TNA
Worth Your Money? TNA Victory Road 2009 Featuring Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley, Samoa Joe vs. Sting, And More
By James Bullock
Feb 27, 2010 - 11:09 AM

And here we are, the final stop on this DVD odyssey involving none other than your favorites at Total Nonstop Action. We conclude with TNA’s July pay-per-view, Victory Road. At Slammiversary last month, Samoa Joe shocked the world (yes, TNA pulled off something really shocking) by aligning himself with one-time rival Kurt Angle, helping Angle win the TNA World title while joining the Main Event Mafia. Joe’s hands are full tonight because he has to take on the man who once led the powerful group, “The Icon” Sting. Kurt Angle doesn’t have the night off either. The man Kurt defeated to win the title is gunning for him in the form of Mick Foley. Will Kurt be able to withstand the force of the “Hardcore Legend”? Or will he fall by the wayside as Foley regains the gold? More importantly, is Victory Road Worth Your Money?

Victory Road
7/19/09
Orlando, FL

Knockouts title: Tara (c) vs. Angelina Love w/Beautiful People
Angelina in long tights = me no happy. Velvet in a belt called a skirt = me very happy. Love tried to get the jump on Tara, but ran into a series of right hands and a couple of slams. Tara used a hair assisted Gory special before locking Love in the tarantula. Tara ended up on the floor, fighting off Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky before getting dropkicked by Love. Angelina shoulder rammed Tara against the side of the ring before reentering. Big dropkick from Love got her a two count. The challenger kept her focus on Tara’s back, slamming her off the top rope for another near fall. Tara punched her way to her feet, but didn’t keep the momentum when Love jumped off the middle rope, clotheslining the champ. Tara ducked the clothesline, throwing one of her own, causing both women to drop. Tara nipped up, punching the incoming Love off her feet. Flapjack by the champion into that standing moonsault. No three count off the move, causing Velvet to jump up in hopes of distracting Tara. It worked as Tara punched Sky, allowing Love to hook her from behind. Sky tried to use the hairspray on Tara, but ended up spraying Love. The referee was too busy sending Love’s entourage to the back to make the count. Love recovered, avoiding the top rope moonsault. Love fell on top of Tara, getting the three count even though Tara threw her right leg on the bottom rope before referee Slick Johnson’s hand could hit the mat the third time.
A furious Tara super kicked Johnson before using the Widows Peak on the new champ. Tara wanted to unleash Poison the tarantula on Love, but Sky and Rayne saved her. So Tara threw it on Johnson, who almost pulled an Andre The Giant being touched by Damian.

In the back, Jeremy Borash was in the locker room of the Main Event Mafia to interview Kurt Angle. Borash asked if Angle’s prophecy of having an all-champion group would come to fruition tonight. Angle confirmed the prophecy would be coming true before telling us that tonight’s main event won’t be a quality pay-per-view match. Thanks for the heads up. Angle turned his attention to his stalemates, telling them that if any one of them doesn’t win tonight, he will fire them.

Matt Morgan vs. Daniels
Morgan easily tossed Daniels to the floor. Daniels was on wobbly legs as Matt pushed and slammed him around ringside. Daniels was able to outmaneuver Morgan in the ring, missile dropkicking the big man. Danielson hit the ropes for something, but ran into a shoulder block that bounced Daniels head off the mat. Daniels punched his way to his feet, calf kicking Morgan to the floor before using a tope that didn’t drop Morgan. They were fighting around ringside. Daniels turned an Irish whip into the Arabian press to finally drop Morgan. Morgan avoided the plancha, causing Danielson to jam his left knee. Discus clothesline by Morgan when the action returned to the ring. Morgan used the steel ring post to further injure that leg. Big leg drop on Daniels’ legs. Rapid-fire elbows in the corner by Morgan. Morgan checked his imaginary watch while holding Daniels in position for a sidewalk slam before deciding to just drop him.
The fans were behind Daniels as Morgan slammed Daniels face first on the turnbuckle. Daniels avoided an elbow drop, then a leg drop, using a series of right hands to stumble the big man. Daniels tried to scale the ropes, but Morgan caught him. Daniels went to Morgan’s eyes, forcing him to backup for Daniels’ cross body block. Morgan kicked out of several pinning combinations before missing a big boot in the corner. Springboard bulldog by Daniels only gets him a two count. Morgan recovered, fall away slamming. Matt hoisted Daniels for the chokeslam. Daniels reversed it, DDT’ing Morgan. No pin fall for Daniels. Daniels called for the Best Moonsault Ever, but his leg went out on him on the second jump. Daniels got up, getting Carbon Footprinted. Hellevator by Morgan ends this one.

Borash was with Dr. Stevie Richards and Daffney to ask why Stevie would want to fight Abyss. Stevie explained that Abyss is actually a masterwork Richards has been working on for a decade. Stevie went on to say that his mind is greater than Abyss’, and that’s why he’s going to win. Daffney told Stevie she loved him as he made his exit. Playing it cool, Stevie just responded with a, “I know.” That man is sooo pimp.

No Disqualification match: Abyss vs. Dr. Stevie Richards
Abyss is rocking the Michael Myers from Halloween 2(2009) look. You know, the one where he looks like a bum. Abyss gave chase of Stevie, only to run into a security baton shot. Stevie was wearing the wet and dirty Abyss out with that baton. Seriously, Abyss is extra wet tonight. Abyss big booted the incoming Richards, sending him to the floor. Abyss pitched Stevie back in, chopping Stevie down when Richards hit the ropes. Stevie tried to escape through the crowd, but Abyss caught him on the stairs. Irish whip into the balcony wall by Abyss. Tenay debated Stevie’s medical doctrines as Abyss slammed Stevie’s head on the steel ring steps, ripping Richards' forehead wide open. The fans were behind Abyss as he chopped Stevie in the ring. Abyss grabbed a chair, propping it in the corner. Richards got whipped headfirst into his planned weapon. Shock Treatment by Abyss, but Abyss refused to let it end now. Daffney ran out, throwing the tazer to Richards. Interviewer-and supposed girlfriend of Abyss-Lauren ran out, forcing Daffney against the ring steps as Richards kicked Abyss low. Stevie grabbed the tazer, only to run into the Black Hole Slam. Abyss grabbed the tazer to the crowd’s approval, but not Lauren’s. Smoking tazer to Richards’ chest knocks him out for the three count. No joke, the tazer started smoking upon impact.
The fans celebrate by doing the Abyss handclap.

Mick Foley was with the Tag Team champs Beer Money and Legends champ AJ Styles to tell them that if they lose tonight, their jobs will be in jeopardy. Foley gave all three men some pointers.

IWGP Tag Team title: Team 3D (c) vs. British Invasion
Brother Ray showed off the American flag after chasing the Brits to the floor. Funny that an American team is taking on a British team for Japanese titles. Brother Devon and Doug Williams exchange some holds before Williams slapped Devon. Devon paid him back in full, causing Williams to tag out. Brutus Magnus didn’t do much better, getting double flapjacked. Team 3D clotheslined the challengers to the floor. Williams used the distraction of Magnus to spring off the middle rope, European uppercutting Ray. Ray fought back, slamming Williams in position for the wassssup. Rob Terry stopped the move by pushing Devon off his perch. Magnus became the legal man, working over Ray’s arm. When that didn’t work, the Brits attacked every limb of Ray. Big double back body drop on Ray only got Magnus a two count. Magnus hit the ropes for some momentum, but ended up getting speared by Ray. Tag for Devon, who came in like a house of fire. Back drops, sidewalk slams, clotheslines, everything from Devon kept the champs in control. Uranage slam by Ray, and a near fall even though he’s not the legal man. 3B on Williams got them a two count, too. Team 3D connected with wasssup on Magnus before getting the tables. When Devon pushed the table in, Terry knocked Devon upside his head. The challengers couldn’t fight off Ray together. Ray sent Williams to the floor before hooking Magnus for the Bubba Bomb. Terry stopped that as the referee tried to remove the table. Team 3D knocked Terry to the floor before using the 3D on Magnus to retain the belts.
Before Team 3D could celebrate, Sheik Abdul Bashir and Kiyoshi jumped them from behind. Team 3D turned the tides after the table had been set up. Bashir got super bombed through the table, proving you can’t stop Team 3D. I did not type that with enthusiasm.

Lauren was in the back with referee Slick Johnson to ask what happen in the Knockouts title. Johnson admitted his mistake, and couldn’t take it back. But Slick is going to lobby for Tara to get a rematch.

Sharmell w/Sojo Bolt vs. Jenny Morasca w/Awesome Kong
Sharmell is wearing her blue gown with a pair of matching boots while Jenny is rocking some very short, leopard print tights and matching top. We get a showcase before Sharmell takes down Jenny. Sharmell is losing feathers all around the ring as Jenny and Sharmell ran the ropes. The standing hair pull by Sharmell. Sojo got involved, tripping Jenny, causing Kong to give chase and distract the ref so Sojo and Sharmell could double stomp Jenny. Jenny fights back with the women’s slap 2 from the Smackdown vs. Raw videogames. Mounted women’s slap 2, leading to a catfight. Catfight! Jenny is pulled off of Sharmell, revealing that she yanked a clump of extensions from Sharmell’s natural light brown hair. Jenny decided to do a little dance while twirling the hair, causing Sojo to step onto the apron. Jenny knocked Sojo off, with Sojo sailing over Kong and busting her back on the guardrail. Jenny handed Kong the hair extensions, causing Sharmell to beg Kong for her hair back. Kong throat thrusted Sharmell instead. Jenny did a pin that would make Maryse blush to mercifully end this one.
Kong came in, helping Jenny celebrate. When Kong refused to parade Jenny around any longer, Jenny slapped Kong. Kong knocked her back, big splashing Jenny before taking her leave.

Kevin Nash was chilling with Jeremy Borash to talk about how he and the Mafia are dominant, and he’d retired if he loses tonight. Foreshadowing!

Legends title: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Nash
Nash decided to try the belt on before the bell. Nash also touched his toes in an amazing show of flexibility. Styles tried to kick Nash’s legs from underneath him. The single leg takedown by AJ didn’t work well at all. The double leg takedown did work, causing Kevin to scurry to the outside. Nash avoided the plancha, but AJ was ready, flipping back in. When Nash reentered, the challenger rushed AJ, using those knees in the corner. Tenay put over Nash’s respect for AJ by comparing him to Shawn Michaels as Nash treated AJ like a piece of paper in the ring. Styles tried to fight back by back elbowing his way out of the corner. Nash countered by kicking the champion off the top turnbuckle, to the floor. Nash called for the Jackknife, but AJ punched his way out of it. AJ was going crazy with right hands until Nash hit the mat. And when Nash was horizontal, AJ wouldn’t stop…punching. Get your mind out of the gutter. AJ did stop his attack when he thought about those brittle legs of Nash, stomping on them before tying Nash up. Nash refused to give up, but AJ did, going for a pin. Nash kicked out, falling on top of AJ when Styles locked him in the camel clutch. AJ used the springboard forearm, only getting a two count. Nash made it to his feet, throwing a clothesline. AJ ducked, hitting the Pele kick. AJ went for the flying forearm again, but the referee was in the way. AJ jumped over the ref, allowing Nash to catch and chokeslam AJ to pin Styles, becoming the new champ.

Lauren was in the Knockouts locker room in hopes of getting a word with Tara. All of a sudden, Slick Johnson came out of the shower, wet and putting on his shirt. Johnson ran out of the room. Lauren turned around to find Madison Rayne coming out of the shower, too. Madison-dry and clothed like she was before the title match-told Lauren to mind her own business and keep her mouth shut, “Or else.” Well, Lauren doesn’t have to say a thing because a camera was pointed right at you.

TNA Tag Team title: Beer Money vs. Scott Steiner & Booker T.
James Storm gave some of his beer to a fan. And that fan paid him back by getting the fans to chant, “Beer, Money!” Nice guy. Beer Money was fired up, shoving their challengers when they got a little too close to the belts. Booker couldn’t muscle Storm, so he kneed him. Storm fought back, knocking Booker down before peppering him with rights to set up for a face buster/neck breaker combo. Double neck breaker by the champs. Booker recovered, tagging in Scott after raking Robert Roode’s eyes. Roode took several chops before fighting back. Roode back elbowed Scott off his feet, leading to a double suplex on Steiner. And you know what time it is, “Beer Money!” The champs followed their challengers to the floor. Steiner asked for a timeout, luring Storm into a forearm from Booker. Swinging belly to belly suplex by Steiner after Booker slammed Storm across the guardrail. Booker tagged in, back elbowing Storm to set up a couple of knees to Storm’s face. Booker had those crisp hands flying before tagging out. James fought out of the rear chin lock, only to run into another belly to belly suplex. Roode prevented the pin by Booker off the leg Hart Attack. Storm stopped the incoming Steiner, tornado DDT’ing Scott before tagging Roode. Robert was going wild, using clotheslines and spine busters. Blockbuster on Scott got Roode a near fall due to Booker.
Backstabber/clothesline double team by Beer Money on Steiner only got the champs a two count. Booker stopped DWI, allowing Steiner to go for the Steiner Recliner. Roode fought it, whipping Scott into Booker. Steiner “kicked out” of the cradle. DWI on Steiner, but Earl Hebner got blinded by the beer from the spitting Storm, causing him to take too long to make the count. That didn’t really matter because Booker dragged Hebner to the floor to stop Roode’s pin attempt, with Hebner blaming Storm for it because Booker was on the lying on the floor while Storm stood. The distracted Hebner didn’t see the Axe Kick from Booker, allowing Steiner to jump on top of Roode. Hebner ran in, counting Roode down to give us another title change.
Jeremy Borash ran out to get some words from the new champs. Booker was throwing out every catchphrase he could think of. Steiner proclaimed themselves the greatest of all time before telling Mick he’s going down tonight.

Samoa Joe was with Lauren to tell her that his mystery advisor is here. Joe is going to thank his advisor by handing him Sting’s head. Joe said its showtime, “And Sting, tonight is your final scene.”

Sting vs. Samoa Joe
Brawl to the floor at the sound of the bell. Joe pitched Sting into the audience, leading to another crowd brawl. Sting caused Joe to punch the balcony walls. Joe turned it around, suplexing him on the entrance ramp. Sting reversed an Irish whip, sending Joe shoulder first into the steel ring steps. The men fought their way back in, leading to Sting front face locking Joe. Joe yanked Sting forward after making it to the ropes, causing Sting to hit the floor. Flying forearm through the ropes by Joe left Sting wobbly. Joe used forearm/enzuguri in the corner combo when the action returned to the ring. Joe was in complete control, chopping and punching Sting until Sting was laid out. Sting fought out of the rear chin lock, but not the power slam that got Joe a two count. Joe started slapping Sting, firing “The Icon” up. Punches and chops from Sting. Sting belly to back suplexed his way out of the sleeper after running into it. Big clothesline from Sting. Sting countered a punch with an enzuguri. Stinger Splash sets up the Scorpion Deathlock.
Samoa Joe struggled to hold on when some unfamiliar music hit. The crowd goes very mild as Taz steps onto the stage. Funny thing is Don West proclaims Taz’s arrival like he knew Taz was the advisor all along. And he wasn’t doing it in a, “I’m dumb, trying to play it smart,” way. It was a full blown, “Yeah, I knew it was him all along, what’s it to you?” Back to the action. Sting lets go of the Deathlock as Joe seethes in front of him. An, “FTW,” chant from the crowd as Joe took a flying clothesline, but easily got up. Sting ran to the top again, only to get crotched on the top rope. Sting dropped down, causing Joe to attempt to hoist the dead weight of Sting up for the Muscle Buster. Like Sting, Joe just gave up on the move, using the Coquina Clutch instead to choke Sting out.
Obama powered fist bump between Samoa Joe and Taz.

We get highlights of Bobby Lashley’s radio interview, where he proclaimed he wanted to fight Brock Lesnar in the octagon. And that has to do with TNA how? I guess the Spike TV connection is about it, but I doubt we’d see Lesnar coming to TNA to cut some promos for a fight.

Jeremy Borash stood with Mick Foley as the challenger taped up his wrists and hands. Foley was startled by the Mafia’s dominance tonight. Even though Angle is his physical superior, Foley noticed that he did hurt Kurt at Slammiversary. Foley said he could do it again tonight. According to Foley, Angle will have to beat him to become the champion, not the other way around.

TNA World title: Kurt Angle (c) vs. Mick Foley
Boxing style intros for both men before the bell. Foley elbowed Angle to the floor after freeing himself from a headlock. The challenger was the first man to throw a punch, downing the champion before hooking Angle by his neck. Angle tried to slow Mick down, but ended up getting punched down before meeting Foley’s knee with his face. Angle tried to run for haven on the outside, but Foley was on his heels. Leg drop by Foley across Angle’s neck when Angle tried to enter the ring. Foley suplexed Angle back in. The champion had to claw Mick’s face to turn the tides in his favor. Foley punched his way to freedom, using a slingshot to send Angle back to the floor. Angle blocked the piledriver on the floor, back body dropping Foley, causing Mick’s left leg to slam across the steel ring steps. Angle honed in on that leg. Foley tried to fight back several times, but his leg would be his downfall. Foley stopped the German suplex. The champion countered, Ankle Locking the challenger.
The challenger rolled through the move, only to get dropped again. Angle missed the moonsault, jarring his left leg in the process. Angle walked into the double arm DDT. Angle kicked out of Foley’s followed up pin. Angle stopped the Mandible Claw, pushing the challenger into the referee. Angle Slam for a two count. An angry Angle elbow dropped the referee before heading to the floor for a chair. Mick stopped the chair shot with the Mandible Claw, sending Angle to the floor angina. Foley stepped onto the apron before diving off, dropping the big elbow on the concrete. Mick used all of his strength to push Angle back in for a pin attempt. Somehow, Angle got his shoulder up to save the gold. Mandible Claw with the back mount by Mick almost ended the champ’s night. Angle rolled through, Ankle Locking Foley again. Foley clawed his way to the ropes. Angle kicked Foley, putting him in the Ankle Lock again, forcing Foley to tap out.
The Main Event Mafia hit the ring to celebrate. Angle spit on Mr. Socko before getting a run down of what happened on Victory Road 2009.

Is It Worth Your Money: Wow, what to say about this show? Well, the main event was promoted as a fight that wouldn’t be a main event worthy match. I don’t know if it was the low expectations, or if they just turned it up and wrestled a smart match, or if was a combination little bit from column A and a little bit from column B, but Foley and Angle had a very solid match that was perfect to cap off a show of this magnitude. Come to think about it, maybe there’s a column C: Mediocrity. After witnessing a complete showing of mediocrity, anything better than average looked wonderful, and that’s what happened in the main event. Like the last couple of Knockout title PPV matches, this one was too short, and tainted by a horrible ending. And lets not even get into the magical drying Rayne who is the easy one for TNA’s version of the Mean Girls. That’s right Daniels and Morgan had a solid outing, and definitely the best match of the night before the main event came around almost two hours later. The Abyss PPV match returned with a horribly orchestrated ending of the smoking tazer. Flesh is supposed to smoke, not the tazer itself. In a match that meant nothing in the TNA landscape, Team 3D defeated the much younger British Invasion in a match that was as formula as you can get. Even in five on two odds, Team 3D dominated. Wait, where have I spirited that idea?
AJ Styles lost clean to Kevin Nash in a match that actually should’ve had a screwy finish to not hurt AJ’s standing as one of the last TNA originals that had a chance against the Main Event Mafia. The TNA Tag title match was better than the first tag match, but the crowd killed it because this show murdered them. Joe and Sting had a serviceable match; while Taz’s debut came off as nothing more than another arrival of a recent WWE release instead of the big deal they were putting it over as. And speaking of big deals, what about Sting tapping out? Sting tapped out, and no one cares? One of the biggest stars in recent wrestling history taps out (no matter if it was the finish or not), and no one remarks about it afterwards. I hate you, TNA. And seemingly, they thought their fans hated them as well by giving them absolutely one of the most matches in history between Jenny and Sharmell. You know, sometimes matches are so bad, they’re funny. This wasn’t funny. This wasn’t entertaining. This was five minutes of the worst stuff I’ve seen on TV since Snookie was dancing in the club (thank God for that huge blur while she did cartwheels). TNA has put on some disappointing shows. They’ve even delivered some stinkers. But this show is at the top of the heap for the worst they’ve ever done. I seriously need to take a bath right now because I feel dirty for just reviewing this. TNA Victory Road 2009 Is Not Worth Your Money.