By Talon
May 30, 2013
Tampa, Florida
May 30, 2013
Tampa, Florida
With three days to go until Slammiversary, TNA is back in Tampa and back in their old timeslot. The show kicked off with a backstage segment with Aces and 8s. Bully Ray told them their focus was only on AJ Styles. D'Lo told Mr. Anderson that he was sorry that his plan didn't work out. As the group was walking away, Anderson attacked D'Lo from behind and then spit his tobacco on him.
Bully Ray and Devon headed to the ring and grabbed a mic. It is three days until Slammiversary where Devon takes out Joseph Park. In the main event, Bully Ray takes on Sting. It's No Holds Barred at the PPV. Ray told Sting to try and hurt him. Bully name-dropped Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy as people who Sting beat for the World Title. Bully said he put Hardy on the shelf. He can't wait until Slammiversary where he gets to make sure Sting never wrestles for the World Title ever again. Bully then called out Sting and Joseph Park for the tag team match.
Reaction: I like TNA going into the tag match almost immediately. The company has gone to Hulk Hogan promos as the opener way too much. This promo was a good way to sell the fans on the Sting vs Bully main event.
Bully Ray and Devon vs Sting and Joseph Park
Things quickly got heated as Bully controlled Park while Sting controlled Devon. The four men brawled outside the ring where Sting sent Devon into the steel steps and Bully sent Park into the turnbuckle post. Eventually Sting and Bully got in the ring together and began brawling. Sting took down Bully with a huge clothesline.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Devon was wearing down Joseph Park when we returned from break. Park took down Devon with a hip toss and a body slam. Park went for the Closing Argument by Bully Ray hit him with a cheapshot. Bully hit a cheapshot on Sting as well, moments later. Devon tagged in and mocked Hulk Hogan's poses. Devon continued picking apart Park with a huge back elbow. Bully Ray followed it up with a huge dropkick on Park.
Bully Ray and Devon went for a double team move but Park moves and the two collided. Sting tagged in and went after 3D. Sting locked in Devon in the Scorpion. Park went for a Scorpion on Bully, who kicked him into Sting breaking up the hold. Moments later, Sting hit a Stinger Splash on Devon. Team 3D hit a reverse 3D on Sting. 3D were going for the Wazzuup headbutt but Abyss' music hit.
Bully went to meet Abyss on the ramp but the Monster never came out. Meanwhile, Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop on Devon to pick up the win. Park looked on confused at what just went down.
Reaction: The tag team match was fun. I like the story with Abyss and Joseph Park even though the results are quite obvious. You really have to overlook the obvious points to enjoy it but when you do, it is a cool little story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Kurt Angle was angry backstage. Kurt said that while AJ didn't join the Aces and 8s, he still had unfinished business. Kurt said he would watch AJ Styles' match very closely.
Dixie Carter headed to the ring. She said that this Sunday was very special for TNA as they celebrate their 11th year in business. She said over the past 11 years, they have seen the most amazing wrestlers grace the ring. She announced that at Slammiversary they would announce the next inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame. Dixie then wished Sting the best of luck in his match this Sunday against Bully Ray as "everyone" in TNA is rooting for him.
At this point, Garett Bischoff, Wes Brisco and Doc interrupted. Bischoff took the mic and asked Dixie where the love was. He didn't hear her wishing Bully Ray luck. Bischoff knows she is excited for Slammiversary but the show will feel more like a funeral. The gang cornered Dixie when Samoa Joe and Magnus stormed the ring.
Joe said he spent a month picking stitches out of his face waiting to get his hands on them. He said Bischoff gets quite hands-on with woman but he challenged him to a match tonight to gets hands on with him.
Reaction: The segment would have meant more if TNA hadn't already announced that the second Hall of Famer would be announced at last week's show. I am a fan of Garett and am impressed by his new look. He has really grown as a performer. BTW, why does Joe always scream?
Samoa Joe vs Garett Bischoff
Garett tried jumping Samoa Joe but the Samoan Bulldozer saw him coming. He controlled the match while we headed into break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
The Aces and Eights were getting involved with Joe on the outside. Magnus came to aid his friend but the numbers got the better of him. The referee called for a No Contest. Joe dove onto the three on the outside. He then grabbed a mic and had Magnus join him in the ring.
Joe said he had a contingency for cowards. This Sunday it will be Garett Bischoff, Wes Brisco and "the shaved ape" Doc against Magnus, Samoa Joe and the returning Jeff Hardy. The Aces freaked out on the outside.
Reaction: Nothing much to that match. TNA could have saved time just announcing the six man right after Magnus and Joe saved Dixie. The Jeff Hardy moment is a big one to make Slammiversary feel even more special.
Backstage, James Storm explained why he chose Gunner as his partner. Storm if Gunner would kill people for his Country, he would kill people for him as well. Gunner talked up Storm and then about going to war.
Reaction: Why would Gunner kill people for him? Comparing himself to the United States is a bit farfetched. I am hoping this war talk is a way to introduce Gunner and Crimson as a tag team, possibly turning on James Storm along the way.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Hulk Hogan was backstage with Brooke. Hulk asked Brooke about how she reacted when Bully said he loved her. Brooke said she still had feelings for him. Hogan talked up Brooke's accomplishments in the Knockouts Division. He told Brooke to let Sting focus on Bully.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Bad Influence, Bobby Roode and Austin Aries vs James Storm, Gunner, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
Gunner and Daniels started things off. Daniels slapped him but Gunner powered him over with a backdrop. Daniels tagged Austin Aries in, who tagged in Bobby Roode. Taz continued to be a horrid color commentator. Gunner connected with an explosive clothesline on Roode.
Chavo and Hernandez worked over Bobby Roode with a number of double team moves. Chavo connected with the Three Amigos in the center of the ring. Chavo went up top for the Frog Splash and had to fight off Daniels and Kazarian before Aries hit a huge dropkick on Chavo. Aries and Roode hit a nice tandem Slingshot Back Elbow on Chavo. The heels worked over Chavo in their corner.
Hernandez tagged himself in and powered through the heels including a shoulder block on Daniels. A distraction allowed Austin Aries to hit a corner dropkick on Hernandez. Super Mex reversed a Brainbuster into a front suplex. Gunner tagged in and hit a huge Backbreaker followed by the Torture Rack. Austin Aries tapped to the move.
Reaction: Whining begins in 3...2...The fact is Gunner is getting a push right now. Its an 8-Man tag and Austin Aries submitting isn't the end of the world. The match was solid and Gunner looked good in victory.
Backstage, AJ Styles arrived backstage on his motorcycle.
Bully hyped up his team in the back. Bully told Mr. Anderson to take care of AJ Styles tonight. He was about to mention Joseph Park, but Devon cut him off saying he will deal with both Park and Abyss. Bully questioned where Jeff Hardy came from. He told Bischoff, Brisco and and Doc to run through Hardy, Joe and Magnus on Sunday. He said he had a job for Knux. Bully said he was declaring war on IMPACT Wrestling and he wanted victims. If he didn't get victims, any one of the members (or all of the members) would end up like D'Lo Brown.
Reaction: Good pep talk! Bully Ray pretty much declared that the guys need to get the job done or they are out. Hopefully this means a reshuffling of the group. Technically, Bully doesn't need to gang as he is strong enough by himself. I am interested to see where this leads.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A video announced that Bound For Glory would be in San Diego, CA.
Mickie James walked to the ring as the new Knockouts Champion. Mickie said it feels good to be champion. Mickie thanked the fans for supporting her. She plugged her new album. It has almost been two years since she has been Knockouts Champion. Mickie said has been a handful of fans who doubted how she won the title. She said she wanted to address that right now. Mickie called out Velvet Sky.
Velvet came out with her knee wrapped. Mickie said there has been a little bit of negativity over the way she won the title. She came to Velvet before the match last week and asked her if she wanted to continue. Mickie said she loved her and told the fans to give her a round of applause because she was a great champion.
Velvet wanted her rematch. Mickie said she can have her rematch when her knee heels. Velvet wanted her match at Slammiversary. Mickie said she already went to Brooke and she said that Gail Kim vs Taryn Terrell was already happening but after, it would be possible.
Gail Kim came out. She asked Mickie if she would have actually won the title without her help. Mickie said she would have. Gail ran down her opponents that she has taken out. At Slammiversary, she will be the Last Knockout Standing. After that, she was going for the title. Velvet argued and then Gail attacked her knee. Gail was going to lock Velvet into the Turnbuckle Figure Four while Mickie stood there and watched. Taryn Terrell came out for the save.
Reaction: Mickie was a little over the top here and Velvet was also bad in some of her delivery. Mickie is going into the sneaky heel character pretending to be a good girl. She smack talked Velvet a little while also trying to dodge a title match. Gail was really good with her remarks. I found it interesting that Mickie didn't help Velvet while Gail was going after her.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Chris Sabin and Taryn Terrell vs Kenny King and Gail Kim
ODB was referee for this match. Taryn wanted to get her hands on Gail, pushing Sabin aside while doing into. She hit some hard forearms to the heads of Gail. Taryn hit a nice flipping neckbreaker-type move. Taryn continued to be relentless, hitting a clothesline and then a suplex. Taryn hit a Flying Crossbody for a nearfall. Taryn went for a Spear but Gail tagged in King.
Sabin went right after King, hitting a series of deep armdrags. Kenny fought back with the Capoeira Kick on Sabin. King missed a Slingshot Leg Drop on Sabin. Sabin fought back with the Over Easy DDT for a two count. Gail grabbed the hair of Sabin, allowing King to get the advantage. Things broke down allowing Taryn to hit the Spear on Gail. Sabin connected with the driver called "You Hail Sabin" to get a victory over the X Champion.
After the match, Sabin grabbed a mic and said he would become champion. King attacked him and went for the Royal Flush. Suicide came out of nowhere and hit his finisher on King. He then picked up the X Title and celebrated with it. Ultimate X this Sunday!
Reaction: I enjoyed that match! Taryn was aggressive and broke out a few new moves. Sabin and King had some nice spots as well. I wish we could get more one-on-one X Division action than what we have been getting. Maybe having one-on-one Xhibitions between two X wrestlers would be an alternative. Finally, we got some Suicide, which I also like.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Mr. Anderson vs AJ Styles
AJ came to the ring with his regular entrance and black attire. AJ wore a "no one" shirt to the ring.
Reaction: The normal AJ entrance music and video don't fit the current AJ character. A slower, darker version needs to happen to really complete the character.
Anderson went right after AJ following the opening bell. Anderson had a short moment of offense before AJ fought back. AJ connected with a snap suplex on Anderson. Todd Keneley mentioned the slower, more methodical, more physical style that AJ has been using in his matches. AJ hit a Ace Crusher from the apron. AJ hit a full speed dropkick to Anderson on the outside.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
AJ was still in control, trying to suplex Anderson in the ring. Anderson fought out of it though. Anderson and AJ fought on the apron where Anderson gave AJ and eye poke. He followed it up with a big DDT on the apron. He rammed AJ's back into the ring.
Anderson locked in a top wristlock, guillotining AJ with his legs. AJ reversed a high knee into a rollup. Anderson hit a big shoulder tackle on AJ. Anderson worked the arm of AJ. AJ fired off a combination of strikes on Anderson culminating in a clothesline. Anderson fought out of a Tornado DDT and connected with the Fireman Roll.
Anderson went for the Mic Check but AJ countered out of it. He followed it up by putting Anderson in the tree of woe and hiting a big dropkick in the corner. All of a sudden, Kurt Angle came out of nowhere and attacked AJ. AJ got the upperhand though and attacked Kurt's knee. The Aces and 8s came in and attacked both men. At that moment, the heroes of TNA headed to the ring. A huge brawl broke out around the ring.
Bully Ray and Sting went nose to nose in the ring and exchnaged punches. Sting got the upperhand as he had adrenaline running through his veins. He was able to lock Bully into the Scorpion Death Drop until Devon came out and attacked Sting. Team 3D connected with the 3D on Sting. The Aces and Eights stood over Sting as the show came to a close.
Reaction: First of all, the main event was good. I like how AJ completely revamped his character, coming up with moves he didn't used to use including the Dropkick of Woe and the Strike Combination. His style is more ground-based and physical so it doesn't make sense for him to use the pretty high flying offense.
We have seen so many brawls throughout the years on IMPACT that they don't mean that much. The fight made sense to set the table for Slammiversary but overall it was nothing special.
Final Thoughts
Highly enjoyable episode of IMPACT. There was alot I liked about it. I am so excited for TNA Slammiversary this Sunday. It's Summertime folks and the TNA engines are starting to rumble.
Highly enjoyable episode of IMPACT. There was alot I liked about it. I am so excited for TNA Slammiversary this Sunday. It's Summertime folks and the TNA engines are starting to rumble.
