TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Wrestling Zone)
November 15, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz, & Todd Keneley
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Fresh off the heels of Sunday’s “Turning Point” PPV tonight’s Impact kicks off with highlights from Turning Point. Todd Keneley, Taz, & Mike Tenay are doing the same 3-man announce team from Sunday tonight as well.
The new TNA World Title #1 Contender, James Storm, makes his way down to the ring and he says over the last year it’s been a long hard road for him. He says that he hasn’t won any ward and this isn’t an acceptance speech but he still wants to thank a few people. Storm thanks the fans who have always been behind him, his family, and the people who said he couldn’t do it. Storm says he wants to thank the people that thought he didn’t have what it took because they are the fuel that kept him going. Storm says now you’re looking at the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, but before he can get anything else out Bobby Roode’s music interrupts him.
Roode says he’s not out here to spoil Storm’s celebration, he’s here to join it and even hands him a beer. Roode says he wants to toast to Storm for defeating AJ Styles Sunday night and reminds him that he didn’t pin Roode. Roode congratulates Storm on continuing his success off of Roode’s hard work and then toasts to the Storm fans because they’ll be the ones to watch Storm fail miserably again at attempting to regain the World Title. Roode toasts to Storm’s daughter because she and the rest of his family will have to be there to console him when Storm picks up his ball and goes home again.
Storm asks Roode if he’s done running his “bottle sucker” and then punches him in the mouth! Storm whips Roode into the ropes and goes for the Last Call but Roode stops and bails out of the ring. Storm tells Roode to get his “dumbass” back in the ring so he can kick it! Roode says he’s been fighting Storm for the last year and there’s nothing in it for him now so he’s done with Storm. Roode starts to leave but then stops and says “unless, Cowboy, you’re man enough to put up the #1 Contendership tonight.” Roode tells Storm that if he wants to fight him to put that on the line. Storm says “screw you” and he’s worked too hard to get that spot. Roode says “screw me?” and if he wants to talk about being a man and “screwing” then he should get his precious daughter to give Roode a call when she turns 18 so he can show her what a man is.
Storm leaves the ring and Roode starts to take off but Storm stops and says, “you don’t have to run you dumb son of a bitch because I accept it! I’m whooping your ass right here tonight!”
The announcers discuss AJ and him not being eligible for a title shot until at least BFG next year. AJ will speak out tonight. In the back Hulk Hogan says he feels bad for AJ Styles because it’s going to weigh heavy on him especially as competitive as he is. Hogan calls AJ a “Main Event player” and says AJ is his own worst enemy and says he’s been “treading water” in the same spot. Yeah, I wonder why that is Hulk?
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Footage of A’s & 8’s beating Sting down last week is shown. In the Clubhouse the VP asks DOC if he thinks he’s done enough despite allowing himself to be unmasked. DOC says he knows he let them down but he bloodied Sting & Park in the last week and he’s willing to do whatever he needs to. The VP says DOC will find out later tonight how the club voted on him being made a member. DOC hands over his “cut” (the biker jacket) to the VP. Devon says they have some business to take care of and then tosses a dart at the board full of TNA wrestlers pictures. Devon laughs and says “that prick deserves it.”
TNA X-Division Championship
“Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Kid Kash
These are two former ECW TV Champions here (in fact RVD helped Kash when the TV Title in ECW against Rhino way back in the day) but this is the first time they’ve faced each other in TNA. RVD defended the X-Division Title successfully at Turning Point against Joey Ryan. As RVD gets in the ring Kash attacks him and ducks a spinning heel kick. Kash goes for a clothesline but RVD ducks and then trips RVD up with a Leg Scissors for a one count. Kash gets back to his feet and misses a clothesline again but then gets RVD in a side headlock. RVD shoves Kash into the ropes and then goes for a Hip Toss but Kash blocks it and goes for one of his own. RVD blocks it and kicks Kash in the face with a Front Kick. RVD hits the ropes but eats a Forearm Smash from Kash. Kash puts RVD in a side headlock again but again RVD shoves him into the ropes and then leapfrogs Kash and drops down into a split, but Kash cartwheels over him and Hurricanranas RVD over the top rope to the floor! Kash hits a Slingshot Hurricanrana over the top rope onto RVD on the floor! Kash tosses RVD back into the ring and covers him for a nearfall. Kash pokes RVD in the eyes and then attempts to whip him into the corner but RVD reverses it. RVD tries do the rolling Monkey Flip but Kash leaps to the top and dives off with a Clothesline in mid-move on RVD! Kash springs to the top and attempts the Double Spring Moonsault, but RVD rolls out of the way and then hits the Springboard Flying Back Kick! RVD follows up with Rolling Thunder! 1…2…NO Kash kicks out! RVD picks Kash up but Kash rakes his eyes again and then attempts a kick. RVD catches his foot and goes for the Stepover Heel Kick but Kash counters by grabbing RVD in a Sleeper. RVD shoves Kash into the corner and hits a Spinning Heel Kick to the back of Kash! RVD whips Kash into the opposite corner and hits a sloppy Rolling Monkey Flip followed by the 5-Star Frog Splash!
Winner & STILL X-Division Champ: RVD via pinfall (5-Star Frog Splash)
In the back ODB and EY talk about EY’s reality show and EY says he’s going to take care of Jesse tonight and ODB says she’s going to become #1 contender tonight. They start creepily making out again.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the back Kurt Angle is talking to Garett Bischoff & Wes Brisco. Kurt is looking for a tag partner for his match with Aces & Eight’s tonight. Garett says it would be an honor to join up with Angle tonight especially since Devon used to be his partner. Wes says that Kurt has been training him since he was in high school and he’s seen all the work he’s put into trying to get a shot. Wes says he’s got Kurt’s back but he picks Garett to team with him tonight. Kurt says he has major plans for Wes so he shouldn’t get discouraged.
Jesse w/Tara vs. “Showtime” Eric Young w/ODB
EY locks it up with the referee and gets punched in the back by Jesse. Jesse hits a Front Slam on EY and then covers him for a nearfall early. Jesse hits EY with a series of elbows and then whips EY into the ropes and hits a Powerslam. Jesse hits a Leg Drop and then covers EY for another nearfall. Jesse chokes EY in the ropes and then hits him with a Back Elbow in the corner. Jesse chokes EY in the ropes again and then follows up with a dropkick. Jesse gets a celebratory kiss from Tara and then continues to beat on EY in the corner. Jesse whips EY into the opposite corner but EY flips over the top to the apron. EY hits Jesse with a Shoulder Block through the ropes and then slides underneath Jesse’s legs and nails him with a big right hand. EY hits the ropes but Jesse catches him with an Abdominal Stretch. Jesse pounds on EY’s ribs with elbows but EY fights the hold and counters it into a Hip Toss. EY shrugs off some shots from Jesse and pulls down the trunks revealing his damn speedos and lights Jesse up with big right hands. EY whips Jesse into the ropes and hits a Flying Forearm. Tara gets in the ring but ODB comes in and Spears her! EY hits a Powerslam on Jesse and then goes to climb up top but Jesse knocks him off the apron. EY crashes into the guardrail which distracts ODB allowing Tara to hit her from behind. Tara rolls Jesse back into the ring and Jesse hits a Stunner on EY for the pin!
Winner: Jesse via pinfall (Stunner)
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
DOC calls himself the “baddest son of a bitch on the TNA roster” as clips of his beat down on Park from Turning Point are shown. In the back Park talks to Hogan and he says he wants one more shot at Aces & Eight’s, but Hogan says people in hell also want ice water and that isn’t happening. Hogan says Park is a lawyer not a wrestler and he won’t con him again. Hogan says he isn’t trained to be a wrestler but then Park stops and asks if Hogan is saying he should learn how to wrestle and be trained. Hogan tries to stop him but Park says he’s going to sign up right now.
Samoa Joe is getting ready to defend the TV Title against Magnus once again. Joe and Magnus had a really physical No DQ Match at Turning Point with Joe once again coming out on top after choking Magnus out. As Magnus comes down to the ring Devon hits Magnus from behind in the knee with a pipe! Another member kicks Magnus in the face and the rest of them hold Magnus as DOC comes out with the hammer and hits Magnus’ leg with it! Devon gets ready to hit Magnus in the face with a bat but Bully Ray runs out and chases Devon off as Al Snow, Simon Diamond, & D-Lo Brown check on Magnus as he screams in pain.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Back from the break EMT’s are loading Magnus up on a stretcher.
Clips of the insane Ladder Match from Sunday between Hardy & Aries are shown. Hardy says that Aries gave all he had and he came very close from taking the titles back. In the back Aries pulls off his shirt and shows the welts on his back and says that he and Hardy put each other through hell. Aries runs into Hardy and Aries says they put on a hell of a match on Sunday and if he was a sore loser he would say that Hardy beat him in Hardy’s specialty match and he had the deck stacked against him, but he’s not going to bitch and he’s going show him respect. Aries says he is the one that brought that out of Hardy again and he says that he makes men raise their game to a level they didn’t even know they had. Aries says if Hardy thinks this thing is over they’re not because Hardy still has something he wants. The stupid voiceover thing with Hardy happens again and Hardy says Aries makes others raise their game but he will never reach Hardy’s level and this thing is done with Aries “for now.”
Kurt Angle and Garett Bischoff come down to the ring and Angle says he doesn’t need a dart to throw to know who he wants to beat up. Angle says Aces & Eights threatened him at Turning Point but nobody threatens him so he’s here with a tag team partner and they’re waiting on anybody from Ace’s & Eight’s.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
“Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle & Garett Bischoff vs. Ace’s & Eights (Devon & Masked Dude)
Kurt is teaming with the #1 Roster Space Waster in TNA. Angle nails Devon with a series of clotheslines and then whips him into the ropes and hits a Back Elbow. Angle hits a Belly-to-Belly Suplex on Devon but Devon answers with an uppercut and tags in the masked guy (who is massive). He chokes Angle in the corner but Kurt comes back and tags in Garett. Garett puts the big guy in a wristlock and then hits the ropes and connects with a big Shoulder Block and then a dropkick. Angle tags back in and elbows the big guy and then attempts to whip him into the ropes, but he reverses it and Devon hits Angle from behind. Devon tags back in and puts the boots to Angle and then hits him with a Suplex and a Knee Drop for a nearfall. Devon whips Angle into the ropes and hits a Flying Back Elbow before tagging the big guy in again. He tosses Angle into the corner and hits a Big Splash for a nearfall. He locks Angle in a Front Facelock and then goes for a clothesline but Angle ducks and hits a German Suplex followed by one for Devon! Angle clotheslines Devon over the top but as the referee checks on Devon another Aces & Eights member jumps Garett at ringside! Angle hits a Missile Dropkick onto the big guy in the ring and then takes out the other Aces & Eights member. DOC shows up at ringside and comes in to go after Angle but Wes Brisco comes in and chases DOC off with a pipe! Angle low blows the big guy and rolls him up! 1…2…3!
Winners: Angle & Bischoff via pinfall (rollup)
Devon says that Kurt is a dead man.
In the back Tara and Jesse walk into Brooke Hogan’s office where Ray is sitting with Brooke. Both act surprised and Bully walks away. Tara says Brooke needs to consult her about what goes on in the Knockouts division but Brooke says she would like for someone to knock on her door before they barge in too. Tara says if she wants privacy she should lock the door.
Backstage Dixie Carter says she understands more than anybody what AJ has gone through this year and she doesn’t know what’s been going on in AJ’s head lately. She says she’s never seen AJ this down before and she doesn’t know what not being able to go after the title for a year is going to do to him.
TNA Knockouts Title #1 Contenders Battle Royal
Gail Kim vs. “Hardcore Country” Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne vs. ODB vs. Miss Tessmacher
Mickie James is coming back from surgery a couple of months ago. All the girls square off and go at it. Mickie chokes Madison in one corner with a boot while Tessmacher does the same to Gail in another corner. Gail kicks Tessmacher away and then kicks ODB in the head. Madison tries eliminating Mickie but Mickie elbows her in the face repeatedly to cut her off. Gail whips Tessmacher in a corner and Tessmacher tries to float up and over a charging Gail, but Gail catchers her in the air and tosses her over the top. Tessmacher lands on the apron to stay in the match and then ODB picks Gail up but Madison kicks her. Madison & Gail take turns kicking ODB and then Gail whips Madison into a Back Elbow on ODB in the corner followed by Madison whipping Gail into a Flying Clothesline on ODB as well. Tessmacher comes in and Monkey Flips Gail and then mounts in the corner but Madison knocks her off the top to the floor eliminating her! ODB & Mickie jump Madison & Gail as they celebrate. Mickie then hits a Flapjack on Madison and ODB hits a Fall Away Slam on Gail! ODB climbs up top and she slams Madison’s face into the turnbuckles repeatedly and then Mickie tosses Gail into ODB as well for the same treatment. Mickie tosses Madison over the top but she lands on the apron and hits Mickie with a Jawbraker. ODB spits liquor in Madison’s face causing her to fall the floor and get eliminated! ODB dives off the top but Gail moves and she nails Mickie! Gail grabs OBD and tosses her over the top eliminating her leaving it just Gail & Mickie left! Gail hits Mickie with a series of European Uppercuts and then a big Running Clothesline. Gail tosses Mickie into the turnbuckles and then chokes her. Mickie fights back with strikes and then hits the Mickiecanrana sending Gail over the top! Gail holds onto the top rope to save herself and then she reaches back in and grabs Mickie only to eat the Mick Kick that sends Gail to the floor to give Mickie the win!
Winner & NEW #1 Contender: Mickie James
In the back James Storm says he knows what the consequences of tonight’s match is and he says this is his opportunity to shut Roode up once and for all. AJ Styles approaches him but doesn’t say anything. AJ stares him down and then walks away.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the clubhouse the VP tells DOC not to let the door hit him in the ass on the way out because he’s been voted out, he’s not getting patched in. DOC looks like he’s about to stab someone but he gets up and starts to walk out. As he opens the door another member is standing there holding up his jacket with the Aces & Eights patch on it. DOC has been patched in.
Clips of the crazy 3-Way at Turning Point are shown.
AJ Styles comes down to the ring, this Sunday he was pinned by Storm in the 3-Way which means that AJ cannot fight for the World Title until BFG next year. Tenay says that he has known AJ Styles for well over 12 years and he called AJ repeatedly over the last week and AJ would not answer nor would he return calls. AJ says in case anyone missed it and goes over the 3-Way and him losing. AJ says that’s the kind of year he’s had. He says he was accused of “banging Dixie Carter” and “having a baby with a crackhead” but the worst is that some people doubted him. AJ says that’s the worst part and he was merely points away from wrestling at BFG for the World Title and had he gotten there he would have won the belt, but that didn’t happen. He says the year’s not over yet and the holiday’s are coming up and a lot of people are thankful for a lot of things but he can’t find anything to be thankful for. Daniels & Kaz’s music hit and AJ looks like someone just shot his dog.
Kaz & Daniels get in the ring and Kaz says in the words of Elvis AJ “ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time.” Daniels says every word out of AJ’s mouth was 100% accurate and this is has probably been the worst year of his career but all of those things are repercussions and he wants to find the source for those problems he should look in the mirror. Daniels says all of the things that have been crashing down on top of him are all because AJ is a broken, flawed “little man.” Daniels tells AJ to go ahead and sing his “sad song” to the fans but he needs to remind AJ what he’s been telling him for a year. He says that AJ is nothing but a complete and utter failure.
AJ says if you look in the record books it’ll say AJ Styles beating Daniels a lot more than Daniels beating him. AJ says all Daniels does is run his mouth with nothing to back it up. He says that maybe Daniels needs a reminder and as bad as he hates to say this maybe they should do this one last time and they’ll find out who the better man is. Kazarian says Daniels nothing to gain from wrestling AJ again and the facts are that AJ is “stale” and he doesn’t even know who AJ is anymore. Kaz says that eats him alive and Daniels won’t benefit from facing AJ again. Daniels cuts him off and says he couldn’t disagree more because this may be the perfect time to do AJ-Daniels one last time and when they do they’ll find out who the REAL failure is. AJ says “let’s do it” and they get in each other’s face.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Austin Aries says when you watch people and just look at their reactions you can learn a lot. Aries says he’s learned what buttons to push to get things done. Aries says next week he’s going to start pushing those buttons and he’s going to call someone out to get some answers.
Kurt Angle approaches Bruce Prichard in the back and wants Wes Brisco in the Gut Check and D-Lo Brown supports what Angle is saying.
Main Event
“Cowboy” James Storm vs. “The IT Factor” Bobby Roode
The winner of this match goes on to Final Resolution to face Hardy for the World Title. Borash is doing the Boxing style intros for this one. Storm jumps Roode and tosses him into the corner and hits a big back drop. Storm chops away at Roode and then mounts him in the corner and reigns down right hands and then follows up with a clothesline. Storm attempts to whip Roode into the ropes but Roode reveres it and hits a back elbow sending Storm to the floor. As the referee goes to count Storm out Roode rips the turnbuckle off one of the corners exposing the steel. Storm comes back in the ring and catches Roode with a Shoulder Block but Roode answers with a boot and an elbow. Roode tries to toss Storm into the steel but Storm counters it sending Roode into the corner. Roode is able to save himself by getting his boot up in time and then tosses Storm into the corner. Storm avoids the steel and then turns around into a Flying Armbar sending Storm’s arm hard to the mat! Roode climbs out of the ring and pulls Storm’s arm out and slams it into the ring post.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Back from the break Roode hits a Knee Drop on Storm for a nearfall. Roode drapes Storm’s over the top rope and then drops down to the floor slamming it across the ropes. Storm tries to fight back but Roode slams him to the mat and then starts stomping on that arm. Roode puts Storm in a Keylock yanking on the injured arm of Storm. Storm fights the hold off with body shots but Storm whips him into the corner hard slamming him on that arm and gets another nearfall. Roode puts the Keylock back on Storm but Storm is able to free himself from the hold and the two exchange right hands. Roode headbutts Storm and then goes for a clothesline but Storm kicks his arm away and connects with a Russian Leg Sweep! Storm grabs Roode and Roode tries to get him with a Fujiwara Armbar but Storm blocks it and goes for a German Suplex. Roode gets the ropes and bucks Storm off. Storm gets back to his feet and Roode goes for a clothesline but Storm ducks and hits a series of Forearms and Clotheslines. Storm hits an Atomic Drop and then a Neckbreaker! Storm charges at Roode in the corner but Roode backdrops him over the top and Storm lands on his feet and connects with the Leaping Enziguri to the back of Roode’s head! Storm climbs up top but Roode crotches him on the top and climbs up with Storm. Storm shoves Roode off but Roode comes back with a Running Forearm! Roode climbs back up with Storm and attempts a Superplex but Storm blocks it and goes for a Sunset Flip off the top! Roode blocks it but Storm pulls him off and Powerbombs him in the center of the ring! 1…2…NO Roode kicks out! Storm sells the arm as if he hurt it again doing the Powerbomb. Storm grabs Roode and goes for the Eye of the Storm but sells the arm like he can’t get Roode up. Roode then hits the Double-R Spinebuster! 1…2…NO Storm kicks out again! Roode locks in the Crossface! Storm is able to get his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Roode stomps on Storm’s arm and then goes for a Hammerlock Slam but Storm blocks it and hits the Backstabber! Storm follows up with the Closing Time! Storm gets the crowd hot as he sets up for the Last Call but Roode pulls the referee in front of him! Storm stops himself before hitting it but then Roode grabs Storm and slams him into the exposed steel in the corner from earlier! Roode rolls Storm up, 1…2…3!
Winner & NEW #1 Contender: Roode via pinfall (Rollup)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Someone go to TNA and please explain to them what “the end” of a feud is because obviously they’re struggling to figure this out. No matter how great a feud is (Storm/Roode and AJ/Daniels) if you continue to do it over and over and over and over it’s going to be beaten into the ground and TNA has successfully done that with both of those feuds. MOVE ON.
I really like the 3-man announce team, Keneley works well as the lead man and it has given Tenay the chance to do his “Professor” thing, really adding depth to the matches with insight and history lessons damn near (watch the Joe/Magnus match last Sunday and Roode/Storm from tonight for examples). Notice I didn’t mention Taz? Yeah, that’s because he still sucks.
Good opening promo from Storm and though this feud should have ended at BFG Roode did really well in his role as always playing mind games, stepping over the line with the comment about Storm’s daughter but storyline wise it got the job done to piss Storm enough to accept the challenge. The match was really great, and a lot different from their previous matches in the past. Roode told a great story working on Storm’s arm the whole match and the arm told it’s own story as Storm failed to hit the Eye of the Storm due to the injured arm. I have no idea where they’re going to go with Storm now but the AJ Styles stare down earlier was interesting.
I’ve been really thinking about where TNA would go with the #1 Contenders Match on Sunday and honestly AJ taking the pin wasn’t where I figured it would go (in fact I had him pinning Storm in the predictions piece). As far as where we go from here with AJ I think it’s going to be one of 3 possibilities. One (and the least likely, at least I hope least likely) is AJ may be on his way out of TNA which would be extremely unfortunate for every TNA fan, two would be they’re looking to push AJ hard during the BFG Series next year, and 3 is where I think it may be heading. AJ goes after the X-Division Title in the next few months, returning to his “roots.” Per the stipulation that the champion can cash in the X-Division Title in exchange for a World Title shot at Destination X AJ could circumvent the stipulation that was put on him and use it as a “loop hole” in an interesting storyline that serves two purpose. Get AJ back on top and really putting a lot of emphasis on the X-Division Title. AJ and Aries could even be the two feuding over that belt in the months leading up to Destination X with both trying to get back to the World Title.
I don’t know what the reasoning behind putting AJ with Daniels again is other than they have no idea what else to do which is really sad if that’s the case especially since me (or anyone else for that damn matter) could come up with dozens of things for AJ.
RVD-Kash was really clunky and the timing was off, just not very good. I really wish they would do more with Kash though.
Jesse-Young was like every single INDY match you’ve ever seen, ever.
Angle & Bischoff against A’s & 8’s was a pretty boring brawl. How stupid is it that I have to call the other A’s & 8’s member the “big guy.” At the very least give them damn names, are you kidding me?! This is ridiculous. I did like that they took out Magnus though, taking out heels and babyfaces which should lead to some interesting alliances down the line.
Solid action with the Knockouts and I’m glad to see Mickie James back. She and Tara always work well together so that match should be good. I was under the impression Mickie had a rib injury or something but Tenay mentioned that she had a “mass” removed so I’m not sure what the truth is.
QUICK RESULTS
1) TNA X-Division Title: RVD (c) def. Kid Kash to retain the title!
2) Jesse def. Eric Young
3) Kurt Angle & Garett Bischoff def. Devon & Big Guy
4) Knockouts #1 Contender Battle Royal: Mickie James def. ODB, Miss Tessmacher, Madison Rayne, & Gail Kim
5) TNA World Title #1 Contenders Match: Bobby Roode def. James Storm
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Storm/Roode
– Match of the Night: Stoorm/Roode (****)
– Overall Grade: C
Scheduled for Next Week:
-Open Fight Night featuring all former Gut Check competitors.
Final Resolution Lineup:
-TNA World Title: Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Bobby Roode
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