TNA Impact! Wrestling Live: The Best Show Thus Far in 2012

TNA Wrestling has been on a roll in recent weeks, producing quality shows despite lower ratings. The June 13th, 2012 edition of Impact! Wrestling could certainly qualify as TNA's best show thus far in 2012. With WWE's current roster growing very thin, TNA is seeking the opportunity to impress people, and they sure did a very good job of that on this edition of Impact! Wrestling.

The show opens with a video package recapping James Storm's journey back to TNA. We get the fireworks and kick off Impact! Wrestling with an X-Division match.

Zema Ion versus Chris Sabin versus Austin Aries for the X-Division Title

Your winner and still champion, Austin Aries. It appeared Sabin had injured his knee during the match, which put a downer on the opening match. However, I enjoyed that it kicked off the show with some pretty good wrestling. 

Match Rating: 3.5/5

After the match, Aries talks about himself and what he has accomplished in TNA. Hulk Hogan interrupts and said he has been places where Aries has not yet experienced in his career. Hogan sees Aries going to a new level in his career and offers him a deal. Hogan said he will book Aries to face whoever the TNA champion is at Destination X, but Aries must relinquish the title to do so. Hogan gives him one week to decide.

(Peragine's Quick Take: A very nice move by TNA to get an X-Division star involved in a big picture with the Heavyweight title. Aries has so much potential, and TNA is doing right to get him in contention.)

Bully Ray and Joseph Park are backstage. Ray demands to find Park's brother, Abyss.

Hernandez versus Devon for the TNA TV Title

Your winner and still champion, Devon. A power-versus-power match. Both very strong, large men battling it out with some hard hits. Devon continues to look good in the ring and seems to have found a comfort zone being a singles wrestler.

Match Rating: 3/5

AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, Magnus, Bully Ray, Kurt Angle, The Pope, Robbie E, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and James Storm in a Bound For Glory Series Gauntlet Match

Your winner, James Storm. The Bound for Glory Series got off to a terrific start. A very nice, pay-per-view-quality feature on free television. Lots of in ring work and an entertaining match.

Match Rating: 4.5/5

James Storm speaks after the match on once again becoming the TNA champion.

Bobby Roode is backstage to discuss the James Storm situation.

Kurt Angle and AJ Styles talk in the locker room. Angle tells Styles to get his head together.

Madison Rayne versus Ms. Tessmacher

Your winner, Ms. Tessmacher. Nothing too much to write about with this match. It is good that TNA is keeping the Knockouts fresh on this episode and help it guide to the main event.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Brooke Hogan and Gail Kim are backstage talking.

Mr. Anderson versus Bobby Roode for the TNA World Title

Your winner and still champion, Bobby Roode. A pretty solid main event. Keeping the belt on Roode is the best decision. Roode is on a major roll right now and he is being built as an unstoppable force in pro wrestling. 

Match Rating: 3/5

Styles and TNA President Dixie Carter announce they will address their situation next week on Impact!

Jeremy Borash introduces Sting to the ring. Sting says Slammiversary was one of the best nights in his career. He thanks for Jarret family for beginning TNA and Dixie Carter, but he's suddenly interrupted by three masked men who attack him in the ring as the show closes.

My Final Thoughts

As the headlines states, this was the best show thus far in 2012. TNA really stepped it up in this edition of Impact! Wrestling. The matches were entertaining, there was plenty of good wrestling, they did a good job promoting upcoming pay-per-views like Destination X and Bound For Glory and it was a show that had good pace. People may even say this was the best show in the Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff era in TNA Wrestling.

There was also a very hot crowd all night long until it died down slightly when the show left viewers in a cliffhanger on the three masked men, though the audience began to chant Hogan's name to come out for the save.

Hogan also did an excellent job giving Aries a serious boost by having an X-Division star in the main-event picture. TNA got it right by Hogan giving Aries the boost, as it learned its mistake of pushing Garrett Bischoff. Now it is focused on an X-Division star.

WWE's roster is extremely thin. This was the same situation back in 1996 when WCW began to grow past WWE. TNA is producing some terrific television as of late, with last night potentially being the best episode in the Hogan/Bischoff era. If more people begin to watch, TNA could certainly catch WWE's eyes.