TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida
December 22, 2011
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
This week’s Impact Wrestling opens up with highlights from last week, AJ says that he had Roode’s number. Bully Ray says he has Roode’s back and if he has Roode’s back that means the title isn’t going anywhere.
In the arena Bobby Roode’s music hits and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way down to the ring alongside Bully Ray (who is wearing a Santa hat). Roode says that he loves this time of year, he loves the holidays and then wishes everyone a Merry “freakin” Christmas. Roode says that he hopes everyone loved their early Christmas gifts from he and Ray last week when they put Hardy through a table and beat Sting down. Roode says that giving is better than receiving and the only thing they forgot to do was wrap a pretty little bow around Sting and Hardy.
Ray says he and Roode aren’t a Scrooge and he says that he gives all year long. Ray says he gives his extra chicken bones to the homeless people and his extra dollar bills to strippers and his extra whiskey to his little kitty cat. Ray says he and Roode are very giving but he likes giving beatings more than anything else. He says that last week it was “Season’s Beatings” to Hardy & Sting.
Roode says they gave a hell of a beating to them but in all seriousness the one thing that Sting has proven to him is that for every action there is a consequence. Roode says that his actions last week were very naughty so he’s sure that he’s not only on Santa’s naughty list but on Sting’s too. Roode says Sting needs to come out here right now and grace everyone with his presence and tell him that he is suspended (so he won’t have to defend his belt against Hardy). A “Hardy” chant starts as Hardy’s music hits!
Hardy’s facepaint is actually pretty cool looking for once this week. Hardy stops at ringside before getting in the ring and tells Roode & Ray to calm down. He says this isn’t about Roode and Sting, it’s about him and Roode. He says Roode isn’t going to be suspended because in 3 weeks he’s taking his World Title at Genesis. Hardy says he’s ending the selfish generation and he will be his Armageddon. Hardy says that Roode & Ray are in a match tonight against Hardy and a partner of his choice. Roode and Ray start laughing and Ray tells the fans to shut their mouths and stop cheering.
Ray says Jeff has no friends and no one likes him. He says that Jeff isn’t like Ray, he isn’t loved all over the world. Sting’s music interrupts Ray and he makes his way down to ringside with Hardy, and Sting isn’t dressed to be an authority figure tonight! He’s dressed in his face paint and looks to be ready to fight! Sting says he doesn’t want to get mushy but he is going to say two things. 1st, Jeff Hardy is loved all over the world, and 2nd he is loved by the Stinger! Sting says that he would be honored to be Jeff’s partner tonight and Roode freaks the hell out! Roode screams that he can’t do that but Sting says he just did it!
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Taz and Tenay announce that the Sting/Hardy vs. Roode/Ray match will also be a Street Fight!
Wild Card Tag Team Tournament Quarterfinals
Fortune (AJ Styles & Kazarian) vs. Rob Van Dam & Christopher Daniels
Taz and Tenay talk about the beef between RVD & Daniels over the past few months and how there is no way they can click while two Fortune members are their opponents. Kazarian is doing a new version of the Fortune hand symbol, with two fingers rather than the 4 they used to do. Kaz and RVD will kick this one off. They lockup and RVD gets Kaz in a Hammerlock but Kaz counters into one of his own. RVD reverses into a Waistlock and then Kaz reverses it himself. RVD gets to the ropes and bumps Kaz off and then goes for a Spinning Heel Kick, but Kaz ducks and then hits a drop toe hold to take RVD down. Kaz goes right into a side headlock on the mat. RVD fights to his feet and shoves Kaz into the ropes and then drops down. Kaz jumps over him but then stops rather than hitting the ropes again and as RVD springs to his feet Kaz catches him with an arm drag. RVD answers with one of his own and the two stare each other down. Kaz tags in the Phenomenal One and then they lockup. RVD gets AJ in a side headlock and then AJ attempts to shove RVD into the ropes, but RVD holds onto the hold by dropping down to his knees. AJ shoves him again and this time it works. AJ then leapfrogs RVD and connects with the Phenomenal Dropkick! AJ attempts to whip RVD into the corner but RVD reverses it. AJ floats up and over the charging RVD but then RVD catches AJ with a back elbow followed by a Springboard Flying Back Kick! RVD then picks AJ up and goes to tag in Daniels but Daniels decides he doesn’t want in. AJ uses this chance to reverse the tides on RVD with a headlock. AJ tags in Kaz and they whip RVD into the ropes and AJ drops down and as RVD leaps over him Kaz catches RVD with a spinning heel kick of his own! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Kaz attempts to whip RVD into the corner but RVD reverses it and then hits a HUGE Rolling Monkey Flip! RVD then charges Kaz in the corner with a Running Shoulder Block, but Kaz leaps over RVD into a Sunset Flip! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Kaz then hits a Side Headlock Takeover. Kaz tags in AJ and AJ beats on RVD in the corner. AJ then hits a Vertical Suplex and gets a nearfall of his own. AJ picks RVD up and hits him with a series of Forearm’s and then tosses RVD into the corner, but RVD blocks it by putting his boot in the corner. RVD then hits a Front Kick on AJ and sets up for the Rolling Thunder but Daniels blind tags himself in as RVD hits the ropes. Daniels goes for a Splash on AJ but AJ avoids him and tags in Kaz! Kaz comes charging in and Daniels goes for a clothesline but Kaz ducks and then hits a dropkick! Kaz follows up with a clothesline and then a backdrop! Kaz whips Daniels into the corner and then hits a Running Russian Leg Sweep! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! Daniels tries to get to his corner for a tag but Kaz grabs his foot. Daniels kicks Kaz off with his free foot and goes for a tag but RVD kicks him in the head instead! Daniels stumbles into the Fade 2 Black from Kaz! 1…2…3!
Winners: Fortune via pinfall (Fade 2 Black)
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Back from the break a vignette runs highlighting Tony Nese. He puts over the X-Division as being the most exciting division in wrestling, and he says he is perfect for the X-Division because he is as strong as he is agile. Zema Ion says he has the prettiest gear, the prettiest moves, and he’s the prettiest wrestler. He says he’s sick of waiting for his opportunities and from now on it’s all about “me, myself, and Ion.”
Best of 3 Series Match #2
Zema Ion vs. Anthony Nese
If Zema wins this one, he gets into the X-Division Title match at Genesis. Highlights of last week’s match is shown as Zema comes to the ring. Correction from last week, the winner of this series will be in a Fatal 4-Way with Aries, Kash, and Sorensen at Genesis rather than a one-on-one match with Aries for the belt. As Nese makes his entrance Ion hits a Dropkick through the ropes onto Nese on the floor! Zema then hits an Asai Moonsault off the middle turnbuckle onto Nese on the floor! Zema tosses Nese into the ring and then stalks Nese but Nese quickly springs to his feet and hits a Hurricanrana for a nearfall! Zema gets back up and kicks Nese and then whips him into the corner and nails him with a Running Back Elbow. Zema taunts Nese but then eats a Running Enziguri from Nese! Nese springs to the top and hits a gorgeous Flying Cross Body! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Nese goes for a Brainbuster but Zema knees him in the head and then goes to spring off the ropes, but Nese quickly sweeps his legs and then slides under the ropes to the apron. Nese double springs onto the middle rope and goes for a Lionsault but Zema rolls out of the way and Nese lands on his feet. Zema rolls to the apron and then hits a Shoulder Block through the ropes on Nese and then goes for a Slingshot Sunset Flip. Nese holds onto the ropes and then kicks Zema in the side of the head HARD! Nese follows up with the Lionsault! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Nese hits a series of clotheslines and then goes to whip Zema into the ropes but Zema kicks him in the gut and then taunts him. Zema hits the ropes and Nese lifts him up into the air with a Gorilla Press! Nese then DEADLIFTS Zema off his knees into a Bridging German Suplex! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Nese climbs up top goes for a Springboard Flying Cross Body but Zema sidesteps him and then puts the boots to Nese. Zema climbs up top now but he took too much time playing to the crowd allowing Nese to get to his feet and hit a Rolling Uppercut! Nese then springs to the top FLATFOOTED (just like last week) and hits a Superrana! 1…2…NO Zema kicks out! Nese grabs Zema and sets up for a Fade 2 Black type of move but Zema counters into a freaking Flipping Sitout Powerbomb! It’s the return of the Code Red! Zema hits the Hostile Makeover! 1…2…NO Zema lifts Nese up just like last week! Zema taunts Nese and then calls for “one more move” and goes to pick Nese up but Nese suddenly rolls backwards and hooks Zema with his legs and rolls him up! 1…2…3!
Winner: Nese via pinfall (rollup)
Zema Ion can’t believe Nese got the pin and freaks out in the ring as Nese celebrates at ringside. This ties the series up at one apiece.
In the back Madison Rayne says she has a huge announcement to make and after tonight Impact Wrestling will never be the same. She says that on Karen’s way out she named Madison the new “Queen Bee” of the Knockouts division. Madison is wearing a referee’s shirt (or dress really) and says that it will be her first official piece of business.
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In the back The Pope says that he thinks it’s very important people understand that he is cool with Devon. He says that he was there to pat Devon on the back when he was having troubles with the family, and that he was being a father for Devon not just his boys. Pope says he is a father for the fatherless and a husband for the husbandless. Pope says those boys have come to the realization that Pope is pimpin’ and what Devon needs to realize is that if Pope dresses better than you, don’t hate just dress better! He says “don’t hate Pope because he’s tight.” Pope says it will be Devon-Pope at Genesis and then Devon walks up and starts screaming at him and wants to know what he’s going to do now. Devon asks Pope what he’s going to do now and then grabs him and slams him against a wall. Devon’s son wacks him with a damn chair as Pope says “that bitch tore my vest!” Pope gets in Devon’s face and says that is just a little bit of what he and “his boys” take him down. He says they won’t see his “black behind” again after they get done with him.
Earlier this week EY and ODB are eating together and EY says that Sting gave him some pointers. He says that their first opponents are “Antarctica” and “a guy with a bunch of tattoos named Shannon.” EY tries to lockup with the waiter because he was “staring at” ODB. ODB tries to convince him that this isn’t a date.
Madison walks backstage to make an announcement in the ring.
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Madison Rayne makes her way down to the ring and calls Tara & Ms. Tessmacher down to the ring. She says “please…and by please I mean NOW!” TNT don’t make her wait long either. Madison again says that before Karen left she appointed Madison the new VP of the Knockouts. Madison says with that title comes lots of responsibility, the responsibility to destroy everyone beneath her. She says that she’s starting with TNT and all of their “closeness” makes her want to throw up. She says that tonight TNT will blow up because they are going to have to face each other! Madison says just to make sure that is a match she has appointed herself the Special Referee! She says the match starts after the next commercial break.
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Tara vs. Brooke Tessmacher
Back from the break Tara & Tessmacher don’t look happy about this match but finally lockup and Tara gets Brooke in a wristlock. They are ‘faking’ and making it obvious which is pissing Madison off. She says that she will fire both of them unless they really wrestle. They lockup forreal this time and Tara whips Brooke into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Tessmacher hits a Sunset Flip. 1…2…NO Tara kicks out and then rolls Brooke up! 1…2…NO Brooke counters into a Jackknife Pin for another nearfall. They continue to counter each other and then they start just rolling around the ring and again Madison gets pissed. She threatens them again and they lockup again. They brawl into the corner and as their heads are down Madison slaps Tara on the back of the head and then threatens that she’ll DQ Brooke if she does it again making Tara think she really did it. They finally start going at it and this time as they’re locked up again she slaps Brooke on the back of the head and blames Tara. They lockup again and Tara gets Brooke in a wristlock and starts twisting n her arm. Brooke counters with a cartwheel but Tara then does the same and really twists on Brooke’s arm. Brooke shoves her away and then they lockup again and Brooke hits a Snapmare Takeover followed by a kick to the back. They lockup yet again and Tara hits a Side Headlock Takeover and holds onto the headlock on the mat. Tara gets her to her feet and hits another side headlock takeover. Tara then picks her up and slams her to the mat. Brooke Spears Tara and the two start brawling! Tara whips Brooke into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Brooke ducks and hits one of her own! Tara gets back to her feet and hits one of her own! Tara goes for the Widows Peak but Brooke blocks it and then hits a clothesline followed by a back elbow and then a dropkick. Tessmacher climbs up top and dives off with a Flying Cross Body! Madison slow counts Brooke and she only gets a nearfall. Brooke hits the ropes and she and Tara slam each other to the mat by their hair. They get back to their feet and start arguing with each other as Madison screams at them to hit each other so they hit her! Tara & Brooke hug and then do the damn Tebow pose. Are you freaking serious? I think I’m going to be sick.
Winner: NO CONTEST
In the back Sting and Jeff Hardy talk about the match tonight. Sting says that tonight will be history and says that he’s wanted to tag with him for years. He says that Jeff says that he got into wrestling because of him and that blows his mind. Sting says that he gives his full endorsement to Jeff. Jeff says that it means the world to him that Sting believes in him.
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EY is in the kitchen at the restaurant he and ODB are at looking for a present for ODB. He finds a pack of mustard when a chef walks up to him. EY tries to lockup with him and the guy says he’s calling security.
James Storm’s music hits and the Cowboy makes his way down to the ring. Storm says that he’s heard that Angle is running around asking where he’s at and that he asked Sting for a rematch but he’s not a hard man to find. James says that he’s either here in the ring or in the local bar. Storm says he let him know that in case he needs to put that in his GPS so he can hear that “little voice say turn right and in 600 feet your butt whipping will be on your left.” Storm says he stood face to face with Angle and told him that he is not scared or intimidated by him like a man. Storm says that it’s no secret that Angle beat him down in their match and if he looked at his fist right now there might be little pieces of his face still on there, but after 3 quarters of getting beat on by Angle then Storm “Tim Tebowed” him! REALLY?! Another freaking Tebow reference?! He says that it may have not been pretty but he got the job done.
Kurt Angle shows up on the video screen (in a cowboy hat) with some chick at a bar and asks if she knows James Storm. A waitress brings Moonshine to him and Angle says the girl reminds him of the horse he rode in on. He then spits the moonshine on her and says it tastes like piss water. Angle says “howdy” to Storm and says that he told him he was coming to James hometown, and all he has to say is “sorry ’bout their damn luck” and then leaves to go beat down some rednecks.
In the back Moore talks about the match tonight and says that tonight he goes into fight and that he and Anarquia have a past and don’t get along and he doesn’t respect Anarquia. He says tonight he’s going to fight and win no matter what Anarquia does.
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In the back Bully Ray & Roode and hype up the match tonight, Ray reminds Sting & Hardy that he’s the “baddest mofo walking today.” Roode says he has Sting right where he wants him and tonight he’ll get his and Hardy will get a taste of what he gets at Genesis. Ray says someone is going through a table.
Wild Card Tag Team Tournament Quarterfinals
Shannon Moore & Anarquia w/Sarita & Rosita vs. Eric Young & ODB
EY and “Antarctica” will kick things off. They lockup and EY gets Anarquia in a side headlock. Anarquia shoves him into the ropes but then eats a shoulder block. EY hits the ropes and then stands on Anarquia and then picks him up and hits a Hip Toss. Moore tags himself in and then goes for the lockup but EY bails out of the ring and locks up with Sarita and then Rosita. EY takes his pants off revealing the speedos and then tries to give his pants to Rosita. EY climbs back into the ring and goes after Anarquia and hits a Flying Forearm for a nearfall. Anarquia comes back with a Chop Block as Rosita & Sarita distract EY. He whips EY into the ropes and connects with a back elbow for a nearfall. Anarquia hits a Scoop Slam and then Moore blind tags himself back in and covers EY for a nearfall. Moore attempts to whip Young into the corner but EY reverses it and then Moore hits a back elbow as EY charges in. Moore springs to the top and connects with a Diving Moonsault onto EY! 1…2…NO EY kicks out! Anarquia blind tags himself back in and starts beating on EY and then he and Moore start arguing. EY kicks Anarquia and tags in ODB! Anarquia Scoop Slams ODB which for some reason pisses Moore off because “it’s a woman.” They start arguing and then Moore bails on Anarquia. As Anarquia watches this ODB starts lighting him up with chops! ODB knocks Rosita off the apron and then Sarita! ODB Scoop Slams Anarquia and EY dives off the top with a Flying Elbow Drop! ODB then kicks Anarquia in the nuts as EY distracts Earl Hebner with another lockup attempt! ODB covers Anarquia and gets the pin!
Winners: ODB & Eric Young via pinfall (low blow)
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Back from the break Crimson & Morgan talk about the Tag Team Tournament. Crimson says he doesn’t know why those teams would want to win the tournament and have to step in the ring with them. Morgan says they’ll take on any team anywhere, any place. He says they’re equal opportunity ass kickers.
More of Angle in Tennessee as he jumps some of Storm’s buddies. He breaks a pool stick over one guy and then HILARIOUSLY hits another guy with the two ends and says “karate chop!” Angle pulls out a cap gun and then hits some guy with it and then breaks a bottle over another guys head! He puts another redneck through a table and then lines up a few guys at the bar. He Superkicks each and every one of them, Last Call style. Angle picks up a nearby Christmas tree and throws it on them and says “Merry Christmas” to them. Angle says that he’s coming to Genesis and he’s bringing Hell with him.
Main Event
Street Fight
Bully Ray & Bobby Roode vs. Jeff Hardy & Sting
Jeff and Sting hit the ring and the fight is on! Hardy goes after Roode and Sting after Ray. Hardy hits a series of shoulder blocks on Roode in the corner and then Sting takes Ray out to the floor. Sting tosses Ray into the guardrail at ringside and then the ring steps. Roode comes back on Hardy in the ring and slams him into the corner. On the outside Sting blasts Ray with a garbage can! Roode whips Hardy into the corner but Hardy floats into a Spinning Head Scissors Takeover on Roode sending him to the floor as Sting slams Ray into the ring post. Hardy and Sting do a double dive as they hit Double Slingshot Planchas onto Ray & Roode on the floor! Sting going old school Sting with a dive there.
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Back from the break Sting hits Ray with a trashcan again and Hardy tosses Roode into the guardrail. Hardy whips Roode into the ring steps as Sting continues to hit Ray with the garbage can. Finally Ray gets some offense in as he hits Sting and Hardy with a kendo stick. Roode grabs a kendo stick and starts beating on Hardy with it as Ray beats on Sting in the ring with the stick. Roode grabs a cookie sheet and blasts Hardy with it and then he hits Hardy in the back with the stick and then chokes him with it. Ray grabs a trashcan lid and puts it on Sting’s nuts and hits hit with a kendo stick! Ray throws the trashcan lid at Sting and screams at him to stay down as he stands on Sting’s head. Ray climbs up top but Sting punches him in the gut repeatedly and climbs up with him and hits the Superplex off the top! Roode blasts Hardy with a road sign on the outside. Sting covers Ray, 1…2…NO Ray kicks out and Roode comes in and blasts Sting with the kendo stick repeatedly! Roode covers Sting and gets another nearfall as Ray slams his chain down on Hardy’s leg! Roode trashes Sting with shot after shot with the kendo stick and then gets another nearfall. Ray tosses Roode the chain and he wraps it around his wrist. Sting blocks the shot and lights Roode up with chops and backhands. Sting then goes for the Stinger Splash but Roode moves! Ray Suplexes Sting onto a garbage can followed by an Elbow Drop for a nearfall. Roode and Ray wait for Sting to get to his feet and go to sandwich him but Sting ducks and they run into each other! Scorpion Death Drop on Ray! Sting walks into the Double-R Spinebuster from Roode! Hardy comes in and hits a Leaping Back Kick on Roode but Ray catches him with a Big Boot! Ray pulls out a table from under the ring and he and Roode set it up in the ring. Roode and Ray try to Double Suplex Hardy through the table but Sting moves the table! Sting double clotheslines Roode & Ray and then hits the Stinger Splash on both of them! Sting then locks in the Scorpion Death Lock on Ray! Roode goes to hit Sting with the trashcan but Sting cuts him off and then hits the Scorpion Death Drop! Sting and Hardy set up another table in the ring and then Sting slams Roode’s face down on the table. Hardy climbs up top and hits a Big Splash on Roode putting him through the table! 1…2…3!
Winners: Sting & Hardy via pinfall (Splash through a table)
QUICK RESULTS:
1) Wild Card Tag Tourney Quarterfinals: AJ Styles & Kazarian def. RVD & Christopher Daniels
2) Best of 3 Series Match #2: Tony Nese def. Zema Ion
3) Brooke Tessmacher fought Tara to a NO CONTEST
4) Wild Card Tag Tourney Quarterfinals: ODB & EY def. Anarquia & Shannon Moore
5) Street Fight: Sting & Jeff Hardy def. Bobby Roode & Bully Ray
Wild Card Tag Team Tournament
– Quarterfinals: Abyss & Scott Steiner def. Hernandez & Robbie T. (12/15)
– Quarterfinals: Samoa Joe & Magnus def. Robbie E. & Douglas Williams (12/15)
– Quarterfinals: AJ Styles & Kazarian def. Christopher Daniels & RVD (12/22)
– Quarterfinals: Eric Young & ODB def. Shannon Moore & Anarquia (12/22)
– Semifinals: Abyss & Scott Steiner vs. AJ Styles & Kazarian (12/29)
– Semifinals: Eric Young & ODB vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus (12/29)
– Finals: TBA (01/05)
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Roode/Sting/Hardy/Roode
– Match of the Night: Zema Ion vs. Tony Neese (**1/2)
– Overall Grade: C +
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Best of 3 Series Match #3: Zema Ion vs. Tony Neese
– TNA Knockouts Title: Gail Kim (c) vs. Mickie James
– Wild Card Semifinals: EY & ODB vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus
– Wild Card Semifinals: AJ & Kaz vs. Abyss & Scott Steiner
– Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam
Final Resolution Lineup:
– TNA World Title: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
– Kurt Angle vs. James Storm
– The Pope vs. Devon
– TNA X-Division Title Fatal 4-Way: Austin Aries (c) vs. Kid Kash vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Ion/Neese winner
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Crimson & Matt Morgan (c) vs. Wild Card Winner