TNA Impact Wrestling – LIVE Results and Coverage (October 4, 2012)

IMPACT Wrestling Preview (10/4):

• MMA fighter King Mo will make his official TNA debut. What will he have to say, and more importantly how will James Storm and Bobby Roode react to this man being the special guest enforcer for their Street Fight at Bound For Glory?
• Last week Hulk Hogan made a deal with The Aces and 8’s: he would choose two of TNA’s toughest competitors to go against two of The Aces and 8’s toughest at Bound For Glory. With the future of TNA riding on the outcome of this match, who will Hogan choose to go into battle and keep The Aces and 8’s from completely taking over the Impact Zone?
• TNA World Champion Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy are two weeks out from their match at Bound For Glory and aren’t on the friendliest of terms. How will the tension continue to build this week?
• One match has been signed for IMPACT Wrestling: TNA Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher will team with ODB to take on her Bound For Glory opponent Tara and Gail Kim. Will Tara try to weaken the champion to better her odds heading to the biggest show of the year?

All of this and much more awaits you this week on IMPACT Wrestling.

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Previously on Impact: Hulk Hogan announces King Mo as Special Enforcer for the James Storm/Bobby Roode match at Bound For Glory, Austin Aries continues to try to prove himself against Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan/Sting go face to face with the Aces and 8’s at the Clubhouse.

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Hulk Hogan and Sting are talking backstage about the Aces and 8’s situation. Hogan says he’s happy to have Sting leading the charge and wishes he could join him in the match at Bound For Glory. Sting says he will be watching every match tonight looking for a partner. Hogan says they need to pick that person by the end of the night.

• Thought: Aw, Sting’s gonna be in the tag match? That’s a bummer.

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The pyro goes off and Mike Tenay welcomes the home audience as we see shots of the Impact Zone. He announces that the X-Division title will be on the line tonight (FINALLY!) and Samoa Joe will defend the TV Title against Rob Van Dam.

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Mr. Anderson comes out for the opening match. He stops at the entrance ramp and catches his mic. He says Sting and Hogan are looking for help at Bound For Glory and they may just want to “gather ’round the monitor for this one”. He then does his usual introduction. His opponent tonight: Gunner. Kid Kash is by his side.

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Match #1: Mr. Anderson Vs. Gunner (w/ Kid Kash)

Gunner attacks Anderson immediately. Anderson reverses an Irish whip and knocks Gunner down with a series of moves and goes for the pin. 2-count. Anderson continues the offense with a clothesline out of the corner and a dropkick. Gunner retreats to the outside and Anderson follows. Kash distracts him long enough for Gunner to attack him from behind. We see a shot of Sting watching the match backstage.

Back in the ring, Anderson fights Gunner off but runs into an elbow. Gunner goes for the pin. 2-count. Gunner locks him in a wear down move and knocks him back to the mat after Anderson tries to break out. Gunner misses a splash in the corner and Anderson picks him up for a rolling senton. Gunner slips out but runs into the Mic Check for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Mr. Anderson (2:29)

• A quick squash to make Anderson look strong enough to potentially be Sting’s partner and given the two men involved, having it be this short was definitely the way to go. But I really hope Anderson isn’t Sting’s partner for many reasons. (C)

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Kid Kash attacks Anderson after the bell but ends up getting a Mic Check for his troubles.

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Backstage, Tara is on the phone with her “Hollywood boyfriend” and mentions she’s up next. She’s talking gossip sites when her partner for tonight, Gail Kim, walks in. Tara hangs up and Kim tries to get her head in the game. Tara is indifferent and says that they should double date after she wins the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory. Kim says to worry about the match next and walks off. Tara goes back to her phone to look for other potential double dates.

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*Commercial Break*

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Tara and Gail Kim make their way out for the second match of the evening. We see footage of Tara’s attack on Miss Tessmacher from three weeks ago. Their opponents, Tessmacher and ODB, make their way out next. Eric Young is nowhere to be found.

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Match #2: [TNA Knockouts Champion] Miss Tessmacher/ODB Vs. Tara/Gail Kim

ODB and Kim start the match off. Kim runs at her but ODB knocks her down with her big, erm, assets. ODB picks Kim up and throws her into the corner. She follows it up with a splash and a shoulder block. Bodyslam by ODB, who then taunts Tara in the corner. Tessmacher tags in and dropkicks Kim into the corner. Tessmacher gives Kim a “stink face” and ODB tags back in. Kim moves out of the way of a splash and tags Tara in.

ODB throws Tara into the corner and gives her a Bronco Buster. Tara reverses an Irish whip but misses a dropkick. Kim distracts ODB on the apron, allowing Tara to attack her from behind. Kim tags in and connects with an uppercut, sending ODB in the corner. Kim chokes her with her boot then whips her to the opposite corner. Kim throws herself into ODB’s midsection. Kim slaps ODB, then hits a running clothesline. She goes for the pin. 2-count.

Tara tags herself in, annoying her partner. Tara goes for a standing moonsault but gets nothing but knees. ODB makes the hot tag to Tessmacher who lays Tara out with a couple of clotheslines and a flying head scissors. She launches Tara into the corner, and faceplants her. She goes for the pin, but Kim makes the save. As Kim and ref Taryn Terrell argue, ODB runs in and spears Kim.

Kim knocks ODB into the floor and goes in to double team Tessmacher but stops when she almost hits Tara. Kim turns her back and Tara pushes her into Tessmacher. Tara picks up Tessmacher and hits the Widows Peak for the 1…2…3!

Winners [via Pinfall]: Tara/Gail Kim (4:43)

• Good tag team match with an excellent finish that made Tara look even more heel-ish. She’s kicking ass in this role. But since Tara pinned Tessmacher in the tag team match, wrestling logic dictates Tessmacher retains at BFG. We’ll see if that’s the way they end up doing it. (B-)

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Backstage Al Snow and Bruce Prichard are talking ominously about something or another. I honestly couldn’t make it out. My hearing is that of a 70 year old man. There’s a contract there though so I assume it’s setting up Snow/Joey Ryan for Bound For Glory.

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*Commercial Break*

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Video Package: The Al Snow/Joey Ryan feud.

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Out comes Al Snow to the Impact Zone. He gets on the mic and introduces Joey Ryan to the ring. Out he comes in all of his sleazy glory. Snow says that several weeks ago he let his emotions get the best of him by slapping Ryan and on behalf of TNA, he apologizes for his actions. Ryan gets on the mic and tells him to say he’s sorry. Snow says he just did. Ryan says he doesn’t want to hear an apology on behalf of TNA Management, he wants Snow to apologize personally. Snow says “I’m sorry” and sticks out his hand. Ryan doesn’t shake it and calls him pathetic. He says tonight is not about Snow or the 87%, it’s about him. Ryan tells Snow to share what else their legal teams have agreed on.

Snow pulls out a TNA contract for Ryan. Ryan says it’s not tough to do the right thing. Snow tries to say something but Ryan interrupts him. Ryan tells Snow to turn around so he can sign the TNA contract on his back. Snow turns around reluctantly, and Ryan signs it. He hands the contract to Snow and tells him to say that he’s the newest TNA superstar. Snow says Ryan should have read the contract a little more closely and says the contract is only for one night, at Bound For Glory. Snow says his opponent that night will be him, and he promises to beat Ryan’s ass in Phoenix. Snow walks off as Ryan looks over the contract in anger.

• Thoughts: Al Snow Vs. Joey Ryan is official. While I’m sure next to no one cares, I’m interested to see what happens at Bound For Glory. I like Ryan; I’m hoping he’ll make the full-time jump to TNA beginning with this match.

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Backstage Sting is talking with Kurt Angle. Angle is making a case for being his partner against The Aces and 8’s at Bound For Glory. TNA Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian are in the background listening to it. Sting brings up the fact that Angle already has a match at BFG, but Angle promises he can pull double duty. Sting says he’ll think it over because he’s Kurt Angle. Angle says okay and leaves.

In pops Bully Ray who asks him what he needs to do to be Sting’s partner at Bound For Glory. Sting says Ray needs to prove himself tonight and Ray asks how. Sting tells him to make something happen because he’s a bully and Sting needs a bully against The Aces and 8’s. Ray exits as Sting yells “I NEED A BULLY! I’M PISSED!” at him.

• Thought: Daniels/Kazarian just casually hiding in the background listening to the Angle/Sting conversation made this little segment that much more fun. I also liked the fire Bully Ray showed; he deserves to be in a high-profile match at TNA’s biggest show of the year so I hope he gets the nod.

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*Commercial Break*

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The TV Title match is up next. Rob Van Dam makes his way out first. Taz brings up RVD’s previous “TV Champion” experience back in the day. TV Champ Samoa Joe makes his way out next as Tenay reminds viewers that he won the belt last week.

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Match #3: Samoa Joe (c) Vs. Rob Van Dam for the TNA Television Title

Joe and RVD lock up, and Joe quickly pushes him off. Lockup #2 results in a waistlock takedown by Joe. RVD gets to his feet and he reverses the waistlock into a roll-up for a 2-count. RVD tries to get a leglock on Joe but Joe fights out. The two get back to their feet and trade blows. Joe wins with a couple of clotheslines followed by the elbow/kick combo in the corner. RVD gets a series of rights and tries to take Joe down with a body scissors but Joe catches the leg and locks on the STF (U?). RVD gets to the ropes to break the hold.

RVD bails to the outside and Joe immediately follows. RVD dropkicks Joe’s leg to knock him down. Joe fights back with a series of knee strikes and he throws RVD into the ring steps. The action returns to the ring. RVD gets an elbow up during an attempted Joe splash and he follows it up with a springboard thrust kick. RVD hits the Rolling Thunder on Joe and goes for the pin. 2-count. Joe retreats to the corner and RVD hits a spinning heel kick. Joe goes to the next corner and RVD tries the monkey flip but Joe is too strong. RVD fights him off and hits a crossbody from the second rope.

RVD heads to the top rope but Joe grabs him and connects with the Muscle Buster for the 1…2…3!

Winner and STILL Television Champion [via Pinfall]: Samoa Joe (4:36)

• An emphatic and dominating first defense for Joe. He already looks more dominant and important than Devon did during his whole reign. Here’s hoping for some big things to come out of the TV Title division. (B-)

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Backstage AJ Styles is talking with Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez. Guerrero says Styles interfered in his match last week but Styles says that was Kazarian. The TNA Tag Team Champs Christopher Daniels/Frankie Kazarian come in and say that Angle was talking to Sting and said he didn’t need Styles’ help. Daniels grabs his Appletini and he and Kazarian leave to let Styles chew on those words.

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*Commercial Break*

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Bound For Glory Memories: Dixie Carter talks about Sting winning the TNA Title over Jeff Jarrett.

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We see footage from earlier of King Mo arriving at the Impact Zone.

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Backstage, Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy are talking about their tag team match last week and Aries not so casually mentions he did all the work while also backhandedly apologizing. Bully Ray walks in and says that Hogan told him to prove himself tonight so he challenges Hardy. Aries takes exception and says Ray should want to challenge him, not Hardy. Ray says he’s already beaten Aries. They start arguing and Hardy throws out a triple threat match as a suggestion. Ray instantly agrees and walks off, while Aries is mad at Hardy for making his matches for him.

• Thoughts: Interesting main event. I assume Ray will go over Hardy thanks to Aries.

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Chavo Guerrero Jr. comes out for the next match, accompanied by his partner Hernandez. We see clips from last week where Christopher Daniels pinned Guerrero to win the triple threat match. His opponent: Kurt Angle, accompanied by his partner AJ Styles.

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Match #4: Kurt Angle (w/ AJ Styles) Vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. (w/ Hernandez)

Angle and Guerrero lock up and trade waistlocks. Guerrero applies a side headlock and Angle launches him into the ropes. Guerrero knocks him down with a shoulder block and reapplies the side headlock. Angle tries to break out with a back suplex but Guerrero hangs on. Angle backs Guerrero into the corner and the ref breaks the headlock. This allows Angle to stomp Guerrero down to the mat. Angle gloats allowing Guerrero to put Angle in the corner and deliver a series of uppercuts. Guerrero goes to continue the assault but Angle backdrops him.

Angle chokes Guerrero on the second rope and stomps him in the corner. Angle chokes Guerrero with his boot. Guerrero gets back up and fights back with a series of forearms but runs right into a clothesline. Angle connects with a snap suplex for a 1-count. Angle locks Guerrero in with a waistlock. Guerrero fights out of it but Angle connects with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Angle goes for a couple of pin attempts but Guerrero quickly kicks out.

Guerrero ducks a clothesline and botches a head scissors takedown. Guerrero follows it up with a dropkick. Angle reverses an Irish whip into the corner, but gets a boot to the face. Guerrero goes for a follow-up but Angle connects with a belly to belly suplex. Guerrero fights out of the Angle Slam and rolls him up for a 2-count. Guerrero tries for the Three Amigos, but only gets one before Angle blocks it. Angle connects with three German Suplexes in a row. Angle tries to apply the Ankle Lock but Guerrero rolls through. Guerrero kicks Angle and connects with the Three Amigos this time around.

Guerrero heads to the top rope, but misses the Frog Splash. Angle grabs Guerrero and connects with the Angle Slam. Angle pulls the straps down to signal for the Ankle Lock. Hernandez gets on the apron to distract him, allowing Guerrero to roll Angle up for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Chavo Guerrero Jr. (6:41)

• A bit sloppy but still a good match, which probably shocks no one. What was shocking, however, was the fact Guerrero got the pinfall on Angle. I know he’s a different man in TNA but seeing Chavo get a win over someone of that magnitude, even under suspicious circumstances, still took me back. (B)

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Angle gets in Guerrero’s face immediately after, bringing Styles and Hernandez into the ring. All four men argue. Christopher Daniels/Frankie Kazarian come out and implore them to continue bickering.

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IMPACT Hype: King Mo makes his TNA debut tonight!

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*Commercial Break*

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Douglas Williams is in the ring for the next match. His opponent tonight is X-Division Champion Zema Ion. Looks like TNA finally remembered its X-Division. Thank christ.

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Match #5: Zema Ion (c) Vs. Douglas Williams for the TNA X-Division Title

Williams takes to Ion early with a series of hard-hitting headbutts and uppercuts. Williams clotheslines Ion to the floor to cap off his offensive flurry. Williams follows him out and hits him with a series of closed fists, but Ion pushes him into the ring post to stop the offense. Ion and Williams get back in the ring, and Williams catches Ion with a back elbow. Ion catches Williams’ arm during a clothesline and pulls the arm back for a quick submission.

Winner and still…

Ion refuses to let go of the hold and the ref reverses the decision.

Winner [via DQ]: Douglas Williams (1:16) – Zema Ion retains the X-Division Title

• Interesting way to go about this. Ion legitimately injures someone and they turn it into a storyline; well I guess the best stories are the ones based in reality. This match got over Ion’s mean streak and his new armbreaker finisher which did look pretty brutal. More importantly, THE X-DIVISION GOT SOME TV TIME AGAIN! Granted not a lot but…I’ll take it. (C)

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Ion gets on the mic and tells Hogan to take him off the list of potential partners for Sting because he doesn’t want to put his pretty looks in danger. He then says his catchphrase and exits the ring.

• Thoughts: I don’t get why people think Ion isn’t a compelling character; I think he plays a damn good pretty boy heel. This was a good little promo.

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Video Package: King Mo signs with TNA and announces it on MMA Uncensored.

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King Mo is backstage waiting to head to the ring…after this commercial!

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*Commercial Break*

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Backstage D’Lo Brown and Bruce Prichard are looking over TNA House Show footage where Matt Morgan attacked a referee. Prichard yells at Brown for letting this happen and Brown promises that Morgan won’t do this again.

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“SORRY…BOUT YO’ DAMN LUCK!”

Out comes James Storm to the Impact Zone. Storm gets on the mic and says that he’s coming to Bound For Glory to prove to Bobby Roode that he’s the better man. Storm then starts talking about the special enforcer for the show but gets interrupted by the music of Roode. Out he comes to the entrance stage, mic in hand. Roode says he doesn’t care about King Mo and neither should Storm. Roode says Storm should be thinking about their match, and goes through the usual motions (Storm is jealous of him, Roode was the true star of their tag team, yadda yadda). Roode says things are going to explode in ten days, and this isn’t just a match: this will be a fight. Roode says he won’t stop until he stands over Storm’s bloody carcass knowing that he has finally ended his career. Roode tells Mo this is “his” world and he can’t stop him from doing whatever he wants at Bound For Glory. Roode says if Mo was here right now, he’d say it right to his face.

• Thoughts: Considering they hyped his debut for the past week, you would think Roode already knew King Mo was here.

King Mo comes out right on cue, wearing a glittery cape and a crown. Roode starts yelling at him and Mo pushes him to the ground. Mo  beckons Roode to do something but he retreats. With that out of the way, Mo heads to the ring. Storm raises Mo’s hand and hands him a beer. He and Storm spray it around ringside.

• Thoughts: Let’s just be up front here: King Mo looks like a joke. The crown and the sequined robe…this guy is supposed to be a badass? Whatever. Lackluster debut from what I assume is a big TNA investment.

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Hulk Hogan is in the office and says he’s picked his guy. Sting says there’s one more match and talks up Bully Ray. He needs to see it before he makes his final decision.

• Thought: It better be Bully Ray. Seriously.

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IMPACT Hype: The triple threat main event, which is next!

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*Commercial Break*

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Previously on IMPACT: Aces and 8’s kidnap Hogan and Sting and set up a tag match for BFG between two wrestlers of Hogan and Sting’s choosing and two members of the Aces and 8’s.

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The Aces and 8’s are at their Clubhouse. They throw a bucket of water in Joseph Park‘s face, who’s tied up to a chair. “The President” says he’s been entertained that Hogan and Sting have to hold “auditions” to find their representatives while he doesn’t have to look far. He says The Aces and 8’s are willing to die for the brotherhood, but are the TNA guys willing to do the same? One member of the Aces and 8’s sparks a car battery as the video feed “cuts out”.

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Bound For Glory Hype: Tenay and Taz go through the lineup. New match: Samoa Joe will defend the TV Title against Magnus.

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Bully Ray comes out for the main event. He yells about showing Sting what he’s got as he makes his way to the ring. Jeff Hardy comes out second and is greeted with a loud shriek from a lady in the Impact Zone (or a pre-pubescent dude, either or). TNA World Champion Austin Aries is out last and we go to commercial as he makes his way to the ring.

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*Commercial Break*

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Main Event: [TNA World Champion] Austin Aries Vs. Jeff Hardy Vs. Bully Ray

We join the match in progress. Hardy reverses a suplex attempt by Ray. Ray rolls out of the ring and Aries rolls in. They stare one another down and Hardy gets the crowd clapping. Ray pulls Hardy out of the ring and throws him into the ring post. Ray rolls in and elbows Aries. Ray catches boot in the corner and Aries hits him with a crossbody off the second rope. Aries tries to follow it up with a splash but Ray gets a boot up. With Aries on all fours, Hardy runs in and launches off of Aries into Ray. Hardy continues the attack on Ray and finishes with a Twist of Fate. Hardy takes his shirt off and goes to the top. Hardy connects with a Swanton. 1…2…Aries pulls him off and throws him out to the floor.

Aries applies the Last Chancery on Ray, but Hardy rolls back in and breaks it up. The two once again get into each other’s face and argue. Ray takes advantage and clotheslines both men. Ray throws Hardy to the floor. Ray backdrops Aries over the top and onto Hardy. Ray brings Aries to the apron but Aries snaps his neck on the top rope. Aries goes to the top and connects with a Missile Dropkick. Ray retreats into the corner and hits a running dropkick. Aries goes for the Brainbuster but Ray grabs his face and wrenches it to stop the attack.

Ray grabs the TNA World Title from Hemme at ringside. Hardy runs in, and Ray throws him into Aries. Ray then hits the Bully Bomb on Hardy for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Bully Ray (time not recorded)

• Good triple threat match that kept the two men involved in the BFG main event from hurting one another. Ray getting the win wasn’t altogether surprising and Hardy’s loss doesn’t make him look weak since it happened due to him and Aries being busy arguing with one another instead of keeping their heads in the match. (B-)

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Aries grabs his belt and tells Hardy that he cost him the match. A loud “Hardy” chant breaks out. Aries goes to the second turnbuckle and poses with the belt to a chorus of boos. Aries exits the ring as Hardy poses to loud cheers. Hardy sits in the ring as Aries leaves.

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Hulk Hogan and Sting head to the ring to make their decision on who teams with Sting at BFG. This happens next!

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*Commercial Break*

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And Sting’s Partner is…

Sting and Hulk Hogan make their way to the ring to make their final decision. The music stops and a “Hogan!” chant breaks out. Hogan says his feud with The Aces and 8’s has become personal and he’s mad that he can’t wrestle in the match himself. Hogan says Sting will be in the match, however, and he will do all he can to keep The Aces and 8’s out of TNA. Hogan says everyone on the TNA roster wants the job (except, erm, Zema Ion). Hogan then makes the final decision: Mr. Anderson. His music hits, but then we cut to backstage where The Aces and 8’s have laid him out backstage.

Bully Ray comes out and makes another case for being Sting’s partner at Bound For Glory. He says that he’s Sting’s guy and tells Sting to convince Hogan he’s the right choice. Hogan remains silent. Ray says he knows that Hogan doesn’t like him, but he’s making a stand. Ray extends his hand, and Sting is behind the choice. Hogan shakes Ray’s hand and tells him to fight for TNA. Ray then shakes Sting’s hand as we fade to logo.

• Thoughts: When they announced Mr. Anderson, I almost vomited uncontrollably. Thank god for the Aces and 8’s. Phew. Ray getting the spot is nice but with the attack on Anderson, and with Sting and Hogan’s horrible luck with tag team partners, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that a screwjob will be going down in 10 days.

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Overall Show Grade: C+

• Best Match: Kurt Angle/Chavo Guerrero Jr.
• Worst Match: Mr. Anderson/Gunner
• Best Moments: Daniels/Kazarian listening on Angle and Sting’s conversation (their faces were funny), Mr. Anderson being taken out by the Aces and 8’s.
• Worst Moment: The debut of King Mo.

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