TNA Impact Results
September 27, 2012
Orlando, Fla.
Week 18 of live spring-to-fall series
Aired live on Spike TV
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's live TNA Impact opened with a video recap of recent events focusing on the James Storm vs. Bobby Roode feud, Aces & Eights "kidnapping" Joseph Park to lure Hulk Hogan to their Clubhouse on this week's show, and the Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy feud.

Impact Zone: Mike Tenay introduced the show and plugged Aries and Hardy teaming tonight. Hulk Hogan's music then played for the first of an expected many appearances by Hogan tonight. Hogan walked out on-stage with baseball bat in-hand and pretended to take a batting stance before slowly making his way down the ramp to the ring. Tenay noted Hogan's had his hands full as of late.

Once in the ring, Hogan got down to business on "Championship Thursday." He said the first order of business is the TV Title. Hogan said he would like to see Devon still here in TNA, but they have to move on with a new champion after negotiations with upper brass didn't work out. Hogan noted Samoa Joe, Mr. Anderson, Magnus, and Garett Bischoff are his hand-selected four candidates. Hogan guaranteed a new TV champ by the end of the night.

Next order of business was the James Storm vs. Bobby Roode "debacle." Hogan said it's gotten too far out of control, so he's going to straighten this out via Street Fight at Bound for Glory. He said not only are they going to be in a Street Fight, but he's introducing a special enforcer next week, King Mo, which drew light applause from the crowd since most of them don't know who he is.

Hogan then moved down the list to Aces & Eights. Hogan said he's looking for a fight with Aces & Eights tonight. Suddenly, Sting's music played and the announcers freaked out, making it seem like Sting has been gone for months instead of just a few weeks. Sting, dressed in an over-sized t-shirt and black track pants, hit the ring and Hogan joked that he just borrowed Sting's bat for a second. Sting smiled, then said he is here to have Hogan's back tonight to visit the Clubhouse. Hogan said they need another bat, then Sting's music played to wrap up the segment and both men left the ring on their own.

[Commercial Break]

BFG Memories: 2010. Mr. Anderson talked about being in the main event on 10-10-10.

[Q2] Back live, Tenay plugged the Tag Title triple threat of Daniels & Kaz vs. Styles & Angle and Chavo & Hernandez at Bound for Glory.

Impact Zone: Kurt Angle's music played to bring out Angle, along with Styles, for an unannounced match. Apparently it's a Tag Title preview via a non-tag match. Tenay plugged Angle on the MMA show following Impact before Chavo Guerrero's techno music played to bring out Chavo, accompanied by Hernandez. After a pause, Daniels's music played to bring out the tag champs, who danced and gyrated on the way to the ring.

1 - TNA tag champion DANIELS (w/TNA tag champ Kazarian) vs. KURT ANGLE (w/A.J. Styles) vs. CHAVO GUERRERO (w/Hernandez) -- three-way match

Angle and Chavo worked together on Daniels early on, including a game of can-you-top-this? with corner uppercuts and stomps and kicks. Kaz then tripped Chavo from the outside, but Chavo thought it was Styles, who stated his case that it was Kaz. The commotion brought Angle and Hernandez to the outside to continue deliberations while Kaz retreated into the ring to join Daniels. Styles then wanted to fight Kaz, which brought everyone together in the ring. The ref tried to restore order leading to commercial.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, Daniels and Angle were in the ring and TNA replayed events during the break - the ref booted all of the non-wrestling partners from ringside. Angle delivered an Angle Slam on Daniels, then wanted the Anklelock, but Chavo broke it up. Chavo and Angle then had a disagreement, prompting Angle to pop Chavo in the mouth with a right hand. A clunky sequence followed with Daniels awkwardly crashing into Angle after Chavo dipped his shoulder. Chavo then delivered the Three Amigos suplexes to Daniels before Angle and Chavo had another disagreement. Suddenly, Daniels dropped Chavo with an STO for the pin and the win; Angle was too late to break up the pin.

WINNER: Daniels at 9:07.

Hogan's Office: Hulk Hogan was with Anderson, Magnus, Samoa Joe, and Garett Bischoff to discuss the TV Title situation. Hogan recapped needing a new champion and said four men are willing to take the spot. Hogan asked Garett why he should even be in this room. Garett said he's been taking an ass-kicking since got to TNA to prove himself and Devon saw something in him. Hogan said that's why Garett is in this room because of Devon. Magnus and Joe started arguing, then Anderson did his bit mocking people. Hogan asked Joe if any of these three guys deserve to be in the same ring with him. He said none of them.

Magnus said he has been champ all over the world, and Anderson said he just wants to fight someone. Magnus then presented an argument that he knows television and can represent TNA all over the world. Joe replied that no one can fight him or match up to him in the ring. Hogan had enough and cut Magnus to separate Joe and Magnus, who vehemently disagreed, then struggled to open the office door to exit the room.

[Q3] Backstage: Brooke Hogan walked up to Tara, who told Brooke that she's late. Brooke was set to give Tara her consequences, but Tara had to take a call from her boyfriend in Hollywood. She referred to Stacy Keibler and George Clooney, then hung up. Brooke told Tara she has to earn a future Knockouts Title shot, then Tara got back on the phone to tell her boyfriend that Brooke is annoying. Brooke took the phone and told Tara's boyfriend that Tara has to wrestle next. Brooke walked off with the phone, prompting Tara to complain that she waited in line for that phone.

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Christy Hemme was standing by to announce a #1 contender match to the Knockouts Title. Out first was a frustrated Tara having to go through the contendership process. Tara exchanged words with KO referee Taryn Terrell, then ODB came out with Eric Young to face Tara.

2 -- TARA vs. KO tag champion ODB (w/KO tag champion Eric Young) -- #1 contender match to Knockouts Title

Before the action could start, EY took the spotlight by doing his lock-up routine. EY remained involved throughout the match, acting like a child hyped up on sugar. Tara tried to get EY to attack her ringside to get a DQ win, but this brought EY's "wife" over to put a beating on Tara. Back in the ring, Tara sold a knee injury, which suckered in ODB for a quick pin for Tara to become #1 contender.

WINNER: Tara at 4:45. It's now Tessmacher vs. Tara for the Knockouts Title at Bound for Glory.

Up Next: The Gut Check judges debate whether this month's contestant deserves a roster spot.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

Last Thursday: Evan Markopoulos had one shot to impress the Gut Check judges, and lost a try-out match to Doug Williams.

Last Week: Bruce Prichard was more interested in telling Al Snow that he needs to decide whether he wants to be a wrestler or an executive having an issue with Joey Ryan. Pruchard chewed out Snow for being unprofessional with Ryan. He said now they have legal issues to deal with because of his actions. Snow said he made a mistake. Taz then walked in for the Gut Check discussions. Taz said he was pleasantly surprised by Evan. Snow said he has heart and desire. Prichard said he likes that he has passion and has shown the drive to get in the business. Snow said the problem is his maturity at 18-years-old. Prichard said they have to make a decision, so they'll review things next week.

Backstage: A roving cameraman asked Bully Ray who his partner is tonight. For what? Ray offered no such hint, then noted he looked good beating Austin Aries last week and the whole world wants to see him as TNA World champ.

Backstage: Hulk Hogan was with Joe, Mr. Anderson, and Garett Bischoff, who just looked goofy standing there. Hogan said he's good with Joe, but needs to talk to Anderson on facing the young buck. Garett claimed he can hang. Hogan cut off the talk, then said they need to cut to the chase. He claimed Garett has been on a roll since he started in TNA, but it's not his time. Hogan promoted Joe vs. Anderson for the TV Title tonight as the camera stayed with Bischoff, who frowned and slowly backed away. Red herring for Bischoff part of Aces & Eights or hint for the future?

[Commercial Break]

Locker Room: Bobby Roode approached Austin Aries to tell his recent rival that he is teaming with Bully Ray tonight against Aries and Jeff Hardy tonight. Roode reminded Aries that as long as Aries is World champ, he cannot get another title shot, so he's joining thousands of people rooting for Hardy at Bound for Glory. Aries asked Roode to get to the point. Roode offered some reverse psychology to Aries, then tried to get in Aries's head that Hardy is trying to steal his spotlight. Roode wished Aries good luck tonight and at Bound for Glory. "What was that?" Aries whispered to himself after Roode walked off.

[Q5 -- second hour] At the top of the hour, Christy Hemme introduced Samoa Joe as the first participant in the TV Title match. Joe made his way to the ring as Tenay reviewed Joe's history of title runs in TNA. Anderson was out next and paused on-stage for his mic drop introduction.

3 -- SAMOA JOE vs. MR. ANDERSON -- match for vacant TNA TV Title

Anderson charged Joe once he hit the ring, setting up a mid-ring brawl. The two men reset before locking up. Joe drove Anderson to the corner for right hand jabs before whipping him across the ring for a back elbow and step-back enziguiri for a two count. Joe followed with a hard elbow smash to the chest, then Anderson came back with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Anderson and Joe went through a series of counters, then Anderson wanted the Mic Check, but Joe blocked and applied a rear-naked choke center-ring. Anderson faded in the hold, then reached out for the bottom rope, but Joe grabbed his arm and pulled Anderson back to center-ring. Joe maintained the hold for a while, then ref Earl Hebner checked Anderson for consciousness, raised Anderson's arm in the air, and determined Anderson was out. Hebner called for the bell and Joe is the new TV champ.

WINNER: Joe at 5:16 to become new TV champion. The final submission hold sequence lost the crowd, but it was more realistic than we're accustomed to in pro wrestling. It's just an uphill battle when pro wrestling crowds have been conditioned to respond to certain sequences and not others.

Video package: Hulk Hogan's ongoing issues with Aces & Eights.

Backstage: Hogan was mid-conversation with Sting about their good cop/bad cop routine. A stagehand then walked up to Hogan to sign some documents for Bruce Prichard. Suddenly, a person maced Hogan and Aces & Eights hit the scene to attack Sting. They put a bag over Sting's head and stuffed him inside the back of a van. The A&E member with unkept hair grabbed a camera from the back of the van and offered a one-liner about them being sure to take lots of pictures. Impact cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q6] Back from break, TNA went to a replay from Moments Ago when the Aces & Eights group kidnapped Sting and took him from the Impact Zone. Tenay said they will try to stay on top of this story.

Tonight: Roode & Ray vs. Aries & Hardy in the main event.

Impact Zone: Jeremy Borash was with Taz, Bruce Prichard, and Al Snow in the ring for this month's Gut Check evaluation. JB brought out Evan Markopoulous to hear his fate. On the way to the ring, Evan did a slow clap routine. Apparently that's his gimmick. JB asked Evan if he feels like he put forth his best effort last week. Evan said no, because he lost, but he got his ass kicked and he is still here. JB went to Taz first. Taz said he thinks Evan has a big upside and he's ahead of the curve, and he would like to see him learn that in TNA. So, yes.

Prichard was next. He said he thinks Evan has a great future, but his answer right now is no because he needs more time. JB then offered Evan a chance to kick out. Mark cut a promo toward Al Snow that when he was born, Snow was trying to get into Smoky Mountain Wrestling and ECW. Mark said he is willing to get his ass kicked every night. He said he'll be like LaDanian Tomlinson and run with the ball every time he touches in.

JB handed the mic to Al Snow for his decision. Snow said Evan epitomizes Gut Check. He said Mark has the passion he's looking for, but he's 18, so he doesn't think Mark is ready, so his answer is no. the crowd booed as Evan tried to absorb the blow. Evan shook hands with Taz, then Prichard and Snow before leaving the ring.

As Evan departed, Tenay plugged a new Nickelodeon series on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Tenay fed to a sneak peek of the new show. Why do they ruin the classics by "updating" them to 2012? After the sneak peek aired, Tenay plugged the TMNT show again.

A&E Video: TNA was sent footage from Aces & Eights. In the clip, an A&E member unmasked Hogan and Sting, who were both seated in chairs with their hands tied behind their backs.

[Commercial Break]

BFG Memories: 2009. Magnus talked about winning his first title in TNA when British Invasion won the Tag Titles. Magnus said it was a huge moment for him at 22-years-old.

A&E video: Apparently this is the Aces & Eights Clubhouse. The main guy talked about Hogan and Sting being like Batman and Robin. He said who he is is not as important as what he wants. The person said the problem he's having right now is they were having so much fun until Hogan made their lives a little difficult. Apparently A&E has a very big budget with multiple camera angles and camera operators to document this.

[Q7] Suddenly, Joseph Park was spotted tied up on a table. The A&E spokesman said he wants Hogan to pick two of his toughest guys to face two guys from their brotherhood at Bound for Glory. Hogan booked himself and Sting against his two guys, but the A&E member told Hogan that this isn't about him for once; it's about Hogan watching what happens when he messes with A&E. The spokesperson said he picks two and Hogan picks two. If they win, A&E gets full access. If Hogan's team wins, they go away. Hogan said they have a deal, but the person has to let Park go. He said Park will be allowed to leave after the match because he's their insurance. Hogan told the spokesperson not to let anything happen to Park. The spokesperson chuckled and said they have his word.

Another spot for TMNT led to commercial.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, the Impact Zone was quiet. Tenay talked about a "very unique" situation with Hogan and Sting moments ago. And, they went to a replay of the modulated-voice skit before the break. After the video aired, the Impact Zone remained library-quiet. Tenay and Taz then talked on-camera about the Team Hogan vs. Team Aces & Eights business at BFG. They followed with plugs for Aries vs. Hardy, the Tag Title match, Knockouts Title match, and James Storm vs. Bobby Roode.

Backstage: James Storm said he's fired up about Hogan setting up a situation to resolve his differences with Bobby Roode at the PPV. Storm said he thinks it's great that King Mo wants to make a name for himself in TNA, but all he needs is King Mo raising his hand in victory after he kicks Roode's teeth down his throat.

Impact Zone: Christy Hemme was standing by to introduce Roode for the main event tag match. Bully Ray was out next and Bully talked trash on the way to the ring. Jeff Hardy was introduced first for the face duo, followed by TNA World champion Austin Aries.

[Q8]

4 -- TNA World Hvt. champion AUSTIN ARIES & JEFF HARDY vs. BULLY RAY & BOBBY ROODE

Ray and Hardy started things off, then Hardy tagged in Aries, who listened to Bully's trash talk for a while. Bully then tagged in Roode to set up another round of Aries vs. Roode. Ray then tried to help Roode double-team Aries, but Aries cut off both men. Aries followed by propping himself up in the corner turnbuckle to indicate it's Easy Street for him tonight. Ray and Roode yelled at him, then turned around to eat a dropkick from Hardy, who proceeded to do his hip-thrust dance toward Aries. Hardy posed in a corner as Aries sold annoyance leading to break.

[Commercial Break. They returned for a 10-second look at Hardy scoring with a top-rope splash for a two count on Ray.]

Back live, Roode cut off Hardy as he was on the top rope, causing Hardy to crash and burn on the top turnbuckle. Roode and Ray then began working on Hardy, who eventually tagged in Aries. Aries knocked around the heels, but Ray caught him with a knee to the back to send Aries reeling to the outside. On the floor, Roode sent Aries back-first into the ring steps to continue focusing on the back. Back in the ring, Ray and Roode exchanged tags working over Aries.

Aries eventually broke free and walked over to his corner to tag in Hardy, but opted not to make the tag and instead fight on his own. Aries clotheslined Roode, then looked at Hardy again and ignored a tag request. Aries followed with Last Chancery on Roode, but Ray broke it up. Ray then big-booted Hardy, who tried to make a save. Ray, Aries, and Roode proceeded to set up a spot where they positioned themselves for Aries to duck a clothesline and have Ray accidentally clothesline Roode. The action broke down, Aries had another chance to tag in Hardy, ignored it, and brainbuster suplexed Roode. Aries then backed away to his corner and Hardy tagged himself into the match. After Ray dragged Aries to the floor, Hardy came off the top with a Swanton Bomb on Roode for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Aries angrily re-entered the ring, picked up Hardy's t-shirt, and watched as Hardy celebrated. Aries then picked up his TNA Title belt and held it up in Hardy's face to threateningly indicate who the real champ is.

WINNERS: Hardy & Aries at 14:03.

[Q9 -- over-run] Backstage: Aces & Eights were shown returning Sting and Hogan to the Impact Zone. One of the members held out a knife and unconvincingly threatened to burn Joseph Park if they try to find him. Sting shouted that he's coming and bringing someone with him to find out where they are. Hogan calmed down Sting, then Sting untied Hogan as they watched as Aces & Eights depart in their van.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A dark, depressing Impact tonight. This show captured why TNA struggles to retain new viewers to add to their hardcore fanbase since Impact does not have an inviting feel, which can turn people away, especially people who aren't looking for a dark presentation of pro wrestling. Also, the show was presented like it's only for an exclusive group of people who require advanced knowledge of what's going on.

Meanwhile, Bound for Glory is still missing a strong attraction to draw in a PPV audience. Aries-Hardy for the top title feels secondary, Storm-Roode has been over-exposed, most TNA viewers don't know who King Mo is yet, the Tag Title match feels like a waste of Angle and Hardy, and there are currently no stars in the Aces & Eights deal to entice people to see a match on PPV.

***

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