TNA Impact Wrestling Coverage: The Beginning of the A-Double Era

“Who was that?”- Bully Ray after his loss to Joseph Park.

But the bigger question was-what company is this?

This week’s TNA was excellent. A ton of matches, good storyline development- what else could you ask for?

However, while this week’s Impact felt like a different show entirely, the recent change in tempo began on Sunday.

Austin Aries’ win over Robert Roode at Destination-X changes the landscape of TNA completely. The only question is will Aries get a legitimate run with the title, or will he join the ranks of James Storm, Mr. Anderson and Sting as guys that served as mere stopping points before the belt found some stability.

Aries’ promo on Impact was real. Talking about the down periods in wrestling, Aries said he was the man to lead TNA into the promise-land. At this point, you have to think he is the only guy that can. Bobby Roode’s complaining sets up a rematch, but you have to think Roode’s days as a champion are numbered for at least a few months.

The show wasn’t perfect, as the feud with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels continues to bore. But hey, at least it’s moving in a direction than stalling the way it was last month at this time. The angle with Sting/Hogan and the unknown characters is at least interesting. That’s more than can be said for the majority of TNA’s angles leading up to this.

In the end, there were far fewer “scoff” moments than usual. TNA might just be finding a small groove.

Matches:

Bully Ray vs. Joseph Park: Ray of course bullied Park through the early goings [he spat in his face] before Park “hulked” up. Park’s flurry was interesting, but after Ray threw some chairs and goodies in the ring, Park wasn’t able to capitalize. Sign and garbage can cover in-hand, Ray worked on Park’s back. Ray of course got cocky and Park hit a few shoulder blocks before Ray leveled him with a Big Boot. Things got furry when Ray dumped a bag of tacks in the ring. Park countered with a cheese grater to the testicles and a kendo stick shot to the head. Park couldn’t get the pin with that or a chokeslam into the tacks. That’s pretty impressive for a guy who’s [kayfabe] never wrestled. Ray ultimately got the win after he slugged Park in the face with his trademark chain. After the bell, a bloodied Park snapped and hit the Blackhole Slam on Ray. Seems like the blood brought Abyss out of him.

Bound for Glory Series: Rob Van Dam vs. Samoa Joe: The Samoan Submission Machine was mighty pissed. With varied offense and Van Dam selling before his usually offense, this was a decent match. RVD got the win with the rollup after Joe went to the well a bit too many times with the same Figure-Four-type submission hold.

Dakota Darsow vs. X-Division Champion Zema Ion: Darsow has some of his dad’s toughness in him. He’s a good athlete too. But Ion is the new champion and will get a push. At the same time, Darsow proved tonight that he can hang. Ion won with a sick Impaler/Backslide Slam combo.

Knockouts Champion Brooke Tessmacher vs. Gail Kim: Tessmacher was once again solid in a match with the much-more experienced Kim. The former champion was in control for most of the match, but Tessmacher won with the Big Elbow from the top rope.

Bound for Glory Series: Mr. Anderson vs. Kurt Angle: Good workers= good match. Both were generous with each other and sold, but damn were they stiff with one another. There was a nice amount of counters and near-falls, too. Looks like Angle lost a tooth in the match too, but he won the match after his second Angle Slam of the match.