iMPACT Wrestling Results (12/1): Family Doesn’t Matter

Source: TNAStars.com

Opening Segment

Impact Wrestling opens up with a video package showing Bobby Roode’s family and friends talking about Roode’s dramatic change.

Inside the Impact Zone, The Icon Sting comes out in front of the live crowd. Sting says that there is a lot of inmates trying to run the asylum and calls out Bobby Roode. Roode comes out wearing a suit and tie and a moderate “You Suck” chant plagues him throughout his long walk to the ring.

Roode reminds Sting that he is the World Champion and tells Sting to make it quick because his time is precious. Sting says that everyone in the back is acting as good as wrestles can, but Roode been going around cheating and sneak attacking people. Roode thinks it’s made for great TV to have him take out AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy with HIS World Title belt, and he assumes Sting called him out here to thank him for saving Impact Wrestling and putting it on his back to carry it to 2012 and beyond. Roode tells Sting he’s welcome, but Sting says he didn’t bring him out here to thank him, he brought him out here to remind him that it’s his way, and for every bad choice Bobby makes, there’s going to be a consequence…starting now.

The music hits and AJ Styles comes down to the ring to have a word with the World Champion. Roode says he sees how it is because, not only does he have an Ironman Match with AJ at Final Resolution, he’s got Sting fighting his battles for him now. Sting says wait, we’re only getting started, and now Jeff Hardy comes out to join the party as well. Hardy tells Roode that the difference between Roode and them is that they respect Sting’s authority and he wants to know why Roode doesn’t too. Roode says screw Sting’s leadership, but Sting says no, screw you Roode because he’s in a three way match with AJ and Hardy tonight. The promo-ending music hits and Roode looks angry as our gloved Commissioner makes his way back up the aisle. ((Jarrett’s Jab – First thing First, Roode needs to drop the suit. That hasn’t been original since 2008 and it doesn’t make him stand out the way they should. Sting running Impact has been good so far, but they need to come up with some type of title for him because “The Man In Charge” is the closest they have.))

-Commercial Break-

The Knockouts are in the garage in robes. Karen comes in and reminds them about last weeks’ “Thanksgiving Thong Throwdown.” Since everyone chose to disrespect her, she’s going to make them wash the wrestlers’ cars, get down on their hands and knees and scrub the rims and tires (which Velvet should be good at, her words not mine.) She said that she’s going to go make some phone calls and they better be disrobed and washing cars when she gets back. Madison gleefully removes her robes and yells at the rest of them to get their robes off and get to work.

The Mystery Cameraman catches up with Jeff Hardy backstage and asks what he and AJ’s strategy with Bobby Roode is going to be. Hardy says he and AJ are on good terms, but not with Roode so he’s in trouble. Jeff Jarrett comes in and asks Hardy what makes him think he deserves to be in the company he founded, much less in the main event of Impact. Jarrett says he doesn’t deserve to be in the Impact Zone, and Hardy says this is his last shot, and Jarrett says he can respect that…then throws his coat in Hardy’s face and kicks his ass before ramming him into some kind of bin and hitting him with a chair. Hardy fights back and comes after Jarrett with the chair before chasing him off to the back. ((Jarrett’s Jab – Just because Jeff Hardy can’t cut a face promo, doesn’t mean that these constant brawls))

Bully Ray meets Eric Bischoff in the Boiler Room and Bischoff says he has no leverage and needs a favor. Bischoff says his situation with Garret is getting to him, and he may need Ray to get involved later. Bischoff says that they couldn’t have abused Abyss any more, and when they need him he’s snapped. Bischoff asked Ray to talk to him and Ray said he would talk to Steiner and see if they could come up with something. Ray also chimed in for Bischoff to let him know if he wants Garret taken care of. ((Jarrett’s Jab – Maybe it’s just me, but the little details mean a lot. Meeting in the Boiler Room shows exactly how little leverage Immortal has in TNA and really drove home Bischoff’s speech. It also looks like we’ll see more of Gunner playing Garret’s personal jobber.))

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown from earlier today of the Bikini Knockout car wash. Gail Kim convinces Tara to take off her robe. Karen tells the Knockouts how proud she is of them and ODB walks up to her. Karen says that she got her a Street Fight with Mickie James, and if she hurts Mickie, ODB is the new number one contender. ODB agrees and walks on and Karen starts yelling at the knockouts again.

#1 Contenders Match: Ink Inc. vs. Mexican America vs. ‘The Pope’ D’Angelo Dinero and Devon

The match starts out as basically a tornado match with a free for all brawl with The Pope and Devon getting the advantage to start off the match. Hernandez and Pope start off the match with Pope getting the early advantage with a snapmare before Hernandez tags out to Jesse Neal. Pope gets a running powerslam and Anarquia tags himself in. Pope gets a series of right hands before taking out Shannon Moore, Hernandez and sending himself through the outside and throtling Anarquia at the same time. Hernandez takes out Pope with a nasty clothesline and Anarquia pins him for two. Hernandez tags in and hits a sholder blcok for two. Hernandez uses his shirt to choke out Pope and locks him in a Bear Hug, trying to choke the life out of Pope. Pope slaps the ears to break the hold, but gets clothesline for a two count. Anarquia tags in and covers Pope for two. Hernandez tags in and goes for Border Toss, but Pope slides out and hits an STO. Devon gets the hot tag and runs through both members of Mexican America and covers Anarquia for two. Devon throws Hernandez off the top rope and runs through both of them before Jesse Neal tags himself in. Neal accidentally spears Anarquia and eats a spinebuster by Devon for the pin.

Winners by Pinfall: “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero and Devon

The X Division Champion, A Double, Austin Aries is shown walking backstage and we will hear from him…NEXT!

-Commercial Break-

Aries shush’s the crowd and tells them to quiet down for a second, when they refused, he told them to boo as loud as they could. Aries says that when he came into TNA, he said he was the Greatest Man who Ever Lived, and he’s exceed his own expectations. He said that his best was better than everyone else’s and that he has beaten everyone there is to beat and they should rename the X Division the “A Double” Division. Jesse Sorensen didn’t stand a chance and some girl in the crowd cheers loud enough for Aries to hear him. He replies to her that he knows she loves Jesse, but it’s not a good looking contest, it’s a wrestling contest; and if it was a good looking contest, he’d win that too. Nobody in Impact Wrestling can hold a candle to what A Double does, and out comes Kid Kash. Aries says Kash looks a little upset and tells him to relax, but Kash takes the microphone out of Aries’ hand and says he heard Aries say he beat everyone in the X Division, and accuses Aries of pulling a screwjob at Turning Point. They had an agreement to take out Jesse Sorensen and they did that, but then Aries snuck in from behind and pinned his ass. Or maybe he remembers walking out on Kash in their tag team match, so he wants Aries to come clean with him. Aries says he knows Kash has been in the business 20 years, but Aries hasn’t been in the business ten minutes, he’s the X Division Champion and he doesn’t see any belts around Kash’s waist. Kash says he had that title longer than anyone way before Aries was in the company, but Aries takes the belt off and lays it down between them and says that all Kash has to do is shake his hand and he’s got a title match. Aries sticks out his hand and Kash takes it, and then they both sucker punch each other. Aries calls Kash a cheap shot artist and says now he doesn’t get a title shot as he backpedals up the ramp. ((Jarrett’s Jab – If I had to pin-point the best thing going in TNA, Aries would be at the top of that list. He is Mr. It, and it shows with how well his promos are and how well he is in the ring. Kash and Aries should be good, but it’s sad that they’ve basically ran through the X Division and haven’t even thought of Alex Shelly or Douglas Williams.))

Gunner is walking into Garett Bischoff’s gym with a cameraman in tow because he’s going to find him wherever he is and take care of him. We’ll find out what he does…NEXT!

-Commercial Break-

AJ Styles is backstage saying he respects Jeff Hardy and the progress he’s made, but Bobby Roode’s at the bottom of his list and AJ’s at the top of his game and he’s going to get his hands on him tonight.

We go to the gym where Gunner walks around the gym looking for Garett Bischoff and kicking everyone’s ass. Finally, he beats up some fat guy cry out in an armbar and tells him to tell Garett that Gunner is coming for him.

Sting is backstage telling Jeff Jarrett that if he gets involved in tonight’s main event, there’s going to be consequences. Jarrett says that Sting was the one in the ring with Jeff Hardy when he showed up in no kind of condition and disrespected the World Title that’s supposed to mean more than anything. Sting repeats that if Jarrett gets involved, there’s going to be a consequence, and Jarrett says he might just be willing to pay that consequence.

Bully Ray and Scott Steiner are backstage having their brainstorming session on how to lure Abyss back to Immortal, and they decide to get Abyss not girls, but freaks. ((Jarrett’s Jab – I love listening to Scott Steiner, it’s always hilarious.))

-Commercial Break-

Street Fight: ODB vs. Mickie James

ODB meets James at the ramps and the two start trading rights as the referee rings the bell. ODB sends James head first into the ring apron before throwing her in the ring. Mickie starts fighting back with right hands, but ODB catches her and throws her into a corner. ODB goes for a splash, and Mickie gets out of the way and drags her to the floor and covers her for two. ODB sends James flying into the ring steps and grabs her by the hair to drag her to the security barrier. James tries a Huriciarana, but gets power bombed onto the floor for two. ODB drags her up the Motorcycle entrance to the Handicapped section and before ODB can do anything, James sends her into the wall and leaves a dent. The two fight to the back and ODB uses a trashcan lid and then the trash can on James. ODB covers, but only gets two. The two grab cookie sheets and collide against each other. ODB grabs the hair and trash talks her while slamming her into a wall. James shoves ODB away and grabs a broomstick slams it into the back. Tenay plugs Spike TV’s Video Game Awards, as ODB drags James to the ring. Mickie surprises ODB with a bridging roll-up for two. Mickie starts to get on a roll with clotheslines and a dropkick for two. Mickie starts to show some frustration and goes for the Mickie T, but ODB counters with the Fallaway slam and kip-up.  ODB eyes a chair and runs toward Mickie, but she ducks and superkicks ODB for three.

Winner by Pinfall: Mickie James

James Storm is shown getting a microphone pinned on him for an in-home interview…right after this break! ((Jarrett’s Jab – A fun Street Fight that we should have seen two weeks ago instead of the gauntlet in my opinion. Miss Hardcore Country definitely looks strong going toward her Knockouts Title Match with Gail Kim at Final Resolution.))

-Commercial Break-

Mike Tenay asks James Storm about his condition and Storm says he’s getting better. Taz asks when Storm thinks he will be cleared, Storm says he isn’t sure. Tenay states that Angle is going to be the first one to ask for a match and Kurt Angle takes over to conduct an interview himself. Kurt Angle asks how it felt to get his brains knocked in and Storm said he’ll know when he comes back. Angle challenges Storm to a match at Final Resolution and says if he’s a man, he’ll accept it man to man next week and Storm says that he’ll be there. ((Jarrett’s Jab – Is it sad that Angle conducted a better interview than the announce team did. Angle and Storm should be a nice, entertaining pit-stop on the road to the inevitable Storm and Roode match, and they should milk this all they can.))

In the back two women, who I assume are the women that Scott Steiner was talking about, are excited to meet this wrestler and give a very inaccurate description of Abyss to lead us into commercial.

We see a video package of Bobby Roode’s parents, friends, sister, and wife talking about Roode’s recent actions and how disappointing it was for him to not win the title and how they never would have expected him to do the things he’s done. Roode asks who they are to question him since he’s paying the bills and putting food on the table, but Roode’s wife doesn’t know what to tell her kids other than just saying what daddy did was wrong. They all agree that they hope Roode sees the error of his ways soon. Roode doesn’t care what they think because after 13 years, he finally got what he wanted, but he says to ask them how the new car’s driving and how all the other stuff he paid for is because the World Title is making it all happen.

-Commercial Break-

Television Championship: Robbie E (c) vs. Rob Van Dam

As the title close-up is shown, Television isn’t actually written on the belt, it’s just a silver rectangle. Tenay hypes the VGA’s again as Rob Van Dam dams his shoulders into Robbie E’s midsection. Monkey Flip by RVD and a clothesline sends Robbie E outside as the referee starts the count. RVD sends Robbie flying with a baseball slide and Robbie T stands in the way of a dive. RVD mocks Robbie T as Robbie E comes from behind and misses a right hand. RVD buts boots to Robbie T’s face before Robbie E again gets the advantage with a back elbow and a top rope forearm drop. Robbie E whips RVD into the corner and RVD counters with several right hands. Robbie E tries it again and gets a leg lariat to the face for his trouble. Eric Young runs down the entrance way worth a fire extinguisher while Robbie E slides into the ring. Robbie E eats a boot and goes up top for the Five-Star Frog Splash. Christopher Daniels comes from the Motorcycle entrance and hits the Angles Wings and runs out as Robbie E makes the cover and retains the Television Championship.

Winner and STILL Television Champion: Robbie E

((Jarrett’s Jab – For someone with the talent of RVD, I was really hoping they would make Robbie E look like more of a in ring threat, but it looks like this will continue to be a comedy propt.))

The two hookers…erm…“freaks” walk down the hallway with messed up hair. The Blonde asks what happens as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

The girls are STILL washing cars and now they are fighting with sponges and water. Some of the superstars show up to see the commotion and Gail Kim puts a hose on all of the, as they hide behind a car.

TNA Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy is the first to make his entrance and high-fives the majority of people on the railing and points to the ramp as AJ Styles’ music starts. Tenay notes that AJ Styles is getting another shot at Roode’s TNA Title in an Iron Man match at Final Resolution. Roode comes out to tremendous boos and a loud “You Suck” chant.

Roode slides out at the bell to a loud “You Suck” chant.  AJ goes on the apron and tries to convince Roode to come in the ring. AJ drops down and slowly starts to go agter Roode. Hardy is shown on the other side and the two ping-ponging Roode before throwing him in the ring. Roode asks for a Time out and the two ping-pong him in the ring with rights. Tenay notes that this may as well be a handicapped match and the tandem of AJ and Hardy double clothesline Roode to the floor.

-Commercial Break-

AJ Styles is slugging it out with Roode in the ring, and Roode is able to slingshot AJ off the ropes, knocking Hardy off. Roode goes for a pin, but Hardy comes down with a double ax-handle to AJ. Roode kicks Hardy from behind, but Hardy gets the advantage quickly and beats Roode down in the corner. AJ gets some shots of his own in. Roode rakes AJ’s eyes behind Hardy’s back and then slaps Hardy in the back of the head and then falls to the mat. AJ and Hardy confront each other and it leads to a shoving match. AJ kills Hardy with a dropkick, but Hardy comes back with a dropkick, Russian legsweep, and legdrop cradle for a two count. Roode takes advantage by coming in from behind and ramming AJ shoulder first into the ringpost, sending him tumbling out to the floor, then covers Hardy for two. Roode whips Hardy to the ropes and catches him coming in with a back elbow and a kneedrop for two. AJ tries to get back into the ring, but Roode kicks him back to the floor and then chokes Hardy with his boot. Hardy gets to his feet and slugs it out with Roode, but the champion hits a spinebuster and covers for two. AJ suddenly comes out of nowhere with a springboard forearm and then destroys Roode with clotheslines and the moonsault deathdrop. AJ goes for the Styles Clash but gets backdropped to the apron. AJ goes for a springboard move, but Roode shoves Hardy into the ropes and AJ loses his footing, bounces off the top rope, and goes out to the floor while Roode dumps Hardy to the floor. Roode quickly grabs AJ and hits a fisherman’s suplex, but Hardy breaks up the pin and hits a facebuster followed by the Twist of Fate. Hardy tears the shirt off and goes to the top rope as Jeff Jarrett runs out of the crowd, and he shoves Hardy and makes him crotch himself on the top rope, allowing Roode to cover Hardy for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Bobby Roode

Jeff Jarrett gives a big thumbs up and applauds from ringside, but Sting’s music hits and he comes out to tell Jarrett that he said there would be consequences, so he’s booking Jarrett to face Hardy in a cage at Final Resolution. Sting says Hardy’s agreed to leave Impact Wrestling if he loses (Really? Are they telepathic?), but if Jarrett loses, Hardy becomes the #1 contender to the World Title. Karen Jarrett comes out and starts yelling at Sting, so Sting says she gave him a great idea: he’s going to handcuff himself to Jarrett’s husband (meaning Karen) so she can’t interfere at Final Resolution. The dramatic music hits and we’re off the air.

((Jarrett’s Jab – I have got to say, while I didn’t enjoy seeing the video of Roode’s family as much as I did, it definitely got Roode a louder reaction than in the opening segment. But after watching this edition of Impact one thing really bother me:  how fast they are pushing Jeff Hardy. He comes out and talks about wanting to prove himself to be worthy of one more shot, wrestles two months, and now he’s wanting a title shot. Let’s be honest, he’s not leaving TNA and he’s getting the title shot at Genesis. I don’t want Roode to be a transitional champion to Jeff Hardy of all people and that’s where I’m afraid we are heading. Was Victory Road not a big enough lesson? I hope Hardy is cleaning himself up, but this is too much to put on him this far. Let him truly work from the bottom up and let him earn it. It would make a  much better story in the long run. This edition of Impact has been a great birthday present for myself, with a great women’s match that should remind all fans that they are more than just T&A, ‘The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived’ hitting a home run again on the mic, and a great triple threat main event minus the screwy finish.))