Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
Earlier today, Bully Ray met with Dixie Carter.
Eric Young and Abyss brawled backstage. ODB came out of nowhere and hit Abyss with a pipe. Abyss caught the weapon and then backed ODB down. EY and Abyss continued to brawl. Abyss choked EY with the pipe. The continued fighting backstage where Abyss tossed EY into a table. Abyss was going to use a chain but EY took it away from him and began using it on him.
The two fought towards the ring. EY and Abyss will be chained together tonight for the main event. EY hit a baseball slide followed by a dive on Abyss. In the ring, a steel chair came into play. Abyss tossed EY into a chair. Minutes later, Abyss used the chain and choked out Eric Young. EY’s face turned bright red. After Abyss left, ODB came out with a referee and checked on him.
Reaction: Hot start to IMPACT with some nice action. Looks like EY won’t be involved in the main event.
EC3 vs Bobby Lashley
Lashley dominated EC3 early on. EC3 cheapshotted Lashley on the outside. EC3 nearly ran into the referee and when he was distracted, he low-blowed Lashley. EC3 retreated from the ring and was going to take the count out loss.
Out of nowhere came Willow who attacked EC3 from behind. He sent him into the ringside steps a few times, pulled out a ladder and then a chair. He attacked EC3’s leg with the chair and climbed the Ladder. EC3 was able to get away before Willow could do more damage.
Reaction: TNA builds to big matches but doesn’t deliver payoffs as they are too focused on progressing storylines. It looks like the Willow character is targeting everyone who cost Hardy the World Title in December. I like the darker edge to the character but the look needs to be tweaked.
Bully Ray spoke to the cameraman backstage from Nashville. He was waiting for a meeting with Dixie Carter.
Samoa Joe walked into MVP’s locker room. Joe told MVP that he was frustrated with how Lockdown worked out. He was frustrated that EY was going to the hospital. MVP said he wanted Abyss neutralized too. Joe said he wanted his World Championship. MVP assured him that he would fix this but Joe told him every time he gets involved, it gets worse.
The camera man spoke with Angelina Love. Tonight we find out where Velvet Sky stands.
Backstage, EC3 stormed into Magnus‘ office and wanted to know where he was moments again. EC3 called Magnus an ass. EC3 informed Magnus that their business relationship was terminated. Magnus said he got everything he needed out of Aunt D and he kicked her to the curb. Magnus told EC3 that Abyss is all he needs and all he ever needed. EC3 wished Magnus luck.
Gunner headed out to the ring. Gunner said that he was proud of his victory at Lockdown. He is proud of the fact that he served his country and he was proud of the veterans in the crowd. He said he was taught to fight for everything you want. Gunner pointed to his father in the front row. Gunner said without his family’s support, he wouldn’t be here. Gunner said he promised them that he would be World Champion. He told him that he loved him.
James Storm came out with a beer in hand. He said he was sorry to break up this family reunion but he finds it rude that Gunner didn’t introduce his dad to him. James spoke to Gunner’s dad and told him that his dad was thanking dad that he was dead because he didn’t have to see his son and grandson become huge disappointments.
Gunner went after Storm but Storm caught him with the Last Call. Storm handcuffed Gunner to the middle rope. He then turned around and went after Gunner’s dad. He choked Gunner’s dad in front of Gunner. Gunner’s dad tried getting the handcuffs off Gunner but while he was distracted, James Storm came from behind him and smashed a beer bottle across the back of his head. Gunner freaked out while Storm walked to the back.
Reaction: TNA had to come up with an angle to take this feud to the next level. Getting Gunner’s dad involved and attacked by Storm does just that. This was a nice heated angle that got you feeling bad for Gunner.
Gail Kim spoke backstage and complained about Lei’D Tapa. Gail told the camera that if Tapa doesn’t beat her tonight then she is done with her which means Tapa is done with IMPACT Wrestling.
Reaction: A story came out today that Tapa may be done with TNA due to her disinterest in getting better in the ring. Tapa reportedly wants to get out of wrestling and the rumor was that TNA wanted to write her out as soon as possible. This may be the way they will do it.
The Bromans and DJ Z walked in backstage. They walked into the locker room of Sanada and Tigre Uno. DJ told both that there wasn’t any disrespect tonight. Tigre and Sanada tried communicating but nobody spoke Japanese or Spanish. The tag champion left as Sanada and Uno looked at each other with confusion.
Gail Kim vs Lei’D Tapa
Gail trash talked Tapa after the opening bell. Tapa used her strength on Gail in the opening minutes. Tapa hit Gail with a few headbutts. Gail fired off some clotheslines but ran into a Two Handed Chokeslam. Gail countered a big slam into a Dragon Sleeper. Tapa slammed her over her shoulder.
Gail targeted the knee of Tapa. Tapa went for the Tongan Death Grip but Gail was able to battle it off. Gail ended up hitting Eat Defeat for the victory. Taz acknowledged that since Lei’D Tapa lost, she was done in TNA.
Reaction: I don’t blame TNA for getting rid of Tapa. She wasn’t skilled in the ring and had no interest in getting better. TV Time is valuable and should be given to those who want to perfect their craft. Tapa wasn’t one of them.
MVP tried talking to Willow and getting him to work with Joe tonight. Willow said in the most bizarre way that he wasn’t interested tonight.
Reaction: That was way over-the-top. I think the best way to present Willow’s promos is to do so in vignettes which can be heavily edited. This wasn’t a good promo.
Angelina Love made her way to the ring. Love said she hadn’t heard from Velvet Sky in a week and wanted an answer. Angelina wanted to know if they would move forward together or separately. Velvet came out and grabbed a mic.
Velvet put over Angelina for believing in her years ago and helping her. Velvet then talked about the bad times when she was treated like she was inferior to Angelina. She felt Love held her back. Angelina said that the reason she was looked at as the leader was because she was the veteran of the group. Love said Velvet had alot of success following her departure. She said one is a very lonely number. The fans wanted them to get back together.
Velvet said recently she figured out that there weren’t many people that they could trust. Velvet said that with that in mind, the Beautiful People are back in full effect. Angelina and Velvet hugged. Love said that this was missing a third piece and called out Madison Rayne.
The Knockouts Champion walked out to her former stablemates. Love said that since Madison was part of the original Beautiful People, she was extending her an offer to join the group. Angelina announced the three members of the group but didn’t highlight Madison’s name. Madison said that Angelina talked to her like she was beneath her. Madison said it wasn’t like that anymore.
Angelina said that she was just paying her dues. Madison said that her dues are paid and she was the Knockout’s Champion. She told Angelina that she wasn’t interested. She then walked out on both of them.
Reaction: Not my favorite promo. I am HOPING that with the Beautiful People back together, we will see some strong heel segments from them. So far, I am doubtful. I like that Madison showed her new position in her career and wasn’t interested in being inferior to her former colleagues.
Magnus was asked about Abyss backstage. Magnus said that Abyss wasn’t to be shackled and that he was interested in money just like everyone else. Samoa Joe walked up and threatened to choke Magnus out tonight. Joe told Magnus he would get run tonight.
DJ Z was out. He said that the Bro Mans were no strangers to international 3-Ways. The participants of the 3-Way Tag made their ways to the ring. Robbie E. mocked “Tiger One” and Hundai Sanada and told them to lay down for them. Tiger refused. The Bromans attacked them but the international stars got the upperhand. They tried retreating but The Wolves made their entrances and threw them to Sanada and Tigre.
The Bromans vs The Wolves vs Tigre Uno and Sanada
3-Way Tag for the World Tag Team Titles
The four faces teamed up on the heels. The Wolves and the international stars then went at it. Edwards and Richards took turns chopping Sanada. Tigre and Sanada then teamed up on the Wolves hitting some dual moves.
Robbie E tagged in but fell victim of some tag team maneuvers by The Wolves. The Bromans got the upperhand and started working over Tigre Uno. Jessie pressed Tigre over his head and slammed him down. Sanada made the hot tag and went to town on Jessie.
Sanada was going to hit his Moonsault but was distracted by DJ Z, who grabbed his X Title and took a selfie with it. Sanada jumped on DJ Z at ringside. Tigre went after his opponents. The Wolves hit a nice Powerbomb/Backstabber move but the pinfall was broken up. The Wolves went up top but the Bromans threw them to the outside. The Bromans hit the Bro-Down on Tigre for the win. The Bromans retain.
Reaction: Solid action! The real program is between The Wolves and The Bromans. It looks like they are setting up an X Division Title match between Sanada and Tigre with DJ Z waiting on the wings. I am hoping Bad Influence re-signs so we get the dream feud between them and the Wolves.
Velvet asked Angelina if she was okay backstage. Love said she was upset by what Madison said about her. She said that she was a changed person. Velvet told her to talk to her in private and that it would be okay.
Another Kenny King vignette aired.
Backstage, Angelina Love walked into Madison’s locker room. Love apologized to Madison for before. She said she made a lot of mistakes. She said it was everyone for themselves. Love said that they need someone to watch her back. Madison said she would think about her offer. When Madison turned her back, Angelina jumped her and threw her into the locker room. She then chokes her.
Reaction: Looks like Angelina is playing nice around Velvet but becomes a bitch when nobody is watching. Velvet will have to choose which one to go with.
MVP walked up to Joe. He revealed that he would be chained to Abyss tonight. The MVP principle is at work and said due to circumstances, he would be participating.
We got a Knux video package. There was a country theme to it. He talked about an old love. He talked about his family running a small carnival. He said his dad didn’t agree with his career decision which is why he hasn’t talked to him in a few years.
Reaction: There was a photo that leaked on Twitter a few weeks back that had Knux with some country girl. I can’t remember her name but it looks like that is the gimmick Knux will come back with. As a fan of the wrestler, I am glad he has a role in the company.
Bully Ray was at Nashville at TNA HQ. Bully spoke to Dixie Carter. He told her that nobody in TNA liked her. He called her a bad human being. It had background music during the segment. He talked about how she came to New York City and gave him a large sum of money to make sure her team won at Lockdown. Ray said he didn’t want to go out of wrestling wanting fans to remember him losing to Mr. Anderson.
Bully said he didn’t want Dixie controlling him, which is why he did what he did at Lockdown. He called her a nothing and a nobody in his industry. Bully walked up to the chair but nobody was there. Bobby Roode came out of nowhere and attacked Bully. Bobby took a Sacrifice poster and smacked Bully with it. Roode told him that he screwed the wrong man. Dixie didn’t invite him, he did.
Reaction: And there was the return of background music to TNA. That was definitely a Gaburick contribution. I am betting that due to TNA filming on the road, they didn’t have a set to film backstage segment like they did before. I thought the promo was good but the fact that Bully cut it on an empty chair (like Clint Eastwood) is ridiculous.
Magnus was with Abyss backstage. Abyss told him not to worry. Abyss said he had something for Joe and MVP tonight and then dropped a handful of thumbtacks.
MVP came out with Samoa Joe. He will be chained to Abyss for the main event, which is next.
TNA advertised Gunner vs James Storm II for next week calling the match “Unlocked.” (Whatever that means)
Magnus vs Samoa Joe
World Heavyweight Championship
Before the match, Abyss willingly cuffed himself to MVP. Magnus had to retreat from the ring early on. Abyss was going to go and help him but MVP made sure he didn’t move. Joe favored his ribs in the opening minutes which gave Magnus a target for the match. We took a commercial break with Joe in control.
Magnus remained in control returning from the break. Joe battled back with a nice snap slam but his rib injury prevented him from going for the pin. Taz mentioned internal injuries on commentary. Joe went for the Rear Naked Choke but Magnus dropped down sending Joe into the referee.
As MVP checked on the ref, Abyss went after MVP. MVP and Abyss fought on the outside of the ring. MVP threw the tacks up the ramp but Abyss laid MVP out with a chair. Joe went for Elbow Suicida on Abyss but the Monster threw the chair into his face. Magnus hit his Elbow Drop on Samoa Joe to successfully retain his title.
After the match, MVP looked on disappointed as Magnus and Abyss celebrated.
Reaction: Magnus looked better in this match than he has in past championship defenses. Abyss is the one who looks powerful as he has been the reason Magnus has won the past few times.
