By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S NWA-TNA PPV REPORT
MARCH 17, 2004
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.

-Highlights aired of last week's America's Cup.

-Vince Russo made a statement saying wrestlers are not going to be given any preferential treatment anymore; everyone has to earn their positions. He announced a gauntlet match with ten heavyweight contenders.

1 -- ELIX SKIPPER vs. FRANKIE KAZARRIAN

Tenay and West said Chris Sabin had suffered ligament damage in his knee and would miss anywhere from ten days to ten months. They said they didn't know the extent of the injury yet. They said Skipper wanted to try to unite Christopher Daniels and Low Ki to reform Triple X. He said that rumors going around said that Ki and Daniels had begun taking again, so perhaps that rift may be worked out. They also talked about a six-man match scheduled for next week with the winner getting the no. 1 contendership for the X Title. Tenay also announced that Apr. 7 would be the next America's Cup tournament with Team AAA defending the trophy. Tenay and West talked a lot about Russo's announcement of wrestlers earning their positions in the rankings from now on. West said he liked Russo's announcements. Kazarrian won with a handful of tights, then attacked Elix afterward. Jerry Lynn made the save.

WINNER: Kazarian at 6:03.

STAR RATING: *1/4

-Scott Hudson interviewed Glenn Gilberti, who said he and his men were all together and one of them would end up the no. 1 contender later. Johnny Swinger, Michael Shane, Kid Kash, and David Young all told Gilberti they were with him, but three of them said so skeptically or sarcastically.

-Tenay interviewed Vince Russo, the new Director of Authority. He came out to really corny electronic synth music obviously created on Soundtrack that just didn't fit him. It seemed like entrance music for Laser Tron. Russo said what he did with Chris Harris was all for his own good. He said he wants to be sure everyone has opportunity and it's an even playing field. Raven's music began playing. Tenay kept talking for a few seconds, then stopped to acknowledge the interruption. Raven and Sabu walked to the ring. Raven told Russo sarcastically that he is a great motivator just like Vince Lombardi. Raven said "what about me, what about Raven" and asked for a title shot. Russo said he put him and Sabu together as a team in the upcoming tag team tournament. Raven said he wants the NWA World Hvt. Title and nothing else. "I'm a singles wrestler and I want to be a singles champion." Russo accepted his wish. He told Raven he was adding him to the contender's match later. Raven sarcastically thanked him for such a "phenomenal piece of charity." Russo suggested he add Raven to the Styles vs. Abyss match later. Raven said he's already proven himself and he doesn't need to qualify. They showed an inset image of Jeff Jarrett and Abyss backstage watching on the monitor. Russo said he was out of options. Raven said he isn't out of options. He said Harris isn't ready. He tried to talk Russo into putting him in his place for Harris's own good, so that he doesn't get crushed and end up at the bottom of the rankings. Russo said with all due respect, the match with Harris is booked. Raven said he was giving Russo one last chance to change his mind. "Yes or no!?" Russo paused, but said he looked in the eyes of Harris and he's not going to disappoint Harris. "Not tonight, Raven," he said. Raven said he now realizes what this is about. He said in WCW he got politicked out of every opportunity. Russo said it's just not tonight, not necessarily never. Russo told Raven he has never steered him wrong. He said he'd get an opportunity, but not tonight. Raven said Russo favors Harris, Sonny Siaki, and A.J. Styles. Raven said Russo doesn't want his as champion because he wears a skit and make-up and is dysfunctional. He said before the end of the night, he promised to get Russo's attention. Then he walked to the back with the silent Sabu.

-Hudson interviewed "Alpha Male" Monte Brown. He gave an intense promo about how he's going to pounce on his opponents. Generic stuff, but better intensity than most.

2 -- MONTE BROWN vs. CHRIS VAUGHN

Tenay talked about Brown's history as a linebacker in the NFL for the New England Patriots. It should be interesting to see how he tries to repackage himself and whether TNA can present him in a marketable way. Tenay said Vaughn is recognizable as a member of the black shirted security and has become a favorite of the fans. Vaughn took a hit and run approach to the much more powerful Brown. Brown kept tossing Vaughn around and Vaughn took great bumps. He was the perfect opponent to try to get Brown over as a powerful heavyweight contender. In the end, Brown hit Vaughn with his Pounce which is basically a Spear off the ropes at a 90 degree angle. He finished him off with a sidemount into a powerbomb. He attacked him after the match, so Heavy D ran out to restore order. During the match they showed that Johnny Fairplay was sitting in the front row. I forgot he was even with the company. I hope they put a little more thought into how they use him from now on because so far they've completely underutilized and miscast him. Fairplay was hobnobbing with some women next to him.

WINNER: Brown at 4:54.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Great bumps by Vaughn, great intensity and power from Brown.

-Hudson interviewed Styles regarding facing Abyss later. Hudson asked Styles if he thought Raven deserved a title shot. He said no. Hudson asked him if he had talked to Russo since he returned given their past. Styles said no and he had no plans to talk with him.

3 -- SHANE DOUGLAS vs. JAMES STORM

Tenay and West again acknowledged Fairplay's presence at ringside. Storm slingshotted himself over the top rope onto Douglas at 1:00. Tracy distracted the ref as Douglas had Storm down after a belly-to-belly. West said the distraction totally backfired because Tracy kept the ref occupied too long. Douglas got up to complain, then Storm superkicked him for the win. Douglas chewed out Tracy after the match. Tenay said Douglas takes every loss so personally. Michael Shane ran out and defended Tracy against Douglas's verbal attack.

WINNER: Douglas at 5:12.

STAR RATING: *

-Hudson told Jarrett he must be concerned about facing Chris Harris later. Jarrett said he wasn't concerned because everybody knows he isn't ready. He said he is going to give Harris the "wrestling lesson of his life." Goldy Locks walked into the picture yapping on her cell phone to Erik Watts about deserving more respect. Jarrett yanked the phone out of his hand and told him to enjoy life delivering pizza or painting houses. He said Russo would be joining him. Goldy chewed him out for touching her phone. He said she is all worked up tonight, then told her to get out of his way. "What're you gonna do, beat me up?" He walked off. Abyss stared down Goldy, who gave him one her patented annoying looks.

4 -- GAUNTLET MATCH

Simon Diamond and David Young were in first. Diamond threw Young over the top rope at 1:10. Kid Kash came out next followed by D-Lo Brown. D-Lo and Simon doubled up on Kash. Glenn Gilberti came out next. D-Lo had Kash almost eliminated when Kash headscissored him over the top rope. Tenay and West talked about that as an amazing upset. Sonny Siaki came out next and gave a killer overhead suplex to Kash. Raven, who wasn't officially in the match, came out and gave Siaki a DDT. He then yelled into the camera with a message for Russo. Gilberti easily threw Siaki over the top rope. Michael Shane ran out next. Gilberti and Shane punched away at Diamond on the mat. Konnan came out next, followed by Ron "The Truth" Killings. Konnan eliminated Kash at 7:45, but as Konnan celebrated, Gilberti eliminated him from behind. Diamond backdropped Gilberti over the top rope. Bad camerawork there. Swinger then jumped Diamond from behind and eliminated him, but Swinger entered the ring before his designated time. Tenay and West wondered if they'd let that stand. Shane and Swinger then worked over Killings. Killings eliminated Swinger at 9:15, then gave a scissors kick to Shane, the only other wrestler in the match. Shane Douglas ran to ringside and tossed Michael Shane a chain. Michael Shane didn't want it and threw it back at Douglas. Doulgas couldn't believe it. Killings then suplexed M.S. and scored the pin. After the match Douglas gave M.S. an evil stare.

WINNER: Killings at 12:28.

STAR RATING: **1/2

-Tenay and West talked about the contenders for the NWA World Title lining up, with Killings just earning a high ranking. They plugged that the no. 1 contender's match would be next with Styles vs. Abyss. They also wondered where Raven fit in. I really like this new booking approach from TNA focusing on matches affecting rankings. Now they need to product an actual weekly top ten rankings on the TV show, especially so newer or infrequent viewers have an immediate impression of the hierarchy of the wrestlers.

-Russo approached Raven backstage. Russo told him he shouldn't push his buttons tonight. He said he wouldn't stand for him interfering. Raven said he isn't throwing him out, he is leaving on his own. He said he did what he promised - he got his attention.

5 -- ABYSS vs. A.J. STYLES - No. 1 Contender's Match

A title shot contract was dangling above the ring, reachable only by climbing the ladder. Styles took some nice bumps early. Abyss introduced the ladder into the match at 1:45. Styles climbed the ladder at 2:45, but Abyss knocked him over. Abyss whipped Styles into the ladder in the corner. Styles dropped Abyss's chin over the edge of the ladder in a cool looking spot. It looked like Abyss should have broken his jaw. Styles then flew onto Abyss at ringside. Styles came back at 7:30 by biting Abyss's hand. Abyss returned fire by throwing Styles head first into a chair propped in the corner. Abyss set up Styles for a powerbomb or slam onto a chair, but Styles reversed Abyss into a Styles Clash. Styles then looked at Abyss, then decided to climb the ladder once again. He dove off the ladder with a front flip splash onto Abyss. "Holy sh--" rang out throughout the crowd, deservedly so. Both were slow to get up. When Abyss tried to climb the ladder at 10:45, Styles climbed the other side and threw roundhouse kicks to the side of Abyss's head. He then sunset flipped Abyss off the ladder onto two chairs in the ring. Great spot. Raven then entered the ring. Tenay had to tell the sleeping camera crew to go wide to show Raven who had climbed the top rope. Bad, bad camera work tonight, detrimental to the enjoyment of the show. That distracted Styles long enough so Abyss recovered and tipped Styles off the ladder. Styles fell to the floor. Abyss then climbed the ladder and grabbed the clipboard and the contract to win. They showed Russo on the entrance stage shaking his head at Raven's interference.

WINNER: Abyss at 12:36 to become no. 1 contender.

STAR RATING: ***1/4 -- The usual really good match between these two.

-Tenay and West plugged NWA-TNA's website and the upcoming two day "Survivor-style" training camp. They should tape it with Fairplay being a smartass host for the post-produced highlights. West announced Amazing Red would be back next week which drew a pop from the crowd. Tenay said there was a confrontation outside the arena. Styles and Raven were arguing. Sabu broke them up. That's Sabu's new gimmick, the "homicidal, suicidal, genocidal maniac who breaks up fights in parking lots." Security ran out to maintain order.

-A nice video package aired recapping the Chris Harris path to the title match.

6 -- JEFF JARRETT vs. CHRIS HARRIS - NWA World Hvt. Title match

They showed family members of Harris in the crowd. Tenay did an especially nice job setting up the match. West said he hasn't felt this way since the Jarrett vs. Raven title match last year. The match began with just over 20 minutes left in the show. Harris did a nice job early with facial expressions of nervous energy. Jarrett acted like the cocky, deserving, overconfident champion. Harris went for three armdrags, but Jarrett countered the third attempt. Then he mockingly clapped Harris. Tenay said Harris refused to talk to him before the match, so he had to get info from Storm about how Harris had trained. Tenay said Harris worked out physically, but also watched every title match Jarrett has ever had in TNA, plus older WCW and WWF matches to prepare for this match. Again, nice job from Tenay giving the match a "big event" feel. Jarrett went to ringside and poked Tenay in the chest and bragged that Harris wasn't ready to face him. Storm threw Jarrett into the ring and powerslammed him. He scored a series of near falls with a backslide and roll-up. Jarrett bailed to ringside.

They showed Abyss standing in the upper deck holding the no.1 contender's contract. A referee ordered Storm to return to the back considering his interference a minute earlier. Harris went on another offensive flurry including a dropkick, clothesline, and dive onto Jarrett at ringside. Harris rammed Jarrett into the security railing right in front of his family. When he launched off the ladder toward Jarrett, Jarrett sidestepped him so Harris landed on the railing. Jarrett got in Harris's mother's face. She screamed back at him. Back in the ring Jarrett hit a top rope crossbody block. Harris rolled through and scored a near fall. They showed Killings watching the match from the rafters, also, since had just won a match to earn a top contender's ranking, also. Jarrett gave Harris a spinebuster at 8:00 for a two count. Nice to see Jarrett actually use a move he doesn't usually use.

Harris came back by dropping Jarrett over the top rope and then clotheslined him to the mat. Harris gave Jarrett a full nelson slam, then went for a top rope legdrop. Jarrett moved, then applied his figure-four leglock. Russo then walked to the ring with a white towel in his hand. Tenay didn't mention the towel. Harris reversed the figure-four at 10:45. When Jarrett reached for the bottom rope, Harris crawled more toward the center of the ring. Jarrett rolled into the bottom rope to force a break. They exchanged punches in center-ring. Harris pulled a superman "bring it on" no-sell comeback. He hit Jarrett with a high flying lariat. Then he hit a belly-to-belly, but during the pin Jarrett put his foot over the bottom rope. Harris clotheslined Jarrett over the security railing into the crowd.

Jarrett leaped off the top turnbuckle and onto Jarrett in the crowd. Not the most graceful attempt at that move, but the crowd popped for it based on his merely attempting a move so out of character. Jeremy Borash announced that if both men didn't return to the ring by ten, Jarrett would retain the title. The ref slowly counted as Jarrett returned to the ring at seven and Harris at nine. Harris then put Jarrett into the high vertical delay suplex. Harris hit a top rope elbowdrop for a near fall at 15:30. Harris set up the catatonic, but Jarrett escaped. Harris then hit the spear for a two count. Harris went for another spear, but mistakenly hit the ref instead of Jarrett. Tenay said Harris was disoriented and lost his ring awareness.

Jarrett then grabbed a chair. Russo called for a new ref. Harris also grabbed a chair and nailed Jarrett's chair with his chair. The second ref entered and counted a near fall on Jarrett. Jarrett then KO'd Harris with his title belt as the ref was shoving the chairs out of the ring. Harris kicked out just before three. Harris then hit his Catatonic finisher for another near fall. Jarrett shoved Harris and the second ref went down. Jarrett then hit an awkward looking stroke. The ref counted another near fall. Harris kicked out because Jarrett's cover was too cocky. Jarrett grabbed a chair. The ref grabbed it from him. Storm then superkicked Jarrett. Russo yelled at Storm for interfering. The ref counted to almost three, but Raven yanked the ref out of the ring just before the third mat slap. Jarrett then grabbed his guitar and KO'd Harris. The ref then counted to three.

WINNER: Jarrett at 19:36.

STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- Very good TV main event. While the finishing sequence was exciting and fit with the storylines they're setting up, it seemed a bit "too 1999" and hurt the match when judged on its own merits. Harris was really good, but he seems a bit older or more sluggish than he should at his age in a bloated Triple H or Shane Douglas type of way. He'd benefit from working on being quicker rather than bigger so his offense had a bit more snap and finesse. Overall, though, Jarrett's best showing in a long time and a main event worthy performance from Harris.

-After the match Russo said Raven would regret his interference. Russo said he would never overrule a referee's decision, but he would force Jarrett to defend the title again in the tallest cage in wrestling. Raven stood in the ring. Styles attacked him. They had a slugfest as the show went off the air.

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