TNA Bound for Glory 2012
Taking a break from WWE to cover a TNA show, since this one was conveniently uploaded to their Youtube channel leading up to this year's Bound for Glory. I think I watched this one live, but aside from one match, I don't remember this one a whole lot, so I'm pretty much going into this one blind. That being said, let's get into it.
Our opening package highlights some moments over the years at the Bound for Glory event, with TNA talents and personalities talking about their memories of the event.
We're live from the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike Tenay and Taz are on commentary for this show. Crowd is hot for this as Tenay and Taz hype the main event, along with Aces & Eights in No DQ action.
Time for our first match.
X-Division Championship: Rob Van Dam vs Zema Ion (c)
Pre-Match Notes: Crowd is hot for RVD. Commentary mention that General Manager Hulk Hogan gave RVD this title shot on the previous episode of Impact.
Commentary talk about how Zema's basically eliminated the X-Division, injuring the rest of the competition, and I guess Rob took it upon himself to challenge for the title. Pretty good high flying action, not as fast paced as you'd expect but it's a good paced match. You get your typical spots from RVD and Zema working well as a heel. Zema works the head and neck after a spiking RVD with a Tornado DDT for most of the match.
Rob nails a Rolling Thunder and follows with the 5-Star Frog Splash to win the X-Division Title in 8:04. Nice way to start the show.
We go to replays as RVD celebrates in the ring.
In the back, Borash interviews Magnus, better known as Nick Aldis, who's up next with a shot at the TV Title. He talks about how this is the biggest night for him, and says Joe can't hide behind Hogan anymore. He asks how he'll recover from the most devastating loss of his career before heading off for his title match.
TNA Television Championship: Magnus vs Samoa Joe (c)
Pre-Match Notes: Tenay mentions how these two are former tag champs, and Joe being a Grand Slam Champion. Crowd with early "Joe's gonna kill you" chants.
They talk about Magnus cost Joe the BFG Series thanks to a chair to the arm, as Magnus already tries to work the arm. Magnus keeps the offense most of the match.
Joe catches Magnus off a leapfrog to slam him down, turning it into an STF then a Rings of Saturn but Magnus reaches the ropes in time. Joe sets him up for a Muscle Buster seemingly, but he fights out of it. Magnus nails a nice elbow from the top, but Joe kicks out of a pin attempt.
Joe catches Magnus in the Coquina, Magnus pushes off the corner and gets Joe's shoulders down but Joe releases in time. Another Coquina attempt but Magnus drops down with a jaw breaker. Mangus goes for a figure 4 but Joe pulls him into the Coquina Clutch and Magnus is forced to tap out. Joe retains in 9:04. Another good match to keep the show rolling.
In the back, Borash is with Bobby Roode, set to battle James Storm next in a Street Fight, one year in the making. Roode talks about the animosity between the two, how Storm has never beaten him. He says he's gonna end Storm's career before heading off.
We get a video package for this match, highlighting their history as a tag team, their breakup and the aftermath. Last time they faced off was at Lockdown, when Roode escaped just barely with his World Title. Roode cost Storm the BFG Series. Hogan announces King Mo as the enforcer for this match.
Street Fight: "The IT Factor" Bobby Roode vs "Cowboy" James Storm, King Mo as Special Enforcer
Pre-Match Notes: Mo is out first in some silver, sparkly robe and crown.
Bit of back and forth to start the match out but it quickly heads to the outside. Typical brawling against the guard rail and ring apron, Roode and Storm both getting in Mo's face as they go at it. Roode whips Roode into the barricade, but catches Roode with a side Russian leg sweep into the barricade. Storm teases an Eye of the Storm through the announce table but Roode fights out of it, catapulting Storm into the ring post face first. Storm is busted open.
Roode wastes no time in taking a trash can from under the ring and tossing it in the ring. Roode takes a chair from ringside and rams it into the gut of Storm, then cracks him across the back, Storm's face covered in blood.
Back in the ring, Roode's got a kendo stick now. He wedges a chair in the corner while Storm grabs the stick, jammed in the gut then cracked across the back of Roode. Storm places the trash can lid against the nuts of Roode and swings the stick into it. Storm with trash can lid in hand but Roode tosses Storm over the ropes onto the ramp. Roode with trash can in hand but eats a shoulder block, allowing Storm to hit him with a Draping DDT onto the ramp.
A fan (plant I assume) hands Storm and cracks Roode with it. They start going back and forth with lid shots to the head before Storm whales away at him, then a trash can over the head. Storm's face is covered all over with blood, not a bit of skin showing. He charges at Roode only to be hit with a spinebuster right on the ramp.
Back at ringside, Roode's got a cookie sheet(?) and nails Roode, drinks a beer from a fan before Roode is back with some shots. Roode face first off the announce table before they climb on top. Storm tries to suplex Roode through what appears to be the Spanish announce table, but he cuts him off, nailing Storm with a spear through the table.
Back in the ring, a near fall by Roode. Roode gets into it with Hebner before Mo steps in and they get into it, allowing Storm to nail a Codebreaker. Storm nails a Last Call superkick, but Roode kicks out. Storm calls for a second one but Roode throws him into the chair wedged in the corner, Roode rolls him up with a handful of tights but Storm kicks out.
Storm lifted to the top rope before Roode goes back under the ring. There's a cheese grater on the ring apron for whatever reason, didn't notice that until now. Roode takes a while, only to pull out a chair, looks like to buy some time. Roode pulls out a bag, and of course, filled with plenty of thumbtacks, emptying them onto the mat.
Roode up top for a superplex but Storm fights out of it, pushing Roode off the top into the thumbtacks. Storm off the top with an elbow drop, catching some tacks himself, but Roode kicks out. Roode with a low blow as Storm pulls him up, retreating from the ring once more and back under the ring to pull out some beer bottles. Roode goes to smash it over Storm's head but catches a low blow himself, Storm taking the bottle and smashes it over Roode's head. Storm puts the final nail in the coffin with a Last Call superkick, Roode falling back into the tacks one more time, allowing Storm to pick up the victory in 17:34. Damn brutal match, and Mo didn't have too much involvement, didn't need to. Only a third of the way through and this show is already pretty good.
Storm celebrates with a beer as his hand is raised before we go to replays.
Back to Borash, he's with pre-dick spot Joey Ryan. He says he should've been handed a contract before his Gut Check opportunity, which was a concept where they'd offer a wrestler a chance to prove themselves and win a contract with TNA. They'd compete in a match against a TNA talent, they'd be judged, and their fate announced the next week. Story here being that Joey is pissed with Al Snow, one of the Gut Check judges, denied him a contract despite winning the popular vote with the fans. Joey is tricked into signing a one-night contract to fight at BFG against Al, with a TNA contract for Joey on the line.
Joey Ryan vs Al Snow
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I completely forgot Joey was in TNA and this whole storyline. Al is out in jogging pants and a tank top ready for a fight and without a Head, which is kind of disappointing.
Story of this match is Snow basically out wrestling Joey, Joey trying to be a show off when he gets what little offense he does. He finally gets the advantage with a hair pull. Crowd is pretty dead for this match. Even when Joey taunts them, there's nothing. They sorta get back into it when Snow gets the offense again. Snow grabs Joey by the chest hair before nailing a Snow Plow, but Joey kicks out.
Fans chant that they want Head, before Taz quips that they're a horny crowd. Made ma chuckle a little. Al pulls Head out from under the ring, but the ref grabs it, Joey nailing Snow from behind and knocking the ref down. Al out of the ring and Joey takes hold of Head and.... makes out with it. He attempts a baseball slide but Al traps him between the ring apron and skirt. He grabs Head again until... Well Matt Morgan appears out of nowhere and nails Snow with a Carbon Footprint(?), before rolling Al back in. Joey takes advantage and gets the pin in 8:30. It wasn't a terrible match, but I think it went longer than it needed to.
Morgan talks some trash to an out cold Snow and taunts the crowd, Joey hugs at his leg because... reasons, and they shake hands.
In the back, JB is with Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, set to defend the tag titles next. Fantastic promo by these two.
We get a video package hyping up each team and their histories together.
Triple Threat Match for the TNA Tag Team Championship: Hernandez & Chavo Guerrero vs AJ Styles & Kurt Angle vs Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels & Kazarian) (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I forgot how great AJ's TNA theme was. Christy for some reason announces them as the "World Tag Team Champions of the World," a bit redundant there. They aren't announced as Bad Influence, but I do seem to recall that being their monicker in the near future.
We're going with the old "only two in at a time, anyone can tag anyone rule" here, Chavo and AJ start things out. Taz with some nonsensical, babbling nonsense on commentary, Tenay trying his best to cover his ass.
Great tag team action all around here, Kaz and Daniels playing the heel role damn well here. Angle gets in off a hot tag and clears the ring with some Suplex City of his own. Kurt with a belly to belly off the top onto Daniels, German on Chavo only to eat a slingshot DDT. Pounce by Hernandez, Phenomenal Forearm onto Daniels. Daniels with a springboard moonsault to the outside onto Angle, then Hernandez knock him off the apron, before leaping over the ropes onto Daniels. God damn that man can fly. Kaz gets Hernandez with a flying headscissor off the top to the outside, with a nasty landing on the apron shoulder first, ouch. AJ off the top onto the others at ringside.
Chavo suplexes Angle into the ring off the apron and goes for the Three Amigos, but gets an Angle Slam as he attempts number three. Angle up top but Hernandez catches him, AJ tags in and launches Hernandez off the ropes into a double team suplex. Angle sent out of the ring by Chavo who eats a clothesline by AJ, then a flapjack by Kaz. Daniels up top and nails the Best Moonsault Ever on AJ, but AJ kicks out.
Chavo up top and launches onto Kaz outside, Daniels goes for Angels Wings on AJ but he escapes. AJ with an Inverted DDT launching from the corner. Setting up for a Styles Clash, btu Daniels tosses him out, Hernandez tags in. Border Toss by Hernandez, and a Frog Splash by Chavo and we've got new tag champions in 15:38. This match was hard to follow the last half, fast paced and fantastic action. This show is on a roll.
We head to replays they celebrate their win. Christy is on the ramp to interview the new champs. Chavo with a Viva la Raza, and dedicates it to Eddie, followed by Eddie chants as they head to the back.
Time for some Knockouts action. We get a video package, a teacher vs student feud between Tessmacher and Tara,Tessmacher having beaten her twice, once on Open Fight Night and once for the title at No Surrender, but of course Tara turns on the Brooke to set up this match.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Tara vs Brooke Tessmacher (c)
Taryn Terrell is hasn't made the move to wrestler yet in TNA. We have a guest bellringer from a local radio station I guess.
Commentary, more specifically Taz, spend most of the match perving, although Tessmacher doesn't help with some of her gyrating.
Simple finish for this one. Tara goes for a superplex but Tessmacher pushes her off the top, then misses an elbow drop. Tara follows up with the Widow's Peak to win the championship in 6:20.
Tara gets a mic and says she's been inspired lately, saying she did it for her Hollywood boyfriend, and out comes her "boo" Jessie... I think Jessie Goderz or whatever his name is? I guess he was on some Big Brother seasons or something. I know he would win the tag titles with Robbe E at some point. Anyways, they get all giddy and he puts the title around her waist.
We cut to footage of Sting's induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, with speeches from Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan, and Dixie Carter.
We get a video package of the recent antics of Aces & Eights. Completely forgot Shaq had appeared in TNA. It comes down to A&8 making a challenge for BFG: Two of Hogan's best guys vs A&8's, with full access on the line for A&8's, otherwise they'll be forced to leave. Bully Ray steps up to tag with Sting after Mr. Anderson gets taken out.
No Disqualification Match: Aces & Eights vs Bully Ray & Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: At this point no one from the Aces & Eights have been unmasked. Bully coming out in some classic Sting face paint, and Sting wearing a Bully Ray shirt. The A&8's guys come out with Joseph Park, and it's hard to tell who these two are right now. They cuff him to the guard rail before Sting and Ray attack from behind to get things started.
As you'd expect this starts as a wild brawl around ringside, and the Spanish announce table gets broken again. Fans chant for tables as the fighting continues, but Bully gets whipped into the steps, before Sting misses a Stinger Splash into the guard rail.
In the ring now, and it's a regular tag in/tag out match for whatever reason. A&8's have taken advantage as they continue to beat down Sting. A&8's guy misses an elbow drop and Sting applies the Deathlock, but gets broken up. They fight a bit more before a Deathdrop.
A&8 in with a chair, but eats a boot fro Bully. A run in by who appears to be Wes Brisco but he's maksed, spitting at Park. He rips his way out of the handcuffs and rolls in, taking down Wes. Tackling Wes down to the ramp as they fight near the entrance way. Bully and Sting distracted as the A&8 guys attack from behind. Bully and Sting nail a nice looking Doomsday Device. Couple of splashes in the corner, before they call for a table.
Ray rolls out and gets a table into the ring. Sting gets pulled from the ring before they can use it though, and another A&8 member rolls in to put Bully through the table. Aces and Eights get the pin in 10:54 to gain full access to Impact. Not a terrible match, a bit clunky at times. It didn't go overly long though.
More A&8 members come in and continue the beatdown, before Hogan's music hits. And because why not, Hogan lays them out as they head up the ramp to attack him. Hogan rips off his shirt, leaving the lone member in the ring. We get a hulk up, Hogan's punches, the big boot, then unmasks him to reveal... Well it's D-Von, who had previously been feuding with Bully Ray I think? There is an audible gasp from the crowd, Bully and Sting sell their shock, and Hogan does his terrible acting. A&8 head out through the crowd.
In the back, Borash hypes up the main event before bringing in Austin Aries, the World Champion. He cuts a nice promo before we go to our hype package.
THE BUILD UP
I figure since this is the only match I can really go into detail for the build up, I'll put it all out.
Let's start with Austin Aries. He held the X-Division Title from September of 2011 to June of 2012, at which point he wanted more, he wasn't satisfied with the competition he was getting and wanted a shot at the World Title. Hogan, the Impact General Manager, agreed to give it to him on the condition of relinquishing the X-Division Title, and Austin agreed on the condition that this would be offered in the future to other X-Division Champions.This would of course be come to be known as Option C. Aries would go on to defeat then champion Bobby Roode at Destination X to win the championship.
Onto Jeff Hardy. We all know what happened at the Victory Road PPV the previous year, when he came out intoxicated, and wasn't seen on television for more than a year as he was rehabbing. He made his big return to TNA in August of 2011, and what started was a long road to redemption, leading to this night. Hardy would defeat Bully Ray in the finals of the Bound for Glory series to earn his title shot against Austin Aries at Bound for Glory.
As far as Aries and Hardy go as a feud, it comes down to jealousy. He's tired of the special treatment gets from management, and is upset over the fact he isn't getting as much a reaction from fans as Jeff is. He laid Hardy out with a Braibuster on the go-home show to set this up.
With that being said, it's time for the main event.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries (c)
Pre-Match Thoughts & Notes: Jeff comes out with this wicked looking mask. Oddly enough Aries is getting more support here, with plenty of Aries chants before the match starts.
There isn't a whole lot to say. This is a pretty damn good match between these two. Jeff avoids a Discus Elbow before nailing a Twist of Fate, but Aries kicks out at 2 and a half. Jeff up top calling for the Swanton but Aries crotches him. Aries with a hell a hell of a hurricanrana as they both stand on the top rope. Aries with a corner dropkick and nails a Brainbuster, but Jeff just barely kicks out.
Back in the corner Aries hangs him up in a tree of woe, and attempts a double stomp from the top. Jeff with a bit of a stunner out of the corner and another Twist of Fate, and a Swanton to win the title in 23:06.
Jeff celebrates in the corner with the title as we go to replays. More celebrating as he fade out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A solid show. Not a whole lot to complain about here, not perfect, but I found myself enjoying most of it.
I can provide a little bit of aftermath to this show as best I can. Jeff and Aries would have their rematch at the next PPV in a Ladder Match, which Jeff would retain. He'd hold the title until January at the Lockdown PPV.
Speaking of Lockdown, let's talk about Bully Ray. He'd earn that shot at the World Title for Lockdown, and win it, in turn revealing himself to be the leader of Aces & Eights. He'd hold the title for a few good months until Chris Sabin, cashing in Option C, won it from him at the 2013 Destination X PPV. He wouldn't hold it for long though, losing it back to Bully Ray, with help from Tito Ortiz of all people. Bully would keep that title until BFG, where AJ Styles would win it for the last time before leaving the company a couple months later.
As far as Aces & Eights go, the whole thing would turn into a mess. Bully Ray, Tessmacher, Garrett Bischoff, Knux (former Mike Knox), Taz, D-Von, D'Lo Brown, D.O.C (Doc/Luke Gallows), Ivelisse, Mr. Anderson, Tito Ortiz and Wes Brisco were all members of this thing, and didn't really offer anything other than a way to keep the title on Bully. They'd stick around until November of 2013, where Anderson beat Bully to disband the group for good.
Our opening package highlights some moments over the years at the Bound for Glory event, with TNA talents and personalities talking about their memories of the event.
We're live from the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mike Tenay and Taz are on commentary for this show. Crowd is hot for this as Tenay and Taz hype the main event, along with Aces & Eights in No DQ action.
Time for our first match.
X-Division Championship: Rob Van Dam vs Zema Ion (c)
Pre-Match Notes: Crowd is hot for RVD. Commentary mention that General Manager Hulk Hogan gave RVD this title shot on the previous episode of Impact.
Commentary talk about how Zema's basically eliminated the X-Division, injuring the rest of the competition, and I guess Rob took it upon himself to challenge for the title. Pretty good high flying action, not as fast paced as you'd expect but it's a good paced match. You get your typical spots from RVD and Zema working well as a heel. Zema works the head and neck after a spiking RVD with a Tornado DDT for most of the match.
Rob nails a Rolling Thunder and follows with the 5-Star Frog Splash to win the X-Division Title in 8:04. Nice way to start the show.
We go to replays as RVD celebrates in the ring.
In the back, Borash interviews Magnus, better known as Nick Aldis, who's up next with a shot at the TV Title. He talks about how this is the biggest night for him, and says Joe can't hide behind Hogan anymore. He asks how he'll recover from the most devastating loss of his career before heading off for his title match.
TNA Television Championship: Magnus vs Samoa Joe (c)
Pre-Match Notes: Tenay mentions how these two are former tag champs, and Joe being a Grand Slam Champion. Crowd with early "Joe's gonna kill you" chants.
They talk about Magnus cost Joe the BFG Series thanks to a chair to the arm, as Magnus already tries to work the arm. Magnus keeps the offense most of the match.
Joe catches Magnus off a leapfrog to slam him down, turning it into an STF then a Rings of Saturn but Magnus reaches the ropes in time. Joe sets him up for a Muscle Buster seemingly, but he fights out of it. Magnus nails a nice elbow from the top, but Joe kicks out of a pin attempt.
Joe catches Magnus in the Coquina, Magnus pushes off the corner and gets Joe's shoulders down but Joe releases in time. Another Coquina attempt but Magnus drops down with a jaw breaker. Mangus goes for a figure 4 but Joe pulls him into the Coquina Clutch and Magnus is forced to tap out. Joe retains in 9:04. Another good match to keep the show rolling.
In the back, Borash is with Bobby Roode, set to battle James Storm next in a Street Fight, one year in the making. Roode talks about the animosity between the two, how Storm has never beaten him. He says he's gonna end Storm's career before heading off.
We get a video package for this match, highlighting their history as a tag team, their breakup and the aftermath. Last time they faced off was at Lockdown, when Roode escaped just barely with his World Title. Roode cost Storm the BFG Series. Hogan announces King Mo as the enforcer for this match.
Street Fight: "The IT Factor" Bobby Roode vs "Cowboy" James Storm, King Mo as Special Enforcer
Pre-Match Notes: Mo is out first in some silver, sparkly robe and crown.
Bit of back and forth to start the match out but it quickly heads to the outside. Typical brawling against the guard rail and ring apron, Roode and Storm both getting in Mo's face as they go at it. Roode whips Roode into the barricade, but catches Roode with a side Russian leg sweep into the barricade. Storm teases an Eye of the Storm through the announce table but Roode fights out of it, catapulting Storm into the ring post face first. Storm is busted open.
Roode wastes no time in taking a trash can from under the ring and tossing it in the ring. Roode takes a chair from ringside and rams it into the gut of Storm, then cracks him across the back, Storm's face covered in blood.
Back in the ring, Roode's got a kendo stick now. He wedges a chair in the corner while Storm grabs the stick, jammed in the gut then cracked across the back of Roode. Storm places the trash can lid against the nuts of Roode and swings the stick into it. Storm with trash can lid in hand but Roode tosses Storm over the ropes onto the ramp. Roode with trash can in hand but eats a shoulder block, allowing Storm to hit him with a Draping DDT onto the ramp.
A fan (plant I assume) hands Storm and cracks Roode with it. They start going back and forth with lid shots to the head before Storm whales away at him, then a trash can over the head. Storm's face is covered all over with blood, not a bit of skin showing. He charges at Roode only to be hit with a spinebuster right on the ramp.
Back at ringside, Roode's got a cookie sheet(?) and nails Roode, drinks a beer from a fan before Roode is back with some shots. Roode face first off the announce table before they climb on top. Storm tries to suplex Roode through what appears to be the Spanish announce table, but he cuts him off, nailing Storm with a spear through the table.
Back in the ring, a near fall by Roode. Roode gets into it with Hebner before Mo steps in and they get into it, allowing Storm to nail a Codebreaker. Storm nails a Last Call superkick, but Roode kicks out. Storm calls for a second one but Roode throws him into the chair wedged in the corner, Roode rolls him up with a handful of tights but Storm kicks out.
Storm lifted to the top rope before Roode goes back under the ring. There's a cheese grater on the ring apron for whatever reason, didn't notice that until now. Roode takes a while, only to pull out a chair, looks like to buy some time. Roode pulls out a bag, and of course, filled with plenty of thumbtacks, emptying them onto the mat.
Roode up top for a superplex but Storm fights out of it, pushing Roode off the top into the thumbtacks. Storm off the top with an elbow drop, catching some tacks himself, but Roode kicks out. Roode with a low blow as Storm pulls him up, retreating from the ring once more and back under the ring to pull out some beer bottles. Roode goes to smash it over Storm's head but catches a low blow himself, Storm taking the bottle and smashes it over Roode's head. Storm puts the final nail in the coffin with a Last Call superkick, Roode falling back into the tacks one more time, allowing Storm to pick up the victory in 17:34. Damn brutal match, and Mo didn't have too much involvement, didn't need to. Only a third of the way through and this show is already pretty good.
Storm celebrates with a beer as his hand is raised before we go to replays.
Back to Borash, he's with pre-dick spot Joey Ryan. He says he should've been handed a contract before his Gut Check opportunity, which was a concept where they'd offer a wrestler a chance to prove themselves and win a contract with TNA. They'd compete in a match against a TNA talent, they'd be judged, and their fate announced the next week. Story here being that Joey is pissed with Al Snow, one of the Gut Check judges, denied him a contract despite winning the popular vote with the fans. Joey is tricked into signing a one-night contract to fight at BFG against Al, with a TNA contract for Joey on the line.
Joey Ryan vs Al Snow
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I completely forgot Joey was in TNA and this whole storyline. Al is out in jogging pants and a tank top ready for a fight and without a Head, which is kind of disappointing.
Story of this match is Snow basically out wrestling Joey, Joey trying to be a show off when he gets what little offense he does. He finally gets the advantage with a hair pull. Crowd is pretty dead for this match. Even when Joey taunts them, there's nothing. They sorta get back into it when Snow gets the offense again. Snow grabs Joey by the chest hair before nailing a Snow Plow, but Joey kicks out.
Fans chant that they want Head, before Taz quips that they're a horny crowd. Made ma chuckle a little. Al pulls Head out from under the ring, but the ref grabs it, Joey nailing Snow from behind and knocking the ref down. Al out of the ring and Joey takes hold of Head and.... makes out with it. He attempts a baseball slide but Al traps him between the ring apron and skirt. He grabs Head again until... Well Matt Morgan appears out of nowhere and nails Snow with a Carbon Footprint(?), before rolling Al back in. Joey takes advantage and gets the pin in 8:30. It wasn't a terrible match, but I think it went longer than it needed to.
Morgan talks some trash to an out cold Snow and taunts the crowd, Joey hugs at his leg because... reasons, and they shake hands.
In the back, JB is with Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, set to defend the tag titles next. Fantastic promo by these two.
We get a video package hyping up each team and their histories together.
Triple Threat Match for the TNA Tag Team Championship: Hernandez & Chavo Guerrero vs AJ Styles & Kurt Angle vs Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels & Kazarian) (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I forgot how great AJ's TNA theme was. Christy for some reason announces them as the "World Tag Team Champions of the World," a bit redundant there. They aren't announced as Bad Influence, but I do seem to recall that being their monicker in the near future.
We're going with the old "only two in at a time, anyone can tag anyone rule" here, Chavo and AJ start things out. Taz with some nonsensical, babbling nonsense on commentary, Tenay trying his best to cover his ass.
Great tag team action all around here, Kaz and Daniels playing the heel role damn well here. Angle gets in off a hot tag and clears the ring with some Suplex City of his own. Kurt with a belly to belly off the top onto Daniels, German on Chavo only to eat a slingshot DDT. Pounce by Hernandez, Phenomenal Forearm onto Daniels. Daniels with a springboard moonsault to the outside onto Angle, then Hernandez knock him off the apron, before leaping over the ropes onto Daniels. God damn that man can fly. Kaz gets Hernandez with a flying headscissor off the top to the outside, with a nasty landing on the apron shoulder first, ouch. AJ off the top onto the others at ringside.
Chavo suplexes Angle into the ring off the apron and goes for the Three Amigos, but gets an Angle Slam as he attempts number three. Angle up top but Hernandez catches him, AJ tags in and launches Hernandez off the ropes into a double team suplex. Angle sent out of the ring by Chavo who eats a clothesline by AJ, then a flapjack by Kaz. Daniels up top and nails the Best Moonsault Ever on AJ, but AJ kicks out.
Chavo up top and launches onto Kaz outside, Daniels goes for Angels Wings on AJ but he escapes. AJ with an Inverted DDT launching from the corner. Setting up for a Styles Clash, btu Daniels tosses him out, Hernandez tags in. Border Toss by Hernandez, and a Frog Splash by Chavo and we've got new tag champions in 15:38. This match was hard to follow the last half, fast paced and fantastic action. This show is on a roll.
We head to replays they celebrate their win. Christy is on the ramp to interview the new champs. Chavo with a Viva la Raza, and dedicates it to Eddie, followed by Eddie chants as they head to the back.
Time for some Knockouts action. We get a video package, a teacher vs student feud between Tessmacher and Tara,Tessmacher having beaten her twice, once on Open Fight Night and once for the title at No Surrender, but of course Tara turns on the Brooke to set up this match.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Tara vs Brooke Tessmacher (c)
Taryn Terrell is hasn't made the move to wrestler yet in TNA. We have a guest bellringer from a local radio station I guess.
Commentary, more specifically Taz, spend most of the match perving, although Tessmacher doesn't help with some of her gyrating.
Simple finish for this one. Tara goes for a superplex but Tessmacher pushes her off the top, then misses an elbow drop. Tara follows up with the Widow's Peak to win the championship in 6:20.
Tara gets a mic and says she's been inspired lately, saying she did it for her Hollywood boyfriend, and out comes her "boo" Jessie... I think Jessie Goderz or whatever his name is? I guess he was on some Big Brother seasons or something. I know he would win the tag titles with Robbe E at some point. Anyways, they get all giddy and he puts the title around her waist.
We cut to footage of Sting's induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, with speeches from Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan, and Dixie Carter.
We get a video package of the recent antics of Aces & Eights. Completely forgot Shaq had appeared in TNA. It comes down to A&8 making a challenge for BFG: Two of Hogan's best guys vs A&8's, with full access on the line for A&8's, otherwise they'll be forced to leave. Bully Ray steps up to tag with Sting after Mr. Anderson gets taken out.
No Disqualification Match: Aces & Eights vs Bully Ray & Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: At this point no one from the Aces & Eights have been unmasked. Bully coming out in some classic Sting face paint, and Sting wearing a Bully Ray shirt. The A&8's guys come out with Joseph Park, and it's hard to tell who these two are right now. They cuff him to the guard rail before Sting and Ray attack from behind to get things started.
As you'd expect this starts as a wild brawl around ringside, and the Spanish announce table gets broken again. Fans chant for tables as the fighting continues, but Bully gets whipped into the steps, before Sting misses a Stinger Splash into the guard rail.
In the ring now, and it's a regular tag in/tag out match for whatever reason. A&8's have taken advantage as they continue to beat down Sting. A&8's guy misses an elbow drop and Sting applies the Deathlock, but gets broken up. They fight a bit more before a Deathdrop.
A&8 in with a chair, but eats a boot fro Bully. A run in by who appears to be Wes Brisco but he's maksed, spitting at Park. He rips his way out of the handcuffs and rolls in, taking down Wes. Tackling Wes down to the ramp as they fight near the entrance way. Bully and Sting distracted as the A&8 guys attack from behind. Bully and Sting nail a nice looking Doomsday Device. Couple of splashes in the corner, before they call for a table.
Ray rolls out and gets a table into the ring. Sting gets pulled from the ring before they can use it though, and another A&8 member rolls in to put Bully through the table. Aces and Eights get the pin in 10:54 to gain full access to Impact. Not a terrible match, a bit clunky at times. It didn't go overly long though.
More A&8 members come in and continue the beatdown, before Hogan's music hits. And because why not, Hogan lays them out as they head up the ramp to attack him. Hogan rips off his shirt, leaving the lone member in the ring. We get a hulk up, Hogan's punches, the big boot, then unmasks him to reveal... Well it's D-Von, who had previously been feuding with Bully Ray I think? There is an audible gasp from the crowd, Bully and Sting sell their shock, and Hogan does his terrible acting. A&8 head out through the crowd.
In the back, Borash hypes up the main event before bringing in Austin Aries, the World Champion. He cuts a nice promo before we go to our hype package.
THE BUILD UP
I figure since this is the only match I can really go into detail for the build up, I'll put it all out.
Let's start with Austin Aries. He held the X-Division Title from September of 2011 to June of 2012, at which point he wanted more, he wasn't satisfied with the competition he was getting and wanted a shot at the World Title. Hogan, the Impact General Manager, agreed to give it to him on the condition of relinquishing the X-Division Title, and Austin agreed on the condition that this would be offered in the future to other X-Division Champions.This would of course be come to be known as Option C. Aries would go on to defeat then champion Bobby Roode at Destination X to win the championship.
Onto Jeff Hardy. We all know what happened at the Victory Road PPV the previous year, when he came out intoxicated, and wasn't seen on television for more than a year as he was rehabbing. He made his big return to TNA in August of 2011, and what started was a long road to redemption, leading to this night. Hardy would defeat Bully Ray in the finals of the Bound for Glory series to earn his title shot against Austin Aries at Bound for Glory.
As far as Aries and Hardy go as a feud, it comes down to jealousy. He's tired of the special treatment gets from management, and is upset over the fact he isn't getting as much a reaction from fans as Jeff is. He laid Hardy out with a Braibuster on the go-home show to set this up.
With that being said, it's time for the main event.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries (c)
Pre-Match Thoughts & Notes: Jeff comes out with this wicked looking mask. Oddly enough Aries is getting more support here, with plenty of Aries chants before the match starts.
There isn't a whole lot to say. This is a pretty damn good match between these two. Jeff avoids a Discus Elbow before nailing a Twist of Fate, but Aries kicks out at 2 and a half. Jeff up top calling for the Swanton but Aries crotches him. Aries with a hell a hell of a hurricanrana as they both stand on the top rope. Aries with a corner dropkick and nails a Brainbuster, but Jeff just barely kicks out.
Back in the corner Aries hangs him up in a tree of woe, and attempts a double stomp from the top. Jeff with a bit of a stunner out of the corner and another Twist of Fate, and a Swanton to win the title in 23:06.
Jeff celebrates in the corner with the title as we go to replays. More celebrating as he fade out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A solid show. Not a whole lot to complain about here, not perfect, but I found myself enjoying most of it.
I can provide a little bit of aftermath to this show as best I can. Jeff and Aries would have their rematch at the next PPV in a Ladder Match, which Jeff would retain. He'd hold the title until January at the Lockdown PPV.
Speaking of Lockdown, let's talk about Bully Ray. He'd earn that shot at the World Title for Lockdown, and win it, in turn revealing himself to be the leader of Aces & Eights. He'd hold the title for a few good months until Chris Sabin, cashing in Option C, won it from him at the 2013 Destination X PPV. He wouldn't hold it for long though, losing it back to Bully Ray, with help from Tito Ortiz of all people. Bully would keep that title until BFG, where AJ Styles would win it for the last time before leaving the company a couple months later.
As far as Aces & Eights go, the whole thing would turn into a mess. Bully Ray, Tessmacher, Garrett Bischoff, Knux (former Mike Knox), Taz, D-Von, D'Lo Brown, D.O.C (Doc/Luke Gallows), Ivelisse, Mr. Anderson, Tito Ortiz and Wes Brisco were all members of this thing, and didn't really offer anything other than a way to keep the title on Bully. They'd stick around until November of 2013, where Anderson beat Bully to disband the group for good.
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