TNA Impact Wrestling
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
April 5, 2012
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact Wrestling opens up this week with highlights from last week focusing on Hogan’s decision to accept the TNA GM position. In the arena the entire TNA roster is surrounding the ring with Dixie Carter & Sting inside the ring. She says tonight is a very big night and she wanted the entire roster to be here for this. She introduces the new TNA GM Hulk Hogan and he makes his way down to the ring. Kurt Angle is shown looking none too happy.
Hogan says it’s nice to be the GM of TNA and be back in the saddle in the Impact Zone. He thanks Sting and says there’s no way he would be there without Sting watching his back. He also thanks Dixie for giving him a second chance. He says there is a lot of business they have to take care of right now because it feels like the wheels are coming off the train because of some of the things that have been going on. He says he’s been talking with creative and there will be a lot of new segments and new things being added in TNA. He says the business at hand right now is Lockdown so he’s going to take care of some Lockdown business right now.
Hogan says he’s locking Crimson & Matt Morgan inside a Steel Cage and this thing is going to officially end at Lockdown. He then says that he can’t figure out who the #1 Contender for Gail Kim’s title so tonight will be a Knockouts Challenge to see who the #1 contender will be at Lockdown! He says one other thing he needs to handle before he goes any further is Eric Bischoff. He says they need to talk about something right now but Ric Flair says Eric’s not here right now. Flair says Hogan doesn’t tell them what to do anyway. Hogan says Flair better get Bischoff here soon and Flair says Hogan’s going to end up back in the hospital. Before Hogan can say anything else Roode’s music hits and he walks out onto the ramp with his own personal security.
Hogan is pissed about Roode being late but Roode says he’s not late, he’s right on time because he does what he wants when he wants. Roode says he wants to put Hogan on notice because Hogan can ask Sting how things go when you push the champ. Roode says nothing and nobody will stop him from being the most dominant World Champion in the history of TNA. He says no one can stop him and that includes Hogan. Roode says he will walk into the Steel Cage at Lockdown and humiliate his former partner James Storm. Roode says until then the Champ is out of here but Hogan stops him from leaving. Hogan says things are changing around here in case he hasn’t heard. Hogan invites Mr. Anderson into the ring and says the fans want to see Bobby Roode go head to head with Mr. Anderson tonight and that’s happening! Roode freaks out and says that’s not happening, but Hogan says it will TONIGHT.
Roode leaves after getting pissed and then Hogan turns to Kurt Angle and says he heard Angle running his mouth about not wrestling Hardy at Lockdown. Hogan says it’s true, Angle won’t wrestle Hardy at Lockdown. The fans boo and he says the fans are saying they want Angle to face Jeff Hardy tonight and that’s happening right now! Angle freaks out.
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“Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
Back from the break the bell rings and the two men lockup. Angle forces Hardy into the corner but breaks clean. They lockup again and Hardy gets Angle in a side headlock but Angle shoves him into the ropes only to eat a shoulder block followed by a second one. Hardy follows up with an Armdrag and locks in an armbar. Angle fights to his base and counters with an armdrag of his own but Hardy holds onto the Armbar! Angle gets up again and tries to whip Hardy into the ropes but Hardy reverses it and then hits another armdrag and goes right back to the Armbar! Hardy outwrestling the Olympian early on but Angle gets back to his feet and forces Hardy into the corner. Angle then rakes Hardy’s eyes and throws several right hands at the Enigmatic one. Angle whips Hardy into the opposite corner and charges but Hardy floats up into a Headscissors Takeover on Angle! Angle slides out to the floor and Hardy hits a dropkick through the ropes sending Angle headfirst into the guardrail! Hardy gets fired up and then tosses Angle into the guardrail again as we see that Kurt is busted open now, likely from that first shot to the guardrail. Hardy tosses Angle into the ring steps and then slides Angle back in the ring. As Hardy goes to climb back in Angel kicks Hardy sending him crashing to the floor. Angle pulls Hardy back in the ring by the hair and hits a Snap Suplex for a nearfall. Angle immediately covers him again and gets another nearfall. Angle locks in a headlock on Hardy but Hardy fights it off with back elbows. Hardy hits the ropes but Angle catches him with a VICIOUS back elbow!
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Back from break Angel whips Hardy into the corner and charges at him but eats a back elbow from Hardy! Hardy quickly springs to the top and comes off with the Whisper In The Wind onto Angle! Both men are down now. Angle up first and he goes for a clothesline but Hardy ducks it and then hits one of his own followed by a Running Back Elbow! Hardy hits another clothesline and then attempts to whip Angle into the ropes only for Angle to reverse it. Hardy explodes off the ropes with a Flying Forearm and then goes for the Twist but Angle shoves him into the ropes and hits a BIG German Suplex! Angle rolls through and nails Hardy with 2 more Rolling German Suplexes! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Angle goes for the Angle Slam but Hardy blocks it and hits the Twist of Fate! Hardy climbs up top but Angle quickly springs to the top very unlike a man with a torn hamstring and hits a Belly-to-Belly Superplex! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Angle gets fired up and pulls the straps down before locking in the Ankle Lock! Angle screams at Jeff to tap but Hardy refuses to and fights to get to the ropes but she as he almost reaches them Angle pulls him back to the center of the ring! Hardy continues to fight and is able to roll over and kick Angle off with his free leg! Angle quickly runs back after Jeff but Jeff goes for a kick. Angle catches his foot and Hardy nails him with a Leaping Back Kick with the other leg! Hardy sells the ankle but still hobbles to the top rope. Angle pulls the referee between he and Hardy so Hardy can’t dive off. Hardy comes down and shoves the referee away and then Angle goes for a low blow but Hardy blocks it! Hardy with a series of right hands and then he goes for the Twist of Fate, but Angle blocks it and then quickly rolls out to the floor! Angle fakes like he’s going to climb back in but decides to bail instead. Angle walks up the ramp and screams that Jeff couldn’t beat him on his worst day as the fans chant “you suck” at him. The referee counts Angle out as Hardy stares down at Angle and Taz questions why Hardy would accept a win like that.
Winner: Hardy via countout
In the back Hogan clap as Angle walks down the tunnel. Hogan says things are changing and he can’t run and hide anymore because he’s locking Angle in a Steel Cage with Hardy at Lockdown! Angle screams at Hogan that he’s already beat him and he can’t do this but Hogan says it’s damn true.
In Flair’s locker room he calls Bischoff and tells him that he has to get there because Hogan is doing some things that they have to address. Bischoff says they have to pull the legs out from under Hogan and he’s on his way now. Flair tells him that it’s an emergency and he needs to get there quick.
Bully Ray is asked for his prediction for Storm-Roode at Lockdown but he says he’s sick of hearing both their names and he’s the next World Champion. Ray says he’s going to go to the ring right now and handle a “small” problem and that problem is called Austin Aries.
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Back from the break Ray is in the ring and asks the fans if they know who he is and reminds of just who Calfzilla is. Ray says he’s a little confused why a “small little boy” like Aries would want to piss off a “big bad man” like Ray. He says that he has eaten chicken wings bigger than Aries and he’s taken craps bigger than him, but before he can say anything else Aries’ music cuts him off.
“The Greatest Man In The World” makes his way down to the ring and Aries punches Ray in the head before saying anything! Aries is all over Ray with shot after shot! Aries mounts Ray in the corner and punches him repeatedly but then Ray catches him with an absolutely VICIOUS Running Powerbomb! Ray picks up Aries’ belt and then asks Aries if HE knows who he is and then drops the belt on top of him and walks away.
Earlier today Joseph Park is still looking for Abyss.
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AJ Styles gives his prediction for Lockdown and says that Roode is on the top of his game right now but James has the edge especially if he can hit that Last Call. Storm walks up and thanks AJ for the kind words and then says since Bobby has a match tonight Hogan says he has to have one too but he gets to pick who it is. Storm says that he needs to find someone that can get him ready for Lockdown and someone that’s “Phenomenal” and asks if AJ knows anybody like that. AJ says he knows just the man and says he’ll get Storm ready for Lockdown but he’s a lot quicker than Roode. Roode says that’s why he wants to face AJ because if he can hit AJ with that Last Call then he can knock Roode out quick. AJ says that’s IF he can hit AJ with it.
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Knockouts #1 Contender 6-Way Dance
“Hardcore Country” Mickie James vs. Winter vs. Tara vs. Angelina Love vs. Madison Rayne vs. Velvet Sky
All 6 Knockouts are former champs. 3 former Beautiful People (Angelina, Velvet, & Madison) in this one. Velvet looks to be all business tonight, not letting the pigeons loose. Winter and Tara start this one off. Tara gets Winter in a wristlock but Winter counters into one of her own and then slams Tara to the mat by her hair, but Tara nips back up to her feet and breaks the hold with a series of right hands. Tara then whips Winter into the ropes and connects with a couple of clotheslines and then a Scoop Slam! Tara follows up with her Standing Moonsault! 1…2…NO Madison breaks it up! Angelina tags Tara and squares up with Winter but Winter decides to tag in “Thickie” instead. Mickie and Angelina lock up but stalemate and then lockup again and this time Angelina gets her in a side headlock. Angelina hits a side headlock but Mickie counters into a headscissors. Angelina gets back to her feet and locks Mickie in another side headlock but Mickie counters with a backroll and then locks in a side headlock of her own. Angelina shoves Mickie into the ropes but eats a shoulder block from Mickie. Mickie this the ropes and Angelina drops down in front of her but Mickie cartwheels over her and then connects with a dropkick as Angelina got back to her feet! Mickie grabs Angelina by the leg but Angelina kicks her with the other leg and then drop toe holds Mickie into the ropes. Angelina goes for a clothesline but Mickie ducks and hits a Hangwoman’s Neckbreaker! 1…2…NO Madison breaks it up again! Angelina hits Mickie with a knee to the gut and then a Sidewalk Slam! 1…2…NO Tara breaks it up this time! Angelina talks trash to Tara & Mickie but then walks into a series of uppercuts from Mickie! Mickie attempts whip Angelina into the ropes but Angelina reverses it and Velvet blind tags herself in. Mickie slides underneath Angelina’s legs and then hits a Snapmare Takeover on her! Velvet comes charging in with a Sliding Dropkick on Angelina and then stares Mickie down. Velvet grabs Angelina but Angelina punchers her in the throat and then whips Velvet into the ropes. Angelina goes for a backdrop but Velvet kicks her and then hits a running clothesline followed by a series of shoulder blocks! Velvet goes for a kick but Angelina catches her with a shot to the gut and then hits a Front Slam for a nearfall. Angelina tags Madison and Velvet tags in Tara. Tara comes in as Madison is arguing with Angelina and shoves Madison into Angelina! Tara then hits a series of BIG right hands followed by a clothesline and then the Spider’s Web! 1…2…NO Winter breaks it up! Tara grabs Madison but Madison pokes her in the eyes causing Tara to stumble into the corner where Velvet tags herself back in. Madison then immediately tags Mickie back in. Mickie starts to climb in the ring but Madison kicks her in the head sending Mickie crashing to the floor. Velvet then attempts to roll Madison up but Madison holds onto the ropes to block it and then clotheslines Velvet! Madison hits the Rayne Drop on Velvet! Angelina comes in and hits the Break A Bitch on Madison! Madison and Velvet both roll out to the floor and then Tara comes in hits the Widow’s Peak on Angelina! Winter comes in and hits her Swinging Backbreaker on Tara! Mickie back in and she hits the Mickie-DT on Winter! Velvet slides back in (her and Mickie are legal) and hits the In Yo Face! 1…2…3!
Winner: Velvet via pinfall (In Yo Face)
In the back Mr. Anderson is asked for his prediction for Storm-Roode and he says what happens to Bobby tonight is what will happen to him at Lockdown, the champ’s going to get beat tonight. Roode and his security walk into Anderson’s lockerroom and says it’s the asshole himself. He says his security is there for Anderson’s safety not his own. He says he’s going to give Anderson the chance to walk away because he will hurt him just like he’s going to hurt Storm at Lockdown. Anderson gets in Roode’s face and says why wait and says they can do it right now. Roode’s security gets between them and says Anderson’s going to get hurt tonight. Anderson says they’ll do this thing in the ring for the whole world to see.
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Clips of Jeff Hardy & James Storm at the ACM Awards (Academy of Country Music Awards) last week. Storm & Hardy are shown posing with the members of Kiss. I guess Kiss being at that awards show makes about as much sense as a couple of wrestlers.
Last night EY is shown at his bachelor party and I recognize no one there. He says none of the wrestlers are invited because “you know how they get” and none of the Knockouts are because they all throw themselves at him. They are doing a Fantasy Baseball Draft for his bachelor party but ODB comes in and calls them a nerd and says this isn’t a party. She brings in kegs and hot wings and then tells the other nerds to leave. ODB says once he marries her every night will be like a Bachelors Party and then she shoves his head into her chest. BAM!
“Cowboy” James Storm vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
Two former World Champions and two former members of Fortune going at it in this one. AJ and Storm shake hands before the match and then they lockup and Storm gets AJ in a Waistlock. AJ counters into one of his own. Storm counters into a Hammerlock and AJ counters right back. Storm hits a Snapmare Takeover and then immediately goes for the Last Call but AJ avoids it and smiles at Storm. AJ says Storm won’t catch him with that. They lockup again and Storm gets AJ in a side headlock but AJ shoves him into the ropes only to eat a shoulder block. Storm hits the ropes and AJ nips up to his feet and goes for a Hip Toss. Storm blocks it and then goes for a clothesline, but AJ ducks and leapfrogs Storm as he hits the ropes again. AJ then looks to be going for the Phenomenal Dropkick but Storm holds onto the ropes to avoid it. Storm says he knows that one so AJ catches him with a stiff leg kick. AJ then shoots for a takedown but Storm sidesteps him and shakes off the pain in his leg. AJ gets Storm in a Waistlock but Storm breaks it and then hits the ropes but AJ nails him with the Phenomenal Dropkick! Storm rolls out to the floor and AJ goes for a slingshot dive but Storm rolls back into the ring and AJ catches himself on the apron. AJ looks to be setting up for a springboard move and Storm fakes like he’s going to go for the Last Call so AJ quickly drops down to the floor. AJ laughs and invites AJ back into the ring and AJ obliges. The fans get behind both men and then AJ goes for another kick but Roode catches him this time and hits a back heel trip and then quickly locks in a side headlock. AJ rolls Storm over into a pin attempt but Storm rolls back over holding onto the headlock. AJ fights up to his feet and counters it into a Hammerlock. AJ then turns Storm around and lights him up with a chop. AJ goes for another one but Storm ducks it and hits AJ with a big chop of his own! Storm hits the ropes but AJ catches him with a Backbreaker! 1…2…NO Storm kicks out! AJ hits a Scoop Slam and then follows up with a Knee Drop. AJ locks in a chinlock on Storm but Storm fights back to his feet and breaks the hold with a series of back elbows. Storm goes for the Last Call but AJ sidesteps it and hits a big Forearm Smash! AJ attempts to whip Storm into the corner but Storm counters and whips AJ HARD into the corner! Storm charges at AJ but AJ backdrops him over the top rope. Storm lands on the apron and catches AJ with a vicious Leaping Enziguri to the back of the head from the apron! Storm climbs up top but AJ catches him with a Leaping Enziguri of his own! AJ climbs up with Storm and looks to be possibly setting up for a Frankensteiner, but Storm quickly drops down to the mat and punches AJ in the back. Storm then hits the Eye of the Storm off the top! Storm goes for the Closing Time but AJ blocks it and locks in the Figure Four! AJ releases it and then locks in a Half Crab! Storm rolls through and then kicks AJ off. Storm goes for a clothesline but AJ ducks and hits the Pele! Storm stumbles into the corner and AJ follows with a Flying Forearm but Storm avoids it and AJ crashes and burns in the corner! Storm charges at AJ but AJ catches him with a back elbow. AJ then goes for the Phenomenon springing off the ropes, but Storm ducks under it. AJ lands on his feet and right into the Last Call from Storm! 1…2…3!
Winner: Storm via pinfall (Last Call)
Country stars Montgomery Gentry are shown clapping for Storm at ringside as Storm checks on AJ. AJ sold that kick like he got shot. Storm helps AJ up and the two shake hands again. AJ grabs Storm’s beer bottle and hands it over to Storm for a celebratory drink. Storm grabs the microphone and says next week he and Roode are going to be in the ring man-to-man. He says he just wants Roode to look him in the eye one last time before he kicks Roode’s teeth down his throat, “sorry about yo damn luck!”
In the back Hogan and Sting talk about everything happening tonight. Hogan tells Sting to go home and get healthy so he can have his back when he gets back. Sting says the doctors won’t let him compete or do anything physical but Hogan says what matters for now is Sting go get healthy so he can have the Hulkster’s back. Sting tells Hogan to call him if things start getting to heavy. They shake hands and Sting leaves.
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In the back James Storm is celebrating the win with Montgomery Gentry. Storm says he’s going to go get a shower and then they’ll really celebrate with some beers. He walks away and right after he walks out of the room Roode walks in. Roode mockingly welcomes them to Impact Wrestling but they say it’s all about Storm. Roode says he used to be good buddies with Storm too until he cracked a beer bottle of Storm’s head and took his title. He says he’ll do the same damn thing at Lockdown but they say it wont happen. Roode says he doesn’t drink beer like them or Storm because he’s athlete and then spits water into their faces!
The Motor City Machine Guns vs. Mexican America w/Rosita & Sarita
Shelley comes out alone but then stops at the top of the ramp and Sabin finally makes his return! Clips of Sabin’s injury suffered last April which was actually against Anarquia are shown as the Guns come to the ring. If you recall the Machine Guns haven’t actually teamed up since last January. Shelley broke his collarbone that month and then Sabin went solo until Shelley returned in April, and on that VERY night of his return Sabin blew his knee out. So it’s been well over a year before these two have teamed together. Shelley is going to start this one out with Anarquia. A big “welcome back” chant starts as Anarquia shoves Shelley. Shelley slaps him and then forces Anarquia into the corner. Shelley hits a series of knees to Anarquia and then stomps him down. Shelley tags Sabin in and he immediately climbs up top and hits a Diving Axe Handle Drop onto the outstretched (by Shelley) arm of Anarquia! Shelley twists on Anarquia’s arm with a wristlock but Anarquia hits him with a forearm and then tags Hernandez in. As Hernandez comes in Sabin catches him with a Spinning Back Kick and then locks in a hanging Octopus! Sabin transitions into a rollup attempt but Hernandez blocks it and then grabs Sabin by the head and pulls him up to his feet only to eat a NASTY chop from Sabin! Sabin hits the ropes and Mex goes for a clothesline but Sabin rolls underneath it and then hits a Bulldog! 1…2…NO Mex kicks out! Sabin tags Shelley back in and the Guns whip Hernandez into the corner. Shelley whips Sabin into a Flying Forearm on Hernandez in the corner and then Sabin drops down on all fours and Shelley dives off his back into a Flying Forearm as well! Sabin then dives off of Shelley’s back with another Flying Forearm as well! Shelley goes for a Tornado DDT but Mex shoves Shelley off like a nat. Hernandez then hits a HUGE Running Shoulder Block! Mex knocks Sabin off the apron and then tags Anarquia back in. Anarquia whips Hernandez into a Splash on Shelley in the corner and then Anarquia comes charging in and Mex lifts him way up into the air for a splash, but Shelley moves and Anarquia hits the turnbuckles! Shelley nails Hernandez with an Enziguri and then tags Sabin back in! Sabin with a Running Back Elbow and then a clothesline on Anarquia followed by a dropkick to Hernandez knocking him out of the floor! Sabin whips Anarquia into the corner and then charges in with a Flying Back Elbow! Sabin hangs Anarquia up in the Tree of Woe in the corner and then breaks out the Hesitation Dropkick! Sabin goes for the Cradle Shock but Hernandez comes in and pulls Anarquia off. Hernandez grabs Sabin and sets up for the Border Toss, but Shelley grabs Sabin’s leg and pulls him off as Hernandez went for it. Hernandez charges at the Guns but they drop down and pull the ropes down sending Hernadnez flying over the top to the floor! Sabin and Shelley sandwich Anarquia in the corner as Shelley hits a Leaping Enziguri to him as the same time as Sabin hits him with a Running Mafia Kick! Shelley then climbs on the middle rope and Sabin then dives through the legs of Shelley with a Suicide Dive onto Hernandez! Sabin climbs back in and they hit the Skull & Bones on Anarquia! 1…2…3!
Winners: Machine Guns via pinfall (Skull & Bones)
The fans go crazy for the Guns as they celebrate the win! The Machine Guns are back! Sabin grabs the microphone and says that they are the Motor City Machine Guns and they want one thing…the Tag Titles! Tenay says that the Guns just served notice to Joe & Magnus.
In the parking lot Eric Bischoff arrives as Ric Flair approaches him. Flair says that Hogan is out of control and is on a real ego trip. Flair says he even had the nerve to talk back to him. Bischoff says before this night is over he will put Hogan back in a little box that he’ll never get out of. He mentions that Flair is a “2-time Hall of Famer.”
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Hulk Hogan makes his way down to the ring and says thing’s are crazy tonight and there is no doubt the wrestlers are ready for Lockdown. Hogan says the guy who conveniently missed the meeting earlier has finally arrived and then calls Bischoff out to the ring. Eric makes his way onto the stage and says he finds it ironic that they have arrived to this point on opposite sides. He says he never would have believed years ago if someone told him that in 2012 they would be on opposite sides. He says that it does make sense when you think it about because the differences between them are too numerous to mention, but the one big difference is that Hogan isn’t a leader. He says Hogan isn’t the type of person that people will follow into battle or someone that will build a vision that others will stake their lives on. He says that Hogan is an opportunist while Bischoff is a true leader with vision and power.
Hogan says he is always the leader of blowing hot hard into a big room. He says since Hogan is such a big leader instead of Gunner and Garett in a Steel Cage they should find out what kind of leader he really is. Hogan says Eric can lead his own team and put his own team together and Garett will do the same and all of their business will get taken care of at Lockdown inside Lethal Lockdown! Hogan says if Eric’s team wins then Garett is gone but if Garett’s team wins then Eric is gone! He says not only that but if he loses then he will never be able to use the Bischoff name again. He asks Eric if they have a deal and he agrees!
Another great Roode-Storm vignette airs. Storm says he and Roode knew that the time would come that he and Bobby would face but they had always agreed that it would be the best man wins not what happened. He says it’s ironic that they go from teaming together with Fortune at Lockdown last year to facing each other this year. Storm’s wife Dani talks about the friendship that Bobby & Storm had and to see what happened was a shock to everyone. Storm’s brother talks about how devastated Storm was when Bobby turned on him. Storm says no one knows Roode better than him and he also knows that Bobby knows him as well. He says that Roode knows, no matter what he says on TV, that he can’t take Storm lightly. Storm talks about all of the disrespect Roode has shown and he says folks in the south don’t tolerate putting your hands on a woman.
I just checked TNA’s website and the Machine Guns vs. Magnus/Joe match has been CONFIRMED for Lockdown!
Main Event
Non-Title Match
Bobby Roode vs. Mr. Anderson
Roode’s personal security accompanies him to the ring. The referee orders the security to the back and Anderson jumps Roode at ringside as he argued with the referee! Anderson tosses Roode into the ring and beats on him in the corner before attempting to whip him into the opposite corner. Roode reverses it but then Anderson explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Anderson hits the ropes and Roode goes for a backdrop but Anderson kicks him only to eat a running back elbow from Roode as he bounced off the ropes again. Roode follows up with a Vertical Suplex followed by a Knee Drop for a nearfall. Roode chokes Anderson and then tosses him into the corner. Roode chops away at Anderson and then tosses him into the opposite corner rakes his back. Roode whips Anderson into the corner hard and then gets a nearfall. Roode taunts Anderson and slaps him repeatedly and then hits a big right hand. Anderson answers with one of his own and the two exchange big rights in the center of the ring now. Anderson attempts to whip Roode into the ropes but Roode reverses it only to eat a clothesline followed by a Back Elbow from Anderson! Anderson hits another clothesline and then whips Roode into the ropes and hits a big Backdrop! 1…2…NO Roode kicks out! Anderson follows up with an attempt at the Green Bay Plunge but Roode blocks it and then goes for the Payoff, but Anderson blocks it and counters into an attempt at the Spinning Neckbreaker! Roode blocks it and shoves Anderson sending him into the referee! Roode then walks into the Green Bay Plunge from Anderson! Anderson covers Roode but the referee is down! Anderson tries to wake up the referee and Roode takes a beer bottle from a fan at ringside. Anderson tosses Roode back into the ring and then goes for the Mic Check but Roode blasts him with the bottle! He drags the referee over, 1…2…3! Anderson’s head is busted open bad.
Winner: Roode via pinfall
Roode screams at Anderson and then Storm comes walking down the ramp with Hogan behind him! Storm gets in the ring but Roode bails. Hogan gets in the ring with Storm as Roode laughs and tautns Storm from the ramp. Hogan says as the GM of TNA he’s reversing the decision and DQ’ing Roode! Roode freaks out and screams at Hogan. Roode says both of them can kiss his World Championship ass.
Winner: Anderson via DQ
FINAL THOUGHTS
Really fun show tonight with a ton of great action and a lot of light being shed on the card for Lockdown. The one big complaint was they O.D.’d on Hogan tonight. They NEVER featured Sting as much with him being the GM and I understand the storyline purpose is that he has a lot to get to especially with Lockdown and all of the drama with Bischoff and Storm-Roode but it was too much.
The opening match with Hardy and Angle was great until the finish but they don’t need to give away now anyway. Angle looked great and he did have the hamstring taped but didn’t seem like he tore it to me.
The Knockout Match was the best they’ve had on Impact in quite some time, some great action. I’m still not into Velvet getting the shot and I understand them wanting to use someone else other than Mickie in that spot but there are several much better girls that could use that spot (that were in that very match tonight).
AJ-Storm had an EXCELLENT match and it had the feel of the Roode-AJ match they had before Roode got his shot at BFG. AJ doesn’t lose anything by losing to Storm and this was a great win for Storm heading into Lockdown. I love how they’re trying to get over the Last Call as something that can drop you on a dime.
The Machine Guns looked great in their return and Sabin didn’t have much rust nor did he look nervous or hesitate on his spots at all. I cannot wait for that feud with Joe & Magnus. The question is do they hot shot Joe & Magnus right back to heel or do they maybe turn The Guns (but with the way the crowd reacted to them tonight that would probably be a bad idea) or just do a babyface-babyface feud kind of like the Guns and Beer Money had in 2010 (I know that Beer Money were technically heels but they got babyface reactions by that point).
The Main Event was okay but would have been great given more time. I also like that Hogan reversed the decision, showing that he’s not just SAYING that things are changing he’s doing it.
I like the idea of Lethal Lockdown involving Gunner & Garett a hell of a lot more than a singles match between the two. It should be interesting to see who will be on either side (at this point I’m guessing Garett, AJ, Anderson, and Aries for the babyface side and Gunner, Kaz, Daniels, & Ray for the heel side and I’m not sure if they want to go the 5 vs. 5 route).
There wasn’t a ton of good mic work tonight but there was some really good action and storyline progression.
QUICK RESULTS
1) Jeff Hardy def. Kurt Angle via countout
2) Knockouts #1 Contenders 6-Way Dance: Velvet Sky def. Mickie James, Winter, Tara, Angelina Love, & Madison Rayne
3) James Storm def. AJ Styles
4) Motor City Machine Guns def. Mexican America
5) Mr. Anderson def. Bobby Roode via DQ
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Storm/Roode hype package
– Match of the Night: Storm vs. AJ (***)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
– OBD/EY wedding
– Best of 3 Series between Team Garett vs. Team Eric (winners of the series get the man advantage of Lockdown)
– Gail Kim & Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James & Velvet Sky
Lockdown Lineup:
– TNA World Title Steel Cage Match: Bobby Roode (c) vs. James Storm
– Lethal Lockdown Steel Cage Match: Team Garett (Garett Bischoff & TBA) vs. Team Eric (Gunner & TBA)
– Steel Cage Match: Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle
– TNA Tag Team Titles Steel Cage Match: Samoa Joe & Magnus (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns
– TNA Knockouts Title Steel Cage Match: Gail Kim (c) vs. Velvet Sky
– TNA TV Title Steel Cage Match: Devon (c) vs. Robbie E.
– Steel Cage Match: Crimson vs. Matt Morgan