Hello everybody, and let me officially welcome you to the London edition of your Impact Write-Up. Many speculated as to whether or not TNA would be able to pull off such a large venue, and let me congratulate them on a job well done because that crowd was hot and jam packed. The Knockouts were not too heavily featured on tonight’s broadcast, and since I’m writing this on no sleep at six in the morning, that might work in my favor somewhat. Nonetheless, we had a stellar match up between Knockouts Champion, Gail Kim, and her top challenger, Tara, leading into their big bout at Against All Odds, but who will come out the victor in this preview? And what role will Gail’s best friend, Madison Rayne, play in all of this?
Let’s find out!
We head out to the arena where resident redhead, Christy Hemme, is seen inside the ring announcing the following Knockouts Contest. The familiar theme of Tara hits, as the Widows Peak Freak steps out from the back and slaps some fan hands as we recap her #1 contender win last week. Up next comes the still addictive song of the Knockouts Champion, as both she and Madison Rayne make their way out to the ring. Following some posing from the champ, the bell sounds and these two get ready to square off as both TNA and myself urge you to follow our benevolent ruler, Miss Dixie Carter on Twitter.
The two ladies lock up in the center of the ring, but Tara uses her upper body strength to shove Gail backwards. This merely fires the champion up, as she backs Tara into the corner. An arm drag or two by Tara follows it up, continuing with a bodyslam as some “Tara” chants erupt. She then does her trademark shirt removal before connecting with the shimmysault for a two count. Gail then sends Tara into the corner, as Madison Rayne grabs her by the foot to keep her in place. Kim charges forward with her slingshot move, only she doesn’t land outside the ring and continues the beatdown with a punch.
Gail steps outside and proceeds to choke Tara out using her knee to the throat, before hopping on top of Tara’s head and catching her up in the ropes. Kim leaps over from there, and goes for a sunset flip… only Tara holds onto the ropes. Gail fires back with a kick to break the hold Tara had on the rope, as she begins to take control with a clothesline to the corner and knee to the back for a few two counts. Kim decides to go for Tara’s patented injured knee, which she embarks upon by locking in a leg lock over the back of the head. Kim is tossed backwards, but she lands a SICK clothesline to the throat and taunts the fans.
Tara tries to fight back, but Gail just has too much energy right now, as she applies a dragon sleeper to the bronze clad Knockout. Tara finally breaks out and hits a very unique roll up for a two count until Kim comes back with a kick to the stomach. She then grabs the wrists and hits her “Happy Ending” neckbreaker, before scaling to the top rope and going for a Missile Dropkick that Tara dodges out of the way for! The referee starts to count them down, but both ladies make it to two feet and Tara takes control with some strikes to the face. A snap suplex follows suit, and an awesome back body drop.
The crowd is erupting for the two ladies tonight, as Tara gets a large amount of cheers for taking Gail down. She charges for the corner, but unfortunately gets met with a fist right to the face. Kim runs forward, but Tara catches her in a wicked power slam and goes for the cover. Madison Rayne quickly hops onto the ring apron to stop this injustice from taking place, but Tara turns her attention towards her with a stiff shot to the jaw. She then returns her focus towards Gail, and manages to dodge out of harms way upon Madison entering the ring and clocking Kim in the face! Tara tosses Rayne towards the outside and proceeds to hit the Widow’s Peak on the Knockouts Champion for the victory! She then celebrates her win, as Madison tries to help Gail regain her composure for their big rematch at Against All Odds.
Thoughts: I remember when Gail returned to TNA and faced Tara in her first match, many, myself included, thought it was too one sided and requested a rematch to be had. Thankfully, they listened, and tonight was a really really great showing. I thought the ladies meshed very well together, as in their past outings, and if this is any sort of preview to what Against All Odds will be like, then I am ready for it. The crowd definitely also helped make this match as enjoyable as it was for me, in that there was so many people in attendance that it truly felt like a big show. I have nothing against the Impact Zone as I like it and the crowd there, but perhaps TNA should consider traveling for a taping every few months or so if this UK tour is anything to go by.
