TNA Turning Point 2010: Review

Turning Point 2010: Salute to Sabu!

By Phil Allely

With financial strains hitting the global market place and everyone tightening their belts TNA have been on a roll as of late, producing some top notch PPV’s that have gotten the fans attention and their rivals the WWE wondering just who the company or going to sign next or what kind of surprise storyline they will pull out of the bag next in search of those all important ratings.

Turning Point had a few things going against it form the get go. Main event star Mr Anderson was on the injured list, after a mistimed Jeff Hardy chair shot left him concussed and replacement Matt Morgan had had very little time to hype up his World Title shot. Hulk Hogan was still out of action due to his recent back surgery and he was a big part of the main storyline of the Immortals taking over the company from President Dixie Carter.

The event opened decently with newcomer Robbie wrestling the X Division Title from the proud hands of the always impressive Jay Lethal. E’s win coming from some timely interference by Cookie, Lethal’s loss didn’t go down too well with the crowd either.

Former WWE divas Mickie James and Tara met finally one-on-one next, the pair had a lacklustre match at times, which ended in a no contest, but the ensuing brawl (which ran throughout the PPV) certainly proved that both still have it in them to pull of a good bout and perhaps reboot the Knockouts Division.

TNA’s most underrated tag team met their most decorated next, champions The Motor City Machineguns facing the 23 time former gold holders Team 3D in what promised to be 3D’s last match as a unit. In-ring wise the Guns shone as only they can, outperforming their brawling counterparts, but it worked and as the pendulum swung between the teams the thought of 3D raising a 24th set of straps did cross many minds. The near falls, table related spots and Guns’ suicidal moves all whipped things up nicely for the finish, Sabin and Shelly retaining after overcoming their larger foes. All four showing mutual respect after the decision.

EV2 members Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer had set their sights on a match of the night no doubt, but unfortunately an untimely injury to Dreamer halted that slightly, but their fight came pretty close. The pair however didn’t let Dreamer’s (nasty looking) broken wrist slow them down. Both reliving their hardcore arena days by utilising the ring barriers, a ladder and anything else they could to brutalise each other. RVD nailed a lovely five star frog splash to win the bout and in turn cement his friendship with Dreamer and allegiance to EV2.

The EV2/Fortune feud steamrolled on with a member of the losing teams career on the line. The odds quickly became stacked against EV2 as Kendrick was carted off after Douglas Williams nailed him hard. The remaining members gave their all, Sabu especially turning the clock back a few years to put in an above par performance. UK star Williams was also impressive in his role as Fortune’s technical wizard and hard-hitter. Things quickly broke down as the teams began to take each other out and fight around the ring, Style and Sabu ended up facing off and as they traded some high spots the frustrated Sabu (who is legitimately leaving TNA) fell to a well adapted Styles Clash to lose his spot on the roster and the match for his team.

Pope D’Angleo Dinero’s Lumberjack match with Abyss was a well planned affair, rising star Dinero had been a pawn in the monsters recent mind game sand this was his chance to settle things. Having his ‘Congregation’ as the lumberjacks was a plus point too in his favour against his larger and crazier opponent. The Congregation and a certain Immortal front man called Eric Bischoff would ensure The Pope’s dominance was short-lived, Bischoff allegedly paying Pope’s friends and brother to turn on him in favour of cold hard cash. Their attack on Pope and subsequent beat down leading to his loss to Abyss.

Samoa Joe versus Jeff Jarrett was a reasonable scrap, both swapping the advantage as things got serious. A ref bump and interference from Eric Bischoff’s security team saw Jarrett nail Joe with a nightstick and lock on Joe’s ‘rear naked choke’ for an unpopular win.

The main event saw unlikely title contender Matt Morgan face off against the unbelievably ‘over’ Jeff Hardy. The David and goliath style match had some good moments., each man jockeying for space to unleash a power move or crazy set-piece. The referee causing the end as he called a definite three count a two as Hardy kicked him, but not out of the pin. Morgan failed to reclaim his momentum afterwards and fell to a ‘whisper in the wind/twist of hate combo‘.

Hardy celebrated with Fortune as the show went of the air.

Turning Point had some fairly decent moments, but TNA do need to keep their eye on the ball and not get complacent. Even without Hogan, Angle, Sting and others the roster is filled with eager and willing guys who just need the chance to shine on the big stage. TNA have all the components and momentum building to freshen up their product and tackle the big boys, fingers crossed this continues in 2011.