TNA Impact Results
April 17, 2014
Taped 4/17 in Orlando, Fla.
Aired on Spike TV
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

TNA Impact opened with a video package recapping Eric Young surprisingly capturing the TNA World Title from Magnus last week on Impact.

In the Impact Zone, Eric Young's music played to bring out the new TNA champ dressed in street clothes. In the ring, Young said this belt represents a lifetime of hard work. "You deserve it" chant from some of the crowd. Young said everything he's done has been building to this moment, then said he will be a champion for the people.

Young said things are going to change around here by having some fun and defending the title however the audience sees fit. Cue up Dixie Carter's music to bring up the former authority figure of the show. Dixie marched down to the ring with a big smile on her face to address EY.

Dixie said she knows this moment is possible only because of one person. Her. She said she made sure EY didn't get fired eight years ago and she invented the beard. Dixie said she made this fashionable before anyone else did and she should be receiving big, fat royalty checks from people ripping her off. EY responded that he thought Bully Ray packed her up and shipped her back to Nashville.

Young said MVP is in charge, so they don't need her. Dixie told him to listen. Listen. She said Young represents her because she is president of the company. "For better or worse, you are now the hood ornament for Dixie Carter's 2014 Ferrari," she said. Dixie told Young that he will go wherever Dixie takes TNA. "Um, I'm really hoping you have some puke bags in your car," he replied.

Dixie said Young may usually look and smell like an unemployed lumberjack, but she will not stand here and listen to him disrespect her. Young vowed to flush her down the toilet, which Dixie said is dishonorable and disobedient. Young bottom-lined it that if Dixie is looking for a paper champion, she's looking in the wrong place. Dixie then dressed down Young for not being a man of style, clash, and high fashion. She said this will start tonight when she gives him a make-over. And if he doesn't go for it, she'll go after Young's little woman. Young got serious that he's not going to warn her again not to go there.

Suddenly, Bully Ray's music played to bring out Ray. Ray asked for his music to stopped, then apologized to EY, and said he's sick and tired of listening to Dixie. Ray told her to shut up and said he's here to take out the trash. Ray said Young is a role model for every wrestler who has been held down by a loser boss like Dixie. Dixie responded by running down Ray's credibility as an advocate by stealing her money and double-crossing her.

Ray then reminded Dixie of what happened last week when Dixie was in the corner, he was over here, and there was a table in-between them. And Dixie should know what happens to people like her when there are tables in the ring. Ray said this EY's moment and time, so she needs to leave. Dixie took her cue via the "Na na na good-bye" song, then Ray told the crowd that Young is a guy to get behind and be proud of. Ray said he doesn't endorse many people in this business, but he respects and likes Young. Ray led the crowd in an "EY" chant, then Young's music played. Ray raised Young's arm in the air before Impact cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 9:13] [...Q2]

[Q2...]

1 -- KO champion MADISON RAYNE vs. VELVET SKY (w/Angelina Love) -- non-title Street Fight

Madison angrily took it to Sky before the match started, looking for revenge after Beautiful People reunited and dumped her to the side. Madison fought back, but Madison made a comeback and finished off Sky for the win, establishing Sky as the weakest link compared to Angelina Love, who challenges Madison for the title at Sacrifice.

WINNER: Madison at 4:50.

Backstage: Bully Ray re-congratulated Eric Young on his title victory and said he meant every word he said out there. Bully left, then Abyss confronted him. Abyss said he can't believe Young is champ, then vowed to end EY. Young told him to step up to the challenge. Young vowed to put the title on the line tonight, but in proper fashion in a Monster's Ball match. Abyss laughed in his face, then took the challenge.

[Commercial Break at 9:26]

[Q3] Backstage: Rockstar Spud approached Ethan Carter III in the hallway, trying to prepare to face Jeff Hardy or Willow or both tonight. ECIII hyped up Spud, then said Spud will end Jeff Hardy's career just like he ended Kurt Angle's career.

In-ring: MVP was suddenly in the ring. Major jumpcut. MVP said they watched Eric Young win the title last week after spending ten years in TNA doing whatever he was asked. MVP asked for a round of applause, then said the one person being overlooked in all of this is Samoa Joe. MVP said he was told by the TNA office that Joe is unavailable. He said they go back to the "indies," so he doesn't know why Joe doesn't just call him and they hash this out if he's disgruntled.

Suddenly, Austin Aries's music played. Aries said he is the most disgruntled man who ever lived. He said MVP has been avoiding him for weeks and making him sit home. Aries said MVP had a 10-man gauntlet last week, but he wasn't included. So, he is participating tonight. MVP said he came to Aries like a man and gave him a chance to be on the winning team at Lockdown. Aries said this is about MVP, isn't it?

MVP said since Aries wants some motivation and validation, he wants to participate right now. Clothes were removed, then Aries told him it's not happening right now. "Next week," he said. Aries said he will wrestle MVP next week and show him why he's the greatest man who ever lived. Aries left the ring as MVP eyed him from inside the ring.

Video Package: Eric Young did a voice-over on naysayers. The video transitioned to EY holding the TNA Title belt and being congratulated backstage after last week's Impact.

Still to come: Young vs. Abyss in a Monster's Ball match. For the TNA Title on a one-and-a-half-hour build-up.

[Commercial Break at 9:38]

And now for something different, a TNA Tag Title match was announced. The Wolves were introduced first, then TNA cut to D.J. Zema Ion ringside to introduce the tag champ Bro-Mans.

[Q4]

2 -- TNA tag champions BRO-MANS (ROBBIE E. & JESSIE w/D.J. Zema) vs. THE WOLVES (DAVEY RICHARDS & EDDIE EDWARDS) -- TNA Tag Title match

The Wolves controlled early on, but D.J. blasted the horn at his D.J. Booth over and over to distract the challengers. The champs worked on Davey for a while, then Eddie tagged in and lit up the Bro-Mans with single-on-double offense. Davey eventually jumped in and combined with Eddie for a double-team attack on Robbie. But, D.J. entered the ring and smashed his laptop across Eddie's back, causing a DQ.

WINNERS: Wolves via DQ at 4:57; Bro-Mans retained the Tag Titles.

Still to come: Bobby Roode's Open Challenge for a Tables match. Plus, Eric Young vs. Abyss for the TNA Title.

Somewhere: Jeff Hardy as Willow spoke in riddles about facing Rockstar Spud and Ethan Carter III tonight.

[Commercial Break at 9:51]

Last Thursday: Eric Young talked to a roving reporter about finally becoming TNA champ. Young said he is what a champion looks like because of his heart.

In-ring: Ethan Carter III's music played to bring out ECIII and Rockstar Spud for the handicap match. Willow's frightening music played to bring out Jeff Hardy dressed in his crazy get-up. The video filter changed to a psychedelic presentation of Hardy stumbling around the ring, running through the ring, resuming his victory lap, and eventually entering the ring.

3 -- JEFF HARDY/WILLOW vs. ETHAN CARTER III & ROCKSTAR SPUD -- Handicap match

Spud waited until ECIII subdued Hardy to tag in, then ran back to the corner when Hardy feigned attacking him. Carter went back to work on Hardy as Spud taunted Hardy from a safe distance. Spud eventually got too confident and tagged in, where he took a Twist of Fate from Hardy for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Hardy at 4:22.

Post-match: ECIII attacked Hardy from behind. Suddenly, Kurt Angle's music played and Angle ran into the ring to stare down a frightened ECIII. Carter hyped himself up, then went for a clothesline, but Angle ducked and German Suplexed him out of the ring. ECIII recovered on the outside with Spud while Angle slapped his leg to indicate he's doing okay after being off TV for several weeks.

[Commercial Break at 10:04]

Back on Impact, Kurt Angle was in the ring. TNA replayed Angle's return a moment ago, then Angle took the mic and said he is back. And the greatest wrestler alive. Angle said ECIII thought he ended his career, but his career will end when he says it ends. So, ECIII may have injured him, but he did not end him.

Angle looked into the camera to send a message to Carter that pretty soon it will just be the two of them in the ring together. He vowed to break his leg, arm, and ankle. Not right away, though. He's going to take his time. "Eeee - Ceee - Three! This fight will not end until they take out of this ring! Not on a stretcher. But, in a bodybag!" Angle said ECIII has been warned.

Backstage: Bobby Roode was asked about his feud with Bully Ray. Roode vowed to put Bully through another table at Sacrifice, then hyped his open challenge to anyone in the locker room, except for Bully.

Still to come: Eric Young vs. Abyss in a Monster's Ball match for the TNA Title.

[Commercial Break at 10:12]

[Q6] Somewhere at 4:30 a.m.: An alarm rang. It was Sanada at the hotel. Sanada spoke in Japanese, with English subtitles, about pushing himself to live up to Great Muta's legacy and defend the X Division Title. By 4:51 a.m., Sanada was running down the street. To Be Continued.

Back in the Impact Zone, Kenny King's music played to bring out King. Tenay wondered what this was about. King appeared on the stage dressed in street clothes. King asked the Impact Zone if they missed him. He said he's a little disappointed because for months and months, it's been the same with people asking where he is. But, now there's a new sheriff in town, MVP.

King said what here's to discuss is business sense. He said he has the skill set of Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, and Lebron James, but he's been on the bench. King said instead of wrestling MVP again tonight, he's going to commentate on the X Division Title series. Then, go after the winner of the series.

Tigre Uno's music played next to bring out Tigre, who is down 1-0 in the X Title series. Sanada was then introduced as the champion.

4 -- X Division champion SANADA vs. TIGRE UNO -- Match #2 in Best of Three Series for X Division Title -- Sanada up 1-0

Tigre dropped Sanada on his head with a suplex, then climbed to the top rope and nailed a twisting press splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Tigre at 3:33; series evened at 1-1.

Locker Room: Bully Ray was shown talking to someone hidden from the camera that he needs to make sure Bobby Roode goes through a table tonight.

Up Next: Roode's open challenge.

[Commercial Break at 10:27]

[Q7] Back from break, Bobby Roode was in the ring. Roode told Bully Ray to pay attention because the master of the tables is in the ring. Roode asked if anyone in the back is man enough to accept his challenge. Gunner's music then played to bring out the challenger.

5 -- BOBBY ROODE vs. GUNNER -- Tables match

Roode jumped Gunner before the bell, then knocked him to the floor, where the battle continued. Back in the ring, Roode worked on Gunner while a table sat in the background. Roode then set up the table, mocked Bully, and teased a piledriver, but Gunner back-dropped to escape. Gunner climbed to the top to splash Roode, but James Storm hit the ring and crotched Gunner. Roode tried to throw Gunner off the top through the table, but Gunner only grazed the table. So, Roode recovered and gave Gunner a Roode Bomb through the table.

Post-match: Roode and Storm teased a double-team finisher on Gunner, but Bully Ray made the save. Bully helped Gunner recover.

WINNER: Roode at 6:15.

Video: TNA showed various wrestlers commenting on EY becoming TNA champ. Included were Madison Rayne, Ethan Carter III, Willow in crazy mode saying EY is the greatest TNA champ in history, and Taz.

Backstage: Eric Young surveyed the weapons available to him for the Monster's Ball match tonight. EY said he's crazy and tonight he will show everyone how crazy he really is.

[Commercial Break at 10:40]

Backstage: Bully Ray and Gunner had a conversation. Bully said they're going to have a tag match against Storm and Roode next week.

[Q8] In-ring: Abyss's music played to bring out the challenger for the TNA World Title main event. Eric Young was then introduced to the ring for his first TNA Title defense.

6 -- TNA World Hvt. champion ERIC YOUNG vs. ABYSS -- Monster's Ball match for the TNA World Title

EY hit the ring with weapons in-hand and the bell sounded. But, EY's music continued to play. It eventually stopped playing as Young landed 15 corner punches on Abyss. Abyss came back with a trashcan shot to the face, giving him control heading to break.

[Commercial Break at 10:49]

Back from break, Abyss was still in control as the announcers talked about former TNA champ Magnus going M.I.A. since losing the title last week. Abyss introduced the thumbtacks, which EY tried to use against Abyss via piledriver, but Abyss back-dropped to escape. Abyss then went went under the ring to retrieve his Janice barbed wire bat. EY blocked Janice, then took Janice from Abyss, but Abyss chokeslammed Young into the thumbtacks. Young sold immense back pain before Abyss covered for a two count.

At 11:00, Abyss went under the ring looking for more weapons. Included was a barbed wire board. Abyss teased a chokeslam into the board, but EY bit, blocked, and dropkicked Abyss into the board. Young then came off the top with an elbow drop sending Abyss further into the barbed wire. It was good for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Young at 12:07 to retain the TNA World Title. They're trying, but it's Eric Young. Again, going back to last week, TNA wasn't willing to put in the time and do the hard work to make EY credible before putting the title on him. The title won't make him, either, since the title means very little at this point in TNA's history.

Impact signed off with a shot of Eric Young parading around the ring with the TNA Title as the crowd applauded. Young left the ring with a crazy smile on his face before Impact signed off with a final shot of Young holding the TNA Title.

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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