wrestling / TV Reports

411’s TNA Impact Wrestling Report 2.23.12

February 23, 2012 | Posted by Greg De Marco

411’s IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT 2.23.12

Championship Roll Call:
TNA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Bobby Roode
TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP: Austin Aries
TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Samoa Joe and Magnus
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP: Gail Kim
TNA KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: Gail Kim and Madison Rayne
TNA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP: Robbie E


On Tap for Tonight…
* TNA Tag Team Title Match: Samoa Joe and Magnus (champion) vs. Matt Morgan and Crimson
* Zema Ion vs. Alex Shelley
* Non-Title Match: Knockouts champion Gail Kim vs. ODB
* TV Title Match: Robbie E (champion) vs. AJ Styles
* Kurt Angle and Bully Ray vs. Jeff Hardy and James Storm

The Usual DeMarco Disclaimers…
* I am rolling 100% SPOILER FREE tonight! 100%.
* I actually like Impact Wrestling, and want to see TNA be successful.
* Let’s enjoy this show together!


Opening Video Package
If you missed last week, read here.

We learn that Brandon Jacobs is BACK! And tonight we’ll have Kurt Angle & Bully Ray vs. James Storm & Jeff Hardy.

Opening Promo with Bobby Roode
Roode is out in a suit, actually a nice purple ensemble. He gets a real “you suck” chant. He acknowledges that Sting said he’s “done.” Roode celebrates and takes full credit. The crowd chants for Sting, and Roode says they can do that all they want, and they can say good bye to Sting tonight, because he’s going to tell everyone why he’s leaving tonight.

Roode shifts the conversation to himself, your World Heavyweight Champion! It’s a huge accomplishment in his career, and defending it every night is a huge accomplishment. (Apparently he makes a lot of indy appearances that we don’t know about.) But the greatest accomplishment? Ending Sting’s career! He drops names like Harley Race, Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Undertaker as people who faced Sting, but Roode ended The Icon’s career.

“Sting, in all seriousness, let’s put our hardships aside…remember one thing…from the bottom of my heart…don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!”

Mike Tenay & Taz question if Sting will in fact say goodbye tonight, but they do confirm that Sting will address his Tweet later tonight.

Outside with Matt Morgan & Crimson
The former tag champs bicker over who they should blame for dropping the titles, but decide that they, as a team, shall regain the titles tonight.

And we go to a…match?

TNA World Tag Team Championship Match
Matt Morgan & Crimson vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus (champions)

Those belts look great on the champs, I must say. Morgan & Crimson, faces that they are, attack before the bell. It gets down to Joe & Morgan, and The Blueprint gets two with a side-slam. Despite losing the titles, Crimson is still undefeated. MMA Uncensored Live premieres tonight, by the way. Crimson has Magnus reeling, but the Brit fights his way out of the corner. Crimson drops him into another near fall, but the champs won’t stay down. Joe pulls Magnus out of harm’s way as we do in fact head to a …

[Commercial Break.]

The undefeated Crimson is cornered as we return, but fights his way out. Both Joe & Big Red are down, and Morgan is BEGGING for that tag. Crimson makes that tag, as does Joe. Morgan is a house-a-fire on both men, and beats his chest in celebration. Well, he is a Beast. Joe breaks up another near fall, and goes to work on the big man. Crimson is back in, and the ref has lost all control! Katie, bar the door! Miscue by Morgan & Crimson sends Big Red to the outside, and leaves Big Blue inside for the Snap Mare/Elbow Drop combo. And that’s it!
Winners: Samoa Joe & Magnus (Marelbow), 9:09, ***

Good opening match, glad to see the champs go over, and I’m happy that the miscue wasn’t the sole reason they won. I look forward to seeing what TNA does with Joe & Magnus next. Morgan & Crimson? Not so much.

We get highlights of Brandon Jacobs last week, and he’s apparently up NEXT!

[Commercial Break.]

Brandon Jacobs Promo
Mike Tenay references the mainstream attention that TNA has received. It’s not the most effective, since most media outlets didn’t know what TNA was. Jacobs talks about going to Impact Wrestling (BABY!) after winning the Super Bowl. Yeah, all Eli did was go to Disney World. He’s buddies with James Storm, and they like to drink beer. They popped one open, and it was great. He admits he never should have crossed the rail (and that’s a shoot!) but Bully Ray shouldn’t have spit in his face. He says he’s in Bully Ray’s back yard one more time—one more time. He wants Bully to answer a challenge, and it gets answered.

Bully Ray calls him Brenda, but corrects himself. See, Jacobs is married to Kurt Warner. Ray reintroduces himself, to a smattering of boos. He references his calves, and they are impressive. Ray points out that Jacobs is a two-time champion, while Ray is a 23-time champion. Crowd gets a “Brandon Jacobs” chant going. If Ray were The Rock, it would be a “Brenda Jacobs” chant and that would be trending on Twitter. Ray wants to beat “the living crap out of the champion” and Jacobs goes all Ric Flair with the “Wooo!” in response. But Ray already has a match, and Jacobs only gained 59 yards in the Super Bowl. Ray isn’t getting any closer, so Jacobs takes the fight to Ray. Ray hightails it out of there, and Jacobs follows as we abruptly cut to commercial.

For a non-wrestler, Jacobs did just fine. Bully Ray carried the promo, but Jacobs was entirely believable when he said he’d bring the fight to Ray. Great timing by Jacobs (on that line), and many many many celebrities have done far worse than he did.

[Commercial Break.]

Brandon Jacobs says Bully Ray can run but he can’t hide. He runs into James Storm, who offers to hel—oh dear lord, look at Christy Hemme!

Zema Ion vs. Alex Shelley
We get highlights of last week’s tag match as Ion makes his entrance. We start fast, and Ion connects with a missile dropkick. Taz points out that it’s “go time” when that bell rings. He’d know. Shelley does get the jacket off, and Austin Aries makes his way out. Shelley drops Ion onto the ropes, and splashes his way in for two. Aries has popcorn, and is awesome.

Armdrag for Shelley, bit Ion sends him into the corner. Shelley with the drop toe hold sends Ion head first into the turnbuckle. Apparently Jeff Hardy & James Storm has a plan for Brandon Jacobs. Ion back in control, and Taz calls him Austin Aries. Ion locks in an arm breaker, but has to break. Ion chokes Shelley in the corner, but Alex takes over. Enzigiuri rocks Ion to the outside and Alex Shelley flies to the outside! Ion reached for the hairspray, and put it into his pants. I remember when Shawn Michaels…oh nevermind. Ion eventually blinds Shelley with the hairspray, and Shelley can’t recover.
Winner: Zema Ion (Hostile Makeover), 4:12, ***

Great match, just too short. Ion was on point, but I really feel like Shelley is being wasted in an enhancement role. I do look forward to Ion-Aries, but I’d love to see all three in Ultimate X.

Later tonight…what is planned for Brandon Jacobs???????

[Commercial Break.]

We come with a Bischoff Family Saga video package. Gunner-Garett was the semi-main event at Against All Odds, by the way. I doubt that was Vince Russo’s doing.

Sitting Down with Garett Bischoff
Garett says he’s not off track, he’s moving forward, doing his thing. He’s a fighter. Hulk Hogan intervenes, and isn’t surprised that Garett won’t give up. Hogan says he has nothing to prove, but points out that Garett has a huge bull’s-eye on his back. Eric will make his life a living hell forever. Garett appreciates Hulk’s help, and Hogan is glad he’s grateful. But Garett’s screwed.

Madison Rayne speaks
She is glad to see Sting go, and she thinks that her being #1 Contender strengthens her bond with Gail. She says Gail needs top notch competition, and only Madison can provide that.

Gail Kim vs. ODB is NEXT!

[Commercial Break.]

Still to come, Sting speaks and Brandon Jacobs does something. We’re not sure what.

Non-Title Match
ODB (w/Eric Young) vs. Knockouts Champion Gail Kim (w/out Madison Rayne)

Gail does her best Shawn Michaels pose with the belts. The Heartbreak Kim? Nah? Okay. Gail claims ODB has been drinking. That’s saying Eric Young is annoying. ODB slape her (own) titties as we start. Well, she did pay for them. Gail talks down to ODB, who could care less. Chest bump sends Gail down, and ODB goes to work on the champ (including a slap on the ass). Bronco Buster connects for ODB as Tenay & Taz talk about Chris Brown. Yup. Gail Kim takes over, but ODB catches her with a Fall Away Slam. It’s been 3 minutes, so Tenay has to mention Brandon Jacobs real quick. Gail Kim is back on offense as Eric Young distracts the referee while trying to tag in. Gail gets two with a clothesline. Gail tosses ODB, but she hands on. Gail sends her face first to the mat, Randy Orton style. Gail with a corner charge and connects. Another near fall for Gail as the crowd gets behind ODB. Gail locks in the Octopus, and Eric Young gets more crowd support for ODB. ODB simply drives her to the mat, which she should have done 30 seconds ago. Gail cuts ODB off with a clothesline, then chokes her in the corner. Madison Rayne is out, and Gail isn’t happy. ODB takes a drink, and connects with two shoulder blocks and a clothesline. Big boot from ODB, and she’s up top. Lou Thesz Press gets two. Gail fights off the BAM! finisher, and nails one of her own for three.
Winner: Gail Kim (EatDaFeet), 5:55, **1/2

Good match, but the outside action took away from it. I would rather we didn’t involve Eric Young. Still, both women can work, and I’m excited for Gail-Madison. Hopefully their strained relationship leads to them, dropping the tag team titles.

Prematch comments from AJ Styles, who is focused on titles—not Christopher Daniels & Kazarian.

[Commercial Break.]

We come back with a Jesse Sorensen video package, complete with the family interview and Jesse himself. It’s actually very well done. Yes, they’re exploiting the situation, but if & when Sorensen comes back—he could be huge. Here’s wishing him the best.

TNA Television Championship
AJ Styles vs. Robbie E (champion, w/Robbie T)

Tenay & Taz plug Jersey Shore, and Taz loves Robbie E. Robbie starts hot, but AJ immediately takes over. Huge backbreaker by Styles, and he’s relentless on E. Robbie E avoids the dropkick, but AJ catches him in another backbreaker. Who is he, Roderick Strong? AJ with his version of the Muta Lock, and Robbie E nearly taps. You could easily argue that he did. E to the outside, AJ chases which is always a bad choice.

Back inside, E stomps AJ down, then sends him into the corner. AJ fights back. Two count for Robbie, and Taz points out that E is taking this very seriously. Styles goes chest first into the corner; Robbie T makes like a good bouncer and gets a few shots in. Body slam, but E takes too long to celebrate. When he finally flies, he actually connects! Two count for E. E charges and eats an AJ elbow, followed by a beautiful dropkick. Diving clothesline into the corner and AJ is in full control now. AJ sets up for the Styles Clash, but Robbie T runs interference. Pele kick! (Always loved that move.) Daniels & Kazarian are out, and Kazarian wastes no time in going after AJ. That causes the DQ.
Winner: AJ Styles (DQ), 4:50, ***

The announcers sell that Daniels was surprised by Kazarian’s aggression. I liked it.

Yes, another three star match. But I have zero complaints about that match, it was a really, really good TV match. I wish the interference would have led to a pinfall win for Robbie E. But seriously, this was a really good match, and Robbie E more than held his own.

More speculation about Brandon Jacobs takes us to a…

[Commercial Break.]

Main event time! Which means that Sting’s promo is the real main event once again.

No Disqualification Main Event
Bully Ray & Kurt Angle vs. James Storm & Jeff Hardy (w/Brandon Jacobs?)

Storm beat Ray last week to become #1 contender, and Angle screwed Hardy out of the World Championship. James Storm still has the most appropriate theme in all of wrestling. Brandon Jacobs isn’t out with the faces. Jeremy Borash gives us the super special ring announcing. Bully Ray does his own intro, and Borash points out that Angle is “standing in front of my left.” Angle was behind him. Hardy is “hella” over, but Storm gets an even better reaction. Storm has the mic now. He’s looking for beer drinkers in the crowd, and the kids are going nuts! Storm then teases Brandon Jacobs, finally introducing him. Jacobs gets a generic theme, hits the ring and sends the heels running. Jacobs’s official role is “corner man.”

Angle and Storm start the match off with a traditional collar-and-elbow lock-up. Hiptoss by Storm. Angle reverses, clothesline misses and Storm connects with the Harley Race knee. Storm hits the ropes but Bully Ray distracts him, allowing Angle to take the offense. Angle stomps a mudhole in Storm in the corner as Brandon Jacobs watches on from ringside. Two minutes in and we head out for a…

[Commercial Break.]

We return—WHISPER IN THE WIND! That was fast. It does make it seem like the action was hot & heavy during the break. On RAW they make it seem like everyone took a nap during the break. Angle crotches Hardy in the corner and Ray lays the boots to the Charismatic Enigma as well. Angle posts the leg for good measure. Bully Ray has some fun with Brandon Jacobs before going back to Hardy. We’ve gotten word that AJ Styles is pissed, and AJ has demanded a Forklift Match with Daniels & Kazarian? I’ll assume I misheard that. Angle in, and he continues to go to work on Hardy. Suplex gets two. Waist lock by the Olympic Gold Medalist keeps him in control.

Tag to Bully Ray as we approach the 10-minute mark. Hardy gets a kick in, and takes Bully down. Both men are on the mat—but Hardy gets the hot tag. Storm goes after Angle first, then Ray. Neck breaker, but no cover. Storm charges into the corner then follows with a flying forearm. Angle in with the belly-to-belly, but Hardy takes out Angle. Ray then takes out Hardy, and we’re back to square one. “Kurt… GET THE TABLES!” Storm & Hardy dropkick said table, and “the tables have turned” (copyright Taz, 2012). Bully Bomb to Hardy as Angle takes out Storm. Table is set-up, but Storm superkicks Angle. Ray takes out Storm, and here comes Brandon Jacobs!!! The crowd is in fact electric right now, and Jacobs looks legit. He makes a mean face but Ray backs away slowly. Ray down to a three-point stance, as is Jacobs. Ray gives the cadence! Ray stand s up, punch from Storm. JACOBS…GOOZLE…CHOKESLAM THROUGH THE TABLE! Storm covers and Hebner inexplicably counts the three.
Winners: James Storm & Jeff Hardy (Storm pins Ray after Brandon Jacobs chokeslams him through a table), 13:29, ***1/2

Jacobs has a mic, and apologizes for Bully Ray’s inconvenient misfortune.

We get another replay of Brandon Jacobs’s chokeslam, and it was in fact well done.

This was a great match, Storm is much better when he’s allowed to keep both boots on. The real story turned out to be Brandon Jacobs, and he delivered. He has the look, and has the mannerisms down. He appears to be trainable, and his promo skills are good but raw. He has potential if that football thing doesn’t work out.

Stagehand gets Sting by telling him “it’s showtime.”

Second half of our Double Main Event: Sting Promo
Big “Sting” chant from the fans. They haven’t seen his Tweet, though. They boo when he says “I’m done.” Too much outta control for Sting. He’s been pushed over the edge as we get some really weird background noises. Of course, here comes the champ!

World Champion Robert Bobby Roode is out. Roode apologizes to Sting—he didn’t want to interrupt but couldn’t help himself. He wants Sting to tell the world that he is done. Sting gets weird, then says Bobby didn’t win any war, any battle, but helped Sting out. He woke the Stinger up. Sting takes off the glasses and starts to paint his own face in a nice visual. He goes into Joker Sting mode—he’s alive! “HAHAHAHA!” He says he’s not going to half-way it anymore. No more mediocre Sting. Sting gets the crowd riled up.

“I’m gonna put on my boots, I’m gonna put on my tights, I’m gonna put on my paint, and guess what I’m gonna do at Victory Road? … I’m gonna kick the living crap outta you.”

Roode goes for the attack, but it’s thwarted by Sting. Sting slowly puts Roode’s foot down, and then levels him with a low blow! He spouts some more craziness, but drives home the point: Sting vs. Bobby Roode at Victory Road.

I like it! Sting & Roode delivered a very effective promo, and if they keep that energy I will be very excited for their match at Victory Road.

DeMarco’s Knee Jerk Reaction
This was a great edition of Impact Wrestling, better than Tuesday’s Smackdown, and not too far off from Monday’s RAW. That’s legit—not gimmick. Average match rating was three snowflakes, and TNA easily provides the best overall wrestling show of the week. I am glad Joe & Magnus won their rematch, I look forward to seeing what’s next. I’d love to see Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion vs. Alex Shelley in an Ultimate X Match as part of Victory Road. Madison Rayne is amazing at her role, and I think she & Gail can deliver an entertaining feud. It was good to see a Jesse Sorensen update, but he obviously has a long road ahead. AJ Styles came in motivated, and Robbie E more than held his own in the TV title match. The main event was great, and the finish was very entertaining. It should have been a DQ win for the heels (especially after the finish to the TV title match), but that is my only gripe. Great Impact this week.

EDIT: My bad on the no-DQ stip. That does in fact make the finish legal. It also explains why they used it, since it wasn’t a big part of the match at all until the finish. That makes the Brandon Jacobs’s involvement and the finishing sequence that much better.

Hot pics from around the site:
* Trish Stratus vs. Coco — who’s ass is better?
* 6 hot Kelly Kelly booty pics
* Jennifer Love Hewitt gets sexy in a tight red hooker dress

Must read wrestling news you might have missed:
* CM Punk says he gets along great with Triple H
* Vince McMahon says WM28 will be biggest ever
* Update on WWE Legends House
* Latest on backstage heat on The Rock
* Rey Mysterio in the WWE doghouse

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Greg De Marco

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