TNA Impact Wrestling
Huntsville, Alabama (Von Braun Center)
September 1, 2011
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact Wrestling opens up this week from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama…my state and the city where it all started for TNA back in 2002 for the very first TNA shows.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring to a chorus of boos. Hogan says he is running wild in Huntsville and continues to get booed. Hogan says the Network has decided to stand behind the offer Ric Flair made to Sting which means Flair gets Sting one-on-one September 15th on Impact Wrestling. If Flair beats Sting then Sting is done but if Sting beats Flair then it will be Hogan vs. Sting! Hogan says that’s the only thing Sting has wanted for the last 10 years. Hogan says he can always make decisions on the spot and the way the Network has attempted to bully Immortal, it’s time they stop bowing down to the network and the network bow down to Hulk Hogan. Hogan says the only way Sting will ever get him back in the ring is when he’s good and ready and when he says so. Kurt Angle’s music hits and the TNA World Heavyweight Champion comes down to the ring.
Hogan says before they get down to business right now he wants to apologize to Angle for how Dixie Carter manipulated Angle and used him. Hogan says that’s the reason she can never run TNA again. He says at the end of the day he is going to give TNA a very clean bill of health but there is still a little bacteria left in the bloodline in TNA. He wants Angle to drag Sting out to the ring tonight and perform life saving surgery on TNA by cutting out the cancer Sting. The fans are crapping on Hogan. Angle says he came out to tell Hogan that Hogan’s enemies are now his enemies and he would love to take out Sting. He says he vowed to take out all the young talent in TNA and he would love a veteran to that list. Angle says to appease the network he’ll do it by the rules and Sting will get his Title rematch tonight, and if Angle wins he guarantees Sting will not walk out of here under his own power.
Sting’s music hits to a massive pop and Stinger makes his way out to the ring. Hogan says NOBODY wants to see him out there but the fans disagree. Sting says he’s honored that Angle would put him on a list that he wants to destroy. He mocks Angle saying it makes him think Angle likes him. Sting says he likes Kurt too and he won’t make Kurt wait for his answer, Sting accepts the match. Sting gets a cheap pop for the Huntsville mention. He says tonight he starts by taking the gold from Angle, and then he takes out Flair, and finally Hulkamania. Sting says when he’s done Hogan’s power will be done and that’s his plan and he’s sticking to it.
Sting starts to leave but Hogan stops him and asks Sting who in the hell he thinks he is. He says that he calls the shots around here and since Sting is so cocky tonight he must have something in his bag of tricks so tonight Hogan will be the Special Enforcer for the Title Match! Hogan says, “NOW PLAY MY DAMN MUSIC” and leaves.
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Back from commercials Morgan is at the announce table with Tenay and Taz. Tenay talks about Joe taking out Devon & Pope from the BFG Series and then a clip of Joe whooping Crimson’s ass last week is shown. Taz says Crimson suffered a hairline fracture due to the attack and he is officially out of the BFG Series as well.
Bully Ray, Robert Roode, and James Storm cut great promos about wanting the World Title and really putting over how bad they want it. Those 3have secured spots in the Final Four. Gunner & RVD are tied at 35 and the next matchup will determine which one will take part in the BFG Finals at No Surrender.
BFG Series Match
Gunner vs. “The Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam
TNA is using the same setup they did for the North Carolina Impact tapings earlier this week, by the way. Winner of this match moves into the Final Four at No Surrender. Gunner and RVD lockup and Gunner hits RVD with a back elbow and then he goes for a kick but RVD catches his foot, and then the camera pans over and Samoa Joe is walking down the ramp! Morgan sees it and he says he’s tired of watching Joe take people out because he couldn’t win it himself. Morgan bails from the announce table and goes after Joe! RVD this a Spinning Heel Kick on Gunner for a nearfall and Morgan gets in Joe’s face. Joe tries to get by him but Morgan gets in his way and Joe looks he’s about to snap. He kicks Morgan in the nuts! TNA’s on the road security Atlas Security (who are assholes in person by the way) get in between Joe and Morgan and Joe laughs and walks away. Back in the ring RVD has Gunner in a side headlock and then transitions into a Waistlock but Gunner hits another back elbow. Gunner kicks at RVD but RVD catches the boot and then spins Gunner around and nails him with a spinning heel kick. RVD follows up with another spinning heel kick for another nearfall. RVD sends Gunner into the corner with a Forearm Smash followed by a series of Shoulder Blocks. RVD hits a backflip and goes for another one but Gunner gets a boot up. Gunner then tosses RVD out to the floor and Slams on him on the floor. Gunner rolls RVD back into the ring and covers RVD for another nearfall. Gunner picks RVD up and slams down on his back and follows up with a Rebound Vertical Suplex off the ropes. Gunner then goes for a clothesline but RVD ducks and hits a Superkick followed by a series of Running Clotheslines. 1…2…NO Gunner kicks out! RVD hits a Spinning Back Kick and then a Scoop Slam followed by Rolling Thunder! 1…2…NO Gunner kicks out again! RVD attempts to whip Gunner into the corner but Gunner reverses it. Gunner charges but eats a back elbow and then RVD charges at Gunner and Gunner hits an elbow of his own for another nearfall. Gunner picks RVD up as Jerry Lynn walks down to the ring now. Gunner tries to slam RVD into the corner but RVD blocks it with his boot and kicks Gunner in the face. RVD hits a Front Kick to the face on Gunner and then sees Lynn and goes out to the floor and tells Lynn to leave. Lynn is wearing an RVD t-shirt and he gets pissed when RVD tells him to leave. RVD slides back in the ring and thinks about 5-Star Frog Splash but stops and looks at Gunner. He shakes his head and walks over to him but Gunner rolls him up! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! RVD answers with a Body Scissors Rollup! 1…2…NO Gunner kicks out! Gunner gets to his feet and hits a series of knees and forearms. Gunner then whips RVD into the corner and charges but RVD gets his boot up. RVD springboards off the top with a Missile Dropkick for another nearfall. RVD hits the Stepover Heel Kick…1….2…NO Gunner kicks out again! RVD climbs up top as the referee checks on Gunner, Lynn comes out of nowhere and shoves RVD off the top! Running High Knee from Gunner! 1…2…3! Gunner advances to the Final Four at No Surrender!
Winner: Gunner via pinfall (Running High Knee)
Gunner: 42 points
RVD: 35 points
Lynn is shown walking up the ramp laughing.
The entire Knockouts roster makes their way to the ring to a nice ovation. Eric Bischoff will be making a major announcement next.
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Eric Bischoff makes his way down to the ring alongside Traci Brooks as the Knockouts wait in the ring. One of the fans at ringside is giving Bischoff hell. Bischoff says he has never had the pleasure in his 25 years in Wrestling to work with such a talented group of individuals. He says the Knockouts are the heart and soul of TNA and they are proven ratings getters and they are one of the keys to the success of TNA. He thanks the Knockouts but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re still women and as women they don’t know when to keep their mouth shut and stay focused. He says all the whiny cat fights and sexual innuendo is driving him up a wall which is why when Traci came to him and convinced him that only a women knows how to manage another woman she proved to him that she would be willing to do ANYTHING to manage the Knockouts. He says that’s what the Knockouts need, great leadership. Bischoff introduces the new VP of the Knockouts Division…and he tells Traci to go stand in the corner…KAREN JARRETT!
Tracis goes apesh!t as Karen makes her way down to the ring. Jeff accompanies Karen down to the ring. Karen assures Eric that he made the right decision as the fans chant “Eric sucks.” Karen says she’s proud of all the women in the ring but they have a long way to go. Karen says the big difference between them and Karen is etiquette. She says she’s a lady and everyone of them are not. A “she’s a ho” chant starts and Karen says each and every one of the women will learn to have respect of Mrs. Karen Jarrett. Karen says she’s going to take care of her first piece of business, ODB & Jackie. She says that as of today they are full time parts of the Knockouts roster. Karen says they’ll address ODB’s “hand gestures” later.
Karen says she knows Traci is disappointed and we all know she “REALLY” put herself out there for this one (and Bischoff says “3 times). Karen says there’s still a place for her in TNA, right where she belongs beneath Karen. Karen is getting massive heat. She says Traci will be her Executive Assistant and she will do what Traci tells her to. Karen then looks at the rest of the Knockouts and says that if they so much as look at her the wrong way they’ll be right back down to the Strip Club.
Karen thanks Eric and then says she looks forward to each and every one of them serving her.
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Back from commercials we see that Winter, Angelina Love, and Mickie James had a confrontation during the break. Winter was taunting Mickie with the Knockouts Title and Mickie pie faced her. Angelina then went after Mickie and they brawled for a few seconds.
Austin Aries & Kid Kash vs. Brian Kendrick & Jesse Sorensen
Kendrick is wearing a weird ass head dress to the ring and swinging the belt around. Kendrick defends the belt against Aries at No Surrender. Kendrick and Aries will start the match off, but Aries stops and tags Kash in before they lockup. Kash taunts Jesse and then shoots in for a takedown on Kendrick but Kendrick avoids him. They lockup and Kash puts a knee in the gut of Kendrick and then whips him into the ropes. Kendrick slides between Kash’s legs and then hits an Armdrag. Kendrick follows up with a Hip Toss and a second arm drag. Kendrick locks in an armbar and tags in Jesse. Jesse hits a dropkick as Kendrick whipped Kash into the ropes. Jesse hits an armdrag on Kash and locks in an armbar of his own. Kash gets to his feet and hits a series of Knee Strikes and then he slams Jesse into the corner and tags in Aries. Kash hits a Scoop Slam on Jesse and Aries follows up with a Leaping Elbow Drop for a nearfall. Aries stomps on Jesse’s head and then slams him into the boot of Kash. Kash tags back in and hits some NASTY chops in the corner followed by some round kicks. Aries tags right back in and lights Jesse up with somemore chops. Jesse attempts to fight out of the corner with right hands but the heels cut him off and shove him back into the corner. Aries swings at Jesse but he ducks and then shoves Aries into Kash. Jesse hits a Double Dropkick on Aries & Kash and dives for the tag to Kendrick! Kendrick hits a Slingshot Back Heel Kick on Aries and then Forearms and Dropkicks to both Aries & Kash! Kendrick hits a series of back heel kicks on both as well and gets a nearfall before Aries breaks it up. Kendrick hits an Enziguri on Aries and tags Jesse back in. Kendrick lifts Aries up onto his shoulders as Jesse climbs up top but Aries fights him and shoves Kendrick into Jesse in the corner! Aries then climbs up top with Jesse but Kendrick hits him from behind and climbs underneath Aries! Kash comes over and grabs Kendrick, TOWER OF DOOM! The fans go NUTS! Aries rolls out to the floor and Kash whips Jesse into the ropes. Jesse holds onto the ropes so Kash charges but Jesse backdrops Kash over the top rope to the floor! Jesse then sets up for a dive but Aries trips him and drags him out and slams him into the guardrail. Aries then hits his nasty Heat Seeking Missile through the ropes onto Jesse! Aries rolls Jesse back into the ring and then taunts the crowd. Kendrick dives through the ropes with a Suicide Dive onto Aries! Kendrick and Aries brawl up the ramp as Kash climbs up top. Kash dives off with a Flying Clothesline! Kash then hits a nasty Suplex. Kash follows up with a Powerbomb attempt but Jesse counters into a Sunset Flip! 1…2…3!
Winners: Kendrick & Sorensen via pinfall (Sunset Flip)
Kash goes nuts at the loss.
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A video package highlighting Winter and Angelina’s bizarre relationship is shown.
In the back Winter says Mickie thinks the belt is her life but what she doesn’t understand is that there have been many incarnations of her life, but this one is the best. Winter says if Mickie thinks she can take the title from her she will suck the life blood out of her and she and Angelina will feast on her rotting bones. They drink their “blood.”
We cut to Mickie who says she’s sick and tired of Winter’s “voodoo magic bullsh!t” spitting blood or whatever it was in her face. Mickie says she will wrestle her ass off tonight (well hopefully not all of it) and they’ll see if Winter can go toe-to-toe with her. Mickie says she best bring her a-game tonight.
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A video package airs talking about Jeff Hardy and what went down at Victory Road. Several TNA stars (Jarrett, Storm, Roode, Sting, and Morgan) talk about Jeff’s issues. All talk about him having to turn his life around and Sting says he knows the feeling of being in a bad situation personally (Sting had a drug addiction in his past). Next week Jeff Hardy will return and speak to the audience. The network is giving Hardy a chance to speak his mind.
Angle says tonight he will eliminate Sting and then Hogan walks in and says the games are over. Hogan says Angle needs to go to New York and take out the Network for him because of Hardy returning. Hogan says he wants Angle to come with him to New York to kill the network.
I just spotted the first “ROLL TIDE” sign in the crowd as well as a fan wearing a Mark Ingram jersey in the front. Shout out to Huntsville and ROLL TIDE!
Tenay says that it will be interesting to hear what Hardy has to say and the last time we saw Hardy in TNA he had hit rock bottom.
TNA Knockouts Championship
Winter (c) w/ Angelina Love vs. Mickie James
Mickie goes after Winter at the bell but she gets hung up in the ropes so the referee pull hers away. Winter then goes after Mickie and the two brawl into the corner. Mickie hits a Snapmare Takeover and then sets up for her Basement Dropkick but Winter rolls away as a “Mickie James” chant starts. Greco Roman Knucklelock from Mickie, but Winter kicks her hand away and counters into one of her own. Mickie counters with an arm drag and then hits a La Magistral Cradle! 1…2…NO Winter kicks out! Mickie locks in a wristlock and Winter attempts to roll out of it but Mickie slams her to the mat again. Winter fights to her feet and actually bites Mickie’s hand. Winter counters into a wristlock of her own but Mickie then cartwheels through it and steps over Winter’s hold and nails Winter with a Forearm. Mickie hits a Dragonscrew Legwhip as Winter went for a kick! Mickie locks in a modified Ankle Lock but Winter gets to the ropes. Winter slams Mickie into the corner but Mickie comes back with the Mickiecanrana out of the corner followed by a Hangman’s Neckbreaker! Mickie climbs up top and Angelina attempts to interfere but Mickie kicks her off the apron! Diving Thesz Press on Winter off the top! Angelina gets back on the apron and Mickie goes after her, but Angelina jumps off. The referee stops either from doing anything but then Angelina attempts to toss the belt into Winter. Earl Hebner pulls off his best Robert Lester (Alabama Safety) impression and intercepts it. Hebner kicks Angelina from ringside the fans explode. Winter attacks Mickie and stops rubbing her face in the mat and slapping her in the back of the head. Winter slams her knee into the back of Mickie repeatedly and locks in a submission hold on the mat. Mickie fights to her feet and breaks the hold with back elbows but Winter cuts her off again. Winter whips Mickie into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Mickie slides underneath her and trips her. Mickie then locks in a Half Crab! Winter fights it and gets to the ropes. Mickie pulls Winter away from the ropes and slams her to the mat followed by a clothesline and then a back elbow. Mickie grabs Winter but Winter hits her with a back elbow but then walks into a Flapjack from Mickie! Mickie follows up with the MickieDT attempt, but Winter blocks it and then both girls slam each other into the mat. Mickie gets to her feet first but Winter pokes her in the eyes. Winter sets up for her Swinging Sideslam Backbreaker, but Mickie blocks it and rolls her up! 1…2…NO Winter counters into a rollup of her own! Winter uses the ropes for leverage, 1…2…NO Mickie still kicks out! Mickie gets to her feet and hits the MickieDT! 1…2…NO Winter gets her foot on the bottom rope! Mickie picks Winter up but Winter shoves her away and hits an Enziguri out of nowhere! 1…2…NO Mickie kicks out! Winter pulls off her arm band and goes to choke Mickie with it but Hebner takes it away and she turns around into the Mick Kick! 1…2…3!
Winner & NEW Knockouts Champ: Mickie via pinfall (Mick Kick)
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An excellent video package highlighting Daniels career and him speaking about his relationship with AJ and the fact that AJ has been more successful. Daniels says he wants to remind everyone that he is one of the best in the world and AJ agrees. That video package did so much more for this match than the promo last week completely.
Matt Morgan walks down to the ring and he’s not happy. Morgan says for weeks he’s sat and watched Joe put star after star on the injured list and he says that’s 1 kind of stupid and 1 kind of evil. He says cheap shotting Morgan is suicidal. Morgan tells Joe to come out and face him man-to-man right now and he says everyone would like to see Joe get an Alabama ass whooping tonight.
Joe comes down to the ring and smiles and tosses the referee at ringside that Morgan asked for into the guardrail! Joe hits the ring and the fight is on! Joe and Morgan trade blows until Morgan knees Joe in the gut. Joe comes back with a poke in the eyes and then starts slapping Morgan in the back of the head. Joe then goes for something but Morgan blocks it and hits the Tornado Clothesline on Joe and Morgan sells the pec like it hurt. Morgan hits Joe with his Back Elbows in the corner and then he hits a Running Hip into the corner on Joe. Morgan sets up for the Carbon Footprint but Joe rolls out of the ring and then drags Morgan out with him. Morgan hits a right hand and then headbutts Joe and tosses him into the guardrail. Morgan hits Joe with right hands and chops and then he tosses Joe into the ring post. Morgan goes for the Carbon Footprint but Joe tosses the referee into Morgan. Morgan tosses the referee away (a bad night for him) but then walks into another nut shot from Joe! Joe screams “you’re too small to box with a God” and then picks up a chair and DESTORYS Morgan with it (to a nice reaction). Joe measures Morgan and hits Morgan’s arm with the chair slamming into the ring post as well. Referee’s run out finally and get between Joe and Morgan as Joe laughs. Joe starts talking trash now to the fans to get some heat. Joe looks into the camera and says, “I TOLD YOU! UNSTOPABBLE! UNBELIEVABLE! THE BADDEST MOTHER F*CKER ON THE PLANET EARTH!”
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Back from the break Robbie E. (Cookie was fired last week) walks into the gym where Rob Terry is working out. Robbie asks if he thought about his offer but then we see Eric Young lifting a weight bench. Young is wearing speedos yet again. Young calls Robbie “Johnny D” and offers him a TV Title shot next week. Robbie accepts it and calls Young a “stupid hampster.” Robbie tells Terry that good things happen when you roll with him.
AJ Styles approaches Daniels in the Fortune locker room and tells him not to hold anything back and he thanks AJ for accepting the match. AJ says just as long as this is the last time. He says may the best man win and then he says “guess who’s coming back?” and says “the one we talked about.” Daniels sells surprise and AJ says life’s apparently full of 3rd and 4th chances. I don’t know if they’re talking about Jeff Hardy or someone else.
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Hogan is going nuts in the back with Immortal and says there is 7 of Immortal and only 1 Sting. Hogan tells them to keep their eyes and ears open tonight so you never know when they might be needed. Abyss is still not a happy camper.
“Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
Highlights from AJ-Daniels at Destination X are shown as Daniels comes down to the ring, and AJ gets a massive pop which you would expect especially in the south. AJ and Daniels lockup and Daniels gets in a Side Headlock Takeover but AJ counters with a backroll and then he rolls Daniels up for a nearfall. Daniels sells frustration early. They lockup again and again Daniels locks in a Side Headlock. AJ tries to shove Daniels in the ropes but Daniels holds onto the headlock. AJ shoves Daniels again and this time he shoves him off, but Daniels comes off the ropes with a shoulder block. Daniels then this the ropes again but AJ leapfrogs him and then drops down, but Daniels stops and hooks AJ’s arms with his own feet and rolls AJ up! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Daniels gets to his feet and eats the Phenomenal Dropkick from AJ! AJ picks Daniels up but Daniels runs AJ into the corner. Daniels then grabs another Headlock but AJ shoves him into the ropes again and hits a Scoop Slam. AJ then hits the Leaping Knee Drop for another nearfall. AJ slams Daniels into the corner and then hits a Forearm Smash. AJ follows up a Hanging Brainbuster! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! AJ attempts to whip Daniels into the ropes but Daniels reverses it and hits a Back Heel Kick that sends AJ crashing through the ropes to the floor. Daniels then goes for a dive but AJ rolls into the ring as Daniels dove. Daniels lands on his feet and AJ goes for a Slingshot dive but Daniels bails out of the way. AJ catches himself and lands on the apron. AJ then hits a Diving Hurricanrana off the apron on Daniels on the floor to a huge pop. AJ rolls Daniels back into the ring and covers him for another nearfall. AJ locks Daniels in a Bridging Deathlock/Crossface! Daniels fights it and gets to the ropes. AJ picks Daniels up but Daniels hits him in the gut with a series of body shots. Daniels then hits the ropes but AJ catches him with the Spine Breaker (Backbreaker right into a Gutbuster combo)! I haven’t seen AJ hit that combination in awhile! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! AJ whips Daniels into the corner and hits a Flying Clothesline. AJ sets up for his Vertical Suplex into a Neckbreaker combo, but Daniels hits a back elbow and then catches AJ with a boot as he charged at him. Daniels follows up with the STO! Daniels hits a Running Forearm and then a clothesline and an Enziguri. Daniels charges at AJ in the corner but AJ gets his boots up! AJ then hits the Springboard Flying Forearm! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! AJ picks Daniels up but Daniels shoves AJ away and hits a series of Palm Strikes followed by a back hand, but AJ ducks and chops Daniels. Daniels and AJ trade chops and forearms now! AJ goes for a Spinning Heel Kick but Daniels ducks and hits a NASTY Uppercut! AJ stumbles but then hits the Pele out of nowhere! Both guys are down now and selling the match. AJ charges at Daniels in the corner but Daniels gets AJ in a Head Scissors and then kicks AJ on the top of the head with one of his legs. Daniels then backdrops AJ over the top but AJ lands on his feet on the apron. Daniels hits a shoulder block through the ropes on AJ and then tries to slam AJ into the turnbuckles. AJ blocks it and then slingshots into the ring onto the middle rope and springboards into the Phenomenon but Daniels holds onto the ropes! Daniels then goes for a Split Legged Moonsault but AJ gets his knees up! AJ grabs Daniels and goes for Styles Clash but Daniels counters into the Angels Wings attempt. AJ blocks it and backdrops Daniels! AJ charges at Daniels in the corner and Daniels gets his feet up but AJ slides underneath the kick and underneath the ropes. AJ trips Daniels and then goes for a Springboard move but AJ stumbles and falls onto the top rope and then the mat and Daniels covers him! 1…2…3!
Winner: Daniels via pinfall
The Direct Impact of the night airs several highlights of the match including the finish.
AJ offers a handshake but Daniels smiles, says “screw that”, and walks away to massive heat from the crowd. Daniels celebrates on the ramp while AJ looks shocked in the ring.
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Main Event
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Special Enforcer: Hulk Hogan
“Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle (c) vs. “The Icon” Sting
Sting’s got new ring gear tonight. It’s blue and black with a blue scorpion on the front and some weird blue splashed paint type patterns on the leg. Nice reactions to both guys for the intros, nice to see heels get actually booed for a change. Sting and Angle lockup and Sting gets Angle in a side headlock. Angle forces Sting into the corner and Sting breaks the hold clean. They lockup again and Sting gets another side headlock on Angle. Angle shoves Sting into the ropes but eats a shoulderblock from the Stinger. Sting hits the ropes again and Angle goes for a Hip Toss but Sting blocks it and hits one of his own. Sting follows up with an Armdrag and then Angle decides to take a breather on the outside. Hogan tells Angle to take care of Sting and Angle looks frustrated at Hogan. Angle gets back in the ring and kicks Sting as he went for a lockup. Angle follows up with a series of right hands and then he attempts to whip Sting into the corner but Sting reverses it and hits a Running Clothesline. Angel rolls to the outside again but this time Sting follows. Sting slams Angle into the guardrail and then he slams him into the ring steps. Sting and Angle roll back into the ring and Sting goes for the Stinger Splash, but Angle catches him in midair with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex! That was pretty cool. Angle locks in a headlock but Sting breaks it with back elbows. Sting then hits the ropes and Angle catches him in a Sleeper. Sting counters it with a Back Suplex! Both men are down now. Sting hits a Back Elbow and then a clothesline followed by another one. Sting goes for a Stinger Splash again but this time Angle hits a back elbow. Sting comes right back with a DDT on a charging Angle! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! Sting hits the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Angle ducks and hits the German Suplex! Angle rolls into 2 more German Suplexes! 1…2…NO Sting kicks out! Angle stocks Sting and goes for the Angle Slam but Sting counters into the Scorpion Death Drop! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! Sting grabs Angle and goes for the Scorpion Death Lock but Angle blocks it by grabbing Sting’s leg. Angle counters into the Ankle Lock! Sting fights the hold and rolls over and kicks Angle off! Sting side steps Angle who charges right into the ring post! Sting goes for the Scorpion Death Drop again, but Angle counters into a backdrop! Angle then hits the Angle Slam! 1…2…NO Sting kicks out! The fans are hot for this one. Angle takes the strap down and charges at Sting but eats a big clothesline! Sting is fired up now! Sting grabs Angle’s legs and locks in the Scorpion Death Lock! Hogan tells the troops to run down as Angle fights the hold. Gunner runs out with a chair and goes to hit Sting with it, but Brian Hebner takes the chair away! Sting then backdrops Gunner while still holding onto the Death Lock! Hogan grabs the chair and wacks Sting with it as the referee is dealing with Gunner. Sting just shrugs off the chair shot and gets in Hogan’s face! Angle comes from behind Sting and this the Angle Slam onto the chair! Hogan tells the referee to make the count, 1…2…3!
Winner & STILL World Champ: Angle via pinfall (Angle Slam)
After the match Sting attacks Angle from behind and then goes after Hogan. Hogan begs him off but Bully Ray slides in and jumps Sting. The rest of Immortal is out as well. They beat Sting down until Mr. Anderson’s music hits!
Anderson runs out with a bat and cleans house!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Before I get into the show, I obviously have to talk about the atmosphere. Impact on the road is so much better that it’s not even funny. Just the fact that it’s a different view than the thing we have seen nearly every week for years helps. Now, what they do in the ring in terms of matches and promos means a lot obviously but just having fans that aren’t attempting to be THE show rather than a part of the show (or just Tourists) is refreshing. Fans cheering babyfaces and booing heels, what a concept! And not having to have piped in boos and cheers constantly. Not to mention it was in ‘Bama which will always get a pop from me. ROLL TIDE!
Now to the show, we had a ton thrown at us as usual but thankfully the backstage segments were kept fairly short and there wasn’t as much as them as usual. Also, the promos in-ring where kept shorter this week. We got some really good action in the ring as well.
The opening segment set up the rest of the show and was done well.
Gunner-RVD had a nice little match going but there was just so much stuff going on around it (Joe-Morgan and Lynn’s involvement) it made it too distracting. Just overbooked.
So now it’s Bully Ray, James Storm, Bobby Roode, and Gunner in the Finals. I wish I had the confidence to say my pick of Roode winning it was right but I fear Gunner is going to get that spot which would be a huge mistake. Gunner has a future in my opinion but putting him in that spot too quick will do him no good. Roode is money, it NEEDS to be him. Sting-Hogan is OBVIOULSY happening and that is something TNA is banking on drawing well for them (though tickets for BFG are already selling well supposedly) so Angle vs. the young babyface that EVERYONE thinks can be a draw could be an excellent program and also better IN RING than what is sure to be a trainwreck between Sting and Hogan.
I like the swerve of having Karen Jarrett as the head of the Knockouts, it gives her something to do other than just being Jeff’s arm candy and she can draw heat.
Good tag match with the X-Division, furthering two storylines at once. Aries didn’t have to take a pin and neither did Kendrick while Jesse gets one back on Kash who pinned him last week.
Mickie-Winter was a really good Knockouts match, easily Winter’s best match in TNA. I don’t understand the logic of putting the belt right back on Mickie. We need another heel to go after Mickie and feud because I’m beyond sick of this Winter-Angelina stuff. Can we just fast forward to Angelina turning on Winter?
Joe-Morgan was a good brawl and thank God for once we get a fight happen AT ringside where all the fans in the arena can SEE it rather than going all over the place and into the backstage area. Joe continues his ass kicking streak. His intensity has been great while all of this is going on.
Daniels-AJ was yet another great match by these two. I can literally watch them wrestle each other all day and never get bored. The actually liked the finish as well, it was different and thankfully not another surprise rollup pin. They told the story well like they did at DX where both guys knew each other hold for hold and in the end Daniels capitalized on a mistake, but then disrespected AJ and it looks like AJ-Daniels will continue on and should be one of the better feuds heading into BFG.
The crowd was hot for Sting-Angle and they worked hard and put on a good match (is it a coincidence that Sting’s best matches this year has been against Angle?) until the overbooked Russo-finish.
Now to the Hardy stuff. I like that they pushed it for next week and the comments from the wrestlers was a nice touch. I was VERY against this when I heard about it. I will, however, sit back and see how it goes. I just don’t think Hardy has made any effort to CHANGE. Who am I to judge though?
– Promo/Segment of the Week: Joe-Morgan brawl
– Match of the Night: AJ vs. Daniels (***1/2)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Jeff Hardy’s return
– TNA World Title: Kurt Angle (c) vs. Mr. Anderson
– BFG Finals Preview 4-Way: Bobby Roode vs. James Storm vs. Bully Ray vs. Gunner
– TNA TV Title: Eric Young (c) vs. Robbie E.
– TNA Tag Team Titles #1 Contenders Match: British Invasion vs. The Pope & Devon
No Surrender Lineup
– BFG Series Finals Match #1: Bully Ray vs. James Storm
– BFG Series Finals Match #2: Bobby Roode vs. Gunner
– TNA X-Division Title: Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Austin Aries
– Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe
BFG Series Standings
1) Bully Ray (49 points) **
2) Bobby Roode (42 points) **
3) Gunner (42 points) **
4) James Storm (40 points) **
5) RVD (35 points)
6) AJ Styles (24 points)
7) Samoa Joe (-10 points)
*Matt Morgan, Crimson, The Pope, & Devon have been eliminated due to injury.
** Advances to the finals.