Check back tonight for our live coverage of the 2009 TNA Victory Road pay-per-view.

Live from Houston, Tex.
At Reliant Arena

A JFK and rocket themed video opened the show... Mike Tenay and Don West introduced the show as the cameras showed shots of the live crowd. The fans are making noise, but the building doesn't seemed to be mic'd well again this month... Outside the building, Jeremy Borash told viewers they could vote for the stipulation in the six-man tag match...

Lauren and B.G. James stood in the crowd and hyped the show. She didn't say much. James yelled about some of the pay-per-view matches... They showed the standings for the World X Cup match with Team Mexico and Team TNA tied with three points, while Team Japan and Team International were tied with two points...

1. The Motor City Machine Guns and Curry Man (Team TNA) defeated Doug Williams and Alex Kozlov and Tyson Dux (Team International) and Milano Collection A.T. and Masato Yoshino and Puma (Team Japan) and Ultimo Guerrero and Rey Bucanero and Averno (Team Mexico) in a World X Cup elimination match in 24:14. Bucanero pinned Dux for the first elimination. Averno pinned Puma for the second elimination at 5:00. The Machine Guns teamed up to eliminate Milano Collection A.T. at 7:20.

Yoshino, the last entrant for Team Japan, pinned Averno to eliminate him from the match. Guerrero pinned Curry Man at 12:50. Bucanero pinned Williams at 12:20. Kozlov finished off Guerrero via submission. The Machine Guns teamed up to eliminate Guerrero, which eliminated Team Mexico from the match at 16:30.

The match came down to the Guns vs. Kozlov vs. Yoshino. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome," at 18:00. Kozlov used the ropes (or at least tried to) for leverage as he pinned Chris Sabin at 19:15. Yoshino forced Kozlov to tap at 20:30, leaving Yoshino and Shelley as the last two entrants. After a series of nearfalls, Shelly pinned Yoshino.

Powell's POV: Mega spot-fest. Lots of fun. This is exactly the type of match that TNA management doesn't want its X Division wrestlers to work on a regular basis, but the live crowd loved it. Yoshino stood out because his teammates were eliminated so early and he hung around until the end. Great opener that brought back memories of the old cruiserweight train wreck matches that opened WCW shows.

At ringside, West and Tenay ran through the pay-per-view lineup. The graphics looked low budget even by TNA standards...

The first part of Booker T's homecoming video aired. It was similar to MTV's "Cribs," as Booker led cameras on a tour of his house. He was in character and it was very funny. He showed off his key to the city. "Does Samoa Joe have one of those?" he asked. "No." Sharmell made her first TNA appearance in a while, as she showed up and gave him a kiss. Great pad.

Booker even had his own wine, including one that was produced when he was five years-old. "Samoa Joe, do you have your own brand?" He showed off his giant tour bus and his hummer, and promised a tour of his wrestling schoolf or later in the show...

Powell's POV: They have to find a reason to replay this on Impact. Booker was great.

A Gail Kim and Angelina Love video aired...

2. Gail Kim pinned Angelina Love (w/Velvet Sky) in 6:03. Sky got involved early by breaking up Kim's attempted figure-four around the ringpost. Love's top came undone, but she had a sports bra underneath. Kim scored the clean pin. Sky attacked Kim after the match. The Beautiful People tried to put a brown paper bag over Kim's head, but she rolled out of the ring.

Powell's POV: Disappointing match. I expected more from these two. I was also hoping the creative team was going to do more to give Love some in-ring credibility. She was very distracted after the wardrobe malfunction, though.

Backstage, Lauren introduced B.G., who stood by and narrated while a group of fans whipped two mannequins dressed in James Storm and Robert Roode outfits... A video recapped the Sonay Dutt and Jay Lethal feud...

3. Sonjay Dutt beat Jay Lethal (w/SoCal Val) at 8:30. Sonjay is wearing a doo-rag on his head. The doo-rag started coming off about five minutes in. He adjusted it at ringside, but then it came off completely a few seconds later. Lethal took control of the match and was roughing up Sonjay at ringside. "Help me, Val," Sonjay begged.

As Lethal and Dutt battled back inside the ring, she climbed onto the ring apron. Lethal ordered her to get back down to ringside. She obeyed. Moments later, Sonjay crawled over and told Val that he loves her. She climbed back onto the ring apron and Lethal walked over to talk to her. Sonjay took advantage of the distraction by rolling up Lethal and using the ropes for leverage while scoring the pin...

Powell's POV: Um, Jay, you could always leave her backstage. The match was decent. Below my expectations, but still entertaining. I like the finish even though it's the second rope leverage pin we've seen tonight.

Backstage, Borash interviewed Storm and Roode (a/k/a Beer Money) while Jacqueline stood by. Roode and Storm threatened to beat up the fans. Jackie said she wouldn't go to ringside because the fans had belts...

Powell's POV: I didn't like the way they focussed on the fans rather than winning the tag titles. Storm kind of mentioned the belts in passing, but it was all about their disdain for the "marks at ringside"...

4. LAX (w/Hector Guerrero, Salinas) defeated Robert Roode and James Storm in a fans' revenge match to retain the TNA Tag Titles at 9:40. Before the match, Tenay ran through the names of the 12 fans who are ringside with the straps. Roode took the first whipping at ringside less than a minute into the match. He rushed back inside the ring and hugged his partner. A few second later, Storm tossed Homicide to ringside. The fans just stood there. He grabbed Storm's beer, took a swig, and shared it with one of the strap-holding fans.

At 8:45, Hernandez performed a top rope splash on Roode, but Storm broke up the pin attempt. Still impressive for a man his size. Less than a minute later, Hernandez hoisted Roode onto his shoulders and Hernandez performed a Gringo Cutter off the top rope for the win...

Powell's POV: Not much heat for this match. The fans at ringside didn't add much beyond the first whipping each heel took. Then again, they served more of a purpose than Hector and Salinas did. Nothing memorable about this match.

A video showed Booker T at his training center. WWE should be jealous because I'm fairly certain that Booker's school has running water and air conditioning. The students put over Booker...

Powell's POV: This wasn't nearly as good as the first video. This one felt like an excuse to show the inside of Booker's school...

5. Taylor Wilde pinned Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) to retain the TNA Knockouts Title in 5:00. Kong attacked Taylor from behind to start the match. Kong locked Wilde in a chin lock early and the announcers did a really nice job of putting the move over as a painful submission move. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like the live crowd bought it.

Taylor caught Kong on the ropes and then armdragged her onto the mat. Cool spot and a big bump from Kong. Taylor went for the cover, but Kong kicked out and Taylor overacted as she tried to sell Kong kicking out of the move. A short time later, Kong went for a chokeslam, but Taylor rolled her up and scored the pin. Afterward, Saeed attacked Taylor at ringside and threw her back inside the ring, where Kong roughed her up.

Kong went to powerbomb Taylor onto a chair, but Abyss's music played and he walked to the ring to confront Kong. Kong didn't back down. Abyss raised his hand for a chokeslam, but Saeed jumped between them and talked Kong into leave the ring. Saeed remained in the ring and slapped Abyss. He laughed and then hit the Black Hole Slam on Saeed. Tenay said Jim Cornette wasn't at the show, but wouldn't be happy once he got the memo. Abyss carried Taylor to the back...

Powell's POV: Get the memo? It's bad enough that Cornette isn't at the show, but now Tenay is implying that he's not even watching the pay-per-view? Not good, Mike. The match was fine. I'm just not sold on Taylor and I think they may have given the big Kong win to the wrong person. Only time will tell, though.

The third part of Booker's video aired. He was at his restaurant and bragging himself up. Footage aired of Booker telling one of the employees to keep the portions small and to make as much money as possible. Funny... An Ultimate X video aired...

At ringside, Tenay and West killed time while they set up the Ultimate X structure. They flashed the X Cup standings (Team TNA six points, Team Japan four points, Team International and Team Mexico three points each). Tenay said the X Cup winner came down to the Ultimate X match. Shocking how that works...

6. Volador Jr. defeated Kaz and Daivari and Naruki Doi in an Ultimate X match in the World X Cup Finals. Tenay said Volador was making his TNA debut in this match. Ringer! Daivari worked over Kaz's arm early, and West sold it by saying that he was targeting the arm to prevent Kaz from climbing. Kaz sold it moments later by trying to climb the ropes and falling flat on his face because he couldn't hold himself up.

Some insane spots in this one. The craziest came at the end when Daivari was climbing the ropes toward the center of the X. Kaz jumped from the top of the scaffolding and performed a leg drop on Daivari. Amazing spot. With the other wrestlers down, Volador Jr. climbed to the enter and retrieved the X to win the match for his team...

After the match, Tenay interviewed two of the Team Mexico winners in the ring while the entire squad celebrated with the World X Cup trophy. They spoke in Spanish and finished their promos with "Viva La Raza." I think the live crowd booed, but it was hard to tell because they are mic'd so poorly...

Powell's POV: Wild match. A lot of fun. I wish they would have given them a few more minutes. Never a dull moment. The Kaz and Daivari spot was amazing.

Another Booker video aired from his golf course. He showed off his "Booker tee." Booker hammed it up again and bragged in the clubhouse about the party he was going to throw when he beats Joe for the TNA Title...

Powell's POV: These segments really should have aired on Impact. They're entertaining and all, but they could have sold the match and helped established Booker's character.

Frank Trigg joined the announcers on commentary for the six-man tag match... A video hyped the match... In the ring, Jeremy Borash announced that the fans voted for full metal mayhem, which means tables, ladders, chairs, and chains will be legal...

7. Kurt Angle and Team 3D pinned A.J. Styles and Christian Cage and Rhino in a full metal mayhem match in 18:00. Angle attacked Styles at ringside before he even reached the ring to start the match. At 5:45, Christian climbed to the top of the Ultimate X scaffolding and dove onto all three heels. Later, Trigg laughed when Team 3D put Rhino through a table in the ring. Trigg played a heel commentator role throughout the match.

Christian took a 3D off the ring apron and through a table at ringside around 10:00. Later, Johnny Devine (he's still around?) ran in and tried to attack Styles, but he was greeted with a Pele Kick. Styles pointed at Trigg for no good reason. Angle hit him with the Olympic Slam for a nearfall. Strange spot. The ring was litter with tables and ladders when Angle pushed referee Earl Hebner over one the tables that was lying on its top. Hebner fell to the ground and clutched his ankle.

A.J. placed Styles on a table and then started to climb a ladder. "Enough of this crap," Trigg said. Trigg grab Devine's kendo stick and hit Styles with it. Angle recovered, climbed the ladder, and performed the Olympic Slam off the middle of the ladder and through a table on Styles for the win...

Powell's POV: The cameramen paid too much attention to Trigg during the match and he was such a heel on commentary that it probably gave away the finish to some viewers. That being said, this was a fun brawl. Much better six-man than I expected. I stand corrected. This is one stipulation that added something to a TNA pay-per-view. They made the most of the tables, ladders, and chairs, er, full metal mayhem gimmick.

Backstage, Borash interviewed Samoa Joe, who yelled a lot. Kevin Nash showed up to wish Booker luck and said he's in his corner. Joe didn't shake his hand. However, he said he believes that Nash is in his corner. He said if he really is in his corner, he'll stay backstage no matter what goes down in the ring. They shook hands and Nash said he would stay backstage if that's what it takes to prove to Joe that he's really in his corner...

A Booker T video aired... Booker T received a lot of hometown cheers during his entrance. Sharmell was seated at ringside and cheered for Booker. A shot aired of Joe walking backstage. A short video played for Joe aired and then he made his entrance... Borash introduced both wrestlers in the ring. Lots of boos for Joe...

8. Booker T beat Samoa Joe when his wife made the three count in a TNA Title match in 18:00. Brief staredown. The crowd chanted "Booker T" to start the match and a shot aired of Sharmell cheering along with them. Joe controlled the early action and the fans chanted, "Let's go, Booker, let's go." Fun atmosphere.

The brawled to ringside early and exchanged some punches and chops. Booker whipped Joe into the ring steps and he came up bleeding from the head. Booker took the match back inside the ring and controlled the offense until Joe hit a nice power slam at 9:00. They showed repeated shots of Sharmell in the crowd. She did a hell of job of reacting to every little thing they did.

Joe took the match back to ringside and chopped Booker a couple times near Sharmell's section. He sat Booker on a chair and then delivered a running kick. Joe rammed Booker into the guardrail. Sharmell grabbed his arm and pleaded with him to stop. He pulled away she slapped him. Joe attacked the two men who were with Sharmell. The announcers referred to them as bodyguards, but I could have sworn they were students featured in the video footage taken at Booker's school.

With one ref bumped, Slick Johnson ran out in his silly little shorts. Joe attacked both refs. Security guards ran in and Joe beat them up too. Sharmell entered the ring and pleaded with Booker again. "Somebody help," she pleaded. Booker was out. Joe locked him in a submission hold. Sharmell continued to plead for someone to help.

Sting walked to ringside. Joe looked down at him from the ring. Sting said something to Joe and he walked away and beat up Booker. Joe walked back toward Sting, who told him he made his point and enough was enough. Sting left and Joe slowly followed. Then he turned around and headed back to the ring. Joe attacked Booker again.

Sting returned to the ring and got in Joe's face. "You made your point." Joe flipped him off and said, "Fuck you." Great moment. Joe went back to Booker, but Sting spun him around and jabbed the baseball bat into Joe's gut and then slammed him over the head. Booker recovered and rolled on top of Joe. Sharmell slowly counted to three. West said her count doesn't mean anything.

Sharmell and Booker rolled out of the ring together. Booker took the title from the announcers' table and walked to the back with Sharmell. Sting left the ring and looked back at Joe, who was still lying in the ring. "How the hell can Booker T be TNA Champion," Mike Tenay asked to close out the live broadcast...

Powell's POV: Odd finish. Does this mean Joe turned heel? Where does this leave Booker? One can only assume that Joe will get his belt back once Jim Cornette "gets the memo" about this show. Overall, an entertaining show despite the lack of a definitive finish to the main event. Joe showed an edge that's been missing during that main event.

Check back tonight for our live coverage of the 2009 TNA Victory Road pay-per-view.

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