Low Ki defeated DJ Z and Manik
DJ Z hits a springboard dropkick from the top rope. He cleans house with even more kicks to his opponents. DJ Z gets caught and Low Ki pounds away in the corner. Manik gets involved and DJ Z gets hit with a spinning heel kick. Manik pinned Ki guys with a Northern Lights Suplex and had Z in a submission hold. Low Ki hits his finisher onto Manik to pick up the win.
The match was creative, entertaining and intriguing to me. I liked seeing the mixture of all three men, somewhat different in their X-Division skills. I did think they tried a little too much creativity, which hurt the overall flow of the match. Sometimes, they need to simplify what is being done in the ring instead of trying to make every move a “big splash” move.
Sanada defeated Crazy Steve and Bryan Cage
I will say that I do not remember Bryan Cage on Gut Check, but he is built like a damn horse. The guy is massive and hits a double fallaway slam. He moves pretty smooth and isn’t a liability in the ring with much faster and athletic guys. Cage hangs Steve in the air for about ten seconds until he is reversed. Sanada is in control and Cage misses a Lionsault. Sanada waited patiently and hits a double hook suplex for the win.
I do not like how Sanada is paired with a James Storm who should not be a heel. I really disliked how TNA built Storm as the “American” heel with The Great Muta. He is too generic and too bland. They dumbed down James Storm and him trying to help Sanada just does not click for me.
