411’s TNA Lockdown 2013 Report

*****

–Lockdown Opening Video (you can watch it on YouTube if you’re interested in seeing it)-

—–

Todd Keneley welcomes the home audience as we get a shot of the crowd at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. He’s joined by Taz and Mike Tenay and they break down the big matches of the show.

—–

Zema Ion makes his way out for the opening match of the show, an X-Division Title triple threat match. Christian York makes his way out second, and Champ Kenny King is out third.

—–

Match #1: Kenny King (c) Vs. Zema Ion Vs. Christian York for the TNA X-Division Title

Ion takes the early advantage taking it to both York and King. York fights out of the corner, rolls over Ion, and drops King. Ion responds with a hurricanrana but York lands on his feet and drops Ion with a clothesline. York reverses an Irish whip but King exits the ring before York can follow up. Ion catches York from behind, but he ducks a clothesline and hits a suicide dive to the outside on King. Ion goes for a high-flying move of his own but York drops him with a kick instead. King throws York into the rail then tries to use Ion as a springboard but Ion pushes him back and King goes head-first into the railing. Ion takes to the air and hits a corkscrew splash on both York and King.

Ion rolls York in and goes for a hurricanrana but York catches him in a powerbomb position. King makes his way off the top rope and hits a Buff Blockbuster on Ion. York tries to take advantage with a pinfall attempt but only gets a 2-count. York suplexes King and floats over for a 2-count. York tries to take advantage but King drops York throat-first onto the top rope for a 2-count of his own. King chops York in the corner but York fights out of the corner with a series of chops of his own. King stops him with an eyerake and slams him to the mat. King heads to the second turnbuckle, but Ion strikes him from the apron. Ion connects with a hurricanrana, dropping King, and he lands on York for a pinfall attempt. 2-count. Ion connects with a suplex and hits the second turnbuckle moonsault for the 1…2…kick out.

York attacks King who’s on the apron. York drapes King over the top rope and hits a massive flying legdrop for the 1…2…King grabs the rope to break the count. King bails to the outside while York and Ion go at it. Ion drops York then immediately hits King with a baseball slide. Ion hits the flying spike DDT on York for the 1…2…kickout. King rolls back in and knocks Ion off the top and onto the entrance ramp. King goes to the outside and slams Ion on the ramp, following up with a springboard legdrop to do even more damage. York pulls Ion back in and goes for the cover. 1…2…King breaks the count.

King goes for a suplex but York uses knees to stop it. King, however, uses a kneelift of his own to drop York before placing Ion on the top turnbuckle. King picks Ion up for a slam but York slides under King and hits a fallaway slam/powerbomb version of the Tower of Doom. York covers King for the 1…2…kick out. York then goes for the pin on Ion for the 1…2…kickout. York with a back kick to King’s midsection followed by a bulldog. Ion rushes York but is dropped with a clothesline. King attempts a spin kick but York catches him and hits a back suplex. York then hits the Mood Swing on Ion for the 1…2…kickout. King misses a kick and York gives him one of his own. Ion gets back into it by raking both men’s backs. Ion sends King into York who goes for a DDT. Ion hits a neckbreaker on York as he DDT’s King. Ion tries for a cover on both men but doesn’t get the deuce.

Ion goes to the top turnbuckle but York kicks him and knocks him to the mat. York scales to the top and hits a double stomp followed by a Dreamscape into King. York sets up for the Mood Swing on Ion but King hits the running knees to knock him off. King hits a full-force kick into Ion and goes for the Royal Flush on York but York rolls him up for a 2-count. York goes for the Mood Swing again but King reverses into a Royal Flush, hitting the move for real and he covers York for the 1…2…3.

Winner and STILL X-Division Champion [via Pinfall]: Kenny King (11:01)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Hell of a match to start off the show. The X-Division might just be three people but those three put on a great contest. Even Christian York had some solid moments, outside of nearly letting Kenny King die by not getting in the way of the guardrail during the moonsault spot. That was terrifying. Either way really good stuff to start the show and it put me in a positive mood for the rest of the night. Don’t blow it, TNA. Please?

—–

Jeremy Borash is backstage and after hyping the various TNA social networks brings in his guest Joseph Park. Park says he’s ready and then goes into a spiel about churros until Bad Influence interrupt. Frankie Kazarian tells Park that Dixie Carter wants to talk to him and Park runs off. Kazarian takes over the interview and says tonight they become the World Tag Team Champions of the World again…again…again. Christopher Daniels says they are tired of being disrespected by Carter, the fans, and their opponents tonight. Daniels says the belts are the most important things in their lives. Daniels says tonight they will prove they are the best tag team in the BUS-A-NESS.

• THOUGHTS: Glad to see Joseph Park back…on a PPV…despite having little TV time…and no match hype…still, I’m glad. Daniels cut a great promo for his side of Bad Influence, probably one of the best he’s done in awhile.

—–

Joey Ryan makes his way out for the second contest of the evening. Joseph Park makes his way out second as the announcers hype his undefeated record on IMPACT Wrestling. Ryan oils himself up before the match as Park looks on disgust then grabs a mic. Ryan says it’s true that everything is bigger in Texas, citing Park and the crowd as “evidence”. Ryan calls Park a “mark” and says he belongs sitting in the audience rather than in the ring with him. Ryan says he has the size advantage over Park “where it counts. Ryan hands the mic to Park, and Park immediately says that San Antonio “rocks!”. Ryan immediately attacks him mid-cheap pop.

—–

Match #2: Joseph Park Vs. Joey Ryan

Ryan kicks Park in the gut and goes for an Irish whip but Park won’t budge. Ryan slides under Park and pokes him in the eye with his baby oil hands. Park angrily stomps after Ryan, who bails to the outside. Ryan rolls back into the ring but Park takes him down with an armdrag. Park chops Ryan, the second one sending Ryan flying into the corner. Ryan counters a corner splash with a kick but his attempted second-rope crossbody goes nowhere due to Park’s girth. Ryan responds by dropkicking Park’s legs, sending him to the mat. Ryan massages his baby oil pecs then rubs the residue on Park’s face. Park tries to get back up but Ryan kicks his legs out sending him crashing back down. Ryan covers Park a series of times, each one unsuccessful.

Ryan backs Park in the corner and rubs his chest all over Park’s face. Ryan follows up with a running forearm in the corner and then showboats to the San Antonio crowd. Ryan goes for another but Park backdrops him to the apron. Ryan connects with a right and scales to the top rope. Ryan connects with a missile dropkick then takes even more time to show off. Ryan covers Park suggestively for a 2-count. Park gets to his knees and grabs Ryan by the chest hair, ripping some off. Park continues the offensive assault, concluding a series of moves a corner splash. Ryan crashes to the mat and Park goes to the second-rope. Park goes for the Closing Argument but Ryan rolls out of the way. Ryan goes for a second-rope sunset flip but Park instead sits on him for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Joseph Park (5:42)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: An entertaining match to watch. I’ve missed Joey Ryan and the whole baby oil gimmick actually yielded some fun moments. Found Park yanking Ryan’s chest hair way to funny to still be considered an adult.

—–

We catch up backstage with Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan. Hogan says all of their dreams are coming true, but Ray interrupts and tells her that he’s nervous. Ray says he wants to make her, her Dad, and himself proud. Ray is interrupted by Hulk Hogan who asks Brooke to talk to Ray in private. Hogan sits down and tells Ray that this “little company” has the chance to go to bigger and bigger things tonight. Hogan tells Ray there’s something about him that’s really special, a type of energy. Hogan says he thinks Ray is TNA’s launching point and is betting on him to win and take the company onto greatness. Hogan says while he does want a son-in-law to be champ, there’s more to it than that. Hogan says he’s seen what Ray has done to Brooke, how he’s put a spark in her eye after all the crap Hogan has put her through. Hogan says he loves Ray like his own son. Hogan tells Ray he wants him to win the World Title and tells him to make sure the fans remember him for as long as they live. Ray and Hogan shake hands and Ray helps him up. Ray promises that he’ll make the fans remember him tonight. FORESHADOWING.

• THOUGHTS: TNA should never be considered masters of subtlety; they all but beat us over the head with a stick labeled “BULLY RAY IS PART OF THE ACES AND 8’S!”. Outside of that though it was actually pretty good promo work from Hulk. I didn’t do it justice here, though.

—–

Gail Kim makes her way out for the third contest, and second championship match, of the evening. Referee Taryn Terrell is in the ring and Kim and her get into a little verbal altercation while Kim’s music is still playing. Knockouts Champ Velvet Sky makes her way out second and lets the pigeons loose as you probably assumed she would.

—–

Match #3: Velvet Sky (c) Vs. Gail Kim for the TNA Knockouts Title

Sky goes for three roll-ups to start to try to win early until Kim hides between the ropes. Kim kicks Sky in the gut and clubs her with a forearm to the back. Sky reverses an Irish whip but Kim hits a sunset flip for the 1…2…Sky reverses into her own for the 1…2…kickout. Sky takes Kim down with a headscissors but Kim strikes her way back to the offense. It’s short-lived, however, as Sky hits a swinging neckbreaker and gets another 2-count. Kim rolls to the apron and Sky hits a running baseball slide to knock her out to the floor. Sky goes to the apron and hits a running seated splash. Sky sets up for the IN YO’ FACE on the floor but Kim drives her back-first into the steel post. Kim rolls her in and covers her for a 2-count. Kim immediately jaws at Terrell for the slow count.

Kim sends Sky face-first into the corner and hits the running mid-section splash. Kim shows off on the apron before heading back in to continue the punishment. Sky fights back with a couple of forearms but Kim kicks her to stop it. Kim picks Sky up in a Samoan drop position and faceplants her. Kim goes for the cover but Terrell catches her hand on the rope so she refuses to count. Kim connects with a backbreaker for the 1…2…kickout. Kim screams out in frustration. Sky reverses a corner Irish whip and turns Kim’s attempted headscissors into a faceplant of her own. Both women are down.

Sky side-steps a corner splash and hits a series of clotheslines and a back elbow on Kim. Sky catches Kim with the running bulldog followed by an inverted DDT for 1…2…kickout. Kim tries for a kick but Sky catches it. Kim grabs Terrell to hold her balance and eats the EAT DEFEAT after letting go for the 1…2…kickout! Kim angrily shoves Terrell and backs her into the corner. Terrell says it was 2 and Kim slaps her in the face before daring her to disqualify her. Kim turns around waiting for the bell but Terrell instead catches her with a spear before repeatedly slamming her head-first into the mat over and over again. Terrell yells and pulls at her hair. Terrell composes herself as Kim points a finger at her. Sky sneaks up behind Kim and connects with the IN YO’ FACE for the 1…2…3!

Winner and STILL Knockouts Champion [via Pinfall]: Velvet Sky (7:26)

MATCH THOUGHTS: If you’ve read my Impact reports (and really who doesn’t read them? **crickets**), you know I wasn’t high on this match going into the PPV but I’ve got to say: this was actually pretty damn good. These two finally found their chemistry and ended up putting on one of the better, if not the best, Knockouts matches I’ve seen in many months. Granted it was overshadowed by Terrell and Kim, but I can appreciate a good match when it happens. The San Antonio crowd went nuts for Terrell’s spear, so they’ve started off on the right foot so far.

—–

Jeremy Borash is backstage. He brings out his guest Robbie E. Robbie E says tonight is the night he finally proves that he’s better than “Big” Rob. Robbie E says he did everything for Robbie T but all his former bro did was hold him back for two years. Robbie E speaks in a slow drawl so Texans can understand him and says he’s going to make his former bro into his ho.

—–

STORYLINE RECAP: Robbie E/Robbie T

—–

Robbie E makes his way out for the next contest.Robbie T makes his way out second, with his own theme music but keeping his name and “Jersey Shore” location. Robbie E immediately bails out to the ring and begs his former bro to chill.

—–

Match #4: Robbie T Vs. Robbie E

Robbie E calls for a time out and apologizes to Robbie T before hugging him. Robbie E breaks the hug and Robbie T immediately shoves him down to the mat. Robbie E decides to get serious and stretches in preparation. Robbie E ducks a clothesline and locks on a side headlock. Robbie T completely no-sells it and easily pulls himself out of it with one hand. Robbie T then sends Robbie E back to the mat. Robbie E hides between the ropes to force a ref break. Robbie E tries a single-leg takedown but Robbie T picks him up and throws him down gutwrench-style. Robbie E does get a kick in before Robbie T elevates him in the air and drops him face-first. Robbie E dodges a corner splash and peppers Robbie T with a series of strikes. Robbie T goozles Robbie E who breaks out. Robbie E chops Robbie T a couple of times but Robbie T feels no pain so Robbie E bails to the outside.

Robbie T grabs his former bro, but Robbie E drops the left arm over the top rope. Robbie E runs back and clips the knee. He goes for a cover, only getting a 2-count. Robbie E applies an armbar to wear down the injured arm, then jumps on his back for a sleeperhold. Robbie T falls to one knee and starts to fade. Robbie T gets back to his feet and Robbie E jumps on his back. Robbie T rams him in the corner to break the hold. Robbie E attempts a second-rope move but is caught by Robbie T. Robbie E slides out of a slam but Robbie T uses his power to beat the other Robbie down. Robbie T slams Robbie E to the mat and signals for the finish. Robbie T picks Robbie E up and hits a standing spinebuster for the 1…2…3.

Winner [via Pinfall]: Robbie T (5:42)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Well that was…something. Robbie E did his part making Robbie T look like a million bucks but he didn’t appear to have much to offer in-ring wise. That’s a shame too because he has gotten better over the past few years. Also I’m surprised they’re keeping him as Robbie T; maybe they’ll drop the whole thing come Thursday.

—–

Jeremy Borash is backstage with one-half of the TNA World Tag Team Champions Austin Aries. Borash asks where his partner is. Aries says people have been asking him that all week and says he doesn’t need Bobby Roode to get the job done or keep the belts. Aries says everyone knows he could defeat all four of his opponents by himself. Aries then says that luckily for him it won’t be necessary and in comes Bobby Roode. Roode simply says “Miss me?” and the duo exit the interview area.

• THOUGHTS: All the reports of Bobby Roode potentially not being at the event made me nervous so I was ecstatic to see him show up. Also I should stop believing everything I read.

——

Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez make their way out for the next contest, the third championship contest of the evening. Bad Influence make their way out second. Austin Aries & Bobby Roode are the last ones out, making their entrance to Aries’ music.

——

Match #5: Austin Aries & Bobby Roode (c) Vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez Vs. Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) for the TNA World Tag Team Titles

Roode and Guerrero start off, but Daniels quickly tags in and sends Roode back to the apron. Guerrero slaps on a side headlock and takes Daniels down with a shoulderblock. Daniels leapfrogs Guerrero and takes him down with a shoulderblock of his own. Daniels cartwheels over Guerrero but gets caught with a series of rights before receiving a back bodydrop. Hernandez tags in and he and his partner deliver a double hip-toss to Daniels and a double backdrop to Kazarian before clearing the ring of Aries and Roode as well. Guerrero and Hernandez stand tall in their home state as the crowd cheers.

Hernandez brings Daniels back in and drops him with a scoop slam. Guerrero tags in and hits a senton from the apron. Hernandez tags back in and catches Daniels in a bearhug before throwing him with an over the head belly to belly suplex. Guerrero gets the quick tag and connects with a basement dropkick for the 1…2…Aries breaks the count. Daniels gets a jawbreaker and tags Kazarian in, but he’s met with a hip toss. Guerrero slams Kazarian to the mat and tags in Hernandez. Hernandez slams Guerrero on top of Kazarian then hits a running splash on him for the 1…2…kickout. Kazarian moves out of the way of a corner splash and takes him down with a top rope Missile Dropkick after Daniels distracts him.

Kazarian connects with a series of rights and sends Hernandez into the boot of Daniels. Daniels tags in and hit a series of moves back to back for the 1…Hernandez easily throws Daniels off. Kazarian tags in but Hernandez reverses a double suplex into one of his own. Guerrero tags in and rolls over Daniels to take Kazarian down with a double forearm. Guerrero takes Daniels down with a headscissors and hits 2 of the 3 Amigos on Daniels before Kazarian breaks it up. Guerrero hits Kazarian with 2 of the 3 Amigos before Roode breaks it up so he gets 2 of the 3 Amigos before Aries breaks it up before he gets 2 of the 3 Amigos. Roode finally stops him by stomping him from behind.

Kazarian tags Daniels in who chokes Guerrero with his knee. Kazarian tags in and they hit the slingshot elbow/legdrop combo for 2. Bad Influence work Guerrero over in their corner. Daniels tags in and rides Guerrero down to the mat from the second turnbuckle. Daniels postures to the crowd and goes for the cover but Aries and Roode distract the ref. Daniels wrenches the head of Guerrero to wear him down. Guerrero tries to elbow out but Daniels throws him down to the mat. Daniels feigns tagging to Aries or Roode but “salutes” them instead. Guerrero dropkicks Daniels into the champs’ corner and Roode tags himself in. Roode chokes Guerrero until the ref’s count forces him off.

Roode whips Guerrero into the ropes and connects with a back elbow for another 2-count. Aries tags in and Roode slingshots Guerrero into a forearm. Aries hits a splash over Roode’s knees. Roode tags back in after things get a bit hectic and distracts the ref, allowing Aries to choke Guerrero as Hernandez yells in protest. Roode and Guerrero trade rights until Roode thrusts him into the corner. Aries tags in and boxes Guerrero’s ears before hitting a second-rope dropkick to the back of Guerrero’s head for the 1…2…kickout. Guerrero starts fighting back but Roode rakes the eyes from the apron before tagging in. Aries holds Guerrero’s legs to allow Roode to drop him with a right.

Guerrero fights back once again but Roode dodges a dropkick. Guerrero is sent into the tag champs’ corner and drops Aries off the apron. Guerrero backflips over Roode but they both knock each other down with a clothesline. Aries tags in and prevents the tag, hitting all three other wrestlers. Aries throws Guerrero out of the ring as Bad Influence and Aries/Roode get into an argument/shoving match. Everyone gets their shots in and the sequence concludes with Aries and Kazarian both collide with a bodyblock. Guerrero hits a top-rope crossbody from the top and makes the hot tag to Hernandez who hits a slingshot shoulderblock to Aries and Kazarian. Hernandez drops Aries face-first on the mat. Roode and Daniels try to stop any further punishment but are dropped with a double clothesline. Hernandez drops Aries and Kazarian with an over the shoulder backbreaker after Guerrero suplexes Kazarian onto his shoulder. Hernandez goes for the pin on Aries. 1…2…kickout!

Hernandez knocks Aries out of the ring, but is dropped with an STO by Daniels. Guerrero hits a spin kick to Daniels sending him to the outside. Roode takes Guerrero out with a Urinage, but Kazarian hits Roode with a springboard DDT. Kazarian goes for the Fade to Black but Aries comes in to prevent it. Roode hits Kazarian with a spinebuster and Aries goes to the top. Daniels crotches him and tags himself in. Daniels and Roode slug it out until Hernandez runs down the ramp and hits an Air Mexico to both men in the ring. Daniels goes for a second-rope crossbody but Hernandez catches him and connects with a sit-out powerbomb. Guerrero tags in and goes to the top but Kazarian meets him there. Aries pushes Kazarian off the top and onto the floor, then gets Guerrero in superplex position. Hernandez peels Aries off and Aries sends them both to the outside with a hurricanrana. Daniels meets Guerrero at the top but Guerrero knocks him to the mat. Guerrero goes for the Frog Splash but Roode tags him in before he hits it. Guerrero is forced out by Aries and Roode runs in and covers the fallen Daniels for the 1…2…3!

Winners and STILL Tag Team Champions [via Pinfall]: Austin Aries & Bobby Roode (17:01)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Much like the opening match, these three teams represent 100% of the division they compete in and again like the opening match, they totally and unflinchingly delivered. A really fun and frenetic match that I had a hard time keeping track of recap-wise. Enjoyed the hell out of it though and even loved the finish with Roode stealing a win and keeping the belts. I was hoping for Bad Influence to get them back, but I don’t mind Aries/Roode as champs. They just need to change up their act a little bit to distinguish themselves from Daniels/Kazarian.

—–

Jeremy Borash brings in Taryn Terrell to talk about what occurred earlier in the show. Terrell says Gail Kim has been pushing her for months and at the end of the day she had to stand up for herself. Gail Kim comes out of nowhere and attacks Terrell from behind mid-sentence. Backstage personnel separate the two.

—–

The ring crew start setting up the cage as the rest of the show will feature nothing but steel cage matches. Keneley and crew put over San Antonio and the Alamodome crowd which is the largest in TNA history. They then segue into a video hyping Slammiversary XI which happens June 2nd in Boston, MA.

—–

We catch up with The Aces and 8’s backstage. D’Lo Brown says they have waited 9 months for what happens tonight. Brown recaps what each member has done for them over the course of these past 9 months. Brown then says “Let’s do this!” after deciding who will enter first in Lethal Lockdown (I was looking down at the time, sorry).

• EDIT: It was Mr. Anderson who volunteered.

—–

Jeremy Borash is backstage with Kurt Angle. Angle says tonight is the night he makes Wes Brisco famous. Angle says there will be nowhere to run or hide for Brisco and tells D’Lo Brown that he’s next. Angle says Brisco is not like his Dad or Uncle, he’s a snot-nosed punk who needs his ass kicked. Angle says he’s going to give Brisco a San Antonio asswhoopin’ and concludes with “It’s real…it’s DAMN real!”.

—–

FEUD RECAP: Kurt Angle Vs. Wes Brisco

—–

Christy Hemme announces that this steel cage match can be won by pinfall, submission, or escape before introducing Wes Brisco to the ring. Brisco makes his way out from the back. Kurt Angle is second out and they are way more into him than they were for Brisco.

—–

Match #6: Kurt Angle Vs. Wes Brisco in a “Steel Cage Match”

Angle sweeps the legs and drops Brisco with a double-leg takedown as the crowd chants “USA!” in support of amateur wrestling at the Olympics (Angle is wearing a t-shirt in support of that cause). Angle and Brisco lock up once again and Angle connects with a release German suplex. Brisco gets an advantage with a series of shoulder thrusts in the corner and goes to escape the cage. Angle pulls him off and connects with a back suplex. Angle continues the assault with corner shoulder thrusts of his own. Angle whips Brisco in the corner, but he side steps a splash and Angle goes shoulder-first into the post/cage.

Brisco takes Angle to the mat with a snapmare and kicks him in the back. Brisco gets in the full-mount position and rips Angle’s t-shirt off before choking him with it. Brisco covers Angle but only gets a 2-count. Brisco applies a reverse chinlock to wear Angle down. Angle gets to his feet and elbows out but runs right into a flapjack. Brisco goes for another cover but only gets 2. Brisco sort-of applies a chinlock and connects with a forearm when Angle starts elbowing out. Brisco whips Angle into the corner but Angle gets a boot up. Angle connects with a second rope Missile Dropkick and both men are down.

Angle connects with three back-to-back clotheslines but is caught with a kick in the corner splash. Angle quickly regroups and catches Brisco with a release belly-to-belly suplex. Angle repeatedly tosses Brisco face-first into the cage then connects with five back-to-back German suplexes which the crowd goes wild for. Angle scales to the top turnbuckle and goes for a Frog Splash but Brisco moves out of the way. Brisco cradles Angle for the 1…2…kickout. Brisco repeatedly strikes Angle with rights while in the full mount before playing to the crowd a little bit. Angle comes out of nowhere and connects with the Angle Slam and both men are down once again.

Angle picks Brisco up but eats a low-blow which is legal because it’s a cage match. Brisco starts crawling towards the door and starts making his way out but Angle applies the Ankle Lock and drags him back in. Angle yells at Brisco to tap but Brisco rolls through and sends Angle face-first into the cage. Brisco goes to the opposite side and begins scaling the cage. Brisco cradles the top but Angle gets up and pulls him back in. Both men fight on the top rope and Angle wins the shootout and connects with a German suplex from the top rope! The San Antonio crowd chants “TNA!” in appreciation.

Angle tries for the Angle Slam but Brisco slides out. Angle goes for a clothesline but Brisco ducks and he takes out the ref instead. Angle applies the Ankle Lock with full leg grapevine and Brisco taps but there’s no ref to call for the bell. Angle tries to wake the ref up then refocuses on his opponent, connecting with a second Angle Slam. Angle flips Brisco off and opens the cage. He exits to the ramp but D’Lo Brown attacks him from behind and throws him back in. Brown then pulls Brisco out as the ref wakes up, giving the win to The Aces and 8’s.

Winner [via Cage Escape]: Wes Brisco (11:44)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Terrible match with a ridiculous finish. Brisco didn’t impress me and Angle didn’t really seem all that into it. A passionless top-rope German suplex is a sad top-rope German suplex. I guess they’re setting up a match between Angle and D’Lo and I can’t fathom anyone who would want to actually see that.

—–

STORYLINE RECAP: Sting/TNA Vs. The Aces and 8’s

—–

Christy Hemme introduces Mr. Anderson to start off the Lethal Lockdown match for The Aces and 8’s. Magnus makes his way out to start for Team TNA.

—–

Match #7: Team TNA (Sting, Magnus, Eric Young, James Storm & Samoa Joe) Vs. The Aces and 8’s (Devon, Mr. Anderson, D.O.C., Knox, & Garett Bischoff) in a “Lethal Lockdown Match”

Magnus and Anderson trash talk until Magnus connects with a right. Both men trade blows before Anderson grabs a side headlock. Magnus whips him into the ropes and takes him down with a shoulderblock. Anderson shoves Magnus, and Magnus shoves Anderson to the mat. Anderson begs off but cheap shots Magnus. Magnus escapes a corner attack and stomps Anderson down to the mat before sending him face-first into the top turnbuckle. Anderson ducks a clothesline but gets caught with a flying knee. Anderson gets a knee to the gut but Magnus hits the running clothesline to regain the advantage. Magnus rushes at Anderson but Anderson sends him running right into the cage. Anderson clotheslines Magnus from behind then works over him in the corner. Magnus tries to fight back but Anderson brings him to the mat with a snapmare before applying a reverse chinlock. Magnus escapes and Anderson attempts a Mic Check but he escapes that as well. Both men take each other with a clothesline as the next competitor comes out.

Knox makes his way out to give The Aces and 8’s the 2 on 1 advantage. Knox immediately stomps on the fallen Magnus before picking him up and cracking him in the jaw with a right. Knox whips Magnus hard into the corner then showboats for the crowd. Anderson then whips Magnus hard into the corner himself. Knox connects with a sideslam and Anderson immediately follows up with a legdrop.

Samoa Joe makes his way out for Team TNA to even the odds. Joe goes right at Anderson and Knox, taking them both down with clotheslines. Joe ducks a clothesline and hits a running kick to Knox. Anderson kicks Joe in the gut but runs into an inverted atomic drop. Magnus drops Anderson with a big boot and Joe follows up with a running senton. Joe works on Knox while Magnus works on Anderson in separate corners. Joe and Magnus then both attack Anderson with back-to-back elbowdrops.

Garett Bischoff is the third man in for The Aces and 8’s and he immediately goes after Magnus with an eye rake and a series of forearms on Joe. Bischoff chokes Magnus in the corner as the San Antonio crowd chants “You can’t wrestle!”. Bischoff plays to the hatred of the crowd as Joe and Magnus stand behind him. Joe and Magnus double team him with a chop/big boot/kneedrop combo. Magnus chokes the fallen Anderson with his boot then strikes Knox down in the corner. Magnus whips Joe into the corner, splashing Bischoff. Joe goes for another move but Anderson knocks him down while Knox slams Magnus to the mat from the top rope.

Eric Young is the third man for Team TNA and he immediately hits a dropkick on Bischoff. Young slams Bischoff and hits a series of running elbowdrops. Young concentrates on Bischoff, while Joe works on Knox and Magnus works on Anderson. Magnus slams Anderson to the mat and hits a springboard kneedrop. Bischoff regains advantage and rakes Young’s face across the cage.

Devon makes his way out to make it 4-3. Devon strikes all three Team TNA members before concentrating on Young in the corner. Young sidesteps a corner splash, however, and drops Devon with a running knee. Bischoff attacks Young from behind to stop the momentum. Joe then attacks Bischoff from behind. Devon drops Joe with an uppercut then moves on to Magnus.
James Storm is member #4 of Team TNA and he takes it to Anderson with a running neckbreaker. Storm drops Knux with the Last Call then goes back to Anderson. Devon attacks Storm from behind and those two go at it while Magnus drops Bischoff with an elbow.

D.O.C. makes his way out to conclude The Aces and 8’s team. DOC immediately goes on the offensive, laying out Young, Magnus, and Joe. DOC chokes Magnus on the top rope while Bischoff stomps on the fallen Young. Knux drops an elbow on Magnus, and DOC does the same. The Aces and 8’s stand tall and showboat to the crowd a little bit. DOC chokes Magnus in the corner with his hands while Anderson chokes Storm in another corner with his boot.

Sting makes his way out to even out Team TNA’s side, carrying two trashcans full of weapons and beginning the Lethal Lockdown proper. He takes it to The Aces and 8’s with a bat then brings in both trashcans into the ring. Team TNA lays into The Aces and 8’s with cookie sheets, kendo sticks, trashcans, trashcan lids, and other objects. Bischoff climbs to the top rope but Sting hits a low-blow with the bat. The Team TNA assault continues, Joe throwing a trashcan at Bischoff. Joe throws it once again and Sting hands him the other. Joe holds it against Bischoff and Sting splashes the can into Bischoff in the corner. Magnus cracks DOC with a lead pipe, Young using a bat on Devon.

Sting puts a can over Anderson’s head and hits a Stinger Splash in the corner. Sting picks Anderson up and Young goes to hit him with a bat but he moves. Young stops short of hitting Sting with it and gets low-blowed. The Aces and 8’s mount their comeback, weapons and all. Anderson cracks Joe with a trashcan lid while Young DDT’s Knox. DOC, however, chokeslams Young and Storm slams the trashcan into Doc’s head. Magnus and Storm corner Bischoff, who tries to escape the cage. They grab him off the top but Devon and Anderson get under each man. Joe then powerbombs all five men to the mat. Joe locks on the STF to Anderson but Knox breaks it up with a chairshot.

Knox goes to hit Sting with a chair but Young hits him with a forearm and Sting drops Knox with a Scorpion Death Drop. Young goes to the top to hit a move but Sting tells him to instead go to the top of the cage. Young does so and hits the top of the cage elbowdrop for the 1…2…3!

Winners [via Pinfall]: Team TNA (25:25)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Honestly outside of a few spots (six man tower of doom, Young’s top of the cage elbow, and Team TNA initially taking control with the weapons) I found myself more often than not bored with Lethal Lockdown. It was just punching and kicking with no real rhyme or reason until Sting entered the fray. But the big spots I mentioned did deliver and it was nice to see Young get the rub in this way. Unfortunately though this was a match The Aces and 8’s needed to win and having them lose so cleanly, and frankly rather easily, was a bit disconcerting.

—–

We cut to the announce table where the three announcers discuss the Lethal Lockdown match before segueing into hyping the main event. They look at the fan poll, which has Hardy winning the match and retaining the belt.

—–

STORYLINE RECAP: Jeff Hardy Vs. Bully Ray

—–

Bully Ray makes his way out for the main event. Tenay puts over Ray being a wrestling historian plus the pep talk Hulk gave him earlier (which was better than this recap states). TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy is second out and he sings along to the first few opening lines of his theme song. Hardy greets the ringside crowd as Keneley/Tenay go over Hardy’s nice streak as champion. Taz jaws with Ray at ringside. Jeremy Borash handles the in-ring introductions. Earl Hebner is the referee.

—–

Main Event: Jeff Hardy (c) Vs. Bully Ray in a “Steel Cage Match” for the TNA World Heavyweight Title

After a brief staredown, Ray and Hardy lock up. Ray grabs a side headlock, but is whipped into the ropes. Ray drops Hardy with a shoulderblock and allows Hardy to get back up. Ray and Hardy lock up once again and Ray grabs another side headlock. Hardy whips Ray into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Ray lands one of his own and goes for a quick pinfall attempt which ends in a 2-count.

Hardy gets the crowd clapping before they lock up for the third time. Ray slams Hardy to the mat and goes for another pinfall resulting in a 2-count. Ray allows Hardy to get himself up in the corner. Ray and Hardy lock up a forth time and Ray backs Hardy in the corner. Ray goes a chop but Hardy ducks out and mounts a quick set of offense. Hardy hits the Whisper in the Wind for a 2-count. Hardy goes to escape the cage but Ray pulls Hardy back in. Hardy kicks him off and hits an inverted springboard splash for a 2-count.

Hardy once again goes to climb out and gets one leg over but Ray rams the other knee into the cage. Hardy ends up back in and Ray headbutts him repeatedly on the top rope. Ray kicks Hardy in the head and he crotches on the top rope before falling to the mat. Ray hits back-to-back elbowdrops for a 2-count. Ray traps Hardy in a seated surfboard. Ray lets it go and slams Hardy to the mat for another 2-count. Hardy goes to escape through the door but Ray clubs him in the back and pulls him back in. Ray utilizes an Irish whip and follows up with a clothesline. Ray connects with a falling headbutt for a 2-count.

Ray stands over Hardy and directs his right hands to Hardy’s lower back. Ray waits for Hardy to get back up and slaps on a bearhug. Hardy elbows his way out and hits the ropes but runs right into a back bodydrop. Ray goes for another cover but only gets another 2-count. Ray tries for a Vader Bomb but Hardy moves out of the way. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Ray ducks and goes for the Bully Bomb. Hardy blocks it and manages to hit the Twist of Fate on the second go round. Hardy heads to the top to finish him off, but Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff scale the cage and attack Hardy. Ray drops both of them with a double clothesline and puts them in the corner. Ray kneels down and allows Hardy to hit them with the Poetry in Motion. Ray tells Hardy to open the door and they send both members of The Aces and 8’s flying out.

Hardy and Ray refocus on one another as the match starts anew. Ray and Hardy have an old-fashioned shootout, trading rights until Hardy wins it. Ray reverses an Irish whip but Hardy takes him down with a flying forearm. Hardy hits an inverted atomic drop then hits a legdrop between the legs followed by a basement dropkick for a 2-count. Hardy goes to exit the cage but Ray grabs his legs. Ray sets Hardy against the cage and open-hand slaps his chest, the sound echoing across the Alamodome. Hardy fights back and hits a kick to the chest. Hardy falls to the mat and Ray falls off the top and onto the champion for the 1…2…kickout. Hardy hits another Twist of Fate and tries to escape the cage once again. Ray grabs the foot and pulls him back in. Ray connects with a top-rope seated powerbomb, sending both men to the canvas in hard fashion. Ray slumps over Hardy with one arm for the 1…2…KICKOUT.

Both men struggle to get back to their feet as the crowd chants for both men. Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan head to ringside to watch the match. The Hogans yell encouragement to Ray through the cage. The Aces and 8’s come out and surround the ring with chains. They scale the cage. Devon hands Ray a hammer and he clubs Hardy in the back with it. Devon jumps down and high fives his former partner. Ray covers Hardy for the 1…2…3!

Winner and NEW World Champion [via Pinfall]: Bully Ray (17:11)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: It’s the swerve we have all been expecting and TNA did not let us down. Hell they even threw in a fake-out mid-match just to try to throw us off the scent. I respect that as a fan but don’t respect that in a logical storytelling sense (why didn’t Ray just also leave the ring when the door was open and they were tossing guys out?). The match itself wasn’t too bad but it wasn’t all that exciting and to me it was more about twiddling my thumbs until Ray turned. And turned he did, rubber novelty hammer and everything. Seeing Bully Ray become champion makes me happy and I’m hoping this will give The Aces and 8’s some steam, which they lost due to Lethal Lockdown.

—–

POST-MATCH: Bully Ray holds the TNA World Title high above the air and The Aces and 8’s celebrate. Brooke and Hulk get in his face at ringside and Ray tells them they mean nothing to him. He challenges Hulk to do something while shaking the cage. The other Aces and 8’s mock them as Ray grabs a mic. Ray tells Devon to “let that stupid bitch CRY!”. Ray then tells Hulk he used him and screwed him. The San Antonio crowd starts throwing beer cans and water bottles into the ring. Ray then announces himself as the President of the Aces and 8’s and the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Ray and The Aces and 8’s continue to celebrate as the show fades to black.

• THOUGHTS: TNA clearly positioned this to be Bully Ray’s “the fans can stick it!” speech, flying beer cans and everything, but even though Ray was channeling his inner-Buh Buh Ray Dudley circa 90’s ECW with his mic work, I just wasn’t feeling it. In fact I’d even go so far as to call the bottle and can throwing disingenuous. Feels like something they planned to do rather than something that happened organically due to the crowd being angry. Bully Ray being President of The Aces and 8’s opens up some interesting avenues, but if TNA wants this to work The Aces and 8’s will need to look dominant as a unit, not just certain members. As for Lockdown overall I enjoyed it but I don’t know if I would recommend it to many people as some of these logic flaws will not go over well with some fans, especially those already sick of The Aces and 8’s or unwilling to give TNA a chance. But I will say this: it’s going to be an interesting IMPACT come Thursday. See you then.

*****

Jonathan Sullivan can also be found writing about wrestling in 140 characters or less on Twitter and, starting next month, on his brand spankin’ new website Pro Wrestling Update.