NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #25
Date: December 11, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

So last week saw things get really Russo-y in a hurry, with the debut of the Sports Entertainment Xtreme (SEX) stable and a woman being treated horribly. Then Paul Bearer debuted to end the show, because that’s the kind of huge signing this place needs. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into here but let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, which is described as from “LAST WEEKY”, because this company can’t spell a four letter word with two letters being the same. Anyway we look at the beginnings of Sports Entertainment Xtreme, because this place was needing an NWO knockoff.

Opening sequence.

Jason Cross vs. Tony Mamaluke

Mamaluke takes him down by the arm to start but gets sent into the buckle. That means a crash to the floor, with Cross hitting a big flip dive. Cross ties him in the Tree Of Woe for a baseball slide, followed by a brainbuster for two. Back up and Mamaluke starts in on the leg but gets kicked in the face for his efforts.

Mamaluke’s charge misses in the corner though and Cross hits something like a sideways Blockbuster. Cross goes up for a flipping Unprettier (cool) into a shooting star legdrop. This bangs up the knee (which was fine enough to do two big flips in a row) and Mamaluke grabs a seated Brock Lock (the Sicilian Crab) for the tap at 6:31.

Rating: C+. Oh dang that ending screwed up a lot of the good they had going here. Cross hits two awesome finishers in a row and doesn’t even get a cover before giving up. Not only does it waste the finishers, but the leg was fine enough to go up a few times in a row but the landing hurts it that badly? That’s just overbooking, as Cross’ finishers look weak and he loses on top of it. Get this stuff straight.

Post match BG James comes out and puts a guitar on the announcers’ table. They are responsible for keeping track of the guitar, which Jeff Jarrett will need to retain the World Title. It’s an official order from Vince Russo, so you know it’s serious. Oh and the Harris Brothers come in and wreck Mamaluke and Cross, making it clear that they mean absolutely nothing.

James says that Russo isn’t here because he’s recruiting new talent for SEX (oh good grief). He promises that the army will grow and says D-Generation X was a cross between Russo’s ideas and the members’ talent so this is all for the good of the business. Cue Bob Armstrong who can’t believe that James is joining with Russo. James says his daddy (ah so it’s confirmed) never did anything for him, which has Armstrong bringing out Ron Killings with a chair and a chain.

Tonight, it’s a chair and chain match (a chain match with a chair in the middle of the chain) between James and Killings, with the Twins facing the Disciples Of The New Church. The villains tease a brawl but the Church and some other wrestlers come out for the big pull apart as the villains run off.

So in case it wasn’t clear, the match at the beginning of the show means absolutely nothing because this is all about the NWA vs. Russo’s IN YOUR FACE stable, making it WCW vs. the NWO. Again. Oh and remember that D-Generation X was a thing, because…well why else would James have a job?

Commentary runs down the show, with Mike Tenay talking about what Jeff Jarrett has been doing lately.

Jorge Estrada is crushed that Priscilla left him and maybe he needs a new direction. From now on, he’s playing things by ear.

Kid Kash vs. Jorge Estrada

They fight over arm control to start with neither of them really being able to get very far. An exchange in armdrags leads to Kash grabbing an armbar but getting sent outside. Estrada’s springboard corkscrew moonsault drops Kash again but he’s right back with something like a Whisper In The Wind. Estrada trips him down for a springboard legdrop to the back of the head but Kash is back up with a running DDT. A brainbuster gives Kash the fast win at 5:17.

Rating: C. The action was fine, but it felt like two people just doing moves to each other until Kash won. It didn’t really build towards anything and while Kash’s stuff was good, there is only so much you can get with the second short X-Division match in a row. Estrada’s downward spiral continues, and I can’t see it getting much better for him anytime soon.

Bob Armstrong is on the phone and can’t talk.

Divine Storm vs. America’s Most Wanted

Trinity is here with Divine Storm. Harris works on Quiet Storm’s arm to start and slaps a dropkick away without much trouble. Some shoulders don’t work well for Quiet either so it’s off to Divine. James Storm comes in to kick him in the head (a good job if you can get it) and Divine is sent outside. James hits a big dive onto both opponents, followed by Harris hitting a dive onto all three of them (which isn’t that bright but this show’s logic went out the window a long time ago).

Naturally Trinity wants in on this by moonsaulting onto Harris, who is right back in with something like a dropkick Hart Attack to Quiet. Divine comes in to take over on Harris though and cuts him off with a boot in the corner. The spear gets Harris out of trouble though and it’s back to James for the real comeback (after being in trouble for about thirty seconds). Quiet gets superkicked out of the air and everything breaks down, with Trinity breaking up the Death Sentence, allowing Divine to steal the pin on Harris at 6:56.

Rating: C+. Well, points for having a new team get somewhere. AMW is by far and away the best team in the company and it’s nice to see someone else getting a chance. I’m not sure if Divine Storm is going to be the next big thing but it’s better than having AMW run through one team after another.

Referee Scott Armstrong talks to BG James (his brother, who is smoking) and tries to get him back on the right side with their dad. James says he paved his own roads. Except for the ones with Russo right?

We look at AJ Styles taking out Amazing Red last week.

AJ Styles vs. Amazing Red

Mortimer Plumtree is here with Styles and Red runs in to start fast. Styles keeps shoving him away and gets hit in the face for his efforts. A 619 rocks Styles and sends him outside, but he catches Red’s dive for a powerbomb backbreaker. Back in and Red strikes away until a discus clothesline brings him right back down.

A middle rope sunset flip doesn’t work for Red, who backflips up and over Styles (that looked great) into a failed Styles Clash attempt. Red’s tornado DDT is countered into a northern lights suplex and he’s in trouble again. Plumtree even gets in a few shots, earning himself an anklescissors. Styles isn’t having that and drops him face first onto the steps but Red is able to snap off a hurricanrana.

A reverse DDT gives Styles two and he grabs a Muta Lock, even turning over onto his stomach while continuing the cranking. With that not working, Styles hits a hard sitout powerbomb and they go up top. The super Styles Clash is blocked though and a super hurricanrana gives Red the big upset at 12:09.

Rating: B. These two beat each other up, which isn’t a surprise given who was in there. It’s a similar story to the AMW match, as you have the established ace and need to bring up someone new, which is where a fall like this comes in. Red even won clean to make it better and it makes sense as he’s a good guy. Solid stuff here, which tends to be the case with anything Styles does.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. Harris Twins

The Disciples, with Belladonna and James Mitchell, are defending and WHY? The whole point of the match was to punish the Twins….so they get a title shot??? Good grief the logic really is gone here. The Twins come in through the crowd and the brawl starts fast. AJ Styles even joins commentary, which isn’t something you would see around this time.

They fight in the ring for a bit until Slash hits a big dive to the floor, meaning it’s time to fight into the crowd. They head back into the ring with the Disciples fighting out of trouble until BG James comes in with a chair to Slash’s head. Ron gets the pin and the titles at 4:17…but here is Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) to tell the referee about the interference, which is enough for the DQ.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one, which shouldn’t be a big surprise. At the end of the day, there is pretty much nothing to the Harris Twins in the ring and having them in a title match here makes less than no sense. Throw in the fact that they wound up getting the pin until Percy Pringle of all people makes the save. Because the champs need to lose to the really awesome team you see.

Post match Mitchell says the teams don’t have problem with each other and suggests beating up Pringle. Cue AMW with chairs to go after the Disciples as we again have WAY too much going on at once. That’s ignoring AMW being put into a bigger story right after losing, because the wrestling just doesn’t matter.

Video on Sonny Siaki challenging Jerry Lynn for the X-Division Title.

Siaki wants the old guys gone and new guys, like him, getting a chance.

X-Division Title: Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn

Lynn is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Lynn drives him into the corner to start and grabs a headlock takeover. A crucifix gives Lynn two and it’s an armdrag into an armbar. Back up and a triangle dropkick sends Siaki outside but he’s able to send into the apron. Lynn sweeps the leg and hits a slingshot legdrop to the back of the head, only to get caught in a hot shot. The referee gets distracted and Lynn gets kicked low, allowing Siaki to send him outside again.

They trade rams into the barricade, with Siaki getting the better of things by swinging him into the steel. Siaki hammers away back inside but walks into a sitout powerbomb for two. The referee gets bumped in the corner though and naturally Lynn grabs his cradle piledriver immediately thereafter. The very delayed count gets two but cue a mystery woman to crotch Lynn on top. A hanging swinging neckbreaker gives Siaki the pin and the title at 12:59.

Rating: C+. I appreciate the idea of getting someone new in the title picture as you can only have Lynn and AJ Styles fight so many times. Siaki was treated as something important for a little bit before dropping back down the card. It’s nice to see him doing something else, as there are far worse options out there.

Ron Killings vs. BG James

Chairs and Chains match (ignore that there is only one of each), which is a chain match with a chair in the middle. Naturally it’s just dangling there, making it look like a scene from a screwball wrestling sitcom (which I would love to see). James wraps the chain around his fist and punches away to start, allowing him to grab the chair.

That takes long enough that Killings can go up for a dropkick to send the chair into his face. A moonsault only hits chair though and James chairs him in the ribs. The chair is wedged in the corner, with Killings pulling him into the chair for the big crash. Then the chain just falls off so Killings gives him a sitout gordbuster onto the chair for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: F. This is the definition of a hat on a hat, as just having a chain match is one thing, but then they needed to add in a chair because reasons. It also didn’t work due to the chair just kind of dangling there, because they had to go with the dumbest idea possible. Terrible match, which had Russo’s style all over it.

Post match Killings puts the chair on him and goes up but Bob Armstrong makes the save. James gets up and chairs both of them in the head, leaving the referee to check on Bob. For like five seconds.

We run down next week’s card.

We recap Curt Hennig challenging Jeff Jarrett for the World Title. Basically Hennig wants to win the title to prove his greatness and that’s about it.

Earlier today, Jarrett had a sitdown interview and talked about the importance of the NWA World Title. He doesn’t like Vince Russo but isn’t happy with some of the things Roddy Piper said either. As for his allegiance with Russo…he’ll address it to Russo’s face later.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett

Jarrett is defending. They go with the wrestling to start and neither get very far. A headscissors doesn’t work for Hennig so he goes with the chops in the corner. They’re already on the floor with Jarrett hitting him in the back with a chair, earning a look from the referee. Back in and Hennig grabs a quick Robinsdale Crunch, allowing him to wrap the knee around the post. Hennig ties the leg up inside and Jarrett even has to raise his shoulder to avoid a pin. No it wasn’t going to happen, but points for doing something instead of just laying there.

Jarrett is back up with an enziguri and sends Hennig into the corner, where a turnbuckle pad is taken off. Hennig is sent into the exposed buckle and of course the referee gets bumped (again). Jarrett teases getting the guitar from earlier in the night but opts not to, instead loading up the Stroke. That earns him a low blow, but here is Vince Russo (of course) to guitar Hennig in the head (and it doesn’t break). Jarrett retains his title at 8:12.

Rating: C. Jarrett and Hennig could have a passable match in their sleep due to talent and experience alone, but they had too much going on here, including the Russo ending. They only had a few minutes to actually wrestle here until they got to the screwy stuff. It could have been good but instead they went with the sports entertainment nonsense, as is always the case with Russo.

Post match Russo hands Jarrett the title and they go head to head. Cue AJ Styles to run in to jump Jarrett to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. There were good parts in here, but the Russo dominance is destroying those positives. Everything important revolves around Russo vs. Bob Armstrong of all people, which makes for such a mess. The X-Division stuff at the beginning was nice, but it only gets you so far when, like the cruiserweights in WCW, it doesn’t feel important in the slightest. Watch the AJ Styles stuff as usual, and skip the rest.

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

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NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #22
Date: November 20, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

It’s a big time main event this week as Jeff Jarrett FINALLY gets his NWA World Title shot, which he’s wanted since he was a boy. Or maybe it just feels like that’s how long he’s been talking about the stupid thing. Other than that, the new Tag Team Champions re defending their titles, which should be dominance. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card.

Earlier today we got a sitdown interview with World Champion Ron Killings. He’s not thinking about Mr. Wrestling III and talks about being focused on the World Title because that is his passion. Tonight it’s about who is going to pay the ultimate price.

EZ Money/Sonny Siaki vs. Divine Storm

Storm is Chris Divine/Quiet Storm with Trinity. It’s a brawl to start with Money hitting a top rope clothesline to the floor, taking out Siaki and Storm in the process. Trinity moonsaults out onto Siaki and Storm and we settle down to Divine rolling Siaki up for two. Siaki suplexes him down for two before Money and Siaki plant Storm with a double slam.

A Spin Cycle sends Storm outside, where Siaki is right there with a kind of suplex. Trinity takes Siaki down with a hurricanrana but Money is right there to drop her with a clothesline. Back in and Storm cutters Money off the middle rope, allowing Divine to get the tag. That’s fine with Siaki, who gives him the fisherman’s neckbreaker for the fast pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. This is following the standard classic idea of having a fast paced match to start the show. It works every time and it worked again here, with Money and Siaki doing well enough as a team. It’s not like they have anything going on, but there are far worse ideas for a show opening match.

Here are James Mitchell and Belladonna for a chat. Mitchell knows the wrestling world is watching the World Title match and now he wants the World Title too. Whoever wins tonight will face the New Church. Likely in the form of this man.

Malice vs. Kory Williams

Malice jumps him to start and they go outside with Williams being sent into the barricade. Back in and Malice…kind of hits a top rope shoulder, followed by a chokeslam for the pin at 1:57.

Spanish Announce Team vs. Harris Twins

For a future Tag Team Title shot.  The SATs start fast and jump the Twins during their entrances as we hear about some of the Twins’ previous gimmicks. Jose misses a dive though and the Twins take over, as they are so known to do. Ron spinebusters Jose but Joel is back in to take Ron down. The moonsault/guillotine legdrop combination gets two but Don is in to clean house. The big dive over the top takes the SATs out and the H Bomb finishes for Ron at 6:08.

Rating: D. You knew the Twins were going to get the title shot as soon as they were announced as being in the field as that’s just what they do. The team is presented as the most important, dominant thing in the division no matter who they’re facing and they squashed a perfectly fine team here. What luck that now we get to see them again.

April insists that she was NOT in the shower with Bruce last week. Cue Bruce, who insists that he’s gay so it wasn’t him. Lenny comes in to say Bruce is a fake gay guy so give him the Miss TNA crown. Cue Brian Lawler to jump Bruce, ending one of the dumbest segments I’ve ever seen.

BG James vs. Lenny

James says this won’t be a gay bashing, but just him beating Lenny up. Lenny shoulders him down to start but gets caught with a clothesline. The dancing punches are broken up and Lenny hits a standing moonsault from the top. Cue Bruce to beat Lenny up but Brian Lawler runs in to take Bruce out. James drops a knee on Lenny for the pin at 2:57, because none of that was a DQ. Well of course it wasn’t.

Post match Goldilocks comes out, kisses April on the cheek, and they leave while holding hands as Lawler is rather upset.

AJ Styles vs. Crimson Dragon vs. Jorge Estrada

For a future X-Division Title shot, Mortimer Plumtree is here with Styles and Priscilla is here with Estrada. They trade armdrags and hiptosses to start and a series of standing switches. Dragon superkicks Styles but Estrada powerbombs Dragon out of the corner. Back up and Dragon suplexes Styles into a Stunner before piledriving Estrada for two.

Styles is back with a brainbuster for two on Dragon with Estrada making the save. Dragon gets knocked into the corner so Styles kicks Estrada down for two. Dragon is able to kick Styles out of the air but Estrada takes Dragon outside for a whip into the barricade. Styles is whipped in for two as well but Dragon is back in with a double guillotine legdrop for two each.

Estrada rolls Dragon up and suplexes Styles for a double near fall, only to get crotched on top. Styles breaks up a near fall on Estrada but Dragon crotches him on top for a change. This time though the super hurricanrana is countered into a Styles Clash onto Estrada to give Styles the pin on Dragon at 11:02.

Rating: B-. Much like the opener, this worked just fine as Estrada and Styles were more than good enough to carry their part of the match. On the other hand you have Dragon (former ECW star Chris Hamrick underneath a mask) doing well enough as a warm body. Sometimes you need someone there to take the fall and that’s about the only reason to put him in there, which worked well enough.

America’s Most Wanted wants to beat up James Mitchell and get the Tag Team Titles back. James Storm also says “sorry about your d*** luck.”

Video on the Disciples Of The New Church winning the Tag Team Titles last week.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. America’s Most Wanted

The Disciples are defending and it’s a big brawl on the floor to start again. AMW double teams Slash on the barricade and Lee is suplexed into the ring. Lee drops Harris to take over and it’s off to Slash for the right hands in the corner. We settle down to the champs taking turns beating up Harris, with Lee’s big boot connecting for two.

Harris finally fights out and gets in a middle rope clothesline, allowing the tag off to Storm. A reverse tornado DDT gives Storm two as everything breaks down again. Something close to a Tower Of Doom out of the corner leaves everyone down but Storm is up with a chair. A shot to Lee’s ribs sets up a spear from Harris for a rather close two so Lee grabs the spike. That’s taken away though and Storm uses it on Lee for the DQ at 10:46.

Rating: C. Yes after all of that brawling, there was actually a DQ. Not in the other matches around here, but in this one, because it’s what the script called for here. We’re probably setting up for a big violent blowoff match between these teams and I’ve heard worse ideas, as it’s an actual feud with stakes.

Post match Storm beats up Belladonna and Harris lays out a referee. Well we better get a violent rematch now. Security runs in to save James Mitchell so he can escape.

Video on the Amazing Red.

We get a sitdown interview with Red, who looks to be about 16 years old and is rather nervous. He wants to be the champion and will give it all he has. The idea here is that he’s quiet on the mic but loud in the ring and…I guess that makes sense.

Jerry Lynn is excited to face Amazing Red because he sees a lot of himself in him.

X-Division Title: Amazing Red vs. Jerry Lynn

Lynn is defending. They start slowly with both of them getting a quick take down to no avail. Lynn monkey flips him but Red sticks the landing on a hiptoss. A German suplex doesn’t work for Lynn either and Red snaps off a hurricanrana. Lynn finally catches him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a surfboard works on Red’s back.

Back up and Red sends him to the floor but the flip dive off the apron is caught, allowing Lynn to ram Red’s ribs into the apron. Lynn ties up an arm and a leg for some cranking but Red gets up for a tornado DDT. That’s enough to send Lynn outside and the running flip dive takes him down again.

A 619 connects on Lynn and Red catches him with a kick to the head. Lynn manages a powerbomb out of the corner and then flips him over into another powerbomb for two more. Red is back up with something like a middle rope swinging Downward Spiral for two of his own and some frustration is setting in. A hurricanrana out of the corner gives Red another near fall but Lynn catches him on top with a super cradle piledriver to retain at 10:03.

Rating: B. Believe it or not, the X-Division guys continue to carry the show, with this being a nice story of the veteran Lynn being a bit overwhelmed by the young star. Red more than held his own out there and it was more a matter of him getting caught than getting beaten. That’s a good way to go (it worked two and a half years later for Shawn Michaels and Shelton Benjamin) and this was one of the better things I’ve seen from TNA in a minute.

Don West hypes up next week’s show.

Video on Ron Killings, who has been kind of forgotten in the last few weeks.

Video on Jeff Jarrett, who wants to be an all time great NWA World Champion.

NWA World Title: Ron Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett

Killings is defending. They go with the basics to start, with Killings grabbing a headlock and then a shoulder block, followed by some dancing. A dropkick puts Jarrett down and he’s not sure what to think here. The spinning forearm sends Jarrett outside and he yells at referee Scott Armstrong before making a fired up comeback. Some right hands and a dropkick have Killings in trouble but he hammers away and hits a Downward Spiral.

Killings powerslams him and hits the ax kick for two, followed by a Figure Four. Jarrett eventually manages to turn it over and everything is broken. They knock each other down before Jarrett is up with a powerbomb for two. The referee takes a thumb to the eye so Killings grabs a chair, which Jarrett uses for two more. Killings hits a sitout gordbuster for two but gets knocked off the top for a crash.

The Stroke gives Jarrett two so they head outside, where Killings gets in a posting. They fight into the crowd where Jarrett hits him with a chair, which Killings shrugs off. A splash off a balcony puts Jarrett through a table and he’s busted open. They go back to the ring, where the referee is of course bumped. The slugout leaves both of them down and Mr. Wrestling III comes in to guitar….Killings to give Jarrett the pin and the title at 17:38.

Rating: C+. The match was ok enough and felt like a big match, but egads why am I supposed to care about Jarrett winning the title? It’s treated like this huge important moment and…it’s still just Jarrett as World Champion, which wasn’t interesting in WCW and isn’t interesting here. Throw in the match being about as cookie cutter of a main event style match as you can get and there was a limited appeal here.

Post match Mr. Wrestling III is….Vince Russo. Well of course it is. Jarrett is shocked to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Maybe it’s that this show felt a bit bigger, but it was one of the easiest episodes of TNA thus far. There was less in the way of time being wasted and general dumb stuff, though those problems were still there. What matters the most here is having some nice action though and it helped make the show that much better. Not a great show, but it was enough to get by for a week, which is an upgrade around here.

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

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NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #21
Date: November 13, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

We’re getting closer to the end of the #1 contenders tournament and it’s starting to feel like Jeff Jarrett might actually reach his destiny. In theory that’s a good thing as it means he might shut up, but that’s never been in the cards for him. Other than that, Jerry Lynn is once again the X-Division Champion, which is not a bad thing. Let’s get to it.

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

Goldilocks sings the National Anthem in honor of Veterans Day.

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card.

Here are Mortimer Plumtree and AJ Styles for a chat. Styles knows that the fans want to see Jerry Lynn defending the X-Division Title match against Kid Kash, but there is some fine print in the contract (oh yeah it’s a Russo show). Styles is guaranteed a rematch so the title match is off. Cue Lynn, who says Kash has earned a title shot so he’s already gotten the title match turned into a triple threat. So he was just assuming Styles was going to be whiny and rewarded him anyway?

EZ Money vs. Tony Mamaluke

They go with the basic wrestling to start until Money misses a charge over the top to the floor. The big suicide dive takes him out again but another dive is dropkicked out of the air. Back in and Money hits what would become known as a Buckshot Lariat as the fans certainly approve. Mamaluke grabs a quick choke to send Money to the ropes, followed by a guillotine legdrop for two. Money is right back up with a Jason Jett Crash Landing for the pin at 4:51. Makes sense, as Money is in fact Jason Jett.

Rating: B-. This was a nice fast paced opener with two guys who are trying to become a thing around here. Money feels like someone who could be something if he had a bit of a better name, though it’s going to be a bit difficult to crack through the rest of the talent. For now though, good stuff here, even without much time.

Sonny Siaki vs. Chris Vaughn

Siaki jumps him to start and hits a quick belly to belly into the corner. Some shoulders in the corner have Vaughn in trouble and Siaki ties him in the Tree Of Woe. A Samoan drop sets up three straight rolling neckbreakers to finish Vaughn at 2:07.

Earlier today, Brian Lawler was annoyed at April for taking a shower. He didn’t seem to notice Bruce being there too.

Here is James Mitchell to talk about the difference between wrestling and sports entertainment. Of course none of that matters because the New Church is all about evil. He introduces the newest member of the team in Belladonna, plus the returning Malice.

Malice vs. Kaos

Malice jumps him to start and beats him up with quite the ease. Kaos is sent outside and then thrown back inside, with Malice choking away. An overhead belly to belly and big boot set up the chokeslam as Kaos is pretty much done. A top rope knee gives Malice the pin at 2:57.

Brian Lawler vs. Jorge Estrada

April and Priscilla are here too. Lawler dances a bit and stops for a kiss from April, followed by a backdrop to the floor. Back in and Estrada knocks him back, setting up a top rope leg lariat. Lawler tries a shot with April’s purse but Estrada takes it away and wraps it around Lawler’s neck. The springboard Fameasser staggers Lawler and Estrada goes after April, who gets slapped by Priscilla. The distraction lets Lawler get a rollup with tights for the pin at 3:24.

Rating: D. This was another quick match and nothing to see, as Lawler and his stuff with April continues to be absolutely nothing. I’m not sure what the point in having this stuff continue but I’m assuming the idea is that Lawler is a name with star power. That’s all well and good, but maybe come up with something actually interesting.

Jeff Jarrett is ready to do whatever it takes to get the World Title shot. He’s ready to beat BG James and win the tournament, as apparently he’s getting a bye to the finals.

Jimmy Yang vs. Amazing Red

For a future X-Division Title shot. Red backs him into the corner to start before they go to the mat to fight over arm control. With that not working, they get back up for a test of strength, only for Red to spin around him (a lot) into a headscissors. Yang is sent outside and a sliding headscissors takes him into the announcers’ table.

Back in and Yang shoulders away in the corner, setting up an STF. That’s broken up so Red dropkicks a springboard out of the air and the pace picks up. A spinning kick to the face drops Yang and a tornado DDT plants him again. The super Code Red gives Red two and something like a Whisper In The Wind gives Red the pin at 9:43.

Rating: B-. Red is rapidly rising up the ranks and you can see the talent on full display every time he’s in the ring. That is something that can always be useful in any company, but especially in one that is still getting started. Red is standing out and giving him a title shot is a good idea.

BG James is ready to face Jeff Jarrett for the World Title match next week. Jarrett comes in and says it’s the two of them next week. They have a history together and he wants to wish James good luck, man to man. Then Jarrett jumps him.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Lenny/Bruce vs. Spanish Announce Team

Yes we’re having a three team tournament for a title shot. Joel and Lenny start things off with Lenny doing his rather enthusiastic running of the ropes. Joel trips him down and the other two get in a fight on the floor. That’s enough for Joel to knock Lenny onto the two of them in a big crash.

Back in and a double elbow and gutbuster get two on Joel but Jose is back in for a moonsault/guillotine legdrop combination for two on Bruce. Lenny is back in with a super hurricanrana for two but Joel hits a missile dropkick. Jose comes back in to clean house and we get the, ahem, comedy landing between Lenny and Bruce. Lenny low bridges Bruce to the floor (intentions unclear) and a super Spanish Fly gives Jose the pin at 7:21.

Rating: C. See, this is a bit more like it. The Bruce/Miss TNA stuff is horrible, but it’s even more annoying when you consider that Bruce is not bad at all in the ring. He’s capable of having a fine match and that was what we saw here, as this was perfectly acceptable. Just stop with the low brow unfunny stuff and things would get so much better.

Bob Armstrong says Don Harris is fired as the head of security…but he can wrestle. BECAUSE WE NEED THE HARRIS TWINS.

Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Harris Twins vs. Hot Shots

The Twins jump them to start fast and it’s Ron beating up Stevens in the corner without much trouble. Commentary points out how hard it is to tell the Twins apart, ignoring that they’re in different style gear. O’Reilly comes in to fight back but gets knocked back without much trouble. Everything breaks down and the H Bomb finishes Stevens at 3:57.

Rating: D. Yep, the Harris Brothers are still a thing and they are still the most dominant team in the company. I have no idea what the point is in having them around at such a high level but they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. The match was basically a squash and that made for another long, dull viewing.

That’s not good enough so the Twins beat the Hot Shots up after the match.

Here is a ticked off BG James, who isn’t surprised that Jeff Jarrett attacked him again. James wants Jarrett out here right now but Jarrett says they’ll fight next week. James says something censored and says Jarrett gets it from his parents and…let’s do this now I guess.

NWA World Title #1 Contenders Tournament Final: BG James vs. Jeff Jarrett

They brawl on the floor to start and go into the crowd, with James hitting him in the head with a trashcan. The fight heads into the balcony and walk around the arena, with James sending him into a table. Jarrett is back with a chair to the head to send James through another table, which is nearly enough for a countout as they both get inside for the first time. Jarrett hammers away again and hits a Stroke onto a chair for the pin at 7:19. They were in the ring together for about thirty seconds.

Rating: D-. What was that? Other than a way to get Jarrett his, ahem, long awaited title shot, what was the point of this? It was a brawl that took place in the crowd before a tacked on finishing move in the ring. Then again, none of that matters because the whole point of the thing is to get Jarrett into the title picture, which I guess now qualifies as interesting and important.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. America’s Most Wanted

AMW is defending and run in through the crowd to start the brawl after last week’s beating. The fight heads to the floor and Slash is already busted open as Slash suplexes him on the stage. Back at ringside and a belt shot to the head busts Storm open, leaving Slash to give him the Eye of the Storm.

A spinning cutter gives Storm two of his own but Belladonna and James Mitchell offer distractions as everything breaks down. The distraction lets Slash hit Storm in the face with the belt for two but the referee gets bumped (like it matters). The Trash Compactor compacts Slash but Belladonna jumps on Storm’s back. That’s enough for Lee to hit Storm with the spike for the pin and the titles at 9:07.

Rating: C+. The lack of a DQ over the violence is just something you learn to live with around here. What matters the most is that it feels like we’re actually getting a story here. You can only get so far with AMW beating everyone in short order so they need some actual problems. That’s what they’re getting here and the Disciples are instantly a big deal. Nice job all around.

We look back at Kid Kash becoming the #1 contender to the X-Division Title last week. Then Jerry Lynn beat AJ Styles to win the same title.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Kid Kash vs. Jerry Lynn

Lynn is defending and Styles has Mortimer Plumtree in his corner. Styles gets dropkicked to the floor to start and then a double drop toehold does it again. Lynn and Kash trade armdrags for a standoff but Styles knocks Lynn outside. Plumtree offers a distraction so Styles can hit Lynn low but Kash gives Styles a twisting hurricanrana. Kash chops Lynn into the corner and hits a moonsault press for two.

Styles’ neckbreaker gets the same on Lynn, who gets back up to fire off forearms to Kash. Lynn is sent to the floor so Kash takes him down with a big dive, with Styles following with a springboard shooting star. Back in and Styles gets two but Kash clotheslines the other two down for a triple breather. A brainbuster drops Lynn, with Styles stealing the near fall. Lynn breaks up the Styles Clash with a clothesline before Kash backdrops Styles onto Plumtree. The cradle piledriver to Kash retains the title at 10:51.

Rating: B-. You could all but guarantee this was going to be good and that shouldn’t be a surprise. As usual, you have the group of wrestlers who dominate the division, but now we’re seeing some fresh blood enter the mix. Kash probably isn’t the next bit thing, but it’s nice to see another name added in here, just for the sake of some flavor if nothing else.

Bob Armstrong gives Don West next week’s card for the big over the top hype.

Jeff Jarrett talks about Ron Killings turning some heads as champion but for Jarrett, the title match is everything. This is what Jarrett has wanted to do since he was a boy so he’ll do whatever it takes to win the title, which is the absolute truth.

Overall Rating: C-. There were good parts here but you could also see some of the darker sides of the booking coming out this week. Stuff like Lawler and the Harris twins getting so much time is hard to watch, but that was at least somewhat mitigated by some fresh talent getting a change. There are still a lot of good things about the show, but they desperately need to refocus in some areas. If that happens, the talent will be enough to carry the rest, but I’m not sure I can see that taking place.

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #20
Date: November 6, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

We’re at a bit of a milestone here and we are celebrating it with…well more of the #1 contenders tournament actually as Ron Killings needs a new challenger. Other than that, the Disciples of the New Church are back and seem to want the Tag Team Titles. Mr. Wrestling III is getting closer to being unmasked as well so let’s get to it.

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

We look at some TNA wrestlers at the NWA 54th Anniversary Show and….my goodness OVW looked better at this point.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

We recap Jorge Estrada/Priscilla losing to Bruce/Ace Steel last week, because this needs to keep being a thing.

Bruce, now with rather shiny high heeled shoes, has made up with Lenny Lane, who might fill in for him as Miss TNA. Goldilocks says Bruce is a b****.

Bruce vs. Jorge Estrada

Lenny and Priscilla are both here and if Estrada wins, Priscilla is the new Miss TNA (I think). After a quick hug from Lenny, they go to the mat for some quick grappling. Estrada grabs some armdrags and hammers away, only for Priscilla to get on the apron. The distraction lets Lane come in for a cheap shot and Bruce gets an early near fall. Lenny comes in again so Estrada rolls both of them up for two at the same time (cool with the ref). Bruce goes to the eyes to take over and they crash out to the floor, with the seconds helping to put them back in.

Back in and Bruce gets two off a springboard sunset flip, only for Estrada to come back with a headlock takeover out of the corner. The Lionsault hits raised knees though and Bruce hits a spinning reverse powerbomb. Priscilla comes in again to kiss Bruce (he’s not a fan) so Lenny gives chase, earning a slingshot dive from Estrada. The chase is on and Bruce…actually slips on a banana peel (as dropped by Lenny) for the countout at 8:49.

Rating: D. I have run out of ways to describe how much I can’t stand the whole Bruce deal. It isn’t funny, it isn’t interesting, it is as low level comedy as you can get and somehow it’s getting even worse. The match literally ended because someone slipped on a banana peel. I’m sure the people writing the show find it hilarious but this terrible stuff is cutting away all of the positives that the decent wrestling cause. Terrible stuff here, as usual.

Post match Priscilla is crowned…but Lenny takes away the tiara and sash to return them to Bruce. As I guess this is continuing.

Sonny Siaki is ready to move on in the tournament. He hits on Goldilocks too, as is his custom.

#1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: BG James vs. Sonny Siaki

I’m not sure why the semifinals are starting before the first round is done but the previous match ended because of banana peel slippage so there are bigger problems. Before the match, James says the same thing he always says before getting jumped to start. James fights back and knocks him into the corner before working on the arm.

Siaki takes him down and starts in on the knee, including some general cranking. An Indian Deathlock stays on the leg before Siaki starts dropping down on the leg, allowing James to kick him out to the floor. Back in and Siaki hits his running Blockbuster for two but here is Jerry Lynn for a distraction. James is back with a neckbreaker into the pumphandle slam for the pin at 7:08 (with Siaki popping his arm up at 3.1).

Rating: D+. Siaki is good at what he does but James is just so generic in the ring and living off his reputation. The distraction finish didn’t help either, and now James is on his way to a #1 contenders match. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to be appealing, but at least James is someone with a bit of star power.

We look back at the return of the Disciples Of The New Church, as they laid out America’s Most Wanted last week.

America’s Most Wanted is ready to bring their own evil. This was by far the most fire both of them have ever shown and it worked.

Tag Team Titles: Disciples Of The New Church vs. America’s Most Wanted

The Disciples, with James Mitchell, are challenging and Mitchell talks about how evil his team can be. The champs charge in to start the brawl fast with the Disciples getting beaten up on the floor. Back in and Slash is already busted open, with Storm dropping a top rope elbow for two.

Lee takes Storm outside for a ram into the barricade though and the villains take over as we settle down. An elbow misses though and Harris gets the tag to clean house. Everything breaks down and Slash chairs Harris on the head for two, leaving Mitchell rather peeved. A double clothesline gets Harris out of trouble and it’s back to Storm as everything breaks down. Lee grabs a spike to stab the champs though and that’s a DQ at 7:44.

Rating: C+. The ending was there to set up a rematch and that’s a good thing for AMW. They need challengers and a pair of monsters who are all about violence is a good choice. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the titles change hands to give AMW a real issue for once. This was more of a preview than anything else and in this case, that’s a good thing.

Post match the Disciples keep up the beating and the champs are left laying. Slash is covered in blood and looks like a monster.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac

April is here with Lawler, who polishes up a seat for her. Lawler wants revenge so he jumps Pac on the floor and sends him into the steps. They get inside for the bell and trade some right hands in the corner as April screeches a lot. She won’t slap Pac, but does make sure Lawler knows everything is fine. Pac fights back and knocks him to the floor, where Lawler gets in a crotching against the post.

Back in and Lawler misses the Hip Hop Drop (might have spent too much time flipping off the fans), allowing Pac to hit the Bronco Buster. Hold on though as he goes outside to kiss April, earning a superkick from Lawler. Back in and Lawler hammers away but yells for April to get on the apron, which is enough of a distraction for Pac to hit an X Factor for the win at 5:02.

Rating: D+. Pac is trying and there are worse choices than Lawler for an in-ring star, but at the same time, OH SWEET GOODNESS THIS APRIL STUFF IS HORRIBLE! I have absolutely no idea why I’m supposed to care about Lawler or anything he’s doing, including his issues with April. The story just keeps going and it’s putting so much focus on Lawler, who really isn’t interesting in the first place.

Post match Pac holds up April’s hand, though she doesn’t seem thrilled. So our hero is a kidnapper…and never mind as Lawler has a heart attack. April goes back to check on him…and more on this near death experience later.

Ron Killings has signed a contract to face Mr. Wrestling III for the World Title so come see him.

Here is Jeff Jarrett to interrupt. He calls all of the top good guys idiots and looks at the contract for Mr. Wrestling III’s World Title shot. Jarrett says if he’s Mr. Wrestling III, all he has to do is sign the contract and get the title shot that he wants. He rips up the contract, saying he’s winning the tournament and getting the title shot on his own.

Kid Kash vs. Ace Steel vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Tony Mamaluke

Elimination tables match for a future X-Division Title shot. The fight starts before Steel comes in but he joins the brawl, with the ring announcer having to throw him in as well. They go outside so Kash can hit a dive before going inside to brawl with Steel. Mamaluke Fujiwara armbars Jose, which is broken up for no apparent reason.

Joel powerbombs Kash on the floor but the Maximos’ double super Spanish Fly is broken up. Instead Mamaluke chokes Joel as the first tables are thrown in. Steel chokebombs Mamaluke off a table in the corner but Mamaluke sends Steel through another table for the elimination at 6:18. Mamaluke sets up a second table on the floor but Joel puts him on the first table for the moonsault and the elimination at 8:16.

Back in and Kash brainbusters Joel onto his knee and hurricanranas both Maximos down at the same time. A Cactus Clothesline puts everyone on the floor and Kash lays Joel on the table at ringside. Kash’s super hurricanrana sends Jose through Joel for the double elimination and the win at 12:57.

Rating: C+. And here we have a pristine example of the big issue with the way TNA is presented. It’s fine enough to have a five way match for a future title shot and even having it as an elimination match is acceptable. But then, for no logical reason, it’s all about the tables. There’s no reason for that to be added in, but here we are, with one extra stipulation thrown in for the sake of making things more complicated. Oh and why is Mamaluke in the same match as Kash when Kash beat him last week?

Video on Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett.

Here is Jarrett to say that he and Hennig had a title match scheduled tonight but no one has seen Hennig. Jarrett lists off his resume for some reason and here is Hennig, in street clothes, to start the brawl.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Curt Hennig

Hennig knocks him into the corner to start and the beating is on, with Hennig using a variety of choking. The referee tries to take a chair away from Hennig, who knocks him down and takes Jarrett inside for some HennigPlexes as the referee throws it out for the DQ at 4:32.

Rating: C. Somehow this was one of the better parts of the night, if nothing else because it showed emotion and logically followed something that happened last week. Hennig and Jarrett might not be the most interesting these days, but they know what they’re doing. You can put them out there and get something out of them, with Hennig showing fire here, even if it wasn’t really anything close to a match.

Don West runs down the card for next week.

Video on Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles.

X-Division Title: Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending. Lynn works on a wristlock to start but Styles spins out and we go to an early standoff. An exchange of headlock takeovers doesn’t go anywhere so Lynn flips around a bit to take Styles down, meaning it’s time for some staring. Back up and Styles backs him into the corner but Lynn hits a middle rope spinning crossbody.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, with Styles fighting up without much trouble. A backbreaker gives Lynn two and he drops Styles throat first across the top rope for two more. Styles is sent to the apron for a triangle dropkick before Lynn sends him into the steps. Lynn drops him throat first across the barricade and then cuts off a dropkick off of said barricade. Back in and Styles sends him crashing outside, where Plumtree gets in a cheap shot so Styles can hit a dive.

A powerbomb is countered with another hurricanrana but Styles grabs a dragon sleeper. That’s reversed into a powerbomb flipped into a facebuster, but Plumtree gets on the apron for a distraction. Instead Lynn hits a sitout powerbomb to leave both of them down. Back up and Lynn suplexes him into the corner, setting up the cradle piledriver for two and a shocked kickout face.

The TKO gives Lynn two more, as Sonny Siaki comes out to pull the referee. Styles sends Lynn face first into a chair in the corner, followed by the Styles Clash for two of his own. Lynn catches him on top with a superplex so Styles tries another Clash, which is reversed into a cradle Tombstone to give Lynn the title back at 21:04.

Rating: B+. Maybe it’s everything else I’ve had to sit through on this show, but I had a good time with this one. Take two rather good wrestlers with a history together, let them have a lot of time, and put together one of the better matches TNA has had to date. Lynn getting the title back is a good thing to see as he can have a solid match with almost anyone so it’s quite a smart move.

Overall Rating: C-. The main event tried to bail this out but there was only so much that it could do. The undercard stuff is just so dreadfully bad and unfortunately it seems like they’re leaning more into that direction. It’s another case where the company just needs to slow WAY down and unfortunately I don’t see that happening. Styles vs. Lynn was very good, but it’s nowhere near enough to bail out the rest of this mess.

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

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #19
Date: October 30, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

Now here we have something interesting as it’s a show I’ve never actually seen. When I originally tried to do this series, I stopped after the 18th show, meaning we’re into completely new territory. Mr. Wrestling III is running around and tonight, evil returns, whatever that means. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kid Kash vs. Tony Mamaluke

No entrances here as we go straight to the ring. They fight over wrist control to start and trade some escapes until Mamaluke gets two off a sunset flip. An exchange of armdrags sends Mamaluke outside for a slingshot dive from Kash. Back in and Mamaluke fires off some knees in the corner, which are reversed into a quick chinlock. Kash’s moonsault gets two but Mamaluke reverses an armbar into a leglock. Mamaluke snaps off a belly to back suplex before they trade backslides for two each. The Dead Level (Jay Driller) finishes for Kash out of nowhere at 8:32.

Rating: C+. These two were just two more of the people involved in the X-Division and that meant they were sent out there to have a fast paced match and warm the crowd up. They did it more than well enough here, which hopefully leads to some more good stuff on the show. Unfortunately I’m not exactly picturing either of them going that high in the division, but they had a fine match here.

We run down tonight’s card.

Earlier today, Scott Hall sat down with Mike Tenay and talked about how he wanted to win the World Title because it is the one title that has eluded him. He likes the outlaw spirit around here (because nothing says outlaw like a governing body that has been around for over fifty years).

NWA World Title: Scott Hall vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and raps his entrance. The fans tell him he sucks, but he says if he sucks then they swallow. Hall comes out to tell Killings to stop being Jeff Jarrett’s stooge or worrying about Mr. Wrestling III because Hall is here for a big dose of the truth. Hall throws the toothpick in his face to start and works on the arm, followed by the required abdominal stretch.

That’s broken up and Killings flips around a bit, setting up a side kick for two. The ax kick gets two more and a guillotine legdrop gets another delayed near fall. Another side kick misses though and Hall hits a chokeslam for two. The fall away slam sends Killings flying but here is Mr. Wrestling III. Hall decks him and gets the mask off but Wrestling gets his hands up in time to hide his identity. The distraction lets Killings hit a sitout gordbuster to retain at 6:43.

Rating: C. The match was mainly there to have Mr. Wrestling III out there again, but at least Killings got the win. Hall’s only value is in putting someone else over at this point and having Killings get the win is a good step for him. I’m almost scared of where the Mr. Wrestling III stuff is going though, and it seems like we’re getting closer to the big reveal.

Here is Jeff Jarrett for a chat. He wants the World Title and now he’s in the tournament for the title shot, so he’s coming for the title. For now though, he’s putting a bounty on Mr. Wrestling III’s head. He won’t give us an amount, but he’ll pay a lot. Cue Curt Hennig (facing Jarrett tonight), who accuses Jarrett of being Mr. Wrestling III and promises violence for later tonight.

Tag Team Titles: Hot Shots vs. Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. America’s Most Wanted

Harris and Storm (they have AMW on their trunks so I’m counting that as the name change) are defending and the brawl starts in the aisle. All six fight on the floor to start, with Harris being dropped onto exposed concrete. Storm gets double teamed inside by half of each challenging team before Harris comes in to fight back against Rick. Everything breaks down again (that didn’t take long) and it’s already time for the challengers to get in a fight. Rick neckbreakers Harris so Chris’ top rope elbow can get two. Storm is back up though and a spinebuster/top rope legdrop combination finishes Rick to retain at 6:21.

Rating: B-. Again, the action worked, but can we PLEASE get the champs some better competition? You’re only going to get so far with AMW running through every team out there and they did it to two teams at once here. AMW is clearly the best team around, but bringing in teams for them to beat week after week isn’t helping them.

Post match the lights go out and the Disciples Of The New Church, with James Mitchell, are here, apparently the EVIL returning. The champs are wiped out, with Mitchell being rather pleased. Mitchell says this is just the beginning. Well, there’s your new competition.

Earlier today, Bob Armstrong made some new rules: if a champion loses by countout or DQ, they lose their title. There is also going to be a tournament for the #1 contendership to the World Title, with Don Harris as guest referee.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Ron Harris vs. BG James

Ron backs him into the corner to start but Don breaks it up. Since it’s Ron though, he runs James over again and whips him into the corner. We cut to the back, where Jeff Jarrett has attacked and bloodied Curt Hennig. Goldilocks tries to talk to him as the medics are taping up Hennig’s head. Timing Goldilocks, timing. Ron grabs a chinlock but James fights up for the comeback, only for Don to break it up.

Ron’s big boot connects but here is Bob Armstrong to complain about the refereeing. While the commissioner is here to complain about the guest refereeing in the tournament for the #1 contendership, we cut to the back for the third time in the four minute match to see Hennig and Jarrett brawling. Don decks Armstrong and James rolls Ron up for the fluke pin at 5:37.

Rating: D. As usual, if so much of the match is spent on another angle going on in the back, it is only going to mean so much in the first place. Throw in everything else going on here, including it being a RON HARRIS match, and this was never going to work. It was a big mess and way more complicated than it needed to be, which fits in pretty well around here.

Post match James does at least check on his dad.

Jorge Estrada/Priscilla vs. Bruce/Ace Steel

Bruce is wrestling in Mortimer Plumtree’s place because Plumtree is a man but Bruce is more woman than Priscilla (who is wrestling in street clothes). Steel kicks the rope to low blow Estrada to start but Estrada is fine enough to dive onto Bruce to save Priscilla. Since Priscilla isn’t a wrestler, things break down into a glorified handicap match, with a powerbomb/top rope boot combination giving Bruce two.

Bruce hammers away in the corner but gets crossbodied for two. That doesn’t get him very far though as it’s back to Steel to hammer away, followed by Bruce coming back in. Estrada manages to get to the apron for a high crossbody to both villains before Priscilla trips Steel down. The Lionsault gives Estrada two but Bruce knocks him off the top. Steel hits a neckbreaker so Bruce can get the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I really don’t know what I did to deserve Bruce, but it must have been pretty terrible. As tends to be the case, the in-ring stuff was fine, as Estrada and Steel can go and Bruce isn’t terrible when he cuts out the goofy stuff. The problem is the focus is on the goofy stuff and that drags down any of the positives they might have.

Post match Plumtree gives Priscilla a spanking.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett

Hennig’s head is bandaged up and he can barely walk so Jarrett hits him in the back with a chair on the way to the ring. Jarrett throws him inside and hits the Stroke for the win at 1:15. That’s all you could do with Hennig this banged up, which was the point.

Post match Jarrett gets to beat up security because Jarrett is awesome and you need to know it.

Jerry Lynn is ready for the opportunity of a lifetime. He’s been World Champion before, but not the NWA World Champion, and that’s worth more than revenge.

We recap Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki.

Siaki tells Goldilocks that he has stamina and can keep going all night. He’s ready to beat Jerry Lynn and has officially left this interview.

#1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn

Feeling out process to start, with a lockup going nowhere. Lynn gets a boot up to stop a charge in the corner and grabs a middle rope bulldog for two. Siaki bails to the floor for a breather so Lynn takes him down again to keep up the beating. Lynn sends him into various things but walks into a hot shot back inside.

A legdrop gives Siaki two but Lynn fights up and strikes away in the corner. Siaki’s reverse DDT gets two and we hit the neck crank. That’s broken up so Siaki hits a running flip neckbreaker, followed by a brainbuster for two more. Siaki goes up but Lynn catches him on top with a superplex.

A tornado DDT gets two but Siaki’s cutter gets the same. The referee gets bumped (of course) so Siaki grabs a chair, which is dropkicked into his face. Siaki shrugs that off and hits a DDT onto the chair for two more. A drop toehold sends Lynn into the buckle and Siaki puts his feet on the ropes for the pin at 15:12. Was that buckle supposed to be exposed? Otherwise it’s a very weird ending.

Rating: B-. Weird ending aside, this was a good, back and forth match between two talented wrestlers. It’s becoming a running theme around here: when they cut out the insanity and let the talented wrestlers do their thing, the matches tend to work just fine. That was the case here and thankfully it ate up a good chunk of the show.

Post match Lynn beats Siaki up, including throwing him off the stage.

Video on Brian Lawler vs. Syxx Pac.

Lawler is very happy to have April back. They love each other and Lawler knows she would never have anything to do with Syxx Pac. April doesn’t look so convinced.

Here are Lawler and April, because seeing them backstage wasn’t enough. Lawler gets into it with a fan and beats him up. Then they leave, sans planned announcement.

X-Division Title: Amazing Red vs. AJ Styles

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is defending and they fight over a wristlock to start. They both miss splashes until Styles gets two off a quick rollup. Styles’ springboard is broken up with a dropkick but he’s able to block Red’s slingshot hurricanrana. Red kicks him away and hits a big running flip dive, as tends to be his case.

Back in and Styles knocks him down, setting up a brainbuster for two. Red’s Code Red gets two but Styles is back with a middle rope moonsault into a reverse DDT for two of his own. A spinning DDT drops Styles for two more but he’s right back with a sitout powerbomb for another near fall, giving us quite the shocked face. Styles superkicks him for two more and it’s off to the front facelock.

Back up and Red kicks the leg out and hits a quick standing shooting star press for another two. The Styles Clash is countered into a hurricanrana for two more but Styles is back with a Razor’s Edge Dominator. Plumtree trips Red though and Styles hits a hard clothesline but Red crotches him on top. Red goes up so Styles tries a super Styles Clash, which is countered into a super hurricanrana, which Styles rolls through for a sunset flip to retain at 12:38.

Rating: B. Red is someone who can hang with the bigger names in the division so it’s nice to see him getting a chance like this. Odds are he’ll be sticking around in the division as he’s already been treated as something more important than a lot of the other wrestlers. Just don’t have him lose all the time, though a defeat at the hands of someone as talented as Styles isn’t going to do a ton of damage.

Don West hypes up next week’s show to wrap us up.

Overall Rating: C-. As has been the case before, you can tell when the creative team is paying extra attention to something, because it’s a heck of a lot worse. The in-ring action was mostly good here, but the bad parts were bringing it down. Things have gotten better since the earlier days of the promotion, but there are still some parts that need a lot of tweaks. Fix those and you’ll have something, though I have no idea how you would fill almost two hours a week.

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

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

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #18
Date: October 23, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

The big story coming out of last week saw Ron Killings retaining the World Title when Jeff Jarrett attacked Curt Hennig. While Jarrett vs. Hennig sounds like one of the more quality matches available, it’s far from the most interesting. This company needs something to focus on as the top story, because what they’re doing right now isn’t exactly working. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Amazing Red vs. Kid Kash vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Elix Skipper

Elimination rules for a future X-Division Title shot. It’s a brawl to start with Skipper and Jose being sent to the floor. Kash dives onto them, with Joel adding a baseball slide. Red’s big running flip dive takes the other four out and Kash adds his own flip dive. Back in and the Maximos get a double submission on Kash and Red, with Skipper adding a camel clutch on Jose.

With that not working, Skipper lets go for a springboard dropkick to break the whole thing up. Kash dropkicks Joel into the corner and then runs the ropes to hurricanrana Jose on the floor. Back in and Joel rolls Skipper up for two but the tornado DDT is blocked. Instead Skipper grabs a rope walk DDT for two, only to get taken out by Kash’s high crossbody. Red is back in to kick Skipper out to the floor but Kash runs the corner to send super gorilla press Red and then Jose. We actually get the battle of the Maximos until Skipper gives Jose the Play Of The Day for the elimination at 7:43.

Skipper isn’t done as he dives onto Kash and Joel on the floor, only for Joel to come back with what would become known as the Beach Break to get rid of Skipper at 8:45. Kash’s Money Maker eliminates Joel at 9:21 and we’re down to Kash vs. Red. A spinning kick to the head gives Red two but Kash’s Whisper In The Wind gets the same. Kash runs the corner and dives onto him for two more, only to get knocked off the top. Infrared gives Red the final pin at 12:20.

Rating: B-. It’s another match with a bunch of talented, fast paced wrestlers getting to go out there and do their thing, which made it entertaining but likely not overly important. I did like Red getting the push though, as he has felt like a better option than most of the non-big three X-Division stars. Now see what you have with him and consider adding to the ranks of the division’s top level.

A nervous Brian Lawler is looking through the door for someone and says he’ll do the interview later.

We look back at the Hot Shots and the Michaels beating down Chris Harris and James Storm last week.

Tag Team Titles: Chris Harris/James Storm vs. Hot Shots

Harris and Storm are defending and it’s a brawl to start fast. The fight heads outside with the champs using their belts to whip away. Harris sends Stevens into the corner and a running bulldog gives Harris two back inside. O’Reilly comes in for a snap suplex and the Shots do an old Rockers spot to flip Harris over and roll into a double right hand to knock Storm off the apron. Stevens comes back in and gets dropped with a spear, allowing the tag off to Storm. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Stevens hits a superkick, only for Storm to come back with the 8 Second Ride to retain at 7:34.

Rating: C+. More good stuff from the champs here, but again it’s not helping to have so many teams lose to them so soon. We need an actual division rather than one team after another coming for the belts. Harris and Storm are very good together and have been a highlight around here, but they need someone to really test them.

Video on Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki.

Lynn is ready to fight, bad knee or not. Wrestlers don’t have an off season. With Lynn gone, Brian Lawler runs by the camera, still looking nervous.

Jerry Lynn vs. Sonny Siaki

Lynn’s knee is banged up but he pulls Siaki to the floor and the brawl starts on the floor. They fight into the crowd until Lynn throws him back inside for the opening bell. Siaki gets smart by going after the leg and slaps on a half crab, sending Lynn over to the ropes. Lynn’s slingshot Fameasser in the ropes puts Siaki back on the floor but he goes after the leg again for a smart move. Siaki grabs something like an Indian deathlock, which Lynn breaks up just as fast. The knee is slammed into the mat a few times but Lynn sends him into the buckle, setting up a bridging rollup to give Lynn the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here but Lynn fighting through adversity and winning in the end through simple wrestling is a good way to go. That being said, I’m not sure I would have Siaki lose here, as he was starting to become a bigger deal, mainly through his attacks on Lynn. Maybe don’t have him lose in one of his first big matches?

Post match Siaki wrecks the knee again and Lynn has to be helped out.

We recap Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings from last week, with Jeff Jarrett helping Killings retain the World Title.

Here are Curt Hennig and BG James for a chat. Hennig knows what it’s like to be a wrestler but Jeff Jarrett has always been a wanna be. Back in the 90s, Hennig was part of the West Texas Rednecks and then Jarrett came along trying to be a country singer (Hennig’s timeline is just a bit off there). Hennig is the guy who took down Brock Lesnar at 35,000 feet, which he says twice for some reason. Therefore he wants to face Jarrett next week and we cut to the back, where Brian Lawler won’t let Jarrett come to the ring. James swears revenge on Lawler for last week. As usual, Hennig is fine but Jarrett is just annoying.

Scott Hall vs. Jeff Jarrett

Hall says he’s supposed to be out here later but he’s bad at following rules so we’re doing this now. Jarrett comes in and Hall slugs him down with his variety pack of punches. The fall away slam has Jarrett teasing a walk out so Hall cuts him off and sends him into various things. They fight into the crowd, where Hall gets in some chair shots to the back.

Back in and the Outsider’s Edge is countered with a backdrop to the floor and Hall comes up holding his knee (one of their greatest hits). Jarrett hammers away back inside, setting up the running crotch attack to the back of the head. A swinging neckbreaker gives Jarrett two and why yes he does grab a sleeper.

Hall fights up and actually grabs a chokeslam rather than reversing into a sleeper of his own. The referee gets bumped (ENOUGH OF THAT ALREADY) so Jarrett hits Hall with a chair. Cue Curt Hennig to go after Jarrett but the lights go out. Ron Killings pops up on screen and threatens Hennig but Brian Lawler runs in to go after Hennig instead. Hennig fights out of a Stroke attempt, leaving Hall to hit the Outsider’s Edge for the pin at 11:37.

Rating: C. These two have one of the longest rivalries in the promotion, which is only saying so much when they’re only a few months old, but there is a history here. The problem is that the history is mostly boring, as they were only so good when they were feuding in the WWF. Another not so thrilling match here, but it was technically sound enough.

Brian Lawler vs. BG James

Lawler jumps him on the way in but misses a charge and falls out to the floor. James gets in a crotching on the barricade but Lawler is right back out with a shot to the head. A chair to the back has Lawler making some weird faces until he whips James into the steps. They go back inside, where James manages the dancing jabs. Lawler drops him again and goes up but cue Syxx Pac and April in quite the passionate embrace. The distracted Lawler gets knocked off the top and pinned at 4:42.

Rating: D+. So this was mainly about the Syxx Pac stuff and my goodness I do not want to see him dropping down into the Lawler mess. Pac has been a nice addition to the X-Division and I really do not want his talents wasted on this mess. Other than that you have James doing his usual stuff, which is hardly worth seeing.

A distraught Lawler walks to the back.

We recap Syxx Pac retaining the X-Division Title over AJ Styles last week despite getting disqualified.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Syxx Pac

Styles, with Mortimer Plumtree, is challenging and this is No DQ. Before the match, Pac says this should be No DQ, which has already been established. Pac knocks him to the floor to start fast and hits the big running flip dive. Back in and a faceplant into a surfboard has Styles in more trouble but he headscissors Pac to the floor. That’s fine with Pac, who drops him face first onto the barricade.

Styles tosses him into the post though and the Spiral Tap gets two back inside. Pac fights out of a double arm crank so it’s the moonsault into the reverse DDT to give Styles two. Some spinwheel kicks and a sitout powerbomb give Pac the same but Styles powerbombs him out of the corner. Pac gets in another knockdown but has to go after Plumtree, who gets knocked off the apron. Styles’ German suplex gets two so he tries the Styles Clash, with Pac grabbing the ropes. Cue Brian Lawler to get in a cheap shot though and the Clash gives Styles the pin and the title at 8:58.

Rating: B-. This was what you would expect from these two and the Lawler stuff at the end makes sense. That being said, Pac getting stuck with Lawler is not exactly ideal, but it’s the kind of thing that would fit perfectly around here. Styles getting the title back is fine as he’s been one of the proven stars around here, though hopefully the title is still treated as importantly as it has been without being taken down a notch under the drama from the veteran “stars”.

Post match Pac shows respect before getting dropped by a Lawler belt shot.

Ace Steel vs. Jorge Estrada

Priscilla is here with Estrada. Steel wrestles him to the mat to start but gets kind of powerslammed for two. A suplex gives Estrada two more but Steel slams him out of the corner for a breather. Estrada gets sent outside for the suicide dive, only to come back with a running DDT. Back in and Steel crotches him on top for a top rope superplex and a rather near fall. Steel rolls some northern lights suplexes for two but Priscilla trips him up, allowing Estrada to grab a rollup for the pin at 6:24.

Rating: C+. Kind of a weird choice for result here, as Steel felt like he was becoming a bit of a thing and Estrada is already coming off a pretty big loss. It’s not a terrible move as Estrada is far from bad, but I could go for a bit more of Steel than anything else. Either way, I’ll take someone getting a fresh push in the division for a change.

Post match Mortimer Plumtree comes in and takes Priscilla down until security makes the save.

Here is Syxx Pac for a chat. AJ Styles beat him tonight and that’s because he screwed up with the whole April thing. Then again April is kind of hot so it’s not a bad idea. So let’s get Brian Lawler out here and let’s have a fight for April. Lawler comes out to say the fight is over because April is a piece of trash for kissing Pac back. Pac: “That ain’t all she did. You didn’t see the other stuff.” April comes out to say she loves Lawler, which Lawler interprets as Pac forced her to do various things. The fight is on with Lawler beating Pac down until security breaks it up.

Don West hypes up next week.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings

Hennig is challenging and Killings raps about how much he hates the fans. Hennig runs in and starts the brawl fast (a trend around here) with Killings bailing to the floor. Killings fights back and they go onto the announcers’ table, only for Hennig to avoid a side kick against the barricade.

Back up and Killings slugs away, setting up a middle rope legdrop for two back inside. The ax kick hits Hennig and a spinning wheelbarrow faceplant out of the corner gives Killings two more. Hennig is back up with a low blow but here is Mr. Wrestling III. This time Hennig jumps him and goes for the mask, only for Killings to get in a shot with a foreign object to retain the title at 8:32.

Rating: C. Somehow they managed to find another way to have an over the top, shenanigans filled match between these two. Killings getting another win over a name is good though, as his title reign is a surprisingly effective story. I’m scared to know who is under the Mr. Wrestling III mask, but it feels like it is going to be a major plot point.

We get the EVIL RETURNS graphic (scheduled for next week) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The problem here comes down to the same issues that have plagued a lot of Vince Russo shows over the years: there are too many things going on in one night. This show felt like it had about a month’s worth of stuff between Syxx Pac and Brian Lawler in a single night and that made for an exhausting show. At the same time, a bunch of matches go so quickly that the show needed to burn through more time, which would seem to have a simple solution. I didn’t hate this show, but as usual, they need to slow WAY down and focus a lot more, which is a long running issue around here.

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NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #17
Date: October 16, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Don West, Mike Tenay

So the big lesson coming out of last week was just how smart the former WWF/WCW stars are in comparison to these young whippersnappers. That was on full display as Syxx Pac ran in to win the X-Division Title in a ladder match despite not being involved in the vast majority. Other than that, Jeff Jarrett is still a big deal and will likely get a lot of attention this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary sends us to a long recap of the last few weeks, which sets up a few of tonight’s matches.

Jorge Estrada is looking for a new Flying Elvis. Brian Lawler runs in to look for his girlfriend and holds Goldilocks responsible for her missing. Goldilocks does not care.

David Young vs. Brian Lawler

April comes out with Lawler, who makes her sit down at ringside. They trade armdrags to start until Young clotheslines him out to the floor. Back in and some atomic drops have Lawler in more trouble but he clotheslines his way to freedom. Lawler gets in a few shots, yells at the referee, and then gets in some more shots. Young manages a spinning Alabama…faceplant (dropping Lawler face first rather than slamming him down) and a DDT gets two. A moonsault misses though and Lawler goes up, only to miss the Hip Hop Drop. Young goes up again but takes too long and gets super reverse DDTed for the pin at 5:52.

Rating: C-. I’m sure Lawler is there because he’s something of a name and probably works relatively cheap, but again I ask why I’m supposed to be interested in his issues with April. Why would I want to see them together or whatever they’re doing when Lawler isn’t interesting on his own? Not much here, though that faceplant was cool.

Video on Sonny Siaki vs. Jerry Lynn, with Siaki attacking Lynn and costing him a few times, including the X-Division Title last week.

Here is a limping Lynn for a chat. He wants Siaki next week because he’s beaten up “punk a** b******” like Siaki for fourteen years. Next week, he’s beating some respect into Siaki. Cue Siaki, who says he respects no one and comes in to go after Lynn’s knee. Various X-Division wrestlers make the save. Security has to hold them apart and here is Bob Armstrong to yell.

Earlier today, Syxx Pac sat down for an interview and talks about how the X-Division is about the ability rather than the weight. He can have a positive or negative impact around here because he’s a wrestler rather than a sports entertainer. As for tonight, he’s ready for AJ Styles, who has done some of the same things that he has done.

Sonny Siaki vs. Jorge Estrada

Estrada, with newcomer Priscilla, charges to the ring and chops away, followed by a Lionsault for two. Siaki sends him outside though and hits a pumphandle suplex on the floor. Back in and a spinning cutter gives Siaki two but Estrada drops him as well for a double down. A Regal Roll into another Lionsault gives Estrada two more but Siaki drops him with a clothesline. Estrada knocks him outside, only to miss a dive into the barricade. Siaki’s rolling cutter is good for the pin at 5:18.

Rating: C. There wasn’t exactly much of a surprise here as Siaki has already moved on to his feud with Jerry Lynn and just needed to beat Estrada to wrap up the Flying Elvises stuff. Siaki has a good attitude and, despite feeling like a Rock impersonator, is more interesting than a lot of people around here. Let him get away from the goofy comedy stuff and see what they’ve got with him.

Post match Jerry Lynn runs in and beats on Siaki, meaning it’s another pull apart brawl.

Derek Wylde vs. Ace Steel

Steel has Mortimer Plumtree with him and takes Wylde down without much trouble. They fight over arm control until Wylde snaps off a hurricanrana. Steel puts him on the apron and they go to the floor, where Wylde grabs a headscissors. Back in and Steel puts him up top for a superplex, followed (eventually, after a lot of reaching and stretching) by a Widow’s Peak for the pin at 3:50.

Rating: C-. Steel has some potential and looks good in the ring, but dang that finish was as smooth as something that isn’t smooth whatsoever. It brought the match down a bit despite them doing well enough otherwise. Wylde is another name in the crowded X-Division, but there are worse choices for jobbers to the stars.

Bruce/Jeff Jarrett vs. Hermie Sadler/BG James

Please be quick. Before the match, James makes his usual jokes about Jarrett and Bruce, which are as unfunny as usual. Jarrett comes back by saying Sadler can be in THE LAST AND THE FURIOUS before getting forearmed by James to start. Bruce comes in and immediately drops to all fours before taking Sadler down. Sadler gets in an armdrag and it’s back to James, who can’t find anything low on Bruce to hit.

A Jarrett cheap shot from the apron lets the villains take over, with both of them getting int heir usual. James fights up with the shaky jabs and shaky knee, allowing the tag to Sadler. Jarrett and James brawl up the ramp, where Brian Lawler pops up with a trashcan to knock James silly. Back inside, Sadler proves that he is better than any woman so far and pins Bruce with a rollup at 6:50.

Rating: D-. Sweet merciful goodness enough with the Bruce stuff. Hermie Sadler isn’t much better, but at least he seems to be serious when he’s out there. I get exactly what they’re going for with Bruce, but good grief they couldn’t make it much dumber. That leaves James and Jarrett to do the important stuff and they have a pretty firm ceiling on the excitement scale at the moment.

Post match Bruce puts on his tiara…and gets taken out with the Stroke.

Norman Smiley vs. Ron Harris

Harris shoves him down to start but charges into a hiptoss, allowing Smiley to dance a bit. Smiley goes for the knee but the Big Wiggle is broken up rather quickly. More kicks to the leg seem to annoy Harris but a shoulder does put him down. A spinning side slam drops Smiley though and a half nelson slam gives Harris the pin at 4:49.

Rating: D+. At least it was relatively short and Harris only beat one person this time. Smiley’s comedy is always worth a chuckle as he’s good in that style, but I still have no idea why I’m supposed to care about the Harris stuff. He’s fine on his own, but after being bored by he and his brother for so many years, stop trying to make him into some big force here.

Post match Smiley actually beats Harris down but Don Harris comes out to make the save. the Harris Twins go face to face and that’s it.

Tag Team Titles: Chris Michaels/Rick Michaels vs. James Storm/Chris Harris

Harris and Storm are defending and for the sake of simplicity, Chris Michaels is “Chris” and Chris Harris is “Harris”. Rick and Storm slug it out to start until Rick is sent outside, where Chris is tossed on top of him. Everything breaks down and Storm is sent into the steps to put the Michaels in trouble.

Rick comes back in and gets caught with a hurricanrana, allowing the tag off to Harris. A high crossbody gets two on Chris and Storm grabs the reverse tornado DDT but there is no referee. Rick gets in a cheap shot to give Chris two and Storm’s superkick gets the same. Rick’s neckbreaker sets up Chris’ top rope elbow for two on Harris, who is right back up with the swinging Rock Bottom to pin Chris and retain at 6:46.

Rating: C+. As usual, Storm and Harris are one of the bright spots on this show, though they’re going to need some serious challengers sooner than later. The problem with having a dominant team and basically no division underneath them is that you can’t exactly build up anyone to come for the belts. The Michaels weren’t great but I’ve seen far worse challengers for the titles. Like anyone with Ron Harris for example.

Post match the Hot Shots run in to beat on the champs, with the Michaels getting in on it as well.

X-Division Title: AJ Styles vs. Syxx Pac

Pac is defending and Mortimer Plumtree is with Styles. Multiple handshake offers don’t interest Styles, who takes Pac down and gets some applause. An exchange of wristlocks goes to Styles as they’re still firmly in first gear here. Pac takes him down for some slaps to the back of the head but Styles is right back up with a hurricanrana. Styles needs a breather on the floor before coming back in, only to get armdragged right back to the floor.

Back in (again) and Styles manages to crotch him against the post, with Plumtree getting in some choking on the ropes. The chinlock keeps Pac down until he misses a charge to the floor. That means Styles can hit a big running flip dive before hitting the chinlock again. Pac fights up again and fires off some spinning kicks to the face, only for Styles to dropkick him out of the air for two.

Back up and Pac knocks him to the floor for the big flip dive, followed by a northern lights suplex for two more. The referee gets bumped so Plumtree comes in, with the referee not allowing Pac to him him. Instead Pac unloads on Styles in the corner until it’s a DQ at 13:53.

Rating: B-. The ending was annoying but it’s nice to see two talented wrestlers who can work a good match getting the chance to do it. Last week’s issues aside, there is something good about having Pac around because he really can hang with just about anyone. It makes the division feel more important and someone beating him for the title will be a big moment.

Post match Pac decks the referee and security has to hold him back so Styles and Plumtree can escape.

Don West previews next week’s show.

Earlier today, Mike Tenay sat down with Curt Hennig, who talks about being a big success in the AWA, WWF and WCW. He was impressed by the reaction he received last week and thinks Ron Killings is quite the star.

NWA World Title: Curt Hennig vs. Ron Killings

Killings is defending and goes on a rant about how minority wrestlers don’t get a fair chance. He doesn’t duck anyone and tonight, Hennig’s blood is on his critics’ hands. Hennig comes out to call Killings a punk and we’re ready to go. Killings backs away into the corner to start so Hennig grabs a lockup, with the referee splitting them up.

Hennig pulls him into a front facelock but they fall out to the floor, with Killings grabbing a backdrop onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Killings hammers away, including starting in on the leg. The jumping sidekick staggers Hennig, who is right back with a slam but the referee gets bumped. The HennigPlex is loaded up but here is Mr. Wrestling III to go after both of them.

BG James and Syxx Pac come in to chase him off but Ace Steel and the Harris Twins come in for a big brawl. Bob Armstrong comes in to clear the ring and restart the match but Killings knocks various people down. Killings grabs a chair so Armstrong says get in the ring and defend the title or be stripped. Cue Jeff Jarrett to hit Hennig low, allowing Killings to steal the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C. Well I’ll be darned if Jeff Jarrett didn’t get involved in the main event again. Hennig getting a title shot so soon is fine as he’s one of the biggest names in the company and having him put Killings over is a good thing. BG James continues to be mostly useless, but they’re far better than the Harris Twins who simply won’t go away. As usual, too much going on in a match that really didn’t need all the smoke and mirrors.

Killings rants to the fans a lot.

We get a graphic saying EVIL RETURNS on October 30 to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. The biggest problem here continues to be a lack of a reason to care about most of this stuff. Things happen every week, but so many of them aren’t interesting or feature people who could be dropped from the show with nothing being lost. The Harris Twins, Brian Lawler, Bruce and BG James would be on this list, as the limited star power they add isn’t helping much. As usual, there are people here who are working hard, but the whole product needs a new direction with A LOT more focus, as so many things are all over the place.

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

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NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #14
Date: September 25, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

Things are in quite the transitional period around here and that makes for an interesting time. If nothing else, it makes for a necessary time, as the show has gone from total insanity to something more coherent, but that doesn’t make it interesting. Last week’s show ended with something of a Kliq reunion and that is not something that has me interested. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We go to the back where Jerry Lynn is attacking Sonny Siaki, who cost him the World Title last week. The brawl keeps going until security breaks it up.

Commentary previews the show.

Sonny Siaki vs. Amazing Red

This doesn’t seem fair. Red jumps him on the floor to start and they get inside, with Siaki being sent into the corner for a running dropkick. Siaki fires off some running shoulders in the corner and a big backdrop sends Red to the floor. Red gets dropped onto the barricade for some near falls back inside but the bad rips are slowing Siaki down. A bearhug keeps Red in trouble and a superkick makes things even worse. Siaki chokes a bit but Red is back with the Code Red for two. A spinning kick to the head drops Siaki again but he’s right back with a spinning neckbreaker for the win at 7:25.

Rating: C+. Well so much for Red. Not only did he come in with an advantage, but he jumped Siaki to start, only to lose anyway. Siaki is getting more and more featured time and there are worse ideas, but it isn’t going to matter all that much unless he breaks into the holy trinity of the X-Division. Those guys are the ones who matter and everyone else is just kind of there beneath them. Either change that or nothing Siaki does really matters.

Post match Jorge Estrada comes out to say the rest of the Flying Elivses are giving up on Siaki.

We go to the back, where Ron Killings is attacking Amazing Red.

Tag Team Titles: Brian Lee/Ron Harris vs. James Storm/Chris Harris

Storm and Chris are defending in a tables match and this is a rematch from last week when they won the belts. Lee hammers on Chris to start as I wonder why there are tags. The villains are sent to the floor for a pair of dives from the champs but Lee takes over back inside. Ron loads up a table in the corner but gets cut off, leaving Lee to choke Chris instead.

With Storm on the floor, Ron loads up a powerslam…and completely ignores the table and plants Chris in the middle of the ring instead. Chris fights out and brings in Storm to clean house and after sending Ron to the floor, knock Lee through the table at ringside to retain the titles at 6:39.

Rating: D+. This is where TNA, and other promotions for that matter, look bad and I still don’t get it. There are some people who need to be protected and others who can take a loss without any issues. Ron Harris and Brian Lee have next to no value around here and having one of them take a finish for a clean pin is not going to hurt them. If you want Storm and Chris to be a big deal, let them look like a big deal rather than having to knock Lee through a table to win.

Post match Ron wrecks the champs again, but security breaks it up…including Don Harris, who gets in a shoving match with his brother. So yes, the newly crowned Tag Team Champions, and by far the best team in the company, is laid out for the sake of THE BATTLING HARRIS BROTHERS.

Earlier today, Bruce arrived and got in an argument with an elderly woman.

Here is Ron Killings for a chat. He talks about growing up in poverty with five people in one bed but now people who grew up with security are talking about how he should live. There is real prejudice around here because Ricky Steamboat is gone now that Killings won the title. Where is Killings’ merchandise? Or his private dressing room? Killings calls out Jerry Lynn but gets BG James, because they were partners in the WWF (which commentary points out).

James says that he protected Killings in the WWF and now it’s time to slap some sense into his head. After getting annoyed at the WHAT chants, Killings says this is a new reality and James is his b****. The brawl is on and Killings bails, with James saying he isn’t Tom Cruise or Jack Nicholson because he can handle the truth. It’s more stuff from the WWF, but at least it’s something that was only a few years ago at this point.

You can see AJ Styles at a county fair in West Virginia! And that’s the kind of thing that makes this place feel low level.

Brian Lawler insists that everything is fine with April (his girlfriend) and their business is their business. April doesn’t want her talking for him so he yells at her and gets the camera cut off. This really isn’t as interesting as TNA thinks it is.

AJ Styles vs. Low Ki

2/3 falls for the #1 contendership to the X-Division Title. Styles works on the arm to start and then grinds away on a headlock. Ki kicks his way out of a wristlock and drops a hard elbow for two, only to get caught in an atomic drop of all things. Back up and Ki sends him to the floor for the big running flip dive from the apron but Styles gets in a crotching on top back inside. Styles strikes away and grabs a quickly broken chinlock and kicks him down, setting up the Dragon Clutch for the first fall at 6:35.

Styles is right back up with a discus lariat and a delayed suplex into a knee drop. A jumping enziguri knocks Ki to the floor, where Styles drops him hard onto the ramp. Back in and Ki strikes away but Styles sunset flips him out of the corner for the pin to tie it up at 10:57. Styles kicks him out to the floor and gets smart by going after the legs.

Back in and a super shinbreaker sets up something like a spinning toehold to keep Ki down. The Ki Crusher attempt is countered and the leg gives out again so Styles rolls him up for two with feet on the ropes. With the cheating not working, Styles hits the Styles Clash for the pin at 14:43.

Rating: B-. This felt rushed even though they had some time. The good sign here though is that these two (along with Jerry Lynn) are guys you can throw out there in any combination for a good result. That’s what you had here, even if the 2/3 falls deal wasn’t really necessary for the match.

Jeff Jarrett isn’t happy with the suggestion that he’s getting further from the World Title. Tonight though, he has options.

Elix Skipper/Brian Lawler vs. Scott Hall/Syxx Pac

April is here with Skipper and Lawler. Pac and Skipper trade missed kicks to start until Skipper throws him down. Lawler dances on the apron (as he does) and it’s off to Hall. We pause for Lawler to order April to stay in a chair on the floor, allowing Hall to come back on Skipper. A chokeslam gives Hall two but the villains get together to crotch him on the post a few times.

Lawler and Skipper take turns beating on Hall, who finally clotheslines his way out of trouble. Naturally, Lawler is on the floor checking on April, even as Pac comes back in to clean house. The fall away slam sets up a missed Bronco Buster but Skipper dives into the X Factor for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: D+. And again, it’s a problem of focusing on one idea and not realizing that it isn’t very interesting. Why in the world should I care about Lawler and April? There is nothing to April save for her being with Lawler, who isn’t interesting in the first place. That was the entire focus of the match and it’s not like Hall is able to do much to keep up the interest between the bells.

Post match Jeff Jarrett is in with a Stroke each to Hall and Pac. Don Harris makes the save.

AJ Styles hits on Goldilocks and wants to face Jerry Lynn for the X-Division Title in, say it with me, a ladder match.

Jorge Estrada vs. Kid Kash

They fight over wrist control to start but Kash messes with Estrada’s hair. That leads to a standoff as a rather nerdy man is shown watching from the stage. Estrada fights back and hits a clothesline to the floor, setting up a dive which is almost left low. Kash is right back up to chop away and a double jump flip dive drops Estrada for two. Estrada hiptosses him into a running shooting star press for two but a pumphandle faceplant drops Estrada again. They chop it out until Kash hits a DDT for two. Back up and Estrada drops him for a Lionsault into a Swanton for the pin at 6:06.

Rating: C+. You had two guys who can do flips and dives doing flips and dives until one of them won. That’s the kind of filler match that is entertaining but doesn’t feel overly important. At least Estrada has something going on with Sonny Siaki, though it’s still a bit difficult to make him seem important or serious when he’s in an Elvis suit.

Post match Estrada calls out Sonny Siaki, who comes out to apologize for the issues with the rest of the team. He’s willing to turn in his Flying Elvis uniform…and we see a video of him burning it earlier today.

We recap the X-Division getting behind Jerry Lynn trying to win the World Title last week, only for Siaki to cost him.

X-Division Title: Jerry Lynn vs. Ron Killings

Only Lynn is defending in a lumberjack match. Killings tries to bail to the floor to start but is quickly tossed back inside. Lynn hammers away in the corner and a middle rope bulldog gets two. Back up and Killings hits a middle rope shoulder into a wheelbarrow faceplant for two of his own. Lynn is tossed outside where the lumberjacks check on him, which earns Amazing Red a shot to the face from Killings.

Back in and a kneeling MuscleBuster gives Killings two more and we hit the chinlock. A powerslam plants Lynn as AJ Styles has set up a ladder on stage. Lynn gets a boot up in the corner but charges into a powerslam. The front facelock, with feet on the ropes, keeps Lynn in trouble but he fights out and grabs a reverse DDT. Back up and they slug it out until Killings sneaks in a low blow. The cutter is blocked though and Low Ki gets in a cheap shot, setting up Lynn’s TKO to retain at 9:07.

Rating: B-. Again, no surprise that this worked, as Lynn is one of the few people around here who can wrestle with anyone and Killings is certainly fine enough. Lynn getting a win should set up a rubber match between the two of them, or Ki getting a World Title shot of his own. This was another example of the X-Division being treated seriously and that is very refreshing to see.

Don West hypes up next week’s show, with the ladder match confirmed.

Jeff Jarrett vs. BG James

Naturally James runs his mouth before the match and promises a beating before getting in his catchphrase. James punches him down and dances before a right hand sets up the shaky knee drop. Jarrett comes back with an enziguri but James’ dancing punches send him outside. Some chair shots to the back knock Jarrett into the crowd, where he takes over. They go back to ringside where Jarrett gets in some chair shots of his own, setting up the running crotch attack to the back inside.

Jarrett grabs a sleeper but James fights up into one of his own, meaning it’s the required belly to back suplex counter. James hits a big boot and rains down some right hands in the corner. Jarrett is sent into a chair in the corner but here are Elix Skipper and Brian Lawler. The latter offers a distraction but Jarrett runs into him by mistake. James goes after both of them, allowing Jarrett to get in a chair shot to the head for two. Another comeback is on but this time Lawler and Skipper run in for the DQ at 9:08.

Rating: D. I know I’m getting repetitive with these criticisms, but it’s the same thing again: the least interesting people are getting these spots because they’re stars with names. That might make sense on paper, but it’s also making for some awful television. James was busted open last week and his dad has been attacked, so he’s out there doing his funny dancing stuff to pop the crowd. It’s almost tolerable if he’s having a good match, but this was just more slow paced stuff that wasn’t any good in the first place.

Post match the brawl is on, with Syxx Pac and Scott Hall running in for the save. Ron Killings runs in with belt shots and the villains stand tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. It really is amazing to see how much this show feels divided in two. You have the X-Division having fun, fast paced and athletic matches where they all feel like they’re trying to break out and become stars. Those parts are often good, but the rest of the show feels like “here are a bunch of former WWF names, you’ll probably remember them, ignore that their stuff is terrible.” It’s a problem that has plagued many a promotion and it’s doing so again here. Having those people around is ok enough, but just cut down on their focus really fast.

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NWA Weekly PPV #10
Date: August 21, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West

Every time I do two of these in a row, I come in thinking I should get back to this series more often but then I change my mind completely before I start the second one. That’s certainly the case here, as last week’s show was terrible. It was a string of gimmick matches which set up another string of them this week, though thankfully this week’s string involves AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Thank goodness Ed Ferrara is gone from commentary.

AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn

Falls Count Anywhere and the first of a three match series tonight. It’s a brawl to start with Lynn taking him outside, where Styles manages a whip into the steps. Styles strikes away before getting crotched on the barricade to cut him off rather quickly. They fight into the crowd with Styles evening things up a bit, including a running flip dive off the balcony. Styles rams him into the barricade but gets suplexed back to ringside for two.

Back in and they trade flips until Lynn gets in a Stunner. A powerbomb is countered into a faceplant for two, with Lynn getting his foot on the ropes. I’m not sure why that breaks the count in a falls count ANYWHERE match but we’ll move on. A neckbreaker gives Styles two but Lynn is back up with a hurricanrana to the floor. They slug it out on the stage where Lynn drops him with a discus lariat. Something like a bulldog off the stage gets two and it’s back to the stage where Lynn hits a cradle piledriver for the pin at 9:56.

Rating: B-. These two work well together and it makes sense for the two of them to be put together this many times on one show. At the same time, they didn’t stay out there too long to burn the fans out. If nothing else, having Styles getting a rub from Lynn, who is as smooth of an in-ring veteran as TNA has, is a great idea.

Chris Harris (smoking) wants James Storm to drop the cowboy thing for one night because they have a big fight. Brian Lee and Ron Harris come in to mock them, with Storm making western movie references. Storm seems to think he got them. Uh, right.

James Storm/Chris Harris vs. Ron Harris/Brian Lee

Storm and Lee start things off with Storm not being able to do much with the power game. A running forearm works a bit better and Ron is knocked outside as well. It’s off to Chris vs. Ron and it’s quickly time for the villains to have a conference on the floor. Back in and Ron hits some running corner clotheslines as everything breaks down. Chris is back with a headscissors while Storm beats up Lee on the floor.

Back in and Ron hits a swinging side slam for two and Lee grabs the chinlock. With that broken up, it’s back to Ron for a big boot. Chris fights out of trouble and makes the tag to Storm as everything breaks down. For some reason Lee gets in a fight with a fan in the front row, though there is nothing to suggest who it might be. Chris’ top rope shot to the back of the head snaps Ron’s throat across the top and Storm gets a rollup for the quick pin at 9:00.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t anything good to see, but what matters is Storm/Harris getting to work together and continue to grow as a team. They’re a good example of wrestlers who had nothing going on and it turned out they were a successful pairing. Thankfully TNA seems to be running with it as they now have a homegrown team who is turning into something.

Post match Ron and Lee jumps Storm and Chris to leave them laying.

Jimmy Yang vs. Sonny Siaki

2/3 falls and Jorge Estrada is here with Yang, who jumps Siaki as all three do their entrance together. They get inside for a spinwheel kick to Siaki, followed by a choke over the ropes. Siaki takes part of his top down (making it FAR easier to tell them apart), followed by a suplex cutter. Yang is right back with a neckbreaker though and Yang Time is good for the first fall at 3:30.

Another choke over the ropes is quickly broken up and Yang crashes to the floor. Siaki is back up with a suplex and they go back inside for the two count, setting up the chinlock. That doesn’t last long so Siaki grabs a pumphandle suplex for two instead. Yang fights up and hits a middle rope kick to the face, only for Siaki to grab a fisherman’s neckbreaker to tie it up at 8:27.

Siaki’s shoulder breaker gets two but Yang pulls him into a half crab. That’s broken up as well so Yang grabs a leglock. Siaki escapes that as well and is fine enough to hit a superplex. Yang is up first with a spinning kick to the chest but Siaki knocks him back down. They both go up to the same corner, where Yang manages a super swinging neckbreaker. Yang is back up with a rollup but Siaki reverses into one of his own and grabs the rope for the final pin at 14:09.

Rating: B-. I have no idea why this was 2/3 falls other than to stretch the match out a bit longer. Siaki definitely feels like the strongest of the three in the ring, though that ending of the third fall didn’t exactly work. Hopefully this gets Siaki out of the team though, as the trio isn’t getting anywhere at the moment.

Post match Jeff Jarrett storms out to say he wants to know what surprise Bob Armstrong has for him. Cue Brian Lawler to jump Jarrett and the brawl is on. Security breaks it up so Goldilocks goes into the ring to ask Lawler about his issues with Jarrett. Lawler is about to answer…and he gets jumped too. I’m really not sure if Lawler having issues with Jarrett is all that interesting.

Brian Lawler vs. Slash

The brawl is on with Lawler in trouble and they’re quickly on the floor. The mats get pulled back but Lawler reverses a suplex to take Slash down. Back in and Lawler flips the fans off as we hear about various problems in the New Church. They go outside again with Lawler hitting a bulldog on the ramp but stopping to yell at a fan. That’s enough for Slash to hit a top rope superplex for two, only for Lawler to come back with a DDT. Lawler stops to dance and gets kicked low but he’s fine enough to knock Slash off the top. The Tennessee Jam finishes for Lawler at 5:57.

Rating: C. It shouldn’t be surprising that things were fine enough here as these two had a long history in Memphis. At the same time, Lawler is only so interesting as this angry good guy, though it is likely a case of him being available rather than anything else. If nothing else, it’s nice to have Lawler stop talking about his dad, as that was killing him.

In the back, Jeff Jarrett argues with Bob Armstrong and leaves. We’re not finding out the surprise they advertised last week are we?

X-Division Title: Low Ki vs. Jose Maximo vs. Joel Maximo vs. Amazing Red

Ki is defending under elimination rules. All three challengers start hammering on Ki, who blasts them with kicks to the head. We settle down to Ki chopping Red but it’s too early for the Ki Crusher. Joel comes in for a tornado DDT to Ki and it’s quickly off to Jose. Ki is fine enough to kick both Maximos into the corner but Red comes in to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and an Alabama Slam/neckbreaker combination drops Ki.

Red’s top rope hurricanrana sends Joel into Jose and Ki tosses Red onto both Maximos. Ki’s big twisting dive off the top takes all three of them down again, giving them a quick breather on the floor. Back in and Ki is knocked outside again, leaving Joel to hit a lifting sitout Pedigree to pin Jose at 9:07.

Back in and Ki kicks away at Joel but Red knocks Joel down and hits a twisting top rope splash for the elimination at 10:10. So it’s Red vs. Ki for the title, with Ki countering Code Red into something like an Alabama Slam into the corner. A super Ki Crusher is countered but the second attempt plants Red hard to retain the title at 12:08.

Rating: B-. Good enough, but this was similar to last week’s match against the Flying Elvises as there was no reason to believe that two of the three were going to have a chance. That leaves you a long time before we get to the one on one match and then it only lasts about two minutes. The match itself was a bunch of spots and Ki striking, which is a good way to bring Ki up even higher.

Ron Killings compares himself to Abraham Lincoln for freeing the Black sports entertainers. He has a dream too, and it involves kicking the dust off of Monty Brown.

NWA World Title: Ron Killings vs. Monty Brown

Brown is challenging and shoves him into the corner, allowing for some dancing. Three straight running shoulders give Brown two but Killings sends him crashing out to the floor. The big flip dive takes Brown down and Killings stomps away. They fight onto the announcers’ table, where Killings escapes the Alpha Bomb. West: “WHAT HAVE WE JUST SEEN???” Uh, two guys punching each other and one of them escaping a powerbomb before getting off the table?

Brown sends him flying and then takes it back inside for two. A Downward Spiral sets up Killings’ top rope legdrop for two and the chinlock goes on. That’s broken up so Killings hits a leg lariat for two more. Brown is back up with a powerslam into a splash for two of his own. Killings ax kicks him down for two so Brown tries the Alpha Bomb, which is reversed into something like a sunset bomb to retain the title at 10:13.

Rating: D+. To say Brown was green here would be a huge understatement and there was only so much that could be done in a situation like this. It helps that Killings is able to hang in there and do some of his stuff, but he needed someone better than Brown to make this work. Brown has all kinds of charisma but that isn’t enough to carry him through a ten minute match with this kind of importance.

Post match Jeff Jarrett is IMMEDIATELY in the ring to go after Killings but Brian Lawler comes in. Lawler grabs a chair but hits Killings by mistake, which he realizes is a big mistake.

Jerry Lynn is ready to finish AJ Styles for good but here is Styles to jump him from behind. Since the second match is No DQ, we’ll just start it in the back.

Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

No DQ and Lynn is up 1-0. They strike it out and go inside with Lynn hitting a Stunner over the ropes. A table is set up but Styles cuts him off, with the table being turned over. Styles’ springboard dive hits the upside down table (ouch) but he’s right back up with a legdrop onto a chair onto Lynn. A catapult sends Styles face first into the chair in the corner though and Lynn hits the slingshot Fameasser in the ropes.

Lynn’s tornado DDT to the table on the floor is broken up and a double clothesline leaves both of them down. Lynn tries a sunset flip but Styles grabs the chair and cracks him in the head for the save (that was nice). Back up and Lynn hits a top rope hanging DDT onto a chair…and pulls Styles up at two (uh oh). Styles knocks him off the top but gets crotched, setting up a super hurricanrana through the ringside table (with Styles landing head first for a scary crash). Back in and Styles is fine enough to reverse another tornado DDT attempt into the Styles Clash onto the chair for the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. Another good enough match between the two of them and again they didn’t overstay their welcome. That’s something you need to do if you’re going to see them fighting over and over, especially if Styles was all but guaranteed to win and tie the series up. It was a bit too similar to their first match, though nothing bad whatsoever.

With the series tied, we’re having a ten minute Iron Man match for the final fall and it starts right now.

Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

Ten minute Iron Man match and the winner gets an X-Division Title shot (ignore the clock on screen starting before the bell). Styles gets smart and pins the down Lynn at 11 seconds.

Styles – 1
Lynn – 0

Styles pins him again at 19 seconds.

Styles – 2
Lynn – 0

Lynn kicks out of a third cover and reverses a suplex into a neckbreaker for two. Styles grabs a sleeper to slow him down as we’re already two minutes in. Lynn fights up so Styles pulls him down by the hair and puts on the chinlock. Back up and Styles’ hurricanrana is countered into a faceplant to give Lynn a fall at 3:49.

Styles – 2
Lynn – 1

Lynn follows Styles’ plan by covering for an immediate two but Styles scores with a backdrop. We have five minutes left as Lynn comes back with the springboard Fameasser for two. Lynn goes up but gets caught in a Razor’s Edge Dominator (that was cool) and a delayed cover gives Styles another fall at 6:32 (even if the referee was a bit confused).

Styles – 3
Lynn – 1

Styles hammers away as Low Ki comes to watch, complete with a ladder. We have two minutes left as Lynn hits a tombstone for the pin at 8:13.

Styles – 3
Lynn – 2

Lynn can’t hit the cradle piledriver but can hit a Styles Clash to tie it up at 8:58.

Styles – 3
Lynn – 3

They trade very fast rollups but neither can get the pin as time expires at 10:00.

Rating: B-. This one saw the two of them getting the chance to show off their athleticism a bit more and Styles getting two falls at the start was very smart. I’m not wild on seeing the whole thing end in a draw, but otherwise, how else would we get to a triple threat title match? It didn’t get too insane, but Ki coming out with the ladder more or less guaranteed where this was going.

Post match Ki comes in and raises both of their arms, only to kick them down. Ki says the division is about the champion so next week it’s time to prove that he is the greatest in a ladder match.

Don West does his big hype package. Sweet goodness he is awesome at this stuff.

Referee Scott Armstrong asks his dad (Bob Armstrong, behind a door so we can’t see him) to not come after Jeff Jarrett. Bob says he has to and he has padding.

Jarrett is in the ring so here is Bob, in his Bullet mask and gear, with Jarrett beating him up. Jarrett calls him an old man and hammers away but Bullet fights back and clears Jarrett out. Hold on though as the real Bob Armstrong pops up on the stage with a chair. The Bullet unmasks as…well he doesn’t as we’ll see who that is next week.

Overall Rating: C+. This was actually a very interesting show because it was WAY toned down compared to everything else that they had been doing. That’s because the company was not doing well financially and they were doing things on a budget. Therefore, a bunch of people are gone and you have things like Styles and Lynn working three matches on a single show.

At the same time, my goodness this was SO much easier to watch without some of the terrible stuff. It was a much straighter show and while it might not work full time, it wasn’t the Dupps or Jive Talkin or all the other dumb ideas that get so much time. Granted it did have a bunch of Jeff Jarrett, but you know that’s coming every single week around here.

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NWA Weekly PPV #9
Date: August 14, 2002
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Don West, Ed Ferrara

I really need to do these more often. Things have been a total mess around here, which is kind of the trademark of the promotion in its early run. Ron Killings has won the World Title and Don Harris is at war with the New Church because…I have absolutely no idea. Jeff Jarrett is still the star of the whole place while the X-Division guys continue to steal the show week in and week out. Let’s get to it.

Opening recap, looking at last week’s World Title change.

Opening sequence.

Here is new World Champion Ron Killings for a chat. Killings says this is his house, which he dubs the TNA Asylum. He has had to work harder because of the color of his skin. A senior WWF official told him that he couldn’t make the same mistakes as a white man. That’s too far, so from this day forward, he is a legend. Now he’s the World Champion, but here is Jeff Jarrett (teaming with Killings tonight) to say he can’t believe some of this nonsense.

Jarrett claims reverse racism because he has never gotten the same shot. Killings says come get your shot but cue Bill Behrens (with a ridiculous cowboy hat) and security to cut it off. Behrens makes a bunch of sheriff jokes and says Jarrett and Killings fan fight…but it won’t be sanctioned for the World Title. Cue Brian Lawler to go after Jarrett until security breaks it up. Lawler shouts about knowing it was Jarrett. Well of course it was. It’s always Jarrett.

Kid Kash/Shark Boy/Slim J vs. Amazing Red/Spanish Announce Team

Kash and Joel start fast and trade wrist control before exchanging armdrags for a standoff in a quick sequence. Kash flips him off and hits a running shoulder before backdropping him out to the floor. A slingshot hurricanrana takes Joel down again and we hit the parade of dives. J, Red and Kash all one up each other with flip dives and we settle down to Kash suplexing J onto Joel. Back up and everything breaks down, with the SAT’s tying up Boy and J in a Liontamer/camel clutch at the same time.

Red adds a springboard missile dropkick but gets kicked in the face by J. Kash comes back in to drop an elbow on Red and then hits a kind of super powerslam. It’s back to J, who misses a twisting top rope splash. Everything breaks down (shocking I know) and Kash runs the corner for a super hurricanrana. Boy’s Diamond Dust gets two on Red with Jose making the save. The Money Maker (Jay Driller) plants Red with Joel’s top rope legdrop breaking it up. The double super Spanish Fly hits J and Red’s very twisty splash finishes him off at 10:39.

Rating: B. This falls right into the classic formula of “take a bunch of people and let them fly all over the place to pop the crowd”. That’s all this was supposed to be and it was entertaining stuff. Red’s stuff continues to be insane and that was the case here, with Kash’s great looking hurricanranas not being too far behind.

The Dupps have an idea for their own version of Cribs, which is about their house…which is an outhouse. My goodness this is so dumb.

Here is Bruce to say he is more woman than anyone in this arena. All of the married men in this arena, including Mike Tenay, are fantasizing about him. The challenge is on, and he’ll throw in $5000 to any woman who can beat him. A woman from the crowd signs a quick contract and we’re ready to go.

Miss TNA: Bruce vs. ???

Bruce is defending and gets speared down to start, followed by a legdrop. A toss over the top sets up a slam on the floor, followed by another back inside. Then Bruce grabs a small package for the fast pin at 1:50. The woman shrugs it off with an “oh well”, because that’s what you should do here.

Jeff Jarrett wants the World Title and beats up Bill Behrens in the backroom. Then he runs into Low Ki for a staredown, followed by Tito and Bo Dupp bumping into each other. Thankfully for us, this means a match.

Don Harris vs. Malice

Last Man Standing and this is missing from WatchTNA because…well I’m guessing the SS on Harris’ shirt. Malice jumps him to start and gets taken down for his efforts. Harris chairs him in the head but Malice throws powder in Harris’ eyes. More powder blinds Harris again and Malice gets in a chair shot as Harris is busted open. Malice whips him into the barricade a few times and they go up to the stage, with Harris being tossed out to the floor.

That’s a bit too much selling for Harris though, as he comes back with a chain for some choking and a clothesline. It’s time for a table and Harris kicks a chair into Malice’s face. Malice gets in a powerbomb but pulls Harris up for a chokeslam. That’s countered into a DDT but Malice is back up with a belly to back superplex through the table. Naturally only Harris gets up for the win at 7:08.

Rating: D. If you have a Last Man Standing match, maybe A, have it go longer than ten minutes and B, don’t have the SECURITY GUARD beat the former #1 contender to the World Title. The fact that Malice hit the finishing move here and then lost anyway should tell you everything wrong with this match, but there was so much else wrong with the thing that it’s not even covering the biggest issue. Horrible stuff here as Don Harris continues to be far too big of a star.

Post match respect is shown, and if you have the respect of DON HARRIS, you’re going places.

Dupp Cup: Teo vs. Bo Dupp

The first to ten points wins and if you think I’m keeping score, I have no idea what to tell you. Teo starts fast and sends him into a chair, followed by ripping off the pants and hitting him with a stick horse. It doesn’t count for points though because Bo likes it and yes, someone was paid to come up with this nonsense.

Stan Dupp offers a distraction and Bo gets in a big boot as Don West is actually trying to keep track of the points (doing commentary with a solo mic at ringside, reportedly because Mike Tenay didn’t want to be part of this). Stan goes to the ticket window where the woman in charge beats on him with a broom. Bo takes Teo to the outhouse but Puppet is inside with a kendo stick. That’s enough for Bo to be send face first into the hole to give Teo the win at 4:25.

Rating: F-. I…what do you want me to say here? This was every bit as stupid as you could have imagined and then it just kept getting worse. I’m sure the people backstage were roaring with laughter over it, but if your commentator, and one of the most prominent, well respected people you have, is washing your hands so you can do an outhouse joke, it’s way past time to think about what you’re doing.

We recap Monty Brown vs. Elix Skipper, with Skipper turning on him (after they won a match) and Brown wanting revenge.

Monty Brown vs. Elix Skipper

Detroit Street Fight. Before the match, Skipper calls out Brown for the fight and then gets jumped from behind because Skipper is kind of dumb. Brown hammers away to start and chokes him over the ropes with a shirt. Skipper gets in a chain shot to the ribs and chokes away, which is shrugged off without much effort.

Back in and some trashcan/lid shots slow Brown down, with Skipper adding in a Matrix to send Brown crashing. A slingshot dive onto the can onto Brown gets two on the floor but Brown is back up with the Alphalution (kind of a reverse F5). The Alpha Bomb onto a trashcan (onto a stop sign because reasons) finishes Skipper at 5:45.

Rating: C. I can go with pushing Brown as a star as he has more charisma than should be allowed, but this was another violent gimmick match crammed into way too short of a time limit. As is the case so often around here, this stuff needs time to breathe and that isn’t what we’re getting with just about anything. Brown is going to be a force though, as even TNA shouldn’t be able to screw him up.

The Flying Elvises are all ready to challenge for the X-Division Title. They’re fired up because it’s 25 years since Elvis died and Sonny Siaki is going to win the title in his honor. As in his own honor, because he hates Elvis. Hence being in a stable called the FLYING ELVISES. Other than that, I’m trying to figure out why Goldilocks is in her third different outfit in an hour.

X-Division Title: Low Ki vs. Sonny Siaki vs. Jimmy Yang vs. Jorge Estrada

Ki is defending and this is elimination rules. Siaki and Ki start things off as we’re actually tagging here. Ki fights him into the corner early on but gets powerbombed out. Estrada comes in and grabs a Regal Roll but the Lionsault is countered. Some kicks rock Estrada for two, with Siaki having to break up a dragon sleeper.

The Elvises aren’t happy with each other so Yang comes in with a middle rope spinwheel kick. Yang chokes him over the ropes but Ki is quickly out of a sleeper. Estrada comes back in and takes out Yang, including a springboard flip dive on the floor. Back in and Yang hits a dropkick into a Boston crab, which he bends back really fast and Estrada taps immediately for the elimination at 6:41.

Ki comes in so Yang hits him with a missile dropkick for two. Yang Time is loaded up but Siaki crotches him down, setting up the Ki Crusher at 7:56 to get us down to one on one. Siaki comes in with a pop up cutter for two but Ki is back with a springboard kick to the face. Siaki manages a shot to the face, only to get sent into Yang as he’s still on the apron. Ki rolls him up to retain at 9:22.

Rating: B-. They only had so much time here as you had three eliminated to cover in the span of less than ten minutes. At the same time, the Elvises are having issues and that’s likely going to lead to something going south sooner or later. As for Ki, it’s a good move to have him beat all three members of the team to retain, as that’s going to make anyone look strong.

Earlier today, Goldilocks (outfit #4) got in a car with Jerry Lynn, who made a short drive to another building and beat up AJ Styles, knocking him into a bathtub and demanding respect.

Disco Inferno is back with Jive Talking and brings out actor Dean Baldwin (read as Shark Boy without a mask) to talk about his upcoming movie. This leads Disco to asking about Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger’s bedroom habits. Cue Brian Lawler who rants about Jeff Jarrett doing…something. Baldwin: “Who are you? What are your credentials?” Lawler takes Baldwin out and we still don’t know what Jarrett did. Security throws Lawler out.

Goldilocks (outfit #5) watches the Dupps freak out. Stan is leaving and Goldilocks isn’t sure what Bo should do. Bo: “Thank you for caring.”

Tag Team Titles: Jeff Jarrett/Ron Killings vs. AJ Styles/Jerry Lynn

Styles and Lynn are defending but Styles isn’t here to start. That means Lynn gets beaten down but here is Styles to even things up. House is cleaned and Styles hits Jarrett with the drop down dropkick for an early two. A Lionsault to the floor connects for Styles but he gets dropped onto the barricade. That leaves Lynn to monkey flip Killings inside and a middle rope bulldog gets two.

We settle down to Jarrett stomping away on Lynn and Killings comes in for a wheelbarrow faceplant. The ax kick gets two on Lynn, who is right back with the Figure Four to Jarrett, who turns it over in literally less than two seconds. Since this is TNA, commentary insults Lynn for being dumb for trying a Figure Four on Jeff Jarrett.

Killings puts Lynn on top but gets taken down with a tornado DDT for a needed breather. That’s enough for the tag off to Styles so house can be cleaned. Everything breaks down and Styles flips over Jarrett but the referee gets decked. Lynn’s reverse DDT drops Jarrett and Cradle Piledrives Killings but Jarrett is up for the save. Jarrett gives Lynn the Stroke and Styles his the Spiral Tap on Killings for a double pin at 12:24.

Rating: C+. Oh there it is. That’s the big ending that Russo loves as not only do we have the two teams who don’t get along, but now they have a screwy finish to hold up the titles. Odds are we’ll either get a rematch, a ladder match or a tournament of some kind because it gets the titles off of Lynn and Styles without having them lose. It’s not a bad match, but dang it feels like a lame way to end the title reign.

Post match Bob Armstrong comes out to say the titles are held up. Next week, it’s Killings for Monty Brown for the World Title and Lynn vs. Styles for a future X-Division Title shot match. Lynn wants falls count anywhere. Styles wants anything goes. Armstrong says sure, and it’s going to be 2/3 falls, with the third fall being a ten minute iron man match. As for Jarrett, he gets a special opponent next week.

Don West does the big push for next week’s show.

Brian Lawler attacks Jeff Jarrett in the back and shouts about wanting to kill him. Geez what did he do? Make him watch Jeff Jarrett matches?

Overall Rating: D. As usual, the matches where it’s played a lot straighter are far easier to watch. Case in point, we had something as simple as a six man tag as the opener and it was by far the best thing on the show. After that, it was man vs. woman, a Last Man Standing match, the Dupp Cup nonsense, a street fight and then a four way before a screwy tag match to wrap up the show. That’s WAY too much going on at once (including ANYTHING involving the Dupps) and some of it is absolutely horrible. There are fun parts to the show but as usual, they’re all so bogged down and it’s killing the positives. As per Russo.

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