NWA-TNA Xplosion
Date: 7/19/2003
From: Nashville, TN
Jeremy Borash and Mike Tenay host the program. Borash promotes the NWA World Championship match where AJ Styles defends against D’Lo Brown in a best two out of three falls match.
A vignette promoting Erik Watts is shown. Watts says that his weakness is women and says the more the merrier. “Watts the problem?” is a slogan he’s using.
MATCH #1: ERIK WATTS VS. SLYCK WAGNER BROWN
FINISH: Late in the match, Watts hits a cobra clutch flatliner on both Hunter and Brown to pickup the win.
Bob’s Take: It’s hilarious to me that Watts has gotten over as Mr. Xplosion. Slyck Wagner Brown is an indie talent out of the Northeast area largely working for JAPW. April Hunter is in Slyck’s corner for the match, by the way. Brown hits an impressive somersault dive to the floor that wowed the audience, which can be tough to do on Xplosion. Brown tries to do a slingshot springboard, but slips and the crowd lets him have it. They covered the slip up fairly well. I’ve always liked Slyck, and I wouldn’t hate seeing him in TNA.
Match Rating: *1/2
Another vignette focusing on Christopher Daniels is shown. Daniels promotes sports entertainment being better than tradition.
Don Callis joins Mike Tenay and Jeremy Borash as they are promoting the show. Callis thinks there’s not enough of him and his monster Edward Chastain. Callin brags about taking out Sandman. Callis thinks he can provide content that the fans want to see because he doesn’t have an emotional connection to TNA.
MATCH #2: 3 LIVE KRU (BG JAMES, KONNAN & RON KILLINGS) VS. DIRK CIGLAR, MAD MAN PONDO, & NATE WEBB
FINISH: Killings nails Webb with a scissors kick and BG hits a knee drop to win the match.
Bob’s Take: 3LK on Xplosion feels like major names on the secondary program as the crowd gives them a warm reception each time. 3LK has given a new lease on life for BG James and Konnan while also keeping Killings relevant. I’m not sure if anyone has ever lost to a BG James knee drop before.
Match Rating: *
MAIN EVENT: ABYSS & KID KASH VS. DELIRIOUS & MATT SYDAL
FINISH: Abyss spears Sydal while Kash delivers a clothesline at the same time. Kash pins Sydal for the win.
Bob’s Take: Tenay notes that Delirious and Sydal have been rivals in Missouri and are teaming here. Sydal hits a dangerous moonsault to the floor after Abyss caught Delirious on a dive. Abyss wowed the fans with the Shock Treatment on Delirious. Daizee Haze nails Kash with a top rope hurricanrana. Sydal can take a fantastic Black Hole Slam. I’d be giving Abyss a massive heel singles push. Sydal would have a contract in the X-Division. I thought this was a good enhancement match.
Match Rating: **1/2
Final Thoughts:
Who would have though that Erik Watts being on Xplosion would be a bright spot. A better episode than last week with a stronger main event. I’ll consider this an average week.
Thanks for reading.