TNA Impact Wrestling: Open Fight Night
Orlando, Florida (Impact Wrestling Zone)
November 22, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz, & Todd Keneley
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
First off I want to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and as always ROLL TIDE!
TNA kicks off its Thanksgiving tradition with highlights from last week and then we cut to the ring where 2nd generation wrestler Wes Brisco is standing in the ring with Jeremy Borash. Brisco is going to take part in a Gut Check tonight. His opponent tonight is Garett Bischoff.
Gut Check Challenge
Wes Brisco vs. Garett Bischoff
Brisco is wearing pretty plain tights and boots. He gets Garett in a waistlock and takes him down but Garett counters and takes Brisco down and locks in a Front Facelock as Tenay runs down Brisco’s pedigree (son of Gerald Brisco and nephew of Jack Brisco). Brisco counters into a Hammerlock but Garett reverses into a top writslock. Brisco counters into some nice chain wrestling capped out off with a Fireman’s Carry Takedown. Brisco then goes for a Leg Drop but Garett moves and catches Wes with an armdrag. Bischoff goes for an Elbow Drop but Wes rolls out of the way and they stare each other down as Kurt Angle walks down to ringside. Wes & Garett lock up again and Garett forces Wes into a corner but breaks clean. Wes charges at Garett but gets caught with a side headlock takeover. Wes reverses into a headscissors but Garett gets back to his feet only to get caught by a side headlock takedown. Both men get to their feet and attempt simultaneous dropkicks, both missing. They stare each other down again and then Wes shoves Garett into the ropes but Garett bounces back and takes Wes down with a Shoulder Block. Garett hits the ropes and exchanges Hip Toss attempts with Wes, neither hitting on it, until Wes catches Garett with a Monkey Flip. Wes hits the ropes and connects with a shoulder block of his own for a nearfall. Garett comes back with a side headlock and takes Wes down to the mat. Wes fights back to his feet and shoves Garett into the ropes only to eat a Shoulder Block. Garett and Wes exchange Forearm Smashes and then Wes hits a front kick and a Swinging Neckbreaker for a one count. Garett gets back to his feet and nails Wes with a big Running Clothesline! Garett puts Wes in a headlock as Kurt gets the fans behind Wes. Wes breaks the hold with elbows but Garett nails him with an elbow of his own and then shoves Wes into the ropes. Wes bounces off and catches Garett with a surprising Corkscrew Body Splash for a nearfall. Garett trips Wes and covers him for a nearfall of his own. Wes trips Garett right back for another nearfall. Wes kicks Garett and goes for a Suplex but Garett rolls him up with a Schoolboy, 1…2..NO Wes kicks out! Garett hits a Flapjack and then and then goes for a clothesline but Wes blocks it and catches Garett with the Brisco Roll! 1…2…3!
Winner: Brisco via pinfall (Brisco Roll)
After the match Kurt Angle congratulates Wes and then Garett hugs him as well and raises his hand.
In the back Al Snow is with all of the Gut Check winners and talks them up about having a big opportunity tonight. They can call anyone out tonight. Al Snow tells them “not guts, no glory.”
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the back Kurt Angle tells Garett & Wes how proud he is of both of them and Wes says it’s because of Kurt’s “coaching” and he couldn’t have done it without him.
Joey Ryan makes his way down to the ring and talks about tonight being OFN for the Gut Check winners but he says he didn’t need to win Gut Check to become the biggest star out of the whole thing. He says that he was born a star and Hulk Hogan thinks he can control he and Matt Morgan by dividing them, but he’s going to one up Hogan because you can’t divide the Tag Team Champions and that is what he and Morgan are going to become. Ryan says that’s why he’s calling out Chavo Guerrero tonight. He says that Morgan is “big” and Joey Ryan is a “giant” (as he looks down at his crotch) and “everyone knows size matters.”
Joey Ryan vs. “Mexican Warrior” Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Chavo comes without his tag partner for this one, and his shoulder is still taped up. As Chavo comes into the ring Ryan attacks him and sends him into the corner. Chavo comes back and tosses Ryan into the corner. Chavo lays into Ryan with rights and lefts and then whips him into the opposite corner. Chavo hits a Hip Toss and then a Rolling Senton. Ryan begs Chavo off and asks for a timeout but gets a right hand instead. Ryan is able to come back with a knee and then he tosses Chavo into the corner. Ryan charges at Chavo but he moves out of the way and nails Ryan with a European Uppercut and then slams Ryan into the turnbuckles. Chavo goes for a German Suplex but Ryan hooks the ropes and hangs on. Ryan nails Chavo with a Back Elbow and then punches him in the injured shoulder of Chavo. Ryan continues to beat on Chavo’s shoulder and then whips him into the corner. Ryan charges at Chavo but eats a back elbow. Chavo charges at Ryan but Ryan is able to hit him with a dropkick for a nearfall. Ryan puts Chavo in a chinlock but Chavo fights it off and then connects with a dropkick of his own. Chavo hits Ryan with a series of Forearm Smashes and then attempts to whip him into the corner, but Ryan reverses it only to get caught with a Spinning Headscissors from Chavo! Chavo charges at Ryan but gets backdropped over the top! Chavo lands on the apron and takes Ryan down with a Forearm Smash. Chavo then hits a Slingshot Somersault Senton and then hits the Three Amigos! Chavo climbs up top but Matt Morgan slides into the ring and Chokeslams Chavo off the top rope with a VICOUS Chokeslam!
Winner: Chavo via DQ
Hernandez hits the ring and chases Morgan off.
In the back Austin Aries says tonight is a great opportunity for him and the person he is going to call out tonight doesn’t need a “gut check, they need a reality check.” He says this person he calls out is going to get noticed by everyone and in the spirit of Thanksgiving it’s going to be a “family affair.”
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Sam Shaw comes down to the ring and says it’s an honor to be a Gut Check winner and being that it’s Open Fight Night he’s calling out the first Gut Check winner, Alex Silva! He tells Silva to get his ass out there.
Sam Shaw vs. Alex Silva
Tenay says that Silva is getting “quite the reputation” down in OVW and I believe he won the OVW TV Title when he got there. Silva tackles Shaw as he gets in the ring and lays into him with rights and lefts. Silva whips Shaw into the ropes and connects with a Backdrop and then hits another big right hand. It looks like Silva is taking notes from Ric Flair & Cody Rhodes with his knee pads pulled down to his calves. Silva hits an Elbow Drop and covers Shaw for a nearfall and then whips him into the ropes and takes him down again with a Back Elbow. Silva says he’s about to finish Shaw and then goes for a Leg Drop but Shaw moves out of the way. Silva gets back up and slams Shaw into the corner and then whips him into the opposite corner. Silva hits a Running Clothesline and then puts him in a Sleeper. Shaw breaks the hold with back elbows but then Silva slams him down to the mat by his head. Silva takes a page out of Petey Williams’ book by singing “Oh, Canada” and then hits an Axe Handle to the back of Shaw. Tenay gives a little background on Silva’s pedigree as well saying his father wrestled in Canada. Silva hits a Scoop Slam and then stands on Shaw’s stomach before tossing him into the ropes. Silva goes for another backdrop but Shaw lands on his feet, kind of (he stumbled as he landed). Shaw then Spears Silva and hits him with a series of rights and lefts. Shaw then hits a dropkick followed by a 2nd one! Shaw ducks a clothesline followed by a Running Dropkick and then a Backcracker and then a Neckbreaker! Shaw climbs up top and dives off with the Breaking Point (Guillotine Leg Drop)! 1…2…3!
Winner: Shaw via pinfall (Breaking Point)
In the back Eric Young (wearing a turkey suit) and OBD come into Hulk Hogan’s office and EY talks about the TNA Turkey Day tradition of the Turkey Suit Challenge. Hogan says it’s Open Fight Night so he can do whatever he wants. Hogan says he wants to be EY when he grows up as he EY leaves.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the back Robbie E approaches EY and says last year EY made “Bigger Rob” wear the suit and it ruined his life. ODB says those sweaters ruined their lives. Robbie tells EY to call him out so he can make EY wear the suit this year. Jesse and Tara walk up and says he wants to beat EY again. EY says he can call them both out and say it could be the “ultimate Turkey Bowl Challenge Extravaganza.” Robbie and Jesse look at each other and have an “epic” confrontation…
Jesse: ‘sup dude?
Robbie: ‘sup bro?
A video package highlighting all of the Aces & Eights drama is shown.
In the club house A’s & 8’s enjoy a Thanksgiving “feast” and Devon mentions that this is the first time DOC has sat at the table as a full member. He says they have some strippers for desert but first they have some business to attend to. The VP gets up and tosses a dart at the TNA roster and they all laugh. Devon says it’s truly going to be a Thanksgiving.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Christian York’s video package from his Gut Check airs and then he comes out to the ring. York says for 16 years he traveled dirt roads just to get here and today he feels like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. He says with “lady luck” on his side it’s time to double down. He says that some people might say he’s a little crazy and they might be right. He says he’s calling someone out that he truly respect, the World Champion Jeff Hardy!
Non-Title Match
Christian York vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
York and Hardy are definitely no strangers to each other as York “cut his teeth” in the business as a part of Jeff & Matt Hardy’s OMEGA promotion in the North Carolina area back in the 90’s before the Hardyz hit it big in WWE. In that promotion he and his longtime tag team partner Joey Matthews (WWE fans would know him as Joey Mercury) formed a group called “The Badstreet Boys” along with future 3-Count partners Shannon Moore & Shane Helms. That group would actually be the basis of Moore & Helms’ “3-Count” boy band gimmick. All 4 got WCW contracts but eventually York & Matthews were released and Moore & Helms became 3-Count (with Evan Karagias). Alright enough of the history lesson. Hardy and York lockup and Hardy gets York in a wristlock and then a Hammerlock. York breaks it with back elbows and then hits the ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Jeff ducks and gets York in a waistlock. York gets to the ropes and bumps Hardy off. York then ducks a clothesline but walks into a back elbow as he hits the ropes. Hardy and York lockup with York getting Hardy in a Top Wristlock. Hardy rolls through it but York holds onto the Wristlock and the transitions into a Side Headlock. Hardy shoves York into the ropes but eats a shoulder block. York bounces off the ropes but Hardy catches him with a kick to the gut. Hardy then attempts to whip York into the corner but York counters and kicks Hardy’s arm away and then hits a Spinning Back Kick! York hits a big Front Kick and then a dropkick that stuns the champ! Hardy seems shocked as York gets fired up.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Back from the break Hardy tosses York into the corner and then attempts to whip him into the opposite corner, but York reverses it and charges at Jeff. Jeff nails York with a back elbow and then springs to the top and goes for the Whisper In The Wind, but York moves and immediately covers Hardy! York gets a nearfall and then tosses Hardy into the corner and hits a Running Clothesline followed by a Shortarm Clothesline! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Hardy shoves York back into the ropes and goes for a Running Clothesline, but York catches his arm and then trips Hardy up. York follows up with a Flying Knee, 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out again! York grabs Hardy in a Chinlock but Hardy breaks it with body shots and elbows. Hardy goes for a kick but York catches his leg only to eat a Leaping Mule Kick from Hardy! Hardy follows up with an attempt at the Hardyac Arrest in the corner but York rolled out of the way! York climbs up top and dives off with an attempting at the Diving Double Foot Stomp, but Hardy moves out of the way. York then grabs Hardy and hits the Half Nelson Suplex! Hardy falls into the corner and York nails him with the Dreamscape (Somersault Senton in the corner)! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out yet again but York goes right back to working on Hardy with a crazy submission hold that looks like a modified Kofi Clutch. Hardy is able to fight and get his feet to the ropes to break the hold. York charges at Hardy in the corner but Hardy moves out of the way and attempts the Twist of Fate! York counters into a rollup and then kicks Hardy and hits a Twist of Fate of his own! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! York waits for Hardy to get to his feet and attempts some type of Swinging Neckbreaker or something, but Hardy blocks it and shoves Hardy into the ropes. Hardy kicks York and hits a Sitout Front Suplex and then climbs up top. York gets back to his feet and crotches Hardy on the top turnbuckle! York climbs up with Hardy and attempts a Superplex but Hardy fights it off and hits a Sunset Flip Bomb! Hardy hits a clothesline and then a back elbow followed by a Flying Forearm! Hardy hits the Twist of Fate and then climbs up top! Hardy dives off with the Swanton Bomb! 1…2…3!
Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Swanton Bomb)
After the match York & Hardy shake hands and hug and then York raises Hardy’s arm. York applauds Hardy as he holds up his title in the corner. Bobby Roode shows up out of nowhere and hits the Double-R Spinebuster on York and then Spears Hardy! Roode grabs the World Title and screams that the World Title is coming back where it belongs at Final Resolution. Roode raises the belt and says he’s the real World Champion and at FR the belt is coming home before dropping it on Hardy’s prone body.
A video package highlighting Taeler Hendrix is shown. Clips of her in OVW are also shown.
In the back Brooke Hogan approaches Hendrix and asks if she’s excited. Brooke says she’s the only Gut Check winner here so that says a lot and tells her to use her nerves as adrenaline and kick butt tonight.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Taeler Hendrix makes her way to the ring and says she’s been working hard since Gut Check and she wants to see just how much she measures up to the “gold standard” so she’s calling out her Gut Check opponent, the Knockouts Champ Tara!
Non-Title Match
Taeler Hendrix vs. Tara w/Jesse
Damn, Hendrix looks good as hell tonight. She offers Tara a handshake before the match but Tara slaps it away. They lockup and Tara shoves Hendrix across the ring and then taunts her. She then takes Hendrix down to the mat and slaps her on the back of the head repeatedly. Tara shoves Hendrix and then goes to work on her back with clubbing blows and then a Scoop Slam. Tara gives Jesse a kiss and then tosses her across the ring by the hair! Tara puts the boots to Hendrix and then chokes her in the ropes while telling her to smile for the camera. Tara grabs Hendrix by the hair and lifts her up into the air hanging her in midair by the hair! Hendrix fights back with body shots but Tara takes her down again and then kicks her in the ribs. Tara again gets a congratlatroy kiss from Jesse but it costs her this time as Hendrix dropkicks her into Jesse and then rolls her up with a Schoolgirl! 1…2…NO Tara kicks out! Hendrix follows up with a Hip Toss and then she ducks several right hands attempts and hits a Back Suplex! Hendrix headbutts Tara in the face and then connects with a series of jabs and a big Forearm Smash! Hendrix hits a Cross Body Block, 1…2…NO Tara kicks out! Jesse gets up on the apron and screams at Taeler and then Tara charges at her, but Hendrix moves and Tara catches herself before she hits Jesse. Tara turns around right into a big Roundhouse Kick! 1…2…NO Tara kicks out! Tara comes back with a Facebreaker out of nowhere and then a big right hand followed by the Widow’s Peak! 1…2…3!
Winner: Tara via pinfall (Widow’s Peak)
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Triple Threat Turkey Suit Match
“Showtime” Eric Young w/ODB vs. Robbie E w/Robbie T vs. Jesse w/Tara
The loser of this match must put on the turkey suit. I wonder if Hector Guerrero gets Gobbledy Gooker flashbacks when watching this match? EY does his usual shtick of tying up with the referee at the bell but then nails Robbie & Jesse with a Double Clothesline. EY puts the boots to Robbie but Jesse attacks him from behind. Jesse whips EY into the corner and connects with a dropkick and then he and Robbie fish bump before Robbie nails EY with a Running Back Elbow. Robbie & Jesse whip EY into the ropes and then hit EY with a Double Flapjack and taunt the crowd together. Robbie then quickly covers EY but Jesse pulls him off and covers EY himself so Robbie pulls him off as well. They start shoving each other and then Robbie nails him with an elbow and puts the boots to him. Robbie tosses him into the corner but Jesse comes back and tosses Robbie into the same corner and puts the boots to him. EY dives off the top with a Missile Dropkick on Jesse and then whips Robbie into the ropes and connects with a Fling Forearm. Robbie reverses an Irish Whip attempt from EY into the corner but EY flips over the top and lands on the apron. EY then hits a charging Robbie with a shoulder block through the ropes and slides underneath his legs and then hits a Belly-to-Belly Suplex! 1…2…NO Jesse breaks it up! Tara climbs into the ring to interfere but gets tackled by ODB! They start rolling around in the ring and on top of the referee before rolling OUT of the ring. EY tosses Jesse out to the floor but then Rob Terry grabs him from the apron and holds him as Robbie E comes charging! EY gets out of the way and Robbie slams into bigger Robbie! EY tosses Robbie out to the floor and Jesse hits EY from behind. Jesse goes for his finish but EY blocks it and rolls Jesse up! 1…2…3!
Winner: Young via pinfall (rollup)
After the match Jesse is forced to put on the turkey suit as EY and ODB laugh.
Aces & Eights then hit the ring and surround EY & ODB! EY tries to fight out but Devon hits him from behind with a bat! One of the big guys nails EY with a Big Boot! ODB is dragged out to the floor and handcuffed to the ring corner forcing her to watch it. Members of A’s & 8’s hold him down and pull one of his boots off as DOC hits him in the bare foot with the hammer! The VP pulls off EY’s other boot and DOC hits the other one! Devon screams at EY asking him how it feels but then several TNA agents hit the ring to check on EY as A’s & 8’s leave.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
A replay of EY getting attacked is shown and then EY is shown being stretchered to the back.
Daniels & Kazarian come down to the ring and Daniels posses for the fans and then talks about the challenge to AJ for one last match at Final Resolution. Daniels says “ass bags” like the fans ask him why he would do such a thing and the answer is obvious: AJ is going through some tough things, but what kind of friend if Daniels wasn’t there for him in his time of need. Kaz says in the spirit of giving thanks he would like to thank AJ for proving them right and he would like to welcome AJ down to the ring and get a “Bad Influence styled ass beating” from Kazarian. I’m assuming that Kaz & Daniels are going to eventually go with the Bad Influence name for their team (and I like it) as they have referenced that saying several times now.
Main Event
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. Kazarian
Daniels actually leaves ringside to give AJ and Kaz the stage to themselves. Kaz avoids a lockup from AJ and puts him in a side headlock. AJ shoves Kaz into the ropes and then leapfrogs him, but before he can go for the dropkick that typically follows that sequence Kaz turns around and trips him and then rolls through into a Jackknife! 1…2…NO AJ bridges up and into a Backslide! 1…2…NO Kaz kicsk out and then rolls AJ up with a La Magistral Cradle! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out and the two stare each other down. AJ locks up with Kaz and forces him into the corner but breaks clean only to get a kick from Kaz. Kaz hits the ropes but AJ catches him with the Phenomenal Dropkick! Kaz rolls out to the floor and then AJ sets up for a dive to the floor but Kaz quickly rolls back into the ring. AJ lands on the apron and then slingshots himself into a Spinning Headscissors! AJ lights Kaz up with some chops and right hands followed by a Snapmare Takeover and kick to the back. AJ hits Kaz with a backbreaker and Kaz begs off but AJ is having none of it as he puts the boots to Kaz. Kaz pokes AJ in the eyes and then lays into him with right hands. Kaz whips AJ into the corner and charges but AJ nails him with a back elbow and then sets up for the Phenomenon in the corner but Kaz crotches him in the corner and slams him into the turnbuckles. Kaz hits a big Lariat and puts the boots to his former Fortune buddy. Kaz puts AJ hanging over the bottom rope and the stands on his back before hitting a Gutwrench Suplex for a nearfall. Kaz hangs AJ up on the top rope and then kicks him sending him to the floor! Kaz does the Gangnam Style dance. AJ rolls back into the ring but Kaz slaps him repeatedly while taunting him and then goes for a Vertical Suplex, but AJ blocks it hits a Lariat followed by a Back Elbow and then a Spinning Heel Kick! AJ goes for a Flying Forearm in the corner but Kaz pulls the referee into the corner! AJ stops himself before he hits the referee but then walks into a shoulder block from Kaz through the ropes from the apron! Kaz follows up with the Slingshot DDT! Kaz argues with the referee and then charges at AJ in the corner but AJ is able to use the ropes to lift himself up over Kaz and into a rollup attempt, but Kaz sits down on him and holds the rope for leverage! 1…2…NO Hebner catches him! Kaz argues with Hebner again and even shoves him which causes Hebner to shove him back into a rollup from AJ! 1…2…NO Kaz is able to kick out! Kaz gets back to his feet and goes for a clothesline, but AJ ducks and hits the Pele! 1…2…3!
Winner: AJ via pinfall (Pele)
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Austin Aries makes his way down to the ring and says that he’s been telling everyone all night that he has some big things he wants to do right now. He says that for the last 4 or 5 months he’s been stating the fact that he isn’t getting a fair shake in TNA and the playing field has not been even for him. He says that he knows the deck has been stacked against him and as he’s stood back and looked at everything he realizes that there is one name that has caused everything and one name that is holding him down. He says that name is “Hogan.” Aries says that seeing how it is Open Fight Night he wants “Hogan” to get his “fake tan, beach blond, big, ugly ass” out to the ring. Aries says that he should be more specific, BROOKE Hogan get HER ass out to the ring.
Brooke comes out looking confused but Aries says he isn’t challenging her to wrestle because she isn’t a wrestler, but she IS a Hogan. He says that she is “Princess Hogan” and he’s sick and tired of the name “Hogan” in general. He says for the last 25 years everywhere he’s looked it’s been “Hogan” and every arena he goes into the dumb people chant that name. He says he bets that she is just as sick of it as he is because he’s sure it’s real hard to keep her private life private. Aries says he bets she dreamed when she was little of finding her “dream guy” so she could get rid of that name and become “Mrs. Brooke Trump or Mrs. Brooke McMahon.” He says she probably never thought one day of becoming “Mrs. Bully Ray” or that she would have a bunch of little Bullymaniacs running around. Aries says knowing Hulk he would never let her give that Hogan name away so Bully would probably have to change his name to “Bully Ray Hogan.” Ray shows some footage from a few weeks ago on the big screen.
It’s the scene where Aries walked in on a conversation between Ray & Hogan and he says that could have been innocent enough but then the footage from last week when Tara and Jesse walked in on Brooke & Ray in her office on the couch together is shown. Aries says “oops” and then says if she’s that starved for attention or love he didn’t have to settle for the Turkey because he would have given her all the stuffing she could handle! That did the trick as Hulk Hogan’s music hits and he doesn’t look very happy, but before he can get to the ring Bully Ray runs past him and hits the ring! Aries bails out and Aries mockingly says “I’m sorry” as Hogan tells him that he’s a dead man. Bully looks down at Brooke and Hogan sees this and doesn’t look too happy about that either and Aries just shrugs his shoulders and mockingly smiles. Brooke tells Hulk that it’s not what he thinks and then walks away as Hulk looks up at Bully.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You really couldn’t get much of a gage on how much the Gut Check guys have improved since they were sent to OVW tonight. The first match with Brisco & Bischoff was decent enough but about what you would see on the opener of any INDY show you went to with a few nice chain wrestling spots and that’s about it. Brisco looked good enough but you really can’t tell what he can do because of how limited Bischoff is. Shaw & Silva were even more INDY-rific as it was the cookie cutter babyface gets beat down for several minutes and then comes back and gets the win. There is absolutely nothing special about Shaw at all from what I’ve seen but at least Silva showed a little personality this time around but again they weren’t given a ton of time to show anything either. Taeler Hendrix looked pretty good but she still needs work (especially talking) but she definitely has upside. York is head and shoulders above the rest and with 16 years experience that better be the case. He had an EXCELLENT match with Hardy and the fact that Jeff Hardy is his buddy and willing to bump his ass off to make his buddy look good obviously helped him. York definitely came out of that match a winner despite taking the loss. I’m very excited to see what he can do going forward.
Ryan and Chavo had an okay match but the story there was starting the feud between Ryan & Morgan against Chavo & Hernandez. The tag team of Ryan & Morgan just seems so forced that it’s going to be a hard sell for me but thankfully Ryan is away from the X-Division.
The Turkey Bowl is something TNA just won’t let die unfortunately but at least this year it was short and fairly painless with EY having a few goofy spots and Robbie & Jesse looking shockingly decent working together. I would definitely much rather see them teaming together than Robbie E and Bigger Robbie. The beat down on EY after the match is likely the way to write him off TV for at least awhile. Supposedly his contract ran out recently and he didn’t re-sign and with his reality show getting picked up for another season I doubt he’s in a hurry to return to the ring full time anyway.
AJ and Kaz had a fun match but with only about 6 or 7 minutes they really ran through all their spots instead of having the great match we’ve seen them have dozens of times in the past. The announcers did do a really great job of getting over how that could have been a big confidence booster for AJ and beating Daniels in the “Final Battle” could be even bigger for him.
The promo at the end with Aries was really good and a feud between Ray & Aries could be golden. They briefly feuded earlier this year but given more time and the way those two guys can both talk and work it could be really good. I’m still not sure where they’re going with Brooke & Ray though.
Overall decent Thanksgiving edition of Impact to go along with your leftover turkey.
QUICK RESULTS
1) Wes Brisco def. Garett Bischoff
2) Chavo Guerrero Jr. def. Joey Ryan via DQ
3) Sam Shaw def. Alex Silva
4) Jeff Hardy def. Christian York
5) Tara def. Taeler Hendrix
6) Triple Threat Turkey Suit Match: Eric Young def. Robbie E & Jesse via pinning Jesse
7) AJ Styles def. Kazarian
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Aries/Hogan/Ray
– Match of the Night: Hardy/York (***1/2)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
-n/a
Final Resolution Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Bobby Roode
– Final Battle: AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
– TNA Knockouts Title: Tara (c) vs. Mickie James
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