• #1 Contender’s match: Kid Kash vs. Jesse Sorensen

The winner of this match would be the #1 contender to the X Division Championship. This was a fairly decent opener, and it would be nice to see TNA start more of their PPVs with fun, X Division style matches, besides matches for the X Division title. They chain wrestle at the start, with Sorensen applying a waistlock and a hammerlock before both men hit arm drags. Kash hits a kick and some shots to the head, but Sorensen hits some punches and an arm drag followed by an arm bar. Kash fights up and takes some shots from Sorensen, but drop toeholds him into the corner. Kash hits a nasty looking release front brainbuster and a kick to the head followed by some slaps. Sorensen comes back with some chops, a leg lariat, and a dropkick for 2. Sorensen hits a neckbreaker and a top rope cross body for a pair of near falls, but Kash comes back with a scoop slam, a knee drop, and some knee strikes to the gut. He shoves the ref but the ref shoves back. Kash hits a release suplex and a slightly botched springboard moonsault off the top for 2, but Sorensen hits a lifting reverse suplex slam for the win. Had a couple rough moments, but this was a solid opener all around. Match Time: 7:56     Star Rating: **1/2

• Bound for Glory Series match: Bully Ray vs. James Storm

Going in, they went with the idea that whoever had the most points after both of the BFG Series matches tonight would be the winner of the series. This was very dull and Bully Ray once again showed that while his heel character is very good, his wrestling still leaves much to be desired. Ray stalls a lot early on, leaving the ring several times and yelling at/staring at the crowd. After a few minutes Ray starts things off with some shots in the corner, then whips Storm into another corner to kick and punch him. Storm avoids a charging Ray and hits an arm drag before cinching in a cross arm-breaker. They played it up like Storm had to win via submission in order to get enough points to win the series. Ray makes it to the ropes and they circle each other before locking up again. Storm hits an arm drag and applies the cross arm-breaker again. Ray escapes to the floor and Storm slams his arm on the steps, but Storm gets beer sprayed in his eyes. Ray hits some head butts in the corner back in the ring, but Storm counters the Bubba Bomb and again applies the cross arm-breaker. Ray gets the ropes, but Storm puts him in a sharpshooter, only for Ray to make it to the ropes again. Storm gets Ray on the mat again and applies a Fujiwara arm bar, only for Ray to counter with a roll-up for a near fall. Ray backdrops Storm over the ropes, but Storm lands on the apron and hits an enzuigiri. Storm accidentally spits beer in the ref’s face before cinching in the cross-armbreaker again. Ray taps out, but the ref rules Ray the winner by disqualification. Total BS finish for a crucial match in a tournament to decide the #1 contender for TNA’s biggest show of the year. The match itself was very one-dimensional and boring, with Storm going for submission after submission and Ray stalling a lot. Not good, and the finish only worsened things. Match Time: 11:50     Star Rating: *1/4

• TNA Women’s Knockout Championship match: Mickie James(c) vs. Winter

This was yet another terrible Knockouts match with a lot of unnecessary overbooking and interference. Mickie hits a missile dropkick right from the start and goes after Angelina Love on the floor before Winter follows. Mickie whips Winter into the steps and slams her head on the guardrail, but Winter hits some shots back in the ring. Mickei hits a headscissors out of the corner and kicks Love through the ropes, but Winter hits a suplex before applying a bow and arrow. Mickie flips Winter over, but Winter hits a clothesline and throws Mickie down by her head before choking her against the ropes, and Love chokes Mickie while Winter distracts the ref. Winter hits a backbreaker and stretches Mickie’s back over her knee, then hits a second backbreaker. Winter applies a chin lock, but Mickie gets the ropes and does a jackknife cover for 2 followed by a neckbreaker. They trade shots before Mickie hits some clotheslines, a flapjack, and a kick to the head. Winter gets her foot on the ropes during the cover and Mickie applies a single leg Boston crab. Winter gets the ropes and Love hands her the title. Winter misses a shot with the belt and has a tug of war with the ref over it. Mickie rolls up Winter for 2 and goes for a tornado DDT out of the corner, but Love pulls Winter out of the ring to the floor. Mickie hits a Thesz press to Winter off the apron and chases Love up the ramp. The ref counts and both girls make it back in, but Love comes back down and grabs Mickie. Winter accidentally spits blood in Love’s face and while the ref is checking on Love, Winter spits the blood in Mickie’s face and covers for the win. The last couple minutes featured a ludicrous amount of overbooking and the match literally followed the exact same formula of their Hardcore Justice match as well as having the EXACT same finish. This sucked and accomplished nothing. Match Time: 8:38     Star Rating: 1/2*

• TNA World Tag Team Championship match: Mexican America(c) vs. Devon and D’Angelo Dinero

Much like the previous match, this was hampered by too much interference. Devon and Anarquia start with a lock up, with Devon taking control. Devon and Pope tag in and out to work Anarquia’s arm before Anarquia hits an elbow and tags in Hernandez. Devon hits a clothesline and Pope hits an elbow strike off the middle rope. Pope hits a drop toehold followed by a diving headbutt from Devon, and Devon follows with a hip toss to Anarquia. Pope hits an atomic drop and holds up Anarquia for a shoulder block from Devon. Rosita distracts the ref, but Pope kisses her on the apron before dropping her to the ground. Pope hits a hip toss and teases the Wassup with Devon, but Anarquia hits a back elbow and whips Hernandez into Devon in the corner. Hernandez then launches Anarquia into Devon and Sarita hits a dropkick off Hernandez’s back while the ref is distracted. Hernandez applies a bear hug and hits a shoulder block when Devon fights out, but Devon hits a spear. Both guys make tags and Pope hits some clotheslines, dropkicks Hernandez, and then hits a shoulder block and a coronation to Anarquia. Pope hits a top rope cross body but Hernandez breaks up the cover. Anarquia hits a back suplex followed by a diving splash from Hernandez, but Devon and Pope whip the heels into each other before hitting a double shoulder block. Rosita and Sarita try to interfere but the faces give them spankings. Pope tries to suplex Anarquia from the apron, but Anarquia counters it into a cover, and he gets the pinfall as Rosita pulls Pope’s foot from the outside. Typical TNA style tag team match with way too much overbooking and interference to the point where it greatly took away from the wrestling. What could have been a solid tag team encounter was hampered by excessive nonsense, which is a shame because the wrestling itself wasn’t terrible. This has become per the norm for this company in 2011. Match Time: 9:43     Star Rating: **

• Samoa Joe vs. Matt Morgan

While not a particularly good match, this was acceptable and a bit better than expected. Morgan fires away at Joe at the start before Joe comes back with some chops in the corner. Morgan hits some chops and strikes of his own followed by the rapid fire elbows and a Samoan wrecking ball. Morgan chokes Joe against the ropes and hits a leaping body guillotine followed by a guillotine leg drop on the apron. Morgan hits some shots on the outside, but Joe rakes the eyes before hitting a suicide dive out of the ring to the floor. Joe takes Morgan back inside where he hits some punches in the corner, but Morgan slams Joe’s head on the top turnbuckle and hits a top rope cross body for 2. Joe snaps Morgan’s arm over the ropes, hits a running knee strike, and chokes Morgan against the ropes. Morgan hits some shots, but Joe hits a clothesline and an enzuigiri for 2. Joe leg drops Morgan’s arm and applies a modified Kimura. Joe hits a chop in the corner, but Morgan comes back with some strikes before Joe hits some punches, only for Morgan to hit some of his own and a discus clothesline. Morgan hits some more punches, a corner splash, and a side slam for 2 before going for a chokeslam, but Joe rakes the eyes and hits a belly to belly slam before going for the Coquina Clutch. Morgan drives Joe into the corner to break it, but Joe cinches it in with a body scissors. Morgan makes it to the ropes and Joe argues with the ref, and Morgan hits the Carbon Footprint out of the nowhere for the win. The ending totally came out of nowhere and the match slowed down considerably after a good start, but this was still a passable encounter with decent storytelling. Match Time: 11:37     Star Rating: **1/4

• Bound for Glory Series match: Gunner vs. Bobby Roode

Similar to the Storm/Ray match, this was a very dull match that failed to deliver PPV quality action. They lock up and chain wrestle at the start, with Roode targeting Gunner’s arm. They go to the floor, with Roode slamming Gunner’s arm on the apron and stretching it against the ring post. Gunner kicks Roode and drops him face first on the apron, but when he charges, Roode sidesteps him and he hits the post. Roode stomps the arm and applies an arm bar back in the ring, but Gunner hits a DDT and an elbow to the head. He shoves Roode into the corner, and Roode hits an elbow, but Gunner knocks him down and catapults him neck-first into the bottom rope. Gunner wrenches the head and applies a headscissors on the mat. Roode fights out and goes for a Fujiwara arm bar, but Gunner hits a clothesline and a neckbreaker before applying a full nelson. Roode breaks the hold with a charge into the corner and they trade shots. Roode applies a Fujiwara and Gunner counters, but Roode hits a spinebuster before going back to the Fujiwara, only for Gunner to get the ropes. Roode hits some stomps but Gunner kicks him off. Roode hits a kick but Gunner hits a running knee strike before attempting another full nelson. Roode breaks that hold and counters a fireman’s carry with another Fujiwara, which he transitions into a crossface for the submission win. Gunner sold the arm well and the match had solid storytelling, but the match was literally all Roode working the arm, making it very one dimensional and difficult to get into. Technically it was well worked but it was also really boring. Match Time: 11:59     Star Rating: **

After the match, Eric Bischoff comes out and books Robert Roode vs. Bully Ray for later on in the show to decide the winner of the Bound for Glory Series, since Roode and Ray had the same exact amount of points. They should have just made things easier by announcing in advance that the winners of the two BFG series matches on the PPV would meet in the finals later in the night.

• TNA X Division Championship match: Brian Kendrick(c) vs. Austin Aries

Though nothing great or must-see, this was by far the best match of the night. This was a nice improvement from the X Division title match at Hardcore Justice and these guys showed better chemistry with each other. Aries goes for a waistlock early on, but Kendrick twists the arm and goes for a Fujiwara, only for Aries to go for a headlock. Kendrick applies a headscissors on the mat, but Aries escapes with a headstand and hits a dropkick. Kendrick hits some arm drags and a drop toehold followed by a kick to the head, but Aries avoids the sliced bread and bails to the floor, where he avoids a baseball slide kick from Kendrick. Kendrick whips Aries into the guardrail, but Aries sends Kendrick into the ring post and hits a Russian leg sweep into the post. Aries covers Kendrick in the ring for 2 and chokes him against the ropes. Aries hits a slingshot double sledge over the ropes to the apron followed by some chops, a back elbow, and a jumping elbow drop. Aries applies a unique submission before transitioning into a headscissors and boxing the ears. Kendrick hits some forearms, but Aries hits an atomic drop/STO combo, only for him to miss the pendulum elbow drop.

Kendrick hits a jawbreaker, but Aries counters an enzuigiri and tosses Kendrick into the corner. Kendrick big boots a charging Aries and hits some dropkicks, sending Aries to the floor, where Kendrick hits a suicide dive. He hits a missile dropkick back in the ring for 2 and a tornado DDT, but Aries gets his foot on the ropes. Kendrick goes for the sliced bread, but Aries tosses him to the floor, where he misses a suicide dive and crashes into the guardrail. They trade shots back in the ring before Aries sends Kendrick back to the floor and hits a twisting slingshot dive to the outside. Kendrick goes for several roll-ups back in the ring, but Aries hits a forearm and a rope hung twisting neckbreaker for 2. Aries misses the 450 and Kendrick tosses him into the corner before hitting a dragon suplex for 2. Kendrick goes for sliced bread, but the ref gets in the way. Aries uses the distraction to hit a twisting brainbuster for the win. Good back and forth match between these guys with some really nice near falls, and it’s great to see Aries as the X Division Champion, as he seems like an ideal guy to build that division around. Not a blow away match but on this show it really stood out. Match Time: 13:24     Star Rating: ***1/4

• Bound for Glory Series Finals: Bully Ray vs. Bobby Roode

Since it was the BFG Series finals, they did formal introductions. Much like the other BFG Series matches, this really plodded along and was very bland. Ray again stalls at the start by jawing with the fans before they lock up. Ray hits a chop and they lock up again, breaking in the corner where Ray hits another chop. Roode hits some shots but Ray punches him, only for Roode to hit a clothesline that sends Ray bailing to the floor. Ray applies a headlock and hits a couple shoulder blocks. Roode takes Ray down and applies a crossface, but Ray counters out. Roode hits a chop and some shots in the corner, but Ray hotshots him on the ropes and hits a neckbreaker followed by a splash for 2. Ray tries to cover 2 more times but Roode kicks out. Ray hits some slaps and chops while yelling at Roode, but Roode won’t back down and fires back. Ray whips Roode into the corner, but Roode hits a diving neckbreaker off the second rope. Ray hits a uranage and the Bubba Bomb for 2, but he misses a diving senton, allowing Roode to hit a spinebuster for the win. Nice to see Roode get the win but the finish was very anticlimactic and the match was far too slow paced despite the solid storytelling and characters. Ray plays a great heel but he just doesn’t bring it in the ring, which is a problem when he’s this high up in the card. Match wasn’t bad, but not a very definitive conclusion to a tournament that lasted several months. Match Time: 12:28     Star Rating: **1/4

• 3 Way match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Kurt Angle(c) vs. Sting vs. Mr. Anderson

This wasn’t necessarily a bad main event, but the whole match was incredibly predictable and the crowd was completely dead. Angle bails at the start before coming back inside the ring, and Sting and Anderson start double teaming him with stomps and corner splashes. After taking out Angle, the faces lock up, with Sting hitting a hip toss and a headlock before they go to the corner. Anderson hits some shots before Angle pulls him to the floor and clotheslines him. Sting hits some shots to Angle in the ring and takes out his leg before hitting an atomic drop, a kick to the leg, and a suplex for 2. Anderson hits a clothesline and an elbow drop to Angle, chokes him with his boot, and hits a neckbreaker. Sting breaks up the cover and hits some shots to Anderson before choking him with his boot. Sting has Anderson in a waistlock, and Angle gets behind him to do a double German suplex spot with all 3 guys. Angle kicks Sting’s head and suplexes him for 2 before applying a chin lock with a body scissors. Sting fights up and hits some elbows and clotheslines followed by a corner splash. Sting hits a DDT for 2 but Anderson breaks up the cover and goes for the Mic Check on Angle. Angle blocks and hits the 3 Germans (separately) on both Sting and Anderson.

Angle and Anderson fight up top, with Angle being sent to the mat only to pop back up and hit a super belly to belly suplex for 2. Sting backdrops Angle to the floor and puts Anderson in the Scorpion Deathlock, but Angle eventually breaks it up and hits the Angle Slam to Sting for 2. Angle then hits an Angle Slam on Anderson for 2 before putting Sting in the Ankle Lock. Sting rolls out and Anderson hits the Mic Check on Angle, but Sting hits the Death Drop on Anderson. Angle pulls Sting out of the ring, and Hulk Hogan grabs Sting from the crowd to rub something in his eyes. A “blinded” Sting then tries to give the referee the Scorpion Death Drop, but Angle hits a low blow and the Angle Slam on Sting for the win. Another ridiculous finish with dumb shenanigans, and it looks like wrestling fans’ worst nightmare is coming true as Sting is apparently facing Hulk Hogan at Bound for Glory. This match here was okay, but everything went exactly as you’d expect it to aside from the goofy finish. Nothing terrible but a very flat way to close the show. Match Time: 15:33     Star Rating: **1/2

Overall PPV Rating: 5/10

• 3 Way match for the TNA X Division Championship: Brian Kendrick(c) vs. Alex Shelley vs. Austin Aries

So after all that work of building up the X Division, the X Division Championship is right back in the curtain jerker slot to pop the crowd. Great. This was pretty solid and easily one of the better matches of the night. Shelley and Kendrick lock up at the start while Aries watches from the floor. Shelley has Kendrick in a submission after some grappling and Aries goes to break it up, but eats a chop for his troubles. Kendrick holds Shelley’s waist and gets backed up into the corner, and Shelley kicks Aries before rolling up Kendrick. Aries takes an atomic drop from Shelley and a dropkick from Kendrick. Kendrick applies a hammerlock before Shelley tries a suplex, but Aries breaks it up and rakes Shelley’s back. Kendrick and Shelley trade shots, but Aries hits a big shoulder block and an elbow drop to Kendrick. Aries sends Kendrick to the floor but Shelley takes out his leg. Aries drops Shelley, sends him onto Kendrick on the floor, and does a suicide dive out of the ring onto both of them. Aries snaps Shelley’s leg over the ropes and does a slingshot dive for a near fall. Kendrick dropkicks Aries but Shelley catches him in a crossface. Kendrick escapes, only for Shelley to hit a dragon screw to Kendrick’s leg in the ropes. Shelley kicks Aries on the apron and hits a frog splash off the top to Kendrick before applying an inverted figure four. Aries breaks it up, hits a bulldog, and puts Shelley in the Last Chancery. Kendrick breaks that up, but Aries hits him with a shinbreaker/back suplex combo. Kendrick kicks a charging Aries and hits a dropkick, but Aries counters the sliced bread. Aries winds up on Shelley’s shoulders but Kendrick slips off the top. Aries hits the shinbreaker/back suplex combo on Shelley followed by the IED and a brainbuster. Kendrick breaks up the cover and hits Aries with a sliced bread onto Shelley, then covers Shelley for the win. Good opener, though it fell into the “revolving door singles match” trap like many other 3 ways. Aries played a good heel and will probably be the next X Division Champion. Match Time: 13:11     Star Rating: ***

• TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship match: Tara and Miss Tessmacher(c) vs. Sarita and Rosita

Surprisingly, this was the better of the two women’s matches. Tara and Rosita lock up at the start before Sarita gets a tag, but Tara gives her a back body drop. Tessmacher hits some shots and an arm drag followed by a clothesline to Rosita. Rosita hits a hurricanrana to Tara but Tara puts up a boot when she charges. Tara is sent to the floor and Rosita gets a near fall. Tessmacher hits a back suplex and a dropkick, but Rosita responds with a dropkick herself. The heels attack Tessmacher in the corner and Sarita hits a scoop slam followed by an assisted splash from Rosita. Tessmacher reverses a powerslam attempt into a small package and Tara gets a hot tag. Tara hits some clotheslines and the faces whip the heels into each other. Tessmacher is yanked off the apron and Sarita gets a near fall after a kick from Rosita. Tara clotheslines both heels and Sarita counters the Widow’s Peak with a roll up, but Tara hits a military press slam. Rosita hits a double knee strike but Tara hits the Widow’s Peak for the win. Better than the typical Knockouts fare by a bit, but still average at best. Might have went a little bit too long. Match Time: 7:15     Star Rating: **

• Bound for Glory Series match: D’Angelo Dinero vs. Devon

Pope gets on the mic after the bell rings, saying that he respects Devon and that Devon’s family is most important to him. Pope lays down but Devon tells him to get up and the match starts. They run the ropes and Devon gets a near fall, with Pope trying to hug him during the cover. Devon slaps him and they lock up. Both guys get brief control of the arm before they run the ropes again, this time with Pope hitting a cross body and twisting the arm. Pope hits a diving forearm to the back of the head and they run the ropes a third time. Devon hits a hip toss and an arm drag followed by an arm bar. Devon hits a slam and a diving head butt before sending Pope to the floor. Devon misses a clothesline and hits the post, and Pope talks with Devon’s kids in the front row. Devon then slams Pope’s head against the guardrail and gets a near fall in the ring. Devon hits a slam and whips Pope into the corner, but Pope hits a kick, clothesline, an atomic drop, a shoulder block, some elbow strikes, the Coronation, and a cross body off the top. Devon hits a shoulder block but misses in the corner, and Pope hits the 4Up and sets up for the DDE. Pope hesitates though, and Devon spears him for 2. Devon goes for a chokeslam but Pope rolls him up for the win. The storyline is really stupid and the match was very basic, not much to it. Very much a TV match. Match Time: 9:36     Star Rating: **

• TNA Women’s Knockout Championship match: Mickie James(c) vs. Winter

This sucked. These girls had no chemistry whatsoever and it was dragged out a bit too long as well. Winter goes for a roll up early, but Mickie hits a dragon screw and catches Winter in a leg submission. Winter gets the ropes and kicks Mickie, but Mickie hits a back elbow and slides in from the apron with a roll up. Angelina Love distracts Mickie, allowing Winter to take the advantage. Mickie counters a slam and hits consecutive dropkicks to Winter’s knee and face, then chases Winter when she bails to the floor. Mickie takes out Angelina, but Winter sends her into the post and over the guardrail. Angelina kicks Mickie on the floor and Winter rolls her into the ring. Winter applies a double chickenwing submission, hits a shoulder block, and chokes Mickie on the mat. Winter hits a backbreaker and stretches Mickie’s back across her knee, but Mickie gets out by kicking Winter in the face. Winter attacks in the corner, but Mickie hits a headscissors, some clotheslines, a flapjack, and a Thesz press off the top. The ref checks on Winter, allowing Angelina to hit Mickie with a reverse DDT. Winter covers for a near fall. Mickie counters a slam with a roll up and Winter hits some shots in the corner, but Mickie hits a tornado DDT out of the corner. Angelina tries to interfere again but Mickie gives her a neckbreaker. While the ref is busy keeping Angelina out of the ring, Winter spits something in Mickie’s eye’s and covers her for the win. After the match Mickie sold it like she couldn’t see. Typical crappy TNA booking with tons of interference and a screwy finish to give Mickie an “out” for losing. Horrible match, very slow with a lot of mistimed spots. Match Time: 8:54     Star Rating: 3/4*

• Bound for Glory Series match: Crimson vs. Rob Van Dam

Earlier in the night, Jerry Lynn told RVD he would be in his corner to “watch his back” in his match. As if we all can’t see where this is headed. RVD kicks at the legs at the start, but Crimson hits a clothesline, a suplex, and a scoop slam for 2. During this match Crimson thought it was necessary to go for a cover after EVERY SINGLE OFFENSIVE MANEUVER HE HIT. RVD hits a roundhouse kick in the corner, a springboard single leg dropkick, and Rolling Thunder. Crimson hits some knee strikes, a neckbreaker, and a T-Bone suplex. They end up on the outside where RVD hits a single leg dropkick off the apron. Crimson pulls him back out from the ring and clotheslines him on the floor before getting a near fall in the ring. Crimson hits an elbow to the head but RVD drops him and hits a split legged moonsault for 2. Crimson hits a falcon arrow for 2 and goes for his finisher but RVD hits another single leg kick. RVD hits a spin kick and the Five Star Frog Splash for a near fall. RVD hits some punches and a kick but Crimson spears him for 2. RVD escapes a slam and misses a kick, and Crimson hits the Red Sky. Jerry Lynn then breaks up the cover, and Crimson wins by disqualification. Predictable, crappy finish to end a typical RVD match. Crimson is still in the learning process and the crowd doesn’t buy into this guy one bit. And once again, the terrible booking strikes. Not good. Match Time: 8:43    Star Rating: *1/2

• Immortal (Abyss, Gunner, and Scott Steiner) vs. Fortune (AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Kazarian)

This was a little bit better than expected, and probably the best match of the night. Kaz catches Gunner in a seated headscissors at the start before applying a front facelock. Kaz flips out of a back suplex attempt and hits a dropkick before Steiner gets a tag. Steiner and Kaz lock up, with Steiner taunting Kaz before Kaz gets a crucifix cover for 2. AJ tags in and kicks Steiner before taking some shots in the corner. AJ hits some chops and a double team with Daniels. Abyss tags in, but Daniels hits some strikes and does a botched springboard dive. AJ comes in with a springboard clothesline and Kaz hits a springboard missile dropkick. Abyss plants Daniels and Steiner whips him into the guardrail. Gunner covers Daniels in the ring for 2. Gunner applies a rear chin lock, and Daniels hits some elbows, but Gunner hits a back suplex and tags in Steiner. Steiner hits some chops and a belly to belly slam for 2 before Abyss comes in with punches. Abyss misses in the corner and Daniels escapes a chokeslam. Kaz gets a tag and hits a hurricanrana off the top, a dropkick, a springboard back elbow, a springboard twisting leg drop, and a tornado DDT followed by a dive onto Abyss on the floor. Everyone then starts brawling on the floor, and Kaz gets dropped face first on the apron after he rolls Abyss in.

Steiner and Gunner set up a table on the floor as Abyss chokes Kaz in the ring. Steiner hits a chop, clothesline, and an elbow drop, then distracts the ref so Gunner can choke Kaz against the ropes. Gunner hits a suplex and a back elbow, and Abyss comes in with punches before Kaz hits a slingshot DDT from the apron. AJ tags in and hits a flying forearm off Abyss’s back followed by a back suplex to Gunner and a springboard cross body to Abyss. AJ counters a chokeslam attempt with a victory roll and hits a Pele kick. Gunner kicks Kaz, only for Daniels to hit an STO and the Best Moonsault Ever. AJ kicks Steiner and ends up crotched up top, and Gunner has him on his shoulders on the apron. Daniels makes the save, but Gunner tackles Daniels off the apron through the table, delivering the sole hardcore spot on a PPV entitled “Hardcore Justice”. AJ goes for a springboard moonsault to Abyss, but Abyss may not have caught him properly so it came off like a springboard Pele. Nonetheless, AJ covers him for the win. They teased an Abyss face turn later on. Had a couple rough moments, and Abyss and Steiner dragged down the action at times, but Gunner looked pretty good and there were enough athletic high spots from Fortune to hold it together. Crowd was really into it and this may have been the match of the night. Match Time: 14:44     Star Rating: ***

• Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson

This was awful.  Not sure what the hell they were thinking with two heels and the match was pretty boring. Ray tries to sneak up on Anderson during his intro but Anderson sees it coming and they brawl around ringside before the bell. Anderosn drives Ray into the apron and Ray begs off in the ring, only for Anderson to hit some punches and whip him into the corner. Ray kicks a charging Anderson, hits a clothesline followed by a punch, and taunts Anderson. Ray hits a side slam and taunts him again. Anderson fights back with punches but Ray hits a back elbow and wrenches the face. Anderson claws at Ray’s face, but Ray hits a chop, a corner clothesline, and a suplex. Anderson hits some punches and escapes the Bubba Bomb, then hits a DDT. They trade punches and Anderson hits a clothesline, a back elbow, and a neckbreaker. Ray counters the Mic Check twice, but Anderson hits a spinning kick and a clothesline for 2. Ray hits a chokeslam for 2 and a corner splash but misses a second rope senton. Anderson hits a senton off the top for 2 and Ray rolls him up for a near fall. Ray hits a mid air cutter and grabs his chain, but Anderson hits a botched Finlay roll. Ray goes to leave and Anderson tosses him back inside. Anderson grabs the chain and while the ref is taking it away from him, Ray low blows Anderson and rolls him up for the win. Yet another screwy finish to end a very bland match. This was just punches and clotheslines with the usual shtick from both guys. Ray going over makes no sense if they’re trying to build up Anderson as a rebel breaking away from Immortal. Ray played his character well, that’s all you can really say. Match Time: 10:05     Star Rating: *1/2

• TNA World Tag Team Championship match: Beer Money(c) vs. Mexican America

The show continued to plod along with this tag title match, surprisingly high up in the card. Anarquia attacks Robert Roode at the start, but Roode hits a shoulder block and some strikes to Hernandez. Storm hits a knee strike and a neckbreaker before hip tossing Anarquia. Beer Money hit a double elbow strike and Roode hits a knee drop to Anarquia before applying a fujiwara arm bar. Roode hits an atomic drop and Storm hits an eye poke followed by a clothesline for 2. Roode pulls the leg and Storm kicks Anarquia in the head from the outside. Storm clotheslines Hernandez on the floor before being launched onto Anarquia on the floor. Roode slams Anarquia’s face in the corner but Hernandez clotheslines him from the apron. Hernandez chokes Roode against the ropes and hits a shoulder block followed by a choke toss. Storm breaks up the pin, but Roode takes a corner splash from Hernandez and a double underhook suplex from Anarquia. Hernandez applies a Sammartino backbreaker stretch, but Roode escapes and hits a spinebuster. Storm and Anarquia are in, with Storm hitting a clothesline, back body drop, DDT, and a modified TKO. Beer Money hit a double suplex to Hernandez and Storm hits a mistimed Frankensteiner off the top to Anarquia. Roode hits a frog splash, but Hernandez hits a slingshot shoulder block to Storm for 2. Storm hits a lungblower to Hernandez and superkicks a diving Anarquia for the win. This was just there for Beer Money to hit their signature offense and get crowd pops, Mexican America were just tackling dummies. In that sense it worked, but it did feel very much like a stretched out TV match. Match Time: 10:40     Star Rating: **1/4

• TNA World Heavyweight Championship match: Sting(c) vs. Kurt Angle

God bless Kurt Angle, but even he can’t get a great match out of Sting at his age. The match was actually going along good before the ending. They lock up at the start, with both guys twisting the arm before Angle applies a headlock on the mat. Angle hits a shoulder bock but Sting hits a hip toss and an arm drag followed by an arm bar. Sting then hits a shoulder block and Angle hits a hip toss and an arm drag with an arm bar. Sting whips Angle into the corner and kicks out his leg twice. Angle hits an elbow, but Sting launches him to the floor. Sting slams Angle’s head onto the guardrail and the steel steps, but Angle hits a fall away slam back in the ring. Angle applies a chin lock but Sting fights out, only for Angle to hit a kitchen sink and go back to the chin lock. Angle whips Sting into the corners but Sting hits a clothesline and both are down. Sting hits some punches and a DDT, but Angle hits a belly to belly suplex. Sting scores a near fall before Angle hits the 3 German suplexes for a 2 count. Angle misses a moonsault and Sting hits an Angle Slam followed by the Scorpion Deathlock. Angle gets the ropes and Sting hits a Stinger Splash to the back, but he misses a second one and Angle hits the Angle Slam for 2. Angle goes shoulder first into the post in the corner and Sting applies the Ankle Lock. Angle escapes and applies the Scorpion Deathlock, but Sting gets the ropes. Angle hits some knees to the back and hits a pair of Germans, but Sting counters the third one and goes for a powerslam, only for Angle to counter with the Ankle Lock. Sting counters with a victory roll for 2, and Angle accidentally takes out the ref. Hulk Hogan then comes out with a chair and Angle takes it away from him, only for Angle to hit Sting with the chair and hit the Angle Slam for the win. ANOTHER screwy finish and a swerve that many people saw coming. This booking is just nauseating. Before the finish the match was good but nothing more. Sting can only do so much at his age but this was better than his other title matches this year. Still not good enough for a PPV main event though. Match Time: 15:24     Star Rating: **3/4

Overall PPV Rating: 5/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit and I am from Orange, CT. I am a huge pro wrestling fan and follow all kinds of promotions such as WWE, TNA, ROH, PWG, CHIKARA, Dragon Gate USA, and anything else I might come across. I am a huge supporter of independent wrestling and I feel that it provides a true alternative to the mainstream promotions and also showcases a lot of innovation and hard work. Aside from wrestling I am also a really big fan of football, baseball, hockey, and MMA. I have also written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

The show begins with Mike Tenay and Taz telling us that Max and Jeremy Buck had flight troubles and would be unable to be here tonight for their scheduled 3-way #1 Contender’s match for the X Division Championship against Robbie E. Robbie then comes down to the ring with Cookie and cuts a short promo on how he’s the #1 contender before instructing the referee to count to 10 (thus counting Max and Jeremy out) to make his victory official. The ref counts and awards Robbie the win, but Kazarian comes out and cuts a brief promo himself, announcing that Robbie will face him right now for the X Division title.

1.    TNA X Division Championship match: Kazarian(c) vs. Robbie E

They brawl on the ramp at first before making their way into the ring, where Kaz stays in control and hits a gutwrench suplex. Cookie tries to grab Kaz’s feet but gets her hand stomped on. Kaz scores a near fall before he ends up on the apron, where Robbie pulls his feet out from under him, sending him face first into the steel steps. Robbie throws him into the steps on the outside and gets a near fall in the ring off a second rope fist drop. Robbie hits a shoulder thrust in the corner and Cookie chokes Kaz while the ref isn’t looking. Robbie remains in control and applies a rear chin lock, but Kaz fights to his feet. Robbie charges in the corner but Kaz moves. Kaz hits a springboard dropkick and some clotheslines before hitting a dropkick and a body slam. Kaz springs off the ropes with a twisting leg drop for a near fall. Robbie counters the Fade to Black (reverse Tombstone) but Kaz hits a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Cookie hits Kaz in the face with her purse from the outside, allowing Robbie to score a near fall off a roll-up. More back and forth action and Kaz hits the Fade to Black out of the corner for the win. Wish the pre-match segment was shorter so the match could have been longer, but a fun opener nonetheless. Crowd was really into Kaz and there was a lot of good, fast-paced action. Match Time: 7:09     Star Rating: **1/2

2.    Gunner, Murphy, and Rob Terry vs. Beer Money and Scott Steiner

This match actually ended up not being a horrendous botch-fest, which was surprising given the competitors. Steiner and Gunner lock up at the start, with Steiner taking the advantage with a shoulder block and some chops. Steiner hits a belly to belly on both Gunner and Murphy before Terry tags in. Steiner kicks Terry in the groin while the ref wasn’t looking and hits an elbow drop. Murphy and James Storm get tags, and Storm scores a near fall before Gunner tags in and misses a kick. Storm hits a clothesline and a neckbreaker and goes to work with some right hands and clotheslines. Storm rains down on Gunner in the corner before Terry knocks him down. The heels then work over Storm for a bit, with Terry getting a near fall off a powerslam. Storm hits a back stabber and takes out Gunner, who just tagged in, before tagging in Robert Roode. Roode sends Terry to the outside, works over Gunner in the corner with some punches and chops, and gets a near fall off a neckbreaker. Beer Money double team Murphy and hit a double suplex to Terry. Roode spinebusters all three heels and sets up Gunner up top before tagging in Steiner, who hits the Frankensteiner to Gunner for the win. Match served its purpose, which was to give Steiner and Beer Money an easy win over lesser opponents. Didn’t really belong on PPV but it wasn’t that bad, considering the talent involved. Match Time: 10:12     Star Rating: **

They then did a brief backstage segment with Devon and his kids. Devon says his sons will not be involved in the match tonight against Bully Ray, and he instructs both of them to stay backstage, so that they don’t get hurt. Remember this, as it becomes important later.

3.    D’Angelo Dinero vs. Samoa Joe

This was probably the most disappointing match of the night. The short length and low card placement didn’t do these guys any favors. Pope taunts Joe at the start and is slow to trade blows with him. Pope hits a kick to the gut and a forearm before Joe begins to take control, but Pope bails and retreats up the ramp. He’s stopped by Okada, whose new gimmick is that of Kato from The Green Hornet. Pope comes back down to ringside, where Joe dives at him with an elbow suicida. Pope hits a suplex back in the ring, but Joe beats on him in the corner and hits a kick. Pope pokes Joe in the eye and sends him to the outside, before hitting some shots to the head. Joe hits some punches but Pope hits a dropkick. Pope hits a neckbreaker and goes up top, but Joe catches him diving in mid air with an atomic drop. Joe slams Pope down, hits a splash, and scores a near fall off a powerslam. Pope is able to remove the padding off the top turnbuckle and try some quick offense, but Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch out of nowhere and Pope instantly taps out. After the match Pope teases a handshake but kicks Joe in the gut and sends him into the exposed turnbuckle, busting him open. Pope takes out Okada and hits the DDE, and then bails up the ramp before an angry Joe can get his hands on him. The whole thing was pretty much a longer-than-usual TV segment, and the Kato gimmick with Okada is just dumb. Average work, with the post match giving the feud a reason to continue. Match Time: 8:31     Star Rating: **

4.    Last Knockout Standing match for the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship: Madison Rayne(c) vs. Mickie James

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a female Last Man Standing match before, so at least this match has a novelty factor going for it. Match was pretty typical for mainstream women’s wrestling, with a bit more aggression. Rayne comes at Mickie with the loaded glove, but Mickie hits a series of clotheslines before the fight spills to the outside. Rayne sends Mickie face first into the steps, and Mickie gets up at 5 and gets back in the ring. Mickie hits a clothesline and Rayne retreats up the ramp, but Mickie chases her and they brawl again. Mickie gets sent into the barricade and the apron, but is able to beat the count and send Madison into the ring post. Mickie kicks Rayne in the gut and sends her to the floor before diving off the apron with a Thesz press. Rayne crawls under the ring and Mickie follows, and they end up on the other side where Rayne misses a punch on Mickie with the glove and hits the steps. Mickie slams Rayne onto the steps, but Rayne knocks her down from the top turnbuckle. Mickie hits a Thesz press back in the ring and gets the glove, but Tara comes down to ringside. Mickie brings Tara into the ring and knocks her out with the glove, but Rayne pulls out a pair of brass knuckles and punches Mickie in the face. Rayne stupidly goes for a pin at first but allows the ref to count 10, so Rayne retains. This feud just refuses to end. I don’t get why they insist on delaying Mickie’s title win, and they keep doing the same finish with Tara. The match accomplished nothing and had a terrible finish, and other than that it was your basic Madison Rayne match. Match Time: 8:33     Star Rating: *1/2

Matt Morgan then came out with a mic and calls out Hernandez. Hernandez came down to the ring and cut a promo about how he was treated with respect during his time in AAA in Mexico and how he gets treated like a second class citizen in TNA. He says America is now primarily Hispanic, calls Morgan “white boy”, and says he’s now in the minority. Hernandez then lays out Morgan with his finisher. This was simply an Impact segment.

5.    Matt Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam

Despite their very weak match at Genesis, these guys surprisingly worked well with each other and delivered a good, competitive match this time around. Matt was in much better shape here, looking slimmer and better conditioned. They lock up at the start, but quickly end up trading punches. RVD hits a spin kick, but Hardy avoids a monkey flip and hits a clothesline. RVD sends Hardy to the floor and kicks him off the apron, but Hardy pulls RVD’s legs out from under him. Hardy sends RVD into the apron and the barricade on the floor, but RVD is able to plant him gut first over the barricade before hitting his leg drop off the apron. Hardy scores a DDT back in the ring for a near fall but they fight on the floor again. Hardy drops Van Dam over the railing and mocks his taunt in the ring, but Van Dam returns to the ring. Hardy hits a leg drop and catches Van Dam in a double underhook submission with the legs wrapped around the midsection. Van Dam gets a rope break, but Hardy slingshots him neck first into the bottom rope and applies a full nelson. Van Dam is eventually able to get to his feet, but he’s knocked down in mid air when he tries for a springboard kick. They trade shots, with RVD hitting a clothesline, superkick, and a spin kick. Hardy avoids Rolling Thunder, but RVD hits a moonsault and a slam. RVD hits a split-legged moonsault for a near fall, but misses a kick, allowing Hardy to connect with the Side Effect. RVD counters the Twist of Hate and hits a kick before both guys fight up top. Hardy backdrops RVD to the mat, but misses a top rope moonsault. RVD goes up top and hits the Five Star Frog Splash for the win. Good, well-worked match between these two. Had a bit of dead air in parts but a very solid showing that Hardy desperately needed to earn some credibility in-ring wise. Match Time: 13:17     Star Rating: ***

6.    Street Fight: Bully Ray vs. Brother Devon

This ended up not being the big blowoff that everyone expected going in. Ray tries to sneak attack Devon from behind on the outside, but Devon turns around and hits him, and they brawl around ringside as the match begins. Devon smashes a drink in Ray’s face, hits a ton of right hands, and throws him in the ring while he pulls out some weapons from under the ring. Devon hits Ray a few times with a kendo stick before Ray tries to beg off, but Devon hits him in the head with the kendo stick. Devon puts Ray’s head inside a chair and grabs a steel chain, but Devon’s sons come down the ramp. Devon tells them to leave, but the distraction allows Ray to hit Devon in the back with a chair. Ray taunts Devon’s sons, hits Devon with a trash can lid, and puts Devon’s head inside a chair, but Devon’s sons run into the ring to stop Ray from hitting Devon. Ray pushes them off, but Devon hits some clotheslines and a back drop. One of Devon’s sons hits Ray with a trash can, and both sons hold up Ray’s legs so Devon can hit the Wassup. Devon tells his sons to get the tables, and the sons get one and slide it into the ring. They stay outside as Devon sets it up, but Ray hits Devon with a low blow and pulls out handcuffs. For some reason, Devon’s sons just stand and watch as Devon gets cuffed to the corner. They then run in after to try and free him, but Ray takes out one of them. The other son hits Ray with some shots to the back, but Ray hits a big boot and pins him to end the match. WHAT? Devon’s sons were never officially in the match, so how can Ray pin someone who isn’t a competitor in the match? That’s just stupid, awful booking. After the match, Ray taunts the still-trapped Devon and prepares to hit one of his sons with a chair, but stops as Devon begs for security to come. Ray then powerbombs the son through the table in the ring as Devon looks on, nearly in tears. Officials come out, free Devon, and stretcher out Devon’s son as Tenay and Taz play up the seriousness of the situation. Wasn’t really much of a match, just a brief brawl with a completely ridiculous finish. The post match stuff was really well done but the booking of the match itself was a mess. Match Time: 9:23     Star Rating: *

7.    Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle

The stipulations of this match were, if Kurt won, he would get full custody of his children, but if Jeff won, then Kurt would have to walk Karen down the aisle when Karen and Jeff renew their vows on the March 3^rd Impact. Despite the disturbing nature of the feud, the match ended up actually delivering and being a highlight of the show, which was odd given how awful their Genesis match was. They lock up a couple times before Angle takes down Jarrett with a headlock before they get broken up in the corner. Angle hits a back suplex and keeps Jarrett grounded with some holds on the mat. Angle hits a big hip toss and a suplex for a near fall. Angle hits some punches in the corner before sending Jarrett to the outside. Angle beats on Jarrett on the outside and gets slapped by Karen, but continues the beatdown. Angle chases Karen away and scores a near fall in the ring off an elbow drop. Angle drives his shoulder into Jarrett in the corner, but charges and connects with the post. Jarrett throws Angle into the barricade on the outside and splashes his neck on the ropes. Jarrett hits a diving cross body but Angle rolls through for a 2 count. Jarrett hits a boot and goes up top but Angle hits a super belly to belly suplex. Angle hits some clotheslines and another belly to belly suplex and tries for the Ankle Lock, but Jarrett fights out. Jarrett misses a splash and Angle hits the Angle Slam, but Karen is distracting the ref. Jarrett low blows Angle from behind and hits the Stroke, but Angle kicks out.

Angle counters another Stroke attempt, sending Jarrett into the ref. Angle hits some uppercuts on the outside but Karen rakes Angle’s back. Angle chases off Karen but Jarrett clotheslines him and sends him into the steps. They go back into the ring, where Angle tries to use a chair brought in by Jarrett, but the ref takes it away. Jarrett gets a near fall with a roll up and Angle scores 2 with a suplex. Angle goes up top and is distracted by Karen, allowing Jarrett to hit a botched Stroke off the second rope which Angle thankfully kicks out of. Angle hits a back suplex and applies the Ankle Lock. Jarrett grabs Karen’s hands, but Angle pulls them both into the middle of the ring. Karen pulls the ref down as Jarrett taps out, but Jarrett gets free and hits Angle in the head with the chair. The ref comes to but Angle kicks out again. They do some quick back and forth action, with Angle trying for a sunset flip and Jarrett sitting down on him for the pin. After the match, Angle cries, takes off his boots, and leaves them in the ring, with the idea being that this may have been his last match because he couldn’t win custody of his kids. The match told an excellent story with Kurt fighting so hard for custody of his children and surviving everything, but the Karen stuff got way too excessive and the finish was really anticlimactic. The fans weren’t buying into the near falls towards the end and the match started to drag. That being said, it was extremely well worked and Kurt was awesome throughout. The match just didn’t need to be as long as it was to get to a finish like that. Match Time: 16:17     Star Rating: ***1/4

8.    Ladder match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Mr. Anderson(c) vs. Jeff Hardy

Despite the gimmick, this match certainly had a tough act to follow after so many near falls in the previous match. This was good, but not at the level you’d expect given the ladder gimmick, the talent involved, and the fact that it was the main event. Hardy comes out with a goofy ladder, painted green on one side and pink on the other. Hardy spits in Anderson’s face at the start, and Anderson responds with punches and they fight to the outside. Anderson throws Hardy into his ladder and rams another one into him. They go in the ring, where Hardy hits a neckbreaker on a ladder. Anderson stupidly goes for a pin but Hardy takes control of the match. Hardy sets up a ladder on its side and kicks it into Anderson’s crotch. Anderson hits a Russian leg sweep to Hardy into a ladder in the corner and brings another ladder into the ring. They fight on top of the ladder but Hardy flips over and hits a powerbomb off it. Hardy plants Anderson and goes for a leapfrog leg drop out of the corner over a ladder, but Anderson moves. Hardy backdrops Anderson onto the ladder in the corner, turns a ladder upside down, and chokes Anderson against the ropes. Hardy tosses Anderson out to the floor and kicks him back into the barricade.

Anderson shoves Hardy’s painted ladder back into his face, but Hardy tosses him into the steps. Hardy leaps off the steps onto Anderson, splashing him against the barricade. Back in the ring, Anderson suplexes Hardy onto the upside down ladder in a train wreck spot that looked really screwed up. Anderson ascends a ladder, but Hardy takes him down and hits a Twist of Hate. Hardy brings the painted ladder into the ring, but Anderson hits the Green Bay Plunge on top of a ladder. He tries for a senton off the top, but Hardy moves and Anderson catches his neck on the back of the ladder. Two ladders are set up and both guys fight on top of them, trying for the belt. Anderson tries for a Mic Check off the top, but doesn’t get it as the ladders collapse and both guys fall, with Hardy lunging for the belt in mid air. Hardy fights off Anderson, sets up a ladder, and pulls down the belt to win the match. Ending was clearly botched as Hardy was supposed to hang on to the belt when the ladders fell. Why Hardy won the title when he has an upcoming court date for drug trafficking is beyond me. Wasn’t that the whole reason Anderson won the belt at Genesis? The match itself was good, but never hit that second level and wasn’t nearly as exciting as you’d expect in a ladder match. Since it’s TNA, the lack of overbooking in the main event brings a smile to my face, but the match was definitely missing something. Match Time: 18:20     Star Rating: ***1/4

Overall PPV Rating: 6.5/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit and I am from Orange, CT. I am a huge pro wrestling fan and follow all kinds of promotions such as WWE, TNA, ROH, PWG, CHIKARA, Dragon Gate USA, and anything else I might come across. I am a huge supporter of independent wrestling and I feel that it provides a true alternative to the mainstream promotions and also showcases a lot of innovation and hard work. Aside from wrestling I am also a really big fan of football, baseball, hockey, and MMA. I have also written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

1.    TNA World Tag Team Championship: The British Invaison(c) vs. The Motor City Machineguns

This match definitely over delivered and ended up being much better than I was expecting. The crowd was hot for the Guns and firmly believed that there would be a title change. Shelley and Sabin take turns working over Doug Williams’ arm early on before doing simultaneous dives outside the ring onto their opponents. Williams puts Shelley in a modified Gory special position and brings him to the top rope, but Shelley counters a superplex attempt with a big cross body. Shelley fights out of a front face lock and hits a double knee backbreaker before Magnus is tagged in and begins wearing down Shelley. Sabin gets the hot tag and cleans house, but a Cradle Shock attempt on Williams fails and Magnus reenters the match. Soon after this, Sabin dives through the ropes and through Shelley’s legs onto Williams on the outside. Back in the ring, Shelley hits a superkick and Sliced Bread for a near fall. Magnus hits an exploder suplex and a modified Death Valley Driver before accidentally knocking his partner to the floor. Sabin gets the tag and hits an enzuigiri before him and Shelley hit simultaneous superkicks on Magnus for another near fall. Sabin briefly takes out Williams with a cutter while Shelley gets a near fall with a cross body on Magnus. The match comes to an end when the Brits hit a doomsday device uppercut/powerbomb combination on Sabin. Very fun and exciting tag team match. Match Time: 11:50     Match Rating: 7/10

2.    TNA Women’s Knockout Championship: ODB(c) vs. Tara

As a fan of both ODB and Tara, this match was very disappointing for me. It was a very generic and short Knockouts match with nothing big to write home about. Tara gets the action started early with a tarantula-like hold through the ropes followed by a slingshot leg drop. ODB takes control for a while after hitting a shoulderbreaker and several punches and kicks. ODB hits a fall away slam for a near fall before Tara goes for a roll up out of nowhere. After more punches and kicks are traded, Tara hits a snap suplex and a standing moonsault for a near fall, but ODB counters a Widow’s Peak attempt. The match then ends when Tara fights out of a TKO attempt and rolls up ODB to win the championship. A very bland Knockouts match that did not belong on PPV. Match Time: 5:42     Match Rating: 4/10

3.    Feast or Fired: Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed vs. Beer Money Inc. vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Eric Young vs. Kevin Nash vs. Rob Terry vs. Cody Deaner vs. Homicide vs. Kiyoshi vs. Samoa Joe

I was very surprised that this ended up being the worst match of the night. Feast or Fired was a fun match last year but here it was just a complete mess with not many notable or memorable moments at all. At the opening bell the ring clears and everyone just starts brawling on the outside. Bashir and Deaner both prevent each other from grabbing cases and go at it in the ring. They struggle over a case again and it falls to the floor. Both men fight over it and Bashir is able to wrestle it away from Deaner to get possession. The strange thing about this match was that for the first case the usual rule applied that you had to take the case out of the ring to the floor to officially possess it, but this rule did not apply when the other 3 cases were taken down. Anyway, during the confusion over Bashir and Deaner, Terry scales a turnbuckle to grab a case as well. World Elite then confronts Terry before Beer Money start to attack the faction and hit the DWI on Kiyoshi. Nash then grabs a case and just one remains. We got some good in ring action toward the end of the match as a lot of big moves were hit, including Joe hitting a uranage on Lethal and Homicide connecting with a gringo cutter on Lethal. Deaner goes for the final case but Joe hits a big roundhouse kick before snatching the final case to end the match. The contents of the cases were revealed shortly after the match ended, with Terry getting an X Division title shot, Nash getting a tag team title shot, Joe getting a world title shot, and Bashir getting fired. Terry should not be competing in the X Division, Nash challenging for the tag titles scares me (almost as much as when I heard Scott Hall may be returning to TNA, I’m sure we can all put two and two together here), and I’m sure that Bashir is not really fired. Joe getting the world title shot was a smart move as he was hugely over in this match. Overall this match was just a messy brawl consisting merely of punches, kicks, and people going for cases. Match Time: 9:20     Match Rating: 3.5/10

4.    Elimination Tag match: Rhino, Team 3D, and Jesse Neal vs. Matt Morgan, Hernandez, D’Angelo Dinero, and Suicide

Things did not really improve for this PPV with this 8 man tag match filled with bizarre rules and strange incidents throughout. Due to a pre-match stipulation, Hernandez had to start the first five minutes of the match alone before the rest of his team arrived. Rhino dominates Hernandez for a couple minutes and hits a Gore for a near fall, but when he goes for a second one, he hits the ring post and Hernandez rolls him up for a quick elimination. Team 3D and Neal then beat down Hernandez until the 5 minutes are up and the rest of the babyfaces arrive on the scene to clean house. Hernandez hits a suicide dive onto the 3 remaining heels before Suicide goes to work on Neal with a dropkick and a rolling fireman’s carry. Neal fights back into it with some strikes, but after Suicide takes the advantage yet again, Neal attacks him with a chair. Hernandez then grabs the chair and attacks Neal for some payback. It is then announced that Hernandez and Neal have both been disqualified. But if Neal’s chair shot came before Hernandez’s, and Neal was DQ’d, doesn’t that mean that Hernandez attacked someone who was not a legal participant in the match? Ugh. Team 3D hits the 3D on a dazed Suicide for another elimination, picking up the scraps from the confusing sequence. Dinero enters and hits Ray with some elbow strikes and a shoulder block for a 2 count. Dinero is then hit with the 3D out of nowhere and is eliminated, leaving Morgan alone. Morgan hits rapid fire elbows and tries to chokeslam Ray, but Devon hits a chop block. Team 3D then wears down Morgan before Morgan hits a Carbon Footprint on Devon to eliminate him. Ray and Morgan fight for a bit, with Ray countering the Hellevator with a big DDT. Ray brings the chair back into the ring, but Morgan big boots the chair into Ray’s face before pinning him to win the match. A very poor tag team match due to the confusion with the rules and the part with the chair that resulted in 2 strange disqualifications. Match Time: 16:34     Match Rating: 4/10

5.    Last Man Standing: Bobby Lashley vs. Scott Steiner

To the shock of pretty much everyone, the streak of poor matches ended with this bout between Bobby Lashley and Scott Steiner. They actually kept it short and made this match alright and somewhat enjoyable. Steiner follows a retreating Kristal up the entrance ramp before Lashley attacks him and the match begins. Steiner chokes Lashley with a cable before the match returns to the ring where Lashley hits a T-Bone suplex and tries to choke Steiner out with a dragon sleeper. Steiner gets up at 6 and the action once again returns to the ringside area where Lashley slams Steiner in to the guardrail and attacks him with a chair. Steiner regains control with some pipe shots that are good for 6 and 7 counts. They come back to the ring where Steiner hits a jawbreaker and a top rope belly to belly suplex. Lashley hits a belly to belly of his own as well as a running powerslam. Steiner gets up at 9 and low blows Lashley before hitting a nice Frankensteiner for a 9 count. Steiner goes for the pipe again, but Kristal grabs it from him and Lashley hits a big spear. Kristal tosses Bobby the pipe and Lashley hits Steiner over the head with it before getting the 10 count to win the match. This match was fairly short for a last man standing match but it was decent. Match Time: 9:16     Match Rating: 5/10

6.    Foley’s Funhouse Rules: Raven and Dr. Stevie vs. Abyss and Mick Foley

Foley changes the match to a Foley’s Funhouse Rules match, which basically means it’s hardcore and weapons are legal. This was definitely for the better and the gimmick made the match fun instead of just being a boring tag match. All four guys go at it early on, with Raven and Foley brawling to the back and leaving Abyss and Stevie alone. Abyss slams Stevie into the platform underneath the announce table before pulling out a table. Abyss teases a powerbomb off the stage, but Raven returns and breaks a kendo stick over Abyss’s back. The heels then beat down Abyss and bring the match back to the ring, but Foley reenters the match with a shopping cart full of weapons that he rams into Raven. Foley hits Raven and Stevie with a barbed wire bat before hitting Raven with a piledriver and Stevie with a double arm DDT. Abyss hits a Shock Treatment backbreaker on Stevie, and simultaneously lands a leg drop on Raven. Abyss and Foley both go for Mandible Claws, but Raven throws powder in Foley’s eyes. Foley and Stevie fight up the ramp, which culminates in Foley wrapping barbed wire around Stevie and putting him on the previously set up table before doing a diving elbow drop off the stage through the table. Back in the ring, Raven hits Abyss with an even flow DDT for a near fall before Daffney gets involved and hits Abyss with a chair. Abyss then counters a DDT attempt from Raven with a Black Hole Slam and this one is over. Entertaining hardcore match. Match Time: 9:35     Match Rating: 6/10

7.    Three Degrees of Pain: Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe

Things really kicked into high gear with this Turning Point rematch. The rules for this match were that it was a 2 out of 3 falls match where the first fall was by pinfall, the second by submission, and the third being escape from a steel cage. The cage was down for the whole match, but it could not be legally used as a weapon until the third fall. Wolfe and Angle start the match by going at each other with a lot of submission holds. Wolfe hits a snapmare and an uppercut, but misses a knee drop which allows Angle to begin working over the knee, which he attacked throughout the match. Wolfe hits a couple headlock takedowns before Angle fights back with a hip toss and a suplex. Wolfe regains the advantage with a front facelock but Angle fights out of it and hits a belly to belly suplex and a lariat. Wolfe counters the Angle Slam with a hammer lock before hitting the Tower of London for a near fall. Angle later hits the Angle Slam but misses a moonsault. Wolfe then hits a huge lariat before hitting a second Tower of London which is good enough to put Angle down for 3 and Wolfe wins the first fall. The second fall then begins which featured possibly the most intense mat wrestling I have seen in mainstream wrestling this year. Angle continues to work over the ankle of Wolfe by utilizing a figure four, but Wolfe makes it to the ropes for a break. Wolfe then puts on a modified gogoplata and a wrist lock to work over Angle’s arm. Angle fights out of a second modified gogoplata and counters into an Ankle Lock, but Wolfe counters that into a figure four hold around Angle’s arm. Angle puts on a second Ankle Lock, but Wolfe counters it with one of his own. Angle then counters with a modified triangle choke, but Wolfe counters with the modified gogoplata yet again. Angle counters that into another Ankle Lock, and after struggling for quite some time Wolfe finally taps out. The third fall begins with the score tied at 1-1 and the cage can now legally be used as a weapon. Angle tries to scale the cage, but Wolfe follows him up there and slams Angle’s injured left arm into the cage numerous times before hitting a superplex. Wolfe tries to climb the cage but can’t due to the injured ankle, which allows Angle time to recover and slam Wolfe’s ankle into the cage several times before hitting a German suplex. Angle slams Wolfe face first into the cage before hitting a big lariat and Wolfe is busted open badly, bleeding all over the place. Angle tries for a frog splash and Wolfe gets his knees up, but Angle’s injured arm and Wolfe’s injured leg collided and both men are down. Angle tries to get out of the cage through the door but Wolfe slams the door into Angle’s head repeatedly. Wolfe tries to crawl out, but Angle pulls him back and puts on an Ankle Lock for a very long time. Angle then tries to climb out of the cage over the top, but Wolfe recovers and tries to get out through the door. Angle drops to the floor just before Wolfe is able to crawl out and Angle wins the third fall and the match overall. This is a bonafide match of the year candidate. Match Time: 26:17     Match Rating: 9/10

8.    TNA World Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles(c) vs. Daniels

I was very happy when I looked at the clock and saw that there was plenty of time left for Styles and Daniels to have a good, long match together. The match most certainly did not disappoint and ended up being great. The match begins with both men going for quick takedowns repeatedly until Daniels takes control by working the arm with an armbar. Styles fights back into with a headscissors and a rear chin lock before Daniels goes back to work on the arm. Styles hits a series of kicks and another headscissors, which is followed by a snap suplex. Daniels bails to the floor and AJ responds with a crazy somersault senton over the top rope onto Daniels. The two then brawl in the ringside area where Daniels takes out a couple chairs from the crowd. While the ref is removing one chair, Daniels hits a uranage to Styles through the other chair which was previously standing up. Daniels takes Styles back to the ring where an attempted pinfall fails. Daniels hits a back suplex onto the top turnbuckle for another near fall before continuing to work over AJ’s back with a body slam, kicks, and a split-legged moonsault. He then puts on a rear chin lock but AJ makes it to the ropes. Daniels tries for a Lionsault but lands on his feet before Styles hits a hammerlock back suplex out of nowhere. Styles then counters a hurricanrana with a powerbomb before pounding on Daniels for a bit. Styles hits a springboard backflip into an inverted DDT but only gets a 2 count. Daniels hits a hurricanrana and a shining wizard but can’t keep AJ down. Styles hits a springboard clothesline and then hits a Pele before hitting the Styles Clash, but Daniels kicks out. Daniels puts AJ down and hits a BME for another two count. Both men are then fighting at the top turnbuckle, and Daniels tries for a Frankensteiner, but Styles counters and hits a Styles Clash from the second rope to win the match and retain his title. A fitting end to an excellent main event. Match Time: 21:06     Match Rating: 8.5/10

Overall PPV Rating: 8/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written forwww.sportsgrumblings.com roughly a year now as well.

1.    Ultimate X match for the TNA X Division Championship: Amazing Red(c) vs. Suicide vs. Homicide vs. Daniels vs. Alex Shelley vs. Chris Sabin

Wow. Talk about a way to kick off a PPV. What an amazing match for TNA to have as the opener to this show. Yes it was a spotfest but it was a very fun and jaw-dropping spotfest. The Guns replace D’Angelo Dinero because he had to leave due to a family emergency. Only a couple minutes in Red hits an amazing (no pun intended) hurricanrana to Daniels off the top turnbuckle which sends Daniels onto everyone else outside the ring. Homicide is one of the first to go for the title but Suicide springboards off the ropes to pull him down. The Guns do many of their double team moves throughout, including a nice doomsday device missile dropkick and a spot where Sabin did the giant swing to Suicide followed by a dropkick from Shelley. One of the most memorable spots for me was when Red was dangling from the X and Suicide did a springboard dropkick to him, resulting in Red falling a long distance to the ring. There was also a unique tower of doom spot where Red hits a powerbomb to Sabin while Sabin hits a release suplex to Suicide, who is able to dropkick Daniels while falling to the mat. The men also are able to connect with their finishers, which includes Red hitting a corkscrew leg drop, Daniels hitting the BME, and Suicide hitting the Suicide Solution. Eventually, Daniels, Suicide, and Red climb to the top of the structure: the X scaffold holding the red ropes in place. All 3 men brawl atop the structure and both Daniels and suicide tease suplexes to each other. Daniels climbs down through the scaffold and onto the ropes, then hits an absolutely stunning and dangerous looking release suplex to Suicide off the structure, resulting in both men crashing to the ring. The Guns then try to climb across the ropes to get to the title, but Red crawls through the scaffold and knocks off Shelley before grabbing the title to win the match. I have to catch my breath now. Match Rating: 8.5/10

2.    TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Sarita and Taylor Wilde(c) vs. The Beautiful People

Lacey Von Erich’s attempts at seducing the referees fail as she is ejected from ringside before the start of the match. This was for the most part the same fun match these two teams had at the last PPV but it was even shorter than that match. Both teams work each other over with hot tags and double team moves for a couple minutes before Sarita takes out Velvet Sky with a missile dropkick. With Wilde locking her hands around Madison Rayne’s waist, Sarita hits a dropkick to Rayne immediately followed by a German suplex into a bridge pin from Wilde, and the faces retain their titles. I feel that these belts should be on The Beautiful People and that this match shouldn’t have been on the card, but we can’t always get what we want. Match Rating: 3/10

3.    TNA Legends Championship: Kevin Nash(c) vs. Eric Young vs. Hernandez

This match really surprised me and ended up being probably Nash’s best match of the year and a pretty fun match in its own right. They told a good story with Hernandez looking like the big power guy who could take on anyone and Nash and Young staying allied to wear down the (face) big man. They use a lot of punches and kicks to keep Super Mex down while Hernandez went after the heels with his power moves. Young counters a suplex from Hernandez into one of his own, which is impressive considering the size difference between the two. Hernandez also impressed for a guy his size with some high flying moves such as a diving double clothesline, a suicide dive over the ropes onto Young, and a big missile dropkick to Nash. Late in the match, Nash big boots Super Mex and goes for the Jackknife Powerbomb, but Young throws Hernandez headfirst into Nash’s balls before pinning Nash to become the Legends Champion. I really liked the ending and thought it came off very well and this was a decent match. Match Rating: 5.5/10

4.    Full Metal Mayhem for the TNA and IWGP World Tag Team Championship: Booker T and Scott Steiner(TNA champions) vs. The British Invasion(IWGP champions) vs. Team 3D vs. Beer Money Inc.

Surprisingly, though it had its spotty moments, this match was not a complete nonsensical spotfest. The way they set this match up was that one of each title was hung on the steel X scaffold from the Ultimate X match. The match starts out with the Mafia and Beer Money accepting British Invasion’s earlier backstage proposal and ganging up on Team 3D. Eventually this breaks apart with 3D fighting the Mafia and Beer Money fighting the Brits. Steiner uses a ladder to work over Devon’s shoulder while Beer Money sends Doug Williams into a chair set up in a corner of the ring. Steiner chokes out Devon while Beer Money hit the DWI to Booker T, who is later seen outside the ring and is carted off on a stretcher. Meanwhile, Steiner chokes out Devon with an extension cord before going in the ring to clean house by belly to belly suplexing everyone. He then hits a very impressive Frankensteiner to Williams. I must say, Steiner really worked hard in this match and turned in a great performance. 3D eventually works their way back into by hitting chair shots to everyone, which leads to Ray giving Zakk Wylde a chair at ringside and letting him hit Magnus. Williams gets chokeslammed through a table before 3D gives simultaneous chokeslams through separate tables to each of Beer Money. Steiner scales a ladder to go for the TNA titles but 3D hits a dual powerbomb to him off the ladder through a table. Ray and Devon then climb the ladder to get the IWGP belt but Rhino charges the ring and hits both men with chair shots. Devon is able to hang onto the title as he falls off the ladder so Team 3D are the new IWGP Tag Team Champions. This was likely done because NJPW is very upset with TNA’s treatment of the belts and many in Japan already considered 3D to still be the champions. Anyway, the match continues with Beer Money hitting a nasty looking suplex off two side-by-side ladders to Williams before being met with chair shots from Magnus. Storm hits a sunset-flip powerbomb to Magnus off a ladder but takes a chair shot from Williams. Roode and Williams fight atop the ladder, with Roode getting the upper hand, but Rob Terry enters the ring and picks up Roode before press slamming him over the top rope through a table outside the ring. He then gives Williams a boost up to allow The British Invasion to become the TNA World Tag Team Champions to end the match. I was pleased with the outcome and the match was just awesome. Match Rating: 7/10

5.    TNA Women’s Knockout Championship: ODB(c) vs. Tara vs. Awesome Kong

This match was a mild disappointment after starting off so promisingly. Great action between all three ladies that included Kong hitting a double splash to ODB and Tara, Tara putting a tarantula submission hold on ODB around the ropes, and Tara hitting a moonsault to ODB for a near-fall. They did the short-lived alliances between ODB and Tara, Kong looking like the dominant heel, and all that good stuff and this looked to be one of the best women’s matches in a very long time. Unfortunately, it got hurt by a spot in the middle where Tara, while outside the ring, brawled with a “fan” revealed after the show to be Kim Couture, and she had to go to the back. This left the crowd silent as ODB basically had a one on one match with Kong. They did some okay back and forth but not nearly as good as what was going on with Tara in the ring. ODB hits a nice samoan drop for a near fall before Tara comes back to the ring. Kong tosses her out and hits a top rope splash to ODB, but Tara breaks the pin up. Kong again gets rid of Tara before hitting ODB with an Implant Buster for a near fall. Raisha Saeed then comes to ringside to give Kong a chair, but Kong doesn’t want it and keeps kicking it away. Kong goes for a second Implant Buster but ODB counters into a bulldog on the chair before covering Kong to retain her title. A decent women’s match but it could have been better. Match Rating: 5.5/10

6.    Submission match: Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley

This match greatly underdelivered and ended up being very disappointing. It started off very good with a lot of back and forth action from Joe and Lashley that included many power moves. Lashley hits a nice spinebuster to Joe and also at one point in the match counters an abdominal stretch with a solid hip toss. Joe did some cool things such as a powerslam and a suicide dive early on. Unfortunately, much of this match consisted of Joe and Lashley putting on various armbars and leglocks and the whole thing felt rushed as well. Just after hitting the 8 minute mark, Joe apparently passes out while Lashley has Joe in some kind of armbar/neck hold combination, resulting in Lashley winning the match. The finish was poor and Joe ends up getting really hurt by this match. Disappointing. Match Rating: 4/10

7.    Monster’s Ball: Mick Foley vs. Abyss w/ Special Guest Referee Dr. Stevie

Considered by some to be a dream match come true, this hardcore match was not quite as good as it could have been but it was still fairly enjoyable. Only a couple minutes in, Foley and Abyss brawl on the side of a steel structure on the entrance stage, which ends with Foley knocking Abyss off, sending him through part of the stage. This looks cool until we are shown that he landed on cardboard. Foley then dives onto Abyss with the barbed wire bat before walking back to the ring. Abyss then returns to the ring where he and Foley brawl with trash cans and a ton of barbed wire. Abyss drags the guardrail closer to the ring and lines up a barbed wire board across the rail and the ring apron. Abyss irish whips Foley into a barbed wire board in the corner, but goes into the barbed wire himself when Foley moves out of the way as Abyss charges at him. Abyss then gets sandwiched in between two barbed wire boards and is shown bleeding from the arm and the face. Foley then dumps tacks out in the ring and Abyss goes to chokeslam him on them, but Stevie tells him that if he does, he will be disqualified (a stipulation was that Abyss couldn’t use thumbtacks). Abyss hits a Torture rack backbreaker to Stevie before Daffney comes down to the ring and hands Foley a…….taser. Ugh. This time, there is an explosion when the taser is used on Abyss. Another ref comes down to the ring, botches the attempted pinfall, and Abyss kicks out. An insane spot then occurs when Abyss chokeslams Daffney through that barbed wire board set up earlier. He then gives Stevie a black hole slam on the tacks before chokeslamming Foley on another barbed wire board. Abyss then drags Stevie over to Foley and uses Stevie’s hand to count the pinfall. Good hardcore match but not quite as brutal as what people expected. Match Rating: 6.5/10

8.    Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan

This match was actually a very pleasant surprise. It started off somewhat slow and had me questioning how exactly they were going to book this thing, but it ended up being a very entertaining “what do I gotta do to beat this guy” match. Morgan hits many rapid fire elbows to Angle early on before the two brawl outside the ring. Morgan misses a Carbon Footprint and gets caught in a Figure Four from Angle. Morgan eventually turns over on his back and the hold is broken when Angle reaches the ropes. He later hits a big fall away slam and chokeslam to Angle for near falls, but Angle retaliates with three big German suplexes. He goes for the Angle Slam, but Morgan counters and hits the Carbon Footprint for a near fall. Morgan then misses a splash in the corner and gets caught with an Angle Slam, but kicks out. Angle then applies the Ankle Lock again but Morgan powers out. Morgan then hits a Hellevator for another near fall, then goes for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Angle rolls through and applies a third Ankle Lock. Morgan powers out yet again but is caught with a second Angle Slam. Rather than going for the pin, Angle hits a tope rope splash, but Morgan again kicks out. Morgan then has Angle on his shoulders, but Angle gets out of hit and gets the win with a victory roll roll-up. I didn’t mind the finish and the match told a great story and was highly enjoyable. Match Rating: 7/10

9.    TNA World Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles(c) vs. Sting

After doing so much right on this PPV, TNA ends the night on a sour note. The big confrontation between Styles and Sting was totally lackluster and disappointed greatly. For much of the first 5-10 minutes of the match, all the two did was brief headlocks and lockups before pausing to mug for the camera. The match finally starts to heat up when Styles dropkicks Sting, sending him out of the ring before Styles dives off the apron and crashes into the guardrail. The two then brawl briefly outside the ring before heading back into the ring, where Sting counters a Tombstone attempt from Styles with one of his own for a near fall. Styles hits a nice springboard elbow before a series of counters ends with Sting hitting the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting then splashes AJ in the corner before connecting again with the SDD for a near fall. After again briefly fighting in the ringside area, Styles hits a Pele kick to Sting on the ring apron before hitting a springboard splash for the 1-2-3 to retain his title. Really? That’s it? An anticlimactic finish out of no where? Anyway, Sting makes a speech after the match, where he basically answers those inquiring about the continuation of his career with, “I don’t know”. This lackluster match was the main event to TNA’s biggest show of the year. The company still hasn’t figured out a way to end a PPV well.  Match Rating: 5/10

Overall PPV Rating: 8.25/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for roughly a year now as well.