December 18, 2002
9:00PM hits on the Eastern seaboard as the screen dims, before vibrant yellow, gold, red and black strokes fill the shot. The TNA logo pops up before we fade inside THE ASYLUM- where over a thousand rabid fans are on their feet, shouting “TNA! TNA!” at the top of their lungs!
The TNA Girls dance in their lair, fully embracing the Christmas spirit as we are back at room temperature for our 2002 finale!!
The HVAC guy had one final laugh RIGHT BEFORE we went onto the air tonight, as someone tripped the breaker box and the power went out for over thirty minutes inside The Asylum!!! We are running on backup generators, candle light, duct tape and a prayer that we make it through to the end tonight without power failure!!!
We are greeted by the dynamic duo of Don West and “Professor” Mike Tenay! Both men are dressed fancy for tonight’s occasion, with Tenay decked out with a tuxedo and bow tie. Don West is still in his Hawaiian shirt, but he has cleaned up the beard and looks more presentable than usual…
BECAUSE TONIGHT IS THE BIGGEST TNA SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COMPANY!!!
There is a big-night feel in the air here inside The Asylum, as we have all waited 24 shows that spanned over the summer, fall and now winter to get to this point- I
T’S FINALLY TIME FOR KINGDOM COME!!!
Before we get any further, we are treated to a video package highlighting all 24 shows leading up to this exact point in time.
It wasn’t easy, and more times than not it was a downright struggle just to keep the lights on…but somehow, some way…WE’VE MADE IT TO THE FINAL EPISODE OF 2002!!!
West and Tenay begin to run down tonight’s
STACKED card as all feuds will come to a head, and there is only room for
SEVEN match winners tonight. Some will enter 2003 with a full head of steam, while others will be sent back down a few pegs, and a few will probably get left in 2002 altogether…
.TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!!! KINGDOM COME!!!!
NWA World Championship
©Raven vs. Mike Awesome
X-Division Championship
©Shelton Benjamin vs. AJ Styles
NWA Tag Team Championship- Ladder Match for Vacant Titles
The Eliminators vs. America’s Most Wanted vs. Murderaz Row
Three Way Dance- Last Time Ever!- Falls Count Anywhere Match
Ekmo vs. Sabu vs. Monty Brown
Grudge Match
Scott Hall vs. Steve Corino
Tag Team #1 Contender’s Match
Rhino & Ken Shamrock vs. Travis Tomko & Matt Morgan
X-Division Showcase- 8-Man Tornado Tag Match
Amazing Red, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper & Paul London
VS.
Petey Williams, Frankie Kazarian, Jack Evans & Jay Lethal
We stick around ringside, which is customary here in TNA…for the last of 2002…and we kick things off the only way we know how…
WITH AN X-DIVISION SHOWCASE!!!!
This isn’t any old X-Division Showcase, as we are debuting
FOUR NEW TALENTS that will team up for tonight only, as we are ready for an
8-MAN TORNADO TAG MATCH!!!
Red, Daniels, Skipper and London are all basically mainstays in the X-Division by this point. All four are formidable opponents and each could win the X-Title at a moment’s notice!!
The other four? “Professor” Tenay gives us the scoop on them:
Petey Williams debuted last week and is a member of “The New and Improved” Air Canada- he is a technical wrestler who can fly with the best of them!
Frankie Kazarian is a bigger X-Division guy, but can flat out go. He can fly, but likes to use his size advantage to keep things on the mat!
Jack Evans is a freak-daredevil, cut from the same mold as Paul London. Evans isn’t looking to chain wrestle, he is looking to flip and fly!
Jay Lethal is the youngest out of this batch, and while he is still a bit green, he has unlimited potential. He can fly or grapple, and is seriously athletic!!!
Match 1- 8-Man Tornado Tag Match
Amazing Red, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper & Paul London
VS.
Petey Williams, Frankie Kazarian, Jack Evans & Jay Lethal
After the introduction to the new guys,
IT’S TIME TO GET THIS THING STARTED!!!
AND WE KICK THINGS OFF WITH A BANG!!!
All eight man stare each other down…the “veterans” race off the ropes…
ALL FOUR MEN HIT CLOTHESLINES ON THE YOUNGER X-STARS OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE FLOOR!!!
With the action spilling to the outside, Red takes on Williams, Daniels takes on Kazarian, Skipper and Jack Evans square up, while Paul London and Jay Lethal trade blows!!!
Red whips Petey Williams into the steel guard rail!! Kazarian ducks a clothesline from Daniels and
DRILLS HIM WITH A SUPERKICK!! Skipper and Evans counter each other’s reversals, and somehow both end up on the ring apron!! London goes for a hip toss on Jay Lethal but Lethal flips out of it…
JAY LETHAL HITS AN ARM DRAG ON PAUL LONDON THAT SENDS HIM CRASHING INTO PETEY WILLIAMS IN FRONT OF THE GUARD RAIL!!!
With the carnage too crazy to keep up with, Jack Evans kicks Elix Skipper off the apron and he flies down into everybody on the floor!!
It’s Jack Evans’ chance to show the world what he is capable of!!! Evans climbs to the top turnbuckle…looks back down at the other seven guys on the floor…
JACK EVANS LEAPS OFF THE TOP…
AND HITS A DOUBLE ROTATION MOONSAULT ONTO EVERYBODY ON THE FLOOR!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
West and Tenay pop hard for the move as The Asylum is left in awe of Jack Evans!!! We have never seen anything quite like that before, and if the young Jack Evans wanted to impress TNA…
HE JUST HAS!!!!
Evans grabs a hold of the first foe he sees which happens to be Christopher Daniels, and tosses him inside the ring! Evans gets a bit overzealous as he climbs back to the top…
BUT BEFORE HE CAN DO ANYTHING…
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS PUSHES HIM OFF THE TOP ROPE…SENDING JACK EVANS CRASHING TO THE FLOOR!!!
Daniels turns right around where Jay Lethal is waiting with a step-up enzeguri!! Lethal flies back off the ropes and goes for a running knee but Daniels pushes him in mid-air…
RIGHT INTO THE WAITING ELIX SKIPPER…
WHO CATCHES JAY LETHAL…
AND PLANTS HIM WITH A POWERBOMB!!!
Skipper doesn’t have long…
LOOK UP!!!
FRANKIE KAZARIAN COMES FLYING OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSS BODY!!!
Kazarian pops up from the move…
AND AMAZING RED IS WAITING WITH CODE RED!!!!
1….2…NOO!!!
Jay Lethal breaks up the pinfall…
AND IMMEDIATELY GETS HIT WITH A SUPERKICK FROM DANIELS!!!
Lethal wobbles forward…
RIGHT INTO A CODE RED!!!!
Instead of pinning Lethal, Red somersaults out of the way…
SOMEBODY BETTER PICK UP THE PHONE….
BECAUSE LONDON IS CALLING!!!!
PAUL LONDON HITS THE LONDON CALLING ON JAY LETHAL!!!
1….2…3!!!
Winners at 7:00- Christopher Daniels, Amazing Red, Elix Skipper & Paul London
The Asylum cheers the shit out of this
INSANE opening bout!!!
West and Tenay go crazy for the match, saying that
THIS IS WHAT TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION and THE X-DIVISION ARE ALL ABOUT!!!
The four men give each other high fives as they have won tonight, and all four carry a nice chunk of momentum heading into 2003!!!
We head to the back where the
NEW, ONCE AGAIN, TNA SHERIFF DUSTY RHODES is walking down the hallway. Dusty is in a great mood as he whistles a song before heading into
TNA PRESIDENT JIM CORNETTE’S OFFICE!!!
We pan into the office where Jeff Jarrett is shown cleaning out his desk!!
“You know this is complete bullshit, right? Dusty didn’t even compete in the match! How in the hell does he win back the badge if he didn’t even fight for it?”
Jarrett tries to plead with Cornette, who is not having it…
“Jeff, I don’t know what to tell you…other than you lost! Own up to it!”
Jarrett shakes his head as he packs his belongings into a brown box. He looks over at Dusty Rhodes and shakes his head…
“You two have both taken too many shots to the head…because in case you both forgot…I SIGN THE CHECKS AROUND HERE!”
Dusty smirks at Jeff Jarrett as Jarrett picks up his box of belongings and begins to head out the door…
“Adios, amigo!”
Dusty says to Jeff Jarrett…
“This isn’t goodbye…we are still at war, you and I…and we will continue to be at war…but mark my words…2003 will be different around here, trust me. Like I said, I sign the checks around here, I make the final business decisions…and starting next year, there is gonna be some BIG CHANGES in TNA!”
Jarrett heads out of the office as Dusty sits back down at his old desk, twirling his TNA Sheriff’s Badge around in his hand…
We head back down to ringside where West and Tenay speculate what kind of big changes will be taking place in 2003 here for TNA! After all, Jeff Jarrett
DOES run the company, and Tenay wonders what Jarrett has in store for us!
After West and Tenay speculate on the future of TNA…
WE QUICKLY HEAD TO THE BACK…
WHERE THE CARNAGE FOR OUR NEXT MATCHUP IS ALREADY TAKING PLACE!!!
Match 2- Three Way Dance- Falls Count Anywhere Match
Ekmo vs. Sabu vs. Monty Brown
Ekmo and Monty Brown throw haymakers at each other in the backstage area, not wasting any time on this match!!
The two trade blows, while Ekmo picks up Monty Brown…
AND TOSSES HIM THROUGH THE CATERING BUFFET TABLE!!!
Monty crashes through a heaping of mashed potatoes, spiral ham, and corn bread on the table!
And the age-old question that has been asked every week for over two months now pops up…
WHERE THE FUCK IS SABU?!?!?!?
Ekmo picks Monty up from the buffet crash and goes to toss him into the wall, but Monty reverses it…
MONTY SENDS EKMO FLYING INTO THE PRODUCTION TABLE!!!
And for a brief moment, West and Tenay go dark on commentary!!!
While West and Tenay are silent, we still hear the roar of The Asylum as Monty picks Ekmo up…
MONTY SUPLEXES EKMO ONTO THE FLOOR!!!
The two begin to brawl through the curtain and out to the entrance ramp, where West and Tenay’s audio picks back up!!
Monty and Ekmo continue to throw haymakers at each other…
LOOK UP! WE’VE FOUND SABU!!!
SABU IS ON THE TOP OF THE ENTRANCE STAGE….
SABU LEAPS OFF WITH A CHAIR IN HAND….
COMING CRASHING DOWN ONTO EKMO AND MONTY BROWN!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
We have our answer, and have found Sabu!!!
Sabu rifles the chair drilling Ekmo in the head!!! Sabu tosses Ekmo down the entrance ramp, as Ekmo continues to roll like the biggest bowling ball you’ve ever laid eyes on until he reaches the bottom of the ramp!
Sabu picks back up his chair and goes for a running head start…
UNTIL MONTY BROWN HITS THE POOOUUUNNCEE ON SABU….
KNOCKING HIM OFF THE ENTRANCE RAMP…
SENDING HIM FLYING INTO THE THIRD ROW OF THE ASYLUM!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!!
Monty picks up Sabu’s chair that dropped while Sabu flew…
Monty sprints with the chair towards Ekmo…
EKMO HITS A SAVATE KICK INTO THE CHAIR…SMASHING INTO MONTY’S SKULL!!!
Ekmo goes for a cheap pinfall on the floor…
1…NO!!!
Monty no-sells the move from Ekmo
AND KICKS OUT AT ONE!!!
Monty punches Ekmo in the head, giving himself some room to
PULL A TABLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE RING!!!
Monty and Ekmo continue to trade punches right near the table! Monty bounces Ekmo’s head off the table!! Ekmo bounces Monty’s head off the table…
BOTH MEN BOUNCE EACH OTHER’S HEADS OFF THE TABLE AT THE SAME TIME!!!!
WHILE SABU LEAPS FROM THE GUARD RAIL WITH A NEW CHAIR UNDERNEATH HIM…
SABU HITS AN ARABIAN FACEBUSTER TO BOTH EKMO AND MONTY BROWN…THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
THIS MAN SABU IS INSANE!!!!
Sabu pins both Monty and Ekmo through the rubble…
1…2…NOO!!!!
Both men kick out at the same time, sending Sabu flying off of them before he smashes his head on the ring apron!!!
Don Callis has been here this entire time, and has set up a table for his client! Make that two! Callis props a table up in the corner of the steel guard rail, too! Callis then reaches underneath the ring and pulls out
A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!!!
Ekmo is up first as Callis tosses him the fire extinguisher…
EKMO DECKS MONTY BROWN IN THE HEAD WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER!!!
Sabu wrestles the extinguisher out of Ekmo’s hands…
SABU SPRAYS THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER INTO THE EYES OF EKMO!!!!
The spray shot merely grazes Ekmo as he ducks at the last second!!! Ekmo is now more pissed off than anything else as he kicks Sabu in the gut, lifts him up…
EKMO HITS A POWERBOMB TO SABU ON THE FLOOR!!!
Ekmo then sets up Monty AND Sabu onto the table as he is looking to inflict
MAXIMUM DAMAGE!!!
Ekmo climbs to the top rope, looking back down at his prey of Monty and Sabu stacked on the table…
EKMO LEAPS OFF….
MONTY MOVES OUT OF THE WAY…BUT SABU ISN’T LUCKY ENOUGH…
EKMO HITS A TOP ROPE MOONSAULT ONTO SABU THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
Monty Brown is slow to his feet as he sizes up Ekmo, who slowly wobbles to his feet…
MONTY CHARGES FULL SPEED AHEAD….
AND HITS THE POOOUUNNNCEEE TO EKMO….
SENDING THE BIG MAN CRASHING THROUGH THE PROPPED UP TABLE!!!!
Monty falls back down to the ground, completely exhausted! He drapes an arm over Sabu!!!!
1….2…..3!!!!
Winner at 11:00- Monty Brown
Monty Brown has survived this car-crash of a match, and has proven to be the toughest man
ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!
The Asylum
POPS LOUD for Monty Brown, who has clearly become a fan favorite here in TNA!!!
Monty has his hand raised as the camera pans around to show the carnage at ringside!!! Ekmo is stuffed through a table!! Sabu is motionless in the midst of an exploded table…
AND MONTY BROWN IS ON HIS FEET, STILL LOOKING FOR ALL OF THE SMOKE!!!!
Monty soaks in the cheers from The Asylum as West and Tenay put the budding superstar over on commentary, saying Monty Brown is poised to have a massive 2003!!!
We head to the back where
MICK FOLEY is sitting down on a chair in his dressing room, presumably having a conversation with somebody. Foley is still back to his old Mick Foley self, but there is something off about Foley tonight- he is possible too calm, almost as if he is trying as hard as possible to quell the thought of Jack Foley…We interrupt this important conversation…
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. Mike Awesome is a great guy…just a little competitive…maybe a tad stubborn? He can’t do this alone tonight, I need to help him…”
Foley nods his head, as if he is listening to somebody on the other end of a conversation, but for some reason the camera doesn’t pick up the sound. Foley begins to get a bit agitated…
“I really don’t agree with you…and I WON’T take your advice! C’mon, you’ve gotta let that go. He said it during the heat of battle. Raven? What about Raven? No…no…you’re out of touch…”
Foley lets out a nervous smirk and subtle laugh as he shakes his head, clearly fed up with whoever is on the other end of this conversation. Foley slams his hands down and stands up quickly, pointing his finger…
“WELL I THINK YOU SHOULD GO TO HELL! I told you to never come back! Why are you doing this to me? Why? Haven’t I gone through enough these past few months? Abyss? What about him? NO!”
Foley is now pacing back and forth, slowly looking more like the deranged man we’ve grown accustomed to since October…
“I SAID NO GOD DAMNIT!!!!”
Foley goes to throw a punch at this mystery man on the other end of the conversation we can’t hear…And then all we hear is glass shattering!!!
The camera zooms in on Foley’s hand to show a few droplets of blood, which begin to drip onto the floor. Foley turns around towards the camera and we immediately fade to black…
We head back down to ringside where West and Tenay ponder if Mick Foley was talking to Jack Foley in the mirror, hence the glass shattering sounds while Foley went to throw a punch!! They then shift gears as they begin to hype up our next matchup, a
HUGE TAG TEAM #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH!!!
Match 3- Tag Team #1 Contender’s Match
Rhino & Ken Shamrock vs. Travis Tomko & Matt Morgan
Rhino and Ken Shamrock are looking to ride a wave of momentum from last week’s Operation: Victory Match and take down Jeff Jarrett’s “Chosen” team of Tomko and Morgan!!
This one starts out surprisingly calm for the four men featured. Shamrock and Rhino cut the ring in half on Tomko, who tries to use his brute strength to make the tag to Matt Morgan!!!
Rhino connects with a suplex before tagging in Ken Shamrock, who goes to work on Tomko with hard strikes in the corner of the ring! Shamrock runs up towards Tomko in the corner…
SHAMROCK CONNECTS WITH A MONKEY FLIP!!!
It is probably one of the biggest monkey flips we have ever seen, as it sends the massive Tomko flying through the air and to the mat!!
Shamrock goes for the early pinfall!!!
1…2…NO!!
Matt Morgan steps in to break up the count…
MORGAN IS MET BY A HUGE CLOTHESLINE FROM RHINO!!!
AND NOW THINGS BEGIN TO GO OFF THE RAILS!!!
Rhino and Morgan fight on the outside while Shamrock and Tomko trade blows inside the ring!
On the outside, Rhino goes to toss Matt Morgan into the steel guard rail but the big man reverses it…
MORGAN SENDS RHINO LEGS-FIRST INTO THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!!!
The force from Morgan’s throw is so powerful…
THAT RHINO ENDS UP FLIPPING OVER THE GUARD RAIL….LANDING IN THE FIRST ROW!!!
Morgan doesn’t have time to follow up as Ken Shamrock has made his way to the floor, and wraps his arms around Morgan…
KEN SHAMROCK HITS A GERMAN SUPLEX ON MATT MORGAN ON THE FLOOR!!!
Shamrock gets up and climbs to the apron, where Tomko has recovered and is waiting…
TOMKO DRILLS SHAMROCK WITH A BIG BOOT THAT KNOCKS SHAMROCK OFF THE APRON…
RIGHT INTO THE ARMS OF MATT MORGAN…
WHO DUMPS SHAMROCK OVER THE GUARD RAIL ON TOP OF THE FALLEN RHINO!!!
Tomko and Morgan begin to direct traffic as Morgan gets out a table and slides it inside the ring, where Tomko props it up in the corner!!
Morgan picks Ken Shamrock up and goes to suplex him back over the guard rail…
RHINO PUSHES THE GUARD RAIL INTO MATT MORGAN’S STERNUM!!!
Both Shamrock and Rhino climb back over the guard rail and look to take back control of the match!!
Tomko heads to the outside and goes for a
HUGE ROUNDHOUSE KICK to Rhino…
RHINO DUCKS…
AND TOMKO’S LEG LANDS RIGHT ACROSS KEN SHAMROCK’S CHEST!!!
Shamrock then uses his super-human strength to pick Tomko up…
Shamrock leans back…
AND DROPS TOMKO ONTO THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!!!
With Tomko neutralized, Rhino and Shamrock turn their attention to Matt Morgan as they slide the big man inside the ring.
Rhino nods his head to Shamrock, as The Asylum knows what comes next!!!
Rhino sizes up Matt Morgan as he slowly gets to his feet!! Shamrock makes sure the table is set correctly in the corner of the ring…
TOMKO GRABS A HOLD OF KEN SHAMROCK’S FOOT…
RHINO GOES FOR THE GORE!!!!
MATT MORGAN JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY…
AND RHINO GORES KEN SHAMROCK THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
Morgan quickly grabs Rhino from the rubble and lifts him up while Tomko heads to the top rope…
POWERBOMB/FLYING CLOTHESLINE COMBO TO RHINO!!!
ALSO KNOWN AS THE DEATHSWITCH!!!!
Tomko covers Rhino!!!
1…2….3!!!
Winners at 8:00 AND NEW #1 CONTENDER’S- Travis Tomko & Matt Morgan
Tomko and Morgan just won a match…
FAIR AND SQUARE…ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE HELP!!!
Jeff Jarrett and Steve Corino head down the entrance ramp to celebrate with Tomko and Morgan, as
THE TAG TEAM DIVISION JUST GOT A BIT MORE INTERESTING!!!!
Chosen poses on the entrance ramp as the camera pans back down to ringside, where Rhino and Ken Shamrock are slowly getting to their feet…
Rhino helps Shamrock out of the rubble as The Asylum cheers both men. They both shake their heads in disgust, pissed off about the loss. Shamrock raises Rhino’s hand as The Asylum gives these two a nice ovation in the loss…
WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN…
KEN SHAMROCK FLATTENS RHINO WITH A CLOTHESLINE?!?!?!!??!?
WHAT THE HELL, KEN SHAMROCK?!?!?!?!?!?
The Asylum begins to boo Ken Shamrock as he gets in a full mount on top of Rhino, hammering away with rights and lefts!!!
KEN SHAMROCK HAS JUST TURNED ON RHINO!!!!!
NOBODY saw this one coming, as West and Tenay are in shock as Ken Shamrock hoists Rhino over his head and connects with a big suplex!!!
Shamrock looks down at the fallen Rhino, who a mere minute ago was Shamrock’s close friend and tag team partner…
BUT NOT NOW!!!
Shamrock points at Rhino…
“I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO!!! I DON’T NEED YOU!!!”
The Asylum begins to boo louder and louder at Ken Shamrock, who looks out into the crowd, singling out a few Asylum faithful patrons…
“FUCK YOU! AND YOU! AND YOU, TOO! THIS WHOLE ROW! FUCK YOU! YEAH YOU!! ALL OF YOU!!!”
Shamrock shouts to The Asylum, before giving them the middle finger!!!
Shamrock heads up the entrance ramp as a team of Medics hop down to check on Rhino!!! Shamrock stands tall at the top of the ramp, soaking in the boos from the crowd!!!
West and Tenay cannot believe their eyes as Ken Shamrock has just turned on Rhino here tonight!!! Shamrock heads into 2003 a pissed off man…but he just picked a fight with one of the baddest men in the entire TNA Locker Room in Rhino!!!
In keeping with the
TAG TEAM PICTURE, we continue down the tag road as West and Tenay begin to talk about our next matchup- one of the most anticipated Tag Title matches in TNA History-
THE THREE WAY LADDER MATCH!!!
We get a history video package showing everything leading up to this match:
AMW win BEDLAM! to become the first NWA Tag Team Champions!
Following that, AMW embarks on a heated feud with Murderaz Row, which eventually culminates in Murderaz Row winning the tag titles from AMW…
Murderaz Row reigns supreme for over two months as they continue to play keep-away from AMW…Murderaz Row jumps AMW in the parking lot, putting them on the shelf for a few weeks, as Murderaz Row tries to increase the distance between them and AMW…that is until The Eliminators make their surprising debut in TNA and knock off Murderaz Row to win the Tag Titles!
Two weeks ago, Murderaz Row AND AMW pin Saturn and Kronus simultaneously, immediately triggering the titles to become VACANT! TNA President Jim Cornette announces at Kingdome Come- ALL THREE WIN COMPETE IN A LADDER MATCH!!!
And back down at ringside, here we are, ready for the Ladder Match!! TNA President Jim Cornette heads on down the entrance ramp carrying the NWA Tag Titles in tow.
We get a three-way split screen showing all three teams walking down the hallway, gearing up for this
MASSIVE LADDER MATCH!!!
We pan around the ringside area to show the set up for this carnage! There are ladders sprawled out on the ground, with tables and chairs scattered in-between! This one is going to be
INSANE!!!
Match 4- NWA Tag Team Championship- Ladder Match for Vacant Titles
The Eliminators vs. America’s Most Wanted vs. Murderaz Row
Referee Rudy Charles buckles the titles around the loop which begins to raise to the ceiling of The Asylum!!! All three teams stare each other down AS
THE ASYLUM IS AT FEVER PITCH FOR THE LADDER MATCH!!!
AMW and Murderaz Row meet in the middle…
AND BEGIN THROWING HAYMAKERS!!!
Murderaz Row get the early advantage as Homicide drills Harris with a right hook, while Low Ki connects with a Ki Kick to the side of James Storm’s head!!
Saturn and Kronus roll outside of the ring and grab a ladder each…
HOMICIDE DIVES THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE ONTO SATURN!!!
LOW KI LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSS BODY ON KRONUS!!!
Murderaz Row grab a hold of the ladders and slide them both inside the ring…
Harris and Storm have recovered and as Homicide and Low Ki slide their respective ladders inside the ring…
CHRIS HARRIS AND JAMES STORM BOTH CONNECT WITH BASEMENT DROPKICKS TO THE LADDERS…KNOCKING HOMICIDE AND LOW KI BACK INTO THE GUARD RAIL!!!
AMW exit the ring as they look to put the boots to Homicide and Low Ki, but are cut off by Saturn and Kronus!!!
SATURN BLASTS CHRIS HARRIS WITH A STEEL CHAIR!!!
Kronus sets up a chair in the seated position…
KRONUS HITS A LEG SWEEP ON JAMES STORM…AND STORM LANDS FACE FIRST ONTO THE CHAIR!!!
Homicide and Low Ki have recovered as Homicide sets up a ladder wedged between the ring apron and the steel guard rail while Low Ki grabs another ladder and does the same on the opposite side of the ring!!
Low Ki slides another ladder inside the ring and quickly sets it up…
Kronus grabs a ladder of his own and slides it inside the ring, setting it up right next to Low Ki’s ladder!
There are two ladders set up inside the ring, while two ladders are wedged between the ring apron and steel guard rail!!!
Saturn and Low Ki climb one ladder, while Chris Harris and Homicide begin to scale the other ladder. All four men scratch and claw as they all have their hands on the NWA Tag titles at some point!
Kronus goes to help Saturn but is cut off by James Storm! Kronus and Storm duke it out on the mat….
Kronus sends Storm off the ropes, Storm ducks a kick from Kronus…Kronus ducks a kick from Storm…
BOTH MEN WIND UP….
KRONUS AND JAMES STORM KNOCK EACH OTHER WITH KICKS TO THE HEAD…
AND BOTH MEN FALL BACKWARDS…
KNOCKING BOTH LADDERS OVER…
SATURN AND LOW KI FLY OFF THE LADDER…AND COME CRASHING DOWN THROUGH THE LADDER WEDGED ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!
MEANWHILE…HOMICIDE AND CHRIS HARRIS HAVE THE SAME FATE AS THEY CRASH DOWN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RING!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!!
The Asylum erupts for the spot as West and Tenay lose their minds!!! We get an instant replay of the spot from the LadderCam which is shooting from the ceiling…
AND THIS SPOT WILL BE ON EVERY HIGHLIGHT TAPE FOR ETERNITY!!!
James Storm and Kronus both get back to their feet as they both try and steady a ladder to climb. They punch away at each other from their own respective ladder…
Kronus is close to falling off, but swings back towards the ladder and
SMASHES JAMES STORM’S HEAD OFF THE LADDER!!!
Kronus then grabs a hold of James Storm…
KRONUS WITH A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP OFF THE LADDER TO JAMES STORM!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
All SIX men are now down and out!!!
Two ladders are broken, but there are still
TABLES surrounding the ring!!!
Homicide and Low Ki both recover and begin to put the boots to Saturn on one side…
Chris Harris is back to his feet and grabs a hold of Kronus, pulling him outside of the ring! Harris smashes Kronus into the ring post, and Kronus falls to the ground!!
James Storm recovers and helps his partner as they set up a table on the floor!!
Homicide and Low Ki hammer away on Saturn, while Homicide sets a table up on the opposite side of the floor!!!
Saturn and Kronus are neutralized, on opposite sides of the floor as Murderaz Row and AMW look to take them out for good!!!
Homicide stands on top of the apron with Saturn…
PICKING HIM UP IN THE NO REMORSE POSITION!!!
James Storm stands on top of his table with Kronus seated….
IS THIS GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN?!!?!?!??
LOW KI LEAPS OFF…
THUG STOMP TO SATURN THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY….
CHRIS HARRIS LEAPS OFF THE TOP ROPE…
DEATH SENTENCE TO KRONUS THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?
The Asylum
GOES CRAZY for the spot, as West and Tenay can’t believe the carnage we are witnessing right now!!!!
AMW and Murderaz Row both crawl inside the ring following those insane spots, and we can unofficially say we are down to two teams in this match…because The Eliminators are virtually eliminated right now!!!
Homicide and Low Ki rush to set up a ladder and begin climbing it- Homicide on one side, with his job as the lookout man, while Low Ki reaches up to grab the titles…
AMW set up a ladder of their own…and down below between both teams is one last table…
Harris and Storm follow suit as Harris dukes it out with Homicide while Storm battles Low Ki for the titles!!!
Storm and Low Ki both have their hands on the titles…
Homicide rakes the eyes of Chris Harris…
AND THEN KICKS AMW’S LADDER….
AMW’S LADDER BEGINS TO TEETER OVER….
BUT BOTH MEN PUT THEIR FOOT OUT WHEN THEY GET TO THE ROPES….
HARRIS AND STORM WORK TOGETHER TO KICK THE LADDER BACK INTO PLACE…
Homicide and Low Ki are ALMOST there with the titles, and do not sense AMW rocking back towards them…
AMW SWAY BACK INTO PLACE….
AND BOTH HARRIS AND STORM HIT STEREO SUPERKICKS TO HOMICIDE AND LOW KI…
SENDING THEIR LADDER CRASHING TO THE GROUND…
AND BOTH HOMICIDE AND LOW KI GO CRASHING THROUGH THE TABLE BELOW!!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
Storm and Harris reach up as The Asylum screeches with excitement…
AND AMW PULLS DOWN THE TAG TITLES!!!!!
Winners at 17:00 AND NEW NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS- America’s Most Wanted
AMW HAVE DONE IT!!! THEY ARE ONCE AGAIN NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!!
Harris and Storm crash to the mat, clutching their newly won Tag titles!!!
The two men embrace as West and Tenay put them over huge on commentary, saying they’ve gone through hell since August just to get back to this point…
AND AMW ARE FINALLY…ONCE AGAIN…YOUR NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!!
The camera pans around ringside to show the carnage, while we get a highlight recap of the action that just took place!!
AMW head up the entrance ramp, holding the NWA Tag titles up high, while The Asylum screams in excitement for the home-grown fan-favorite team here in TNA!!!
AMW have once again reached the top of the mountain, but now have a massive target on their backs as they are once again the team to beat in TNA!!!
We cut to a deserted park, where the camera zooms in to show CM PUNK sitting on a park bench! Punk has on a black hooded sweatshirt, his blonde hair poking out through the hood. Punk sits forward, holding his hands out…
“I tried to play by the rules…I tried to get noticed…”
Punk shakes his head in disgust…
“Instead…I just got lost in the shuffle…now…I know a lot of this falls on me…which is why something needs to be done…”
Punk adjusts his legs on the park bench as he looks off into the distance…
“2003 is gonna be a big year for CM Punk…I won’t be getting lost in the shuffle any longer…”
Punk continues to gaze out as he searches for words…
“I didn’t wanna do it…but it is already done…I need to make a big splash and I will in 2003…I made a deal with the devil…and now I have to deliver…”
CM Punk continues to look off into the distance as the scene fades out…
We get a shot of
STEVE CORINO walking down the hallway, flanked by his
CHOSEN crew of Jeff Jarrett, Travis Tomko and Matt Morgan! Jarrett wields his trusty guitar as he gives Corino pointers before his big match with Scott Hall…
Speaking of Scott Hall, we head over to Goldilocks who is standing by with the man himself! Scott Hall looks better than ever as slowly walks onto the interview set, his aura unmatched here in TNA…
“HEY YO!”
Hall gets a pop from The Asylum who watches on the big screen as he continues…
“Let me just say, it is great to be back! And it was great to be able to help Dusty Rhodes last week…any time I get a chance to help take out Jeff Jarrett…chico…that’s just an offer I can’t pass up…mang!”
Goldy asks Hall about his match with Corino tonight…
“Steve Corino…look mang…you’re just a pawn in a bigger game, and if you don’t realize that yet…I’m gonna make sure you realize it after I’m done with you tonight!”
Hall tosses his toothpick at the camera before slowly creeping off the set with his signature walk as Goldy throws it back down to ringside…
Match 5- Grudge Match
Scott Hall vs. Steve Corino
Jeff Jarrett parades around ringside, letting his forever-foe Scott Hall know he is waiting to strike with his guitar!!
Corino goes on the offensive early…Hall goes for a collar and elbow tie up, but Corino swiftly knees Hall in the sternum! Corino continues to hammer away at the ribs of Scott Hall!
Corino whips Hall hard front-first into the turnbuckles, and Hall crashes back to the mad with violent force!!
“The Cornerstone” as Jarrett likes to call him-Steve Corino soaks in the boos from The Asylum, but taunts for too long…
AS SCOTT HALL CATCHES CORINO WITH A BIG BOOT!!!
Corino falls through the middle rope and out to the floor, where he signals for a
TIMEOUT!!! THERE ARE NO TIMEOUTS IN WRESTLING!!!
Scott Hall charges and decks Corino with a clothesline!!
Jarrett looks to get involved as he squares up with Scott Hall, but Hall is ready for Jarrett and wants to fight…
UNTIL CORINO CRACKS SCOTT HALL WITH A STEEL CHAIR ACROSS THE BACK!!!
Corino picks up Hall and drops him ribs-first over the steel guard rail!!!
Corino and Jarrett share a laugh at ringside as Scott Hall gasps for air!! Corino tosses Hall back inside the ring, as he looks to finish him off!!
Corino continues to pound Hall with offense, but once again finds himself taunting for too long…
SCOTT HALL RECOVERS…AND PLANTS CORINO WITH A CHOKESLAM!!!
Hall signals for the end, but before he can do anything,
JEFF JARRETT IS UP ON THE APRON!!!
Referee Rudy Charles heads on over to yell at Jarrett, while Scott Hall drops Corino to the mat and heads on over…
SCOTT HALL REARS BACK AND GOES TO PUNCH JARRETT…
Jarrett grabs a hold of Rudy Charles and
USES HIM AS A SHIELD!!!
AND SCOTT HALL DECKS REFEREE RUDY CHARLES WITH A HAYMAKER!!!
HERE COMES TNA SHERIFF DUSTY RHODES!!!
Dusty heads down the ramp with a purpose, but West and Tenay remind us that
DUSTY IS STILL NOT MEDICALLY CLEARED FOR CONTACT!!!
Dusty jaw-jacks with Jeff Jarrett…Jarrett responds…
BY GIVING DUSTY RHODES THE MIDDLE FINGER!!!
MEANWHILE…
Scott Hall turns back around to grab a hold of Steve Corino…
STEVE CORINO HITS A LOW BLOW ON SCOTT HALL!!!!
Jarrett tosses his guitar to Corino…
CORINO BLASTS SCOTT HALL OVER THE HEAD WITH THE GUITAR!!!
“Remember, I SIGN THE DAMN CHECKS AROUND HERE! I DON’T NEED A SHERIFF TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!”
Jeff Jarrett shouts to Dusty Rhodes…
Jarrett gets in Dusty’s face as Referee Rudy Charles makes a miraculous recovery to see Corino pinning Scott Hall…
1….2….3!!!
Winner at 10:00- Steve Corino
Jeff Jarrett embraces with Steve Corino as the two high-tail it up the entrance ramp, while Jarrett jaw jacks with Dusty Rhodes…
The Asylum showers Jarrett and Corino with boos as they soak it all in!! Steve Corino has just beaten Scott Hall, and that will definitely count for something in the future!!!
All of Chosen have subtly gotten their heat back from last week’s loss, and head into 2003 with a full head of steam!!!
We shift gears as West and Tenay begin to hype up our penultimate match of 2002- the highly anticipated
X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN SHELTON BENJAMIN AND AJ STYLES!!! These two have been on a collision course since September, and tonight, it all ends here!!
We get a brief history lesson on AJ Styles and Shelton Benjamin:
AJ Styles becomes the first ever X-Division Champion back in July…from there he defends the belt across the summer in instant classics against the likes of Amazing Red and Jerry Lynn…
While AJ Styles is running roughshod through the X-Division, Shelton Benjamin is rapidly ascending up the rankings, picking up impressive wins week after week…
Shelton Benjamin wins a 4-Way match to become the NEW X-Champion, without pinning AJ Styles! AJ looks for his revenge, but gets jumped backstage…at the time we thought Shelton Benjamin and The Thug Pound took him out, but it was later revealed to be his friend Jerry Lynn!!
Following twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and a broken nose, AJ Styles climbs his way back to the X-Title picture, and at Destination X, has the X-Title in his grasp in the Ultimate X Match- only for Shelton Benjamin to snatch the title out of his hands in mid-air to become two-time champion!!
AJ Styles doesn’t give up, and goes on to win the #1 Contender’s Tournament, last week defeating Jerry Lynn to cement his spot at Kingdom Come!!
Following the timeline video package, we head back down to ringside…
WHERE IT IS FINALLY TIME FOR AJ STYLES VERSUS SHELTON BENJAMIN!!!
Match 6- X-Division Championship
©Shelton Benjamin vs. AJ Styles
The Asylum is electric for just the thought of this matchup taking place!! Three long months in the making…and it starts
RIGHT NOW!!!
AJ and Shelton have a stare down as The Asylum cheers them on. AJ Styles has a very serious, locked in look on his face, while Shelton gives a cocky smirk…
SHELTON BENJAMIN SMACKS AJ STYLES ACROSS THE FACE!!!
AJ stumbles back for a second…
AJ HITS A DROPKICK TO SHELTON BENJAMIN…
AND WE ARE ON!!!
The two race around the ring like the superior athletes that they are! AJ Styles grabs a hold of Shelton’s arm, leaps to the top rope…
AJ STYLES GOES FOR AN ARM DRAG BUT SHELTON BENJAMIN ROLLS THROUGH WITH HIM…
Shelton somersaults with AJ Styles’ hand locked into his and in one fell swoop…
SHELTON LIFTS UP AJ STYLES…
AND BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEXES HIM OUT OF THE RING AND TO THE FLOOR!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
Shelton races off the ropes…
SHELTON LEAPS THROUGH WITH A MIDDLE ROPE DIVE…
BUT AJ STYLES GETS HIS FOOT UP…
AJ STYLES HITS A PELE KICK TO A DIVING SHELTON BENJAMIN!!!!
The Asylum hasn’t sat down yet, and neither have West and Tenay!!!
Both men get back to their feet…Shelton lands an uppercut that sends AJ back into the steel guard rail…
Shelton follows up by charging at AJ…
AJ STYLES LIFTS THE CHARGING SHELTON BENJAMIN OVER HIS HEAD…INTO THE FIRST ROW!!!!
Shelton lands hard on the concrete floor in the front row of The Asylum!! AJ Styles hops up to the ring apron, and measures up Benjamin in the front row…
AJ heads inside the ring to get a full head of steam…
WHAT IS THIS MAN ABOUT TO DO?!?!?!?
AJ STYLES LEAPS UP ONTO THE ROPES…
AND HITS A SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH ONTO SHELTON BENJAMIN IN THE FIRST ROW!!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!
The Asylum is absolutely rocking right now as AJ is somehow back on his feet and tosses Shelton back over the guard rail!!! AJ Styles leaps up onto the guard rail…
SHELTON BENJAMIN SWEEPS THE FEET OF AJ STYLES…
AND AJ CRASHES DOWN CROTCH-FIRST ON THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!!!
If that wasn’t enough damage, Shelton Benjamin uses the steel ring steps as a launching pad…
SHELTON LEAPS OFF THE STEEL STEPS…
AND CONNECTS WITH A TORNADO DDT TO AJ STYLES ONTO THE FLOOR!!!!
Shelton is now firmly in control as he rolls AJ Styles back inside the ring. Shelton connects with a slingshot senton onto AJ Styles!!
1…2….NO!!!
It’s gonna take more than that to stop AJ Styles tonight at Kingdom Come as he kicks out!! Shelton keeps AJ on the mat, putting him in a headlock…AJ elbows his way out of it…
AJ bounces off the ropes, looking for a springboard cross body…
SHELTON IS WAITING WITH A MID-AIR DROPKICK TO AJ STYLES!!!
Shelton quickly grabs the fallen
AJ RIGHT INTO POSITION…
SHELL SHOCK T-BONE SUPLEX!!!!
Shelton is known for hitting his finisher out of thin-air, and he succeeds tonight!!!
1…2….NOOO!!!
AJ Styles kicks out!!! The Asylum cheers the near fall as Shelton measures AJ, waiting for him to get to his feet…
Shelton goes for a
SUPERKICK…BUT AJ CATCHES HIS LEG…AND HITS A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP!!!
Benjamin holds his leg in pain as AJ Styles catches his breath for a brief moment! AJ stomps on Shelton Benjamin before heading to the top rope…
AJ STYLES LEAPS OFF…WITH A SPIRAL TAP!!!!
AJ HOOKS THE LEG!!!
1….2….NOOO!!!
Shelton Benjamin gets his shoulder up!! AJ slams the mat in frustration as he hops back up to his feet…
AND GOES BACK TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE….
AJ LEAPS OFF ONCE AGAIN…WITH A SECOND SPIRAL TAP!!!
Instead of pinning Shelton Benjamin,
AJ STYLES GOES BACK UP FOR A THIRD TIME…
BUT THIS TIME…
SHELTON BENJAMIN HOPS UP TO HIS FEET, AND LEAPS TO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE….
AJ Styles is caught off guard by the vertical leap to the top by Shelton…
AVALANCHE SHELL SHOCK T-BONE SUPLEX!!!!
THIS IS IT!!!
1…2…..NOOOO!!!
AJ STYLES GETS HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND!!!!
Shelton is now the one who slams the mat in frustration, as
NOBODY has ever kicked out of an AVALANCHE SHELL SHOCK!!!
The Asylum cheers on AJ Styles as both men slowly get to their feet…AJ Styles looks like he doesn’t have much left, while Shelton Benjamin knows he is within seconds of winning this huge matchup!!
Shelton grabs AJ by the head and uppercuts him into the corner. Shelton sprints to the opposite corner…
SHELTON GOES FOR A MONKEY FLIP…
BUT AJ STYLES OVER-ROTATES AND LANDS ON HIS FEET….
Shelton races towards AJ…
AJ CONNECTS WITH A PELE KICK!!!!
Shelton Benjamin falls into the corner of the ring as AJ looks to capitalize!!! AJ Styles flies through the air, connecting with a flying forearm smash in the corner!!!
Shelton falls forward…
RIGHT INTO THE WAITING ARMS OF AJ STYLES…
AJ goes to lift Shelton up in the
STYLES CLASH POSITION….
BUT SHELTON OVER-ROATES INTO A SUNSET FLIP!!!
1…2…NOO!!!!
AJ kicks out, Shelton rolls back…
SHELTON PLANTS AJ STYLES WITH A SUPERKICK RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE EYES!!!!
AJ Styles is down and out as Shelton heads to the top turnbuckle, going deep into his bag to pull this one out!!!
Shelton waits for AJ to wobble to his feet…
SHELTON LEAPS OFF…GOING FOR A TOP ROPE MISSILE DROPKICK…
BUT AJ STYLES CATCHES HIM….
AND PLANTS HIM WITH A SITDOWN POWERBOMB!!!!!
1…2….NOOO!!!!
Shelton kicks out…
BUT AJ DOESN’T LET GO OF HIS LEGS….AJ STANDS UP WITH SHELTON STILL IN THE POWERBOMB POSITION….
STYLES CLASH!!!!!!!!!!!
AJ rolls Shelton over….
1….2…….NOOOOO!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?
Shelton kicks out at the last possible second….
BUT AJ CONTINUES TO HOLD SHELTON’S LEGS…AND STANDS UP WITH HIM ONCE MORE!!!!
Shelton uses his core strength to sit-up from the Styles Clash position, and tries to gouge at the eyes of AJ Styles…BUT NOTHING CAN STOP THIS MAN TONIGHT….
AJ HEADBUTTS SHELTON BENJAMIN OFF OF HIS EYES…SHELTON FALLS BACK DOWN….
RIGHT INTO A SECOND STYLES CLASH!!!!!
1….2….3!!!!!!
Winner at 19:00 AND NEW X-DIVISION CHAMPION- AJ Styles
AJ STYLES HAS DONE IT!!!! HE HAS FINALLY WON BACK THE X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!
The Asylum
ERUPTS in cheers as Referee Slick Johnson hands AJ Styles his newly-won X-Title!!! AJ is overcome with emotion as he clutches the title closely to his chest!!!
West and Tenay have about lost their voices calling this one, as they shout with excitement for AJ Styles as
YOUR NEW X-DIVISION CHAMPION!!!!
There is a brief moment of calmness inside the ring, as AJ Styles looks over at Shelton Benjamin who slowly gets to his feet…AJ and Shelton lock eyes, as AJ extends a hand to Benjamin…
AND IN A RARE SIGN OF RESPECT…SHELTON BENJAMIN ACCEPTS THE HANDSHAKE!!!!
It is a brief handshake, as Shelton releases right away, but it is enough for The Asylum and the entire world watching tonight as game recognizes game here at Kingdom Come!!!
Shelton leaves the ring, distraught over the loss, as he shakes his head…while West and Tenay hype up Benjamin in his losing effort, saying that we certainly haven’t seen the last of these two inside the ring, and one day…they won’t be fighting for the X-Title, but for the World title!!!
AJ Styles celebrates with The Asylum as they give him one more loud applause….AJ Styles has gone through hell, and somehow persevered and is leaving Kingdom Come
AS YOUR NEW X-DIVISION CHAMPION!!!
We head to the back where Monty Brown is leaving his dressing room, done for the night following a huge victory…
WHEN SUDDENLY…
JEFF JARRETT AND CHOSEN POP UP….
Monty Brown looks over at Jeff Jarrett, who offers a hand…
“Monty, you are just the guy I was looking for…see, we here at Chosen are looking to not only dominate TNA…we’re looking to completely take it over in 2003, and we view you as the missing piece we need…now in case you didn’t know, I sign the checks around here…”
Monty stops Jarrett by raising his hand. He shakes his head, letting out a slight laugh at the thought of Jarrett recruiting him into Chosen before he responds…
“Then make sure that shit don’t bounce when I cash it…”
Jeff Jarrett is taken aback by the words of Monty Brown, who continues to keep on walking, leaving Jarrett and Chosen hanging in the process…
Jarrett shakes his head as he looks over at Steve Corino, shrugging his shoulders…
“Well, now we make his life a living hell…”
Corino, Tomko and Morgan all nod at their fearless leader’s words, and we head into 2003 with a new, budding rivalry about to take shape…
It’s almost main event time…which means we get a
MIKE AWESOME MIRROR PROMO!!!
Mike Awesome sits in front of his mirror, applying
HIS GLADIATOR FACE PAINT before tonight’s war with Raven!! Awesome is as intense as ever as he colors in the war paint before speaking…
“Three long months…THREE LONG FUCKING MONTHS…I was put on the shelf at the hands of Raven….I’ve had a lot of time to sit around and think about how I was going to rip Raven from limb to limb…and tonight I finally get my chance!”
Awesome continues to put the war paint on as he continues…
“Tonight isn’t just about getting back the World title that I never should have lost in the first place…no…tonight is about much more than that…James Mitchell, you say you’ve been reading the cards and they all say something bad will happen to Raven…WELL YOU DON’T HAVE TO READ ANYTHING TO KNOW THAT TONIGHT I PLAN ON RIPPING RAVEN’S FUCKING HEAD OFF!”
Awesome finishes up his paint as he looks back towards the camera…
“The gladiator lives tonight…and casts down hell of the likes Raven has never seen before in his life! When I’m done with Raven…and the title comes back home to where it belongs…I’LL BE SHOWING EVERYBODY WHAT THE REAL DOOMSDAY LOOKS LIKE!!”
And with that, Mike Awesome mean mugs for the camera as we fade to black…
…And we fade right down to
THE BASEMENT of The Asylum, where NWA World Champion
RAVEN is flanked by his Doomsday cronies, ready to give the last official promo of 2002 in TNA!!
Raven sits in his traditional spot, while Abyss, Vampiro and Father James Mitchell all flank their cult leader. We get a throwback to the summer as “Black Hole Sun” faintly plays in the background. The camera is also nostalgic as it does twists and turns before landing on Raven…
“Mike Awesome thinks he has it all figured out. He thinks he knows the answers to tonight’s test…well, Mike Awesome…you couldn’t be any further away from being right. See, I am the man that changes the questions after you’ve figured out the answers…and the answer tonight for you is one word- PAIN!”
The camera jump cuts to show Vampiro for a split second before Abyss lets out an animalistic roar while FJM maniacally laughs in the background…before hopping back down to Raven…
“There is nothing left to be said. When the dust settles and the bell rings…and I have MY title handed to me…Mike Awesome, you’ll be nothing more than another victim that has succumbed to the feeling of Doomsday raining down upon you…”
Raven stands up, does his signature arms-stretched out pose as the rest of Doomsday hit their poses…
“QUOTE THE RAVEN….NEVERMORE!!”
One more jump cut to Vampiro before we fade to black…
We are back down at ringside where West and Tenay hype up THE FINAL MATCH OF 2002- NWA WORLD CHAMPION RAVEN up against MIKE AWESOME!!!
The Asylum has a big-match feel in the air, as everybody inside the building knows they are about to witness history- we just don’t know which type of history we will be getting- Mike Awesome becoming the first-ever 2 time NWA World Champion inside TNA, or Raven continuing his reign of terror into 2003!!
Main Event- NWA World Championship
©Raven vs. Mike Awesome
Raven starts off tonight’s match differently than the other matches during his reign. He doesn’t sit in the corner. Instead, he is cool and calm as he stands across from Mike Awesome, who is
READY FOR WAR!!!
The two men stare down in the center of the ring. Referee Rudy Charles has been given instructions to let this one play out however it is supposed to- which means he could be in harm’s way and has to take it!!
Charles rings the bell
AND WE ARE ON!!!
The two men throw rights and lefts at each other, Mike Awesome getting the best of Raven!! Awesome punches Raven so hard he falls back into the ropes, and when he re-coils back…
MIKE AWESOME CONNECTS WITH A DIVING SHOULDER BLOCK!!!
Raven hits the deck as Awesome stays on the attack, smashing his size 16 boot into the throat of Raven!! Awesome gets a bit more leverage as he stands with his other foot on the bottom rope, really digging the boot into Raven’s throat!!
Raven kicks his legs as he gasps for air, until finally Mike Awesome breaks the hold! Awesome picks up Raven and hoists him in the air, military-press style…
AWESOME DROPS RAVEN OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TO THE FLOOR!!!
This one didn’t take long to stay inside the ring, as Raven tries to catch his breath on the floor…
LOOK UP!!!
MIKE AWESOME DIVES OVER THE TOP ROPE, CRASHING DOWN ON RAVEN, SENDING HIM BACK-FIRST INTO THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!!!
Awesome stops for a second to soak in The Asylum’s massive cheers before he goes back to kicking Raven’s ass!! West and Tenay point out that Raven can take a great deal of punishment, and his strategy here in TNA is to wear down his opponent in the early going by letting them beat the living shit out of him!!
Awesome stomps on Raven before heading underneath the ring, where he pulls out
TWO TABLES!!! Awesome slides the two tables inside the ring, but isn’t done yet as he grabs a steel chair!! Awesome winds up…
RAVEN ELBOWS AWESOME IN THE GUT, CAUSING AWESOME TO DROP THE CHAIR!!!
Raven picks up the chair…
RAVEN DRILLS MIKE AWESOME WITH A CHAIR SHOT TO THE HEAD!!!
All this does is piss Mike Awesome off, as he eats the chair shot and lets out an animalistic roar!!!
Awesome runs forward towards Raven…
MIKE AWESOME CLOTHESLINES THE CHAIR INTO RAVEN’S FACE!!!
Awesome tosses the chair inside the ring before picking Raven up over his shoulder…Awesome gets a running head start….
AWESOME TOSSES RAVEN LIKE A LAWN DART FACE-FIRST INTO THE STEEL RING POST!!!
Raven i
s BUSTED WIDE OPEN from his forehead!!!
Awesome grabs Raven by the hair and slides him inside the ring. Awesome begins to climb to the top turnbuckle, looking to hit a BIG SPLASH…
VAMPIRO SHAKES THE ROPES, CROTCHING MIKE AWESOME!!!
While Awesome is sitting in-between the turnbuckle…
ABYSS CLIMBS UP TO THE APRON…
ABYSS CLOTHESLINES MIKE AWESOME OFF THE TOP ROPE, SENDING AWESOME CRASHING TO THE MAT!!!
The numbers game is in full effect right now, with Doomsday making sure Mike Awesome is neutralized!!
Raven begins to go to work inside the ring as he sets a chair up in the center. He tosses Awesome off the ropes…
RAVEN WITH A DROP TOE HOLD ON THE STEEL CHAIR!!!
Raven goes for the pin!!!
1…2……
MICK FOLEY HAS RUN DOWN THE RAMP…AND PULLS REFEREE RUDY CHARLES OUT OF THE RING!!!
Foley vowed to help Mike Awesome, even if Awesome doesn’t want his help!!
Vampiro and Abyss immediately head for Foley, who is over by the announcer’s desk! Vamps and Abyss converge on Foley…
FOLEY TOSSES A FIST FULL OF THUMBTACKS UP IN THE AIR…HITTING BOTH ABYSS AND VAMPIRO IN THE FACE!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
Foley grabs a chair and wields it in the direction of Father James Mitchell, who runs away!!
Back inside the ring, Raven and Mike Awesome both slowly get to their feet! Raven ducks a clothesline from Awesome as he bounces back off the ropes…
RAVEN AND MIKE AWESOME BOTH CONNECT WITH CLOTHESLINES…TAKING EACH OTHER OUT!!!!
Foley isn’t done with Abyss and Vampiro as he sets them both up on the announcer’s desk, while West and Tenay get the hell out of the way!!! Foley ascends to the top turnbuckle with a chair in hand…
MICK FOLEY LEAPS OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND SMASHES THE CHAIR INTO ABYSS AND VAMPIRO AS HE CRASHES THROUGH THE TABLE!!!!!
Foley has neutralized Abyss and Vampiro!!!!
Mick Foley looks up at Mike Awesome and nods, but Mike Awesome simply shakes his head, not wanting any help tonight!!!
Raven and Awesome are back to their feet as Raven picks up the steel chair! Raven swings it at Awesome but Awesome ducks, and then kicks Raven in the gut, causing Raven to drop the chair!!!
Awesome picks up the chair as Raven heads to the ropes, looking to escape!
BUT MICK FOLEY IS THERE AND DRILLS RAVEN WITH A HARD RIGHT HAND!!!
Mike Awesome winds up…
MIKE AWESOME GOES TO HIT RAVEN…BUT RAVEN DUCKS…
MIKE AWESOME PLANTS MICK FOLEY ACROSS THE HEAD WITH A CHAIR SHOT!!!
It is a sickening thud as the chair bounces off of Foley’s skull, causing him to fall off the apron to the floor!!!
Awesome turns around as Raven is waiting and kicks him in the gut…
EVENFLOW DDT!!!!!!
1…2….NOOO!!!!
MIKE AWESOME KICKS OUT!!!!
Raven looks to stay on Mike Awesome as he shouts for Mitchell to toss him…
THE DREADED SACK OF TACKS!!!!
The camera cuts to Mick Foley, who is on the floor punching himself!!! Foley begins to
PULL OUT HIS OWN HAIR!!! WHAT IS THIS MAN DOING?!?!?!?
Inside the ring, Raven pours the tacks out of the sack, and there has to be over a
THOUSAND THUMB TACKS ON THE MAT!!!!
Raven kicks them around in a nice, neat pile as he punches Mike Awesome in the head…
Raven locks Mike Awesome in the
EVENFLOW position once more…
BUT MIKE AWESOME MUSCLES OUT OF IT, SENDING RAVEN TO THE MAT WITH A BACK BODY DROP!!!
Mike Awesome picks up the bent steel chair…
AWESOME WALLOPS RAVEN OVER THE HEAD WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!!!!!
Awesome grabs a table and sets it up over the thumb tacks, before he positions himself in the corner, lifting Raven up over his head
WHILE STANDING ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!!!!
The Asylum is on their feet…
TOP ROPE AWESOME BOMB TO RAVEN THROUGH THE TABLE…AND ON TOP OF THE THUMBTACKS!!!!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!!
The Asylum is at fever pitch as Mike Awesome makes the cover….
1….2………
MICK FOLEY PULLS REFEREE RUDY CHARLES OUT OF THE RING!!!!!
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH MICK FOLEY?!?!?!?
The Asylum is stunned silent as Mike Awesome cannot believe it, either!!!! Foley rips his flannel shirt off to reveal his
JACK FOLEY t-shirt!!!!
Raven slowly gets to his feet as Mike Awesome is pre-occupied with Foley…Awesome grabs Foley by the hair and lifts him up to the ring apron…
FOLEY TOSSES A FIREBALL INTO THE FACE OF MIKE AWESOME!!!!!!!
Foley falls off the apron, and when he gathers himself on the floor, he sits on his knees while doing Raven’s signature pose!!!!!
Awesome is blinded, wailing his arms in the air as he screams from the pain…and turns right around to a waiting Raven, who has cleared the broken table but not the tacks…
EVENFLOW DDT INTO THE THUMBTACKS!!!!!!
Raven drapes an arm over Mike Awesome as
THE ASYLUM IS PISSED!!!!
NOT LIKE THIS!!!!
1………………..2……………………..……3!!!!!!!
Winner at 20:00 AND STILL NWA WORLD CHAMPION- Raven
The air is sucked right out of The Asylum as
RAVEN HAS ONCE AGAIN FOUND A WAY TO RETAIN HIS TITLE!!!!!
Mike Awesome had this one all but won, but
JACK FOLEY altered the outcome of this match, and has once again pledged his allegiance to Raven!!!!
Doomsday rushes the ring as Jack Foley snatches the NWA World title and slides in. Foley gets down on one knee with the title in hand…
AND RAVEN NODS HIS HEAD!!!!!
JACK FOLEY HAS JOINED DOOMSDAY!!!!
Raven does his signature pose while Foley wraps the title belt around his waist!!!!
West and Tenay are
BEYOND IRATE on commentary, saying this wasn’t how 2002 was supposed to end!!!! They begin to sign us off….
The credits roll as Raven, Abyss, Vampiro, Father James Mitchell and Jack Foley all cutting the signature Doomsday pose that we’ve grown accustomed to! The lights dim as a single, solitary light shines down on Doomsday, while Mike Awesome lies at the feet of Raven!!!
The last scene we see from TNA in 2002 is Doomsday standing tall, cutting their signature pose while a black baseball bat is placed over Raven’s shoulder…
A BLACK BASEBALL BAT IS PLACED OVER RAVEN’S SHOULDER??????
A BLACK BASEBALL BAT IS PLACED OVER RAVEN’S SHOULDER?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!
THE LIGHTS QUICKLY COME BACK ON…..
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!
IT’S STIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!
STING IS HERE IN TNA!!!!!!
Doomsday realizes they are not alone!!!!!
STING DROPS ABYSS WITH THE BAT!!!
STING DROPS VAMPIRO WITH THE BAT!!!!
STING DROPS JACK FOLEY WITH THE BAT!!!!
ARE WE DREAMING RIGHT NOW?!?!?!?!?
Father James Mitchell slides out of the ring….
STING PLACES THE BAT UP TO RAVEN’S NECK!!!!!
STING DRILLS RAVEN ACROSS THE GUT…AND THEN SMASHES HIM ACROSS THE BACK WITH THE BAT!!!!!
STING PICKS RAVEN UP....
SCORPION DEATH DROP!!!!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!
The Asylum, West and Tenay, and
THE ENTIRE WORLD IS GOING ABSOLUTLEY FUCKING BONKERS FOR STING!!!!!
West and Tenay try their best to keep it together to sign us off….The credits begin to roll as the true final scene of TNA in 2002 is STING inside a TNA ring, standing on the top rope, pointing his baseball bat up the entrance ramp at Raven and Doomsday!!!!
2002 is officially in the books! This was the most fun I’ve had writing one of these shows, and I am glad I was able to check this off my bucket list: A completed TNA 2002. What’s next? Well, I have a lot planned for 2003, so stay tuned. I’m moving to an every-other-week schedule to give myself some time in between shows. Mapping it out, we still get to 25 shows for 2003.
I’m taking a few weeks off to re-charge in the meantime, and then somewhere in the middle of January I’ll begin to post again. For those still along for the ride, thank you very much for reading. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the journey that was TNA in 2002, and hope you stick around for what’s next!!
