By Talon
May 9, 2013
Tupelo, MS
May 9, 2013
Tupelo, MS
Thursday Night IMPACT from Tupelo opened with Sting and Kurt Angle. Sting said he would show up to Boston as the #1 Contender. His goal is to show up at Slammiversary and strip Bully Ray of his power. Tonight there would be a six man tag. He recruited the best of the best, Kurt Angle. Kurt said last week he made D'Lo Brown scream "I Quit." One guy could turn the tide of the war, and that's AJ Styles. Kurt invited AJ to the ring.
A homely looking AJ answered Kurt's invitation. Kurt said he and Sting are ready for war, so will AJ join them against the Aces and 8s? AJ didn't answer which pissed off Kurt. Kurt said he demanded that AJ answer. Sting calmed things down and addressed AJ. Sting said he did the same thing (hanging out in the rafters and being his own man). Sting said they need AJ Styles. He looked at the crowd and told AJ that TNA was the house that AJ Styles built. Sting extended his hand to AJ. Before AJ could answer, Kurt Angle interrupted and told AJ he was either with them or against them.
AJ walked away from the ring and Kurt followed him. Kurt caught up with AJ and the two got physical. They brawled on the walkway where referees separated them. In the ring, the Aces and Eights jumped Sting. Bully Ray and Devon hit the 3D on the Icon. Kurt Angle made his way back to the ring but the damage was already done.
Reaction: AJ looked like he was considering Sting's offer when Kurt jumped in. The TNA Heroes need to work on their social skills because threatening people and demanding answers from them usually doesn't end well. I do like Sting's reference to his crow character back in 1996 as the similarities are definitely there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
AJ Styles was walking through the backstage area. The camera man asked if he would leave Sting and Angle out high and dry? AJ gave him a look of dismay.
Tara and Gail Kim vs Mickie James and Velvet Sky
Tara was accompanied by Jessie. While Mickie and Velvet looked to get along, it was Mickie who was soon double teamed by the heels. While Tara and Jessie were smooching, Gail Kim got frustrated and tagged herself in. Gail fought off a Hurricanrana but ran into the Mick Kick.
Hot tag to Velvet Sky and Tara. Velvet got a two following a neckbreaker. Gail Kim broke up the In Yo Face but Velvet sent her into Jessie. Velvet then hit her finisher on Tara for the victory. After the match, Gail argued with Tara. All of a sudden, Gail hit Tara with a short-arm clothesline. Gail then locked Tara into the Hanging Figure Four that she did to Taryn last week.
Reaction: This was a fine and short match. No drama between Mickie and Velvet Sky. I do like the more aggressive Gail Kim though. He was embarrassed by Taryn Terrell a few weeks ago and now she has been letting out her frustrations.
Backstage, the Aces and Eights joked backstage. D'Lo Brown showed up and said he didn't know there was a meeting. Bully told him there was another meeting in the ring. He asked every member but D'Lo if they were in. Everyone left but D'Lo, who looked on dejected.
Reaction: And there is dissension within the ranks. I bet its a double swerve where D'Lo gets forgiven. I don't agree with that if its the case. There needs to be more with the group then the same stuff week in and week out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
James Storm was backstage when Bad Influence popped up. They brought him a case of beer. They buttered up to him. Bad Influence said it wasn't just about refereeing tonight but to remind him of what Bobby Roode did to him. They asked him if he wanted to reunite Fortune and just call it Three-Tune. They said he had six minutes to think it over. After they left, Storm said he would only need four.
The Aces and Eights headed to the ring (D'Lo included). Wes Brisco intimidated Todd Keneley. Bully told the crowd that by now they should know who they are. He said tonight, he and his brothers will take on Sting, Kurt Angle and their "big" mystery partner. Bully said they knew it wouldn't be AJ Styles. He offered advice to any "heroes" who think they will ride in tonight; don't do it.
Bully Ray then focused on D'Lo Brown. Bully said that D'Lo disgraced the club against Kurt Angle. Bully demanded that D'Lo turn in his cut right now. D'Lo said he wouldn't. Bully told him once again to do it. "My cut is my life, no" D'Lo said. At that point the club pulled D'Lo's cut from him. Mr. Anderson got into D'Lo's face and told Brown that the club isn't for quitters.
Bully asked D'Lo if he would cry like a bitch. Bully wanted to know what D'Lo would do to earn his cut back. D'Lo wanted Magnus tonight but Bully said that Doc would take on Magnus tonight. D'Lo would sit ringside and would hope that Doc got the job done. The Aces and Eights left the ring as Magnus headed to the ring.
Reaction: I am hoping that D'Lo is out. The club needs fresh faces and D'Lo isn't a fresh face. Solid segment!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Magnus vs Doc
The two were in the middle of a match when we returned from commercial. Doc caught Magnus coming off the top as D'Lo watched from ringside. Doc hit Magnus with a big Avalanche in the corner. The beatdown continued with a big suplex. Magnus started to fight back, hitting him with the Rebound Clothesline.
Magnus went up top but Doc stopped him. Magnus eventually hit the Diving Elbow Drop for a two count. As Doc distracted the referee, D'Lo tried to attack Magnus. Magnus sent D'Lo into the ringside steps. Doc with the Flapjack for a two count. Doc tried sending Magnus into the ropes but Magnus reversed. D'Lo thought it was Magnus but accidentally tripped Doc. Magnus rolled up Doc for the win. Doc and D'Lo argued after the match.
Reaction: This is character development. I believe if TNA had more of this at a time, they would be much more of a compelling product.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
We got backstage with the Aces and 8s. D'Lo apologized for costing DOC the match. Bully got pissed and called D'Lo a disgrace. Bully told the group to hold him down. Bully was going to hit him in the head with the hammer but Mr. Anderson had a better idea, giving D'Lo a job he could do. Bully agreed and told D'Lo he would be their servant as he is nothing more than a prospect. They told D'Lo to get out of there and told him to take off his A&E shirt.
Hulk Hogan was talking with Kurt Angle and Sting backstage. Hulk suggested he be the partner but Sting reminded him that he wasn't medically able to. Hulk Hogan said he got a call from a wildcard that could run through the gang. Sting recommended Magnus as he was on fire. Hogan agreed and said he had some business.
Reaction: If this wildcard is Rob Terry, then TNA needs to adjust their line of thinking. Having Magnus in the main event will elevate him.
Elsewhere, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode were arguing saying this wasn't a good idea. They approached James Storm (ready to referee). Bobby Roode said he was always jealous of James Storm in Beer Money. Storm held onto his beer bottle just in case he needed it. Storm said the rumor was that when Austin Aries beat Bobby Roode "that it wasn't a fluke." Bobby asked Austin why Storm would say that?
Reaction: Good segment! It would make sense for the heels to "apologize" in a way for the Storm vs Roode issues. I do have to question exactly why Storm is the referee for this match when there isn't really a reason for it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs Bad Influence (James Storm as Referee)
World Tag Team Championship
Christy Hemme accidentally introduced Bobby Roode and Austin Aries as Bad Influence. Aries trapped her in the corner and do it correctly. He then posed in the corner with his crotch in Christy's face.
Aries and Kazarian chain-wrestled in the opening moments with both men getting their moments. Both men accused each other of pulling their hair. They both then hit an eye rake and faked a tag despite not even being close to their partners. They then made the official tag to their partners.
The cheating continued with Roode and Daniels. Roode and Daniels exchanged blows as well with Roode hitting a few high knees. Aries cheapshotted Daniels from behind and then followed it up with a double team maneuver. Aries and Roode cut the ring off for Daniels. Daniels was sent out to the walkway where Aries hit him with a double axe handle.
It was then Bad Influence's turn as Kazarian cheapshotted Roode on the outside. They targeted the back of Roode. Roode eventually fought out and made the hot tag to Austin Aries. Aries with a huge corner dropkick to Kazarian followed by a Discus Elbow to Daniels. Aries sent Daniels onto his partner at ringside and connected with a Heat Seeking Missile to Bad Influence.
Aries hit the Frog Splash on Daniels before Kazarian broke things up. Bad Influence countered a move into a double slam maneuver. Bobby Roode broke up the pin. Roode countered the Fade to Black and then hit the Double R Spinebuster. Austin Aries and Daniels countered each other's finishers. Daniels pulled on Aries' tights but was caught by Storm.
Austin Aries spit beer in Daniels's face. He then taunted James Storm who went for the Last Call. He missed and hit Daniels instead. Storm refused to make the pinfall and then connected with another Last Call on Austin Aries. James Storm then walked out of the match as this match was thrown out.
Reaction: That was incredibly chaotic but fun. I like the Cowboy in the role of the Lone Wolf. I am guessing we will get some sort of 3-Way over the tag titles at Slammiversary?
In the parking lot, the Aces and 8s were beating on Magnus. They beat on him with chairs and other weapons. Magnus fought back and grabbed a stick. The numbers were too much though as the Aces got the upperhand. They broke some sort of box over Magnus' face. They then smashed the face of Magnus off-screen.
Reaction: Well, I guess Magnus is out of the main event. I am definitely fearing that the wildcard is Rob Terry at this point.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
We got a Suicide vignette. He will be returning soon.
Reaction: Fun video! I always liked the Suicide character so I look forward to his return.
Kenny King headed to the ring with the X Title and dressed in street gear. Kenny King said he was the "pretty boy pitbull" and their X Champion. Since he arrived in IMPACT Wrestling, he has been exceptional. Every week he has to beat two men. Tonight, he was talking about a guy who constantly beats the odds. He introduced the former X Champion, Chris Sabin.
Chris Sabin headed to the ring as we were reminded that Sabin, King and Petey Williams would fight for the X Title. Kenny asked Sabin to tell his story. Chris said for the past two years, he has spent time in rehab and his basement. Sabin said he doesn't know what it takes when his love was taken from him. Sabin told King that he has nothing left to lose so every time he steps into the ring, he will fight like its his last match. Next week, he is looking at the next X Champion. King called Sabin an inspiration and a champion in his eyes.
Kenny asked Sabin to hold the X Championship one more time. He handed Sabin the X Title and told him that it was the closest he would ever get the X Title while he was alive. King said he would rain golden showers on Sabin's parade. King told Sabin to give him back his belt. Sabin then smacked King in the head with the title.
Reaction: Good promo between the two. This is the first promo of the new X Division. The 3-Way rules are already getting in the way as Petey Williams is also in the match. It will be hard to build clear-cut feuds with these rules even if TNA tried it tonight. The new X Division allows character development but limits personal grudges.
In the back, James Storm was on the ground hurt while Bad Influence and Bobby Roode/Austin Aries argued. Referees and agents finally separated them as Storm reeled.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Next week, former Gutcheck competitors will fight for a spot in the BFG Series. Sam Shaw, Christian York, Alex Silva and Jay Bradley will fight in a 4-Way tournament for a BFG Series spot.
Reaction: Great decision! The one I would book to win it would be Jay Bradley as he has the most to offer out of all of them. TNA has been on a roll tonight.
Backstage, Bully Ray gave the club a pep talk. Bully said he would weed out the weak and D'Lo was weak for saying "I Quit." Bully told Knux that when D'Lo gets back to tell him to wash the bikes.
Sting and Kurt Angle said they were out of time. Hulk was on the phone with the wildcard and said it was now or never. Sting and Angle headed to the ring because their match was next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Kurt Angle and Sting vs Bully Ray, Devon and Mr. Anderson
No partner for Sting and Angle was nearby as the Aces made their entrance. The match opened up as a 2-on-3 handicap match. The numbers game quickly came into play as the Aces double teamed Angle in the corner. Bully Ray tried for big chops in the corner but missed on two occasions. Angle tagged in Sting but Bully tagged out to Anderson.
Sting crotched Anderson onto the ropes before tagging in Angle. He didn't have the advantage for very long as Bully hit a big clothesline on Angle. The worked over Angle in the corner. Bully and Devon hit a Reverse 3D onto Angle.
A camera cut to the back where the entire Aces and Eights gang was taken out. We headed into the commercial break with the announcers wondering who did it.
Reaction: My top choices for the wildcard are Rob Terry, Abyss and Rob Van Dam. I could see it being RVD since he was a free agent the last time I checked. I like the hook in this main event. Terry and Abyss are dominant enough to run through the entire group.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Bully Ray had Kurt Angle down with the announcers asking who could have laid out the gang. Bully hit a huge dropkick on Angle. Anderson continued wearing down Angle. Devon with a side headlock on Angle dead center in the ring. Angle tried firing back but got caught with a kick from Bully. Bully tagged in and hit a neckbreaker.
Angle made the hot tag to Sting, who was a house afire. Stinger Splash to Devon followed by the Scorpion Deathdrop. Anderson break up the pin. Another Stinger Splash but Bully breaks up the move. Bully and Sting go nose to nose. The two brawl with Sting getting the upperhand. He locks Bully into the Scorpion. Anderson with the Mic Check.
Anderson send Angle into the ringside steps. Elsewhere, Devon puts a table into the ring. He and Bully set it up and signal for the 3D on Sting. All of a sudden, the Monster Abyss made his entrance. He cleared house on the Aces and Aces. He then chokeslammed Mr. Anderson through the table. A Black Hole Slam on Devon followed shortly after. Abyss pinned Devon in the center of the ring.
Reaction: Awesome return here! The Abyss character has been gone since the beginning of 2012 so he is fresh. I actually jumped out of my seat when I saw him. It will be interesting how certain other characters play out with Abyss.
Final Thoughts
This was easily the most entertaining episode of IMPACT in the past two months, if not the entire year. Had TNA moved storylines and characters forward like they did all night, there might not be as much pessimism. Between the Abyss return, the stuff with D'Lo, the Tag Team match and more, there was alot to like about tonight. Congrats, TNA for the episode!
This was easily the most entertaining episode of IMPACT in the past two months, if not the entire year. Had TNA moved storylines and characters forward like they did all night, there might not be as much pessimism. Between the Abyss return, the stuff with D'Lo, the Tag Team match and more, there was alot to like about tonight. Congrats, TNA for the episode!
