– Well, here we are, after a little bit over 8 long months, the very last edition of my acclaimed TNA rant, The NeelDown iMPACT Zone. Yep, it’s the spring of the moment. This will be the very last TNIZ. No teasing, no big returns in the future, no cherry picking. This is it. I’m not getting into full detail on why this has came about, but, as many of you know, the Thursday night timeslot is just becoming too tedious for me with what other things I have going on. Hell, this was the reason Jeremy Lambert, author of the long-running TNA At Ringside column here at the Pulse, had to quit doing his “official” live coverage of Impact. It kind of came at an ironic time since I have just recently unveiled my new reviewing format with the VR’s, and this will be the only NIZ to see it.
– I’ve had a great time doing the column all this time, and greatly appreciated every piece of mail I have received, good or bad. Sure, some of you hated my view on TNA and the poor * ratings I gave a lot of the matches. On the other end, some you praised it as a more “realistic” look at TNA and thought that I exposed many of the flaws it had that people so oftenly overlooked. Either way, time has proven that I certainly did get your attention, love it or hate it.
– So where do we go from here? Well, although I’m not going to be HERE every week, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still going to be here at the great InsidePulse, and will still be doing my NeelDown video reviews, and who knows what else I’ll end up doing. In the meantime, there is somebody named Joel Geraghty who clearly enjoys TNA more than I do, and does a hell of a job recapping it. He is the latest addition here to the Pulse Wrestling team, and he looks to be a talented one. The guy has been posting his reviews, the Chrononaut Chronicles, on Scott Keith’s blog, and now has found a home here at the Pulse. I recommend that with me gone, you go and read him here every week, right here, same place, same time.
– Okay, let’s do it one last time, for old time’s sake …
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The NeelDown iMPACT Zone
– From Orlando, Florida
– Hosts are Mike Tenay & Don West
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– Eric Young is hiding in a tent to start. How iconic.
– Opening promo:: Rhino comes out to talk about his falls count anywhere match against Joe and Monty Brown at Hard Justice. He can battle near the announce table, near LAX, or even in the crowd, as he explains. However, Monty Brown cuts that short and makes short work of him. Joe comes out to interrupt the POOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEE and they brawl in the ring, then Rhino gets involved. Security takes care of them.
Kevin Nash, Alex Shelley, & Johnny Devine v. Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, & Chris Sabin
Shelley starts with Sonjay, and Dutt snaps off a quick rana and gets a standing moonsault for a quick two. They both tag out, and in come Nash and Sabin, but Nash has something in his eye and he tags in Devine. Lethal comes in and gives Devine a back suplex. Nash comes in and sideslams Lethal for two. Yawn. Tag to Shelley who dropkicks Lethal while Nash holds him, which gets two. Lethal gets a nice-looking missile dropkick and makes a tag to Dutt, as Shelley tags out to Devine.
Nash gets in but gets kicked down by Dutt. Dutt takes Shelley out on the floor, leaving Sabin in the ring who reverses Devine’s double underhook and gets the Cradle Shock for the pin. Short, harmless build to what looks to be an instant classic, Nash-Sabin at Hard Justice. ( * )
Winners: Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, & Chris Sabin
– Big Larry Z announced that Cornette has added Lethal to the Senshi-Williams X Championship match at Hard Justice.
Homicide v. Christopher Daniels
Lockup to start, Homicide gets a quick headlock, Daniels gets out and gets an arm drag and the leg lariat. Daniels chokes him a bit, forcing him to bail and toss a chair into the ring. That allows him to sneak attack and get an elbow for two. Homicide argues with the ref while the rest of LAX pounds on Daniels, which ends up getting two. Rear choke time, followed by a front suplex by Homicide. He goes up top but Daniels tosses him down and gets the STO for two.
Daniels blocks a kick and tries a suplex, but Homicide blocks it and takes him down for two. To the corner for chops, but Daniels shoves him out. Daniels tries the Angel’s Wings but it’s blocked, but Daniels however clutches him into a submission. Daniels taps but LAX has the ref distracted, and Hernandez comes in and nails Daniels with the flapjack giving Homicide the win. LAX beatdown follows, Styles of course makes the save. ( ** )
Winner: Homicide
Abyss v. Shark Boy
Sharky jumps on his back to start, then throws some punches but then runs into the Black Hole Slam. Yep. (-*) Spike is on top of the stage and taunts Abyss, so Abyss goes after him, but Spike jumps off and gives him a crossbody. Into the ring and Spike gives him the acid drop.
Winner: Abyss
– Young-Devine is made for Hard Justice.
Scott Steiner v. Christian Cage
Steiner shoves him down to start, then Christian grabs a headlock and chops away. Steiner tries a slam but Christian slips off and schoolboys him for two. Christian appears to attempt … a monkey flip out of the corner but gets shoved down. Christian slips out of a press slam and tries the Unprettier but Steiner gets out and tosses him.
Time for the PUSHUP ROUTINE! OVERHEAD SUPLEX gets two. Christian comes back with a flying forearm for two. Inverted DDT gets two. Steiner pokes the eyes and chops away. Christian tells him “up yours” and chokes him in the ropes. However, you know how things end when you mess with Scott Steiner, an OVERHEAD SUPLEX. Christian goes up but Steiner follows him and gives him a Samoan Drop. Steiner Recliner, Christian fights out and tries the Unprettier. Jarrett runs in and attacks Christian then locks him in the Scorpion Deathlock, and there’s your DQ. However, the lights go out and then Sting has Jarrett locked in. (**1/2)
Winner: (DQ
End of show.
– Well, we’re all done, kiddos. Feedback on the entire run of the columns is recommended if you would take a moment or two. In the meantime, go watch Curb Your Enthusiasm season 5 or listen to Jars of Clay’s new album, Good Monsters. It has been nice!
