Impact
Wrestling
Wrestling
Date: May 22,
2014
2014
Location:
Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators:
Mike Tenay, Taz
Mike Tenay, Taz
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
Last week’s
major development made me feel like I’m experiencing deja vu. Yet
again there’s a group teaming together, seemingly to take over TNA.
This time it’s MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King hooking up with
reasons left to be explained tonight. The main idea tonight is Dixie
Carter coming to confront MVP and see where all this is going. I’m
sure this is going to be thrilling. Let’s get to it.
major development made me feel like I’m experiencing deja vu. Yet
again there’s a group teaming together, seemingly to take over TNA.
This time it’s MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King hooking up with
reasons left to be explained tonight. The main idea tonight is Dixie
Carter coming to confront MVP and see where all this is going. I’m
sure this is going to be thrilling. Let’s get to it.
The opening
recap shows MVP turning a few weeks ago and then being joined by
Lashley and King.
recap shows MVP turning a few weeks ago and then being joined by
Lashley and King.
The three
villains arrive and run into Kazarian. He’s on the phone and doesn’t
seem impressed so King beats Kaz down. MVP: “Was that necessary?”
King: “No.”
villains arrive and run into Kazarian. He’s on the phone and doesn’t
seem impressed so King beats Kaz down. MVP: “Was that necessary?”
King: “No.”
MVP, Lashley
and King hit the ring with MVP offering to give the people a history
lesson. He’s a brilliant individual and it was because of his
brilliance that he was able to bring in his friends and take power.
Sometimes when you take power, blood must be spilled. Never again
was he going to ask for permission to do anything because this is a
business. At the end of the day, it’s all about power, money and
respect. MVP is now in control and everyone just has to accept it.
Yes he has sold out arenas and he’s done it again tonight.
and King hit the ring with MVP offering to give the people a history
lesson. He’s a brilliant individual and it was because of his
brilliance that he was able to bring in his friends and take power.
Sometimes when you take power, blood must be spilled. Never again
was he going to ask for permission to do anything because this is a
business. At the end of the day, it’s all about power, money and
respect. MVP is now in control and everyone just has to accept it.
Yes he has sold out arenas and he’s done it again tonight.
King says he
couldn’t believe it when MVP asked him to do this and takes credit
for the exhibition match from a few weeks ago. Everyone was shocked
and the same thing happened when he fought Lashley. Then MVP brought
Lashley in at Lockdown because Lashley knew politics were a waste of
time. MVP calls himself a god but here are the Wolves to interrupt.
couldn’t believe it when MVP asked him to do this and takes credit
for the exhibition match from a few weeks ago. Everyone was shocked
and the same thing happened when he fought Lashley. Then MVP brought
Lashley in at Lockdown because Lashley knew politics were a waste of
time. MVP calls himself a god but here are the Wolves to interrupt.
Davey quotes
the money, power and respect line and says they don’t have any
respect for MVP anymore. MVP told them it was about heart and that’s
why they followed him at Lockdown. MVP gets them confused (King: “It
don’t matter!”) before saying he gave them this chance to get out
of taking 15 hour bus rides in Japan to eat Ramen Noodles.
the money, power and respect line and says they don’t have any
respect for MVP anymore. MVP told them it was about heart and that’s
why they followed him at Lockdown. MVP gets them confused (King: “It
don’t matter!”) before saying he gave them this chance to get out
of taking 15 hour bus rides in Japan to eat Ramen Noodles.
They may have
heart but to be where MVP is today, you have to be heartless. MVP
threatens to send them back to the indies and the brawl is on. The
Wolves are outnumbered and Lashley hits a big spear on Edwards.
Davey is dragged up to the stage and speared off and through a table.
King cackles like a witch.
heart but to be where MVP is today, you have to be heartless. MVP
threatens to send them back to the indies and the brawl is on. The
Wolves are outnumbered and Lashley hits a big spear on Edwards.
Davey is dragged up to the stage and speared off and through a table.
King cackles like a witch.
A ticked off
Eric Young arrives.
Eric Young arrives.
The Carters
arrive.
arrive.
Davey has
been taken to a hospital.
been taken to a hospital.
Here’s Eric
Young to vent a bit. MVP cuts him off almost immediately and brings
out Lashley and King. Young says the shame should be on him and then
asks Lashley how he’ll be able to explain this to his son. MVP holds
Bobby back and says Lashley’s son will be behind the wheel of a very
expensive car then and won’t care what Lashley did. The trio gets
into the ring and Eric is ready to fight. It goes as badly as you
would expect until Austin Aries runs out and helps Young fight them
off.
Young to vent a bit. MVP cuts him off almost immediately and brings
out Lashley and King. Young says the shame should be on him and then
asks Lashley how he’ll be able to explain this to his son. MVP holds
Bobby back and says Lashley’s son will be behind the wheel of a very
expensive car then and won’t care what Lashley did. The trio gets
into the ring and Eric is ready to fight. It goes as badly as you
would expect until Austin Aries runs out and helps Young fight them
off.
Aries grabs
the mic and says he’s one of the few that saw MVP for what he really
was: a liar in cheap suits. Austin calls MVP out for a match and MVP
accepts for later tonight. That’s not all from MVP though as he’s
going to give Eric Young a match tonight. No opponent given but MVP
says it’s coming.
the mic and says he’s one of the few that saw MVP for what he really
was: a liar in cheap suits. Austin calls MVP out for a match and MVP
accepts for later tonight. That’s not all from MVP though as he’s
going to give Eric Young a match tonight. No opponent given but MVP
says it’s coming.
Bram has
gotten Magnus a falls count anywhere match with Willow tonight.
Magnus says he’s getting sick of this and punches Bram in the jaw.
Bram laughs and says that’s what they want. Magnus says he’s crazy.
gotten Magnus a falls count anywhere match with Willow tonight.
Magnus says he’s getting sick of this and punches Bram in the jaw.
Bram laughs and says that’s what they want. Magnus says he’s crazy.
Angelina is
issuing an open challenge for a title shot. Gail Kim comes up to
accept it but she’s not allowed. Kim lays Angelina out and beats her
up a bit.
issuing an open challenge for a title shot. Gail Kim comes up to
accept it but she’s not allowed. Kim lays Angelina out and beats her
up a bit.
Here are the
Beautiful People with Angelina saying all former Knockouts Champions
are excluded from accepting.
Beautiful People with Angelina saying all former Knockouts Champions
are excluded from accepting.
Knockouts
Title: Angelina Love vs. Brittany
Title: Angelina Love vs. Brittany
Love jumps
Brittany during her posing and takes over quickly. Brittany gets
knocked down again but shoves Love out of the corner. A handspring
elbow runs into Angelina’s elbow but Brittany comes back with an
O’Connor Roll, only to be distracted by Velvet. The distraction lets
Angelina hit the Botox Injection for the pin at 3:28.
Brittany during her posing and takes over quickly. Brittany gets
knocked down again but shoves Love out of the corner. A handspring
elbow runs into Angelina’s elbow but Brittany comes back with an
O’Connor Roll, only to be distracted by Velvet. The distraction lets
Angelina hit the Botox Injection for the pin at 3:28.
Rating: D.
Points for having someone new in there like Brittany, but the match
was nothing to see at all. The Beautiful People are getting less and
less interesting every week, especially with them getting what they
wanted so easily. This whole division is just worthless to me
anymore and it’s not getting any more interesting at all.
Points for having someone new in there like Brittany, but the match
was nothing to see at all. The Beautiful People are getting less and
less interesting every week, especially with them getting what they
wanted so easily. This whole division is just worthless to me
anymore and it’s not getting any more interesting at all.
Gail
Kim comes out to prevent the makeover.
Kim comes out to prevent the makeover.
Dixie
is going to address MVP tonight. We knew that already.
is going to address MVP tonight. We knew that already.
James Storm
comes to see Mr. Anderson at a bar and a drinking contest begins.
comes to see Mr. Anderson at a bar and a drinking contest begins.
MVP vs.
Austin Aries
Austin Aries
Aries jumps
him from the apron but MVP sends him into the barricade to take over.
They get inside with Aries in control and hitting a running elbow in
the corner followed by raining down some right hands. MVP shoves him
over the top and out to the floor before slapping Aries down. Back
in and MVP misses a running kick in the corner and Aries goes for the
leg. MVP blocks the brainbuster but gets caught by the running
dropkick in the corner. Aries nails a second but Lashley runs in to
break up the 450 for the DQ at 3:48.
him from the apron but MVP sends him into the barricade to take over.
They get inside with Aries in control and hitting a running elbow in
the corner followed by raining down some right hands. MVP shoves him
over the top and out to the floor before slapping Aries down. Back
in and MVP misses a running kick in the corner and Aries goes for the
leg. MVP blocks the brainbuster but gets caught by the running
dropkick in the corner. Aries nails a second but Lashley runs in to
break up the 450 for the DQ at 3:48.
Rating: C.
This was fun while it lasted but you knew there was no way it was
getting a clean finish this early in the feud. Aries is a good
choice to have in this spot but he and Young need a third guy to make
this a better fight. The match wasn’t much wrestling but they fought
the entire time which is always a nice touch.
This was fun while it lasted but you knew there was no way it was
getting a clean finish this early in the feud. Aries is a good
choice to have in this spot but he and Young need a third guy to make
this a better fight. The match wasn’t much wrestling but they fought
the entire time which is always a nice touch.
Aries
gets beaten down until Young comes out as well. The champion gets
beaten down until MVP announces Lashley as Young’s opponent for
later. Dixie comes out for the showdown because this story hasn’t
gotten enough TV time tonight. After
a break Dixie yells at MVP for ignoring her and says she’s never hurt
anyone. “Except shoving Bully Ray through two tables….and
breaking two of his ribs.”
gets beaten down until Young comes out as well. The champion gets
beaten down until MVP announces Lashley as Young’s opponent for
later. Dixie comes out for the showdown because this story hasn’t
gotten enough TV time tonight. After
a break Dixie yells at MVP for ignoring her and says she’s never hurt
anyone. “Except shoving Bully Ray through two tables….and
breaking two of his ribs.”
MVP
says she’s been banned from the Impact Zone but here’s Bully to chase
Dixie and Ethan off. MVP says Bully was banned from the building too
but Ray gets in his face and says MVP is here because of Ray. Bully
wants to know why they’re picking on Eric Young, who has been here
since day one and worked his way to the top to become World Champion.
says she’s been banned from the Impact Zone but here’s Bully to chase
Dixie and Ethan off. MVP says Bully was banned from the building too
but Ray gets in his face and says MVP is here because of Ray. Bully
wants to know why they’re picking on Eric Young, who has been here
since day one and worked his way to the top to become World Champion.
MVP
asks when Bully started caring but King jumps Ray for the three on
one beatdown. The trio leaves and the Carters come back. Dixie:
“Ethan, get the tables.” Ethan: “Ok.” Ray
tries to fight back but gets planted through the wood. Dixie gets to
say she fears no one again. I really hope this is just a one off
confrontation between MVP and Dixie, because the last thing I (and I
think most TNA fans) want is another power struggle.
asks when Bully started caring but King jumps Ray for the three on
one beatdown. The trio leaves and the Carters come back. Dixie:
“Ethan, get the tables.” Ethan: “Ok.” Ray
tries to fight back but gets planted through the wood. Dixie gets to
say she fears no one again. I really hope this is just a one off
confrontation between MVP and Dixie, because the last thing I (and I
think most TNA fans) want is another power struggle.
Post
break Ray limps after the Carters but they escape in a limo.
break Ray limps after the Carters but they escape in a limo.
Magnus
vs. Willow
vs. Willow
Falls
count anywhere. We get a quick video about Bram trying to unleash
the beast inside Magnus, just in case this wasn’t enough like Cena
and Bray Wyatt already. Magnus misses a charge to the floor but
blocks a dive with his knees. They fight in the aisle with Magnus
still turning down the use of something metal. Back inside and
Willow takes over with some legdrops but misses the Swanton.
count anywhere. We get a quick video about Bram trying to unleash
the beast inside Magnus, just in case this wasn’t enough like Cena
and Bray Wyatt already. Magnus misses a charge to the floor but
blocks a dive with his knees. They fight in the aisle with Magnus
still turning down the use of something metal. Back inside and
Willow takes over with some legdrops but misses the Swanton.
The
Whisper in the Wind connects for two and a clothesline puts Magnus on
the floor. Willow’s slingshot splash lands for two more but Magnus
clotheslines him down onto the ramp. Bram offers him the metal again
and this time a shot to the ribs has Willow in trouble. Magnus can’t
bring himself to hit Willow in the back of the head though, allowing
Willow to hit a Twist of Fate on the ramp for the pin at 4:58.
Whisper in the Wind connects for two and a clothesline puts Magnus on
the floor. Willow’s slingshot splash lands for two more but Magnus
clotheslines him down onto the ramp. Bram offers him the metal again
and this time a shot to the ribs has Willow in trouble. Magnus can’t
bring himself to hit Willow in the back of the head though, allowing
Willow to hit a Twist of Fate on the ramp for the pin at 4:58.
Rating: C.
Not a bad brawl here but Willow was up WAY too fast after that shot
to the ribs. He might have been down fifteen seconds and then is
able to hit his finisher and pin a World Champion? That’s a bit too
much of a stretch for my taste but with as little time as they had
they couldn’t do much else.
Not a bad brawl here but Willow was up WAY too fast after that shot
to the ribs. He might have been down fifteen seconds and then is
able to hit his finisher and pin a World Champion? That’s a bit too
much of a stretch for my taste but with as little time as they had
they couldn’t do much else.
Gunner
tells Samuel Shaw he’s been in an asylum before too.
tells Samuel Shaw he’s been in an asylum before too.
Eddie
Edwards is back.
Edwards is back.
After a
break, Gunner is still in the asylum with Shaw. Gunner tells him a
story about a friend of his who went through basic training with him.
The friend went through something that sounds like PTSD and Gunner
was the one there to help him get into a place just like this.
That’s why he understands what it’s like for Shaw to be in here. In
the end the guy got better and found himself. Gunner believes
there’s good inside Shaw and that he can get better. Shaw asks why
he should trust Gunner. That’s a good question, and Gunner says
he’ll prove his trustworthiness by trying to get Shaw out of the
straitjacket.
break, Gunner is still in the asylum with Shaw. Gunner tells him a
story about a friend of his who went through basic training with him.
The friend went through something that sounds like PTSD and Gunner
was the one there to help him get into a place just like this.
That’s why he understands what it’s like for Shaw to be in here. In
the end the guy got better and found himself. Gunner believes
there’s good inside Shaw and that he can get better. Shaw asks why
he should trust Gunner. That’s a good question, and Gunner says
he’ll prove his trustworthiness by trying to get Shaw out of the
straitjacket.
Here’s
Edwards to call out any member of the trio for a fight right now.
King comes out and the brawl is on immediately. Edwards chokes him
with a shirt and hammers away before they get in the ring. Kenny
gets in a few shots with the mic to take over but Edwards avoids a
moonsault. Edwards hits a suicide dive and rips at Kenny’s face but
gets sent into the steps. A high collar suplex puts Edwards down on
the ramp and Kenny walks away. Eddie is holding his shoulder.
Edwards to call out any member of the trio for a fight right now.
King comes out and the brawl is on immediately. Edwards chokes him
with a shirt and hammers away before they get in the ring. Kenny
gets in a few shots with the mic to take over but Edwards avoids a
moonsault. Edwards hits a suicide dive and rips at Kenny’s face but
gets sent into the steps. A high collar suplex puts Edwards down on
the ramp and Kenny walks away. Eddie is holding his shoulder.
The drinking
contest is continuing and it appears that Anderson is cheating by
drinking something without alcohol. Storm is on about his 12th
beer.
contest is continuing and it appears that Anderson is cheating by
drinking something without alcohol. Storm is on about his 12th
beer.
MVP comes up
to Brian Hebner. He apologizes for King attacking Hebner recently
and Brian accepts. MVP gives Hebner the main event match tonight and
implies that Brian needs to help him. Hebner doesn’t say anything.
to Brian Hebner. He apologizes for King attacking Hebner recently
and Brian accepts. MVP gives Hebner the main event match tonight and
implies that Brian needs to help him. Hebner doesn’t say anything.
Back to the
bar where Storm can barely talk and Anderson says he’s totally sober.
He’s been drinking Near Beer and proceeds to beat Storm up.
Anderson takes Storm outside and throws him into a trash can before
putting the $100 bet in Storm’s mouth.
bar where Storm can barely talk and Anderson says he’s totally sober.
He’s been drinking Near Beer and proceeds to beat Storm up.
Anderson takes Storm outside and throws him into a trash can before
putting the $100 bet in Storm’s mouth.
Eric Young
says he’s banged up but he learns from his mistakes. Tonight Lashley
will learn that his biggest mistake was letting Young get up.
says he’s banged up but he learns from his mistakes. Tonight Lashley
will learn that his biggest mistake was letting Young get up.
Eric Young
vs. Bobby Lashley
vs. Bobby Lashley
Non-title.
Eric starts fast but gets taken down and thrown to the floor, into
the barricade. Back in and Lashley hammers away before bending
Young’s back over the ropes. A hard palm strike to the chest drops
Young again and we take a break. Back with Lashley hitting a delayed
vertical suplex for two before putting on a bearhug.
Eric starts fast but gets taken down and thrown to the floor, into
the barricade. Back in and Lashley hammers away before bending
Young’s back over the ropes. A hard palm strike to the chest drops
Young again and we take a break. Back with Lashley hitting a delayed
vertical suplex for two before putting on a bearhug.
Young fights
back with a missile dropkick and the piledriver. No cover though as
Young goes up, only to have to fight off King and MVP. It’s not a DQ
yet as Young gets crotched on the top. Lashley gets up and a spear
sets up the powerslam for the pin at 10:33. Well at least it wasn’t
clean.
back with a missile dropkick and the piledriver. No cover though as
Young goes up, only to have to fight off King and MVP. It’s not a DQ
yet as Young gets crotched on the top. Lashley gets up and a spear
sets up the powerslam for the pin at 10:33. Well at least it wasn’t
clean.
Rating:
D+. Nothing to see here again,
other than about the 857th
time that the trio has been on screen tonight. It’s the same old
problem that TNA has always had: if they’ve got a top story, it’s
going to DOMINATE a show until you’re either hooked on it or totally
sick of it. Heaven forbid anything else get anytime.
D+. Nothing to see here again,
other than about the 857th
time that the trio has been on screen tonight. It’s the same old
problem that TNA has always had: if they’ve got a top story, it’s
going to DOMINATE a show until you’re either hooked on it or totally
sick of it. Heaven forbid anything else get anytime.
Aries
tries to make a save with a kendo stick but gets triple teamed as
well. The trio stands tall
to end the show.
tries to make a save with a kendo stick but gets triple teamed as
well. The trio stands tall
to end the show.
Overall
Rating: D-. Why can’t TNA learn
anything? Why do they insist on going back to the EXACT SAME THING
over and over and over and over and over again? Tonight was ALL
about this new trio and if you don’t like them, WELL SCREW YOU
BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE GETTING LALALALALALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!
That’s what it’s like to be a TNA fan. If you don’t like what you’re
getting, deal with it because they’re going to use the same story
over and over again.
Rating: D-. Why can’t TNA learn
anything? Why do they insist on going back to the EXACT SAME THING
over and over and over and over and over again? Tonight was ALL
about this new trio and if you don’t like them, WELL SCREW YOU
BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE GETTING LALALALALALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!
That’s what it’s like to be a TNA fan. If you don’t like what you’re
getting, deal with it because they’re going to use the same story
over and over again.
Other
than the trio stuff, the Dixie angle continues and unfortunately
we’re probably not going to get her being put through a table.
That’s the ONLY payoff to the whole thing but if it never happens, or
happens anywhere other than Slammiversary or the New York tapings,
it’s yet another waste of a story and our time by TNA.
than the trio stuff, the Dixie angle continues and unfortunately
we’re probably not going to get her being put through a table.
That’s the ONLY payoff to the whole thing but if it never happens, or
happens anywhere other than Slammiversary or the New York tapings,
it’s yet another waste of a story and our time by TNA.
The
rest of the show wasn’t anything to remember. The beer drinking
contest was fine but they made it clear where it was going halfway
through. Gunner and Shaw is somewhat interesting, but it’s a BIG
step down for Gunner after months of beating Storm time after time.
The Beautiful People are still the same act we’ve seen for years from
them now, making this show feel like it’s stuck on replay.
rest of the show wasn’t anything to remember. The beer drinking
contest was fine but they made it clear where it was going halfway
through. Gunner and Shaw is somewhat interesting, but it’s a BIG
step down for Gunner after months of beating Storm time after time.
The Beautiful People are still the same act we’ve seen for years from
them now, making this show feel like it’s stuck on replay.
Results
Angelina Love
b. Brittany – Botox Injection
b. Brittany – Botox Injection
Austin Aries
b. MVP via DQ when Bobby Lashley interfered
b. MVP via DQ when Bobby Lashley interfered
Willow b.
Magnus – Twist of Fate on the ramp
Magnus – Twist of Fate on the ramp
Bobby Lashley
b. Eric Young – Powerslam
b. Eric Young – Powerslam
Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:
http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6