wrestling / TV Reports

411’s TNA Impact Wrestling Report 10.17.13

October 17, 2013 | Posted by Jonathan Sullivan

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*****

PREVIOUSLY ON IMPACT WRESTLING: Kurt Angle crashes the E.G.O. Hall Of Fame, Sting & Magnus have some heat, The Aces & Eights fail to defeat AJ Styles in a handicap match but Bully Ray commences with the post-match attack anyway.

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We go “live” to the arena as TNA President Dixie Carter makes her way out to the ring. She’s followed by two members of Atlas Security, one of whom is holding a briefcase. Carter says that Bound For Glory is going to be her masterpiece, despite AJ Styles’ attempts to ruin it. Carter says her two jobs are to motivate and evaluate, and says tonight she’s going to do both. A “WE WANT HOGAN!” chant breaks out and Carter brushes them off, announcing a contract signing for the main event of this Sunday’s show. Carter ponders what if a different superstar prevented Styles from signing the contract and walked away 50,000 dollars richer tonight, essentially putting a bounty on his head. Carter says that Styles will not be in the main event of Bound For Glory and she will open a spot for someone else. Carter motions to the Atlas Security guy with the briefcase, who opens it up to reveal 50,000 (in monopoly money apparently).

The Aces & Eights theme hits, bringing out Bully Ray and Brooke Tessmacher. Ray, whose voice is almost gone at this point, says that he’s not exactly on Team Dixie but 50,000 dollars buys a lot. Ray says he took out Styles for free last week so this week he’s ready to do it again and collect the money. He’s interrupted (via awkward edit) by Magnus who’s wearing a “Save the TaTas” shirt. Ugh. Magnus says it’s no wonder why people say “Dixie sucks”. Magnus says 50,000 dollars isn’t chump change to him so believe it when he says that he is so sick of Ray he’ll fight him for free (…he’s not the guy with the bounty on his head). Ray says people say Magnus is the future of pro wrestling and puts over how awesome he is before saying the people and Sting believe in him. Ray gets in Magnus’ face and calls him a fraud, a big pretty boy without a tough bone in his body. Ray backs Magnus in the corner and calls him a loser, fraud, and probably the biggest disappointment he’s ever seen. Ray says Magnus is so big of disappointment he might as well be from Oklahoma. Magnus responds by decking Ray with a right hand and Ray immediately bails out. Ray agrees to Magnus’ challenge off mic, then agrees once again on the mic.

  • THOUGHTS: Whoever edited this segment together needs to be fired; everything felt so chopped up that it took me out of the moment more than once. Outside of that it was a whatever segment until Magnus came out and confronted Ray. Ray getting in Magnus’ face while also putting him over on the mic was interesting, and did a good job setting up what I assume is the main event tonight. Also did the briefcase money look super fake or am I just that poor that I don’t know what bills bigger than 20 look like?

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A shot of Kurt Angle arriving to the arena backstage is shown before we head to commercial.

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-Commercial Break-

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Bully Ray is talking backstage with his Aces & Eights members, Garett Bischoff and Knux. Ray says the attack last week was like old Aces & Eights and says he’s proud of them for what they did. Ray tells Knux he’ll get the chance to get the spotlight and glory again tonight by collecting the 50,000 dollar bounty. Ray says he knows Bischoff will be at Knux’s side for his match tonight but he’ll be around if they need him because they all have each other’s back.

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Christopher Daniels makes his entrance for the first match. Robbie E and Hernandez are already in the ring. The final participant of the 4-way, Eric Young, makes his way out last.

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Match #1: Eric Young Vs. Christopher Daniels Vs. Robbie E Vs. Hernandez

Robbie E attacks Young as the bell rings, trash talking all the way. Young floats over in the corner and catches Robbie E with a flying forearm then covers for 1. Young applies a wristlock but in comes Hernandez, who tags himself in. He hits a mini-Air Mexico, landing on Robbie E’s arm. Hernandez whips Robbie E into the ropes, and he tags Daniels in against his will. Daniels tries to tag back out but Robbie E avoids him. Hernandez kicks Daniels in the gut and takes him down with a clothesline. Hernandez follows it up with goozleplex and a scoop slam. Hernandez hits the ropes and Robbie E hits him from behind. Hernandez knocks him off the apron and Daniels knocks Hernandez out to the floor. Robbie E gets his licks in as Daniels distracts the ref, then rolls him in.

Daniels connects with a headbutt and connects with a back kick for 2. Hernandez fights back but Robbie E tags himself in and stops the momentum. Robbie E connects with rapid-fire rights while in the full mount then follows up with a second-rope kneedrop for the 1…2…kickout. Robbie E immediately applies a front facelock as Hernandez gets to his feet. Robbie E and Daniels try to double team Hernandez, but Hernandez connects with a double clothesline on both men. Eric Young gets the tag and takes Daniels and Robbie E down with a duel dropkick. Young goes for a move on Daniels but Robbie E clubs him to prevent it. Robbie hits Young with a jawbreaker and Daniels tries to sneak in for the pinfall but Robbie E breaks the count. Robbie E shoves Daniels as they bicker, and Daniels shoves back sending him to the mat. This brief spat allows Hernandez to hit Daniels with AIR MEXICO, then he sends Robbie E flying with a shoulderblock. Daniels dodges a corner splash attempt and sends Hernandez out to the floor. Young slides under Daniels’ legs from the apron and connects with a belly-to-belly suplex. Young heads to the top and drops the flying elbow. Robbie E, who tagged Young’s foot before he went flying, pushes Young out to the floor and covers Daniels for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Robbie E (5:17)

  • MATCH THOUGHTS: ROBBIE E WINS, ROBBIE E WINS, ROBBIE E WINS! The match had its moments but it felt too much like a tag team contest than a 4-way. Cool to see The Bromans get the nod as the final team in the gauntlet; they’re still gonna lose but still good for them.

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AJ Styles remarks on the bounty backstage but in comes Jessie Godderz trying to cash in. Styles fights him off then tells the cameraman that it’s gonna be a long night.

  • THOUGHTS: Anyone else hoping Shawn Stasiak shows up to run into a wall?

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-Commercial Break-

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AJ Styles makes his way out to the ring. Styles says Dixie Carter reeks of desperation for the bounty she has placed on his head, then says he’s flattered because she knows he’ll win at Bound For Glory. Styles says Carter is scared to death and she knows that when he wins the World Title he’s going to make her pay. Styles says if anyone wants to try to cash in on the bounty, he’s not going to run or hide.

Out comes Knux of The Aces & Eights, joined by Garett Bischoff. Styles goes right at Knux, but immediately the DAMNED NUMBERS GAME is too much for him.

The TNA Tag Team Champions James Storm & Gunner make their way out for the save, chasing The Aces & Eights out of the ring. Styles also gets out of dodge just in case. Storm stares him down but lets Styles walks away. Gunner Vs. Knux is next.

  • THOUGHTS: Same talking points as usual for AJ, so there was nothing worth noting here promo-wise. The attempt by The Aces & Eights to “cash in on the bounty” didn’t even feel genuine, it felt more like a segue into the Gunner/Knux match…which it was. Also would you guys mind if I skipped Gunner Vs. Knux? You would? Maaaaaan.

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-Commercial Break-

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Match #2: Gunner [w/ James Storm] Vs. Knux [w/ Garett Bischoff]

Bischoff grabs the leg of Gunner, allowing Knux to attack him off the distraction (Storm is just hanging out on the ramp drinking wa-okay it’s beer). Knux continues his attack, choking Gunner on the second rope, but Gunner fights back with a running clothesline. Gunner connects with rapid-fire right hands but Knux grabs him and sends him face-first into the second turnbuckle. Gunner fights out of the corner with a series of forearms but runs right into a boot during a corner splash attempt. Knux follows up with a massive clothesline and covers for 2. Gunner once again fights back with forearms but gets caught in a standing bearhug. Knux backs Gunner into the corner then brings him to the mat with a scoop slam. Knux drops the knee and chokes Gunner with it before applying a rear-chinlock. Gunner tries a sunset flip but Knux stays on his feet, but the latter misses the legdrop. Gunner and Knux run at each other and level one another with a clothesline.

Meanwhile on the apron Bischoff motions for Bully Ray who doesn’t come and Storm spits beer in his face. Back in the ring Gunner mounts a comeback, connecting with a fallaway slam after walking a bit around the ring. Alright that was pretty awesome. Gunner signals for the finish, but Knux blocks him and connects with a cross bodyblock for the 1…2…kickout. Knux yells out for Ray to come help but once again he doesn’t show and he turns around just in time for Gunner to level him with a spear for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Gunner (4:57)

  • MATCH THOUGHTS: I liked the story of Bully Ray abandoning his Aces & Eights brothers, but the majority of this match was blah. Knux’s running clothesline and Gunner’s fallaway slam were cool though. Staying positive.

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Chris Sabin and Velvet Sky are backstage. Sabin leaves to go collect the 50,000 dollars and get into the main event of Bound For Glory, and Sky tries to plead saying it isn’t like him.

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-Commercial Break-

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Knux and Garett Bischoff are backstage yelling about the lack of help from Bully Ray. Knux says next time Ray needs their help it’s going to get really damn interesting.

  • THOUGHTS: I’m surprised they didn’t stitch “FORESHADOWING” into their kuttes for this segment.

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We see clips of Lei’D Tapa‘s attacks over the past two weeks, segueing into a plug for the Knockouts 3-way at Bound For Glory.

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Brooke Tessmacher is backstage taking sexy pics with her phone when Gail Kim walks in. Kim brings up Lei’D Tapa and says it’s in their best interest to work together if she comes out to destroy them. Tessmacher says it’s every Knockout for themselves and makes fun of the way Kim looks before walking off.

  • THOUGHTS: Good way to keep Tapa involved despite her not being in the Knockouts Title match proper. Also much begrudging respect to Tessmacher for her good brief heel work.

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BFG Hype Video: 5-Man Ultimate X match for the X-Division Title.

  • THOUGHTS: Love it when TNA runs the video packages. Good stuff and if you think this match is not gonna steal the show then you’re crazy. CRAZY I TELL YOU. CRAZZZZZZ-you get my point.

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Chris Sabin is shown stalking around backstage looking for AJ Styles. He runs into a security guard and asks if he’s seen Styles. He hasn’t and Sabin brushes him off, walking right into Samoa Joe. Joe says Sabin is in the wrong part of town. Joe tells Sabin he doesn’t seem to have his priorities straight and says that Sabin can continue to pursue this bounty if he gets through him tonight and the Ultimate X. Joe says he’s a very big “if” and Sabin walks off comedically while Joe makes a goofy angry face.

  • THOUGHTS: An unintentionally funny end to a decent serious Joe promo. However I think someone should have warned him that the bounty was only for this week and wouldn’t still be on after BFG has concluded. That sort-of killed his whole point and his concluding line.

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-Commercial Break-

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Chris Sabin makes his way out for the next match, joined by Velvet Sky who’s pretty much being dragged out. His opponent, Samoa Joe, makes his way out second.

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Match #3: Samoa Joe Vs. Chris Sabin [w/ Velvet Sky]

Joe backs Sabin in the corner and breaks clean but Sabin pokes him the eye and works him over with jabs in the corner. Joe brings Sabin back into the corner and beats him down to the mat with a series of rapid jabs. Joe whips Sabin into the opposite corner and connects with his splash/enziguri combo. Joe facewashes Sabin with his boot and goes for the running kick but Sabin bails to the outside for a hug from Sky. Joe grabs Sabin by the hair and brings him back into the ring. Joe connects with a knee to the gut and whips him into the corner. Sabin dodges a corner splash and connects with a series of strikes/chops. Joe, however, is unfazed so Sabin pleads for forgiveness. Joe chops Sabin and he immediately bails to the outside. He grabs Sky and walks off. Joe follows him out to the ramp and Sabin hides behind Sky. Sabin charges at Joe and escapes a Samoan Drop, connecting with a DDT on the ramp. Sabin runs back into the ring to attempt a countout victory. Heel Sabin is the best.

Joe crawls over and gets back in at 9 and a half. Sabin immediately stomps Joe repeatedly and steps on his head. Sabin chokes Joe on the middle rope then whips him into the corner. Sabin connects with a flying forearm then spits his hand, rubbing it into Joe’s face. Sabin whips Joe into the opposite corner and runs right into an STO. Joe connects with a big boot and a back splash, covering for the 1…2…kickout. Joe seats Sabin on the top turnbuckle and goes for the Muscle Buster but Sabin gnaws on his forehead and hits a springboard tornado DDT for the 1…2…kickout. Sabin wraps Joe up with an O’Connor Roll but rolls too far and Joe applies REAR-NAKED CHOKE. Sabin immediately taps.

Winner [via Submission]: Samoa Joe (5:15)

  • MATCH THOUGHTS: And once again Sabin’s awesome heel antics make a good match great. From hiding behind Sky to rubbing his hand full of spit into Joe’s face he’s making a big case to becoming a World Champion once again in the future. The finish was too quick to sink in, but it made sense as Sabin was pretty checked out and just wanted the match to end.

POST-MATCH: Austin Aries takes Samoa Joe out with a missile dropkick, then Jeff Hardy runs out and hits Aries with a Twist of Fate. Hardy rolls to the outside and brings in a ladder. Hardy sets it up in the corner and takes his shirt off. Hardy climbs up but Sabin grabs his foot. Hardy kicks him off and out comes Manik. Manik climbs to the top of the ladder and takes out Aries and Sabin with a flying crossbody. Manik celebrates with the X-Division Title.

  • THOUGHTS: For a second it almost seemed like Manik was going to be forgotten about, but I’m glad he got the final blow here. He still feels a step below the four other participants though; hopefully he pulls off the win on Sunday and rises up a bit. I can’t wait for Ultimate X, guys. It’s going to be so much fun.

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We quickly cut backstage where Bad Influence are beating up AJ Styles. They get the upper hand initially but Styles manages to fight back and sprays them with a nearby fire extinguisher. When the “smoke” clears Styles has vanished. Daniels and Kazarian are aghast.

  • THOUGHTS: I also would have accepted AJ Styles throwing down a smoke bomb and vanishing like a magician. Styles is coming off pretty badass fighting these attempts to cash in on the bounty.

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-Commercial Break-

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A video airs of Ethan Carter III during a photoshoot. Carter says that at Bound For Glory he’s going make “Auntie” very proud. Looks like he’s making his debut at the biggest PPV of the year. No pressure.

  • THOUGHTS: EC3 is the best and he hasn’t even done anything yet. His referencing of “Auntie” all but settles that he’s part of the Carter clan and honestly the potential interactions between he and Dixie have the potential to be solid gold.

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Magnus makes his way out for the next match of the night. Already? Weird. His opponent, Bully Ray, makes his way out second.

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Match #4: Magnus Vs. *TNA World Heavyweight Champion* Bully Ray [w/ Brooke Tessmacher] in a NON-TITLE MATCH

Ray tells the ref to shut the crowd up, but obviously he can’t do anything because it’s not an arena of Bret Harts. Magnus and Ray lock up around the ring and it ends in a stalemate. Ray applies a side headlock and takes him down with a shoulderblock off an Irish whip. Ray gloats to the crowd as Magnus gets to his feet. Ray connects with a scoop slam and allows Magnus to get back to his feet. Magnus grabs a side headlock and gets whipped into the ropes. Magnus fails at taking him down with a shoulderblock and goes to try again but Ray outsmarts him with a clothesline. Ray backs Magnus into the corner and connects with an insanely loud open hand chop to the chest. Ray tries again but Magnus escapes and hits a flurry of strikes. Magnus whips Ray into the corner and follows up with a back bodydrop. Magnus follows up with a clothesline and heads to the top. Ray pushes the top rope, crotching Magnus on the turnbuckle strut. Ray is in control as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break

Ray is still in control as we return from commercial, stomping his fallen foe as he attempts to get up. Ray kisses Brooke then goes back to work, ramming him head-first into the corner and sarcastically starting a clap. Magnus fights back with rights so Ray goes to the eyes with a massively awesome eye rake. Ray pulls Magnus into the center of the ring then stalls for what seems like forever before going for a running elbowdrop, which misses. Magnus mounts a comeback, exchanging right hands with Ray. Magnus hits his disorientation clothesline and follows up with a back suplex. Magnus gets a running head start and connects with the big boot to the, um, stomach then heads to the top turnbuckle. Magnus connects with the flying elbow for the 1…2…kickout. A ref bump occurs and Ray grabs the steel chain. Out comes Sting who grabs his chained up hand. The ref tries to separate the two, allowing Ray to his Magnus with a low-blow for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Bully Ray (10:43)

  • MATCH THOUGHTS: A tremendously slow and passion-less match but it did move the Sting/Magnus story along heading into BFG and gave Ray a win headed into his big title defense. So there was that at least.

POST-MATCH: Sting and Magnus exchange words. Sting tries to explain that he tried to help and Magnus is mad about getting hit in the yambag. Sting extends his hand and Magnus slaps it instead of shakes it, walking off as Sting follows.

  • THOUGHTS: So what are you guys thinking? A Magnus heel turn at BFG or a red herring?

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Kurt Angle is shown backstage heading to the ring. The Cyborg speaks next!

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-Commercial Break-

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Sting is backstage still trying to talk to Magnus. Magnus has nothing to say and blames Sting for losing. Sting tries to explain, but Magnus interrupts and says once again he has come up on the losing end. Magnus says all he wants to do is prove he can do it by himself. Samoa Joe walks in to cool things down and Sting says that he’ll be by himself on Sunday.

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Tenay hard-sells BFG, highlighting the big matches that’ll occur this Sunday.

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Kurt Angle Speaks

Kurt Angle makes his way out to a good reception. Angle says it’s good to be back but it’s time to get down to business. Angle puts over Bobby Roode, calling him one of the most talented wrestlers he has ever seen. However when Roode tried to rain on his parade, his upcoming HOF induction, he made it personal. Angle says that it’s one thing for Roode to think he’s that good but when you mess with a man’s legacy you dig your own grave. Angle says Roode might be one of the best today but he will never be Kurt Angle.

Almost on cue out comes Bobby Roode to refute. Roode says he may not be Kurt Angle but he doesn’t want to be. Roode says he wanted to be Angle earlier in his career, as he was the be all end all of pro wrestling, but now he’s the one who’s the be all end all of pro wrestling. Roode lays into Angle for “runing” his EGO Hall Of Fame induction last week and says he’s more worthy of the HOF than Angle is. Roode asks Angle to tell him what he’s done lately then answers for him: a whole lot of nothing. Roode says the last thing Angle did was beat Roode two years ago in the main event of Bound For Glory to retain the World Title. Roode says Angle did him a favor that night, waking him up, and soon after he became the longest-reigning World Champion in TNA history. Roode says that at Bound For Glory he’s going to beat Kurt Angle.

Angle asks Roode how he’s gonna be the one winning when he’ll be the one tapping. Roode says that’s where Angle is wrong then connects with a cheapshot right hand. Roode takes the shirt off and yells that he won’t be the one tapping. Angle sweeps the legs and locks in the Ankle Lock until Bad Influence come in to break it up. Bad Influence double-team Angle and send him shoulder-first into the ring post. Roode tells Bad Influence to stop and locks Angle in a CROSSFACE. Angle taps and Roode releases the hold.

  • THOUGHTS: All it took was two really good segments for Angle/Roode to have the build and the buzz that the actual BFG main event is lacking. Damn damn DAMN good stuff here from both men, with Roode especially showcasing a ton of intensity and tapping into a level he hasn’t been on since he was World Champion. Tremendous. This should be headlining. Also the opposite of props go to The Main Event Mafia for not coming to Angle’s aid; a man goes to rehab to overcome a disease and you act like he doesn’t exist anymore? FRIENDSHIP IS FOR JOKERS.

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A shot of Dixie Carter and Atlas Security heading to the ring is shown. The contract signing is next!

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-Commercial Break-

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Contract Signing: Bully Ray/AJ Styles

Jeremy Borash is in the ring with Dixie Carter and Atlas Security. Carter is standing in front of a podium. Borash introduces champ Bully Ray to the ring first. Borash then introduces Ray’s challenger, AJ Styles, who has shed his jean jacket/hoodie combo. Styles and Ray stare one another down and Styles poses on the ramp. Borash says it’s time to make it official, and Ray grabs the clipboard and pen as an “AJ!” chant breaks out in the crowd. Ray signs the contract then takes the mic from Borash. Ray says he didn’t waste any time signing the contract and tells Styles he can’t beat him; he ain’t got the brains, passion, or thunder to do the job. Ray goes into a wrestling history lesson and tells the story of Ric Flair destroying and maiming Dusty Rhodes; a month later Rhodes returned and said Flair had put him and the wrestling industry on “hard times”. Ray says fast forward 30 years later and he has been the one who has been putting the wrestling world on hard times, starting with Jeff Hardy at Lockdown then moving onto Sting at Slammiversary XI (ending his chances at being World Champion), Chris Sabin over the summer (running him back to the X-Division), and even Hulk Hogan. Ray says that in three days he’s going to put AJ Styles and his fans on hard times, sending Styles home a defeated man with no contract or championship to an empty trailer with no wife or three kids. Ray calls himself the “Darth Vader” of the wrestling business and Styles is no Luke friggin’ Skywalker. Drop the mic Bully, ain’t no one topping that tonight.

Styles takes the mic and says they aren’t in the past, they are in the future. Styles says he’s going to tell Ray who he really is: a big dumb BITCH. Styles says he has nothing to lose and everything to gain this Sunday and says he’s the most desperate and dangerous man Ray will ever get in the ring with. Styles says he will win at BFG, make Dixie pay, and become the next World Heavyweight Champion. Styles signs the contract.

Ray takes the mic and says he’s not putting his World Title on the line…he’s going to cash in on the 50,000 dollars. He pushes the podium onto Styles but Styles ducks a chain shot and hits Ray with the briefcase. Styles opens it up and spills the money at Carter and Atlas Security. Carter drops to her knees to gather the money as Styles and Ray stare down jawing at one another until they fade to logo.

  • THOUGHTS: If Bully Ray is leaving Bound For Glory without the World Title, he certainly ended his reign with possibly the best promo he has cut in TNA. I was a little iffy when he invoked the classic Dusty “Hard Times” promo but he made it work and then some. Had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, waiting to see what he was going to say next. His concluding Star Wars line was a tremendous way to cap it off too, so tremendous that I’ll ignore the fact that technically Emperor Palpatine killed Vader. As for Styles’ retort it was short and to the point and in no way measured up but was still a solid promo outing from them and they sold the HELL out of their main event match after weeks of almost making people give a damn. They did it in the nick of time too. Hell of a way to end this week’s show and hell of a way to go into their biggest show of the year. They just earned my money.

*****

OVERALL SHOW THOUGHTS: After a lackluster opening TNA really kicked it into high gear with their selling of Bound For Glory, showcasing all of the big matches heading into Sunday’s event. The final two segments with Angle/Roode and the contract signing were on a whole different level, leagues above the stuff TNA usually does and a great way to sell the show in the end (it also helped make the show feel more like a “Go-Home” episode, a feeling most of the show lacked unfortunately). Yes I made critiques and sniping comments throughout this report but after that Ray/Styles exchange I am hyped the fuck up for Bound For Glory. And for me that’s all that really matters.

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When not covering Impact Wrestling (almost) every Thursday for 411, Jon can be found writing about el wrestling de pro (those online Spanish classes are so worth the money!) for his own site Pro Wrestling Update, in 140 characters or less on Twitter, or on bathroom stalls in McDonald’s locations nationwide.

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Jonathan Sullivan

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