Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
Backstage, EC3 walked with Rockstar Spud, and the Bro Mans. They were blaming Bobby Roode for Dixie losing power of wrestling operations. They ran into Bobby. Roode said they needed to blame Dixie for putting them in that position. Since she isn’t here, they need to blame the insurance policy, Bully Ray for what he did. They need to do something when he arrives.
The man in control of wrestling operations, MVP made his way to the ring. Loud “MVP” chant from the Orlando crowd. MVP said that Dixieland was officially closed. He recapped recent history and said they would move forward in proper fashion. MVP addressed Bully Ray saying he doesn’t know what motivated Bully to do what he did. MVP said he would be given an opportunity just like everyone else.
MVP said he has one policy: motivate, validate and participate. He will motivate talent to do what’s right. He said if people have a beef, he will validate for them to take care of that in the ring. He will participate if someone gets out of line. MVP was going to continue but he was interrupted by the World Champion, Magnus. Magnus dropped his catchphrase and then called the MVP principle one of the most ridiculous he has ever heard. Magnus said while Dixie was wasting her time trying to keep control of wrestling operations, he was kicking the bull in the uprights and being the World Champion. He is more powerful and more formidable than ever. He introduced his brand-new associate, Abyss.
Abyss came out in a brand new mask and jacket. There was alot more brown in his attire. Magnus said that unlike the Jim Mitchell’s or Eric Young’s before him, he doesn’t see Abyss as a freak, he knows of him as a machine. That Machine has received a big-time upgrade by him. He isn’t only motivated by destruction but by money as well. He was sharing his money with Abyss.
MVP said the way he sees it, at Lockdown Magnus was getting his ass kicked by Samoa Joe until Abyss saved his ass. MVP said he wasn’t concerned about Magnus’ Monster but about Joe settling his beef in the ring. Joe came to the ring while Abyss pulled off his jacket.
MVP told them that the reason Joe isn’t ripping their throats out is because Joe believes in the MVP principle. MVP announced that Joe would get his rematch against Magnus next week on IMPACT. He then announced that Joe would get Abyss in a match right now. Joe tackled Abyss with the ref ringing the bell.
Reaction: The Abyss look is absolutely different but the mask is cool as hell. It will take some getting used to though. This segment was good at establishing a level playing field that wasn’t there before.
Samoa Joe vs Abyss
The Monster pounded on Joe in the corner. Joe tried fighting back but ran into an Abyss knee. Abyss continued targeting the ribs of Joe. Joe ended up fighting off and hit a big back splash on Abyss after fighting off the chokeslam. Joe ended up going for the Musclebuster by Abyss wouldn’t be lifted. Abyss caught Joe with a chokeslam.
Abyss went to the outside and pulled Janice from under the ring. He was going to use it but Eric Young ran out and hit Abyss with a missile dropkick. EY ended up sending Abyss to the outside.
Reaction: There are definite similarities between Abyss’ new look and the old Mankind look and the Kane mask of 2003. Aside from the short hair, I like everything about the new look though. I am assuming we will be getting a big feud between EY and Abyss leading into Sacrifice.
Jeremy Borash was backstage waiting for Bully Ray. All of a sudden, Angelina Love walked up. JB asked what she was doing here. She asked if they missed her.
Reaction: Between the new Knockout and the returning Angelina, the Knockouts Division is about to heat up.
JB was again talking when he was interrupted by Willow, who cut a weird ass promo.
Brittany vs Gail Kim
We got a Brittany video during the entrances. While Gail was entering, you could see tension between her and Tapa. Gail dominated Brittany early. Brittany got an advantage which led to Tapa interfering. Tapa missed Brittany and ended up hitting Gail. This allowed Brittany to roll up Kim.
After the match, Tapa shoved Gail. The two started brawling with Tapa getting the upperhand and pounding on Gail. The referees got involved and pulled Tapa off Gail. Gail retreated saying that Tapa would regret that.
Reaction: Not much to say about that match. Brittany didn’t show me much. The bigger story is the issues between Gail and Tapa as their relationship is seemingly done with.
Bully Ray arrived backstage when he was met by Rockstar Spud. Spud said Bully would pay for what he did to Dixie Carter. All of a sudden, the Carter gang jumped Bully and beat him down. Rockstar choked Bully with his own chain. Bobby Roode showed up and said that not only did he screw Dixie Carter but him also. Roode picked up a big sign and laid Bully out with it.
Reaction: It looks like the heels are sticking together in this. Roode should have been pissed because Bully cost him 10% of TNA. These two will likely go at it at Sacrifice.
DJ Z (Zema Ion‘s new name) was at ringside and he introduced the Tag Team Champions, Bro Mans. Their opponents are the X Division Champion, Sanada and Tigre Uno. We got a video of Sanada talking with Great Muta following their Lockdown Match. Muta told him to represent Japan well as they are counting on him.
The Bro Mans vs Sanada and Tigre Uno
Robbie hit a huge clothesline on Tigre Uno, spinning him upside down. Jessie and Robbie double-teamed Tigre for a few minutes but Uno fought out. Tigre and Sanada worked well together, suplexing Jessie on Robbie. The Bromans got out of the way of a Tigre dive but ran into a Sanada one. Both men followed this up with a double dive to both. Moments later, Sanada hit a Moonsault to beat the tag team champions.
Reaction: This match presented Tigre and Sanada as exciting new additions to the TNA roster but did no favors to the tag champions, who lost in a matter of minutes. I am wondering if this is just a stepping stone for a Tigre/Sanada feud or if TNA will be teaming both men up temporarily to challenge the tag champions for the titles.
Bully was recovering backstage where he picked up his chain.
Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky were putting makeup on and chatting it out. Madison asked if they were gonna address her being back. Velvet asked who and Madison said “Angelina.” Velvet was shocked that she was here.
Reaction: Looks like Velvet didn’t know she was coming. She sounded pretty shocked in that segment. Where will this go?
Backstage, Bully attacked Bromans in their locker room. Bully gave DJ Z a wedgie and then threw him into a locker.
Samuel Shaw was talking to someone off screen. Shaw talked about how they interfered in the Lockdown Match. It looked like he was talking to Christy but the camera was never able to see her.
Reaction: My guess is that Shaw wasn’t actually talking to Christy but thought he saw Christy. It looks like he is transitioning to some sort of imaginary girlfriend. TNA is doing a lot of match teasing and building from one segment to another. It feels different from past episodes of IMPACT.
EC3 walked up to Rockstar Spud. They said it was time to pay tribute to Dixie Carter. They said that they wanted to give Dixie a proper sendoff. Spud showed EC3 a huge portrait of Dixie.
Backstage, Samoa Joe looked for Eric Young. Joe told EY that EY’s revenge crossed over into his business. Joe said if EY gets into his business again, there will be a problem. EY said it wasn’t about revenge, it about correcting his mistake of turning Abyss into what he is. EY said he knows Abyss will be in Magnus’ corner next week and he will be chained to the Monster. It is now his problem.
EC3 and Rockstar Spud headed to the ring with the giant Dixie photo in hand. Fans chanted “Dixie’s lapdog” at both men. Spud told them to be quiet. Spud said that they are mourning that wrestling operations is in control by MVP. EC3 handed Spud a tissue; Spud blew his nose and tried handing it back to him but he wouldn’t accept. This night was about their queen. Spud talked about how Dixie picked her up from obscurity. He kept crying throughout the promo. He said he prepared a tribute to Dixie this evening.
The video was over the top and put Dixie over as one of the greatest women in history. The loss at Lockdown was presented as a tragedy in wrestling. Spud had a letter to Dixie that he wanted to read. He put on his reading glasses. It was a modified version of the “Dixie Land” song. They were interrupted by MVP.
MVP said this ridiculousness is over. MVP said she isn’t gone, she is just back at the TNA Offices. MVP said Spud has kind of grown on him. He said Spud has been loyal to Dixie. MVP said they don’t need a chief of staff anymore. He needs Spud to fulfill his obligations as wrestler. MVP tried to motivate Spud and got him pumped up. MVP announced Rockstar Spud against Willow (who they announced as the alter-ego of Jeff Hardy). EC3 laughed at Spud but MVP told him that next week, he would be facing this man…
Bobby Lashley walked out to the ring. EC3 said Lashley wasn’t on the roster. MVP said that he signed Bobby Lashley to TNA. Rockstar Spud started poking Lashley in the chest. Lashley grabbed the portrait and bopped Spud with it. Spud started stroking the portrait. EC3 and Lashley went face to face but then EC3 walked out of the ring. These two will face next week.
Reaction: The subtle animations were fun but I thought this segment was a bit corny. I liked the tribute video and the eventual face-off between MVP/Lashley and the heels but alot before that wasn’t great.
Backstage, we were with JB. Borash tried interviewing EC3. EC3 said he wanted to do with Lashley what he did with Kurt Angle, tear his knee to shreds. EC3 was jumped by Bully Ray who went after him with a sign.
Samuel Shaw vs Mr. Anderson
Street Fight
Shaw came out but then headed backstage. He grabbed a Christy Hemme mannequin and brought it with him to the ring. Shaw attacked Anderson as he did his introductions. In the ring, Anderson fought back with a number of his signature spots. Shaw sat in the corner and begged off. In the other corner, Anderson threatened to punch the mannequin but Shaw begged for him to put her down. Anderson threw it at Shaw and then followed up with the Mic Check for the win.
Reaction: Is Vince Russo back? This was a bit too over-the-top for me. I am not a fan of the ultra campy or cheesy stuff in wrestling. I don’t like it when WWE does it and I don’t like it when TNA does it.
Angelina Love talked to a camera backstage. She said she was back for one person and they would find out who.
Another Kenny King, “King of the Night” video aired.
Angelina Love headed to the ring. She got a “welcome back” chant. She said there were times she never thought she would hear her music again but its good to be back home in TNA. She said since her original time in TNA, she has grown much wiser. Until she left TNA, she didn’t understand the meaning of knowing what you had until its gone. Angelina called Velvet Sky to the ring.
Angelina and Velvet hugged in the ring. Love said she couldn’t change the past. There were so many things to say before she left but she didn’t. Love credited Velvet with her success in the business. She talked about turning into Angelina Love and teaming with Velvet Sky. Love talked about the Beautiful People. She keeps getting asked when the Beautiful People will get back together and she thinks that its time.
Velvet said this all caught her off guard. Velvet said she felt that since Angelina’s departure, she had to jump through so many hoops to get to where she is. She was able to capture the Knockouts Title. Velvet said that while there wouldn’t be a bond as strong as the Beautiful People but she is ready to move forward. Angelina kept pressuring Velvet to reform the group. Sky said she needed more time to think and then hugged Angelina. Velvet walked off.
Reaction: Its nice to see Angelina back. I am mixed on a Beautiful People reunion. I think it would be trying to recreate something that was really good and will only be disappointing a second time around. I am thinking that a feud between the two could be as good if done right. Either way, I am happy that Angelina will add depth to the Knockouts Division.
Willow vs Rockstar Spud
Willow had some weird screen effects for his entrance with the edges blurred. Willow wore a Jeff Hardy shirt. Willow hit a Cartwheel Splash on Spud in the corner. Willow put Spud in the tree of woe and then attacked him. He went outside and grabbed his umbrella. He smacked Spud in the groin with the umbrella for the Spud DQ win. The referee tried to attack him but Willow hit the ref with a Twist of Fate.
Willow grabbed a ladder and a chair. Willow hit a front suplex on Spud and then wrapped Spud’s leg in a chair. He stomped on it a few times. Willow then climbed the top of the ladder and splashed Spud down below. As Willow walked to the back, Bully made his entrance.
Reaction: The Willow character has a lot of potential but needs work. The entrance effects and music are fine but the gear needs work. It feels just like an angry Jeff Hardy. It should feel like more. They could do some cool things with the character. TNA played up the idea that this alter-ego is Jeff Hardy’s dark side. I wonder if this is the last we see of Spud for now.
Bully Ray was in the ring. He said he never thought he would hear Orlando chanting his name. When you die, your life flashes before you. When Anderson Mic Checked him into the coffin, his career flashed in front of him. He wanted to explain what he did but since he got here, Dixie’s boys made this physical. Bully said he was saving Bobby Roode for himself. He would have turned into another Dixie Carter. The last thing the world needs is another Dixie Carter. He doesn’t want to talk anymore, he wants to fight Bobby Roode right now.
Bobby headed to the ring. Bully and Bobby started brawling with Bully getting the upper hand. Bully went ringside and grabbed a table. Roode connected with the Double R Spinebuster. Bully fought off the Roode Bomb and then connected with the Cutter. He then Powerbombed Roode through the table. He stood over Roode to close the show.
Reaction: I was expecting someone new to debut during this segment. TNA usually finishes their show off with something big and while I did enjoy this segment, I was expecting more. Next week, Samoa Joe vs Magnus in their World Title rematch.
