TNA Impact Wrestling: Anderson vs. Ray and 4 Other Things We Learned Last Night

Last night was TNA’s go-home episode of Impact Wrestling before Hardcore Justice this Sunday. 

They have been on a role lately in terms of their shows. While there were some letdowns last night, it was still a good show. 

From Immortal slowly dying from the inside to the Bound for Glory Series advancing, last night we learned some things that will certainly shape TNA as the summer comes to an end. 

So here are five things we learned from last night’s show.

5. Samoa Joe Is Going to Kill Someone

Storyline wise of course.  Joe has been on quite the losing streak the past month or two.  He hasn’t won a single match since his feud with D’Angelo Dinero, and that was a while ago. 

When the Bound for Glory Series started I was hoping that things were going to look up for the Samoan Submission Machine, but they haven’t.  Whether he was wrestling for points on Impact Wrestling or at house shows, Joe hasn’t won a single match. 

Last night he defeated Dinero with his rear-naked choke thus gaining 10 points.  Things took a turn for the worse when Joe wouldn’t let go of the hold.  The referee reversed his decision and disqualified Joe.  Dinero gained three points as a result and Joe now has -10 points. 

Backstage, he let out his frustrations and declared that the blood will be on TNA’s hands. 

It makes me wonder what he’s going to do.  Is he going to sabotage the BFGS by trying to take everyone out?  Or is he just going to go on a complete rampage?  Only time will tell.

4. New X-Division Talents Are on the Way

Out with the old, in with the new I suppose. Amazing Red just left TNA so I guess the company is trying to make up for it with new, and possible some old, faces. 

We already know that TNA has signed Zema Ion after his performance at Destination X.  The way Mike Tenay announced it; it sounded like there was going to be more than one. 

So who’s coming in? Personally I hope to see Jack Evans.  He was no doubt the standout performer in his Destination X qualifying match as well as the pay-per-view itself.

As for old faces, I still hold hope that TNA will bring back the Canadian Destroyer Petey Williams.

No matter who they bring in, or bring back, the X-Division is something to be excited about once again.

3. Mr. Anderson vs. Bully Ray at Hardcore Justice

Ever since Anderson joined Immortal, he and Ray have been at each others' throats. They’re two very different people and they clash on a regular basis. 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen Ray play the cowardly heel and volunteer Anderson for matches.  Just last week he got Anderson into a steel cage match with Kurt Angle.  Ray even cost him the match. 

Last night, they had a war of words before Fortune came out to attack.  Anderson wanted a match at Hardcore Justice, but Ray spit in his face. Backstage, Ray apologized only to attack Anderson. Before the end of the show we learned that the match was on.

Immortal is slowly starting to fall apart.

They’ve got two members fighting in Anderson and Ray, Abyss is in the “doghouse” for losing the X-Division Title, Jeff Jarrett’s ego after winning the AAA World Title is now bigger than the faction and Gunner is on his way to the TNA World Title through the BFGS.

Then there’s Scott Steiner, but he’s just kind of there.

Anderson and Ray are going to have a very physical match this Sunday, and it’s also the first step in the death of Immortal.

2. Crimson Still Leads the BFGS but RVD Is Closing in

Last night we got three Bound for Glory Series matches. 

First, Devon defeated AJ Styles to gain seven points in a good match.

Then Pope gained three points in the situation I described in my first slide.

Then RVD gained seven when he and Crimson defeated Steiner and Gunner in a good tag match.

Crimson leads the whole series with 40 points, but after last night’s win Van Dam now has 35. Devon isn’t far behind with 30 points. 

This Sunday at the PPV, we’ll get two BFGS matches.  The first is D’Angelo Dinero vs. Devon and the other is Rob Van Dam vs. Crimson. Dinero desperately needs the points as he only has 10.  The series ends next month at No Surrender so time is running out.

Who will be the final four come September? Who will go on to face Sting, or whoever is champion, at Bound for Glory? We’ll just have to wait and see.

1. Sting and Kurt Angle Respect Each Other During a Boring Contract Signing

The main even last night was a contract signing between Sting and Kurt Angle. They went to the ring, signed the contract, and said how much they respect each other and why they need the title.

That was it.

When I mentioned earlier there were a few letdowns last night, this was one of them. When you say “wrestling matters,” then have an uneventful contract signing instead of an actual main event, it’s a bit of a letdown.

I expected Hulk Hogan or Eric Bischoff to come to the ring and interrupt it but nothing happened.

I suppose it was a nice change from the normal contract signing, though. The majority of contract signings usually end with someone interfering or one beating down the other. So this was different, but I still walked away disappointed.

These two will no doubt have a great match at Hardcore Justice.

Hardcore Justice Is This Sunday

Last night was another good episode of Impact Wrestling, but did have some disappointments. This must be "disappoint the fans week" this week as some say WWE dropped the ball on Monday during Raw.

Hopefully Smackdown can make up for everything this week.

Either way, TNA is still on a role. This Sunday they present their next PPV in Hardcore Justice, and if Slammiversary and Destination X were any indication, it should be a great show. I look forward to the coming weeks in TNA. A lot is brewing, and I can't wait to see what the outcomes will be.