4/11/13 IMPACT WRESTLING RECAP
Join the Starman as he covers tonight’s Impact Wrestling broadcast that takes place live from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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A “Previously on Impact Wrestling” recap is aired which focuses on AJ Styles and what side he will choose between TNA and Aces & Eights. Tonight’s Best 2 of 3 match for the Tag Team Championship and the Full Metal Mayhem match between Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Championship is also touched upon.
We see Jeff Hardy running into Hulk Hogan in the backstage area and Hogan asks Hardy if he is ready for tonight. Hardy says he is ready to take the title back. The Impact Wrestling intro hits before we head into the live arena and we are welcomed to tonight’s show by the announce team who quickly run down tonight’s loaded card. Little time is wasted as we head right into the first match of the night.
Match 1: Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Austin Aries & Bobby Roode (Best 2 of 3 for TNA Tag Team Championship)
Roode and Aries run out and attack Chavo and Hernandez as they are making their way to the ring. Hernandez is sent into the steel steps as Chavo is rolled into the ring and attacked by both Aries and Roode. Roode takes Chavo down with a spinebuster and covers to pick up a quick pin fall and earn the first victory. The bell rings to start the second fall and Aries heads to the top rope and mocks Chavo but Chavo rolls out of the way of the Frog Splash and Chavo rolls Aries up to pick up another pin fall to even the series at one a piece.
The bell rings to start the third fall as Roode begins to work over Chavo and Aries gets in a few hits while the referee’s back is turned. Roode and Aries work together to wear Chavo down and pick up a few near falls in the process while using quick tags in and out of the match. Chavo is able to take Roode down and begins crawling to his corner as Hernandez has finally made it to the ring apron to make the tag. Hernandez takes down both Roode and Aries with some quick power moves before running down the ring ramp and taking them both down with a leaping clothesline over the top rope as we head into a commercial break.
We return to the match to see Roode and Aries have regained control of the match and Roode picks up a near fall over Hernandez. Roode and Aries use quick tags to wear Hernandez down, however, Hernandez manages to take them both down with a double clothesline. Chavo is then tagged in as he takes Roode down before knocking Aries off the apron. Roode rolls out to the floor and Chavo dives over the ropes and takes both Roode and Aries out, before rolling Roode in for a pin attempt. Aries breaks it up and Chavo takes Aries down with the Three Amigos before hitting Roode with the same move. Chavo then heads to the top rope but Aries pushes him off and Roode rolls him up but Chavo kicks out.
Roode puts a cross face on Chavo but Hernandez breaks it up. Aries and Roode then work together on Chavo until Chavo counters Roode’s spinebuster with a DDT for a near fall. Aries then goes after Chavo and sets up for a superplex but Hernandez grabs Aries and sets up for a Border Toss, but Roode counters that. The two try to suplex Hernandez but Hernandez counters and takes them both down with a double suplex. Chavo then flies off the top rope and connects with a Frog Splash on Roode and picks up the third and final pin fall to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions.
Joey Ryan catches up with Brooke Hogan and apologizes for his actions last week. Ryan tells Brooke that he brought his referee clothes but Brooke tells him that she has already hired a new referee after he embarrassed him. Brooke then tells Ryan that he has been booked in a match tonight before walking away.
Aces & Eights are seen in the parking lot with their motorcycles and are greeting each other. We then head into the arena where Joseph Park is making his way to the ring. Park says he has issues with Aces & Eights and Bully Ray. Park says wants justice and feels that it will be served tonight when Jeff Hardy takes the TNA World Championship back. Justice won’t end there, though, as he has taken it upon himself to write up a document to end the marriage of Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan. Devon makes his way to the ring and takes the papers from Park and rips them up. Devon then warns Park to stay out of their family business before nailing Park with a chain wrapped fist and he leaves the ring.
A video package on Taryn Terrell’s transition from referee to Knockout is aired. Gail Kim and Taryn are seen warming up backstage and these two will meet in the ring after the break.
Match 2: Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell
The referee assigned for this match is none other than ODB. Gail isn’t happy about it as she makes Gail get into the ring for the match. Taryn starts out strong in the opening moments but Gail is able to trip her up and takes control of the match. Gail bends the rules whenever possible and gets under the skin of ODB. Gail tries to roll up Taryn while grabbing the trunks, but ODB catches her in the act. Taryn then rolls up Gail to pick up the pin fall. Gail then gets in ODB’s face and ODB chases her to the back as Christy Hemme catches up with Taryn for an interview. Taryn says she has waited a long time to get physical with Gail and wants to know who wants to get physical with her.
We then see Adam Pearce and Magno standing backstage and we will find out if one of them will earn a TNA contract after the break. We return to Impact Wrestling to see footage of the Gut Check judges discussing last week’s match. They talk about Pearce winning the match by cheating, which Bruce Prichard liked. Al Snow didn’t think Magno’s skills were up to par as he botched some moves. They all agree that they have a difficult decision to make. We then see the three with the two contestants and Prichard says Magno will have a chance to earn a contract and Adam Pearce has been eliminated.
A video package on the troubling recent history of AJ Styles is aired. A camera man then catches up with Hulk Hogan who says Styles’ time is up and he is going to take care of that now. Footage of Styles in the parking lot is aired where Mr. Anderson catches up with him and tells Styles to consider their offer and that they are looking out for him as we head into a commercial break.
We’re an hour into tonight’s live show and the crowd seems to be fairly tame. I don’t expect to see a crowd like the one on Raw this past Monday, but they shouldn’t be sitting on their hands either, especially for tonight’s loaded card.
A video package on tonight’s Full Metal Mayhem match is aired. Hulk Hogan’s music then hits as he makes his way to the ring and this crowd finally appears to have come alive. Hogan says he’s going to get down to business and calls out AJ Styles. Styles walks out with the Aces & Eights vest in his hand and joins Hogan in the ring. Hogan gives Styles an ultimatum and tells him to choose a side as Styles says he doesn’t do well with ultimatums. James Storm’s music cuts them off and he says he isn’t here to give him an ultimatum and says he is there to fight. Storm then stares down Styles as they are interrupted by Bad Influence.
Kazarian and Daniels walk to the ring and says they are out there to mend fences with Styles as they can see through all the crap in the ring. Kazarian says Hogan is using Styles, while Aces & Eights are trying to recruit TNA’s best soldier for the past 11 years. Daniels says it’s a lose-lose situation for Styles and wants him to join them. Daniels says the whole Claire Lynch thing was bad, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as when Dixie Carter and Hogan stopped trusting him and the fans turned their backs on him. Storm steps in and wants Styles to fight along with TNA but Styles turns around and walks away from all of them. Hogan then says since he won’t make a decision, he is going to book Styles in a match against James Storm next week.
Joey Ryan is seen walking backstage and he will be in a match after the break.
Kurt Angle is backstage and says the balance of power changes tonight when Jeff Hardy wins the TNA World Championship. Next week, Hulk Hogan granted him a handicap match against Garett Bischoff and Wes Brisco and he will show them why he is the baddest SOB in professional wrestling.
Match 3: Joey Ryan vs. Rob Terry
The match starts as Terry takes Ryan down with a couple shoulder blocks before tossing Ryan across the ring. Terry then connects with some hard chops and a couple of slams before picking up the pin fall.
Magno is seen standing backstage and he will learn his fate from the TNA Gut Check judges after the commercial break.
Hulk Hogan is backstage with Brook Hogan and wants her to watch the main event with him in a suite. Brooke says she needs to be ringside so she can see it up close. Matt Morgan walks in and says Hogan should have listened to him a long time ago and made him the #1 contender instead of Bully Ray. Morgan tells Hogan to keep on making mistakes as one day they will all come crashing down on him.
Jeremy Borash is standing in the ring with the TNA Gut Check judges – Danny Davis, Bruce Prichard, and Al Snow. Magno is then introduced as he makes his way to the ring. Davis speaks first and acknowledges the fans chanting “No!” and says if Magno was in OVW, he’d make him a star, but he can’t do that on Impact Wrestling, so his answer is no. Magno is given a chance to speak who speaks in half Spanish and half English and doesn’t say much of any significance. Prichard is next and comments on his marketable look, however, his inexperience in the ring is leading him to say no. Magno then shakes the judges hands as his fate has been decided.
We join Aces & Eights in the parking lot as Anderson is getting Bully Ray fired up for his match. Anderson says he will never walk alone but Ray says he needs to do things alone so he can shove it up the ass of both Hardy and Hogan. Ray then makes everyone promise him that they won’t get involved and asks Anderson to hold his wedding ring. Hardy is seen walking backstage as the Full Metal Mayhem match is coming up after the commercial break.
The announce team hype next week’s show with Kurt Angle taking on Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff. Also, Mickie James and Miss Tessmacher will compete to crown a new #1 contender to the Knockouts Championship, and AJ Styles will face off against James Storm.
Match 4: Jeff Hardy vs. Bully Ray (Full Metal Mayhem for TNA World Championship)
Brooke Hardy is seen watching the match with the fans in a front row seat and Ray tells her that he is glad she could make it. The match starts as Hardy quickly hits a Twist of Fate before grabbing a chair and smashing across Ray’s back. Hardy then grabs a ladder and sets it up in the corner before sending Ray into it. Hardy then sets up the ladder and goes for the title but Ray makes Hardy lose his balance on the ladder. Ray then sends Hardy out to the ring entrance with a backdrop before going out and whipping him with a chain. Ray then sets up the ladder but Hardy is able to slide into the ring and the two meet at the top of the ladder and exchange blows. Ray then grabs Hardy and superplexes Hardy off the ladder as we head into a commercial break.
We return to the match and see Hardy nail Ray with a chair before setting up a ladder upside down. Hardy then tries to suplex Ray onto it but the ladder falls over. Ray then sets it up and sends Hardy into it with a front suplex as the ladder closes up on him. Brooke gets up from her seat and yells at Ray as Ray grabs a chair and nails Hardy in the legs with it. Ray then gras a new ladder and brings it into the ring and takes a little too much time as Hardy recovers and hits Ray with a series of moves. Hardy nails Ray with a chair that sends Ray falling out to the floor. Hardy then leaps at Ray but Ray ducks out of the way and Hardy crashes into the guard railing. Brooke tries to yell words of encouragement to Hardy as Ray gets in her face. Brooke then slaps him in the face as Hardy gets up and sends Ray into the steel steps a few times.
Hardy tries to put Ray on a table near the ringside area, but the table breaks. Hardy has to go all the way up to the entrance stage to grab another table and brings it to the ringside area. Hardy then hits Ray with a Twist of Fate and puts him on the table. Hardy then heads to the top rope and hits a Swanton Bomb that sends Ray crashing through the table. This gets a “Holy shit!” chant from the crowd as the censor try their hardest to bleep it out. Hardy manages to get to his feet and limps his way into the ring as Ray looks like he is out on the floor. Hardy then sets up a ladder in the ring as Taz hands Ray a hammer. Ray meets Hardy on the ladder and Hardy grabs the title but Ray nails him in the head with the hammer and Hardy falls through a ladder. Ray then reaches up and grabs the title to win the match as Brooke is seen storming off from her seat.
The rest of Aces & Eights come out to the ring and join Bully Ray to celebrate the victory. Ray grabs a microphone and asks everyone if they know who he is and who they are. Ray says he is the TNA World Champion and when you ride with the Aces & Eights, you never walk alone. Ray then gets in Hardy’s face and taunts him a bit as medics come out to check on Hardy and Impact Wrestling comes to a close.
Quick Results
– Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez defeated Austin Aries & Bobby Roode in a Best 2 of 3 match to win the TNA Tag Team Championship.
– Taryn Terrell defeated Gail Kim by pin fall.
– Rob Terry defeated Joey Ryan by pin fall.
– Bully Ray defeated Jeff Hardy in a Full Metal Mayhem match to retain the TNA World Championship.
