Oracle of Delphi
Bruce BostwickTNA Victory Road Pay-Per-View Results & Highlights July 13, 2008
July 15th 2008 11:37
TNA Victory Road Pay-Per-View Results & Highlights July 13, 2008
From the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas
The first match was a World X Cup 12-Man Elimination Match
Team TNA – Chris Sabin / Alex Shelley / Curry Man
Team Japan – Milano Collection A. T. / Masato Yoshino / Puma
Team Mexico – Ultimo Guerrero / Rey Bucanero / Averno
Team International – Alex Koslov / Doug Williams / Tyson Dukes
This was a fast-paced dun match, as expected. It did have its bad moments though. There were a couple times when say a Team Mexico wrestlers timing was off a bit from Doug Williams from England, who had probably never seen one another before this tournament. In this match wrestlers were eliminated one by one, via pinfall or submission. The winner’s team would receive 3 points, runner-up’s team 2, and the second runner-up’s team 1 point.
Order of Elimination:
Tyson Dukes
Puma
Milano Collection A.T.
Averno
Curry Man
Doug Williams
Ultimo Guerrero
Rey Bucanero
Chris Sabin
The final three competitors were now Masato Yoshino, Alex Koslov, and Alex Shelley. My pick for the final three was entirely wrong, but at least I got the final member of Team Japan picked correctly. Koslov hit Shelley in the back of the head, sending him to the floor. Yoshino then whipped Koslov into the ropes, but the Russian ducked a clothesline and then did a somersault over the top rope and down onto Shelley. Yoshino came off the top rope, but Koslov jumped up to meet him halfway and nailed him with a kick to the back of the head. Yoshino wrapped Koslov into an interesting submission hold, I want to say he tapped, as Mike Tenay had said, but his hands and head were so wrapped up there was no way for him to literally tap out. Either way, he submitted. Team International earns 1 point. Yoshino took over with his speed at this point, which lead to a two-count. Shelley turned it around quickly with a superkick that landed right under Yoshino’s chin. Shelley then hit the Sliced Bread move and went for the pin, but Yoshino kicked out at two. Yoshino got another near fall, then Shelley hit a tiger suplex that folded yoshino in half, into a bridge and pin, but he kicked out again. Shelley put him up in the top turnbuckle, then hit another superkick. As he went up after him though, Yoshino fought out and hit what Tenay called a “necktie” which sent Shelley down to the mat for another two-count. Now Yoshino brought Shelley to the top rope and Shelley fought out, hitting an inverted atomic drop from the top rope. He followed it with a Celtic Cross into a pin. This time he got the three count.
Winner: Team TNA’s Alex Shelley - 3 Points for his team.
Yoshino scored 2 points for Team Japan.
World X Cup Standings with just the Ultimate X Match left to go:
Team TNA – 6 points
Team Japan – 4 points
Team International – 3 points
Team Mexico – 3 points
Next up they reviewed the list of matches scheduled for the rest of the night.
Following the review was part one of Booker T’s homecoming. He started off by showing up around his house. Including a display of some of his “most-prized possessions” which were laying on a table. There was his championships of wrestling companies past, his trophy for TNA’s Most Memorable Moment, and the key to the city (Houston). Next we said hello to Sharmelle, then onto all of his awards hanging on the wall. We passed through the kitchen on our way out to see his half a dozen or so cars, and his traveling RV.
Angelina Love accompanied by Velvet Sky vs. Gail Kim
While Gail was playing to the crowd during her ring entrance Love jumped her from behind, Gail Kim fought right back though and was first to take control of the match. It was short-lived though as she was sent to the ring apron where Velvet grabbed her foot and sent her crashing face first into the mat. She then rolled Gail back into the ring where Angelina tried for a pin a couple of times, followed by choking her a bit. They fought back and forth quite a bit. Love threw a tantrum at one point after Kim kicked out three times in a row. Gail would then drag her to the corner ring post and attempt to put on the Figure Four Leglock with Love’s legs wrapped around the post, and Kim standing on the floor. Velvet Sky would jump her from behind again, but Gail would fight her off and head to the top rope, but Velvet shook the top rope sending Gail to a sitting position on the top rope. This gave Love a chance to climb up and hit her with a Superplex, followed by another near fall. Kim hit a couple of clotheslines, and a dropkick, but as she scooped her up for a bodyslam Love threw her off balance and got behind her. She rolled her up for a pin, but Kim kicked out at 2 again. Gail then charged her and hit a spear, she was then distracted by Velvet on the ring apron. When she trned back around Love was there waiting, Kim blocked the move. This all led to Kim hitting a neckbreaker and the three count.
Winner: Gail Kim
As Gail celebrated Velvet hit her from behind again. They began beating her down, trying to set her up for the Brown Paper Bag Treatment, but after they whipped her into the ropes Gail came back and ducked under their clothesline and rolled out of the ring.
To the back with Lauren and BG James with the twelve fans that will participate in the fan’s revenge match. BG was getting them fired up for the match by whipping a mannequin dressed like James Storm.
Grudge Match
Jay Lethal accompanied by So. Cal Val vs. Sonjay Dutt
Sonjay brought out a single rose and a card for Val, and gave it to her before the match. After Lethal knocked him to the floor he went over and ripped up the card. As I expected about halfway through the match Val’s concern seemed to switch from Lethal to Dutt. He was asking her to help him, and she actually started walking up the ring steps toward the ring which got Lethal’s attention. He turned to talk to her, and as he turned back around Dutt was there to hit a clothesline. Dutt crawled over and told Val that he loved her. Lethal grabbed him and hit the Lethal Combination. At this point Val came back up the steps and Lethal turned to talk to her again, Dutt came up behind him and rolled him up for the three count. As Sonjay left the ring he kissed Val on the hand, Lethal just looked stunned.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
To the back with JB and Beer Money, Inc.. After their endless ramblings they went to head out to the ring, but Jackie said she wasn’t going down there with them because of the fans with the belts.
Fan’s Revenge Match for the TNA Tag Team Titles
Beer Money – Robert Roode & James Storm vs. LAX – Homicide & Hernandez accompanied by Hector Guerrero & Salinas
Down came the twelve fans all carrying their belts, and coincidentally all wearing LAX shirts and high-fiving LAX as they came out. Roode was the first one to be thrown to the floor where four of the guys started whipping him right away. Roode would roll back into the ring and crawl over to James Storm where he grabbed a hold of his legs and hugged them. James Storm then tossed Homicide out to the floor where the fans welcomed him. Homicide walked over and got a drink from Storm’s beer, as well as sharing it with one of the fans. Storm instinctfully went out after him, but was immediately whipped as he ran around the ring. Storm would end up in the ring hugging Roode’s legs this time. Homicide would try to send Storm over the top rope to the floor again, but Storm held onto the top rope and pulled himself back into the ring. As he turned to Homicide in the ring Hector grabbed his feet and dragged him out to the floor. This time Storm made his lap around the ring in the other direction. Homicide was sent to the floor by Roode this time, as he stood there Roode came at him with a baseball slide, but Homicide pulled out the ring skirting and got Roode caught in between it and the ring, just like Finlay always does. This allowed the fans to have a few good shots at him before Roode could duck down and under the ring. He came out the other side of the ring and took another shot or two before getting back in the ring. Homicide hit the Three Amigos to a chant of “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie”. Amazing how someone not at all related to you can get cheers for using the move, but yet Eddie’s cousin Chavo gets booed when he uses it. Roode finally got things turned around with a sudden Spinebuster. At this point Beer Money used some quick tags and double teams to dominate the match. Homicide turned it around with a T-Bone Suplex which allowed him to get the tag to Hernandez. Hernandez, who by the way is from Houston, took over. He hit both members of Beer Money with move after move, until he was knocked back into the corner and to the mat after a flying forearm from Storm. Hernandez pulled him self up onto the top rope from a sitting position. Roode and Storm climbed up to the top rope going for what looked like might be a double DDT, but Hernandez fought them both off and sent them down to the mat. He then leaped off with a big splash onto Roode, Storm would break up the count at two. Storm then went after Homicide on the top rope, but instead Homicide hit a Tornado DDT. He then went after Roode who shoved him off into the ropes, but as Roode charged in he pulled the top rope down sending Roode to the floor where he was whipped by a handful of the fans, he got back in the ring quickly. Homicide then climbed to the top rope while Hernandez picked up Roode onto his shoulders. Homicide came off the top rope and hit a Diamond Cutter, followed by a Hernandez pin.
Winners and still TNA Tag Team Champions: LAX
Onto part 2 of the Booker T homecoming. We are now headed to The Booker T Pro Wrestling Alliance, which by the way was a big reason behind his departure from the WWE. Suddenly Vince didn’t want the PWA promoted, and didn’t want his talent going to Houston for shows with the PWA students and talent. They showed clips of high praise from his students.
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Champion: Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong accompanied by Raisha Saeed
This match seemed very similar to their other matches from the start. Kong dominated early, Taylor got out of the Awesome Bomb and mounted an offense. This time however, Kong shutdown the offense of Wilde with a clothesline and then climbed the ropes. While she was sitting on the top rope Wilde climbed up alongside her and connected with a few elbows to the head. She then hooked Kong’s arm and leaped off, hitting Kong with an arm drag from the top rope. She got a two-count out of it. Kong got up and connected with the punches, setting up for the spinning back fist. As she spun Taylor caught her from behind and rolled her into a pin again, only this time Kong kicked out at two. Kong grabbed Wilde and set her up for the Implant Buster, but she countered, Kong then countered that by trying to go for a chokeslam. Wilde countered that and rolled Kong up for the three count.
Winner and still TNA Knockouts Champion: Taylor Wilde
As Wilde walked up the ramp celebrating Saeed attacked her from behind and dragged her back down and threw her in the ring. Saeed and Kong started beating on her. Kong hit the Implant Buster this time, and then went for the Awesome Bomb. Saeed stalled her while she went out to get a steel chair. As Saeed got back in the ring with the chair Abyss’s music came on. He came down to save Wilde this time. While Kong was standing toe to toe with Abyss, Saeed got in between them and got Kong to get out of the ring. Then Saeed turned back around to Abyss and got in his face. She then slapped him across the face. Abyss turned back around and hit Saeed with the Black Hole Slam. He then carried Taylor Wilde back up the ramp.
Now for part 3 of Booker T’s Homecoming. We start off in one of Booker T’s businesses, a restaurant named Sharmelle’s. We see a clip of him telling the manager to make the portions smaller, and to water down all of the booze. He then goes through a list of other businesses he owns, and talks about what the TNA Title would mean to his franchise. Then Sharmelle points out how they didn’t put the apples in her salad. He walks off to yell at someone as the clip ends.
World X Cup Final Round – Ultimate X Match
Team TNA Kaz vs. Team Mexico Volador, Jr. vs. Team Japan Naruki Doi vs. Team International Daivari
The winner of this match will receive four points. This means whichever team wins this match will win the World X Cup.
This match started off a little slow, but WOW what a finish it had. It was failed attempt after failed attempt to get to the X, with one fighting off the other just in the nick of time. Then Doi got sent out to the floor, and Volador hit a backwards moonsault from the top rope down onto him. This left them both laid out on the floor. Meanwhile on the other side of the ring Kaz and Daivari both began climbing the same tower in the corner. When they reached the top they exchanged blows back and forth. As Kaz tried to hang on, Daivari started to crawl across the rope hanging from both his hand and legs. When he was halfway across the rope Kaz launched himself off the top of the tower, hitting Daivari with a leg drop across the throat. They both crashed to the matc from 15 feet in the air. Kaz landed awkwardly on his hip. As they both lay in the ring in came Volador who climbed across the ropes and unhooked the X to win the match and the 2008 World X Cup for Team Mexico.
Winner: Volador, Jr.
In the ring Team Mexico celebrates as Mike Tenay tries to interview them through Willie Urbina.
Time for part 4 of Booker T’s Homecoming. This time he is out on his golf course, and of course he was using Booker’s Tees. He guarantees they will knock five or six strokes off your game. They interview some guy who says, “Booker T’s golf game is phenomenal to quite-phenomenal. Rivaling uhh, what’s that guy’s name, Tiger Woods.” Booker then goes on and on about how he is going to beat Samoa Joe.
Now Frank Trigg is out at the announce table to help call the Six-Man Tag Match
The fans voted, and the stipulation of the match was indeed Full Metal Mayhem.
Kurt Angle, and Team 3D – Brother Ray & Brother Devon vs. A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Rhino
As A.J. came down the ramp Angle ambushed him and the match had begun. They were fighting everywhere. Cage was the first one to use a weapon, a trash can to Brother Ray’s skull, twice. Rhino and Christian brought in a ladder and took out Team 3D, but then Angle came in with a chair and hit Rhino across the back, jabbed it into Cage’s ribs, and then across the head. Angle then hit a release belly to belly suplex on Cage, sending him crashing down into a ladder. After some more action, A.J. Styles was on the top rope holding an open ladder in front of him. He launched himself to the top of the ladder and then came down with a flying forearm onto Brother Ray. Devon pulled the ref out of the ring at the two-count. Now all three of them were in the ring beating on A.J.. Christian then climbed to the top of one of the towers from the Ultimate X match and jumped off hitting a flying cross body block on all three of his opponents. He chose Kurt to pin, but he kicked out at two. Christian then picked up a ladder, but Ray got to him with a chair before he could use it. Ray then hit Styles across the back with the chair. Rhino then came back in and hit a trio of Gores to all three men. Rhino then went out after a table, which he set up in the center of the ring. He sat Devon on top of the ropes, and climbed up after him. Ray came up from behind him and started hitting him in the back. Ray got Rhino onto his shoulders, and Devon came off the ropes with a clothesline, sending Rhino crashing into the table. Devon landed bad on his ankle. Ray pinned Rhino, but Christian broke up the pin. Christian and Angle would reverse move after move until Angle got the ankle lock on him. Cage rolled him into a pin, but he kicked out. Cage then went to the top rope Angle followed, but was shoved back down. Then Devon got Cage from behind, he and Ray hit the 3D through a table setup on the floor. Back in the ring A.J. was beating on Angle, but Ray came in and hit him with a trash can from behind. They were now going to triple team A.J., but he ducked a clothesline from Kurt, it instead hit Devon. Styles then hit a kick to the back of Angle’s head. He continued to kick and pound Devon and Kurt, while Ray was trying to set up another table in the ring. When A.J. went after Ray he fought him off, and Ray hit A.J. with a nice superkick to the face. Yes, that’s right I said Ray lifted his leg high enough to hit a superkick to A.J.’s face. Devon now limping badly kept A.J. busy while Ray set the table up on edge in the corner. Devon then went out to the floor while ray took over beating on A.J.. He slid in another table for Ray to set up. Ray laid Styles out on this table and went up to the second rope. As Ray played to the crowd a little, A.J. got up, hit Ray with a low blow, and then leaped backwards pulling Ray down face first into the table. Devon charged at Styles who hit a drop toe hold, sending Devon crashing into the table that was in the corner. Now Angle came up behind Styles and tried for the Olympic Slam, but A.J. reversed it and rolled him into a pin, or so it seemed. Instead he lifted him up and hit the Styles Clash and turned him over for a pin, but only got the two-count. In came Johnny Devine with a Kendo Stick. He swung and missed as Styles ducked and then hit the Pele Kick. Styles grabbed the kendo stick and hit Devine over the head with it. He then turned and pointed the Kendo Stick at Frank Trigg. Angle came up from behind him and hit the Olympic Slam, into a pin. Styles kicked out at two. Angle went out for another table. He set up a ladder near the ropes. He turned and shoved referee Earl Hebner who tripped over a table and hurt his ankle. Kurt then set the table up in the middle of the ring, perpendicular to the ladder. For safety you can see Ray reach up and hook the ladder over the top of the bottom rope, since Angle failed to do that. Angle went for the slam again, this time onto the table, but A.J. blocked it and slammed Angle’s head into the table. He laid Angle out on the table and headed up the ladder, as Mike Tenay and Don West point out that Trigg was getting up and heading to the ring with the Kendo Stick. As A.J. got to the top of the ladder Trigg hit him in the head with the Kendo Stick. Angle climbed up behind A.J. and set him up for the Olympic Slam. They crashed down through the table, and Angle got the three count.
Winners: Kurt Angle, and Team 3D
To the back with JB and Samoa Joe. JB points out how Booker has al these people here in his hometown, and asks about his doubt on whether or not he can beat Booker T. As Joe points out he has never doubted himself out comes Kevin Nash. Nash says how he is in Joe’s corner and on his side tonight. Joe tells him that if he is truly his partner and on his side that no matter what happens in the ring, no matter what he sees, he stays in the back and does not come out to the ring. Those comments cannot be good. I feel the need to point out at this stage of the night we have yet to see Sting in Houston.
TNA Championship Match
Champion: Samoa Joe vs. Booker T
They fought back and forth with Joe coming out on top again and again in the early moments of the match. Then Booker threw Joe out to the floor where they fought, Booker T took control using the guard rail, a clothesline, and then the steel ring steps. The shot to the steps busted Joe’s forehead wide open, he was bleeding everywhere. Booker went right after the wound, delivering shot after shot to it. Booker missed a back heel kick which let Joe mount some offense, but Booker took over right away with an Axe Kick. He then hit the back heel kick, and went for the pin, but Joe kicked out at two. They exchanged punches, then went bouncing on the ropes, culminating with a knee to Booker’s face. Joe then came off the ropes with a leg to Booker, and got a two-count. Booker hit him and then went to the ropes, as he came back Joe hit him with a snap bodyslam. Booker then went for a Bookend, but Joe blocked it and hit a T-Bone Suplex, and got a two-count. Joe then tried to sit Booker on the top rope, but he blocked it. They would both duck a move or reverse one, this cause Booker to go off into referee Rudy Charles, knocking him to the mat. Joe waited for Booker to stand up and hit him with a clothesline. He then threw Booker over the top rope to the floor. He sat him down in a chair near the guard rail right in front of Sharmelle, he got a running start and came up with a big boot smashing Booker’s head into the guard rail. He smashed Booker’s head into the steel ring post. Then Sharmelle was begging him to stop, as joe pulled away from her she slapped him across the face. Joe turned and moved towards her but the group of either bodyguards or Booker’s wrestling students moved towards Joe and he hit a few of them. He then turned back to Booker and rolled him into the ring. Booker was now busted wide open. Two more refs came out, Joe clotheslined one, and hit the other with a DDT. Sharmelle now climbed over the guard rail as two other officials got in the ring, but thought better of it and left the ring on their own while motioning to the back for someone to come out. As Joe turned Booker was coming at him and he just shoved him to the mat. Out came security, Joe punched each one as they came in, then the fourth one he hit with a belly t belly suplex. Now Sharmelle came into the ring, still begging for Joe to stop. She then turned and screamed to the back for someone to help. Joe put Booker in a Rear Naked Choke. Then finally Sting’s music came on, and out came the Icon. Joe stood up and stared at him for a minute, but then turned around and started pounding on Booker again. Sting told him he was going too far, he has done what he needed to do. Sting turned to walk away, and Joe was following at first. Joe then turned around and ran back into the ring. Sting came in and physically pulled Joe off of Booker and said that’s enough, you made your point. Joe looked at him, gave him the finger, and then turned back to Booker. Sting spun him around, jabbed the bat into his mid-section, then hit him across the back with it. At this point Booker was sitting up, and Joe was on his back. Booker reached over and pinned Joe, as Sharmelle counted to three. As Booker and Sharmelle left the ring they took the belt with them.
The end the broadcast with a commercial for the next pay-per-view, Hard Justice, August 10th. The show will include F.I.L.T.H.E.E. , Ice-T, and Grandmaster Caz performing live.
Now that was a pay-per-view! If the WWE wants to watch TNA and take bits and pieces to incorporate into their own shows, as they always do, they should watch this pay-per-view, which btw only cost $29.95. the WWE PPVs cost $39.95, and usually only have half the action.
The World X Cup matches turned out to be pretty amazing, and Daivari even added to the excitement, I didn’t expect that. Just another case of the WWE’s gimmicks holding a wrestler back. Quite a few of these World X Cup competitors should get an actual TNA contract. Yoshino, Doi, Volador, Jr. and maybe even Alex Koslov, and Doug Williams.
The Fan’s Revenge match was also pretty fun. With LAX involved I knew it would be exciting, but with Roode and Storm getting whipped it was even better. I was surprised Jackie who is also from Texas didn’t go down to the ring.
The Full Metal Mayhem match was really good too. I know it doesn’t sound right, but Christian is very under-rated. The only part of the match I didn’t like was how for almost the whole second half of the match it was just A.J. Styles in the ring, while Rhino and Cage were laid out on the floor.
The Joe-Booker match was much better than I expected too. I don’t think I can remember the last time I saw Booker T bleed in a match. I am not really sure I understand how the end of the match went. I mean why was there refs, officials, and security coming out to stop the match. Why not just one of the refs coming out so the match could finish? Now all we have is Booker T carrying around a belt he didn’t win. I was expecting some sort of match between Joe and Nash coming soon, now instead it looks like it will be Joe feuding with Sting. Another possibility would be a tag match with Joe and Nash tagging against Sting and Booker T. The best option of them all might be a fatal four way match between them for the belt.
From the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas
The first match was a World X Cup 12-Man Elimination Match
Team TNA – Chris Sabin / Alex Shelley / Curry Man
Team Japan – Milano Collection A. T. / Masato Yoshino / Puma
Team Mexico – Ultimo Guerrero / Rey Bucanero / Averno
Team International – Alex Koslov / Doug Williams / Tyson Dukes
This was a fast-paced dun match, as expected. It did have its bad moments though. There were a couple times when say a Team Mexico wrestlers timing was off a bit from Doug Williams from England, who had probably never seen one another before this tournament. In this match wrestlers were eliminated one by one, via pinfall or submission. The winner’s team would receive 3 points, runner-up’s team 2, and the second runner-up’s team 1 point.
Order of Elimination:
Tyson Dukes
Puma
Milano Collection A.T.
Averno
Curry Man
Doug Williams
Ultimo Guerrero
Rey Bucanero
Chris Sabin
The final three competitors were now Masato Yoshino, Alex Koslov, and Alex Shelley. My pick for the final three was entirely wrong, but at least I got the final member of Team Japan picked correctly. Koslov hit Shelley in the back of the head, sending him to the floor. Yoshino then whipped Koslov into the ropes, but the Russian ducked a clothesline and then did a somersault over the top rope and down onto Shelley. Yoshino came off the top rope, but Koslov jumped up to meet him halfway and nailed him with a kick to the back of the head. Yoshino wrapped Koslov into an interesting submission hold, I want to say he tapped, as Mike Tenay had said, but his hands and head were so wrapped up there was no way for him to literally tap out. Either way, he submitted. Team International earns 1 point. Yoshino took over with his speed at this point, which lead to a two-count. Shelley turned it around quickly with a superkick that landed right under Yoshino’s chin. Shelley then hit the Sliced Bread move and went for the pin, but Yoshino kicked out at two. Yoshino got another near fall, then Shelley hit a tiger suplex that folded yoshino in half, into a bridge and pin, but he kicked out again. Shelley put him up in the top turnbuckle, then hit another superkick. As he went up after him though, Yoshino fought out and hit what Tenay called a “necktie” which sent Shelley down to the mat for another two-count. Now Yoshino brought Shelley to the top rope and Shelley fought out, hitting an inverted atomic drop from the top rope. He followed it with a Celtic Cross into a pin. This time he got the three count.
Winner: Team TNA’s Alex Shelley - 3 Points for his team.
Yoshino scored 2 points for Team Japan.
World X Cup Standings with just the Ultimate X Match left to go:
Team TNA – 6 points
Team Japan – 4 points
Team International – 3 points
Team Mexico – 3 points
Next up they reviewed the list of matches scheduled for the rest of the night.
Following the review was part one of Booker T’s homecoming. He started off by showing up around his house. Including a display of some of his “most-prized possessions” which were laying on a table. There was his championships of wrestling companies past, his trophy for TNA’s Most Memorable Moment, and the key to the city (Houston). Next we said hello to Sharmelle, then onto all of his awards hanging on the wall. We passed through the kitchen on our way out to see his half a dozen or so cars, and his traveling RV.
Angelina Love accompanied by Velvet Sky vs. Gail Kim
While Gail was playing to the crowd during her ring entrance Love jumped her from behind, Gail Kim fought right back though and was first to take control of the match. It was short-lived though as she was sent to the ring apron where Velvet grabbed her foot and sent her crashing face first into the mat. She then rolled Gail back into the ring where Angelina tried for a pin a couple of times, followed by choking her a bit. They fought back and forth quite a bit. Love threw a tantrum at one point after Kim kicked out three times in a row. Gail would then drag her to the corner ring post and attempt to put on the Figure Four Leglock with Love’s legs wrapped around the post, and Kim standing on the floor. Velvet Sky would jump her from behind again, but Gail would fight her off and head to the top rope, but Velvet shook the top rope sending Gail to a sitting position on the top rope. This gave Love a chance to climb up and hit her with a Superplex, followed by another near fall. Kim hit a couple of clotheslines, and a dropkick, but as she scooped her up for a bodyslam Love threw her off balance and got behind her. She rolled her up for a pin, but Kim kicked out at 2 again. Gail then charged her and hit a spear, she was then distracted by Velvet on the ring apron. When she trned back around Love was there waiting, Kim blocked the move. This all led to Kim hitting a neckbreaker and the three count.
Winner: Gail Kim
As Gail celebrated Velvet hit her from behind again. They began beating her down, trying to set her up for the Brown Paper Bag Treatment, but after they whipped her into the ropes Gail came back and ducked under their clothesline and rolled out of the ring.
To the back with Lauren and BG James with the twelve fans that will participate in the fan’s revenge match. BG was getting them fired up for the match by whipping a mannequin dressed like James Storm.
Grudge Match
Jay Lethal accompanied by So. Cal Val vs. Sonjay Dutt
Sonjay brought out a single rose and a card for Val, and gave it to her before the match. After Lethal knocked him to the floor he went over and ripped up the card. As I expected about halfway through the match Val’s concern seemed to switch from Lethal to Dutt. He was asking her to help him, and she actually started walking up the ring steps toward the ring which got Lethal’s attention. He turned to talk to her, and as he turned back around Dutt was there to hit a clothesline. Dutt crawled over and told Val that he loved her. Lethal grabbed him and hit the Lethal Combination. At this point Val came back up the steps and Lethal turned to talk to her again, Dutt came up behind him and rolled him up for the three count. As Sonjay left the ring he kissed Val on the hand, Lethal just looked stunned.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt
To the back with JB and Beer Money, Inc.. After their endless ramblings they went to head out to the ring, but Jackie said she wasn’t going down there with them because of the fans with the belts.
Fan’s Revenge Match for the TNA Tag Team Titles
Beer Money – Robert Roode & James Storm vs. LAX – Homicide & Hernandez accompanied by Hector Guerrero & Salinas
Down came the twelve fans all carrying their belts, and coincidentally all wearing LAX shirts and high-fiving LAX as they came out. Roode was the first one to be thrown to the floor where four of the guys started whipping him right away. Roode would roll back into the ring and crawl over to James Storm where he grabbed a hold of his legs and hugged them. James Storm then tossed Homicide out to the floor where the fans welcomed him. Homicide walked over and got a drink from Storm’s beer, as well as sharing it with one of the fans. Storm instinctfully went out after him, but was immediately whipped as he ran around the ring. Storm would end up in the ring hugging Roode’s legs this time. Homicide would try to send Storm over the top rope to the floor again, but Storm held onto the top rope and pulled himself back into the ring. As he turned to Homicide in the ring Hector grabbed his feet and dragged him out to the floor. This time Storm made his lap around the ring in the other direction. Homicide was sent to the floor by Roode this time, as he stood there Roode came at him with a baseball slide, but Homicide pulled out the ring skirting and got Roode caught in between it and the ring, just like Finlay always does. This allowed the fans to have a few good shots at him before Roode could duck down and under the ring. He came out the other side of the ring and took another shot or two before getting back in the ring. Homicide hit the Three Amigos to a chant of “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie”. Amazing how someone not at all related to you can get cheers for using the move, but yet Eddie’s cousin Chavo gets booed when he uses it. Roode finally got things turned around with a sudden Spinebuster. At this point Beer Money used some quick tags and double teams to dominate the match. Homicide turned it around with a T-Bone Suplex which allowed him to get the tag to Hernandez. Hernandez, who by the way is from Houston, took over. He hit both members of Beer Money with move after move, until he was knocked back into the corner and to the mat after a flying forearm from Storm. Hernandez pulled him self up onto the top rope from a sitting position. Roode and Storm climbed up to the top rope going for what looked like might be a double DDT, but Hernandez fought them both off and sent them down to the mat. He then leaped off with a big splash onto Roode, Storm would break up the count at two. Storm then went after Homicide on the top rope, but instead Homicide hit a Tornado DDT. He then went after Roode who shoved him off into the ropes, but as Roode charged in he pulled the top rope down sending Roode to the floor where he was whipped by a handful of the fans, he got back in the ring quickly. Homicide then climbed to the top rope while Hernandez picked up Roode onto his shoulders. Homicide came off the top rope and hit a Diamond Cutter, followed by a Hernandez pin.
Winners and still TNA Tag Team Champions: LAX
Onto part 2 of the Booker T homecoming. We are now headed to The Booker T Pro Wrestling Alliance, which by the way was a big reason behind his departure from the WWE. Suddenly Vince didn’t want the PWA promoted, and didn’t want his talent going to Houston for shows with the PWA students and talent. They showed clips of high praise from his students.
TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Champion: Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong accompanied by Raisha Saeed
This match seemed very similar to their other matches from the start. Kong dominated early, Taylor got out of the Awesome Bomb and mounted an offense. This time however, Kong shutdown the offense of Wilde with a clothesline and then climbed the ropes. While she was sitting on the top rope Wilde climbed up alongside her and connected with a few elbows to the head. She then hooked Kong’s arm and leaped off, hitting Kong with an arm drag from the top rope. She got a two-count out of it. Kong got up and connected with the punches, setting up for the spinning back fist. As she spun Taylor caught her from behind and rolled her into a pin again, only this time Kong kicked out at two. Kong grabbed Wilde and set her up for the Implant Buster, but she countered, Kong then countered that by trying to go for a chokeslam. Wilde countered that and rolled Kong up for the three count.
Winner and still TNA Knockouts Champion: Taylor Wilde
As Wilde walked up the ramp celebrating Saeed attacked her from behind and dragged her back down and threw her in the ring. Saeed and Kong started beating on her. Kong hit the Implant Buster this time, and then went for the Awesome Bomb. Saeed stalled her while she went out to get a steel chair. As Saeed got back in the ring with the chair Abyss’s music came on. He came down to save Wilde this time. While Kong was standing toe to toe with Abyss, Saeed got in between them and got Kong to get out of the ring. Then Saeed turned back around to Abyss and got in his face. She then slapped him across the face. Abyss turned back around and hit Saeed with the Black Hole Slam. He then carried Taylor Wilde back up the ramp.
Now for part 3 of Booker T’s Homecoming. We start off in one of Booker T’s businesses, a restaurant named Sharmelle’s. We see a clip of him telling the manager to make the portions smaller, and to water down all of the booze. He then goes through a list of other businesses he owns, and talks about what the TNA Title would mean to his franchise. Then Sharmelle points out how they didn’t put the apples in her salad. He walks off to yell at someone as the clip ends.
World X Cup Final Round – Ultimate X Match
Team TNA Kaz vs. Team Mexico Volador, Jr. vs. Team Japan Naruki Doi vs. Team International Daivari
The winner of this match will receive four points. This means whichever team wins this match will win the World X Cup.
This match started off a little slow, but WOW what a finish it had. It was failed attempt after failed attempt to get to the X, with one fighting off the other just in the nick of time. Then Doi got sent out to the floor, and Volador hit a backwards moonsault from the top rope down onto him. This left them both laid out on the floor. Meanwhile on the other side of the ring Kaz and Daivari both began climbing the same tower in the corner. When they reached the top they exchanged blows back and forth. As Kaz tried to hang on, Daivari started to crawl across the rope hanging from both his hand and legs. When he was halfway across the rope Kaz launched himself off the top of the tower, hitting Daivari with a leg drop across the throat. They both crashed to the matc from 15 feet in the air. Kaz landed awkwardly on his hip. As they both lay in the ring in came Volador who climbed across the ropes and unhooked the X to win the match and the 2008 World X Cup for Team Mexico.
Winner: Volador, Jr.
In the ring Team Mexico celebrates as Mike Tenay tries to interview them through Willie Urbina.
Time for part 4 of Booker T’s Homecoming. This time he is out on his golf course, and of course he was using Booker’s Tees. He guarantees they will knock five or six strokes off your game. They interview some guy who says, “Booker T’s golf game is phenomenal to quite-phenomenal. Rivaling uhh, what’s that guy’s name, Tiger Woods.” Booker then goes on and on about how he is going to beat Samoa Joe.
Now Frank Trigg is out at the announce table to help call the Six-Man Tag Match
The fans voted, and the stipulation of the match was indeed Full Metal Mayhem.
Kurt Angle, and Team 3D – Brother Ray & Brother Devon vs. A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Rhino
As A.J. came down the ramp Angle ambushed him and the match had begun. They were fighting everywhere. Cage was the first one to use a weapon, a trash can to Brother Ray’s skull, twice. Rhino and Christian brought in a ladder and took out Team 3D, but then Angle came in with a chair and hit Rhino across the back, jabbed it into Cage’s ribs, and then across the head. Angle then hit a release belly to belly suplex on Cage, sending him crashing down into a ladder. After some more action, A.J. Styles was on the top rope holding an open ladder in front of him. He launched himself to the top of the ladder and then came down with a flying forearm onto Brother Ray. Devon pulled the ref out of the ring at the two-count. Now all three of them were in the ring beating on A.J.. Christian then climbed to the top of one of the towers from the Ultimate X match and jumped off hitting a flying cross body block on all three of his opponents. He chose Kurt to pin, but he kicked out at two. Christian then picked up a ladder, but Ray got to him with a chair before he could use it. Ray then hit Styles across the back with the chair. Rhino then came back in and hit a trio of Gores to all three men. Rhino then went out after a table, which he set up in the center of the ring. He sat Devon on top of the ropes, and climbed up after him. Ray came up from behind him and started hitting him in the back. Ray got Rhino onto his shoulders, and Devon came off the ropes with a clothesline, sending Rhino crashing into the table. Devon landed bad on his ankle. Ray pinned Rhino, but Christian broke up the pin. Christian and Angle would reverse move after move until Angle got the ankle lock on him. Cage rolled him into a pin, but he kicked out. Cage then went to the top rope Angle followed, but was shoved back down. Then Devon got Cage from behind, he and Ray hit the 3D through a table setup on the floor. Back in the ring A.J. was beating on Angle, but Ray came in and hit him with a trash can from behind. They were now going to triple team A.J., but he ducked a clothesline from Kurt, it instead hit Devon. Styles then hit a kick to the back of Angle’s head. He continued to kick and pound Devon and Kurt, while Ray was trying to set up another table in the ring. When A.J. went after Ray he fought him off, and Ray hit A.J. with a nice superkick to the face. Yes, that’s right I said Ray lifted his leg high enough to hit a superkick to A.J.’s face. Devon now limping badly kept A.J. busy while Ray set the table up on edge in the corner. Devon then went out to the floor while ray took over beating on A.J.. He slid in another table for Ray to set up. Ray laid Styles out on this table and went up to the second rope. As Ray played to the crowd a little, A.J. got up, hit Ray with a low blow, and then leaped backwards pulling Ray down face first into the table. Devon charged at Styles who hit a drop toe hold, sending Devon crashing into the table that was in the corner. Now Angle came up behind Styles and tried for the Olympic Slam, but A.J. reversed it and rolled him into a pin, or so it seemed. Instead he lifted him up and hit the Styles Clash and turned him over for a pin, but only got the two-count. In came Johnny Devine with a Kendo Stick. He swung and missed as Styles ducked and then hit the Pele Kick. Styles grabbed the kendo stick and hit Devine over the head with it. He then turned and pointed the Kendo Stick at Frank Trigg. Angle came up from behind him and hit the Olympic Slam, into a pin. Styles kicked out at two. Angle went out for another table. He set up a ladder near the ropes. He turned and shoved referee Earl Hebner who tripped over a table and hurt his ankle. Kurt then set the table up in the middle of the ring, perpendicular to the ladder. For safety you can see Ray reach up and hook the ladder over the top of the bottom rope, since Angle failed to do that. Angle went for the slam again, this time onto the table, but A.J. blocked it and slammed Angle’s head into the table. He laid Angle out on the table and headed up the ladder, as Mike Tenay and Don West point out that Trigg was getting up and heading to the ring with the Kendo Stick. As A.J. got to the top of the ladder Trigg hit him in the head with the Kendo Stick. Angle climbed up behind A.J. and set him up for the Olympic Slam. They crashed down through the table, and Angle got the three count.
Winners: Kurt Angle, and Team 3D
To the back with JB and Samoa Joe. JB points out how Booker has al these people here in his hometown, and asks about his doubt on whether or not he can beat Booker T. As Joe points out he has never doubted himself out comes Kevin Nash. Nash says how he is in Joe’s corner and on his side tonight. Joe tells him that if he is truly his partner and on his side that no matter what happens in the ring, no matter what he sees, he stays in the back and does not come out to the ring. Those comments cannot be good. I feel the need to point out at this stage of the night we have yet to see Sting in Houston.
TNA Championship Match
Champion: Samoa Joe vs. Booker T
Is Booker T the new TNA Champion?
The end the broadcast with a commercial for the next pay-per-view, Hard Justice, August 10th. The show will include F.I.L.T.H.E.E. , Ice-T, and Grandmaster Caz performing live.
Now that was a pay-per-view! If the WWE wants to watch TNA and take bits and pieces to incorporate into their own shows, as they always do, they should watch this pay-per-view, which btw only cost $29.95. the WWE PPVs cost $39.95, and usually only have half the action.
The World X Cup matches turned out to be pretty amazing, and Daivari even added to the excitement, I didn’t expect that. Just another case of the WWE’s gimmicks holding a wrestler back. Quite a few of these World X Cup competitors should get an actual TNA contract. Yoshino, Doi, Volador, Jr. and maybe even Alex Koslov, and Doug Williams.
The Fan’s Revenge match was also pretty fun. With LAX involved I knew it would be exciting, but with Roode and Storm getting whipped it was even better. I was surprised Jackie who is also from Texas didn’t go down to the ring.
The Full Metal Mayhem match was really good too. I know it doesn’t sound right, but Christian is very under-rated. The only part of the match I didn’t like was how for almost the whole second half of the match it was just A.J. Styles in the ring, while Rhino and Cage were laid out on the floor.
The Joe-Booker match was much better than I expected too. I don’t think I can remember the last time I saw Booker T bleed in a match. I am not really sure I understand how the end of the match went. I mean why was there refs, officials, and security coming out to stop the match. Why not just one of the refs coming out so the match could finish? Now all we have is Booker T carrying around a belt he didn’t win. I was expecting some sort of match between Joe and Nash coming soon, now instead it looks like it will be Joe feuding with Sting. Another possibility would be a tag match with Joe and Nash tagging against Sting and Booker T. The best option of them all might be a fatal four way match between them for the belt.
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