KELLER'S TNA GENESIS PPV REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2010
ORLANDO, FLA. AT UNIVERSAL RESORTS

[Hit refresh throughout the live show as I'll be updating this report every few minutes.]

-After a Dave Sahadi Special intro video package aired, Mike Tenay introduced the show. He didn't refer to the arena as the Impact Zone, but rather said they were at the Universal Studios theme part and resort. He said it's the beginning of the Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff regime.

-Out walked Bischoff and Hogan. Hogan was walking better as he strummed air guitar. The new simplified TNA logo displayed on the video wall. Tenay touted the "overall new direction of this TNA organization." They showed a woman who looked like Hogan's daughter, Brooke, in the front row, but that "type" is pretty interchangeable so it could have been a look-alike. Hogan opened: "Well, guys, I guess all there is to say is welcome to Genesis. And on top of that, welcome to the brand new Impact Zone, guys." So it's still the Impact Zone. He talked about how everything is "moving and shaking" and this is just the beginning. The crowd chanted, "We want six-sides! We want six-sides!" Hogan responded by saying they had six-sides and it only took them so far. The crowd booed. "Now we're taking you all the way. No more eight-sides. No more six-sides. No more stickin' playpen rings. This is where professional wrestling was meant to be done. This is where we shed our blood, sex, and tears. We're changing it, whether you like it or not, this is where professional wrestling was born." That "blood, sex..." wasn't a typo. That's what he said.

He then went on a rant against Vince McMahon, referring to him only as "our competitor." He said he talks about sports entertainment. "He's afraid to even mention professional wrestling in his dressing room," he said. "That's why I'm proud to be here in TNA." He kissed up to the fans and said he's proud to be associated with Dixie Carter and Bischoff. Bischoff said nobody likes change, as evidenced by the crowd reaction, but get used to it. He said there's a hell of a lot more coming their way. The crowd reaction indicates a slight miscalculation by Bischoff and Hogan regarding how much the TNA faithful at the Impact Zone at least felt about "their ring."

Hogan closed with, "Whatcha gonna do, Vince McMahon, now that TNA is coming for you, brother?... Or sister?" The mention of Vince McMahon by name got a pop. The war declaration with WWE is fine as part of a rising quality to the product, but it can't be the central focus. People don't get behind a brand unless that brand, as ECW did on a small scale, is something special.

-They went to Mike Tenay and Taz at ringside. Taz said when he saw the four-sided ring, he smiled. He said he's had enough of sports entertainment. Tenay said he's proud to be part of a pro wrestling company. This is so similar to the WCW strategy in 1989 when their motto, to counter WWE's "cartoon wrestling," was simply: "We Wrestle." The idea that the six-sided ring was synonymous with "sports entertainment" is pretty groundless since WWE has never had a six-sided ring and the six-sided ring is hardly linked to "sports entertainment."

1 -- AMAZING RED vs. BRIAN KENDRICK -- X Title match

Taz said it's tough to prepare for a mystery opponent. When Kendrick came out, Taz said he's unorthodox and "an offbeat kind of guy." Tenay said he's a good fit for the X Division. How, exactly, did Kendrick earn an X Title shot? If TNA wants to push the idea that they're a "pro wrestling company," there should be a semblance of reason and logic to who gets title shots to give it more of a sports feel and less of an arbitrary "sports entertainment" approach to things. I get wanting to debut Kendrick on PPV as a surprise, and TNA doesn't want to make room for two X Division matches, so they went with this approach, but I think it undercuts the whole idea that wins and losses in TNA matter if someone walks in and gets a title shot. This wasn't a situation where Don West issued an open challenge to anyone to face Red from outside of TNA. Then it'd at least have a backstory. The crowd did some "Spanky" chants at Kendrick. Red won with a sprignboard Code Red (sunset flip bomb).

WINNER: Red in 9:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Nice action, paced like a real match, not a spotfest. They need to do more to get behind Red as a real attraction or move the belt onto someone they want to promote as an attraction. The X Title can't be on someone they don't promote as being spectacular. Or, to put Hogan's wording to it, they need to breathe some life into his character.

-Backstage Bischoff, Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman were chatting. Bischoff thanked them for being there for them because Mick Foley would have "ate his lunch," whatever that means. He told Nash he's under contract, then stumbled over his words as he told Hall and Waltman they still have to prove themselves. Hogan said things are moving fast and this is their one shot and there might not be another one. Bischoff and Hogan walked away. Hall said Hogan does business like a shark. Hall said he needs to look good and he wants to destroy their opponents. Waltman said, "What about me?" Nash said, "We're advertised," pointing at him and Hall. Waltman and Hall agreed to "rock, paper, scissors" to see who'd wrestle. Waltman won the first one. Hall asked for best of three. Hall won the next. Then they tied. The crowd got restless and began chanting "boring." Waltman won the third. So that's how they're explaining the "bait and switch" of advertising Hall & Nash teaming up, but delivering Waltman & Nash, even though Hall made it to the building? Pretty weak. But that's what TNA gets for advertising Hall for a match; they were forced to audible, which isn't surprising.

2 -- SEAN MORLEY vs. DANIELS

Morley walked to the ring and talked about his first "full frontal production." It's really hard to reconcile Morley's gimmick and the anti-sports entertainment philosophy they're preaching. The crowd chanted, "Turn his mic off." Who's the babyface supposed to be in this match? Daniels said Morley comes to TNA and talks about movies and sexual innuendo. Daniels said this is TNA, which is about wrestling, not sports entertainment. Okay, so that would seem to establish that Daniels is the babyface here, right? Not in TNA-land. He then heeled on the crowd for applauding what he said, which coincided with what the supposed new babyface regime of Bischoff and Hogan said earlier. He told them to shut up, adding that he was saying that for him, not the fans. He told a "blondie" in the crowd to shut up or he'd slap her face. This makes so little sense it's almost unbearable. They had Daniels point out the obvious, which is how out of place Morley is with the philosophy espoused minutes earlier by the new babyface regime, and that makes him a heel? My head hurts.

Daniels charged into the ring. Morley knocked him down, so Daniels bailed out to ringside. Morley moved with all the grace of Snitsky. The crowd chanted "Fallen Angel" despite Daniels's attempt to inexplicably turn them against him even though he was touting an anti-sports entertainment message at the unwelcome relic who represents everything that TNA's new approach supposedly is trying to counter. Poor Tenay and Taz having to try to make sense of this. This is why I loved Don West, because he'd call out these contradictions, basically holding the creative team accountable by honestly observing what he saw and, more importantly, what he thought the viewers also saw and needed to be addressed. Tenay and Taz are left to the other option, which is just ignore it and hope not too many others notice, either.

As Daniels had Morley locked in a Koji Clutch, the crowd began chanting, "Sit down Brooke! Sit down Brooke!" Why do I think the no. 1 new goal for Hogan is going to be moving TNA out of the Impact Zone and "bringing TNA to the fans across the country!" Morley hit a half-nelson slam out of nowhere to stop Daniels's momentum at 8:00. He climbed to the top rope, but Daniels caught up to him and went for a huracanrana. Morley shoved him to the mat and then hit his Money Shot top rope splash for the win, although one of his feet slipped twice and he had to work hard to gain solid footing for the jump. The crowd noticed.

WINNER: Morley in 9:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Daniels did his part, but Morley looked lumbering and labored in everything he did. This show so far is an example of Booking by Committee when the proverbial committee members have clashing philosophies and don't seem to even be communicating.

-A video package aired on ODB vs. Tara.

3 -- ODB vs. TARA - Two out of Three Falls Knockouts Title Match

Dave Penzer announced there's a 30 minute time limit. Talk about wasted words. They showed Tampa Bay Bucaneer Chris Hoban watching from the crowd. Tara won the first fall with a small package out of nowhere at 4:00. ODB kept feeling her left breast to assess her pulse, which Taz and Tenay commented on and wondered about. She also pulled something out of her breast area that Taz said was a coffee filter. Not sure what was going on there. Tara won the second fall after a Widow's Peak.

WINNER: Tara in 10:00 to capture the Knockouts Title.

STAR RATING: *1/2

-Christy Hemme interviewed The Pope backstage about facing Desmond Wolfe, doing his best Dusty Rhodes/Thunderbolt Patterson impression.

4 -- THE BRITISH INVASION (Brutus Magnus & Doug Williams) vs. MATT MORGAN & HERNANDEZ - TNA Tag Team Title match

Tenay noted that a big win earned Morgan & Hernandez the tag title shot, again prompting the question of what Kendrick did to earn his shot at the X Title earlier. No sign of Rob "Red Flag" Terry. They showed Nick Hogan cheering for Morgan at ringside. When Morgan threw a barrage of elbows at Williams in the corner, Taz called it "Vintage Morgan." Tenay and Taz then amused themselves by saying they heard that phrase before, but weren't sure where. Morgan chokeslammed Williams at 7:00 for a two count. A minute later Morgan finished Magnus with a Carbon Footprint. Big pop for Morgan and Hernandez.

WINNERS: Morgan & Hernandez in 8:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4

-They showed Abyss attacking Bobby Lashley in Bischoff's office. Earlier Tenay said that Lashley was refusing to wrestle tonight. He KO'd him with a laptop. Bischoff yelled at Abyss, saying he just ruined their semi-main event. That was the semi-main event!? Abyss said he thought Lashley was going to attack Bischoff. Hogan walked in and tried to be a more reasonable person. Hogan said he's overwhelmed by everything going on, but he assured Abyss he'd get him a new opponent. He asked Abyss to promise that he won't make his crazy. Abyss assured him he wouldn't and got pop for this line: "I'm crazy enough for the both of us." Hogan said he has to prove himself and show what he's really made of. Abyss asked who his opponent would be. Hogan told him to just be ready. They talked that whole time with their back to Lashley lying on the couch. They were quite confident he wasn't going to recover anytime soon.

5 -- DESMOND WOLFE vs. "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO

Wolfe debuted his new ring outfit and was accompanied by a valet, who took off his pants by unzipping them one leg at a time. He is now wearing long trunks. Pope said something to the valet and seemed satisfied with himself. After some early back and forth action, Wolfe went on sustained offense including multiple leglocks. Pope made a brief comeback at 8:00, but Wolfe took back control as Pope favored his left leg. Pope went on sustained offense at 12:00. Wolfe dropped Pope with a hard running lariat out of nowhere for the win.

WINNER: Wolfe in 14:00.

STAR RATING: ***

-Tenay and Taz reflected on the "newsworthy" show so far, citing the two title changes. Taz reiterrated that Kurt Angle's last chance at A.J. Styles in 2010 for the TNA Title is tonight.

-Jeremy Borash made his first appearance. As he hyped the main event, Bischoff walked up to him and stared at him for a few seconds. He asked him what he was doing. Borash said, "My job." Bischoff said his job is what he tells him his job is. Bischoff said his head is scrambled from the Mick Foley situation. He said he's being pulled off TV for now. He can work in catering or drive the ring truck or something. Christie Hemme walked in to replace Borash. In walked Ric Flair. Bischoff left so Hemme could interview Flair. She asked him what he's doing in TNA. Flair said the reason he's in TNA is his business, and he'll let people know on his schedule. "The Nature Boy and TNA side-by-side. Whoo!" he closed.

-A video package aired on the returns of Hall and Waltman.

6 -- BEER MONEY INC. vs. KEVIN NASH & "SYXX-PAC" SEAN WALTMAN

Tenay and Taz acted like Waltman walking out was a surprise and said that now they know the outcome of "rock, paper, scissors." Uh, didn't everyone see the outcome earlier? Do they not know that scissors cuts paper? Tenay said this is proving ground for Syxx-Pac to prove he deserves a TNA contract. Waltman threw some air kicks at Storm. Storm poked him in the eyes to stop his momentum. A small "Waltman sucks" chant failed to gain momentum. At 3:00 Beer Money wish-boned Nash's legs center-ring. Waltman ran into the ring, so Beer Money sent him face-first into Nash's crotch with a drop toe hold. Waltman came back with a Bronco Buster a few minutes later. Storm hot-tagged Roode who went after Waltman aggressively, including a spinebuster leading to a near fall. Hall staggered out onto the ramp when Beer Money was in total control. That distraction gave Nash a chance to surprise Roode and Storm with a clothesline. Hall slapped a taunting fan at ringside and then yanked him into the ringside area. Waltman went to ringside to try to talk sense into Hall. Nash was pinned in the ring while that was going on after a Last Call Superkick. Nash expressed disgust with being left alone to lose. He didn't want to hear Hall's explanation.

WINNERS: Beer Money Inc. in 10:00.

STAR RATING: *

-Hogan told Bischoff backstage that he can't believe this stuff is still going on. Hogan said his plate is full tonight, but on Thursday he's going to call them out. Bischoff told Hogan his handling the Abyss situation was brilliant. Hogan said: "Ask not what TNA can do for Hulk Hogan, ask what Hulk Hogan can do for TNA." They chuckled in stereo like two movie villains. I don't think that's what they were going for.

7 -- ABYSS vs. MR. ANDERSON

A spotlight revealed the former Mr. Kennedy standing on the stage. He reached up and a mic dropped down for him. "Whoa ho ho ho! It looks like I done crossed the line!" He said he's read the fans' Twitters, Facebooks, and emails, and he realized the fans missed him. He said he missed himself. He talked and acted like Dane Cook. He did the whole self-intro routine, but paused at "Mister... Ke..." He then said, "...Anderson." He paused, told the fans to wait for it, and then said, "...Anderson" again. So WWE only owns the Mr. Kennedy name, but not the entire gimmick with the mic and self-intro? Taz said, "Thank you, Hulk Hogan!" Tenay said, "They've done it again. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff." He said the list of acquisitions in TNA has been jaw-dropping. The lack of follow up on Jeff Hardy has been disappointing, that's for sure, but they put themselves in that awkward position by bringing someone in for the one-shot ratings boost regardless of his legal troubles. Anderson took early control of the match. Some fans pelted him with a chant of "Overrated! Overrated!" Anderson acknowledged it with a mocking face and making an "O" gesture with his arms over his head. Tenay and Taz talked about how Hogan wants to see Abyss drop the hardcore stuff and just show what he can do as a wrestler. Anderson tried to use a chair at ringside, but Abyss kicked it into him. Anderson settled into an armbar mid-ring. Some fans began chanting "Boring!" Other fans competed with it by clapping for Abyss. Abyss caught Anderson coming off the ropes with a chokeslam at 9:00. Abyss gave Anderson his Shock Treatment finisher for a two count. Abyss grabbed a chair from ringside. The ref took it from him. Anderson pulled out brass knuckles from the front of his trunks and used them to KO Abyss for the win. Afterward, he announced himself as the winner, although he appeared to have an orgasm first. Taz said he appears to have a bright future in TNA.

WINNER: Anderson in 10:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Just there. Anderson didn't really shine in the ring in any particular way. Someone who hadn't seen him before wouldn't come away thinkiing there was anything special about him, and would probably call him a Dane Cook wanna-be with his talking inflection and mannerisms. They never said Anderson was the promised big surprise. They never talked about the promise of a big surprise at all. Maybe they don't want to hold Anderson to the description Hogan made regarding the big surprise on Impact last week.

-They showed Tenay and Taz at ringside. Taz said he's happy to see Mr. Anderson "back here." He corrected himself right away. No mention of Jeff Jarrett or Dixie Carter on this show.

-A video package aired on the Styles-Angle feud. It was the type of thing TNA would benefit from doing a lot more of, the real-sports like approach with non-hyper comments from both Angle and Styles, plus added perspective from Tenay and Taz. Angle should stick with the slightly grown out hair and beard as his look rather than Mr. Clean. He looks way more Axe Murderer badass with the beard and hair.

8 -- A.J. STLES vs. KURT ANGLE

In Tale of the Tape, they have Styles listed at 5-11, which is shorthand for "nobody will buy him listed at six feet." Angle is listed at 6-0. Tenay said this match is an example of TNA putting the wrestling back in sports entertainment. That would resonate with TNA fans had they not watched years and years of matches like this. It's not like Styles vs. Angle is some sharp change-up from TNA's approach since its inception. This show is different because there aren't gimmick matches, but otherwise it's the same TNA as ever, with that same mix of "sports entertainment characters" (Pope, Morley, Abyss), "wrestlers" (Styles, Angle, Daniels, Red, Wolfe), '90s stars (Hall, Nash Waltman, Flair, Bischoff, Hogan), and WWE castoffs (Anderson, Morgan, Kendrick). There are things Hogan and Bischoff could have done to create a sharp change and really send a message to viewers that things are changing, but changing the shape of the ring and paying lip service to big changes isn't it. It does seem the "new regime" is so unfamiliar with TNA's history that they're repeating what TNA has done over and over for years and labeling it something new. Bringing in Mr. Anderson as a "game-changer" is another indication those in control aren't in touch with the fans who have actually invested in watching this industry's main TV shows (WWE and TNA) on a weekly basis for the last ten years. To have that instinct for what changes need to made and how portray acquisitions in a way that matches fan perceptions, you need to have seen what the fans have seen, not checked in now and again for a few minutes.

More crowd heat for this early than anything else. The crowd chants indicated they were mostly pro-Angle. It built slowly at the start, indicating it'd be a long match. They had a brief battle at ringside, but otherwise the opening 13 minutes was almost all matwork. They collided mid-ring at 14:00 and both went down and were slow to get up. Flair then walked out onto the stage in his suit. Styles flip dove onto Angle at ringside, prompting a loud chant of "TNA! TNA!" At 18:00 they began to move into the "rapid near falls" chapter of the match. Angle missed a moonsault at 21:00. Angle rolled Styles out of a Styles Clash attempt and into an anklelock. Styles rolled out of it and upkicked Angle away from him. When eh charged, Angle backdropped Styles onto the apron. Styles slingshot himself back at Angle. They battled on the top rope. Angle took control on the mat and hit a Styles Clash on Styles for a near fall at 24:00. Styles came back with a DDT to counter an Angle Slam. Styles gave Angle an Angle Slam for a near fall.

They showed Flair observing the match from ringside, but the announcers didn't draw much attention to him at all. Angle grabbed Styles on the top rope and hit an Angle Slam for a near fall, which popped the crowd. Angle pulled his straps down and applied an Anklelock mid-ring. He grapevined the leg. Styles thought of tapping. Flair yanked the ref out of the ring just before Styles tapped. The crowd booed. Angle moved toward Flair at ringside, showing frustration. When Angle returned to the ring, Styles jumped him. Flair slid Styles the TNA World Title belt and ordered Styles to use it. Styles looked conflicted, but then used it, nailing Angle in the head. Flair threw the ref back into the ring, and he counted to three. They shouldn't be shooting Flair from behind overhead as it really accentuates how bald he is back there. Styles and Flair celebrated with some "whoos!" together.

WINNER: Styles in 28:00.

STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- I felt like I had seen this match before. The finish took a little away from it for me, but it doesn't mean it's not a good thing as long as the story that this is introducing is well done going forward.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Not recommended. A middle of the road show. A couple good matches with Wolfe-Pope and Styles-Angle, but neither were must-see. The rest was a lot of filler without a sense of purpose or mid-card content without the hype necessary to make it feel important. There's been much more frustrating versions of TNA before, but this was a different kind of negative which is bland and without a true central focus or philosophy shining through. It's early, and this was a PPV that seemed to get in the way of the new regime's attempts to reshape TNA rather than an organically sprouted showcase of their changes. They have a lot to establish between now and the next PPV, though, as this is the only "free pass" TNA fans are going to give them.

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