IMPACT Wrestling 12/6 Preview:

  • With four days to go until Final Resolution, tonight will be “the big sell” for those still sitting on the fence. The main event has already been set and it’s a big one: World Champion Jeff Hardy will team with James Storm and the down on his luck AJ Styles to face Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels, and Frankie Kazarian.
  • In addition to this big main event, two other matches have been announced both featuring members of The Aces and 8’s: Kurt Angle will seek to take down the biker gang’s “Director of Chaos” D.O.C. while Samoa Joe will defend his TV Title against “the Sgt. in Arms” Devon. The latter is the more interesting of the two, as Devon was TV Champion when he initially parted ways with the company and never actually lost it.
  • The bad blood between Bully Ray and Hulk Hogan continues to boil with Brooke Hogan in the middle of the confrontation and tonight both men will be in attendance to further the story. Also don’t be surprised if Austin Aries, TNA’s resident instigator, once again sticks his nose in “family business”.

All of this and much more awaits you on the Final Resolution Go-Home” edition of IMPACT Wrestling.

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*****

Previously on IMPACT Wrestling: Kurt Angle allied with Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff to fight The Aces and 8’s; Brisco wins his Gut Check challenge match, then the Gut Check as a whole thanks to fill-in judge D’Lo Brown. Austin Aries exposes the Bully Ray/Brooke Hogan relationship; Hulk Hogan freaks out on both Aries and Ray. Ray goes after Aries to end last week’s show.

—–

The pyro goes off and we are live from the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL. Todd Keneley welcomes the home audience. He’s joined on commentary by Mike Tenay and Taz. The music of Bobby Roode hits and out comes “The IT Factor”, joined by his partners for tonight’s six-man tag team match Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels/Frankie Kazarian). Tenay hypes the six man tag main event as the three heels make their way to the ring and Final Resolution this Sunday.

Kazarian grabs a mic and calls the Impact Zone a bunch of “chodes”. Kazarian brings the old stable Fortune, then switches gears to this Sunday’s PPV, promising victory for his “partners”. It’s Roode’s turn on the mic, and he says that when he makes a guarantee it becomes a reality. Roode says he will once again be “our” World Heavyweight Champion because he made a very important investment in himself and the championship (what?). Roode says Jeff Hardy will find out that it “pays to be Roode”. A loud “You suck!” chant breaks out as Daniels grabs the mic. Daniels says he guarantees that people will see he and AJ Styles’ final match on Sunday, and says Styles is going to lose. Daniels then asks Styles to come out for a “face to face”.

Styles’ music hits and out comes “The Phenomenal One”. Keneley and Tenay hype his match against Daniels at Final Resolution this Sunday and how it’ll be the “last one ever”. Styles grabs a mic of his own as “AJ” chants emanate from the crowd. Styles says he knows Daniels better than he knows himself, and says he’s been jealous of Styles since day one. He says Daniels has always been a jealous individual, and through all the deception and lies, he still can’t beat Styles on his best day. Daniels retorts with a fact of his own: every time he has called Styles a loser, he has known Daniels was right deep down. Daniels brings up the many losses of Styles over the past few months and it says it’s not because of him or Kazarian or Obama Care, it’s because he’s a loser. Daniels says Styles’ worst nightmare, finding out Daniels is better than him, becomes a reality Sunday. Styles says the real reality is Daniels talks too much, and takes him down. Roode and Kazarian immediately attack him until Hardy and James Storm come out to make the save, clearing the ring of the heels. The ring/entrance ramp of doom occurs to end the segment.

  • Segment Thoughts: A good way to begin the show and to hype the six man main event. Simple and effective. My only qualm? It focused on Styles/Daniels and not Hardy/Roode. Which one is the main event of Sunday’s PPV again?

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We join the announces at the desk, and they bring up Austin Aries‘ controversal comments from last week, which we then see a clip of.

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Austin Aries is backstage and says his plan last week was to push Hulk Hogan‘s buttons and get back the X-Division Title en route to winning back his World Title. He says it was going well until Bully Ray came out to defend Brooke Hogan‘s honor. Aries then challenges Ray for Final Resolution and implores Hogan to make the match happen.

—–

TV Champion Samoa Joe is making a b-line for the Impact Zone. His title defense is next, after this commercial break.

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-Commercial Break-

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Christy Hemme introduces Devon to the ring for the first match of the evening. Out he comes through the crowd, baseball bat in hand. Keneley and Taz discuss the fact Devon was never actually defeated for the title. TV Champion Samoa Joe makes his way out next to a great reception. Keneley said he prevented Aces and 8’s attacks last week by accepting this match, so he’s a hero and stuff.

—–

Match #1: Samoa Joe (c) Vs. Devon for the TNA Television Title

Joe backs Devon into the corner, and Devon pushes him off. They lock up, and this time Devon backs Joe into the corner. Devon tries for a cheap shot but Joe blocks it but lays into him with a series of strikes. Devon rakes the eyes to stop the momentum but it doesn’t last long as Joe sends him into the corner and connects with an enziguri. Joe takes him to the mat and drops the knee on his chest. Joe hits the ropes, but Devon pulls the top rope down, sending him to the floor. Devon follows him out and sends Joe face-first into the ring steps. Devon rolls him back in and goes for the cover but is unsuccessful.

Joe fights back with a series of jabs, but Devon ends the run with a jumping back elbow. Devon goes for another pin but is again unsuccessful. Devon splashes Joe in the corner, then splashes him once again when he hits the mat. Devon goes for a second-rope headbutt, but Joe moves out of the way. Joe and Devon trade jabs, and Joe wins the stand-off. Joe connects with an inverted atomic drop followed by a running kick and senton. Joe goes for the pin. 2-count.

Devon backs into the corner and side steps a splash. Devon rushes in himself but gets ST-Joe’ed for his trouble. Joe locks on the first part of the Rear Naked Choke. A random blonde wearing Daisy Dukes and half a shirt comes out and distracts the ref, allowing D.O.C. to hit Joe in the back of the head with a hammer. The ref gets his head back into the game as Devon covers him for the 1…2…3! New champion!

Winner and NEW Television Champion [via Pinfall]: Devon (3:56)

  • Match Thoughts: As a Samoa Joe fan, that was horribly deflating; he’s been doing a great job as TV Champ bring legitimacy to the belt and to lose that quickly was sad. On the other hand it was a cheap victory so Joe still looks strong; not many people can survive a hammer to the back of the head (seriously…he should be dead). I guess the TV Title is the Aces and 8’s booby prize since the World Title situation has no room for their involvement.

—–

Post-Match: Devon and D.O.C. celebrate with a bevy of ladies.

  • Thoughts: Ain’t no party like an Aces and 8’s party.

—–

Brooke Hogan is backstage on her cell. She says the contract is signed, sealed, and delivered and says “I can’t wait to see you, girl”. She hangs up and we cut to commercial. INTRIGUE.

  • Thoughts: “I wonder who it’ll be,” said a man pretending he didn’t accidentally already read who it’s supposed to be. Sigh. The internet ruins everything.

—–

-Commercial Break-

—–

D’Lo Brown is talking with Al Snow backstage. Brown says he’s glad to see him and asks him if he remembers anything. Snow says he only remembers waking up in a hospital on Friday. Snow thanks Brown for helping him out, and Brown says he’s just doing what’s best for business.

—–

“Hardcore Country” kicks up and out comes #1 Contender Mickie James wearing a dress and heels, so I assume she’s not wrestling unless we just time warped back to 2001. James grabs a mic. A “Welcome Back” chant starts up as James thanks the fans for all of their love and support. James says as she sat home recovering, she thought about her life and career, and realized she wasn’t satisfied. James says she made a pact with herself and will see her purpose through when she wins the Knockouts Title at Final Resolution.

Knockouts Champ Tara and Jessie Godderz make their way out to interrupt. Godderz opens the ropes for his “love”. Tara says while James has had a rough year, she herself has had an amazing year. She talks about the three greatest things to happen to her: dumping Miss Tessmacher as a friend, gaining Jessie as a boyfriend (James insults his shoes), and winning the Knockouts Title.

Their go-nowhere banter is interrupted by familiar music and out comes Velvet Sky making her return to TNA. Sky “let’s the pigeons loose” by bending down suggestively and Taz has a heart attack because he doesn’t own a computer. Sky grabs a mic and thanks the fans for cheering her. Sky thanks Brooke Hogan for bringing her back, then switches gears to Tara and James. Sky wishes both of them the best of luck on Sunday, but also promises that she will be Knockouts Champion come 2013. She concludes with a “If you don’t know, now you know” then shows off for her fans.

  • Segment Thoughts: Welcome back Velvet Sky. Good to see her return but let’s be real: this was a poorly constructed segment to bring her back in. They just had Tara and James awkwardly trade purposeless barbs until her music hit. Sort of killed the, erm, impact for me.

—–

Robbie E messes around with an iPad backstage when he’s interrupted by his partner Robbie T. T asks him what he’s doing since they have a match coming up next. E says he’s trying to pay his car insurance bill, including a plug for DirectAuto, but his tablet isn’t working. T says it’s a touchscreen and does it for him. E plays it like he knew what he was doing, and the two exit the locker room to get ready for their next match.

  • Segment Thoughts: A funny little segment, but the DirectAuto plug was a little…awkward.

—–

A “1.3.13” promo video plays, promising a “Day of Reckoning”. Okay.

—–

-Commercial Break-

—–

Robbie E and Robbie T are already in the ring for the next match. Their opponents, the World Tag Team Champs Chavo Guerrero Jr./Hernandez, make their way out next. Tenay gives us some Guerrero family history while we cut to the Spanish announce team.

—–

Match #2: [TNA World Tag Team Champions] Chavo Guerrero Jr./Hernandez Vs. Robbie E/Robbie T

Guerrero and Robbie E start the match off. Guerrero gets a waistlock then takes him down with a snapmare. Guerrero connects with a back suplex and tags Hernandez in. Hernandez catches Robbie E in a bear hug then turns it into an overhead belly to belly suplex. Guerrero tags back in and they botch a double team move before Guerrero and Robbie E go one on one. The ref gets distracted, allowing Robbie T to get a cheap shot.

Robbie T tags in and drops Guerrero with a forearm smash. Scoop slam from Robbie T, who then shows off his muscles. Robbie E tags in and hits a second rope move after a Robbie T sidewalk slam. Robbie E goes for the pin, but only gets a 2-count. Robbie E traps Guerrero in a reverse chinlock. Guerrero tries to break out  but gets caught with a knee. Robbie E goes for a DDT but Guerrero counters with a suplex. Hernandez gets the hot tag and hits a springboard shoulder tackle, followed a series of hammer blows. Hernandez drops Robbie T from the apron then hits a backbreaker on Robbie E. Robbie T breaks the pinfall attempt up and goes for a power bomb but Guerrero dropkicks him in the head. Hernandez clotheslines Robbie T to the floor. Hernandez drops Robbie E face-first on the top rope/turnbuckle then hits the Pounce. Guerrero tags in and finishes Robbie E with a Frog Splash for the 1…2…3.

Winners [via Pinfall]: Chavo Guerrero Jr./Hernandez (3:51)

  • Match Thoughts: A squash match that did what it was supposed to, but I really have no interest in the Guerrero/Hernandez team. They’re just…there.

—–

Post-Match: Guerrero/Hernandez’s post-match celebration is broken up by Joey Ryan. He runs off at the mouth, allowing his partner Matt Morgan to attack them from behind. Ryan says “when you’re dealing with the big Morgan and the big Organ…size matters” then alludes that they will be the next tag team champions.

  • Thoughts: This match is happening?!? Oh man I apparently was not paying attention last week. Sorry guys.

—–

Two of the Aces and 8’s babes are pole-dancing to the Aces and 8’s theme song as Devon celebrates with another girl on his lap. She says she wants to play and Devon is all about it. He looks over to D.O.C. whose standing and not celebrating. Devon tells him to chill out and they’ve got everything covered. Devon says it’s time to throw a dart, but the Bane-ish dude says they already have a hit to do courtesy of a secret financial backer.

  • Segment Thoughts: The Aces and 8’s are so lame. I enjoy the idea of a financial backer paying them for a “hit” though; looks like someone in the TNA Locker Room is over the whole “invade the Impact Zone and cause chaos all summer” thing.

—–

Next on IMPACT: Kurt Angle takes on D.O.C.

—–

-Commercial Break-

—–

Last Week on IMPACT: Wes Brisco wins the Gut Check thanks to D’Lo Brown‘s deciding “yes”.

—–

Kurt Angle is backstage with Wes Brisco and Garret Bischoff. Angle congratulates Brisco, and Brisco says he wouldn’t be anywhere about Angle. Angle then says Bischoff has been stepping up and Bischoff repeats Brisco’s words. Angle brings up his upcoming match against D.O.C. and Brisco/Bischoff say they have Angle’s back.

  • Segment Thoughts: Angle has horrible taste in apprentices.

—–

Chavo Guerrero Jr./Hernandez cut a promo on Joey Ryan/Matt Morgan, saying they won’t jump them from behind Sunday they’ll meet them in the ring and step on their faces. Or something like that. Guerrero then throws in some Spanish for the Latinos at home.

—–

After a technical mishap, Kurt Angle‘s music hits for real and out he comes. He heads to the ring as we head to commercial.

—–

-Commercial Break-

—–

D.O.C. makes his way out through the crowd as we come back from break.

—–

Match #3: Kurt Angle Vs. D.O.C.

Angle goes right on the attack once D.O.C. gets in the ring. Angle stomps a mudhole in him, choking him with his boot. Angle works on D.O.C.’s left leg, dropping an elbow and trapping it in a leg grapevine. D.O.C. tries to elbow out but Angle wrenches back. Angle transitions into repeated jabs to the head then drops his knees on D.O.C.’s right knee. Angle clips the knee, sending D.O.C. crashing to the mat. Angle tries again but is met with a clothesline.

D.O.C. stomps on the fallen Angle and works over his ankle. Angle gets to his feet and fights back. D.O.C. stops it with a kick to the face, then sends him out to the floor via clothesline. D.O.C. takes the fight to Angle in the ringside area, sending him running into the ring steps. D.O.C. rolls Angle back into the ring and continues the assault. Angle prevents a splash attempt with a boot then drops the big man with a second-rope dropkick.

Angle ducks a clothesline and connects with a German suplex hat trick. Angle goes for the Angle Slam but D.O.C. sends him into the ropes and drops him with a big boot. D.O.C. goes for a pinfall attempt but only gets a 2-count. Angle applies the Ankle Lock but D.O.C. pushes him off. Angle goes right back to the German Suplex combo, but only lands two before D.O.C. grabs the ropes to force a break. D.O.C. hits a low-blow then drops Angle with a running lariat for the 1…2…KICK OUT. Way too close.

D.O.C. goes for a chokeslam but Angle counters with a roll-up. Angle transitions into the Ankle Lock but D.O.C. rolls through. D.O.C. catches Angle with another chokeslam but it only yields another 2-count. Angle backs off into the corner and gets an elbow up during an attempted splash. Angle follows up with the Angle Slam and drops the straps. Angle applies the Ankle Lock, but an Aces and 8’s member in flannel breaks it up and causes the DQ.

Winner [via DQ]: Kurt Angle (5:26)

  • Match Thoughts: A by the numbers “C-game” Angle match with a predictable outcome. D.O.C. had some good moments though. Hopefully he gets a shot post-Aces and 8’s.

—–

Post-Match: The two masked Aces and 8’s members join D.O.C. and DevonSamoa Joe, Garett Bischoff, and Wes Brisco run out to make the save. Angle gets on the mic and challenges them to a four on four match for Final Resolution. 

  • Thoughts: Woo, hastily thrown together Final Resolution match! And a match I have no interest in to boot.

—–

Hulk Hogan is on the phone with Joseph Park. He says that if Park can survive OVW, he will talk to him about working in TNA. Hogan hangs up the phone as Bully Ray enters. Ray says last week he asked to wrestle Austin Aries but instead he gave it to Rob Van Dam. Ray says this week he’s telling Hogan to give him Aries. Hogan laughs it off, and says the wrestling universe doesn’t revolve around him and Aries. Hogan denies Ray the match due to the “big picture” and laughs. Ray laughs back, then bets him the answer will be “yes” by the end of the night. Ray says he’s taking over the show and will get his “Yes” while Hogan says “be careful what you wish for”.

  • Segment Thoughts: This doesn’t need to be dragged out, but I guess that’s where we’re going. Good showdown between the two; I like their interactions. Hogan casually mentioning Park going to OVW was awesome though; it was a subtle mention but I like that they’re continuing the “Park becomes a rassler” story in small doses.

—–

-Commercial Break-

—–

James Storm is talking strategy with Jeff Hardy backstage. Storm brings up Bobby Roode and how he pushed the right buttons to get what was his title match. Storm says he knows what Roode is capable of and will do whatever it takes. The slowdown occurs, and Hardy’s inner monologue returns. Hardy says when you’re champion, so many people seem shady and fake and doesn’t know if Storm is a cowboy or an outlaw. He concludes by saying it’s the creatures and him against the world.

—–

Christy Hemme introduces the participants in the triple threat X-Division #1 contenders match: Kenny King, Zema Ion, and Kid Kash.

  • Thoughts: “Oh sh*t, Rob Van Dam doesn’t have a match this Sunday? Uh…uh…X-DIVISION THREE WAY RIGHT NOW GO GO GOOOOOO!” – TNA Creative

—–

Match #4: Kenny King Vs. Kid Kash Vs. Zema Ion in a #1 Contenders Match

Kash attacks King and Ion, gaining the early upper hand. Ion leap frogs King, then dropkicks Kash. King then dropkicks Kash. King and Ion then double dropkick Kash. King rolls up Ion for a 2-count. Ion reverses a hammerlock, but King elbows him. Ion elbows back then runs into a spinning leg lariat from King. Ion hits the ropes, but Kash grabs the leg and pulls him out. King tries a shoulder block on the apron but King kicks him in the head and sends him to the floor. King hits the ropes to get some speed, but Ion runs in and clotheslines him. Ion goes for the pin, 2-count.

Kash attacks a preening Ion from behind, and lays forearms right in his face. Kash turns around into a King clothesline. Springboard legdrop from King and he goes for the pin. 2-count. Ion attacks King from behind and sends him into the corner. Ion drops King with a right hand then whips him across the ring. Ion runs into a boot but Ion goes for a Gory Special. King blocks it and goes for a suplex/pin-attempt. Kash breaks up the pin. King and Kash trade blows for a minute before Kash decides to hit an over the top rope hurricanrana on the floor. King then hits a high flying move of his own. Ion rolls in and hits a dive of his own.

Ion rolls King in then heads to the top. King crotches him and goes for a suplex. Kash runs in and executes a Tower of Doom. Kash locks King in a Boston Crab, but Ion sends Kash face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Spinning enziguri from King on Ion. Kash breaks up the pinfall attempt. Kash hits a rolling hurricanrana on King, knocking him out of the ring. Kash hits another springboard maneuver on Ion and goes for the pin but only gets a 2-count. Kash goes to the top again, but Ion pushes him off. King hits a springboard blockbuster and follows it up with the Royal Flush for the 1…2…3!

Winner and NEW #1 Contender to the X-Division Title [via Pinfall]: Kenny King (5:56)

  • Match Thoughts: An absolutely frenetic and chaotic spot-fest, but it’s been such a dull week wrestling-wise that it instantly became the best match of the night. I’m still trying to recover from the dizziness of it all. Cool to see King win, but the real props go to Kash who actually gave a damn this week and pulled out some old-school (for him) high flying moves. Fun stuff.

—–

Bully Ray is on the phone while walking the backstage halls. He calls Hulk stubborn and says he’s taking over the show and getting what he wants. He hangs up.

—–

Another 1.3.13 promo airs for the fun of it.

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-Commercial Break-

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Feud/Storyline Recap: Bully Ray/Austin Aries/Hulk Hogan/Brooke Hogan

—–

Bully Ray Holds The Show Hostage

Bully Ray comes out with a chair. He sets it up in the ring and says he’s not going anywhere until he gets his way and what he wants. Ray says he wants to fight Austin Aries and vice versa, and the fans also want to see it, so he doesn’t understand why Hulk Hogan won’t make it happen. Ray says he’s sitting down in the chair and going nowhere until he gets what he wants.

Aries heads out to interrupt the sit-in, carrying a chair of his own. Aries reminds Ray the last time they fought, he made him submit. Aries says Ray doesn’t really want to fight him, he wants to pretend to fight him in order to stand up for his woman. Ray dares Aries to get into the ring. Aries refuses to go in and sets up the chair directly in front of the ramp, creating a sit-in of his own.

“Not Quite the nWo Theme” hits and Aries books it to go sit somewhere further away. Hulk Hogan makes his way out, looking all sorts of angry. Hogan gets in the ring where Ray is still sitting there, acting like a baby. Hogan says he’s going to fix all of the business right now. Hogan refuses to make the Aries/Ray match, and says he won’t let either of them push him around because he’s the GM of the show. Hogan tells Ray to get out of the ring or he’s going to either fire him or kick his ass. Ray kicks the chair over and gets in Hogan’s face, while Aries leads a “Fight! Fight! Fight!” chant.

Brooke Hogan runs to the ring and separates the two. Brooke says maybe Mark…err BULLY is right and Hulk is making it too personal. Hulk asks Ray and Aries if they want the match and they totally do. Hulk reluctantly agrees to it and slams the mic down.

  • Segment Thoughts: Was Brooke’s slip-up on purpose or accidental? Hell it doesn’t matter. This whole segment was part stupid and part awesome, the latter mostly thanks to Aries. Hulk actually having the balls to be a tough GM was pretty cool too…until he folded five seconds later and made the match official anyway. Here I was getting pumped a GM on a wrestling show was finally standing their ground. The end justified the means though I guess, because Aries/Ray is going to tear the house down Sunday.

—–

Next on IMPACT: The six man tag main event.

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-Commercial Break-

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Final Resolution Run-Down: Keneley/Tenay/Taz run down the lineup for this Sunday’s PPV.

Final Resolution Vignette Hype: Hardy/Roode. Roode does all the talking; story is basically him finally getting another shot at the belt after five long months without the belt.

—–

The music of Bobby Roode hits, bringing out “The IT Factor” along with his partners Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian. Daniels and Kazarian go old school, wearing fanny packs and Zubaz pants because that joke hasn’t been made before 100000000000 times. The music of Jeff Hardy hits, bringing out the World Champ and his partners AJ Styles and James StormJeremy Borash handles the in-ring introductions after plugging 5-Hour Energy.

  • Quick Thought: I like that both teams came out as cohesive units. That’s usually doesn’t happen. Also…ahem…LOLZUBAZISNTTHATTOTALLYFUNNYSTILL.

—–

Main Event: [TNA World Champion] Jeff Hardy/James Storm/AJ Styles Vs. Bobby Roode/Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels/Frankie Kazarian)

Storm and Kazarian start the match off. Kazarian backs Storm into the corner and breaks clean. He shoves Storm, who shoves him back. They trade rights, and Storm knocks him down followed by his partners. Thesz press by Storm followed by a series of rights. Storm hits a clothesline in the corner, then drops Kazarian with a forearm. Hardy tags in and he and Storm hit Kazarian with a double back elbow. Kazarian sends Hardy into the corner and tags Daniels in. Daniels whips Hardy into the corner and gets caught with a head scissors. Styles tags in and goes after Daniels, who quick tags to Kazarian. Kazarian reverses an Irish whip but gets dropped with a headscissors takedown. Styles sends Kazarian into the corner and chops him. Hardy tags back in and Styles hits a corner clothesline followed by Hardy connecting with a Poetry in Motion. Hardy goes for the pin but only gets a 2-count. Hardy mounts Kazarian in the corner as we head to to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

Kazarian has Hardy in a submission hold as we come back from break. Kazarian sends Hardy face-first into the corner, then stomps on him. Hardy attempts to crawl over to make the tag, but Kazarian locks on a front chancery to prevent it. Daniels distracts the ref just when Hardy gets the tag, preventing Styles from entering the match. Daniels tags in and drops Hardy. He and Kazarian tease doing the Gangnam Style dance but don’t go through with it. Roode tags in and sends Hardy into the corner. Roode connects with right hand and follows up with a vertical suplex. He goes for the pin but Storm breaks the count.

Daniels tags in to continue the assault on Hardy. He sends Hardy into the corner sternum-first then sweeps the leg and drops an elbow. Kazarian tags in and Daniels holds him up for a “Hart Attack”. Kazarian connects but only lands a 2. He distracts the ref, allowing Roode and Daniels to hit a couple cheap shots. Kazarian chokes Hardy with his boot, and Hardy falls to the floor. He distracts the ref again, allowing Roode to send Hardy back-first into the apron.

Roode tags in and holds Hardy back from making a tag, locking on a reverse chinlock. Hardy gets to his feet and elbows out but Roode catches him with a back elbow of his own to quell the momentum. Daniels tags back in and locks Hardy in another front chancery. Hardy backs Daniels into the corner to break the hold and goes for a tag but Daniels holds onto his cargo pants to prevent it. Daniels sends Hardy face-first into Roode/Kazarian’s boots. Roode tags back in and drops Hardy with a midsection punch. Roode goes to the second turnbuckle and measures Hardy. He jumps off but gets a kick to the gut and a Twist of Fate for his troubles. The Impact Zone crowd cheers on Hardy.

Kazarian tags in but so does Styles, and in he comes like a house of fire. He takes out both members of Bad Influence, and covers Kazarian after a back suplex. Roode breaks the count. Storm gets in and hits the Closing Time on both Roode and Daniels, before clotheslining himself and Daniels to the floor. Roode and Kazarian double team Storm in the ring as Daniels sends Storm into the ring steps. Styles fights out of the 2 on 1 situation and delivers two DDT’s at once (one inverted, one normal). Daniels breaks the count, and Styles puts his attention towards him. Daniels backdrops Styles to the apron and pushes the top rope to stop him mid-springboard. Styles counters Daniels’ move, and Storm takes him out. The two start arguing, and Hardy tags himself in while it goes on. Hardy connects with the Twist of Fate on Kazarian for the 1…2…3!

Winners [via Pinfall]: Jeff Hardy/James Storm/AJ Styles (15:06)

  • Match Thoughts: A very good six man tag team match that helped to build up the big matches going into this Sunday…and also Storm and Kazarian were there. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I like that they’re still building towards a Storm/Styles match for the future. The ending itself, with Hardy taking matters into his own hands, was also pretty awesome; he’s done it before but it helps make him look like he’s not just a weird dude with an audible inner monologue and weird taste in makeup.

—–

Post-Match: The Aces and 8’s hit the ring during Hardy’s in-ring celebration and swarm him. They continue their attack until Storm reemerges with a chairs and chases them off. The Aces and 8’s look at Roode, who smiles and claps. They give him the thumbs up and he reciprocates. Roode reiterates that it “Pays to be Roode” as we fade out.

  • Ending Segment Thoughts: Considering The Aces and 8’s have taken people out with hammers, having them swarm the champion and just sort of punch and kick him seems like a waste of money on Roode’s part. The beatdown was very lackluster and didn’t give the show the killer ending I know they were going for, although it’s interesting that The Aces and 8’s have gone from invading bikers to a hit squad. A little out of left field, but I’ll just go with it.

*****

Overall Show Thoughts:

  • As far as go home shows go, this was a really good effort by TNA to create interest in Final Resolution. It solidified some storylines, built up some matches, and they had the hype machine rolling in a perfect way that didn’t feel too obnoxious. The ending scene of The Aces and 8’s attacking Hardy didn’t stick, due to the almost lackadaisical way they attacked the champion however, and there were other awkward moments here and there. A good episode of IMPACT Wrestling in the end.
  • Best Match: Hardy/Storm/Styles Vs. Roode/Bad Influence
  • Worst Match: Guerrero/Hernandez Vs. Robbie E/Robbie T
  • Best Segment: The opening segment to set up the six man main event.
  • Worst Segment: The Aces and 8’s party with strippers…or hookers…or something.

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Jon appears courtesy of his own site The Pro Wrestling Nerd, featuring all sorts of recaps and reviews of weekly wrestling television as well as assorted news and views. You can also follow him on Twitter if you’re into that sort of thing you kinky bastard.

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