Impact Wrestling: Abyss Returns, Two Title Matches and More

TNA Impact Wrestling opened with world champion Bobby Roode. He went over the events of last week and bragged about his actions. He stated that in two weeks he’ll officially be the longest reigning world champion in TNA history and that nothing would stop his domination.

That brought out Rob Van Dam who got in a few punches before Roode ran off. Mr. Anderson cut him off, though, and Jeff Hardy soon joined in on the brawl.

TNA agents soon broke it up and Hulk Hogan came out to book a fatal-four way match. If either Hardy or Anderson won, they’d replace RVD in the match, but if RVD won, he’d be able to pick the stipulation for Sunday’s match. If Roode won, though, he could choose his own opponent.

This was a good opening segment, but TNA has had better. Roode was solid on the mic and the brawl was a nice touch. Hogan seemed to drag his part way too long, though.

He took up too much time saying something so simple.

Other than Hogan taking up more time that was needed, this segment did its job.

Backstage, Bully Ray put down Austin Aries. He was tired of being bullied by Aries and would make a statement later on. This was a strong promo by Bully Ray here. The cold look in his eyes really sold what he was saying. Bully Ray has improved so much over the past year and I think a world title is in his future.

Staying backstage, Gail Kim was complaining about Brooke Tessmacher to Madison Rayne. Madison was focusing on her clothes because there was “this guy.” Gail then left leaving Madison with her outfit dilemma.

While love story lines rarely interest me I’m glad it seems like Madison will be doing something other than being Gail’s lackey. I think she’s one of the most talented Knockouts on the roster and deserves better.

Velvet Sky vs. Brooke Tessmacher

Tessmacher picked up the win with her finisher in a decent match. Velvet dominated the majority of the contest until Tessmacher hit her finisher out of nowhere for the win.

Her victory here, and the ones she got over Gail the past few weeks, have all been out of nowhere. She would get beat up but then execute a surprise roll up for the win.

I don’t think she’s ready for a shot at the title. She has improved quite a bit since her wrestling debut in 2006, but she can’t hang in the ring with someone like a Gail Kim. These come-from-behind victories won’t help her in an actual wrestling match.

Post-match, Gail attacked Tessmacher and hit her Eat Defeat finisher. Tessmacher really doesn’t stand a chance.

Backstage, A.J. Styles had no comment on the subject of the photos Christopher Daniels and Kazarian had in their possession. I have no comment either. This particular Styles/Daniels feud has been going on for way too long. It just needs to end!

Staying backstage, Jeff Hardy declared that he had a match to win and that he’d end the Selfish Generation. I don’t think the Selfish Generation will be ending anytime soon. Roode as champion is the best thing to happen to TNA in a while and if he does lose, I highly doubt it would be to Hardy.

Crimson vs. Matt Morgan

Before Morgan could get to the ring, he was taken out by Bully Ray. After Morgan was taken out on a stretcher, Crimson forced the referee to make the 10 count and declare him the winner.

Despite being billed as their “final confrontation,” the Morgan/Crimson feud looks to be continuing. This is the worst possible way to end a feud if it really is the end.

No matter what happens, the fans certainly found out who Bully Ray will be feuding with after Austin Aries. In fact, a feud between Bully Ray and Matt Morgan could be quite the program.

Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion: X-Division Championship

Aries retained his title after hitting the Brainbuster. I thought that this was a great match. It had fast paced action throughout as both wrestlers performed quite well. The high flying moves were a nice touch and it really made me miss the X-Division.

The division has been absent for quite some time with it only be represented by the champion. There’s nothing wrong with seeing A Double, but last year’s Destination X was supposed to be the X-Division revival.

While it was going strong for a while, it stopped in its tracks when Aries started to feud with Bully Ray.

I think Aries needs to lose the belt so that not only can he continue his transition to the main event but so the X-Division can get back on track.

Its matches like this that show why the X-Division should be shown every week!

Backstage, Kazarian questioned Daniels on if they were doing the right thing. Daniels told him not to worry and they headed to the ring. I just hope that whatever this blackmail material is will be the final step in this feud ending.

Staying backstage, Rob Van Dam knows that he could beat them all. When he wins, he was going to go with a ladder match. A ladder match is actually a great idea. It’s a match that plays to RVD’s strengths and it won’t make him look weak wrestling-wise in the ring with Roode.

Daniels and Kazarian then appeared in the ring. They called out Styles who came out and told them to stop and that they were about to make a mistake, but Kazarian declared that it was Styles that made the mistake.

The heels then showed three pictures: one with Styles and Dixie Carter holding hands, one with him holding her face and the last one of him kissing her.

So it seems like they’re going with the “slept their way to the top” storyline. This is certainly different for this feud and it has gotten me interested in it again. I’m intrigued by where this will go next.

My only gripe is that it’ll bring Dixie back to television.

Devon vs. Robbie E: Television Championship

Devon retained his title after he just out right squashed Robbie. Post-match Robbie T attacked Devon and laid him out. This match’s sole purpose was to set up the triple threat match between the three of them for Sacrifice.

I actually like the idea of a triple threat featuring both Robbies. They’ll work together for part of the match but it won’t take long for Rob Terry to turn on Robbie E. Their gimmick has gotten stale and it’s about time for it to end.

A video package then aired of James Storm at home talking about letting the fans down and how he needed time for himself. It was actually a well-put together video that had a lot of emotion in it.

I think having Storm be away for a while is a good thing. His war with Roode is far from over, but they can’t feud throughout the entire year. It would get stale after a while.

This way Roode can take on new challengers and become a stronger champion than he already is. When Storm does return, the match will be huge!

Backstage, Joe Parks asks where the ring was and a crew member pointed it out to him. He then made his way to the ring and thanked Hogan for giving him this time.

When it came to Abyss, everything was pointing to Bully Ray. That brought out the bully who bullied Parks.

The brother of Abyss then started to screw with Bully Ray by saying that he was beaten by Abyss, his brother two weeks ago and beaten down by someone smaller than he was last week.

The bully pushed him down and walked out.

I originally thought this was going to be a horrible segment but it turned out to be the best one of the night. Parks was strong on the mic and played nervous very well.

Bully Ray was also quite strong and continues to prove why he’s one of the best heels in the business today.

What interests me most, though, is that he’s being taken down a few pegs lately. The bully is becoming the bullied. I think this will only make his character stronger in the end.

Backstage, Mr. Anderson declared that he will win the match, gain revenge on Roode for the beer bottle shot, and take back the title. With the way things are going, I think Anderson will end up being Roode’s next challenger when he’s finished with Rob van Dam.

Staying backstage, Kurt Angle said he didn’t care about Styles’ problems and that Styles should be concentrating on him. I’m quite disappointed that Angle didn’t wrestle at all tonight. At least his match with Styles on Sunday should be a classic.

Bobby Roode vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson

RVD picked up the victory with the Five-Star Frog Splash and officially chose a ladder match for the stipulation to his match with Roode at Sacrifice.

I thought that this was a good match that featured constant action. All four wrestlers performed well and it made for a fun match to watch.

With Hardy vs. Anderson already booked for Sacrifice, it was pretty obvious that Van Dam was going to win this match. With their first encounter already being a gimmick match, I think Roode/RVD will be ending this Sunday.

While I really hope that TNA bring back the King of the Mountain match for Slammiversary next month, I think the main event will end up being Bobby Roode vs. Mr. Anderson.

As Van Dam celebrated at the top of a ladder, some familiar blue flames burst out of the stage. Abyss then made his return to TNA and he had something to say.

Talking to his brother Joe, Abyss simple said, “You’re getting too close to the fire. Back off before you get burned!”

Abyss’ cryptic message to his brother had all four participants of the fatal-four way shocked. I think some of the fans were as well. The Monster came out of hiding to tell his brother to back off? I’m quite interested to hear the explanation as to why.

Overall, I thought this was a decent episode of Impact Wrestling. This ends a long string of good shows.

Only two matches were really worth watching while both in-ring segments were good, but the Bully Ray/Joe Parks one was without a doubt the best.

There were way too many backstage segments this week and I felt it messed with the flow of the show.

While this week’s show had some good points, I was disappointed with it overall.