Kurt Angle opens the show by introducing the return of the six-sided ring in New York City. That is when Taz’s music started playing and he showed up in the balcony of the Hammerstein Ballroom and said it was great to be back home in New York City. He then said that this was all about wrestling and then mentioned wrestling there before and the fans chanted ECW. He then said the mood is about to change, he is Taz, “beat me if you can, survive” and the fans finished “if I let you.”
Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer come out next. The fans are doing “Bully Ray” and “Tommy Dreamer” dueling chants. Bully Ray said that Dixie Carter is going through a table and the fans start chanting “We want tables.” Dreamer said that things look they are changing and there is a new era of extreme. That is when EC3 came out with Rhino. The fans start chanting that Rhino sold out. EC3 talked a lot but then Dreamer interrupted him and said that this isn’t a little PG show and he wants to see less talk in wrestling and more action and Bully Ray and Dreamer attacked EC3 and Rhino.
Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer vs. Ethan Carter III and Rhino
The match was a good hard fought match. Rockstar Spud ran in and continued to distract Bully Ray. That allowed EC3 to eventually sneak a roll up after Spud distracted Dreamer and the bad guys picked up the cheap win.
Winners: EC3 and Rhino (** ½)
Earlier today, Kenny King, MVP and Bobby Lashley showed up with their bodyguards. We then head over to see Kurt Angle talking to X-Division champion Austin Aries. Angle said that Aries has an eight-man gauntlet match for his title tonight and Aries said he didn’t feel Angle was stacking the deck and actually looked forward to competing in it.
Backstage, James Storm tells Sanada that if he keeps listening to Great Muta, he will be a loser and slaps him.
X-Division Championship Gauntlet Match
Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Manik vs. Davey Richards vs. Zema Ion vs. Crazy Steve vs. Tigre Uno vs. Sanada
Aries and Edwards starter the match and looked awesome against each other. I’d love to see a nice full match between the two. Manik was the second man in the ring. Manik took the advantage but then Davey Richards came in next. The Wolves immediately started working together. Zema Ion is in next. It looks like eliminations come by throwing over the top rope, as there is no referee inside the ring. Manik and Ion were both eliminated after a big flying headscissors.
We go to commercials and when we come back Crazy Steve and Tigre Uno have already come into the ring. Up next is Sanada. Crazy Steve eliminated Tigre Uno but then The Wolves eliminated Crazy Steve. Sanada then eliminated both Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards. Austin Aries and Sanada are the last two remaining and now there has to be a pinfall or submission. Sanada looked like he was going to win, but pandered to the fans too much and Aries got back to his feet. Aries hit two rolling thunder elbows, a dropkick and then hit the brainbuster to retain his title. Austin Aries and Sanada shook hands after the match.
Winner: Austin Aries (*** ½)
Backstage, Bobby Roode and Eric Young talked about being back together again. Further in the back, James Storm finds Sanada and calls him a loser. He then starts beating down Sanada while calling him a loser and begging him to fight back. He finally says that Muta is a fraud and so is Sanada. Finally, Dixie Carter has arrived.
MVP and Kenny King vs. Bobby Roode and Eric Young
MVP is in the ring, on crutches but in his wrestling gear, along with Kenny King and Bobby Lashley. MVP says he is hurt but it still in the ring because he is better than anyone else. Kurt Angle is forcing MVP to wrestle with a torn meniscus. MVP avoided most of the match and when he finally got into the ring, he ended up using his crutch as a weapon to lose the match by disqualification. MVP and King used the crutches to beat down Team Canada after the match ended.
Winners: Bobby Roode and Eric Young (**)
Great Muta will appear next week on TNA Impact Wrestling.
NO DQ / No Countout
Madison Rayne vs. Brittney
This was a grudge match because Brittney betrayed Madison Rayne and has attacked her on more than one occasion. The two really put on a tough match against each other which Rayne won with a very nice package DDT.
Winner: Madison Rayne (**)
Backstage, Dixie Carter said she is not scared of Bully Ray because he is just a poodle that yaps all the time.
TNA Impact World Championship
Bobby Lashley vs. Jeff Hardy
Interesting. I knew Hardy was ditching the Willow gimmick for now, but Hardy doesn’t even have the stupid face paint and is just normal Jeff Hardy. This match was really good and the first legitimate feeling TNA world title match I have seen in a while. It looked like Hardy was going to win when he hit two Twist of Fates and then the Swanton, but Lashley kicked out. Hardy then got Lashley on the steel steps and went for a Swanton there but Lashley moved and Hardy hit a sick bump. The fans chanted “this is awesome.” Lashley got back in the ring and hit the spear for the win. This was a good 15 minute match.
Winner: Bobby Lashley (***)
Dixie Carter was heading to the ring while Kurt Angle was doing an interview. He tried to stop her and she made a comment about Bully Ray making idol threats and said she was going to talk to her people. Before that can happen, MVP is celebrating with Kenny King and Bobby Lashley backstage when Kurt Angle walks in and books MVP in a fall’s count anywhere match next week with Bobby Roode.
Rockstar Spud introduces his Queen Dixie Carter. Ethan Carter III and Rhino accompany her to the ring. Carter acts disgusted about the New York City wrestling fans, and they don’t shut up booing her entire interview. Rockstar Spud is brilliant with his reactions as Dixie Carter talks. Carter than said she is more hardcore than Bully Ray is. This interview is going too long. Luckily, just as I typed Bully Ray showed up.
Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer come out with a table. Bully and Dreamer attack Rhino and EC3. They eliminate them and then kicks Spud in the face. Dixie is alone with Bully and Dreamer. EC3 back in to make the save. Rhino and Spud grab Dixie and take her to safety in the crowd. However, Team 3D music kicks on and Devon comes out and tosses EC3 back in the ring. They hit the “Waas-Up” headbutt to the crotch and then the audience yells “Get the Tables” and they hit the 3D on EC3 through the table to end the show.
