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Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 3-10-11

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

1 – SAMOA JOE vs. "THE POPE" D’ANGELO DINERO

Joe had control early but Pope managed to fight back within a minute of the start of the match. Pope his hair in shoulder-length dreadlocks now. At 2:00, Joe hit a big powerslam, leading to a two count and some Pope begging. But, he was playing possum as he ducked a Joe clothesline and took him down in the middle of the ring. While the ref was checking on Joe, Pope pulled the pad off of the turnbuckle. However, when he went to whip Joe into the corner, Joe reversed the move into a nice exploder suplex. At this point, the ref realized that the turnbuckle pad was off and went to put it back on. While he was doing so, Pope grabbed his chain and wrapped it surreptitiously around his fist. As Joe set him up for the muscle-buster, Pope hit a knockout blow on Joe and earned a dirty win as the ref didn’t see the cheap shot.

WINNER: Pope in 3:30. This feud is clearly not over. I’d really like to see these two wrestle a 10-15 minute match on PPV because both guys are top-notch performers. However, dragging it out another month smacks of the writing team not having an idea of what to do with these two in the near term.

2 – TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION MADISON RAYNE vs. ROXXI -- Knockouts Title match

Roxxi started off hot, hitting a few splashes before Madison managed to sidestep a running kick. However, she played to the crowd instead of focusing on Roxxi, leading to a spinebuster for a Roxxi two count and a roll up for another two count. However, Madison hit her random finishing move that is difficult to see what she actually does (is it like a codebreaker with one leg or something?) for the win.

WINNER: Madison Rayne in 2:00.

3 – ANGELINA LOVE & VELVET SKY & WINTER vs. SARITA & COOKIE & ANGELINA (from Jersey Shore)

Velvet started off in the ring with Angelina. They stared each other down before the heels interfered to allow Angelina to tackle Velvet. Things quickly turned into a schmoz in the ring before Love & Sarita were dumped outside. Suddenly, Robbie E appeared and held Velvet’s arms behind her back. As Cookie & Jersey Shore Girl argued over who was going to hit Velvet, Winter stepped in and teased hitting Velvet before clearing the Jersey Shore Reject & the Jersey Shore Knockoff instead. Winter then went all vampire on Robbie, snacking on his wrist to send him running. Winter then stared down Angelina, who backed into a rollup from Velvet Sky for the pinfall win.

WINNERS: Angelina & Velvet & Winter in 2:00.

4 – A.J. STYLES vs. RIC FLAIR vs. MATT HARDY -- Street Fight

A.J. was slamming Hardy’s face into the top turnbuckle coming out of break. However, Flair distracted him at ringside, allowing Hardy to hit A.J. with a clothesline. Flair came in and tried for two elbow drops before catching Styles’s foot mid-kick. While Flair was laughing, A.J. kicked him in the head.

[Q6] This allowed Styles to put Flair into the Figure Four leglock. However, Hardy hit a flying legdrop off the second rope with the hold still on Flair to break up the submission. After a two count, Hardy tossed A.J. to ringside. A.J. brawled with both men, causing Flair to bleed. However, he lost his advantage when Hardy hit him from behind with a trash can. Flair hit some chops before rolling Styles into the ring.

Hardy climbed in after him with a big ladder and took Styles out with a running ladder clothesline. Hardy continued to beat on Styles and went for the Twist of Hate, but Styles reversed it and tossed Hardy into the ladder. A.J. then jumped all over a really bloody Flair and hit ten big punches on the top turnbuckle, getting a great reaction from the crowd (who counted along with glee) before a Flair Flop.

However, Hardy fought back with a Side Effect and a body slam. Moments later, A.J. managed to take Hardy down and then kicked Flair in the face as Naitch went to hit him with a Steel Chair. Styles then hit a Pele Kick on Hardy and set up for the Styles Clash on a steel chair. But Flair crawled over to hit A.J. with a low blow, which allowed Hardy to hit the Twist of Hate on the chair. Flair ‘picked the bones’ to get the cover for the victory.

WINNER: Flair in 6:00 (televised). Another good showing, though it would have been better to see the action that went on during the commercial break instead of an unnecessary promo exchange. Good storyline advancement to build towards Styles vs. Hardy at Victory Road with Flair looming over the proceedings.

5 – INK, INC. (SHANNON MOORE & JESSE NEAL) vs. GENERATION ME (MAX BUCK & JEREMY BUCK)

Good fast-paced action early as Storm did his best to put over Ink, Inc. as a credible threat. Considering they did a good job trying to put over friggin’ Gunner & Murphy two weeks ago, it must have been a lot easier to put over an established team like Ink, Inc. Crowd had a lot of “BEER! MONEY!” chants during the match. In the ring, Gen Me had a lot of quick tags to isolate Shannon Moore. However, Shannon tried to make the comeback out of a sleeper hold and got support from the crowd before Max Buck stopped him cold. Moore got a two count on a surprise roll-up, but Gen Me caught him again. Finally, Moore fought his way out to allow Neal to enter the ring on a hot tag. Neal eventually got a two count on a big cross-body off the ropes. But, a Jeremy Buck superkick stopped him cold. Gen Me put him on the top turnbuckle and went to go for a high-risk springboard move.

But, Jesse Neal came off of the top turnbuckle with a huge spear on a jumping Max Buck. Moore ran into the ring and threw him out to ringside and Ink, Inc. hit their double team Mooregasm finishing move to score the pinfall win and good momentum going into Victory Road.

WINNERS: Ink, Inc. in 4:00.

After the match, Shannon Moore got on the mic and told Beer Money that the Book of Dilligaf says that at Victory Road, Ink, Inc. would become Tag Team champions. Storm replied that at Victory Road, Beer Money would whip their asses. Sorry about your damn luck.

6 – TNA World Hvt. champion STING & ROB VAN DAM vs. JEFF HARDY & MR. ANDERSON

Anderson held his momentum early as the crowd started a ‘We want Sting!’ chant. RVD looked to have broken Anderson’s momentum going for a big monkey flip but posed for the “R! V! D!” chant on the top turnbuckle and Anderson blocked it into a self-inflicted powerbomb. Anderson then tagged Hardy in by smacking him in the back of his head.

Hardy came into the ring and was immediately jumped by RVD, who hit a big thrust kick and Rolling Thunder. Jeff fought out but Anderson dropped down to ringside to prevent Hardy from tagging out. Moments later, Hardy managed to tag Anderson in with another punch in retaliation. RVD tried to fight back against both men, knocking Anderson to ringside before walking into a Twist of Hate.

As Hardy went for the pin, Anderson jumped in the ring to stop the count at two, reminding the ref that Hardy wasn’t the legal man. This angered Jeff, who came after Anderson only to find himself laid out by a Mic Check from his own tag partner. But, right after that happened, the arena went dark and Sting’s music played.

When the lights came up, Sting was staring Anderson down nose to nose in the corner. Anderson tried to fight, but Sting hit him with the Scorpion Death Drop in the center of the ring. Suddenly, he pointed at RVD with both hands. RVD had a great facial expression with his eyes wide as he realized that Stinger was calling for the Five Star Frog Splash. Van Dam hit his finisher and won the match.

WINNERS: RVD & Sting in 5:00.

After the match, RVD got up and stared at Sting before nodding his head in acceptance. Sting moved back and pointed both of his hands at RVD again and Van Dam smiled, presumably showing that he now trusted Stinger because he vaulted up onto the turnbuckle to pose to the crowd with his back to the TNA Champion. The show went off the air with Sting and Van Dam standing tall in the middle of the ring.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 3-11-11

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

1 – KANE vs. WADE BARRETT

Booker called Kane “a molotov cocktail ready to explode.” As Kane had things in control, the rest of Corre ran out for the DQ.

WINNER: Kane, via DQ, at :42. A short match like this makes sense in this context, given that Barrett probably told Corre to come out as soon as he gets in trouble so Kane doesn’t do any major harm to him.

Kane held off everyone, except for Zeke Jackson, who took Kane down. Big Show quickly came out to diffuse the situation, with a chair as his weapon of choice. Corre exited the ring as he entered it. They cut away to commercial faster than usual there.

2 – BIG SHOW & KANE vs. WADE BARRETT & HEATH SLATER

This match had been made and joined in progress out of break. I wonder if they had to edit something off of TV, which is why they went to break so awkwardly and came back in progress. Hard chop to the chest of Barrett by Show, after Slater tagged out. Barett countered a chokeslam and went after Show’s knee. Big boot put Show down, and he stomped on Show’s knee. Slater tagged in and kept Show on the mat. He was aggressive and stayed on Show in order to keep him from getting to his feet. Show picked Slater up, still in a reverse chin-lock, and dropped him. At 2:37, both men were down and looking for a tag. Show successfully brought in Kane, who hit Slater with a sidewalk slam. He took out Barrett, then booted Slater down. As he set up for the chokeslam, but the rest of Corre ran in. “I thought Teddy Long said these guys were banned!” said Booker. Did that happen during the announcement of the match during the break, a part that had to be edited out perhaps?

WINNERS: Show and Kane, via DQ, 3:16 shown. Fine continuation to presumably set something up for ‘Mania.

The attack didn’t last long, as Show fended them off with a steel chair. Then he nailed Kane with the chair, revenge for what Kane did to him last week.

3 – CODY RHODES vs. JTG

Rhodes went after JTG in his dress shirt, pants and dress shoes. He headbutted JTG several times in the corner. Cross Rhodes by Cody and the man who is “Dashing” no longer picked up the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at :51.

4 – LAYLA vs. KAITLYN

They are in Kaitlyn’s hometown, hence her appearance. She’s looking a little like Ashley Massaro, which can’t be a good sign. Kaitlyn dropped Layla on her tail-bone. Michelle McCool got on the apron and Kaitlyn pulled her hair a bit. She turned around into a kick from Layla, followed by her patented neckbreaker for the win.

WINNER: Layla, at :54. I wish they could find a non-wrestling role for Kaitlyn.

After the match, Layla set Kaitlyn up so that she was sitting in the corner, legs around the post, facing the turnbuckle. McCool ran at her and kneed her in the back. LayCool celebrated to end things.

5 – REY MYSTERIO vs. DREW MCINTYRE

As Rey came to the ring, the announcers discussed Cole’s big interview with Cena. McIntyre took Rey down right off the bat. He booted Rey in the face, then gave him a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker. Drew shouted that Rey wasn’t going to Wrestlemania. Cole volunteered to be Booker’s life coach. Drew was set up for the 619, but McIntyre avoided it. Rey slid outside and McIntyre greeted him with more abuse. In a sweet move, he gave Rey a sidewalk slam onto the apron. They went to break a little over 2:00 in.

Back at the 5:50 mark, with Rey in a bow-and-arrow submission. After Rey worked his way out of it, Mysterio was whipped hard into the buckle. Rey came off the top with a seated senton, but missed a cross-body. McIntyre wrapped Rey up in a pinning predicament, getting only a two-count. Booker spent most of the match putting McIntyre over. Mysterio came back with a 619, then splashed McIntyre off the top rope, picking up the victory.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 8:16. Good match…McIntyre doesn’t lose much by losing to Rey, who is pretty high on the totem pole, plus it was a competitive match.

6 – BRODUS CLAY & ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. CHRISTIAN & EDGE

E&C had separate entrances. Clay manhandled Christian at the start, but Christian went to the top rope to attempt a Tornado DDT, but Del Rio distracted him. Clay with an overhead suplex that sent Christian to ringside. Del Rio whipped Christian into the barricade while the ref was dealing with Edge. Edge chased Del Rio, who fled into the crowd. He came back over when Edge went back to the apron. Clay brought Christian back into the ring and dropped an elbow. Bodyslam by Clay, then a tag to Del Rio, who connected on a running kick to Christian’s arm/shoulder. Arm-bar by Del Rio as the crowd chanted for Christian. Christian continued to take the punishment from the heels. He pulled Christian’s elbow pad off, exposing his injured arm. Christian was able to recover and counter Del Rio, leaving both men on the mat. They both made tags at around the 4:00 mark. Big slam by Brodus for two. Edge tripped Clay up into the turnbuckle. He clotheslined Del Rio off the apron and lined up for the Spear. Instead, he ran into a Clay clothesline. He set Edge up in the corner, but missed a butt splash. Del Rio attacked Edge from behind, but Christian made the save. Del Rio got flipped to the floor, then Christian was Tornado DDT’d. Edge came off the top rope with an elbowdrop and made the pin.

WINNERS: Edge and Christian, at 5:48. Serviceable main event. Clay didn’t look too out of place.

After a replay of the finish, Del Rio looked on from the arena floor as Edge and Christian had their arms raised in the ring.

Arcademan:
TNA Victory Road PPV Results: 3-13-11

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

1 -- BULLY RAY vs. TOMMY DREAMER -- No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere match

As expected, the match moved to the floor early on. Dreamer used audience participation with a chair, bottle of water, and a giant stuffed yellow toy from one of those recent animated movies you've seen 1,057 commercials for and can remember the name of the movie. Taz had trouble determining what the object was. Dreamer took the fight into the crowd where Ray gained control of the match. Back ringside, Dreamer started chucking objects into the ring, including an inflatable doll. Didn't that ruin an X Division match about three years ago? Ray ended up in 69 position on the inflatable doll. Really tacky. Wasn't this a serious feud on TV?

Dreamer scored a nearfall following a DDT at 7:30, then dumped the doll to the outside and retrieved a table. Ray blocked a table spot, then smashed a trash can over Dreamer's head. Ray then took a mic and started yelling at Dreamer while smashing him with Kendo stick shots. He called out to Devon, telling him this is for him. Suddenly, Team 3D's music hit. Devon's sons came out on-stage, one wearing a neckbrace. Devon then snuck into the ring behind Ray, who took a 3D from Dreamer and Devon. Dreamer fell on top of Ray for the win. Devon, Dreamer, and Devon's sons took a curtain call standing over a fallen Ray to conclude the bit.

WINNER: Dreamer at 10:45. The match felt like the type of match a promotion that knows no one is watching their PPV would produce to get easy laughs and pops from an easy crowd. Overall, it felt like an extended version of a TV match. (n/a)

2 -- Knockouts tag champions ANGELINA LOVE & WINTER vs. SARITA & ROSITA -- Knockouts Tag Title match

Before the match, the heel challengers cut a promo vowing to take the Tag Titles. Out came Angelina and Winter, who was sporting a blindfold for some reason, and the tag champs were sans Velvet. The tag champs dominated the first three minutes with quick in-and-out tags working over Rosita. The match broke down at 4:00 with the tag title belts involved behind the ref's back. Velvet Sky then ran out attempting to help the champs, but she inadvertently helped the challengers, as they pinned Winter for the win. (Winter had to hold in pin position for a while until the ref turned around.) Afterward, more tension was teased between Velvet and Winter & Angelina, as Velvet tried to explain what happened. Winter & Angelina just left, ignoring her explanations.

WINNERS: Sarita & Rosita at 4:58 to capture the KO Tag Titles. Fine match to advance the TV program teasing more tension for a potential Beautiful People break-up.

3 -- MATT MORGAN vs. HERNANDEZ -- First Blood match

Morgan came out second and quickly hit the ring to jump-start the grudge match by attacking Hernandez. Morgan landed a big elbow, then another, and a third. Morgan followed with a headbutt, then clotheslined Hernandez over the top rope to the floor. On the floor, Morgan ran Hernandez into the ring steps. No blood yet. Morgan then re-entered the ring and removed the top turnbuckle pad. Hernandez recovered on the floor, though, and tried to jab a sharp object into Morgan's forehead, but Morgan blocked. Hernandez then tried to rip out Morgan's eyeballs. Hernandez followed with a corner attack, then he played to the crowd rather than trying to draw blood.

Morgan, behind "Morgan, Morgan" chants, slowly climbed up Hernandez's leg and waited for Hernandez to bounce the ropes, where he delivered a discus clothesline. Morgan made a big comeback, including a fallaway slam. Morgan pointed to the floor, then went to the outside to retrieve the sharp stick introduced by Hernandez. Hernandez kicked it away, though, back-flipped to the top turnbuckle, and Morgan dropped him with a top-rope toss.

Suddenly, what appeared to be a fan charged the ring as Morgan was about to finish Hernandez. Meanwhile, Hernandez pulled out a chain. Morgan stole it, then popped Hernandez in the face. No referee. Hernandez then picked up what appeared to be a ketchup packet and squirted it across Morgan's chest. Still no ref. Morgan wanted to follow with the Carbon Footprint, but ref Jackson James suddenly stormed the ring and saw blood on Morgan's chest. He called for the bell, giving Hernandez the win. Hernandez, with blood on his forehead after a poor attempt to gig, walked off bragging about the win. Morgan argued with ref Jackson, then flipped him off and left the ring.

WINNER: Hernandez at 8:35. Decent undercard match before the awkward, latest over-booked finish that the crowd did not react to. Three for three on non-clean finishes so far. (*1/4)

Continued...

Arcademan:
4 -- X Division champion KAZARIAN vs. MAX BUCK vs. JEREMY BUCK vs. ROBBIE E. (w/Cookie) -- Ultimate X match -- X Division Title match

The bell sounded and Cookie tried to get involved by grabbing Kaz's leg from the outside. Where's Traci to fight her off? On cue, Tenay referenced Traci, calling her "one of Kazarian's girlfriends." Max and Jeremy accidentally knocked each other down, then Robbie cleaned house as Cookie screamed encouragement. Well, "encouragement." Robbie took his sweet time approaching the cables to attempt to climb toward the belt, giving Kaz time to kick him down to the mat before dropping a leg from off the cable.

On the floor, Robbie ate a plancha from Kaz, then Max dropped Kaz with a baseball slide kick. Max and Jeremy were alone in the ring, then Max slingshot Jeremy over the top rope to splash Kaz and Robbie. Max was alone in the ring, but apparently still needed Jeremy's help to try to climb the cables. This gave Kaz an opening to re-enter the ring, where Kaz and Max battled. Max was apparently fine to climb the cables by himself moments later, as he nearly grabbed the belt, but Kaz cut him off. GenMe then nailed a tandem dropkick on Kaz. Max then climbed the cables and nearly reached the belt, but Kaz swung him off the big cable into a mid-air cutter.

Robbie re-entered the match, but Max cut him off. Cookie freaked out some more, then Kaz shoved Max off the top turnbuckle face-first into one of the trusses holding up the structure. That drew oohs and aahs. Jeremy, Kaz, and Robbie then set up a three-way Tower of Doom spot that floored all three.

After the dust cleared, Jeremy found himself up top, but Kaz dropped him with an enziguiri. Kaz followed with the Flux Capacitor, which was captured with a nice overhead camera shot. Everyone was down, then Kaz and Robbie started climbing from opposite sides of the cable. GenMe then yanked Robbie down and landed a double kick. Kaz found himself caught hanging from the cable and GenMe rocked him back & forth before dropping him to the mat. Jeremy tried to climb the cable, but Max told him it's about him winning the X Title. Max pulled Jeremy down, then they argued. Max thought they had an agreement, but Jeremy climbed the cable and they met at the middle.

The two brothers traded blows while hanging on the cable. Max eventually kicked Jeremy down, then Robbie used a ladder to knock Max down. Kaz then started tight-rope walking across the top of the cable. Robbie tried using a ladder to grab the belt, but Kaz kicked him with his foot, grabbed the title, climbed down the ladder, and fell to the mat with possession of the belt to win and retain.

WINNER: Kazarian at 14:22 to retain the X Division Title. Good story to the match with the brothers battling over the belt and Kaz taking advantage of their issues. They didn't over-do the big spots and focused more on telling a good story to differentiate the match from past Ultimate X matches. (***)
   
5 -- TNA tag champions BEER MONEY (JAMES STORM & ROBERT ROODE) vs. INK, INC. (SHANNON MOORE & JESSE NEAL) -- TNA Tag Title match

It looked like Neal was sporting the USC Trojan headgear with a dark red Mohawk and the sides bleached blonde. Less than a minute into the match, Taz made the same reference. Tenay added that he's like Tommy Trojan. The two teams went back and forth throughout the first part of the match. Beer Money then double-teamed Neal and the action broke down with all four men in the ring. Moore took control with a glancing moonsault on Storm, then a bulldog on Roode. Neal started playing to the crowd looking for a response, then Ink, Inc. attempted a top-rope combo, but Roode knocked down the challengers. The ref let the action go with all four men loosely in the ring before Moore landed another moonsault on Roode.

At 10:00, Roode came back with a spinebuster on Moore for a nearfall. All four men remained in the ring as the action continued. Beer Money executed a double suplex on Moore, then did their Beer...Money routine. They wanted the DWI, but Neal tackled Storm. Moore hit a neckbreaker on Roode, but Roode kicked out and Moore pounded the mat in frustration. Moore wanted to use the Book of Dilligaf, but Neal waved him off. Moore insisted, giving Storm an opening to hit a superkick on Neal. Beer Money followed with the DWI on Moore for the pin and the win. Taz called it a very physical match.

After the match, Beer Money showed respect to the challengers. Neal accepted their respect, but Moore took a swig of Storm's beer and spewed it in Roode's face. Moore bailed from the ring and Neal begged him to be reasonable. Moore told Neal they need to toughen up to become tag champs.

WINNERS: Beer Money at 12:30. This one fell off the rails around the 9:30 mark with all four men in the ring with no order restored. If it's going to be a Texas Tornado style tag match, then make it Texas Tornado. It's my pet peeve about tag wrestling in this era, especially on the independents, and it was exemplified in this match. Otherwise, the match was fine. (*1/2)

6 -- A.J. STYLES vs. MATT HARDY (w/Ric Flair)

Styles started off in control with right hand strikes that sent Hardy reeling across the ring. Hardy followed with his trademark drop down, leap frog, dropkick that sent Hardy to the outside. Styles tried a flying move, but Flair grabbed his foot from the outside and chucked his jacket at Styles. The distraction gave Hardy an opening to take control. It was only momentary, as Styles cut off Hardy near the ropes and landed a moonsault on the floor. Flair distracted Styles again, giving Hardy an opening to ram Styles into the ringpost. Hardy tried to whip Styles into the guardrail, but Styles slid underneath the guardrail, then popped to his feet and landed a flying forearm smash that drew a reaction from Flair.

Back in the ring, Hardy dropped Styles on the back of his neck/head in the corner. Hebner checked on Styles, then Hardy threw Styles to the outside where Flair landed chops and strikes. Back in the ring, Styles tried running the ropes, but Styles fell down. Hardy then slingshot him across the middle rope. He followed with a unique submission hold wrapping his legs around Styles's back and wrenching Styles's neck forward while hanging in mid-air. Styles reached the bottom rope for a break to escape. Hardy then put Styles across the middle rope and Flair proceeded to grab Styles's crotch with a claw grab. Taz called it "five on two."

Hardy followed with a cravat hold wrenching Styles's neck with another submission hold. Styles escaped, though, and they started trading right hand bombs. Styles won the exchange with a clothesline, then a DVD into a backbreaker from the fireman's carry position for a two count. Styles tried to follow with a discus clothesline, but Hardy ducked and hit the side effect for a nearfall. Hardy, breathing heavily, teased the Twist of Hate, but Styles countered into a backslide for a two count. Styles then nailed the discus clothesline and both men collapsed to the mat.

At 15:00, Styles called for the Clash, but Hardy blocked with the Alabama Slam for a two count. Hardy then stalked Styles for a corner clothesline, but Stlyes blocked with a back elbow smash. Styles tried to follow with his trademark springboard back flip, but Flair had the ref distracted and he didn't see Styles's pin. Flair then poked Styles in the eye from the ring apron, but Styles came back with the Pele kick to Flair. Hardy took advantage with a spike DDT of sorts, then hit a top rope moonsault, but it was only good for a two count. Hardy sold that he was stunned.

At 17:00, Styles blocked the Twist of Hate, then caught Hardy on the top rope with a Pele kick out of nowhere. Styles went up top, posed, then hit the Spiral Tap. Styles made the pin and ref Hebner countered through Flair trying to grab his arm to give Styles the pin and the win. Refreshing to see a ref count through an outside interference attempt. Post-match, Flair stomped his feet in anger before Styles bounced from the ring. Styles then came back to ringside and punched Flair in the crotch before walking off with two victories for the price of one.

WINNER: Styles at 17:38. That was a pretty good to very good PPV singles match. Hardy has almost been forced to reinvent himself as a full-gutted, brawler-type, which suited him well in this match opposite the more athletic Styles. It was good to see Styles back in a singles spotlight where he can be of most benefit to TNA. (***1/4)

Concluded...

Arcademan:
7 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. ROB VAN DAM -- #1 contender match to TNA Title

RVD was out first, then Anderson paused on the stage to do his customary pre-match mic work. In the ring, the two challengers stared off each against each other to sell the intensity of the match-up. Early on, Van Dam tried a leap frog spot, but he fell on Anderson's head and the two men fell to the mat. A few fans did a "You f'ed up chant," and Anderson shouted back that he meant to do that. On the floor, RVD set up Anderson for a trademark spin kick as Anderson was draped across the guardrail, but Anderson moved and RVD ate the guardrail. Anderson laughed in RVD's face, then took him back into the ring to wrap RVD's leg/knee around the ringpost.

Anderson resumed the attack in the ring with submission holds and strikes trying to work over RVD's knee and leg. Moments later, RVD grabbed a headlock and walked around the ring selling no effects of the leg work by Anderson. RVD then came to his feet again not selling the effects and Anderson dropped him with a clothesline. Next was a double knock-down clothesline that put both men on the mat at 10:00. They started trading bombs like in the Hardy-Styles match, then RVD did a back-flip and ate the ringpost. They proceeded to bump heads and both men fell to the mat.

In any event, RVD followed with a cross-body block near the ropes that took both men over the top rope to the floor. RVD got up, started walking up the ramp showing no effects of the leg work, and walked into a Mic Check from Anderson. Meanwhile, Jackson James was doing a ten count. Some kids were screaming at Anderson to get in the ring. James reached a ten count as Anderson dove just short of the ring apron. "Now what?" Taz asked. JB announced it's a double count-out. Taz said this is a number one contender's match. Tenay said he wants to see one of these two men advance. There was a subsequent chant of "Re-start the match" followed by a responsive "No." The ref stood between RVD and Anderson as they tried to recover to their feet. Meanwhile, Tenay and Taz were shown on-camera talking about them hopefully getting an answer on who's the #1 contender on Impact this week.

WINNER: Double count-out at 12:54. The finish was fitting considering how bad of a match this was for its place on the card. Not aesthetically-pleasing, clunky, and they seemed to get lost several times. RVD appears to just be going through the motions at this point and him completely no-selling Anderson's extensive leg work was pretty bad. (1/2*)

8 -- TNA World Hvt. champion STING vs. JEFF HARDY -- TNA World Title match -- No DQ match

Hardy spent the first minute teasing which side of the crowd he would toss his t-shirt to. Seriously. In a TNA Title match. Sting then cornered him, Hardy kind of ducked, walked across the ring, and dropped the t-shirt in the ring. Moments later, Sting grabbed Hardy and dropped him with the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting made the cover for a three count. Afterward, Sting shot Hardy a look and Hardy sold that he was upset he lost the title. Sting took his belt and walked to the back. A fan shouted something at Sting and he shouted back, "I agree, I agree."

WINNER: Sting at 1:28 to retain the TNA Title. The word from backstage at the PPV is that Hardy was in no condition to perform. TNA needs to step up and start holding people accountable. They're playing with fire continuing to play games with the likes of Jeff Hardy, who obviously has health issues that need to be addressed. If they're not going to give him the help he needs, then cut ties with him rather than continuing to put him on TV. Someone in TNA management needs to step up and do something before something worse than a 90-second main event title match on PPV happens. (n/a)

Announcers: They went to Taz and Tenay, who narrated a full-length video package recapping all of the events from the PPV matches trying to stretch out the PPV. Taz encouraged people to watch Impact for fall-out from the Anderson-RVD match. Yes, watch the free TV show to figure out what viewers spent $35 on. Tenay and Taz signed off at 10:44 p.m. EST, one of the earliest PPV sign-offs in TNA history.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I'm not sure who had a worse night - the NCAA Selection Committee or TNA. What can you say? This was a promotion reinforcing a minor league, health-risk reputation. It's not even the quality of the matches in the final two slots, but trotting out Jeff Hardy in a PPV main event in no condition to perform.

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