Oh boy! That moment is finally here. It’s Hardcore Justice! Okay. I’ll turn off the country music superstar and just be plain ole me. Tonight, in an action packed pay-per-view event, we’ll see two extremely chaotic Knockouts finally tear each other apart for the coveted gold strap. We’ll also get to see two pairs of Knockouts who have had their fair share of exchanges in recent weeks, one pair battling for the possible chance to regain their precious prizes. I don’t even know where to begin on this so I am just going to dive right in and hope I don’t hit my head on the bottom. You with me? Synchronized swimming! Ready! Break!
The action starts off backstage where Jeremy Borash is standing with the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Tara and Miss Tessmacher. They’re looking pretty snazzy in their matching black and red, a favorite color combo. Tara is looking fierce as always and well, Tessmacher just goes without saying. They look pumped and ready to go, yet extremely annoyed. JB makes a statement about this match being personal and Tess decides it’s time to finally speak up. She reminds her opponents of the night they jumped them in the parking lot like a couple of thugs. Why everybody gotta be thugs, huh?! *puts the blade away* Pfft.
Tara, ever so rowdy, says that they proved themselves in the ring and she doesn’t care of Sarita and Rosita bring Hernandez or that freakin’ puppet, they are leave freakin’ champions! Come on, Brooke! Um…..about that, someone obviously forgot to send Tara the memo. Anyway, I’ll let that settle and we’ll skip to the challengers making their way to the ring. They’re sporting their native colors and well, Sarita looks like a stand-in for a Cannibal movie. I’m sorry. I know why she’s wearing the mask but seriously, Abyss called. He really wants it back. You know he gets angry when his belongings go missing. They are accompanied to the ring by Hernandez and the puppet, Anarquia. This could get interesting.
Out last is the team of Taramacher, riding in on the crotch rocket and Tess wastes no time disrobing this evening. She takes it all off before even getting in the ring. You mean, no makeout session?! The audience is heartbroken. And so are Hernandarquia because Earl Hebner just kicked their ass to the back. Obviously, this doesn’t sit well with little Rosi because she starts taking off those twenty pound earrings, getting all up in Tara’s grill. She ain’t scared of you! She ghetto! Hold these, Earl! SLAM! Tara pushes her little feisty ass into the corner like a scolded step-child. The crowd is all over the veteran’s side and the chants start but the tag to Sarita is made and the tide could turn.
Or not.
She bumps up against Tara and off the rebound, gets a back body drop for her efforts. Up by the hair and the tag to Tessmacher. Forearms shots from the bootylicious Knockout, going right after the injured face of Sarita. That doesn’t last long because Sarita is quick to tag in her cousin but WHACK! Tess takes her down without a breath of hesitation. A wristlock into the corner and Tara is begging for a piece of the little chili pepper. She’s in, hands around Rosita’s throat and she just slams her down against the turnbuckles. But a hurricarana from little Rosi and…*deep breath* I gotta remember to breathe when I write these matches.
Tara is in the corner and Rosita runs in, getting a big boot to the face which knocks her for a fruit loop. Not so much so that she can’t knock Tara to the outside, giving Sarita ample room to catch her with a running roll drop. Rosita takes to Tessmacher, distracting the referee just long enough for Sarita to roll Tara back in. Rosi, trying to maintain momentum, gets dropped cold with a suplex when Tara rebounds and tags in Tessmacher. Back up with a dropkick and again, another tag to Sarita. Tessmacher is on fire tonight and is oddly impressive. She’s staying tight…well, until her back snaps and her face slaps the top turnbuckle. Ouch. I guess this calls for a ping pong tag between the Loco Latinas.
I think Sarita just pulled a triple whipper snapper. I do believe so. Add that assist splash and I’m seriously starting to get dizzy. All these tags back and forth. It’s all a blur. Wait! A rollup attempt but it’s no good! Sarita kicks out and goes for a clothesline but Tess ducks, tagging in her partner. Right hands from Tara to both latinas, finally taking Sarita down with a dropkick. A potential Widow’s Peak but Rosita tries to interfere, getting dropped by Tessmacher. And now we’re in a big heap of a mess. All four Knockouts are in the ring and it could get ugly. Point in concept, Rosarita just slammed into one another with an assist from Taramacher. But Hebner easily conducts order and Sarita hits some odd looking, nasty landing double underhook. The impact seems to even knock Sarita back because she doesn’t go for the pin.
This match is wearing me out. Love it but damn. I’m not even in the match and I feel beat up. Haha. Regardless, Tara slowly crawls her way over to Tessmacher but Rosita’s sneaky little ass on the outside drops her to the floor. This leaves Tara vulnerable and Sarita takes advantage with a pin attempt but no! Only the two count but the punishment is over. A tag into Rosita, double team attempt but double arm clothesline from Tara to the latinas. Sarita rolls out and Tara sets little Rosi up for the Widow’s Peak but she counters into a roll-up. Sarita on the outside with the assist but Tessmacher flies from out of nowhere, breaking it up. This is insane. My attention span has apparently dwindled because all I can do is blink.
A powerslam on Rosita from the fierce veteran but the momentum gets cut off at the quick with boots to the chest. It sends the bigger Knockout down long enough for Rosita to crawl to her corner for a pin but Tessmacher is on a mission. She’s on the outside and drops Sarita down, out of the way. No tag. No exchange. Tessmacher back up on the apron, making sure no funny business is going on and Tara finally locks in that Widow’s Peak. DAMN! Rosita hits hard and I’m pretty sure she just died on the inside. A very harsh, violent cover with the hand and knee smashed against the face. 1…2….3! Taramacher retains their Knockouts Tag Team Championships, the perfect accessory to their new attire! It’s asstastic!
And the moment we have all been waiting for….the Knockouts Championship match. Oh yes. It’s been building up for weeks and weeks now and tonight, it will finally come to a head. In a challenge to the champ, Winter will be facing off against Mickie James for the beloved golden strap. Out first, the queen of the wicked herself, Winter accompanied by Angelina Love. Morticia is sporting new duds with a gypsy/belly dancer feel and she looks fabulous, aside from that fur shrug. Angelina, on the other hand, looks just like its any other night. No fierce new outfit? Come on now. HARDCORE COUNTRY! The defending champion knows how to change it up and bounds out, sporting new attire and new hair. This is definitely something I can support. Love that caramel/blonde mix-up on Mickie and the gingham is actually really cute. Way to go, girl.
Mickie looks ready to do this, regardless of the slight reluctance at Angelina at ringside. The duo of the dark side look to start their antics early, Angelina with the distraction. She holds the belt up and taunts Mickie while Winter sneaks in for the roll-up. Almost but it doesn’t count. If it isn’t three, it isn’t enough. But Winter reminds her how close it was, seeking refuge outside the ropes. However, when she comes back in, Mickie is on her, locking her into some weird submission. She contorts Winter’s leg, putting a boot between her shoulder blades and even pulling a little hair in the process. That costs her the hold and Winter crawls to the apron, giving Mickie a boot when she comes after her.
Cue the awkward moment when you think you’ve got your opponent around the waist and then they do-si-do, heel toe and you end up in the corner.
Mickie bounces Winter back by holding tight on the turnbuckles but the dweller of darkness comes back, getting a pair of legs around the throat. A slip-up, slide-in pin attempt and no! A clap to the head and it’s broken up. But Mickie isn’t giving up and she sticks to Winter like glue, keeping her from escaping to the outside. Right forearm shots to the jaw and the champ looks to put a little hurtin’ on her opponent. However, Angelina Love has other plans. For some reason, she sees fit to get on the apron and talk a little trash, then jump down when the heat comes her way. Okay. I get it. Classic move of distraction, giving Winter the chance to sneak in but you’re kinda knocking your credibility. You could have at least dropped her across the ropes while Hebner wasn’t looking. Just saying.
Regardless of my opinion, Angelina steps back and when Mickie turns around, Winter is on her like nightfall. A club to the back and a slam attempt but Mickie fights back! A low dropkick and rebound sliding dropkick, into the pin attempt but it’s no good. Winter, like a cat, rolls to the outside to regroup and strategize with Angelina. Mickie is oh so kind and invites her back but it is disrespectfully declined. In true fashion, the cat and mouse game ensues and Mickie eventually steps outside the ring, chasing Winter around. We see Angelina crouched in position but when she goes for the clothesline, the champ ducks out of the way and nails her with a hard elbow. And what does she get in return? She gets a huge bite of the metal ringpost. Hope you’re hungry, Mickie.
Unceremoniously, Winter picks Mickie up and tosses her off the barricade, dropping her to the cement floor. It takes Miss James a minute to gather herself, obviously feeling the harsh reality of hitting that surface. Meanwhile, Winter is in the ring, down in an Elvis style pose to help the official start the count-out. But Mickie fights hard and eventually works her way back over the barricade, still down on all fours. So what does Angelina do? Gives her a nice swift kick to the midsection, of course! Nothing like seizing the moment, right? Winter, playing smart, is quick to go out and grab Mickie, rolling her back into the ring. Angelina, on the outside, skips off like Little Bo Peep only..not. Why did you skip? I mean, yeah…there are no words.
Into the back arm stretch from Winter and Mickie is not having it. She comes back with elbows and flips Winter over, going for that jacknife pinning bridge but no! Not even a two. Sticking to harsh tactics, Winter goes for the choke and then leads into a dropping backbreaker stretch. There’s hair pulling, knees to the face and major boos from the crowd. What the hell you jeering for? Shame on you. Into the corner the ladies go, Winter using her boots against Mickie’s throat and Mickie using her boots to crack Winter down. Insert a rolling headscissors and Mickie is feeling the momentum now. A faceplant on Winter with a kip-up, heading to the top rope. A nice thesz press from up high but there is no pin attempt this time and that could be a major mistake. While Winter is down on the mat, she distracts the referee and Angelina sneaks her little ass into the ring. BAM! She drops the champ with that knee drop backbreaker, or as Mike Tenay calls it “Break-a-Bitch”. I died. I seriously choked for a moment. I can’t.
But I must because this match is still going on. Multiple shoulders and stomps to the midsection in the corner and the official pulls Winter out but she goes back in, sitting Mickie on the top rope. But that gives her just enough of a window to fight back and WHAM! nail that tornado DDT. However, it doesn’t work in her favor because Winter’s momentum carried her to the outside, leaving no room for a pin. Dammit! Here comes that pesky Angelina again, trying to break a bitch. Always trying to break shit. But Mick ain’t having it this time and drops her with a neckbreaker, pushing her back to the outside. Immediately, her focus goes to Winter and she rolls her opponent back into the ring, trying to finish this thing off. And, of course, there’s Angelina again. Someone call the police because we need a restraining order against this one.
WHAT THE **CENSORED**!?!
Did Winter just spit red shit in Mickie’s face?! Someone call MsChif/Tajiri/Kool-Aid Man! We got a gimmick infringement on our hands! Quick to seize the chance, Winter goes for the sneak pin, covering Mickie’s face and Hebner counts the three. We have a NEW Knockouts Champion, who has this creeped out look on her face. I swear, it’s like she drank a glass of evil Kool-Aid. And Mickie looks like her face is bleeding in places we didn’t know existed, screaming that she can’t see and just completely freaking out. She can’t see and when the trainers run down, he asks her where it is. Um..that would be in her eyes. You know, those round things in her eye sockets THAT HELP HER SEE! All the while, Angelina and Winter are celebrating like they just won the lottery, short of nothing but balloons. Regardless of blind spots, we have a new Knockouts Champion in Impact Wrestling and you had better believe this changes things quite a bit.
Thoughts: I was very impressed with the action at pay-per-view. Very solid matches from all Knockouts involved. I am happy to see a new Knockouts Champion in Winter. I think she has major potential and where I didn’t think she would win, given Mickie’s fighting side, I am intrigued to see her pull it out. I’m curious to see where she’ll take it from here. I am also curious to see if Mickie will ever get her sight back. She’s clearly blinded from the jello mixture that Winter spit in her face so we’ll find out soon, I’m sure. As for the tag team match, I think Taramacher are really developing into a hell of a team. Tara is a great point of reference for Tessmacher and I’m glad to see them working together so well. It also seems like Rosita is coming along a bit better in the ring as well. Glad to see that Sarita’s current medical condition isn’t stopping her. Anyway, all-around great night from the Knockouts. Major congratulations to Winter, who came off with the hugely deserved win. Double champion! Hey hey! Until Impact, my lovies! xoxox
Rating: 4/5 stars
What did you guys and gals think of Hardcore Justice? Let me know in the comments below!
25 Comments
at 7:07 am
i thought it was a great night for the ko,both matches were good with a little minor flaws was in the winter mickie match, winter should at least hit her finisher on mickie once spited that mist on her,and angelina constant interference ruined the match one or two should half done it,and i was in favor of winter winning on the next ppv no surrender,i mean have mickie go aginst the odd and then have winter win the next month it made mickie look weak and took .
A.E Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 7:10 am
no one take me wrong i had nothing against winter but not of a fan of the idea,of the challenger taking the title of the champ out of the first try,it take the credibility of the champ.other than that flaws it was an awesome night for the ko.
at 7:09 am
Match wsnt bad and hope velvet is next KO champ!
Kim099 Reply:
August 10th, 2011 at 1:36 am
After Angelina gets it from Winter
at 7:20 am
the last match was okay winter and mickie wrestle slow something like watching a divas match
TheGunner Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 7:55 am
They botched all the moves?
at 8:14 am
Great matchs……I hope to see more matchs like these.
And thank you Hogan/Bitchoff for FINALLY alowing Sarita using wrestling moves.
at 8:17 am
I really, really wish they would stop pairing up Rosita and Tara so much during attacks/matches. A few weeks ago when Tessmacher and Tara hid during Rosita & Sarita’s entrance, those two went for each other, and it happens a lot during matches. It’s just not believable, at all, to have Rosita “beating” on Tara. Tara is a brawler, Rosita is a grappler with that Lucha style. It just looks RIDICULOUS having your tallest knockout facing off against your smallest. Sarita taking on Tara just makes more sense, with Tessmacher handling Rosita.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the match a lot. Miss Tessmacher is really beginning to shine. I loved how she waited until the very last tenth of a second to pull Sarita off the apron.
An inconsistency that I had pointed out on Sunday with the Mickie/Winter match was Earl being the official and allowing Angelina to stay ring side, despite him kicking out Mexican America AND Sarita/Rosita from their respective matches. Every week he is always kicking people out from ring side even when it’s not called for.
Winter is one of the best female talents on the roster. She doesn’t need to play dirty to win. I get it, she’s a heel, but to win your first major championship by constant outside interference and using the old fashion mist in the eyes just made her look weak.
I did enjoy their match, though. It could have gone either way so many times, and I POPPED over the Mickie-DT from the top turnbuckle. I’m surprised more people haven’t pointed that out. It was beautiful and Winter executed her part perfectly.
I’m starting to think the mist in Mickie’s eyes, and her dropping the belt so soon, was to have her written off for a few weeks. She always has her schedule for months in advance on her website, and today (Monday) was her last appearance in Orlando for tapings. Her schedule goes as far as October and says nothing else about Impact tapings. I think she’s taking a few months off to focus on her album and promoting it.
I could very well be wrong, but it would make a lot of sense that she’s starting her album next week and she dropped the title at this PPV as opposed to next month’s.
Okay, I think I’ll wrap my novel up here. Apologies for the length, looks like I had a lot to vent about!
Raekon Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
You are right about Mickie, she said in her latest interview that she is focusing on bringing out her album in Oktober. :)
Due to this they probably came up with the jelly in the eyes as a excuse so she can have the time off till then.
at 8:25 am
Great review, but I’m sorry, the smark in me has to bring this up.
You brought up MsChif, Taijiri, and the Kool Aid Man, but not Great Muta? C’mon!
Mikas Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
If you are going to be Smarky, then dont forget to mention the Great Kabuki who was the first to use the mist ;-)
at 8:38 am
Finally! mickie won the best ever! im glad that winter getting her time to shine! <3
at 12:33 pm
Loved the tag team match!
Great tag team moves by sarita and rosita, tessmacher was awesome and gets better and better and tara was as usual our tara! :)
I liked mickie and winter in the match too but to be honest the permanent interference from Angelina hit on my nerves a bit cause even it made mickie look like a very strong champion that its not easy to get down, it took away from winter looking as a worthy champion at the same time.
Also a small misscommunication at the apron between the two but only once.
Other than that, both matches ppv worthy and all about wrestling (unlike wwe).
at 12:52 pm
Did anyone else feel like they were watching the Mickie of mid/late 2006 in that match? It wasn’t just the attire (which was cute as hell btw); it was in her mannerisms and just the way she carried herself. It reminded me of the old Mickie, when she was still a babyface but was a little quirky and different. I liked it.
Winter as champion could be interesting. I was enjoying Mickie’s run with it, but still. The red mist was great imo, and Mickie sold it wonderfully.
Miss Tessmacher’s part of that promo was dreadful.
at 4:00 pm
I liked the Tag Match ,it was really GOOD imo . Miss.T and Rosita did good ,Tara and Sarita well they were tara and sarita good like always . I hope to see some more Tag Team Title matches on PPV
The knockouts match, I LOVED .Mickie Looked Beautiful :) Angelina looked sexy as well ,and winter did too. Great match Overall .
On a side note- MICKIE CAN ACT HER ASS OFF OMG .She made me actually believe that there was something wrong with her ,it was like I was a kid again loll
But GREAT PPV for the KO like always
at 5:01 pm
The Tag Team Match Was Awesome ! Miss T is really getting there lol The reverse suplex into that pin attempt was nice. Sarita’s Double underhook slam was awesome also. . Tara hit the widows peak on the head. I love that women lol
So GLAD WINTER IS NEW KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION! You know how long I’ve wnated to see Katie/Winter hold a title. She is one of my favorite female wrestlers , I was dying to see her as Womens Champion. Im really glad TNA is giving her a chance. The match was really great loved the DDt by Mickie. 4/5 Stars. Also Did I mention how Im xcited to see Mickie back in skirts , it kinda reminded me of the old Mickie back in 06 …
at 5:47 pm
“…trying to break a bitch. Always trying to break shit” lol
at 5:50 pm
That tag match as plain awesome! *puts a £ in the “epic jar” for later*
The pace was blistering and both teams actually looked like Teams rather than two pairs of soloists thrown together on a whim.
Brook sure has improved a heckload in a short time. Take note Lacey that how it’s done.
With all the powering from Tara does that make her the new “Strong Woman” Knockout? She looked so fierce in that match.
The championship match went as expected really. Just waiting on the fallout on Thursday.
at 6:29 pm
I loved the tag match. Tessmacher has improved so much and she’s really coming into her own. I laugh whenever rosita is beating up Tara because the size difference is too funny xD
the winter/mickie match was another good one, I’ve watched this match like 20 times now, it’s one of my favs ;D
at 6:31 pm
look at winters face when she won the title, she was to cry. I bet this meant so much to her, to finally be given a chance to be champion in mainstream. This was probably her career highlight, and beating mickie james makes it more special to her
congrates winter, it’s been a long road :)
at 6:53 pm
That was a great PPV. Wow. The tag match was good. It’s always nice to see consistent improvement from the two newbies. Singles match was just an excellent American-style match. Vintage Knockouts. The only thing I would’ve liked to see is for Winter to hit a finisher or at least a DDT or something after the mist, but Mickie sold it so perfectly through the end of the segment that it was still believable without it.
at 7:01 pm
I’m so glad for Kat/Winter- she’s finally getting the respect she deserves…and to use the mist fit her character’s tone perfectly (and the fact it was red instead of the usual green was a nice touch)..and the tag match was good too, Tessmacher has really improved…
at 10:43 pm
Hardcore Justice was a great PPV for the Ko’s side despite iMPACT has been kinda bland to me.
the KO’s tag team title match was what a Divas tag team match should be and what was so great about that match was it told a story and it was about that fight in the parking lot and Sarita’s face another reason why I loved there was a rematch.
OMG WTF was Mickie wearing? I feel that Mickie’s KO’s title reign didn’t have enough challengers.Glad to see Winter win a singles title now one of those KO’s who’ve won the tag team title & Knockouts title. So is Tara too.
Anyway back to Winter her run in the WWE was sad but its great to see her be successful and cant wait to see what’s next.
at 11:51 pm
WOW JUST WOW WHAT SUCH GREAT MATCHES !!!!!!! I just LOVED the tag team match ! And the Ko’s title match was VERY GOOD. It seemed slow at the begginning but it picked up !
I rate them both 5/5.
at 2:44 am
My girl Tess was gettin’ it in that Knockouts tag team championship match.
On a totally superficial note, I really wish Impact Wrestling’s seamstress would stop making the Knockouts’ skirts so baggy in the back. First Madison, now Mickie. The construction? Really sloppy. But girl… that’s neither here nor there.