My World with Jeff Jarrett - TNA Destination X 2007 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today on My World we’re going back 15 years to TNA Destination X 2007. There’s a whole lot to cover so let’s get right into it Jeff!

Coming out of Against All Odds your dad’s buddy Wade writes an article regarding TNA and the crux of it is that, “TNA needs to trust their wrestlers to do their thing. Overbooking is rooted in lack of faith in wrestling to tell a story.”

You think this is coming from Jerry to Wade or this is Wade’s opinion on the current product?

There’s a funny note in the Observer I need to point out…regarding Don West and AJ Pierzynski. “Pierzynski was really hot at Don West. On a

broadcast, West, in character, said people always ask him about if Pierzynski is like the character he portrays in wrestling in real life. West, who called him the most hated man in baseball, said that he is, and that he's an asshole. Pierzynski watched the show with friends and took it somewhat serious. The funny thing is, you'd think that was just West doing the job of an announcer, but it's also a shoot, in that the attitude backstage he has of late come across with the big star attitude that has

rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.”

Did you ever hear about this from AJ’s side? Was that his attitude backstage?

Hulk Hogan announces he will not be at WrestleMania to be Donald Trump’s representative against Vince McMahon. When you hear Hulk blast Vince do you think…time to call the Hulkster?

It’s reported in the Observer that Angle and Show are still close friends and Angle had been talking to Show about coming in. Why did this never pan out?

It’s also reported in the Torch that Rob Van Dam requested not to have his contract roll over. At this time did you hear about Rob’s unhappiness in the WWE? Is he someone who immediately is on your radar?

The “This is TNA” show is aired on Monday after the pay-per-view with no competition as the WWE is off due to the Westminster Dog Show. The opening of the show features Eric Young sitting in a living room surrounded by dogs, and then when he notices TNA is on he gets excited. Jeff…that’s what you open with?

The rest of the show features some of the best matches from TNA’s history. King of the Mountain from Slammiversary 2006 which saw you win and become NWA champion, LAX defeating AJ & Daniels in a Steel Cage Match, Sting defeating you at Bound for Glory with Kurt Angle involved, Christian defeating Rhino in the Eight Mile Street Fight, and Kurt beating Samoa Joe. How were these matches chosen?

Also there’s a top 5 countdown for the top moments in TNA history. 5th is Christian Cage arriving, 4th is AJ vs. Joe vs. Daniels for the X Division title, 3rd is you attacking Hulk in Japan, 2nd is Sting’s return to pro wrestling and 1st ends up being Kurt Angle’s TNA debut. Did anyone have any issues or heat with this list?

The show also unveils Elevation X…the new structure to be debuted at Destination X. Where does this idea come from and who puts it all together?

The show gets what is described as a “disappointing” rating in the Torch with a 1.18 rating and 1.5 million viewers which is down from what Impact did in its regular slot just the week before. From the Torch: “The positive spin is that it outdraw the typical show in that timeslot by 115% and was no. 3 that night among ad–supported cable network programming in the key M18–49 and M25–34 demographics. Failing to draw any more viewers than their usual number means it can be seen as nothing more than a lot opportunity to steal away WWE viewers. The name “This is TNA!” was terrible, going to a “best of” format may have been a big mistake (not just in retrospect, either), and the lack of really strong hype going into it all hurt. That all said, if Impact goes up a few tenths of a point over the next two weeks, it will be a sign that some Raw viewers did tune in and liked what they saw and decided to sample TNA on Thursdays…”

Was this a disappointment to the office, to Spike or does the Torch have it accurately?

So really all you got out of that show was a compilation show for TNA viewers unless the Impact ratings for the next few weeks would increase. Did it cost you money to fill the slot for Spike?

Something else the Torch points out about the show… “The voiceover during a vignette introducing TNA on the “This is TNA!” Monday night special said the wrestlers do what they do “not for the multi–million dollar contracts, because TNA doesn’t have any,” but because “for TNA wrestlers, it’s an addiction”

I understand you’re attempting to market TNA as the alternative but is that the way to sell the company to the possibility of new viewers?

From the Torch: “Dixie Carter wanted to change the name of the “This is TNA” special to “This is TNA Wrestling” a week before the special aired after it was brought to her attention that having “wrestling” in the title might be one key component in getting channel guide browsers to click “enter” when passing Spike TV’s listing if they were regular Raw viewers unfamiliar with the TNA initials. She was supposedly told it was too late to send in the change”

Is that real?

Meltzer points out that Spike didn’t really promote this outside of Impact episodes anyway. Is that a cost concern on your end that you didn’t want to put the additional money out for it from an advertising budget? How did it work to promote the shows? You & Spike paid for ads or Spike?

“Raven brought his new wife to the weekend shows, which surprised almost everyone, since nobody knew he had a serious girlfriend or that he had gotten married.. At a team meeting, Jeff Jarrett reiterated that nobody is allowed to do any media and particularly any internet interviews unless approved first by the office. We'll see if they crack down on the guy who does the weekly crazy radio spots. Jarrett also said that no girlfriends, wives or families are to be allowed back in the wrestlers area backstage.”

Wow Jeff what did Raven’s wife do?

Now the issue comes that Raw will be running head-to-head with Impact on Thursday to replace the missed Monday episode of Raw and it will feature Donald Trump and the continuing build of the Battle of the Millionaires. Were you scared to death of this or were you ready for the challenge in your mind?

Before we get to the TV tapings there’s talk in the Torch that James Mitchell has been written off TV. “Sting and Abyss were all surprised and disappointed when informed that Mitchell was being removed from the storyline at this time…” What happened here?

On February 15th it’s a 3 hour block of TNA running against a 2 hour Raw. The first two hours TNA runs is “This is TNA” again and then against the second hour of Raw you run your new episode of Impact. Let’s break down the show before we discuss it.

This show is taped earlier in the week around a snow storm in the Northeast and man does the Observer have some news regarding Homicide.

“... There were lots of weather problems going into the 2/26 tapings, with a lot of late arrivals. The maddest was probably Homicide, who was going to fly from Chicago into Orlando after the ROH show and get in a day early. Instead, he was buzzed while on tour asking if he had brought his tag team title with him. He said he was told he was only doing a run-in

and wasn't going to need his belt. They told him there was a change in plans, So he had to fly back home to New York, get the belt, and then fly to Orlando, where he arrived late. Then, when he got there, they told him there was another change in plans, that he was only doing a run-in and wasn't going to need his belt.”

Oh man how hot was Homicide?

Impact 2/15

Scott Steiner cut a promo about Kurt Angle stealing his spot. He said he beat more guys than Angle did in WWE. Angle then interrupted, which led to a fight in the ring and Samoa Joe saves.

Best Steiner lines: “”I don’t care how many times Triple H had to sleep with the boss’s daughter— I beat him.” “Kurt Angle, I know I’m better than you because your wife keeps on calling me. She wants to know what it’s like to be with a real man. She wants satisfaction from a genetic freak. Kurt Angle, tell your bitch to stop calling.”

A Gauntlet for the Gold - well not really the gold but a title shot is announced. 14 men! Jeff - wow.

… Jeremy Borash interviewed Christian Cage, who tried to convince Steiner and Tomko to toss everyone out of the #1 Contender gauntlet and forfeit the match. They didn’t like the idea… LAX (Homicide & Hernandez w/Konnan) beat Shark Boy & Norman Smiley in a non–title match. Team 3D appeared on the video screen after the match to challenge LAX to another match next week …The Sopranos Steve Schirripa appeared with the Dudleys. Where did this connection come from?

Ms. Brooks mocked Eric Young for falling for her. Robert Roode then told Young to get rid of his “Don’t Fire Eric” t–shirt and help him win the gauntlet… (2) Gail Kim beat Jackie Moore (w/James Storm) in an arm–wrestling contest. Storm jumped Gail after the “match” before Chris Harris made the save…

In the Observer it’s noted that Jackie is no longer Miss Tennessee because one of the beauty pageants contacted TNA so now she is Jackie Moore, the Pride of Tennessee. Is that how it happened?

There’s a Paparazzi segment with Jay Lethal & Sonjay Dutt trying out for a mock American Idol and it’s the first time I could find Jay Lethal was acting like he was Randy Savage. When did you know Lethal could do a killer Macho Man?

(3) Samoa Joe eliminated Tomko last to win the #1 Contender gauntlet to earn an NWA Title shot against Christian Cage at the Destination X PPV in March.

Let’s run through the rules then talent. 2 men start, one entrant comes in every minute and then the final 2 have an actual wrestling match. Sting vs. AJ starts, Rhino, Chris Sabin, Kip James, James Storm, Abyss, Angle, Joe, Bobby Roode, BG James, Eric Young, Steiner, until it comes down to Joe and Tomko. This…is a lot.

Afterward, Christian Cage and Kurt Angle fought in the ring until security separated everyone …

Is the creative put together to get everyone on the show knowing you were going against Raw?

The ratings…are not pretty. Impact draws a .6 rating. Almost half of your previous 8 weeks average of a 1.

The good news is you drew as the night went on. The quarter hours went .59, .62, a dip to .52 and then back up to .64 which is about 850,000 viewers for your last quarter hour.

Is this a reminder of where you stand on the totem pole of professional wrestling? Or is this considered a victory that you didn’t lose half your audience?

Mike Awesome passes away the Sunday after Impact airs at a very young age of 42. You worked with Mike in WCW and he did a couple shots in TNA…did this hit you hard?

There is a lot of Vince Russo news in the Torch to go over. “TNA management wants Vince Russo to relocate to Nashville from Atlanta, where he currently lives. Russo is hesitant because of the lack of long–term assurances any booker has in the wrestling business that he’ll have a job for long. It would uprooting his family, including school age children. By all observations, Jim Cornette continues to get along well with Russo. He isn’t any less frustrated by the booking approach of TNA, but he’s being more of a team player than anyone anticipated considering the things he said about needing a certain distance between he and Russo after Russo was first hired. Russo said in front of a number of members of TNA management and others, in reference to watching a recent edition of Impact, “I couldn’t tell you one thing I just saw.” Russo is said to be as frustrated as anyone with the number of things he is being told to fit into each episode of Impact when he scripts the shows. He made that comment in front of Dixie Carter, Jeff Jarrett, and some Spike network executives. There is pressure to put everyone on TV every week because many get paid per TV appearance, and rather than adjust the pay schedule, TNA management has decided to just “require” that everyone get a short segment on TV each week…”

You’re trying to move Russo, you’re forcing him to work with Cornette and now he’s shitting on the product in front of you & Dixie. Why are you keeping him around?

It’s reported in the Observer that David Young, Elix Skipper & A-1 were all cut. Is this just some sort of roster trimming?

The next week you’re back to not being against the WWE…

On February 22nd Impact opens with  A.J. Styles introducing the Elevation X scaffold match. He sat atop the structure and cut a promo about putting the X Division on the map. Rhino interrupted and Styles left the scaffold to avoid him. Rhino said he would end Styles’s career in their Elevation X match at the PPV…

Rhino is a big friggin dude to put up in a match like this. Was there any worry or risk regarding this?

(1) Team 3D (Brother Ray & Brother Devon) beat LAX (Homicide & Hernandez w/Konnan) in a non–title Belting Pot match. They gave Hernandez a 3D to win. Local independent wrestlers served as lumberjacks who whipped LAX with belts when they left the ring…

A video feature aired on Sting lying on a deathbed—a metal grating platform hanging from the ceiling. He predicted life as Abyss knows it will be ending soon. He said when he’s raised to the heaven’s above, he’ll have a chance to decide how he wants to live on this side of eternity.

This Sting stuff is really good Jeff. Who helped produce it?

Abyss keeps asking for Mitchell in his promos afterwards. Shouldn’t there had been a storyline injury or explanation for this?

(2) Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks) & James Storm (w/Jackie Moore) & Eric Young vs. Lance Hoyt & VKM (B.G. & Kip James). Roode pinned Hoyt after crotching him on the top rope. Chris Harris reappeared after the match and chased Storm to the back…

I’m going to stop here real quick. The LAX and Team 3D match was 5 minutes. This is 1 minute. Everyone talks about how bloated a roster AEW has. You’re bursting at the seams with talent. Did you think at this point there was talent that was expendable? Or were you worried you’d release someone and WWE would snatch them up?

Andre Rison - as part of the Spike family since he’s on Pros vs. Joes - comes out to promote the show and then Abyss ends up coming out and gives him the Black Hole Slam. What was Rison like?

OK Jeff this is where it gets uncomfortable. “The Paparazzi Eye Spy vignette featured Kevin Nash asking Jay Lethal to do more Macho Man. He said he wanted to try something else. Nash said, “Do it, you black bitch.” The last two words were bleeped. Nash had Lethal lean in and he told him to play the race card. He pretended he was black and said he’d been doing it his whole life. He presented Lethal with a black cowboy hat.”

Sheesh Jeff. Sheesh. In the Observer Meltzer would write this, “In the vignettes with the X Division guys, even though they are- purported to be there to get over the guys as personalities, nobody is allowed to give any good lines, as all have to be saved for Nash, because the writers think Nash is hilarious. They are still deluding themselves with this idea that the guys in the skits will be over and pushed once they finish their character makeovers. And they may at first, but you know how that goes”

Jim Cornette, Scott Steiner and Kurt Angle had a contract signing for the PPV, which led to a fight that also involved Christian Cage and Tomko…

This is really good stuff Jim and it reminds everyone of why Scott was a top guy and the interaction and interplay with Kurt is just fantastic. How much of a shame is it Scott’s body broke down at the wrong time?

(3) Jerry Lynn beat Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, the Austin Starr, and Senshi in a ladder match to become #1 Contender to the X Division Title yet again. After the match, Bob Backlund shook hands with Lethal and Dutt before arguing with Starr. Backlund then put Starr in the Crossface Chickenwing …

This is just a lot of matches and angles and gimmicks all thrown into one hour. No wonder Russo was unhappy. Was the lack of a second hour stunting possible growth of everyone on the roster?

Test is released by the WWE due to a wellness violation. Any interest in bringing the late Andrew Martin to TNA at this time?

Wade Keller lists you as being the 6th most influential person in the wrestling business at this time behind Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, Stephanie McMahon, Dixie Carter, Paul Levesque. Wade had this to say regarding you: “Knocked out of the top five due to Dunn’s rise and because he stepped down as the centerpiece wrestler in TNA (for now). Despite a change of the booking regime late in 2006, he remained the top authority figure in creative meetings. What fans see on TNA TV is, more than anyone else, his vision—a mix of Memphis 1980s, WWF early 1990s, and Monday Night War era WWF and WCW, void of much acknowledgment of changes in the industry beyond those years and the undeniable influence of UFC on the business–side of the pro wrestling industry and the way potential fans view TNA upon first glance”

Assistant Manager again Jeff…

A story is reported in Sports Illustrated regarding a drug investigation and steroids and Kurt’s name is in the story. The story is based around a timeline when Kurt was in the WWF but is this a worry at the time for company PR?

From the Torch: “Bob Trobich, head of legal for the NWA, and Steve Campbell, head of legal for Panda Energy as representative of TNA, have negotiated to terminate the working agreement between the NWA and TNA. NWA will take back possession of the NWA Hvt. Title and NWA Tag Titles with a storyline to be set up at the Destination X PPV. Jeff Jarrett has been the third party representing TNA during the negotiations to cease the working relationship. There have been a lot of rules that the NWA has that TNA has not been following. As TNA has grown, and as the NWA name has become less of a marketing asset, a split was considered a strong possibility. TNA long ago stopped using the title “NWA–TNA” as its name. . TNA, though, did not want to abide by NWA rules such as having to notify the NWA board ahead of time when a title change was planned, use the NWA name in all marketing, and pay the NWA a fee if TNA ran an event in another NWA member’s territory. For those and a variety of other reasons, an agreement to split has been reached.”

Is this just trying to cut money out of something that’s not getting you anything or was there more to it?

March 1st is the next installment of Impact. Christian Cage guaranteed Tomko an NWA Title shot if he took out Samoa Joe …

Christian builds a heel stable within 3 weeks none of them are really working together. This is just a lot of creative being raced through quickly. Let me ask this question - when you have this much talent - isn’t it better to slow down the creative instead of burning through storylines and make more long term stories?

Kurt Angle attacked Scott Steiner to start the show and Cornette helps separate and asks Angle not to ruin his TV program.

Jerry Lynn & Senshi & Jay Lethal beat X Division champion Chris Sabin & the Austin Starr & Alex Shelley. Senshi rolled up Starr for the win with Bob Backlund’s help. Before the match Kevin Nash and Sonjay Dutt told Jay Lethal to do his Randy Savage impersonation which he did to a big pop.

The guys in the ring are the backdrop to Backlund towards the end. Is Backlund being involved doing anything to help these guys?

A video feature of Sting in a casket being lowered to the ring airs and he says that Abyss will die at the pay-per-view. Abyss was spotted looking at a picture of James Mitchell

(2) Scott Steiner beat Chase Stevens. Steiner and Angle brawled before and after the match before Jim Cornette intervened and told Angle to leave the building after Angle attempted to put an ankle lock on Steiner.

Chris Harris cuts a promo that he has 35% vision in his eye but he’s always got an eye on James Storm. Is this just the case of two guys being great tag team partners but against each other…not so much?

Alex Shelley introduced a video package on LAX beating down Brother Devon’s former trainer, Johnny Rodz. Brother Ray confronted Shelley, who distracted him long enough for LAX to give him a sneak attack.

This was Bubba’s idea to include Rodz right? Also it’s reported in the Observer that Bubba requested to turn heel and you turned him down because the plan was for Team 3D against LAX at Lockdown is that right?

Tomko beat Samoa Joe. Christian Cage decked Joe with a chair shot behind the ref’s back to help Tomko win. Joe fought back after the match, but Abyss came to the ring in new attire and gave Joe the Black Hole Slam …

I understand getting heat but I mean Joe went undefeated for a long time and here he is going for his first World Title shot and he’s losing to Tomko?

Was the idea to set up a future challenge for Joe considering that win earned Tomko a title shot?

You rebound in the ratings that week to a 1.11 rating and 1.4 million viewers. That has to be some welcome news right?

Now for the go-home show for Destination X!

Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe cut a promo in the ring before Christian interrupted and announced the Christian Coalition with Steiner and Tomko. They challenged Angle and Joe to a six–man tag match in the main event …

B.G. James & Kip James & Lance Hoyt beat Serotonin (Kazarian & Bentley & Devine) when Hoyt pinned Devine. Afterward, Raven caned the entire group.

Mike Tenay presented Hector Guerrero with a special award. Abyss crashed the party and gave So Cal Val, who was one of the presenters, a Black Hole Slam …

Male on female violence Jeff. Who cleared that at Spike?

From the Observer: “Hector Guerrero, 52, started at TV and will be wrestling and involved in angles soon. They wanted to involve the Eddy Guerrero name, but Konnan refused to do anything more than do passing references to Eddy in whatever angle they come up with, and that aside from acknowledging him as Eddy's brother, they'd go no farther in the Eddy direction.”

What was the plan using Eddie and why did Konnan reject it?

We’re 28 minutes into the show and it’s now time for the second match!

(2) Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks) & Eric Young & James Storm (w/Jacqueline Moore) beat Sonjay Dutt & Petey Williams & Jay Lethal when Storm pinned Dutt. Gail Kim jumped Jacqueline on the outside during the match …

Christian drags Borash to see Abyss and offers Borash as a sacrifice to Abyss to join the Christian Coalition. In response Abyss picks up Borash and throws him against a chain link fence.

Kurt Angle & Samoa Joe & Rhino fought Scott Steiner & Tomko & NWA World Hvt. champion Christian Cage to a no contest. Rhino was the mystery partner. A.J. Styles interfered against Rhino in the middle of the match. At the end, while Angle had Steiner in the Anklelock, Abyss came to the ring and cleaned house. The lights went on and off, then Sting fought with Abyss. An eight–way brawl broke out to close the show …

The big brawl to end a go-home show seems to be a TNA staple does it not Jeff?

There’s a ton of… rumor and innuendo in the Torch going into the PPV.

“Dutch Mantel continues to write the television shows, while Jeff Jarrett has final approval. Vince Russo contributes his ideas as well. Russo’s pet projects are Ron Killings, VKM, and Christy Hemme. Mantel’s pet projects continue to be Abyss, Eric Young, and Robert Roode. Abyss is considered highly insecure by most wrestlers. In fact, he is notorious for following Mantel around before, during, and after shows. “Wherever Dutch goes, Abyss follows,” one wrestler noted. The story that’s been floating around for quite a while is that the paranoid Young character is actually based on Abyss’s personality. He was very paranoid early in his run and constantly asked people whether he was going to be fired… Mantel is also a big fan of Kevin Nash’s comedy segments…”

What say you Jeff?

“Jarrett was adamantly opposed to offering Sting a new contract at the rumored $500,000 per year rate. However, Dixie Carter rejected his pleas and personally delivered the contract for Sting to sign…”

Were you pleading to not sign Sting to that deal?

“Jarrett has told the X Division wrestlers that he wants their matches to move as quickly as possible. He’s even gone so far as to tell them that their matches should resemble “video games” with plenty of action and stunts…”

Is that your recollection of this time frame with the X division wrestlers?

“The buzz in the locker room is that Jarrett is still on bad terms with his father Jerry…”

What is the relationship like with your father at the time?

Regarding Chris Harris… “Chris Harris is also being punished by management. They grew so frustrated with his complaining that they have been keeping him out of the ring as part of the damaged eye storyline in hopes of sending a message to him. The only problem is that most wrestlers believe Harris and James Storm are both still working under guaranteed contracts, meaning Harris gets paid the same whether he wrestles or not…”

Was this an issue at the time Jeff?

“B.G. James and Kip James asked to be released from their contracts a while back so that they could join WWE, but management refused to let them out of their deals…”

You talked last month that BG and Kip were doing in character interviews with the media. Did they ask for releases at this time?

Let’s get to the show Jeff from the Impact Zone!

An Ernie Ladd tribute airs to start the show as he had just passed away. What kind of impact did Ernie have for you in pro wrestling?

From the Observer regarding the show: “If there was a moment that told me how much the company doesn't get pro wrestling, as much experience as people like Jeff Jarrett, Dutch Mantel and even Vince Russo have in and around the business, it was when TNA did its mobile

poll of who would win the main event. The majority of the fans voted that

Christian Cage would beat Samoa Joe. Why is such a seemingly insignificant thing so important? When a promotion is selling a championship match, particularly one involving Samoa Joe, one of its top two baby faces, the promotion should be able to sell the fans that the challenger will win. Fans thinking Joe won't win showed us loud and clear that they have no confidence in Joe. When fans expect a babyface to fail, it means the damage has been done, and badly.”

Is Meltzer thinking too much into this or do you think it’s an apt description of the creative at the time?

Strap in Jeff because there’s a lot here!

“I. Homicide & Hernandez beat Team 3-D in 14:49 of a Ghetto Street fight. What is a Ghetto Street fight? Damned if I know, since they didn't get over any of the stips. One of the reasons is they didn't even decide on them until the day of the show. We had originally heard they would have lumberjacks, just not with belts. That was nixed during the day, they were deciding whether the finish would be via pinfall or via putting your opponent through a table. We already had a Little Italy street fight. Well, there were no pizza parlors in the ring or stripper girls in cages. Here we had a bunch of weapons. There were garbage cans all over the ring. This match was hot, sloppy in spots, but hot, but knowing all the stuff they

were going to do, it should have been later in the show. Fans were chanting "This is awesome." Believe me, considering chants later in the show, that was a blessing. Team 3-D did the wazzup on Homicide. Everyone chants "Get the tables." But before Team 3-D could put anyone through a table, out came the Latino nation. Yep, a bunch of non

Descript guys running around. Then, out came Johnny Rodz, who has to be in his mid-60s. With Bob Backlund all over TV, we already have our token retro act. All the Lation nation guys flew for him, except it looked embarrassingly bad. Homicide then hit Rodz with a glass frame. Then a bunch of African-American guys who were completely unrecognizable hit the ring. “It’s the Brothers from Brooklyn,” we are told. Then they did a 3-D on Hernandez, but Machete pulled the ref out of the ring. Yes. Machete, the long forgotten member of LAX. Then all the Latino National and Brothers from Brooklyn were brawl ing on the tloor, so Bubba came off the top rope with a 330 pound plancha. Alex Shelley then came out. Well, Bubba did involve him in this. Shelly hit Devon with his video camera and then gave Devon a frog splash through a table. Homicide then pinned Devon. Some of this was great, but it got silly by the end.”

Observer gave it ***1/2

Torch gave it a **

This is a lot Jeff. Like a lot. Tell me this isn’t too much?

From the Torch: “Brother Ray has been campaigning for his team to win the tag titles. And given the number of jobs Team 3D has done to LAX recently, it appears as though that is the plan as of now. However, Brother Ray has become irksome to Jarrett and Mantel due to his constant complaints regarding his current storyline, which has led some to believe he might talk his way out of winning the belts. Although Brother Ray isn’t the most popular wrestler in the locker room, Devon and Brother Runt are popular with other wrestlers. That was the story throughout their run in WWE and even dating back to ECW.”

Is this why LAX kept beating Team 3D? Were you having issues with Bully?

Borash interviews Rhino and Rhino is acting scared of Elevation X. Why is the babyface scared?

“2. James Storm & Jackie Moore beat Petey Will iams & Gail Kim in a double bullrope match in 7:52. The men were tied together, as were the women, with just a rope. No cowbell. At one point Kim tied Moore up to the post and was chopping hard on her upper chest. Another time the guys ran round ref Rudy Charles and tied him up. Williams set up the Canadian Destroyer, but Moore hit Williams with a low blow and Storm superkicked him for the pin. Crowd wasn't much into it, which was the theme of the show. * 1 /2”

Observer gave it *½

Torch gave it ½*

From the Torch: “Jim Cornette spent a lot of time running, leading Gail Kim and Jackie Moore through their portion of the bullrope match prior to the show. Wrestlers were laughing backstage at how bad the match was despite Cornette’s best efforts”

What’s the issue in this match? These 4 just didn’t click together?

“3.Senshi pinned Austin Starr in 11:09 in a must win with a chicken wing match. Good match. Bob Backlund came out midway. The crowd wasn't into these guys when the match started, which tells you how over these guys have gotten with those skits. They did end up getting the crowd into it when they did all the cool moves. Fans chanted "Austin Aries" at Starr. Basically they were chanting we hate this gimmick but we love watching you on tape. They were both going for chicken wings and reversing. Starr had the chicken wing on while they were on the ground and was using a body scissors, but Senshi made the ropes. Backlund distracted Starr and Senshi won by getting Starr from behind in a chicken wing. Backlund came into the ring to congratulate Senshi. Starr then came out and put Backlund in the chicken wing. Flat finish but good match. *** l /4”

Observer gave it ***¼

Torch gave it **¼

Is it the gimmick that hurts these two? Why were TNA fans more into Austin Aries than Austin Starr do you think or is that just a bunch of smart marks in the Impact Zone?

Next up is…one to be forgotten for sure Jeff.

“4. VKM (B.G. & Kip James) beat The Heartbreakers (Romeo Roselli & Antonio Thomas) in 9:02. The crowd totally rejected The Heartbreakers (formerly Heart Throbs) as the mystery team of Christy Hemme. The deal is, the former Bashams are coming and will be feuding with VKM and be managed by Hemme. But they wanted to have VKM beat some people here before debut the Bashams. Crowd hated it with a chant of "Go home f****ts" at the Heartbreakers. The match was real bad both because the Heartbreakers are green, and really only have a great ring entrance, so

naturally they didn't do anything resembling it here, and the James Gang didn't do anything to work with them either. Kip in particular worked like they were too small and beneath his level, which only served to make a bad match worse. The high spot was Hemme trying to give Kip a low blow, but she started selling her arm. Kip pulled a cup out of his tights and smothered it in Hemme's face. Hemme is the heel in this feud on the guise that guys hate women who complain about guys treating them with no respect. Another high spot was Roselli doing a running flip dive over the top to the floor, which was supposed to have Antonio catch him. Well, Roselli landed short and fell right on his tailbone. B,G. pinned Antonio with a pump handle slam. Hemme threw a hissy fit at both guys and they walked out on her.”

Observer gave it ½*

Torch gave it ¼*

It feels like we’ve talked about this a lot…but was the James Gang just not working as every program just feels like it’s a mess is it not? I don’t put this on VKM but their creative here…I understand why they requested a release…

“5. Chris Sabin beat Jerry Lynn in 2/3 falls to retain the X Division title. Lynn won the first fall in 5:51 with a tornado DDT. Sabin won the second fall with his feel on the ropes in 3:00. In the third fall, Christopher Daniels come out under a mask. What was so hokey is it was one of those Sting masks, so you could plainly see it was Daniels even though the announcers had to sell the identity as a mystery. This distracted Lynn, so Sabin used a low blow and another cradle shock for the pin in 3:27. Before revealing his identity, even though everyone had to recognize him, he did the Angel's wings after the match on Sabin. He pulled the mask off, and he had make-up on his face and a full beard. He then laid Lynn out with a belt shot and gave him the last rites. The match lost the crowd because there ended up being two fights in the stands during the match, which explained crowd pops that didn't make any sense when watching it. The wrestling was good but what killed it for me is after doing the distraction leading to the finish match with Senshi vs. Starr, it was too quick to go back to the same finish.”

Observer gave it **¾

Torch gave it **½

This is really quick and I mean for a match that should’ve been given plenty of time is kind of short considering it’s ⅔ falls. Daniels returning has an impact though. What say you Jeff?

Jim Cornette promises another major announcement which I’m sure we’ll find out in the future. How good was Jim in this role?

“6. Rhino beat A.J. Styles in 9:05 in the Elevation X match. They brawled on the floor. Styles finally went up with Rhino following. They tried, but this was the hardest to work scaffold match I've seen. The platform only had a 20 inch diameter and it was too thin to do anything with. They said it was 20 feet above the floor. Looked like maybe 15 feet off the mat. Rhino looked scared to death to even walk up there, and I didn't blame him. Styles didn't appear to be scared, but I don't see how he couldn't be. At one point, Styles hid under the scaffolding in a caged box. until Rhino figured out where he was. Styles did some amazingly risky things here. Styles tried a Styles clash but Rhino reversed. Styles went to throw powder in Rhino's face, but Rhino kicked him and he got the powder in his face. Rhino hit a very toned down gore, and Styles was hanging on and eventually dropped and fell trying to make the bump on his back . He legitimately had the wind knocked out of him. but all the panicked medical attention where he was carried out on a stretcher was all planned ahead of time. It was legitimately tense watching it, and not boring. but there was just so little you could do. The effort was great.”

Observer gave it **

Torch gave it ***

The first match of its kind. What did you think of it Jeff and was it a miss in execution or is that kind of how it works when it’s the first of its kind?

“7. Kurt Angle pinned Scott Steiner in 11 :42. Steiner came out with two women Angle delivered a sick head-butt at the start which busted Steiner open hardway. Angle did three German suplexes and Steiner came back with a belly-to-belly. Crowd was dead for this match. They went way too long and Steiner was gassed and his offense was looking horrible. With the exception of the Mark Henry match at the 2006 Royal Rumble, this was as bad an Angle match as I can remember, Angle used the Olympic slam and ankle lock, but Steiner escaped. Steiner gave Angle a belly-to- belly off the top rope and used an Angle slam on Angle. He didn't drop him very pretty either. He used the Steiner recliner, but Angle escaped and reversed it into the ankle Jock. Steiner escaped again. Finally Angle won clean with a slow and very delayed sunset flip coming out of the corner. The finish because of Steiner's delay in taking the bump looked bad. Fans chanted "That was weak" at the end of the match.”

Observer gave it *¼

Torch gave it **

Man rough review from Meltzer and rough response from the crowd. Is it just hard for Scott at this point to do this type of match?

“8. Sting beat Abyss in 9:40 in the Last Rites match. The rules were that instead of a bed, like they had promised on television, there was now a casket that would come down from the ceiling. You had to put your opponent in the casket. They would then be raised to the ceiling, with the idea that they had died and were going to heaven. To say this stip didn't get over would be the understatement of the year. As they had the mechanical lowering of the casket during the match, the crowd chanted loudly, "This is stupid," and then switched to "Fire Russo." The crowd was quiet from that point forward, even though Sting was busted up badly from being hit by a candelabra. During the match, Sting was afraid he was going to lose his eye, but didn't panic and continued the match. Me, I know the rules of wrestling but I'd have said, fuck this match and gollen out of there. This match killed the show and it wasn't the fault of the work. People had seen too many gimmicks, and this one came across as low rent stupidity. Sting was bleeding all over the place and nobody cared. Abyss put him in the casket but Sting blocked it like Undertaker would. but nobody cared. That made it worse because it looked like a WWE copy, and Undertaker is so over right now that copying him can't help but comcoffbadly. Sting put a tombstone next to Abyss' face and hit it with a baseball bat. He tried to put Abyss in the casket but Abyss grabbed him by the throat, got out and choke slammed Sting on the top of the casket, bending it badly. Abyss then put another tombstone on top of two chairs. Sting then hit Abyss with the candelabra and he fell into the tombstone, breaking it. Sting put him in the casket, closed the top, and he was raised to the ceiling.”

Observer gave it a DUD rating

Torch gave it -**

Holy shit Jeff. Between the crowd dying, the chants, is this as negative a reaction as you can remember?

How bad was Sting’s eye?

Are Sting & Abyss angry afterwards?

From the Torch: “The reaction from management to the “Fire Russo” chants that were audible on the pay–per–view broadcast is that the “smart marks are trying to take over the show.” Although some wrestlers say the fans are misguided when it comes to blaming Russo more than Jarrett and Mantel for the problems, most agree that management members are oblivious to the company’s creative issues”

What say you?

Christian runs into…the Great Muta?!?! After saying he’s all alone because Tomko left him for Japan and Steiner refused to have his back he asks Muta to watch his back. Muta responds with spraying green mist all over the locker…and that’s it.

From the Observer: “With Simon lnoki out at New Japan, Keij i Muto

felt that he could get a working agreement with TNA in place of New Japan. Muto met with Jarrett, Dixie Carter and Andy Barton at TNA, and it's already been reported in Japan that he has signed a working agreement with the company. It's a major coup because AII Japan claimed it gives them the right to book Kurt Angle away from New Japan. Muto was originally in town because he's working with lCP this week. but was scheduled to meet with both Jarrett and John Laurinaitis.”

What do you remember of this meeting and getting Muta to appear?

Finally we get the main event…

“Christian Cage beat Samoa Joe to retain the NWA title in 17:43. Joe came out with Samoan dancers doing a fire dance for his ring entrance. This turned into an excellent match with Joe getting a lot of near falls. Christian countered the choke and used an unprettier for a near fall. Christian tried a choke but Joe fell backwards on top of him. Christian was on the apron and Joe gave him a shoulderblock off the apron with both flying on the floor. Christian then acted like he was going to walk out.

Mike Tenay screamed how in TNA a title can change hands via DQ, but not via count out. But Jay Lethal, Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt and Senshi were on the ramp and blocked him from leaving. The least they could have done was have Lethal do his Macho Man voice and tell him not to leave. We had a ref bump as Christian put Rudy Charles in the way of Joe's kick. Joe used a shoulderbreaker, but no ref. Christian then used a chair to the head, but missed a chair shot and got hit with.a muscle buster. Christian kicked out and used a low blow. Christian went to the top but Joe put him in a choke. Christian kicked off the ropes to land on top

and used the ropes for leverage to get the three count. Joe choked Christian out after the match was over. The finish was clever, but it was the wrong finish for the time.”

Observer gave it ****

Torch gave it ****

A ref bump in a main event. Not terribly surprising right Jeff?

Having the X division guys come out…plays into the story that Christian had nobody to watch his back but if that’s Joe’s backup…that’s kind of weak isn’t it?

What did you think of the match?

From the Torch: “Wrestlers do not have faith in Christian Cage as their World Champion. The widespread feeling is that while he’s very entertaining on the mic, his value drops the moment he enters the ring. Although everyone agreed that he had a very good match with Joe at the pay–per–view, most give the credit to Joe and say they need to see Christian rise to the occasion with another performer before they’ll give him credit”

What say you Jeff?

The show gets an estimated buyrate of between 25,000-30,000 which is an increase over Against All Odds. Are you happy with the show after it’s all done considering the crowd reactions and fights and the creative?

And this is in the Observer regarding the reactions to the pay-per-view: “This month, David Sahadi was reading allowed some web site reports

on the show (not the Observer site). A funny thing is as they were ripping the show and calling it one of the worst PPV shows of all-time (there was far too much good wrestling, and an excellent main event, to say that, but there were enough problems to where I wouldn't call it good either), Jim Cornette said "Why are we even listening to this," aml Mike Tenay cracked up the room saying, "Because the New York Times doesn't cover our PPVs." Don West got real mad and somehow in this discussion, it wound up with everyone agreeing that the negative reports were because the people were on the WWE payroll. As for the fan chants, that's because they are smart marks trying to take over the show. Why those same fans were going crazy praising the good matches was not dealt with…

Are you in there for this meeting? This tickles me to no one Jeff.