A bowtie and a suit dressed for the plebs but still better than all the rest –
that is how I saw Bob Backlund at Final Resolution. His exotic scoring led to
a tie between Alex Shelley and Austin Starr and eventually sudden death overtime
which Shelley won for the Paparazzi tournament trophy. I write about Backlund
first, because the "Chicken wing" chant for the legend was unreal. I
was engrossed with how adamant he was at putting it on Starr for disrespecting
him. Joe and Angle are so easily subdued by the most grossly out of shape and
underweight security that has ever been put forth to maintain order, but not the
American Blue Blood of wrestling! He ran over them and continued for at least
three minutes to put the move on Starr! I lead with this because as I walked backstage
after this segment I crossed paths with the old veteran. He was in better shape
than some men that still work in the ropes. Hands in my pockets, I looked at him
as he was walking by and said, " It was an honour to watch you in person,
Mr. Backlund." The man could have easily just nodded or said thank you and
kept passing. Backlund though showed true class and honour by recognizing me.
He back-pedalled two steps as I kept walking forward, patted me on the shoulder,
and with a humble grin and excitement of a young man getting rave reviews from
someone more important than me, shared a true moment of graciousness. While looking
down at me with the pat and in a soft voice, he said, "Thank you very much;
thank you so much, young man!" He then walked on his way, but it was a pure
moment that only a classy guy would share with just a man that acknowledged what
he gave on that night. I will always remember a subtle moment like that than the
b.s. I have experienced with other younger guys in the business. I thank you,
Mr. Backlund, for being what a star is supposed to be, and what a true gentleman
is – a Class Act.
I also think everyone should really be appreciative at what the Universal park
staff does with putting on the events with TNA. I would list their names, but
hell, I might misspell them and offend the excellent staff they have put together
to get a cohesive show with a hot audience each night they are out there working
with TNA. It was a well run show and from the guys in the back to my favourite
pretzel girl, I have so much respect for all that pulled through with as well
a show that could be run in that venue.
So without further ado, back to the show and my article. My new found man crush
on Backlund aside, and kissing up to Universal…everyone wants a screenplay
made! Final Resolution felt like zero resolution. I shall save you guys a little
spoiler even though I am sure you already heard them by now from the taping
the next night but a lot of resolution was not seen in the story lines. The
spoilers from Monday did miss a great backstage shot live just for TV, and all
I can say is a fireball went off in a certain wrestlers face and it looked great
watching it live. I credit Russo, these two wrestlers, and others whom I constantly
gush about for the execution and hopefully excitement that will come about with
this cool shot.
There is just one disappointment I felt in the Iron Man match – probably the
worst iron man match I have seen . The clock counting down 30 minutes on the
big screen was the only thing different from a format that was basically used
in an almost 25 minute match earlier with Rhino versus A J Styles, which was
a better match. They didn’t use the clock but had the same multiple pin all
match. Joe and Angle went on a punch, kick, one suplex and wrist hold for thirty
minutes. It looked like a Raw match. They played to the crowd and let them lead
the match more than take the crowd on the journey. If Angle was coming to help
tell TNA wrestlers tell stories better in the ring, this night he told a terrible
Raw story. Sure, I like the 30:01 tap out by Angle but for 29:99 I watched as
the crowd gave me more than the two top stars of this program. I heard later
Angle got a concussion from the best spot of the match with Joe throwing himself
through the ropes, but those things were so few that afterwards it felt like
I was watching a Terry Gilliam movie that was written at the same speed as "Brother’s
Grimm."
The Angle/Joe feud will now replace the Abyss/Sting/Christian feud in the main
event and let the Sting/Abyss segments flow freer without the title and Christian
in the mix. I once again am amazed at the work the Stinger is putting together
with Abyss. Even though some things might come across hokey, these two are putting
something special in the storyline for Russo to work with, and he seems to be
into it as well.
Starr and Shelley came across as big winners and I think Starr, after cutting
his promo after the loss to Shelley could be on the verge of great things. He
just needs to get a shot at some more mic time. His feud with Senshi will be
great and hopefully move him into an area where he can do more with his talent
to help the TNA product. I know this article is turning Larry King-ish but there
is so much that these two eyes witnessed that it is hard to get into one giant
article. So I will be putting more into the Cauldron of Madness later in the
week and finish this up for you guys that actually give a crap about what the
Irish kid from the mean streets of the lower US has to say. The darlin one has
never backed down from the ale or a fight , but luckily all my fights came with
the ale trying to stay in my belly. So with that horrible joke I shall bid you
ado.
Stay tuned at the same wrestling site of the darlin one and of the wrestling
GODS! Wrestling 101.com the leprechauns and the bums both read it as well as
the sweet children that Swift wanted to eat up to Flair and Tony Blair. That
is at least how I get through my inane manic depressive mind with thoughts of
glory!
Darlin’ Danny Dunn