TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
March 1, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact Wrestling kicks off this week with highlights from last week and then cuts to Kurt Angle earlier today in the back. Angle is laughing about what he did to Jeff Hardy and he says there are too many reasons to say why he hates Jeff Hardy and that’s why he has CUE CARDS (and then holds them up) while continuing to laugh.
Angle’s music hits and he comes down to the ring as a replay of his attack on Hardy 2 weeks is shown. Angle says that he has been quiet on why he attacked Jeff Hardy and it’s because he wanted to properly explain why. He says there are several reasons so he wrote them down on cue cards. Kurt says Jeff Hardy has lots of hair and “I don’t” and then talks about all the colors that Jeff paints it. He says having colored hair does not make you a champion. #2 reason of why Kurt hates Jeff Hardy is the way he dresses, he says wears “makeup on his face and freakin’ socks on his freakin’ arms” which Angle says is embarrassing. Kurt says he dresses professionally. #3 reason is that at live events he will be signing autographs when Jeff comes in late with his head down and all the fans flock to Jeff which “supremely and ultimately” gets on his nerves. #4 reason of why Kurt hates Jeff is because girls “just loooove” Jeff Hardy which results in a huge roar from the females causing Angle to scream at them to shutup. Kurt says girls “dig” him too but he just chooses to be a one woman man. He says the ultimate reason why he hates Jeff Hardy is because he has over a 100 different Kurt Angle action figures, posters, and t-shirts but when he walks into his sons room all he sees is Jeff Hardy posters, action figures, and t-shirts.
Kurt says he walks into his son’s room at night and turns on his sons night light revealing a Jeff Hardy poster on the wall and then he tip toes over to his son’s bed and he steps on a few action figures. He looks down and those action figures are Jeff Hardy. He says that he gets to his son’s bed to tuck him in and he notices that his son is wearing a Jeff Hardy t-shirt. He says he goes to kiss his son goodnight and notices that he’s wearing “freakin’ makeup” on his face, has purple hair, and is “wearing freakin’ socks on his arms!” That may be the most hilarious story I’ve ever heard. Kurt says that he’s an Olympic gold medalist yet Jeff Hardy is his son’s hero. Kurt says, “you go figure that one out.” He says that everywhere he goes is a constant reminder of how much the fans love Jeff Hardy so there is only one solution for him and that’s for Jeff Hardy to get his ass out there right now.
Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring and Kurt holds up the cue cards and says those are the reasons that Jeff is not the World Champion. Kurt says he can find only one solution to his problem and that’s Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy at Victory Road! Kurt says that is where he will destroy Jeff Hardy. Jeff slaps Kurt in the face and then tackles him! The fight is on! TNA agents and referees run out to pull them apart to no avail! Finally Kurt rolls out of the ring and Jeff grabs the mic and says Kurt is on for Victory Road!
In the back Bobby Roode reminds us that he is the it factor of wrestling and the World Heavyweight Champion and what Sting did to him was not only a disgrace and unprofessional but it was simply bad for business. He says the authority figure of TNA wants to book himself in the Main Event and there is a locker room full of guys more worthy of the Main Event spot. He says it’s not his fault that Sting is all washed up as Austin Aries walks up behind Roode. Aries says he didn’t mean to interrupt but he overheard what he was talking about. Aries talks about the comment he made about Sting on Twitter after Impact last week (I believe it was something along the lines of “I guess “I’m done” is code for ‘I’m booking myself in another PPV main event.'”). He says that both he and Roode know how to dress, enjoy a nice glass of wine, and they’re both champions. He says that Sting has tried to stop Roode from shining just like he’s tried to keep Aries out of the spotlight. He says the X-Division hasn’t been in any Main Events and he’s had about enough. Roode asks Aries if he has 5 minutes to talk and Aries says he’ll give Roode 10.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Before the Gauntlet Match AJ grabs a microphone and says before they get this thing started he has a proposition for them. He says he doesn’t know what Daniels has up his sleeve or why Kaz continues to drink his Kool-Aid. He says if he beats them BOTH tonight then what Daniels has over Kaz’s head comes out in the open tonight. Daniels grabs a microphone and says that he and Frankie don’t have to agree to anything AJ says but Kaz takes the microphone and says AJ’s got it! AJ then dives over the top onto Daniels to kick the match off!
Gauntlet Match
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Kazarian
AJ tosses Daniels back into the ring and then nails him with a series of right hands and then tosses him into the corner. AJ lights Daniels up with chops and he literally beats Daniels from pillar to post. AJ then attempts an Irish Whip but Daniels reverses it and then goes for a Hip Toss, but AJ blocks it only to have Daniels knee him in the gut. Daniels hooks his leg on AJ’s head and sets up for something but AJ backflips him and then clotheslines Daniels as he lands on his feet! AJ stares Kaz down and then hits Daniels with a Backdrop Suplex followed by the Spinebreaker (Backbreaker into a Gutbuster)! AJ puts the boots to Daniels and then picks him up and then hits a Delayed Vertical Suplex! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! AJ stares Kaz down again and then as Kaz gets close to the ring he kicks at the ropes to keep Kaz back.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Back from the break AJ leapfrogs a charging Daniels and then connects with the Phenomenal Dropkick! AJ again stares Kaz down as Kaz talks trash to him. AJ rolls out to the floor but Kaz backs down. The distraction allows Daniels to attack AJ from behind. Daniels spits on AJ and then throws him back into the ring. Daniels stomps on AJ and then whips him into the ropes and hits a big Backdrop! Daniels continues to beat on AJ but AJ tries to come back with a series of Forearm Strikes. AJ then attempts to whip Daniels into the corner but Daniels reverses it and charges at AJ only to see AJ float up and over him! AJ lands on his feet but walks right into a jab from Daniels, Daniels takes AJ down and then covers him for a nearfall. Daniels chokes AJ and then picks AJ up for the Last Rites. AJ is able to counter it with a Snapmare Takeover and then he ducks a clothesline from Daniels and connects with the Pele! Both men are down now! AJ gets to his feet and connects with a clothesline followed by a back elbow and then finally a Spinning Heel Kick! AJ charges at Daniels in the corner but Daniels backdrops him over the top. AJ lands on the apron and punches Daniels, and then this a Springboard Flying Forearm! AJ picks Daniels up on his shoulders and hits that Fireman’s Carry dropped into a Neckbreaker over his knee! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! AJ stared Kaz down the entire time he went for the pin. AJ grabs Daniels and goes for the Styles Clash, but Daniels blocks it and then hits a Double Cross Chop followed by an STO! AJ fights up to his feet but before he OR Daniels can do anything Kaz runs into the ring and nails AJ with the Fade 2 Black! Daniels has been DQ’d! Kaz immediately covers AJ though, 1…2…3!
Winners: Kaz & Daniels via pinfall (Fade 2 Black)
Daniels looks shocked at what Kaz did but Kaz says something to Daniels and then walks away as Daniels follows. Kaz says, “THAT’S A VICTORY” to Daniels as they walk to the back.
In the back Madison Rayne hangs a picture of Gail Kim in their locker room when Gail walks in. They make up and Gail says that she overreacted last week and she got Madison a gift, a spa day for them tomorrow. Gail says she got Madison another special gift for tonight, a match against ODB! Madison is not thrilled.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Madison Rayne w/Gail Kim vs. ODB w/Eric Young
Did Taz just say “idiosyncrasies”? Madison kicks ODB in the gut and then hits her with a series of Forearm’s and chops. Madison attempts to whip ODB into the ropes but ODB counters into a clothesline! ODB slams Madison into the corner and then chops away at her. ODB slams Madison into the opposite corner and then proceeds to slam Madison’s head into each one of the turnbuckles several times a piece, and then goes for the Bronco Muncher but Madison gets her boot up. Madison locks ODB in a headlock but ODB fights to her feet and breaks the hold. ODB hits the ropes but then eats a back elbow from Madison. Madison then goes for the Rayne Drop but ODB blocks it and then nails her with a clothesline. ODB kicks Madison in the gut and then hits a Corner Splash followed by a series of shoulder blocks followed by a clothesline. ODB then connects with the Bronco Muncher this time! ODB then goes for the BAM but Madison blocks it and holds onto ODB as Eric Young is doing something stupid on the apron to distract the referee. Gail Kim acts like she slips on the apron trying to get in which allows ODB to catch Madison with the BAM! 1…2…3!
Winner: ODB via pinfall (BAM)
Gail tries to claim she “dropped it” (the title) as Madison screams at her. Tenay makes sure to say that this isn’t the last of the Knockouts we’ll see tonight.
Clips of Brandon Jacobs Chokeslamming Bully Ray through a table last week are shown. We then cut to Bully Ray talking to some chick backstage, he says that everytime he sees her she looks worse and worse. He says that James Storm is the reason he has been embarrassed lately because it was Storm who brought Jacobs to TNA and he’s the one that him in his corner last week. Bobby Roode and Aries then walk up and says it must have been the most embarrassing thing of his career to have Jacobs do that him to last week. Ray says embarrassing like having a guy wearing makeup kick him in the balls. They start arguing until Aries breaks it up. Aries says he has the same problem that they have and it’s not Storm, it’s Sting. Roode says it’s not Storm’s fault, it’s Sting. Roode says tonight they’re going to do something about it and there’s room for one more.
A preview of what’s up next, a brawl between Velvet, Angelina, & Sarita is shown.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Earlier today Velvet Sky bitches about her getting screwed in the Battle Royal. She says that she’s sick and tired of everyone screwing her over when she’s about to get her shot. Sarita and Angelina walk up behind her mocking her crying and then Sarita shoves her hard. Velvet shoves her back and says she’s sick of them too and then they start fighting! Angelina and Sarita beat Velvet down and Sarita asks her if she’s done with her complaining and then the heels throw her into a wall. Mickie James runs up and makes the save and says that jealousy is an ugly thing as the heels retreat. Mickie asks Velvet if she’s okay and she screams that she’s not okay. Tenay says that both sides have agreed to a tag match tonight!
In the back Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff confront Garett Bischoff. Flair says he told Garett not to ever come back but he still came back. He says Hogan isn’t here to have Garett’s back this week but he’s a nice week so he’ll give Garett a week to come to his senses and realize that he doesn’t belong in wrestling because if he’s here next week he’ll regret it. Garett says he’s his own man but he appreciates the heads up and walks away.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Back from the break Roode, Aries, and Bully make their way out to the ring. Tenay calls this a very interesting but unlikely alliance in the ring and that this alliance could cause a lot of trouble.
Roode says he is going to make this short and sweet. He says he is the reason that each and every one of the fans are in the building tonight and why the fans are watching the show. He says that he is the most dominant World Champion in the history of TNA and he wants to make it perfectly clear to Sting that he is NOTHING more than an authority figure, not an active wrestler. He says that when he physically assaulted the champ he crossed the line. He says Sting can’t touch the champ and he certainly can’t book himself in a match with him at Victory Road. Roode says he is going to do something tonight that Sting should have done. He says at Victory Road there will be no match between them and he is DONE.
Ray grabs the microphone and says first thing is first and then points to his calves and says look at those things. Ray says at first he thought this was all Storm’s fault but after listening to Roode & A-Double it’s all Sting’s fault. He says it was Sting that allowed Jacobs to be in the Impact Zone and it was Sting who allowed Jacobs to jump the guardrail and he it was Sting who allowed Jacobs to stand at ringside last week. He says it was STING who caused him the biggest embarrassment of his career as a clip of Jacobs putting him through the table last week is shown. Ray says he and his calves are “DONE!”
Aries grabs the mic and tells the fans to be quiet and then says that he’s been sitting around for the last few weeks keeping his mouth shut watching everything unfold. He says it’s become crystal clear what Sting is all about. He says Sting is just another guy who doesn’t know when it’s time to step out of the spotlight. He says Sting is jealous because Bobby Roode is a better World Champion that Sting ever was, because Bully Ray has more toughness in his calves than Sting has in his whole body, and he’s jealous of Aries because Aries does things in the ring that Sting can’t even dream of doing. Aries says there have been two things that have always followed him in his career: pissed off people and championship belts. Aries says “oops I did it again” and he’s defeated every single person put in front of him yet he has never had ONE Main Event and just like Roode & Ray, he’s done! All 3 men sit down in the ring and kick back as the fans crap on them.
Ray says they’re sitting right there and they ain’t moving as a “we want Sting” chant starts. The lights go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring behind them kneeling next to Roode! Sting says a few weeks ago when he said he was done he was just playing mind games and he just took the straw and stirred up the drink a little bit (another reference to an Aries tweet last week). Sting says if that’s all they’re doing right now is stirring it up then that’s good because this is wrestling, but if they are actually done then they have a problem. He asks if they are all done and they say they are. Sting says that last week he said he would kick the crap out of Roode at Victory Road but how can he do that if he doesn’t have a job and if he doesn’t have a job that means the World Title will be stripped from him! Roode freaks out. Sting says if Aries doesn’t have a job then that means the X-Division Title will be stripped from him! Sting says if Ray doesn’t have a job then he doesn’t get paid so he asks them all 3 again are they done. This time neither of them answer. Sting says Aries is right that he hasn’t been in ANY Main Events and he’ll change that tonight because he’ll be in the Main Event when he teams with Roode & Ray when they face the Tag Team Champions “Magnus & Joe’s gonna kill ya'” and their partner: the man on the road to Lockdown James Storm! The lights go out again and when they come back on Sting is gone again and the heels freak out because of the Main Event.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Another update on Jesse Sorensen is shown. His mother says that her heart broke and her soul died when she saw her son like that. She says that she would trade places with him if she could. Jesse says he remembers waking up and his mother was there holding his hand. He says that he prays a lot but he knows things are going to get better and he won’t give up. His mom says never take anything for granted. She tells her son not to give up on his dream and to promise her he won’t give up on it. He promises her and he says what he loves was taken away from him, but it won’t stay that way.
Zema Ion cuts a promo and he’s asked if he feels remorse for what happened to Jesse. He says that he’s the #1 Contender, he feels GOOD! He says everyone knows there is risk involved and everyone knows that, it’s not ballet. He says no one wants to take him seriously but he’s just getting started. He says that he “turns heads and breaks necks” and he’ll do a backflip right now and break the camera man’s neck.
Dixie Carter just tweeted, “Jesse Sorensen met with doctors this week & is out for up to a year. We’re blessed he will be back at all. He’s staying positive. No comment on Zema.”
Tenay and Taz act disgusted over Zema’s comments and Taz talks about his own broken neck. Taz says he has to gather himself because he’s pretty pissed off at what Zema said.
Zema Ion vs. Shannon Moore
Zema and Moore lockup and Moore is able to get a Waistlock on Zema and then take him down and lock in a Front Facelock. Zema counters into a wristlock and then transitions into a side headlock. Moore attempts to shove him into the ropes but Zema holds onto his Mohawk and then goes back to the headlock. Moore attempts to shove him into the ropes again but again Zema holds onto his Mohawk until Moore slaps his hands away. Zema kicks Moore in the gut and then goes to hit the ropes but Moore slams him to the mat by his hair and follows up with an Atomic Drop and then a Cartwheel Bulldog! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Moore nails Zema with a chop and then whips him into the ropes but Zema slides under the ropes to the floor. Moore hits a Baseball Slide Dropkick to Zema under the ropes and then he sets up for a dive but Zema moves out of the way and then clotheslines him! Zema tosses Moore back into the ring and then dives off the top with a Missile Dropkick! Zema slams Moore into the corner and then whips him into the opposite corner hard. Zema goes for a scoop slam but Moore blocks it and then hits the ropes but Zema hotshots onto the top rope and then hits a Neckbreaker. Zema climbs up top but Moore dropkicks his legs out from under him crotching him on the top rope! Moore climbs up with Zema and hits a Frankensteiner! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Moore climbs up top and dives off with a Diving Moonsault, but Zema rolls out of the way and as Moore tries to pull himself up on the ropes Zema nails him with a pair of Flying Double Knees! Zema then hits the Hostile Makeover! 1…2…3!
Winner: Zema via pinfall (Hostile Makeover)
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
“Hardcore Country” Mickie James & Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love & Sarita
No sexy entrance for Velvet as she runs straight to the ring and Spears Angelina! Mickie goes after Sarita and tosses her out to the floor. Velvet slams Angelina’s head into the mat repeatedly and then whips her into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Angelina stops and slams her to the mat by her hair. Angelina goes to slam Velvet but she counters by tossing Angelina across the ring by her hair. Velvet then tags in Mickie and whips Velvet into a Mickiecanrana out of the corner! Mickie then follows up with a dropkick for a nearfall. Angelina comes back with a back elbow and then tags in Sarita! Sarita charges at Mickie but Mickie hits her with a Flapjack! Mickie grabs Sarita and points at Velvet to tag her in but Sarita picks Mickie up and runs her into the corner. Sarita hits a series of shoulder blocks and then she distracts the referee so Angelina can take a swing at Mickie, but Mickie ducks and takes Angelina out! Mickie then nails Sarita with a series of right hands and forearms. Mickie attempts to whip Sarita into the ropes but Sarita reverses it and then goes for a clothesline only to see Mickie slide underneath Sarita’s legs. Mickie then hits a Snapmare Takeover and as she goes for a sliding dropkick off the ropes Angelina pulls the ropes down causing Mickie to spill out to the floor! Sarita then hits a gorgeous Tope Suicida through the ropes onto Mickie on the floor! The heels put the boots to Mickie and then toss her back into the ring. Sarita covers Mickie and gets a nearfall. She covers Mickie again for another nearfall and then she tags in Angelina. Angelina kicks Mickie and then tosses her into the corner and chokes her with her boot. Mickie tries to fight out of the corner with elbows and kicks on the heels but Angelina catches her with a Sidewalk Slam for a nearfall. Sarita tags back in and locks Mickie in an INSANE submission hold where she locks in a Half Crab while at the same time she pulls both of Mickie’s arm’s back in a modified Surfboard! Mickie is able to kick Sarita with her free leg and then she hits a back kick to Sarita only to eat an Elbow Drop to the back by Sarita. Sarita whips Mickie into the corner and then charges at her but Mickie moves out of the way and rolls Sarita up! 1…2…NO Sarita gets back to her feet and clotheslines Mickie! Sarita follows up with a Wheelbarrow attempt that Mickie counters into a Wheelbarrow Suplex! Sarita tags in Angelina and Mickie tags in Velvet! Velvet ducks a charging Angelina and knocks Sarita off the apron! Velvet then hits Angelina with a clothesline followed by a 2nd one and then a series of back elbows! Velvet follows up with a Reverse Bulldog! 1…2…NO Sarita breaks it up! Sarita knocks Mickie off the apron and then she grabs Velvet as Angelina charges! Velvet gets her boot up to hit Angelina and then she nails Sarita with a Jawbreaker! Mickie dives off the top with a Diving Lou Thesz Press on Sarita! Mickie drags Sarita to the floor and then Velvet ducks the Botox Injection from Angelina and hits her with the In Yo Face! 1…2…3!
Winners: Velvet & Mickie via pinfall (In Yo Face)
In the back James Storm gets fired up about the Cage Match with Roode in his backyard at Lockdown. Storm says he’ll do his talking in that Cage but tonight he’ll get a little taste of what will happen at Lockdown and he’s bringing the Tag Champs with him. Magnus says you may look at this tag team and think it’s not a natural one with a Tennessee Cowboy, a Brit, and a Samoan, but that’s not the point. He says that people said he and Joe wouldn’t work but look what happened. He says this isn’t about where they’re from, this is about Sting needing them to shut Aries, Roode, & Ray up.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Back from the break Tenay says that TNA received a letter from Abyss’ family seeking information on his whereabouts and then footage of the last time we saw him at Genesis after his Monsters Ball Match with Ray when Ray was shown beating Abyss down in the parking lot.
6-Man Tag Team Match
“Cowboy” James Storm, “Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe, & Magnus vs. Bobby Roode, “A-Double” Austin Aries, & Bully Ray
Boxing style intros for the Main Event as usual. Aries and Magnus will kick the match off and as Magnus shoots in for a lockup Aries rolls underneath it and taunts Magnus. They lockup and Aries gets Magnus in a Waistlock but Magnus counters into a wristlock. Aries rolls through it and then trips Magnus up and taunts Magnus by going all around the Brit while keeping him on the mat. Aries taunts the fans and Magnus and then asks for a test of strength with the MUCH bigger Brit but instead he hits him with a leg kick and then locks in a side headlock. Magnus shoves Aries into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Aries ducks and springs back off the ropes and ducks yet another clothesline from Magnus. Magnus then goes for a backdrop as Aries hits the ropes a third time but Aries cartwheels away from Magnus and celebrates with the heels. He turns around and right into a NASTY Lariat from Magnus! Roode tags in and Storm wants in now so he Magnus tags him in! Roode says to hell with this and tags Bully in before Storm could get to him.
————————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK————————————————-
Back from the break Ray kicks Storm and then beats on him in a corner. Ray grabs Storm but Storm explodes on him with a series of right hands and then a Neckbreaker! Storm locks in a wristlock on the Bully and then puts him on the mat and stomps on his arm before tagging in the Samoan Submission Machine! The fans are HOT for Joe as he ducks a right hand from Joe! Joe and Ray exchange forearms and nasty chops on each other until Joe nails Ray with a series of Forearm Smashes one after the other! Joe then hits the ropes but Bully nails him with a Back Elbow and then he goes for a clothesline, but Joe ducks and hits a Running Leg Lariat! 1…2…NO Ray kicks out and then rakes the eyes of Joe! Ray tags in Aries and he runs right into a Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex from the X-Division veteran! Joe tags Magnus back in and they whip Aries into the ropes and Joe hits an Atomic Drop followed by a Running Mafia Kick from Magnus and then the Backsplash Senton from Joe! Magnus covers him, 1…2…NO Aries kicks out! As Joe was leaving the ring a closeup of his chest shows the damage those nasty chops from Ray did, dude’s chest looks like ground up hamburger meat with all the welts and everything. Magnus picks Aries up but Aries puts a knee in Magnus’ gut and tags in the World Champ! Roode charges at Magnus but Magnus catches him with a Hip Toss and tags Storm in! Storm goes after Roode but again Roode takes off running and tags Aries in. Storm slingshots Aries into the ring and nails him with right hands and then tags Joe back in! Joe hits Aries with a series of jabs beating him down in the corner! Joe then whips Aries into the corner and charges but Aries moves and then goes for the IED but Joe moves out of the way! Joe then picks Aries up onto the top rope and goes for the Muscle Buster but Roode cuts him off. Ray then hits Joe from behind and Aries catches Joe with a Crucifix Slam! Aries tags in Ray and he hits a Neckbreaker on Joe! The Bully then hits Joe with an elbow and tags in Roode. Roode chokes Joe on the ropes and then slams him into the corner and lights him up with chops. Roode then hits a Snapmare Takeover followed by a Rolling Necksnap and then tags Ray back in! Ray hits another Neckbreaker on Joe for a nearfall before Magnus breaks it up! Aries tags back in and hits a Snapmare Takeover and then climbs up top and dives off with a Flying Back Elbow onto Joe! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out! Aries slams Joe into the boot of Bully! Joe tries to fight out of the corner but Aries is able to trip him and then tag the Bully back in! Ray hits an Elbow Drop and gets a nearfall. Ray grabs Joe and Joe again attempts to fight back with jabs and then he hits the ropes but Ray catches him with a clothesline. Roode tags back in and continues to beat on the Samoan one and then he charges at Joe in the corner only to eat a Rock Bottom from Joe in midair! Joe tags in Storm! Storm catches a charging Aries with a clothesline and then a flapjack! Storm hits a Running Clothesline on Aries in the corner and then knocks Ray off the apron and then connects with a huge uppercut on Roode followed by a Flying Forearm and then a clothesline on the World Champ! Storm whips Roode into the ropes and lifts him high up into the lights with a backdrop! Ray comes in and hits Storm from behind and then starts beating the hell out of him in the corner! Ray attempts to whip Storm into a diving Aries off the top, but Storm reverses it causing Aries to hit Ray with the Missile Dropkick! Joe comes in and hits Aries with the Running Back Elbow followed by a Leaping Enziguri and then the Snapmare Takeover and finally the Diving Elbow Drop from Magnus off the top! Ray catches Joe with a jawbreaker onto the top rope and then Roode comes in and hits Magnus with the Double-R Spinebuster! Storm hits Roode with the Closing Time and then DESTROYS Roode with the Last Call! 1…2…3!
Winners: Roode, Joe, & Magnus via pinfall (Last Call)
After the match Ray comes in and nails Magnus with a chair and then tosses it to Storm and kicks it into his face in a nasty spot! Ray tells Storm that he’s not making it to Lockdown and he’s taking Storm out and then taking his spot and finally taking his good friend Bobby Roode’s title!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Really fun show tonight from top to bottom with some good talking, good in-ring action, and storyline progression.
The opening segment between Angle and Hardy and Angel was pretty damn funny. It looks like he’s adding a little humor back to his heel character and the story about his son was pretty funny. That match should be really good, those two have had several great matches in TNA.
Good action from AJ & Daniels until the Kaz interruption and good lord did that make sense! I don’t like that Daniels seemed confused by what Kaz did since his character is supposed to be smarter than that, but I understand them wanting to emphasize the change in attitude from Kaz. I’m loving the slow burn this storyline is getting and am looking forward to seeing where they take it.
ODB and Madison was okay but that was just there to continue the tension between her and Gail. The Knockouts Tag match was MUCH better with all 4 girls working hard, Velvet included. Sarita looked AWESOME and she has been horribly used for awhile now. We need to see a babyface Sarita vs. heel Gail Kim feud soon. Looks like I was completely wrong about the Mickie James heel turn as well.
I loved the sitdown from the heels and Aries aligning himself with Ray and Roode is awesome. We’ve seen the sitdown stuff from wrestlers but usually it results in their rival coming out and a big brawl, but this time Sting just threatens to fire them and strip them of their titles which of course the heels aren’t willing to do. It was a great promo nonetheless and the promo from Magnus & Storm afterward was short but really god.
I had no problem with Zema’s comments about Jesse though I have seen a lot of people commenting on Twitter and Facebook about it. I wonder if those people cried when Chris Benoit called himself the “crippler” after breaking Sabu’s neck? How is this something new in wrestling? It was a real life injury, the heel ran with it. I know that’s not going to be popular of me to say no a day, but I don’t care.
The video package on Jesse was pretty emotion and it’s great to hear that he continues to recover.
Zema-Moore was a good match that was just there to keep Zema looking strong. I don’t like that they’re going forward with the title match next week and am a little confused by it. They still have that match listed for Victory Road so I don’t know how this will affect it.
The Main Event was EXCELLENT, absolutely great action and Aries looked like he belonged right there. Great stuff and the finish was really well done, the fans were really hot for that match which is hard to come back in the Impact Zone.
QUICK RESULTS:
1) Gauntlet Match: Kazarian & Daniels def. AJ Styles (AJ beat Daniels via DQ, then Kaz pinned AJ)
2) ODB def. Madison Rayne
3) Zema Ion def. Shannon Moore
4) Velvet Sky & Mickie James def. Sarita & Angelina Love
5) 6-Man Tag: James Storm, Samoa Joe, & Magnus def. Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, & Bully Ray
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Ray, Roode, & Aries
– Match of the Night: 6-Man Tag (***1/2)
– Overall Grade: B+
Scheduled for Next Week:
– TNA X-Division Title: Austin Aries (c) vs. Zema Ion
– TNA Tag Titles #1 Contenders Match: Robbie E. & Robbie T. vs. Crimson & Matt Morgan
Victory Road Lineup:
– Sting vs. Bobby Roode
– Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle
– TNA X-Division Title: Austin Aries (c) vs. Zema Ion
– TNA Knockouts Title: Gail Kim (c) vs. Madison Rayne