Impact Wrestling – May 1, 2014
By Scott Keith on May 2, 2014
Impact
Wrestling
Wrestling
Date: May 1, 2014
Location: Impact Zone,
Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike
Tenay, Taz
Tenay, Taz
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
Sacrifice was this past
Sunday and not a lot has changed. Given the card though, that’s not
really a big surprise. The next PPV is in June which sounds far
better than having it May when TNA won’t be ready for another show.
Other than that there really isn’t anything set up as Young is still
champion and beat Magnus clean, meaning he needs a new challenger.
Let’s get to it.
Sunday and not a lot has changed. Given the card though, that’s not
really a big surprise. The next PPV is in June which sounds far
better than having it May when TNA won’t be ready for another show.
Other than that there really isn’t anything set up as Young is still
champion and beat Magnus clean, meaning he needs a new challenger.
Let’s get to it.
We open with Bully Ray
spray painting something on a table.
spray painting something on a table.
Eric Young talks about
how real it is that he’s still champion and goes into MVP’s office.
The boss congratulates him on his win and says Eric can prove his
worth every week. That’s cool with Eric so here are Gunner, Mr.
Anderson and Bobby Roode. They’ll draw cards from a deck. The lower
two cards will face off and the winner faces the high card, with the
winner of that getting a World Title shot. Anderson and Gunner tie
while Roode gets an ace, meaning it’s Anderson vs. Gunner first and
the winner faces Roode for the title shot. This is all tonight
apparently.
how real it is that he’s still champion and goes into MVP’s office.
The boss congratulates him on his win and says Eric can prove his
worth every week. That’s cool with Eric so here are Gunner, Mr.
Anderson and Bobby Roode. They’ll draw cards from a deck. The lower
two cards will face off and the winner faces the high card, with the
winner of that getting a World Title shot. Anderson and Gunner tie
while Roode gets an ace, meaning it’s Anderson vs. Gunner first and
the winner faces Roode for the title shot. This is all tonight
apparently.
Here’s Magnus with
something to say. He isn’t cool with not being in the World Title
competition tonight and demands that MVP come out here and explain
that decision. Instead he gets Abyss through the crowd. The brawl
is on and Abyss lays Magnus out with a chokeslam. He pulls out a
chair as the fans want Janice. They get what they want but Magnus
bails. The announcers play up the idea that Abyss may not have a
contract, despite him getting a World Title shot two weeks ago.
something to say. He isn’t cool with not being in the World Title
competition tonight and demands that MVP come out here and explain
that decision. Instead he gets Abyss through the crowd. The brawl
is on and Abyss lays Magnus out with a chokeslam. He pulls out a
chair as the fans want Janice. They get what they want but Magnus
bails. The announcers play up the idea that Abyss may not have a
contract, despite him getting a World Title shot two weeks ago.
Here’s Ray with a table
and holding his ribs. He holds the table up and it says DIXIE. Ray
says he might not be as big and fat as he used to be but he can
promise one thing: if he sees Dixie in this building tonight, she’s
going through that table.
and holding his ribs. He holds the table up and it says DIXIE. Ray
says he might not be as big and fat as he used to be but he can
promise one thing: if he sees Dixie in this building tonight, she’s
going through that table.
Dixie arrives and has
nothing to say.
nothing to say.
In the back Spud tried
to hide Dixie but she’s not afraid.
to hide Dixie but she’s not afraid.
Mr.
Anderson vs. Gunner
Anderson vs. Gunner
Winner faces Roode
later tonight for a title shot. Feeling out process to start as they
trade some headlocks. Gunner’s advantage doesn’t last long as
Anderson shoves him off and puts on a headlock of his own. A
hammerlock doesn’t work all that well for Mr. either so he hooks
another headlock. Gunner catches a charging Anderson in a fall away
slam but James Storm interferes because the feud isn’t over yet.
Storm gets knocked to the floor before accidentally kicking Anderson
in the back of the head, allowing Gunner to hit an F5 for the pin at
3:47.
later tonight for a title shot. Feeling out process to start as they
trade some headlocks. Gunner’s advantage doesn’t last long as
Anderson shoves him off and puts on a headlock of his own. A
hammerlock doesn’t work all that well for Mr. either so he hooks
another headlock. Gunner catches a charging Anderson in a fall away
slam but James Storm interferes because the feud isn’t over yet.
Storm gets knocked to the floor before accidentally kicking Anderson
in the back of the head, allowing Gunner to hit an F5 for the pin at
3:47.
Rating:
C-. This was a lot of stalling
before the finish, but hopefully this transitions to Anderson vs.
Storm, because Gunner vs. Storm has been dead and buried for well
over a month. I also like that they making the transition naturally
instead of just shoving it down our throats because the script calls
for it.
C-. This was a lot of stalling
before the finish, but hopefully this transitions to Anderson vs.
Storm, because Gunner vs. Storm has been dead and buried for well
over a month. I also like that they making the transition naturally
instead of just shoving it down our throats because the script calls
for it.
Magnus
comes in to see someone who
looks like former NXT talent Kenneth Cameron. Back from a break and
that’s who it seems to be, though he’s going by Bram here. They seem
to know each other and Bram wants Magnus to get back to his roots. A
fight nearly breaks out but Bram says he’s here for Magnus’ own good.
comes in to see someone who
looks like former NXT talent Kenneth Cameron. Back from a break and
that’s who it seems to be, though he’s going by Bram here. They seem
to know each other and Bram wants Magnus to get back to his roots. A
fight nearly breaks out but Bram says he’s here for Magnus’ own good.
Ethan
Carter III is in the ring and says he’s facing Kurt Angle in the ring
next week. Fans: “WHERE’S YOUR BOYFRIEND???” Tonight Ethan is
going to have an exhibition with Rockstar Spud. They grapple around
for a bit with Ethan of course getting the better of it. Ethan tells
Spud to assume the position so Spud gets on all fours. Carter:
“That’s a little too much position.” This brings out Angle who
says that was stupid. Next week Carter will be facing a new Kurt
Angle. It’s one that’s out for blood and revenge because Carter has
ticked him off. Next week, the undefeated streak ends.
Carter III is in the ring and says he’s facing Kurt Angle in the ring
next week. Fans: “WHERE’S YOUR BOYFRIEND???” Tonight Ethan is
going to have an exhibition with Rockstar Spud. They grapple around
for a bit with Ethan of course getting the better of it. Ethan tells
Spud to assume the position so Spud gets on all fours. Carter:
“That’s a little too much position.” This brings out Angle who
says that was stupid. Next week Carter will be facing a new Kurt
Angle. It’s one that’s out for blood and revenge because Carter has
ticked him off. Next week, the undefeated streak ends.
We
see Rebel and Knux’s segment from Sunday, saying they’ll be here with
two of their friends named The Freak and Crazy Steve next week.
see Rebel and Knux’s segment from Sunday, saying they’ll be here with
two of their friends named The Freak and Crazy Steve next week.
Bobby
Roode vs. Gunner
Roode vs. Gunner
Winner
faces Young tonight for the World Title. Roode takes him down into
the corner and stomps away to start but Gunner fights back with power
and a backdrop for two. Roode sends him out to the floor and
into the steps as he takes over. Back in and Gunner charges into an
elbow in the corner and we hit a double arm crank.
faces Young tonight for the World Title. Roode takes him down into
the corner and stomps away to start but Gunner fights back with power
and a backdrop for two. Roode sends him out to the floor and
into the steps as he takes over. Back in and Gunner charges into an
elbow in the corner and we hit a double arm crank.
A
dropkick to the ribs puts Gunner down again but he comes back with ax
handles to the chest. Gunner hits a running knee to the chest and
loads up the F5, only to be raked in the eyes. Roode’s O’Connor Roll
is blocked and Gunner grabs a DDT for two. The Roode Bomb is
countered and Gunner hits a slingshot suplex, only to walk into the
Roode Bomb for the pin at 6:00.
dropkick to the ribs puts Gunner down again but he comes back with ax
handles to the chest. Gunner hits a running knee to the chest and
loads up the F5, only to be raked in the eyes. Roode’s O’Connor Roll
is blocked and Gunner grabs a DDT for two. The Roode Bomb is
countered and Gunner hits a slingshot suplex, only to walk into the
Roode Bomb for the pin at 6:00.
Rating:
C-. The time hurt it here but
more than that it’s a waste of a story. This could have been the
second week of a competition to set up Young’s challenger but this is
TNA so we have to do everything at a million miles an hour while
making sure Dixie Carter gets to be on TV every week. It’s rather
annoying but it’s the way things work here.
C-. The time hurt it here but
more than that it’s a waste of a story. This could have been the
second week of a competition to set up Young’s challenger but this is
TNA so we have to do everything at a million miles an hour while
making sure Dixie Carter gets to be on TV every week. It’s rather
annoying but it’s the way things work here.
The Beautiful People
get a letter saying their clothes are inappropriate. Angelina’s
solution: put on evening gowns and strip them off.
get a letter saying their clothes are inappropriate. Angelina’s
solution: put on evening gowns and strip them off.
Here’s Dixie with
security to set up the table with her name on it in the ring. She
brags about putting Ray through a table and injuring his ribs in the
process. Ray needs to be afraid of Dixie, but here’s the Bully to
disagree. The fans want to see her go through a table and Ray likes
the idea as well. He tells security to get out of his way because
they all want to see her go through a table. They actually listen,
only leaving three guards for Dixie. Ray charges the ring and throws
them all off before loading up the powerbomb. This brings out MVP,
who says both of them are suspended from the Impact Zone for this.
Ok then.
security to set up the table with her name on it in the ring. She
brags about putting Ray through a table and injuring his ribs in the
process. Ray needs to be afraid of Dixie, but here’s the Bully to
disagree. The fans want to see her go through a table and Ray likes
the idea as well. He tells security to get out of his way because
they all want to see her go through a table. They actually listen,
only leaving three guards for Dixie. Ray charges the ring and throws
them all off before loading up the powerbomb. This brings out MVP,
who says both of them are suspended from the Impact Zone for this.
Ok then.
Willow
vs. James Storm
vs. James Storm
Storm hammers away to
start but Willow escapes the Eye of the Storm and hits a few
dropkicks to take over. A mule kick sends Storm into the corner and
a cartwheel into a right hand to the jaw drops him down. There’s the
slingshot dropkick followed by a Twisting Stunner to send Storm
outside. Willow slides through the ropes and drops an elbow to the
ribs in a nice move. Storm is stood up next to the barricade for
Poetry in Motion off the steps. Willow gets a chair but misses a
running Fameasser onto the steps with it to put him down on the
floor. Storm pulls out the beer bottle and shoves the referee for
the DQ at 4:03.
start but Willow escapes the Eye of the Storm and hits a few
dropkicks to take over. A mule kick sends Storm into the corner and
a cartwheel into a right hand to the jaw drops him down. There’s the
slingshot dropkick followed by a Twisting Stunner to send Storm
outside. Willow slides through the ropes and drops an elbow to the
ribs in a nice move. Storm is stood up next to the barricade for
Poetry in Motion off the steps. Willow gets a chair but misses a
running Fameasser onto the steps with it to put him down on the
floor. Storm pulls out the beer bottle and shoves the referee for
the DQ at 4:03.
Rating:
D+. This was setting up stuff
for the future it seems, which is fine given that they’re coming off
of a PPV. Still though, it’s not the most interesting stuff in the
world. Willow is only so interesting after they keep shouting that
it’s Jeff Hardy week after week, but it’s better than the same guy
every week.
D+. This was setting up stuff
for the future it seems, which is fine given that they’re coming off
of a PPV. Still though, it’s not the most interesting stuff in the
world. Willow is only so interesting after they keep shouting that
it’s Jeff Hardy week after week, but it’s better than the same guy
every week.
Post
match Willow hits Storm with the umbrella and stalks him up the ramp,
right into a Mic Check from Anderson.
match Willow hits Storm with the umbrella and stalks him up the ramp,
right into a Mic Check from Anderson.
The
Bro Mans and Zema blame MVP for losing their titles so he uts them in
a six man tag against the Wolves and a surprise partner. The three
of them leave and Ray comes in to yell at MVP. He says he gave MVP
the job at Lockdown but MVP shouts him down and suggests that Ray do
something outside of the arena.
Bro Mans and Zema blame MVP for losing their titles so he uts them in
a six man tag against the Wolves and a surprise partner. The three
of them leave and Ray comes in to yell at MVP. He says he gave MVP
the job at Lockdown but MVP shouts him down and suggests that Ray do
something outside of the arena.
Eric
Young says there’s history between him and Roode, but he knows Roode
better than anyone.
Young says there’s history between him and Roode, but he knows Roode
better than anyone.
Zema
Ion/Bro Mans vs. Wolves/Sanada
Ion/Bro Mans vs. Wolves/Sanada
It’s
a brawl to start with the Wolves LAUNCHING Ion over the top onto the
Bro Mans. They howl, setting up a double suicide dive followed by a
plancha from Sanada to take out Zema. Back inside and Robbie’s chops
have no effect on anyone as he’s left all alone. Jesse and Ion get
back up to take Eddie down as the heels get their first advantage.
Edwards nips back up though and enziguris Ion down.
a brawl to start with the Wolves LAUNCHING Ion over the top onto the
Bro Mans. They howl, setting up a double suicide dive followed by a
plancha from Sanada to take out Zema. Back inside and Robbie’s chops
have no effect on anyone as he’s left all alone. Jesse and Ion get
back up to take Eddie down as the heels get their first advantage.
Edwards nips back up though and enziguris Ion down.
The
Bro Mans are sent to the floor again and it’s hot tag to Richards to
clean house. Ion is thrown into the air for a kick to the ribs as
Tenay announces Bro Mans vs. Wolves for the titles next week in a
ladder match. The Bro Mans come back in to break up a cover but it’s
a tag off to Sanada as Ion is left alone 3-1. All three good guys go
up top, setting up the stomp from Edwards, a moonsault from Sanada
and another stomp from Richards for the pin at 3:39.
Bro Mans are sent to the floor again and it’s hot tag to Richards to
clean house. Ion is thrown into the air for a kick to the ribs as
Tenay announces Bro Mans vs. Wolves for the titles next week in a
ladder match. The Bro Mans come back in to break up a cover but it’s
a tag off to Sanada as Ion is left alone 3-1. All three good guys go
up top, setting up the stomp from Edwards, a moonsault from Sanada
and another stomp from Richards for the pin at 3:39.
Rating:
C. Now THAT was a squash. I’m
not sure what it sets up for the future as Ion got destroyed and
Richards beat up the Bro Mans on his own, but at least it was
entertaining at the moment. To be fair though, I don’t think TNA
knows how to think more than a week in advance anyway so it’s not
right to criticize them for it.
C. Now THAT was a squash. I’m
not sure what it sets up for the future as Ion got destroyed and
Richards beat up the Bro Mans on his own, but at least it was
entertaining at the moment. To be fair though, I don’t think TNA
knows how to think more than a week in advance anyway so it’s not
right to criticize them for it.
Here are the Beautiful
People in evening gowns with Angelina saying they’re going to take it
all off. They start but stop almost immediately because the people
don’t deserve it. This brings out Gail Kim who says they’re making a
mockery of the division. She’s going to make sure the Beautiful
People get stripped and the attack is on. Velvet bails and Angelina
escapes a few seconds later. Gail gets the belt as Madison Rayne and
Brittany sneak up and rip the gowns off the Beautiful People.
People in evening gowns with Angelina saying they’re going to take it
all off. They start but stop almost immediately because the people
don’t deserve it. This brings out Gail Kim who says they’re making a
mockery of the division. She’s going to make sure the Beautiful
People get stripped and the attack is on. Velvet bails and Angelina
escapes a few seconds later. Gail gets the belt as Madison Rayne and
Brittany sneak up and rip the gowns off the Beautiful People.
TNA
World Title: Eric Young vs. Bobby Roode
World Title: Eric Young vs. Bobby Roode
Roode gets a jobber
entrance. Feeling out process to start with Young grabbing an
armdrag into an armbar. A dropkick staggers Roode and we take our
last break. Back with Roode sending him over the top and out to the
floor before a whip sends him into the steps. Roode throws him back
in and puts on a seated full nelson. Eric fights back up and takes
out a cameraman by mistake before nailing a belly to belly.
entrance. Feeling out process to start with Young grabbing an
armdrag into an armbar. A dropkick staggers Roode and we take our
last break. Back with Roode sending him over the top and out to the
floor before a whip sends him into the steps. Roode throws him back
in and puts on a seated full nelson. Eric fights back up and takes
out a cameraman by mistake before nailing a belly to belly.
Roode bails to the
floor and gets taken down by a suicide dive. Back in and Bobby grabs
a quick spinebuster for two before the piledriver gets the same for
Young. The Roode Bomb gets two as well and they slug it out with the
champion taking over. Roode nails an enziguri but can’t hit a Roode
Bomb out of the corner. Instead Eric shoves him to the mat and hits
the top rope elbow for the pin at 13:23.
floor and gets taken down by a suicide dive. Back in and Bobby grabs
a quick spinebuster for two before the piledriver gets the same for
Young. The Roode Bomb gets two as well and they slug it out with the
champion taking over. Roode nails an enziguri but can’t hit a Roode
Bomb out of the corner. Instead Eric shoves him to the mat and hits
the top rope elbow for the pin at 13:23.
Rating:
C. Eric getting clean wins over
former world champions is a good idea for him with the emphasis on
the word clean. I was sick of seeing those title matches with seven
or eight people running in and it’s so nice to see a decent wrestling
match to close out the show for the title. Not a great match and it
should have been given more build, but this worked well enough.
C. Eric getting clean wins over
former world champions is a good idea for him with the emphasis on
the word clean. I was sick of seeing those title matches with seven
or eight people running in and it’s so nice to see a decent wrestling
match to close out the show for the title. Not a great match and it
should have been given more build, but this worked well enough.
Ray
is in the back and says he’s going to Nashville.
is in the back and says he’s going to Nashville.
Overall
Rating: C-. The show set up
some interesting stuff for the future, but at the same time all of
the old problems were present. First and foremost, TNA feels the
need to go through everything they can as fast as they can without
letting their stories grow. The Roode vs. Young match could have
been interesting but instead they decided to set it up with two
matches and do the title match in the span of two hours. How is that
supposed to draw an audience when the thing is over by the time they
hear about it?
Rating: C-. The show set up
some interesting stuff for the future, but at the same time all of
the old problems were present. First and foremost, TNA feels the
need to go through everything they can as fast as they can without
letting their stories grow. The Roode vs. Young match could have
been interesting but instead they decided to set it up with two
matches and do the title match in the span of two hours. How is that
supposed to draw an audience when the thing is over by the time they
hear about it?
Ray
vs. Dixie doesn’t do anything for me as I can’t imagine we’ll ever
see the payoff of Dixie going through a table, unless they pull a
surprise in New York. The rest of the feuds weren’t bad, but I have
a bad feeling they’re just setting up another set of three month
feuds that go on WAY too long and wear out their welcome. TNA needs
to find a neutral pace and stick with it because this is getting old
fast.
vs. Dixie doesn’t do anything for me as I can’t imagine we’ll ever
see the payoff of Dixie going through a table, unless they pull a
surprise in New York. The rest of the feuds weren’t bad, but I have
a bad feeling they’re just setting up another set of three month
feuds that go on WAY too long and wear out their welcome. TNA needs
to find a neutral pace and stick with it because this is getting old
fast.
Results
Gunner b. Mr. Anderson
– F5
– F5
Bobby Roode b. Gunner –
Roode Bomb
Roode Bomb
Willow b. James Storm
via DQ when Storm shoved the referee
via DQ when Storm shoved the referee
Wolves/Sanada b. Bro
Mans/Zema Ion – Top rope double stomp to Ion
Mans/Zema Ion – Top rope double stomp to Ion
Eric Young b. Bobby
Roode – Top rope elbow
Roode – Top rope elbow
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