TNA House Show Report 12.30: Poughkeepsie, NY

Credit: Eric Sturrock and PWInsider.com

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE EVENT from Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY 12/30/11

I arrived to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center alittle before 5:30pm. Don West & Jimmy Jay were outside plugging all the merchdise things. West said the TNA talent would only sign TNA merch so he told people to buy things if you did not have anything. I already bought a TNA guide book the night before in Albany.

Everyone was let in at 5:30pm, and all had to stand for 30 minutes before the doors to the civic center were open. As I stood in the hallway waiting the TNA guy with silver/black beard watched Jimmy Jay selling stuff at Merch. People brought out food for the Food stand and you could see into the Civic Center. You could see D’Lo Brown in the ring talking to Gunner & Garrett Bischoff. The doors opened again as food was brought out. D’Lo saw the door opened and yelled for someone to shut the door. The guy with the Silver/black beard did not hear him so someone came running to the door and shut it. The guy stood at the door to make sure it stayed shut from then on.

At 6 PM, everyone was let into the Civic Center and we all gathered around the ring barrier. I had front row seats. It was the first time I ever had front row seats at a wrestling event. Don West was in the ring telling everyone to squeeze in. Coming out for autographs were Matt Morgan, Crimson, Jesse Sorenson, Austin Aires, Kid Kash, Garrett Bischoff, & Mickie James.All sign autographs and took pictures. Morgan did not take pictures. Ronnie Lang of Atlas Security & another Atlas guy watched everyone.

At 6:30 PM, Don West said that James Storm was in the hallway signing any TNA merch. I did not go out.

At 7 PM, West plugged more TNA merch and threw stuff out. The floor at the Civic Center was almost full and the stands were about 80% full. West said if you bought a A.J. Styles/Jeff Hardy two pack or a Jeff Hardy glow in the dark action figure you get to go backstage to meet them. West said you could buy a backstage pass for $50 and you get to get autographs from everyone backstage and you get to get your picture taken with Jeff Hardy after the show. West noted you could not get Bully Ray’s autograph because he does not like giving them. My Dad told West he gave him one years ago. West walked over and said to him that the real reason is Bully Ray’s sister is about to give birth and he has to leave right after his match. West told him that, that stays between them.

At 7:15 PM, West said we were going to have a bonus match of Poughkeepsie’s own Vik Dalishus & Hale Collins. West introduced the most controversial referee in history Earl Hebner. West acted as ring announcer for the opener. Their was a photographer around the ring the entire night, I think for a Poughkeepsie Journal.

Vik Dalishus vs Hale Collins. Ref Earl Hebner.

Vik played to the crowd like at Northeast Wrestling shows. Vik attacked Hale as Hale went to pose on the top rope. Match was very quick like 2-3 minutes long. Vik hit some stops on Hale in the corner. Vik hit a big spinebuster but Hale kicked out. Vik put Hale in a submission hold, Hale tried to get the crowd behind him. Hale hit a leg drop bulldog. Hale kicked Vik and Vik caught his leg the second time. Vik put Hale in the sharpshooter and Earl rang the bell right away. Earl took off his shirt which was his “Damn right I did shirt” Earl put on his sunglasses and Hale chased Earl & Vik out of the ring. Eral & Vik left with their hands raised in the air. Crowd seemed hot when Vik got the win. West told everyone to give it up for Hale.

They announced the show would start in 10 minutes. Christy Hemme came down to be the ring announcer for the show. Referee Brian Hebner came down to the ring. Hemme like last night asked if everyone was ready.

Kid Kash vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Austin Aries(X-Division Champion) TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE MATCH. Ref Brian Hebner.

Aries & Kash talked together and threw Jesse out of the ring. Nice match with a lot of fast paced action. Jesse hit a crossbody off the top rope on Kash. Aries knocked Jesse & Kash out of the ring and jumped out of the ring onto them. A lot of the same from last night. They did the 3-way sleeper hold again and Jesse hit the stunner on Kash which hit Aries. Kash kicked down Aries. Later Kash went for his finsher on Jesse but Aries broke it up. Kash went for his finsher on Aries but Jesse broke it up. The finish was the same as last night with Kash & Jesse fighting in the corner and Aires running over and kicking them and hitting a awesome looking brainbuster on Jesse. Aries ran around the ring again with the title and faking fans thinking he was going to shake their hand. Kash got in Jesse’s face after the match. Kash went to shake Jesse’s hand. Then they both gave each other the finger. Really awesome match.

Christy Hemme told us the next match would have a special guest referee.Referee Garrett Bischoff came down to the ring. Ric Flair’s music played and he and Gunner came down to the ring. Flair said to Bischoff if he knew where he was, he was in Flair country. Crowd was cheering loudly for Flair so it was kind of hard to hear him. Flair talked about how Garrett is good looking, it he was a good wrestler that lady in the front row would take him home. Flair said the lady will take him home tonight. Flair told Gunner to take his shirt off to show what a real wrestler looked like. Gunner took his shirt off and flexed. Flair told Garrett to take off his shirt, which he did. Flair told Hemme to take off her pants. Hemme laughed and said no. The crowd cheered for Hemme to strip but she did not. Flair told Hemme she can’t always be first but she could be next. Flair told Garrett he is going to call Sting when he gets backstage and get him to wrestle Gunner tonight. A fan yelled something at Flair. Flair said what do you want fat boy. Flair asked if the fan was a midget and said oh you are in the front row. The fan woo’ed. Flair said everyone can woo but. Flair and Hemme woo’ed in each other’s face. Flair & Gunner walked to the back.

The guy with white hair who in the past got the fans heated up before the show came out. He talked into his walkie talkie and moved his hands a lot like crazy and pointed Garrett to the back. Hemme told us she did not understand a single thing he said but she thinks Sting has approved Gunner/Garett tonight. Ref Earl Hebner came down to the ring. Earl looked in the crowd and pretended to go into the crowd, but the Atlas guard held him back twice. Bully Ray came down to the ring and yelled at Earl and Hemme to get out of the ring. Bully yelled at the fans calling them trash. He only taked alittle not a lot like in Albany. Some guy on the floor afew rows behind me had a video camera and was recording the show. The Atlas guard ran over and yelled at the guy to turn it off now. The fan said he did not know he could not have a video camera inside(even tho there is a big sign when you walk in “no video cameras” and that on your ticket it says “no video cameras”)

Bully Ray vs A.J. Styles. Ref Earl Hebner.

The other Atlas Security guard took Bully Ray’s hat off the apron and gave it to one of TNA’s Staff who was wearing a IMPACT Wrestling shirt. Ray yelled where was his Yankee hat. The Atlas guard said he gave it the TNA guy. Ray yelled at the TNA staff guy if he told him he could wear his hat. Ray chased the TNA staff guy and made him put the hat back on the apron. As Ray yelled at Earl, AJ put on Ray’s hat. Ray got pissed and pounded the mat and yelled for his hat. Ray knocked down AJ and got back his hat. Ray put his yankee hat on. He yelled I’m wearing my hat, I got my hat.” Back & forth stuff from them. Ray went to leave but AJ went and threw him into the steel barrier a few times. AJ went to the top rope but Bully knocked him down. Ray punched AJ afew times. Earl yelled at Ray to stop it with the right hands. Ray put AJ in a bear hug. AJ fought out and Ray tossed AJ over his head. Ray spit in the air and caught it in his mouth. AJ kept running Ray but he would not fall. AJ knocked Ray down. AJ went for something but Ray threw him down. Ray hit the Bully bomb but AJ kicked out. Ray got his chain and missed AJ, AJ hit the Pele Kick, and then a crossbody off the top rope for the win.

Crimson (1/2 TNA Tag Team Champion) vs. Matt Morgan (1/2 TNA Tag Team Champion). Ref Brian Hebner.

Crimson threw his necklace and shirt to the crowd. They locked up a few times like last night. Crimson punched and kicked Morgan. Morgan did the leapfrog leg guillotine on Crimson and smiled to the fans after he hit it. Morgan hit a leg drop on Crimson after. Morgan hit his crazy elbows in the corner on Crimson. Crimson took down Morgan. Crimson hit a spear on Morgan. Crimson went for a second spear but missed. Morgan went for a big boot in the corner but missed and Crimson rolled him up for the win. They shook hands and raised each other hands after the match.

Mickie James vs Gail Kim (Knockout Champion & ½ Knockout Tag Champion). TNA KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE MATCH. Ref Earl Hebner.

Mickie James had a different outfit then she wore the night before. Gail walked around the ring with her titles and put them in Mickie’s face. Mickie shoved down Gail. Gail started kicking Mickie in the corner. Mickie kicked Gail in the chest. Mickie hit a Mick-A-Rama. Gail kept playing with the fans. Gail kept saying she was smarter then Mickie. Earl kept yelling at Gail for pulling Mickie’s hair. Mickie elbowed Gail away. Gail pulled Mickie’s hair more and laughed. Mickie kneed Gail, but Gail gain control and tried a submission hold on her. Gail slammed Mickie’s face into the mat. Gail pulled Mickie’s hair more. Mickie kneed Gail. Gail stretched out Mickie’s back in a submission hold. Gail went to knock down Mickie but Mickie rolled her up but Gail kicked out. Mickie punched Gail afew times and then hit the Thez press and some more punches. Mickie hit a crossbody and Gail rolled her over and used a big handful of tights to retain her title. Gail rolled out of the ring right away. Gail held her title in the air walking away. Gail laughed at Mickie holding her title in the air, and Mickie teased going after her and Gail ran to the back.

Hemme said we would now take a short 20 minute intermission. I ran to the hallway and was 4th in line for Gail’s autograph session. Earl & Brian Hebner were seated at the Merch stands to sign autographs if people bought Earl’s “Damn right, I did shirts”. One of TNA’s merch guys was joking that it would be $2.50 for a Gail autograph and then he joked it would only be $1.50. Jimmy Jay yelled at him to stop fooling around and to help him at the Merch booth. Gail & the other Atlas Securty guard came around the corner. The Atlas guy told everyone they could not get their picture with Gail and they had to be ready and hand their stuff to him to give to Gail. He rushed everyone in and out. Gail was extremely nice and thanked each person for coming. Too bad you could not get your picture with Gail as pictures are a lot better than autographs. I bought two of the Hebner shirts and had them sign them. I asked them for a picture but Brian said nabey after the show.

Hemme returned after intermission and the other Atlas guard ran back to his spot, so they finshed Gail’s signing a lot quicker than Mickie’s last night in Albany.

Kurt Angle vs. James Storm. Ref Brian Hebner.

Angle came down to the ring first. Storm went around the ring slapping fans hands. Storm drank his beer bottle on the top rope. Storm & Angle went to lock up and Storm left the ring. Storm got on the microphone and said he forgot to talk. Storm said he is in Poughkeepsie tonight and he knows Poughkeepsie likes to drink beer. Storm looked in the crowd and asked if there was any drinkers here tonight. Storm went to ringside and said he wants to have some beer with Poughkeepsie and pointed to the stands. Storm hoped the guardrail with the other Atlas guard running behind him. Storm went up to the 15th row in the bleachers and drank with the fans. Angle & Hebner watched from the ring. Hebner went over to Angle and they talked. Hebner played to the crowd he did not know what was going on. As Storm walked over to the other side of the civic center, Hebner put his hands over his head to look for him. Storm hoped over the guardrail and asked a fan for his beer. Storm drank the beer and dropped it on the floor. The Atlas guard kicked the cup under the ring. Storm & Angle locked up. Angle punched Storm in the face. Hebner told Angle to watch his right hand. Angle got out of the ring and picked up two backstage passes by Hemme. Kurt asked if anyone wanted to go backstage. The people went crazy. Angle walked over to someone and ripped the backstage passes up in the kid’s face. A fan yelled something to Angle, and Angle yelled back “It was reckless driving you idiot!” Angle put Storm in a sleeper hold. Storm got out of it and took Angle down. Hebner started a 10 count but they both got up. Storm knocked Angle out of the ring. Storm hit a backbreaker on Angle. Angle hit a Angle slam on Storm but Storm kicked out. Angle pulled down his straps. Angle was tunning up the band going for a kick but missed. Angle & Storm traded reversals. Storm hit a double knee facebuster on Angle into the Last Call for the win. Angle selled the kick awhile laying in the ring.

Gunner with Ric Flair vs Garrett Bischoff. Ref Earl Hebner.

Flair got on the mic and talked trash on Garrett. Earl was smiling at the fans and Flair yelled at him to look at him. Gunner yelled at Hebner & the fans. Gunner was 100 times better as a heel tonight. Flair talked to Hemme that she can be with him again. Flair yelled at the fan in the crowd again. Hebner pointed back at Gunner but Gunner yelled back at him. Flair watched Hemme leave the ring as Earl made faces at Flair. Flair yelled at some fans at ringside. They locked up and Gunner shoved Garrett and yelled in his face. Gunner yelled at the fans. Garrett got offensive in on Gunner. They traded blows. Gunner irish whipped Garrett off the ropes and Flair tripped him. Earl ejected Flair from the ring and they yelled at each other. Gunner threw Garrett into the corner. Gunner threw Garrett into the other corner. Gunner motioned to the crowd and yelled at them. Gunner went to get out of the ring to the fans but Earl held him back. A man in the crowd pretended he was going towards Gunner and pretended someone was holding him back when no one was. Earl told the fan he can’t help him anymore. Gunner knocked Garrett down and motioned to the crowd he could not hear their boos. Garrett jumped off the top rope but Gunner caught him and put Garrett over his head. Garrett reversed it and rolled Gunner up for the win. Gunner threw a fit slamming the mat.

Hemme told us it’s that time we were all waiting for(no she did not take off her pants), it was time for the main event. Robert Roode came down to the ring. Roode took the mic from Hemme. Roode said he is not defending his title tonight in Poughkeepsie. He said if everyone wants to see him beat Hardy to retain his title they would have to pay to see the PPV next week. Roode yelled at Hemme and told her the match was non-title.

Robert Roode(TNA Champion) vs. Jeff Hardy. Ref Brian Hebner.

Brian ran back and forth in the ropes like he usual does for the main event match. Brian must of forgot that Roode said it was a non-title match because he held the title up in the air and showed the fans the title as if it was a title match. Roode got out of the ring and took someone’s Jeff Hardy sign. Roode got back into the ring and held it up and ripped it up and threw it to the outside. They locked up and Roode pushed Hardy into the ropes. Roode made fun of Hardy’s dance. Hardy clapped to get the fans into it. Roode put Hardy in a headlock and yelled to the crowd. Roode shoved Hardy down and pandered to the crowd. Hardy hit a double leg drop on Roode’s chest. Hardy threw Roode into the turnbuckle. Hardy knocked Roode out of the ring and then danced around. Roode said he was leaving and Hardy ran after him and they fought back by the stage. Hardy threw Roode back into the ring. Roode begged for a timeout and then poked Hardy in the eyes. Roode knocked Hardy down and punded his feet while holding the ropes. Roode knocked Hardy out of the ring. Roode threw Hardy into the steel guardrail. Roode threw Hardy back into the ring and went for a pinfall but Hardy kicked out. Roode argued with Hebner. Roode threw Hardy really hard into the turnbuckle. Roode kicked Hardy a lot in the corner. Roode yelled at the fans. Roode hit Hardy hanging out of the ring. Roode got on the top rope and made fun of Hardy’s dance and hit a swinging neckbreaker off the tope rope. Roode worked on Hardy’s neck in a submission hold. , Hardy’s foot caught Roode when he jumped off the top rope. Hebner started a 10 count but they got up at 8. Hardy punched Roode and knocked him over. Hardy motioned to the crowd and hit a leg drop on Roode’s chest. Roode picked Hardy up but Hardy got out and brought Roode down to the mat. Hardy went for a twist of fate but Roode got out of it. Roode locked Hardy in a crossface. Hardy got to the ropes to break the hold. Roode went to give Hardy a suplex but Hardy reversed it for the win.

I left as Don West said it was time for a Hardy party in the ring.

As I walked to the car in the parking lot behind the arena. I saw Austin Aires driving with Kid Kash in the passenger seat stopped at a red light. 5 fans went up to Kash’s window and Aires & Kash signed autographs for those fans.

I went to Uno’s Pizza in Poughkeepsie after the show to get pizza to go. I saw James Storm, Garrett Bischoff, & Crimson show up and I said hi. My Dad saw them inside and they asked him if he enjoyed the show. According to my Father, Gunner was already inside Uno’s and showed Storm, Crimson, & Garrett where they were sitting. Garrett and Storm sat together, and A.J. Styles, Jesse Sorenson, Crimson, & Garrett sat together. They were watching the UFC PPV on the TVs. Storm drank beer as the others drank soda & water.

It was my 6th TNA show of 2011. I saw a Against All Odds and the two days of TV tapings that followed in Orlando, 2 live events in Poughkeepsie (March and today) as well as Albany last night. All were enjoyable shows. Hope TNA does more live events in Poughkeepsie in 2012.