Kester's TNA Impact Wrestling Live Coverage Review: The build to Lockdown begins with appearances from Bobby Roode and James Storm, Austin Aries vs. Kid Kash vs. Zema Ion vs. Anthony Nese, and Eric Young and ODB vs. Sarita and Rosita

By Ryan Kester

Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV
Taped earlier in Orlando, Florida.

[Q1] The show opened with a video package covering the closing moments of Victory Road and Bobby's Roode's attack on Sting and Dixie Carter shown in its entirety…

Dixie Carter was shown walking backstage before the opening montage aired…

Carter made her way to the ring with a solemn visage and she was greeted with applause. She grabbed a microphone and spoke about how Bobby Roode disrespected the fans and anyone who loves wrestling for the past six months. The fans chanted for her to fire Bobby. Carter said that Roode disgraced the company and she spent a great deal of time talking to lawyers about her options, and she said there was only one option left.

Sting's music hit and he received a hero's welcome. Carter gave Sting a hug when he got into the ring, and he grabbed his own microphone. Sting asked for Carter not to fire Roode because that was letting him get off easy without having to deal with his comeuppance.

The crowd chanted "We want revenge" and Sting took a moment to fire them up. Sting said that his current GM position just wasn't working. Carter shook her head no and the fans chanted "please don't go as the show abruptly went to break… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Odd opening segment, and it could be a sign that we're in for a bit of a marathon. Sting and Dixie played their parts well thus far, but it feels like we've been here before with Sting and Dixie dominating the opening segment. This isn't exactly starting the Lockdown build off with a bang.

[Q2] Back from the break, Sting continued and explained that he did all that he could for the company as a GM, but something happened with this company at Victory Road. He said the company came alive. He said he came alive and the crowd chanted that Sting still has it. Sting said he could not be a part-time GM, part-time wrestler, especially if he was to compete at a Bobby Roode level. Sting said he would take some time off, heal, and come back better than ever.

Sting said when he returns he will put his boots on and be nothing but a wrestler. Sting said he would continue to fight for the company and for Dixie, but as of right now he has to step down as the GM of Impact Wrestling. Sting said he found a replacement; someone who knows how to take TNA all the way to the top. Sting said he was talking about "The Real Hulk Hogan."

The crowd chanted for Hogan and Dixie nodded her head in agreement…

Backstage, Bully Ray said tonight he was taking hostages and tonight was not the night to stand in his way…

Zema Ion made his entrance for the first match of the night… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I swear I've seen this episode before. So Hulk Hogan helps take the company away from the company for a year and at the drop of a hat, Dixie is ok with giving him another chance to run the show. This is taking steps backwards, not forwards, TNA.

1. Austin Aries vs. Kid Kash vs. Zema Ion vs. Anthony Nese for the X-Division Championship ended in an apparent no-contest in 4:38. Ion went for an early roll-up attempt, and Aries slapped him for his efforts. Aries and Ion fought on the floor while Kash and Nese started in the ring.

Aries hit a nice DDT/reverse-STO spot on Ion and Nese, respectively. Ion hit a moonsault spot to the men on the floor and Tenay brought up Sorensen.

[Q3] All four men hit a tower-of-doom spot with Aries being the only man that wasn't hurt. Bully Ray ran down and attacked Aries' challengers. Aries looked at ray and asked if they were cool. Ray said they were before kicking Aries's head off.

Bully Ray grabbed a microphone asked if everyone knew his name was, said his name was Bully ray, and he dropped his mic…

Backstage, Mexican America was shown getting their car repossessed by Josh Lewis from Repo Games. They started to play with Mexican-themed questions that appeared on the screen in graphic form… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Bully Ray got his heat back, but he did it at the expense of the X-Division guys. It was a good match up until the run-in, but it didn't have enough time to really pick up intensity. I can't say I am excited to see Mexican America return. So far, this edition of Impact has been quite a letdown. It feels like a lot of what we are getting is what made the show feel so stale last year.

2. Eric Young and ODB defeated Sarita and Rosita for the TNA Knockouts Tag Titles in 4:14. ODB took control early and quickly flattened Rosita in the corner. She missed the Bronco Buster, however, and Sarita and Rosita began quickly wearing down ODB.

[Q4] Eric Young got the hot tag and he took his pants off. The heels began flirting with him and Young got distracted. ODB ran in and took out both women before getting in Young's face and asking who he's been banging.

Young looked depressed for a moment, then they snogged, and Young covered Rosita for the win…

The announcers hyped more from Dixie carter and Sting after the break… [C]

Ryan's Rant: This does not feel like TNA is building to one of their biggest PPVs of the year. Fun match for EY fans, but thus far, the first hour of this show has been nothing but the Hogan announcement and filler.

Backstage, Crimson was watching a Direct Auto Insurance commercial with Matt Morgan. Crimson said that Morgan was trying to launch a Hollywood career at his expense. Crimson challenged Morgan to a match next week, and Morgan suddenly showed up and started to beat the tar out of Crimson. TNA security showed up to pull Morgan off of Crimson…

Tenay and Taz showed recap footage of Sting's Hulk Hogan announcement. Dixie carter was shown backstage saying she doesn't know how to deal with this and she excused herself, saying she had business to attend to…

James Storm was shown walking backstage, and Tenay said we would hear from the Cowboy after the break… [C]

Ryan's Rant: And now we have a thinly veiled jab at WWE from Crimson; stay classy TNA. It's good to see James Storm getting the fifth quarter hour spot to talk. That is exactly where he should be on the show to get people hot about his angle with Bobby Roode. I'm hoping he can light a spark on this show because the first hour fell very flat for this viewer.

Backstage, Jeff Hardy was talking about how Kurt Angle cheated to win their match, and Jeff Hardy challenged Angle to a match at Lockdown. Joseph Parks showed up and asked Hardy if he knew where his brother was, and Hardy said he did not. Parks gave Hardy his business card…

[Q5] A video package recapping the history of James Storm and Bobby Roode's history in TNA aired. Quality video with some great excerpts from both men…

James Storm made his way to the ring. Storm said it seems like some in the back forgot about the difference between right and wrong. He said for him it was easy, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Storm said football should be all year long. He said that it isn't right that two parents work 40 hours a week and want to take their kids on vacation but they can't because gas if four bucks a gallon.

Storm said all of that is wrong, and so is what Roode did at Victory Road. Storm said that a Roode put his hands on a woman, someone's mom, someone's wife. Storm said that a man that puts his hands on a woman is not a man, and at Lockdown he would right Roode's wrong.

Roode's music played and a dapper young man made his way to the ring. Storm circled the suit and asked "Who in the blue hell are you?" The man introduced himself as "William Kelley, Bobby Roode's personal legal advisor." Kelley put on a pair of glasses and announced that Roode will remain in his home in Toronto until further notice.

Kelley said his client is sure that he will win his match at Lockdown. Kelley said his client arranged to have two wrestlers face Storm tonight; Kazarian and Christopher Daniels, and Storm could take his pick.

Kelley turned back to Storm and Storm said he will take them both on tonight. Storm took Kelley's paper and glasses, and said he would send a message to Roode. Storm asked Kelley for a pen, but Kelley came unprepared. Thus, Storm decided a Last call superkick would get the point across. Storm celebrated with the fans briefly…

Angle was talking to Hervey backstage and he said no to the rematch with Jeff Hardy at Lockdown. Angle found out people were saying that Garett Bischoff beat him last week. Angle quickly found Garett and challenged him to a three-minute challenge for this week….

[Q6] [C]

Ryan's Rant: Solid promo work from Storm. He's easily been the highlight of the night thus far. With the announcement of another Angle/Bischoff match, tonight only further feels like a repeat night full of filler. Storm had his moment and a few matches have been announced, but the vast majority of this show has been inconsequential.

3. Garett Bischoff vs. Kurt Angle in a three-minute challenge ended in an apparent no contest in 2:33. Angle taunted Bischoff for about a minute before Bischoff attacked and ran through a quick flurry. Bischoff hit an inverted DDT for a near fall. Bischoff went for a second and Angle threw him to the floor.

Garett stood on the floor and smirked. Angle began to chase Bischoff. Gunner ran down and threw Garett into the ring with thirty seconds left. The two heels put the boots to Garett briefly when Jeff hardy ran down and chased the two heels off… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I'm really not trying to just take the piss out of this episode, but they couldn't even finish a three minute challenge without interference. TNA is capable of some great wrestling and some solid promo segments. We simply are not getting that this evening.

An advert hyping the return of the Motor City Machine Guns aired…

[Q7] 4. Samoa Joe and Magnus defeated Mexican America for the TNA Tag Team Championships and Mexican America's car in 5:26. The crowd was hot in the early going and chanted "Joe's gonna kill you." Joe and Magnus quickly took control until Hernandez got a blind tag and hit Magnus with a Canadian backbreaker.

Mexican America began to work quick tags and double-team maneuvers as they wore down Magnus. Magnus eventually got the hot tag to Joe, who nonchalantly took out both members of Mexican America. Joe locked in his rear naked choke, but Rosita and Sarita jumped on the apron to distract the referee.

Josh from Repo Games ran down and removed the ladies from ringside, and Samoa Joe and Magnus hit their snapmare into flying elbow combo on Anarquia to pick up the victory…

Hulk Hogan was shown backstage. He was asked how he felt about being the new GM. Hogan said he had d no idea about all of that. He was just there because Sting called him… [C]

Ryan's Rant: There was a great deal of overbooking in that match, but I was happy to see some good wrestling from Joe and Magnus. They are obviously loved by the live crowd, which is good to see. It will be interesting to see what eventually happens with Joe and Magnus when the MCMG make their return.

Repo Games Josh was shown carrying Rosita and Sarita to his tow truck. Anarquia and Hernandez showed up begging him not to take their car. Anarquia tried to attack, but Josh shoved him off. Josh walked away with Sarita and Rosita on each arm…

A video package hyping the world premiere of the music video for James Storm's entrance music that will take place next week…

[Q8] Christopher Daniels and Kazarian made their entrance, but Daniels hid on the stage's side ladder. Daniels attempted to jump Storm from behind, but Storm heard footsteps and slammed Daniels for his efforts.

5. James Storm defeated Kazarian and Christopher Daniels in a handicap match in 3:11. Despite Storm's thwarting of Daniel's insidious plot, Daniels and Kazarian quickly overwhelmed Storm with a double-team onslaught.

Things were going well until Daniels pulled Kazarian off of Storm and said they were going to do things their way. Daniels had Kazarian launch him across the ring at a prone Storm. Storm moved, Daniels crashed into the turnbuckle, and Storm hit the Last Call on Kazarian.

Storm hit another Last Call on Daniels and covered him for the 1-2-3.

Dixie Carter, Sting, and Hulk Hogan were shown walking down individual hallways as they all headed to the ring… [C]

Ryan's Rant: First of all, it's nice to see Storm get a dominant win. I just don't feel like this is what's needed to get your number-one contender over heading into the main event of Lockdown. There has been far too many steps backwards tonight, and another Hogan, Sting, and Carter talking segment is the last thing this show needs.

Sting returned to the ring and he called Dixie carter to join him. Sting talked about how long he's known Hulk Hogan, and he said we got to see the real Hulk Hogan since he cut Eric Bischoff out of his life at Bound For Glory.

Sting said he trusts Hogan and he implored Carter to do the same. Carter's voice was shaky as she said that if Sting believes in Hogan, so does she. Carter made Hulk Hogan's promotion official.

Hulk Hogan made his way to the ring and he soaked up the ovation from the live crowd. Hogan hugged Sting but he looked reluctant. Hogan looked to the fans chanting his name in disbelief. Sting told Hogan he made Stinger and carter a believer. Carter nodded in agreement. Sting said it was only appropriate for Hogan to hear from the people. Sting led the crowd in a Hogan chant and Hogan was teary-eyed as the show went off of the air.

Ryan's Rant: My impression from tonight is that it feels like TNA hit the panic button. A lot of tonight's show felt like a repeat of the booking we saw from the show last year, which is simply disappointing. The video package covering James Storm and Bobby Roode's history up to this point was well done and Storm delivered a solid promo during the segment of the show that traditionally gets the highest rating. Despite my reservations of the GM storyline, it was nice to see a normally dead Impact Zone crowd come alive during the last segment. I hope the TNA Title build takes center stage next week and Hulk Hogan's presence is more ancillary rather than the primary focus.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester.