Written by: Bob Colling
National Wrestling Alliance/Total Non-Stop Action Weekly PPV #66
Date: 10/22/2003
From: Nashville, Tennessee
It’s the Night Of Champions edition of TNA programming.
Opening Contest: Three Live Kru vs. Ekmo, Legend & Sonny Siaki: Killings and Siaki kick off the opening bout. Siaki shoulder blocks Killings and they both run the ropes until Killings hits a spinning forearm shot. Legend tags in as does Konnan and Legend gets a few right in on Konnan. Konnan blocks a clothesline and drives Legend down with a face buster for a two count. Killings goes to the top and leg drops Legend on the groin. Ekmo tags in but Killings punches Ekmo a few times. Killings takes Ekmo over with a head scissors but Ekmo no sells it and runs over Killings with a clothesline. Ekmo hits a sit out full nelson slam on Killings and tags out to Legend who gets a two count. Legend runs into a big boot but Legend recovers to nail Ron with a big boot in the corner. Ekmo tags in but misses a spear in the corner hitting the ring post. BG and Siaki tag in with BG cleaning house with right hands. BG jabs Siaki and decks Legend with a right hand. Konnan drops Legend with a rolling thunder clothesline. Ekmo catches Killings but they both go over the top to the floor. Siaki takes BG over with a suplex. Trinity misses a missile dropkick hitting Siaki on accident. BG plants Siaki with a pump handle slam for the win. (*1/2. Not all that exciting but they kept the action going and didn’t draw it out too long with rest holds or anything like that. I’m guessing another split up angle is in the works between Trinity and Siaki.)
Backstage, Dusty Rhodes tells Jeff Jarrett that he is going to watch his back tonight. Jarrett tells Dusty that he will be watching him too. Dusty tells Jarrett that it takes a self-serving son of a bitch to know when there is one, as well.
Second Contest: Sonjay Dutt vs. Kid Kash: Dutt snap mares Kash early on and they proceed to attempt various moves but neither man hits and they have a standoff. Dutt arm drags Kash and dropkicks Kash to the floor. Dutt takes Kash out with a springboard twisting dive to the floor. Kash returns with a springboard clothesline but Dutt kicks out at two. Kash drives Dutt down with an upside down surfboard and scoop slams Sonjay. Kash goes to the top but misses a frog splash. Dutt connects with a springboard back elbow and hits a swinging crucifix slam of sorts for a near fall. Kash eye rakes Dutt and heads to the top but gets crotched by Dutt. Kash hits an insane middle rope brain buster for the win. (***. At least it took some kind of sick bump to beat Dutt. Dutt has brought a freshness to the division with moves that nobody else can pull off, so that’s good.) After the match, Abyss shows up to help Dutt and Kash bails. Dutt gives Abyss a hug and gives him a handshake. Abyss doesn’t want that and plants Dutt with the Black Hole Slam and even Kash is confused.
Backstage, Sonny Siaki says that AJ Styles wouldn’t allow them into his locker room. Siaki believes that it is their best interest for AJ to be NWA-TNA World Champion.
Third Contest: NWA-TNA World Tag Team Champions Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger vs. Danny Doring & Roadkill: Swinger and Roadkill start off the contest after the fans chanted for Roadkill. Swinger starts off with right hands but Roadkill slams Swinger quickly and hits a middle rope elbow drop. Diamond gets in the ring and Roadkill slams Diamond. Doring comes off the top to connect with a leg drop for a near fall. Swinger sends Doring into the ring steps while the referee was distracted by Roadkill. Diamond keeps control with a right hand on Doring and tags in Swinger. Swinger hits a short arm clothesline for a two count on Doring. Swinger has a Boston Crab while Diamond delivers a leg drop on Doring for a near fall. Doring continues to be double teamed with a double side Russian leg sweep. Diamond and Swinger continue to work over Doring in the corner. Doring big boots Swinger in the corner and delivers a running clothesline. Roadkill gets the hot tag and cleans house with clotheslines. Roadkill misses a splash in the corner. Roadkill leaps off the top rope to clothesline the champs and they get near falls on the champions. Gilbertti throws a championship into Swinger and Swinger nails Roadkill with it but Roadkill kicks out at two. Roadkill plants Swinger with a side slam. Doring leaps off of Roadkill’s back to take out the heels on the floor with a cross body! Roadkill drives Diamond down with a side slam, as well. Roadkill leaps off the top but misses a splash as Diamond rolled out of the way. The champs barely hit the Problem Solver on Roadkill to win the match. (**1/2. The closing sequence was enjoyable and had me thinking a change could have happened. I’m kind of surprised that Doring and Roadkill didn’t become more of a fixture in the tag division following this.)
Shane Douglas promotes the next franchise appearing next week.
Fourth Contest: NWA-TNA X-Division Champion Michael Shane vs. Chris Sabin vs. Christopher Daniels: Before Michael Shane’s entrance, Shane Douglas’ theme plays, and that might be a case of foreshadowing or a botch by production, you never know. Daniels and Sabin go after Shane with right hands and deliver a double backdrop. Daniels decks Sabin from behind but Sabin takes Daniels over with a hurricanrana. Shane tried to leave but Sabin prevents him from doing so. Sabin nails Daniels with a spinning heel kick. Sabin drops Shane with a right hand, the same goes for Daniels. Sabin hits a running knee strike and a fisherman suplex for a two count as Daniels breaks up the pin attempt. Daniels takes Sabin over with an exploder suplex for a two count. Shane backdrops Daniels over the top to the floor but Daniels holds Sabin on the apron only for Shane to knock him off. Shane yanks Sabin down by his hair. Shane also knocks Daniels off the apron. Sabin and Shane trade strikes but Sabin shoves Shane to the apron where Sabin hits a springboard dropkick to knock Shane to the apron. Daniels plants Sabin with a twisting slam. Daniels follows up with a tilt a whirl back breaker and a leg sweep for a two count on Sabin. Daniels connects with a springboard moonsault to the back of Sabin and locked in a Crossface but can’t get a submission. Daniels hits a DDT/Flatliner combo but can’t pin either man.
Daniels goes to the top rope but Shane cuts him off with a right hand. Daniels shoves Shane off the top but is met with a forearm from Sabin. Sabin has Daniels set for a suplex but Shane comes over to hit a back suplex on Sabin, who still takes Daniels over with a superplex. Sabin runs over Daniels with a clothesline and is knocking both men down. Sabin delivers a few kicks to keep control of the match. Sabin plants Daniels with a DDT but Shane breaks up the cover attempt. Daniels counters a DDT from Shane and slams the champ. Shane bails to avoid the Best Moonsault Ever. Daniels takes Shane out with a somersault dive to the floor. Daniels attempts the Angels Wings on the floor, but Sabin leaps off the top to hit a cross body on both men. Shane super kicks Daniels and Sabin clotheslines Shane. Sabin nearly pins Daniels with the Cradle Shock but Shane pulled the referee out. Sabin blocks the super kick and almost pins Shane with a rollup. Sabin spikes Shane with a tornado DDT but Shane gets his boot on the bottom rope. Shane nails Sabin with the super kick and wins the match. (***. Solid action and everyone got their moment to shine. Shane is coming along nicely and his heel run is going very well, I’d say.)
Backstage, James Mitchell says that he has the key to Raven’s soul. Mitchell also refers to Raven having done something awful to him prior to them arriving in TNA.
Jimmy Hart comes out for an interview where he talks about Hulk Hogan joining TNA and how Hogan is excited about the young talent. Hart says that Hogan injured his knee and will be having an operation. Thus, Bound For Glory has been rescheduled. Jeff Jarrett comes out after Hart mentioned Bash at the Beach and Jarrett attacks Hart. Jarrett whips Hart with a leather belt until AJ Styles runs down to make the save. Hart seriously wanted to know three years later why the incident happen.
Backstage, Glenn Gilbertti reveals that the Naturals are the mystery opponents for America’s Most Wanted.
Fifth Contest: Slash vs. Raven in a dog collar match: Raven attempts the DDT within the first ten-seconds but Slash breaks free and goes to the floor. Raven pulls the chain and Slash goes head first into the ring post a few times. Of course, Slash is already bleeding. Father Mitchell low blows Raven on the floor and Slash sends Raven into the guard railing. Slash pulls on the chain to send Raven face first into the ring steps. Slash attempts to use a chain but Raven avoids it and rolls into the ring. Slash wraps the chain around Raven’s neck and hits a neck breaker for a two count. Slash is hanging Raven over the middle rope. Raven pulls on the chain to send Slash into the corner a few times. The chain is caught int he ropes as Raven tried to send Slash into the corner. Slash counters a DDT with a Death Valley Driver. Slash hits a neck breaker for another two count. Slash clotheslines Raven in the corner with the chain. Raven gets Slash tangled in the chain and Slash spins around right into the DDT to give Raven the win. After the match, Raven hangs Slash over the top rope. Father Mitchell enters from behind but Raven puts a cobra clutch on Mitchell. Vampiro runs into the ring and kicks Raven several times until Raven lets go of the hold. Vampiro spits green mist into Raven’s eyes. Vampiro delivers a running kick to the chest. Vampiro misses a splash and Raven nails Vampiro with a super kick. Mitchell uses his cane to choke Raven and Vampiro gets some shots in. CM Punk and Julio Dinero run into the ring to make the save. (*1/2. It’s a fine brawl, but nothing all that great.) Raven is mad with the Gathering for not listening to him about not coming out.
Backstage, Don Callis cuts a promo saying that the Bound For Glory even has been rescheduled. Callis says that nobody wants to see a drunk guy in a quilt in TNA in reference to Roddy Piper returning.
Sixth Contest: America’s Most Wanted vs. The Naturals: All four men start brawling on the floor where Stevens sends Harris into the railing and helps Douglas control Storm on the other side. Douglas and Storm start the match legally with Douglas working over Storm with stomps in the corner. Storm is tossed to the outside where Stevens hip tosses Storm onto the concrete floor. Storm gets kneed by Stevens as he tried to fight back against Douglas. Stevens takes Storm over with a snap suplex and heads to the top rope hitting a double axe handle for a two count. Douglas climbs to the top but Storm delivers a shot to the midsection in midair. Stevens knocks Harris down but Harris enters and is escorted out by the referee. Stevens drives Storm down with a back breaker and misses a moonsault. Storm kicks Stevens and tags in Harris who cleans house with left hands. Harris drops Douglas with a leaping clothesline and a full nelson slam for a two count on Stevens. Storm knocks Douglas to the floor and AMW hit Stevens with their version of the Hart Attack but only manage a two count. Harris is sent into the railing as Storm plants Douglas with the Eight Second Ride. Gilbertti distracts the referee as Stevens hits Storm with a chain and Douglas nearly wins but Storm got out at two. Harris brings Stevens in with a suplex but Gilbertti trips Harris and Stevens lands on top to pin Harris! Well, Erik Watts comes out and the match is restarted. Harris spears Dougals in midair. Stevens whacks Harris with a tennis racket but Storm nails Stevens with a super kick only for Gilbertti to pull Storm out of the ring. Harris hits a top rope cross body on Stevens to win the match. After the match, there is a brawl involving everyone at ringside. Don Harris runs out and makes the save for a bigger pop than you’d expect. (**1/4. I wonder if they used the tennis racket as a way to pay kudos to Jim Cornette for the finish. It’s an average match at best between the two teams but they never got past first gear it felt like. This was far more an angle advancement than it was designed to be a classic match.)
Raven comes out to reveal his match with Vampiro taking place next week. The match will be a dream blood gallows of retribution match. The match will have a chain and dog collar in each corner. The only way to win the match is by hanging your opponent over the top rope.
Backstage, Scott Hudson asks AJ Styles why he didn’t visit Vince Russo in the hospital. Styles says that it was because Russo did something stupid and his condition isn’t his fault. Styles is confident he is going to remain champion. Sonny Siaki, Ekmo, Trinity and Legend come over and tell Styles they got his back. Styles tells them to stay out of his way.
Main Event: NWA-TNA World Champion AJ Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett: Styles comes off the ropes to drop Jarrett with a shoulder block but doesn’t follow up on the advantage. Styles hits a springboard twisting cross body for a two count. Jarrett knocks Styles to the floor and misses a baseball slide. Styles sends Jarrett into the railing and clotheslines Jarrett and himself over the railing into the crowd. Styles drops Jarrett throat first across the railing. AJ flips over the top and takes Jarrett out with a somersault dive in the crowd! Jarrett crotches Styles over the top on a springboard attempt causing AJ to crash gut first across the top and falls into the ring. Jarrett decks Styles with a clothesline. Styles stops Jarrett with a back elbow but Jarrett still hits a back suplex. Jarrett continues with a knee lift as we see several wrestlers watching the match. Styles gets a rollup but goes for the Styles Clash, which Jarrett counters with a gut buster. AJ knocks Jarrett down with a kick to the head. Jarrett works over Styles with right hands and AJ hits an arm trapped suplex for a near fall. Styles springboards off the middle rope and this a German suplex but Jarrett kicks out at two. Jarrett hits a middle rope TKO but Styles kicks out at two. Jarrett leg trips Styles and locks in a figure four. Erik Watts has a confrontation with Sonny Siaki until Dusty Rhodes comes out to attack Siaki. Styles turns the hold over and Jarrett lets go. Jarrett has grabbed a chair and whacks Styles over the head with it! Jarrett has the cover but Styles kicks out at two! AJ low blows Jarrett and puts his head between the steel chair. Styles misses a leg drop and crashes to the canvas. Jarrett avoids a kick and connects with the Stroke onto the steel chair but Styles again kicks out. Jarrett has the championship but Styles nearly wins with a rollup. Jarrett knocks Styles out with it and tosses the championship out to win the championship. (**. Well, that was a major disappointment. I’m figuring this was a double turn of some kind to make Styles a face, and Jarrett the clear heel. They didn’t mesh very well and aside from the early moments where Styles was flying around, this wasn’t very good given the hype for it.)
Jeff Jarrett cuts a promo saying he didn’t care who would come down the aisle he said he was going to be the champion and he is. Jimmy Hart comes out and says that someone he use to manage will be here next week to confront Jeff Jarrett. Hart is going to get his revenge on Jarrett.
Final Thoughts:
Despite a disappointing main event, there was some solid action on the show and the angles for the most part remain interesting. A decent week, even if it was underwhelming.
Thanks for reading.