10/18 Powell's TNA Impact Wrestling live coverage review: Bound For Glory fallout, Jeff Hardy's first appearance since winning the TNA Title, Aces & 8s statement

By Jason Powell

TNA Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV
Live from Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] The show opened with footage still shots from Bound For Glory with brief comments from Bully Ray, Sting, and Jeff Hardy included... Aces & 8s arrived at Impact Zone. Security showed up and quickly backed down. The Aces & 8s theme song played and they were shown walking from the back and into the studio.

Mike Tenay and Taz were on commentary and explained that they can no longer lock out Aces & 8s due to the tag match stipulation at BFG. The vice president of Aces & 8s appeared on the big screen along with additional members. They toasted to Devon for his role in helping them.

Devon walked into the studio dressed in Aces & 8s garb to minor heat. His patch read "Sgt. At Arms." He hugged each member of Aces that were in the ring. A "You sold out" chant started. Devon credited Aces & 8s with being there for him when he was down and out. He called the fans no good, ingrate pieces of crap.

Devon vowed that Aces & 8s would end TNA. He said Bully Ray asked why. He asked if Ray thought he forgot he was cheap shotted in the ring and when Ray put his son through a table. He said payback is a bitch. Devon stopped talking and paced around while the crowd chanted.

Sting's music played and he came out with Bully Ray, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Mr. Anderson, Garett Bischoff, James Storm, and maybe one or two others. Sting said he wanted to introduce them to the TNA roster. The TNA crew hit the ring and brawled with Aces & 8s. Hulk Hogan's music played and he came out with a baseball bat. The TNA crew stood tall as Aces & 8s fled into the aisle... [C]

Powell's POV: I watch Sons of Anarchy like everyone else, which is about the extent of my biker knowledge. That said, I believe the Sgt. At Arms is essentially third in command behind the President and Vice President. The important thing is that he's not the leader of the group. Devon showed good intensity during his promo. I thought his wording toward Ray could have been stronger, but perhaps that's by design. I don't know if Devon forgot the rest of his lines or if someone forgot to hit Sting's music, but the delay was awkward.

After the break, Hogan called for Aces & 8s to return. The group walked to ringside. Some of the TNA guys headed to ringside, but they didn't get physical. Hogan said it's not going to work this way. He said that Aces & 8s have access and now they have to fight. Sting took the mic and challenged Devon.

[Q2] Hogan said Devon could get in the ring and fight Sting in the main event or get his ass out for good. Without a mic in hand, Devon agreed. He could be heard on the camera saying that Hogan better make sure "that son of a bitch" shows up or Aces & 8s will find him...

Tenay set up a video package that included highlights and still shots of Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries from BFG... Tenay invited viewers to watch the celebration of Hardy as the new TNA Champion...

Backstage, Austin Aries said it was no surprise that they were having a party for Hardy. He said it's not a party without him. He said he might bring some cookies to liven things up... [C]

The TNA zombie video aired...

Powell's POV: That was some scarier than the last three Paranormal Activity movies combined. I saw the word Infection. Then I saw Christy Hemme. I thought the Rock-n-Roll Infection was returning. I will have nightmares tonight.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan told Mr. Anderson he knows how bad he wanted to be at BFG. Hogan said next Thursday is Championship Thursday and Jeff Hardy will defend the title against one of four men. Hogan said James Storm is one of the candidates because he won at BFG.

Hogan said he's having a three-way tonight to determine the second spot and Anderson is in. Joseph Park showed up and Hogan acted amazed at what he went through. Park said he had to talk to Hogan privately. Hogan booted the camera crew so that he could find out what Park saw...

1. Samoa Joe vs. Robbie E (w/Robbie T) for the TNA TV Title. Tenay announced Kurt Angle vs. Christopher Daniels vs. A.J. Styles for later in the show. Late in the match, Joe performed the Muscle Buster and followed up with the rear naked choke for the win. He put the hold on Robbie T afterward...

Samoa Joe defeated Robbie E by submission in 2:45 to retain the TNA TV Title.

Backstage, Jessie Godderz pressed Tara over his head a few times while TNA photographer Lee South took photos. Jessie asked South who he thinks he is. Jessie said he's Jessie from Big Brother. Tara said she spoke with Vanessa, and thinks she and Kobe are getting back together. Tara made out...

Powell's POV: Wrestling fans don't know who Jessie is and now he shows weak acting ability.

[Q3] [C] 2. Tara (w/Jessie) vs. ODB in a non-title match. ODB was on the phone with Eric Young before the match and spoke to him as she made her entrance. Taryn Terrell was the referee. Tenay announced Tara vs. Miss Tessmacher in a Bound For Glory rematch for next week's Championship Thursday.

ODB spoke on the phone during the match at one point. She also grabbed Jessie shoved his face into her chest. Tenay said Tara will be on MTV "Made" on Saturday. He said viewers should check their local listings. Tara and Jessie kissed at one point, while ODB took a swig from her flask. She spat it at Jessie and then hit her finisher on Tara for the win. Miss Tessmacher walked out and clapped for the result...

ODB pinned Tara in a non-title match in 3:10.

Backstage, Styles told Angle that he enjoyed teaming with him, but he has to do it on his own. Angle pointed out their three-way match. Styles said it's the perfect time and told Angle he would see him out there. Styles walked away and Angle said, "Yes, you will"...

Powell's POV: I enjoyed Tara in TNA because aside from the mystery biker chick days, you could count on her to have good matches. She can still go in the ring, but my first exposure to her act with Jessie says her matches will be more about their gimmick than match quality.

[Q4] [C] A highlight package focussed on Hernandez and Chavo winning the tag titles. It included comments from the new champs and the former champs Daniels and Kazaian...

3. Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs. Kid Kish and Gunner in a non-title match. Chavo handled most of the work for his team. Hernandez checked in and hit his power moves, including the big shoulder block. Chavo tagged back in and hit the Frogsplash on Kash for the win...

Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Kid Kash and Gunner in 4:55.

A shot aired of Jeff Hardy walking backstage while carrying the TNA Title belt...

Powell's POV: The Impact Zone crowd likes Chavo and Hernandez more than the Bound For Glory fans did in Phoenix. Personally, I dig the Kash and Gunner team. Why not make those guys Aces & 8s? They certainly have the right look. Unfortunately, they've lost so many times lately that viewers wouldn't take them seriously.

Backstage, Joseph Park told Hulk Hogan and Sting that he wants a member of Aces & 8s because of what they did to him. Bully Ray entered the room and asked if he could speak with Hogan alone. Hogan said Park is on the team and he could stay. Ray thanked Sting for letting him team with him.

Ray said he knows Devon like the back of his hand and asked to replace Sting in the main event. Hogan said thought he knew Devon. Hogan said Ray is one of the men who will be consider for a title shot next week. Ray told Hogan that he needs to start trusting him more. Ray walked off. Sting ran after him. Hogan told Sting he needed to fix the situation and Sting said he would...

[Q5] A video package recapped Jeff Hardy defeating Austin Aries to win the TNA Title at Bound For Glory...

Jeff Hardy's new entrance music played and he headed to the ring in blue and yellow makeup with a black shirt and a pink tie. Hardy held up the title belt and then walked around ringside and slapped hands with the fans. Hardy held the belt over his head and a small pyro display went off above the ring. Confetti was shot into the ring and into the crowd.

Powell's POV: I'm pretty sure TNA went to Mexico to buy the confetti since it was the same color as the Mexican flag. By the way, Hardy also has his own title belt again.

Austin Aries came out singing Kool and the Gang's "Celebration." He brought Jeff a tray of cookies. Jeff said he doesn't eat cookies and knocked them away. Aries said he has a rematch clause that he can use anytime. He said he's going to wait for Hardy to crumble under the pressure and wait for just the right time to use it.

Aries asked if he could look at the title belt. Aries said he's heard of being the face of the company, but Hardy has his face on the title. Aries said it was the spitting image of Hardy. He then spat on the title. Jeff punched him and went for the Twist of Fate, but Aries slipped away.

Powell's POV: Doesn't eat cookies?!?!? That makes Jeff Hardy a heel in my world. The pyro and confetti celebration felt flat this far removed from the show. I like the way Aries said he'd wait for Hardy to crumble as a storyline excuse for him not being Hardy's first challenger.

Backstage, Daniels griped about having to face Styles and Angle, but siad he'd just show who he really is by winning. He said he would have a couple of his delicious beverages afterward. He took a sip and said, "God, that tastes good"...

Powell's POV: I'm beginning to think the Daniels character has a serious drinking problem.

A.J. Styles made his entrance... [C]

[Q6] Tenay hyped that Jeff Hardy will defend the TNA Title on next week's Championship Thursday...

4. A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle vs. Christopher Daniels in a three-way. The announcers stressed that the winner will become one of Hogan's candidates for a title shot next week. It was every man for himself during the match, as Angle and Styles went at one another in addition to Daniels.

Styles performed an Asai moonsault on Daniels and mostly landed on his feet rather than have his fall braced. Styles held his knee. He threw Daniels back inside the ring, but Angle kicked Daniels, who backed into Styles and knocked him off the apron. Angle hit the Angle Slam and scored the pin. Styles didn't look happy about it. Angle offered his hand. Styles threw his hands up and walked away to some boos...

Kurt Angle defeated Christopher Daniels and A.J. Styles in 6:50 to earn Hulk Hogan's consideration for a TNA Title shot.

Powell's POV: Is Styles allowed to work any singles programs that don't involve Daniels or Angle? The idea of the winner earning the right to lobby for a shot at the title isn't much of a hook. The announcers tried to sell it as such, but it just doesn't register.

Highlights aired of Matt Morgan interfering in the Al Snow vs. Joey Ryan match at Bound For Glory...

Backstage, Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan bumped into Hulk Hogan, who said he's a fan of Ryan. He said if Ryan can turn that 87 percent into 97 percent and they will have a great run. Hogan asked Morgan what was up with him. He accused Morgan of stepping in the ring and ruining the biggest pay-per-view of the year.

Morgan recalled Hogan saying he would turn him into a household name. Hogan said that when creative said he was a giant one week and then they said he wasn't, he was on his team. He said that when they said his promos were spot on and then he dropped the ball on his next promo he fought for him. He said they also said he has no charisma.

Morgan got in Hogan's face and slammed his hand against the wall next to Hogan's head. An intense Morgan told "Terry" he could take his charisma, his dancing giant routine, and everything they've said about him and he's going to shove them all straight up his ass. Hogan looked nervous as Morgan and Ryan walked away, but then he looked into the camera and delivered a sinister laugh...

Powell's POV: I guess the idea is that Hogan likes the intensity he saw from Morgan? Please tell me he's going to refer to it as the Eye of the Tiger. I was hoping that Morgan and Ryan was a pay-per-view only deal. I'm not really sure how super intense Morgan and jokester Ryan are going to coexist.

[Q7] [C] A video recapped the James Storm vs. Bobby Roode street fight from BFG...

James Storm came to the ring for a promo. He said people who missed BFG didn't miss a wrestling match, they missed two guys beating the crap out of each other. He spoke about how much blood he lost and said he has five stitches to prove it.

Storm read from his bucket list. Kicking the crap out of Roode was ten. He said nine through two were drinking beer. He said one is winning the TNA Championship again. He mentioned that he'll be one of the men Hogan will consider next week and was about to say something when he was interrupted.

Bobby Roode's entrance music played and he walked slowly to the ring to sell the effects of their match. Roode said he and Storm promised the world that they would give everything they had at BFG. He said they kicked the holy crap out of each other and they had one of the most physical and bloody battles in the history of the wrestling business.

Storm asked for a chair while telling Roode that it's a lot easier sitting down than kissing his ass. Roode said it took a full year for Storm to beat him. He said he was the backbone of Beer Money. Roode said Storm became a champion a year ago and it's only because he gave him the shot. He said Storm knows deep down that he will always be the better man. Storm pondered it for a second and then dropped Roode with a superkick...

Separate shots aired of Sting and Devon walking backstage... [C]

Powell's POV: I really enjoy both wrestlers, but I just didn't need to see the two of them together this week. I want the night after BFG to be a new beginning, and that felt like an extension of the feud that won't end, yet should have ended at BFG. The crowd wasn't even that hot for the super kick, so I assume they feel the same way.

Tenay plugged the TNA Title match for next week... A video recapped Sting being named the first entrant into the TNA Hall of Fame...

[Q8] Christy Hemme delivered the main event introductions...

5. Sting vs. Devon. Sting struggled to clothesline Devon over the top rope. He gave up and threw him over the top rope instead going into a break. [C] Late in the match, Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock. Aces & 8s ran out to break it up for the DQ. Members of the TNA roster ran out for the save. Bully Ray ran out with a baseball bat, causing Aces & 8s to flee...

Sting defeated Devon by DQ in 11:00.

Powell's POV: The big brawl finish was totally expected. I swear on a stack of bibles that I actually wrote that last sentence when the match started. The match just felt like two veterans working a match rather than the bitter brawl that it should have been given the circumstances. They want us to believe Devon is a big deal, yet he had to be saved in his first match since the turn.

Devon wrestling Sting in the main event in 2012 didn't work for me. Even with the Devon turn, it still didn't feel main event worthy even on television. I though we might see another development with Aces & 8s tonight. They just can't go on with Devon as the only unmasked member of the group. The announcers really should have spoken about his Sgt. At Arms title while playing up the mystery of who the higher ranking members are. Overall, a ho-hum edition on a night when my expectations were high because it was the first show after Bound For Glory.