TNA Impact Wrestling Results
April 19, 2012
Taped 4/17 in Orlando, Fla.
Aired on Spike TV
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Thursday's Impact Wrestling following TNA's Lockdown PPV opened with a video package documenting the Lockdown main event that people had to pay for of Robert Roode vs. James Storm, which concluded with Storm superkicking Roode through the cage door to retain the World Title. They cut to post-show footage of Storm selling frustration and despair in his locker room.

Inside the Impact Zone, the show started with Robert Roode slowly walking out on-stage sporting his new short haircut. Roode sold the effects of the Lockdown cage match by limping down the ramp as fans booed him. Roode slowly made his way into the ring to begin a promo. Roode said although the appearance has changed (his hair), the Champ is still the same. Roode waited out a "You Suck" chant before noting he is still the "it factor" of pro wrestling. Most importantly, he is still your World Hvt. champion.

Roode went back to a promise he made a few weeks ago that he would defeat James Storm in front of his family and friends in his own backyard. Roode noted he made good on his promise. He said he has to give Storm some credit for fulfilling his promise of giving him the Last Superkick. But, that only ensured he remained World Hvt. champion. Roode noted he has beaten each and every hero - Storm, A.J. Styles, Jeff Hardy, Sting, and the list goes on. He said as far as he is concerned, there are no more heroes left for him to beat.

Suddenly, Mr. Anderson's music interrupted. Tenay noted that Anderson hasn't forgotten Roode popping him with a beer bottle recently. In the ring, Anderson told Roode to shut up. He then vowed to beat his ass, bloody his face, and take his title. Anderson said he doesn't need a gun, knife, or beer bottle to do it. Roode laughed and told Anderson that while he's been sitting at home the last few months, he's been here on Impact being the most dominant World Hvt. champion in company history. Roode told Anderson there's a whole lot of guys ahead of him, so go buy a ticket to the back of the line.

Next, Jeff Hardy's music hit to bring out Hardy fresh off his Lockdown victory over Kurt Angle on Sunday. Hardy limped down the ramp selling the effects of Lockdown as Roode and Anderson jawed inside the ring. Hardy slowly made his way into the ring before telling Roode that every obstacle is out of his way. Anderson cut off Hardy and said he was here first. Hardy told Ken that he's stating the obvious that it's his turn. Roode pit Anderson against Hardy, who told Anderson to listen to the people. Suddenly, referees hit the ring to separate Hardy and Anderson. Hulk Hogan then appeared on the screen. He told Roode that he wants him and the rest of the champions in the ring tonight. Concerning Hardy and Anderson, he told them they're going to be in the main event tonight to determine who faces Roode for the World Title at Sacrifice. Some jump-cuts later and Hogan laughed to himself while stroking his goatee.

Still to come tonight: Hogan's major announcement, Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles, and Bully Ray & Crimson vs. Matt Morgan & Aries up next.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2] Back from break, Tenay recapped the opening segment and plugged Mr. Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy tonight to determine the new #1 contender to the TNA World Title.

Impact Zone: Christy Hemme was center-ring to introduce the opening tag match, starting with the heel duo of Crimson followed by Bully Ray. They included clips of Crimson's Lockdown victory over Matt Morgan, who was first out for the babyface duo with eyes locked on Crimson. X Division champion Austin Aries was out last and he immediately stormed the ring to go after Ray.

1 -- MATT MORGAN & X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. BULLY RAY & CRIMSON

In the ring, Morgan and Crimson battled, continuing their battle from Lockdown. Morgan delivered a wind-up sidewalk slam, then measured Crimson for a big boot, but Crimson moved and Morgan ate the top rope. Ray then yanked Morgan's injured knee across the top rope to set up the heels for a two-on-one attack on Morgan. The heels continued working over Morgan as the Impact crowd tried to start at least three slow-claps to rally Morgan.

Crimson finally lost focus, allowing Morgan to cut off Crimson and crawl over to Aries for a tag. Aries landed strikes and punches on Ray, then ducked a clothesline from Crimson and landed kick strikes into a dropkick. Aries followed with left hands & elbows in the corner on Ray before Crimson accidentally speared Ray. Morgan then clotheslined Crimson to the outside and Aries went flying through the ropes with a suicide dive on Crimson.

Back in the ring, Aries smashed Ray with more high-impact offense, but lost focus playing to the crowd too much. Ray then awkwardly rolled up Aries, awkwardly hooked his tights, and ref Earl Hebner awkwardly counted to two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half to give the heels a tainted win. Post-match, Aries sold the finish with his trunks hanging half-way off his rear end as the heels celebrated on the entrance ramp.

WINNERS: Ray & Crimson at 6:06. Aries brought plenty of energy to the situation before falling victim to the typical TNA Babyface Failure Booking of playing to the hard camera before taking the loss.

Backstage: Garett Bischoff, with a smug look on his face, was shown walking down the hallway. He'll address Eric Bischoff next.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage Moments Ago: Jeff Hardy talked about needing his title shot, but then Mr. Anderson got involved. He said Hogan made a fair decision tonight to have them settle the #1 contendership in the ring tonight.

[Q3] Impact Zone: Garett Bischoff's music played to bring out Garett, seconded by his Lethal Lockdown tag partners A.J. Styles, Mr. Anderson, and Rob Van Dam. In the ring, Garett acted like Triple H hearing a loud cheer that turned into an RVD chant. Garett looked into the hard camera, then looked to his tag partners to discuss their victory over Team Eric. A.J. Styles then complemented Garett on having some balls putting a guitar over his dad's head. Garett tried to sell humbleness before doing a ball-juggling motion.

Suddenly, Ric Flair's music interrupted. Flair walked out on-stage and told everyone to shut up and listen. Flair opened by evaluating Garett's promo sucking, then said the talent gathered in the ring is there because of one person - Eric Bischoff (Bischoff was bleeped out). Flair asked Garett if he actually referred to his father as his old man before telling him he a disrespectful punk. He said Styles and Co. siding with Garett makes them look like punks, too. Flair advertised a party and tribute to Eric (bleep) right here on the show. He said he'll be hosting and drinking, then told them they're not invited. Garett and Co. sold mock tears not being invited. Flair noted he's pissed off, too, to close the segment.

Backstage: Kazarian and Christopher Daniels were shown in the locker room. Daniels said the secret he's been holding over Kazarian has never been about Kaz, but about A.J. Styles. Daniels pulled out a sheet of paper from an envelope and said he may have some answers tonight.

Still to come: Hogan announcement. Up next: Styles vs. Angle. But, not before a look at Matt Morgan's Direct Auto Insurance commercial smashing folks in the office.

[Commercial Break]

Back on the show, TV champ Devon asked TNA tag champs Samoa Joe & Magnus why Hogan wants them in the ring tonight. They had no idea, but they'll meet up in the ring.

Impact Zone: Hemme introduced Kurt Angle for the next match on the show. Angle, sporting a big t-shirt over his singlet, marched to the ring as the announcers focused on Angle's injured right leg. A.J. Styles, sporting black mortician's gloves, then came out to face Angle.

2 -- KURT ANGLE vs. A.J. STYLES

The match started with the two men dancing around the ring before locking up center-ring. Meanwhile, Tenay said Roode's World Title opponent James Storm has yet to arrive at the building tonight. Angle and Styles continued to feel each other out before TNA abruptly cut to break.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Back from break, Styles ran over Angle with a clothesline, then splashed Angle in the corner. Angle came back with a reverse whip into the corner that rocked Styles. But, Styles came back with a springboard forearm smash to the head. Suddenly, Daniels and Kaz were ringside. Styles then took his eye off the ball when Daniels hopped on the ring apron. Styles yanked the document out of Daniels's hand, then Angle suddenly rolled up Styles from behind for the win.

Post-match: Angle sold the effects of the match as Daniels and Kaz cockily smiled on the way up the ramp. Meanwhile, Styles put the document inside his pants as Angle sold frustration that the match ended that way. Styles continued to sell concern over the contents of the document as Angle tried to call out to Styles that he had nothing to do with the finish.

WINNER: Angle at 6:33. The exact same finish to the opening match. And, it looks like Styles is situated in another oddball storyline that probably won't end well for him.

Backstage: Joseph Park was looking for Abyss. Gunner had no answers, then told him to leave him alone. Park asked Gunner if he's familiar with the term default judgment. He said that's when a defendant - that would be Gunner - fails to answer a complaint. Park said he's not going anywhere and he wants answers. Hot-headed Gunner told him to go ask Bully Ray and get his hands off him. Two months later, Park figured out he should ask Ray.

Impact Zone: TNA tag champs Joe & Magnus came out to the ring, followed by KO champ Gail Kim, then TV champ Brother Devon. Hogan's big announcement is up next.

[Commercial Break. Hey, how did one of the 63s from "Alcatraz" end up in a random commercial on losing files?]

Impact Zone: Back to the show, TNA World Hvt. champ Bobby Roode was making his way to the ring to join the other champions. Tenay noted Roode demanded he come out last for the events. Of note, X champ Austin Aries made his entrance during the break. KO tag champs Eric Young & ODB were not in the ring; Tenay said earlier in the show they were on their honeymoon.

TNA cut backstage to show Hulk Hogan approaching RVD in the hallway. Hogan said he wants to add RVD to the mix in the #1 contender match tonight with Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson. RVD noted he never really lost his title way back about eight storylines ago. Hogan said he gets his shot tonight and told him to tear it up for him tonight. Hogan then entered character mode putting on his sunglasses before his music played inside the building. So, was the point that Hogan is a back-stabbing authority figure, making it more difficult for Hardy and Anderson to get a title shot?

[Q5 -- second hour] In the ring, Hogan waited out the crowd before leaning on the top rope to begin his address. Hogan said when he's right, he's on the money, and change is definitely in the air. Hogan said starting next week, things are changing around here because there's going to be a special episode of Impact - starting next week - called "Open Fight Night." Hogan said one talent from outside the roster is going to get a chance to wrestle, tell his or her story, have a match, and be judged by a panel of judges. If Hogan likes it, too, that person gets an Impact contract.

Also on OFN, anyone on the TNA roster can be challenged and that person must answer the challenge. In the background, Samoa Joe was mocking Hogan. Roode then interrupted and told Hogan to hold on a minute. Roode told Hogan this is his show because he's the World champ. Hogan responded that he called the champs out here for a reason. He said not only will be the roster be called out on OFN, but the champs need to be ready to defend their titles.

Gail Kim interrupted and asked Hogan who decides this. Hogan said he decides who defends their title. He said he really wants to hear what the fans have to say, so he asked them to tweet him, pandering to the audience. Devon then interrupted and said he agrees with what Hogan has to say, and he will be a fighting champion. Hogan said he's glad Devon has testified because the TV Title will be defended each and every week from now on no matter what. Hogan said he promised change, Open Fight Night is here, and everyone fights.

Hogan posed in the ring as the heels shook their heads, and Joe shifted his trash-talking from Hogan to Roode. Tenay noted the mixed reactions from the champs before Joe went back to jawing at Hogan. (This clearly captured the need for Joe's character to be defined.) Joe then posed with his Tag Title belt as the camera focused on Hogan and Roode in back and forth shots. After the announcement, Tenay provided a recap. Next Week: Gut Check. Plus, Open Fight Night once per month. And, on OFN, it's a guaranteed title match with a challenger chosen by Hogan.

Tonight: James Storm speaks. Tenay said Storm is on his way to the building and he will speak later.

Impact Zone: Hemme announced a Knockouts tag match up next, with Gail Kim already in the ring. Out to join Gail for the heel team were Madison Rayne, Sarita, and Rosita. Miss Tessmacher and Tara then came out first for the babyface team. Mickie James was out third for the faces, followed by Velvet Sky, who lost the title match to Gail at Lockdown. They cut to break before the match started.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6]

3 -- TARA & MISS TESSMACHER & MICKIE JAMES & VELVET SKY vs. KO champion GAIL KIM & SARITA & ROSITA & MADISON RAYNE -- eight-KO tag match

The announcers focused on a returning Tessmacher throughout the match. The action broke down before the finish, which led to the ring clearing out. In the chaos, Tessmacher scored a roll-up pin on Gail for the win. It looks like Tessmacher is next in line for a title shot against Gail after Velvet didn't get the job done at Lockdown. Post-match: The victorious babyface Divas mocked Gail, who stood frustrated in the ring.

WINNERS: Team Tessmacher at 5:38. Three out of three matches with the same roll-up finish.

Backstage: Mr. Anderson talked about the #1 contender match tonight. Anderson used sarcasm to cover his emotions over RVD added to the mix. He said he'll do whatever it takes to make sure he wins the #1 contender match to get a shot at Bobby Roode.

[Commercial Break]

Earlier This Week: Eric Young and ODB were on their honeymoon. EY had an icepack on his crotch, and ODB said people are going to talk about their wedding for years and years. Suddenly, a man walked into the shot and EY got jealous, accusing him of checking out his girl. EY then dropped his pants and told the random man to scram.

Backstage: A dejected and bruised James Storm was shown arriving and walking down the hallway.

Impact Zone: Tenay said Devon begins his TV Title defense series tonight. Out first was Gunner to challenge Devon for the title. Gunner slapped himself around on the way to the ring and in the ring, then Devon came out to defend the title.

[Q7]

4 -- TV champion DEVON vs. GUNNER -- TNA TV Title match

Gunner jumped Devon before the bell, so, of course, with this being TNA, the ref called for the bell despite an unfair advantage to the challenger. Gunner continued the attack, landing forearms to the back of the neck before landing strikes to the chest. The crowd was quick to respond with a slow-clap trying to rally behind Devon. This was followed by a "Deee-von" chant and another slow-clap. And, a third slow-clap all within the first 2:20 of the match.

This was followed by a "Let's Go Devon" chant as Gunner continued to work over Devon, who suddenly came back with a spear. Devon then led the fourth slow-clap of the match to fire himself up and made his comeback. Devon shoulder-blocked Gunner before delivering a Thesz Press into a flying headbutt. Devon orchestrated a fifth slow-clap before delivering another flying shoulder block. Devon then hit a spinebuster for the pin and the win. Devon should have just rolled up Gunner to keep the streak alive.

WINNER: Devon at 4:06 to retain the TV Title. A bit rushed and the crowd was a burden. The TV Title series is fine, but the title needs a lot of maintenance; I'm not sure having it defended every week will accomplish that objective.

Impact Zone: Exit Devon. Enter James Storm after a replay of Devon's finisher. Storm and Devon crossed paths on the entrance ramp, then Devon gave Storm a hug and sent him off to the ring. Storm solemnly walked to the ring, his emotions hidden behind his sunglasses.

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Back on the show, Storm was in the ring ready to address Lockdown events, but not before Tenay plugged the #1 contender match still to come. In the ring, Storm said he just wants to say some things to his family, friends, and the fans. Storm said he's sorry. "I'm sorry because I feel like I let each and every one of you down," Storm said. He said he believed he was going to win the World Title at Lockdown. He said when he saw Bobby Roode, he wasn't just trying to cause him pain, but hurt him. And, perhaps that's when he realized his ego got in the way. Storm said he was satisfied when Roode was taken away from Lockdown on a stretcher, but then he started thinking about whether he's good enough.

Storm said he had to take that long drive home and face his child, who asked to see the title belt. He said it took all he had to tell his daughter he didn't win the title. Storm said he couldn't look himself in the mirror either. He said he didn't want to see a failure or someone who let people down. Then, the next morning, he saw a man who was beaten. Storm said Roode may have won the match, but he did not beat him. Storm said he beat himself. "I beat me!" he repeated.

Storm said he's wrestled injured throughout his career (he also made light of wrestling with concussions) because he loves wrestling. Storm sold emotion before saying he just wants to thank his dad up in Heaven for still being proud of him. Storm said Roode said something to him that's stuck in his head. Maybe he was right about his luck. "Maybe my luck has run out," Storm said. The crowd shouted, "Noooooo!" Storm then dropped the mic in the ring and left as the crowd chanted, "Cowboy." Storm disappeared to the back before the camera focused on the mic in an empty ring.

[Q8] [Commercial Break]

Next Week: Open Fight Night and Gut Check, plus Ric Flair hosts Eric (Bleep) Appreciation Night.

Impact Zone: Back from break, Rob Van Dam's music was playing as Tenay and Taz tried to stay in the James Storm moment wondering about his future in TNA. After RVD made his entrance, Mr. Anderson made his way to the ring, but not before pausing on-stage for a mic drop introduction. Prior to Jeff Hardy's ring intro, TNA went back to an undisclosed date when Roode popped a beer bottle over Anderson's head, setting up Anderson's quest for a title shot.

5 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. JEFF HARDY vs. ROB VAN DAM -- #1 contender match to the TNA World Title

Once the bell sounded, the three men came face-to-face-to-face for a confrontation. Anderson then teed off on both men, but RVD knocked him down with a clothesline before back-kicking Anderson. RVD then monkey-flipped Hardy clear across the ring before back-kicking Anderson from the second rope. But, Anderson cut off RVD and went to work on both men. Hardy then came back with a Whisper in the Wind splash on Anderson.

At 4:00, the men traded finishing moves on each other, but no one could score a fall. Hardy then went to the top turnbuckle and landed a Swanton Bomb on Anderson. But, RVD popped Hardy with a standing kick to cut off Hardy. RVD then went up top for the Five-Star Frogsplash and he connected on Anderson. Hardy grappled RVD, though, only for RVD to turn a Twist of Fate attempt into a backslide. RVD maintained Hardy's shoulders to the mat, did a leg-split to add leverage, and scored a pin for the win. RVD gets the title shot.

Post-match: Hardy sold dejection as RVD celebrated the win. RVD then checked on Hardy before they replayed the finish, focusing on how RVD used his flexibility to secure the pin on Hardy. Back in the ring, Hardy and RVD embraced before RVD got his shine in the ring. (Anderson completely disappeared, putting the focus on Hardy and RVD.) Tenay plugged Roode vs. RVD at Sacrifice to close the show.

WINNER: RVD at 5:24 to become new #1 contender. Three-ways are a tired match formula, but this was fine for a main event trying to get a lot of star power in one match. Hardy had his "out" selling the effects of Lockdown against Angle, so he didn't lose much from the loss, and gained sympathy based on the post-match. Roode vs. RVD in a PPV main event has no juice behind it, so TNA has a few weeks to try to sell people on a match-up similar to Roode-Styles. (**)

***

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