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TNA champion Sting vs. Rhino
They had Jeremy Borash doing the introductions. Rhino attacked Sting as he hit the ring. They went right to the floor with Sting being whipped into the guard rail. Sting avoided a charge and tossed Rhino into the rail. He slammed Rhino's head into the announcer's table.
They returned to the ring where Sting continued working over Rhino. He put Rhino on the turnbuckles, then shoved him over the top to the floor. Rhino made his way back to the ring, where Sting continued stomping him, then locked on a bear hug. Sting whipped him into the ropes but Rhino came back with a leaping clothesline.
Rhino nailed Sting with a shoulderblock in the corner for a two count. Rhino nailed the gore, so Sting rolled out to the floor to save himself. Sting came back and locked on the Scorpion but Rhino escaped. Rhino evaded the Gore. Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and got the pin.
Your winner and still TNA champ Sting!
The crowd took to Sting as a babyface. Really disappointing in my opinion. Nothing clicked and it couldn't follow the last match at all.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Brother Devon, Mick Foley and AJ Styles. Borash noted how bad the Frontline has been beaten in the last few weeks. Styles asked if Borash was giving up on them already. He said they liked being the underdogs and worked well under pressure. Styles said that no matter how many times they get knocked down, they will get up. Styles dedicated the match to the "injured" Samoa Joe and his newborn son. Devon said he doesn't need to scream and yell. He said Brother Ray isn't his friend, but his brother. He spoke to Ray earlier and promised they would take care of business and they would take that partner. Foley then cut a good promo asking which Mick Foley was going to show up, the sensitive one or the hardcore monster that's been involved in some of the craziest matches of all time. Channeling Clint Eastwood, Foley asked the Main Event Mafia if they felt lucky.
Booker T & Scott Steiner & ? (with Sharmell) vs. Mick Foley & AJ Styles & Brother Devon
Steiner and Booker came out and announced Cute Kip was the substitute. I know this was a last minute issue, but you have to be f**** kidding me on that one. Like, wow, seriously? Kip took the mic and said he was a Hardcore champion, an Intercontinental champ and a 10 time Tag Team champion. He's suddenly Kip James now.
All six brawled to start. Foley hit a clothesline over the top Kip. Foley teased the elbow to the floor but Kip ran off. The crowd chanted, "We want Angle."
Styles and Kip started the official bout. Styles used his agility to thwart Kip and hit a dropkick. Kip backed off and tagged out to Booker. Devon tagged in and worked over Booker with punches in the corner. Devon whipped Booker into the ropes but Booker put on the brakes and kicked him in the chest.
Foley tagged in and hit a running kneelift on Booker for a two count. Styles tagged back in but was cut off with a palm thrust to the face. Booker and Kip worked over Styles. Styles rolled up Kip for a two count but was nailed with a boot to the face. Steiner tagged in and kicked Styles in the face. Steiner nailed a clothesline, then an elbow.
Booker tagged in and maintained control on Styles, who came back with a Pele Kick, catching Booker glancingly. Kip tagged in and went for the Famouser but Styles moved and hit another Pele. Styles made the tag to Foley who began working over Kip in the corner. As he turned, Steiner nailed him.
Steiner turned his attention to Devon, going to the floor where they brawled. Steiner whipped Devon into the railing several times.
The referee counted everyone out of the ring. Yes, it's a double countout.
"Not quite so fast!"
Jim Cornette came out and said he's been coming to Charlotte for 25 years and "we don't do things like that down here." Cornette ordered the match restarted. Booker took the mic and says that he doesn't have the authority to do that and declares the match over. Foley took the mic and told Cornette he doesn't have the authority to restart the match, but as the Executive Shareholder, he has the right to re-start it...under Hardcore Rules.
All six bawled all over the floor. All the trademark hardcore weapons came out from under the ring. Styles punted a trash can into Booker. They all brawled with weapons. Foley told Devon to get the tables. Foley teased an elbow off the announcing table through Kip but Booker hit a low blow. Styles did a springboard frog splash through the table on Kip. That was awesome.
Inside the ring, Steiner and Devon battled on the top. Devon fought him off, then hit a diving headbutt. Booker returned to the ring and hit the Axe Kick. Foley pulled out the Sock we dare not name and hit Booker with the Mandible Claw. Steiner nailed Foley with a trash can Booker and Steiner tried to set up Foley with a chair. Foley avoided an Axe Kick and nailed Booker with a chair. He hit a double arm DDT on Steiner and scored the pin.
Your winners, Mick Foley & AJ Styles & Brother Devon!
OK main event. They had to put someone in so I guess Kip was the best of the available choices. He did work as hard as you would expect of him. The match was OK until they did the re-start, which I thought came off well. It didn't seem like Foley had much in the tank as he didn't do any of the big signature spots but he really should save them for the first singles match against Angle. Styles was on fire tonight.
There were some really good matches tonight but due to injuries, it came across like one of those shows the company just had to get through and move on from. Angle vs. Jarrett, The X-Division title bout and the opener were my favorite matches.
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