June 21, 2012
Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
The show opened with Hulk Hogan making his way to the ring. The crowd was once again very loud for the Hulkster. Hogan said that when you ask for change you better be ready for it. Hogan said what happened with the Stinger last week was a tragedy. Hogan said he wouldn't give the segment any more publicity but he will make it right for Sting.
Hogan praised both the BFG Series and Open Fight Night. Before we get to that Hogan wanted to know what Austin Aries' decision would be. The X Division Champion made his way to the ring with the belt around his waist. Hogan tried to shake Aries' hand but Austin said they had to handle business first.
Aries said last week, Hogan put a great opportunity in front of him. He jumped all of the BFG 12 for an immediate World Title shot. Hogan asked if he heard everyone this past week. Aries said he could either hand over the title and get a shot at Roode or hold onto his belt and be the most dominant champion in X Division history. Aries said the World Title shot should be a no brainer but the X Division is what TNA was built on. Aries said the title will mean nothing if he just turns it over.
Hogan reiterated that one man wouldn't hold two titles (like in the past). Aries said he would do it under one condition. Every year, the X Division Champion would get a shot at the World Title at Destination X. That would make the X Title more important. Hogan agreed to Option C calling Aries a visionary.
Bobby Roode interrupted and complained about both Aries and Hogan. Roode asked Aries who the hell does he think he is. He called the X Title a paper championship. Roode said the World Title is the real championship. Roode said Aries made the biggest mistake of his life. Roode said he was no X Division Wrestler but "god's gift to pro wrestling" and the It Factor. He would prove it at Destination X. He would beat, hurt and embarrass Aries. Aries said it was Open Fight Night so why doesn't he come to the ring and do it now.
The two brawled at ringside until security and other officials broke it up. At that moment, Mr. Anderson's music hit and the loudmouth appeared on the stage. Anderson said he could sit and watch the two pound each other all day but at the end of the BFG Series he would be there.
The Verdict: I love Option C. This makes the X Title more valuable than it has been and insures that the division won't be scrapped. The thought of having the X Division Champion have the choice every year to abandon his title for a World Title shot around BFG is intriguing. I look forward to Roode vs Aries at Destination X following this excellent exchange.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Back in the ring, Mr. Anderson called out Christopher Daniels. Daniels was holding an apple martini and brought it to the ring with him.
Mr. Anderson vs Christopher Daniels
BFG Series Match
Mike Tenay announced that all BFG Series Matchups would have 10-minute time limits whether they be on TV, Live Events or PPV. Daniels cut off Anderson on the top rope right after the opening bell. Daniels locked in a body stretch right after but Anderson fought back with a big clothesline. Anderson went for the neckbreaker but ended up hitting the Rolling Samoan.
A Mic Check attempt was fought out of and led into a Blue Thunder. Daniels signaled for the BME but Anderson caught him with a rollup for a nearfall. Anderson hit a Neckbreaker followed by the Mic Check to get the win and 7 point in the BFG Series.
The Verdict: This match felt rushed because it was. I don't think it was wise to have six BFG Matches tonight especially with so much else going on and with Open Fight Night happening a month from now. This match was solid but way too short.
Backstage Dixie Carter and AJ Styles were talking. AJ was worried about revealing things. Dixie said this wasn't about Kazarian and Daniels but Dixie said it wasn't about those guys. AJ wanted to know if there was another way but Dixie said they went over every scenario.
In the ladies locker room, ODB, Madison Rayne and two other girls waited while Brooke Hogan entered the room.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage Brooke Hogan was talking with ODB, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne and Mickie James. She bragged about Velvet Sky's music video with Montgomery Gentry. Brooke gave all the girls an opportunity to chat.
ODB talked about being bigger than the others. Madison said she was the longest champion. Brooke said Madison need to focus on the title and not her imaginary boyfriend. Mickie said she was the best Knockout in the World. Brooke then eliminated Madison, telling her to focus. She told the other girls she still had one more elimination to come.
The Verdict: Does that mean tonight will be a 3-Way Knockouts Title Match? The segment was okay but I preferred the one they did a month ago.
In the ring, Robbie E called out anyone from the BFG 12. Kur Angle happily accepted.
Robbie E vs Kurt Angle
BFG Series Match
Angle hit Robbie with a series of German Suplexes. He then connected with the Angle Slam followed by the Ankle Lock. Robbie tapped out giving Angle 10 points.
The Verdict: I am getting a TNA 2008 vibe here. This match would have been more effective if the BFG Series match before it wasn't so short. Angle looked good here but I have a bad feeling tonight will feel really crammed.
We got a video package of Taeler Hendrix. Hendrix talked about being diagnosed with cancer at 21. She said she wanted to come to TNA and to win it all (the Knockouts and Knockouts Tag Team Titles).
The Verdict: Good video package that made Hendrix sympathetic. This segment block is going way to fast and it is getting hard to digest it all.
Magnus came out onto the stage and said something about winning the BFG Series. He said he would call someone out and beat them.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Back in the ring, Magnus said he would pick someone whose head isn't in the game. He said everywhere he goes he has women lined up. Magnus said he never screws around with another man's wife especially if she writes the checks. He called out AJ Styles.
Magnus vs AJ Styles
BFG Series Match
AJ hit a backbreaker early on then went to the top rope. Magnus caught him and then turned it into a Suplex. AJ fought back and connected with a big dropkick. He went for the Pele but Magnus dodged it and kicked AJ in the head. In the crowd, Joseph Park appeared in the crowd eating popcorn.
AJ hit a clothesline in the corner and went for the Styles Clash. Magnus pushed AJ away but got hit with a dropkick. Daniels and Kazarian walked down ringside distracting AJ. Magnus used the opportunity to hit the Magdaddy Driver to earn 7 point.
The Verdict: Another match, same problem! I also don't think the finish was necessary especially if TNA could have used the excuse that AJ's head wasn't in the game.
Backstage, Taeler Hendrix prepared for her match which is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Back from break, a spotlight shone in the ring as Jeremy Borash introduced Taeler Hendrix. Her opponent was Tara, who made her way to the ring.
Tara vs Taeler Hendrix
Gutcheck Challenge
Hendrix offer her hand to Tara but Tara pushed it off. Tara with a big suplex early on. Taeler got a rollup for a nearfall. Tara sat in the corner and lifted Taeler by her neck. Taeler fought back with a kick and a nice Hurricanrana. Hendrix hit a spin kick and a series of clotheslines. She hit a poor slam on Tara. Hendrix went for a kick but Tara ducked and hit the Widow's Peak to win the match. After the match, Tara helped Hendrix to her feet.
The Verdict: Taeler showed some fire in the match and I liked alot of her moves. One of her slams didn't get enough height making it look bad. It will be interesting to see whether the judges offer her a contract but I will need to see her promo skills.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, a producer walked with Joseph Park when Bully Ray arrived. Park said he was scared last week but he wasn't as scared as when Abyss snatched him out of the ring. Ray said if he sees Park in the crowd one more time, it would be the last time you saw either one of them.
As the announcers were running down the show, Samoa Joe headed to the ring. Joe said since nobody has the guts to call him out he would call someone out. Joe called out James Storm saying he got lucky last week.
Samoa Joe vs James Storm
BFG Series Match
Storm went right after Joe until Joe caught him with a flying knee. Joe hit an Enziguri in the corner and then attempted an armbar. Storm fought back but ran into a Powerslam. The two exchanged forearmsbut Joe locked in a Crossface Chickenwing. Storm fought out and hit a Flurry of moves ending in a Flying Forearm.
Storm went for a move in the corner. But Joe reversed it. Instead of going for the Musclebuster, Joe threw Storm to the mat and locked in the Coquina Clutch. Storm sent Joe's head into the turnbuckle and followed it up with the Last Call to earn 7 more point. After the match, Joe had a beer bottle in hand but ended up handing it to Storm.
The Verdict: I am hoping these short matches are exclusive to this week only because things feel rushed. You can have 10-minute time limits while allowing the matches to have time to breathe. For this style of match though, this was a fun one.
We got a highlight video of the Dixie Carter/AJ Styles drama. In the back, Dixie and AJ confirmed that they were doing this tonight. AJ said he was falling apart and that they needed to do this tonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Brooke Hogan was in the back with the remaining three girls. Brooke said ODB wasn't focused because of all of her stuff with Eric Young. Brooke then eliminated ODB from the competition. ODB asked where Brooke's dad's office was?
Bully Ray came to the ring and cut a promo on Joseph Park. Bully wanted to know where Joseph was. Ray said that he would go the easy route on Open Fight Night by going after the guy who has spent alot of time in Hollywood. Ray then called out The Pope.
Bully Ray vs The Pope
BFG Series Match
Ray attacked Pope before the opening bell as the referee was helping Pope take off his jacket. Ray targeted the back of Pope, who Tenay questioned as having ring rust or not. Ray sent Pope hard into the corner before missing a big splash. Pope fired back with a bunch of punches, a shoulder block and an elbow combination. He then his the Coronation. Pope went up top but Ray hit the ropes sending him down hard. Ray hit a huge avalanche and went for the 10-punch.
Abyss was seen in the crowd allowing Pope to send Ray outside. Abyss climbed over the guardrail and chased Ray back in the ring. This allowed Pope to connect with an STO Sweep for a quick pinfall. After the match, Abyss chased Ray backstage.
The Verdict: This match did a good job establishing the ring rust of Pope while continuing the Ray vs Abyss drama. I am thinking Ray vs Abyss is finally blown off at Destination X so that Ray can focus on the BFG Series.
Hulk Hogan talked to Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam backstage. Hogan said they must be the biggest stars because they weren't called out. Hogan said it would be RVD vs Hardy in the main event tonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
They showed the Montgomery Gentry video featuring Velvet Sky.
The Verdict: I liked the video even if I am not a huge country music fan. It also plays into the Mickie James/Velvet Sky storyline.
Miss Tessmacher vs ???
Knockouts Championship
Backstage, Brooke Hogan was talking with Velvet Sky and Mickie James. Brooke said she gave Velvet and opportunity in the music video then gave Mickie James the title shot tonight. Velvet was a good sport and congratulated Mickie.
After the entrances, Tessmacher and Mickie chain wrestled. Mickie cartwheeled out of the wristlock and locked a headlock onto Tessmacher. Tessmacher hit a clothesline and went for another move. When both girls were in the ropes, Mickie hit a back elbow on Tessmacher (a heel tactic) followed by a basement dropkick.
Mickie continued her control with a Triangle Armbar. Tessmacher fought out but rushed into a Flapjack by Mickie. James went up top but Tessmacher got out of the way. The two exchanged reversled leading to a nearfall from Tessmacher. Mickie hit a Roundhouse kick but Tessmacher kicked out. James went for her DDT but Tessmacher got a nice rollup in allowing her to retain the title. James was shocked at the result and looked pissed off.
The Verdict: The match was clunky at times but Tessmacher is vastly improved. The match was good in continuing Mickie James' character development with the loss to Tessmacher.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Jeff Hardy vs Rob Van Dam
BFG Series Match
The two made their entrances with about 18 minutes left in the program. Taz called both RVD and Jeff Hardy favorites in this series. RVD went for a quick pinfall early on. The two played one-upsmanship. RVD went for the split but Hardy hit a leg drop on the head of RVD. Hardy hit the Hardyac Arrest leg drop on RVD and sent him outside. He followed that up with a baseball dropkick. Moments later RVD hit a Rider Kick followed by the Rolling Thunder for a two-count.
RVD connected with the split legged moonsault for another nearfall. Hardy reversed a move moments later and hit a Bulldog. Hardy with a Front Suplex. The Swanton is missed though as RVD rolls out of the way. RVD went for a cool 450 Splash but missed. Hardy connected with a Spike DDT for a nearfall. Hardy followed that up with the Twist of Fate for the win and 7 points of his own.
The Verdict: RVD seems more motivated now than ever. The 450 Splash attempt by RVD was cool. I just wish these two were given more time but that is the theme of tonight's show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
The score for the BFG Series so far is James Storm at 27, Kurt Angle at 10, Magnus, Hardy, Anderson and Pope are all at 7 points.
Dixie Carter and AJ Styles made their way to the ring sans music. Dixie said situations like this happen alot. People are hurt and lives are changed. She started crying when AJ stopped her and whispered that they could leave right now. They were going to leave when a woman walked down to the ring. She started crying and made her way in the ring.
The lady grabbed a mic and introduced herself as Claire Lynch. She talked up Dixie saying her and AJ were there for her. She said AJ has the highest moral character she has ever seen. She said Dixie and AJ weren't having an affair. She said she was an addict. She drinks, she does pills and takes money from her family. AJ and Dixie were protecting her.
Daniels and Kazarian appeared backstage and said something about not knowing she was here. Daniels made his way to the ring but was cut off by AJ. Kazarian followed AJ. AJ dominated Daniels and Kazarian letting out his frustration as the show came to a close.
The Verdict: That was not a good reveal. The actress was horrible and did a poor job showing her emotion. I feel TNA would have gotten a lot more out of the storyline if it was revealed that they were having an affair. Right now though we do know that Daniels and Kazarian blatantly lied about an affair when they knew the truth.
FINAL VERDICT
This show felt like the ones we were getting in 2008 and 2009. It felt way to crammed where things didn't stand out and the majority of segments/matches were rushed. I praised Pritchard right after he came on board for being able to slow things down and let the segments breathe but this was not a good showcase of that. The matches were good while they lasted and the Austin Aries segment was excellent but the pacing and the final reveal with Dixie/AJ wasn't up to par.
This show felt like the ones we were getting in 2008 and 2009. It felt way to crammed where things didn't stand out and the majority of segments/matches were rushed. I praised Pritchard right after he came on board for being able to slow things down and let the segments breathe but this was not a good showcase of that. The matches were good while they lasted and the Austin Aries segment was excellent but the pacing and the final reveal with Dixie/AJ wasn't up to par.
