Well, it happened. The TNA championship now belongs to someone working for another company. Trick Williams is your new Total Nonstop Action champ! That’s the headline. That’s the story. That’s one of the biggest stories in professional wrestling history.
Now, thankfully, this wasn’t the wrestling equivalent of a clean sweep. Joe Hendry didn’t go down easy nor was the match without controversy. That’s the saving grace and will most certainly play a part in this story. For now though, this is history. It was a fun match that had the crowd on their feet from the entrances. I can’t say I was excited for this thing going into it but Tampa clearly was. This was pro wrestling spectacle, complete with a shocking finish that sets up an unprecedented story.
Also means I gotta watch more TNA, which I’m sure is part of the point. I just hope that the “then what” is defined and understood. If this thing meanders and does nothing for anyone involved, then it’s another thing WWE does for the shock with no plan.
B-Sides
Two things I didn’t doubt going into Battleground: Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace would kill it and Stephanie would win. Strike true on both predictions. I was more concerned with how Stephanie would win. I always believe that a championship match should be a battle. The champ needs to earn the victory and the challenger needs to, well present a challenge.
Jordynne was that the second she stepped in the ring, but her putting a stop to Stephanie’s first Devil’s Kiss attempt by putting her on her shoulders and dropping her on the announce table showed just how much of a threat she presented. Stephanie eventually hit Devil’s Kiss but that came much later after she wore down the Juggernaut. But not enough because Jordynne kicked out of an SVB. She just kicked out but she still showed that power. Stephanie got in her head at that point and looked shook. There’s value in that.
A dominant champion is cool, and Stephanie may very well become that. But this match proved she’s human. For me, I want to believe that the champ can get got. Perfection is overrated, as someone wise once told me, and it can also become stale. Jordynne putting a stop to two of Stephanie’s biggest moves and surviving means the champ is fallible. That breeds emotional investment because I can ride with her through the peaks and valleys that come from a match or a reign because in the back of my head, I know she could lose against the right competition.
Jordynne was almost that person. Much like Tupac said he may not change the world but he’d spark the mind of the person that will, Jordynne walked so someone else can run. That’s a dope look for both women and should create great dividends for Stepahnie’s future.
Deep Cuts
- Sol Ruca and Kelani Jordan got a well-deserved standing ovation from the Battleground crowd. Seriously, these two set a high bar at the top of the show. They’re both fantastic babyfaces and their offense plays a big part as to why. They fly high (no lie, you know this. BALLIN’) and they’re both athletic freaks. That meant we got a fast paced match with the women moving so fast that they didn’t have the usual amount of time one might think when it comes to hitting their spots. We got a little movement on the story between Zaria & Sol when the former saved the latter from catching the One of a Kind Moonsault but got caught by the ref. While Zaria walked to the back after getting kicked out of the match, Sol focused on her and not her opponent. Kelani got a big shot in that only served as a prelude to the prettiest Sol Snatcher thus far. Sol proved she doesn’t need Zaria’s help to win but also wasn’t happy that Zaria believed she did. We’ll see where this goes but as it stands, fantastic match between two women who keep getting better.
- Inamura is right back like he left something. Early. Josh Briggs’ once and future partner showed up post match after Josh and the tag champs got the win over The Culling. That’s the big news here and ups the ante. Not my favorite match of the night but a lot of fun because Hank & Tank bring so much energy to the proceedings.
- Tony D’Angelo vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (putting some respect on his name) didn’t need to go as long as it did. While I dug the character work between Tony and Stacks, the match needed more efficiency. There’s just not that much actual investment into this feud or the stakes at this point in the story. Especially since devotees knew this wasn’t anywhere close to the end of the story. With that in mind, this is the perfect moment to reference one of my favorite moments in A Muppet Christmas Carol when I say Luca Crusifino, who did NOT die, showed up at ringside with ambiguous intentions. Was he there to help Tony? Was he helping Stacks? Was he a zombie since the last time we saw him he got left in the Nevada desert? We didn’t get those answers, but his appearance distracted Tony and the ref long enough for Stacks to low blow The Don and get the W. Luca tried embracing Tony D afterward but The Boss wasn’t having it. I’m confused but semi-intrigued.
- Ricky Saints and Ethan Page need to get this thing over with. That is all.
- Myles Borne didn’t win but he kicked out of the Fall From Grace. I don’t recall anyone doing that. If I’m wrong, I’m sure someone will politely correct me. Anyway, Myles didn’t get out of the following two but this was proof that NXT believes in the kid. He took Oba’s biggest shot and didn’t give up. He outsmarted the champ at moments, showed an incredible amount of guts, and got the champ’s respect when it ended. This was a solid match that could serve as a starting point for the rest of Myles’ career. And, much like Jordynne did with Stephanie, Myles proved Oba is mortal.
This was a fun couple hours of professional sports entertainment wrestling. The opening match and the NXT women’s championship match ruled the roost for me, while the Tony D and Stacks affair went too long for my taste. They wanted to be The Godfather but ended up being The Godfather Part III. That aside, a solid show with a shocking ending sure to reverberate through the summer.
Grade: B
What say you, Cagesiders?
