World Champion Bobby Roode came to the ring and spoke about how he's "overcome the odds" as far as his title defences have gone, and also gave RVD credit for his performance against him at Sacrifice in the Ladder match. He went on to remind us that in a weeks time he will have had the longest reigning TNA World Heavyweight title reign ever, eclipsing AJ Style's run. He then called out GM Hulk Hogan and began listing off demands that he wanted for his celebration on next weeks Impact Wrestling.
'The Hulkster' complimented Roode on giving the company some direction and order since becoming champ since now everyone is gunning for him, but then ripped up Roode's printed off list of demands. He reminded him that he hadn't broken the record yet, and would be defending the title on next weeks Open Fight Night Impact. He also asked the large majority of the locker room who wanted a piece of Roode to come out and announced the qualifying matches between them to determine who will face the World Champion next week for the title.
Bully Ray defeated Rob Van Dam in the first World title qualifying match. It was a passable bout, if a little short. Although with RVD's supposedly injured leg the length of the match actually made sense, never thought I'd type that about TNA.
AJ Styles won the World title qualifying Battle Royal. It was a decent enough match. For the most part it was the usual affair for a battle royal, but fortunately picked up in quality when Styles and Aries went head to head towards the end. A match between them two is a must for the near future I reckon. AJ's win was understandably well received.
Afterwards AJ grabbed a mic and addressed the photos shown last week of him and Dixie Carter looking intimate, claiming that "things aren't always as they seem." Christopher Daniels and Kazarian then joined him and stated that they'd been left in Style's wake for the last ten years due to his relationship with Carter and that revealing the photos wasn't meant to hurt anyone but just expose the truth. Daniels then revealed yet more evidence to the accusations when he and Kaz presented a video of Styles and Carter arriving at a hotel room together arm in arm on an iPad, which actually makes it seem more effective to me. I mean, if you were presenting footage like this of the president of the company then would you really get to present it on the big screen? Doubtful.
Backstage Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle began brawling after discussing their memorable history together, until they were separated by various wrestlers who just happened to be nearby. Boy, thinking back to their original superb feud Joe really was on fire back in those days wasn't he?
Jeff Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson in a good effort by both men. They managed to outdo their match last Sunday, which was okay. While their feud hasn't really got much substance behind it, their matches are certainly watchable and have exceeded my expectations.
Gail Kim (c) defeated Brooke Tessmacher and Velvet Sky to retain the TNA Knockouts Title in a fair to dull Triple Threat match. To be honest the bout could've done without the average Sky involved considering what little she really brought to the match, I would've much rather have seen the superior Tara or Mickie James in there. Hopefully Kim will get some new competition for Slammiversary.
Kurt Angle defeated Samoa Joe in a solid and intense main event to earn the final qualifying spot for the World title match next week. As expected from two wrestlers of this high standard they put on a very enjoyable contest, going back and fourth with crisp action and making it look easy. I'm glad this was also made the main event, it had and deserved to be.
Afterwards all four men who qualified for their chance at Roode's title cornered the World Champion, who'd been on commentary.
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