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Tag: Impact

  • TNA Impact results: Drew Galloway vs. Bobby Lashley lumberjack title match, Willow unmasked

    Previously on Impact:

    Last week on TNA Impact, Ethan Carter III began his road to redemption by defeating Rockstar Spud in a cage match. This was the first in a series of matches that EC3 must win in order to get a rematch with Mike Bennett. Meanwhile, Willow made his return last week and attacked Jeff Hardy. This was most perplexing because Willow is the alter ego of Jeff.

    Tonight on Impact:

    On tonight’s show, TNA World Champion Drew Galloway puts his title on the line against Bobby Lashley. Also, Jeff continues his mission to unmask Willow and reveal his true identity.

    Show Recap:

    –Earlier today, we see Drew Galloway entering the Impact Zone with the TNA title. Also earlier today, Bobby Lashley arrives at the Impact Zone. What a coincidence. Lashley and Drew spot each other backstage and get into a brawl.

    -In the Impact Zone, Willow makes his way down to the ring. Josh Matthews and The Pope recap Willow’s attack last week.

    Willow enters the ring and takes the microphone, his voice is distorted.  He says he is Willow and hear him roar. No, but seriously, he makes an extremely demonic cackle. This brings Jeff to the ring causing the crowd to cheer in ovation. Jeff lets us know that there is only one Willow and he lives inside of him. Jeff speaks like Willow and does the cackling laugh. This leads to a match.

    Jeff Hardy vs. Willow

    This was a short match and was basically a squash. Jeff dominated Willow and won with the Twist of Fate. After the match, Jeff attempted to take the mask off of Willow when a second Willow attacked Jeff from behind. The two Willows beat down Jeff and pointed at the entrance. A third Willow walked out and Pope said it looked like Jeff. This Willow also spoke with the distorted voice and said he was going to be Jeff’s worst nightmare.

    Back from commercial, the two Willows held Jeff as the third Willow addressed him. Willow unmasked to reveal…Maxell Hardy! Just kidding, its Matt Hardy, but he was messed up. This was a different Matt. He spoke with a weird tone and had a streak of blonde hair. It also appeared that his left eye is messed up and appears to be all white. Presumably, the Swanton bomb from the heavens a few weeks ago caused all of this. Matt told Jeff that he scarred him. Matt choked out Jeff in the middle of the ring to end the segment.

    -In the back, a tall, beautiful, bubbly blonde approached Velvet Sky. She introduced herself as Allie, Maria’s assistant. She informed Velvet that she has a match with Sienna later. Velvet got in Allie’s face and she backed down. Just then, Allie got a call from Maria who had her assistant tell Velvet that if she lost to Sienna, Velvet will be fired. Allie is better known as Cherry Bomb from the Indies.

    -We get a recap of Drew and Lashley brawling earlier in the day. Next, Jeremy Borash interviews TNA President Dixie Carter. She announces that tonight’s title match will be a lumberjack match.

    Sienna vs. Velvet Sky w/Velvet’s job on the line

    As Velvet makes her way to the ring, Josh reminds us that if Velvet loses she is fired. They’re pushing Sienna as a monster and she dominates the early part of the match. Velvet makes a short comeback and scores several near falls. However, it’s not enough and Sienna hits her finisher to pick up the win. Velvet is fired and is in fact done in TNA.

    -Next we get a vignette of Mike Bennett and Maria hanging out by the pool. Maria looked ridiculously hot and The Miracle knows it. He tells Maria to get some sun and then they’ll go over to the Impact Zone to make a miracle happen.

    -Back from commercial, Maria is apparently done getting some sun as she introduces The Miracle. He asked if the fans believe in miracles and the crowd chanted “No we don’t”. Miracle discussed EC3’s road to redemption and that if he doesn’t win he won’t get a rematch at Slammiversary. Miracle calls out a future hall of fame because he wants to beat one. He brings out Earl Hebner and challenges him to a match. He provokes Earl to shoving him in the face. Bennett calls out a second referee.

    “The Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis vs. “The Referee” Earl Hebner

    Mike knocks down Earl and covers him. The referee is hesitant to make the count. Earl kicked out at two and a half to a massive pop from the crowd. Bennett flipped out and got in the referee’s face. Earl gave a low blow to The Miracle. Maria distracted Earl and Miracle knocked him down. Bennett pinned Earl to win the match.

    Post match, Miracle continued to attack Earl until EC3 ran out for the save. Miracle distracted EC3 and Tyrus jumped him from behind. Bennett announced that EC3 will face Tyrus in a Last Man Standing match. EC3’s road to redemption continues after the commercial.

    Last Man Standing: Ethan Carter III vs. Tyrus

    Back from commercial and the match is underway. Tyrus set up a chair in the corner but EC3 countered and sent him shoulder first into the chair. EC3 brings a table in the ring and uses the steel chair on Tyrus. Tyrus barley makes it to his feet at the count of nine. EC3 goes for the one percenter by Tyrus counters and sends EC3 through to steel chairs. EC3 makes it back to his feet before the count of 10. Tyrus set EC3 up on the table and went up for the Vader Bomb. EC3 got back to his feet and power bombed Tyrus through the table. However, Tyrus made back to his feet and continued to beat down EC3. EC3 gives Tyrus the Samoan Drop through a guardrail set up by Tyrus. EC3 placed the steel steps on top of Tyrus. Tyrus is unable to answer the count of 10 and EC3 wins the match.

    Like last week, The Miracle came out after the match but unlike last week was not clapping.

    – Next we get a video package of Bobby Lashley training in the gym.

    – We get a recap of Willow/Matt’s attack on Jeff earlier. In the back, Jeff is irate over the attack. He challenges Matt to a match at Slammiversary.

    Eddie Edwards and DJ Z vs. The Helms Dynasty (X Division Champion Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett w/ Gregory Shane Helms)

    This is a fast paced match with lots of high impact moves. DJ Z chases Everett around ringside and runs right into a sick boot from Lee. The heels take over on Z and isolate him in their side of the ring. Eddie gets the hot tag and runs wild on the heels. Z tags himself in and hits an insane suicide dive threw the turnbuckles on an angle. Eddie hits a dive onto Lee and DJ Z connects with a DDT on Everett to win the match.

    -We get a recap of Velvet losing in her last match in TNA to Sienna. In the back, Velvet cuts an emotional promo and fights back the tears. She says goodbye to TNA, her friends and the fans. As noted earlier, Velvet is in fact finished with TNA.

    -Another video package this time on Drew Galloway training.

    Facts of Life with Eli Drake w/King of the Mountain Champion Bram

    It’s time for Facts of Life with Eli Drake. It’s also time for one of the most annoying gimmicks in wrestling. Every time Eli says, “dummy” he presses a button and a graphic pops up of Eli saying, “Dummy, yeah.” I blame Mr. Anderson for fact that his segment now exists. Eli does his own introduction using his “announcer” voice. Eli has his Feast or Fired KOTM title shot briefcase with him. Eli brings out KOTM champion Bram. Eli wants Bram to simply hand over the KOTM title but Bram refuses. Eli teases cashing in his title shot but instead he leaves. They brawl briefly until Eli escapes.

    -In the back, EC3 cuts a very brief promo. He wants Mike Bennett and his rematch. EC3 only said about five to seven lines, but it was still far better then the previous segment.

    -Still in the back, EC3 confronts The Miracle and Maria. EC3 demands his match with Bennett. The Miracle refuses and lets EC3 know he’s not done on his road to redemption. Next week, EC3 must defeat Matt Hardy and maybe if he’s victorious he’ll get his rematch with Bennett.

    Lumberjack Match: TNA World Champion Drew Galloway vs. “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley

    Members of the TNA roster surround the ring for the lumberjack match. They trade moves to start the match. Lashley sends Galloway to the floor on the heel side of the ring.

    Back from commercial, Lashley is in control of the match and sends Drew back outside to the heel side of the ring. The heels tease beating Drew, but they send him back in the ring. Lashley dominated Drew, but Galloway got back to his feet and made a comeback. Galloway goes for the Future Shock DDT but Lashley got out of it. Drew used the Celtic Cross and set up for the Claymore kick when the heel lumberjacks pulled Drew out of the ring resulting in the end of the match.

    Post match, all hell broke loose with all the entire roster brawling at ringside. DJ Z and Trevor Lee both hit dives onto the lumberjacks. In a sick spot, Eddie gave a super plex to Andrew Everett from the top rope to the outside on all the lumberjacks.

    In the ring, a bunch of guys hit moves. Bram knocked out Lashley and Eli knocked out Bram. Jeff took out Eli and set up for the Swanton. Matt ran out and brawled with Jeff to the back. Bennett took out Eli. EC3 starred down Bennett who backed off. Lashley then speared EC3 and Galloway caught Lashley with the Claymore. Drew then hit a dive to the outside on everyone to end the show.

    Next Time on Impact:

    EC3’s road to redemption continues as he battles Matt Hardy. Also, Grado returns to go one-on-one with Al Snow. Plus, next week the Ultimate X match returns.

  • TNA Impact Wrestling results: EC3 vs. The Miracle; Drew defends against Tyrus

    Previously on Impact:

    Last week on Impact, Jeff Hardy hit a death defying Swanton Bomb from the rafters of the Impact Zone onto his brother, Matt Hardy. The show ended with Matt being taken out of the arena on a strecher in a neck brace. Earlier, Decay “abducted” Gail Kim in order to force Beer Money into a title match tonight. 

    Tonight on Impact:

    Tonight is a special edition of Impact Wrestling, TNA Sacrifice. The show will feature a loaded line up with the stars of TNA. Drew Galloway will defend the TNA World title against number one contender, Tyrus. Additionally, Ethan Carter III will go one on one with Mike Bennett in “No Disqualification Match”.

    Show Recap:

    -Tyrus and Rockstar Spud are already in the ring to kickoff Impact. Tyrus calls World Champion Drew Galloway out for their title match. Drew makes his way to the ring and Josh points out that his ribs are heavily taped.

    TNA World Champion Drew Galloway vs. Tyrus w/Rockstar Spud

    Tyrus works over the ribs throughout the match including pulling the tape off. He missed a Vader Bomb allowing Drew to make a fiery comeback. Spud tried to interfere, but Drew took him out with a belly-to-belly suplex. Drew then executed an impressive superplex on Tyrus for a near fall. Drew retained his title after hitting the Future Shock DDT in a really good match.

    -Backstage, Maria is talking to herself in the mirror. She tells herself that her reign atop the Knockouts Division begins tonight and nobody can stop her, not even Gail Kim.

    -Back from commercial, Roode and Storm are getting ready for tonight’s “Valley of Shadows Match.” Storm points out that they didn’t need to abduct Gail to get a title shot.

    -Maria comes out to the ring looking stunning. She says that there doesn’t need to be a women’s revolution and that she doesn’t need to change but everyone else does need to change. Gail comes out also looking stunning and says it’s a sad day because Maria is in charge of the Knockouts. She believes that Maria was behind Decays “kidnapping” and “torturing” of her, but Maria denies any involvement. Maria decides to make a match between Gail and Rosemary to divert attention.

    Gail Kim vs. Rosemary w/Crazy Steve

    Gail attacks Rosemary to start the match. Maria is at ringside and distracts Gail long enough for Rosemary to get the advantage. If Freddie and Jason Voorhees’ mom had a baby, it would be Rosemary. Steve pulled Gail out of the ring and Gail slapped him. The slap was weak so she gave him a second slap to see if it would really sting. Maria distracted the referee and Rosemary sprayed the mist into Gail’s eyes. Rosemary picks up the win. 

    -Backstage, Josh is surprised to see Jeff limping and noted he wasn’t expected to appear tonight.

    Facts of Life with Eli Drake featuring The BroMans (Robbie E & Jesse Godderz)

    Eli is a wearing a shirt, tie and vest but the sleeves are cut off to expose his arms. He’s standing behind a podium that has a big red button. Every time he says dummy he presses the button and a little graphic pops up of Eli saying, “Dummy. Yeah” This happens a lot and it gets pretty annoying after awhile. Eli talks about all the dummies in TNA including Jeff Hardy and Drew Galloway. He brought out his guests The BroMans, which he called “dummies”. The BroMans came out wearing glasses with no lenses. Jesse asked Robbie what kind of person has a “Dummy Button”. Robbie responds with “douchebag.” I’m not sure who is the true “douchebag” in this segment. A brawl breaks out with The BroMans standing tall. 

    -Decay cuts a terrifying promo backstage and promises to win the tag titles later.

    -Backstage, EC3 reminds us that he’s never been pinned or submitted. EC3 says that it’s time to go to church, and in church EC3 never loses. His promos are often a highlight of the show.

    Valley of Shadows Match: TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money (James Storm & Bobby Roode) vs. Decay (Crazy Steve & Abyss) w/ Rosemary

    Tables and trashcans filled with various weapons are set up at ringside. The lights in the Impact Zone are dimmed for the match as well. Abyss tries to use a cheese grater on Roode, but Roode fights him off. Decay dominates the action using kendo sticks and steel chairs. Beer Money made a comeback by Roode hitting a spin buster on Abyss.

    Back from commercial, Rosemary comes out from underneath the ring with a barbwire board. Beer Money gives Steve a double suplex on the barbwire board. Rosemary hands Abyss thumbtacks, which he spreads on the mat. She tries to spray the mist into Roode’s eyes, but misses and gets Abyss instead. Storm sprays the mist into Rosemary’s eyes and breaks a beer bottle over Abyss’ head for a near fall. Storm climbs to the top but Steve shoves him off into a table on the floor. Abyss gives Roode a choke slam onto the thumbtacks for the pin to win the tag title. This looked legit painful for Roode who had several thumbtacks sticking to his back. However, Decay are the new TNA World Tag team champions.

    -We get a recap of Eric Young attacking Bram and cutting his beard. In the back, Bram is upset and promises to end EY tonight. Not sure why Bram’s so upset, his beard looks great.

    -Bennett cuts a passionate promo. He points out that EC3 has lost his friends and title. The only thing EC3 has left is never being pinned or submitted. Bennett notes that he also has yet to be pinned or submitted.

    TNA King of The Mountain Champion Eric Young vs. Bram

    EY used a trash can lid on Bram and set up a table at ringside. Pope mentions on commentary that EY quit last week and promised to take the KOTM title with him. EY went for the pile driver off the apron, but Bram counters with the Brighter Side of Suffering though the table to pick up the win. Bram is the new King of the Mountain Champion.

    -Backstage, World Champion Drew calls out Bobby Lashley for next week. Drew was once again great at selling his injured ribs. Drew is a constant highlight of Impact each and every week.

    -In the back, the interviewer guy asks Bram how he feels after winning the KOTM title. Bram promises that anyone who wants a shot at his title can have it, but he’ll send them packing just like he did with Eric Young. That seems to be the only mention that EY is officially done with TNA.

    -Jeff Hardy limps his way down to the ring. He recaps the “I Quit” match from last week and the Swanton Bomb spot that resulted in Matt leaving on a stretcher. Jeff hopes that he Swantoned some sense into Matt. Reby and Spud made their way to the ring to confront Jeff. She repeatedly told Jeff that she hates him, testing out their in-law rivalry. She told Jeff that her husband made him a star. This got an audible laugh from the crowd. She adds that Matt isn’t the same after last week; he’s cold, distant and doesn’t even talk to her. Reby slapped Jeff several times and Spud attacked him. Jeff made his own comeback and knocked out Spud with a Twist of Fate.

    No DQ Match: Ethan Carter III vs. “Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis

    It’s main event time. We’re reminded that it’s no DQ and no count out. There must be a winner by pin fall or submission. EC3 dominates the action on the outside and rolls Bennett back in the ring. EC3 hits the broken arrow for a near fall. Bennett sends EC3 into the ring post and continues to work over the shoulder. Maria hands Bennett a chair and he destroys EC3 with it. EC3 hits the One Percenter but Maria breaks up the pin fall. EC3 takes the chair and beats Bennett with it. EC3 locks on his submsisson but Bennett kicks off the corner and pins EC3 like Bret Hart and Piper at Wrestlemania 8 or Balor and Joe at Takeover: Dallas. They put this over huge because Bennett is the first person to pin EC3. The show ends with Bennett and Maria celebrating while EC3 looks on stunned.

    Next Time on Impact:

    Next week on Impact, World Champion Drew Galloway promises to call out “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley for a face-to-face confrontation.

  • Ethan Carter III explains cancellation

    Michael Hutter aka Ethan Carter III did a Facebook post earlier today regarding his missing scheduled shows on April 2 for Southside Wrestling and April 3 for Preston City Wrestling in England.

    “Unfortunately, due to a previously unforeseen opportunity to continue building a rapport between TNA Wrestling and one our of television network partners, I was forced to cancel my appearances with both Southside and Preston City Wrestling April 2-3. Canceling is not something I take lightly.”

    Hutter confirmed what Preston City promoter Steven Fludder had informed us of, that despite how TNA framed the story, Hutter never asked Fludderfor a deposit. He did say that the plane tickets hadn’t been purchased and that he felt he was out more than anyone financially, because he had printed up U.K.-specific T-shirts and EC3 foam fingers to sell at the shows.

    Hutter said that neither TNA nor the promotions are to blame for this, and if there was any heat, he would take it. “A set of circumstances arose and I had to make a decision, so blame me.”

    He said he promised to make it up to the promotions.

  • TNA Impact still breathing; 5 days of TV tapings set

    After a lot of concern given the already taped TV was running out and nothing had been said, TNA finally announced today five days of tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando.

    The current set of television taped at the end of January in the U.K. expires with tomorrow night’s show on Pop TV. The tapings were announced for five days, from 3/15 to 3/19. Talent had been told about the dates a few weeks ago but there were still concerns over the lack of announcement and lack of travel itinerary.

    TNA announced today that over the five days they will be taping episodes of Impact, Xplosion and One Night Only PPV shows.

    They will run 3/15 to 3/19 with all shows starting at 7 p.m. There will also be a 3/17 at 1 p.m. show, a Thursday afternoon event.

    Tickets, as always, are free, although they are selling $99 VIP tickets or premium seating and meet and greets.

    The names being pushed for the tapings are Matt & Jeff Hardy, Ethan Carter III, Bobby Lashley, Drew Galloway, Eric Young, Bobby Roode, James Storm, Gail Kim and Tigre Uno.

  • TNA Impact ratings hold steady

    Impact last night did 339,000 viewers for the 9 p.m. show,up from 321,000 the week before.  The show was built around a tease for Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy match that didn’t take place.

    The midnight replay did 103,000 viewers, down from 123,000 last week.  So the combined 442,000 viewers was down from 444,000 the week before, numbers close enough that they are essentially the same thing.

    The show also featured the results of the Feast or Fired briefcase reveals.

  • James Storm’s future, card for tomorrow’s TNA debut on Pop

    It appears that Impact Wrestling’s James Storm is not going to WWE with AJ Styles, Shinsuske Nakamura, and the Bullet Club. After doing a few TV dates with NXT, James Storm is scheduled for TNA’s TV tapings all week in Bethlehem, PA, concluding in a PPV Friday. 

    Storm was put on television without signing a WWE deal, which was highly unusual. He worked a taping, missed a taping, then was back for another taping, and then hadn’t been seen again.

    The listing of the Doll House as Marti Bell, Jade and Rebel in the advertising for a match against The Beautiful People on tomorrow night’s Impact didn’t include Taryn Terrell.  Terrell today confirmed in a video she is not returning to TNA, stating it was a personal decision, noting that she had gotten married, and the path her life is on TNA is not the right fit for her anymore. As noted earlier, Angelina will not be wrestling but will be appearing because she is pregnant. 

    Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow to TNA on POP TV, featuring a new opening song performed by Smashing Pumpkins.

    Event card:

    Bobby Roode defends the King of the Mountain Title

    World Title Series Semi-Final Match: Ethan Carter III vs. Bobby Lashley

    World Title Series Semi-Final Match: Matt Hardy vs. Eric Young

    World Title Series Final match to crown a new TNA World Heavyweight Champion

  • TNA Impact debut on POP TV ratings, January 8th PPV confirmed

    TNA’s debut on Pop TV last night drew 111,000 viewers for a “Best of” show which had little going for it past Internet and social mediapromotion.

    TNA and Pop TV had been pushing 1/5 as the debut of the show, built around the final four in the world title tournament.  It was only in the past week when the announcement was made that it would debut with taped programming last night in its new Tuesday at 9 p.m. slot..

    The audience was barely half of the “Days of our Lives” show that did 211,000 viewers.

    While the lack of publicity and fact it wasn’t a new episode means the number really can’t be taken as a strong sign of where they will end up, it is a number that points to where the TNA base audience is at this point.  Between the change of network and change of day, and TNA, with the exception of the move from late Saturday to Thursday prime time, has always taken a hit when changing days, it took take some time before TNA gets to where it will probably be.

    However, the idea that they will get back to Spike levels, which Pop TV execs spoke of, doesn’t seem likely.

    It has been confirmed by TNA that there will be a live PPV show on Friday, 1/8, from Bethlehem, PA.

    inDemand literature had come out advertising the show, taking place three nights after the debut on Pop TV, for a show called “One Night Only Live.”

    That was the name of the show that was originally planned to be taped in India during the canceled tour, as a live special in that country, and would air starting 1/8 as the One Night Only show in the U.S.

  • TNA Wrestling to launch on POP TV two weeks early

    TNA will be starting earlier than expected on POP TV with its debut show coming out this Tuesday night from 9-11 p.m — the company’s regular time slot on the station.

    TNA finished its Destination America run on Wednesday night, and it was originally believed that the company would not have television until their originally scheduled debut show on Tuesday, January 5th. Instead, POP TV will be picking up with the final two episodes of Impact for 2015, airing on Tuesday, December 22nd, and Tuesday, December 29th, both of which will be “Best of 2015” type shows. This week, their first hour will go head-to-head with a live Smackdown. 

    The 1/5 “live” show from Bethlehem, PA, will feature the semifinals and finals of the TNA title tournament that has come down to Bobby Lashley, Eric Young, Matt Hardy and Ethan Carter III. The company is saying it’s a live show, but in the past, that has meant taping two hours before and airing it the same night.

    On a Hardy note, it was reported in the new issue of the Observer that his TNA contract expires in about ten to 12 weeks.

  • TNA announces UK shows will be recorded for TV

    As has been expected, TNA officially announced that its three January shows in the U.K. will be television tapings for Impact.

    Impact’s best shows of 2015 were the shows taped in the U.K. with the larger crowds that made the product seem more lively and major league like.

    TNA announced that appearing at the tapings would be Grado, Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, Ken Anderson, Tigre Uno, Mahabili Shera, GailKim, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley, Matt Hardy,Ethan Carter III, Drew Galloway, Eric Young, Bobby Roode, Rockstar Spud,Taryn Terrell, Brooke, Robbie E and Mark Andrews.

    The shows are 1/29 at the Manchester Arena; 1/30 in London at SSE Arena at Wembley and 1/31 in Birmingham at the Barclaycard Arena.​

  • TNA Impact Wrestling results (10/7): World Title Series begins with Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. Anderson, Austin Aries vs. EC3

    Last week, TNA delivered a fairly dreadful TV show and an okay PPV. Matt Hardy won the world title by beating Drew Galloway, but vacated it the next day due to an “injunction” by EC3. Today, TNA announced the TNA World Title Series – a tournament to determine a new champion. A BFG recap video starts the show. The story of this match is that Drew did all the work, but thanks to his brother’s cheapshot, Matt got the win. Josh and Pope are in front of a green screen.

    We see EC3 push Big John and then him announcing the injunction, and then Matt vacating the title. Matt’s living room at least has better lighting than Impact. Matt, the babyface, complains a lot and says that he proved EC3 is scared of him because he beat him. Actually no, you beat Drew. Matt says that he’ll win the title again, and we see Dixie and William Corgan announce the World Title Series. Corgan says that since he’s come on board, they have clarified their titles. So what does the King of the Mountain Title accomplish again? Josh says “Thanks Dixie” as if she was speaking to him, which was weird. Josh describes it as a 32 man tournament spread across four groups, and Pope tells fans to go to Twitter and brag about it. Josh says that #MattForChamp has been a thing for nearly a year. A year, a couple of months – same thing. We then get a series of graphics explaining this whole thing. This is so confusing.  Group UK, Group Wildcard, Group Knockouts, Group Champions will go at it. Drew faces Bram, and we hear from Drew about this match and says that title shots come and go, but he’ll get his destiny – the TNA World Title. This got the show 14 minutes closer to the grave.

    Bram is mid-ring before Drew comes down. Josh says that Drew should be happy for this series, and if you missed BFG, you can get it via your PPV provider now. Why would anyone do that? They already showed you the highlights of the main event and made the main event’s result meaningless. Bram and Drew butt heads and Josh agrees with Pope that lawyers belong in an office after just saying that EC3 did the right thing by getting lawyers involved.

    We get some weird cut-in with Bram and Drew engaging in a full conversation while this action is going on. Bram hates him for getting to the U.S. before him. Drew eats a steel steps shot. Bram gets a chinlock, but Drew chops away. Drew bumps beautifully into the corner. Drew lands some nice punches and gets a slam. Bram goes to the floor and two fans hold Bram so he can chop Bram. Drew bounces his head off the steps a bunch and back suplexes him onto the apron. Sick kick hits for the win. A graphic shows that Drew has three points now and we see a graphical breakdown of the point totals. Grado faces Spud later. Gail says that TNA has always been a place that women can succeed, and she can now be World Heavyweight Champion. She faces Brooke next.

    Recap of the Sick kick to Bram. Drew says that he won because he had a strategy, and he calls it a war. I like them doing post-match interviews – between that and the pre-match stuff, it should in theory make matches seem more important. Brooke comes out to face Gail. Gail doesn’t have her title, stated by Pope because this isn’t a Knockouts title match. Josh says Christmas is three months away, so if you’re shopping for Josh, you’ve got some extra time to get him something. Gail cuts a heelish promo on Brooke about creating this division while Brooke says she’s a three time champ. Brooke takes a scary bump off a monkey flip from Gail. A cradle exchange gets 2.

    Brooke gets a pop-up lariat and she sends Gail to the floor. Brooke drop toeholds her down and gets a bizarre version of the Cattle Mutilation. Gail locks on a weird leglock and breaks it up. Brooke shoves Gail on her face during Eat Defeat. They exchange forearms, but Brooke gets the upper hand with a lariat. Super X factor hits and Brooke goes up top for the flying elbow. Brooke misses and Gail sweeps the leg and gets a ringpost figure four. Gail goes for Eat Defeat, but Brooke counters it, so Gail goes for a figure four and she gets small packaged for the loss! Brooke advances in a very good match. EC3 talks about the World Title Series and says it’s the EC3 Screwjob Series. EC3 says that Aries is back just because the title is on the line, and the story is now that Aries voluntarily left and didn’t leave due to a loss. Josh talks about the knockouts match and we see Spud coming to the ring while they talk over his intro. They do it for Grado too, and it’s really weird to see. 

    Grado hits a belly bump to gain an early advantage. We get match audio while they play Grado’s promo on Spud, which is nearly impossible to understand because there’s so much noise going on. Grado misses the corner cannonball while Josh plugs the company’s next UK events. Spud gets his corner forearm series and a dropkick to the face. Grado hits possibly the worst Pedigree in recorded history for 2. Grado pulls the straps and gets an ankle lock, but Spud escapes. Spud hits a Stinger splash and a bulldog before hitting the world’s worst worm for 2. Grado goes for a People’s Elbow, but he blows up hitting the ropes too much. He hits it and gets 2. Grado goes for a Styles Clash, but Spud backdrops him. Spud does Taker’s throat slit, hits a chokeslam and crosses the arms for 2. Spud goes for an AA, but Grado counters with an elbow and goes for sweet chin music. Spud grabs the foot and hits a stunner ala WM XIV and the Dudley Dog for the win. This was bizarre and made TNA look so second-rate. It would be bad enough for a joke title tournament like the Beer Drinking Title, but this is for the World Title.

    Pope and Josh talk about Group Champions, resulting in more shilling of EC3 by Josh. Josh hypes up Tyrus winning the Bound For Gold match and we hear from him for a second. He appears to have aged a decade since BFG and says that if EC3 wins, things will get interesting. EC3 is out to face Aries. Josh says that EC3 is still unpinned, which is true. Aries comes out with Thea Trinidad and Josh mocks nerds who point out that Aries lost a loser leaves town match. He’s back because he’s the smartest wrestler in the world and Josh says that Thea was once known as Rosita in TNA.

    Aries and EC3 go to a stalemate while Josh talks about how brilliant EC3 was to get lawyers involved. EC3 says in his “roundtable” that he is the greatest living wrestler alive, and Aries says that EC3 will just hide behind Tyrus. Aries ducks down and gets a slick armdrag. Aries does a handstand into a dropkick, but EC3 avoids a pendulum elbow. Aries gets a big running elbow and sends EC3 to the steps, where he gets a series of punches almost like he’s in the corner with him. Tyrus looks at Thea, and Aries dives onto Tyrus and EC3 sends him to the floor for an ad break.

    EC3 has Aries in a chinlock and sends him down to the mat for 2. Aries and EC3 are down to 5 minutes, and if they go to a draw, they’ll have one point each. Aries smashes EC3’s head on the buckles and hits a neckbreaker on the apron. A suicide dive hits EC3. Aries gets a missile dropkick, but EC3 gets the boot up before he can take a dropkick. Aries gets a discus elbow for 2. EC3 gets a TKO for 2. EC3 misses a Stinger splash and eats the corner dropkick. EC3 lands a pair of shoulder blocks and goes up for a superplex, but he gets his ears boxed and eats a 450 for 2.5. Boo/yay punch exchange leads to a Tyrus trip. EC3 gets a Rampage powerbomb for 2. Thea trips EC3 up and Aries gets a schoolboy into a Last Chancery. With under a minute to go, EC3 gets to the rope. Aries avoids the One Percenter, but eats an elbow and Aries goes for some PRIDE-style knees right as the time limit expires. This was much better than the BFG main event and a fantastic showcase for Aries. It’s a draw, so each man gets 1 point. EC3 jumps Aries, but still eats a brainbuster – they really made Aries look strong here. Pope says that each man getting one point is like them getting zero. No, by definition, it isn’t.

    Anderson says that he’s part of the toughest group since they’re all former World Champions – I like that he’s putting the title over a lot here. He cut a nice serious promo here and didn’t come off like a goofball. Madison Rayne faces Awesome Kong next. Josh plugs every house show without taking a breath. Aries talks smack about EC3 – he beat legends, icons, and Hall of Famers – but he couldn’t beat Austin Aries. Aries just put himself over their former world champion marvelously. Kong goes for a powerbomb right away, which Pope calls the Implant Buster. He says that Kong is both Awesome and Amazing. shocked he didn’t say she has great karma too. 

    Madison says she’s a bit underutilized, but she will win. Kong says the seas boil with her rage and the tide is coming. Kong rams Rayne into the corner and clubs away. Kong goes a torture rack and turns it into a facebuster before missing a splash and Rayne gets an Oklahoma roll for 2. Rayne gets an enzuiguri and Kong goes down off a missile dropkick for 2. Kong gets a spinning backfist and an Implant Buster for the win. Lashley says he’s used to going against the unknown and it makes this even special. Okay then. Matt Hardy has an exclusive interview next.

    JB interviews Matt backstage and he says that his goal was to be the World Champion. His wife, his son, and 82 year old dad were in the ring with him. It was a happy fairy tale ending, but because Jeff hit EC3, EC3 handcuffed TNA and Matt. Matt says that the only thing he could do to keep wrestling in TNA was forfeit the title. Matt has thrown his name into the hat for this. So to recap, the World Title Series was created due to Matt vs. EC3, and now we’ll get a scenario for another Matt vs. EC3 match. We get a recap of who is in the lead for each division.

    Anderson gets a partial intro while Lashley gets a full entrance. We see a recap of Lashley’s first World title win against EY – back when TNA had a well-lit building with some excitement in it back in the salad days of 2014. Lashley gets a rolling front facelock and we get an ad break when it’s broken up. After a very long break, Lashley gets a double overhook suplex and hits a lariat. Lashley and Ken put each other over very briefly in their roundtable. We actually see the table for the first time, and it is indeed round. Lashley gets a delayed suplex, but misses a corner charge and Ken gets 2.

    Pope says he fully expects Ken Anderson to cheat based on his past. I like Pope using logic in all this to tell a story that could be told, but doesn’t really need to be told. Anderson stops short while Lashley goes for a leapfrog and he gets a dropkick before going back to the arm that Lashley smacked into the post. Ken gets a couple of kicks and a divorce court for 2. Pope puts over that Anderson has “ruthless aggression”, a phrase that no one in wrestling outside of WWE has ever used. Lashley gets a lariat and hits another in the corner. Anderosn punches his way out of a torture rack, but eats a spinebuster. Anderson leaps over the spear and gets a couple of lariats. Anderson gets the Finlay Roll, a second, and gets a TKO for 2. Lashley charges in and eats a boot, but he gets the spear and the win.

    Well, this show started off about as poorly as possible. However, after that point, it was a rock solid show in the ring outside of the Spud-Grado match. Every single match was worth watching and several of them were quite good. Match-wise, it was a better show than the PPV, and it wound up turning what seemed like an awful idea into a great one so far in terms of delivering great matches. Week one shows the concept can work, but the real key is the follow-up – if TNA can keep this up, then they can at least have the illusion of having momentum before shopping around for a new network deal in 2016.