My TNA Destination X, 18th July 2013 Recap

All hail Sabin. Photo credit: impactwrestling.com

World Champion Bully Ray opened Destination X by claiming that the challenger to his title later in the show, Chris Sabin, had no shot against him. He also boasted that it was the perfect night to end Main Event Mafia and that he was the "most hated man in pro wrestling, and that's just the way I like it!" 

Bully went on to call out his wife Brooke Hogan, who told him to "move on" like she now had, but he couldn't accept that. So the champ's furious father-in-law Hulk Hogan stormed out and told Bully that "enough was enough" and walked away with his daughter. As Bully continued to yell at them Kurt Angle and the rest of the Main Event Mafia appeared on the big screen and warned Ray that they'll be bringing the fight to Aces & 8s very soon.

Austin Aries pinned Bobby Roode in an enthralling Bound for Glory Series encounter. As usual these two worked brilliantly together, putting together exciting sequences and effective near falls. I don't think I could ever get tired of watching them go at it (mind out of the gutter). Afterwards a furious Roode, who has failed to obtain a single point in the series so far, began chucking around various items at ringside. 

Sonjay Dutt bested Homicide and Petey Williams in an entertaining three-way contest. In traditional X Division-style the match was fast paced with innovative wrestling from the get go, and to be honest with this level of talent (and three of my personal favourites from the X Division's past) the quality of the match was never really in doubt. As a result of the win Dutt qualified for the three-way Ultimate X match to crown a new X Division Champion next week.

Manik beat Kenny King and Chavo Guerrero in a largely enjoyable three-way to qualify for the X Division Title match. Although it wasn't quite as exciting as the previous affair it was still a fun watch.

The Main Event Mafia (Sting, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Magnus and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson) came to the ring and asked Aces & 8s to join them so they can settle things and finally rid the company of the gang that's been terrorising them since last year. But instead Mr. Anderson appeared on the big screen and goaded them into coming backstage to confront them.

So after the MEM began tangling with Aces backstage they were locked in a room so Bully Ray was able to crack Angle against a wall and then throw him into the back of a truck and send him on his way.

Greg Marasciulo outdid Rubix and Rockstar Spud in another stellar three-way to qualify for the X Division Title match. All three men provided worthy efforts, and although he still may have a bit of work to do in the ring, Rockstar Spud certainly showed character here. I'm glad to see Marasciulo (formerly Trent Barreta in WWE) appear in TNA. I always felt he was a solid talent and hope he's given more of a chance to show what he can do.

The charismatic Knockouts Champion Mickie James presented a VT of highlights from a gig of hers in Tennessee last week, renaming it "Mickie City." However she was soon interrupted by the number one contender to her strap Gail Kim, who called the champ "delusional" for believing that people were paying more attention to James' music than her Ladder match against Terrell last week. 

After a few more exchanges the two began attacking each other until they were separated by referees. As the two top female talents in the company I'm very much looking forward to their title clash. I'm also still really into James' new obnoxious heel persona, she's pulling it off well. 

Chris Sabin pinned Bully Ray (c) to obtain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in an eventful main event. The action was solid, with Bully logically targeting the formerly injured knee of the challenger and dominating for the majority, and the fans were very much into it.

While I did enjoy the outing, the outside interference between Aces and the Mafia did feel like overkill and spoil it a bit for me. Towards the end after the referee was KO'd by accident (which looked daft) the two factions faced off and brawled in the ring and ended up travelling down the ramp to the back. Meanwhile Bully had been handed a hammer, but Sabin managed to snatch it and crack the champ in the head as he went for a powerbomb and grabbed the momentous winning pinfall.  

Last year when Aries won it felt even more satisfying to me, maybe it was the build up and Aries' record-breaking X Division Title reign leading up to it, but I reckon it was due to his cleaner and more defining victory. Don't get me wrong I'm still excited by Sabin winning the strap as a big fan of his, and it certainly makes things interesting, but I just wish they'd had a simpler one on one match with the Mafia erasing Aces from the equation like they promised to last week.    

Overall it was a solid show, with not one bout failing to entertain and some enjoyable segments. My highlights were James' promo, Dutt versus Homicide versus Williams, the main event and Aries versus Roode. It didn't quite live up to last years Destination X but for an Impact broadcast it was a very satisfying and memorable show.  

My TNA Destination X 2012 Recap

Mason Andrews defeated Lars Only, Rubix and Dakota Darsow in a Fatal Four Way to qualify for the X Division title tournament. It was a blistering match for the most part until the final few minutes. Unfortunately because of the sheer pace they all impressively kept up there were a few mistake here and there, but on the whole I very much enjoyed the opener. Exciting way to start the show and get the crowd going.

Mason Andrews defeated Kid Kash in an X Division title tournament match up. It was a decent if fairly unmemorable bout, with both wrestlers looking solid enough. As the typical heel Kash had the majority of the offense as Andrews made his heroic comeback towards the end, applying a quick roll up for the one-two-three.

Kenny King defeated Doug Williams to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. It was an enjoyable contest, with both men giving a solid effort in the deliberately slow paced match up. It made a nice change from most X Division bouts with the more technically based wrestling from the talented Doug Williams too. King received a good backing from the fans.

Sonjay Dutt defeated Rashad Cameron to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. Again it was another good display from both participants involved. Both Dutt and Cameron rarely let up at all in this red hot contest, with Dutt eventually gaining the winning pin after a brilliant twisting two footed stomp from the top rope onto Cameron's torso.

We were shown a VT displaying the awful injury that Jesse Sorensen suffered to his neck months ago and his progress to the present. Jesse himself then came out to the ring and stated that it was the fans support that motivated him to come back and do what he believes he was meant to do and wrestle. He also warned Zema Ion that he hopes he wins the X Division title so he can take it from him when he returns, then cash in the title at next years Destination X and become World Champion.

Zema Ion defeated Flip Cassanova to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. Flip looked a lot more competent and less reckless here then he did on last weeks Impact in my opinion. It was a good bout, with the charismatic Ion being the predictable victor.

Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle via referee stoppage in a Bound For Glory Series match. It was, as expected, a superb and thrilling contest. Angle (for my money the top talent in the company) and Joe once again put on a display that brought the divided fans to their feet in respect and captivation of the action happening in front of them. The referee called for the bell after Angle had failed to move for a while while in the Cocina Clutch.

AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in a Last Man Standing match. And what a match this was. Both AJ and Daniels majorly surpassed my expectations here (and I had high hopes) and put on the match of the night and one of the finest and dramatic PPV bouts of the year so far. It was truly a war as both men bled, threw each other onto the ramp, stage and through a table for an epic finish as AJ used the Styles Clash on Daniels to put him through it. Kazarian also attempted to help out 'The Fallen Angel' but failed as he was taken out by Styles. Honestly, if you weren't planning on checking out this event then at least do yourself a favour and watch this one match.

Zema Ion defeated Sonjay Dutt, Kenny King and Mason Andrews to win the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X match. While for the majority of the bout it was entertaining enough, it also felt fairly disappointing considering the huge build up and quality of matches leading into it. For me it certainly isn't up there with the top Ultimate X matches of the past. I do whole heartily agree with the victor and new champion though, Ion has shown his charisma and skill in the ring and proven his worth as the successor to Aries as the top X Division wrestler. I'm personally also really hoping that Sonjay Dutt sticks around.

Austin Aries defeated Bobby Roode (c) to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in an extremely feel good main event. The first half of the contest was admittedly quite drab for me, the action was slow and there were a few sloppy moments. But fortunately the second half of the bout really started to gain some steam as the intensity increased and both men had some very effective near falls, including one after Roode had struck AA with the title belt. Aries then managed to apply his signature Brainbuster for the one-two-three, causing the fans to jump up in excitement as it settled in that Aries had really just toppled the seven month long reign of Roode and won a World Championship after all his hard work and dedication to professional wrestling. 

As Aries stood there with his newly won title, confetti falling around him, it really was the perfect ending to yet another solid pay-per-view from TNA. From start to finish this was a show worth watching (with some very rare exceptions) and proof that the company, its roster and its bookers can do it right and pull it off when they really want to. Perhaps the future, like the new World Champion's, is bright for TNA after all?

My Impact Wrestling, 5th July 2012 Recap

Bully Ray announced that he was officially going live on Twitter. He also demanded that Joseph Parks come out so he could answer his challenge of a match. Joseph sure enough came out and had his match accepted by Bully for next week. A furious Parks once again let rip on Ray as he told him how sick he was of his bullying and attitude. Bully then revealed a restraining order against Park's brother Abyss, claiming that if he gets anywhere near him during their match he will be sent to jail. 

Devon (c) defeated Crimson to retain the TNA Television title in a pretty mediocre title bout. It wasn't bad, just unmemorable really. Afterwards Madison Rayne came out and looked to approach Devon but instead kissed referee Earl Hebner to reveal him as her secret crush.

I'm sorry but any storyline involving a referee in the past hasn't garnered up much interest and I don't see this being any different. Who is this going to get over? An elderly ref or an average female wrestler? Either way it already feels like a waste of time. I was hoping these lame storylines (including the current AJ Styles and Dixie Carter one) would stop after Russo's exit but I guess not.

Chris Sabin came to the ring on crutches and revealed that after discussing his latest injury with his loved ones and doctor they urged him to retire from the ring. World Champion Bobby Roode then joined him and called Sabin "pathetic" for "moaning" about his injuries like the rest of the X Division and then attacked Sabin's injured knee until Austin Aries chased Roode off. On a serious note this injury must have been a crushing blow to the talented Sabin who'd only just recently returned to action. I hope he recovers well and to see him back in the ring again some day.

Flip Cassanova defeated Dakota Darsow to qualify for the X Division title tournament. The bout had it's exciting moments, but was definitely not up to par with the other recent X Division qualifying matches on Impact. Cassanova to me just looked too reckless, he even broke Darsow's nose during the match with a corkscrew to the outside. Now I like wrestlers that are fast and agile, but for me Cassanova looked like he belonged on the indie scene more than a televised wrestling show.  

Brooke Tessmacher and Tara defeated Madison Rayne and Gail Kim in a mostly sloppy tag match. With the exception of Gail you would not have guessed that these female wrestlers have had years of experience in pro wrestling if you hadn't seen them before, it wasn't great to watch.

AJ Styles came out to talk about the allegations of him being the father to Claire Lynche's unborn baby and was soon interrupted by Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, who once again accused AJ of covering things up. Styles then stated that this was nothing to do with Carter or Claire, but to do with him and Daniels and his jealousy of his success.

Kenny King defeated Lars Only to qualify for the X Division title tournament. It was a great, red hot contest from start to finish (bar one slip up from Lars as he went for a Russian Leg Sweep kind of maneuver) and possibly the best qualifying match they've had. Both men also looked more solid and crisper than the two X Division wrestlers we witnessed earlier.   

Jeff Hardy defeated James Storm in a Bound For Glory Series match up. It was a superb main event, with intense action throughout. The fans were also loving it as the bout heated up and piled on the excitement towards the end.

Samoa Joe versus Kurt Angle in a BFG Series match was announced for this Sunday's Destination X, which should be a brilliant contest. 

Hulk Hogan called out Austin Aries to hand over the X Division title but was soon interrupted by Bobby Roode, who told Hogan to shut up and listen to him. The World Champ went on to claim that Hogan had given Aries and fans false hope by saying that AA could be the next TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Aries of course showed up and warned Roode that he would be the next World Champ at Destination X. After the two champions fronted each other up, Aries avoided a cheap shot from Roode and cracked him in the head with the X Division title belt.

I enjoyed the show ending segment, and have quite enjoyed the rivalry between Roode and Aries throughout really. They should have a very enjoyable title bout on Sunday.

My Impact Wrestling, 28th June 2012 Recap

Rob Van Dam defeated Mr. Anderson in a mostly average Bound For Glory Series match up. The bout started off quite unremarkable, with both wrestlers just going for pinfall attempts and rather dull moves. Towards the end it got a bit better as the maneuvers became a bit more interesting, with RVD eventually grabbing the pinfall win with a quick roll up.  

Austin Aries came out and revealed that at Destination X where he will relinquish his title for the chance at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, there will be a tournament to determine a new X Division Champion. World Champ Bobby Roode then shortly interrupted AA and told him that what he held was the "real World Championship" because he's made it that way. After bragging some more Roode also added that the only reason Aries was receiving a title opportunity was because of Hogan, and demanded that AA leave his ring. Aries retorted by asking the World Champion to make him, but Roode simply smirked and backed away. It was a decent enough promo between the two, and it should be a solid title match next week.  

Sonjay Dutt defeated Rubix in a brilliantly entertaining bout to qualify for the X Division Title Tournament. From start to finish it was a blistering contest, and a great throwback to the older X Division matches (not to take anything away from the current talented roster).  

Samoa Joe defeated Bully Ray in an enjoyable contest. It wasn't anything out of this world but it was a fair match that I can't complain about. Samoa Joe latched on a Coquina Clutch for the ten points in the BFG Series after Joseph Parks distracted Bully on the ropes and slapped him. Parks admitted on a mic after that he'd been bullied his entire life and was sick of it, so he decided to settle things once and for all and challenged Ray to a match in two weeks time.

In between matches throughout the night we had to endure segments of an interview with Dixie Carter and Claire regarding this lame storyline of her being a former addict. Dixie should never be allowed in front of a camera, she just cannot act.

Rashad Cameron defeated Mason Andrews in a fair match up to qualify for the X Division Title Tournament. It wasn't quite as good as the Dutt vs Rubix bout but it had it's entertaining moments.

Two of the three Gut Check judges (Taz and Bruce Pritchard) voted in favour of Taeler Hendrix to be offered a TNA contract. She gave a heartfelt and believable promo during the segment and showed how capable she was in the ring last week, I like her and hope she does well. During the judges decisions, rejected Gut Check challenger Joey Ryan came through the crowd and shouted abuse at Taz. I'm really enjoying this storyline with Ryan, it's entertaining and he has a ton of charisma.   

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian defeated AJ Styles and Kurt Angle (c) to win the TNA Tag Team Championship in an entertaining main event. Although it wasn't as exciting as the last time both teams fought over the title it was still a very solid match, which is hardly surprising considering the talent involved.

Kaz looked to turn on his partner Daniels throughout the bout after claiming to not know the whole truth about the blackmailing of AJ and Carter, but he chose his real side as he struck Styles in the back with a chair, helping 'The Fallen Angel' grab the one-two-three and embracing in a celebratory hug. Daniels then revealed afterwards that the father of Claire's unborn child is AJ Styles. When are they going to end this storyline already?

My Impact Wrestling, 14th June 2012 Recap

Austin Aries (c) defeated Zema Ion and Chris Sabin in a Triple Threat Ultimate X match to retain the X Division Championship. It was a highly entertaining bout, with the highlights being the superb exchanges between Aries and Sabin. The action rarely let up and all three men put in a worthy effort. 

Afterwards Aries grabbed a mic and spoke about his bold claims when he arrived in TNA about how great he was, and went on to state how the X Division title wasn't enough anymore and wanted to move to greater heights in the company. Hulk Hogan then joined him and boldly called AA the greatest thing he'd ever seen in the ring, that's a big statement. He then offered Aries the World title match at Destination X that he wanted, but on the ridiculous condition that he had to for some reason give up the X Division strap since he didn't want a champion in both divisions. 'The Hulkster' gave him a week to think it over. Why couldn't Aries just give up the title after he maybe won the World Championship? It all sounded stupid to me.

Devon (c) defeated Hernandez to retain the TNA Television title in an average contest. Devon looked okay here to be fair. So much for a big return for Hernandez, eh? 

James Storm won the Bound for Glory Series Battle Royal to earn himself 20 points. For a battle royal, which I don't usually get into until the final four are left, it was a solid and quite fun a match up. Although I'm still puzzled as to why Robbie E has been included in the BFG Series? We all know he's not going to win so it seems pointless. Samoa Joe and James Storm received the biggest ovations for their entrances into the bout, and were the final two to battle it out at the end where Storm Super Kicked Joe off the apron to win. D'Angelo Dinero also made his return in the match.

James Storm explained after that he didn't realise how much his wrestling career meant to his young daughter, and that he'd returned to become the World Champion by winning the BFG Series. It was a typically solid promo from Storm, who in turn received a strong reaction from the fans.  

Brooke Tessmacher defeated Madison Rayne in largely mediocre bout with a few fair moments. 

Bobby Roode (c) defeated Mr. Anderson to retain the TNA World Heavyweight title in a decent enough main event. I wasn't expecting a classic but it was a passable World title bout, with both men having their fair share of the offense. Roode won after forcing Anderson to tap to the Crossface. It looked good having the champion win a match cleanly like this too, he should look this dominant more often.  

Sting came out and claimed that Slammiversary where he was inducted into TNA's Hall of Fame was one of the greatest nights of his career. He also thanked the Jarretts but was then cut off as three masked men came out and attacked him. It makes me laugh how furious commentators get when this kind of thing happens but they don't do anything to help the person out.