Impact
Wrestling
Wrestling
Date: April 17, 2014
Location: Impact Zone,
Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike
Tenay, Tazz
Tenay, Tazz
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
There’s a big story for
once in TNA as Eric Young won the World Title last week in TNA’s
Daniel Bryan storyline. The problem with that is Eric is best known
as a comedy character, so it’s hard to say where he’s going. In
theory we’re setting up Eric vs. Magnus II at Sacrifice but there’s
no telling with this company. Let’s get to it.
once in TNA as Eric Young won the World Title last week in TNA’s
Daniel Bryan storyline. The problem with that is Eric is best known
as a comedy character, so it’s hard to say where he’s going. In
theory we’re setting up Eric vs. Magnus II at Sacrifice but there’s
no telling with this company. Let’s get to it.
We open with the new
champion who gets a quick YOU DESERVE IT chant. Young talks about
how this is the culmination of several years of hard work but here’s
Dixie Carter to interrupt. She says that she’s seen all of the
potential in Eric Young over the years and brings up the DON’T FIRE
ERIC bit from several years back. It was Dixie that allowed him to
stay and she’s the one that came up with the beard. Dixie wants
royalties from all of the money made off the beards at the moment.
champion who gets a quick YOU DESERVE IT chant. Young talks about
how this is the culmination of several years of hard work but here’s
Dixie Carter to interrupt. She says that she’s seen all of the
potential in Eric Young over the years and brings up the DON’T FIRE
ERIC bit from several years back. It was Dixie that allowed him to
stay and she’s the one that came up with the beard. Dixie wants
royalties from all of the money made off the beards at the moment.
Young says he thought
Bully Ray packed Dixie up and sent her back to Nashville. We now
have MVP to keep things going but Dixie says she has authority over
the title because she’s President of the company. For better or
worse, Eric is the hood ornament for the 2014 Dixie Carter Ferrari.
This is of course different from being Face of the WWE. Eric hopes
there are bags in the car, because being close to her for that long
is going to make him sick.
Bully Ray packed Dixie up and sent her back to Nashville. We now
have MVP to keep things going but Dixie says she has authority over
the title because she’s President of the company. For better or
worse, Eric is the hood ornament for the 2014 Dixie Carter Ferrari.
This is of course different from being Face of the WWE. Eric hopes
there are bags in the car, because being close to her for that long
is going to make him sick.
Young says if she’s
looking for a paper champion she’s looking in the wrong place. He’s
going to get in the General Lee (old TV car) and run her over. Dixie
asks if he’s trying to get hashtag Throwback Thursday going with that
dated reference. First up though, Eric needs a makeover. Eric says
no but here’s Bully Ray to interrupt anyway.
looking for a paper champion she’s looking in the wrong place. He’s
going to get in the General Lee (old TV car) and run her over. Dixie
asks if he’s trying to get hashtag Throwback Thursday going with that
dated reference. First up though, Eric needs a makeover. Eric says
no but here’s Bully Ray to interrupt anyway.
Ray apologizes to Eric
but wants to know how many people are sick of Dixie. Young is a role
model for every wrestler who has been held down by a loser boss like
Dixie. He brings up last week where there was a table between the
two of them and says this is their domain. Ray starts up the Goodbye
Song and Dixie leaves in shame. Bully endorses Eric as World
Champion as someone he respects and likes.
but wants to know how many people are sick of Dixie. Young is a role
model for every wrestler who has been held down by a loser boss like
Dixie. He brings up last week where there was a table between the
two of them and says this is their domain. Ray starts up the Goodbye
Song and Dixie leaves in shame. Bully endorses Eric as World
Champion as someone he respects and likes.
Velvet vs. Madison
Rayne
Rayne
Street fight. The
villains wait on Rayne/Brittan with kendo sticks but Rayne sneaks in
from behind and jumps her to get us going. They get inside and
exchange some whips into the corner until Madison runs Velvet over
with a shoulder. Angelina asks for a time out for her partner but
uses the distraction for a double Stunner over the top rope to put
Madison in trouble.
villains wait on Rayne/Brittan with kendo sticks but Rayne sneaks in
from behind and jumps her to get us going. They get inside and
exchange some whips into the corner until Madison runs Velvet over
with a shoulder. Angelina asks for a time out for her partner but
uses the distraction for a double Stunner over the top rope to put
Madison in trouble.
A trashcan lid to the
back gets two for Velvet and it’s back to the floor with Angelina
getting in some cheap shots. They
quickly head back inside and Love hands Velvet a trashcan, only to
have Madison kick it into her ribs. Angelina offers another
distraction but Madison ducks underneath and hits what looked like a
running punch to the ribs which mostly missed and was called a spear
for the pin at 4:32.
back gets two for Velvet and it’s back to the floor with Angelina
getting in some cheap shots. They
quickly head back inside and Love hands Velvet a trashcan, only to
have Madison kick it into her ribs. Angelina offers another
distraction but Madison ducks underneath and hits what looked like a
running punch to the ribs which mostly missed and was called a spear
for the pin at 4:32.
Rating: D.
This wasn’t much to see as TNA continues to throw out gimmick matches
with no real rhyme or reason and give them five minutes so they go
nowhere. The Beautiful People vs. Madison really isn’t working for
me yet as much like almost every other feud in the division, we’ve
seen this before. I’m not feeling this feud for the most part
though.
This wasn’t much to see as TNA continues to throw out gimmick matches
with no real rhyme or reason and give them five minutes so they go
nowhere. The Beautiful People vs. Madison really isn’t working for
me yet as much like almost every other feud in the division, we’ve
seen this before. I’m not feeling this feud for the most part
though.
Eric
Young thanks Bully for his praise but Bully says he’s off to Rick’s
Cabaret to spend the rest of Dixie’s money. Abyss comes in and asks
Eric for a title match tonight. Eric says he can’t say no and wants
to make it Monster’s Ball.
Young thanks Bully for his praise but Bully says he’s off to Rick’s
Cabaret to spend the rest of Dixie’s money. Abyss comes in and asks
Eric for a title match tonight. Eric says he can’t say no and wants
to make it Monster’s Ball.
Spud is looking for
Dixie but runs into Ethan Carter III instead. Ethan says they have a
problem named Jeff Hardy. Hardy took them into a shack in the woods
and they have to deal with it now. Tonight it’s a handicap match
against Willow, but Ethan says they’re handicappers. Ethan
handicapped Kurt Angle and tonight they’ll handicap Willow. They
fire each other up and say to follow each other before going in
different directions. Spud turns around and says he’ll follow Ethan.
Dixie but runs into Ethan Carter III instead. Ethan says they have a
problem named Jeff Hardy. Hardy took them into a shack in the woods
and they have to deal with it now. Tonight it’s a handicap match
against Willow, but Ethan says they’re handicappers. Ethan
handicapped Kurt Angle and tonight they’ll handicap Willow. They
fire each other up and say to follow each other before going in
different directions. Spud turns around and says he’ll follow Ethan.
MVP is in the ring in a
very fast turn around. He talks about a man showing up last week
after ten years and winning the World Title, so let’s have a hand for
Eric Young. Lost in the big fray though was the name Samoa Joe. MVP
didn’t care to hear about Joe being disgruntled and not showing up,
especially when Joe has MVP’s phone number. We get an interruption
but it’s the returning Austin Aries.
very fast turn around. He talks about a man showing up last week
after ten years and winning the World Title, so let’s have a hand for
Eric Young. Lost in the big fray though was the name Samoa Joe. MVP
didn’t care to hear about Joe being disgruntled and not showing up,
especially when Joe has MVP’s phone number. We get an interruption
but it’s the returning Austin Aries.
Aries says he’s as
disgruntled as anyone because he’s been on the sidelines since
Lockdown and no one has seemed to miss him. MVP likes to motivate
people but Aries has never needed any sort of motivation. Not being
called for six weeks is all the movitation he could ever want though.
MVP won’t validate Aries by putting him in the ten man gauntlet last
week, so now Aries wants to participate.
disgruntled as anyone because he’s been on the sidelines since
Lockdown and no one has seemed to miss him. MVP likes to motivate
people but Aries has never needed any sort of motivation. Not being
called for six weeks is all the movitation he could ever want though.
MVP won’t validate Aries by putting him in the ten man gauntlet last
week, so now Aries wants to participate.
The boss says Aries
didn’t respect MVP when he screwed him over a few weeks back to join
Team Roode. They tease a fight but MVP says this is about the fans
and not Aries or MVP. The jacket comes off but Aries raises him a
shirt. They’re about to fight but Aries says next week. He won’t
trade fists with a convicted felon but next week he’ll show MVP why
he’s the best wrestler in the world.
didn’t respect MVP when he screwed him over a few weeks back to join
Team Roode. They tease a fight but MVP says this is about the fans
and not Aries or MVP. The jacket comes off but Aries raises him a
shirt. They’re about to fight but Aries says next week. He won’t
trade fists with a convicted felon but next week he’ll show MVP why
he’s the best wrestler in the world.
Eric Young video.
Tag
Team Titles: Bro Mans vs. Wolves
Team Titles: Bro Mans vs. Wolves
This
is the actual match after Robbie E. interfered last week. We get the
Zema Ion intro to make this feel a bit bigger. The
Wolves knock the champions off the apron to start and a sliding
dropkick to Robbie’s head is good for two. Robbie gets double teamed
to start and a jackknife cover gets two for Davey. Richards drives
Robbie back first into the apron but Jesse shake the ropes to crotch
him on the top.
is the actual match after Robbie E. interfered last week. We get the
Zema Ion intro to make this feel a bit bigger. The
Wolves knock the champions off the apron to start and a sliding
dropkick to Robbie’s head is good for two. Robbie gets double teamed
to start and a jackknife cover gets two for Davey. Richards drives
Robbie back first into the apron but Jesse shake the ropes to crotch
him on the top.
Jesse
throws on a chinlock before hitting a quick gorilla press on Davey.
Robbie adds a middle rope elbow for two but
heel miscommunication allows Richards to make the hot tag to Edwards.
Eddie fires off chops in the corner but runs into an elbow to the
jaw. The throw into the chest kick drops Jesse and the double stomps
off the top crush Robbie, but Zema runs in for the DQ at 4:57.
throws on a chinlock before hitting a quick gorilla press on Davey.
Robbie adds a middle rope elbow for two but
heel miscommunication allows Richards to make the hot tag to Edwards.
Eddie fires off chops in the corner but runs into an elbow to the
jaw. The throw into the chest kick drops Jesse and the double stomps
off the top crush Robbie, but Zema runs in for the DQ at 4:57.
Rating: C-.
This would be a much better story if the Wolves hadn’t won the titles
yet. It didn’t mean much, but having them finally take the belts off
the Bro Mans instead of doing a quick change and then another in
Japan would have worked better as a payoff. You could see the Zema
interference coming as well.
This would be a much better story if the Wolves hadn’t won the titles
yet. It didn’t mean much, but having them finally take the belts off
the Bro Mans instead of doing a quick change and then another in
Japan would have worked better as a payoff. You could see the Zema
interference coming as well.
Willow says Spud and
Carter remind him of dirty sheets. He’ll rise victorious tonight.
Carter remind him of dirty sheets. He’ll rise victorious tonight.
We see Eric talking
about how this is what a World Champion looks like and this is the
face of a champion. He nearly cries in an emotional moment. This
would work better if you couldn’t hear Madison Rayne’s entrance in
the background.
about how this is what a World Champion looks like and this is the
face of a champion. He nearly cries in an emotional moment. This
would work better if you couldn’t hear Madison Rayne’s entrance in
the background.
Willow vs. Ethan
Carter III/Rockstar Spud
Carter III/Rockstar Spud
No tagging to start but
Willow cleans house and the referee puts Spud on the apron. Willow
elbows Carter down and gets two off an elbow drop, only to have the
Twist of Fate broken up. Carter avoids a charge in the corner and
chokes away a bit before it’s off to Spud. Willow
bites the ankle to escape and it’s back to Ethan for a hard slam and
a chinlock. A running flip neckbreaker gets two on Willow but he
quickly fights back with a Twist of Fate to Carter. Another one to
Spud is enough for the pin at 4:32.
Willow cleans house and the referee puts Spud on the apron. Willow
elbows Carter down and gets two off an elbow drop, only to have the
Twist of Fate broken up. Carter avoids a charge in the corner and
chokes away a bit before it’s off to Spud. Willow
bites the ankle to escape and it’s back to Ethan for a hard slam and
a chinlock. A running flip neckbreaker gets two on Willow but he
quickly fights back with a Twist of Fate to Carter. Another one to
Spud is enough for the pin at 4:32.
Rating: D+.
Not much to see here as Spud isn’t working due to it just being Jeff
Hardy with a loud laugh. Spud is also much better as a character
than an in ring worker. It also doesn’t help that Spud and Carter
have lost every single match in the feud so far, so we’re just
spinning our wheels.
Not much to see here as Spud isn’t working due to it just being Jeff
Hardy with a loud laugh. Spud is also much better as a character
than an in ring worker. It also doesn’t help that Spud and Carter
have lost every single match in the feud so far, so we’re just
spinning our wheels.
Carter
goes after Willow’s knee but Kurt Angle makes the save. Post match
Angle says he’ll retire on his own terms. Kurt wants a match against
Carter one on one and Ethan will learn why Angle is called the
Cyborg. He’ll take his time too so Carter is taken out in a body
bag.
goes after Willow’s knee but Kurt Angle makes the save. Post match
Angle says he’ll retire on his own terms. Kurt wants a match against
Carter one on one and Ethan will learn why Angle is called the
Cyborg. He’ll take his time too so Carter is taken out in a body
bag.
Bobby
Roode promises to put Bully through a table at Sacrifice but tonight
there’s an open challenge for a tables match.
Roode promises to put Bully through a table at Sacrifice but tonight
there’s an open challenge for a tables match.
Video on Sanada.
Kenny King is tired of
being on the bench and says you don’t put an All Star on the bench.
Tonight he’s doing commentary.
being on the bench and says you don’t put an All Star on the bench.
Tonight he’s doing commentary.
Tigre Uno vs. Sanada
This is the second
match in the best of three series for Sanada’s X Title with Tigre Uno
down 1-0. Feeling out process to start with neither guy getting the
advantage. Sanada scores with a dropkick and they flip around to
escape a test of strength. Tigre avoids a charge in the corner but
misses a springboard splash. Sanada comes back with a springboard
chop to the head and a TKO gets two. Tigre comes back by avoiding a
charge and a Sabretooth Splash is enough for the pin at 3:26.
match in the best of three series for Sanada’s X Title with Tigre Uno
down 1-0. Feeling out process to start with neither guy getting the
advantage. Sanada scores with a dropkick and they flip around to
escape a test of strength. Tigre avoids a charge in the corner but
misses a springboard splash. Sanada comes back with a springboard
chop to the head and a TKO gets two. Tigre comes back by avoiding a
charge and a Sabretooth Splash is enough for the pin at 3:26.
Rating: C.
Two guys flying around before they get to the rubber match for the
title. There really isn’t anything else to say here as there’s no
significant backstory between them. Again, such is life in TNA. Not
that it matters as King is likely going to take the title from the
winner.
Two guys flying around before they get to the rubber match for the
title. There really isn’t anything else to say here as there’s no
significant backstory between them. Again, such is life in TNA. Not
that it matters as King is likely going to take the title from the
winner.
Bully
gives an unseen person a pep talk before the tables match.
gives an unseen person a pep talk before the tables match.
Bobby
Roode vs. Gunner
Roode vs. Gunner
It’s
a tables match of course. A
quick bulldog drops Gunner and it’s already table time. Gunner comes
back with a baseball slide to stop the table before sending Roode
into the steps. Gunner no sells being rammed into the corner but
Bobby nails a Blockbuster. The table is set up in the ring but Rooe
can’t powerbomb him through.
a tables match of course. A
quick bulldog drops Gunner and it’s already table time. Gunner comes
back with a baseball slide to stop the table before sending Roode
into the steps. Gunner no sells being rammed into the corner but
Bobby nails a Blockbuster. The table is set up in the ring but Rooe
can’t powerbomb him through.
Gunner
nails a running knee to the face but walks into a bad looking
spinebuster. Roode escapes an F5 but gets headbutted onto the table.
Gunner rams his own head into the buckle a few times, only to have
James Storm make a save. It’s enough for Roode to slam Gunner onto
the table befor ethe Roode Bomb is enough to break the table for the
win at 6:15.
nails a running knee to the face but walks into a bad looking
spinebuster. Roode escapes an F5 but gets headbutted onto the table.
Gunner rams his own head into the buckle a few times, only to have
James Storm make a save. It’s enough for Roode to slam Gunner onto
the table befor ethe Roode Bomb is enough to break the table for the
win at 6:15.
Rating: C-.
Nothing special to see here but the gimmick matches are getting
really old in a hurry, especially when it’s to set up another gimmick
match at the PPV. I’m already getting numb to seeing all of these
matches with different rules all over the place as they’re taking the
place of regular matches.
Nothing special to see here but the gimmick matches are getting
really old in a hurry, especially when it’s to set up another gimmick
match at the PPV. I’m already getting numb to seeing all of these
matches with different rules all over the place as they’re taking the
place of regular matches.
Bully
Ray saves Gunner from a beatdown.
Ray saves Gunner from a beatdown.
Some
wrestlers talk about Eric Young winning the title.
wrestlers talk about Eric Young winning the title.
Eric
looks at weapons and says this was his idea because he’s the World
Champion.
looks at weapons and says this was his idea because he’s the World
Champion.
Post break Ray suggests
teaming up with Gunner against Beer Money with Gunner accepting.
teaming up with Gunner against Beer Money with Gunner accepting.
TNA World Title:
Eric Young vs. Abyss
Eric Young vs. Abyss
Monster’s Ball, meaning
anything goes and of course Eric is defending. Eric
throws a trashcan full of weapons into the ring to start and hits
fifteen right hands to the head in the corner. Abyss comes back with
a quick chokeslam attempt before launching the champion over the
corner and out to the floor. Young fights back and heads inside,
only to dive into a trashcan to the head as we go to a break.
anything goes and of course Eric is defending. Eric
throws a trashcan full of weapons into the ring to start and hits
fifteen right hands to the head in the corner. Abyss comes back with
a quick chokeslam attempt before launching the champion over the
corner and out to the floor. Young fights back and heads inside,
only to dive into a trashcan to the head as we go to a break.
Back
with Abyss wedging a chair in the corner but Eric comes back with
some big right hands and a running dropkick. Abyss catapults him
into the chair to take over again before bringing in the bag of
tacks. Young saves himself with a cheese grater to the groin and a
running forearm to put Abyss down. Abyss pulls out Janice but it
gets caught in the turnbuckle to avoid a bad case of death.
with Abyss wedging a chair in the corner but Eric comes back with
some big right hands and a running dropkick. Abyss catapults him
into the chair to take over again before bringing in the bag of
tacks. Young saves himself with a cheese grater to the groin and a
running forearm to put Abyss down. Abyss pulls out Janice but it
gets caught in the turnbuckle to avoid a bad case of death.
Eric kicks him low and
gets Janice out of the buckle, only to be chokeslammed down onto the
tacks. It’s barbed wire board time (because you just have that under
the ring in case a Monster’s Ball match is booked on the fly) but
Young escapes another chokeslam attempt with a bite of the fingers.
A dropkick sends Abyss onto the board and the top rope elbow retains
the title at 12:02.
gets Janice out of the buckle, only to be chokeslammed down onto the
tacks. It’s barbed wire board time (because you just have that under
the ring in case a Monster’s Ball match is booked on the fly) but
Young escapes another chokeslam attempt with a bite of the fingers.
A dropkick sends Abyss onto the board and the top rope elbow retains
the title at 12:02.
Rating: C.
Nowhere near as good as the same match from a few weeks ago but it
wasn’t bad. This was designed to give Young his first big match and
Heaven forbid you save this for the pay per view or anything. That’s
another rant for another time though as I’ve complained about TNA
having no idea how to advertise more times than I can count. Fine
match but it’s nothing we haven’t seen done better like a month ago.
Nowhere near as good as the same match from a few weeks ago but it
wasn’t bad. This was designed to give Young his first big match and
Heaven forbid you save this for the pay per view or anything. That’s
another rant for another time though as I’ve complained about TNA
having no idea how to advertise more times than I can count. Fine
match but it’s nothing we haven’t seen done better like a month ago.
Overall Rating: D+.
TNA is starting to slip again as there’s just not much of interest at
the moment. Tonight was basically them saying: “here’s Eric Young.
Love him or hate him, we’re pushing the heck out of him.” The
problem with that is a lot of fans are going to get annoyed that a
guy they perceive as a comedy player is now the focal point of the
show.
TNA is starting to slip again as there’s just not much of interest at
the moment. Tonight was basically them saying: “here’s Eric Young.
Love him or hate him, we’re pushing the heck out of him.” The
problem with that is a lot of fans are going to get annoyed that a
guy they perceive as a comedy player is now the focal point of the
show.
Other
than that I’m getting tired of the gimmick overload. Tonight we had
five matches and one was a regular match. You could say the handicap
match is a gimmick match as well, but even if you don’t there were
three gimmick matches tonight. That’s just overkill on a two hour
show and it got old fast.
than that I’m getting tired of the gimmick overload. Tonight we had
five matches and one was a regular match. You could say the handicap
match is a gimmick match as well, but even if you don’t there were
three gimmick matches tonight. That’s just overkill on a two hour
show and it got old fast.
Results
Madison Rayne b. Velvet
Sky – Spear
Sky – Spear
Wolves b. Bro Mans via
DQ when Zema Ion interfered
DQ when Zema Ion interfered
Willow b. Rockstar
Spud/Ethan Carter III – Twist of Fate to Spud
Spud/Ethan Carter III – Twist of Fate to Spud
Bobby Roode b. Gunner –
Roode Bomb through a table
Roode Bomb through a table
Eric Young b. Abyss –
Top rope elbow
Top rope elbow
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