Tag: Tna Hard To Kill

TNA Wrestling officially returns tonight with Hard to Kill from Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring five title matches. 

Alex Shelley defends the TNA World Championship against Moose in the main event. Moose is cashing in his World title shot won at Impact 1000 in a Feast or Fired match. 

Knockouts Champion Trinity will defend against Jordynne Grace as Grace cashes in her Call Your Shot title opportunity won at Bound for Glory. 

Alex Hammerstone will make his TNA debut as he faces Josh Alexander. 

X-Division Champion Chris Sabin will defend against KUSHIDA & El Hijo del Vikingo in a triple threat while ABC defends the TNT Tag Team titles against The Rascalz, Grizzled Young Veterans, and Laredo Kid & Mike Bailey in a four-way.

A new talent is also set to debut as TNA has been touting, “You won’t believe who shows up!”

The rest of the card will see a women’s Ultimate X match for a future Knockouts title show, PCO vs. Dirty Dango, and more.

Steve Maclin defeated Rich Swann

Really solid match from Swann and Maclin here, with Maclin getting the win. Maclin is likely to be setup as a major player in this TNA rebrand, and I think this was a good way to establish him.

Visually speaking, this show does look better than most Impact/TNA shows in a very long time. Swann and Maclin locked up. Swann hit a hurricanrana after running the ropes and hit a flip off the apron onto Maclin. Maclin hit a chop on Swann that dropped him to his knees and then hit a hard back elbow. After a few minutes of heat, Swann hit two kicks and then a clothesline to drop Maclin.

Maclin hit a headbutt off the top rope and then locked a Boston crab on Swann. Swann made the ropes, but Maclin stomped on him and was right back to attacking. Swann missed a phoenix splash, then hit a spear in the corner on Swann before hitting the KIA for the pin.

–Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, Deangelo Williams, Brian Myers, & Moose showed up, talking about how they were all going to win their matches tonight, with the group calling themselves The System. It seems we have a new stable in TNA Wrestling.

–AJ Francis and DJ WhooKid came out, and the fans booed Francis like crazy. To his credit, he cut a heel promo saying that he made his first million dollars before he was 25, and that they were about to debut their new single. The video started and the fans were booing, and suddenly Joe Hendry’s face appeared along with his theme music.

Joe Hendry came out to a great pop from the crowd, as the fans in Las Vegas clearly believe in Joe Hendry. Hendry welcomed Francis to TNA, and said he was happy Francis could share his music video, and that Hendry had a passion for making music videos as well, as he made one for AJ Francis.

It was titled the AJ Francis Story, and Hendry mocked him relentelessly, as the fans clapped along, claiming Francis was the Cheez-it champion. I loved this. Hendry was then holding and eating some Cheez-its, which he overed to Francis. DJ WhooKid smacked Hendry with his laptop and Francis hit a massive chokeslam on Hendry. I actually liked this segment.

The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) (w/ Alisha Edwards) defeated Frankie Kazarian & Eric Young

The proof that this is not the old TNA is that The System would have lost here, and were already teasing a breakup like many stables did in Russo’s TNA. The System should have won here if you wanted to establish them as a serious stable, and they did.

I have never heard a theme song that did not match Edwards or Myers more than the rap song they came out to, but this is an interesting heel group, nonetheless. Young and Myers started the match, and as Young tagged out to Kazarian after biting the fingers of Myers, Myers rushed back to his corner and tagged out to Edwards. Edwards and Kazarian resumed their war from last year, hitting a lariat.

Kazarian landed on his head, but as softly as you probably could thanks to Edwards holding onto him, as Kazarian hit his hurricanrana over the ropes. Edwards and Myers isolated Young and started to work him over. Edwards hit some hard chops to Young before going for the Backpack Stunner, but Young fought out and hit a crossbody that sent both men to the mat.

Kazarian hit a slingshot cutter, but as Young was on the outside, it left Kazarian alone, and Edwards hit the Backpack Stunner while Myers hit a flying elbow drop or a 2-count. Young pulled Edwards from the ring, allowing Kazarian to hit an Unprettier on Myers, and Young hit a flying elbow of his own for a 2-count. Edwards came back in and tossed Young, and Myers hit a Roster Cut while Edwards hit a Boston Knee Party for the win.

Crazzy Steve defeated Tommy Dreamer to become the TNA Digital Media Champion in a No DQ Match

I like Crazzy Steve. This match was not good. The finish was merely fine. The bag of forks did not get the reaction that thumbtacks normally would, for example. Either way, we do not need to see Dreamer in the ring anymore.

Steve tried to avoid Dreamer early on, and Steve necked him on the ropes, but Dreamer knocked him off the apron and hit a suplex on the floor before throwing some chairs into the ring. Dreamer choked Steve with a TNA towel before getting in the ring, but Steve dropkicked him as he was on the apron. Steve hit Dreamer with a chair, licked the chair, and then hit Dreamer again.

The fans were cheering for Steve a lot in this. Steve setup a chair, but Dreamer sat him in it and hit a crossbody that knocked Steve and the chair backwards for a two count. Steve ended up hitting a drop toe hold onto Dreamer, who crashed face first into the back of the chair. Steve did a neck crank on Dreamer before pulling out his fork.

Dreamer fought him off and went for a bionic elbow, and I think Steve yelled something about the fork as Dreamer hit the elbow. Or some such similar word. Can’t imagine what it was. Steve, however, hit a cutter with a chair around Dreamer’s head and setup a garbage can in the corner. Dreamer hit a cutter of his own and then hit a suplex with a kendo stick for a two count. Dreamer took a handful of the garbage from the can and shoved it in Steve’s face, but Steve went to the eyes of streamer and sent him face first into the garbage can.

Steve pulled tape and a black bag from under the ring, taped Dreamer’s hands together, Steve pulled forks out of the bag and stuffed them down Dreamer’s shirt, and poured more on him before hitting a cannonball into the Dreamer. Steve hit Belladonna’s Kiss for the win.

TNA Hard to Kill Main Card

Eric Young cut a promo after the intro video played about how TNA was back and it was Hard to Kill, and the whole roster was on the ramp excitedly awaiting the start of the show.

Gisele Shaw defeated Tasha Steelz, Alisha Edwards, Xia Brookside, Jody Threat, & Dani Luna in an Ultimate X Match

A good Ultimate X match here, as Shaw becomes the #1 Contender to the Knockout’s Championship. It will be interesting to see if Shaw actually wins the title this time around.

Brookside took out Steelz and Edwards early, but ate a kick from Shaw. Shaw hit some hard elbows in the corner and then a flying elbow on Brookside. Threat came in and tried to hit a German suplex, but Shaw fought out. Threat hit a lariat instead and then hit a German suplex on Edwards. Luna hit a fallaway slam on Threat followed by an exploder suplex on Threat and then Shaw.

Brookside hit a crossbody off the top rope onto Shaw and Luna, and Jody Threat climbed to the top ropes and hit a flip dive off the top rope onto Shaw, Luna, and Brookside. Edwards climbed onto the back of Threat as threat climbed the corner post, and Threat knocked Edwards off onto Shaw, Luna, and Brookside. Steelz then hit a cutter on Threat to the floor onto Shaw and Luna.

Luna powerbombed Steelz, Threat, and Edwards off the top rope, and as Luna hit a powerbomb on Shaw, Brookside made an attempt to get the X, but Luna pulled Brookside off and hit a powerbomb. Threat and Luna started brawling with hard forearms, and Steelz tried to get involved, so Luna hit a suplex on both of them at the same time.

Edwards tried to get the X, but Luna went for a powerbomb again. Edwards turned that into a DDT and grabbed a kendo stick from the floor, hitting everyone with it. Brookside hit a lung blower on Edwards, and then everyone started exchanging big moves. Threat hit a F-401 on Edwards and Brookside at the same time.

Steelz tried to climb the ropes, but Luna cut Steelz off. Threat started climbing the ropes, but Shaw ran up the back of Luna and hit a spear that sent Threat crashing to the mat. Luna, Steelz, and Shaw all went for the cables at once, meeting in the middle, but Luna and Steelz fell to the mat and Gisele Shaw was able to grab the X and become the #1 contender to the Knockout’s Championship.

–A recap aired of the AJ Francis/Hendry angle with Francis chokeslamming Hendry like he weighed nothing.

PCO defeated Dirty Dango (w/ Alpha Bravo & Oleg Prudius) via DQ

PCO dumped Dango to the floor and hit cannonball through the middle rope on Dango, crushing him. PCO went to the top rope to hit the PCOsault, but Bravo came in and cut PCO off as he jumped, and PCO crashed to the mat. PCO landed hard, and it look liked he landed on his head. Rhino came out to save PCO from further damage.

Santino came out and changed this to a six man tag.

PCO, Rhino, & Jake Something defeated Dango, Alpha Bravo, & Oleg Prudius

This was not a good match by any stretch in terms of smooth or technical wrestling, but it was very entertaining.

As Something and Rhino sent Dango’s crew to the floor, PCO went up the ropes and hit a PCOsault off the ropes to the floor, because why not? PCO was somehow still alive after that ugly bump, only to take another crazy one to the floor with the moonsault, and then another crazy one with a flip dive off the ropes onto Dango, who was draped over the apron.

Rhino tagged in and went for the Gore, but Prudius hit a clothesline on Rhino allowing Dango to tag out to Bravo. Dango went for a knee drop, but Rhino moved, and Jake Something came in and ran over Dango with a Vader press. Something went for a Black Hole Slam, but Dango ran and tagged out to Bravo who was immediacy killed by PCO, who hit a guillotine leg drog no Barvo.

Rhino and Prudius faced off, and I was reminded quickly that Vladimir Kozlov was not good in the ring, and has not improved as Rhino called for a Gore on him. Dango dodged a Gore and Bravo ate it instead, but Something powerbombed Dango on Bravo. PCO them climbed the ropes and hit a PCOsault on Bravo for the win.

–A woman was seen arriving at the arena, but we did not see who it was.

–MK Ultra’s music hit as a surprise Knockouts Tag Team Championship match.

The Decay (Havok & Rosemary) defeated MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) to become the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions

I am not sure that taking the titles of MK Ultra was the best idea, but the fans er really into this, and the match was fun.

Havok and Rosemary immediately attacked Slamovich, and they dominated in the early portions of the match, hitting strikes and suplexes. Kelly grabbed the feet of Rosemary, allowing Slamovich to hit a double jump foot stomp on Rosemary for a 2-count. Slamovich hit a PK on Rosemary for another near fall and tagged out to Killer Kelly.

Kelly hit a PK as well before hitting some forearms and a suplex on Rosemary. Rosemary did her sit up spot on Kelly, causing Kelly to fall backwards. Havok and Slamovich tagged in and Havok hit Slamovich with a headbutt and then went for a double chokeslam but MK Ultra fought out. Havok then hit a suplex on both of them at the same time. Rush and Havok showed a lot of intensity in this one, and it worked as the fans got into what they were doing.

Slamovich hit the Snow plough on Havok, but Havok kicked out at one and then hit a double chokeslam on MK Ultra. Havok hit a chokebomb with an assist from Rosemary for the win.

–TNA announced a partnership with Huddle for Health and the NFL Alumni Health.

–Steve Maclin was backstage with Gia Miller and he said he was staking his ground with the first win in this version of TNA

–Scott D’Amore came out to the stage to a nice reaction from the audience, along with Lucha Libre AAA CEO Dorian Roldan Pena. Highlights from TNA and AAA aired, highlighting Psycho Clown a few times. Pena talked about wanting to bring more lucha libre to America with TNA, and it was going to change the landscape of wrestling. D’Amore and Pena both signed a partnership contract on the stage.

TNA X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated KUSHIDA & El Hijo del Vikingo to retain

This match ruled, and it should be no shocker that Chris Sabin was in it. Sabin continuing to prove he is still one of the best wrestlers in the world today, while also giving plenty to KUSHIDA and Vikingo to shine.

All three wrestlers had a standoff after an exchange. KUSHIDA hit a flip dive off the apron onto Sabin and immediately went for a Hoverboard Lock on Vikingo, but he fought out. KUSHIDA attacked the arm of Vikingo, but he fought out, hitting a superkick on Sabin, and then a springboard hurricanrana on Sabin. Vikingo hit a spin kick on KUSHIDA and hit an imploding hurricanrana off the top rope on KUSHIDA.

Sabin broke up a submission, hitting German suplexes on Vikingo and KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA went for a handspring, but Sabin hit a dropkick to the face of KUSHIDA. Sabin put an STF on Vikingo but KUSHIDA did a cartwheel into a dropkick. Sabin tied up the leg of KUSHIDA in Vikingo’s knocked him backwards a few times. KUSHIDA then hit a suplex on Sabin while tying up the arms of Vikingo.

KUSHIDA hit a monkey flip on Vikingo, who hit a hurricanrana on Sabin. Vikingo hit a moonsault press off the top rope onto KUSHIDA and Sabin. Vikingo hit a missile dropkick on Sabin, while KUSHIDA hit a seated senton, and then Sabin hit a crossbody onto KUSHIDA and all 3 men went down after clotheslines.

Vikingo hit a torture rack into a knee on Sabin and then a springboard 450 splash to the ramp on Sabin. KUSHIDA cut off Vikingo as he tried to hit a 630 splash. Sabin hit a Canadian Destroyer on the ramp on Vikingo and the crowd have the biggest pop of the night thus far. Sabin then hit a German suplex off the top rope on KUSHIDA before hitting the Cradle Shock for the win.

Josh Alexander defeated Alex Hammerstone

This match was fantastic, and a main event level Josh Alexander match. Hammerstone was impressive and got himself over too. I hope we will see more of Hammerstone in TNA, and Alexander continues to be one of the best in the world.

Hammerstone, while not from there, spent a lot of his early career working in Las Vegas, so he had a bit of a home team advantage with the audience here. The fans were also very much so into Josh Alexander and they got dueling chants as the bell rang. Alexander very quickly tried to get an ankle lock, but Hammerstone sent Alexander to the floor and hit a tope on Alexander to the floor.

Alexander immediately went after the knee of Hammerstone, and worked it over for the next few minutes. Every flurry of offence from Hammerstone was stopped by attacking the knee. Alexander got hit with a giant belly-to-belly suplex on Alexander, but he missed a pump kick and got his leg caught on the top rope. Alexander kicked the leg again, and then hit a powerslam on the Apron on Hammerstone.

Alexander then hit a knee drop to the back of Hammerstone’s head for a 2-count before transitioning to an ankle lock. Hammerstone fought out and hit some hard clotheslines. He tweaked his knee going over Alexander, but still maintained his advantage. Hammerstone with for a pump kick again, but Alexander rolled it into an ankle lock again. Hammerstone fought out and fought off the C4 Spike, hitting the Nightmare Pendulum, but his knee prevented him from getting the cover as Alexander slowly rolled to the apron to escape. I liked hat spot a lot.

Hammerstone however managed to hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron on Alexander. He then hit a missile dropkick and a TKO for a pinfall that Alexander barely kicked out of. Hammerstone tried to pick up Alexander again, but Alexander tried to pick the ankle. Hammerstone blocked it, and Alexander hit a series of forearms, but Hammerstone just ate one of them and hit a powerbomb. Alexander hit a German suplex and hit the C4 Spike to final get the win.

TNA World Tag Team Champions ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) defeated The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zacaery Wentz), Mike Bailey & Laredo Kid, and The Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zack Gibson) to retain

This was a fantastic tag team title match, and the kind of match we come to expect historically from TNA with fast paced action, high impact moves, and great athleticism. Great stuff.

Miguel and Austin started the match, but Gibson came in soon thereafter and they were very quickly starting to work over Austin. Austin hit a drop toe hold and a kick to Drake and tagged out to Bey, and they hit a double dropkick on Drake. Miguel tagged in and Wentz and Miguel hit a series of moves ending with Wentz hitting a standing shooting star press on Bey.

It broke down and all 8-men were facing off and the referee tried to get them all out of the ring, as the fans chanted “Let them fight!” I suspect – this will payoff later with all 8 wrestlers brawling. Mike Bailey hit a series of kicks on Gibson before trying to tag out to Kid, but Gibson held him, and GYV hit some fast paced double team moves on Bailey before working him over with hard strikes.

Drake hit a hard forearm that dropped Bailey, and they locked him up with a bulldog choke that Bailey attempted to fight out, but Drake got to close to Wentz, who tagged himself in. Drake was not happy, so Wentz hit a German suplex, and then Bailey hit a missile dropkick on Wentz before tagging out to Laredo Kid. Kid hit a tilt-a-whirl into a DDT on Drake and then hit a Michinoku Driver on Wentz off the middle ropes for a 2-count.

Miguel hit a superkick on Kid that sent him backwards into ABC, who tagged in. Ace Austin hit a great superkick on Wentz and slipped on the ropes for a double team with Bey, but he recovered well. Bey took Miguel’s head off with a clothesline, and Bailey and Laredo Kid hit a series of kicks on Wentz. GYV came in and covered Wentz while throwing Bailey and Kid out of the ring.

GYV hit a Doomsday Device, but Bailey came in and made the save. Kid hit a missile dropkick on GYV and kicked up before tagging out to Bailey. Bailey hit a triangle moonsault to the floor onto ABC, and Drake cut off Kid who was on the ropes. Bailey ran up the ropes and hit a poison rana on Drake before hiting Ultima Weapon but The Rascalz broke it up. The Rascalz hit a double superkick on Bailey, and Migel hit a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor on Kid. Wentz hit a giant UFO Cutter on Bailey.

The Rascalz nearly got a pinfall on Drake, but Austin broke it up. ABC and the Rascalz exchanged strikes, but as the Rascalz went for a handspring, they hit dropkicks and hit the 1-2-Sweet on The Rascalz to retain their titles.

Jordynne Grace defeated Trinity to win the TNA Knockouts title

This was the best match of Trinity’s career, and Jordynne Grace looked absolutely fantastic as well. Excellent match that ended with Grace winning, and then hugging Trinity as they transitioned to a hype video for Moose and Alex Shelley.

Trinity ducked under a clothesline by Grace by sliding in her knees, then hitting a series of kicks to Grace. Trinity went for a Tiger Feint Kick, but Grace caught her and hit a back suplex for a 2-count. Grace hit some hard chops in the corner. Grace went for the Juggernaut Driver, but Trinity scrambled to the ropes to escape. Trinity his a crossbody on Grace and then a head scissors spike into the mat on Grace for a near fall.

Grace powered up and hit a powerbomb and a hard knee lift on Trinity before doing an Alley Oop. Grace hit a clothesline and a tope suicida to Trinity on the floor. Grace picked Trinity up immediately and hit a Jackhammer on the floor. That looked brutal. Grace went for another powerbomb, this time on the floor, and Trinity hit a back body drop to escape.

Grace begged Trinity to kick her harder, and a strike exchange began, ending with Trinity hitting an enziguri to drop Grace. Trinity hit a split legged moonsault on Grace for a 2-count. Grace fought out of a full nelson bomb and put on a full nelson that seemed to crush Trinity. Trinity made this look good and desperately dragged herself to the ropes to escape. The fans started to boo Grace as Grace kicked Trinity after the rope break.

Grace went for a superplex, but Trinity blocked it and hit a headbutt that sent Grace to the mat. Grace hit a strike and then a muscle buster on Trinity for a 2-count. Trinity turned a pinfall attempt around into Starstruck, but Grace fought out and Trinity hit a Rear View for a 2-count. Trinity hit a kick on the apron, and Trinity hit a heatseaker on the apron on Grace for another near fall. Trinity hit a flying knee and locked on Starstruck again, but Grace stood up in the move and transitioned into a deadlift German suplex before hitting a spinning backfist and a Juggernaut Driver for the pinfall.

Moose defeated Alex Shelley to win the TNA World title

This match was fantastic. Shelley was out of this world in this match with how he worked, and Moose’s selling of his arm was phenomenal. Moose and Shelley put on a great main event.

Shelley offered a handshake to Moose that Moose refused, and Shelley immediately went to work trying to tear down Moose working over his arm and dragging him to the mat. Moose responded by jumping into the air as soon as Shelley hit the ropes, nearly jumping over Shelley’s head, and hitting a dropkick. Moose used his size to overpower Shelley on the floor, driving him backwards into the apron.

Moose slammed Shelley on the floor while selling his arm that Shelley has been working over. Shelley, however, was able to hit an arm screw on the ropes on Moose as he was coming back into the ring. Shelley returned to working over the arm, stomping him and then hitting a dropkick to the knee and a kick to Moose’s head. Moose kicked out at one, and Shelley immediately grabbed his arm and went back to an armbar.

Shelley decided to use the Hoverboard Lock on Moose, but Moose powered up and hit a snake eyes in the corner on Shelley. Moose started beating on Shelley with powerful strikes. Moose hit a giant uranage on Shelley, but got a 2-count. Moose was selling his arm all throughout this, using his right arm primarily.

Moose hit a hard chop on Shelley, and Shelley begged for more, getting the crowd behind him. Shelley blocked the chop and then hit the left arm again. Moose hit a pump kick and went for a powerbomb, but Shelley turned it into a DDT that spiked Moose. Shelley hit a shotgun dropkick no Moose and a hard running forearm in the corner. Shelley blocked a vertical suplex and sent Moose to the floor, hitting a baseball slide and went for a tope, but Moose moved.

Shelley went for Sliced Bread #2 but Moose caught him and charged the ring post. Shelley slipped out, shoved Moose into the ring post, and hit Shell Shock on the floor. Moose beat the 10-count and Shelley went immediately into a cover for a near fall. Shelley kicked the injured arm of Moose and then hit a flatliner into the corner. Shelley hit a forearm and almost got a pin with a crucifix, but he transitioned into a Border City Stretch. Moose powered out and hit a powerbomb for a 2-count.

The size of Moose kept Shelley from locking in the submission, and Moose went for a spear, but Shelley moved, and Moose crashed into the turnbuckle with his injured arm. Shelley hit two hard lariats, but Moose went for a uranage on the third. Shelley turned it into a lucha style takedown and hit a Sliced Bread #2 for a two count.

The System came down to ringside, but KUSHIDA and Sabin came out and stopped Myers and Edwards from interfering. Unfortunately, Deangelo Williams distract Shelley, allowing Moose to hit a forearm. Moose went for a clothesline, but Shelley low bridged him and sent him to the ramp. After Moose tried to powerbomb Shelley on the ramp, Shelley countered, driving Moose’s arm into the ramp, causing further damage.

Shelley and Moose started exchanging chops in the middle of the ring and Shelley’s selling here was out of this world. Moose continued to use his right arm only, and sell as well, but still maintained that he was the monster. Shelley hit some Kawada kicks, but Moose caught one and hit a massive headbutt. Shelley hit a forearm so hard that Moose did a flip after hitting the ropes. That segment was so awesome. Shelley hit a superkick to Moose and went for the Shell Shock but Moose kept countering and hit the spear for the win.

–As Moose and The System was celebrating, Nic Nemeth’s name came on the screen, and he came in through the crowd, hit a superkick on Moose, and then hit a Zig Zag as the fans went nuts cheering and chanting TNA. Nemeth looked very motivated and on fire here, and the crowd gave it back to him just as much with how loudly they were cheering. Nemeth ripped his shirt off and had a TNA Wrestling shirt underneath as the show went off the air.

Final Thoughts

If TNA wanted to make an impact, pardon the pun, this show definitely had the energy that proved it. While Nic Nemeth is not the world shaking signing as promised, he is still a great signing for the company, and his presence there was the perfect way to close the show, as it showed people wanting to come to TNA again for work. This was an excellent PPV, and worth your time. This is not Vince Russo’s, Dixie Carter’s, or Eric Bischoff’s TNA. Tonight showed that, and it was a delight to watch.