By Talon
August 16, 2012
Orlando, FL
World Heavyweight Champion, Austin Aries made his way to the ring, holding the World Title up high. After draping the title on the ropes, Aries talked about Roode calling him a fluke. He said after beating Roode for the second time, he erased the doubt. He said for those who still doubt, take fluke, erase the "e" and go "fluk yourself."August 16, 2012
Orlando, FL
Aries addressed the BFG Series, which is ending soon. He said whoever wins will see Aries walk in and out of Bound For Glory as the World Champion. The charismatic enigma Jeff Hardy then interrupted A-Double and made his way to the ring. Jeff said he doesn't know whats going on but he has been chasing the World Title for the last year. He said he will win the Series and the two of them will tear it up at the BFG Series. Hardy said the Aces and 8s messed up his match on Sunday so he is calling them out.
It was Bully Ray who answered Hardy. Ray called Hardy stupid then told him that James Storm is behind the Aces and 8s. The Aces and 8s said at Hardcore Justice, they were gunning for Ray. They didn't touch him behind James Storm superkicked him. Ray said the group distracted Hardy later on. Ray said he was lucky and put Hardy through the table. Through luck or not, he will win the World Heavyweight Title.
Austin Aries interrupted him and started talking to his calves. Aries said earlier this year Aries made Ray tap out. Aries accused Ray of being behind the Aces and 8s. Aries said whoever wins the BFG Series will have to go through him, and that's a task nobody has been able to get it done. The Aces and 8s appeared. They said tonight they will make their presence felt tonight. Ray told Aries and Hardy that "its right in front of their faces" as he was cut off by commercials.
Talon's Take: I am still thinking that its Ray behind the Aces and 8s group. I am hoping that the group storyline moves along faster as the past few weeks have felt like things have gone very slowly. Good reset promo teasing two possible BFG Main Event candidates while also previewing tonight's Hardy vs Ray Match.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Magnus was asked how he would prepare for Samoa Joe. Magnus said he knows everything about Joe as a wrestler and a man. Magnus said if you can get into Joe's head, you can pick up the victory so watch tonight.
Samoa Joe vs Magnus
BFG Series Match
I believe this is Magnus' last match in the BFG Series, so whether he wins or not, he can't go onto No Surrender. The two went back and forth as both men saw each other's moves before they happened. Joe nearly locked in the crossface before Magnus escaped. Joe with stinging jabs in the corner before Magnus hit a big kick.
Magnus with a nice modified suplex. Magnus returned the threat with a spinning enziguri. Joe went for the Musclebuster but Magnus fought out. He missed an Elbow Drop but ran into the Uranage. Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch but Magnus jumped from the turnbuckle for a pin attempt. Joe with a La Mahistral Cradle for the victory and 7 points. Joe encouraged Magnus after the match.
As Joe left to ringside, Magnus came up and smacked his arm with a chair. Magnus was clearly frustrated.
Talon's Take: While the chair attack eliminates these two going for the tag titles, it is an interesting heel turn for Magnus. It will also give Samoa Joe strategy since his arm will likely be a target. Solid, but short match!
Madison Rayne talked about winning the Knockouts Title, "clean in the ring." A producer interrupted and told Madison Rayne that Brooke Hogan wants to see her in the ring.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
The Knockouts Champion, Madison Rayne made her way to the ring with her new championship. Madison said she knows Brooke Hogan understands how important this moment is because she has regained her throne. Madison said tonight they will party and she hopes she brings cake. Rayne said behind every great women is a great referee. She invited Earl Hebner into the ring with her because she has something special for her. The two hugged in the ring.
Brooke Hogan made her way out. Brooke said she knows there is shady stuff going on. Hogan announced that Earl Hebner won't be reffing anymore Knockouts Matches. Brooke also announced that Miss Tessmacher has her rematch tonight. Brooke said tonight, she has a very special referee for tonight. Madison told Brooke that she is all talk and no action. Madison invited her to come into the ring and "tell her" about these changes.
Brooke ran into the ring and chased Madison off. All of a sudden, two members of the Aces and 8s appeared behind her. Before they could do anything, a bunch of members of the roster (Sting, Bully Ray, Storm, Hardy etc) came in and ran them off.
Talon's Take: Interesting segment. Some don't like Brooke but I think she's gorgeous and has held up her role solidly. It will be interesting to see who the referee is. My guess is Velvet Sky as that would make sense. Also a good tease for the Aces and 8s attack.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
In the ring, Sting was with Kurt Angle, Hardy and others. Sting said tonight, they learned about Aces and 8s character. Sting said he promised that he would protect Brooke and they did. Sting announced that starting at 8 O'Clock next week on Open Fight Night, he will bring his pack and they can bring their pack and everyone can meet in the ring.
Talon's Take: Big announcement! I think it could hurt TNA tonight as fans won't expect the group to show up again however the intrigue of the battle next week is interesting.
Backstage, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian had a "Spiderman" comic and said they were featured. Kazarian and Chris talked about how ugly Claire was. AJ showed up and said he would have to be drugged to sleep with Claire. AJ said he was ending this tonight. If Daniels beats him, then he will accept that he is the father but if AJ wins, he will get a paternity test. After he left, Daniels and Kazarian worried about showing up on Maury or Jerry Springer.
Talon's Take: AJ won't get a paternity test if he loses tonight. Why hasn't he gotten one already? He will spend the rest of his life raising a kid that isn't his if he loses a match. Aside from the stupidity of the stipulation, it adds more importance to the Daniels vs AJ match tonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Christopher Daniels vs AJ Styles
BFG Series Match
Daniels was accompanied by Kazarian in this match. Kazarian was ejected by Brian Hebner before the match even began. Daniels got a nearfall with his feet on the ropes before the ref caught him. AJ tore into Daniels for the next few minutes. AJ with a big back body drop on Daniels. Daniels pleaded with AJ but it didn't work.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Daniels controlled AJ's head with a side headlock. AJ fought back and locked in a Bridging Deathlock STF. He turned that into a Single Leg Crab and then turned it back into the Deathlock. Daniels got out by biting the hand of AJ. Daniels with a hotshot and a rabid clothesline. Daniels with a field goal kick to AJ's gut. Daniels hit a backsuplex and then a modified neckbreaker.
Daniels through AJ outside. AJ was nearly counted out on a few occasions. AJ switched a Sunset Flip into a Styles Clash attempt. Daniels locked in an Octopus-style Kohji Clutch. AJ bit his way out of the move. Rapid fire palm strikes followed up by punches in the corner. AJ battled out with a running powerbomb. Flying Forearm by AJ followed by clotheslines and a modified Gutbuster. AJ hit a Cliffhanger Neckbreaker for a two-count.
Daniels sent AJ outside the ring. AJ pulled Daniels out. When Daniels threw AJ towards the ring, AJ rolled in then followed it up with a Suicide Dive. Kazarian appeared ringside and whisepered something to Daniels. As AJ suplexed Daniels in the ring, Kazarian grabbed his feet. The referee counted three but eventually overruled it due to Kazarian's interference. AJ connected with a Pele to win the match. Afterwards, AJ hit Daniels with a Styles Clash to send a message. AJ will now take a paternity test.
Talon's Take: Aside from the stupid stipulation, this was a really good television match. I love watching these two. If this was the blowoff, it was a pretty good blowoff.
Backstage, Sting was on the phone with Hulk Hogan. Hogan said he would be there for Open Fight Night next week. Sting asked if they were ready to go old-school and Hogan said he was.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy approached James Storm about Hardcore Justice calling it all shady. James Storm said he was tired of being accused. Storm said he would be there next week fighting alongside everyone else. He said he would be there tonight for the Ray vs Hardy Match.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Bobby Roode headed towards the ring. He grabbed a mic and told the crowd that at Hardcore Justice, he had the opportunity to write the ring. He said at Hardcore Justice, he proved Austin Aries was a fluke because Roode defeated him in the middle of the ring when the assigned referee raised his hand in victory. The crowd called Roode a loser as he claimed that he should be standing there as World Champion.
Roode said with that stipulation, he doesn't get a rematch. Roode called the World Title his life. Roode said he looked in the mirror and he saw one person to blame for this: Austin Aries. And Sting...and the referees...oh and the fans. They are all to blame. He didn't know what he was going to do now. Roode dropped the mic in the center of the ring upset and slowly left the ring.
Talon's Take: This was a good promo establishing the importance of the World Title and what it meant to Roode. While this was very similar to the James Storm promo post-Lockdown, it makes sense in this context. I assume Roode will disappear until around No Surrender where he will cost James Storm the BFG Series.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
We got a backstage segment with next week's Gutcheck participant. He talked about getting suspended in third grade. He talked about how his brother got him in wrestling. He said in 2003, his brother got shot. He will debut next week.
Miss Tessmacher vs Madison Rayne
Knockouts Championship Match
Before the match, Brooke Hogan came out and introduced Taryn Terrell as the special referee. Tenay said she was a model. Terrell immediately got involved breaking each girl in the corner. Terrell apparently is the former "Tiffany" from WWE ECW. Madison got a close call but Terrell saw the use of the tights.
Tessmacher fired off a series of clotheslines. She went for the Tess-Shocker but caught a big elbow. Tessmacher missed a Crossbody. Rayne tried to use the ropes but Taryn caught her. Madison got in her face, which allowed Tessmacher to hit her finisher and regain the title.
Talon's Take: Taryn is cute but I don't know how good of a wrestler she is. I remember her vaguely from WWE ECW. She also had a scary character model in the WWE video game series. By the way, why couldn't they have done the whole Taryn Terrell thing at Hardcore Justice to prevent a quick title change?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, the Aces and 8s addressed the open challenge. The Aces and 8s said they will be there at 8 O'Clock. The group said they still have unfinished business tonight.
Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy
BFG Series Match
In the opening minutes of the match, James Storm made his way to the ring (as promised). Early on, both Ray and Hardy were sent outside. Hardy hit a dive from the ring apron as we went to a commercial break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Ray took Hardy down with a hard clothesline as we came back from break. Ray viced the neck of Hardy with his legs. Ray with a suplex for two. Bully went for a big splash but Hardy rolled out of the way. The two traded blows with Hardy getting the better of it. Inverted Atomic Drop followed by a Leg Drop from Hardy. Ray connected with a humongous Uranage on Hardy. Ray attempted the Bully Bomb but Hardy connects with an Enziguri and a Hardyac Arrest Corner Leg Drop.
Hardy goes up top and hits the Swanton Bomb for a VERY close nearfall. Ray rolled to the outside. As Hardy dove over the top rope, Bully pulled Storm in the way as Mike Tenay was too busy reacting to storylines to even mention it. Hardy hit Whisper in the Wind, in the ring. All of a sudden, Aces and 8s came out but were chased off by a bunch of wrestlers. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for 7 points. Ray attacked Hardy immediately after the match.
Ray grabbed a chain and started accusing Storm. Storm said he had Ray's back. Ray shoved Storm and Storm went for the Superkick. He missed and connected with Hardy. All of a sudden, the Aces and 8s showed up and attacked James Storm. They beat him down as the show came to a close.
Talon's Take: And the revelation that Storm isn't with the Aces and 8s is finally clear. They are doing alot to build up this mystery. I still think Bully Ray is the man behind the group which is even more clear with what happened tonight. The main event was another good match.
FINAL TAKE
This show was incredibly focused, concentrating only on the main event scene and the Knockouts. It was refreshingly paced. Good show building to a huge one next week.
