Hard Justice Goes Extreme
By Phil Allely
TNA’s annual hard Justice Pay-per-view is getting an extreme makeover this year.
Company President Dixie Carter and “The extreme original” Tommy dreamer have just announced that the event will transform into ’HardCORE Justice’, a one-night-only celebration of extreme, hardcore wrestling featuring a never before seen reunion of legendary wrestling superstars.
The hardcore originals group fronted by Dreamer, which features Mick Foley, Raven, Rhino and Stevie Richards were granted their ‘One last chance’ by Dixie Carter to celebrate the history and the passion of extreme hardcore wrestling.
Dreamer and Co. were of course legendary stars of the 1990s extreme wrestling brand ECW and still have a huge cult following today.
“Giving Tommy this chance is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made as TNA President,” Carter said. “For years I’ve heard fans talk about the similarities between TNA and what these guys accomplished. Tommy, Mick and these superstars sacrificed everything, and not for money, but for the love of our sport and for the fans.”
Carter continued, “These guys set the bar so high with the passion they brought to this business. I’ve been lucky to have had so many work for me through the years, and now to have a locker room today with that same fire and drive to help build TNA. This is my chance to show our appreciation.”
“Dixie has allowed us to have a chance to finally thank the fans that have supported us for all of these years,” Dreamer said. “In the past, we’ve been lied to and we’ve been punished for being who we were and building what we did. Now we have a chance to get everyone back together for one last night.”
Carter also announced today that Dreamer would be given full creative control of “HardCORE Justice.” In addition to the hardcore originals, Dreamer revealed a few more names for “HardCORE Justice,”: Current TNA agents Al Snow and Simon Diamond, as well as tag team legends Team 3D and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. Dreamer confirmed that Van Dam will compete at the pay-per-view event, but will not defend his title.
“TNA is the only place that this event could happen,” Dreamer said. “There are no politics to worry about and no restrictions in place. The fans know that I have a lot of extremely close friends, so they can expect anything and everything to happen. I have some surprises for everyone,” he said.
More matches, surprises and further Extreme decisions will undoubtedly unfold in coming weeks on TNA Impact!
HardCORE Justice will be Live in the US on August 8 and on UK satellite/cable channel Extreme Sports on August 13 at 10pm, following TNA Xplosion.
Hard Justice Goes Extreme
By Phil Allely
TNA’s annual hard Justice Pay-per-view is getting an extreme makeover this year.
Company President Dixie Carter and “The extreme original” Tommy dreamer have just announced that the event will transform into ’HardCORE Justice’, a one-night-only celebration of extreme, hardcore wrestling featuring a never before seen reunion of legendary wrestling superstars.
The hardcore originals group fronted by Dreamer, which features Mick Foley, Raven, Rhino and Stevie Richards were granted their ‘One last chance’ by Dixie Carter to celebrate the history and the passion of extreme hardcore wrestling.
Dreamer and Co. were of course legendary stars of the 1990s extreme wrestling brand ECW and still have a huge cult following today.
“Giving Tommy this chance is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made as TNA President,” Carter said. “For years I’ve heard fans talk about the similarities between TNA and what these guys accomplished. Tommy, Mick and these superstars sacrificed everything, and not for money, but for the love of our sport and for the fans.”
Carter continued, “These guys set the bar so high with the passion they brought to this business. I’ve been lucky to have had so many work for me through the years, and now to have a locker room today with that same fire and drive to help build TNA. This is my chance to show our appreciation.”
“Dixie has allowed us to have a chance to finally thank the fans that have supported us for all of these years,” Dreamer said. “In the past, we’ve been lied to and we’ve been punished for being who we were and building what we did. Now we have a chance to get everyone back together for one last night.”
Carter also announced today that Dreamer would be given full creative control of “HardCORE Justice.” In addition to the hardcore originals, Dreamer revealed a few more names for “HardCORE Justice,”: Current TNA agents Al Snow and Simon Diamond, as well as tag team legends Team 3D and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. Dreamer confirmed that Van Dam will compete at the pay-per-view event, but will not defend his title.
“TNA is the only place that this event could happen,” Dreamer said. “There are no politics to worry about and no restrictions in place. The fans know that I have a lot of extremely close friends, so they can expect anything and everything to happen. I have some surprises for everyone,” he said.
More matches, surprises and further Extreme decisions will undoubtedly unfold in coming weeks on TNA Impact!
HardCORE Justice will be Live in the US on August 8 and on UK satellite/cable channel Extreme Sports on August 13 at 10pm, following TNA Xplosion.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Wrestling Fan Confesses
A Smart Wrestling Fan Confesses!!
By Phil Allely
The squared circle and its rich history get an surprise airing this August when writer/performer Liam Mullan combines wrestling and his passion for culture as part of the Edinburgh Festival.
This August Liam will host to a one-man show that many of us wrestling fans/anoraks will find not only entertaining but somewhat autobiographical.
“The show is called 'Confessions of a "Smart" Wrestling Fan’” Says Mullan.
“It will be a VERY autobiographical piece about my lifelong fascination with squared-circle theatrics that will be used as a way to touch upon events in my life up to this point, the political climate of the last twenty years and some of our deep-seated psychological tics and prejudices”.
Having spent 20 years watching the pre-determined tussling of such characters as ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Jushin Liger, and Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, alongside his his interests in the films of Kieslowski, the music of Miles Davis, the novels of Richard Yates and everything in-between.
Liam in his one hour show attempts to explain the apparent dichotomy between these two passions and offers observations from a lifetime of watching wrestling - from Thatcherism to celebrity - that can actually help explain where we came from and where we stand today as a society.
Ages: 14+
Category Comedy
Genres stand-up, talk
Group Apath Productions
Venue Laughing Horse @ Edinburgh City Football Club
Date 5-29 August
Time 17:15
Duration 1 hour
Suitability 14+
Friday, 18 June 2010
TNA Slammiversary Review
TNA Slam it home for the 8th time
by Phil Allely
Hot on the heels of the move back to Thursday nights and the (as yet) unfulfilled 'big' company announcement by President Dixie Carter, Slammiversary still delivered a decent series of matches and story progressions for TNA, but unfortunatley saw the the roster lose yet another long-serving Knockout from their once standout womens wrestling division.
TNA have had their fair share of ups and downs over the last eight years and Slammiversary only proved too highlight the good and bad points todays product delivers.
Kurt Angle took Kaz to wrestling school in the opener, Kaz losing his #10 world title contender spot with relative ease as Kurt unleashed a full arsenal of German suplexes, high-risk moves and spots, before latching on an ankle lock for the win.
Doug Williams is a great man to carry the flag for the UK, but his mat-based ring style doesn't blend well with many of the X Division Title contenders he defends against. Brian Kendrick proved to be yet another positive tick on his win collumn, as Williams brought the high-flyer down to earth, defeating him with a nice ddt to retain his gold.
A bloody Roxxi saw her recent trumphant TNA return end as quickly as as it started next, losing a career versus Knockouts title match to champion Madison Rayne. The always dependable Roxxi was visibly emotional at her loss and subsequent journey back into the world of low paying indy wrestling.
High-spirited newcomer Jesse Neal then defeated Brother ray via spear when a debuting Tommy Dreamer distracted Ray, the former ECW favourite turning up and interuptions from Brother Devon and shannon Moore were probably the better parts of this brief match-up.
Former tag team champs Matt Morgan and Hernandez then turned up for a spin on the old fake injury/playing possum angle, Morgan faking a neck injury and Hernandez beating him down brutally anyway. Supermex lost by DQ, but won a serious slice of revenge in doing so, ref Brian hebner saw some unplanned action too.
Abyss and Desmond Wolfe had a very enjoyable Monsters Ball brawl, with a bevy of weapons including barbed wire helping proceedings plow on wiith ease. Blood, violence and a surprise (to some) Chelsea turn on Wolfe in favour of Abyss, saw the Monster hit a hard 'Black Hole Slam' to put Wolfe down for the three count.
In a shocker Ric Flair impersonator Jay Lethal pinned AJ Styles in their challenge match, the bout was chock-full of great moves, counters, blocks and near falls, however this wasn't AJ's night. The finish saw Lethal pinning Styles and an irate Ric leaving wiith new pal Kaz.
Jeff Hardy & Mr Anderson's oddball team (self dubbed the Enigmatic A**holes) were up up next and opponents Beer Money Inc. were their prey.
Storm & Roode may be TNA's best regular combo, but team EA were able to easilly overcome them, it was give-and-take a lot of the way, before the faces stole the win with a good looking Anderson 'mic check' finisher on Roode.
World Heavyweight Championship challenger Sting is undeniably a living legend and deserves his spot on the TNA roster, however even wiith an age and stye difference, allowing champ RVD and himself share the bumps worked well.
The reliable Sting was able to rise to the challenge of the gifted opponent he was presented with, yes Jaff Jarrett did get involved, but that really couldn't distract too much from the quality main event on offer.
RVD overcame some stiff baseball bat shots to hit a beautiful five star frog splash & put The Stinger away, savouring the adoring crowds roar as he did so.
Slammiversary may not have been as ground breaking as we expected surprise-wise (according to Dixie that's to come soon), but it did boast a few fair-good bouts, progress storylines, gave hope to young roster members and showcased the benefits of having a man the calibre of Van Dam as champ. More savvy fans will be wondering if Tommy Dreamer appearing means an ECW style invasion is part of the company's masterplan too.
Eight years on TNA is a company this reviewer is proud to have watched grow, where they go next, who know's but with Hulk Hogan on board, Flair attempting to revive The Horsemen and a certain Mr Monday (ok Thursday now) Night on top, it's all looking good and been one heck of a ride so far.
by Phil Allely
Hot on the heels of the move back to Thursday nights and the (as yet) unfulfilled 'big' company announcement by President Dixie Carter, Slammiversary still delivered a decent series of matches and story progressions for TNA, but unfortunatley saw the the roster lose yet another long-serving Knockout from their once standout womens wrestling division.
TNA have had their fair share of ups and downs over the last eight years and Slammiversary only proved too highlight the good and bad points todays product delivers.
Kurt Angle took Kaz to wrestling school in the opener, Kaz losing his #10 world title contender spot with relative ease as Kurt unleashed a full arsenal of German suplexes, high-risk moves and spots, before latching on an ankle lock for the win.
Doug Williams is a great man to carry the flag for the UK, but his mat-based ring style doesn't blend well with many of the X Division Title contenders he defends against. Brian Kendrick proved to be yet another positive tick on his win collumn, as Williams brought the high-flyer down to earth, defeating him with a nice ddt to retain his gold.
A bloody Roxxi saw her recent trumphant TNA return end as quickly as as it started next, losing a career versus Knockouts title match to champion Madison Rayne. The always dependable Roxxi was visibly emotional at her loss and subsequent journey back into the world of low paying indy wrestling.
High-spirited newcomer Jesse Neal then defeated Brother ray via spear when a debuting Tommy Dreamer distracted Ray, the former ECW favourite turning up and interuptions from Brother Devon and shannon Moore were probably the better parts of this brief match-up.
Former tag team champs Matt Morgan and Hernandez then turned up for a spin on the old fake injury/playing possum angle, Morgan faking a neck injury and Hernandez beating him down brutally anyway. Supermex lost by DQ, but won a serious slice of revenge in doing so, ref Brian hebner saw some unplanned action too.
Abyss and Desmond Wolfe had a very enjoyable Monsters Ball brawl, with a bevy of weapons including barbed wire helping proceedings plow on wiith ease. Blood, violence and a surprise (to some) Chelsea turn on Wolfe in favour of Abyss, saw the Monster hit a hard 'Black Hole Slam' to put Wolfe down for the three count.
In a shocker Ric Flair impersonator Jay Lethal pinned AJ Styles in their challenge match, the bout was chock-full of great moves, counters, blocks and near falls, however this wasn't AJ's night. The finish saw Lethal pinning Styles and an irate Ric leaving wiith new pal Kaz.
Jeff Hardy & Mr Anderson's oddball team (self dubbed the Enigmatic A**holes) were up up next and opponents Beer Money Inc. were their prey.
Storm & Roode may be TNA's best regular combo, but team EA were able to easilly overcome them, it was give-and-take a lot of the way, before the faces stole the win with a good looking Anderson 'mic check' finisher on Roode.
World Heavyweight Championship challenger Sting is undeniably a living legend and deserves his spot on the TNA roster, however even wiith an age and stye difference, allowing champ RVD and himself share the bumps worked well.
The reliable Sting was able to rise to the challenge of the gifted opponent he was presented with, yes Jaff Jarrett did get involved, but that really couldn't distract too much from the quality main event on offer.
RVD overcame some stiff baseball bat shots to hit a beautiful five star frog splash & put The Stinger away, savouring the adoring crowds roar as he did so.
Slammiversary may not have been as ground breaking as we expected surprise-wise (according to Dixie that's to come soon), but it did boast a few fair-good bouts, progress storylines, gave hope to young roster members and showcased the benefits of having a man the calibre of Van Dam as champ. More savvy fans will be wondering if Tommy Dreamer appearing means an ECW style invasion is part of the company's masterplan too.
Eight years on TNA is a company this reviewer is proud to have watched grow, where they go next, who know's but with Hulk Hogan on board, Flair attempting to revive The Horsemen and a certain Mr Monday (ok Thursday now) Night on top, it's all looking good and been one heck of a ride so far.
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