TNA Review: 7/3/13

Aces & Eights Vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus

It is time for the next match in the Best of Three Series before Lethal Lockdown, as representing Aces & Eights is Garett Bischoff and DOC, and for Team TNA the sometimes partners and often times rivals Samoa Joe and Magnus. The loss of Sting earlier in the night and the betrayal of D'Lo Brown to the group has resulted in a great deal of mistrust within the ranks of the TNA side, and it is now must-win time if they hope to get the man advantage in the signature event of the upcoming PPV. The match begins with Joe taking on Bischoff, which is a mismatch if I have ever seen one. Joe takes control of proceedings, with Bischoff only able to take temporary advantages with his rakes to the eyes. However, the main threat to the team seems to be internal, as Joe tagging in via a heavy slap to Magnus' chest was unlikely to alleviate the tension between the former Tag Team Champions. Bischoff was quick to exit the ring from the threat of Magnus, and was able to lure him to the outside which allows DOC to get a shot in on the Brit while his back was turned. This allows Bischoff to take control of proceedings as chants of "You Can't Wrestle!" echo from the crowd around the arena. Quickly, maybe to avoid further abuse, DOC is tagged into the match and employs his size and build to keep Magnus trapped in the Aces & Eights' corner. After a few heavy-handed shots from DOC, Magnus was able to break free of the side headlock, and avoiding the chokeslam attempt both superstars collide with clotheslines in the center of the ring. Magnus slides over to make the tag to Joe, who tossed Bischoff around the ring like he weighed twenty pounds rather than two hundred. The re-emergence of DOC looked to be a threat to Joe, before Magnus is able to enter the ring which leads into some impromptu teamwork from the uneasy alliance. Soon, it appears the pair are working like they were champions once again, as they clear Bischoff in the ring before pinning DOC following their patented Snap-Mere/Elbow Drop team finisher. That victory ties the Series and puts all the pressure on the final match - who saw that coming? WINNERS: Samoa Joe and Magnus

Gut Check Part 2 - Seriously?

http://youtu.be/ZOwzB9W5wks Well, apparently I was wrong, and the first backstage segment was merely to tell Lei'd Tapa that she would be the only one to go through the rigmarole of going to the ring and being told over the course of around ten minutes whether or not she will get a TNA contract. This is one of the serious flaws of TNA, as they take about two or three times more airtime than necessary to give the wrestler a contract or not. Did she get the contract? Yeah, of course she did, otherwise they might as well have told both Tapa and Velez in the earlier backstage segment that neither of them were going to progress any further. It was a waste of time when it began, and is still managing to take up time that I would rather spend watching Robbie E and Robbie T have a posedown. At least that would have the advantage of carrying on a storyline rather than giving away about an eighth of the program for somebody who won't even re-appear on the TNA roster for the next six months. You could tell by the fan reaction that they weren't happy with Tapa getting the contract over Velez even more clearly, which would also not have been a great confidence boost for the extremely green competitor.