http://www.cheap-heat.com WWE, TNA, ROH, NJPW - Blogs, Reviews, Top Lists, Indy News & Results Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:12:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.1

http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-lethal-lockdown/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-lethal-lockdown/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:04:52 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Top Lists Abyss American Wolves Awesome Kong Brian Myers Brooke Brooke Adams Cage Match Cage Matches Cat Videos Davey Richards Dixie Carter Drew Galloway Eddie Edwards Ethan Carter III Gail Kim GFW Global Force Wrestling Impact Wrestling James Storm Jeff Hardy Jeff Jarrett Jeremy Borash Karen Karen Jarrett Kia Stevens Knockouts Championship Lei'D Tapa Lethal Lockdown Mahabali Shera Matt Hardy Pro Wrestling Professional Wrestling Rockstar Spud Tag Team Tag Team Champions TNA TNA Impact Tyrus Videos Wolves wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=14249 Welcome to “Scraping the Barrel” — Cheap-Heat‘s official TNA Impact Countdown, brought to you by B+ Players Radio. This week was Lethal Lockdown—a former pay-per-view event and fitting choice for a week overflowing with pro wrestling excitement. With much to discuss from this broadcast, picking a Top Five was nearly impossible, but we managed to do it. Check […]

Welcome to “ Scraping the Barrel ” — Cheap-Heat ‘s official TNA Impact Countdown , brought to you by B+ Players Radio. This week was Lethal Lockdown— a former pay-per-view event and fitting choice for a week overflowing with pro wrestling excitement. With much to discuss from this broadcast, picking a Top Five was nearly impossible, but we managed to do it. Check out this week’s “ Scraping the Barrel ,” complete with full length video clips.

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Like this article? You can follow Mark Haggerty and B+ Player Radio on Facebook and Twitter . B+ Player Radio is a network of professional wrestling podcasts produced by writers, comedians, musicians, and most importantly— professional wrestlers! Listen to hours of exclusive content available every single week on iTunes – TuneIn Radio – SoundCloud and Cheap-Heat.com !

http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-top-moments-from-impact/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-top-moments-from-impact/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2015 18:47:15 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Blogs Reviews Dixie Carter Ethan Carter GFW Global Force Wrestling Impact Wrestling Impact Zone Jeff Jarrett TNA TNA Impact Total Nonstop Analysis http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=14103 Welcome back to "Scraping the Barrel"—a weekly video countdown of must-see moments from TNA Impact. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty and I'm happy to be with you on another lovely Thursday morning, fresh off the heels of Total Nonstop Action. I think some readers might get the wrong idea when it comes to the […]

Welcome back to " Scraping the Barrel"— a weekly video countdown of must-see moments from TNA Impact. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty and I'm happy to be with you on another lovely Thursday morning, fresh off the heels of Total Nonstop Action . I think some readers might get the wrong idea when it comes to the tongue-in-cheek nature of this column. The joke is that TNA couldn't possibly have five memorable moments every week, right? Well, to be honest I've been pleasantly surprised since the debut of this column just over one month ago. Wait a tick—a TNA-centric article introduced in August of 2015? This venture could very well prove to be the cruiserweight tag titles of wrestling blogs. I will choose to be optimistic however, and look forward to continuing this tradition well into the future. But enough talk. You didn't come here to talk, you came here to sit back and watch videos. So let's get the party started with number five on this week's edition of " Scraping the Barrel. "

5. The TNA World Tag Team Championship

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4. Eric Young Has Three Legs

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3. Six Man Tag Team Competition

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2. The Knockouts Division is on Fire

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1. Global Force Wrestling Maintains its Edge

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http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-tna-impact-82615/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/scraping-the-barrel-tna-impact-82615/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2015 14:27:48 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Blogs Reviews Abyss Bobby Roode Bubba Ray Dudley Bully Ray Dixie Carter Dollhouse Drew Galloway GFW Global Force Wrestling Impact Wrestling James Storm Jeff Jarrett Karen Jarrett Knockout's Manik Pro Wrestling Revolution Sonjay Dutt Taryn Terrell Tigre Uno TNA TNA Impact Velvet Sky WWE WWE Network WWE Universe Youtube http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13871 It’s been a long week but I’m finally back! Welcome to "Scraping the Barrel"—the once-weekly video countdown series that tries to pick at least five enjoyable moments from TNA Impact on Destination America. I thought this was at least an enjoyable two hours of wrestling; nothing incredibly offensive in terms of booking caused me to […]

It’s been a long week but I’m finally back! Welcome to "Scraping the Barrel"—the once-weekly video countdown series that tries to pick at least five enjoyable moments from TNA Impact on Destination America. I thought this was at least an enjoyable two hours of wrestling; nothing incredibly offensive in terms of booking caused me to step back in horror. Perhaps it's coming off an incredibly jam-packed WWE weekend, but I went into this week's episode of Impact with higher hopes than usual. I think I was probably just ready for something different. Let's start Scraping the Barrel , and see what comes in at number five.

5. Rebel is the Newest Member of the Doll House!

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4. Chris Melendez Relinquishes His Leg to Eric Young

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3. The �Wolves vs. The Revolution for the Tag Team Titles

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2. Sonjay Dutt vs. DJ Z vs. Tigre Uno for the X-Division Title

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1. Who is responsible for the recent attacks on TNA talent?

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Until next time, please LIKE "The B+ Players Podcast" on Facebook , and FOLLOW me on Twitter for all the latest and greatest updates courtesy of Cheap-Heat and Daily Wrestling News !

http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-nonstop-analysis-61715/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-nonstop-analysis-61715/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2015 05:00:14 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Reviews Austin Aries Bobby Roode Destination America Dixie Carter EC3 Eric Young Ethan Carter III Jesse Goddard Kurt Angle Magnus TNA TNA Impact wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=12491 For the first time since—well I was going to say BOUND FOR GLORY, but that wasn't live. Okay—for the FIRST TIME SINCE LAST YEAR, TNA is going LIVE ON PAY PER VIEW! Next Sunday is the 13th annual Slammiversary event, so the next few weeks of programming on Destination America will most certainly center around […]

For the first time since—well I was going to say BOUND FOR GLORY, but that wasn't live. Okay—for the FIRST TIME SINCE LAST YEAR, TNA is going LIVE ON PAY PER VIEW! Next Sunday is the 13th annual Slammiversary event, so the next few weeks of programming on Destination America will most certainly center around that event and the recently announced "King of the Mountain" match. Let's get right into this week's show with my weekly TOTAL NONSTOP ANALYSIS !

This week's episode of Impact opens with a Dusty Rhodes tribute video featuring his moments from the National Wrestling Alliance and his later role as part of TNA. From the Dusty tribute, we head directly into a montage of events that lead to the upcoming encounter between Kurt Angle and Ethan Carter III. We head into the Impact Zone where Josh Matthews is once again joined by the "Pop" D'Angelo Dinero. The first face we see inside the arena is that of the "Professor" Mike Tenay. For the record—Mike Tenay doesn't deserve to be part of TNA. He should be working with Jarrett, or he should be backstage at Ring of Honor, or god forbid with the WWE, but he doesn't deserve to be on a sinking ship. He's the fucking professor damn it! He introduces EC3 and Kurt Angle for their contract signing—for a match that was SUPPOSE to happen at Slammiversary, but was moved because of poor planning and lazy booking. Mike Tenay offers the microphone to Kurt Angle but Carter takes it and tells Kurt that he's prepared for this moment. "Kurt Angle, you are the best because you've beaten the best. You've beaten Heartbreak Kids and Texas Rattlesnakes. You've beaten Cerebral Assassins and Electrifying men. You've beaten Next Big Things, Ayatollahs, Nature Boys and Superstars Who were Rated R. Kurt—you've beaten Dead Men, and Immortals, and Guys You Can't Even See…" Carter continued to list WWE Superstars that Kurt has bested, all leading him to say: "They've been beaten and I haven't. And Kurt Angle—you can't beat me." With but a few more words, Carter signed the contract and handed the microphone to Kurt. Angle asks Tenay how many contract signings he's been to, and tells EC3 that "the big fights were made for Kurt Angle." He tells EC3 that he's a spoiled brat, but he's talented. "The people you've beaten—Bully Ray, Anderson, Sting, and me—that was THEN, this is NOW!" Angle went on to sign the contract and Mike Tenay announced that both men would be afforded to pick their opponent's competition, gearing up for their match in two weeks. Angle introduces EC3's opponent—the former world champion Bobby Lashley.

The next performers to arrive inside the Impact Zone are the American Wolves, who waste little time in speaking to the crowd regarding their legacy as one of the best tag teams in the world. Davey says that he and Eddie have sacrificed their bodies and have defeated legendary TNA teams such as the Hardys an Team 3D. "Our hunt," Richards exclaimed, "Has us on a quest to reclaim the World Tag Team Championships. The �Wolves are currently embedded in a program with the Dirty Heels to establish the true tag team champions; Richards and Edwards demanded the fourth match in the best of five series from Roode and Aries, but Roode had other plans. "Austin Aries isn't medically cleared to compete," Roode explained, "following his world title match against Kurt Angle." The recently injured-and-then-cleared Eddie Edwards openly mocks Aries medical status and challenges Bobby Roode to a singles bout then and there. Roode accepts, and suggests that the winner will be given the chance to pick the stipulation in their next tag match. This match is off and running, and Bobby Roode starts swinging toward Eddie, connecting with a number of closed right fists before toppling outside of the six sided ring. Edwards sends Roode into the guardrail with a suicide dive. He lands a chop before bouncing Roode's face off the apron and rolling him back into the ring. Roode connects with a kick as Edwards prepares to get back inside the ring. Edwards gains a head-of-steam with an enziguri, but immediately falters following a double boot to the face by Bobby Roode in the corner. Roode methodically controls the match and laughs at the fans cheering on Eddie Edwards, truly owning the title of "Dirty Heel." Bobby Roode hits Eddie with a front-face suplex and a running clothesline for good measure. He whips Edwards into the corner, but Edwards explosively emerges, taking down Roode. What began as an respectful competition degenerates into chaos when Davey Richards and Austin Aries become involved. Aries brings a chair down to ringside, but it's no use! Eddie Edwards rolls Bobby Roode up with a textbook Schoolboy, and earns the victory for his team. The Wolves choose "Full Metal Mayhem" for Match Four—TNA's answer to a TLC match.

From heated competition to hardcore shenanigans, it's now time for Bram. And who might this beastly Brit have on his agenda this evening? Another former TNA star, like Crimson before him—Joseph Park! That's right, the "brother" of Chris "Abyss" Park. Prior to the match, Park verbally assaults Bram who responds through sheer physicality. Bram takes him down with slap to the face and continues until he leaves the ring to retrieve a weapon. He finds a folding chair and returns, where he swings wildly at Joseph Park, missing each and every time. Park battles back, but the mild mannered "lawyer" is no match for Bram's venomous assault. Bram draws a kendo stick and table from beneath the ring and assembles the table the corner. Just as Bram gets set to deliver a crushing strike, Joseph hits him with a low blow to even the odds. Joseph Park beats Bram with the kendo stick and hits him with a chokeslam but Bram counters his further assault, spearing Park through the table. Bram is your winner in a completely useless match that didn't ever need to happen.

Backstage the Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell announces a concept called "Double or Nothing," wherein Brooke and Awesome Kong will team up against the Doll House. If they're victorious, they each get a title opportunity. But if they lose, they'll never be allowed to challenge for the title while Taryn is champion.

We return from commercial and it's time for "Double or Nothing!" Jade and Marti Bell attack Brooke on the ramp in the midst of her entrance and Kong charges down, taking out the Dollhouse in the process. Kong rolls Jade into the ring and the match officially begins. Kong squashes Jade and Marti Bell and Brooke tags into the match. Taryn jumps onto the apron to create a distraction, which Jade uses to assume control of the match. Marti Bell builds upon the advantage by using the middle rope to choke Brooke. She and Jade double team and work to isolate Brooke from Awesome Kong. When Jade misses a dropkick, Marti Bell is there to answer with a kick of her own. The Dollhouse members exchange rapid tags; Marti uses Brooke's hand to mock a tag to Kong. Jade tags back into the match and misses a springboard moonsault, which allows Brooke the chance to finally tag out to Kong! Jade tags in Marti and Kong drives her to the mat. Kong sets up for the Implant Buster, but Jade makes the save with a dropkick. Jade and Marti attempt to suplex Kong, but she counters, sending the Dollhouse overhead instead. Brooke rushes into the ring to send Jade to the outside. Kong charges toward Marti in the corner, she counters.
Marti leaps from the turnbuckle toward Kong. Awesome Kong catches her with a chokeslam! Then, Kong tags Brooke and lifts her onto her shoulders. Brooke drops an elbow and makes the pin to earn both herself and Awesome Kong a title opportunity against Taryn Terrell.

Chris Melendez has some handicapped patriotic stuff to say. I can't get behind this guy—it's not because he's handicapped, it's just the whole "Wounded Warrior" thing. You're already on a network with country western ghost hunters; Mickie James makes country music; there are multiple cowboys and southern inspired characters—does this show really need more Americana crap? Especially when its so popular with fans overseas? I know this won't be a popular opinion, I just don't like the exploitative way TNA uses Chris Melendez and I'd just as soon not see him on television. He basically called Eric Young out for his actions in previous weeks and things got a little hairy. Eric Young called himself a "god," which I thought was pretty nifty. "I am a god—you are nobody and nothing. In professional wrestling, I am at the top Chris Melendez, and you are at the bottom." These two handicapped wrestlers—Eric Young has those white nipples, gross—will head into battle next week on the "Go Home" edition of Impact prior to Slammiversary.

I love the name "Mr. Pectacular"—I think it's the coolest. Jessie Goddard has been turning heads in recent weeks and it's not hard to see why. Jesse—although built like Brakkus—has long been considered a comedy act along with Robbie E and DJ Z of the BroMans. Tonight Jessie goes one-on-one with his former "bro," DJ Zema Ion. DJ Z flies into the ring and connects with an early takedown and pop-up dropkick. He attempts a hurricanrana which is countered into a huge powerbomb by Jessie. Jessie rakes his forearm across DJ Z's face repeatedly and throws him neck-first into the turnbuckle. DJ Z takes a nasty bump and Jessie locks in a Boston Crab, causing DJ Z to tap out almost instantly. Following the bell Jessie paces the ring and asks DJ Z if he thinks the decision was a mistake. He says the only time he felt like a loser is when he was part of the BroMans, and claims to be the driving force behind the BroMan's success. He grabs DJ Z by the throat and asks, "Do you feel that Zema, huh? Do you feel what it feels like to be a loser? Breathless. Alone? A nobody like everybody in the building?"
Jessie lifts DJ Z into a press slam. Before pressing DJ Z over his head however, their former BroMan Robbie E appeared the make the save.

I refuse to cover this storyline. The Revolution is boring. Magnus is boring. Mickie James is boring AND FUCKING UGLY. And James Storm is growing tired. It's a storyline about James Storm stalking Mickie's family. I went outside for a smoke during this segment, and once I got out there I realized I quit smoking cigarettes in April of 2014. So I headed back inside and by the time I got settled, this bullshit was over. Thank god. This is the kind of absolute garbage that is going to bury TNA.

I thought this week's main event was really good. I haven't enjoyed the constant Kurt Angle action as of late, because I feel as though Kurt is most certainly past his prime—especially when it comes to a roster of wrestlers he's been working with for nearly ten years. Bobby Lashley has truly come into his own since representing the company as its world champion several months back. I think Lashley is the kind of champion this company needs; a legitimate athlete who works MMA matches and is a serious and viable threat to the rest of the roster. EC3 backs up to the ropes when Lashley moves toward him. Earl Hebner backs up "The Destroyer." Lashley backs EC3 into the corner again, but EC3 again grabs onto the ropes. When Lashley finally gets his hands on EC3, he powers him to the mat repeatedly and nails a stiff shoulder block in the corner. EC3's sent out of the ring and when Lashley pursues him, Tyrus creates a distraction. EC3 rushes in the other side of the ring to catch Lashley with a dropkick. EC3 connects with a second dropkick that sends Lashley to the arena floor. EC3 delivers a snap suplex. EC3 rolls Lashley into the ring and applies a chokehold. Lashley battles out and comes off the ropes; EC3 counters with a dropkick. Tyrus hands EC3 a chair, but Earl Hebner takes it away. EC3 and Lashley trade blows while Tyrus mounts the chair in the corner, between turnbuckle pads. Lashley builds momentum in the meantime, connecting with a running power slam. EC3 counters a spear from Lashley, but he's caught with a spinebuster! Lashley again charges toward EC3, but EC3 moves, and Lashley connects with the chair mounted in the corner. EC3 drops him with a DDT! He makes the cover, but Lashley's out a two! Lashley sends EC3 into Earl Hebner. Earl falls from the ring and Lashley connects with a spear! Without an official, Tyrus drops an elbow onto Lashley to break up the count. He pulls EC3 over Lashley and Brian Hebner emerges from the back! Lashley kicks out a two! Tyrus attacks Brian Hebner, and then he powers Lashley to the mat again. Another official rushes into the ring to make the count – and again, Lashley's out a two! Tyrus takes out the third referee. Then he turns into a spear from Lashley! The distraction allows EC3 a chance to connect with a chair shot and the One Percenter! Earl Hebner is just back in the ring to make the count and EC3 remains undefeated!

Until next time, please LIKE "The B+ Players Podcast" on Facebook , and FOLLOW me on Twitter for all the latest and greatest updates courtesy of Cheap-Heat and Daily Wrestling News!

http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-non-stop-analysis-tna-impact-11315/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-non-stop-analysis-tna-impact-11315/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2015 05:30:59 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Other Reviews Reviews Angelina Love Beat Down Clan Bobby Roode Bram Brooke Tessmacher Dixie Carter DJ Z DJ Zema Drew Galloway EC3 Eric Young Ethan Carther III EY Impact Jesse Godderz Kenny King Low Ki Magnus Mickie James Mr. Anderson MVP Robbie E. Rockstar Spud TNA Tyrus wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=10420 Total Non-Stop Analysis TNA Impact 3/13/15 Written by Mark Adam Haggerty It's another Saturday afternoon here in the United States of Destination America, and the sun is just now starting to set on the West Coast. After much procrastination I finally sat down to watch last night's episode of TNA Impact, and have returned here—to […]

Total Non-Stop Analysis
TNA Impact 3/13/15
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty

It's another Saturday afternoon here in the United States of Destination America, and the sun is just now starting to set on the West Coast. After much procrastination I finally sat down to watch last night's episode of TNA Impact, and have returned here—to CHEAP-HEAT.com—to spit the 411 with my most recent edition of "Total Nonstop Analysis." My name is Mark Adam Haggerty, and for the next few paragraphs, I'll be your tour guide through the confusing world of "Dixieland."

The show begins just as any other episode of Impact with a shadowy vignette connecting several programs together through a common thread. Tonight's episode revolves around three friendships that have been "shattered"—Eric Young and Bobby Roode, Magnus and Bram, and EC3 and Rockstar Spud. I'm happy the narrator didn't say, "Good Friends, Better Enemies." Instead, he ended the shot with "Once friends, now the fiercest of foes." That's pretty good alliteration, and anybody that knows my work, knows I love to pass alliteration off as good writing. The crowd is excited inside the Wembley Arena, as TNA continues its tour of the UK in London, England.

The opening match is a "Last Man Standing" bout between former best friends "Showtime" Eric Young and the "It Factor" Bobby Roode. Young appears before the British audience wearing his now-trademark green vest. He's still rocking the "Taxi Driver" cut, with the Mohawk extending all the way around the back, as the rest of the fuzz fades in. His opponent Bobby Roode appears to a raucous ovation—once again, I don't really get it. I think Bobby Roode is a fine competitor, but he's very generic. Both men go hard at one another as EY starts strong, fighting Bobby into the corner. Roode gets the advantage and starts punishing Eric with a series of dirty maneuvers such as back rakes and closed-fist punches. Not that those illegal or anything. Bobby cleans Young's clock from pillar to post, until the wily EY could turn the tables and slam his former best friend into the steel barricade. The crowd chants "you sold out, you sold out," which is fast becoming the most clichéd chant in all of wrestling. Eric and Bobby fight up the ramp where EY tries for a vertical suplex, which is reversed by Roode, sending Eric Young up toward the locker room area. Young makes it to his feet, allowing Roode an opportunity to blindside the eccentric Eric with a vicious lariat. Roode walks back toward the ring and pulls a table out from underneath, setting it up in preparation of finishing Young for the night. EY is back on his feet however, and stops Roode in his tracks before he can deliver the crippling blow. Away to commercial and back again, Eric Young is in control, using the ring as a tag team partner by hitting Bobby Roode with various knee and elbow drops on the lip of the apron. EY hits Roode with a precision-based neck breaker, playing his insanity to the crowd as the referee counts Roode down for the count. Back on his feet by six, and Bobby Roode summons an inordinate amount of energy to take on EY, but is immediately thrown into the steel steps. Bobby Roode is down once again as the referee counts. Eric Young lifted Bobby by the five count and slammed his face into the steel steps. He prepared to piledrive Roode on the steps, but was countered off and onto the floor. Roode collapsed out of exhaustion and the referee started counting both Eric and Bobby. The audience chanted "TNA, TNA, TNA," as both men struggled to regain their vertical based. Eric Young drags a steel chair out from underneath the ring, while Bobby Roode does the same from the ringside area. They collide as steel meets steel, sending them on a reverb run around the ring until both were down. Bobby Roode and Eric Young now slid into the ring, and Roode started to "Hulk Up," pulling on the ropes like the Ultimate Warrior and meeting EY in the center of the ring with Rock-like right hands. I write these reviews as I watch the action unfold in the side screen of my computer and I can honestly say that while I couldn't see the value in Bobby Roode just fifteen minutes ago, I'm starting to dig his appeal by the end of this match. Roode falls victim to Young's lunacy once more, taking a steel chair to the gut and the back before hitting the ground. EY was nearing victory until he shoved the referee, thus interrupting the count on Bobby Roode. Roode stood and hit EY with a piledriver on the steel chair, grounding EY yet again until the count of 9. When he stood, Bobby was ready with a "Roode Bomb," but EY countered with a suplex attempt to the outside. Both men ended up on the lip of the apron, and Eric Young signaled for the piledriver, but was countered by the "Roode Bomb" off the apron and through the table. Eric twitched in pain as Bobby showed no signs of life. The referee counted Eric Young out at 10 just as Bobby Roode made it to his feet at 9. This was a hell of a match.

Drew Galloway hits the arena with a microphone in hand, dressed for combat as he's wearing his ring gear rather than jeans and a t-shirt. "I feel the passion from all of you," he began. "I feel the passion from real fans of professional wrestling." Drew talks about how he use to come to Wembley Arena as a kid and wants to "feel the passion" from the crowd. He heads into the audience and stands on a chair in the first row. "This feels a little better." He says that he use to re-watch the shows at Wembley so that he could spot himself in the crowd and invites nearby fans to gather in for a "group photo." Drew begins with what he refers to as "Story time with Drew Galloway." He talks about how the fans use to have a voice in professional wrestling, but MVP and the Beat Down Clan like to play god, which hinders that voice. Before he can continue his gibberish about "real wrestling fans," MVP appears dressed to fight Drew Galloway. MVP tells Drew that he isn't "playing god—he IS god." MVP starts running down Drew's history as the "Chosen One," and says the biggest defect with Drew's act has been his lack of a brain. "You been chosen alright," MVP yelled over the deafening roar of the audience, "You been chosen by the Beat Down Clan." MVP orders his colleagues to step to the backstage area so that he can "have Drew Galloway all to himself." Away to the commercial and once we return, Senior Official Earl Hebner is the third man in the ring amongst a brawl between Drew Galloway and Montel Vontavious Porter. MVP is the first to get any sort of advantage, hitting Drew with an impressive barrage of landing drop kicks, axe handles, and questionable tactics bordering on the illegal. He choked Drew in the ropes, and slammed his face into the turnbuckle before setting up his trademark big boot. Galloway ducked the boot, and suddenly the Scotsman was on fire and in control of the match. Galloway signaled for the "Future Shock DDT," and prepared to put things away, when the rest of the BDC arrived and engaged in a three-on-one assault. The bell rings and the match will go to Drew Galloway by disqualification, but the end of the match won't stop Kenny King, Low-Ki and MVP from taking turns on attacking Galloway. They tossed him out of the ring and into the steel post where MVP and King held him in place, as �Ki prepared a running kick. Low-Ki set to strike but Samoa Joe stopped him—only to hand him the same steel pipe with which Galloway debuted last month. Low-Ki smashed him over the head as retribution, dropping him to the floor. The BDC held Drew Galloway before the television camera as blood poured from his forehead, and MVP shouted, "Welcome to Impact Drew!"

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After entirely too many vignettes and promos for the upcoming "Hair vs. Hair" match, we're finally back in the arena as Bram is on his way to the ring. Magnus enters down the ramp and invites his former-best buddy to meet him in the entryway. They engage one another and Magnus proceeds to subject Bram to the sights of the ringside area including but not limited to the steel steps and concrete floor. Every time Magnus brings the bout back inside the ring, Bram is able to take advantage. Bram tosses Magnus's skull into the canvas, effectively confusing the former TNA champion in the process. Bram pulls Magnus head-first toward the outside of the ring and continues the assault on his cranium, this time using the edge of the apron to his advantage. Back in the ring, Bram delivers a series of beautiful neck breakers on the already-injured neck of Magus until a powerslam attempt breaks the monotony. Magnus held his shoulder tight, signalling some discomfort, but still pressed on against Bram who leveled his opponent with a modified sit-down powerbomb. Bram remained in control, and upon attempting another neck breaker, was reversed into a short arm clothesline by Magnus. Bram ducked, and Magnus ran into the corner, but returned with a shot putting both participants on their backs. Both Magnus and Bram lie on the canvas, unable to move, when Mickie James runs down to ringside after being told not to interfere. She starts pounding on the canvas with her big fat arms, and gets her husband back to his feet. The brutal Brits traded shots back and forth until Magnus's technical prowess was able to best the brawling aspects of Bram's repertoire. Magus flew from the top rope with a flying elbow; just as things began to come to a close, Bram hit Magnus below the belt, ending this match by DQ. This is the second match of the night—in a row—to end by disqualification, and the third of Bram's bouts in as many weeks. Of course the bells in TNA mean just as much as the points on "Whose Line is It Anyway," so the action will of course commence with Bram tying Magnus to the rope and striking him with an inexplicable cue ball. With Magnus tied to the rope, Bram grabbed Mickie and a microphone, "I will take away everything that you love!" Bram tells Magnus that he'll only let his wife go if he kisses his boot. Magnus contemplates the consequences and agrees, although Mickie tells him not to. They reach for one another and hold hands just before Magnus makes the decision to kiss the boot of Bram. After the deed is done, Bram lets Mickie loose and leaves the ring with Magnus still tied to the rope.

The next match is an inter gender match with Brooke and Robbie E. During a time when the WWE has decided to hold back on all man-on-woman violence, it's peculiar how much it's happening in other promotions such as TNA and Lucha Underground. I really like Robbie E—he has a great personality and character, plus I think he's rather talented between the ropes. I understand why he's paired with Brooke in this program coming off of their time together on the "Amazing Race," but I really can't stand Brooke, especially in a company filled with really hard-working female wrestlers. I don't think there's any place for her. DJ Zema Ion introduces Robbie E as being from New Jersey, which earns the Bromans a ton of heat from the English audience. He also says that Robbie is undefeated against his opponent tonight, both in the ring, as well as "during their heated arguments." Robbie enters the arena with the "eye of the tiger," wearing a hood and shadow-boxing in preparation for his battle against Brooke. She comes out moving way too fast to a poorly choreographed dance routine that ends with a big wave to the audience. Nobody cares about this match, and I'm not just talking about myself, I'm referring the fans in attendance at the Wembley arena. Robbie takes a seat in the corner on a number of occasions, just as any boxer would, taking a drink of water and toweling off courtesy of Jesse Goddard and Angelina Love. When Brooke inevitably gets the upper hand, she uses her time in the spotlight to sit in Robbie's corner and drink his water. Robbie doesn't care for this course of events and hits back with a series of underhanded sneak attacks. Brooke attempts a cross-body on Robbie, but is caught in midair. With the referee distracted by DJ Z, Jesse Goddard entered the match and tried for a drop kick on Brooke, but hit his tag team partner instead. Brooke gets the win and walks out of Wembley th a victory over her ex-boyfriend.

The main event of TNA Impact tonight is the "Hair versus Hair" contest between Rockstar Spud and Ethan Carter III. Spud receives a "Rockstar" reaction from his fellow countrymen and women. TNA heads away to commercial break. Back again and Spud is in "trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble"—EC3 slowly saunters down to ringside to his rogue scoundrel theme song. He takes his time but by the moment he gets to the six-sided ring, Spud is ready to attack before the lights can ever come up. Spud is in complete control of this match, beating Carter within an inch of his life, and even biting the "third generation" Carter square in the center of his face. Spud continued the hardcore onslaught until Carter could muster a slight advantage, only to have Spud return by biting Carter's hand. EC3 and Rockstar Spud trade lefts and rights before Carter comes off with a flattening clothesline. The show goes to commercial again, but upon returning, we are met with a warning in regards to the content we're about to see. Back in the ring with Carter choking Spud on the middle rope with referee Brian Hebner ordering the break. Spud was able to separate himself from Carter with the referee in between, and used this time to build some momentum, which allowed for him to make his comeback. Spud sent Carter flying from the ring apron, and capitalized with a somersault over the top rope onto EC3. Carter climbed back into the ring and proceeded to distract the official; before Spud could reenter the ring, Tyrus appeared at ringside and power bombed Spud on the outside. Carter tried for a pin, but was unable to use Tyrus to his advantage. This kept the former Funkasaurus interested in the action, and he began to pace around in front of the ring. Mr. Anderson—close friend to Rockstar Spud—emerged from the locker room to even the odds against Tyrus and Carter. Rockstar Spud and Ethan Carter III were now one-on-one once again, as blood began to pour from the skull of Spud courtesy of EC3. His face was a "crimson mask"—to borrow a line from Gordon Solie—and when Spud fell over, his face spread a thick layer of blood across the chest of Ethan Carter. Jeremy Borash looked on from ringside, astonished at what was happening to his friend. The crowd started to chant, "you can't wrestle," which I hope was directed toward Jeremy Borash as both Ethan Carter and Spud are highly capable in-ring performers. Borash grew sick of the scene playing out before his eyes and decided to take matters into his own hands—LITERALLY. He stormed the ring behind Brian Hebner's back and delivered a debilitating low-blow to Ethan Carter. Spud sought to capitalize with a stunner of sorts for a 2 and ¾'s count. Rockstar Spud is now bleeding so heavily that Destination America is forced to turn the screen black-and-white whenever Spud is featured—I guess that accounts for the aforementioned "warning," huh? Ethan Carter is sitting in the corner, looking severely panicked, although I'm not sure if it's because he almost lost or because Spud looks like he's going to die. Ethan Carter stumbles out of the corner and hits Spud with a fireman's carry variation, dropping the dainty-yet-deadly Rockstar Spud to the canvas below. Carter proceeded to HAMMER Spud's bloody face into the canvas, leaving a visible trail of human DNA scattered about the ring. But Spud would not quit. He fought back from the ground-up until Carter was down to one knee; he hit him with kicks and clotheslines and punches and cross body's and finally grounded the silver-spoon-sucking Ethan Carter III. Spud pranced around the ring, hitting the ropes ala the Warrior, eager to kick victory's door down. Finally, Ethan was able to lock Spud in a front headlock, leaving Rockstar Spud completely vulnerable to Carter's finishing maneuver, the "One Percenter" headlock driver. Brian Hebner counted one… two… and three so that Ethan Carter III may go undefeated in both TNA wrestling, as well as Luchas de Apuestas—that's hair versus hair stuff.

As blood poured from Spud's face and dripped off of Ethan's head and neck, EC3 refused the congratulatory arm-raise by the referee, instead choosing to stare blankly ahead at the fallen Rockstar Spud. He picked up the microphone before heading to the clippers: "Rockstar Spud—without a shadow of a doubt, you have the most heart and determination I've ever seen in a professional wrestler." The crowd went wild as Spud backed into the opposite corner. "Look—I've done some heinous things to you, I've attacked you're friends. It was misguided, it was severe—I was just trying to make a statement. But there was a time when we were best friends, and I ruined that. I ruined that. Spud—in front of your home people, your mom, and your dad, you proved you belong in Impact Wrestling." Once again the United Kingdom crowd erupted, both for their local hero Rockstar Spud, as well as the otherwise genuine heel that's opted to put him over. "You proved that despite your size, your heart weighs more. You proved, there's a chance one day, you could be a world heavyweight champion. You have the intangibles, you have �IT'—I'm not going to shave your head tonight, I'm not going to embarrass you in front of your people." Spud looked on in questionable relief, as nobody believed Impact would end without somebody getting a little "something off the sides." Carter swore he was serious, "No! He doesn't deserve to have his head shaved. He belongs. He's proved he's one of you! He's proved he's a fighter! He's proved he's a tiger, a gazelle, and DAMN IT, you proved you were a man!" Carter told Spud that he knows that they can't go back to how they were, but will offer his hand nonetheless to end this on good terms. Spud walked forward and they spoke quietly to one another until Spud finally reached out and shook hands with Ethan Carter. They stood side by side with their hands held high in comradery, soaking in the shared adoration of the audience. Ethan continued with the cordial attitude, holding the ropes for Spud so that they could each exit the ring. As Spud stepped down, Carter grabbed him by the hair and dropped him in the center of the ring. "Spud! Spud! It's time to pay! Time to pay!" Carter was in fact just as disingenuous as anyone would have guessed. Josh Matthews was so angry about this, and called Carter an "S.O.B." Ethan Carter beat Spud into the "tree of woe" against the turnbuckle and proceeded to get down in his face, "Where's your mom? Where's your high school girlfriend? Where's your dad?" Ethan Carter III laughed as he shaved Spud's head with no remorse, blending the falling hair with his bloody face, giving Destination America another reason to change the color of the broadcast. "Take notice," Carter continued, "Take notice! This ring, this company, this industry, and this world—it's mine now!

This was an exceptional night for in-ring action on TNA Impact, and was paced similar to a pay-per-view with very little talking mixed in with the matches. I thought this week's episode was a step forward compared to last week, but I'd really like to start judging wrestling shows for how good they are, instead how bad they aren't. If that makes sense. Hopefully this upward momentum can continue next week, instead of tapering off as we've seen in the past. Next week's show will feature the world heavyweight championship match between Bobby Lashley and Kurt Angle. Until then, this has been Mark Adam Haggerty with "Total Nonstop Analysis," inviting you to keep checking out Cheap-Heat and to follow me on Facebook by LIKING "Mark Haggety's Pro Wrestling."

http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-nonstop-analysis-tna-lockdown-21315/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/total-nonstop-analysis-tna-lockdown-21315/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:53:24 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Blogs Other Blogs Other Reviews Reviews Al Snow Austin Aries Awesome Kong BDC Beat Down Clan Bobby Lashley Bobby Roode Bram Crazy Steve Davey Richards Dixie Carter EC3 Eddie Edwards Eric Young Ethan Carter III Grado Gunner Impact James Storm Jeff Hardy Josh Mathews Ken Anderson Kenny King Kurt Angle Low Ki Madison Rayne Magnus Mark Andrews Matt Hardy Mr. Anderson MVP Rockstar Spud Taz Team Angle The American Wolves The Revolution The Wolves TNA Total Nonstop Action Tyrus wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=9720 Total Nonstop Analysis TNA Lockdown 2/13/15 Written by Mark Adam Haggerty Welcome to another exciting column chronicling the carnage taking place on a weekly basis inside the six-sided ring. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty, with you as always to discuss what went down on this week’s episode of TNA Impact. The events of Lockdown […]

Total Nonstop Analysis
TNA Lockdown 2/13/15
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty

Welcome to another exciting column chronicling the carnage taking place on a weekly basis inside the six-sided ring. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty, with you as always to discuss what went down on this week’s episode of TNA Impact. The events of Lockdown are still fresh in the minds of the fans, as well as the Beat Down Clan who suffered a momentous loss at the hands of Team Angle and the TNA world heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley. Impact has been running the Manhattan Center since its reboot earlier this year but this week the men and women of TNA have sold out the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland. What might we expect out of a highly volatile locker room and what is in store for the current champion as a number one contender is soon to be named? Another awesome two-hours of action courtesy of Impact Wrestling and Destination America, but don’t take my word for it. Let’s break down the good and bad in this week’s edition of “Total Nonstop Analysis.”

The show opens on MVP and the members of the Beat Down Clan exiting a chauffeured minivan outside of the arena. They stand in a circle, wearing identical black and red tracksuits, and MVP explains that they're going to forget about last week because it didn't matter. Samoa Joe chimes in by telling his comrades that "those cats" on Team Angle took out a debt that the BDC is ready to collect. The Hydro is sold out with hundreds—if not THOUSANDS of fans on their feet as Impact is ready to go live—well, as live as Impact ever is. The entrance way is much more elaborate than the past month's set of shows at the Manhattan Center, complete with an enormous video screen belonging to the arena, the size of which would rival the Titantron. Kurt Angle's music is the first to play and the first-ever TNA champion is met with a standing ovation from the Scottish fans. He tells them that the Beat Down Clan wants to control the world title belt, but as far as Kurt is concerned, the best wrestler in the world should be the man to control the TNA championship. The 13-time world heavyweight champion asks Bobby Lashley to join him inside the ring so that they can debrief after last week's battle with the BDC.

Bobby Lashley is happy to enter the six-sided ring across from Kurt, and proceeds to shake hands with the man who helped him defeat Montel Vontavious Porter at Lockdown. Lashley is proud to work alongside an athlete as renowned as Kurt Angle but warned the former champion that he didn't join his team to help him, he did it to protect his title and get his hands on "that dirty piece of trash MVP." Kurt laughs because just the same as Bobby, he too had an ulterior motive behind forming an alliance. "You think I really invited you down here so that I could thank you," Kurt asks arrogantly? "No. It is now time for Kurt Angle to be the TNA champion again.”  As Angle prepared to issue his challenge, the familiar music of the BDC played and the entire group appeared on the stage.  MVP argued that since Lashley was not sanctioned in last week's match, he never actually earned the pinfall, therefore the match didn't count and Team Angle didn't win. He goes on to spout the same rhetoric as weeks past, arguing that the TNA title belongs to the BDC, and asks whom of Angle or Lashley would like to have his ass kicked first. Lashley is of course in no way afraid of MVP and tells the BDC that he'll fight any two of them in a tag team match tonight with Kurt Angle as his partner. Angle accepts, and the BDC retreats to form a strategy going in to tonight's main event.

Back from the break and Bobby Roode is in the backstage area getting ready for his matchup with Austin Aries. "A-Double" turns the corner with his "Feast of Fired" briefcase and the two babyfaces set-to-square-off exchange pleasantries and words of respect. Bobby Roode mentions the history between he and Aries, specifically in the United Kingdom, where more than once they've stood side by side as team mates. "But tonight's not about being on the same side," said Roode, "Good luck." Austin stood back as Roode walked off into the Gorilla position, held his briefcase high and said, "Right back at you."

Ethan Carter III and Tyrus are also on hand to challenge the threesome of Rockstar Spud, Mark Andrews, and announcer Jeremy Borash to a 3-on-2 handicap tag match later in the night. EC3 says that patience is not a virtue which he possesses and wants to shave someone's head TONIGHT. “I get what I want and what I want," he said, "What I want? What I WANT is to shave Rockstar Spud’s head! I want to scalp him! I want to scalp him good.” Carter's plans were thwarted last week when Jeremy Borash unplugged the electric clippers as Carter prepared to "scalp" Mark Andrews, which is why EC3 wants Borash inside the ring tonight on Impact.

Austin Aries and Bobby Roode are set to go one-on-one in what will become the match of the night. Both individuals respect one another and begin their altercation on the best of terms. For most of the first half of the match, the action is akin to a see-saw with a series of string wrestling maneuvers, arm drags and innovative submissions. Both former champions attempt to utilize their signature holds as early on as two minutes into the bout, but are oftentimes thwarted by an opponent who knows the other all too well. Back and forth until the action spills onto the outside, where instead of capitalizing on an obvious advantage, Austin Aries tossed Roode back into the ring where the match would continue. An aerial offensive move gone wrong resulted in Bobby Roode dropkicking an air-bound Aries, evening the odds for the "It Factor." The contest slowed by this point, and each wrestler was afforded a moment of breathing time amidst a chain of rest holds. Roode set Aries up for his patented Roode Bomb but was countered into the corner where Roode again reversed the situation into an attempted suplex. Aries reversed Roode's offense and sent him flying into the center of the ring, capitalizing with a picture-perfect Missile Dropkick. Each competitor could feel the pace of the match quicken, as could the audience in Glasgow and around the world. Bobby Roode made one last ditch effort and locked Austin Aries into a textbook Cross-face submission hold. Within a matter of seconds, Aries tapped and Bobby Roode had his hand raised. After the bell rang Bobby acquired a microphone and told the fans inside the Hydro, "Now that is pro wrestling. And you Austin Aries, are one of the greatest professional wrestlers I've ever had the chance to share this ring with." After Aries left the ringside area, Roode once again addressed the current title situation. He spoke into the camera but was talking directly to Bobby Lashley: "You know that Roode/Lashley III never happened and I deserve a rematch." That's when Eric Young appeared out of the audience and attacked Bobby Roode, drilling him hard into the canvas with a spike piledriver, and spitting on his fallen body. Security and referees helped the "It Factor" back to the locker room, but not before EY could once again interrupt, delivering another piledriver, this time on the concrete floor.

Back from the commercial and who do we see in the ring but Al Snow! While Americans might get a kick out of this living legend appearing on our TV screens, the fans on the "other side of the pond," know Al Snow as the relentless trainer on "British Bootcamp" who belittles their national wrestling heroes on a weekly basis. He reminds me of Terry Funk back in the mid-to-late 90s when he was past his prime but certainly still capable of providing one hell of a show. He talks about working in the ring, and about how proud he is to be a trainer. "You can't do what I do," he tells the fans. "You know how I know that? Because you're sitting out there and I'm standing in here." He explains his recent run in with Scotland's own independent sensation Grado, telling us that he doesn't think the young man has what it takes to be a professional wrestler and insists that he gives it up. Al Snow tells Grado and the audience in Glasgow that he'll be happy to let him off the hook if he just quits the business, otherwise Snow is set to teach him a lesson next week on Impact. Grado comes out and I'm not sure if it's a cultural barrier I'm stuck behind, but I can't see the upside to this pudgy, blonde butterball. He's got the dumbest tattoos and wears a run-of-the-mill singlet that might as well say "Generic" across the back. Al Snow continued to berate the young independent wrestler until he had enough. “Shut your mouth," he said with an accent I could barely understand but loved nonetheless. "I don’t think you understand just where you are! You’re right here in Glasgow! And we don’t take any crap!” Snow forcefully took the mic away and said he doesn’t care what they take . “Your family’s here aren’t they?" Snow hopped through the ropes and strolled over to a fiery middle aged bird wearing a black t-shirt that said, "Am Grados Maw!" Snow gets in her face and tells her that she should be embarrassed for having a son such as Grado—and that she needs to tell him to walk away. Not another word out of his mouth and "Maw Grado" slapped Snow several times, leading him to get defensive which sent Grado spiraling into a protective rage in honor of his mother. Al Snow escaped Grado's wrath, and stumbled up to the stage screaming, “You want me? You got me! You beat me and I’ll shake your hand!” Regardless of what I might think of Grado and his mom appearance-wise , the UK fans are some of the brightest on the planet and if they believe in this guy, I'm ready to give him a chance.

Two weeks ago Bram and Magnus met in a New York City pub where they discussed the results of "Feast or Fired." Before they had their brawl in the bowels of the building, Magnus joked, "You're my partner, who else am I going to pick? Crazy Steve?" Well—this week it's Bram versus Crazy Steve! Before the match can get underway, we get a ton of exposition courtesy of Taz and Josh Matthews, inside their "safe-room" far away in TNA's world headquarters. I wouldn't usually reference this, except to say they need to be at ringside, or at least pretend they're at ringside. But this week I brought it up because as the cameras switched over to their studio, Taz was standing behind his chair instead of sitting next to Josh. It was just very strange; I'd like the cameras to switch over once and have them eating Chinese food. Or playing cards. The match between Bram and Crazy Steve is in no way meant to help elevate the "Modern-Day Doink." Instead, Bram uses this exhibition as a platform to challenge his former best friend Magnus to a fight. He starts to squash Steve early on but descends the steel steps to acquire a microphone. He beckons his fellow Brit to show his face, all the while continuing to kick Crazy Steve down into the mat. He did this for a few moments until putting the clown away with an Impaler DDT. He left the ring by once again challenging Magnus, saying, "Find me, Magnus!" What's sad is that this was most likely recorded before Bray Wyatt asked the Undertaker to find him , but the current TV schedule once again keeps TNA from getting the upper hand on progressive storytelling.

Mark Andrews and Rockstar Spud are both backstage talking Jeremy Borash into the handicap tag match with EC3 and Tyrus. "I'm not so sure I want to get beat up again," Borash says, to which Spud insists he has some sort of back up. "Back up?" "Yes back up. It's a British thing, Mark gets it."

In another corner of the locker room Kurt Angle is sitting by himself getting ready for his main match against the BDC. Gunner, who was a member of Team Angle at Lockdown, sits down with the Gold Medalist and thanks him for what he did last week. He appreciates Kurt for waking him up and believing in him even though he wasn’t at 100%. "We both want the same thing," said Gunner, "We both want the world title. But Kurt, do you think teaming with Lashley is really such a good idea?" Kurt thanked Gunner for his support, but said, “Lashley and I? We’re gonna fight one day. It’s gonna be sooner than later and I want him at his best. Because I’m going to beat him for that world title.”

It's time for the handicap tag match and Ethan Carter is on his way to the ring, flanked by his personal security guard Tyrus. Carter disrobes to reveal a protective sleeve on his left arm. Josh Matthews tells the audience at home that Carter explicitly instructed him not to acknowledge the sleeve during commentary. The match is incredibly one-sided and follows the same basic pattern from bell-to-bell. Tyrus demolished both Mandrews and Spud, allowing EC3 the opportunity to tag in and take advantage. Once the action got heavy, Carter would tag out and wait for Tyrus to get things under control once more. When Jeremy Borash tagged in however, Carter wasted no time in entering the match against the everyday ring announcer. Back and forth, Carter and Tyrus traded places in the match against an exhausted trio of undersized competitors. But just as hope seemed all but lost, the most unlikely candidate volunteered to take to the skies—Jeremy Borash flew from the top rope to the outside, achieving incredibly hang time as he crash landed down onto Tyrus. It was at this moment though that Carter was able capitalize on the understandable distraction, turning it into a "One Percenter" inverted DDT on Spud. Learning from his mistakes, Ethan Carter and Tyrus are now in possession of wireless clippers, ready to shave the lovely locks of Rockstar Spud. Carter trapped Spud in a camel clutch and slowly edged the vibrating blade closer to Spud's hair—when the lights went out! They returned and Ken Anderson stood between Carter and Tyrus, jokingly pretending to be on their team and then blindsiding them with a combination of low-blows and eye-gauges.

Gunner is speaking with a camera man about how close he was to winning the TNA world title this time last year, but predicts victory going into next week's 20-man gauntlet to decide the number one contender. He says he's not worried about the BDC, but if they get in his way he'll deal with them. Kenny King walks into camera-view with a smirk. "The BDC—everyone is saying our names," exclaimed Kenny. "You know we're like Candy Man, right? You keep saying our name and we're going to show up." With that, Gunner was under attack, the victim of a double team assault thanks to Kenny King and the X Division Champion Low-Ki. They stomped him into the cold, hard floor and walked away gloating: "Come on Gunner! No bullets soldier! No bullets!"

I really hate Madison Rayne's music, but being that I've spent more than enough time on that in previous articles, I'll instead move along to discuss why she's making her way to the ring. Madison says that she's only there to make one thing abundantly clear: "I am one title win away from being the most decorated TNA Knockout—EVER." As she spoke, a glitch in the audio equipment sent a dose of unwanted reverb across the Hydro Arena. "Okay that was kind of rude," Madison said, continuing to boast her personal value until once again being interrupted by a "musical mishap." She yelled at referee Earl Hebner, and insisted that the audio engineer do something. Once again the building was rocked with an unknown sound, this time evolving into the full score of Awesome Kong's theme music. The former TNA Knockout champion strutted with swag as she stared daggers through Madison Rayne, standing in the ring almost shaking with fear. Outside of the cage match between Havok and Kong at Lockdown, this might be the first singles match the Knockouts have had since TNA rebooted in January. I anticipated this match being far less one-sided than it was and hoped to see more rule-breaking out of Rayne. But within two minutes the bout had concluded as Kong conquered Madison Rayne with her dreaded finishing maneuver, the Implant Buster.

Backstage Austin Aries is relaxing until Kurt Angle informs him that he’s in his seat. Although Aries says he doesn’t see his name on it, he decides to get up instead of engaging in a fight over a chair. Kurt attempted to provoke Aries after his loss earlier in the evening: “I heard you tapped out to Bobby Roode.”  But A-Double wasn't going to let the words of a 46-year old man get the better of him, as he quickly responded, “Yeah I tapped out to Bobby Roode, it’s called live to fight another day.” He stood up from his new seat, "And I can't do that with one arm."

The fans are again out of control for one-half of one of the most decorated teams in wrestling history; Matt Hardy is on hand to give the world an update as to the condition of his brother, Jeff. “Man it is great to be back in Scotland. I missed you guys!" Matt was clearly excited to see so many screaming fans but his demeanor soon shifted to one of sadness. "But I really wish my brother Jeff could be here to share this extraordinary evening with me.” For fans that aren't aware, Jeff's long history of substance abuse and trouble with the law has hindered his ability to travel abroad, therefore he is unable to appear before some of the most-lively wrestling crowds in the world. Matt tells the audience that no matter what Jeff has been through before, he's always managed to give a "thumbs-up" to let Matt know that he's okay. "But last week I didn't get a thumbs up. That's the first time I ever saw a broken Jeff Hardy," Matt continued, "Congratulations James Storm! You were able to do what no other wrestler on this Earth has been able to do!” As emotion ran wild inside of Matt Hardy, the familiar whistle of the "Cowboy's" music echoed across the arena, and the Revolution arrived in the Hydro. James Storm led his stable to ringside, wearing a really stylish vest featuring a woman salivating on the back. Storm then gave what was undoubtedly the promo of the evening, agreeing with Matt that he did the impossible: "I did what Edge and Christian couldn't do! I did what Team 3D couldn't do! I did what Bobby Lashley couldn't do," Storm named a handful of industry icons, "Hell, even the UNDERTAKER couldn't do what I did. I cut down Jeff Hardy!" James Storm leaned in to Matt Hardy, and gave him the option of ending this peacefully. But the "Cowboy" warned the Carolina-native that if he should engage the Revolution, they wouldn't hesitate to put him in a bed next to his brother in the hospital. It didn't take long before "Version 1.0" chose the "road less-traveled," sarcastically telling Storm that his brother has a nice hospital bed, before letting off a series of rights and lefts. Hardy's offense would be short lived however as the entire Revolution teamed up to save their leader, with Manik subduing Hardy on the canvas with a Fujiwara Arm Bar. The punishment wasn't through, but before the Revolution could take it to the next level, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards arrived to save the day. The American Wolves—or �Wolves as they're known in TNA, showed up just in time to chase the heelish tag team champions and the rest of the Revolution away.

Just before the main event, a producer asked Austin Aries if he had a time table established for when he wanted to cash-in on his contract. Aries had no intention of sharing such private information, and instead told him it’s going to be "somewhere in between half past a monkey’s ass and a quarter to his little monkey balls." The smile soon faded and Austin Aries was done playing games relating to the TNA world title: “The only timeframe I’m concerned with is my timeframe.” Once again Kenny King appeared to distract Aries as Low Ki advanced from behind. Unlike Gunner however, Austin had no trouble in fighting the duo until the numbers increased and all four members of the Beat Down Clan kicked Aries and his briefcase out of the building.

The main event pitting Kurt Angle and Bobby Lashley against the Beat Down Clan begins as the Olympian Kurt Angle makes his way to ringside, joined by the "Destroyer" and TNA world heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley. The �Clan comes out as a group per usual, but it becomes clear that MVP and Samoa Joe will be doing the heavy lifting during tonight's contest. Both Low-Ki and Kenny King stand at ringside, once again shifting the advantage toward the BDC. MVP and Samoa Joe maintain control throughout the majority of the first part of the match as announcers speculate that Austin Aries will not be making an appearance because the Beat Down Clan "threw him out the door of the arena." I find that sort of strange as it was clearly snowing in Scotland and he's a world-famous athlete who's schedule to be in the building. I'm pretty certain if he had to get back inside he could find a way. But that's breaking Kayfabe, and that's not what I'm here to do. The BDC used the strength in their numbers to run roughshod over the champion and Kurt Angle for a long period of time, every now and then met with resistance, but not having any real trouble in managing match. Angle and Lashley rope-a-doped their opponents into a dizzying haze until the bout began to go back-and-forth with both teams earning considerable offense until all four men were inside the ring. The champion, obviously no stranger to success, saw victory in his sights and prepared to Spear Samoa Joe. He positioned himself, but stopped midway as Kurt Angle dragged Joe to the mat with the Ankle Lock submission. The divide between the two created a rift so catastrophic that MVP was able to take advantage, earning the pinfall on Lashley with a roll-up and a handful of tights. Now having suffered a loss, the two stood toe-to-toe inside the six-sided ring. Just as Kurt Angle and Bobby Lashley were about to come to blows, the screen went black and we were privy to a preview for next week.

I think Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Impact on Friday nights is really coming into its own as a viable professional wrestling product. It still suffers from much of the same stigma established through years of questionable booking, but the men and women featured on Destination America could finally be finding their "sweet spot" in terms of industry appeal. Next week's show will also emanate from Glasgow, headlined by the 20-Man Number One Contender's Gauntlet. On a scale from one to ten—one being December to Dismember and ten being Wrestle Kingdom 9—I'd give this episode of TNA Impact a 6 for above average performances, but not nearly as much wrestling as I'd like to see on a show called "IMPACT WRESTLING." Until next time my name is Mark Adam Haggerty and this has been "Total Nonstop Analysis."

http://www.cheap-heat.com/dixie-carter-talks-about-josh-mathews-replacing-mike-tenay-changes-to-impact-wrestling-leaving-spike-tv-move-to-friday-night-and-more/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/dixie-carter-talks-about-josh-mathews-replacing-mike-tenay-changes-to-impact-wrestling-leaving-spike-tv-move-to-friday-night-and-more/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:05:24 +0000 Eric Arrington Indy/Puro/Lucha Destination America Dixie Carter Impact Josh Mathews Mike Tenay Spike TV TNA wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=8648 – TNA President Dixie Carter recently spoke with Brian Fritz of SportingNews.com to promote last night's Impact Wrestling premiere on Destination America. The full interview is available at this link. Below are some highlights: Impact Wrestling changes in 2015: "We're also going to be looking at making some changes to the show in 2015. When […]

– TNA President Dixie Carter recently spoke with Brian Fritz of SportingNews.com to promote last night's Impact Wrestling premiere on Destination America. The full interview is available at this link . Below are some highlights:

Impact Wrestling changes in 2015:
"We're also going to be looking at making some changes to the show in 2015. When you tune in Wednesday night, it's going to be a great live wrestling show. There's going to be some exciting surprises that happen on it but there will also be some amazing matches. But as you start to watch the shows through the year you'll see the changes that we'll be working on. A lot of those will be pulling the curtain back a little more than we have in the past and seeing cameras in different positions and production is going to be shot differently and we're going to be trying some new things with the announcers . So, we're really trying to look at the product with fresh eyes focusing very much on what we do best, the in-ring product like we did this past summer but at the same time working on really making the show have a much, much different feel."

Leaving Spike TV:
"Well, I think we had been there a long time and it was a fantastic relationship. I talked to (Spike TV president) Kevin Kay early on in the negotiating and said look we don't want it just to be status quo. We feel like to grow on Spike we have to have more programming and take things to a whole other level. Viacom has tapped him to go more scripted so that was going to be a bigger challenge for him than it had even before. I think change is good and I feel like we've got a network with fresh eyes and is really excited. It's a smaller network. It's a smaller network that's part of a much bigger network globally for us. It's a worldwide deal we made with them. It's not just for one, two-hour show and we've got a great opportunity."

Support from Destination America:
"I think you'll see over the next couple of weeks what they're planning on doing, the media that they're planning on buying. They're running commercials across all ten of their major networks, supporting it digitally , in print and radio, everything. It's a smaller network that we're on but we've never had that kind of massive exposure before. And that's what we need. People will eventually find it. Some people don't have Destination America and that's going to be tougher for us because we are dealing with, like I said, a network that's smaller but we're part of such a big family that's putting so many resources behind us. As we grow , Destination America … it's just going to make that relationship that much more valuable."

Going to Friday nights:
"I think I'll tell you in a few months if I like being on Friday nights. They presented us with a lot of research and felt very strongly about Friday nights being a potential for them. +3's is how people look at ratings nowadays, it's not overnight ratings. With your +3 numbers, you have a much bigger chance for your +3 number over a weekend versus only, like if we were staying on Wednesday, that would be Thursday, Friday and you would have part of Saturday. It's just an overall strategy. They feel really strongly about it. Wrestling has been successful on Friday nights and is no longer there and so we'll see how we'll do."

Josh Mathews replacing Mike Tenay:
"I think Mike's going to go on a new adventure for us and one that there is nobody else that we could have had handle that for us and Mike is going to really spearhead the "Unlocked" show. Who better than The Professor and uncover all these tidbits and pieces of information that we feel like people want to see. Mike has been with us since the beginning. He's an integral part of this company. This is a chance for him to do something different and a chance to change the show up some. We're going to be doing some different things with how we even work with the announcers going forward after the live show . People are going to have to stay tuned to see what those are but I think it'll give the show a different feel. You'll see Mike on "Impact" in some important ways that will tie "Impact" to "Unlocked". I think it's going to give the show a different feel from beginning to end with Josh and Taz calling it. And then how we're going to handle that and shoot it is going to make it even more fun."

Possibly returning to the Impact Zone at Universal Studios:
"Yeah, it may be a different soundstage which I like because we can mix it up and make the change to make it look different. We're talking with them now and I do envision that we'll probably have some shows coming back from there. I want to be there at a time when the audiences are great and they're full and there's certain times of year that are much busier than others and we want to really time it so it's perfect."

TNA still being alive and trying to put up a good fight:
"I don't know what company doesn't have a fight. I think every one of our competitors still has that and how do you fight to grow? It wasn't a fight to get on TV for negotiations this year. It's ridiculous for people to even think that. Every two years I have negotiations. This year we had more people interested in working with us than ever before. The fact that it played out in social media and I took as long as I did in making a decision because I wanted to get it right. I wanted to make sure whoever we were going to was going to give us all that our talent and company deserves. That's a great victory. That's a great place to be. That's not a fight — that's part of the process. And it was a great process and it was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to now putting that behind us, at least for a couple more years, and then we'll get going on the other things that we're excited about this year."

http://www.cheap-heat.com/tna-president-dixie-carter-talks-about-impact-wrestlings-move-to-friday-night-time-slot-and-debut-on-destination-america/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/tna-president-dixie-carter-talks-about-impact-wrestlings-move-to-friday-night-time-slot-and-debut-on-destination-america/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:24:24 +0000 Cassidy Haynes Indy/Puro/Lucha Destination America Dixie Carter Impact TNA wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=8600 In an interview with Brian Fritz of SportingNews.com, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter talked about the debut of IMPACT Wrestling on Destination America and the move to the Friday night timeslot. "I think I'll tell you in a few months if I like being on Friday nights. They presented us with a lot of research […]

In an interview with Brian Fritz of SportingNews.com, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter talked about the debut of IMPACT Wrestling on Destination America and the move to the Friday night timeslot.

"I think I'll tell you in a few months if I like being on Friday nights. They presented us with a lot of research and felt very strongly about Friday nights being a potential for them.

+3's is how people look at ratings nowadays, it's not overnight ratings. With your +3 numbers, you have a much bigger chance for your +3 number over a weekend versus only, like if we were staying on Wednesday, that would be Thursday, Friday and you would have part of Saturday. It's just an overall strategy. They feel really strongly about it. Wrestling has been successful on Friday nights and is no longer there and so we'll see how we'll do."

The interview is available in full at this link .

http://www.cheap-heat.com/tna-president-dixie-carter-to-miss-tonights-impact-wrestling-debut-on-destination-america/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/tna-president-dixie-carter-to-miss-tonights-impact-wrestling-debut-on-destination-america/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:05:58 +0000 Cassidy Haynes Indy/Puro/Lucha Destination America Dixie Carter Impact TNA wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=8593 Speaking through her official Twitter account, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter noted that she will not be in New York City for tonight's IMPACT Wrestling debut on Destination America. "While everyone is in New York City for our LIVE @DestAmerica #Impact tonight, I, however, am on a plane now headed to……..LA to represent @DestAmerica for […]

Speaking through her official Twitter account, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter noted that she will not be in New York City for tonight's IMPACT Wrestling debut on Destination America.

"While everyone is in New York City for our LIVE @DestAmerica #Impact tonight, I, however, am on a plane now headed to……..LA to represent @DestAmerica for the Television Critics Association Press Tour talking @ImpactWrestling in front of hundreds of media."

http://www.cheap-heat.com/interesting-changes-to-tna-impact-wrestlings-debut-on-destination-america/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/interesting-changes-to-tna-impact-wrestlings-debut-on-destination-america/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2015 03:28:29 +0000 Cassidy Haynes Indy/Puro/Lucha Dixie Carter Impact TNA wrestling http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=8573 PWInsider is reporting that TNA Impact Wrestling will have a heavy reality TV theme to the show when it premieres on Destination America this Wednesday. В They note that the idea is to have cameras filming everything from the wrestlers walking around backstage, entering the building and even being out of character. The report goes on […]

PWInsider is reporting that TNA Impact Wrestling will have a heavy reality TV theme to the show when it premieres on Destination America this Wednesday. В They note that the idea is to have cameras filming everything from the wrestlers walking around backstage, entering the building and even being out of character.

The report goes on to state that Dixie Carter is said to be a big fan of reality TV and that Destination America already shows a lot of reality-type programming, which has led to the company changing the format of the show a bit to fit Destination America.