TNA Impact Results
May 2, 2013
Taped 4/25 in Indiana, Pa.
Episode #18 of 2013 airing on Spike TV
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Previously on Impact Wrestling, Aces & Eights took out the babyface roster. And, with no one left, Sting and Hulk Hogan ran through the group at the end of last week's show.

Arena: Todd Keneley introduced the show and promoted Sting's return last week. Hulk Hogan's music then played to begin the show. As Hogan slowly walked out to the ring, Mike Tenay gushed about Sting and Hogan running off A&E while Taz sold throwing up as Tenay described the events.

In the ring, Hogan said he gets it that things almost came to blows last week between himself and Sting. So, he needs to find out what's up with the Stinger. Out came Sting, who listened to Hogan request that they sort out their issues. Hogan said they almost came to blows last week and he knows when he's right and wrong, so he was wrong about taking out his issues on Sting. Hogan apologized and said he made a huge mistake by pushing Sting away.

Hogan extended his hand, which Sting shook. Before Sting talked, Hogan said one of the biggest mistakes he made was not pulling together to take care of Aces & Eights. Sting responded that they're together right now. He then asked Hogan to book him in a six-man tag match with two partners against Aces & Eights next week. Sting figured that would eliminate Aces & Eights somehow. Hogan agreed, then said he needs to determine a #1 contender.

Matt Morgan's music interrupted to bring out Morgan checking his crystal ball. He said this is the part where Hogan just hands this "jerk-off" another TNA Title shot. Morgan said that really worked out last time with Bully Ray. Hogan sarcastically replied that as he looks into his crystal ball, he does not see any more hand-outs around here. So, before Morgan showed up, he was going to announce that the man who will face Bully Ray at Slammiversary will be the winner of the main event tonight - Morgan vs. Sting. Hogan let that sit on Morgan, then left the ring, leaving Morgan and Sting alone in the ring. Sting stared down Morgan, then left the ring.

Video Package: Chris Sabin talked about blowing out his knees and going through rehab over the last several months. They included the soundbyte from Sabin about wanting to be TNA World Hvt. champion. But, first, Sabin returns to action in an X Division match next.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2] Locker Room: Kurt Angle was shown talking to someone off-camera about Aces & Eights trying to take over. Angle told whoever he was talking to that he issued a challenge to Aces & Eights and he will take care of the group tonight. So, who was Angle talking to?

1 -- CHRIS SABIN vs. ZEMA ION vs. SONJAY DUTT -- three-way X Division Title qualifying match

Dutt was already in the ring, Ion was on his way to the ring, and Sabin got a full ring entrance. Sabin, now with longer hair, soaked in the moment being back in the ring as the referee wearing a cabby/golfer hat called for the bell. Ion quickly targeted Sabin, trying to take advantage of his ring rust.

Keneley announced that Suicide won last week's poll with 69 percent of the vote to be next in title contention. TNA suddenly cut to the eye-killing, grainy, dizzying referee cam. A warning should accompany the director's decision to switch camera shots. Moments later, Sabin nailed an inside cradle Michinoku Driver for the pin and the win. Sabin then posed for the hard camera to indicate that he's back. Keneley said Sabin and Petey Williams are now next in line for a title shot.

WINNER: Sabin at 4:01.

Backstage: Robbie E. and Jessie were shown talking backstage. Jessie introduced a photo of Joey Ryan as their other partner to face Rob Terry tonight.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Bully Ray was trying to talk to Aces & Eights, but they weren't paying attention. "My brothers, do we have a problem?!" Ray asked before asking if they saw Hogan and Sting mocking them. "Nobody mocks us!" Ray declared. He said now he has to worry about Morgan vs. Sting tonight, but he's really not worried about either one. Which brings him to the real problem - Kurt Angle. Ray said no matter how many times they knock him down, Angle keeps getting back up. Ray said he wants Angle to be taken out, then told one of them to take care of Angle. Ray asked Devon who it should be, then Wes Brisco piped up that he will do it. Garett Bischoff, now with a beard, said he will do it.

D-Lo Brown then stepped up and decided he would do it. Brown said he will take honor in destroying Angle. As Brown went on, the camera focused on Bully Ray, who seemed unimpressed or reflective, hard to tell. Ray then asked Brown to swear on his colors that he will do it tonight. Brown swore, but the rest of the group didn't seem so sure. Back in the arena, Taz didn't seem convinced, either, on commentary.

In-ring: Robbie E's music played to bring out Robbie, Jessie, and Joey Ryan. Rob Terry was then introduced. Terry angrily walked back and forth on the entrance ramp before marching down to the ring as if someone instructed him what to do instead of moving naturally.

[Q3]

2 -- ROB TERRY vs. JOEY RYAN & JESSIE & ROBBIE E. -- Handicap match

The heels cut off Terry at the knees early on, then tried to work on him, but Terry shook off the attack and Hulked Up. Terry took out Joey, then double-suplexed Robbie and Jessie. Terry then finished off Joey with his one-hand pumpslam for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Terry at 3:34.

Still to come: Matt Morgan vs. Sting in a #1 contender's match.

Backstage: Austin Aries and Bobby Roode were shown walking down the hallway with their heads hung low after not being able to re-capture the Tag Titles last week.

[Commercial Break]

Tag Team Division Segment

In-ring: Bobby Roode's music played to bring out Roode followed by Austin Aries. The duo slowly made their way to the ring as Tenay noted they will be in a #1 contender's match against Daniels & Kazarian next week.

In the ring, Roode leaned against the top rope and named Kazarian and Daniels. Roode said last week they played mind-games and got into his head talking about re-forming a group called Fortune. But, obviously it was never about re-forming anything, just their jealously.

Aries took the mic next and said not for one second did he believe a word they were saying. He said those guys are best friends, but they are not. He said they like each other just enough to have a common goal of winning matches and titles. Aries said they are a team of World champions, something neither Kaz nor Daniels know anything about, nor will ever know anything about.

This led to Daniels's music interrupting to bring out Daniels. Kaz followed behind as they angrily marched to the ring. Once in the ring, Daniels said no one is getting blood flow in the lower region when Aries and Roode are in the ring. "He means boner," Kaz said off-mic like a junior-higher. Daniels then hyped their #1 contender battle next week. Roode angrily replied that they will do whatever it takes to become tag champs.

Suddenly, Chavo's music played. Chavo said he's tired of talk, talk, talk and blah, blah, blaaaaaah. As Hernandez stood behind Chavo, Chavo noted that Hulk Hogan has booked a special referee for next week's #1 contender match. Chavo said this referee likes to count in six-packs.

[Q4] James Storm's music then played to bring out Storm on-stage. Storm walked past Chavo and Hernandez as Taz noted they have a drunk female referee in ODB and now a drunk male referee in James Storm. On the entrance ramp, Storm saluted Chavo and Hernandez before glaring into the ring to stare down the heel tag teams.

Locker Room: Sting knocked on the door to talk to Kurt Angle. Angle said he's ready for Aces & Eights tonight. Sting then told the hallway camerman that he needs a minute with Angle. Sting closed the door, but the cameraman put the camera on Sting and Angle's conversation, which could be seen through a clear-panel window. Impact cut to commercial before Sting and Angle got too deep into conversation.

[Commercial Break]

Locker Room: Tara was shown complaining to Gail Kim about Taryn. Gail then complained about Taryn being all over the new Knockouts website. They both agreed to embarrass Taryn and Mickie James in the ring tonight. Tara walked off, then the camera stayed on Gail, who vowed to get the victory.

Backstage: Chris Sabin talked about getting back in the ring tonight. Sabin said he's had seven matches the last two years after wrestling non-stop for 11 years. He added that it was a great feeling being back in the ring.

Tonight: Morgan vs. Sting in a #1 contender match.

In-ring: Christy Hemme was standing by to introduce the next match. Out came D-Lo Brown representing Aces & Eights. After Brown hit the ring, Kurt Angle's music played to a big reaction in his home market. But, for some reason, TNA did not emphasize the big reaction by letting the crowd be the sound. Instead, it felt like just another ring entrance for Angle. Keneley said it's going to be physical up next.

[Commercial Break]

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES NEXT...

Alert: We're looking for your 0-10 score and comments on this show for an "Impact Reax" feature on PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Impact, email to pwtorch@gmail.com.

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