TNA Impact TV tapings for 2/7

For February 7^th IMPACT;

7) Austin Aries & Bobby Roode won the TNA World Tag Team titles, defeating Chavo Guerrero Jr & Hernandez. This was a very good match, going nearly 20 minutes. Lots of heat, with duelling ‘Lets go Aries/Lets go Chavo’ chants, even when both guys weren’t even in the ring. Aries & Roode had several spots where they collided and there appeared to be miscommunication, leading to Roode walking out and going to the back. However, Roode later returned when Aries was in trouble, giving Chavo a spinebuster, and leading to the finish where Aries used a 450 splash off the top on to Chavo to score the pinfall. Big babyface crowd reaction for the title win.

Jesse Godderz came out on his own for a promo. James Storm came out and said his girlfriend stopped him superkicking him last week, but wouldn’t this week.

8) James Storm defeated Jesse Godderz. Total squash. Godderz had no offence and was treated like a joke by Storm, superkicking him for the win.

Next came the big Aces & Eights explanation interview, featuring D-Von, Garett Bischoff, Wes Brisco, D.O.C., Mike Knox, Mr Anderson, and one remaining masked member. Garett said he joined the Aces because he was tired of being disrespected. In a cool bit of storytelling, Bischoff brought up how he was treated at the London tv tapings last year, when Hogan was trying to put him over as a babyface, and the crowd crapped all over the segment, booing Garett. The Manchester crowd chanted ‘You Can’t Wrestle’ at both Garett & Brisco, which funnily enough is what they chanted at the London tapings last year (and was subsequently edited off the show in post-production). Brisco’s explanation for his actions was that he’d spent 2 years calling Hogan for an opportunity, without answer and that when Hogan replied, it was to give him a Gut Check challenge spot. Brisco asked Hogan to remember who gave him his first pair of wrestling boots all those years ago – his father the Hall of Famer, Gerald Brisco (actually saying the name, now that the lawsuit is over). D-Von closed by telling Angle not to hurry back, and that Hogan shouldn’t worry about more surprises to come. Well, there is one masked member left, plus the ‘higher power’. This was a good segment that drew a lot of heat.

9) Miss Tessmacher defeated Tara in a non-title match. Not much to it.

In a match taped for TNA X-Plosion (air date not announced):

10) Samoa Joe defeated Christopher Daniels. This was a good match, as you’d expect. Joe won after a uranage suplex, followed by the musclebuster. Joe was very over with the crowd, way more than you’d expect given his current tv role.

11) Main event of the show (and for February 7^th) saw Sting & Bully Ray defeat D-Von & D.O.C. in a Tables Match. Ray came out wearing Sting face paint. Ray and Sting were super friendly with each other, especially Ray, to the point I was half suspecting a tease for a Ray turn, but nothing transpired. Sting & Ray did the Whats-up spot with Ray coming off the ropes on to D-Von. Both Sting & Ray did Stinger splashes in the corner on D-Von. Sting tried to suplex D.O.C. through a table, only for Mike Knox to run out and pull the table away. D-Von then accidentally punched Knox, knocking him out of the ring. D-Von got heat on Ray, leading to Ray doing a Hogan superman comeback, complete with the ‘You!’ finger pointing and no-selling punches. Ray gave D-Von a big boot, then chokeslammed D-Von through a table in the ring for the win. After the match. Hulk & Brooke came out to celebrate with Ray and Sting in the ring. End of taping.

Overall this was a very enjoyable show, lasting around 3 hours in length. Crowd were hot throughout.

Hope this was of interest.

Thanks,

Stephen Lyon,

St Helens, England, U.K.