The Undercard
Bobby Roode defeated Chavo Guerrero in the first match of the night. This was a clever match to put together. It was simple and logical because one member of a tag team is facing one half of the champions. I like seeing Roode in single's action again because he simply has the tools to carry a match. We all know Chavo is a solid wrestler. He adapted the Eddie Guerrero ring work and still hangs onto that. No disrespect to Eddie, but Chavo should use more of his personality and not cling onto someone's death to continue to be relevant. James Storm spits in the face of Roode, causing the disqualification. He did not touch him, did he? I assume you can call a DQ, but it was very out of nowhere. Storm gets involved with his former partner and enemy. I see Storm getting a partner in the near future. Who will that be?
Grade: B-
Jay Bradley defeated Christian York in a match with two former Gut Check winners. So, where has Bradley been? You win a challenge and then get taken off of television. Instead of being put into a storyline, Bradley is irrelavant. He can be as talented as anyone, but nobody knows this. York and Bradley are card fillers.
Grade: C
Velvet Sky defeated Gail Kim in a solid Knockouts match. Velvet gets on the offensive with a headscissors takedown, but Kim grabs Velvet's knee and slams it into the ground. Gail continues the mind games, stalking her opponent. These are the little things that I love to watch with Gail Kim. She is concise, intriguing, and knows what to do to fill time in the ring from move to move. Sky works on Kim's knee and eventually rolls her up for the victory. After the match, Kim attacks and hurts Sky with a submission hold. This was a positive step for the Knockouts tonight. You remind us of Mickie James (in a backstage segment) but keep the intrigue on the champion and the best heel woman you have. Well done.
Grade: B-
Hernandez defeated Christopher Daniels. With a quick match here, the faces look strong. The brute strength of Hernandez is on display, with Daniels trying to counter all of his moves. It comes to no avail, as Hernandez hits a shoulder block for the victory. After the match is the real story. Storm announces he will have a partner for TNA Slammiversary, facing off against Aries/Roode, Bad Influence, and the champs in Chavo and Hernandez. If they want to make this logical, Storm and his partner HAVE to win. What else is the point in having Storm in this match? He is already being misused time and time again. I have NO idea who his parnter will be. If anything, it will make no sense and be a debut of some former WWE scrub.
Grade: B-
–Props to the best athlete in TNA, Kenny King. He defended his title against Chris Sabin and Petey Williams. Sabin took control of the match from the beginning, but it was a classic booking of the champion, who is a heel, to hit a few quick moves and steal the victory. Entertaining match, but it lacks creativity. All 3 way matches? That is too much for a title that they are making less and less important. This used to be the title that propelled someone to the main event. Remember what it did for Aries?
Grade: B
