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KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (1-7-04): C.M. Punk, R-Truth, Styles, Raven, Ultimate X match
Jan 8, 2009 - 10:27:58 PM |
By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor
This report was originally posted five years ago on PWTorch.com...
NWA-TNA PPV
JANUARY 7, 2003
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.
-A clip aired from the TNA holiday party with Don Callis making a pass at Goldy Locks. She was disgusted until he talked about how much money he could offer her for her loyalty. She asked, "How much?"
-Jeff Jarrett talked on the phone with a "Tom" about becoming "Mr. TNA." He said he wants to reveal his big surprise, but Tom said he should wait until the right time to make "the big announcement." (No, it's not that Goldberg is turning heel.)
-A promo aired with Raven who said he is going to make Julio Dinero and C.M. Punk pay for turning on him last month, but said he is as proud as a parent that they had the guts to do it in the first place.
-3 Live Krew sang their new song live at the Asylum.
-The new opening montage aired, a nice upgrade from the previous opening with clips of highspots from previous shows.
-Mike Tenay and Don West introduced the show.
-Jeff Jarrett walked out in a suit (that was not the type of suit you should wear on TV because the pattern seemed to be alive on TV and may have induced some seizures), joined by Don Callis and Kid Kash. He announced that he was going to be proclaimed Mr. TNA later. Erik Watts came out with Goldy Locks with a record-setting length of dark roots for the opening show of 2004. Callis told them that Tom T. Stenenbaum did a background on them. He said Watts came up clean, but the people who hired him on the NWA Board of Directors didn't. He told Watts to watch out of he and Jarrett and Stenenbaum will "take it to another level" and "it could get ugly and embarrassing and really, really expensive." He said he needs to be careful he doesn't lose too much of his money because he's heard his girlfriend, Goldylocks, doesn't work cheap. So he asked Watts to step down as Director of Authority. Watts said there may be some truth to his allegations, but his final answer is, "No! I'm not stepping down, Don Call-ass." Watts said he heard Callis's New Year's Resolution is to stop kissing Jeff Jarrett's ass. He said Kid Kash's resolution was to "grow up a little bit." He said Jarrett's resolution was to lose weight, so losing ten pounds of a title belt would be the best way. He guaranteed Jarrett that in 2004 he would lose that belt in the Asylum. Watts isn't nearly as funny as his self-satisfied delivery suggests he thinks he is. Jarrett asked Watts if he was hung over. As he continued to talk in Watts's face, a muscular masked man attacked Jarrett from behind. Maybe they can call him "M" or "B" or "G" or "F." Only one single-letter name is taken, that by "X." There are 25 other great names just waiting to be taken. Tenay pointed out how jacked the masked guys arms are. After doing all those shows with Tenay in the early-'90s on the steroids, it's a bit disheartening to hear him sell out by touting big arms as some sort of major asset to a wrestler who otherwise hasn't shown us anything yet.
-A taped segment aired with Roddy Piper. He said he went to Los Angeles and fought every Guerrero that has ever lived. He talked about other travels, including battling Ric Flair across the country. He said he is the reason Hulk Hogan is MIA. He said he refused to take a dive for Mr. T. He was literally wrapped in an NWA flag. He said the wrestlers have insurance because of him. He said at the end of the day, the NWA flag would be waving tall.
-Scott Hudson interviewed Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger. Swinger said the holidays stunk because they weren't tag champs, but what kept him from jumping off a bridge is knowing they had earned a tag title shot in 2004. Glen Gilberti walked in and told them to do what he taught them to do and focus. Diamond told him that he lost his focus when he brought in David Young. Gilberti said if they don't win the tag titles, he might have to take matters into his own hands.
1 -- A.J. STYLES & AMERICA'S MOST WANTED vs. RED SHIRTS & ABYSS
They showed an inset image early in the match of Kid Kash trying to get Sara the Ticket Taker Lady to sign his clipboard affirming her alliance with Jeff Jarrett. She and Kash got into a scuffle. In the ring, Styles head scissored Abyss over the top rope to the floor. The Red Shirts double-teamed Storm in mid-ring. At 5:30 Storm hot-tagged Chris Harris. He took down both Red Shirts with chokeslams and clotheslines. When Abyss charged into the ring, he Thesz Pressed him to the mat and punched away at him. Styles then springboarded into the ring with a dropkick onto both Red Shirts. AMW then clotheslined them over the top rope to the floor. Styles flipped onto both Red Shirts at ringside. In the ring, AMW gave Abyss a flapjack. They set up a double spear, but the Red Shirts tripped them as they bounced into the ropes. Styles slammed Abyss to the mat in center ring as the camera focused on the brawling at ringside. Styles called for the ref's attention at ringside. Abyss attempted a back suplex on Styles, but Styles landed on his feet and then enzuigiri kicked Abyss. He went for a Styles Clash, but Jarrett charged into the ring and KO'd Styles with the belt to the face. Abyss then gave Styles his Black Hole Slam finisher for the win.
WINNERS: Red Shirts & Abyss at 8:19.
STAR RATING: **
-A segment aired on Trinity, "2003 TNA Babe of the Year." She said she is into extreme sports. She said she doesn't like the pain, she loves it. She said her goal is to be the no. 1 female performer in the history of "the business." As she talked about her plans for 2004, Sonny Siaki interrupted and yelled at her.
-Back live, Hudson interviewed her backstage. Siaki said he should have been "Babe of the Year." Kash walked up with a loyalty oath contract. He said he has been advised not to sign anything. Trinity and Kash asked him who's advising him. Siaki wouldn't sign. Trinity advised him to sign it. Siaki said no and walked away. Kash then asked to take Trinity for a walk. She said, "I don't think so" and walked away.
2 -- B.G. JAMES & RON KILLINGS (w/Konnan) vs. SIMON DIAMOND & JOHNNY SWINGER -- NWA World Tag Team Title match
An inset during the opening minute showed Elix Skipper talking to Christopher Daniels backstage holding up three fingers. His words weren't audible, but Tenay assumed he was trying to talk Daniels into reforming the Triple X team. Tenay said now wasn't the time with the Ultimate X-2 match coming up later. James took Simon & Swinger down with a clothesline, then hot-tagged Killings at 2:20. Young entered the ring in street clothes. Simon wasn't happy with the distraction. Young then mistakenly clotheslined Simon with a clothesline. Killings then gave Simon a facebuster suplex for the three count. After the match Young got in Simon's face and yelled at him. West couldn't believe the gall of young considering he cost Simon the match. Simon attacked Young. Gilberti and Swinger held Simon back. Young went after Simon again. They brawled some more as Swinger and Gilberti separated them.
WINNERS: 3 Live Krew at 3:33 to retain the NWA Tag Titles.
STAR RATING: *
-Kash walked past Gilberti and Young on his way to the ring with a clip board. Kash interrupted Tenay and West and sat next to them.
-Clips aired of Michael Shane and David young working for AAA in Mexico last month in a cool six-sided ring. Clips then aired of Kid Kash, Jeff Jarrett, and Abyss working for the IWA in Puerto Rico with their standard set-up for ringside seats being set back 30 feet from the ring.
-Back live, Kid Kash forced the time keeper/bell ringer at ringside to sign the pledge of loyalty. Kash began slapping around TNA security member Chris Vaughn, trying to get him to sign the pledge.
-Hudson interviewed Raven. He asked him who his partner is going to be. Raven said he may or may not have a partner. He said all he needs to know is two words, "pay back." Good, low-key promo.
-Back in the ring Kash continued to shove Vaughn around. When Kash gave him the clipboard, Vaughn nailed him with the clipboard. Kash came back with some kicks and a hard clothesline. Kash shoved the ref down when he entered to break things up. The ref made it a match.
3 -- CHRIS VAUGHN vs. KID KASH
Vaughn got in early offense, but Kash fought back quickly by dropping him across his knee. He then rubbed his face against the mat. Don Harris then entered the ring and gave Kash a big boot and a twisting sideslam. He then threw Vaughn on top of Kash for the win.
WINNER: Kash at 1:55.
STAR RATING: n/a
-Hudson interviewed Punk and Dinero backstage. Punk finally getting to show off his interview skills on TNA, something he had more of a chance to do with ROH and MLW last year. He closed by saying, "Quote the Gathering, Nevermore," stealing a phrase from Raven.
-A video montage aired on Punk and Dinero including clips of the turn on Raven on Dec. 17.
4 -- C.M. PUNK & JULIO DINERO vs. RAVEN & SANDMAN
Sandman turned out to be Raven's mystery partner. He dominated the opening three minutes of the match, but Punk came back at 3:00. Punk tagged in Dinero at 4:30 and punched away at Sandman. Raven entered the ring and stomped at Dinero from behind. Punk hit a top rope legdrop and quickly tagged in Dinero. Dinero then tagged Punk back in, but Punk missed a twisting flip off the top rope when Sandman moved. Raven got a hot-tag and gave both Punk and Dinero kneelifts. Raven's hair is starting to grow back, which is good, but it looks like he had a few extra holidays meals during the break as his belly seemed to have expanded since last show. A man dressed in all black came out and sprayed a white towel and covered Raven's face with it. It caused Raven to nearly pass out. Punk then DDT'd Raven for the pin. The mystery man unmasked himself as James Mitchell. Alright, he's back! I was beginning to lose faith they'd even bring him back. Now it's time to use him as a true top level heel, but that would require him going beyond feuding with just Raven in 2004, although feuding with Raven at first isn't bad. Punk and Dinero walked to the back with Mitchell.
WINNERS: Punk & Dinero at 7:28.
STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Pretty bland match. Raven didn't do anything.
-Hudson interviewed Shane Douglas and Michael Shane. Douglas gave Shane a pep talk. He told him to let Low Ki and Daniels take each other out and concentrate his efforts on Chris Sabin.
-Tenay said they've conducted a year-end poll on their website for 2003 awards. He said all but one of the awards was presented on their "best of" shows the previous two weeks. Tenay said Sting, Dusty Rhodes, and Raven were among the finalists for "Mr. TNA 2003." He said it came down to A.J. Styles and Jeff Jarrett. They showed them backstage awaiting the announcement. Goldylocks and Erik Watts watched as Tenay opened the envelope and read the announcement. Tenay looked sad for a few seconds, but then got excited and announced that Styles is "Mr. TNA." They showed Styles celebrating backstage as Jarrett reacted with disgust. West celebrated and pointed out that Styles was the only one to hold all three TNA belts. Watts presented Styles a trophy as fans chanted, "A.J., A.J." He said the trophy means the world to him because the best fans voted for him. He said, "From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Styles said great as 2003 was, he wants more, he wants the NWA Title back. Jarrett walked out with the Red Shirts, Abyss, and Callis. Jarrett said Styles was a one-time winner and one-timer loser of the NWA Title. Jarrett said he was the longest reigning champ of the year. He said he took out Toby Keith, the Tennessee Titans, Vince Russo, Dusty Rhodes, and Hulk Hogan out of the picture. Jarrett demanded to know how Tenay and the fans can look at him with a straight face and accept Styles as the MVP. Tenay said he may feel in his mind that he is Mr. TNA, but there is only one Mr. TNA, and that is A.J. Styles. Tenay asked Jarrett if he'd be willing to settle the dispute the old-style NWA way in a one-on-one match, winner take all. The fans cheered. Jarrett said Styles doesn't deserve a title shot, but he'd give him a chance to earn a title shot. Jarrett said next week, they'd have a tag match with Styles & Watts against himself & Abyss. He said if Styles wins, he gets a title shot, but if he (Jarrett) wins, Watts is out of a job. Goldy grabbed the mic out of Tenay's hand and said, "You got it, bitch." Watts seemed a bit worried, but then applauded. Nice segment.
-A video aired plugging the TNA calendar.
-Tenay and West plugged next week's matches, including the tag match just announced with the title shot and Watts job stips.
-Vignettes and soundbites then aired with the four competitors in Ultimate X-2. The graphics referred to them as four of the greatest athletes in the world. Nice video package to build anticipation and make the match seem like a major happening. "What makes TNA different from the rest? Welcome to wrestling reinvited. Welcome to Ultimate X.2." That's pretty much what I said they should do in today's VIP Audio update - continue to tout what sets them apart from WWE, that being their X Division athleticism.
5 -- MICHAEL SHANE (X Division Champ) vs. "THE FUTURE" CHRIS SABIN vs. LOW KI vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS -- Ultimate X.2 Match
Daniels made the first attempt to get the belt by springboarding off the top rope and reached for the top rope. He came up a few feet short. Tenay said it was a clever thought and worth a shot. Daniels then climbed to the scaffolding. Tenay said Daniels told him he watched the tape of the original Ultimate X match over and over because he felt he was at a disadvantage not having been involved in the first one. Shane nailed Daniels with a chair, dropping him to the mat. Shane stood on a chair in center ring and leaped for the belt. He came up short. Shane then climbed the scaffolding post and worked his way toward the belt on the cable. Daniels went after him. Shane came down onto Daniels. Low Ki, who had been recovering at ringside from an early-match exchange with Daniels, worked his way back into the ring. Shane quickly eliminated him again. Daniels grabbed a new chair and set it up in center ring. He attempted to leap off of it to reach the belt. Tenay said the match is so new, it's interesting to see wrestlers experiment with various approaches. When Daniels went for another leap off the chair, Low Ki caught him with a roundhouse kick. Ki rammed Daniels into the chair face-first. Chris Sabin returned to the ring and nailed Ki with a roundkick of his own. Ki and Daniels were exchanging blows in mid-ring. When Shane charged toward them, they both turned and took him down. Ki then put Shane in the Hanging Dragon in the corner. Daniels climbed to the top rope and leaped to the cable and worked his way toward the belt. Low Ki worked his way toward the belt from the other direction. Ki applied a dragon sleeper on Daniels 15 feet in the air. They both dropped to the mat thanks to a dropkick from Sabin on Ki off the top rope. Douglas brought a ladder to ringside. Use of the ladder to get the belt is against the rules, pointed out by Tenay and West early in the match. Elix Skipper ran to ringside and attacked Douglas. Ki went for a cartwheel elbow on Shane in the corner, but Shane caught him with a boot to the throat. Shane cheated by climbing a ladder in center ring. Daniels stopped him and Rock Bottomed him off the fifth rung to the mat. Ki then set up Sabin for a fisherman suplex, but Sabin escaped and began to climb the ladder. Ki roundhouse kicked him from behind, then suplexed him to the mat. Daniels yelled out "Best Moonsault Ever" and then hit Ki with his BME. Daniels then set up the ladder and with the ref down at ringside, he wouldn't notice. Shane climbed the ladder, but Daniels knocked the ladder over. Then he atomic dropped Shane crotch-first over the side of the ladder. Tenay said this is the type of match that takes years off of careers. At 13:30, Shane, Low Ki, and Sabin were all flat on their backs on the mat. Daniels climbed the ladder. Ki met him on the top with a roundhouse kick. Shane tipped the ladder over and both wrestlers fell over the top rope to the mat. Ki sold an ankle injury. The ref came to and ordered the ladder to be brought backstage. Shane then climbed the scaffolding, but Sabin intercepted him and kicked him off the top rope onto a table at ringside. Sabin then climbed over and grabbed the belt. He hung from the belt and yanked on it several times with all of his bodyweight and finally it gave and he flatbacked to the mat.
WINNER: Sabin at 15:13 to capture the X Division Championship.
STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- Very good gimmick match. Not at the same level as the last match, and not just because it was the second time we saw the gimmick used. There was less use of the cables (there also weren't any gaffes with the belt falling prematurely). It could have used another five minutes. Still, a very good gimmick match with some unique spots.
-Backstage Jeff Jarrett was on his cell phone and thanked Tom for giving him the idea for the stipulation match next week to rid TNA of Erik Watts. "We're starting the new year off right," he said. Then they cut to the show-closing list of TNA Xplosion station affiliates across the country and upcoming NWA indy dates.
RELATED STORY: TNA PPV Flashback: Lex Luger's return to the national scene - main event's in tag match
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