Black Widow
01-23-2009, 08:54 PM
SEVEN months ago Jeff Jarrett’s TNA made the bold decision to dip their toes in the water and make a short debut tour of the UK, to tackle the WWE in an area that they solely commanded for many years.
After that success and a full run of sell-outs, the company quickly began preparing for a wider reaching and larger scale set of shows.
Trying Ireland for the first time, kicking off in Dublin, the latest tour could not have started off better, selling out both events in quick succession, giving the grappling starved Southern Irish fans their first slice of US wrestling in many years.
Over two nights the 2000 seat venue of the National Stadium rocked to the roars of hardcore fans, who cheered for their favourites, heckled those they love to hate, chanted, clapped and stood on their feet, as the stars of TNA put on a brace of very different yet equally exciting shows.
A TNA live event is a far more relaxed affair than it’s rivals, the wrestlers seem to enjoy the atmosphere and lack of hard cameras more. The intimate settings also allow fans to feel involved and storylines fall to the wayside, with entertainment and athleticism coming to the fore instead.
The ever-energetic Jeremy Borash handled the in-ring announcing and introductions with gusto, whipping the eager crowd into a frenzy.
The cards varied too, the X Division got to strut their stuff as a combination of current champ Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal, the UK’s own Doug Williams, Eric Young, Consequences Creed and Sheik Abdul Bashir fought in high-impact and fast-paced singles, three-way and four-way match-ups.
The glamorous and camera friendly duo of The Beautiful People took on the fan favourite team of Taylor Wilde and ODB in Knockouts brawls both nights, the pairings coming out with a win a piece.
Samoa Joe made a surprise appearance, pummelling the Sheik in his first outing, before teaming with AJ Styles to battle the monster duo of Abyss and Matt Morgan the next evening. Former TNA champion Joe came out on top in both.
Styles showcased his many innovative moves during his singles match with Kurt Angle, the Olympic gold medallist and ‘the phenomenal one’ holding nothing back in the best match of the opening night.
Team 3D invented a new wrestling match in their Irish debut, the ‘Dublin Street Fight’ with Morgan and Abyss was an arena wide brawl, that saw everything from a beach ball used as weapon, to a ring bell crotch shot and a hilarious Brother Ray celebratory Irish jig.
Beer Money defended their gold successfully against former title-holders Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed on night one, their luck almost running out on night two when Team 3D battered the pair around the ring and through a table, in their attempt to add another title reign to their long list. A cheap belt shot halted that though.
Even senior official Earl Hebner had his moment in the spotlight, having an impromptu fight with James Storm, the referee tore off his striped shirt, unleashing some punches and a Creed assisted hip toss on the mouthy heel, before resuming his in-ring duties.
Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett both made appearances on each show, receiving huge pops from the rabid fans.
Foley was on top form as he announced a main event match for the final Dublin show, Jarrett who made a heartfelt speech and a run-in during the first, would enter the ring and take on his old foe Kurt Angle.
The hardcore legend acted as special enforcer in a match that many fans felt was worth the price of admission alone.
A ref bump and guitar shot led to Foley donning the striped shirt, counting Angle down for the popular win, as Jeff celebrated his victory.
If you’ve a ticket for the remainder of this sell-out tour, you have something very special indeed to witness.
The grapplers themselves don’t hold back at all.
Suicide dives, ringside brawls, moonsaults, top rope moves and high-risk spots are all present, and pulled off with enthusiasm.
TNA have something special in their live events and perhaps don’t even realise it.
The ever-growing fanbase showed no sign of post-Christmas and credit crunch cash issues, not only selling out both shows, but also shelling out for so much merchandise that the store ran out of many items.
Here’s hoping TNA keep up the good work and the UK’s fans receive the same quality of performances as well during the remaining tour dates.
The Sun
After that success and a full run of sell-outs, the company quickly began preparing for a wider reaching and larger scale set of shows.
Trying Ireland for the first time, kicking off in Dublin, the latest tour could not have started off better, selling out both events in quick succession, giving the grappling starved Southern Irish fans their first slice of US wrestling in many years.
Over two nights the 2000 seat venue of the National Stadium rocked to the roars of hardcore fans, who cheered for their favourites, heckled those they love to hate, chanted, clapped and stood on their feet, as the stars of TNA put on a brace of very different yet equally exciting shows.
A TNA live event is a far more relaxed affair than it’s rivals, the wrestlers seem to enjoy the atmosphere and lack of hard cameras more. The intimate settings also allow fans to feel involved and storylines fall to the wayside, with entertainment and athleticism coming to the fore instead.
The ever-energetic Jeremy Borash handled the in-ring announcing and introductions with gusto, whipping the eager crowd into a frenzy.
The cards varied too, the X Division got to strut their stuff as a combination of current champ Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal, the UK’s own Doug Williams, Eric Young, Consequences Creed and Sheik Abdul Bashir fought in high-impact and fast-paced singles, three-way and four-way match-ups.
The glamorous and camera friendly duo of The Beautiful People took on the fan favourite team of Taylor Wilde and ODB in Knockouts brawls both nights, the pairings coming out with a win a piece.
Samoa Joe made a surprise appearance, pummelling the Sheik in his first outing, before teaming with AJ Styles to battle the monster duo of Abyss and Matt Morgan the next evening. Former TNA champion Joe came out on top in both.
Styles showcased his many innovative moves during his singles match with Kurt Angle, the Olympic gold medallist and ‘the phenomenal one’ holding nothing back in the best match of the opening night.
Team 3D invented a new wrestling match in their Irish debut, the ‘Dublin Street Fight’ with Morgan and Abyss was an arena wide brawl, that saw everything from a beach ball used as weapon, to a ring bell crotch shot and a hilarious Brother Ray celebratory Irish jig.
Beer Money defended their gold successfully against former title-holders Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed on night one, their luck almost running out on night two when Team 3D battered the pair around the ring and through a table, in their attempt to add another title reign to their long list. A cheap belt shot halted that though.
Even senior official Earl Hebner had his moment in the spotlight, having an impromptu fight with James Storm, the referee tore off his striped shirt, unleashing some punches and a Creed assisted hip toss on the mouthy heel, before resuming his in-ring duties.
Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett both made appearances on each show, receiving huge pops from the rabid fans.
Foley was on top form as he announced a main event match for the final Dublin show, Jarrett who made a heartfelt speech and a run-in during the first, would enter the ring and take on his old foe Kurt Angle.
The hardcore legend acted as special enforcer in a match that many fans felt was worth the price of admission alone.
A ref bump and guitar shot led to Foley donning the striped shirt, counting Angle down for the popular win, as Jeff celebrated his victory.
If you’ve a ticket for the remainder of this sell-out tour, you have something very special indeed to witness.
The grapplers themselves don’t hold back at all.
Suicide dives, ringside brawls, moonsaults, top rope moves and high-risk spots are all present, and pulled off with enthusiasm.
TNA have something special in their live events and perhaps don’t even realise it.
The ever-growing fanbase showed no sign of post-Christmas and credit crunch cash issues, not only selling out both shows, but also shelling out for so much merchandise that the store ran out of many items.
Here’s hoping TNA keep up the good work and the UK’s fans receive the same quality of performances as well during the remaining tour dates.
The Sun