Impact Wrestling 2013

[cardsflyinhigh]

Been doing a new circuit on a different message board after toying with a possible new idea. A couple months in to the circuit, I really liked the way it was coming out so thought maybe I should bring it over here to my home board as well. Enjoy!

First, some backstory on the circuit and the starting point for those who weren't familiar with Impact/TNA at this time, which was right around where it dropped off in real life.:

Backstory

As the Spring of 2020 dawned, Anthony Martin sat at his home office, fresh off a zoom call with his fellow Impact Wrestling officials, fresh off a discussion on the steps the company should take in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting quarantines.

Impact Wrestling was in a good position. They were a solid No. 2 when it came to worldwide wrestling promotions and was seemingly gaining ground on the WWE with each passing month. In fact, many would claim the gap between No. 1 and 2 hasn’t been this close since WCW began its run in the mid-1990s.

While Martin was formulating a plan of attack, he couldn’t help think about how far everything had come. Not just how far Impact had come since he first joined the company as a writer in 2013, but how far he’d come in life from before a chance encounter with Dixie Carter.

It was February of 2013, Martin had achieved a great deal of professional success as an award-winning sports writer in Southwest Ohio. He was flying to a conference with some top industry professionals in Orlando, but his flight from Cincinnati had a layover in Charlotte. For some reason, he felt it necessary to book himself a flight with a 3 hour layover. He decided to spend it in an Airport Bar.

The bar was surprisingly crowded for 10 a.m., but Martin found himself a seat next to a woman who looked familiar, but couldn’t place at first. The woman asked Martin about a shirt he was wearing from an old TNA tag team, Beer Money. Not too long later, Martin discovered he was sitting next to Dixie Carter.

Turns out, both Martin and Carter were waiting for the same flight to Orlando. They talked about the current state of the TNA, Impact Wrestling brand, which frankly wasn’t great. Martin shared a story about a fantasy TNA circuit he booked focusing on 2007-10, sharing a forum link with Dixie that showed his vision. She was impressed.

The two kept in contact into the fall of 2013. Hulk Hogan, who had been running the promotion with a heavy hand in its creative, was on his way out the door, his contract up. Eric Bischoff was set to depart soon as well. Needing some fresh blood to reinvigorate the TNA product, Carter reached out to Martin.

Martin accepted the writing job with the company, starting with their flagship PPV, Bound for Glory. Over the next few years, Martin’s creative would lead the company, not just back from the grave it was digging for itself, but to new heights not even matched during its peak run. Martin moved up the ladder in the company to head of creative, and eventually executive VP.

This is the story of his Impact Wrestling

THE STARTING POINT

Hulk Hogan had just left the company, which many would argue was the best thing for it at the time. Going into Bound for Glory, Bully Ray, leader of the Aces and Eights faction, was world champion. He was scheduled to defend his title against A.J. Styles, who many call the franchise of TNA, but his contract was coming up and he had yet to resign. A.J. has been very vocal against Dixie Carter and her running of the company. Dixie event went as far as putting a bounty on Styles recently that went uncollected.

Styles recently won the Bound for Glory series that gave a world title shot to the winner. Styles said he feels obligated to compete for the world despite not being employed by the company any longer.

As for Bully Ray’s Aces and Eights, the group has seen its numbers dwindle recently as result of its rivalry with the Main Event Mafia over the summer and other factors. Most recently, Mr. Anderson questioned Bully Ray for being more dedicated to his girlfriend Brooke than the group so Ray responded by kicking him out. Wes Brisco was kicked out after losing a match. The once mighty group was now down to Ray, Brooke, Garrett Bischoff and Knux.

The World Tag Team champions were the team of Gunner and James Storm. Tonight their will be a tag team gauntlet on the pre show featuring the BroMans (Jessie Godderz and Robbie E.), Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) Eric Young and Joseph Park, and Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez with the winners to face Gunner and Storm later in the night.

X-Division Champ Manik will defend against Austin Aries, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy and Chris Sabin in an ultimate X match. Sabin had recently turned heel, claiming Manik refused to show Sabin the respect he deserves as an X Division legend.

ODB is the current knockouts champion. She is involved in a 3-way match tonight against Gail Kim and Brooke.

Robert Roode has been allying with Bad Influence, calling their group EGO (Extraordinary Gentlemen’s Organization). After losing to Magnus in the Bound for Glory semifinals, Roode came back and cost Magnus the finals against Styles. Magnus challenged EGO to a 3-on-1 gauntlet match, beating Daniels and Kazarian but losing to Roode. In response, Magnus felt dejected about missing his shot to which former Main Event Mafia partner Sting tried to console him. Magnus took offense, saying Sting couldn’t understand his frustrations cause he’s accomplished so much. Sting countered by challenging Magnus to a match giving him a chance to prove he can be a real main event level player. That match is happening tonight.

Meanwhile, Kurt Angle was announced as the latest member to the TNA Hall of Fame, which Roode called a joke. Roode mocked Angle for weeks setting up their Bound for Glory match.

Finally, for weeks we’ve been seeing vignettes for a new wrestler named Ethan. “Ethan is coming!” It was revealed that Ethan is actually Ethan Carter III, or EC3. He will have his debut match tonight.

[LillaThrilla]

Seems like a good place to start. Remarkable that with only a few circuits being posted these days two of them are Impact!

[cardsflyinhigh]

BOUND FOR GLORY (October 20, 2013)
Viejas Arena -- San Diego, California

Mike Tenay and Taz welcome us to San Diego for Bound for Glory, Impact Wrestling’s premier event of the year. In the corner of the screen is a countdown clock ticking under 30 minutes until the show starts.

They run down the card starting with the main event, Bully Ray, President of Aces and Eights puts his World Heavyweight Title on the line against AJ Styles. Styles won the Bound for Glory Series but in the process, heavily criticized Owner Dixie Carter’s running of the promotion. Taz, an Aces and Eights member himself, reminds us that AJ Styles’ contract is up, and that every Impact fan should be pulling for Bully Ray tonight, a true TNA hero.

Sting had challenged his good friend Magnus to a match tonight. Tenay says he likes Sting’s plan to try to bring the best out of someone who might be the future of this company. Taz disagrees, saying Sting is being selfish and just trying to hold down a promising future star.

The X Division title, currently held by Manik, will be on the line in an Ultimate X match against three former X champs Chris Sabin, Samoa Joe and Austin Aries, and Jeff Hardy. Tenay picks Hardy in the match, while Taz goes with Sabin cause he likes his change in attitude in recent weeks.

Also tonight, Bobby Roode faces Curt Angle, ODB puts her knockouts title on the line against Gail Kim and Brooke, and Ethan Carter III makes his long awaited debut.

Also Gunner and James Storm defend their world tag team titles against the winner of a tag team gauntlet match, starting right now …

Gauntlet match for a shot at the World Tag Team Titles

Eric Young and his partner Joseph Park are first out for the Gauntlet match. Meeting them to open the match is the team of Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez.

Both teams seem evenly matched with one small, quick member and one powerhouse. Although, Hernandez’s vast experience edge over Park had his team in a good spot. But in a stunner, Park was able to roll up Chavo to keep his team moving.

Bad Influence, the team of Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian, danced their way to the ring next. They’ve had some issues with Young and Park lately and were more than glad to face them after Chavo and Hernandez had softened them up.

Bad Influence took advantage of their advantageous draw. They double teamed Park on the outside, whipping him into the steps. They then went back in the right and hit a double team on Young and get the pin.

Park on the outside was busted open, but that seemed to ignite something in him. After letting out a primal scream, he rushed back into the ring and channelled his brother, Abyss, hitting Black Hole Slams on both Daniels and Kazarian, leaving them laid out as he and Young went to the back.

Next out was Robbie E and Jesse Godderz, The BroMans, excited because they were believing they were the final team. They came to the ring and easily pinned a still layed-out Daniels, and began celebrating thinking they were going on to wrestle for the titles. However, music began to play and the BroMans began looking around confused.

Out stepped Cedric Alexander and Caprice Coleman, collectively known as C&C Wrestling Factory. Both Tenay and Taz were shocked, neither knowing there was a fifth team entered in the gauntlet. The BroMans protested but the official word was handed down, C&C was the fifth and final team entering the match.

The final two teams put on quite a good match, and maybe it was the element of surprise giving them the edge, but C&C prevailed, moving on to face Gunner & Storm on the main card.

Eric Young and Joseph Park defeated Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez when Park pinned Guerrero after a roll up in 6:28.
Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) defeated Eric Young and Joseph Park when Daniels pinned Young in 9:48.
The BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz) when Robbie pinned Daniels in 11:32.
C&C Wrestling Factory (Cedric Alexander and Caprice Coleman) defeated The BroMans when Coleman pinned Godderz in 21:45

Coleman and Alexander celebrated their win going to the back, Tenay and Taz got set to welcome in the main show while the BroMans came past the broadcast location protesting saying they were supposed to be the last team. Tenay shooed them away and the intro for Bound of Glory hits.

ULTIMATE X MATCH FOR THE X DIVISION TITLE
Manik © vs. Chris Sabin vs. Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy

With so much X Division royalty in the match, you had to figure the match to be non-stop action and that’s basically what you got.

Samoa Joe had some things that the others didn’t , size and strength to match his agility and athleticism. However, throughout history, Samoa Joe has had trouble, because of that size, in Ultimate X matches and this time proved to be no different. There were a couple times he had everyone else down and out, but couldn’t make the climb to the belt in the center of the ring.

Jeff Hardy ended up taking Joe, and himself, out of the match. As Joe laid on a table on the floor, Hardy climbed to the top of the extended corner post, diving off and swantoning Joe through the table.

Manik was well positioned to make the crawl across the cable to grab the belt. Chris Sabin was the only one left standing in the ring, but had no way to get up to stop him. So Sabin went and grabbed a few chairs, tossing them up in the air to where they hit Manik until he eventually fell. Sabin went to go start his climb. The two started swinging chairs at each other before each trying to make a climb. It was an even race, but once they got close to each other and the belt, they focused on each other, not seeing Austin Aries climb up the other side. Aries held the cables swinging his legs out kicking both, one with each leg until they eventually fell off, leaving Aries a clear path to get to the belt and win the match.

Ultimate X Match:
Austin Aries defeated Manik, Chris Sabin, Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy in 18:43.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Austin Aries won the IMPACT WRESTLING X DIVISION TITLE.)

Sabin and Manik weren’t done with each other, fighting back up the ramp. Aries celebrated with his belt, exhausted from the match and not seeing Kenny King come in behind him.

King grabbed one of the chairs left in the ring and smacked the unsuspecting Aries in the back with it. He hit his Royal Flush move on Aries and grabbed the title over Aries’ body. King shouted into the camera, “You think you can keep me out of this match? You all afraid. Afraid of Kenny King taking out your heros. It’s my time now!”

King then took Aries’ newly won title belt and walked out with it.

WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Gunner & James Storm © vs. C&C Wrestling Factory

Despite already wrestling once tonight, Impact Wrestling’s newest team, C&C Wrestling Factory, had a lot left in their tank to give the champions quite a challenge.

They might have even won the match if it weren’t for the BroMans. Robbie and Godderz snuck back out to ringside. With Coleman against the ropes, Robbie, hiding out of view, grabbed hold of Coleman’s leg, leaving him a sitting duck for a James Storm Last Call superkick.

Gunner and James Storm defeated C&C Wrestling Factory (Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander) when Storm pinned Coleman after the Last Call in 11:13.
Rating: ** ¾
(Gunner and James Storm retained the IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES.)

While getting ready for the upcoming Knockouts title match, Brooke, girlfriend of Aces and Eights President Bully Ray, tried to recruit support. Bully, however, said the group can’t spare a single body as everyone needs to be getting ready to help Ray in his title match against AJ Styles. But before she left, he did slap her on her butt and told her to bring that title home.

KNOCKOUTS TITLE MATCH
ODB © vs. Gail Kim vs. Brooke

Midway through the match, the ref got knocked out, getting himself on the wrong end of a reverse whip as ODB crashed into him in the corner. While he was down, Lei’D Tapa, a gigantic beast of a knockout that has been going after ODB in recent weeks, made her way to the aisle. ODB charged to meet her, only to be met with a big boot to the face then a powerslam on the ramp.

Tapa continued to march to the ring when Brooke tried coming off the top rope after her, only to be caught and powerbombed into the ring. At that moment, the ref began crawling back into the ring, right whe Gail Kim pinned the prone Brooke.

Triangle match
Gail Kim beat ODB and Brooke in 10:19.
Rating: **
(Gail Kim won the IMPACT WRESTLING KNOCKOUTS TITLE.)

After the match was official, Tapa climbed into the ring and stared down Kim, only to raise her hand in victory.

KURT ANGLE VS. BOBBY ROODE

The feud between these two has been built on disrespect. Roode made a mockery of the announcement of Kurt Angle getting into the Hall of Fame by inducting himself into the EGO Hall of Fame.

Angle has been hesitant about accepting the induction saying he wasn’t wrestling at a hall of fame level. But he took Roode’s mockery as motivation, reigniting the fire in him.

Angle wanted this win bad, maybe too bad.

He went for perhaps one high risk move too many. Angle had Roode in his Ankle Lock, but Roode got to the ropes after quite a while. Roode slithered out to the floor to try and regroup, but Angle went to the top rope. He went for a moonsault, only to have Roode move out of the way as Angle crashed to the floor.

For good measure, when Angle was getting up, Roode got him from behind with a Northern Lariat. He rolled Angle back into the ring and brought out his new finisher, the Roode Bomb, to put Angle away.

Bobby Roode pinned Kurt Angle after the Roode Bomb in 20:41.
Rating: ****

Roode gloated as he left ringside. Angle meanwhile, was helped back by officials holding his neck.

ETHAN CARTER’S DEBUT

Dixie Carter, Impact Wrestling owner, came to the ring next to announce what she called a momentus night in wrestling history. Her nephew, Ethan, makes his debut. She said she searched all corners of the globe to bring in an opponent worthy of facing Ethan at the biggest invent of the year. First she announces his opponent, none other than Norv Fernum!!

A tall, but rather scrawny man comes out in plain trunks and struggles to get into the ring.

Then the house lights dim and strobes start scanning the arena. Giant pyro letters E, T, H, A and N light up on the stage. A grand spectacle to be sure. Finally, Ethan appears.

He comes to the ring, a fine physical specimen. He made short work of Fernum, controlling all the offense for the short while the match lasted.

Ethan Carter III pinned Norv Fernum after the 1 percenter in 3:12.
Rating: * ½

Before the next match, Jeremy Borash is interviewing Magnus. Borash asked Magnus what he thinks Sting’s goal was in making this challenge. Magnus replied that he has nothing but respect for Sting and all he has accomplished in his career. He thinks Sting is looking for that person he can pass the torch to and be the industry leader Sting has been. Magnus says its up to him to prove to Sting he’s the one.

MAGNUS VS. STING

Two good friends led to a lot of shows of class and sportsmanship in the early stages of the match. But as the match went longer, those kinda flew out the window. Mangus wanted desperately to prove he’s a top calibur performer; Sting wanted to prove he’s not done yet in this business. Each’s desire drove them in the contest.

Magnus had the upperhand for a while, but couldn’t put Sting away. After the match turned in Sting’s favor, it was the same tale. Frustrations started to mount when neither could gain the decisive pin.

Sting took control late, had Magnus set up for the Stinger Splash in the corner, but Magnus caught Sting coming in and dumped him over the top rope. The referee went outside to check on Sting, but Magnus wasn’t stopping. Magnus leapt over the top rope and crashed down on both Sting AND the ref. This led to a moment of unity almost as both Magnus and Sting put aside their heated contest to check on the referee. You could see the concern on both wrestlers’ faces. But the look on Magnus’ face soon changed. While Sting was checking on the ref, Magnus reached under the ring and pulled out a baseball bat.

Magnus smack Sting right across the back with the bat. Sting turned around with a look of shock in his face. You could see him mouth “What are you doing?” The answer was Magnus jabbing the bat right in between Sting’s eyes. Then repeatedly he came down across Sting’s back several more times before eventually rolling an unconscious Sting back into the ring. Mangus then went to the ref, shook him to revive him. He got back in the ring and covered the motionless Sting and got the 1,2,3.

Magnus pinned Sting in 15:22.
Rating: *** ½

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
Bully Ray © vs. AJ Styles

Just before tonight’s main event, Dixie Carter proclaimed this match would be No Disqualifications.

Bully looked to take advantage of the new stipulation to the fullest, trying to go for his weapon of choice, his hammer, only to get kicked in the face by AJ and the hammer fly away.

Dixie tried to go as far as handing Bully weapons, but they all seemed to backfire. She handed him a chair and AJ came from the outside with a springboard forearm that drove the chair back into Bully’s face.

AJ showed he can work in a No DQ setting quite well himself, using a chair and anything else he could find. That at one point included a 450 splash that sent Bully Ray through a table. He set Bully up for the Styles Clash, but Bully backdropped Styles over the top rope.

Bully motioned for his Aces and Eights buddies to come down to the ring, but no one came and Bully looked puzzled at first, which quickly changed to anger. But there proved to be a reason why no one came to his aid. The camera in the back showed both Garrett Bischoff and Knux out cold in a tore up locker room. Bully was shocked.

That distraction let AJ get back into the match. Catching Bully with another chair shot and another kick to the head. AJ then went outside and came back with a springboard somersault splash, the same move he won his last TNA world title with over four years ago. It served him well again, he got the pin and much to Dixie Carter’s chagrin, AJ was awarded the World Heavyweight title.

The show closed with AJ going through the crowd in celebration.

AJ Styles pinned Bully Ray after a springboard somersault splash in 21:03.
Rating: *** ¾

[cardsflyinhigh]

Impact Wrestling
Oct. 24, 2013
Maverik Center (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Impact opens up with a musical montage of highlights from Bound For Glory including the debut of C&C Wrestling Factory, Joseph Park snapping and hitting Black Hole Slams on Bad Influence, Bobby Roode getting his hand raised in victory over Kurt Angle, the pomp and circumstance of Ethan Carter III’s debut, and finally, AJ Styles celebrating in the stands with the Impact Wrestling World Title.

AJ Styles’ music hits and the new world champ comes out through the crowd to a huge pop.

“You deserve it,” the crowd chants before AJ can begin speaking.

AJ: “No, you deserve it. You people deserve a true world champion. A world champion that fights for you. You don’t deserve, Dixie Carter running this company into the ground, not knowing what the hell she’s doing, making corporate decisions that blow up in her face. ::cough:: ::cough:: Hogan and Bischoff ::cough:: ::cough::”

This brought out Dixie Carter, carrying a clipboard with a contract on it.

DIXIE: “AJ, it hasn’t been a secret we haven’t seen eye to eye recently. I can only assume this means you’ll be sticking around here a bit longer and are ready to sign a new contract.”
AJ: “Dixie, in all honesty, I’d rather work for a drunken goat than work for you any longer. Hell, a goat could probably run a wrestling company better.
DIXIE: “How dare you speak to me like that. You are my world champion and you will do what I say.”
AJ: “I am not your anything. I am the Impact Wrestling world champion.”
DIXIE: “I AM IMPACT WRESTLING”
AJ: “Like hell you are. I am Impact Wrestling, Samoa Joe is Impact Wrestling. Sting, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, all of us who have left their blood, sweat and tears in this ring is Impact Wrestling. The Fans that fill these arenas, and the Impact Zone are Impact Wrestling. And I think I should take this title, my title, to them.”
DIXIE: “What is that supposed to mean.”
AJ: “It means I’m not signing anything with you. I will take this title all over the world, defend it against whoever, wherever I want. Let the people see a true world champion.
DIXIE: “Don’t get ahead of yourself. If you want to go, then go. But before you do, you are obligated to give Bully Ray a rematch. That rematch will be tonight, no disqualifications. And you better believe I am not letting you leave here with that belt.”
AJ: “Then you better bring everything you go, cause there is no way I’m letting you take this from me. And after I beat Bully Ray tonight, again, me and this belt are out of here.”

AJ throws the mic down and leaves back through the crowd.

C&C WRESTLING FACTORY VS. CHAVO GUERRERO & HERNANDEZ

After their surprise appearance at Bound for Glory, C&C Wrestling Factory made their Impact Wrestling on Spike debut. Chavo and Hernandez, former two-time world champions, proved to be a tough test for the new team. But the combination of the veteran Coleman and promising youngster Alexander is showing they are a formidable one.

A combination hurracanrana of the top rope by Coleman on Chavo, followed by a frog splash from Alexander got their team the win.

C&C Wrestling Factory (Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander) defeated Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez when Alexander pinned Chavo after a frog splash in 11:32.
Rating: ** ½

Backstage The BroMans, Robbie E. and Jessie Godderz are watching the match on a monitor, still bitter C&C cost them a shot at the tag titles.

Dixie Carter comes up to them to offer them a deal. They join her team and help keep AJ Styles from walking out of here with the world title, and she’ll get them a world tag title shot next week on Impact.

Robbie and Jessie enthusiastically agreed.

KENNY KING VS. ERIC YOUNG w/ Joseph Park

Kenny King came to the ring sporting the X Division Title that Austin Aries won at Bound for Glory. King proclaimed himself the “New Face of X,” as he is the one that will define the X Division from this point forward.

He added that it was a crime against humanity he wasn’t invited to participate in the Ultimate X match, so he took matters into his own hands.

He had control for most of his match against Young and was about to put him away when he saw Austin Aries sprinting down to the ring. King dropped Young, scooted out of the ring, grabbed the X Division title and ran to the back with Aries still in pursuit.

Eric Young beat Kenny King via countout in 6:12.
(Austin Aries interfered against Kenny King)
Rating: **

Young was awarded the win by countout, but he, too, was jumped from behind as Bad Influence, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian ran in.

Joseph Park tried to help Young, but was met with a chair shot from Kazarian that busted him open and drove him to the floor.

But just like at Bound for Glory, that seemed to flip a switch. Park let out a primal scream, reached under the ring and pulled out a baseball bat wrapped in Barbed Wire. He struck both Daniels and Kazarian with it before the duo ran away.

MAGNUS IN-RING INTERVIEW

Magnus came to the ring to address the beating he gave Sting during their match at Bound for Glory.

MAGNUS: “Sting, I can not be held responsible for what happened to you at Bound for Glory. You were the one that challenged me. You were the one that wanted to elevate me to another level you said. But the funny thing is, I was going to get to the next level one way or another. You said you wanted to bring out the best in me, but what you did was bring out the beast in me. I will get to the top and part of that is taking out everyone standing in front of me. And you were the one that put yourself in front of me. You were the first, you won’t be the last.”

With that, Magnus drops the mic and heads to the back.

Backstage, Dixie Carter comes up to Bobby Roode and gives him the same offer she gave the BroMans.

DIXIE: Bobby, you’re a smart guy. You of all people know it will be easier to work with me, than against me. You make this happen tonight, and I promise you’ll be the first one to challenge the new champ.

Bobby agreed and Dixie walked off.

ETHAN CARTER III VS. DEWEY BARNES

Carter, or EC3 as he likes to go by, came to the ring with the same pyro and flare that he did at Bound for Glory. Waiting for him in the ring was another scrawny opponent. Much the same as he last match, it was a dominant showing for EC3.

Ethan Carter III pinned Dewey Barnes after the 1 percenter in 5:14.
Rating: *

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH BULLY RAY

Ray stood in an empty Aces and Eights clubhouse.

RAY: “This is not the way this should be. This was a once-proud brotherhood and it will be again. The first step to that is tonight when I take back my Impact World Championship. Dixie Carter wants to help me out, so be it. I ain’t gonna turn down a helping hand. But I’m gonna win the title for me and for Aces and Eights. Not for her.

“As for the rest of Aces and Eights, I don’t know who broke in and took out Garret and Knux, but I vow, once I’m champion again, I will start a new recruiting drive to bring in a new group of boys who will go above and beyond where this group was before.”

BROOKE & GAIL KIM w/ Lei’D Tapa VS ODB & VELVET SKY

Gail Kim’s new muscle in Lei’D Tapa again made her presence felt. When Kim or Brooke would distract the ref, Tapa would pull Sky and ODB to the floor, slamming them against the guardrail or steps.

Brooke was more than happy to just let Kim and Tapa do their thing.

Gail Kim and Brooke defeated ODB and Velvet Sky when Kim pinned Sky after Eat Defeat in 6:45.
Rating: ** ½

Backstage The BroMans, Robbie E. and Jessie Godderz are watching the match on a monitor, still bitter C&C cost them a shot at the tag titles.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH
AJ Styles © vs. Bully Ray

Despite all the promises Dixie Carter made about not letting AJ leave as champion and the people she tried to recruit, a good portion of the match went by incident free.

It wasn’t until AJ looked to be about to put Bully Ray away that things devolved.

AJ had the Calf Crusher locked on Bully Ray when the BroMans ran down and jumped AJ in the ring. With the No DQ stipulation, there was nothing the referee could do about it. AJ, however, was able to fight them off, knocking both out of the ring.

Before they could climb back in for a second attack, C&C Wrestling Factory came back down to fight the team that cost them the world titles at Bound for Glory.

Back to a one-on-one for the moment, AJ caught Bully Ray with a springboard forearm only for Bobby Roode to rush in and keep AJ from going for a pin. But once again, reinforcements came to AJ’s aid, this time it was Kurt Angle to pulled Roode out of the ring and fought him all the way to the back.

But Dixie Carter had one more trick up her sleeve. EC3 was next into the ring, clobbering AJ from the back and laying him out with his 1 percenter. Finally, AJ was perfectly prone for Bully Ray, who made the cover and got a 1… 2…. And then the ref was pulled out of the ring.

It was Mr. Anderson, former Aces and Eights member, back getting his revenge on Bully Ray. Ray went after Anderson, but instead, Anderson hit Ray in the head with a hammer. Dixie look horrified and sent EC3 back to the ring, only this time he was caught by AJ with a pele kick. AJ hit then got Bully Ray up for the Styles Clash and hit it, leading to the pin.

A.J. Styles pinned Bully Ray after the Styles Clashin 16:40.
Rating: *** ½
(A.J. Styles retained the IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE)


Anderson handed AJ the world title belt and just like Bound For Glory, he left with the belt through the stands as the show went off the air.

[LillaThrilla]

Poor Chavo getting pinned with a frog splash.

AJ Styles and Dixie Carter reminds me of CM Punk and Vince McMahon.

[cardsflyinhigh]

Jul 23, 2020 22:41:45 GMT -5 LillaThrilla said:

AJ Styles and Dixie Carter reminds me of CM Punk and Vince McMahon.

Oh yeah, the real life angle was 100 percent copied from the Cena/Punk stuff. Only they didn't re-sign AJ to pay it off right. I like to think my take on it will be a bit original and an entertaining variation on real life.

[cardsflyinhigh]

Impact Wrestling
Oct. 31, 2013
Maverik Center (Salt Lake City, Utah)

The show opens with Dixie Carter in the ring. On a podium next to her is brand new world title bet.

DIXIE: As you may know already, our supposed champion AJ Styles quit on us. He quit on this company, and he quit on you the fans.

The crowd, not buying what Dixie is saying, gives her a hearty round of boos.

DIXIE: AJ took his ball and went home. Which is fine by me, because he is not what Impact Wrestling deserves. You deserve a true champion. A real hero. Someone who will join me to create a better Impact Wrestling than has ever been seen before. So I’m starting an 8-man tournament. Seven of the men are all former world champions: Samoa Joe, James Storm, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, Chris Sabin and Jeff Hardy.

At the sound of this, another former world champion, the one who lost the belt to AJ Styles, Bully Ray came out. Despite coming out to the Aces and Eights music, there was no longer any backup along side Bully Ray.

BULLY RAY: Please explain something to me here cause I’m a little confused. My name was not included in that group. I am the most recent world champion. AJ left town like a little bitch, so the belt should go right back to me.

DIXIE: Here’s the problem. You had your chance and you blew it. I need a champion that will take this company to new heights. You dropped the ball. You could’ve stopped this AJ Styles mess, but you failed. How can I trust you to ever get the job done ever again?
But I’ll tell you what I’ll do. The final spot in the tournament is still up for grabs. I’ll make a match for tonight. You, You’re old pal Mr. Anderson cause he was MIA until last week; Because he lost the right to challenge for the title, he has to fight his way into the tournament, Sting; and the one who might be the best in this business to never yet be a world champion, Magnus. The four of you, 1 spot.

BULLY RAY: I can get in the tournament and get my hands on Ken Anderson? I’m in.

WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Gunner and James Storm © vs. The BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz)

Even though they’re interference didn’t stop AJ Styles from taking the World Title home with him last week, The BroMans still got the world tag title shot Dixie Carter promised them.

After taking a beating from the champs early on, the BroMans turned the tide lowblowing Gunner while the ref didn’t see it. They capitalized a while until Gunner was able to make the hot tag to Storm who began to clean house.

But the BroMans still had tricks up their sleeves. As the referee was trying to break up a fight on the floor between Gunner and Godderz, Robbie grabbed a chair and was set to smack an unsuspecting Storm with it when he turned around. But C&C Wrestling Factory, whom the BroMans cost the titles recently, weren’t gonna let their new rivals get away with it.

They ran down and Cedric Alexander reached into the ring and ripped the chair out of Robbie’s hands. This startled Robbie who turned ended up eating a Last Call kick from Storm. The ref came back in and counted the 1, 2, 3.

Gunner and James Storm defeated The BroMans (Robbie E. and Jessie Godderz) when Storm pinned Robbie after the Last Call in 13:43.
Rating: ***
(Gunner and James Storm retained the IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES.)

Manik comes to the ring and calls out Chris Sabin. He claims Sabin was the man he felt was most responsible for him no longer being champion and challenged him to a match right now.

Sabin came out to answer.

SABIN: No, that’s not going to happen. While you may be focused on the X Division, I have moved on. In case that mask blocked your ears too much and you didn’t hear earlier, I’m entered the Impact World Title Tournament. I have a place among the best in this business and a chance to once again be world champion. And that carries a hell of a lot more weight than simply being X Division champion. I have risen about the X Division and I have risen above you.

As Manik began to respond, Sabin ran and cheapshotted him a clothesline. He then called a ref down to the ring.

CHRIS SABIN VS. MANIK

Sabin used his early edge to inflict a lot of punishment on Manik, however the masked man did start to turn things around, but only briefly.

Sabin weathered the subtle storm Manik came with and ended things rather quickly with his Future Shock.

Chris Sabin pinned Manik after the Future Shock in 5:12.
Rating: * ¾

BACKSTAGE WITH CHRIS SABIN AND VELVET SKY

[/div]

Sabin met up with his girlfriend in the back and started bragging about how quick he took care of Manik. He was all fired up and said he’s wrestling as good as he ever has, right in time for the world title tournament.

Sky, however, didn’t seem too impressed, telling Sabin he might not be able to cheapshot Jeff Hardy or Kurt Angle to start a match.

Sabin shrugged of her comments saying that’s how you handle twerps like Manik, jump on him early and not let up.

He added that that was part of Velvet’s problem and why she isn’t anywhere near a championship level. He called her too nice and not hungry enough, needing to get out in front and make things happen herself.

IN-RING INTERVIEW WITH BOBBY ROODE

ROODE: This seems like a good time to remind all of you, I was the longest reigning champion in TNA history. I am the It Factor of professional wrestling and I will once again, run through the roster and win the tournament to be the next champion.

And most importantly, Dixie Carter, I will be a champion you will be proud of. (The crowd heavily boos the mention of Dixie Carter) I will carry the Impact Wrestling flag and help lead this company to the promise land, side by side with you. Together, we will mold this company in our vision and make this the place to be.

Roode is interrupted by Kurt Angle’s music.

ANGLE: Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself a bit Bobby? This might be the most difficult field in a wrestling tournament ever. Former world champions everywhere. And I don’t know if you saw before you came out here, the brackets just got posted in the locker room. And boy do you have a tough draw.

ROODE: Oh yeah, who’s first?

ANGLE: Me.

Roode takes a minute before responding.

ROODE: No problem, I beat you at Bound for Glory and I’ll do it again.

ANGLE: Did you really? Did you beat me, or did I beat myself? No excuses, you got your hand raised in victory cleanly. But was it cause of anything special you did, or is it cause I knocked myself out? I’ve lost a lot of matches in my career. But think about it, how many times have you seen anyone get two in a row on me? I make mistakes, but I know how to correct them better than anyone in this business. I’ll see you next week.

Angle’s music hits as the segment ends.

KENNY KING VS. CHAVO GUERRERO

Kenny King came to the ring still carrying the X Division title belt he stole from Austin Aries. The self-proclaimed New Face of X left the title belt at ringside, telling the camera he had a responsibility as the face of the X Division to go defend his title.

After some nice back and forth wrestling early on, King began to take control of the match. Chavo countered with a flurry but it was again answered by King. He hit his Royal Flush and was set to get the pin when Austin Aries jumped the guardrail, grabbed his belt, and left back through the crowd.

This distracted King enough that Chavo recovered and rolled up King for a pin. King looked shocked as the ref raised Chavo’s hand.

Chavo Guerrero pinned Kenny King after a roll up in 11:32.
Rating: ** ½

GAIL KIM & LEI’D TAPA VS. THE BLOSSOM TWINS

[/div]Veterans of TNA’s British Bootcamp, Hannah and Holly Blossom, made their return to Impact Wrestling to face Knockouts champion Gail Kim and her bodyguard Lei’D Tapa.

Kim started the match and controlled most of it early but quickly tagged out to Tapa. Kim was more than pleased to sit back and let Tapa destroy the two twins.

Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa defeated Hannah Blossom and Holly Blossom when Tapa pinned Holly in 7:32.
Rating: * ¾

Kim remained outside the ring on the apron basking the victory, but she didn’t notice Velvet Sky run down to the ring. Sky pulled Kim off the apron and quickly whipped her into the steel steps. She followed that up with a DDT and then rushed off to the back as Tapa, by that time, finally began to see what was going on and make her way out of the ring. By that time, Sky was back at the top of the ramp celebrating while Tapa checked on the fallen Kim.

In the back, ODB is shown watching all that transpired on a monitor.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH STING

Sting is asked about being back in the ring with Magnus for the first time since Bound For Glory.

STING: In this business, everyone carves their own path. Some fight and scratch and claw to get to the top, beat the best to become the best. Others like to take shortcuts. A cheap shot here or there to try to clear their path. I have always believed that one day Magnus would get to the top, and I tried to play a role in helping him get there, much the same way Ric Flair did for me a long time ago. So maybe it was my own fault. Maybe I misjudged him. But maybe also he misjudged me. Maybe he thought, hitting me a couple times with a baseball bat was going to clear me out of his way. Well he was dead wrong. I’m still here, I’m still standing, and if that’s the path you want to take, you also got to be ready to accept the consequences for your actions. If you try to take me out, you better make sure you get the job done. Cause I’m still here and now I’m pissed off and ready to take you out of my way. It’s showtime!

FOR THE FINAL SPOT IN THE WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT
Sting vs. Magnus vs. Bully Ray vs. Ken Anderson

All rules for this one were very quickly thrown out the window. Two sets of rivals faced off and immediately got in their own sets of brawls, Sting and Magnus going at it, as did Bully Ray and Anderson.

The ring, or even ringside, couldn’t hold the fights. Bully Ray and Anderson spilled into the stands, but it was there where Anderson found a surprise. Knux, one of Bully Ray’s Aces and Eights allies, was waiting to attack Anderson.

After Knux threw Anderson around a while, Ray headed back to the ring and joined in the middle of Sting and Magnus’ fight.

There were brief times were several mini alliances seemed to be formed for a 2-on-1 attack, but they never seemed to last long as whichever two paired up, quickly turned on each other.

After a while, Anderson crawled back to ringside and got himself back involved, taking Ray out of the ring and fighting him up the rampway. They got to the top, where Anderson then took Ray off with a Mic Check, both crashing down through some tables below.

That basically took both out of the match leaving it a one-on-one between Sting and Magnus. Sting started to get the upperhand and Magnus retreated outside of the ring. Sting went to the top, not seeing Magnus pull a bat out from under the ring. As Sting leapt off at Magnus, Magnus caught Sting in the knee with the bat.

He rolled Sting back in the ring and locked on the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. In writhing pain from the bat clipping his knee, Sting was forced to tap and give Magnus the win and the tournament spot.

Magnus defeated Sting, Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson when Magnus made Sting submit to the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf in 18:41.
Rating: *** ¾

After the bell rang, Magnus refused to let go of the hold, further damaging Sting’s knee. After several minutes, he finally let go of the hold. But he did this only to go back outside and grab the bat. He came back in the ring and starting pounding away on Sting’s injured knee with the bat before again locking in the cloverleaf. Officials tried to pry Magnus off to no avail as the camera faded out on Sting crying out in pain, still trapped in Magnus’ hold.

[snabbit888]

Cool stuff here, and a circuit based on the last time I actively cared about Impact. Digging it so far.

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
Nov. 7, 1993
Cincinnati Gardens Arena (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Announcers Mike Teney and Tazz welcome us to Cincinnati where tonight we’ll begin the road to crowning a new world champion. Tonight’s main event will be a first round match between heated rivals Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode. But first, the show opens with another first round match, Samoa Joe takes on Chris Sabin.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin

Sabin’s girlfriend Velvet Sky accompanied him to ringside for the match. But early on, she saw her man getting the worst of things as Joe’s combination of size, speed and strength was tough to handle.

Sabin made himself a break when he pulled the ref in front of a Joe charge, temporarily knocking him out. Sabin hit Joe with a lowblow to knock him down, then ordered Sky to go get him a chair. Sky looked hesitant and Sabin kept stomping away on a down Joe, all the while still ordering her to get a chair.

She finally made her way to go get a chair, but at that moment, from behind Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa attacked her. Sabin in the ring looked disgusted at what happened. He jumped outside, stepped right around Kim and Tapa doubleteaming Sky, and grabbed the chair himself. He brought it back into the ring, only to be met with a Joe kick to the head.

The ref began to come to as Joe picked up Sabin and hit a muscle buster to lead to the pin.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
Samoa Joe pinned Chris Sabin after a muscle buster in 9:21.
Rating: ** ¾

Joe gets the win to advance to the tournament semifinals in two weeks at the Impact Wrestling Turning Point special edition. He’ll face the winner of tonight’s second first-round match, Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode.

After the match, Sabin began berating Sky for costing him the match. A camera followed their argument up the ramp.

SABIN: This was all your fault! If you would’ve just listened I would’ve won.

SKY: Not sure if you saw or care but I got jumped and was getting my ass kicked.

SABIN: You’re gonna use that as an excuse? Get tougher Velvet and things like that wouldn’t happen.

IN-RING INTERVIEW WITH MAGNUS

After commercial, Magnus comes to the ring with a mic.

MAGNUS: I feel an obligation to fill you all in on what you may have missed last week. You see, I’m a true student of the game. I go back and watch film, study my matches. So I saw that the TV audience didn’t get to see everything that happened to Sting last week. I’ll fill you in.

So Sting laid there, legs all twisted like a pretzel, screaming in agony. He begged for me to let him go. So of course I didn’t. But after a while, the fun and novelty of breaking Sting’s leg wore off, so I eventually let him go.

It took a team of officials and EMTs to carry Sting out of the ring and load him into an ambulance. So now you’re all caught up.

Now, next week I’ll start my journey to becoming world champion. Dixie Carter said she is looking for a champion that will stand with her and do what she says. I have bad news for Mrs. Carter, I don’t plan on being subservient to anyone. I will do whatever I have to in order to become champion, and then I will write my own legacy in wrestling lore. The reign of Magnus will be one I promise, you will never forget.

BAD INFLUENCE VS. ERIC YOUNG & JOSEPH PARK VS. CHAVO GUERRERO & HERNANDEZ

In a match that would go a long way in deciding new No. 1 contenders for Gunner & James Storm’s world tag titles, it seemed the odds were against Bad Influence, as they have been the ones that have done so much over the past few months to get under the skin of everyone else.

The other two teams spent a great deal of time working together against Daniels and Kazarian, until it backfired.

Trying to take advantage of the no-DQ nature of a three-way match, Daniels brought a chair into the ring but lost possession of it to Hernandez. Joseph Park held Daniels while Hernandez tried to strike him with the chair. Daniels moved and Hernandez hit Park with the chair. It busted him open and Park snapped. He began to manhandle Hernandez and hit him with a Black Hole slam reminiscent of his brother Abyss. Young tried to calm Park down but got attacked himself.

Meanwhile, Daniels took advantage of the chaos and pinned Hernandez.

Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) defeated Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez, and Joseph Park and Eric Young when Daniels pinned Hernandez in 14:42.
Rating: ***
(Eric Young injured his knee and will be out for 4 cards)

Bad influence celebrated their way to the back, Park stormed off while everyone else looked on in shock.

CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS. ROBBIE E.

One half of C&C Wrestling Factory and one half of the BroMans met to try and take a step toward resolving the issues between the two teams recently.

The youngster Alexander was highly impressive against a veteran in Robbie E., but every the wylie one, Robbie had some tricks up his sleeve, getting the win after a roll up and a handful of tights.

Robbie E. pinned Cedric Alexander after a roll up in 8:51.
Rating: ** 1/2

After the match, it was announced that the two teams will go it in two weeks during Impact’s Turning Point special edition.

Mike Teney introduced a video package. AJ Styles, who left the company after winning the world title, was defending his belt in Mexico’s AAA promotion. But in the middle of the package, the tape stopped and the screen went black.

Teney and Taz made reference to technical difficulties, but as they were speaking, Dixie Carter stormed out.

DIXIE: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We’re not doing that. No. AJ Styles is a quitter. He can do what he wants, but he is persona non grata around here. He is never to be mentioned on this program again. If you want a video package, I got one you can show, roll the tape!

A tape plays highlighting Ethan Carter III, his arrival in Impact and his two recent squash wins over Norv Fernum and Dewey Barnes. At the end of the package it says “EC3, the future on Impact Wrestling”

Taz and Teney just look at each other speechless.

NON-TITLE MATCH
GAIL KIM VS. TAELER HENDRIX

The Knockouts champion gave an opportunity to the up and comer Hendrix. Shortly after the bell rang, ODB came to the top of the stage with a lawn chair and a six pack of beers and there she sat and watched the match.

Kim eventually caught awareness of ODB’s presence and dispatched her bodyguard Lei’D Tapa to approach ODB. ODB yelled out she’s trying to watch the match. Tapa kept watch on ODB from a distance.

Meanwhile, Kim stayed in the ring picking up an easy win.

NON-TITLE MATCH
Gail Kim pinned Taeler Hendrix after Eat Defeat in 7:04.
Rating: * ½

With Tapa’s attention still directed to ODB, Velvet Sky came out of the crowd with a chair and attacked Kim from behind. Tapa began to turn back to the ring, but ODB rushed down and attacked Tapa.

Kim and Tapa, however, were eventually able to make an escape.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode

The two rivals opened the match with a good amount of brawling before eventually settling in to a wrestling match. The two obviously know each other quite well in the ring, evident from the number of counters each was able to perform.

The match grew into a classic with several near falls, several broken submission holds.

Roode seemingly kept waiting for Angle to try a high-risk move, similar to the one that backfired for him at Bound for Glory, but Angle kept his head in the match, slipped out an attempted Roode Bomb and hit an Olympic Slam to get the pin and move on.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
Kurt Angle pinned Bobby Roode after an Olympic Slam in 16:26.
Rating: ****

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
Nov. 14, 1993
Cincinnati Gardens Arena (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Tonight on Impact! Two more world title tournament first-round matches. Last week, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle advanced to the semifinals. Tonight, two more will join them in the semifinals to be contested next week on the Impact Wrestling Turning Point special Edition. In the main event, Magnus takes on James Storm, and in our opening match, Jeff Hardy faces Austin Aries.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries

Austin Aries came to the ring wearing his X Division title belt that’s been bouncing back and forth between him and Kenny King lately, not because the title has switched hands, but moreso each has been busy stealing the belt from the other.

The two athletic former world champs engaged in a few nice back-and-forth fast-paced exchanges early. Neither wrestler was able to hold control for very long before the other found a way to turn the tide.

Late in the match, Hardy was trying to up Aries for the Twist of Fate, only to have Aries shove his way out of it, but in doing so, he shoved Hardy right into the referee.

On commentary, Taz makes reference how we need to train officials on how to do a better job of staying out of the way.

While everyone was temporarily down, Kenny King ran down, grabbed Aries’ X Division title belt, slid into the ring and knocked Aries out cold with it. He then left, once again with the belt.

Meanwhile, Hardy was oblivious to what happened. As the ref was coming to, Hardy went up top and hit a Swanton to get the win.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
Jeff Hardy pinned Austin Aries after a Swanton Bomb in 14:56.
Rating: *** ¾

Hardy advances to the tournament semifinals next week against the winner of tonight’s Magnus-James Storm match.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH JAMES STORM

The Cowboy James Storm, one half of the world tag team champions, is being interviewed about his participation in the world title tournament.

STORM: This is a golden opportunity for me. Being a world tag champion is great, but to be THE world champion, to be at the top of the mountain … I’ve had a taste of that before. And it only lasted a few days until it was ripped out of my hands. Ever since then I’ve been scratching and clawing to get back to that point.

During the interview Storm was told Impact officials have scheduled the next tag title defense for Storm and Gunner. In two weeks on Impact, they’ll defend against Bad Influence.

STORM: I know I can speak for Gunner when I say we’re looking forward to the challenge. Out of all the greats in this business, only a select few have held the world title and world tag titles at the same time, and I’m looking forward to joining that club.

Storm was interrupted by Magnus rushing in from behind him and clipping out his knee. Magnus started stomping away at the same knee until Storm’s partner Gunner came in to chase Magnus off. Gunner helped Storm away from the set.

BROOKE VS. HEIDI LOVELACE

Brooke took on another newcomer to the TNA Knockouts Division, Heidi Lovelace. Brooke controlled the early part of the match until once again, like she’s done the past few weeks, ODB came out to the ramp with her lawn chair and 6-pack of beer. She also was eating a burger too this week.

Brooke stopped in the ring to turn her attention to ODB, asking her what she was doing out there. ODB, like she did last week, said she was trying to enjoy the show.

This distraction allowed Lovelace to get some offense going on Brooke.

After a few minutes Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa ran out to attack ODB from behind. She tried to fight them off, but soon received help as Velvet Sky came down to help ODB.

As though four fought to the back, the match in the ring continued. Brooke eventually regained control and soon put Lovelace away.

Brooke pinned Heidi Lovelace after the Tess-Shocker in 8:16.
Rating: * ¾

IN-RING INTERVIEW WITH ERIC YOUNG & JOSEPH PARK

Eric Young called this interview to address his partner about his recent actions and the whereabouts of his brother Abyss.

YOUNG: So basically, what the hell has been going on. I’m your partner, I deserve to know the truth.

Park looked confused.

YOUNG: That hasn’t been you, that hasn’t been Joseph Park snapping in the ring. That’s been Abyss.

PARK: Abyss was here?

Park asked with a tone of genuine surprise.

YOUNG: Will you quit playing games. Be straight with me. There is no Joseph Park or no brother. You are Abyss.

PARK: No, Abyss is my brother.

This brought out Hernandez who was a victim last week of Park’s - or Abyss’ - rage.

HERNANDEZ: Joseph Park, Abyss, I don’t really care who you are. I owe someone an ass kicking for last week. It can either be you right now, or Abyss can meet me in the ring.

Park kept shying away from Hernandez as he kept pressing the issue. Young tried to intervene only to get clotheslined by Hernandez. Hernandez kept on the attack on Young as Park cowered in the corner. He eventually tried to help out, but his strikes had minimal impact on Hernandez. Hernandez took a few shots at Park before finally leaving the ring with Park and Young both laid out.

HANDICAP MATCH
NORV FERNUM & DEWEY BARNES VS. ETHAN CARTER III

In recent weeks since making his Impact debut, Ethan Carter III has easily taken care of a pair of challengers. This week, those two teamed up to take on EC3 together in a handicap match. However, joining forces had little effect against the rising star.

His aunt, Dixie Carter, cheered on his victory from ringside.

Ethan Carter III defeated Norv Fernum and Dewey Barnes after EC3 pinned Fernum with the 1-percenter. in 6:31.
Rating: *

BACKSTAGE IN THE TRAINERS’ ROOM

James Storm is getting his knee taped up while Gunner stands by. Gunner emplores him to step away from his match tonight so he doesn’t further hurt his knee.

STORM: I’m not backing out of this. There is too much at state for me to walk away.

GUNNER: Think man. We are the world tag team champions. We got a title defense in two weeks. You go out there and mess your knee up bad, you’re out of the tournament, we could lose our titles and then you have nothing.

STORM: I need to go out there. You wouldn’t know, you’ve never been in this kinda spot.

GUNNER: What’s that supposed to mean.

STORM: I didn’t mean it like that, but the world title is a different animal. You can’t throw away any chance to get to the top of the mountain.

GUNNER: OK, but just remember I’m your partner. What happens to you affects me too.

MR. ANDERSON VS. KNUX

It was announced that Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson will meet at Turning Point next week in a Falls Count Anywhere match. A week ahead of that match, Anderson faced off with one of Bully Ray’s last remaining Aces & Eights allies in Knux.

While Knux’s size and strength gave him and early edge, Anderson kept fighting back, not afraid to use what some may call cheap tactics to turn things in his favor, such as biting Knux’s nose to get out of a bear hug.

Anderson was able to capitalize on the momentum he gained and hit his Mic Check to get the win.

Mr. Anderson pinned Knux after the mic check in 9:43.
Rating: ** ½

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
James Storm vs. Magnus

Storm was hobbled a bit from the earlier attack from Magnus but gained the early edge knocking Magnus around a bit. But Magnus turned the tide by going after Storm’s leg.

Magnus kept working on the knee as the match wore on, inflicting damage. At times, a concerned Gunner was shown watching from a backstage monitor. Mike Tenay and Taz wondered aloud on the broadcast what might be going through his mind as he watches in partner in pain.

But Storm refused to be held down, fighting back and again taking the advantage when he countered a charging Magnus by backdropping him over the top rope and all the way to the floor.

Storm brought Magnus back inside and kept up the attack, eventually setting him up to hit the Last Call when Magnus was backed into a corner. But at the last second, Magnus moved out of the way and Storm kicked the turnbuckle with his bad leg. This left the Cowboy in a tremendous amount of pain, which Magnus took advantage of, clipping out the leg then locking in the cloverleaf.

Storm had no choice but to tap out.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
Magnus made James Storm submit to the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf in 16:15.
Rating: ***

Magnus will now face Jeff Hardy in next week’s semifinals, but he refused to let go of the hold even after the bell was rung and he was awarded the match.

Much like he did a few weeks ago against Sting, Magnus let go of the hold, only to go outside and get a chair with the intention of bringing it into the ring to inflict further damage with. Officials tried to stand in his way, but he just tossed them aside.

Fortunately, before he could use the chair, Gunner ran down to chase him off. Magnus retreated up the ramp but still held his hands up victoriously, while Gunner checked on his fallen partner as the show faded to black.

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
TURNING POINT
Nov. 21, 1993
The Impact Zone (Orlando, Florida)

Tonight, live on Spike TV, Impact Wrestling presents its special Turning Point edition. Highlighting the night will be the two semifinal matches in the Impact World Heavyweight Championship Tournaments. Jeff Hardy and Magnus will meet for a spot in the finals. The winner of that match will meet the winner of Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle.

Also tonight, Former Aces and Eights members Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson will settle their grudge in a falls count anywhere match. Also, in tag action, C&C Wrestling Factory faces The BroMans. There’s Knockouts tag team action. Champion Gail Kim teams with her bodyguard Lei’D Tapa against Velvet Sky and ODB.

But first, the X Division title will be on the line. Kenny King has physical possession of the belt, but tonight, after weeks of sneak attacks, he’ll meet rightful champion Austin Aries in the ring.

X DIVISION TITLE
AUSTIN ARIES © vs. KENNY KING

Kenny King was introduced first and came out with the title belt around his waist. But Aries ran out, blindsliding King on the entrance ramp. Aries unhooked the belt from around King’s waist, put it around his own and then walked to the ring. He took the belt off and handed it to the official. He then instructed the announcer to continue with the introductions as King crawled back up and made his own way to the ring.

Aries used the momentum he picked up from the opening ambush to control the early minutes of the match. But soon, King gathered himself and started to produce a bit of offense himself.

The two traded attacks from that point on, King perhaps had a slight edge, but it never seemed to last too extended an amount of time.

Late in the match, Aries tried to lock in his Last Chancery hold, but King reversed it, standing up with Aries draped over his shoulders, positioned to hit the Royal Flush. But Aries slipped down his back, caught King and hit a Brainbuster and got the pin to retain his title!

Austin Aries pinned Kenny King after a Brainbuster in 15:07.
Rating: *** ¾
(Austin Aries retained the IMPACT WRESTLING X DIVISION TITLE.)

C&C WRESTLING FACTORY VS. THE BROMANS

Since C&C Wrestling Factory’s debut at Bound for Glory, they’ve drawn the ire of the BroMans. Over the past month, each team has contributed to the other losing a world tag title match. Tonight they finally met to solve their differences.

Perhaps a bit overconfident, the BroMans, Jessie Godderz especially, were a little too preoccupied with doing some posing, passing on chances to go for pins.

C&C was able to turn the tide of the match. Cedric Alexander was able to catch Robbie E., preparing to come off the top rope, with a hurracanrana, which was followed by a frog splash from Coleman that got the win for their team.

C&C Wrestling Factory (Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander) defeated The BroMans (Robbie E. and Jessie Godderz), when Coleman pinned Robbie after a frog splash in 8:42.
Rating: ** ¾

KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM MATCH
GAIL KIM & LEI’D TAPA VS. ODB & VELVET SKY

Fueled by the words of her boyfriend Chris Sabin, Velvet Sky has been bringing the attack of Gail Kim on a weekly basis, trying to get a track toward Kim’s Knockouts title. But before anyone can get to Kim, they have to get past Lei’D Tapa. Sky tried to neutralize that factor by teaming with ODB.

ODB might be the one Knockout who can match strength with Tapa. She did her role quite effectively, neutralizing Tapa leaving Sky in more or less a one on one battle against Kim.

Kim’s athleticism and experience in the ring gave her an edge on Sky, but perhaps also gave her too much confidence. Kim was being very cocky when trying to keep Sky down, but lost her focus long enough for Sky to roll her up out of nowhere for a pin.

ODB and Velvet Sky defeated Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa, when Sky pinned Kim after a roll up in 7:28.
Rating: **

FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE
BULLY RAY VS. MR. ANDERSON

Introductions were made but neither wrestler came to the ring. While the announcers looked confused, it wasn’t long before we cut to a camera in the back that picked up the two already brawling backstage.

Eventually the fight spilled out to the main area of the area as Bully Ray stumbled out with a trash can on his head. Anderson came following with a broomstick and wrapped it repeatedly against the trash can.

Ray finally caught an advantage when Anderson came charging at Ray when he was positioned near the edge of the stage. Ray, head out of the trash can by this time, caught Anderson rushing in, ducked his head and backdropped in off the stage onto a pile of tables and boxes down below.

Still needing to recover from the beating he recently received, Bully Ray slowly made his way down to Anderson to try for a pin, but by the time he got down there, Anderson was recovered enough to kick out.

The two fought their way to ringside, briefly actually got into the ring before fighting to the outside once again. A number of chairs came into play, which eventually formed a huge pile that Anderson mic checked Bully Ray into for the pin.

Falls Count Anywhere
Mr. Anderson pinned Bully Ray after the Mic Check in 15:40.
Rating: ***

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH DIXIE CARTER

Before Turning Point closes with the two World Title Tournament Semifinals, Dixie Carter was interviewed backstage. She said she’s looking forward to see who comes out on top of this and she’s sure whoever the new champ is will join along side her to make a better Impact.

She also said she wanted to make sure the winner was truly the best and didn’t want any cheap victories. So with that being said, she is making tonight’s two semifinals No Disqualifications and No Countouts.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
NO DQ, NO COUNTOUT
JEFF HARDY VS. MAGNUS

Magnus has been ruthless lately in his quest to become a world champion. That including injuring Sting’s knee a few weeks ago on Impact. But Jeff Hardy had a surprise with him, as Sting, on crutches, accompanied Hardy to the ring.

Sting’s presence caught Magnus off guard and caught his attention at several points during the match. This not only kept Magnus from taking any cheap shots, but also kept Magnus from getting any significant edge against Hardy.

Eventually, Magnus had enough of Sting and decided to take matters into his own hands. Magnus swiped one of Sting’s crutches and hit him over the head with it. He tried to bring it into the ring to use against Hardy, but Hardy countered and hit Magnus with a Twist of Fate, but could only get a 2 count.

Hardy tried to go up to for a Swanton Bomb, but Magnus recovered and followed Hardy up top. The two battled on the top turnbuckle for a few moments before Magnus came away with the edge. He powerbombed Hardy off the top rope down to the mat and from there got the pin to advance to the World title finals.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
No DQ, No Countouut
Magnus pinned Jeff Hardy after a top rope powerbomb in 16:11.
Rating: ** ¾

After the match, Magnus eyed the crutch sitting off to the side. He picked it up and seemingly was going back and forth trying to decide who to attack with it, Hardy or Sting.

But out running came the world tag champions James Storm and Gunner, who jumped in front of both Hardy and Sting, effectively chasing Magnus to the back, but he did so with his hands raised in victory.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
NO DQ, NO COUNTOUT
KURT ANGLE VS. SAMOA JOE

Two old rivals met one more time. It was clear their previous battles left each with a level of respect for the other. They also were very familiar with the other’s style and moves and the early portion of the match featured each escaping potential moves.

As the match settled in, both were able to unleash their offenses. But the flow of the match kept going back and forth. Angle would hit a series of German Suplexes, but would get caught by Joe with a slam in the corner.

Joe went for a Senton, only to have Angle roll out of the way, catch a leg and slap on the Ankle Lock.

Angle had the hold on tight in the middle of the ring, seemingly on his way to victory, when old rival Bobby Roode stormed the ring, pulling Angle off and hitting a Roode Bomb.

Joe was oblivious to what happened with Roode as he recovered from the Ankle Lock. But he wouldn’t let an opportunity slip past to take advantage of a downed Angle. Joe was able to hit his muscle buster and earn an opportunity to face Magnus for the world title.

WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
No DQ, No Countout
Samoa Joe pinned Kurt Angle after a Muscle Buster in 18:21.
Rating: ****

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
Nov. 28, 2013
The Impact Zone (Orlando, Florida)

The show opens up with a table set up in the ring. Samoa Joe sits on one side, Magnus on the other with the Impact Wrestling World Title Belt sitting in the middle. Dixie Carter is in a lounge chair at the head of the table.

DIXIE: After a few grueling weeks, we have two legendary warriors that have earned the right to fight at Final Resolution on December 19th for the Impact Wrestling World Title.

(All the while, Magnus is staring a hole through Samoa Joe, while Joe is rolling his eyes at Dixie’s praise)

DIXIE: I for one can’t wait to see who will be the one to bring prestige back to this championship, and will join me in making a new, greater Impact Wrestling. Between now and then, my door is open for either of you that wants to take the initiative, join my side, the side of good. Pledge your allegiance to team Dixie and together we’ll make Impact a better place for everyone.

At the sound of this Joe gets up, says nothing and simply walks out of the ring and all the way to the back.

DIXIE: Ok Magnus, if that’s the way Joe wants to play it, that’s fine. I have no problem with you being the one to join me.

MAGNUS: Ms. Carter, first of all. I refuse to be anyone’s puppet. I do what I want, when I want. I have cleared my path to the championship, done it all by myself and that’s the way it’s going to be.

Magnus then echos Joe, getting up and walking out on Dixie.

While Dixie stands speechless in the ring, Mike Tenay and Taz welcome us to the show. Two big title matches on hand tonight, in the main event Gunner and James Storm defend the World Tag Team titles against Bad Influence. And also, Velvet Sky will get her chance at the Knockouts Title against Gail Kim.

KENNY KING VS. MANIK

The opening match this week is an X Division showdown between Manik and King, who’s coming off a title match loss to Austin Aries last week.

King was clearly in a bad mood following the loss and took out his frustrations on Manik. He jumped on him early and kept up the aggression the entire match, finally finishing it off with the Royal Flush.

Kenny King pinned Manik after the Royal Flush in 15:40.
Rating: ***

King grabbed a mic after the match.

KING: Austin Aries, just know that I’m not done with you. That is my title and you better believe I’m going to come back to get it. I am the new face of the X Division. That belt should be around my waist. It’s mine!! Enjoy our time with it while you can. Cause I’m coming for it.

BACKSTAGE WITH CHRIS SABIN AND VELVET SKY

SABIN: Velvet, this is awesome. Finally your chance to prove you have worth. If you step up to the plate and finally carry your weight, we can finally become the Impact Wrestling power couple. Just don’t go back to being Miss Nice Girl. You gotta be ruthless if you want to be a champion. Poke her in the eye, pull the tights, use a chair. Do whatever you need to do to win.

SKY: (Sarcasticly) Thanks for the encouragement Chris. But I can use your help.

SABIN: Anything Velvet, what do you need.

SKY: I need someone to keep an eye on Lei’D Tapa, make sure she doesn’t interfere.

SABIN: …..

SKY: Come on Chris. I need you to be there for me.

SABIN: Ok, I’ll have your back.

IN-RING PROMO FROM KURT ANGLE

ANGLE: First thing, I only blame one person for me not having a chance at the world championship, Bobby Roode. Samoa Joe, I respect him as a competitor and wish him the best of luck going for the gold. Roode, I wish you nothing but disaster and misery. And I want to be the one to bring that to you. Get out here right now, so I can kick your ass.

Roode’s music hits and the It Factor stands up at the top of the ramp far away from Angle.

ROODE: No Kurt I’m going to fight you right now. You had to know I was not going to let you go on to wrestle for the gold after the way you robbed me of the shot. But the way I see it, the latest chapter in the Roode-Angle saga is all even. It’s 1-1. We need to settle this once and for all. You want to get your hands on me, OK sure, but I’m going to make you wait for Final Resolution. We’re going to finish it, and we’re going to do it in a way where there will be no cheap wins. No accidents. Roode vs. Angle, 30 minutes, Ironman match.

ANGLE: You’re on!! It’s real. It’s damn real.

KNOCKOUTS TITLE
GAIL KIM © vs. VELVET SKY

Kim came out with Lei’D Tapa by her side, Sky came out alone. But the challenger showed no fear in going after the champion.

Kim seemed a bit in shock of the aggression Sky was wrestling with and wasn’t quite sure how to handle her as on more than one occasion she fled the ring to regroup with Tapa.

Later in the match, Tapa started to get involved physically. As Kim would be able to toss Sky out of the ring, then distract the ref. The second time this happened, Chris Sabin ran down to help Sky. But as he got to that part of the ring, Tapa turned and glared at Sabin, who then retreated back up the ramp.

Tapa kept glaring at Sabin, turning her attention away from Sky. Sky took this opportunity to grab and chair and then repeatedly strike Tapa with it. Kim looked on in the ring in shock while the ref couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t DQ her because Tapa wasn’t a competitor in the match.

With Tapa taken out of the picture, Sky dropped the chair then back into the ring and went after Kim. By this time it was clear, nothing was going to stop Sky from winning the title. She had her way with Kim for the next couple minutes before finally putting her away.

Velvet Sky pinned Gail Kim after the In Yo’ Face in 10:21.
Rating: ** ½
(Velvet Sky won the IMPACT WRESTLING KNOCKOUTS TITLE)

The crowd gave her a huge ovation as she was presented the title. Sabin came back down the ring and celebrated with Sky with perhaps over-the-top jubilation.

Sky at first was happy her boyfriend was happy, but then looked a bit puzzled as Sabin grabbed the title belt, and posed with it to the crowd standing on the top rope. Sabin then put the belt over his shoulder, took Velvet’s hand and left the ring.

BACKSTAGE WITH JAMES STORM AND GUNNER

Storm is in the trainers’ room getting his knee taped up ahead of their world title match.

GUNNER: How’s the knee.

STORM: It’s good to go.

GUNNER: I hope so. I hate to say I told you so that it was a mistake to get in that tournament.

STORM: That was for the world title. I had to do it. You would’ve done the same.

GUNNER: I just didn’t want to be the only one thinking about this team.

STORM: It’s all good. I took a shot, it didn’t work out. But I’m good to go and I’m 100 percent focused on keeping these tag titles.

GUNNER: Alright, let’s do this.

The two bro-hug and leave the room.

KNOCKOUTS TAG MATCH
BLOSSOM TWINS (HOLLY BLOSSOM AND HANNAH BLOSSOM) VS. TAELER HENDRIX AND HEIDI LOVELACE

Four of the newest, youngest knockouts to arrive in Impact Wrestling faced each other in tag team action. Early in the match, ODB did just has she has been the past few weeks, coming to ringside with a lawn chair and what appears to be a 40 ounce in a brown paper lunch bag, enjoying a drink while the match is going on. Actually this week, she was sitting close enough to the crowd she was able to call over the popcorn vendor and get a corn.

The match itself was fairly non-discript. Neither team picked up too much momentum before losing it to the other side via a counter or a missed move.

Hendrix got thrown to the floor right by ODB. ODB sat there a second, then put her food and drink down to go help her up. But instead, she hit her with a clothesline. The ref saw it all happened and called for the DQ. Lovelace jumped outside to help her partner, but got a kick to the gut and a body slam on the floor from ODB as well.

In the ring, the Blossoms weren’t sure what was going on. But they let ODB come into the ring with them, apparently under the impression she was joining there side. But once again, ODB fooled them attacking both. She kicked Holly out of the way then DDTed Hannah before running and doing a charging knee to the corner on Holly.

ODB then left as all four young knockouts were laid out.

Taeler Hendrix and Heidi Lovelace defeated The Blossom Twins (Holly Blossom and Hannah Blossom) when Hendrix defeated Holly by Disqualification in 7:31.
Rating: * ½
(ODB interfered against Taeler Hendrix)

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH BAD INFLUENCE

Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian are giving an interview before going for their world tag title shot.

KAZARIAN: It’s been way to long since we’ve had this kind of opportunity. We’ve been tossed aside in favor of flavor of the month teams, two random singles guys who want to form a quick team. But now is a time to put an end to that. We forced everyone’s hand, made sure no one could overlook us anymore. It’s time to formally recognize us, once again, as the best pure tag team in the world.

DANIELS: A year and a half. A year and a freaking half since the last time we were champions. You know how long a year and a half is? That’s about the gestation period of a whale. It’s a real long time. And since then it’s just been garbage, garbage teams. The legacy of our belts are tarnished. It’s a joke. Tonight, we will erase all of that. And we will become three-time, World tag team champions, of the world.

WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
GUNNER AND JAMES STORM © vs. BAD INFLUENCE

Gunner and Storm got the early jump in the match. They had the size and strength advantage and used it to their favor, forcing Daniels and Kazarian to take a time out and console themselves on the floor.

Storm initially showed no ill-effects of his knee injury, but that changed when Daniels dropkicked it out. For a while, that put Bad Influence in control, until Storm finally countered catching Kazarian with a Last Call kick.

But the damage was done by that point. He was too weak to make the cover, but he was able to crawl to his corner to tag in Gunner.

Gunner took the hot tag and began cleaning house. It looked like his surge would be enough to carry his team to the win, but with Storm nursing his leg, Daniels and Kazarian were able to doubleteam Gunner and take back control. Storm was recovering and blind tagged himself back in and helped Gunner take out Daniels and Kazarian.

It was a 2-on-2 fight until Kazarian backdropped Gunner over the top rope, then clipped the back of Storm’s knee out, leading him right into an Angel’s Wings from Daniels. A 3 count later and we have new world tag champions.

Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) defeated Gunner and James Storm when Daniels pinned Storm after the Angels’ Wings in 14:51.
Rating: *** 3/4
(Bad Influence won the IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES)

Daniels and Kazarian celebrated their way to the back with their newly won tag titles. Meanwhile, Gunner got back into the ring to console Storm who was still nursing his bad knee.

Gunner helped him back to his feet only to kick the knee out from under Storm again. He picked him up yet again only to hit him with a powerbomb before leaving the ring as Impact faded out.

[LillaThrilla]

Magnus is not a wrestler I really know, but he's looked really strong.

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
Dec. 5, 2013
The Impact Zone (Orlando, Florida)

This week’s show opens with Samoa Joe coming to the ring and grabbing a mic.

JOE: We all know I’m the type of person that just wants to get down to business. Magnus, get out here right now and let’s talk about this.

After a brief pause, Magnus’ music plays and the man who will face Samoa Joe in the world heavyweight tournament finals makes his way to the ring.

JOE: Pardon me for wanting you out here face to face. I know you like to sneak attack everybody now so I figure this was the best way to handle things. In two weeks it’s me and you for the biggest prize in the game. Me and you have been through it all. From tag team gold to the Main Event Mafia, we’ve been side by side through a lot. But I’ve seen this different side of you lately. You want to take the easy way out. Bats, chairs, cheap shots, sneak attacks. You’ve just tried to find whatever shortcut you can, but just know it’s not going to be that easy with me. I know your games. And I’m not going to let you play them. Whether you’re in bed with Dixie Carter or not, I really don’t care. Cause it’s not going to matter.

MAGNUS: Yeah we’ve been through a lot, but as you’ve obviously seen, I’m not that same person, content with being just one of the guys, off to the side while the “Bigger stars shine.” It’s my time to be front and center now. While you may call it taking the easy way out, I call it clearing the path. If someone’s standing in my way, I take them out. It’s as simple as that. And you’re worried about me siding with Dixie Carter? I’m done being someone’s No. 2. It’s all about me and I’m not gonna share my spotlight with any Dollar General version of a boss.

At that moment, Dixie Carter’s music hit and the boss came striding out to the ring with the world title belt over her shoulder.

DIXIE: Just so you both know and are fully aware, it’s a lot easier to work with me than against me. But if you guys are so concerned with clearing paths, and taking easy roads, I can assure you neither of you will be able to do that. I want to award this belt to a worthy competitor. I want our next champion to truly be the best in the business. To keep you two fresh for the big match, I have scheduled each of you for a match tonight. Joe, tonight you’ll face Bobby Roode. And Magnus, you’ll fight Kurt Angle.

HERNANDEZ VS. JOSEPH PARK

In tonight’s opening match, Hernandez went to the ring waiting on Joseph Park. Park timidly came to the ring to meet him only to get attacked as soon as he climbed in.

Hernandez dominated Park for the first few minutes before finally knocking Park over the top rope to the floor. Park rolled under the ring, seemingly to momentarily regroup, or to flat out hide.

At that point, a video played on the big screen where Abyss was revealed, calling out Hernandez saying he’s messing with forces he doesn’t understand. This all was planned out. Hernandez needed to kill of Joseph Park to let Abyss be reborn.

After the lights flickered, Hernandez was still staring at the now blank screen, unaware Abyss was now in the ring behind him holding a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. When Hernandez turned around, he couldn’t believe what he saw. Abyss then began an onslaught. By the time he was done, Hernandez was half-conscious, and a bloody mess.

Hernandez defeated Joseph Park by disqualification in 6:14
Rating: * ½
(Abyss interfered against Hernandez)

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH GUNNER

Gunner was asked about the end of last week’s show and what that meant for the future of him and James Storm as a tag team.

GUNNER: Future? There is no future. Hell, I’m not even sure there ever really was a team. I warned him ahead of time. I told him he needed to keep his focus on the team, but he chose not to do that. He wanted his own glory and couldn’t be bothered about his so-called partner. I was never a partner to him. Only someone that could do all the work to make him look good. If you don’t believe me, think about history. Every partner James Storm has ever had ended up smashing a beer bottle over his head and walking out on him. Think that’s a coincidence? Maybe I should have my bottle ready for the next time he shows his face around here.

EC3 VS. RANDOM CHALLENGER FROM THE AUDIENCE

Ethan Carter III came into the ring holding a briefcase. He said things have been too easy for him since his arrival in Impact Wrestling. He needed to come up with new challenges to push him. He said he’s proven he can beat anyone, but wanted to give himself a real challenge and put a time limit on himself. So he was challenging anyone in the audience to come into the ring. If they lasted five minutes against EC3, he would give him $20,000 of his own money.

EC3 selected a rather fit man to be his challenger. The man said his name was Tom. Ethan didn’t really give Tom a chance to get ready before running and taking down Tom with a clothesline. He then signaled the ref to start the clock.


EC3 kept in control the entire time, eventually putting Tom away with a 1 percenter well under the challenged time.

Ethan Carter III defeated Tom after the 1 percenter in 3:48
Rating: *

ODB VS. TAELER HENDRIX

Hendrix was anxious to get a one-on-one match with ODB after she took out her and three other knockouts in a tag match last week.

ODB came out aggressive and put Hendrix down with a few moves early, but never went for a pin. Instead, she shifted gears and began waiting on Hendrix. It kept motioning to Hendrix “Come on!” and let Hendrix get on the offensive.

A few minutes later, Heidi Lovelace, another of the wrestlers attacked last week by ODB, rushed the ring and jumped ODB. Hendrix and Lovelace double teamed ODB for a bit, before the veteran slid out of the ring.

ODB walked back up to the top of the ramp applauding while Hendrix and Lovelace stood in the ring with unsatisfied looks on their faces.

ODB defeated Taeler Hendrix by disqualification in 6:31
Rating: * ½
(Heidi Lovelace interfered against ODB)

IN-RING INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS SABIN AND VELVET SKY

The self-proclaimed Impact Wrestling power couple came to the ring with Sabin wearing Sky’s Knockouts Title.

SABIN: Bask in our greatness Impact Zone! The Impact Wrestling power couple is here! First off, I need to say, none of this would be possible without Velvet.

Sky looked a little shocked at first at Sabin’s praise but quickly turned to blushing.

SABIN: Velvet did the unthinkable last week. She finally overcame years of mediocrity, and showed no matter what anyone else thinks, she’s worthy of being next to me.

Annnd, just like that the blushing gave way to shock.

SABIN: But the one thing that truly makes a couple great, that makes us great, is sacrificing for one another. Just like I did last week. I stared down the monster Lei’D Tapa, selflessly putting myself in between her and Velvet. I sacrificed myself, my own well being, and if I hadn’t we wouldn’t be the power couple we are today.

Out of nowhere, Austin Aries’ music plays and the X Division Champ makes his way out.

ARIES: Oh dear God, I couldn’t stand to listen to that anymore. Can I just make one observation from where I’m standing. Velvet’s a champion. You are … not?

SABIN: We are a couple. If she’s a champion, I’m a champion.

ARIES: Yes, because a real man needs to wear his girl’s things. What happens after we leave the arena, you put on one of her skirts and prance around?

Sabin’s focused was solely on Aries, so he didn’t see Velvet laughing at him behind his back.

ARIES: Look, you need to prove you can live up to your girlfriend’s standard, I’m bored. So why don’t we fight next week and I’ll even put my title on the line.

SABIN: What’s the catch?

ARIES: Because unlike you, I am truly the greatest man that ever existed, and I back up my words with actions. The more I win, the greater I become.

SABIN: In that case, I’ll see you next week.

After a commercial, Velvet Sky is in the parking lot loading up a car with her and Sabin’s things. Manik walks by Velvet.

MANIK: Hi Velvet, Hey, I don’t think I told you yet, congrats on winning the title.

VELVET: Thanks, that’s sweet of you.

MANIK: And hey, one more thing, you shouldn’t have to put up with that crap from Chris. Just saying.

At this point Chris Sabin comes over and Manik walks off. Chris and Velvet get in the car and drive away.

MAGNUS VS. KURT ANGLE

Angle, as expected, showcased his technical expertise in the match, but what may have been a surprise to some, Magnus held his own showing he can excel in the technical aspect of the sport as well.

But Magnus’ newfound aggression began to take over. A low blow the ref didn’t catch swung the match in his favor.

He worked over Angle’s leg to set up for his King’s Lynn Cloverleaf, but Angle was able to kick him off and into the corner. Angle got up just in time to duck a running clothesline, then hit his Angle Slam, but unfortunately wasn’t able to follow up with a cover.

He recovered enough to try and put on the ankle lock, but Magnus rolled through and rolled up Angle. Without the ref looking, Magnus grabbed a hold of the ropes for added leverage and picked up the pin.

Magnus defeated Kurt Angle after a roll up in 15:28
Rating: ****

SAMOA JOE VS. BOBBY ROODE

Where the last match began as a technical showcase, this one was much more of a fight. Joe ran through Roode early, his power moves too much for Roode to withstand. Roode even tried ducking out of the ring for a breather, but Joe followed up, keeping up the attack before throwing him back in the ring.

Roode was able to take advantage of a mistake by Joe to turn the match around. Joe tried charging at Roode into the corner, but Roode moved, then threw Joe over the top rope to the floor.

Roode kept up the offensive for a while before Joe mounted a rally, only to be countered by Roode throwing Joe again to the floor.

At that point, Magnus snuck down to ringside and looked to try to clip out Joe’s knee just as he’s done to several opponents the past few weeks. But Joe somehow sensed Magnus was coming, and turned around to catch Magnus with a knee to the head. He then locked Magnus in the Coquina Clutch.

Roode came outside and pulled Joe off Magnus and brought him back into the ring, but that proved to be a mistake as Joe kept control and ended up hitting the muscle buster for the win.

Samoa Joe defeated Bobby Roode after the Muscle Buster in 13:30
Rating: ***

But while Joe finished off the match, Magnus recovered and came into the ring blindsiding Joe. Roode joined him in a doubleteam. Magnus left the ring and pulled a bat out from under it. Roode was holding him down while Magnus was ready to attack, but Kurt Angle ran back down, grabbed the bat from Magnus. He swung for the fences, but Magnus ducked and then speared Angle. But Angle fought back, Joe fought back against Roode and the two joined together. They chased Magnus and Roode out of the ring as Impact faded out.

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
Dec. 12, 2013
The Impact Zone (Orlando, Florida)

The show opens with Samoa Joe pulling up to the arena. As soon as he gets out of his car, Magnus rushes up to him and starts attacking Joe. This sets off a furious brawl in the parking lot that spilled backstage. Before too long, Bobby Roode is on the scene to try and help Magnus, but Kurt Angle was right behind him attacking Roode, which only added to the brawl.

Eventually a host of officials and other wrestlers were able to come in and separate the four with Dixie Carter jumping in the middle.

DIXIE: Enough!! You guys all want to go at each other, do it in the ring tonight. Tag team match, Joe and Kurt vs. Magnus and Roode. Now enough of this until then!

Wrestlers slowly start to leave backstage as we go to ringside for the night’s first match.

X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
AUSTIN ARIES © vs. CHRIS SABIN

Sabin came to the ring wearing the Knockouts title belt that belongs to his girlfriend Velvet Sky. Sabin gave a quick speech before the match about being excited about the prospect of being a double champion.

Aries came to the ring not amused and more excited about trying to shut Sabin up.

Once both settled in, they were in the middle of producing a pretty great match, trading offensive moves with the momentum consistently switching back and forth.

But Aries took control and hit a brainbuster, which looked to be the beginning of the end. However, it was then that Kenny King rushed the ring to attack Aries and get Sabin disqualified.

Austin Aries defeated Chris Sabin by disqualification in 10:33
Rating: ***

King kept on the attack, not giving a care that a disqualification was called and the bell was ringing. Sabin, however, did care. He pulled King off of Aries to have words with him for costing him the match. But King was in such a rage, he blew off Sabin and went back after Aries. This time, Sabin responded by tacking King.

The two of them began to brawl, giving Aries a minute to recover. He then jumped in their brawl and all three continued a melee until several officials had to run down and separate the three.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH GUNNER

Gunner is supposed to have a match next against Eric Young, but a moment first to talk to the backstage interviewer who asks him again about James Storm.

GUNNER: First of all, the fact that Storm hasn’t been around here the last few weeks just shows that I’ve been right all along. He lost focus on our team, did someone stupid and got way too hurt to be a good partner. He’s still at home trying to recover, so how’d he ever think he’d be able to help me defend our tag titles? But I’m done with him. I’m ready to carve my own path. Eric Young will just be the first of many. The sky’s the limit for me and I won’t stop until I’m wearing my own gold.

GUNNER VS. ERIC YOUNG

Eric Young went for a fast start, but Gunner soon put an end of it, catching Young with a slam as he went for a flying move.

During the match, none other than Dixie Carter came down and joined Mike Tenay and Taz on commentary. Tenay asked what she was doing out there.

DIXIE: Well Mike, it’s my company so I can do whatever I want and don’t appreciate having my actions judged by a talking head.

Carter gave praise to Gunner and said she definitely as room for someone like him going forward in her new Impact Wrestling. But most importantly, Dixie had an announcement. At Final Resolution next week, Impact is bringing back the Feast or Fired match. Four locked briefcases will be at the ring corners, one has a contract for a World Title Shot, one a contract for an X Division title shot, one a contract for a world tag title shot and another has a pink slip and the person that grabs that case will be fired. She added both Gunner and Young will be among those in the match next week.

As for the match, Gunner controlled the vast majority of it, putting Young away rather easily.

Gunner pinned Eric Young after the Gun Rack in 8:02
Rating: **

GAIL KIM VS. BROOKE

Kim came to the ring with Lei’D Tapa at her side as she tried to climb back into contention for a rematch with Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title.

Kim and Tapa had a small miscommunication at one point, where Kim whipped Brooke into the ropes where Tapa was waiting to trip her up, only to have Brooke reverse it and Tapa caught Kim.

That gave Brooke a momentary advantage but Kim soon rallied back and got the win.

Gail Kim pinned Brooke after Eat Defeat in 7:11
Rating: ** 1/2

After, Kim called out Sky saying she’s ready for her rematch, any time, any place.

BACKSTAGE

ODB knocks on a door and one of the Blossom Twins opens up. She says ODB has a lot of nerve coming here, but ODB asks if she can come in, she wants to talk business. They let her in and the door closes.

ETHAN CARTER III VS. RANDOM FAN OUT OF THE AUDIENCE

Just like he did last week, EC3 challenged any fan out of the audience to come into the ring and try to last 5 minutes against him.

He ended up picking a muscular man who said his name was Ted. Much like he did last week also, EC3 attacked Ted before the official start of the match.

He never let up the offensive before eventually putting Ted away with the 1-percenter.

Ethan Carter III pinned Ted after the 1-percenter in 3:09
Rating: DUD

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH BULLY RAY

Bully Ray is asked after a string of recent losses, what’s next for him.

BULLY RAY: What’s next? How about next you stop asking stupid questions. What’s next for me is I’m going to do what I’ve done every time I’ve been knocked down for the last 20 years: bounce back. I have proven time and time again, you can never keep me down for too long. I will come back better than ever.

IN-RING INTERVIEW WITH TAELER HENDRIX AND HEIDI LOVELACE

Both Hendrix and Lovelace are in the ring together calling out ODB.

HENDRIX: ODB, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing but I’m sick of it. Are you too worried we’re going to take your spot, make you irrelevant? There’s nothing worse than an old bitter woman trying to cling to days gone by.

LOVELACE: I don’t care who you are or what you’ve done here. Your time is up. It’s time to make way.

Responding was not ODB, but rather the Blossom Twins rushing the ring attacking Hendrix and Lovelace. The four engaged in a heated brawl in and around the ring that lasted around five minutes before ODB finally came to the ramp with a mic.

ODB: Now that’s what I like to see.

All four in the ring paused and turned attention to ODB.

ODB: This is much better. I’ll be honest, a few weeks ago when I saw you four all wrestling each other, the match made me sick. You’ve probably noticed I’ve been outwatching matches for each of you the last couple months. Here’s the deal, myself, Gail Kim, Velvet Sky, we’ve been here for five years or so leading this division. Sooner or later someone new has to take over. Are you four it? Cause from what I’ve seen of you, I’d have to say no.

This comment drew some disgust especially from Hendrix and Lovelace.

ODB: You are all pretty girls. But pretty is only going to take you so far. You gotta be able to fight. You gotta be tough. And you’re about as tough as a muppet. All I’ve wanted was to see something out of you. I wanted to see if you got any fight in you. Now, finally, it looks like that might be there. But I’m going to make you an offer. I can help you find something inside of yourselves you probably didn’t even know was there. Make no mistake, I will push you. But if you make it out, you’ll be the type of Knockouts you need to be to take this division over. So who’s in.

The Blossom Twins exit the ring and went and stood next to ODB, waiting to see what the other two would do. After a minute of hesitation, Lovelace climbed out of the ring, walked over to ODB and the Blossoms and stood next to them. Finally, Hendrix did the same.

ODB: Ladies, welcome to ODB’s Fight Club.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH BAD INFLUENCE

Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian are wearing their newly won title belts.

DANIELS: Be honest, we look good in these don’t we?

KAZARIAN: Been way too long.

DANIELS: Way too long. But we are once again World Tag Team Champions of the World, the way it should be.

KAZARIAN: It should be us, not some random two guys who get paired by some Lethal Lottery thing.

DANIELS: Nor some Flavor of the Month tag team that won’t be around for the long run … And speaking of Flavor of the Month.

C&C Wrestling Factory walks into the scene.

CAPRICE COLEMAN: Nah, we’re no Flavor of the Month, more like the next big thing.

CEDRIC ALEXANDER: You want to face a real tag team, here we are. Put up or shut up now.

KAZARIAN: Yawn. Look guys, you’re new so I’ll let you in on a secret on how things work. Do something before challenging the champions. Beat somebody, anybody.

DANIELS: Prove yourself before thinking you can be World Tag Team Champions of the World.

Bad Influence then simply walks away.

SAMOA JOE & KURT ANGLE VS. MAGNUS AND BOBBY ROODE

The main event was a chaotic as you’d expect. Once all four men made their entrances, the brawl that began in the parking lot at the top of the show was continued in the ringside area.

It took a few minutes before things finally got situated and an actual match began. Joe and Angle worked well together which gave them an early edge in the match. Magnus turned the tide out on the floor sending Joe shoulder first into the ring post.

Magnus and Roode worked over Joe’s arm, keeping him away from tagging in Angle. However, Joe was finally able to break through and make the tag. Angle came in and he cleaned house.

But late, after things broke down again and all four men were fighting in and out of the ring, any semblance of who was the legal man was lost. Angle had Magnus in an Ankle Lock, but Roode was in fact the legal man. He came up from behind, rolled up Angle, grabbing the tights and got the pin.

Bobby Roode and Magnus defeated Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe when Roode pinned Angle after a roll up in 16:49
Rating: ****

But the fight didn’t stop because the match was over. Angle and Roode kept brawling while Magnus grabbed his baseball bat from under the ring and tried to go at Joe. However, he didn’t see Joe grabbing a chair.

The two went after each with their weapons, neither one thought able to connect. All of a sudden, Dixie Carter’s music played and the boss made yet another appearance.

DIXIE: Not this way you two. We are looking to find a true world champion to represent myself and Impact Wrestling, not two crazed weapon-swinging maniacs. But if you want to destroy each other, I’m actually going to let you. Because I am making your world title match next week, a ladder match!! Climb the ladder, beat each other with the ladder, I don’t care. I’m just ready to crown the survivor my new world champion!

Joe and Magnus keep staring each other down as the show fades to black.

[cardsflyinhigh]

IMPACT WRESTLING
FINAL RESOLUTION
Dec. 19, 2013
Impact Zone (Orlando, Florida)

The special Final Resolution episode of Impact opens with Dixie Carter sitting on top a ladder with the world title belt draped over her shoulder.

DIXIE: Tonight will be a grand night. Finally, we will have a true world champion. By the end of the night, either Samoa Joe or Magnus will take the crown as a leader for Impact Wrestling. Someone who will stand alongside me to create a strong future.

Samoa Joe’s music hit as he came out to the stage.

SAMOA JOE: I don’t know how many times I have to correct you Dixie. When I become world champion, I have absolutely no plans on joining you for anything. This company was once the hottest thing in the wrestling world, and under your leadership, it’s sunk like a rock. But there’s still a chance to right this ship. Me becoming world champ will just be step one. This company needs a true leader and if that’s gotta be me, then so be it.

Magnus’ music cuts him off as Joe’s opponent in tonight’s world title match comes out.

MAGNUS: Don’t worry, I’m not out here for any sneak attacks. You know Joe, you and me ain’t so different. I can assure you, that once MY world title reign begins tonight, I will be no one’s puppet. I apologize in advance Ms. Carter, but when I’m world champion, no one will be telling me what to do. It will be all about me.

DIXIE: You two are forgetting, this is my company. Tonight’s winner will be MY world champion!

First Magnus leaves in the middle of Dixie’s comments, then Joe does the same.

DIXIE: Don’t you walk away from me! You have no idea who you’re messing with! This is all mine, you are all mine! You will answer to me!!

By this time, both Magnus and Joe are gone from ringside and we get set for the night’s first match.

FEAST OR FIRED MATCH

15 men come one by one to the ring, where briefcases are stuck on poles atop each of the ring’s four corners. Those briefcases hold a world title match contract, an X division title match contract, a world tag team title contract, and a pink slip.

The match includes a lot of star power including several former world champions. Sting is in the Impact Zone for the first time in weeks, although he is noticeably hobbling on the knee previously injured by Magnus.

It didn’t take long for the fireworks in the match to start, as James Storm rushed at his former partner Gunner before he was even halfway down the entrance way.

Quickly, old rivals paired off for fights, such as Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson, and the tag team members of C&C Wrestling Factory and The BroMans. But new rivalries looked to be heating up. EC3 was clearly trying to make a name for himself going after Sting. Zema Ion, another returning face to TV, was going after Jeff Hardy.

It was clear the threat of being fired wasn’t weighing too heavily on anyone’s minds as just about everyone made a move to go after a briefcase, with no one really disengaging.

The first briefcase was set to be claimed as both Anderson and Bully Ray were up on the turnbuckle reaching for it. Anderson laid a couple right hands into Bully’s head to try to get him off, but instead, Ray reached into his pocket and pulled out a Hammer, preceding to hit Anderson with it. With him knocked down, Ray unhooked the briefcase and then headed for the back with it.

The BroMans tried to work together to go after a case, with Jesse holding Robbie on his shoulders and tried to climb the ropes, keeping him above everyone else. It worked, sort of. Robbie unhooked the case, but Gunner came under Jesse, powerbombing him with Robbie in tow, off the top rope. The case flew in the air and ended up landing on Eric Young who was down in the corner. Young quickly realized what happened, wrapped his hands around the case, rolled under the ropes and ran to the back.

Two cases were now left. Manik was going after one and was able to grab the case but not unhook it. Meanwhile, EC3 tried to knock Manik off and spun him around to where he was still holding on to the case, but there was no turnbuckle anymore to stand on. A few more shots to Manik’s gut sent him down, dropping all the way to the floor. He took a hard landing and immediately, officials called out medical personnel to help him.

EC3 thought he had a clear path to the case, only to have Sting come up from behind, knock him off the top and grab the case for himself. EC3 tried to get back up to stop Sting, only to get smacked with the case as Sting took possession of the third case.

With only one case left, it was a mad rush between everyone going after it. Bodies were thrown around as everyone jockied for position. While everyone was piling up in the corner, Jeff Hardy tried a different idea, taking a ladder out from under the ring, set it up outside and climbed it all to get to the case, a way around the pile of humanity in front. Hardy’s ingenuity was paid off as he took possession of the case, ending the match.

Bully Ray, Eric Young, Sting and Jeff Hardy each took home a briefcase. It was announced the contents of each case will be revealed next week on Impact.

Bully Ray, Eric Young, Sting and Jeff Hardy won in 14:23

KNOCKOUTS TITLE MATCH
Velvet Sky © vs. Gail Kim

Kim, as usual, had Lei’D Tapa in her corner as she tried to regain her Knockouts title. Sky did not have anyone in her corner as boyfriend Chris Sabin was getting ready for his X Division title match.

Sky was using the same aggression that helped her win the title from last month, but Kim seemed more ready this time around, perhaps not taking Sky as lightly as she did last time.

But still, Sky was able to come back with a flurry and look to put the match when Tapa interjected herself, tripping up Sky. This then brought Sabin down to the ring who first went to go confront Tapa, but instead changed course and started arguing with the ref about the interference.

Kim and Tapa used this opportunity to double team Sky. Kim held her and Tapa ran in for a clothesline, but Sky broke away at the last minute and Tapa leveled Kim. Velvet then dropkicked Tapa who flew over the ropes to the floor.

The ref was freed up to see Sky hit her finisher and retain the title.

Velvet Sky pinned Gail Kim after In Yo’ Face in 8:11.
Rating: * ¾
(Velvet Sky retained the IMPACT WRESTLING KNOCKOUTS TITLE)

MONSTER’S BALL
Abyss vs. Hernandez

For the first time in seemingly forever, there was no Joseph Park, no games. Just old school Abyss coming to the ring to face Hernandez.

It didn’t take long before weapons of all sorts came into play. Hernandez choked Abyss with his own chain until Abyss grabbed a trash can and whipped it over his head connecting with Hernandez.

There were tables used, barbed wire used, then tables wrapped in Barbed wire. Hernandez had one set up in the corner and tried to get Abyss up for a border toss, but couldn’t get the big man fully up. Instead, Abyss backdropped Hernandez into it. Then for good measure, speared him the rest of the way through.

In the end, Abyss stacked up a pile of chairs, barbed wire, table pieces and - for good measure - sprinkled thumbtacks all over it. Abyss went to chokeslam Hernandez into it, but Hernandez countered and tried to slam Abyss into the pile to no avail. Finally, Abyss caught Hernandez in a Black Hole Slam into the pile and got the pin.

Abyss pinned Hernandez after a Black Hole Slam in 14:11.
Rating: ***

X DIVISION TITLE
Austin Aries © vs. Chris Sabin vs. Kenny King

Aries got jumped the minute he stepped in the ring by both Sabin and King. However, those two quickly then began fighting each other over who would get to attack Aries. This allowed the champ time to recover and clear both men out of the ring.

As things settled down, the match took various turns with each 1-on-1 combination battling in the ring while the other looked on from the outside, usually trying to recover after suffering a big move.

King and Aries were fighting on the outside, Sabin came off the top rope for a flying splash. King saw it just in time and sidestepped it while Aries took the brunt of the hit. The move took a tole on Sabin as well, as King jumped on Sabin, throwing him back in the ring.

There, King hit Sabin with his Royal Flush finisher and took a moment to play to the crowd before going for the pin. This delay allowed Aries to come from behind and throw King over the top rope to the floor.

Aries then covered Sabin and got the pin. By the time King crawled back into the ring, the bell was run and Aries slipped back outside, grabbed his belt and headed back in celebration.

Austin Aries defeated Chris Sabin and Kenny King after Aries pinned Sabin in 13:01.
Rating: *** ¾

30-MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH
Bobby Roode vs. Kurt Angle

Angle and Roode each make their way out for their ironman match. Both wrestlers start the match a bit tentatively, part perhaps of their familiarity and respect for each others’ abilities, and part knowing they need to pace themselves to last a half hour.

Nearly 10 minutes in, Roode was set up in the corner and Angle charged. Roode, however, moved out of the way and Angle went shoulder first into the ring post. Roode took advantage, ending up putting Angle in a cross-arm breaker he tapped out to rather quickly, giving up the fall before sustaining too much damage.

ROODE 1-0

When the match restarted, Roode tried to go back to work on Angle’s arm. Angle, though, countered, slipping out of a hold, behind Roode and hitting an Angle Slam. He got the pin and evened the match 12 minutes in.

TIED 1-1

About five minutes later, Angle jumped ahead. He was standing on the apron outside the ring, Roode was aiming to suplex him back in. Angle instead broke out, shouldered Roode in the stomach, then leapt over the rope catching Roode in a sunset flip that was good enough to get a pin.

ANGLE 2-1

As the clock neared the 20-minute mark, Roode started getting desperate to tie the match back up. His aggression led to an open opportunity for Angle, who much like he did earlier, avoided a Roode move, slipping behind and going for an Angle Slam. Only this time, Roode slipped out of the attempted slam, rolled up Angle and got a tying pin with less than 8 minutes to go.

TIED 2-2

On the restart, both went at each other, trading right hands. Angle got the best of the exchange and held control for a couple minutes. With around 5 minutes left, with Roode prone on the mat, Angle went up top, looking for a moonsault. However, Roode recovered and clipped out Angle’s leg, dropping him so he was straddling the top turnbuckle.

Roode lifted Angle off the top, getting him in perfect position for a Roode Bomb, which he delivered and retook the match lead with less than five minutes left.

ROODE 3-2.

This time, it was Angle that came out with desperation. Roode tried to play keepaway, but Angle was persistent and was able to get in on Roode. He tried a few small packages and roll ups looking for a quick pin, but Roode kept kicking out. With just over 2 minutes to go, Angle looked to try another roll up, but instead followed through and turned it into an Ankle Lock.

Roode was screaming in pain. He had the clock on his side, but could he last 2 whole minutes in the Ankle Lock. Roode was clearly in pain. He tried to roll out of it, but Angle wouldn’t let go. With 1 minute to go, Angle dropped to the mat, locking it in deeper and ensuring Roode couldn’t get to the ropes.

Time kept ticking away, 45 seconds … 30 seconds … 20 seconds. A screaming Roode would not tap out. 10 seconds left, he had his hand raised but wouldnt let himself hit the mat. 5 … 4 … 3 … still no tap. 2 … 1 … The bell rang and that was it. Roode held on for 2 whole minutes in the ankle lock, holding on for a 3-2 win.

30-minute Ironman Match
Bobby Roode defeated Kurt Angle 3-2.
Roode made Angle submit to a crossarm breaker in 10:45
Angle pinned Roode after the Angle Slam in 12:51
Angle pinned Roode after a sunset flip in 18:21
Roode pinned Angle after a roll up in 22:30
Roode pinned Angle after a Roode Bomb in 25:42
Rating: **** ½

After the bell rung, Angle dropped to the mat in despair that he couldn’t get Roode to tap. Roode curled up in the corner as the referee came to raise his hand in victory. He got some help from trainers as he limped to the back.

Angle finally got back up and got a standing ovation for his efforts, but even as he acknowledged the crowd, he couldn’t help hiding his disappointment in the outcome.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FINALS
LADDER MATCH
Magnus vs. Samoa Joe

Dixie Carter sat front row watching this match with her nephew, EC3 right next to her.

Samoa Joe was introduced first and came out, only to have Magnus rush out in an attempted blindside. But Joe, paying attention to Magnus’ MO the past few months, was seemingly waiting for it as he ducked down and backdropped Magnus on the steel stage. Then the fight was on.

The two fought their way to the ring, whipping each other into the guardrail, pounding each other’s heads into the guardrail, all along the way.

Joe finally rolled into the ring first, but fell victim to Magnus coming off the top rope with a diving chair shot.

All the while, Dixie and EC3 sat stoic on the outside, not showing any signs of caring one way or the other who won.

A ladder was soon brought into the match and was used more as a weapon than for anyone to try climbing for the belt.

Magnus used the ladder to target Samoa Joe’s knee, first clipping it out then placing his leg on one half of the ladder while repeatedly slamming the other half down onto the leg.

But Joe shook off the injury and soon took back control of the match. Magnus was trying to make a climb for the belt, but Joe pulled him off and hit a muscle buster.

Both fought their way to the floor. Magnus kicked out Joe’s leg and tried to make his way back into the ring, but Joe came back and caught him, and gave him another Muscle Buster, this one on the floor that seemingly knocked Magnus out.

With this, Joe had a clear path to get into the ring and climb to get the title. He set up the ladder and began to gingerly climb up. Magnus was still out on the floor unable to stop him.

That’s when EC3 make his intentions clear.

EC3 jumped the rail and went into the ring, knocking over the ladder sending Joe flying off. EC3 then hit Joe with his 1-percenter. By this time, Magnus was recovering. He reached under the ring and pulled out a baseball bat, went over to where Joe was laying in the corner and looked ready to swing away at Joe. But instead, Magnus went over to Dixie who reached in her purse and handed Magnus a pair of handcuffs.

Magnus went back to Joe and handcuffed him around the ring post. This gave Magnus a free path with Joe completely incompacitated. But first, Magnus then picked up the back and whacked away at Joe a few times for good measure, a move that even caught Dixie by surprise.

Then finally, Magnus set the ladder back up, climbed to the top and received the world title belt. He came back down and celebrated with Dixie and EC3. EC3 took the opportunity to take a few more shots stomping away at Joe, as confetti flew down showering the new world champion with Dixie Carter applauding.

MATCH FOR THE VACANT IMPACT WRESTLING WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
LADDER MATCH
Magnus defeated Samoa Joe after grabbing the belt in 21:12
Rating: ****