Coverage and thoughts on the May 24, 2012 final taped (for now) episode of Impact
The show starts with Hulk Hogan in his office reading the show format sheet. Bully Ray, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle & AJ Styles are in there too. Then he says that on Open Fight Night there will be more changes than he thought. Then he hands copies to Ray, Jeff, Angle & AJ. He talks about Bobby Roode becoming the longest champion in TNA history. Then Hulk mentions that AJ is currently the longest reigning champion. Hulk says that all the momentum is pushing them into a fast forward situation that the current formats don’t work anymore. Then they AJ, Angle & Ray talk about all the titles they’ve held. Hulk tells Ray to convince him why he deserves a title match. Ray says he’s been around for 20 years. Ray says that he is the most legit guy out of everyone in there. He says he could intimidate Hogan if he wanted to. Angle says he’s not intimidated and Ray says that Angle been intimated by him before. Then AJ says he doesn’t want Roode to become the longest running TNA Champion. Then Angle mentions that he beat AJ Styles at Sacrifice. Ray then turns to Jeff and he says that his plan is working perfectly. He doesn’t say a word while they argue. Jeff says to let the fans decide. Hulk says that there’s some good about Roode being champion but he still has to be stopped. Hulk says that he knows all 4 guys can beat him. Hogan then eliminates Ray from the picture. Ray says that Eric was right about Hulk. I wasn’t into this. I don’t get this whole crisis about Roode becoming the longest reigning champion in TNA history. I also thought that the winners of the “qualifying matches” last Thursday would be in a 4 Way match. Why do they have the 4 guys in Hogan’s office with Hogan deciding who gets the Title match!?
Gail Kim & Madison Rayne come out and she says that being her is great. She says that she is the current Knockouts Champion and the most dominant one in TNA history. She says that she is the Knockouts division. She says that she is the most important woman in TNA. She then says that she has a problem that the Knockouts tag titles are being held buy a guy. While this is happening, Madison
Knockouts Tag Team Champions Eric Young & ODB vs. Knockouts Champion Gail Kim & Madison Rayne. Gail & Madison win when Gail pins ODB. ODB had Gail set up for a fall away slam but Madison
They show Bobby Roode backstage going into his dressing room.
Hulk is on the phone in his office. He mentions that he made his first cut. Then he asks whoever it is he’s talking to if they’re still coming and that it’s been way too long.
Rob Van Dam comes to the ring and says that he’s been so focused on winning the World Title he forgot about settling some unfinished business. Then he tells Gunner to come out. Time for match # 2.
Rob Van Dam vs. Gunner. RVD gets the pin. This was a good but short match.
TV Champion Devon vs. Garrett Bischoff for the Title. The match goes to a no contest when Robbie E & Rob Terry come in and go after both guys. Robbie E gets in Devon ’s face. They go for a double clothesline but Devon clotheslines them both. Then Devon & Garrett take out Robbie E & Rob Terry. This wasn’t much either. Garrett looked better here however. Having the 2 Robbies come out and get taken out by Devon & Garrett was weak. Will there be any other challengers for Devon besides Robbie E & Rob Terry?
Back to Hulk in his office with the 3 remaining contenders. He mentions Angle’s accomplishments. He mentions Jeff has been good since he came back. Angle says that Hulk should pick him to be the challenger. Hulk then eliminates Jeff from the picture. Hulk says he will decide who gets the title match in the ring. Angle says he can get the job done.
Bully Ray comes to the ring and he does the “do you know who I am” bit. He says that Hulk must’ve forgotten who he is since he was the first eliminated from the title hunt. Ray says he’s in a bad mood and that means he will take it out on the fans. Then he mentions that someone came up to him today and asked him if knew that Joseph Park was in the arena. He finds Park sitting in the crowd. Ray tells him he’s tired of seeing him sitting with the fans. Then he tells him to get in the ring. Joseph reluctantly comes to ring side. Then he gets a mic and says that he isn’t a fighter or a wrestler and that he’s never been in a real fight. He says that he is a little intimated and asks if he can have some space. Then Joseph gets in the ring and says that all he ever wanted was answers about his brother disappearing. Then he mentions that all the facts pointed to Ray. Then Joseph says that he’s represented a lot of defendants over the years. He says he can tell by looking into a person’s eyes if they’re guilty. The fans chant guilty at Ray and Park says he didn’t tell them to do that. Joseph says that luckily for Ray he is entitled to a fair and speedy trail. Then he says that the jury is right here (the fans). The fans chant guilty at Ray. Then Joseph asks the fans what they think and they cheer for guilty. Then Ray his him in the gut with his chain. Then he hits him with the chain some more and then he picks up the mic and says, “Not guilty.” This was good. Ray is a really good heel and I’m getting more into the Joseph Park Character.
They show a Joey Ryan video package with him mentioning that he’s always been a wrestling fan. He says that it’s in his heart forever. Good video.
Jeremy Borash is in the ring with Al Snow & Joey Ryan. JB talks about the Gut Check Challenge. He says that Al and other judges will decide if Ryan gets a TNA contract. Then Borash asks Ryan if he’s ready. Ryan says he is. Austin Aries comes to the ring. Time for match # 5.
X Division Champion Austin Aries vs. Joey Ryan. Aries gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.
They show the Sting-Hulk Hogan match from Bound For Glory this past October. This was idiotic when it happened. Why are they showing this as a top 10 moment?
Bobby Roode comes to the ring to find out who he will defend the title against next. Then AJ Styles comes to the ring. Then Kurt Angle. Finally Hulk Hogan comes out on the stage pyro and all. Hogan says he thought this would be one of the toughest decisions he’s had to make. He says no matter who he picks he can’t make a wrong decision. Then he puts over both Angle & AJ. Hulk then says that because AJ knows Roode better than anybody he gets the title match tonight. Angle gives AJ a nod of approval and walks out. Match # 6
AJ Styles vs. TNA World Champion Bobby Roode for the Title. Roode gets the pin. This was a really good back and forth match! During the match they show Hulk Hogan watching the match in the production truck and some guy tells him that his guest has arrived. Daniels & Kazarian watched from the stage.
Afterwards Roode says history has been made. He says that he is officially the longest reigning world champion in TNA history. He says it’s time to celebrate. He asks for his champagne. Val gives him the bottle and a glass. Roode tells Val to give him a second glass. Then he says that for the celebration of domination to take place Hulk Hogan should come out and celebrate with him. Roode says that he can celebrate without Hulk. Then he asks for his confetti. The confetti comes down from the ceiling. Then Hulk Hogan comes out again and says he had the deck completely stacked against Roode. He says he didn’t realize how good Roode really is. Roode drinks out of the bottle. Then Hulk says that he’s glad Roode asked him to come out. He congratulates Roode and says that he has Hulk’s respect. Then Hulk says that for Roode to hang on to the belt the hard work has just begun. Then Hogan says that there is someone else who wants to celebrate with Roode. Then the lights go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring. Roode turns around and Sting clotheslines Roode out of the ring. Then Hogan announces that Impact will be on at starting next week. Then he says that the first match on next week’s show will be Sting vs. Bobby Roode in a lumber jack match. Roode is on his knees at the front of the ramp flipping out while Hogan & Sting celebrate in the ring to end the show.
I thought this was good show overall. I wasn’t really into having Hogan pick who will challenge Roode for the title but the AJ-Roode match was great! I liked the end to when Roode celebrated. The guy’s a really good heel. Sting returning was cool too. I also liked the Aries-Ryan match. There was some good action there. The Joseph Park-Bully Ray promo was good too. Both those guys are really good on the mic. RVD-Gunner was good but a bit short. Devon-Garrett was decent too but I wasn’t into the Robbies coming in. They need to find new guys for Devon to face. Young & ODB vs. Gail & Madison was ok too. This was typical Eric Young comedy. Overall though I thought this week’s show was good.
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