TNA house show report
January 20, 2012
Worcester, Mass.
Report by Teddy P., PWTorch reader

This was my first TNA live event since attending the epic Lockdown PPV in April 2008. At that show, I was second row ringside and had an unbelievable time. This time around, TNA made its first trip to Worcester (or Worchester, as it was named in the TV advertisements). It seems to be a theme for every wrestling promotion to add an “h” to Worcester when making their debut in our city. Anyways, I went with my brother and a mutual friend to this event. I'm not perfect with estimating crowds, but I would guess approximately 700 fans were in attendance. We purchased $50 front row seats and took part of the meet & greet, which started 5:30 p.m.

Although the DCU Center website, the TNA website, and the TV ads stated otherwise, Ric Flair did not appear. In fact, advertised stars Samoa Joe, Crimson, Abyss, Scott Steiner, and Tara were not in attendance either. I understand the concept of “Talent Subject to Change,” but nearly the entire advertised lineup was changed.

Don West hosted the Meet and Greet portion of the event and promoted the merchandise table, which included the paper bag special. Available for $30 was a new Impact Wrestling t-shirt, 4 DVDs (Global Impact: Japan, Sacrifice 2009, Hard Justice 2005, and the Best of 2007), a random Legends of the Ring action figure, and a TNA Live Event program. Not a bad deal for $30.

The line to get autographs with the Superstars was ridiculously long. So long, in fact, TNA rushed people through the line and we were unable to snap a picture with the wrestlers. Instead, the wrestlers took a picture while signing merchandise. Garett Bischoff, Jesse Sorensen, Eric Young, Robbie E., Rob Terry, Hernandez, Anarquia, Rosita, and Sarita all took part in the pre-show meet & greet. Young was in-character the entire time.

At 7:00 p.m., a half-hour before the show, Don West announced Mr. Anderson signing autographs at the merchandise table and Jeff Hardy signing copies of his glow-in-the-dark action figure for those who purchased it at the event. The problem was both men were at opposite sides of Exhibition Hall, which meant standing in two lines to meet both of them. TNA security rushed fans through both lines again to prevent picture-taking with the guys. I was able to speak to Anderson briefly, asking him where he has been lately. He responded, “Just freakin' relaxin!” Awesome. On to the show....

(1) Eric Young defeated “The Pope” D'Angelo Dinero in 10:00. Comedy ensued to start things off involving Young having a mini-match with the referee, included a leapfrog by the ref! Pope broke character momentarily as it was a riot watching this play out. Pope took control and heeled on the crowd with a “How Bout Them Ravens?” to the Patriots fans in attendance. Back and forth match until Young removed his shorts to reveal neon pink tights and took control of the match. Young won the match with a top rope elbow drop.

Note: So Cal Val was the host of the Live Event, which explains what other role Val has in the company besides looking pretty as a ring girl on television.

(2) Miss Tessmacher & ODB beat Sarita & Rosita in 10:00. ODB looks much skinnier in person than on TV. This match was geared toward the adult males in the audience as Tessmacher shook her assets on multiple occasions. At one point, Tessmacher and Sarita had a pose-down of who had the best ass. Good match with ODB and Tessmacher getting the victory.

(3) TV champion Robbie E. (w/Rob Terry) beat Garett Bischoff in a non-title match. Bischoff was not wearing the wrestling boots Sting presented him on TV a few weeks ago. I guess those stay in Orlando! The VIP velvet rope gimmick was used to welcome Robbie E. and Terry to the ring. Robbie grabbed a mic and offered Bischoff the chance to leave the ring before reaching the count of three. Robbie turned his back and began the count, with Garrett counting along behind him before punching the TV champ when he turned around. Decent match between the two, which included the running theme of roll-ups and small packages in every match. At the end, Robbie distracted the ref, allowing Big Rob to club Garrett from behind. An Impaler DDT won the non-title match for the TV champion.

(4) Shannon Moore beat Jesse Sorensen and Kid Kash in a three-way X Division match. Of note, Moore did not have spiked hair from his “Ink, Inc.” gimmick. Sorensen brought out a football to ringside, which, after a tug-of-war between the referee and Kid Kash later in the match, wound up in the section beside us. The triple threat match mainly consisted of a singles match with each man recovering on the outside before Shannon won the match. Kid Kash got some good heat for flipping off the crowd a few times. Such a polite man!

It was time for the intermission with ODB and Brooke Tessmacher signing autographs at the merchandise table. Once again, a very long line to see the Knockouts, and, once again, we were rushed when it was time for the autographs. ODB did not have a picture in the TNA program, so she signed the cover instead.

(5) Mr. Anderson & Rob Van Dam beat Mexican America (Hernandez & Anarquia). Back from intermission, Mexican America came to the ring. I was one of very few people who brought signs to the show, and I held up a sign, “The Whole F'N Show,” in front of Mexican America, much to their chagrin. Sarita attempted to grab my sign, but I was able to pull it away. RVD made his entrance, slapped hands around the ring, and high-fived me with my sign. Great match that got the crowd involved. In the closing moments, Anderson clotheslined Hernandez to the floor before dropping Anarquia with a Mic Check. RVD followed up with a Five-Star Frog Splash to get the victory in around 15-20 minutes. After the match, Mexican America blew me off with a new makeshift sign in true heel fashion. This was my personal favorite match of the night due to the fan interaction.

(6) Jeff Hardy beat Christopher Daniels in 15:00. The billed main event of the night started with Daniels cutting a promo, saying the fans in “Worchester” should bow down to him. Daniels is playing his arrogant gimmick perfectly and was a good counterpart for fan favorite Hardy. Hardy looked sharp against a pro like Daniels. Hardy hit his signature spots including Whisper in the Wind and the split-legged leg drop. Great sequence toward the end with Hardy countering the Angel's Wings, then going for Twist of Fate before Daniels reversed into a modified Rock Bottom for a nearfall. The ending came when Daniels attempted the Best Moonsault Ever, and Hardy moved as Daniels landed on his feet, but Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for the win.

After the match, Hardy was given an ice pack for his lower back as West announced a “First Time Ever” price reduction of $10 (from the original $20) for fans who wanted to take a picture with Hardy inside the ring. Seemingly the entire Exhibition Hall lined up in front of the ring for the offer.

Closing Notes: In terms of fan interaction, this was one of the best non-televised events I have ever attended. It was surely better than any WWE house show I have attended. At the very beginning, Don West promised the fans would receive more autographs than they've ever received before and he was right. However, the event was poorly organized as it related to the autograph signings and actually meeting the wrestlers. Granted, every fan had to get an autograph, but for $50, and standing in several long lines, it was not a good experience being rushed by security. I hope these kinks will be fixed the next time TNA comes to Worcester. It was a great event despite the last minute changes in the line-up and not seeing Roode, Storm, Angle, Styles, among others.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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