By Wade Keller, Torch editor

NWA-TNA PPV
OCTOBER 29, 2003
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.

-The show opened with Scott Hudson interviewing Jimmy Hart outside of his limo in the parking lot of the arena. He said the wrestling world has been abuzz for the last seven days. He demanded to know who was in the limo. Hart said his phone has been ringing nonstop. Hart said ESPN has replayed Jeff Jarrett whipping him over and over again. Uh huh. He said "the USA paper" published a picture of the incident. He said he wants to leave Jarrett squirming. He called the promotion, "TNA, Total Nonstop Wrestling." He concluded that he was coming to "hurt him, not beat him." Then he went into his '80s maniacal laugh.

-The TNA opening montage then aired, followed by Mike Tenay and Don West introducing the show.

1 -- GLENN GILBERTI & DAVID YOUNG vs. AMERICA'S MOST WANTED

We'll see how closely tonight's matches follow the basic outline script that Steve Austin published in his book this week, given to him early in his career by the late Chris Adams (pg. 71). AMW were on offense ("shine") at first, beating up Young for the first couple minutes including some dives by AMW over the top rope onto the heels at ringside. The heels took over with a tennis racquet shot by Gilberti. Gilberti then volunteered to enter the ring officially, prompting Tenay to call him a "glory hog." Young soon tagged in and went to a chinlock on Harris. Harris attempted to escape, but Young yanked him down the mat by the hair. Tenay stressed the importance of the match for AMW, saying a loss would send them to the bottom of the tag team rankings. Gilbert choked Harris over the middle rope at 6:00. Harris teased his Catatonic, but Young nailed Harris with a Spinebuster to retain control. Young covered him for the pin, but Gilberti yelled for him to keep beating on him. Tenay said they don't just want to win, they want to eliminate AMW. As the ref turned to Gilberti, Storm nailed Young with a top rope sidekick. That gave Harris a chance to officially tag in Storm. Storm nailed Young with roundhouse kick to the head for a two count. Gilberti made the save. Storm then nailed Gilberti with a flying forearm. Storm powerslammed Gilberti, but the ref wouldn't count because he wasn't the legal man. Four-way action followed. Harris nailed both heels with a dual clothesline. Storm applied a sharpshooter on Young in the ring. Gilberti hit Storm with a tennis racquet and Young scored a near fall at 10:00. Young then swung the tennis racquet at Storm, but Storm ducked. Harris then speared Young. Gilberti then surprised Harris with the stunner. Gilberti then gave Storm a side Russian legsweep. He then began a People's Elbow routine, but walked right into a superkick by Storm. That gave AMW a chance to give young the Hart Attack finisher followed by the Death Sentence for the win.

WINNERS: AMW at 11:31.

STAR RATING: ** -- Basic formula tag executed well. It followed the Adams Match Outline pretty closely, other than the fact that the babyfaces started the match on offense, so they skipped the heels getting heat on them at first.

-AMW demanded a tag team title rematch next week. Gilberti screamed no way and returned to the back.

-Hudson interviewed Michael Shane who said his match later isn't for the title because he's been advised not to defend his title against unproven talents. He proposed a triple chance tournament next week with the winner earning a title shot. Hudson asked him what if Sonjay Dutt beat him. He said that would be an upset and "upset is not in Michael Shane's (my) vocabulary." One of those "cutting teeth" interviews. An '80s yelling interview that looked like something an actor in a bad movie would do if he were imitating wrestling interviews. Not Shane's best interview to date.

2 -- MICHAEL SHANE vs. SONJAY DUTT

The match began in stage one of the Adams Match Outline with the heel, Shane, getting in some offense. Dutt came back within the first minute with some nice offense. The crowd was pretty dead to Dutt. I wonder whatever happened to Jerry Jarrett's vision to introduce new wrestlers with video features where viewers got to know them. Now all we get is a few notes from Mike Tenay during their matches. Dutt slingshot himself over the top rope onto Shane at ringside. He followed with a springboard clothesline in the ring. Sabin tossed Dutt over the top rope at 3:45, but Dutt caught himself and began to skin the cat back into the ring. Shane, though, knocked him off the ropes to the floor anyway. Shane then took over with a chinlock at 4:15. Dutt came back quickly, though, with some elbows and a spinning neckbreaker. He hit a series of nice offensive moves for a two count at 5:15. When Shane climbed to the top rope, Dutt springboard dropkicked him tot he floor. Then he flipped over the top rope and landed legs-first onto Shane. Back in the ring, Dutt suplexed Shane and then came off the top rope a springboard elbowdrop for a near fall. Shane kicked out at 6:45. Dutt followed up with an attempted twisting flip splash ("Hindu Splash") off the top rope, but Shane moved. Shane then rolled up Dutt and yanked on his tights for the pin. Shane clutched his X Title and trophy after the match.

WINNER: Shane at 7:03.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Solid match with some dazzling moves to elevate it above an average two star seven minute match. It also followed the standard match outline pretty closely, except with the babyface sustaining most of the offense (or "shine") throughout the match since the heel was winning in the end. That's a standard giveaway for who's winning a match. If the babyface gets sustained offense, especially if he's an underdog, he's going to lose because it's considered fair to give the loser more offense so he can save face and it doesn't seem like a squash.

-Hudson interviewed Dusty Rhodes and asked him who he thought was in the limo. Dusty said he doesn't think there's anyone in the world Jimmy Hart doesn't know. He added that even if Jarrett has become self-serving, "admiration does flow for him." He then quoted Bob Dillon and told a story about peeing and having it "flush back in your face" when you're World Champion. He told Jarrett he will be his shelter. As usually, I didn't really understand what Dusty was talking about, but I was still pretty glued to his every word.

3 -- RED SHIRTED SECURITY (Ryan Wilson & Kevin Northcutt w/Don Callis) vs. ERIK WATTS & DON HARRIS

Watts came out dressed in jeans and a sports jacket; Harris in jeans and a t-shirt. The Red Shirts wore black jeans and red t-shirts. Hard to take the match seriously when everyone is dressed in street clothes. Goldylocks showed up at ringside and slapped Callis. Every offensive move Watts throws with his arms and hands looks like a wet noodle and, what's worse, it then stops two inches before it actually making contact. Harris rolled up Northcutt after he ducked an attempted foreign object shot by Northcutt. The Red Shirts "got their heat back" (which falsely presumes they had any heat to begin with) by attacking Watts and Harris after the match.

WINNERS: Watts & Harris.

STAR RATING: 1/4* -- Belonged on an indy bar show, not national PPV. This stuff discourages future buys and should be left off TV. Give guys who can actually wrestle extra time and leave this kind of stuff off the show. Total amateur hour, including Goldy Lock's obnoxious presence. Watts doesn't wrestle enough to have his ring timing and the Red Shirted Security are inexperienced and look it. Her character belongs back in 1983 World Class feuding with Precious, not in today's environment.

-A recap aired of the Jeff Jarrett-Hulk Hogan angle in Japan and the Vince Russo-Jarrett brawl leading to the NWA Title change and the Jimmy Hart promo last week.

-Tenay stood mid-ring and interviewed Jarrett, who talked about all of the radio shows he's been doing, including Mancow and John Boy & Billy. He said Hogan's friend Bubba the Love Sponge is talking about his title win, too. He said NWATNA.com received thousands of emails. He read an email congratulating him for winning the back the belt that was always rightfully yours. Fans chanted, "We Want Hogan." Jarrett paused and asked them to let him finish his email. He finished reading the letter, which thanked him for getting rid of Vince Russo because he would have killed TNA if not stopped. Tenay asked him if the letter was legitimate. Jarrett got all serious and told Tenay he was "pushing his luck." I don't get it. There was no punch line to the letter. Nothing witty. Just a run-through of something Jarrett would write impersonating a fan, but the schtick just didn't click. It was overly long and listening to someone read is never much fun.

A.J. Styles then stepped out to cheers from the crowd. He told Jarrett to quit worrying about who Hart is bringing in and start thinking about him. He told the fans they have no reason to trust him, but they do know that he deserves a re-match for the title. Jarrett said by losing, he fell to the "bottom of the barrel," just as he (Jarrett) did after he lost the title. Jarrett told him to enter the X Division Tournament. Styles said the X Division put TNA on the map. He said "X marks the spot" and said Jarrett was standing in the ring with his title. He began to move toward the ring, but security stopped him. Callis stepped into the ring and told Styles he isn't booked on the show, so he doesn't belong there. Red Shirted Security dragged him out of the arena through the crowd. Jarrett then called for Hart to bring his surprise challenger to the ring.

Instead, Dusty Rhodes stepped out onto the stage. West said, "That can't be the surprise." When Dusty got to the ring, Jarrett knocked his hat off of his head and told security to get Dusty out of his ring.

-Hudson interviewed Gilberti backstage who said nothing is going well for him. Simon Diamond said they welcome the challenge from AMW so they can destroy their myth. Sonny Siaki walked into the picture. Gilberti asked him to help them take out AMW. Diamond said they can handle it themselves. He and Johnny Swinger said they don't have any problem with having to face AMW. Signs of dissension in the ranks. Good, because Gilberti talking for Diamond and Swinger isn't necessary since Diamond and Swinger can do their own talking.

4 -- EKMO FATU & SONNY SIAKI (w/Trinity) vs. DANNY DORING & ROADKILL

WINNERS: Ekmo & Siaki at 5:55 after an Ekmo big splash on Roadkill

STAR RATING: *

-After the match, Gilberti entered the ring and confronted Siaki. Siaki agreed that he and Ekmo would face AMW next week. West said Gilberti was trapping Siaki & Ekmo. Trinity was unhappy with Siaki, too, thinking he was being manipulated by Gilberti. This angle is only half way making sense. Something is missing, which is why would Siaki accept Gilberti's challenge (what's in it for him?), and what's so wrong with him accepting the challenge (which the announcers are saying) since if they win, theoretically it would move them up in the tag rankings.

-Hudson interviewed Hart again. He said the mystery man is in a hummer behind him. He said, "Jimmy hart doesn't get mad, he gets even," and then he gave off his maniacal cartoon laugh.

5 -- KID KASH vs. ABYSS -- First Blood/Chair on a Pole Match

Kash trash-talked Abyss at the start, then gave him a low kick to take early control. He went right for the chair, but Abyss yanked him to the mat. At 1:30 Abyss climbed to the second rope and then leaped off with a splash. Kash moved. Kash then springboarded off the top rope all the way across the ring with a dropkick. Good spot. Look for Shane McMahon to try that move next week. Kash then retrieved the chair from the pole. Abyss grabbed the chair away and KO'd Kash with it. He set the chair in the corner and He catapulted Kash into the chair in the corner. Abyss was going to drop down with sitdown splash onto a chair on Kash's chest, but Kash turned the chair sideways and caught Abyss between the legs. He followed up by leaping off the chair with a big dive onto Abyss at ringside. Back in the ring, Kash stomped and kicked away at Abyss, then came off the top rope with a splash. Abyss, though, held up a chair and caught Kash as he landed. Abyss then gave Kash a Blackhole sideslam at 6:11. Abyss, though, was bleeding from the forehead. The ref hadn't seen it. Abyss nailed Kash with a chair. The ref then noticed the blood and called for the bell. Abyss saw his own blood and snapped. He nailed Kash with a chair and then gave the ref a dropdown backbreaker. Security ran into the ring to try to stop Abyss, but he flung them aside and kept attacking Kash. He then attacked them, too.

WINNER: Kash at 6:40.

STAR RATING: ** -- Good action, but as with most first blood matches, an anti-climactic finish. This was especially flat.

-Shane Douglas talked about the New Franchise again. He talked to somebody off camera and said he impressed him last week. He said if he continues to impress him, the spot could be his.

-Hudson interviewed Father James Mitchell and Vampiro. Mitchell consistently gives some of the best heel promos in the business. Vampiro did a good job standing by quietly and seeming really creepy.

6 -- RAVEN vs. VAMPIRO (w/James Mitchell)

Watching Raven's hair grow back is as fun as watching a Chia Pet grow. Every week it's a bit bushier. After a feeling out process with some karate sparring, Raven used one of the chains attached to the top rope. Then he chased after Vampiro at ringside and wrapped a dog collar around his neck. Vampiro began to bleed from the forehead. Raven whipped Vamp with a chain. Then he hung Vampiro from the chain and dog collar, so Mitchell interfered with a low blow. Vampiro came back with a jump reverse sidekick into a chair in Raven's face. So far it's following the basic match formula in Austin's book with the babyface "shining" at first, then the heel coming back thanks to cheating. Vamp rammed Raven's head into the ringside steps. Raven bled from the forehead at this point, too. Vamp wrapped a chain around his forehead and then headbutted Raven. Cool move. Vamp then put the collar around Raven's neck and hung him over the top rope. Tenay said this is one of the most dangerous matches every because once blood is cut off long enough, it can lead to brain damage. Tenay sold it well. Raven eventually found enough strength to step up to the ring apron and make a comeback on Vamp. This was stage 7 of the Adams Match Formula, the "maniac comeback." He caught a charging Vamp with a sidekick. Raven put a dog collar on Vamp again, then put on a second dog collar. Vamp was stuck in the middle of the ring. Raven then grabbed a trash can from underneath the ring. He bashed him over the head three times. He then grabbed a table. Vamp began trying to unfasten the dog collars. He got one of them off. Fans chanted, "We Want Tables." Vamp used a low blow to take back control and licked his own blood off his hands. Raven, though, quickly came back and DDT'd Vamp off the second rope through a table. Raven then wrapped a dog collar around Vamp's neck again. He hanged him and drew back all of the slack, leading to Vamp passing out and Raven winning.

WINNER: Raven at 12:40.

STAR RATING: *** -- Good new gimmick match with some strategies and moves we haven't seen before. It followed the formula effectively.

-After the match, Mitchell attempted to throw a fireball at him, but Raven ducked. Mitchell fled. Then C.M. Punk ran out for the save. Raven yelled at Punk for interfering. He told him to get out of the ring. Raven said now that he's gone through all of Mitchell's men, it down to a match between himself and Mitchell: "Next week, you and I, last man standing."

-Tenay and West plugged the Jimmy Hart surprise coming up next, followed by a plug for next week's card. The X Division "Triple Chance" round one. It will take place over the course of three weeks ending with a Triple Threat match on Nov. 19. West told fans they have to go to NWATNA.com to learn who will be in the match. West then plugged the TNA DVDs available to order on the website.

7 -- JEFF JARRETT vs. HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN

Hart came out with his "signature laugh" and said the first person who picked up the phone last week was a man with heart and desire. Out came Hacksaw Duggan. Of all people TNA should not have allowed Jimmy Hart to talk into being brought in for a payday, he's pretty much it. A guy widely regarded by TNA's target audience as one of the worst workers of the last ten years (he was pretty good at times in the '80s before he joined the WWF). Duggan then gave a patriotic interview, as if Jarrett's gimmick is being anti-American. Duggan said, "Time to go to school, tough guy." The crowd did the little "hey-yo" chant with Duggan. Duggan is nice for a mid-card nostalgia act, but as a main event "I got my money's worth" opponent, nope. Now we're back to Jeff Jarrett headlining PPVs with mediocre matches (or worse) that don't lead to repeat buys or positive word of mouth. Jarrett attacked Duggan at the bell. Duggan fought back right away with a series of clotheslines. Duggan smashed a pumpkin over Jarrett's head. "Just when you think you've seen everything," Tenay said. Duggan gave Jarrett a spirited beating at ringside. "This is a Hacksaw Duggan we haven't seen in years," said Tenay. I'll agree with that if he actually takes a bump in the match. Duggan got a "USA" chant going, which lasted five seconds before dying out completely. Jarrett came back at 2:00 briefly, but Duggan soon took over again. Jarrett raked his eyes, but Duggan fired back with a clothesline. Duggan gave Jarrett his charging clothesline (bad). When Duggan grabbed a two-by-four, Callis came to ringside and yanked it away from him. Jarrett then KO'd Duggan with the guitar (also weak) and scored the pin. That was one of the worst guitar impacts ever. Jarrett asked Hart if that's the best he can do. He asked the Immortal One Hulk Hogan to read his ugly head.

WINNER: Jarrett at 3:45.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Nice energy early from Duggan, but bad finish. It's tough to have a good match a babyface who won't bump.

-Jimmy Hart stepped onto the stage and told Hart that Duggan was just the tip of the iceberg and that the man in the Hummer "howls at the moon." From behind Jarrett appeared Rick Steiner, another really, really bad choice to bring in to TNA, a guy who also refuses to bump and has a track record the past few years of having even worse matches than Duggan in the mid-'90s. He's not quite the dinosaur that Duggan is, but he's got such a bad rep in so many ways, it just shows TNA is caving in to bad influences or is desperate. WCW Thunder drew horrible ratings for a reason. Nobody is clamoring for the return of the Thunder gang, but this show resembled it as much as any TNA show in history. They brawled in the crowd for a minute. Back in the ring, Steiner gave Jarrett a powerslam and a clothesline. When Steiner mistakenly hit the ref, he turned to him. Jarrett then broke the cheap cardboard guitar over his head.

-Hart closed the show with the show-saving announcement that next week he was bringing Sting in to face Jarrett. Jarrett ended the show with a look of fear and grave concern. Thankfully they didn't think a Jarrett-Steiner match could sell next week's show.

And now for video interview goodness from MaxSports with Jim Duggan during the XWF days just before TNA came on the scene.

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