This Mr. Anderson/Bully Ray angle had to make you scoff.
Like a poorly-written episode of Sons of Anarchy, Mr. Anderson looked done with the club. While there was no swerve, you have to wonder what’s next for Anderson. After a few World Title reigns in the company, he hasn’t proven he can be the face of a company. At the same time, you have to wonder what he’d be able to do if he was back in the WWE.
There’s just a whole lot of questions and not many answers at this point. With just Ray in the group as the only established star, The Aces and Eights look weaker than ever, a prime target for the surging AJ Styles.
Such is the case with other mediocre shows TNA puts on, this event was saved by some excellent matchups. To see the Bound for Glory series ended the way it did, on free TV was cool. The same thing goes for TJ Perkins insistence that he wants to fight Jeff Hardy. Talk about making the X-Division meaningful again.
Regardless, you can’t help but feel that the company is pulling at anything they can right now, hoping that something gets fans excited.
Matches:
Bound For Glory Series Semifinal: Austin Aries vs. AJ Styles: This was a high-energy counter fest. Styles ironically was the one doing most of the offense, perhaps TNA’s way of putting Styles over again with the fans with a dominant performance over another beloved face in Aries. “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived” had a few nice segments in him, but couldn’t pin Styles. “The Phenomenal One” ultimately got the win with a wicked Styles Clash off the second rope.
Bound For Glory Series Semifinal: Robert Roode vs. Magnus: This was another counter fests, but this time it was more of the submission type. It appeared that Magnus had the match won with a Cloverleaf, but ultimately squeaked out a victory with a sunset flip variation.
Last Man Standing: TNA Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray w/Brooke Tessmacher vs. Mr. Anderson: A stiff and hardcore match that could have ended in a plethora of ways. After Earl Hebner was knockout, Anderson’s Mic Check on a chair was essentially useless. Eventually Tessmacher hit the nut shot on Anderson and the rest of the club turned on Anderson. After Knox, Wes Brisco and Garret Biscoff nailed the Triple Powerbomb on Anderson, Hebner counted, but Anderson wouldn’t stay down for the ten-count. A clothesline and chain shot later and Anderson still wouldn’t go down. Ray ultimately finished him off with a Spear through a table. After the stretcher carried him out, Ray kicked him off it and took off his cut and delivered the Piledriver on the ramp.
Bound For Glory Series Final: AJ Styles vs. Magnus: A back and forth encounter with plenty of drama. After Roode, Christopher Daniels and Frank Kazarian interrupted the match, Bryan Hebner allowed it to continue. At one point, Magnus nearly won with the Falcon Arrow. A few seconds late, Styles nearly won with the Pele. After some more counters, submissions and offense, Styles shocked the world and won with the Spinal Tap.
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