TNA Impact Wrestling Preview: The Sting/Hulk Hogan Saga Is Nearing an End

TNA’s biggest show of the year is a little over three weeks away. Bound for Glory will be the end of a very long storyline between the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan and the “Icon” Sting.

Also, thanks to the Bound for Glory series, we found out that TNA original Bobby Roode will be getting his shot at glory when he faces Kurt Angle for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

On last week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, TNA laid the foundation for more matches. Here is what TNA has confirmed for tonight’s episode.

Austin Aries vs. Jesse Sorensen: TNA X-Division Championship

Ever since July’s Destination X, the X-Division has been like its old self. While the division is not what it was when it first started, the division is given more of the spotlight each week on Impact Wrestling.

A few weeks ago at No Surrender, it seemed like the X-Division title match for Bound for Glory was set: Austin Aries defeated Brian Kendrick to win the title, and Jesse Sorensen defeated Kid Kash to become the No.1 contender.

Instead of TNA’s biggest show, we’re getting the match tonight.

Aries is no doubt one of the best talent in TNA and definitely the best in the X-Division. Sorensen has proven that he is a great in-ring talent. Whether he’s up against his fellow up-and-coming X-Division stars or a veteran like Kid Kash, Sorensen has been impressing everyone.

These two should have a great match, with the winner defending their title at Bound for Glory.

Mickie James vs. Brooke Tessmacher: Queen’s Qualifying Match

Last week, the Vice President of the Knockout’s Division, Karen Jarrett, revealed her plans for Winter and the TNA Knockout’s championship.

Six of TNA’s Knockout’s will be competing in singles matches. The three winners will compete at Bound for Glory against Winter in a fatal four-way match.

In the first match, Velvet Sky qualified by defeating Angelina Love. Velvet is finally getting her much-deserved title shot, but, unfortunately, she has more competition.

Tonight, we’ll get the second match, as former champion Mickie James takes on one-half of the TNA Knockout’s Tag Team Champions, Brooke Tessmacher. Can Mickie earn her rematch, or will Tessmacher get her first shot at the title?

Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam vs. Bully Ray and Jerry Lynn

We have two feuds going head-to-head here. Ever since Mr. Anderson was kicked out of Immortal and injured, he has wanted revenge. Even when he was a member of the faction, there was tension—especially between him and Bully Ray.

To put it simply, those two hate each other's guts.

Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn have a storied rivalry. Back in the days of Extreme Championship Wrestling, these two had many five-star matches over the ECW Television Title and various other matches.

Their paths would cross once more, now in TNA. They had a great match at Hardcore Justice, and ever since then, Lynn has been costing Van Dam his matches. Lynn finally revealed that Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan got in his ear and told him he was better than Van Dam.

That brings us to tonight: Will these four take each other out, or will we see Mr. Anderson vs. Bully Ray and Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn at Bound for Glory?

Jeff Hardy Continues to Apologize

Last week, Jeff Hardy began to apologize to the TNA locker room. While he only got to two people, I think those two are good indications as to what the overall reactions to Hardy will be.

Hardy first went to the cornerstone of the company, A.J. Styles, but Styles didn’t even want to hear it. He told Hardy that he worked hard for nine years to get TNA where it is today, and that Hardy almost screwed up nine years of hard work in one night.

Devon, though, was more forgiving. He told Hardy that he had his back, and that he would be there to keep him in line and kick his ass if he got out.

How will the other members of the roster respond to Hardy apologizing to them? Will they have similar responses to Styles and Devon? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Bobby Roode to Face Another Member of Fortune

Bobby Roode is getting the opportunity of a lifetime as he challenges for the TNA World title at Bound for Glory. But, before that, he must get through his fellow members of Fortune—not by choice, though.

Champion Kurt Angle arranged for Roode to face each member of his stable before the pay-per-view. The way Angle sees it, the other members are jealous of Roode, and he wants that jealousy to show.

Last week, he defeated Kazarian in a great match. Which member of Fortune will he be facing tonight, and will it effect him in any way?

Hulk Hogan Reacts to Having to Face Sting at Bound for Glory

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for—or dreading; it depends on who you talk to.

Ever since Sting returned in March, he has been on a crusade to get rid of Immortal, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. His main focus, though, has been the Hulkster.

The Stinger wants the old Hogan to come forward and fight him. He doesn’t want Hogan the businessman, he wants Hogan the wrestler. After months of trying to get Hulk back into the ring, Sting may finally have his chance.

Last week, Sting defeated Ric Flair. If Sting had lost that match, he would have had to retire, but since he won, he gets Hogan.

So Sting has Hogan at Bound for Glory. The match isn’t official yet, though. How will Hogan respond to his inevitable match against his old nemesis? Will he try to get out of it, or will he man up and take the match? We should get our answers tonight.

The weeks leading to Bound for Glory should be must-see television, and tonight will be no different. TNA’s biggest PPV is shaping up to be great and, if they do it right, it could be the best wrestling PPV of the year between them and the WWE.

Bound for Glory has big shoes to fill in TNA Slammiversary and WWE Money in the Bank, but I think it can do it. Tonight's Impact Wrestling should hopefully be an indication of that.