Pro Wrestling Chronicle

This is the big show TNA has been promoting since the tapings two weeks ago. I’m sure they were expecting or hoping to do a big number (relatively) but with this week’s events that might not be happening. Let’s see how it plays out.

-We start the show off with a video package that promotes the upcoming title match.

Introductions now start with Rhyno, Christian Cage, and then Kurt Angle coming out.

Before introductions from Jeremy Borash they bring out Samoa Joe since the winner of this match will be his partner at Victory Road. Joe comes out and him and Angle start brawling which leads into the crowd. A group of wrestlers came out to build a wall between Joe and Angle. Cornette then came out and told them to escort Joe from the building.

- Back to the ring and the match begins. Triple threat matches are tricky. Some can be really good, and some can be really bad depending on how they are laid out. This one is laying out the formula of one guy thrown out while the other two battle.

Christian is dumped so Angle and Rhyno can exchange some stiff shots and moves. Kurt begins working on Rhyno’s leg but then Christian omes back in and throws Angle to the post. He then continues the abuse on Rhyno’s leg.

Angle is back in and he goes for the pin. Right before the 3 count Christian hits the frog splash and gets a two count as we head to break.

- Back from the break and Rhyno is now in control. Angle makes his comeback and locks in the anklelock on Christian. Rhyno sneaks in for a roll-up and gets a two count. Angle comes back then and locks the anklelock in on both Rhyno and Christian. They roll forward and break the hold. Double clothesline spot by Angle and all three men are down as the ref issues the count.

Angle hits Rhyno with the German Suplex then charges up the ropes to hit Christian with the German. He covers and gets a 2 count. Rhyno and Angle then bump heads and Christian gets the Unprettier on Angle for a 2 count.

Rhyno comes off the top rope with a clothesline on Angle and that gets a 2 count. He then locks Angle in the Boston Crab. He breaks the hold to cut off Christian. Rhyno charges with teh Gore but Angle counters with a kick to the head. Olympic Slam gets a 2 count while Christian grabs a table from under the ring. Apparently I missed the announcement this is a NO DQ match.

Rhyno cuts off Christian and bounces his head off the table. The table gets set up in the corner. Cage goes to throw Rhyno into the table but Abyss omes down to ringside which causes Christian to bail and retreat to the back. Abyss gives chase, they say they will follow them with a camera as we go to break again.

- In the back Abyss is throwing Christian into every object located in the backstage area. Meanwhile in the ring Angle hits a belly-to-back suplex for another 2 count. We head out back again as Abyss is getting ready to crush Christian with a dumpster. Cage moves and then Tomko and Styles come out to jump Abyss. He tries to fight back but the heels overwhelm him.

- Back from the break again and Angle pounds away at Rhyno in the corner. Rhyno counters back and then Gores Angle through the table. Kurt is dazed as the ref checks on him in the corner. Christian comes back to the ring and covers but onyl gets a 2 as Chris Harris pulls him from the ring. He throws Christian around ringside and then drops him throat first across the railing. Tomko and Styles then come down and beat up on Harris. IN the ring Rhyno covers for a 2 count.

Abyss comes back to ringside and he begins brawling with Tomko and Styles. The three heels take control but Abyss and Harris do their best to fight back. Sting comes out from the back to even up the sides. Rhyno and Angle try to recoup from the Gore as we go to break.

- The 6 men outside the ring brawl throughout the arena. Tomko has a nasty cut on his forehead.

Back in the ring Angle applies the sleeper to Rhyno while the camera focuses on Tomko and Abyss fighting in the stands behind the broadcast booth. Back to the ring and Rhyno is starting to wear out from being in the sleeperhold. Rhyno’s arm drops twice but he catches it on the thrid attempt. Rhyno gets out and both are down. He crawls for the cover and gets a 2 count.

They both get to their feet. Rhyno whips Angle into the buckle but gets caught with an elbow. Angle catches Rhyno up top and hits a belly to belly off the top rope. Angle charges but Rhyno counters with the Spinebuster for a 2 count.

Angle beats Rhyno to the punch and locks in the Anklelock. Center of the ring and Rhyno is trying to get out. He rolls onto his back and kciks out. Rhyno sets up for the Gore but James Storm comes out and spits beer in his face. Rhyno is blinded and Angle hits the Olympic Slam for the 3 count. That means it is Angle and Joe teaming together at Victory Road.

- Video recap to end the show and it is announced that next week it will be Team 3D vs LAX vs Styles/Daniels to determine the tag team champions at the pay per view.

WHEW!! That was certainly a different type of show for Impact. They promoted an Eric Young match and an X Division match at the top fo the show and then towards the end of the match said due to the length they were going to be canceled.

First the negatives- there was a lot going on during this match. It’s good they found a way to work a bunch of issues into this match but it made everything seem less special.

Also the lack of focusing on Angle-Rhyno in the ring once they got going again is bad.

However, this was a great epsiode of Impact all around. They did the right thing by promoting other matches. I love how Christian has basically become the catalyst in the company and all the faces are coming after him. I love the group dynamic of Tomko, Styles, Christian. PLus- most importantly- the in-ring work was enjoyable throughout. People will bitch about the interference but it kind of made sense during this match.

Find yourself a copy of this show and watch it- might be the best Impact you’ll ever see. And in my last thought I’ll tie it into this week- more than the ECW show this had healing power