TNA Webmatches (Episodes 10-12)

Here's another batch of TNA's youtube webmatches

Robert Roode vs Eric Young
We kick off with two guys who know each other very well. They work in a nice comedy spot early, where Roode climbs the turnbuckles to get more leverage on a lock up, only for EY to move and Roode to fall on his face. Due to their history, it comes as no surprise that they work well together, with both being pretty snug with their punches. The ending sequence is also very fast-paced and fluid, ending with a fisherman suplex for the Roode win. Decent, if short, match

Hernandez vs Kiyoshi
No Limit and Sheik Abdul Bashir come out with Kiyoshi, while Homicide comes out with Hernandez. Kiyoshi foolishly tries powerspots early on, but gets caught by a crap overhead suplex where Kiyoshi doesn't go over very cleanly. On the whole, though, Hernandez still looks good overpowering Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi dominates more when he uses his speed to keep Hernandez down, but lets the big man get back to his feet and gets overpowered once more. A great plancha by Hernandez leads to the Border Toss for 3 in a watchable bout.

Eric Young vs Danny Bonaduce
I'm barely aware of who Bonaduce is, as he's not really known over here in Blighty. All I know is that he's a man who gets angry on reality TV shows. As if to show off his fearsome rage, he attacks a planted fan by biting his hand. I assume EY was chosen for this match as a result of being a reliable hand in the ring. Bonaduce threatens EY with nunchucks in the ring to a chorus of boos. EY is very much the face here. In the match, Bonaduce doesn't really have too much offence to comment on (bar a Swanton, which looked passable), but he really takes some big bumps for Young, including getting thrown into cage, then suplexed against the mesh. EY hits a huge powerbomb, as Bonaduce continues to take impressive bumps. There is a botch on the winning EY small package but on the whole, it's a perfectly acceptable celebrity match. Bonaduce attacks EY with the nunchucks after the match, but Rhino runs in and nails him with a big Gore during the save.

TNA Webmatches (Episodes 7-9)

Back after too long a delay. I've got a few shows/DVD's I'm halfway through writing about, but for now I'm going to look at a few more TNA webmatches.

Kiyoshi vs Shark Boy
This is “Stone Cold” era for Shark Boy. Kiyoshi is joined by No Limit on their brief excursion to TNA from NJPW, during which they jobbed repeatedly. Kiyoshi dominates after a brief exchange, though the big dumb grin on Shark Boy’s mask really undermines any trouble he is in. Less than two minutes in and Kiyoshi puts on a nervehold, seemingly to allow Shark Boy to break and hit all his Austin tribute spots. Shark Boy looks to be going for the Chummer, but No Limit interference allows Kiyoshi to hit a Widowmaker for 3. Not too much fun, it felt really brief and Shark Boy, fun as he is, has really soft looking offence.

Taylor Wilde vs Madison Rayne
Madison looks far more jobbery here than she does now, it’s quite impressive just how far she’s come in terms of looks and character, though she’s still good at playing the bitchy role here. Taylor is super-over with the crowd, who for once don’t bother with duelling chants. Rayne’s offence seems to mainly revolve around attacking Taylor’s face, which I hope is deliberate to fit in with her position in the Beautiful People. Madison still goes for multiple covers, which I’m on record as being a fan of. Madison looks to go for a bulldog, but gets shoved into the ropes, allowing Taylor to hit a German suplex for the win. Decent match, though Rayne would get better in later months.

ODB vs Sojo Bolt
I’m far less confident about this match being any good. Cody Deaner is with ODB, reminding me instantly why I was glad he left TNA. The match is awful: it lasts about three minutes, it’s barely got any structure and they keep cutting to Cody fucking Deaner at ringside. I know I said before that TNA missed a trick on ODB, especially with how over she was, but matches like this make me realise how little I miss her.