January 24, 2013
Orlando, Florida
Todd Keneley: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to IMPACT Wrestling. I am Todd Keneley alongside Mike Tenay and Taz. We have a packed show for you tonight as Hulk Hogan promises to address the revelation that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are apart of Aces & 8s.
Mike Tenay: "That's right, Todd. What a shocking ending last week as Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were unmasked as members of the Aces & 8s group. We still don't know why Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin have aligned themselves with the group.
[Aces & 8s music plays]Taz: "Well, it looks like we're about to find out!"
Alex Shelley: “Everyone has been asking the same question since last Thursday which is why we aligned ourselves with Aces & 8s. Let me tell you a little story about The Motor City Machine Guns, may friends! When Chris [Sabin] went down with his injury, TNA management proclaimed that they didn't have anything for me and told me that I could go do whatever the hell I wanted. They didn't fire me, no... they benched me. I was told that I could work anywhere that doesn't have any type of television deal and in this business when you don't work, you don't get paid. The dirt sheets told you that I was fired, but TNA management didn't have the balls to fire me. They didn't want to have to pay out three more years on my contract, so I sat at home until Aces & 8s called me up to ask about working with them. How could I say no to getting back at the people that left me on a shelf to rot because creative wasn't creative enough to find something for me?”
Chris Sabin: “And me? I gave everything I had to this company and when I went down with my first knee injury, everyone called and made sure I was okay. When I made my return and injured my other knee, the phone calls didn't come. You know what I did hear? Hulk Hogan running his mouth in interviews about how my career was pretty much over. I heard all of the fans about how I just couldn't get it in the X-Division any longer. When Alex got the offer from Aces & 8s, he let them know that we're a package deal.”
Alex Shelley: “Doesn't this shed some light on your precious TNA management? They let one of the best pure wrestlers sit on the shelf for almost a year but yet wouldn't let me go find a different way to make a living. They turned their back on an injured talent because I guess he didn't kiss enough ass along the way. We made the right choice for business!”
Alex Shelley is cut off by the music of Hulk Hogan, who comes out onto the stage.Hulk Hogan: “Everyone bow down to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin! Is that what you guys want, to have everyone worship the ground that you walk on? Brother, that isn't the way this business works and I have been apart of this business for a very long time. You are given nothing and must earn everything that you have.”
Alex Shelley: “Bulls***! You have Garett Bischoff running around like some type of main event superstar because of his last name, you've got nothing more than America's Got Talent with Gut Check, and you-”
Hulk Hogan: “Enough! You two made it clear that you both are still under contract with TNA, so fine... tonight in the main event you will face the team of “The Icon” Sting and Bully Ray!”
We fade to commercial break with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin looking thrilled about the challenge tonight.
Puma vs. Alex Silva The match opens with the two locking-up before Puma would pull off a few chain wrestling moves followed by a drop kick to Silva. This would allow Puma to take control of the contest before Silva would mount a comeback after a clothesline from out of nowhere. Silva would fire off a few moves before Puma would nail a kick to the side of the head, knocking Silva to the mat. Puma would connect with the Puma Suplex to score the victory over Silva.
Puma celebrated his singles match victory of Silva as Mike Tenay hyped that this could help his chances of getting into the X-Division Xscape match at Lockdown.Backstage, AJ Styles is asked for comments regarding Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin aligning themselves with Aces & 8s.
AJ Styles: "I don't really have an opinion on what Shelley and Sabin do, they're allowed to make whatever business decisions that they want to. You know what I do have an opinion on? I have an opinion on the X-Division because it wasn't long ago that the X-Division was the best of the best, but now... it's the best of the rest. I am going to change that at Lockdown when I become X-Division Champion and reclaim what is my division".
A video airs of Eric Young from earlier this week. He spoke about the attack by Aces & 8s alongside speaking about his healing progress. Young stated that after discussions and sleepless nights of thinking, it is time for a change in his career. He proclaims that he isn't retiring but will change his approach to his career. Young said that after the attack, he thought about how the fans would remember him had his career ended and he doesn't want to be remembered for being the bearded joke. He wants to be remembered as someone who entertained the fans while putting a great matches. He threw his name into the hat for the X-Division Xscape match and hoped to return to the ring in three weeks on iMPACT.
Gunner/Kid Kash vs. Chavo Guerrero/Hernandez The bell sounds with the two powerhouses of Gunner and Hernandez starting the match. The two exchange a few attempts at shoulder blocks on one another with Hernandez knocking Gunner clear across the ring on a third attempt. Hernandez took advantage of the match and tossed Gunner around with ring with some big slams and tosses before tagging in the quicker Guerrero. Gunner would steep to using a thumb to the eye of Chavo to break away and get the tag to Kash. Kash and Guerrero put on a more technical part of the match compared to the brawling style of Hernandez and Gunner. The ending would see Joey Ryan walk down the ramp gloating about being tag team champions on the microphone, distracting Chavo and the official. Matt Morgan came from the crowd and pulled Hernandez off the apron, tossing him head first into the post. This would allow Kash to roll Chavo up and steal the win with a handful of tights.
Following the match, Kash and Gunner celebrated their victory but as they passed Joey Ryan, they mouthed that they were coming for the tag team championships. Hernandez recovers from the attack by Morgan and attacks him back. This leads to Chavo and Joey brawling until TNA officials run down to break it up.
Backstage, Austin Aries is walking toward the ring and talking about how he has a major surprise for the Hogan's tonight.
Austin Aries: "You want to know how my meeting went? I'd say my meeting went very well. Oh, but you don't have to take my word for it. I am on my way to the ring right now to show the entire world that Hulk Hogan's days may be numbered in TNA."
Austin Aries makes his way down toward the ring following our return from commercial break.
Austin Aries: "Settle down, settle down, settle down. You are all going to want to hear what I have to say because it will deeply affect your beloved Hulk Hogan and his future within this organization. Earlier this week, I went and met with the president of TNA Wrestling, Dixie Carter, in Nashville. She was very interested to hear about what I had to say about Hulk Hogan's position within the company, but why take my word for it? Roll the tape!"
A video plays on the screen of Austin Aries' meeting with Dixie Carter about Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan. Dixie agrees with Aries that the entire Bully Ray situation has brought questions about both Hogan's being fit for their jobs. The meeting ends with Dixie saying that she'll be in the iMPACT Zone next week to address Hulk and Brooke.
Austin Aries: : "Well Hulkster, it looks like you got some explaining to do!"
Jeff Hardy then appears on the big screen and address Austin Aries. Jeff Hardy : "Austin, why are you so focused on Hulk Hogan when on March 10, you are facing me for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship? You should be training and getting ready for the biggest match of your entire career, but you're focused on politics because you didn't get your way. Austin, you're not walking into just a regular wrestling match with me, no. You're walking into a fifteen foot high steel cage with someone who is known to get a little crazy when locked up like an animal. Word of advice? Focus on me, not Hulk Hogan!"
Austin Aries just glares at Jeff Hardy as he fades from the big screen.
Backstage, Mr. Anderson is ranting about Bobby Roode being allowed to get back into the ring and eliminate him from the battle royal.
Mr. Anderson: "Seriously, I am the biggest ass
hole of them all and I wouldn't pull a stunt like that. He was already eliminated by me and he jumps back in? That's ridiculous and even more ridiculous is that Hulk Hogan isn't going to do anything about it. That's fine, I'll fight my own battles and trust me... Bobby Roode will regret the day that he cost Mr. Anderson... ANDERSON!
Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne The match opens with Madison Rayne attacking Velvet Sky before the bell sounds. Rayne takes the early advantage and just dominates Sky yet can't put the match away. Rayne attempts to hit the Rayne Drop but Sky prevented the move from happening and took control of the match. Sky would pick up the victory following hitting the Beauty-T to score the pin.
Following the match, Tara came onto the stage and mockingly clapped for Velvet Sky's victory.
In the parking lot, a limo has arrived at the building and is greeted by Sting. He climbs into the limo as Mike Tenay questions if this is the friend that Sting has been talking about.
A video airs of Aces & 8s verbally abusing Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin for having their masks removed.
Devon: "You two were our secret weapons and now everyone knows that you are with us. Do you understand how big of a disadvantage this puts us?
Alex Shelley: "This does-"
Devon: "No, you don't get to talk. You are here to listen! There is one of two ways that we can handle this situation. You can either get your asses kicked right here and be removed from the group, or you can attempt to win back our trust."
D.O.C hands Chris Sabin the ball pen hammer that they have been using to take guys out with.
Devon: "End this, tonight!"
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley look at each other almost... conflicted.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan is furious about Austin Aries going to Dixie Carter and starts ranting to Brooke about it.
Hulk Hogan: "I knew from day one that having you here was a mistake! You had to hook up with Bully Ray, right? Now both of our jobs are on the line!"
Brooke Hogan: "You are the one who overreacted to the entire situation. You are the one who allowed Austin Aries to push your buttons, don't place the blame on me.
Hulk Hogan: "The blame is on you, Brooke. You come into the company and not even a year later, your job is on the line because you got too close to a talent. That doesn't work in this business! You personal life and your professional life must remain separate."
Brooke Hogan: "I am not going to do this here in front of the entire world. If you want to talk like a civilized person, you know how to get ahold of me."
Brooke Hogan storms out of the room leaving Hogan fuming in his office.
The Motor City Machine Guns [Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin] vs. Bully Ray & Sting Shelley and Sabin had the advantage since the opening bell due to their history as a tag team. This allowed Shelley and Sabin to double team Sting for most of the match, working him over and making sure he couldn't get a tag into Bully Ray. Sting mounted a comeback about eight minutes into the match, but Shelley quickly shut the comeback down with a super kick. Bully Ray made the save but was distracted when a video appeared on the big screen of someone following Brooke Hogan out of the iMPACT Zone. Ray left the ring and took off up the ramp heading toward the parking lot. This allowed Shelley and Sabin to close the deal with the AS/CS Rush scoring the pin.
Following the match, Chris Sabin picked up the hammer given to them by Devon and contemplated using it on Sting. He didn't have a chance as Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe hit the ring. The four brawled until Devon and D.O.C hit the ring. Aces & 8s took advantage of the brawl and looked to demolish Sting, Angle, and Joe when the lights went down in the iMPACT Zone. A hush comes over the iMPACT Zone before the familiar music hits and the lights come back on to reveal Jeff Jarrett standing in the center of the ring behind Devon, D.O.C, and The Motor City Machine Guns, just as Kurt Angle pulls himself to his feet. D.O.C turns around and gets creamed with Jarrett's guitar - to the surprise of Kurt Angle - leading to Devon and The Motor City Machine Guns to bail from the ring.
Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle stare each other down, the iMPACT Zone on the edge of their seat waiting to see if these two old rivals have moved past their issues. Jarrett extends the hand to Kurt Angle who instead helps Sting and Joe to their feet with TNA Wrestling standing tall to close the show.
(c) TNA Entertainment 2013, LLC