1.31 Impact Wrestling
by Jeff Hamlin ( hamlin37@hotmail.com) Twitter: @hamlin37
The Big News: A newsworthy trip to England. A taped show, but the big news is Impact will go on the road permanently starting March 14th, leaving the Impact Zone. In storyline news, Bully Ray was reinstated by Hulk Hogan, who feelings has softened for Ray and his daughter. The long-anticipated heel turn of Wes Brisco and Garrett Bischoff finally happened, after Kurt Angle defeated Mr. Anderson in the main event. Joseph Park earned his first Impact victory over Robbie E. Even with Hulk Hogan and Sting, the biggest star of the show came off as Magnus.
Bad Influence came out wearing kilts and dressed like a poor man's Mel Gibson from Braveheart. Then again, considering how things have gone with his career, that should read a modern day Mel Gibson. They got heat since they paid tribute to Scotland and the crowd was from England. Kazarian introduced Christopher Daniels as the man who will be king. Daniels blamed his loss to Jeff Hardy last week on Hardy's face makeup being toxic. He also called Kazarian "Francois." Magnus, who was played up like a big star, showed up to interrupt. It was his first appearance since being laid out by Aces and Eights, and he got a very good reception. Magnus called them disrespectful and said they could fight him. Kazarian and Daniels jumped him, but Magnus made his own comeback and clotheslined both of them from the ring. Magnus did a strong pro-company promo about how Aces and Eights took him out, then challenged Devon for the first Open Fight Night match.
Magnus defeated Devon by DQ in 5:11. It started with a brawl around ringside, where Magnus punched Devon with a cup of beer. Devon got the advantage back with an elbow and several clotheslines, but missed a headbut off the second rope. Magnus hit a Michinoku Driver when Doc ran in for the DQ, but Magnus easily dispatched of him and Mike Knox. Unlike last year, they kept Magnus looking strong in his home country. Christy Hemme's voice was dubbed in for the ring introductions since she missed this show due to illness. *1/2
Bully Ray talked with Sting and Brooke Hogan. Ray said he hadn't heard from Hulk Hogan about possibly being reinstated. Sting told him that Hogan said he would be in England. Brooke gave Bully her phone so he could text Hulk again. Maybe Brooke has 'Sand Sharks" on that phone, as well.
Joseph Park was about to make his challenge for Open Fight Night when Robbie E. and Robbie T. came out. Robbie E. thought it was a joke that Park was even wrestling, and called him a hamster, like everyone else in the U.K. That earned him a nasty look from Robbie T, so Robbie E. said everybody but Robbie T. Robbie E. said he was basically from America anyway, which Robbie T wasn't happy about either. Robbie E threw down Park's book, which was filled with notes after reviewing tape and scouting, and Park agreed to fight him on the spot.
2. Joseph Park defeated Robbie E in 3:30. Park was great doing spots that you would expect from someone three weeks out of wrestling school. Robbie E. hit a flying clothesline, but missed a crotch dive and Park did some spots similar to Abyss during his comeback. Park caught a belly-to-belly suplex and pinned Robbie E. after a second-rope splash. Park acted like he had won the World title, while Robbie E. argued with Robbie T. like he had hit rock bottom in his career. Good for what it was designed to be. *1/2
Hulk Hogan arrived to the building.
Austin Aries and Bobby Roode were in the ring. Aries called them the two most valuable members of the Impact roster, while the rest of the roster was out to steal money from the company. Too bad he wasn't around in 2009. Aries said they were going to take every title in the company, and they were going to start with the World Tag Team Championship, which would be easiest. Roode said Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez were nothing but a couple of wankers. This brought out Guerrero and Hernandez. Guerrero said they hadn't even earned a tag team victory yet, so they hadn't earned a title shot. Guerrero suggested they fight. Aries said if he or Roode win, they get a shot at the tag belts. Roode could be overheard saying he was just going to suggest that. Guerrero stepped in for the champions, and Aries agreed to wrestle, though Roode wanted to.
3. Austin Aries defeated Chavo Guerrero in 10:29. Aries hit a hot shot right away, but Guerrero came back with a con hilo. Later, Guerrero gave Aries a baseball slide into Roode, and Guerrero hit Roode with a pescado. But Aries quickly flattened Guerrero after a tope. Crowd had dueling chants as Aries missed a frog splash,and Guerrero started his comeback with a drop kick and a Koppo Kick. Guerrero hit the Three Amigos to set up the frog splash. Guerrero had Aries pinned when Roode ran in the ring. For some reason, it wasn't a DQ as the referee stopped Roode from going any further. Hernandez ran in to stop Roode while Guerrero had Aries pinned. As Hernandez went after Roode, Aries hit Guerrero with a drop kick and finished him with the brainbuster. Crowd wasn't as hot for this match as you would think. Roode and Aries argued about who truly won the match going to the back. ***
Brooke told Ray that her father had showed up. I bet if they watched the show, they would've known that sooner.
Kurt Angle was in the back with Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco and Garrett Bischoff. Angle couldn't believe that Mr. Anderson joined Aces and Eights, and Angle said all he wanted was Anderson one-on-one in a cage tonight. Joe vowed he would get that chance, then snubbed Brisco and Bischoff. Angle told them Joe was just being Joe, but he needed him tonight. Brisco and Bischoff left while Angle warmed up.
Ray and Brooke came out. It should be mentioned that Taz was on commentary, but it was never explained why Ray wasn't looking for him. Of course, the announcers didn't make the trip, so they couldn't. Taz would've been better off taking the night away. Brooke, in high heels, was taller than her husband. Ray said he loved Brooke, and it was that love that got him suspended. Ray told Hulk they had a common enemy, and he should lift Ray's suspension. Ray urged the crowd to chant for Sting, who I guess would plead Ray's case, as well. Sting came out wearing one of his robes from 1992, which would've been the time WCW toured England. He got a great reaction. Sting basically got the crowd ramped up for Hogan's entrance. Ray opened the ropes for Hogan. Hogan announced he always does the right thing, so he reinstated Ray. He then announced that next week, Ray and Sting would face two members of Aces and Eights in a tables match. Hogan and Ray shook hands. Ray sold it like it was the biggest moment of his career, and Brooke added "showing joy" under her range of facial expressions. The list is now comprised of "looking annoyed, showing joy" and.....well, that's it.
Dixie Carter then appeared in a taped promo for the major announcement. The television taping for Impact would go on the road full-time starting March 14th in Chicago for the Sears Center. Shortly after this announcement went live, David Lagana tweeted "Bye-bye Orlando," which tells you that the Impact Zone will likely go the way of the Asylum in Nashville.
Velvet Sky came out and challenged Tara and Jesse Godderz. Sky said she didn't want a handicap match, and had her own partner in mind. James Storm came out. Taz wondered why would Storm want to tag with Sky. The answer was: because he doesn't have a program.
4. James Storm and Velvet Sky defeated Tara and Jesse Godderz in 3:48. Storm hit the Back Stabber on Godders before making the tag to Sky, who reeled off the Satellite Head Scissors on Tara. Mike Tenay mentioned Super Bowl-wrestling tie-ins at this point, including Stacy Keibler as a former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader. I was waiting for Brandon Jacobs being a member of the 49ers until getting released late in the season, but that was never mentioned. Of course, Jacobs made an appearance last spring for Impact, and may have been the best celebrity athlete performer in company history. To the point where I wouldn't be surprised if the company has already reached out to him in case he never sees the gridiron again. Oh yes, the match. Sky got the pin on Tara with In Yo Face. Just time filler. *
Mike Tenay explained Hardy's injury was to his left knee and further updates would be made available next week.
Hogan explained that Ray earned his respect after standing up to Aces and Eights at the wedding that went awry. That's the reason Hogan lifted Ray's suspension, and said they were on the same side.
Anderson said Aces and Eights had made him feel more welcome than anyone ever had n TNA. He said Angle wouldn't be leaving the same way he arrived here.
Angle found Joe laid out in the back. Exactly how he was laid out wasn't explained, but Angle left for his match and told Bischoff to get a doctor. Better attention to detail here because the show closing angle would've made less sense with Joe healthy.
5. Kurt Angle defeated Mr. Anderson in a steel cage match in 15:18. Brisco had the key to the cage door at ringside. Anderson doesn't do his ring entrance shenanigans anymore. That makes sense, but without that, what else does he do? Rules were you could pin your opponent, make him tapout or climb over the cage to win. Angle turned it on again, and this was the best match on the show. Since this was the first match taped at the show, the crowd was fresh and hot. Angle hit a German suplex right away, but Anderson escaped the Olympic Slam and hit the Lambeau Leap and sent Angle's shoulder into the cage. Angle reversed an Irish Whip into the cage and caught the Olympic Slam for a near fall. They fought on the top rope for awhile before Anderson crotched Angle and covered him for another two count. Anderson went to the top, but Angle followed him up for an Angle Slam off the top for a two count. Anderson hit Angle low and caught his finisher, the Mic Check, but Angle kicked out. Anderson tried to scale the fence again, but Angle grabbed him and gave him a stiff power bomb, then transitioned to the ankle lock. Angle grapevined the leg and Anderson tapped. About as good as you can expect with Anderson in there. ***3/4
Postmatch, a masked Aces and Eights member climbed into the ring. Meanwhile, Brisco unlocked the cage door to get in, as well. Angle ordered Brisco to lock the cage door, supposedly to keep any other Aces and Eights members from entering. The masked Aces and Eights member unmasked, revealing Garrett Bischoff. Angle asked Brisco if he knew anything about this. As Angle charged after Bischoff, Brisco turned on Angle with a chop block. Brisco took off his suit to reveal an Aces and Eights vest, then let his hair down to reveal he had been the long-haired blonde all along. Bischoff gave whatever his finisher is to Angle. They really missed an opportunity to get some major heat with the turn. There were no babyfaces trying to scale the cage trying to go after the heels. No screaming announcers emphasizing this could be in the end of Angle's career. Brisco and Bischoff didn't really do any major damage to Angle to begin with.
SUMMARY: Considering last year's British shows, this was somewhat disappointing. It wasn't a bad show by any means, but the crowd wasn't as hot for Storm and the tag champs. There were missed opportunities in the main event. And Bad Influence should have had a more prominent role on the show. Match quality was fine, and Magnus always looks like a star whenever he visits England. In fact, it's a reminder of how match the company is missing out on him.
by Jeff Hamlin ( hamlin37@hotmail.com) Twitter: @hamlin37
The Big News: A newsworthy trip to England. A taped show, but the big news is Impact will go on the road permanently starting March 14th, leaving the Impact Zone. In storyline news, Bully Ray was reinstated by Hulk Hogan, who feelings has softened for Ray and his daughter. The long-anticipated heel turn of Wes Brisco and Garrett Bischoff finally happened, after Kurt Angle defeated Mr. Anderson in the main event. Joseph Park earned his first Impact victory over Robbie E. Even with Hulk Hogan and Sting, the biggest star of the show came off as Magnus.
Bad Influence came out wearing kilts and dressed like a poor man's Mel Gibson from Braveheart. Then again, considering how things have gone with his career, that should read a modern day Mel Gibson. They got heat since they paid tribute to Scotland and the crowd was from England. Kazarian introduced Christopher Daniels as the man who will be king. Daniels blamed his loss to Jeff Hardy last week on Hardy's face makeup being toxic. He also called Kazarian "Francois." Magnus, who was played up like a big star, showed up to interrupt. It was his first appearance since being laid out by Aces and Eights, and he got a very good reception. Magnus called them disrespectful and said they could fight him. Kazarian and Daniels jumped him, but Magnus made his own comeback and clotheslined both of them from the ring. Magnus did a strong pro-company promo about how Aces and Eights took him out, then challenged Devon for the first Open Fight Night match.
Magnus defeated Devon by DQ in 5:11. It started with a brawl around ringside, where Magnus punched Devon with a cup of beer. Devon got the advantage back with an elbow and several clotheslines, but missed a headbut off the second rope. Magnus hit a Michinoku Driver when Doc ran in for the DQ, but Magnus easily dispatched of him and Mike Knox. Unlike last year, they kept Magnus looking strong in his home country. Christy Hemme's voice was dubbed in for the ring introductions since she missed this show due to illness. *1/2
Bully Ray talked with Sting and Brooke Hogan. Ray said he hadn't heard from Hulk Hogan about possibly being reinstated. Sting told him that Hogan said he would be in England. Brooke gave Bully her phone so he could text Hulk again. Maybe Brooke has 'Sand Sharks" on that phone, as well.
Joseph Park was about to make his challenge for Open Fight Night when Robbie E. and Robbie T. came out. Robbie E. thought it was a joke that Park was even wrestling, and called him a hamster, like everyone else in the U.K. That earned him a nasty look from Robbie T, so Robbie E. said everybody but Robbie T. Robbie E. said he was basically from America anyway, which Robbie T wasn't happy about either. Robbie E threw down Park's book, which was filled with notes after reviewing tape and scouting, and Park agreed to fight him on the spot.
2. Joseph Park defeated Robbie E in 3:30. Park was great doing spots that you would expect from someone three weeks out of wrestling school. Robbie E. hit a flying clothesline, but missed a crotch dive and Park did some spots similar to Abyss during his comeback. Park caught a belly-to-belly suplex and pinned Robbie E. after a second-rope splash. Park acted like he had won the World title, while Robbie E. argued with Robbie T. like he had hit rock bottom in his career. Good for what it was designed to be. *1/2
Hulk Hogan arrived to the building.
Austin Aries and Bobby Roode were in the ring. Aries called them the two most valuable members of the Impact roster, while the rest of the roster was out to steal money from the company. Too bad he wasn't around in 2009. Aries said they were going to take every title in the company, and they were going to start with the World Tag Team Championship, which would be easiest. Roode said Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez were nothing but a couple of wankers. This brought out Guerrero and Hernandez. Guerrero said they hadn't even earned a tag team victory yet, so they hadn't earned a title shot. Guerrero suggested they fight. Aries said if he or Roode win, they get a shot at the tag belts. Roode could be overheard saying he was just going to suggest that. Guerrero stepped in for the champions, and Aries agreed to wrestle, though Roode wanted to.
3. Austin Aries defeated Chavo Guerrero in 10:29. Aries hit a hot shot right away, but Guerrero came back with a con hilo. Later, Guerrero gave Aries a baseball slide into Roode, and Guerrero hit Roode with a pescado. But Aries quickly flattened Guerrero after a tope. Crowd had dueling chants as Aries missed a frog splash,and Guerrero started his comeback with a drop kick and a Koppo Kick. Guerrero hit the Three Amigos to set up the frog splash. Guerrero had Aries pinned when Roode ran in the ring. For some reason, it wasn't a DQ as the referee stopped Roode from going any further. Hernandez ran in to stop Roode while Guerrero had Aries pinned. As Hernandez went after Roode, Aries hit Guerrero with a drop kick and finished him with the brainbuster. Crowd wasn't as hot for this match as you would think. Roode and Aries argued about who truly won the match going to the back. ***
Brooke told Ray that her father had showed up. I bet if they watched the show, they would've known that sooner.
Kurt Angle was in the back with Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco and Garrett Bischoff. Angle couldn't believe that Mr. Anderson joined Aces and Eights, and Angle said all he wanted was Anderson one-on-one in a cage tonight. Joe vowed he would get that chance, then snubbed Brisco and Bischoff. Angle told them Joe was just being Joe, but he needed him tonight. Brisco and Bischoff left while Angle warmed up.
Ray and Brooke came out. It should be mentioned that Taz was on commentary, but it was never explained why Ray wasn't looking for him. Of course, the announcers didn't make the trip, so they couldn't. Taz would've been better off taking the night away. Brooke, in high heels, was taller than her husband. Ray said he loved Brooke, and it was that love that got him suspended. Ray told Hulk they had a common enemy, and he should lift Ray's suspension. Ray urged the crowd to chant for Sting, who I guess would plead Ray's case, as well. Sting came out wearing one of his robes from 1992, which would've been the time WCW toured England. He got a great reaction. Sting basically got the crowd ramped up for Hogan's entrance. Ray opened the ropes for Hogan. Hogan announced he always does the right thing, so he reinstated Ray. He then announced that next week, Ray and Sting would face two members of Aces and Eights in a tables match. Hogan and Ray shook hands. Ray sold it like it was the biggest moment of his career, and Brooke added "showing joy" under her range of facial expressions. The list is now comprised of "looking annoyed, showing joy" and.....well, that's it.
Dixie Carter then appeared in a taped promo for the major announcement. The television taping for Impact would go on the road full-time starting March 14th in Chicago for the Sears Center. Shortly after this announcement went live, David Lagana tweeted "Bye-bye Orlando," which tells you that the Impact Zone will likely go the way of the Asylum in Nashville.
Velvet Sky came out and challenged Tara and Jesse Godderz. Sky said she didn't want a handicap match, and had her own partner in mind. James Storm came out. Taz wondered why would Storm want to tag with Sky. The answer was: because he doesn't have a program.
4. James Storm and Velvet Sky defeated Tara and Jesse Godderz in 3:48. Storm hit the Back Stabber on Godders before making the tag to Sky, who reeled off the Satellite Head Scissors on Tara. Mike Tenay mentioned Super Bowl-wrestling tie-ins at this point, including Stacy Keibler as a former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader. I was waiting for Brandon Jacobs being a member of the 49ers until getting released late in the season, but that was never mentioned. Of course, Jacobs made an appearance last spring for Impact, and may have been the best celebrity athlete performer in company history. To the point where I wouldn't be surprised if the company has already reached out to him in case he never sees the gridiron again. Oh yes, the match. Sky got the pin on Tara with In Yo Face. Just time filler. *
Mike Tenay explained Hardy's injury was to his left knee and further updates would be made available next week.
Hogan explained that Ray earned his respect after standing up to Aces and Eights at the wedding that went awry. That's the reason Hogan lifted Ray's suspension, and said they were on the same side.
Anderson said Aces and Eights had made him feel more welcome than anyone ever had n TNA. He said Angle wouldn't be leaving the same way he arrived here.
Angle found Joe laid out in the back. Exactly how he was laid out wasn't explained, but Angle left for his match and told Bischoff to get a doctor. Better attention to detail here because the show closing angle would've made less sense with Joe healthy.
5. Kurt Angle defeated Mr. Anderson in a steel cage match in 15:18. Brisco had the key to the cage door at ringside. Anderson doesn't do his ring entrance shenanigans anymore. That makes sense, but without that, what else does he do? Rules were you could pin your opponent, make him tapout or climb over the cage to win. Angle turned it on again, and this was the best match on the show. Since this was the first match taped at the show, the crowd was fresh and hot. Angle hit a German suplex right away, but Anderson escaped the Olympic Slam and hit the Lambeau Leap and sent Angle's shoulder into the cage. Angle reversed an Irish Whip into the cage and caught the Olympic Slam for a near fall. They fought on the top rope for awhile before Anderson crotched Angle and covered him for another two count. Anderson went to the top, but Angle followed him up for an Angle Slam off the top for a two count. Anderson hit Angle low and caught his finisher, the Mic Check, but Angle kicked out. Anderson tried to scale the fence again, but Angle grabbed him and gave him a stiff power bomb, then transitioned to the ankle lock. Angle grapevined the leg and Anderson tapped. About as good as you can expect with Anderson in there. ***3/4
Postmatch, a masked Aces and Eights member climbed into the ring. Meanwhile, Brisco unlocked the cage door to get in, as well. Angle ordered Brisco to lock the cage door, supposedly to keep any other Aces and Eights members from entering. The masked Aces and Eights member unmasked, revealing Garrett Bischoff. Angle asked Brisco if he knew anything about this. As Angle charged after Bischoff, Brisco turned on Angle with a chop block. Brisco took off his suit to reveal an Aces and Eights vest, then let his hair down to reveal he had been the long-haired blonde all along. Bischoff gave whatever his finisher is to Angle. They really missed an opportunity to get some major heat with the turn. There were no babyfaces trying to scale the cage trying to go after the heels. No screaming announcers emphasizing this could be in the end of Angle's career. Brisco and Bischoff didn't really do any major damage to Angle to begin with.
SUMMARY: Considering last year's British shows, this was somewhat disappointing. It wasn't a bad show by any means, but the crowd wasn't as hot for Storm and the tag champs. There were missed opportunities in the main event. And Bad Influence should have had a more prominent role on the show. Match quality was fine, and Magnus always looks like a star whenever he visits England. In fact, it's a reminder of how match the company is missing out on him.
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