Sure, the promos are still weaker than a two-dollar martini, but the wrestling action on this week’s episode of Impact, aside from the brief Jessie Neal/Gunner encounter, was sharp. The pace was equally as solid as the segments flowed well into one another, with little nonsense and filler.
While some of the promo work, especially that of Zima Ion was a complete mess, most of it was decent enough to stomach. Even the usually weak mic work of Devon and The Pope was surprisingly entertaining. The whole Jarrett angle was handled well and was hilarious. Could it be that the Creative team is finally on the right road with this product? Or has the roster dug deep and started performing at the level many know they are capable of?
Who knows, but at the very least, this was the best TNA Impact in months.
This could be the first step in the right direction for a TNA promotion that is in desperate need for some kind of consistency.
Matches:
World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles in a five-minute overtime match: A continuation of the main event match at Final Resolution, which saw Roode sell for most of the first half of the encounter. There was a nice amount of chain wrestling and ground work, but at the same time, the pace was quick. With about two minutes left, Roode got the upper-hand after a chop block maneuver and then began to work on Styles’ leg. But Styles made the “face†comeback, with some of his trademark offense including his float-over reverse DDT. Just like his nonsense at the PPV, Roode tried to escape and run out the clock. Styles was a step ahead, as he hit the Pelle with Roode stuck on the ring ropes, but was unable to hit a 63O [which was botched] and cover Roode for the win.
Once the clock ran out however, Sting hit the ramp and extended the match. However, Roode quickly caught Styles with a vicious, sit-down Single Leg Crab for the submission victory.
Wild Card Tag Team Tournament: Rob Terry and Hernandez w/ Sarita and Rosita vs. Scott Steiner and Abyss: Steiner proved tonight he can still wrestle, suplexing both Terry and Hernandez with little effort and plenty of skill. Hernandez and Terry got the advantage after Abyss refused a tag. Terry is still green, but was balanced well enough by Hernandez to make them a decent duo. After a few minutes of Steiner getting beaten down, Abyss hit the ring and threw around a few clotheslines and hit Terry with the Blackhole Slam. But rather than go for the pin, he tagged Steiner back in, who laid on Terry for the win. After the bell, Abyss raised Steiner’s hand. Apparently, Abyss is back in Immortal.
Anthony Nese vs. Zima Ion: This was a weird match. Nese looked to be in total control and hit all of his moves with precision. On a dime, Ion changed the tempo and hit a version of a facebuster and then the 450 of the win. Even though Ion got the win, he isn’t as polished as Nese, who has the body similar to Roode and the skill of a talented X-Division star. He looks ready for bigger things. Ion, on the other hand, is terrible on the mic and a bit too sloppy to be taken serious, yet.
Gunner w/ Ric Flair vs. Jessie Neal: This match was all Gunner. It didn’t last long as Gunner and Flair beat on Neal and got DQed for their efforts. After the match, Flair pulled up the padding on the outside of the ring and Gunner sloppily DDTed [Fat kids on Youtube have delivered better versions of that move.] Neal on the concrete.
Wild Card Tag Team Tournament: Douglas Williams and Robbie E vs. Samoa Joe and Magnus: A decent tag match featuring two unique teams. All four performers went through their arsenals and pushed a good pace. Magnus and Joe were the better of two though. They worked together well, as Magnus hit Williams while he was on the top rope, which left him open for a Muscle Buster and a Joe win.
Traci Brooks vs. Knockouts Tag Team Champ Madison Rayne: Brooks had the support of the crowd, but it’s easy to see she’s not a polished performer. She’s not horrible, but she’s far from believable. She did try though and that’s the only thing that really saved the match. Well, that and Rayne’s ability. After Rayne hit her with the Zack-Attack, Brooks kicked out, which was surprising. Give the agents some credit for that. But the surprise ended there, as for her efforts, Brooks got nailed with a kick to the head. This time, she didn’t kick out.
Jeff Hardy vs. Bully Ray: A good match, that saw Bully Ray kick out of a Twist of Fate. A few seconds later, he caught another one and wasn’t able to kick out. After the match, Robert Roode hit the ring and both Ray and the Champion put the boots to Hardy. Soon enough, a table was brought into the ring and Hardy was sent through it via a Bully Powerbomb. Sting was next to enter the ring and he got beat up as well.
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