I’m not embarrassed to say that I am a huge TNA mark. I’ve been hooked for as long as I’ve known of their existence. Total Nonstop Action gives the viewer what their name implies, and I want to know, just what is wrong with that?
Oh, I’ve heard some of the arguments. For example, how about the one that says the matches are thrown together with a lack of story lines? Yeah, I’m really missing those Katie Vick / Kane necrophilia times that the WWE gave the fans. How about the stalking angle involving Undertaker’s wife, or more recently, Simon Dean trying to get fitness into the locker room? OK, I know that there have been some good story lines, so maybe that was a low blow.
Let’s look at the claim that TNA is nothing more than a stunt show, with all of the talent just flying around with reckless abandon. Maybe it seems that way, but just remember that they have within their company some of the most athletic performers in the business. They probably do take too many risks at times, but grounding these men doesn’t seem to be the answer either. The WWE did so, but think about their grueling schedule. Certainly injuries can occur at any time, but with the number of shows that the WWE superstars must endure, the percentage of injuries goes up tremendously – tired bodies and minds aren’t a good thing in this business.
But TNA is really trying to make its mark. Will it be prove to be a legitimate competitor that the WWE should worry about? I’m not sure, but I hope so. Let’s look at their latest pay-per-view, Bound For Glory, for just a moment. I thought this was an excellent show, even with the glitches that occurred, and they were major, to be sure. The Ultimate X match between Matt Bentley, Petey Williams and Chris Sabin was slated to be a really good one, and for all intents and purposes was just that, at least from a talent perspective. Who could foresee that the inanimate object would destroy the very match that was its namesake? First, the “X” fell down – not good. So that it could be put back in place, the players had to improvise outside the ring, killing enough time to let said “X” be reattached. Moments later it fell down again, right into the hands of Williams, ending the match. No one was happy here. Williams stood with the “X” in his hands looking totally perplexed, as Bentley and Sabin stormed to the back. I’m still not sure who was really supposed to win the Ultimate X, but yes, without a doubt the match was screwed up. They will try to repair this damage when the three men meet again in the TNA Primetime Special.
But there were moments that shined. Samoa Joe and Jushin Thunder Liger had one hell of a match to open up the ‘pay’ part of the pay-per-view. I really liked this match, particularly the finish. Samoa Joe won by submission when Liger’s arm dropped three times. That’s right, folks, and just how often does that happen? Ya gotta love it!
Ah, the Monster’s Ball. Jeff Hardy, Sabu, Rhino, and Abyss did things that were reminiscent of the WWE of old, thanks to tables. Hardy took one of the wildest bumps I’ve ever seen as he jumped from the top of the TNA entrance on top of Abyss, who was on a table BELOW the level of the stage. I can’t judge feet very well, but it was damned high! Jeff is known for taking things to the limits, and while even I think he goes too far at times, he gives the fans what they want. At the cost of his body? Maybe, but that is his choice to make. All of these men worked together to make this match a really good one, with Rhino coming out on top.
The X Division Champion AJ Styles held on to his title when he defeated Christopher Daniels in another strong match. I’m not even trying to go through all of the matches that were offered up here, but just want to bring to light some of those that, for me, were great watching.
Here was what was most surprising about how this show turned out. The main event was supposed to an NWA World Heavyweight match between the Champion Jeff Jarrett and Kevin Nash. Nash however, was sent to the hospital just before airtime, and the entire show had to be re-worked. Who would face Jarrett, and how? A ten-man Gauntlet Match was designed to see who the number one contender would be, even though most of those involved had already wrestled. The ten involved were Samoa Joe, Ron “The Truth” Killings, Sabu, Lance Hoyt, Abyss, Hardy, Monty Brown, Rhino, Kip James, and Styles. Rhino was the winner for the second time that evening, and would face Jarrett.
So in comes a rested Jarrett to do battle against a tired and battered Rhino. The special guest referee was Tito Ortiz. This match was probably not as long as a normal Championship match would be, but there is fairness even in wrestling. To much surprise, Rhino walked away the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion. I thought that was super. I have always felt that he was a warhorse in the WWE, and it was great to see him get to run with the ball.
It is also good to watch some of my old friends, so to speak, that are now with TNA, in particular The Dudley Boyz, Rhino, Hardy, and BG “Road Dogg” James. So what can I say? I am a TNA fan. I think that they bring something fresh to professional wrestling, and I can’t wait until they come out to the West Coast so that I can see them in person.
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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