My TNA Against All Odds 2012 Recap

Zema Ion defeated Jesse Sorensen via count out after Sorensen was genuinely knocked out at ringside after a flip from Ion landed awkwardly on his head. Up until that point the bout had been fairly entertaining at parts. Just a shame it had to end that way, never nice seeing that kind of thing happen to a professional wrestler.

Robbie E introduced the 'Robbie E Invitational' which was open to anyone at all, so Shannon Moore accepted. 

Robbie E defeated Shannon Moore in a solid contest, which certainly gained my interest more than I'd expected it would. This was certainly one of the better matches I've seen the Television Champ Robbie E involved in, and a step up from his series of matches with Eric Young. Robbie grabbed the one-two-three after Robbie T struck Moore from the apron while the referee was distracted.

Gail Kim (c) defeated Tara to retain her TNA Knockouts Championship. The match up itself was highly enjoyable and nicely paced, which you come to expect from two female performers who take real pride in their work. Bringing back Gail Kim and having her feud with talent like Mickie James and Tara has really upped the standard of the Knockouts division. It's becoming one of the highlights of TNA for me once again.

Samoa Joe and Magnus defeated Matt Morgan and Crimson (c) to win the TNA Tag Team Championships. The match, considering it involved Crimson and Morgan, wasn't actually a bad effort and even fairly enjoyable at parts. Although the best part was the ending of Morgan and Crimson's mediocre title reign. I can see Joe and Magnus having a lot more success together with their talent and chemistry. Who else would love to see a Motor City Machine Guns feud with them over the titles when Chris Sabin returns?   

Austin Aries (c) defeated Alex Shelley to retain the X Division Championship in a thrilling title match. Both men gave it their all and really delivered, much to the delight of the crowd in attendance. I certainly wouldn't object to this feud continuing.   

Kazarian defeated AJ Styles in a bout that surprisingly started off quite slowly paced but picked up towards the final third of it for a highly enjoyable finish. It was a nicely executed match up with crisp action. The finish came after AJ decided to moonsaultChristopher Daniels on the outside, Kazarian then performed his Fade To Black finisher (a backwards piledriver) for the pin.    

Gunner defeated Garrett Bischoff in a mediocre bout. In my opinion Garrett looked out of his depth here and pretty sloppy at times too. After all the building up of Garrett's training with Hulk Hogan and he looses in his first pay-per-view match? What was the point? Typical TNA booking right there.      

Before the main event we were shown a nicely presented VT which included interviews with all four men participating in the Fatal Four Way. Nice job, also probably better then any VT promoting a match from WWE recently.

Bobby Roode (c) defeated Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray and James Storm to retain his TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a Fatal Four Way. The match itself was a very solid and entertaining contest (bar a weak finish and the ref getting KO'd too many times but I'll get to that) and although you could see Roode retaining there were some nice near falls. I have to admit here too, I've become a big fan of Bully Rays as of late. I think the guy is doing a terrific job as his current persona and has really adapted to singles wrestling well.  

The finish came after Sting (the special enforcer for the match) accidentally struck Hardy with the title belt as he was going for Roode, who'd been taunting 'The Stinger'. Sting was then forced to count to three and announce Roode the victor. However, earlier on in the match when the referee had been accidentally knocked out Sting didn't bother jumping in and making the count for either Hardy or Bully Ray. So why would he for Roode? It's a shame since the match up had been a lot of fun up until the absurd finish, and the ref getting knocked out not once but twice, which is overkill really.  

Overall Against All Odds was a largely entertaining pay-per-view, excusing a few niggles here and there it was a success compared to TNA's usual standards.  

My Impact Wrestling, February 9th 2012 Recap

Bully Ray started off Impact by calling out his "pal" the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Bobby Roode. Once Roode had joined him Ray immediately began firing questions in his direction, asking why he hadn't been covering his back when he foughtJames Storm last week like he'd been covering his. Roode tried to calm Bully down and explain that his problem wasn't with him, but with the thorn in both their sides Sting. Who at that very moment made his way out to the ring.

'The Stinger' announced himself as the special enforcer for the World Title Fatal Four Way Match at Against All Odds on Sunday. He also booked a tag team match pitting himself and James Storm against Bobby Roode and Bully Ray. It wasn't the greatest segment but at least they kept it short, Ray is doing a very credible job in his role at the moment. You can tell how hard he's been working to improve his singles career. Same goes to James Storm also.   

Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles in a solid enough contest, although certainly not their best. The London crowd were thoroughly into it and created a great atmosphere. Daniels grabbed the one-two-three after a reluctant Frankie Kazarian handed him a pair of brass knucks which 'The Fallen Angel' used to strike AJ in the head.

Magnus, accompanied by tag partner Samoa Joe, claimed that they were no longer in the "UK" or "her majesty's United Kingdom. Tonight, this. Is. England!" To an understandably big pop. He went on to say that he he'd proven the theory wrong that him and Joe wouldn't work as a unit. He also stated that they were a well oiled machine, the team on everyone's lips (maybe a slight exaggeration there) and that's why at the Against All Odds pay-per-view him and Joe will win the TNA Tag Team Championships.

This of course cued the current Tag Team Champs to make their way out, Crimson andMatt Morgan. Morgan stated that the "talking is done" and they all began to brawl once again, chasing off the number one contenders.

Alex Shelley defeated Austin Aries and Douglas Williams in an exciting and nicely executed Triple Threat bout. For me personally I would've like to have seen it allocated a bit more time, but that's my only complaint. Shelley got the pin on X Division Champion Aries after applying a Sliced Bread.

Just outside the Wembley Arena Knockout Champ Gail Kim attacked Tara, dragging her inside and taking her out. 

Hulk Hogan and Garrett Bischoff made their way to the ring, Hogan receiving a big ovation. 'The Hulkster' requested that the fans give all their passion that they give to him, and pass it over to Garrett. Soon Eric Bischoff, accompanied by Gunner, joined them as Eric asked Hulk "Just who in the hell do you think you are?!" And questioned his involvement with his family business. He went on to say that Hogan's day has passed (it has) and he'll deal with his son his own way. 

Hulk then announced a match for Sunday, Garrett versus Gunner. Straight after Gunner and Eric began attacking Hogan and Garrett. This was of course until Hogan decided to (as usual) take over and be the big hero as he threw Gunner out of the ring and helped Garrett take out his Dad.  

Velvet Sky defeated Mickie James in an average Knockouts match up. No offence to Sky but she is no Gail Kim in the ring, and it's hard to get back to the standard of title bouts James and Kim had recently. After the match Mickie looked quite peeved about the loss (Velvet scored the win via a quick roll up pin) perhaps a heel turn is in her future?   

Sting and James Storm defeated Bobby Roode and Bully Ray in an exciting and fun main event. From start to finish I was really enjoying the bout, all men put in a solid effort here and it was a nice end to TNA's two tapings in England. Sting forced Roode to tap with the Scorpion Deathlock as Ray just looked on at the champ with Roode's World Title in his hands. 

My Impact Wrestling, January 19th 2012 Recap

'The Cowboy' James Storm opened up Impact by giving Bobby Roode a heads up that when he faces him for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship "I am going to whoop your ass." Jeff Hardy soon joined the number one contender and explained that "no one is getting a title shot against Roode until I have my final encounter,"after being screwed against Roode for the title at both Genesis and on last weeks Impact Wrestling. Bobby Roode then explained to James Storm that since his match with Hardy last week had no official winner, that made Storm's number one contendership null and void. Sting as the authority figure then booked a number one contenders match up between Storm and Hardy to settle things. 
Gunner defeated AJ Styles in a solid enough bout. AJ was his usual impressive self, it's just Gunner that still isn't wowing me between the ropes. I haven't seen anything particularly outstanding from him as of yet. Gunner scored the win with a DDT afterKazarian clotheslined Styles from the apron, as ordered to by Christopher Daniels.
After the match Gunner, along with his accomplice Ric Flair, attempted to DDT AJ onto some exposed concrete flooring at ringside as he's done to RVD and others. But AJ was fortunate enough to break away form it and escape. My only complaint here is that AJ looked a little cowardly with his escape, he should have fought back a bit in a more heroic fashion in my opinion.    
Crimson defeated Magnus in a brief and pretty worthless encounter. After Crimson got the one-two-three Samoa Joe and Magnus began to double team him. This carried on until Matt Morgan raced in to his tag partner's aid. But his offence didn't last long as Joe and Magnus began to get the upper hand on him, eventually leaving the Tag Team Champions out on the floor after performing their new signature double team maneuvers.    
We were then presented with a VT of Garrett Bischoff in pro wrestling training. There's definitely a lot of potential for Garrett if he can prove himself in the ring. 
Mickie James defeated Madison Rayne in a surprisingly entertaining cage match. Both women put in a superb effort and really upped the heat towards the final third of the bout. Probably the most impressive performance I've seen out of Rayne in the company too. Very enjoyable and definitely worth checking out.
The charismatic X Division Champion Austin Aries once again complained that there is no competition for him, that no one is at the 'AA' level. But just as he was about to depart the ring, Alex Shelley (with a new look) came out to a huge reception and challenged Aries to a title match. Aries then accused Shelley of "latching on" to Chris Sabin's coattails for the last few years, and that before that he was "a nothing." Aries decided that if Shelley could go to the locker room and find another X Division wrestler and defeat them then he would accept his challenge of a title match. But Shelley wanted to go one better and asked the champion to pick a challenger for him. It was a nice segment between the two most charismatic wrestlers in the division right now. Should be a terrific feud.   
Backstage Winter and ODB began to brawl until Winter cracked ODB in the stomach with a lead pipe and began whipping her with a belt.  
Eric Young won vis disqualification against Angelina Love after Love low blowed him. It was a forgettable comedy match. Afterwards Winter and Love began beating on EY until ODB came to his rescue. Together they took out the duo of Love and Winter. 
James Storm versus Jeff Hardy ended in a no contest. It was a solid main event that had action that very rarely let up at all during it. The match ended when Bully Ray crept in and took out the referee Brian Hebner with his chain, along with Hardy and Storm. As referee Brian's dad Earl Hebner made his way out to check on his son Ray struck him with a big blow to halt him. He also spat out some of Storm's beer into his own face for good measure and carried on the assault a little more. This carried on until 'The Stinger' chased him off with his signature baseball bat.
Never missing an opportunity, World Champ Bobby Roode then entered the ring and KO'd both Hardy and Storm with his Title belt. Gloating in this, he grabbed a mic and announced the match a no contest and himself the most dominant TNA World Champion ever.