The show opens with a tribute video looking back at the TNA career of Kurt Angle, who is wrestling his last TNA match in tonight’s main event against Bobby Lashley.
We go to the arena, where Dixie Carter is in the ring letting us know how important and special tonight’s show is. She puts over Kurt Angle’s accomplishments and contributions to TNA before introducing him to address the crowd. Angle has hugs for the other wrestlers who are surrounding the ring, then Dixie reminds us that tonight is the end of the Kurt Angle Farewell Tour. She says she hoped this day would never come, and thinks back to the night Kurt made his TNA debut ten years ago, and how surprised she was that they managed to keep it secret. Dixie starts getting emotional over everything he’s done for the company, and wants to speak on behalf of the fans by thanking Kurt. Drew Galloway gets in the ring to bow to Kurt, then says he came to TNA to wrestle the best, and specifically wanted to get in the ring with Kurt Angle. He puts over how great it was to get in the ring with Kurt and how much he and the rest of the roster has learned from Kurt, and on behalf of the other wrestlers, he wants to thank Kurt. An emotional Angle hugs Drew and soaks in the thanks from the fans, then says he came here ten years ago to find himself, and he’s not going to be a shell of himself when he retires because he’s become a better wrestler, husband, father, and friend, and he wants to thank Dixie and the roster for that because he is the luckiest man on the planet. Bobby Lashley’s music hits, and the big man comes out because he also wants to thank Kurt. He says this is a truly amazing experience for everyone who’s worked with Kurt for so many years, but it’s also great for everyone to be here to see Kurt’s last wrestling match, and also an amazing honor for him to wrestle the man who got him into the business and made him want to be a wrestler, and for that, he wants to thank Kurt. The only sad thing is that, as he looks in Kurt’s eyes, he realizes that he’s just not ready to wrestle him. Lashley turns and steps out of the ring, and Kurt looks worried as he watches him go. Lashley stops to turn and applaud Angle one more time, then heads to the back.
Josh and Pope run down tonight’s card, which is loaded with title matches. In fact, the first one starts right now!
King Of The Mountain Title Match: Eric Young vs Bram vs Damo vs Will Ospreay vs Jimmy Havoc
Okay, this is held under King of the Mountain rules, and I don’t have time to write the book they would fill right now, so just follow along as best you can. Havoc and Ospreay have a quick exchange at the start, but Ospreay catches Havoc with a quick crucifix for 3, and now he’s eligible to climb the ladder and hang the belt, while Havoc has to sit in a cage for a minute. Ospreay tries to climb the ladder, but Young tips it over and drops Ospreay on the top turnbuckle. That looked rough. Young and Bram hit a Hart Attack on Ospreay on the floor, then they go after Damo. Havoc’s miunte is up, and he takes Bram and Damo out with a dive off the cage, but Young gets ahold of Havoc and piledrives him on the ring steps, then pins him on the floor. Okay, so I guess Falls Count Anywhere is also part of the rules here. Young can hang the belt, and so can Bram after hitting Damo with an implant DDT for 3. So Havoc and Damo are in cages, Havoc is practically dead, and now Young and Bram are both trying to climb. Bram has the belt and Young stares him down, then they trade punches until Bram hits a leg lariat and tries to climb. Young tips the ladder over, hanging Bram up on the top rope. Bram rolls to the floor, Young climbs the ladder, but Ospreay is up and takes Young out with a springboard clothesline. Ospreay has the belt and tries to climb, but Young takes him out with a springboard neckbreaker. Now Young has the belt, he climbs, and he hangs the belt to retain.
Winner: Eric Young
Great opener, even if the rules are way too convoluted.
Kurt Angle Memory: Angle makes his TNA debut by tapping the previously undefeated Samoa Joe out to the anklelock.
Maria Kanellis finds Dixie Carter backstage, thanks her profusely for having Mike Bennett and herself in TNA, and asks Dixie to meet up with Bennett out in the ring to tell her how she can be a part of a Miracle. She also has an idea about how she can take a leadership role in TNA, but Dixie says she saw what happened between her and Gail, and like Gail, she believes actions say more than words.
We see a Decay promo video, then we head to the arena where Mike Bennett and Maria are already in the ring. Bennett says the Miracle that is happening tonight is that TNA needs him now more than ever since one of the greatest wrestlers ever, who cheap shotted him and ducked him, by the way, is on his way out the door. That means that the Miracle will be named the #1 contender to the TNA World Title, and once that happens, he’ll be the TNA World Champion and save the world of pro wrestling. Bennett asks Dixie to come on down and make this Miracle happen, but he gets Drew Galloway instead, and Drew does not look happy. Drew says they think they just get things handed to them, but if he can offer Bennett some advice, it’s to fight more and stop running his mouth like a bitch. Drew tries to start a fight with Bennett, but Maria holds him back. Bennett says Drew begged Kurt Angle for a second match because he couldn’t do it the first time, he only has a title shot because he won it in a lottery game show, and he orders Drew to go to the back and get Dixie. Drew says he could do that, but he could also…oh, Drew suckerpunches Bennett and hammers him with punches. Bennett takes Drew down, but Drew gets on top, more punches, then nearly tears Bennett in half with a clothesline. Drew goes for the Claymore Kick, but Bennett bails out to the floor and yells at Drew for ruining his moment.
Kurt Angle Memory: Kurt becomes the first TNA World Champion in the King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary 2007.
Speaking of Angle, the Wolves are backstage thanking Kurt for everything he’s done for wrestling and inspiring them. Angle thanks them and talks about how great they are and what bright futures they have, and tells them to go do their thing against Beer Money tonight. He also offers to show Davey a thing or two about using the anklelock afterward.
Knockouts Title Match: Gail Kim vs Jade
Gail comes in with a chip on her shoulder and goes right after Jade as soon as she enters the ring. Jade gets almost no offense in as Gail unloads on her with a variety of strikes, but Jade pops Gail up in a fireman’s carry and hits a Malenko gutbuster. Jade with a series of strikes in the corner and a hard clothesline. Gail is on her knees and helplessly absorbs a series of kicks to the chest, but Gail slides out of the ring and gets the ringpost figure four. They head back in and Jade catches Gail with a surprise kick to the head and ties her up in a Muta lock. Gail escapes and Jade goes right into a Fujiwara armbar and yells at Gail that she’s better than her. Gail escapes with a headscissors, but Jade remains in control and tries for a missile dropkick, but Gail dodges and Jade hits hard. Gail mounts a comeback and hits a Stinger splash and a neckbreaker for 2. Gail goes for Eat DaFeet, but Jade escapes and hits a bridging German suplex for 2. Jade goes for the package piledriver, Gail blocks and catches Jade with a nice ninja-type kick, then goes to the top. She hits a crossbody, Jade rolls through and cradles Gail, but Gail reverses back and cradles Jade for 3.
Winner: Gail Kim
Excellent match and a great finish!
We see a video package looking back at Spud’s heel turn and fight with Ec3 last week, then we go to Matt Hardy, who is irate that EC3 gets yet another title shot next week. He’s not going to get worked up, because EC3 obviously went crying to his Aunt, and Matt’s just going to have to beat him for the third time.
TNA World Tag Team Title Match: The Wolves vs Beer Money
Davey and Storm start us off with a bit of a feeling out process, and Storm gets caught in the Wolves corner and double teamed. All four men end up in the ring and the Wolves unload a slick series of double teams on Beer Money to take control. Beer Money gets dumped to the floor, and the Wolves wipe them out with stereo dives. Eddie covers Roode for 2 as they head back into the ring, but Roode fires back with chops and blind tags Storm in, and after some double teaming of their own, Beer Money has Eddie trapped in their half of the ring. Eddie finally takes both of them out with a double Frankensteiner, and Davey gets the hot tag and comes in to clean house as we go to commercial.
We’re back and Davey gets a trailer hitch on Storm, then catches Roode in an anklelock when he comes in to try and make the save. Beer Money breaks free and Eddie takes Roode out with a running knee off the apron and then Davey hits a double stomp on Storm for 2. The Wolves go for their finish, but Roode drags Davey to the floor and takes him out as Storm hits a top rope Frankensteiner on Eddie, followed by a top rope splash from Roode. Davey breaks that up at 2, Storm hits a lungblower on Davey, then Beer Money double suplexes Eddie and does BEER…MONEY! They set up for the DWI, but Eddie fights out and mounts a comeback, and then Davey KILLS Storm with an enziguiri to the face. Davey springboards in…right into Closing Time from Storm. Eddie superkicks Storm, but Storm responds with the Last Call, Roode hits a spinebuster, and then the catapult DDT gets only 2. This is really, really good. Roode puts Eddie on top and suplexes him off into the DWI, and covers Eddie to win the TNA World Tag Team Title.
Winners and New TNA World Tag Team Champions: Beer Money
This was an excellent, excellent match that definitely lived up to the dream match label. Awesome work by both teams, and I can’t wait to see the rematch.
Kurt Angle Memory: Kurt is inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at Bound For Glory 2013.
Bobby Lashley walks past Drew Galloway backstage and says that he heard what Drew said to Kurt before. There’s going to be a new big dog after Kurt’s gone, but it’s not going to be Drew because he’s not ready for it.
We see a series of videos recorded by TNA’s Twitter followers thanking Kurt Angle for everything he’s given them over the years, then we go backstage where Mike Bennett finds Angle warming up for his match. Bennett says he heard Lashley threatening Kurt out there earlier, but he believes that everything happens for a reason, and whatever Lashley does out there, Kurt deserves. Bennett wanted to be the guy to beat Kurt on the way out, but Angle wasn’t interested, and that’s fine. But if Kurt ever gets that wrestling itch again, he’ll be here waiting for him. Angle tells Bennett he better hope he never comes back, because if he doesn, it’s going to get DAMN REAL…punk.
We go back to ringside where Grado comes out of the crowd and grabs Jeremy Borash’s mic, begging for just a quick minute. Grado says he got fired from TNA, but there was something fishy that went on and he has video proof. He tells the guy in the video truck to run the video, but before he does, Eli Drake comes out with Jessie Godderz to tell Grado that he was pathetic from the moment he got here, and he’s gotten even more pathetic now that he’s out here begging for his job. Drake’s ready to beat him in the head with his briefcase so many times he’ll never be able to find his way to TNA again, and Jessie says they’re two guys who are more than happy and willing to escort Grado out of here so nobody has to see his ugly face any more. Drake and Godderz jumps Grado and stomp him into oblivion, and Mahabali Shera comes out to make the save, but Eli knocks him out to the floor with a briefcase shot. Jessie holds Grado for another briefcase shot, but Grado ducks and Jessie gets nailed, then Grado hits Eli with an Ace Crusher, grabs his briefcase, and runs to the back.
Bobby Lashley is backstage, and he’s…WALKING! Kurt Angle’s also backstage, and he’s…JOGGING! The main event is up next!
Jeff Hardy is back next week, and he’s going to take on Eric Young! Plus, Ethan Carter III gets another match with Matt Hardy for the TNA World Title!
We see another video tribute package to Kurt Angle, a really nice one featuring quotes from several people who have known Kurt throughout his career, and then it’s MAIN EVENT TIME!
Kurt Angle vs Bobby Lashley
We’re finally here, and we’re underway. Lashley circles Angle before shooting in with a single leg, going behind with a waistlock, then being taken to the mat by an Angle throw. Lashley fires a couple of shots at Angle’s ribs, but Angle ducks a clothesline and German suplexes Lashley into next week, then goes through the same sequence a second time. Lashley maintains his composure and takes a long count before climbing back into the ring. Lashley ducks behind Angle with a schoolboy rollup for 2, then hammers Angle’s bad neck with elbows. Lashley charges in and gets caught with a waistlock and dumped with an overhead release suplex. Angle unloads on Lashley with right hands, but Lashley just powers Angle up over his shoulder and hits snake eyes for 2. Lashley puts the boots to Angle, and slowly begins to pick his opponent apart now that he has the advantage. Lashley chokes Angle on the second rope, and Angle tries to fight back, but Lashley plows him into the corner and crushes his ribs with a series of shoulderblocks. Lashley goes for a vertical suplex, but Angle fights his way out before getting creamed with a back elbow. Lashley with a series of forearms to the back of Angle’s neck and then he catches Angle in a rear chinlock. Angle breaks free and starts trading right hands with Lashley before ducking another wild swing and hitting more rolling German suplexes. Lashley fights out, pops Angle back up, and plants him with a running powerslam. He sets up for the spear, but Angle gets a knee up and goes for an Angle slam, has trouble getting him over, and completes the move but only gets 2. More rolling German suplexes by Angle, the straps come down, and Angle (who is now bleeding from his mouth) gets Lashley in the anklelock. Lashley is in the middle of the ring, but Lashley rolls through and reverses to a cross armbreaker. Angle clasps his hands to block the hold, but Lashley breaks Angle’s grasp and completes the hold. Angle isn’t near the ropes, but he manages to roll Lashley over and go back to the anklelock, spitting blood as he regains his footing. Lashley rolls forward and sends Angle crashing into the corner, and Angle charges back out and runs right into a spinebuster from Lashley. Lashley sets for the spear again, and this time he connects and makes a cover, but only gets 2. Lashley gets up with a look of determination on his face and sets for another spear, and connects again. Lashley makes another cover, but Angle once again kicks out at 2. Lashley has a look of disbelief on his face, but he sets up for yet a third spear…but Angle sidesteps and sends Lashley crashing into the corner. Angle rolls Lashley to the mat, gets the anklelock, and drops to the mat and grapevines the leg. Lashley is caught right in the middle of the ring, but he uses every ounce of strength in his body to drag himself toward the ropes. He starts to raise his hand to tap out, but keeps fighting, Angle drags Lashley back to the middle, Lashley kicks Angle off, Angle charges Lashley, Lashley dodges and sends Angle crashing into the corner, and Lashley quickly drills Angle with a third spear and covers him for the win.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
That was awesome, and a hell of a match for Angle to go out on. Lashley helps Angle to his feet and gives him a big hug as the crowd chants its thanks to Angle. Lashley raises Angle’s hand to the crowd, then lays him out with a big right hand. Lashley flattens a dazed Angle with a fourth spear, then LAUNCHES the referee out to the floor. Drew Galloway runs in to back Lashley off, then makes the classic mistake of turning his back to check on Angle, and Lashley drills him with a spear. Eddie Edwards runs in and gets speared, Lashley nails Angle with another spear. Ethan Carter III comes out and slowly walks down the ramp and into the ring to go face to face with Lashley. Lashley rolls out of the ring and strolls to the back with a big smile on his face as EC3 checks on Angle to close the show.
Source: PWInsider