NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #20 (November 6, 2002)
We start with a look at the NWA 54th anniversary show. Notably, Jorge Estrada won the NWA North American Championship, Truth successfully defended against Hot Stuff Hernandez, and AMW retained as well as Styles.
Tenay welcomes us and West runs down the card:
- Jarrett vs Hennig in what's billed as a "return grudge match"
- Syxx-Pac vs Brian Lawler in a tournament match, plus April is on the line
- AJ Styles defends the X Division Championship against Jerry Lynn
- Jorge Estrada faces Bruce, with Bruce's Miss TNA title on the line for Priscilla
Speaking of which, we get a recap of the issues between Mortimer and Estrada from the last couple weeks.
First though, Goldilocks is backstage with Bruce, and a returning Lenny Lane of their Rainbow Express tag team. Bruce has the camera pan down to his heel shoes, and he won't let Goldy borrow them. She says there's been speculation about Bruce, but that he truly is a bitch. Then she asks for an update on the Express, having figured they broke up. Bruce says they had a love spat, Lenny got jealous of his Miss TNA crown, but they made up and made Lenny the runner up to his crown. If he can't fulfill his duties, Lenny's gonna step up and feel his shoes...?
Jorge Estrada (w/ Priscilla) vs Bruce (Miss TNA) (w/ Lenny Lane)
If Jorge wins, Priscilla becomes Miss TNA.
Pre-Match: Lenny comes out eating a banana. Tenay: "Boy, that was subtle."
Lenny and Bruce start with a hug. Then Bruce with a cheap shot on Estrada just to be sent off the ropes, gets a sunset flip for two. Jorge counters that into a front facelock, then a rollup for two. Armdrags by Jorge, then a monkey flip by Bruce. Jorge with a suplex and floatover for two. Bruce sent off ther ropes into a hip toss neckbreaker for two.
Priscilla distracts the ref while Jorge is sent off the ropes, pops up onto Bruce's shoulders, Lenny off the top with a dropkick while the ref is still distracted, why she's doing this I have no idea. Bruce calls on top for two. Bruce stomping away and mounting with rights, then a scoop slam for two, then another cover for two. Jorge sent to the corner, floats over, then Jorge gets Bruce with a victory roll. Lenny comes in and tries to break it up but Estrada gets him with a Northern Lights, completing the bridge on his rollup on Bruce for two.
Bruce clubs Jorge from behind as Lenny retreats to the floor, Bruce gouging the eyes. Jorge sent to the corner, crossbody from the middle rope for two, then Bruce with a back elbow for two. Jorge fights back just to be sent to the apron. Bruce tries a sunset flip to the floor but Jorge counters with a hurricanrana. Jorge tries to suplex back in, then some counters and Bruce tries a sunset flip for two. Jorge counters a back suplex with one of his own, but the botch the bridge for two. Jorge with a bulldog out of the corner.
Bruce sent off the ropes for a series of clotheslines, then a back drop and a scoop slam. Jorge with the Trip to the Graceland and a springboard moonsault, but Bruce gets the knees up. Bruce with his facebuster variation, then Bruce goes for the cover, but Priscilla slides in to lip lock him. Bruce is upset and gets dropkicked out of the ring. Lenny goes after Priscilla and gets her by the hair, then Jorge takes him and Bruce out with a crossbody. Bruce and Lenny have an argument and Bruce goes after Priscilla, only to be tripped on Lenny's banana peel. Bruce is out cold and actually gets counted out. Jorge wins in 8:51, and Priscilla is now Miss TNA.The action wasn't too bad, but there was some miscommunication, and became overbooked in the end.
Or she's not? Borash announces that the crown doesn't change hands because it wasn't an intentional disqualification, I don't know how that makes any lick of sense.
Goldy is backstage with Siaki, and the fact she becomes less thrilled to talk to him week by week is a nice little touch. She gives him credit for beating Lynn last week, and he takes the next step tonight against BG James. Siaki, still talking in the third-person, says he's the hottest commodity in wrestling, young, sexy, good-looking, and he's the reason the ladies watch the show. He says he's the past, present and future of TNA, he's the best athlete the business has to offer, and is destined to become NWA Champion. He says James is in his way, out with the old and in with the new. Then he says he, she and the world knows she wants him, says management wouldn't allow her to become his personal valet, but after he beats James tonight, he'll let her feel his love.
Break
We actually get the bracket for the tournament finally, ahead of our next match:
Pre-Match: James has a mic when he comes out. He heard the interview with Goldy, where Siaki said he was sexy and good-looking, and says Siaki's as good-looking as his ass cheek, with the other ass cheek doing Siaki's makeup. He calls him Cocky Siaki and says he's his window of opportunity, but says he can make and break Siaki. First though he wants to know if Siaki likes to dance, but if he doesn't, James says he'll lead and Siaki can just follow, they're gonna do the BG Shuffle, and the G stands for "get it, got it, good".
Siaki with the cheap shot to start, taking it to the corner with rights and boots. James sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers some shake, rattle and roll, only for Siaki to duck the last shot and run into a big boot. Siaki sent to the corner for a clothesline, then some boots to the gut, then a cover for two. James with a wristlock, then releases to deliver some rights. Siaki counters an Irish whip into a single-leg takedown, attacking the knee with some elbows and a leg drop to the back of the knee, then another. Now torquing the knee around his own, then some boots to the back of it into a stretch muffler.
James escapes with a boot to the head, then an inside cradle for two. Dropkick to the bad knee of James, then an Indian deathlock until James gets to the ropes. Now dropping his weight across the knee as he lays it on the bottom rope, only to be launched over the ropes to the floor on the third attempt. Siaki face first off the announce table, then off the apron, James with an obvious limp before returning to the ring. Siaki sweeps the bad leg as James steps back through the rope before taking it to the corner, twisting the knee around the middle rope. Siaki sent off the ropes, duck ac clothesline, off the ropes with a rolling neckbreaker.
Siaki prepares to go up top but out comes Lynn, distracting Siaki. Forearm by James and a shimmy knee drop for two. Siaki counters an Irish whip, goes for his fisherman's neckbreaker, but James counters with the pumphandle slam for the win in 7:12, though Siaki does kick out at three. Normally I'd hate this, but seeing as Jarrett is winning his match with whoever, James makes the most sense. Action was OK.
James limps his way to the back.
Video promo for the Disciples of the New Church, recapping what happened last week.
Goldy is backstage with AMW. Harris is all hyped up and says they're two guys who're gonna do what they want and when they want from now on, and they're not taking any more shit. He's had a whole week to think about what evil is all about, he hasn't slept, maybe from the pain of being driven through a table by whatever the hell Slash thinks he is, or maybe because he's gone a bit insane, he might just go insane all over the Church's asses. He questions just what the New Church is, they say they're pure evil, but he says evil runs through his body and tonight he's gonna run evil over their burning carcasses.
James says it must be cold outside because when he walked in the building, he swears he saw his breath, says its a sign of death, and though Mitchell thinks he can kill the Cowboy by throwing him through a table and damn near breaking his leg, he's the biggest and baddest son of a bitch on the face of the earth, though I think he almost says motherfucker. He says it'll take more than going through a table to get rid of him, he's not the kind to crawl in a hole and wait to turn to ashes, he'll wait to kick their asses. He says Slash and Lee haven't seen hell yet, but it's coming tonight. Hell of a promo.
Break
NWA World Tag Team Championships: Slash & Brian Lee (w/ Father James Mitchell) vs America's Most Wanted (c)
Pre-Match: Mitchell gets a mic and calls AMW ladies, says they shouldn't yell and scream so much, he'd hate for them to burst an ovary. He says they have to be the most ignorant human beings on Earth, they didn't take him seriously or learn their lesson when he said his disciples consider him their personal messiah, and follow no rules. He's given them the directive to make AMW pay for their ignorance with their blood.
Big fight to start the match, with AMW taking the early control. Crossbody by Storm onto Lee as the ight goes to the outside. Slash is sent into a chair with a drop toe hold as Lee takes control of Harris. Storm and Harri drop Lee onto the guard rail and hit a double clothesline. Slash got busted wide open from landing on the chair as they take it to the ring, and Storm mounts to open him up further. Slash sent to the corner a clothesline and a superkick by Storm. Elbow from the top by Harris. Harris goes up top with a guillotine leg drop.
Disciples take control as Storm is pulled out by Lee and sent into the guard rial. Mitchell is using a spike on Storm as Lee sends Harris into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Slash tags Lee in, a big boot leg sweep combo. Slash is a bloody mess. Storm is opened up too as Lee clubs away on Storm. Slash back in, goes up top, aiding a sidewalk slam by Lee for two. Slash off the ropes with a clothesline, then a scoop slam. Slash back up top and misses a senton.
Lee sends Storm to the floor as Harris comes in swinging, Slash sent off the ropes into a back drop. Lee sent to the corner for a bulldog. Catatonic on Lee and a cover but Mitchell distracts the ref. Slash nails Harris in the head with a chair. Lee makes the cover but only gets two. Now Harris is cut open as Slash tags back in. Harris sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline and hits one of his own.
Storm tags in, swinging right and left, and Harris joins back in. Mitchell hands Lee his spike and he nails Harris, then Storm, and the ref calls for the DQ in 7:47. AMW retain. You know I could have given this a pass for the pure chaos that made this kinda entertaining to watch, but the inconsistent rules continue to drive me nuts, there were a dozen times a DQ should have been called in this match, and now they do it.
Lee the only one not a complete mess as the attack ensures. Slash DDTs Storm, then again. New Church almost leave but Mitchell sends them back to open them up more. Security rush out to put an end to it. Bob Armstrong is out now too to try and restore order.
Break
Pre-Match: Lawler hid himself beside the ramp to sneak attack Syxx from behind, sending him face first off the steps. Vicious rights by Bryan before taking it to the ring.
Syxx choked over the middle rope, stomping the back of the head. Brian gets distracted by April because he wants her to slap Syxx, before taking Syxx to the corner for more rights. Syxx egging him on to hammer away before he starts choking him. Syxx fights back and delivers some rights of his own, until Brian rakes the eyes. Hangman's neckbreaker, then Brian tries to get April to slap again, but Syxx fights out. Brian distracted again and Syxx takes advantage, taking him off the apron with a back kick.
Syxx with kicks and chops on the floor, only to be sent into the ring post with a low blow. Brian gets mad at a "she's not worthy" chant before sending Syxx off the ropes into a clothesline. Lawler up top and misses the Hip Hop Drop. Spin kicks by Syxx before being sent off the ropes, Lawler tries for a hurricanrana but gets powerbombed instead. Bronco Buster connects, then Syxx lip locks April, which just pisses off Lawler again. Superkick by Lawler, who wipes April's mouth after the kiss.
Mounted rights back in the ring in the corner as April climbs the apron, and I think Lawler calls her a c**t but I may have misheard it, which gets him a low blow and the X-Factor for the win in 5:05.
Syxx takes April to the back which leaves Brian heartbroken. Then Lawler does a terrible job faking a heart attack, or maybe its supposed to be a broken heart. April goes back to check on him, as do the ref and Borash. Tenay: "This gets more confusing by the minute."
Break
Earlier in the week, Truth asked for an interview with Tenay. Truth says Tenay's the only one he trusts which is why he asked for this interview. He says you have to be up real early in the morning to get one over on him, but that's exactly what Mr. Wrestling III did. He pulls out a contract for a title match, figuring that's what the masked man wants, he says Bob Armstrong was quick to put his stamp of approval on it, he's already signed it. He hands it to Tenay for the masked man to get in contact with.
Tenay is seen with contract at commentary, but now Jarrett is back. He calls Tenay into the ring and says he truly believes Truth is as dumb as Hall, Hennig, Syxx and James say they are. Tenay clarifies once more that the contract is for the masked man, Jarrett says it's been speculated for weeks that it's him. Jarrett prepares to sign the contract, but instead tears it up. Jarrett says he's waited 20 weeks for a title shot, and he'll be damned if someone else sneaks in and gets it instead. He says he's winning his match next week, and in two weeks he'll be the NWA Champion. Turns out Tenay has another copy of the contract though.
Elimination Tables Match: Kid Kash vs Joel Maximo vs Jose Maximo vs Tony Mamaluke vs Ace Steel (w/ Mortimer Plumtree)
Winner gets a shot at the X Division Championship.
Mamaluke goes right after one of the Maximos before Ace even gets to the ring, and a fight breaks out between all five. Ace and a Maximo start with some quick back and forth, still no way of telling those two apart. Ace sends him to the floor with a dropkick, while Mamaluke is sent off the ropes, the other Maximo hits a springboard moonsault to the floor on his brother and Kash, then Mamaluke up top with a crossbody takes all three out. Kash with a somersault off the top takes out all four.
Kash hits a springboard on Steel back in the ring, who's sent to the corner but hits an elbow. Ushigoroshi from Ace, then a back suplex followed by a dropkick from the middle rope. Mamaluke ducks a clothesline and hits a side suplex, then a Maximo goes up top, but gets caught with a fujiwara armbar. The other Maximo breaks it up. Kash with a corkscrew hurricanrana to a Maximo, then misses a baseball slide, then tries a hurricanrana only to be powerbombed to the floor.
Ace grabs a table beside the ramp as the SATs go up top with Mamaluke, but they're cut off by Ace. Mamaluke hits a superplex and right into a guillotine on the other Maximo, as Ace sets the table up across the top rope in the corner. Ace is sent face first into it as Plumtree slides in another table. Mamaluke sets up the second table in the center, setting one Maximo on top. Mamaluke and Ace fight atop the first table set up on the corner, while the second is leaned in the corner. Choke bomb by Ace off the top. Mamaluke puts Ace through the table leaned in the corner with a DDT, so Ace is out.
Mamaluke launches off the apron with a tornado DDT onto a Maximo onto the ramp. Someone also set up a table at ringside. Plumtree helps Ace to the back as Mamaluke grabs another table, setting it up in front of the ramp, putting it together with the other. Mamaluke laid on top as Joel puts him through one of them with a moonsault from the top, so Mamaluke is eliminated. That was nasty.
Jose takes Ksah back to the ring and it caught with a back suplex.Kash sent off the ropes, but hitsa a brainbuster off the knee. Joel back in and trades shots with Kash, then caught with a fisherman's buster off the knee. Jose back up and catches Kash with a back elbow. SATs try to set Kash on the top rope but counters with a double hurricanrana, then a double dropkick.
Kash takes the table that was set across the top rope, and sets it up in front of commentary. Kash sent off the ropes into a slingshot cutter combo. Kash sent off the ropes again, ducks a double clothesline, and sends himself and the SATs out with one of his own. Kash whips Joel into the guard rail, then throws a chair into his face. Joel laid across the table as Kash goes up top, but he's cut off by Jose. He tries for a tornado DDT but Kash fights him off. Kash hurricanrana's Jose off the top onto Joel through the table. Ref calls for the bell, so it's a double elimination. Kash wins in 12:57. About as chaotic as you'd expect and it was fun to watch. Can't complain.
Maximos are helped to the back.
Break
Recap of the issues between Jarrett and Hennig.
Jarrett comes out for his match with Hennig, but he gets a mic and says no one's seen Hennig today. He claims he was this close to taking the AWA Title from Hennig when he was 19, then talks about being Double J in WWF and how he was IC Champion seven times. Then he talks about being x4 World Champion in WCW. He brings up how he beat Hennig last week and doesn't blame Curt for now showing his face. He tells the ref to ring the bell and count Hennig out.
Hennig comes out of the crowd in street wear, clearly not ready to fight delivering vicious shots to Jarrett and taking it to the ring. Boots to the ribs send Jarrett to the floor and Jarrett is sent into the crowd. Hennig maintains control as he chokes Jarrett with his belt. Jarrett tries to use a chair but can't get it. Hennig takes a crutches from the crowd and they use it on each other. Jarrett whipped with the belt and choked some ore into the stands. Jarrett tries to fight back but Hennig is a man possessed, still choking and delivering rights and chops. Now they trade blows but Hennig keeps control the whole time, cracking Jarrett in the back with a chair, and again. A ref tries to take the chair but he gets nailed with it.
They take it back to ringside finally and to the ring, no referee in sight as he hits the Hennig-plex. Another Hennig-plex. Hennig choking him with his boot, then delivers a third Hennig-plex and Jarrett is out. Hennig gets the belt again and scares off another referee who just calls for the bell in 4:45. Jarrett is declared the winner by DQ.
Hennig attacks security until they outnumber him and Jarrett retreats to the back just barely. Bob is out to check on everyone as Hennig stands tall.
Break
Before the main event, Don hypes up next week's show:
- Syxx-Pac takes on Jarrett in a semifinal match
- Kash gets his shot at the X Division Title
- Mr. Wrestling III could potentially have his NWA Title match
- Mixed Tag Match as Lawler and April take on Jorge and Priscilla
- Four team #1 contender's tournament, teams tba
- Amazing Red vs Jimmy Yang vs Tony Mamaluke
- EZ Money debuts
Then a recap of Lynn and AJ's history
Some chain wrestling to start, AJ gets the better of the first exchange, then Lynn on the second, then some back and forth, with Lynn getting the upper hand with an armdrag. AJ takes Lynn to the corner off a lockup, then Lynn sent across the ring, floats over, AJ misses a moonsault from the middle rope and Lynn hits a crossbody. AJ sweeps the legs for one, then gets taken down with a clothesline for two. Lynn with a rear chinlock. AJ fights out and rakes the eyes before being sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two.
Lynn with a bow and arrow, AJ flips over for a cover for two, then a boot to the chest from Lynn. AJ sent off the ropes, tries a tilt-a-whirl headscissor, but Lynn counters dropping him throat first on the top rope, covering for two. Boots to the head by Lynn, then AJ face first in the corner for some chops. Lynn sent across the ring, AJ sent over to the apron, just to be sent to the floor with a dropkick. Lynn hung up on the top rope as AJ lures him in, then AJ tries a shoulder block, Lynn tries to leg drop him through the ropes but AJ avoids it. Lynn ducks a kick and sweeps the legs out on the apron.
AJ face first off the steps, then sent toward the guard rail, but he leaps over. Lynn tries to follow but gets nailed with a superkick. AJ tries to springboard off the guard rail but gets caught with a dropkick midair. Back in the ring, exchange of rights as Lynn takes control, then sent of the ropes just to be sent back out to the floor. AJ distracts the ref allowing Plumtree to kick Lynn while he's down, then AJ follows with a baseball slide and a crossbody to the floor. AJ takes it back in the ring for two.
AJ tries for the Clash but Lynn counters with a hurricanrana. Lynn tries for the cradle piledriver but gets countered with a back drop and a clothesline by AJ for two. AJ with a modified dragon sleeper by the looks of it but AJ lets go prematurely. AJ seems to go for the Clash but instead turns it into a Boston crab, and AJ releases the hold again. Lynn fighting back with body shots, then another exchange of rights until AJ misses a roundhouse. AJ leaps onto his shoulders just to be sent to the mat on his face. Lynn covers but Plumtree distracts the referee. Lynn counters an Irish whip but gets low blowed, then AJ springboards into an inverted DDT, makes the cover but it's only two.
Lynn sent to the corner but avoids a discus elbow. AJ planted with a sitout powerbomb but Lynn can't capitalize for a pin attempt. Another exchange of blows as AJ is sent off the ropes into a back drop, then a pair of clotheslines. Lynn sent to the corner chest first, then tries a tornado DDT, but Lynn counters with a Northern Lights into the corner, but it only gets two. Plumtree on the apron again distracts Lynn, then AJ nearly clocks Plumtree by accident, before Lynn knocks their heads together. Cradle piledriver by Lynn but AJ kicks out.
Now Siaki comes. Lynn with a TKO and a cover, but Siaki pulls the ref out of the ring. Lynn is pissed and Siaki argues with the ref. Plumtree has wedged a chair between the ropes in the corner, and AJ sends Lynn into it. AJ with a roll up but the ref is late to count. AJ hits the Clash but Lynn kicks out. Styles up top but gets crotched. Superplex by Lynn gets two. AH blocks a backslide and hits a facebuster for two. Series of counters ends with a cradle tombstone by Lynn for the win in 21:06. I could excuse the interference by Plumtree, even if it was a little much, but Siaki's interference didn't really contribute anything. Excellent main event though.
There's about 20 seconds left in the show when the bell rings, so that's where we end it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The one consistent thing you can say is that the X Division continues to be the best part of TNA. Tag title match ending aside, this was a mostly solid show, even watching Hennig beat the crap out of Jarrett was fun to watch. And as a plus, Mr. Wrestling III wasn't on the show. But we're now two shows away from his unmasking, and Russo's debut on TNA television, so the end is nigh. With a runtime of 1:54:59, this show had a total 1:07:43 of wrestling.
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