Let’s remember this took place right before the No Surrender pre-show, so there’s still No Surrender hype in the announcer points.

Therefore, we already know most of how the Top 5 turns out and if the allusions for momentum pay off…but Xplosion has established itself as more than just a wrestling show. We get to see a few of the undercard players get some ring time, we get wholesome interviews with Gia in full Southern Fried charming glory, and we always get some nice nostalgia moment with the throwback match. Its a quick and dirty 45 minutes, so its hard to be mad.

Speaking of dirty, he’s in the main event!

Ratings:

• Mike Bailey vs Jai Vidal: Speedball wins via Ultima Weapon – ** 3/4
• Laredo Kid vs Dirt Dango w/Oleg Prudius & Alpha Bravo: Dango wins via Down & Dirty – ** 1/2

Results:

Mike Bailey vs Jai Vidal

Vidal tries a cheap shot, Bailey blocks, puts his hands behind his back and says “try again”, he ducks the slap. Gives Vidal one more chance and just front kicks him when he winds up. Vidal is on the receiving end of early strikes and the Bailey Kick Flurry. Running Boot sends Vidal crashing to the floor, Triangle Moonsault connects and its all Speedball so far. Bailey throws Vidal back in, but Jai slips out and Bailey loses track of him when he goes under the ring. So Jai gets behind him, picks the leg and throws Bailey into the stairs.

Back in the ring, Jai is hitting a few Open Hand Smacks and a Tornado DDT. Jai goes for the SLAYmore Kick, but Bailey catches it and starts lighting up Jai with kicks into the Running Shooting Star Press. Vidal ducks a few Buzzsaw Kicks but Bailey holds one to catch him when he thinks he’s safe. Tornado Kick to the corner misses, Jai uses the ropes to keep distance, trips Bailey and then lands the Double Stomp into the SLAYmore Kick…but Bailey kicks out!

Jai lands a few Slaps that just piss off Speedball, he stands up, they trade shots, Jai misses the Yakuza kick, Tornado Kick lands into Ultima Weapon for the Bailey’s win!

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Around the Ring with Gia Miller has Mike Bailey on it today. They start off with Bailey revealing he went to Cooking School and both he and Gia enjoying cooking. Ahh I relate to Bailey on the can’t bake aspect because its too specific and basically science. Bailey’s thing he created that he hasn’t been able to remake is a Pulled Pork Brie Grilled Cheese. I’m only mentioning that since it sounds delicious. 

TNA+ Flashback Moment: Jeff Hardy vs Bully Ray, No Surrender 2012

This is right towards the end of the TNA height, still solid matches and memories, but its kind of like watching events from WCW 1999. 

Laredo Kid vs Dirt Dango w/Oleg Prudius & Alpha Bravo

Ahh he mixed it up saying he hates Lucha Libre this time. 

Dango keeps up with Laredo a little until a Headscissors sends Dango flying, Bravo and Prudius try to block Dango which causes Laredo to pivot. Wrecking Ball Dropkick for Bravo into a big Moonsault into bodies and Laredo is rolling.

They get back in the ring, Forearm Smash into a Michinoku Driver and Uno Mas Moonsaults, but Bravo distracts him on two and a Release Side Suplex gives Dango the edge. Dango just fires Laredo into the corners a few times and goes for a quick cover, but barely gets a 2. Chin Lock into a Sleeper gives Dango the heelish “rest hold” advantage. Laredo tries to fire but Dango stops it with a Knee. Near fall again and Dango goes into a Crossface to keep the Luchador grounded.

Laredo slips a Fireman’s Carry, Dango tries to chase, misses, and Laredo throws some offense together. Missile Dropkick into a Flying Neckbreaker for 2. Laredo goes for a Brainbuster, Dango slips it, hits the ropes and simultaneous Lariats to lay both out. Laredo is the first one up, Forearms into a big slap, goes for a Rope Run, but Dango turns him INSIDE OUT with a Western Lariat. Dango heads to the top for Down & Dirty, Laredo kips up, tries to counter the attempt but Bravo distracts the referee and Oleg trips up Laredo. Down & Dirty hits, Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap for the win!

Overall Score: 5.5/10

This gave Bailey a little momentum going into No Surrender, gave Jai his best showing to date, and reminded everyone that Dango is lurking in that upper middle card area thanks to his enforcers. Dango is an enjoyable gimmick, and I think they’ve done really well at using him often enough to care, but not shoving the “punk rock, don’t care” attitude in our face too much. Like most of us TNA fans remember Shannon Moore’s Book of DILIGAF, right? Punk attitude is fun, but applied correctly…and this is pretty well executed.

Also once again, Around the Ring interviews are charming, and I think do a really good job at ingratiating the talent beyond what the storyline or workrate dictates. Gia is a great interviewer.