TNA Live Event: Pikeville KY, 4/1/11

[Kenny Powers]

Its a little late, but I thought I would share my recent TNA live experience. Don West did his bit selling merchandise and JB came out to "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N Roses to start the show.


1. Eric Young w/ Orlando Jordan def. Robbie E w/ Cookie: EY and OJ came out to AC/DC's TNT. Robbie E came out to a techno song that was different from his original TNA music. A basic comedy match with the ref fist busting with Robbie E and even Eric Young. Robbie E was cheered until he said that if he won no one would go backstage, Young stated if he won everyone would go backstage. Eric Young eventually got the pin after a suplex, with Orlando Jordan coming in spanking Cookie. Good reaction for Young and Jordan. **

2. Velvet Sky def. Tara: Earl Hebner came out to Man in the Box by Alice in Chains. Hebner was dancing around acting like Bret Hart wearing his t-shirt that said he screwed Bret. Velvet and Tara rolled over him a couple of times. Velvet smacked her ass a couple of times for the crowd and actually took pictures before the event. She got the roll up on Tara for the win. **

3. Matt Morgan def. Hernandez: Hernandez came out cutting his heel Mexican promo about Mexicans taking Americans money and women. Morgan eventually got the big boot for the win after taking a beating from Hernandez. **1/2

4. Beer Money def. Ink Inc.: Ink Inc. received major heat for holding up a "No Hilltop Removal" sign. Which is a heat magnet just like calling people form Kentucky rednecks and the Kentucky Wildcats losers. It's cheap heat but works. Beer Money were heavily cheered while Ink Inc. played to the crowd about how they were "tree huggers'. James Storm got the pin on Moore after the spinebuster.***

Intermission*****

5. Mr. Anderson def. Matt Hardy: Hardy and Anderson received huge pops . I think a lot of people were expecting to see Jeff Hardy since he was advertised a month in advance. Sorry kids. Anderson had Jeremy Borash stand on a chair and drop a regular microphone to him like his usual mic. Anderson asked if there were any assholes in the building. There were. Anderson hit the mic check and shook Hardy's hand only to give him another mic check. ***

6. Kurt Angle def. Jeff Jarrett w/ special enforcer Mick Foley: This was the main reason for me to attend to see Foley live. I have seen him before, but never in a close setting like this before. Jarrett "sent a text" to JB that said a bunch of nasty things to people from Eastern Kentucky and how the Kentucky Wildcats were going to lose. They did. Foley talked about the history he had in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee with Jim Cornette and the Rock N Roll Express in Smokey Mountain Wrestling in the 90s. Jarrett came out to interupt him. The ref was knocked out halfway through the match and Foley came in. He pulled out Mr. Socko on Jarrett and Angle set him up for the Angle slam for the win. Foley and Angle celebrated and took pictures in the ring after the show. ***

A fun show for everyone. Even people that had no idea what TNA was or who the wrestlers were had a good time. A much bigger crowd this time then last year. A more enjoyable experience overall, mostly because of Foley. No real classic technical wrestling matches, but entertaining nonetheless. Jarrett stayed after to sign autographs and talk with the fans. I was surprised to know how much Jarrett knew about my hometown. Someone definitely did their homework.

Biggest Pops: Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, Matt Hardy and Mr. Anderson (tied), Beer Money
Biggest Heat: Jeff Jarrett, Ink Inc, Hernandez, Robbie E and Cookie.

 

[wrestlemaniac]

Happy to hear you had a good experience. Last year when tna was here (over a year ago) the venue was packed. everyone had a good time. Jarrett is a pretty cool guy. TNA spends alot of time w their fans. Cant wait for them to come back to town. Hopefully you got to take pics and get autographs. When I went I stayed after the show as many others to get some. I missed joe and desmond. Also had missed RVD because of security guard. If you're old enough, one might even drink w you. wgo else can say they had a drink w kurt angle

 

[Foshinzo]

I was wondering how the Expo Center would fare with wrestling, and it sounds like it did well; that's good to hear.

I tried to get a lot people to go with me, even though I don't really watch a lot of TNA, and now I kind of wish I had pushed harder. It also sounds great that Foley spoke warmly about Eastern Kentucky. As a native of Eastern KY, it's nice to hear a big star compliment our area.

I don't really have a lot else to say, I guess. Lol.
Glad you had a good time. It's actually nice to see someone come away from a TNA show and not be disappointed. I rag on TNA just as much as everyone else, but I really do want to see it succeed.

 

[Baximus]

Any estimate on the size of the crowd? I ask because TNA apparently heavily considered doing a double Impact taping from Pikeville after the success in Fayetteville and I imagine that would have only added to the turnout.

If TNA drew, for example, 3000 people, then it stands to reason that Impact might have pushed 4k.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I'm not sure exactly how many people were there, but it was much more this year then last year. It wasn't a sell out since the Expo Center usually seats between 10 to 15,000 people. There were about 2,000 give or take. Maybe a little less. There was a huge line just to get in the building which I didn't see last year.

I'm sure most people were there just to see some wrestling since most people had no idea who or what TNA was. There were a lot of kids there dressed up as The Hardy Boys. I saw a lot more TNA shirts this time then last time.

The crowd was good. They cheered everyone until they found out who was heel and face. I was surprised at the reaction Eric Young and Matt Hardy received. The Atlas security guards were pricks, but I guess that is the name of the game. They even yelled at Tara for signing autographs after the show when Velvet Sky was signing them. Don't want to break kayfabe I guess.