1/29 TNA house show results from Dublin

Show opened with a handicap match as Joe Park, Eric Young and ‘Ivan The Mad Lad’ (minor local Irish celebrity) defeated Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud. Was noticeable that Spud had gear made up to match EC3’s so clearly those two will be teaming up, I’m guessing to work with the Wolves. EC3 really has some star power live. Of all their new guys, he looks to be the one with the most potential. Spud was fantastic in this match doing all kinds of weasel heel mannerisms. He is cast well in the role. Finish came when Ivan hit Spud with the most rehearsed Stunner you’ve ever seen, Young hit the big elbow off the top and got the pin.

Madison Rayne and ODB beat Gail Kim and Lei’d Tapa with Velvet Sky as ref when Kim pushed Sky, Sky retaliated with a slap and Rayne rolled Kim up. Match was nothing but Velvet’s rear was probably worth **.

JB on the mic mentioned how lovely Christy Hemme looked tonight. This brought out Sam Shaw, who Borash introduced. Shaw corrected him that his name was Samuel, then threatened him for talking about Christy. Meanwhile Christy stood their giggling before pulling him away. Shaw has good size and his work is ok but this American Psycho thing really isn’t much. No idea why this angle even took place at a house show, might have been a rehearsal for tv.

Gunner beat Bobby Roode with a rollup after Roode was arguing with the referee. Finish was almost identical to the prior match so I guess Pat Kenny and Al Snow don’t talk much. Gunner does not connect with the people at all. His charisma is non existant. Post match Roode attacked Gunner from behind which brought out Kurt Angle for the save. Angle was limping badly on his left leg, looked like it was barely mobile. Angle gave Roode the Angle slam, told the people TNA loved them for coming out tonight, VERY gingerly exited the ring and hobbled to the back. The guy looks like he’s hurting. I would say this is what he gets for doing moonsaults off a cage in his mid 40’s, but more likely this is what he gets for working a decade on a surgically repaired broken neck. Hopefully he doesn’t stay much longer because it was not fun seeing him move here.

Austin Aries pinned Chris Sabin with a brainbuster in a 3 way for the X title also featuring Samoa Joe. Afterward, Joe choked out Sabin too. Match was good, best action of the night so far.

The Bromans came out introduced by DJ Zema Ion and cut a great douche heel promo saying they’d beaten every team in TNA so rather than wrestle tonight, they’d compete in a posedown. I saw at least two Bromans shirts sold at the concession stand, thus disproving Lance Storm’s theory that the gimmick doesn’t draw. Bad Influence interruped the posedown to challenge for a tag title match. They jumped the Bromans and the match was on. This was the match of the night. The crowd were big into Daniels and Kazarian as babyfaces and with the Wolves coming in as faces to work with EC3 and Spud, it makes perfect sense for these guys to turn and work with Godderz and Robbie for the titles. Then you can switch the programs down the line. Champs went over clean when they hit the Hart Attack on Daniels.

Dixie Carter came out to a muted reaction. She immediately began playing heel. Yes, the same woman who was arm in arm with every dude in the building for photos 90 minutes earlier. Look I get that part of the charm of TNA’s house shows is the personal touch, but couldn’t they have sent out Kurt Angle who was too hurt to work for the photos and not made a mockery of their own main storyline? Dixie introduced Magnus who came out and cut a pro English, anti Irish promo. This brought out his opponent James Storm. Storm was the most over person all night. He whipped the crowd into a frenzy talking about partying all night long in Dublin. Cheap stuff but effective no less, and it works with his character. Storm really connects with the people and the company really should make more of this. He got them to play ‘Shipping to Boston’ by Dropkick Murphys over the PA and the place was on its feet rocking. Magnus jumped in and attacked him to start the match and get the heat. Decent match. Magnus is totally fine in his role although I think EC3 has more potential. FInish came when Spud and Carter came out as Storm hit Magnus with the superkick. Spud put Magnus’s foot on the rope. While Hebner was distracted, Magnus hit Storm with the belt and got the pin. Post match, Spud was mocking Storm, drinking his beer when Storm nailed him with a perfect superkick which Spud sold by spitting the beer everywhere and taking a perfect dead mans bump. Wrestling needs more Spuds, although ironically Impact probably needs less of this one.

Main event was Ken Anderson over Bully Ray in a ‘Dublin’ tables match. You know us Dubs, famed for our tables matches. Anderson hit him with the rolling firemans carry through the table for the win.

credit: Kenny Murphy and WrestlingObserver.com