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Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 7-5-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- TV champion DEVON vs. CRIMSON -- TV Title match

Crimson continued to work on Devon as the announcers wondered if Crimson can bounce back from his singles loss to James Storm at Slammiversary last month. Devon eventually absorbed Crimson's pre-match attack and landed a corner attack, but Crimson cut him off with a big clothesline. Crimson then got in ref Earl Hebner's face, distracting himself, which allowed Devon to nail a lift-up spinebuster for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Madison Rayne stomped down to the ring and walked past Devon to grab Earl Hebner. Madison planted a big kiss on Hebner, who sold shock over the "crush" reveal. Madison left, then Hebner went from shock to a devilish grin.

WINNER: Devon at 2:02 to retain the TV Title. It seems like Crimson is about to go the opposite direction with the losing streak gimmick. Meanwhile, TNA continues to give TV focus and attention to non-wrestlers, with the latest being Hebner.

2 -- FLIP CASSANOVA vs. DAKOTA DARSOW -- X Division tournament qualifying match

Tenay noted Darsow appeared on Impact last year during the X Division invitational. Tenay introduced another lawyer angle, noting Gail Kim has delayed her Knockouts Title challenge against Miss Tessmacher until next week. But, the replacement Knockouts tag match will occur in the next segment. And, of course, the big question is whether Earl Hebner will be special referee with Madison Rayne in the match.

As for the X Division match the announcers were briefly focused on, Flip knocked Dakota to the outside, then landed a twisting corkscrew moonsault springboarding off the second rope. Flip then rolled Dakota into the ring and went for a top-rope body press, but Dakota rolled through into an elbow drop. Dakota followed with an awkward-looking series of leg drops for a nearfall. Dakota, with a busted nose, went for a moonsault, but missed when Flip rolled out of the way. Flip then came off the top rope with a high-flying move before deciding to go back up top, drawing Taz's ire. Flip then went for a 450 splash and kind of crash-landed on Darsow for the pin and the win. Post-match: Flip was covered in blood from splashing Darsow, who continued to bleed heavily from the nose selling frustration with the loss.

WINNER: Flip at 3:54. Awkward throughout, but Flip provided some needed athleticism on this show.

3 -- TNA Knockouts champion MISS TESSMACHER & TARA vs. MADISON RAYNE & GAIL KIM

Of note, Earl Hebner is not the referee, avoiding a serious conflict of interest. After back-and-forth focusing on the Tessmacher vs. Gail feud, Tessmacher eventually scored a clean, decisive victory over Madison. Tessmacher and Tara stood tall, victorious, with no sign of a heel turn or anything mischievous.

WINNERS: Tess & Tara at 3:21. This was presented as just a filler segment to bridge to next week's title match.

4 -- KENNY KING vs. LARS ONLY -- X Division Title tournament qualifier

King dominated things early on as Tenay noted King is a real-life "Magic Mike," incorporating the recent movie release into the broadcast. King continued his domination on the outside before rolling Lars back into the ring for a nearfall.

Lars came back with a flying huracanrana on the outside before celebrating for the crowd. Lars sent King back into the ring for a pin attempt resulting in a nearfall. Lars called for the end with a Tornado DDT, but King fought him off. They kind of fell apart trying a Russian legsweep spot, which Taz said "kind of sucked." King and Lars reset with a corner spot, which King turned into an enziguiri. King followed with a sidewinder slam for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Hemme brought in Kenny King for a post-match interview after a look at the Direct Auto Impact of the Night. King told the "pretty lady" that he didn't come here to play games, but get himself noticed. King said he has a lot riding on this, so if you thought this was special, just wait for Destination X. He said the king will be crowned on Sunday.

WINNER: King at 5:21. Rough at times, but more fine athleticism on the show. Solid post-match promo from King until the clichéd final soundbyte.

5 -- JEFF HARDY vs. JAMES STORM -- BFG Series match

Early feeling-out process as the announcers hyped both men as the front-runners in the BFG Series according to Hogan.

After a minute, Hardy landed a shoulderblock before the two men traded quick pin attempts. They eventually went to their corners after a babyface stand-off, leading to "Hardy, Hardy" chants. Hardy then side-stopped a charging Storm, who found himself on the apron. Hardy landed a punch and Storm landed on the floor to collect himself. Storm paced ringside before slowly re-entering the ring as the announcers discussed Storm's body language slowing down the pace and appearing to be frustrated.

Storm eventually hopped off the apron to the floor as the Hardy chants picked up. After stalling some more, Storm slowly re-entered the ring and measured Hardy for a lock-up center ring. The two men moved the lock-up against the ropes, and Tenay sent the show to break following two minutes of inactivity.

Back live, a side headlock to continue the inactivity. Storm broke free of Hardy's mathold and landed shoulder thrusts in the corner. Hardy came back with a leg drop, but Storm came right back with repeated clotheslines. And, Hardy came right back with clotheslines into a seated dropkick for a two count. Storm returned fire with a turnaround slam out of the corner for a close two count, then Hardy knocked Storm to the outside. Hardy followed with a baseball slide kick, then flying splash to knock down both men on the outside.

At 11:00, Storm rolled back into the ring and Hardy just made it back into the ring before a ten count. The two men reset with Storm landing a big clothesline that took out both men. They reached their feet at a seven count, but sold having nothing left. Storm then built some momentum for a corner splash, but Hardy dodged. Hardy tried to follow with a top-rope Swanton Bomb, but Storm moved just in time. Storm then slowly went up top looking for a finisher, and connected with an elbow drop for a close two count.

At 13:30, Storm sold frustration unable to put away Hardy. Storm then warmed up for the Last Call superkick, but Hardy sold unable to stand up. Storm fixed Hardy, which threw off Storm's rhythm and allowed Hardy to duck a superkick attempt. Hardy followed right up with the Twist of Fate for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Storm sold frustration as he collected himself in the corner. They replayed the finish before coming back live to show Hardy staring down Storm. The two men shook hands center-ring before Storm left the ring to give Hardy center-stage. Tenay and Taz then recapped the standings, which show Hardy moving up to a tie for third place with 14 points.

WINNER: Hardy at 14:04; Hardy gets 7 points in the BFGS. Odd middle before a strong finish and post-match handshake. Overall, good use of the BFGS format to create a clean finish in a TV main event.

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 7-5-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to James's complete report).

1 - PRIMO (w/Epico and Rosa Mendes) vs. TITUS O'NEIL (w/Darren Young and AW)

Primo gamely rushes O'Neil, only to get tossed to the mat. Primo is struggling to overcome O'Neil's power, and a cross-body finally takes the big man down. It doesn't last long, as O'Neil quickly regains control. Primo's brief comeback is cut off when O'Neil blocks a sunset flip attempt. Primo tries to take a swing at AW, but the distraction lets O'Neil continue the attack. Again, Primo makes a comeback, but O'Neil blocks a sunset flip. AW distracts the ref letting Darren Young to get involved. After the distraction, Primo slips out of a suplex and pins O'Neil with a schoolboy.

WINNER: Primo in 5:30. Who booked this, Donald Duck? Why have half of the #1 contenders lose to a someone who isn't near the title right now? O'Neil and Young are supposed to look strong, and be working towards a match with Kofi Kingston and R-Truth, not continuing a feud with the team that lost their re-match without even getting into the ring.

2 - WWE tag champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. ROB CABILDO

Kingston offers a handshake, but Cabildo turns him down. They go back-and-forth a little, and Kingston shows off his agility. Kingston gets angry after eating a dropkick and fires up big. Boom Drop and Kingston calls for the end. Trouble in Paradise and the match is over.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston in 3:10. More bizarre booking. Who is Rob Cabildo? Why dos Kofi Kingston need squash matches against unknowns? I do not understand what is happening here, it's like someone mixed up some FCW try-out tapes with the Superstars episode.

3 - ALEX RILEY vs. ANTONIO CESARO (w/Aksana)

Great "Team Chest Hair" sign in the audience. Riley and Cesaro do some chain wrestling; it's nice to see some fresh skills from Riley. Big "Let's Go Riley" chant as Cesaro takes control. Riley with a sky high dropkick. Cesaro flapjacks Riley into the turnbuckle out of a Ten Punches in the corner. Lot's of high strength back-and-forth. Cesaro with a number of unique moves, and Stanford says that Cesaro is a one-time member of the Swiss military; no surprise there, since they do mandatory conscription. Riley makes a big comeback. Riley with a flying clothesline from the top rope, Kane style. Cesaro cracks the neck and the Neutralizer picks up the win.

WINNER: Antonio Cesaro in 6:00. I expected better from this match, since both Cesaro and Riley have impressed me in the ring. Something didn't click here. Antonio Cesaro needs new music, his music sounds like some goofy Brit pop stuff, and it is just too "bouncy" for a heel.

4 - ZACK RYDER vs. JACK SWAGGER

Swagger shows off his amateur wrestling skills early on. Huge crowd reaction for Ryder and Swagger keeps him down. Ryder fires back with a dropkick and mocks Swagger's victory laps. Swagger's power continues to let him dominate. Ryder hot-shots Swagger then lands a flapjack to turn it around. Swagger takes out Ryder's knee and starts working Ryder over. Ryder wants the Broski Boot but Swagger gets up. Ryder sends Swagger out of the ring and tries a leap over the ropes, but Swagger catches him and lands a backbreaker.

Out of the break, Swagger is showing off, but misses a leg drop and Ryder drops bombs. Swagger ducks a cross-body and Ryder bounces off the ropes. The crowd rallies, but Swagger continues to control the match. Ryder fights off a superplex and eventually puts boots up to block a Swagger Bomb in the corner. They trade big rights with Ryder gaining the advantage. Faceplant and Ryder gets serious. Broski Boot gets a nearfall. Ryder throws up the "L.I." hand sign, but Swagger ducks the Rough Ryder, and hits the Swagger Bomb for a nearfall.

Swagger looks furious. Ryder then turns a suplex into a reverse neckbreaker for two. Ryder tries a Rough Ryder from the second rope, but Swagger catches him with the anklelock. Ryder sends Swagger to the apron to escape, but when Swagger jumps back into the ring, Ryder nails him with the Rough Ryder for the win.

WINNER: Zack Ryder in 10:30. Very good match. Ryder gets the crowd involved and Swagger is a very good technician. Both men need wins quite badly right now.

Arcademan:
TNA Destination X PPV Results: 7-8-12 (next three posts)

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).

1 -- MASON ANDREWS vs. LARS ONLY vs. DAKOTA DARSOW vs. RUBIX -- X Division Title tournament Last Chance match

The crowd picked their favorite, Rubix, early on in this match. After all four men got some one-on-one spotlight in the ring, Rubix cleared the ring and landed a leaping flip dive onto the other three competitors on the outside. Back in the ring, Scorpio Sky applied a submission on Lars as they cut backstage to show Kid Kash watching intently since he faces the winner of this match. Darsow, Sky, and Lars set up a three-way Tower of Doom spot before Rubix flew across the ring with a coast-to-coast dropkick on Darsow to put everyone on the mat. Next was a series of high-impact moves with everyone getting in their stuff. Sky then dropped Lars with a TKO-like finisher for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Scorpio Sky/Mason Andrews at 8:22.

2 -- KID KASH vs. MASON ANDREWS -- X Division Title tournament match

Kash dominated Sky, who continued to sell the effects of the four-way qualifying match. Tenay noted Kash wrestles professionally and competes in MMA, making Kash and Sky similar opponents. Kash continued to dominate, but became frustrated as Sky continued to kick out of pin attempts. Kash offered a middle finger and slap across the face, but Sky kicked out again. Sky tried to make a comeback, but Kash delivered an emphatic knock-down clothesline. Kash then kicked Sky to the floor and jawed with some fans ringside before sending Sky back into the ring.

Back in the ring, Kash wanted a second-rope moonsault, but Sky got his knees up just in time to block Kash. Both men sold on the mat before Sky came back with a flying elbow into a flying dropkick. Sky followed with a head scissors, then came off the top with a dropkick for a two count. He followed with a leaping bicycle knee, and appeared to have the match won, but Kash kicked out in time. Kash then tried to come back with knee strikes, but Sky ducked a second knee, pushed Kash to the mat, and rolled him up for a quick pin and the win. Sky advances to the Ultimate X title match.

WINNER: Andrews/Sky at 8:10. Sky looked much more comfortable in this singles match than his qualifying match on Impact two weeks ago. Fine singles match, overall. (**)

3 -- KENNY KING vs. DOUG WILLIAMS -- X Division Title tournament match
 
As King and Williams locked up, JB gave a thorough recap of King's journey to TNA and noted his Chippendale's line of work in Las Vegas. Williams dominated early on with matholds as the announcers talked about Williams growing up watching World of Sport in the U.K. Williams and King came to a stalemate, so Williams offered a handshake, but then kicked him in the gut. King quickly returned fire with a twisting press on the floor.
 
Back in the ring, King and Williams exchanged mat wrestling holds, smiling as they countered each other. Williams came back with a corner elbow into a flying European Uppercut for a two count. Williams followed with more offense before King ducked a clothesline, nailed an atomic drop, and followed with an enziguiri to the back of the head, which floored both men. King followed with a spin kick for a nearfall, then a spinebuster for a nearfall. King and Williams awkwardly tried to set up a top-rope move, with King appearing to be blown up, so Williams knocked King to the floor. Williams then landed a running knee to King's face as a fan on the front row shouted, "C'mon, Nigel!"
 
Both men were nearly counted out trying to get back into the ring, but they made it back at nine. Williams scored more two counts on pin attempts, but then King ducked a second-rope attack and nailed sort of a throw-down slam out of the fireman's carry position. King made the cover for the win to advance to the Ultimate X match later tonight.
 
WINNER: King at 10:35. Another match where they seemed to throw together a bunch of moves to make up for a lack of back-story in this tournament. It was good for the most part, but also lacking a key emotional connection with the audience. (**)

4 -- SONJAY DUTT vs. RASHAD CAMERON -- X Division Title tournament match
 
Dutt and Cameron tried to create an issue early on, with Cameron pie-facing Dutt to establish himself as the heel in the match. Meanwhile, JB talked up Dutt's rock-star status in India, but did not mention TNA's cousin promotion, Ring Ka King, by name. Rashad lost control of the match, then Dutt knocked him to the outside and landed a flying dropkick. Rashad re-gained control on the floor, then scored a two count back in the ring. Rashad noticed a quiet crowd, so he screamed at the crowd to look at Sonjay looking pathetic.
 
Rashad continued to scream at the crowd, then applied a body scissors submission center-ring. Rashad lost his focus, though, arguing with ref Earl Hebner. Dutt came back with a corner attack, then springboard splash from the ring apron for a close two count. The two men then traded moves as the crowd and announcers remained silent trying to figure out what they were going for. Rashad then got in Hebner's face again. The unforced error allowed Dutt to make a comeback, then nail his new moonsault double stomp finisher to the stomach for the pin and the win. Post-match: JB brought up Ring Ka King, noting Dutt's journey back to TNA's spotlight.
 
WINNER: Dutt at 7:16. Good showing from both men, especially Cameron in the heel role. The crowd is already worn out seeing similar moves in each match, though. (**1/4)

5 -- ZEMA ION vs. FLIP CASSANOVA -- X Division Title tournament match
 
Ion dominated early on, then pulled out hairspray to accentuate his wild hair-do tonight. The unforced error allowed Flip to come back with a knee to the gut followed by a springboard twisting press for a nearfall. That was Flip's last gasp, as Ion came back with a Widow's Peak-like finisher for the pin and the win. Post-match, Ion played up his cockiness before spraying his hair with more spray on the way out of the ring.
 
WINNER: Ion at 3:55; Ion, Sky, King, and Dutt will compete in Ultimate X to determine the new X Division champion. (*1/4)

Arcademan:
6 -- SAMOA JOE vs. KURT ANGLE -- BFG Series match
 
JB noted he talked to Angle on the way back to Orlando from Friday's house show and Angle is looking for submission victories from here on out in the Series. Joe and Angle grappled and exchanged holds early on before coming to a stalemate. Joe then grounded Angle in the corner before washing his face and landing a running boot. Joe knocked Angle to the floor, then landed a flying suicide dive elbow to the face. Joe was slow returning to the ring, though, allowing Angle to kick him in the chest and gain control of the match.
 
Angle continued the attack as both men teased submission attempts throughout Angle's attack. Angle then went for three German Suplexes and connected with all three to put both men on the mat selling the effects. Angle then tried an anklelock to get 10 points, but Joe kicked him away. Angle tried to charge Joe, but Joe delivered a frontslam out of the corner. Joe then wanted a Muscle Buster, and he connected center-ring. Joe made a cover, but Angle kicked out in-time. Joe sold frustration as Angle recovered nearby.
 
With 3:30 left in the time limit, Joe went for a rear-naked choke, but Angle dropped down into the anklelock. After fighting the hold, Joe countered into the rear-naked choke center-ring. Angle teased tapping out, but elbowed out before reaching his feet and executing a desperation Angle Slam. Angle with a cover, but Joe kicked out in-time. Angle, fired up, came to his feet and dropped the straps. Joe escaped an anklelock, then slid over Angle into a rear-naked choke. 45 seconds remaining as Angle fought the hold. 30 seconds remaining as Angle faded in the hold. Suddenly, Earl Hebner called for the bell, indicating Angle was out. So, Joe gets a submission win for 10 points.
 
Post-match: Tenay said Angle may not have tapped out, but, in the opinion of Earl Hebner, Angle was not responding, so he stopped the match. Angle then woke up and Hebner explained his point of view that Angle was out. Angle sold frustration with the decision as Joe left the ring in possession of first place in the BFG Series with 37 points vs. James Storm's 36 points.
 
WINNER: Joe via TKO/submission at 14:38. Excellent sports-like match and finish. Everyone played their parts well making sure Joe was credited for a resume-building victory over Angle, while Angle didn't lose anything due to the ref's decision. (***)

7 -- TNA tag champion CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. A.J. STYLES -- Last Man Standing match
 
After Daniels tried to play games by stalling early on, this turned into a "fight" with the action spilling to the outside. Back in the ring, Styles took out months of frustration on Daniels with strikes and corner chops and punches. Styles then lost control after he whipped Daniels across the ring to the corner, leading to a kick to the face from Daniels. Daniels then interjected a chair into the match. After some teased moves using the chair, Daniels landed a uranage across the seat of the chair, prompting Styles to sell a back injury.
 
The match moved to the floor, where Daniels jawed with fans ringside in-between smashing Styles into the ring steps. Styles came up bleeding from the forehead before Daniels rolled Styles back into the ring. In the ring, Styles blocked a chair shot before landing a springboard smash that sent the chair into Daniels's face. Daniels rolled to the outside for a breather, but Styles smashed Daniels head-first into the ring steps that Daniels propped up moments earlier. Daniels then came up bleeding from the forehead and staggered into a right hand blow from Styles.
 
At 11:00, Daniels staggered up the entrance ramp to the top of the stage. The two men then traded blows as Daniels teased falling off the stage near the announce position. Styles built a head of steam to send Daniels into oblivion, but Daniels charged him and they double-clotheslined each other. Back on their feet, Styles took control with right hands as the fans chanted for Styles to push Daniels over the stage. Styles paused to hear the chants, which allowed Daniels to block a Clash tease into a back-drop onto the stage. Daniels's control was only momentary, though, as Styles came back with a springboard reverse DDT leaping off a section of the platform to execute his trademark move.
 
The ref started counting out Daniels, but Kazarian came out of nowhere to shove Styles off the stage to the ground below. After reprimanding Kaz, ref Brian Hebner hopped down to Styles to begin a ten count on him. Styles reached his feet at nine, though. Daniels cursed his bad luck, then blasted Styles into a guardrail. Daniels then jogged down to ringside to retrieve a table, which he dragged back toward the stage area.
 
Daniels wanted Angel's Wings through the table, but Styles shoved Daniels into Kaz. Styles followed with a Pele Kick to Daniels. He then wanted the Clash off the ramp and connected through the table below on the ground. Big pop for the move as the announcers went silent to sell the moment. Ref Hebner paused before starting a ten count. Daniels started getting up, but collapsed to the ground. Meanwhile, Styles managed to pull himself up just before ten, then collapsed to the ground after ten. Styles wins.
 
WINNER: Styles at 17:41. Another memorable bout in the Styles-Daniels series, which was enhanced by the Clash off the stage through a table being the finish and not a nearfall. Well-done by both men incorporating the TV feud into this match. (***1/4)

8 -- MASON ANDREWS vs. ZEMA ION vs. KENNY KING vs. SONJAY DUTT -- Ultimate X match for vacant X Division Title
 
The focus was on King early on, and he was the first to tease climbing across the cables toward the X Title belt, but Dutt dropkicked him to the mat. Ion then teased climbing for the belt, but King and Andrews (Scorpio Sky) yanked him down to the mat. Meanwhile, Dutt was taken out of the match when he suffered an apparent injury attempting a running moonsault and landing awkwardly on the bottom rope. So, at least temporarily, it was down to a three-way match. Scorpio Sky made it half-way across the cables toward the belt, but King intercepted him with a mid-air spear.
 
After being "medically evaluated," Dutt returned to the match and scaled the Ultimate X trusses while the other wrestlers battled on the cables. Suddenly, King dropped both he and Sky with a neckbreaker off the cables. Meanwhile, Ion and Dutt climbed to the very tip-top of the structure. They did a spot where Dutt had to look up in order for Ion to spray him in the face with hairspray. Dutt then slowly fell down to the mat, leaving Ion on top of the structure. Ion then reached down and grabbed the title belt, unhooked it, and is the new X Champ.
 
Post-match: Hemme brought in Ion to discuss becoming new X Division champion. As the fans booed, Ion demanded some respect. Ion dedicated this win to all of his haters and critics. But, most of all, he wants to dedicate this win to his biggest inspiration, Jesse Sorensen. "Without you and without breaking your neck, I may never have realized my true potential," Ion said. Ion noted he is now the prettiest X Division champion of all-time.
 
WINNER: Ion at 8:50 to become new X Division champion. TNA is obviously going all the way with an Ion-Sorensen feud if they gave the title to Ion when Ion represented the lack of depth in the X Division after Aries. Overall, an unremarkable finish to the tournament. (*3/4)

Arcademan:
9 -- TNA World Hvt. champion BOBBY ROODE vs. AUSTIN ARIES -- TNA World Title match
 
Once the bell sounded, JB regained the broadcast and shared a moment he had with Aries in the ring where Aries told him he is so ready for this match. JB also shared his experiences being on the road with Roode, observing his disciplined lifestyle as champion. Aries and Roode went through a feeling-out process early on, exchanging control before coming to a stalemate three minutes in. Aries eventually cleared Roode to the outside and landed a double axehandle to the back. Aries rolled Roode back into the ring to "Next World Champ" chants, but missed with a top-rope splash attempt. Roode then took control of the action.
 
Roode retained control when he side-stepped Aries trying to fly at him with a suicide dive on the outside. After eating the guardrail, Aries sold face-first on the mat before Roode rolled him back into the ring to score a two count on a pin attempt. Roode then went to work on Aries's mid-section as Aries tried to regain his bearings following the suicide dive crash. "Give up! You're not even in my league!" Roode shouted at Aries. Roode continued to taunt Aries, who came up bleeding from the nose. Aries had enough of Roode's taunts and fired off chops and forearms before clotheslining Roode to the floor. Aries then went for the suicide dive, this time connecting on the outside.
 
Back in the ring, Aries landed a missile dropkick before measuring Roode for a corner attack, but Roode intercepted and delivered a powerslam for a nearfall. Roode tried to follow with a spear of sorts, but Aries dipped his mid-section and floated into a Last Chancery submission. Roode countered into a cross-face, though. Moments later, Aries countered into the Last Chancery. Roode teased tapping out, but instead raked Aries's eyes for an escape. The two men then blocked finishing attempts before Roode nailed a spinebuster for a close two count. Aries then missed a desperation corner attack and sold a shoulder injury. Roode followed right up with a cross-face targeting the shoulder and neck. The crowd tried to rally behind Aries, who fought the hold before crawling on his belly to the bottom rope for a break.
 
At 20:00, Roode left the ring and retrieved the title belt. Roode re-entered with possession of the belt, but ref Brian Hebner cut off Roode and sent the belt to the outside. Roode low-blowed Aries during the distraction and made a cover, but Aries kicked out in-time. Roode then argued with the ref, allowing Aries to recover in the corner. Aries then flew at Roode with a corner dropkick before attempting the brainbuster, but Roode escaped and shoved Aries into Hebner. Roode followed right up with a belt shot to the face. Roode then dragged the ref toward a pinning situation, but Aries kicked out just before three.
 
Next, Roode wanted a Fisherman Suplex, but Aries countered into a quick roll-up for a two count. Roode tried again, but Aries slipped out and landed a kick strike to the chest. Aries then followed right up with the brainbuster center-ring. Aries made the cover and it was good for the win as the Impact Zone exploded. New World champ, ending Roode's lengthy title run. Post-match: The announcers excitedly talked up Aries's journey to this moment before confetti fell from the ceiling for Aries to celebrate the moment. Aries smiled and pointed around the ring as Tenay noted Destination X 2012 will always be remembered for when Austin Aries became TNA World Hvt. champion. They signed off nine minutes before the top of the hour.
 
WINNER: Aries at 22:42 to capture the TNA World Title. Excellent, PPV main event-worthy match with a surprising result after Aries stood tall at the end of Impact on Thursday. But, after Ion's win in the Ultimate X match, it seemed like TNA would end on a "feel-good moment" with Aries winning the title, especially after months of cheap finishes for Roode to retain the title. Aries winning makes sense after building momentum on PPV through Bully Ray and Samoa Joe, but it seems like Roode was settling into a groove as top champion. Now, does TNA change the destination of Roode-Storm at Bound for Glory, or does Roode regain the title before the BFG PPV? It should be interesting to see how this plays out. (***1/2)

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