TNA Impact Wrestling: Complete Preview, Rumors, News and More for January 30
Last week’s Feast or Fired match shook the landscape of Impact Wrestling to its core, and TNA Wrestling fans are ready to see what happens now with the briefcases and the company’s world heavyweight championship.
Bobby Lashley is the reigning world champion, but after MVP stole the belt and the two men fought on the streets of NYC, Bobby Roode closed last week’s broadcast holding the title. After Roode came to save Lashley from The Beat Down Clan, the championship scene looks wide open.
Add in a Monsters Ball match between Jeff Hardy and Abyss, as well as Triple Threat match for the Knockouts Championship, and wrestling fans can’t afford to miss Friday’s Impact Wrestling.
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Here is all the vital viewing information for this week’s episode of TNA’s flagship show.
Where: Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, New York City
When: Friday, January 30
Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
Watch: Destination America
The TNA World Heavyweight Championship Scene
The TNA World Heavyweight Championship scene is one of the most intriguing in all of wrestling, and another wrinkle was added last week when Austin Aries won a world title shot in the Feast or Fired match.
Current champion Lashley had his belt stolen by MVP two weeks ago, and last week’s show ended with Roode holding the belt. With three viable challngers and a champion looking to get his title back, the TNA title scene has become must-watch programming.
Question on Everybody's Mind: How Will Aries Impact the Title Picture?
Aries is arguably the most talented wrestler on the roster and deserves to be at the top of every TNA card. With his world title briefcase, Aries has become the ultimate wild card in the feud between MVP, Lashley and Roode.
When asked about when he plans on cashing in his world title shot, Aries told ImpactWrestling.com:
"For a man like Austin Aries, opportunity is always just around the corner. First, I created Option C and won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Then, last year, I used Option C once more. Now, I find myself in possession of the most coveted Feast or Fired briefcase. I won't tell you when I'll use it just yet... I'll let that be a surprise. Maybe it's a week, maybe it's a month. But I'm hungry and, soon, I'm going to FEAST!
"
TNA has done a great job resetting the company, and one more title change this early in the run with Destination America would be reasonable. Lashley and Roode have been great, but with the success of Daniel Bryan in the WWE as the ultimate underdog, Aries should be booked the exact same way.
"#FEASTorFIRED kept me on the edge of my seat. Awesome! @IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/ndLsaNjaSo
— Jack Cain (@mrjackcain) January 24, 2015"
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Possible Championship Matches
One of the reasons Aries' inclusion in the title scene is so intriguing is all the possible matchups that it can create. The clearest choice is a four-way match for the world title, but any combination of the four men could spawn two separate feuds.
The hope is that Lashley eventually drops the title back to Roode. MVP and Lashley could continue the marquee storyline they have created, and Aries could successfully cash in on Roode after the champion defeats challenger Eric Young.
The future is bright for the world title scene.
TNA News: Impact Wrestling’s Rating for Last Week’s Episode, via Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com.
Monsters Ball, Briefcases and Knockouts Triple Threat, Oh My!
One of the most intriguing matches on Thursday’s show will be the Monsters Ball match between Jeff Hardy and Abyss. With a tag team title match between The Hardys and The Revolution looming, this is the perfect precursor.
As for what to expect, the Monsters Ball match is always filled with violence, and Hardy and Abyss are two of the best at dishing it out. Jeff will bring the high-flying spots, and Abyss will bring the unbridled madness needed to make this hardcore match leave a lasting impression.
Question on Everybody's Mind: How Will the Other Briefcase Winners React?
Much of the focus may be on Aries and when he will cash in his world title shot, but Magnus and Rockstar Spud also pulled down briefcases. When Magnus cashes in his tag team title shot and Spud cashes in his X-Division briefcase will be major storylines to watch.
Magnus and Bram teased tension last week, but they clearly need each other. The hope is that the two reunite and become the strong team many hoped for them initially. On the other hand, with Low Ki as the current X-Division champion, Rockstar Spud will be holding onto the briefcase for a while.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Legitimate Women’s Divisions
The talk over the last several weeks has been about Havok going head-to-head with Awesome Kong, but Friday will feature Taryn Terrell, Gail Kim and Madison Rayne squaring off for the TNA Knockouts Championship.
While there is no doubt the three-way bout will be interesting, the previous attacks from Havok should lead to interference. Add in Awesome Kong interjecting herself into the top storyline, and this will be a must-see matchup.
TNA Rumors: Update on Bobby Lashley’s Injury, according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingInc.com.
For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).
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