Awesome Kong vs Melissa Anderson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2009): Difference between revisions

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(Have not seen many of Cheerleader Melissa's matches, but considering how popular she was in the early-to-mid-2010s, it seems like TNA really dropped the ball here. Indeed, TNA had quite the competitive advantage over WWE with its women's division back then, and Melissa seemingly would have boosted it further.)
 
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|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
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During a Total Nonstop Action (TNA) taping on 26th May 2009, Awesome Kong faced Melissa Anderson. Despite the lack of hype surrounding the match, it was highly acclaimed by those in attendance, with some considering it to be one of the best women's professional matches. While there are plenty of photos of the match, '''no footage of it has ever been publicly released'''.
During a Total Nonstop Action (TNA) taping on 26th May 2009, professional wrestlers Awesome Kong and Melissa Anderson competed in a dark match. Despite the lack of hype surrounding the match, it was highly acclaimed by those in attendance, with some considering it to be one of the best women's wrestling matches of its era. While there are plenty of photos of the match, '''no footage of it has ever been publicly released'''.


==Background==
==Background==
Heading into the match, Awesome Kong had gained a reputation for being one of the most dominant female professional wrestlers.<ref name="rep">[https://whatculture.com/wwe/awesome-kong-announced-as-next-impact-hall-of-fame-inductee ''WhatCulture'' detailing Awesome Kong's reputation.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> A two-time TNA Knockouts Champion,<ref>[https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=650 ''Cagematch'' detailing the Impact Knockout Championship's history.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> her feud with Gail Kim from 2007 to 2008, and later 2015 to 2016, was critically acclaimed, due to the high match quality and narrative.<ref>[https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/gail-kim-awesome-kong-impact-wrestling-hall-of-fame/1elmtds5npdes1llxuc7mrhckv ''Sporting News'' detailing the Kong-Kim feud.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="rep"/> Meanwhile, Melissa Anderson appeared in a try-out match on the 1st May 2008 edition of ''TNA Impact!'', as Cheerleader Melissa, defeating Daizee Haze.<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_25477.shtml#.YfAnFP7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reviewing the Melissa-Haze match.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> Aside from this match, Melissa had not appeared on TNA. However, she is also known for her time as Raisha Saeed, managing and occasionally teaming with Kong from 2008 to 2009.<ref>[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/264991-raisha-saeed-two-sides-of-the-same-coin ''Bleacher Report'' detailing and discussing Raisha Saeed.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref>  
Heading into the match, Awesome Kong had gained a reputation for being one of the most dominant female professional wrestlers.<ref name="rep">[https://whatculture.com/wwe/awesome-kong-announced-as-next-impact-hall-of-fame-inductee ''WhatCulture'' detailing Awesome Kong's reputation.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> A two-time TNA Knockouts Champion,<ref>[https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=650 ''Cagematch'' detailing the Impact Knockout Championship's history.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> her feud with Gail Kim from 2007 to 2008, and later 2015 to 2016, was critically acclaimed, due to the high match quality and narrative.<ref>[https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/gail-kim-awesome-kong-impact-wrestling-hall-of-fame/1elmtds5npdes1llxuc7mrhckv ''Sporting News'' detailing the Kong-Kim feud.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="rep"/> Meanwhile, Melissa Anderson appeared in a try-out match on the 1st May 2008 edition of ''TNA Impact!'', as Cheerleader Melissa, defeating Daizee Haze.<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_25477.shtml#.YfAnFP7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reviewing the Melissa-Haze match.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> Aside from this match, Melissa had not appeared on TNA. However, she is also known for her time as Raisha Saeed, managing and occasionally teaming with Kong from 2008 to 2009.<ref>[https://bleacherreport.com/articles/264991-raisha-saeed-two-sides-of-the-same-coin ''Bleacher Report'' detailing and discussing Raisha Saeed.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref>  


The match on the 26th May 2009 taping was generally considered an afterthought by TNA officials. It was not planned to air on television, with the booking plans indicating she was to continue to be Saeed in future events.<ref name="observer">[https://officialfan.proboards.com/thread/261096 ''Freakin' Awesome Network'' discussing the match and providing the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' quote.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> For this match, Melissa Anderson adopted the nickname "Future Legend", as she was awarded this accolade in 2004 by Cauliflower Alley Club, the first woman to receive this award from the organisation.<ref>[https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/awards/honorees#year-2004 ''Cauliflower Alley Club'' giving the 2004 "Future Legend" accolade to “Cheerleader” Melissa Anderson.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="cheer">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090602210516/http://www.cheerleadermelissa.com/2009/05/28/tna-dark-match-future-legend-melissa-anderson-vs-awesome-kong/ Archived Cheerleader Melissa summarising the match and providing photos.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="observer"/> Awesome Kong picked up the victory, most likely from an Awesome Bomb based on the available photos.<ref name="cheer"/> Despite the match's lack of significance to TNA television, many in attendance, including veteran Raven, took note at the fight's high quality. Raven, who seldom highly praised the work from other professional wrestlers, praised the match as being the best women's bout he had witnessed in a decade.<ref name="observer"/> It was also compared to the matches Kong had with Gail Kim, with the general consensus according to the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' being that while the Kong-Kim matches were "more spectacular", this fight was "more believable".<ref name="observer"/>
The match on the 26th May 2009 taping was generally considered an afterthought by TNA officials. It was not planned to air on television, with the booking plans indicating she was to continue to be Saeed in future events.<ref name="observer">[https://officialfan.proboards.com/thread/261096 ''Freakin' Awesome Network'' discussing the match and providing the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' quote.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> For this match, Melissa Anderson adopted the nickname "Future Legend", as she was awarded this accolade in 2004 by Cauliflower Alley Club, the first woman to receive this award from the organisation.<ref>[https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/awards/honorees#year-2004 ''Cauliflower Alley Club'' giving the 2004 "Future Legend" accolade to “Cheerleader” Melissa Anderson.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="cheer">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090602210516/http://www.cheerleadermelissa.com/2009/05/28/tna-dark-match-future-legend-melissa-anderson-vs-awesome-kong/ Archived Cheerleader Melissa summarising the match and providing photos.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref name="observer"/> Awesome Kong picked up the victory, most likely from an Awesome Bomb based on the available photos.<ref name="cheer"/> Despite the match's lack of significance to TNA television, many in attendance, including veteran Raven, took note at the fight's high quality. Raven, who seldom praised the work from other professional wrestlers, deemed the match as being the best women's bout he had witnessed in a decade.<ref name="observer"/> It was also compared to the matches Kong had with Gail Kim, with the general consensus according to the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' being that while the Kong-Kim matches were "more spectacular", this fight was "more believable".<ref name="observer"/>


Anderson would later compete in TNA as Alissa Flash,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20160304190554/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/17/pf-10163266.html Archived ''Slam Sports!'' reporting on Alissa Flash's first match.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> eventually dropping the Saeed gimmick on the 22nd October 2009 edition of ''TNA Impact!'' after being Awesome Bombed through the entrance stage by Kong following a match between the two.<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_36225.shtml#.YfA0vv7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reviewing Saeed's final appearance.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> However, she was seldom utilised by the company as Flash, and she was granted a release on 21st January 2010,<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_38330.shtml#.YfA1Gf7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reporting on Flash departing from TNA.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> though would later make a couple of one-off appearances for the company in 2011 and 2013.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110318060117/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1300201595 Archived ''WrestleView'' summarising Flash's TNA match in 2011 against Madison Rayne.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref>[https://www.pwinsider.com/article/76178/tna-knockouts-ppv-taping-spoilers.html?p=1 ''PWInsider'' summarising Flash's TNA match in 2013 against Gail Kim.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> Awesome Kong would also depart from TNA in 2010,<ref>[https://411mania.com/wrestling/awesome-kong-on-departing-tna-altercation-with-bubba-the-love-sponge-being-told-wwe-didnt-want-her/ ''411 Mania'' detailing Kong leaving TNA in 2010.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> although she would return to the organisation from 2015 to 2016.<ref>[https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/awesome-kong-fired-tna-wrestling-reby-hardy/ ''The Sportster'' summarising Kong's 2015-2016 stint in TNA.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref>
Anderson would later compete in TNA as Alissa Flash,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20160304190554/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/17/pf-10163266.html Archived ''Slam Sports!'' reporting on Alissa Flash's first match.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> eventually dropping the Saeed gimmick on the 22nd October 2009 edition of ''TNA Impact!'' after being Awesome Bombed through the entrance stage by Kong following a match between the two.<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_36225.shtml#.YfA0vv7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reviewing Saeed's final appearance.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> However, she was seldom utilised by the company as Flash, and she was granted a release on 21st January 2010,<ref>[https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_38330.shtml#.YfA1Gf7P1hE ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' reporting on Flash departing from TNA.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> though would later make a couple of one-off appearances for the company in 2011 and 2013.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110318060117/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1300201595 Archived ''WrestleView'' summarising Flash's TNA match in 2011 against Madison Rayne.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref><ref>[https://www.pwinsider.com/article/76178/tna-knockouts-ppv-taping-spoilers.html?p=1 ''PWInsider'' summarising Flash's TNA match in 2013 against Gail Kim.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> Awesome Kong would also depart from TNA in 2010,<ref>[https://411mania.com/wrestling/awesome-kong-on-departing-tna-altercation-with-bubba-the-love-sponge-being-told-wwe-didnt-want-her/ ''411 Mania'' detailing Kong leaving TNA in 2010.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref> although she would return to the organisation from 2015 to 2016.<ref>[https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/awesome-kong-fired-tna-wrestling-reby-hardy/ ''The Sportster'' summarising Kong's 2015-2016 stint in TNA.] Retrieved 25th Jan '22</ref>
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==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[AJ Styles vs Kenny Omega (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2006)]]
*[[Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler vs Jack Swagger vs John Cena (partially found master tape footage of untelevised Hell in a Cell match; 2011)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Bill Longson vs Whipper Billy Watson (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1947)]]
*[[Blood Circus (partially found Santo Gold film; 1985)]]
*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
*[[Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)]]
*[[Bradshaw vs Christian (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2001)]]
*[[Bradshaw vs Christian (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 2001)]]
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*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
*[[The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)]]
*[[GFW Amped (partially found unaired professional wrestling show; 2015)]]
*[[GFW Amped (partially found unaired professional wrestling show; 2015)]]
*[[The Giant's moonsault (lost footage of professional wrestling move; existence unconfirmed; 1990s)]]
*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
*[[Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)]]
*[[GLOW (lost unfinished final season of Netflix comedy-drama series; 2019-2020)]]
*[[GLOW (lost unfinished final season of Netflix comedy-drama series; 2019-2020)]]
*[[Goldberg's pre-television debut matches (lost footage of professional wrestling dark matches; 1997)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)]]
*[[Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)]]
*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
*[[Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)]]
*[[Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream (lost footage of alternate finish to professional wrestling match; 2019)]]
*[[Kurt Angle vs Owen Hart (lost footage of professional wrestling match; 1999)]]
*[[The Last Battle of Atlanta (found untelevised professional wrestling steel cage match; 1983)]]
*[[The Last Battle of Atlanta (found untelevised professional wrestling steel cage match; 1983)]]
*[[Lita (partially found training videos of professional wrestler; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Lita's training matches (partially found training videos of professional wrestler; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Low Ki & Mercury vs Ric Blade & TCK (partially lost footage of hardcore wrestling tag team match; 2000)]]
*[[Mark Jindrak in Evolution (partially found unaired vignettes of professional wrestling stable; 2003)]]
*[[Pat Tanaka vs Rocco Rock (lost footage of "Body Count" professional wrestling match; 1993)]]
*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
*[["Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)]]
*[[Radio WWF (lost professional wrestling radio show; 1993-1994; late 1990s-2000)]]
*[[Radio WWF (lost professional wrestling radio show; 1993-1994; late 1990s-2000)]]
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*[[Strange Kentucky People (lost recording of Chris Jericho "tribute"; 1994)]]
*[[Strange Kentucky People (lost recording of Chris Jericho "tribute"; 1994)]]
*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
*[[TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)]]
*[[TNA International and TNA Wrestling Collection (completely lost pro-wrestling TV shows; 2006)]]
*[[TNA Xplosion (partially found TV series; 2002-2016)]]
*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
*[[WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)]]
*[[WCW All Nighter (partially lost professional wrestling compilation show; 1994-1995)]]
*[[WCW All Nighter (partially lost professional wrestling compilation show; 1994-1995)]]
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*[[WWE Crush Hour (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of vehicular combat game; 2002)]]
*[[WWE Crush Hour (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of vehicular combat game; 2002)]]
*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
*[[WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)]]
*[[WWE Wrestlemania 36 (lost footage of alternate finishes to professional wrestling matches; 2020)]]
*[[WWF Attitude (lost professional wrestling recap show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF Attitude (lost professional wrestling recap show; 2001-2002)]]
*[[WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001)]]
*[[WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001)]]
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]

Latest revision as of 13:04, 22 February 2024

Awesomekongvsmelissaanderson1.jpg

Photo of the match.

Status: Lost

During a Total Nonstop Action (TNA) taping on 26th May 2009, professional wrestlers Awesome Kong and Melissa Anderson competed in a dark match. Despite the lack of hype surrounding the match, it was highly acclaimed by those in attendance, with some considering it to be one of the best women's wrestling matches of its era. While there are plenty of photos of the match, no footage of it has ever been publicly released.

Background

Heading into the match, Awesome Kong had gained a reputation for being one of the most dominant female professional wrestlers.[1] A two-time TNA Knockouts Champion,[2] her feud with Gail Kim from 2007 to 2008, and later 2015 to 2016, was critically acclaimed, due to the high match quality and narrative.[3][1] Meanwhile, Melissa Anderson appeared in a try-out match on the 1st May 2008 edition of TNA Impact!, as Cheerleader Melissa, defeating Daizee Haze.[4] Aside from this match, Melissa had not appeared on TNA. However, she is also known for her time as Raisha Saeed, managing and occasionally teaming with Kong from 2008 to 2009.[5]

The match on the 26th May 2009 taping was generally considered an afterthought by TNA officials. It was not planned to air on television, with the booking plans indicating she was to continue to be Saeed in future events.[6] For this match, Melissa Anderson adopted the nickname "Future Legend", as she was awarded this accolade in 2004 by Cauliflower Alley Club, the first woman to receive this award from the organisation.[7][8][6] Awesome Kong picked up the victory, most likely from an Awesome Bomb based on the available photos.[8] Despite the match's lack of significance to TNA television, many in attendance, including veteran Raven, took note at the fight's high quality. Raven, who seldom praised the work from other professional wrestlers, deemed the match as being the best women's bout he had witnessed in a decade.[6] It was also compared to the matches Kong had with Gail Kim, with the general consensus according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter being that while the Kong-Kim matches were "more spectacular", this fight was "more believable".[6]

Anderson would later compete in TNA as Alissa Flash,[9] eventually dropping the Saeed gimmick on the 22nd October 2009 edition of TNA Impact! after being Awesome Bombed through the entrance stage by Kong following a match between the two.[10] However, she was seldom utilised by the company as Flash, and she was granted a release on 21st January 2010,[11] though would later make a couple of one-off appearances for the company in 2011 and 2013.[12][13] Awesome Kong would also depart from TNA in 2010,[14] although she would return to the organisation from 2015 to 2016.[15]

Availability

While the match received rave reviews, it was never intended to air on television.[6] Hence, while there are photos of the match, including on Cheerleader Melissa's website,[8] no footage of the fight has ever been released to the public.

Gallery

Video

Photos of the Kong-Anderson match.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 WhatCulture detailing Awesome Kong's reputation. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  2. ↑ Cagematch detailing the Impact Knockout Championship's history. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  3. ↑ Sporting News detailing the Kong-Kim feud. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  4. ↑ Pro Wrestling Torch reviewing the Melissa-Haze match. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  5. ↑ Bleacher Report detailing and discussing Raisha Saeed. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Freakin' Awesome Network discussing the match and providing the Wrestling Observer Newsletter quote. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  7. ↑ Cauliflower Alley Club giving the 2004 "Future Legend" accolade to “Cheerleader” Melissa Anderson. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Archived Cheerleader Melissa summarising the match and providing photos. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  9. ↑ Archived Slam Sports! reporting on Alissa Flash's first match. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  10. ↑ Pro Wrestling Torch reviewing Saeed's final appearance. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  11. ↑ Pro Wrestling Torch reporting on Flash departing from TNA. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  12. ↑ Archived WrestleView summarising Flash's TNA match in 2011 against Madison Rayne. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  13. ↑ PWInsider summarising Flash's TNA match in 2013 against Gail Kim. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  14. ↑ 411 Mania detailing Kong leaving TNA in 2010. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
  15. ↑ The Sportster summarising Kong's 2015-2016 stint in TNA. Retrieved 25th Jan '22
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