9/13 IMPACT Wrestling Live Coverage

By Talon
September 13, 2012
Orlando, FL

Austin Aries came to the ring to open the show. Aries put over the World Heavyweight Title. He said at No Surrender, he took a piece out of the ass of Aces and 8s. He said he is now focused on Bound For Glory. Aries called out the winner of the BFG Series, Jeff Hardy. Hardy made his way to the ring.

Aries congratulated Hardy on winning the BFG Series. Aries said he knows what it takes to beat Samoa Joe and Bully Ray but to do it in the same night means Hardy deserves the main event spot at Bound For Glory. Aries said people are thinking that Aries has something that Hardy wants but Aries said Hardy has many things Aries wants. Before he could continue, he was interrupted by Bully Ray.

Ray called both men lucky. Ray said he would have taken the World Title at Bound For Glory and Jeff was lucky because Ray felt bad for him. Ray said he took his eye off the ball, which is why he beat him. Ray said he has been beating him for years. Ray wanted to fight but Aries interrupted. Aries said the last time the two fought, Aries made him tap out and the last time Ray faced Hardy, Hardy won as well. Hardy was pumped up and wanted to fight Ray saying he feels way better tonight. Ray was going to say something else but Hardy's music cut him off. Mike Tenay confirmed the match later tonight.

Talon's Take: Good opening promo setting the table for Bound For Glory. Aside from the music cutting off Ray, things were well done. It looks as if Ray remains in the title picture. If he wins tonight, it would make sense that he be considered a top contender.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Zema Ion vs Sonjay Dutt
X Division Championship
Mike Tenay and Taz offered Jerry "The King" Lawler a speedy recovery acknowledging that Lawler is looking better. Dutt attacked Zema from the opening bell. He hit a snap headscisscor on the floor followed by a moonsault from the apron. He hit another one in the ring. Dutt got a nearfall following a Hurricanrana pin.

Zema countered a standing moonsault into a Rings of Saturn type move. Sonjay hit the Sonjay Cutter in the center of the ring followed by the Moonsault Mushroom Stomp. Dutt nearly got the pinfall when Zema got his foot on the bottom rope. Zema caught Sonjay up top and cradled him for the successful title defense.

After the match, Zema hit Sonjay in the head with the can of hairspray. He locked in his modified armbar on Sonjay, possibly tearing the shoulder.

Talon's Take: The match felt incredibly rushed because of how short it was. Sonjay hit many big time moves right off the bat. Zema seems to be getting a mean streak with his Armbar type move. It will be interesting to see where TNA goes with the BFG X Division Title Match.

Backstage, Daniels and Kazarian were sucking up to Hogan wearing his merchandise. Hogan walked in and sarcastically congratulated them. Hogan announced two singles matches. Daniels will face Hernandez or Chavo Guerrero and Kazarian will face AJ Styles or Kurt Angle. If the tag champions win, they don't have to defend their titles but if the opponents win, they earn a tag title shot. Hogan made a crack about there being protein in the drawer.

Talon's Take: I'm assuming the tag title match will lead to the Bound For Glory Tag Title Match. Whether is be Daniels and Kazarian vs Hernandez and Chavo, AJ and Kurt or a 3-Way Tag, it should be a good match.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Backstage, AJ Styles and Kurt Angle discussed who would challenge Kazarian. Angle wanted to make sure AJ would keep his head in the game. After AJ walked away, Wes Brisco walked up to Kurt Angle. They both walked away together to watch AJ Styles tonight.

Talon's Take: The Brisco appearance is interesting. This segment leads me to believe that for some reason, AJ won't be able to get the job done, which will cause problems with Angle.

Bobby Roode made his in-ring entrance. Roode recapped recent history with him losing the World Title. Roode talked about costing Storm the World Title shot at Bound For Glory. Before long, a riled up James Storm made his way to the ring and brawled with Roode. Storm beat the ass of Roode ringside and sent him hard into the stage area. We headed to commercial break as Storm continued the assault.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

We got a video memory of BFG 2009 where AJ Styles beat Sting. The slogan for BFG is "the memories are waiting."

Kazarian vs AJ Styles
AJ got the upperhand immediately, going for the Styles Clash early on. Kazarian tried retreating ringside but continued to be assaulted by Kazarian.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Kazarian had AJ cornered after returning from break but AJ was able to hit a backbreaker on Kazarian moments later. On the apron, AJ hit Kazarian with a clunky DDT, which drew a "holy shit" chant. Ringside, Kazarian hit a monkey flip sending AJ thumping on the ringside mats. Kazarian went for a few quick pinfalls on AJ to no avail.

Kazarian fought out of another Styles Clash but was hit with the Phenomenal Flying Forearm. After a nearfall, AJ hit the Pele followed by the Styles Clash to pick up the win and another title shot.

Talon's Take: So we know Daniels and Kazarian will be defending the titles against AJ and Angle but the question is, will this thing turn into a 3-Way Tag?

Backstage, Hulk Hogan was addressing Brooke Hogan telling her she needs to bring bodyguards with her. Joseph Park said he had some news about the Aces and 8s investigation. Park said next week, he would have facts that would blow this case wide open. Hulk Hogan asked Park to guard his daughter while he went to the ring to address the Aces and 8s. Park asked Brooke if she had a lawyer, which Brooke said she had. Park scooted towards Brooke kindly.

Talon's Take: Park is such a good character. He was likeable in this segment. I also like that we will finally be progressing this Aces and 8s storyline. Could we see parts of Abyss come out in a possible physical incident between Park and the Aces and 8s?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Backstage, Bully Ray approached Jeff Hardy, yelling at him. Bully challenged Hardy to put his title shot on the line. Ray goaded Hardy even more, calling him a coward. Hardy accepted the challenge saying if Ray beat him tonight, he can have his spot at Bound For Glory.

Talon's Take: Well, this match changes everything. While most of the BFG Series would be a waste if the winner doesn't earn a title shot, I could see Ray winning to fuel the Aces and 8s storyline and progressing the sympathy for Jeff Hardy.

Hulk Hogan headed to the ring. The crowd was loudly behind him. Hogan said the BFG Series put TNA in high gear. Hogan said Jeff Hardy wasn't from this planet. Hogan said he wouldn't get in the way of Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy. The winner will face Austin Aries at Bound For Glory. Hogan talked about No Surrender saying the fans were protected when the IMPACT Zone was locked down. Hogan said from now on, the IMPACT Zone will be locked down.

The Aces and 8s came on screen. The leader asked Hogan if he locked the group out or in. The leader said Hogan should have his head on a swivel. The leader said anyone who Hogan talks to could be one of them.

Talon's Take: The only problem I see with this concept is that the wrestlers involved would have to already be on the roster or else the people backstage would find their presence odd. This would technically eliminate most of the top rumored names for the group, otherwise they would be highly suspect.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Backstage, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez talked their gameplan. Chavo was pissed at himself for losing last week. He revealed he would face Daniels tonight.

Christopher Daniels vs Chavo Guerrero
Daniels moved to ringside and taunted Chavo. Guerrero went right after Daniels, sending him hard in the corner and pummeling him with rights. Chavo worked over Daniels with a headlock and overhead backbreaker. He followed up with a monkey flip. Daniels walked away from a possible suicide dive but ran into a dive from Chavo from the apron. As Chavo was getting back in the ring, Daniels sent him hard into the guardrail.

Daniels tied up Chavo's arm in the ring and followed with a judo-style STO. Chavo rallied back with a Flying Headscissor and a big dropkick for two. Chavo hiptossed Daniels outside the ring. Daniels grabbed a tag title belt and attempted to use it. Chavo ducked and then connected with the Three Amigos. He followed it up with a Frog Splash to win the match. Chavo and Hernandez will also get a tag title shot.

Talon's Take: Solid match, but nothing special. Tenay and Taz haven't addressed if the tag title matches will happen on IMPACT or at BFG but I think it will be the latter.

A vignette of Evan Markopoulos for Gutcheck aired. He is an 18-year old college student. He started wrestling at age thirteen. His parents talked about how he got started. He said he would show the Gutcheck judges that he belongs in TNA Wrestling.

Talon's Take: Evan looks to have an X Division-style frame. One thing I like about Gutcheck is that the majority of competitors involved aren't well-known wrestlers. They are guys who aren't big indy stars but have potential to do well. I am interested in seeing what Evan has.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Backstage, James Storm said he didn't get enough of Bobby Roode. James Storm said next week is Open Fight Night, which means he can call out anyone he wanted; which is bad for him.

Another BFG Memory aired of Gail Kim talking about winning the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory 2007.

Talon's Take: TNA is definitely doing a good job making BFG feel like a big show. I like these highlights of the show.

Tara headed to the ring. She congratulated Miss Tessmacher. Tessmacher came out to the ring. Tara said part of her was upset but part of her was happy after the result of No Surrender. Tara put over Brooke for being the best. She wanted to properly present her the belt. She kept saying she loved her. Taz asked if this way Oprah or what? After strapping the belt around her waste she again congratulated her. Tara watched on as Tessmacher celebrated.

All of a sudden, Tara clotheslined Brooke. She connected with the Widow's Peak in the center of the ring. Tara stood over Brooke looking on.

Talon's Take: The heel turn was logical. Tara was over-the-top in celebrating Brooke which aided her heel turn even more. I wasn't a fan of the lovey dovey stuff between the two so I am liking the heel turn. It looks to be a rematch of Tara vs Tessmacher at Bound For Glory.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Backstage, Dixie Carter addresses Hulk Hogan and the agents. Dixie wanted to know what was up. D'Lo Brown urged them to let the guys in. Al Snow questioned if someone in the room was part of the group. Bruce Pritchard said they accomplished what they wanted; to terrorize them. Dixie said people have beefs with them. D'Lo said its better to look these people in the eye rather than run from them.

Talon's Take: This segment was interesting as hell. Involving Dixie Carter and others made the Aces and 8s storyline feel important. Everyone is questioning everyone which is exactly what the Aces and 8s want. I am assuming one of the executives (many fans will know who) is with the group.

Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy
Winner Gets The World Title Shot At Bound For Glory
Ray jumped Hardy after the opening bell. Hardy fought back and hit a crossbody dive onto the floor. We went into commercials with Hardy on top.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Back from the break, Hardy hit a top rope splash. Moments later, he ran into a big boot for a two count. Ray hit another big clothesline on Hardy forcing Jeff's hands to quiver. Ray went for the big boot but Hardy nearly caught him with the Twist of Fate before Ray sent him shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Hardy was favoring the hurt shoulder as Ray pounced on him.

In the ring, Ray connected with an Avalanche. Hardy fired back with a Whisper in the Wind putting both men down. The two exchanged punches which saw Hardy get the upperhand. A basement dropkick got Hardy a two-count. He went for the Twist of Fate but Ray reversed it into a Bully Bomb for another nearfall. Ray went for another Bully Bomb but Hardy countered it into a DDT for a close count. Ray catches Hardy up top and then hits a big Superplex for two.

Ray missed a Vader Bomb but countered a Swanton Bomb. Bully with another Bully Bomb to nearly get the win. Hardy ducks the Big Boot and hits two Twists of Fate. He followed it up with a Swanton Bomb to win the match and move on to Bound For Glory. Hardy cements his spot at Bound For Glory.

Talon's Take: As I said before, it wouldn't have done the BFG Series concept any favors if the winner didn't end up getting a title shot. This is the type of match we should have had at No Surrender instead of Hardy playing the injury angle. It will be Aries vs Hardy at BFG!

FINAL TAKE
The main problem I see with these shows is that unless things progress, people will end up watching something else. The only major storyline progression we got tonight was the heel turn of Tara. Things were set up but if someone tuned in next week (after missing this show) they wouldn't have missed any major moments.