NWA-TNA pay-per-view #9
August 14, 2002
Nashville, Tenn. at the Fairgrounds
Report by Howie Hecht, Torch correspondent (filling in for Wade Keller)

Jeremy Borash started off the program by introducing new NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Ron "The Truth" Killings.

In an in-ring promo, Killings renamed the Coliseum the "TNA Asylum." He spoke about being a bitter man, and how his race has made it difficult to compete his whole life. He gave a background of his past in the World Wrestling Federation, and claimed a WWF Senior Official told him he could not make the same mistakes as others because he is "a black man in a white man's world." He went on to proclaim that he is a "damn legend." The Truth complained about running into prejudices wherever you go, and that he made the best of an opportunity last week by challenging for and winning the World Title.

Jeff Jarrett's music cued up, as Jarrett interrupted The Truth's promo from the entrance ramp. JJ referred to Killings as "Walt Disney" and reiterated last week's complaint that he is a victim of reverse discrimination. Jarrett claimed he has been robbed week after week to get an opportunity at the World Heavyweight Title, and challenged The Truth to give him a title shot tonight. The Truth said if that's what he wants, to come to the ring to get it. As Jarrett made his way to the ring, Bill Behrens made his way to ringside wearing a ridiculous looking cowboy hat and referring to himself as "Bad Boy Billy Behrens." Behrens called Jarrett "Slap Nutz" and said that Ricky Steamboat would not be there tonight, therefore the Bad Boy is in charge. He said they could brawl wherever they wanted to tonight, but the NWA would not sanction it, and therefore it would not be a title shot.

Suddenly, Brian Lawler came through the crowd and attacked Jarrett. Lawler fought Jarrett around ringside. In a funny spot, Lawler tried to take a chair from a fan, but the fan would not let go. Security stepped in to keep the chair out of Lawler's hands. Both men were separated. Lawler screamed something to Jarrett about "What have you done?!"

Mike Tenay, Ed Ferrara, and Don West previewed the rest of the event, including the World Tag Title match and the single elimination X Title defense by Low Ki against the Flying Elvises.

(1) The Spanish Announce Team (The Maximos and Amazing Red) beat Kid Kash & Shark Boy & Slim Jay at 10:35. Kash hit a Huracanrana at ringside on Joel, followed by a Tope by Shark Boy onto Jose. Slim Jay hit a top rope moonsault onto the SATs at ringside at 3:00, followed by Shark Boy and then Kid Kash onto the crowd of opponents below. At 5:00, one of the SATs put Slim Jay into a Torture Rack, followed by a double boot stomp from the top rope by both Red and the other SAT. A double-surfboard Boston Crab on Slim Jay followed at 5:25. Kid Kash hit a power slam off the top rope on Red for only a near fall. Tenay and West screamed at ringside. Slim Jay grabbed his crotch and missed a top rope feeding splash attempt onto Red, who moved out of the way. Shark Boy hit the Explosion on Jose for a near fall at 9:10. Kid Kash hit a brainbuster on Jose for a near fall at 9:40. Lots of action in this match. The SATs hit the Spanish Fly at 10:15 on Slim Jay, but hurt themselves in the process. Amazing Red followed up with his "Infrared" twisting moonsault off the top rope onto Slim Jay for the pin at 10:35. Good action, some sloppy, but otherwise plenty of well-executed moves as well.

The X Girls danced as upcoming NWA shows scrolled across the bottom of the screen.

Goldy Locks interviewed the Dupps backstage, and threatened them not to touch her. The Dupps talked about MTV's "Cribs" show, and debuted their own show called "Sh*tters." They opened an outhouse that has been preserved for 5 years, as Goldy acted nauseous from the smell.

Miss TNA Bruce was introduced. Bruce gave an in-ring promo and talked about what he has beneath his gown making him more woman than any woman in the arena. He claimed that all married men around the world secretly fantasize about Miss TNA. Bruce issued a challenge for any woman in the crowd to face him, and put the Miss TNA title and $5000 on the line. Jeremy Borash found a larger woman at ringside and had her sign a release. She made her way into the ring and the bell rang.

(2) Bruce beat an unidentified woman from the crowd to retain the Miss TNA Title and $5000 at 2:02. The woman immediately gave Bruce a Rock Bottom followed by a slam and a leg drop. She obviously is a trained wrestler. She threw Bruce to ringside and body slammed him to the floor. The woman threw Bruce back into the ring and slammed him again, followed by Bruce cradling her into a small package for the three count.

Goldy interviewed Jeff Jarrett backstage, who didn't want to talk about the Tag Title Match, but instead his feud with The Truth. Jarrett found Bill Behrens in a bathroom stall and threw him against a wall, as Behrens pants were wrapped around his ankles..

One of the Dupps bumped into midget wrestler Teo, and challenged him to a Dupp Cup match later in the night.

(3) Don Harris beat in a Last Man Standing Match at 6:56. The Disciples of the New Church have been banned from ringside. Harris used a chair on Malice at 0:15. Malice retook control at 1:20 by throwing powder into Harris's eyes. Malice worked over Harris with the chair at ringside. Malice retrieved a chain from under the ring, but Harris took control of the chain and choked Malice with it. Malice bladed. Harris pulled a table from under the ring and threw it into the ring. Don West commented on Malice not being "the same fighter" without Father James Mitchell at ringside. Harris hit a big boot onto a chair, driving the chair into Malice's face. Harris setup the table in center ring. Malice hit a power bomb on Harris at 5:15. Fans at ringside changed "table, table." Harris reversed a chokeslam attempt into a DDT. Malice attempted a backdrop suplex off the top rope that sent both men through the table at 6:45. Harris beat the ten count to his feet to win the match.

After the match, Don Harris extended a fist to Malice, who returned the favor in a show of respect for Harris. Tenay speculated on what Father Mitchell would say about the show of respect.

Goldy interviewed the Dupps backstage about the Dupp Cup match against Teo. Stan Dupp expressed his fear of midgets, ever since the Oompa Loompas from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. (Funny, they always scared me as well, but I was more frightened by the girl in that movie who turned into a blueberry. I haven't touched a blueberry since the tender age of seven as a result.) Bo tried to calm his concerns and told Stan that he would take care of the wrestling tonight. The Dupps are two of the worst actors of all time.

(4) Teo beat Bo Dupp (w/Stan Dupp) to win the Dupp Cup at 6:30. Mike Tenay turned the match over to Ed & Don, saying they did such a great job last week. Teo nailed Jeremy Borash for 2-1/2 points. Teo hit Bo with a garbage lid and then a child's stick pony down low. Stan cried at ringside, and lost his brother five points for doing so. Bo came back with a splash on Teo and then some weapons from the crowd to make a comeback in points. Bo threw Teo into a board that says "No Little People" on it for more points. Both men fought to ringside, where Bo opened the outhouse that was shown earlier, only to be nailed by midget Puppet with a Singapore cane. Teo gave Bo a swirly in the outhouse to earn 10 points and win the Dupp Cup.

The X Girls danced again as more upcoming NWA shows scrolled the bottom of the screen and Mike Tenay previewed more matches for later in the PPV.

Clips aired of the feud history between Alpha Male Monte Brown and Elix Skipper, including last week's Brown interview where Skipper attacked him.

(5) "Alpha Male" Monte Brown beat Prime Time Elix Skipper in a Detroit Street Fight at 5:41. Skipper gave an in ring promo, proclaiming the ring "his house" and taunting Brown. Brown attacked Skipper on the entrance ramp, and both men brawled to the ring. Brown hung Skipper with a shirt over the top rope at 1:05. Brawling with various weapons followed at ringside, leading to Skipper choking Brown with a chain at 2:10. Brown hit the Matrix at 3:57. Skipper placed a trash can on Brown at ringside, then did a tope out of the ring onto the trash can and Brown. Brown hit the Alphalution at 5:05, and followed with an Alpha bomb power bomb onto a trash can for the pin. Winner: Monte Brown at 5:41.

Goldy interviewed the Flying Elvises backstage about their X Title match tonight. Estrada talked about their black armbands commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death. Siaki was not wearing an armband. Siaki interrupted Yang and played up his heel evolution by saying that the King died on a toilet taking a dump, and that the Flying Elvises team has been about one thing, Sonny Siaki. Estrada and Yang threw up their arms in confusion over Siaki's arrogance.

(6) Low Ki beat Jimmy Yang and Sonny Siaki and Jose Estrada in a four-way single-elimination match to retain the X Title at 9:03. A Low Ki chant emerged early, as Siaki started the match in the ring. Each man not in the match took a different corner, in an apparent four-way tag for the title. Siaki scored a near fall at 1:00 with a drop power bomb. Estrada hit the "Trip to Graceland" at 1:45. Low Ki hit a Dragon Sleeper over the ropes ("Bite of the Dragon") on Estrada at 2:40. Yang tagged in at 3:10 and took over offense on Low Ki. Yang did a nice leg scissors sleeper move Low Ki while hanging over the corner turnbuckle on at 4:35. Estrada tagged in to face his tag partner Yang. Yang made Estrada tap out at 6:30. Low Ki reentered the ring. Yang hit a missile dropkick on Low Ki at 7:00. Low Ki came back to hit the Ki Krusher at 7:40 for the pin on Yang. We're down to Siaki and Low Ki. Both men exchanged moves. Low Ki surprised Siaki (who was distracted by Yang at ringside) with a rollup for the pin.

Footage aired from earlier of the day of Goldy going for ride with Jerry Lynn in his truck. Lynn said he and A.J. Styles would be professionals tonight, and put animosity over last week's X Title match aside. Lynn interrupted, pulled over, and said he had something to take care of. Lynn attacked Styles, who was standing outside a shop on the street, and left him lying.

Disco Inferno came out for his "Jive Talking" segment. Disco claimed to have a legit movie star as his guest this week, and introduced "Dean" Baldwin. Baldwin gave commentary about NWA TNA, and claimed to be working on a big film project in Nashville, "Urban Heartthrobs", starring "Frank Stallone" and Carrot Top. He said the movie only budgeted for one Baldwin, so his brothers would not be appearing. Disco took the interview into the gutter by asking about Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger in the bedroom until Brian Lawler interrupted. Baldwin smarted off to Lawler and told him he didn't have time for autographs. Lawler beat up the fake Baldwin brother and destroyed the set. (Commentary: I just wasted four minutes of my life experiencing that pointless segment. If they are trying to get Lawler over as a bad ass, I'm not convinced.)

Goldy found the Dupps in the back complaining about losing the Dupp Cup.

(7) Jerry Lynn & A.J. Styles fought Jeff Jarrett & "The Truth" Ron Killings to a double pin, which resulted in the NWA World Tag Titles being held up. The match was announced as tonight's main event. Killings came out to some crowd heat. Killings and Jarrett attacked Lynn before Styles appeared at ringside, and the announcers questioned whether Styles would show up. Styles showed up at 0:45 and pulled Jarrett and Killings off of Lynn. Styles hit a nice dropkick on Jarrett at 1:20. Styles then hit an Asai moonsault onto Jarrett at 2:00. Lynn and Killings entered the ring while Jarrett and Styles continued to brawl at ringside. All four competitors are supplying lots of action and well-paced ring psychology. Lynn hit a nice top rope bulldog on Killings at 3:15. Jarrett broke up the pin attempt. Each team appeared to be getting along fairly well, even though the announcers played up the feud on each side of the ring. Jarrett took over offense on Lynn at 4:30. Jarrett and Killings continued to work over Lynn by playing the heels as Lynn continued to unsuccessfully try for the tag. Lynn got a rollup near fall at 5:50. Killings hit a nice axe kick at 6:05 for yet another near fall. Jarrett went for the Stroke, but it was reversed by Lynn into a sleeper, followed by a Jarrett reversal into a sleeper in center ring. Jarrett put Lynn in the Figure Four Leglock, but Lynn reversed it at 7:20. The Truth tagged in and gave Lynn a half-hearted pinfall attempt. Lynn came back with a top rope Tornado DDT on Killings at 9:05. Jarrett and Styles finally tagged in, and Styles used a series of kicks on Jarrett. Styles tried to get the Styles Clash on Jarrett at 10:00, but Killings broke it up before he could lock the hold in. Styles followed with another near fall, but Killings continued to make the save. Referee Scott Armstrong was bumped down by Styles, followed by Lynn getting a visual three count on Jarrett. The ref was still down as Lynn got the Cradle Piledriver on Killings, but still no finish. Finally, Jarrett scored a pin on Lynn while Styles also pinned Killings, as both referees claimed to have counted the official three count. Bullet Bob Armstrong came in the ring and held up the NWA Tag Titles until further notice. Winners: No Contest.

Armstrong notified Killings that he would have to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title vs. Monte Brown next week, and that Styles and Lynn would fight next week for the right to an X Title shot. Lynn wanted Falls Count Anywhere, and Styles wanted No DQ. Armstrong said it would be two out of three falls, with the first fall being Falls Count Anywhere, the second being No DQ, and if it goes a third fall, it would be an Iron Man Match with a 10 minute time limit, where most pinfalls gets an X Title shot the following week. Armstrong told Jarrett that he would have a surprise for him next week, as Jarrett complained about continuing to get overlooked.

The announcers recapped next week's card at ringside, and Don West did his hyper-spastic promo. The fans chanted "Truth" at ringside while West plugged the NWA World Title match.

Tenay interrupted, saying something was going on in back. Lawler attacked Jarrett in the back and choked him, shouting "I'm going to kill you!" as the PPV went off the air.

Howie's Commentary: An okay show, not nearly as good as last week, but still some very good wrestling with storylines being advanced. The non-finish in the main event was disappointing, but still left me wondering what direction they are going with the tag titles. Bob Armstrong works as an Enforcer, but Ricky Steamboat has so much more credibility, and missing him on tonight's show hurt the product. It was interesting to see them push the X Division by having the former X Champ pin the current World Champ. I wonder if WWE would ever give their Cruiserweights that type of a credibility boost (moreso than a Rey Mysterio win over Kurt Angle)? Low Ki's match was good, but not great like last week, with the Siaki storyline continuing to be advanced. I could really do without the Dupps, but will watch as long as Goldy is on the screen at the same time. She has major league potential, even though she would much rather be a breakout singer. Overall, this show was worth the 10 dollars, but not much more, and I wasn't so impressed that I would go back and watch the replay.

You can send me your comments at BrassBone1@aol.com.

***

If you saw the PPV, we want to know your thoughts on the event. Send your 1-10 score, picks for best and worst matches, and some brief thoughts on the show to PPVfeedback@pwtorch.com.

The next Torch Newsletter will include Wade Keller's final match-by-match star ratings, along with reviews of the event (including 1-10 scores) from Pat McNeill, Jason Powell, Bruce Mitchell, and Wade Keller.

We suggest these recent related articles...

KELLER’S WWE MSG SPECIAL REPORT 10/3: Lesnar vs. Big Show, Cena vs. Seth in a cage, Jericho vs. Owens in an IC Title match, Dudleys vs. New Day for tag titles

McNEILL's Late Night Deadblog - WWE Night of Champions: Bucklebombs, Light-up Jackets, Poachers, IcoPro, Eddie, more!

KELLER’S WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS PPV REPORT 9/20: Ongoing “virtual time” coverage of event including Sting vs. Seth, Cena vs. Seth, Ryback vs. Owens, mystery partner with Reigns & Ambrose, Divas Title, Tag Title, more