WWE Vengeance Live Coverage

Hello and welcome to live coverage of WWE Vengeance: Night of Champions. As I type this, there has been no word if Chris Benoit will be able to make it tonight but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Also, I just love it when they tell you to call your cable or satellite provider to order when you have to order to get the first 30 minutes on most cable and satellites providers. If that doesn't give you a headache I don't know what will.

As always, refresh your browser for the latest results.



We start out with Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo being recognized ringside followed by footage of them.

Hardys vs. Cade/Murdoch.
The ring announcer lets us know that Cade & Murdoch are the current tag team champions. I would say we don't need to know who are the current champions but it helps for some of the titles since most aren't defended much, if at all. Matt and Cade start out with Cade extending his hand but Matt hits him. Tag now to Jeff and they get some double team moves in. Murdoch now tagged in but doesn't get much offense in as Matt is tagged back in and we get Poetry in Motion. Hardys clear the ring and Cade/Murdoch try to run off but Hardys throw them back in. Murdoch has Matt chase him around outside the ring so he doesn't see Cade getting tagged in which allows him to clip Matt's knee. Murdoch now in and he works over Matt's knee then tags in Cade who gets a nearfall. Murdoch now back in with a half crab but Matt kicks out of it then tags Jeff who goes to town and gets a nearfall on Cade. Whisper in the Wind connects for another nearfall, hits a front suplex then tries to go up top for a Swanton but the ref is distracted with Matt so Murdoch can push him off and Cade gets the win.

Backstage with King Booker and Sharmell. Booker runs down all his championships and says the night belongs to him.

Chavo vs. Jimmy Wang Yang is up next.

JBL and Cole set up a video package of Eddie winning the WWE Championship. This was very classy for WWE and fit in perfectly with their theme for tonight.

Chavo vs. Jimmy Wang Yang.
They show a short video of when Dean Malenko held the Cruiserweight Title then a quick shot of Dean watching in the back. Yang getting a couple quick falls early on but Chavo cheap shots him and goes to work. Yang fires back with a couple kicks then a dropkick for 2. Chavon thrown into the turnbuckle but sidesteps Yang the throws him out. Yang takes advantage and hits a high risk move on the outside then rolls him back in for 2. Yang just took a mean hip toss into the turnbuckle, landing hard on his head and Chavo gets 2. Yang breaks a hold then tries to throw Chavo into the ropes but Chavo drop toe holds him and elbows him in the back. Chavo gets a submission hold on Yang but Yang reverses it, gets to the top rope and hits a missle dropkick. Yang with a high crossbody off the top gets him a nearfall. Chavo tries for the Three Amigos but Yang gets out and hits a heel kick for 2. Yang misses a moonsault then rolls out of the Gory Special for a nearfall. Yang taking too much time up top and Chavo catches him and hits the Frog Splash for the win.

I was hoping we would get a break from the "Who Killed Vince" storyline tonight but I should've known better. I chose this time to take a bathroom break.

Backstage with Lashley. He says he wishes that Vince was here just to see him win the WWE Title.

Tazz and Joey Styles introduce a short video package of Tazz as ECW Champion.

CM Punk vs. Johnny Nitro.
ECW is in the crapper right now and that crapper just flushed ECW down to the sewer. Crowd chanting "We Want Benoit!" and I agree. Punk taking control with kicks that have Nitro going to the outside for a breather. He comes back in for some more pummeling but Nitro fires back with a springboard kick for 2. Nitro with a submission hold which Punk tries to fight out of but to no avail. "We Want Bnoit" chant again which shows you how much this crowd cares for the match. Nitro with a backbreaker then an armbreaker for 2. I think the corwd chanted "Boring" before Punk hit an enziguri and they now exchange blows with Punk taking control. Punk throws Nitro into the turnbuckle, misses the knee lift then Nitro tries to put his feet on the ropes but the ref catches him and we get a series of nearfalls. Punk now hits the kneelift in the corner, tries to hit a springboard move but Nitro moves and hits a swinging neckbreaker for the win. "Holy Smokes!" is all Tazz has to say but I'd go with the other word.

As if Nitro becoming ECW World Champion wasn't enough, we get a video package of the Iron Man match from WM 12. I hate this match on so many levels. They, of course, cut out that it took 2 SCMs to pin Bret.

Backstage with Mick and Orton. Orton says it would be a shame if Mick were to get a concussion but Mick reminds him of what he is capable of. Orton says he won that match then walks off.

We get another short video of Ricky Steamboat and he has now come out to the top of the entrance ramp then leaves as Santino comes out.

Santino Morella vs. Umaga.
Santino tries for a quick roll up in the corner but Umaga holds the ropes. Santino gets on his back to punch him but Umaga falls back then kicks his head and it looks like Umaga is trying a Vulcan Nerve Pinch. Umaga throws him up then down with that hold still on then throws him into the turnbuckl and wails on him until the ref DQs him. This doesn't stop Umaga as he butt bumps Santino then goes up top and splashes Morella. Umaga was about to leave then goes back in and gives Morells the Samoan Spike. Crowd wants Umaga to do it again. Umaga starts to walk away again when Maria comes out to tend to him. Umaga looks like he's going to Spike Maria but decides not to I guess.

JR and King commented on what happened to Vince earlier tonight and we now get Smackdown's video of Beck. He doesn't say exactly where he's from and gives no new info which is no surprise. RAW is going to be a "Memorial Service" for Vince which is sick.

We get a video of Maganum T.A. then he is shown in the crowd.

MVP vs. Ric Flair.
MVP talks to Magnum T.A. but it didn't go well. MVP talks smack to Flair but Flair responds with a "WHOO!", hits him a few times and MVP goes outside for a bit. Flair now playing mind games with MVP then takes him down and works on a leg. MVP pokes Flair in the eye then does the big kick to Flair taking him off the apron. MVP brings Flair back in, puts on a sleeper on the ground but Flair gets to the ropes. Flair chops MVP a few times and MVP replies with a backdrop and back to the sleeper hold on the mat. Flair fights back with a chop but MVP keeps control and gets a nearfall. Flair comes back with a jawbreaker, some chops and a side suplex the chops him some more. Flair punches MVP in the turnbuckle but MVP slips under which makes Flair hit his head on the top turnbuckle. MVP tries for the big kick in the corner but Flair moves out od the way and now applies the figure four but MVP gets to the bottom rope. The ref pulls Flair back from MVP which allows him to thumb him in the eye then hits The Playmaker for the win.

Backstage with Grisham interviewing Cena. Cena doesn't get too far into the interview before Edge comes in. He says that his match will be easier then both men talk about what they said about Vince on both shows. Cen acalls Edge a pussbag and that is the first time I've ever heard it. Cena sets Edge up with all this because he knows that Beck is behind him.

Rick Martel and Tony Garea get a video package and shown at ringside.

Deuce and Domino vs. Sgt. Slaughter and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.
The Greasers now take shots at Garea and Martel. Slaughter and Snuka didn't get as much of an ovation as I thought they would and JBL said if they win the titles he'll get back together with Simmons. Snuka and Domino start out with Domino taking some headbutts then a tag to Slaughter. Slaughter in firm control of Domino and he hits a backdrop for 2. Slaughter has the Cobra Clutch applied but Domino gets to the ropes. Another Clutch but they're too close to Deuce which allows him to distract Slaughter then tags in Deuce who gets 2. Deuce mocks Snuka which allows Slaughter to moves out of the way and tags in Snuka who goes for a pin but gets broken up. Slaughter goes after Domino outside as Snuka goes up top, hits a crossbody block but Deuce takes the momentum and gets the win. D&D try to do a postmatch beatdown but Martel and Garea clear them out of the ring.

Batista vs. Edge is coming up.

Harley Race gets a video and shown at ringside.

Edge vs. Batista.
Batista in early control with a series of mat arm submissions then rams Edge's shoulder into a turnbuckle then a big sideslam for 2. Edge thrown into the ropes, grabs the top rope and pulls it down as Batista runs at him. Edge tries to jump down at him but gets caught and rammed into the ring. Edge replies by ramming Batista into the ringpost then goes back inside and rams Batista's shoulder into the ringpost then a baseball slide. Batista tries to run at Edge but he moves and throws him into the turnbuckle where he hits his shoulder. Exchange of punches and Edge gains control with a drop toe hold and a mat arm submission. Batista appeared to power out but Edge hangs on. Batista powers out and runs into Edge in the corner but eats a boot. Edge goes out onto the apron and rops down with Batista's arm then comes back in to a shoulder block and a backbody drop and another sideslam for 2. Edge hits the Impaler and gets a nearfall. Edge tries to go out for a weapon but the ref stops him which allows Batista to get a nearfall then Edge replies with a nearfall. Edge counters a powerslam, sets up for a Spear but Batista Spears Edge instead. Batista goes for the Batista Bomb but Edge low blows him for the DQ. Edge is walking out but Teddy Long comes out and orders him to go back to the ring. Edge Spears Batista but he kicks out. Edge goes for a chair but throws it down. Edge counters another Batista Bomb and gets clotheslined outside. Edge throws Batista in the ringsteps, tries for a Spear but Batista powerbombs him on the outside. Batista rolls an appearent limp Edge into the ring but can't get in before 10 so Edge wins by countout. Batista has now snapped and powerbombs Edge.

Moolah now gets a video but isn't shown at ringside.

Melina vs. Candice Michelle.
Melina fakes a test of strength and takes the advantage. Melina really using her legs to get some unique moves in. Candice gets a rollup for 2 but Melina applies a bow and arrow which Candice fights out of for a nearfall. Candice pulls the top rope as Melina runs at her then hits the Go Daddy elbow for 2. There has more more noise from Melina than and Candice then anybody else tonight. Melina gets a nearfall and Candice hits her with a bad heel kick for the win.

WWE Championship Challenge is now up.

JBL now wants to be recognized as a former WWE Champion. He hands the announcer something and basically hypes himself up and Cole laughs.

WWE Championship Challenge.
Cena actually gets a lot of cheers, which is different from about everywhere else that just boos the hell out of him. Foley goes straight after Orton, Booker takes Cena out then Lashley does the same to him then literally flies toward them all. Lashley gets a pin on Booker but Cena breaks it up and now it's Cena and Lashley. Cena gets a big spinebuster and rolls outside where Lashley follows him, rams his head into the steps then clears the ECW announce table. Foley and Orton come around. Foley takes out Orton then Booker comes after Foley. Booker throws Foley into the steps as Orton hits an inverted backbreaker on Lashley who gets out of an RKO but gets FUed through the ECW announce table. Booker and Cena in the ring now with Booker getting a nearfall. Booker throws Cena hard into the turnbuckle. Cena tries to fight back but Booker gets a Scissor Kick but the pin is broken by Orton. orton thrown back out. Cena tries to hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Orton hits the RKO and Foley breaks up the pin and takes it to Orton. He hits a double arm DDT, tries to go for the Socko Claw but Orton hots him outside. Foley now grabs a chair, tries to hit Booker but Booker ducks and Lashley gets clocked. Foley then hits Booker and Cena but Orton attacks from behind and smashes his face into it. Orton knees Foley, Lashley spears Orton and Booker kicks him back out. Booker fights off the FU, gets thrown outside then Cena FUs Foley for the win. Cena stands on the middle rope holding the Title up as the show ends.
My $40 just went down the same crapper ECW was in.

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Strikeforce/EXC Live Pay-Per-View Round-By-Round Coverage

Yes, it is true, I'll have live round-by-round coverage of the PPV portion of the event as it happens. I was once again unable to see the internet portion and once again don't know why. Results behind the cut, refresh your browser for the latest.

Our roundtable predictions are here

Ric went 3-3 in his roundtable picks for the pro elite show. I went 5-1...but Euan did great, he was 1-5.




They say that Krazy Horse pulled out of the fight earlier in the week, no mention as to his time in jail.

Jimmy Lennon is in the hizouse

Bill Goldberg is doing interviews tonight...way to make the lightweights seem even smaller.

Match 1: Edson Berto Vs. Victor Valenzuela - 3X5 Lightweight

Valenzuela: 5'10, 155, 5-1-2
Berto: 5'9, 155, 10-3-1
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

R1: Berto hits a high kick and then takes Valenzuela down right away in the round. Berto gets the heel hook and gets Valenzuela to tap.

Winner: Edson Berto - 0:47 R1

Bill Goldberg in the prefight essentially called the finish.

He asks Berto to walk him through the fight and I can't understand a word this man said. He speaks with marbels in his mouth.

Match 2: Carter "The Beast" Williams Vs. Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello 3X5 Heavyweight

Buentello: 6'2, 250.5, 22-9-0
Williams: 6'1, 265.5, 3-1-0
Referee: Steve Mazagatti

R1: In a fight that was expected to be on the feet, went to the ground right away. Williams starts out the round strong, taking Buentello down and they're back up.
They end up in the clinch and exchange some knees. A lot of action in a heavyweight bout. Buentello tried a guillotine but Williams was able to escape.
Buentello starts to unload with blows to Williams, and my being the only 1 to pick Williams isn't looking so hot.
They end up back in the clinch and up against the fense with less than a minute left in the round.
Williams has never been out of R1 in any of his 4 fights.

Scoring: A fun round, Williams got the takedown and it was really close. I'm going to go Williams but you could argue for Buentello. 10-9.

R2: Buentello comes out, fakes the jab hits the uppercut and that's all she wrote.

Winner: Paul Buentello - 0:10 R2 TKO
Well, I wasn't the only one to pick Williams...so did Ric, you're not catching me tonight Lesbian!!

Goldberg with Buentello: Goldberg can't tell spanish from hebrew.
You've heard one of these interviews you've heard this one.

Match 3: Murilo "Ninja" Rua Vs. "Smokin'" Joe Villasenor - 5X5 Middleweight

Rua: 5'11, 184, 13-7-1
Villasenor: 6'0, 184, 23-5-0
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

R1: Villasenor hits a big left hok that rocks Rua. Rua backs up and they're back in the clinch. They end up in side control and like 78% of the Proelite voters predicted Rua. Ric was the only one in our group if I recall correctly.
Rua on his back going for a leglock from the bottom.
Rua comes back with strikes and they transition in to half guard and then Rua shifts in to side control.

Crowd boos the ground work.

Joey Villasenor is able to reverse out and is back up on his feet and they trade shots. Rua scores a takedown and we're back to where we were.

Rua throws down some elbows and the round comes to an end.

Scoring: Rua's round 10-9, JV stunned him early but Rua did more.

R2: Rua tries a Robbie Lawler coming out with the flying knee. JV is more aware of it this time.

Rua is teeing off with strikes. Rua clobbers Villasenor and this fight is all over.

Winner: Murilo "Ninja" Rua - 1:05 R2 KO
I'm 0-3 in Villasenor fights.

Goldberg interviews Rua and it is wacky.

Match 4: Josh Thompson Vs. Nick Gonzalez - 3X5 Lightweight

Gonzalez: 5'6, 155, 11-4-0
Thompson: 5'10, 154, 11-2-1
Referee: Herb Dean

Thompson gets the big hometown pop.

R1: Gonzalez has held his own with Roger Huerta according to Morro. Thompson overwhelms Gonzalez and is looking for a rear-naked choke early but Gonzalez is trying to fight it off....but Thompson sinks it in and it is all over.

Winner: Josh Thompson - 1:42 R1 Submission Rear Naked Choke

Match 5: Tony "The Freak" Fryklund Vs. Cung Le - 3X5 Middleweight

I've been wanting to see Le for a long time. I was the only one to pick Le to win, I will either be very smart or very dumb at the end of this.

Fryklund: 36, 5'10, 177.5, 13-8-0
Le: 35, 5'10, 179, 3-0-0
Referee: Herb Dean

R1: A jufustinormous pop for Le.

Le is just working over Fryklund who decides his best defense is to stand there and take it.

He's just eating shot after shot after shot from Le.

Le is just whooping Fryklund's ass.

Kick to the head and then a spinning heel kick.

Fryklund is just getting kicked and kicked like he is Cung Le's football.

Round ends.

Scoring: Le's round 10-9...unless I can give Fryklund -10 for that round. This was a beating.

r2: It is back to Le just kicking Fryklund like Le is me and Fryklund is Ric.

I don't know how to describe this. You all need to see Cung Le right now. If UFC doesn't try and steal this guy...they're really stupid.

Fryklund keeps trying the spinning backfist and they're just not hitting.

Fryklund is trying a flurry of his own to end the round but really the term pissing in the wind comes to mind.

Morro says that surrender isn't in Fryklund's vocabulary. Le is beating all sorts of words out of him at this point.

Scoring: Le 10-9!

R3: Third round Le finishes the job...Fryklund is freakin dun dun dun!

Cung Le is a freakin star.

A freakin...star!

I was the only one to pick him to win this fight.

I said: "Cung Le is awesome".

He won, and you guys we warned.

Winner: Cung Le - 0:25 R3 TKO

Goldberg with Le: I don't care what he says he's awesome.

Match 6: "The New York Badass" Phil Baroni Vs. Frank Shamrock - 5X5 Middleweight

Baroni: 31, 5'9, 183, 10-7-0
Shamrock: 34, 5'10, 184, 21-8-1
Referee: Steve Mazagatti

R1: Baroni unloads on Shamrock early to start the round.
Baroni takes down Shamrock but this is where Frank wants to be. Shamrock knocks Baroni down and is going for a choke. Shamrock is taunting Baroni.

Mazagatti calls for time due to punches to the back of Baroni's head. 2 EXC fights, 2 times this happens. A point taken away from Frank.

Baroni comes back quickly and takes Shamrock down and again that's where he wants to be.

Shamrock tags Baroni again and is owning Baroni.

Baroni is out on his feet and Shamrock is hammering him in a bad way.

Shamrock nails more punches and Baroni takes him down to end the round.

Scoring: Because of the point being taken away, I'm giving this a 9-8 round for Shamrock.

R2: Baroni starts with strikes early but they end up in the clinch.
Baroni rocks Shamrock for a bit and then it is Shamrock's turn. Shamrock talked about an injury prior to the fight is fighting like a man with a bad wheel.

Baroni gives up his back and Shamrock looking for the choke as the crowd is going absolutely insane.

Baroni is done, and Shamrock is the Strikeforce middleweight champion.

Jufustitastinormous doesn't describe the pop for Shamrock.

Winner; Frank Shamrock - 4:00 R2 Submission

Goldberg interviews Shamrock and he doesn't need to say anything the crowd does the talking. Shamrock does talk about his injury and such.

Match 7: Duane "Bang" Ludwig Vs. Paul "semtex" Dale - 3X5 Welterweight

Daley: 24, 5'9, 170, 14-6-2
Ludwig: 28, 5'10, 170, 15-6-0
Referee: John Shorely

R1: Not a lot of action in the first round but most of it is on the feet.
If this were the WWE, this would be the women's match sandwiched between the 2 main events, only this isn't being followed by John Cena.

Daley took Ludwig down but Ludwig was right back on his feet quickly.

Round ends to a series of boos.

Scoring: Daley 10-9 and that's all I'm going to say about this.

R2: It doesn't last long as Daley KO'ed Ludwig. Euan called it...1 of 3 he got right tonight BTW.

Winner: Paul Daley - 0:42 r2 KO

UFC ain't topping this event.

This is card of the year so far.

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The Undercard Of EliteXC's 'Strikeforce: Shamrock Vs. Baroni' Is In The Books

The lowdown from San Jose's HP Pavilion:

- Middleweights: Seth Kleinbeck defeated (ref-stoppage TKO @ 2:55 - round 2) Sam Spengler. I didn't score the first round, as they did such a good job of hiding the stream, I couldn't find it until about 7:34 PM, and nothing fucking happened. I know Gina Carano and Todd Keneley. were on commentary, and both of them sucked. Both displayed their lack of MMA experience, which didn't bother me as much as the fact neither seemed to have a personality. Oh, and that geeky rapper was back. Just before the finish, Spengler took an accidental low-blow (which he was given time to recover from), which may or may not have affected the outcome, then was mounted and punched until the ref stepped in to put a stop to the bout. I originally had picked Kleinbeck to win, but was hoping Spengler could pull off the upset.



- Bantamweights: Chris Cariaso defeated (unanimous decision of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Anthony Figueroa. Everyone else was given fifteen-minutes, while these guys only got nine. Yeah, nobody wants to see the lighter guys get equal time. Cariaso worked an impressive ground-game, considering his experience is in Muay Thai, and definitely took the first round. The second was a bit harder to score, but I still gave it to Cariaso. No, I'm not going into why, as I'm still a little perturbed by this whole shitty stream (which took forever to find and isn't providing me with the clearest picture). As the fight wound down, Cariaso seemed unwilling to engage, as Figueroa had started to figure out his style, but for Figgy, it was too little too late. I had it 29-28, Cariaso. So far, for my picks, I'm 2-0.

- Super heavyweights: Rex Richards defeated (ref-stoppage TKO @ 0:34 - round 1) Ray Seraille. Seraille took the fight on short notice, although I haven't been paying enough attention to know more than that. Guess I was wrong about that fifteen-minutes thing, as these guys were also given only nine. Richards' size (three-hundred-five-pounds) was way too much for, and a series of punches dropped Seraille, who was merely covering up as Richards continued to reign down blows, when the ref stopped in to end the bout.

- Catchweight (one-hundred-seventy-three-pounds): Jason Von Flue defeated (ref-stoppage TKO @ 2:17 - round 3) Luke Stewart. Early in the first, Von Flue took an accidental low-blow, which seems to be the "in" thing on this card. Stewart's mix of kickboxing and grappling ability seemed to fluster Von Flue, and although he didn't dominate, I gave the first to Stewart. Carano didn't realize how good Von Flue in on the ground, and kept thinking it was over, but Von Flue was never in any real danger. Early in the second, Von Flue received another accidental low-blow, this one costing Stewart a point. To be fair, Von Flue should've lost at least one-point for grabbing the fence, which he repeatedly did in both rounds. Stewart definitely did enough in the latter half to win the second, even getting Von Flue's back, but time expired. I'd have scored it 10-9, but since Stewart lost a point, I considered it a draw (9-9). In the third, Stewart gained early control of Von Flue's back, then took it down and secured full mount. Herb Dean gave Von Flue seemingly forever to fight back from a shitload of blows, before stepping in for the finish. I'm now 1-3, which sucks, but impress me Stewart do.

- Geeky rapper interviewed Shogun Rua, who said he's more nervous about watching his brother fight, than he is about fighting. Geeky rapper also got to be mounted by Carano, and even correctly picked more winners than me. He's now officially even wussier than Casey.

- Welterweights: Mike Pyle (cornered by birthday-boy Randy Couture, among others) defeated (unanimous decision of 30-27, 29-27, 30-27) Aaron Wetherspoon. Wetherspoon, now a born-again Christian, was supposedly once in a gang. Sure, me too, pal. For some reason, these guys were allowed to use elbows on the ground. During intros, some really loud chick was given a close-up. Gee, thanks, guys. Exciting round, which I barely gave to Pyle, who kept it on the ground for a while. Wetherspoon got up and controlled the standup, although he didn't get to tee-off, like he wanted. In the second, Pyle's game plan was to pick apart Wetherspoon in the standup, but that didn't exactly work. I gave the second to Wetherspoon. In the third, Pyle used a diverse attack of boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling to bloody Wetherspoon and dominate the round. I gave the fight to Pyle (29-28), but finished the broadcast with a lot of respect for Wetherspoon (and, as far as my picks, at 2-3).

- I'm sure there were some other fights, but I don't give a fuck, so maybe second-wussy-in-command will provide those results for you.

Eh, not bad, but nothing to persuade me to purchase the pay-per-view.

PS: Go, Shamrock!

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TNA Slammiversary Live Coverage

Welcome to my coverage of Slammiversary. I am coming to you live from Casey's apartment with the usual suspects. You can be assured that we will break down into "Friends" and quotes from other TV shows and movies when there is a boring match. Based on the card tonight we could be doing that a lot.



LAX w/Konnan vs. Senshi/Rhino w/Hector Guerrero. Homicide and Rhino start out as Don West professes his love for Mike Tenay. I just hope they don't get all...mooshy throughout the rest of the show. Rhino just threw Homicide to the outside like he was nothing. Homicide came back in but gets another power move which gets Rhino 2. Senshi and Hernandez are now in and Senshi kicks Hernandez a few times but doesn't move Hernandez when he tries to come off the ropes. Hernandez gets kicked some more then Rhino gets a shot in getting Senshi a nearfall. Homicide distracts Senshi which allows Hernandez to throw Senshi literally across the ring then tags in Homicide who gets 2. Hernandez back in who gives Senshi an overhead belly to belly for 2. Homicide back in with a top rope elbow for 2 then tags Hernandez back in who puts a bearhig on Senshi. Senshi fights out of it but quickly gets overpowered. Hernandez tries for a powebomb but Senshi reverses into a mini double stomp and Rhino gets the hot tag and cleans house. Homicide back in but gets a spinebuster. Senshi pulls the top rope down and takes Hernandez out for the remainder of the match. Rhino Gores Homicide for the win and LAX don't do a post match beatdown which is surprising.

JB is trying to get info from Cornette about a few things but EY comes by and talks about his match. Ms. Brooks comes in and tries to seduce him. Gail comes and in convinces him not to listen to her by kissing him and Casey is going ballistic. Seriously, Casey is throwing things around and being a total bitch.

Chirs Sabin vs. Black Machismo for the X-Division Title. Kevin Nash is out for commentary and Sonjay Dutt is now "The Guru". Nash is having trouble with his mic but he's back not too long after. Lethal had early control but Sabin hits a cheapshot and gets a few shots in. Lethal fights back, hits a high risk move on the outside then rolls Sabin in for a couple nearfalls. Sabin moves out of the way in a corner then hits a couple knees to Lethal's head for a nearfall. Sabin showboats for a bit then gets a nearfall. Sabin slaps Lethal then punches him down in a corner. Sabin spends too much time shwoboating this time which allows Lethal to take control and gets a nearfall. Sabin and Lethal fighting on top with Lethal stopping Sabin from doing a top rope rana then gets 2. Lethal taking too much time on top which allows Sabin to kick him a few times for 2. Sabin tries for the Cradleshock but Lethal fights back and hits the Flying Elbow to become the new X-Division Champion!

Leticia interviewing James Storm. Your typical pre match interview with Storm hitting all the hotpsots. Jacqie asks how much Leticia paid for her breast implants then tells her they're lopsided.

Wycheck/Lynn vs. Storm/Killings. Lynn and Killings (of course) start things out. Wycheck and Storm are now in. Storm gets the advantage then he grabs a Titans football helmet then Storm and Killings make fun of the Titans. Wycheck has taken control and actually hits a dropkick on Storm and sends Killings out. Wycheck throws Lynn at both men. Killings has Wycheck chase him which allows Storm to clothesline him. Storm hits a big kick and Killings throws a chair in which is taken away quickly by the ref. Lynn gets the hot tag but Killings hits him from behind then Storm hits the Eye of the Storm. Killings in and he and Lynn connect with cross body blocks. Wycheck now tagged in and he takes it to Storm and Killings. Storm hits a superkick on Wycheck but one of the guys that came down with Wycheck pulls Storm out and attacks him spitting beer in his face earlier in the match. Finish is Wycheck hitting the Cradle Piledriver on Storm for the win.

Alex Shelley vs. Bob Backlund. Exchange of punches with Shelley gaining the advanatge and putting on an arm lock. Backlund fights out and hits a double underhook suplex. Backlund goes for the chicken wing but Sabin comes out to stop it. Backlund fights off Sabin then rolls Shelley up for the win. Sabin tries to put the chicken wing on Backlund but Backlund ends up getting the chicken wing on both of them. Nash and Lynn have come out but Nash big boots Lynn then Sabin and Shelley attack Lynn. Lethal runs out and clears the ring of them.

Daniels is in the crowd saying Sting has made a mistake and that he's gonna be TNA World Champion.

Damaja/Basham vs. VKM. D&B jumpstart the match but VKM gain control then Kip runs Christy into the ring for a bit as the bell finally rings. D&B double team BG and Christy rips up a "Women Can't Wrestle" like sign on the outside. Finish is BG stopping a double team move and Kip rolling up Basham for the win. Kip chases Christy up the ramp but Hoyt catches her and takes back to the ring. Kip looks like he's gonna chokeslam Christy but Hoyt takes out VKM.

Backstage with Cornette and Rick. He says he has a partner so his match goes on.

LAX is at the Spanish announce table and they attack Hector.

Robert Roode vs. Eric Young. EY in control with a high top rope crossbody block. Roode takes control and throttles him on the railing and gets a nearfall. Brooks smacks EY in the head with his contract then Roode gets another nearfall. EY tries to fight back but Roode hits a neckbreaker for 2. EY fights out of a rest hold then hots an electric chair drop. EY has been on a roll and hots a massive elbow for 2. Roode tries for a 2nd rope knee drop but EY puts up a boot. Brooks tries to come in but EY takes both of them out with a fireman's carry. Brooks distracts the ref which allows Roode to hit EY with a chair. Roode gets a pin but Cornette comes out and restarts the match. Gail Kim comes out and chases Brooks to the back. Roode is showboating too long and EY rolls him up to gain his freedom.

JB in back with Team 3D. Bubba buries Scott Steiner and says he doesn't care who Rick's partner is.

Team 3D vs. Rick Steiner/Road Warrior Animal! Rick and D-Von start out with D-Von getting control and a nearfall. Rick doesn't tag out at first but does after Bubba is tagged in. Animal no sells a couple moves and we get an LOD chant. D-Von and Rick now in with Team 3D double team Rick. Quick tags from Team 3D and Rick dodges a top rope splash and tags Animal whio cleans house and tags Rick for a double team. Team 3D double team Rick again then D-Von pins him for the win.

Daniels vs. Sting. Sting in control early on, tries to go for the Deathlock but Daniels gets to the ropes. Daniels goes outside and Sting clotheslines him from the apron. Daniels now in control with a gut wrench suplex. Sting tries to fight back but Daniels rakes the eyes and sets in an abdominal stretch but the ref breaks it and he hits a split legged moonsault for 2. Sting no sells, "Sting's" up and gets a nearfall. Daniels tries for Angel's Wings but Sting reverses and also reverses the Last Rites into the Deathdrop for the win.

Leticia is backstage with Christian Coalition. Cage goes nits when she calls him a former champ.

Tomko vs. Abyss. Exchange of punches with Tomko getting the better of it but Abyss throws him to the outside and slams his head into the steps. Tomko reverses a whip into the railing then big boots Abyss and rams his head into the steps. Abyss tries to checkslam Tomko but Tomko fights out of it and gets a big boot the chokeslammed for 2. Abyss has now brought out the tacks. He tries to chokeslam him into the tacks but Tomko reverses and throws him into the tacks for 2. Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam but Tomko kicks out. Abyss now has a bag full of broken glass on the mat but Tomko throws him into them then cuts Abyss open with a shard. Tomko then stomps Abyss' head into the glass then hits him several times with a barb wire bat. Abyss and Tomko now on top of one of the light towers on the entry ramp. Abyss throws Tomko down then jumps down himself. Tomko and Abyss are back up with both men crawling back into the ring. Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam on the glass for the win.

JB backstage with Joe and Angle. They agree to do what they gotta do.

Tenay introduces a video interview with Jarrett. Very emotional interview, He started talking about the founding of TNA then about his wife. "Thank You Jeff" Chant starts and it's well deserved. Cornette is now in the ring and says it was between Jarrett and Chris Harris with Jarrett telling Cornette to give it to Harris.

Harris vs. Styles vs. Joe. vs. Cage vs. Angle. I dunno how I'm gonna cover this so I'm just gonna go with whatever comes to mind. Angle was cleaning house but Joe drags him out. Styles hits an awesome dropkick on Harris then gets a nearfall on Cage. Joe is now in and kicking the crap out of Cage. Harris throws Joe into Angle on the outside. Harris hits the Catatonic on Styles and gets a pin. Joe throws a ladder at Cage and Harris then goes after Angle. Angle hits some Germans on Joe. Cage is getting the Clutch and the Ankle lock but it's broken up. Styles hits an inverted DDT but the pin ins broken up by Joe. Styles tries the Clash on Angle but Angle rolls through, gets the Ankle lock but Styles rolls through. Angle hits the Slam on Harris to get a pin. Big powerslam from Joe on Angle then 2 Musclebusters on Styles but Angle breaks it up. Angle taps out to the Clutch but the ref is out. Cage hits Joe with a ladder then gets a pin on Angle. Joe and Cage fight on the ladder with Joe hitting an RKO-like move. Harris tries to put the belt up but Joe comes up and gets hit with the belt, Cage gets thrown off then Styles dropkicks the ladder. Styles and Joe on top the penalty cage with Joe throwing Styles into the announce table. Harris uses the ladder to knock down Angle and Cage then Cage uses it on Harris. Angle gets the Ankle lock on top of the ladder but Cage breaks it. Harris spears Cage off the ladder which allows Angle to hang the belt and become the first ever TNA World Champion. Joe extends his hand but Angle Slams him and celebrates to end the show.

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Casey's "Verbal" Commentary: TNA Wrestling's 'Slammiversary 2007

Wade will have a more play-by-play oriented post here but I'll be here with my written version of an audio commentary starting at 7 PM CT. See our predictions: here

Results are behind the cut:



Notes from the pre-show. The tragety of it all is the Steiners-3D video was awesome. Alas, it isn't happening. Also, they confirmed the change from Harris to Senshi without explaining why. Alex Shelley was funny in his promo about the match with Backlund.

We start the show with an evolution of TNA video and then as we cut to the arena, we get the ending of the Slammiversary theme played live. Pyro goes off and we head to the ring.

1. The Latin American Xchange W/Konnan Vs. Senshi and Rhino W/Hector Guerrero
   The LAX hit the ring for the opening match, hopefully we find out why it was Harris and is now Senshi.
   
   No reference to the change yet and I don't expect one will come.
   
   I'm not sure how big the crowd is but they're hot for the opener anyway. Senshi is being all Senshi like to start.
   
   Rhino hits a gore, gore, gore and 5 of us are 0 for 1.
   
   Winners: Rhino and Senshi
   
   Apparently, there are such things as Phillie Cheese stake pringles.
   
   It is time for that time-honored tradition of running down a card I've already paid for, yay TNA!
   
   We're getting the recap that led to KOTM and the rules always make me laugh in their complication.
   
   Breaking News: Pizza's here!
   
   Gail Kim, you break my heart. She kissed Eric Young, I'm weeping like a woman.
   
   
2. TNA X-division Title: Black Machismo Jay Lethal Vs. Chris Sabin
   Kevin Nash is going to join the commentary team, that's awesome.
   
   Why is Sonjay Dutt coming out? He's now called Guru Sonjay Dutt and has new music.
   
   MMM, Pizza.
   
   I love how they credit Nash for giving Lethal a personality...even though its Randy Savage's personality.
   
   Funny bit as Tenay Nash and West discuss how long it took for Nash to beat Backlund in 94. Nash says 8 seconds, Tenay says 9 and West being West decides on 8.8.
   
   TNA is so much easier to watch when they're not in Orlando.
   
   Big elbow from Macho-Lethal and we've got a new champion in a fun match.
   
   Winner: Black Machismo Jay Lethal
   
   I'm happy to be back on the winning track.
   
   Wycheck and Storm video plays leading in to our next match. TNA would've gotten sooo much more mainstream coverage had they gotten Rey Lewis to be on Storm's team. As I noted before, Lewis agreed but the Baltimore Ravens put the nicks on it.
   
   James Storm offers to give Frank Wycheck the last concussion he'll need in his life. I was unaware you need concussions. Funny that with the NFL getting serious on concussions and prevention, both TNA and WWE would make light of them.
   
   
3. Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn Vs. Cowboy James Storm and Ron 'The Truth' Killings
   Wycheck doesn't get the reaction I would've thought given his status in Nashville.
   
   Killings still plays to the crowd as a face, even doing the "What's Up", bit. No, I don't understand it.
   
   Tenay is in his full glory rattling off history like there's no tomorrow involving Ron Killings and Jerry Lynn and respective title wins, dates, opponents and partners.
   
   James Storm making fun of the NFL does turn the crowd in full support of Wycheck.
   
   Wycheck is far from the worst worker you are ever going to see, especially for having 0 matches.
   
   As you'd expect, Wycheck and Lynn got the win.
   
   Winners: Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn
   
   We're now moving to Backlund-Shelley.
   
   Backlund video package airs, he's crazy or something.
   
   
4. Alex Shelley Vs. Mr. Bob Backlund
   
   I've got very little to say about this match. Although Sabin interferring led to a drop toehold in to Sabin's groine.
   
   Backlund wins.
   
   Winner: Bob Backlund
   
   Scott takes the early lead with that one.
   
   There's some extra activity after the match but whatever. Basically, Sabin and Shelley attacked Backlund. Lynn came for the save, but Nash booted him down. Lethal made the save. Yes, it is as complicated as it sounds.
   
   Christopher Daniels comes out and cuts a promo on Sting. Daniels brings up religion and I'm reminded of the old saying, Religion and Wrestling don't mix.
   
   Video package airs for VKM Vs. Damaja and Basham w/Christy Hemme.
   
   
5. Basham and Damaja W/Christy Hemme Vs. Voodoo Kin Mafia
   
   Thought that this would follow the Eric Young match, but better to get this out of the way. Actually, getting the EY match out of the way is also fine.
   
   Please don't let them do their spiel before the match. Yay, Damaja and Basham wouldn't let it happen, they are my new heros.
   
   After about a minute of action, the bell rings. Eugene does double duty as TNA timekeeper.
   
   VKM wins a short, useless and very not good match.
   
   Winners: Voodoo Kin Mafia
   
   After the match, Lance Hoyt turns on VKM. I knew that was coming and not just because West and Tenay foreshadowed it big time, which they did.
   
   Backstage with Latisha and Cornette. Rick Steiner says that he's got a partner, and Cornette is impressed when he whispers it in his ear.
   
   We've back out and LAX attack Hector Guerrero at the Spanish announce table.
   
   Robert Roode and Eric Young video package airs. Nice to just cut away from LAX and that situation cause it means nothing.
   
   
6. Freedom Match: Eric Young Vs. Robert Roode
   I can't believe the "Don't Fire Eric", thing has been going on for more than a year.
   
   yawn.
   
   The crack TNA cameracrew missed a nearfall to show the crowd.
   
   Roode wins and Eric Young is fired. Art is the only one that predicted this.
   
   Winner: Robert Roode
   
   As Roode fires Eric, Cornette comes out and is going to over-turn the decision.
   
   Instead of reversing the decision, he restarts the match.
   Gail Kim comes out and attacks Ms. Brooks, I'm disappointed about what she did earlier.
   
   Young is playing possom and you can see the finish coming from a mile away.
   
   I think that's 3 in a row in terms of matches that ends with an inside cradle.
   
   Winner: Eric Young
   
   Team 3-D interviewed by JB.
   Brother Ray says Scott Steiner punked out of the match.
   
   
7. TNA World Tag Team Titles: Rick Steiner and ??? Vs. Team 3D
   Guesses around the room were Luger and or Buff as partners for Steiner. Both would be a huge letdown, especially Luger.
   
   The crowd starts chanting "animal" and sure enough, the partner is Road warrior Animal.
   
   Animal gets a big pop when he tags in.
   
   Team 3-D managed to get the win.
   
   Winners: Team 3-D
   The crowd made the match worthwhile at least.
   
   Video package for Sting-Daniels.
   
   
8. Sting Vs. Christopher Daniels
   Sting repells from the rafters down to the ring for the match to a jufustitastinormous pop.
   
   Match is technically fine, but I just don't have a lot to say at this point of the evening.
   
   Sting hits the Scorpion and nobody in our group saw that coming.
   
   Winner: Sting
   
   Video package for Abyss Vs. Christian's Coalition.
   
   Christian is interviewed w/AJ Styles by Latisha who can barely get 5 words out. It is better this way.
   
   Penzer flubs TNA...calling it TMA. We know this for sure since he corrected himself.
   
   
9. No Disqualification: Tomko Vs. Abyss
   
   Funny bit as a section of the crowd chants "over here" when Abyss and Tomko fight at ringside.
   
   We were wondering who has the worst record when it comes to bringing in thumbtacks and having it backfire on them. I nominate Abyss but Mick Foley is also recommended.
   
   Abyss brings in glass and that also works against him just like the thumbtacks earlier. Abyss is now being beaten with the barbed wire bat.
   
   An absolutely freaking insane jump by Abyss on tomko. Holy Shit!
   
   Abyss hits a black hole slam in the tacks and that's all she wrote.
   
   Winner: Abyss
   
   A interview with Joe and Angle airs. I don't know if it is the mics or what, but I've had a hard time hearing certain things tonight.
   
   Tenay directs the crowd to a video interview with Jeff Jarrett as a crew works to clean the ring after the last match.
   
   
   
10. King of the Mountain for the Vacant TNA Title: Christian Cage Vs. AJ Styles Vs. Kurt Angle Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Chris Harris
    
    Well, we now know why Harris was pulled from the opener.
    
    Funny sign: "Joe killed McMahon". Oh, how I wish it were so.
    
    AJ lays down so that Christian can pin him and be allowed to hang the belt, but Angle broke it up.
    
    Chris Harris scores the first pin, so he's legal to hang the belt.
    
    AJ Styles has educated feet, hopefully he'll get one for the rest of his body someday.
    
    We got our first ref bump of the night in the main event. Soooo close to a whole show without one.
    
    For a match where falls count anywhere, they really need more than one referee.
    
    Angle and Christian also were legal, and Angle ended up getting the win. AJ and Joe never even got pinfalls.
    
    Winner: Kurt Angle
    
    Joe offered his hand to Angle but got an Olympic Slam for his trouble.
    
    

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'UFC 72: Victory' Is In The Books

The lowdown from Belfast, Ireland's (said to be sold-out) Odyssey Arena:

God, do I ever miss live countdowns! As Casey asked me, "Would it kill UFC to preview 3 fights and loop them twice, instead of previewing 2 fights and looping them 3 times?"



- Ed Herman defeated (tap-out to rear-naked choke, 2:25 of round 2) Scott Smith. This, as of yesterday, was a dark match, but ended up taking the place of Marcus Davis vs. Jason Tan. Guess they thought this would be more exciting, and guessing they were right. Herman continues to be one of MMA's biggest assholes, but he's a tough and talented asshole. Smith suffered a bad cut on the bridge of his nose, which the fight was stopped for, but he was allowed to continue. Smith has an amazing gift for scrambling and avoiding what often look to be sure finishes, but as I expected, "Pee Wee" just had too much for him. If you're wondering why Brandon Vera was in town, it's because he (along with Quinton Jackson) was working in Smith's corner. For his win, Herman earned the UFC's 'Submission of the Night.'

- Tyson Griffin defeated (split decision of 29-28, 29-28 & 29-28) Clay Guida. As expected, hella good, with a hearty (and, in some cases, amazing) display of striking, counter-striking, wrestling, scrambling, and transitions. Close as hell, but I only gave the first round to Griffin, which pains me, since I predicted he'd win. There was a lot of post-decision booing, but that's common for close calls. Both men were humble and classy, both like Randy Couture, and Guida dedicated his effort to the late Jeremy Williams. If, after watching this, you're not a fan of both Griffin and Evan Tannerito, waste no time in killing yourself.

- Jason MacDonald defeated (ref-stoppage TKO, 3:18 of round 2) Rory Singer. Not quite the exciting fight I expected, especially in the first round. MacDonald ended up schooling Singer in the second, though, scoring an immediate takedown, securing full mount, and raining down blows, prompting the decision.

- Michael Bisping and Martin Kampmann were among the "guest" fighters in the house.

- Forrest Griffin defeated (unanimous decision of 30-27, 30-27 & 30-27) Hector Ramirez. Despite him probably not even being able to point out Ireland on a map, the Irish theme was most played-up for Griffin, with him receiving green lighting and coming out to something which sounded as if it came from an 'Irish Spring' commercial. Ramirez refused to touch gloves, as there was heat, because Griffin used the pre-show to make light of Ramirez. Griffin was so much larger than Ramirez, and while Ramirez was the harder puncher, Griffin was the better striker and was definitely more composed. Don't know if this affected him, but Ramirez was practically booed out of the building, and the crowd repeatedly chanted Griffin's name. Ramirez had his moments (even bloodying Griffin's right eye), but Griffin definitely imposed his will and clearly frustrated Ramirez, in handily taking (in my eyes) the fight. Ramirez can take quite a beating, which included an accidental low-blow in the second. After the bout, Griffin and Ramirez made amends, and Griffin admitted to being a bit gun-shy about being knocked out, but being Irish, he figured he could be excused for using a bit of luck to win.

- Rich Franklin defeated (unanimous decision of 29-28, 29-28 & 29-28) Yushin Okami. Couture joined Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan at the announcer's table. Three rounds of Lot's of mostly difficult-to-score dancing, but I gave all three to Franklin, if for nothing else, aggression. The crowd wasn't always pleased with the effort, but definitely enjoyed the result. Okami didn't get aggressive until the third-round, where he scored a takedown and mount, and came extremely close to submitting Franklin (with an armbar). The latter part of the round looked somewhat similar to Griffin-Guida, with a series of ground transitions and escapes, but it was too little, too late for Okami. For the record, I agreed with the judges, giving only the third to Okami. Franklin's win earns him a shot at the Anderson-Silva-Nate Marquardt winner.

- Earlier in the evening, Davis defeated (punches-from-mount KO, 1:15 of round 1) Tan. Goldberg and Rogan noted the change in Davis' nickname. It was more of a flash knockout, with Tan being knocked down, mounted and punched, and (after the ref stepped in) not even realizing the fight was over and still trying to scramble.

Other dark matches:

- Dustin Hazelett defeated (D'Arce-choke submission, 2:50 of round 1) Stevie Lynch. Lynch was said to have received quite the reception, since he was born in Belfast, where he still resides. Lot of good that did him.

- Eddie Sanchez defeated (punches-from-mount TKO, 0:32 of round 2) Colin Robinson. Controversy, as some think Robinson (even if he weren't a local) should've earned the same stoppage in the first, but I haven't seen the fight, so I'll reserve judgment.

As far as an overall effort (atmosphere, fights, my picking all of the correct winners and Casey not doing the same, etc.), my early pick for the year's best wrestling or MMA show (with, as a close-second, Tuesday's 'Fight Night').

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(The Pay-Per-View Portion Of) 'ProElite Presents: Dynamite!!USA' Is In The Books

The lowdown from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum:

- Some DJ (he repeated his name, but I don't give a fuck) introduced Dennis Rodman, who (besides being desperate for publicity) went through all the trouble of passing a flame to Choi-Mu Bae, who then passed it to Hong-Man Choi, to light the Olympic torch. All-4-One (I thought they were dead) sang someone's national anthem, then another guy blew (he sucked, too) into a trumpet (or oboe, or some shit), while people danced and jumped. The DJ said the fight between Brad Pickett and Hideo Tokoro (which I thought was supposed to be a dark match) was "time restricted" (whatever that means). I think he was saying it's a swing bout, but maybe not. We then had to sit through (some, not all) fighter introductions. Royce (the DJ mispronounced his first name) Gracie got the biggest pop, although Kazushi Sakuraba's and Brock Lesnar's were up there. Rodman, who had to scramble for a mic, wasn't immediately popular, although he did manage to turn the crowd, by saying this wasn't about him, but about the fighters. Glad to see the (same) timing problems carry over to the pay-per-view. This all went on for more than twenty-minutes. Hey, they've got three-hours to fill, people.



- Still couldn't guess how many are in the building, but it's more than I saw on Showtime). Ranallo was a big help, though, narrowing it down to "huge."

- Quinton Jackson (fitting, with all of the talk about the UFC) was in the house.

- Bernard Ackah (a standup comedian, who definitely made me laugh) defeated (KO @ 0:38 - 1 rd.) Johnnie Morton. Before I get to the details, in his pre-fight interview, Morton said he thought football was more dangerous than MMA. He's entitled to his opinion, of course (even though it's wrong), but was there any real reason to include that sentiment on this pay-per-view? Now, with that out of the way, Morton definitely didn't lack aggression, and he can definitely hit (he even knocked out one of Ackah's tracks) but was not prepared for Ackah's right hand, which ended the fight. I'm glad Morton lost, because he seemed too arrogant for my taste. Even better, Morton left the ring on a stretcher. How many times did that happen in his NFL career? For the record, Morton's going to be just fine. Goldberg seemed way too defensive in explaining how this didn't prove mixed-martial-artists were tougher than football players. Whatever, football-playing pussy.

- Nicholas Cage was in the house. So?

- Tracey Ullman was also in the house. I would never do such a thing, but Goldberg made sure to insult the really ugly person sitting next to her.

- Dong-Sik Yoon supposedly placed too much tape on his ankles, so his fight (with Melvin Manhoef) was postponed. In its place, Mighty Mo defeated (TKO @ 1:33 - 1 rd.) Ruben Villareal (who was basically billed as a jobber). Villareal took a huge left, went for a desperation takedown, and was finished with more strikes. One (or more) of those shots really did a number on Villareal's left eye. Give Villareal credit, but I guarantee more notice wouldn't have changed the outcome for him.

- Keyshawn Johnson was in the house.

- Yoon defeated (armbar submission @ 1:17 - 2 rd.) Manhoef. Yoon didn't receive much-better billing than Villareal, and while he probably didn't deserve it, what did that tell the casual fan about K-1's matchmaking? Well, it told them you can't judge a book by its cover, because Yoon suffered a closed right eye, but ended up (in my opinion) capturing the first round (nearly securing an armbar), then finishing it in the second. For the first time since 10 PM ET, a fight went longer than five-minutes, and the crowd really came alive, as if this was a major-league event. I popped for the finish, because I (along with the rest of the world) never, never, never saw this coming. This, to me, was the sport's biggest upset and feel-good moment of 2007! If they fail to properly play this up, everyone affiliated with K-1 should kill themselves.

- Rosie Perez was in the house.

- Swing bout: Hideo Tokoro defeated (armbar submission @ 2:41 - 1 rd.) Brad Pickett. As expected, Pickett was mighty aggressive, but also overmatched on the ground. Still, the kid is one of my faves, as is Tokoro. Yoshiki, billed as Japan's biggest rock-star, presented Tokoro's trophy. Goldberg, unlike me, also felt it necessary to take a shot at Yoshiki, that big, ugly goof.

- Some people pounded on big drums, then we had to sit through most of a third-rate rap version of a second-rate 'Doors' song. Three-hours, people.

- Kazushi Sakuraba defeated (unanimous decision: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 - 15:00) Royce Gracie. When they weren't talking about how Saku should hang up the gloves, they at least did a good job of building up the history, and how important these guys (if not this fight) were to the sport. Not a lot of action, or the kind American audiences love, so the audience voiced their displeasure (which was acknowledged as perturbing by the announcers). In the third round, Sakuraba was almost motionless, until about the final forty-seconds, when being separated by the ref. Saku nearly had an armbar, but it was way, way too late into the round and fight. Tough to score, as neither did much, but I barely gave Gracie (who sure seemed happy with his performance) the second and third rounds.

- Brock Lesnar (getting post and pre-match fireworks) defeated (TKO @ 1:09 1 rd.) Min-Soo Kim. Immediate takedown, mount, punches, tap. As you all know, I ain't Bob's biggest fan, but he's for real, history's truly been made, and this one performance sent a message to all of MMA's top promotions. He's a free agent and he's a fucking beast! In his post-fight interview, he basically said he'll go where the money is, and I don't blame him.

Well, if you like finishes, this was the show for you. If you enjoy fights with a purpose, watching big-name fighters, or a lack of endless, time-killing processions, this may not have been your cup of tea. Either way, I've got two words for ya: Brock Lesnar!

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(Showtime's Portion Of) 'ProElite Presents: Dynamite!!USA' Is In The Books

The lowdown from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (behind the cut - refresh your browser):

- If you're interested in these sort of things: 1.) Commentators were Mauro Ranallo, Bill Goldberg & Jay Glazer. 2.) Ring Announcer was Jimmy Lennon Jr. 3.) Fights took place in the largest ring I've ever seen. 5.) I couldn't possibly guess how many fans were present, but it definitely was nowhere near forty-thousand. 6.) Production values were quite good, but it was clear how disorganized the time cues were, as you could often hear people giving directions, and the show ended with roughly twelve-minutes remaining to promote the pay-per-view, but that didn't happen.

- Jonathan "Don't Call Me 'Forrest Griffin'" Wiezorek defeated (TKO @ 0:50 - round 2) Tim Persey. Wiezorek had back mount, and rained down punches (some of which definitely did hit the back of the head, although they didn't look like brutal blows). Persey was warned on several occasions, but didn't do anything to defend himself, and the fight was stopped by Herb Dean. It looked as if being a last-minute sub hurt Persey's conditioning and he simply gassed, but he told the doctor he was hurt by one of the punches to the back of his head. To make matters worse, someone in Persey's own corner accidentally hit him with a stool in the back of the head. Wiezorek's Mom was in attendance, the first time she'd done that, so she must've been thrilled.

- Glazer interviewed Gina Carano, Charles Bennett, and Phil Baroni. Carano said she's no longer ill, and was pissed off, because she wanted to fight. Bennett was uncharacteristically quiet, although he did say he'd defeat Joe Boxer (to avenge their earlier draw). Baroni spoke about how Frank Shamrock no-showed the press conference, and said if Shammy didn't no-show on June 22, he'd win by KO.

- Earlier in the night, JZ Calvan defeated (TKO @ 0:26 - round 1) Nam Phan. Calvan delivered heavy shots from Phan's guard, prompting the ref to stop the match.

- Jake Shields defeated (rear-naked-choke submission @ 2:06 - round 1) Ido Pariente. Not much to say. Shields, as expected, put on quite a clinic, and got something of a hometown reaction. Nothing overwhelming, but it was far more than anyone else got.

- In another of the night's (unmentioned) dark matches, Katsuhiko Nagata defeated (split decision) Isaiah Hill, after three, five-minute rounds. I didn't see the fight, so I wouldn't know, but you gotta wonder if Hill's last-minute notice had anything to do with his performance.

Back in a little while, with results of the pay-per-view broadcast.

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UFC 71 Live Round-by-Round Coverage

Thank you for joining us for our live Round-By-Round coverage of UFC 71 'Liddell Vs. Jackson'. Refresh your browser for the latest updates at the conclusion of each round.



Show is hosted as per usual by Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan.
Scott has joined me tonight, he and I have Pizza Rolls, hot dogs, pretzle sticks, and little Debby stuff for the food. You know the deal, Liddell has 1 loss to avenge and it is to Jackson. You only heard this 60 times during the preshow and then it was recapped in the opening so I reprinted it just in case you didn't get the point.

We may experience technical difficulties tonight, Lightning off in the distance and such.

The winner of tonight's main event will face Dan "Hollywood" Henderson, the Pride Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion.

Middleweight Bout:
Chris "The Crippler" Leben: 26, 5'11, 185, 15-3-0
Vs.
Kalib Starnes: 32, 6'3, 186, 9-1-1
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

R1: Leven starts things nice with a high kick. Starnes will want to take this one to the ground. They end up in the clinch and Starnes attempts takedowns but Leben is able to defend against them. Starnes with a couple of nice kicks in succession Leven hits a kick and then slips down but gets back to his feet before Starnes can capitalize.
Yet another leg kick from Starnes and he's shown a willingness to keep this on the feet. Leben charges and throws some wild punches. They end up back in the clinch but Kalib still can't take him down.

We got a UFC 72 'Victory' promo. Expect more of them.

Leben swings wildly and this allows Kalib to take him down. Leben working fine from the bottom, Starnes not trying to pass guard. Starnes nails a couple of shots to end the round.

Scoring: Starnes did more damage, 10-9.

R2: Kalib Starts out the round hitting more of the kicks that were effective in round 1. Kalib connects with a big right and then takes Leben down again and is inside his guard. Joe Rogan says Leben is using the rubber guard...I prefer if the girl's on the pill to the rubber guard.
Starnes nails a few more shots but Leben is able to escape. Starnes hits a few knees and another right hand. Starnes hits an inside legkick and both he and Leben are getting tired but Starnes moreso. Starnes is covering up as Leben looks to throw combinations and Kalib is sucking wind badly with 40 seconds or so left in the round. Right from Starnes after a legkick from Leben. Leben still trying to press the action to close out the round.

Scoring: Starnes hit more big shots and took him down. Starnes won the round, 10-9.

R3: Leben starts the round with more aggression. Leben pressing the action and hits a kick to Starnes liver.

UFC 72 'Victory' AKA: Please buy this show, please?

Leben doing some nice work from the bottom but Kalib shifts in to Side Control. Crowd was booing the ground work but they were moving. 30 seconds left in the round and Starnes starts to finish the round strong.

Scoring: Probably Leben's round 10-9. Starnes' fight 29-28. A good fight!!

Bravo gave rounds 1 and 3 to Starnes and 2 to Leben. They were all tough to score, so I've got no issue.

Winner: Kalib Starnes (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Rogan with Starnes: Starnes thought Leben took the fight. Leben says screw the judges and the scoring, he thought it was a fun fight and it really was. It is time for the ever boring "Take us through the fight". They take turns saying hi to people. Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Mandy Moore are in the house.

UFC 72 'Victory' commercial. Please, please, please, please, buy this show...we'll give you money!!!

Light Heavyweight Bout:
"The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine: 31, 6'2, 205, 12-3-1
Vs.
Houston "The Assassin" Alexander: 35, 6'0, 202, 6-1-0
Referee: Steve Mazagatti

Scott points out that Houston Alexander sounds like Teddy Long and he kind of does.

MMM, brownies!

Ric Gillespie says Alexander is the fighter most likely to be fustigated.

R1: Jardine hits a nice right hand to start things out. He has Alexander in trouble but Houston recovers and starts to ass whoop Keith Jardine. There was a fustigation here but it was Jardine that got fustigated. All members on CARE gave him 0 chance...we're all dumbasses. He absolutely malled Jardine and it was all she wrote.

Winner: Houston Alexander - 0:48 R1

Rogan with Alexander: This dude is awesome. Dear Houston: I'm sorry for anything I may have ever said or written about you. Sincerely: Me!

A Chuck Liddell feature airs, showing his onterage appearance.

Middleweight Bout:
Terry Martin: 26, 5'9, 186, 17-2-0
Vs.
Ivan Salaverry: 36, 6'0, 184, 11-3-1
Referee: Mario Yamasaki

Terry Martin comes out to Billy Jean by Michael Jackson.

R1: Action starts on the feet with kicks and stuff. Salaverry is taken down very very hard, and some hammer fists and the fight is over. Ric, Art and I are dumbasses...and morons.

Winner: Terry Martin - 2:04 R1

Rogan with Martin: He calls out Anderson Silva and says he's willing to stand and trade with him. Hey, its your funeral man!

UFC 72 'Victory' commercial airs. Ramirez-Griffin and Okami-Franklin are the featured bouts. Trouble is I think both will be good fights but neither is a main event really.

Welterweight Bout:
Karo "The Heat" Parisyan: 24, 5'10, 170, 24-4-0
Vs.
Josh "The People's Warrior" Burkman: 27, 5'10, 171, 19-3-0
Referee: Herb Dean

R1: Karo comes out swinging and connects with a right. Burkman nails a nice leg kick, Burkman backs Parisyan up against the cage. Parisyan answers with another right. Burkman keeps changing up his stance. Karo hits a nice right leg kick. Parisyan takes Burkman to the ground with a nice Judo throw. Parisyan is using effective counters to everything Burkman is throwing. Round 1 ends with Burkman trying and successfully avoiding Parisyan's Kamura.

Scoring: I give the round 10-9 Parisyan.

R2: Parisyan connects with a right hand early. Burkman tries a kick, Karo catches it and lands another right. Burkman swings and misses on a punch and the pace has slowed from the first round. Karo nails a couple of more rights after taking one from Burkman. Burkman is tiring at around the 2:30 point of this round. Parisyan hits a knee then a combination. Parisyan is just imposing his will on Burkman at around the 4:20 point in the round. Burkman is exhausted and yet Parisyan isn't able to finish yet but he is picking him apart.

Scoring: Once again, Parisyan won the round 10-9.

R3: Parisyan is in way better shape going in. Burkman swings and misses with another punch while Parisyan answers with rights. Burkman with a takedown and Karo starts to work from the back. He escapes and starts working for a Kamura. Parisyan not able to get it and its back to the feet. Parisyan has a bodylock and Burkman seems to have found his second wind as he's pressing the action. Karo misses with a high-kick and Burkman attempts another Takedown. Parisyan with a straight left and we're under the 40 second mark of the final round.

Fight Ends...

Scoring: Best round for Burkman but it might not be enough. 10-9 Parisyan. 30-27 for Parisyan.

Winner: Karo Parisyan (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rogan with Karo: he's been working on his conditioning. He begs Dana for his title shot, he says he's not going to get down on his knees (thank goodness, its been done). He thanks a bunch of people including Randy Couture and Manvel Gambaryan. He then sings a song about his judo throws and that's awesome in its badness. Even Rogan says his singing sucks. Awesome!

They run down the fight cards coming up through July 7, there's a lot.

We go to a preliminary bout.

Lightweight Bout:
Din "DinYero" Thomas: 30, 5'9, 155, 22-7-0
Vs.
Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stevens: 20, 5'9, 156, 13-1-0
Referee: Big John McCarthy

R1: Basically, Thomas controlled the round and Stevens made a late comeback at the end.
R2: Thomas locks in an armbar, Stevens tries to powerbomb out of it and the referee decides to stop the fight.

Winner: Din Thomas - 2:44 R2 via submission

Rogan with Thomas: Thomas says some things. I can't really tell...what he's talking about.

A trailer airs for hostile 2.
Light Heavyweight Title Bout:
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson: 28, 6'1, 205, 26-6-0
Vs.
"The Ice Man" Chuck Liddell: 37, 6'2, 205, 20-3-0
Referee: Big John McCarthy

R1: Crowd erupts when the action begins. Liddell backs away early getting Rampage to chace after. Jackson nails a combination and Liddell backs away. Rampage with a few blows and Liddell is down. Chuck looks like he's going to defend himself, but another blow puts him away.

Winner: Quinton Jackson - 1:53 R1 KO

Rampage is celebrating and now Rogan comes in.

Rogan with Rampage: Being the champion sounds good. He says it feels good, he taughts the fans that booed him. He says drinks are on the house if you can find someone to buy you one. He agreed with Chuck the stoppage was early...until he saw the replay. Dan "Hollywood" Henderson is up next.

Rogan with Chuck: He loves his kids, he's ok and he got caught. He'd take a rematch but it will depend on what the UFC does.

Dan Henderson comes out and he wants to fight Jackson. He'd be happy to make some money fighting his friends.

Continue Reading!

TNA Wrestling's 'Sacrifice' 2007 (05/13/2007): Live Play-by-Play

Hi everybody! Welcome to my live coverage of TNA Sacrifice. This looks to be a very good card. I'll be back at 7pm to begin my coverage.

Another interesting opening video. I thought they were going into their own version "Please, don't try this at home" for a second there.



X-Title match is up first. The only bad thing about this match being first is that we don't get an awesome Black Machismo promo. Dutt and Lethal double team Sabin for a little bit but noe they're trying to one up each other. Sabin taken outside and we get a nice set of moves then puts on the Camel Clutch but doesn't get the rest of it in. Sabin is now back in taking it to both of them. Dutt has been thrown outside and Sabin gets a nearfall. Dutt has come back in but Lethal and Sabin have taken it outside but Dutt joins them with an excellent moonsault. Sabin tries for a top rope rana on Dutt but Dutt holds on the ropes. Dutt dropkicks Lethal then Sabin attacks Dutt from behind. Lethal now outside. They cut to somke lady and a person in some animal costume. Ok, when and where did TNA get a mascot? Back in the ring and all 3 guys are going at it again. Dutt pulls off some excellent moves and gets a nearfall on Lethal. Sabin throws both men in a turnbuckle and hits a move on both. Lethal takes out both men, hits the big elbow but Dutt breaks it up. Dutt breaks up a pin with a 450 and we get a series of nearfalls. Dutt and Lethal argue which allows Sabin to roll up Dutt to walk out as the X-Division Champ. Dutt and Lethal go at it for a bit but Nash breaks it up. What the hell happened to Nash's hair. Dutt kicks Nash's leg from behind then runs off.

Backstage with JB who is interviewing Roode. He says that JJ is gonna make Roode then go from star to Superstar. I don't see how that's possible since he isn't even much of a star to begin with.

Nash grabs a mic and says that Dutt's ass is his on iMPACT. Nash needs to get Just For Men because grey is not his color.

Roode vs. JJ is up next. Roode jumpstarts the match and attacks him around the ring. Jarrett reverses a piledriver on the floor and takes control. This match now officially begun. Traci distracts Jarrett on the outside which allows Roode to take back control by throwing him into the steps then throws him back in. Jarrett gets a nearfall then Roode clothesline him and gets a nearfall. Roode takes too much time on the top rope and gets a boot to the chin. Roode ocks in a Figure Four with Traci helping him out. Jarrett grabs the ropes to get the break but Roodes keeps working in the knee then imitates him. Small package by Jarrett gets 2. Both men go for a clothesline and connect. Back up and Jarrett hits a back body drop. Jarrett now applies the figure four but Traci distracts the ref as Roode taps out. Traci still has the ref distracted as Roode takes a turbuckle pad off. Both men try to ram eahc other into it but neither goes. Roode brings a chair in the ring and gets in a tug of war with the ref which ends up having Roode getting the chair flying toward him. Traci pulls the ref out which gets her ejected. Roode smacks Jarrett with handcuffs but gets only 2. He tries to hit Jarrett with his guitar but the ref takes it away. Reversal of The Stroke and figure four. Roode rams Jarrett into the exposed turnbuckle then hits a Perfect Plex for the win. Jarrett is about to get hit with his own guitar but he applies a figure four. Traci comes down to hit Jarrett with the guitar but EY comes down and puts her in a figure four for a few seconds then Jarrett and EY leave the ring.

Backstage with Cage, Steiner and Styles. Steiner is angry about Tomko not there yet. Styles talks a bit about his match as well.

Daniels and Rhino up next. Rhino in control early on hitting a good clothesline. Rhino catches Daniels as he comes down with a belly to belly suplex. He tries to gore him but Daniels rolls out. Daniels now in control working on Rhino's left arm shoulder. Rhino hits a spinebuster out of nowhere and gets a nearfall but Daniels take back control with a cross-arm breaker. Daniels misses a BME which allows Rhino to take control. Daneils grabs the bottom rope to break the pin. He then rolls out, grabs his bat then hits Rhino with it for the win. Rhino grabs a mic and says this isn't how his night is gonna end then chases him to the back. They come back out and Daniels is bloodied. Rhino follows him out and destroys him with a chair. He sets up 2 chairs in the ring, goes for a Rhino driver but security stops him.

VKM and Basham/Damaja is up next. Kip is in the back and says he's going alone. That was one of the best promos he's done for a while. Kip is very serious tonight. Damaja and Basham double teaming him which is what you'd expect. Finish is of course Basham/Damaja beating Kip. Kip tries to fight back afterward but they beat him down until Hoyt shows up.

Harris vs. Storm is up next. They take it to the crowd to start. Harris has some beer then flies over the guardrail and knocks down Storm, pins him then gets up at 8. Storm hits a wicked chair shot on Harris that opens him up then brings a table in. Storm tries a top rope rana but Harris hold on the ropes. Storm now cut open after hitting the table. Eye of the Storm through the table gets him the pinfall but Harris gets up. Storm sets up a table outside, Harris fights it off but gets DDTed. Storm now throwing in garbage cans. Harris spears Storm off the apron through the table. Harris tries to hit Storm with a chair but Storm ducks and superkicks the chair into his head for a nearfall. Exchange of Trash can lid shots then a Catatonic gets Harris 2. Jackie attacks Harris but Gail comes out and takes her to the back. Storm and Harris both grab beer bottles but Harris hits first, gets the pin then the 10 count.

Backstage with Sting. He talks to Daniels for a while then talks about his match with Angle.

4-Way X-Division match up next. Lynn and Senshi start out but Shelley is tagged in after a while. Tiger Mask is now in. Shelley taunts him for a bit but tags in Senshi. Senshi and Tiger Mask trade kicks but Lynn does the blind tag. Tiger Mask gets a nerfall on Shelley then Shelley hits a tor rope jawbreaker and TM hits a doubleunderhook suplex which is broken up by Senshi. It's all broken down and ends up with Lynn getting a nearfall on TM. TKO by Lynn but Shelley breaks it up. Lynn and Senshi fight up top but TM breaks it up then Shelley thrown TM outside. Shelley hits a rana but Lynn rolls through to get the win. Shelley and Lynn fight afterwards but Sabin comes out to doubleteam him. Backlund comes out for the save and runs them off.

Team 3D vs. LAX vs. Steiner/Tomko is up next. Backstage with Tomko. Tomko cuts a good joke then says he's gonna be there for the match. We get some great suplexes to start. Steiner and Homicide are doubleteaming Bubba but Bubba fights back and tags in D-Von. Tomko now tagged in, gets a few moves off but Hernandez tags in. Steiner and Tomko work together to distract D-Von. LAX now doubleteaming D-Von. Steiner does his usual elbow drop/push up thing then Ray comes in for a bit. Hernandez splashes D-Von and Tomko breaks the pin. Bubba with the hot tag and he cleans house. It's all broken down with everybody getting a move in and we end up with the Wassup drop on Homicide and they go for the tables. Hernandez flies at D-Von and knocks him down but Bubba knocks him down. We get a few nearfalls but Steiner and Tomko get some miscommunication which allows Bubba and D-Von to get the 3D on Tomko for the win. Tomko and Steiner attack each other but Rick Steiner comes out to make the save.

Backstage with Kurt Angle. He calls Sting a clown, a cartoon character then says he is a wrestler.

Joe vs. Styles is up now. We get lots of kicks from each man to start out then Joe suicide elbows Styles over the railing. These 2 are going so fast that it's hard to keep up with them. Styles with a nearfall who replies with a belly to back suplex. Nice snap powerslam from Joe gets 2. Styles with a nice inverted DDT gets him 2. Styles tries for a Clash but Joe reverses for a nearfall. Joe lands out on the floor badly and looks injured. Joe is begging off, gets a good kick off but can't follow up. Styles misses the Spiral Tap as Joe comes back up with no injury, hits a suplex and gets the pin.

Sting vs. Angle vs. Cage is up next. Sting and Angle talk for a bit and they decide to doubleteam Cage and throw him outside. Sting takes Angle down then goes outside to attack Cage. Cage gets the upperhand outside then goes in and Angle gtes a few moves on him. Cage throws Angle into the ringpost which takes Angle outside. Sting now back in and hits a big elbow then a splash for 2. Sting hits a short vertsion of the Stinger splash, goes for the full thing then Angle pulls him out and slams him on the ramp. Angle now back in and Cage takes it to him and gets a nearfall after a powerslam. Cage rolls out and lays Sting back out then goes back in. Angle ducks a punch then hits 8 German Suplexes for 2. Sting now back in and gets a nearfall. Superplex attempt attempt but Angle comes back in and we get a Tower of Doom move. Angle gets nearfalls on both Sting and Cage. Reversal of Angle Slam and Unprettier. Sting hits the Deathdrop but Cage pulls the ref out. Deathlock is reversed into the ankle lock. Cage comes in and gets an ankle lock too but Sting and Cage roll out of it. Sting hits a Rock-Bottom like move, grabs the ref but Cage low blows him and tries for a Unprettier but Sting rolls him up then Angle comes in and puts the ankle lock on Sting. We get 1 ref counting Cage and another counting the submission and the submission counts. They announce Angle as the new Champion and they immediately go off the air.

Continue Reading!

TNA Wrestling's 'Sacrifice' 2007 (05/13/2007): Live Ramblings

Yes, it is that time of month again when you join us for another TNA Wrestling PPV. This month is Sacrifice and we've got 2 reports for the price of 0. I'll be doing a rambling commentary, while Wade will be along with a play-by-play oriented piece. Given the amount of buzz for this show, I think half the people watching are giving the reports for this here blog while the other half will also be in this room. Nobody in TNA is on drugs because if they were this show would get a better buzz.


The CARE preview is here, and the only other interesting thing of note is that TNA is expected to debut their new championship belts as early as tonight. Tonight looks like a good card on paper, but you don't have wrestling matches on paper...at least not yet.


I'll have comments posted at the conclusion of each match. Refresh your browser for the latest and join us at 7:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM CT for the start.



Sacrifice Preshow. If you were one of the 3 people to watch the road to Sacrifice last night, then you saw this Preshow. Marcus, Wade and Scott all went to subway. I am broke so will be eating things that I have in my refrigerator.

It is weird watching Christy Hemme host this show given her involvement in an angle, and not even showing a hint of what her persona is supposed to be.

Vince McMahon said in his investor's meeting that he doesn't think they have too many titles because he feels you get more bang for your buck. Well, Vince needs to learn the same lesson about titles that TNA needs to learn about stipulation matches. If every match is a title or stipulation match then none of them stand out as more important.

As a reminder here is the bout order for tonight:

1. TNA X-Division champion Chris Sabin vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Jay Lethal
   
2. Jeff Jarrett vs. Robert Roode
   
3. Rhino vs. Christopher Daniels
   
4. Voodoo Kin Mafia vs. Basham & Damaja
   
5. Chris Harris vs. James Storm - Texas Death Match
   
6. Jerry Lynn vs. Alex Shelley vs. Tiger Mask IV vs. Senshi
   
7. NWA Tag Team champions Team 3D vs. Scott Steiner & Tomko vs. LAX
   
8. Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles
   
9. NWA champion Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle vs. Sting.
   

We're getting close to show time and I don't mean Eric Young...

TNA...We are wondering if anyone is watching this show.

Darth Vader is in the house and he's dropping rhymes. He reminds us that TNA wrestlers are not gods. I wonder who was confused enough that this needed to be revealed? They're mortals who do stuff or something.

How'd you like to have a dinner with David Sahatti? If he talks the way he writes then that could be one very long discussion.

As I'm doing ramblings for this show, they may not be as frequent if I decide to cook my dinner. Will I wait until the show is over before I eat? Tune in to Nitro to find out.

We open with pyro and the like and the iMPACT zone crowd is pretty well...not psyched at the start.

Match 1: X-division title: Sonjay Dutt Vs. Black Machismo Vs. Chris Sabin

Neither Dutt or Black Machismo have ever held X-gold. Machismo comes out first. I know that people like Wade Keller will bitch about the X-division title's placement on the card, and maybe you could've opened with the 4-way but at least this will be fast-paced and at least its Black Machismo.

Every time I hear from Don West I will think of last thursday's TNA Today and I will smile because that was damn awesome. Like a case of your finest mustard awesome.

I have a theory that I posed in the predictions and we'll see how well it holds. I maintain that TNA knows 2 and only 2 finishes for 3-way title bouts. The Champion wins, or 1 challenger pins the other to screw him over. Lets see if I'm correct.

Sabin Dutt and Lethal were 3/4 of Team USA during the last world X-cup. Lets see if this is mentioned. I'm putting the odds at about a zillion to 1.

I'm thinking about how many times I will need to type the words "ref" and "bump" in that order tonight. I'm wondering if I shouldn't just put it on the clip board so I can copy/paste for my own convenience.

Ok, so the discussion was just on how we're doing 2 blog posts. I have decided that what I am doing is an audio commentary that I am writing down. Oh, and when I said this I followed it with...I should write that done. As you can guess, I took my own advice.

The crowd is easy to impress early, I am asking if this will last. I'll let you know in say the Texas Death or VKM match.

Ok, the 2 dudes that were just chanting "This is awesome" and they need to better coordinate with the rest of the crowd.

Hold it! Stop the Blog!!! We just saw TNA's Mascott "Stomper". This raises a few questions:
1. When the hell did TNA get a mascott?
2. Why the hell does TNA need a mascott?
3. Why is his named Stomper?

I'm reeling from this. Stomper has made me lose my train of thought. I need to know when this Mascott debuted? I need to know if this is as bad as Wild Cat Willie. Anyone that attends iMPACT tapings want to contact me and tell me how long he's been around? I'll stop making fun of you guys for at least a report or a half.

Ok, I hate the name TNa, I really hate it. However, I'll say this much for it. At least you can easily chant it. I mean have you ever tried chanting WWE or WCW? This is why when all those ECW marks say "Well, people chant ECW still". It is only because ECW is a name you can chant easily. If WCW lent itself to a chant, you'd still have fans chanting it, I'm sure of it. I know this because I'd be the guy.

When an announcer like don West says this is for all the marbels in the X-division...I wonder if Marbels are still valuable somewhere that I don't know about?

A pretty nice sequence of nearfalls took place in this one, but if you cared about that, you could read it in Wade's recap.

Winner: Chris Sabin

Yes, this was champion retains and I'm kind of disappointed by this. Wait, Don West said that Sabin knows he shouldn't be walking away with the belt but why? The man did get the pin by following the rules.

A brawl breaks out and Grampa Munster...AKA Kevin Nash comes out to break it up. Dutt hits a cheap shot and Machismo's music hits even though Sonjay prevailed.

A Robert Roode interview. Apparently he is unfamiliar with the 13th amendment of the United States Constitution because he still claims that he owns Eric Young. It doesn't quite work that way, but then again how many people are aware that its the thirteenth amendment?

Nash is still in the ring and says something. Then, Don and Mike run down the card for a show I already purchased. Seriously, TNA, stop it. I know the card, I bought the fucking show. Quit it, quit it, quit it, quit it, quit it! For the love of Christ stop this practice, I know what matches I'm going to see, how the hell do you think I decided to buy the show?

We see something from earlier in the day with VKM getting attacked by Damaja and Basham.

Apparently, we've got a new medical diagnosis. Super-severe because B.G. has a super-severe concussion.

We see a video package for Roode-Jarrett. This would not be so bad if not for the fact I saw this package 3 times in the last half hour.

Match 2: Robert Roode Vs. Jeff Jarrett

I've suddenly got a great desire to go for a walk.

I do want to take one minute to say that no matter what you may think of Jarrett personally, or Jarrett the business man I hope nothing but good things for the Jarrett family as his wife Jill fights her illness. On mother's day, think of the fact that Jill and Jeff have 3 young children from the ages of 3 to 11.

Ok, I just heard the iMPACT zone crowd cheer for Jeff and that's weird and will be for quite some time.

One thing that hasn't changed about Jeff is his match involving crowd brawling. This time Roode kicks it off before the bell rings and the match begins in ernest.

The discussion turns to the term "Paint brushing", and how common it is. Wade and I've heard that term forever, and Marcus had never heard it before tonight.

I'm hungry.

I just don't care about Robert Roode. I know a lot of people think he's a future star but I just don't see it. He's a good lower-card hand I think and while there's nothing wrong with that in my view, people project him for higher. Someone that feels this way, please explain to me what it is that makes you feel that way?

The Mascott is back, and I think I just figured it out. Eric Young is the Mascott. People call him the TNA Mascott and I think TNA is taking it litterally. As this is a prediction, I'm going to post it now before the match is over so you can see if I'm right or very wrong.

You know what's my biggest problem tonight? I keep wanting to write right as write and that's not right.

The crowd chants we want Eric. I bet Stomper is happy to hear this.

Ok, so Ms. Brooks is outside and trying to get Roode back in the ring. She does this by clapping the mat. Yeah, I know I shouldn't wonder about things like this. Don West called a low blow, a "shot to the nads". I love this man.

Jarrett had Roode in the figure-4 and I never felt like that was even close to the finish.

Roode removed the turnbuckle pad and I'll bet it was much easier to do that than to put together that stupid WWE replica ring.

Stroke for Jarrett. West, "Jarrett hits the stroke and you can feel it". If this is true, head to the hospital. TNA causing stroke like symptoms is a bad sign.

Roode has handcuffs and given the relationship with Ms. Brooks...I don't wanna know. West repeatedly says it is over, so that means that it is not...and it wasn't.

Frustration is on the face of Roode. Why is he watching iMPACT on a portable TV?

Roode actually gets the pin. Well, my predictions are officially starting out fucked.

Winner: Robert Roode

Young is not stomper...0 for 3.

Mike Tenay gives a lesson on bonding with friends.

Christian is with Latisha. She talks...booo! He talks....Yay!

Scott Steiner says his partner is not here yet...this is great news. Christian says he is the NWA champion, so I'm thinking the belt change comes tomorrow.

Match 3: Rhino Vs. Christopher Daniels

I still say that Daniels is hoping to get Sting's paycheck and that's why he's dressing this way.

This match did not get a video package and it is because...they did nothing really to set this up with the acception of Daniels attacking Rhino twice and getting an ass beating as a result of the second time.

This match is not causing much inspiration. In other words, I'm putting as much thought in to ranting right now that TNA put in to the build up for this.

I just realized something horrible. There will be a 2 week build for One Night Stand. Judgment Day is May 20 and One Night Stand is June 3.

I care less about Chris Daniels now than I did before the new gimmick. Not exactly the ringing endorsement that TNA was looking for I'm sure.

Daniels won, and I don't care how. I was too busy talking about a potential bout order for Judgment day.

Winner: Christopher "Sting" Daniels

Rhino didn't come here to lose, well...he did, and he's going to kick ass.

So wait a minute, Don West just declared a Rhino Driver off the second rope could kill Daniels. Then when security comes before it can be hit...he gets pissed.

A video package airs for my favorite feud ever, behind all the other ones, Christy Hemme and VKM.

Match 4: VKM Vs. Basham and Damaja

Kip James just declared that forfeit is not in his vocabulary. Yet he used it in context. It may not be in mine as I sure as hell can't spell it.

B.G. is not out for this match. It occurs to me that if they were going to pick one member of VKM to wrestle...they probably picked the wrong one.

It was a pretty quick and painless match that the team of Damaja and Basham.

Winners: Basham and Damaja

Texas Death is up next as we're talking trademarking of names specifically old tag teams like The Minnesota Wrecking crew and The Freebirds.

Latisha is with Chris Harris. She talks again and Kramer, you break my heart.

Match 5: Chris Harris Vs. James Storm

This match is like 8 minutes old and I've not written anything. NewsRadio quoting takes priority. Both men are bleeding and that's all you need to know. Wade is writing more I'm sure, but all you need to know is both are bleeding.

These guys had a lot to prove after last month's disaster. So far, it has been successful.

Ok, Harris got the final fall and the win. The announcement of this takes 10 seconds before the count.

Winner: Chris Harris

Then we get a Sting interview and I think he had Mic problems or something.

Match 6: Tiger Mask IV Vs. Jerry Lynn Vs. Alex Shelley Vs. Senshi

West says we need to keep an eye on Senshi's feet...I'm afraid that means he kicked me in the eye.

This match has got 2 guys in the ring and 2 on the apron. This will not last. Tenay is in his glory running down the history of Tiger Mask. The history stuff is his strong point, not Crash TV.

Why is everything in the world "snapped off"?

Nobody predicted a victory for Jerry Lynn, so of course...he won.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Mr. Backlund comes out in the post match activity.

Match 7: Team 3D Vs. LAX Vs. Steiner and Tomko

Tomko got to cut a promo, Steiner got to cut a promo...but Konnan, a better talker than both of them got to say nothing. It is called priorities people. 3D didn't get to talk either but who cares? I was hoping Konnan would do commentary, but it was not to be. Discussion in the room is that Hector looks like an older version of Eddie Guerrero.

Oh, there's a match I'm not really writing about. No, it is not because of NewsRadio quotes. This time, its Friends.

Winners: Team 3D

The team of Steiner and Tomko ended up turning on each other in the end. If this ends up being a match, I will cry.

Ok, Rick Steiner showed up and that was ironic, since we were discussing what became of him earlier tonight.

Kurt Angle promo and he calls Sting Ronald McDonald.

Video for Styles and Joe airs.

Match 8: Samoa Joe Vs. AJ Styles

Ric Gillespie just hopped on to messenger, so hi, Ric!

I've been talking to Ric, eying the NBA score and trying to pay close attention to this match. The match has been the least of the priority. However, the guys in the room seem to be enjoying it.

Samoa Joe won.

Winner: Samoa Joe

I'll have to watch the match again to decide how I feel about it. Actually though, all of the finishes on the show have been good and the booking has been decisively non-Russo like but we'll see if that carries into the main event.

Match 9: Sting Vs. Kurt Angle Vs. Christian Cage

Match starts out with Christian being his wacky self and we're all fine by that. Sting and Angle fought for awhile while Christian was on the floor. Apparently, the title match is supposed to be about the title. This is news to us. I thought it was about raping corpses of dead girls or shooting your dad in the back and framing your mom or something like that but reversed.

We went the whole card without a ref bump and we finally got a sort of ref bump in the main event.

Ok, well we've went the whole show without a screwy finish but it didn't last, we got a pin and a submission at the same time.

Angle was declared the winner, but I bet that doesn't last.

Winner: Kurt Angle

This was actually a pretty solid show overall, and everyone worked hard. Too bad nobody cared about it going in.

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OC Times Live Coverage: TNA Wrestling's 'Lockdown' 2007

Welcome to the OC Times and our live match-by-match coverage for TNA Wrestling's All Steel Cage Pay Per View, Lockdown.

The Pre-show is starting in a bit, where VKM will wrestle Serotonin. If my keyboard doesn't crap out on me during the show, refresh your browser for the latest happenings.



Some stuff happened on the pre-show but I don't know because I went to get food.

I came back and Angle was arguing with Cornette and the heels will have the man advantage in Lethal Lockdown, and that's as it should be.

Don West runs down the card for the final sell for everyone watching the pre-show, which for me means I already bought the show to begin with.

Nice opening video. They show the arena and TNA spent some money on the pyrotechnics.

We're opening with the X-division title Xscape match.

West and Tenay are currently running down the card they just ran down, and on a show we've paid for already. Theoretically if I bought the show, I should already know the card.

Match 1: Xscape match - Shark Boy Vs. Alex Shelley Vs. Sonjay Dutt Vs. Black Machismo Vs. Chris Sabin

God damn Lethal's Savage impression is uncountable kinds of awesome.

The Rules: First 3 falls must come by pin or submission. When it comes down to the last 2 men it is escape the cage rules, got it? Good.

Tenay points out that this is the 4th reign of Chris Sabin. Well, when one of your reign lasts 1 TV taping, that will tend to allow them to pile up.

St. Louis is down with Black Machismo. In order to reenforce that this is an x-division match, the announcers talk about the main event. Just call them Luchadors and call me 1997.

The spots go fast and furious in the early going and the crowd is hot. I guess when you don't sit in the audience every 2 weeks, you don't take what you see for granted.

Shark Boy is the first one out via Alex Shelley. Yeah, I know you're surprised by that development. Don't worry, the report will be here when you recover from the shock.

Dueling chants for Lethal and Alex Shelley.

Crowd chants "This is awesome", and while I wouldn't go that far, at least they're chanting it in appreciation not to get themselves over. Yeah, I hate Orlando so sue me.

Shelley and Sabin are working as a unit for now.

A nice spot comes when Alex Shelley has Black Machismo in a neckbreaker position and Sabin drop kicks him in the face.

Dueling submissions by the heels and dueling reversals by the faces into their own submissions, including Sonjay with a camel clutch on Shelley. Break his back, make him humble and then fuck his ass!

Sonjay Dutt is eliminated via Sabin with the Cradle shock.

Alex Shelley eliminated via the flying elbow from the most awesome man in the vold.

Sabin and Lethal battle to escape a kick from Sabin catches Machismo in the cage and Sabin drops down for the win.

Winner: Chris Sabin
A fun, fun match in front of a hot appreciative crowd.

Borash is backstage with Team Cage who are celebrating the fact they have the advantage. Team Cage is a family accept for Abyss who gets mad at this and Mitchell reads him the riot act.
Christian says that Team Angle has a traitor in its midst and that's Je ha Double F Jarrett. Then Christian says that nothing will bring him down and that he will get the pin. This effectively ends the celebration.

Robert Roode and Eric Young video package airs. If you're excited for this, then phu-cough!!

Match 2: Petey Williams Vs. Robert Roode

Traci Brooks is Roode's Chief Executive Offender and I'm still not sure what the hell comes along with a job description like that?

Team Canada is mentioned so that's nice of them. Young is to sit in a chair and not move, again I say, strict contract.

I don't have a lot to say other than Roode's pretty much owned Petey in this match. The crowd still in to it though did sing Oh Canada when Petey did the move.

Roode pulls out a hockey stick but EY holds the end of it so he can't use it. An argument breaks out and this allows Petey to hit a hurricanrana and take control.

Young still fighting with Brooks over the stick, Roode demands that he give it up and this allows Williams to role him up for 2.

Young finally throws i the stick to a huge pop because he waited for Petey to get in to a posiion where he could grab it and that's xactly what happened.

Williams uses the stick but the momentum doesn't last. Roode eventually throws the stick out of the ring. Williams teases the Destroyer to a big pop and Roode reverses out of it and in to his own finisher for the pin.

Winner: Robert Roode
A pretty fun match all things considered.

When was the last time you heard Orlando pop for a tease of the Destroyer?

Latisha is with Kurt Angle. Angle is telling Rhino the bad news. Rhino says he can forgive and forget but he suggests that Angle go and tell Joe.

A video package airs for the Jackie Moore Vs. Gail Kim feud.

Match 3: Jackie Moore Vs. Gail Kim

Ok, I was talking to Euan about this earlier, other than this match anyone know of any other women's matches inside the cage? I refuse to think this hasn't happened before now. TNA's not saying it has never happened in wrestling in fact they're careful to say it is the first time in TNA. So I'm just thinking that there has been at least 1 and likely several that I've just not seen.

Gail comes to the ring and Ms. Jackie makes sure she doesn't even make it in before the match starts. Gail throwing Jackie in to the broadcast table and its a Jeff Jarrett women's match.

Mike Tenay's water ended up in Gail's hair and that just made her mad. Finally, the match enters the ring.

Jackie just flings Gail around even hitting a release suplex.

For as heated as the feud has been in terms of the women giving their most intensity to it, the crowd is not as in to it as I would've guessed. The women put more in to the build than they're going to get in the response to the match.

Neither women has been sent in to the cage at this point so it is basically a match that happens to have a cage around it. Gail hits a missile dropkick off the top for a 2 count.

I just found out that in this match you can win by pinfall, submission or escape through the door.

Gail uses the door to hit Jackie, but then instead of escaping she decided to climb the top of the cage and hit a crossbody off it and she gets the pin.

Winner: Gail Kim
Jackie didn't really catch Gail the best. This match was ok but I actually expected more of the match, but the finish was surprising.

JB interviews Mr. Backlund. I can hardly hear what Backlund said but Borash asked him if he'd call it fair and square.

Match 4: Austin Starr Vs. Senshi
Special Referee: Bob Backlund

The focus early in the match was on whether or not Backlund would call the match fair. In this feud, you have 2 men capable of greatness working to the level of okness and to me that's kinda gayness.

Backlund's count was quick but it was quick for the both of them.

Powerbomb gets Starr a 2 count and as Senshi kicks out Starr slaps him in a half crab. Senshi reaches for the ropes but Starr pulls him back. Backlund finally does make him release, I've got a question...release or what? Can you be DQ'd in these matches? It would be nice for TNA to let me know such things but its not meant to be.

Senshi uses a dropkick to "knock the crap out of" Austin Starr. That's Don West'swording not mine.

Senshi gets the win off of a role up after a little assist from Backlund.

Winner: Senshi
It was better than their piror bouts, and it picked up considerably toward the end of the match so another in a streak of watchable matches tonight.

JB is with Samoa Joe. Joe is kinda pissed at Angle and he cuts a firey promo and he will never get along with Jeff Jarrett. Joe is so awesome. Joe threatens death to anyone that gets in his way.

Match 5: Blindfold Match - Chris Harris Vs. James Storm

This would be so much better if it were Harris Vs. Storm, no stipulation.

We've had 4 watchable matches up to this point, 3 of them actually beyond watchable but this is going to end that streak I'm going to bet.

A good blindfold match would be a greater upset than Serra over St. Pierre.

Chris Harris has new theme music that sounds like a knockoff of "more human than human".

Scott says this is wrestleMania VII all over again and Wade made that same comment in his predictions piece.

They play that game of, I can't see you so I can't find you. I love this crowd as they chant: "We want Wrestling". Harris finds Storm who backs in to a corner to escape as the crowd boos. God bless St. Louis, I almost want to take back every bad thing I've ever said about you guys.

Harris finally does the "if I point in a direction, perhaps the crowd will tell me where he is?" only if I'm Storm and I know that's what he's doing why wouldn't I move when found out? Yeah I know logic.

Boring chants rain down, and they are loud. This crowd is wonderful.

Storm's hood comes off and that allows him a glimpse of where Harris is at. When thinking of adjectives and adverbs and verbs to put in a sentence that would describe this match, the words sucks, blows and festering pile of crap are right near the top.

St. Louis is moving up the ranks of my favorite cities list with the "someone stop this" chant. Now, I swear to God Jesus and Mr. McMahon a Goldberg chant breaks out. This crowd earns 1600 stars.

Yes, Storm takes the hood off and cheats and superkicks Harris. He puts the hood back on and he pins him.

Winner: James Storm

Thumbs way down for the match, and way way way way way up for the fans.

Angle backstage with Sting. Angle believes Jarrett has changed for the better. Sting says that something happened to Jarrett that made him a different man. Get this, Sting doesn't know what it is, and it is none of his business. But Abyss is his business? Sting will give Jarrett the benefit of the doubt tonight but bad things will happen if Jarrett screws up. Sting will give him the benefit of the doubt, and I can only think it is because he is an idiot.

A video package for the Daniels Vs. Jerry Lynn match airs next. Daniels says a bunch of things about finding himself and singing songs around a campfire and going on nature walks.

Match 6: Christopher Daniels Vs. Jerry Lynn

I told Wade that this has been a good show so far and he said that's surprising for TNA. I maintain and always have that even though the PPVs Russo's booked haven't lived up to the ones that proceeded him from the peak of the summer of 2005, none of the Russo booked shows have been as awful as those 1999 WCW shows like Bash at the Beach. You think you've seen crap, not until you've seen the Junkyard match.

The last match has humbled the enthusiasm of the crowd.

On this all cage show, nobody has bled yet, I expect/hope this means we'll see a ton in the last couple of matches.

Crowd is asleep, blindfolds kill crowd heat dead.

Daniels and Lynn exchange punches mid-ring and Huerta-Garcia they are not. Daniels escapes out of the cradle piledriver, puts Lynn down, goes for the BME and comes up empty.

Crowd finally starting to wake up. They start to chant :This is awesome", but if it is so awesome why were they quiet for so long? Oh yeah, the last match. I wouldn't say it is awesome or anything but I will give them credit for recovering the crowd after the eternal disaster of the prior match.

Lynn tries to cradle piledrive Daniels off the top but Daniels crotches him. Daniels hits the Last Rights, and in spite of Don West's protests he gets the win.

Winner: Christopher Daniels

JB backstage with Team 3D. Brother Ray says the time for talking is over. He's sick and tired of hearing his own voice. Well, he's not alone in that regard. He says other things but its Brother Ray so I don't care. I wish Konnan had gotten to speak on this.

Hey, I got my wish, Latisha is with Konnan and LAX. Team 3D is washed up, and he calls Team 3D a broken record and says they're worse than a Christy Hemme promo. I love this man. Homicide and Hernandez also get to speak on this.

Match 7: Team 3D Vs. The Latin American Xchange

Konnan does not accompany LAX out to the ring.

JB is out to do the ring intros UFC style. Earl Hebner is ref and he gets booed.

JB calls for the cage to be electrified and we know it is because funky music plays when it happens.

Team 3D takes control early and they tease some cage tossing and Hernandez meets the door which is not electrified.

There is a very audible hum coming through the speakersof my stereo right now. Either its real or credit to the TNA production team for piping in the sound.

Homicide and Hernandez are now in control and Hernandez pulls out a chain. Homicide's hand touches the cage and Brother Ray gets the chain. D-von gets the honor of being the first man on the night to bleed.

Hernandez is next to join the color parade as LAX has regained the advantage. LAX goes high-risk and it doesn't pay off and 3D back in control and they hit some suplexes. Suplex them, put em in the camel clutch...break their backs and then...I can't remember.

Finally, Konnan is wheeled out by a member of Latino Nation, I'm guessing its Machete. He clocks Andrew Thomas but Hector Guerrero puts the stop to that. The cage door gets opened, and Brother Ray instructs Hector to "get me the fucking tables".

Hernandez argues with Hector and that gets a nearfall for 3D after they shove Hernandez into the cage.

Hernandez just flings Brother D-von into the cage and it made a cool and yet painful sounding noise.

The crowd chants fire Russo because I guess they don't like this match but really I'm not entirely sure why. I guess the electricution is too hoaky for them which isn't an invalid excuse or anything.

There sure are a lot of gloves being used in this match. Hernandez puts on a pair and is heading up the cage. He goes to put D-von through the table but D-von moves. Crowd chants "Holy Shit" at that one.

Homicide sent in to the electrified cage which gets the crowd booing, and I'm guessing the noise that accompanied it was what set the crowd off. 3D gets the pin in the predictable outcome.

Winners: Team 3D

I don't know, I thought the match was fine, but if you didn't then I will not argue. I think it was a case of high expectations for explosions not being met.

I should note, that 3D finally wins the titles they've saught after for so long...and TNA cuts away immediately.

JB with Kurt Angle backstage. He says he did his job for Team Angle. He says he wouldn't have made the call to Jarrett if he didn't think it was the right thing to do. He says if Jarrett screws team Angle then he screws Kurt Angle, and not in his words, but basically the same affect...it would be very bad for Jarrett.

A video package airs for the Lethal Lockdown recounting all the fighting among team members.

Match 8: Lethal Lockdown
Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Rhino, Sting and Jeff Jarrett)
Vs.
Team Cage: (Christian Cage, Abyss, AJ Styles, Scott Steiner and Tomko)

The rules:
2 competitors start out for 5 minutes. After that period expires, a member of Team Cage will come out for a 2 minute 2-on-1 advantage. At the end of that period, a member of Team Angle will enter to even things up. They alternate until all 10 men are in when Lethal Lockdown begins, and then it is pinfall or submission to win. Man who scores the fall earns the title shot.

The keeper of the key is introduced and it is Harley Race. He comes out to the original TNA intro music from the Nashville days and can barely walk.

Team Cage's first man is AJ Styles, no surprise to me.
Team Angle's first man is Kurt Angle.

Angle and Styles seem to be pacing themselves for the long-hall and I do not in any way blame them.

AJ Styles is put down to the mat hard as the time limit expires and the next man comes out. The next member of Team Cage to join the match is Abyss.

They fight for what seems like a quick 2 minutes and then Rhino comes out to even up the sides.

Tomko is the third member of Team Cage to join the match as AJ Styles has started to Don West notices that the fresh man seems to do well when he enters the match. Don also noticed that he has 2 feet and 10 fingers. Rhino looks to be the next in the color parade.
bleed.

Scott thinks this match needs some crowd heat. As this happens, Samoa Joe enters for Team Angle to a big reaction.

I can confirm that the intervals are 2 minutes due to a safisticated system of keeping track of time.

Joe is cleaning house and the crowd seems to love that, he has AJ up and he hits the Musclebuster.

Angle takes Tomko over for 4 suplexes, this requires 4 camel clutches, 4 backbreakings and 4 ass fuckings. He just hit a fifth so it is now 5 of each. Scott Steiner is the forth man in for Team Cage.

Steiner comes in and starts throwing a lot of people around.

Scott Steiner, swear to God, Jesus and Mr. McMahon just hit a Frankensteiner on Rhino. Yes, you read that the fuck right. Steiner hit it to a huge pop.

Sting is the next man in for Team Angle. So this went pretty much the way I expected it would.

Sting drops Abyss, Stinger splashes Steiner, then Abyss then Styles and Tomko together.

We get the non-X-division version of the Tower of Doom, we got the X-division version in the end. Styles was the unlucky one on top and Sting was the one who was left standing.

Team Christian's last man out is Christian himself.

West wonders if Christian coming out last wasn't for selfish reasons. Tenay does not wonder he knows that's why.

Christian is not having a lot of success with Sting. He's the only one to not dominate upon entering.

Final countdown to Jeff Jarrett. He doesn't really get any kind of a noticeable face pop.

Now that all 10 are in, Lethal Lockdown begins with the lowering of the cage top.

Weapons are hanging from the ceiling and are in play and now a fall can be counted.

Jarrett is going up and he is tossing weapons to his teammates. Sting gets a bat, Rhino a trashcan, Joe a Knightstick and a trash lid for Jarretthimself. A led pipe is also involved, if it had been a crackpipe it might've attracted Guillard-Diaz-Sanchez.

AJ Styles starts to head up to the top of the cage, and Kurt Angle is the soul that gets to follow him up. Abyss has thumbtacks and this has broken down into "I hit you, you hit me" with weapons.

Rhino just gores Tomko out of the cage. AJ hits Angle wit a chair. Steiner throws Rhino out and grabs the NWA title. Joe hits a suicide dive and I'm having trouble following it all. Abyss pours out the tacks and then Sting and Jarrett drop Christian back first into them.

Abyss hits a black hole slam on Jarret.

Angle throws AJ off the cage and thankfully everyone on the floor catches him. Tenay repeatedly pleas for a replay and he gets one. The crowd is in to this one. Abyss loads up the guitar with thumbtacks, and signals for Jarrett to pick up the guitar. Jarrett does so and cracks Abyss with the guitar and then Jarrett motions for Sting to pin him. Sting does pin him and he gets the title shot.

Winners: sting, Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe and Rhino

Sting shakes hands, so does Joe and Kurt Angle shakes his ead i confusion.

I loved it so sue me. They had me at the Frankensteiner.

A thumbs up show with a minimal amount of crap.

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