Impact
Wrestling
Date:
February 27, 2015
Location:
Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Attendance:
3,300
Commentators:
Josh Matthews, Taz
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
It's
off to England now after two pretty solid shows in Scotland. The
main story coming out of last week is MVP earning a World Title shot
by winning the gauntlet match, even though it was more of a group
effort from the Beat Down Clan. Other than that we have the
continuing story of Bram vs. Magnus, which should pick up again here
in England. Let's get to it.
We
open with a recap of the gauntlet match with Kurt Angle almost
surviving the entire BDC but finally getting caught at the end.
Here's
Kurt Angle who doesn't waste any time in calling out Lashley. Kurt
says Lashley doesn't have to respect him, but he needs to respect the
title. Last week Lashley didn't do anything to help him in the
gauntlet match, but Lashley rightly says that wasn't his fight.
Therefore tonight, it's MVP vs. Lashley and Angle won't be there to
help him. Lashley doesn't want his help because it's his own fight.
Angle says he won't help him and leaves.
Lashley
is about to do the same but the Beat Down Clan interrupts. Joe says
the BDC doesn't need luck because tonight, the Clan's MVP will win
the title by any means available. MVP says no one has Lashley's
back, so tonight the Clan gets its belt back. This wasn't bad but
the Lashley vs. Kurt exchange was kind of lame. Lashley didn't want
help so Angle emphasizes that he's not getting help? That came off
kind of odd.
The
announcers talk about what happened. I really like that they
emphasize that Taz used to be a World Champion. A lot of younger
fans might not have seen him in the ring (he retired about thirteen
years ago) so just throw in that he used to be a big deal. It gives
him some credibility instead of just letting him seem like some old
guy.
Mr.
Anderson/Rockstar Spud vs. Tyrus/Ethan Carter III
Anderson
does his intro and Spud gets in a quick intro of his own. Tyrus
reluctantly reveals his shaved head and no sells a right hand to the
face from Anderson. Mr. hammers away in the corner before it's off
to Spud for more of the same. A bite to the head only makes Tyrus
mad though and he plants Spud with a World's Strongest Slam. Does
that make him a mashed potato? Spud misses an elbow from Carter and
makes the hot tag to Anderson, who hits a pretty bad looking
neckbreaker for two on the big man.
The
fans chant for Spud as Tyrus hits Anderson low and slows things down.
Back to Carter for some right hands in the corner. I'm so glad his
arm injury hasn't kept him out of the ring for too long. Carter is
way too good to be on the sideline that long. Tyrus slams Anderson
down but COMPLETELY misses a Vader Bomb (his feet might have hit
Anderson's chest if Anderson hadn't moved but that's it), allowing
for the tag to Spud. An Underdog (Dudley Dog) drops Tyrus and
Anderson adds a low blow and the Mic Check, allowing Spud to get the
pin at 7:00.
Rating:
C-. This is as entertaining of
a feud as there is in wrestling right now. Spud
is nailing his underdog roll and Carter has mastered the idea of
being an evil heel that you want to see lose. Hopefully that leads
to the World Title for Carter, as he's probably the best heel not
named Bully Ray in years for TNA.
We
recap the formation of the Trio, which led to the Beat Down Clan and
helped Lashley beat Eric Young for the World Title. I always enjoy
seeing Eric Young in pain.
After
a break, Ethan promises to shave Spud's hair tonight.
Here's
Taryn Terrell to address Awesome Kong. Kong may have made her
intentions clear, so get out here so Taryn can do the same thing.
Instead here's Gail Kim to tell Taryn how tough Kong is. If Taryn
thinks Havok was tough, think about what Kong did to her. Taryn
knows what she wants and is ready for Kong anytime. Kim leaves and
the lights go out. Kong is in the ring and shrugs off everything
Taryn throws at her before planting her with the Implant Buster.
That could be deadly for Terrell.
The
BDC throws the camerman out of their meeting.
We
look at the BDC helping Lashley win the World Title back in January
and then attacking Lashley just two weeks later.
Austin
Aries might have a surprise for us tonight and holds up the
briefcase.
Chris
Melendez/Brooke vs. Robbie E./Angelina Love
I
still don't get the appeal of Melendez. Yeah it's impressive that he
can get around on one leg, but once you see that it's pretty much the
end of his usefulness. He's not bad, but he's a pretty generic power
guy other than the leg. Robbie gets in a cheap shot on Chris but
gets hammered down and suplexed for two. Off to Brooke vs. Robbie
with E. mocking her with Karate Kid crane poses, allowing Love to
sneak in with some shots to the back. Some dropkicks send Love over
to tag E. but eats a flapjack first. DJZ offers a distraction
though, allowing E. to shove Brooke off the top for the pin at 3:26.
Rating:
D. Eh it's a comedy feud so
it's kind of hard to really complain about this match. If nothing
else we get to stare at Brooke and E. is so over the top and insane
that it's a lot easier to sit through. As I said though, where was
Melendez at the end? He can't handle someone like the BroMans?
Carter
tries to go into Spud's locker room to shave his head but Anderson
makes the save after a break. Tyrus ran in to help out his boss.
Didn't we cover this
already?
Gunner
wants to know why Angle is leaving but Kurt says Lashley doesn't want
him around. That's not enough for Gunner who wants the old Angle
back. He slaps Kurt in the face but nothing comes of it.
Here's
Austin Aries with something to say. He's
thinking about cashing in this Feast or Fired briefcase tonight, but
here's Samoa Joe to interrupt. Joe
isn't going to allow Aries to cash in the case tonight because he can
have trained assassins on him at any given moment. Would those be
the ninjas in the panel vans? Aries wants to know where the old Joe
has gone and a challenge is thrown out. Joe says bring it so Aries
dives through the ropes to take him down.
Austin
Aries vs. Samoa Joe
Joined
in progress after a break with Aries hammering away in the corner.
Joe is too big to have his brain busted though and sends Aries out to
the floor. Back in and Joe stomps away before driving a knee into
Aries' ribs. This isn't the
most interesting stuff so far. They slug it out with Aries getting
the better of it, only to eat a running boot to the face and the
backsplash for no cover.
We
hit the bearhug on Aries for a bit before Aries low bridges him to
the floor. A big top rope ax handle nails Joe but the brainbuster
still doesn't work. Aries escapes the Muscle Buster and hits some
discus forearms to set up the Last Chancery. I'd buy that hold as
more of a threat if it ever won anything. Cue Kenny King with the
briefcase for a distraction, allowing Joe to put on the Clutch.
Aries sends him face first into the case (not a DQ because of course
not) and hits a 450 for the pin at 7:55.
Rating:
C+. These kind of matches feel
like they're just going through the motions more often than not.
There's almost no reason for these two to be fighting other than they
need something to fill in the card. It's not a bad match or
anything, but it just comes and goes and is another match on the show
that I won't remember later.
The
BDC comes in post match and puts Aries on the table. Low Ki hits the
double stomp to Aries' ribs but the table doesn't break all the way.
Instead, Joe adds a running backsplash to really send Aries through
the wood.
Lashley
says MVP has to go through him to win the title. He doesn't
need Angle's help either. WWE,
take note on how to keep your monsters short and to the point like
this.
MVP
praises Eric Young for injuring Roode last week. Young thinks
there's a hole in his heart and he has to fill it in with revenge.
MVP suggests getting some of
that revenge on Lashley for taking his World Title last year.
The
BDC has stolen Aries' Feast or Fired briefcase.
Noam
Dar vs. Rampage Brown
Both
guys are from British Boot Camp but before they can get very far,
Bram comes in to beat up both guys with Impaler DDTs at 0:54.
Bram
wants Magnus out here right now but he gets Grado instead. Grado
dances down and gets in Bram's face, only to get run over with ease.
The third implant DDT puts Grado down again but there's no Magnus.
TNA
World Title: MVP vs. Bobby Lashley
Lashley
is defending and runs him over to start before hitting a running
clothesline in the corner. Some more clotheslines set up a delayed
vertical suplex as it's all Lashley so far. Again, this is what
Reigns should be doing. MVP bails to the floor but the rest of the
BDC tries to interfere, earning then ejections as we take a break.
Back with MVP sending him into the steps for two and kicking the
champ in the back.
More
stomping ensues as we get to the core problem with MVP: he isn't the
most interesting guy in the ring. Kenny King and Samoa Joe are still
at ringside for a stomping as I guess only half of the team was
ejected. Back inside and MVP stomps away even more but both guys
collide to put them down again. Lashley charges into the corner and
plants MVP with a spinebuster for two. MVP tosses him with a suplex
but misses the Black Out.
A
spear drops MVP but the referee is bumped as well, as per the
contractually obligated ref bump in title matches. Cue Eric Young
with a chair to Lashley's back but Bobby Roode comes out to break up
a piledriver attempt. Young is gone so Lashley hits a powerslam on
MVP, but the BDC breaks up the pin again. Cue Gunner to take out
Joe, allowing MVP to hit the Play of the Day on Lashley for two. MVP
grabs a chair but Drew Galloway takes him down, allowing the spear to
retain Lashley's title at 15:45.
Rating:
C. The wrestling wasn't great
but this was about Lashley fighting off all odds to keep his title.
It's a basic story but TNA is pulling it off well enough. They
telegraphed the ending with Angle vs. Lashley earlier in the night
and I'm sure MVP will get the title one day, but the BDC is starting
to look weak without being able to get the big belt. There was too
much insanity here for my tastes but I've seen far worse.
Overall
Rating: C+. TNA
continues its nice roll with another good, although not great show
this week. Lashley vs. Angle vs. MVP is an interesting feud but
hopefully it doesn't add up to another triple threat match for the
title. The rest of the show is actually more entertaining that I was
expecting and the midcard is pretty easily more entertaining than
WWE's. However, is there a reason these guys are all fighting? A
midcard title wouldn't be the worst thing for TNA, but for now it's
surviving well enough.
Results
Rockstar
Spud/Mr. Anderson b. Tyrus/Ethan Carter III – Spud pinned Tyrus
after a Mic Check from Anderson
Robbie
E./Angelina Love b. Brooke/Chris Melendez – Shove off the top
Austin
Aries b. Samoa Joe – 450 Splash
Noam
Dar vs. Rampage Brown went to a no contest when Bram interfered
Lashley
b. MVP – Spear
Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:
http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6
Highlight of the night for me was the camera zooming in on Joe and watching him smell the air....it's almost like he sensed a bake sale was going on 15 miles away.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/MVoDnGVkWCA
ReplyDeleteOctober 15 - Dungeon Master got job at Wedney's to pay bills.
ReplyDeleteYour argument is very persuasive. I have now changed my opinion entirely
ReplyDeleteShockingly, your case of he said/she said didn't dissuade me from seeking out a relevant BettleJuice gif.
ReplyDeleteDamn you, TNA.
ReplyDeleteBecause of family commitments, I can't watch wrestling in primetime (except for the last half-hour or Raw.) I'm no TNA fan...but, if I can sit through an episode of Unlocked, I can watch a replay of tonight's Impact at midnight (pacific time)
At least, it has been the past few weeks.
So, tonight, I sit through Unlocked...midnight comes...and instead of a replay of tonight's Impact...I get "TNA's Greatest Matches: Kurt Angle" (and following that is "TNA's Greatest Matches: Kurt Angle Part II").
I don't want to watch this. (Man, does Kurt looked all cracked out and skinny in this three way match against Sting and Matt Morgan from Hard Justice.) And, just like TNA...the show opens, they do the introductions for the three wrestlers in this match...the bell rings, the match starts...and this pre-recorded, edited, clip show...goes to commercial.
TO THE NETWORK!
Shockingly? Since when are Slaughter and Hogan ever bad workers? No one is arguing that they were the Sami Zayn of their generation, but the two could go.
ReplyDeleteThat promo was gold too
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pfkam4NOjY
Kinda late, actually. :P
ReplyDeleteDude, he lost a ton of blood in that awful hardcore battle royal. Kinda gross.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favs along with The steiners vs Tatsumi Fujinami and Takayuki Iizuka
ReplyDeleteThat poor fuck tried SO hard to be a wrester, and was burnt with the Shane-O gimmick, poor guy
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. Leonard Nimoy.
ReplyDeleteFound this cool gem as it relates to Leonard Nimoy and his greatest piece of work, Star Trek IV: The Vovage Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJzy0-oEuzc
(The Leonard Nimoy piece starts at the 5 minute mark).
It's weird, because we all know Pete, Rodney, and Joey Gas....but who were those older fucks at Wrestlemania XV? They totally looked like Pete and Rodney's friggin Dad.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that guy on the side of the freeway in North Carolina
ReplyDeleteOr Ole? Look at him back then. I imagine punching him in the stomach would be like punch a brick wall. I imagine Ole Anderson as Ron Swanson with less hair and more shirts proclaiming just how damn good he was.
ReplyDeleteStewie: Good luck hitting that...sweet...sweet...Ed Leslie tail.
ReplyDeleteKimberly: Hey, I don't like it anymore than you do.
If only Sid took pro wrestling as seriously as softball.
ReplyDeleteTangent: I'm watching the "Best of Kurt Angle" TNA special that's airing in the late nite slot on Destination America. They're showing one of the King of the Mountain matches and, fuck me, if this isn't everything I hated about Russo-era TNA. It's six guys, a ladder, a penalty box, multiple pins/submissions, and no fucking clear sense of what the goddamn rules are to actually win the world title. How did this company not collapse on itself?
ReplyDeleteWOOO EH WOO WHOO WHOO WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ReplyDeleteThey were sorry and they loved him. That's all the matters.
ReplyDeleteNow I need a Donnie Brasco remake with Ed Leslie, Hulk and the Dungeon! There isn't a bank big enough to hold all the money we will make from it.
ReplyDeleteYay for more rants!
ReplyDeleteHah- I remember some fanboy made a threat exactly like that on a forum eons ago- he was threatening people who hated on Sid's then-current run in the WWF. Is that a quote from a promo of his?
ReplyDeleteSting and Luger were also awesome when Sting turned heel in late 99. Luger finally got Sting to turn to the dark side. Too bad WCW killed it pretty quickly
ReplyDeleteTrue story: When Sid did the fist-bumping thing to my friend at a House Show in Red Deer, Alberta, my friend ended up getting a wart on his finger in that EXACT SPOT. It took years to go away- he blamed Sid for this and hated him forever after.
ReplyDelete'Now that’s a segment of the fanbase that is completely missing these days – crazed old ladies who believe that every word is real and will fuck up your shit if you’re a heel messing with John Cena.''
ReplyDeleteYou'd love England.
I wonder if TNA has a plan with the breakup of #TeamBro with the payoff being special guest referee Phil Keoghan #AmazingRace #TAR
ReplyDeleteSo, historically, any former wrestlers who (in their prime) you think could go toe-to-toe with Lesnar (in his prime) in a shoot and either hold their own or come out on top?
ReplyDeleteThe anti-semitisim in the opening lines was unexpected and disappointing
ReplyDelete"that is between him and God now."
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't God, it was just some kind of evil alien entity that wanted to use their ship to escape from that planet.
"Hoping Nimoy found Christ before he passed - but that is between him and God now." You mean like bought the Passion on Blu Ray? Cause I think it's like $9.95 at Wal-mart.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten that. Yeah, Sid's apparent softball obsession was a bit of a weird one. I mean, fair enough if he likes playing it and everything, but it's not like it's something you can make a career out of. He did take a lot of time out to go and play softball though.
ReplyDeleteMy gawd, that's Jessie Bakers music!
ReplyDeleteI thought he was from Boston. Huh.
ReplyDeleteOnly 32? Seems higher.
ReplyDeleteAll right, show of hands. Who's surprised Scott managed to write this whole thing without once dissing Roman Reigns?
ReplyDeleteOoh! Me!
ReplyDelete"We got one!" - Ghostbusters
ReplyDeleteHe did diss Reigns. The lack of meaty thighs and hair on Beefcake was a Reigns comment.
ReplyDeleteTNA suck
ReplyDeleteRamen Rain Suck
ReplyDeleteVader stiffed him at Starrcade '93 and Flair handed it back.
ReplyDeleteDespite playing a chickenshit heel character, I'm pretty sure Flair wasn't a pussy. He did wrestle for a good three decades after surviving a plane crash + broken back.
I was just thinking something similar about old ladies in wrestling, I was reading something about Hatpin Annies or something like that? Old ladies who used to sit in the front row and jab the heels with hatpins. Wrestling fans will never be that violent again.
ReplyDeleteNow they have crying kids in the front row when Cena is getting beaten on.
ReplyDeleteKeith hid it well. Don't feel too bad.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things about Survivor Series '95 is that crazy old lady in the front row who's fucking pumped throughout the whole show.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he does, but we're talking about Roman Reigns here.
ReplyDeleteWorse pin count: Nick Patrick or Scott Armstrong?
ReplyDelete....read that as dying kids..also true
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty clear that Sid's not a normal dude. Like, not that he's dumb or that there's something wrong with him, but his brain doesn't function the same way yours or mine does.
ReplyDeleteOctober 28 - The water is now hot.
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome. You gotta know that a part of Hogan was trying not to laugh during that, especially when she was taking the short-arm swings at him. Imagine if Nash had been on commentary.
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't anti-semitism. The Jews were the chosen people. Many rejected God when they couldn't accept Christ. I had great respect for Nimoy and his heritage. He had a understanding of the One and True God - since he attended the synagogues and Paul said Isreal would one day repent and accept Christ and once again be part of both the orginal and new covenant. I think people misunderstand me as i have great respect for Jewish thinkers in terms of their scholarly understandings of OT writings.
ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding that, it reads as "Hey, Nimoy was alright! I mean, you know, for a Jew."
ReplyDeleteHow about when Michael Buffer called them the MEGAFORCE?
ReplyDeleteI checked a YouTube video, he was from Bostonn- I fixed it.
ReplyDeleteNo. It should have been more like I liked and respected Nimoy because he was Jewish and had that knowledge he was able to put in certain movies.
ReplyDeleteThen I apologize and retract.
ReplyDeleteIs Grado just Santino turned up to 11?
ReplyDeleteIs this the, "But I'm from Chicago, too!" "YOU'RE FROM THE SUBURBS, LEX!" promo? I loved that. Even more than the similar Clash promo where Lex declares that they're too busy preparing for the State Patrol to take on the Roadies.
ReplyDeleteTerrible in their own way: Scott was boring while Nick made you want to yell "why is your arm flailing?!?!"
ReplyDeleteThanks for continuing these, Scott!
ReplyDeleteSo, WCW and WWE should have never went to 2 hours.
Perfect amount of wrestling and interviews to keep the viewer invested.
And dare I say Luger was underrated.
In his book, Gary Hart said that Flair kicked the shit out of all three Freebirds one night. They were drinking and one of them lipped off to Flair. They went out to the parking lot and Flair beat the crap out of all of them and then went back inside and bought them drinks.
ReplyDeleteFavorite old lady super mark moment for me is the one in the front row at Beach Blast 92 who kept standing up cheering the babyfaces til the middle aged guy grabs her and tells her to sit her old ass down. It happens during the Sting/Cactus match and its hilarious every ti me
ReplyDeleteAnd the match bombed so horribly ECW never showed ANY footage of it.
ReplyDeleteI'M SORRY! I'M NOT SORRY!
ReplyDeleteI fucking hated that twit.
And even there he was more over than the rest.
ReplyDelete"And that’s where he presumably was left to die in Knoxville as the show goes off the air"
ReplyDeleteThat got me doubled over for some reason.
Green as turtle shit.
ReplyDeleteI had a great aunt who was in her 70's/80's and a huge wrestling fan. Every time she would come down we would watch wrestling together and she would get super into it yelling at the TV. I also remember, we were watching Nitro and it was shown that Louie Spicolli died. I wondered out loud what happened. She was convinced it was because The Flock beat him up too bad. She hated Raven too.
ReplyDeleteSadly Hogan's departure in April 1996 killed Lex Luger's heel persona dead. Giant chokes laming him through a table confirmed it.
ReplyDeleteThing is, I think Brody shooting is pure myth. I've seen the match and he just no-sells everything, rather than stiffing.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/e2ljREAv-5Y -Yokozuna final interview
ReplyDeleteProbably would have worked better if they didn't turn against Hogan and had everyone cheering the hell out of the pair every time they beat of Hogan.
ReplyDeleteIn straight wrestling, I'd guess Angle, Verne and Billy Robinson. Outside shots for Bad News and Inoki.
ReplyDeleteOle was known to be able to get knifed and finish matches. Apparently he could throw a short punch that could crumple people. Also he has no neck.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone be "surprised" you respected Leonard Nimoy? the extent of things I expect from you are cringe worthy posts about Christianity.
ReplyDeleteBecause he was a jew? The thought occurred to no one but you. Because no one here gives a shit about his, your, or anyone else's faith.
It is only because of His grace that I am not already at the judgement seat or in His loving arms in Heaven. I have been called as Christ has called me to serve Him by preaching His word to sinners like me seeking repentance. Repent before the fires of hell claim you. Please.
ReplyDeleteMike Atkins, his three counts were like one counts. Why not use HIM when you needed a "fast count?" haha
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't count three...he simply raises an eyebrow.
ReplyDeleteDidn't it?
ReplyDeletethat was the best part.
ReplyDeleteNah. I had just watched WM 8 and I loved Sid. SHUT UP YOU STUPID LITTLE OAF!
ReplyDeleteThe front row old lady (she also got into a Nitro spat with nWo Hogan in 96-97) worked for Smoky Mountain in some capacity. This is from Knoxville so it makes sense. I've seen her on their TV episodes. Ticket lady? Promoter's wife/mother?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Mark moment was his last episode where he remarked how he was shit on by a bird indoors. Sums his run up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteLack of continuity in production (or just Taz and Matthews not getting it) ruined the BroMans/Love vs. Melendez/Brooke match. At the start of the match Taz explained the difference between a mixed tag (man vs. woman not allowed) and an intergender tag (man vs. woman allowed), and then even though the match was introduced in the ring as an intergender tag match -- at least that's how DJ Z described it -- Taz and Matthews proceeded to spend the whole time confused as to why the genders were mixing in the ring. Even after the heels won, Matthews was like, "I'm not even sure that was legal."
ReplyDeleteThey say Lex ran because Brody showed razor blades.
ReplyDelete"And today a bird shit on me. And I was indoors. So..."
ReplyDeleteThat's because he only has half the brain that you do.
ReplyDeleteOle also had the advantage because he hated everybody so he wouldn't hold anything back.
ReplyDeleteFlair's definitely a lover, not a fighter.
TNA is probably the best promotion right now at creating an entertaining midcard. EC3/Spud, Bram/Magnus, the Revolution/Hardys/Wolves, Gail/Tarryn/Kong are all great slow burners.
ReplyDeleteWhere are all the TNA haters when they are having a great run of shows?
Yep they went from a great pure heel in Ric Flair who is synonymous with NWA/WCW and never missed a beat because Rude was that awesome in the Dangerous Alliance
ReplyDeleteThey did?
ReplyDeleteHis brother was the late Upkotuna
ReplyDeleteKing Kong Brody = Bruiser Brody because Dick "the Bruiser" wrestled in the AWA.
ReplyDeleteBoom Boom Bundy = King Kong Bundy because AWA had to call Bruiser Brody King Kong.