Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
TNA President Dixie Carter walked to the ring. She said she wouldn’t waste anymore breath talking about AJ Styles. She had a contract and wanted AJ to sign it so they could put all of this behind them. AJ headed to the ring with his World Title belt. He still used a hybrid of his themes (which doesn’t sound great). Dixie cut AJ off before he spoke.
Dixie Carter told the fans the contract was for one night and one match only. The winner will take all for the undisputed TNA Championship. She was giving him alot so tonight she wanted the match to be a No Disqualification Match. She wants to see the last moment of them together with AJ being bloodied, battered and carried out.
AJ mocked her confidence saying she had confidence in the champion at BFG. He said tonight, when he beats Magnus there will be no more Dixieland Matches, World Title Tournaments or something else. AJ said if she thinks her cronies will interfere in tonight’s match, there are guys in the back who hate Dixie as much as him and will stop that from happening. Dixie got pissed saying she signed his paychecks for 11 years. Dixie said the friends of AJ won’t help him because she owns them and they work for him. She said she will break him. AJ told her that everyone knows she doesn’t get wrestling. Wrestling is about two guys battling it out in the ring. AJ said the belt has never gotten more respect than when he took it away from her company.
AJ called Magnus a “paper champion” which led to the Brit coming out. Magnus told Dixie to leave the ring. She obliged. Magnus said that was the last time AJ would call him a paper champion. Magnus said that AJ’s time in TNA is up and over. Magnus said the last image of AJ is him running around with the World Title. Magnus said AJ was back because he wasn’t getting anymore attention, so he came back. Magnus said he would end AJ tonight. There would be one champion and that man is Magnus.
Magnus left the ring. AJ signed the contract. AJ said that he didn’t take the shortcut to get here. It was his blood, his sweat and his tears that got him to where he is at. He will leave tonight with respect and dignity. AJ then told Magnus to take his lips off Dixie’s (BEEP) and ask her what she would do when he won the World Title.
Reaction: Excellent, heated promo between the two. Magnus has really stepped into his new role while AJ has been great in his rebel character. This match tonight has a huge feel to it. I like Dixie’s more serious attitude as alot is on the line for her tonight.
Dixie Carter spoke to Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa. Dixie asked Gail if she and Tapa “had this.” Gail said they had an sent Tapa to do what she had to.
Backstage, The Bro Mans were with Dixie. She asked if they were ready and Robbie said it was a little intense for them. Jessie told Dixie that they had this.
The Bro Mans vs Joseph Park and Eric Young
DJ Zema introduced the tag team champions. This is a non-title match but if EY and Park win, they will get a title shot. EY and Young took the fight to the champions but all of a sudden, ODB was shown backstage being beaten down by Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa. Young ran to the back to help his wife.
The Bro Mans used the advantage to work over Joseph Park. Park had a short spree but the numbers game caught up to him. The tag champions connected with the Bro Down to pick up the victory.
After the match, the Bro Mans grabbed a guardrail and brought it into the ring. They hit the Bro-Down on Park on top of the guardrail.
Reaction: So Dixie ordered The Bro Mans to take out ODB and Park? I am sure we will get to the bottom of this but I could see it being a case of Dixie eliminating the opposition. Abyss is definitely opposition.
Dixie Carter was backstage when Samoa Joe walked in. Joe confirmed what AJ said out there. There were a group of guys who had AJ’s back. Joe told Dixie that if she had plans to screw over AJ, she would have to go through him. Dixie told Joe that she could do to him what she would do to AJ. Dixie told him he should worry about his match with Ethan Carter III. Joe told Dixie that EC3‘s blood is on her hands.
Reaction: Its good to know that AJ has allies to back him up. Everything is pointing to a main event with alot of extra-curricular activities. It could be very good or very bad.
Backstage, Eric Young carried ODB. He was taking her to the hospital. They ran into Sting but had to leave.
James Storm and later Gunner headed to the ring. James Storm talked about leaving your ego in check when you’re in a tag team. Storm told Gunner that the thing that tears tag teams apart is that World Title. Gunner told James that he knew it was every man for himself in Feast or Fired. He said Storm is pissed that Angle chose him instead of Storm. Gunner said that Storm could keep his ego because he had the briefcase.
Storm laid out the challenge to Gunner. He doesn’t think Gunner can beat him again. Storm wanted to hang the case up in the air and the winner walks away with it. Gunner and Storm shook hands.
Reaction: I don’t know if this is a Ladder Match or some sort of pole match. I am hoping its the first of the two. Maybe we will get some sort of heel turn out of that match as well. One way or another, I want Storm to be elevated to the main event but I like him as a face right now.
Backstage, EC3 attacked Samoa Joe.
Reaction: Yeah, it looks like Dixie and Company are taking out anyone who may help AJ tonight. It looks like EY, Park/Abyss and now Joe are out while only a few other names are left.
EC3 continued the attack on Joe until the Samoan Submission Machine fought back. They eventually got in the ring where the bell rang.
Samoa Joe vs EC3
Carter attacked Joe as he made his way into the ring. Eventually, Joe fought back and way after Carter with a number of chops. EC3 clipped the knee of Joe and targeted them for the next few moments. Joe was about to hit the Musclebuster but Rockstar Spud ran out and grabbed the leg of Joe. Joe chased Spud down the ramp but this allowed EC3 to attack Joe from behind with the wrench. The heels ran off as Joe tried to stand but had difficulty doing it.
Reaction: The annihilation of Dixie’s opposition seems to be the theme tonight. EC3 has gotten a major push recently and has mixed it up with some top-level talent. While he didn’t get the win here, he was the guy who took out the knee of Joe.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Kurt Angle. Angle said he was preparing for his match with Bobby Roode with a Steel Cage Match. He told everyone that got in the ring with him that the only thing he will see is the face of Bobby Roode.
Reaction: IMPACT Wrestling’s website is advertising Genesis as a two-week event. I wonder if we will get some main event matches for week two in Hunstville.
A trainer was checking on the knee of Samoa Joe. The trainer told Joe that he had to get out of here. Joe said he was fine but the trainer said he wasn’t.
Elsewhere, Sting walked in on Gunner and James Storm who were laid out backstage. Sting took off and ran into Dixie Carter. She played clueless. Sting accused Dixie of taking everyone out. He told her it wasn’t too late for her. Dixie said she would stop when AJ was gone. Sting asked what happened to her? Dixie said she was the boss and he was a wrestler. She said Sting had a match tonight. Sting said it would take more than that to prevent him from doing what he had to. Dixie implied there was something else but walked off instead.
Reaction: Interesting segment. It appears that AJ’s allies keep having backstage accidents. First, Joseph Park falls on a guardrail, then Joe runs into a wrench and now James Storm and Gunner ran into each other backstage. I don’t know how Sting could accuse the great Dixie Carter of being behind all of this. I am shocked at this development.
Is it me or is Sting always fighting for the salvation of TNA? He has been doing it since he arrived in TNA. First it was Jeff Jarrett and then the young guys (MEM feud) and then it was the stuff with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Next it was the Aces and Eights and now its Dixie Carter. You’d think he’d eventually throw his arms up and give up.
Kurt Angle came out for his Steel Cage challenge. The music of Bobby Roode hit and he walked out. Roode took a mic and said that in a week, he and Angle will be locked in a Steel Cage. Next week, he will prove that he is better than Angle. When he beats Angle, his HOF induction will be gone forever. Regardless of who Angle’s opponent is tonight, he will only see Roode. Roode teased accepting Kurt’s challenge but said it would be stupid. Roode said he found two guys who hate Kurt as much as he does.
Bad Influence walked out as the opponents of Angle.
Kurt Angle vs Bad Influence
Steel Cage Match
Angle attacked both as they tried entering the cage. Bad Influence quickly got control by crotching Angle on the top rope. Bad Influence rammed Angle into the cage. The beatdown continued for the next few minutes as Angle struggled to gain any momentum. Eventually, Angle fought back and fired off a series of suplexes on his opponents. Angle hit an amazing German Suplex off the top turnbuckle sending Kazarian into Daniels. He sent Daniels into the cage. Angle hit an Angle Slam on Kazarian a few moments later to win the match.
Reaction: The match was okay but the German Suplex was awesome. Angle got alot of momentum heading into his match next week. Surprised that Angle left the ring on his own accord though with everything going on tonight.
Backstage, Dixie Carter told someone to leave the cage up asking if they speak English. Bobby Roode walked in and Dixie asked if he was ready for his cage match. Dixie revealed that his opponent would be Sting. Roode began to freak out. Dixie told him to be a team player and said she got his back.
Reaction: Roode vs Sting in a Steel Cage is a big match but I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t get alot before some sort of interference.
Backstage, Kurt Angle was taking a picture with a family when Al Snow drove up. Snow said he had to get Angle to the airport because of an emergency. Angle got in with Snow and the two drove off.
Reaction: More shenanigans with Dixie Carter. This explains the absence of Kurt Angle in tonight’s main event. So EY, Park/Abyss, Samoa Joe, Gunner, James Storm and now Kurt Angle won’t have AJ’s back tonight. Looks like AJ will be a “lone wolf” tonight.
Sting vs Bobby Roode
Steel Cage Match
It was a back and forth match with Roode coming out on top early on. Sting prevented Roode from escaping the cage but Roode quickly took Sting down again. Sting and Roode battled on the top turnbuckle when Sting slammed Roode down. Sting started firing back with a series of Stinger Splashes. Sting went for the Scorpion but Roode raked the eyes. Sting reversed Roode’s neckbreaker into a Scorpion Death Drop.
Sting locked in the Scorpion Death Lock but EC3 and Rockstar Spud ran down. Sting got distracted on EC3 while Spud threw a baton to Bobby Roode. Roode used the baton on Sting a few times. Roode then walked out of the cage to win the match.
Reaction: I don’t know why the interference had to happen behind the referee’s back since Steel Cage Matches are no DQ. Otherwise, this match played into tonight’s storyline. By the way, Roode’s finisher really needs a name at this point.
Mr. Anderson was shown arriving at some building. Anderson said if Bully wanted to lay this to rest then it was fine with him. The camera then showed that Anderson was at the “Dobb’s Funeral Home.”
Reaction: I believe Anderson is scheduled to meet Bully Ray in two weeks on week 2 of Genesis. You will also be getting Gail Kim vs Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title as well.
Mr. Anderson arrived in the funeral home. He pointed at Bully Ray. Anderson said he knew he was sitting there. Anderson wanted to fight there. Bully said of course Anderson knew he was there because they were brothers. Anderson walked closer but Bully held up a lighter and teased something in the other hand. Bully said Anderson took everything from him. Bully said it wanted his loneliness to encompass Anderson’s life. Bully said next week is Genesis, which is the beginning but the end of Ken Anderson.
Bully said Anderson put his colors in the coffin and then told Anderson to see whats in the coffin for him. Anderson checked and pulled out what looked like baby clothes. When Anderson turned around, Bully was gone.
Reaction: I understand why some people don’t like these soap opera segments but I have been digging them. Between the Feast or Fired stuff, the original funeral and this segments, they have been some of my favorite backstage segments this year. Bully Ray is such a great creepy character and this was an expansion of that. He is capable of anything.
Dixie Carter was backstage when Sting stormed in. Sting yelled at Dixie and said it would take more than a baton shot to take him out. Dixie reminded Sting what time of year it was. She said it was contract time and Sting’s is up soon. She said every year, she sweetens the pot but not this year. She asked Sting if AJ would risk everything for him? She said he had an important choice to make.
Reaction: Interesting that Sting’s contract is coming into play here. I believe his contract is actually up soon so I find it compelling that its being used in storylines. I wonder if TNA will renew it or if it will play into something bigger. Hopefully its the latter.
Next week at Genesis…Kurt Angle vs Bobby Roode in a Steel Cage, EC3 vs Sting, Madison Rayne vs Lei’D Tapa and Bully Ray vs Mr. Anderson.
Reaction: That’s a loaded lineup. There’s a possibility that Gunner vs Storm will also be on the show but they could probably save it for the following week.
AJ Styles vs Magnus
No Disqualification Match
Title vs Title (Winner Takes All)
We got the main event introductions by Jeremy Borash. Magnus kept stalling and teasing that he tweaked his knee. Rockstar Spud and Ethan Carter ran in and jumped AJ. AJ quickly fought both men off and then went after Magnus. The heels again jumped AJ and double-teamed him. At that moment, Sting ran to the ring and attacked EC3 and Spud. This left AJ and Magnus. Sting and AJ stood back to back headed into commercials.
Reaction: And the internet loses their mind. This match will have heavy interference just by judging from what we have. The true question is if AJ and Sting will be able to overcome the odds and if anyone else will come to their aid.
The Bro Mans and DJ Zema came out and attacked Sting and AJ. The tag team champions hit their finisher on AJ. Earl Hebner initially refused to count but then only got a two. Magnus sat back as his boys did his dirty work. Sting came back in and helped Sting. AJ was about to hit the Styles Clash on Magnus but Bad Influence came out and broke up the pinfall. Earl Hebner again refused to count. Hebner took off and then pushed over Spud on the way out.
As Earl was leaving, Dixie came out with Brian Hebner. She forced Brian to officiate the match. Bad Influence hit their finisher but AJ kicked out at two. On the outside, Sting took out the Bro Mans and EC3. In the ring, AJ fought off Magnus and Bad Influence. He and Sting took the fight to Daniels and Kazarian. AJ sent Zema hard into a camera man.
In the ring, AJ locked Magnus into the Calf Killer. Magnus was going to tap but Bad Influence attacked the referee. AJ continued to fight off Bad Influence. Moments later, AJ hit the Styles Clash on Magnus. Earl Hebner ran out but before he could count, Bad Influence pulled him out of the ring. AJ hit a dive onto the tag team on the outside.
AJ went up top but Bobby Roode came out and pushed him off the top. Roode proceeded to hit AJ with three of his finishing moves. The fans chanted “We want Angle.” Dixie came out with Brian Stiffler and had him count. 1…2…3 and Magnus is THE TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.
Dixie celebrated with Magnus and then stood over AJ and trash-talked him. Magnus held the World Title belt high as the show came to a close.
Reaction: This was more of an angle than a match. It was all about Dixie taking out AJ’s allies and then having AJ and Sting fighting against all odds. There wasn’t any one on one action between Magnus and AJ as there were alot of moving parts in this.
First of all, AJ and Sting looked really strong here. TNA build them up really well so if its the end of the road for either, it would be a waste of a segment. TNA would really benefit by locking both men under new contracts. Typically, someone like Jeff Jarrett would lead the good guys in facing Dixie Carter’s TNA but unless its a major work, that doesn’t look like it is happening. If it is a work, then TNA deserves MAJOR kudos for what they have done.
With that said, Magnus didn’t look strong at all. Despite all the help, he couldn’t put AJ away. It appeared as if Magnus was going to be pinned numerous times in this match if it wasn’t for help. Again, if AJ is actually gone, I don’t know the benefit of making Magnus look so weak. It puts alot of heat on Dixie Carter and her kingdom but much less on Magnus.
Overall, I really enjoyed this segments and am intrigued to see how it goes. There are alot of backstage dealings that could effect this thing but I am compelled to see if TNA can build off of this. This could lead to a great Lockdown PPV or it could lead to something else.
