Alan Wojcik's Nashville Wrestling Weekend Ends @ TNA PPV

Please credit Alan J. Wojcik of http://alanwojcik.com if used, thanks.


On June 19, 2002 history was made at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama when NWA: TNA debuted. Two complete shows were filmed that saw Ken Shamrock and “the Phenomenal” AJ Styles walk away with singles gold. Since that night there was a move to Nashville (Municipal Auditorium then the TN State Fairgrounds AKA The Asylum) and Orlando, the NWA has left as well as many roster members, but TNA Wrestling is alive and well despite several reports of its demise, some as early as six weeks into its existence.



Tonight June 17, 2007 is the celebration many never thought would happen: 5 years of TNA Wrestling with the Slammiversary PPV from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium where on July 3, 2002, Styles and Jerry Lynn won tag team gold despite feuding for the X Division title. People gather to celebrate the accomplishments (getting picked up by Spike TV and monthly PPV’s), the innovative creations (Ultimate X, Six Sides of Steel, the King of the Mountain match and Elevation X) and losses of people like Curt Hennig, Road Warrior Hawk, Malice, Chris Candido, Sherri Martel, Mike Lockwood and Jill Jarrett who helped pave the way to tonight’s PPV. It was great seeing some familiar faces from the old weekly PPV’s and some of the Orlando taping people make the journey up.



Before entering the Auditorium fans got the chance to get photos with TNA Knockouts Gail Kim and Christy Hemme, plus Kevin Nash and Lance Hoyt. Once the fans entered Jeremy Borash brought out Leticia, $o Cal Val, Gail Kim, Shark Boy, Dixie Carter, Petey Williams and Lance Hoyt for photos with the fans and the TNA championship belts. Like last month at Sacrifice we didn’t see the pre-show the home viewers did. A dark match between TNA Knockout Traci Brooks and a local DJ named Charley from ESPN Radio was held which Ms. Brooks won via a top rope move. The hard camera side of the venue was full and as was all of ringside. I would guess 3,500-4,00 fans were in the venue but I was never good at math.



Since I have been covering TNA since day one I wish to thank some of the people who have aided me in my work: Jeff and Jerry Jarrett, Dixie Carter, Jeremy Borash, Jody Davis, Tim Welch, Andy Barton, Steven Godfrey, Bob Ryder, Ross Forman, David Sahadi, Kevin Sullivan (not the wrestler), Larrrss, the Orlando based TNA Street Team members, all of the websites who post my work and every wrestler who has ever graced the TNA Wrestling rings from June 19, 2002 until this evening.



As tradition dictates the referees were dressed old-school style.



(1) “War Machine” Rhino and Senshi (w/Hector Guerrero) defeated Latin American Xchange (“Notorious 187” Homicide” and Hotstuff Hernandez w/ Konnan).

For some ungiven reason “Wildcat” Chris Harris was out of this match and Senshi was in. Early on Homicide had trouble matching the power of Rhino and ended up going over the ropes to the floor. He came back in and was hit with a suplex for two before Senshi tagged in. Homicide tagged out and that left Senshi with powerhouse Hernandez. Senshi tried to take him down with martial arts moves and it worked until Hernandez threw Senshi across the ring with all of his strength. Senshi landed out of control and damaged his back. This let LAX have their way with the warrior for several moments as Rhino and Guerrero could only watch. Somehow Senshi survived Hernandez’s throw and release choke move and tagged out to Rhino who took on both men. Senshi got back in the match and hit Hernandez with a tope to the floor. In the ring Homicide hit Rhino with an Acecrusher and Konnan tossed in the dreaded loaded sock puppet but Guerrero stopped that, dropped Homicide on the top rope and when Homicide turned around he was hit with the GORE!!!



Mike Tenay and Don West spoke to the home viewers and showed footage of last month’s title controversy that led to tonight’s main event. Jeremy Borash was outside of Jim Cornette’s office trying to get answers about the Steiner’s and the 5th man in the main event when Eric Young popped up. Ms. Brooks tried to get Eric’s attention when Gail Kim came over and got his focus back on the match with Robert Roode. The live crowd gave Earl Hebner his reminder he screwed over Bret Hart as Kevin Nash came out to join Tenay and West. He was followed out by “the Guru” Sonjay Dutt who threw rose petals around ringside.



(2) “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal became World X Division champion when he defeated “the Future” Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machine Guns.

These two have had some spectacular matches in Orlando and they didn’t let the Nashville fans down. Sabin let Lethal do all of his “macho” stuff in the ring and survived but couldn’t avoid Lethal’s between rope dive to the floor. Back in the ring Lethal kept the offense going until Sabin spit in his face. That momentary distraction allowed Sabin to take over with a running clothesline to the corner and several chokes on the ropes. Sabin hit his own version of the Garvin Stomp for two and locked in a modified front facelock. Lethal fought out and hit clotheslines but a leapfrog was telegraphed by Sabin so he put his foot out. Lethal caught the leg but not the poke to the eyes. Sabin went back to the chokes and hit a corner elbow but ran into Lethal armdrags and a second rope moonsault. Lethal hit a suplex for two but couldn’t avoid a running kick to the face from Sabin. Lethal countered a top rope huricurana and hit a facebuster of some kind for two. He went to the top macho style and came off into a series of martial arts kicks that got Sabin two. Lethal countered out of the Cradle Shock twice and hit several kicks which led him up top and hit the “macho man” elbow to become the new champion. After the match Nash celebrated with Lethal.



We saw footage that led to the celebrity tag team match with Frank Wycheck on one side of the ring. Leticia Cline interviewed “Tennessee Cowboy” James Storm and Jacqueline Moore.



(3) Former Tennessee Titans TE Frank Wycheck & Jerry Lynn (w/Titans Pro Bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch) defeated Ron “the Truth” Killings & “Tennessee Cowboy” James Storm (w/ Jacqueline Moore.)

If you don’t know who Wycheck is, look on the internet for the sports moment called “the Music City Miracle.” Wycheck isn’t a stranger to TNA, back in 2002 he and some of his Titans teammates got into a altercation with Jeff Jarrett which made ESPN SportCenter and the 50 Moments in TNA DVD. Wycheck wore the jersey of legendary OL player Bruce Matthews to the ring. This was Killings first PPV match back from suffering a knee injury and early on he showed no ill effect or ring rust going hold for hold with Lynn. They tagged out and Storm nearly left when Wycheck came in. The match briefly stopped as Killings/Storm ran a botched football play and Storm knocked Wycheck down with a shoulder block. Wycheck fired back with shoulder blocks of his own and a dropkick which sent Storm to the floor. Killings went for a scissor kick but Wycheck moved. He press slammed Lynn and tossed him on the floor onto their opponents. His offensive attack was stopped when he went to the floor with Storm/Killings. Storm got a chair and was ready to strike when referee Rudy Charles grabbed it and this allowed a tag to Lynn. That didn’t go well as Moore got on the apron and distracted Lynn long enough for Storm to hit the “Eye of the Storm.” Killings tagged in but collided with Lynn. Both men raced for and tagged out to their partners. Storm hit Wycheck with a superkick but Vanden Bosch broke the pin up and fought on the floor with Storm. The match ended with Wycheck hitting Storm with a Cradle Piledriver.



They showed footage of how we got to Shelley vs. Backlund. It was never explained how Mr. Backlund’s hardcover book magically became a paperback book.



(4) Mr. Bob Backlund defeated Alex Shelley of the Motor City Machine Guns.

For his age Backlund was in good shape and his mental attitude had Shelley off his game early on. That was until Shelley took him to the mat with a short arm scissor move. Backlund powered to his feet and deposited Shelley on the top rope before a double under hook suplex and an atomic knee drop. Chris Sabin came out to help Shelley but it backfired and Backlund with a rollover pinning combination. Backlund snapped and locked Shelley in the Crossface Chicken Wing when Kevin Nash and Jerry Lynn came out to stop it. But instead of stopping it Nash kicked Lynn in the face and let the Machine Guns beat down Lynn and Backlund until Jay Lethal came out to save them.



The arena went dark as we heard the gospel according to “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels who stood in the crowd.



(5) Voodoo Kin Mafia (Kip & BG James) defeated Damaja and Basham (w/Christy Hemme).

Last month Damaja & Basham took BG out of the picture before the PPV ever began. As we have seen on Impact, all that did was awaken BG’s inner anger he might have been repressing. This one was anything but a wrestling match it was a slugfest with wrestling moves mixed in as these two teams used power moves. Kip won for his teram via a small package on Basham. Hemme ran for her life but she ran right into Lance Hoyt who was going to carry Hemme to the locker room but Kip talked him into taking her to the ring. It looked like Kip was going to choke slam Hemme when Hoyt kicked him right in the jaw. BG realized what happened but he got blindsided by Basham & Damaja. After that he kissed Hemme in a bear hug.

Jim Cornette spoke to Rick Steiner about his title match. Steiner told Cornette in his ear who his partner would be. After that ended LAX and Konnan came from a fan entry way into the arena beating up Hector Guerrero. A recap of the Young-Roode legal epic played.



(6) In a “Freedom” match, “Showtime” Eric Young defeated Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks).

This match was made by Jim Cornette to try and resolve the contract issues between the former Team Canada teammates. As opposed to going to court and seeing Banfield-Ford debate about it on Court TV. Roode slapped Young in the face but all that did was piss Young off as he avoided a Roode clothesline. Roode went over to the floor and Young followed out with a plancha. The fight went in and out of the ring with Young getting his throat dropped on the guard rail by Roode. Roode and Brooks did their best to double team Young (in a non sexual way) but it didn’t lead them to the proverbial pay window. Young fought off defeat several times and kicked out of a pin after a Rude Awakening. Young fought out of a chinlock and dropped Roode to the mat as Roode was straddling Young’s shoulders. Young had a pin but Brooks pulled him to the floor, so Young pulled down her pants showing off some tastefully sexy undies. Young hit a top rope elbow but got two and Roode hit a short arm clothesline before going for a kneedrop but Young got to his feet and hit the duo with a double DVD. This didn’t get the job done as Roode won thanks to a chair shot to the head of Young as Rudy Charles kept Brooks out of the way. Roode fired Young but Jim Cornette came out and said things weren’t settled fair and square like he wanted. He declared the match not over and ordered a restart. The bell rang and Roode went back to work as Gail Kim came out and fought with Brooks to the locker room. Young was out of it after the chair shot or at least he acted like it until he rolled up Roode to win his freedom.



Jeremy Borash spoke to Team 3D about Steiner and his mystery opponent. Ray said that Scott Steiner was not injured, he punked out on wrestling and Rick Steiner.



(7) World Tag Team champions Team 3D (Ray and Devon) defeated Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal.

As noted on TNA’s site thanks to a neck injury suffered in Puerto Rico, Scott Steiner is out of this match. So he got one half of the team of the 1980’s to be his partner. Needless to say Team 3D was not ready for this surprise and early on they tried their best to keep Steiner in the ring. Animal tagged in, trading shoulder tackles and clothesline with Ray. Steiner tagged back in and thought he avoided a Devon clothesline but he got hit by a Hot Shot from Ray. Steiner survived and tagged out to Animal who cleaned house and called for the Road Warrior Clothesline but 3D has other plans hitting Steiner with the 3D and retaining the titles.



(8) Sting defeated “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels.

This a true dream match with the wrestler of the 90’s taking on the best of the 00’s. Sting descended from the ceiling like he used to, making me remember the last moments of Owen Hart’s life. This one began fast and furious as both men went to end it quickly but it was Daniels who bailed to the floor to avoid the Scorpion Death Lock. The duo fought back to the ring apron but Daniels sent Sting off and into the guard rails. Daniels brought Sting back in and got two, taking control of the match as the fans rained down boos. Daniels argued with the referee and then hit a springboard moonsault for two. Daniels hit a Stinger Splash but it had zero effect and Sting went on the attack but his Stinger Splash met a leg lariat. Sting fought out of Angels Wings but his second Stinger Splash met Daniels’ knees. Daniels went for Last Rites but Sting countered into the Scorpion Death Drop to win.



Leticia spoke to “the Instant Classic” Christian Cage, Tomko and “the Phenomenal” AJ Styles about their matches.



(9) In a DQ match, Abyss defeated Tomko.

This was added today after last Thursday’s match that cost Abyss his shot at the KOTM. There was zero catch-as-catch-can style here; this was a brawl all over the Auditorium using the guard rails and the ring steps as weapons. They returned to the ring and avoided each other’s finishers but Abyss hit a chokeslam for two. Abyss went under the ring and pulled out his trusty black satchel of fun. It came in the ring and out came the thumb tacks. Abyss went for another chokeslam but Tomko blocked it and slammed Abyss into the tacks!! Tomko went for the running boot but Abyss hit the Black Hole Slam for two. With Tomko incapacitated Abyss got another satchel and this one was broken shards of glass. Tomko moved and Abyss hit canvas and it allowed Tomko to pick up a shard and cut Abyss open. Tomko dragged Abyss to the pile of glass and drove his head into it. Abyss rolled the floor as Tomko found a barbwire bat. Both men went to the ring entry way and climbed to the top. Tomko went to hit Abyss with the bat but Abyss grabbed it and sent Tomko off crashing into several boxes. Abyss jumped off and dropped onto the boxes and Tomko. Somehow both men crawled out and the match continued as both men made their way back to the ring where the tack and glass were still waiting. That came in handy as Abyss hit Tomko with a Black Hole Slam into the broken glass to win.



As the ring was cleared of the debris, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle talked with Jeremy Borash about the KOTM. Mike Tenay entered the ring to introduce an interview with the man who co-founded TNA, Jeff Jarrett and the journey from night one to Slammiversary 2007. It moved many in the venue to tears including me as he talked about his recently deceased wife Jill. After a standing ovation the crowd chanted “Thank You Jeff.” Jim Cornette said Jeff Jarrett was offered the slot but declined, insisting the fifth member be TNA Original “Wildcat” Chris Harris!!!



(10) In the King of the Mountain match for the new World Heavyweight championship, Kurt Angle defeated Samoa Joe, “the Phenomenal” AJ Styles, “the Instant Classic” Christian Cage and Jim Cornette’s choice “Wildcat” Chris Harris.

Hopefully you paid attention to previous KOTM matches because I am not repeating the rules. Normally KOTM matches are slugfests and this one didn’t disappoint as Joe and Angle’s rivalry ran into the “teamwork” of Cage and Styles with Harris fending for himself. He did well as he became the first title eligible after he hit Styles with the Catatonic. With Styles locked up Angle blocked the Ole Kick and hit Joe with triple German suplexes. Harris and Cage fought for a suplex but Harris dumped Cage on to a ladder. Styles escaped an Ankle Lock but his next move was stopped as Harris backdropped Styles onto Cage. Angle became title eligible when he stopped Harris from hanging the belt and hit an Olympic Slam. Joe hit Styles with the Muscle Buster and locked Angle in the Kokina Clutch but Rudy Charles got knocked down as Angle was tapping out. Cage grabbed the ladder and drove it into Joe allowing Cage to become belt eligible via pinfall over Angle. Joe stopped Cage from hanging the belt with an Acecrusher off the ladder. Styles, Joe, Cage and Harris jockeyed for position as Harris went to hang the belt. Harris, Joe and Styles fought on top of the penalty box but it was Styles who went off crashing into the announce table. Harris sent Cage crashing off the box into the ring front suplex style. Angle went for the Ankle Lock but Harris hit him with a clothesline. Harris took out Cage and Angle with the ladder helicopter style. Cage stopped Harris again from winning and slammed the ladder into Harris’ body. Cage went up but Angle stopped him and put the Ankle Lock on the ladder. Harris stopped Cage from hanging the belt with a spear but that allowed Angle to climb and hang the belt! Joe and Angle shook hands but Angle hit Joe with an Olympic Slam.



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