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KELLER'S NWA-TNA PPV REPORT
AUGUST 27, 2003
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.
-A video package opened the show with Jeremy Borash narrating (in a refreshingly understated professional non-hyperbolic style) a preview of the event. Borash explained that the NWA Board hired Erik Watts to try to balance out the power structure in NWA-TNA and as a result Watts booked a series of grudge matches. Mike Tenay then introduced the program.
1 -- 3 LIVE KREW (B.G. James & Konnan & Ron "The Truth" Killings) vs. SHANE DOUGLAS & SINN & SLASH (w/"Father" James Mitchell).
Mitchell joined Tenay and West at ringside commentary, however his mic wasn't working. Tenay asked the production truck to turn on the mic or get a new mic. Meanwhile, 3LK took early advantage over the three heels including a top rope legdrop onto Douglas's crotch as K-Dogg and James spread his legs. They James and Killings caught Slash in mid-air and then Killings dropkicked him to the mat. By 2:00 the heels took over and Slash suplexed Sinn onto James. Mitchell's mic finally began working. He said Alexis is missing from backstage. He said Raven will not know what it's like to experience loss. He then vowed to cause Raven to lose his hair. Tenay asked him about his obsession with Raven's hair. Mitchell then just got up and left, returning to ringside. As everyone else fought at ringside, Killings was setting up Douglas for his finisher in center ring. Mitchell entered the ring to distract Killings, but C.M. Punk and Julio Deniro hit the ring to make the save prompting an immediate bell.
WINNERS: No contest at 7:15.
STAR RATING: * -- That was one of the worst executed no contest finishes I've ever seen. Mitchell was left in the ring standing there doing nothing much too long before Punk and Deniro charged into the ring. It was just awkward and unnatural how Mitchell and Killings acted.
-Terry Taylor filled in for Scott Hudson in doing backstage interviews. He held the mic as Sonny Siaki said he is burying D-Lo Brown's career as a hearse backed into the parking area. Taylor said his match was about to begin in the ring right now. Siaki pulled off his shirt and ran into the ring.
2 -- SONNY SIAKI (w/Trinity) vs. D-LO BROWN
They brawled at ringside to start, then entered the ring to officially start the match. Siaki caught a diving D-Lo at ringside at 0:45 and swung him head-first into the ringpost. He then threw some chops and tossed D-Lo back into the ring. Siaki reentered the ring with a split-legged moonsault for a two count on D-Lo. Tenay and West said that was something new from Siaki. D-Lo came back and had Siaki down for a pin at 3:45, but Trinity distracted the ref. When D-Lo got up to complain, Siaki gave D-Lo the Siakilypse, but was slow to make the cover, so D-Lo kicked out. D-Lo then went on offense. Trinity dove into the ring with a spike DDT, then she bailed out. Siaki then got up and gave D-Lo a piledriver for a three count.
WINNER: Siaki at 4:55.
STAR RATING: * -- Decent match, but the finish didn't quite crescendo like a good finish should. Not bad, but it seemed like a set-up for a nearfall, not the actual pinfall.
-Siaki beat up D-Lo after the match in the parking lot. Jeff Jarrett then attacked Siaki and threw him into the back of the hearse, then checked on the fallen D-Lo.
-Tenay and West were shown on camera for the first time of the night as they talked about the rest of the show. Don Callis interrupted and complained about Erik Watts granting Jerry Lynn an X Title match. Tenay defended Lynn by pointing out how much he has accomplished in the X division in the past. Callis said Lynn is out of control and shouldn't be rewarded. Tenay said Callis is just representing TNA management, but in this case Erik Watts's NWA authority was ruling. West asked Callis what his obsession is with Lynn. He said his obsession is not with Lynn, it's with people following the rules.
-Highlights aired of Shane's X Title win last week.
-Taylor interviewed Michael Shane backstage about his X Division defense against Jerry Lynn. Shane asked Taylor who he was and what his credentials are. Shane said it doesn't matter because he is the showstopper and the main event. "I am the Showstopper, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels (pause) cousin," he said. He vowed to dance all over Lynn's face.
3 -- MICHAELS SHANE vs. JERRY LYNN
Callis did commentary during the match with Tenay and West. Callis said he is trying to make Lynn a more complete performer by making him wrestle within the TNA rules. The match was fairly evenly fought for the opening ten minutes with solid back and forth action. Callis, who was taking notes at ringside, freaked out when Lynn threw closed-fist punches. Lynn speared Shane and then powerbombed him. Lynn then gave Shane his TKO at 11:45. He then set up the cradle piledriver finisher, but the red-shirted security came out to the ring. Lynn kicked them off the apron, but Shane then used that as an chance to blindside Lynn with a superkick for the pin. Callis stood in the aisle with a satisfied grin.
WINNER: Shane at 12:28.
STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good first match for these two, something to build on. I'm beginning to enjoy the Lynn-Callis feud now that it's been reasonably explained. Callis has been very good in his on-air role.
-Tenay interviewed Raven backstage. Raven said he considers it his destiny to become the NWA World Champion. He said Tommy Rich became the youngest NWA Champion ever, but then got involved in a "blood feud" with Buzz Sawyer. "His career began rather remarkable, but ended up mediocre," he said. Raven talked about his blood feuds with Tommy Dreamer and Sandman, "but since then I've known I've got to get back to the prize." He said he came to NWA-TNA because he knew he could become NWA World Hvt. Champion "because it is my destiny." He said Douglas decided he wanted to keep him from that and Mitchell has a vendetta against him. He said they, along with the mystery man, want to get his hair and shave him bald and humiliate and degrade him. "That's fine, but I've never lost sight of the prize, the NWA World Hvt. Championship," he said. A.J. Styles and Vince Russo interrupted as Raven was closing with his catch phrase. Styles got in Raven's face. Raven shoved him down. Styles yelled, "You wanna go?!" Russo dragged him away as Raven smiled. Good promo by Raven setting the stage for the title match and good little angle thrown in at the end to add some heat to their match.
4 -- ABYSS vs. SANDMAN
Three minutes into the brawl, Kid Kash entered the ring and yelled at Abyss. Abyss got upset and was going to powerbomb him, but Kash reversed it sending Abyss over the top rope onto a table at ringside. The table didn't break. Sandman went for a cover in the ring, but Abyss kicked out. An official escorted Kash to the back. Abyss then nailed Sandman with the Black Hole finisher for the quick win.
WINNER: Abyss at 3:50.
STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Okay short brawl.
-Taylor interviewed Kash backstage. Taylor asked Kash what he was doing sticking his nose in the match. Abyss then bumped into Kash from behind. Taylor told Abyss to be a man and stand up to Kash. Kash slapped Taylor. Taylor went after Kash, but Abyss actually stepped in Taylor's path to protect Kash. "It looks like the mind control took over," said Tenay. "It's the craziest thing I've ever seen," said the always understated Don West.
5 -- AMERICA'S MOST WANTED vs. SIMON DIAMOND & JOHNNY SWINGER (w/Glenn Gilberti)
They brawled at ringside for two minutes before the match even officially began. Harris got a hot-tag at 4:15 and cleaned house on Swinger and Diamond. Harris hit a top rope crossbody block for a two count on Simon. Harris had Simon up for a slam, but Swinger hit Harris from behind with a low blow. Simon got a near fall afterward. When Harris kicked out, Storm began actually pulling his hair out in frustration. They set up a four-way spot where Simon was going to superplex Harris, but Storm ducked underneath Simon's legs and then Swinger ducked underneath Storm's legs and they did a four-person-tall superplex. All four wrestlers were down as the crowd chanted "Holy sh--!" Gilberti then came to ringside to distract the ref as Simon was going to use a tag belt against Harris. Harris kicked the belt into Simon's face. The ref turned around and began to count the pin, but Gilberti yanked the ref out of the ring by the leg and claimed Harris used the belt as a weapon. Ref Rudy Charles brought the belt back to the announce table for safe keeping. Harris leaned over to grab Gilberti, but Gilberti nailed him in the head with a chair. Simon then rolled up Harris and scored the pin.
WINNERS: Simon Diamond & Johnny Swinger at 9:20.
STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Another good tag match between these two teams. The final minutes were well executed.
6 -- DUSTY RHODES vs. GLEN GILBERTI
Dusty cut a pre-match promo, then went to work on Gilberti in the ring. He gave Gilberti an early mule kick, then rubbed the bullrope against the eyes and forehead of Gilberti. "Nothing's worse than that!" said West, who surprisingly added,, "Well, there's probably things worse than that, but it's still pretty bad." At 3:00 Gilberti got in his first offense, short-lived as it was, as Dusty quickly stopped him with an elbow and then shot to the head with a cowbell. Christopher Daniels then attacked Dusty from behind and Dusty fell to the mat like he was shot. Gilberti then draped his arm over Dusty and got the pin. Daniels and Gilberti doubled on Dusty afterward, so Harris made the save. Harris showed great fire after flooring Daniels. Diamond and Swinger then ran out. Jeff Jarrett then made the save, taking down all four heels single-handedly. He broke a guitar over Christopher's head and then played to the cheering crowd.
WINNER: Gilberti at 4:10.
STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Fun for what it was.
-Tenay did a sitdown interview with Mad Mikey. Tenay asked Mike if he was born with his temper tantrum. He said in his childhood he was hit every time he was bad. Tenay asked if he considered counselling. Mikey said his counselor was on the couch himself by the second session. Mikey said he was trained by Mae Young. "Do you know what it's like to have an old woman like that do a Bronco Buster on your face?" he asked. He said he would prove himself to the fans by winning a title belt. He then laid on the floor and began kicking and slapping the ground.
-Taylor interviewed 3 Live Krew backstage. Taylor asked them, "Are you high or what?" James said, "Oh, you didn't know?" Swinger, Diamond, and Gilberti interrupted. "Are you here to toss our salads or peel our potatoes?" asked Konnan. Jarrett then nailed Gilberti with a chair out of nowhere.
- A teaser vignette previewed the return of Roddy Piper to TNA. "Just when you think you know the answers, he changes the questions. He's returning... and he's pissed!" said the screen as bagpipe music played.
-Tenay and West said a man who is surrounded by controversy all the time is returning, and what are TNA officials thinking by giving him a live microphone. Tenay then plugged next week's X Division Tournament, the "Super X Tournament." West ran down some of the names in the tournament. A video then aired previewing the tournament. There is an international bracket featuring Juventud Guererra (Mexico) vs. Nosawa (Japan) and Johnny Storm (Great Britain) vs. Teddy Hart (Canada). There is a U.S. bracket featuring Jerry Lynn vs. Chris Sabin and Michael Shane vs. Frankie Kazarian. The winner of the International Bracket faces the winner of the U.S. Bracket.
-The Raven-Styles match was previewed via video package.
7 -- A.J. STYLES (w/Vince Russo) vs. RAVEN -- NWA World Hvt. Title match
Styles and Raven were both bleeding five minutes in after good back-and-forth action with good crowd heat. When Russo attempted to interfere early, black shirted NWA security dragged him away. Styles locked Raven in a bridged chinlock submission hold. Raven crawled to the ropes to force the break. Raven set up a chair in the corner of the ring, but Styles surprised Raven with a sidekick. Styles then set up the chair in mid-ring and gave Raven a drop toe hold, sending him face-first into the chair. Styles then went for a cocky cover for a just a two count. Styles setup a chair again. West said the crowd would lynch ref Rudy Charles if he didn't give the wrestlers some latitude with the use of the chair and called off the match with a quick DQ. Raven made a big comeback and scored a dramatic near fall on Styles. At 11:00 Raven set up a chair in mid-ring, but Styles leaped over Raven's drop toe hold attempt, leaped off the chair, launched off the top rope, and flipped toward Raven, who lifted the chair and hit Styles with it and scored a near fall. That is called blending the strengths and signature moves of the two wrestlers into one cool graceful spot. Sinn ran out and stopped a pin attempt by Raven. Styles gave Raven a DDT for a two count at 12:30. Sinn stood on the ring apron. Styles went for a flying dropkick on Raven, but Raven moved and the kick knocked Sinn to the floor. Raven then hit Styles with the Raven Effect DDT, but the ref went down. Raven went to check on the ref, at which point Slash entered the ring with powder. Raven kicked the powder into Slash's eye. Slash mistakenly gave Styles his finisher. Raven covered Styles for a very near fall. Raven then set up a superplex off the top rope, but Douglas ran out and knocked Raven to the mat. Styles flew at Raven, but Raven caught him in mid-air and powerbombed him for another near fall. Raven then fought off Douglas and Slash until Douglas kicked Raven between the legs. Styles then gave Raven his Styles Clash for the pin.
WINNER: Styles at 15:03 to retain the NWA World. Hvt. Title.
STAR RATING: ****1/4 -- Really good action. Styles and Raven mixed their signature styles and moves really well. The finish made sense since Raven's primary feud at this point is with Mitchell's crew rather than pursuing the NWA Title, even though Raven did a good selling his desire to be a NWA Champion. The dramatic, believable near falls near the end locked it in as a four-star-plus match.
Chris Harris walked out and said he isn't going to stand by and watch Mitchell's crew screw Raven out of the NWA Title. Harris ordered the ref Rudy Charles to restart the match or reverse the decision. Diamond, Swinger, Daniels, and Douglas attacked the faces. Jarrett ran out with a chair to clear the ring of the heels. Erik Watts made his first appearance of the night and announced next week would feature a ten-man tag team cage match featuring the ten people involved in that brawl. He said he'd add some WarGames elements to it as one man from each team would start and someone else would be added every 90 seconds. He said he'd add some Clockwork Orange to it by allowing wrestlers to bring anything they want to the ring to use as a weapon. Dusty walked out and Watts told him that he's going to be the special referee.
Dusty closed the show by giving a WarGames promo, which Dusty said was invited for "violence." He said cage matches were invented for "blood." He said next week's show would be "Wednesday, Bloody Wednesday." Dusty said he'd be the keeper of the key to the cage. Vince Russo complained frantically, calling Dusty "Rusty." Russo told his men to charge the ring for a fight right now. The show ended one second into a big brawl. Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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