Maybe I'm just coasting on a "Test-got-canned" all-natural high, but I thought this show was pretty good.
We open with the other blond interviewer chick (bring back Leticia! Let's start an internet petition!) and Team Pacman -- they're looking for "one more big dog" to give an "autograph" to!
Kazarian vs. Tomko: Robert Roode and Miss Brooks come out less than a minute in -- Roode tries some interference but is ineffective. Nevertheless, Tomko picks up the win with the tree slam, his raw power finally overcoming Kaz's speed -- but it wasn't a squash or anything, Kaz looked good.
After the match, Roode beats down Kaz and starts berating Brooks -- this is too much even for Tomko, who shoves Roode down!
A whole slew of promos and backstage happenings: Sting and Kurt Angle -- can they get along?; Chris Harris -- Black Reign, I'm coming for you!; Black Machismo and Abyss -- gunning for the gold!; Team Pacman -- should they give Samoa Joe an autograph? Pacman strokes his chin thoughtfully: "Maybe." ACTING; James Storm checks an AA meeting for Rhino -- have they seen him? They point out, uh, they can't tell him, it's ANONYMOUS. Storm gives them a six-pack as a present.
Samoa Joe vs. Raven: Raven's entrance involves him sitting on a throne -- too bad Serotonin's gone, they could carry him. Joe has Samoan Fire Dancers!
This is almost a squash -- despite AJ Styles interfering TWICE, Raven gets in almost no offense and taps out to the Coquina Clutch!
After the match, though, Tomko and Christian Cage run in to join Styles -- they beat down Joe and handcuff him to the ropes. Joe's Fire Dancers come in to try and protect him, but The Coalition disposes of them quickly, giving one of them a conchairto -- Joe looks like he's about to cry. I wonder if the Fire Dancers are indie wrestlers or something. (Wrestlers are, of course, Samoa's second largest export, after tuna).
Kurt Angle and Sting vs. "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal and Abyss (Non-title): It's still weird watching Sting take hits from guys like Lethal. Angle takes a couple of hits from him too -- Lethal flips him over with a head scissors (after which Angle KILLS him with a release German) and later hits the Machismo Elbow -- off of Abyss' shoulders!
Ultimately, this comes down to Abyss and Angle, who will be facing off for the Championship this Sunday. Abyss barely kicks out of the Angle Slam -- reverses the Angle Lock -- and hits a sweet Black Hole Slam for the pin!
After the match James Mitchell shows up and Abyss chases after him. In the ring, Team Pacman give Angle the "autograph." (Nevertheless, I think that Angle won't really participate in the tag team match -- he'll either abandon Sting or actively turn on him, preferring to "save himself" for the World Title later that night. [Which he'll retain, thanks to Judas Mesias.])
And, yeah. Three matches with guys that I like, nothing totally stupid, and that makes it "good enough."
--K
Last 5 movies seen: The Desperadoes *** - 3:10 to Yuma (1957) ***1/2 - Antibodies *** - Blades of Glory *** - Happiness of the Katakuris n/a
You know, I'm conflicted. I liked the show as a show this week, but it did absolutely nothing to sell me on Sunday's PPV.
I mentioned before that Joe's career is on life support at this point and he needs to win big Sunday. But the buildup to this match has been terrible. Last week was the big swerve that wasn't and this week, the nameless entrance dancer gets taken down. Joe and the announcers try to put it over as a huge thing, but to the fans, it's just some random guy who dances during Joe's entrance. And I don't think I need to mention that it doesn't do Joe's badass persona any good to be weeping over a nameless entrance dancer.
I will say again, though, that it's time for Raven to ride off into the sunset. It's incredibly sad to watch him at this point.
The Rhino/James Storm feud needs a mercy killing on Sunday. The Storm vignettes have been brutal and this week's was the icing on the cake. Ooh, he thought he was at AAA! My sides! They split!
You know, for someone that was supposed to bring so much publicity to this promotion, I find myself caring very little about "Pacman" Jones. I can't wait for this Sunday when he'll get ZERO comeuppance! Or better yet, I can't wait to see if the bookers are stupid enough to let him actually take a bump, because watching the lawsuits come flying in from the Titans and the NFL could be quality entertainment.
Someone I am interested in, though, is Judas Mesias. The buildup to this guy has been very well done and I'm actually looking forward to the eventual reveal, whoever it ends up being. And I don't need to remind everyone that Jim Mitchell does, in fact, rule the universe.
Not a bad episode, really. Two hours SHOULD do wonders for this show.
I still think that Abyss would have been the better choice to be Kurt's tag partner. That way, Kurt could walk out on him at the PPV to receive a huge 2 on 1 beat down before the World title match. I guess they needed something for Sting to do, or they are setting up Angle vs. Sting at Bound for Glory. Joe who?
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
I wonder if West and Tenay think that they are radio announcers. They just refuse to let the action in the ring speak for itself, like they're deathly afraid to let the commentary go quiet. "They've got the handcuffs! They're going to handcuff Samoa Joe to the ring! They're handcuffing Joe to the ring! Joe has been handcuffed to the ring!" It's ridiculous.
Kaz looked bad. His offense was mostly kicks to the leg, and he never followed up on this. No legholds, locks, or other strikes. Tomko also looked limited and has sadly abandoned the boot for his finisher in favor of the double chokeslam. A weird match.
A Joe/Christian match now will revolve around the Concerto of an unnamed entrance dancer. This. Is. Weak.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Tenken347I wonder if West and Tenay think that they are radio announcers. They just refuse to let the action in the ring speak for itself, like they're deathly afraid to let the commentary go quiet. "They've got the handcuffs! They're going to handcuff Samoa Joe to the ring! They're handcuffing Joe to the ring! Joe has been handcuffed to the ring!" It's ridiculous.
Hey, yeah, I said this last week! TNA must think their audience is either blind or stupid.