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Welcome to the 6th edition of TNAlt here at PWInsiderXtra.com. If you missed last week's show, or want to know more about this new feature, you can read a little about it by clicking here.
Last week's show did a 1.2 rating (based on "thumbs up" getting the majority of the vote) - up from the previous week's 1.1. As always, we'll be looking for your feedback on this week's show. Further details are available at the bottom of the page.
TNAlt #6 - Sunday, November 25
Second show ahead of December's PPV - (available Wednesday, December 5)
Location: Orlando, FL
Announce team: Jeremy Borash & Kevin Nash
Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash welcome us to a special Thanksgiving show. They run through tonight's loaded show, telling us that we'll see LAX vs. XXX in the main event of tonight's show in what will be their last ever match. Borash also confirms that both Booker T and Samoa Joe are in the building after being told to stay home last week, with Borash putting over Booker's television debut as a really big deal. We're also reminded that tonight's show also features a Knockouts Battle Royal featuring seven of the Knockouts on the roster, while Kurt Angle will be action. Plus, ahead of next month's PPV, TNA management have made the decision that TNA World Heavyweight Champion Sting will have to team up with his PPV opponent, Ron Killings. Sting and Killings will team up with X Division Champion Jay Lethal to take on Christian Cage and the TNA Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Tomko. Ahead of that, Borash says, we're kicking off this week's Thanksgiving show with a huge eight-man tag team match, and throws it to David Penzer inside the ring!
The Motor City Machine Guns (w/Jim Cornette), Kaz & Rhino vs. Team 3D, Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks) & Matt Morgan
After all eight men get to the ring; we get underway with a mass brawl involving everybody. The brawl spreads out, with all eight fighting in the ring in their own separate feuds as the referee struggles to get control. This spreads out of the ring, and, in the case of Rhino and Morgan, into the crowd. Team 3D waste no time in bringing tables into the match. Brother Ray hits a Bubba Bomb on Chris Sabin through the table, giving the heel team the numbers advantage. They isolate Kaz and work him over, but are unable to finish him off as any pinfall attempts get interrupted by Kaz's teammates for the night. The numbers work against him as he tries to make a comeback, also having to deal with Ms. Brooks' involvement from outside the ring, including one moment where she trips him from outside the ring, causing enough of a distraction to allow Devon to nail Kaz from behind. Morgan hits a running kick that knocks Kaz out. That brings the Machine Guns and Rhino in for a second mass brawl. This time, however, the baby faces get the advantage as Shelley and Sabin are able to throw Devon out of the ring and through a second table placed at ringside.
The match continues with the numbers now even as Kaz recovers from being knocked out by Morgan, and Devon remains laid out at ringside. Shelley and Sabin isolate Brother Ray with several fast-paced double-team moves, but when they try the same move set on Morgan, Morgan is able to overpower them. Morgan looks for a running boot on Shelley, only for Sabin to interrupt with an out-of-nowhere flying dropkick, which doesn’t even move Morgan off his feet. The third mass brawl breaks out when Brother Ray interrupts after Sabin and Shelley try to double-team Roode, and Ray cheap shots Shelley from behind. This brings in Rhino who hits a huge gore on Ray. Roode then throws Rhino over the top only to be caught in a powerslam by Kaz. Morgan then clotheslines Kaz over the top rope to the outside.
This leaves Devon and Sabin in the ring, and after Devon tries a back-body-drop, Sabin lands on his feet and hits an enzuigiri. Ms. Brooks then grabs the referee and drags him outside, preventing Sabin from making the cover. This brings over Jim Cornette, who drags Ms. Brooks to the back to a huge pop from the crowd.
Sabin hits the Shell Shock on Devon, but Morgan throws Sabin into the ring post. Kaz hits the Cactus Clothesline on Morgan which sends them both to the outside. Shelley and Brother Ray then make their way to the top rope, fighting to get the advantage, only for Robert Roode to sacrifice his tag team partner by pushing them both off the top rope to the floor. He turns around to be faced with a Rhino Gore, but moves out of the way. Rhino crashes into the corner before Roode hits him with The Payoff for the win. Winners at 12:48 - Robert Roode, Team 3D and Matt Morgan
Mike Tenay is backstage with Ron 'The Truth' Killings. Killings talks about how in just a couple of weeks he has the biggest night of his career as he faces a legend he grew up watching. Even better, it’s for the World Heavyweight Title. Killings says he’s grown to respect Sting as not just as a wrestler but as a person during his last couple of years in TNA, and that it’s a shame he’s going to have to step up and take his hero out at Turning Point. He goes on to state that nothing will get in his way when it comes to becoming World Heavyweight Champion. Sting interrupts. He says that the PPV is still over 2 weeks away, and tonight he needs to know that he can trust Killings to be his tag partner tonight because, "our other partner thinks he turned on me to join the nWo a decade back." Killings says that he’d be just as honoured to be Sting’s partner as he will be to take the World Title from him in the main event in a couple of weeks from now. Killings walks away, Sting looks like he doesn't know what to make of that, and walks off in the opposite direction.
Footage of Booker T arriving at the arena from earlier today is shown as Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash again discuss the signing of Booker T and that he makes his television debut later tonight.
Backstage, Christy Hemme, Talia Madison and Angel Williams are shown in their locker room, preparing for tonight's Knockouts Battle Royal. Crystal interrupts their conversation to get their thoughts on tonight's match, but not before informing them that she'd just been told by TNA management that the winner of tonight's match will receive a title shot against Gail Kim at next month's PPV. All three girls seem elated by this. The camera pans round to show Awesome Kong walking past their locker room, which quiets the trio.
Back at ringside, Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash discuss the X Division title situation as we're less than two weeks away from Jay Lethal defending his belt against Kurt Angle. Borash says that although Lethal is wrestling tonight, he's been out of action for over a month now, and that's bound to mean he's not at 100%. Nash says it's a smart move for him to get back into ring shape by working a tag match tonight, but that he'll need to be at 100% by the time the PPV comes around to stand any chance of beating Kurt. As Nash makes that evaluation, Kurt Angle's music hits, and we head back to the ring for our next match:
Kurt Angle vs. Petey Williams
Kurt gets back in the ring and goes for the Olympic Slam, but Petey escapes out the back and hits a flurry of punches, sending Kurt cowering away in the corner as the crowd start to get behind him. Kurt charges at Petey but he uses Kurt’s momentum to get him in a small package for a two count, followed by a dropkick for another two before he hits a big lariat. Williams then sets up Angle for the Canadian Destroyer, but Kurt drops to his knees, grabs Petey’s leg and hooks in the leg grapevine anklelock for the submission win. Winner at 4:32 - Kurt Angle
After the match, Kurt refuses to break the hold, with Williams screaming in agony and tapping on the canvas in the centre of the ring. 'Black Machismo' Jay Lethal runs out to make the save and gets into a brawl with Angle, hitting the float over neck snap and going up top for the elbowdrop. Kurt rolls out of the ring before Lethal can come at him and escapes up the ramp as Lethal stands on the top rope, pointing at Angle.
A video promoting next month's PPV airs.
Footage of Samoa Joe arriving at the arena from earlier today is shown as Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash discuss the situation with Joe and Booker T. They'll meet each other in the ring later on tonight's show.
Chris Harris makes his way to the ring for our next match. Before we learn who his opponent is, James Storm comes out with a case of beer. Storm manages to slur out the words "Hey partner. Since its Thanksgiving week, how about sharing a few beers with your old friend?" Harris grabs a mic and says that now is not the time since he has a match coming up in a minute. Storm gets offended, and gets in Harris’ face for the perceived sleight, so Harris grabs him by the shirt and forces him back towards the ropes saying "sort your goddamn life out before I slap you down back into the gutter where you’re acting like you belong!" Storm backs off, and is apologetic, but then spits beer in Harris’ face. Harris looks like he’s ready to fight, but instead backs off and walks away from the ring. Storm is left stood in the ring, yelling at Harris to come back and fight until security comes out to drag him off to the back.
Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash comment on what we've just witnessed, with Nash again stressing that Storm is potentially World Champion material if he can overcome his demons. Borash then throws it backstage, where Mike Tenay is with Christian Cage and the TNA Tag Team Champions, AJ Styles and Tomko. Tenay asks Cage whether he's worried about tonight's big six-man tag team match, given the situation between him and his partners tonight. Cage blows Tenay off as if to not even be aware of any problems, adding, "It's like I said last week...it's about time I had gold around my waist again. Tonight, I get to beat the hell out of not only the X Division champion, but also the World Heavyweight Champion. AJ and Tomko will provide the back-up, while I go out there and show the world why I should be main-eventing PPV's." Tomko and AJ look at each other with a slight smirk on their faces as Cage pushes Tenay and walks off.
Knockouts Battle Royal with the winner facing Gail Kim for the TNA Knockouts Title at next month's PPV - Awesome Kong vs. Talia Madison vs. Angel Williams vs. ODB vs. Jackie Moore vs. Ms. Brooks vs. Christy Hemme
Jeremy Borash goes over the rules for this match as TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim makes her way to ringside to join Borash and Kevin Nash for commentary. We learn that two women will start the match, and that every thirty seconds, one more will enter the match. Once all seven women are in the ring, the Battle Royal aspect of the match starts, and the women can be eliminated by being thrown over the top rope. Borash tells us that the women drew their numbers earlier today, while Kevin Nash adds that the rules of the match mean that conditioning is vital, as even though there are only thirty second intervals between wrestlers, the few minutes difference between starting the match and coming in at number seven could prove critical.
Jackie Moore's music hits, revealing she drew #1 for the match. The Texan makes her way to the ring before being joined by ODB, who draws #2. The bell sounds and the match starts, with ODB taking it straight to Moore with some stiff looking forearms. They go to the corner where ODB lays into Moore with stomps to the stomach as we learn that Christy Hemme is #3. Hemme takes her time getting into the ring, where she is met with a stiff clothesline from ODB. With Moore and Hemme both laid on the canvas, ODB stares up the ramp, waiting for the next entrant into the match. That turns out to be Awesome Kong, and the arena goes nuts as Kong climbs into the ring and goes face-to-face with ODB.
After a staredown that lasts for a few seconds, Kong and ODB start to throw stiff looking shots at each other. Neither is backing off. Hemme and Moore get to their feet and simultaneously jump on Kong and ODB's back and try to apply choke holds, but they are quickly overpowered and thrown hard down to the mat. Kong and ODB go at it again, with Kong this time getting the advantage after a flurry of forearm shots. Talia Madison enters at
#5 as Kong takes ODB down and hits her with an elbow drop. Madison smartly avoids Kong and leaves her to continue her battle with ODB. Instead, Madison takes advantage of Christy Hemme still being down on the canvas, and lays into her with kicks to the chest and legs.
#6 is Angel Williams, and despite her recent history of miscommunications when working alongside Talia Madison, follows her strategy and takes advantage of a weakened Jackie Moore in the opposite corner of the ring. As this is going on, ODB is starting to fight back against Kong in the centre of the ring. They go back to trading blows as we get confirmation of Ms. Brooks as being the seventh and final entrant in this match, meaning that eliminations can now begin.
With ODB and Kong throwing forearms, punches and chops back and forth, Talia and Angel both walk backwards from the corners they have been dominating Hemme and Moore in respectively, unaware of the two dominant females being behind them. They walk into ODB and Kong, who stop from their own battle and turn around. Kong lifts Talia up above her head and throws her over the top rope, eliminating her from the match, while ODB hits Angel with a clothesline before picking her back up and throwing her over the top rope.
We're left with Kong, ODB, Hemme, Moore and Ms. Brooks. The match changes direction slightly as Moore and Ms. Brooks team up and both hit Kong with dropkicks to the knees which cause her to stumble backwards. As this is happening, Christy Hemme grabs ODB by the hair and climbs up on her back again, trying to apply as sleeper. ODB quickly overpowers Hemme, who is also tossed over the top rope and eliminated from the match. ODB sees an opportunity to possibly win the match as Moore and Brooks try to eliminate Kong. ODB signals for Moore and Brooks to each hold one of Kong's arms as she is pinned up against the ropes. ODB charges towards Kong, obviously looking to send her over the top rope, but as she starts to run towards her, Kong struggles free and as ODB gets within striking distance is met with an awesome overhead throw which sends ODB over the top rope and to the outside! A shocked Jackie Moore and Ms. Brooks quickly try to get back in control of Kong, but Moore is nailed with a spinning back fist and Brooks with a clothesline. Kong dumps Brooks over the top rope before picking up Moore. She refrains from dumping her over the top rope, and instead grabs her by the hair to the centre of the ring. She turns to look at Gail Kim, and then points at her before hitting Moore with a sit out powerbomb. She then picks Moore up and throws her over the top rope to become the new #1 contender to Gail Kim's title. Winner at 8:01 - Awesome Kong
After the match, Kong climbs to the second rope and stares at Gail Kim, as Jeremy Borash says to Kim on the commentary, "Its Kim vs. Kong at next month's PPV. Gail...she's got her wish!" Gail Kim stares back at Kong from her ringside position before dumping her headset and holding her title above her head before we slowly fade out.
A video showing Don West's Deal of the Day airs.
A video promoting next month's PPV airs.
HOUR TWO
We return to ringside with Christian Cage's music playing, as Cage makes his way to the ring, with AJ Styles and Tomko several paces behind. Jeremy Borash and Kevin Nash talk about the importance that this match could have on next month's PPV, and questions whether Sting and Ron Killings will be able to work together ahead of their match in less than two weeks from now as we head up to the ring for our next match...
Sting, Jay Lethal (w/Miss Valerie) & Ron 'The Truth' Killings vs. AJ Styles, Tomko & Christian Cage
Cage enters the ring and poses, motioning to the crowd that he should be wearing a title around his waist. Lethal, Killings and Sting all get separate entrances, with Miss Valerie joining Lethal at ringside as we get underway. Ron Killings and Christian Cage get the match started. Cage stalls, and signals that he wants Sting instead. On commentary, Nash says that Cage is making a statement to prove he can beat TNA's World Champion, but Jeremy Borash counters that Cage's facial expression suggest he's scared to lock up with Killings given their recent history. Killings smirks before turning around and briefly staring at Sting, before tagging him in.
Sting and Cage lock up. Sting gets the upper hand with an arm bar. Cage grabs Sting by the hair and throws him into the ropes only to be met with a shoulder block. Cage gets back to his feet and again throws Sting into the ropes. He drops down and Sting skips over, but stops and turns around. Cage thinks he's outsmarted the World Champion, but as he then turns around, he's decked by Sting with a clothesline. A frustrated Cage looks like he's about to throw a tantrum as the camera focuses on AJ Styles and Tomko in the corner, with Tomko appearing to be winding Cage up with some inaudible comments. Cage charges at Sting, but runs straight into a drop toe-hold. Sting then jokingly helps Cage to his feet which shocks him. Sting can be heard saying "Hey, it's Thanksgiving!" as Cage looks even more frustrated. Cage turns round to see Tomko laughing at him, and makes the tag by slapping Tomko hard on the chest, which fails to impress him.
Tomko and Sting lock up. Sting remains in control momentarily only for Tomko to overpower his opponent and take him into the corner where he lays into him with a shoulder to the stomach and a series of punches. Tomko sends Sting into the ropes looking for a backdrop, but Sting counters and kicks Tomko in the face before making the tag to Jay Lethal. As he does so, Tomko also makes the tag to AJ Styles.
Styles and Lethal pick the pace up and the next few minutes sees a fast paced series of exchanges which help to build the crowd's level of enthusiasm. Styles is hit with several punches by Lethal, the last sending him down to the ground. Lethal goes to the top rope and hits a double axe-handle before getting a near fall. Lethal tags Ron Killings back into the match, with Killings going straight to the top rope. He hits Styles with an impressive looking leg drop from the top rope and makes the cover, only for both Tomko and Cage to make the save, leading to all six men getting involved in the match as the referee fails to keep control of the match.
Order is eventually restored with Styles and Killings still the legal men in the match. Styles looks to hit Killings with a Styles Clash, only for Killings to block it and shove Styles away. Styles charges at Killings, but the #1 contender reverses things and throws Styles into the ropes. Cage makes a blind tag as Styles goes into the ropes. Killings decks Styles with a clothesline, but is caught off-guard by Cage, who hits him with a dropkick. He picks Killings up and looks to hit the Unprettier, but struggling to be able to get Killings into position. Killings instead sends Cage into the ropes and nails him with a superkick. He makes the cover which leads to Tomko and Styles making the save. Again, we're in a situation where all six men are in the ring. As Sting and Jay Lethal battle with Tomko and AJ Styles respectively, Ron Killings has enough room to climb to the top rope as Christian Cage struggles to get to his feet. Killings jumps off the top rope and connects with a Corkscrew axe kick, before making the cover and getting the pinfall win. Winners at 11:22 - Sting, Jay Lethal & Ron 'The Truth' Killings
A video airs showing the badly maintained trailer that we've seen over the past few weeks. The camera pans around the darkened room before a light is switched on. The light from the single light bulb dangling from the ceiling reveals the number "42" written on a wall in what appears to be blood.
We return to the ringside as Samoa Joe's music hits, and Joe makes his way to the ring. He wastes no time in grabbing a microphone and says that, against his better judgement, he stayed away last week because "TNA Management were scared I would break their new investment. But now I’m back, and I’m stood here in the middle of the ring to say BOOKER T, GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Booker’s music hits as Kevin Nash points out that he’s known Booker for more than a decade, saying he has never been the type of guy you need to ask twice if you want to get into a fight. Booker enters the ring and gets in Joe’s face. He points out that he’s humbled arrogant young punks who’ve been in this business five minutes before “and you think I’m scared of you? How many World Championships have you won?†Joe says being a champion is only a matter of time, and that Booker’s past means nothing. "Here in TNA, you're starting anew, and you have no right to say you’re the man in this company until you’ve been through Samoa Joe."
Booker says he’s ready to make his in-ring debut, and can think of no better time and no better opponent than Samoa Joe on PPV on December. “So, since this is your house," Booker adds, "Until I take it from you...it’s your call Joe. You wanna go head to head with a Six Time World Heavyweight Champion, then step up!†Joe says that he’ll fight Booker at the PPV, not because it’s what he wants to do, but because it’s something he needs to do. Both men shake hands, and tease hitting each other but eventually back off and leave the ring on opposite sides leaving Borash and Nash to hype their PPV match.
A video package showing the history between LAX and XXX airs ahead of their Last Ever Match encounter a little later tonight.
Last Ever Match: LAX vs. XXX (Senshi & Elix Skipper w/Christopher Daniels)
The match gets underway with all four men staring at each other in the middle of the ring for a solid minute or so as the fans get to their feet in anticipation of what's to come. Eventually, Hernandez and Skipper start the match only for Senshi immediately tags himself in. Skipper clearly looks unhappy about this and shoots a stone-faced Senshi a quizzical look. Senshi doesn't even look at his partner, instead getting in the ring and staring down Hernandez. Senshi hits a few kicks, but the big man stays on his feet and shoves Senshi down. Senshi is frustrated by this and throws a tantrum before making the tag to Skipper.
Skipper uses his quickness to outsmart Hernandez, taking him down with a running dropkick and then a flying shoulder block off the top rope. Homicide tags in. He and Skipper put together several minutes of fast paced action with several near falls including Skipper kicking out of Homicide's lariat and Homicide kicking out of the Play of the Day. The match reaches a turning point when Homicide clips Skipper's knee from behind with a football tackle, and he hobbles to the outside.
Homicide spits in Senshi's face, which leads to Senshi trying to rush the ring only to get stopped by the referee. Hernandez props up Skipper and holds a chair in front of his face for Homicide to take him out with a tope con hilo into the chair. Skipper now has an injured leg and is bleeding heavily, unable to move. TNA officials and medics come out to help Skipper to the back as Homicide and Hernandez take it in turns to dominate Senshi, who kicks out of several double-team moves including a combination flapjack/ace crusher for a very close near fall. Senshi ducks a Homicide lariat and comes off the ropes with a running dropkick.
With both men down and Senshi battling without a partner, XXX's leader Christopher Daniels jumps onto the ring apron motioning for the tag. Senshi makes the tag and Daniels cleans house, but after a cheap shot from Hernandez, Homicide nails Daniels with the Gringo Killa. Senshi makes the save, but its clear Daniels is not moving; leaving Senshi back to battling 1-on-2 as Daniels is taken to the back on a stretcher wearing a neck brace, still not moving. Senshi is able to hang in there, and even hit the double stomp on Homicide for a 2.999 count, almost pulling off what Borash and Nash are putting over as potentially the biggest underdog victory in years.
With Senshi down and basically just fighting to stay alive in the match, Elix Skipper hobbles back to the ring to the amazement of the crowd and the announcers, who put over the bravery but question the brains behind getting back into such a huge match. Senshi is able to take Hernandez down with several rapid-fire stiff kicks, before tagging out to Skipper, who explodes into action. He punches away at both opponents and hits a superkick to send Hernandez to the outside. Skipper then tries to hit Play of the Day on Homicide for a second time, only for his injured leg gives out on him, allowing Homicide to hit a lariat and then a frog splash for the win. Winners at 21:12 - LAX
After the match, LAX celebrate but wait around in the ring to try and help Skipper back to his feet as a sign of respect. Senshi gets in the faces of LAX and tells them to back off. He then grabs Skipper by the hand, trying to get his partner back on his feet. Skipper gets to his knees, only to be floored by Senshi, who delivers a stiff and shocking kick to the head, knocking Skipper out. Jeremy Borash is shocked, while Nash calls it cowardly to wait until Skipper was injured after putting in one of the gutsiest performances he's seen in years. Senshi hugs both Homicide and Hernandez, and then teams up with Homicide to take Skipper out with the Gringo Killa/Double Stomp combination.
We're looking for your feedback on this week's show. To vote, simply email vote@tnalt.com with your thumbs up, down or in the middle. Votes will be accepted up until Saturday, December 1 at 12noon EST, with the "rating" being announced next Sunday at the start of TNAlt #7! Also, don't forget to join us here at PWInsiderXtra.com this Wednesday evening for the first TNAlt PPV!
You can contact Phil Lowe at phil@tnalt.com or Mark Bright at mark@tnalt.com
