TNT Championship
Christian Cage (C) vs. Dustin Rhodes

The theme for Christian Cage hits and out he comes accompanied by Nick Wayne and Killswitch for his latest defense of the TNT Championship in our opening contest, which is our first of three title matches scheduled for tonight’s show.

After he settles in the ring his music dies down and the theme for his opponents hits. Out comes Dustin Rhodes to a big pop from the crowd. He settles in the ring and his music dies down. The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with this one.

Cage controls the offense early on, taking it to Dustin with strikes, however “The Natural” catches the TNT Champion coming off the ropes with a snap-bodyslam to shift the momentum in his favor.

The fight spills out to the floor where Dustin slams Christian face-first into the announce desk. He then sends him into the steel steps so hard that he went flying over them like Mankind in his WWE prime. Dustin stays on Cage and brings the action back into the ring.

Dustin climbs up on Christian for punches in the corner, but Cage slams Dustin face-first into the ring post. This sends Dustin out to the floor. Cage leaps off the top-rope over the top of the ring post from inside the ring to splash onto Rhodes on the floor at ringside.

On that note, we shift gears and head into a mid-match commercial break as the action in our opening title tilt continues. When we return, we see Dustin fighting back only to be sent to the floor with authority by the champ. Back in the ring, Dustin begins fighting back.

Rhodes gets Cage’s legs up on the ropes in the corner for the “Natural Kick” (Shattered Dreams) but Cage escapes before he can connect. Cage takes over and chokes Dustin on the middle rope as the fans loudly boo and then try and rally behind Dustin with chants.

We see Cage sent to the floor and then Dustin goes for a dive through the ropes but Cage catches him coming out with a big shot. He whiplashes him off the ropes after that and then climbs to the top-rope for a big frog splash. He goes for the cover but Dustin kicks out after the count of two.

As the action continues, Dustin rolls Cage up in a tight cradle, but the referee is distracted. While the ref is tied up, Nick Wayne hits the ring and rolls them so that Cage has Dustin in a cradle pin attempt.

The ref turns around and begins counting, but Dustin kicks out again to keep this one going. Dustin gets Cage’s legs on the ropes again and this time he connects with the “Natural Kick.” Dustin follows that up with a super-plex off the ropes and then a Cross-Rhodes for a close near fall attempt.

Killswitch and Nick Wayne get involved again, leading to Dustin hitting Nick with a Destroyer on the floor. Back in the ring, Dustin walks into a Spear from Cage, who follows up with his Killswitch finisher. He goes for the cover, but again Dustin kicks out. He hits a second Killswitch and gets the win to retain in an excellent opener.

Winner and STILL TNT Champion: Christian Cage

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