10-6-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the October 6, 2011 episode of Impact

They show Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff in the parking garage.

The show starts with Beer Money coming to the ring and they talk about the match they have against each other later tonight. Roode mentions that at first he was upset about having to face his family, but he says that it has been preparing him for Kurt Angle. Storm & Roode both promised that they would be at their best tonight. This was a really good segment to start the show.

They show Sting backstage wearing a “Hulkamania” t-shirt & red jacket.

They show Hulk Hogan making his TNA debut form January 4, 2010.

Frankie Kazarian vs. Gunner. Kazarian wins by reverse decision DQ. Gunner got the submission win with a cross arm breaker, but he wouldn’t release the hold right away after the match and Kaz got the DQ win. This was a good match but I thought the decision reversal came too fast. Gunner only had the hold on Kazarian a few seconds after he tapped. 

Ken Anderson comes to the ring and says that he’s never been good at apologizing but he wanted to say to his fans that he was sorry. He talks about how he’s not a political guy and talks about how he joined Immortal and says that it was a dumb decision. He says that having been part of Immortal he learned that Bully Ray is a douche. Ray comes out and they go back and forth on the mic, Ray then says that he’s not giving him another match and Anderson then challenges him to a Falls Count Anywhere Match at Bound For Glory. This was a decent segment. Anderson’s promo was a mixed bag, but Ray as always was good on the mic.

They show James Storm & Bobby Roode getting ready for their match.

Backstage the cameraman asks Eric Bischoff about Hulk Hogan’s “retirement”. He says that this is the end of an era. What ever. I was not a fan of this promo.

Brian Kendrick promo backstage talking about his match with Austin Aries at Bound For Glory and Kid Kash comes in and attacks him. This was a decent segment.

Mickie James & Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne & Knockouts Champion Winter. Winter & Madison win when Madison pins Velvet. This was a decent match that had a screwy finish. What match in TNA doesn’t?

They show Jeff Hardy walking backstage.

They show Hulk Hogan & Abyss coming to the ring from March 8, 2010, the start of the short lived Monday night run.

Kurt Angle is backstage complaining to Bischoff about Jeff Hardy being at the show and wants to take care of him, but Bischoff says that he will do it.

Eric Bischoff comes out and tells Jeff Hardy to come to the ring. Jeff comes out and Bischoff rags on him for messing up and that Jeff is officially done with TNA after he let everyone down. Jeff says that he has one thing to say and Bischoff tells him he can say goodbye. Jeff then kicks Bischoff and gives him the Twist of Fate. Immortal then comes out and he hops over the guard rail into the crowd. This segment was ok. I’m not really a fan of either guy. Bischoff’s promo dragged a bit, but Jeff’s comeback was intense.

Jeff Hardy is backstage apologizing for the mistakes that he made, but he said that if he is out of TNA it will be on his terms. Nice intense promo from Jeff.

They show Hulk Hogan from March 3 this year, the night that he “gained control” of TNA from Dixie Carter.

Crimson vs. Samoa Joe. Crimson gets the pin. This was ok. The finish came out of no where. Joe was working on Crimson’s ankle and Crimson cradled him just like that.

Bully Ray backstage saying that Anderson is crazy for challenging him to a falls count anywhere match in Philly where he started. He then says screw Anderson and Philly because he’s from New York City. This was another good promo from Ray.

James Storm is backstage saying that he’s glad that Roode gets to challenge Kurt Angle at BFG but he is also happy for himself and that he knew they would have a match one day.

They show a Bobby Roode video package recapping his 9 years in TNA. They had comments from Roode’s parents too.  This was really well done. I hope they have Roode win the Title!

Bobby Roode vs. James Storm. Roode gets the pin. During the match there was a ref bump and Kurt Angle came out and attacked Storm outside the ring while Roode was out of it. Angle then tossed Storm back into the ring, Roode came to and had Storm pinned but Storm kicked out the last second. Roode then got the pin with the Fisherman Suplex. This was great back and forth match and easily the highlight of the show this week.

They show Hulk Hogan backstage and his “retirement ceremony” is next.

Hulk Hogan comes out for his “retirement” speech and he talks about his 30 years in the business and thanks the fans. The fans chanted thank you Hogan. He then picks up a Hulkamania weight belt and he then says that Hulkamania had the longest run ever and now it’s time to put it to rest and to let the celebration begin. Sting then comes out and says that no one believes Hogan and this is why. He plays a video of Hogan & Bischoff mocking the fans for believing Hogan’s bit and that the idea was to sell more Hulk Hogan merchandise. (Ok, I’m not sure what that has to do with this). Hogan then cuts a promo and says that he will face Sting at Bound For Glory and says that if Sting wins he will give the company back to Dixie Carter. Sting then says that he got what he wanted. Whoop a de do, we get to see Sting vs. Hogan at BFG. A feud from more than 10 years ago that I doubt anyone is interested in seeing. This was stupid! Hogan tells Sting that he crossed the line with camera filming him and Bischoff? My brain is spinning! I’m beyond tired of the whole feud and hope they end it at BFG!

I thought that this show had its ups and downs. The Storm-Roode promo at the start was great as was their match. I really hope the give Roode the Title. I hated that they built the whole night around Hogan’s “retirement” and then it doesn’t happen. I read the spoilers so I knew what was coming, but it was still idiotic. Overall I would say this was a mixed bag show.