DVD Reviw: TNA Twin Pack - Against All Odds/Genesis 2012

DVD Review: TNA Twin Pack: Against All Odds" & "Victory Road" 2012 By Phil Allely A few times a year TNA give their fans a really cool value for money DVD package offer. Following on from January’s Genesis release the momentum continues nicely with this twin pack featuring the February and March 2012 pay-per-view events Against All Odds and Victory Road. AAO was an event headlined by Bobby Roode’s World Heavyweight Championship defence against Bully Ray, James Storm and Jeff Hardy (with special enforcer Sting). This exciting match did dominate proceedings, but there were also some decent encounters here too. Including Zema Ion battling Jesse Sorenson (this featured a very risky move), Robbie E tackling Shannon Moore, Gail Kim facing Tara, Samoa Joe and Magnus joining forces against the duo of Crimson and Matt Morgan, Austin Aries high-flying scrap with Alex Shelley, Kazarian fighting old friend AJ Styles and Gunner took on young Garrett Bischoff (this featured appearances by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff). Victory Road on the other hand saw four titles defended, some feuds end and new ones begin. The main one was rightly the ‘no holds barred’ war between Bobby Roode and Sting. Elsewhere Bully Ray and James Storm fought for the coveted number one contender spot for the world title. Kurt Angle battled Jeff Hardy, Gail Kim defended her Knockouts Title against Madison Rayne and much more. Overall this twin pack has an awful lot more going for it than against it, if you are new to TNA you’d be hard pushed to find a better way to introduce yourself to their product with this twin pack. Available now from all good retailers.

TNA PPV Review: Against the Odds 2012

TNA PPV Review: Against the Odds 2012


By Phil Allely

Following up on their hugely successful UK tour TNA dug deep in planning February’s Against All Odds Pay-Per-View, the event promised title matches, challenge matches and appearance by all the company’s big players. The end result saw new champions crowned, feuds continue and unfortunately a young roster member sustain a bad injury.

The event kicked off with a match that highlighted just how dangerous professional wrestling can be. Battling it out for the #1 contender spot for the X Division Championship Jesse Sorensen and Zema Ion were having an exciting match until a mistimed moonsault from Ion legitimately injured Sorensen. Sorensen was rushed to hospital and has suffered a very serious neck injury. Ion won the match by count out.

Shannon Moore stepped up to take on TV Champ Robbie E in a bonus match-up. Moore took the fight to E and went to the air for some nice set-pieces, however Big Rob Terry’s interference helped E hang on to his belt.

The Knockouts Title cat fight between champion Gail Kim and challenger Tara was a decent one. Madison Rayne and Kim teased the break-up of their alliance and Kim dominated the action by punishing Tara’s knee, Kim winning with the ‘Eat Defeat’ finisher.

The team of Samoa Joe and Magnus then ran roughshod over the dominant Tag Team Champions Matt Morgan and Crimson in a thoroughly enjoyable big man encounter. Joe and UK star Magnus pulled off the win with the help of a Crimson mistimed spear, to snare themselves the doubles straps.

As usual the X Division almost stole the show next, title holder Austin Aries and Alex Shelley working well together. Shelley however couldn’t overcome the flashy and confident Aries, who forced the former Motor City Machinegun to tap out.

Former Fortune teammates AJ Styles & Kazarian then faced off in a heated match-up. Daniels presence at ringside proved to be Styles downfall but, his contempt for ‘The Fallen Angel’ gave Kaz the opportunity to steal the pin.

Gunner versus Garett Bischoff had its moments, the presence of Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan at ringside helped too. Hulk stepped in to stop Eric’s cheap shots on his son, however Gunner dominated Bischoff jnr, punishing his neck in particular. The end came as Hogan contemplated throwing in the towel to save his protégé, allowing Gunner to hit a DDT for the win.

The main event saw World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode use his conniving ways once more to remain at the top of the TNA pile. Opponents Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray and James Storm did all worked hard to take the belt from Roode. This entertaining match saw all four share the spotlight, hit trademark moves and gain near falls. The finish came as Roode spat on guest referee Sting and The Icon swung the World Title at him in return, the belt shot missing Roode and decking Hardy who the chemp quickly pinned for the 1,2,3.

Against All Odds was a very reasonable effort from TNA, it ticked many boxes, new tag team champ crowned and Bobby Roode’s career ascent continued. The only let down was the sad news that Jesse Sorensen’s injury could be career threatening. Perhaps the new writing team, backstage shake-ups and news that Vince Russo has moved on will see a change in the hit and miss match-ups, confusing storylines and unfathomable finishes we’ve seen over the years?

TNA Against All Odds 2011 DVD Review

TNA Against All Odds DVD Review




By Phil Allely



Against All Odds was a monumental event for TNA in the UK, as it was the first event shown under its new deal with cable channel Challenge. This deal meant that potentially a huge amount of new viewers could watch a show that whilst entertaining and worth watching was buried on a rather obscure channel or even worse not available for viewing at all.



This DVD lets us see just what the company pulled together in this its first big UK wide PPV.



Opening up with Robbie E claiming the number one contender spot for the X Division Title (after Generation Me were stuck in transit) by forfeit, things kicked off as champ Kazarian took umbridge at E’s gloating and decided he would defend his gold there and then.





Next up the boozed up trio of Scott Steiner and TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money took on the team of Rob Terry, Gunner and Murphy. AJ Styles on colour commentary and the presence of Fortune’s ring masters Roode and Storm all helped ensure the lesser in-ring experienced Immortal members looked decent throughout. Steiner’s first match back in TNA went well too.



The ongoing Pope and Samoa Joe feud continued next, with both men trading the offensive and Joe’s cameraman Okado getting himself involved in proceedings too.



In a bout missing from the UK broadcast due to a technical fault (which saw Challenge lose it‘s feed for a short time) TNA Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne faced Mickie James in a Last Knockout Standing brawl. Holding nothing back the pair battled around the ringside area and both went for it with gusto.



The RVD versus Matt Hardy scrap that followed was every bit as involving as their previous encounters and the pair were able to bring new depth and creativity to it as well.



Former tag team greats Team 3D’s separation had become increasingly violent and with Devon’s sons now involved it got worse.



Kurt Angle’s very sanity was on the line in the penultimate match-up, he was placing the custody of his own children up against his walking ex-wife Karen up the aisle for her wedding vow renewal with current husband Jeff Jarrett.



The main event for the TNA World Championship was everything it was expected to be, a violent, high-spot heavy ladder-based match up that saw challenger Jeff Hardy in his element and any limitations between him and his opponent Mr Kennedy become lost amongst the in-ring spectacle.



Against All Odds is available now from all good retailers and via www.tnawrestling.com

Against All Odds Pics

TNA Against All Odds 2011

Hardy beats the odds and Knockouts Challenge a blackout!




By Phil Allely



TNA’s first PPV event on its new UK channel Challenge proved to be the night that not only the company finally came home (even with a slight technical hitch), but the one where former World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy would regain his gold from Mr Anderson in the main event. The main event was an exciting and entertaining one, but it wasn’t the only highpoint in this event, that came hot on the heels of TNA’s best received UK tour to date.



Elsewhere on the card Robbie E claimed his spot as number one contender to Kazarian’s X Division Title after Generation Me were stranded due to travel issues. Fortunately the champ decided he would defend his belt anyway and he took Robbie to one of his best outings to date. Even with Cookie’s interference the Fortune member had the upper hand and retained with a good looking inverted tombstone piledriver.



Next up the boozed up trio of Scott Steiner and TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money took on the team of Rob Terry, Gunner and Murphy. AJ Styles on colour commentary and the presence of Fortune’s ring masters Roode and Storm all helped ensure the lesser in-ring experienced Immortal members looked decent throughout. Steiner’s first match back in TNA went well too, with him nailing an impressive Frankensteiner for the win.



The ongoing Pope and Samoa Joe feud continued next, with both men trading the offensive and Joe’s cameraman Okado stopping Pope‘s hasty escape early on, Joe eventually took the advantage and struck with a ‘rear naked choke’ to gain the submission win. The cocky Pope’s post-match assault leaving Joe bloody and furious, this personal battle is one that will continue it seems.



In a bout missing from the UK broadcast due to a technical fault (which saw Challenge lose it‘s feed for a short time) TNA Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne faced Mickie James in a Last Knockout Standing brawl. Holding nothing back the pair battled around the ringside area and both went for it with gusto. James saw her title aspirations slip away once again after Rayne’s partner in crime Tara and the ever present loaded glove became involved in proceedings. Rayne nailed a brass knuckles shot to put James down for the ten count and end this chapter of their bitter war for the gold.



Hernandez and Matt Morgan took to the mic next, Supermex’s new pro-Mexican stance, heel status and anti-white stance had the crowd riled up and Morgan in pain with ease.



The RVD versus Matt Hardy scrap that followed was every bit as involving as their previous encounters and the pair were able to bring new depth and creativity to it as well. The back and forth action saw both unleash their trademark moves, neither holding back and Van Dam being fortunate enough to dodge a Hardy moonsault attempt and hit his ‘Five Star’ Frog Splash finisher to put Matt down for the three count.



Former tag team greats Team 3D’s separation has become increasingly violent and with Devon’s sons now involved it got worse. The former team mates Street Fight saw Ray take great delight in punishing his former set up the ‘what’s up’ head butt, Ray’s nasty side soon took over and he nailed Devon with a chair, decked his sons and handcuffed Devon to the ring, he won the match with ease and still decided to brutally put one of the boys through a table for good measure.



Kurt Angle’s very sanity was on the line in the penultimate match-up, he was placing the custody of his own children up against his walking ex wife Karen up the aisle for her wedding vow renewal with current husband Jeff Jarrett. Karen’s involvement, referee distractions/bumps and a lot of emotion played a big part in this one. The back and forth action saw numerous near falls, nice set-pieces and some great moves, Kurt however failed in his quest and lost the match and a chance at custody of his kids. As Jarrett gloated and vacated the ring a despairing Angle removed his boots and (in a move reminiscent of an amateur grappler retiring) he left them in the ring.



The main event for the TNA World Championship was everything it was expected to be, a violent, high-spot heavy ladder-based match up that saw challenger Jeff Hardy in his element and any limitations between him and his opponent become lost amongst the in-ring spectacle. Hardy after a few attempts was successful in regaining his grandiose gold belt and once again hold the title for his faction Immortal.



Against All Odds was a very good effort by TNA, it may have had a few moments where things could have been smoother and better produced, but overall the hits far outweighed the misses. With Jeff Hardy as new champ the chase is once again on to wrestle the gold away from Immortal’s clutches. The returning Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair may have a big part in who does that and where it happens. With a new home on UK TV and some heated re-matches and feuds in the works 2011 just got hotter for TNA.

TNA Against All Odds 2011 Final Card

Ladder Match for the TNA World Title


Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson



Last KO Standing Match for the Knockouts Title

Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne



Street Fight

Brother Ray vs. Brother Devon & His Two Sons



X Division Title Contenders Match

Robbie E. vs. Max Buck vs. Jeremy Buck



Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle

If Angle wins, he gets custody of his two kids. If Jarrett wins, Angle must walk Karen down the aisle when she and Jeff renew their vows on iMPACT.



Matt Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam



The Pope vs. Samoa Joe



Rob Terry, Gunner & Murphy vs. Scott Steiner & Beer Money