TNA Impact Wrestling alt. perspective report
December 15, 2011
Taped 12/12 in Orlando, Fla.
Report by Jared McQuade, PWTorch contributor

[Q1] A video package previewing the fall-out from Final Resolution opened the show. There is an announcement of a five-minute overtime match between TNA World Hvt. champion Robert Roode and A.J. Styles due to the draw in their 30-minute Iron Man match on Sunday.

1 - TNA World Hvt. champion ROBERT ROODE vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA World Title match -- Five-minute Time Limit

Taz mentioned Styles's left knee is in bad shape after the match on Sunday. Roode escaped the ring to open the match, and then Styles followed him out and gave him a right hand. After taking the bout back into the ring, Styles took control with a few headlocks. Two minutes in, Roode called for a timeout. Styles then fought him back into the corner and stomped down on him. After escaping, Roode dragged Styles's leg down onto the edge of the canvas. He went on to attack his weakened knee, then A.J. countered with a kip-up into a huracanrana. After the clock drew closer to zero, Roode tried to buy time. Styles hurried to get control, and managed to get in a springboard 450 splash, but time ran out.

The Impact Zone chanted, ‘Five more minutes,’ and shortly after, Sting’s music hit. Sting then called for sudden death, guaranteeing a winner. The match resumed, and Roode quickly attacked Styles and locked in a single-leg Boston crab on the injured leg. He then tapped out at around the first minute, signifying Roode as the winner and still champion. [CB]

WINNER: Roode via submission in 6:00 to retain the TNA World Title.

(JM Reax: Styles and Roode showed great chemistry in the ring. The brief time they had in the ring went very smoothly, and Styles got some great moves in, even with an injury.)

[Q2] Roode and Styles cut separate promos backstage about the previous match. Styles said he had Roode’s number, but his knee gave out on him. Roode then said that he’s ready for the new No. 1 contender, Jeff Hardy.

2 - ABYSS & SCOTT STEINER vs. ROB TERRY & HERNANDEZ (w/Sarita & Rosita) -- Wild Card Tag Team Tournament match

Before their entrance, Steiner pumped up Abyss by saying that they have to be on the same page, as he wants Abyss to rejoin Immortal. Steiner backed Hernandez into the corner to start the match and gave him a series of chops. He then gave Hernandez a belly-to-belly suplex off the top rope. Abyss was hesitant to accept a tag from Steiner, then Hernandez took control of the match. Terry and Hernandez double-teamed Steiner, then Abyss entered the match without a tag and cleaned house with a chokeslam on Hernandez and a Black Hole Slam on Terry. Steiner then pinned Terry to win the match.

WINNERS: Abyss & Scott Steiner in 7:00.

They cut backstage to Kurt Angle, who said he’s going to do something about Sting. [CB]

[Q3] Angle entered the Impact Zone, where he grabbed a microphone and called out Sting to the ring. Sting hit the ring, then Angle ranted to him about his feud with James Storm. He then asked for a re-match with Storm, but Sting told Angle that he lost fair and square. Angle, unhappy then left the ring.

3 - ZEMA ION vs. TONY NESE

Nese starts out the match with armdrags, followed by a few big moves, including a springboard moonsault. After taking Ion out of the ring, Nese hit a flying summersault onto the outside. Ion then hit a missile dropkick after getting the match back into the ring. After a few cocky shots and taunts, Ion followed up with a 450 splash to score the win.

WINNER: Ion in 5:00.

The show cut backstage, where Jeff Jarrett and his wife, Karen Jarrett, talked about what happened at Final Resolution, where one of them has to abide by the stipulation to leave the company.

Zema Ion then cut a promo backstage. He said, and I’m not kidding at all, he has the “prettiest” moves and the “prettiest” ring attire in wrestling. [CB]

(JM Reax: Nese looked great in the ring. He even looked better than Ion, who they booked to win the first match in the series. Nese carries a strong and fast-paced, but smooth offense, which is very fun to watch.)

[Q4] Backstage, Ric Flair was talking to Gunner about making an example out of Jesse Neal.

4 - GUNNER (w/Ric Flair) vs. JESSE NEAL

Gunner quickly went on the offensive with a brutal takedown on Neal. He then backed him into a corner and delivered vicious strikes. Flair kept motioning to Gunner to keep the attacks coming. After taking the match to the outside, Gunner shoved the ref, leading to a disqualification. After the ref called for the bell, Gunner DDT’d Neal onto the exposed floor. [CB]

WINNER: Jesse Neal via DQ in 2:00.

[Q5] Backstage, Karen Jarrett was seen with Sting, who she tried to convince not to fire her tonight.

Back in the Impact Zone, Jeff Hardy made his way to the ring. On his way, images were shown from his cage match with Jeff Jarrett on Sunday. He grabbed a mic and told the fans how excited he is to be the No. 1 contender. Shortly after, he was interrupted by Bully Ray, who explained to Hardy that he has a match with him tonight.

(JM Reax: The key to Bully Ray’s outstanding heel mic skills is definitely his thick New York accent. He cut a pretty good promo on how Hardy interacts with his fans on his “Twittah.”)

They cut backstage, where Samoa Joe was speaking with Magnus, his tag team partner for tonight. He appeared to have a violent attitude towards him (is that supposed to be a surprise?).

5 -- SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS vs. TV champion ROBBIE E. & DOUG WILLIAMS -- Wild Card Tag Team Tournament match

Magnus and Williams opened the match with back and forth headlock takedowns. Robbie then entered the match and was hammered with a lariat. Williams and Robbie then took control and cut the ring off. Magnus managed to make the tag to Joe moments later and Joe dominated with a fast-paced and powerful attack for a solid minute. Joe then hit the Muscle Buster on Williams to get the pinfall.

WINNERS: Joe & Magnus in 5:00.

[Q6] Backstage, Jeff Jarrett was speaking with Sting, trying to convince him to fire his wife instead of him.

Also backstage, Eric Young was approached by ODB. Young asked her who his tag team partner is, and she revealed that she is indeed his partner. [CB]

In the Impact Zone, Devon headed to the ring to talk about Final Resolution. He then called out Pope, who arrived in the ring accompanied by Devon’s twin sons. Devon explained to Pope that he wants to train his sons in the wrestling business without him. Pope replied that his sons want him as their mentor, because he’s cooler than him. Pope then brought up their mother, and Devon attacked him. He then hit a low blow on Devon and his sons sided with Pipe. The segment ended with Pope and Devon's sons standing over Devon.

[Q7] Backstage, Jeff Jarrett and his wife talked about Sting, but did not tell the truth to each other about what they said to him. A TNA official approached them and said that Sting would like to speak with both of them.

6 - MADISON RAYNE vs. TRACI BROOKS

Brooks ran up the ramp during Rayne’s entrance and attacked her before the match started. Getting the match back in the ring, Brooks continued the beatdown on Rayne. She then got control on Brooks and choked her with the bottom rope. She followed with a neckbreaker and extensive taunting. Rayne followed with an inverted overdrive and a kick to the head for the pinfall. [CB]

WINNER: Rayne in 4:00.

[Q8] Sting was backstage with the Jarretts. He told them what he heard from one another, and neither one was aware of the other's story. The Jarretts then exploded on each other when they heard the truth. Sting calmed them down and made the decision to fire both Jeff and Karen Jarrett.

Bobby Roode came out to the Impact Zone to join Mike Tenay and Taz on commentary for Jeff Hardy’s match.

7 - JEFF HARDY vs. BULLY RAY

Bully Ray attacked Hardy as he threw his t-shirt to the crowd. He went after his side, which Hardy was favoring on his way to the ring. After taunting him and the fans, Bully Ray hit as delayed vertical suplex on Hardy. The No. 1 contender then gained momentum from the crowd and went on the attack. He hit a series of dropkicks followed by a huracanrana. He then hit the Twist of Fate, but fell short of a three count. Bully Ray recovered, but Hardy scored with another Twist of Fate. This one was good for the win.

WINNER: Jeff Hardy in 5:00

Afterward, Roode came to the ring and attacked Hardy. Ray then brought a table into the ring while Roode was stomping Hardy. The two set up the table and Bully Ray powerbombed Hardy through it. Sing then hit the ring and attacked Bully Ray, but he was low-blowed by Roode. The show closed with Roode standing over a beaten-down Hardy with possession of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

(JM Final Thoughts: Overall, it was not a bad show. I would have preferred longer matches, but they made do with the time they had. I was really impressed with Tony Nese in the ring and Bully Ray on the mic. I was also glad to see the Jarretts written off television.)

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