By Ryan Kester

Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV
Taped earlier in Orlando, Florida.

[Q1] A video package opened the show focusing on No Surrender and Bobby Roode winning the Bound For Glory Series.

Ric Flair made his entrance wearing his usual feathered robe. He grabbed a mic and called for Sting, who quickly obliged and came to the ring. Sting was wearing his own over-the-top robe. Flair told Sting tonight he was facing God.

Flair reminded Sting that he told Hogan he would beat Sting and he said the only way Sting gets to Hogan is over his dead body. Sting took the mic, dropped the Joker act, and told Flair that tonight is the night Flair dies.

Sting promised to put Flair in the Scorpion Deathlock, and he told Flair he was ready now. Sting took off his shiny robe. Security stormed the ring and got between the two men and Sting's music hit again as Flair left the ring.

Jeff Hardy was shown walking backstage... [C]

Ryan's Rant: Well, that was at least over with quickly. The opening segment only ran six minutes when they usually consist of twenty-minute-plus marathons of yick-yack. I am not thrilled with the thought of this match later in the show but I am keeping an open mind. These two may just surprise me, but I'm not going to be holding my breath.

Backstage, Jeff was walking and said he was happy to be back. He sat down and talked about how he's taking the necessary steps to make things right with what happened at Victory Road. He said he was doing this not only for the sake of his colleagues and his family, but for his own sake.

Ryan's Rant: Good luck, Jeff. I hope you live up to your words.

1. The Pope, Devon, Tara, and Miss Tessmacher defeated Mexican America in 4:55. Hernandez and Devon started the match, with Devon taking control.

[Q2] Devon became distracted by Mexican America (MA) and Hernandez floored him. Devon managed to tag in the Pope while Hernandez tagged in Anarquia. Anarquia managed to get the better of Pope, and distracted the referee while the rest of MA attacked him in the corner.

Moments later, Pope got the hot tag to Devon, who quickly attacked Anarquia and Hernandez. At this point, the match fell apart, and all eight wrestlers were in the ring. The MA females went over to Devon's boys and flirted, which for some reason distracted both Pope and Devon.

The women fought in the ring and Miss Tessmacher and Tara got a double pin on the MA women.

Backstage, Karen Jarrett yelled at Traci Brooks for making her wait. She told Traci not to look like a whore and cover her chest. She told her to get the Knockouts and be back in her office in five minutes.. [C]

Ryan's Rant: Alright, I know there's parts of the ending that I missed, but that should be expected with how much they just crammed into that match. There was far too much going on and it felt like they were cramming a fifteen minute match into a five minute slot of time.

Backstage, Karen was in the locker room with all of the women. Karen informed Mickie that she wasn't going to get her rematch. Karen made a series of matches over the next few weeks called the Queen's Qualifier matches. Tonight's match is Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love. The winner of the matches will compete against Winter at Bound For Glory.

In the ring, A.J Styles introduced Bobby Roode, who quickly made his way to the ring. Styles congratulated Roode and put over Roode's accomplishment.

[Q3] Styles said there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Roode would be the next TNA champion. Daniels took the mic and said he's done several things in his career, including defeating a former TNA champion just a few weeks ago as he looked to Styles.

Daniels told Roode he only has one more hurdle. He told Roode that everyone believes in him. Styles took the mic and reminded Roode that Fortune made a pact that they were all family and would always be there for each other. He put over Fortune's impact (no pun intended) on TNA.

Styles said there was no one on the roster that deserved to be TNA Champion more than Roode. Storm took the mic and talked about how when "they" didn't know what to do with the two of them, they put them together and they made it work. Storm talked about everything Roode gave up for this opportunity and he told him it all comes down to Bound For Glory.

Storm said he was going to try and make Roode cry, but he was sure they wanted to see some wrestling. He yelled to Kurt Angle that he was sorry about his damned luck, and Kurt Angle almost instantly made his way to the ring.

Kurt Angle put over Roode winning the series, but he asked Fortune what all of their crap was about. The piped heat hit at this point, and TNA cranked it to eleven. Angle asked the rest of Fortune if they were jealous that they didn't have the shot against the "greatest wrestler in the world."

Angle told Roode that Fortune was jealous. He told Roode that in the weeks leading to Bound For Glory, he would take on a member of Fortune each week. He told the guys that they could lie down for Roode, but they would go straight to the bottom of the totem pole. He told Kazarian that he was getting to go first tonight. Kurt's music then hit, and he left the ring... [C]

Ryan's Rant: Fun fact of the day, the bottom of the totem pole is actually the most prestigious spot, we just get that wrong. Makes me laugh every time I hear someone use that phrase. What's that, you're reading for wrestling coverage? My bad. This segment was good for what it was, but I question the idea of having him face fellow babyfaces. I have no doubt we'll get some good matches out of the equation, but they should be focusing on making Roode a strong babyface, so he should really be going up against some strong heels heading into Bound For Glory.

An advert aired for Bound For Glory.

Backstage, Bischoff was congratulating Kurt Angle on his decision to make Roode face Fortune.

[Q4] 2. Velvet Sky defeated Angelina Love in a Queen's Qualifier match in 8:40. Love attacked Velvet mid-entrance. She threw her into the ring and the show went to commercial… [C]

Back from the break, Love continued to pick apart Velvet. Love charged Velvet in the corner, but Velvet got a boot up and kicked her in the chest. She quickly followed up with a jawbreaker, but Winter would soon hook her leg to kill her momentum.

Love capitalized on the fallen female and worked a chinlock for about a minute. Sky tried to fight out, but Love made her eat a knee to the jaw.

Moments later, Velvet hit a flurry of offense, but Love raked her eyes. Love called for Winter to use her title belt, but Love got hit instead. Velvet botched a DDT for the win.

Backstage, Jeff tried talking to Styles, but he wasn't having any of it. Styles told Jeff that he's been here for nine years and he told Jeff that in one night he almost killed he entire thing. Styles told Jeff he was selfish and he took food off of his family's table. He told him he was the reason people crap on TNA. He yelled at Jeff that he wasn’t dealing drugs or running around drinking. Styles took a deep breath and told Jeff there wasn't going to be a time that he should be around him… [C]

Ryan's Rant: H-o-l-y crap. This was the type of thing I was worried about when I heard that they were bringing Hardy back and how they hyped his return. I understand that Jeff screwed up, but now that he's back the company needs to treat him with some respect. This isn't the way to handle things as it will only make the company looks worse for allowing him back. As far as the match goes, it was decent enough, but I can't quite get how Velvet wasn't disqualified once Hebner saw Love get hit with a belt. Also, don't be fooled by the match time, almost five minutes of that was commercial break.

[Q5] backstage, Hogan was talking with Flair. Hogan said they were both in this together.

Back in the arena, the announcers spoke with Crimson via a satellite as they replayed the attack from Samoa Joe on Crimson. Crimson talked about how he thought this was over at Slammiversary. He guaranteed that he would make Joe pay in two weeks when he returns.

3. Samoa Joe defeated Matt Morgan in 4:19. Joe pounced on Morgan to start the match, but Morgan quickly turned the tables and worked his back elbows in the corner.

Joe battled back with a jawbreaker and a leg sweep. Joe went for the Rear naked Choke but Morgan scampered to the ropes. Joe continued to target the legs of Morgan, and went for the RNC again, but Morgan was again able to crawl to the ropes.

This time, Morgan fought back and hit Joe with a series of stiff punches and a discus clothesline. Morgan hit a side slam and a sitout bodyslam. Morgan locked in a triangle armbar and Joe used his leg to touch the ropes and break the hold.

Morgan went for the Carbon Footprint and missed. Joe locked in a heel hook and Morgan quickly tapped… [C]

Ryan's Rant: That was the match I wanted to see at the PPV. Great big man action that saw Joe come out looking like a badass.

[Q6] Backstage, Kurt Angle talked to Kazarian and asked him how many TNA title shots he's had. He told Kaz to go out there and do some damage and he may be next in line for a shot.

Devon was in Jeff Hardy's face and he was lecturing him over letting his demons cause him to throw everything away. He told him this time to mean it. Devon told him he would put him through a wall if he has to to make Jeff stay on track this time. Jeff stood there the entire time and listened. Devon told him if he fails this time, it's over. Devon told him if Jeff needs him, he's got his back… [C]

4. Bobby Roode beat Kazarian in 5:58. The two worked some great chain wrestling to start the match, and separated when neither could get the upper hand. Both men got in some offense for some time, but neither man was able to get a consistent flurry going.

[Q7] Kazarian eventually got in a few elbow shots to Bobby's jaw, and the fight was on. Bobby threw a series of swift jabs and threw Kazarian to the floor. Bobby followed Kaz to the outside, but Kazarian was able to cut him off and regain control.

Back in the ring, Kazarian worked a rest hold and the crowd clamored for Roode. Bobby battled out and hit several clotheslines on Kazarian before hitting a huge back body drop. Kazarian fought back briefly and went for Ride the Lightning, but Roode reversed it and locked in a crossface to get the submission win.

Kurt Angle was shown briefly backstage making his best angry face at a monitor… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Great match, easily the best outside of the X-Division I have seen on Impact in weeks. Will it make up for the Flair/Sting match we're getting next? Only time will tell.

A video package covering The Warrior, which Kurt Angle has a role in, aired briefly.

During the break, Kazarian told Roode that he wants to have his spot, but Roode just proved that he's the future TNA champion.

Earlier today, Austin Aries talked to the Hervey cam and said that he defends his title for the first time next week.

Jerry Lynn and Bully Ray were standing together and Lynn mocked RVD for falling for his entire nice guy routine while he got him DQed for weeks. He blamed the smoke in RVD's brain for that. Bully Ray then looked into the camera and told Anderson that he was coming for him.

[Q8] 5. Sting defeated Ric Flair in 14:54. Sting took control early and knocked Flair all over the ring.

Flair battled back and went after Sting's arm. The two men separated and got into a Woo! battle. Sting locked in a hammerlock and Flair battled out with a very botched leg sweep. The show went to break… [C]

Back from the break, Sting worked over Flair in the corner. Flair fought him off, and they did the Flair should never go to the top rope spot.

Flair ended up on the floor, and Sting followed him to the outside. Flair attacked but Sting fought him off and the two ended up back in the ring. Flair begged Sting off, and when the referee was distracted, Flair low blowed Sting.

Flair worked a series of chops, but Sting pushed him back into the corner and hit him with a quick flurry of punches. Sting went for the Stinger Splash, but Flair kicked him and followed with a chop block. Flair locked in the figure-four leglock moments later.

Sting waved to the crowd to get some momentum, and he rolled over to reverse the pressure. Flair broke the hold to alleviate his own pain, but Sting sold the damage by being unable to stand. Flair stomped Sting's legs and slowly dragged him onto his feet.

Sting started coming back but Flair poked him in the eye. Flair tried going to the top again, but Sting cut him off and hit a superplex. Immortal stormed the ring and Sting battled them all off. Bully Ray set up to hit Sting with a chain, but Mr. Anderson ran out to make the save.

Hogan gave Flair brass knuckles, and Flair used them to floor Sting, but he only got a two-count. Sting hit Stinger Splash moments later and then locked in the Scorpion Deathlock. Flair tapped.

After the match, Hogan and Sting stared each other down.

Ryan's Rant: Well, that match just…happened. Lots of corners cut, but this was honestly better than I expected it to be. Now, this match was far from good, and was really quite bad, but I expected nothing but a series of botched or forgotten spots, and they at least managed to look like they had a plan going into this match. It was by no means the classic the announce team was trying to hype it as, but it wasn't what I was fearing it would be. I suppose Earl Hebner decided he didn't want to call DQs tonight, as that was the second time someone got involved in a match right in front of the man and he didn't do anything about it.

Overall, this was a decent edition of Impact. It was far from perfect, as there was the usual abundance of overbooking, but I didn't find myself staring at the clock and contemplating tearing my eyes out to make the pain go away. Exaggeration and hyperbole aside, Bobby Roode and Kazarian had a great match, and the Queen's Qualifier at least makes it looks like TNA cares about the Knockouts title, which it needs after having three title changes in a month. I'll have more to say tomorrow in my Rundown of the show. See you then; thanks for reading.

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. Have a great week.

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