NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #3 7/3/2002

NWA-TNA Weekly PPV #3 7/3/2002

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/nwa-tna-weekly-ppv-2-6262002.html

We are still in Nashville, Tennessee. Mike Tenay, Don West and Ed Ferrara are on commentary.

They run down tonight's card and talk about the NWA-TNA tag tournament tonight. They argue about K-Krush and Jeff Jarrett vs Brian Christopher and Scott Hall.

Jim Miller, The NWA President is interviewed. He says he wasn't able to make the first show. He says he feels like he found some great people to bring to TNA. He gives Mike Tenay a trophy and says it's to welcome TNA to the NWA. Jim says he has a surprise for tonight. He says he was on a Japanese tour and found a 6'4, 200+ Japanese guy named Omori. They say the winner of Shamrock/Malice faces Omori tonight. Omori is Takao Omori.

NWA-TNA Tag Title Tournament 1st Round - Chris Harris and James Storm vs The Johnson's (Richard and Rod Johnson)

Moritmer Plumtree says it's a divine right for The Johnson's to do his bidding in the ring. Both Johnson's are dressed alike and I don't know who is who.

Harris takes some punches and a double underhook suplex. Harris avoids a corner splash then hits an armdrag. Harris hits thesz press. Storm gets in and flying headscissors a Johnson. Storm takes a swinging neckbreaker.

Storm is double hiptossed into a double team drop. Storm is stomped on then takes a gorilla press slam. Storm takes a hiptoss neckbreaker then a double shoulderblock for 2. Storm is clubbed on then takes a dangerous looking double back body drop. A Johnson comes off the buckles and takes a double boot from Storm. Storm then superkicks a Johnson.

Harris gets in and hits punches on both. Harris gets double teamed. Harris lariats a Johnson over the top. Harris hits a big spear on the other. A Johnson forearms the post when Storm moves. Harris is caught off a 2nd rope twisting crossbody but Storm top rope dropkicks him over. Harris picks up the win.

Thoughts: It's a shame The Johnson's have such a bad gimmick because there was nothing wrong with this one otherwise. The Johnson's beat up on Harris and Storm, Harris and Storm made their comeback and won. The finish was fine and I liked this one.

Plumtree gets physical with The Johnson's. One of them teases chokeslamming him but just throws him down. Hopefully that's the end of this gimmick.

We see the cage dancers.

Jeremy Borash introduces Scott Hall. Hall gets on the mic and does his "hey yo" line. Jeff Jarrett then interrupts. Jeff says, "hey yo my @ss". He says nobody wants to see or hear him. He tells him to take himself where he came from. Hall says Jeff hasn't changed. He says he still talks smack but can't back it up. He says if you want Scott Hall, don't sing it, bring it.

Jeff walks down the ramp and Jim Miller stops him. Jim asks Jeff what he thinks he's doing. Jim says he listens to them or he leaves now. Jeff says he'll take Scott Hall in the main event and says Jim got his wish.

K-Krush then nails Scott Hall from behind. Krush avoids a razor's edge. Hall catches him with a fallaway slam. Hall lariats Krush over the top to end the segment.

Goldilocks is in the locker room. James Storm is down, bloodied and being looked at and Harris/Storm appear to be out of the tag tournament tonight. They call for help.

"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown vs. Anthony Ingram

This is Monty's TNA debut. He has braids here. He says The Alpha Male has come for one reason and that's Ken Shamrock. He says Ken is wearing what he wants and he will show us how he gets in.

Monty hits some punches and double axe handles AI. Monty suplexes him. Monty hits punches and catches AI's splash. Monty running powerslams AI off of it. Monty picks him up again and powerbombs him for the win.

Thoughts: This was a squash here. It wasn't great or anything but it put Monty over some and was a good intro for him.

Goldilocks can't find Jim Miller in the back and is talking to security. They haven't seen him either. She then sees two wrestlers who haven't seen him either. A midget wrestler named Puppet grabs Goldi and says they brought in two midgets who were taking his limelight. He says he wants to beat their @sses. He then says to bring in Gary Coleman or Mini-Me. He says he wants to make a midget bleed. They didn't say who this was but apparently it was Puppet.

Buff Bagwell and Apolo are interviewed by Goldi. Buff takes issue with being called a surprise entry in the tag title tournament. He says he's a 6x tag champ and says he will be a 7x champ with 6 partners. He says he got the biggest, baddest and toughest #2 man in the business, as he's #1. Apolo says they will become tag champs tonight. Buff then cuts him off. He says they will become tag champs and calls Apolo #2 again.

NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament Semi Final Match - Buff Bagwell & Gran Apolo vs. The Rainbow Express (Bruce & Lenny)

Joel Gertner is with Bruce and Lenny. The Express hug. Buff side headlocks Bruce and shoulders him over. Buff hiptosses him then poses. Bruce hits him from behind then bangs his head off the buckles. Buff back elbows him then vader bombs him.

Alicia then comes down again. Bruce kisses Lenny's hand to tag him in. Alicia flirts with Ed Ferrara at commentary and Ed gives her money. Apolo hits a double lariat and slams down Bruce. Apolo hits a sky high then hits chops on Lenny. Apolo michinoku drivers Lenny. Joel trips Apolo then Lenny spinning ddt's Apolo. Bruce hits a boot flurry on Apolo then hits a punch flurry. Bruce leapfrogs over Lenny onto Apolo's back.

Lenny pounds on Apolo then legdrops him. Apolo half-nelson slams him. Buff gets in. He slams and neckbreakers Bruce. He back body drops Lenny and tries to crossbody him over the top but they don't make it. Apolo superkicks Bruce and hits a TKO. Lenny hits Apolo from behind. Apolo is pulled over the top. Buff hits a blockbuster on Bruce. Lenny superkicks Buff and wins.

Thoughts: This wasn't that good. Nobody really cared for The Express and they weren't that good of heels here.

Buff looks disappointed after and Apolo tries to console him. 

Ed Ferrara interviews Buff. Buff says to call him Marcus and not Buff anymore. He says he got a broken neck being Buff that nobody cared about. He said he just got beat by two gay guys and says he wants to be called Marcus forever. He says he's done and wants to go home. He says being Buff has ruined his career and he doesn't want no more of it and says he's going home. He then gives Ed his hat.

Ken Shamrock talks on the ramp. He says he doesn't care where Monty Brown has come from and is offended that he wants a title shot. He said he had to go through 19 men to get his title and says Monty needs to be careful what he wishes for. He says he may have a short career in the NWA. He says he has to defend his title against Malice tonight and a Japanese punk next week. He says if Monty does get a title shot, he will be happy to send him home with his head shoved up his @ss.

Father James Mitchell comes out. He says Ken doesn't need to worry about Monty but he does need to fear Malice. The lights go out and Malice stands over top Ken, who is down. Malice then walks away. The staff puts Ken in a neckbrace.

Goldilocks is in the back. Jerry Lynn says he can find a partner and replace someone in the tag match tonight. Bill Behrens says there's a lot going on and tells him to go away.

Puppet The Psycho Dwarf gets on the mic. He says he needs a midget in the ring right now and wants to see midget blood tonight. Todd Stone comes out

Hardcore Match - Puppet The Psycho Dwarf vs Todd Stone

Todd gets nailed with a kendo stick as he gets in. Puppet hits him with a trash can. Puppet lariats him. Puppet hits him with the trash can then slams him on it. Puppet puts the trash can on Todd's head then hits it with a kendo stick.

Puppet TKO's Todd on the trash can and gets the win.

Puppet doesn't let Slick Johnson raise his hand then hits him with a kendo stick. Puppet then hits Jeremy Broash with it. Don West says he loves it then Puppet nails him with the kendo stick too. Puppet then chases
 
Thoughts: It was a quick squash here with Todd getting nothing in. Puppet going crazy on everyone was entertaining but I don't know where you go with it.

Goldilocks is backstage. The docs are looking at Ken Shamrock. They don't have any updates.

Taylor Vaughn vs. Francine

Fran whips her with a belt before it starts then chokes her with it. Tay gets back up and gets the belt. She whips Fran with it then chokes her. Tay whips her and the ref and the ref DQ's Tay.

Thoughts: It was short and all weapons shots with a lame finish. This was not good.

Ed Ferrara comes in after to help up Francine. He gives her the belt she had. Ed says Francine is your winner. Fran puts Ed's hand on her chest. Fran then slaps him and whips him with the belt.

Thoughts: I didn't get this one either. Why would Fran put Ed's hand on her chest if she didn't want him to do it?

Jeremy Borash interviews Hermie Sadler and his pit crew. Hermie puts over the show and says he knows there's a lot of Nascar fans here. He thanks everyone for coming out.

K-Krush interrupts. Krush says Hermie doesn't learn. He said he told him he didn't want to hear a thing about a Nascar race car driver. He says he and the fans don't care about race car drivers. Krush asks Hermie if he wants some. Hermie doesn't hit him and Krush calls him a chump. Krush pushes him and Hermie goes after Krush.

Krush says he has a main event match and has no time for him. He says he has time for him next week though and asks if Hermie wants a shot. Hermie says he does and it appears the match is set. 

NWA World Heavyweight Title Match - Ken Shamrock (c) vs. Malice

Ken gets booted as soon as he gets in the ring. Mal pulls Ken's neck down over the top rope. Ken's head is banged off the rails then Mal foot chokes him. Mal drops Ken throat first on the ropes. Mal chokes him on the ropes. Mal hanging chokes him on the buckles.

Mal hits a legdrop. Ken goes for the armbar and is stomped. Ken is thrown out then has his head banged off the commentary table. Mal dragon sleepers him outside. Mal stomps him inside and Ken grabs the ankle lock. Mal backdrops him.

Mal chokes Ken on the ropes. Ken suplexes Mal then belly to belly suplexes him to win.

Thoughts: Mal got in most of the offense here before Ken tapped him out by surprise. It made sense but wasn't that great. This should be the end of Malice vs Ken since Ken beat him clean twice in a row now. 

NWA TNA X Title Match - AJ Styles (c) vs. David Young 

Bobcat has Dave hold her purse. Dave hits AJ from behind then hits punches. AJ flips over his back then hits forearms and chops. AJ dropkicks Dave and armdrags him. Dave shoulders AJ over. AJ headscissors him from the mat and tries to tope con hilo him but doesn't get enough air.

AJ goes to springboard but is pushed down and goes throat first on top rope. Dave asai moonsaults him outside. AJ flips out of a german. Dave northern lights suplexes him into the buckles. AJ crucifixes him for 2. Dave steps on his back and kicks him in the head. Bobcat is on the phone outside. Dave headscissors AJ.

Dave hits a powerslam for 2. Dave brainbusters him then chinlocks him. AJ superkicks Dave. Dave catches AJ's asai moonsault then AJ reverse ddt's him. AJ back body drops Dave. AJ hits kicks to the body and spinning chops him.  

Dave hits a big spinebuster for 2. AJ blocks a top rope hurricanrana and hits a 2nd rope styles clash. AJ then gets the win.

Thoughts: They tried here and put out a good effort. I didn't think it was great though it was the best thing on here so far. The camera's cut away to Bobcat multiple times here. I'm not sure what that partnership is accomplishing except making Dave look like a cuckold.

Bobcat celebrates after and AJ pushes her over.

The Rainbow Express and Joel Gertner are interviewed. Lenny says they aren't interested in Goldilocks and says they know of a place where they can get the mop of hers fixed. Goldi says Harris and Storm were found injured today. Gernet talks about how pretty Goldi is. Gertner says his crew should get the night off the tag titles since their opponents are out. Gertner says he wants to wrestle Goldi instead and said the rules say they should be champs.

NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament Final Match - AJ Styles & Jerry Lynn vs. The Rainbow Express

This is the result of Jerry telling Bill Behrens he had a partner earlier. We didn't see Bill agreeing to that and it's not known why Jerry and AJ would be in the spot over a team that lost in the tournament.

AJ and Lynn get hit as they enter. Lynn dropkicks Lenny out. Lynn back body drops Bruce onto Lenny outside. Lynn then topes both. AJ corkscrew plancha's The Express outside. Lynn flying headscissors Lenny. Lenny is tripped into the buckles then Lynn boots him there. Bruce is tripped into Lenny's crotch then Lynn bangs Bruce's head off of it.

Bruce bangs Lynn's head off the mat. Lynn legdrops Bruce's neck over the middle rope for 2. AJ hits a stiff spinning heel kick on Bruce for 2. Lynn boots Bruce in the corner then 2nd rope diving bulldogs him for 2. Bruce low blows Lynn.

Lynn jawbreakers Lenny then Lynn rolls him up for 2. Lynn misses a dropkick and Lenny boston crabs him. AJ breaks it up. Bruce hits shots on Lynn then slams him for 2. Lenny spinning suplexes Lynn for 2.

Lynn sunset flips Bruce out of the corner. Lynn hits punches on Bruce. Bruce tries a springboard sunset flip but Lynn blocks it. Lynn goes for a flying headscissors and is dropped face and chest first. Bruce headscissors him. 

Lynn gets out of a powerbomb and Lynn rolls him up for 2. Lynn reverse ddt's him. AJ Gets the hot tag in. He hits lariats on Lenny then hurricanrana's him off the pop-up. AJ superkicks Lenny then spinning lariats him for 2. Lenny hits a skull-crushing finale on AJ for 2. Lynn cradle piledrivers Lenny then headscissors Bruce over the top. AJ does a spiral tap on Lenny and wins.

Thoughts: It went long. They did try here but neither I or anyone in the crowd is into the The Rainbow Express and that hurt this some. There was nothing wrong with the match but the whole angle around it wasn't good and brought it down some. It just didn't make much sense for AJ and Lynn to get this shot and they ended up winning. We are 3 shows into this promotion and AJ is now a double champ.

We cut to the back and security hand Jim Miller tied up in the back with "F-U" written on his gut.

Jeff Jarrett & K-Krush vs. Brian Christopher & Scott Hall

Hall and Brian get in and hit shots on the heels. Krush is thrown out as is Jeff. Hall and Jeff fight in the crowd and then Brian and Krush go into it too. Jeff's head is banged off one of the dancers' cages. Jeff takes punches while hanging from the cage. 

Jeff is thrown onto a table and Brian back body drops Krush in the ring. Brian superkicks Krush. Brian misses a top rope legdrop on Krush. Brian is thrown out. Hall hits punches on Krush then chokeslams him.

Jeff hits Hall from behind. Hall drops him with a punch. Jeff goes up and over him and hits his own punches. Hall corner lariats Jeff. Brian hits corner punches on Jeff. Brian misses a bronco buster in the corner and goes into the buckles.

Hall hits punches on Jeff then running euros him. Krush hits a top rope dropkick on Hall. Jeff swinging neckbreakers Hall. Krush jumping leg lariats him. Jeff hits a top rope crossbody on Hall but Hall rolls through. Jeff gets on Hall's back with a sleeper.

Hall gets a sleeper on. Jeff jawbreakers him then backdrops him. Jeff goes to tag in Krush. Brian grabs Krush by the hair and the ref grabs Brian. Hall goes for the tag but Brian isn't there. Krush scissors kicks Hall.

Hall electric chair drops Krush. Hall ducks a double lariat and hits his own. Hall goes to tag Brian. Brian pulls his hand away and punches Hall. Hall atomic drops Jeff then hits shots on Jeff, Krush and Brian. Hall throws Brian off the buckles then pop-up drops Brian on his butt.

Hall hits a razor's edge on Krush. Hall tries to do it to Jeff but Brian stops him. Jeff hits the stroke on Hall. Brian top rope legdrops Hall and Jeff picks up the win.

Thoughts: This pretty much set the tone for what would be the next few years of TNA with faces getting made to look like fools for no reason to save Jeff Jarrett from taking a loss. It was your classic Vince Russo swerve. This made no sense as Krush and Brian had been feuding and Brian dropped it to turn on Hall. Why? Who knows. The match really wasn't bad otherwise and it's a shame we didn't get a real finish to this.

Hall is laid out. Jeff says he proved his point and said Hall is not worth a sh!t. He said he beat him in '95, '97 and ran him out of WCW. He says he will run him out of The NWA. Jeff punches him and knocks him out of the ring. Jeff says Hall is like all the other legends in The NWA - he's not worth a d@mn. Jeff tells Tenay to take that to Fargo and all the others. Jeff then hits Hall with the trophy that Tenay was given to signify the NWa-TNA partnership. Refs then come out to break it up and a stretcher is brought out for Hall. 

Jeff says to bring out Toby Keith and Sterling Marlin and says he will whoop them all. He says he's running Hall out of the NWO...er NWA, if it's the last thing he does. Hall is put on a stretcher then Jeff elbow drops him while he's on it. Jeff says he got screwed the first night of TNA and will be d@mned if he lets it happen again. He tells Hall not to ever forget who did this to him and then pushes the stretcher over. Jeff says he will prove he should have walked out The NWA episode on the first ep.

Jeff and Hall fight and Jeff drops the stretcher on Hall.

The announcers run down next week's card with Omori vs Ken Shamrock, the return of The Flying Elvises and an X-Division ranking match.

Overall thoughts: It was similar to what we got the last few weeks with the Russo style gimmicks and angles not getting over while the good wrestling matches are getting over. There was a lot of crap on the card with The Johnson's, Alicia continuing to take money, Bobcat making David Young look like a fool, Brian Christopher turning on Hall for no reason, AJ and Lynn somehow getting into the tag title tournament without having a match together, Francine in a diva's style wrestling match and The Rainbow Express. There was some good stuff though like AJ and Lynn having a long tag match, Monty Brown having a good debut, the main being okay prior to the turn and Shamrock/Malice being acceptable. As usual with Russo booked cards, there was a lot of different things going on here. I'd give this one a 4 overall as we saw some glimmers of hope in AJ, Lynn, K-Krush and Monty Brown but we saw a more lot of awful stuff.