks for your money, now tune into Impact on Thursday!

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