Note: Josh Boutwell was away this week and will return next week.
Results courtesy of Impactwrestling.com.
IMPACT Coverage: Who Earns a Title Shot in the NYC Gold Rush Tournament?
IMPACT Coverage by Bobby James
September 24, 2014
IMPACT Wrestling opens with the announcement of the “New York City Gold Rush.” In the series, MVP, Magnus, Austin Aries, Abyss and Robbie E will collide in singles bouts throughout the night, with mystery opponents. Winners of the five matches will advance to the Gold Rush main event. The victor of the Gold Rush five-way match will earn the right to challenge the champion of their choosing.
MVP is out first, claiming he’ll be victorious against his opponent…Low Ki!
MATCH #1:
Gold Rush Qualifier
MVP vs. Low Ki
The NYC crowd stands firmly behind Low Ki as he locks up with MVP in the middle of the ring. MVP takes an early advantage after a stiff elbow to the head. Low Ki battles back. He and MVP trade blows and MVP attempts a cover. Low Ki is out immediately.
Low Ki dodges a charging MVP and cuts in with a series of chops. MVP mockingly exposes his chest, to which Low Ki begins chopping away, drawing “Woo’s” from the crowd.
MVP sends Low Ki over the top rope with a blasting kick to the face. MVP launches himself over the top rope, connecting with Low Ki. MVP rolls Low Ki into the ring, maintaining his advantage. He taunts Low Ki using his own fighting stance.
Low Ki kicks MVP in the back of the head and changes the look of the match. MVP is sent outside and Low Ki leaps from the top rope, crashing down on MVP’s head. In the ring, Low Ki attempts a Ki Krusher, but MVP counters and manages a Drive By to advance to the NYC Gold Rush.
Winner: MVP
Backstage: The BroMans talk about The Beautiful People, the Gold Rush and Robbie E’s upcoming appearance on the Amazing Race with Brooke Tessmacher!
MATCH #2:
Gold Rush Qualifier
Robbie E vs. Tajiri
Robbie E says, “Let me ask you something. When you look at Robbie E, what do you see? You see perfectly threaded eyebrows, you see a dope BroMan tank top, you see a perfect tan and really big muscles…I’m ‘Inter-Bro-National!’” The bell sounds and “The Japanese Buzzsaw” executes a series of strikes and kicks. Robbie E escapes to the outside and drives Tajiri’s back into the apron. Robbie E rolls Tajiri into the ring and mounts him, nailing a series of rights. Robbie E thwarts Tajiri’s comeback until Tajiri lands a kick to the top of Robbie E’s head. Tajiri locks in the Tarantula. Tajiri misses a Buzzsaw kick and Robbie E catches him with a DDT! Tajiri kicks out at two. Robbie E shoves Tajiri into the referee. While the ref is down, Tajiri sprays Robbie E with green mist and follows with a Buzzsaw kick for the win.
Winner: Tajiri
Backstage: Rockstar Spud addresses internet rumors about friction with EC3.
Backstage: Rockstar Spud takes a phone call from EC3 and says, “Ethan, you can’t talk to me…Yes sir, you can talk to me however you’d like…”
MATCH #3:
Gold Rush Qualifier
Austin Aries vs. Knux w/ The Menagerie
Austin Aries grabs an early headlock, but Knux fights out and sends Aries to the mat with a shoulder block. Knux and Aries take turns doing handstands and cartwheels. Finally, the competitors lock up once again. Aries takes him down with a wristlock, but Knux powers out and jumps to his feet. Knux drops face-first onto the mat after Aries connects with a running dropkick to the knee. Aries sends Knux outside and attempts a suicide dive, but Knux gets his foot up to catch Aries in the face! Knux connects with a standing dropkick, showing a further display of athleticism! Aries begins fighting back with a flurry of kicks and forearms. Knux rolls to the outside, and this time, Aries’ suicide dive connects with Crazy Steve and The Freak! Back in the ring, Knux powers Aries down with a side slam. Knux comes off the ropes, connecting with a crossbody for a two-count. Aries reverses a slam and connects with a dropkick and a discuss forearm. Aries hoists a disoriented Knux into the air for the brainbuster and the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
MATCH #4:
Gold Rush Qualifier
Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson
Magnus attacks Anderson before the bell even sounds. Anderson comes back with a series of rights and an elbow to the face. Anderson attempts an early Mic Check, but Magnus slips out of the ring. Anderson attempts a baseball slide, but Magnus pulls out and traps him in the apron. He nails Anderson in the head and tells the ref to count it. Anderson answers the count, but Magnus catches him with a second rope DDT before he’s back in the ring. Magnus grounds Mr. Anderson with a headlock. Anderson fights out and flies off the ropes, but Magnus catches him with a hard series of clotheslines. Magnus whips Anderson into the corner, but somehow, Anderson comes rushing out and they catch one another with clotheslines. They trade blows in the center of the ring and the momentum shifts in Anderson’s favor. Magnus rakes Anderson’s eyes and reverses another Mic Check attempt by powering Anderson down for a two count. Anderson’s foot reaches the bottom rope just before three.
Anderson reverses Magnus’ Spineshaker and finally catches him a Mic Check for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Mr. Anderson
Mike Tenay and Taz preview the impending collision between Havok and Gail Kim.
Video: A recap of the havoc wreaked by Havok since her arrival in TNA. Havok and Gail Kim meet for the Knockout’s Champoinship next week!
MATCH #5:
Gold Rush Qualifier
Abyss vs. Samuel Shaw
As Taz says, both competitors are very odd and crazy. The bell sounds and Abyss overpowers Samuel Shaw twice before catching a few clubbing shots to the face. “The Monster” Abyss tries for an early chokeslam, but Samuel Shaw breaks free. Abyss catches him by the throat again and rolls him over the top rope to the floor. Abyss slams Samuel into the guardrail and then fights him around the ring. Abyss throws a punch, but Samuel moves and Abyss catches the ring post! Samuel fights back until Abyss grabs a steel chair. Abyss swings – and again, he connects with the ring post. Samuel wraps Abyss’ arm around the ring post twice before slamming it onto the steel stairs. Samuel continues his assault on the arm, but Abyss is overcome by either rage or power. Abyss scores a strong shoulder block and series of offense before powering Samuel down with a chokeslam! Abyss pulls the referee out of the way in pursuit of Samuel Shaw. Samuel takes the opportunity to grab the steel chair and drive it into the head of Abyss. Samuel climbs into the ring and rushes into a Black Hole Slam. Abyss covers him for the win.
Winner: Abyss
MAIN EVENT:
The New York City Gold Rush
MVP vs. Tajiri vs. Austin Aries vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Abyss
MVP hops out of the ring, to be a spectator to the beginning action between the other four competitors. As the fight spills to the outside, MVP finds himself in the center of the ring, taunting the other wrestlers. Abyss stalks him from behind and hits MVP with a right. MVP retreats and tags in Mr. Anderson. Abyss hits a few big rights before squashing Anderson in the corner. Anderson starts to mount some offense, but “The Japanese Buzzsaw” tags himself into the match. Anderson takes down Tajiri with a shoulder block, then the two exchange a series of chops and punches in the middle of the ring. Tajiri sidesteps Anderson, who crashes shoulder first into the ring post. Tajiri attempts a pin – it’s good for two. Aries tags Anderson and squares off against Tajiri. They shake hands before exchanging a series of submission holds. Aries connects with a dropkick, but Tajiri comes back with a round kick and a jumping back elbow. Aries whips Tajiri into the corner, where Tajiri attempts a Tarantula. Aries counters, sending Tajiri to the floor. MVP nails Aries with a cheap shot and with Aries distracted, Tajiri sneaks in a kick to the head. Tajiri gets a two-count. Mr. Anderson tags in, but Aries is able to fight back and maintain the advantage. Aries crawls toward MVP, who drops down from the apron. Abyss comes into the match and attempts a chokeslam. Aries counters and catches Abyss with a discuss forearm before taggin an unsuspecting MVP! Abyss begins to dominate and MVP retreats, tagging in Tajiri! Abyss and Tajiri trade blows and when Abyss tries for a chokeslam, Tajiri sprays the mist! Mr. Anderson tags in, but he’s quickly locked into a Tarantula! Anderson drops Tajiri from the top rope with a rolling slam and MVP tags himself in. MVP nails Anderson with a Drive By and Austin Aries breaks the count to make the save! Anderson drops to the outside as Aries fights MVP out of the ring. Aries flies, catching Abyss and MVP with a suicide dive. Aries rolls MVP back into the ring, then he rolls Anderson into the ring on the other side. He tags Anderson and comes face to face with MVP. MVP attempts another Drive By, but Aries counters with a roll-up for the three!
Winner: Austin Aries