Views from the Hawke’s Nest: TNA Destination X 2012

July 8th, 2012
Orlando, Florida

Commentators: Mike Tenay & Jeremy Borash

Mason Andrews vs. Rubix vs. Lars Only vs. Dakota Darsow
Winner of this match gets into the X-Division Title Tournament happening throughout the show. Andrews was known as Scorpio Sky on the independent scene. Rubix was Jigsaw. Lars Only was Johnny Yuma. I like all three of them, but Andrews probably has the “national TV” look that TNA or WWE would want, at least more so than the other two. I’m not familiar with Darsow. The winner immediately faces Kid Kash in the tournament.

Only and Darsow got sent to the floor early. Andrews and Rubix traded pinning combinations. Rubix sent him to the floor. Only took Rubix down with a headscissors. Darsow hit Only with a backbreaker. Only rolled him up for a nearfall. Rubix hit Darsow with a diving cross-body for a nearfall. Darsow hit Rubix with a spinning Falcon Arrow, but Only broke it up. Only tackled Darsow and both men well to the floor. Andrews wiped out both men with a somersault plancha. Rubix then wiped out everyone with a Fosbury Flop! Never seen Jigsaw do that. He knows it is a PPV. Back in the ring, Andrews got an armbar on Rubix. Andrews transitioned it into a kimura, but Only broke it up. Only managed to hit all three men with one combination. Only went to the top rope, but Darsow crotched him. Andrews gave Darsow some big kicks. Tower of Doom. These guys will fit right into the X-Division. Rubix hit Darsow with a Coast-to-Coast dropkick. Crowd was most behind Rubix, which the commentators acknowledged. All four men stumbled to their feet. Darsow gave Andrews a neckbreaker. Rubix gave Darsow a high kick. Only gave Rubix a Sex Factor. Andrews blocked a Sex Factor from Only and hit him with a TKO: 1…2…3!

Fun opener. Rubix was the most over by the end, and I think the crowd was most interested in seeing him advance. He is who I would have gone with too (even before the match), but I can’t say I am surprised that they went with Andrews. Lars Only and Darsow didn’t stand out as much, but that seemed almost by design (unintentionally or not).
Match Rating: ***

Kid Kash vs. Mason Andrews
Kash is apparently a former X-Division champion. Did not know that. In my opinion, it would be a waste for Kash to win this match.

Kash jumped Andrews right after Andrews won the opener. Andrews came back with a pair of dropkicks and a crucifix pin: 1…2…NO! Kash cut him right off and got the heat. Kash was in complete control and spent some time mocking the crowd. The heat was going on too long, but Kash kept getting into it with the crowd, so they didn’t lose interest. Kash went for a double jump moonsault, but Andrews got the knees up. Andrews made a comeback, which included a slingshot headscissors. Missile dropkick: 1…2…NO! Sky hit the Brogue Knee: 1…2…NO! Andrews avoided a big knee from Kash and rolled him up: 1…2…3!

I think this match was worked well to get Andrews over as a tough babyface going forward, and I am definitely glad that he won. I hadn’t seen Kash perform in months and I was actually pretty impressed. I like what he brings to the X-Division, and I hope he has a spot going forward.
Match Rating: **3/4

Samoa Joe cuts a promo in the back. He says last year he wanted to hurt people in the Bound For Glory Series. This year, all he cares about is getting a title shot.

Douglas Williams vs. Kenny King
Kenny King jumped from ROH to TNA last Thursday. He is still technically one half of the ROH World Tag Champions.

They started out the match trading holds. Douglas offered up a hand, but he just kicked King in the gut. Smart decision by Douglas as Kenny King does not do handshake deals. King sent him to the floor and shit a slingshot corkscrew press to the floor. Back in the ring, King remained in control. This has been the Kenny King showcase so far, which is OK with me. Douglas came back with a middle rope uppercut and a lariat. Douglas is very European. King avoided a Chaos Theory and hit an enzuigiri. King hit a spinning kick for a nearfall. Spinebuster from King: 1…2…NO! Douglas dumped King to the floor and hit a diving knee to the floor. King came back with a springboard blockbuster: 1…2…NO! King avoided a charging Douglas and hit the Coronation: 1…2…3~!

Not a blowaway match, but I was entertained. More importantly, King got over with the crowd and won the match. King’s singles match style has always been more of a national TV style to me, so I’m glad he’s finally getting a real shot. Douglas Williams being used more by TNA would not hurt my feelings.
Match Rating: **3/4

Sonjay Dutt vs. Rashad Cameron
Dutt never held the X-Division title in his previous runs with the company. Cameron is Sabian in CZW, among other promotions. I’m not too familiar with him. I’m hoping Dutt wins this.

Cameron sent him to the floor early and hit a somersault plancha. Back in the ring, Dutt came back with a hurricanrana. Cameron played the rudo, and he got the heat after taking out Dutt’s legs on the apron. Dutt came back with a bulldog into the turnbuckle and a slingshot legdrop. Dutt hit a springboard splash for a nearfall. Cameron got a cross-armbreaker. Dutt made the ropes. Dutt hit a standing Sliced Bread #2. Dutt then went to the top rope and hit a MOONSAULT GHETTO STOMP: 1…2…3. Damn right that is the finish.

This was the flattest match so far. The crowd liked Dutt more, but they didn’t seem to care enough about Cameron to want to boo him. Solid match though.
Match Rating: **1/2

There was a special update on Jesse Sorenson. He was seen walking. The doctor says he should be able to wrestle again, and that he can still have a long, successful career. Good stuff. What a coincidence, Sorenson is at the PPV. He came out walking and wearing a neckbrace. He got a “Welcome Back!” chant. His mother was seen crying in the crowd. He said he was born to be a professional wrestler and that he always will be. He says he hopes Zema wins the belt tonight so that he can take the belt from him. He vows to be X-Division Champion at this point next year, and that he will cash in to become the World Heavyweight champion at Destination X 2013. Just as Sorenson was leaving, Zema Ion made his way to the ring. Awkkkkkkward.

Zema Ion vs. Flip Casanova
Casanova is Flip Kendrick on the independent scene. He specializes in flips. His weakness is making said flips look like an organic part of a fight. I wish they called him Flip London.

Zema jumped Flip from behind before the bell rang. Flip sent him to the floor early and hit a Fosbury Flop variation. Back in the ring, Flip went for a standing flippy move, but Zema kicked him away. Zema got the heat. Zema went for a middle rope moonsault, but Flip got his knees up. Flip then hit a corkscrew Lionsault for a nearfall. Flip went to the top rope and went for a the shooting star legdrop, but Zema rolled out of the way. Zema hit a facebuster and then a Gory Special slam: 1…2…3.

Definitely the most flat match of the night, but it was just fine other than that. This match was all about Zema going into the Ultimate X strong. Flip didn’t botch any of his flips so that was good.
Match Rating: **1/4

Bound for Glory Series
Samoa Joe [27] vs. Kurt Angle [20]
Their first match was almost six years ago. What the fuck.

There is a 15 minute time limit. Joe’s haircut is terrible. Joe hit the facewash early. Joe sent Angle to the floor, and Angle took a Wrestlemania bump. Joe wiped him out with an elbow suicida. Back in the ring, Joe hit an enzuigiri. Angle blocked a Muscle Buster attempt, and he then hit a middle rope dropkick. Angle started to get the heat. Joe blocked a top rope suplex and hit a diving leg lariat: 1…2…NO! Joe was in control after that until Angle caught him with a trio of German suplexes. Joe reversed a Drunk Slam, and then Angle reversed a Muscle Buster into an Ankle Lock. Urinagi from Joe. Muscle Buster: 1…2…NO! Angle reversed a Coquina Clutch into an Ankle Lock. Joe reversed it into a Coquina Clutch! Angle stood out of it and hit the Drunk Slam: 1…2…NO! Joe avoided another Drunk Slam attempt and locked in another Coquina Clutch! Angle passed out! 10 points for Joe!

I’ll probably get some heat for having this match rated so closely to the matches before it, but this match was fairly underwhelming compared to their matches in the past. It’s probably not fair to compare this matchup to their initial series, but this felt very Angle-formulaic. Let me be clear, this was a good match that I enjoyed, but a part of me was hoping they would go for something other than the finisher/reversal sequence so early and often. It’s effective to a point, but these two are capable of greatness.
Match Rating: ***1/2

AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels [Last Man Standing]
This feud. This feud.

They played cat & mouse at the start. AJ was in control. It was obviously more of a brawl given the nature of the feud. They brought out a chair, and Daniels gave AJ a Rock Bottom on it. That probably sucked. Daniels dumped AJ to the floor. Daniels got into it with a fan who was yelling at him to do a BME. AJ’s forehead got busted open, as Daniels got the heat. Back in the ring, Daniels went for a chairshot, but AJ kicked out his leg. Daniels was holding the chair to his own face like an idiot just as AJ connected with a springboard forearm. Back to the floor they went, and AJ sent him into the steel steps. Both men are now bleeding. They brawled up the entrance ramp. They did the double clotheslines spot, and they both landed on the entrance ramp. Ouch. They may regret that one. They traded more strikes. AJ knocked him down but told the referee to not count him out. AJ set up for the Styles Clash, but Daniels gave him a back body drop. AJ then did the moonsault reverse DDT on the ramp. Holy shit. That looked uncomfortable. The referee started to count, but Kazarian ran out and sent AJ onto the floor from the ramp. Mike Tenay was shocked. I don’t know why. AJ made it to his feet at nine. Daniels pulled out a table. AJ blocked the table spot, and he then gave Daniels the Pele. AJ then did the Styles Clash off the ramp through the table on the floor. That looked incredible. AJ made it up at nine, but Daniels did not!

Fantastic match. This feud is so hokey and doesn’t appeal to me at all, but the feud at least establishes the roles of each guy very clearly so that it makes it easy for the crowd to get invested (somewhat reminds me of the current Gekido storyline in Chikara that doesn’t appeal to me much). Both men earned their paychecks tonight. Before this match, I forgot how much I missed watching these two. They are both still great.
Match Rating: ****

Austin Aries cut a promo saying the X-Division is behind him, and now he is focused entirely on the Heavyweight Title. Good promo.

Sonjay Dutt vs. Mason Andrews vs. Zema Ion vs. Kenny King [X-Division Title/Ultimate X]
The Ultimate X structure seems higher above the ring than I remember. Zema ate a triple dropkick early. All the early action was based on climbing the structure, which was nice. King springboarded up to the ropes, but Dutt took him down and hit a standing shooting star press. Dutt had to be taken away to receive medical attention. King went for his slingshot corkscrew press on Zema, but Zema avoided it. Andrews wiped out both of them with a corkscrew press of his own. Andrews was on the ropes, but King took him down with a springboard spear. That was cool. Dutt returned to the match. Dutt, Andrews and King all ended up on the ropes. Zema soon joined them. King and Andrews caused each other to both fall. Dutt and Zema climbed onto the metal structure above the title. They traded shots in the middle. Zema pulled out his hairspray and sprayed it into Dutt’s eyes. Dutt fell to the mat, and Zema Ion won the match and the X-Division title.

Crowd wasn’t super into the match, but it was good. They didn’t go out there and try to do as many stupid (but cool-looking) moves as possible. Instead, almost every guy was trying to climb the whole time. Everyone looked good, and I’m hoping that all of them are a part of TNA’s plans going forward. They all have different strengths and weaknesses, but they all have something to offer.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Robert Roode© vs. Austin Aries [TNA World Title]
There was a fantastic video package to hype up the match. As someone who doesn’t watch the TV, I thought this was very helpful.

Aries definitely has that Final Battle 2004 look in his eyes. Aries’s cape > Roode’s robe. That probably gives the advantage to Aries. Neither man could get a decisive advantage early. Aries hit a slingshot senton and an elbow drop for an early nearfall. Silly Robert Roode…YOU CAN’T HEADSCISSORS AUSTIN ARIES! Aries hit a diving double sledge to the floor. Back in the ring, Roode cut him off and started to get the heat. Aries came back and tried to lock in the Front Chancery, but Roode made the ropes. Aries sent him to the floor. Aries went for the heat-seeking missile, but Roode dodged it and Aries crashed into the barricade. Ouch. Back in the ring, Roode hit a spear for a nearfall. Roode was in full control. Aries got a rollup at one point, but Roode quickly cut him off with a lariat. Roode mocked Aries some more, but that just woke Aries up. They traded strikes. Aries hit a big discus forearm and sent Roode to the floor. HEAT SEEKING MISSILE! The simplest way to make a dive more meaningful is to fail doing it once and then connect on the second attempt. Back in the ring, Roode hit a big powerslam: 1…2…NO! Roode went for a spear, but Aries blocked it and locked in the Front Chancery. Roode reversed it into a crippler crossface. Aries reversed it right back into the Front Chancery. Roode raked his eyes to escape. Aries blocked a superplex and went for a 450. Roode avoided it and Aries rolled though. Roode hit a spinebuster for a nearfall. Roode sent Aries into a turnbuckle and then locked in another crossface. Aries made the ropes. Roode distracted the referee and then hit Aries in the balls: 1…2…NO! Roode argued with the referee and then ate a Corner IED kick! Aries set up for the brainbuster, but Roode escaped and shoved Aries into the ref. Belt shot from Roode: 1…2…NO! Roode went for the Payoff, but Aries rolled through. Punt to the head! BRAINBUSTER: 1…2…3!!!

Confetti celebration!

Fantastic match. Both men played their roles to perfection, and the crowd was going nuts by the end. I was skeptical that TNA would go with the hot hand, but I couldn’t be happier that they did. Austin Aries has been one of the best wrestlers in the world for the last decade, and I am so glad that he is getting an opportunity to prove it on bigger and bigger stages. TNA deserves a lot of credit for recognizing that Aries’s time was now, and that holding out for Roode vs. Storm was no longer the right play. I don’t know how long Aries’s title reign will last, but I will enjoy it for however long it goes.
Match Rating: ****

Overall Thoughts: This was the most I have enjoyed a TNA PPV in a very long time. TNA feels fresh right now. The Aries push and bringing in new guys to the X-Division got them some buzz, and I think they did a great job of capitalizing on that right here. I don’t know how long they can sustain this momentum, but I am hopeful that they can because wrestling is definitely better off if TNA is successful. They are still doing a lot of things that boggle my mind, but I can’t remember a time in the last four years when people have been so hopeful that TNA would thrive. As for this show, I still think the cost of PPV is way too high at the moment, but I can’t imagine TNA is going to produce a better PPV this year. Maybe wait for it to be on Netflix.

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