TNA Impact Wrestling report
July 19, 2012
Live from Orlando, Fla.
Report by Scott Turner, PWTorch contributor

[Q1] As per usual, the recurring narrated opening segment started off tonight’s show, highlighting the the increasingly bizarre Claire Lynch pregnancy saga, and Aces and Eights beating down Hogan and Sting.

Taz and Tenay once again ran through the happenings from last week’s beating of Hogan and Sting by Aces and Eights. They questioned who they were, and what their motivations were, and then showed pictures from Hogan in the hospital after receiving surgery for the “injuries” he received from the beating he received. Tenay said neither Sting or Hogan were in the Impact Zone as the Open Fight Night introduction video aired.

The announcers went over the BFG series leaderboard, and said the those in the top rankings, Storm, Joe, and Angle would be able to call out other wrestlers as part of the BFG series.

Storm came out and said he wanted to address a few things, first he wanted to congratulate Austin Aries. He reiterated his first place standing in the BFG series, and then turned his attention to Bobby Roode. “Winning the world heavyweight championship is business because I want to carry this company on my back,” he said. “You, you Bobby Roode, you’re just personal, I just want to kick the living crap out of you.” He then focused on Aces and Eights, and questioned their manhood for jumping people from behind. Storm said, on behalf of himself and everyone, he wished Hogan a quick recovery.

Storm said he wanted to go for the lion, not the cub, and then called out Angle. Angle’s music played a few times with no sign of the former Olympian before backstage footage was shown of Aces and Eights beating on Angle with a lead pipe.

[Commercial Break]

Back from the break, Taz and Tenay ran through Aces and Eights jumping Angle before the break. They emphasized the discomfort in the backstage area due to Aces and Eights running loose.

[Q2] Next, Joe came out and got on the microphone. “Now since I know there isn’t a man alive that would walk out here and call me out I figured I’d come out here and pick a fight for myself,” he said. “And there is no better person to beat up than a man I’ve always had a problem with, Pope D’Angelo Dinero walk your a** out here so I can tap you out.” Backstage, Pope was shown making his way out to the ring.

1 -- SAMOA JOE vs. “THE POPE” D’ANGELE DINERO -- BFG Series match

Joe sent Pope into the corner, where both wrestlers exchanged series of blows until Joe was able to hit him with a big kick. Pope sent Joe into the turnbuckle, with is jaw catching most of the impact, causing Joe to roll out and nurse his mouth. It seemed as if Joe suffered a legit jaw injury, but the match continued with Pope attacking Joe and sending him back in the ring for for a step-over slam, and then put him in a submission. Joe was able to roll out of it, but the Pope was still able to land a sick uppercut to the jaw of Joe. As Pope went for a series of blows on a downed Joe, he was caught in an armbar, and quickly tapped out for a submission victory. Joe rolled out of the ring and continued to nurse his jaw...

WINNER: Samoa Joe via submission at 3:22; Joe gets 10 points.

Turner Reax: Okay match that brought back memories of the ridiculous storyline feud they had a year ago. That being said, it was hard-hitting, and Pope looked more legit than he has ever since his awkward reintroduction to television, well that is until he tapped out in a matter of seconds. Joe looked like he was in a immense amount of pain after that shot into the turnbuckle, hopefully it was just a stinger, and not something serious.

Backstage, the roving cameraman questioned Roode about having any affiliation with Aces and Eights. Roode freaked out on him, and denied the allegation, and said he had bigger, “well not necessarily bigger,” problems, calling out Austin Aries and proving he was a fluke.

Hardy came out to the ring as it was announced since the #3-ranked Angle was injured, that Hardy

[Commercial Break]

In the ring, Hardy addressed his “creatures,” and welcomed them to Open Fight Night. He said he had somebody in mind he was about to call out, but Robbie E. and Robbie T. cut him off. “It’s clear that you, just like everybody else in this Bound for Glory Series, is ducking Robbie E. bro,” he said. “But tonight, I’m calling you out, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” “Creatures let’s do this,” exclaimed Hardy to start the match.

[Q3] 2 -- JEFF HARDY vs. ROBBIE E. (w/ROBBIE T.) -- BFG Series match

Robbie E. took advantage of a staredown between Hardy and Robbie T. and blindsided Hardy. Hardy came back with a dropkick between the legs of Robbie E. for a two count. Off camera, Robbie T. got involved and threw Hardy into the ringsteps, and then back into the ring. Robbie E. tried to capitalize, but was met with Whisper in the Wind for a close two count. Hardy took to the air, trying to take out both Robbie T. and E. but crashed and burned. Frustrated with his outside interference, Hardy took to Robbie T. on the outside long enough to get counted out, allowing Robbie E. to pick up the win.

WINNER: Robbie E. via count-out at 2:47; Robbie E. gets 5 points

Turner Reax: Hardy looks like a moron for getting counted out. I don’t care for Robbie E.’s act, and don’t understand what he did to be part of the BFG Series, but I guess someone has to be the bottom of the totem pole.

Backstage, Gut Check contestant, Sam Shaw, was shown warming for his Gut Check match, up next.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, ODB was shown yelling at Eric Young about disappearing two months ago after she had sent him out to go pick up beer and fried chicken. He said he had every intention of returning home, but while he as at the store he was lured by men in an “awesome van,” and ended up receiving his own television show. ODB was still upset, but Young rectified the situation with a kiss, and went to, once again, go get ODB beer and fried chicken.

A video package aired highlighting the drama between Styles, Daniels, Carter, Kazarian, and Lynch.

Backstage, Daniels and Kazarian talked about Styles, and said that he should own up to his mistakes, namely getting Claire Lynch pregnant.

In the ring, Jeremy Borash introduced Sam Shaw, who made his way to the ring and awkwardly pranced around in their before Borash asked him why he deserved on the Impact roster. Shaw said he had wanted to be there his whole life, and that he was finally getting a chance to show why he should be on the roster. Before Borash could finish asking Shaw another question, Aces and Eights got in the ring and jumped Shaw.

[Commercial Break]

[Q4] Back from the break, Shaw was shown being helped by officials, and the Gut Check judges before a video recapped the beating received from Aces and Eights.

Mr. Anderson made his way to the ring, opting for normal microphone rather than his mic that falls from the ceiling. He said after calling out a douche bag like Christopher Daniels, that he was going to call out A.J. Styles, who he said he considered to be like a brother to him. Backstage, Styles tugged his gloves on, and made his way to the ring.

3 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. A.J. STYLES -- BFG Series match

Anderson and Styles went through the feeling out process with a series of wristlocks and other basic holds. They continued with back-and-forth wrestling, with both wrestlers, seemingly, not having the advantage over one another. Eventually Styls sent Anderson to the outside, and teased a slingshot to outside, but Anderson had Styles scouted and slid into ring, where Styles was able to catch him with a cross-body into the ring.

[Comemrcial Break]

[Q5] In the ring, Styles caught a running Anderson with a big dropkick for a two count. Tenay plugged the DirecTV problem for viewers who aren’t having an issue with it since they obviously don’t have DirecTV. He pleaded for people who have DirecTV to switch cable providers as Styles and Anderson continued wrestling in the ring. Anderson locked Styles into the cravate three times, but Styles eventually was able to escape, and after a sloppy hurricanrana, he hit a springboard forearm for a two count.

Styles motioned for the Styles Clash, but Anderson was able to counter with a Pittsburgh Plunge attempt that Styles was able to escape out of. Anderson eventually hit the Pittsburgh Plunge for a two count, Styles came back with a Pele Kick. Styles went to the top rope, but was met by Anderson who hit a superplex for a close two count. Styles went for another Styles Clash attempt, but was rolled up by Anderson for the pinfall victory.

WINNER: Mr. Anderson via pinfall at 13:38; Anderson gets 7 points.

Turner Reax: A good, albeit a bit sloppy in spots, television match.

Lynch came through the crowd and demanded that Styles come talk to her. She said had been trying to call him all week, but that he wasn’t returning her phone calls. She said if he wasn’t going to answer her calls, that they were going to have to talk about in public. She was appalled that Styles was allegedly lying about not remembering them hooking up the night he impregnated her, I can’t believe I’m typing this. “It was a passionate hot night, I can’t believe you don’t remember it,” she said before pulling out pictures from her cellphone, showing an obviously passed out Styles with Lynch and a bottle of booze.

[Commercial Break]

They recapped the ringside drama between Lynch and Daniels, and then the announcers introduced Bellator commentator, Sean Wheelock, as he joined them in the commentator’s booth.

Rob Van Dam came to the ring, and said he felt like fighting. “Right now there is no one I’d rather kick the crap out of then that phony scumbag Christopher Daniels”

[Q6] 4 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS -- BFG Series match

To start the match RVD set Daniels up in a tree of woe in the corner, and nailed him with running dropkick to the face of Daniels. RVD hit a nice northern lights suplex for a two count, and followed up with a series of submission attempts. The action made its way to ringside, and saw Daniels getting the better of RVD. Daniels sent RVD back into the ring, and hit him with a legdrop over the the top rope into the ring for a two count. Daniels followed up with a chinlock until RVD was able to fight his way back up to his feet. RVD was able to nail two sick looking kicks, and monkey flip. He attempted the Five Star, and the Rolling Thunder, but he missed both leading Daniels to roll up RVD, using the ropes for leverage, for the pinfall victory.

WINNER: Daniels via pinfall at 4:43; Daniels gets 7 points

Turner Reax: Another strong television match that would have benefitted from more time. It looked like RVD was trying to put forth a good effort, rather than just phoning it in, and Daniels continues to be great with his newest heel persona. The right man won tonight.

Backstage, TNA World Hvt. champion Austin Aries continued to take exception to being called a fluke, and said that it was Roode was the fluke. He talked about how Roode beating Storm at Lockdown was a fluke, and said everything about him trumped Roode, including his cape. Aries picked up a hand of cards from Aces and Eights, and said that he trumped them, too.

[Commercial Break]

Taz and Tenay were shown at the commentators booth on the phone with Brooke Hogan. She noted some of Hogan’s injuries before saying she didn’t want to talk about it. The announcers once again sent out their well wishes for Hogan.

A video recapped Joseph Park hitting Bully Ray with a Black Hole Slam out of nowhere for their match last week.

Backstage, Park was shown sitting Garret Bischoff and talking to him about his last name could cause legal troubles for him. Bischoff asked him what was up with Black Hole Slam, and who was really behind it. Park played dumb, and said that it was all him before he took off.

Magnus and Ray were shown backstage jawing off at each other before Magnus was first to make his out to the ring. As he was making his way to the ring, Ray snuck up from behind and proceeded to beat on him at ringside. Magnus made a comeback and threw Ray into the ring steps, and then threw him into the ring to officially start the match.

[Q7] 5 -- BULLY RAY vs. MAGNUS -- BFG Series match

Magnus hit Ray with a big clothesline, and a boot to the face before Ray came back with a boot to the face of his own. Magnus tried to make a comeback, but Ray jammed his thumbs into the eyes of Magnus. Ray continued to keep the offensive edge with a hard slap to the chest of Magnus in the corner, he followed up with an elbow drop for a two count. The announcers talked about the importance of wins and losses in wrestling, particularly in the BFG Series. Wins and losses counting? What a concept...

Magnus was able to to come back with a series of punches, and a backdrop for a two count. Just as it seemed that Rau was about to take the offensive edge back, Magnus was able to lock Ray into the Texas Cloverleaf, but Ray was able to get to the ropes. Magnus a sit-out body slam for a two count, and tried to follow up with an unsuccessful elbow drop attempt. Ray took advantage of Magnus’s misstep, and hit him with a cutter for the win.

WINNER: Bully Ray via pinfall at 4:45; Ray gets 7 points.

Turner Reax: A fun match while it lasted. It’s nice to see heels go over clean, and in reality Magnus walked away looking better then he did before the match after putting forth a strong effort against Ray.

A video package aired for Chavo Guerrero to tune of a western sounding song. The video announced he was debuting next week as Taz and Tenay acted like it was major news.

Roode came out for his match with Aries, and stopped at the ramp to call Austin Aries a fluke.

[Commercial Break]

Once he got in the ring he took to mic to, once again, reiterate Aries’s victory being nothing more than a fluke. Aries came out as the match quickly got underway.

[Q8]

6 -- TNA World Hvt. champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. BOBBY ROODE -- non-title match

Early on in the match, Roode tried to cover Aries for a quick victory, but was met with an armdrag from Aries who taunted him on the floor. Roode slowed down the pace, and beat on Aries in the corner, and attempted a crossface, but Aries quickly got to the ropes. On the ropes Aries hit Roode with a shoulder block, and then landed senton over the top rope, and eblow drop for a two count. Roode and Aries battled at ringside as the show went to commercials.

[Commercial Break - the show came back for a ten second update before another commercial break]

Back from the break, Roode hit Aries with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Roode sent Aries into the corner multiple times, and eventually hit him with a spinebuster for another two count. Roode picked up Aries for a suplex followed by a kneedrop for yet another two count. With Aries unable to mount a comeback, Roode continued to beat him down with multiple strikes, kicks, and power moves. They began a toe-to-toe exchange that ended with Aries landing a Russian leg sweep into Last Chancery. Roode was able to break up the submission hold with a rake to the eyes, and hit the spear for a two count.

Roode, who was visibly annoyed by not being able to pin Aries, took to the rope for a superplex attempt on Aries. Aries came back with a couple of knees to the head of Roode, knocking him down for a missile drop kick, followed by a running missile drop kick in the corner. Aries attempted the Brainbuster, but Roode countered with the crossface, which Aries turned into a pin attempt for a two count. He followed up with a discus elbow, a clothes, and then threw Roode out to ringside. Aries hit a suicide elbow dive, but Aces and Eights hit the ringside area and started beating on Aries, paying no attention to Roode.

WINNER: No Contest at 13:30.

Turner Reax: I questioned TNA’s judgement for putting this match on television, but I should have seen the non-finish coming. That being said, I was satisfied with how this played out, and watching these go has been treat in the past couple of months.

Aces and Eights eventually turned their attention to Roode. Roode went for a handshake, but Aces and Eights rejected it, and continued to beat on both Roode and Aries as the show signed off.

Turner Reax: Tonight’s show was a mixed bag, and I blame most of that on heavy focus they put on Aces and Eights. It was definitely more on the good side of things when it comes to the television product, but if they don’t start getting to the next chapter of the Aces and Eights storyline, like revealing who they are, or their motivations, things could get stale quickly. That being said, there was some good, albeit for the most part short, matches worth watching. Thanks again for reading!

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