Knockouts Battle Royal
TNA No Surrender kicks off with a Knockouts Battle Royal. Havok takes control of the match and begins to work away at all of the Knockouts with punches and some clotheslines. The Knockouts all attack her, but she fights out of it. Havok pretty much clears the ring and it comes down to her and Velvet. Sky tries to kick her multiple times and tries to get her off of her feet. Havok barely moves and then hits chokes her and Velvet locks in a sleeper hold. Havok tosses her to the ground and then misses a dropkick. Havok catches her with a crossbody and dumps her to the outside.
A little anti-dramatic and seemingly too dominant. I get what Havok is and what TNA wants to do with her. Gail Kim is going to look so small with Havok in a championship match. Havok comes in a few weeks ago and is now going to get a championship match. Is this too soon?
We really do not know much about her and have not gotten enough of her in the ring. I would have waited a few weeks to put her in a match (albeit a Battle Royal) and have her continue to wreak havoc on the other women. They could be really creative, with backstage segments and brutal attacks. I hope they turn it around quickly and not be completely predictable.
Chris Melendez defeated Kenny King
King makes fun of his leg and attacks him from behind. When the commercial break ends, Melendez fights back with some rights and lefts. King hits an atomic drop and a spinning heel kick. Melendez rolls up King and reverses a move for the win. King attacks him after the match. He cuts another promo and says he is not a hero, but a cripple. Mr. Anderson comes out to make the save and King heads to the outside.
Not a good match. I did not like the pairing and the only good part was the heel heat that Kenny King got after the match. Again, how far can this go for Melendez? He has a good look, but I question how TNA can make him a long-term star. Mr. Anderson making the save means that King vs. Anderson could be in the works. I am interested in seeing that because both men are being underutilized right now in this company.
Samoa Joe defeated Homicide
The history between these two is unquestioned. Joe and Homicide start off slow and the pace picks up from these athletic heavyweights when Joe unleashes multiple punches. He hits a splash into the corner and Joe hits multiple kicks. Homicide gets in control with a reverse neck breaker and he continues to focus on the head of Joe. Homicide gets to the top and drives his knee into the back of Joe’s neck. Homicide tries to hit his finisher, but Joe reverses it and Homicide tries to go for the cutter. Joe locks in a choke hold and makes Homicide submit.
I just dislike how TNA is using their X-Division right now. X-Division should be more about the younger and more athletic guys, like Sanada. Ironically enough, Sanada and Storm come in and choke out Homicide and beat down Joe. When both big men are down, a masked man comes into the ring. Manik, in new gear, hits a Frog Splash. James Storm, for some reason, has a new group of X-Division guys. It might be odd and makes little sense, but it certainly is different. James Storm will have the personality and the mic work to get these guys over. The X-Division is interesting right now with The Great Sanada and a new Manik. Let TNA market those guys. It is easier, especially when Bound For Glory is in Japan, to make them more of stars. Sanada is organic for Japan. Manik, masked up, can help Sanada and Storm be even more interesting in terms of story development.
