Lo-Down Wrestling Awards 2015

It's that time of year where I get to give out my wrestling awards. I didn't anywhere near as much wrestling as I would like. Despite that, I've enjoyed what I've seen. So, let's look at the winners.

Moment of the Year
Seth Rollins Cashing In His Money in the Bank Briefcase at Wrestlemania

What a moment for Seth Rollins. To cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase during the main event of Wrestlemania was a very ballsy call. It made for great drama and a wonderful ending as Rollins pinned Roman Reigns to become World Heavyweight Champion.

PPV of the Year
Wrestlemania 31

 Out of all the PPVs that I watched, I found this to be the most enjoyable. It had some really good matches and possibly the most dramatic ending to a Wrestlemania ever.
  
Most Surprising Moment of the Year
Kevin Owens Beating John Cena at WWE Elimination Chamber

What a moment for Kevin Owens. To beat John Cena, the face of the company, clean in your first match on the main roster is a tremendous achievement. Shame that they announced a rematch that same night.

Douchebag of the Year
TNA
Over the last year, TNA lost another TV contract and let people go like Samoa Joe and  AJ Styles. Then they did a World Title Series that was recorded over 4 days then showed over 6 months. They have some great talent there (like EC3) but I don't think that that will be enough to save them.

Newcomer of the Year
Kevin Owens

What a year for Kevin Owens. He joins NXT, becomes NXT Champion; beats John Cena in his first match on the main roster; then becomes Intercontinental Champion. Here's hoping 2017 will continue the rise of Owens.

Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
The New Day









In a first, I'm giving this to a group and The New Day have been brilliant over the last year. They took something that was a stereotype that could have buried them into the best thing to see on WWE Television this year. Well done to them. 

Match of the Year
Bayley vs Sasha Banks, NXT Takeover Brooklyn

For the second time, a match from NXT wins this award. This match stole the show and their rematch, a 30 minute Iron Woman match at NXT Takeover Respect, was almost as good.


Tag Team of the Year
The New Day
 
The first ever LDW Tag Team of the Year Award goes to The New Day, the best thing to see on the WWE right now.

Female Wrestler of the Year
Sasha Banks

What a year for Sasha Banks. She became NXT Women's Champion then got involved in a tremendous feud with Bayley; then got promoted to the main roster. It's a shame she's with Tamina and Naomi, who aren't great, but I expect a big year for her in 2016.


Male Wrestler of the Year
Seth Rollins

For most of the year, Seth Rollins was one of the best things to watch on WWE, along with The New Day. Rollins was involved in great matches over the year, including cashing in his Money in the Bank to become World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania. It's a shame he is out for a year as he could have done so much more. However, I look forward to his return and become World Heavyweight Champion once again.

TNA Lockdown 2014

The first TNA Pay-Per-View of the year, Lockdown, took place on Sunday 9^th March at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida. With every match in a steel cage, what will the landscape of TNA be like after this event. Let's take a look.

The first match is the interpromotional tag team match with Bad Influence and Chris Sabin taking on the Wrestle-1 team of Sandana, Yasu and The Great Muta. I was quite looking forward to this as I love Bad Influence and this is the first time that I will get to see The Great Muta. During the match, Sabin and Bad Influence start to wear down Yasu. They get a near fall when they triple dropkick Yasu then Kazarian misses a top rope legdrop. Sanada gets tagged in and later on, Great Muta comes in and dragon screws all of his opponents. Great Muta then spews green mist into Kazarian, which I assume is legal, hits a shining wizard on Daniels followed by a moonsault by Sanada to get his team the victory. I thought this was an enjoyable match and a fun way to start the Pay-Per-View.

Winners: Sanada, Yasu and The Great Muta

Predictions: 1 for 1

Next is the match between Samuel Shaw and Mr Anderson in which the only way to win is to escape the cage. Shaw is not happy that the object of his affection, Christy Hemme, is not at ringside and demands that he will jump off the cage if she doesn't come out. Mr Anderson comes out and suggests that he will help out Shaw after he beats the crap out of him. After a couple of minutes, Christy Hemme comes out and cheers on Mr Anderson. Sahw gets a couple of chances to climb out of the cage but Anderson is able to stop that from happening. Shaw tries to leave through the cage door but Anderson pushes him into the door, knocking down the referee. Anderson then hits the Mic Check then another one, bouncing Shaw's head off the turnbuckle. Anderson then climbs the cage. Hemme is cheering him on next to the hole in the cage for the camera and Shaw grabs her arm and pulls into the cage. Anderson has to get back into the cage to rescue Hemme and hits a few right hands to Shaw. Anderson leads Hemme to safety but is caught by a standing kata gatame by Shaw. Shaw then leaves the cage and the referee had conveniently recovered enough to see Sahw leave and declare him the winner. The match, whilst nowhere near a technical masterpiece, did tell an interesting story. I think that this could be a good character for Shaw as long as it doesn't become tasteless.

Winner: Samuel Shaw

Predictions: 2 for 2

We now get Ethan Carter III coming out. He was scheduled to face Kurt Angle but he injured him on the previous Impact. Therefore, EC3 issues an open challenge, which is accepted by a returning Bobby Lashley. EC3 refuses because Lashley does not have a contract. Lashley responds by hitting a running powerslam followed by a spear, killing EC3. I liked this segment. Whilst I'm not that bothered by Lashley, I do love EC3 and what he is doing in TNA. I'm also interested to see whether they will do a feud between Carter and Lashley and how it would develop.

We now get a match between Manik and Tigre Uno. We get a lot of high risk, fast pace wrestling which the crowd appreciates. Tigre Uno goes flying into the side of the cage, giving Manik the chance to hit a vertical suplex followed by a back suplex. Manik then applies a surfboard and later on, a sit out powerbomb for 2. Tigre Uno gets back into it and after hitting a sabretooth splash, gets the win. This was a really fun match to watch and I can't wait to see what Tigre does in the company

Winner: Tigre Uno

Predictions: 3 for 3

Next is a last man standing match between James Storm and Gunner. They immediately start brawling up the aisle and around the ring. Storm slams the door onto Gunner's head and the match offically starts. Storm starts choking Gunner with the tag team ropes for a little while before Storm starts bouncing his head off the turnbuckle. Gunner does make a comeback briefly and hits Storm in the head with a bit of the steel steps, which gets a 7 count. Storm hits a code breaker then throws Gunner head first into a steel chair in the corner, which gets a count of 8. Storm then attacks Gunner with the chair, but Gunner keeps Storm down for a while with a airplane spin onto the chair followed by a rock bottom. Gunner jumps from the top rope but Storm throws the chair into his head, which gets a count of 8. Storm tries to powerbomb Gunner onto 2 chairs but he is unable to do so. They fight on top the ropes, slamming each other's head into the cage, before Gunner superplexes Storm onto the steel chairs. Both men are down and Gunner uses a chair to get up before the count of ten to get the win. I generally like last man standing matches, although I did find it weird it being in a cage. Despite that, it was an enjoyable match and you really saw in the story that they told, how much they don't like each other.

Winner: Gunner

Predictions: 3 for 4

We now get the Knockouts Championship match with Gail Kim challenging Madison Rayne. Kim tries to get out of the cage door early on but is stopped by Rayne. Kim does get the momentum after Rayne misses a crossbody. Kim does a running corner clothesline as part of her offence. However, she misses an avalanche splash and crashes into the cage. This gives Rayne the chance to make a comeback. Kim almost gets out of the cage door but is dragged back in by Rayne. They both climb the cage and Kim tries the Eat Defeat. However, Rayne pulls her off then does a spear off the top rope to get the win and Rayne retains her Knockouts Championship. This was a fun match and once again, reinforces how good women's wrestling can be. I wish WWE would do things like this in their Divas Division but I don't think they will.

Winner: Madison Rayne

Predictions: 4 for 5

The second Championship match is Samoa Joe challenging Magnus for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. The match is under “Joe's Rules”, which means you can only win by tap out, knock out or submission.  After a little back and forth, Joe starts bouncing Magnus off the cage numerous times, busting him open. Magnus gets back into it and busts Joe open by doing what Joe did to him. Magnus applies a figure four but Joe reverses the pressure. Magnus keeps on the pressure on Joe with moves such as a camel clutch and a sleeper. Samoa Joe gets back into it and hits a muscle buster followed a rear naked choke. It looks like Joe is going to win here but a hand suddenly comes out of the mat and drags Joe through the hole. Joe manages to get out of the hole and chokes Magnus in the corner. Abyss appears out of the hole and hits Joe with Janice then hits the Black Hole Slam. Magnus then applies Joe's choke hold to get the win. I was enjoying the match but I didn't think it needed to have Abyss enter through a hole in the mat, especially since we still have the Lethal Lockdown match to come.

Winner: Magnus

Predictions: 6 for 7

The main event is a Lethal Lockdown match to determine who has control of the company's wrestling operations. It's Team Dixie (Bobby Roode, The BroMans and Austin Aries) taking on Team MVP (MVP and The American Wolves).  Austin Aries and MVP start off the match and they have a good match before Robbie E enters the fray. Then the rest of the wrestlers came in the following order: Eddie Edwards, Jesse Godderz, Davie Richards and Bobby Roode. Even though it's a 4-on-3 match, we get another ten count, introducing another wrestler, which is Willow(?) Willow appears on top of the cage and splashes all of Team Dixie. The top of the cage comes down and Dixie Carter comes out and announces that the special guest referee, and her insurance policy, is Bully Ray. Team Dixie use the weapons available to decimate Team MVP. Willow sends Aries flying into the cage and later on, Aries hits a brainbuster on Edwards onto a chair. Aries misses a 450 splash and he gets hit with a twist of fate followed by a swanton bomb. Bobby Roode just breaks up the count. Roode sets up a table and is about to send MVP through it when Bully Ray stands in the way. Roode and Bully have an argument and Bully hits a rock bottom on Roode. MVP then kicks Roode in the head to get the win by pinfall. This means that MVP have control of the wrestling operations of TNA. Understandably, Dixie is apoplectic over what just happened. Bully then powerbombs Roode through the table.

I thought this match was pretty good. However, I hate Lethal Lockdown matches because I find it really stupid that you can't win the match until all the wrestlers enter the cage and it feels that it is a waste of time. It also felt a bit overbooked to me with so much going on.

Winners: Team MVP

Predictions: 7 for 8

I thought that Lockdown was a decent event. As I always do, I do enjoy the wrestling that they do in TNA. I sometimes don't really understand the reason behind their booking. I was surprised that the Lethal Lockdown match was the main event but it makes sense because the control of the company is more important than a World Heavyweight Championship match. With MVP now in control of the company, it will be interesting to see where they go from where. Hopefully, it will be for the better.

TNA Lockdown 2014 Preview

TNA Lockdown is taking place this evening at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida. This is TNA's first PPV of the year and all of the matches will be in a steel cage. Let's look at the card.

Mr Anderson will take on Samuel Shaw in what could be an interesting match. While Mr Anderson has been protecting Christy Hemme from the attentions of Shaw, I can see it coming back to haunt him. Therefore, I'm going for Shaw to win here.
Predicted Winner: Samuel Shaw

Gunner will take on his former tag team partner James Storm in a last man standing match. Whilst I'm not the biggest fan of either of them, I do like last man standing matches; and I'm interested in seeing how Storm acts as a heel. It's a tough one to call, but I'm going for Storm to win here.
Predicted Winner: James Storm

Tigre Uno will make his debut as he takes on  Manik. This should be a fun match to watch. I will be very surprised if Manik wins the match; so Tigre Uno to win here.
Predicted Winner: Tigre Uno

Madison Rayne will defend her TNA Knockouts Championship from the challenge of  Gail Kim. These are both good competitors, so this should be a good match. I'm going for Rayne to win here.
Predicted Winner: Madison Rayne

We have an interpromotional 6-man tag match with The Great Muta, Sanada and Nakanoue from Wrestle-1 taking on the TNA team of Bad Influence and Chris Sabin. I'm looking forward to seeing The Great Muta for the first time, and I'm a big fan of Bad Influence. I'm going for the Wrestle-1 team to win here.
Predicted Winners: The Great Muta, Sanada and Nakanoue

Team MVP (MVP, The Wolves and Jeff Hardy) will take on Team Dixie (Bobby Roode, The BroMans and Austin Aries) in a lethal lockdown match for control of TNA's wrestling operations. I don't generally like lethal lockdown matches as I think the concept is dumb. However, the wrestlers involved should make it a decent match. Team MVP has to win here, otherwise the whole angle would be pointless.
Predicted Winner: Team MVP

The main event will see Samoa Joe challenge Magnus for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. I am struggling to see Magnus as a World Champion. However, this should be a good match and I'm going for Magnus to win here.
Predicted Winner: Magnus

Due to the TV deal that TNA have in the UK, I won't have the review until next weekend. Until then, I hope you guys enjoy the show.

TNA Bound for Glory 2012 Review

TNA's flagship event, Bound for Glory, took place last Sunday at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. How will TNA's version of Wrestlemania fare? Let's start the review.

We start with the X-Divsion Championship as Zema Ion is challenged by Rob Van Dam. Both guys use a lot of high-flying offense and Ion gets some momentum by sending RVS from the top turnbuckle to the metal crowd barrier followed by a somersault dive. RVD tried to go for a monkey flip but Ion drops RVD's face onto the top turnbuckle. RVD gets back the momentum and hits the 5-star frog splash to get the win and become the new X-Division Champion. It was a good match although I thought that the ending seemed to be a bit hurried.
Winner: Rob Van Dam                                                                                              Predictions: 0 for 1

The next match is for the Television Championship as Magnus challenges Samoa Joe. Joe gets some offence in before Magnus hits a cheap shot while the referee is admonishing Joe. Magnus hits a Michinoku Driver. Joe gets back the momentum with a powerbomb into a pin; and when Magnus kicked out, Joe applied a STF. Magnus tried to reach for the ropes but Joe locks Magnus' arms into another submission move. Magnus gets out of it by getting his right leg to the rope. After a little more back and forth, Magnus tries a figure four leg lock. However, Joe uses this to apply a rear naked choke with Magnus down on the mat to get the win. This was another really good match and it would be nice to see a rematch between the two.
Winner: Samoa Joe                                                                                                    Predictions: 1 for 2

Next up is the match that I was really looking forward to as James Storm takes on Bobby Roode with King Mo(?) as the Special Guest Enforcer in a street fight. I'm really surprised that this match is on third as I thought it would be the penultimate match of the night. The match goes to the outing after a couple of minutes and King Mo has a stare down with first Roode then Storm. Storm attempts an Eye of the Storm that would have sent Roode through the announce table. However, Roode gets out of it and slingshots Storm into the ring post, busting him open. The action goes into the ring and we get some back and forth between the two involving a dustbin, steel chairs and a kendo stick. The action then goes into the raised entrance way and they start to hit each other with dustbin lids. Roode hits an Double A Spinebuster sending Storm onto the entrance way. The action goes to the announce table and Roode spears Storm from the announce table through the Spanish announce table. Wait, hang on? When did TNA start having a Spanish announce table at ringside? Anyway, I digress. Back to the match. King Mo gets involved when Roode starts to intimidate Senior Official Earl Hebner and pushes Roode into a Codebreaker by Storm. Storm then hits the Last Call but he only gets a 2 count. Storm tries for another Last Call but Roode throws Storm into a steel chair that was wedged between the middle and top turnbuckle. Roode then grabs some thumb tacks and spreads tem over the mat, then he tries to super-plex Storm onto them. Storm pushes Roode off the turnbuckle onto the tacks then does a Macho Man Elbow Drop to get a 2 count. Roode grabs some beer bottles and tries to smash one over Storm's head. However, Storm hits a low blow and proceeds to smash a beer bottle over Roode's head. Storm then hits the Last Call to get the win. Even though the match did look extremely brutal, especially with Storm bleeding profusely, it was a really, really good match and one of the best matches TNA have done all year.
Winner: James Storm                                                                                                 Predictions: 2 for 3

The next match is between Joey Ryan and Al Snow, in which if Ryan wins, he will get a full-time contract. Snow effectively gives Ryan a bit of a wrestling clinic and gets out his doll head. Ryan then get some momentum but Snow stops that relatively quickly. We get a ref bump then Snow continues his assault on Ryan outside the ring. A returning Matt Morgan comes out and destroys Snow with a Carbon Footprint. Morgan rolls Snow into the ring and Ryan pins him to get the win. It was an ok match as it had a very slow pace. Despite that, I like Ryan's character so it's nice to see more of him.
Winner: Joey Ryan                                                                                                     Predictions: 3 for 4

The Tag Team Championships were on the line as Kazarian and Christopher Daniels were challenged by Kurt Angle and AJ Styles and Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez. The action went back and forth with Styles getting worn down. Angle gets the hot tag and German suplexes Daniels then Kazarian. Angle applies the ankle lock to Daniels but is stopped by Kazarian who get hit with a German suplex. The action goes to the outside with AJ doing a moonsault to Daniels and Hernandez. Chavo tries the Three Amigos on Angle but is stopped half way through with an Angle Slam. Daniels hits the Best Moonsault Ever on Styles but Styles kicks out at 2. Styles hits an inverted DDT. Hernandez hits Daniels with the Border Cross followed by the Frog Splash by Chavo to get them the win and become the new Tag Team Champions. I really enjoyed this match and it was a surprise to see Hernandez and Chavo win the match. As for the other teams, they will probably continue their never-ending feud.
Winners: Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero                                                                Predictions: 3 for 5

The Knockouts Championship was next as Tara challenged Miss Tessmacher. Tara uses the referee to gain an advantage over Tessmacher. Tessmacher tries to get back some momentum and tries a flying elbow drop but misses. This gives Tara the chance to hit the Widow's Peak to get the win. Afterwards, she decidates to her boyfriend Jessie from the US version of Big Brother. No, I don't know who the fuck he is either, as evidenced by the "Who Are You?" chant from the crowd. Anyway, well done to Tara on winning the Knockouts Championship.
Winner: Tara                                                                                                              Predictions: 4 for 6

The next match was between Sting and Bully Ray taking on two members of Aces and Eights. Aces and Eights come out with Joseph Parks (brother of Chris? You know, Abyss?) and chain him up to the guard rail, giving Sting and Ray the opportunity to attack Aces and Eights. Ray hits one of them with a piece of the Spanish Announcers Table but then gets thrown into the steel steps and Sting misses with a Stinger splash, giving Aces and Eights the opportunity to gain the momentum. Sting gets dominated for a while but he goes for the Scorpion Deathlock but is hit on the back of the head. Ray gets the hot tag and hits Aces and Eights with lots of punches. Ray is about to use a steel chair but he's hit with a low blow by a third member of Aces and Eights. Parks manages to break the handcuff and starts to beat the crap out the third member and they fight to the back. Meanwhile, Ray and Sting hit the Doomsday Device and then decide to grab some tables. Unfortunately, a fourth member of Aces and Eights hits Ray with a Spinebuster, sending him through a table. Ray gets pinned and Aces and Eights get the win. Afterwards, the rest of Aces and Eights come out and beat up Sting and Ray. Hulk Hogan comes out and does his Hulk no-sell to the fourth member. They unmask him, revealing him to be Devon(!!), shocking Ray, Sting and Hogan. The group promptly decide to commence operation GTFO, leaving the TNA guys reeling over what has happened. I quite enjoyed the match and was shocked that Devon is one of the members of Aces and Eights. I think TNA were planning to make Devon the leader. However, I don't think he can be that guy as evidenced by the fact that at the following Impact, they mention that he isn't the leader. Anyway, I'm interested to see where they go from here.
Winner: Aces and Eights                                                                                            Predictions: 5 for 7

The main event for the TNA World Championship was between Jeff Hardy and Austin Aries. Hardy puts Aries in a leg scissors and Aries gets out of it by doing a handstand and jumping out of it. Aries starts to be dominant before Hardy hits a vertical suplex for a 2 count then later on throws Aries into the steel steps. Hardy misses with a Whisper in the Wing, giving Aries the chance to hit a Macho Man Elbow Drop. Aries tries for the Brainbuster but it's reversed into a sit-out front suplex. The match goes back and forth and Aries hits Hardy with two suicide dives then Aries applies the Last Chancery, which Hardy gets out of by getting his leg on the bottom rope. The action goes to the entrance ramp and Aries does a neckbreaker sending Hardy's head onto the entrance ramp. The action goes back into the ring and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate for a 2 count. Aries hits a jumping top rope hurracarrana, followed by a flying dropkick and a Brainbuster. However, Aries only gets a 2 count. Hardy hits another Twist of Fate followed by a Swanton Bomb to get the win and become the new TNA World Champion. I really enjoyed the match, although I was surprised to see Hardy win the match.
Winner: Jeff Hardy                                                                                                     Predictions: 5 for 8

I thoroughly enjoyed Bound for Glory. At the minute, I think it's TNA's best PPV of the year so far (after Slammiversary) and the crowd really made the event more enjoyable. I have no problem with them having Impact at the Impact Zone. However, I feel that they need to have their PPVs over the country as it does seem that their best PPVs seem to be when they are out of Orlando. The matches were all enjoyable, especially the Storm/Roode match.

If I had a small ciriticism, I don't think that the Hardy/Aries match should have been the main event. It's good that TNA 99% of the time end their PPVs with the TNA World Championship. However, you want your main event to be the most important story going into the PPV. The story between Hardy and Aries was not as big as the stories between Aces and Eights; Storm and Roode; and the never ending feud between Angle, Styles, Kazarian and Daniels. If your main event is not the main story, it can bring down the PPV down a bit. Despite that, it was still a great PPV.

TNA Bound for Glory 2012 Preview

TNA's flagship event Bound for Glory is taking place at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. How will the event fare? Let's look at the card.

Joey Ryan will take on Al Snow and if Ryan wins, he gets a TNA contract. I find it funny that the one guy who didn't get a contract from Gutcheck has been on TV the most. I feel that Ryan will win this, otherwise what was the point?
Predicted Winner: Joey Ryan

Samoa Joe will defend his Television Championship against Magnus. Whilst I'm being biased and want my fellow Brit Magnus to win, Joe has only recently got the title and it might be too soon for him to lose it. Therefore, I'm going for Joe to win here.
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe

The Tag Team Championships will be defended in a triple threat with  Kurt Angle and AJ Styles and Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez challenging Christopher Daniels and Kazarian. I can see this being a decent match with a few close calls. I think that Daniels and Kazarian will win and hopefully end this never-ending feud between them and AJ Styles.
Predicted Winners: Christopher Daniels and Kazarian

Tara challenges Miss Tessmacher for the Knockouts Championship. I'm a fan of Tessmacher but I think she will lose here and Tara will be the new Knockouts Champion.
Predicted Winner: Tara

Zema Ion will be defending the X-Division Championship against Rob Van Dam. This is a tough one to call. I can see RVD winning and have Ion complain about him being over the weight limit. However, I can't see that happening so I'm going for Ion to probably cheat his way to victory.
Predicted Winner: Zema Ion

Sting, as well as getting inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, will team up with Bully Ray to take on two members of Aces and 8s. The invasion angle has not been as interesting as I thought it would be. I think that we will see a swerve involving Bully Ray and see Aces and 8s win the match here.
Predicted Winners: Aces and 8s.

James Storm will take on Bobby Roode in a match that I am really looking forward to with King Mo(?)  as the Special Guest Enforcer. I know that TNA went in a different direction but I would have loved this match to have been the main event for the TNA World Championship. It has a great story going into it and it would have had an amazing ending. I think this match has the potential to be the match of the night and I think that Storm will be victorious here.
Predicted Winner: James Storm

The main event will be for the TNA World Championship as Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) is challenged by Bound for Glory Series winner Jeff Hardy. This is also another match that has the potential to be the match of the night. It would be nice to see Hardy win it but TNA has ended their last two Bound for Glory events with the heel going out on top. Whilst Aries is a babyface, he will be the heel going into this match and I can see him doing a heel turn and retaining the title.
Predicted Winner: Austin Aries

I'm quite looking forward to it and I have a twitter buddy (@DXDONMEGA) who will be in attendance. Due to the TV deal that TNA have in the UK, I won't get to see it until Wednesday night. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy the show.

TNA No Surrender 2012 Review

TNA No Surrender took place last Sunday at the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida. How will the story involving Aces & 8s? And who will win the BFG Series? Let's take a look.

We open with the first semi-final in the BFG Series with Samoa Joe facing Jeff Hardy. Hardy injures his left arm and Joe has the momentum for a good portion of this match, doing moves such as doing a suicide dive. Hardy starts his comeback, doing lots of clotheslines. Hardy hits the whisper in the wind but that only gets a 2 count. Hardy then hits the twist of fate but Joe stops Hardy doing the swanton bomb. Joe tries the muscle buster but it's reversed into a roll up for a 2 count. Hardy applies an armbar, which Joe gets out of and attempts a pin. Hardy, however, counters it into another pin and gets the win. Well, I didn't see that coming. This was a good opening match and Hardy goes to the BFG Series Final.
Winner: Jeff Hardy                                                                                       Predictions: 0 for 1

The second semi-final is up next as James Storm takes on Bully Ray. Ray starts talking trash to Storm. Storm responds by spitting in Ray's face and this makes Ray go on a hissy fit before they lock up. Storm is completely dominant before Ray gets out the ring to regroup. Storm goes the Last Call but he hurts his leg putting it inbetween the ropes and this gives Ray the chance to assault Storm. Storm temporarily gets a reprieve after a top rope powerbomb. The action goes back and forth and Storm accidentally knocks down referee Earl Hebner. Ray hits a BubbaBomb and, after another referee comes in, gets a 2 count. Storm knocks out the other referee with the same move and then tries to revive Hebner. Ray attacks Storm and runs into Hebner and gets hit with the Last Call. Bobby Roode runs into the ring and hits Storm with a beer bottle and drags Ray on top of Storm. Hebner comes to and counts the pinfall to give Ray the win. I enjoyed the match and the ending but the match really didn't need THREE(!!) ref bumps. As for my predictions, I was hoping for a Joe/Storm final but we're getting Ray vs Hardy instead. It should be a good final regardless.
Winner: Bully Ray                                                                                         Predictions: 0 for 2

The Knockouts Championship is the first title to be defended as Miss Tessmacher is challenged by her best friend and mentor Tara. Taryn Terrell (formerly known to WWE fans as Tiffany) is the referee. The women start using arm manoeuvres and some acrobatic counters. Tempers flare as Tessmacher is not happy with some of the moves Tara was using. Tara hits a twit-a-whirl side slam for a 2 count. Tara tries for the Widow's Peak but it's reversed into a roll up for Tessmacher to get the win. Tessmacher and Tara shake hands but Tara storms off. This was an ok match but I'm worried for the Knockouts. Angelina Love, Winter and Velvet Sky have left the company recently and they seem to have no replacements as yet to challenge for the Knockouts Championship.
Winner: Miss Tessmacher                                                                               Predictions: 1 for 3

We go to a backstage segment where Hulk Hogan has Bobby Roode arrested (for some reason) and James Storm attacks him, resulting in them both getting arrested and escorted out of the building. This seems to make their match at Bound for Glory a lock.

Next we get Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) comes out to face a member of Aces & 8s. The member (being called Armbreaker due to the fact that he seriously injured Aries' arm) takes his time coming out and Aries starts to beat the crap out of him. Aries tries to rip the Armbreaker's mask off but he throws Aries out of the ring. Armbreaker starts to be dominant. Armbreaker attempts a powerbomb but Aries manages to get talcum powder (from thin air apparently) and throw it into his face. Armbreaker tries to hit Aries with a steel chair but Aries hits the brainbuster and attempts to demask Armbreaker. This is stopped by the rest of Aces &8s, which prompts the TNA locker room to come out and clear the group out of the ring. Jeff Hardy is hurt in the process and Hogan decides to lock the building down and call the police (again!) As for the match, it was good. Shame it wasn't an official match. As for my predictions, even though it wasn't an official match and it ended in a no contest, I did make a prediction so I have to employ the Henry/Show Vengeance Rule and count the prediciton as a loss (damn!)
Winner: No Contest                                                                                        Predictions: 1 for 4

The X-Division is on the line as Zema Ion is challenged by Sonjay Dutt. Ion gets the advantage and focuses on Dutt's previously dislocated shoulder. During the match, what seems like half the Orlando Police Department arrive at the Impact Zone. Anyway, Dutt practically kicks Ion's head off and does a standing moonsault to get a 2 count. Ion hits a powerbomb then a shoulder bar but Dutt gets to the rope. Ion eventually gets the win by reversing a pin attempt into a reverse powerbomb. It was a good match with a lot of high-flying offence.
Winner: Zema Ion                                                                                           Predictions: 2 for 5

After we see Hulk Hogan speak to the Police and promote police brutality, we get Rob Van Dam take on Magnus. RVD attempts his move where he legdrops his opponent who is laying over the barrier but he misses and this gives Magnus the opportunity to get some momentum. Magnus applies a Texas Cloverleaf but RVD gets to the rope. He also hits an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle but that only gets a 2 count. RVD gets back the momentum with a spin kick then back to back clotheslines. Magnus goes for the Cloverleaf again but RVD powers out of it, kicks Magnus down then hits the 5-star frog splash to get the win. This was a fun match with good performances by both guys.
Winner: Rob Van Dam                                                                                     Predictions: 3 for 6

The final title match is for the Tag Team Championship as Christopher Daniels and Kazarian are challenged by AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. Angle and Styles are all over Daniels and Kazarian before Kazarian hits Styles with a monkey flip to give his team the advantage. Angle gets the hot tag and hits Kazarian with two German suplexes but Daniels stops the third and Kazarian hits a jumping DDT to give back the momentum to his team. Eventually Angle sends Kazarian flying across the ring from the top turnbuckle and this gives him the opportunity to tag in Styles and beat up Daniels. Angle tags himself in and splashes Daniels for 2. Angle angle slams both Kazarian and Daniels for a 2 count then applies the anklelock to Daniels. Styles tags in and gets in some good offence. Styles hits a springboard into a 450 splash but Kazarian unbelievably kicks out at 2. Angle clotheslines Daniels over the top rope, injuring his leg in the process. Daniels recovers and throws his appletini into Styles' face and this gives Kazarian the chance to roll up Styles for the win. I really enjoyed this match with a lot of amazing manoeuvres. Shame it ended by Daniels and Kazarian cheating.
Winners: Christopher Daniels and Kazarian                                                   Predictions: 3 for 7

The main event is the Final of the Bound for Glory Series as Bully Ray is supposed to face Jeff Hardy. Hardy's music plays but Hulk Hogan comes out instead and states, after discussing it with Bully Ray, that he will be postponing the match til Impact on Thursday. Hardy then decides to come out with his left shoulder bandaged and the match goes ahead. Hardy tries to fight with one arm but Ray focuses his attack on the injured shoulder, punching and stomping on it. Ray rips off some of the bandaging but Hardy starts a comeback with a twist of fate  followed by a Swanton Bomb, but Ray kicks out. Ray hits a Bubbabomb for a 2 count then a Bubba Cutter but Hardy kicks out at 2. Hardy hits another twist of fate but misses with the Swanton Bomb. Ray hits another Bubba Cutter for a 2 count. Hardy hits two twist of fates and tries for the Swanton but Ray stops him. Hardy pushes Ray from the top turnbuckle then hits the Swanton Bomb to win the match and the BFG Series. Even though it had a very slow start, I enjoyed the match. Out of the 4 semi-finalists I thought that Hardy had the least chance of winning. However, I think that the match between Hardy and Aries at Bound for Glory will be a really good match.
Winner: Jeff Hardy                                                                                            Predictions: N/A

Although there were some things I didn't like, I thought that it was a decent event by TNA. All preparations will now be on Bound for Glory on the 13th October. This is TNA's flagship event and they will be looking to put on a good show.

TNA Hardcore Justice 2012 Review

TNA Hardcore Justice 2012 took place at TNA's usual place of the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida. The last two PPVs have been good, so will it continue the trend? Let's take a look.

The first match was a tag team with Gunner and Kid Kash taking on Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero does the Three Amigos and gets his ass kicked by Gunner and Kid Kash. Hernandez gets the hot tag and cleans house. Hernandez does a suicide dive while getting tagged out by Chavo. Chavo then gets the Frog Splash to Kash to get the win. This was a good match to start the PPV and hopefully they will use Chavo a lot more.
Winners: Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero                                                 Predictions: 1 for 1

The next match was a Falls Count Anywhere match for 20 points in BFG Series between Rob Van Dam, Magnus, Mr Anderson and D'Angelo Dinero. At least that was the plan. Aces and Eights paid Dinero a visit backstage and fucked him up, making the match a triple threat.The match goes over all the place from the ring up the entrance ramp then back to the ring. There was a good bit when Rob Van Dam does his "RVD" chant, Magnus chop-blocks him, mocks the "RVD" chant then hits RVD with a Texas Cloverleaf, which was stopped by Anderson. The end comes when RVD gets suplexed by Magnus and Magnus tries to get a chair. When he does, RVD hits him with the Vandaminator to get the win. A decent match which gives RVD 20 points and sends him up the rankings.
Winner: Rob Van Dam                                                                              Predictions: 2 for 2

Next was Devon defending his Television Championship against Kazarian. Devon is all over Kazarian until Kazarian gets the advantage with a clothesline. Devon spears Kazarian and starts to make a comeback. Devon hits a neckbreaker which Kazarian kicks out. Kazarian goes for the Fade to Black but Devon reverses it and hits the Spinebuster for the win. This was another decent match with a couple of good spots.
Winner: Devon                                                                                          Predictions: N/A

The Knockouts Championship is on the line as Madison Rayne challenges Ms Tessmacher with the most corrupt referee in wrestling history Earl Hebner in charge. I know Earl is the Senior Referee but surely Dixie Carter would make sure that he wasn't the referee. Oh, I'm sorry, that's using common sense. What was I thinking? Tessmacher gets a few pin attempts on Rayne, in which she gets upset at Earl for counting. Eventually, Tessmacher thought she would get the win with a elbow off the top rope but the referee saw Rayne’s leg on the rope. Rayne rolls up Tessmacher and uses her legs on the ropes for leverage, which Earl doesn’t see, giving Madison the win and becoming the new Knockouts Champion. The match was good, although I have see better matches from the Knockouts this year.
Winner: Madison Rayne                               Predictions: 3 for 3

The second BFG Series match is a Tables Match between Robbie E, Bully Ray, Jeff Hardy and James Storm. I have never seen a Tables Match between 4 people before. The rule seems simple enough, the first person to put someone through a table wins. We get numerous occasions where it looks like someone is about to go through a table but the table is moved by someone else. Robbie E tries to put Hardy through a table but fails and goes through the table instead. Bully and Storm fight it out before Bully gets the advantage and Aces and Eights arrive to distract him. This gives Storm the opportunity to hit the Last Call on Bully and the group gives Storm a thumbs up then leave. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Storm. Hardy sets up Storm on the table  and Aces and Eights come out to distract Hardy. This gives Bully the opportunity to grab Hardy and powerbomb him through a table to get the win. This was a fun match , although I felt it was slightly ruined by the appearances of Aces and Eights.
Winner: Bully Ray                           Predictions: 3 for 4

The X-Division Championship is on the line as Kenny King challenges Zema Ion. The match begins with a bit of slapping around. Some of the highlights of the match include Ion attempting a moonsault and missing; and Ion getting a single leg Boston crab. Ion eventually gets the win with a roll up and retains the X-Division Championship. It was a good fun match which showed off both their talents.
Winner: Zema Ion                         Predictions: 4 for 5

The penultimate match was a BFG Series Ladder match between AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe. Like most ladder matches, there are a lot of high spots including Angle hitting belly to belly suplexes; Joe hitting the suicide dive on Daniels; Kurt applying the ankle lock on Daniels; and Daniels getting put through the middle of the ladder and then getting kicked by Angle and Joe. The end comes when Kurt climbs up a ladder and Joe climbs up s separate ladder. AJ gets back in the ring and springboards from the top rope onto the ladder and grabs the envelope and gets the win. This was the match of the night and was really enjoyable.
Winner: AJ Styles                      Predictions: 4 for 6

The main event was the TNA World Championship match between Austin Aries and Bobby Roode. Aries spits water into Roode’s face and attempts to apply the Last Chancery a couple of times but Roode manages to escape. Roode decides to leave then realises that that would be a bad idea as he wouldn’t get a rematch if he loses. Roode runs back in and gets the advantage.  There are a few high spots in the match including when Roode puts Aries in the crossface and Aries goes for the 450 splash but is kneed in the gut by Roode. The ref gets knocked out and Roode spears Aries and another ref comes out to make the count but Aries kicks out at 2. The second ref is then taken out and Aries hits the Brainbuster. The first ref gets up and makes the count but Roode kicks out at 2. Roode hits a superplex which puts both of them into a position in which they are pinning each other. Both refs get up and make the count to 3 and declare each person the winner. Roode claims victory, grabs the belt and starts to leave. However, the most corrupt referee in wrestling history Earl Hebner walks down the aisle and grabs the belt off Roode. After a discussion with the other referees, Earl decides to restart the match. Aries attempts a suicide dive to Roode but collides with the title belt that Roode managed to get a hold of. Roode rolls him back in the ring but only gets a 2 count. After arguing with the ref, Roode goes for Aries but is rolled up and Aries gets the win to retain the TNA World Championship. This was a good match. However, I didn’t like that the main event had 2 ref bumps and ended with a roll up.
Winner: Austin Aries                           Predictions: 4 for 7

I enjoyed some aspects of this PPV. I thought that the BFG Series matches were good, especially the ladder match. However, I didn’t like how the event ended and hopefully the next PPV, No Surrender, will have a better ending.

TNA Destination X 2012 Review

It's time for the X-Division to shine as Destination X took place last Sunday at the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida. We will see a new X-Division Champion crowned but will we see a new TNA World Champion? Let's review.

We start with a four way match between Rubix, Lars Only, Dakota Darsow and Mason Andrews in which the winner will get to qualify for the X-Division Championship Tournament. As with most X-Division matches, there was a lot of high-flying offence, including Andrews doing a suicide dive to Only and Darsow, who were outside the ring; followed by Rubix doing an acrobatic suicide dive to his opponents when they all got up. With Darsow and Rubix being taken out, Only and Andrews fought it out with Andrews hitting a fireman's carry into a RKO to get the win. This was a really fun match to start the show and I hope they keep these guys on, especially Rubix as I thought he was really good.
Winner: Mason Andrews                                                                                   Predictions: N/A


Mason Andrews gets no time to rest as he immediately faces Kid Kash in the 1st X-Division Championship Tournament match. Kash starts to take advantage of his freshness and dominate Andrews. Kash tries a moonsault which Andrews countered with a knee to the face. Andrews almost won it with a running knee. Kash tries to knee Andrews in the face but Andrews grabs his leg and rolls him up to get the win. The match was not as fun as the first one but it was still enjoyable.
Winner: Mason Andrews                                                                                   Predictions: N/A


The 2nd X-Division Championship Tournament match is between Douglas Williams and Kenny King. The match goes back and forth with King hitting an impressive spinebuster and Williams hitting a flying knee to King who was outside the ring. King eventually gets the win with a fireman's carry into a slam. I picked Kenny King to become the new X-Division Champion, so I'm glad he won.
Winner: Kenny King                                                                                          Predictions: N/A


The 3rd X-Division Championship Tournament match is between Sonjay Dutt and Rashad Cameron. The match starts with both of them showing off their acrobatic skills and the match does have a lot of high-flying manoeuvres. Cameron keeps on bitching to senior referee Earl Hebner,which comes back to haunt him as Dutt takes advantage and hits a somersault into a double foot stomp from the top turnbuckle to get the win. Only because I had never seen these guys before, I didn't find it as enjoyable as the other matches so far. Despite that, it was still fun to watch.
Winner: Sonjay Dutt                                                                                         Predictions: N/A

Next we get an update on Jesse Sorenson. To remind you, Sorenson broke his neck at Against All Odds earlier this year when Zema Ion landed on Sorenson's head in a match. Sorenson goes to the ring and announces that he wants Ion to win the X-Division Championship so that he can take it off him and use it to get the chance to become TNA World Champion. Ion then comes out and has a staredown with Sorenson. It's great to see that Sorenson looks like he will, not only make a full recovery, but will be able to go back to wrestling by the end of the year. I know a lot of people dismiss professional wrestling as fake (I prefer choreographed myself) but it is an extremely dangerous profession and accidents do happen. I know I mentioned this in my Against All Odds review, but well done to the TNA medical staff for their quick reactions when the accident occurred to help ensure that Sorenson is where he is now.

Zema Ion  stays in the ring as he takes on Flip Cassanova in the 4th X-Division Championship Tournament match. The match doesn't take that long as, despite some brief glimpses of impressive offence  from Cassanova, Ion gets the win. It's good to see Ion get the win. Shame he had to beat Cassanova to do it as I think he is pretty good.
Winner: Zema Ion                                                                                            Predictions: N/A


Next we get a Bound for Glory Series match between Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle and finally, a match that I made a prediction on. The match goes back and forth and the crowd was really into it. Joe gets Angle into an Armbar but Angle reverses into a ankle lock. Joe eventually hits the muscle buster but Angle kicks out. Angle puts Joe into the ankle lock but Joe gets out of it and Joe hits the rear naked choke. Angle eventually gets out of it and hits the Olympic slam but Joe kicks out at 2. Angle tries the Olpympic slam but Joe puts on the rear naked choke and takes them to the floor, putting himself between Angle and the ropes. Despite Angle's best efforts, he passes out and the referee calls for the bell, giving Joe the victory. The match means that Samoa Joe takes the lead in the table by one point. I really enjoyed this match and it made both people look strong as we move on in the Bound for Glory Series.
Winner: Samoa Joe                                                                                          Predictions: 0 for 1


AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels were next in a Last Man Standing match. Hopefully, it won't get as fucked up as their I Quit match at Bound for Glory last year. It quite apparent quite quickly they wan tot hurt each other when Styles suplexes Daniels into the turnbuckle. Daniels brings in a steel chair and slams Angle onto it. Daniels continues to keep hitting Styles in the back and head outside the ring, busting Styles open. The action goes into the ring when Styles does a springboard punch which sends the chair that Daniels was carrying into Daniel's head. Styles then sends Daniels head first into the steel steps outside the ring, busting Daniels open. Daniels decided it would be a good idea to flee up the aisle with Styles in hot pursuit and they continue to fight on the stage near the announce table. They do a double clothesline and both guys get up at the count of 5. After a little while, Styles does an impressive somersault into a DDT. While the referee is counting , Kazarian arrives and pushes Styles off the stage onto the concrete. The referee then starts to count, which I find weird because it wasn't Daniels who put Styles down, and Styles gets up at 8. Daniels gets a table and puts it up on the floor by the ramp to the stage. He attempts to send Styles through it but Styles pushes Daniels into Kazarian and then hits the Styles Clash sending both men crashing into the table off the stage. The referee counts and Styles gets up at 8 but Daniels doesn't, giving Styles the win. The match was really enjoyable and I really enjoyed the ending.
Winner: AJ Styles                                                                                           Predictions: 1 for 2


Next we get the Ultimate X match between Zema Ion, Kenny King, Sonjay Dutt and Mason Andrews. For those who don't know, an Ultimate X match is when the X-Division belt is suspended by two ropes, which are held up by scaffold towers at each corner of the ring. The winner is the one who grabs the belt. Some of the highlights include Ion ending up in the Tree of Woe and King sending Andrews into him; Dutt hitting King doing a ground moonsault which dislocated Dutt's shoulder on impact; Ion getting pulled down by Andrews and King; and Andrews hanging off the rope and getting speared by King. King and Andrews get to the belt but they take each other out, and Dutt and Ion fight it out above the belt. Ion uses his hair spray on Dutt, sending him to the ring; and Ion grabs the belt to become the new X-Division Champion. It was a decent match and special mention to Sonjay Dutt, who dislocated his shoulder and elbow then managed to get that sorted so that he can get involved in the ending.
Winner: Zema Ion                                                                                           Predictions: 1 for 3


The main event is Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) challenging Bobby Roode for the TNA World Championship. Both guys try to get into each other's head to begin with. Roode starts to get the momentum keeping Aries grounded. Roode starts mocking Aries and slapping him in the face. This pisses off Aries who starts to dominate the match. Aries hits the Last Chancery but Roode turns it round into the Crossface. Aries rolls out of it and hits the Last Chancery but Roode rakes the eyes to get out of it. After a little while, Roode applies the Crossface but Aries eventually grabs the rope. Roode grabs the belt but the referee stops him from using it. While the referee is putting the belt away, Roode hits a low blow but Aries kicks out at 2. Aries attempts the Brainbuster but Roode gets out of it and pushes Aries into the referee. Roode hits Aries with the belt and revives the referee but Aries kicks out at 2. Roode attempts a fisherman suplex but Aries reverses it into a small package. Aries then sends Roode into the turnbuckle and, after a kick to the head, hits the Brainbuster to get the win and become the NEW TNA World Champion. This was undoubtedly the match of the night and, although I predicted that Aries would lose, I'm really happy that he won. The only reason that I thought that Roode would win is that I thought that TNA would have Storm win the BFG Series and have him defeat Roode at Bound for Glory. That could still happen but I think it would have been better if Roode had been Champion for almost a year and not a couple of months. Despite that, congratulations on Austin Aries winning the TNA World Championship.
Winner: Austin Aries                                                                                   Predictions: 1 for 4


I enjoyed this event. I think that Slammiversary is still TNA's best PPV so far this year and it was going to be hard to top that. Despite the fact that a lot of matches had guys who are unfamiliar to those fans who are outside the Independent Wrestling scene in the United States (like myself), it was still good to watch. TNA have a lot of momentum right now and I hope they can keep it going.