9/29 Kester's TNA "Impact Wrestling" Live Coverage Review: Hulk Hogan's major announcement, Bobby Roode continues to prepare for Bound For Glory, and Sting speaks with Fortune


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TNA TV Reports


9/29 Kester's TNA "Impact Wrestling" Live Coverage Review: Hulk Hogan's major announcement, Bobby Roode continues to prepare for Bound For Glory, and Sting speaks with Fortune
Sep 29, 2011 - 08:00 PM


By Ryan Kester

Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV
Taped earlier in Orlando, Florida.


[Q1] A video package aired covering the recent history between Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode, and the fight between A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels from last week.

Sting kicked things off by making his way to the ring. Once there, he grabbed a microphone and said he meant everything he's said about Kurt Angle in the past few weeks, but now Angle had been brainwashed by Hulk Hogan. Sting talked about Kurt's plans to tear Fortune apart, but Sting said he was going to fix that tonight. He called out Bobby Roode, who quickly obliged and met him in the ring.

The fans chanted for Bobby, and Sting asked Roode if it felt good. Sting said he was going on record stating that he believes Bobby can win the TNA title at Bound For Glory. Sting said it's been thirteen years in the making, but he couldn't let Angle into his head now.

Roode took his turn on the mic and he said the support he's received from fellow wrestlers and from his fans meant everything to him. He put over Sting in a big way, but Sting told him this is Bobby's time right now. Bobby promised Sting, the fans, and himself that come Bound For Glory, he would walk out the next TNA Champion.

Bobby said he needed a promise form Sting, though, and he said he wanted Sting to promise to take care of Hulk Hogan. He said together, they could finally get the company back where it belongs. At that moment, A.J. Styles made his way to the ring.

Styles told Roode to take advantage of this moment. He talked about how he hadn't had a title shot since he lost it, and he told Roode not to waste this opportunity. Kurt Angle's music hit and he made his way to the stage.

Angle gloated about the fact that Styles wanted another shot at the TNA title, and he could earn it if he took out Roode tonight. Kurt Angle told Sting that his "former boss" would never have control of the company again. He then said, "let the games begin" and his music played once more.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan started the long trek through TNA's locker room… [C]

Ryan's Rant: It was refreshing to see Sting drop the Joker act to help get Roode over. This segment accomplished what it needed to, which was to hype Styles vs. Roode and give some rub to the number-one contender, but it really started to drag right around the time Styles came out. His and Angle's parts felt unnecessary and only served to extend a segment that already did what it needed to do.

[Q2] Austin Aries joined the commentators for the following contest.

1. Brian Kendrick beat Jesse Sorensen, Kid Kash, Alex Shelley, and Zema in a ladder match to become the number-one contender for the X-Division Championship in 5:34. All five men brawled to start and the competitors immediately went for ladders.

Kash and Sorensen ended up alone in the ring, and Kash DDTed Sorensen onto a ladder. He tried to climb, but Kendrick cut him off. Zema and Shelley battled but Zema got thrown into a ladder.

Shelley climbed the ladder but Zema took to the top ropes and kicked Shelley in the back to knock him off. Kash attacked Zema, but Zema managed to reversed his aggression and hit a hip toss onto a ladder.

Sorensen made a play for the contract but Kash threw a chair into Sorensen's back. Kendrick ran up the ladder and grabbed the contract out of nowhere.

Backstage, Kazarian was talking about Fortune when The Jarretts interrupted him and Jeff told him to get his ass to the ring.

Hogan continued to walk through the labyrinthine catacombs that are the TNA backstage area. I hope he managed to get ti the ring in time for the show to end… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I apologize for the spastic coverage there, but by the time I typed what happened, five new things happened. I missed a lot of that match. From what I managed to see, there was good action in the match, like one would expect from the X-Division, but it felt like a spotfest. What's worse, TNA continues to tell us ladder matches mean nothing because we can get them for free and they'll only last around five minutes.

Backstage, Ric Flair was screaming at someone on a cell phone and telling them he wanted to be part of the decision. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

The Jarretts made their way to the ring. Jeff immediately called out Kazarian and he told him to bring his skank with him.

[Q3] Kazarian did just that, and made his way to the ring with Traci Brooks. Jeff formally introduced himself as the founder of TNA, and he introduced Karen as the heir to his throne. Jeff talked about how he hand0-picked Kazarian off of the indies, and he repaid him by going to "the other company." He talked about all the times Kazarian left the company and he brought Kaz back.

Jeff then called Traci Brooks a skank and asked her how she dared to talk to Karen the way she did when they gave her a job. Jeff called Kazarian and Traci a couple of ungrateful bastards. Kazarian shoved him. Jeff said he could fire them both, but he'd make their lives hell instead Jeff told Kazarian to take his ten cent whore, and the two instantly started to brawl and security ran out to break the fight up.

Gunner charged to the ring and hit Kazarian with an F5 with security doing nothing to stop him... [C]

Ryan's Rant: Wow, that got personal quick. I would prefer not to have Traci getting called a whore in fifteen different ways, but at least it's being done with a character that's admittedly slept with Bischoff in an effort to get ahead. It's still doesn't cast TNA in a great light, but it at least makes sense. I've said it before, and it bears repeating, it's high time TNA grows up and ends the pot shots at WWE. It just makes them look juvenile and not like the number-two wrestling company in the world.

A quick video aired showing Ink Inc.'s disturbing attack against Mexican America last week. Ink Inc. tried to make their way to the ring only to be attacked by Mexican America. The brawl continued for some time while TNA turned the piped heat up to eleven.

Anarquia slammed both members of Ink Inc. and Hernandez hit them with splashes off of the top rope. Sarita and Rosita then spray-painted Ink Inc.'s backs with "MA."

Backstage, Hervey asked Bully ray if he knew what Hogan was going to announce, and Ray said that he was the first person Hogan told. He then told Hervey to get out of his face… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Well, that was relatively painless. I'd much rather see Mexican America use a beat down to get their heat back than have another overbooked match that does more harm to the faction than good.

[Q4] Backstage, James Storm gave a brief promo that put Roode over in a big way and assured the fans that Beer Money would remain intact.

Ric Flair yelled at Hulk Hogan, who had managed to find his office, and told Hogan that his decision was a terrible one. Hulk Hogan hung his head as Flair left the room.

A video package covering Tara's and Madison Rayne's feud aired… [C]

Backstage, Crimson was making his way through the locker room.

2. Madison Rayne beat Tara in a Queen's Qualifier in 4:42. madison Rayne tried to flirt with Hebner in the early going of the match, and Tara proceeded to dominate her. Tara locked in a rest hold, and Madison begged for Hebner to get Tara off of her.

[Q5] Hebner apparently thought Tara kept slapping him, and when Tara tried to throw a punch at Madison, Hebner blocked it and Madison took control. Hebner eventually caught on to what was happening, and he turned his back to allow Tara to take it to Madison.

Moments later, Madison rolled up Tara with her feet on the ropes, and Hebner counted the three. His nose was practically on Tara's shoulders to sell the fact that he didn't see Madison's feet.

Backstage, Crimson continued to walk… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I just typed Hebner's name way too much. I understand what they were doing, but it felt like the focus was all on the referee of the match, and this is supposed to set up for a shot at the Knockouts Championship. One would think TNA would want to put that aspect of a match over more than some shenanigans with Hebner.

Backstage, Christopher Daniels was walking backstage, apparently trying to leave, and the cameraman asked him if he was going to stay for the Styles/Roode match. Daniels laughed him off and walked away.

Crimson found the entrance to the Impact Zone and made his way to the ring. Once there, he called out Samoa Joe, who quickly obliged. Joe told Crimson he should considering himself lucky that he allowed him to continue to walk. He said that he allowed him to be healthy because, if there was no Crimson in TNA, who else would be his bitch.

Crimson immediately attacked Joe, but Joe managed to kick him in the crotch. Joe threw Crimson into the ring and he went right to attacking Crimson's injured ankle. Joe locked in a heel hook and Crimson screamed in pain.

Matt Morgan ran to the ring, and proceeded to decimate Samoa Joe. He tried to hit the Carbon Footprint, but Joe ran for the hills. Morgan turned his attention to Crimson, and helped him to his feet… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Every single time Joe uses that crotch kick, his vicious assaults immediately looks less impressive. Joe continues to prove that he can tear a man apart if he gets a cheap shot in, but he should be able to just decimate his victims outright. Joe is at his best when he's a monster, and for some reason TNA has him being a chickenshit heel.

[Q6] Backstage, Styles was talking about how he would test Bobby Roode tonight, and if Roode could beat him, he could beat Kurt Angle.

3. "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero defeated Mr. Anderson in 4:03. The two worked some basic chain wrestling to start the match.

Pope eventually gained control with a throat thrust, and Anderson rolled to the floor. Anderson battled back and slammed Pope's face into the ring apron. Anderson lined up to punch the Pope, and one of Devon's sons grabbed his arm to prevent him from doing so.

Devon came out to ringside and he yelled at his sons. While everyone was distracted, Bully Ray showed up out of nowhere and hit Anderson with a kendo stick. Pope rolled in the ring and got the three count.

Backstage, Bobby Roode talked about his match with Styles later in the evening, and he said if he could beat Styles, he knew he'd be able to beat Angle at Bound For Glory. He said nothing would stop him from becoming the new TNA Champion… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Oh good lord, I thought we were past all of the Devon's sons and the Pope crap when the two started teaming together. Why do we have to go back to this?

[Q7] Backstage, Devon was yelling at Devon's kids, and Devon told Pope that he was personally blaming him for what happened. Yeah, because Devon's kids aren't grown men or anything. Oh, wait.

An excellent video package covering Bobby Roode's preparation for Bound For Glory aired.

Styles made his entrance for the main event, quickly followed by Bobby Roode. Bobby really needs new trunks as having dollar signs on one's trunks does not go well with a blue collar character. Jeremy Borasch introduced the two men in the ring.

4. Bobby Roode defeated A.J. Styles in 8:38. The two worked some chain wrestling to start the match with neither man having the upper hand for long.

Styles eventually locked in a rest hold, and the crowd started competing chants for both babyfaces. Roode fought out and took control, but Styles sent him to the outside with an elbow. On his way back in the ring, Styles attacked Roode's leg, and locked in an inverted STF. Styles eventually let Roode out of the hold for no apparent reason.

Roode took the chance and battled back with some stiff forearms shots. Styles responded with an enziguri kick. Moments later, Roode hit an urinagi for a near fall. Roode shoved Styles into the corner and set him up for a superplex.

[Q8] Styles fought him off, but Roode punched Styles, sending him to the floor. Back in the ring, Styles hit Roode with a backbreaker and went for a springboard 450 splash, but Roode moved out of the way. Roode tried to capitalize, but Styles caught him and went for Styles Lash. Roode managed to escape and locked in his crossface finisher for the submission victory.

After the match, Roode checked on Styles, and helped him to his feet. The two men hugged, and Styles told Roode he was ready… [C]

Ryan's Rant: That was a good match. Not the best I have seen in this series so far, but there was plenty of good action here. It's nice to see TNA resist the temptation to overbook these matches, as the string of clean wins is doing wonders for Roode.

Backstage, Roode and Styles were talking. Styles reiterated that Roode is ready for Bound For Glory.

Hulk Hogan's music hit and he slowly made his way to the ring. Once there, he said that he feels like a millions pounds had been lifted from his shoulders. He said after much soul searching, he realized life is all about a run. He realized that Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania had been the best run of all times.

Hogan said he thought about the first time he got in the ring and his opponent broke his leg, and taught him respect. He talked about facing Andre the Giant, wrestling in Madison Square Garden, and everything else in his career. He said Hulkamania could go on forever.

He said he had the chance to come to Impact Wrestling and make a difference. He said he saw all of the hungry eyes in the company, and he's seen guys step up their game. He said he gave the guys in the back and the company its soul.

[Overrun] Backstage, Joker String was back and he said he Hogan deserved an Oscar for his performance. Hogan said that he had decided to retire. Hogan said he wanted to tell the fans first. He said they were the only ones who stayed with him through all of the years, through the eight back surgeries, and through every one of his rough times.

Hogan said that he's made the decision to end the run, there is nothing elft for him to do. Backstage, Sting asked if Hogan was crying, and he sure was.

Hogan hyped the show next week in Knoxville, and he invited everyone to come out to celebrate with him for his last appearance in a wrestling ring.

Backstage, Sting said he would be there in Knoxville to celebrate with the Hulkster.

Ryan's Rant: Sting did his absolute best to ruin that segment. Hogan was in rare form here, and he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. I can't say this story does much for me, but Hogan at least gave it his all.

Overall, this was a middle-of-the-road edition of Impact. There was simply too much talking, and what little wrestling we got won't exactly light the world on fire. Styles and Roode was as good as I expected it to be, but I couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed by the time we got to it. They did their best to wake me up, but I can't call a show that only had nine minutes that really entertained me a success.

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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