TNA Impact Wrestling Coverage: Into the Gallows

Sting promised that by the end of this week’s Impact that a member of Aces and Eights would get de-masked.

That was no lie. Even if the Stinger didn’t do it himself, it happened.

But with a huge chokeslam on Joseph Park, through a table no less, the heel group prevailed. Luke Gallows’ appearance in TNA makes the Aces and Eights even more dangerous.

The dirt sheets have claimed Gallows was a member of the faction since day one. Now the team, with Devon’s “unmasking,” the group has two confirmed and well-respected members. Interesting as well how another “announced” member, Wes Brisco, is currently a face, fighting against the heel group.

It’s getting interesting, but dam it’s taking entirely way too long to develop.

With all the posturing and the dragging out of this angle, the small brawls and nonsense in-between it all, the only thing missing from these battles is some music.

All in all, it feels like a scene from “Westside Story.”

With mismanaged storylines and Jeff Hardy’s current run as TNA World Heavyweight champion, TNA is a creative mess. But, as always, the potential is there.

Matches:

Magnus vs. TNA Television Champion Samoa Joe: The former tag team champions battled in what was, at first, a solid opening encounter. Magnus ultimately nailed Joe with a wrench to earn the loss via DQ. This obviously sets up a larger feud for Turning Point.

Gut Check: Christian York vs. Zema Ion: York, a former ECW star before the company folder, got a second chance with TNA and didn’t disappoint. He was a little stiff and unpolished, his spinning wheel kick and half-nelson suplexes weren’t perfect. The fans, especially women, cheered crazily every time York hit a big move. With moves like his rolling neckbreaker and a nice clothesline, York has skill. At the same time, Ion was far from perfect in this match as well. Even as a former X–Division champion, Ion needs more ring time. He still earned the win, with a nice version of the cross-arm bar, but he’s far from the type of superstar the company needs him to be.

ODB vs. Jessie w/ Knockouts Champion Tara: A complete joke. A bunch of slaps from OBD and a bunch of nonsense, that’s all this was. Jessie did kiss the Knockouts Champion a few times though. It was lucky for him, but not so lucky for people watching this match. Jesse ended up with the win with a rollup after ODB was too busy with Tara.

Robbie E w/ Rob Terry vs. TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy: E is a good worker and he sold more than enough to make Hardy look even better than he actually is. At the same time, E used ring psychology and got the crowd into the match. Anyone really watching this match could tell E is totally underrated. Terry helped out his friend’s cause and knocked Hardy around outside the ring. But E was unable to take advantage. Even after a massive Edge-like DDT, Hardy kicked out and eventually hit the front seated suplex, a Twist of Fate and finally the Swanton Bomb for the win.

X-Division Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Joey Ryan w/Matt Morgan: Thanks to Morgan and a handful of trunks, Ryan got the upset win over RVD.

Bully Ray vs. Devon: This match was all about psychology. Between the setup of the table and Devon’s slow walk to the ring, this is a fight TNA wants to save. Tonight was only a small taste. Once the gang entered the ring, TNA got backup as well. Once it all cleared, these two finally scrapped, but even that fight didn’t last long. This was all about TNA telling the world that Luke Gallows was a part of Aces and Eights.