Total Nonstop Time Machine: Ep. 4

Jack Goodwillie August 1, 2018

Jack Goodwillie pays tribute to the late Brian Christopher.

Before I begin the next edition of the Total Nonstop Time Machine, I find it fitting to get a few things off my chest in regards to Brian “Christopher” Lawler’s death on Sunday. Of course, I also want to offer my condolences to the families of Nikolai Volkoff and Brickhouse Brown, but Lawler’s passing strikes a particular chord with me considering he’s currently one of the featured players in my watch-through of TNA Wrestling.

I’ll dive into the mechanics of Brian’s heel turn later in the episode, as it was very much a “worked shoot” as well as a key to understanding his relationship with his father, Jerry The King, but losing notable people by way of suicide makes me especially emotional. We’re coming up on the four-year anniversary of Robin Williams’ death, again, someone I found very influential. We also lost Anthony Bourdain a little while ago and rockers Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell last year. All of these people were very talented, even world class at their respective jobs, and all of them took their own lives before they were ready to go. It’s troubling. A lot of people will label these individuals “selfish.” I don’t see it that way. We all have to walk down our demons and stare them in the face every single day, to varying extents, just like how we’re all dealt different kinds of advantages and disadvantages and there’s always a way out. That’s not to say anyone should take it. It’s just a reality of life, though, there’s always another way.

The most troubling thing about Lawler’s death is the relationship he had with his father. Jerry made repeated efforts to help Brian get clean over the years, but in regards to Brian’s most recent jailing where he ended up hanging himself, Jerry finally decided enough was enough and Brian was going to have to clean himself up before receiving any more unrequited help from his father. Whether or not you agree with Jerry’s decision, the two had not, nor will never have the chance to make peace. And that’s what hits home the most. My father and I don’t always agree on everything, but for one of us to leave this world with a fractured relationship would be too much grief for the other to bear. Same goes for my mother, and my brother. Life is too short. You get one father, one mother, one family and one life, and that’s a very precious thing. Needless to say, I made sure to call my father to tell him I love him, and that’s still something I don’t do enough. I guess all I’m trying to say is, take care of your own, live your life to the fullest and if you see or know anyone who’s struggling or has had any suicidal thoughts, I’ve left a few links that might be of use to you:•

(credit to r/squaredcircle for the links)

In memory of Brian Lawler, January 10, 1972-July 29, 2018…

Now let’s get this show on the road.

NWA World Tag-Team Championship: AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn © vs. The Disciples of the New Church w/ Father James Mitchell

For the record, TNA needs to ditch that very old school “wrestling” intro of theirs. It’s got Jerry Jarrett’s fingerprints all over it, but you can’t claim to be a classy wrestling promotion when it puts on bloody midget matches, satirizes homosexuality AND employs Ed Ferrara. Pick a side of the fence and fall to it, for fuck’s sake…

So James Mitchell has recruited Devon Storm into the Disciples, and he’ll be teaming up with Slash against Styles and Lynn. He’s going by the name Tempest now, but they don’t explain how he joined or anything like that. He’s just in the group now, which is fine because it really suits his look to be with the New Church. By the way, the lyrics to AJ’s current theme – that “Born in the USA” rip-off? They go like this:

“Born and raised in the U…S…A! Born and raised in the U…S…A!”

It’s the damndest thing.

So remember, AJ at this point is a double champion, and Jerry Lynn (his rival) seemingly recruited him to get the championship last week because he was so eager to find a partner to fill the void left by James Storm and Chris Harris after Storm was attacked post-match. We still don’t know who the attacker is. Lynn and Slash start the match. Ferrara hints that Tempest is, in fact, Devon Storm. Meanwhile, Lynn is clicking on all cylinders. It’s completely believable to think he actually got better after his ECW run and hit his true prime in TNA. I’d actually be curious to know from you guys who the better Jerry Lynn rival was over the years: AJ Styles? Or Rob Van Dam? Let me know @jackgoodwillie.

Mike Tenay says there will be a match later tonight to establish “rankings” in the X-Division. I do know that when I started watching TNA back when Dusty Rhodes was Director of Authorities, you could go online and look at a top-10 rankings system for each belt. Pretty cool stuff. AJ is teasing a lot of big spots while Lynn grimaces at ringside. I could be wrong, but that may be the basis for a future issue between the two; that contrast in styles, pardon the pun. AJ eventually hits a springboard knock down on Tempest, then a monkey flip on Slash. Now we’re seeing some great double-team work from Styles and Lynn. For the moment, it seems that they’re very much on the same page.

I really can’t say enough good things about Lynn. He just hit a somersault plancha after the New Church caught AJ on the outside to take all three men out. Now if only he had a modicum of microphone skills. (Spoiler alert: he did not.) But man, what a talent he was in the ring. Tempest finally gets AJ alone and hits a Death Valley Driver, but only draws a two-count. Tempest is now fish-hooking AJ with two hands. I don’t know if it’s a veteran-to-youngster sending of message, but AJ has really took a beating here. Hopefully he’s only wrestling once tonight. The finish comes when Lynn hits the Cradle Piledriver on Tempest, but takes a boot to the face from Slash. AJ takes matters into his own hands, tags himself in and hits a beautiful Spiral Tap on Tempest for the win. But Lynn is NOT having it, looking on in disgust from the outside. I don’t know what he’s got to be upset about – he wanted to be half of the Tag Team Champions last week, and he just retained the belt.

Overall, a good match carried by the babyfaces, but the post-match theatrics with Lynn walking off in disgust after winning the match is a night and day flip-flop of his character. I don’t mind it, but a little build would have went a long way, too.

Jack’s rating: 3 ¼ stars ***¼

Brian Christopher Explains his Actions

Worth the price of admission…Brian Christopher is going to explain the motivation behind his heel turn last week. But before that happens, we get a video recap of how it went down, plus Scott Hall “on the phone.” Hall says Jarrett beat him up good, but where he comes from, it’s not how many times you go down, it’s how many times you get up. He’s coming after Jarrett. Before he does however, he wants to take care of unfinished business with Christopher next week, then K-Krush the week after, before he finishes off Jarrett last and says he has “something special for him.” I guess TNA couldn’t afford to Skype him in via satellite. The dollar takes you a lot farther in 2018, ya know.

As Christopher makes his way to the ring, Mike Tenay mentions he understands Christopher’s alliance with Jarrett, as their fathers were in business together, and that’s very true and valid. With Jerry Lawler as the top babyface and Jerry Jarrett running the book, Memphis Wrestling was one of the more critically acclaimed territories back in the day, along with World Class, AWA, Mid-Atlantic, the list goes on and on. Christopher says there comes a time in everyone’s life where you make a transition from a child to an adult and that all his life he’d been labeled a child, more specifically Jerry Lawler’s child. Brian says he has lived his entire life in Jerry’s shadow. He says that people say the only reason he is in the wrestling business is because of The King. Now, he says bullshit to all those people. Christopher says after 14 years in the wrestling business, he can finally say “screw Jerry Lawler.”

He says none of the fans walked in his shoes, and sarcastically says no one will ever know what a great father Jerry “The King” Lawler was, because he was never a father at all. All Brian wanted was someone to look up to, but every time he looked up, his dad was never there. He says last week was at the expense of Scott Hall, but Brian Christopher kicked some ass and rode off into the sunset never to be heard from again. He takes off his jacket and remarks at how good it feels that he can now tell Jerry Lawler to go to hell. He says things will change around here and that it’s always been about The King in Tennessee. Brian continues to say that Jerry gave Vince McMahon all the attention he should have given to him. But now, it’s going to be all about Brian, he’ll do things his way and make himself famous. “From now on, it’s not going to be about ‘Jerry’s kid. From now on, it’s all about Brian… Lawler.”

I have to say, this was a very good promo. You could tell it kind of came from the heart and was something of a worked shoot. Remember, Brian Lawler was raised by his mother and only really became close with his dad after he decided he wanted to enter the wrestling business. They sort of bonded over that, for a while, until his drug use got in the way.

The promo was great, albeit a tad repetitive to my liking. However, it was soiled by Tenay, West and Ferrara’s incessant jabbering while Lawler had the mic. The WWE doesn’t even really do this anymore, and to do it in the first place is preposterous. Let the man say his peace. Tenay actually makes Brian out to be a sympathetic character when he automatically insinuates that Jerry Lawler was a good father because of who he is. I like Mike, but he was absolutely asinine here. I do like babyface and heel announcers – I do not like it when it gets in the way of a key promo, and that’s what happened. It was awful. I implore you all to watch that back and let me know what you think.

Jack’s rating: 3 ½ stars ***½ (would have been 4 stars without the announcers)

Brian Lawler vs. Norman Smiley

So now we’re getting a match out of it. Brian Christopher is going by Brian Lawler, and we’ll see how his character develops in this new persona. Isn’t it crazy? I found Lawler completely asinine and annoying as a babyface, but actually find him to make sense as a heel. He’s kept the athleticism as a heel, but ramped up the heel mannerisms, I.E. jabbing with the crowd and his opponent, etc. Don West is firmly in Norman Smiley’s corner, laughing like a hyena as Smiley humps Lawler by the ropes. “You’re gonna act like a baby? Well he’ll treat you like one.”

Lawler eventually counters Smiley’s offense with a big DDT, and his act is getting over. LOUD “Jerry’s Kid” chant from the audience. I was listening to Dave Meltzer’s take on Lawler’s death earlier today and he mentioned that Lawler’s drug use spoiled his TNA run, which was “quite awful,” or something to that affect. So far, I’m not getting that vibe. The talent is evident, especially now that’s he’s working heel. He can throw a punch, which makes sense considering his dad is arguably the best wrestling puncher of all time. He puts intensity into everything he does, and he’s got a personality. Christopher counters the 10 punches in the corner with a low blow, ascends the turnbuckle, puts on his signature goggles, takes them off, throws them into the crowd and hits the Hip-Hop Drop for the win. Big showcase for the new Lawler character. No flies on this.

After the match, Lawler takes the microphone and stares into the camera. “Hey yo, Scott Hall. I hope you were watching because punk, you’re next on Brian Lawler’s list.” Very excited for that match. You don’t see this on Raw.

Jack’s rating: 3 1/4 stars ***¼

Jarrett and Behrens Backstage

Goldylocks is trying to get a word with Jeff Jarrett, who is trying to get a word with Bill Behrens. Jarrett asks about his title shot. Behrens says there is no title shot. The two go back and forth, but Behrens says he knows what Jarrett “did” to NWA President Jim Miller and if he can prove it, he’ll be suspended. Jarrett grabs his crotch and says “suspend this, bitch.” Meanwhile, Father James Mitchell is browbeating the Disciples of the New Church in a broom closet after losing to Styles and Lynn. Nothing much to this. Great heel work from Jarrett as usual.

Jack’s rating: 3 stars ***

K-Krush vs. Hermie Sadler

*gulp* We’ve been spoiled so far, given the nature and standards of the early days of TNA. Now we’re about to get the future R-Truth taking on a NASCAR driver. K-Krush is getting mega heat from the southern fans. He calls Nashville “Trashville,” and we get a GLORIOUS camera cut of a man or woman, I’m not sure which, donning an nWo shirt and screaming into the camera, “YOU’RE TRASH, YOU’RE TRAAAAAASH.” K-Krush says to take NASCAR and shove it where the sun don’t shine. Frankly, Krush is right. These fans don’t know talent. Hermie Sadler makes his way out to the ring, accompanied by his pit crew. He looks like he is dressed to play some pickup basketball, not necessarily to get in a fight. Are those New Balances?

Sadler and Truth trade slaps early, but Sadler ducks a Krush high kick and knocks him to the outside. His punches are Shane McMahon bad. Maybe worse. Krush now has Sadler by the neck and tries to punch him against the ring post, but misses and hurts his hand. West’s scream is too much, really coming in hot on those microphone levels. Sadler takes Krush into the corner and gives him the 10 punch spot. Sadler now DOMINATING K-Krush. This is weird for me. Krush takes the edge back and hits the Axe Kick though, and Sadler is down. Krush does a little dance, then goes for the pin, but Sadler kicks out. He goes for a few more and Sadler still gets the shoulder up. Krush then connects on a suplex and tries another cover, but again Sadler kicks out. A powerslam follows, with some ‘theatrics,’ but Sadler kicks out again.

This is not good! It’s not even as if Sadler is some physical specimen like DeAngelo Williams. Now Krush has the figure-four locked in, but Sadler flips it over! The two stand up, and K-Krush goes off the ropes but Sadler catches him with a POP-UP POWERBOMB????? If you know wrestling and watch the spot, though, you’ll see that it was all K-Krush on that one, as Sadler didn’t even have his arms up to sell the lift. Finally, K-Krush gets a double leg takedown, puts his feet on the ropes and steals a win. Against a NASCAR driver! After the match, K-Krush gives Sadler some cheap shots for good measure. But Mark “Slick” Johnson decides to overturn the match, just because. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Hermie Sadler has a win over K-Krush as he gives K-Krush, and wrestling fans around the world, the big “fuck you” arm gesture on the way to the back.

The match, while not bad, was preposterous. It was almost the equivalent to Krush having to wrestle a broom. It’s cool that Sadler is a wrestling fan and that TNA wanted a mainstream grab with NASCAR, but like I said, he was highly unspectacular by my normal standards and we just didn’t need this. It’s one thing for Truth to have to cheat to beat a non-wrestler. But then for the referee to reverse the decision just because he felt like it? This one goes in the trash bin.

Jack’s rating: NONE

The Briscoes vs. The Hotshots

Quick side note – They just showed Omori backstage doing Hindu squats, preparing for his NWA World Title match with Ken Shamrock later. He is approached by Alisha and hands her money, just as Ferrara did last week.

The header of this match is no typo. This is an 18-year old Jay Briscoe and 17-year old Mark Briscoe in SPANDEX. They’re taking on the Hotshots, Cassidy O’Riley and Chase Stevens. Tenay says both Briscoes are 18, but Mark is in fact a year younger than Jay. You can obviously see a lot of promise in both teams. Chase Stevens had a future as half of the Naturals later on, and O’Riley got signed by Mike Bucci and WWE four years later. As far as the Briscoes are concerned….that story is ongoing.

Unfortunately, we don’t really get much of a match. Malice interferes and takes out the Hotshots. The Briscoes think Malice is on their side, but in fact, he’s looking to take everyone out. He finishes O’Riley off with a chokeslam as the rest of the Disciples make their way to ringside. He then gives Jay the chokeslam one more time to a loud thud sound effect that sounds like Kane’s fire, without the actual fire. Malice is Jerry Jarrett’s Roman Reigns, and I’m still not seeing it. He looks… weird, like he’d be more in place with Don Callis’ Parade of Human Oddities than in a world title match. He’s just throwing everyone out of the ring with no regard for safety. The tattoos haven’t grown on me either.

James Mitchell has the mic. “Vengeance is mine, so sayeth me.” Mitchell says his group is not leaving the ring until Ken Shamrock’s blood is on the hands of Malice, who has now lost TWICE to Shamrock in three weeks. Mitchell says Shamrock can face annihilation like a man or sit in the back and take responsibility for the suffering of “innocent victims.” Mitchell gives Shamrock the count of 10 before immediately saying that time’s up. With the ever so precise game of eenie, meanie, miney, mo, Mitchell points to the timekeeper for his goons to throw into the ring. They rip his shirt off, and BOY this dude is hairy. Shamrock finally runs down to ringside to confront the Disciples. He is immediately met with some stiff knees from Malice, and is about to get him up for the chokeslam, but holds him there about 10 seconds for no reason, or perhaps long enough for Omori to run to Shamrock’s aid. Clearly, they mistimed the attack. Tenay masterfully justifies Omori helping Shamrock by saying he came all the way to America for an honorable chance at the NWA Championship, which puts both Omori AND the belt over. Still, this was a very up and down segment and I hope this is not the last of the Briscoes in TNA.

Jack’s rating: 2 ½ stars **1/2

The Dupps Backstage

We now get a very awkward interview with Goldylocks and the Dupps. Tonight the Dupps will be facing the Flying Elvises. I still can’t understand a word these guys are saying. When one of them talks, the other starts kissing and humping their “sister.” This gimmick sucks, though I’m not sure if it’s worse than the Rainbow Express. Again, Stan Dupp is Trevor Murdoch. Bo Dupp though seems to have the higher ceiling of the two. I can actually understand him. He’s got some semblance of charisma and has deceptive size because of his baggy clothes. Still, this segment sucked.

Jack’s rating: 1 star *

???

Jeremy Borash is trying to introduce the Dupps, but instead, Jasmine St. Clair, former ECW roster member, porn star and 3PW benefactor, in addition to Blue Meanie’s ex-girlfriend, makes her way to the ring. They put her over like she’s this sultry, beautiful woman, but if she were on the current WWE roster, she’d probably miss out on my top 20. She looks like a horse when she talks, and her voice is annoying. Anything she can do, Francine can do better. Jasmine asks if there’s any guys that want to see some “real T n A tonight?” I know she’s wearing a dress, but there do not appear to be a ton of curves here. She asks for a chair. Looks like she’s gonna give Jeremy Borash a lap dance! Jasmine calls Jeremy her “little sex toy.” Actually, she does appear to have some nice curves, so I take that back. Still, again here’s this wrestling marketing where the announcers and talent treat the fans like they’re a bunch of incels! That never sat well with me. Eventually, Bill Behrens (you da real heel) make his way out to the ring to cover Jasmine up before she can slide her dress off, but in the comedy spot of a lifetime takes a SPEAR from Ed Ferrara! Eventually, Behrens gets his wits about him and takes Jasmine to the back. Ed says he acted out of instinct and mistook Behrens for a fan. Overall, a funny little segment, but not funny enough for MY wrestling show.

Jack’s rating: 1 ½ stars *1/2

The Dupps vs. The Flying Elvises

So basically, the Dupps’ gimmick is that they’re all related, and they all like to “mix and mingle” with one another. It’s a real “dummied down” take on the redneck gimmick, pun intended, because a dummy probably came up with it. It’ll be Jorge Estrada and Sonny Siaki representing the Flying Elvises, with Jimmy Yang on tour in Japan. Funny thing is Siaki looks nothing like an Elvis impersonator. He even has tattoos! I think he’s just happy to get on TV. We’re also joined by Mortimer Plumtree at the announcer’s table! Plumtree, in an over the top announcer voice, blames the miscommunication with the Johnsons last week on “passion” and says they have an understanding and will be back together soon. Meanwhile, the Dupps are in control early. Trevor Murdoch’s not a bad worker. But I preferred him when he was impersonating Dick. Plumtree says Jerry Lynn attacked James Storm, saying he had the most to gain from the attack but that Joel Gertner also has an alibi. If this is tough to follow, trust me, so is the match. The commentary is in one place, while the match is in another. Meanwhile, Siaki hits a split-legged moonsault. Plumtree is cracking me up on commentary though, even if his marks are completely irreverent and unrelated. The finish comes when Estrada beats Murdoch with the Perfect 10, a Lionsault transitioned mid-air into a Swanton Bomb! LOVE that move. But, the match was just kind of there.

Jack’s rating: 2 stars

Lynn and Styles Brawl in the Back

All of a sudden, we cut to a backstage brawl between Lynn and Styles. As mad as Lynn looked after the match, it took a whole hour for his emotions to boil over? That’s a plot hole if I’ve ever seen one. But it looks like they’re in catering, messing each other up over the tables and chairs. I think I saw AJ hit the phenomenal forearm off a foldable table? Eventually, Lynn hits a Package Piledriver on top of a road case. He throws AJ his belt and calls him a glory hound, then storms off.

Well, that escalated quickly. I liked the brawl, but again could have done with more of a build.

Jack’s rating: 3 ½ stars ***½

 

NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Ken Shamrock © vs. Takao Omori

We get a “Tale of the Tape” between Shamrock and Omori. Shamrock gives up three inches and 50 pounds, but remember, he is the World’s Most Dangerous Man. Omori comes down to the ring with some stereotypical Japanese music and Harley Race is ringside! The Japanese media is also in attendance to photograph the match, but what’s weird is how little I know about Omori. I do know of who the Japanese heavyweights and aces were at the time, mainly Misawa, Kawada and Masahiro Chono, but Omori has never crossed my mind. I also wonder if this match is the main event like it should be? There’s still about 40 minutes left on this show. I don’t see these two big guns going 40.

The two trade strikes early but Omori takes the edge with a swinging leg attack. He is very nimble for being a near 300-pounder. He’s got a nice dropick in his arsenal, but now has Shamrock in a rest hold, which he finishes with an eye rake. A true rough neck is Omori. He’s also got a wheel kick, which he misses, exposing the knee for Shamrock to attack on the corner. Tenay calls a knee bar a “leg bar.” Ugh. Omori later tries a different variation of the dropkick, a more standard, run-of-the-mill “shotgun” dropkick, but Ken grabs the leg again for a leglock.

The story seems to be Ken working the leg while Omori tries to overwhelm Ken with power before his knee fully gives out. He can’t get Shamrock up for a piledriver as the knee buckles. If you like more of the worked-shoot style, this match is for you. Omori now has Shamrock in the Masterlock, but Ken gets the armbar and transitions into the ankle lock! But here comes Jeff Jarrett! And he’s wielding a chair! He wallops both men with it HARD. Harley Race gets in the ring, but Jarrett turns around and KILLS Race square in the head with the chair! Hands down and everything. Unreal. Then he cracks three security guards and “Bullet Bob Armstrong. Ken gets up again and takes one more on the button. I counted 11 or 12 chair strikes. Make it 13. The fans are throwing trash at Jarrett as he talks smack to Armstrong on his way out of the arena. Jeff Jarrett has snapped!

And that right there folks is my first five-star segment of this series. The match itself would have probably been pushing four stars with upside, but Jarrett’s run-in actually helped more than hurt. It drew heat and I marked out when Race took it on the nose. He was pushing 60 right around this time, so he wasn’t quite as old as I thought, but it still surprised the hell out of me. Check it out if you have the time.

Jack’s rating: 5 stars *****

Jerry Lynn Interview

Man, they’re really giving this Styles-Lynn storyline the ‘ole two day expedited shipping treatment, huh? Goldylocks, probably trying to pry about Lynn’s relationship with Styles, asks for some…but before she can finish Jerry takes the mic. He says if she wants some, he’ll give her some. He stands up. “Open up and say ahhhhh.” There is no emoticon to describe my reaction to that one.

Then, James Mitchell walks around the corner. “Well, if it isn’t the whore of Babylon.” Wow. Mitchell asks for a favor. He asks Goldylocks if she’s seen Jeff Jarrett because he really needs to speak to him. He refers to himself as a god. He says that as far as Jarrett is concerned, he can either be the bearer of light or the granter of darkness. He also says for Goldylocks to lose the smirk or he’ll cut it off. She’s got spunk. I like her! The whole time, we hear a muffled sound coming from someone, but it’s not one of Mitchell’s goons.

Goldylocks runs down a hallway and finds Behrens having received the Jim Miller treatment from last week: Stripped down, with a big, red FU painted on his chest.

I liked how this segment linked a few different storylines together and seemingly cleared some names, and the humor was…something.

Jack’s rating: 3 stars

Low Ki vs. Elix Skipper vs. Kid Romeo vs. Tony Mamaluke vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Jerry Lynn

So it looks like the X-Division has the main event. All competitors come out to a generic audio loop, until Lynn comes out last to his music. This match will establish the X-Division pecking order. The order of elimination will be the ascending order of contenders. Only two men are allowed in the ring at a time and tags cannot be refused. Christopher Daniels and Kid Romeo, both making their TNA debut, are starting the match. I expect this to top out at around 20 minutes. This is also Lynn’s second week in a row of wrestling two matches, and remember, he lasted the entirety of the initial X-Division Championship scrap. So he’s really earning that paycheck.

Elix Skipper and Tony Mamaluke are now in the match. Elix Skipper is one of wrestling’s biggest “what-ifs,” because his offense was much like that of a Styles or Lynn, with the added element of recklessness in risk taking. Problem? He had no personality, and the moves never meant much. Raven has always been one of his biggest critics on his podcast, The Raven Effect. Now, Lynn checks in after taking an elbow from Skipper. He’s showing a new edge of aggression, and one has to wonder if he has essentially turned heel.

Tony Mamaluke now has Low-Ki in the ring, then tags in Christopher Daniels. Lots of clean, fast-paced action. My fingers can’t possibly cover all of it, but it’s serving as a real showcase for all parties, from Kid Romeo to Lynn, now the two legal men. Lynn has Romeo in an airplane spin Gory Special, but Romeo counters with a Gory Special of his own. Eventually, Lynn hits a crisp Tornado DDT but only gets a two count. Lynn then tags in Daniels, the second most experienced member in the match. He misses a diving headbutt, then Lynn tags back in and we get a beautiful spot where Daniels sends Lynn out to the floor with a head scissors, then hits an INSANE BME on the apron that I am putting over wayyy more than the announcers are. Problem is, he didn’t explode off far enough, so his head nearly catches the apron before his legs break the fall. The following spot is awesome. Each wrestler takes turns with various suicide dives. But they don’t stop. Skipper and Ki brawl on the outside, and Daniels and Lynn take it back in the ring. Also, Don West sure does love the X-Division. You can tell everything he’s seeing he has never seen in his life.

Finally, we get the first elimination when Lynn gets crotched on the turnbuckle, falls to the outside and can’t get back in the ring. Slick Johnson gives him the count of 10, and Lynn is OUT. Back in the ring, Skipper hits an Overdrive on Mamaluke, gets a three count and Tony Mamaluke is eliminated. So interestingly, in spite of Lynn’s hatred of Styles, he is only the No. 6 contender to the X-Division Championship. Very interesting stuff. So we’re down to Low Ki, Daniels, Skipper (the future Triple X) and Romeo. Skipper destroys Low Ki with a missile dropkick, but tumbles into the corner into a tag from Daniels. Skipper eventually falls victim to Daniels’ Last Rites, so now it’s Romeo and Daniels in the ring. Then, it’s Kid Romeo with a BIG move from the top. I don’t even know what that was, but it was some sort of super modified Angle Slam.

Anyway, Daniels is out. Down to the final two: Low Ki and Romeo. Excuse me, apparently Daniels is not eliminated, but just out. He had his foot on the ropes so it’s Low Ki vs. Christopher Daniels, both of which have been incredibly resilient. The two go back and forth for four more minutes before Low Ki finally connects with the Fisherman Buster for the win! Low-Ki is your No. 1 contender, and he will face AJ Styles for the X-Division Championship next week.

Before Ki can celebrate the win, Ki and Daniels are attacked by the Flying Elvises. Siaki takes a mic and says they didn’t appreciate not being included in the X-Division eliminator. So they’re just picking apart the top two contenders like a pack of dogs at this point. Finally, the rest of the contenders sans Lynn run them off. Man, this Elvis gimmick is terrible, but it’s not as bad as the Dupps or the Rainbow Express. Anyway, great match, and now we have answers.

Jack’s rating: 4 ¼ stars ****¼

Jeff Jarrett is Back!

Before the announcers can close the show, Jarrett returns with his steel chair! He approaches the table. “Screw you Tenay, next week I will get a title shot. Screw the Titans.” The Tennessee Titans are ringside and tight end Frank Wychek jumps the barrier after Jarrett screams at him and gorillas him to the ground. Jarrett gets up and starts beating on Wychek. He calls for one of his teammates who also beats on Jarrett. Double J grabs the chair and begins to fend himself off when the New Church runs in to join the fray. Wychek lunges at Jarrett and takes a big shot right after Jarrett catches Slash on his bald head. Now Malice is taking Jarrett into the crowd, brawling all the way til the close of the show. Total chaos, I love it! It’s very southern wrasslin’.

Jack’s rating: 4 stars ****

Overall thoughts: This show pushed last week’s show for sure, and it had a bit of everything. In fact, I’d have to give this show the edge thanks to no midgets and no pointless catfights. I certainly could have done without some stuff and Hermie Sadler was an abomination, but Brian Lawler (RIP) was worth the price of admission, and Jeff Jarrett is EN FUEGO. Plus, Jerry Lynn is doing some good stuff as he transitions into a heel, and we’ve got a big X-Division title match to look forward to next week when AJ Styles meets Low Ki!

Overall rating: 3 ¾ stars ***¾

About Author

Jack Goodwillie

See author's posts

    Tags: , , , , ,

    More Stories

    Cody Rhodes as he appears in AEW Fight Forever.

    AEW Fight Forever: No Mercy with Limits

    Jack Goodwillie July 7, 2023
    The Wrestling Estate Editor Jack Goodwillie gives WrestleMania 39 a standing ovation alongside friends.

    WrestleMania 39, Night 1: My Experience

    Jack Goodwillie May 2, 2023

    WrestleMania X7: The Greatest PPV Ever

    Tathya Sachdev February 6, 2023

    KOS Proves Everything Is Bigger In Texas

    Carey Gable March 29, 2022

    The Sheik Represents The American Dream

    John Corrigan March 20, 2022
    King of Sports Championship Wrestling

    King Of Sports Returns To Paris, TX

    Carey Gable February 1, 2022