iMPACT Wrestling Results (8/18): A Flair Experience

Source: TNAStars.com

Opening Segment

Insane Sting makes his entrance to kick off the show and he flops his way down the ramp and in the ring. Sting says that’s proof he lost his mind. It’s a reenactment of what happened to him last week. He notes that the only reason he remembers that much of it is because he had to rewatch it on tape. He also notes he was nervous and he saw the fire in his eyes (how he worded it) and that it was great to see him get his rear-end handed to him by the greatest of all time: Hulk Hogan. Sting asks the crowd if they want to see the Hulkster back in the ring to a thunderous applause. He says he wants to see it and almost died last week. He asks the crowd to start the Official Hogan chant, but out comes “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair!

Ric asks Sting if he just called Hulk the greatest of all time. He asks Sting when they put the tag “Icon” on him; did he know that that makes him special? Flair always blows off people who ask him when he’s going to wrestle Sting again, and he says he doesn’t want to wrestle Sting since he’s wrestled him 1500 times. He tells Sting not to just say he wants to do it, he wants Sting to know he’s the icon in his eyes because he’s full of energy and strong as a bull, and for Flair to get where he wants to be, he has to wrestle Sting. Flair tells Sting that if he beats him, Sting goes home for good, and it’s not a phony wrestling retirement, he goes home for good, but if Sting beats Flair, he’ll give him Hogan on a silver platter. Sting decides to ask the people what they think, and then he tells Flair he smells like garlic, but he accepts the offer.

((Jarrett’s Jab – I may be bias, but I almost choked on my water when Sting called Hogan the greatest of all time. I thought he was referring to Kurt Angle. I think the greatest in the world is Shawn Michaels, but that’s just me.  Not excited about Sting vs. Flair because it’ll lead to Sting vs. Hogan and who wants to see that? Can we please get some young guys front and center around here. It’s like WCW circa 1999.))

–Commercial Break-

Flair barges in Hogan’s office yelling “Hulkamania!” Hogan is about to blow a gasket and tells Flair has no idea what he just did. Flair said not to worry about it because they’re the two greatest wrestlers ever, but Hogan is still worried because he gave him everything he had and he kept going. Flair said it’s okay because he has Sting’s number, but Hogan says he better take care of Sting because Flair doesn’t want a problem with him. Flair tells Hogan he loves him, gives him a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and walks out WHOO, WHOOO, WHOOOO-ing all the way home.

A video recaps the BFG Series over the weekend. Ray gained seven points over Devon. Crimson is first with fifty points, while Bully Ray is a close second with 42 points.

Bound for Glory Series: Scott Steiner vs. Devon

Matt Morgan is out on commentary for his obligated one out of two Bound for Glory series bouts. Steiner tries a sneak attack, but gets nailed with right hands and a forearm by Devon. A splash by Devon gains him a two count. Steiner catches Devon off guard with a  big boot, chop, and suplex for two. Devon charges into the corner, but Steiner catches him with a forearm and uses the ropes to gain a two count.

Winner by Pinfall: Scott Steiner

Samoa Joe shows up from behind and stomps on Devon’s right knee and locks in a leg lock. Devon’s kids check on him, and almost get obliterated, but Pope comes out to protect them. Joe smiles and leaves while Pope yells for some help.

-Commercial Break-

#1 Contenders Gauntlet: Alex Shelly, Anthony Neese, Kid Kash, Robbie E, Zema Ion, Jesse Sorensen, Mark Haskins, Austin Aries

Alex Shelley vs. Mark Haskins – Dropkick by Haskins leads to multiple right hands in the corner by Haskins. Shelley gets the advantage with a series of hits and kicks. Shelley goes for Sliced Bread, but Haskins counters. Haskins arm drags Shelly and kits an RKO for two. Shelley counters a Huricirana and hits Haskins with an atomic drop. Shelley goes for Sliced Bread again, but gets backslid for two. Haskins goes for a chokeslam and gets three? Winner by Pinfall: Mark Haskins

Mark Haskins vs. Robbie E –  Robbie tells at Cookie and Haskins and gets rolled up (with tights hooked) for a three count. Winner by Pinfall: Mark Haskins

Mark Haskins vs. Zema Ion – Ion hits a top rope leg drop and then a surfboard slam for two. Ion charges and gets caught in a unique schoolboy, but kicks out before one. Ion hits a sling-shot DDT and hits a 450 splash for three. Winner by Pinfall: Zema Ion

Zema Ion vs. Jesse Sorensen – Sorensen hits a top-rope legdrop for only two to start off the fall. Sorensen misses a dropkick and eats a neckbreaker for two. Ion goes up top for the 450, but eats Sorensen’s boots on the landing. Sorensen quickly hits CrossRoads for three.

Jesse Sorensen vs. Anthony Neese – Neese runs over with a clothesline Sorensen for a two count. Sorensen throws Neese in the turnbuckle, but gets reversed and eats Neese’s knee for two. Neese goes for a fireman’s carry maneuver, but gets reversed. A Bridging German Suplex gets Neese two. Neese goes for the Lionsault and misses. Soresen eats another CrossRoads for two.

Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash – Kash starts off the fall strong with right hands as we are informed that they have to take a commercial break.

-Commercial Break-

Kash hits a backbreaker for a two count. Kash goes up top for a moonsault but only two. Kash goes for a Money Maker (double-underhook piledriver), but gets countered for three. Winner by Pinfall: Jesse Sorensen

Jesse Sorensen vs. Austin Aries – Kash hits a Money Maker and the bell rings.  Aries flips him over and cockily pins him for two. Aries picks him up, but gets rolled up for two. Aries hits a stiff boot and dropkick, and then hits the Brainbuster for a three count.

Winner of the X-Division Gauntlet: Austin Aries

Cristy Hemme interviews Austin Aries after the match and Aries humerously refers back to last week when Bischoff called Brian Kendrick the “Wizard of Odd” and said he will be beaten by “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived.” Kendrick comes to ringside to shake Aries hand, but Aries laughs it off. Kendrick attacks Aries from behind and security try to pull Kendrick from Aries leg. ((Jarrett’s Jab – As much as I hate this code of conduct crap, Aries is striving off of it. He is the only X Division heel and he’s getting the ovation for it.))

-Commercial Break-

Recap from the Sting/Flair promo earlier is played as they cut to Sting in what looks like the parking lot. Now they cut to Taz and Tenay, who notes that Immortal cut all ties with Mister Anderson last week. Tenay says that both of Anderson’s eardrums were ruptured and he will be out indefinitely.

A long Bound for Glory promo shows. ODB compliments Mickie James and implies that once they get signed, it’s back to what they were doing weeks ago. ((Jarrett’s Jab – I really question turning Angle heel, if for nothing else, Bound for Glory will be in his hometown.  Him trying to overcome Immortal and win the world title would in my mind, sell his hometown crowd on coming, but I don’t know.))

-Commercial Break-

Traci Brooks is shown in Bischoff about possibly becoming Knockout Law again. I’m not sure whether it was her top, or less of a headache, but Bischoff said he’d think about it. After Traci left, he said “Knockout Law, could be interesting.”

ODB vs. Mickie James

I think this is ODB and Mickie James first match between each other, at least on TV. ODB dominates early, exerting her power over James with an armbar. James starts trying to gain momentum with right hands and a snapmare-dropkick combo for two. James goes for a Lou Thez press, but ODB catches her and hits her with the Fallaway slam. ODB slams James into the corner and then mows over her with a sholderblock for two. ODB slams James into the corner following a Bear Hug, and locks in the Bear Hug again. James connects with several forearms to break out and hits a dropkick. James hits a hangman neckbreaker and ODB and James kip-up on four. ODB and James trade right hands before James wins with several clotheslines. James fights with ODB on the apron and Mickie falls on the floor. Jackie teases an attack, but decides against it. James slams ODB’s head into the turnbuckle and hits a top rope Lou Thez Press. James misses her DDT and ODB nails a corner splash, but misses the bronco buster. James hits the Jumping DDT for a three count.

Winner by Pinfall: Mickie James

Jackie teases flooring Mickie James, but shakes her hand.

-Commercial Break-

Winter and Angelina Love are backstage talking about how great it is to be Knockouts Champion, and Winter says there’s nothing hardcore about that little squirrel Mickie James, and she can’t wait for Angelina to be there with her. Mickie’s not living in the real world because this is Winter’s world, and blood is orgasmic. She takes a sip of the “blood” from her wine glass. ((Jarrett’s Jab – Then I stand corrected from last week. I know Tajri, famous Japanese wrestler used several different colors of mist while he wrestled in the States, so I figured that would be it. ))

Bound For Glory Series: Rob Van Dam vs AJ Styles

Jerry Lynn is shown sitting ringside as RVD and AJ tie up. RVD sends AJ into the ropes and they have a back and forth sequence that goes to a stalemate. AJ catches RVD with a dropkick followed by a side backbreaker for two. AJ comes off the ropes with a big kneedrop for two, then he unloads on RVD in the corner with chops. RVD with a BIG monkey flip that sends AJ clear across the ring, then he follows up with Rolling Thunder for two. Jerry Lynn suddenly hops the rail and starts arguing with the referee, and RVD gets distracted and tells Lynn to get back to his seat. RVD hits AJ with the stepover leg lariat and goes up for the Five Star Frog Splash, but AJ hits the ropes to crotch RVD and goes up for a superplex. RVD fights AJ off and shoves him backward into the ring and goes for the Five Star, but AJ gets the knees up and covers for a two count. RVD and AJ trade blows and AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but RVD backdrops his way out so AJ hits the Pelle Kick and goes for the cover, but Lynn grabs the referee and drags him out of the ring to break the count. The referee has finally had enough and calls for the DQ.

Winner: AJ Styles by DQ

RVD is now down another 10 points, and AJ goes and gets in Jerry Lynn’s face. RVD then goes out and starts arguing with Lynn as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

RVD and Jerry Lynn are still arguing with each other backstage and Jerry still says he was trying to help, but RVD says he doesn’t need any help and walks off.

Ric Flair is in a warehouse complaining about who knows what, and he’s still trying to find Sting. He hears various random noises and can’t quite pin down the source, but says he never liked the rafters gimmick and he’s getting really pissed off. Sting finally reveals himself, and Gunner comes out of nowhere and attacks him. Sting turns the tables and Flair heads for the hills as Sting beats the crap out of Gunner. Flair yells that Gunner is fired! Sting tells Gunner that he’s destined for great things, Gunner reaches out to him and Sting slaps his hands away, exclaiming “Don’t touch me” ((Jarrett’s Jab – It’s been noted that I’m a fan of Flairs promo work and for a split second, I was interested in his match with Sting.))

An Eric Young promo came on, sorry for the lack of description. I used it as a bathroom break.

Crimson is shown making his way to the arena.

-Commercial Break-

Crimson makes his entrance and calls out a man he “used to have respect for:” Kurt Angle. Crimson says that last week he said he was going to eliminate every young athlete on the roster, and Angle chose him as the first victim. Crimson deduces that he failed because he’s still standing, right in front of him, and pissed off. Angle says he appreciates the respect and wishes he can return it, but Crimson is a nobody going nowhere. Angle’s here to make him because without Angle, he’s an uncoordinated, green-ass little bitch, and it takes a star like him to make them. He’s been making people his entire career, and it’s gotten him spit on, kicked in the balls, and disrespected. Crimson says not one of the young guys in the back has ever disrespected him, but he listens to all of Hogan’s BS. Crimson says it’s his honor to compete with Angle, and Angle says he’s damn right it’s his honor because guys like Crimson can’t even shine his gold medal. Angle looks at him and sees nothing and that he’s not going anywhere in this business. Angle goes to walk away, but Crimson puts his hand up and gently guides Angle back in front of him so he can say that he’s going to be somebody and he already is. He says if Angle faces him here next week, he’ll show him why he’s the future of wrestling and also the here and now. Oh, and by the way, he’s real…he’s damn real. Angle doesn’t blink as Crimson hobbles out of the ring and back up the ramp. ((Jarrett’s Jab – It’s hard to hate Angle because he’s telling the truth. Crimson is annoying for me to watch and he’s pretty green in my opinion.))

-Commercial Break-

The Jarretts join Mike Tenay and Taz at the broadcast booth, and then it’s main event time!

World Tag Team Title Match: Beer Money vs Mexican America

Anarquia and Roode start off with a back and forth wrestling sequence, but Roode shoves Anarquia into the ropes and he takes Roode down with a shoulderblock. Roode comes back with a back elbow and stomps Anarquia down in the corner Stone Cold style. Storm tags in and they double team Anarquia relentlessly and Storm covers for two. Storm hits a chestbreaker and a uranage slam for a two count, then decimates Anarquia in the corner with right hands. Hernandez nails Storm from the outside and Anarquia jumps on him like a shark and repeatedly drills him with right hands. Mexican America with the Beverly Drop on Storm for two, then Hernandez bowls Storm over with a running tackle and covers for another two count. Mexican America with a double shoulderblock and Anarquia covers for only a two count, then goes to a rear chinlock, Storm fights free but Hernandez comes in and tries the Border Toss, Storm escapes that and tags out to Roode, who comes in and runs through Hernandez with a series of clotheslines and then destroys him in the corner with chops. Roode off the second rope with a Blockbuster for two, then catapults Anarquia into a DDT from Storm. Beer Money with a double vertical suplex on Hernandez and do the “BEER…MONEY!” chant. Rosita pops into the ring and gets in Beer Money’s face, but Karen gets up and runs down to the ring to save her Mexican sister. Beer Money gets completely distracted by Karen as Anarquia sneaks into the ring and dumps Storm out of the ring, but turns around into a spinebuster from Roode. Now Sarita is up on the ring apron and distracting the referee while Hernandez sneaks in and knocks Roode out with the title belt, and Anarquia covers for the win.

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Mexican America

The Jarretts celebrate in the ring with Mexican America as Storm and Roode look really unhappy at ringside. ((Jarrett’s Jab – I love that the Tag Team Titles are spotlighted, but I hate that they decided to make the worst wrestlers in the company the Tag Team Champions.))