TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Wrestling Zone)
December 6, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz, & Todd Keneley
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Tonight’s Impact Wrestling opens up with highlights from last week and then Bobby Roode makes his way down to the ring alongside Bad Influence. 3 former members of Fortune back together here. Tonight Bad Influence & Roode will face Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, & James Storm in the Main Event tonight. Kazarian tells the “chodes” (I have no idea what that is) to listen up and then says you might as well call tonight “Throwback Thursday” because the best part of “the most dominant faction” in the history of TNA, Fortune, is in the ring right now. Kazarian holds up the Fortune symbol and the fans chant “you suck” at him. Kaz says that is in the past and they’re concerned about the future. He says the future for them is something that none of the fans in attendance have ever experienced, victory.
Roode says everywhere in the world everyday people make guarantees and from time to time he’s even made guarantees, but the difference between everyone else and himself is that when he makes a guarantee it becomes a reality. He says that the reality is in 3 days he will once again be the World Heavyweight Champion. Roode says that he made a very important investment into the World Championship and Jeff Hardy will find out that it does “pay to be Roode.” Another “you suck” chant breaks out as Daniels grabs the microphone.
Daniels says one more guarantee they can make is that this Sunday the fans will see on last match between he and AJ Styles and the winner will forever be known as the better man while the loser will be known as…AJ Styles. Daniels says he has one more thing he wants to say face to face to AJ so he challenges AJ to come meet him in the ring and “just talk.”
AJ Styles makes his way out and says he knows exactly what Daniels is going to say because he knows him better than Daniels knows himself. AJ says that Daniels has been jealous of him since day one but it’s not because he was spoon fed anything in TNA because he earned everything he received in TNA. AJ says that’s just who Daniels is, a jealous individual and he always has been and always will be. He says that through all the lies and deception even on AJ’s worst day and Daniels best day he STILL can’t beat AJ Styles. Daniels says the fact that every time he called AJ a “loser” deep down he knew it was true. Daniels says that all the losses AJ has suffered over the last year, like losing the opportunity to challenge for the World Title for a full year, is not just because of the “evil Christopher Daniels & Kazarian… or the Mafia… or Global Warming… or Obamacare.” He says it’s all because AJ is simply a loser. Daniels says AJ’s worst nightmare, finding out that Daniels is better than AJ, becomes a reality this Sunday. AJ says the reality is that Daniels talks too much and then AJ jumps him!
Roode & Kaz pull AJ off and start beating him down until James Storm & Jeff Hardy run out and make the save! Roode & Bad Influence bail as the babyfaces stand tall in the ring.
The announcers talk about the allegations Austin Aries has levied against Brooke Hogan & Bully Ray.
In the back Aries says when this whole thing started out it wasn’t about Brooke OR Bully Ray, it was about Hulk Hogan and getting revenge on him setting Aries up to fail and lose his World Title. Aries says the plan was to get back the X-Division Title and use it as his ticket to get back the World Championship. He says that plan was going great until Bully Ray came down to defend Brooke’s honor and cost him that match. Aries says NOW it is personal and he wants Bully Ray at the PPV and if Hogan knows what’s good for him he’ll make that match because he knows what buttons to push and he WILL push them until he gets what he wants.
Samoa Joe is shown walking towards the entrance ramp backstage.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
TNA Television Championship
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe (c) vs. Devon
A few months ago Devon was stripped of the TV Title when his contract with TNA ran out, and Joe was the one to win the vacant title. Now, Devon gets his shot to get the title back that he never actually lost. Joe stares a hole into Devon before the match and then he locks up with Devon (who is still wearing his leather jacket in the ring) and forces him into the corner. Joe connects with a series of jabs on Devon but Devon answers with a jab to the eyes. Devon attempts to whip Joe into the corner but Joe reverses it and comes charging in with a Running Back Elbow followed by the Leaping Enziguri! Joe then follows up with a Running Forearm followed by a slap to the back and then a round kick! Joe hits the ropes and drops a knee on Devon. Joe charges at Devon again but this time Devon drops down and Joe spills out to the floor. Devon rolls out to the outside and slams Joe into the ring steps. Devon rolls Joe back into the ring and covers him for a nearfall. Joe shoves Devon away and connects with another series of jabs and then bounces off the ropes but walks right into a Corkscrew Elbow from Devon! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out! Devon hits a Corner Splash on Joe and then a Splash for another nearfall. Devon climbs up top and dives off with the Headbutt, but Joe rolls out of the way and the two exchange strikes. Joe ducks a few of Devon’s and then answers with a few jabs of his own followed by an Atomic Drop and then a Running Mafia Kick! Joe follows up with a Senton Backsplash! 1…2…NO Devon kicks out! Devon retreats to the corner and Joe charges at him, but Devon moves out of the way. Devon then charges at Joe but Joe catches him with the STJoe! Joe goes for the Coquina Clutch but Devon seems to be motioning to someone. A blonde chick then runs out and gets up on the apron to distract Hebner. DOC appears behind Joe and nails him with the hammer in the back! Devon covers Joe, 1…2…3.
Winner & NEW TV Champ: Devon via pinfall
Several other females run out and celebrate with DOC & Devon.
Brooke Hogan is talking to someone on a cell phone about a contract “finally being signed” and whoever she is talking to is on her (Brooke made sure to say “girl” while talking to the person) way to the Impact Zone. I think some pigeons may be getting ready to be let loose.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the back Al Snow is talking with D-Lo Brown. Snow doesn’t remember what happened last week. He says he woke up Friday morning in the hospital with no phone, no wallet, and no memory of what happened. Snow thanks Brown for taking his spot last week.
Mickie James comes down to the ring rocking the hell out of the dress she’s wearing (lord have mercy!). Thickie says she can’t tell the fans how good it feels to be back as a “welcome back” chant starts. She thanks the fans for all of their support to what she calls the most “humbling” time in her life. Mickie says that when she sat at home recovering she thought about her career and what she wanted and she wasn’t satisfied. Mickie says she starts that this Sunday she gets back her Knockouts Title but before she can say anything else Tara’s music cuts her off.
Tara and Jesse walk out with Tara mocking Mickie and saying Mickie is like a sad movie and she’s breaking her heart. Mickie says she can’t hear Tara over all the people booing her. Tara says she had an amazing year while Mickie had a “tough” year. Tara talks about dumping Tessmacher and then starting to date Jesse and then getting back the Knockouts Title. Velvet Sky’s music interrupts them!
Let the pigeons loose! Velvet walks out as Taz acts like he’s going to have a panic attack and Tenay mentions that we haven’t seen her in months. Velvet lets those pigeons loose and then takes the microphone away from Tara. Velvet thanks the fans and says she’s missed them so much. She then thanks Brooke Hogan for taking care of everything to get her back in TNA. Velvet wishes both Mickie & Tara luck this Sunday, but she also lets them know that 2013 will be her year and “if you don’t know, now you know.”
In the back Robbie E is getting pissed at his iPad when Robbie T walks in and asks him what the hell he’s doing. Robbie E says that Direct Auto (cheap plug) told him that he could pay online but the freaking thing won’t work. Robbie T takes it away and tells him that it’s a freaking touch screen and does it for him. Robbie E says he didn’t know it was a touch screen and walks away pissed as Robbie T just shakes his head.
A promo runs saying “A reckoning is at hand… their road to hell…will be paved…in their own blood…1.3.13” but nothing more is said in the promo. January 3rd is going to be a Thursday so obviously something is going down on Impact on the first show of the year for TNA.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Non-Title Match
The Shore vs. “Mexican Warrior” Chavo Guerrero Jr. & “Super Mex” Hernandez
Robbie E and Chavito will start this one off. Chavo gets Robbie in a waistlock and then transitions into a Snapmare Takeover. Chavo kicks Robbie in the back and then picks him up and drops him down with a Back Suplex. Chavo tags in Hernandez and then they whip Robbie into the ropes and Hernandez gets Robbie up in the air with a Bear Hug before tossing him across the ring with a Belly-to-Belly Overhead Suplex! Chavo tags back in and then Hernandez Scoop Slams Robbie and Chavo puts the boots to him. Chavo kicks Robbie but Bigger Rob grabs him from behind and slaps him across the chest. The Shore then get Chavo in the heel corner and double team him. Rob Terry hits a Scoop Slam and then lifts Chavo up in the air and tags Robbie in. Rob hits a Sidewalk Slam and then Robbie dives off the top with the Fist Pump Drop! 1…2…NO Chavo kicks out! Robbie puts a headlock on Chavo but Chavo fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows. Robbie cuts Chavo off with a shot to the back and then goes for a Suplex but Chavo counters with a Northern Lights Suplex! Hernandez tags in and hits a Slingshot Shoulder Block on Robbie followed by a series of Hammer Fists! Hernandez then whips Robbie into the ropes and hits a backdrop before knocking Bigger Rob off the apron! Hernandez grabs Robbie and hits the Over the shoulder backbreaker! 1…2…NO Terry breaks it up! Terry grabs Hernandez but eats a dropkick from Chavo! Hernandez clotheslines Terry and then turns around and charges at Robbie. Robbie moves out of the way and then goes for a Hurricanrana but Hernandez tosses him into the corner! Hernandez lays Robbie out with the Get Off Me Shoulderblock! Chavo tags in and climbs up top and dives off with the Frog Splash! 1…2…3!
Winners: Chavo & Hernandez via pinfall (Frog Splash)
Joey Ryan walks out after the match and says the champs have 3 days until he and Morgan win the belts. Matt Morgan slides into the ring behind the champs and lays them both out! Ryan picks up one of the belts and says when you “deal with big Morgan…and the big organ…size matters” as he holds the belt at his crotch.
In the back the girls from earlier are dancing for Aces & Eights as they celebrate Devon’s win. Devon says it’s time to “throw a dart”, but the VP says there’s no need because they already have a target. He pulls out an envelope and shows a wad of cash while saying that “money talks, bullshit walks.”
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Footage of last week’s Gut Check is shown. Angle congratulates Wes Brisco backstage and Wes thanks Kurt for helping him. Angle says he has DOC tonight and Brisco & Bischoff say they have Kurt’s back.
Chavo says if Morgan & Ryan were trying to get their attention they have it now. Chavo says this Sunday they won’t jump them from behind. He says they’ll knock them down and step on their face and then Kurt Angle’s music hits as someone in the production truck botchces that up.
DOC vs. “Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle
Angle jumps DOC as he gets into the ring and lays into DOC in the corner with stomps and kicks and right hands. Kurt drags DOC to the center of the ring and then elbow drops his leg before putting him in a leg lock. Angle elbow drops his leg again and locks in the leg lock again. Angel then lets go of the hold and drops down right hands before Knee Dropping the leg of DOC. Angle chop blocks DOC on that same leg and then charges him but eats a clothesline from the bigger DOC! DOC puts the boots to Angle while selling the injured leg. DOC starts stomping on Angle’s leg now. DOC whips Angle into the ropes and then kicks him and then clotheslines him over the top rope! DOC hits an uppercut on Angle on the outside and then whips him into the ring steps! DOC tosses Angle back in the ring and then whips him into the corner. DOC charges at Angle but he gets his boot up and then climbs up top and dives off with a Missile Dropkick! Both men are down now. Angle gets back to his feet and hits the Rolling German Suplexes! Angle goes for the Olympic Slam but DOC blocks it and hits a Big Boot! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! DOC grabs Angle but Angle grabs his leg and trips him and locks in the Ankle Lock! DOC rolls over and kicks Angle off with his free leg. DOC swings at Angle but he ducks and hits another series of Rolling German Suplexes! On the third attempt DOC held onto the ropes and then low blowed Angle and hit a huge Lariat! 1…2…NO Angle barely kicks out! DOC goes for a Chokeslam but Angle counters into a rollup and then into the Ankle Lock! DOC rolls through it and then goes for another Chokeslam and this time he hits it! 1…2…NO Angle still kicks out! DOC charges at Angle in the corner but Angle hits him with an elbow and then the Olympic Slam! Angle pulls the straps down and then locks DOC in the Ankle Lock! A member of A’s & 8’s runs out and attacks Angle! Angle lays him out and another member pulls DOC out of the ring.
Winner: Angle via DQ
Members of A’s & 8’s surround the ring but then several TNA wrestlers led by Samoa Joe hit the ring and they retreat. Angle says it looks like they like to run in packs but now he has a pack of his own. Angle challenges A’s & 8’s to a match pitting Angle, Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco, & Garett Bischoff against any four members of A’s & 8’s.
In the back Hogan is talking to someone on the phone and it’s Joseph Park and he tells him to go to OVW if he wants a shot at getting into TNA as a wrestler.
Bully Ray walks into Hogan’s office and says that last week he asked Hogan for a match with Aries and he said no. Ray says that today he’s TELLING Hogan he wants a match with Aries. Hogan laughs at him and Ray says he’s going to give it to him. Hogan says the wrestling universe doesn’t revolved around Ray and Aries, and once again the answer is no. Ray mockingly laughs and says that he bets by the end of the night the answer is yes. He says that he’s going to make sure he gets what he wants and he’s taking over Hogan’s “freakin’ show.” Hogan says someone needs to get Ray a Midol.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
James Storm talks to Jeff Hardy backstage and says he’s got Jeff’s back tonight, but Bobby Roode will do anything to win a match. He says he proved last week and knew exactly what buttons to push to get Storm to accept the match with him. Storm says he’ll do whatever it takes to win that belt. Jeff Hardy’s stupid ass inner monologue plays again with Hardy saying he doesn’t know if Storm is a cowboy or an outlaw, and it’s the creatures and he against the world. God, that is so damn stupid.
TNA X-Division Title #1 Contenders
Triple Threat Match
Kenny King vs. Kid Kash vs. Zema Ion
Kash decks King and then decks Ion. He whips King towards Zema but Zema leapfrogs him and then dropkicks Kash! Kash hits a dropkick on Kash and then he and Zema hit a Double Dropkick on Kash. Kash rolls out to the floor and then King rolls Zema up, 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! King gets Zema in a Hammerlock but Zema reverses it. King then spins out of the move and connects with a Back Elbow. King hits the ropes but Zema nails him with an elbow of his own. Zema bounces off the ropes but King hits a Spinning Heel Kick. King grabs Zema by the hair and then Zema knees him in the gut and screams at him not to touch his hair. Zema hits the ropes but Kash trips him from the outside and then pulls him out to the floor. Kash climbs up on the apron and then sets up for something but eats a knee from King. King follows up with a Cartwheel Kick that knocks Kash off the apron! King sets up for a dive but Zema quickly slides into the ring and clotheslines King! 1…2…NO King kicks out! Zema stomps on King’s face and then taunts him but Kash hits him from behind and lays into Zema with a series of crossfaces that Tenay says Kash calls the “Tazface Shots.” King nails Kash with a series of clotheslines and then a Scoop Slam followed by a Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop! 1…2…NO Kash kicks out! Zema hits King from behind and then slams him into the turnbuckles. Zema hits a series of shoulder blocks and chops and then whips King into the opposite corner. Zema charges at him but King gets a boot up and then goes for a clothesline, but Zema catches his arm and counters into an attempt at the Gory Bomb! Kash counters with a modified Sunset Flip. King hits a Bridging T-Bone Suplex! 1…2…NO Kash breaks it up! Kash absolutely lays into King with chops and kicks. King swings back but Kash ducks and then hits a Slingshot Hurricanrana over the top onto Zema on the floor! King then hits a beautiful Springboard Plancha off the top onto Kash & Zema on the floor! Zema rolls back into the ring and then hits a Somersault Plancha over the top onto Kash & King and lands on his feet in the process! Zema tosses King back in the ring and then climbs up top but King crotches him! King climbs up with Zema for something but Kash comes from behind and we have our first TOWER OF DOOM SIGHTING! Kash covers King, 1…2…NO King kicks out but Kash transitions right into a Boston Crab! Zema grabs Kash and slams him into the turnbuckles and then walks into an Atomic Drop from King! King follows up with a Spinning Enziguri! 1…2…NO Kash pulls him off and then attempts to whip King into the ropes but King reverses it. King swings at Kash but he ducks hits a Rolling Hurricanrana that sends Kash over the top rope to the floor! Kash follows up with a Springboard Flying Clothesline on Zema! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Kash goes up top and sets up for the Double Spring Moonsault, but Zema gets to his feet and shoves Kash off the top to the floor! King hits a Springboard Blockbuster on Zema followed by the Royal Flush! 1…2…3!
Winner & NEW #1 Contender: King via pinfall (Royal Flush)
Wow, that was an insane 3-Way!
In the back Bully Ray talks to someone on the phone about Hulk Hogan and he says he’s about to go to the ring and taking the show over.
The same 01-03-13 promo from earlier airs again.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
A video package recapping the Aries/Hogan/Ray drama is shown.
Bully Ray walks down to the ring with a chair and reminds us that he said he would take the show over. He says he isn’t going anywhere until he gets his match with Aries. He says that he wants to fight Aries and Aries wants to fight him and most of all the fans want to see them fight each other. Ray says he’s sitting down in the chair and he isn’t going anywhere until he gets what he wants.
Aries walks out with a chair of his own and asks if he’s supposed to believe this. He asks if he looks like a sucker and he says if his memory serves him correctly the last time they fought he dropped Ray on his fat head and made him submit. Ray says he wants to fight Aries so “freakin bad” he dares him to get into the ring right now. Aries says he does what he wants and what he wants to do is sit right there at a comfortable distance and continue to berate him. Hulk Hogan’s music hits interrupting them.
Hogan walks out and I just saw a guy in the crowd wearing an LWO t-shirt. Good lord, haven’t seen one of them since like 1998. Hogan says he’s going to fix all the business right now. He says that for 30 years he’s been nothing but business in that ring and for the last time he’s not making the Aries-Ray match because he’s not going to let them push him around. He reminds them that he is the GM and tells Ray to either get out of the ring right now or he’s going to fire him or kick his ass right now. Ray gets in Hogan’s face and Aries starts a “fight” chant from the crowd.
Brooke Hogan walks out and gets between them. Brooke says that Bully is right and Hogan is making things too personal. She slips up and calls Bully Ray “Mark” instead of Bully and Hogan gets heated about that. Hogan looks at Aries and asks him if this is what he really wants and since everyone wants this damn match then they’ve got it. Hogan looks at Brooke and says they’ve all made this thing personal.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
A video package hyping up Roode vs. Hardy for Final Resolution airs.
Main Event
“Cowboy” James Storm, “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, & “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. “The IT Factor” Bobby Roode & Bad Influence
Oh my goodness, Bad Influence are wearing matching Zubaz pants (if you recall the very baggy, horrific stripped pants from the 90’s and yes unfortunately my dad had like 10 pair when I was younger) and fanny packs. Todd suggests they took a Delorean and went back to the 90’s as Tenay says it really is Throwback Thursday. Boxing style intros for the Main Event and I’m now realizing Daniels & Kazarian are actually going to wear those Zubaz in the match, oh lord. All 5 former members of Fortune are involved with this one (AJ, Roode, Storm, Kaz, & Daniels) Kaz and Storm will kick this match off as Todd says Bad Influence might could be rebranded “Bad Judgment” after their choice in attire tonight. Kaz and Storm lockup and Kaz forces Storm in the corner. Kaz breaks the hold clean but then shoves Storm which Storm returns in kind! Storm hits a big uppercut and then knocks Daniels off the apron as well! Storm shoves Kaz into the ropes and hits a Thesz Press followed by a series of right hands. Storm follows up with a Corner Splash followed by a Clothesline. Storm tags Hardy in and he and Storm whip Kaz into the ropes and connect with a Double Back Elbow. Kaz comes back and forces Hardy into the heel corner and tags Daniels in. Daniels slams Hardy into the turnbuckles and then whips him into another corner but Hardy floats over into a Spinning Headscissors. Hardy hits a Leaping Mule Kick and then knocks Roode & Kaz off the apron! AJ tags in but Daniels quickly runs away and tags in Kaz. AJ hits a Spinning Headscissors on Kaz and then tosses him into the corner. AJ lays into Kaz with chops and then tags Hardy back in. They whip Kaz into the corner and then AJ hits a Running Clothesline and drops down to his knees and Hardy leaps off his back with a little Poetry In Motion! Hardy slams Kaz into the corner again as we go to a break.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Back from the break Kaz has Hardy in a submission hold as what went down during the break is shown where Roode slammed Hardy into the guardrail. Kaz has Hardy in a Front Facelock but Hardy is able to get to his corner and get the tag but the heels had the referee distracted so he didn’t see it. They drag Hardy back to the heel corner and Daniels holds Hardy as Kaz whips him into a back elbow from Daniels. Daniels climbs up top and hits a Diving Foot Stomp onto Hardy. Daniels covers Hardy and gets a nearfall before tagging Roode into the match for the first time. Roode slams Hardy into the turnbuckles and lays into Hardy with right hands. Roode hits a Vertical Suplex and floats over into a nearfall. Roode tags Daniels back in and he puts the boots to Hardy and then whips Hardy into the corner. Daniels hits Hardy with a series of Knee Strikes and then he trips Hardy and connects with an Elbow Drop. Daniels tags Kaz in and he picks Hardy up in the air as Kaz connects with a Clothesline to Hardy in a modified Hart Attack giving me flashbacks of the old Hart Foundation. Roode pulls Hardy out to the floor and elbows Hardy followed by a few shots from Daniels. Kaz chokes Hardy on the apron and kicks him out to the floor where Roode slams Hardy into the ring apron as Kaz distracts the referee. Kaz pulls Hardy back into the ring and then tags Roode who taunts Hardy. Hardy tries to get to his corner quickly but Roode grabs him and locks in a chinlock to hold Hardy. Hardy fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows but then Roode answers with a Running Back Elbow! Roode stomp son the sternum of Hardy and then tags Daniels back in. Daniels gets Hardy in a headlock but Hardy is able to get to his feet and slam Daniels into the corner. Hardy tries to get to his corner again but Daniels hangs onto his pants and pulls him back. Daniels then slams Hardy into Kaz’s boot and tags Roode in. Daniels holds Hardy as Roode beats on Hardy. Roode climbs up top and dives off but eat a boot from Hardy! Hardy hits the Twist of Fate out of nowhere! Both men are down though as the fans are going nuts! Hardy leaps and tags in AJ as Kaz also tags in! AJ rolls underneath a clothesline attempt from Kaz and lays Daniels out! AJ then hits a Back Elbow on Kaz followed by a Spinning Heel Kick on Daniels and then a Leaping Enziguri on Kaz! AJ hits a Hammerlock Back Suplex on Kaz! 1…2…NO Roode breaks it up! Storm comes from out of nowhere with the Closing Time on Roode! Storm then hits the Backstabber on Daniels and clotheslines him over the top rope! Storm goes flying over the top along with Daniels and Kaz hits AJ from behind in the ring. Daniels tosses Storm into the ring steps on the outside. Roode & Kaz whip AJ into the corner and then Kaz whips Roode into AJ, but he gets his boot up and nails Kaz with a back elbow! AJ springboards out of the corner and goes for a double Phenomenon in the corner but Roode moves out of the way. AJ still catches Kaz with it and DDT’s Roode at the same time as he charged at AJ! 1…2…NO Daniels breaks it up! Daniels attempts to whip AJ into the corner but AJ reverses it and then charges at Daniels. Daniels backdrops AJ over the top rope but AJ lands on the apron and slaps Daniels and then sets up for the Springboard Forearm, but Daniels hits the ropes to cause AJ to crash and burn! Daniels goes for the Last Rites but AJ blocks it and Storm comes in and tosses Daniels to the floor! AJ and Storm argue as AJ says that he had him. Hardy sees Kaz charging towards them so he blind tags himself in and catches Kaz with the Twist of Fate! 1…2…3!
Winners: Hardy, AJ, & Storm via pinfall (Twist of Fate)
AJ and Storm continue to argue after the match. Aces & Eights hit the ring and attack Hardy! They beat Hardy down but then Storm runs back out with a chair and chases them off. Roode looks on and smiles as it’s obvious that it was Roode that paid them off. Aces & Eights look back at Roode and give him the thumbs up as Roode looks at the camera and says “it pays to be Roode.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Really fun go-home show tonight. It opening nicely with Bad Influence & Roode setting up the Main Event and I really liked that they made sure to reference Fortune’s time together.
Absolutely TERRIBLE decision on putting the TV Title back on Devon, in my opinion. That belt meant absolutely nothing the entire time Devon had it and Joe was in the middle of a string of great defenses and attempting to bring some legitimacy to that belt. Now it goes right back to Devon, and I’ve made it clear how I feel about Devon (he’s awful), ugh.
The tag match was okay but Rob Terry having to explain how to work the iPad was better. Joey Ryan did well with his promo but I still don’t understand the pairing of he and Morgan. It just feels so random.
I’m expecting the 01-03-13 promo to be leading to Sting’s return.
Angle and DOC put on a pretty good match with Angle working over the bigger guys leg the whole match (logical) and the 8-Man Tag should be fun but I expect either Wes & Bischoff to turn in that match (or both).
Hogan’s refusal to book the Ray-Aries match just made no freaking sense. One guy is banging your daughter, the other guy is continuously stabbing you in the heart by reminding you of that and clowning your daughter. Letting them beat the sh*t out of each other is LOGICAL.
The X-Division Match was awesome, all over the place and fast paced, we haven’t seen enough of that in the X-Division lately. Kash really was great in this but really all three were. King and RVD should have a solid match. I’m really looking forward to what King can do going forward.
I expected the Main Event to be a little more fast paced with the guys involved but with the X-Division match taking place right before it was a good idea to slow it down and go old school 6-Man in that one which they did. The heels worked Hardy over for a good portion of the match and he sold really well to all the double team moves from the heels, and the attack from Aces & Eights was perfect with Roode paying them off.
QUICK RESULTS
1) TNA TV Title: Devon def. Samoa Joe (c) to win the title
2) Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez def. The Shore
3) Kurt Angle def. DOC via DQ
4) TNA X-Division Title #1 Contenders 3-Way: Kenny King def. Zema Ion & Kid Kash
5) James Storm, AJ Styles, & Jeff Hardy def. Bad Influence & Bobby Roode
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Opening
– Match of the Night: Kash vs. King vs. Zema (***1/2)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
-n/a
Final Resolution Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Bobby Roode
– Final Battle: AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
– TNA Knockouts Title: Tara (c) vs. Mickie James
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Hernandez (c) vs. Joey Ryan & Matt Morgan
– Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco, & Garett Bischoff vs. Aces & Eights
– Bully Ray vs. Austin Aries
– TNA X-Division Title: Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Kenny King
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