By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT
NOVEMBER 13, 2011
ORLANDO, FLA. AT MGM STUDIOS
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

-A video package aired that compared Robert Roode's heel turn to real-life politics with various policians stating various things intersperced with iconic war and political images. It was a bit of a stretch and too abstract.

-Mike Tenay introduced the show and said A.J. Styles would challenge Robert Roode for the TNA World Hvt. Title. No mention of his ankle injury. They went to the announce desk with Tenay and Taz, who discussed the attitude change in Roode. Taz said neither he nor James Storm saw it coming.

1 -- ERIC YOUNG vs. ROBBIE E. (w/Robbie T. i.e. Rob Terry) -- TNA TV Title Match

Taz said Young's beard looks like a "nasty, stinky, dirt bush." They fought at ringside in the opening minute. Young hugged several fans at ringside excitedly before returning to the ring to go after Robbie E. A minute later he locked up with So Cal Val at ringside just for fun. "It wouldn't be the first time So Cal Val locked up with a guy with a beard like that before," Taz said. A minute later Robbie T. clotheslined Young to give Robbie E. the first advantage of the match. At 6:00 Young removed his shorts and revealed "GTW" trunks underneath. Young disrobed one more layer revealing hot purple bikini shorts. At ringside, Robbie T. knocked Young off the ring apron, then threw him into the ring. Robbie E. then covered him for the win.

WINNER: Robbie E. in 8:00 to capture the TV Title. (*)

(WK Reax: That finish was weak as the sweep by Terry just didn't seem like enough to end the match. It would have been better if Robbie E. gave him one more move leading to the pin. Also, Eric Young, from behind, with his massive muscles looks like Hercules Hernandez from the WWF in the 1980s. They don't push him as a massively muscular guy (and standing next to Robbie T. he has strong competition as the flashing-red-light of the match) but he's one of the more muscular wrestlers in TNA. Also, I might add, unnecessarily so as it adds nothing to his gimmick and performance.)

-They showed A.J. Styles arriving at the arena earlier, looking all-business. Then the showed World Champ Bobby Roode arriving with the title belt over his shoulder.

2 -- HERNANDEZ & ANARCHIA & SARITA (Mexican America w/Rosita) vs. SHANNON MOORE & JESSE NEAL & TOXXIN (Ink Inc.) -- TNA Tag Team Title Match

(Check out my 55 minute interview from Friday's PWTorch Liveast with Jesse Neal here: PWTORCH LIVECAST with Jesse Neal.)

Taz said he wouldn't be crazy about being tag champs and having to worry about a third team member screwing up for him. Moore battled Anarchia early. A minute in Moore tagged Neal into the ring against Hernandez. Hernandez outpoured Neal early. They went forehead-to-forehead, then shoved one another. Neal chopped Hernandez to the mat, although Hernandez bumped half way into the air before Neal even touched him, so the timing wasn't great. Moore tagged in and sunset flipped Hernandez for a two count at 3:00. At 6:00 Sarita and Toxxin tagged in. Hernandez broke up a pin attempt by Toxxin a minute later. Moore and Neal attacked Hernandez and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. Moore then flip dove onto Hernandez at ringside. Neal then went after Anarchia inside the ring. Neal dropped Toxxin onto Anarquia, to which Taz said, "I've had worse things done to me." Neal and Toxxin then yanked down Anarquia's pants and underwear. His bare ass was shown on TV, but the reaction of the fans who saw his front-side indicates they have seen much more. Then Sarita hit Toxxin with the tag title belt and scored the pin. The tattoo was never visible, so the mystery of the tattoo that Ink Inc. put on him against his will wasn't exactly solved.

WINNER: Mexican America in 9:00 to retain the TNA Tag Titles. (*1/4)

(WK Reax: A watchable lower card match, but nothing that's going to cause people to consider the tag team division an added reason to order to TNA PPVs. A tag division, to draw, has to be exceptional, history shows, either in terms of the personalities or the workrate and athleticism.)

-Jeremy Borash interviewed Kid Kash and Austin Aries backstage. Kash vowed to make sure Jesse Sorrensen shows them respect. He started to say he's going to "cut his ass" if the in-ring beating doesn't work. Aries interrupted mid-sentence and said he can't say that. Kash said he'll say whatever he wants. Ariese said this isn't high school. It doesn't matter whether he was prom king or how many touchdowns he threw. Kash said he'll get a big surprise from him. He said he'll be in the ring with two very well seasoned veterans. He started to overheat again and called him a "little bitch." Again, Aries tried to calm him down.

(WK Reax: So we have a three-way match for the X Division Title with the champion and one of the challengers - both heels - doing an interview together. So does the title matter to Kash at all, or just beating Sorrensen to a pulp?)

3 -- AUSTIN ARIES vs. KID KASH vs. JESSE SORRENSEN -- X Division Title Match

It started with Sorrensen vs. Kash, with Aries maneuvering on the ring apron so he could then attack Sorrensen from behind. Sorrensen fought back, though, and knocked Aries out of the ring. Kash, though, attack Sorrensen with a hard chop. Sorrensen, though, came back to tossed Kash to the floor, then flip-dove onto both heels at ringside at 2:00. A minute later Aries broke up a pin attempt by Kash on Sorrensen by tapping on his back. Sorrensen kicked out anyway, bumt kasha stood up and objected. Aries seemed to be reminding him that they had some sort of deal that Kash would beat up Sorrensen, but not try to win the title, or else he reminded him that he should keep the beating on Kash going a little longer. Taz and Tenay speculated about the potential agreement the two have with one another.

At 5:00 Sorrensen made a comeback. Taz wondered where he was getting this resilience. The tension began to build between Kash and Aries. Kas was at ringside jawing with fans, but then when Aries covered Sorrensen, Kash yanked him off by his leg. Aries yelled at him and told him to stick to "the plan." Their arguing gave Sorrensen time to recover. He chopped both of them, but ended up getting cut off pretty quickly due to being outnumbered. The heels each climbed up onto the top rope. Sorrensen lifted his knees for Aries's frog splash. Kash still went for a move himself, but Sorrensen moved. He scored a two count on Aries after a spinning neckbreaker. Aries charged at Sorrensen in the corner, but Sorrensen lifted his leg and gave him a big boot. When he went for the cover, Kash broke it up. Kash superplexed Sorrensen at 12:00, but rather than go for the pin, he gave Sorrensen his "Money Maker" piledriver. Aries put Sorrensen's foot on th bottom rope, but Kash didn't see it. He thought he won the belt for a few seconds. Aries then snuck into the ring and schoolboyed Kash for the win.

WINNER: Aries in 13:00 to retain the TNA X Division Title. (**1/2)

(WK Reax: That worked for what they were aiming for. The finish was a little clumsy as Aries snuck into the ring when Kash was turned toward him, so Kash had to turn his back and argue the ref in order to set up the schoolboy from behind. I suppose the argument could be made Kash didn't anticipate Aries turning on him, so it didn't matter that he saw him, but it did look a little off. The action was good, but not great; the story of "the plan" between Kash and Aries was the main thrust of the match and they pulled that off.)

-Borash interviewed Styles backstage who said Roode spit in the face of all of the fans of TNA, so tonight he plans to do more than spit in his face, he plans to knock it off. He told him to enjoy what time he has left as World Champion.

4 -- CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. ROB VAN DAM -- No DQ Match

Daniels said before the match, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait." He said it shouldn't have gotten to this point of a savage no DQ match. He proposed a regular match because he's a real wrestler, not a hardcore brawler like RVD, and this is Impact Wrestling where Wrestling Matters. He said that's what the fans wanted. He called RVD "Bob" throughout the promo. He called for a gentleman's agreement. RVD looked to the fans, then shook his hand. Daniels yanked RVD right into a headlock. RVD outwrestled Daniels a minute later, so Daniels retreated to ringside to regroup. Lots of headlocks and nerve holds from Daniels on offense. When RVD made a comeback and hit a flurry of offensive moves, Daniels tried to retreat. RVD chased after him up the ramp and threw him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Daniels threw the ref into RVD, then gave RVD his STO. Taz pointed out it's a no-DQ match so he can technically do that despite the gentleman's agreement. Daniels then jabbed RVD in the gut with a chair and chokeslammed him into the chair for a near fall at 11:00. Daniels grabbed a screwdriver from ringside and swung it at RVD. RVD blocked it with a chair, gave Daniels a Van Damintor, then hit the Five-Star for the win.

WINNER: RVD in 12:00. (**)

(WK Reax: The first half was kind of slow with some rudimentary action. Daniels's personality lately makes up for some of the slow pacing and rudimentary holds early in his matches. All in all, a decent effort and overall match.)

-Borash interviewed Robbie T and Robbie E backstage. Robbie T wouldn't let Borash get near Robbie E to question him until Robbie E said "he's on the list." Robbie said the TV Title belt proves he is a big-time star. He said he plans to hold the TV Title for a long, long, long, long time "because I'm jacked, and therefore I do whatever I want to do." He said there's going to be a hell of party tonight because "bling equals bitches." Borash was good portraying a Niles Crane-like discomfort with the aggressive energy exhibited by Robbie E inches from his face.

5 -- CRIMSON vs. MATT MORGAN

They began with a test of strength. It was a stalemate. Morgan shoved Crimson off of him and shook his head. Crimson tilted his. They collided mid-ring and neither budged. Morgan flexed and pounded his chest. Next came a Greco Roman knuckle lock. Another stalemate until Crimson backed off. Taz said that was a sign of Crimson recognizing Morgan's height advantage playing a part. Morgan finally took Crimson down with a discus clothesline, but Crimson avoided a Carbon Footprint, then dove at Morgan and took him down with a clothesline. Morgan came back by clotheslining Crimson over the top rope to the floor. Good early few minutes playing off of this being a battle of two strong giants. Crimson raked Morgan's eyes at ringside, then threw him into the security railing.

Morgan came back and went on sustained offense for a while including some two counts. He hit a barrage of blows on Crimson in the corner, but Crimson no-sold them and made a comeback with a flurry of clotheslines and then his overhead exploder suplex for a two count. Crimson then locked on a cobra clutch on the mat. Morgan countered into a leverage two count. Morgan came back with a chokeslam for a near fall. Crimson avoided a Carbon Footprint and Crismon countered with a spear for a near fall. Morgan finally landed a big boot, so Crimson tumbled to the floor. Morgan pulled Crimson back into the ring and scored a near fall. Crimson caught Morgan with his Red Sky move out of nowhere leading to a two count. Tenay said he must've expected that to finish Morgan as that's been giving him so many victories for a year.

Both men caught their breath for a minute and stared each other down from across the ring, then moved back to the center. Morgan talked to Crimson and asked him to give him his best shot, sort of like Cain Velasquez did to Junior Dos Santos last night. Morgan ate a punch and smiled. Morgan punched Crimson, Crimson smiled. They continued to challenge each other to a punch-off. They re-locked up. The ref tried to separate them fore some reason, apparently because they were both using closed fists, although the announcer didn't even venture a guess. They shoved the ref down, and the ref DQ'd both of them. They to brawl again until their arms were exhausted. Security ran in and pulled them apart. Crimson broke free and for the millionth time this year, a pullapart brawl led to wrestlers breaking free and brawling with each other again. This spot has been really overdone this year, especially in TNA. Crimson said, "I'll take everything you've got" as he was escorted to the back by security. Tenay said nothing was settled.

WINNER: DDQ in 12:00. (*3/4)

(WK Reax: It really is ridiculous that neither Mike Tenay nor Taz bothered to address why the ref was intervening when the two were punching each other. Did they not know why? Every viewer had to be wondering why it happened, or why the announcers didn't tell them why it was happening or at least wonder aloud. The match itself also told a good story given who was battling and the backstory of the match. As a mid-card match, I'm okay with the finish. You hate to hear an announcer, on PPV, say "nothing was settled," but this seemed like a tough match to book a finish for when you look at both men involved and where they want to go from here.)

-Borash interviewed Scott Steiner and Bully Ray backstage. Ray told Steiner to just flex. Steiner interjected and said this match will be a walk in the park. He said he knows all of Abyss's strengths and weaknesses. He said he went to the ugly parts of Parts Unknown and learned about all of his weaknesses. He said the bad news is, when they beat him, he has to go out with Abyss' girlfriend. "She's not only ugly, she's fat," he said. Ray said they are tag team royalty. He said he's one-half of the greatest tag team of all time, and Steiner is Steiner. Steiner shoved him and said he's half of the greatest tag team ever. Ray told Borash the tin foil from his hat is leaking into his brain. When Borash tried to talk, Ray shoved him and told him to shut up.

6 -- SCOTT STEINER & BULLY RAY vs. MR. ANDERSON & ABYSS

The heels dominated the first five minutes as Anderson milked trying to hot-tag Abyss into the ring. The crowd, rather than sympathizing with the babyfaces and rooting against the heels, entertained themselves with chants for "Frankensteiner." Abyss finally hot-tagged in at 8:00 and beat up both Ray and Steiner. He then tagged in Anderson who hit Steiner with a top rope bodyblock for a two count. The crowd chanted "Steiner! Steiner!" again showing how damaged Anderson is in front of this crowd of Impact Zone regulars and also that Steiner has reached a point where being a babyface is probably the right role for him (other than retirement; the poor guy is 50 going on 70 physically). Steiner finally gave Anderson a Frankensteiner, which popped the crowd. Abyss was the legal man in the ring, though. As Steiner argued with the ref, Abyss gave him a Black Hole Slam for the pin. The ref counted super-fast, apparently in retaliation for Steiner yelling at him and shoving him. Afterward, Ray set up a table, then Steiner and Ray slammed Abyss through the table. Abyss popped up and no-sold it. Ray made bug-eyes and retreated.

WINNERS: Abyss & Anderson in 12:00. (*1/4)

(WK Reax: An "entertaining" tag match with some "stars" that never felt serious, as everyone kind of played this up like a legends show or house show comedy match. The tone just felt off, and the crowd response indicates everyone failed at their mobs as Ray is supposed to have more than comedy heat and Anderson is supposed to be a top babyface.)

-Borash interviewed Karen Jarrett with Gail Kim & Madison Rayne. Karen said the Women's Division reflects on her, so she can't have a nasty, skanky, smart-mouthed ho bitch running things, so she found Kim, the perfect role model for women and children everywhere. She said she can represent the company and look the way a Knockouts Champion should look. Rayne tried to get some attention and Karen patronized her by saying she looks good too. Karen said she doesn't need her or Rayne out there tonight. She told Kim she brought her to TNA to show all of the others how business is supposed to be taken care of.

7 -- VELVET SKY vs. GAIL KIM -- Knockouts Title Match

Sky took control early. Kim took over a minute in. Karen applauded on the stage. Tenay complained that Karen cheerleads and doesn't show any objectivity in her role. Kim applied an abdominal stretch at 3:00. More back and forth action for a couple minutes, then Madison Rayne attacked Velvet with an awkward backbreaker as Karen distracted the ref. Kim crawled over and covered Sky for a near fall. Sky avoided a top rope senton splash by Kim and then scored a two count. Rayne grabbed Sky's foot as Karen distracted the ref. Kim then KO'd Sky with her finisher for the win.

WINNER: Kim in 6:00 to capture the TNA Knockouts Title.

-Backstage Eric Bischoff told someone on a cell phone that it's not his fault. He won Father of the Year with this line: "If you would have been half as concerned with taking your birth control pills twenty-seven years ago instead of whether or not your shoes met your damn purse, I wouldn't have this problem on my hands. Don't worry, Thursday night he'll be mine. I'll send him back in a bag." A frazzled Ray walked up to Bischoff and said they need to do something about Abyss. He said he and Steiner just put him through a table and he jumped right up. He said maybe the direction they're going with Abyss is wrong. Bischoff told him to calm down and take care of it and be the leader and take control. He said he'd support him however he wants. Bischoff told Ray maybe they should go try to find Abyss and see if things can't be worked out.

8 -- JEFF HARDY vs. JEFF JARRETT (w/Karen Jarrett)

This is like WCW at one point where it seemed everyone had some version of some title belt wrapped around their wastes, as Jarrett continues to wear the "Mexican Championship" title belt to the ring with him. Jeff Hardy wore a strange mask when he walked out. Taz asked, "What the hell?" Hardy surprised Jarrett with a Twist of Fate at the opening bell and beat Dos Santos's win by a full minute.

WINNER: Hardy in 0:06.

8b -- JEFF HARDY vs. JEFF JARRETT (w/Karen Jarrett)

Jarrett asked for another chance. Hardy agreed, so the ref started a new match or a "new fall." Jarrett beat up Hardy for several minutes, but then Hardy avoided a Stroker and went for a Twist of Fate. Jarrett countered and went for the figure-four. Hardy small packaged him for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 5:00.

-Afterward Karen threw a fit at the referee as Jarrett tried to collect his thoughts. Then he charged at Hardy and bashed him over the head with a stiff unprotected chairshot to the skull. Jarrett dragged Hardy back to the ring and gave him a Stroke in the ring. Jarrett asked the ref for another chance, another fall. Karen shoved Earl Hebner into the ring and insisted he count a pin after Jarrett gave Hardy a Stroke. Hardy leveraged out of the pin attempt and crucifix pinned Jarrett. Jarrett threw a third fit.

(WK Reax: Unbelieveable. How does a top exec in a company think it's okay to hit a guy with a pain pill addiction problem with a stiff chairshot to the head? How does that even enter his mind as acceptable? If he weren't an exec, and that was unscripted, he should be fired over it, no matter what Hardy agreed to ahead of time. How deep is your head buried in 2011 that you don't get that everything in the sports world in recent years has turned to top level concern for new information about the accumulated long-term effects of concussions? I don't care what the rationalization is in terms of using "proper technique" or "knowing just how to make contact without doing damage," it's not something that should be part of the wrestling industry in 2011.)

-They went to Tenay and Taz at ringside previewing the main event. Then they cut backstage to Crimson, Sorrensen, Young, and Styles congratulating Hardy for his win. Styles shaking his head and patting him on the shoulder was played up as the locker room leader showing acceptance for Hardy's return after being resentful of him previously. Taz said that's a big deal considering the push-back against him in recent months.

-Borash interviewed Roode who said, "I was Beer Money, I was Fortune." He said he never needed James Storm, Kazarian, or Styles. He said they just crammed his space and prevented him from reaching his full potential, and now that he's kicked them all to the curb, he proudly stands there as the World Champion. He said Storm's jealousy was too much for him to handle. He said he will win at any costs and do whatever it takes to retain the title. He said he is the leader of the Selfish Generation and the It-Factor of Professional Wrestling.

9 -- ROBERT RODOE vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA Impact Wrestling World Hvt. Title Match

Styles got in the majority of the offensive action in the opening five minutes. Roode came back and began scoring near falls at 6:00. Styles came back with a superplex at 9:00, but he was slow to get up. They slugged it out mid-ring. Styles gave Roode an FU backbreaker for a two count at 10:00. Styles springboarded at Roode, but came up short and it capped off an awkward minute of exchanges, perhaps hindered by Styles's sore sprained ankle. The crowd was pretty dead after that, with a small scattering of calls for a Pele kick. Roode came back with a Double R spinebuster for a two count. Styles went for a springboard flip splash, but Roode moved. Roode lifted Styles,m but Styles countered with a roll-through and then a Styles Clash attempt. Roode slipped free and applied a crossface mid-ring at 12:00. Styles couldn't lift Roode for a powerbomb very high and just seemed exhausted and perhaps weakened by the condition of his ankle. He came back with a springboard flying crossbody for a near fall.

As Styles tried to back suplex Roode, the ref walked up to them. Roode mule kicked Styles, which also hit the ref. Both went down. Roode noticed the ref was hurt, so he called him over to count his cover on Styles. He made the cover, but Styles kicked out. Roode complained about the count being too slow. Styles surprised the complaining Roode with a small package for a two count. Styles then caught Roode with an enzuigiri. Roode eventually begged off. Styles gave him the finger in return, then spear tackled him and punched away at him aggressively, throwing in some knees too. Styles then dropped Roode crotch-first over the top rope. Styles charged at Roode, diving through the ropes to the floor. Roode side-stepped him and shoved him hard to the mat. Roode rolled Styles into the ring and gave him a fisherman's suplex into a bridge for a near fall. Roode got bug-eyed with dismay. He went over to Styles and attempted another, but Styles countered with a Pele kick. Roode staggered and dropped to the mat. Styles set up a Styles Clash. Roode broke free and yanked on Styles's trunks for the win.

WINNER: Roode in 20:00 to retain the TNA World Hvt. Title. (***)

(WK Reax: Okay match for a main event. Didn't feel anything close to a show-saver or a must-see. It didn't really get Roode's title reign off to a strong start, but you can get a sense of how they're going to book him. Styles seemed hampered by his ankle, which might explain some botched spots and mistimed exchanges.)

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