By Ryan Kester

TNA "Impact Wrestling" on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Florida in the Impact Wrestling Zone.

[Q1] The show opened with a video package covering Sting's descent into Joker-style madness last week.

In the ring, Bully Ray stood holding a microphone with Immortal around him. He said talk is cheap and told Anderson to get his ass to the ring. Anderson did just that. Anderson took his own mic and introduced himself like only he can.

Bully ray said he isn't impressed by Anderson's entrance, and then he proceeded to mock it by introducing himself in Anderson fashion. He told Anderson to shut up an d listen and he called him a jackoff. He threatened to have Gunner beat him up and said Hogan is on his way and until then, Bull Ray is in charge.

He said Anderson headed down the right path by dropping Sting on his head. He said he will continue to do the right thing by joining Immortal. He asked Anderson what made Anderson think he could beat Sting. He said Immortal needs the TNA title and Anderson needs Immortal.

Scott Steiner took the stick and told Anderson it's time to put up or shut up. He said that Anderson has been screwing around, but now that Steiner's here, he's going to be doing the screwing. He said Anderson is with them or against them and if he's against them, Anderson gets to deal with him.

It was Gunner's turn, and he announced all of Immortal against Sting and Kurt Angle in a handicap match. He demanded to have Anderson's answer by the end of the main event or Immortal would take Anderson out.

Gunner called for Immortal's music and Sting's played instead. He was on the rafters looking pure Joker mad and when the lights came on Kurt Angle was in the ring and proceeded to beat Immortal down on his own.

Kurt got in Anderson's face and told him to make the right call tonight.

Backstage, Beer Money was talking about Bobby's arm, which still sucks, but he's fighting anyway because he's a man. Yeah… [C]

Ryan's Rant: If you're not going to start with a match, then let that be how you start a show, TNA. All wrestlers in the opening, and they set up the hype for the main event well. Bully ray continues to shine, Steiner is what Steiner is, and Gunner seems to be getting more comfortable on the stick. I enjoyed the start of that segment more than the conclusion, but that's because I hate the new Sting and I think it takes steam out of the main event when one half of the supposedly outnumbered team takes all of his opponents down without trouble. Not terribly thrilled with Bobby supposedly working injured, but they didn't play it up as much as they did in the past.

The announcers ran through the Bound For Glory Series update.

[Q2] 1. Crimson defeated Bobby Roode in a Bound For Glory Series match in 4:45. Crimson took control in the early going as Bobby sold his shoulder injury. Crimson hung Roode on the roped and hit a shoulder block and hit a sitout suplex from the apron. Crimson hit his cravat with knees into neckbreaker spot for a near fall.

Roode came back with a flying neckbreaker from the second rope but his shoulder prevented him from capitalizing. Roode hit a spinebuster but couldn't hook the leg and Crimson kicked out. Roode reversed a rolled up and locked in his fujiwa armbar but Crimson made the ropes.

Moments later, Crimson hit Red Sky, his version of the Sky High powerbomb, for the win.

The announcers set up a video for Tony Nesse, a competitor for later on in the match.

Abyss was backstage freaking out because he couldn't find his mask. The camera then panned to Kendrick, who was wearing said mask... [C]

Ryan's Rant: Decent enough action, and I am really starting to enjoy Crimson's abilities in the ring. They just need to get him to connect to the crowd, and I don't think this undefeated streak is doing the job. Bobby was made to look like a fool during his match for wrestling injured, so at least the asinine though that would go into just a decision isn't yielding him any rewards.

Jack Evans' video package played.

Brian Kendrick came to the ring to share his thoughts with Abyss and asked him to come to the ring. Abyss quickly did and Kendrick told Abyss that he was an intelligent man and didn't want violence. He only wanted to share thoughts, not violence.

Kendrick started citing various sources of spiritual thoughts and honestly, he completely lost me. The core of it is that he put Abyss over as someone who can take the X Division to the next level but Kendrick was going to beat Abyss at Destination X.

[Q3] Kendrick said he'd love to help Abyss become a man, but he must defeat him at Destination X. He then gave Abyss his mask back, and Abyss promptly put it back on. Abyss look dumbfounded for a moment and then he started beating Kendrick like a government mule. He hit him with his entire move set, including the Shock treatment and the Black Hole Slam.

Jesse Sorenson's video played… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I fail to see how any of that should make someone want to purchase this PPV. Abyss no sold everything Kendrick tried to throw at him and Abyss had a chance to hit his entire move set on Kendrick. Yeah, this is when you want Kendrick getting one over on his opponent, not making it look like a foregone conclusion that he will lose. Also, the deep thoughts gimmick just sucks me out of any moment Kendrick is trying to create because I have to suddenly decipher some sort of code when what he has to say could make for a great promo if it wasn't so convoluted.

2. Jack Evans beat Tony Nesse and Jesse Sorensen in 5:41 in a Destination X qualifying match. Nesse took early control with some chain wrestling. Sorenson and Nesse traded pinfall attempts and reversals as Evans sold on the outside.

Evans flipped all over the ring to avoid his opponents' moves but got blasted by a clothesline from Nesse. Sorenson flew over the top rope and landed on Nesse. Evans followed with a springboard 450 axe handle on both men. Evans took the match back into the ring and tried to pin both men but got two counts.

Nesse nailed Evans with a running knee. Sorenson hit a nasty reverse DDT on Evans but Evans draped his leg on the bottom rope to break the pin. Nesse hit a perfect German suplex with bridge on Sorenson but Evans hit a standing moonsault on him to break the pin.

[Q4] Sorenson got Evans on the top rope but Evans battled out and tossed him to the floor. Nesse jumped up to Evans but Evans hit a front suplex. Evans hit an insane 630 splash on the fallen Nesse for the win… [C]

Ryan's Rant: What a perfect way to end this series. That match wasn't a spotfest and made these three look like starts. They did an excellent job keeping the pace to a level that no heavyweight could reach but they all sold when needed and that intensity made them all look like they wanted the contract terribly. Nesse is an excellent brutal badass for a guy his side and deserves a contract even though he didn't win. Evans can fly around the ring like crazy. Look for this contract match to steal the Destination X PPV. Awesome.

Backstage, British America was talking about Mexican America and working towards the TNA tag titles. Williams said on Sunday he was going to issue an open challenge to anyone to face him.

A video package covering all of the forgotten destination X wrestlers showed. Apparently they will all be in the Ultimate X match.

Velvet Sky was on the Hervey cam talking about how she's done being the bullied runt of the roster. She talked about how she was going to beat ODB and Jackie and send them packing from Impact Wrestling… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Well, that couldn't have been a more lackluster Ultimate X reveal. They may end having a great match, but I can't help but feeling like it means absolutely nothing considering it just looks like a way to get guys that haven't been on Impact in weeks or months onto the PPV card.

Sting was lying on the top of lockers and Singing his version of "Eye of the Tiger, "Eye of the Stinger." Sting talked about Midsummer Nightmare. Kurt showed up and asked if he could trust Sting. Sting said of course and tried to get Kurt to sing his song with him but Kurt just walked away. Sting then started talking to himself.

[Q5] 3. Velvet Sky defeated ODB and Jackie in 4:39 in a handicap match. ODB did Velvet's um, rope thing. Velvet ran out from behind and hit Jackie with a chair. Velvet proceeded to tear ODB apart while Jackie sold.

Jackie finally came back into the match and attacked Velvet. The heels proceeded to take their turn beating down Velvet as Taz question if the heels would live up to their word if they lost.

Eventually, the heels just stopped tagging in and out because apparently Knockouts just get to do that after a certain point in their matches.

ODB went to hit Velvet with a chair but missed and nailed Jackie, allowing Velvet the opportunity to pick up the pin.

Backstage, the Pope and Devon were talking about the tag match they had later in the evening. Pope made a peace offering by trying to give Devon his own pair of shades. Devon was a total jerk to Pope and threatened to beat him down if Pope betrayed him tonight… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Does this mean this terrible feud can finally end? I hope so, as I am sick and tired of this feud and all the trash it brings with it. That likely won't be a case, however, as Taz spent most of the match talking about how ODB and Jackie can just ignore the stipulation, which would make Velvet look like an absolute idiot.

A video package aired featuring Christopher Daniels and A.J. Styles and their impending match at Destination X.

[Q6] 4. RVD defeated Jerry Lynn, A.J. Styles, and Christopher Daniels in 7:09. RVD and Daniels started but Jerry Lynn blind tagged in. Daniels quickly gained control with a few chops and a dropkick. Lynn came back with a headscissors and Styles tagged himself in to face Lynn.

Lynn and Styles worked some classic chain wrestling with several rollup attempts throughout. The crowd called for RVD and Styles obliged by tagging in RVD. The two worked right through their spots but they missed every single move. Daniels blind tagged in and hit an STO on RVD. Daniels tried to kick RVD but RVD hit his step over enziguri to take control.

Daniels tagged Styles back into the match and Lynn tagged RVD out of the match. The two worked through some stiff chops and Lynn hit a huracarana from the top rope. Daniels tagged in and took control of Lynn.

RVD interfered in the match and so did Styles. Daniels hit a t-bone suplex on Lynn and went for the Best Moonsault Ever but missed. RVD tagged in and hit the Five Star Frog Splash on Daniels for the win… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I really wanted to like that match, but it ended up not living up to my expectations. There were moments of pure brilliance, but the shear amount of blind tags took away from the finish. It didn't feel like RVD should have had the pin there, especially with how frequently people would just interfere in the moments leading up to it. Again, this was a well wrestled match and when they weren't no selling it was actually quite compelling, but the overuse of blind tags made the finish anticlimactic and ruined the match for this viewer.

Eric Young was standing next to a trailer and was talking about how he's a huge star. He said he was going to take the fight to Hollywood.

[Q7] 5. Devon and The Pope beat Matt Morgan and James Storm in 5:57 a Bound For Glory Series match. Devon and Storm started off. The two traded control back and forth. Morgan quickly tagged in and proceeded to tear Devon apart.

Morgan got Devon in his corner and went for his elbows but Storm tagged himself into the match. Devon quickly tagged out to Pope, who was only in long enough to get his butt kicked before he darted back to Devon. Morgan tagged in for his team.

Morgan picked up from earlier and started picking apart Devon. Storm tagged back in and Devon hit him with a shoulder block from the top rope. Well, that's what was supposed to happen, but the angle TNA used showed that he never made contact with him. Excellent editing there old chaps.

Pope tagged in and Storm got the better for him. Storm had the pin but Morgan broke up the pin because he wants the points. Pope attacked the two and Morgan hurt his leg. The referee went to Morgan and Pope knocked out Storm with a tag belt. However, Pope made Devon get in the ring and get the pin for some odd reason.

Backstage, Anderson was whining about ultimatums and mentioned "a certain former employer." Ugh.

Ryan's Rant: One step forward, two steps back. Morgan pulling Storm off the pin made the BFGS look important, Pope giving the win to Devon did not. I don't care what the story they're trying to tell it, that was just stupid and made the BFGS look like a joke. Also, Anderson, you were fired. Get the hell over it. It's high time you accept that and enjoy the company you are in, the company you're the damned champion of, rather than piss and moan because you were fired. Get over yourself.

A video package of the Jarretts from Mexico City aired. They announced that they were coming back for a fiesta for Jeff's birthday next week. Karen promised a gift for all of Immortal and said history has been made.

[Q8] The announcer ran through the destination X card.

Hulk Hogan beat down Sting with his bat backstage… [C]

6. Immortal beat Sting and Kurt Angle in 5:55 in a handicap match. Sting's music played but he didn't come out.

Steiner started the assault on Kurt. Bully ray tagged in and ripped Kurt's shirt off his back and started working him over with his offense. Kurt hit a power move but ray tagged out. They continued to have Kurt make a comeback only to have the heel Kurt was focusing on tag out and allow one of the other three men in to ruin his momentum.

Late in the match, Bully ray brought his chain into the match and Anderson came to the ring. Kurt hit the Angle Slam on Bully Ray. Anderson started to beat down Immortal but hit the mic check on Angle to give Immortal the win. A buttload of canned heat played as the cameras panned to the crowd doing nothing.

Bully ray demanded Anderson's answer. Anderson jumped in Abyss's arms to answer his question, so Anderson is now in Immortal. Hogan came out on stage and clapped to close the show.
Ryan's Rant: That match was just underwhelming. It was obvious nothing was going to happen without Anderson showing up, so none of the near falls meant a thing. Anderson joining Immortal is underwhelming as well, as this just means they are going to try and drag this mess out for as long as possible.

Overall, tonight was a passable edition of Impact Wrestling. The Destination X qualifier was superb, the four corners match was underwhelming, and the main event just sort of happened. I definitely feel like the show ran out of steam in the second hour as the first hour felt like nothing but the second started feeling like a marathon. I'll have more to say tomorrow in my Rundown. Thanks for following along with me and I will see you all here next week.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send me an email at ryan.kester@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter at @Ryan_Kester. Have a great week.

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