I hope everyone had a good Guy Fawkes day! If you're checking this thread to see what Hulk Hogan's up to, I'll tell you right away that he does not appear in this episode (other than press conference clips). In fact, I read somewhere -- I don't remember where, so apply grains of salt as necessary -- that TNA is going to hold off Hulk's actual debut until the end of some sports season or another (Football?) because they want a really big rating and they don't want anything to interfere with that. That puts his debut three months away if true, right? That seems like an awful long time to me, but I guess we'll see. Hulk's going to be in Australia for most of this month, so I don't think we'll see him before December in any case.
We open with clips of Hogan and stuff, which I FFWD past.
Then we get a clip of TNA President Dixie Carter "addressing the troops." She tells them that this is a new beginning for TNA, and every single one of them has to step it up to the next level. They also have to support her 100% in all of her decisions; anything less is not good enough. Man, the wrestlers don't look pumped up at all -- they look comically dour, like little kids being lectured.
Now we start the show proper, and AJ Styles is out first. He wants to know who's been attacking him from behind -- friend or foe, he's calling them out. This brings out Daniels, who is not confessing to the attacks, but rather is peevish at the fact that Styles said "friend" -- Daniels thinks this is a dig at him. He goes on to suggest that Styles is gullible, stupid, arrogant, and a spoiled baby. Daniels is every bit the wrestler AJ is, but TNA has always helped AJ up while pushing Daniels down.
Samoa Joe is out now and again suggests that Daniels is behind the attacks. Daniels denies this, saying that he's capable of meeting Styles face-to-face; this leads to Styles and Daniels agreeing to have a match later tonight.
Beer Money vs. Eric Young and Rob Terry: The announcers tell us that Eric Young got his "Global Title" approved by management. More of an angle than a match here -- a trend that continues throughout the night. Eric Young tries to hit a belt shot on James Storm -- who is being held by Terry -- but Storm ducks and Terry gets KO'd. Man, they never consider that possibility, do they? Rob gets pinned and the rest of the British Invasion -- who are supposed to be suspended! -- come out for the beatdown. Security breaks that up, and the Motor City Machine Guns attack the Brits on their way out.
(Also, after the match, Rob Terry seems to have a disagreement with Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams -- I'm going to predict, right now, that Terry is going to turn face and win the Global Championship from Eric Young during TNA's tour of England in January.)
The Beautiful People attack ODB.
"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal is backstage, and he is really excited about the reuniting of the Mega Powers. He also issues an open challenge to any "Legends" out there (including Ric Flair, he says!)
Jeremy Borash wants to know what's up with Mick Foley. Mick Foley asks if JB's a Hulkamaniac -- Borash says that Foley, of course, is his favorite wrestler. "Busted!" says Mick, "your mouth says 'Foley' but your eyes say 'Hulkamaniac.'"
Desmond Wolfe vs. Cody Deaner: There's the LARIAT and that might be the shortest match in TNA history.
Wolfe puts his bomber jacket and sunglasses back on before cutting a promo on Kurt Angle (who's on the phone, as it happens, sitting at home with a neck brace on). Wolfe can't imagine why Angle would want to get back in the ring with him, but he accepts Angle's challenge for a match at Turning Point.
Lauren talks to Suicide about Homicide knowing his identity -- glad to see they're not dropping that. Suicide says he's not ready to reveal his face. (According to various dirtsheets, for what that's worth, Kaz is not pleased with his current direction and almost quit. It'll be interesting to see if the angle with Homicide leads to Suicide unmasking -- and, you know, it doesn't have to be Kaz under there.)
Team 3D is in back with Lauren and they commend Dixie's "grapefruits" (by which they mean balls, not boobs). Rhino is out to peddle his conspiracy theory, that the management is trying to force the veterans out. "WAKE UP!" he says.
Daniels vs. AJ Styles: Styles never makes it out, as he's ambuscaded by a guy in a black hoodie. Daniels is confused, but Samoa Joe -- the special ref, by the way -- kicks Daniels in the groin and gives him a Muscle Buster.
Hamada vs. Tara: Mostly kinda lethargic. Tara's chyron says that her finisher is "Arachnophobia" -- I dunno if that's a new name for the Widow's Peak, which is what she wins with after blocking a Hamadasault with her knees -- the announcers don't call it anything.
Awesome Kong comes out afterward and is surrounded by security, trying to stop her from getting in the ring. Tara jumps off the top turnbuckle onto all of them.
Backstage, Tara says that it'll be her and Kong in a steel cage match at Turning Point.
Mick Foley is out and calls out Abyss. Foley apologizes to Abyss and some length, saying that he felt bad calling Abyss a "carbon copy," because he doesn't actually think that -- he was just saying it because he wanted Abyss to fight him. He says in the future, if Abyss reminds Foley of himself, he'll take it as an honor.
Foley presents Abyss with a framed drawing (in the Tweak-n-Tweet style) of himself and Abyss. He also tells Abyss that he has a match with Dr. Stevie next week -- and if Abyss pins Stevie, Stevie's out of TNA forever!
JB is with Scott Steiner, who says that after Hogan puts all of TNA's "young punks" in their place, Steiner will invite Hogan to join the Main Event Mafia.
Homicide vs. Bobby Lashley: Homicide is on ineffective offense for about a minute, then Lashley gets a big chokeslam for the pin.
(I really wish that the guys at the top of the X Division weren't just jobbers for bigger guys. There are enough jobbers to go around without squashing the guy who's challenging for the X title in a week and a half.)
Bobby Lashley runs off when he sees Steiner harassing Kristal backstage. In the ring, Homicide abuses Earl Hebner until he's chased off by Amazing Red.
Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde: Yet another one-minute special as Wilde rolls up Rayne and back bridges for the win.
Lacey Von Erich and Velvet Sky come out; this brings out Sarita and ODB as well. They're all going to be in a six-woman tag at Turning Point for the tag and Knockout titles -- it sounds like the winning team gets all three belts.
AJ Styles vs. Daniels: Samoa Joe is again the special ref, and I should mention his purple gloves -- Taz says that it's in case there's bloodshed. Adequate while it lasts, but there's not much here. Best part is Joe, totally deadpan, calling it down the middle. Styles wins, turning a crucifix into a Styles Clash.
Lauren is in back with Dr. Stevie and Daffney -- Daff has no cast or sling, so that must have been a pretty mild broken arm. Dr. Stevie says that he "can't wait to share" what he has in store for Abyss next week -- "MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
Matt Morgan & Hernandez vs. Team 3D: Again, this is here for the angle. Morgan and Hernandez work over Devon's injured knee, and Rhino comes out to try and convince Ray to use a chair. Ray's having none of it, shoving Rhino away, but Ray finally grabs the chair and pastes Morgan and Hernandez with it. That's a DQ, of course.
Rhino is all celebratory, hugging 3D and raising their arms, but Ray and Devon are conflicted -- our last shot is Ray sagging against the ring ropes, hand over his face, looking like he may cry.
Some interesting storyline stuff tonight, but the matches were lousy.
--K
(edited by Karlos the Jackal on 6.11.09 0229) Last 5 movies seen: The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) ** - The Creature from the Black Lagoon ***1/2 - Sita Sings the Blues *** - Medicine for Melancholy *** - Zombieland ****
I didn't see any of this episode, but I'm getting from Dixie's pump-you-up speach she's trying to be Misses MacCarterMan. What with the "grapefruits" mention later by 3D, please tell me they aren't laying the seeds for this. What's next week, the "Kiss My Heiney Club"? A hooded figure comes out of the shadows proclaiming iteslf "The Almighty Power"?
Anyone think they are going to turn Dixie heel. It sounded like a speech Vince would give during his feud with Austin. I am going to enjoy TNA until Hogan gets there and see where they go. Its a shame, this Hogan fog is clouding the show, because the Turning Point PPV looks very good.
Originally posted by Karlos the JackalIn fact, I read somewhere -- I don't remember where, so apply grains of salt as necessary -- that TNA is going to hold off Hulk's actual debut until the end of some sports season or another (Football?) because they want a really big rating and they don't want anything to interfere with that.
Starting next Thursday and going pretty much until the end of the season, there are Thursday night games on the NFL Network.
"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal is backstage, and he is really excited about the reuniting of the Mega Powers. He also issues an open challenge to any "Legends" out there (including Ric Flair, he says!)
This is a great idea if they do it. It helps Hogan immediately get a young guy over.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal is backstage, and he is really excited about the reuniting of the Mega Powers. He also issues an open challenge to any "Legends" out there (including Ric Flair, he says!)
This is a great idea if they do it. It helps Hogan immediately get a young guy over.
Good lord, are they setting up for "Dixie's TNA" vs. "Hulk's TNA"? Didn't they try this type of relaunch two or three times in WCW? And didn't it fail every single time?
The people who are writing this either don't believe it failed, or feel other people prevented it from succeeding, and if they could just get one more chance at it...
FWIW, Hogan and Dixie would be more on the same side, so it's more the paranoid old guys (3D/Rhyno) vs everyone else.
I do wonder if we're supposed to be noticing a oncoming angle, with 3D & Rhyno on the same page and Dr. Stevie's teased surprise for next week.
"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal is backstage, and he is really excited about the reuniting of the Mega Powers. He also issues an open challenge to any "Legends" out there (including Ric Flair, he says!)
This is a great idea if they do it. It helps Hogan immediately get a young guy over.
*snicker*
How dare you, sir? Why the very idea ... I need a fainting couch in the face of your effrontery.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal is backstage, and he is really excited about the reuniting of the Mega Powers. He also issues an open challenge to any "Legends" out there (including Ric Flair, he says!)
This is a great idea if they do it. It helps Hogan immediately get a young guy over.
I presume you have not seen how this starts on next week's show.
And now I miss Steve Blackman. Yes, he had the charisma of drywall, but I liked the guy. (He's not dead, is he? I'm afraid to use the google and find out the answer is yes and depress myself.)