TNA thoughts

For my review of TNA's No Surrender PPV, please check out the Sun's wrestling page and look for the full review there.

All I will say is that not only does AJ Styles deserve his title win, but the creative dept all deserve a pat on the back, whilst some bouts were a bit iffy, most had some good action and the event seemed to have a purpose, rather than a throw away ppv.

Phil

Former WWE Diva to join TNA!

Former WWE star Lacey Von Erich (daughter of Kerry 'Texas Tornado' Von Erich is said to have ben signed to a contact with TNA.

She will help pad out the Knockouts Division in a positive way, Lacey is still scheduled to appear on the Hulk Hogan Australian tour next year also.

TNA Creative - some new names

Former WWE & WCW writer Ed Ferrara (who wokred angside Vince Russo during WWE's attitude era) is said to have joined the TNA creative team, he will work alongside Russo, Jeremy Borash and Matt Conway. It will be interesting to see how his partnership with Russo works out and if the old magic will work in TNA.

Nasty Boys Shoot Interview - DVD Review

Nasty Boys Shoot Interview

Jerry Sags and Brian Knobs were one of the most popular, best remembered and hard-hitting tag teams in the 1980s-1990s, their career taking them all around the world and to the pinnacle of tag team excellence in the ‘big two’ promotions of the time WCW and the WWF (now of course the WWE). Now semi-retired the duo still aspire like so many stars of that era to have one more run in the big leagues, most recently even receiving a try-out for the WWE. This shoot shows the pair as enthusiastic fans of the game and remarkably well adjusted when you consider the partying and over-indulgence they were renowned for. In this 2007 interview they cover many aspects of their careers, from the early days in the AWA, paying your dues, the progression to the big time, best matches, managers and their uses during matches, inventing hardcore wrestling with Catcus Jack in WCW, leaving to join WWE and the feuds they had, returning to WCW and encounters with the infamous N.W.O, injuries, problems with Ric Flair, fights with Hall & Nash that carried over into real life, the legendary ribs (pranks) that they had a hand in inducing at long last who defecated in Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler’s crown, Leon ‘Vader’ White’s feminine side and Knob’s long-standing friendship that has led to him having a new found TV career as a member of the Hogan Knows best cast.
This is a great two hour plus interview that shows fans old and new, just how tough it is to break into the business and how the hard-hitting style they adopted has shortened their connectivity in the ring.
Out now available from www.rfvideo.com and from reputable online dealers.

Reviewed by Phil Allely

Dustin Rhodes Shoot Interview - DVD Review

Dustin Rhodes Shoot Interview

Written by Phil Allely

Recorded in 2005 this shoot interview with former WWE, WCW and current TNA star Dustin Rhodes is a true classic of the genre. An emotional person the son of legendary grappler Dusty and current WWE superstar Cody the elder Rhodes (Runnells to be exact) boy breaks down a few times during this intense and enlightening trip through his more recent career. Including his thoughts on where his career would go when WCW was purchased by the WWE, his involvement in his fathers Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion, his return to the WWE, working alongside his estranged ex-wife (ex diva/manager Terri/Marlena), working with the revived N.W.O, backstage changes and booking differences between his WWE tenures, the hardcore title run he enjoyed, teaming with Booker T, Eric Bischoff in the WWE and the infamous tourette’s gimmick that actually took off. Dustin also offers up his version of the now legendary plane ride from hell and like so many other shoot interviewee’s presents his favourite rib/prank tales from the road, people he loved working with and those he least liked, the storylines/matches he enjoyed working, painkiller usage and his relationship with his father. This is a real roller-coaster of a two hour dvd that opens up the behind the scenes world of the man the behind the Goldust persona that went from being a shocking character to one that fans cheered for.
Available now from all good dealers and www.rfvideo.com

Knockouts Tag Team Title info

Sneak peek at the new TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles

By Phil Allely

This weekend TNA will crown their first ever Knockouts division tag team title holders, the sexy looking new belts (pictured) will be presented to either the team of Taylor Wilde and Sarita or The Beautiful People, as they battle it out at the annual No Surrender PPV event.

Of course as many regular readers will be aware The Beautiful People’s Angelina Love is done with TNA (for the time being) due to visa issues. Although the team are still scheduled to appear at No Surrender in some capacity, so perhaps Beautiful People hanger-on Madison Rayne will fill Love’s ‘stylish’ shoes for the time being, or will TNA have a surprise new addition to the roster, to take the currently empty slot as top female heel?

Rumour has it the decision to create the new tag team titles and hold a tournament amongst the companies female roster (which saw the return of former regular Roxxi to the fold), was made when the people in power noticed how often the Knockouts matches scored highly during the weekly Impact! Shows on Spike TV in the US. These often hugely enjoyable bouts regularly outshone the rest of the programme and have won over audiences here in the UK too, where Impact! is one of Bravo’s most popular shows.

Considering the lack of regular female combos on the current TNA roster, the company have been scouring the globe to bag themselves some top class lady grapplers to boost the Knockouts division profile and keep those viewing figures as healthy as possible.

Booked wisely and using the more talented members of the division, the TNA Knockouts doubles belts could well become a valued addition to the already more established straps the company’s stars strive to hold.

Photo of the new TNA Knockouts Tag Title Belts

A pic of the brand new TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles that are being decided at tonights No Surrender PPV.

TNA pics

More WWE pics to enjoy

Some personal WWE pics

WWE Pics taken in Belfast

Jim Cornette News

Rumour has it the rumours (many of which were mentioning his firing due to a backstage row) Jim Cornette may still be able to return to TNA someday, he is said to still have great respect backstage and in high places. My own personal opinion is that Jim really must have been upset at something or someone to warrant his leaving. He loves the sport and according to many intevriews etc had a lot of fun working for TNA. I hope he not only ocntinues his good wokr on his own website, but finds his way on a booking team or tv show for someone who recognises his talent.

Phil Allely

Guest Booker Jim Cornette

Guest Booker Jim Cornette

Re-booking the WCW-WWE invasion!

By Phil Allely

I probably couldn’t have received this dvd at a more inopportune moment could I?, its subject Jim Cornette is now a former member of the TNA roster and when he recorded this dvd he was still a very active and happy part of the company. Anyway enough of that, to the mater at hand and reviewing this the latest dvd from the Kayfabe Commentaries range of discs.

This title poses a really good and very interesting question, what if the original WCW invasion angle (when the company had been bought by is rival the WWE) had been better booked and the rivalries were pushed to the limit and fans appeased for their dedication to each brand.

After a very decent introduction and chat with Cornette, we kick off with a potted history of the Monday Night Wars and the subsequent fall of WCW as a company.

For the next two and a half hours ‘The Louiseville Slugger’ himself gives his own personal version of how Vince McMahon should have handled what could have been a huge event for wrestling and a licence to print money in ppv and live gate receipts. Of course we all know that the WWE missed the ball with this one, letting most of WCWs big names ride out their well-paid contracts with Time Warner and then burying the roster members they did purchase.

What Jim Cornette does is give the fans what they wished for all those years, he puts the big names against each and has some names jump ship form WCW to WWE and he sets up a whole new and fresh set of ring rivalries and feuds, ones that could have revitalised the product as a whole and given the world a piece of wrestling history to remember.

Fans of WCW and ones who remember the original invasion angles will really love this release.

9 out of 10

TNA Releases

So one of the grappling worlds greatest minds (Jim Cornette) and one of the finest tag team stars of the 90s (BG James) are the latest names to leave TNA. Cornette is by far the bigest loss, he is a superb wrestling manager and was the perfect frontman for TNA, his on screen role was great and he enjoyed his job too. Recently he had been a road manager and seemed to be relishing that also, Cornette didn;t need the cash he was lobving the business.
BG James (aka Road Dogg)was a former WWE tag team star and yet another veteran who was happy doing the road manager role.
That both had a good working relationship with a certain Mr Jeff Jarrett couldn't have anything to do with their firing could it?

Anyone who knows me realises how much I love and respect TNA's product, but I do worry about these firings and backstage reshuffles.

Phil Allely

TNA 50 Greatest Moments - DVD Review

This dvd is a great way to introduce yourself to the hit and miss company that is TNA. Taking us back to the start of its run the disc covers 50 of the best (in their eyes) moments from the start of the company.

Done in a countdown manner the dvd hurtles along at great speed, offering clips and some taasty trivia alongside the moments we all boght the disc to see.

A few of the highlights are:
the unfinished business storyline that saw Jeff Jarrett attack and bloody Hulk Hogan in Japan.
Sting's debut for TNA.
Raven being scapled.
Elix Skippers insane cage walk and jump.
Jeff Hardy appearing in a TNA ring.
these are only a few of the best chapters here on the disc, many others feature and all have a good point, even the music/movie/tv star appearances have a reason and don't feel too false.

presentation wise the disc could have done with some extras or added value, but all in all it is a very decent addition to the TNA catalogue and one that fans (old and new) will enjoy.

7 out of 10

phil allely

Hulk Hogan Goes Down Under

The latest news on Hulk Hogan is that he is set to embark on his first Australian tour next year. Considering his recent divorce, current physical condition and general health I for one would thnk this could be hulks final run for a big pay day.

Vince McMahon must be on the same wavelength too, he is releasing a Hogan dvd set of unreleased classic matches soon also.

file this under rumours, but according to some sources Hogan's Australian foe could well be Ric Flair, this would be his first match since losing to Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania two years ago.

Flair is of course another man who needs a decent payday or two these days.

also in tow for the toru will be the Nasty Boys, Diamond Dallas Page, Ed Leslie, Sid Vicious and other former WWE stars.

Former WWE stars now available for work!

According to a few sites and news boards former WWE star Umaga and Mr Kennedy are now able to negotiaate with other wrestling companies, their no0compete clauses are now over. I'd expect Kennedy to surface in TNA, not so sure about UMaga, that gimmick is surely done by now, but he could surprise us all and turn up there too.

TNA Knockout Released

Shock TNA Knockout Release!

By Phil Allely

TNA management have had to release their top female heel Angelina Love. The shock decision has been made as the native Canadian (real name Lauren Williams) failed to renew her US working visa. Work visa’a are up to the individuals and TNA had hoped it would have been renewed and halted any ideas of releasing the popular Knockout.

TNA officials are said to have felt their hands were tied and they had to release her from the company. This is not only a big blow to Angelina, who was riding high as the leader of The Beautiful People tag team with Velvet Sky and was also a two-time TNA Knockouts Title holder also (I‘m sure many fans will miss the sexiest ring entrance ever too). The soon to be decided Knockouts Tag Team Titles were seemingly bound for The Beautiful Peoples waists too, those plans will now have to be altered somehow.

Her loss from the roster will mean a shake-up in storylines and perhaps see Beautiful People hanger-on Madison Rayne promoted to Velvet Sky’s tag team partner or the foreseeable future. It’s a shame to see one of TNA’s hottest and brightest stars leave under such circumstances.

TNA have removed Love’s bio and pictures from their website and although no official statement has been made she is apparently done with the company for now at least.

Who knows where the future may take her now she is gone from TNA, she could return to the WWE (where she was a developmental talent for a while, before being dropped), although the treatment of Gail Kim may affect that decision. With TNA retaining the rights to the Angelina Love name, odds are she will return to her old Angel Williams moniker upon her in-ring return.

Phil reviewd a live show

check it out

You Shoot - Sabu DVD Review

Since I was fortunate this very week to see the great Sabu in action (see eslewhere for my review of his match with RVD) I thought it was the perfect time to review this recent release by Kayfabe Commentaries.

Another in the long line of You Shoot dvds this one like the rest features our guest grappler and a host, who read out and answer you tube style questions from fans and some old friends.

This is of course the tunr of Sabu, the crazy scar covered man who livened up every promotion he was a part of. Sabu is known as a quiet man, babrely speaking and yet he makes for a charismatic and genial guest here.

He answers most of the random questions without a hesitation and although shy at times has a real genuine way about him.

Some of the questions lead to great anecdotes and stories from the road and his career. They include comments on Tammy 'Sunny' Sytch, Weed, Scars, Crazy Glue, ECW, WWE, WCW and Japanese tours, The Shiek and many other topics.

The two hour release is well worth tracking down.

9 out of 10

Book Review -- A Lions Tale

A Lion’s Tale Book Review

By Phil Allely

Chris Jericho is now back on our TV screens as his alter ego Y2J the cocky and self-assured Chris Jericho character he portrayed in the WWE in the early 2000’s. This autobiography was written during Chris’ time away from wrestling, when he spent time with his kids and played rock star with his band Fozzy.

The book takes a wonderfully in depth look at Chris’ early life, his training, the pitfalls of wrestling for very little money and his success after many years of working his ass off. The native of Canada trained with such grapplers as Lance Storm and of course under the watchful eye of the Hart family.

In a mix of comic road stories, detailed looks at matches and rivalries this book traces the career of Jericho as he worked his way around Canada, The United States of America, Mexico and Japan, learning his trade along the way.

Told in a manner that even non-wrestling fans will enjoy this tale of life in spandex will keep you glued to the page. Amongst the many anecdotes and stories we also learn about the great in-ring battles of Jericho’s first foray in the sport. He talks about his feuds with The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and his buddies such as Chris Benoit and Lance Storm.

The book has been on general release for a while now so perhaps check out bargain bins or web deals and pick it up, you will not be disappointed.

8 out of 10

TNA Slammiversary 2009 DVD Review

TNA Slammiversary Seven DVD Review

By Phil Allely

Yes I know I have already reviewed the live showing of this June 2009 TNA PPV event and made my thoughts very clear on it, but since I have just received the DVD version of it I thought I’d take this opportunity to look back over the show.

Marking TNA’s seven years in the business Slammiversary was a pretty decent effort by the Florida-based company. Considering the hit and miss nature of the TNA product this year that was a very good sign indeed.

The show itself featured not one but two King of the Mountain matches (the confusing belt on a hook match that TNA specialise in). Both of these were well put together and had enough thrills, spills and action to please even the most hardened fan. The ending of the World title one especially was superb, the Samoa Joe heel turn was a shock to many and made the match have a real sense of meaning.

Whilst the X Division title KOTR bout saw as expected some of the best high-flyers and risk-takers in the business battle it out, this was equally good and well paced too.

Yes the card had a few low points, Sting V Matt Morgan had little meaning really, Daniels V Shane Douglas only proved how beat-up and broken down Douglas is these days, the monsters’ ball tag match was ok although nothing special, pitting Abyss & Talyor Wilde against Raven and Daffney, Team 3D and Beer Moneys tag title bout was very decent and the knockouts brawl between Angelina Love and Tara had its moments.

So Slammiversary did exceed expectations this year, the card had more highs than lows, the match quality and in-ring action was above par and things moved along nicely storyline wise also.

TNA don’t often include extras on their discs, but this one does have a few, there is a nifty little slice of behind the scenes footage, a photo gallery and a pre-match battle between The British Invasion and the team of Rhino and Eric Young.

Overall 7 out of 10

Phil

American Wrestling Rampage Review Link

http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/wrestling001/category/905

link to a review of the AWR show by myself for a local publication.

AWR Review Belfast 31st August 2009

RVD & Sabu Rampage Across Ireland

By Phil Allely

To round off their six date Summer Bash 09 tour of Ireland, American Wrestling Rampage brought a host of former WWE/ECW stars and some great indie talent Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In the Ulster Hall (a onetime mecca for wrestling), where such names as Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Fit Finlay all fought, many faces from wrestling’s past made a rare live appearance and proved they still have something left in the tank even though they are gone from our TV screens.

To a barrage of ECW and surprisingly TNA chants from the 500 plus fans in attendance, the AWR roster showed they came to entertain right from the get go. The fast-paced opener saw the ultra popular M-Dogg20 (accompanied by Rachelle St. Claire) down The Ogre.

US scene veteran Joe E. Legend then had a decent brawl with comical aristocrat Paul ‘Lord of the Ring’ Tracey. Both men showing some nice crowd-baiting and power moves before Legend hit a running elbow for the win.

Next up were a very heelish Kid Kash and an unbelievable popular Scotty Too Hotty. The pair both risked life and limb in a well paced brawl. After Scotty stole the pin with a sneaky roll-up, Kash lost his cool and physically attacked two members of Belfast band Fight Like Apes, before Scotty hit the ring for the save and struck his infamous ‘worm’ finisher to send Kash Packing.

The No Limit Light Heavyweight belt was up for grabs in a three-way dance, which saw hometown hero Dunkan Disorderly, Shawn Maxer and Suicide Machine in action. The trio put many WWE/TNA stars to shame with their in-ring ability, high-flying moves and insane dives. The Belfast native picked up the well deserved win and the title to rapturous ovation.

Billed as X-Pack and in DX mode Sean Waltman was on top form challenging current AWR Heavyweight titlist Rene Dupre. The ex-WWE stars had a very decent match indeed, after some superb set-pieces and ringside shenanigans X-Pack saw his title hopes dashed though as he lost via DQ.

In a nod to the original ECW the following match was fought under extreme rules. To thunderous pops Sabu and Rob Van Dam not only stole the show, they blew everyone away with their brutal and hard-hitting bout.

This was a joy to behold, Sabu and RVD put their bodies on the line throwing every classic move at each other, using weapons and battling throughout the venue. What transpired was a fans dream as during the epic encounter RVD hit a van terminator, rolling thunder and the match winning ‘five star’ frog splash, whilst Sabu nailed some wicked chair shots, an Arabian face-buster and a chair assisted jump off the ropes.

The real-life mates shook hand afterwards amid the debris of broken tables and bent steel chairs, leaving all in attendance pleased. Not ending there the entire roster stayed behind to meet and greet fans as well.

Check out www.rampageamericanwrestling.co.uk for details of forthcoming tours.