Category: Impact Wrestling

By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

Last week, EC3’s barbershop quintet sang his theme, while the Dirty Heels beat The Wolves. Spud cashed in the X Title to get a title shot, and D’Angelo Dinero returned to do commentary with Josh, who despite being a fashion podcaster, didn’t tell him to wear something other than a blinding black and white shirt. Also, James Storm pushed Mickie James onto train tracks to possibly set up a PPV match between Storm and Magnus.

The X division gets a highlight video to start the show. Nine of the top X Division stars will fight for the title – including, yes, Crazzy Steve. Christy intros Spud vs. Kurt, but EC3 comes down while Josh runs everything as fast as humanly possible and sides with EC3. EC3 complains about not being in one of tonight’s two title matches. EC3 stages a sit-in and cancels Destination X. He dares someone to stop him, so Kurt comes down and Josh goes on some more about how great EC3 is. Angle tells him that the fans don’t want to see a bitch, while EC3 tells him he’ll knock his something bleeped into the dirt. EC3 and Tyrus leave. Spud comes down and walks right past EC3 and Tyrus. Josh says this match is just a publicity stunt by TNA. Well, that failed. JB gives this the big match intro and we’ll get the match after a break.

Kurt Angle vs. Rockstar Spud – TNA World Title Match

We start with a collar and elbow and takedown by Kurt. Kurt rides the challenger, who slides underneath him to the ropes. Hard headlock throw by Kurt leads to Josh talking about Spud being in way over his league. Spud gets a drop toehold, a missile dropkick, and spinning headscissors sending the champ to the floor. He dives to Kurt, but eats a belly to belly on the floor. God do I want a Brock vs. Rockstar Spud match now. Kurt busts out a tilt a whirl backbreaker, which I don’t recall seeing him do before.

Kurt punches Spud down and eats a snap suplex while Josh talks about Spud showing his impact. He talks about that for seemingly ages, and is beyond annoying. Yet another tilt a whirl backbreaker by Kurt when Spud rushes in. Angle slam countered into an armdrag and enzuiguri. Spud kicks the leg and punches away before taking Kurt down with a bolo punch. Kurt rushes Spud, who sidesteps him to send the champ to the floor. Baseball slide sends Kurt down, so he climbs up top and gets a flip dive to the neck and shoulder.

Josh says Spud now has a slim chance, and Spud goes up top only to eat a super belly to belly for 2. Spud counters an Angle slam and dropkicks the knee to set up the running forearms, but he gets the ankle lock out of a shining wizard. Spud rolls the champ into the buckle, gets the Underdog on his second try, but only gets 2.5! Kurt pops up and gets a grapevine ankle lock for the win. Now Josh is rooting for Spud and Spud taps. Kurt says under his breathe that the son of a bitch is very good. Kurt shakes Spud’s hand while Pope says he’s taking his shades off for the kid. Then Aries comes out and points at him – they should have let this breathe a bit more.

The Dollhouse comes out while their theme drowns out Taryn’s promo. Taryn says that if Kong wants to fight her, they’ll bare all to get the better of her. Taryn challenges Kong to a lingerie pillow fight and if she doesn’t wear the lingerie Taryn’s picked for her, Kong doesn’t get a shot. And then they just go to a Kurt-Spud video because the X Title has been vacated. Everyone going for the X Title gets some weird title, including “and um…GRADO!” which was pretty funny. Generic X division hype vid brings Low-Ki down to the ring, but doesn’t have the BDC mask. Josh says that we’ll have 3-ways tonight to determine seeds for a future match. Okay then. Graphics would be helpful here. Manik’s out, followed by “The Insane Clown” Crazzy Steve.

Manik vs. Low-Ki vs. Crazzy Steve

Pope says this match is filled with craziness while Manik and Ki punch it out (not unlike Josh Nason’s new podcast). Steve holds onto the ropes and gets kicked down. Ki European uppercuts Steve and Josh says that Steve communicates via horn. Manik gets Gail’s headscissor/Octopus hold while Josh says that Spud is trending worldwide. Manik gets 2 on Ki because Steve breaks up the cover. Steve shoves Manik off the top, but he misses a crossbody off the top. Ki hits his running dropkick to Steve, which sends Manik into the buckle. Warrior’s Way hits Manik and Ki advances to the title match.

Grado tries to lose some weight by running. Twitter thinks he’s X division, so does his mum, but he needs to cut some weight. Grado goes through some parkour. First, he wants to hop over a small box and then a bigger one. He gets over the bigger one, but falls over and then runs to the bathroom. Recap of James Storm shoving Mickie off the train platform. Josh updates us to Mickie not being physically harmed – so apparently, her possible concussion symptoms have subsided completely. X Title qualifers continue on with the second airing of this generic X division video in about 15 minutes.

Tigre Uno vs. Mandrews vs. DJZ

 None of these guys get an intro. Z gets a headlock on Mandrews, while Uno headlocks Z. Z cradles Uno for 2. Uno gets a wheelbarrow armdrag to Z, who dropkicks Uno down. Josh talks about Mandrews moving to America, who then eats a pop-up dropkick while Z is on his back. That silly thing gets 2. Uno hits a missile dropkick to both men and sliding dropkicks Z in the corner. Josh says that if Uno wins, he’ll buy a Tigre Uno mask. Pope says that will keep Josh from talking, so he’s all for it. Can we get a Kickstarter going for that? I’ll kick in $5 for the “watch Impact for one show without Josh on commentary”.

Uno avoids a Mandrews suplex, but eats a springboard tornado DDT from him. Inside-out rana to the floor to Uno from Mandrews! DJZ is all alone and flip dives onto the pile. Apron-to-ring DDT from DJZ to Mandrews leads to Uno landing with his knees to Mandrews’ face off a Phoenix Splash for the win. Well, the replay showed that the move completely missed all of Mandrews’ body – so that’s good for Mandrews. Jessie comes down and beats up DJZ. Nice mounted forearm rakes by Jessie and he tossed DJZ down. Josh is against this heelish action, by the way, and is very much against the press slam to the floor. Pope calls him the modern-day Adonis, while they plug Angle-Aries. Taryn walks backstage for the lingerie pillow fight challenge.

Grado is in a trash bag and tells Tigre that he’s a good wrestler and that he needs some training tips. Grado has his name taped on the trash bag and is so goofy. Uno calls him a jackass. The Dollhouse comes down with an actual dollhouse while Pope asks for silence. The crowd is happy to oblige here, as Josh says he didn’t know Pope was such a huge Courtney Love fan.

The Dollhouse gets on a twin bed as Josh runs down the trope of Kong not accepting this match and just destroying the Dollhouse here. Taryn tells “Konk” to come out while making hilarious faces. Kong comes out and looks ready to kick some ass. Taryn is very angry at Konk for ruining fight time. Marti talks Spanish and says Kong’s a big dummy. This doesn’t go well for her, as she and Jade feel Kong’s wrath. Kong slaps and chops the goons away. Kong tosses Jade onto Marti while Taryn says she’s a tease and that Christy can go announce her as the winner of the match.

Brooke (who does in fact still have a booty) comes down and says that having this title in a lingerie pillow fight is a disgrace to the title. Taryn lets Christy know she can call her the winner now. Brooke tells Taryn that she promised to defend the title and to show some skin. Brooke has no problem fighting Taryn, but Taryn didn’t challenge her – she challenged Konk! Brooke forearms her down and strips her down a bit before they do a bullfighting bit with Taryn’s robe. This was hilarious. Brooke says that she took her robe and she’ll take her title next. So is she getting a shot at the PPV? Josh was a face here and supports Brooke. Roode tells Aries that things are lining up now for them. It’s time for them to regain the tag titles and for Aries to get the World title – if he wins, Roode gets the first shot. These two have wonderful chemistry.

Hilarious stuff with JB and Grado backstage. He’s in his trash bag and strips down and asks JB “how’s it looking?” before JB asks him to be specific and tells him the X division has no limits, so this whole thing was pointless. Grado is overjoyed and goes to the ring. Kenny King comes out to face Cruz, who I honest to God don’t recall seeing before today. Grado’s out with dance music while Pope says he’s glad he’s covering up.

Grado vs. Cruz vs. Kenny King

Grado catches the foot and King kicks his head off. An ROH plug is on as former ROH tag champ Kenny King chops Grado in the corner. King gets a chinlock on Grado while a few fans do a Kenny King/sucks chant. Josh puts out Grado beating Al Snow “a legend in our sport”. Grado gets 2 off some comedy spots with Cruz. Kenny hits the Royal Flush on Cruz, who is in a bootleg Kalisto costume. Grado punches away at King, but eats an overhead chop to the chest. Grado hits bionic forearms and gets King down and he backdrops him over the top. Cannonball to Cruz gets the win – Grado goes on to the future X Title match. Bram stands over a fallen camera man and he hates Destination X.  He’s going to come to the ring and make history.

Bram vs. Crimson

Bram is in the ring as they plug his “Dark Grid” shirt. Bram talks about the X division building TNA and how Slammiversary is a celebration of TNA’s history – and he hates history and the past. Bram wants to fight any TNA stars of the past, of which there are many backstage, and man is his delivery great. The words aren’t amazing, but his delivery is perfect – he’s so arrogant. Crimson came out to about the level of reaction you would expect for someone who came back out of nowhere. Josh says he had the look. Crimson appears to have Hall’s black and blood red gear in shorts form.

Backdrop by Crimson and Pope says that Crimson hasn’t aged a day. Well, he’s in his early ’30s, so that’s good. Crimson catches the foot and shoves Bram back to the ropes. Josh talks about Bram being a loose cannon and maniac. The crowd begins chanting for Crimson, who eats some shots on the floor. Bram talks smack to Crimson while beating him up with mounted punches and doing Bray’s back bridge – which one of the fans yells at him. T-bone suplex by Crimson looks sharp and he follows it up with a Fujiwara armbar and the Rings of Saturn – the actual one, not the crossface variant Batista did. Bram bites Crimson’s hand and hits the impaler DDT for the win. This was a shockingly good match and well worth going out of your way to see as a whole for Bram’s pre-match mic work and Crimson’s work in the ring.

Kurt tells a camera guy that tonight is special – he’ll have two matches tonight. Spud took him to his limit and was the ultimate underdog – but he beat him. Now, he has to fight the guy who created Option C and guarantees a match of the year. Slammiverary is 13 years in the making and has no matches penciled in for its card with less than three weeks to go. EC3 says that he’s pissed Spud and Aries got shots before him, and his EC3 2015 merch is plugged. The main event is up at 10:37, so it should be getting plenty of time. We see Kurt beating Spud and then Josh goes back and forth between whether Spud should or shouldn’t have gotten the shot. JB gives us the big match intro.

Main Event – Kurt Angle vs. Austin Aries – TNA World Title

A collar and elbow tie-up mid-ring starts us off. Kurt takes him down and Aries floats over. Aries gets a side headlock takedown while a We Want Ethan/No We Don’t chant. Kurt avoids a dropkick and eats corner punches. Aries clotheslines him down and gets 1. Back and forth punches from each man in the corner. Aries flips out of a German for an ad break. EC3 hype video by DA airs and really makes him look great.

 Outside-in tope con hilo gets 2 for Aries. Corner charge hits as Aries gets a diving back elbow to the back and a chinlock. Kurt elbows out of it and avoids a brainbuster with a back suplex after a suplex counter. Overhead belly to belly sets up the rolling Germans. Aries DDTs his way out of an Angle slam for 2. Last Chancery is locked on, but Aries moves around to get a better position and is ankle locked for it. Given that this move beat Spud, it’s got that much more meaning.

 Corner rollthrough leads to an eye rake on the ropes from Aries. Missile dropkick lands for Aries and sets up the corner dropkick, which is countered by an ankle lock! Aries gets the ropes and is waistlocked, which he tries to counter with a discus elbow, but it’s seamlessly turned into an Angle slam for 2! Kurt goes for a moonsault and misses – landing right on his braced knee. Last Chancery is on again, but Aries turns it into a front facelock and Kurt gets to the ropes.

Aries goes up for the 450, but Kurt runs up for the belly to belly. An Aries eye rake and boxing of the ears ends that – the 450 hits and gets 2.9! Josh talks about Aries being in yet another match of the year candidate and he may be the best man who ever lived. Would Josh mind stating that on the record as a reference for Aries if his TNA deal isn’t renewed? Discus elbow out of the Angle slam leads to another elbow and the corner dropkick! Brainbuster hits hard and gets 2.9 thanks to his foot being on the rope.

Aries gets an ankle lock on, which Pope says is a slap to the face. Kurt rolls through and the master of the move gets it on once again. Aries rolls through and Kurt goes to the floor, likely before a suicide dive. Bingo – but it misses! Kurt rolls him in and pulls down the straps before an Angle slam that is countered into a sunset flip for 2. Ankle lock is on with the grapevine, which gets yet another win for Kurt tonight. Josh says that there’s no better wrestling on Earth than TNA, and EC3 jumps Kurt. Pope says Kurt should have his moment and Josh agrees. Can he be consistent for at least one show? EC3 raises his hand high while holding the title belt high. Next week, Magnus does something with Storm, Melendez gets a match with EY, and we’ll get more with EC3 and Kurt.

To see every screen taken for the show, just click here.

By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

The Big Takeaway

EC3’s barbershop quintet sang him to the ring, Rockstar Spud cashed in his X Division title to face Kurt Angle next week, and James Storm shoved Mickie James onto railroad tracks for rejecting him. In tag team news, the Dirty Heels beat The Wolves via a chairshot to seemingly turn heel (or maybe not) and continue the series. Now, the Wolves are up 2-1. The Pope was on commentary with Josh, who also might be a heel.

Show Recap

Last week, TNA delivered an excellent overall show. The Dirty Heels vs. Wolves series continued with an incredible match that saw the Wolves emerge victorious once again. Taryn beat Gail with the Cutter and then stomped on Gail’s ring finger and stole her wedding ring – that was pretty great. Rockstar Spud regained the X Title in a gauntlet for the gold out of nowhere, EC3 beat Ken Anderson in a pretty good match, and Kurt Angle beat Eric Young to retain the TNA World title in an I Quit match.

An EC3 streak video starts the show and man does he ever come off like a star. A barbershop quintet sings EC3’s theme horribly. He has two blondes with him as Tyrus brings a sign out for EC3’s campaign. EC3 is now the number one ranked contender as Josh congratulates him on being the top guy. Pope is with Josh and is playing a face for at least this segment. EC3 says he’s number one, so it’s time to celebrate. The singers sing “He’s the Number One Contender” to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”. He thanks Tyrus and says he feels like dancing, before Tyrus gives him a glare. EC3 says it’s serious business – so no dancing. EC3 says it’s now mission accomplished and all he needs to do now is win the title. Kurt comes out and is gobsmacked at the sight before him.

Pope says it’s time for Kurt to baptize EC3 as Josh plugs Pitch Perfect 2 for some reason. Kurt says that Thesz and Gagne would roll over in their graves if they saw this. Really? This? Not the reverse battle royal. Not Abyss winning the world title by DQ? But this? Kurt says that EC3 isn’t next in line, as EC3 shows the signs as proof. Kurt says that next week is Destination X, and Spud can cash in his title. Why not rundown these very special Impact shows with a little on-screen calendar so they don’t just come out of nowhere? EC3 tells Kurt that he’ll make Spud an offer he can’t refuse. EC3 asks the singers to sing goodbye to Kurt, so they sing ‘Trouble Trouble Trouble Trouble Trouble” and Kurt attacks one of them. We see Josh and Pope, in a blinding black and white shirt.

They run down tonight’s card with the tag title series and yet another match in The BDC vs. The Rising war. Lashley is also about to face Eric Young for reasons I don’t recall and they don’t bother recapping in any way. After the break, they’ll talk about the issues. Slammiversary is coming to PPV for some reason in a few weeks. EY comes down and we get a recap of EY attacking Lashley’s legs in April.

Match One – Lashley vs. Eric Young

Lashley bowls him over and sends him to the floor. EY tries to come back in and Lashley drags him to the floor. EY gets a back elbow, but gets taken down and hit with a delayed vertical suplex. EY gets a mule kick to the gut and Lashley punches away in the corner. EY backdrops him over the top and Lashley lands on the apron, but eats a punch. EY dominates for a bit and gets a snapmare and a neck wrench. EY goes for a double axehandle off the top, but eats a belly to belly throw. Lashley gets a big spinebuster mid-ring, but only gets 2. EY escapes the Dominator and the shoulder-mount powerslam before raking the face and hitting a flying forearm. Chris Melendez comes down and Lashley hits the spear for the win. This was okay, but nowhere near as good as any of the EY vs. Angle or Lashley vs. Angle matches. Now Josh is a face as he wants Melendez to attack EY.

Spud says he’s been fighting for the X Title for 14 years, and now he can trade it all in for a shot at the World title. Spud isn’t sure what he’ll do, and I love that since it should be a big decision and if you don’t treat it like one, then it devalues the X Title. “Doll Parts” plays as Taryn and the rest of the Dollhouse recap what happened to Gail. The audio mixing here was pretty bad here – the song sounded like it was being played from a walkman and Taryn promises to put the X in Destination X. So this was a thing.

Chris Melendez is pissed that EY was surprised that he came out. Chris tells EY that he was taken to a place he hasn’t been since he was overseas, and he wants a fight. Aries chats with Spud and talks about how he made Option C to make the X Title more important, but now, since everyone has cashed it in, the title means a bit less. Aries tells him that he isn’t trying to mess with him as he already has his title shot guaranteed. Generic Knockouts video airs, so a KOs match must be next. Jade is out to face Brooke.

Match Two – Brooke’s Gotta Booty vs. Jade’s Gotta Dollhose

Brooke gets a schoolgirl for a quick 2. Ditto a jackknife cover. In a slightly surreal move, Ring of Honor is plugged with a mid-screen graphic here. Marti helps on the floor for a 2. Now Josh is a babyface as he’s opposed to the 2-on-1 edge the Dollhouse has here. Flying hair mares by Jade are met with a schoolgirl for 2 again. Helluva kick in the corner from Jade. Diving lariat off the second rope by Brooke. Jade gets a chick kick for 2. Slam and a lionsault miss for Jade and Brooke gets a face jam for 2 thanks to Marti putting the foot on the rope. Accidental Helluva kick to Marti on the apron gives Brooke the opening for her facebuster and the win. Brooke celebrates wins by jumping around – so she needs a new winning streak.

JB talks about having tasks he doesn’t like, and he talks to EC3. EC3 tells him he’s welcome for his fine haircut. EC3 says Spud is a good hand, but he’s got the shoulders to carry this company. The BDC vs. The Rising match is up next. Rebel yells to Brooke about how happy she is for her. The Dollhouse goons attack Rebel while Brooke is busy showering. Josh is a face here too. The BDC comes down with their flag, banner, and masks. The Rising comes down to no real reaction here. Well, the heels look cooler and they’ve done very little with The Rising over the past couple of months.

Match Three – The BDC vs. The Rising

Eli dominates MVP with elbows, including a nice flying one. A King distraction lets MVP boot him in the face. Kenny comes in and gets a floatover snap suplex for 2. They triple team Eli in the corner and King runs wild. Josh buries the referee for believing the heels and Josh points out how illogical wrestling is compared to regular sports. Ugh. Ki and Eli go at it, and Eli escapes Ki to tag in Drew. Drew comes in as Josh talks about Drew legit hates Ki, as opposed to all of those fake real rivalries in TNA. Strong kick by Galloway gets 2 on Ki thanks to King getting involved. Mica dives onto King on the floor and Drew chops Ki in the corner. MVP crotches Drew leading to a Warrior’s Way being countered into a belly to belly as Drake and MVP attack. Mika and Drew hit a Doomsday Device for the win. Well, they’re a better LOD than The Ascension. Spud makes his decision next, and then EC3 and Tyrus talk to a camera man about having a conversation that will change Spud’s life forever.

We get a recap of last week’s Storm-Mickie deal with him promising some big wig country music meetings. Mickie’s in Nashville in a very loud area near a train station before seeing no one there but James. Spud comes to the ring in one of his sillier-looking suits to date and then magically teleports into the ring with JB as a small clip plays of him winning the X Title last week. JB asks him if he’ll give it all up for a World title shot, which he says is a once a million shot since he’s just like all the fans.

He needs more time, but he doesn’t get it. JB has a great game show announcer voice, and Spud’s probably wishing he had a dark suit on as Kurt comes out. Josh tells Spud to hang onto his title because he can’t beat Kurt – so now he’s a heel again, I think. Kurt tells Spud that he’s trained harder for this World title than any of the 12 others he’s won and he shouldn’t fight him. EC3 comes down and tells him that he can hang his career on being a two-time X Division champion. He’s also a fish and he’s swimming with sharks. EC3 told him he was a lion, tiger, and gazelle – but Kurt is the best ever…or at least was, until he came along. EC3 says that he and Dixie will give Spud a lifetime contract as Chief of Staff. All he has to do is avoid cashing in Option C and give EC3 his shot. I love this – they’re setting up a future EC3-Spud title match perfectly if/when EC3 wins the title.

Spud says he loved being the Chief of Staff, he loved Dixie and he loved Ethan too. But then he was fired and humiliated, busted open and shaved bald. Spud calls him someone who never had to work for anything and he worked hard for 14 years, and all EC3 did was laugh at him and he’s nothing but a self-entitled prick! He can take the job and his Aunt and stick them up his ass, but dammit, he’s Rockstar Spud and he’s cashing in the title and he’s facing Kurt Angle! Spud is the best babyface in wrestling right now. EC3 cheapshots Spud and Kurt defends him and orders a tag match pitting he and Spud against EC3 and Tyrus. The Dirty Heels talk backstage about needing a win and playing the Wolves’ game, and now they need to do whatever it takes to win. Aries gives Roode a shirt and their match is next.

But first, Mickie asks James where the stars are and he says they’re just fashionably late. He can give her so much more, and while the music can be there forever, he wants her to join him on his journey and be by his side. He wants her and her son to join The Revolution. She says that he’s her friend, but she needs to go. He says he’s sorry and he thought he could help her out and it’s his fault – whatever she decides, he stands behind. They hug and he leaves with her to protect here. “Lots of crazies out there.”. This was excellent.

The Dirty Heels come out with new grey and black Dirty Heels shirts. We see clips of match two with the Heels losing. The Wolves come down in white with the war paint on. Pope puts over TNA as having the best tag teams in the world.

Match Four – The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels – Match Three in the Best of Five Series

Josh plugs the “live” Impact on June 24 before the rest of Impact tapigs through that Saturday. Last Chancery is locked on quickly as Davey gets the ropes, and then Roode tags in for a boot to the gut. Wolves tag in for fast arm wringers and a double stomp to the arm of Roode by Davey. Drop toehold>kneedrop get 2. Roode gets a tag, but Aries eats a backdrop. Face smack into Davey’s boot in the corner. Aries hop to the apron where he eats a double Helluva kick, but Roode prevents a double dive to Aries. Aries gets a chopblock to each man and kicks away at a leg before a break.

After the break, Roode gets a gordbuster. Davey comes back with an outside-in double stomp. Roode smashes Davey into the buckle and stomps his back. Roode chops away and Davey attacks each man in the corner. Davey escapes a Roode throw and tags in Eddie. Eddie runs wild and gets a superkick to the stomach and a shining wizard before hitting Aries with an inverted Falcon Arrow. An Aries eye rake breaks up Roode eating a billion cops in the corner. Heels go for a double suplex, but Davey saves Eddie and they double-dive the Heels on the floor.

Roode eats a series of kicks and a German suplex for 2. Josh confirms that the Angle and Spud tag match is confirmed. Well, with 32 minutes of airtime left, that’s a good thing to confirm at this point. Roode and Aries gets the outside-in backbreaker and elbow for 2. Miscue leads to Roode hitting Aries and Aries eating a kick and Michinoku driver for 2. Wolves howl, but an Aries dropkick prevents a backpack stunner. Spinebuster leads to the 450 and a 2! Aries gets a suicide dive on the floor and a chair. Brian Hebner is against the chair, but doesn’t bother to move it. Aries distracts him with a belt and Roode hits Eddie with the chair to win. Well, this made Brian Hebner look like a complete moron. Josh says it’s okay because Bobby didn’t want to use it at first. Wow is that some bizarre logic. Security camera footage shows Storm and Mickie at the train station and Storm knocks her onto the tracks before calling Magnus and then whistling his theme. Well, this storyline sure went down some dark roads tonight.

Madison has a mic and Josh talks about how angry she’s been on social media. Unless you twerk or are Gail Kim, you get nothing in TNA. They all make her sick and while she, as contacted talent, waits her turn someone like Velvet Sky gets more TV time despite being fired. Someone holds up a tiny orange sign with “Better Than Divas” on it. Velvet comes down and Madison says it’s okay, just let her come through the security barricade because she’s pissed. Madison says that she’s a big fan of what Velvet’s doing and she understands that she’s trying to get her spot back – and slaps her. “A few chains don’t make ya a badass, purple in yer hair doesn’t make you a badass!” Velvet spears her and hits a stunner before Angelina screeches. Angelina says they can do this the easy way or the hard way, so Velvet kicks their asses until the numbers game takes over and she’s arrested. Angelina talks smack while Velvet is held back, insulted, and slapped. Velvet smiles, so Angelina elbows her down. Josh, after burying Pope for wondering if the security guys are hired by Angelina, says that he now believes they’re employed by her. Security comes down to tell Angelina that since she just attacked a fan, she’s being arrested. Well, that’s a great bit of logic. After a break, Taryn is in her Dollhouse and says that next week, she’ll expose a whole new side to the Knockouts division.

The heels come out first while Spud comes out and Josh says that Spud can’t beat Kurt. Kurt comes out sans any pyro while Josh puts over how Kurt has been in the ring with the best in the sport and now he’s the TNA World Champion.

Main Event – EC3 and Tyrus vs. Kurt Angle and Rockstar Spud

Spud runs wild on EC3 with punches and tons of overhand corner chops. Josh says that when TNA sends its champion to a nice dinner or sporting event, the champion should be EC3 and not Spud. Spud gets his chain of elbow shots before Tyrus fishhooks him. Tyrus gets an iffy chokeslam while Josh buries Spud for not accepting EC3’s offer. Tyrus stands on Spud’s back and then EC3 stomps him in the corner. EC3 tags Tyrus in for a corner heart punch.

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A dueling EC3/SUCKS chant breaks out. Tyrus hits a big elbow to the back and grinds the bone into the spine. Tyrus clubs him while EC3 tells him to break him. Tyrus responds with a chain of backbreakers.  EC3 hits a Stinger splash and lands an Angle-esque overhead belly to belly. Spud tags Kurt in while EC3 quickly tags Tyrus in. Tyrus very slowly goes over the top after a low bridge. Tyrus kidney punches Kurt to allow EC3 to escape the ankle lock. Spud tags in and dropkicks Kurt into Tyrus, sending the big man down. Tyrus is hit with the Angle slam and Spud gets the win! Kurt and Spud stare down with the title between them, but Aries comes down.

Aries tells Spud that he admires his courage, his heart, and questions his decision-making. He cashed in option C and he’ll face Kurt, but since he’s got the case, he’ll be in the main event. At Destination X, he’ll cash in and will face the winner of Angle-Spud and once again be the World Champion. Josh asks if anyone else will screw with EC3. Destination X is hyped up with two World Title matches and an X Title thing as well.

To see every screenshot taken for the show, just click here.

By Jeremy Peeples, WrestlingObserver.com

Last week, Destination America aired last year’s Slammiversary show instead of Impact. The week before that, Eric Young beat Kurt Angle in a Hardcore War tag team match and then choked him with Chris Melendez’s artificial leg. Tonight, during May Mayhem (because every show MUST have a title to indiciate how special it is), EY battles Kurt in an I Quit match. The Dollhouse vs. Gail Kim rivalry continues with Gail facing Taryn in a cage match, and the best of five series between The Wolves and the Dirty Heels continues with the second match. The Wolves won, so the Heels will be looking to win by any means necessary to even things up.

The show begins with EY in his car with a multi-camera shoot until he gets to the building and brawls with Kurt. They go back and forth between cameras way too quickly and get separated while EY yells about breaking Kurt’s damn neck and just yells. Josh says that tonight anarchy rules…but since I guess WWE owns that name, tonight is May Mayhem. The Knockouts promo airs and we start off with the first match – Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell in a cage. Al Snow and his jacket are with Josh in the closet. Al describes the Dollhouse as hot, but creepy.

Match 1 – Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell – Six Sides of Steel

Gail jumps Taryn on the floor, but the goons try to get involved. Stinger splash in the corner to the challenger. Gail gets 2 off a flapjack. Gail smashes her into the cage and thankfully Al doesn’t compare it to a cheese grater so Josh could correct him. As expected, the camera hole in the cage is used for interference. Gail takes an awesome bump off the cage. Jade and Marti tie Gail’s hair into the cage. Taryn smashes Gail’s hand into the cage to either break her ring hand or take her wedding ring off. A kick to the stomach sets up a flipping neckbreaker and a suplex for 2. Gail bowls over the champion before hitting a stunner to the knee in the corner. The goons prevent Gail from escaping while Jade gets the Maria Cam treatment. The Cutter hits and gets the win.

Josh says in 19 days, Taryn will break Gail’s streak as KOs champion. Taryn hits a lariat to Earl and closes the catch…but doesn’t latch it up, and Kong comes out while Taryn yells “lookit lookit lookit!” They lock the cage and Taryn has the key in the corner with her while the goons attack Gail. Taryn tells Gail that she’s nothing compared to her while Kong attacks the cage with a chair. Taryn takes Gail’s ring off, licks it, and smashes her hand against the mat and stomps it while Josh talks about Taryn’s past mental problems. Taryn plays with Gail’s ring using her teeth and we go to a break. This was a far better use of 13 minutes to start a show than Raw usually is.

After the break, we see Al and Josh full-screen as they recap Gail’s broken finger. A quick recap of the EY-Angle brawl from earlier leads to a Storm-Magnus-Mickie recap. Josh says that the great thing about TNA is that they have “really adult stuff” and aren’t PG. Josh asks why Al has a suitcase and says it’s because they’re moving to Wednesday. Mickie says she’s coming back for one more match and recaps the Storm-Magnus problems and why it’s so hard for her. Storm comes down and she says she wants to talk to him about Magnus not calling him and apologizing for the guitar shot.

He says she doesn’t need to apologize to him and he’d have done what Magnus did if he was in his shoes. Mickie tells James that Magnus is just trying to protect her from Bram, and Storm says he’s not a bad guy – he holds the door open for ladies, and if that makes him bad, then he’s a bad, bad guy. The crowd chants “you’re a bad guy” and he says “naw”. Storm really needs to be a babyface. Storm talks about getting a guitar for her, a blanket for Donovan, and even bought Magnus his gladiator helmet back. The crowd chants “that was funny” and he talks about getting Mickie a meeting with big country music people – even Dale Oliver and Billy Corgan. One of these is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong. Josh, who is apparently now an idiot, says that Storm just might be trustworthy while Al points out that he isn’t. We get an X Division gauntlet next and get a graphic with a billion guys on-screen. Kenny is defending his title tonight in this and wants to keep the title to get a World title shot.

Josh says that EY and Kurt have been locked into rooms, and EY breaks his window while showing his Twitter feed. We get a new X division hype video that will presumably air before every division match like the Knockouts one.

Match Two – Manik vs. Spud vs. DJZ vs. Tigre Uno vs. Argos vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Kenny King – X Division Title Gauntlet

Manik is out first, while Spud draws the second spot. They brawl in the corner and Spud goes to toss him over. Spud goes for an outside-in DDT, but gets faceplanted. DJZ is out and they talk about him having nowhere to go with the demise of the BroMans. Spud and DJZ attack Manik. Mandrews comes out to no reaction and ranas Manik after being tossed up by DJZ. Faces team up on Manik while Spud tries to eliminate him, but he comes back in. Argos comes out, also to no reaction. Running headscissors to Manik. He misses a corner charge, but gets a springboard rana to Manik. Manik avoids a Mandrews SSP, but can’t get rid of Mandrews until he smashes his head into the post. Crazzy Steve is out for an ad break.

Uno is eliminated during the break while Al says he thought that was Argos. Kenny King is out last. Kenny runs wild before Spud attacks him. Kenny fights back and capture suplexes DJZ. Steve gets an over the top inverted triangle over the ropes, which leads to his elimination. Argos is tossed out by King. Kenny hits the Royal Flush and Josh says Spud hit the canvas at 150 MPH. DJZ gets a face buster onto King, but King reverses a whip and sends him out. Manik wants a truce with King and attacks Spud. Kenny tries to toss Spud out, and as he looks, Manik hits the pop-up Codebreaker. Manik gets tossed, so it’s down to Spud vs. Kenny King. Kenny lands a slew of mounted punches to Spud.

Josh says that Spud has to win by pinfall or submission, while Kenny can just be DQed. Spud gets a small package out of the Royal Flush and Spud wins! He gets his second X Division title win, so that win sure did a lot of good for King. At least it gave Spud the motivation for his best promo of the year. We get a graphic for EY vs. Kurt and find out that it’s a title match, while Heels-Wolves match two is up next. Back in the booth, Josh runs down that they’ll be changing to Wednesday nights next week and Al says he’ll have an amazing jacket for the PPV. The Dirty Heels come out first, followed by The Wolves.

Match Three – The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels in Match Two of the Best of Five Series

Aries jumps the gun and Roode leapfrogs Davey mid-ring leading to a Davey dive to Aries on the floor! Eddie gets a schoolboy for 2. Davey and Eddie kick and chop away at Roode. Roode gets an atomic drop leading to a move from Aries setting up a Perfect necksnap from Roode for 2. Davey bonks Austin’s head into Eddie’s and Aries comes back with corner punches in his corner. Roode comes in and chops him down while Aries gets the tope con hilo for 2.

Roode nuns wild on Eddie before tagging Aries in and Davey makes a save. Eddie avoids a double team with a pair of kicks and throws Aries into Roode before tagging Davey in. Double team drop toehold>kneedrop by the Wolves to Aries and a corner head bonk for Roode. Inverted figure four/Indian deathlock by Davey to Roode – nice. Roode reversed the hold and gets the rope. German suplex with a double team jackknife cover gets 2 for the Wolves. Roode coes back from some double teams with a big lariat and a kick before making the tag.

Corner elbow and punch exchange with Davey. Aries gets a missile dropkick to one Wolf and gets a flipping German to Davey alongside the Last Chancery while Roode gets the crossface on Eddie. Davey knees out of a brainbuster, but eats a roaring elbow. Falcon Arrow>high kick from the Wolves leads to a 2.9! Roode spinebusters Eddie leading to a 450 by Aries for 2.9! Big chops by Aries, but the Wolves double team to get ahead. Aries avoids the powerbomb>backstabber and Aries flips through into a Chancery, but Davey double stomps him! Powerbomb>backstabber hits and the Wolves are up 2-0. Holy crap was this great – it might’ve been the best traditional tag team match on TV all year.

Angelina is startled by a camera guy and says she’ll address Velvet next. But first, Kenny King calls MVP, who he calls “Montel Vontaveous Porter” and is pissed off at because he’s not here. Angelina talks to Velvet, who is now in the crowd. Angelina yells for her friends to come out by just yelling “friends!”, which is great. She has her own personal security team who will haul her out if she touches Angelina. She calls her a fired freak while Velvet stares stone-faced. Angelina goes to leave, but Velvet jumps her from behind. Al points out that since Velvet doesn’t work her, every single thing Velvet does should result in an assault charge. Angelina calls her a freak and an idiot some more. Angelina’s mic work throughout this entire thing was really annoying. Anderson is backstage in a pink-lit looking both old and jacked. Ken introduces the new cage he’ll have Tyrus stuck in tonight when he faces EC3 next.

Josh says that one thing he loves about TNA is that he can say what he wants and he feels that EC3 should be World champion. Al says that EC3 deserves a shot, but not the title. EC3 says that despite his rage, Tyrus will not be a rat in the cage – I love EC3’s act so much. And then Ken Anderson came out and said his name twice. Well, said it once and yelled it the second time. Al says that Tyrus is over 400 pounds now. Despite Tyrus not being in the cage, the bell rings.

Match Four – Ken Anderson vs. EC3 with Tyrus Locked in a Cage

Ken starts things off by jumping Tyrus and trying to get him in the cage, but EC3 attacks Ken. EC3 bashes him into the cage, which I guess is legal in this match. Snap suplex by EC3 gets 2 as Josh plugs Hillbilly Blood and BBQ Pitmasters. Al and Josh talk about being afraid of Dixie and Janice while Josh says he has EC3’s signs made for him. So is Josh officially a heel announcer now? Josh says that EC3 was planning to arm wrestle, and was shocked by the street fight. Ken attacks Tyrus and hits his hands with a chair, then his gut and back. Tyrus goes into the cage to avoid more chairshots and Ken locks the cage. Why not do that before the match and not break up the match?

Ken runs wild with clotheslines, so EC3 rakes the eyes. Ken gets a powerslam for 2. Back and forth whips into the buckle lead to Ken getting 1 off a backdrop. Ken goes up top, but gets crotched. Inverted superplex gets 2.9! EC3 gets a Stinger splash, but Ken counters the One Percenter with a Finlay roll and a swanton for 2. EC3 counters the Mic Check, but lands it and only gets 2! Ken repositions himself, goes for it again, and EC3 counters it into his finisher for the win. This was pretty fun, honestly – not a great match, but it served its purpose. EC3 and Ken shake hands afterwards since Ken was beaten fairly…kinda

Destination America has made an ad to hype up Awesome Kong. We go backstage to Spud saying that the first time he won the title, it could be a fluke, but now, he’s legit. He puts over Joe, AJ, and Jerry Lynn while the camera man talks about Option C. Spud said he didn’t even know Destination X was so close – well, we still don’t know. Al and Josh talk and say that next week, we’ll get match three in the best of five series. Josh says that on the TNA site, EY has been counting own this I Quit match. Somehow, EY getting a tattoo months ago is due to this match. He’s flanked by security, as is Kurt.

Main Event – Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young – I Quit Match

EY jumps Kurt during the big match intro – good, it would be ridiculous to not do that. Kurt gets a takedown and some mounted punches. They fight to the floor and EY gets a cheapshot and some chops. They exchange punches mid-ring before EY gets an eye rake. Kurt gets a German, then another, a third hits, now a fourth, and a fifth leads to Kurt releasing it so the ref can ask if he quits. EY says no, so Kurt suplexes him some more. EY doesn’t give up again for an ad break.

After the break, Kurt dominates in the corner until EY hits him with the brace and gets the figure four. Kurt reverses the pressure, but EY won’t give up. EY gets the Angle slam and the ankle lock, but Kurt won’t quit. Kurt counters even with the grapevine on and gets a wonky figure four. EY misses a missile dropkick and Kurt gets a figure four. Before, Kurt did this as an homage to Dick Beyer, but while EY taps out, he didn’t say he quit. Kurt releases the hold, and eats a low blow. I like that – Kurt got the win in theory with an implied submission, but didn’t get the win here. Piledriver hits hard, and Kurt weakly responds with a no when asked to quit before telling EY to kiss his ass.

EY goes for a Gotch piledriver, but Kurt flips out and gets an ankle lock and EY quits after the grapevine. Al says that since Kurt’s a master, it makes sense for EY to give up so quickly from that move. They really pushed the move to Wednesday hard here – so while the move has bee promoted poorly before tonight, they tried to make up for it here. We get highlights of tonight’s show to set up next week, which is far better than them spoiling the show with clips. This was a pretty good show with one absolute must-watch match in the Heels vs. Wolves match, and the rest of it was at least fun.

To see every screen for tonight’s show, just click here.

Editor’s Note: Since Destination America is re-airing TNA Slammiversary from last year in place of a new Impact Wrestling, here’s Dave Meltzer’s original coverage from that night.

By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

Welcome to our live coverage of TNA’s Slammiversary PPV from Arlington, TX.  We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com

SEIYA SANADA VS. TIGRE UNO VS. MANIK VS. CRAZZY STEVE VS. EDDIE EDWARDS VS. DAVEY RICHARDS FOR X TITLE IN A LADDER MATCH

Sanada retained the title pulling down the ladder. This was an amazing spectacle that I couldn’t even being to describe.  There were crazy dives, great acrobatic spots and more.  The climax saw Richards about the grab the belt when Manik springboarded and landed on the ladder and then gave Richards a sunset flip power bomb into a ladder that bridged the other ladder and the ring.  Another big spot was Edwards doing a power bomb spot on Uno and Richards gave off the top rope with a back stabber.  Uno did crazy dives and also took a German suplex by Richards into a ladder on the floor.  The crowd, which looks impressive on TV, was really into Steve.

MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King are all out.  MVP was on crutches.  He had good heat.  MVP said he should be in the hospital and he people are booing.  He said Dixie Carter went to the board of directors and he’s been censored.  He announced Young defending in a cage match against the winners of Joe vs. Lashley and King vs. Aries.  He said he can’t be anymore fair than that.  MVP vowed not to be involved in any of the matches.  King ripped on the Dallas Cowboys saying they can’t win any playoff games.  MVP got the fans to chant “Joe is gonna kill you.”  Lashley didn’t talk.

SAMOA JOE VS. BOBBY LASHLEY

Crowd was really hot for this.  In fact, the crowd looks like they’re going to make this a fun show.  Joe took most of the match until Lashley tried to throw him into ref Earl Hebner.  Joe held up and and didn’t hit Hebner, which allowed Joe to hit the spear for the pin.

Jeremy Borash is in the Carter family suite.  She said EC 3 beating Bully Ray is a given and Bully messed with the wrong family and he’ll see Ethan’s vicious side.  Carter saiad she had very important meetings this week and will share them in the middle of the ring.  She said Karma did MVP in the butt tonight, and if you think that’s bad, you don’t know what’s coming.

WILLOW VS. MAGNUS

Surprise ending as Magnus won pretty clean with a back suplex turned into a slam.  Bram and Abyss interfered liberally.  Bram had pulled out a steel turnbuckle but Abyss pulled out Janice and chased Bram away but Magnus won clean.

The French announce team, Celian Varini and Gregory Deas are there live.

Kurt Angle is out to make the Hall of Fame announcement.  Kurt was walking around fine.  He said possibly the greatest tag team of all-time, Team 3-D.  Devon was back.  They’ll be inducted at Bound for Glory.  Crowd gave them a big ovation.  There was a sign in the crowd saying “Real Hall of Fame, Jarrett & AJ.”  Fans were chanting “We Want Tables” really loud and for a long time.  Bully was doing the Hogan milking it routine.  Bully said it was the best We Want Tables chant in forever.  Bully put over how great it was to be in the ring with Devon again and they hugged.  Loud “Welcome back” chant at Devon.  Bully said Team 3-D were the most successful team in the history of pro wrestling.  Devon said he left TNA in August and vowed not to come back and said he thought he was done.  Devon said if they have to go out, they should go out together.

Ethan Carter III did an interview and said he beat Sting and Kurt Angle and he’ll beat Bully tonight and he’ll become the hardcore American icon.  He said Dallas is Carter country. 

AUSTIN ARIES VS. KENNY KING

Aries won clean with a brainbuster off the middle rope.  So it’s Young vs. Aries vs. Lashley as the main event.  A lot oof near falls.  Good match.

They introduced the Cowboys, who got a mixed reaction.  Jeremy Borash put over the Von Erichs.  You can tell the crowd came to see the Von Erichs.  They showed a photo of Kevin, Kerry and  David.  Kevin is in flip flops.  He said he didn’t want to ever wear shoes again.  Kevin with gray hair. 

ROSS & MARSHALL VON ERICH VS. DJ ZEMA ION & JESSIE GODDERZ

This worked for what it was.  The Von Erichs were obviously green but the Bro Mans did a great job working with them in a short match.  Ross is small but  good athlete.  Marshall has more size and potential.  The crowd was super into them.  Marshall did a standing moonsault on DJ and Jessie hit Marshall with a chair for the DQ.  This set up Kevin hitting the ring and cleaning house, putting the claw on Ion.  This was probably the biggest pop at a TNA show or any wrestling show of late.  

ANGELINA LOVE VS. GAIL KIM FOR KNOCKOUTS TITLE

They are doing a heel ref deal with Brian Stiffler.  Velvet Sky sprayed Kim with hair spray but Kim kicked out of the pin.  Earl Hebner kicked Sky out and also kicked Stiffler out.  Later, Kim accidentally dropkicked Hebner.  Kim used eat defeat but Stiffler wouldn’t get in the ring to count and was acting like he was concerned with Hebner.  Kim went for a rolling reverse cradle and Stiffler stood there.  Love reversed and held the trunks and Stiffler jumped in the ring to count the pin.

Bully did an interview about his match and talked about the Von Erichs, Freebirds, Stan Hansen and Terry Funk.

BULLY RAY VS. ETHAN CARTER III IN A TEXAS DEATH MATCH

Carter won.  Weapons match using kendo sticks, a cheese grater on EC 3’s chest and Carter took a Bubba cutter onto shards of glass.  Bully cut up the ring and undid the padding but Ethan used the headlock DDT on the wood but Bully got up.  The finish saw Bully put  Ethan on two tables and teased putting him through the tables but Dixie ran out.  Bully was chasing Dixie who bumped into Ethan and sold like she was knocked out.  That was pretty lame.  Bully put Dixie on the table and was about to put her through it but Ethan hit Bully with a kendo stick and he fell through the two tables after Spud pulled Dixie off them to save her.  Bully couldn’t beat the ten count so Ethan won.  Match was different from everything else and fans were into it.  It was your usual weapons brawl filled with gimmicks.

JAMES STORM VS. KEN ANDERSON 

This wasn’t really a match as much as just a set up for a spot trying to get ESPN publicity.  Storm ripped on the Cowboys and poured beer on a Cowboys helmet.  Storm talked about if the guys in the crowd were anything like their QB that they wont’ hit anything.  They did a short match.  Storm spit beer on George Selvie of the Cowboys.  Security held him back as did his teammates.  Selvie broke free and distracted Storm and Anderson  hit the mic check for the pin.  This led to a post-match celebration with Anderson and several members of the Cowboys.

ERIC YOUNG VS. AUSTIN ARIES VS. BOBBY LASHLEY CAGE MATCH FOR THE TNA TITLE

Young retained the title in a short but good match by pinning Aries after a piledriver, after reversing the brainbuster.  A couple of cool spots incuidng Young doing a Death Valley bomb with both Aries and Lashely in his shoulders and Young doing an elbow drop off the top of the cage onto Aries.  Lashley speared Aries but Young saved.  Lashley went for another spear but went through the cage to the floor.  This left Aries vs. Young as Lashley couldn’t get back in the cage as the door was locked.  Imagine a cage match with no interference.

This show was so much better than expected.  Really fun.