TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
April 26, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Open Fight Night opens up with a quick rundown of how things are going to go down tonight with the open challenges and the Gut Check.
Hulk Hogan approaches all of the Champions backstage and welcomes them to the first ever Open Fight Night and he reminds them that even the champions can be called out on Open Fight Night. Hogan says one of the most difficult decisions he has to make is which one of the champions will have to defend their belt tonight. He points out each of them finally settling on Joe & Magnus. They will defend their belts tonight but he doesn’t know exactly who to give the shots to, he says he’s going to listen to a lot of people who want the shot at the straps. He says they deserve nothing but the best and suggests that it might be the Machine Guns in a rematch or maybe even a team of Jeff Hardy & Mr. Anderson or even ODB & EY. He says that Kaz & Daniels smell blood too regarding those belts. Hogan says he may not even let the champs know until they walk down the ramp who they’ll face. Hogan says “let the fighting begin” and a special intro hits for Open Fight Night.
TV Champ Devon makes his way down to the ring and reminds us of Hogan announcing that the TV Title will be defended each week. Devon says he’s a fighting champion and he’s giving the one person he thinks everyone in the arena wants to see get his ass kick a shot at the belt, his brother Bubba! He tells Bully Ray to get his ass down to the ring so he can put his foot straight up it. Ray looks shocked that Devon called him out and finally comes down to the ring.
Ray asks Devon if he’s serious right now and says Devon really is stupid. He asks Devon what makes him think that he wants to be in a ring with him. He says that he had to be in a ring with Devon for 15 years and it made him sick. Ray says he carried Devon for 15 years and made Devon. He says that Devon wouldn’t even have the opportunity to have that belt if it wasn’t for Ray. He says he won’t get in the ring and make Devon look good because if Devon’s in the ring with Ray then he’s a star, and he isn’t making Devon a star anymore. Ray says the fans would love to see Devon get his hands on Ray and that Devon would love to defend his belt by beating him, but he isn’t going to get that chance. Ray tells Devon to go to hell and then starts to walk out but Devon jumps him on the ramp!
TNA Television Championship
Devon (c) vs. Brother Ray
Devon beats Ray back down to ringside and beats him all around the ringside area, slamming him into the ring steps and then nailing him with a bottle of water. Devon tosses Ray into the ring and Ray begs Devon off before actually offering him a handshake. Devon accepts it but then pulls Ray into a shortarm clothesline! Ray hits the ropes and connects with a Thesz Press followed by a big right hand. Devon beats on Ray in the corner and then connects with a big uppercut before climbing up top. Ray crotches Devon on the top as we go to a break.
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Back from the break Ray hits an Elbow Drop on Devon and a close up reveals a cut over Ray’s eye. Ray slaps Devon on the back of the head and replays of Ray taking control of the match during the break are shown. Ray hits a Scoop Slam on Devon and then hits a big Splash for a nearfall. Ray puts Devon in a nervehold and then hits the ropes but eats a Flying Shoulder Block from Devon! Devon gets the fans behind him as he trades right hands with Ray in the center of the ring. Devon attempts to whip Ray into the ropes but Ray reverses it only to eat a Corkscrew Flying Elbow from Devon! Devon then kicks Ray and follows up with a Running Knee and a Neckbreaker! Devon charges at Ray in the corner but eats a Big Boot and then a Lariat from Ray! 1…2…NO Devon kicks out! Ray goes for the Bully Bomb but Devon blocks it only to eat a Diamond Cutter from Ray out of nowhere! 1…2…NO Devon kicks out again! Ray screams at Devon and charges at Devon but walks right into the Spinebuster! 1…2…3!
Winner & STILL TV Champ: Devon via pinfall (Spinebuster)
In the back Austin Aries says I guess we all just saw what happens when Bully Ray can’t cheat, like he did against Aries last week. Aries says a 282 lb. man had to pull his tights to beat him. He says he’s not impressed with Ray but he guesses that Ray isn’t impressed with him either but he says Fight Night isn’t over yet so maybe he’ll get a chance to get his hands on Ray and leave an impression.
Ric Flair talks about the Eric Bischoff Appreciation for tonight and says the party he’ll throw for Eric tonight will last all night. He calls him the greatest promoter of all time. They’re not censoring Bischoff’s name for some reason this week.
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In the back Kaz & Daniels approach Kurt Angle and talk about screwing AJ out of the match with Kurt last week. Angle asks them if he asked for their help and says he doesn’t need anyone’s help, ever. He says if either of them ever get involved in any of his matches ever again they’ll see a new side of him that they don’t want to see. He walks away and Daniels calls him an “ungrateful bitch” which Angle hears and storms back in the room and asks what he just said. Daniels hilariously acts like he was talking to someone on a phone and Angle walks away having successfully punked Daniels out.
Jeramy Borash walks down to the ring and the wrestlers are shown in the back looking confused as JB walks out. JB says tonight is Open Fight Night so and he wants to thank Hogan for coming up with this because it gives not just the wrestlers but also other employees the chance to call someone out. JB says he’s not here to call out anyone on the TNA roster but he can call out another employee right now. He says he’s been in TNA longer than anyone and it’s universally known in TNA that there has not been a bigger “prick” to come along than Eric Bischoff. All the wrestlers in the back laugh as JB says that. JB says if this is going to be his last night in TNA and if this is Open Fight Night instead of getting “liquored up” and going on his Facebook page and demeaning other employees (DAMN! JB threw one at Bischoff with that one) what he would like to do is to call Bischoff down to ringside so he can throw his fist down Bischoff’s throat! The fans chant “JB” as the wrestlers continue to laugh. He tells Bischoff to put down his Blackberry and get his ass to the ring right now as Taz asks what JB had to eat today to give him such courage.
Bischoff walks out and mockingly applauds JB as he gets into the ring. The fans sing “Good Bye” to Bischoff and JB says he loves that song especially when it applies to someone like Bischoff. Bischoff takes out his phone and takes a pic of JB as he talks and JB suggests he put it on his Twitter, and then says they should install a breathalyzer on his phone (DAMN) and asks if there’s an “app for drunk tweeting” (someone should get Kurt Angle that App). He calls Bischoff an ‘insecure tyrant’ and Bischoff says he hopes JB is enjoying this 15 seconds of fame he’s carved out for himself because he knows he will enjoy it. He calls JB an idiot and mockingly says he has an iPhone not a Blackberry as Bully Ray sneaks into the ring. Ray low blows JB and Bischoff calls him an idiot again. Ray takes Bischoff’s phone and takes a pic of Bischoff covering JB and Bischoff says this is what he’s going to post to his twitter as the referee counts Borash out.
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In the back Mr. Anderson talks about Eric Bischoff, saying he actually always respected him and says he brought Anderson into TNA. He says that Bischoff is anti-government and anti-oppression outside of wrestling but that’s exactly what he does IN wrestling. He says that Bischoff isn’t an asshole, he’s a douche bag.
Mexican America makes their way down to the ring and Anarquia says they’re sick and tired of being disrespected. He asks why they weren’t included in the discussion for the Tag Titles Match because there isn’t any teams in TNA that can beat them. He says they can beat anyone in TNA and Kurt Angle steps up and it looks like he’s about to beat the crap out of Anarquia. Kurt’s music hits and Hernandez actually laughs at Anarquia.
Anarquia says if Kurt wants to come out and fight then fine…Hernandez will fight him. Hernandez doesn’t back down but then Anarquia attacks him from behind and decides he wants to fight Angle.
“Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle vs. Anarquia w/Hernandez, Sarita, & Rosita
Anarquia whips Angle into the corner hard and then does it a second time. Anarquia charges at Angle but Angle moves and connects with a big German Suplex! Angle follows up with an Angle Slam! Angle locks in the Ankle Lock! Anarquia taps!
Winner: Angle via submission (Ankle Lock)
Hernandez freaks out after the match at Anarquia tapping so quick.
A clip of the young wrestler who wrestle in the Gut Check tonight named Alex Silva is shown. He talks about his father and his father passing away. Al Snow says the one word that would describe Silva is passion. Silva talks about his time in OVW and says he became the youngest TV Champion in OVW history. He says that he never gives up.
Al Snow accompanies Alex Silva to the ring.
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Al Snow says he’s the lead judge for Gut Check and he reminds us of the Gut Check Challenge and what it entails. Snow says this is an amazing chance for young wrestlers and he says any young wrestlers interested in getting a chance like this to register at TNA’s website. Silva will have to face Robbie E. tonight.
Gut Check Challenge
Alex Silva vs. Robbie E. w/Robbie T.
Al Snow joins commentary for this match. Robbie slaps Silva before the match but Silva answers! Silva hits a ton of strikes and then whips Robbie into the corner and hits a clothesline only to eat a clothesline from Robbie. Robbie beats on Silva unmercifully stomping away at Silva in the corner. Robbie whips Silva into the ropes and hits a back elbow and then screams at Silva. Robbie hits a Scoop Slam and then goes for a 2nd one but Silva blocks it only to eat a knee and then another Scoop Slam. Silva climbs up the ropes and goes for the Fist Pump Drop, but Silva moves and hits a Running Back Elbow followed by a 2nd one. Silva whips Robbie into the ropes and connects with a Powerslam for a nearfall. Silva climbs up top and dives off but Robbie moves and then hits a Spike DDT! 1…2…3!
Winner: Robbie via pinfall (Spike DDT)
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Dixie Carter mockingly talks about all of the things she’ll miss about Eric Bischoff (his lies, his manipulation, etc.). She then says “more than anything else…nothing.”
Hulk Hogan talks to all of the tag teams in his office and thanks them for coming and then asks each team to tell him why they think they deserve a shot at the belts. Daniels says the Guns lost at Lockdown and says you shouldn’t reward failure. He then says he can’t give ODB & EY a shot because only one of them is a man…and the other has a bad beard (hilarious). He also says that Anderson & Jeff don’t even like each other and they’re gear doesn’t match. He says one is a “mime” and the other is a “potty mouth” so why would you reward them. He says the obvious choice is he and Kaz. Hogan says they are a great team but all of that other sewage he spit out wasn’t necessary.
Chris Sabin says the Guns dedication speaks for itself and they’ve been in TNA longer than any other team and he says they’ve fought back from injury after injury and they’re hungry. He says they’re forreal and he respects them and then asks Anderson & Hardy why they can’t just get along. Anderson mockingly says they can get along and then kisses Jeff on the cheek and says he loves him. He tells Anderson to get real. EY says they’re the only married champions in TNA and that’s a plus.
Hogan says all of them deserve shots and EY tells Jeff & Anderson to get married so they can get along. Hogan says he’s eliminating the Guns from contention tonight because of the loss at Lockdown and he tells Sabin that he’s still worried about his knee.
Brooke Tessmacher walks down to the ring and she says that everyone is talking about how she pinned Gail Kim last week. She says everyone said it was a fluke but she’s here to prove that it was no fluke and she’s a legit threat to Gail’s title. She says she’s more than a pair of “ASSets” and she calls Gail Kim out. She tells Gail to get her “high maintenance” self out there.
Non-Title Match
Brooke Tessmacher vs. Gail Kim
Gail attacks Brooke from behind as Earl Hebner held Brooke back from jumping Gail before the bell. Gail slams Brooke into the turnbuckles and then tosses her into the opposite turnbuckles. Gail puts the boots to Brooke and then tosses her to the mat. Gail hits the ropes and connects with a Flying Clothesline for a nearfall before pulling Brooke’s head up. Gail slaps Brooke in the face and then kicks her in the ribs. Gail whips Brooke into the corner and then hits a Running Elbow and then whips Brooke into the opposite corner. Gail goes for another elbow but Brooke moves and nails Gail with a series of forearms. Brooke then whips Gail into the corner and charges but eats a NASTY lariat from Gail! Gail starts to beat down on Brooke on the mat now and then she picks her up and hits a Fireman’s Carry Slam. Gail mocks the crowd and Brooke which allows Brooke to recover and hits a series of forearms. Brooke hits a clothesline and then a 2nd one before connecting with a dropkick! Brooke charges at Gail but Gail sidesteps her and Brooke gets caught up in the ropes. Gail tosses Brooke into the turnbuckles and chokes her in the corner. Gail grabs the KO title and taunts Brooke with it and calls her a “piece of sh*t” before slapping her again. Gail then hits a Running Body Block in the corner on Brooke and then climbs up top. Gail dives off with a Missile Dropkick, but Brooke moves and then hits a weird modified Front Suplex! 1…2…3!
Winner: Brooke via pinfall
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In the back Daniels says of course Hogan will pick he and Kaz because he hit Hogan with stone cold facts. Kaz says there’s no sign of AJ tonight because he’s a coward and if he doesn’t show up next week then they’ll let the cat out of the bag.
A recap of RVD winning the #1 contenders slot last week is shown. RVD says he won’t stop until he gets right back to where he was, on top and where he should be. Roode says RVD proved himself by winning the 3-Way and he knows what he’s capable of but he hopes RVD knows what Roode is capable of. RVD says he’s a top guy and he deserves to be on top.
A recap of Alex Silva’s Gut Check from earlier is shown. Al Snow talks to Silva backstage and says he will talk to the other judges and he’ll be back next week where his fate will be decided. Roode walks up and interrupts them. Roode asks the kid if he knows how long it took Roode to get a contract and asks him if he knows how many sacrifices he had to make just to be scene. Roode wishes him luck but then says he has to always be ready for the unexpected around her and then punches him in the gut. Roode laughs and walks away wishing him luck.
Hogan is with the tag contenders again and he eliminates EY & ODB because EY is a goof. He tells them to please not reproduce.
He tells the other two teams to go to the ring and he’ll make his decision after they get out there.
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Garett Bischoff says he’s watched his dad bully people and manipulate people his entire life just so he could get what he wants. He says Eric put himself in this position and as much as he hates to say it because it’s his dad, Impact will be a better place without Eric.
Bully is talking to some chick on the phone when Joseph Park approaches him. Park says there is a lot of people that seem to think Bully knows what happened to his brother but Ray says he has no answers for him but even if he did he wouldn’t give him any. Park gives him his card and says if he happens to hear anything to call him but Ray tells him to shove it and then walks away as Park laughs.
Daniels & Kaz and Anderson & Hardy walk out to the ring after the tag champs. Hogan then follows them out and says he wants the fans to know that things are even wilder in the back tonight than it has been in the arena. Hogan says he’s eliminating Kaz & Daniels from contention tonight because he wants to see if Hardy & Anderson are up to the challenge tonight and are able to be a cohesive team.
Main Event
TNA World Tag Team Championships
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe & Magnus (c) vs. The Enigmatic Assholes (Jeff Hardy & Mr. Anderson)
Hardy and Anderson had a brief run as a tag team a couple of years ago, most notably in a feud with Beer Money as the Enigmatic Assholes. Joe and Anderson will start the match off against each other and they lockup in the center of the ring. Joe forces Anderson into the corner and beats him down with vicious jabs and strikes. Anderson comes back and answers with rights of his own followed by stomps. Anderson then hits a back elbow as Joe shoved him away. Anderson gets a nearfall and then eats a jab as he hesitated before tagging in Hardy. Joe tags in Magnus as Anderson forcefully tags in Hardy. Magnus kicks Hardy in the gut and then tosses him into the corner. Magnus whips Hardy into the opposite corner and charges but Hardy catches him in a floatover into a Spinning Headscissors Takeover! Hardy then follows up with a Leaping Back Kick! 1…2…NO Magnus kicks out! Hardy grabs Magnus and twists his arm before tagging Anderson back in. They whip Magnus into the ropes and set up for a Double Clothesline but Magnus kicks their arms away and then nails both with right hands. Joe tags in and walks into a back elbow from Anderson! Anderson tells Hardy to get out of the ring and the two argue as we go to a break.
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Back from the break Joe is beating on Anderson in the corner before tagging in Magnus. Magnus walks into a Drop Toe Hold from Anderson and then Anderson locks in a side headlock. Hardy tags back in and hits an Atomic Drop on Magnus and then Leg Drops him in midsection followed by a sliding dropkick. Magnus rolls out of the ring and Hardy follows. Magnus swings at Hardy but he ducks and then walks into a clothesline from Joe! Joe puts the boots to Hardy and then tosses him back into the ring where Magnus quickly gets a nearfall. Joe tags back in and the champs whip Hardy into the ropes and Joe hits an Atomic Drop followed by a Mafia Kick from Magnus and then a Backsplash Senton from Joe! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Joe headbutts Hardy repeatedly and then tosses him into the turnbuckles. Joe whips him into the opposite corner and then charges but Hardy catches him with a boot and then leaps to the top and dives off with the Whisper in the Wind! Both men tag out and Anderson clotheslines and back elbows Magnus! Anderson then hits a Swinging Neckbreaker! 1…2…NO Magnus kicks out! Anderson then sets up for the Green Bay Plunge but sees Joe getting to his feet so he drops Magnus and clotheslines Joe! Anderson then charges at Magnus but Magnus sidesteps him and sends Magnus to the floor! Hardy knocks Magnus out of the ring and then turns around into the Snap Powerslam from Joe! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Joe calls for the Muscle Buster but Hardy catches him with a Jawbreaker! Hardy then hits the Twist of Fate! On the outside Magnus tosses Anderson into the ring steps. Hardy looks like he’s going to climb to the top for the Swanton but notices Magnus beating on Anderson so he dives off the apron onto Magnus! Anderson rolls back into the ring and goes for the Mic Check on Joe, but Joe fights it with back elbows. Anderson gets Joe in a Waistlock and goes for a German Suplex, but Joe gets to the ropes and attempts to bump Anderson off but Anderson rolls him up! 1…2…NO Joe reverses into the Coquina Clutch! Hardy tries to break it up but Magnus holds onto Hardy’s legs preventing him from getting in the ring! Anderson taps!
Winners & STILL Tag Champs: Joe & Magnus via submission (Coquina Clutch)
Hardy and Anderson argue after the match and then Kaz & Daniels attack Joe & Magnus on the ramp! They beat the champs down and then taunt them with the belts.
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Goodbye Eric Bischoff
Flair comes down to the ring with Gunner, Kaz, Daniels, & Bully Ray and there is a huge picture of Eric Bischoff in the ring with a podium. Flair says they are here tonight not to mourn but to celebrate and nobody alive knows how to celebrate like him. He says tonight they celebrate Eric Bischoff and if you have any knowledge of Pro Wrestling then you know he has been a major impact player in wrestling and then introduces Eric Bischoff. Ray hugs Eric as the fans sing “Good Bye” to him again. Bischoff sits down in a throne and Bischoff apologizes for the “rude” fans. Flair says Dixie Carter should be somewhere on her knees thanking Eric for the day he came to TNA. He says that Eric is the reason Hogan is in TNA and Bischoff is the reason that Flair is here. He thanks Eric and then asks if there are any women in the audience that wants to go home with Eric’s big picture. Flair says he hopes all the fans at home have appreciated what Bischoff has done for the business.
Gunner says this is a sad day for everyone but he wants to thank Bischoff because he’s been like a father to him. Flair then grabs a box from Daniels and says he almost forgot about something and says this is on behalf of them to Eric. It’s a watch and Ray says he hopes Eric wears it with pride and he says he has never admitted this to another man before…Eric is the wind beneath Ray’s wings (oh man). Garett’s music interrupts this “beautiful” scene and he’s accompanied by the Guns, RVD, Austin Aries, and JB.
Garett says that JB had a great idea of something to get Eric on his last night. Eric says they all pitched in and says they wanted to get something symbolic to what Eric is. He says football has the Hall of Fame and they want to induct Bischoff into the “Shed of Shame” and a Port-a-Potty is wheeled into the arena! The heels attack the babyfaces a big brawl is on! Garett and JB grab Eric and throw him into the “sh*tter!” They chain the door closed and then they push it over! A liquid, brown substance is shown on the floor (yikes). They finally let the chains loose and Bischoff is covered in “sh*t.” Tenay says that Bischoff has always been known for “stirring the sh*t” and this only proves it.
QUICK RESULTS
1) TNA TV Title: Devon (c) def. Bully Ray to retain the title
2) Kurt Angle def. Anarquia
3) Gut Check: Robbie E. def. Alex Silva
4) Brooke Tessmacher def. Gail Kim
5) TNA Tag Titles: Samoa Joe & Magnus (c) def. The Enigmatic Assholes to retain the titles
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Anything Daniels was involved in
– Match of the Night: Tag Titles (***)
– Overall Grade: C-
Preview for Next Week:
-n/a
Sacrifice Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Bobby Roode (c) vs. RVD
– AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Samoa Joe & Magnus (c) vs. Christopher Daniels & Kazarian