Impact opens up with a brief but nice message for those in Oklahoma after the recent devastation.

This week, the show is in Tampa, FL, and gee…I never would have guessed Hulk Hogan would open the show, especially when it’s taking place from his hometown. He says it’s great to be home, brother. You know something, jack? He knew it would be special. Last night at Hulk’s Beach Shop, he heard on the street it was going to be heavy in the Sun Dome tonight. Then, on the way home, he threw a couple back on the beach to calm down, and he saw Shark Boy, who pounded a couple with him. Everyone here makes him feel like family. This is his home, and the fans are his family. He’s also got the TNA family in the back, and we’ve got one guy-AJ Styles-who has decided to cross over to the other side, brothers. With Jeremy Borash as his witness, Hulk says that AJ has definitely gone with Aces and Eights. But enough of that. Right now, he wants to introduce a brother who has stuck by him through thick and thin, and he wants to bring him out now. So, Sting, come out, brother. Sting comes out and Hulk tells him that, before he gets fired up, brother, he appreciates what Sting is doing, but the stipulation about Sting not getting another title match upsets him. It doesn’t have to go down that way, brother. He’s the GM, jack, and he can change this, brother. Sting says he appreciates what Hulk is offering, but Sting doesn’t want anything changed. He told Hulk to trust Bully Ray, and he needs to carry the weight of that. At Slammiversary, he wants to take Ray’s power away and win the title. If he can’t do that, he doesn’t deserve to ever be champion again, and that’s just the way it is. Hulk says he has nothing to prove and doesn’t need to do this. Hulk is running the show, not Bully Ray, who is hiding in the back, jack.

Hulk’s twin brother Brooke makes his way out to almost no reaction whatsoever. Brooke says she doesn’t want to see either of these guys go through with this. Everything is all of her fault, and she drove a wedge between them, as well as herself and her father. Hulk tells her they can handle this. Brooke calls herself “the fly in the ointment”, and she’s sick of seeing these two take the blame. She wants to make her dad proud. She’s proud of the Knockouts and how the division has grown. She loves being in TNA, but she feels she has ruined everything, so she feels she needs to resign as VP of the KO division. Hulk tells her that’s not necessary, and she needs to move forward.

Bully Ray comes out through the crowd on this note. He asks why these three are taking the blame for everything. It’s not their faults. When it comes to whose fault it is, it’s Ray’s. It’s his fault that Hulk doesn’t know how to run the company. It’s his fault he stabbed Sting in the back. He turned this company upside-down and runs the show, jack. But he’s gotta tell ya-there’s one person he does blame, and Brooke, it’s you. He blames her making him fall for her. Every time he wakes up, he thinks of her. At night before bed, he thinks of her. They have a connection, and she knows damn well Ray still loves her, and he will always love her. That’s why he’ll never take his wedding ring off. Brooke begins crying as Ray heads back through the crowd.

Video for Suicide, who returns tonight.

World X-Division Champion Kenny King is on commentary for the next match. Joey Ryan is replacing Zema Ion in the match, as Ion is recovering from appendicitis.

MATCH 1-3-Way Match: Joey Ryan vs. Petey Williams vs. Suicide
Suicide immediately lands a seated dropkick to Ryan, sending him to the floor. Petey goes after Suicide and sends him into the ropes. Suicide counters with an iron octopus into a crucifix for 2. Suicide goes for a headscissors out of the corner, and Petey throws him off to the outside. Suicide lands on his feet and comes back into the ring off a spinning headscissors. Petey recovers and trips Suicide into the middle rope, where he hits a dropkick to the back, sending Suicide to the floor. Ryan comes back in and telegraphs a dropkick. Ryan comes back with a pumphandle suplex before going for the baby oil. Suicide climbs up top and hits a hurricanrana on Ryan. Ryan gets tripped and Suicide locks him in an Indian deathlock while simultaneously locking Petey in an abdominal stretch. Petey breaks free and hits a spinning headscissors into a side-Russian legsweep with Ryan still locked in the hold. Petey calls for the Destroyer on Suicide, but Suicide escapes and hits a jumping roundhouse to the face. Ryan attacks Suicide from behind, but Suicide ducks a clotheslines and hangs himself in the ropes, suckering Ryan in and to the floor. Petey back in, who hits a suicide dive on Ryan. Suicide hits a somersault plancha from the apron on Petey. Ryan gets rolled back in the ring by Suicide, but Suicide gets tripped back to the floor. Petey comes into the ring with a slingshot lungblower on Ryan. Suicide trips Petey and pulls him outside before getting back in the ring. Ryan goes for a powerbomb on Suicide, but Suicide counters into a sunset flip for 2 as Petey breaks it. Petey sends Suicide into the corner, but runs into a pair of boots. Suicide goes for a dive, misses and rolls through. Petey grabs him for the Destroyer once more, but Ryan boots him in the face. Suicide back up and in the corner as Ryan charges in. Ryan misses, and Suicide hits a Zig Zag. Suicide locks Ryan in a double chicken wing, lifts him up and turns the move into a lungblower for 3.

WINNER: Suicide. Decent 3-way match here. Not the best, but not bad.

We see James Storm in the locker room when Chris Sabin walks in. Sabin hears Storm is looking for a partner for Slammiversary, and when you think about it, the two greatest teams in company history-Beer Money and MCMG-both men are looking to beat someone up that night. Storm says it sounds good, but Sabin has a chance at the X title at the PPV, and he’s not going to take that away from Sabin. It’s good to know Sabin has his back, and Storm will repay the favor some day.

Mr. Anderson/Kurt Angle part 812 is later tonight, as is AJ Styles’ decision on which side he’s on.

Brooke Hogan approaches Bully Ray in the back and asks what it means that he still loves her. Ray says it’s exactly how it sounds.

Velvet Sky is seen taping her knee in the back, and in the greatest thing Sky will ever show us, we see that she’s wearing tall socks. Just had to point that out. Anyway, Mickie James walks in and says she can talk to Brooke and get Sky’s match tonight post-poned until Sky is 100%. Sky says she appreciates it, but Gail Kim would love that too much, and she’s not going to let this injury stop her working. James understands that, but she knows Sky is still hurting, and wants to make absolute certain she wants to do this. Sky says she’s absolutely positive.

Sam Shaw comes out to face Alex Silva in a match, but before Silva comes out, A and E make their way through the crowd. This time, it’s Wes Brisco, Garett Bischoff and DOC. Wes tells Shaw congratulations on this “very big victory” and moving onto Slammiversary, but he should be thanking Wes because Wes left Silva bloodied in the parking lot. What’s not fair is that Wes isn’t in this Gut Check tournament. He won Gut Check too, and he deserves to be in this ring. The three surround Shaw and he attacks Garett, but the three immediately overwhelm him, stomping him down in the corner. Wes hits a neckbreaker to the back of his knee when Magnus’ music hits. Magnus charges the ring as A and E immediately bails. Nice to see his face isn’t any worse for wear over the last attack. TNA couldn’t even bother with a makeup job. Magnus says this whole situation doesn’t sit well with anyone, that being them attacking Shaw, another young guy just like Magnus and Wes that’s looking to make it in the business. He first met Shaw at Harley Race’s camp, and he’s Magnus’ friend. This is now personal. Garett, wipe the smile off your face before Magnus smacks it off. Two weeks ago, they thought it fun to ram his head into a forklift. Why was Wes not in this tournament? Because he doesn’t deserve it. What he does deserve is to get his teeth kicked down his throat tonight, which is why Wes gets Magnus one-on-one right now.

MATCH 2: Wes Brisco (w/Garett Bischoff and DOC) vs. Magnus
Wes enters the ring and Magnus immediately attacks him with rights. Wes ducks a clothesline but gets nailed with a running knee. Magnus hits a gutwrench suplex, followed by some mounted punches before rolling to the floor. Commercials.

Back from the break, Wes is on offense with kicks in the corner. He throws Magnus to the adjacent corner for some elbows and a corner clothesline. Todd Keneley announces TNA now has a fitness app, and you can train with Jeff Hardy using it. Because Hardy is the pinnacle of physical fitness. L. Ron Hubbard help us all. Anyway, back to the match. Wes chokes Magnus over the middle rope, and DOC punches Magnus behind the ref’s back. Wes goes for a pin, getting 2 before locking in a rear chinlock. Wes releases the hold and drops an elbow, getting another 2. Kneelift by Wes, followed by a back elbow off the ropes. Wes goes back to the chinlock, and Magnus fights out with elbows. Wes forearms him in the back, then hits some bodyblows in the corner. Magnus drops him with a pair of surprise clotheslines, then hits a misdirection version. Wes blocks a corner charge and mounts the middle rope. Magnus catches him off the ropes and counters the cross-body into a modified northern lights bomb. Magnus goes up top for the flying elbow, but Wes gets back up and cuts him off. He looks for a superplex, but Magnus shoves him off. DOC tries to interfere, and Magnus boots him to the floor. Garett comes up and shoves Magnus down, which results in a DQ.

WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION: Magnus. The trio begin attacking Magnus after the match when Samoa Joe charges down to the ring, taking out all three members of A and E. I would be more than okay with Joe and Magnus reforming their tag team. They were damn good for being thrown together.

We see A and E in the back, drinking some beers. Bully Ray tells them Magnus won’t forget Wes Brisco’s name after tonight before saying AJ Styles will be here in just a while. Despite some recent disappointments (D’Lo Brown), AJ won’t let them down, and he’s guaranteeing that.

We get some video of Kurt Angle in New York to watch some wrestling event that is being promoted to save Olympic wrestling. I personally have zero stake in this petition to save Olympic wrestling, as I have no interest in the Olympics. It’s great if other people do, but I’m not into sports outside of pro wrestling and bodybuilding. That’s just me, though.

MATCH 3: Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson
Right before this match starts, we see AJ enter the building on his motorcycle. Back to the match in progress, Angle starts by taking Anderson down with a hip throw into a standing side headlock. Angle gets sent into the ropes and lands a shoulderblock on Anderson. Anderson knocks Angle into the corner with some rights, then follows up with a body blow. Angle sends him into the ropes and hits a back elbow before stomping Anderson. Rights by Angle, and he stomps Anderson down in the corner before foot-choking him. Snap suplex by Angle gets 1. Angle with more rights, followed by a shoulder thrust in the corner. Anderson gets sent into the opposite corner, but avoids a charge, sending Angle shoulder-first into the post. Anderson foot chokes Angle in the corner, then hits a hard corner whip for 2. Anderson begins working over Angle’s left arm with some shoulderblocks and an arm wringer into a hammerlock. Anderson turns the move into a release back suplex for 2 before stomping Angle down. Angle starts fighting back with rights, but telegraphs a back body drop and gets hit with a clothesline for 2. Anderson goes for a pin once more, getting another 2 before stomping Angle’s fingers. Anderson applies an armbar, and Angle counters with an armdrag before hitting a middle rope missile dropkick. Angle hits a couple of clotheslines before sending Anderson into the corner. Anderson blocks before running into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for 2. Have I mentioned how formulaic every Kurt Angle match is? I swear I can predict every single thing he’s going to do. Angle goes for the Angle Slam, but Anderson escapes and hits a rolling fireman’s carry slam for 2. Angle escapes the Mic Check, ducks a clothesline and hits the Murder-Suicide. Angle goes for the ankle lock, but Anderson kicks him off and hits the Mic Check for 2. Anderson climbs to the top rope, and Angle intercepts him with a belly-to-belly superplex. The straps are dropped, and as Angle looks for the ankle lock, AJ Styles comes through the crowd. Taz gets up and hugs AJ, and as the referee is looking at AJ, Anderson hits a low blow before rolling Angle up in a schoolboy for 3.

WINNER: Mr. Anderson. Anderson goes for a handshake on AJ, but he just turns his back and heads out through the crowd as Anderson taunts Angle.

Up next, James Storm will announce his partner for Slammiversary.
AI asks Gail Kim about her match at Slammiversary. She doesn’t know what AI is talking about, as she doesn’t have a match. She has taken out everyone. What has Mickie James done lately? As Kim is running down how great she is, Taryn Terrell spears her out of nowhere before slamming her into a wall and a table. Pat Kenney holds Taryn back as Kim escapes.

We get a video package for James Storm’s history in tag teams, leading into his history with Bad Influence and Roode/Aries.

World Tag Team Champions Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez are on commentary for James Storm’s announcement. Apparently, in-ring interviews now need guest commentary in TNA. Storm says there’s a lot of beer drinkers in Tampa. Last week, he was granted the opportunity to wrestle at Slammiverary for the tag titles with a partner of his choosing. Being here in TNA, he’s been part of two of the greatest tag teams in company history: AMW and Beer Money, Inc. He’s entertained fans in a lot of places, so let’s do it again. Women love a good tag team…wrestler.

Austin Aries and Bobby Roode come out, and Chavo’s commentary is making my ears bleed. Roode says that Storm wants to talk about tag team wrestling. Roode is the king of tag team wrestling. The four years he was with Storm were the worst four years of his career and his life. But on the flipside, the night he smashed Storm in the head with a beer bottle and won the World title made him the happiest man on Earth. It was a moment that will go down in history, and one Storm will always remember. Now, why doesn’t Storm introduce us to the joke he’s selected for a partner. Bad Influence join the conversation and Christopher Daniels says that, in this joke of a town, he can tell a joke as well. He makes some corny remark about BI being better than either of the two teams out here. Kazarian then says Storm was offered a spot in BI, and he turned them down like a “dumb dummy”, which offended them. A lot of people have been offending them lately. As far as Storm’s partner, it doesn’t matter. He could pick anyone, and they are not going to live up to the high standard set by the best tag team in the business. BI and Austin/Roode argue over who is better. Storm cuts them off by calling them “stupid and stupider”, clearly showing his intelligence. As he begins to introduce his partner, we hear “Give me a shell yeah!” over the speakers. Shark Boy cuts through the four on the stage and walks down to the ring. Shark says that a little fishy told him that Storm was looking for a partner, which is why ol’ Shark Boy swam all the way here to Tampa Bay. He and Storm have a lot in common: they both love fishing, drinking cold beer, and kicking some bass. If you think the “Cowboy” should team with Shark Boy, give him a “Shell yeah”.

Now Robbie E comes down to the ring. I hate this segment so much. E says Storm doesn’t want to team with a loser; he wants to team with someone who will make him a champion, and that someone is Robbie E. He carried Rob Terry for two years. He can carry Storm, bro. The south could meet the north, and he even has a team name, bro. Who needs Beer Money when you’ve got Beer Bro? Who needs AMW when you have America’s Most Bro? Forget about GTW, it’s GTBB-Gym, Tan, Beer, Bro! This just goes on for what seems like ten years until Shark cuts him off. They argue for a few minutes until Gunner of all people enters the ring. He clotheslines both E and Shark before hitting Shark with a uranage backbreaker and picks E up in an Argentinean backbreaker. He stares Storm down before Storm says he’ll see Gunner at Slammiversary and shakes his hand.

We see Sting and Joseph Park in a dressing room. Park talks about going after Devon for the TV title at Slammiversary, “going for the strap”. Park says that sounds like it hurts until Sting says it means going for the title belt. Sting then talks about next week and says that he needs a partner for next week, asking Park if his brother Abyss will do it. Park says he can’t talk to his brother, as he’s crazy. Sting says if that’s the case, then will Park be his partner. Sting says that with Park, justice can be served.

We hear the card for Slammiversary (well, most of it), and it seems like every match has a gimmick.

MATCH 4-Knockouts Championship: Mickie James vs. Velvet Sky (Champion)
Lock-up to start, with Sky going into an arm wringer. James counters with an armdrag for 1 before applying a wristlock. Sky counters into an armdrag and a pin for 1 before going into an armbar. Sky sends James into the ropes. James ducks a kick and hits a snapmare. Sky avoids a dropkick and lands a kick to the spine before hitting a seated dropkick for 2. They trade forearm shots until James avoids a clothesline and hits a full nelson bomb. She holds onto the nelson and looks for a submission as we go to commercials.

Back from the break, James hits a snapmare and applies what looks like a ¾-nelson. Sky manages to snap her off and hit a few forearms before hitting a pair of jumping clotheslines and a running back elbow. Sky is hobbling as she hits some kicks and chops before going for a spinning headscissors. James holds on and puts Sky back on her feet before going for a neckbreaker. Sky escapes and hits a side-Russian legsweep for 2. James goes to the corner, where she blocks a charge. Sky blocks the Tunacanrana attempt, so James throws her to the corner and hits an uppercut. Sky blocks a charge and hits an axe kick before hitting a spinning headscissors. All of a sudden, she remembers that her knee is hurting her after being fine for a few minutes. James capitalizes with a chopblock and hits a low snap DDT for 3.

WINNER AND NEW CHAMPION: Mickie James.

Video package for AJ Styles, leading up to tonight’s “patching in” ceremony. Remember that unnamed prospect that got “patched in”. How’s he doing in TNA now? This segues back to A and E, where D’Lo is fetching ice and beer for the rest of the gang. Bully Ray toasts Anderson for beating Angle, and then toasts to AJ, who will soon be wearing their colors.

A and E come out in through the crowd, minus DOC and D’Lo for some reason, and Anderson is carrying the vest meant for AJ. Ray asks if we know who he is and who they are. They are the Aces and Eights. They do what they want, when they want. No one member of the club is any more important than another. They are an equal unit, and a unit that runs TNA. When someone in the club screws up, they pay for it. That’s what happened to D’Lo Brown. He was nothing but a disappointment. As much as he was a disappointment, there was another guy who stepped up, grabbed the world by the balls and crushed them. That man is Ken Anderson. Ray is proud to call Anderson his brother and proud that Anderson wears the colors. Tonight, it’s about none of them, nor is it about Ray, though. Tonight it is about AJ Styles. AJ, get in this ring right now. AJ comes out through the crowd, and Devon welcomes him into the ring. Ray says that’s the most respect Devon could have shown him. It’s a big night for AJ and this club. Everyone wants AJ, but he knows better. He knows where the power lies in this company. AJ, Ray wants him to do something he never expected. Ray hands him a beer and says it’s no secret AJ doesn’t drink and has probably never had a sip of alcohol in his life. Ray wants him to cheer Ray and drink with him. AJ can give his heart to Jesus, but his soul belongs to the club. AJ clanks his bottle with Ray’s, then chugs his beer. Ray laughs and says that it’s now time for the important part, ordering Anderson to give AJ his “colors”. AJ looks at the vest as the crowd chants, “You sold out”. Anderson holds the vest up to put it on AJ, but as Ray announces him as the newest member, Kurt Angle comes out on the stage. He says he knew this day would eventually come, but he had to see it with his own eyes. AJ’s legacy in TNA just went down the crapper. Does this make him feel important? AJ disgusts him. Go ahead and put the vest on and be part of this scumbag group. AJ will see him at Slammiversary anyway. He asks if this is what AJ wants, and Ray says it’s exactly what AJ wants. Angle wasn’t talking to Ray, and Ray says no, but he’s talking to one of Ray’s brothers. He orders AJ to put the vest on, and AJ obliges before hugging Ray, Anderson and Devon. Angle is then attacked from behind by DOC, who rolls him into the ring. A and E beat Angle down as AJ looks on. DOC and Knux hold him up as Ray tells AJ to take his hammer and lay into Angle with it. AJ does so, nailing Angle with the hammer and throwing him to the floor. As the group celebrates, AJ then nails several members of the group with the hammer before escaping up the ramp.

End of show.

-Dustin

Dustin Nichols is a freelance writer, and you can keep track of all of his work on his Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/DustinNicholsWriter. Oh, and if you like bodybuilding, check out his mom’s official site by clicking the banner below:

Not looking forward to this week’s episode of Impact. It reportedly got the lowest rating since TNA’s failed “Monday Night Wars, Part 2”, and those were some of the worst episodes ever.

Tupelo, MS again this week for the location. And, shock of shocks, Hulk Hogan is opening the show. He claims he is shocked that Hulkamania is this crazy in Tupelo. He’s also shocked at the way AJ Styles walked away from Sting and Kurt Angle, brothers. But, when he walked away, Angle took the fight to him, brother. So AJ, go ahead and join Aces and Eights if you want, because who cares? Angle is going to keep chasing you to Slammiversary, brother. From his mouth to the fans, it’s official: Angle/AJ at Slammiversary. Speaking of that event, we’re going to have the contract signing for Bully Ray/Sting for the World title. Oh, joy. TNA has been under the microscope as of late, and a man who came and saved the day last week was Abyss. Now, Hulk would like to call Abyss out and shake his hand. Abyss, come on out, brother.

Abyss’ music hits, but he isn’t coming out. How many times is TNA going to do this stupid trick? I swear it happens every couple of weeks. Hulk calls him out once more, and the music once again hits. Instead of Abyss, it’s…well, it’s still Abyss. Just in the Joseph Park gear. Park says he sat at home last week and watched in shock as his “brother” returned to TNA. All this time he’s been looking for Abyss. He can’t believe that Abyss was here. Hulk says he’s not playing, brother. They need Abyss more than ever, and if anyone knows where he is, it’s going to be his brother…

Devon and D’Lo Brown come out through the crowd. Devon says he’s not after Hulk; they want Abyss as well. He stuck his nose in club business. He wasn’t even the legal guy in the match last week. Abyss needs to get out here right now, not this piece of trash (Park). Devon promises that he’s going to take a chunk out of Abyss’ ass. Park asks who Devon thinks he is, talking to Hulk like that. Devon talks about interfering in family business. If it wasn’t for A and E, Park would never have to be looking for his brother. Devon and D’Lo are starting to piss him off. He’s had it with A and E, so let’s do this right now: Devon vs. Park in a match right now. Devon tells him to shut up. He’s the TV Champion. Who did Park ever beat? If he wants a piece, he needs to prove himself first. D’Lo volunteers to kick Park’s ass tonight. Hulk makes the match official, and I die a little more inside. Devon says that’s fine, as he’s got all the belief in the world in D’Lo. But make it clear to Abyss that Devon promises to take a chunk of his ass. Hulk tells him after Park beats D’Lo, he’s going to give Park the green light to tear Devon apart. Testify to that, brother.

AI sees James Storm in the back and asks about last week. Storm silently stares at the floor as we see what happened last week. He simply says, “Watch. Just watch.”

Video for Christian York. He talks about winning Gut Check and possibly getting in the BFG Series.

MATCH 1: Bobby Roode vs. World Tag Team Co-Champion Chavo Guerrero
Roode starts with a headlock into an abdominal stretch. Chavo hip tosses out. Another headlock by Roode, and Chavo fights out before getting shouldered off the ropes. Crisscross ends in a Chavo hip toss. Chavo with a drop toe-hold into a side headlock. Roode sends him into the corner, and Chavo counters with a headscissors that sends Roode to the floor. Roode avoids a plancha, then yanks Chavo to the floor before sending him into the guardrail. Roode breaks the count, then goes back on offense on Chavo before throwing him into the ring. Bodyslam by Roode, followed by a jumping kneedrop for 2. Roode chokes Chavo over the middle rope, then thumbs him in the eye in the corner. Roode hits a snapmare and follows up with a rolling neck snap. They tread punches until Roode knees him. He telegraphs a back body drop, then sends Chavo outside. Chavo lands on his feet on the apron, shoulders Roode and hits a tope con hilo. Spinning headscissors by Chavo, and he looks for a monkey flip in the corner. Roode counters and sets him on the top rope. Chavo boots him and goes for a tornado DDT. Roode throws him off, but runs right into the 3 Amigos. Chavo calls for the frog splash and goes up top, but Roode gets to his feet and sends Chavo to the floor. James Storm walks out at this point, gets in the ring with a mouthful of beer and spits it in Roode’s face.

WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION: Bobby Roode. Storm turns the beer bottle around and looks to crack it over Roode’s head, but Roode escapes to the floor before that can happen.

Kurt Angle is on his way out to the ring. He is apparently calling out AJ Styles yet again tonight.

Angle makes his way out and says the A and E thing has been going on for about a year now, and it’s gotten to the point where you can’t trust anyone. Even AJ walked out. Angle never backs down from a fight. When he confronted AJ, AJ walked away so Angle took the fight to him. Hulk granted a match at Slammiversary, and it’s Angle/AJ one more time. But Angle doesn’t want to wait until Slammiversary to kick his ass; he wants to do it right now, so bring it on. Instead of AJ, Mr. Anderson makes his way through the crowd. Anderson says Angle sounds like a woman. He needs to get it through his thick skull that AJ is not his boy, and he’s very proud to tell Angle and all of these idiots here that next Thursday, live from Tampa, FL, everyone will witness the patching in of AJ Styles. And he dares Angle to show up. He’s going to get destroyed. Angle says he doesn’t want to wait to next week to fight, so he sucker-punches Anderson and beats him down. AJ enters the ring through the crowd and nails Angle with a Ghetto Blaster. Instead of leaving with Anderson through the crowd, though, he leaves by going up the ramp.

Video for Jay Bradley now.

MATCH 2-Bound For Glory Series qualifier semi-final round match: Jay Bradley vs. Christian York
Whoever wins this match faces the winner of Alex Silva/Sam Shaw at Slammiversary, and the winner of that gets entered in the BFG Series. Bradley backs York into the corner, then shoves him. York shoves back and rolls him up for 1. Arm wringer by York into an armbar. He goes for a roll-up, but Bradley decks him. They trade punches until Bradley pancakes York and follows up with a big boot for 2. Bradley hits some forearms to the back, followed by elbows to the chin. York fights back before getting hit with a kneelift. Bradley applies a rear chinlock now, but York armdrags out of it. He ducks a clothesline and hits a springboard back elbow. Bradley comes back with a bodyslam and calls for the Boom Stick. York moves out of the way and goes to the corner, where he hits a kick to the head and some chops. Bradley reverses a corner whip, but York counters the counters into a headscissors into the turnbuckles. York hits the Dreamscape and goes for the Mood Swing. Bradley escapes, and now they trade punches. York dominates, ducks a clothesline, hits a spinning back kick and goes for a monkey flip in the corner. Bradley counters and sets him on the top rope, avoids a dive and lands the Boom Stick for 3.

WINNER: Jay Bradley. Christy Hemme congratulates Bradley on the win and asks what it would mean to move onto the BFG Series. He says he’s one step closer to the series, and that means one step closer to being your World Champion.

AI stops James Storm as he’s coming out of Hulk’s office. Apparently, Hulk laid into him and he’s pissed. He then tells AI to just keep watching.

We see A and E celebrating in the back. Anderson says if there’s any question as to where AJ’s loyalties lie, the questioning is over. He can’t wait until next week. Speaking of patching in, he tells D’Lo he’s in a bad way. D’Lo needs to kick Park’s ass tonight to get his vest back.

Before the next match starts, we see Brooke Hogan talking to Mickie James. She congratulates James on her new album. James says she appreciates that, and she’d also appreciate more spotlight at Slammiversary. Brooke says she knows how bad James wants to dominate the KO division. Next week, she’s giving James a title match against Velvet Sky. Bully Ray walks in, which scares James off. He corners Brooke and tells her to tell dad that when he gets in the ring with Sting tonight, it won’t be a contract signing; it’ll be a negotiation. He says he’ll never divorce her after she asks about it.

MATCH 3: Gail Kim vs. Knockouts Champion Velvet Sky (non-title)
Sky avoids a kick, blocks a second and trips Kim. Armdrag by Sky, followed by another one and a snap suplex. Forearm shots to the face, followed by a running facebuster. Sky stomps Kim in the corner, ducks a clotheslines and hits a spinning headscissors. Corner clothesline connects. Kim blocks an axe kick and drops Sky’s leg across her shoulder. Kim begins attacking the leg, applying a legbar and hitting some elbows to the knee. She drags the leg to the apron, slamming it across. Kim gets back in, and Sky tries to fight her off. Kim trips and hits a leg DDT. In the corner, Kim ties the leg up, then drops across the back of the knee. More kicks to the leg before hotshotting it across the middle rope. Kim applies a modified scorpion deathlock, but Sky gets a rope break. Kim then goes for a stretch muffler, which is an awesome submission that isn’t seen often enough. Sky gets another rope break, so Kim backs her into the corner and foot-chokes her. Sky reverses a corner whip, but Kim blocks the charge. Kim goes up top, and Sky pulls her down with a modified iconoclasm. Both are back up now, and Sky hits a pair of jumping clotheslines, followed by a couple of kicks. Her knee gives out on her, but she gets back up and goes for the In Yo Face. Kim escapes and chopblocks her. Sky boots her into the corner and schoolgirls her for 3.

WINNER: Velvet Sky. I’m glad Kim is staring to break out the awesome submission holds again. Anyway, she drags Sky to the corner after the match and applies the corner figure-4. ODB eventually manages to get the hold broken.

Chris Sabin is talking about Kenny King, saying he’s the king of nothing. He’s not the best wrestler either, as that’s Chris Sabin. Cut to King, and he disagrees because he’s the champion. He doesn’t call himself King just because he has lips; he does it because he’s royalty around here. This segues to Petey Williams, and he calls King a thief, stealing victories in the three-way matches lately. Petey thinks he has a solution to the King problem.

Another video for Suicide. He returns next week.

MATCH 4-3-Way Match for the World X-Division Championship: Petey Williams vs. Chris Sabin vs. Kenny King (Champion)
Not one guy in this match got an entrance. Nice. King immediately slides to the floor to let Petey and Sabin duke it out. Sabin applies a side headlock. Petey counters into his own. They trade several holds and armdrag variations. Petey trips Sabin into the middle rope, but gets tripped by King and dragged to the outside, where King rams him into the guardrail. Have I mentioned how much I hate recapping 3-way matches? King gets in, where Sabin blocks a kick and trips him. Sabin fires off some knife-edge chops before getting hit with a back elbow. King ducks a clothesline and hits a Ghetto Blaster. Petey shoulders King and hits a slingshot lung blower before nailing Sabin with a dropkick for 1. Sabin rolls to the floor, and King attacks Petey from behind, choking him over the tope rope before snapping him backwards for 1. King nails Petey in the corner, then baseball slides Sabin. Corner whip for Petey, and Petey crashes to the mat. Bodyslam by King, followed by a springboard legdrop for 2. King applies a grounded abdominal stretch, but Petey fights out. King knees him and hotshots him over the top rope. Petey ducks a springboard, and Sabin comes in with some clotheslines and a forearm on King. Back suplex into a bridge gets 2. Petey goes after Sabin, but gets hit with a chop. Petey backdrops him over the top rope in the corner, but Sabin lands on his feet on the apron. Petey nails a forearm to the face, then hits a suicide dive. Back in, Petey hits a spinning headscissors into a side-Russian legsweep into a crucifix on King for 2. Petey hits a cradled complete shot for 2, then calls for the Canadian Destroyer. Sabin comes in and clotheslines him. King reverses a corner whip by Sabin, but Sabin blocks the charge and goes for a tornado DDT. King counters and hits a kick to the head before nailing a roundhouse on Petey for 2. Petey goes to the middle rope for a cross-body, but King catches him and hits a sidewinder into a backbreaker for 2. Royal Flush time, but Sabin pulls Petey down and hits a spinning back kick on King. Sabin lands a step-up enziguri on King, then puts him in the tree of woe. Petey is back up, goes for the Destroyer, but Sabin does a weird counter into a fireman’s carry. He then hits a running DVD on Petey into King, who is still tied up in the corner. Sabin hits a powerbomb, followed by a running seated dropkick. King drops him with a dropkick, then hits the Royal Flush on Petey for 3.

WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: Kenny King.

We see Bad Influence in the dressing room. Christopher Daniels is worried about James Storm, and both members agree he’s a jerk. Daniels wants Kazarian in his corner for his match against Hernandez tonight. Kaz says Storm is afraid of both them.

We see D’Lo Brown and Mr. Anderson talking about tonight’s match. D’Lo says everything has been spiraling out of control, and Anderson blames it on D’Lo burying Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff. D’Lo says he messed up and is going to try to fix it. Anderson says he’s pulling for D’Lo.

MATCH 5: Christopher Daniels (w/Kazarian) vs. World Tag Team Co-Champion Hernandez
Hernandez backs Daniels into a corner out of a lock-up. Daniels thumbs him in the eye off the clean break, then stomps him in the corner before choking him. Daniels goes for a bodyslam, but can’t lift Hernandez. Hernandez counters into a delayed vertical suplex. Hernandez boots him, then hits an over-the-shoulder backbreaker drop. Hernandez goes to the ramp on the outside and nails an outside-in Air Mexico. Kaz trips Hernandez from behind, and Daniels lands a clothesline to the back of the head. Stomps by Daniels, and he follows up with a Nightmare on Helms Street for 2 before throwing Hernandez to the floor. Outside, Kaz stomps Hernandez down while Daniels distracts the referee. Hernandez recovers as Daniels taunts the crowd, hitting a slingshot shoulderblock. He follows up with a clothesline and a Polish Hammer before hip tossing Daniels out of the corner. He misses an avalanche in the opposite corner, and Daniels calls for Angel’s Wings. Hernandez escapes as James Storm makes his way out, beer in hand once again. Kaz bails to the floor from the ramp, and as Daniels is distracted, Hernandez hits a Pounce for 3.

WINNER: Hernandez. James Storm takes a mic and says that Hulk told him there would be repercussions for his actions before telling him to make an announcement. That announcement is that Chavo & Hernandez will defend the titles against Aries & Roode as well as Bad Influence…and Storm with a partner of his choice. Insert stupid catchphrase.

MATCH 6: D’Lo Brown vs. Joseph Park
So much for the Park gimmick being dead. D’Lo goes on the attack with a kneelift and a forearm to the back. D’Lo hits some forearms to the face and follows up with a bodyslam. Park ducks a clothesline and hits some punches before running into a back elbow that knocks him to the floor. D’Lo follows, slamming him face-first into the apron before rolling him back in the ring. Park fights back from his knees before getting dropkicked in the knee. D’Lo hits a shining enziguri in super slo-mo, then lands a low clothesline. Park makes it to his feet in the corner, where D’Lo corner whips him. Park dodges a charge and schoolboys him for 2. D’Lo gets back up and hits a jumping side kick before hitting a corner clothesline. D’Lo hits some rights to the head before arguing with the referee. He goes back to the rights, and busts Park open in the process. Park gets up and looks at the blood, which causes him to snap. He nails a pair of clotheslines, follows up with an avalanche, and the Black Hole Slam gets 3.

WINNER: Joseph Park. Park snaps out of his daze and begins asking the ref what happened.

The main event contract signing is up next.

JB is in the ring with a podium. No table, though. What the hell kind of wrestling contract signing is this? Bully Ray comes out first, then knocks JB on his ass and gets him out of the ring. Okay, I like that. Ray then ruins things by asking if we know who he is. He is Bully Ray, from “God’s country” in Hell’s Kitchen. He’s the president of Aces and Eights, and the World Champion. He’s the guy that defeated Jeff Hardy. He’s the guy that took Hardy out at his own game-Full Metal Mayhem. He’s also the guy who will defeat Sting at Slammiversary. Sting, he knows you’re listening and all of his fans can’t wait for him to get out here, but like he told Brooke earlier, this will be more of a negotiation than a signing. Sting probably has some “stips” (stipulations) he wants to lay out, so Ray is all ears. Sting comes out, and Ray tells him to stop on the ramp. He wants this to be official, with no discrepancies. Hulk, you may want to come out and listen to this. Come out, dad. Hulk comes out and stops on the stage as Sting is allowed to enter the ring. Ray says this is the first time he and Sting have been face-to-face since Ray screwed him over. Since he screwed Hulk over. And everyone knows how bad he was screwing Brooke over. If Sting is looking for an apology, he isn’t getting one. Sting says he doesn’t care. When Ray gets to Boston, he should take Sting’s arm and snap it in two. He should pull Sting’s kneecap off. Dislocate his elbow. Rip his throat right out. Take his finger, and gouge Sting’s eye out. Make him bleed. Ray asks why Sting is telling him to do this. Sting says if Ray doesn’t do it to him, he’s going to do it to Ray. He doesn’t care if it’s in the ring, out of the ring, in the concession stands, in the rafters, in the crowd…he’s going to make Ray bleed in Boston. He doesn’t have any demands, but since Ray is asking, he’s come up with one: he wants a No Holds Barred match. Ray says he bets everyone would love to see him bleed at Sting’s hands. Sting has got his match, on one condition: Sting agrees that, when Ray beats him, he never wrestles for the World title ever again. Hulk starts to interrupt, but Ray cuts him off and screams at him. He’s not saying Sting has to retire. He doesn’t want Sting to retire. He wants Sting to wrestle until the day he dies, knowing he can never wear the World title again. Hulk tells Sting he doesn’t have to do this. Ray says Hulk is running his mouth, making decisions for Sting again. Man up. Will you agree to the match, yes or no? Sting says yes, and Ray shoves him. Sting comes back with rights, and now they’re trading blows.

End of show.

-Dustin

Dustin Nichols is a freelance writer, and you can keep track of all of his work on his Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/DustinNicholsWriter. Oh, and if you like bodybuilding, check out his mom’s official site by clicking the banner below:

TNA Wrestling has probably gotten more people talking this week than in a long time. Unfortunately it’s not for a good reason. Austin Aries has come under fire for actions against Christy Hemme and while TNA says it has been handled, the question of when has become an even bigger story.

If you haven’t heard or watched Impact Wrestling last week the incident took place as Christy Hemme was announcing Aries and Bobby Roode. Hemme made a botch and called them the wrong names. Aries got upset and backed Hemme into a corner ending his temper tantrum by standing up over her with his crotch closing in on her face. To say it was awkward moment would be an understatement.

As weird as that was that was to see, the story took on a whole life of its own after the broadcast. Hemme was asked about it by a fan on her Twitter account later that night and she responded that it was “unacceptable.” Mysteriously her tweet disappeared. Aries sent out a tweet of his own afterwards which mocked the controversy.

“Pretty nuts some of the junk people get the balls to say over the net, knowing they couldn’t to you r face. Eh, anyway time to sack out,” and “Hey! Hey, I said! Look at me! Yo, over here! I’m right here people! Give me attention! Please. I desperately beg you to notice me! #Pathetic,” and “Wow….just wow, #Victim Nation.”

Former WCW announcer and Wrestlezone.com writer Mark Madden penned an editorial in which he called for Aries to be fired. Mutual friend Chavo Guerrero supported Aries on Twitter and accused Madden of creating controversy. Has Chavo ever said anything intelligent on Twitter? Anyway, the story blew up and appeared to be resolved.

Dave Meltzer broke down the timeline in his Wrestling Observer newsletter with quotes from Spike TV Senior Vice President of Communication.

“We have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment. We discussed (it) with our partner. (He’s) being disciplined. I’m trying to get more information on what action is being taken. Dixie Carter took this very personally. He will be disciplined.”

Dixie Carter also sent out a statement saying that “TNA has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior. The incident with Austin Aries was taken very seriously and handled immediately.” TMZ.com later confirmed that Aries was fined a “substantial amount”. TMZ also reported that “Aries — real name Daniel Solwold, Jr. — reached out to Hemme and privately apologized, acknowledging he crossed the line.” All sounds good right? Well there are a few holes to this story.

For one, what is the definition of immediately? TMZ.com didn’t release that story until Wednesday, six days after the incident. Carter was noticeably slower than usual to jump on Twitter and issue her statement. Hemme was tweeting and deleting hours later while Aries was also sending out tweets. Meltzer also pointed out on a podcast that he felt he got a runaround whenever he asked officials about it. So what really happened?

I don’t think TNA had any plans to act at all on this. I think it was external pressure that wound up driving this thing, specifically Mark Madden. Aries has been known to have a temper and a bit of a bully at times, so this isn’t something I’d call out of character. Quite frankly I think he should have been fired in this age of bully sensitivity but it’s hardly my call. A substantial fine doesn’t sound that substantial when nobody is giving me a number.

I am a former ring announcer with ECW back in 96-98. It is hard to understand how easy mistakes can be made until you are out there. You may leave the meetings with what you think is the right information but sometimes things change in the back, you aren’t notified, and mistakes happened. I made a few and even in the crazy world of ECW I never wound up with a crotch in my face. In other words this was unacceptable.

I remember one botch in particular at a television taping at the Monaca Golden Dome. Taz was scheduled to come out and squash two guys. He came in the ring, did his thing, and the referee tells me that to announce that one of the guys had been disqualified. I did and Taz got in my face and yelled that he was the winner. I kind of had a feeling that Taz was working so it didn’t bother me at all. I got word later that I made a mistake and was supposed to announce Taz as the winner and not any kind of disqualification. I felt awful to say the least! Here we are at a television taping and I got a finish wrong. Well I get back to the locker room at intermission and I walk into a room to see Paul Heyman about the second half. He’s sitting with all people, Taz. Paul asks me what happened. Now I could have taken two paths here. One, I could have just sucked it up and said I made a mistake and was sorry. Two, I could have told the truth in that the referee told me to call it a DQ so I just followed his orders. I was going to go with the first option instead of stooging anyone out. Before a word came out of my mouth Taz jumped in and told Paul that the ref had told me to call the DQ and I did nothing wrong. Paul said okay and it was done. Imagine that! A botched ring announcement is handled with more professionalism and class in the crazy world of ECW than the corporate structure of TNA.

I have seen some people give Hemme a hard time about the mistake. Honestly and I don’t know this, I am not so quick to blame her. Watch her during introductions. She looks at the camera and not at the aisle. I am sure that was something she was instructed to do. Quite possibly she was told before she went out there or by someone else that Aries and Roode were coming out second. It’s a mistake and there are lessons learned here, but is it really the end of the world? I mean we aren’t talking about a referee not counting the finish correctly here. We are talking about a freaking ring introduction! How and why anyone would get that hot over a botched ring intro is beyond my comprehension.

TNA already has a public perception of being sexist when it comes to its treatment of women (Daffney lawsuit, TNA Knockouts pay, and plenty of other gossip if you want to Google) which is incredibly ironic when they have a woman in charge. This is just another black mark on that reputation. They could have made a statement and turned that around by taking immediate, swift, and harsh action against Aries. They didn’t and shockingly here we are again with yet another story of accused story of sexism and sexual harassment.

The mistake made by TNA was much bigger than any botched ring introduction.

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This week’s Impact opens up with Sting making his way out, and he’s accompanied by Kurt Angle. He says he’s showing up on June 2nd at Slammiversary as the #1 contender for the World title. Bully Ray concocted a plan to deceive everyone, and he succeeded, ending with the World title. Sting wants to strip Ray of his power by taking the title, but he doesn’t want to wait until June 2nd. He asked Hulk Hogan if he could assemble a team to face Aces and Eights tonight, and was granted that. They’re going against Aces and Eights in Tupelo, Mississippi, and he didn’t want the best; he wanted the best of the best, and that’s why he went with Kurt Angle. Angle says he was deceived like everyone else, but last week, he made D’Lo scream “I quit”. That’s just the beginning. He confronted AJ Styles last week about joining their team. So, now he’d like AJ to come out right now to ask him a question.

AJ makes his way out, and Angle says they’re ready for war. So, is he going to join them in the fight against Aces and Eights? AJ simply stares as Angle tries to get an answer, then says he’s sick and tired of asking. Now, he’s demanding AJ answer a question. Sting steps between them and tells AJ he’s been in his shoes and hid in the rafters. AJ doesn’t he have to hide; he just has to do the right thing. A and E is taking apart TNA, and TNA needs AJ Styles. The roar from the crowd is “The house that AJ Styles built”. He knows AJ wants to do the right thing and be in the 6-man later tonight, so let’s make it happen. Sting extends a hand, and AJ doesn’t respond. Angle grabs the mic and screams in AJ’s face that he’s either with them or against them. AJ silently walks away on this note as Angle continues screaming. Angle follows him up the ramp and gets in AJ’s face, which leads to a brawl between the two until referees come out to split them up. Meanwhile, Mr. Anderson and Team 3-D hit the ring. Anderson nails Sting from behind, and Ray/Devon hit the 3-D. Angle sees what’s going on and chases A and E off as Sting is left laying.

AI stops AJ as he’s trying to leave the building, asking if he’s going to leave these guys high and dry. AJ stares at him, then storms out of the building.

MATCH 1: Tara and Gail Kim (w/Jesse) vs. Mickie James and Knockouts Champion Velvet Sky
James attacks Kim with forearms, a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. More forearms until Jesse trips James from the outside. Kim stomps her down and throws her to the corner. She goes to tag in Tara, but she’s making out with Jesse. Eventually, she makes the tag, and Tara begins slamming James’ face into the mat. She sets up the tree of woe and hits a baseball slide to the face. Kim tags herself in as Tara makes out with Jesse and hits some forearms to the face. Corner clothesline by Kim, but James begins fighting back with forearms. Kim blocks the Tunacanrana but takes a roundhouse to the face. Tara and Sky tag in. Sky hits a pair of jumping clotheslines, a kick and a running neckbreaker for 2. She sets up In Yo Face, but Kim runs interference. Sky throws her to the outside into Jesse, then hits In Yo Face on Tara for the 3.

WINNERS: Mickie James and Velvet Sky. Kim gets back in the ring and is giving Tara the business. After a couple of shoves, Kim hits a short-arm clothesline, then drags Tara to the ring post for the figure-4. ODB manages to pull Kim off after not too long.

A and E are celebrating the 3-D on Sting in the back. They talk about AJ for a moment until D’Lo Brown walks in. He didn’t know about the get-together right now. Bully Ray tells him there will be another one in the ring later, and D’Lo’s invited to that one.

We see Bad Influence enter James Storm’s locker room, presenting to him a six-pack of beer. They brought him the beer to remind him of what happened between Storm and Bobby Roode not long ago, and Daniels then says Storm should form a three-man team with them.

A and E make their way out through the crowd, with D’Lo Brown all the way at the end of the line. Pretty sure we all know where this is going. Bully Ray says we should know who the hell they are by now. They are the Aces and Eights. Tonight, he and his brother Devon, along with Mr. Anderson, will stand in this ring and take on Kurt Angle, Sting and their big mystery partner. We know damn well it isn’t going to be AJ Styles, as he’s finally starting to “see the light”. Who else is left to be hero? Whoever it is, don’t do it. You don’t want any part of A and E. And that brings him to his main point of business, that being D’Lo Brown. A couple of weeks ago, D’Lo disgraced the club and his brothers. Ray is going to make this short and sweet: take off your colors right now. Take off that “cut” and put it in his hands right now. D’Lo tells him no. Ray reminds him he’s the President of the club, then demands D’Lo’s colors. D’Lo says his “cut” is his life. No. Mr. Anderson gets in D’Lo’s face and begins screaming at him. Ray reminds him he said “I quit”, which means he quit on everybody. He let himself down, and now he’s going to cry about it like a bitch. How are you going to earn your stripes back? D’Lo says he knows Magnus has a match tonight, and he wants to kick Magnus’ ass. Ray tells him he’s going to sit next to the time keeper as DOC kicks Magnus’ ass, and he better hope DOC gets the job done if he ever wants to wear his colors again.

MATCH 2: DOC (w/D’Lo Brown) vs. Magnus
Match goes to commercial before it starts. When it comes back, DOC reverses a corner whip before running into a boot. Magnus comes off the middle rope, but jumps right into a big boot. DOC fires off some body blows in the corner, knocking him to the mat. DOC sends Magnus into the corner, hits an avalanche and a clothesline for 2. DOC applies a rear chinlock, but Magnus fights out. DOC cuts him off with a knee, then hits a suplex before firing off some rights to the face. DOC claws at Magnus’ face in the ropes, then boots him in the chest. Magnus blocks a pair of corner charges, dodges another one, hits a clothesline and a running boot. Magnus connects with the misdirection clothesline, then goes up top for the elbow. DOC is back up, and he nails an uppercut before climbing to the middle rope for a superplex. Magnus throws him off and hits the flying elbow drop for 2. D’Lo causes a distraction and drags Magnus to the floor. Magnus sends him into the steps and gets back in the ring, and DOC hits a fireman’s carry into a flapjack for 2. Back up, Magnus counters an Irish whip, and D’Lo accidentally grabs his foot, thinking it’s Magnus. Magnus uses the distraction to roll DOC up in a small package for 3.

WINNER: Magnus. DOC storms off through the crowd after laying into D’Lo.

We see DOC and D’Lo enter the back, where A and E are waiting for him. Bully Ray lays into D’Lo, then tells the rest of the group to hold him down. All of a sudden, I’m reminded of Heidenreich molesting Michael Cole. Ray continues to lay into him, then threatens to cave his skull in with a hammer. Anderson stops him and says he has a better idea. Why don’t they give D’Lo a job he can do? Ray agrees, telling him he’ll be getting beer and washing bikes, as he’s now just a prospect.

Sting and Kurt Angle are in Hulk Hogan’s office. Hulk is volunteering for the main event, and both Sting & Angle know he can’t and the doctor says so. Hulk says they’re right, but he has some new information. He got a call from some guy, and if this guy is in, he’s going to surprise everyone. Sting points out he said, “if”, which means it’s not concrete. Sting says Magnus just beat DOC, and they should go with him. Hulk agrees.

We see Bobby Roode and Austin Aries in the back. They’re talking about how to appeal to Storm, then approach him with a gift of beer. Bobby Roode then tells him he was always jealous of Storm because he was the face of Beer Money, and the only reason he won the World title was by breaking a beer bottle over Storm’s head. Storm takes the beer and tells Roode that Aries beating him for the title wasn’t a fluke.

MATCH 3-Winners become the new #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Championships: Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) (special referee: James Storm)
Christy Hemme introduces Aries and Roode as Bad Influence when they come out, and Aries is standing on the stage, understandably confused. He then gets in Christy’s face and orders her to introduce them right. Aries sticks his crotch in her face as she’s doing it, and she starts laughing on the mic. She then introduces their opponents as “THE Bad Influence”, proving once again she sucks at her job. Kaz and Aries start with a lock-up. Kaz reverses into an armbar, and Aries counters into an arm wringer. Kaz counters into his own, then trips Aries. Back up, we get another lock up, and Aries hits a series of moves before just toying with Kaz and taunting him in the corner. Another lock-up, and Aries backs Kaz into the corner before accusing Kaz of pulling his hair. Each man ducks a punch, and they both rake the eyes at the same time. Both guys go to the apron, temporarily blinded while looking for a tag. Roode and Daniels tag in now, shake hands, then boot each other in the gut. Roode eventually hits a shoulder off the ropes but misses an elbow. Daniels comes back with his own shoulder, then hits a palm thrust to the face. Roode knocks him down with a clothesline, hits a pair of Venis kneelifts and follows up with a side-Russian legsweep for 1. Daniels fights back, but gets hit with a neckbreaker after Aries knees him in the back from the apron. Snapmare out of the corner and Aries tags in. Roode hits a rolling neck snap on Daniels, and Aries follows up with a spinning European uppercut from the middle rope to the back of the head for 2. Aries hits an open-hand chop in the corner, and Roode tags in, choking Daniels with his boot. Roode throws Daniels onto the ramp, and Aries hits a double axe handle from the top before throwing Daniels back in the ring, where Roode covers him for 1 as Daniels gets a rope break. Kaz hits Roode in the back off the ropes, and Daniels sends him to the floor. Kaz hits Roode with a double axe handle from the apron, then stomps him down before rolling him back in the ring. Kaz tags in, and BI hit a series of double teams, ending with an elbow by Kaz for 2. Daniels drop toe-holds Roode, and Kaz hits a springboard legdrop for 2. Daniels tags in and goes for a move off the middle rope, but sends Kaz head-first into Daniels’ crotch, knocking them both down. Aries tags in and hits a running corner dropkick on Kaz, then fires off some rights on Daniels before hitting a rolling elbow. Aries goes for the brainbuster, but Daniels reverses into a roll-up. Aries blocks it and sends Daniels to the floor, nailing both members of BI with a wicked suicide dive. Daniels gets rolled back in, and Aries goes up top, mocking Chavo Guerrero in the process by hitting a frog splash for 2 as Kaz breaks it up. Roode comes in, and Kaz sends him to the floor. Aries goes for another rolling elbow, but BI blocks it into a double hip toss that they turn into a Villano Bomb for 2 as Roode breaks up the pin this time. Kaz goes for the Fade to Black on Roode, but Roode escapes and hits a spinebuster. Daniels hits Roode with a running STO, and Aries hits Daniels with a kneebreaker into a Saito suplex. Daniels goes to the corner and Aries charges in, but Daniels blocks with a boot. He goes for the Angel’s Wings, but Aries escapes and goes for the brainbuster. Daniels escapes again and rolls Aries up for a pin while holding the tights right in front of Storm. As a result, Storm won’t make a count. Daniels begins screaming at him, and Aries grabs a beer bottle. As Storm is looking away, Aries spits beer in Daniels’ face. He hands the bottle to Storm for a strike, but Storm drinks the beer instead. Aries shoves him, then taunts him. Daniels comes in from behind, and as Daniels grabs Aries, Storm goes for the Last Call. Aries throws Daniels into the kick at the last second. Aries then demands Storm make the count, but Storm stops at 2 before nailing Aries with the Last Call. Roode and Kaz are both just standing on the outside. Storm just leaves the ring and his music plays, which I guess means that the match is over.

WINNER: No contest.

We see A and E assaulting Magnus in the back yet again. Pretty sure I’ve seen this plenty of times. This time, though, Magnus actually begins to fight back. He’s successful for a moment, but the numbers are too much. Magnus spits in DOC’s face, and DOC nails him with a trash can. They set him against a forklift and kick what looks like a pile of metal trashcan lids into his face. With his face obscured by the forklift, of course.

We get a Suicide video. Why in the hell did TNA have to dust off this gimmick? It didn’t work the first time. What makes them think it’ll work now?

Immediately after that is a video for Chris Sabin, who returned last week.

World X-Division Champion Kenny King makes his way out now. In case you don’t know, he is Kenny King, your X-Division Champion. How did he get the belt so quickly? Simple. Since he’s been here, he’s been fantastic. Spectacular. Maybe even exceptional. They don’t like that here, though. Instead of one man, he has to beat two men every time now. That’s fine, as he always beats the odds. However, that’s not why he’s here. He’s here to introduce someone who knows all about beating the odds, and that is the former 4-time champion, Chris Sabin. Sabin makes his way out, and King says it would mean a lot to everyone if Sabin just told us all a story right now. Sabin says it’s pretty simple. The past two years, he’s either been in physical rehab or his basement. King has no idea what it’s like to dedicate his life to something only to have it taken away. King also has no idea what kind of drive and fighting spirit lives in Chris Sabin. Sabin has nothing left to lose at this point, so each time he gets in the ring, he’s going to fight like it’s his last night on Earth. King needs to enjoy the title, because next week, Sabin’s taking it back. King basically echoes everything Sabin just said, then calls Sabin a champion in his eyes. It would mean a lot to him and everyone in the building if we could see Sabin to hold the belt up. King says he wants this because this is the closest Sabin will ever get to the title as long as King is still alive, sucka. He then calls Sabin “Frail Sabin”, and even with good ACLs, he’d never be able to hold a candle to King. Next week, King is going to reign golden showers on Sabin’s parade (his actual words), and there’s nothing Sabin can do about it, because he’s the champ. Now give him back the belt. Sabin folds up the belt, drops it, then nails King with a right, sending him to the floor. As Sabin’s music hits, Todd Keneley makes a reference to R. Kelly. Obviously, I’m not the only one who noticed King didn’t think his promo all the way through.

The cameras cut to the back, and James Storm is laid out on the floor with both BI and Aries/Roode surrounding him, screaming.

Next week, the BFG Series returns. One spot will go to a Gut Check contestant as Sam Shaw, Alex Silva, Christian York and Jay Bradley will compete in a 4-man tournament for the spot.

We see Bully Ray with A and E in the back. He says not everyone is happy with the treatment of D’Lo Brown, but he had to do what was best for the club, and there is no room for the weak. Brown quit, so he’s now at the bottom ladder. Knux asks if there’s anything for D’Lo to do tonight. Ray says to have him make sure the beer is cold and the bikes are washed because when they’re done, they’re going out to look for women.

In Hulk’s office, Kurt Angle begins heading to the ring, saying they’re out of options. Sting follows him, and Hulk is back on the phone with the mystery person, telling him it’s now or never.

MATCH 4: Kurt Angle, Sting and a Mystery Partner vs. Mr. Anderson and Team 3-D (World Champion Bully Ray and World Television Champion Devon)
Sting and Angle come out by themselves, so we should expect the partner a bit later. I’m guessing it’ll be Jeff Hardy. Angle and Devon start by trading punches. Devon gets the best of the exchange. Angle comes back with a back elbow and an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Ray tags in and he begins dropping elbows and double axe handles on Angle. Angle ducks a chop in the corner and hits a deep armdrag into an armbar. Ray backs him into a corner to break it and misses another chop. Lather, rinse repeat. Angle turns the armbar into an arm wringer and tags Sting in. Sting is once again wrestling in a t-shirt, which means he’s not in good shape. Anderson tags in and fires off some rights. Sting comes back with an inverted atomic drop and a dropkick. Anderson rolls to the apron, and as he gets back in, Sting crotches him with the middle rope. Angle back in, and he sends Anderson into the corner. He stomps Anderson down, then sends him into the opposite corner. Anderson comes back with a kneelift and tags in Devon. Devon sends Angle into a clothesline by Ray from the apron before nailing Angle with a straight right. Devon hits a Snapmare for 2, and they go back to trading punches. Angle gets the best of it until Devon rakes the eyes and sends Angle into Ray’s boot. Ray tags in and hits a trio of avalanches. Devon back in, and Angle dodges a double back body drop, but gets hit with 3-D #2. The camera cuts to the back, and we see the rest of A and E laid out in the back. Commercials.

Back from the break, Ray hits a dropkick on Angle. Anderson tags in and hits some punches and a back elbow for 2. Taz just described Ray as “290 and ripped”. Neither of those things are true. Devon tags in hits a shot to the ribs before landing a neckbreaker for 2. Devon applies a neck vice. Angle fights out, but gets hit with a boot to the head by Ray on the outside. Devon follows with a spinning back elbow for 2. Bodyslam by Devon, and he follows up with a legdrop before mocking Hulk Hogan. Listening to Taz is making my ears bleed. Ray tags in and hits a neckbreaker. He follows up with an open-hand chop to the chest, but Angle ducks a second one and hits the Angle Slam. Sting and Devon tag in, and Sting does his typical “hot tag” offense on Devon, eventually hitting the Stinger Splash and the Scorpion Death Drop. He gets 2 as Anderson breaks up the pin. Sting throws him to the floor, then hits another Stinger on Devon and a facebuster gets 2 when Ray breaks up the pin. Ray and Sting go nose-to-nose before trading right hands. Sting eventually takes him down with a double leg and goes for the scorpion deathlock. Anderson comes in and breaks it up with some rights before hitting a Mic Check and knocking Angle off the apron. He goes outside and slams Angle’s face into the steps as Devon slides a table into the ring. Devon sets it up and they call for the 3-D.

All of a sudden, Abyss’ music hits, and Joseph Park…er, Abyss makes his way down. He takes Devon and Ray down with a clotheslines and punches before hitting avalanches on them. He boots both men down, then chokeslams Anderson through the table. For whatever reason, the ref doesn’t call for the bell. Abyss his the Black Hole Slam on Devon and gets the 3.

WINNERS: Abyss, Kurt Angle and Sting.

End of show.

-Dustin

Dustin Nichols is a freelance writer, and you can keep track of all of his work on his Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/DustinNicholsWriter. Oh, and if you like bodybuilding, check out his mom’s official site by clicking the banner below:

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If you thought Hulk Hogan had his hooks in Dixie Carter before, wait until you hear how the TNA president truly sees her knight in shining armor. According to Dixie, her number one babyface is bigger than any company, brand, and a few global celebrities.

There has always been this theory that Hulk and Eric Bischoff are taking Dixie Carter and TNA Wrestling for a ride. To be fair, a lot of people close to the situation say otherwise, but there have been indications along the way that they may not have the best interests of TNA at heart and that they had a money mark on their hands. Little did any of us know how deep in their hands they truly have the TNA boss.

I am sure Dixie Carter is a nice woman but my gosh does she say some of the dumbest things. I don’t have time to list all of her greatest hits but all you have to do is take a look at some of the brilliant musings she has tweeted on Twitter to get an idea that this woman is just not all there. That said, her latest comments may be her best…or worst yet.

Dixie was asked about Hulk Hogan’s power and on-screen role and according to her, he is bigger than the company itself. This what she told ContactMusic.com.

“He (Hulk) is bigger than any brand, company, name – he is synonymous with wrestling and is probably one of the most recognisable faces or figures on the entire planet. Name me someone who is alive today who’d be more recognizable in any corner of the world? In places like Africa and Asia, or if you were walking in Thailand? Princess Diana or Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley maybe? But they aren’t even with us anymore. The Rock? Well, if you are walking in a village in Africa would people know who The Rock was? I think his film work has been outstanding. I’m a huge fan of The Rock, I think he is phenomenal, but would that happen?”

Wow! Okay let’s put it this way. If Hulk Hogan really is bigger than all of those names she mentioned, than he ought to be fired because he should be drawing more than 10,000 people once in a lifetime to a TNA event. If he truly is as global as she thinks he is, he is the worst businessman in the history of the business and maybe he is.

It’s funny because Vince McMahon has made plenty of outrageous claims over the years but I was trying to think back and I don’t even think he compared any of his wrestlers to Michael Jackson or Princess Di. Now as far as the comparison to Dwayne Johnson, maybe he is more known globally than him. If that’s the case than you’d think he’d be able to compete with him for the over two million buys Johnson has drawn the last two WrestleMania events right?

This statement comes mind you at a time when ratings are declining and TNA just did one of their worst ratings yet. Maybe Dixie is just trying her hand at standup comedy?

That is the only explanation.

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Kurt Angle may come off as a lunatic at times on Twitter but he is a smart man. Angle is a company guy but he can see what is really going on in TNA Wrestling. That is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that he spoke up against Hulk Hogan in a recent interview.

Angle has been with TNA Wrestling now for five years. Sure he is crazy but he is still one of the biggest stars they have, maybe third only to Hulk Hogan and Sting. Angle has been all over the card since arriving and is now looking ahead to winding down his career. He is now looking at TNA’s future and according to him there are some problems.

Angle was recently interviewed by former WCW announcer Mark Madden. Madden kicked off an interesting exchange with Angle when he told the former TNA and WWE world champion that it should be him, not Hulk Hogan fighting off Aces & Eights.

“What I want is more Kurt Angle. It should be you battling Aces & Eights, not the guy who can’t walk anymore (Hulk Hogan). C’mon!”’ said Madden.

“You know what, I’ve had talks with Creative and, yeah, we’ve been going back and forth. I’ve been the staple of the company the last five years until, I would say, the last year. I believe they’ve been trying to use the younger talent,” said Angle
Madden responds, “Right, like Hogan!”

Angle answers, “You know what, that’s a touchy subject. I love Terry but you’re right, it’s about bringing up the younger talent. And the way to do it is having them wrestle veterans like me in the main events. Hopefully in the future they’ll start doing that more often.”

It is interesting that you see someone as respected as Angle speak out against Hogan and Hulk’s booking philosophy in TNA. I have to imagine that Angle is not alone in the locker room when it comes to those frustrated by Hulk pushing himself so hard. Read between the lines here. Angle is actually asking to do more in helping put guys over. This isn’t a guy who is jealous of Hulk’s spot.

My biggest issue in TNA is Hogan. I still enjoy watching Hogan from time to time but it makes no sense to see him as the face of TNA battling Aces & Eights when he isn’t even wrestling anymore. I am certainly not saying I want to see Hulk wrestle. That would be tough to watch. The problem here is that when this all ends that nobody is getting elevated but Hulk and that does nothing for anyone on the bottom-mid card.

I hope that Angle can use whatever influence he has left and try and get the booking brass to change course. It’s just not working. If he can’t make it happen, I doubt there is anyone who can.

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Shock of shocks, Hulk Hogan is opening this week’s Impact. On a side note for a moment, I would like to thank friend of CCB Brett Clendaniel, Jr. for his kind words in regards to my writing, especially in regards to my Impact recaps. Loyal support such as his makes this gig worthwhile. Anyway, Hogan says things almost came to blows between him and Sting last week, so we need to find out exactly what’s up with Sting right now. Sting makes his way out, and he very cautiously approaches the ring. Hogan tells him that all the business between them is out there, so let’s call things like we see them. Last week didn’t end with a pretty picture, and they almost came to blows. Before that, though, Hogan knows when he is right and wrong.

He got caught up between a bunch of personal stuff and business stuff. At the end of the day, when it came to making choices, Hogan was wrong, and he ran some of his friends off. The one he made the biggest mistake with was Sting, so he’s apologizing for that right now. Hogan offers a handshake, and Sting accepts. Hogan continues on, saying he should have been pulling Sting closer, and they should have been working together against Aces and Eights. Sting tells him they are together right now. It’s water under the bridge, and now, he has a request. He wants a 6-man next week against A and E, with him picking two partners. Hogan agrees to it. Tonight, however, the business at hand is to determine who faces Bully Ray at Slammiversary for the title.

Matt Morgan comes out and says that this is the part when Hogan hands a jerk-off another title match. Has he learned nothing? Hogan tells him his biggest fault is him running his mouth without knowing everything. From now on, there are no more handouts, and everyone who wants a top spot has to earn it. Before Morgan got in his face, he was going to say that the man who faces Bully Ray will not be Sting or Morgan. The man who takes that spot will be the winner of the main event tonight when it’s Matt Morgan vs. Sting. That’s what Hogan sees in his crystal ball, brother.

Video package for Chris Sabin, and he reflects on his back-to-back knee injuries and the rehabilitation process following them. Sabin has rehabbed for two full years worth of time across the two injuries. He is in action up next in his first match back.

Kurt Angle is pacing in the training room. He says Aces and Eights have taken over the company and taken the title, and tonight, he challenges any of those sonsofbitches to faces him in the ring one-on-one. They can beat him, but they can’t stop him.

MATCH 1-3-Way X-Division Match: Sonjay Dutt vs. Zema Ion vs. Chris Sabin
Dutt gets the jobber non-entrance, so hope for him is already very low. Sabin finally has new music. Ion slaps Sabin, and now Sabin & Dutt punch him, knocking him to the floor. Crisscross ends with a running hurricanrana by Dutt, followed by a deep armdrag into an armbar. Dutt breaks the hold to knock Ion off the apron before going back to Sabin. Sabin with a sunset flip, but Dutt lays on top of him. Sabin escapes and hits an enziguri for 2. They trade waistlocks with Sabin ending up on top. Ion comes in with a slingshot sunset flip, sending them both over and getting 2 on Sabin. Ion chokes Sabin in the corner, then hits a double kneedrop to the back. Dutt gets a hotshot from Ion, and Sabin comes back up and hits some chops. Ion pulls Sabin down by the hair, and the three end up in a weird backslide pin for 2. Sabin turns Ion into a modified surfboard, and Dutt breaks that up with a dropkick to Ion’s face. We learn that, in next week’s 3-way, Suicide makes his return. Yay. Wonder which member of Bad Influence will be playing the part? Anyway, Dutt hits some forearms on Sabin and goes for the Asai DDT, but Sabin counters into a fireman’s carry. Dutt escapes and hits a spinning headscissors that he turns into a DDT. Running shooting star press by Dutt, but Ion breaks up the pin. Dutt gets up and hits Ion, but Ion blocks a kick and hits a quick DDT for 2. Ion goes for a back suplex, but Dutt escapes and blocks a roll-up. He hits a thrust kick on Ion and Sabin hits a kick on Dutt before dropping Ion with a clothesline. Sabin counters a hurricanrana into a powerbomb on Dutt, then holds on and turns it into a DVD. Dutt gets placed in the Tree of Woe, and Ion gets overhead belly-to-belly suplexed into Dutt. Sabin hits a sit-out Y2K Bomb on Ion for 3.

WINNER: Chris Sabin.

We see Jesse and Robbie E in the back rambling about some movie Jesse is starring in, then it turns into something about facing Rob Terry in a 3-on-1 handicap match. He holds up a picture of Joey Ryan, telling E that he should be their other partner.

Elsewhere, we see Bully Ray, with A and E behind him. He talks about Hogan and Sting mocking the group. They’re the frickin’ Aces and Eights. Nobody mocks them. Now he’s gotta worry about Morgan vs. Sting. Newsflash: he ain’t worrying about either one. No matter who he gets in Boston, he’ll get the job done. That brings us to Kurt Angle. Angle has been a thorn in the club’s ass since day one. No matter how hard they knock him down, he keeps getting back up. He wants Angle taken out, the same way Ray took care of Hardy. Who’s it gonna be? Wes Brisco steps up and says he wants it. Garett Bischoff then volunteers. D’Lo Brown steps between them and says he’ll do it. He’s been responsible for Aces and Eights, and he’s going to be the one responsible for taking out Angle. He guarantees he’ll get the job done, then swears his “colors” on. You know, I’ve wanted D’Lo in a main event since never. Good for TNA for making a nightmare into reality.

MATCH 2-3-on-1 Handicap Match: Jesse, Robbie E and Joey Ryan vs. Rob Terry
Ryan starts the match for his team and immediately gets clubbed down. He crawls to the corner, and Terry hits him with a running back elbow, followed by a back body drop. Jesse distracts Terry by pulling his tights, and Terry kicks him to the floor. Ryan attacks Terry’s knee and tags Jesse in, who hits some shots. E tags in and hits some forearms to the back. Jesse back in, and he begins kicking Terry. E back in, and he hits some forearms before applying a sleeper. Terry picks him up on his back, then rams E into the corner to break the hold. Terry misses a corner charge, and E capitalizes with some shoulder thrusts. Ryan tags in, and he has words with E for a moment before getting hit with a front powerslam. The three attack Terry, and he shoves them all off before hitting them with clotheslines and back elbows. Double back suplex on E and Jesse, and Ryan gets hit with what is apparently now called the Beast Bomb for 3.

WINNER: Rob Terry.

We see Austin Aries and Bobby Roode in the building. They’re apparently on their way to the ring.

Roode and Aries make their way out. Roode says Bad Influence played their mind games last week, and it got into his head a bit. They talked about reforming Fourtune, but this was never really about that. This was about BI’s jealousy of Roode and Aries & the World Tag Team titles, the same titles BI cost them last week. Aries says he didn’t believe BI for a second. BI are best friends. He and Roode barely like each other. But, they like each other enough to achieve a common goal. They don’t tell jokes; they go out to win championships. They are a team of World Champions, something Christopher Daniels and Kazarian will never know a thing about. BI make their way out on this note. Daniels tells Roode he was right about one thing: it was about the championships. However, Roode and Aries were wrong about being the next champions or even being a good team. Everyone knows they are a pale imitation of the best team in the business. Next week, the two teams face off with a title match on the line. Spoiler alert: it’s Bad Influence. Roode reminds us he cracked a beer bottle over his best friend’s head to be World Champion, and he’ll do whatever it takes with Aries to become champions again. Kaz says they can never “out-us us”, and Aries/Roode are nothing but Bad Influence-lite.

Now it’s time for Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez to make this segment intolerable. Chavo says time for talk is over, and it’s time for action. Next week, there will be action. Hulk Hogan named a special referee for next week’s match. As much as he or Hernandez would love that spot, it’s neither of them. The referee likes to count in 6 and 12-packs. Yep, it’s James Storm.

Sting enters the training room, where Kurt Angle is taping his knee. Sting asks him if he’s ready, then says he needs a minute alone with Angle.

Tara and Gail Kim are in a dressing room somewhere, complaining about Taryn Terrell. Kim says they need to embarrass her and Mickie James tonight, and she’s going to make sure she gets the victory.

We get another Chris Sabin video, with this one filmed just after the match from earlier tonight. He’s glad to be back, and it’s the greatest feeling in the world.

Angle/Brown is up next. As the two are in the ring, the fans begin chanting “U-S-A!”. Makes sense, since we all know D’Lo Brown is from Lichtenstein. Before the match, Brown says he told his brothers he’d beat Angle in the middle of the ring. But as he stands here, that won’t be good enough. He needs to humiliate Angle, so tonight, he’s going to do something no one has ever done before: he’s going to beat Angle in an “I Quit” Match.

MATCH 3-“I Quit” Match: D’Lo Brown vs. Kurt Angle
Ugh. I can’t believe I have to recap this. Oh, wait. It’s TNA. Of course I can believe it. I just wish I didn’t have to. As Angle agrees to the match stipulation, Brown hits him in the head with the mic. Angle comes back with rights and a clothesline. Single-leg takedown by Angle, and he turns it into a modified STF. The ref asks if Brown wants to quit, and he won’t. We see Mr. Anderson and a couple other A and E members come to ringside through the crowd. Angle gets distracted, which allows Brown to hit a suplex. He rolls to the outside, dragging Angle to the floor and throwing him shoulder-first intot he ring post. He grabs the ring bell hammer and goes to nail Angle, but Angle moves. Brown continues the attack on the left arm, wrapping it around the post. Angle won’t quit, so Brown slams the arm into the mat and rolls Angle back in the ring. Snapmare by Brown, and he begins stomping on the arm before hitting a legdrop. Brown with an arm wringer now, but Angle fights out before running into a jumping side kick. Thanks to the extra 100 lbs., Brown could barely get himself up there. Brown applies a jujigatame, and Angle says, “Hell no!” in response to whether or not he wants to quit. Angle breaks the hold by countering into the ankle lock, but Brown kicks him off and hits a clothesline. Taz tells us Brown has never looked better. Uh-huh. Brown applies a cobra clutch, and Angle still won’t quit. Angle armdrags out of it, ducks a clothesline and hits the Murder-Suicide. After three, Angle holds on for a fourth. Then a fifth. Brown tells the referee to kick his ass, and Angle hits a sixth German suplex. I remember a dead guy once doing that. Wonder if he somehow stole it from Angle, despite doing it several years beforehand? I’m sure we’ll find out in a supposedly drunken tweet. Angle applies the ankle lock, but Brown kicks him off once more. Angle charges in, and Brown counters into a Samoan drop. Brown is back up first, and he sets Angle up for a powerbomb. Angle counters into a sunset flip and rolls through into an ankle lock. Brown tries to fight out, but Angle cinches it in and grapevines the leg. Brown taps, but that doesn’t count, and the ref reminds him of such. Brown then screams “I quit!” into the mic.

WINNER: Kurt Angle. Aces and Eights head back through the crowd without taking Brown with them. Christy Hemme stops Angle on the ramp and asks if this was revenge for him. Angle says he won a battle, but now he has his mind on someone else, and that is AJ Styles. He wants AJ out here right now and knows he’s here. Commercials.

Back from the break, Angle is still in the ring calling for AJ Styles to come out. Another “U-S-A!” chant breaks out. This also makes sense, since AJ is originally from Vatican City. AJ finally comes down the ramp and gets in the ring, getting in Angle’s face in the process. Angle backs up and says AJ doesn’t look the same, like he wants to take Angle’s head off. Before he does that, he won’t get very far since this is Angle’s hometown (it’s actually not). So, everyone wants to recruit AJ. Going with A and E would be the easy way out. Angle has taken the easy way and gotten a lot of success, but that’s not AJ’s way. AJ is the reason he came to TNA, and they had some of the greatest matches of all time. He knows AJ is in a dark time and he understands that, but next week, he and Sting are taking on A and E, and they need him. If AJ stands with them, that’s cool. If not, they have problems. Next week, the choice belongs to AJ.

AI asks Matt Morgan about waiting for tonight’s opportunity. Morgan screams and rants about how he’s pissed off, and tonight, he’s taking the ball. Tonight, he “guts through” Sting, and at Slammiversary, he “guts through” Bully Ray, and you’re looking at the next World Champion. GAARRRRRHHHH!

MATCH 4: Gail Kim and Tara vs. Taryn Terrell and Mickie James
Taryn begins attacking both heels until Tara holds her for a shot. James grabs Kim from behind, and the faces ram their heads together, knocking them to the floor. Kim and Tara argue as Taryn kicks them both through the ropes before rolling Kim back in the ring. Kim gets sent to the corner for a clothesline. James makes a blind tag. Taryn hits a snapmare, and James hits a seated dropkick for 2. James botches a rolling jujigatame, but Kim gets to the ropes. As James argues with referee ODB, Kim nails her with a shot. They trade punches until Kim kicks James in the gut and hits some forearms to the face. James ducks a clothesline and botches an enziguri for 2. Kim backs James into the corner with a shoulder thrust, but James blocks a charge with a back elbow. Kim blocks the Tunacanrana, but knocks James to the floor as Tara causes a distraction. Tara rolls James back in the ring, where Kim hits a short-arm clothesline. She throws James into Tara’s boot, and now Tara tags in, with the heels double-stomping James to the mat. Tara hangs James by her hair, then drops her on her face. Tara drops an elbow for 2 before knocking Taryn to the floor. Back to James, Tara applies an inverted STF, and Taryn breaks up the hold with a stomp. Kim back in, and she throws James to the corner. This time, James connects with the Tunacanrana, and then both women go for a cross-body at the same time, crashing in the middle of the ring. Tara and Taryn tag in, and Taryn hits a couple of clotheslines, a back elbow and a snap suplex. Up top, Taryn connects with a cross-body for 2 as Kim breaks it up. James comes in and botches a roundhouse on Kim. Tara knocks James down, and Taryn rolls Tara up for the 3.

WINNERS: Mickie James and Taryn Terrell. It’s a bit disturbing that Kenely kept referring to Taryn as a “hot mess”. After the match, Tara and Kim attack the faces. James and Tara brawl up the ramp as Kim beats on Taryn in the ring, hitting Eat Defeat and ramming Taryn’s head into the mat before dragging her to the ringpost for Bret Hart’s figure-4 around the post spot until ODB and several other referees break up the hold.

We see Aces and Eights in the back once more, and Bully Ray is pissed about D’Lo Brown saying “I quit” earlier tonight. Brown swore his “colors” on victory and said, “I quit”? Garett starts talking smack, and Ray says that, just because Brown was a douche to him doesn’t mean he can be a douch to Brown. He’s going to take care of Brown next week. Also next week is the 6-man, and he’s picking Devon and Anderson as his partners.

Bobby Roode talks about Bad Influence and how neither member has been World Champion while he and Austin Aries have. They will, without a shadow of a doubt, walk into Tupelo, MS and become the new #1 contenders, and Chavo & Hernandez know they can’t hold a candle to Roode and Aries.

MATCH 5-Winner becomes the new #1 Contender for the World Championship: Matt Morgan vs. Sting
Looks like TNA is having Morgan wear Hogan’s cape again. Lock-up to start the match, and Morgan immediately backs Sting into the corner for a kneelift before headbutting Sting to the mat. Morgan with a foot choke near the ropes, but Sting begins to fight back. Morgan cuts him off with a kneelift, then follows up with a clothesline. Morgan chokes Sting in the corner, then hits another headbutt. Sting fights back with punches and backhands until Morgan goozles him and hits a chokeslam for 2. Commercials.

Back from the break, Morgan is dominating sting on the outside. Sting tries a comeback and manages to slam Morgan into the steps. Morgan no-sells it, hits a kneelift and rolls Sting back in the ring, where he foot-chokes him. Morgan rolls outside and drags Sting’s head to the apron, where he hits an apron legdrop. Morgan gets back on the apron for another one, but misses it when Sting rolls out of the way. Sting throws Morgan into the guardrail, then throws him into it on the opposite side of the ring. Sting rakes the eyes and slams Morgan’s face into the steps before rolling him into the ring. Morgan reverses a corner whip and hits Sting with a sidewalk slam for 2. Morgan chokes Sting, then sits across Sting’s back a couple of times. Morgan then goes for the pin after mocking Hogan, getting 2. Morgan hits a short-arm clothesline, and Sting comes back with some rights. Morgan cuts him off with a kneelift again and hits a bodyslam before missin an elbow drop. Sting avoids a corner charge and hits some rights, followed by a pair of clotheslines. Sting with a slo-mo Stinger Splash, but Morgan shakes it off and throws Sting to the corner for some back elbow strikes. Sting no-sells and throws Morgan to the corner for a clothesline and goes for the Stinger Splash once more, but runs into the Carbon Footprint for 2. Sting goes to the corner and Morgan calls for the Footprint again. He very weakly misses it in the corner, and Sting kicks him in the leg a few times before applying the scorpion deathlock, barely getting it on. After a minute or so, Morgan manages to get a rope break. Sting drags him back into the ring and reapplies the hold, getting him into the center of the ring, but still applying it pretty weakly. Sting eventually sits all the way down onto Morgan’s back, and Morgan eventually passes out.

WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER: Sting. TNA basically lifted the Austin/Hart spot from Wrestlemania 13, minus the blood, only it wasn’t nearly as good. As Sting is celebrating, Aces and Eights come to the ring and surround Sting, with Bully Ray talking trash.

End of show.

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WWE: WrestleMania 29 DVD

WWE: For All Mankind- The Life and Career of Mick Foley- with Mr. Socko Sock Puppet (Limited Edition)

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