Welcome to this week's review of the latest TNA Impact Wrestling show which is from Peoria, Illinois.
So this weeks show of TNA Impact Wrestling started off showing footage earlier on in the day with one man arriving at the arena however wasn't wearing his iconic face paint no, it was the official return of the Main Event Mafia with the boss, STING.
The show then showed a video segment on 'The Bound For Glory Series'. This containing footage of previous winners stories before winning the series such as Bobby Roode and Jeff Hardy and showing those who are in the series this year and what they're fighting for such as AJ Styles and many more.
All you TNA fans know what The Bound For Glory series is all about, but for those who may be unfamiliar, The Bound For Glory Series is something that can make their career just like that. Something which could give a dog his day, someone who has always been an outcast in the World Heavyweight Championship but giving them their chance to shine against the best within the company and try get, what to some seems to be an illusive opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship.
The rules of this series is that there will be 12 TNA Impact wrestlers who will compete in a series of matches spread over several months trying to pick up the most points to try and get their shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. The wrestlers are able to win points in a variety of ways and in a variety of match stipulations. The points are as followed:
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10 Points for a submission victory
7 Points for a pinfall victory
5 Points for a count out victory
2 Points for a DQ victory
2 Points for a draw
10 Points deducted for a DQ Loss
Special matches tend to be made with the winner gaining 20 points.
This upcoming Bound For Glory Series is only the third one ever and the first year of its existence saw what it can do for ones career. This is because in 2011, Beer Money Inc; James Storm & Bobby Roode entered the competition which saw both men get through to the finals with the latter being top of the leader board and winning the whole series. Bobby Roode got his break, as did James Storm, two guys that seemed to be nothing but tag team wrestlers made their name. In 2012, the winner was one person who was on his path to redemption and the man who won the series and successfully beat the champion Austin Aries to become a 3 time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy. So here it is, Bound For Glory Series 2013 starts right now!
So here we have it folks, from the Heart of Illinois, Peoria, TNA Impact Wrestling.
Things kick off with 10 of the 12 Bound For Glory contestants waiting in the ring who are soon met by TNA general manager Hulk Hogan. The 10 contestants that are part of the Bound For Glory Series 12 are the following:
- AJ Styles
- Christopher Daniels
- Frankie Kazarian
- Austin Aries
- Samoa Joe
- Magnus
- Hernandez
- Joseph Park
- Aces & Eights member Mr Anderson
- Gut Check winner Jay Bradley
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| 'The IT Factor' Bobby Roode confrontation with 'The Charismatic Enigma' Jeff Hardy TNA Impact Wrestling |
Hogan goes back to the fact that it is 'Open Fight Night' and reveal the winner of a fan poll that has been on going on TNA.com between Jeff Hardy and Bobby Roode to see who gets to call out the first BFG contestant right here tonight on Impact and the winner is Jeff Hardy. Hardy goes to grab the mic to announce who he is going to call out, however 'A Double' Austin Aries buts in before Hardy has anything to say stating that he'd love nothing more to be the man who he calls out first and foremost but says that's not going to happen because as popular as Jeff Hardy is, then stating possibly the most popular man in TNA. He then goes to saying there's one more man in TNA that the fans cheer for wherever he goes and that's him Austin Aries.
Christopher Daniels then interrupts with calling Hardy 'Jefferson' saying maybe he should call out Austin Aries but then goes on to saying or Joseph Park or Magnus but then tells him he should call out either member of Bad Influence that being himself and Frankie Kazarian because it will start this BFG Series with his most demoralising defeat of his career.
Then finally Jeff Hardy gets his say on who he is calling out and states that the rest of the guys are great but he's calling the man who last week made things personal between them, Jeff Hardy calls out fellow BFG winner 'The IT Factor' Bobby Roode.
Bobby Roode starts things off by pushing Jeff Hardy, this leads to both Hardy and Samoa Joe shoving Bobby Roode and before we know it all 12 BFG contestants start brawling in the ring.
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| All 12 Bound For Glory contestants brawling in the ring! TNA Impact Wrestling |
Kurt's Notes:
A good way to start the show off in my opinion having all competitors in the ring along with giving Hardy and Roode their own personal introduction to the ring acknowledging their past achievements in The Bound For Glory Series. Was also good to show the fight of the competitors with all 12 brawling in the ring.
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| Mr Anderson - The Aces & Eights TNA Impact Wrestling |
So Anderson starts things off with mocking the ability of Park by bending over telling him to get him in a headlock but soon reverses with a laid back take down. He then goes on to doing the exact same however as he reverses, Park delivers a shock reversal, takes down Anderson and starts slapping his head. This makes Anderson take things seriously and soon mounts an offence to Park. Surprisingly Anderson isn't in complete control and Park seems to show signs of mounting an offence which he does as he applies a Boston Crab to Anderson before lets go due to the fact D.O.C comes ringside. This distracts Park which allows Anderson to get a roll up however only gets a 2 count. Joseph Park then delivers 2 back to back pushes which sends Anderson to the mat before going up on the middle rope, Anderson grabs the referee as a distraction which allows D.O.C to kick the back of Park to send him back to his feet on the mat, this then allows Anderson to follow up with a Mic Check to get the 3 count on 5:05 and kicks things off with a win to pick up 7 points.
It then goes backstage to the BGF contestants who are waiting for it to be their turn to go out to call a fellow contestant out. Following a commercial break it goes backstage to The Aces & Eights with Anderson saying he did what he said he was going to do and then goes on to saying to the guys that he thinks they're looking at the next VP of The Aces & Eights. This then leads to D.O.C having his say, after D.O.C taking it to Anderson last week and not listening to the plan Aces & Eights previously put together. D.O.C states that for the duration of the match Anderson was skating backwards before he had to do something and help him and if anyone should be VP it should be him. This leads to them both arguing before President and World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray gets in the middle of them and tells them enough and that it is two weeks in a row these two are at each others throats. He then states that the vacant VP slot is going to be put up to a vote but tonight they have other business to attend to and that the business involves Bully's wife Brooke Hogan.
Kurt's Notes:
A typical Joseph Park matchup, no disrespect to him, but I aren't a big fan of this character and sooner that Abyss returns properly the better. Glad that Anderson picked up the 7 points. Also interesting to see the friction with Anderson and D.O.C following on to the second week, we've already seen the fall of D'Lo Brown within The Aces & Eights and now it seems that they may have more internal problems with the Anderson & D.O.C. I believe that it won't be too long before a Brooke Hogan 'heel' turn and turn on her father and join her husband Bully Ray. Whether its genuine feelings from Bully or just mind games per usual, they seem to be working.
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| Jay Bradley TNA Impact Wrestling |
Aries quickly comes down to the ring and whilst he is still taunting to the crowd before the match, Bradley attempts a cheap shot from behind however, Aries counters and throws Bradley over the top rope and follows with a Axe Handle off the top rope to the ringside. Aries going full pace taking it to Bradley with quick paced offences. Bradley finally slows things down with a big boot to Aries off the top rope to ringside, this allowed Bradley to have a spell of control in this match up, showing what he can do when up against one of the best in TNA with a serious offence.
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| 'A Double' Austin Aries TNA Impact Wrestling |
They then go to a video package regarding Sting losing and being left alone at Slammiversary with not one member of the locker room coming out to help him and that last week Sting announced that he is bringing back a family, which is a New Main Event Mafia and that they're going to be the fall The Aces & Eights.
It then goes backstage to Sting backstage talking to a reporter saying last week he said MEM will rise and tonight it will grow. It then goes to Sting backstage in a dark room talking to someone backstage however unable to see who he is talking to. Sting states that motorcycle clubs talk about brotherhood but that there is only one thing that trumps a brotherhood and that is a real family. He then says to the person in the shadow so one more time are you in and I mean all in. Sting then takes the hand of the mystery person, mafia style and states they will shut them down and they will have fun doing it.
Kurt's Notes:
I enjoyed this match, not the best match I've ever seen but a good solid BFG Series match with Jay Bradley impressing against an experienced and established Austin Aries. Both competitors having good spells in the match with the right guy winning as I believe TNA can't go full steam ahead and push Bradley to the sky from the kick off.
I'm personally loving the fact that Main Event Mafia are returning even though it isn't going to be the same Mafia as last time. It was an interesting promo from Sting as they're not giving anything away with who will be the first member that Sting has recruited for his 'New Mafia'.
It then goes backstage to former 2 time TNA Tag Team Champions, BFG contestant Hernandez and his tag team partner Chavo Guerrero. Chavo is giving his partner some words of encouragement telling him to bring home the points for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Then we have it former 7 time TNA Tag Team Champion Hernandez coming out for the third BFG Series match of the night without his partner Chavo who previously stated he needed to do it himself. Hernandez states that out of all the competitors in the BFG Series, there is one loud mouth that really pisses him off and calls out a former 3 time X-Division Champion,7 time TNA Tag Team Champion and a successful champion in ROH, Christopher Daniels.
Hernandez qualified for the BFG Series by beating his partner Chavo Guerrero in a singles match and Daniels qualified for the Series as he and his Bad Influence partner Frankie Kazarian beat current TNA Tag Team Champions James Storm & Gunner to qualify.
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| Christopher Daniels, mimicking Road Warriors TNA Impact Wrestling |
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| Frankie Kazarian TNA Impact Wrestling |
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| Magnus TNA Impact Wrestling |
Kurt's Notes:
The third match of the night wasn't disappointing, just a standard Hernandez and Daniels match up with Daniels stealing the win with an assist of a Low Blow, big 7 points to get Daniels off the mark. I personally didn't mind who got the 7 points as both competitors have something to offer if they were to be in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship picture. The forth match of the night between Magnus and Kazarian was a pleasing match. Kazarian being vintage Kazarian cutting once again a brilliant promo. the "he's gorgeous, tehee giggle" was brilliant in my opinion. The match itself was very pleasing, even more so with Magnus picking up the win with a series of impressive counters and getting the submission win to make him 1st place as things stand. Not sure whether its due to me biased with him being a fellow Englishman or not but this guy has potential and TNA really need to set the wheels in motion ever more with this guy as I believe he could be the face of TNA Impact Wrestling.
It then goes backstage to Hogan who is talking on the phone, not sure who too but he says "3 new guys kinda fill the new void we have". He then soon hangs up as he realises Bully Ray is lurking and then grabs Ray against the wall and states he's a dead man. He tells Bully to get it over with and give him his best shot with a hammer. Bully states that he wants to talk to Brooke, but Hogan tells him they're done. Bully again not sure whether its mind games or not states if its over why did Brooke stop Hogan last week from hitting Bully with the hammer.
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| Mickie James - Knockouts Champion TNA Impact Wrestling |
Brooke's first piece of business is with Eric Young (who gets a big pop from the crowd). Eric Young states technically he's not a women and says he's the toughest dude standing in the ring right now, even though he's the only 'dude'. He says the bad news is that they can't be champions so he gives his and ODB's titles to Brooke Hogan and says the good news is its national kissing day and he and ODB soon end up rolling on the ramp kissing before running off.
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| Gail Kim vs Taryn Terrell TNA Slammiversary 2013 |
Brooke starts saying how proud she is off Velvet and seems like she is about to give her rematch for the TNA Knockouts Championship and make it official but then Mickie interrupts and tries saying that Velvet knee is still weak, even though it seems to be fine. Brooke replies saying that Mickie and Velvet for the championship will be happening next week. Gail Kim then says she wants the title shot and that she is the most important Knockout in history. Brooke replies saying she'll get her rematch but not for the title it will be her and Taryn having their rematch, this time it's not going to be a 'Last Knockout Standing' match instead they'll be wrestling in a Ladder match. The statement of their match was to conclude the addressing of the Knockouts Division by Brooke Hogan.
Kurt's Notes:
An interesting phone call from Hogan, I'm hoping on the other end was Sting and that they're going to be 3 new faces or old faces returning and being part of the Main Event Mafia. The confrontation between Hogan and Bully was ok, both seem to be working well together but I don't have any real interest in whether Brooke is going to be with Bully or not. The Knockout division got some good air time then and have been of late and I'm pleased with. Give credit when its due, these women can go. They all know how to wrestle, no disrespect to WWE but on one hand you have WWE's Diva's having a few slaps then a victory apart from AJ & Kaitlin which somewhat tells me WWE know they've got to step it up. On the other hand is TNA, you have Knockouts wrestling at PPV's in Last Knockouts Standing matches which has been quite popular and must see to a lot of wrestling fans and now there is going to be a ladder match between the two Knockouts. I'm also happy to see that the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship has finally been given up, hopefully we'll see a return of Knockouts and bring back the tag division as that was a new unique factor regarding female wrestlers.
It then goes back to showing the footage previously show, first showing Sting arriving in his Mafia suit and then him having a sit down with a mystery person backstage.
After showing that still to come are two BFG Series matches, it goes backstage to Hogan telling Brooke she did a great job but its time for her to go home to avoid Bully and puts her into a car and for her to be drove to their hotel.
The fifth match of the BFG Series tonight starts off with a TNA Original coming out first, this guy is a former 4 time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, 2 time TNA Television Champion, 6 time TNA Tag Team Champion and 6 time X-Division Champion, it is 'The Phenomenal' AJ Styles. His opponent is one guy he has had amazing feuds and matches with over the past including a 5 star triple threat match with Daniels as the third guy. He is a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, TNA Television Champion, 2 time TNA Tag Team Champion, 4 time X-Division Champion, it is 'The Samoan Submission Machine' Samoa Joe. AJ Styles qualified for the BFG Series with a very impressive win over the 'Olympic Gold Medallist' Kurt Angle. Samoa Joe qualified for the BFG Series with an easy win over Robbie E.
Before the match AJ Styles speaks for the first time since returning to TNA Impact Wrestling. He states that this isn't about The Aces & Eights and it isn't about TNA, it is about him, its about him becoming the next TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He then states he's not doing it for the fame or glory but he is doing it for the money. He said everyone is looking for a hero but if he has learnt one thing from the past 11 years is that this is no place for a hero. He finishes by saying he's sick and tired of the doing the right thing and instead he is doing his own thing.
Now to start the match outcomes Samoa Joe, the match shows the experience that two have with one another with them both being familiar with the others approach however, with a more physical style to AJ's offence, he manages to be the stronger out of the two. Joe gains control of the match by kicking AJ's legs off the apron and plants him face first. Joe has a spell of control throughout the commercial break and as they come back, Styles sends Joe out to the floor with what seems to be the best drop kick in the business and follows up with a baseball slide. Styles gets a close 2 fall with a springboard flying forearm shot, Styles looking most likely to get the win at the moment, Styles picking up the face is countered by Joe who also gets a near 2 fall but quickly applies a submission from the pin, trying to get the 10 points. AJ gets out by managing to reach the ropes.
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| A previous match between Samoa Joe & AJ Styles |
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| Chris Sabin, X-Division Champion TNA Impact Wrestling |
It then goes over to Hulk Hogan talking to X-Division Champion, Chris Sabin along with former X-Division Champions, Kenny King and Suicide. Hogan tells them that Social Media is all over the X-Division matches and that this is a big opportunity, then talks about July 18th where the current X-Division Champion is allowed to vacate the title to face Bully Ray for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Kurt's Notes:
Again I'm not really bothered with Brooke Hogan and whether she's going to get back with Bully Ray, so I wasn't really interested in Hogan putting her in the car and later on Bully telling her to come back. I want that to happen already so its all about the Main Event Mafia feuding with The Aces & Eights. I'm wanting to know who Sting is going to get to join forces with him and join his 'family'. Now on to the good stuff, Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles.... WOW! Once again these two put on a brilliant match which got the crowd begging for more, these two are just brilliant so I am hoping that somewhere in the near future these two are going to go at it for real, a big feud, with these two having a few PPV matches as they're always different and next disappoint brilliant work by both of them with the right result in the end as neither competitor deserved to loss and both kick start their BFG Series campaign with 2 points a piece. Best match of the night so far in my opinion.
It now goes to the 6th BFG Series match and the last of the night. Out first is 'The IT Factor' Bobby Roode and then he is met by 'The Charismatic Enigma' Jeff Hardy. Before Hardy is able to get to the ring, Roode runs up the ramp to meet him and both start trading blows on the ramp with Hardy coming out stronger throwing him back into the ring and Hardy has his foot on the pedal and is taking it to Bobby Roode. Roode soon gets his foot in the match and quickly tries to end the match by applying the Crossface to Hardy who manages to break it up by reaching the ropes. Bobby Roode in complete control of the match with well timed offence just weakening Hardy early on in the match. Hardy manages to get back into things with two consecutive blocks in the corner following up with a splash off the middle rope but could only get a 2 count. Hardy seems to be feelings things and having a good spell of fluent offensive moves before he is stopped by a Spine Buster, Roode could only get a 2 count. Roode goes to hit Hardy with a Fisherman, however, Hardy counters and hits Roode with a sit down Twist Of Fate. Hardy then follows up by going high risk to hit the Swanton Bomb, however Roode manages to roll out of the way and applies the Cross Face to Hardy in the centre of the ring, Hardy manages to counter with a pin, could only get a 2 count. Roode goes back to Cross Face, however Hardy again counters and hits Twist Of Fate properly this team which proves to be more effective has he picks up the 7 points with a 3 count on 6:15.
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| 'The Charismatic Enigma' Jeff Hardy TNA Impact Wrestling |
This was a very good match also, Bobby Roode was the most impressive for me, as he usually is, however we all knew this was a match that Jeff Hardy wasn't going to lose cleanly. As much as I believe Hardy is a good wrestler and done wonders for TNA, I would have preferred a Bobby Roode win. Things go on, and its Jeff Hardy starting the series with 7 points and Roode still grounded on 0.
Here is how The Bound For Glory leader board currently stands:
- Magnus 10 Points 1 Match
- Austin Aries 7 Points 1 Match
- Christopher Daniels 7 Points 1 Match
- Jeff Hardy 7 Points 1 Match
- Mr Anderson 7 Points 1 Match
- AJ Styles 2 Points 1 Match
- Samoa Joe 2 Points 1 Match
- Bobby Roode 0 Points 1 Match
- Hernandez 0 Points 1 Match
- Jay Bradley 0 Points 1 Match
- Joseph Park 0 Points 1 Match
- Frankie Kazarian 0 Points 1 Match
It goes backstage to Sting waling about, and looked to be leaving so the reported asked, Sting replied no and he has some business to attend to. Will we be seeing the first member of Main Event Mafia tonight?
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| President of The Aces & Eights, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray TNA Impact Wrestling |
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| Sting, talking about his 'New' Main Event Mafia TNA Impact Wrestling |
Bully is getting frustrated with Sting because he wont turn and face him whilst he's talking and all he is doing is slowing getting undressed as he takes off his suit jacket. Sting then walks up and close to Bully with his shirt unbuttoned as Bully snaps his fingers and calls for The Aces & Eights to come out to the ring. Bully calls again for The Aces & Eights but they're not showing. Sting then throws his shirt onto the face of Bully. Bully again calling for them to come out, so Sting taps him to look at the screen where you see the remaining three of The Aces & Eights that stayed behind; Anderson, Wes & Garrett laid out in the back.
With that Sting drops Bully who soon backs up on the ramp with Sting slowly walking in front of him telling him to come here. With that Kurt Angle comes out in his suit, takes Bully down with the ankle lock and as the champ is laid tapping on the stage, Sting lays right in his face shouting at him. As the show goes off air.
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| Kurt Angle, the second member to join Sting's 'New' Main Event Mafia! TNA Impact Wrestling |
Kurt's Notes:
It was an interesting piece from Sting & Bully, was surprised that B'Hogan didn't come down to the ring to her husband, with Sting once again performing well in his promo's. I am intrigued to see who else is going to be joining Main Event Mafia and I'm pleased to see that Kurt Angle has joined. On this note, I am hoping he is the only member of the old Main Event Mafia that Sting has recruited, I don't want to be seeing Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash or Booker T back in TNA and glad a couple will have prior commitments. Overall a good show to kick start The Bound For Glory Series, I'm just wondering if other members of Main Event Mafia was involved with the attacks on The Aces & Eights, we'll soon find out next week.
Hope you've enjoyed reading this article, come back next week for the next review of TNA Impact.
Leave your comments below.
Kurt Johansson
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