TNA Flashback - 2008 Bound For Glory: Samoa Joe vs. Sting for the TNA Title, Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle with Mick Foley as special referee, Christian Cage vs. Booker T vs. A.J. Styles

The following is a flashback of Jason Powell's "Live Coverage" review of the Oct. 12, 2008 TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view. Join Chris Shore on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. CT for his coverage of the TNA BFG Special at 6:00 p.m. CT, and I will be covering the actual BFG pay-per-view beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Dot Net Members can look forward to our exclusive audio review of the show. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via Prowrestling.net/amember/signup.php.

Live from Chicago, Ill.
At Sears Centre

The show opened with a black and white video that combined mixed clips from the mobster-themed commercial and from Impact with the Smashing Pumpkins song playing in the background... Mike Tenay and Don West introduced the show as various shots aired from inside the arena. Fireworks exploded on the stage...

Powell's POV: The building looks great on television. It looks like a large and lively crowd.

1. Jay Lethal won the X Division Steel Asylum match in 12:00. The participants are Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal, Curry Man, Sonjay Dutt, Jimmy Rave, Johnny Devine, Petey Williams, Shark Boy, Super Eric. The goal of the match is to escape the top of the cage. The referee is at the top of the cage wearing a harness of some type.

Rapid fire high spots. The live crowd loved it and a big "TNA" chant broke out during the match. At 11:00, Curry made the first serious move toward the opening at the top of the cage, but he lost his grip and fell to the mat. Moments later, Lethal beat Sonjay to the top of the cage and climbed through the opening to win the match.

Powell's POV: Wild match and a fun train wreck opener. No one really stood out because there was so much going on. That's not a complaint because this was a strong opener, just an observation. It's worth noting that the hot rumor amongst the wrestlers backstage at the last Impact tapings was that Johnny Devine had asked for his release. He looks more muscular than he was the last time he appeared on television.

The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup at ringside while the crew took down the Steel Asylum cage...

Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed Jim Cornette, who spoke about how excited he is about this pay-per-view. Mick Foley entered the room and Cornette greeted him with a big hug. Cornette gave Foley his seat behind the desk and thanked him for his involvement. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky entered the room and threw a fit. When they left the room, Borash and Foley slapped hands as Foley said, "High Five" while using Borat's voice...

A video aired on the Bimbo Brawl...

2. ODB and Rhaka Khan and Rhino defeated Angelina Love and Velvet Sky and Cute Kip in 6:15. Traci Brooks was introduced as the special ref. She ran out and shook her ass just like Earl Hebner would (or something like that). Tenay said if there is a city than can relate to One Dirty Bitch, it's West's hometown of Chicago. By the way, drink whenever you hear Tenay mention that they're in West's hometown.

Rhino ran out and hugged Detroit Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson, who is sitting in the front row with a VIP sticker on his shirt. Rhino tagged in early and arm dragged Velvet. He set up for the gore, but Kip ran in and pushed her out of the way. Kip appeared to use this spot as an excuse to touch Velvet's ass. Can't blame the man.

Rhaka tagged in and went nose to nose with Kip, who reached out and grabbed her by the throat. She returned the favor, then grabbed his junk. No, he did not grab her junk. Later, Love locked ODB in a sleeper. The crowd chanted ODB's name. In the end, Kip went for the Fameasser, but Rhino gored him for the win.

Powell's POV: Sloppy and forgettable.

Backstage, Lauren interviewed Consequences Creed, who cut a promo about Prince Abdul Bashir, saying he should "love it or leave it"...

The announcers ran through "X Factors," which are bullet points about how Bashir won the title and how Creed earned the title shot...

3. Sheik Abdul Bashir defeated Consequences Creed to retain the X Division Title in 9:15. After Bashir was introduced, the ring announcer introduced Sgt. Daniel Casara, an Army soldier from Chicago who has endured 24 surgeries since being injured in combat. Casara delivered a patriotic introduction for Creed. Nice job by Casara.

Bashir took the mic and cut a promo in Arabic. "Oh, shut up," West said. The sneaky American Creed snuck in and attacked Bashir. "He just knocked him on his ass," said Tenay, who was yelling louder than usual for this match. Tenay calmed down and called the match. At 6:30, Creed went for a superkick, but Bashir appeared to be too close and took the kick in the gut.

At 7:45, Creed pressed Bashir over his head, fell back and put his knees up, and let Bashir fall onto them. Cool move. Creed went to the top rope, but Bashir caught him and hit a top rope huracanrana for a nearfall. A short time later, Creed picked up Bashir on his shoulders, but Bashir gouged his eyes. Bashir rolled up Creed and held the ropes for the pin.

Powell's POV: This was not a classic X Division match. It was horrible, but it was below my expectations for these two.

Backstage, Foley relived his Hell in a Cell match with Borash until Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed entered the room and demanded to see Cornette. Foley said Cornette left him in charge. Saeed screamed and then left the room. Foley said she needed a visit from Yurpo the Clown. Foley dialed the phone to call his clown friend in East Lansing, Michigan...

A video aired to hype the three-way Knockouts Title match...

4. Taylor Wilde defeated Roxxi and Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) in 5:15 to retain the TNA Knockouts Title. Slick Johnson wore his stupid little shorts to ref the match. The babyfaces went for a double dropkick and it wasn't pretty. At 2:20, Roxxi tossed Wilde to ringside and then backed into Kong. She flashed a horrified look. You know, like most hardcore wrestlers would. Ugh. Fortunately, she didn't back down and actually got the better of Kong briefly.

At 4:00, Kong hit the Implant Buster on a screaming Roxxi and went for a cover, but Wilde broke it up. Later, with Kong at ringside, Taylor suplexed Roxxi and bridged while pinning her...

Powell's POV: Too short. I'm not a fan of the outcome, but the match just felt like it was getting interesting when they went to the finish. Disappointing.

Backstage, A.J. Styles spoke to Mick Foley until Team 3D showed up. Styles and Team 3D bickered. Styles left the room. Foley complained that Brother Ray stole his flannel gimmick. "Hello, Cactus," Ray said. Mick called out Ray on how many times they brag about winning the tag titles. After Team 3D left the room, Jim Cornette showed up. Foley said he's going to be the "sock of the walk" when he referees the Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett match...

Powell's POV: These backstage skits make this feel more like a television show than a pay-per-view event.

A video hyped the tag title match...

5. Robert Roode and James Storm (w/Jacqueline) defeated LAX and Team 3D and Matt Morgan and Abyss in a Monster's Ball match to retain the TNA Tag Titles in 20:30. Steve "Mongo" McMichael is the special guest referee. James Storm walked out wearing the football helmet with the beer holders on each side. Homicide did a somersault through the ropes onto some of the heels. Hernandez followed up with a dive over the top. Big pop.

A short time later, Homicide pulled out a fork, jabbed it into Devon's head, and drew blood. Later, Brother Ray used a cheese grater on Abyss's forehead and then licked the side of the weapon a couple times. Ugh. Abyss bladed. A small ECW chant broke out. At 6:20, Roode had Ray pinned, but Mongo counted slow.

Abyss was in control of the match, but he became distracted when James Storm pulled out a bag of thumbtacks. Mongo took the tacks away even though it's a Monster's Ball. Beer Money protested. Storm put on his helmet and challenged Mongo. Storm snapped the ball to Roode. Mongo used a swim move to get by Storm and then clotheslined Roode.

Later, a loud "We want tables" chant broke out. Morgan dove off the top rope onto Beer Money and Hernandez at ringside. Tenay said his monitor was knocked out. At 11:15, Team 3D worked over Abyss with weapons. West said Abyss should fight fire with fire. Johnny Devine came out to deliver his monthly kendo stick shot.

At 12:45, Ray doused a table next to the stage with lighter fluid. Devine lit the kendo stick and used it to ignite the table. Team 3D threw Abyss off the stage and threw the burning table. He rolled off the table and the back of his outfit was on fire. A crew member used a fire extinguisher on Abyss, but a small piece of the suit was still on fire, so the man used the extinguisher again. Abyss rolled under the stage and disappeared.

Back in the ring, Hernandez powerbombed Storm and went for a cover. He had to call for Mongo, who counted slowly again. At 18:53, Ray did the "Get the tables" bit and the crowd, which was loving the match, chanted along, but Hernandez clotheslined them both.

Hernandez set up a table and then struggled to open the bag of tacks. He had to hand it to Mongo, who opened the bag and spread the tacks over the table. Team 3D recovered and hit 3D on Hernandez. However, Storm smashed a beer bottle over Devon's head, while Roode snuck in and pinned Hernandez. Storm had to tell Mongo to count and he took an eternity to finally make the three count...

Powell's POV: Wild stunt brawl. The live crowd loved it. It had some memorable spots and the fire spot was frightening. A well executed brawl. Mongo should never be asked to referee another match. Late World Class referee Bronco Lubich is looking down and saying, "Damn, those were slow counts."

A video hyped the three-way match between Christian, A.J. Styles, and Booker T...

6. Booker T (w/Sharmell) defeated Christian Cage and A.J. Styles in a three-way match in 13:10. Less than a minute into the match, Booker stopped Christian, "Are you with me?" They hugged, but Christian attacked Booker from behind. Cage went right after A.J. and wasn't showing his cards. At 2:00, Booker was standing in the ring and Cage was at ringside. Styles went to the top rope and surprised everyone by hitting a moonsault on Cage at ringside. Nice move.

Styles remained at ringside selling a move while Booker and Cage fought in the ring for the next few minutes. Styles returned and then Cage took a powder while A.J. fought with Booker. Styles caught Booker with an arm bar and then Cage returned to break it up, but Styles released the hold and kicked Cage.

Later, Booker performed the Spinaroonie, but Cage hit him with an elbow off the ropes when he stood up. Cage teased the Spinaroonie, but Styles recovered and used Cage as a springboard to dive onto Booker in the corner. At 12:00, Cage went for a cover, but Booker held the spaz wannabe wrestler referee and prevented him from counting the pin. He still got down there quicker than an undistracted Mongo would have, but it was too late.

Later, Cage hit the Unprettier on Styles. Booker followed up with the axe kick and pinned Cage. Afterward, Sharmell held up the mystery briefcase and celebrated with her man...

Powell's POV: Fun match with some good spots. It felt like it was too soon to reveal whether Cage is with the young guys or the veterans, so I'm not disappointed that they didn't deliver on that tease.

A video hyped the Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle match along with Mick Foley's role...

Backstage, Lauren interviewed Angle, who griped that he wouldn't be facing Jarrett in a true one-on-one match since Foley was at ringside to protect the founder of TNA. Angle said he will go through Foley to get to Jarrett. Angle told Jarrett's daughters that their "daddy will stop bleeding...eventually."

In another part of the backstage area, Borash asked Jarrett what would happen to everyone in the company if something happened to him during his match with Angle. Jarrett cried and talked about how he struggled to get up some mornings. He credited his daughters with giving him "the strength to be the man that I know I can be, and tonight I do it for them."

7. Jeff Jarrett defeated Kurt Angle with Mick Foley as the special enforcer in 19:30. Angle and Jarrett both had pyro for their entrances. Foley stood between them before the bell. He nodded and then headed to ringside. Rudy Charles was the actual referee. The live crowd chanted, "Thank you, Jeff" after the bell rang.

Angle took Jarrett down a few times to start the match. Foley watched from ringside. Angle caught Jarrett in a headlock. Jarrett used a hip toss and then a shoulder block for his first offensive moves. At 5:00, Jarrett dove over the top rope onto Angle at ringside and then whipped him into the guardrail.

Back in the ring, Angle locked in another headlock. Later, Angle clotheslined Jarrett and went for a cover. Jarrett did his lazy bit where he lifts his arm rather than kick out. At 10:15, Angle charged Jarrett in the corner. Jarrett moved and Angle rammed the ring post with his shoulder. West said it appeared Jarrett was gaining momentum and wasn't slowing down like he worried he would following the long layoff.

At 12:30, Jarrett went for the superplex. Angle stopped him momentarily and teased a belly-to-belly, but Jarrett raked his eyes and hit the superplex for a nearfall. A minute later, Jarrett locked in the figure four, but Angle eventually reached the ropes. Kurt caught Jarrett in the ankle lock, but Jarrett rolled out of it. Kurt followed up with the Angle Slam for a really nice nearfall.

At 17:00, Angle charged at Jarrett, who ducked and then Angle wound up running into the referee. Jarrett hit the Stroke. Foley entered the ring for another really good nearfall. Angle rolled to ringside and grabbed a chair. Foley followed and said he wouldn't let Angle use the chair. Angle nailed Foley with a sick chairshot to the head.

Angle climbed back inside the ring and nailed Jarrett with a chair. Kurt woke up the referee and went for a cover, but Foley recovered at ringside and pulled the referee out before he could make the three count. Foley entered the ring, pulled out the sock, and applied the Mandible Claw on Kurt. Jarrett pulled out his guitar and hit Angle with it. Jarrett went for the cover and Foley made the three count. Tenay called out Jarrett's daughters by name and said the match was dedicated to them...

Powell's POV: Really nice match with good, suspenseful nearfalls. Tenay and West were both great. They set the emotional tone and reacted well to each and every nearfall. West did a nice job of talking about Jarrett's layoff and expressing concern that he would wear out as the match went on. They were cheerleaders in this match, but they should have been in this case given the circumstances. A very entertaining match that lived up to the hype.

A Samoa Joe and Sting video aired... A shot aired of Joe walking backstage and brief Joe video aired before he made his entrance... Jeremy Borash handled the in-ring championship intros...

Powell's POV: Plenty of cheers for both wrestlers as they made their ring entrances. I enjoy the TNA in-ring intros so much more than WWE's. Borash calls them well and he dresses the part

8. Sting defeated Samoa Joe to win the TNA Title in 17:10. Earl Hebner is the referee. Sting landed a flurry early, but Joe took control of the match quickly. Joe dumped Sting to ringside and then hit a suicide dive. They brawled into the crowd and up the stairs with Hebner following.

Joe went onto the second level and jumped over the guardrail and caught Sting with a kick to the face several feet below. Awesome move. Joe looked relieved that he pulled it off and was still in one piece. A true "holy shit" moment. They took the fight back down the steps and back onto the main floor, where Sting took control of the brawl. Joe regained control eventually as the brawl continued in the crowd at 6:30.

They finally rolled back inside the ring. A "Joe is gonna kill you" chant broke out followed by boos from other fans. Joe held up his arms and played to the crowd and received a mixed reaction. By the way, Joe's towel is hanging in one corner and Sting's bat is lying across the ring in the opposite corner.

At 11:15, Sting, who looked really gassed, hit a Muscle Buster on Joe, who stood right up and no-sold the move. Joe slapped Sting across the face twice and hit the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting popped right up, no-sold the move, and shook his head. Joe turned around and looked surprised.

At 12:30, Sting hit two Stinger Splashes. He went for a third, but Joe reached out and slammed him to the mat. There were more boos than cheers for Joe at this point. At 14:00, Joe caught Sting with a kick to the face as he was trying to stand up. Joe raised his hand in a cocky manner and the crowd booed. Hebner checked on Sting to see if he was knocked out. Tenay said Joe's goal is to beat him so badly that he can't get up.

At 14:45, Kevin Nash walked to ringside, walked all the way around the ring, and stood behind the fallen Sting while Joe argued with Hebner. At 16:00, Sting went for his bat, but Nash pulled it away and shook his head no. Nash stood on the floor with the bat. A short time later, Nash struck Joe with the bat. Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and scored the pin. The bulk of the live crowd cheered the title change. Sting stood on the second rope and raised the belt above his head with a smile on his face to end the show...

Powell's POV: No! This was an entertaining match, but I cringed the moment I saw Nash to ringside. TNA has to know that their version of WrestleMania should not conclude with outside interference. Too bad. My guess is that they're going to rush into Sting vs. Jarrett.