TNA Impact TURNER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 2/9: Alt. perspective review of TNA in London Week 2, final PPV hype
Feb 10, 2012 - 11:43:15 AM
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TNA Impact Wrestling Results
February 9, 2012
Taped in London, England at Wembley Arena
Report by Scott Turner, PWTorch contributor
[Q1] The Star Wars themed episode opened with clips of George Lucas’s movies spliced together with the current feuds happening in TNA. Notably, Eric Bischoff was portrayed as Darth Vader and Garett as Luke Skywalker. Taz and Mike Tenay welcomed viewers to the night's second broadcast from Wembley Arena.
Bully Ray made his way to the ring and called Bobby Roode out. Once Roode made his way out, Ray demanded his music be cut off so he could question Roode about not watching his back. Roode told Ray to settle down so they could talk about what happened in the ring. The World Champion claimed that he always had Ray’s back, but the disgruntled Ray retorted that last week he had been stabbed in the back. Roode said Ray’s problem is not with him, but with the guy he had a problem with as well, Sting. Sting came out in street clothes with a bat in hand, and announced himself as the enforcer for the Against All Odds main event and then booked a tag match between Roode and Ray against Storm and himself.
A shot of Garrett Bischoff and Hulk Hogan walking together backstage was shown.
Turner Reax: That was short and sweet, and the Wembley crowd sounded pumped to hear that “The Insane Icon” Sting would be wrestling tonight. The teased dissension between Ray and Roode has me wondering if there are any plans to turn Ray face, or if it’s just an attempt to stir up some interest for the Against All Odds main event.
[Commercial Break]
A video package aired highlighting the feud between former Fortune members Daniels, Kazarian, and A.J. Styles. The video showcased Kazarian’s reluctancy over the whole situation and wrestling A.J. at Against All Odds.
[Q2]
1 -- A.J. STYLES vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS (w/Kazarian)
Daniels started the match going straight for A.J., and the wrestlers's initial exchange was won out by Daniels. A.J. got the best of the second exchange by sending Daniels to the outside. A.J. followed up with a flip over the ropes to the outside. Back in the ring, Daniels gained some offense and pulled out a foreign object that was immediately dismissed by the referee. Daniels sent A.J. to the outside as the referee made sure Daniels was not carrying any other illegal objects. Once inside the ring, Daniels hit A.J. with a leg drop over the ropes from the apron into the ring. Daniels went for a pin attempt, but A.J. instantly kicked out.
Daniels kept A.J. in a chinlock as the crowd exchanged “Fallen Angel” and “Lets Go A.J.” chants. A.J. reversed an Angel’s Wings attempt from Daniels and hit him with an enziguri. As Daniels made his way up top, he asked Kazarian to give him brass knuckles. A.J. regained the offensive and hit a springboard forearm from the outside apron into the ring. Daniels then reversed the Styles Clash and went for the BME, but landed on his feet, where he was met with a Pele Kick. The crowd broke into a “This is awesome” chant. Daniels then got a hold of the brass knuckles in the corner and hit A.J. with them as he went for another Styles Clash.
WINNER: Daniels by pinfall at 6:52.
Turner Reax: It’s always fun to see these two go at it. For the amount of time they had, the wrestlers gave viewers an entertaining match. That being said, had they been given even five more minutes, they probably could have produced something special for the huge Wembley Arena audience.
A backstage video aired with Eric Bischoff talking to Gunner about taking out Hogan “one knee cap at a time.”
[Commercial Break]
[Q3] Magnus and Joe came out to a good response from the Wembley Crowd. They seem to love their hometown guy, Magnus, and especially Samoa Joe. Before Magnus could speak, a “Joe's gonna kill you" chant broke out. Magnus claimed that he loves any time TNA goes to the U.K. He told the audience tonight “that this is England,” which got the crowd to pop huge. He mentioned he was happy to be home and then went onto introduce Joe, which got the crowd to pop big again. He spoke of the strange pairing between the two of them and about how people had their doubts, but at this point they had proven the doubters wrong. Magnus said they feared no team and that the only reason Matt Morgan and Crimson were only teaming because they were too scared to face each other. They claimed victory for their team at Against All Odds.
Crimson and Morgan came out to brawl with Joe and Magnus, and got the best of the them. Magnus was left in the ring with Morgan and Crimson. As they went in for the attack, Joe made the save and pulled Magnus out of the ring.
Turner Reax: Magnus did a solid job selling the match at the PPV with that promo. His promo was heartfelt, honest, and very well-received by those in attendance at Wembley Arena. In due time, I see big things happening for Magnus. Perhaps by that time, Joe will be on the right singles track as well.
A graphic aired for tonight’s main event and a three-way between Austin Aries, Doug Williams, and Alex Shelley.
[Commercial Break]
2 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. DOUGLAS WILLIAMS vs. ALEX SHELLEY -- non-title three-way match
Williams went for an early roll-up to no avail. Shelley and Williams teamed up against Aries and they threw him to the outside.
[Q4] Shelley and and Williams went at each other with Williams getting some offense in, but he was stopped by Aries. Shelley got Aries on outside again which led to two elbow suicidas, the first from Shelley and the second from Aries. Williams got Aries into the corner and hit a series of sick-looking European uppercuts. Aries reversed and tried to hit a superplex, but was stopped by Shelley. Williams came into play and hit the Rolling Chaos on Shelley for the pin attempt, but it was broken up by Aries. Aries went for his Brainbuster finisher, but Shelley countered with the Sliced Bread #2 for the win.
WINNER: Alex Shelley by pinfall in 4:00.
Turner Reax: Man, that was hard to cover. The action never let up and all three wrestlers put forth a good effort. This was another match that would have obviously benefitted from having more time. With that kind of action, I’ll take what I can get.
Another graphic aired for tonight’s main event.
[Commercial Break]
Sting, Garett Bischoff, and Hulk Hogan were all shown backstage. Hogan said he “didn't want to be weird,” and thanked Sting for helping him see who he is. He let Sting know he was a marked man and that the heels are coming for him and that he would do, say, or fight anything for Sting. As the conversation escalated, Hogan angrily asked the cameraman to leave.
Footage of testimonials from U.K. fans about TNA aired, followed by a backstage brawl between Tara and Gail Kim.
[Commercial Break]
[Q5] Footage aired of Tara enjoying her time at Wembley Arena before being attacked by Gail Kim. Kim laid Tara out by throwing her through a set of double doors.
A video packaged recapped Hogan’s comments from last week’s Impact about TNA being on the brink of greatness, which led to Garett Bischoff and he making their entrances to the ring.
Once in the ring, Hogan put his hand to his ear to get a rise from the “greatest wrestling fans in the world.” The crowd broke into a big “Hogan” chant. Hogan said he didn’t know what to expect after an 18-year absence from wrestling in the U.K., but was happy that the loyal U.K. fans reminded him that Hulkamania was going to live forever. Hogan said he appreciated the loyalty, but he wanted to ask a favor from the audience, to accept Garett Bischoff the way they have accepted him. He claimed from Day One that Garett had the business in his blood and that from Day One his dad has been in the way.
Eric Bischoff’s music hit and he made his way to the ring with Gunner. Eric asked Hogan who he thought he was and what gave him the right to interfere in his family business. Bischoff said that he hopes Garett’s day will never come and that it was time for Hogan to ride off into the sunset. With Sting’s blessing, Hogan announced that the “future of the business,” Garett Bischoff, would be facing Gunner at Against All Odds. Gunner took to Garett, beating on him in the corner. About seemingly five minutes later, Hogan “Hulked Up” and made the save, throwing Gunner to the outside. Hogan grabbed Eric and set him up for Garett to take a successful swing at him.
An ad hyped a trailer for "Star Wars: Episode 1 3D" airing during the show.
Turner Reax: No one is buying this. Even with Hogan’s endorsement, the crowd just would not get into Garett Bischoff. I wonder if anyone, anywhere is buying into Hogan’s endorsement? Also, is the trailer for the Phantom Menace in 3D the only tie-in for TNA to consider this edition of Impact to be Star Wars themed? Not complaining or anything, just saying...
[Commercial Break]
[Q6] Mike Tenay introduced the trailer for the Phantom Menace in 3D...
Ray and Roode were shown backstage arguing before they agreed to beat the team of Sting and Storm. Ray went for a handshake, but Roode insisted on a hug. As they broke the hug, Ray said “three days,” leaving Roode confused.
Hogan was shown backstage with Garett and he said he would have his back at Against All Odds.
3 -- MICKIE JAMES vs. VELVET SKY
The match started with a tie-up that Sky got the best of before James countered with a pin for a one count. James went for a handshake that she held on to to get the advantage on Sky, which the crowd boo'ed. James hit Sky with a snapmare and put her into a sitting abdominal stretch, then the crowd broke into battling chants of “Let's Go Velvet,” and “Let's Go Mickie.” Sky hit James with two knees to the face before getting laid out by a clothesline from her opponent. Sky countered a jumping DDT and, after a brief exchange, gained the win with a small package.
WINNER: Velvet Sky at 5:20.
Afterward, a video aired of the audience talking about Velvet Sky’s pigeons and TNA’s kindness towards their fans.
Turner Reax: As far as Knockouts are concerned, this was a big win for Sky. The victory should have been made out to be a bigger deal, but, instead, TNAa cut to a video package about the fans. Nonetheless, good effort from both women, and that might have been the most impressive I’ve seen Sky look in the ring.
[Commercial Break]
[Q7] A video package recapped TNA’s exploits in the U.K. that included all their top stars and testimonials from fans. Another video aired for TNA’s Against All Odds main event highlighting each participant as they made their case for the title. Ray had an awesome, but maybe "deprecating for the title" line about wanting to win to piss “the entire wrestling world off.” Hardy’s case for the title was that it was a trophy for all the hardships he’s overcome. Roode said at Against All Odds he would walk out as Wolrd Heavyweight Champion.
Sting and Storm were shown backstage getting pumped up for their match coming up next.
[Commercial Break]
[Q8]
4 -- TNA World Hvt. champion BOBBY ROODE & BULLY RAY vs. JAMES STORM & STING
The heels made their way out first, followed by James Storm, who received a great crowd response. But, Sting definitely got the biggest pop of the four, maybe the biggest of the night. Jeremy Borash provided ring introductions for the men in the ring, and Sting received the biggest the reaction with the crowd breaking into a “Let's Go Sting” chant.
The crowd chanted, “You’re a legend,” as Sting and Ray started the match. Right off the bat, Ray dodged a tag attempt from Roode, but told Roode he still had his back. Sting hit a flurry of punches on Roode and then hit a back body drop. Sting missed with a Stinger's Splash, but came back with a running clothesline. Sting then put Roode into a Scorpion Deathlock, but it was broken up by outside interference from Ray. Storm then made his way into the ring to help Sting send the heels to the outside.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Sting and Ray were in the ring, but Ray said he wanted to face Storm. Sting obliged and tagged in the Cowboy, which led to a series of armdrags into an armbar from Storm to Ray. The announcers brought up Abyss’s absence as of late ever since he faced Ray in a Monster's Ball match at the last PPV.
After a short amount of time, Sting tagged Storm back into the match. Roode got a tag from Ray and worked on Storm in the corner. Ray ripped off Storm’s t-shirt and proceeded to slap him in the face. Ray received a close two count after an elbow drop on Storm. Roode was tagged back into the action action, further attacking Storm for another close two count. Roode had Storm locked up in rear hold and put the brakes on Storm as he was about to break out of the hold before tagging Ray in.
Ray got in some offense on Storm, putting him down with a big boot to the face. Bully Ray then pulled a chain out to inflict further damage on Storm. Storm countered with a Russian Legsweep that bought him enough time to get the hot tag.
Sting cleaned house and hit multiple Stinger Splashes. Sting threw Ray into Roode and the corner and caught both of them with another Stinger Splash. Sting and Roode were left in the ring where Roode hit a spinebuster that Sting kicked out of. Roode went for the Fisherman’s Suplex, but Sting countered with a Scorpion Death Drop into a Scorpion Deathlock. Ray acted like he was going to break up the hold, but then dropped down to Roode’s level and told him he that he would see him on Sunday. Roode then tapped out to the Scorpion Deathlock.
WINNERS: James Storm & Sting by submission at 15:26.
Turner Reax: I read the reports of Sting being injured during the match, but didn’t catch anything that indicated anything of the sort. It appears TNA carefully edited that part out. Overall, this was an entertaining main event to close out another solid edition of Impact. One of the gripes I do have is that Sting’s in-ring appearance was not advertised ahead of time. I understand the element of surprise, but I think TNA would have benefited from promoting Sting’s in-ring return on last week's show.
Overall, I enjoyed this week’s Impact. I have been into the recent editions of Impact, but there is something to be said about the right wrestlers having the spotlight, but the storylines still not being up to par with the standards the performers are capable of. Thanks again for reading and I look forward to next week.
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