January 2009

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This rivalry between Kong and Kim helped establish the new Knockouts division, and this is the best match from their feud that I have seen. It’s a solid, satisfying watch. Of course, this is also TNA, so after meeting in a title match with a stipulation, these two wrestled AGAIN on the subsequent episode of TV, where Kong won the title after interference from her new manager. Why not do that here, especially since Tenay explicitly mentions “an associate” of Kong’s being in attendance for the pay-per-view? Check out my full review of this match, one of the entries in my 365 Wrestling project.

I thought this was fantastic. This is the final of the B-Rule tournament. I believe the rules of this tournament are straight up matches with a minimum of 5 rope breaks per match with a 10 minute time limit. The person who uses the most rope breaks, is down on the scorecard and thus if the match goes to a time limit draw, then that person loses. Not sure what Yano's background is aside from having been trained by Yuki Ishikawa and having attended a Tom Pritchard training camp in the US, but he is a master manipulator of the rules in this match and he knows he won't be able to submit Otsuka outright and he has to avoid any of Otsuka's big throws, so his strategy is to get …

Alex Shelley vs Chris Sabin - TNA Genesis 2009 Vacant X Division Championship Very innovative layout for an American match no classical heat segment or comeback. To my surprise, I thought these two made it work and they put on a terrific match. It was an interesting blend of lucha, NOAH juniors and American Indy wrestling. I am not a proponent that this style become the norm, but if one wanted to live in a post-babyface/heel world I would say this is the blueprint to make it work. I always think it is funny when people say there are not babyfaces and heels anymore in wrestling. If that was the case, there would not be heat segments and comebacks. Yet every match on t…

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The tag titles are on the line here. CHIKARA is an acquired taste that some find too goofy, but this is a good tag match with some big spots, solid control segment by the Portal and the biggest move in the match ends it. It's one fall to a finish unlike the usual two out of three falls format for title matches, and this adds to the sense of urgency. Check out my full review, part of the 365 Wrestling project.

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I watched this match because of a GIF. I vaguely remember this stuff, but the aesthetic of Melina's red carpet entrance, some weird Beth-Santino storyline and Lawler commentating it all in the manner of a 2009 diva match ended up being quite the trip. It was six minutes long, and I like short matches, so maybe my next endeavor could be revisiting the divas division before giving up matches in and then not watching wrestling for a month. A lot of the moves they do don't look polished, but it doesn't matter that much. Many of the men in WWE have had shitty strikes as well and have been given a pass, they're just quick transitions, it doesn't matter much in the WWE style. Th…