Source: Talon of TNAsylum.com
IMPACT opened with the NEW World Heavyweight Champion, Eric Young walking to the ring. Young said the World title represents a lifetime of hard work. Loud “You deserve it” chant. Everything has led him here. EY said he would be a champion for the fans. The title is his way of paying them back. After then years of loyalty, this is payback. Young said the era of the paper champion is over. He will defend the belt anywhere and anyhow they see fit.
TNA President, Dixie Carter interrupted and made her entrance. Dixie put over EY’s achievement. Dixie took credit for EY’s accomplishment. She has always has supported him. When he was doing the “Don’t Fire Eric” thing, she let him stay. Carter took credit for EY’s beard and began tugging on it. She said she is the reason the beard is popular and said she should get royalty checks from others for taking credit. EY said MVP was in charge so they didn’t need her.
She told him that he was in her company so he will be the hood ornament for her company. He said he hoped she had puke bags, because being around her so much that it would make her puke. She put EY down for disrespecting her. Carter called EY a court jester for the fans. Young said he honors and obeys nobody and is his own man. If she is interested in a paper champion, she is looking in the wrong place.
Young made a Dukes of Hazard reference. She made fun of him telling him that he needs to be cultured. She said she would give him a makeover tonight and if he refused, she would go after his little woman. Bully Ray walked out and grabbed a mic.
Bully pandered to the crowd yet again. He said he was here to take out the trash. Bully called EY a role-model for everyone held down by their boss. Dixie wanted to know why anyone would listen to Bully since he took her money and then double-crossed her. He told her she didn’t want to piss him off. He reminded her about last week (with the table). He then did the “Na-Na-Na-Na Hey, Hey, Hey Goodbye” spiel. She walked off while Bully put over EY. Bully said he doesn’t endorse many people but he likes and respects EY.
Reaction: And EY’s feud with Dixie begins. Wrestling always goes back to that Champion vs Authority Figure storyline. Dixie’s comments about EY’s beard being her creation while others took it are beyond hilarious.
Velvet Sky vs Madison Rayne
Knockouts Street Fight
The Beautiful People made their hot new entrance. Velvet grabbed a kendo stick and awaited for Madison on the ramp. Madison came out from the crowd and laid Velvet out. Madison dominated early on until Velvet rolled to the outside and was advised by Angelina. Madison pulled both girls up but got guillotined on the top rope.
Velvet used a weapon and then threw Madison to Angelina, who attacked Madison and threw her into the steel steps. A trash can came into play with Madison. Angelina hit Madison from behind but fell to the outside. Moments later, Madison connected with a Spear on Velvet for the win.
Backstage, Eric Young approached Bully Ray thanking him for what he said. Bully said he still has some of Dixie’s money and intended on using it. After Bully left, Abyss walked up and said it is worst than it has ever been. He challenged EY to put the title on the line against him tonight. EY accepted under “Monster’s Ball” rules. Abyss was shocked while EY was confident.
Reaction: There are a lot of World Title Matches on IMPACT. We seemingly get one every other week. I like EY being a fighting champion and think Abyss would be a good first challenger. Magnus is the logical opponent since he still has his rematch clause at Sacrifice.
Rockstar Spud walked up to EC3 backstage. He complained about his leg but EC3 said he was fine. EC3 said Spud’s problem was that he was scared. He shouldn’t be because he is teaming with EC3. EC3 said that tonight, Spud will end the career of Willow. EC3 hyped Spud saying he was the lion. They were ready for their match tonight.
MVP was in the ring and talked up Eric Young for last week. MVP mentioned Samoa Joe saying that he was more than perturbed that Joe called in and said he wouldn’t be available. MVP said Joe didn’t return any of his calls. MVP said Joe was disgruntled. MVP wanted to talk to Joe man-to-man. The music of Austin Aries hit.
A-Double walked out saying he is the disgruntled one. He said he forgot about him. Since Lockdown, he has been sitting on the sidelines. He talked about the MVP principle. He never needed any motivation but sitting home has lit a fire under his ass. MVP never validated his presence, so he has come down here to participate. MVP said he gave Aries an opportunity to be on the winning team at Lockdown. After all the promises, he turned on him. He made his bed so he needs to lie in it. Aries wanted to know why he was screwing with him?
MVP said it was about the fans. MVP started pulling off his coat saying he would give him participation. Aries pulled off his shirt saying he would do this next week. He knows not to exchange fists with a convicted felon, but next week, he would outwrestle him.
Reaction: It’s nice to see Aries after he has been off TV since Lockdown. I proposed a storyline similar to this on the site (also involving Bad Influence and Sabin). I hope this leads to an increase in TV time for Aries as he should be a focal point of the company. Good exchange!
The Wolves vs The Bromans
World Tag Team Championship
DJ Z gave Jessie and Robbie their intros. The Wolves pounced as Jessie and Robbie did their entrance. They double-teamed Robbie early on. They hit a double suicide dive on the champions moments later.
A cheapshot gave the champs the advantage as the air horn went off. The heels worked over Davey in the corner. Davey victory-rolled into a hot tag. Edwards hit a Hurricanrana on both Bromans at once. He began chopping both his opponents in the corner. The Wolves hit the Alarm Clock on Jessie and then took turns hit Mushroom Stomps on Robbie. They had them pinned when DJ Z came in and hit the Wolves with a computer.
Reaction: A problem with a small tag team division is that we get the same matches every week. The Wolves keep getting screwed out of the titles. I expect them to get a clean win and the titles at Sacrifice.
Willow cut another bizarre promo. Spud reminds him of boogers while EC3 reminds him of dirty sheets.
Reaction: The pre-produced segments with Willow are really good but I am not a fan of these promos. Comparing heels to dirty sheets and boogers don’t seem like things that would get under your skin unless your in third grade.
EC3 and Rockstar Spud vs Willow
Handicap Match
The numbers came into play almost immediately as Spud and EC3 gained control. Willow fought back with a number of classic Hardy moves. Willow went up top but Spud tripped him up hard sending him down harder. Spud tagged in but when Willow went after him, Spud tagged back out.
Willow fought back on Spud and EC3, eventually hitting the Twist of Fate for the victory on Spud. EC3 attacked Willow after the match and went to lock in the Heel Lock that he has been using.
All of a sudden, Kurt Angle returned and ran out. He went face to face with EC3. Angle German Suplexed EC3 sending EC3 bailing.
Reaction: It’s good to see Kurt back. While I am not as high up on him as others, he is some star power that TNA needs. I am guessing we will probably get EC3 and Spud against Angle and Willow at Sacrifice but they may just go with Angle vs EC3.
Kurt Angle was in the ring. He said EC3 looked like he saw a ghost. Kurt said he was back. He said he was a TNA Hall of Famer and his career ends when he says it does. He talked about winning a gold medal with a broke frickin’ neck. Angle said that very soon, EC3 would be in the ring with him and at that point EC3 will realize why they call him the cyborg. Angle said he will tap out in his head far before his body does. This thing won’t end until they take EC3 out in a bodybag.
Reaction: Good promo. While I would say that this will lead to a clean singles match at Sacrifice, there is a good possibility we will get a Bodybag Match at the PPV. You can read about why I think that is later tonight on the site.
Bobby Roode was questioned backstage. Roode said Bully took something away from him at Lockdown and he was exchanging the favor. Roode said he was issuing an open challenge to anyone BUT Bully Ray in a Tables Match. Whoever is dumb enough to accept his challenge will go through a table.
We got a segment with Sanada waking up. He talks about pressure put on him by Great Muta. The X Title is his passport to the United States. Sanada put over Tigre Uno for being a strong competitor.
Reaction: I really liked the presentation here. Sanada is being billed as the Pride of Japan. He doesn’t want to let Great Muta or his country down. That is really character in itself. I like what they have done with him so far.
Kenny King was on the stage with a mic. King asked the IMPACT crowd if they missed him. King said he is home. King said he wanted to talk about business sense. If you had a player like Derek Jeter, would you sit him on the sidelines. He called himself the Lebron James of wrestling. King said he would sit in on the commentary team for the next match. Whoever wins will lay the belt at the feet of the King of the Night.
Reaction: King has a lot of charisma that hasn’t really been tapped into. The potential is unlimited so I hope it goes somewhere (even more than the X Division).
Sanada vs Tigre Uno
Match 2 in the Best of 3 Series for the X Title
Sanada is up 1-0 against Tigre in this series. Kenny King was on commentary. We got some back and forth between the two participants with neither getting a distinct advantage. Sanada hit a beautiful dropkick on Tigre Uno. Tigre hit a weird springboard moonsault to no avail.
Sanada hits a TKO for a nearfall. Sanada went for the Moonsault but Tigre rolled out of the way. Tigre connected with a Modified Reverse STO followed by the Sabertooth Splash to even the series 1-1.
Reaction: Quick match with some good action. My guess is that the final match of the series will be at Sacrifice with the winner going on to Slammiversary to face King. The X Division has gotten some nice focus recently by building for the future and staying consistent.
Backstage, Bully talked to someone about stepping up to Bobby Roode. Bully said he was the guy to do it. Hoo-Rah!
Reaction: Looks like it will be Gunner vs Roode in a Tables Match.
Bobby Roode vs ???
Tables Match
The challenge was accepted by “Modern Day Viking” Gunner. Gunner went right after Roode, who stopped his momentum with a neckbreaker. Gunner and Roode took the fight to ringside where a table came into play and Gunner sent Roode into steel steps.
In the ring, Gunner attempted to slam Roode into a table but Bobby fought off. He hit a Blockbuster Neckbreaker moments later. Roode mocked Bully and went to powerbomb Gunner but Gunner backdropped out of it. Roode with a Double R Spinebuster.
Gunner headbutted Roode and laid him out on the table. Gunner went up top looking for the headbutt. James Storm ran out of nowhere and distracted Gunner. Roode slammed Gunner off the top but didn’t break the table. Roode hit the Roode Bomb on Gunner putting him through the table for the win.
After the match, Roode and Storm were going to continue the beatdown but Bully Ray came out for the save.
Reaction: A Sacrifice buildup match teasing Gunner vs Storm (I Quit) and Roode vs Bully (Table Match). Nice solid action along the lines of what we usually get from TNA on TV.
We got comments from the TNA stars about Eric Young winning the World Title. Notably, Willow called EY the greatest World Champion ever seen.
Backstage, EY had a bunch of weapons with it. He called himself crazy and said he would show everyone how crazy he could be.
Bully gave Gunner a pep talk backstage. He said next week it would be them against Storm and Roode in a tag match.
Eric Young vs Abyss
Monster’s Ball Match
World Heavyweight Championship
EY immediately went after Abyss with a number of different weapons. He began gnawing on the head of Abyss in the corner. Abyss tossed EY hard to the outside. EY went for a suicide dive on Abyss to the outside but hit a trash can on the way.
Abyss catapulted EY into a chair in the corner which put him in a weird body position. Abyss went to the outside and grabbed a bag, later to be revealed as thumbtacks. Abyss poured them out. EY went for a Piledriver on the thumbtacks but Abyss fought out. Abyss went to the outside and grabbed Janice. Abyss went to use it but missed. Janice got stuck in the turnbuckle.
EY grabbed the weapon but ran into a Chokeslam into the tacks. This got Abyss a nearfall victory. Abyss pulled out a barbed-wire board and set it up in the ring. The Monster went for a chokeslam but EY bit his hand. EY dropkicked Abyss, who fell into the barbed-wire board. Young followed up with a top rope elbow drop to retain the title.
Reaction: Fun Monster’s Ball Match! Eric Young was presented well tonight. His promo against Dixie was good as he held his own. He defeated The Monster cleanly in a Monster’s Ball Match despite taking some brutal bumps. While I question how he got here, this is a good first week for him as champion.
