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TNA EPICS DEBUT EPISODE TV REPORT FROM GREAT BRITAIN

TNA Epics started in a way that should immediately hook any wrestling fan. It showed Elix Skipper finding his balance on top of a Six Sides of Steel Cage before walking one of the thin ledges and hitting a huracanrana on Chris Harris off the top of the cage. This, one of the most memorable and historic moments in TNA, is a great way to kick off this new series.

Epics follows a simple format, with Mick Foley as it's host, each week it showcases three of the best matches in the seven year history of TNA. This weeks show revolves around the theme of cage matches. Mick Foley introduced us to the first match from Turning Point 2004: AMW vs. Triple X in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match in which the losing team must disband.

This is one of the defining matches in the history of TNA. It had everything. Daniels, Chris Harris and Storm were all busted open and Daniels bled pretty heavily. This match was the culmination of a very long feud in TNA between Triple X and AMW. Triple X managed to handcuff Harris to the ropes in the corner and they double teamed Storm. Eventually Storm managed to unlock Harris and the match picked up big time from here. Harris makes a big comeback on Triple X. Storm dumps Skipper into the cage with a elevated inverted DDT. Skipper takes a Powerbomb form the top. Daniels hits the Angels Wings on Harris.

They then set up for the Elix Skipper cage walk. If you've never seen this you have to watch Epics if only to just see the cage walk. Daniels hits an elbow off the top of the cage as the crowd chant 'That is Awesome'. Daniels gets the worst of a Tower of Doom spot in the corner. Skipper and Harris trade finisher attempts before both hitting each other into the cage. Crowd are chanting 'Best Match Ever' now. Harris manages to handcuff Daniels in the corner and Storm nails Skipper with a superkick. They hit Triple X's own Powerplex on Skipper for the win in an amazing match. This is a must see.

Foley puts over the Skipper hurancanrana before introducing the next match: AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels vs. LAX for the TNA World Tag Team Championships in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match at Bound For Glory 2006.

Match starts with a combination of brawling from LAX and good wrestling form Styles and Daniels. Homicide pulled out a fork and stabbed the head of Daniels, busting him open. Homicide spat tequila in Daniels face. Hernandez is just so convincing when throwing people around as he hit a Crackerjack and Spinning Sitout Powerbomb during the match. Tower of Doom took out Homicide and Daniels while Styles came off the top of the cage with a fantastic crossbody on Hernandez. Hernandez then missed a splash off the top of the cage. Konnan choked  Daniels with a clothes hanger in the corner as Homicide hit Styles with a Gringo Killer to win the titles. Another really great match.

Foley acted frightened after the match and hid behind his hands before talking about Hernandez coming off the cage. The last match was from the TNA iMPACT! 2 hour prime time special in 2006. Christian Cage faced Rhino in a barbed wire Six Sides of Steel Cage match. While this match wasn't as long as the other two, it was still pretty good. It started with some brawling from Rhino before skipping a little into the match. (presumably due to the ad break as this was on TV and not PPV). We came back with Cage bleeding heavily as he hit a top rope Unprettier on Rhino. Rhino hit a big TKO onto two chair that looked like it hurt. Christian won when Rhino Gored him through the cage door as the door flew off.

Mick Foley thanked us for watching and the show came to an end.

Closing Thought: While Foley was good as a host, it was good that the focus of the show was on the wrestling. Foley was only there to add credibility to the show as host. All matches were shown in full with the exception of the ad breaks included. The first match was exceptional, the second was excellent and the third a pretty darn good match. Overall, this was a really good show that would increase any wrestling fans interest in TNA.