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PWTorch Newsletter Top Five Stories
(1) A.J. Styles captures NWA World Hvt. Title from Jeff Jarrett
After weeks of build-up for a Jeff Jarrett title defense against Chris Harris in a cage on the Apr. 21 NWA-TNA PPV, Harris was pulled from the match in an injury angle. He was replaced by Styles, who pinned Jarrett to become NWA World Hvt. Champion.
The match, nearly four stars in quality, included Jarrett using powder and a foreign object to try to finish off Styles, but Styles kept coming back. Late in the match, Styles climbed to the top of the cage. Jarrett shoved the ref into the side of the cage, knocking Styles off balance. Styles dangled from the top of the cage, nearly falling to the floor. Jarrett then ran himself into the side of the cage, bumping Styles completely to the floor.
TNA cage matches must end via pinfall or submission inside the cage, so Jarrett ordered the ref to open the cage door. Jarrett threw Styles into the cage and then brought his guitar into the cage with him. Styles recovered enough from his fall to block Jarrett's swing of the guitar and then scored a three count on Jarrett with a crucifix.
Styles shook hands with Vince Russo afterward. Styles and Jarrett traded the same title last year, with Styles beating Jarrett for the title on June 11, 2003 and regaining it from Jarrett on Oct. 22, 2003. Harris was unable to wrestle Jarrett as scheduled due to an attack by Raven at the start of the show. That angle delays the gratification of Harris getting the title shot he earned and gives Harris an additional feud to occupy himself with Raven.
***
NWA-TNA PPV RESULTS
APRIL 21, 2004
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTorch editor
Hosts: Mike Tenay and Don West.
(1) Abyss & Monty Brown beat Sabu & Raven. Raven no-showed, so Sabu took a beating throughout the match. He snuck in some highspots with the chair before falling victim to the double-teaming. Just as Tenay wondered aloud where Raven was, they went backstage where Raven was attacking Chris Harris...
Jeremy Borash interviewed Frankie "The Future" Kazarian who said he's lost interest in representing the NWA. Borash then asked David Young about his situation with Glenn Gilberti. Young said he hasn't been able to reach him by phone. Borash said maybe it has to do with his losing streak. Young said he is going to hit all home runs from now on.
(2) Shark Boy pinned David Young at 4:10. Tenay compared Young to Tony Falk, Barry Horowitz, and Mike Boyette, all wrestlers with high-profile losing streaks over the years. A small package won it for Shark despite Young otherwise dominating. (3/4*)
3 Live Krew came to the ring in camouflage. Konnan said as bad as things have been for them lately, it hasn't been as bad as it's been for David Young, "who couldn't be a star if a ninja threw him." Good line. He then complained about TNA politics. B.G. James came out and said they are ready for war and made a case for Russo putting Ron "The Truth" Killings in the cage match later against Jeff Jarrett if Harris couldn't make it because he deserved to have the title shot. Killings told the fans they can't handle the truth, then went into a dance.
(3) Glenn Gilberti & Johnny Swinger beat Simon Diamond & Sonny Siaki (w/Trinity) at 10:18. In the end, Swinger hit Siaki with a double-arm DDT for the win affter Trinity had shoved Siaki off the top rope. Desire ran out to attack Trinity, making her first appearance in nearly a year since breaking her neck. Desire and Siaki hugged. (*3/4)
Borash interviewed Russo backstage, asking him who he was going to pick to replace Harris. A.J. Styles walked in and demanded that he be Russo's choice. Russo told him he wouldn't give him the time of day for months as he's been trying to apologize to him, but now he wants a favor. "You should have thought of this six weeks ago," Russo said... A Christopher Daniels promo aired...
(4) Christopher Daniels pinned Michael Shane (w/Shane Douglas) at 13:29. Very good match with a goofy finish. Douglas interfered with a chain, KO'ing Daniels. Shane refused to make the pin until first superkicking Daniels, frustrating Douglas. When he went for the superkick, Daniels sidestepped it and then hit his finisher for the win. Team NWA congratulated Daniels on the rampway. (***1/4)
In the ring, Douglas asked Shane why he didn't go for the pin right away and instead insisted on hitting a superkick. Tracy rolled her eyes as they argued with each other again, then choked Douglas with his belt. Shane then superkicked Douglas and got in his face with some trash-talking... Borash interviewed Russo, asking for his decision. He said the locker room is full of anxious wrestlers, but he wouldn't make a snap decision. Abyss then entered the picture and grunted. Goldy Locks entered doing a new Hispanic accent this week...
(5) Dallas & Kid Kash beat D-Lo Brown & Apollo via DQ at 6:40 to capture the NWA Tag Team Titles. Apollo used a stick Dallas brought into the ring for the DQ. Lots of action, but no long-term selling at all. (*1/4)
Raven lobbied Russo to replace Harris... Jeff Jarrett assumed Russo gave Raven the shot, then complained... Russo walked out and revealed Styles was his choice...
(6) A.J. Styles pinned Jeff Jarrett to capture the NWA World Hvt. Title at 13:34. (***3/4)
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