Re: Lockdown Discussion Thread
My thoughts on Lockdown 2008
Xscape Match - ***1/4
This was a fun opener with some nice spots, especially the flip from Curry Man off the top of the cage. However, it wasn't the best the X-division had to offer in terms of wrestling and it wasn't as good as last year's. The ending was innovative, especially since there's only so many finishes you can have to a cage match. It lost points from me because they made Lethal look like a pussy, something I thought they'd end after a month of vignettes where Sonjay cockblocks him. The finish does a good job of building Dutt up as a trusted ally to make a future heel turn more potent, but Lethal's momentum after he won at Against All Odds is all but gone. I also think the X-division is top heavy with faces, Devine's the only one who actually gets heat.
Queen of the Cage - **1/2
This was much better than I had expected. I was picturing a messy scramble with two random knockouts facing off, but Laveaux/Love actually had build and they were the best two wrestlers in it too - credit to TNA. It would have made more sense to have Angelina go over on Impact though. The match was nothing more than a decent TV match, but I'm glad they took the focus off the cage climbing bit. I like the Voodoo Drop. My main criticism is that I would rather have had a well built match between the two, or maybe a handicap with Velvet. That would have still added variety to the card without an unnecessary gimmick. The match on its own would have been **3/4 maybe ***.
Kip James vs BG James - **3/4
This was mildly entertaining, about the best BG and Kip could manage these days. I'd rather watch this than VKM, since I liked them better as singles (hopefully only occasionally used) wrestlers. Kip hit a decent RKO and there was some good psychology towards the end. I didn't really react to the swerve after the match though. It was weird seeing Kip "tune up the band" only to hit a splash.
Cuffed in the Cage - **1/4
This would have been better without the cuffs. Super Eric winning was too predicatble by the end. I don't know why they booked it this way to be honest. Steiner and LAX both had title shots and could have done with a boost, but Steiner was cuffed first and LAX midway through. I hate to see the 'Guns get jobbed out like this, TNA jus can't recognise a good thing sometimes. On the plus side, Homicide's Gringo Cutter off the middle rope, Kaz's Wave of the Future and Flux Capacitor and Hernandez's CrackerJack into the cage were all great spots. I don't think much of Jimmy Rave but he sells bumps well.
Gail Kim & ODB vs Awesome Kong & Raisha Saeed - ***
This was a good match in itself but I still think its presence weakened the overall card a bit - 2 1/2 womens' matches meant the mens' matches had to be crammed together. But down to the match, Kong is so brilliant - no one male or female has her ring presence and outright dominance. Gail and ODB were both good in the ring. From all people rave about her on here, I thought she wasn't that special here - no better than Gail anyway. Maybe it's just the lame gimmick so I'll reserve judgement. I thought Kong should have gone over here, and then feuded with Roxxi or someone for a change. Having Saeed take the fall did more harm than good. ODB pinned the unknown element so she doesn't look stronger than Kong.
Booker T & Sharmell vs Robert Roode & Payton Banks - ***
This feud has fizzled a bit for me, with all the mixed tags and run-ins and straps. This match should have been one on one to end the feud. The match was good, if a little short. I really liked the chain sequence where Rooder countered the Axe Kick and Book End, then Booker countered the Payoff. But this could have been better if it was singles and they ended it decisively here. Sharmell's character annoys me a bit. The end devalued the match. Nonetheless, a solid *** match.
Lethal Lockdown - ****3/8
Now what I'm looking forward to talking about. Great match from the start, loved the AJ/Tomko swerve - put both guys over a treat with Tomko shown to be a good "thinker" and AJ a strong heel. I liked how Christian's face turn was in full effect with him coming out first. Christian and AJ's workrates throughout the match were fucking phenomenal. Cage did some great spots, especially the cross body off the top of the cage. The balance of the match went well between the faces and the heels. Morgan made a good impact. I thought the end was a bit disappointing, the high spot on the roof was a bit too predictable and I would have marked the fuck out for a spiral tap through the table from AJ, or even a frogsplash from Cage. Also Rhino hitting the gore to win was a bit abrupt and Sting/Cage (or even Morgan) would have been more appropriate.
I should note that while writing this I changed my opinion between ****1/4 and ****1/2 several times. I may well change it again when I watch in high quality on Wednesday.
Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe - ****5/8
MOTN.
I felt the MMA stuff at the beginning of the match was a bit slow, but from Angle's figure four onwards, it was pure gold. The submission reversals between figure four, high angle boston crab, stf, crossface and ankle lock were so intense and really kept me guessing. Btw Angle has to be the best in the business at the 2 and 99/100 kick out. I thought it could have been over when Joe locked in the clutch, but Angle did a nice heel move - remembering heel/face psychology in a match like this was worth 1/4* in itself. For me, however, it wasn't a perfect 5. When Angle escaped from the RNC, I think they should have wrestled for another 5 minutes before Joe got the win, with Angle kicking out of the Muscle Buster and both of them hitting some of their trademark spots - an Angle Moonsault would have been nice. Let Angle dominate for a couple of minutes and then Joe ferociously takes him down with the Coquina Clutch for the win. This extra time would have shown a fuller evolution from MMA/puro to heavy submissions to pro wrestling. For me this is equal with their Ironman. Great moment for Joe and TNA anyway though. From what Meltzer said on the night a ***** wouldn't surprise me, which is great news for TNA.
I remember when I first started watching TNA and looked up Joe on wiki, I ws truly shocked he had never been champion. He deserves every moment of it.
Other thoughts:
~ I don't know who this Lauren is, but she's no Crystal. Crystal is better looking and a better interviewer, the new girl is a bit slow and unenthusiastic.
~ It was stupid having a face win in every match. I mean where are they gonna go with that. Especially Super Eric owning his 4 heel rivals.
~ On the whole, it was a mediocre undercard with two fucking phenomenal main events
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