Impact Wrestling: Open Fight Night, a World Title Match, Sting Returns and More

TNA Impact Wrestling’s Open Fight Night opened backstage with general manager Hulk Hogan and the four possible challengers for Bobby Roode.

Hogan went over the script of the show and asked Kurt Angle, A.J. Styles, Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray why they thought they deserved a shot at the title later on. After each gave their reasons, Hogan eliminated Bully Ray.

This was an interesting way to open the show. I liked it, but at the same time I didn’t.

I liked it because it was different. You don’t really see any promotion going into the things Hogan got into in the beginning.

I didn’t like it because it dragged the decision out throughout the entire night. I thought it would have been better if Hogan chose one right there so that they could have hyped the match the whole night.

ODB and Eric Young vs. Gail Kim and Madison Rayne

After Knockouts champion Gail Kim challenged the Knockouts tag team champions with Madison by her side, the heels picked up the victory after Madison tripped ODB and grabbed her legs to prevent her from kicking out.

This was a decent match that featured some good action with the actual Knockouts. The match was downgraded to “decent” due to Eric Young.

Seeing ODB fight with Gail and Madison was producing a good match but as soon as EY got into the ring his usual shenanigans began. While he actually performed some moves this time, Young has no business holding one-half of the Knockouts Tag Team Championship.

I love that ODB has the title, but EY should be replaced by an actual woman.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan was on the phone with someone. That someone was on their way and Hogan seemed excited. As soon as the segment ended, only one name came to mind: Sting. There really was no other person it could have been.

Rob Van Dam vs. Gunner

After Rob Van Dam challenged Gunner to the match, the Whole F’N Show picked up the victory with a massive Five-Star Frog Splash.

The match was too short for my liking but RVD’s awesome frog splash made up for it. The man jumped about three quarters of the way across the ring!

When RVD returned before Lockdown, I was wondering if TNA was going to bring up that Gunner put him on the shelf in January. I got my answer here, but it seems like that’s it.

I’d like to see them go further into a feud but I think this is the end.

Gunner is quite the underappreciated talent in TNA. He’s got the skills to be a star but he doesn’t get the opportunity to do so. I hope that by the end of the year, Gunner will be involved in some kind of storyline that matters.

Devon vs. Garret Bischoff: Television Championship

After Garret’s performance last week, Devon challenged him to a match thus giving him a shot at the title. The match was actually going pretty well until the Robbie’s ran in and attacked both wrestlers.

Garret was showing some skill inside the ring, which is a huge leap forward compared to his previous matches. His training seems to be paying off.

Post-match, Devon and Garret ended up beating down the Robbie’s and chasing them off.

I guess this means that Devon’s feud with Robbie E and Robbie T isn’t quite over yet, though I wish it was. I’m getting a little bored with seeing this feud and I hope it comes to an end at Slammiversary.

I suspect a fatal-four way match between the four involved here.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan praised the remaining three wrestlers but ultimately eliminated Jeff Hardy. I’m quite glad Hardy didn’t get the title shot. He has already received too many shots this year, and it was time for someone else.

Plus, Styles or Angle would be able to have a better match with Roode than Hardy could have.

Bully Ray then made his way to the ring. He was in a bad mood and wanted to take it out on the fans. He knew that Joseph Park was in the audience, though, and wanted to deal with him first.

Park then made his way to the ring and declared that he can tell if someone is guilty by looking at their eyes. He put Bully Ray on trial with the audience being the jury. The verdict was “guilty” so the bully punched Park in the gut and hit him with his chain.

I thought this was quite the good segment. Bully Ray is pure gold on the mic and has really become a great heel over the past year or so. He is the true definition of a bully and he’s able to get under the skin of the fans because of it.

Abyss is playing the part of his brother very well. Hearing him stutter and seeing him shake while talking on the mic really adds to the character.

I’m interested to see where this is all going.

Austin Aries vs. Joey Ryan: Gut Check Match

The X-Division champion picked up the victory after the Brainbuster. This was a good match that featured some very good back-and-forth action.

Aries continued to prove why he is the “Greatest Man Who Ever Lived.” He is without a doubt one of the best TNA has and they’d be crazy not to do everything they can to keep him happy and in the company.

Losing him would certainly be a major loss.

I have heard of Joey Ryan before, but I have never seen him actually wrestle. I was quite impressed with his ability in the ring and his unique look.

TNA could benefit greatly by having him on the roster, more specifically in the X-Division. I think he’d make a great champion once Aries moves to the main event.

Bobby Roode vs. A.J. Styles: World Heavyweight Championship

After Hogan dragged out his decision, he finally chose Styles to face Roode.

The finish saw Styles a bit too distracted by the possibility of Christopher Daniels and Kazarian coming out, so Roode took advantage and hit the Payoff for the victory.

These two TNA originals had a hell of a match here. They kept a good pace throughout their 20-plus minute match, delivering some nice action from start to finish. Roode and Styles know each other very well in the ring and it showed here.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Styles’ feud with Daniels and Kazarian isn’t over yet, I’d say they should have a rematch at Slammiversary.

At the same time, I’m still holding hope for the return of the King of the Mountain match.

TNA put on a great main event last week with Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe and they did it again here.

Post-match, Roode started to celebrate the fact that he broke Styles’ record for longest reigning champion. He called out Hogan to celebrate with him and after Roode had some champagne and rolled around in confetti, the Hulkster made his way out.

He declared that there was someone else who wanted to celebrate as well. The lights went out and Sting appeared in full gear behind Roode.

The Stinger attacked the champion and Hogan announced that next week’s live show will open with Bobby Roode vs. Sting in a lumberjack match.

I’m quite happy with Roode breaking the record. He’s been a hell of a champion and deserves the distinction of longest reigning champion in company history.

I enjoyed the return of Sting, though not so much that he immediately targeted Roode. As much of a fan I am of Sting, I don’t want to see him in the title hunt anymore, let alone the world champion.

Wrestling the occasional match is fine, but he needs to step aside and give others the opportunity.

Overall, I thought this was a good episode of Impact Wrestling, but I felt that last week was much better.

There was way too much Hogan this week, and the first hour kind of dragged. The second hour certainly made up for it, though.

When it comes to Open Fight Night, I’m in the middle with the concept. I like the idea of being able to challenge whoever you want, the Gut Check matches and seeing a title defended on television.

At the same time, storylines are sometimes pushed aside because of the concept.

This is only the second time TNA has done it, so I suppose they do need time to perfect it.