TNA Impact! Wrestling Recap

The August 4th edition of TNA Impact! Wrestling opens with a video package of last week's show.  

Bully Ray and the rest of Immortal are out in the ring.  Ray tells the crowd to sit down and be quiet.  He introduces all of Immortal to the crowd.  Mr. Anderson takes the microphone and says this ring isn't big enough for both himself and Bully Ray.  Anderson claims Ray screwed him out of his match against Kurt Angle.  Ray asks Anderson who is he?  He slams Anderson, saying he only held the TNA World Heavyweight title for one week.  Anderson offers a match against Ray at Hardcore Justice.  However, a brawl begins to break out before Fortune interrupts.

Kazarian leads Fortune to the ring and another brawl occurs.  Fortune takes care of Immortal, who is having its own problems from within.

Madison Rayne versus Miss Tessmacher

Your winner, Miss Tessmacher.  It was a very short opening match.  Both Miss Tessmacher and Mickie James, who was on commentary, were attacked afterwards.

Match Rating: 2/5

We get a quick Bound For Glory series scoreboard update.  

Devon versus A.J. Styles (Bound For Glory Series Match)

Your winner, Devon.  It was a decent match between the two.  Christopher Daniels distracted Styles by showing up randomly outside the ring.  This could set up a potential feud.  Devon, who looks to be in very good shape, also saw The Pops again with his family after the match.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Samoa Joe versus The Pope (Bound For Glory Series Match)

Your winner, The Pope.  Samoa Joe had the victory but due to his inability to let go of The Pope in his submission after the match, the referee reversed the decision.  Joe still does not have any points but we saw him in a different light after the match.  A very dangerous Samoa Joe may be in order.  

Match Rating: 3/5

Bobby Roode versus Hernandez (Street Fight)

Your winner, Hernandez.  It was a very physical street fight match and fun to watch.  I'm glad TNA let a match like this play out longer, and it was a solid street fight match.

Match Rating: 4/5

Austin Aries versus Alex Shelley

Your winner, Austin Aries.  It was a very good X-Division match with plenty of action and a quick paced. After the match, Brian Kendrick came out for the save.  It was again good showcasing again for the division.

 (Quick note: Mike Tenay announced that TNA will be showcasing newly signed X-Division wrestlers)

Match Rating: 4.5/5

We see Eric Young's video from his recent Hollywood acting session.  Kurt Angle is shown inside a TNA production truck with Jeremy Borash reviewing his past with Sting.  Pretty cool scene set up with Angle inside a production truck rather somewhere backstage or in the ring.  

Gunner and Scott Steiner versus Crimson and Rob Van Dam (Bound For Glory Series Match)

Your winners, Rob Van Dam and Crimson.  Another really good wrestling match with plenty of action.  Afterwards, it set up the Rob Vam Dam and Crimson match with an interview outside the ring.  With Crimson's unbeaten streak on the line, this should be his biggest challenge to date.

Match Rating: 4/5

Kurt Angle is introduced first by Jeremy Borash for the TNA Hardcore Justice World Title contract. Sting is introduced next.  Angle signs the contract, followed by Sting.

Angle then gets the opportunity to speak.  He says Sting is a great wrestler, somebody who didn't deal with politics.  However, Angle says he's coming for him at Hardcore Justice.  Sting says he is a big fan of Angle and tells everyone he is the greatest all-around wrestler he has faced.  Sting continues to praise Angle, even saying he's the greatest technical wrestler in pro wrestling.

Sting says the TNA World Heavyweight title means a ton to him.  He then mentions that before he retires, he made a promise to get the company out of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's hands and give it back to Dixie Carter.  Losing is not an option for Sting.

Overall Impact! Wrestling Rating: 3.5/5

Overall Grade: B

PERAGINE'S THOUGHTS:

This week's edition of TNA Impact! Wrestling was a solid show and an improvement from last Thursday night.  It took the show a bit to turn into high gear but as it progressed, it got very good. Here are some highlights of the show:

We got to see more wrestling this week.  The last three matches before the show ended were well put with plenty of action and tons of fun to watch.  The main event was surprisingly good.  Austin Aries and Alex Shelley had another solid X-Division showcase match and the street fight between Bobby Roode and Hernandez was physical. 

TNA also did well on giving fans a reason to buy Hardcore Justice.  It's shaping up to be a good pay per view and Impact! Wrestling delivered on the final hype.  Also, Samoa Joe may be heading in the right direction after he snapped.  This could be a major push coming forth.

Overall, a solid show to watch.