Impact
Wrestling
Wrestling
Date:
January 9, 2014
January 9, 2014
Location:
Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators:
Mike Tenay, Tazz
Mike Tenay, Tazz
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
This
is the final taped show in a long series of them as we’re closing in
on Genesis next week. The main story tonight is the World Title
unification match between AJ Styles and Magnus which has had a full
week’s worth of hype. On top of that, Kurt Angle has an open
challenge to anyone willing to step inside of a cage with him. Let’s
get to it.
is the final taped show in a long series of them as we’re closing in
on Genesis next week. The main story tonight is the World Title
unification match between AJ Styles and Magnus which has had a full
week’s worth of hype. On top of that, Kurt Angle has an open
challenge to anyone willing to step inside of a cage with him. Let’s
get to it.
After
the opening recap, here’s Dixie in a sweater and skirt that belongs
on a 22 year old. She doesn’t want to put up with this nonsense
tonight so AJ needs to get out here and sign this contract. AJ comes
out but Dixie goes into a long rant about how the contract is for one
night only and the match tonight is going to be No DQ. She wants
Magnus to leave AJ bloodied and broken and carried out on a stretcher
tonight so he’ll be out of her life forever.
the opening recap, here’s Dixie in a sweater and skirt that belongs
on a 22 year old. She doesn’t want to put up with this nonsense
tonight so AJ needs to get out here and sign this contract. AJ comes
out but Dixie goes into a long rant about how the contract is for one
night only and the match tonight is going to be No DQ. She wants
Magnus to leave AJ bloodied and broken and carried out on a stretcher
tonight so he’ll be out of her life forever.
AJ
says she must have a lot of confidence in her champion, just like she
did at Bound For Glory when she bet against AJ and lost. Before
signing, AJ says there are boys in the back that hate Dixie just as
much as he does and they don’t mind coming out here to help him
tonight. Dixie says those people weren’t there for him over the last
11 years like she was when she was feeding his wife and kids.
says she must have a lot of confidence in her champion, just like she
did at Bound For Glory when she bet against AJ and lost. Before
signing, AJ says there are boys in the back that hate Dixie just as
much as he does and they don’t mind coming out here to help him
tonight. Dixie says those people weren’t there for him over the last
11 years like she was when she was feeding his wife and kids.
She
owns those people and will be the one to break AJ Styles. AJ says
Dixie doesn’t get wrestling because it’s supposed to be about two
wrestlers but Dixie keeps screwing it up. The belt got respect when
AJ won it while the paper champion was hiding under Dixie’s skirt, so
here’s Magnus to keep this segment going.
owns those people and will be the one to break AJ Styles. AJ says
Dixie doesn’t get wrestling because it’s supposed to be about two
wrestlers but Dixie keeps screwing it up. The belt got respect when
AJ won it while the paper champion was hiding under Dixie’s skirt, so
here’s Magnus to keep this segment going.
Magnus
asks Dixie to leave the ring and gets in AJ’s face for calling him a
paper champion. The last image anyone had of AJ is him running away,
just like he’ll be doing after Magnus gets done with him tonight.
Magnus leaves and AJ talks about how it took eleven years to get him
to the title, which is the kind of hard work Magnus doesn’t
understand.
asks Dixie to leave the ring and gets in AJ’s face for calling him a
paper champion. The last image anyone had of AJ is him running away,
just like he’ll be doing after Magnus gets done with him tonight.
Magnus leaves and AJ talks about how it took eleven years to get him
to the title, which is the kind of hard work Magnus doesn’t
understand.
Post
break Dixie tells Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa to make sure they take care
of something.
break Dixie tells Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa to make sure they take care
of something.
Eric
Young/Joseph Park vs. Bro Mans
Young/Joseph Park vs. Bro Mans
Non-title.
Dixie is shown in the back telling the Bro Mans how serious this is.
I have a bad feeling about a running theme tonight. Eric starts
fast with Robbie and tries to do a Flair strut after being sent into
the corner but instead slides through his legs for a sunset flip. A
belly to belly puts Jessie down and Eric loads up the top rope elbow
but we see Gail and Tapa beating up ODB in the back.
Dixie is shown in the back telling the Bro Mans how serious this is.
I have a bad feeling about a running theme tonight. Eric starts
fast with Robbie and tries to do a Flair strut after being sent into
the corner but instead slides through his legs for a sunset flip. A
belly to belly puts Jessie down and Eric loads up the top rope elbow
but we see Gail and Tapa beating up ODB in the back.
Eric
runs off to help, leaving Joseph to get double teamed. Park gets
beaten down into the corner but runs both champions over with
shoulder blocks and slams. Robbie’s cross body just bounces off Park
so he chop blocks Park down instead. The Bro Down (Hart Attack) is
good for the pin at 3:27.
runs off to help, leaving Joseph to get double teamed. Park gets
beaten down into the corner but runs both champions over with
shoulder blocks and slams. Robbie’s cross body just bounces off Park
so he chop blocks Park down instead. The Bro Down (Hart Attack) is
good for the pin at 3:27.
Rating:
D+. This was more about the
story than the match as it seems Dixie has recruited the Bro Mans and
Gail Kim and Tapa. It’s probably better that was as we haven’t had a
heel stable in all of six weeks around here. The match was nothing
to see and the less Eric Young I have to see, the better.
D+. This was more about the
story than the match as it seems Dixie has recruited the Bro Mans and
Gail Kim and Tapa. It’s probably better that was as we haven’t had a
heel stable in all of six weeks around here. The match was nothing
to see and the less Eric Young I have to see, the better.
Post
match the Bro Mans remove a piece of the barricade and put it in the
ring, setting up a Bro Down on Park onto the steel.
match the Bro Mans remove a piece of the barricade and put it in the
ring, setting up a Bro Down on Park onto the steel.
Joe
goes into Dixie’s office (fourth appearance in 25 minutes) and says
he’ll have AJ’s back tonight. Dixie says Joe has a match with Ethan
Carter III tonight, but Joe says Ethan’s blood is on Dixie’s hands
tonight.
goes into Dixie’s office (fourth appearance in 25 minutes) and says
he’ll have AJ’s back tonight. Dixie says Joe has a match with Ethan
Carter III tonight, but Joe says Ethan’s blood is on Dixie’s hands
tonight.
Eric
carries ODB to an ambulance, sending Sting off to find Dixie.
carries ODB to an ambulance, sending Sting off to find Dixie.
James
Storm is in the ring and wants to talk to Gunner right now. Gunner
comes to the ring and Storm talks about being part of some of the
best tag teams ever in wrestling history. You have to check your ego
if you’re going to be part of a team, but if loving the fans chanting
Cowboy means you have a big ego, he has the biggest ego of all time.
The world title has split up Beer Money, America’s Most Wanted and
now the two of them.
Storm is in the ring and wants to talk to Gunner right now. Gunner
comes to the ring and Storm talks about being part of some of the
best tag teams ever in wrestling history. You have to check your ego
if you’re going to be part of a team, but if loving the fans chanting
Cowboy means you have a big ego, he has the biggest ego of all time.
The world title has split up Beer Money, America’s Most Wanted and
now the two of them.
Gunner
says Storm can keep his ego because he has the case. Storm knew the
risk he was taking in Feast or Fired and Gunner played by the rules.
James says let’s hang the case up one more time because Gunner can’t
do it again in another match. They shake on it and I think we have
either a briefcase on a pole or a ladder match, presumably for next
week.
says Storm can keep his ego because he has the case. Storm knew the
risk he was taking in Feast or Fired and Gunner played by the rules.
James says let’s hang the case up one more time because Gunner can’t
do it again in another match. They shake on it and I think we have
either a briefcase on a pole or a ladder match, presumably for next
week.
Ethan
Carter jumps Joe in the back.
Carter jumps Joe in the back.
We
come back with Ethan and Joe slugging it out on the stage before Joe
punches Ethan down the ramp.
come back with Ethan and Joe slugging it out on the stage before Joe
punches Ethan down the ramp.
Ethan
Carter III vs. Samoa Joe
Carter III vs. Samoa Joe
They
ight into the ring and we get a bell with Joe taking over with his
usual stuff. The backsplash gets two and Carter is knocked into the
corner for the enziguri, only to have Carter come out with a dropkick
to the knee. Ethan goes after the knee as the fans tell Carter he
can’t wrestle. Joe breaks up something off the top and goes for the
MuscleBuster, only to have Spud grab Joe’s leg. The distraction lets
Carter get in a shot to the knee for a…..no contest at 2:50?
Shouldn’t it be a DQ?
ight into the ring and we get a bell with Joe taking over with his
usual stuff. The backsplash gets two and Carter is knocked into the
corner for the enziguri, only to have Carter come out with a dropkick
to the knee. Ethan goes after the knee as the fans tell Carter he
can’t wrestle. Joe breaks up something off the top and goes for the
MuscleBuster, only to have Spud grab Joe’s leg. The distraction lets
Carter get in a shot to the knee for a…..no contest at 2:50?
Shouldn’t it be a DQ?
Carter
hits Joe’s knee with a wrench to really put him out.
hits Joe’s knee with a wrench to really put him out.
Angle
promises to wreck anyone who gets in a cage with him tonight because
he’ll be seeing Bobby Roode.
promises to wreck anyone who gets in a cage with him tonight because
he’ll be seeing Bobby Roode.
We
recap all the injures tonight.
recap all the injures tonight.
Joe
refuses to be taken to the hospital but is forced to go.
refuses to be taken to the hospital but is forced to go.
James
Storm and Gunner have been attacked by whiskey bottles. Sting sees
them and goes through the door to find Dixie (5th
appearance) for a good yelling about the events tonight. She says
this is a dangerous business but Sting says she can be turned back.
He asks what happened to her but Dixie yells at him for trying to be
Dr. Phil. Sting has a match tonight with an unnamed opponent.
Storm and Gunner have been attacked by whiskey bottles. Sting sees
them and goes through the door to find Dixie (5th
appearance) for a good yelling about the events tonight. She says
this is a dangerous business but Sting says she can be turned back.
He asks what happened to her but Dixie yells at him for trying to be
Dr. Phil. Sting has a match tonight with an unnamed opponent.
Kurt
Angle vs. ???
Angle vs. ???
In
a cage with an open challenge. Angle waits and gets…..Bobby Roode?
He doesn’t come to the cage though because he’s got a mic. In seven
days Angle is going to lose inside the cage and his Hall of Fame
induction will be gone forever. Roode says Angle can get him in the
cage next week, but for tonight it’s two on one.
a cage with an open challenge. Angle waits and gets…..Bobby Roode?
He doesn’t come to the cage though because he’s got a mic. In seven
days Angle is going to lose inside the cage and his Hall of Fame
induction will be gone forever. Roode says Angle can get him in the
cage next week, but for tonight it’s two on one.
Kurt
Angle vs. Bad Influence
Angle vs. Bad Influence
Daniels
goes through the door as Kaz tries to climb the cage. Angle puts
Christopher down and goes after Kaz, only to get crotched on the top.
Daniels sends Angle into the cage as Kaz comes in with a top rope ax
handle to give Christopher two. Angle is rammed back first into the
cage as Bad Influence keeps up their double teaming. He grabs a
small package on Daniels but Kaz grabs the referee to prevent a
count.
goes through the door as Kaz tries to climb the cage. Angle puts
Christopher down and goes after Kaz, only to get crotched on the top.
Daniels sends Angle into the cage as Kaz comes in with a top rope ax
handle to give Christopher two. Angle is rammed back first into the
cage as Bad Influence keeps up their double teaming. He grabs a
small package on Daniels but Kaz grabs the referee to prevent a
count.
A
spinning springboard legdrop gets two on Angle but he pops up with
the suplexes for everyone. We get Germans, belly to bellys and more
Germans before Kaz breaks up the Angle Slam on Daniels. Kaz tries to
leave but gets superplexed down, landing on Daniels in the process.
Angle sends Daniels hard into the cage before the Angle Slam pins Kaz
at 6:11.
spinning springboard legdrop gets two on Angle but he pops up with
the suplexes for everyone. We get Germans, belly to bellys and more
Germans before Kaz breaks up the Angle Slam on Daniels. Kaz tries to
leave but gets superplexed down, landing on Daniels in the process.
Angle sends Daniels hard into the cage before the Angle Slam pins Kaz
at 6:11.
Rating:
C+. Kurt Angle just knows how
to have a good cage match. The good thing here is that Bad Influence
can lose over and over again but keep coming back through their
hilarious antics. The match with Roode next week is going to be
great as those two have the chemistry to have an awesome match every
time they’re out there.
C+. Kurt Angle just knows how
to have a good cage match. The good thing here is that Bad Influence
can lose over and over again but keep coming back through their
hilarious antics. The match with Roode next week is going to be
great as those two have the chemistry to have an awesome match every
time they’re out there.
Dixie
(6th
appearance) says leave the cage up. Bobby Roode comes in and is told
he has a cage match tonight. Roode assumes it’s with Angle but it’s
against Sting. Bobby freaks out as you would expect him to. Dixie
promises to have him covered.
(6th
appearance) says leave the cage up. Bobby Roode comes in and is told
he has a cage match tonight. Roode assumes it’s with Angle but it’s
against Sting. Bobby freaks out as you would expect him to. Dixie
promises to have him covered.
Angle
is having pictures taken with some fans when Al Snow comes up in a
car, saying Angle has to get to the airport for an emergency.
is having pictures taken with some fans when Al Snow comes up in a
car, saying Angle has to get to the airport for an emergency.
Bobby
Roode vs. Sting
Roode vs. Sting
In
a cage as well. I didn’t hear a bell but Sting takes him into the
corner, only to be taken down by a shoulder block. Sting blocks
being rammed into the cage but Roode does the same. A Stinger Splash
hits Roode’s feet and Roode gets two off a clothesline. Sting won’t
let Bobby go through the door and stops a charging Roode with a boot
and elbow to the jaw.
a cage as well. I didn’t hear a bell but Sting takes him into the
corner, only to be taken down by a shoulder block. Sting blocks
being rammed into the cage but Roode does the same. A Stinger Splash
hits Roode’s feet and Roode gets two off a clothesline. Sting won’t
let Bobby go through the door and stops a charging Roode with a boot
and elbow to the jaw.
Roode
comes back with a spinebuster for two but Sting breaks up another
escape attempt. Sting slams him off the top in classic fashion
before ramming Roode into the cage a few times. A pair of Stinger
Splashes sets up the Death Drop and Deathlock but here are Ethan and
Spud to interfere. Spud distracts the referee, allowing Spud to send
in a baton so Roode can lay Sting out and escape at 7:10.
comes back with a spinebuster for two but Sting breaks up another
escape attempt. Sting slams him off the top in classic fashion
before ramming Roode into the cage a few times. A pair of Stinger
Splashes sets up the Death Drop and Deathlock but here are Ethan and
Spud to interfere. Spud distracts the referee, allowing Spud to send
in a baton so Roode can lay Sting out and escape at 7:10.
Rating:
C-. This was mainly just
killing time until the interfering ending but it wasn’t that bad for
the most part. Tonight is a one story show and it got old about half
an hour ago. Sting works best in quick bursts like this and the
match wasn’t bad due to how short it was. Still though, two cage
matches not combining to go fifteen minutes isn’t something I can get
behind.
C-. This was mainly just
killing time until the interfering ending but it wasn’t that bad for
the most part. Tonight is a one story show and it got old about half
an hour ago. Sting works best in quick bursts like this and the
match wasn’t bad due to how short it was. Still though, two cage
matches not combining to go fifteen minutes isn’t something I can get
behind.
Earlier
today, Mr. Anderson entered a funeral home to finish this with Ray.
today, Mr. Anderson entered a funeral home to finish this with Ray.
We
recap Ray trying to set Joseph park on fire last week.
recap Ray trying to set Joseph park on fire last week.
Anderson
is in the funeral home where Aces and 8’s were laid to rest. Ray is
sitting in the corner with his sunglasses on and Anderson says let’s
finish this. Bully says if he wanted to finish this, he would have
done it last week with the lighter. That’s too forgiving of him
though because he wants this to last. He says there’s something in
his other hand that doesn’t smell as nice (lighter fluid?) before
talking about Anderson taking everything from him.
is in the funeral home where Aces and 8’s were laid to rest. Ray is
sitting in the corner with his sunglasses on and Anderson says let’s
finish this. Bully says if he wanted to finish this, he would have
done it last week with the lighter. That’s too forgiving of him
though because he wants this to last. He says there’s something in
his other hand that doesn’t smell as nice (lighter fluid?) before
talking about Anderson taking everything from him.
Ray
wants his loneliness to encompass Anderson’s life. Next week is
Genesis, or the beginning, but it means the end for Anderson. He
talks about Anderson throwing the Aces and 8’s colors in the coffin
and tells Anderson to go look at what’s in there now. Anderson goes
to look and gets ad before turning back to see Ray gone. We see what
appears to be baby clothes in Anderson’s hands.
wants his loneliness to encompass Anderson’s life. Next week is
Genesis, or the beginning, but it means the end for Anderson. He
talks about Anderson throwing the Aces and 8’s colors in the coffin
and tells Anderson to go look at what’s in there now. Anderson goes
to look and gets ad before turning back to see Ray gone. We see what
appears to be baby clothes in Anderson’s hands.
We
recap the attacks tonight.
recap the attacks tonight.
Sting
comes into Dixie’s office (7th appearance tonight) and
says it takes more than that to put him down. Dixie says it’s
contract season and implies that she’ll pay Sting to side with her.
comes into Dixie’s office (7th appearance tonight) and
says it takes more than that to put him down. Dixie says it’s
contract season and implies that she’ll pay Sting to side with her.
We
recap the AJ vs. Dixie situation and hype the main event.
recap the AJ vs. Dixie situation and hype the main event.
We
run down the stacked Genesis card.
run down the stacked Genesis card.
TNA
World Title: AJ Styles vs. Magnus
World Title: AJ Styles vs. Magnus
No
DQ and both guys are champion coming in. Magnus immediately goes to
the floor and does it again for a second time in less than ninety
seconds. No contact yet. Magnus gets back in but here are Ethan
Carter and Spud to jump AJ before any contact is made. AJ fights
them off and superkicks Magnus in the ribs but Carter breaks up a
Styles Clash attempt. Sting finally comes out for the save but
doesn’t do anything as AJ saves himself. Magnus bails to the floor
and we take a break.
DQ and both guys are champion coming in. Magnus immediately goes to
the floor and does it again for a second time in less than ninety
seconds. No contact yet. Magnus gets back in but here are Ethan
Carter and Spud to jump AJ before any contact is made. AJ fights
them off and superkicks Magnus in the ribs but Carter breaks up a
Styles Clash attempt. Sting finally comes out for the save but
doesn’t do anything as AJ saves himself. Magnus bails to the floor
and we take a break.
Back
with the two champions still not making contact as the Bro Mans and
Zema Ion come out to jump Sting and AJ and giving us six run-ins in
less than eight minutes. Zema DDTs AJ and the Bro Down gets a
delayed two on Styles. Sting comes back in as Magnus just chills at
ringside. The Brit finally comes back in and AJ quickly loads up the
Clash, only to have Bad Influence make the save and lay him out with
a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo.
with the two champions still not making contact as the Bro Mans and
Zema Ion come out to jump Sting and AJ and giving us six run-ins in
less than eight minutes. Zema DDTs AJ and the Bro Down gets a
delayed two on Styles. Sting comes back in as Magnus just chills at
ringside. The Brit finally comes back in and AJ quickly loads up the
Clash, only to have Bad Influence make the save and lay him out with
a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo.
Earl
Hebner refuses to count so Dixie and Brian Hebner get us to ELEVEN
people coming out for this match. Bad Influence goes High/Low on AJ
for two and Brian gets yelled at. Sting lays out the Bro Mans with a
double Death Drop on the floor before putting Ion in the Deathlock.
AJ fights back against Bad Influence as Sting comes in to help even
more. We’re down to Magnus vs. AJ with Styles getting the Calf
Killer, only to have Kazarian take out the referee.
Hebner refuses to count so Dixie and Brian Hebner get us to ELEVEN
people coming out for this match. Bad Influence goes High/Low on AJ
for two and Brian gets yelled at. Sting lays out the Bro Mans with a
double Death Drop on the floor before putting Ion in the Deathlock.
AJ fights back against Bad Influence as Sting comes in to help even
more. We’re down to Magnus vs. AJ with Styles getting the Calf
Killer, only to have Kazarian take out the referee.
Kazarian
monkey flips AJ into Daniels but AJ clotheslines him down and Peles
Kaz. Now the Styles Clash takes out Magnus but there’s no referee.
Earl Hebner hobbles back out (we’ll call that #12) to count two
before AJ dives over the top to take out Bad Influence yet again. AJ
goes up top but Bobby Roode makes it #13 by shoving Styles into the
ropes. Three AA/DVDs lay AJ out for about the fifth time, giving
Magnus the pin (thanks to referee #3 and the fourteenth person added
to the match) and the undisputed title at 15:47. Sting was being
held back by most of the heels in case you were wondering.
monkey flips AJ into Daniels but AJ clotheslines him down and Peles
Kaz. Now the Styles Clash takes out Magnus but there’s no referee.
Earl Hebner hobbles back out (we’ll call that #12) to count two
before AJ dives over the top to take out Bad Influence yet again. AJ
goes up top but Bobby Roode makes it #13 by shoving Styles into the
ropes. Three AA/DVDs lay AJ out for about the fifth time, giving
Magnus the pin (thanks to referee #3 and the fourteenth person added
to the match) and the undisputed title at 15:47. Sting was being
held back by most of the heels in case you were wondering.
Rating:
D. So they spent all night
hyping up the match before going full Russo on it. That’s what we
spent months and months building to? The match was definitely
energetic but we really had to spend all this time setting up Dixie
with her corporate champion? Assuming AJ leaving isn’t a HUGE
swerve, this was one of the biggest wastes of time I can remember in
years.
D. So they spent all night
hyping up the match before going full Russo on it. That’s what we
spent months and months building to? The match was definitely
energetic but we really had to spend all this time setting up Dixie
with her corporate champion? Assuming AJ leaving isn’t a HUGE
swerve, this was one of the biggest wastes of time I can remember in
years.
Dixie
and Magnus pose to end the show.
and Magnus pose to end the show.
Overall
Rating: D+. The Angle and
Ray/Anderson stuff was good but WOW the rest of it got on my nerves
in a hurry. This was one of TNA’s biggest problems flaring up all
over again: putting everything on one idea and going full blast with
it until the fans are sick of the story. Genesis looks stacked but
man alive this show got annoying fast. Dixie just doesn’t do it for
me as the top heel and the lack of planning with AJ basically makes
everything since the summer a waste of time.
Rating: D+. The Angle and
Ray/Anderson stuff was good but WOW the rest of it got on my nerves
in a hurry. This was one of TNA’s biggest problems flaring up all
over again: putting everything on one idea and going full blast with
it until the fans are sick of the story. Genesis looks stacked but
man alive this show got annoying fast. Dixie just doesn’t do it for
me as the top heel and the lack of planning with AJ basically makes
everything since the summer a waste of time.
Results
Bro
Mans b. Joseph Park/Eric Young – Bro Down to Park
Mans b. Joseph Park/Eric Young – Bro Down to Park
Ethan
Carter III vs. Samoa Joe went to a no contest
Carter III vs. Samoa Joe went to a no contest
Kurt
Angle b. Bad Influence – Angle Slam to Kazarian
Angle b. Bad Influence – Angle Slam to Kazarian
Bobby
Roode b. Sting – Roode escaped the cage
Roode b. Sting – Roode escaped the cage
Magnus
b. AJ Styles – Magnus pinned Styles after a Death Valley Driver
from Bobby Roode
b. AJ Styles – Magnus pinned Styles after a Death Valley Driver
from Bobby Roode
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