411’s TNA Impact Wrestling Report 11.21.13

*****

We go right to the announce table where Mike Tenay segues into #Impact365 footage of Bobby Roode attacking James Storm at a bar last night.

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-Turning Point Intro Video-

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Dixie Carter catches up with Samoa Joe backstage. Carter says she watched her appearance on last week’s show over and over again so she can best she can be and give the fans everything they could want. Carter says while her performance was outstanding Joe’s was not and warns him to never take that tone with her again unless he wants to wrestle in third-world country for “pesos”. Carter says if (BIG IF) he wins the World Title tournament the unification match with AJ Styles will never happen because he’s gone forever. Carter says the people would rather see her first on the show and exits.

• THOUGHTS: Looks like Joe’s gonna get screwed.

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Dixie Carter makes her way out to the ring to open the show proper. Carter thanks the crowd for their support (they’re booing). Carter says she knows the people are excited to have her back in Orlando and thanks Sports Illustrated for the article they wrote on her called “Dixie Land”. Carter says now she has to unfortunately address AJ Styles. She says the fans are so upset at Styles for how ugly he has been to her. Carter says that since Styles didn’t join Team Dixie he has been working for minimum wage and she feels no pity for her. An “AJ!” chant breaks out as Carter says she’s ticked off that Styles has taken her intellectual property and misrepresented it around the world. Carter says it stops today and not one more company is going to make a “yen” off of her again. Carter says the consequences coming towards Styles are going to be big…

Before she can finish that thought out comes James Storm, beer in one hand and bullrope in the other. Storm brings up Roode’s attack on him at the bar last night and a “Cowboy!” chant immediately emanates from the crowd. Storm holds up the bullrope and says this is the match that the Wheel of Dixie picked, but to him the rope is not enough after what happened. Storm says he’s going to use but he also wants to use tables, chairs, barbed wire, and even dentures if he can get them out of a crowd member’s mouth. Storm requests the match to be turned into a “Florida Deathmatch”. Carter says she doesn’t care about what happened at the bar last night as it was on his time not hers, and the Wheel of Dixie has spun and spoken so she won’t change it. Storm says Orlando’s finest asked him if he wanted to press charges but he said no because he wanted to settle it in the ring instead. Storm tells Carter that she will give him the match; if she doesn’t he will call Orlando PD to arrest Roode and ruin the tournament. Carter admonishes Storm for taking a tone with her and accuses him of publicly backing her in a corner (which is true). Storm says TNA is about giving the people what they want and they want this match (the crowd cheers in agreement). Storm says it was the wrong tone to take with a lady and asks her nicely to change it to a “Florida Deathmatch”. Carter says she’ll do it if Storm tells the cops everything is okay and agrees to the match.

• THOUGHTS: A good opening segment with a hot crowd hanging on every word. Orlando is hyped as hell to have TNA back and I dig that. Storm using the attack from last night to leverage an added stipulation was a good way to acknowledge the fact that the cops could have easily arrested Roode for what happened. Good stuff.

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We cut back to the announce table where Tenay hypes up the Park Vs. Abyss match that’s scheduled for later, plus the Ray/Anderson main event.

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Magnus makes his way out for the first match of the show. The music of Samoa Joe hits but he doesn’t come out. We cut to the back where Joe tells Magnus to meet him backstage and get him some since it’s a Falls Count Anywhere match. Magnus makes his way up the ramp as we go to commercial.

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-Commercial Break-

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Match #1: Samoa Joe Vs. Magnus in a FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH (TNA World Title Tournament: Quarterfinals)

Joe sends Magnus into a wall backstage as we return from commercial. We clips from during the break where Joe sent Magnus into a pallet among other things. Back live the action spills back into the arena, on the entrance stage. Magnus is in control now and covers for a 2-count. Magnus chokes Joe with his boot and rakes the eyes at the same time. Joe gets to his feet and makes with the jabs but Magnus regains the advantage with a forearm shot. They make their way ringside and Magnus rakes the back even though Joe’s wearing a shirt. They exchange blows and Magnus rolls Joe back into the ring. Magnus gets sent into the corner but gets a boot up during a splash attempt. Joe counters a second-rope move with an inverted atomic drop and follows up with a boot. Magnus dodges the back splash but runs right into a powerslam and Joe covers for 2.

Magnus connects with a scoop slam and heads to the top. Joe connects with a strike and meets him on the second turnbuckle. Joe attempts a superplex but Magnus fights him off and knees him down to the mat. Magnus re-climbs to the top and connects with the top-rope elbowdrop for the 1…2…kickout. Magnus goes for the Cloverleaf but Joe kicks him off and hits an STO out of the corner when Magnus charges in. Magnus rolls to the outside and Joe hits him with a suicide dive through the ropes, cracking Magnus with a forearm. Joe rolls Magnus over and covers for the 1…2…kickout. Magnus slams Joe into the side of the apron then looks for some weapons under the ring. There appears to be nothing so he checks another side, pulling out a chair. Magnus wedges the chair in between the middle and bottom turnbuckles. Magnus connects with a European uppercut and goes for an irish whip but Joe puts on the breaks, ducks a clothesline, and applies the rear-naked choke. Magnus starts fading but rams Joe into the side of the apron to break the hold. Magnus tricks Joe into charging at him and he sidesteps, sending Joe into the wedged chair. Magnus covers him for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Magnus (11:18)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: A disappointingly tame FCA match that did all of its backstage brawling stuff during the break. Magnus goading Joe into running into the chair and causing his own loss was a nice ending though. It’s a smart move. Also do the camera shots seem tighter now that they’re back in Orlando or am I imagining things?

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Joseph Park is backstage talking to himself. He’s calling out Abyss next!

• THOUGHTS: This should be interesting.

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-Commercial Break-

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Bad Influence have made their way to the ring during the commercial. Frankie Kazarian says it is indeed Turning Point and Bad Influence is here for their viewing pleasure. Kazarian says they wouldn’t miss tonight for the world because in mere moments Joseph Park is going to wrestle his brother Abyss. Kazarian says they are going to sit ringside and watch, giving them permission to enjoy the match and worrrrrsssshhhhhippppp theeeeemmmmm…NOW.

Joseph Park makes his way out to the ring for the next “match”. Park grabs the mic from Christy Hemme and calls Bad Influence “hooligans”. Park tells them to sit down and shut the hell up. Park says for the last 18 months he has been looking for his brother Abyss and after all the trials and tribulations they have arrived at tonight. Park says he’s doing this for him tonight, to prove to the world he’s not a loser (uhhh that’s not doing it for himself), and says tonight will be his “Turning Point”.

Hemme introduces Abyss and his music starts playing. Abyss doesn’t show so Hemme announces him once again and his music restarts. Bad Influence gets in the ring and Kazarian tells him to start entertaining people. Christopher Daniels says in any other instance Park’s story would be an inspiration but it isn’t because he’s not a man. Daniels says Park is a human waterbed mattress, a bag of mayo with a law degree and a cheap track suit. Daniels says the people are booing Park because he’s a loser and Abyss didn’t come out to wrestle him because he’s a failure. Daniels says the reason Park’s family isn’t here because he’s an embarrassment to his family. Daniels asks if this is the moment Park starts to apologize for wasting the people’s time. Daniels asks if he has to punch Park in the face to make him a man. Daniels then says they need a little blood and Kazarian dumps a bucket of blood on Park. Daniels tells Park to show him “the monster”. Daniels calls Park a failure and a waste of space, taking up air actual humans could be breathing. Daniels tells Park he should just get out of his ring THIS INSTANT. Park exits the ring and slowly sulks to the back as Daniels yells more insults at him.

• THOUGHTS: Well that was a big pile of disappointment. We all know Park is Abyss so I was hoping that they’d at least end the storyline here and make the big reveal; instead they just reenacted a scene from CARRIE and had Bad Influence insult him all the way to the back. Also Tenay saying blood normally sets off Park was dumb; his blood sets him off, not just a random bucket of it. Come on.

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-Commercial Break-

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TNA Knockouts Champ Gail Kim and Lei’D Tapa are in the ring. Kim calls out the next open challenge contestant. In comes Candice Larea to answer.

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Match #2: Candice Larea Vs. *TNA Knockouts Champion* Gail Kim in a Non-Title “Open Challenge” Match

Larea gets some shots in but Kim quickly takes control and connects with a corner dropkick for 2. Larea fights back, hitting a tilt-a-whirl headscissors followed by a sunset flip for 2. Larea runs at Kim and hits a couple of forearms but misses a splash attempt. Kim and Larea trade forearms but Kim hits her with a sitout powerbomb for the 1…2…kickout. Kim finishes Larea off with EAT DEFEAT for the 1…2…3.

Winner [via Pinfall]: Gail Kim (1:52)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Candice Larea is notable independent wrestler Candice LaRae. She’s best known for her work in California-based PWG. I don’t know why they spelled her name the way they did but whatever. Unfortunately, as good as LaRae can be (her PWG work is pretty awesome), this was not a good outing in the slightest. Very sloppy match. Tough break.

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James Storm is shown backstage gathering weapons. The Deathmatch is next!

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-Commercial Break-

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A “Friends of AJ” video plays highlighting AJ Styles’ stint in Japan defending the World Title. Styles narrates and his anger inflections are unintentionally funny.

• THOUGHTS: I dig these videos and everything but Styles came off way more whiny this time around.

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Jeremy Borash introduces his guest Mr. Anderson backstage. Anderson says Bully Ray tried to take his life away but he’s in a taking mood tonight himself and promises that the Aces & Eights will be done, done, done, DONE DONE DONE DONE, etc.

• THOUGHTS: If The Aces & Eights stay together after this show there’s a good chance that I’m taking a month off. Start praying Csonka!

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Gunner catches up with James Storm backstage. Gunner says Storm doesn’t need all of these weapons to beat Roode. Storm says he doesn’t need them, he wants them. Storm says he appreciates Gunner being more of a partner than Roode ever was.

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A video plays recapping the long-running Storm/Roode blood feud.

• THOUGHTS: For my money there’s no better or more important rivalry in the history of TNA than Storm Vs. Roode. Good video recap.

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James Storm makes his way out for the next contest, a Florida Deathmatch. Storm has a trash can full of weapons, including the bullrope. This match is next.

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-Commercial Break-

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Bobby Roode‘s music hits and Storm walks up the ramp, hitting him with a kendo stick as he makes his way out. The bell rings and we’re off to the races!

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Match #3: James Storm Vs. Bobby Roode in a FLORIDA DEATHMATCH (TNA World Title Tournament: Quarterfinals)

Storm hammers Roode in the aisle with right hand after right hand. Storm slaps Roode and sends him flying back. Roode gets to his feet and is floored once again with a running clothesline. Storm goes for a bulldog but Roode sends him charging into the ring post. Storm is now busted open and Roode focuses his right hands on the open wound. Storm fights back, reversing an irish whip that sends Roode flying into and then over the ring steps. Storm rolls Roode in and tosses two trashcans full of weapons into the ring. Storm grabs a crutch and jabs it into Roode’s midsection. Storm whips Roode into the corner and gets sent to the apron. Storm immediately responds with an enziguri and hits the ropes for a neckbreaker but Roode stops him with a cookie sheet to the face.

Roode grabs the crutch and hits Storm with it repeatedly before choking him with the top half. Roode chops Storm and grabs the crutch once more, driving it right into the midsection. Roode stops an irish whip attempt and sends him into the corner with a right hand. Storm grabs the now-empty trashcan and places it between Roode’s legs. Storm grabs a kendo stick and smashes the can right into Roode’s yambag (Taz has the right idea, that’s a fun word). The ref starts counting and Roode gets up at 5. Storm climbs to the second rope for an inverted tornado DDT but Roode strikes his way out. Storm hits a second-rope sunset flip and Roode rolls through for a boot right to the chest. Roode wedges a trash can in between the top and middle turnbuckles. Roode catapults Storm, but Storm stops, grabs the trashcan, and goes to hit Roode with it. He pretty much misses so he grabs the can again and this time gets all of it. Roode flair flops to the mat and the ref begins the count.

Roode gets to his feet and Storm and goes for the Eye of the Storm but Roode slides out and hits a spinebuster right into a trashcan, flattening it. The ref begins his count but Storm makes it to his feet. Roode grabs a trashcan lid and cracks Storm in the skull with it. Storm grabs one of his own and they engage in a trashcan lid war. They both hit one another and fall to the mat. The ref starts his count. Both men beat the 10 count and Storm hits the LAST CALL when Roode charges at him with a crutch. The ref starts his count. Roode slides out to the ring and pulls out a beer bottle. He climbs to his feet and hits Storm in the skull with it. Deja freakin’ VU. The ref starts his count as Roode slides back into the ring. The ref gets to 9 and STORM GETS TO HIS FEET.

Roode immediately flattens Storm with a clothesline and grabs two chairs from the outside. Roode sets both up in the ring and picks Storm up, connecting with a Fireman’s carry slam through both of them. Roode climbs to his feet and the ref keeps his count. At the count of 9 STORM ONCE AGAIN GETS TO HIS FEET. Roode grabs the crutch and immediately sends Storm down. Roode yells for Storm to die and stay down. Roode slides in a barbed wire board (WHO KEEPS THAT UNDER A RING?!?). Roode goes for another fireman’s carry slam and out comes Gunner who throws in the towel (?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!).

Winner: Bobby Roode (12:00)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Their feud may be beyond played out but I love me a good Storm/Roode match and this was fun in a garbage sense….until that ridiculous ending. Throwing a towel to end a Last Man Standing match is ridiculous; it’s not an I Quit Match, they fight until they can’t get to their feet. That’s the whole point. Ridiculous way to end an otherwise good match.

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-Commercial Break-

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James Storm yells at Gunner for throwing in the towel. Gunner says he did it because he cared but Storm is still mad about it. We can get an updated look at the World Title bracket: Hardy/Roode and Angle/Magnus are the semifinals matches.

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A video plays where Christy Hemme shows off the house of Sam Shaw. Shaw wants to be called about “Samuel”. Shaw likes being extreme and drawing. The camera “cuts” and Shaw asks Hemme out on a date.

• THOUGHTS: I guess Sam Shaw is still employed after all…and is getting a storyline to boot. Good for him.

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Ethan Carter III interrupts a hangout session between Norv Fernum and Dewey Barnes. Carter says he flew them down (coach) for tonight and says their rivalry has to end. My power just flickered in and out so I missed the rest of it.

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Jeremy Borash goes to interview Bully Ray but Knux shoos him off so Brooke Tessmacher does the interview instead. Ray says in over 20 years of being in this business he has never met someone as ungrateful as Mr. Anderson. Ray says that tonight he will end Anderson then tells him he’ll make sure to take good care of Anderson’s pregnant wife.

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-Commercial Break-

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Kurt Angle cuts a promo about his SF opponent Magnus. He says Magnus poses a big threat to him and in comes a random stage hand who tells him that Dixie needs to talk to him right now. Angle stops to say he’s looking forward to facing Magnus then leaves to go meet with the President.

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Ethan Carter III makes his way out for the next match. Tenay recaps the fact that EC3 says he’s facing a TNA legend tonight. Carter grabs a mic and says it’s time to raise his level of competition, and he will face a returning legend. Carter introduces his opponent…SHARK BOY.

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Match #4: Shark Boy Vs. Ethan Carter III

Carter connects with a right hand as the bell rings, flooring his opponent. Shark Boy gets to his feet and connects with a series of rights that send him into the corner. Shark Boy whips Carter into the ropes, and Carter bails to the floor. Shark Boy chases Carter back into the ring and dodges an elbow drop. Shark Boy connects with an atomic drop then sends him into the corner. Shark Boy goes into the corner mount and hits the 10 right hands of doom. Shark Boy goes for the Stunner but Carter fights him off and hits a back suplex into a front-facing slam. Carter holds up the index fingers and finishes Shark Boy with the ONE PERCENTER.

Winner [via Pinfall]: Ethan Carter III (2:06)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Always good to see Shark Boy again. A fun squash match.

POST-MATCH: Carter grabs the mic and does his whole “I’m a Carter” spiel.

• THOUGHTS: I’m gonna be waiting every week for Sting to finally interrupt this post-match catchphrase.

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STORYLINE RECAP: Mr. Anderson Vs. Bully Ray

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A split-screen of Mr. Anderson and Bully Ray heading to the ring is shown. The main event is next!

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-Commercial Break-

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Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode are backstage arguing. Dixie Carter interrupts and says that Thanksgiving is about getting along. She then announces that Angle and Roode will each lead a team of four guys each for an eight-man elimination tag match.

• THOUGHTS: NOPE! NOT A SURVIVOR SERIES MATCH! SHHHH! SHHHH!

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Bully Ray makes his way out for the main event, joined by Brooke Tessmacher. His opponent, Mr. Anderson, makes his way out second sporting new trunks. The Impact music hits and out comes a host of TNA wrestlers to watch the main event. Nice touch. Jeremy Borash handles the in-ring introductions but Anderson jumps Ray before he can finish.

• THOUGHTS: Not a lot of TNA roster members out to watch the match (Gunner, Angle, Joe, Magnus, and Pat Kenney). You’d figure the roster that was terrorized by these guys for 18 months would be more interested.

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Main Event: Mr. Anderson Vs. Bully Ray [w/ Brooke Tessmacher] in a CAREER VS. ACES & EIGHTS NO-DQ MATCH

Anderson grabs the mic and introduces himself, then low-blows Ray twice before saying the second “ANDERSON!”. Anderson takes Ray down with a clothesline and poses for the crowd as Ray rolls out of the ring to regroup with Brooke. Anderson rolls out and Ray hides behind Brooke. Ray throws Brooke into him then commences with a running right hand. Ray clubs Anderson and continues to sell the low-blows while sending him into the ring steps. Anderson fights back with rights but Ray rakes the eyes and slams his arm on the ring steps. Ray connects with some hard right hands and then slides a table into the ring as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

The table is set up in the corner and Ray/Anderson exchange right hands. Ray drops Anderson with a big boot and poses for the crowd/random TNA people standing on the stage. Anderson slaps Ray so Ray drops him immediately after. Ray grabs a chain and whips Anderson with it, stopping to kiss Brooke before landing another chain shot. Ray goes for a chain-assisted elbowdrop but Anderson rolls out of the way and he hits nothing but canvas. Anderson grabs the chain and repeatedly whips Ray. Anderson wraps the chain around his right hand and goes for a punch but Ray stops him with a urinage for the 1…2…kickout.

The action spills to the outside and Ray pulls the mat up to expose the concrete. Ray goes for a piledriver but Anderson counters with a back bodydrop. Anderson sets up for a piledriver of his own but Ray blocks it and in comes Knux who attacks him from behind. Anderson sends Knux into the ring steps then yells at Brooke who moves out of the way. Anderson exposes some more concrete and piledrives Knux…on the mats. Ha. Anderson removes Knux’s kutte and poses, allowing Ray to attack him from behind. Ray rolls him in and heads to the second turnbuckle. Anderson peels him off and hits the rolling senton. Anderson goes for the MIC CHECK but Ray fights out and spears him into the table in the corner. Ray covers Anderson for the 1…2…kickout. Ray can’t believe it.

Brooke runs away to the announce table and Taz hands her a hammer. She tosses it but Anderson grabs it, hits Ray with it, and connects with the MIC CHECK for the 1…2…3!

Winner [via Pinfall]: Mr. Anderson (13:01)

• MATCH THOUGHTS: Ray and Anderson have been in a blood feud for months now and this big blowoff match felt…really lackluster given the amount of tension. Disappointing in a way. Anderson ending the match with a hammer shot also would have been better if Chris Sabin hadn’t done the same “poetic justice” thing over the summer. But hey the end result is a good one and I’m glad to see The Aces & Eights finally end. ABOUT DAMN TIME.

POST-MATCH: Anderson rips Ray’s kutte off of him and yells for Taz’s as well. Gunner and the other TNA roster members strongarm him into taking it off. Anderson poses with both kuttes as we fade out into an ad for next week’s show.

*****

OVERALL SHOW THOUGHTS: An entertaining episode, but parts of it felt too tame given the storylines behind them (Ray/Anderson did not even come close to being brutal). The ending to Storm/Roode also rubbed me the wrong way in a logic sense. An enjoyable two hours, with a big conclusion of a long-running storyline, but it had its problems.

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Besides covering TNA (almost) every Thursday for 411 Jon can also be found writing about pro wrestling on his own site Pro Wrestling Update as well as in 140 characters or less on Twitter.