TNA Impact Review - 28/2/13

Lethal Lockdown Is Set In Motion

http://youtu.be/dAbs97kMAyA The unmistakable walk to the ring from the Aces & Eights members through the crowd sets about a chorus of boos for their actions against Hulk Hogan last week. Devon immediately grabs the microphone, and begins to mock the chances of Team TNA to win at Lethal Lockdown, whoever Sting has picked from the roster. Sting had been walking around the locker room all day selecting his four other members inside the steel structure. Devon accuses Sting of too readily sipping at Hogan's Coolade, like the rest of the idiots in the Impact Zone. Devon then proceeds to announce his team of himself, DOC, Mike Knox, Mr. Anderson and Garrett Bischoff, and with that team, he states that Sting's Army has absolutely no chance of victory. This of course brings Sting out from the back in retalliation, as he announces the members of Team TNA that will battle alongside the Icon in Lethal Lockdown. The first pick is Samoa Joe, an obvious selection due to his constant run-ins with the group. The next member is the TNA go-to-guy for any spot whatsoever, James Storm. The third component of the team is Magnus, who was injured by the Aces & Eights months ago and had a match with Devon in the UK. The final member is announced by Sting as being "Showtime", as the gang members become infuriated as to who that actually refers to. Before Sting can announce who it is, Eric Young, another person taken out by the group, attacks the Aces & Eights from behind, which brings about a ten-man brawl in the ring. With the gang scattered to the outside, the battle for Lethal Lockdown is finally on the cards.

Gut Check Match - Ivelisse Velez vs. Lei'd Tapa

http://youtu.be/Vbwn6lGPoQo It is now time for a pair of independent female wrestlers to compete for a potential TNA contract, as Gut Check returns with a match between Ivelisse Velez and Lei'd Tapa. Velez was formerly signed to WWE and wrestled in FCW under the name Sofia Cortez, and competed in the revival of WWE Tough Enough. Tapa is the niece of Sione Vailahi, who wrestled in WWF as the Barbarian. With very little mainstream exposure for either competitor, hopefully they can have a good match and impress some people in the process. Immediately striking is the size and build of Tapa against Velez, and the power advantage is clearly demonstrated when she lifts Velez easily by the throat, before being countered into an arm-drag. Velez then exploits her MMA training to utilise a guillotine choke on her much larger opponent. But the power of Tapa is too much, as she hoists Velez onto her shoulders, but another fluid counter leads to the application of a sleeper-hold on Tapa. But Tapa again proves too powerful for the submissions, and when Velez cannons off the ropes to build some momentum, she is stopped by a wicked boot to the face. Tapa is clearly fired up and employs numerous power moves including a strong headbutt, and she is able to effectively draw the ire of the crowd. However, after dodging a charge to the corner, Velez is able to slide from the middle rope into a tornado DDT, and that is soon followed up by a smooth hurricanrana. Whilst Tapa is able to again take control with a Samoan Drop, Velez kicks out of the pin and quickly transitions into another guillotine choke that forces Tapa to tap out. WINNER (BY SUBMISSION): Ivelisse Velez These two women gave a very impressive performance in their one opportunity to shine. Tapa appears to be a less skilled wrestler, but has impressive charisma, connects with the audience and has a look that could sell as greatly as Awesome Kong was able to do if packaged correctly. I've seen male wrestlers with less ability but the same power moves go far in the business. Velez though looks like a honed professional in every sense of the word, with a submission style that puts her in a similar bracket to Gail Kim. If she is given the opportunity to get a contract and polishes up he moves and gimmick in OVW, she could be a leading face of the Knockouts Division for many years to come.