By JSO
October 18, 2012
Orlando, FL
The Aces & Eights are shown arriving to the IMPACT Zone. Security lets them through as they now have full access. The gang makes their way to the ring. The VP is shown on the big screen and talks about their victory at BFG. The VP toasts Devon as the newest full-fledged member of the Aces & Eights. Devon makes his way to the ring and hugs each of the masked members.
Devon first tells the crowd to shut the hell up. The crowd starts chanting “You sold out!” Devon says the Aces & Eights have had his back and supported him since day one. Devon calls the crowd pieces of crap. Devon thanks the guys in the ring and the leader of the group. He says this is the group that will destroy TNA and then tells the crowd to shut up again as they chant “You suck!"
Devon says he didn’t forget that Bubba turned on him two years ago and drove his kid through a table. Devon says payback’s a bitch. The crowd chants "Bully's better!" Sting’s music hits and he comes out to the stage with a bunch of TNA wrestlers. All hell breaks loose! Hulk Hogan comes out with a baseball bat while the Aces & Eights retreat.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Hogan says that the Aces & Eights may have won full access but that means they gotta fight. Sting says he wants to fight Devon tonight. Hogan gives Devon an ultimatum to fight Sting or get out for good. Devon accepts the challenge. Devon says Sting better show up tonight or they will take him out in the parking lot.
JSOpinion: Entertaining segment. Devon said what he needed to say to establish his new role as a heel (I believe the side of his jacket read “Sgt. At Arms”). I like heel Devon, he finally has a legit character instead of the guy who just yells “Testify” and fires up the crowd all the time. Not too sure about Sting vs. Devon tonight but we'll see how it goes.
A video package airs recapping Jeff Hardy’s victory at BFG.
Backstage, Austin Aries is shown eating a cookie. He teases that he will be at Hardy’s celebration tonight and walks off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Hulk Hogan says that Jeff Hardy will defend his title next week on Championship Thursday. James Storm and Mr. Anderson are in. Joseph Park walks in and Hogan tells the camera to leave as he talks with Park.
Robbie E vs. Samoa Joe
Television Championship Match
Joe punches Robbie a few times, irish whips him into the corner and hits the turning kick. Joe with a snapmare and kick to the back followed by a knee drop. Joe sets up Robbie for the Muscle Buster but Terry hooks Joe’s leg. Robbie goes for some slaps with no effect. Joe knocks him down and then hits a suicide dive onto Terry on the outside. Joe knocks Robbie down with kick. Back in the ring, Joe hits the Muscle Buster and applies the Koquina Clutch for the submission.
After the match, Terry tries to attack Joe but he gets caught in the Koquina Clutch as well.
JSOpinion: Typical squash match. Joe continues to establish his TV title reign and in the process looks dominant here by crushing the Jersey goofball with ease.
Backstage, Jessie Godderz is doing military presses on Tara over his head during a photo shoot. Tara tells the photographer to go away and then makes out with Jessie.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Tara vs. ODB
The announcers hype the Knockouts title rematch next Thursday between Tara and Tessmacher. ODB talks to Eric Young on her cell phone as she makes her way to the ring. ODB attacks Tara from behind as Tara is making out with Jessie. ODB knocks Tara down and hits a running powerslam. ODB is arguing with Eric Young on her cell phone. ODB kisses Jessie as the latter is on the ring apron. Tara attacks her and takes over the offense with some stomps. Tara makes out with Jessie again while ODB recovers and drinks from her flash. ODB spits in Jessie’s face and then delivers the BAM to Tara for the pin.
After the match, Miss Tessmacher is shown on stage, smiling about Tara’s loss.
JSOpinion: Not a good start for the new champ and her “bigshot” Hollywood boyfriend. It wasn’t much of a wrestling match but it was pretty entertaining nonetheless for what it was.
Backstage, AJ Styles and Kurt Angle talk about their three-way match along with Christopher Daniels.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A video package airs recapping the tag team title match at BFG. Daniels says he and Kaz will get their rematch.
Kid Kash and Gunner vs. Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
Kash and Gunner throw Chavo to the outside. They try to double team Hernandez but the big man double clothesline them. Chavo hits a dropkick to the back of Kash for a two count. Hernandez tags in and hits a belly to belly suplex on Kash. Gunner tags in but gets a scoop slam from Hernandez. Chavo tags in and hits a slingshot back splash on Gunner.
Gunner clotheslines Chavo from the apron and they double team Chavo with some stomps. Gunner and Kash exchange quick tags and punish Chavo. Hernandez finally gets the hot tag and cleans house. Hernandez hits the Pounce on Kash. Chavo tags in and hits a Frog Splash type body press on a standing Kash for the pin.
JSOpinion: Tag team wrestling 101; with the heels isolating one guy, the hot tag and finish. Nothing special other than to establish Chavo and Hernandez as the new champs. Good to see Kash and Gunner back on TV as a tag team, although they have yet to win a match together and are just jobbers right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
Backstage, Joseph Park wants to fight the Aces & Eights. Hogan says there are too many and says no. Bully Ray comes in and asks to fight Devon tonight. Hogan says Sting will take care of it and tells Bully that he's one of the contenders in next week’s World title match.
Another video package airs recapping Jeff Hardy’s victory at BFG.
New World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring for his celebration. Red, white and green confetti pours down from the rafters as Hardy poses with the title. The crowd chants loudly for Hardy. Hardy talks about his journey to the title and thanks his creatures for their support. Hardy says he’s looking forward to his first title defense next week.
Austin Aries interrupts and starts singing the lyrics to the song “Celebration.” Aries brings some balloons and a plate of cookies. Aries congratulates Hardy on his victory. Aries gives Hardy the balloons but lets them go. Aries then offers Hardy the cookies but Hardy knocks them away. Aries says he’s going to cash in his rematch clause but first he’ll let Hardy crumble under the pressure and then pick his spot. Aries asks to see Hardy’s custom belt and spits on it. Hardy punches Aries and goes for the Twist of Fate but Aries retreats.
JSOpinion: I like that they kept this thing simple. Hardy did minimal mic work while Aries carried the segment to set up a future rematch down the line. Nice of Aries to play up the smart strategy and say how he's going to strike at the right moment for his rematch.
Backstage, Christopher Daniels talks about the three-way match tonight while he sips his appletini.
AJ Styles makes his way to the ring for the match as the show goes to a commercial break.
(COMMMERCIAL BREAK)
Christopher Daniels is already in the ring and Kurt Angle’s entrance is shown as the show comes back from the break.
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Kurt Angle
AJ and Kurt immediately double team Daniels. AJ and Kurt then go at it one-on-one, with AJ hitting a dropkick after a short exchange. Daniels attacks AJ but Kurt knocks Daniels down. Kurt hits a pair of German suplexes on AJ and Daniels. AJ hits a kick to Kurt’s head. AJ goes for the Style Clash but Angle counters into the ankle lock. Daniels breaks it up and throws Kurt shoulder first into the ring post.
Daniels clubs Aries with some strikes and a reverse DDT for a two count. Daniels locks AJ in a half nelson but AJ fights back. Angle comes back in but gets knocked down by Daniels, who in turn gets knocked down by AJ. AJ hits the springboard flying forearm on Kurt for a two count. Daniels then hits a spinning powerbomb on AJ for a two count. Kurt knocks Daniels down and goes after AJ but gets hit with the Pele. AJ backdrops Daniels to the outside and does a springboard moonsault onto Daniels. Back in the ring, Kurt throws Daniels into AJ and hits the Angle Slam on Daniels for the pin. Kurt Angle moves onto to next week’s title deliberation.
After the match, AJ and Kurt shake hands as AJ teases a little tension.
JSOpinion: Great match. This was just what you would expect from these three guys. They each hit some of their signature moves and went back and forth. AJ's reaction afterwards was interesting and could be something to keep an eye on in the ensuing weeks.
Backstage, Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan run into Hulk Hogan. Ryan shakes Hogan’s hand. Hogan questions Morgan’s recent actions. Morgan explains that he should have been a household name by now and blames Hogan. Hogan responds that he went to bat for Morgan with the higher ups in TNA but they said that Morgan has no charisma and so on. Morgan tells Hogan to shove everything up his ass and walks away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A video package airs featuring highlights from Sting’s induction into the TNA Hall of Fame.
A video package airs recapping James Storm’s victory over Bobby Roode at BFG.
James Storm makes his way to the ring for a promo. Storm talks about his victory at BFG. Storm pulls out his “bucket list” and checks off two items. He kicked Roode’s ass and drank some beer. His next item is to regain the World title.
Bobby Roode interrupts, limping his way to the ring. Roode says they had one of the greatest, brutal fights in wrestling history. Roode congratulates Storm for finally beating him after a year of failures. He talks a little about their history as Beer Money and says that he always carried Storm back then. Roode tells Storm that he’ll always be the better man. Storm responds with the Last Call superkick and tells Roode “Sorry about your damn luck!”
JSOpinion: Nice promo exchange from Storm and Roode. Storm is now focused on the World title while Roode…well, it’s hard to tell what he’ll do next. But anyway, this has been one of the best personal feuds in a long time. Storm’s final superkick put the exclamation point and now it’s time to move on.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
More highlights are shown from Sting’s Hall of Fame induction.
Devon vs. Sting
Devon starts things off with some strikes. Sting takes control with a couple of clotheslines. He goes for the Stinger Splash but Devon gets out of the way. Sting maintains control and knocks down Devon again. Sting stomps Devon’s hands and chokes him in the corner. He tries to clothesline Devon over the top rope but he can’t get the full extension, so he throws Devon through the ropes instead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
As we come back from the commercial break, Devon is clubbing Sting. A replay is shown where Sting nailed Devon in the back with a chair on the outside. Devon knocks down Sting and continues the offense. Devon drives an elbow to Sting’s midsection from the outside. Back in the ring, Devon hits a diving headbutt on Sting for a two count. Devon applies a headlock and Sting tries to fight back but gets knocked down with a diving shoulder block. Devon hits a jawbreaker followed a big punch. Devon misses a splash from the second splash. Sting takes control with clotheslines, a Stinger Splash and a Scorpion Death Drop. Sting kicks Devon down and applies the Scorpion Death Lock. The Aces & Eights attack Sting for the disqualification.
After the match, the TNA wrestlers come out to brawl with the Aces & Eights. Bully Ray comes out with a baseball and goes after the group as the show goes off the air.
JSOpinion: First off, let me say it’s weird to see Devon main event a TNA show in 2012. The match wasn't that bad, although it was slow and boring for the most part. The ending also felt abrupt, with no cliffhangers or anything like that.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was a different formula from the post BFG shows of previous years. Some of the stories were reflected through the matches, which was sort of a nice change of pace. Most of the titleholders got their ring time in, the promo exchanges were entertaining and Devon emerged as a new identifiable menace to the TNA locker room. This wasn't really anything to write home about, but still a fairly diverse and enjoyable show all-around.
