Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 8, 2015 1:18:32 GMT -6
www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/100-tna/40651-tna-impact-wrestling-tv-report-bobby-roode-vs-bobby-lashley-main-event-kurt-angle-announcement-highlights-destination-america-debut
TNA Impact Wrestling TV Report: Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley main event, Kurt Angle announcement highlights Destination America debut
Tonight, TNA Impact Wrestling embarks on a new journey as they debut on Destination America at 9 PM EST with a main event of TNA Champion Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley, a "major" Kurt Angle announcement, and plenty more surprises. There is a replay of the event following the live broadcast. Jeff Hardy, Gail Kim and EC3 are also scheduled to appear.
This is a one-week only appearance as the organization moves to Fridays starting next week. The organization will tape next week's show tomorrow night.
Join us here at 9 PM EST as we do a live recap!
There's a cool new opening with everyone in their hotel room and gymasium headed to the arena, making this Destination America debut seem like a much bigger deal than any Impact show in a while. And it is. Bobby Roode gave a pep talk to a bus full of babyfaces, while MVP talked to his posse. Roode and his entourage squared off with Bobby Lashley in front of the building, and it led to Kenny King giving Roode a cheap shot, which started a melee between all of the company's faces and heels, which went from a taped scene outside the building into a live fight inside the building into, in front of and around the live crowd. There was no focus on any one particular fight as the camera just cut from one fight to another. Crowd chanted for Roode. King took a bump on the ramp that the camera totally missed.
Kurt Angle came out and dressed down security for trying to break up the various melees. Angle ordered every champion on the roster to defend their titles tonight. Angle announced Roode-Lashley III tonight, vowing it would be the match of the year. After Sunday, good luck. Angle said he had one more announcement. MVP interrupted him and turned his back to Angle, daring him to take a free shot at him. Angle didn't touch him. MVP claimed Angle went to the Board of Directors and begged to keep his job as Executive Director, then said Angle had lost his killer instinct. Crowd chanted "Shut the F--- Up" with the production crew forcing them to bleep them out.
Angle announced he had stepped down as Executive Director, but he has been activated as an active wrestler again. Somehow, Angle still had the right to book matches, so he ordered a street fight with himself and MVP to start immediately.
1. Kurt Angle defeated MVP in a street fight in 10:04. Josh Matthews (making his company debut) and Taz are announcing. Good psychology in the match with MVP ramming Angle's right knee into the ring steps. Neither Matthews or Taz made the connection that was the same knee injured by Ethan Carter the Third which forced Angle into a front office role. In the midst of this street fight, they did some mat wrestling with MVP putting on an armbar and escaping an Olympic Slam with a roll through into a kneebar. Then Angle made the ropes and the referee ordered a break, just like any other street fight you'd see. Crowd did some more chants that kept the censors busy. Angle made a comeback and tried an ankle lock, but MVP escaped with a head and arm choke, only for Angle to escape and clamp on the ankle lock again. MVP sent Angle in the turnbuckles, but missed a Driveby kick. Angle hit the Olympic Slam to win and crowd chanted "You still got it" at him. ***
MVP yelled at King for not interferring during the match, then demanded to know where Lashley was. When King said he didn't know, he stormed off.
Matthews and Taz promoted the fact that we would see more cameras backstage. We saw cameras at the Gorilla position and with Crazzy Steve playing with a horn. This led to an Ethan Carter the Third promo with Tyrus vowing to take Rockstar Spud apart piece by piece. Tyrus held up a knife in a ziplock bag. Apparently, Tyrus must have run across Tank Abott before the show tonight. EC3 ordered Tyrus to secure the area.
Matthews put over the job Mike Tenay has done as the company's main voice during its existance, then threw it to Tenay, who announced a new show called "Impact Wrestling Unlocked" which will be a new Saturday show. They aired a preview with Tenay interviewing Storm about his Revolution group. Storm talked in fake shoot terms about how the company didn't fulfill promises to him, so now he will make the company pay. Storm now whistles to end his interviews, which is also how his ring music starts.
2. James Storm and Abyss defeated the Wolves to retain the TNA Tag Team titles in 6:12. Before the match, Matt and Jeff Hardy came out to scout. Hot opening with the Wolves doing four topes in a row on Storm and Abyss. Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards now have painted-on wolves claw marks across their chest, which is a new touch. Wolves controlled most of the match, escaping a double choke slam attempt by Abyss into a double superkick. Wolves were set to do the double stomp off the top rope on Edwards, but Manik interfered. Abyss gave Richards shock treatment, while the Great Sanada and Manik hit the ring. This led to the Hardys doing a run-in to clear the ring. Abyss and Jeff Hardy started fighting over the bull rope, but Jeff collided with Edwards. This led to Storm giving Edwards the Last Call Superkick for the pin. Another good match. ***
MVP dressed down Lasley backstage, saying he was the leader of the group. Lashley put his forearm across MVP's throat and said tonight wasn't about MVP, it was about him getting his title back. MVP and King left, with MVP sarcastically wishing him good luck in his rematch with Roode tonight.
Jeremy Borash was about to introduce Roode when EC3 interrupted him, proclaiming himself the Lord of Wrestling. He bragged that he had been undefeated for 15 months and 2015 would be his year. The usual "You Can't Wrestle" chants which EC3 played along with. Actually, there was a surprisingly vocal group who chanted back "Yes he can." EC3 called for Spud to come out, but there was no Spud. At the entrance ramp, Spud was selling a supposed backstage beating delivered by Tyrus, who actually picked up Spud by his pants like he was a piece of luggage. Spud tried a comeback, but Tyrus slammed him on the floor. EC3 said he was going to finish the job and pulled out an electric razor, teasing that he was going to give Spud a crucut. Borash then stood up for Spud and tried to keep EC3 from going after him. EC3 ordered him to stand down. Borash then slapped EC3, which was a mistake. Tyrus then gave Borash a big splsah in the corner. Then EC3 shaved off a portion of Borash's head with the razor while Tyrus held Spud and made him watch. I guess Borash felt like going bald after this angle.
Backstage, King told MVP he couldn't believe Lashley put his hands on him. MVP said it was time to go back to their roots.
As Low Ki made his way to the ring, there was a package promoting the past of the X Division featuring lots of wrestlers no longer with the company, including A.J. Styles, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Kid Kash, Kazarian and Christopher Daniels.
3. Austin Aries defeated Low Ki to win the X Division title in 7:05. The ring lights were dimmed down, so it didn't appear to be a capacity crowd, but it was an enthusaistic one. Crowd very hot for both men. Lots of fluid action and stiff chops. One spot culminated with Austin Aries going for a tope, but Ki blocked it with a buzzsaw kick. Aries later hit a tope, followed by a missile drop kick. Aries tried the brainbuster, but Ki turned it into a submission called the Violent Dragon. Aries got to the ropes. They had a long dual on the top rope with Ki going for the Ki Krusher, but Aries kicked Ki's legs out from under him. Then Aries hit the brainbuster for the title switch. **3/4
Matthews announced that Terrell would have to defend her title in a battle royal. There was no explanation as to why. DJ Zema then gave a special introduction to the returning Robbie E. after his appearance on the Amazing Race. Robbie and Velvet Sky embraced like they had been dating for months. Robbie did a promo saying he didn't win a million dollars, but he still looked like a million dollars. He then talked about how it wasn't his fault that he lost, it was the fault of his ex-girlfriend Brooke. Actually, anyone watching would be inclined to agree.
4. Taryn Terrell won an 8-woman battle royal to retain the TNA Knockouts title that included Gail Kim, Havok, Rebel, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love and Madison Rayne. Everyone ganged up on Terrell to eliminate the champion at first, but Terrell rolled out of the ring. Rebel, who must have had a makeover because I barely recognized her, was eliminated by Angelina Love first at :54 with a Botox Injection. Havok eliminated Madison Rayne at 1:34. Jesse Godderz tried to distract Terrell, but it backfired as Terrell eliminated Love with a clothesline at 2:30. Havok tried to eliminate Gail Kim and Terrell at the same time, but the best she could do was throw Terrell into the ropes. Kim and Terrell gave Havok a double missile dropkick. At this point, Brooke ran out of the crowd and attacked Robbie. In the midst of the brawl, Velvet Sky was distracted and eliminated by Terrell. It was down to three with Kim, Terrell and Havok. Kim tried to give Havok leg scissors over the top rope, which led to Havok throwing Kim over. Immediately, Terrell managed to get Havok over to retain her title.
Postmatch, Havok attacked Terrell and gave her the neck hanging tree slam and a choke slam. Then the lights went out. Suddenly, Awesome Kong was in the ring staring Havok right in the face. Crowd popped huge and Kong couldn't hide her delight at the big response. The referees broke it up without the two touching. Referee Brian Stiffler admonished Kong, who gave him a choke slam. Stiffler looked like he landed badly. Crowd chanted "Welcome Back" at her.
5. Bobby Lashley defeated Bobby Roode to win the TNA World Title at 16:43 after a ton of outside interference. Lashley acted like a total face in his ring entrance. Several failed crossface attempts by Roode early. Roode caught a pescado, which led to an extended period out of the ring. As they brawled, the cameras cut backstage, where King and MVP welcomed two masked men into the building. Security tried to stop them from going to the ring, but the masked men quickly dispatched of them. Back in the ring, Lashley gave Roode the Manhattan Drop and continued to use his girth.
Even though Lashley was portrayed as a face throughout the broadcast, the fans were staunchly behind Roode. After a lengthy bearhug, Roode made his comeback with a clothesline, a Blockbuster and the Double R Spinebuster. Roode attempted the Roode Bomb, but Lashley reversed it into a powerslam, but Roode kicked out of the finisher. Lashley teased a superplex, but Roode broke free and gave him a sunset running Liger Bomb for a near fall. Crowd heat was disappointing here. Quickly, Lashley got up and gave the Roode Bomb to Roode for a two count. Lashley attempted the spear but missed, then Roode hit a spear, but Lashley kicked out. So both men used each other's finishers.
At this point, MVP, King and the masked men came out. Roode clamped on the crossface, Lashley rolled out, but Roode hit another Roode Bomb for another two count. Roode went back to the crossface. King then pulled referee Brian Hebner out of the ring and he punched Hebner. Angle ran down but the masked men jumped him. The masked men then revealed themselves as Low Ki and Samoa Joe. Eric Young ran down with a chair to clear the ring, then turned heel on Roode by hitting him with the chair. Somehow, none of this was a DQ. Lashley hit a spear and pinned Roode to recapture the title. Lashley looked confused by the entire scene even though he won.
The show was overbooked at times, but considering the past eight weeks of Raw, it was a breath of fresh air to see matches given time to build and culminate. However, every Samoa Joe heel turn usually goes nowhere. Eric Young's last heel run was so forgettable it was over within months. I assume this leads to a Roode-Young program.
Thanks to everyone for joining me tonight. And thanks to Josh Nason and Tony Leder for making it possible.
TNA Impact Wrestling TV Report: Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley main event, Kurt Angle announcement highlights Destination America debut
Tonight, TNA Impact Wrestling embarks on a new journey as they debut on Destination America at 9 PM EST with a main event of TNA Champion Bobby Roode vs. Bobby Lashley, a "major" Kurt Angle announcement, and plenty more surprises. There is a replay of the event following the live broadcast. Jeff Hardy, Gail Kim and EC3 are also scheduled to appear.
This is a one-week only appearance as the organization moves to Fridays starting next week. The organization will tape next week's show tomorrow night.
Join us here at 9 PM EST as we do a live recap!
There's a cool new opening with everyone in their hotel room and gymasium headed to the arena, making this Destination America debut seem like a much bigger deal than any Impact show in a while. And it is. Bobby Roode gave a pep talk to a bus full of babyfaces, while MVP talked to his posse. Roode and his entourage squared off with Bobby Lashley in front of the building, and it led to Kenny King giving Roode a cheap shot, which started a melee between all of the company's faces and heels, which went from a taped scene outside the building into a live fight inside the building into, in front of and around the live crowd. There was no focus on any one particular fight as the camera just cut from one fight to another. Crowd chanted for Roode. King took a bump on the ramp that the camera totally missed.
Kurt Angle came out and dressed down security for trying to break up the various melees. Angle ordered every champion on the roster to defend their titles tonight. Angle announced Roode-Lashley III tonight, vowing it would be the match of the year. After Sunday, good luck. Angle said he had one more announcement. MVP interrupted him and turned his back to Angle, daring him to take a free shot at him. Angle didn't touch him. MVP claimed Angle went to the Board of Directors and begged to keep his job as Executive Director, then said Angle had lost his killer instinct. Crowd chanted "Shut the F--- Up" with the production crew forcing them to bleep them out.
Angle announced he had stepped down as Executive Director, but he has been activated as an active wrestler again. Somehow, Angle still had the right to book matches, so he ordered a street fight with himself and MVP to start immediately.
1. Kurt Angle defeated MVP in a street fight in 10:04. Josh Matthews (making his company debut) and Taz are announcing. Good psychology in the match with MVP ramming Angle's right knee into the ring steps. Neither Matthews or Taz made the connection that was the same knee injured by Ethan Carter the Third which forced Angle into a front office role. In the midst of this street fight, they did some mat wrestling with MVP putting on an armbar and escaping an Olympic Slam with a roll through into a kneebar. Then Angle made the ropes and the referee ordered a break, just like any other street fight you'd see. Crowd did some more chants that kept the censors busy. Angle made a comeback and tried an ankle lock, but MVP escaped with a head and arm choke, only for Angle to escape and clamp on the ankle lock again. MVP sent Angle in the turnbuckles, but missed a Driveby kick. Angle hit the Olympic Slam to win and crowd chanted "You still got it" at him. ***
MVP yelled at King for not interferring during the match, then demanded to know where Lashley was. When King said he didn't know, he stormed off.
Matthews and Taz promoted the fact that we would see more cameras backstage. We saw cameras at the Gorilla position and with Crazzy Steve playing with a horn. This led to an Ethan Carter the Third promo with Tyrus vowing to take Rockstar Spud apart piece by piece. Tyrus held up a knife in a ziplock bag. Apparently, Tyrus must have run across Tank Abott before the show tonight. EC3 ordered Tyrus to secure the area.
Matthews put over the job Mike Tenay has done as the company's main voice during its existance, then threw it to Tenay, who announced a new show called "Impact Wrestling Unlocked" which will be a new Saturday show. They aired a preview with Tenay interviewing Storm about his Revolution group. Storm talked in fake shoot terms about how the company didn't fulfill promises to him, so now he will make the company pay. Storm now whistles to end his interviews, which is also how his ring music starts.
2. James Storm and Abyss defeated the Wolves to retain the TNA Tag Team titles in 6:12. Before the match, Matt and Jeff Hardy came out to scout. Hot opening with the Wolves doing four topes in a row on Storm and Abyss. Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards now have painted-on wolves claw marks across their chest, which is a new touch. Wolves controlled most of the match, escaping a double choke slam attempt by Abyss into a double superkick. Wolves were set to do the double stomp off the top rope on Edwards, but Manik interfered. Abyss gave Richards shock treatment, while the Great Sanada and Manik hit the ring. This led to the Hardys doing a run-in to clear the ring. Abyss and Jeff Hardy started fighting over the bull rope, but Jeff collided with Edwards. This led to Storm giving Edwards the Last Call Superkick for the pin. Another good match. ***
MVP dressed down Lasley backstage, saying he was the leader of the group. Lashley put his forearm across MVP's throat and said tonight wasn't about MVP, it was about him getting his title back. MVP and King left, with MVP sarcastically wishing him good luck in his rematch with Roode tonight.
Jeremy Borash was about to introduce Roode when EC3 interrupted him, proclaiming himself the Lord of Wrestling. He bragged that he had been undefeated for 15 months and 2015 would be his year. The usual "You Can't Wrestle" chants which EC3 played along with. Actually, there was a surprisingly vocal group who chanted back "Yes he can." EC3 called for Spud to come out, but there was no Spud. At the entrance ramp, Spud was selling a supposed backstage beating delivered by Tyrus, who actually picked up Spud by his pants like he was a piece of luggage. Spud tried a comeback, but Tyrus slammed him on the floor. EC3 said he was going to finish the job and pulled out an electric razor, teasing that he was going to give Spud a crucut. Borash then stood up for Spud and tried to keep EC3 from going after him. EC3 ordered him to stand down. Borash then slapped EC3, which was a mistake. Tyrus then gave Borash a big splsah in the corner. Then EC3 shaved off a portion of Borash's head with the razor while Tyrus held Spud and made him watch. I guess Borash felt like going bald after this angle.
Backstage, King told MVP he couldn't believe Lashley put his hands on him. MVP said it was time to go back to their roots.
As Low Ki made his way to the ring, there was a package promoting the past of the X Division featuring lots of wrestlers no longer with the company, including A.J. Styles, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Kid Kash, Kazarian and Christopher Daniels.
3. Austin Aries defeated Low Ki to win the X Division title in 7:05. The ring lights were dimmed down, so it didn't appear to be a capacity crowd, but it was an enthusaistic one. Crowd very hot for both men. Lots of fluid action and stiff chops. One spot culminated with Austin Aries going for a tope, but Ki blocked it with a buzzsaw kick. Aries later hit a tope, followed by a missile drop kick. Aries tried the brainbuster, but Ki turned it into a submission called the Violent Dragon. Aries got to the ropes. They had a long dual on the top rope with Ki going for the Ki Krusher, but Aries kicked Ki's legs out from under him. Then Aries hit the brainbuster for the title switch. **3/4
Matthews announced that Terrell would have to defend her title in a battle royal. There was no explanation as to why. DJ Zema then gave a special introduction to the returning Robbie E. after his appearance on the Amazing Race. Robbie and Velvet Sky embraced like they had been dating for months. Robbie did a promo saying he didn't win a million dollars, but he still looked like a million dollars. He then talked about how it wasn't his fault that he lost, it was the fault of his ex-girlfriend Brooke. Actually, anyone watching would be inclined to agree.
4. Taryn Terrell won an 8-woman battle royal to retain the TNA Knockouts title that included Gail Kim, Havok, Rebel, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love and Madison Rayne. Everyone ganged up on Terrell to eliminate the champion at first, but Terrell rolled out of the ring. Rebel, who must have had a makeover because I barely recognized her, was eliminated by Angelina Love first at :54 with a Botox Injection. Havok eliminated Madison Rayne at 1:34. Jesse Godderz tried to distract Terrell, but it backfired as Terrell eliminated Love with a clothesline at 2:30. Havok tried to eliminate Gail Kim and Terrell at the same time, but the best she could do was throw Terrell into the ropes. Kim and Terrell gave Havok a double missile dropkick. At this point, Brooke ran out of the crowd and attacked Robbie. In the midst of the brawl, Velvet Sky was distracted and eliminated by Terrell. It was down to three with Kim, Terrell and Havok. Kim tried to give Havok leg scissors over the top rope, which led to Havok throwing Kim over. Immediately, Terrell managed to get Havok over to retain her title.
Postmatch, Havok attacked Terrell and gave her the neck hanging tree slam and a choke slam. Then the lights went out. Suddenly, Awesome Kong was in the ring staring Havok right in the face. Crowd popped huge and Kong couldn't hide her delight at the big response. The referees broke it up without the two touching. Referee Brian Stiffler admonished Kong, who gave him a choke slam. Stiffler looked like he landed badly. Crowd chanted "Welcome Back" at her.
5. Bobby Lashley defeated Bobby Roode to win the TNA World Title at 16:43 after a ton of outside interference. Lashley acted like a total face in his ring entrance. Several failed crossface attempts by Roode early. Roode caught a pescado, which led to an extended period out of the ring. As they brawled, the cameras cut backstage, where King and MVP welcomed two masked men into the building. Security tried to stop them from going to the ring, but the masked men quickly dispatched of them. Back in the ring, Lashley gave Roode the Manhattan Drop and continued to use his girth.
Even though Lashley was portrayed as a face throughout the broadcast, the fans were staunchly behind Roode. After a lengthy bearhug, Roode made his comeback with a clothesline, a Blockbuster and the Double R Spinebuster. Roode attempted the Roode Bomb, but Lashley reversed it into a powerslam, but Roode kicked out of the finisher. Lashley teased a superplex, but Roode broke free and gave him a sunset running Liger Bomb for a near fall. Crowd heat was disappointing here. Quickly, Lashley got up and gave the Roode Bomb to Roode for a two count. Lashley attempted the spear but missed, then Roode hit a spear, but Lashley kicked out. So both men used each other's finishers.
At this point, MVP, King and the masked men came out. Roode clamped on the crossface, Lashley rolled out, but Roode hit another Roode Bomb for another two count. Roode went back to the crossface. King then pulled referee Brian Hebner out of the ring and he punched Hebner. Angle ran down but the masked men jumped him. The masked men then revealed themselves as Low Ki and Samoa Joe. Eric Young ran down with a chair to clear the ring, then turned heel on Roode by hitting him with the chair. Somehow, none of this was a DQ. Lashley hit a spear and pinned Roode to recapture the title. Lashley looked confused by the entire scene even though he won.
The show was overbooked at times, but considering the past eight weeks of Raw, it was a breath of fresh air to see matches given time to build and culminate. However, every Samoa Joe heel turn usually goes nowhere. Eric Young's last heel run was so forgettable it was over within months. I assume this leads to a Roode-Young program.
Thanks to everyone for joining me tonight. And thanks to Josh Nason and Tony Leder for making it possible.