TNA Impact Wrestling Report
March 22, 2012
Taped in Orlando, Fla.
Report by Scott Turner, PWTorch contributor

[Q1] Tonight’s edition of Impact opened with highlights of Bobby Roode and Sting’s match at Victory Road. TNA teased that Sting may have suffered a concussion when he hit his head on the chair at the end of the match. They replayed some of the post-match happenings from Sunday’s main event with some of the more intense moments reserved for still shots.

Dixie Carter was shown walking to the ring from the backstage area before the introduction video for Impact played.

Dixie came out to a good reaction from the crowd. Once she was in the ring, she said, with a somber tone, that over the past six months Roode had disrespected the company. She said at Victory Road he disgraced the company, and after weeks of deliberation she had only one option left, but Sting’s music hit before she could finish what she was saying. Sting told Dixie he agreed that firing Roode was probably the right thing to do, but that it would be letting him off the easy way. He said that nobody, from Dixie, herself, to the fans, would be able to get the right kind of revenge as the crowd started chanting, “We want revenge.” Sting told Dixie that he had to talk to her about his general manager position, and that it just wasn’t working. The crowd chanted, “Please don’t go” as the show went to commercial break.

Turner Reax: I had a feeling either Sting or Storm would plead his case for keeping Roode in TNA for some sort of revenge.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2] Sting said that at Victory Road, the company came alive, and that he came alive. He said he realized that he could no longer be a part-time wrestler, and compete at Roode’s level. Sting said he was going to go away for a while to train, and when he returns that he will be a full-blown wrestler. He then informed Dixie that he would have to resign from his position as general manager, but that he would not leave her hanging. The crowd started chanting, “Hogan,” while Dixie looked Sting in the face as he told her that his replacement would be Hulk Hogan. He told her that she needs to give him the keys and to trust him.

Turner Reax: So, Hogan is running the show again? Does this mean weekly promos from Hogan about taking TNA to the next level? As far as I’m concerned, Hogan’s addition to the Impact television product as an authority figure is the extra thick thatching on the ceiling keeping TNA from breaking into the next level.

Backstage, Bully Ray said tonight he was not taking the show hostage, but rather that he would take hostages. He said that no one better stand in his way as he wrapped a chain around his hand.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. KID KASH vs. ZEMA ION vs. ANTHONY NESE -- X Division Title match

Ion went for a quick roll-up on Aries, which led them to the outside. In the ring, Kash and Nese brawled until Nese sent Kash to the outside. Aries got back in the ring and landed a sick slap to the chest on Nese and tried to follow up with a dropkick in the corner, but was stopped by Nese for a two count that was broken up by Ion. Ion tried to take advantage of Aries, but the champion was able to regain his bearings and take out both Ion and Nese. Aries hit a suicide dive on Ion, but was met on the outside by Kid Kash long enough for for Ion to get back in the ring and hit a moonsault to the outside on both wrestlers.

[Q3] Once the wrestlers got back in the ring, they did the Tower of Doom spot. Before any of the wrestlers could get back up, Ray made his way into the ring and took out all the competitors. After the match, Ray got on the mic and asked, “Do you know who I am?” before announcing, “I am Bully Ray.”

WINNER: The match ended in an apparent No Contest at 4:39.

Turner Reax: That was really difficult to cover and watch at the same time since it was presented as a spotfest that was given only a few minutes. TNA has been pretty consistent in keeping the X Division, itself, relevant with Aries doing an awesome job as the champ, and it’s not like this a step backwards or anything, but it just reminded me of how the division was treated last year.

Mexican America was shown in the parking lot as Josh Lewis from "Repo Games" was repossessing their car. He made them answer a series of questions before asking Anarquia to spell out Guadalajara to keep the car. Anarquia failed to spell Guadalajara correctly, which prompted Lewis to begin to tow his car. Anarquia made a case for being able to keep the car if Mexican America won their matches tonight. Lewis obliged...

An ad aired for the Knockouts Tag Team title match up next...

[Commercial Break]

As the participants for the match came out, Tenay announced that ODB and Young’s wedding would be on April 12.

2 -- TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions ODB & ERIC YOUNG vs. SARITA & ROSITA -- Knockouts Tag Team Title match

Rosita and ODB started the match with ODB knocking Rosita down with her chest. ODB smashed Rosita in the corner, but a missed a Bronco Buster attempt. Rosita tagged Sarita in to take advantage of ODB’s missed Bronco Buster, and eventually tagged Rosita back in.

[Q4] ODB made a comeback and was able to tag in Young, who did a few cartwheels, and then took his pants off. Rosita and Sarita tried to tempt Young, which didn’t sit well with ODB. ODB gave Young a verbal lashing, but then kissed him and threw him on top of Rosita for the win.

WINNERS: ODB & Eric Young via pinfall at 4:15 to retain the Knockouts Tag Team titles.

An ad aired for another segment with Dixie Carter and Sting.

[Commercial Break]

The announcers recapped the dissension between Morgan and Crimson. Crimson was then shown watch Morgan’s Direct Auto commercial backstage. He said Morgan was more concerned with launching his Hollywood career than with winning matches. Crimson said at Victory Road he took out the trash. He said that Impact next week it would be them in a match against each other. Morgan blindsided Crimson and laid him out before security broke up the scuffle.

Tonight’s opening segment with Dixie and Sting was recapped, emphasizing the announcement about Hogan. Backstage, Dixie said she didn’t know how to respond, and that she had business to tend to.

James Storm was shown was shown backstage walking to the ring.

[Commercial Break]

Jeff Hardy was backstage and said Angle beat him by cheating. He said at Lockdown he would be facing Angle in a cage. Before he could finish, Joseph Parks came into the picture and asked Hardy if he had seen Abyss. Hardy said he hadn’t as Parks looked up in disappointment.

A promo aired for Storm vs. Roode at Lockdown that highlighted both of their careers throughout TNA’s history.

[Q5] Storm came out to the ring in street clothes to a great response from the audience. He said football being only 18 weeks long, gas prices, and what Roode did to Sting and Dixie, was wrong. Storm said that his dad had taught him that a man who hits a woman is not a man at all. He reminded Roode that at Lockdown he would be in a cage with him and that he would be the next World champion before calling Roode out for a fight. Roode’s music hit, but an unknown man wearing a suit came out instead. He introduced himself as Roode’s legal advisor, William Kelly. He read a statement from Roode saying that he would be remaining at his house in Toronto, Canada until further notice. Kelly continued that Roode felt that management created an unsafe work environment for him, and that if Storm wanted a fight he would have to choose between wrestling Daniels or Kazarian. Storm said that he would take on both of them and then delivered a superkick to the head of Kelly.

Turner Reax: The video package highlighting the careers of Storm and Roode, followed by the segment with Storm and Kelly, was a good start to begin build to the main event at Lockdown. Storm’s kick to Kelly’s head looked particularly sick.

Angle was shown backstage questioning Hardy’s desire for a re-match. Angle said he never loses, which prompted Jeremy Borash to call him out about Garett Bischoff outlasting him in a five-minute challenge last week. Angle flipped and found Bischoff backstage and challenged him to a three-minute challenge tonight. Bischoff accepted before Angle told him he hates his guts.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6]

3 -- KURT ANGLE vs. GARETT BISCHOFF -- three-minute challenge match

The match started with Bischoff getting in Angle’s face until Angle slapped him, killing a minute in the process. Bischoff got on the offensive with a few clotheslines followed by Bischoff slamming Angle’s head into the mat for a two count. Angle threw Bischoff to the outside, which led to a game of cat and mouse as Bischoff tried to kill time. Gunner blindsided Bischoff and threw him back into the ring where he and Angle beat on Bischoff until Jeff Hardy made the save.

WINNER: The match ended in an apparent no contest at 2:33.

Turner Reax: Two no contests in one night? Youch. Aside from Storm’s promo, tonight’s edition of Impact has been pretty lackluster. Also, what is it with Bischoff getting the better of Angle? Furthermore, what is up with his signature move? It makes me cringe every time he uses it on Angle, who has a history of neck problems.

An ad aired for the TNA Tag Team title match between Mexican America and the TNA Tag Team champions Joe and Magnus.

[Commercial Break]

An ad aired for the return of the Motor Machine Guns...

[Q7]

4 -- TNA Tag Team champions SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS vs. MEXICAN AMERICA (w/Sarita & Rosita) -- TNA Tag Team Title match

The match opened with the crowd chanting, “Joe’s gonna kill you,” as Joe and Hernandez started the match. Joe and Magnus dominated Hernandez with some double-team moves until Hernandez found an opening to make a tag to Anarquia. Anarquia was able to gain enough of an offensive edge on Magnus to be able to tag Hernandez back in for a drop-down backbreaker. Hernandez tagged Anarquia back in to hit a double-team maneuver for a two count. MA continued to dominate Magnus until he was able to hit a desperation clothesline, buying him enough time to get the hot in on Joe. Joe made short work of Mexican America and put Anarquia into a rear naked chokehold. Sarita and Rosita tried to distract the ref only to be taken away by Josh Lewis. Hernandez tried to save Anarquia, but Magnus cut him off and threw him out of the ring. Joe and Magnus hit their snapmare elbow drop double team maneuver for the win.

WINNERS: Samoa Joe & Magnus via pinfall at 5:32 to retain the TNA Tag Team titles.

Turner Reax: That was quick and painless and it let Joe and Magnus shine. They are very popular with the Impact crowd, especially Joe. The match may have been a bit over-booked, but I get TNA wants to get the most out of Lewis’s appearance.

Hulk Hogan was shown backstage. When asked about being the general manager of TNA, he laughed it off and said he didn’t know what he was talking about. He said the only reason he was there was because he received a call from Sting.

An ad aired for the handicap match between Daniels and Kazarian against Storm.

[Commercial Break]

Mexican America pleaded with Lewis to not take their car. Anarquia tried to take a swing at Lewis, but missed by a mile. Lewis ended up leaving with Sarita and Rosita.

An ad for the premiere of James Storm’s entrance video for next week aired.

[Q8]

5 -- DANIELS & KAZARIAN vs. JAMES STORM -- handicap match

Daniels tried to attack Storm from behind, but it failed miserably. Storm was able to throw Kazarian into the ring steps, but the numbers game caught up to him in the ring as the dastardly duo laid it into the Cowboy in the corner. This continued for the duration of the match until one failed double team move led to a pair of superkicks that allowed Storm to pick up the pinfall on Daniels.

WINNER: James Storm via pinfall at 3:14.

Turner Reax: Storm just took a bunch of punches without ever taking a real bump, which seemed to be due in part to his recent ankle surgery. That being said, that was good win for Storm, but it begs the question of why was it so hard for A.J. Styles and Mr. Anderson to beat the team of Kazarian and Daniels at the PPV on Sunday?

Sting, Hogan, and Dixie were all shown backstage making their way to the ring.

[Commercial Break]

In the ring, Sting asked Dixie to come out to finish what they had started earlier. Once Dixie was in the ring, Sting made his case for why Dixie should trust Hogan citing that he had dropped Bischoff and was now the real Hulk Hogan. Dixie said that if Sting believes in Hogan, then she would stand behind him. Sting called for Hogan to come out, and he came out to about as loud as an ovation one can get in the Impact Zone. Sting said Hogan made believers out of everyone as the crowd chanted, “Hogan,” to close out the show.

Turner Reax: That was kind of an anticlimactic cliffhanger. I can’t pretend like I’m excited about Hogan being an authority figure again. Beyond that, they acted like Hogan was returning to TNA when he was just on television a month ago endorsing Garett Bischoff.

After a few weeks of solid editions of Impact, the show continued its downward trend that started two weeks ago. The show was still all over the place, and allowed no room for this viewer to catch his breath. Thanks again for reading and see you next week.

We suggest these recent related articles...

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/30: Final hype for Bound for Glory, Ciampa also wrestles on Impact, Dollhouse vs. BP, more; Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/23: ECIII defends TNA Title, #1 contender match, Hardy "quits" servanthood, two more title matches, more; Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/16: Team TNA vs. Team GFW for control of TNA, new Knockouts champion, more; Overall Reax