NWA-TNA Xplosion
Date: 8/23/2003
From: Nashville, TN
Jeremy Borash and Mike Tenay host the program. Borash notes that Michael Shane is the new TNA X-Division Champion and they rundown other happenings from the last weekly PPV.
A video highlighting the number one contenders gauntlet is shown. In the end, Raven pinned Shane Douglas to become the number one contender.
MATCH #1: MAD MIKEY VS. ALTAR BOY LUKE
FINISH: Mikey wins following a double arm DDT.
Bob’s Take: Altar Boy Luke is better known as Luke Hawx. Mikey starts the match doing a thumb war and won the battle. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed that as a start before. Luke hit a nice standing spin kick at the start of the bout. That’s all Luke gets in as this was a quick squash for Mikey.
Match Rating: *
A video of NWA World Champion AJ Styles and Vince Russo on vacation is shown. Styles brags about his victories over D’Lo Brown and Jeff Jarrett. Russo is sun tanning in the middle of the night, which is a bit hilarious. Styles promised that the belt isn’t going anywhere. Styles does a dive into the pool.
Jeremy Borash announces that on September 10th their weekly pay per view will be one cent.
More footage from last weeks PPV where Jeff Jarrett was attacked and abducted into a hearse by Russo and his crew.
A video promo by Dusty Rhodes promoting his match with Glenn Gilbertti. Rhodes warns Gilbertti to get ready for the battle as they will compete in a bullrope match.
MATCH #2: GLEN GILBERTTI VS. POGO THE CLOWN
NOTE: Simon Diamond is on commentary for the match.
FINISH: Gilberti wins following a stunner. After the match, Gilberti nails Pogo with the cowbell.
Bob’s Take: This is a bit bizarre to see Pogo The Clown in action against Gilberti. The match is clipped, which must mean it’s not very good. Pogo gets a front suplex on Gilberti, but is tripped by Swinger leading to the finish in short time. This is just promoting the bullrope match next week.
Match Rating: NR
Outside, Glen Gilberti cuts a promo on being in a bullrope match. He’s not scared. Gilberti is mad that he has to give Dusty another rub to make his career relevant again. Gilberti promises he’s going to hit Dusty with the cowbell several times and he’s going to kick his booty.
A video highlighting Sonny Siaki’s funeral for D’Lo Brown, which ended up being D’Lo in the casket and attacking Siaki.
MAIN EVENT: ABYSS VS. DELIRIOUS & MATT SYDAL — HANDICAP MATCH
FINISH: Abyss pins Delirious, Sydal and Haze for a triple pin.
Bob’s Take: Sydal tries to attack from behind as Delirious distracted Abyss, but that didn’t work too well. ‘Lets go jobbers’ chant is pretty good by the Nashville crowd. Delirious and Sydal hit a double dropkick, but that accomplished nothing more than making Abyss mad. Sydal and Delirious sell a double clothesline very well. Their lack of size makes Abyss look even better as a monster. Jesus, Abyss plants Daizee Haze with a sit down powerbomb. That was nicely done. Abyss caught Sydal on a springboard attempt to hit the Black Hole Slam. Abyss followed up with the Shock Treatment on Delirious leading into a triple pin finish. This was a good squash for Abyss.
Match Rating: **1/2
A video package highlighting the NWA-TNA X-Division Championship scene that led to the Ultimate X structure being created. Highlights of the match are shown. Michael Shane is the new champion.
Backstage, NWA-TNA X-Division Champion Michael Shane cuts a promo about the Ultimate X match. Shane pulled it off and won the title. Shane has dried blood on his face. Shane proved he’s a man in NWA-TNA. It will not stop here and he’s going to continue to build.
Outside, Sonny Siaki tells D’Lo Brown to be ready to leave wrestling forever.
Outside, NWA World Champion AJ Styles and Vince Russo are chatting. Russo tells Styles he wanted to be with the best and Styles isn’t going to defend every thirty days. Russo tells Styles he doesn’t sweat any challenger.
Backstage, Raven cuts a promo about his destiny to be the champion, but got distracted by Father James Mitchell. Raven asks if we think he’s going to lose after all this and he says absolutely not. Styles will fall victim to the Raven Effect.
Final Thoughts:
The handicap match was a good showcase for Abyss. They continue to do a good job at promoting the weekly PPVs as they highlighted the things that needed to be highlighted. TNA in a condensed hour program is actually pretty good on a consistent basis.
Thanks for reading.