TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
March 29, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact Wrestling kicks off this week with highlights of last week primarily focusing on the TNA GM situation with Sting, Dixie Carter, & Hulk Hogan.
Earlier today Dixie stands in front of a Conference Room door and says that she gave Hulk a week to think about the GM decision and says they will have a meeting later to find out what decision he’s made.
In the arena Bobby Roode’s music hits and the World Champion makes his way down to the ring with a police escort surrounding him. Bobby says first off he wants to give all the fans who have tweeted, e-mailed, and wrote letters to TNA wanting him fired, a message: “you can all kiss my World Champion ass” while holding up the Title belt to the camera. He says the fact of the matter is that without Bobby Roode in Impact Wrestling then it is nothing. He says at Victory Road he accomplished exactly what he set out to accomplish, he physically beat Sting down and more importantly he mentally beat him down. Roode says that not only did he win the fight but when Sting came out and stepped down as GM of TNA it solidified him as the winner of the war. He says that he proved at Victory Road he was the better man, the better wrestler, and a better World Champion than Sting ever was. A “you suck” chant starts and then Roode says Dixie wants to eyeball him and stick her nose into his business, then she “got hers.” He tells her to keep her nose out of his business and then says nothing and no one can stop him.
He then talks about what his lawyer said last week. He says his only obligation that he has to feel is at Lockdown against Storm. He says TNA has become a very hostile working environment for him and that is why he has Orlando’s finest in the ring with him (the cops). He says they’re actually not there for his safety though, they’re for Storm’s safety. He says that Storm wants to run around shooting his mouth off and saying that he wants to fight at Lockdown, not wrestle. Roode says the last thing Storm wants to do is fight Roode. He says that Storm knows deep down inside that Roode is better in every way possible and he will prove it at Lockdown. He says that if Storm wants to run his mouth and say “sorry about your damn luck” but when you’re the “World freakin Champion you don’t need any damn luck.” Storm’s music cuts the champ off.
The Tennessee Cowboy makes his way down to the ring but the cops stand between him and Roode. Storm says Roode is supposed to be a man but asks what kind of a man lays his hands on a woman. He says that last week he took his “2 cent lawyer” to the Impact Zone and we saw exactly what happens when you send an idiot to do a man’s job. He calls Storm’s cops “mall cops” and then tells them that he’s not there to steal a t-shirt, he’s there to kick the crap out of Roode. Storm tries to get to Roode but the cops hold him back until Bully Ray slides into the ring and attacks Storm from behind.
Roode says something to Ray and then Storm comes back and attacks Ray! Ray bails out of the ring and then Storm goes for the Last Call on Roode but he bails out of the ring too. Storm screams at Roode that if he wants some to bring his “dumbass into this ring and get you some.” He says he’s all about kicking ass and drinking a lot of cold beer so he suggests they both climb in the ring with him tonight because he has a size 12 that will fit up both of their asses. Roode calls him crazy and then says if he wants both of them then he’s got it.
In the Knockouts locker room Gail tries to apologize to Madison but she tells her not to touch her. Gail says that she has Madison a present and hands her a box. It’s a new crown for her and she calls Madison her queen. Madison gets happy and Gail puts it on her head. Gail says she knows that she’ll beat the crap out of Velvet Sky tonight and they hug and make up.
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Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne w/Gail Kim
Christy Hemme is actually doing the introductions from the crowd which is different. Velvet LETS THE PIGEONS LOOSE for the first time in a while but as she climbs into the ring Madison attacks her. Madison chokes Velvet in the corner and then she nails her with a forearm smash. Madison whips Velvet into the ropes and connects with a dropkick. Madison chokes Velvet on the bottom rope and then starts waving to the crowd while kicking Velvet in the back. Madison whips Velvet into the ropes again and then goes for a backdrop but Velvet kicks her in the head and then follows up with a clothesline. Velvet hits a 2nd clothesline and then a series of facebreakers followed by a snapmare takeover and then a sliding dropkick! 1…2…NO Madison kicks out and then knees her in the gut and follows up with a knee to the back. Madison slams Velvet into the corner and then screams at her. Madison goes to the opposite corner and then charges in at Velvet with a Running Hip Attack followed by a Facebuster! Madison kicks Velvet and then goes for the Rayne Drop but Velvet kicks her off and then retreats to the corner. Madison charges at Velvet but Velvet gets her boots up and then connects with a series of Forearm Smashes and then a terrible Spear. Velvet hits a Running Bulldog and then the In Yo’ Face! 1…2…3!
Winner: Velvet via pinfall (In Yo Face)
After the match Christy interviews Velvet at ringside. She says that Gail has been so preoccupied with her “BFF” in the ring that she forgot one important detail, she never gave Velvet her rematch for the KO Title! She says that she’s coming for Gail and her title!
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In the back Bully Ray and Roode talk about their match tonight. Ray says he and Roode haven’t exactly been BFF’s lately but he’s tired of being embarrassed by Storm. He says that Roode better be a little worried about him in that cage at Lockdown. He says that last week he took out Kaz & Daniels but they ain’t Kaz & Daniels. He says they need to take care of their thorn in the side. Roode screams “you had me at hello, LETS DO IT!” and then offers his hand, but Bully calls him stupid and then walks away.
Earlier today Dixie and Hulk’s meeting is shown. Dixie says she finds it pretty ironic that she’s asking him to come back to TNA after everything that has happened. She says that she never trusted Eric and Hogan cuts her off and says he can’t put it all off on Eric because it takes two to tango and he participated in a lot of it. He says that he has to accept his part in it but Dixie says him owning up to it says a lot. She says that Sting believes in him so she believes in him and she needs the “true” Hulk Hogan. He says that when he saw what he became at BFG he knew he couldn’t continue down that path. He says he’s at peace with how he left things after BFG but Dixie says he didn’t leave her at peace and says he needs to be responsible for helping fix everything he created. She says he’s the only one that can do it but Hogan says she doesn’t realize how good Sting is. Dixie says she does but Sting doesn’t think he can do both. Hogan says she’s asking him to step back in a black cloud and he says that he has never seen anything like Bobby Roode. Dixie says Sting can’t do it and Hogan is her only shot right now and she asks him to please help her. Hogan says that for everything that Dixie has done for him he will think about it. She tells Hogan to do her a favor and meet her tonight on Impact and he says he will be there tonight. He says he’ll make sure to give a resolution to this one way or the other. Hogan walks away and Dixie looks concerned.
A video package hyping the tension between Crimson & Morgan is shown.
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In the back Kurt Angle says the reason he won’t give Jeff a rematch at Lockdown it’s because he hates cry babies and Jeff is the biggest cry baby he knows. He says that he’s a bigger cry baby then Kurt’s 5 year old son (who loves Jeff Hardy). He says that he beat Jeff straight up at Victory Road but he has an idea for Jeff. He says that if Jeff beats Anderson tonight then he’ll face him at Lockdown and he’ll give Jeff something else to cry about there.
Christy starts to introduce the next match but Austin Aries’ music cuts her off and A-Double makes his way down to the ring and takes her microphone. Aries says this isn’t his scheduled time to be out here but it seems like lately people come out there whenever they feel like it so right now is his time. He says he has a problem and he says he knows that everyone thinks that problem is that after yet another successful title defense there is no more competition for him, and this is true, but his problem has a name. That name is Bully Ray. Aries says he knows like everyone else that Ray is a prick and some people would say the same about Aries. He says that he also knows that Ray must have been so embarrassed that it only took James Storm 2 minutes to beat him at Victory Road and Superkick the taste out of his mouth. Aries says he decided to take his embarrassment out on anyone he saw fit and it happened to be in the middle of his X-Division Title Match. Aries says he’s “Austin Aries, the X-Division Champion, the greatest man that ever lived” and when he put that boot in his face that makes a problem. Aries says he’s not the biggest guy in the ring but he’s got a set of balls bigger than both of Ray’s calves. He says that he doesn’t let people like Ray step all over him and he speaks his mind and stands up for himself. He says that sounds a lot like James Storm and he doesn’t consider himself a country fan and he’ll take a glass of wine over a beer any day but he respects a man that stands up for himself. He says that he knows Roode wants a piece of Roode and Aries wants to get his hands on Bully Ray and he knows Storm is willing to get in the ring 2-on-1 against them, but he has a great idea: Aries teaming with Storm and fighting at his side! Aries drops the mic and leaves the ring.
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“The Blueprint” Matt Morgan vs. Crimson
Back from the break Crimson and Morgan are fighting on the ramp. Morgan tosses Crimson into the ring but as he slides in with him Crimson puts a knee into his side. Crimson puts the boots to Morgan and then whips him into the corner. Crimson charges at Morgan with a kick but Morgan catches his boot and then clotheslines Crimson! Morgan reigns down repeated right hands on Crimson as Tenay says it’s been made official that Aries will team with Storm tonight. Crimson pokes Morgan in the eyes and then slams him into the corner and hits him with repeated back elbows. Crimson attempts to whip Morgan into the opposite corner but Morgan reverses it and then hits a big Splash followed by a clothesline that sends Crimson over the top rope to the floor! Crimson comes back and grabs Morgan by the legs and yanks him out to the floor. Crimson slams Morgan into the apron and then into the guardrail before tossing him back into the ring. Crimson covers Morgan and gets a nearfall. Morgan fights back with right hands and then hits the ropes but eats a Spinebuster! 1…2…NO Morgan kicks out! Crimson locks Morgan in a Cravate and slams him with repeated Knee Strikes followed by a Swinging Neckbreaker! Crimson talks trash to Morgan and then goes for the Spear, but Morgan moves and Crimson goes shoulder first into the ring post! Morgan hits a series of clotheslines on Crimson and then whips him into the ropes and hits a Sidewalk Slam! Morgan charges at Crimson but he sidesteps Morgan and sends him out to the floor. Morgan grabs Crimson by the legs and drags him out to the floor and slams him into the apron and then chokes him on the guardrail. Crimson slams him into the guardrail and then starts brawling with him up the ramp. Crimson puts a knee into Morgan’s gut and then goes for a Piledriver on the ramp but Morgan backdrops him as the bell rings!
Winner: DRAW
Morgan and Crimson continue to brawl on the outside and Crimson slams Morgan into the side of the entrance stage. They fight all the way to the back.
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Joseph Park walks into TNA’s production truck and asks if any of them have seen Abyss. He leaves his card and says if they hear anything to give him a call.
Tenay talks about Storm & Aries teaming up being official now.
Mr. Anderson vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
If Jeff wins then he gets his rematch with Kurt Angle at Lockdown. These two had a long running feud early last year and 2010, and also were former tag partners as the Enigmatic Assholes. Hardy is getting creepier and creepier with the face paint. Hardy and Anderson lockup and Anderson forces Hardy into the corner before they break clean. They lockup again and then Anderson gets Hardy in a side headlock. Anderson transitions into a hammerlock but Hardy counters into a Hammerlock of his own and then into a side headlock. Anderson shoves Hardy into the ropes and Hardy nails him with a shoulder block as TNA announces that The Guns are back next week! Save us Sabin! Hardy hits the ropes and Anderson goes for a Hip Toss but Hardy blocks it and hits one of his own! Hardy charges at Anderson but Anderson hits a drop toe hold and then goes right back to the headlock attempting to ground Hardy. Hardy shoves Anderson into the ropes but Anderson hits him with a shoulder block and then he bounces off the ropes again. Hardy drops down in front of Anderson so Anderson hops over him but instead of hitting the ropes he turns around and kicks Hardy in the ribs. Anderson attempts to whip Hardy into the corner but Hardy reverses it and then hits a Running Forearm in the corner. Anderson falls down onto his butt in the corner and Hardy then goes for the Hardyac Arrest but Anderson rolls out of the way! Anderson covers Hardy and gets the first nearfall of the match. Anderson puts Hardy in a chinlock and then he whips Hardy into the ropes but Hardy bounces off with a forearm smash followed by a clothesline and then a back elbow! Hardy hits an Atomic Drop followed by a legdrop to the nuts of Anderson followed by a sliding dropkick! 1…2…NO Anderson kicks out! Hardy attempts to whip Anderson into the ropes but he reverses it and then catches Hardy in midair as Hardy went for a Cross Body Block. Anderson hits a Front Slam and gets another nearfall. Anderson follows up with a series of Elbow Drops and then goes for the Mic Check as Hardy gets to his feet, but Hardy blocks it and counters with back elbows. Hardy shoves Anderson into the ropes and then kicks him and goes for the Twist of Fate! Anderson shoves Hardy away and then both men run into each other as Hardy bounced off the ropes! They slam heads and Hardy falls all the way through the ropes to the floor! The referee checks Anderson as he hits the mat and Angle runs down to the ring and low blows Hardy! He slams Hardy into the ring post and then rolls him back into the ring and hides under the apron. Anderson grabs Hardy and hits the Mic Check! 1…2…3!
Winner: Anderson via pinfall (Mic Check)
The premier of the official music video for James Storm’s theme “Longnecks & Rednecks” is shown. Several Country Music stars like Montgomery Gentry and Cowboy Troy are shown in the video. The theme of the video is pretty much just Storm and the country music guys partying at a bar (mixed with clips of Storm wrestling) until some guy harasses a girl in the bar and Storm approaches them. It looks like they’re going to fight until one of the guys points to a TV which is showing Storm on Impact and they back down. Eventually Storm and the guy that he was going to fight share a few beers until the other guy passes out and then Storm leaves with the chick.
After the video Dixie Carter is shown arriving to the arena. Eric Bischoff is then shown watching backstage, he has a challenge for his son next.
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Back from the break ODB and Eric Young are planning for the wedding. EY calls himself the “wedding God.” The Wedding Planner is hot and is wearing a low cut which doesn’t seem to please ODB. EY wants to wear the dress, good lord. ODB eventually kicks her out and slaps her with the flowers. ODB says they’re going to get married 3 days before Lockdown on Impact inside a Steel Cage and then they kiss. Taz suggests EY’s bachelor party will be in a garbage dump.
Eric Bischoff makes his way down to the ring and then says he is an amazing man and sometimes he amazes himself. He says he has the unique ability to manifest change with nothing more than a contract that says he gets camera time whenever he wants it. He says that he makes things happen when he wants them to happen. He says the secret to his success is that everyday he makes a checklist for all of the things to accomplish. He says an example is that he wanted Sting gone as a GM, check. He says he wanted Dixie to find someone that couldn’t even live up to Sting’s capabilities, check. He says one thing that he can’t seem to get checked off his list is his “snot nosed punk ingrate of a son” and that’s why he’s calling him down to the ring.
Garett makes his way down and Bischoff says he is going to give Garett a chance to live the rest of his life a healthy individual and move on from this because if he doesn’t take this opportunity he promises him he will get hurt. He says he wants Garett to step inside the Cage with Gunner one-on-one at Lockdown. He says Gunner will tear him apart but he can avoid that by simply walking away right now. Garett snatches the microphone away from Eric and calls him an old man and a jackass. He says he’s apparently thick headed as well and since he can’t grasp this thought he’ll say it again, he isn’t going anywhere and if he thinks for one second that putting him in a Cage with Gunner is going to scare him away then Eric is dumber then everyone thinks he is. Garett says to tell Gunner that he’ll see him in the Cage and he better bring everything he’s got.
Another excellent video package hyping up Storm-Roode is shown with Storm training back in Tennessee in what looks like an old barn where he’s boxing with someone and also doing pushups off the edge of the 2nd story (braver than me). Storm always tosses cement blocks as he trains and then he talks about Storm and Roode’s history together as Beer Money and their beginnings in it. Storm talks about people claiming they were just thrown together and how they proved everyone wrong. Storm says for Bobby to tarnish what he built is what pushes him. A shot of Storm staring at a picture of Bobby Roode while he’s training is shown.
Hulk Hogan is shown arriving at the Impact Zone.
Main Event
“Calfzilla” Bully Ray & Bobby Roode vs. “A-Double” Austin Aries & “Cowboy” James Storm
Aries and Ray will kick this one off against each other. Ray says Aries has a big mouth for a really small man and then says it’s too bad if he wants to fight him and turns around and tags in Roode. Aries goes to tag in Storm but Roode attacks him from behind and slams him into the corner. Roode puts the boots to Aries and then nails him with repeated shoulder blocks in the corner. Roode whips Aries into the corner and charges in after him but Aries floats up and over Roode and then ducks a clothesline and cartwheels over Roode as he went for a backdrop. Aries mocks Roode and then drop toe holds him as Roode ran after him. Aries then charges at Roode and Roode backdrops him over the top rope! Aries lands on the apron and then hits a shoulder block on Roode through the ropes. Aries slingshots himself into the ring flipping over Roode. Roode turns around and clotheslines Aries. Roode puts the boots to Aries and then goes for a Back Suplex but Aries lands on his feet and then bounces off the ropes with a NASTY Roaring Elbow that J.R. would call a slobber knocker! Aries points at Ray and dares him to get in the ring with him as we go to a break.
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Back from the break Aries locks Ray in a hammerlock and then transitions into a headlock before going right back into the hammerlock and then back into the headlock. Aries then trips Ray and rolls all around Ray before slapping him on the back and then laying across the top rope to mock Ray. Ray looks confused and pissed and then charges after him but Aries rolls away and then nails Ray with repeated body shots ducking wild shots from Ray along the way. Aries then hits a series of Forearms before mounting Ray and reigning down nasty elbows! Aries then goes to the opposite corner and sets up for the IED but Ray catches him with a NASTY boot to the face in midair! Ray absolutely lights Aries up with a chop and then hits a Splash! Ray mocks the crowd who were attempting to get behind Aries and then he lifts Aries up into the air and manhandles him into the corner. Roode tags back in and hits a Vertical Suplex followed by a Knee Drop. Roode taunts Storm and then drags Aries to the heel corner and puts the boots to him. Roode taunts Storm again causing Storm to get into the ring and the referee stop him distracting the referee. Ray then goes to town on Aries and he starts beating on Aries while Roode actually stands over his back and Aries is draped over the bottom rope throat first. Roode kicks Aries in the gut and then holds his foot on his stomach and taunts Storm before tagging Ray back in. Ray hits Aries with an elbow and then taunts the crowd mocking their “let’s go Aries” chant. Ray tosses Aries into the heel corner where Roode screams at Aries that he’s the “real champ.” This wakes Aries up and he catches Roode with a back elbow and then he catches Ray with both his feet as Ray came charging at him! Aries climbs up top and dives off with a Missile Dropkick on Ray! Storm gets the crowd behind Aries and he tags in Storm! Storm with right hands on Ray and then he hits the ropes and connects with a Flying Forearm followed by a Spinebuster and then a clothesline! Storm goes after Roode but Roode bails to the floor. Storm hits Ray with another clothesline and then slingshots Roode into the ring! Roode begs Storm off and then Ray attacks Storm from behind! Ray hits Storm with right hands and elbows but then Storm explodes with the Closing Time out of nowhere! Roode grabs Storm’s beer and takes a swig. He rolls into the ring and goes to spit it into Storm’s face but Storm ducks and Roode spits it in Ray’s face! Storm goes for the Last Call but Roode shoves Ray into it! Roode bails out of the ring, Storm covers Ray: 1…2…3! Storm stares down at Roode after the match and makes the “cutthroat” symbol.
Winners: Storm & Aries via pinfall (Last Call)
Storm stares down at Roode after the match and makes the “cutthroat” symbol as Roode holds the belt up.
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Back from the break Dixie is already in the ring and she asks Hogan to come down. Dixie says she knows this a big decision for him but it’s also a big decision for her. She says that last week she told Sting that if he believed in Hogan than she does too but what she failed to say was that she believes in Hogan herself. Hogan thanks Dixie and also Sting and he’s the reason that he’s here. He also thanks the fans and says he tried to make peace with everyone after everything happened last year and he’s already closed the book on this part of his life, but before he can say anything else Sting’s music hits.
The former TNA GM makes his way down to the ring and he’s followed by a slew of TNA babyfaces including AJ Styles, Matt Morgan, Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Mr. Anderson, Garett Bischoff, and Devon. Sting says Hogan is not going to deny him, deny Dixie, or deny the fans. A big “Hogan” chant starts and Sting says the writing is on the wall. He asks Sting want his answer is and then Hogan asks if we’re talking about a totally clean slate right now. Hogan says he needs to know one thing before he makes the decision final, Impact Wrestling has a dark cloud right now, he has to know that no matter how deep the water gets and that is will Stinger watch his back. Sting says that’s an easy one and the answer is yes and he has to know if Hogan will be the GM and take the keys to TNA like the “eye of the tiger Hulk Hogan.” Hogan looks at Sting and says if Sting is saying that he has his back then they might as well tell everyone that Impact Wrestling has a brand new GM as of this moment! Dixie hugs Hogan and then he shakes all the babyfaces hands. Hogan says “what ya’ gonna do when the brand new General Manager runs wild on you?!”
FINAL THOUGHTS
A lot better show this week with some good action and good promos.
The opening promo with Storm and Roode was great and hopefully things continue to get more intense. I loved the video package hyping the match again this week and the focus was obviously to show Storm “training” in the country and doing things like a “country boy’ rather than working out in a gym or using expensive equipment (throwing cement blocks instead).
Austin Aries cut a great promo and turned babyface without pandering to the fans. Aries turning babyface was definitely something that was bound to happen with the responses he gets though I think there was a lot left for him as a heel. I also like that they didn’t just ignore Ray attacking the X-Division guys and it lead to the Main Event.
Velvet-Madison was okay and Velvet did better here than usual, I’m just not thrilled about the prospects of her and Gail in the cage. I think most everyone would rather Mickie and Gail tear it up inside the cage rather than Velvet.
Crimson and Morgan had a nice, intense back and forth match before it broke down. They obviously didn’t want to give the match away and I’m sure we’re headed to them inside the cage.
I still could care less about Garett Bischoff and that Cage Match will be awful. Great way to waste a spot in one of the bigger PPVs of the year.
The first Dixie-Hogan vignette was pointless.
Anderson-Hardy was a solid match and Anderson got put over while Hardy was protected. Angle throws another wrench at Hardy.
The Main Event was excellent with everyone given a chance to shine and Roode continuing to look like the ultimate dick. My question is where things go from here with Ray and Aries? Does that feud continue? What about the X-Division Title? Maybe they put Aries and Ray in opposite sides of Lethal Lockdown and just have a #1 Contenders Xscape Match for the X-Division.
The ending promo with Hogan was fine. I don’t really care to see him as the GM but I’m not going to crap all over just yet.
The Machine Guns are finally back next week! Save us Sabin! Joe & Magnus vs. The Guns for Lockdown?! Let’s hope.
QUICK RESULTS
1)Velvet Sky def. Madison Rayne
2)Crimson fights Matt Morgan to a DRAW via DOUBLE COUTNOUT
3)Mr. Anderson def. Jeff Hardy
4)James Storm & Austin Aries def. Bobby Roode & Bully Ray
– Promo/Segment of the Night: James Storm/Roode
– Match of the Night: Main Event (***)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
-The return of the Motor City Machine Guns
-Hulk Hogan takes control as TNA GM
Lockdown Lineup:
-TNA World Title Steel Cage Match: Bobby Roode (c) vs. James Storm
-Steel Cage Match: Gunner vs. Garett Bischoff