TNA GENESIS 2013

In Genesis, TNA started a new era in company history, with the show being both their first pay-per-view of 2013, and of their new quarterly supercard schedule. Held on January 13 from the Impact Zone in Orlando, the show was a microcosm of why TNA are making such changes, as it featured a very good main event, while almost everything else felt totally inconsequential.

The headliner, which saw Jeff Hardy successfully defend his TNA World title against his two main foes of the past six months, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries, was the highlight on the show, with all three putting in a terrific effort. Initially, Roode and Aries joined forces in dominating Hardy, although each tried to top the other's efforts in order to put Hardy away. Roode eventually tired of working with Aries, however, and growing frustrated, turned on his recent ally, catching him with a fisherman suplex for a near-fall.
The match concluded in unlikely fashion, when both Hardy and Aries pinned Roode simultaneously. When the referee decreed that Hardy was the one who had actually pinned Roode, however, Aries began arguing with him, allowing “The Charismatic Enigma” to score with the Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb for the pin.

FUN WITHOUT THE FEELING The rest of the show may have been run of the mill, but some of the in-ring action was very entertaining. Christopher Daniels earned himself a shot at the TNA World heavyweight title, overcoming “Cowboy” James Storm in a No.1 contendership match. Daniels, with partner-in-crime Kazarian at ringside as his manager for the night, was frustrated in his efforts to defeat Storm on numerous occasions, before Kazarian involved himself by climbing onto the ring apron. Storm superkicked him to the floor, but that only allowed Daniels to strike with a Rock Bottom, using the ropes to win the fall.

TNA newcomer Christian York, who actually debuted as a pro in 1996, also put in a spirited effort against Kenny King in an X-Division No.1 contendership match. York overcame the cocky King, who tried to pin his opponent with his feet on the ropes, only for the referee to catch him in the act. King then tried a roll-up, but York rolled through to score a surprise win.

Immediately after this, King dropped York with a facebuster, and left him injured in the ring. Rob Van Dam came out to check on the fallen victor, but York pushed him away, and, for some reason, this prompted an immediate title match, despite RVD giving York the option of postponing it to a later date. RVD was victorious in a solid near-six minute match, with York putting in a valiant effort, before succumbing to the Five Star Frogsplash. After the match, RVD helped his opponent to his feet, and saluted his effort.

In Aces & Eights’ action, potential recruit Mr Anderson pinned Samoa Joe with the Mic Check, after Joe was distracted by Mike Knox, who was standing in the crowd. TNA TV champion Devon overcame the bumbling Joseph Park in a largely comedic match, with Park suffering a bloody nose and transforming briefly into Abyss, giving Devon a Black Hole Slam, before slipping back into the guise of the hapless lawyer. Devon then pinned him after yet another roll-up. Elsewhere on the show, in a grudge match, Sting defeated D.O.C with the Scorpion Death Drop in an anti-climactic encounter. Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez retained their TNA World Tag Team titles, overcoming the dysfunctional pairing of Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan, with Morgan frequently making fun of the goofy former Pro Wrestling Guerrilla star. The conclusion of the bout saw Chavo pin Ryan after a top-rope Frogsplash. In Knockouts action, Velvet Sky was victorious over Gail Kim, Miss Tessmacher, ODB and Mickie James in a No.1 contendership Knockouts Gauntlet Match, with Sky scoring the winning pinfall on Gail Kim.

Results

Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez def. Matt Morgan & Joey Ryan (Pinfall / 11:30 / TNA World Tag Team title) • Mr Anderson def. Samoa Joe (Pinfall / 10:45) • Christian York def. Kenny King (Pinfall / 10:10 / No.1 contendership for X-Division title) • Rob Van Dam def. Christian York (Pinfall / 5:30 / TNA X-Division title) • Devon def. Joseph Park (Pinfall / 11:17 / TNA TV title) • Velvet Sky def. Gail Kim, Miss Tessmacher, ODB and Mickie James (Pinfall / 11:55 / No.1 contendership for Knockouts title / Gauntlet match) • Christopher Daniels def. James Storm (Pinfall / 13:25 / No.1 contendership for TNA World heavyweight title) • Sting def. D.O.C. (Pinfall / 5:53) • Jeff Hardy def. Bobby Roode (Pinfall / 20:22 / Triple Threat Elimination match for the TNA World heavyweight title)