Wednesday 29 January 2020

TNA Victory Road 2007 Review

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Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more over than Drew McIntyre! So, it’s TNA Victory Road 2007! Kurt Angle is delusional and a TNA World Heavyweight Champion & IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Samoa Joe teams with Kurt Angle against The Dudley Boys for all the gold, what an odd concept but I did state my concerns about where Team 3D would go next after an awful match with Rick Steiner and Animal. We have an Ultimate X match which is always a fun way to kick us off, let’s get it on!

(Ultimate X Number One Contender’s Match) Christopher Daniels vs Black Machismo Jay Lethal vs Puma vs Homicide vs Sonday Dutt vs Petey Williams vs Shark Boy vs Eliz Skipper vs Kaz vs Senshi

Welcome back to nothingness Daniels and wait a minute, Lethal won the championship at Slammiversary what is this bullshit? Daniels jumps Lethal, right hands and a back drop, this is a gauntlet match and it is a battle royal too. This is ridiculous, Lethal batters Daniels with elbows before Daniels regains control. Number 3 is Puma, I remember they talked about Puma one time about how talented he was, I think that was a year ago. Puma comes and dropkicks Lethal, Lethal blocks the suplex but Puma nails a roundhouse kick. Lethal almost tosses out Puma but Puma hangs on for a spinning heel kick. Number four is Homicide, back-drop and dropkick for Lethal.


Gringo Cutter for Lethal, Puma and Homicide batter Lethal. Things are coming quick and fast, Dutt and Petey enter the match. Petey teases the Canadian destroyer three times before spiking Puma with it. That is all we ever wanted, Puma is tossed out by Petey but Homicide throws out Petey. In comes Shark Boy, missile dropkick and facebusters/neck-breakers for everyone. Shark Boy bites Daniels’ ass. We have a few elimination attempts before here comes Eliz Skipper who has not appeared in forever. Skipper botches immediately, that’s my boy but Skipper back-drops Shark Boy to the floor. Skipper eliminates Dutt too, I am shocked to be honest.


Here comes Kaz, no more serotonin. Dropkicks for everyone, legsweep for Daniels. Springboard leg drop, Kaz awaits the final entrant. It is Senshi, now you can try to climb to win. Senshi is after Kaz who is climbing the structure, Senshi kicks Kaz over and over. Senshi applies a dragon sleeper on the structure, Senshi is climbing towards the X. Skipper is in pursuit, Homicide drags down Senshi. Lethal drags down Skipper, Kappu Kick from Senshi to Homicide. Daniels is attempting to win, Kaz grabs the leg of Daniels. Down comes Daniels, Kaz is climbing the structure. 4 men climb towards the X, Skipper and Homicide are the only two on the ground. Skipper and Homicide bring down the 4 men.


Everyone takes turns nailing their spots, kicks left right and centre before Daniels is standing tall after an STO on Lethal. Daniels is on his way to the X, Lethal is right behind Daniels. Knees to the back, Lethal falls to the mat. Daniels is left dangling by his feet, Kaz nails a jumping cutter which is pure beauty. Senshi misses a cartwheel kick on Homicide, everyone goes to the buckle. Tower of Doom spot, obligatory in this type of match at this stage. Kaz and Skipper are on top of the structure, Skipper and Kaz look at one another and trade blows. Both men are dangling beside the X, both men fall anti-climatically to the floor. Daniels and Lethal are on their feet, Lethal Combination on Daniels.


Skipper nails Sudden Death on Lethal, Kaz nails Skipper with The Wave of The Future. Flux Capacitor on Homicide from Kaz, Kaz coming off as a huge star in this match. Daniels tosses Kaz into the structure, Lethal throws Daniels off the buckle. Lethal edges towards the X, Daniels is on his way. Skipper and Senshi take out Lethal with a springboard enzuigiri, Daniels has all the time in the world to unhook the X. Triple X are back!


Yeah, so I shut my mind off for this match and really enjoyed it! Lots of big spots and ridiculous bumps, Kaz looked like a big star in this match. Three big spots for Kaz, hopefully Kaz will be chasing the championship going forward. Daniels winning feels like a step back for obvious reasons, the man was primed for a feud with Sting and was utterly decimated in 6 minutes so Daniels back down here with an old faction reuniting, does nothing for me to be honest. A fun match to open the show, fans are all warmed up!

Winner: Christopher Daniels via Retrieval of The X!

Damaja & Basham W/ Lance Hoyt & Christy Hemme vs VKM W/ Roxxi

And now the life will be sucked out of the building, this feud will not die. I almost admire their stubbornness to keep going with this trash. Lance Hoyt was a VKM boy but turned on VKM to align with Christy. Hemme is continuing to use Basham & Damaja despite their previous losses to VKM. Roxxi The Voodoo Queen is here. Their answer to Christy Hemme, Damaja and BG to start the match. Side headlock by BG, Damaja counters with a boot to the face. Right hands and forearms by Damaja, BG ducks a right hand. Jabs by BG and running splash to the back, shot to Basham. Boot for Damaja and BG clocks Hoyt with a right hand.


Kip and Basham tag into the match, Basham smashes Kip in the lower back before Kip sends Basham into the buckle. Reverse off an Irish whip, inverted atomic drop by Basham but Kip answers with a dropkick. Basham misses a dropkick, hip-toss by Kip. Side headlock by Kip, Hoyt grabs Kip’s leg off an Irish whip. Kip goes after Hoyt, Hemme slaps Kip. Roxxi is in the ring, the referee holds back Roxxi. Basham throws BG to the floor, BG is now the legal man somehow as Hoyt sends BG into the guard-rail. Basham knee drops BG and a tag to Damaja. Damaja chokes the life out of BG with a boot in the corner, back to the corner. Tag to Basham, massive knee drop to the back of the head.


Basham misses a diving headbutt, drop toehold into the buckle for Basham. Damaja misses a boot and Kip gets the hot-tag. Right hands, elbow to the face. Basham is sent to the floor, jack-hammer on Damaja for two. Splash in the corner, Basham catches Kip with a leg lariat. Two for Damaja, BG and Basham are trading blows on the floor. Hoyt is in the ring, Hoyt boots the chair into the face of Kip. Damaja crawls for the cover and Kip kicks out at two, Hoyt is on the apron. BG clocks Damaja with the chair, Kip rolls into the cover for the win.


Not really sure how Roxxi counteracted Hemme, Hemme was not in the match at all. Hoyt was interfering constantly, made no sense but I suppose Roxxi has a job and a spot on TV. Good for her, we have Roxxi slamming Hemme after the match. Well at least they used her eventually but yeah, I never liked this feud and to stretch it out for almost 5 months now, I respect their commitment to this angle but please let it die.

Winners: VKM over Damaja & Basham via Chair Shot!

James Storm W/ Jackie Moore vs Rhino

Storm likes beer, Rhino is a recovering alcoholic. Storm spat beer all over Rhino which pissed off Rhino to no end, Rhino wants to murder Storm. The dumbest babyface on the planet goes after Storm on the floor as Jackie Moore is sent to the back. Storm meets the guard-rail and the ramp as Rhino hip-tosses The Cowboy. Lots of crowd brawling, Rhino has a chair. The bell finally rings, Storm looks very lost. Whip to the buckle from Storm but Rhino explodes out with a clothesline. Rhino elbows Storm away from him and climbs the buckle, Storm shoves Rhino to the floor with Rhino taking an ugly bump on the ground. Storm is in control now, Storm mocks the fans for cheering Rhino. Knee to the spine from The Cowboy, reverse chin-lock from Storm.


Rhino breaks free but Storm side-steps The War Machine, Storm tees off on Rhino at ringside. In the ring, Storm gets two. Another reverse chin-lock from Storm, flying clothesline from Rhino. Corner shoulder block from Rhino, Storm cuts off Rhino with a boot and a neck-breaker for two. Storm has a beer bottle, Storm listens to the referee. Slaps from Storm, whip to the buckle. Rhino elevates Storm to the apron, enzuigiri from Storm. Rhino crotches Storm on the top rope, superplex from Rhino. Short-arm clothesline takes out the referee by mistake, Storm sees it is time to take control.


Storm measures for a superkick, Rhino counters for a belly to belly suplex. Storm picks up the beer bottle, Rhino wants the gore. Storm clocks Rhino in the face with the beer bottle, the bottle shatters on impact. Storm covers and the referee recovers to count the pin-fall. Rhino is a bloody mess as Storm is declared as the winner. Storm has some sort of rope, Rhino does a great job selling disorientation. Jackie Moore comes down with a keg of beer and forces Rhino to drink the beer.


While the match was nothing special, Storm continues to be the biggest dickhead walking the planet. I have fallen head over heels for James Storm and this angle has a lot of potential, this is a very real problem for so many people and Storm is handling all this with the grace of the biggest SOB walking the planet. I think the angle goes a little too long, Storm cracks Rhino with the chair again but once Rhino is back on his feet, this could be some great shit. Storm is growing leaps and bounds, awesome stuff.

Winner: James Storm over Rhino via Beer Bottle!

Jerry Lynn & Bob Backlund vs The Motorcity Machine Guns W/ Kevin Nash

Shelley and Sabin started teaming around Lockdown before officially uniting under the tutelage of one Kevin Nash. Backlund was feuding with Austin Starr, it was dropped abruptly but somehow we got to Backlund beating Shelley and the duo beating up Backlund until Lynn came to the aid of Backlund. The match starts with a lot of stalling, arm-drag from Backlund eventually. Full-nelson from Sabin, Backlund manages to break free and apply the hold to Sabin. Sabin tries to roll out but Backlund re-applies the full-nelson. Sabin runs to the ropes, Sabin tags in Shelley. Backlund tags in Lynn, some wrestling now.


Chop by Shelley, Lynn reverses an Irish whip. Shelley flips out of the corner but misses a drop toehold. Lynn counters with arm-drags into an arm-bar. Eye poke by Shelley, tag to Sabin. Sabin walks into an arm-bar, Sabin escapes to tag in Shelley. Arm-drags and dropkicks by Lynn, Shelley runs over to Sabin. Another tag to Sabin, Sabin has Lynn as Shelley slaps Lynn. Shelley enzuigiris Sabin by mistake, flying elbow on Shelley. DDT on Sabin, Shelley manages to gain control on Lynn. Chops from Shelley, Lynn is tossed to the floor. Nash distracts the referee, Sabin cheap shots Lynn. Lynn manages to leg drop Shelley, slingshot sunset flip for two.


Sabin breaks up the pin, abdominal stretch from Sabin. Lynn escapes, tag to Backlund. The referee misses the tag because of a belt, Shelley and Sabin nail big boots and Lynn is crotched in the tree of woe. Hesitation dropkicks, Backlund cleans house anyways. Snap-mares and elbows to Shelley & Sabin, Shelley eats an atomic drop. Nash is in the ring, Backlund suplexes Sabin onto Lynn’s leg. Nash boots Lynn behind the referee’s back, Shelley & Sabin nail superkicks and an enzuigiri for the win.


Weak finish for sure, match was passable. Like The VKM feud, I commend their commitment to the angle but I really want no more Backlund on my screen. Things that should be left behind as the company goes forward, a load of shite for almost nine minutes.

Winners: MotorCity Machine Guns over Bob Backlund & Jerry Lynn via Enzuigiri!

Robert Roode & Ms. Brooks vs Eric Young & Gail Kim

This feud ended perfectly with Young winning his freedom but here we are, having another match between the two. I must be an idiot because we obviously need this match to continue the feud. Young and Roode to start, Roode shouts at Young saying hit me you chicken. Young spears Roode, right hands from Young. Roode whips Young to the buckle, Flair flip and a shoulder block from Young. Sliding through the ropes, Young nails a belly to belly suplex. Gail and Brooks are throwing down, Young kisses Brooks. Gail dropkicks Brooks into Roode, synchronised roll-ups for two. Roode nails a tope suicida, Gail nails a plancha and we will reset with the women in the ring.


Brooks knees Gail, Roode is in the ring. Roode tries scaring Gail, Gail elbows Roode. Tag to Young, back-drop from Young for two. Young is whipped to the ropes, Brooks trips Young. Young is sent crotch first into the ring-post, Roode stomps away at Young. Back suplex from Roode for two, tag to Brooks who kicks Young and tags in Roode. Reverse chin-lock from Roode, Young escapes before running into a uranage slam for two. Tag to Brooks, stomps from Brooks. Back rake and slaps from Brooks, Young grabs Brooks but Roode makes the save.


Roode is back in, scoop slam. Middle rope knee drop time, it connects. Two for Roode, tag to Brooks. Brooks nails Young with a splash, Brooks tries another splash but Young knocks her down. Gail clotheslines Brooks down, hurricanrana for Roode. Sidewalk slam for two, Roode grabs Gail. Slap from Gail, enzuigiri on Brooks. Gail tries a driving hurricanrana but Roode applies a boston crab, Young saves Roode with a DDT. Brooks knees Young to the floor, Gail is on the top rope. Brooks looks for a superplex, Gail fights off Brooks. Brooks is shoved off, missile dropkick on Brooks. Roode is in the ring, drop toehold onto Brooks. Roode elbows Brooks by mistake, jaw-breaker by Gail on Roode. Double dropkick as Roode spills to the floor, Gail pins Brooks after to win the match.


Yeah it was fine, Young is very popular with the fans and they react well to Gail inside of the ring. Brooks and Roode have great chemistry, I do think Roode needs a new feud to show a serious side as while the feud has helped Young tremendously I do not know if I can say the same for Roode. Also, did they not say men cannot attack women in The VKM match but Young clobbering Brooks or Roode hitting Gail is no problem? Double standards all over the place!

Winners: Eric Young & Gail Kim over Robert Roode & Ms. Brooks via Elbow Drop!

Christian Cage vs Chris Harris

Harris speared Christian off the ladder in The King Of The Mountain match, costing Christian the championship. Based off that you would think Christian is the babyface but no, Harris is the man trying to break into the main event scene while Christian is a sore loser. They lock-up, side headlock from Harris. Christian looks to break free, top wrist-lock. Harris counters for a hammerlock, Harris counters for his own back into the headlock. Shoulder block for two, make it another block for two. Christian spits on Harris, Harris slaps Christian back. Chops from Harris, whip to the buckle. Delayed vertical suplex from Harris, two for The Wildcat. Christian exits the ring off an Irish whip, Harris does not let Christian breathe.


On the ramp, Harris back-drops Christian. In the ring, Harris wants a powerslam but Christian lands on the apron. Harris is sent crotch first into the ring-post, Christian is on the middle rope. Flying reverse elbow for two, abdominal stretch from The Instant Classic. Harris breaks free but a knee from Christian sends Harris to his knees, Christian tosses Harris to the floor. Christian wants to use a chair on Harris, referee saves Harris. Harris sends Christian into the steel steps, Christian recovers as Harris misses a leaping clothesline in the ring. Slaps from Christian, Harris gets pissed off and bulldogs Christian into the mat.


 Right hands from Harris, whip to the buckle is reversed. Christian misses a splash, leaping lariat from Harris. Christian sends Harris to the apron, Harris is on the top rope. Christian is shoved away, diving crossbody from Harris for two. Christian lures in Harris, roll-up with the ropes for two. Eye poke by Christian, Harris blocks the swinging reverse DDT. Harris wants a superplex, Christian counters for a sit-out suplex from the middle rope. Harris escapes the unprettier, Christian escapes the catatonic. Harris catches Christian for an Unprettier, 1…2… Christian kicks out!


Christian rolls to the apron, dazed and confused. Harris runs into a massive knee. Christian runs into a spear for two, Catatonic is blocked again. Harris tries another spear, Christian leapfrogs Harris who runs into the ring-post. Unprettier for two, Christian is mad at the referee. Exposed turnbuckle is the plan for Captain Charisma, Harris catapults Christian into the buckle. Full-nelson slam for two, Christian rolls to the floor. Grabbing a chair, Christian clocks Harris for a close two. Dustin Rhodes is here, roll-up from Harris for two. Christian calls for back-up, Dustin nails Harris from behind as Christian small packages Harris for the win.


Great TNA, you missed the bloody finish. Handcuff shot to the back of the head helped Christian win, we needed a replay to see that moment. In the make it or break it match, Harris has been screwed. We now have Dustin Rhodes back in TNA, a scary time for sure as Black Reign must be on the way. Yeah, Christian did some things here to make Harris look good, the kicking out of The Unprettier and Frog Splash for sure. We will se where things go from here but I am not overly impressed at this time.

Winner: Christian Cage over Chris Harris via Small Package!

Sting & Abyss vs AJ Styles & Tomko

Abyss was destroyed by The Christian Coalition, Abyss came back and defeated Tomko at Slammiversary. Sting also had problems with Styles & Tomko so Sting and Abyss finally are a team after months of Sting reaching out to Abyss. Styles ducks Abyss’ attacks and continues to kick the monster, Styles out-smarts Abyss once more with another swift kick to the head. Styles lands forearms and a crossbody but Abyss no-sells it all. Eventually, a sidewalk slam from Abyss. Styles is tossed over to Tomko, Tomko squares up to Abyss. The two trade blows before Sting tags in off Abyss.


Tomko laughs it up before Sting stuns the big man with two quick shots. Sting tees off, whip reversed by Tomko. Tomko misses a corner splash, Styles misses too. Sting nails Stinger Splashes, tag to Abyss. Corner clothesline for Tomko, running hip attack to Styles. Tomko blocks the chokeslam, boot by Abyss. Styles makes the save and cheap shots Sting, Abyss eats right hands from Styles. Hurricanrana does not work for Styles, Tomko boots the shit out of Abyss. Abyss and Tomko are on the floor, Tomko pummels Abyss in the ring before tagging in Styles. Styles kicks Abyss and mocks Sting before Tomko comes into the ring. Double knockdown, Styles knocks down Sting to prevent the tag.


Abyss back-drops Styles, Abyss tags Sting. Sting clobbers Styles & Tomko, DDT to Styles. Bulldog for Tomko, right hands for Styles. Sting clotheslines Tomko to the floor, Sting nails ten punches in the corner on Styles. Styles breaks free, Abyss is on the middle rope, Styles dropkicks Abyss to the floor who falls onto Tomko. Sting eats an elbow from Styles, Styles wants a springboard. Sting shoves Styles onto everyone on the floor, Sting climbs to the top rope and dives onto everyone. Sting wants the sharpshooter but Styles shoves off Sting, Tomko nails Sting with a right hand. Enzuigiri by Styles, two for Styles. Fallaway slam from Tomko for two, cheap shot to Abyss.


Tag to Styles, reverse chin-lock from Styles. Sting fights back from the submission but Styles suckers in Sting for his dropkick. Two for Styles, running powerslam from Tomko for two. Tomko tags in Styles, Styles rakes the eyes to prevent a Sting comeback. Styles has Sting on the top rope, Sting holds on to stop the super hurricanrana. Diving clothesline from Sting, Abyss gets the hot-tag. Clotheslines, double chokeslam is blocked but Abyss nails flapjacks and scoop slams. Chokeslam on Tomko connects, two for Abyss. Styles lands a Pele Kick on Abyss, Tomko gets two.


Tomko brings Sting to the floor, Abyss clubs Styles with a right hand. Shock Treatment from Abyss, Abyss wants a chokeslam. Tomko nails a two-handed throat toss on Abyss for two. Sting kicks out Tomko’s leg, Scorpion Death-Lock. Styles distracts the referee so Tomko taps but it is not seen by the official. Springboard flying forearm on Sting by Styles, Sting back-drops Styles to the floor after the forearm. Tomko misses a clothesline on Sting and runs into The Black Hole Slam for the win.


Breezed by, fun tag team match for sure. Styles as a cocky chicken-shit heel is underrated, Styles is so full of himself with every movement, you get sucked in and want to see The Phenomenal One punched squarely in the face. Tomko and Abyss have some good chemistry together, Abyss gets up there for Tomko’s moves and vice-versa. A little odd to have this tag match leading into the main event which is also a tag match but whatever, it was good as has most of this pay per view so far.

Winners: Sting & Abyss over Tomko & AJ Styles via Black Hole Slam!

(TNA World Heavyweight Championship/X-Division Championship Match/TNA Tag Team Championship Match) Kurt Angle © & Samoa Joe © vs Team 3D ©

Despite watching the video package, I have no idea why Cornette put this match together, I have no idea how Samoa Joe won the championship either. All I know is who ever wins this match, will win the corresponding championship. I said before that TNA had run out of plans for Team 3D when it seemed they only had The God Damn Steiners as competition for the champions so this is a curveball for sure. I still feel Joe and Angle have been mistreated over the last few months and any loss to Joe at this stage could be very damaging considering they are going towards Samoa Joe vs Kurt Angle.


Devon and Joe start, lock-up. Arm-wringer from Joe, Devon counters with his own. Joe transitions into a side headlock, hammerlock. Devon counters and nails a forearm, Joe fires back with his own. They trade blows, kicks from Joe. Devon blocks and tees off on Joe, whip to the buckle. Elbow and enzuigiri from Joe, tag to Angle. Kick to the ribs, uppercut from Angle. Right hands from Devon, Angle fights back before an eye rake takes down Angle. Tag to Ray, arm-drags from Angle. Ray backs Angle into the corner, Angle eats a boot to the head before Ray is caught for a German suplex. Front chancery and in comes Joe, jabs from Joe.


Eye rake from Ray, tag to Devon. Inverted atomic drop and massive single leg dropkick followed by a senton for two. Joe tags in Angle, Angle brings the pain to Devon. Snap suplex for two, tag to Joe. Snap-mare into chop/kick/knee drop combination for two, Joe tags in Angle. Back suplex from Angle for two, tag to Joe. Double elbow and hip-toss as Ray is taken out aswell from Joe & Angle. Joe pummels Devon with jabs, tag to Angle who runs into a spinebuster.  Devon is shoved off Angle by Ray, Ray wants to be a champion. Ray tags in off Devon, kind of hard to cheer anyone but Joe in this match.


Joe kicks Ray before falling into a uranage slam, Devon stops Ray winning the match. Ray shoves down Devon, slaps from Ray. Ray decides to walk out on Devon, Joe rocks Devon. Ray comes back and low blows Joe, Devon takes down Angle. Angle is thrown to the floor as Team 3D has fooled everyone, elbow drop from Devon for two. Devon drags Joe to his corner, middle rope choke from Devon. Ray helps as the referee deals with Angle, Devon chokes Joe some more. Stun-gun from Ray off the apron, tag to Ray. Reverse chin-lock from Ray, Devon tags in and tees off on Joe. Joe fights back before an eye poke takes The Samoan Submission Machine down.


Whip to the buckle from Devon, boot block from Joe. Elbow from Joe, flying knee from Joe. Joe has a chance to tag, Ray knocks down Angle. Ray clocks Joe, Devon kicks Joe in the ribs. Reverse chin-lock from Devon, Joe escapes but Team 3D maintain control until Ray tags in, Ray and Devon are clobbered by Joe. Angle gets the tag, clotheslines and right hands. Back drop for Devon, back-drop for Ray. Belly to belly suplexes for Team 3D, straps are down. Devon stops The Angle Slam, Wassup Headbutt does not connect as Joe crotches Devon. Angle clotheslines Ray, super belly to belly suplex for Devon.


Joe powerslams Ray for two, Angle German suplexes Devon for two. Joe DVDs Ray for two, referee is counting every pin despite only Angle and Ray being legal. Angle slams Devon, moonsault for two as Ray makes the save. Team 3D call for tables but Angle & Joe apply Ankle Locks, will they tap? Ray shoves off Angle, Angle clotheslines Joe by mistake. 3D by Team 3D, Devon covers but Rick Steiner saves the match. Steiner and Devon brawl, Scott Steiner clocks Ray with a lead pipe. Joe covers Ray, Angle saves the match. Angle attacks Joe, Angle Slam but Joe chop blocks Angle. Joe steals the pin to win the match for his team.


So, Angle is such an egomaniac that he wants the two world heavyweight championships and the tag team titles? Angle broke up Joe’s pin because he wanted both belts, not that Angle would actually lose his world championship unless pinned by one of the members of Team 3D. Not too sure what Angle really had to gain from this match unless secretly, Angle wants to defend the tag titles against two men or has a secret partner but whatever, another twist in The Joe vs Angle feud. It was ok, Team 3D were heels before the last pay per view. They were heels insulting Steiner and Angle is a heel too so that makes for one awkward tag team match when Joe is not in that ring. As a main event, I thought it would be right at home on Impact. I do not think anybody bought the idea that one of Team 3D could be the next world champion so I do not see the logic of building to a match where that could be a reason to coax people into buying the pay per view. It was ok, nothing more and nothing less.

Winners: Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle over Team 3D via Angle Slam!

That was TNA’s Victory Road 2007, a middle of the road pay per view from TNA in my estimations. Let’s break this down: Ultimate X was fun, I could just watch people fly around and do crazy spots for all the fans. The battle royal concept was BS but I mean, it’s TNA so what do you expect? Daniels wins and reunites Triple X, I wish I could care but those men are going nowhere fast especially after what Sting did to Daniels but this was a fun match for sure. VKM vs Damaja & Basham which I have seen and didn’t care then and I do not care now. Admire their commitment to the angle but please let it die, same with Shelley vs Backlund. I do not need to see it I am over it and I was over it months ago. Storm vs Rhino was a great angle, Storm is the biggest douchebag in wrestling and pouring beer on a recovering alcoholic is quite the close to home angle but Storm played it masterfully.

The mixed tag team match was fine, the feud needs to end as do many of the feuds I have talked about previously above. It was solid but both men need something new to sink their teeth into, Cage vs Harris was alright. Cage did things to make Harris look good but there is not that fire or connection there with The Wildcat. It is not clicking and I am not filled with great hope as Harris will be feuding with Dustin Rhodes going forward. Sting and Abyss vs Tomko & Styles like the main event tag match was solid, it had some good things but nothing amazing or to write home about. Both could have easily been on Impact so my final thoughts are you are not missing anything skipping this show. Angles were advanced but nothing significant, a disappointment from the highs of the Slammiversary show. Thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!

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Thursday 23 January 2020

TNA Slammiversary 2007 Review

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Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that clutches at more straws than Enzo Amore! The TNA train keeps rolling, I just cannot look away from this company no matter what muck they throw my way at times. Sadly, I am looking back on these pay per views looking at the TNA glory days before things went really south and I am not sure they were ever going to challenge the WWE the way they do things. Regardless, It is TNA Slammiversary 2007. We are wrestling, we are TNA and this is the fifth anniversary of the company. What matches will be contested at this monumental event in TNA’s history, I am not sure just yet. A lot of women and strange acts are on my screen, Jarrett beating up midgets, women wearing very little clothing. Ken Shamrock, Raven and AJ Styles, Jasmine St Clair giving a lapdance. The phantom Hogan angle, we are now on the current era of TNA with the likes of Christian, Joe, Angle AND Sting. The Fuck is this? Wannabe Tiger Woods cracked with a guitar by Jeff Jarrett? What has that got to do? Some rednecks are playing music, country is strong on this night. Lo Cash Cowboys is their name, they seem to be hooked up quite poorly but the performance is brief.

LAX W/ Konnan vs Rhino & Senshi W/ Hector Guerrero

Ok… Well they are out of The Impact Zone which should help the energy in the building. No idea of this makeshift team, they are not filling me in on why they are teaming. Rhino is over, crazy. Side headlock and shoulder block by Rhino, Homicide slides through the legs before eating a military press slam. Whip to the corner, Homicide stops Rhino before Rhino alley oops Homicide to the floor. In the ring, Rhino nails a suplex. Two for Rhino, tag to Senshi. Snap-mare and Flashing Elbow for two, Homicide backs Senshi into the corner. Tag to Hernandez, Senshi gets in quick kicks which frustrates the big man. Shoulder block from Hernandez, Senshi is down.


Rhino is knocked off the apron, Senshi kicks the face off Hernandez. Clothesline from Rhino, two for Senshi. Senshi kicks at Hernandez before Hernandez throws Senshi across the ring. Make it double, Homicide is legal. Flying reverse elbow for two, Hernandez tags in. Belly to belly overhead suplex, tag to Homicide. Diving Elbow Drop from Homicide for two, tag to Hernandez. Clothesline and CrackerJack from Hernandez, border toss is blocked as Senshi brings down Hernandez with punches and a Warrior’s Way.


Tag to Rhino, clotheslines and powerslam for two. Corner Gore for Homicide, belly to belly suplex to Hernandez. Homicide brawls with Rhino until a spinebuster ends that flurry. Hernandez saves Homicide, Senshi low-bridges Hernandez and nails a springboard plancha to the floor. Gringo Cutter on Rhino, Konnan gives Homicide a Slapjack. Hector Guerrero stun-guns Homicide and Rhino nails The Gore!


Hot, hot, hot opening match. The crowd is on fire, never ever go back to The Impact Zone because these fans were amazing. Everyone in this match wasted no time, got down to business and the crowd popped on everything. I do not just mean the big moves, the dives, I am talking the body slams, the snap-mares and throws to the floor. It was chaotic, it was simple and I loved it. If they can maintain this energy throughout the night, this will be a great pay per view.

Winners: Rhino & Senshi over LAX via Gore!

(TNA X-Division Championship match) Chris Sabin © vs Jay Lethal

Lethal’s chance at the championship, could it be time to pull the trigger? Lethal and Dutt seemed to have settled their issues, Lethal starts this off hot with back drops and elbows. More right jabs Sabin pulls Lethal by the hair. Sabin cheap shots Lethal, whip to the ropes. Lethal holds on, elbow to Sabin. Headscissors using the ropes and a tope suicida finds the mark. Top rope diving axe handle for two, elbow from Lethal for two. Sabin is reeling, whip to the buckle. Sabin leapfrogs Lethal and spits in the challenger’s face, jaw-breaker from the champion for two.


Sabin chokes Lethal on the middle rope, Sabin steps on Lethal’s face. Garvin stomp and senton for two, butterfly lock from Sabin. Lethal fires up, Sabin knees Lethal in the gut. Lethal nails a clothesline and dropkick, whip to the ropes. Thesz Press is countered with an eye poke by the champion, Sabin slaps Lethal in the corner. Right jabs and palm strikes from Sabin, foot choke from Sabin. Corner elbow and slaps, Lethal comes back with arm-drags. Flying forearm from Lethal, middle rope moonsault from Lethal. Suplex for two, Sabin reverses a whip to the buckle. Yakuza Kick, Sabin places Lethal on the top rope. Lethal blocks the top rope hurricanrana, unique facebuster from Lethal for two.


Lethal dives off the top rope into three kicks, close two for Sabin. Cradle Shock is blocked, Dragon Suplex is blocked. La Magistral from Sabin for two, Lethal Injection is avoided. Cradle Shock is avoided, enzuigiri and superkick. Lethal Injection, Diving Elbow Drop and Lethal dethrones Sabin as champion.


Another solid match for this pay per view, I have been hard on Sabin and at times, I feel I have been justified. I thought that Sabin could have done more to get the fans hating on him more, more heat would have been terrific for this moment. The crowd was so behind Lethal and the new gimmick, they worked well together but the crowd carried this one I think. If it was The Impact Zone, I do not know if it would have been as special, big moment for Jay Lethal. The division has a new ace, let’s see where we go from here.

Winner: Jay Lethal over Chris Sabin via Diving Elbow Drop!

James Storm & Ron The Truth Killings W/ Jackie Moore vs Jerry Lynn & Frank Wycheck W/ Kyle Vanden Bosch

The Truth is here after an extended absence, Truth nails Lynn with ease and a beautiful corkscrew kick floors Lynn. Whip from Lynn, flying reverse elbow. Truth takes down Lynn, tag to Storm. Arm-wringer, Lynn tags Wycheck. Side headlock from Storm, big shoulder block. Storm has a helmet and mocks Wycheck fumbling, side headlock from Storm. Elbows from Wycheck, Storm nails another shoulder block. Wycheck nails two shoulder blocks and a dropkick, Truth misses a heel kick as both are on the floor. Wycheck throws Lynn onto Storm & Truth.


Atomic drop to Storm, Storm eats a dropkick from Lynn. Wycheck chases Truth, Storm nails a clothesline. Storm chokes Wycheck with the bottom rope, dropkick to the face. Storm has a chair, the referee takes the chair. Lynn nails a head-scissors, Lynn is on the apron. Truth sweeps the legs of Lynn, Eye of The Storm. Storm pours beer on Lynn, Storm spits on Kyle. Truth just slaps Lynn, Lynn and Truth collide with crossbodies in the middle of the ring. Here comes Wycheck, scoop slams all around. Dropkicks, noggin knocker. Back rake and eye poke, clothesline to Truth. Storm Superkicks Wycheck, Kyle pulls out Storm and throws down Jackie Moore. Truth has Wycheck, Storm has a bottle. Lynn saves Wycheck, Truth is down and Wycheck Piledrives Storm into oblivion for the win.


What a match, this match was far better than it ever deserved to be! What a piledriver, Wycheck takes a tonne of bumps in this match and was willing to do everything inside of that ring, massive respect right there. I do feel bad for James Storm to be involved with an angle like this off such a great feud, Storm is showing her versatility though and it should not go unnoticed as Storm is growing on me so fast.

Winners: Jerry Lynn & Paul Wycheck over James Storm & Ron Killings via Piledriver!

Bob Backlund vs Alex Shelley

Backlund wants a handshake, we have a handshake. Shelley wipes off the handshake, Backlund trips up Shelley before Shelley powders to the floor. Shelley and Backlund trade chops, eye rake and arm-bar from Shelley. Backlund tries to roll out, Shelley maintains control. Backlund lifts up Shelley to the buckle, slap from Backlund. Double underhook from Backlund, suplex connects. Atomic drop from Backlund, Chris Sabin is here at ringside. Shelley is with the referee, Shelley is dropped onto Sabin’s crotch. O Connor roll into a prawn hold from Backlund and we have a winner. Short, to the point.

Winner: Bob Backlund over Alex Shelley via Rolling Prawn Hold!

Damaja & Basham W/ Christy Hemme vs VKM

Damn this feud, BG wants revenge after being taken out at the last pay per view. VKM come down and back drop Damaja into Basham. Kip chases Hemme, VKM pummel Damaja & Basham some more. Bell rings, Basham whips BG. Hemme grabs the leg, leg lariat from Basham. Tag to Damaja, stomps to BG. Quick tags, left jabs from Damaja. BG fights back before an eye rake stops that, tag to Basham. Drop toehold and knee drop, Basham pisses off Kip. Tag to Damaja, Russian legsweep from Damaja. Tag to Basham, Basham misses a diving headbutt.


Kip gets the hot-tag, scoop slams all around. Tilt-a-whirl slam on Damaja, Basham breaks up the pin. BG is with the referee, Basham and Damaja want the double suplex but BG spears Basham down. Small package from Kip who wins this match for his team, Damaja is thrown to the floor as Lance Hoyt carries Hemme for VKM. Hoyt kicks off Kip’s head, Hoyt is with Christy Hemme all along.


Seems like the booking team is on fire on this night, the two worst matches of the night were over mercifully quick. No fucking around and we get a heel turn, I am not a big fan of a continuation of this feud but this was a quick match and that I can accept.

Winners: VKM over Basham & Damaja via Small Package!

Robert Roode W/ Ms. Brooks vs Eric Young (Freedom Match)

This has been ongoing for months, not even Young’s special friend could save Young from Roode. Roode has berated Young for months, we finally get to see Young beat up Roode. Young chokes Roode hard in the corner, Roode shoves down Young. Stomps, whip to the ropes. Young holds onto the ropes, Young elevates Roode to the floor. Diving Crossbody to the floor from Young, two for Young. Roode and Young are on the floor again somehow, camera missed it. Roode bashes Young off the guard-rail, two for Roode in the ring. Roode chokes Young with the middle rope, Ms. Brooks slaps Young with the contract. Two for Roode again, Young is on his knees and begins throwing big right hands.


Roode cuts off Young with a big elbow to the face. Choke from Roode, snap-mare and neckbreaker from Roode. Whip to the buckle, Young elbows and boots Roode away. Roode ducks a clothesline and scores with a neckbreaker for two. Chin-lock from Roode, Young lifts Roode onto his shoulders and nails an electric chair drop. Right hands from Young, whip to the ropes. Back body-drop, elbow to the face and massive clothesline for two. Roode whips Young to the buckle, Flair flip from Young. Young exposes Ms. Brooks’ ass to everyone before wiping out Roode.


Young climbs to the top rope, Roode is shoved off. Diving Elbow Drop but Roode kicks out at two, jaw-breaker from Roode. Short-arm clothesline from Roode, Roode climbs to the middle rope. Knee drop with the no knee-pad is blocked, Young boots Roode in the throat. Young has Roode on the top rope, Young has Ms. Brooks and Roode on his shoulders, massive death valley driver for two. Referee is with Ms. Brooks, Roode rolls to the floor and waffles Young with the chair for the win.


Eric Young loses? You are kidding me, that is the blow-off? Jim Cornette interrupts Roode’s celebration and says it is not going down that way. The match is not over, the match is restarted. Roode pummels Young with right hands, Gail Kim wipes out Ms. Brooks. Roode is distracted by the fighting, Roode slowly goes to pick up Young. Young is not moving, Roode falls into a small package as Young was playing possum, Eric Young is free!


Well, we waited and waited and there is it, Eric Young is free and they cut away seven seconds after that moment. Seven seconds after Eric Young wins his freedom, they cut away. Man, I hate this company sometimes. How can I lose myself in the moment and soak in what happened? The match was fine, I did not get soaked into the drama of the moment, I thought they could have done more on commentary to sell me on the idea that Eric Young could be fired. Felt like a joke that they were in on and Eric Young was always going to survive.

Winner: Eric Young over Robert Roode via Small Package!

(TNA World Tag Team Championship Match) Team 3D © vs Rick Steiner & Animal

So, Team 3D have turned heel. Suppose it is the best direction considering the tag team division is on life support at this point. Supposed to be Steiners vs Team 3D but Scott suffered a serious injury. This is an acceptable substitution with Animal, Steiner and Devon begin the match. Steiner has Devon in the corner, clean break from Steiner. Eye rake and right hands from Steiner, whip off the ropes. Devon ducks the clothesline and nails a flying reverse elbow, scoop slam and elbow drop for two. Tag to Ray, double clothesline for two.


Steiner knees Ray, tag to Animal. Side headlock from Animal, shoulder block from Animal. Ray nails his own shoulder block, piledriver from Ray. Animal no sells that weak ass shit, clothesline from both men. Front chancery from Ray, Ray drags Animal to his corner. Devon tries an Irish whip but lowers his head, boot from Animal. Tag to Steiner, Ray stun-guns Steiner off an Irish whip. Devon assumes control, right hands to Devon. Knee across the throat, tag to Ray. Neck-breaker for two, tag to Devon. Scoop slam from Devon, Devon misses a middle rope headbutt. Tag to Animal, boot to Devon. Powerslam to Ray, back drop for Team 3D.


Team 3D eat a double clothesline from Animal, double clotheslines from the challengers. Team 3D nail an elevated neckbreaker on Animal, Steiner nails a double clothesline on Team 3D. Steiner tries an Irish whip but Devon reverses, 3D from Team 3D for the win.


Seems the card has cooled off tremendously now, big pop for the surprise of Animal. Nice to see the legends run through their signature moves but I do not know how good the match could have been had we saw Steiners vs Team 3D. Perhaps this was the best they could do but if that is so, I would rather skip out on tag team matches in TNA for the next while. Nothing too bad about the match but it felt like it was just there, not a match fitting of a five year anniversary show.

Winners: Team 3D over Rick Steiner & Animal via 3D!

Sting vs Christopher Daniels

Sting repels from the rafters, Daniels is rattled before the bell rings. Daniels and Sting had a bizarre friendship with Sting trying to guide The Fallen Angel but Daniels could not interpret Sting’s instructions and attacked Sting. Daniels knees Sting to begin, Sting avoids Daniels’ attacks and nails elbows and a dropkick. Scorpion Death Lock is blocked as Daniels scrambles to the ropes, powdering to recover. Sting nails an apron clothesline, Daniels recovers to send Sting into the guard-rail. Daniels assumes control in the ring, two for Daniels. Gut-buster, running knee in the corner. Sting fires back with rights before Daniels answers with lefts and rights of his own. Snap-mare and elbow, Daniels steps on Sting.


To the buckle, shoulder thrusts from Daniels. Sting fights back once more, shots to the neck. Irish whip, Daniels rakes the eyes to stop a hip-toss. Abdominal stretch from Daniels, referee makes Daniels break the hold. Scoop slam and split-legged moonsault for a close two. Stinger Splash from Daniels, Sting shakes it off. Punches have no effect, right hands by Sting. Inverted atomic drop and clotheslines, massive bulldog. Two for Sting, Daniels avoids a stinger splash. Angel’s Wings, Sting blocks it. Back drop, Daniels blocks stinger splash again. Last Rites but Sting counters for Scorpion Death Drop for the win.


So, after all the build to this feud we have a match that clocks in at less than 7 minutes? Was Sting ever in danger? Was Daniels ever a threat? I do not think so, cannot believe they put so much time and effort into a match like that, disappointing really. I am guessing Daniels is done in the main event picture, probably back down into the X-Division. What a waste of a match!

Winner: Sting over Christopher Daniels via Scorpion Death Drop!

(No DQ Match) Abyss vs Tomko

Abyss has been wiped out due to costing Team Christian the Lethal Lockdown Match. Abyss returns as a babyface and these two monsters will brawl. The action quickly spills out to the floor, Abyss sends Tomko to the guard-rail. Tomko meets the steel steps, Tomko reverses an Irish whip and sends Abyss into the guard-rail before nailing a big boot. Tomko measures Abyss for right hands to the head, Abyss blocks the big boot. Chokeslam is blocked so Abyss nails a big boot of his own. Corner splash, Abyss scores with a running hip attack in the corner.


 Abyss Chokeslams Tomko for two, Abyss rolls to the floor looking for toys. Abyss has his bag, tacks for Abyss. Abyss wants a chokeslam, Tomko shoves away Abyss and slams Abyss into the tacks. Which I have seen a million times, Tomko gets a two from the slam. Tomko runs into The Black Hole Slam, Tomko kicks out of the slam! Actual shocker there, Abyss has another bag. Abyss has glass, Tomko clotheslines Abyss and cuts Abyss’ head with a shard of glass.


Abyss is 0:2 for weapons he brought into the match, Tomko curb-stomps Abyss’ head into the glass. That is a nasty spot, Tomko has the barbed wire bat. This bat destroyed Abyss on Impact, Tomko waffles Abyss over and over. Abyss is running from Tomko, Tomko is in pursuit. They have this the wrong way round, Tomko is standing atop the scaffold but Tomko swings and misses the bat, Abyss pulls Tomko to the floor a huge drop and Abyss splashes Tomko exposing all the soft cardboard boxes that they fell through. A shame but still a cool spot, the camera guys shoot the fans to hide the cardboard boxes. They eventually emerge from the wreckage, Tomko uses the guard-rail for support.


Tomko rolls onto the ramp, Abyss is in slow pursuit. Both men look to be in rough shape, referee says take it home quick very audibly on camera which is nice. Back in the ring, Black Hole Slam on the glass in the middle of the ring and we have a winner Abyss!


Decent match from these two, I’d say the match did much better than it deserved. Some nice spots like the scaffold spot despite the boxes and the shards of glass which covered the ring. A little of the violence is lost on me for obvious reasons, Abyss has been thrown through that stuff a thousand times. The finish was abrupt but it was fitting in a way, they flew off the top of a scaffold so the match should have ended so soon after. Tomko’s selling was a bit weird as he sat up and screamed in pain for the finish and fell slowly back down for Abyss’ pin-fall. However, the match was solid in my eyes.

Winner: Abyss over Tomko via Black Hole Slam!

(TNA World Heavyweight Championship King Of The Mountain Match) Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe vs Christian Cage vs Chris Harris vs AJ Styles

Five men for a championship that I believe is vacated due to the controversial ending of Sacrifice where both Sting and Kurt Angle appeared to become champion. Qualifying matches were held with the fifth spot being vacant due to Jeff Jarrett leaving the company due to his wife’s death. The fifth spot is filled with Chris Harris who is coming off a tremendous match with James Storm at Sacrifice. The concept is a little complicated, you must pin or submit your opponent, they will be locked inside of a timeout cage. Once you have scored a fall/gained a submission, you have to hang the belt up to take it down.


Bell rings, they all start pummelling one another. A little awkward with 5 men in there, not an even number. Styles & Christian double team Harris, Christian wants to pin Styles and Styles was willing to do so but Angle makes the save. Uppercuts and belly to belly suplexes all around, Samoa Joe and Angle are on the floor. Harris eats a massive dropkick from Harris, Styles asks Christian to lay down which he does not. Styles tries a sunset flip for two, Harris nails Christian with a flying clothesline. Enzugiri by Styles to Harris, Joe slams Styles into the ring apron. Styles has his head rammed into the guard-rail. Joe and Christian in the ring, inverted atomic drop, massive boot. Chop, kick and knee drop by Joe. Harris throws Joe onto Angle on the floor, Harris measures Christian. Cata-tonic is blocked by Christian, Harris blocks the unprettier and nails a full-nelson slam.


Styles and Harris now, Styles does not nail a tornado DDT and Harris wipes out Styles with Catatonic! Christian is hit by Styles’ feet and Harris is now eligible to win this match. Christian and Harris brawl on the floor, Joe picks up a ladder and tosses on the two. Angle and Joe in the ring, whip to the corner by Joe. Running high knee, facewash from Joe. Angle blocks the final boot, German suplex from Angle. Three by Angle, Christian stomps Angle. Christian is taken down by Angle, Ankle Lock. Joe has a Coquina Clutch on Christian, Styles is out of the penalty box and Harris breaks up the submission.


Everyone is on the floor, Christian has set a ladder across the guard-rail. Christian is on the apron, Harris pummels Christian who falls crotch first on the ladder. Styles is in the ring, elbow for Harris and beautiful springboard DDT for two. Styles nails Joe with a Pele, springboard flying forearm. Angle eats a boot, Styles Clash is reversed by Angle for an Ankle Lock. Styles kicks off Angle, kip-up hurricanrana sends Angle to the floor. Harris is on the ropes, Harris back drops Styles to Christian on the ladder. Harris looks to climb to victory, Angle pulls down Harris. Angle Slam off the ladder and Angle puts Harris in the penalty box.


Joe smacks down Angle, the ladder is tossed to the floor. Powerslam by Joe on Angle, Christian wanders in and gets chopped to death. Uranage for Christian, Styles runs into a schwein from Joe. Muscle Buster for Styles, Angle breaks up the pin. Joe avoids The Angle Slam, referee is knocked out from a clothesline. Coquina Clutch on Angle, Angle taps but there is no referee, Christian rams a ladder into the head of Joe. Christian manages to steal the pin on Angle, Angle is now in the penalty box. Christian begins climbing the ladder, Joe is there to grab Christian’s leg. Both men are battling for the championship, super cutter from the top of the ladder.


Harris looks to win the match, Joe climbs up to stop Harris. Harris knocks Joe off with the championship to the face. Harris sees Christian coming up next, hip-toss off the ladder. Styles lands a springboard dropkick to send Harris crashing to the floor, Styles is on the penalty box. Joe chases Styles, they are both on the penalty box. Styles wants a superplex to the floor, Joe fights off Styles. Coquina Clutch, low blow from Styles. Harris is up there too, Styles knocks Harris down but Joe throws Styles from the penalty box through the announce table.


Christian and Harris are on the penalty box, Harris front suplexes Christian into the ring. Harris nails a diving clothesline onto Angle, Harris places the ladder around his neck and wipes out Angle & Christian. Harris looks to become champion for the first time, Christian pushes Harris off the ladder. Harris hits the turnbuckle hard, Christian decks Harris with the ladder. Christian is looking to climb the ladder, Angle grabs Christian by the ankle. Ankle Lock on the ladder, Christian kicks off Angle with his free foot. Christian cracks Angle with the belt, Harris is on the top turnbuckle and spears Christian off the ladder. Nobody to stop Angle hanging the championship and Angle is officially your champion.


That was frantic and fast-paced, no messing around in the main event. The addition of Harris was cool, Harris took some big bumps in the match and I presume taking out Christian means they will be feuding next so I am happy for that to happen. Styles takes a tremendous bump off the penalty box, Styles continues to be a show-stealer no matter how the company books The Phenomenal One. Was there much story-telling to this match? Not really, Styles and Christian working together went out the window about a minute into the match. We never got that much of Joe vs Angle but I am ok with it considering how much of it we had to begin Angle’s TNA run and now, Angle is your TNA World Heavyweight Champion who has broken away from The NWA. I am wondering what direction is next for TNA considering Angle has faced most if not all the top heels and babyfaces in the company over the last few months due to his tweener status. Guess we shall see next time!

Winner: Kurt Angle over Everyone Else via Hanging The Championship!

That was TNA’s Slammiversary 2007, a very good celebration for TNA’s fifth year in business. Obviously, one of the major appeals of this show was out of The Impact Zone, you are taking 3x times the usual attendance size for a pay per view. The fans in The Impact Zone were spoiled, these fans loved so much of the action and wrestlers on this night regardless of what happened in the ring and that makes such a difference! Rhino & Senshi vs LAX wasted no time in giving the crowd what you want, it was spot after spot after spot. You like Hernandez throwing people around? Check! You like Senshi kicking people? Check! You want to scream Gore as Rhino murders Homicide? Check! Everything they wanted, they give you no complaints there. Lethal vs Sabin felt like a let down in some way, it was a big moment and a happy one for sure to see Lethal come out of the depths of that division to find a gimmick and shine like a star on this night but I thought it could have been better when all was over.

Wycheck & Lynn vs Storm & Killings was great, it should not have been but damn, Wycheck bumped and did everything the fans wanted. The reaction to the superkick by Storm was tremendous and the fans loved that match, Wycheck even hit the piledriver for the win, pure madness. The next two matches were mercifully brief and that is awesome. I did not want to see Backlund vs Shelley, I hate the Hemme vs VKM feud. Just bad stuff, thank God that TNA knew the fans would piss all over these matches. Young vs Roode just did not get into the drama of it, felt a little hokey which is understandable considering Young’s portrayal on-screen but I mean the man’s freedom was on the line. I should be all in on the match but I never got sucked into the brevity of the situation, felt like just another match. Team 3D vs Rick Steiner & Animal was bleh, Team 3D were not able to cover up the weaknesses of the makeshift duo, I will put it down to last minute planning too but yeah, nothing good about that match.

Sting vs Daniels: Why bother? Six minutes for a feud that had months of build with Daniels using Sting as a moral compass. Daniels was wiped out like noting, beaten clean. Feud over, ball burst. Abyss vs Tomko was quite good for two workers who I thought would let me down, big bump from Tomko and a nice satisfying piece of revenge for Abyss. King Of The Mountain Match was like the opening match, giving you everything you want from a ladder match. Ladder shots, finishing moves and people flying all over the ring. Overall, one of the better TNA pay per views that I have reviewed during all my reviews. When it is good and the crowd is into it, it’s really good! They quickly end matches that they know the fans will hate and they do wrap up a lot of angles with babyfaces standing tall (Young being free/Lethal winning the championship) so a very good pay per view from Team TNA. Thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!

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Wednesday 22 January 2020

TNA Sacrifice 2007 Review

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Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that hates non-joshi wrestlers more than Dave Meltzer! TNA Sacrifice 2007, I took a break from TNA momentarily. I needed to collect my thoughts about this company. I have had a few head scratching moments as I had to watch Abyss and Sting have pointless championship reigns, Kurt Angle’s arrival following his feud with Samoa Joe go down a dark path and have the company in a weird position as the year continues. We have Sting challenging for the world championship due to Sting winning Lethal Lockdown with a little help from Jeff Jarrett. However, it is a triple threat match as Kurt Angle is added to the mix. Why? No clue they do not explain anywhere at the start Not much build up for the rest of the card based on the opening promo, let’s just see where we are going from here.

(TNA X-Division Championship Match) Chris Sabin vs Black Machismo Jay Lethal vs Sonjay Dutt

Dutt has always been overlooked wherever he has wrestled, Lethal has found a personality and Sabin is finding his feet as a massive douchebag but it simply does not cut the mustard for me just yet. Lethal and Dutt are tag partners, Sabin tries to get the duo to fight but it leads to hip-tosses from the tag team and arm-drags too. Dutt and Lethal have words as they get in one another’s way trying to wipe out Sabin. Sabin is tossed to the floor as Lethal and Dutt get down to the business. Dodges and leapfrogs ensue, counter after counter as these two know one another so well. O Connor roll into a camel clutch from Dutt, basement dropkick from Sabin to the face of Lethal.


Dutt out-smarts Sabin and nails a massive dropkick to the champion’s face. Roll-up headscissors from Dutt on Sabin, Lethal spears Dutt by mistake. Sabin tornado DDTs Lethal using Dutt as a base. Dutt eats an enzuigiri as he lands on the floor, Sabin stomps Lethal in the corner. Snap-mare and eye rake from Sabin, dropkick to the back of the head for two. Sabin keeps Dutt out of the ring with kicks, Irish whip to the corner. Lethal elbows and headscissors Sabin, jabs from Lethal before Sabin trips up Lethal. Sabin is on the apron, Dutt sweeps the legs. Lethal is on the top rope and nails a massive double axe handle to the floor Savage Style. Dutt is on the apron and nails a massive Asai Moonsault!


 Sabin crotches Dutt on the top rope, super hurricanrana does not work as Dutt hangs on, Dutt nails Lethal with a massive missile dropkick. Eye poke by Sabin, Sabin tosses Lethal to the floor. Sabin lands a suplex for two, Stomper The TNA Mascot is here. Sabin does his Garvin stomp, Sabin spits in his hand and rubs it in the face of Dutt. Whip to the buckle, Dutt kicks away Sabin. Middle rope hurricanrana by Dutt, Lethal nails Dutt with a facebuster. Sabin forearms Lethal down before nailing Dutt with a massive lariat. Dutt takes out Sabin with a slingshot leg drop before a springboard senton on Lethal for two and a half. Leaping leg lariat in the corner by Dutt on Lethal, Sabin follows in with a flying elbow.


Sabin places Dutt in the tree of woe on Lethal, Yakuza Kick and hesitation dropkick by the champion on both. Sabin has Lethal, elbows have Lethal down to his knees. Whip off the ropes and an elbow to the chin for two. Sabin taunts Lethal, slaps from the champion. Lethal shakes it off with an enzuigiri and a superkick, Dutt comes back to life but his bulldog turns into a massive Dragon Suplex. Lethal is on the top rope, Flying Elbow Drop on Sabin for two as Dutt makes the save. Lethal sends Dutt to the apron, elbow leaves Dutt rocked. Lethal Combination on Sabin, Dutt lands a 450 Splash to break up Lethal winning the match, Dutt pins Sabin and Lethal separately getting two each time. Dutt and Lethal shove one another, Sabin shoves Dutt into Lethal and rolls up Dutt for the win.


Your solid TNA opening match with balls to the wall action between the three wrestlers, all three men look great throughout the match with some nice work throughout the match. I am still not sold on Sabin, it just does not click for me but the action makes up for it ten-fold. Exciting near-falls, the crowd is losing their mind by the end of the match and we have an angle! Dutt turns on Lethal, unhappy with Lethal denying Dutt wining that championship for the first time. What will happen between these two? I am not sure but more of Sonjay Dutt is definitely a good thing!

Winner: Chris Sabin over Sonjay Dutt & Jay Lethal via Roll-Up!

Jeff Jarrett vs Robert Roode W/ Ms. Brooks

Double J came back which worried me because I simply did not want to see Double J in the main event after how he tortured me for years but Jarrett is back as a babyface in a reduced role. Jarrett is Eric Young’s secret friend and Jarrett saved Young from Roode’s attack. We have a match now, Roode out-smarts Jarrett to start, using the pyro and Jarrett’s jacket to attack Jarrett. Roode loses control as Jarrett counters a piledriver. Back in the ring, drop toehold and right hand from Double J. Ms. Brooks distracts Jarrett which leads to a massive lariat from Roode, Roode chokes Jarrett with his boot. Roode whips Jarrett into the steel steps hard, Jarrett is choked using the middle rope as Ms. Brooks helps Roode too.


Chops in the corner but Jarrett fights back, backslide from Jarrett for two. Roode nails a massive clothesline for two, Roode chokes the life out of Jarrett. Scoop slam by Roode, Roode climbs to the middle rope. Jarrett blocks with his boot, Irish whip by Jarrett and a powerslam connects. Two for Double J, sleeper from Roode off an Irish whip reversal. Jarrett escapes and applies his own sleeper, Roode grabs the leg and applies the figure four. Ms. Brooks squeezes Roode’s hands behind the referee’s back. Jarrett wriggles and writhes, making it to the ropes eventually. Roode sends Jarrett knee first into the mat, Roode begins strutting.


Another figure four attempt, Jarrett counters with a small package for two. Both men nails right hands as Jarrett escapes, double clothesline spot. Jarrett is up first, right hands by Jarrett. Back body-drop, low blow by Jarrett. Eye poke by Roode, Roode is on the top rope. Jarrett yanks down Roode, Figure Four by Jarrett. Ms. Brooks is on the apron, Roode taps but the referee is with Brooks. Stun-gun by Roode, top turnbuckle is exposed. Jarrett blocks meeting the buckle, right hands by Double J. Roode avoids hitting the buckle, Jarrett is knocked down. Roode pulls Jarrett into the ring-post groin first.


Roode hurls a chair into the ring, Roode and the referee battle over the chair. Roode smacks himself in the face with the chair, Stroke by Double J but Ms. Brooks saves Roode by pulling out the referee. Roode has handcuffs, Jarrett is clocked with the handcuffs, 1….2… Jarrett kicks out at two and a half! Roode has the guitar, referee saves the guitar. Referee shoves Roode into Jarrett, Stroke is countered as is The Pay-Off, they struggle as Jarrett trips Roode, Roode pushes Jarrett into the turnbuckle. Pay-Off and this match is done, Roode has won.


Wow, did not see that one coming. Jarrett doing the job to someone like Roode, I cannot believe it. Was a decent match, you had a lot of shenanigans  but I am use to that with Jarrett. Love the way Jarrett using his right hand, one of the best punches in the business and we have a good finish too. Damn though, Jarrett lost I wonder how Young will get one over on Roode if Jarrett could not do it.

Winner: Robert Roode over Jeff Jarrett via Pay-Off!

Christopher Daniels vs Rhino

The dumbest babyface in the planet Rhino is here, this time it is against The Fallen Angel. New attitude but can Daniels be considered a legitimate threat? Daniels is angling for a confrontation with Sting so this should be straight-forward for Daniels right? Rhino applies a side headlock, Daniels eats a shoulder block. Big clothesline from Rhino, another side headlock from The Man Beast. Daniels pulls down Rhino by the hair, Rhino is back on his feet. Clotheslines and back body-drops from Rhino, Daniels places a knee to stop Rhino before Rhino elevates Daniels to the apron. Daniels tries a top rope dive but Rhino lands a belly to belly suplex.


Daniels rolls out to avoid a Gore, Daniels misses a baseball slide and eats a clothesline. Rhino misses a plancha, Rhino gets up and scores with a hip-toss. Rhino wants a clothesline but Daniels side-steps Rhino and Rhino meets the ring-post with his shoulder. Baseball slide from Daniels and Rhino hits the shoulder hard on the guard-rail. Daniels continues kicking the arm in the ring, Daniels uses the rope to extend the arm, more kicks to the arm and a beautiful single arm DDT. Lots of stomps to the arm, two for Daniels. Arm-wringer, transition into an arm-bar. Rhino fights out and lands a flying shoulder tackle, Rhino is using chops due to the lost of his good arm. Powerslam for two, Rhino is struggling big time in this match.


 Whip with Daniels reversing and nailing an enzuigiri and STO combination, two for Daniels. Forearm and whip to the buckle, Rhino side-steps Daniels. Massive spinebuster for two, Daniels applies his Koji Clutch before transitioning to a cross-arm-breaker. Rhino escapes but eats a leaping leg lariat, BME but Daniels lands on his feet, TKO from Rhino for two. Enzuigiri from Daniels, right hands and forearms stagger Rhino before a Gore out of nowhere from Rhino. Daniels lands besides the ropes and reaches the rope on two. Daniels rolls to the floor, Rhino pushes the referee out of the way as Daniels reaches for his bat. Wham and Daniels lays out Rhino for the win.


I enjoyed the arm work from Daniels, that single arm DDT was gorgeous and Daniels never stopped working the arm once it was established that it was a weakness for Rhino. If Daniels clocked Rhino in the shoulder and followed it up with a BME, I might have enjoyed it more because it feels that the arm work meant nothing due to the finish. Regardless, I do not care about Rhino as a babyface due to AJ Styles making Rhino look like a moron and Daniels is growing on me with his new character. Things get weird as Rhino says fuck you Daniels and busts him open after the match, where did this come from? Rhino Driver from the middle rope onto chairs, security save Daniels from the spot. What does this all mean? Is Daniels not going after Sting?

Winner: Christopher Daniels over Rhino via Baseball Shot!

Kip James vs Damaja & Basham W/ Christy Hemme

BG James was taken out in the parking lot before the show, Kip goes after Basham with all his signature offense before Basham avoids a Famouser. Damaja nails Kip with a clothesline, the two trade control before a blind tag to Basham. Double clothesline on Kip, knee drop from Basham. Tag to Damaja, double flapjack. Damaja nails punches on Kip, tag to Basham. Basham chokes Kip on the bottom rope, slap from Hemme. Tag to Damaja, reverse chin-lock from Damaja.


Kip begins fighting back, blind tag from Basham. Kip ducks as Damaja and Basham clash heads, back suplex from Kip on Damaja. Boot for Basham, right hands for both men. Elbow to Basham, clothesline to Damaja. Back body-drop on Basham, more right hands. Damaja nails Brain Damage, Basham climbs to the top rope and nails a Diving Headbutt for the win.


Crowd was dead, they chanted boring and it was only a few minutes long, such an awkward feud with two unlikeable people in Kip and Hemme. Also, Damaja what kind of name is that? Doug is still in great shape though, Basham Brothers in TNA. Yeah, this was garbage but at least it was over quickly.

Winners: Basham Brothers over Kip James via Diving Headbutt!

(Texas Death Match) Chris Harris vs James Storm

This fucking feud, they had the audacity to make me sit through one of the worst matches in TNA history, a comedy blindfold match that stunk up the entire pay per view. Now, they will give me a bloody Texas Death Match, never should have had the blindfold match. Storm blinded Harris, the most successful team in TNA history and Harris wants to beat the piss out of Storm. The promo is not great but I want to see the brawl.


We start on the floor, Harris pummels Storm and chokes Storm with handcuffs. Hip-toss on the ramp, Harris clotheslines Storm into the crowd. Crowd brawling from the two, they punch one another and push one another into some fencing. Storm blinds Harris with a drink to the yes but Harris sends Storm into the wall, Harris is back ringside. Harris decides it is an appropriate time to have a drink, Harris climbs to the top rope and dives onto security and Storm. Not expecting that, pretty neat spot from Harris. Harris pins Storm and what is this? Storm must answer the call? Oh, it is one of those matches. Storm makes it to his feet at 8, this match will continue.


Harris is on the top rope, Storm has a chair and knocks down Harris who is caught in the tree of woe. Storm smacks the chair into Harris’ face and there is blood everywhere thanks to the chair shot. Storm pulls out a table, sets it up in the middle of the ring. Storm places Harris on the top rope, Storm tries a hurricanrana through the table. Harris holds onto the ropes, Storm and Harris trade counters before Harris stomps on the groin of Storm. Harris catapults Storm into the bottom of the table, Storm is gushing blood everywhere.


Storm goes low on Harris to avoid a suplex through the table, Eye of The Storm through the table. Storm gets a three count, Harris makes it to his feet at 9! Storm pulls out another table, right hands from Storm. Storm wants to powerbomb Harris to the floor, Harris breaks free. Storm elevates Harris to the apron, Harris tries a shoulder block but Storm nails a knee and a DDT. Storm brings in trash cans and a kendo stick. Storm is on the apron, Harris spears Storm off the apron and through the table. Jackie saves Storm from being pinned, we are back in the ring.


Harris has a chair, Storm ducks the chair shot and nails a superkick with the chair going back into the face of Harris. Two count for Storm, Storm cracks Harris with the trash can lids, Harris answers with trash can lid shots of his own. Cata-tonic from Harris, Storm kicks out of The Cata-tonic. Jackie comes in and sends Harris to the floor, here comes Gail Kim. Gail cuffs Jackie, Storm has the beer bottle as does Harris. Harris clocks Storm with bottle, Storm is unable to answer the count and Harris wins this war.


Now, would this have not have been better with Harris clocking Storm with the symbolic beer bottle and scoring the pin for the win? No ten count involved? Also, they have cut away seconds after the biggest win of Harris’ career? For a promo that does not have the audio right? Are you joking me? Regardless, this match kicks ass, they waste no time beating the piss out of one another. It is violent, there is blood and there is drama and excitement. I would have left out the pin-falls and the ten count just for regular pin-fall ends the match but you have some great stuff from the two. And as I said, symbolic finish of the beer bottle ending their feud just like how the beer bottle began their feud. Awesome match, possibly best of their careers. For sure it was Harris’ best match, Storm would continue to go on a roll though!

Winner: Chris Harris over James Storm via Beer Bottle!

(Fatal 4 Way Match) Alex Shelley vs Tiger Mask IV vs Senshi vs Jerry Lynn

So, Jerry Lynn is just here as is Senshi and Shelley while Tiger Mask is also in the match? Such a random match, Senshi and Lynn start. Lots of history here, will they bring that up? Take-down from Senshi, front chancery with a neck crank. Lynn counters with a fireman’s carry, Senshi counters with a headscissors. Whip off the ropes, Lynn looks for a cradle but Senshi avoids it. Lynn avoids a double stomp, inverted submission from Lynn before transitioning into an arm-bar. Senshi backs into the corner with a cross-arm-breaker using the ropes, Shelley tags into the match.


 Shelley works the arm before Lynn counters with an arm-drag and arm-bar. Whip by Shelley, Lynn ducks the clothesline and Lynn nails a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Transition to arm-bar from Lynn, tag to Tiger Mask. Shelley escapes the hold, talking trash to Tiger Mask. Shelley tags in Senshi, Senshi vs Tiger Mask should be good. Senshi takes the arm, counter from Tiger Mask. Kick from Senshi, top wrist-lock from Senshi. Tiger Mask flips into an arm-drag, flip out of a hip-toss with a dropkick and legsweep. Lynn wants a piece of Tiger Mask, lock-up and side headlock from Lynn. Shoulder block, Tiger Mask answers with a monkey flip.


Tiger Mask is shoved off his side headlock, middle rope crossbody goes wrong for Tiger Mask as Lynn ducks. Lynn and Tiger Mask brawl to the corner, Shelley tags in off Tiger Mask. Sleeper on Lynn, Lynn elbows his way out but Shelly uses the hair to maintain the hold. Lynn escapes and tags in Tiger Mask, Shelley nails Tiger Mask with a stunner before Tiger Mask counters with a Pele kick and standing moonsault. Tiger Mask climbs to the top rope, Shelley open hand smacks Tiger Mask, top rope jawbreaker from Shelley. Tiger Mask blocks a shiranui and nails a top rope underhook suplex on Shelley for two as Senshi breaks up the fall.


Senshi nails Tiger Mask with a springboard enzuigiri, Shelley eats a massive kick from Senshi. Lynn tags in and slingshot leg drops Senshi, Tiger Mask kicks down Lynn before we have Lynn uses the apron for a slingshot sunset flip which leads to Tiger Mask German suplexing Senshi for a close two. Lynn nails Tiger Mask with a TKO for two, Shelley is in the ring. Lynn is on the top rope, Lynn’s tornado DDT is blocked. Shelley misses a spinning wheel kick, Lynn is back on the top rope. Senshi kicks Lynn right in the head, Lynn counters a Ki Crusher looking for a piledriver. Tiger Mask kicks Senshi to the floor, Shelley shoves Tiger Mask to the floor which leaves Shelley and Lynn on the top rope. Superplex does not come off for Shelley as Lynn nails a top rope sunset flip for the win.


What was the point of bringing in Tiger Mask for this match? Was Tiger Mask any different from a Sonjay Dutt or Jay Lethal or Matt Bentley? Completely replaceable in this match, also pretty strange to see Lynn walking away the winner of this match. I think Shelley or Senshi need the win in this one to elevate them in the eyes of the fans, especially with the popularity of Shelley due to Paparazzi Productions. The action was fine and the finish was nice but again I question the booking but sure who cares, it was just an X-Division match on pay per view.

Winner: Jerry Lynn over Everyone Else via Top Rope Sunset Flip!

(NWA/TNA X-Division Championship Match) Team 3D © vs LAX W/ Konnan vs Tomko & Scott Steiner

Team 3D are your champions after one of the worst matches in TNA history, LAX have their rematch but Tomko and Steiner have been added to the mix. Odd for Tomko & Steiner to be teaming considering they have never ever got a long. Steiner and Homicide to begin the match, two heels. Steiner poses, mocking Homicide. Lock-up, knee by Steiner. Scoop slam, clubbing blow by Steiner. Tilt-a-whirl slam from Steiner, chop from Steiner. Brother Ray blind tags in, Homicide and Steiner are taken out as Steiner clotheslines Homicide and Brother Ray nails a high German suplex. Steiner answers with an exploder suplex and the match breaks down to three men in the ring at once.


Let it be known: I hate this dumb concept. Homicide and Steiner batter Brother Ray, Brother Ray rallies off a flurry of punches before eye rakes slow down Brother Ray. Brother Ray blocks an Irish whip and boots Homicide, elbow to Steiner and in comes Devon. Nice double back drop before Homicide decides we are back down to 2 in the ring. Tomko gets a tag and Devon trades powerslams with Tomko before a blind tag to Hernandez. Slingshot shoulder block takes down Tomko, Hernandez eats a Lou Thesz Press from Devon before Steiner and Tomko trip Devon and send Devon into the ring-post. LAX nails Devon with a clothesline/senton combination.


Steiner is the legal man somehow, clothesline and theatrical elbow from Steiner. Double elbow from Team Steiner, Steiner clotheslines Brother Ray off the apron. Steiner brings Devon to the LAX corner, Hernandez chokes Devon. Homicide and Ray brawl on the apron, Devon reverses an Irish whip on Hernandez. Corner clothesline from Devon, Hernandez kicks away Devon. Top rope splash with Tomko breaking up the pin-fall. Tomko tags himself in, Devon is on the top rope. Devon kicks away Tomko, tornado DDT from Devon. LAX stop the tag to Ray before Devon ducks a clothesline and rolls to tag Ray. LAX are sent to the floor, Homicide eats a hip-toss.


DDT on Tomko, Homicide nails a diving clothesline on Ray. Saving Grace on Homicide, belly to belly suplex by Steiner. Hernandez nails a drop down argentine back-breaker on Steiner. Tomko boots Hernandez, Ray boots down Tomko. Wassup Headbutt on Homicide, Devon searches for a table but Hernandez dives over the top rope wiping out Devon. Steiner & Tomko are with Homicide, Steiner Bulldog fails as Homicide rolls through for a victory roll for two. Steiner tosses Homicide to the floor, Ray sneaks in for a roll-up on Tomko for two. Tomko boots down Ray, Tomko wants to finish it with a boot. Steiner holds Ray but Ray ducks as Tomko boots Steiner. 3D and this match is over, the champions retain.


You know that was fun! I am not a fan of three people in the ring at once during tag matches but they cut that shit out pretty quickly. I feel nobody was over exposed in the ring during the match, everyone got a few minutes to shine and look good. Homicide and Hernandez did feel like an afterthought with will Tomko and Steiner get along or fight angle eating up the match but it breezed by for me and Team 3D rightfully retain but who is there left to work with for Team 3D? Are they going to find themselves in another scenario where the tag team division is barren?

Winners: Team 3D over Everyone Else via 3D!

Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles

This match gets a great hype package but I have no idea why they are fighting, we begin with Joe catching Styles with his speed, hip-toss and back drop before a sweep leaves Styles down. Headbutt from Styles, shoulder thrusts in the corner before Joe whips Styles to the corner. Elbow and enzuigiri, snap-mare and a chop. Styles knows the kick is coming, dragon screw from Styles. Styles leaps over the back before Joe kicks Styles to the floor. Elbow Suicida from Joe, Styles is in the crowd. Styles looks for a springboard but Joe sweeps the legs, Styles is on the apron. Joe wants a suplex into the ring, Styles hangs on but a huge jab rocks Styles. Styles lands on the floor, complaining his elbow is hurt.


Joe does not buy into Styles’ injury, eye poke by Styles. Suplex but Styles rolls out to the floor, Joe sends Styles into the guard rail. Joe has a chair, chop by Joe. Joe has Styles on the chair, Styles comes out off the chair with a huge clothesline. In the ring, Joe tries running at Styles but walks into a leapfrog followed by a beautiful dropkick. Joe battles back with an inverted atomic drop but Styles answers with a spinning heel kick, chin-lock from Styles. Right jabs by Joe, Styles kicks low. Forearm and springboard clothesline is blocked as Joe side-steps and nails a German suplex. Forearms by Joe, Styles rakes the eyes. Inverted atomic drop from Joe, Styles ducks the kick but Joe ducks the clothesline. Belly to belly suplex from Joe, senton for two.


Styles is down in the corner, Joe is lured in and smashed off the middle buckle. Styles is in the opposite corner, Styles comes in running but Joe nails a powerslam for two. Styles escapes a powerbomb for a Pele kick, Styles rolls to the apron. Springboard flying forearm for two, Styles tries for his springboard reverse DDT but Joe counters with a snap-mare. Styles stun-guns Joe from the apron, springboard reverse DDT for two. Styles wants Styles Clash, Samoa Joe back drops Styles but Styles rolls through for another attempt. Joe counters into a Death Valley Driver for two, Styles side-steps Joe.


Joe winces on pain on the floor, Joe makes it in at nine. Styles mocks Joe who is injured, Joe kicks Styles with his good leg. Styles is in the corner, Joe tries to run across but collapses in pain. Styles attempts a spinal tap, Joe dodges. Styles misses an enzuigiri, Coquina Clutch into a Sleeper suplex for the win.


A Sleeper Suplex for the win? That’s different. I liked the counters each men used throughout the match, they built on their history of knowing one another inside and out. It led to some interesting counters and transitions into their signature manoeuvres. Joe paying back Styles for faking injuries was also a nice touch I just thought it was not as exciting or intense as it should have been for two stop stars in the company. Served its purpose though, time for the main event!

Winner: Samoa Joe over AJ Styles via Sleeper Suplex?

(NWA/TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match) Christian Cage © vs Kurt Angle vs Sting

Again, your biggest star Kurt Angle is completely unlikable mere months into his run in TNA. I feel the loss hurt Angle big time, the match with Steiner did not help either. Sting was in that feud with Abyss with Sting dominating Abyss at every turn, I do not think it did anything for Sting either. The Lockdown match gave a chance for a fresh start and we saw Sting earn his opportunity thanks to Jeff Jarrett. However, they had to fight for the number one contender’s spot on Impact because reasons, both Angle and Sting won the match which leads us to here. Christian came in as a big babyface and was turned into a dickhead not that long into his run either. Surrounded by his faction, Christian is doing relatively well having beaten Joe and Angle on pay per view before this match.


Sting and Angle hate one another due to Christian’s manipulation, Christian is cracked by both challengers, inverted atomic drop and Christian is tossed to the floor. Angle and Sting talk more trash before Christian is thrown to the floor again, Angle takes the first shot. Elbow by Angle off an Irish whip, uppercut rocks Sting. Whip to the ropes, bulldog by Sting. Sting leaves the ring and decks Christian on the floor, Christian sends Sting into the guard-rail. In the ring, Angle belly to belly suplexes Christian. Whip to the ropes, dodges by Angle before a big shoulder block. Angle sends Christian to the buckle, Angle shoulder blocks the ring-post hard and spills to the floor.


Christian wants an alliance with Sting, Sting spits in Christian’s face. Military press slam and elbow from Sting, Stinger Splash from Sting. Angle stops the second splash, Angle Slam on the ramp. Christian jumps Angle in the ring, Christian steps all over the back of Angle. Chop down from Christian, snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock. Angle breaks free but runs into a powerslam, two for Christian. Christian rolls to the floor and pummels Sting, Christian slaps the head of Angle. Bad idea, German suplexes from Angle. 8 German suplexes for a close two as Sting breaks up the pin-fall. Sting throws Angle to the floor, Sting covers Christian for a close two.


Sting has Christian on the top rope, Angle runs up the top rope. Tower of Doom spot for two on both men, Angle is shocked. Uppercuts for the champion, toss from Angle. The straps are down, Angle Slam is blocked as Unprettier is almost unleashed. Sting and Angle brawl, Christian is on the top rope. Angle crotches Christian, Sting sends Angle into Christian twice. Stinger Splash, Scorpion Death Drop on Angle. 1…2.. Christian pulls out the referee, splashing him in the process.


Angle is straight up, Sting trips Angle but Angle blocks the scorpion death lock. Angle applies The Ankle Lock, Angle sees Christian coming into the ring. Double Ankle Lock on Christian and Sting, both uses their leg strength to hurl Angle to the floor. Sting nails a huge slam on Christian, low blow by Christian. Sting counters with a roll-up, Angle has The Ankle Lock and Sting secures the pin-fall on Christian at the same time that Angle taps out Sting but Angle is declared the winner. The fans are confused, the commentators talk about the possibility of a photo finish and we go right off the air with no conclusion.


So why did they do this finish? To set up Sting having a reason to chase Angle for the championship. Nothing wrong with that but here me out on this one: Again, we have a new champion with a meaningless title reign coming beforehand so the change means nothing. We had Sting topple Jarrett to lose to Abyss, Abyss to lose the championship in an elimination match where he was not one of the two last members to Christian toppling Angle and Joe, two massive wins only to lose it like this. It truly is a shame that the influx of new talent was coming all at the one time because they really had no clue how to accommodate them all, I believe that 100% This match was solid, had your typical triple threat formula of one man being taken out for large periods of time. I thought they set that up well, an Angle Slam on the ramp with no padding looks and sounds nasty so that is all good. I do not feel we got a whole load of meaningful action in there, I thought Christian did the most out of the 3, antagonizing both men and trying to start alliances while also pulling out the referee to hold onto his championship. It is just so hard to care for this championship change though, the reigns have been less than stellar and it feels like we are just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks, fair enough for newer or experimental acts/gimmicks in the lower card but playing hot potato with your world championship? Doesn’t make sense to me boys!

Winner: Kurt Angle over Everyone Else via Ankle Lock!

That was TNA’s Sacrifice 2007, a mostly solid pay per view with one great standout match. Kicking things off we had the X-Division Championship match, Sabin is getting there as a heel with his antics and body language, I just cannot buy completely into him like something is missing and I do not know what it is but you have an angle coming out of this with Sonjay Dutt having a legitimate angle in TNA for what feels like the first time against Jay Lethal, this is good for both men as the division needs fresh blood in a way for that division because it’s beginning to look very stale. Roode vs Jarrett was solid, crowd loved Double J and it was a huge win for Roode, the impact of that win will be explored in the coming months but it is a sign of things to come for Roode. A good feather in his cap if you will, Daniels and Rhino was again solid. Like the arm work, baseball bat to the head was a good finish, I think Rhino is unsalvageable after his Styles’ feud but you never know, could pull something out again if motivated.

The Bashams vs Kip was bleh, the feud was bleh. Just take it away from me already, I do not want to see anymore. Harris and Storm kicked all sorts of ass, I was not a fan of the ten count after the pin-fall especially when they tried to make near-falls dramatic even though the drama should have been whether they could stand after 10 or not but anyways, it has blood, intensity and a symbolic finish which made this my match of the night without a shadow of a doubt. The 4-Corner match was your standard show the other X-Division guys match, no idea why they flew in Tiger Mask IV for that. Team 3D defend their titles in a solid three-way match we have The Steiner Brothers reunited at the end of the match, I mean sure why not? Let’s turn dickhead Steiner back into a babyface. Samoa Joe and AJ Styles served their purpose as a buffer to the main event, the main event was solid, the crowd popped for the tower of doom spot but the finish confused many fans in the building with nothing being resolved as we went off the air. Watch this pay per view for Chris Harris vs James Storm and nothing else! Thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!



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