TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling! 31.7.02

TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling Pay Per View 2 Hours Wednesday 31/07/2002
Nashville, Tennessee

Tonight’s Card

Main Event; Sabu V Abyss w. Jim Mitchell
Ron Killings V Elix Skipper
Low Ki V Chase Stevens
Jimmy Yang V Joey Matthews
Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark Briscoe) V Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond)
Shark Boy V Christopher Daniels
Amazing Red V Jimmy Rave

Wednesday 21st August, 2002; TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling; TNA Championship: Gauntlet for the Gold!!

TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling open…

26th June, 2002 Jeremy Borash announced that on Wednesday 21st August, 2002 TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling will crown its first TNA Champion when the entire roster will compete in a Gauntlet for the Gold match. Last weeks Main Event saw Jerry Lynn, AJ Styles, Low Ki and Chris Harris beat Jeff Jarrett, Steve Corino and Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond) after Harris pinned Corino. Jeff Jarrett was fuming after the match and claimed the result meant nothing. AJ Styles and Low Ki couldn’t take their eyes off each other after the match. Low Ki made his intentions clear by motioning for the TNA title. Jim Mitchell last week claimed that TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling was in fear of ‘The Monster’ Abyss. Mitchell also questioned who in TNA could stop Abyss from becoming the first TNA Champion and warned that there is no saving TNA from Abyss. Later in the night it was announced that someone had stepped up and challenged Abyss a former World Heavyweight Champion, the homicidal, genocidal, suicidal, death defying… Sabu!

TNA host Jeremy Borash welcomed everyone watching in the arena and at home to the latest TNA Total Non-Stop Wrestling Action Pay per View. Borash hyped tonight’s Main Event which would see the debut of Sabu a hardcore legend and one of the most feared men in the history of this business. Borash also hyped the rest of tonight’s card which would see Amazing Red, Christopher Daniels and Low Ki in singles action. Rematch from two weeks ago Jimmy Yang faces Joey Matthews and Ron Killings gets his chance at revenge when he takes on Elix Skipper. Also tonight after being attacked from behind last week by William Muellar, James Storm has vowed to be here to call out Muellar and that’s not all because Jeff Jarrett has demanded to kick off the show. Jeremy Borash made his way into the ring…

Tonight’s Main Event; Sabu V Abyss w. Jim Mitchell!

Highlights aired from last weeks Pay per View. Jerry Lynn, AJ Styles, Low Ki and Chris Harris beat Jeff Jarrett, Steve Corino and Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond) in the Main Event. Jeff Jarrett after the match was fuming about the defeat while still claiming the result didn’t mean anything.

Jeremy Borash now standing in the middle of the ring introduced Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett came out not dressed to wrestle but Jarrett still didn’t look happy. Jarrett joined Borash in the middle of the ring and snatched the microphone out of Borash’s hand. Jarrett told Borash to get out of his ring because he’s not needed.

Jeff Jarrett said before Ricky Steamboat comes out here or Mike Tenay and Don West blow the result of last weeks Main Event out of proportion. Jarrett wanted to tell everyone it doesn’t matter who lost last weeks Main Event or even who won last weeks Main Event only two things matter coming out of last week. One Jeff Jarrett is still the biggest name in TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and is still to be beaten. Number two AJ Styles once again was given the ball put in the Main Event by Ricky Steamboat and once again with the world watching AJ Styles never got the job done in the Main Event. Jarrett said he could come out here and call Steamboat senile or a fool by continuing to get behind AJ but the truth is AJ Styles is making Steamboat look like a fool every time AJ Styles fails. Jeff Jarrett concluded that last week proved that AJ Styles was over hyped from day one and has no chance of becoming the first TNA Champion. Jeff Jarrett started to say he would become the first TNA Champion when Ricky Steamboat interrupted. Ricky Steamboat joined Jarrett in the middle of the ring. Steamboat told Jarrett he was being disrespectful to not only AJ Styles but also Jerry Lynn, Chris Harris and Low Ki because their victory last week did mean something and was very impressive. Steamboat also noted that AJ Styles was not here tonight and Jarrett knew that, Steamboat said there was something that Jarrett was not telling the fans and that is that during the week TNA Management offered Jeff Jarrett the chance to face AJ Styles one on one in next weeks Main Event but Jeff Jarrett rejected the match. Jarrett wasn’t happy. Jarrett cut Steamboat off and told Steamboat that there is only three weeks until Gauntlet for the Gold and facing AJ Styles next week with AJ having this week off wasn’t worth the risk. Jeff Jarrett is not interested in doing anything to challenging before Gauntlet for the Gold. Jarrett stepped up to Steamboat and told Steamboat wants to get on him for rejecting a challenge and supposedly being threatened by AJ Styles. Jeff Jarrett has a challenge of his own, Ricky Steamboat puts his boots back on one more time and gets inside the ring with the first TNA Champion and the biggest name in TNA, Jeff Jarrett and Jarrett will show Ricky Steamboat that Steamboat was never as good as what people are led to believe. Jarrett mockingly asked Steamboat to reject his challenge now. Steamboat told Jarrett he was no longer a wrestler but Jarrett corrected Steamboat and said Ricky Steamboat was no longer a man!

Jeff Jarrett barged past Steamboat and left the ring leaving Steamboat to stand in the middle of the ring stung by Jeff Jarrett’s words. Fans were behind Steamboat. Mike Tenay said that Ricky Steamboat is learning that he can’t keep everyone happy in his new job with TNA Management but also for the wrestler inside of Steamboat is must be killing Steamboat to have to stand there and reject Jeff Jarrett’s challenge.

Tonight; Low Ki will be in action!

Tonight; Ron Killings V Elix Skipper!

Match 1;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Amazing Red V Jimmy Rave

Jimmy Rave making his TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling debut tonight against Amazing Red who impressed in his debut last week…

Amazing Red beat Jimmy Rave via pin fall after Red ran up Rave in the corner and nailed Rave with repeated drop kicks to the chest Red followed up with his Satellite DDT and his Red Star Press for the win.

Winner; Amazing Red

After Amazing Red had celebrated his victory and left the ring the match official tried to help Jimmy Rave out of the ring but Rave snapped at the official telling him that no one tells Jimmy Rave what to do. Jimmy Rave has got a bad attitude.

Mike Tenay and Don West at ringside spoke about tonight’s Main Event pitting ‘The Monster’ Abyss against former World Heavyweight Champion, Sabu. Tenay and West spoke about Sabu’s history in the business which has seen Sabu travel the world and face the toughest men. Sabu has a reputation as one of the most reckless, hardcore men to ever step inside the squared circle. Tonight; Sabu makes his TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling debut. Sabu has stood up to the most daunting task in TNA the current favorite to become the first TNA Champion, ‘The Monster’ Abyss.

Jeremy Borash was standing by backstage with ‘Fallen Angel’ Christopher Daniels. Daniels told Borash that over the last couple of weeks Daniels has shown that it doesn’t matter if you have been in the wrestling business 2 minutes or 20 years no one has any answer on how to beat Christopher Daniels. Daniels admitted that tonight he hand picked his opponent, Daniels said his opponent is a joke but Daniels said the reason he picked Shark Boy is because Daniels wanted to show that he is always on the top of his game it doesn’t matter if you been in the business 2 minutes, 20 years if you pretend to be a fish or if you’re the greatest wrestler off all time there is no answer, no way to beat ‘Fallen Angel’ Christopher Daniels the first ever TNA Champion.

Match 2;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Shark Boy V Christopher Daniels

Christopher Daniels beat Shark Boy via pin fall after Daniels spiked Shark Boy with his Angel Wings. Daniels once again dominated the entire match looking very good in the process.

Winner; Christopher Daniels

Christopher Daniels circled Shark Boy after the bell before kneeling down next to Shark Boy. Daniels grabbed Shark Boy by his mask and got right in Shark Boy’s face. Christopher Daniels wants Shark Boy to go and tell every wrestler in the back that Christopher Daniels will become the first TNA Champion.

Tonight; Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark Briscoe) V Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond)!

Footage was shown from last week of William Muellar attacking James Storm from behind after Muellar jumped Storm from behind and covered Storm’s head with a blanket/sheet so Storm was blinded. William Muellar threatened to attack in the weeks leading up to last week and also promised that no one would see it coming.

TNA Ring Announcer, David Penzer introduced ‘Tennessee Cowboy’ James Storm. TNA Management has given James Storm time tonight to come out and challenge William Muellar to a fight. Storm came out to a good ovation from his hometown crowd before taking Penzer’s microphone. Last week William Muellar attacked James Storm from behind after blinding Storm by covering his head in a sheet. Storm said its not the first time he has took a kicking but every time Storm has been put down he gets back up and does things the Tennessee way. James Storm calls out the man responsible and looks the man in the eye before kicking his ass. James Storm challenged William Muellar to grow a pair and to get his ass down to the ring so they can settle their issue like men. No sign of Muellar so Storm told Muellar he would close his eyes so Muellar can get the first shot because all that matters is the last shot and the last shot is Storm knocking Muellar out with a Super Kick. James Storm told William Muellar that he can’t hide forever and as soon as Muellar comes out of hiding Storm will get his hands on William Muellar but until that time comes Storm said he will fill the gap by drinking beer, hunting and by becoming the first TNA Champion.

Up Next; Ron Killings V Elix Skipper!

Video package aired looking at the rivalry between Ron Killings and Monty Brown which has seen Elix Skipper do the ‘Alpha Male’s’ dirty work. Footage was also included of Skipper’s interview last week and Skipper is not happy about being over looked by TNA and Skipper promised to shock the world and become the first TNA Champion…

Match 3;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Ron Killings V Elix Skipper

It was announced by Mike Tenay before the match started that next week we would hear from ‘Alpha Male’ Monty Brown…

Ron Killings beat Elix Skipper via a disqualification after Skipper deliberately low blowed Killings right in front of the referee.

Winner; Ron Killings

Ron Killings was on the mat in pain as the referee was ordering Elix Skipper from the ring but Skipper had a message for Killings from Monty Brown. Skipper hooked Killings for his Overdrive but Killings countered with a back drop before clotheslining Skipper over the top rope. Elix Skipper quickly bailed up the ramp as Ron Killings paced the ring. Ron Killings issue with Elix Skipper and Monty Brown is far from over.

Mike Tenay and Don West hyped Low Ki being in action up next. Low Ki grabbed the attention of the wrestling world on the first TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling. Low Ki has travelled the world to learn his craft and Low Ki takes this business very seriously. Low Ki is a man of few words but Low Ki has made it clear by drawing a line in the sand that Low Ki will face any man. In 3 weeks time TNA will crown their first Champion and many are predicting that Low Ki could be the man that walks out of Gauntlet for the Gold as the first TNA Champion.

Match 4;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Low Ki V Chase Stevens

Low Ki beat Chase Stevens via pin fall after Low Ki sent Stevens flying back into the corner after a running dropkick. Low Ki nearly took Stevens head off with his Tidal Wave springboard kick. Low Ki finished Stevens off with his Ki Krusher in the middle of the ring.

Winner; Low Ki

Low Ki celebrated his victory and while Low Ki was celebrating a replay aired from last week and the stare off between Low Ki and AJ Styles. Low Ki was now at ringside motioning for the TNA title as Mike Tenay and Don West continued to sing Low Ki’s praises.

Jeremy Borash backstage announced that he has tried to get a word tonight with Jim Mitchell but Mitchell who is never shy about saying a few words refused to comment. Jim Mitchell knows Sabu very well and knows that his monster Abyss has never faced a man like Sabu before.

Footage aired from last weeks 8 Man Tag Team match Main Event as Tenay and West narrated over the footage highlighting Chris Harris scoring the biggest victory of his career over former World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino. Chris Harris is still undefeated here in TNA and the holds the best win loss record but next week Chris Harris will face his toughest challenge yet when he goes one on one against Steve Corino…

Recorded interview with Steve Corino aired. Steve Corino admitted Chris Harris was a talented wrestler who takes his profession really seriously and one day Chris Harris may be the TNA Champion. However last week Chris Harris victory over him regardless of Harris’ impressive win loss record so far was a huge upset. Steve Corino blamed his match against Jerry Lynn and the attack by Abyss after the match for the loss to Harris but next week Steve Corino shows what a Champion is made off when he ends Harris little streak and shows the world why Steve Corino will become the first TNA Champion.

Next Week; Chris Harris V Steve Corino!

Mike Tenay and Don West also noted that TNA Management are working on another big match for next week and later tonight Jeremy Borash may have an update on that development.

Match 5;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Briscoe Brothers (Jay & Mark Briscoe) V Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond)

Diamonds in the Rough beat Briscoe Brothers via pin fall with a little help from Smooth Stallions (Mamaluke & Romeo). Stallions took out Mark Briscoe behind the referee’s back, which gave Diamond and Swinger an advantage over Jay and they were quick to take advantage and beat Jay after dropping Jay with their Problem Solver which is a double standing hangman’s DDT.

Winners; Diamonds in the Rough (Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond)

Jeremy Borash was standing by backstage with Joey Matthews ahead of Matthews’ rematch against Jimmy Yang. Borash asked Matthews if he heard Yang’s comments last week when Yang called losing to Matthews as the lowest point of his career. Matthews had heard the comments. Borash asked Matthews if he had any thoughts and Matthews simply said no and walked away from Borash.

Match 6;
Time Limit; 20 Minutes
Jimmy Yang V Joey Matthews

Jimmy Yang offered his hand to Joey Matthews before the match and Matthews still even after Yang’s comments accepted the handshake.

Jimmy Yang beat Joey Matthews via pin fall after a flying crossbody from the top rope. Joey Matthews recent revival ended tonight by Yang. Yang helped Matthews to his feet after the bell while giving Matthews words of encouragement.

Winner; Jimmy Yang

Jimmy Yang continued celebrating in the aisle after the match until someone ran into the side of Yang sending Yang flying. William Muellar was the man who ran into Yang. Muellar again covered Yang’s head with a sheet as Yang was getting back to his feet, Muellar took down the now blinded Yang and got in a few more shots until TNA officials came out to stop the attack but William Muellar got out of dodge. Jimmy Yang was checked over by TNA officials after the attack. James Storm came out on to the stage and after Storm checked on Yang, Storm screamed at Muellar to come back and fight him like a man. William Muellar warned everyone in TNA to have eyes in the back of their head.

Jeremy Borash hyped next weeks TNA Total Non-Stop Action Pay per View which comes just 2 weeks before the night TNA will crown the first TNA Champion in a Gauntlet for the Gold match but next week we would hear from ‘Alpha Male’ Monty Brown and maybe Brown will share why he has targeted Ron Killings. Also it was announced earlier tonight that next week Chris Harris will face his toughest challenge yet when he takes on former World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino. Jeremy Borash then announced another huge match has been signed, next weeks Main Event will be… Jerry Lynn V AJ Styles!

Next Week; Main Event; Jerry Lynn V AJ Styles!

Mike Tenay and Don West couldn’t wait for next week not only would we see Chris Harris take on Steve Corino but now also Jerry Lynn will face AJ Styles. Next week we would either see the coming of age of Harris and Styles or the world will see that maybe right now it isn’t Chris Harris or AJ Styles time.

Up Next; Tonight’s Main Event; Sabu V Abyss w. Jim Mitchell…

Highlights aired from the last few weeks of ‘The Monster’ Abyss attacks on members of the TNA Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling roster including Norman Smiley, Alan Funk, Briscoe Brothers, and from 2 weeks ago former World Heavyweight Champions, Steve Corino and Jerry Lynn.

Lights went out in the arena for a few seconds and when they came back on Sabu was standing in the ring pointing up to the skies, fans in Nashville Tennessee were on their feet for Sabu.

Match 7;
Main Event
Time Limit; 30 Minutes
Sabu V Abyss w. Jim Mitchell

Sabu versus Abyss went to a no contest as the match official lost complete control of the match which saw Sabu and Abyss forget about the rules and fight around ringside where steel chairs and tables were brought into play…

Winner; No Contest

Table set up at ringside, one table propped up in the corner and a steel chair in the middle of the ring as Sabu bounced a second steel chair of Abyss’ head. Sabu set up a steel chair in the middle of the ring, ran the ropes and used the chair to jump on to the top rope. Sabu came back with a cross body from the top but Abyss caught Sabu and launched Sabu threw the propped up table in the corner, causing the table to smash to pieces and left Sabu crumbled in the corner holding his left arm and neck.

Abyss wasn’t done Abyss dragged Sabu to his feet by his left arm before trying to snap Sabu in half with Shock Treatment. Jim Mitchell was now in the ring intimidating the match official who was trying to get assistance. Ring bell was going off in the back ground another sign of help. Abyss seemed to be done with Sabu until Sabu who’s not one to give up from his back kicked away at Abyss so Abyss set up the 2 chairs in the middle of the ring quickly pulled Sabu to his feet and choke slammed Sabu on top of the two chairs. Sabu screamed out in pain, Tenay and West were worried about Sabu’s condition knowing Sabu must be seriously injured. Jim Mitchell called Abyss off then proudly announced Abyss as the first TNA Champion. Abyss turned around to see Sabu trying to crawl out of the ring…

Abyss stalked Sabu before grabbing the injured Sabu’s leg to drag Sabu back into harms way. Abyss lifted Sabu above his head walked towards the top rope and press slammed Sabu over the top rope and through the table that was set up at ringside!!

Abyss stood next to the ropes emotionless even Jim Mitchell looked shocked for a second before breaking out into an evil laugh. Sabu wasn’t moving and doctors and officials were quickly at ringside to check on Sabu. Mike Tenay, Don West, and David Penzer, everyone else at ringside including the fans stood in shock at Abyss actions. Ricky Steamboat came out to check on Sabu too. Pay per View went off the air with Sabu being checked over by doctors as ‘The Monster’ Abyss stood over the carnage he had just created.