NWA Total Nonstop Action #1
NWA Total Nonstop Action
June 19, 2002
Huntsville, Alabama.
Show starts off with the old NWA signature followed by explosions, video game themes and the TNA logo. Fireworks open the show at the arena.
Introduction - Don West comes out and introduces Ed Ferrara as the co-commentator. Ed is dressed in all leather and a Hawaiian shirt, blue glasses and dreadlocks. He introduces Mike Tenay, who in contrast is wearing a tuxedo. He got cut off by Borash, but i think this was a post-prod edit.
Borash introduces some NWA legends including Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr., Jackie Fargo, Bob Armstrong, Corsica Joe and Sarah Lee, Bill Behrens, and Ricky Steamboat. Ricky has the old NWA title and introduces the show and puts over the NWA title over as the biggest price in wrestling, I kinda have to say that I miss how valuable that title was, he also presents there is a elimination match for the title tonight and he'll be the ref for the final two. Heel Jarrett comes out and weirdly enough, is putting the title over too. Fargo interrupts him and forces him as the No 1 spot in the gauntlet, so being a former champ gives you boooking power in this new TNA. Now Ken Shamrock comes out and spoils his entry number. Now Scott Hall is out through the crowd, chico! it's weird, all the 'younger' guys agree that the gauntlet is an insult to the title.
I'm sure the fans may not recognize 1/3 of these people. They are also selling bottled beer in the show, that is always a bad idea.
This chick Goldielocks(?) introduces Puppet the Psycho Dwarf. "Let's start the show off with midgets, because midgets are the true star of this country". Hopefully the big boob girls dancing in cages will keep them under control.
AJ Styles, Low Ki, and Jerry Lynn vs The Flying Elvises - 7/10
The first TNA match in history started with these guys. Jorge Estrada, Jimmy Yang, and Sonny Siaki are the Elvises. Ed Ferrara is excited about the Elvises. The ROH guys offer a hand shake and get attacked. Everyone was super impresive, even Siaki (who I've always disliked), this was a spot fest for sure, but an awesome X-Division style spot fest that made the company, you start a promotion with a match like this and you can be sure that you'll have people talking. History records will forever show that AJ Styles was the first man to be pinned in TNA.
During the match, they announced that some of these guys will be competing for the X-Division title next week.
Midget Match
Teo vs vs Hollywood - 4/10
For a midget match, this was like a 10/10, because i haven't watched one in like 10-15 yrs. People liked it, so I guess that's a good thing.
Ed Ferrara and Don West - They announce that next week, there will be a lingerie battle royal, some dudes pop for it. Participants include Francine, Miss Jonie, Daffney, Alexis Laree, Erin, Elektra, Taylor b=something, and two girls i didn't catch their name. They showed no nameplates. That Erin chick was pretty. Francine cuts a promo on the ladies and Elektra fights her.
Mortimer Plumtree promo - Teases to bring a tag team and says they owe him everything, i fear for a racist gimmick, oh, it was The Johnsons. Goldielocks is pretty awesome in facial expressions.
The Johnsons w/Mortimer Plumtree vs Psicosis and 'Cowboy' James Storm - 5.5/10
Richard and Rod AKA The Johnsons are wearing skin colored body suits. James Storm has his fake guns. During the match Alicia came out. Nicho and Storm were great, but I was more impressed by The Johnsons who could have had a good run with a proper gimmick. As much as I hate puns, I'm disappointed by the lack of dick related puns during this match.
For some reason, the ref payed Alicia after the match
There was a segment with a hillbilly team drinking beer and the valet said there are a bunch of wussies here in the N Dubuya A. Goldielocks is still the best thing ever.
Sterling Marlin and Hermie Sadler Segment - Two NASCAR dudes who get interrupted by K-Krush AKA Ron Killings. Killings got a lot of heat and was awesome. The polo shirt wearing car driver got in the face of Killings and called him out for his attire. Brian Christopher made the save after Killings attacks one of the drives. Similar to the midget match, it was bad, but if the fans are liking it, oh well. Christopher challenges Killings to a match next week.
There is a pull apart segment between Jarrett and Fargo in the backstage for some reason.
Joey Matthews and Christian York vs The Dupps w/Fluff Dupp - 5/10
Stan and Bo Dupp, who have already hinted that they share the same girlfriend, who is also their (I assume) sister, Fluff Dupp. TNA sure knew what target audience they wanted. So far all full sized matches have had better wrestlers as enhancement talent that the gimmicks they want to get over. Match wasn't that good, but at least it was short.
Toby Keith sang a song, people LOVED it. This may also be my first Toby Keith song. Mid song Jarrett interrupted and pushed Toby Keith, Jarrett talk shit at him, and Keith wanted to fight. Jarrett just wants to start the gauntlet already.
Gauntlet Match to crown the NWA/TNA World Champion - Good
Jeff Jarrett, Buff Bagwell, Lash LeRoux, Norman Smiley, Gran Apolo, K-Krush, Slash w/James Mitchell, Del Rios, Justice, Konnan, Bruce w/Lenny Lane and Joel Gertner, Rick Steiner, Malice, Scott Hall, Toby Keith, 'Wildcat' Chris Harris, Vampire Warrior, 'Dangerous' Devin Storm, Steve Corino, Ken Shamrock, and Brian Christopher.
It was pretty fun to see people come out, because of the old school feel, but they are completely ignoring the clock either waiting for people to leave or making up time for early eliminations. Thank god for Tenay telling me why a bunch of these geeks matter. Of all the men that came out, Konnan looked the best IMO. Del Rios was a poor version of Scott Steiner, who later came out. Toby Keith and Scott Hall eliminated Jarrett and the crowd popped, and then Keith left the ring, non eliminated, so he is the proper winner I guess. It's always hard to rate a match like this, because there are guys that are active and some are dead weight all the match. Malice eliminated Scott Hall last so...
NWA/TNA World Championship Match w/Special Guest Referee Ricky Steamboat
Ken Shamrock vs Malice w/James Mitchell - 6/10
Weird to say this about Ken Shamrock, but this was a good small guy (Shamrock) vs Big guy (Malice) match. it lasted for about 6 minutes, but they were great.
Post-match Jeff Jarrett comes out and is still talking shit about the Gauntlet, he takes out some legends, which brings Fargo and Keith, Fargo brings out Scott Hall to fight his fights. Show closes in a pull apart.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Compared to 2015 wrestling, you watch this show and it looks campy as hell, from penis and incest gimmicks, to Ed Ferrara having dreadlocks, but I think they had something in the younger wrestlers that would later revolutionize the business and take TNA to the next level. Can't say the left me super excited about next week, but I'll still watch.
June 19, 2002
Huntsville, Alabama.
Show starts off with the old NWA signature followed by explosions, video game themes and the TNA logo. Fireworks open the show at the arena.
Introduction - Don West comes out and introduces Ed Ferrara as the co-commentator. Ed is dressed in all leather and a Hawaiian shirt, blue glasses and dreadlocks. He introduces Mike Tenay, who in contrast is wearing a tuxedo. He got cut off by Borash, but i think this was a post-prod edit.
Borash introduces some NWA legends including Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr., Jackie Fargo, Bob Armstrong, Corsica Joe and Sarah Lee, Bill Behrens, and Ricky Steamboat. Ricky has the old NWA title and introduces the show and puts over the NWA title over as the biggest price in wrestling, I kinda have to say that I miss how valuable that title was, he also presents there is a elimination match for the title tonight and he'll be the ref for the final two. Heel Jarrett comes out and weirdly enough, is putting the title over too. Fargo interrupts him and forces him as the No 1 spot in the gauntlet, so being a former champ gives you boooking power in this new TNA. Now Ken Shamrock comes out and spoils his entry number. Now Scott Hall is out through the crowd, chico! it's weird, all the 'younger' guys agree that the gauntlet is an insult to the title.
I'm sure the fans may not recognize 1/3 of these people. They are also selling bottled beer in the show, that is always a bad idea.
This chick Goldielocks(?) introduces Puppet the Psycho Dwarf. "Let's start the show off with midgets, because midgets are the true star of this country". Hopefully the big boob girls dancing in cages will keep them under control.
AJ Styles, Low Ki, and Jerry Lynn vs The Flying Elvises - 7/10
The first TNA match in history started with these guys. Jorge Estrada, Jimmy Yang, and Sonny Siaki are the Elvises. Ed Ferrara is excited about the Elvises. The ROH guys offer a hand shake and get attacked. Everyone was super impresive, even Siaki (who I've always disliked), this was a spot fest for sure, but an awesome X-Division style spot fest that made the company, you start a promotion with a match like this and you can be sure that you'll have people talking. History records will forever show that AJ Styles was the first man to be pinned in TNA.
During the match, they announced that some of these guys will be competing for the X-Division title next week.
Midget Match
Teo vs vs Hollywood - 4/10
For a midget match, this was like a 10/10, because i haven't watched one in like 10-15 yrs. People liked it, so I guess that's a good thing.
Ed Ferrara and Don West - They announce that next week, there will be a lingerie battle royal, some dudes pop for it. Participants include Francine, Miss Jonie, Daffney, Alexis Laree, Erin, Elektra, Taylor b=something, and two girls i didn't catch their name. They showed no nameplates. That Erin chick was pretty. Francine cuts a promo on the ladies and Elektra fights her.
Mortimer Plumtree promo - Teases to bring a tag team and says they owe him everything, i fear for a racist gimmick, oh, it was The Johnsons. Goldielocks is pretty awesome in facial expressions.
The Johnsons w/Mortimer Plumtree vs Psicosis and 'Cowboy' James Storm - 5.5/10
Richard and Rod AKA The Johnsons are wearing skin colored body suits. James Storm has his fake guns. During the match Alicia came out. Nicho and Storm were great, but I was more impressed by The Johnsons who could have had a good run with a proper gimmick. As much as I hate puns, I'm disappointed by the lack of dick related puns during this match.
For some reason, the ref payed Alicia after the match
There was a segment with a hillbilly team drinking beer and the valet said there are a bunch of wussies here in the N Dubuya A. Goldielocks is still the best thing ever.
Sterling Marlin and Hermie Sadler Segment - Two NASCAR dudes who get interrupted by K-Krush AKA Ron Killings. Killings got a lot of heat and was awesome. The polo shirt wearing car driver got in the face of Killings and called him out for his attire. Brian Christopher made the save after Killings attacks one of the drives. Similar to the midget match, it was bad, but if the fans are liking it, oh well. Christopher challenges Killings to a match next week.
There is a pull apart segment between Jarrett and Fargo in the backstage for some reason.
Joey Matthews and Christian York vs The Dupps w/Fluff Dupp - 5/10
Stan and Bo Dupp, who have already hinted that they share the same girlfriend, who is also their (I assume) sister, Fluff Dupp. TNA sure knew what target audience they wanted. So far all full sized matches have had better wrestlers as enhancement talent that the gimmicks they want to get over. Match wasn't that good, but at least it was short.
Toby Keith sang a song, people LOVED it. This may also be my first Toby Keith song. Mid song Jarrett interrupted and pushed Toby Keith, Jarrett talk shit at him, and Keith wanted to fight. Jarrett just wants to start the gauntlet already.
Gauntlet Match to crown the NWA/TNA World Champion - Good
Jeff Jarrett, Buff Bagwell, Lash LeRoux, Norman Smiley, Gran Apolo, K-Krush, Slash w/James Mitchell, Del Rios, Justice, Konnan, Bruce w/Lenny Lane and Joel Gertner, Rick Steiner, Malice, Scott Hall, Toby Keith, 'Wildcat' Chris Harris, Vampire Warrior, 'Dangerous' Devin Storm, Steve Corino, Ken Shamrock, and Brian Christopher.
It was pretty fun to see people come out, because of the old school feel, but they are completely ignoring the clock either waiting for people to leave or making up time for early eliminations. Thank god for Tenay telling me why a bunch of these geeks matter. Of all the men that came out, Konnan looked the best IMO. Del Rios was a poor version of Scott Steiner, who later came out. Toby Keith and Scott Hall eliminated Jarrett and the crowd popped, and then Keith left the ring, non eliminated, so he is the proper winner I guess. It's always hard to rate a match like this, because there are guys that are active and some are dead weight all the match. Malice eliminated Scott Hall last so...
NWA/TNA World Championship Match w/Special Guest Referee Ricky Steamboat
Ken Shamrock vs Malice w/James Mitchell - 6/10
Weird to say this about Ken Shamrock, but this was a good small guy (Shamrock) vs Big guy (Malice) match. it lasted for about 6 minutes, but they were great.
Post-match Jeff Jarrett comes out and is still talking shit about the Gauntlet, he takes out some legends, which brings Fargo and Keith, Fargo brings out Scott Hall to fight his fights. Show closes in a pull apart.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Compared to 2015 wrestling, you watch this show and it looks campy as hell, from penis and incest gimmicks, to Ed Ferrara having dreadlocks, but I think they had something in the younger wrestlers that would later revolutionize the business and take TNA to the next level. Can't say the left me super excited about next week, but I'll still watch.