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TNA: Genesis, November 11, 2007
by Sassy

I watched The Road To Genesis, which before the event. It was a lot of rehash about what we already knew, but there was a full replay of the X Division Match from Bound For Glory. The participants were Homicide and Hernandez of the Latin American Exchange and Senshi and Elix Skipper of XXX. If you have not seen it, you missed a great match with a lot of action. Homicide and Hernandez were OH YEAH! great. I always think of Hernandez as too large for the X Division ring and he proves me wrong every time. He can do what the smaller guys can do and with much more power. Senshi and Skipper kept the match fast paced and amazing. A must see match!

That said, let’s get to TNA’s November 2007 pay per view…GENESIS!

The show opens with the National Anthem to honor our veterans. We see a black stretch limo in the parking area. Mike Tenay tells us that this must be Sting’s mystery partner.

Ringside announcers: Mike Tenay and Don West

Ring announcer: David Penzer

Backstage interviews: Jeremy Borash and Crystal Loutham

Ring valet: So Cal Val

Personal predictions and picks are posted before the play by play.

Black Reign Shop of Horrors Match
Black Reign from the Deepest Darkest Corner of His Mind
Accompanied to the ring by Misty the Rat and James Mitchell
Vs.
The Monster Abyss, 6’8” weighing 350 lbs., from the Black Hole

Referee: Rudy Charles
IF YOU MUSE HAVE A LIVE ANIMAL FOR YOUR CHARACTER, LEAVE SAID LIVE ANIMAL IN THE BACK AWAY FROM THE CROWDS AND OUT OF HARMS WAY!

I pick Abyss because he is stronger and more agile in the ring than Black Reign. What can harm and hinder Abyss is the interference of James Mitchell, who should be at ringside. I had predicted earlier we might see the return of Judas Mesias during this match but have since discovered that he is working in another venue today and therefore, should not be a problem for Abyss. Abyss will have to keep his mind off of the itsy bitsy rat, Misty, that he appears to be so afraid of and concentrate on whether or not Black Reign will bring more weapons to the ring and how he might wield them.

The Match: Black Reign meets Abyss on the entrance ramp and fists are traded. Black Reign sends Abyss face first into the outside ring post before going up to the ring apron and taking a dive at Abyss. Abyss catches Black Reign and sends him belly first into the guardrail surrounding the fans. Abyss picks Black Reign up and sends him into the ring, following him in. Black Reign is on his feet and catches Abyss with a boot and an uppercut as he tries to come through the ropes. Black Reign delivers a fist to Abyss’s forehead and tries to send him across the ring. Abyss makes the switch, sending Black Reign into the ropes. As Black Reign comes off the ropes, Abyss prepares to send him over his back, but Black Reign drops to his knees and nails Abyss in the head with another fist. Abyss goes back against the ropes and as Black Reign makes a charge, a boot meets him. Black Reign is down on the mat. As Black Reign gets back to his feet, he is against a ring post. Abyss comes at him and Black Reign steps out of the way, sending Abyss into the corner post. Black Reign comes off the ropes but Abyss grabs him and sends him over the top rope and onto the floor. Abyss goes out after Black Reign, picks up a sheet of plasterboard and breaks it over Black Reign’s skull. Abyss picks Black Reign up and sends him over the guardrail and into the audience and goes after him. Black Reign meets Abyss with a boot and a fist then tries to send him in the wall but Abyss delivers a knee to Black Reign’s midsection then sends Black Reign shoulder first into the wall. Black Reign is back to his feet and Abyss tosses him over the guardrail back onto the floor in front of the ring. Black Reign is crawling up the entrance ramps an Abyss follows him, but then Abyss stops to empty metal trash cans and set them up on the ramp along with a steel chair. Abyss then goes after Black Reign who has reached a sheet of plasterboard, which he delivers to Abyss’s head. Abyss is down on his knees on the ramp and Black Reign is heading toward a large wooden box at the top of the ramp which he tries to open with a key – the key Abyss had several weeks ago and gave back to Black Reign. Abyss gets there before Black Reign can unlock the box and delivers a forearm to the back of Black Reign. Abyss sends Black Reign back down the ramp. As Abyss comes after Black Reign, Black Reign delivers a boot to Abyss’s abdomen then suplexes Abyss over onto the metal trash cans and chair Abyss had set up. Both men are down on the ramp and the referee is checking on Abyss. Black Reign is to his feet. He picks up Abyss by the hair and sends him back into the ring. Black Reign follows him in. Black Reign comes off the second rope and delivers a flying clothesline sending Abyss crashing to the mat. Black Reign appears to go for the cover but instead decides to bit on Abyss’s forehead instead. Black Reign goes up on the top turnbuckle but is caught by Abyss to attempts to deliver a choke slam. Black Reign fights back with elbows making Abyss loosen the hold, Black Reign comes off the ropes, ducks Abyss’s clothesline, comes off the opposite ropes and ducks another clothesline, comes off the ropes again and delivers a flying forearm to Abyss, sending him to the mat. Black Reign delivers a fist to Abyss then takes him down with a jawbreaker before going for the cover. He gets a two count before Abyss powers out. Black Reign again rolls out of the ring and comes back in with a steel chair. He sets it up against a ring post between the ropes. He goes after Abyss with rights and then attempts to send Abyss into the chair. Abyss gets the switch and sends Black Reign toward the chair but Black Reign grabs the top ropes and avoids hitting the chair. Abyss delivers a boot, it may have been a crotch shot, then sends Black Reign head first into the chair. Abyss is now out of the ring and grabs a barbed wire baseball bat from under the ring. Abyss is back in the ring and he hits Black Reign in the abdomen with the bat. As Abyss holds the bat in the air, Black Reign rolls out of the ring and out of Abyss’s way. Again Black Reign is going back up the entrance ramp but Abyss is right behind him. He delivers a forearm to Black Reign’s back but Black Reign counters with a knee to the midsection sending Abyss down to the floor. Abyss is standing close to the edge of the stage. Black Reign charges Abyss, Abyss catches Black Reign in a choke hold and choke slams Black Reign off the stage and onto the floor. Abyss gets Black Reign by the head and sends him down the ramp. Abyss walks Black Reign around the ring and then sends a blow to the back that sends Black Reign to the floor. Abyss takes a board full of set rat traps onto the mat. Black Reign appears to have a kendo stick, but he is still on the floor. Abyss has opened a vice set up on a table. Abyss grabs Black Reign and tightens the vice on both of Black Reign’s hands. Abyss is back in the ring, arranging the board with the traps but James Mitchell appears to free Black Reign from the vice. Abyss, inside the ring, now has Misty and is preparing to throw her onto the board with traps. Mitchell enters the ring and hits Abyss with his cane to distract him. Black Reign is entering the ring from the opposite side as Abyss turns toward Mitchell. Abyss takes Misty and stuffs her into Mitchell’s shirt. Mitchell is screaming and he goes out of the ring and down to the floor. Black Reign comes up behind Abyss and delivers the blackout, sending Abyss face first into the traps. Again Black Reign goes for the pin but only gets a two count. Black Reign stares down the ref before again going outside the ring. Black Reign enters the ring with the kendo stick as Abyss is struggling to get to his feet. Black Reign delivers a shot to Abyss’s head with the kendo stick and then another. As Abyss comes off the ropes, Black Reign nails him in the gut with the kendo stick. Abyss is down on his knees in the corner and you can hear the ref talking to Black Reign. Black Reign has a set of brass knuckles Tenay says that is what Mitchell handed Black Reign earlier and since this is a no disqualification match, the ref can’t stop Black Reign from using them. Black Reign heads for Abyss, but Abyss is ready and sends Black Reign to the mat with the black hole slam. Abyss goes for the cover, gets the pin and the win.

Winner: Abyss with the black hole slam.

After the match is over, Abyss picks up Black Reign’s key and heads up the ramp to the wood box at the top of the entrance ramp. Abyss unlocks and opens the box which has the name Crimson Blood written on the side of the box and is attacked by a monster who sprays something into Abyss’s face. The unknown monster has Abyss down on the ramp and is delivering fists to Abyss’s face and head. Abyss manages to get back to his feet and is fighting back with fists. Black Reign attacks Abyss from behind and it is now two on one. Both monsters continue to beat down Abyss before Black Reign nails Abyss in the head with his Darkness Falls weapon. Black Reign and Crimson Blood pick Abyss up and lock him inside the box before sending the box over the edge of the stage and on the floor below.

Summary: Everyone should know that Abyss or Black Reign in a match does not mean a “wrestling” match and the two of them together can do a lot of damage. I was amazed there was no blood loss in the match (Abyss had a couple of small cuts on his arms) and with the exception of Abyss being shoved over the edge in the box, no one seems to have suffered major damage. The match was entertaining although it is a slower paced match and I contribute that to the size of the men working the ring and the arena. Other than the slow pace, both men put on a good show and I’m certain they suffered some wear and tear from the falls and the hits.

NOTE: It is rumored that Abyss was slightly injured when the box he was locked in was removed from ringside. Abyss had been told he could discretely leave the box through a secret panel but he refused. I assume this was Abyss’s way of “keeping it real”. We hope that the injury was only slight. The fans appreciate the effort, Abyss.

NOTE: Black Reign’s new friend, Crimson Blood, is former WWE wrestler Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli, who has been wrestling on the Indy circuit as Redrum (murder spelled backwards). And never mind that I am not only upset that Judas Mesias couldn’t make it back to interrupt this match at Genesis, I haven’t been able to find out whether he won or lost his match in Mexico!

JB is in the back with the black limo. He is attempting to find out who is in the limo for Kurt Angle. The security crew refuses to tell him who is in the limo and refuses to allow him in.

The Motor City Machineguns from Detroit, MI
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley
Vs.
Team 3D from New York City
Brother Ray and Brother Devon

Referee: Earl Hebner
I pick Shelley and Sabin because of their speed and their ability to work together in the ring. Don’t get me wrong, Ray and Devon have been together a long time as well and tend to work best as a team versus singles matches. I don’t think Ray and Devon will be able to beat Shelley and Sabin unless they can ground them and keep them on the mat. By the same token, Shelley and Sabin are underdogs in both weight and height and they will have to keep on the move to prevent being taken down.

The Match: Surprise,surprise! Sabin and Shelley charge out of the ring and meet Ray and Devon on the ramp to start the battle. They have Team 3D down on the ramp and they continue to pound them down to ringside. Shelley sends Devon chest first into the guardrail as Sabin sends Ray back first into the guardrail on the opposite side of the ring. Sabin follows up with a right hand to Ray’s jaw as Shelley sends Devon into the guardrail again. I thought Devon was going to go through the rail and right into the fan’s seats. Ray throws a right at Sabin but Sabin blocks the blow and delivers a right of his own. Sabin follows up by sending Ray’s head into the guardrail. Devon is down on the floor and Shelley is delivering boots to his chest. Sabin motions to Shelley as he sends Ray into the ring and Shelley and Sabin climb into the ring after Ray. They send Ray across the ring into the ring post and then charge him. Devon is working his way into the ring on the opposite side and as he charges Shelley and Sabin, they get out of the way and Devon crashes into Ray. They send Devon across to the opposite ring post and charge Devon, hitting him with their full weight. They send Ray into the ropes and deliver a double back body drop sending him crashing to the mat. Shelley hooks the back of Ray’s knee, sending him to the mat and then he and Sabin deliver double boots to Ray’s chest. Ray rolls out of the ring, Devon is out of the ring, leaving Sabin and Shelley to bask in the approval of the fans. Ray and Devon wander toward the back but Shelley and Sabin stay in the ring. Team 3D start back toward the ring but Ray stops long enough to kick Tenay’s chair. Ray grabs a bottle of bottled water and throws it at the fans screaming for Shelley and Sabin. Ray and Devon are now back on the ring apron and Ray enters the ring to face Sabin. Ray has Sabin in a side headlock. Sabin sends Ray into the ropes but Ray comes off the ropes and hits Sabin sending him to the mat. Sabin is back on his feet immediately and he shoves Ray. Sabin comes off the ropes, ducks Ray’s clothesline, comes off another set of ropes and ducks another clothesline comes off the ropes again and goes over Ray’s back, comes off the ropes again and blocks Ray’s efforts to send him to the mat with an arm drag, ducks another clothesline, sends a boot to Ray’s abdomen, and sends Ray to the mat with a hurricanrana. As soon as Ray is back on his feet, Shelley hits him with a right that staggers Ray as Sabin comes off the ropes to hit Ray with a cross body block, taking Ray down to the mat. Sabin goes for the cover but only gets a one count. Both men are back to their feet. Sabin backs up to the ropes to work the crowd. As Sabin approaches Ray, Ray delivers a boot to Sabin’s midsection then sends Sabin head first into the top turnbuckle. Ray sends a chop to Sabin’s chest before tagging in Devon. Ray and Devon send Sabin across the ring into the ropes. Sabin comes off the ropes, Ray sets him up and Devon delivers a leg to Sabin’s neck, sending him down to the mat. Devon goes for the pin, gets a two count. Devon picks Sabin up and delivers a fist to the forehead before sending Sabin into the ropes. Sabin comes off the ropes and rolls under Devon’s waiting fist, then leaps across the ring to tag in Shelley. Shelley leaps over the top rope to enter the ring and slams into Devon. Devon comes off the ropes and sends Shelley to the mat with a huge shoulder block. As Devon heads to the opposite ropes, Shelley grabs Devon’s leg and trips him, sending Devon to the mat. Shelley brings Devon down in a jawbreaker maneuver then follows up with a kick to the chest. Shelley comes off the ropes and nails Devon with a drop kick that sends Devon back down to the mat. Shelley charges across the ring and nails Ray, sending him down to the floor. As Shelley and Sabin climb to the top turnbuckles, Ray gets back up time to jar the ropes and send them both down. Sabin falls to the mat but Shelley does not. Devon is back up and he goes after Shelley. Devon climbs up the ropes and suplexes Shelley down to the mat. Devon stops to get a rise out of the fans and he does just that – in the negative. Shelley is still down on the mat and Devon proceeds to choke him with a boot planted on his neck. The ref calls for the break and gets it. Devon picks Shelley up and hits Shelley in the forehead with a right before trying to choke Shelley on the ropes. The ref starts counting and Devon gets a talking to from the ref after he finally breaks the hold. Devon picks Shelley up again and throws him out of the ring and onto the floor then argues with the ref so Ray can send Shelley into the steel steps. Sabin is now in the ring telling the ref to handle what is going on outside the ring. Ray grabs something from one of the fans and throws it before picking up Shelley and sending him back in the ring. Devon goes for the cover but only gets a two count. Devon puts Shelley in a headlock. Sabin is working to get the audience fired up as Shelley attempts to get to his feet. Now back on his feet, Shelley sends elbows into Devon’s rib cage in order to make him break the hold. Shelley goes up in the air and nails Devon with a boot to the head. Shelley is trying to get to the corner to get a tag. Devon is down on the mat as well. Ray goes around the outside of the ring and slams Sabin down to the floor before going up on the apron ring to the boos of the audience. Shelley is back to his feet and heads for his corner only to meet the fist of Ray for his efforts. The ref tries to get Ray back to his corner and Ray sticks his finger in the ref’s face. Devon picks Shelley up and holds him in the air before suplexing him down to the mat. Devon goes for the cover and gets a one count before Shelley throws a shoulder up. Devon tags in Ray and hold Shelley so Ray can send a forearm/elbow combo to Shelley’s back. Sabin is back on the ring apron and trying to get in the ring but the ref stops him and sends him back outside the ropes. Ray drops an elbow on Shelley’s chest, goes for the cover and gets a two count. Ray picks Shelley up and slams him into the ring post then slaps him with an open hand across the chest. Shelley is down and Ray is slapping him in the head telling him to get up. As Shelley tries to get back to his feet, Ray slams him over and over across the back. Shelley goes between Ray’s legs and tries to get to Sabin but he comes up short. Ray has Shelley by the leg and pulls him back across the ring as Devon charges across the ring to nail Sabin and send him to the floor. Sabin flies off the apron ring and ends up on the entrance ramp. Ray slams Shelley’s head into the top turnbuckle and tags in Devon. Devon picks Shelley up and slams his fist into Shelley’s head until Shelley is on the mat. The ref is yelling at Devon and asking him if he’s deaf when the ref warns Devon about the use of his fists. Devon picks Shelley up again, flips him over on the mat, then comes off the ropes and head butts Shelley in the chest. Devon goes for the pin and gets a two count before Shelley manages to get a shoulder off the mat. Devon applies a headlock and keeps Shelley down on the mat. The fans are trying to will Shelley to his feet. Shelley gets back to his feet and throws elbows into Devon’s ribs to make him break the hold. Devon swings and Shelley ducks out of the way. Devon swings and again Shelley ducks and avoids the fist. Devon goes back into the ropes and comes off but gets Shelley’s boot in his face. Both men are down on the mat. Sabin is pounding on the turnbuckle trying to get Shelley to get to him for the tag. Shelley rolls across the canvas and tags in Sabin. Sabin comes into the ring over the top rope as Devon is getting to his feet. Sabin ducks the clothesline Devon charges him with then takes down Devon with a clothesline of his own. Devon gets back to his feet and Sabin hits him with another clothesline and then nails Devon with a fist when he gets back to his feet. Ray comes through the ropes and Sabin gets out of his way. Ray comes off the opposite ropes and Sabin is waiting for him. Sabin goes up in the air and sends Ray to the mat with a double forearm smash to the face. Ray is back to his feet and Sabin hits him with a standing dropkick. Devon is back to his feet. Sabin sends a boot to Devon’s abdomen then goes outside on the ring apron. I DON’T KNOW WHERE RAY IS! Sabin springboards off the top rope and takes Devon back to the mat with a flying clothesline. Sabin covers Devon for the pin but only gets a two count before Devon powers out. Ray is up on the ring apron. Sabin is back on his feet and he charges across to attack Ray with flying fists. Ray goes down on the apron. Devon is back to his feet and again Sabin sends a boot to Devon’s gut and tries to send him across the ring. Devon gets the switch and sends Sabin across to the ring post. Devon charges but Sabin drops down and catches Devon with a drop toe hold, sending Devon face first into the second turnbuckle. Sabin goes up on the top turnbuckle and comes off to send Devon to the mat with a tornado DDT. Sabin goes for the pin and gets a two count before Devon gets a shoulder up. Sabin is back to his feet first. As Devon gets to his feet, Sabin charges across the ring and nails Ray with a fist. Sabin tries to set Devon up but Devon slams Sabin’s back with forearms as Shelley climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Shelley flies of the turnbuckle and sends his boots into Devon’s back. Shelley charges across the ring and hits Devon with a clothesline and Devon goes back against the ropes. Devon comes off the ropes and Shelley catches him allowing Sabin to come off the top turnbuckle planting his boots in Devon’s back. Sabin covers Devon but again only gets a two count before Devon rolls out of the pin. Shelley gets up and drops down on all fours so that Sabin can fly across the ring, hop off Shelley’s back and send Devon to the floor with a flying dropkick. Devon is back to his feet and against the ring post. Sabin sends Shelley across to hit Devon with an elbow. Shelley gets out of the way and Sabin hits Devon with an elbow. Shelly is on the ring apron, Sabin is in the ring. Both of them come up and deliver kicks to Devon’s head. As Tenay tells the fans it is “poetry in motion”. I agree. Sabin sets Devon up on the top turnbuckle and climbs up after him to send Devon crashing to the mat with a hurricanrana. Shelley is on the top turnbuckle and he comes off to hit Devon with a frog splash. Sabin tries for the pin but only gets a two count. Shelley and Sabin send Devon across the ropes but Ray manages to sneak in a legal tag by slapping Devon in the back. As Devon goes across the ring and into the ropes, Ray enters the ring and sends Shelley and Sabin to the mat with clotheslines from behind. Ray sets up Shelley and Devon goes to the top turnbuckle to come off and hit Shelley with a head butt. Devon exits the ring, goes down on the floor and reaches under the ring for a table. As Devon holds up a table, Sabin hits the table with a baseball slide sending the table into Devon and sending the table and Devon to the floor. Sabin goes over Ray to execute a sunset flip but he can’t take Ray down. Ray decides to sit on Sabin but Sabin rolls out of the way and Ray lands on the mat. Shelley is back to his feet and as he hits Ray with a kick to the head, Sabin hits Ray with a leg sweep and Ray is back down on the mat. Sabin covers Ray and the ref counts to two before Devon grabs the ref’s leg and drags him out of the ring. Shelley charges across the ring and dives over the top ropes to take down Devon but Devon moves out of the way and Shelley is down on the floor. The ref checks on Shelley as Sabin sends Ray into the ropes. As Ray comes off the ropes, he nails Sabin in the chest with a boot. Ray grabs his belt off the corner post and sends it across Sabin’s back. Ray has Sabin up on his shoulders as Devon climbs to the top turnbuckle. Devon comes off and hits Sabin with a clothesline. Ray covers Sabin, the ref climbs back into the ring and Ray gets a two count before Sabin gets a shoulder off the mat. The fans explode with enthusiasm. Devon is back on the floor looking under the ring to find another table. Devon has the table in the ring and Ray and Devon set the table up in the corner against the corner post. Shelley is still outside the ring and Sabin is still down on the mat. Ray and Devon pick up Sabin and send him across the ring but Sabin runs up the table and flips back over onto his feet. Devon charges Sabin and Sabin sidesteps Devon sending Devon crashing into the table. As Sabin charges Ray, Ray picks him up, Sabin goes over Ray’s back, comes down on the mat and hits Ray with a boot to the midsection. Shelley is back in the ring and he sends a super kick to Ray’s head. Sabin follows up with a kick on the opposite side of Ray’s head and Ray hits the mat. Sabin goes for the cover and this time he gets the three count and the win for The Motor City Machineguns!

Winners: The Motor City Machineguns, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley

NOTE TO TNA MANAGEMENT: IF WRESTLERS THE SIZE OF RAY AND DEVON ARE GOING TO BE THROWN INTO THE GUARDRAILS, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER GETTING HEAVIER GUARDRAILS.

Summary: Shelly and Sabin should be tired because I am! These two are so fast and they work so hard in each match they are in, it would be impossible not to enjoy the two of them in the ring. As much as I was pulling for the two of them to win, there was such a size difference, I was concerned they might not be able to pull it off. They worked hard in this match and certainly deserve to be considered one of the main TNA tag teams. Team 3D did a good job entertaining us as well. Their brute force was not enough to slow down the speed and agility of Sabin and Shelley. I’m a little ashamed of myself. At one point during the match when Shelley was down and had been beat up by Team 3D for so long I was yelling for Shelley to STAY DOWN! I’m glad he couldn’t hear me. A fantastic match and great work by all four men in the ring. Shelley and Sabin deserve a vacation after what they just went through in this match.

JB is in the back with the Angle family and Kevin Nash. JB says he can’t find out who is in the limo and Kurt yells at him. Nash tells Kurt to take it easy and Kurt gets in Nash’s face before Nash jumps up and gets Nash by the throat. Nash calls Kurt an asshole and the entire world and I agree with Nash. Nash then wanders off.

Is this the best TNA can come up with for a pay per view storyline?

TNA Women’s (Knockout) Championship Match
First Title Defense for the Champion
Roxxi Laveaux of Voodoo Kin Mafia from New Orleans, LA
accompanied to the ring by BG & Kip James of VKM
Vs.
Angel Williams from Ontario, Canada
Vs.
ODB from Minneapolis, MN
accompanied to the ring by her flask (and I’m not kidding!)
Vs.
Gail Kim from Tampa, FL
Current TNA Women’s (Knockout) Champion

Referee: Shane Sewell
I pick Gail Kim in this match but I have to say that ODB has me more than a little worried. She’s tough and she’s solid but I believe Gail’s ability to use the ropes to her advantage may help her out. Roxxi is a tough girl in the ring, but not quite as well rounded in terms of technical wrestling as Gail. I have not seen enough of Williams in the ring to be a good judge of her ability but what I have seen has not impressed me. I may be surprised, but I don’t believe she will be a problem for Gail. In the case of Roxxi, Gail will need to be concerned that BG and Kip James of VKM don’t manage to find their way ringside and become a problem or a danger for her. VKM has been very vocal about Roxxi winning the Women’s Title. Gail may also find a worry in Awesome Kong, who has been fixated on Gail since Gail became Champion.

The Match: The bell rings and I wouldn’t want to be the ref in this match up. All four women face off and then the three challengers converge on Gail Kim. Gail comes out of her corner with an elbow to Williams, an elbow to Roxxi and an elbow to ODB. She hits Roxxi with another elbow and sends a boot to ODB’s midsection. Roxxi nails Gail with a boot to the abdomen and ODB sends Gail to the mat with another boot. Roxxi and ODB pick Gail up and send her across the ring into the ring post. Williams goes after Gail and Gail sends her over the top rope and Williams goes down to the floor. Roxxi comes at Gail but she sidesteps and then takes down ODB with a clothesline. Gail hits Roxxi with a clothesline and Roxxi goes down to the mat. Gail grabs Roxxi by the hair, drags her across the ring, grabs ODB by the hair and then slams their heads together. Williams is on the outside of the ropes standing on the second rope and Gail hits Williams once again sending Williams to the floor. Gail goes back across the ring and nails Roxxi with a boot to the midsection, then slams her with several elbows across the neck and chest. Gail charges across to the other side of the ring and hits ODB with a shoulder block. As Roxxi comes after Gail, Gail sends her into ODB who is against a ring post. Roxxi comes at Gail with a clothesline but Gail ducks out of the way and grabs Roxxi. As ODB comes at them, Gail brings up her boots and kicks ODB back down to the mat. Gail brings Roxxi down to the mat with a face plant. Gail goes for the cover and gets a two count before Kip James reaches in and puts Roxxi’s foot up on the ropes. Unfortunately for Kip, the referee, Shane Sewell, catches Kip in the act and ejects Kip and BG from ringside. Roxxi is suddenly back to her feet and face to face with the ref. Roxxi reaches up and puts her finger on the ref’s forehead and West tells the fans that Roxxi has put a curse on the ref. As the ref looks a little confused and bewildered, ODB comes up behind Roxxi and rolls her up on the mat. The ref doesn’t react and Roxxi kicks out of the roll up. Gail comes at Roxxi and ODB with a double clothesline but they both manage to duck under the move. As Gail turns around, she comes off the floor with a dropkick that sends ODB and Roxxi back down to the mat. Gail comes off the ropes but Williams is outside on the floor and she grabs Gail’s feet slamming her to the mat then pulls Gail outside onto the floor. Gail lands on her feet and gives Williams an elbow to remember her by. Gail tries to send Williams across the floor but Williams gets the switch, Gail goes across the floor, hits the ring post and then hits the floor. Williams climbs back into the ring and is met by a boot the back courtesy of ODB. Roxxi picks Williams up and Roxxi and ODB send Williams across the ring and into the second turnbuckle shoulder first. Williams is down on the mat. As she rolls out onto the ring apron Roxxi reaches down and grabs her by the hair and brings her back into the ring and drops her to the mat. ODB goes on a spanking spree even smacking the ref. Roxxi and ODB are face to face in a challenge position and Roxxi brings up a boot to take down ODB. Roxxi picks up ODB and sends her into the ring post and then sends her across to another ring post. As Roxxi goes after ODB, ODB brings up an elbow and staggers Roxxi. ODB goes up on the top turnbuckle, grabs Roxxi by the hair and slams her head into the turnbuckle several times while the ref counts and tries to get ODB to stop. Williams is back in the ring and she comes across to deliver a boot to Roxxi’s face sending her to the mat. ODB is still on the top turnbuckle and she leaps off to land on Williams and goes for the cover. She gets a two count when out of nowhere Gail comes along with a boot to ODB’s back to break up the count. Gail picks ODB up and delivers a fist. ODB follows up with a fist of her own. Gail comes back with a forearm and brings up a boot which ODB grabs. Gail comes up with her other foot and delivers a boot to the side of ODB’s head. Gail goes up to the top turnbuckle. Roxxi, who is on the floor, comes up on the apron ring after Gail but Gail brings up a boot and kicks Roxxi back to the floor. Roxxi is back to her feet and Gail seems to have a hard time trying to decide which way to go. She decides to go outside the ring and flies off to take Roxxi down to the floor with a cross body block. ODB and Williams are still in the ring and ODB slaps Williams on the chest with an open hand. Williams comes back with several forearms before flipping ODB over on the mat. Williams then flips over ODB’s head and snaps her neck on the way over. Williams comes off the floor and delivers a short drop kick, sending ODB down to the mat. Williams goes for the pin but ODB powers out after the count of two. Williams picks ODB up but ODB delivers a knee to the abdomen doubling Williams over. ODB shoves Williams back against the corner post then slams a fist into Williams’ chest. The ref says something to ODB and ODB tells him to stay out of it – I’d listen to her, ref! – She picks Williams up by the hair and slams her again before the ref steps in. ODB has Williams up against the ropes but Williams manages to get her feet on the ropes and flip over ODB’s back before sending ODB to the mat with a DDT. Williams covers her but ODB throws her off again. Williams goes outside on the ring apron and climbs up on the top turnbuckle. ODB manages to send a fist to the midsection as Roxxi is back in the ring. There is no sign of Gail. ODB climbs up on the second rope but Roxxi gets under ODB and takes Williams and ODB down to the mat. All three women are down in the ring, but Roxxi is back to her feet. Gail comes up on the ring apron and starts up the ropes. As Roxxi turns toward Gail, Gail comes off the top turnbuckle and hits Roxxi with a missile dropkick in the chest. All four women are now down in the ring. Gail and Roxxi get to their feet and Roxxi swings at Gail. Gail blocks it and nails Roxxi with a forearm shot and then follows up with more forearm shots until Roxxi slings Gail into the ropes. Gail comes off the rope with a clothesline and sends Roxxi to the mat. Roxxi is back on her feet but Gail comes off the mat and takes down Roxxi again with a dropkick. Gail tries to send Roxxi into the ropes but Roxxi gets the switch and sends Gail into the ring post. As Roxxi goes after Gail, Gail comes off with an elbow catching Roxxi in the jaw. Gail goes up on the second rope and comes off to send Roxxi to the mat. Gail goes for the pin and gets a two count before ODB charges and knocks Gail across the ring to break up the count. ODB hits Gail with a sidewalk slam and goes for the cover. She gets a two count before Williams comes across the ring with a boot to ODB to break up the count. Williams picks ODB up by the hair but ODB swings around and gets Williams by the hair and sends her out of the ring and onto the floor. Roxxi is back to her feet and stalking ODB. When ODB turns around Roxxi appears to have sprayed something in ODB’s eyes. Gail charges across the ring and takes Roxxi down with a spear. The ref is leaning through the ropes checking on Williams. ODB comes toward Gail and Gail hits her with a boot, then takes her down with a neck breaker. Gail goes for the pin and this time she gets the three count.

Winner: Gail Kim who retains the TNA Women’s Championship.

Summary: You can’t say these women didn’t work hard in this match. I am a Gail Kim fan but Roxxi Laveaux is a force to be reckoned with. Roxxi is a relatively small wrestler but she seems to have a brute strength that is surprising. ODB is not a large woman either but she is built like a solid wall and I look for her to make a major dent in the women’s division. These four women made it a match worth watching and the match made Gail shine as the reigning Champion. If you have been reading up on the Indy news, you will see Gail Kim and Roxxi Laveaux (wrestling on the Indy circuit under the name of Nikki Roxx) tend to stay busy when they aren’t wrestling for TNA. NOTE: I take offense at the term “Knockout” used in the women’s championship. Even if every woman wrestler can be considered a “knockout” that is not what wrestling is about and it should be offensive to the women who work so hard to make the women’s division in TNA. These women don’t stand around with their noses in the air – they go out and work the ring like the men do. They may not be as big as the men but they do work just as hard if not harder to entertain their fans.

After the match, Awesome Kong enters the arena and comes down the ramp to stare down Gail Kim while the ref is checking on the bodies Gail left in her wake.

NOTE: The referee in this match is Shane Sewell who Puerto Rican wrestling fans will recognize as Glamour Boy Shane. Glamour Boy Shane and Ricky Banderas, otherwise known as TNA’s Judas Mesias and AAA’s El Mesias, were a tag team in Puerto Rico several years ago. It is my understanding that Shane now works behind the scenes at TNA. I have not noticed him refereeing matches prior to Genesis.

JB is in the parking lot with Kurt’s Mrs. and they are again trying to find out what is going on with the limo. She opens the door and who should be inside but Cowboy James Storm, Showtime Eric Young and The Pride of Tennessee Miss Jackie Moore. Storm and Eric are going to have a drinking contest. I don’t know for sure, but Jackie may be the judge for the contest. Storm tells the guys that they are guarding the wrong limo. The black limo is not the surprise limo. The black limo is for the World Heavyweight Drinking Champion. I take it the champ at the present time is Storm since he is carrying the Budweiser belt. The limo behind the black one is white.

TNA X Division Championship Match
The Guru Sonjay Dutt from Bombay, India
Vs.
Black Machismo Jay Lethal from Elizabeth, NJ
Current TNA X Division Champion

Referee: Rudy Charles
I didn’t pick either wrestler because I truly am not certain who is going to be the titleholder after this match. Both wrestlers are spectacular in the ring, they have worked together in the ring before and know each other well. They both deserve to hold the title belt.

The Match: The bell rings and the men hug in the center of the ring. They lock up and Sonjay has Lethal in a side headlock. Lethal backs them up into the ropes and he sends Sonjay into the ropes on the opposite side. Sonjay comes off with a nice shoulder block that sends Lethal to the mat. Sonjay comes off the ropes again, goes over the top of Lethal, rolls over Lethal’s back and takes Lethal back down to the mat with an arm drag. They lock up again and again Sonjay takes Lethal down with an arm drag. Both men are back to their feet, Lethal comes toward Sonjay and Sonjay trips Lethal taking him back down to the mat. Sonjay goes over the top to set Lethal up but Lethal backs up and gets to his feet. Lethal comes off the floor with a dropkick but Sonjay sidesteps the move and Lethal lands on his feet. And all that motion in just the first few seconds of the match! Lethal puts out his hand to shake hands but Sonjay hugs Lethal again. The two men lock up again and this time Lethal has Sonjay in a side headlock. Sonjay backs the up into the ropes and sends Lethal across to the opposite ropes. Lethal comes off the ropes and takes down Sonjay. Sonjay is back to his feet, and Lethal slides Sonjay down on his shoulders for a pin. Lethal gets a two count before Sonjay can break free. Lethal tries to take Sonjay down with an arm drag but Sonjay gets the switch and sends Lethal down with his own arm drag. Sonjay flips over the top of Lethal and pins him to the mat. The ref counts to two before Lethal gets a switch and sends Sonjay over onto his shoulders on the mat. Again the ref counts and gets to two before Sonjay rolls out of the cover. Both men back to their feet and again Lethal takes Sonjay down to the mat. The ref counts to two as Sonjay pushes Lethal away. Both men back to their feet and it looked like Lethal was going to swing at Sonjay. Sonjay covers his face and head and Lethal rolls him Sonjay again. Lethal gets a two count. Lethal throws his arms up in the air and again Sonjay thinks Lethal is going to swing and covers up his head. Sonjay realizes he was mistaken and slaps Lethal. The audience boos the slap and Sonjay is instantly sorry that he hit Lethal. Sonjay apologizes to Lethal and the men hug again in the middle of the ring. Sonjay apologizes to the ref. Sonjay goes toward Lethal and Lethal ducks out of Sonjay’s reach coming back to take Sonjay down with an arm drag. Lethal acts like he’s going for the arm drag again and this time Sonjay hits the mat while Lethal stands with his arms up in the air. Again Sonjay slaps Lethal in the face and this time Lethal slaps Sonjay back. Lethal then holds his arms out for a hug and Sonjay shakes his head “no”. Lethal backs up and both men say something to the ref. The two men lock up in the middle of the ring again and Lethal gets Sonjay in a headlock. Sonjay backs them up into the ropes and sends Lethal across to the ropes on the opposite side. Lethal comes off the ropes and runs into Sonjay but Sonjay shoves him back. Sonjay grabs Lethal and sends him through the middle ropes to the floor outside the ring. Lethal lands on his feet but Sonjay goes over the top rope in a dive that takes Lethal down to the floor. Lethal is down on the floor and Sonjay is holding his side like he might have injured himself landing on Lethal. Sonjay picks Lethal up and rolls him back into the ring then follows him in. Sonjay goes for the cover but only gets a one count before Lethal powers out. Sonjay picks Lethal up by the air and delivers a fist to the forehead twice before sending a boot to the midsection. Sonjay stomps Lethal while he is down on the canvas. The ref gets Sonjay to stop and Sonjay walks across the ring away from Lethal and then walks back toward Lethal. Sonjay backs Lethal up against a corner post and throws shoulder blocks into Letha’s abdomen. Sonjay climbs up on the middle rope and proceeds to punch Lethal in the head while the ref counts. Sonjay jumps off the ropes and faces the ref. Sonjay picks Lethal up to send him across the ring into the opposite corner post. Sonjay charges and Lethal and brings up his knees, slamming into Lethal’s midsection before sending Lethal down to the mat. Sonjay goes for the cover and gets a two count. Our smiling Guru has turned into a frowning Sonjay. Sonjay picks Lethal up and uses Lethal’s face to practice his boxing moves, the Sonjay backs up and comes off the ropes but Lethal catches Sonjay with an arm drag and sends him to the canvas. Lethal leaps over the top of Sonjay and delivers a short dropkick to Sonjay’s chest. Lethal goes out to the ring apron and climbs the ropes. As Lethal leaps off, Sonjay comes up with a dropkick and catches Lethal in mid air. Sonjay goes for the cover but Lethal powers out at the count of two. Sonjay sets Lethal up in a body scissors. Lethal manages to get turned around and he sends a few fists to Sonjay’s face and had. Lethal comes off the ropes but Sonjay catches him in a toe hold and sends him down to the mat. Sonjay flips over and lands on Lethal’s back then flips back over and Lethal rolls over and delivers a splash to Lethal before covering him for the count. The ref counts two and Lethal pushes Sonjay off. Sonjay gets up and gets in the ref’s face regarding the count. Lethal is still down on the mat and Sonjay walks over to deliver some well placed boots. Sonjay stands Lethal up and delivers shoulder blocks to the abdomen. Sonjay goes back towards Lethal and delivers a few fists then slings Lethal across the ring into the opposite ring post. As Sonjay charges Lethal, Lethal gets a boot up and stops Sonjay in his tracks. Lethal hops up on the top turnbuckle and comes off with a drop kick that sends Sonjay down to the mat. Both men are down in the ring. The ref starts the count and both men get back on their feet at the same time. This time it’s Lethal who is practicing his boxing moves on Sonjay’s head and face. Sonjay charges Lethal but Lethal ducks under and gets out of the way. Lethal comes off the ropes and takes Sonjay down, then takes Sonjay down again with a clothesline. Sonjay gets back to his feet and again Lethal takes him down with a clothesline. Lethal picks Sonjay up and sends him across the ring to the ring post, Sonjay grabs the top ropes and goes up and over Lethal, Lethal leaps off the second rope and lands on Sonjay, covering him for the pin. Lethal gets a two count before Sonjay can get his shoulders off the mat. Lethal picks Sonjay up and heads toward the ropes going over the top rope and hanging Sonjay up on the top rope. Lethal comes up on the ring apron, springboards off the top rope and takes Sonjay down with a dropkick. Sonjay rolls out of the ring, Lethal comes across the ring, through the ropes, and takes Sonjay down with a suicide dive. They both land near the announcer’s table and both men are down. Lethal is back up and he slaps the announcer’s table for emphasis before picking Sonjay up and rolling him back in the ring. Lethal goes for the cover and gets a two count. Lethal picks Sonjay up and tries to set him up, but Sonjay gets behind Lethal and sends him into the ropes. As Lethal comes off the ropes, Sonjay rolls him up and gets a two count. As Lethal gets out of the roll up, Sonjay tries to set up Lethal for the camel clutch, but Sonjay can’t lock it in. Sonjay delivers a boot to Lethal’s abdomen and tries to flip Lethal but Lethal sends Sonjay flying into the ring post. Lethal pulls Sonjay back but Sonjay manages to roll over and as he comes back to his feet, he is met by a kick from Lethal. Lethal quickly covers but he only gets a two count. Lethal picks up Sonjay but Sonjay shoves him away. Lethal comes back at Sonjay and Sonjay sidesteps and sends Lethal into the ring post. Sonjay comes back at Lethal and Lethal gets a boot up but Sonjay grabs his foot, slings Lethal’s leg through the ropes and then delivers a kick to the side of Lethal’s head. Sonjay climbs up to the top turnbuckle executes a backward moonsault, Lethal rolls out of the way, Sonjay lands on his feet and flips over again, landing on Lethal. The ref counts to two and Lethal gets a shoulder up. Sonjay again runs and hits the shooting star and covers Lethal. Sonjay again gets a two count before Lethal throws Sonjay off. The audience is chanting “that was awesome”. This IS an awesome match. Both wrestlers are looking tired now. Sonjay picks Lethal up and Lethal comes off the mat to send them straight to Sonjay’s skull but Lethal manages to stop the hit. Sonjay grabs Lethal by the neck but Lethal catches Sonjay and face plants Sonjay. Lethal goes for the pin and gets a two count. Lethal is back to his feet first. Lethal hits Sonjay with a forearm and then with an elbow to the top of the head. Sonjay goes down to the mat and rolls over but Lethal catches Sonjay then Sonjay drops Lethal with a DDT. Lethal is back to his feet and Sonjay comes off the ropes to take him down into the camel clutch hold. Lethal is working his way toward the ropes and he manages to grab the ropes and hang on forcing Sonjay to break the hold. Sonjay has Lethal up against the ring post and slaps him several times while he trash talks Lethal before Lethal swings Sonjay around and suddenly he is against the ring post but Lethal throws fists instead of open hands. Sonjay covers up his head and face with his arms before shoving Lethal away from him. Sonjay slips through the ropes and ask Lethal hits the ring post, Sonjay brings his feet up to nail Lethal in the head. Lethal is hanging on the ropes and Sonjay comes up in the air to land on Lethal’s head and neck. As Lethal gets back to his feet, Sonjay leaps off the top rope but Lethal catches Sonjay in mid air and hits the Lethal combination. Lethal then goes up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a flying elbow off the top rope getting the pin and the win.

Winner: Black Machismo Jay Lethal who retains the X Division Title.

After the match, Lethal puts the belt down on the mat and makes friends with Sonjay again. Lethal then invites SoCal Val in the ring to celebrate with him and she does enter the ring right before the celebration is interrupted by none other than the X Division haters, Team 3D, Brothers Ray and Devon. Team 3D takes out Lethal and Sonjay. Ray intimidates Val as Devon steals the money in Sonjay’s tambourine. Ray then steals the X Division championship belt while the ref looks on from outside the ring. Ray tells everyone that Shelley and Sabin cheated and that there was no way they could have beaten Team 3D. Ray says the entire X Division will pay for what Shelley and Sabin did and Team 3D will take the X Division title and hold it hostage.

Summary: We have the Lethal and SoCal Val storyline starting up before and after this match. Every time I see Lethal and Sonjay in a match I can’t decide who I should be cheering for. Both of them are so great in the ring and work so well together it makes it difficult to decide who should actually be the winner. Both of them have the same high risk abilities and the same sleek swift motions every time they work in the ring. They didn’t let the fans down this time. Their wrestling abilities are great and their timing is perfect. They are both X Division champions. We could have skipped Team 3D taking a title belt hostage but we do need to have a storyline. And this certainly beat the Angle family storyline we’ve been having.

Crystal is backstage with Kevin Nash and she asks him about his partnering with Kurt tonight. Kevin says that he is there for one reason only and that is to be the champion. Crystal asks him if he is certain that Scott Hall will not be Sting’s partner tonight and Nash says is absolutely positive that Hall is not Sting’s partner.

Crystal hears noise in one of the rooms and she enters to find Storm, Eric and Jackie. Crystal asks what is going on and Storms tells her unless she is drinking to stay out of it. Storm and Eric take shots and drink beer before Storm and Jackie leave. They tell Eric they will be back in 40 minutes.

TNA World Tag Team Championship Match
The Steiner Brothers from Detroit, MI
The Dog Faced Gremlin Rick Steiner
&
Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner
Vs.
Tomko from Jacksonville, FL
&
The Phenomenal AJ Styles from Gainesville, GA
TNA World Tag Team Champions

Referee: Rudy Charles
I pick AJ and Tomko simply because the two of them may be able to take out the Steiners. Rick and Scott are good in the ring and there is no doubt that they are capable of technical wrestling in the ring, but AJ is a high flying risk taker and Tomko is a powerful force. AJ and Tomko can do great things in the ring. Neither Steiner is known for high risk tactics. They tend to stay grounded on the mat or on the floor. I don’t expect this to be a fast paced match with the exception of AJ.

The Match: AJ appears to be really pumped up for this match. As the match begins, AJ faces off with Scott in the ring. Scott takes AJ down to the mat in what appears to be a very collegiate wrestling move. Scott then messes with AJ while he is down on the mat. AJ rolls under the rope and is partially on the ring apron while Scott leans over the top rope and trash talks AJ. The ref is trying to back Scott up. AJ rolls the rest of the way out of the ring and is standing on the floor. AJ gets back in the ring while Tomko looks a little worried. Scott and AJ lock up again and this time Scott gets AJ in a wrist lock. AJ manages to somersault over and takes a kick at Scott’s head but Scott takes him down to the mat with a big slap to the chest. AJ gets back to his feet and Scott nails him with the slap again sending AJ back down to the mat. Scott sends AJ across the rings and into the ropes and as AJ comes off the ropes, Scott takes him down again this time with a sidewalk slam. Scott then slaps at AJ and tells him to get up. Scott picks AJ up off the floor, leans him into the ropes and hits him in the chest with two big slaps. Scott tries to send AJ into the opposite ropes but AJ gets the switch and sends Scott into Tomko who delivers a blow to Scott’s back. As Scott turns around to face Tomko, Tomko hops off the ring apron and stands on the floor. As Scott turns back around to face AJ, AJ delivers a drop kick that sends Scott down to the mat. Scott rolls out of the ring and Rick climbs into the ring, but the ref stops Rick from getting near AJ. As Scott gets back to his feet, AJ leaps over the top rope and takes Scott down to the floor. AJ stands up and barks at Rick who is still in the ring. As the ref sends Rick over to his side of the ring, AJ rolls Scott back inside the ring. AJ goes for the cover but Scott throws him off. AJ hits Scott with a fist and then sends him into the ring post. As AJ charges Scott, Scott gets a boot up and nails AJ in the face. AJ comes at Scott again and Scott takes AJ down with a belly to belly suplex. Scott goes for the pin and gets a two count before AJ gets a shoulder up. Scott drags AJ over to the other side of the ring and tags in Rick. Rick enters the ring and AJ breaks free of Scott’s grip and crawls across the ring to tag in Tomko. AJ then goes out of the ring and onto the floor. Tomko enters the ring to face Rick. They lock up and end up against the ring post. The ref calls for a clean break and as Rick backs up, Tomko comes out with fists flying. Rick takes Tomko down to the mat and flips him over, working on his back and neck with his fists. The ref calls for a break and Rick stands up sending a boot to Tomko’s ribcage. Rick picks Tomko up on his shoulders and drops him to mat with a death valley driver sending Tomko down on his head. AJ and Rick get into a verbal confrontation as AJ is now back on the ring apron. As Rick walks toward AJ, AJ jumps back to the floor but he is giving Tomko the time he needs to get back to his feet in the ring. AJ is halfway up the entrance ramp but when Rick turns back around, Tomko takes him down with a clothesline. Tomko goes for the pin but only gets a two count. Tomko picks Rick up and sends a fist to Rick’s head.. Tomko gets Rick against the ropes near AJ and continues to pummel him with fists in the face and head. Tomko picks up Rick and body slams him to the mat. Tomko again goes for the cover and gets a two count before Rick gets a shoulder off the mat. Tomko picks Rick back up and shoves him against the ring post as he tags AJ back into the match. AJ enters the ring and continues to work on Rick with fists while Rick is against the ring post. AJ takes Rick out in the center of the ring and Rick tries to send AJ back with jabs to the abdomen but AJ nails Rick in the back of the head with an elbow. AJ picks Rick back up and hits him with a fist and Rick responds with a fist. As Rick goes down to one knee, AJ nails him in the ribs with a boot. AJ picks Rick up again and tries to send him into the ropes but Rick gets the switch sending AJ into the ropes instead. As AJ comes off the ropes, he rolls over Rick’s back and sends Rick over with a sunset flip but Rick has his feet in the ropes and he rolls out of the pin. As Rick comes up on his knees, he takes down AJ with a clothesline. Rick crawls across to his corner and tags in Scott while AJ is trying to get to his own corner. As Scott enters the ring, AJ turns around and gets taken down by a big clothesline. Tomko enters the ring to come to AJ’s aid and is sent to the mat by Scott delivering another big clothesline. Scott picks up AJ and sends him to the mat with a belly to belly suplex and then sends Tomko to the mat with the same move. Scott then goes after Styles again and sends him crashing back down to the mat. Scott goes for the cover, but Tomko is in the ring and he breaks up the pin. As he does so, Rick enters the ring and sends Tomko out to the floor. Rick and Tomko are now outside fighting on the floor. In the ring, Scott sends AJ up into the air to send him back down with a back body drop. Scott sets AJ up on the top turnbuckle as Tomko sends Rick into the guardrail. As Scott climbs up the ropes, Tomko enters the ring and takes down Scott. AJ comes off the top turnbuckle with a frog splash, then goes for the cover. He gets a two count before Scott gets his shoulder up. AJ picks Scott up and slams his head into the turnbuckle as he tags in Tomko. AJ keeps Scott in the corner by throwing a fist as Tomko enters the ring and follows up with boots to Scott’s midsection. AJ is still in the ring, Tomko is choking Scott and the ref is calling for a break. AJ suddenly runs across the ring before he goes back outside the ropes. Rick is still on the floor outside the ring but he is now on his knees leaning on the ring apron. Tomko sends Scott to the mat with a fist to the forehead and then he tags in AJ. Tomko applies another choke hold to keep Scott down while allowing AJ time to get into the ring. AJ walks up to Scott and delivers a fist to the back of Scott’s head, then he does it again and sends Scott back to the mat. AJ stops to show off to the fans. As Rick tries to climb up on the ring apron, AJ spots him and goes over to deliver a boot sending Rick back down to the floor. As AJ turns back around and heads for Scott, Scott sends AJ flying over his head. AJ tags in Tomko as Scott tries to get to his corner for a tag to Rick. Tomko nails Scott across the back with a fist. Tomko picks Scott up and sends him into the ring post. AJ is in the ring and Tomko slings him across the ring at Scott. Scott gets out of the way and AJ meets the top turnbuckle. Tomko and Scott collide and now both men are down in the ring. Rick is climbing back up on the ring apron as the ref starts the count on the two men down in the ring. Scott goes to his corner and tags in Rick. Rick enters the ring and sends AJ to the mat with a fist to the forehead. As AJ gets back to his feet, Rick takes AJ down with a clothesline. Rick then heads over to deliver a fist to Tomko. Rick sends AJ across the ring and into the ropes. As AJ comes off the ropes, Rick picks him up and drops him to the mat. Tomko is back on his feet and as he comes at Rick, Rick picks Tomko up and slam him to the mat. Scott enters the ring and takes down Tomko with a belly to belly suplex. Rick picks up AJ and suplexes him over his head and onto the mat. Scott sends Rick up to the top turnbuckle as Scott picks up AJ on his shoulders. Rick comes off the top rope and hits AJ with a bulldog. Scott goes for the cover but Tomko is still in the ring and he tackles Rick to break up the three count. Scott is back on his feet and he takes Tomko across the ring and sends him over the top rope and into the guardrail. Scott goes out after him and the ref follows the two men around the outside of the ring. Scott bounces Tomko’s head off the ring post and then sends him face first into the announcer’s table. In the ring, AJ hits Rick with a high kick that lands on Rick’s skull sending Rick to the mat. Outside the ring, Tomko has picked up a chair but the ref grabs it away from him and lays it on the ring apron! Scot comes up behind Tomko and nails him in the back with a fist. Scott goes after Tomko and sends a boot to his abdomen. In the ring, AJ sends Rick into the ropes, Rick comes off the ropes and slams AJ to the mat. The ref and Tomko are wrestling on the floor. Rick has AJ covered but the ref is still outside the ring. Scott comes after Tomko and lays him out on the floor but he hits the ref too and now there are three participants on the floor outside of the ring. Scott and Tomko are back to their feet exchanging blows. Scott bounces Tomko’s head off the guardrail and then goes to work on his with boots to the midsection. The ref is still on the floor and AJ has found the chair that was on the ring apron. Rick is halfway out of the ring trying to find the ref and as Rick turns back around, AJ swings the chair but Rick ducks the blow and nails AJ in the back with some hard right fists. AJ hits Rick with a low blow and then slams the steel chair over Rick’s head. Rick is down and Tomko rolls the ref back into the ring. AJ covers Rick and gets the three count.

Winners: AJ Styles and Tomko who retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

Summary: This was not an over the top high flying risk match but the participants did a good job of showing their wrestling and fighting abilities in the ring. I would have like to have seen the Steiners win but AJ and Tomko deserve the title belts. They always work hard in the ring even when they are playing a little on the dirty side. The Steiners and Tomko are mat wrestlers not going for too many high risks moves. AJ got a chance to go for a few high maneuvers but not as many as we are used to seeing with him. It was a brawl/wrestling match but not a bad match.

Tenay is telling us that the white limo in the back must be the one who is keeping Sting’s mystery partner a secret.

Crystal is backstage with Robert Roode and Ms. Brooks. Roode tells Crystal to shut up and tells everyone that tonight Robert Roode will make a name for himself at the expense of Samoa Joe. Ms. Brooks wants to know who the woman with the Robert Roode sign in the audience is and Roode tells Ms. Brooks he thought it was a friend of hers. Roode tells Ms. Brooks to stay out of his way during the match.

Robert Roode from Wall Street in Manhattan, NY
accompanied to the ring by Ms. Brooks
Vs.
The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe from American Samoa

Referee: Shane Sewell
I pick Samoa Joe for this match because he can take out Roode. Joe is faster, more powerful and takes more risks than Roode. Joe can fight just as low down and dirty – if not more so – than Roode. Ms. Brooks should not be a problem for Joe, but Joe might have to take into consideration Roode’s Number One Fan who keeps showing up in the audience and who might decide to try to help Roode out if he is in danger of losing. Roode is powerful, but Joe has more in ring ability. Due to the one bloody brawl that has already taken place between these two, I have to wonder how down and dirty this match might be.

The Match: Roode’s fan is again in the audience and she and Ms. Brooks spend some time glaring at each other before Roode enters the ring. Joe again has his Samoan dancers with him which makes for a great entrance for Joe. Roode goes outside the ring as Joe enters the ring but Joe comes out after him. Joe trips on his way around the ring and goes down but is back on his feet and after Roode. Roode rolls into the ring and Joe goes after him. Roode tries to roll out again but Joe gets Roode by the air and throws him back into the ring. As Roode gets to his feet, Joe lays into him with his fists and then sends him across the ring. As Roode comes back across the ring, Joe sends him up and over in a back body drop to the mat. Joe picks Roode up and sends him back down with a big chop. As Roode gets up, Joe hits him with a heat butt. Roode is back to his feet and this time Joe takes him down with a fist to the forehead. Joe again has Roode on his feet and he sends him back to the mat with an uppercut. As Joe goes back at Roode, Roode manages to send Joe through the ropes and onto the floor outside the ring. Joe lands on his feet and as Roode comes over the top rope to take Joe down, Joe walks out of the way and Roode meets the floor. Ms Brooks is laughing but Roode’s Number One Fan is not laughing. She is shooting daggers at Ms. Brooks. Joe is back in the ring and he comes off the ropes to go through the ropes in a suicide dive to take Roode back to the floor again. Roode goes across to the announcer’s table and the ref is checking on Roode. Again Ms. Brooks and the Fan are staring each other down as Joe picks up Roode and takes him over to send him head first into the rail. Joe then nails Roode with a boot to the gut as the Fan looks on. Joe goes after a chair from the audience and sets it up, puts Roode in the chair, hits Roode with a chop and goes back to the end of the ring before charging at Roode. Roode has enough power left to get out of the way. He grabs Joe’s leg and slams it into the guardrail. Roode then takes the opportunity to work on the leg of Joe outside the ring. Roode rakes Joe across the back before sending a foot to the chest. Roode continues to work on Joe and tries to suplex him on the entrance ramp. Joe blocks the move but Roode continues to work on Joe’s back until he can send him over in a suplex onto the ramp. Joe is down and the ref is checking on him before trying to get Roode back into the ring. Roode now trash talks Joe as he gets to his feet. Roode tries to send Joe into the steel steps but Joe gets the switch and Roode hits the steps instead. Joe backs up and charges, hitting Roode’s head and sending it back into the steel steps again. The ref is now trying to get Joe to get back into the ring. Joe picks up Roode and rolls him back into the ring. Joe delivers boots to Roode’s back and abdomen, then he comes off the ropes and drops his knee on Roode’s chest. Joe picks Roode up and sets him up against a ring post then delivers a chop to the chest. Joe sends Roode across the ring to the opposite ring post before smashing into him and then delivering a boot high to Roode’s head. Roode hits the mat and Ms. Brooks is smiling. Joe goes for the cover but only gets a two count before Roode gets a shoulder off the mat. Joe sets Roode up on the top turnbuckle , hits him with a chop and then the two are exchanging blows before Roode rakes Joe’s eyes. The ref steps in between Roode and Joe and Roode points the ref out of the way as he comes off the turnbuckle and takes Joe down with a neck breaker. Roode goes for the pin and gets only a one count before Joe rolls away. Roode then goes for a blatant choke hold and the ref starts counting. The ref pulls Roode off when he gets to four and Roode yells at the ref telling him that he has till the count of 5 to break the hold before he is disqualified. Roode picks Joe up and hits him with several chops and then he works on Joe with fists before going back to the choke again. Again the ref gets in the middle to break it up and back Roode away from Joe. Roode sends Joe into the opposite ring post and then comes after him to hit him with a solid forearm smash. He sends Joe over to the floor and then comes back to deliver a snap mare to Joe’s neck. The ref gets down to check on Joe and Roode works the fans in the audience. Roode starts slapping Joe’s head, telling him to get up. Joe is back on his feet and Roode slaps Joe across the face but Joe responds with several slaps of his own before breaking loose with fists , sending Roode into the ropes. Joe slings Roode off the opposite ropes and as Roode comes off, he leaps over Joe, hits the opposite ropes and comes back with a dropkick that sends Joe back against a ring post. Roode charges Joe but is met with an elbow. Joe comes out to take a swing at Roode, Roode ducks and catches Joe in a neck breaker. Roode goes for the cover and gets a two count before Joe powers out. Roode is back to his feet first and he gets a grip on the nerve area in Joe’s neck. Joe manages to get to his feet and he sends elbows into Roode’s midsection then follows up with fists to make Roode break the hold. Joe goes back into the ropes and comes across the ring at Roode but is met with a clothesline. Roode shakes his arm like the clothesline might have hurt him as well but he drops down to make the cover and the ref counts to two before Joe gets a shoulder up. Roode gets Joe in a headlock then decides to rake the eyes instead. Ms. Brooks looks concerned but I don’t know if it’s for Joe or for Roode. Roode sets Joe up on the ropes and again chokes him while the ref counts. Ms. Brooks backs away from Joe as the ref backs up Roode in the ring. Roode stops to yell at Ms. Brooks before sending a boot Joe’s direction. Roode delivers a fist to Joe’s forehead but Joe comes back with fists and begins to back Roode up before Roode again rakes Joe’s eyes. Roode then rakes Joe’s back as the ref tries to get Roode to back away from Joe who is leaning into the ropes again. Roode flips Joe over as Ms. Brooks says something to Roode or the ref in the ring. Roode again has Joe in a headlock. Joe manages to get back to his feet, but Roode uses a foot to bend Joe’s knee and get him back down to the mat again. The ref is down checking on Joe and Roode puts on as much pressure as he can. Joe again struggles to his feet and he slams Roode’s midsection with elbows until Roode breaks the hold. Joe comes off the ropes and this time he ducks Roode’s waiting clothesline. Joe hits the ropes on the opposite side of the ring and comes off, but this time Roode catches him in a sleeper hold. Roode’s Fan is getting louder in the audience and the camera pans to show her applauding Roode. Joe is down to one knee and outside the ring we see Ms. Brooks staring down the Fan. Joe makes it across the ring to the ropes and throws himself down, sending Roode into the ropes. Roode lands on the ring apron and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. As Roode comes off the top, Joe catches him and takes him down to the mat. Both men are now down on the canvas and the ref is counting. The ref gets to 7 before both men stagger to their feet. Roode throws a punch but Joe blocks it and delivers a punch of his own. Again Roode tries to throw a punch and Joe blocks it before nailing Roode with a fist. Joe shows the fans his boxing ability using Roode as his sparring partner. Joe sends Roode across the ring into the ropes and as Roode comes off the ropes, he ducks Joe’s clothesline. Roode goes into the opposite ropes and Joe comes off the ropes on the other side of the ring. This time Joe nails Roode with a leg lariat. As Roode gets to his feet, Joe takes him down with a clothesline. Joe picks Roode up and delivers a Samoan drop then goes for the cover. Joe gets a two count before Roode manages to get his shoulder off the mat. The camera pans outside the ring and we see Ms. Brooks down on the floor. Joe picks up Roode but Roode catches him with a boot to the gut, then hits him with a head butt. Roode comes off the ropes but Joe catches him and slams him down to the mat again going for the cover and again only getting a two count. The camera pans outside the ring again and we see another ref and medical personnel checking on Ms. Brooks who is still down on the floor. Joe picks up Roode and slams him to the mat getting Roode’s shoulders down. The ref counts to two and Roode gets a shoulder up. Joe turns Roode over and sits on his back, then Joe drops down and has his arms wrapped around Roode’s forehead. Roode is trying to work his way to the ropes and he makes it. The ref makes Joe break the hold. Ms. Brooks is still on the floor with the medical crew. As Roode gets to his feet, Joe applies the rear naked choke, but Roode sends himself into the ropes. The ref counts to 4 and then pries Joe off of Roode. As the ref tries to remove Joe, Roode hits Joe with a low blow and Joe doubles over. Roode takes Joe down with a DDT and covers him. Joe manages to get his shoulder up and Roode only gets a two count. Roode backs Joe up against a ring post and delivers a slap to the chest. Roode then slaps Joe in the face before sending him across the ring and into the opposite ring post. Roode charges Joe but Joe grabs Roode with one arm and slams him to the mat. Joe picks Roode up and sets him up on the top turnbuckle. Roode fights back and the two exchange blows before Roode manages to kick Joe in the chest. Roode comes down on the ring apron and leaps to the floor still holding Joe’s arm. Joe’s arm bounces off the top rope. Roode comes back into the ring and hits Joe with a northern lariat. Roode goes for the pin and again gets only a two count before Joe gets a shoulder off the mat. Ms. Brooks is still down on the floor at ringside. Roode picks up Joe but Joe shoves Roode’s hands away. Roode hits Joe with a kick to the midsection then delivers a pile driver that drops Joe to the mat. Roode again goes for the cover but gets a two count. Roode now straddles Joe and starts working on his head with hard fists. The ref gets in Roode’s business and makes him stop. Roode is now face to face with the ref. Roode turns back around and picks Joe up off the mat. Roode throws a fist but Joe blocks it and nails Roode with a fist instead. Joe throws hard rights backing Roode up into the ring post. Joe sends Roode across the ring into the opposite corner post and as Joe charges Roode, Roode gets up a boot and nails Joe in the face. Roode tries to set Joe up for the payoff but Joe blocks it. Roode tries again and again Joe blocks the move. Joe backs Roode up and sets him up on the top turnbuckle then Joe leaves the mat and delivers a boot to the side of Roode’s skull. Joe takes Roode down with the muscle buster, goes for the pin and gets the three count. Roode’s Number One Fan looks unhappy with the way the match ended.

Winner: The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe

Summary: I always appreciate Joe in the ring but I had not realized until now how great Roode could be when he worked the ring in a fast, hard and heavy match. Roode kept up with Joe in amazing fashion and worked hard to make the fans jeer. Good match, great wrestlers.

NOTE: Ms. Brooks did faint at ringside. At first, I heard it had nothing to do with the match – it was rumored to have been from Ms. Brooks becoming overheated or due to a strict diet Ms Brooks had been on. I saw a note from a fan that attended the live event and he claimed Robert Roode accidentally hit a cameraman and when the cameraman went backward, Ms. Brooks was hit with the camera. Ms. Brooks was removed from the arena on a stretcher but we are told she was fine later in the evening. If there was a storyline with Robert Roode’s Number One Fan that included Ms. Brooks it will have to be played out at a different time.

I should also note here that Shane Sewell is doing a great job as a ref. He is nearly the same size as the wrestlers and can stand toe to toe with most of them. His movements are quick and nearly exaggerated. He has been a positive addition to the two matches I have seen with him so far.

The camera is back outside showing us the white limo and then we are backstage with JB and the Angle family and the Mrs. is doing her usual screaming and Kurt is keeping up the screaming with her. I hope their children have ear plugs at home. Kurt heads for the back with the Mrs. and JB in tow. Kurt approaches security which has suddenly appeared around the limo – they weren’t there just a second ago and Sting appears to attack Kurt leaving the security force to break the two of them up.

Crystal is backstage with Christian Cage, AJ Styles and Tomko. She asks about the ladder match coming up with Kaz and that Kaz has said he will make a name for himself at Christian’s expense. Christian says he is not worried because Kaz will not beat him. Christian also tells AJ and Tomko to stay away from the ring. AJ laughs after Christian leaves but Tomko says he thinks Christian is serious. AJ says that he, AJ, is the leader and Tomko is to follow his lead.

Fight For The Right Tournament Final
Ladder Match
The Instant Classic Christian Cage from Tampa FL by way of Tornoto, Ontario, Canada
Vs.
Kaz from Anaheim, CA

Referees: Rudy Charles and Earl Hebner
I picked Kaz for this match but it is a ladder match and Christian Cage is one of the best ladder match wrestlers I have seen. Unless Kaz has had experience in the ring with ladders, this match could be all Christian. Christian doesn’t hesitate to go outside the ring or use the ropes to work his way around the ring but Kaz is faster and more comfortable doing the high risk moves. Kaz might have to worry about AJ Styles and Tomko interfering, but they have a tough match that may be before this one. I think we may see Matt Morgan hanging around to keep AJ and Tomko out of the way.

The Match: The Fight For The Right Contract is attached to a clipboard that is hanging above the ring. The wrestler who reaches and grabs the contract first wins the match and gets a shot at the Heavyweight Championship. Christian and Kaz stand in the ring looking up at the clipboard. Christian begins by talking down Kaz. The two men lock up and break apart quickly in the middle of the ring. They lock up again and are against the ropes. Christian shoves Kaz’s face back as he breaks. As the two men near each other this time, Christian sends a boot to Kaz’s abdomen, doubling Kaz over. Christian hits Kaz with a chop and then calls someone a “son of a bitch”. Christian has Kaz against the ropes and he again hits him in the midsection with a boot. Tenay tells us that the ref is stationed outside the ring. Christian hits Kaz with several fists then sends him across to the opposite side of the ring. Kaz comes off the ropes, rolls over Christian’s back and comes up with a boot to Christian’s midsection. Kaz comes off the mat and takes Christian down with a dropkick. Kaz heads out of the ring and grabs a ladder. He folds it up as Christian comes out of the ring. Christian sends a fist to Kaz’s skull and Kaz drops the ladder. Christian keeps pounding Kaz and backing him up away from the ring. Kaz is up on the entrance ramp but Christian grabs Kaz by the neck and walks him to the ring to roll him in. Christian follows Kaz in the ring and stomps him with a boot before picking him back up. Kaz shoves Christian’s hands back and lays into Christian with fists and backs him up toward the opposite side of the ring. Kaz comes off the ropes but is met by Christian’s elbow and Kaz goes down to the mat. Christian puts his boot on Kaz’s face and rakes Kaz’s face and forehead. Christian stops and shows the audience who is in charge then he goes out of the ring and after the folded up ladder. Kaz comes out of the ring after Christian but Christian meets Kaz with a boot to the midsection, then a blow taking Kaz down to the floor. Christian rolls Kaz back on the ring apron and again picks up the ladder and heads toward the ring. Kaz stands up on the ring apron and sends a backward kick into the ladder sending Christian back a few steps. Kaz springboards off the rope and lands on the ladder, sending Christian and the ladder down to the floor. Christian is down face first and Kaz is holding his midsection. Kaz may have injured himself jumping into the metal ladder. Christian rolls back over and it appears Christian is bleeding from his lip and above one eye from the ladder striking him. Kaz is back on his feet. He picks up the ladder as Christian crawls back toward the ring. Kaz sends the ladder into the ring then stops to go after Christian on the floor. Christian greets Kaz with a boot to the abdomen and then sends him head first into the steel steps. Christian again picks up Kaz and sends him head first into the guardrail in front of the fans. Kaz is down on the floor and Christian is under the ring going after another ladder. Christian sets the ladder between the guardrail and the ring apron making it look, as West says, like a bridge. Christian goes back for Kaz, nails him with a fist and sends him in the direction of the ladder but Kaz slides under the ladder. The two men exchange blows over the ladder before Kaz slams Christian’s head into the metal. Kaz lays Christian on the ladder and slams an elbow into him before climbing up on the ring apron. As Kaz leans over Christian, Christian hits Kaz with a low blow sending Kaz back into the ropes. As Kaz is leaning into the ropes, Christian gets between the first and second rope, swings backwards and slams both feet into Kaz’s head, sending Kaz down on the ladder outside of the ring. Christian goes up to the top turnbuckle and frog splashes on top of Kaz. As Christian slides off the ladder onto the floor, Kaz goes off onto the floor with him. Christian’s head still appears to be bleeding and Kaz may be injured from being smashed against the ladder. The replay of Christian landing on Kaz is replayed twice. I saw the ladder bow the first time from the weight of Christian hitting Kaz. The camera pans the audience where one fan is holding a sign that says “Christian Flies Like Peter Pan”. I was thinking more along the lines of Superman, but Peter Pan works. Christian is back to his feet and he slides the ladder into the ring. The audience is chanting “that was awesome”. I was thinking more along the lines of “HOLY CRAP! What was Christian THINKING?” but awesome works. Kaz is struggling to get to his feet as Christian is setting up the ladder in the ring. Christian makes it almost to the to the top of the ladder and is reaching for the contract when Kaz manages to get back into the ring. Kaz sends the ladder with Christian still standing on it over in the ring but Christian lands on his feet and comes across the ring to take Kaz down with a clothesline. Christian goes back to pick up the ladder again but this time he sets the ladder up against a ring post. Kaz is trying to get to his feet and Christian grabs Kaz’s arm, helps him up and sends him toward the ladder. Kaz manages to get the switch and sends Christian face first into the ladder against the ring post. And Christian hit the ladder hard. Kaz is back to his feet, he turns Christian around with the ladder in front of him and sends a fist through the ladder to Christian’s face. Kaz goes back against the opposite ropes and charges at Christian and the ladder, but Christian sends the ladder at Kaz, hitting Kaz straight on and sending him down to the mat as the ladder falls on top of Kaz. Christian was standing, although I don’t know how, but he falls back against the ropes. Christian’s head is still bleeding as the camera comes in close up. Kaz is still down on the mat and Christian picks up the second ladder in the ring and sets it up on the ropes. Christian grabs Kaz and slides him under the ladder, then grabs Kaz’s legs and catapults him face first into the ladder. The ladder then comes off the ropes and lands on Kaz’s head and chest. Christian takes the ladder that he just sent Kaz into and sets it up and starts to climb. Kaz is back to his feet and he staggers over to the ladder. He has Christian by the foot but Christian keeps reaching up for the contract above him. Kaz manages to pull Christian off the ladder but Christian again lands on his feet. Christian pounds on Kaz’s back and neck and then goes back to the ladder. Kaz comes at Christian from behind, hitting him in the back, sending Christian and the ladder forward. Christian and the ladder are now up against the ropes and Kaz is back to a fairly steady stance as he heads toward Christian. As Kaz grabs for Christian, Christian swings and nails Kaz in the abdomen with a forearm and then with an elbow. Christian keeps hitting Kaz, sending him farther back in the ring then he grabs Kaz by the neck and sends him toward the ladder leaning against the ropes. Kaz misses the ladder and goes over the top rope, landing on the ring apron. As Christian comes toward Kaz, Kaz hits the ladder and sends it into Christian’s skull and Christian is down on the canvas. Kaz enters the ring and picks up the ladder. As Christian makes it back to his feet, Kaz swings the ladder around and slams it into Christian’s head again. Christian falls out between the ropes and hits the floor on his feet, staggers back and falls against the guardrail before falling face first to the floor. As the ref checks on Christian, Kaz is back on his feet in the ring. Kaz sets the ladder up and starts to climb up but the ladder isn’t far enough over so he climbs back down to set the ladder closer to where the contract is hanging. Kaz is almost at the top of the ladder but the contract appears to be behind him and just out of reach. Christian is suddenly back in the ring and he sends a fist to Kaz’s midsection. Kaz is still on the ladder and is reaching again for the contract but Christian has another ladder and nails Kaz with it. Kaz is still hanging onto the ladder and Christian has set up the second ladder next to Kaz. Christian climbs up the second ladder and as Christian reaches for the contract, Kaz nails Christian in the face in order to get him off the ladder. Christian hangs on and I’m starting to bite my nails again! Kaz continues to pummel Christian and both men are at the top of the ladder. I don’t think I can watch this…Kaz is actually standing on both ladders and he appears to be planning to take Christian down. Christian is sending elbows to fight back. Kaz backs down and is on his ladder as Christian climbs over to the same side. Christian grabs Kaz and both men comes down to the mat as Christian executes an inverted DDT from the ladder. Both men have blood on them but it appears to be only Christian who is still bleeding. The replay of the DDT was worse than the first time because the sounds of the bodies hitting the mat sounded even louder on the replay. Christian is back to his feet first but not in a good way as he falls into one of the ladders and is leaning against the ladder and the ropes to stay on his feet. Christian has a grip on one of the ladders but he is still staggering and Kaz is still down on the mat. Christian has set the ladder up against a corner post again and Kaz appears to be trying to get to his feet. Christian checks to make sure the ladder is secure in it’s spot before going after Kaz. Christian grabs the second ladder in the ring and drops it down on it’s side. Kaz is on his feet but staggering as Christian reaches for him. Christian tries to pick Kaz up but Kaz breaks free, goes down on his back, puts up his knees and send Christian over his head and onto the waiting ladder back first. Kaz runs across the ring, comes back, springboards off the ropes and lands on Christian who is still on the ladder. Kaz comes up holding his left leg but he is back on his feet and reaching for the second ladder in the ring. Christian is still down on the mat as Kaz tries to set up the ladder. Christian is lying in the middle of the ring and Kaz drops the ladder down on Christian. Kaz goes back to the other ladder and sets it up outside of the ropes. Christian’s head and chest are laying across the ladder that is down on the mat at Kaz climbs up the ladder situated in the ropes. Kaz goes up the ladder, steps around on the ropes to the opposite side of the ladder, climbs to the top and realizes the contract is completely out of his reach. Kaz leaves the ladder and attempts to drop on Christian but Kaz has waited too long and Christian rolls out of the way. Kaz’s leg meets metal and Kaz is down on the mat, holding his left leg. The sound of Kaz’s leg hitting the ladder was worse than the two bodies hitting the mat. Christian is finally back to his feet with ladder in hand. Kaz is lying near a ring post and Christian uses the ladder as a battering ram slamming it into Kaz, hitting Kaz’s back. Christian sets the ladder up again and is climbing to the top while Kaz is still down near the ring post. Kaz is back on his feet and climbs up after Christian, but Christian uses a boot to shove Kaz off the ladder. Christian has his hand on the contract and Kaz is now outside on the ring apron. Kaz springboards off the top rope and kicks the ladder with Christian over. Christian flies off the ladder and hits the mat. The contract has come off the clipboard but the winner of the match must remove the clipboard that is hanging above the ring. Christian is back on his feet and he staggers over to a ring post then comes back toward the ladder lying in the ring. As Christian turns he falls to the mat. Kaz is still down. Christian makes it to the ladder but Kaz has one side of the ladder and the two men struggle with the ladder between them. They manage to set the ladder up with Christian on one side and Kaz on the other. The camera pans the entrance ramp as AJ and Tomko enter the arena and walk toward the ring. Christian takes a shot at Kaz and starts to climb up one side of the ladder but AJ is now standing on the ring apron. Christian stops to wave AJ off of the ring apron and out of the arena. Tomko grabs AJ off the ring apron and the two of them begin to argue. Christian has made it to the top of the ladder and has his hand on the clipboard but Kaz comes up the other side and sends a shot to Christian’s midsection. As Christian doubles over, Kaz sends a fist to Christian’s face and comes farther up the ladder. Kaz is reaching for the clipboard but Christian hits Kaz with a fist. The ladder starts to wobble and suddenly goes over, but Kaz gets his boot on the top rope and stops himself from going over to the floor. Christian isn’t so lucky and he goes over the top rope landing on top of AJ and Tomko. All three of them go to the floor. Kaz uses his boot to push the ladder back to a standing position and grabs the clipboard. He manages to steady the ladder and grabs the clipboard. Kaz leaps off the ladder and onto the mat with the clipboard in his hand. Christian is still down on the floor, Tomko and AJ are arguing over Christian and Kaz is standing on the ropes with the contract in his hand. I can’t believe Kaz can walk after all of the leg hits he took. I was terrified he was going to fall with the ladder when he was getting the clipboard off the hook.

Winner: Kaz who will get a WWE World Heavyweight Champion title shot!

Summary: Ya’ll are going to have to pardon my language – this match was KICK ASS! I was on my feet several times during this match and that wasn’t easy to do with a laptop in the way. I like both Christian and Kaz in the ring but I was worried Kaz might have trouble dealing with someone as ladder friendly as Christian. I was wrong about that. Kaz did a marvelous job in the ring against Christian. There were several times during this match I thought someone was going end up in the emergency room but both of them kept getting up and not once did they allow the action to slow down. Kaz was frog splashed on a ladder then landed with his leg on a ladder and both times he kept up the pace. Christian was right in there with him even after he was cut and bleeding.

My pick the best Genesis Match? The Instant Classic Christian Cage versus Kaz!

NOTE: We all love to hate Christian Cage and I think he gleefully enjoys the jeers but you have got to say one thing about him – he takes showmanship to a whole new level. I’m sure most readers have heard the phrase “putting someone over”. No matter how great Kaz was in this match, if he had been stuck with an opponent that wasn’t keen on making him look good, the match would not have been nearly as great as it was. So, say what you will about Christian. Keep in mind that that a ladder match is Christian’s match. I have always respected Christian’s wrestling talent but I have a greater respect for him after this match. He not only did his job, he went over and above his job to make the fans hate him more and fall in love with Kaz. I can’t think of anyone on the TNA roster that could have done a better job putting Kaz over than Christian Cage.

JB is backstage with Crystal. Crystal is telling JB about the drinking contest Storm and Eric have been having all day long. Miss Jackie has an excellent place to stash the flask. JB says he needs a drink and Eric and Storm appear to have been drinking and then some. The are now drinking out of a some kind of funnel. Storm is getting frustrated because Eric doesn’t appear to be ready to fall over and lose the contest. They have been drinking beer through the funnel but Storm decides to fill it with whisky this time. Storm drinks up and has trouble standing up. Storm says first man out the door wins. Eric and Storm stand up together and Storm hits the floor. He did say “door”, didn’t he? It appears Showtime Eric Young is the new Heavyweight Drinking Champion! Eric picks up the belt and walks off with the belt and a six-pack of beer. JB wanders off with the flask.

World Heavyweight Drinking Championship
Cowboy James Storm
World Heavyweight Drinking Champion
Vs.
Showtime Eric Young

Referee: The Pride of Tennessee Miss Jackie Moore
Winner: Showtime Eric Young as declared by Showtime Eric Young.
Summary: This was a hard fought contest. Storm came into the competition overly confident. Who would have known that Eric would have it in him to out drink the Champion of Champions? Stay tuned…there should be a rematch announced in the near future!

TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Tag Team Match
Only One Winner
The Silver Fox from Detroit, MI
&
Kurt Angle from Pittsburgh, PA
Vs.
Sting from Venice Beach, CA
&
Booker T
Referee: Rudy Charles
I pick Sting in this match up. There has been a lot of gossip about what who Sting’s partner is going to be tonight but the majority seems to believe it will be Booker T. No matter who walks into the TNA ring tonight as Sting’s partner, I do not believe a first run in the ring – and we have been told that the mystery partner has never set foot in a TNA ring – should not constitute holding the Heavyweight Title. I am a Kevin Nash fan but I have not seen Kevin in the ring for a long time and have no idea how he is working in the ring these days. I don’t believe Kurt Angle can beat Sting in a one on one fight without outside interference but Sting will have to watch his back because we know Nash can be sneaky and underhanded and since we don’t know who Sting’s partner is going to be, we have to conclude Sting will have to worry about all three men in the ring.

The Match: As the bell rings it is Sting facing off with Kurt in the middle of the ring. Correction, Sting is in the middle of the ring. Kurt doesn’t seem to eager to be in this match. Sting and Kurt lock up and Sting takes Kurt into the ring post. The ref calls for a clean break and Sting obliges. The two lock up again and Kurt has Sting in a side headlock. Kurt takes Sting down to the mat but Sting is back on his feet. Sting backs Kurt up against the ropes and sends him across the mat to the opposite side of the ring. Kurt comes off the ropes and because the camera is on Nash I can’t see but I believe Kurt took Sting down with a clothesline. Kurt comes off the ropes, leaps over Sting, comes off the opposite ropes and Sting takes Kurt down with him toss. As Kurt gets back to his feet, Sting takes Kurt down to the mat again this time with an arm drag. Again is on his feet and again Sting takes him down with an arm drag. Sting comes across the ring and again arm drags Kurt to the mat. Kurt is having a problem staying away from the ropes so Sting goes up on the ropes and proceeds to punch on Kurt. As Angle goes down to the mat, Sting continues the beat down with this boot to Kurt’s abdomen and chest. As Sting reaches down to pick Kurt up, Kurt goes between Sting’s legs and heads for Nash. Kurt rolls out of the ring and hangs on to Nash’s legs. Kurt claims he tagged in Nash and the ref tells Nash to get into the ring. I didn’t see a tag but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. Nash steps over the top rope and enters the ring. Nash looks like he’s been keeping himself in shape during the time he was out of action in the ring. Nash and Sting lock up and Nash walks Sting back into the ring post. The ref calls for a clean break but Nash can’t resist nailing Sting in the midsection with his knee. Nash continues to bring his knee up into Sting’s abdomen while the ref counts. Nash stops with the knee, but then brings up an elbow to slam Sting in the chest. Nash delivers an other elbow and then backs up slightly and acts like he’s lining up Sting in his sights but Sting takes the pause in Nash’s attack to deliver a boot to Nash’s left knee. Sting then cuts loose with boots to Nash’s abdomen, backing Nash up toward the center of the ring. Sting hits Nash with a fist, but Nash comes back with his own fist, staggering Sting. Nash hits Sting with an elbow to the back of the head and Sting is in the wrong part of the ring. Nash picks Sting up and sends a right to Sting’s forehead then Nash tags in Kurt. Nash slams Sting’s head into the top turnbuckle and holds Sting so Kurt can get in a shot. Kurt hits Sting with an uppercut then tries to send Sting across the ring but Sting gets the switch and Sting propels Kurt across to the opposite ropes. Kurt comes off the ropes and Sting greets Kurt with an elbow, sending Kurt to the mat. Sting backs up and tags in Booker who charges through the ropes at Kurt sending Kurt scurrying and again out of the ropes and onto the floor. Booker stays in the ring as Kurt cowers on the floor. Nash is down on the floor and Booker holds the ropes open inviting Kurt back into the ring. Kurt climbs back into the ring and Booker waltzes around the ring waiting for Kurt. Kurt backs up against a corner post and Booker slaps at him, not touching him, until the ref backs Booker up. Booker and Kurt finally lock up in the middle of the ring and Booker has Kurt in a hammerlock. Kurt switches the hammerlock and has Booker’s arm in the same hold. Booker swings an elbow back striking Kurt in the jaw, making him release his hold. Booker delivers a chop to Kurt’s chest , then an elbow to his jaw, then repeats chop and elbow. Booker delivers one more chop and sends Kurt across the ring. Kurt gets the switch and he sends Booker into the opposite ropes, but Booker comes off and nails Kurt, sending him to the canvas. Booker goes for the cover and gets a two count before Kurt can get his shoulder off the mat. Booker picks Kurt up and body slams him to the mat, then tells Kurt to get up. Booker uses his boot to stomp on Kurt’s head. Booker again picks Kurt up and delivers a sidewalk slam. Booker goes for the cover and again gets a two count before Kurt gets a shoulder up. As Booker tries to pick up Kurt one more time, Kurt delivers a boot to Booker’s midsection, then sends Booker across the ring to where Nash is standing. Nash knees Booker in the back sending him back out to Kurt in the ring. Kurt takes Booker down with a clothesline and both men are down on the mat. Kurt tags in Nash and Nash enters the ring. Nash delivers an elbow to the back of Booker’s head, then a fist to Booker’s temple. Nash sends Booker across the ring to the opposite ropes, Booker comes off the ropes, ducks Nash’s clothesline, goes across to the opposite side of the ring, comes off the ropes and Nash catches Booker in a sidewalk slam taking him down to the mat. Nash tries for a pin and gets a two count before Booker powers out. Nash picks Booker up and tags in Kurt who delivers a kick to Booker’s abdomen while Nash is still holding him. Kurt hits Booker with an elbow to the back and takes Booker down with a suplex. Kurt goes for the cover and gets a two count. Kurt applies a headlock and keeps Booker on the mat. Booker works his way back to his feet and he hits Kurt with elbows and then fists to the midsection before Kurt hits Booker in the back with a fist. Kurt comes off the ropes and meets Booker’s leg via the leg lariat Booker throws at him. Both men are down and Booker makes it to Sting to get the tag. Kurt rolls to Nash and gets a tag before Sting can get to Kurt. Sting comes across the ring and nails Nash before he can get over the top ropes and he lays into Nash with elbows and knees, then a fist before turning and hitting Kurt who is still in the ring. Sting sends a right to Nash’s jaw sending him down to the mat. Kurt is up against the ring post and Sting delivers a stinger splash to Kurt before going across the ring and doing the same to Nash. Sting comes back across the ring and sends Kurt to the mat with a clothesline and then catches Nash with a clothesline. Sting sets Nash up for the scorpion but Kurt is back to his feet and sends a fist to Sting’s back breaking the hold. Kurt delivers a suplex to Sting before releasing his hold and bailing out of the ring. Sting is down and Nash is getting back to his feet. Nash picks up Sting and delivers a sidewalk slam , goes for the cover but he only gets a two count. And to break up the match Kurt’s Mrs. has now showed up and she appears to be talking to Nash. Nash tags in Kurt who picks up Sting and brings him down in a backbreaker before going for the cover. He gets a two count and Nash is back in the ring breaking it up. Kurt has Sting back to his feet but Sting delivers a series of blows to Kurt, then backs Kurt up against the ring post and sends him across the ring to the opposite ring post and goes for the stinger splash but Kurt gets out of the way and Sting hits the turnbuckle. Kurt grabs Sting and suplexes him to the mat, goes for the cover and gets a two count before Booker enters the ring to deliver a boot to Kurt’s back breaking the pin. The ref sends Booker back to his own side of the ring. I wonder why the ref didn’t send Kurt out of the ring when he was illegally in the ring with Nash and Sting before? And now I have to mute the sound because we have Screaming Mimi (or was that screaming Karen) at ringside. She should track down and beat up the person picking out her wardrobe. You would think her clothes would be better – they just keep getting worse. . Kurt has Sting down on the mat in a headlock. Sting makes his way back to his feet and manages to send elbows to Kurt’s abdomen. Kurt comes back with uppercuts to Sting’s jaw and tries to set Sting up for an Olympic slam, but Sting gets turned and brings down Kurt with a DDT. Both men are down in the ring and somebody shut Kurt’s Mrs. up. I can’t hear the announcers over her mouth. Sting makes it to his side of the ring to tag in Booker and Booker takes a now on his feet Kurt down with a clothesline, before turning to Nash and delivering a fist to the face. Booker grabs Nash by his hair keeping him on the ring apron and continues to pound on him. Kurt comes at Booker in the ring and Booker sends him back down with a clothesline. Booker sends Kurt across to the ring post but Kurt gets a boot up and sends it into Booker’s face. As Kurt comes at Booker, Booker picks up Kurt and powers him down to the mat. Booker initially appeared to go for the pin and then changed his mind. Booker picks Kurt up and Kurt tries to get Booker up for the Olympic slam but Booker shoves Kurt away. Kurt comes back at Booker and Booker delivers a spine buster to Kurt. And now Booker is going for the spinarooni. As Kurt gets to his feet, Booker delivers a boot to Kurt’s midsection then comes off the ropes and drops Kurt to the mat with a leg to the back of the neck. Booker goes for the pin but Nash enters the ring and comes down with an elbow on Booker’s back breaking the count. Nash rolls back toward his side of the ring and the ref is down in front of Nash telling him to get out of the ring. DID ANYBODY NOTICE THE REF NEVER TELLS KURT TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THE RING WHEN HE IS IN THE MATCH ILLEGALLY? Kurt is still down but Booker has made it back to his feet. Nash is back to his feet and back in the ring distracting the ref. Nash goes back across the ring to Booker and tries to take a swing at Booker but Booker ducks and comes back with a high leg to take Nash down to the mat. Booker goes for the cover and gets a two count before Kurt nails Booker in the back breaking the count. Booker is back to his feet and going after Kurt. Kurt delivers a knee to Booker’s abdomen and Nash is now on his feet. Kurt exits the ring and Nash sets up Booker for a jackknife. Nash delivers and Booker is down on the mat. Sting enters the ring – why not everyone else does it – and goes after Nash. At the same time Screaming Mimi is up on the ring apron and the ref is busy with her. Sting has delivered the scorpion death drop and covers Nash but, of course, there is no ref. Booker and Kurt are out of the ring on the floor as AJ Styles appears on the top rope. Sting grabs AJ and sends him across the ring and onto the floor but Tomko comes in behind Sting and lays him out on the mat. Sting and Nash are down in the ring. Tomko and AJ are exiting the ring and Screaming Mimi is getting down off the apron. At the top of the entrance ramp Sharmell enters the arena and comes down the ramp. You go, girl, take out the bimbo for the good of all of our ears, would you please? Sharmell turns Kurt’s Mrs. around and – wait, Sharmell! Maybe you could give Kurt’s Mrs. the name of your wardrobe person – and now the ref is out on the floor between these two. I thought the referees were hired to ref the matches which are IN THE RING! Kurt’s Mrs. shoves Sharmell and Sharmell comes back at Kurt’s Mrs. I hate to break it to Kurt’s woman, but Sharmell could kick her backside with one arm tied behind her back. Sharmell has Kurt’s Mrs. by the hair but I don’t think she’s pulling hard enough. Nash has Sting back up in the ring and he’s setting Sting up for another jackknife. Kurt is now back in the ring and AJ has handed Kurt the title belt. I have no idea where Booker T has gone. Kurt hits Nash in the head with the belt then delivers a boot to Sting, picks him up and delivers an Olympic slam but the ref is still outside with the “other match” going on outside the ring. Kurt comes out and grabs the ref by the shirt to drag him back in the ring. Kurt again makes the cover and gets the three count.

Winner: Kurt Angle --who retains the World Championship -- with help from AJ Styles, Tomko and Screaming Mimi.

We see Christian Cage at the top of the entrance ramp watching what is going on between Kurt, AJ and Tomko. Christian does not look happy.

Summary: Mystery partner for Sting or not, I could not get hyped up about this match. It is good to see Booker T and so are the fans, but I am really sick of the Angle family saga that TNA has been pushing for eternity. Angle constantly has the championship belt and never wins it on his own. And once again, TNA has proved that Kurt can’t beat anyone in the locker room without not just a little, but a lot of help. Kurt is so busy putting over Kurt no one else seems to have a chance. Thank You to Sting and Kevin Nash for not bringing screaming spouses to ringside. And thank you to Sharmell for wearing clothes that look good on her and for not standing around screeching like a brainless banshee.

The best match of the night this evening was Christian Cage and Kaz. These two men deserve a major push with TNA. They were spectacular from start to finish. It would have been worth the pay per view to see this match alone.

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