Sting promised a new Main Event Mafia last week and he delivered this week on Impact.
Kurt Angle joined the group in epic fashion, laying out the Aces and Eights in the back and then putting World heavyweight Champion Bully Ray in the ankle lock.
In the words of Scott Hall: “You wanted a war? You got one.”
With the first Open Fight Night in months and the first night of the Bound for Glory Series, there was plenty going on. The end result was an action-heavy show that hit the mark. TNA has professed a thousand times that they’re all about wrestling and this week’s smart booking and just enough storyline development proved it. Add in some Eric Young and ODB hi-jinx (they finally dissolved the Knockouts Tag Team titles) and Impact had a bit of everything.
Aside from an absence of X-Division action, there was actually nothing to complain about.
If TNA can keep up this type of show pace, Impact will develop the type of momentum they haven’t had since 2006, when the show was truly a treat.
Matches:
Bound for Glory Series: Mr. Anderson vs. Joseph Park: Anderson went through his signature offense, but Park was resilient and nearly won with a rollup. After Anderson missed the Senton Bomb, Park hit a Backbody Drop, but missed the corner Avalanche. Park then countered the Fireman Drop and had this sewn up with the Boston Crap, but DOC distracted the referee and the math continued. When Park went for the top rope splash, DOC got involved again, which allowed Anderson to hit the Mic Check for the win.
Bound for Glory Series: Jay Bradley vs. Austin Aries: Bradley spoke a big and effective game before the match, but Aries was in control early on. Bradley countered the high-flying offense of Aries with a nice combination of elbows,kicks and power moves. After a missed Yakuza Kick in the corner, Aries hit the Missile Dropkick and a Spinning Elbow, but Bradley fought back with an ugly Backbreaker. A Crucifix Bomb and Corner Dropkick put Aries back in control and soon enough, Aries picked up the big man and nailed him with the Brainbuster for the win.
Bound for Glory Series: Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels: This was a solid match with plenty of counters and offense. Daniels was the savvy heel, while Hernandez was all about entertaining the crowd with high-flying and athletic spots. But After some “Yam bag Yahtzee” behind the referees back and the Best Moonsault Ever, Daniels got the win.
Bound for Glory Series: Frank Kazarian vs. Magnus: Whoa. Magnus won with the Texas Cloverleaf to get to the early lead in the tournament. The match itself was nothing special, but it was cool to see Magnus come into his own and defeat a seasoned pro the likes of Kazarian.
Bound for Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles: A technical showcase with plenty of strikes from two of TNA’s best workers. Both traded moves and neither got a real advantage. After both landed awkwardly after an attempted Superplex from Joe, the referee began the double-count and here, Joe began the strikes. Styles countered a strike into the Calf-Killer, but Joe managed to latch on the Rear-Naked Choke. Once Styles got out of the submission , the two continued to fight until the match ended in a time limit draw.
Bound for Glory Series: Jeff Hardy vs. Bobby Roode: These guys always have solid matches and this week’s encounter was far from a disappointment. After they traded offense, Hardy hit the seated Twist of Fate, but missed the Senton. This allowed Roode to lock in the Crossface, but Hardy was able to bridge out. A flash later, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate again for the win.
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