Impact
January 24, 2013
Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN
The Impact Wrestling opening video plays, and we go right to the arena, where
Gimme Back My Bullets is playing, signifying the entrance of the Briscoes. Mike Tenay and Taz welcome us to Knoxville, and run down the Tag Team Championship Tournament. La Familia then enters, and they are accompanied by a familiar female.
Taz: “Tenay, you know who dat is wit Chavo and Hernandez right?”
Tenay: “Taz, that's Rosa Roucka! I think she used to be a Mendes in another company!”
World Tag Team Championship Tournament – Block BBriscoe Brothers (2 Points) vs. La Familia (4 Points)The Briscoes and La Familia go toe-to-toe, with Jay and Mark using quickness at first, before Hernandez uses his strength to take over. Hernandez goes for a Border Toss on Mark, but Jay is able to grab Mark's foot to pull him down, and Mark dropkicks Hernandez into Chavo, who falls into the guardrail. Jay gets in and muscles Hernandez up onto his shoulders, and Mark hits a Springboard Doomsday Device onto Hernandez, earning the Briscoes the three count and a huge 2 points.
Winners: the Briscoe Brothers
Rating: 83%
Mike Tenay and Tazz are at the announce desk, running down tonight's matches, including the huge main event 4-way elimination match, when Tazz' attention is drawn towards the entrance area. Jay Lethal is walking to the ring, in street clothes, with no music. He takes the microphone from Jeremy Borash and gets in the ring.
Lethal: “Sorry, guys, I know I'm interrupting and I'm not supposed to be on the show tonight. But I've got some business to take care of, and I can't find Joe in the back, so I'm gonna do it out here, in front of the world, just to ensure you hear me, Samoa Joe. As many people know, and for those of you that don't, I've known Joe for a long time. Back in the day, Joe took me under his wing. He taught me more about this business than I could even begin to share. So Joe, last week, when you walked out on me, you walked out on us. You walked out on all those things you taught me back then. I'm sure, there's some kind of wise Samoa Joe lesson here, but I'm past that. I don't need a mentor. I don't need a teacher. I don't even need a friend. I need an ally. I need that Joe that is a killer. I need the Joe that takes no prisoners in this ring. I need “Joe's gonna kill you.”
Lethal is interrupted by Samoa Joe's music. Joe wastes no time getting to the ring. He grabs a mic and gets right in Lethal's face.
Joe: “You want an explanation, Jay? Okay. Well, let's go back to the beginning. Back to the days in Philadelphia, when you were some rave kid, killing yourself to the apathy of the crowd for 25 bucks a night. You were destined for nothing, Jay. Who pulled you out of that, and led you to find focus? Me. Who found a killer instinct inside that kid? Me. Who taught you the proper ins & outs of this business? Me.
Flash forward to today. Impact Wrestling announces the Tag Title Tournament. I thought, 'hey, what a great opportunity to grab some gold, and what better guy to have as a partner than my protege, Jay Lethal?' And what happens? WE HANG UP A BIG, FAT ZERO! Why is that, Jay? It certainly isn't my fault. See, here's what happened. Somewhere along the way, you lost that focus. You lost that killer instinct. Maybe it was Black Machismo. Maybe it was trading barbs with Ric Flair. Whatever it was, you lost it. But I'm gonna find it, Jay. I'm gonna bring back that killer instinct, even if I have to beat it out of you!”
Joe lowers the microphone and quickly slaps Lethal across the face.
Joe: “Come on, Jay. Where is it? You should have killed me by now, Come on, Jay! Fight back, Jay! FIGHT BACK!!”
Joe slaps Lethal again, then a third time. Lethal is becoming visibly enraged, but doesn't strike back at Joe. Joe shakes his head, and smirks.
Joe: “Just what I thought.”
Joe leaves the ring as Lethal stares him down.
Rating: 78%
World Tag Team Championship Tournament – Block BMotor City Machine Guns (4 Points) vs. Sting & Garrett Bischoff (0 Points)Sting and Garrett seem to have a game plan leading into the match, and it works while Sting is in the ring, as he controls both Sabin and Shelley. But after a tag, the Guns are able to isolate Garrett and use the rookie's inexperience against him. Despite Sting's best urgings, Garrett is unable to mount any offense and the Guns win in what amounts to a squash after they hit Garrett with Made in Detroit to get 2 crucial points. After the match, Sting looks at Garrett in a disappointed fashion, but helps him to his feet and pats him on the back.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Rating: 76%
After a commercial for ShopTNA.com, we go to Mike Tenay at the broadcast position.
Tenay: “Fans, Mickie James has been out for a few weeks now, and in that time she has recorded some...interesting new music. Here is her latest video, and I have a feeling this will be talked about for quite some time.”
The screen goes to black, then fades in on Mickie James sitting in front of a black backdrop.
Mickie: “This is the premiere for my new video, a cover of an old Bee Gees song,
“Nights on Broadway.” I wrote the music and filmed and directed the video myself, with the help of my bandmate Kyle. I am very proud of it, and I hope you like it.”
The video starts with a shot of Mickie and a man seated in her home (presumably, the man is Kyle). Both are holding guitars. They begin to play, and the lyrics start.
Here we are in the room full of strangers,
Standing in the dark where your eyes couldn't see me
Well, I have to follow you
Though you didn't want me to.
But that wont stop my lovin' you
I can't stay away The camera transitions from the live performance after the lyrics start, to a series of photos of Mickie in her younger years. Through the photos there is one constant: while they all feature various people, every photo has her and Gail Kim in it. As the song continues, we transition again to Mickie and Kyle, this time in a dimly-lit room full of candles. The wall is covered in pictures (yes, I stole this from the Mickie/Trish storyline. Sue me). All of the photos from earlier in the video are there, but there are also tons of press and other photos of Gail Kim. The rest of the video is filled with transitions between the three scenes, until the song ends, and we fade out to commercial.
Rating: 78%
Back from break, Tenay throws to Jeremy Borash in the back.
JB: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the newest addition to Impact Wrestling, Roderick Strong!”
The camera shot widens and Roderick Strong enters, wearing the same hoodie from last week. He removes the hood and has a steely look on his face.
JB: “Roderick, you made quite an impact last week when you viciously attacked the X Division Champion, AJ Styles. Was this a message for AJ?”
RS: “An impact. Good choice of words, Borash. I'm sure the pun was well intended. Yeah, I guess I did make an impact. And yes, I was delivering a message. A message to AJ Styles that his time as X Division Champion will be short-lived. It was a message to all of Impact Wrestling as well. The era of impersonating what goes on on the “other show” is over. Its time to put the WRESTLING back in Impact Wrestling.”
Rating: 69%
Roderick Strong vs. Jesse SorensenWe go right from the interview to the ring, where Jesse Sorensen is standing by and introduced. Strong makes his entrance, and immediately beats down Sorensen with clubbing forearms. The match is basically an exhibition of Strong's offense, as we see a plethora of backbreakers and submission-type manouvers. None are held on long enough to earn a submission victory. It seems that Strong can end the match at any second, but as Tazz notes, he is doing what he said and making a statement. After what seems like an eternity, Strong hits the same suplex into a backbreaker across his knees that he hit on Styles last week, which Tenay notes Strong calls the End of Heartache. Strong then applies a Boston Crab, then wrenches back and shoves his knee into the back of the head of Sorensen. Taz quickly states that this is the Stronghold, as Sorensen taps out furiously. Strong releases the hold, then picks Sorensen up and hits another stiff End of Heartache before leaving the ring, looking satisfied.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Rating: 67%
We come back live, and Mike Tenay is in ring. Set up in the ring are a table and some chairs.
Tenay: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are a little over three weeks away from Impact Wrestling's next Pay Per View extravaganza, Turning Point! And as the new Official Spokesman for the Board of Directors, the Nature Boy Ric Flair, stated last week, the main event for Turning Point will see Impact Wrestling's World Champion Austin Aries defend the title against the number one contender, Bully Ray! And tonight, in this ring, we will make it all official. First, allow me to introduce the challenger, from Hells Kitchen, New York City, Bully Ray!”
Bully Ray makes his entrance, sporting a leather jacket and jeans. He slowly saunters to the ring, and once inside he takes a seat in one of the office chairs.
Tenay: “And would you please welcome, the reigning Impact Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, A-Double, Austin Aries!”
Aries makes his way to the ring to a raucous ovation. Aries is dressed as a champion should be, in a suit with a dress shirt (no tie). Once Aries is in the ring, Bully stands up and takes the microphone from Tenay.
Bully: “Listen up, Aries, you little shit. I ain't out here to make friends, I ain't out here to play nice. Lets get this crap signed. Lets get the arbitrary crap out of the way. Where I'm from, you don't sign contract. In Hells Kitchen, New York City, when two dudes want to fight, they beat each others' asses until only one man is left standing.”
Bully tosses a chair from the ring onto the entrance ramp.
Aries: “Oh, this is going to be one of those contract signing deals, Bully? You're going to throw the chairs and flip the table, then goad me into a fight so you can cheapshot me and beat the crap-”
Aries suddenly smashes the microphone into the head of Bully. Aries nails a few right hands, before dropkicking Bully out of the ring, then diving through the ropes and flooring Bully. Aries gets back into the ring, and signs the contract. He takes the contract out of the ring, and tosses it onto the chest of Bully, who is lying on the floor.
Rating: 79%
Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff JarrettHuge chants for RVD as the match begins. RVD hits some trademark moves, but Jarrett ducks a springboard side kick and clotheslines Van Dam. Tenay plays up how important of a match this is for both guys, as they hope to move into the World Championship picture. Jarrett goes for the Stroke, but RVD blocks it and transitions into a backslide and gets a surprise 3-count for the win. Jarrett sells surprise after the match, as RVD celebrates with the ringside fans.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Rating: 81%
After the break, Mike Tenay welcomes us back, when “Time & Fate” begins to play, and the crowd goes crazy at the entrance of Jeff Hardy. Hardy is still slightly limping to the ring, as Tenay once again puts over the feud between Hardy and Kurt Angle. Taz calls attention to the fact that Hardy is carrying a large backpack with him, wondering what could be in it. Hardy gets in the ring and asks for the microphone.
Hardy: “Creatures, it is so wonderful to see you and feel your energy! The time is drawing closer. In just a few short weeks, Kurt Angle, you and I will dance once again. Kurt, you're a man who isn't afraid of anything. You said you don't care what the stipulations are, but at Turning Point, you would face me in any type of match. You said, Kurt, you would beat me like the dog I am. Kurt, you're right, I'm a dog. But Kurt, I'm not the only dog. I know you, Kurt. Have for many years. You and I are a lot alike, Kurt, a lot more than you'd like to admit. Looking past the “Olympic Gold Medalist,” Kurt, we're very similar. Both multiple time World Champions in several different organizations. But more than that, Kurt, we're BOTH dogs. But we're no little, mangy mutts. We're savage pit bulls, ready to strike! What do you do to a savage dog, Kurt? Do you sit with him on your lap, petting him? NO! That dog will bite your hand off just to see the blood. That dog will attack again and again, until you're in no position to retort, Kurt. THAT is the type of dogs that we are!
And what do you do with a dog like that, Kurt? You leash him up. You put a collar on him, so he can't attack at will. So that's what I suggest Kurt.”
Hardy reaches down for the bag. He sticks his hand inside and pulls something up out.
Hardy: “Kurt, what we have here is 10 feet of solid steel chain. And attached at each end are leather dog collars. One for you, Kurt, and one for me. So I say, at Turning Point, we leash these two dogs together, and let them strike at each other until only one dog is left standing. Kurt, we're going to have ourselves a good old fashioned Dog Collar Match!”
Hardy's music plays, and Tenay and Taz are ecstatic at the announcement of the Dog Collar Match. Tenay says this has to be the culmination of their feud.
Rating: 90%
Back from break, Mike Tenay throws backstage, where So Cal Val is standing by with Bobby Roode.
Val: “Bobby Roode, you say you've changed your ways, and want to reconcile with your former partner, James Storm. Why should anyone believe this new side of you is here to stay?”
BR: “Val! I'm shocked at such a statement! Why wouldn't anyone believe me? James and I have had our differences over the years. That much is obvious to everyone. But I have never lied to anyone. Yes, I may have attacked my partner from behind with a beer bottle, thus turning on him and breaking up our partnership leading to a blood feud over the World Championship, but I never lied! I did what I had to do to get to the top! I've been to the top of the mountain, toots, and one thing I've learned is its lonely at the top. I tried to do it myself, but James, I can't quit you”
Val looked exasperated as Roode walked off.
Val: “I can't quit you? I don't think he meant to say that...”
Rating: 78%
Four-way Elimination Match for the World Television ChampionshipChristopher Daniels © vs. Kaz vs. Bobby Roode vs. James StormRoode and Daniels are the first two in the ring. Daniels takes control, until Roode reverses a clothesline with one of his own and tags in James Storm. Storm nails a quick succession of offensive moves, and Daniels runs over and tags in Kaz. Its more of the same, with Storm controlling Kaz. Storm is setting Kaz up for the Last Call superkick, when Daniels broadsides him with a forearm. Roode runs in and, with a clothesline, both he and Daniels tumble to the outside. Kaz goes for the Fade to Black on Storm, but Storm flips out of it and nails a Last Call superkick and gets the pin to eliminate Kaz.
***KAZ IS ELIMINATED***
Meanwhile on the outside, Daniels and Roode are brawling, when Storm surprises everyone, hitting a pescado onto both competitors. Storm rolls Daniels back into the ring, and gets a 2 count. Daniels is able to turn the tide, until Roode interjects himself back into the match, tossing Daniels to the outside. Roode helps Storm to his feet, and lays down, telling Storm to pin him. Storm is confused, and turns around to run right into a Daniels superkick. Roode gets to his feet and runs right into a Daniels boot to the midsection, followed by the Angels Wings and a pinfall elimination.
***BOBBY ROODE IS ELIMINATED***
Daniels takes a breather as Storm drags himself back into the ring. Storm and Roode go face to face, trading blows. Suddenly Roode runs at Daniels, going for a spear, but Daniels moves, and Roode spears Storm. Roode is dismayed, and gets dumped from the ring by Daniels, before Daniels nails the BME on Storm for the pin.
Winner and still champion: Christopher Daniels
Rating: 81%
OVERALL RATING: 78%
Impact got a 4.93 rating. Attendance was 4003