By Talon
April 25, 2013
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Security stopped the Aces and Eights at the door. Bully Ray told them to back off or Mr. Anderson would bite their faces off. Security then moved as the Aces walked past.
The Cowboy James Storm headed to the ring. Through a recap, we learned that AJ Styles' new submission is called the Calf Killer. Storm mentioned that last week AJ brought a fight. AJ appeared in the crowd watching. Storm said last week, AJ was the better man. He won't cry over spilled milk because he is a beer drinker. He didn't sign up for the Aces and Eights who jumped him from behind. He glared at Taz. He said he knew six would show up but he would take them out.
Bad Influence (Daniels and Kazarian) appeared on the stage. Daniels said last week, they were also victims. Hogan doesn't have an answer to the A&E problem; but they do. Daniels said the magic number is four, as in Fortune. Kazarian addressed AJ Styles telling him that they forgive him for the cheapshots he took last week. Kazarian told AJ to get in the ring and reform Fortune. James Storm said he wanted to see them shut the hell up. Kazarian called James Storm irrelevant, which lead to a brawl in the ring. Bad Influence hit a low blow on Storm and then left.
The Aces and 8s then arrived in the ring through the crowd. They brought a table in the ring and set it up. All of a sudden, Joseph Park arrived and took out Wes Brisco and another member before being outnumbered by the Aces. Doc and Knux were gonna double chokeslam Park through a table but Bully Ray arrived and called them off. Moments later though, Ray and Devon hit Park with the 3D through a table. AJ Styles watched the whole attack stoically from the ring.
Reaction: Alot happened in the opening segment. They teased a Fortune reunion (which would have been cool) before they started brawling amongst themselves. The Aces then made a statement setting up an interaction between Bully and Hulk tonight. The theme though is that the TNA locker room aren't united which allows A&E to get the upperhand.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Joseph Park was stretchered out of the arena while Bully Ray took a mic and said he wasn't screwing around. They are responsible for taking out every TNA hero. There isn't any heroes left. No Samoa Joe, Magnus, James Storm, Joseph Park or anyone else. Last week he called out Hulk Hogan and he has until the end of the show to answer his challenge.
Mike Tenay mentioned that Hulk Hogan was at the building all day but about an hour before the show, he left the building.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Hulk Hogan arrived backstage in the arena. The camera man questioned where he went.
Taryn Terrell vs Tara
No Jessie Godderz with Tara. Tara slapped Taryn to start the match. Tara dominated Taryn but flinging her around by her hair. Tara locked in a bridging Indian Deathlock. Taryn ran into a double-handed chokebomb. Tara went for the decapitator (which looked weak).
Tara went for a Flipping Leg Drop but Terrell got out of the way. Taryn with a few clothesline. Taryn went for a Flying Crossbody but ended up colliding with the mat. Tara started to trash talk her. Tara with the Spider's Web but didn't go for the pin. Tara continued to toy with her but ended up getting rolled up when she got cocky.
Reaction: It was an okay match. Taryn is serving as the underdog while Tara was the veteran. I could see this thing between them continue though with how it turned out. Taryn is absolutely gorgeous and make the Knockouts Division that much better.
Robbie E was backstage trash talking someone via his phone. Jessie Godderz walked up. Robbie E asked him if he would take care of Rob Terry tonight. Robbie said when Jessie beat Terry tonight, he would go down as one of the great bros in history, and he would be there with him. Jessie flexed saying he didn't need his help.
Reaction: I would be fine with a "douchebag" tag team of Robbie E and Jessie G. They have similar personalities and teaming them up would give them something to do.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Rob Terry made his entrance but it was interrupted by Robbie E. He introduced the man to defeat him, a real Hollywood superstar, Jessie Godderz.
Rob Terry vs Jessie Godderz
Jessie flexed but ran into a few shots from Terry. Terry went for a Powerslam but Robbie E distracted him. Terry flung Jessie around by the neck. Terry was distracted again which allowed Jessie G to chop down the knees of Terry. Jessie continued clubbing down Terry.
Terry caught Jessie coming off the top rope with a Powerslam. Robbie pulled the referee out of the ring. On the outside, Jessie was going to jump Terry but Terry tossed him into Robbie E. In the ring, Terry hit Godderz with the Spinebuster.
Reaction: Solid victory for Terry. Kenely kept referring to him as "The Beast" during the match. Good display of power from Terry here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Bad Influence approached Bobby Roode backstage. They said Hulk Hogan couldn't stop A&E but Fortune. James Storm can go his own way. AJ wouldn't say no to them. When Roode asked about Austin, Bad Influence told them it would be best to keep it the best four. Bad Influence left Roode to think about it. Austin Aries was shown watching from a distance.
Reaction: I like the tease of Fortune. It also will likely influence the split of Roode and Aries (even if I don't want it to).
After a recap of the Full Metal Mayhem, Mike Tenay rumored that Jeff Hardy was talking about walking away from wrestling.
We got a promo for the returning Chris Sabin. Chris Sabin returns next week. Hail Sabin!
Reaction: Great vignette! Sabin was such a strong heel in 2007 and hasn't been a singles star in years that I think he could truly make an impact. I am excited for his return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Austin Aries ran into Bobby Roode backstage. Aries mentioned Roode trying to get Fortune back together. Aries said he had the greatest hearing that ever lived. Aries questioned that if Fortune was so good then why did they just split. Aries said he was worried about the tag titles.
Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero vs Bobby Roode and Austin Aries
World Tag Team Championship
Bad Influence joined the announcers on commentary. They talked about a Fortune reunion and ran down Austin Aries. Hernandez and Chavo dominated Bobby Roode. Hernandez went for a dive from the walkway but Roode got out of the way. Aries tagged in and worked over Hernandez. Austin Aries and Roode worked together on Hernandez. Daniels said on commentary that Austin didn't play well with other.
Chavo Guerrero got the hot tag. He went for the 3 Amigos but Aries countered. A Tornado DDT got Chavo a nearfall. Kazarian tried interfering on behalf of o Bobby Roode but Austin Aries pulled him off the apron. Hernandez kicked Roode into the ropes which knocked Aries off the top. While the referee was distracted, Chris Daniels tried helping Bobby Roode but missed a clothesline on Chavo and hit his former stablemate. Chavo connected with the Frog Splash moments later to retain the tag team titles.
Reaction: It wasn't their best encounter as it played into the Fortune reunion storyline. I hope Roode chooses Aries over Bad Influence, even if it would be awesome. I could see dissension between Roode and Aries continue over the next few weeks.
Backstage, a camera man approached Matt Morgan. Morgan said he tried running from them. Morgan said if Hogan goes to the ring to face Bully, he will be making his biggest mistake yet. Morgan said he had the solution, and he will go to the ring to address that. He recommended to Hulk to watch him in the ring next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Matt Morgan headed to the ring following a recap video. Morgan said his issues arise following the many Hogan mistakes. He recapped all of Hogan's mistakes in the past few months. Sting was Hogan's friend but has been ejected from IMPACT Wrestling. Hardy gets stretchered out of the arena for his trouble. He had the ultimate solution to his problems and called Hogan to the ring.
Hulk Hogan accepted and made his way to the ring. The fans loudly chanted Hogan's name. Morgan said Hogan is out of backup. Later tonight, Bully Ray would eat him up and spit him out. Morgan presented himself as the ultimate solution. Morgan said nobody wants this more than Matt Morgan. Nobody can eliminate the Aces and 8s but Matt Morgan. He is the knight in shining armor. If given the opportunity, he will kick Bully's head into the fifth row...for a small price!
Morgan said he would do that but Hogan would need to give him a World Title shot at Slammiversary. Hogan said Morgan brought him up to the edge. He has the goods to get the job done. He probably could get the job done but he hoped he would do the right thing. Hogan wanted Morgan to be the second coming of the Mania. At the end of the day, he does it for the wrong reason. He said if he picked Morgan, it would be a bigger mistake than Bully Ray. Tonight, he will step into the ring with Bully Ray tonight. And BTW, he never heard Andre the Giant come to the ring and whine like a little bitch.
Reaction: Awesome segment! I mentioned in a recent column how I thought Morgan would be a good hero. I don't know if he will be but I could see it going either way. Morgan's delivery was great here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Bully Ray addressed the Aces and 8s. Bully said he almost felt bad for Joseph Park. He made fun of the idea that Hulk Hogan would be out to the ring by himself. Bully made the gang promise not to interfere.
For the On the Clock, the three choices were Ra'Shad Cameron, Rockstar Spud and Suicide with the winner earning a spot in the 3-Way X Division Match. Results will be revealed next Thursday.
Reaction: Three interesting choices. The Suicide came out of nowhere but the idea excites me. I always liked the character. Sabin will also be in that match next week.
Mickie James vs Velvet Sky
Knockouts Championship
Mickie wore down the arm of Velvet early on. Tenay mentioned Velvet's recent knee injury. Velvet hit a basement dropkick and favored that knee. She went for a move, but her knee buckled and she quickly went down. Mickie worked the knee as we headed to commercial.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Mickie James continued exploiting the knee of Velvet, working it over with a modified STF. Velvet Sky battled out with some clotheslines but continued favoring her knee. Mickie tried Irish Whipping Velvet but Velvet collapsed. Mickie with an Enziguri but Velvet poorly sold it. Mickie comes off the top with a Thesz Press for a nearfall. Velvet went for the In Yo Face but Mickie countered. Mickie went for the Mickie-T but Velvet pushed her off. Mickie hit a basement dropkick on the knee. Velvet sold it but then rolled up Mickie with an Inside Cradle.
Reaction: It would have been a perfect opportunity to turn Mickie. Have her go after Velvet's knee following the match. Sometimes the snail's pace booking really bothers me.
Backstage, Bully Ray joked with Devon about Brooke Hogan. Bully called Team 3D the most successful tag team in history. He mentioned that Hulk Hogan might be done and that the Aces and Eights can't be stopped.
Hulk Hogan spoke with Brooke backstage. Brooke said Hogan trusted Bully because of her. Brooke told him not to go out there. Brooke said he had a knee replacement a few weeks ago. Hulk said he needed to prove he was a good man. Hogan hugged his daughter telling her he would be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Bully Ray walked to the ring alone with the World Title in hand. Bully had a note and read off the list off victims of the Aces and Eights. Bully said there was only one victim left and called Hulk Hogan to the ring. Bully asked "dad" how his knee was doing? He said he bet Hogan couldn't wait to hit him, but it ain't gonna happen. Bully said he sees fear in the eyes of Hulk Hogan. Hogan fears Bully Ray. He fears Bully because he reminds him of him. He is the last of a dying breed. He was the World Heavyweight Champion and his son-in-law. He will put an end to Hulkamania.
Hogan told Ray that Hulkamania would never die. Bully then spit a big loogie in the face of Hogan. Hogan tore off his shirt and pointed at Ray. Ray went for a cheapshot but Hogan stood his ground. Ray walked ringside when the Aces and Eights surrounded the ring. They began to get in when the lights went out.
When they came back on, Sting was in the ring with Hogan and pointed a bat at him. Sting then turned the bat towards the gang. Bully Ray retreated as Sting and Hogan cleared the ring of the Aces and Eights. Sting then pointed his bat towards Hogan. You can still feel the tension of Hogan and Sting.
Reaction: That was predictable. It makes sense with Sting vs Bully likely happening at Slammiversary. I will go into this more in the final thoughts section. I just feel like we have been here before and need something different.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I personally enjoy the IMPACT Wrestling product, there is no doubt in my mind why TNA is struggling with a certain portion of their audience. The show is very predictable. There is alot of filler and things don't move fast enough. TNA needs more surprises. This was a Live show but didn't feel anything like it. Where is that Live element that the product is missing?
While I personally enjoy the IMPACT Wrestling product, there is no doubt in my mind why TNA is struggling with a certain portion of their audience. The show is very predictable. There is alot of filler and things don't move fast enough. TNA needs more surprises. This was a Live show but didn't feel anything like it. Where is that Live element that the product is missing?
