TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Wrestling Zone)
June 21, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
TNA’s LIVE Summer Bash continues with highlights from last week focusing on James Storm’s triumphant return last week, Austin Aries’ decision, and the attack on Sting.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits and the GM makes his way down to the ring to get Austin Aries’ answer for the proposition Hogan made him last week. Hogan says sometimes when you ask for change you better be ready for it because when change happens you can make a lot of friends and also a lot of enemies. Hogan says what went down last week with Sting was unprecedented and uncalled for and they don’t know who it was yet, but he want be giving them any publicity for the attack either. He says he isn’t going to play the replay but they will find out who it was and they’ll make it right for Sting. He says tonight will be a great night because it’s Open Fight Night plus the BFG Series! Hogan says anything can happen here tonight but before all of that get’s started it’s time for Austin Aries to come down and give Hogan his answer.
Austin’s music hits and the X-Division Champion makes his way down to the ring. Hogan offers a handshake to Aries as he gets in the ring but Aries shrugs it off and says they got business to take care of first. A big “Austin Aries” chant erupts and he says that last week Hogan gave him an interesting opportunity but it came with a catch. Aries holds up the X-Division Title and he says option A for him is vacate the belt and get a shot at Roode or option B which is keep the X-Division Title and continue being the most dominant X-Division Champion ever. Aries says everyone wants to be the World Champion and to be the man you have to hold that belt, but he says the X-Division Championship is the belt that TNA was built on (TRUTH) and the men that have sacrificed to hold that belt make it important too. Aries says he’s afraid that if he just hands that belt over then it means nothing anymore so he thought what can he do if he hands this belt over to make sure that not only does it remain valuable but make it more valuable than it’s ever been. Aries says he came up with an idea which he calls option C but Hogan isn’t having any of it because he says he isn’t going to have one man holding both belts anymore because he has more respect for the X-Division than that. Hogan says he laid the options out very clear so if he’s coming with an option C he better be one hell of a visionary for him to go along with it because he’s not here to play games.
Aries says he doesn’t play games and then says he’s willing to vacate that belt to get his shot at the World Title on one condition, and that condition is he sets the standard for the X-Division Title moving further. Aries says EVERY year moving forward whoever has the X-Division Championship when Destination X rolls around can trade it in for a shot at the World Title! Aries says that will make that belt even more important than it ever was. Hogan smiles and says Aries is as quick on his feet as he is with his mouth and with his thinking. Hogan says Aries is at where he is today because he’s a visionary and he likes where he’s going with this. Hogan agrees with option C and shakes Aries’ hand! Roode’s music interrupts them and the World Champ walks out screaming at Aries.
Roode is pissed and he asks if they are “freaking kidding” him. Roode says he told Hogan to keep his GM ass in his office a long time ago and he asks Aries who the hell he thinks he is trying to dictate how things go in HIS company. Aries says that who he is, is the greatest man that ever lived and Roode screams at him to shutup because he isn’t through yet. Roode says that “paper championship” Aries wears means NOTHING to him and then holds up the World Title and says that is the REAL World Championship. Roode says Aries just made the biggest mistake of his life and if he wants to challenge for his World Title so be it but be warned he is no X-Division wrestler. He says he is God’s gift to wrestling and he is the IT factor and the longest reigning World Champion in the history of TNA. He says he will prove it to Aries and everyone else at Destination X. Roode says he won’t just beat Aries, he will hurt him and embarrass him as well. Aries says if he’s so confident that he can hurt him then why doesn’t he get his ass in the ring and embarrass him right now! Aries and Roode go at it at ringside! Roode and Aries brawl all around ringside until finally TNA referees and agents run down to separate them!
Aries calls Roode a “piece of sh*t” and tells him to grab his beer bottle (that he used on Sting) because he “aint tough.” Mr. Anderson’s music hits as Aries and Roode are separated and dragged to the back. Anderson says he could sit and watch those two pound the snot out of each other all day and by all means when he’s done they can go back at it, but he’s putting both of them on notice right now. Anderson says he doesn’t care which one of them walks out of DX the World Champion because the guy that’s going to win the BFG Series is MISTEEEEEEEEER ANDERSON….Anderson.
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Anderson says there is a guy in the back right now he wants to call out, a guy that has the balls to want to try and destroy a man’s family. Anderson calls out Daniels for this first BFG Series Match. Daniels refuses to put down his drink as he makes his way to the match.
BFG Series Match
Mr. Anderson vs. “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
As Daniels gets in the ring he shoves Anderson but then eats a fist! Anderson beats on Daniels in the corner as we see Joseph Park in the crowd. Daniels comes back and shoves Anderson into the corner and then charges but Anderson catches him with a back elbow. Anderson climbs up top but Daniels crotches him on the top as Tenay reveals that ALL BFG SERIES MATCHES WILL HAVE A 10 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Daniels puts Anderson in a Hammerlock and then starts nailing him with body shots before locking in an Abdominal Stretch. Tenay points out the extra points you get for a submission win. Anderson breaks the hold with elbows and then connects with a Hip Toss. Anderson then charges at Daniels but he sidesteps him and then bounces off the ropes but runs into a clothesline from Anderson. Daniels and Anderson both get their feet and exchange right hands until Daniels connects with a knee to the gut. Daniels then tries to slam Anderson into the corner but Anderson blocks it with his boot and slams Daniels into the turnbuckles. Anderson whips Daniels into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Daniels stops and kicks Anderson. Daniels hits the ropes again but this time Anderson gets him with a clothesline followed by a 2nd one and then a back elbow. Anderson follows up with an attempt at the Spinning Clothesline but Daniels blocks it with a back elbow. Daniels hits the ropes but runs into the Green Bay Plunge! Anderson goes for the Mic Check but Daniels blocks it and connects with a Belly-to-Back Suplex turned into a Sitout Powerbomb! 1…2…NO Anderson kicks out! Daniels calls for the BME but as he went for the turnbuckles Anderson grabbed his legs and rolled him up! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! Daniels goes for a clothesline but Anderson counters into a Swinging Neckbreaker and then hits the Mic Check! 1…2…3!
Winner: Anderson via pinfall (Mic Check)
In the back Dixie and AJ talk and she asks if he’s ready but he says he doesn’t care what Daniels or Kaz says. Dixie says this isn’t about them but AJ says the more he thinks about it the more he thinks this isn’t a good idea. AJ says maybe there is another way but she says there isn’t another way.
The Knockouts have gathered in Brooke Hogan’s office as she walks in and we go to a break.
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Back from the break Brooke Hogan is with the Knockouts talking about Velvet Sky in Montgomery Gentry’s music video. She says tonight is a very big night for them and she wants to talk to them and find out why they want the KO Title. ODB says she’s obviously different than the other Knockouts and then she makes fun of Madison’s crown. Madison says she’s already had a long reign with the title and Mickie chimes in and asks her who beat her for that belt. Brooke says Madison is too infatuated with her “imaginary friend” and she needs to get focused. Velvet says she never got her rematch and Mickie says she is the greatest female wrestler in the world and she says the only female to hold all of the prestigious titles in the world. Madison says other than Gail, who she says she helped keep the title, she’s the longest reigning KO Champion. Brooke says that was then and this is now and she mentions Ms. Tessmacher and says she’s working all the time trying to get better while Madison is busy thinking about whoever this guy is. She says Madison needs to get more focused and dismisses her.
Robbie E is in the ring and he says he isn’t scared of anyone in the BFG Series and he says no one in the Tournament could pull off a tan like him so tonight it’s Robbie E Open Fight Night and he’s challenging anyone in the tournament. Angle shrugs, smiles, and then walks through the curtain.
BFG Series Match
Robbie E. w/Robbie T. vs. “Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle
Angle hits the ring and Robbie goes right after him! Robbie tries to whip him into the corner but Angle reverses it into the Rolling German Suplexes! After 3 Suplexes Angle hits the Angle Slam! Night, night Robbie! Angle locks in the Ankle Lock! Robbie taps! Bonus points for Angle!
Winner: Angle via submission (Ankle Lock)
A vignette for tonight’s Gut Check contestant, Taelor Hendrix, is shown. She’s a red headed chick from Massachusetts who’s been wrestling for 6 years. I believe she works for OVW right now. She talks about falling in love with wrestling while watching it on TV as clips of her in the ring are shown. She says she had to overcome cancer at the age of 21 and she says she wants to be the Knockout Champion and she won’t stop until she gets it.
Magnus walks out and says it means everything to him to get that shot at the belt at BFG and tonight he’s decided to call someone out and we’ll find out who that is after the break.
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Magnus says he’s going to call out someone who’s head isn’t in the game and he gets it. He says everywhere he goes he has women lined up to get a shot at him so he knows what it’s like to stay focused when you have women troubles, but he doesn’t screw around with another man’s wife especially when she’s the one that writes the paychecks. He says he’s calling out a man who thinks of no one else but himself, the “home wrecker” AJ Styles!
BFG Series Match
Magnus vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
AJ is none too happy as he makes his way down to the ring and goes right after Magnus! AJ hits him with chops and kicks and then attempts to whip him into the corner, but Magnus reverses it and charges at AJ. AJ gets his boot up and then hits Magnus with a Backbreaker. AJ climbs up top but Magnus gets to his feet so AJ dives off only to get caught by Magnus! Magnus turns it into a nice looking Suplex! Magnus then follows up with an Elbow Drop for a nearfall. AJ fights back with right hands but Magnus cuts him off and then hits the ropes but eats a Phenomenal Dropkick from AJ! AJ grabs Magnus but he shoves AJ away and then goes for a clothesline, but AJ ducks and goes for the Pele! Magnus sidesteps it (that doesn’t happen often) and then kicks AJ in the head! Magnus coves AJ and gets a nearfall before locking in a Sleeper on the Phenomenal One. AJ fights to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows and then he runs Magnus into the corner. AJ hits a series of elbows and right hands and then whips Magnus into the opposite corner and hits a Flying Clothesline! AJ follows up with an attempt at the Styles Clash but Magnus shoves him off but then walks into a Leaping Enziguri from AJ! AJ rolls out to the apron and then sets up for something as Daniels & Kazarian walk out. AJ goes for the Springboard Flying Forearm but Magnus avoids it and AJ lands on his feet! AJ screams at Daniels to get in the ring and get his ass kicked but Magnus grabs AJ and hits the Mag Daddy Driver! 1…2…3!
Winner: Magnus via pinfall (Mag Daddy Driver)
Daniels and Kazarian smile from ringside as AJ tries to recover from the finish. Daniels is holding another envelope as we see Taeler Hendrix getting ready backstage.
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Gut Check Challenge
Taeler Hendrix vs. Tara
Taeler tries to get a handshake from Tara but Tara just slaps her hand away and then she takes Taeler down with a Waistlock Takeover. Tara then screams at her and slams her face to the mat before picking her up and hitting a Snap Suplex! Tara talks trash to Taeler while standing over her and gets caught by surprise with a rollup! 1…2…NO Tara kicks out! Taeler then walks into a clothesline from Tara and then she picks Taeler up and climbs up top and pretty much hangs her in the corner as she lifts Taeler up into the air by her head choking her with a Sleeper! Tara releases the hold right before the 5 count each time but finally Taeler is able to catch Tara with a nice kick and then cameras stupidly pan away at Joseph Park in the crowd. Taeler hits a Headstand into a Head Scissors Takeover sending Tara crashing to the mat! Taeler then hits Tara with Forearm Smashes and attempts to whip Tara into the ropes but Tara reverses it sending Taeler flying into the ropes. Taeler holds onto them so Tara charges at her but she catches Tara with a big backkick! Taeler follows up with a Running Forearm and then a clothesline followed by a Waistlock Takedown. Taeler screams at Tara while hitting her with Crossface shots and then slamming Tara into the mat hard! Taeler then goes for a Roundhouse Kick but Tara ducks and hits the Widow’s Peak! 1…2…3!
Winner: Tara via pinfall (Widow’s Peak)
Tara helps Taeler up after the match and shakes her hand.
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In the back someone is taking Joseph Park to the back when Bully Ray approaches him and gets in his face. Ray says he can smell the fear on Park, kind of like the fear he had on him last week when he flipped the table over on him. Park says he was scared but not near as scared as when Abyss dragged him out of the ring last week. Ray shoves Park and tells him to shutup. Ray says he’s lucky that Ray is in the BFG Series or he would beat the hell out of him. Ray says if he sees Park in the crowd one more time or if he sees Abyss one more time it’s the last time either of them will be seen. Ray calls him a stupid bastard and then walks away.
Joe makes his way down to the ring and he’s decided to revert back to his “Nation of Violence” gear tonight for some reason. Joe says since nobody in the back has the guts to say his name he thought he’d come out here and get this thing kicked off. Joe says last week James Storm dodged a bullet and got lucky. He says since Storm is fresh back from playing with his pony let’s find out how lucky he is.
BFG Series Match
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe vs. “Cowboy” James Storm
Storm connects with a series of right hands to Joe as he gets in the ring but when he hits the ropes Joe decapitates him with a Forearm Smash. Joe is fired up tonight! Joe tosses Storm into the corner and takes him down with repeated jabs and then he whips Storm into the opposite corner and connects with a Running Back Elbow followed by a Leaping Enziguri! Joe puts Storm in a Fujiwara Armbar but Storm quickly gets to the ropes. Joe puts the boots to Storm and then hits him with a series of shoulderblocks in the corner. Joe hits a Snapmare Takeover and then puts Storm in a nervehold. Storm fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with elbows. Storm hits the ropes but Joe catches him with a Snap Powerslam! 1…2…NO Storm kicks out but Joe immediately locks him in a Keylock armbar. Storm gets his feet on the ropes and Joe drags him back to the center of the ring and hits an elbow to the arm of Storm, working it over. Joe and Storm exchange Forearms in the center of the ring but Joe cuts Storm off with a knee and then he slams Storm’s arm over Joe’s shoulder! Joe then goes for the Coquina Clutch but Storm fights it off with elbows with his good arm. Joe hits a series of big right hands and then a Flying Clothesline followed by a 2nd clothesline and then an Atomic Drop! Storm hits the ropes and connects with a Flying Forearm and then goes for the Closing Time but Joe blocks it and puts Storm up on the top rope! Joe hits a Leaping Enziguri and looks to set up for the Muscle Buster but stops and thinks for a second before Snapmaring Storm off the top and then locking in the Coquina Clutch! Storm fights it and is able to run Joe into the corner and then Joe stumbles into the Last Call! Storm gets the win!
Winner: Storm via pinfall (Last Call)
After the match Samoa Joe grabs one of Storm’s beer’s and looks like he’s going to blast Storm with it but hands it to him to celebrate with instead.
A video package recapping the Dixie/AJ drama is shown. Cut to AJ and Dixie backstage and AJ says he’s falling apart in the ring because he can’t focus. He says they have to get this thing out in the open because he can’t do it anymore.
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In the back Brooke is with ODB, Mickie, and Velvet. Velvet talks about never getting her rematch and Brooke says she’s looking for someone that’s really focused and right now ODB isn’t focused with EY. ODB says that’s “cute” and then says “BAM BITCHES” and leaves.
Bully Ray makes his way down to the ring and reminds us once again of who he is. Ray says he’s going the easy route and says Pope has been spending a lot of time in Hollywood “boy” so he needs to get his ass out to the ring so he can get this quick win.
BFG Series Match
Bully Ray vs. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero
As Pope gets in the ring Ray attacks him from behind and then whips him hard into the corner. Ray slams Pope into the corner again and connects with a clothesline for a nearfall followed by another nearfall. Ray hits Pope with an elbow and then beats on him in the ropes. Pope tries to fight back but Ray rakes his eyes and then connects with a Big Boot. Ray whips Pope hard into the corner again and then follows up with an attempt at a Splash, but Pope moves out of the way! Pope connects with a series of right hands and Ray answers but Pope gets the advantage with Forearm Smashes and then he ducks a Big Boot attempt and connects with an Atomic Drop followed by a Flying Shoulder Block! Pope follows up with a series of elbows and then a big right! Ray falls over onto the middle rope and Pope hits him with the Coronation! Pope climbs up top but Ray hits the ropes to crotch him on the turnbuckles. Ray nails Pope with a Corner Splash and then mounts him in the corner with right hands. Ray sees Abyss in the crowd and it stops him in his tracks! Pope hits Ray with the DDE sending him flying through the ropes and down to the floor! Abyss grabs Ray but Ray shoves him away and then starts retreating back into the ring where he walks into an STO! 1…2…3!
Winner: Pope via pinfall (STO)
Abyss chases Ray through the crowd after the match and screams at him while Pope celebrates in the ring.
In the back Hogan talks to RVD & Hardy and says since neither of them were called out tonight that means they’re the Main Event tonight. RVD and Hardy bump fists and then go their separate ways.
In the back Brooke things about her decision between Velvet & Mickie.
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Montgomery Gentry’s new music video featuring them performing it in the Impact Zone and co-starring Velvet Sky is shown. I hate Country Music so much. Velvet did a good job I guess. Thankfully the entire video wasn’t shown, just a preview, if you want to see the full thing check out Impactwrestling.com.
Tessmacher makes her way down to the ring for her first KO Title defense and in the back Brooke says she knows Velvet deserves her rematch but tonight is Mickie’s shot. Velvet hugs Mickie before she heads out to the ring.
TNA Knockouts Championship
Miss Tessmacher (c) vs. Mickie James
Tessmacher locks up with Mickie and Mickie runs her into the corner but breaks clean. Tessmacher locks up again and gets Mickie in a wristlock but Mickie counters out with a cartwheel into a Hammerlock. Mickie forces Tessmacher to the mat and shows off how limber she is by flipping forward into a bridge while continuing to hold onto the Hammerlock. Mickie rolls back and turns into a Front Chancery. Tessmacher rolls out into a Hammerlock of her own. Mickie reverses into a Fireman’s Carry Takeover and then she locks in the wristlock again. Mickie twists Tessmacher’s arm but she takes Mickie over with an armdrag followed by a dropkick! Mickie gets to her and goes for a clothesline but Tessmacher ducks and goes for a German Suplex but Mickie grabs the ropes to break the hold. Mickie hits Tessmacher with a back elbow and quickly covers her for a nearfall. Mickie argues with Hebner and then grabs Tessmacher by the hair and then slams her with a knee strike followed by a Snapmare Takeover. Mickie hits a sliding dropkick for another nearfall. Mickie slams Tessmacher to the mat by her hair and then she chokes Tessmacher on the ropes and slams her knee into the back of Brooke. Mickie hits another Snapmare Takeover and then locks in a Keylock on her. Tessmacher fights the hold with elbows but Mickie shoves her into the ropes. Tessmacher holds onto the ropes so Mickie charges her but eats a boot. Tessmacher then charges back at Mickie but Mickie catches her with a Pancake! Mickie nips up to her feet and then climbs up top and dives off but Tessmacher avoids it. Mickie lands on her feet and then walks into a clothesline from Tessmacher! She follows up with another clothesline and then a Flying Forearm! Tessmacher grabs Mickie but Mickie catches her with a spinning back kick and then she attempts to whip Tessmacher into the corner but she reverses it and then charges at Mickie only to eat a back elbow. Mickie then goes for the Mickiecanrana out of the corner but Tessmacher sidesteps her attempt and then kicks Mickie in the gut. Tessmacher mounts Mickie and then hits her with a Facebuster out of the corner! Tessmacher picks Mickie up and goes for the Tesshocker but Mickie shoves her into the ropes and connects with the Mick Kick! 1…2…NO Tessmacher kicks out! Mickie goes for the Mickie-DT but Tessmacher rolls her up! 1…2…3!
Winner & STILL KO Champ: Tessmacher via pinfall (rollup)
Mickie shows frustration and shock over getting beat by Tessmacher after the match.
In the back RVD is getting ready for his match with Hardy and then we cut to Hardy doing the same. The Main Event is next.
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Main Event
BFG Series Match
“Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy is still rocking that creepy face paint. RVD catches Hardy with a body scissors rollup immediately and gets a nearfall and then he attempts to whip Hardy into the corner. Hardy reverses it but RVD explodes out from the corner with a Spinning Dropkick. RVD then attempts a Somersault Leg Drop but Hardy rolls out of the way. Hardy then goes for an elbow drop of his own and RVD moves out of the way of it. RVD grabs Hardy in a headlock but Hardy shoves him into the ropes and then drops down as RVD flies off the ropes. RVD leaps over Hardy and Hardy hits the ropes himself so RVD drops down into a split but Hardy stops and Leg Drops RVD! Hardy then hits a sliding dropkick sending RVD into the corner followed by the Hardyac Arrest! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out and retreats to the floor where Hardy catches RVD with a dropkick through the ropes! Hardy then sets up for a dive but RVD trips him out from the outside and drags him out to the apron. RVD climbs back into the ring and goes for a Slingshot Leg Drop onto Hardy on the apron, but Hardy rolls into the ring and RVD lands on his feet. RVD hits a shoulder block through the ropes and then climbs up top and dives off with a Flying Thrust Kick! RVD then hits Rolling Thunder for another nearfall! RVD hits the Split Legged Moonsault off the top! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! RVD sets up for a Suplex but Hardy blocks it and then counters into a Bulldog! Hardy follows up with a Mule Kick and then a Sitout Front Suplex! Hardy climbs up top and attempts the Swanton but RVD rolls out of the way! RVD climbs up top now for what looks like the 5-Star but then out of nowhere RVD decides to pull off a move I have NEVER seen him attempt, a 450-Splash! Hardy moves out of the way and nails RVD with a NASTY Spike DDT! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Hardy follows up with the Twist of Fate! 1…2…3!
Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Twist of Fate)
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The BFG Series Leaderboard is updated and of course Storm is in the big lead with 27 points. Angle is the sole man with 10 while Anderson, Magnus, Hardy, & Pope have each picked up 7 a piece. Daniels, Joe, AJ, Robbie E, RVD, and Bully Ray have yet to score a point. Live events are this weekend though so we should have some movement by next week already.
Next week AJ & Angle are defending the tag straps against Kaz & Daniels in a rematch from their unbelievable match at Slammiversary X.
AJ and Dixie make their way down to the ring for the big reveal. Dixie says this has been going on for far too long and situations like this never end up well and lives can changes and families hurt. AJ stops her and rethinks things and says they don’t have to do this afterall. He says they can leave right now and no one can say anything. Dixie and AJ start to leave but she stops as some chick walks down the ramp. She says she wants to do this right now and she tells them that she loves them. The chick says her name is Claire Lench and we don’t know her and Dixie & AJ hoped they could keep it that way. She tells Dixie & AJ she loves them and she says she loves Dixie so much and she knows she can come to Dixie with anything. She says she came to Dixie for help and she knew that AJ could help her too. She says the truth is that Dixie & AJ are NOT having an affair and she says that she’s an addict and she’s been trying to get clean. She says that it started out drinking and pills and it got so bad that she took money from her family and that’s why she couldn’t come to them to help. She says she woke up a few times in a hotel with a stranger, Dixie says she doesn’t have to tell her all of this. She says AJ took her to rehab and they kept her secret because she didn’t want anyone to know. She says they were there for her and that’s when Daniels & Kazarian got in the way. She says that photo was them looking out for her and that video was Dixie trying to protect her and in the back Daniels is shown screaming at the TV for her to shutup and asking why no one told her that she was here. She says that Daniels is a liar so Daniels comes running down screaming for her to shutup. AJ blasts Daniels and slams him to the mat and then catches Kaz with an Enziguri! AJ NAILS Daniels with a lariat and then tosses Kaz clear across the ring! NASTY Powerbomb from AJ on Kaz! I mean NASTY! Pele to Daniels! AJ mounts Daniels and continues the assault beating on his former Fortune buddy!
FINAL THOUGHTS
My reaction to the conclusion to the AJ/Dixie drama… “WTF?!” Good God that was not good. I mean the premise of some chick that Dixie knows coming to her for help and Dixie going to AJ, someone who is known as being “wholesome” and the big Christian and everything, makes sense and them wanting to protect her makes sense but the execution was not there. That broad was terrible and AJ and Dixie already have a tough time acting themselves. I think most of us saw this as ending with the reveal being that they weren’t actually screwing around but I thought they would just go with them planning a surprise for Dixie’s husband or something (the phone call) so at least they went with a real story but holy hell that was not good. The ONLY thing that saved that segment was the fire AJ showed against Daniels & Kaz and he put an EPIC ass beating on them. I can only assume that the blowoff will be next week in the rematch but maybe they will continue this on somehow. I love the idea of Daniels and Kazarian being jealous of AJ and trying to rip apart his life, it just fell flat here.
Tonight was frustrating in a lot of spots after last week’s excellent show. The opening segment with Aries & Hogan was stellar and I LOVE the idea of the X-Division having the chance to trade in the belt for a World Title shot at DX every year. It gives that belt meaning again and with Aries moving up TNA has GOT to bring in some fresh faces for the division. My question is what happens with that belt for DX you can’t have an “X-Division showcase” without having the damn X-Division Title defended. They could definitely start a short tournament last year with former X-Division stars and young guys coming and competing for an opportunity to get a shot at the belt at DX.
I HATE the idea of making ALL BFG Series Matches 10 minute time limits, that is so awful. I understand for TV purposes but not PPV. There are too many awesome matchup opportunities to be stuck with that time limit all the time. As far as the matches tonight in the BFG Series, all of them were short for the most part. Anderson/Daniels had a solid little match, Angle thankfully squashed the Jersey punk, Magnus and AJ had a fun but short match, Pope and Ray had a decent short match with Pope looking really good, and Hardy/RVD and Joe/Storm had the best matches. Hardy/RVD was WAY too short but they pulled out spot after spot in the 5 minute match. I’m still trying to get over RVD pulling out the 450. Joe/Storm had a solid match and I’d love to see those two out there more. Joe needs some direction because at the moment, he has none.
Thank God they went with Mickie instead of Velvet for the KO Title because Mickie could drag Brooke to a good match which she did. I like this slow burn they’re doing for Mickie’s heel turn. Mickie is in bad need of a character switch and this good be good. The Brooke Hogan stuff sucked tonight. I know they were going for the same thing Hogan did with the World Title a few weeks ago but it just didn’t work for me.
I liked the Taeler Hendrix chick, she looked good and her in-ring stuff was decent as well. She’s already better than a lot of female wrestlers on TV.
I really hate they didn’t further the thing with Sting. I know that they want that to be a long term hook but you have to touch on it more than Hogan briefly mentioning it before moving onto something else.
QUICK RESULTS
1) BFG Series: Mr. Anderson def. Daniels (7 points)
2) BFG Series: Kurt Angle def. Robbie E (10 points)
3) BFG Series: Magnus def. AJ Styles (7 points)
4) Gut Check: Tara def. Taeler Hendrix
5) BFG Series: James Storm def. Samoa Joe (7 points)
6) BFG Series: The Pope def. Bully Ray (7 points)
7) TNA KO Title: Miss Tessmacher (c) def. Mickie James to retain the title!
8) BFG Series: Jeff Hardy def. RVD (7 points)
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Aries/Hogan
– Match of the Night: Storm/Joe (**1/2)
– Overall Grade: B
BFG Series Standing
1 James Storm (27 points)
2) Kurt Angle (10 points)
3) Mr. Andrson (7 points)
Jeff Hardy (7 points)
The Pope (7 points)
Magnus (7 points)
4) Daniels (0 points)
AJ Styles (0 points)
Samoa Joe (0 points)
Robbie E (0 points)
Rob Van Dam (0 points)
Bully Ray (0 points)
Scheduled for Next Week:
-TNA Tag Team Titles: AJ Styles & Kurt Angle (c) vs. Daniels & Kazarian
Destination X Lineup:
-TNA World Title: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Austin Aries