The Best and Worst of NWA-TNA 2003
Assorted by Scrooge McSuck

Scrooge has been kind enough to send me this compilation of NWA-TNA material from February - November 2003. This will be a work in progress as the collection is too large for me to really tackle in one outing.

-The comp starts off with BG James cutting off an interview Goldilocks was conducting with Bob Armstrong. The sound cuts out, which earns a pop from the live audience. Armstrong has a surprise for BG, and his music summons him to the ring.

BG James vs. Tenacious Z
Yep, that’s right, BG’s mystery opponent is none other than Zach fucking Gowen. Tenay puts Z over as one of the most amazing stories in wrestling. He doesn’t mention that Gowen is a virgin, because he’s “religious.” Yeah, sure. James is upset that he has to fight a cripple and slugs Z into the corner. Z falls over, because he was one leg. Z is whipped into the ropes and hits a drop kick! Z kicks James into the corner and uses the ropes to kick him repeatedly. James throws Z onto the mat and stands still for a small eternity waiting for Z to flip over him. James throws his trademark punches and shakes, rattles, rolls, but Z ducks the clothesline and knocks James over the ropes. Z then hits a moonsault off the ropes onto James on the floor! I have to admit, that is freaking cool. The action moves back to the ring, with James in control again. James hits a big boot and pulls himself out of the cover. James hits a suplex and pulls out of another cover. This is a little uncomfortable. James shoves the referee, who is apparently also his brother, and gets shoved back into a roll-up attempt by Z. James kicks out, but gets rolled up again and Z actually wins at 3:56. This was about as good as you could expect for a match between a cripple and Road Dogg, ½*.
Winner: Tenacious Z

After the match, Raven leaps into the ring and attacks Tenacious Z. Raven tells security to “remove the debris.” Raven turns his attention to AJ Styles, who has kidnapped the NWA World title for himself. Raven demands that Styles bring him the belt, which technically still belongs to Jeff Jarrett. Raven says that Styles is a gardener, but Raven has lived a life of horror. I love Raven’s wacky speeches. Styles finally comes out, wearing the NWA belt, and Raven calls him a “pussy.” You won’t hear that on any recent TNA shows, that’s for sure. Styles leaps into the ring, and an impromptu match appears to be under way. They are basically having an unofficial match over a title that doesn’t belong to either of them. After some good action, including Raven viciously attacking AJ’s hands, Larry Zbyszko breaks it up, and Raven escapes with the title belt in his possession.

NWA Tag Team Championship:
Low Ki and Elix Skipper © vs. Slash and Brian Lee
The Disciples attack Triple X at ringside as the bell rings, and take control smashing their foes into hard objects. Brian Lee drapes Low Ki on the announce table and chokes him. Slash positions the steel steps and launches himself off it onto Skipper. This earns an “evil” chant from the fans. Brian Lee forces Mike Tenay and Don West to get out of their seats so he can continue beating on Skipper, while Slash and Low Ki battle it out on the entrance ramp. Lee and Skipper fight into the crowd, and Skipper mounts enough of a comeback to direct Lee back into the ring. Meanwhile, Slash chops the life out of Low Ki at ringside. Skipper and Lee seem to be the legal men as the action now resembles a match. Lee hits an overhead belly to belly suplex and actually makes a tag to Slash. Skipper directs Slash to the corner and tags in Low Ki, who gains some revenge with some hard chops. Slash reverses an Irish whip and hits a military press slam. Skipper breaks up a cover. Another chop by Slash and some biting on the ropes. Low Ki springboards off the ropes, Slash ducks, and Low Ki awkwardly lands on his knee. He was playing possum and hits a springboard kick to the head of Slash. Tag is made to Skipper, who hits a crappy clothesline on Slash. Triple X corner Slash and make frequent tags to keep him down. This heat segment lasts for several minutes. Slash finally gets a boot to Low Ki’s face, but Low Ki blocks a power bomb attempt into the iron octopus. Slash fights out, but Low Ki hangs on for an armbar. The referee is distracted by Lee, and Skipper switches with Low Ki and continues the armbar. Skipper hits a snap suplex and gets a two count. Headlock by Skipper, into an abdominal stretch. Skipper holds Slash still and Low Ki hits a nasty double stomp off the top rope. Lee tries to interfere again, allowing Triple X to double team Slash. The referee won’t let Lee get into the ring, but hasn’t made any attempts to keep Triple X from double teaming, this just doesn’t seem fair. There is a full blown “Let’s go, evil” chant. Low Ki goes for a flying crossbody, but Slash catches him for a slam. Lee finally gets the tag and cleans house on Triple X. Lee gets Low Ki alone for a scoop slam, but Low Ki fights a Chokeslam attempt. Low Ki is planted on the top rope, but James Mitchell stops him from leaping. Skipper runs in with a steel chair and nails Lee (the referee was distracted). This isn’t enough to defeat Lee, who kicks out of a cover attempt. The world’s stupidest referee is distracted again, and doesn’t see Skipper trying to drop Slash on a chair in the ring. Slash reverses and Skipper hits the chair hard. Skipper kicks out at two. Low Ki leaps into Slash’s arms, who tosses him towards the referee, knocking him down. This allows some heel trickery by Triple X. Slash knocks Skipper off his feet on the top rope. Meanwhile, Low Ki covers Brian Lee while Slash covers Skipper, and another referee joins the party so both teams technically win. As a result the belts are held up at 15:32. Typical Russo finish. The match was alright, but some faulty work by the referee dragged this down a bit, **.
No contest

After the match, America’s Most Wanted run in and attack Triple X. Vince Russo’s masked militants run in and attack AMW.

-Next is a taped Raven segment. He is relaxing in a dark ring, surrounded by weapons. Raven goes on a fun, psychotic rant, using the weapons as a metaphor for "his people." He claims that AJ Styles is interfering with his fate, because he is destined to be the NWA World Champion. Raven will be facing Styles in a ladder match for a shot at the title. Awesome promo.

NWA Tag Team Championship:
Triple X © vs. Brian Lee and Slash (with Father James Mitchell)
The bell rings and the New Church dumps out all the Triple X members. They follow up with over the top flying moves onto the smaller team. We're still not sure which two Triple X members are legally in the match yet. The New Church are dominant in the early going, as Skipper is choked with cables by Slash and Brian Lee man-handles Low Ki. Skipper reverses a power bomb with a body drop on Slash, while the match finds some order in the ring with Brian Lee taking on Low Ki. Lee dumps Low Ki to the floor, and attacks Christopher Daniels when he comes to check on him. Slash and Skipper are in the ring, as Lee continues tossing Daniels and Low Ki around at ringside. Skipper dodges a clothesline, but Slash clotheslines Daniels off the apron, but immediately suffers a flying martial arts kick from Low Ki! Low Ki and Skipper are now the established legal men, and they cut the ring in half to isolate Slash. Skipper and Low Ki wipe their boots on Slash's face. Skipper snapmares Slashl off the turnbuckle and gets a cover attempt after a leg drop. Skipper holds Slash in position for a big knee drop by Low Ki! The crowd chants "Evil!" in support of the New Church, as Slash desperately hits a sit-out powerbomb on Low Ki! Brian Lee and Elix Skipper tag in, as Lee cleans house. Lee goes for the cover on Skipper after a fireman's carry, but Low Ki interupts with a drop-kick. Lee fights him off, and sets up Low Ki for a doomsday with a tagged in Slash. Skipper interupts, and the referee is knocked out. Skipper and Slash battle at ringside, while Daniels saves Low Ki from a tombstone piledriver in the ring. Slash and Skipper are back in the ring, with Slash dominating. Slash signals a finisher, but Low Ki interupts and suffers a spinning slam for his troubles. Slash gets the cover, but the ref is still out. Skipper fetches a title belt and hits "The Play of the Day" on Slash onto the title. A fresh referee comes out, but Malice runs in and disrupts the count. Malice wrecks all three members of Triple X. The Harris Brothers come out to ringside, but Malice chokeslams the referee. The match is apparently over at 10:12, Triple X are allowed to retain the titles due to a disqualification. This was a damn solid tag match up until things went down Russo's way at the end, **1/2.
Winners by disqualification and still NWA Tag Team Champions: Triple X

Konnan and Juventud Guerrera vs. Jason Cross and Jerry Lynn
This is part of a supposed "luchadore invasion" as Mike Tenay puts it. Juvy and Lynn start the match for their respective teams. Juvy and Lynn exchange holds as a weak "USA" chant can be heard from the Nashville fans. The pace quickens as they leap and flip over each other. They exchange arm drags and drop-kicks as the match is a stalemate. The match restarts with a respectful hand slap. Juvy corners Lynn, and fires with some chops. Lynn slides through Juvy's legs, b ut Juvy counters the tirt-a-whirl and gets some close two count nearfalls. Juvy escapes a slam and hits a superkick. Juvy whips Lynn, but gets caught with a tirt-a-whirl backbreaker for a 2 count. Lynn applies a chinlock. So far this feels like a singles match, as neither man has made any attempts at a tag. And that ends, as Cross tags in and hits a drop-kick. Juvy whips Cross and they exchange chops. Cross reverses a suplex and hits a brainbuster, which earns him a cover for 2. Cross attempts his "Crossfire" flying move, but Juvy moves out of the way. Konnan wants a tag, but Juvy ignores him (which is fine by me). Juvy connects with a drop-kick after rolling through a move by Cross. Konnan finally gets the tag and hits a drop-kick on Cross. Konnan aggressively strikes and kicks away on Cross. Lynn unwittingly distracts the referee, long enough for Juvy and Konnan to double team Cross. Juvy tags but misses a corner splash and runs into a drop toe hold from Cross. Lynn and Konnan tag in, with Konnan throwing Juvy into Lynn for protection. Lynn shakes this off and causes Juvy to fly into Konnan. Konnan holds Lynn still for a sunset flip from Juvy, which earns a nearfall, but Cross saves the day. Konnan soon elevates Juvy to a crossbody onto Lynn at ringside, but Cross takes control of the in-ring battle. Cross hits a shooting star leg drop on Konnan, but Juvy breaks up the cover. Juvy then hits an ugly senton off the top on Cross, but Lynn makes the save. Konnan hits the rolling thunder clothesline to save Juvy from Lynn's cradle piledriver. Konnan gets a 2 count on Lynn. Lynn attempts another sunset flip, but Konnan drops down on him and gets the pin while using the ropes. This started out solid, but kind of fell apart once Konnan got involved, **1/4.
Winners: Konnan and Juventud Guerrera

Mike Sanders and Glen Gilberti vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Ugh, what's Scrooge doing to me? Sanders and Gilberti jump Duggan while he's still on his USA parade at ringside. They stomp away and crash his head into the apron. They dump Duggan into the ring and continue the beating, and the match still hasn't officially begun. They keep stomping as Moondog Spot comes through the crowd! WHAT!?! Spot attacks Sanders, while Gilberti argues with Tenay over this development ("I thought Moondog Spot was dead!") and leaves the match. Duggan and Spot double team Sanders and pin him, so apparently this match did start at some point. I'm not even going to bother rating this, as this was Heroes of Wrestling worthy (except it was mercifully short).
Winners: Moondog Spot and Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Brian Lawler, David Flair, and Erik Watts vs. D'Lo Brown, Dusty Rhodes, and Jeff Jarrett
Lawler, Flair, and Watts are a group of second generation stars, which isn't a bad idea. I'd like to see WWE do something like this, only with better talent. The second generation guys are reluctant to get into the ring (you know, because Brown, Rhodes, and Jarrett are sooooo scary). Brown kicks things off against Brian Christopher, as a loud "D'Lo" chant breaks out. They go through the motions in the early going, with D'Lo hitting some atomic drops. Clothesline by D'Lo, and his trademark leg drop. Lawler rakes the eyes and hits some shots. Lawler runs into a spinebuster. D'Lo takes a moment to slam Watts and Flair's heads into each other, which inspires Flair to disrupt a cover attempt. Flair tags in and runs into a series of armdrags by D'Lo. D'Lo hits a leg lariat and flap jack. Watts interupts Brown's pin attempt. Watts tags in, but D'Lo continues to be dominant. This might as well be a handicap match thus far. Watts hits an ugly chokeslam and attacks Rhodes and Jarrett on the apron. Flair tags and hits a stalled vertical suplex and gets a cover for 2. Lawler tags and hits a super kick and clotheslines. Lawler nibbles on D'Lo's fingers, which upsets the ref. Watts tags and spends too much time taunting, which gives D'Lo a chance to recover. Watts drops D'Lo gut-first onto the ropes. Remember my earlier comment about this feeling like a handicap match? Lawler tags, but just taunts while Flair chokes D'Lo through the ropes. Lawler headbutts Brown in the groin (which the ref doesn't seem to mind) and gets a 2 count. D'Lo catches Lawler with a swinging slam. Brown tags in Jarrett, who cleans house on the young punks. Jarrett is jumped from behind by Watts, but Dusty Rhodes runs in and hits his bionic elbow on the young Watts. Flair and Lawler double team Jarrett while Rhodes is planted into the announce table by Watts. D'Lo removes Lawler, leaving Jarrett to hit The Stroke on Flair and pick up the win at 8:24. The booking of the match was effective with the live crowd, but this was painfully dull, and David Flair, Erik Watts ,and Brian Lawler are three examples of the apple falling a long ways from the tree. *.
Winners: Jeff Jarrett, D'Lo Brown, and Dusty Rhodes

-After the match, Ron Killings randomly joins Jarrett and Rhodes in the ring for a celebration. However, Killings takes a cheap shot on Jarrett and hits a powerbomb. The 2nd generation guys return and attack Rhodes (meanwhile, D'Lo took a hike). Watts ties a noose around Jarrett's neck and they brawl into the crowd. They emerge in the parking lot, where Watts ties the other end of the noose to a limo. Watts removes the driver, and is about to pull out when he goes to check on Jarrett. Watts asks Jarrett if he really thought he'd go through with it? Watts doesn't want to go to jail. How refreshing, professional wrestlers actually worrying about legal persecusion.

-We are treated to a hype video for AJ Styles vs. Raven. It's set to some really cool techno music. This was really good, considering this is from 2003 TNA.

#1 Contender's Hardcore Ladder match:
Raven vs. AJ Styles
Styles sneaks through the crowd to jump Raven at the beginning. Styles hits some trash can shots and places one on top of his head for a hard kick. Styles positions a ladder on the ropes and drapes Raven on it. Styles hits a springboard moonsault off the second rope onto Raven! Styles positions a standing chair and drop toe holds Raven onto it. Styles sits in the chair and rests his legs on Raven in an amusing touch. Styles hits the evenflow DDT on Raven onto the chair! Styles sets up the ladder and starts climbing, but Raven tosses a chair up at him! Raven is bleeding already (he had a previous head wound) and swings the ladder around his head to take down Styles repeatedly. Raven drives the ladder into AJ's gut and leaves it propped in the ropes. Raven props Styles on the turnbuckles and stands on the ladder between the ropes. Styles is caught in a sort of a tree of woe, but grabs a trash can lid and smacks Raven in the head. Raven falls backwards, with his legs stuck in the ladder! Styles leaps onto the ladder, slingshotting it into Raven, in an almost botched spot. Styles hits some nasty lid shots on the bleeding Raven, as Don West points out that Styles is hitting Raven with the handle side. That's another nice touch. Styles climbs the ladder again and leaps off onto Raven with a hurracanrana. Styles climbs the ladder again, but Raven grabs him and swings him into the ropes! Raven grabs a staple gun and shoots one into Styles' forehead! Raven repeats this, and Styles sells it like death. Trash can lid shot by Raven, who then sets up a ladder at ringside. Side Russian legsweep into the barricade by Raven, which sends Styles crawling up the ramp. Styles hits a desperate super-kick. Styles drapes Raven onto the table and knocks him out with a lid shot. Styles climbs to the top rope, but Raven shields himself with the referee. Styles doens't care and hits a leg drop on both the referee and Raven! Whoo! Styles is back in the ring and climbs the ladder. Glen Gilberti runs in and pushes the ladder, but STYLES KICKS THE ROPES TO REMAIN ON THE LADDER! Gilberti grabs him again and tosses Styles over the ropes to a table at ringside. Dammit, Gilberti is threatening to ruin this match for me. Raven tosses the ref into the ring and climbs the ladder. Raven succeeds in grabbing the contract, giving him the win at 11:09. This was a tremendous match up until that oh-so frustrating finish, ***1/2.
Winner: Raven

Good, now that Scrooge is back, he can see my update :).

Scrooge is back? Review some more Wrestling Challenge episodes, you slacker!!

He was on the board last night, but he didn't stay long.

-Konnan makes his way to the ring and calls out his "inbred, white-trash people" which amusingly earns him some face heat. Konnan talks crap about Jerry Lynn, and we're ready for a match.

Konnan vs. Jerry Lynn
Lynn is fighting for the honor of the X-Division. Yes, there was a time when that was a fresh concept for an angle. Konnan beats down Lynn early on and works the arm. Lynn is tossed to ringside, while Konnan does us a big misfavor by removing his shirt. Lynn counters an Irish whip into the steel barricade. Lynn jumps off the ring steps, but Konnan catches him and power bombs him to the floor! For two broken down old guys, they're putting on a decent show thus far. Konnan directs Lynn back to the ring where they brawl to a "USA" chant. Konnan chokes with his boots and hits a scoop slam. Konnan blocks Lynn on the second rope, and they hit some awkward slam that appears to have been Lynn on the receiving end. Konnan gets 2 with a cover. Lynn blocks a high risk move, and rolls up Konnan for 2. Basement drop-kick by Lynn after a series of pinning predicaments. Rolling thunder by Konnan gets a cover for 2. Konnan blocks a tornado DDT, but Lynn succeeds with a normal DDT. Close fall by Lynn, his cradle piledriver is blocked, but gets a roll-up for the win at 5:32. Decent match, **.
Winner: Jerry Lynn

-After the match, a random luchadore runs in and attacks Lynn. Konnan appears puzzled by the happenings.

-Hype package for Raven/Jarrett. If you ask me, this is still the best feud in the history of TNA. It's too bad they didn't capitilize with a Raven title reign earlier.

Alexis Laree and The Amazing Red vs. Trinity and Kid Kash
Kash is the reigning X-Division champion. Red and Kash start off for their teams, though Kash is obviously interested in laying a beating on Alexis. Red is too fast for Kash in the early going, as they sprint through some opening flipping, countering, and stereo drop-kicks. Kash spits on Red, Red works the arm, and spits back. They exchange hammerlocks and armdrags. Red bridges out of a pinning predicament, and they exchange near falls. Kash takes a swing at Alexis, which only angers Red. Drop-kick to the knee by Kash, and a press slam. Alexis tags and gets slapped across the face. Trinity tags and runs into a drop toe hold by Alexis. Side headlockby Alexis, but she runs into a drop-kick. Pin attempt by Trinity gets 2. Alexis reverses an Irish whip, but gets rolled up for 2. Trinity works the arm. Slug fest erupts between the ladies, until Red jumps Trinity. Alexis takes the advantage with kicks. Suplex into a pin by Alexis, but it's broken by Kid Kash. Both ladies go for clotheslines and take each other out. Red and Kash tag, with Red immediately hitting a great flying crossbody. Kash cuts off his momentum with a series of clotheslines. Red rebounds with a spinning heel kick. Alexis and Trinity charge one another opposite from Red and Kash. Red and Alexis both gain corner mounts. Double team by Red and Alexis onto Kash. Red slams Kash off the top turnbuckle, meanwhile Trinity hits Alexis with the moonsault... for the win? Match time was 7:24. I thought Red and Kash were the legal men? That seemed to happen a lot back in the early TNA days. **1/4.
Winners: Kid Kash and Trinity

Sadistic Madness match:
The Harris Brothers and Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper vs. Brian Lee, Slash, Sandman, and Perry Saturn (with James Mitchell)
I just marked out huge for Saturn! Sandman feeds some beer to front row fans (hope they're over 21, right?). Apparently, the match can't end until someone is bleeding (which is just great considering Sandman busted himself open with beer cans during his entrance). Saturn starts off against Skipper, and they exchange holds. Saturn pounds Skipper into the corner, as Saturn is ruthless. Skipper fights back, but gets taken down with a shoulder. Saturn fights off the interfering Daniels, nailing a sick release German. Saturn attempts a suplex on Skipper, but Daniels returns for a double team. Saturn ends up suplexing both of them, hurray! I'm enjoying this a lot more than I should. Sandman tags and squares off against Ron Harris. There is some ringside brawling, and a few weapons find their way to the ring. The Harris Bros. power bomb Sandman onto a chair, but Brian Lee prevents the cover. The action spills to ringside, the Harris Bros. double team Slash with a chair. Meanwhile, Skipper and Saturn are the legal men again, with Saturn being hung up on the ropes for a leg drop. Everyone else is still brawling at ringside, and most of them are busted open now. Saturn nails a drop-kick on Skipper, but Daniels charges with a clothesline. Side Russian legsweep on Saturn by Daniels. Slash attempts to make a save, Daniels fights him off, but then walks into a spinebuster from Saturn! Skipper makes the save, as Daniels directs his attention to Slash. Skipper dumps Saturn to ringside and hits some variation of a crossbody block to the floor. Meanwhile, Slash nails Daniels in the face with a metal spike! Slash proceeds to carve Daniel's head as James Mitchell applauds. The Harris Bros. return and lay out Sandman, Lee, and Saturn. Skipper hits a flying leg drop on Sandman, as the heels beat down continues. Daniels hits the best moonsault ever on Lee for a near fall. It doesn't seem to matter who the legal men are again. Slash finds second life, fighting off Skipper. Saturn and Daniels find themselves alone in the ring, with Saturn gaining the upper hand in a brawl. Powerbombs by Saturn almost finish the match, but Ron Harris makes the save. Slash slams Ron and gets a near fall. Don Harris knocks out Slash with a tag title belt, and gets a close fall. Daniels and Saturn are alone again, this time Daniels hitting an enziguri. Daniels misses the BME, and gets taken down with a super-kick. Cover by Saturn for 2. Saturn dishes out the DVD on Daniels, but Skipper breaks the cover. The Harris Bros. storm and double team Saturn. Ron Killings runs in (with the former Viscera!) and they clean house on Triple X and the Harris Bros. Saturn gets the cover on Daniels and wins it at 11:22. What a rediculous, and fun, match. **3/4.
Winners: Perry Saturn, Sandman, Slash, and Brian Lee

-The post-match beer celebration is thwarted by Glen Gilberti and Sonny Siaki, of the S.E.X. ranks. Tables are set up, and it appears that Killings and Viscera don't care to make the save. Skipper and Daniels attempt to put the Disciples through the tables, but Jeff Jarrett runs in with a chair and goes crazy. D'Lo Brown runs in and gets into Jarrett's face. Apparently they are wrestling next week. Jarrett lays out Brown with the chair.