What's up, fans! Everyone's favorite referee is back with another column, and today we're talking about the go-home episode of iMPACT Wrestling before their annual Turning Point pay-per-view this Sunday. I've been catching up with TNA since Bound For Glory last month here in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA., and I must say I'm impressed for the most part. For years wrestling fans have slammed Vince Russo for his creative efforts, and have been calling for his dismissal as TNA Head of Creative for quite some time. Those fans were granted their wish in a way recently when Russo was demoted and replaced with former long-time WWE honcho, Bruce Prichard. Rather or not the transfer of power pays off or not remains to be seen, but one thing is definitely for sure...it seems TNA is poised to turn things around and make some noise again. The elevation of Eric Bischoff to TNA's executive producer position may also have something to do with it. Bischoff is still quite the businessman and Spike TV execs are also said to be very high on the former WCW boss. His moves to get iMPACT on the road full time have reportedly gone over well, and the reality of this may not be far off. This can only bode well for TNA as they will finally encounter real wrestling fans on TV on a regular basis while successfully accomplishing the other side of the business, and that's bank those all mighty dollars!
iMPACT kicked off this week with an address from the brand new World Champion, Bobby Roode. Taz and Mike Tenay questioned and blasted Roode during his entrance about his shocking actions from the week prior when he turned on long-time Beer Money partner James Storm en route to his first World Heavyweight championship. Yes, yes, we know the drill..."WHY, BOBBY? WHY?!!". The champ seemed confused rather the fans were booing him or chanting "ROOODE" like they were last week in the title match. Roode then slams the faithful for cheering him last week and hating him now. He went on with the typical heel promo about how nice guys finish last in this dog-eat-dog business, and that last week he ate Storm for lunch. He stated that it's Storm's fault if he didn't see it coming. Roode talked about realizing the importance of a World title opportunity after BFG, and basically wasn't going to let the opportunity pass him by again. He said while Storm was in some hole in the wall, he was standing tall as champ. As the champ continued to insult his former partner, we learned James Storm was in the building, and it take him long to make his way towards ringside. TNA security intervened of course, but Storm got rid of them when he'd heard enough. By the time he got to the ring, Roode was long gone and it appeared as if we'd have to wait to see Storm get his revenge. While Roode taunted Storm from the ramp, Sting's music hit and the "authority figure" made his presence felt. The "Icon" got on Roode's case about cheating to win the title and ultimately signed the World title re-match that everyone wanted to see...much to the new champ's chagrin.
A highlight package is shown from last week when Crimson and Matt Morgan had a competition-based confrontation that set up their big one-on-one match at Turning Point.
Crimson def. "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero
Pope hits the ring first as Taz and Tenay wonder if he will be the one to break the unbreakable streak. Once Crimson was in the ring, it seemed to go by in a blur. Both men exchanged chain wrestling moves before Pope landed a kick followed by a DDT. Moments later the two were trading blows in the center of the ring. Pope ended the exchange with his trademark "Four-Up" uppercut before climbing up to the high rent district. Whatever he had in mind didn't matter because Crimson countered and finished The Pope off with his Red Sky powerbomb.
Backstage, Gunner talks to young Garrett Bischoff about the chain of command. He mentions the military chain and compares his experiences there to dealing with Eric Bischoff, whom he considers to be the top of the chain in wrestling. Crazy threats are made towards Garrett as a confident Gunner makes it clear that their upcoming match would merely be a walk in the park.
Garrett Bischoff def. Gunner (w/Ric Flair & Eric Bischoff)
Not much of a match here, but a lot in terms of telling this story and advancing things forward. After several minutes of nonsense in the beginning, the bell rang and Eazy-E got set to witness the dismantling of his boy wonder. What he got, was an eye-opener as he watched his son show that he can do more than referee. Garrett quickly took it to Gunner with a pair of arm drags, a hip toss, and a back bodydrop! That was enough for the Immortal reps at ringside. Flair darted in and went after the referee, causing Gunner to be DQ'd. Garrett Bischoff, to his credit, realized the gig was up and made a quick exit before any damage could be done. While he backed up the ramp looking surprised himself at what he did, we were reminded on commentary that per Eric Bischoff's own agreement, Sting can now opt to rewrite Eric's iron clad contract if he so chooses since Garrett not only participated in the match, but got the DQ victory. The plot thickens......
Backstage, Robbie E and Robbie T went to Eric Young's locker room to harass their opponents, but are intercepted by Ronnie's (Jersey Shore) bodyguard. After failing to gain access, EY and Ronnie poke their heads out to go back and forth. The exchange ends when Ronnie smacks Robbie E and E tells big Robbie T to hold him back as we go to commercial.
After the break, we see a bloody, semi-conscious James Storm laid up against a wall backstage. Help soon arrives and everyone's yelling for the trainer to get there. When it takes too long, the helpers decide to pick Storm up and deliver him to where he needed to be. The main event World title rematch is now in jeopardy and something is amiss.
Jesse Sorensen def. Zema Ion
Jesse Sorensen took over early on in this one, but was unable to maintain his early advantage. Ion came back and hit a string of moves to rock Sorensen, then went up top. He took way too long to launch his next attack and paid dearly when he found nothing but the canvas. Sorensen pretty much had in the bag from this point and connected with his version of the Cross-Rhodes neckbreaker for the win.
-After the match, Kid Cash hit the ring and continued his crusade against the young talent in the X Division. He said Sorensen was about as impressive as Zema Ion, or the fans. Kash repeatedly disrespected
Sorensen by calling him "Mr. 10 Minutes in the Business", then charged him with thinking he can do whatever he wants.The X Division pioneer said he had an opportunity of a lifetime for Jesse. Kash had a contract with him, and ultimately challenged Sorensen to a "triple threat" match at Turning Point against himself and his boy Austin Aries. He said this was because Sorensen's victory over Aries last week was "impressive". After stating the contract was without one signature, he demanded that Jesse sign it. Sorensen eventually signed, and Kash let it be known that he'd just made the biggest mistake of his life. When
Kash made a remark regarding Sorensen's mother, that was the final straw. Jesse's beatdown on his disrespectful adversary was over as fast as it started as Aries hit the ring for the save. Kash recovered and
the duo did a number on the young upstart before leaving him laying in a heap in the center of the ring.
Backstage, Karen Jarrett is with Gail Kim, and Madison Rayne getting ready for their defense of the Knockouts tag titles. Traci Brooks was present, looking as happy as she did last week about this situation. She watched in disgust as Karen, Gail, and Madison plotted how they were going to soften Velvet Sky up tonight so Gail can take the Knockouts title Sunday on pay-per-view. Karen continued to berate Traci about it being her fault that Velvet is the champ to begin with. The evil Knockouts then hugged and laughed at their evil plan while Traci watched.
TNA Knockouts Tag Titles:
Gail Kim & Madison Rayne {C} (w/Karen Jarrett) def. Velvet Sky & Mickie James
Velvet got things started in this one, going right after Madison. She took it to her former Beautiful People partner in the early going, but the tables turned when Mickie tagged in. Karen's team took over on offense but were unable to get the win. Mickie eventually found a way to create some separation and tagged Sky back in. The heat was turned up on the new champs, prompting Karen Jarrett to distract the referee. Through the chaos, Velvet hit a double under-hook on Madison, only to turn directly into Gail Kim's Eat D-Feat finisher to end it.
After another commercial, the trainer is with James Storm, who is insisting he can go. Sting enters to check it out, and Storm is adamant. He tries to stand and can't. Sting asks Storm what city they're in while the bloody challenger continued to protest his condition.
Eric Young & Ronnie def. Robbie E & Robbie T
About as typical as can get when it comes to celebrities climbing in the ring to compete. We were teased Ronnie and Robbie E starting the match, only for EY and Big Rob to kick it off. Some comedy is thrown at you with constant taunting of Ronnie mixed in. When the Rob duo taunted Ronnie one too many times, it gave EY the opening he needed. The tag was made and things turned around as Ronnie tore into Robbie E. Ronnie actually hit some moves as he an EY cleaned house. EY delivered a elbow to Robbie E, setting up Ronnie for a big splash and the win.
Backstage in Immortal's dressing room, Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, and Bully Ray were scheming their point of attack in the upcoming 6 man. Steiner just seemed mad and ready to fight while his partners had specific plans for their respective enemies.
Camera cut to the catering area where Ink Inc. was ambushed by Mexican America. A wild brawl broke out that ended with Mexican America retreating from the fight they started. They pulled back with Ink Inc. in hot pursuit...Jesse O'Neill yelling at them to bring the tag titles with them Sunday at Turning Point.
AJ Styles def. Christopher Daniels
This was clearly one of the better meetings this year between these fierce rivals. Nothing we haven't seen before from them, but something seemed different last night than in the I Quit Match last month, or the clash at Destination X. IMO, extremely waaay too much time was spent on commentary by the Bellator guy (yes, I'm omitting his name purposely) pushing his product, fighters ,and upcoming events than on the match in the ring, which was flat out disrespectful. Furthermore, MMA is pro wrestling's closest competitor nowadays...so why the hell is TNA cross-promoting in this way? A lot of fast-paced offense as both men displayed their arsenal, but found dead ends on the way to victory. It didn't take Daniels long to resort to underhanded tactics like using the ropes for leverage on pinfall attempts, but Earl Hebner was on top of it. Towards the end, the competitors jockeyed for position in hopes of scoring their finishers, but the other was prepared at every turn. Frustrated, Daniels once again retrieved the tool box from under the ring and snatched a screwdriver. He then climbed in to use it, but was unarmed by an emerging RVD. Daniels was momentarily distracted...allowing AJ to hit a big backbreaker, followed by the Styles Clash for the pin and the win.
Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson & Abyss def. Jeff Jarrett, Bully Ray & Scott Steiner
It was hype throughout the night that Anderson and Hardy had a mystery partner for this match, and it turned out being Abyss. After a cat-and-mouse beginning, Immortal cut the ring in half, isolating Mr. Anderson from his corner. When he was able to create some space, he tagged out to Jeff Hardy, who came in like a house of fire. He mixed it up with all 3 men before having the air taken out of his sails by Jarrett. Double J went to work, but got caught by Whisper in the Wind...setting up another pair of tags. Abyss was given the go this time, and he came in like the mad man that he is, taking out as much frustration on his former Immortal cronies as possible. In the end, "The Monster" planted Steiner with the Black Hole Slam for the three count.
A lot of hype surrounding the condition of James Storm leading into the main event.
TNA World Title Match:
Bobby Roode {C} def. James Storm
Roode came to the ring first, and after a few times of playing James Storm's music, the challenger made his way to ringside...barely. He was still bloody from whoever attacked him earlier on, and could barely stand. However, when Storm got to the ring, he darted after his new sworn enemy and tore into him with punches. One Irish whip to the corner and a backdrop later and Storm was face first on the mat...and he was on offense. The doctor hit the ring after referee Brian Hebner called for help and actually threw up the "X" symbol...leading everyone to think the match was over. Hebner had to back Roode off from continuing his attack, and the attention turned to Storm again. When they had trouble getting him out of the ring, Roode came over and began to lend a helping hand. With a very ill Storm barely being held up, you could hear Roode ask Hebner if the match was over...to which Hebner replied "No". After confirming the answer a couple of times, Roode rolled Storm up and demanded the referee to count his shoulders to the mat, which Brian did in disgust. AJ Styles and Kaz quickly sprinted to the ring, forcing Roode out and up the ramp with his title in tact. That didn't stop Bobby from gloating that he beat Storm again. Sting also mae his way out to check on Storm, AJ had a few words for Roode about his actions. He called him a piece of trash and welcomed him back down for a fair one. Better yet, how about we do this at Turning Point with the title on the line! Sting stamped his approval on that one as Roode continued to trash-talk from the stage, bringing iMPACT to a close.
My Thoughts:
-I like the current direction TNA is on. As I said, taking iMPACT on the road full-time could definitely prove positive for the company, and that's good news for everybody. The stories for the most part are worth watching, and for the percentage of any wrestling show that any fan will always see as filler...I found those parts watchable. I'm not really a fan of celebs in wrestling, although Robbie E's angle is exactly that, an angle.The show wasn't over-saturated with promos, or commercials that causes loss of interest, and obviously ratings. The promos were very well executed for the most part. Garrett Bischoff is money! When James Storm won the title I knew one of Beer Money had to head to the dark side. I think Roode was the right choice. Styles/Daniels stole the show and it's good to see Jeff Hardy, Xima Ion, and Gail Kim. Again, where is Samoa Joe? Overall, I feel the new directors will need some time to get some steam behind the storylines, but I'm watching...and I hope others are as well. Thanks for reading!
Ref JD
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Greetings to the VOC Wrestling Nation! My name is Jimmy Dylan and I am pro wrestling's one-and-only Referee-Reporter!!! I am a referee for the new nationally pay-per-view televised Urban Wrestling Federation (UWF), as well as several indy promotions in the Philadelphia area. Some of you may have viewed my "Bell To Bell" YouTube show here on the sight or elsewhere, or even heard me on the VOC Nation radio show on Wednesday evenings.