NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #29
Date: January 22, 2003
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

It’s the Vince Russo/Sports Entertainment Xtreme show and last week saw the debut if Nikita Koloff of all people, as TNA brings in everyone they can find for whatever reasowen. Jeff Jarrett is still leading the charge against Russo, which explains a lot about the situation this show is in. Ok so it’s mainly Russo. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Jeremy Borash is in Australia because they’re debuting in Australia this week. I think.

SAT’s/Amazing Red vs. David Young/Shark Boy/Jimmy Yang

It’s a brawl to start with the SAT’s and Red whipping the other three into each other. That means stereo top rope elbows, followed by Red hitting a big dive to the floor. Shark Boy gets surfboarded so Red can hit a top rope dropkick to the ribs and we settle down to Shark Boy getting beaten up by Joel. That doesn’t last long though as it’s off to Yang, who whips Jose into the corner.

A German suplex drops Young for two but he suplexes Jose down hard. Jose fights up again and brings Red in to snap off a headscissors. Shark Boy dropkicks him out of the air though and it’s already back to Joel for a backdrop. Yang comes in for a cheap shot though and sends Joel outside, with a whip taking him into the barricade. Back in and a neckbreaker gives Shark Boy two but Joel kicks him away and gets the tag off to Jose.

A double clothesline puts Jose and Young down so it’s back to Yang to powerbomb Red for two. Everything breaks down and Young gives Red a spinebuster, which earns Young a missile dropkick from Jose. Yang and Red are left alone with Yang booting him in the face, only to have Yang Time broken up. A super Code Red gives Red the pin on Yang at 12:30.

Rating: B-. It was a wild match and exactly what they should have done to open the show. With Vince Russo around on the rest of the show, you have to take what you can get and a six man cruiserweight tag is one of the best ways to start a card. Having Red out there was a nice treat too, as he’s just fun to watch every time.

Post match Konnan runs in to beat the losers down and is taken out by police while saying that they know what this is about.

Commentary runs down the card.

Here is Sports Entertainment Xtreme, with Vince Russo bragging about the pay per view buyrates being up. Tonight is about getting the titles, so Elix Skipper and Low Ki are challenging for the Tag Team Titles. They already have the X-Division Title, so Sonny Siaki will in fact defend the title tonight in a three way dance against….one of the people Mike Tenay called the future of TNA a few weeks ago (Tenay’s eyes bugging out over this is rather appropriate) and Athena, because she’s still a thing.

This lets Tenay rant about Russo killing the WCW Cruiserweight division as Russo makes a four way elimination match for the World Title, with BG James, Christopher Daniels and Don Harris (all parts of the team) challenging Jeff Jarrett. Mike Sanders keeps up the Australian theme by introducing the Sports Entertainment Xtreme Australian Champion Ashley Hudson.

Ashley Hudson vs. Jorge Estrada

Non-title I’m assuming. Hudson (with his mustache) smacks him in the face to start but gets sent outside for a slingshot dive. That’s enough for Hudson to need a breather on the floor, which apparently works as he quickly takes over back inside. Estrada is sent right back to the floor and dropped onto the apron but awkwardly reverses a suplex back inside. A Lionsault gives Estrada two but Hudson crotches him on top. Estrada’s high crossbody connects, with Hudson rolling through and grabbing the tights for the pin at 5:02.

Rating: D+. Yeah there’s a reason you probably don’t remember Hudson, as other than looking a bit like Al Snow, there was nothing that made him stand out. The match was absolutely nothing notable but they had to tie it into the Australian thing for reasons. Nothing to see here and there is a good chance that’s going to continue.

Video on AJ Styles, who is young and brash, vs. Larry Zbyszko, who is old and old.

AJ Styles vs. Larry Zbyszko

Styles gets creative to start and stalls against Zbyszko, with no contact for the first minute. A quick takedown has Styles bailing into the corner, allowing Zbyszko to take him down by the leg. Zbyszko’s headscissors has Styles in trouble and it’s off to the armbar. Styles fights up and knocks him outside, where Zbyszko is sent face first into the steps.

Cue Mortimer Plumtree to watch as Zbyszko fights back, only to get tripped down on the way inside. Back in and Zbyszko forearms him down until Styles gets in a suplex. Styles heads up top and gets crotched down, only for Styles to roll him up and put his feet on the ropes for the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C. There is only so much you can do when that much of the match is spent stalling but you have to know that’s coming when Zbyszko is involved. Styles getting a win over another legend should move him up the card a bit, which is the best thing the company can do. Well outside of dropping the Russo stuff but that isn’t going to happen.

Post match Styles goes outside to yell at commentary. This show is having way too much Mike Tenay focus.

Jerry Lynn, with Ron Killings, talks about his long career but now he has to deal with Sports Entertainment Xtreme. He’ll be fighting no matter what.

David Flair/Mike Sanders vs. Ron Killings/Jerry Lynn

I’ve had nightmares about teams like that first one. The brawl starts fast with Lynn sunset flipping Sanders out of the corner for two. Flair gets chopped in the corner until Sanders gets in a cheap shot. A Hennig necksnap sets up a running kick to Lynn’s chest and he gets caught in the wrong corner. Lynn fights back against Flair but Sanders knocks him down for two.

A suplex gives Flair two more and it’s time to start in on the leg. Naturally the Figure Four is broken up but Flair gets in a clothesline to keep Lynn in trouble. The slow beating continues but Lynn is back up for the tag off to Killings. House is quickly cleaned and it’s back to Lynn, who gets nailed by something in a bag to give Sanders the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C-. Well, it could have been worse. They kept this simple and let Lynn, the best worker in the match, do most of the work. That’s the best possible option and the whole match could have been worse. That being said, I’m scared to know what is in that bag as it could be just about anything, and I do mean anything around here.

Post match Sanders suggests that Killings wants to join the team.

And now, In The Pit with Roddy Piper. He talks about various dead wrestlers and how Vince Russo is ruining the legends and history. Piper is in a ring and says this is the kind of place where young stars can learn. He’s seen people die in wrestling but there are people like Kid Kash who impress him. Piper will send people from Portland (where he is) to come after Russo. I actually understood most of this and that’s a step up for Piper.

Tag Team Titles: Low Ki/Elix Skipper vs. America’s Most Wanted

AMW is defending (the Tag Team Titles, rather than the X-Division Title as Jeremy Borash, who got here from Australia awfully fast, says). Storm and Ki start things off with Ki working on the arm and striking away. A jumping knee puts Storm down but he clotheslines his way out of trouble. It’s off to Harris to start in on the arm and the old Rockers’ rolling leg snap into the double right hand knocks Skipper off the apron.

Ki gets tossed at Skipper as Christopher Daniels is here to panic. Skipper gets cuttered and Thesz pressed for some left hands but Daniels offers a distraction. That means Skipper can get in a boot to the head and the champs are in trouble for a change. Skipper grabs a half crab and cranks on the leg before switching over to a chinlock. Ki comes back in with an elbow to the face and the front facelock, meaning the tag to Harris…isn’t seen, as always.

It’s back to Skipper for a top rope knee to the back but Storm gets in a shot of his own. That’s FINALLY enough for the tag to Harris as house is quickly cleaned. Everything breaks down and a Blue Thunder Bomb gets a VERY delayed two on Ki. Storm saves Harris from some weird Octopus variation but Daniels’ distraction lets Ki break up the Death Sentence. That earns Ki a spinning Rock Bottom but Skipper gets in a belt shot for the pin and the titles at 15:19.

Rating: B. In a different way from the opener, this was a case of taking talented wrestlers and letting them do their thing without a bunch of insanity dragging it down. As usual, the solution to a dull show/promotion is good wrestling and we got that here. Russo and company had to win some titles so they feel more important, which is what we got here, along with the X-Division Title match.

Bob Armstrong says Jeff Jarrett is the last hope. Oh joy.

X-Division Title: Chris Vaughn vs. Athena vs. Sonny Siaki

Siaki, with Desire, is defending and beats on Vaughn as Athena hides in the corner. Vaughn gets in a rollup for two and a dropkick as Desire beats up Athena on the floor. A pumphandle Tombstone finishes Vaughn to retain the title at 1:31.

Post match Trinity runs in to go after Desire and Kid Kash takes Siaki out.

Goldilocks is invited into the Sports Entertainment Xtreme locker room for a celebration, which is mainly due to her wearing a white shirt.

Here is Dusty Rhodes, with a chain, for a chat. Rhodes gets right to the point of putting over Jeff Jarrett and mocking Vince Russo, who is all evil and ruining wrestling. Other than that though, he wants to talk to Nikita Koloff face to face so get out here right now. Cue Koloff, with Rhodes talking about how Koloff used to be tough and not a sellout. Then he talks about Koloff taking the place of the injured Magnum TA and becoming a good man.

That all changed last week but now Rhodes wants to forgive things and be the Superpowers again. Koloff goes towards the ring but here is Vince Russo to rant about saving the business and the stupidity of tradition. Sports Entertainment Xtreme jumps Rhodes and Koloff leaves on his own. That’s enough for Mike Tenay to storm off.

NWA World Title: BG James vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Don Harris vs. Jeff Jarrett

Jarrett is defending in an elimination (pin/submission/over the top, which sounds rather dumb from Russo) match and Tenay gives him a pep talk in the back. That’s enough to make him start fast but thankfully the numbers game gets the better of him rather quickly. They go outside where Jarrett gets in some chair shots but is eventually sent into the barricade.

Jarrett is busted open and the beating continues into the crowd, because TAKING JARRETT INSIDE AND THROWING HIM OVER THE TOP is too much for three guys to ask. They walk around the arena with Daniels hammering away but missing a dive off a balcony through a table. Jarrett gets in some more chair shots and they head back inside while Daniels is still down in the crowd. James punches the barely standing Jarrett because, again, THEY CAN’T JUST THROW HIM OVER THE TOP!

Harris hits the big boot and James’ shaky knee drop gets two. The pumphandle slam (with various hip thrusting) gets two and there’s an assisted powerbomb, with James shoving referee Scott Armstrong (his brother) down, which means Armstrong won’t count. Armstrong beats up James so Jarrett knocks James and Harris over the top for the double elimination.

Cue Dusty Rhodes to go after James as well and he goes into Sports Entertainment Xtreme’s locker room to beat up most of the team. Back in and Jarrett is caught in the Koji Clutch, followed by a quick Best Moonsault Ever for two. Daniels goes up again and dives into the Stroke to retain the title at 10:27.

Rating: D+. Yeah this was the kind of idiocy that you had to expect in a match like this and naturally Jarrett gets to overcome the odds and save the day because he’s Jarrett and we’re not. The match was the usual wild brawling with Russo’s booking being the thing that lets the good guy get out as always. In other words, how late WCW of them.

Post match the locker room (who did nothing to help during the match) comes out to celebrate with Jarrett. Before Jarrett can talk, cue the debuting Raven to run in and DDT Jarrett. Raven steals the belt and leaves with Russo and company because of course he does.

Overall Rating: C-. You know, I actually didn’t hate this. They had some good action in there to carry the show, though it only got them so far with the Russo/Rhodes/Koloff stuff. It’s very much still a Russo style show, but he was limited in talking time here and that helped so much. Raven showing up at the end was a nice boost too, and hopefully he can help bring some needed spice into the main event scene. Honestly not a terrible show. Not a great one, but they’ve done FAR worse.

Results
Amazing Red/SAT’s b. David Young/Jimmy Yang/Shark Boy – Super Code Red to Yang
Ashley Hudson b. Jorge Estrada – Rollup with tights
AJ Styles b. Larry Zbyszko – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Mike Sanders/David Flair b. Ron Killings/Jerry Lynn – Bag shot to Lynn
Low Ki/Elix Skipper b. America’s Most Wanted – Belt shot to Harris
Sonny Siaki b. Athena and Chris Vaughn – Pumphandle Tombstone to Vaughn
Jeff Jarrett b. Don Harris, BG James and Christopher Daniels last eliminating Daniels

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

TNA Weekly PPV #100
Date: June 23, 2004
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

It’s a milestone show and something that I was requested to look at. I had gotten on a roll with doing the weekly PPVs but wound up dropping them a good many years ago. Hopefully I can get back to them one day as there is a lot of history there that hasn’t really been touched on. Anyway this is a big show, but something called Impact that debuted earlier in the month might make it a little less important. Let’s get to it.

I’m coming in blind on this one as I never watched the old weekly PPVs so I apologize in advance if I miss anything major. Also, for the sake of the “because TNA” moment, I’ve found multiple dates and numberings for this series, which seems to stem from some special Best Of shows which may or may not have counted. This is what is listed as #100 on Impact Plus so that’s what we’re going with.

We open with a recap, presumably of last week, with several stories taking place at once. Believe it or not, the top story seems to be boss Vince Russo vs. World Champion Jeff Jarrett.

Opening sequence.

Mike welcomes us to the show and runs down the card for the two year anniversary show.

Some legends, minus the expected Dusty Rhodes, are here.

Tag Team Titles: America’s Most Wanted vs. Nosawa/Miyamoto

AMW (Chris Harris/James Storm) are defending and are feuding with the Naturals over some stolen ring gear. Storm (who is hard to recognize without the facial hair) and Miyamoto start things off with some circling as the USA chants are on strong. A shoulder doesn’t get Miyamoto anywhere so they both try dropkicks at the same time. It’s already off to Harris, whose running shoulder works a good bit better. Harris clotheslines him into the corner and Nosawa comes in for the first time. A basement dropkick takes Harris down and a Shining Wizard gives Nosawa two.

We take a break (or at least seem like we do, even though this was a pay per view) and come back with AMW taking right back over on Nosawa, with Storm kicking him in the head. Miyamoto comes back in and the challengers pull Storm outside for a dive from Miyamoto to take over. The stomping continues and Harris’ failed interference doesn’t make things any better.

A running basement dropkick to the back of the head gets two but Storm headscissors his way to freedom. The hot tag brings in Harris to clean house and a powerslam gets two on Nosawa. Everything breaks down and a full nelson slam plants Miyamoto. There’s a powerslam for two on Nosawa and a spear sends Miyamoto outside. The Death Sentence (Trash Compactor) finishes Nosawa to retain at 7:13.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t exactly full of drama as I don’t think anyone labeled Team Insert Name Here was a major threat to win the title, but dang I forgot how good AMW really was. I know this isn’t the most fondly remembered era in wrestling history, but TNA had some great moments and wrestlers. AMW was some of the best they had and they deserved a big spot on a major show.

Post match the Naturals run down and chair AMW from behind. To make it even worse, they put makeup on the two of them and then beat them up even worse.

Kid Kash and Dallas (later known as Lance Archer) aren’t happy with Kash being pulled from an X-Division Title match because of a broken leg. Kash rants about how the NWA isn’t keeping him away from the ring or AJ Styles. He already has protection in Dallas, even though he doesn’t need it. Keep the title shined up for him. This was every “why is Kid Kash a thing?” segment ever.

We get a rhyming video on whoever is challenging AJ Styles tonight. Whoever it is, he sounds a heck of a lot like Jeff Hardy. That’s probably because it’s Jeff Hardy.

We look at Desire being injured a year ago. In her absence, Trinity has become a big star and she’s not ready to let it go, even if Desire is back.

Trinity vs. Desire

Stretcher match and Desire has Sonni Siaki with her. Trinity jumps her at the bell and the beating is on with the focus on Desire’s recently healed back. Desire comes back with a spear and right hands, which the announcers ignore to talk about the rules. A clothesline puts Trinity on the floor and Desire whips her into the barricade. They go to the stretcher for the first time and fall off in a hurry so Desire suplexes her onto the ramp.

Trinity whips her into the apron and stops to rip up a Desire sign for a good heel move. Desire goes into the barricade again but this time Trinity’s ax handle only hits steel. We take another break and come back with nothing changed as Desire loads her onto the stretcher. That’s broken up and they fight into the crowd with Trinity spearing her down and hammering away.

Trinity kicks her in the ribs and Black Shirt Security put Desire on the stretcher. Hold on though as Trinity would rather put her on a table but a legdrop off the balcony only hits wood (and then concrete). Security puts Trinity on the stretcher and roll her out to the ambulance but Big Vito of all people is inside and slams the door in Desire’s face. Vito yells about New York a lot as Desire is loaded into the ambulance to give Trinity the win at 9:52.

Rating: B. That might be a bit high but given what we were seeing in women’s wrestling (for the most part) at this time, this was the hardest hitting women’s brawl that had taken place in years. It felt like they wanted to beat each other up and I wasn’t expecting anything close to this. Heck of a surprise here and I liked it a lot more than I would have thought I was going to.

Vince Russo makes it clear: if Jeff Jarrett uses his guitar tonight, it’s an automatic DQ. Remember that a DQ in TNA means a title change. As for AJ’s opponent (who is going to be Jeff Hardy), no comment.

We get another rhyming video from AJ’s opponent. They do know we’ve heard Jeff Hardy speak before right?

We recap Scott D’Amore vs. Jerry Lynn. D’Amore is the Coach of Team Canada but cheats a lot and Lynn doesn’t like that. Tonight, Lynn is trying to take out the Coach.

Jerry Lynn vs. Scott D’Amore

I do miss the rock version of O Canada. D’Amore, who is an experienced wrestler, makes sure to yell at the Tennessee Titans in the crowd before the bell. After some stalling on the floor, we get the opening bell as the announcers talk about Raven paying tribute to the Sheik later tonight. Never let it be said that they were known for their focus. Lynn punches him down to start and D’Amore is already complaining to the referee.

A cheap shot lets D’Amore choke away as the announcers explain D’Amore’s big weight advantage (he’s not that big). Some armdrags set up Lynn’s cradle piledriver and D’Amore is outside in a hurry. We do another pretend break and come back with the camera on the legends from earlier. Back in and D’Amore grabs a headlock as this is firmly in first gear. That’s broken up and D’Amore gets backdropped so we can get some earthquake jokes.

D’Amore is ready to leave but Lynn makes the save, only to get decked on the way back in. The choking is on, followed by a knee to Lynn’s chest. A jawbreaker cuts off Lynn’s comeback but D’Amore gets sent to the apron, allowing Lynn to hit the slingshot Fameasser. D’Amore is right back up with a top rope clothesline for two, followed by a legdrop for the same.

Lynn gets in a bulldog though and a tornado DDT makes it worse. It’s still too early for the cradle piledriver so Lynn settles for a reverse DDT for two instead. After another non-break break, D’Amore grabs a cobra clutch and a Russian legsweep drops Lynn. D’Amore gets two off a moonsault, meaning more fat jokes. You know, because he’s so fat that he can do a not bad moonsault. D’Amore grabs the hockey stick and takes out the referee, meaning the hockey stick shot to Lynn can get two more. Lynn is right back up with the cradle piledriver (dropping D’Amore on his head) for the pin at 15:22.

Rating: D+. This was a really weird match as the story seemed to be that D’Amore was scared of Lynn to start and then he wrestled a normal match (with cheating of course). The fat stuff didn’t make sense either as while D’Amore was big, he was far from massive and it wasn’t a big deal to see Lynn pick him up. Not a terrible match, but slow and long, without a very clear story.

Post match Team Canada and Chris Sabin/Elix Skipper/the returning Christopher Daniels alternate run-ins for the beatdown/save.

The New York Connection (Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno) and Johnny Swinger), who are dressed as a leprechaun/a hula dancer respectively. They have to wear this gear for another 23 days after losing a humiliation match or they lose their job. David Young (not on the roster) comes in to say people are laughing at him. Gilbertti: “NO KIDDING MAN! I’M A FREAKING LEPRECHAUN!” Young knows Gilbertti is a gambling man so make it double or nothing next week. Gilbertti offers to help Young get his first win in a long time. Swinger ignores the whole thing while checking out his pecs.

We get a THIRD Jeff Hardy video. WE’VE PAID FOR THE SHOW! STOP TEASING STUFF ALREADY! AND STOP ACTING LIKE WE DON’T KNOW IT’S JEFF HARDY!

Mini Pierroth vs. Mascarita Sagrada

Pierroth is a good bit taller. We get some bullfighting with Pierroth’s cape so he challenges Sagrada to a test of strength. Pierroth keeps making fun of the size difference and drops to his knees and “HEY LOOK OVER THERE” actually works, allowing Sagrada to kick him in the ribs. A wristdrag sends Pierroth to the floor and it’s a hurricanrana from the apron, with the camera missing a lot of it. Back in and Pierroth ties the arm in the rope and goes for the mask.

That doesn’t go very far so it’s a basement dropkick to put Sagrada down again. The required break (What is up with that? It’s really distracting on a pay per view.) leads us to Pierroth hammering away in the corner but getting powerbombed off the middle rope. Sagrada gets two off a clothesline so Pierroth take the mask halfway off. Some armdrags have Pierroth down again and a victory roll gives Sagrada the pin at 8:12.

Rating: D+. I’ve never cared for these more often than not and that was the case again here. I know that it’s something big in Mexico but it never has quite translated over in America. The wrestling was fine but it’s the kind of thing that isn’t interesting and just feels like a sideshow more than anything else. Just a thing that happened.

Post match here’s David Young to go after Sagrada to try and break his losing streak. Pierroth’s save doesn’t work so here’s D-Ray 3000 for another failed save attempt. The referee pops up and hits a dropkick on Young so Ray and the minis can get a pin on Young, whose crazy long losing streak continues.

We look at D’Lo Brown returning and cleaning house. He wants the World Title.

Brown, with the head shake, is here to win the World Title. He’ll be watching the World Title match and challenging the winner…but here’s Monty Brown to jump him. Monty: “GO WOBBLE YOUR HEAD SOMEWHERE ELSE!” That almost made the show.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. ???

AJ is defending (I still have this version of his theme on the iPod) and WOW! IT’S JEFF HARDY! He gets a heck of a reaction, though the complete lack of a surprise hurts it a lot. Tenay is happy to see Hardy and gets even better when he realizes that it’s Hardy vs. Styles. The fans are way behind Hardy but then get behind AJ a bit as well. After a minute of absorbing chants, AJ grabs a headlock as West is in his element shouting about all this stuff.

They go to the mat for a quick break and it’s an exchange of slaps. AJ gets the better of things and kicks the leg out as we do a non-break break. Jeff sends him to the floor and hits a dive for far less of a reaction than you might expect. Back in and AJ gets sent straight to the apron for a kick to the head. The yet to be named Phenomenal Forearm drops Hardy but he’s right back with a belly to back slam for two. It’s AJ back up again though and he puts Jeff on top, only to get knocked away for the Whisper in the Wind. They’re both down and it’s Kid Kash/Dallas for the double DQ at 6:57.

Rating: C. The match was more hype than substance but what mattered here was having a big deal for the special show. As annoying as the ending is, it’s a good way to go as you don’t want either of them losing here. Jeff signing is a big deal, but you never know what you’re going to get from him, which was especially a problem at this point.

Post match the beatdown is on but Hardy grabs a chair and cleans house. The Swanton hits Dallas and the villains bail. Hardy offers respect to AJ but he’s not interested.

It’s time for the Sheik tribute but Sabu comes in and only finds a Sheik mannequin hanging in effigy, with a “Raven, Nevermore” sign. Mickey Doyle, one of the legends, comes up and tells Sabu to do the right thing.

The announcers preview next week.

The legends (Sarah Lee, Corsica Joe, Larry Zbyszko and Harley Race) are presented.

We recap Ron Killings (better known as R-Truth) vs. Jeff Jarrett for the World Title. Killings is a two time World Champion and has become #1 contender again. Jarrett has used the guitar over and over again so Russo has made a ruling that if the guitar is used, it’s a DQ. That needed a special ruling?

We get a tale of the tape and of course the graphics glitch. Because TNA.

NWA World Title: Jeff Jarrett vs. Ron Killings

Killings (better known as R-Truth) is challenging. After the Big Match Intros, we’re still not ready to go as we need referee instructions. That’s not enough either as here’s Russo with another referee to check for guitars underneath the ring. There is indeed a guitar (in a cardboard box) but Larry Zbyszko thinks there might be another one under the ring. They find a second guitar and Jarrett is rather ticked off. Fair enough as that’s stealing Jarrett’s property.

Larry and Russo break the guitars (because just taking them to the back is unthinkable) and we finally start with a long lockup. Truth’s headlock into a shoulder lets him dance a bit and the chase heads to the floor. That just lets Jarrett get in some knees to the back, only to have Truth snap off some armdrags (popular move around here). Jarrett bails up the ramp and takes his time getting back in as you can feel the Memphis in this one.

Back in and Truth sends him into six straight top turnbuckles, setting up a legdrop for two. Jarrett dropkicks him to the floor and after the non-break, it’s a chair to Truth’s back, which is perfectly legal for some reason. There’s a whip into the announcers’ table so Jarrett gets tossed into the legends table. Truth takes too long climbing the set though and Jeff pulls him down, setting up a Stroke off the stage and through the table.

That’s good for nine, because a World Champion’s finishing move off the stage and through a table isn’t enough to keep someone down for ten seconds. The Figure Four goes on and Truth’s 3 Live Kru teammates (BG James (Road Dogg) and Konnan are here as Truth turns it over, sending Jarrett straight to the ropes. The rest of the Kru is ejected and Truth kicks him in the face for the double knockdown.

A sidekick lets Truth spin around a bit so Jeff clotheslines him for two more. The super Stroke is countered into a super bulldog for another near fall, followed by a sitout gordbuster to plant Jarrett. Truth mixes it up with a kneeling MuscleBuster (ouch) for another two.

The referee takes a shot to the eye so Jeff gets in a belt shot for the delayed near fall. There’s the full on ref bump and I can’t help but sigh. Jeff pulls out a hidden third guitar but Truth blocks it, even though the shot should make him champion. Well no one ever accused him of being smart. A low blow lets Truth hit the guitar shot on Jeff for the pin and the title at 14:02.

Rating: C. The lack of drama really hurt this one as you knew there wasn’t going to be a fall until you got to the guitar stuff at the end. It fits the story, but it doesn’t exactly make for the most thrilling match on the way there. That and Truth and Jarrett don’t have the most chemistry, which made this a little tougher. Not bad, but it was waiting to get to the screwiness.

Post match the Kru comes in to celebrate but the referee isn’t sure about this. Russo comes out and controversy reigns. Cue Dusty Rhodes to say do the right thing to end the show. Yes, a controversial finish on a Russo show. I’m as shocked as you are.

Overall Rating: D+. Yeah I can see why this has an audience, but it’s a weird mixture of exhausting and not very interesting. The biggest problem is the high amount of Russo booking on the show, as there is either mid-match or post match angle on almost every match. That gets really, really tiring and that was the case here. It’s not a terrible show and I’m sure that it would be better week to week, but there were a lot of moments where I was sitting around either waiting on things to pick up or getting sick of everything having some swerve/surprise. That’s a weird combination and it really didn’t work.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

I remember watching this about a hundred times.

Back in 2001, the WWF put on a new campaign called Desire, with a series of videos set to My Sacrifice by Creed. These were some awesome highlight packages on a variety of guys. The videos speak for themselves.

The InVasion/2001 as a whole.

Steve Austin.

Undertaker.

Edge.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of on the History of Survivor Series at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

And check out my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6