TNA Xplosion Watch (January 30th, 2013): Two Fan Favorites Go Head-to-Head
What’s up Knockout fans and welcome to this week’s Xplosion Watch. TNA have kindly gave us a Knockouts match on this week’s Challenge TV exclusive show and after watching it, I couldn’t be happier. It’s the battle of the good girls on this edition as Brooke Miss Tessmacher goes one-on-one with Mickie James. With both fan favorites desperate to become number one contender to the Knockouts Title once again, which girl will want it more and climb up the ladder? Will Tess ‘shock’ Mickie or will Hardcore Country prove that she’s ‘not the kinda girl that ever gives up’? Let’s find out, shall we?
(Skip to 2:20)
“YOU KNOW WHEN I TEASE, YOU TOUCH”! I am definitely now screaming and getting off on the rush as Miss Tessmacher makes her way to the ring. Not to be outdone in the epic entrance theme stakes, out next is the country starlet herself, Mickie James! The eight-time champion skips her way to the ring and with Taryn Terrell signalling for the bell (I’m a poet and oh don’t I know it), the bout is underway.
Todd Keneley (who is normally fantastic) says a load of codswallop about how Brooke Hogan brought Mickie James back to TNA (she never left!) as the competitors collide with a collar and elbow tie-up. Both girls don’t want to let go of the hold and push each other all around the ring before Mickie puts her leg between the ropes and Taryn forces them to break it up. The girls smile at how even their exchange was before grappling once more, but this time, Mickie immediately gets the better of Tess and applies a side headlock. Brooke then reverses this with a keylock before Mickie reverses again by executing a swift hammerlock which she transitions into a headlock. The aforementioned move is then broken as Mickie is forced to run the ropes but luckily for her, she manages to shoulder tackle Tessmacher down. She then uses the ropes to gain momentum and although Brooke avoids contact at first, Mickie rebounds back and hits a sweet dropkick, which sends her adversary to the outside. A commercial break then follows and so far, both girls have been even stevens.
Back from the break and there is still a level playing field as the Knockouts once again lock-up. Mickie James goes for a waistlock before Tessmacher standing switches and takes Mickie down. The former Extreme Expose member then wrenches her foe with a headlock and although Mickie tries with all her might to get out of it, Tess keeps it locked in for a good thirty seconds. Finally, Hardcore Country manages to power out and wrap a headscissors on Brooke. Tess breaks free, kips up and goes back to the well so to speak by controlling the pace with another headlock. Mickie once again struggles to get out of the hold and when she lifts Tessmacher up, the teasing Texan simply floats over and tightens the hold. Mickie rolls Tess over and goes for a pin but that doesn’t ‘mess with Tess’ who is still dominating. Mickie then clubs Brooke’s side and forces her towards the corner but yet AGAIN, Miss Tessmacher finds a way to keep Mickie at bay (yet more rhyming) by traversing the ropes and thrusting Mickie towards the mat.
Finally (hallelujah!) Mickie manages to get out of her troublesome predicament, snapmare her opponent over and land a basement dropkick. After a two-count, the Richmond, Virginia native then decides to apply a submission of her own by digging her knees into Brooke’s back and crossing Brooke’s arms. After an initial failed attempt to get out, Brooke fights through the pain and monkey flips Ms James, resulting in a very high angled fall – very nice!
Mickie elbows Tess as the latter charges at the former but as Mickie then goes for her patented Mick-a-rana, Tessmacher counters and goes for her signature faceplant from the corner. Yet another reversal takes place in what has been a tremendous back and forth match and Mickie manages to hit a flapjack. The former WWE Women’s and Divas Champion then goes to the top, but after she misses her Lou Thesz Press, the former secretary to Eric Bischoff (clutching at synonym straws) starts to gain momentum. After hitting a series of strikes, Tessmacher uses one of her best ass-ets (pun intended) by booty popping in Mickie’s face. Brooke jerks Mickie from the corner, dropping her on her back, but she only manages to get a two-count. Mickie then attempts the Mickie-DT which is reversed into a Tess Shocker attempt and just when you think it could be over, Mickie makes sure that there is one last reversal in this match, and she rolls Tessmacher into a schoolgirl roll-up and gets the win. The two girls raise one-another’s hands and embrace to the end the segment.
Thoughts: Reversal, counter, reversal, counter, reversal, counter! Although this match was hard to recap without sounding too repetitive, it was a pleasure to watch! With so many headlocks, it’s easy to compare this to a certain headlock fest on WWE Smackdown a few weeks back but honestly, I really enjoyed the natural and realistic feel to the match. If you ever have a fun fight with someone (and let’s be honest, which wrestling fan hasn’t), you tend to go for headlocks and simple submissions as a way to realistically get the win and this match certainly represented that notion of realism. The action was back and forth, there were no botches in sight and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw – and it definitely left me wanting to see more!
Another cool thing to point out was that commercial breaks can often take away from the action, yet in this case, it caused no problems to the flow of the match at all. Normally, someone is often on the offense when the cameras start rolling again, but this time, it was as though the show was commercial free (well it was as it was on Dailymotion but you get what I mean). Overall, TNA has perhaps give us an early match of the year candidate and I hope that when it comes to the end of 2013, this contest has not been forgotten. And with that, stay tuned, Jack will be back!
: Two Fan Favorites Go Head-to-Head){kind=link}
JillianHallTNA
February 2, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Wow! We had two Knockouts matches already on Xplosion this year! :D
JillianHallTNA
February 2, 2013 at 4:56 pm
This should be the match of the year!! :D
Francisco
February 2, 2013 at 5:04 pm
So if Aksana and Kaitlyn do it the match is horrible, but if Brooke and Mickie do it its amazing and match of the year candidate? seems a bit biased. For me the match was boring and the crowd wasn’t as hot as it usually is, which turned off the match even more imo, i did like the arm reversal thing they did it was fun and original, but other than that it was slightly better than Kaitlyn vs Aksana, but it was as boring as it.
Mr. Asstastic
February 2, 2013 at 5:22 pm
I don’t think you can compare the two. This match would be like Mickie and Brooke showing Kaitlyn and Aksana how it’s done. They didn’t just lock in a headlock for two minutes, they used the move to transition into countless reversals to display what they can do and keep the match flowing and the fans involved. I think you could count the other moves Kaitlyn and Aksana did on one hand, and the crowd was asleep. That was stalling, this was wrestling.
Francisco
February 2, 2013 at 6:03 pm
just to make it clear im not a mickie nor a brooke hater, i love them both as i said the match was slightly better than aksana’s and kaitlyn’s, they did use various reversals but always got onto the same move, and i find it unfair that just because they’re both more experienced than kaitlyn and aksana people are saying it was great, when actually it wasn’t, the crowd here was asleep aswell until one of the knockouts did their signature moves, plus they perform infront of the same crowd every week, which gives them the popularity advantage, so ofc the crowd will cheer for them, unlike kaitlyn and aksana that perform to different crowds every week/ or don’t even perform at all. Both of the matches were wrestling you can’t deny that the Kaitlyn/Aksana match showed in ring psychology. Resuming both of the matches were boring and weren’t anything i would pay to see.
JillianHallTNA
February 2, 2013 at 5:24 pm
the match was back and forth, plus they used ropes and other moves while Aksana just grabbed Kaitlyn for 4 minutes and didn’t let go at all…
and besides that, there was a match after 2 minutes of headlock back and forth moves unlike Kaitlyn who get out of and hit her finisher and the match was over right there.
Francisco
February 2, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Kaitlyn actually did some back and forth moves, she did her side walk slam for example, you’re just trying to see everything bad in the aksana/kaitlyn match and everything good on the mickie/ brooke match, just admit it both of them had there pro’s and con’s but none of them are something you would cheer for.
Jack
February 2, 2013 at 6:21 pm
I definitely respect your opinion Francisco and I see where you’re coming from but I personally thought that this match was sort of an extension of what we saw with Kaitlyn and Aksana. Even though Brooke used a headlock several times in this match, the ways that she kept Mickie in hold were more innovative and exciting to me, and towards the end, both girls picked up some form of momentum, which was again, another difference to the WWE match. I also loved the ending of this one as it was unpredictable. Still, I definitely see where you are coming from!
JillianHallTNA
February 2, 2013 at 6:33 pm
he’s just an Aksana mark. I love Aksana and I voted for her in every poll on Diva-Dirt and I am very excited to see Aksana on WWE shows but c’mon. You can’t even compare this match with WWE’s one. Now every match that we will see using a headlock will be compared to Aksana’s one, come on.. Y’all need to STFU and enjoy wrestling. Piece.
Francisco
February 3, 2013 at 12:31 am
@Jack thank you for respecting my opinion, i agree with you on the part that they used different and original reversals, i even stated above i loved the arm submission counters, and altough i found the match boring i must say there were some really good spots. Again i am not a Mickie nor a Brooke hater i love them both. but if its one thing i completely hate its unfairness!
Francisco
February 3, 2013 at 12:28 am
hm i love aksana yes you’re right but im not or will ever be biased. I sure understand that Kaitlyn and Aksana don’t have the skills these girls have, but you’re damn sure being biased here, and i enjoy wrestling otherwise i wouldn’t be here giving my opinion on a wrestling match. I just find it really unfair how some people here are completely biased. its like at school a nerd does something cool and he’s mocked about it, yet if the popular boy does it he’s the hero of all school. it just doesn’t make sense whatsoever.
Bhentoooot
February 2, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Agreed. I love the counters and all but they can do better than that.
Raekon
February 2, 2013 at 8:32 pm
I agree that it was similar to Kaitlyn vs Aksana with the difference that Mickie and Brooke had much more time and less restrictions so they could do a lot more than what Kaitlyn vs Aksana were given.
Due to this both matches aren’t compareable and this one became more enjoyable.
What I loved in Kaitlyn vs Aksana was when Kaitlyn tried to go for the ropes and Aksana almost ripped her head off showing how determinate she was to put her down.
miickeyzreal
February 2, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Aksana and Kaitlyn don’t have the ability and technique that Mickie James and Brooke have, simple as that. They can’t make credible a match like this.
Francisco
February 3, 2013 at 12:34 am
i understand your point and yes you’re right, they’re not as skilled as both Mickie and Brooke, i just find it unfair how the match was so alike the Aksana vs Kaitlyn one ( altough mickie and brooke put alot more credibility in it) and people are saying it was amazing and WOW and OMG. it wasn’t, if the kaitlyn vs aksana match wasn’t good this one wasn’t either, seeing the match was alot alike only having more time and different submissions.
puppies
February 3, 2013 at 1:59 am
The matches had a similar set up but were executed differently. Had the Aksana/Kaitlyn match had just a couple more minutes added to it and more offense before/after the headlock, it probably would’ve turned out better. I don’t think the match was all that bad, but when you’re given 4 minutes to go do a match, you don’t spend 3 of the minutes on a submission. Either cut down the time of the submission, or if you really want to hold it in for 3 minutes, beg for longer time.
Corbin Matthew
February 3, 2013 at 4:49 am
Yah u Tellem Fransisco!!!
Number One
February 3, 2013 at 7:13 am
Kaitlyn and Aksana may not be as talented as Mickie and Tess, but they have made good matches together. I actually liked that “headlock” match on SmackDown and don’t agree with the criticisms. What Aksana did was her job as a heel, which is to try to wear her babyface opponent down. It was a good match overall, and one of a number of good ones that they’ve competed in.
Getdownwithachola
February 3, 2013 at 6:36 am
Are you blind??? This was way better than Aksana/kaitlyn match. Perhaps you didn’t realize this was a British style match since it is UK season with TNA.
Ryan
February 3, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Hey Francisco
I’m a fan of all four. I think that maybe a FEW ppl complained about the aksana Kate match, me personally I liked it, yes the hold was for 3 mins but it wasn’t a terrible match because aksana kept applying power and dominating with the headlock, aksana and Kate have faced each other before, a month before the head lock and the match was pretty hard hitting!!
Brooke Tess and Mickie however are miles ahead of Aksana and Kaitlyn.
You comparing them wrestling wise, Brooke and Mickie win..
The way Brooke kept going after Mickie with the head lock showed persistence asn Mickie was constantly countering her
LightsOut
February 2, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Didn’t like the match at all, too many headlocks and straight jackets, even if there was some good counters and spots.
FrenchFineFierce
February 2, 2013 at 5:50 pm
MICKIE PLEASE !!!! TURN HEEL ONCE AND FOR ALL OR LEAVE !
shameronstar
February 2, 2013 at 6:10 pm
The match was technically sound but I think it would been much more exciting if one of them were heel. I don’t know why but I think Miss Tess could wrestle a really good heel style!
redsandman99
February 2, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Had some nice counters but I didn’t find it particularly exciting.
Bhentoooot
February 2, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Another evidence that not all long matches are good. lots of headlocks and straight jackets. It bored me to death.
MaccaJack
February 2, 2013 at 7:19 pm
To compare this to Aksana/Kaitlyn is just mind blowing. This match contained headlocks and submissions among a stacked program. That’s all there was for Aksana vs Kaitlyn.
Great work by both girls.
Raekon
February 2, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Was funny to see Mickie calling the match and I liked the back and forth action a lot.
A few great spots in the reversals there too.
Good match.
puppies
February 2, 2013 at 11:03 pm
I enjoyed it a lot. The headlocks worked because of the ways they reversed/kept them. The spot where Brooke does a Stratusfaction-seque springboard off the turnbuckle and keeps the head lock in tact was really cool, match highlight for me.
jonboi
February 2, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Its funny how this match had more headlocks than a certain smackdown match a few weeks ago but still turned out great!!!! That’s the difference when u have to great workers instead of to green workers :-)
puppies
February 3, 2013 at 12:20 am
There weren’t many headlocks in the SD match, just one long, endless headlock.
Getdownwithachola
February 3, 2013 at 6:39 am
For those of you who got bored of the match all what I can tell you is congratulations you have failed at being a wrestling fan.
Number One
February 3, 2013 at 7:15 am
One of these KOs needs to turn heel ASAP! I’ve been wanting Mickie to turn heel for almost two years now, and I am still hoping TNA pulls that proverbial trigger. On the other hand, Brooke would make a fantastic villain as well, but I really want Mickie to turn.
Ryan
February 3, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Great match!! Love a good exhibition match!!
And Brooks ass is so big and firm!! Got Dayum! Dat Ass!!! Love her hard hitting style too!! Brooke is deff one if my favorite wrestlers plu she’s incredibly sexy just like Mickie and Terryn
Knockouts rock!
MickieJamesluvslave
February 4, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Good technical match
Mickie/Brooke for KO TAG CHAMPS