"Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (8) vs. "Super Mex" Hernandez (7)
This is another first time ever matchup and it pits the #7 contender Hernandez against the #8 contender Kurt Angle. Just a reminder, technically Hernandez still has a guaranteed Title shot in his back pocket (though I doubt TNA will ever mention it again). Hernandez and Angel circle each other and then they lockup and Hernandez powers Angle into the corner. Hernandez releases Angle and then they circle each other again. Angel shoots in and gets a takedown on Hernandez. Angle then transitions into a Front Chancery. Hernandez fights up to his feet and Hernandez forces Angle into the corner again. Hernandez releases it but then eats a nasty European Uppercut from Angle followed by another! Angle hits a third one but that just seems to wake Hernandez up as he comes to life and levels Angle with a Forearm Smash! Hernandez then charges Angle but Angle backdrops him over the top rope. Hernandez lands on the apron and then hits a shoulderblock through the ropes. Hernandez follows up with the Slingshot Shoulder Block! Hernandez grabs Angle but Angle comes out of nowhere with a series of right hands. Angle then comes off the ropes but east a big shoulder block from Hernandez. Hernandez grabs Angle and locks him in an Overhead Gutwrench Rack! Hernandez then drops it into a Backbreaker! 1...2...NO Angle kicks out! Hernandez picks Angle up but again Angle answers with a series of right hands on Hernandez. Angle then whips Hernandez into the corner and charges in with a stiff Running Clothesline! Hernandez drops down in the corner in a heap. Angle goes to pick him up but Hernandez kicks him in the gut and then grabs the top rope and pulls himself up onto the top rope! Angle then leaps up quickly to the top but Hernandez just shoves him off! Hernandez sets up for a Splash but again Angle gets to the top quick as hell and hits the Bell-to-Belly Superplex! 1....2...NO Hernandez kicks out! That move looked really good. Both men fight to their feet and Hernandez gets there first so he goes for a clothesline, but Angle ducks and hits the German Suplex! Angle rolls over and connects with a 2nd one and then a third! Angle holds on and hits a fourth German! 1...2...NO Hernandez kicks out again! Angle gets to his feet and goes for the Angle Slam but Hernandez blocks it and then connects with a gorgeous looking Overhead Gutwrench Slam! 1...2...NO Angle kicks out! Hernandez grabs Angle and sets up for the Border Toss but Angle blocks it and then hits the Angle Slam! 1...2...NO Hernandez still kicks out as the fans are rocking now! Angle can't believe that Hernandez kicked out and then he begins climbing to the top. Angle goes for the Moonsault but Hernandez rolls out of the way! Hernandez then levels Angle with the Running Shoulder Block! Hernandez grabs Angle and goes for the Delayed Vertical Suplex but Hernandez seems to have held Angle up there for a hair too long, as Angle was able reverse into a rollup and Angle grabs the ankle and locks in the Ankle Lock! Angle scissors the legs and lays back and starts twisting that ankle! Hernandez kicks out! Excellent match.
Lock up and Angle gets a headlock takedown on Kazarian right away. Kazarian responds with a few arm drags. Mike Tenay mentions on commentary that a new Top 10 rankings will be revealed this week on Impact. Angle lifts Kazarian up and slams him into the corner. Kazarian fires back connecting with a springboard missile dropkick. Angle hits a german suplex, a second, attempts a third and Kazarian gets in a low blow in front of the referee. The referee gets in Kazarian's and is close to stopping the match when Angle prevents it. Kazarian jumps at Angle and pushes him to the corner getting in a few right hands. Kazarian with a big flip dive over the top rope taking out Angle. Kazarian with a slingshot leg drop. Angle with a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Kazarian responds with a clothesline. Kazarian with a few rights and Angle is able to sneak in a big release german suplex. Angle with a high back body suplex on Kazarian. Kazarian counters an Angle Slam attempt into a spinning neckbreaker for a two count. Angle with a powerbomb on Kazarian and transitions right into an Ankle Lock. Kazarian counters that into a close two count.
Kazarian with a quick dropkick on Angle. Kazarian starts going up top with Angle recovering on his back. Angle pops up and launches Kazarian off the top rope to the mat below. Angle with an Ankle Lock on Kazarian. Kazarian kicks Angle away and then hits a big springboard DDT from the ring apron. Angle with a short german suplex on Kazarian. Angle with a second german. Angle with a third german. Angle with a fourth german and a release. Angle drops the straps and looks to finish Kazarian. Kazarian is able to counter and hit his modified Tombstone Piledriver behind his back. Kazarian covers Angle and Angle kicks out just barely after two. Kazarian counters a tilt-a-whirl attempt by Kazarian into a clothesline. Kazarian comes off top, Angle catches him with a kick and Angle Slam. Cover by Angle and Kazarian barely kicks out after two. Angle is shocked. Kazarian with a roll up on Angle and uses the ropes, but Angle still kicks out. Kazarian attempted his modifed Tombstone Piledriver again when Angle counters and gets Kazarian locked in the Ankle Lock. Angle falls down to wrench it in more and Kazarian taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle had his arm raised and says, "One down, nine more to go." We then see highlights from the match leading to the finish.
This is Kurt's first time in the ring since Lockdown back in April. I do believe this is the first time he's ever faced Red as well. Red has some new ring gear and a Mohawk! That dude changes his look on the regular. Red and Angle shake hands before the bell. Angle and Red lockup and Angle gets a side headlock on Red but Red shoves him into the ropes. Angle comes off the ropes with a Shoulderblock and then he hits the ropes again and this time Red leapfrogs him and connects with an armdrag! Red follows up with a Spinning Headscissors Takeover! Angle gets to his feet and stares down Red as the fans give them a round of applause. Angle shoots in on Red and gets a Waistlock and then goes for a German Suplex, but Red lands on his feet! Angle goes for a clothesline but Angle ducks it only to eat a Belly-to-Belly Overhead Suplex as he comes off the ropes! Angle hits a European Uppercut and then he charges at Red but Red sidesteps him and Angle goes crashing through the ropes to the floor. Red goes for a Slingshot Plancha but Angle moves out of the way! Red is able to land on his feet, though, and then he ducks a clothesline from Angle. Red charges at Angle on the floor and Angle lifts Red up into the air. Red lands on the apron and then backkicks Angle and hits a Flying Hurricanrana off the apron onto Angle on the floor! Red rolls Angle back into the ring and then he dives off the top with a Springboard Cross Body attempt, but Angle ducks it and then absolutely demolishes Red with a Lariat! Angle goes for the Angle Slam but Red counters into a DDT out of nowhere! Taz brings up Angle's neck injuries. Red gets to his feet and hits an Enziguri on Angle and then charges at Angle again. Angle backdrops Red over the top and again Red lands on his feet on the apron. Red with a Springboard Red Eye! 1...2...NO Angle kicks out! Red grabs Angle but Angle comes out of nowhere with a German Suplex! Angle drops the straps and goes for the Angle Slam again, and again Red counters it! This time Red counters into an Armdrag and then he goes for a Roundhouse kick to a kneeling Angle, but Angle ducks it and Red spins around into a Spinning Enziguri to the side of Angle's head! Red follows up with the Rana Driver and then the Red Star Press! 1...2...NO Angle is able to still kick out! Red climbs to the top and goes for the Infrared but Angle moves out of the way and hits the Angle Slam! 1....2...3 and Angle gets the hard fought win.
Winner: Angle via pinfall (Angle Slam)
After the match Angle helps Red to his feet and raises his hand and then hugs him.
The only way to win this match is to use the key and exit through the steel cage door. Mr. Anderson currently has possession of the key. The door is locked shut and the bell rings. Anderson with some quick right hands early on. Anderson levels Angle with a big dropkick to the knee. Anderson grabs his key and immediately tries to open the lock when Angle breaks it up. Anderson wraps the chain holding the key around his hand and starts hitting Angle with it. Anderson again goes for the lock and Angle hits a big back suplex. The key was left inside the lock. Anderson tosses Angle shoulder first into the side of the steel cage. Angle caught his head on the cage during this spot and is now busted open. Anderson throws down the right hands over a bloody Angle. Angle was able to make a brief comeback driving Anderson head first into the cage. Anderson is busted open at this point. Anderson takes his time and starts climbing up the top turnbuckle when Angle explodes, jumps up and hits a huge belly-to-belly on Anderson off the top turnbuckle.
Anderson starts choking Angle with his wrist tape. Anderson applies a body scissors to apply more pressure. Angle looks to be out of it when he breaks up the leg scissors, fights to his knees and then gives Anderson a big back suplex. Blood is continuing to pour down the head of Angle. Series of counters between the two. Angle launches Anderson across the ring with another big overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Angle goes to work on Anderson connectizng with a series of german suplexes. Angle teases he is going to walk out of the cage, but closes the door and applies an Ankle Lock on Anderson. Anderson breaks free, but Angle hits an Angle Slam. Angle then grabs the key out of the lock and throws it over the cage. Angle then flips off Anderson and goes to work on him. Anderson breaks free and tries to get out of the cage climbing over. Angle catches up with him against the steel cage on the top rope and Angle executes a sick german suplex. A loud "THIS IS AWESOME" chant starts up in St. Louis. Angle then positions Anderson near the corner and teases a moonsault.
Angle looks back, looks up and then climbs to the top of the steel cage. Angle turns his body, attempts a moonsault and just barely connects on Anderson. Angle was close to missing that and hitting the ropes instead. The replay tells a hell of a story. Angle then busts open the cage door, but looks back at Anderson who is on his knees and flips him off. Angle walks forward, Anderson hits a low blow and Mic Check. Anderson starts crawling out of the cage door when Angle catches him and pulls him back in the ring. Angle locks on an Ankle Lock and Anderson taps out. The referee signals the match can't end that way. Anderson then rolls through sending Angle face first into the steel cage. Anderson starts rolling out when Angle grabs his warrior medal and starts choking Anderson with it. Anderson is choked out. A bloody Angle then stands on his feet, spits on Anderson and walks out of the cage over the lifeless body of Anderson.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Kurt Angle gets on the mic and says the fans in St. Louis are amazing. He announces he is taking some time off, but when he comes back he will be going for one thing only: the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
-- TNA star Kurt Angle posted a message on Twitter that he landed a part in a new movie about amateur wrestling titled "Beyond the Mat." Angle also said he plans to wrestle for a few more years while he continues to develop his acting career.
Ladder Match "Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson
Anderson and Angle actually both have Ladder Match experience. Anderson is a former Money In The Bank Ladder Match winner while Angle has won a King of the Mountain Ladder Match as well as a couple of straight up Ladder Matches (one against a no-name and one against Chris Benoit). Hanging from the ceiling tonight will be a key, that key will unlock the door of their cage at Lockdown. The only way to win their Cage Match will be to escape through the door which will give the winner of this match a distinct advantage.
Back from commercials the bell rings and Angle goes immediately for an Angle Slam but Anderson blocks it and hits the Green Bay Plunge (Rolling Firemans Carry Slam)! Anderson climbs out to the ramp and grabs the ladder. Anderson throws the ladder into the ring and then starts throwing rights at Angle. Anderson suplexes Angle hard onto the ladder! Anderson starts to set the ladder up under the key but looks at Angle and decides to prop it up in the corner instead. Anderson grabs Angle and tries to throw Angle into it but Angle reverses it and Belly-to-Belly Suplexes Anderson onto the ladder! Angle sets the ladder up under the key and then throws a series of right hands at Anderson. Angle attempts to whip Anderson into the ladder but Anderson reverses it. Angle ducks underneath the ladder and then comes off the ropes only to have Anderson shove the ladder into his face! Anderson sets the ladder back up. Anderson climbs up the ladder and reaches for the key but Angle grabs him and Angle Slams him off the ladder! Angle kicks Anderson out of the ring and then starts climbing up the ladder. Just as Angle grabs the key Anderson shoves him off and Angle takes a horrific spill over the top rope. Oh man, I think Angle is hurt seriously. As I replay it Angle's legs got caught up in the ropes and it looked like his back and arm hit extremely hard on the apron. That looked bad, man. Anderson sets the ladder up in the ring as Angle is trying to get to his feet. Anderson climbs the ladder and man is Angle one tough son of a b*tch! Anderson reaches up to grab the key but Angle Missile Dropkicks the damn ladder knocking Anderson off! Angle follows up with a German Suplex! Angle is really dragging that arm (possible shoulder injury) as he lays the ladder down in the ring. Angle lays Anderson on top of the ladder and starts reigning down right hands. Angle climbs up to the top rope, are you kidding me?! Angle hits a f***ing Moonsault on Anderson on top of that damn ladder! Is this guy for damn real?! He just pretty much Moonsaulted a damn ladder after taking a crazy bump like he just did minutes ago! Angle grabs Anderson and slams him shoulder first into the ring post and then sets the ladder up yet again under the key. Angle is really hurting as he climbs up the ladder. Anderson grabs Angle's medal and then pulls Angle down the ladder and wraps the chain around his neck! Anderson chokes Angle with it but Angle still climbs up the freaking ladder! Angle spits out his mouthpiece and reaches for the key as he's still being choked and he almost pulls it down but he finally falls off the ladder as he passed out. Anderson reaches up and pulls the key down.
Winner: Anderson via pulling the key down
After the match Anderson says he has a bottle of bubbly backstage waiting for him not to celebrate his victory tonight but to celebrate his victory tonight because that's what he secured tonight. He says he'll only be celebrating with one person tonight....MR. ANDERSOOOOOON....ANDERSON!
The cage has been lowered and we get our first look at the new four-sided cage in TNA and it is a bit different than we're used to. They are using more of a panel look now with sections of the chain link seperated by big beams. It actually is very easy on the eyes and you can see through the cage pretty well. Kurt Angle makes his way out to the ring and gets inside the cage. Angle says ever since Mr. Anderson came into TNA he set his sights on Angle and after Destination X some people have suggested that he might be every bit as good as Angle.
Angle asks if Anderson even knows what motivates Angle and he wants to give him some insight into what he really is. Angle says he's an Olympic champion that has made a living on winning and playing by the rules because that's what athletes do. Angle says somehow he lost all control in this feud and maybe it was because Anderson spit in his face or because he cut him up or maybe it was because Anderson degraded the American troops. Angle says at Lockdown it will be him vs. Anderson one last time inside the Steel Cage! Angle says the only way to win the match will be to walk through the door and he says the ending to the match will see Angle's face, hands, and body covered in Anderson's blood. Anderson's music hits and he walks out onto the stage wearing his new t-shirt. Anderson he thinks it's about time for he and Angle to damn real with each other. Anderson says their little feud has to stop because they're going to kill each other. Anderson says each week they take turns bloodying up each other, laying each other out with chairs, and even trading wins. Anderson says that TNA decided to put them inside the cage to settle their differences once and for all.
Anderson says Eric Bischoff came to him and told him that he sanctioned a match next week between Anderson and Angle, in a Ladder Match! Anderson says at the top of the ladder will be a key and that key will open up the door to their steel cage at Lockdown. Anderson starts to say "may the best man win" but says the best man won't win. He admits that Kurt is a better man than him, says he's a better father than Anderson ever will be, he's a better role model than Anderson cares to be, and he even asks the fans if they think Kurt is a nice guy. Anderson says nice guys always finish last and then says, "thank God, I'm an a**hole....A**HOLE!" The Band's music hits as Angle is walking to the back and Nash and Angle stop and look at each other. Nash offers Angle the WolfPac sign and Angle returns it before walking to the back.
Lock up and Angle gets a headlock takedown on Anderson. Anderson breaks free, another lock up and Anderson backs Angle into the corner. The referee breaks it up and Anderson backs off. Angle with another takedown on Anderson. Anderson breaks free and Angle walks to the middle of the ring offering him a free headlock. Anderson bites and Angle shoves him away into the ropes. Angle offers up another free headlock. Anderson instead kicks Angle and grabs the side headlock. Angle with a big back suplex on Anderson. Angle then hits Anderson with some big kicks and then starts to press down on Anderson's head with his boot. Angle with a high back body suplex on Anderson. Anderson catches Angle with a big boot in the corner and then drop Angle's arm over the top rope. Anderson rolls back in the ring and drops his weight over Angle's arm again. Anderson gets a keylock applied on Angle while pressing Angle's shoulders down on the mat. Angle gets a shoulder up trying to avoid the pinfalls. Anderson then sends Angle shoulder first into the corner, gets in a rollup and Angle quickly kicks out.
Angle with a series of clotheslines on Anderson followed by a big belly-to-belly suplex. Another big clothesline from Angle on Anderson. Anderson counters an Angle Slam and hits his rolling Senton Splash for a close two count. Angle counters a Mic Check attempt, hits one german suplex, a second german and third german with a release. Angle drops the straps and connects with the Angle Slam, cover and Anderson kicks out. Angle then applies an Ankle Lock. Anderson rolls through and Angle almost takes out the referee. Anderson with a low blow and Mic Check on Angle. Anderson covers holding the trunks and Angle barely gets a shoulder up after two. Anderson then puts Angle up on the top turnbuckle, climbs up, Angle with right hands, Anderson falls off, Angle with a frog splash, cover and Anderson kicks out. Angle attempts a clothesline, Anderson ducks and Angle takes out the referee. Anderson with an Angle Slam on Angle, hooks the leg and the referee is out. Anderson breaks the pinfall attempt and then goes to the outisde. Anderson grabs a steel chair and slides back inside the ring.
Anderson teases he is going to hit Angle with the chair, but throws it away and instead grabs Angle's dog tag or "Warrior Medal" as Tenay described it. Anderson tries to hit Angle with it, but Angle dodges it and hits an Angle Slam. Angle then slices Anderson on the head with it and the blood starts flowing. Angle with some stiff right hands to the bloody head of Anderson. Angle with an Ankle Lock on Anderson. Anderson gets close to the ropes, but Angle pulls him back out and drops down to add more pressure. Anderson taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Kurt Angle celebrates his win and heads up the ramp. A bloody Mr. Anderson calls for the mic. He says Angle isn't a real American and that he had to resort to cheap tactics to get a win tonight. Anderson said when he lays his head down to sleep tonight he will lay awake thinking of only one word: ANDERSON.