TNA iMPACT!
Fayetteville, North Carolina (Crown Coliseum)
March 10, 2011
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact opens up with highlights from last weeks big show in Fayetteville focusing on the Dixie Carter/Hulk Hogan drama, Angle/Jarrett, and Sting’s return (and recapture of the TNA World Heavyweight Title).
We cut to the arena (Fayetteville for the 2nd straight week) where Sting’s music hits! The new TNA World Champ gets a huge reaction from the fans and he is wearing some crazy facepaint tonight where one eye is almost covered like a patch with red paint. It actually looks pretty cool. Sting says he feels like he’s accomplished a ton in his career, some great some not so much, but it doesn’t matter how great they were he couldn’t have done it on his own. He says ever since the very first time he stepped into the ring the people have supported him every step of the way and for that he can’t thank the fans enough. Sting says he’s also thankful for his opponent last week, Jeff Hardy. He says he doesn’t agree with Jeff’s actions or attitude ever since he drank that Hogan-Bischoff Kool-Aid, but he has no problem admitting that Hardy is one of the greatest wrestlers he’s faced in the ring. He says Jeff has god gifted talents and one day when he gets his head right again he hopes Jeff gives back to the fans everything they’ve given to him. Sting is interrupted by Hulk Hogan’s music!
Hogan and Bischoff walk out onto the stage and give Sting some applause and then they walk down to the ring. Hogan looks a lot more stiff walking to the ring this week than he did last (which is weird because both shows were taped on the same day). Hogan grabs a microphone and says it’s good to see Sting again and says it’s weird after the history they’ve had that the past 5 months they went their separate ways. He says he knew that somehow, someway he knew when he least expected they would end up back in the ring staring at each other one day. Hogan says he has to give credit to Sting because he saw it coming a mile away and Sting even tried to warn everyone about he and Bischoff. Hogan says they didn’t listen to Sting and when they didn’t listen the momentum fell right in Hogan’s direction, but what did Sting? He took his ball and went home 5 months ago so now that Sting is back he’s a day late and a dollar short. Hogan says the fans don’t need another hero because they already have one, Hulk Hogan. Sting says Hogan is right, he went home and quit but he didn’t quit on the people. He says he quit on the thought of having to deal with Hogan, Bischoff, and Flair again. On the thought of having to deal with another three headed monster that would make his life a living hell every single day, but the more he sat at home the more a fire started to burn inside him. He says that fire was the same type of fire that he had the first time he faced Ric Flair, the same fire that he had the first time he dropped Bischoff on his head, and the same type of fire he had the first time he stepped in the ring with Hogan. Sting says that fire is burning inside him right now and it says Sting isn’t going anywhere! Sting says he has a job to do in TNA which is to take back what was never Hogan’s and it starts “right here” and then Sting holds up the TNA Title in Hogan’s face. “MISTEEEEEER…”
Mr. Anderson’s music interrupts Sting and Anderson makes his way out to the ring as Tenay describes how Anderson has been given the run around on his title rematch with RVD getting a shot and then Sting last week. Anderson says loves to come out and cut them off right now, rather than hating to do it. Anderson says it’s obvious to him that he hasn’t spoken clearly enough or loudly enough so he screams to them that he wants his rematch. He says the keyword is “MY” rematch. Anderson says Hogan’s little “bitch” just lost the title to Sting, Sting becomes “that guy” for Anderson. Anderson says he doesn’t care what Hogan wants “brother” or what Bischoff wants “sister” or what Immortal wants or what the network wants, all he cares about is what HE wants. Anderson looks at Sting and he says he knows who Sting is but they have never been formally introduced and Anderson does his usual introduction to Sting. He got a nice pop for that. He says that he is an asshole and Jeff Hardy’s music hits now!
Hardy makes his way out to the ring looking none too happy. Hardy says that Fayetteville can kiss his “charismatic ass” and he says the Antichrist of Wrestling was robbed last week. Hardy says he had no chance to prepare for Sting and that’s a fact and he calls Anderson an asshole and he says that when you talk about the TNA World Title the line starts behind him. RVD’s music cuts him off now!
RVD comes out to the ring and when you look at all the combined World Titles in the ring right now with RVD, Anderson, Sting, Hogan, and Hardy it’s pretty staggering. RVD says he loves how they all forget about the fact that this whole thing all started when he got stripped of the Title after the guy he trusted the most (Hardy) had him nearly killed by Abyss. RVD adds to that he would have already regained his title if a certain Guest Referee wouldn’t have been put in the match with his own agenda and very selective vision (Anderson). Anderson smiles at that description. RVD says he doesn’t know where Sting has been but what kind of balls it takes to come back after a 4-month hiatus and say you’re calling the shots. Hogan says he can straighten that comment out right now because he is the only one in TNA that calls the shots, not RVD or Sting or Anderson. Bischoff says he has an idea after listening to all of this in the ring, he sees one hell of an opportunity. He says that at Victory Road Sting will face Jeff Hardy with the TNA Title on the line and now we will have Anderson vs. RVD for the #1 Contendership, but he also sees a Tag Match in the ring. RVD and Sting vs. Anderson & Hardy in the Main Event!
In the back Beautiful People are talking when Sarita, Angelina, and Cookie walk in. Angelina says Jersey girls tell you before they kick your ass and that’s proper etiquette unlike the BP “skanks.” She says she’ll embarrass BP in front of their own “crew” and then Winter walks in and says before you address Angelina Love, you better address her. The Shore & Sarita walk out as BP mock them. Velvet tells Love that her girlfriend (Winter) better be on the same page with them tonight or she and Love will have problems and then she walks off.
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Oh god Spike is capitalizing on the Chile Mine incident by coming out with their own Coal Mining show? Good lord.
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe w/Okato vs. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero
Kato…I mean Okato is accompanying Joe to the ring tonight. Joe comes out from the crowd rather than the tunnel and he sneaks up behind Okato and he wraps his chain around his fist and punches Okato in the face as he turns around! Joe goes out to the floor and gives chase to Pope who rolls into the ring and puts the boots to Joe as Joe gets back into the ring. Pope tries to hit Joe with the chain but Joe ducks and lights Pope up with some vicious chops and jabs in the corner. Joe then whips Pope into the corner and nails him with a Running Back Elbow followed by a Leaping Enziguri! Joe picks Pope up and blasts him with more strikes in the corner and then he attempts to whip Pope into the ropes, but Pope reverses it and kicks Joe as he comes off the ropes. Pope then nails him with a vicious 4-Uppercut. Pope then mounts Joe and nails him with a series of right hands on the mat. Pope picks Joe up but Joe slaps his hands away and hits him with more jabs. Joe comes off the ropes and Pope attempts to leapfrog him but Joe catches him in midair with an Atomic Drop! Joe follows up with a Running Dropkick followed by the Backsplash Senton! Joe whips Pope into the corner and nails him with the Snap Powerslam! 1…2…NO Pope kicks out! Pope begs for a timeout from Joe but Joe slaps him in the head! Joe then whips Pope into the ropes and goes for the Coquina Clutch but Pope blocks it and shoves Joe into the ropes. Pope then connects with a Sweeping STO! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out! Pope exposes the top turnbuckle in the corner and then he starts slapping Joe and taunting him. Pope attempts to whip Joe into the corner but Joe reverses it and Pope reverses it again only to get caught with a nasty T-Bone Suplex from Joe! Pope picks up his chain from the apron as the referee tries to fix the turnbuckle. Joe picks Pope up and puts him on the top rope for the Muscle Buster but Pope punches him in the head with the chain! Pope covers Joe, 1…2…3!
Winner: Pope via pinfall (hitting Joe with a chain around his wrist)
Joe seethes in the ring after the match staring at Pope as Pope taunts him from the stage.
In the back Bully Ray tells the cameraman to get out of his way and then says Dreamer stuck his fatass in Bully’s business where it didn’t belong. He calls Dreamer “the martyr of the wrestling business” and that’s fine, he’s going to the parking lot so Dreamer can meet him there.
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Madison Rayne comes out to the ring for her special challenge this week but this time the belt is on the line and this time Tara walks her out to the ring. 2 weeks ago ODB faced Madison in the Challenge and Rayne took her out. Madison gets on the microphone and says there is a reason the women in TNA are called Knockouts, it’s because everytime they step in the ring with Madison that’s exactly what she does to them. Madison says she’s just become a little bored with the competition and then she SCREAMS at the fans to be quiet. Madison says she’s issued a special challenge to any woman on the planet to face her and this week it’s….ROXXI!
TNA Knockouts Championship
Special Challenge Match
Madison Rayne (c) w/Tara vs. Roxxi
As soon as Roxxi rolls into the ring Madison attacks her and then nails her with vicious knees before hitting her with a Forearm. Madison whips Roxxi into the ropes and goes for a backdrop, but Roxxi stops and kicks Madison and then connects with a clothesline. Roxxi follows up with a Back Elbow and then she whips Madison into the corner and connects with a Running Hip Attack. Roxxi goes for a Running Front Kick, but Madison sidesteps it and Roxxi’s leg gets caught up in the ropes. Madison then grabs Roxxi by the head and slams her to the mat. Madison taunts the fans and gets serenading by boos. She then turns around into a Spinebuster from Roxxi! 1…2…NO Madison kicks out! Madison comes right back with a Jawbreaker and then she goes for a clothesline, but Roxxi ducks and rolls Madison up! 1…2…NO Madison kicks out again! Roxxi kicks Madison and sets up for the Voodoo Drop but Madison fights it off and hits the Rayne Drop! 1…2…3!
Winner & STILL Knockouts Champ: Rayne via pinfall (Rayne Drop)
After the match Madison continues to beat on Roxxi until Mickie James’ music hits! Hardcore Country runs down the ring and lays out Tara and then rolls that beautiful bottom into the ring and chases Madison off. Mickie checks on Roxxi and stares Madison down as Madison & Tara back down.
In the back Tommy Dreamer says if Bully wants to fight him in the parking lot then they can fight and he drags the cameraman out to the parking lot. Dreamer screams into the camera that if Bully wants him then he’s waiting.
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Back from commercials Bully Ray is searching for Dreamer in the parking lot and he’s carrying a big chain. Devon jumps him instead of Dreamer! Devon beats on Bully Ray and talks sh*t to him the whole time he does it. Devon slams Ray into a big truck repeatedly and then he picks up a construction cone and nails him with it! Devon says “those were my kids” and continues to stomp Bully Ray out. Ray tries to run away but Devon catches him again and slams him into some railing nearby. Ray begs him off but Devon picks up the chain and slams it into Ray repeatedly. Ray screams “NOMORE” and Devon tells him to beg. Ray begs him off and says they are brothers and tells him to think about it. Devon thinks about it for a second and nails Ray again and says he thought about it! Devon finds a sledgehammer in the back of what looks like a workers truck but Dreamer stops him from hitting Ray with it. Dreamer says he’d go to jail and Devon says he doesn’t care right now. Dreamer talks him down and Devon says Ray is a little bitch and a coward. A security guard runs out and helps Bully Ray up as Devon & Dreamer walk away. Ray then attacks the security guard and calls him a piece of crap telling him to never put his hands on him. Ray beats the guy with the big ass chain and then he grabs a guardrail and slams it onto him!
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6-Knockouts Tag Team Match
Cookie, Sarita, & Angelina Pivarnick w/Rosita vs. The Beautiful People & Winter
Rosita trips Velvet from the outside and Angelina mounts Velvet and chokes her but Velvet turns it around and starts slamming Angelina into the mat. Love & Winter take Sarita & Cookie out now as well to the floor! In the ring Velvet slams Angelina into the corner repeatedly as the referee goes to the floor to break the other girls up. Robbie E. comes from the back and holds Velvet for Angelina. Angelina and Cookie argue over who’s going to hit her and then Winter comes in and teases hitting Velvet but instead she lays Cookie & Angelina out with clotheslines! Robbie tosses Velvet to the side and gets in Winter’s face and Winter bites him! Winter then kicks Robbie out of the ring. Winter gets in Angelina’s face and she backs up into a rollup form Velvet! 1…2…3!
Winners: Beautiful People & Winter via pinfall (rollup)
Velvet celebrates by bending over on the middle rope and repeatedly slapping her own ample backside. That was probably the best thing I’ve seen all week!
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Footage of the Kurt Angle-Bart Scott showdown from last week is shown.
Angle says Bart Scott came into Angle’s world and disrespected him by thinking he could out bully him, but he is the baddest dude in Pro Wrestling. Anderson chimes in by saying that you don’t see wrestlers running around the NFL messing with those guys. Angle says if Scott wants to come to the wrestling world then welcome to Kurt Angle.
In the back Mr. Anderson asks Hogan if he’s high and he and Jeff Hardy aren’t necessarily buddies. He asks what’s to say he won’t take Hardy out before they get to the match but Hardy asks what’s to say that he won’t take Anderson out right now. Bischoff tells them to settle down and says that as big of an asshole as Anderson is, he’s outnumbered right now. Bischoff asks what sense it would make for him to take Hardy out and be alone against Sting & RVD tonight. Anderson sarcastically says they are amazing and walks out. Hogan tells Hardy that it’s only business.
A video package highlighting the breakup of Fortune and Ric Flair is shown. It was a pretty cool video package actually.
Ric Flair and Matt Hardy make their way out to the ring together dressed in street clothes. Flair tells AJ to get his ass out to the ring right now and AJ doesn’t make him wait very long. AJ gets a nice reaction despite this being Flair Country. AJ is dressed to fight. Flair says AJ is in Flair Country and he hopes it’s grabbing AJ by the balls. AJ says Flair is in TNA, the house that AJ Styles built. Flair says last week he prematurely lost his temper and he didn’t get to tell AJ how he really feels. Flair asks the fans how many of the fans mothers he’s slept with (priceless). Flair says he fertilized Fayetteville in his heyday (probably a fact) so AJ needs to get down on his needs and kiss his ass in front of them. AJ says all Flair does is yap, shutup! AJ says it was Flair who asked “are you going to talk to the talk or walk the walk” and he doesn’t have all night. Hardy interrupts AJ if he was going to say something corny like “let’s get this party started” and says he doesn’t know AJ, but before he and Flair destroy AJ tonight he feels obligated to tell AJ a story. He says that AJ could never understand what he’s been through in this business and the avenues he’s traveled down he wouldn’t even wish them on AJ. He keep calling AJ “kid” and he says AJ can’t comprehend that because he’s young. Hardy says he was like that at one time and he became a victim of all the negative aspects of this business. Hardy says what he became is what stands before him now and he once had dreams, aspirations, and goals like AJ until he realized that it was never about what he wanted but about what the systems wanted. Hardy says what he does tonight it’s not personal. AJ says he can respect that and personally he doesn’t like Matt or his brother and then he punches Matt!
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3-Way Street Fight
“Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. “Cold Blood” Matt Hardy vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
This is billed as a 3-Way but it’s clear that it’s a Handicap Match. Back from commercials AJ slams Hardy into the corner and then in the opposite corner. Flair is staying on the outside and AJ goes after him but this allows him to answer with a clothesline on AJ. Flair comes in now and starts stomping AJ. Flair follows up with an elbow drop attempt, but AJ moves. Flair goes for another one immediately after and again AJ rolls out of the way. Pretty funny spot. AJ then grabs Hardy by the pants and tosses him out to the floor. AJ then nails Flair with a big right hand and then he tries to kick Flair, but Flair catches his foot. AJ then nails him with an Enziguri as Flair taunts him! AJ grabs Flair by the legs and kicks him in the groin and then locks in the Figure Four! Hardy comes in and breaks it up with a big Flying Leg Drop off the middle rope! 1…NO AJ kicks out! Hardy beats on AJ on the mat with big right hands. Matt tosses AJ out to the floor and Flair pokes him in the eyes. Flair chops AJ and then tries to slam him into the guardrail but AJ blocks it and slams Flair into the guardrail. AJ then nails Matt with right hands and then he nails Flair with right hands as we see Flair is busted open. AJ tosses Flair into the guardrail but then eats a trashcan from Hardy. Hardy slams the trashcan into AJ again and then tosses him into the guardrail. Hardy rolls AJ back into the ring and then slides a chair into the ring. Hardy pulls out a ladder now and brings it into the ring! Hardy nails AJ with the ladder and then sets it up on the ropes. Hardy attempts to whip AJ into the ladder but AJ reverses it and attempts to send Hardy into the ladder now. Hardy counters back and sets up for the Twist of Fate! AJ blocks it and shoves Hardy into the ladder! AJ turns around into a kick from Flair and then a clothesline. Flair is bleeding badly as AJ turns things around on Flair in the corner. AJ mounts Flair in the corner and reigns down the punches. Flair does the usual Flair fall down in the ring and then AJ goes for a clothesline on Hardy, but Hardy blocks it and counters into the Side Effect! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Matt goes for a 2nd one but AJ fights it off with back elbows so Hardy just slams him to the mat. Hardy goes for an Elbow Drop but AJ rolls out of the way. Flair picks up the chair and tries to hit AJ with it but AJ catches him with a Superkick! AJ then rips off Flair’s shirt and chops the hell out of him in the corner. AJ then nails Hardy with a big right hand as he charges in. AJ takes turns hitting Flair with chops and Hardy with right hands now! Finally Hardy swings at AJ but he ducks and catches Hardy with the Pele! AJ places the chair in the center of the ring and attempts to Styles Clash Hardy onto it but Flair low blows AJ! Hardy then nails AJ with the Twist of Fate onto the chair! Hardy tells Flair to pin him and he does to get the win.
Winner: Flair via pinfall (Twist of Fate)
Flair’s face looks disgusting with all the blood running down his face.
In the back Sting tries to convinced RVD that back when Sting was going after RVD last year he thought RVD was part of “it” because they brought RVD in. RVD sarcastically says Sting thought RVD was part of it after he had his title stripped and was kept far away from the Main Event. Sting says he did. He apologizes and says that he was wrong and RVD simply says “I’m sorry too, Sting” and walks away.
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Generation Me vs. Ink, Inc.
This is our first time seeing GenMe since they missed the last PPV due to travel issues. Beer Money is out on commentary for this match. Storm is on commentary this week, last time they came to the announce table a couple of weeks ago it was Roode. Moore and Jeremy start the match off. They lockup and Jeremy gets Moore in a side headlock but Moore shoves him into the ropes and eats a shoulderblock from Jeremy. Jeremy hits the ropes but Moore nails him with a series of Armdrags as Storm tells a story about how he and Shannon Moore used to travel together on the Independent scene. Moore nails Jeremy with a back elbow and then he hits a Springboard Moonsault! 1…2…NO Jeremy kicks out! Max grabs Moore’s Mohawk from the outside but Moore nails him with a back elbow and then he backdrops Jeremy over the top. Jeremy lands on the apron and hits a shoulderblock through the ropes and then he hits his Slingshot Facebuster! Max tags in and covers Moore for a nearfall. Max slams Moore into the corner and tags Jeremy back in and tells him to “get him.” Jeremy hits a Springboard Missile Dropkick! 1…2…NO Moore kicks out! Jeremy follows up with a spinning heel kick and again Max blind tags himself into the match. 1…2…NO Moore kicks out again! Max puts the boots to Moore and then hits a Dropkick for another nearfall. Max locks in a Headlock and Moore fights to his feet and breaks the hold with a back elbow but then Max slams him to the mat and covers for another nearfall. Max picks Moore up but Moore rolls him up with an inside cradle out of nowhere! 1…2…NO Max kicks out and then betas on Moore some more. Max tosses Moore into the GenMe corner but Moore explodes out with right hands on both members of GenMe. Moore hits a back elbow on Max and then he runs for a tag but Max catches him and carries him toward the GenMe corner, but Moore rolls over Max’s back into a Sunset Flip! 1…2…NO Max kicks out! Moore dives and makes the hot tag to Neal! Neal ducks a clothesline from Max and hits a big Running Forearm followed by a nasty Lariat! Neal then hits another back elbow and then he whips Max into the ropes and nails him with a big Backdrop. Neal knocks Jeremy off the apron and then he connects with a Springboard Cross Body! 1…2…NO Max kicks out! Jeremy comes in and swings at Neal but Neal ducks and hits him with a big modified Suplex. Neal then goes for the Spear on Max but Max catches him with the Superkick! Max lifts Neal up onto the top rope and then he tags Jeremy back in. Jeremy charges towards Max and Max lifts Jeremy up into the air for a move but Neal catches Jeremy in midair with a nasty Diving Spear! Moore then tosses Max out of the ring! Neal picks Jeremy up and Moore dives off the top with the Mooregasm/Samoan Drop! 1…2…3!
Winners: Ink, Inc. via pinfall (Mooregasm/Samoan Drop)
GenMe argue up the ramp after the match and then Shannon Moore grabs a microphone. Moore says the Book of DILLIGAF says at Victory Road Ink, Inc. wins the Tag Titles! Storm grabs a microphone and says at Victory Road Beer Money is going to be “whoopin’ yo’ ass” because James Storm says “sorry ’bout yo’ damn luck!”
In the back Anderson tapes his wrists as Hardy comes in and sits down in front of him. Hardy asks Anderson what’s going to happen tonight. He asks if Anderson is going to turn on him and stab him in the back or hit him in the back of the head with a chair as a receipt. Hardy says they’re facing RVD and Sting tonight, so if he thought about facing them alone he better think twice. Anderson says Hardy is right, those odds don’t sound very good. He says that’s illogical but he says he’s a little unorthodox and he’s kind of illogical. Anderson says that’s because he’s an asshole! Anderson walks away as Hardy looks frustrated.
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In the back The Pope says he’s so sick of Samoa Joe and his sidekick and sooner or later he will put an end to this all. He says that Victory Road is coming up and everyone knows Victory Road leads to Lockdown. Pope says at Victory Road he’s taking Joe to the “mean streets of Harlem” and is going to do the world a favor and get rid of Joe.
Footage of Angle wrecking the Jarrett’s wedding is shown.
In the back Jarrett says what happened last week brought he and Karen even more together. Jeff says what comes next for the Jarrett’s is their Honeymoon. Jarrett says they had a great one last year but this one will be even better. Jarrett says their Honeymoon will be in Orlando, Florida. God, I hope we don’t get a bunch of stupid vignettes of this during the PPV.
A great video package hyping up Ultimate X is shown with a lot of attention on Kazarian. It highlights that Kaz has been involved in 5 Ultimate X Matches. I really wish Robbie was replaced with either Red or Suicide in this match. Any chance I can get someone to screw up Robbie’s travel plans that night like what happened to GenMe last month?
At the announce table Taz and Tenay hype the card for VR: Sting vs. Hardy (TNA Title), Anderson vs. RVD (#1 Contenders), Ultimate X: Kaz vs. Robbie vs. Max vs. Jeremy, Ink, Inc. vs. Beer Money (TNA Tag Titles), Matt Hardy vs. AJ, Hernandez vs. Matt Morgan (First Blood), Sarita & Rosita vs. Angelina Love & Winter (Knockouts Tag Titles), Bully Ray vs. Dreamer.
A great video package hyping Sting’s return is shown now with Sting talking about his return and his love of wrestling. Pictures of Sting’s early career is shown. It also chronicles the issues with Sting and Hogan as well.
In the back Jeramy Borash is with Sting for the first traditional backstage interview in TNA for a LONG time. Sting says one of the major reasons he came back to TNA is because he loves stirring it up. He says he apologized to RVD and they’ll see what happens when they get out there. Sting says it’s been a great 7 days and he doesn’t care who his opponent is, he’ll defend the title. He says he’s even tired of talking about, it’s showtime! Anderson blasts Sting out of nowhere! Anderson slams Sting into a door and then punches him repeatedly. Anderson says by the way “THAT’S MR. ANDERSON TO YOU AND THIS IS MY TNA CHAMPIONSHIP.” He screams at Sting that he wants his rematch and walks away.
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Main Event
Mr. Anderson & Jeff Hardy vs. Sting & Rob Van Dam
Sting’s music hit but he never came out (due to the beatdown from Mr. Anderson) so Anderson jumps RVD. Anderson says he’s not coming for RVD and continues to stomp on RVD. Anderson slams RVD into the corner and then he whips RVD into the opposite corner. Anderson charges but RVD gets his boot up and clotheslines Anderson twice and then connects with a Springboard Back Kick. RVD covers Anderson and gets a nearfall. Anderson comes back with a kick to the gut and then he attempts to whip to RVD into the corner but RVD reverses it as the fans chant for Sting. RVD goes for a Rolling Monkey Flip but Anderson blocks it and slaps Hardy in the back of the head as a tag. Hardy goes to attack RVD but eats a Spinning Heel Kick and then a Corkscrew Leg Drop! RVD picks Hardy up and hits another Spinning Heel Kick and then he picks Hardy up again but Hardy kicks him. Hardy goes for Twist of Hate but RVD shoves him into the corner and then hits a Running Spinning Heel Kick! RVD then hits Rolling Thunder! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Hardy pokes RVD in the eyes and then he goes to tag out but Anderson drops off the apron. As he turns around RVD rolls Hardy up with a Leg Scissors Rollup! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! RVD then attempts to whip Hardy into the corner but Hardy reverses it and then slams RVD to the mat by his ponytail. Hardy then slaps Anderson on the chest as a tag. RVD knocks Anderson off the apron but then turns around into the Twist of Hate from Hardy! Hardy covers RVD and the referee starts to count but Anderson stops him and says that he’s the legal man. Anderson then hits the Mic Check on Hardy! The lights go out and Sting’s music hits! When they come on Sting is in the ring! Sting attacks Anderson and lays him out with a nasty Scorpion Death Drop! RVD springs up top and hit’s the 5-Star Frog Splash! 1…2…3!
Winners: Sting & RVD via pinfall (5-Star Frog Splash)
After the match Sting and RVD get into each others faces and then Sting points towards to RVD for the crowd to cheer for him.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tonight was far better to me than last weeks though my biggest gripe from last week still rings true this week, not enough in-ring action. It was as prevalent this week but still there just is too much other stuff going on. I will say that it was pretty lousy as a go-home show. I mean you got Anderson beating up Sting and Sting getting revenge on Anderson later yet it’s Hardy that is facing Sting. Devon beating up Bully Ray while it’s Dreamer that is facing Ray. Some of the other matches were built up better but your top two weren’t.
The opening segment was absolutely great. They got everybody out there with everyone that wants a title shot all being “deserving” of it. And it also put over the Title as something everyone wants rather than just a prop. Damn it bring in another belt though. The fact that they still don’t have a new belt tells me Hardy will likely get it back next month and I’m beyond tired of hot shotting the title around.
All of the video packages (especially the Ultimate X and Sting packages) were absolutely great. TNA is starting to hit their stride with these hype packages. I really, really liked the Ultimate X one. They still should have hyped up that match more.
Pope vs. Joe was really good for a match that short. The feud has been very underwhelming between two of my personal favorite wrestlers, but these two can both go in the ring. They’ll get another shot at the PPV.
Madison vs. Roxxi was disappointing as it’s always fun to see Roxxi back in TNA. It only went about 2 minutes and was just a squash. It was good to see Mickie though because we haven’t seen her since the last PPV.
I really enjoyed the brawl between Devon and Ray, Devon’s intensity is exactly what it should be with a guy that just beat up his kids. I also loved that Ray beat the hell out of the security guard that helped him at the end too getting a little of his heat back.
The Jersey Shore wasn’t as bad as I figured it would be and it was interesting to see Winter help Velvet out, I think Velvet will end up costing Angelina & Winter the belts this Sunday. TNA got their publicity from TMZ off this Jersey Shore crap, now let it go.
The Handicap Street Fight (technically a 3-Way) put a lot of heat on the heels and made AJ look strong by fighting off both guys for most of the match until the low blow. AJ vs. Matt could be very good now that Matt is in shape and they had a teaser of a match a few weeks back that was solid. This is just a place keeper heading into Lockdown next month which I still think will be Fortune vs. Immortal with control of the company on the line.
Ink, Inc. got a good win over a good team in a solid match to get them some momentum heading into the PPV. I hate the tease of dissension in GenMe though. TNA’s tag division is already thin with the breakup of 3D and Alex Shelley’s injury, they don’t need to be breaking up any teams.
I’m guessing they kept Sting out of the Main Event until the end to save him from a burning out (with this being a double taping) more than anything. Not much of a match but I liked that they played off the heat between Hardy and Anderson and that Anderson turned on Hardy (plus beat up Sting). I love how they’re going with the loner Anderson, not a heel and not a babyface. I just hope they don’t have him pick sides, especially heading into Lockdown where I could see Immortal recruiting him to their team. I just hope he sticks on his own.
Victory Road could end up being a really good B-PPV or it could be a bad, overbooked throwaway.
–Promo/Segement of the Night: opening segement
–Match of the Night: AJ vs. Hardy & Flair (**)
–Overall Grade: C
Victory Road Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Sting (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
– TNA Title #1 Contenders Match: RVD vs. Mr. Anderson
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Beer Money (c) vs. Ink, Inc.
– TNA X-Division Title Ultimate X: Kazarian (c) vs. Robbie E. vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Max Buck
– TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Angelina Love & Winter (c) vs. Sarita & Rosita
– First Blood: Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez
– AJ Styles vs. Matt Hardy
– Bully Ray vs. Tommy Dreamer
– Samoa Joe vs. The Pope