TNA Live Event And After Party Report (9/21): Aries & Roode Team, Mickie James Concert
Thanks to WrestlingINC.com reader Andrew for sending in these results from last night's TNA house show and after party in Winston-Salem, NC:
I showed Up around 5:30pm for the meet and greet and at least 200 people were waiting to get in. It appeared that they had interns walking around asking people what shows they watched and who their favorite wrestlers are.
After entering the venue, people were 'shuffled' to the merchandise stand, which was staffed by 4 people. I ended up standing there for 20-30 minutes before I was helped.
Direct Auto Insurance had a booth set up as well. They were giving free DVD's away if you received an auto quote. They were also doing a drawing for a $200 TNA merchandise shopping spree.
For the Meet and Greet they had a table set up with 6 wrestlers: Magnus, Robbie E., Robbie T., Gail Kim, Eric Young and Crimson. ODB was signing autographs at the merchandise stand while Mickie James was taking photos with fans.
About 5 minutes before the start time, one of the guys at the merchandise booth got in the ring and threw random merchandise to the crowd. Everything from Kurt Angle DVD's and ODB's flask to a bunch of Jeff Hardy stuff.
So Cal Val came out and was introduced as the ring announcer for the night. She welcomed and thanked everyone for coming out. There were about 500-600 fans at the show.
Match 1: Crimson vs. Mr. Anderson
Anderson did the mic gimmick where he had a staffer stand on the chair and lower a mic to him. Anderson proceeded to call everyone an a-hole except Crimson... he was a douche-bag.
Anderson finally did his introduction, but before he could repeat his name, Crimson attacked him from behind.
Good back and forth match. Anderson went for the Mic Check. Crimson elbowed out of it and went for the Red Sky. Anderson reversed. Crimson kept control and went for, what looked like, "The Clothesline From Hell." Anderson ducked under and hit the Mic Check for the victory.
After the match, Anderson let a fan sitting in the front row say, "And the the winner of this match, from Green Bay, WI. Mister Anderson... Anderson."
Match 2: Gail Kim vs. Mickie James
Gail came out in one of her shirts and faked throwing it to the crowd. When Mickie James came out, she grabbed Gail's shirt and threw it to the crowd. Gail began to get into an argument with the fan who caught it. The match started, and after a small amount of offense, they separate and the male fan who caught Gail's shirt has now put it on. Mickie brings attention to it. Gail became furious and jawed with the fan.
Gail works over Mickie's leg. After some more back and forth, Mickie takes control and hits the Lou Thez Press off the top rope for a two count. Gail takes advantage and goes for Eat Defeat. She gets it reversed into the Mick-Kick for a 2. Mickie ends up hitting a jumping DDT for the 3 and the win.
After the match, So Cal Val informs everyone about Mickie preforming with her band at Johnny and Junes Super Saloon after the event.
Match 3: Magnus vs. Samoa Joe
Before the bell, a "Joe's Gonna Kill You!" chant breaks out.
A good back and forth match with Joe playing off the crowd. Solid mat-based wrestling throughout the match. Joe went for the muscle buster, but Magnus fought it off and hit the second rope elbow drop for a 2. Joe takes control and applies the Coquina Clutch. Magnus grabs the ref and low blows Joe to get out of the hold. Magnus covers for a 3.
Earl Hebner came out to "Man in the Box" by Alice and Chains (Tommy Dreamer's old entrance music). He went after a fan in the crowd, but was held back. He ripped off his referee shirt to reveal the "Damn Right I Did!" shirt. He put on the Bret Hart shades and did the strut. He also spit at a fan.
Match 4: Robbie E & Robbie T vs. Eric Young & ODB
Young and ODB put on the Robbies' Cardigans. Robbie E grabs a mic and tells everyone that the cardigans are $1000.
Robbie E gets back in the ring and tells Young & ODB that no one wants to watch him and Big Rob wrestle some hamsters. They want to watch them Fist Pump. After some dancing, Young & ODB have their turn to "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot.
The match was mostly Young vs. The Robbies'. Good back and forth work and solid tag wrestling by The Robbies'. ODB is tagged in and low blows Robbie T, then Robbie E. She rolls up Robbie E. for the three count and the win.
After the match, Young & ODB dance in the ring, once again to "Baby Got Back."
INTERMISSION
Those who bought the $50 back stage pass got to go back and meet Austin Aries, James Storm, Samoa Joe, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam.
Match 5: Gunner w/ Kid Kash vs. Rob Van Dam:
Back and forth match with some interference from Kash. After being caught interfering a second time, Kash is ejected. While Kash was being thrown out, Gunner played possum and hit a DDT and took control. Gunner got a few close 2 counts. The referee got knocked out and Kash came back out and stops RVD from doing the 5 Star Frog Splash. Kash hit his moonsault for a Gunner 2. RVD fights back and gets the win with the 5 Star Frog Splash.
Bound For Glory Tag Team Lottery Match (teams were drawn at random)
Bobby Roode & Austin Aries vs. James Storm & Jeff Hardy
Roode and Storm start the match, but Roode tags Aries before seeing any action. Storm then tagged Hardy.
Aries and Hardy go back and forth with some arm drags. Roode is 'dying of laughter' on the apron. Aries walks over and "not so nicely" tags Roode. As Roode and Aries argue, Hardy tags in Storm. Roode tries to tag Aries, but he drops off the apron. Storm opens up with a flurry of offense, including a really solid punch to the jaw. Roode leaves the ring to a chorus of boos. He finally gets back in and take control. Storm fights back and both are down. They attempt to make tags to their respective partners. Storm succeeds, while Roode gets the bird as Aries jumps off the apron. Hardy hits some quick offense for a 2 count. Hardy goes to Irish whip Roode, but he is reversed and ends up hitting Aries in the corner. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Roode. Aries hits a flying cross body on Hardy. Storm hits Aries with Closing Time, his version of the Codebreaker. Roode is up and hits Storm with the Double R Spine Buster. Roode is the only one standing and goes and grabs the title. He is in the ring lining up Hardy, but Aries grabs the title. They play Tug-of-War with the title and Aries lets go. The title hits Roode in the head. Roode turns around into a Last Call Super Kick. Hardy hits the Twist of Fate again for the 3 count.
After the match, Aries takes the mic and tells Hardy he can have the ring. Though this is usually his time to interact with the fans; but, because they're in Hardy's home state, he will hand the ring over and he'll see him at Bound For Glory.
$10 for a photo with Jeff Hardy in the ring. Earl Hebner was selling and signing shirts for $10 at the merchandise booth.
Biggest Pops
1. Jeff Hardy
2. RVD
3. James Storm / Austin Aries
4. Samoa Joe
5. Mr. Anderson
Biggest Heat
1. Gail Kim
2. Crimson (with the help of Mr. Anderson)
3. Bobby Roode
4. The Refs
5. Gunner
Best Fan Moment
1. Failed Yes! Chant
After Party with Mickie James performing at Johnny & Junes Super Saloon
We got out of the house show around 10PM and got to Johnny & Junes around 11:15PM. Mickie James took the stage around 11:30. Hardcore Country was the first song she sang. Personally, I was surprised with how good she actually was.
Magnus, So Cal Val and James Storm were at the performance.
Storm was standing beside the stage and was interacting with everyone. I marked out and bought him a beer. So Cal Val and Magnus were watching the show and interacting with anyone who tried to talk to them.
Mickie James sold merchandise at the Super Saloon and signed autographs for fans.
It was a really good night. Haven't been to a wrestling event in probably 4 years, so I can't compare it to WWE or anything else. I thought it was reasonably priced, given everything you were getting. I would definitely go to another TNA house show.
Andrew contributed to this article.