Scott Gourley's Lovechild
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TNA's 2008 Turning Point opened with a video feature on the problems within the TNA roster.
Outside, Jeremy Borash tried to get comment from the Main Event Mafia as they left their limo. None of them would comment until Scott Steiner stopped. He said the young stars in the locker room don't know respect and spend too much time caring about their video games and joysticks. He said none of them can hang with the Main Event Mafia and they were going to show that tonight. He told Borash to go get their bags and walked off.
X-Division Ranking Match: Consequences Creed vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Petey Williams vs. Jimmy Rave vs. Volador vs. Eric Young vs. Doug Williams vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Homicide vs. Jay Lethal
Creed and Rave started the bout. Creed hit a somerault clothesline and then peppered Rave with punches. Rave came back with a running clothesline. Dutt tagged in and hit a spinning headscissors after several revolutions. Lethal tagged in but Dutt retreated from the ring. Lethal hit a suicide dive to the floor.
Homicide and Tanahashi immediately started going at it, so we've got Lucha rules with no tags. Homicide nailed a big boot to the face. Doug Williams nailed Homicide but Williams got into the ring. Williams and Petey went back and forth. Williams scored a two count after a spinning kick. Williams hit a dive into a hurancanrana on the floor.
Young and Volador hit the ring. Volador took down Young on the mat. Young powered out and put Volador on the turnbuckles. Volador armdragged Young, who rolled out of the ring. Lethal jumped in and he and Voldar went back and forth. Lethal nailed a tiltowhirl backbreaker. Dutt nailed Lethal while he was unaware, knocking him out of the ring. Volador and Dutt did some nice Lucha spots. Volador laid Dutt across the ropes and dropkicked him in the face as he hung upside down for a near fall. Dutt came back with a DDT. Dutt went to the top but was cut off by Volador.
Volador hit a standing hurancanrana off the top for the pin, eliminating Dutt.
Volador and Jimmy Rave went at it. Volador hit a nice dive to the outside. Rave caught him with the Rock the World and pinned him. Volador is eliminated.
Rave and Doug Williams began exchanging chops. Williams rebounded off the ropes with a flying back elbow. Williams hit his rolling German suplex for the pin. Adios Rave.
Williams backdropped Young over the top to the floor. Creed hit the ring but was tossed out. Everyone hit the ring and started going back and forth. Homicide hit the Gringo Cutter on Williams, then did a running tope con hilo over the top to the floor on everyone. He "overshot" and hit the railing, which the announcers noted as he went down. The referees said Homicide couldn't continue. Hernandez ran out to check on Homicide.
The final six all started battling in the ring. Lethal and Williams nailed Tanahashi with stereo dropkicks. Creed nailed a spinning neckbreaker on Tanahashi. Petey and Creed faced off. They shoot hands but Petey began chopping him, teasing a subtle heel turn. They battled over a backslide with neither getting it. Petey ducked a spinkick but was caught with a superkick. Petey scored with a Canadian Destroyer, pinning Creed.
Williams and Tanahashi worked over Petey. Tanahashi hit a great looking frog splash off the top, pinning Petey. Young was worked over and tossed out of the ring. Williams then turned his attention to Lethal. Tanahashi and Lethal continued working over Lethal. Williams was whipped into Lethal in the corner, nailing a high knee. Tanahashi followed up with a dropkick. Williams nailed a gutwrench suplex but Lethal got his shoulder up.
They went for a double back suplex on Lethal, who landed on his feet. Lethal caught Tanahashi with a roll up for a three count. Williams immediately clotheslined Lethal, who took a flip bump but kicked up. Williams was caught by Young's wheelbarrow into a neckbreaker for the pin.
It came down to Lethal vs. Young for the top contender spot.
They went back and forth with some of it being a little murky. Young clotheslined Lethal for a two count. Young was caught with a big boot as he charged into the corner. Young scored the pin on Lethal.
Young took the ring mic as several of the TNA Young Lions returned to the ring. Young addressed the Main Event Mafia. He said that what they saw and what they will experience are some of the greatest professional wrestlers do what they do best - wrestle. Young said they are wrestlers, not entertainers or sideshow freaks. He said, "We aren't millionaires but wrestlers." Young said "this journey" started out as everyone's dream and began putting over all the wrestlers and the fans. He said it started in Nashville and some of them are kids, but they are kids with heart. He said they've come to prove their legacy and leave no doubt that their legacy won't be forgotten. Young said that their legacy will continue and that their best chapter might be written tonight because "tonight these kids become men."
X-Division Rankings:
1 Eric Young
2 Jay Lethal
3 Doug Williams
4 Hiroshi Tanahashi
5 Petey Williams
6 Consequences Creed
7 Homicide
8 Jimmy Rave
9 Volador
10 - Sonjay Dutt
Backstage, Lauren interviewed Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett told Mick to go "talk to the kids" while he would go talk to the Main Event Mafia to try and "remove some of the bullets before they are fired." Foley questioned Jeff going to see Kurt Angle since their issues haven't been settled. Jeff told him to just worry about "the kids." Oh God, please stop using that term. It's belittling to the talent and makes it sound like a bunch of 5th graders are feuding with WWE talents. Jeff left.
TNA Knockout champ Awesome Kong & Raeesha Saeid (with Rhaka Khan) vs. Roxxi & Taylor Wilde
All four brawled to start. It settled into Saeid vs. Wilde. Wilde did some cool counter moves. Kong tagged in. Roxxi and Taylor hit a double dropkick to take her down. Roxxi scored a two count. Khan's distraction allowed Kong to grab Roxxi and toss her across the ring.
Kong tagged in Saied, who nailed several shoulderblocks in the corner. Saied dropped an elbow after rebounding off the ropes. Mike Tenay called it a "corkscrew elbow." Say what? Saied continued to work over Roxxi, then tagged Kong back in. Kong nailed a running splash in the corner. Kong locked in a camel clutch, then pulled Roxxi up. Roxxi began firing back with punches, then a jawbreaker.
Outside, Rhaka Khan pulled Wilde off the apron and then shoved her away when Wilde got in her face on the floor.
Kong slammed down Roxxi but only received a two count. Saied tagged back in and shoved Wilde to set up the referee distraction so the heels could work over Roxxi. Roxxi was slammed down for a two count. The crowd chanted for Roxxi. Saied nailed a surfboard into a curb stomp. Roxxi began fighting her way to her feet.
Kong tagged in and took down Roxxi. Kong and Saied used the old Public Enemy drive-by finisher on Roxxi with Kong flipping her off the top. Kong went to the ropes for a splash but Roxxi moved. Taylor made the hot tag and hit the ring. Taylor began unloading with forearms and clotheslines. She showed some good fire. She nailed a dropkick for a two count, then nailed Kong and Khan.
All four began battling in the ring. Roxxi ducked a clothesline, then nailed both, taking them down. The babyfaces went to whip the heels into each other, but Kong reversed so Wilde and Saeid clunked. Roxxi ducked a Kong charge and grabbed the top rope so Kong bumped to the floor. Roxxi hit a dive to the floor. Wilde hit a back suplex with a bridge for the pin.
Your winners, Roxxi & Taylor Wilde!
Jeremy Borash tried again to interview the Main Event Mafia. As he started talking to Sting, Jeff Jarrett came in. He said everyone was there to do their best and get it done inside the ring. He asked them to be professional and not to let it get out of hand. Angle got upset Jeff called himself "one of their peers." He said Jeff's word means nothing around here until he grows some balls because he's sitting behind a desk pretending to be one of the boys. He stormed out. Nash told Jeff that sometimes in the business, he knows things have to happen and Jeff should be talking to "the children." Oh Lord. Jeff told him to put himself in Jeff's shoes because it's his company and his future. Nash said they were his future. They really need to let the other side of this storyline state their case and it needs to be something more than "This is about TNA" and TNA's journey.
Rhino vs. X-Division champ Sheik Abdul Bashir
They had a veteran introduce Rhino. The crowd was super behind Rhino, chanting his name at the bell. Bashir tried to kick him, got caught and Rhino bounced him around like a ping pong ball to start hot. The crowd started reacting to Scott Hall and ICP entering the Impact Zone, which wasn't acknowledged on commentary. It looked terribly bad because Rhino and Bashir were brawling on the floor and no one was watching. TNA totally destroyed any heat for the match.
Back in the ring, Bashir tried to pull one of the turnbuckles off but failed. Bashir spit at ICP and Hall and even though the cameras showed a close up, the announcers didn't say it was them. ICP are all wearing their JCW jerseys, pushing their promotion. Bashir tossed Rhino to the floor. Bashir did Hall's mannerisms in his face, then a crotch chop. Tenay said, "There's some familiar faces in the crowd tonight."
They battled back into the ring. Rhino tried to elbow his way out of a side headlock but Bashir pulled him by his hair. Bashir argued with referee Shane Sewell. Bashir locked on a chinlock. The crowd began chanting for "Razor" when the spot was designed to get the crowd into a Rhino comeback. Rhino finally got to his feet and dropped backwards with an electric chair. I can't believe they haven't pointed out Hall and ICP yet. It looks silly not to.
Rhino made his comeback with a leaping clothesline and an elbow. Rhino hit a nice belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Bashir his a jawbreaker. He rebounded off the ropes but was caught with a spinebuster. Rhino set up for the gore but was caught with a boot to the face as he charged. Bashir went after Rhino, but the referee argued with him. Bashir got in his face and spit at him, then turned into a gore and was pinned.
Poor Rhino.
Backstage, Lauren brought us into the TNA locker room where Mick Foley was trying to preach for respect within the locker room. He tried to ask them to meet the older talents halfway. The Motor City Machineguns had their backs to Foley and mocked him. Alex Shelley said he doesn't care what Foley has to say. Foley said he's going to ignore that because if he does, he has to admit everything Sting and the others say are true. He said he invested in the company because he believes in the younger talents. Shelley said he doesn't care and told Foley to take his "dumpy ass back to the desk to push a pencil." Jay Lethal grabbed Shelley by the throat to stop him and everyone started scuffling. Petey Williams told the Guns to get out of the locker room. AJ Styles apologized to Foley. He said, "Some of these guys, AJ..some of these guys" and walked off shaking his head.
TNA Tag Team champs Beer Money Inc. vs. The Motor City Machineguns
James Storm and Chris Sabin started out. Sabin used power early and worked a babyface style, taking down Storm with several hiptosses and armdrags. The Guns tagged in and out to control the pace. Beer Money retreated to the floor. The Guns hit stereo dives to the floor. Back in the ring, the Guns nailed the Dream Sequence.
Beer Money took control, working over Shelley. Beer Money stomped Shelley in the corner. Shelley fought his way out of the corner, but was caught with a drop toe hold by Roode. Beer Money continued their assault on Shelley. He was tossed to the floor, where Jacquelyn joined in the fun. She tossed him back into the ring, where he kicked up. Weird to have Shelley be a total jerk heel in one segment and a babyface in-ring performer in the following one.
Shelley came back with a double DDT, then made the tag to Sabin. Sabin nailed a cross body on both of Beer Money, nailed a sweeping kick on Storm, and tied them up in the corner. He and Shelley nailed a kick to each of them. Sabin went for the Cradleshock but Roode blocked in. Storm made the blind tag but Sabin kicked him. Sabin maneuvered Roode to into Storm. Roode went to the floor, where Shelley hit a dive.
Sabin hit a top rope hurancana, then a frog splash for a near fall. Sabin nailed several kicks and a twisting elbow in the corner. Sabin missed a flyinhg clothesline but cauight Roode. He nailed a backbreaker on Roode. Shelley hit a top rope senton. The Guns hit a springboard legdrop, surfboard combination for a two count, but Storm broke up the pin.
Storm tried to a spinning neckbreaker but Sabin hit a enziguiri. Roode nailed a spinebuster for a two count on Sabin. Shelley nailed Roode into the corner. They went for a powerbomb/sliced bread combination but Roode broke it up. It turned into a Tower of Doom suplex build with Roode getting the worst of it. Sabin scored a near fall. The Guns hit their stereo kick combination but Jacquelyn grabbed Sabin and pulled him off by the hair. She begged off. Sabin stopped, then slammed her. Roode went after Sabin, who rolled him up. Storm spit beer in his eyes, blinding him. Roode and Storm hit their combination powerbomb/neckbreaker for the pin.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money Inc.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash was with TNA Legends champ Booker T and Sharmell. Borash said the belt represented the class and dignity the Main Event Mafia feel they deserve. He asked what would happen if Christian Cage won the belt. Sharmell spoke for Booker saying he won't be making a comment and he knows the time for talking is done. She said that he knows what the belt means and that tonight. Christian Cage will become an official member of the Main Event Mafia.
TNA Legends champ Booker T vs. Christian Cage
Booker was announced as the "self-proclaimed Legends champion."
Scott Hall and ICP were gone from ringside. I guess they can't upstage the "stars?" Cage shoulderblocked Booker down for an early pin attempt. Cage chopped Booker and caught him with an elbow. Booker kicked up at one and left the ring. He stalled then returned to the ring. Booker caught Cage with a spinebuster. They battled to the floor. Booker took down Cage and stomped his chest, then flung him into the ringpost with a catapult.
They returned to the ring, where Booker nailed a superkick to keep Cage down. He cinched in a side chinlock. The crowd rallied behind Cage. Mike Tenay announced the January PPV will be in Charlotte, NC. TNA should really do a Mid-Atlantic Legends segment, considering how many stars live in that area. Cage was taken back down to the mat. Booker locked in a keylock but Cage fought his way to his feet.
Booker missed a kick attempt and crotched himself. Cage unloaded with chops in the corner and nailed a series of punches in the corner. Cage nailed a forearm off the ropes for a two count. Cage went for the Unprettier. Booker escaped and Cage tried for a Sharpshooter, but Booker raked his eyes. Booker nailed several knee strikes to the face. Cage caught Booker with an inverted DDT after ducking a kick. Booker kicked out at two.
Sharmell jumped up on the apron to distract Cage as he went to the top. That allowed Booker to nailed Cage and crotch him. Booker nailed a superplex off the top. Cage kicked up at two. Booker went for the Bookend but Cage escaped and pulled Booker down for a two count. Cage teased doing a spinaroonie, then tossed Booker over the ropes. They battled on the apron, where Booker caught him with an Axe Kick for a two count.
Cage used a double leg takedown to set up a Sharpshooter. Booker tried to battle to the ropes but Sharmell got on the apron. Cage let the move go, which even Don West said he shouldn't have done. She slapped Cage. Booker charged and nearly nailed Sharmell but stopped short. Cage caught him with a Bookend for a near fall. Cage went for a rollup but Booker pulled the tights and scored the pin after reversing.
Your winner, Booker T!
Booker took the mic and said he didn't want to hurt Cage, because he'd like to welcome Cage to the Main Event Mafia. He said they do things with a protocol and they have a meeting tomorrow morning at 8 AM. He told Cage he needs him there and needs him on "this team."
Backstage, Lauren was with Abyss and Matt Morgan. She asked Abyss if he was healed from his burns. Abyss said he was fine and the only thing that's been on his mind was Kurt Angle. Matt Morgan told him that if Abyss wasn't 100%, not only would Angle beat him but would hurt him. Abyss said he requested Falls Count Anywhere and they would battle to the concession stands and the bleachers. He said that when Angle opened his pull-filled wounds, he felt pain and tonight, his puss would be replaced with Kurt's blood. Matt Morgan said that it should be him out there as he walked out.
The video feature for Angle vs. Abyss mostly focused on Angle's feud with Jeff Jarrett.
Abyss vs. Kurt Angle - Falls Count Anywhere
Angle went right to the floor. Abyss motioned for him to return to the ring. I thought he wanted to brawl all over? Angle avoided an Abyss charge when he returned to the ring, then went back to the floor. Angle returned and nailed several uppercuts but was clotheslined down. Angle stepped aside to avoid an Abyss charge, then started working on Abyss' knee.
Abyss nailed Angle and hit Shock Treatment for a two count. He tossed Angle to the floor. Angle hopped the railing "trying to escape" (in a Falls Anywhere match?). Abyss followed and they brawled on the floor. Angle went up into the bleachers across from the hard cameras and they battled. Angle tried to use a fan to protect himself. That was funny. They made their way towards the entrance area as Abyss stalked behind Angle. They teased Abyss tossing Angle off the side of the bleachers to the floor below.
Angle raked Abyss' eyes. He went back to the floor but Abyss followed. They ended up in the entrance aisle. Angle grabbed a chair and nailed Abyss in the gut. He smacked the chair over Abyss' back. Angle began walking up the aisle to the stage. Abyss made his way to his feet. Angle did a running flip dive off the stage to Abyss. That was awesome and the crowd popped huge for it.
Abyss made his way to his feet and began taking it out on Kurt. They battled on the floor in front of the stage. Abyss tossed Angle facefirst into the wall of the staging area. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome." Abyss signaled for a chokeslam on the floor. He goozled Angle but Kurt lowblowed him with a kick. Angle speared Abyss and they crashed through a wall and ended up underneath the entrance stage. The crowd chanted, "TNA."
They disappeared under the stage with the cameras losing sight of them. As the announcers were explaining the situation, Angle crashed through another part of the stage behind them with Abyss in pursuit. Angle returned to the ring. Abyss began mauling him with punches but Angle dropkicked him in the knees. Angle began mauling and kicking the knees. Abyss came back and hit a running splash in the corner. Abyss nailed a sideslam for a two count.
Abyss went for Shock Treatment again but Kurt slipped through and nailed the Angle Slam for a two count. Angle retrieved a chair but when he went to swing it, Abyss punched it into his face. Abyss wedged the chair into a corner. Angle tried to attack Abyss but was lowblowed and sent head first into the chair. With his neck? He's insane. Then again, we all knew this. Abyss hit a chokeslam for a two count. I think everyone live expected that to be the finish.
Abyss set a chair on Angle's chest, but Angle moved out of the way. Angle grabbed the chair and killed Abyss with it. He put the chair on Abyss's chair and went to the top for a moonsault. He nailed it but Abyss pushed him off before a three count. Angle went for a bodyblock off the middle rope but was caught. Abyss set him up for a piledriver but Angle grabbed an anklelock. Abyss kicked him off with the free leg and nailed the Black Hole Slam for a two count.
Angle scampered from the ring and began crawling away. Abyss followed him towards the Spanish Announcer's Table. He then climbed up into the scaffolding behind it. As someone who's been in the Impact Zone, I can tell you they were heading up pretty damn high. Abyss pulled Angle down and teased sending Angle into the table. He pressed Angle above his head but Angle escaped and landed on his feet. Angle nailed a European uppercut and Abyss took the bump through the table, which exploded like it was made of cardboard. It was a sick bump since Abyss could have easily missed the table and fallen even farther if he misjudged the fall. Angle covered him for the pin.
Your winner, Kurt Angle!
Samoa Joe was backstage being interviewed by Lauren. Samoa Joe said that he's upset at himself because while Nash was his mentor, he knew that sooner or later, Nash would turn on him and come to him. He said that he was just surprised that Nash was such a petty bitch, he would do it so soon. He said Nash has stood next to a lot of people who are better than him that went on to great things because Nash can't stand to be that close to greatness. Joe said tonight wasn't about respect but about getting revenge.
Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Nash
Good luck to these guys having to follow the Falls Count Anywhere match.
They went nose to nose as soon as Joe got into the ring. They began slugging it out. Joe kept ducking Nash's shots and hitting him time and time again. Nash was reeling early, using the ropes to keep from falling over. Joe nailed a a back splash in the corner, then shoulderblocked him over. Joe began beating Nash with punches in the head and choking him. Joe chopped at Nash's back and kicked him in the chest, then dropped a knee for a two count.
Joe drilled Nash with a punch and he went to the floor. He slammed Nash's head into the announcing table. Joe tried to whip Nash into the ringpost but Nash reversed it. Joe ate the ringpost. Nash whipped him into it again. Nash grabbed a tool box from under the ring and began cutting off the turnbuckle pad in full view of the referee.
Joe ducked a chairshot and kicked Nash in the gut. Joe tossed him back into the ring but was caught with a knee. He whipped Nash into the exposed corner, then nailed him. Nash went down but when Joe advanced, Nash sent him facefirst into the turnbuckle. Nash kneed Joe in the lower back several times. Nash set up Joe over the middle rope and nailed him with his legs. Nash dropped an elbow for a two count. Joe kicked up but his back was hurt.
Nash continued to work over Joe's lower back. Joe finally came back with a forearm and a leg lariat to the face. Joe hit the back senton for a two count. Joe catches Nash with an elbow as he charged him in the corner. Joe covered Nash for a two count. Joe began nailing forearms and elbows. Nash covered up, then thumbed him in the eye.
Nash went to the floor. Joe teased a dive but Nash drilled him with a chair as he went to dive. Nash returned to the ring and covered Joe, who got his shoulder up at two. Joe began chopping away at Nash. He rebounded off the ropes but was nailed with a big boot. Nash called for the Jackknife powerbomb. He nailed it but Joe got his shoulder up. Nash looked shocked.
Nash threw Joe into the exposed corner again. Joe began bleeding. Nash nailed Joe again in the corner. Nash went for another powerbomb and nailed it. Joe kicked out again. Nash went to grab Joe but Joe locked in a cross arm breaker. Nash nailed Joe in the face to break it but began grabbing his arm. When Nash went down, he bumped the ref. Nash low lowed Joe. He covered Joe and put his legs on the ropes for the pin.
Your winner, Kevin Nash!
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champ Sting. Sting didn't even have the belt with him. Borash said that in six plus years, he's never seen AJ Styles as focused as he is tonight. He asked Sting if he regrets making the issue with Styles so personal by bringing up his father. Sting said he doesn't have any regrets and obviously struck a nerve. He said that he did it to help Styles and for his own good. Sting said that even now he wants to help Styles, but Styles keeps spitting in his face. He said that tonight, he doesn't know how he's going to do it, but he's going to kick Styles out of his house.
TNA champ Sting vs. AJ Styles
They did the big match introductions with Jeremy Borash. Earl Hebner is the referee.
They started slow with some solid back and forth counter-wrestling. Sting began nailing elbows to the face to break a hammerlock. Styles was nailed with a bulldog. Sting rebounded off the ropes but Styles drilled him with a dropkick. Sting went to the floor to slow down the pace.
When Sting returned to the ring, Styles slammed him and hit a big kneedrop. The Impact Zone was doing the dueling chants for both men. Sting pressed Styles and tossed him over the ropes to the floor. Styles clutched at his ribs. Sting whipped him into the guard rail, then pressed and dropped him over the railing.
Back in the ring, Styles cut off Sting with an over the knee backbreaker. Styles tried for a hiptoss, but Sting cinched in an abdominal stretch. Sting began nailing Styles in the ribs. I keep waiting for Sting to reach for the ropes like a heel but he doesn't. Styles finally gets out, but Sting pressed and dropped Styles over the top rope. He began shoulderblocking Styles in the corner. He went back to the abdominal stretch. Styles escaped and he and Sting began slugging it out in the center. Styles finally kicked Sting in the head. The story of the match at this point was whether Styles could overcome all the damage to recover.
Styles began cleaning house with clotheslines and hit a back suplex on Sting. Sting tried to backdrop Styles over the ropes but AJ landed on his feet and hit the springboard forearm for a two count. Styles hit a snap suplex for a two count. Sting took control and went to the top for a bodypress but Styles ducked. Styles went for the Styles Clash but Sting kicked him in the head. Styles staggered into the corner and was nailed with a pair of Stinger Splashes.
Styles fell to the mat in the corner. Sting set him up again. Styles was out on his feet and was nailed with a third splash. Sting put Styles atop the ropes and went for a superplex. Styles fought it off and hit a sunset flip powerbomb into the ring. Styles was too hurt to cover Sting at first but finally made his way over. He changed his mind and went to the top rope. Styles hit the Spiral Tap off the ropes, then signaled for another one.
Styles went to the top but Booker T and Kurt Angle came to ringside. Styles nailed them both. He went for the Pele Kick on Sting but missed and Sting rolled him up and scored the pin. Styles looked shocked.
Your winner and still TNA champ Sting!
The other members of the Main Event Mafia (sans Christian Cage and Sharmell) came to the ring and stood triumphant at the end of the night. They showed Styles, alone, sitting in the aisle distraught over his loss.
