83 Weeks - No Surrender 2011 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Welcome back to 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff. Today Eric we’re going to be taking a break from WCW of 1996 and take a look back 10 years to TNA’s No Surrender 2011.

There is a lot going on in TNA around this time. You’re coming off Hardcore Justice which saw Kurt Angle win the TNA Title over Sting, Winter wins the Knockouts title from Mickie James, Fortune and Immortal are continuing their feud, the Network angle with Sting and you and Hogan is continuing.

Also on that show the Bound for Glory series starts to take shape. On the June 16th Impact episode a twelve-man tournament is announced to determine the #1 contender for the TNA World Title at Bound for Glory. It is a round robin tournament where matches were taking place on pay-per-view, television and house shows. The top four point getters are to face off at No Surrender.

The twelve wrestlers were D’Angelo Dinero (the Pope), Matt Morgan, Devon, Crimson, Samoa Joe, Scott Steiner, AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, James Storm, Gunner, Bully Ray & Bobby Roode. Morgan got hurt in the tournament and had to pull out while some people...like Crimson, Samoa Joe & Scott Steiner only had 10 matches while Gunner had 20. How hard is booking something like this and was it a success in your mind?

Who’s idea was this?

The Amazing Red was announced was being no longer with the company when creative had told him they had no ideas for him. He was re-introduced two weeks prior as Sangriento. What was the issue with Red? Amazing high flyer but was there just not enough to do with him?

There’s lots of rumor and innuendo surrounding the Hardys at the time. There’s talk that there are those in TNA trying to get them into rehab and they’re refusing so that’s why they’re not being used. Do you remember that being what was going on?

The Young Bucks … I’m sorry Generation Me … leave TNA and say in an interview, “there was a number of reasons, the main being they weren’t being used as much as they liked and their contract was on a per-date basis. They weren’t used for a month so they were sitting around making no money. Matt’s wife was pregnant and Nick just bought a house. They noted about being frustrated with how they were used. They said they had no problems being split up and feuding, and were told it was building to a cage match and Lockdown, but then the angle was just dropped cold. They said it was a bad sign when the agents for the company, when asked, had no idea if they were supposed to be heels or faces. They said they would rather go on the indie scene where they could control their bookings, work the dates they want and know how many dates they were working per month, so they could budget their money better.”

Was this just a miss on TNA’s part or were they just not ready to be at the level they are now? Do you blame them for leaving?

Tony Nese … recently released by WWE from 205 Live/NXT in 2021 … is signed. Who recommends Tony and what did someone see in him?

At the Impact tapings off Hardcore Justice Immortal kicks out Mr. Anderson. So his heel turn lasted about 3-4 weeks. Is this just creative not knowing what to do with Anderson?

Kurt Angle cuts a promo on Sting explaining that he had to use a steel chair to get the title away from Sting because he doesn’t want Dixie Carter back. So if I’m getting this right the creative is that Sting … as World Heavyweight Champion … could bring Dixie Carter back if he wanted to but if Angle was champion he can’t do that. How does that make any sense?

From the Observer regarding the 8/11 Impact: “All the X Division guys went into Bischoff’s office. The way they portray the X guys now is like they are a bunch of ninth graders who really don’t belong. Bischoff’s new thing is to now keep them separate, which is probably the best for all concerned so their size isn’t exposed as much. Bischoff was mad he had to keep them around but said the network ordered it after the success of Destination X. Bischoff said he was keeping the division and putting a 225 pound weight limit. I guess that old slogan, “No weight limits, no limits” is out the window. He then yelled at Abyss who by losing the title caused all this and now he said Abyss couldn’t be wrestling the guys. Bischoff announced a gauntlet next week to determine the top contender. Austin Aries then cozy’d up to Bischoff saying he agreed with Bischoff about the rest of the guys.”

Why the change to putting a weight limit on the X division?

Crimson gets attacked by Kurt Angle after a win on Impact which looks like it’s to setup these two. Who was behind the big push of Crimson and was the plan to end his undefeated streak against Kurt?

To open the 8/19 show on Impact … well I’ll just let Meltzer recap it:

“The show opened with Sting coming to the ring holding a chair. I guess it’s the chair Angle hit him with at the PPV. Sting fell down the ramp and started selling like he was hit with a chair, saying that was proof he had lost his mind because he was reenacting the PPV and that everything was a blur. Then he talked about how great it was to see the fire back in Hogan’s eyes and how he and the fans can’t wait for Hogan, who Sting called the greatest wrestler of all-time, to come back and wrestle. Sting challenged Hogan to wrestle him tonight. Then Flair’s music played. He asked Sting how he could call Hogan the greatest wrestler of all-time. Flair put over Sting, saying he was one of the biggest stars in the history of the business and said Sting was a real icon in wrestling. Flair said he’s ready to become the greatest wrestler one more time and wants a match with Sting (trivia note, the two have not had a singles match since the final episode of Nitro on March 26, 2001). Flair said the reason he doesn’t wrestle often is because Dixie Carter doesn’t pay him enough. Okay, isn’t the storyline that she’s not around and Hogan and Bischoff are running things. And when people watching think they are seeing a second rate company, one of the biggest stars in the company shouldn’t be telling the fans who believe it anyway that they are correct. Flair said he wants a match where if Sting loses, he has to retire. Wow, another stip people can believe in. If Sting beats him, then Sting gets a match with Hogan. Flair talks about how again, if he wins, Sting has to go back home to California (although nobody will remember this, they did do a segment some time back where they acknowledged Sting lives in Dallas). Sting then accepted the challenge, so it looks like Sting beats Flair at No Surrender to set up Sting vs. Hogan at Bound for Glory. Wow, just like 1994, when Flair beat Sting to set up Flair vs. Hogan.”

This is all types of messy here Eric. Do you think this is Meltzer being overly critical or do you think this all made sense?

Is there anyone doing quality control regarding the creative? I’m not asking this to be a smart ass but it’s a legit serious question. There’s so much going on in creative between various TV shows that sometimes the focus gets lost and things get forgot. I know Meltzer remembers every little storyline twist and turn obviously but so do a lot of viewers. Is it important to have someone being a QC?

From that same show and the Observer: “Traci Brooks came back wearing a schoolgirl halter top and bending over with her implants in Bischoff’s face asking for her job back as Knockout Law. She was explaining what her old job was, which was booking the women, taking care of their problems, sometimes refereeing while Bischoff’s blood was rushing from his brain. Didn’t we establish she was Kazarian’s wife a few months back on this very show?”

I mean...she was...but how did it feel shooting this segment with Traci?

Jerry Lynn interferes in a BFG series match and gets RVD disqualified in a match against AJ Styles. Who was pushing to run Jerry & RVD back again?

Mexican America defeat Beer Money to win the TNA Tag Team Titles on an Impact taping with help from the “Mexican Heavyweight Champion” Jeff Jarrett. Explain it all to me Eric. Why did you never use the initials AAA when describing the Mexican Heavyweight Champion. I mean Konnan in WCW was called that and now Jeff here. You’re the common denominator for this. What say you?

The WWE has some talent on the move between releases and quitting. Melina, Chris Masters, Vladimir Kozlov and Harry Smith are released while Gail Kim quits. Any of this talent land on your radar to bring into TNA?

FOX makes an agreement for all of the UFC television properties to make its way off of Spike TV to its properties. Eric when this news comes out what are your first thoughts on it?

Was this good or bad news in your mind for TNA?

There’s talk that Sting and Kurt Angle headlining Hardcore Justice drew 7,500 buys. In 2010 it was 20,000 buys. What do you think the drop off can be attributed to?

This is in a follow-up from that pay-per-view from Meltzer: “Apparently at the last PPV, when Hogan found out what the finish was for Sting vs. Angle, he blew his stack and cut a promo on Russo saying that he didn’t know anything about wrestling because he was never a wrestler. As if you were a wrestler it makes you immune from not getting how to book wrestling . And if you weren’t, it immediately drains your IQ to where you think the only guy in wrestling who makes sense and knows what they’re talking about is Ultimate Warrior. Well, given that most who watched the show had the same reaction as Hogan, groaning over the finish, it has nothing to do with being a wrestler. But at TV, they were back to at least giving the idea whatever heat was gone.”

Do you remember Hogan being hot about the finish and do you agree with that sentiment? If you haven’t been a wrestler you don’t know anything about wrestling?

From the Observer, “There were a few front office cuts last week. Steven Godfrey, who had been the director of public relations for years. Also let go was Al Ovedia, the Vice President of Marketing. Given how well the company’s marketing efforts have been, he was let go. Also let go was Brian Wittenstein, who was described to me as a hard worker but someone who had a mouth on him and eventually that caught up with him.”

Eric, what do you know about these people?

---I’m not sure if you want to include Wittenstein in this because of the lawsuit and Eric’s legal issues with TNA and Wittenstein’s role in AEW now. So let me know?

Also from the Observer, “Jimmy Yang twittered this week again about not being paid for his TV appearance last month. “7 weeks and still no check. Somebody called me and said I was being unprofessional. Not paying someone for a job is unprofessional.””

How often did you hear about people not getting paid by TNA and why did it happen so often?

There are plans for TNA to go back on the road ...to Huntsville, Alabama for TV tapings. Why Huntsville?

AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels are setup for a one-on-one match on Impact and if Daniels loses he’ll retire. We know that didn’t happen but was AJ vs. Daniels always a fail safe for good wrestling on TV for the company?

Crimson and Kurt Angle main event an Impact which sees Crimson get the win by DQ after interference by Samoa Joe. How was Kurt to deal with against Crimson here? Any issues?

The word is the numbers in the UK for TV were improving at a rapid pace. Why do you think the UK TV numbers were increasing?

There are numerous segments on TV of Eric Young looking for Scott Baio. Where does this come from?

The blow off of this from the Observer … “The Eric Young/Scott Baio segment was next. For all the build, this was nothing. Baio was golfing. Young had to hop the fence. Young approached him and wanted a match and Baio held up his golf club like it was a weapon. Young then took off his shirt and Baio insulted him. For some reason, Baio was running and Young was running. The next thing you know, Young was in a tree jumping off for a crossbody on Baio and Young counted the three for the pin. Then Young ran out celebrating in his underwear.”

How much did Scott Baio get paid for this?

Ric Flair misses the Huntsville show due to what is called a miscommunication in dates. Were there issues with Ric at the time?

From the Observer … “Hogan did an appearance billed as his talk show for fans but it ended up being a pitch to get in on a multi-level marketing business on 8/26 in Greensboro. The event drew about 300 people at $10 a head (there were some who paid $100 for VIP treatment) with Hogan & Bischoff pitching Body By Vi, a company that does protein powder and doing a contest to get in shape to get in on the ground floor as salespeople. Bischoff was said to have done a great job as the M.C. Bischoff talked about the days of regional television and said it was that way until Vince McMahon put wrestling on cable, which anyone who followed wrestling would know the first true national show was Georgia Championship Wrestling, which was doing big national numbers years before WWF got on USA. Very few people signed up to market the product.”

What do you remember of this and why do you think Dave gets so mad when people talk about Vince and the WWF changing wrestling?

Aleta Ennis who worked in publicity and Rebecca Treston...known as Becky Bayless and Cookie are both cut. Any memories of either?

There seems to be a conscious effort to cut some talent and front office people...were there money concerns at this point?

As we get closer to No Surrender the show is on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and Thea Trinidad...Rosita...is working for the company and I think everyone knows now that her father died on 9/11. Was there a conscious effort to make sure she was on the show?

Jeff Hardy is booked to return after his incident at Victory Road which we covered in the archives. What were your feelings on his return?

From the Observer...Impact on 9/1 did a 1.06 rating and 1.42 million viewers. While usually one week’s number is really more there for educational purposes to see what is and isn’t working, because long-term is means nothing, this week and the 9/8 show are exceptions. Spike is earmarking a lot of extra money for production to do tapings on the road, and TNA is also spending more for it. Most in TNA believe taping on the road is very important in making the wrestlers look more major league and building the brand. But if the company is in a new setting and the numbers don’t move, Spike isn’t going to pay for tapings for very long. This was supposed to start in March and it was stopped after one set. Now they are committed until the end of the year. That’s the reason they pushed hard for the return of Jeff Hardy on the 9/8 show, so they could push it hard on 9/1 the entire show, because they had nothing else. There was no NFL game nationally and the only college game (UNLV vs. Wisconsin on ESPN) did only 1.9 million viewers. Plus, they had Kurt Angle vs. Sting for the title, two of the biggest stars, and plugged it the whole show (unfortunately while that match worked, the audience was so low to start with that it didn’t mean as much as it could), had Hogan all over the show, so the familiar names were there. The show did a 0.64 in Males 18-34 an 1.02 in Males 35-49.”

So there it is folks, back in 2011 Dave Meltzer talking about demos, etc. Do you remember this being a failure internally at the time?

So sadly there’s some bad news in the Observer: “Kurt Angle was arrested after the 9/3 show in Woodstock, VA and charged with driving while intoxicated when he was pulled over by Virginia State Troopers who saw him swerving between lanes on I-66. He was taken to Warren County Jail at 2:13 a.m., and posted bond and was released at 3:31 a.m. It was Angle’s third similar arrest in recent years. His attorney, Frank Smith, issued this statement for him: “We understand that Kurt Angle was pulled over last night for a traffic infraction and/or offense. During the stop, he was asked to submit to a Breathalyzer test and passed. We understand Kurt will be entering a plea of not guilty in response to any infractions and/or offenses.” The BAC content was 0.091, above the 0.08 legal limit. He took a second test some time later at Virginia police headquarters which was an 0.06, which would have been below the legal limit.”

This is Kurt’s third incident of driving while intoxicated while with TNA. What’s the internal reaction to this and do you think there was a larger issue here?

Flair vs. Sting is being built for the pay-per-view but is pulled and moved to Impact on 9/15. Do you know if there was a reason for that or just the realization there may be too much on the pay-per-view? You couldn’t find room for Sting vs. Flair?

Here’s my favorite part of my research of this show...from the Observer regarding Impact:

“Next came one of those things that is so bad about TNA because it’s exactly why in a nutshell nobody cares about any of their storylines. All the women came out together. Eric Bischoff came out holding hands with Traci Brooks. Bischoff talked about how proud he was of the women, how they drew good ratings and had good matches, and then did the switch saying at the end of the day they’re still women, they can’t keep their mouths shut. He said he was appointing a Vice President of the Knockouts Division, teased it would be Brooks, and in the build they insinuated that Brooks did Bischoff three times to get the job. But still, Bischoff gave the job to Karen Angle.”

OK Eric...defend it. Please!

So before we get to No Surrender...let’s really talk about the BFG series. From the Observer: “The two matches on the 9/11 PPV will be Bully Ray (49 points) vs. James Storm (40) and Bobby Roode (42) vs. Gunner (42). Ray vs. Storm goes first, so Storm pretty much has to win, because if not, the second match is useless. It should be noted that Storm has a bad shoulder and has been told to take it easy for six weeks. As far as how ridiculous the tournament was, Gunner made the final four with a 6-12 record in 19 matches (one was a tag match that his partner won in).”

Eric...ERIC. 6-12 GUNNER WENT AND HE MADE THE FINAL FOUR! How bad was James Storm’s shoulder that he still went out and gutted through it?

Well we’re here Eric. No Surrender from the Impact Zone.

The reaction from the Wrestling Observer readers is...light to say it best. 66.7% voted thumbs down...which was 32 people. 25% gave it a thumbs up which is 12 votes and 4 in the middle made it 8%. This type of feedback for a show featuring Kurt Angle and Sting is concerning isn’t it?

From the Observer …

“TNA’s No Surrender was yet another sad night, with a PPV filled with generally average matches with less than average heat, and as little heat for a main event as you would ever see. The show featured what was likely an all-time PPV record of five different spitting or spraying gunk in people’s eyes, including three finishes. Because of the date and it being the ten year anniversary of the biggest attack on U.S. shores in modern time, the show opened with all the wrestlers and security standing on the ramp for a ceremony playing the national anthem. They focused heavily on three people, Jesse Neal, who served in combat in Iraq as a member of the Navy, wearing his uniform, Rosita, whose father died on the day, and Kurt Angle, who was the heel working the main event. Neal wasn’t even on this show. Rosita, who had been featured a few days earlier on NBC with her touching story about losing her father, was holding the American flag and tears were streaming down her face. She then went out and performed playing anti-American Mexican heel. Then, later in the show, she was brought out for an interview talking about her father, and called Thea Trinidad because this was real. And it was. It was probably the best babyface interview in TNA in months if not longer. It also slapped everyone watching in the face with the idea that everything else on the show wasn’t real.”

I mean...yes suspended disbelief and all that but as a performer it has to be hard to go back and forth but as a fan you’re supposed to not have to do that and it’s all over this show. Was this just an issue of timing or would you had to redo everything just for one night?

“1. Jesse Sorensen pinned Kid Kash in 7:54. This was a late addition because after timing out the show they realized they had extra time. This was billed as for the No. 1 contender for the X Division championship. Kash carried the match well. He’s a real pro. As for Sorensen, he’s clearly an athlete who is very green but hits his spots. Kash chopped the hell out of him and kicked him in the chest hard. Sorensen got the win with a reverse suplex slam. **½”

Sorensen debuts in TNA in July and is really getting a heavy push here with a PPV win. He’s green as referenced but what was it about him that creative thought he was the guy to get behind at this point?

“2. Bully Ray beat James Storm via DQ in the Bound for Glory Series in 11:46. The leader board noted that Devon, Pope, Matt Morgan and Crimson (who actually finished first) were all injured. Of course, three of the four were on this show and none were even like they were hurt. The first 3:45 was all Ray stalling. Storm kept going for armbars because he needed a submission win that was worth ten points while a pinfall win is worth seven. At one point when Ray was stalling, he drank some beer that Storm had left at ringside and spit the beer in Storm’s eyes, blinding him. Ray went for a Bubba Bomb but Storm reversed it into another armbar attempt, but Ray made the ropes. Storm also used a scorpion deathlock in the middle. Finish saw Storm try and spit beer into Ray’s eyes, but Ray ducked and it went into the eyes of ref Jackson James. Storm once again put on the armbar and Ray was tapping furiously. James recovered and called for the bell. Everyone figured Storm had won, but James instead disqualified Storm for spitting beer. Too much stalling and a terrible finish, although when they were wrestling it was fine. *½”

That Jackson James! I’ll tell ya! For what it was it was fine but the dude’s got a legit shoulder injury so I’m sure that’s why the stalling was there.

But to get back to the BFG series...yes all the guys who were listed as injured still competed at this show. How do you think the fans saw that?

“3. Winter pinned Mickie James in 8:36 to win the Knockouts title. James came out in a Wonder Woman outfit. Love tried to interfere but James attacked her. Finish saw Love hold James and Winter spit the blood, but James ducked and it went into Love’s eyes. Hebner then checked on Love, and Winter spit a second batch of blood into James’ face and pinned her. *¼”

Yup spit finish twice in a row. Is there not agents trying to figure this out ahead of time regarding this?

Was this just a division with no purpose at this point compared to the early Knockouts division of Gail Kim & Amazing Kong?

“4. Mexican America (Hernandez & Anarquia) retained the TNA tag titles beating Pope D’Angelo Dinero & Devon in 9:44. Neither Pope nor Devon sold any injuries. The match got unwieldy late. Sarita and Rosita interfered again. Rosita came off the top with a crossbody on Pope, who caught her and spanked her while Devon spanked Sarita. Pope used a codebreaker on Anarquia. With the ref distracted, Pope went to suplex Anarquia into the ring but Sarita tripped him and Anarquia fell on top. Sarita then grabbed Pope’s legs so he couldn’t kick out and the ref counted three. *½”

Just so much going on here. No one really remembers Pope & Devon as a team. Lots of interference...spanking...but Mexican America get the win.

“5. Matt Morgan pinned Samoa Joe in 11:28. First half of this match was great. They came out fast and aggressive and I thought they were doing a short match. I can see why people are high on Morgan, because he’s so big and so coordinated and agile. Commentary was real strong here and for much of this show, as there were a lot of submissions being used and Tenay used Taz as a submission expert, and Taz knows his stuff. They slowed up late in the match. Joe used a belly-to-belly and then a choke. Morgan made the ropes. Joe went to spear Morgan, but Morgan moved. Joe actually slowed down before hitting the turnbuckles. Morgan hit the carbon footprint for the win. Pin came out of nowhere and crowd didn’t pop for the finish because of that. **¾”

You watch things like this and you wonder how Matt Morgan didn’t end up main eventing a WrestleMania. Samoa Joe losing comes out of nowhere so there is so steam loss for the crowd so I get it but man this was real good. What say you Eric?

“6. Bobby Roode beat Gunner in 11:39. Roode came out kicking the left arm and they pushed in commentary the Fujiwara armbar and how Roode had made Ric Flair submit and injured him with it at Lockdown. Roode went to the Fujiwara armbar. While the announcers did a good job of getting it over on commentary, those at the arena weren’t listening and thus really weren’t reacting to it like you would have hoped. Roode went for it again, and then changed it into the crossface and Gunner tapped. Good match. Crowd hurt it a little. ***”

The final storytelling of the tournament is good as Roode & Bully Ray finish tied because of the submission so you announce that there will be a tiebreaker match later tonight to determine the winner. The push of Roode here is really a directive to get him over is it not?

“7. Austin Aries pinned Brian Kendrick in 13:32 to win the X title. Aries referred to himself as the “Spectacular Vascular Vegetarian” as well as his old standby of “The Greatest Man Alive.” Aries was really good here. He moves like a superstar and if he was six-feet tall he’d be a major star. This was the best match on the show, and Aries was probably the best worker on this show. But the crowd was not into them much. They’ve killed the X Division and while it’s good to put them on late to give the title prestige, until the title has meaning, and I don’t know if that can even happen today, it’s tough. Finish was Aries using a low kick, followed by a brainbuster. ***¼”

Is that assessment of Aries true do you think? 6 feet tall and he’s a top guy? Aries has made no friends in this business and probably has more enemies. Do you think resetting the division with the weight limit was the right idea and was Aries the guy to get behind in the division?

“8. Bobby Roode pinned Bully Ray in 12:30 to win the Bound for Glory series. This was weird as the crowd was hot for this match, until it started. Roode got a big reaction. Roode came off the top with a blockbuster for a near fall. Bubba got a near fall with a Bubba bomb. Ray missed a splash and Roode hit the spinebuster for the pin. Flat finish because Roode has used the spinebuster forever and it’s never been a finish. **½”

The babyface push for Roode is real and Bully Ray is such a good heel. Did you see Roode as a top star?

“Then came the best thing on the show. Jeremy Borash started talking about 9/11 being ten years ago and how everyone at TNA sends their best wishes to everyone who was affected. He then brought out Rosita, and then said her name was Thea Trinidad, and brought up how she lost her father in the World Trade Center and she was ten years old at the time. She talked about how her father was her inspiration. She talked about how horrible it was, but that in reality, it never gets easier because every day he’s still missing from the dinner table. She said how he was an amateur wrestler, and wanted to be a pro wrestler, but because he had children and needed to raise a family, he couldn’t do it. She talked about how her mother never wanted her to be a wrestler but her father encouraged it, and even taught her the headlock. She said today has been a hard day, crying in the back.”

Eric I know you got to know Thea in TNA and you were fairly close. How hard is it to come out and talk about this in front of a crowd, on pay-per-view, and how much have you discussed her father with you?

9. Kurt Angle retained the TNA title in a three-way over Mr. Anderson and Sting in 15:27. This was just sad, and not because of the work of any of the three, but because of how badly all three guys, two legends and another guy who can be annoying at times but is still talented, have been undermined as far as people caring about them. As noted, the crowd was as dead as you’ll ever see for a title match PPV main event. I can get nobody caring about Anderson with all his turns. Sting’s been used too much because legends are best served in and out as special guests, not as the base of the weekly product. But still, Sting is a real legend, as is Angle. Crowd didn’t react to anything until Angle did a spot where he German suplexed both guys at the same time, and even then it only appeared like 5% reacted big and the rest didn’t. Sting with the scorpion deathlock on Anderson but Angle recovered, came in and gave Sting the Olympic slam from that position. No reaction to the kick out. He gave Anderson the Olympic slam, and again no reaction. Anderson used the mic check on Angle, who kicked out at the last second. Sting used the scorpion death drop on Anderson but Angle broke up the pin and pulled Sting out of the ring. He whipped Sting into the guard rail. Hogan then sprayed something in Sting’s eyes. Sting was blinded, but somehow made it into the ring. He hooked ref Brian Hebner in the scorpion death drop, but Angle kicked Sting low and gave him the Olympic slam for the pin. Why you used the main event finish four times earlier on the show is beyond me. *¼”

Throwing a lot at this and I’m sure coming off the Thea promo which probably shouldn’t have been in that spot but man the crowd just doesn’t get going and they did almost everything they could’ve. Still the finish being the same as a lot of the undercard matches hurts it incredibly and then no one really caring about anything. The guys all tried...the work was decent...but what a flat ending to the show. It’s funny because we just covered the 9/11 Smackdown with Jim Ross and Kurt Angle on their respective shows and you see how much it all changed from those shows to the 10 year anniversary.

What did you think Eric? Thumbs up, thumbs in the middle or thumbs down?

Does having Thea be an anti-American heel going into 9/11 just not show company foresight into these things or is it just booking and bad timing?