TNA Impact! Wrestling Review and Thoughts: June 16

The June 16th edition of TNA Impact! Wrestling kicked off with a video package from last week's Slammiversary pay-per-view.

Afterward, Mr. Anderson then enters to the ring. The ring is decorated with games, drinks and a table full of food for Mr. Anderson's TNA World Championship title party. Before he can enjoy it all for himself, Gunner interrupts. Gunner says that since he helped Mr. Anderson and beat Sting on last week's Impact, he deserves a title shot. Mr. Anderson ignores that request, takes a sip of beer and splashes it over Gunner. Gunner then slams Mr. Anderson through a table.

Hernandez vs. Brother Devon

Your winner via disqualification: Brother Devon. Quick opening match, but pretty physical between two large men in the ring.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Backstage we see Mr. Anderson and Eric Bischoff, with a quick shot of Kurt Angle, before going to commercial. Back from break, Angle is out in the ring to talk about Slammiversary, announcing he will be trying out for the Olympic wrestling team. However, Jeff Jarrett comes out and says he wants one final shot at Angle. Angle says that if Jarrett agrees to move to Mexico and get legal documents, he would accept. They decide to have a street fight later on Impact!

A Bound For Glory Series announcement is made, naming all the wrestlers who qualify and a point system. Whoever wins gets a title shot at Bound For Glory.  

Kid Kash vs. Jimmy Rave vs. Austin Aries-X Division Qualifying Match

Your winner: Austin Aries. Very good match, best of the night. Full of action both in and out of the ring, with plenty of life and energy. This was X-Division quality for sure.

Match Rating: 4.5/5

Velvey Sky and Miss Tessmacher vs. Rosia and Sarita for Knockouts Tag Team Championship

Your winner: Rosita and Sarita. Pretty solid tag team match. Good showing for the Knockouts division.

Match Rating: 3/5

Backstage, Sting meets with Hulk Hogan. Hulk gives Sting his TNA championship rematch for July 14th on Impact! Wrestling. Sting is shocked and asks if "the real Hulk Hogan is back?" After denial from Hogan, Sting asks Hulk if this is the legacy he wants to leave behind in wrestling. Sting gets into a very heated argument with Hogan, screaming about his legacy when Hulk was full of light and a team player in WCW. He again questions if this is the legacy Hogan wants to leave behind. He wipes out Hogan's desk and shoves Hulk into his chair. Sting paints Hogan's face red in anger and keeps questioning him, then leaves.

PERAGINE'S SIDE NOTE: I am not the only person who believes this was probably the best backstage segment in 2011. Hogan and Sting did an amazing job. It seemed not only very believable but real and based on facts. Sting poured his heart out in this segment and that's what made it exciting to watch.

Samoa Joe v.s Rob Van Dam

Your winner: Rob Van Dam. Solid match all around with good action. I enjoyed the clean finish as well.

Match Rating: 4/5

Gunner vs. Mr. Anderson

Your winner: Gunner. Not a bad main event. I had no problem with Gunner winning because he's in the middle of a major push that TNA is giving him, beating two world champions in a row. Question is: Could Gunner get over and live up to his potential?

Match Rating: 3/5

To finish Impact! Wrestling, we see Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett fighting outside, surrounded by cars and wrestlers. Angle gets the best of Jarrett, and it appears that Jeff is headed to Mexico.  

PERAGINE'S SIDE NOTE: Very interesting and different way to end a wrestling show. Kind of liked it because it was different.

Overall Show Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)

I felt this week's edition was a good, solid show to watch. We got to see some pretty good matches, possibly the finest backstage segment in 2011 and the focus on bringing back former X-Division stars to TNA to compete in the upcoming pay per view. I think it's safe to say this show was good.