By Phil Allely
TNA’s Lockdown pay-per-view is a highlight of the year for many wrestling fans, as it is the only event promoted by a mainstream US organisation that promises bloodshed. The all cage match set-up pretty much guarantees that.
Devon and Anarquia took pre-show warm-up duties with a short brawl, Devon pulling off the popular win.
The X Division then kicked things off (proper). Their Xscape match saw the Buck brothers, Chris Sabin, Robbie E, Amazing Red, Jay Lethal, Kendrick and Suicide battled for the right to be number one contender for Kazarian’s belt. Uber Confident Max Buck taking advantage of a slight ref bump to net himself the win in an exciting crowd-warmer.
The following four tag team affair saw Ink Inc. v The British Invasion v Crimson/Scott Steiner v Eric Young/Orlando Jordan. It offered up a lively mix of brutal moves, eccentric behaviour and some nice set pieces, ending when Shannon Moore stole the pin with a Moore-gasm.
Mickie James’ eagerly anticipated hair versus title match with Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne was cut short due to James shoulder injury, but the gutsy country singer was still able to raise her first TNA title over the cocky Rayne.
The Pope and Samoa Joe’s feud continued with a decent back and forth brawl, each trading the advantage before Joe locked in the ‘rear naked choke’ to take the submission victory.
Hernandez and Matt Morgan had a good big man match next, Rosita, Sarita and Anarquia tried but failed to distract big Matt from nailing a ‘Carbon Footprint’ for the win.
The battle between Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett progressed with a ’ultra male’ match, each man trying to outdo the other with their stiff exchanges (including a career shortening cage top moonsault from Angle). With run-ins tight-pulls roll-ups and Karen’s involvement Kurt’s fate was seale, but he did step up to the fray before a bloody Jarrett took the win.
Sting’s defence of the world title against Mr Anderson and Rob Van Dam had its moments, each man getting the chance to shine, Sting especially showing more enthusiasm than he has previously. The champ has found his mojo again (an enthusiastic double ‘scorpion deathlock’ attesting to that), Hulk Hogan appeared to witness the Stinger drop Anderson to retain his gold.
Lethal Lockdown saw Fortune tackle Immortal’s Ric Flair, Abyss, Matt Hardy and Bully Ray. The opening segments were brutally intense at times, but it was when the weapons laden cage roof lowered that the blood and violence overflowed. Flair bled heavily, Daniels put his body on the line and AJ Styles returned to the fold, the main event had it all and more. Flair tapping to a Roode arm bar saw the faction win.
Lockdown saw only one title change and less blood than many expected, but it did do what it said it would do, feuds were progressed, storylines continued and no one left looking like they hadn’t been in a fight.
TNA are now in a classic WCW like position, offering an exciting and innovative alternative to the WWE product, it just needs to maintain that and gain a mainstream push.
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