TNA Impact Wrestling Results
February 2, 2012
Taped in London, England at Wembley Arena
Report by Scott Turner, PWTorch contributor

[Q1] The show opened with shots of landmarks in London, such as Big Ben and the London Tower Bridge as Mike Tenay announced that tonight’s episode was part one of the “Impact Invasion.” Bobby Roode and Bully Ray came out first to the huge crowd. Ray told the crowd that Jeff Hardy would not be appearing tonight or ever again because Roode and he put Hardy through a table. Roode facetiously said “it felt good to be back in the country of Ireland,” which got the crowd booing. The crowd started chanting “We want Devon” before Roode called out James Storm, which Storm obliged to.

Ray told Storm “to not even think of coming close to the World Heavyweight champion,” which prompted Sting’s entrance, and the crowd popped huge. Mike Tenay ran through Sting’s accolades in Wembley Arena, particularly beating Vader for the Heavyweight Title in 1993. Sting let everyone in the ring know that the main event at Against All Odds would be a four-way for the TNA World Title with Storm, Hardy, Ray, and champion Roode. He then announced tonight, at the behest of Storm, Storm would wrestle two matches starting with Roode and ending with Ray.

Tenay hyped the two matches for tonight as well the television return of Hulk Hogan.

Turner Reax: TNA looks major league this week. The filled-out, large arena is already doing wonders for this edition of Impact. There is no doubt that the TNA television product would benefit ten-fold from getting out of the lifeless and desensitized Impact Zone, but this was on a whole other level. The opening segment was short, sweet, and effective.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2] Garrett Bischoff was shown walking backstage on his phone, presumably talking to his trainer. He said he would see him later tonight.

1-- TNA tag champions MATT MORGAN & CRIMSON vs. SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS -- non-title Buckingham Brawl

Jeremy Borash announced the rules of the match, which were that winning team of a coin toss would be favored with a “one-man advantage” in the ring, while the other team would have to abide by standard tag team rules. Morgan called heads while the coin was in the air only to have it land with the tails side up. As the ref called for the bell, a big “Joe” chant broke out.

Crimson started out in the ring with Joe and Magnus, and he fell victims to the numbers game. The crowd was very in favor of Joe and Magnus, as they yelled out “woo” for each chop to chest that was delivered to Crimson in the corner. Crimson mounted some offense, but Magnus and Joe proved to be too much for the undefeated wrestler. The crowd broke into a “Joe's gonna kill you” chant. Crimson dodged a splash from Joe in the corner, hit Magnus with a t-bone suplex, and then tagged Morgan in. Morgan got some offense in and hit Magnus with a fall-away suplex for a close pin that was broken up by Joe.

The action started getting all over the place until Morgan was left in the ring with Joe and Magnus. Magnus hit Morgan with an elbow drop off the second rope after a kick in the corner from Joe for the pin.

WINNERS: Samoa Joe and Magnus by pinfall at 4:05.

Turner Reax: Mike Tenay said that in his mind that this established Joe and Magnus as top contenders for the titles. I don’t get why this match would cement that idea in Tenay’s, and for that matter, Taz’s head. They beat the champions, sure, but the advantage Joe and Magnus had had the deck so stacked against that the champions that it was obviously unfair. The match itself was entertaining as the wrestlers worked hard and the double-team offense from Joe and Magnus was good. The crowd was in love with Joe in a way that screamed “star.” If only TNA could/would capitalize on the potential star power Joe has in the States...

Eric Bischoff was shown walking backstage as the announcers hyped the reveal of Garrett Bischoff’s trainer.

[Commercial Break]

Eric Bischoff made his way to the ring to some boos, a few people bowing down to him, and even a child giving him the middle finger which was blurred out.

[Q3] Once in the ring, the jeering for Bischoff became more apparent as he told the crowd he was led to believe that “Brits were civilized.” Bischoff then proceeded to call his son Garett to the ring. Eric talked down to Garett, claiming his goals had turned to fantasy, as the crowd chanted “boring.” He told Garett that his trainer wouldn’t have his back in the ring especially all the way out in London. Once Garett took to the mic, the crowd continued to boo, this time the boos were seemingly directed at Garett. Both Bischoffs hyped up Garett's trainer until Garett answered his phone in the ring to presumably speak to his trainer. Garett then informed Eric that his trainer was in the building and wanted to see Eric later in the night in the ring.

Turner Reax: I’ve always enjoyed Eric Bischoff on the mic, but this program has got to go. Tonight’s crowd might be a savvy wrestling crowd, but I don’t think anyone anywhere is buying into this feud. Garett isn’t all that likable, in fact his confidence comes off as smug. Who is Garett even training to wrestle? Gunner? Ugh...

An ad aired for Storm vs. Roode and Mark Haskins vs. Austin Aries. The announcers then hyped Hogan’s appearance later in the night.

[Commercial Break]

A promo for the England native Mark Haskins aired. It highlighted some of his exploits in the industry, including his previous stint in TNA, and his fast paced X Division-style of wrestling.

2 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. MARK HASKINS -- non-title match

Mark Haskins came out first to respectable response, but they popped big for Austin Aries. The match started out with Aries getting the better of Haskins in the opening minute.

[Q4] The crowd broke into a huge “Austin Aries” chant that was acknowledged by Taz. In fact, they booed Haskins when he got on the offense. The two wrestlers attempting throwing each other out the ring, but both held on. Haskins went for a springboard attempt that was cut short by Aries, which led to him falling to the outside. Aries hit a splash off the top rope onto the outside. Aries threw Haskins back into the ring and hit a senton from the the apron for a two count.

Haskins hit a monkey flip on Aries, but Aries put the brakes on a second attempt. Haskins came back with a cutter maneuver for a close two count. Haskins went for a Shooting Star Press off the top rope, which he missed in a fashion akin to Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 19 botch. Aries capitalized on Haskins’s error with a kick to the face, a brainbuster, and then the Last Chancery submission. Afterward, Aries made his way to the back holding his title as Haskins slowly recovered in the ring.

WINNER: Austin Aries by submission at 4:46.

Turner Reax: That was a fun, fast-paced match between Aries and Haskins while it lasted, but that end was scary. I’m not familiar with Haskins’s body of work, but that SSP not only produced a scary result, but beyond that it didn’t even look that good to begin with. It seemed as if Aries took notice of what had happened and called an audible and ended the match a.s.a.p. If TNA takes anything back from this Wembley Arena experience I hope it’s the crowd reaction some of their wrestlers are getting.

An ad aired for Gail Kim vs. Tara and Roode vs. Storm, which was coming up next.

[Commercial Break]

A video aired for Brooke Tessmacher making it into the final eight of Hooters’s “Dream Girl Contest.” Hooters? Very classy TNA, very classy.

Eric Bischoff was shown backstage calling for a cab, only to have Sting come up and hang up his phone for him. Sting told Bischoff not to worry since Bischoff said Garett’s trainer was not coming anyways.

[Q5]

3 -- TNA World Hvt. champion BOBBY ROODE vs. JAMES STORM -- non-title match

Storm and Roode started the match with a stare down before shooting straight into a lock-up. The wrestlers exchanged hammerlocks until Roode caught Storm with an elbow to the face. Storm regained the advantage with a knee drop into a leg drop for a two count. Roode took a powder and left the ring as the crowd chanted “Let's Go Cowboy.”

Turner Reax: I do want to see these two go at it, but I don’t think TNA should be giving it away this soon. That being said, this is a huge crowd to showcase the match to and I can only imagine that there is going to be some sort of screwy finish in the end. Thinking about it now they probably booked the match with Bully Ray after this one to have the final impression be a decisive victory (that being Storm over Ray).

[Commercial Break]

The show came back with Storm chopping Roode in the corner. The announcers hyped next week’s “Star Wars” themed edition of Impact in the U.K. Roode took the the advantage with a shoulder tackle in the corner, followed by a front suplex. Roode hit a few kicks to the mid-section for a two count and then followed with a gut wrench on Storm. Storm scored with a roll-up for a two count, followed by the former tag partners exchanging punches.

Roode took to the top rope, but was a cut off by an uppercut. Storm then hit a top rope huracanrana for another two count. After taking Roode down again, Storm hit a top-rope elbow drop for a close two count. After an exchange of moves between the two wrestlers, Roode came out on top, putting Storm in the crossface. Storm rolled through and was able to reach the ropes.

As Roode went for the Fisherman Suplex, Storm reversed into an attempted Eye of the Storm. Roode escaped and hit the Fisherman Suplex for a two count. Roode tried to hit Storm with World Heavyweight Title belt, but was cut off by a Codebreaker from Storm. Bully Ray came out to distract Storm, which opened him up for a spear from Roode for the three count.

WINNER: Bobby Roode by pinfall at 13:54.

[Q6] Ray hit Storm with a Rock Bottom on the title, which led to Sting running out the ring. The heels then bowed out to the back as Sting helped up a dazed Storm.

Turner Reax: That was a lot of fun, and even though the match ended with a tainted finish, it was better than a disqualification victory. I’m starting to feel like all these meetings between Storm and Roode are teasers for when the two are allowed to go full tilt in their definitive showdown for the World Title. In that sense, I retract my prior statement regarding TNA giving Storm vs. Roode away too early with the justification being that now I want more and look forward to seeing them wrestle again. Again, the crowd is doing wonders for this edition of Impact.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- Knockouts champion/KO tag champion GAIL KIM vs. TARA -- non-title match

The match started with Tara shoving Kim to the floor. Tara hit multiple armdrags before hitting a scoop slam, followed by a standing moonsault for two. Kim got Tara in the corner and hit her with a high velocity splash. Kim used Tara’s bad knee to put her into a submission. Tara broke free, but was quickly put down by Kim with a clothesline. After a few exchanges between the two, Kim took to the top rope for a dropkick, but missed. Tara then landed a few strikes, followed by a suplex and a back body drop. Madison Rayne tried to get involved, but accidentally hit Kim. This left Kim open for the Widow’s Peak from Tara for the win.

WINNER: Tara by pinfall at 4:55.

Turner Reax: That was a pretty good match, but you can’t excuse the usual TNA referee incompetence as Earl Hebner just sat there and watched the interference, only to do nothing about it. Is it because it was in favor of the babyface that Earl didn’t make the call? Even at that, it doesn’t make any sense. It would be in the company’s best interest not to tread in this territory on occasion, if ever.

[Q7] Garett Bischoff came back out for his second in-ring segment of the night. Garett started off by thanking the crowd for supporting him through his family feud. As he was about to announce who his trainer is, Eric Bischoff’s music hit. Eric made his way out with Gunner and told Garett to give up the whole ordeal before he got hurt. Hulk Hogan’s music then hit and Wembley Arena erupted for his return. Hogan “Hulked Up” before he even got into the ring. Once he got into the ring, Garett and he exchanged blows on Gunner before Hogan threw him out of the ring. A “Hogan” chant broke out as the two babyfaces turned their attention to Eric Bischoff, who pleaded to Garett that he was his father and asking how he could do this to him? Hogan played to the crowd with a quick pose down before tearing his shirt off. Garett and Hogan headed to the back together.

Turner Reax: I thought it was cool seeing Hogan get a huge pop in London, even though between his return and Garett's trainer reveal hype, you could see this coming a mile away. Unfortunately, I think this was all circumstantial, as I feel the inclusion of Hogan in the Bischoff feud will overstay its welcome by next week’s Impact.

[Commercial Break]

Hogan and Garett Bischoff talked backstage about “TNA Hulk-A-Maniacs” and their disdain for Eric Bischoff. Hogan kept alluding to Bischoff being a marked man. He also said he was going back out to the crowd to sick them on Eric Bischoff. Interestingly, Hogan also said he doesn’t believe TNA knows how great they are and that their destiny and birthright is to be a thousand times greater then they are. Hogan said TNA is doing everything right and that they are on the verge of being the greatest company of all time. He also mentioned that he is willing to be the hood ornament on the ship that is TNA to “bust through the ice” because he “smells the greatness.”

[Q8]

5 -- BULLY RAY vs. JAMES STORM

Ray came out first, followed by Storm with his abdomen area taped up. Once the bell rang, Ray took note of Storm’s taped-up section and taunted him by telling him he was going to inflict further damage to his already injured area. Another “We want Devon” chant broke out as Ray took Storm to the corner. Ray trash-talked Storm, which led to Storm spitting in Ray’s face. Ray took advantage of Storm’s injury and dropped him abdominal-first across the top rope. Ray put Storm in the Camel Clutch, going as far as to fish hook Storm’s mouth. After a scoop slam by Ray, Bobby Roode made his way out from the back.

[Commercial Break]

As the show came back from commercial, Ray was slapping Storm across the chest. Sting was shown making his way to the ring with a paddle in hand. The announcers once again hyped next week’s “Star Wars” themed show and they talked about Abyss’s absence since the Genesis PPV. Ray kept attacking Storm’s injured area, shutting down any offense Storm tried to mount. Yet another “We want Devon” chant broke out. Ray missed a back senton off the second rope, allowing Storm to take the offensive.

[Over-run] After a flurry of offense, Storm hit a cross-body off the top rope for a close two count. Storm reversed an Irish Whip into the corner, which led to Ray taking out the referee. Roode tried to sneak in, but Sting quickly put a stop to it. Storm hit the superkick for the win.

WINNER: James Storm by pinfall at 13:48.

Afterward, Sting and Storm celebrated in the ring to close out the show.

Turner Reax: Storm wrestled two quality matches tonight, each one clocking in at almost 15 minutes. That being said, Roode and Ray more than carried their weight in their respective matches. If you would have told me that this late into the game that the former Bubba Ray Dudley would be a credible singles wrestler wrestling at the level he has been, I don’t know if I would have believed you. Overall, I thought it was a good television main event capped off with logical booking that helped TNA continue the trend of solid editions of Impact.

I really enjoyed tonight’s Impact, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the focus on Garett Bischoff. It’s not enough to drag the entire show down to a point where it’s unwatchable, but I can only wonder how much more effectively that TV time could be used. Didn’t Alex Shelley return two weeks ago? Where was he on the show? What about A.J., Daniels, and Kazarian? I can’t disagree with bringing Hogan back in front of the Wembley Crowd, but in his current role, how long is it before it feels tired and trite? Thanks for reading and see you all next week for Impact’s “Star Wars” themed show...yikes.

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