TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Wrestling Zone)
July 5, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Happy late 4th of July to everyone, I hope everyone had a safe Independence Day (well everyone except Auburn fans…I kid!). Now onto the show…
This week’s Impact Wrestling jumpstarts with a vignette focusing on the Bully Ray-Joseph Park-Abyss and AJ-Dixie drama.
Bully Ray’s music hits and the Bully makes his way down to the ring to a chorus of boos. A replay of Park costing him his match with Joe is shown as he gets in the ring. Ray says he has a huge announcement to make right now and he says hell must have froze over because as of right now Bully Ray is officially going live on Twitter or as Bully said it “Twittah!” Ray says the fans may think he sucks but he’ll be twending worldwide in about 5 minutes. He tells us his twitter handle (@realBullyRay5150) and then turns his attention to Joseph Park. He says Park has the balls to hit him in the face and challenge him to a match. Ray says Park doesn’t tell him what to do so he needs to get his ass in the ring right now. Ray calls him a coward and then Park finally makes his way to the ring.
Ray says Park smacked him in the face and challenged him to a match last week and if he wants a piece of him he’s got it. Ray accepts it and Park says he usually doesn’t give legal advice for free but he’s going to give him a lesson right now. Park says in the matter of Park vs. Bully Ray he’s already set a legal precedent and that precedent is that he already beat Ray at Slammiversary. Ray says he can take his precedent and shove it up his ass but Park screams at him to shutup and says he’s not done talking yet. Park says he’s watched Ray bully everyone around here for long enough and now he’s sick of it and so are all the fans. He says he’s going to continue that precedent next week and beat him again! Ray says anything goes, no rules, weapons allowed and Park agrees to it! Ray pulls out a piece of paper and says Park should be worried about it and says it’s a restraining order, against Abyss! He says if Abyss sets foot in the arena he will be locked up and then slams the restraining order into Park’s chest and leaves. Ray stops and hits Park from behind!
In the back Hogan talks with Austin Aries and Hogan says he needs the X-Division Title tonight. Aries says he was going to hold it until Sunday but says if there’s no shenanigans he’ll hand it over to Hogan by the end of the night. Hogan tells him to go get the other belt and Aries says he’s got a jetpack strapped to his back and he’s ready to takeoff so everyone else should hop on.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
Footage of Daniels exposing AJ’s “relationship” with Crackhead Claire is shown.
Earlier today Dixie talks about the young X-Division guys that will wrestle tonight but then says she hasn’t talked to AJ or Claire and the camera guy needs to go away.
TNA Television Championship
Devon (c) vs. Crimson
Tenay says with the BFG Series in full swing Hulk Hogan put the “weekly TV Title defenses on pause” for awhile but now it’s back. This is our first time seeing Crimson since James Storm ended his streak at Slammiversary. Crimson jumps Devon as he comes in the ring and rolls him up for a quick nearfall. Crimson rolls him up a 2nd time and gets another nearfall. He hits Devon with a back elbow and then trips him and stacks him up for yet another nearfall as he had his feet on the ropes for extra leverage this time. Crimson pokes Devon in the eyes and then chokes him in the corner. He hits a Snapmare Takeover and then follows up with a Sliding Lariat! 1…2…NO Devon kicks out! Crimson beats on Devon and then whips him into the ropes but eats a Spear from Devon! Devon follows up with a series of clotheslines and back elbows! Devon hits a Corner Splash and then bounces off the ropes but runs right into a clothesline from Crimson! 1…2…NO Devon tries to kick out and ends up pretty much rolling over Crimson and on top of Hebner in a weird spot. Crimson argues with the referee and then hits the ropes but walks into the Spinebuster from Devon! 1….2…3!
Winner & STILL TV Champ: Devon via pinfall (Spinebuster)
Madison Rayne walks down to the ring and acts like she’s going to go after Devon but instead grabs Hebner and makes out with him! This is actually a spot they do on house shows on the time, but they’ll have Madison flirt with Earl during matches to gain favor. After kissing Hebner she leaves Hebner smiling like a jackass in the ring. Taz: “ah, the Rigamortis is setting in.”
Chris Sabin is shown walking backstage on crutches, he’ll speak for the first time since the injury next.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
Back from the break Chris Sabin enters the ring. He’s wearing a big brace on his left knee and is on crutches. Sabin says to say that he has had a lot on his mind the last few weeks is an understatement. He says ever since he was a kid the one thing he dreamed about was becoming a wrestler. He says the problems with his knees are turning his dream into a nightmare. He says that it wasn’t until he got home and talked with his family and they told him the same thing over and over. He says they told him that maybe he should think about retiring and finding something else to do with his life because he can’t do this anymore. Sabin’s voice cracks at one point. He says his doctor called him into his office and says he came back from one ACL reconstruction but not two. His doctor also said he should find something else to do with his life. A “Sabin” chant starts and then Bobby Roode’s music hits and Sabin looks HEATED. This dude is covered in sweat too.
Roode takes the microphone away from Sabin and says this is such a sad, tragic story and mockingly says it’s so emotion. Roode says he’s known Sabin for a lot of years and been through a lot wars with him, and seeing Sabin out here on his crutches and fighting back his tears is pathetic. He says Sabin is pathetic just like every other X-Division wrestler. He says he’s pissing and moaning about his injuries, last year his right leg and now his left. He says Jesse Sorensen is walking around with a broken neck and all of the X-Division wrestlers are all the same. He says they risk it all every night and in the end they get no reward. He says the “poster child” of the X-Division, Aries, is risking it all when he gets in the ring with the IT Factor this Sunday. Roode says when an X-Division wrestler like Aries gets in his ring, he’ll be just like Sabin taking the risk and getting no reward and having his career ended just like Sabin. Roode then kicks Sabin’s crutch out from under him! Roode then mocks Sabin and taunts him to get up and fight him!
Roode kicks Sabin in the knee repeatedly while talking trash the whole time! Aries hits the ring and chases Roode off! Aries checks on Sabin as Roode goes back up the ramp.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
TNA X-Division Championship Tournament Qualifying Match
Dakota Darsow vs. Flip Casanova
Dakota Darsow was a part of last year’s X-Division Tournament leading into Destination X but lost a Triple Threat Match against Zema Ion and Federico Palacios (Zema won). Darsow is the son of Barry Darsow aka Smash of Demolition. Flip Casanova is also known as Flip Kendrick and competed in MTV’s Lucha Libre USA as one of the masked Puerto Rican Powers and he’s also wrestled for CHIKARA, EVOLVE, and Dragon Gate-USA. Darsow has changed his look up a bit since the last time we saw him wearing short tights rather than the long tights and kind of rock star look he had last year. Darsow and Flip lockup and Darsow puts a knee in Flip’s gut. Flip answers with a series of strikes and then shoves Darsow away only to be met with a Running Back Elbow. Darsow puts the boots to Flip and then hits him with an Uppercut and then charges at Flip but Flip turns around and dropkicks Darsow’s legs sending him into the ropes. Darsow gets hung up in the ropes and then Flip springboards from inside the ring over the top into a dropkick to the face of Darsow! Flip then comes back in and hits a series of forearms and leg kicks on Darsow. Flip hits the ropes and ducks a back elbow from Darsow and then springboards off the ropes into a Springboard Flying Cross Body which Darsow had absolutely no idea how to catch. This dude actually turned his body so that Flip landed flush on his back. Flip hits a Running Forearm to Darsow and then attempts to whip Darsow into the corner but Darsow reverses it and charges at Flip. Flip floats up and over Darsow and then hits a leg kick that takes Darsow down followed by an INSANE Standing Moonsault into a Seated Senton! 1…2…NO Darsow kicks out! Flip hits the ropes but eats a nice dropkick from Darsow and then he mounts Flip and pounds on him. Darsow picks Flip up but Flip catches him with a Jawbreaker and then a back elbow followed by a Springboard Missile Dropkick! Flip ducks a lariat from Darsow and then hits a crazy Moonsault Head Scissors Takeover that sends Darsow out to the floor! Flip sets up for a dive but Darsow moves but Flip catches himself on the apron. Flip kicks Darsow away and then hits a GORGEOUS Corkscrew Asai Moonsault onto Darsow on the floor! Flip grabs his knee as he lands and I think his knee might have hit the floor hard. Flip rolls Dakota back into the ring and then climbs up top. Flip dives off the top with a Flying Cross Body but Darsow rolls through it into an Elbow Drop! Darsow follows up with a Knee Drop and then a Leg Drop! 1…2…NO Flip kicks out! Darsow’s nose is busted, I think maybe one of Flip’s knees caught him on that dive as well. Darsow climbs up top and dives off with a Moonsault! Flip rolls out of the way and Darsow is leaking pretty bad. Flip hits a Springboard Reverse Bulldog! He then climbs up top and hits a freaking INSANE Shooting Star Leg Drop! 1…2…3!
Winner: Flip Casanova via pinfall (Shooting Star Leg Drop)
A Shooting Star Leg Drop?! WOW! Haven’t seen one of those since Jason Cross’s Crossfire back in the Asylum Days of TNA.
In the back Brooke Tessmacher talks about Gail Kim having a clause in her contract saying that she needs 8 or more days notice for her rematch canceling their match tonight. Instead TNT will team up tonight.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
A recap of last week’s Gut Check is shown.
TNT (Tara-N-Tessmacher) vs. Gail Kim & Madison Rayne
Madison jumps Tessmacher at the bail and shoves her out to the floor and throws her into the guardrail. Back in the ring Madison gets an early nearfall and then puts Tessmacher in a headlock before slamming her to the mat. Gail tags in and kicks Tessmacher in the gut and then follows up with a series of leg kicks. Gail hits a Forearm and then a Clothesline off the ropes for a nearfall. Gail taunts Tessmacher and then hits a big knee to the face. Tessmacher fights back with rights and lefts but eats a kick from Gail and then Gail tosses her into the corner. Gail follows up with a Springboard Cross Body, but Tessmacher moves out of the way and tags in Tara! Madison tags in as well but eats a series of strikes from Tara! Tara whips Madison into the ropes and connects with a series of clotheslines and then a Snap Suplex! Tara picks Madison up and hits the Spider’s Web! 1…2…NO Madison kicks out! Tara goes for the Widow’s Peak but Gail comes in and Tara kicks her which causes Tara to drop Madison. Tara then grabs Madison and slams her into Gail sending Gail crashing to the floor! Tara hits the Widow’s Peak on Madison! Tara tags in Madison and allows Madison to hit a new finish, a Russian Leg Sweep into a Sitout Clothesline! 1…2…3!
Winners: TNT via pinfall
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
A vignette hyping up James Storm, setting up the match with Hardy for later, is shown.
AJ Styles makes his way down to the ring to address the Crackhead Claire allegations. AJ says that first he’s accused of having an affair with the President of TNA and talks about all of the “evidence” Daniels had being wrong. He says now he’s accused of being the father of Crackhead Claire’s unborn child and he asks how Daniels thinks he’ll make this one stick. AJ asks Daniels what he’s trying to prove and Daniels’ music hits cutting AJ off. Daniels & Kaz walk onto the stage and Kaz asks AJ if he really just said that he doesn’t get it. Kaz says what AJ obviously DOES get is “junkie whores pregnant” (owned). Kaz says last week out of the goodness of his heart he tried to knock some sense into the “thick redneck skull” of AJ but it’s obvious AJ doesn’t grasp the severity of these things. AJ says what he does grasp is that when he gets his “redneck hands” on Kaz he’s going to rip him apart. Daniels says there will be no more dancing around the truth and he says they were saying all along that something was going on between Dixie and AJ but it wasn’t an affair it was covering up this thing with Crackhead Claire.
Daniels says these aren’t empty allegations because he has proof that AJ is the father of the child but AJ cuts him off and tells him to shut his mouth. He says this thing isn’t about Claire and AJ or Dixie and AJ it’s all about AJ and Daniels. He says this all started last year at Destination X, the match that DANIELS wanted. He says Daniels proved what a jealous prick he really is when AJ’s hand was raised. AJ says the difference between last year’s Destination X and this year’s is he wants this match and it’s not just a wrestling match, it’s a Last Man Standing Match. AJ says the kicker is that Daniels isn’t even a man and at DX he’s going to prove it and shut Daniels up once and for all.
In the back Hogan starts to talk about DX when a guy in a bandana walks in and hands Hogan something and says “we’re not cowards” before being dragged away. Hogan opens the letter and it has playing cards with aces and 8’s out it and a note that says “see you next week.” Hogan tells security to go back and get that guy as he looks confused down at the letter. If you haven’t heard Sting’s “attackers” started a Twitter account earlier this week called “Ace’s & 8’s” and they’ve been sending tweets to Sting’s twitter saying that this thing isn’t over and they are just getting started.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
Jeff Hardy is shown warming up backstage and then a vignette hyping him up is shown.
TNA X-Division Championship Tournament Qualifying Match
Kenny King vs. Lars Only
Kenny King is ½ of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Rhett Titus (as The All Night Express) in Ring of Honor. He wrestled in TNA several times between 2005 and 2006 mainly as enhancement talent, but since has become one of the top young high flyers in independent wrestling primarily sticking with Ring of Honor since 2007. King was a part of Season 2 of WWE’s Tough Enough where he got his start in wrestling. Lars Only is also known as Johnny Yuma, a California based indy wrestler primarily working for PWG. King and Lars lockup and King forces Lars into the corner and then shoves him away. They lockup again and Lars gets Kenny in a Waistlock but Kenny reverses into a side headlock. Lars reverses it into a hammerlock but Kenny reverses into a crazy spinning Japanese Armdrag! King taunts Lars with a little air guitar which results in a slap from Lars. Kenny charges at Lars but eats an armdrag and then a drop toe hold that sends Kenny into the ropes. Lars then hits a Running Body Splash as Kenny as draped out over the ropes! Lars then hits a Leaping Enziguri from the floor to Kenny! 1…2…NO Kenny kicks out! Lars hits a dropkick that sends King out to the floor and then he sets up for a dive but King quickly slides back into the ring and DECAPITATES Lars with a Spinning Heel Kick! 1…2…NO Lars kicks out! King picks Lars up and goes for a Suplex but Lars blocks it with a knee to the head and rolls King up! 1…2…NO King kicks out and then destroys Lars again this time with a Lariat! King tosses Lars out to the floor and then follows up but gets a big slap! Lars then goes for what seems to be a Spinning Head Scissors on the floor but King blocks it and slams him onto the apron! King then leaps to the apron and dives off into a Somersault Senton all in one fluid motion onto Lars on the floor! King tosses Lars back into the ring and covers him for a nearfall. King then picks Lars back up and Lars fights back with a series of strikes. King tries to kick Lars but gets his foot caught! Lars spins Kenny around but Kenny spins right into a nasty Spinning Enziguri! 1…2…NO Lars kicks out! Kenny grabs Lars and hits a Scoop Slam and then follows up with a Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Lars rolls out of the way! Lars hits Kenny with a series of clotheslines and back elbows and then hits the ropes and catches Kenny with a beautiful Spinning Head Scissors that sends Kenny out to the floor! Lars sets up for a dive but Kenny quickly gets out of the way. Lars lands on the apron and then actually dives off the apron and uses the ring post to spin around into a Hurricanrana onto Kenny on the floor in one of the most insane spots I’ve seen! Lars tosses King back into the ring and rolls him up, 1…2…NO King kicks out! Lars climbs up top and goes for a Tornado DDT but King shoves him off and then walks into a weird move from Lars which I believe Lars botches. I think it was supposed to be like a modified Leg Sweep/Cutter or something. King kicks out at 2 and then Lars climbs back up top and drags Kenny up with him. Kenny and Lars exchange chops and then Lars shoves Kenny off but Kenny actually lands on his hands into a back handspring onto his feet! That dude is unnaturally athletic! Kenny then hits a Leaping Enziguri followed by a NASTY Fireman’s Carry into a Rock Bottom! 1…2…3!
Winner: King via pinfall
After the match Christy talks to Kenny and he says he didn’t come here to play no games, he came to represent, stand up, and be noticed. He tells Christy to look at herself because she can’t stop staring at him. He says he has a lot riding on this thing so if you think what we just saw was special, we ain’t seen nothing yet. He says at Destination X a “King will be crowned.”
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
A vignette showing Aries getting ready for his Main Event at Destination X and talking about his journey to get here.
In the back Kenny King and Austin Aries hug and Aries tells him he looked like a champ out there and Kenny says he’s just trying to do what A-Double did. King says they’re in big trouble with them both here. King walks away and Aries says he’ll turn the belt over tonight and officially be ready to be the new World Heavyweight Champion.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
The BFG Series Leaderboard remains the same for the most part except that Magnus has moved into the 3rd spot ahead of Angle.
Main Event
BFG Series Match
“Cowboy” James Storm vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
Storm can further his lead in the BFG Series while Hardy can move into a tie for 2nd with a pinfall win or in the lone 2nd place with a submission win. Hardy and Storm lockup and Storm gets Hardy in a wristlock but Hardy reverses it into a Hammerlock and then he quickly goes for the Twist, but Storm shoves him away and he’s having none of that. Storm then quickly goes for the Last Call and Hardy backs away. They lockup again and Storm gets a side headlock on Hardy but Hardy shoves him into the ropes only to eat a shoulder block from Storm. Hardy then kicks Storm away and puts Storm in a headlock of his own. Storm shoves Hardy into the ropes and Hardy bounces off with a shoulder block but as he reaches down to grab Storm he gets kicked away too. They lockup yet again and this time Storm takes Hardy down and gets a nearfall before Hardy sweeps his legs and gets a nearfall of his own. They stare each other down and then lockup yet again. Hardy gets Storm in a side headlock but Storm shoves Hardy into the ropes and then goes for a backdrop, but Hardy kicks him and then goes for the Twist of Fate again! Storm shoves him into the ropes and goes for the Last Call again but Hardy holds onto the ropes! Storm charges at Hardy but Hardy sidesteps him and Storm goes flying over the top. Storm lands on the apron but Hardy knocks him off sending Storm into the guardrail! Storm buys time on the floor to recover as Hardy tries to go after him repeatedly. Storm climbs back into the ring with dueling “Lets Go Hardy-Lets go Cowboy” chants. They lockup again as we go to a break.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
Back from the break Hardy has Storm locked in a headlock but Storm fights up to his feet and forces Hardy into the corner. Storm hits Hardy with a series of shoulder blocks and then whips him into the opposite corner. Storm charges at Hard but Hardy floats up into a head scissors takeover on Storm! Hardy hits a Leg Drop and gets a nearfall. Hardy whips Storm into the ropes but Storm bounces off with a Flying Forearm and then a clothesline! Storm whips Hardy into the ropes and Hardy answers with a forearm of his own and then a clothesline followed by an Atomic Drop! Hardy then Leg Drops Storm in the abs followed by a sliding dropkick! 1…2……NO Storm BARELY kicks out! Hardy charges at Storm in the corner but Storm hits him with a back elbow and then climbs up top and hits the Swinging Noose! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Hardy is selling a hand or arm injury at this point. Storm charges at Hardy but gets backdropped over the top to the floor! Hardy hits a Slingshot Dropkick through the ropes onto Storm and then a Slingshot Plancha over the top onto Storm on the floor! Storm landed hard on his back there. Storm rolls back into the ring and Hardy shortly follows right at the end of the 10 count. Storm clotheslines Hardy as both men get to their feet and they’re both down again. Storm gets to his feet and charges at Hardy with a Splash but Hardy moves out of the way and Storm crashes in the corner. Hardy then hits a the Leaping Mule Kick sending Storm into the corner followed by the Hardyac Arrest! Hardy climbs up top and dives off with the Swanton! Storm rolls out of the way and Hardy REALLY crash and burns! Storm climbs up top now and dives off with a Flying Elbow Drop! 1…2…..3…NO Hardy kicks out right before the 3! Thank God Hebner isn’t refereeing this one. Storm calls for the Last Call but Hardy stumbles so Storm grabs Hardy to stand him up! Storm swings the leg but Hardy ducks and catches Storm with the Twist of Fate! 1…2…3!
Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Twist of Fate)
Hardy celebrates the win while Storm sells the disappointment and Taz mentions that Storm came up just short like at Lockdown. Storm & Hardy shake hands after the match.
The clip of Kurt Angle’s debut several years ago when he had that initial confrontation with Samoa Joe and the Impact Zone almost blew up from how loud they were. They show that to set up the Joe vs. Angle BFG Series Match at DX.
—COMMERICAL BREAK—
Tenay & Taz reveal that this year’s BFG will be held in Phoenix, AZ which will be TNA’s first time in TNA.
Angle talks about Mr. Anderson and Mr. Anderson talks about Angle. They are facing off next week.
Hulk Hogan’s music hits and the TNA GM makes his way down to the ring. Hogan says he loves to hear the fans this loud before Destination X and he only hears it this loud when guys like Hardy or Storm or the man he’s about to call out to the ring is out here. He tells Aries to get down to the ring but Roode’s music hits and the champ makes his way down to the ring. Roode cuts Hogan off and tells him to shut up because he’s talking now. Roode interrupts Hogan again and says he is know Austin Aries because he is a REAL Champion. He says the only reason Aries even has an opportunity at his belt is because of Hogan. He says Hogan drank his Kool Aid and that stupid Option C, and like Roode said last week Option C will be nothing but a failure. He says that Hogan has given nothing but false hope and false promises to the fans and the entire X-Division. Roode says this Sunday when he beats and ends the career of Aries the failure of the entire X-Division and the blood of Aries will be on Hogan’s hands. Aries’ music cuts the champ off.
Aries walks out wearing the X-Division Championship and says this is a reoccurring theme with Roode thinking that he can come out whenever he wants thinking he can dictate the show the way he wants. Aries says maybe he can because he’s the Champion so he’ll let him bask in that fact for the now because in 3 days Aries will be the Champion. He says they can handle this one of two ways, Option A: he can let Roode continue to dictate this and walk back to the back with his tail tucked between his legs or Option B: he can step into the ring and calmly hand Hogan the belt and tell Roode that he will wait until Sunday before he tears into Roode. Aries says everyone knows he’s not a big fan of Option A or B so he’s going to go with Option C. He says they can go with Option C and that is they can finish what they started last week and since Roode thinks this is HIS ring he can try and remove Aries from it. Aries says he isn’t afraid of Roode and on Sunday will be the last day Roode has that belt. Aries drops the microphone and he and Roode get in each other’s face and talk trash to each other. Roode says he isn’t worth it and then starts to leave but Aries gets the microphone and says “oh yeah I’m not worth it, he’s walking away just like I thought.” Roode turns around and swings the belt at Aries, but he ducks and nails Roode with the X-Division Title! Aries holds up both belts and stands over Roode with them as Hogan holds his hand in the air! Aries finally hands the X-Division Title over to Hogan and then raises the World Title up into the air and says “NEW!”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Another wild show tonight, TNA is really kicking on all cylinders right now.
I have to start with the X-Division with this one. Kenny King and Flip were the most impressive so the right guys moved on. Darsow didn’t impress me last year and actually didn’t look as good this year. In Lucha Libre they call the guy that catches luchadors on dives and top rope spots as the “base”, and Darsow had no clue how to base Flip on any of the high spots. That resulted in an awkward springboard spot and then Darsow busting his nose open on Flip’s dive (possibly breaking the nose). King and Lars wrestled a fairly clean match until Lars botched what I assume was his finisher, that looked really bad. King is freakishly athletic and full of energy. I’ve said for awhile he’s Shelton Benjamin with a personality. His promo afterward was great and I loved the interaction between he and Aries after the match as they are good friends behind the scenes (and I’m assuming Aries had something to do with King being here). How weird will it be if King makes it into the Ultimate X and we have a current ROH Champion (Tag Team Champion at least) wrestling for a TNA Title? For those unaware King’s ROH contract has recently run out and if TNA has a shot of signing this guy, this is it and they need to take it. Lars looked pretty good and pretty athletic but I’m not really into the rockstar gimmick and TNA gave him an awful name.
One thing I also want to note is that of the 4 X-Division wrestlers that have qualified, 3 are black. There has really only been two black X-Division wrestlers of note in years (Consequences Creed and Jay Lethal) so it’s a nice change for TNA to bring a little diversity into the X-Division. Doug Williams, Kid Kash, Zema Ion, and one more as of yet named wrestler will join the 4 X-Division guys who have qualified. Those 8 men will wrestle in 4 singles matches at Destination X, the winners of each match will face off in an Ultimate X with the winner becoming the new X-Division Champion.
The promo from Sabin and Roode was unbelievable. Roode raised the “d*ckhead” level 100 degrees with that one and REALLY got heat there. He was crazy good and Sabin played his part well too. I really hope he can make a full recovery but it’s going to be a long road for him.
Devon and Crimson was just there.
The Knockouts Match was just there to make Tessmacher look strong but Tara looked the strongest of any of them out there.
Hardy and Storm really put on an awesome TV Main Event with both guys working hard as hell and Hardy looking like he was hungry to keep up with the younger Storm. I could definitely see this match being revisited (maybe even as a trilogy) in the BFG Series, maybe even the Finals.
Great way to close out the show with Roode and Aries and I loved the symbolism of Aries laying Roode out with the X-Division Title. Laying the guy out with the very belt that represents the division he has spent the better part of month tearing down. I have no doubt Roode is retaining but that match could be really special and Aries doesn’t have to win it to come out looking like a superstar.
I liked the little tease for the Ace’s & Eight’s and those are the guys that attacked Sting but TNA left the viewer that doesn’t keep up with everything online wandering what the hell that was about.
QUICK RESULTS
1)TNA TV Title: Devon (c) def. Crimson to retain the title!
2)TNA X-Division Title Tourney Qualifying: Flip Casanova def. Dakota Darsow
3)TNT def. Gail Kim & Madison Rayne
4) TNA X-Division Title Tourney Qualifying: Kenny King def. Lars Only
5) BFG Series: Jeff Hardy def. James Storm (7 points)
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Roode/Aries
– Match of the Night: Storm vs. Hardy (****)
– Overall Grade: A
BFG Series Standings
1) James Storm (36 points)
2) Samoa Joe (27 points)
3) Magnus (14 points)
Jeff Hardy (14 points)
4) Kurt Angle (10 points)
5) Mr. Anderson (9 points)
6) The Pope (7 points)
Rob Van Dam (7 points)
7) Christopher Daniels (5 points)
8) Bully Ray (0 points)
Robbie E (0 points)
AJ Styles (0 points)
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Anything Goes Match: Abyss vs. Joseph Park
– TNA Knockouts Title: Gail Kim vs. Ms. Tessmacher (c)
– BFG Series: Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson
Destination X Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Austin Aries
– BFG Series: Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle
– Last Man Standing Match: AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
-X-Division Tournament: Rashad Cameron vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Kenny King vs. Flip Casanova vs. Douglas Williams vs. Kid Kash vs. Zema Ion vs. TBA
-TNA X-Division Title Ultimate X Match: TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA