After a week off, the “Insight into Impact” article is back. Welcome to this latest blog post, where I will be giving you the lowdown on the October 18th episode of Impact Wrestling, as well as putting my own views about the show too.

The show opens with a lookback at Bound for Glory, highlighting the main points from the show (Devon in the Aces and Eights, Hardy vs Aries).

From that we see the Aces and Eights appear in the Parking Lot, security try to stop them but realised the Aces are now allowed in. The gang make their way into the ring, while some of their crew appear on the big screen celebrating. The main guy gloats about how they beat TNA at their own game thanks to one man, the newest member of the Aces: Devon. Devon makes his way to the ring, and thanks the group for picking him up when he was down, and having his back, before thanking the leader for patching him in. He says he has been asked why he did this, and blames Bully for turning his back on him, and putting one of his sons through a table, before saying “payback is a biatch”. Sting and Bully Ray lead out a group of TNA guys, as Sting wants to introduce them to the TNA roster. A huge brawl breaks out, before Hulk Hogan appears, and the Aces retreat back behind the barrier.

After a break, the Aces are still retreating. Hulk Hogan takes a mic and says the Aces have full access, meaning they gotta fight. Sting wants Devon tonight, and Hogan says they either fight, or get out for good. Bully wants Devon, but Hogan ignores him, and Devon agrees to fight Sting later on.

A video package is shown of Jeff Hardy winning the World Title, and it ends with Hardy saying “right now I am the best
professional wrestler on the planet”…no, just no! Also they mention he is having a celebration on the show. Austin Aries is watching this on TV, and says it’s not a party unless The Greatest Man That Ever Lived is there, and maybe he’ll bring some cookies to it.

Hulk Hogan is talking to Mr Anderson. Hogan says Jeff Hardy will defend the World Title in Championship Thursday. Hogan mentions James Storm is in the running to face Hardy after his BFG win, and there will be a triple threat tonight to determine another potential challenger, while Mr Anderson gets a free spot in the running. Joseph Park enters the office and has smartened up! He’s had enough of the Aces, and wants to talk to Hogan in private. Hogan clears the office as they begin to talk…

Match 1 for the TNA TV Title: Samoa Joe (c) vs Robbie E (with Big Robbie T)

Robbie E charges at Joe and gets clobbered, before the Samoan Submission Machine goes on the offence with hard hitting attacks. Robbie E tries to fight back, but Joe responds with a stiff chop. Joe tries for the Muscle Buster, and Robbie T holds Joe’s leg, blocking the move. Robbie E with a few slaps, Joe knocks him down, then delivers a suicide dive to Robbie T outside. Robbie E leaps off the apron at Joe, Joe boots him, rolls him back inside, hits the Muscle Buster and locks in the Coquina Clutch to make Robbie E submit.

Winner and still TV Champion: Samoa Joe

After the match, Robbie T tries to attack, and Samoa Joe locks him in the Coquina Clutch. I’m counting this as a second win on the night for Joe.

We go backstage to Tara and her “Hollywood boyfriend” Jesse Godderz doing a photoshoot. They end it early, then bang on about some other couple, before saying they’re now the hottest couple on the planet, and then kiss.

Match 2: Tara (with Jesse Godderz) vs ODB

Before the match, ODB is on the phone asking Eric Young where he is, before she rushes to the ring, phone still in hand. So, onto the match, ODB attacks as Tara is with Jesse. ODB beats down and slams Tara, causing Jesse to get on the apron and complain…so ODB forces his head into her boobs! That causes Tara to flip out, and she takes down ODB, strikes with punches and tries to wear ODB down with headlocks. Tara turns to smooch with Jesse, allowing ODB to get “liquid courage”, then splash Tara against Jesse, spit her drink at Jesse, then hit the B-A-M on Tara to win!

Winner: ODB

Miss Tessmacher appears on the ramp applauding, and we are informed she will get her rematch against Tara next week.

AJ Styles and Kurt Angle are chatting backstage. AJ says he’s enjoyed tagging with Angle, but now wants to go on his own. Angle mentions it’s him, Styles and Daniels in the triple threat for Championship Thursday, and AJ says it’s the perfect time to go solo.

Video lookback highlighting Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero winning the Tag Team Titles. Daniels tells the camera when they get their rematch, Hernandez and Chavo won’t handle them 2 on 2, where as Chavo says this win is for La Familia.

Match 3: Gunner and Kid Kash vs Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero

4 man brawl to open the match, Guerrero is thrown outside, allowing a 2 on 1 on Hernandez until he clotheslines them both, then gorilla press slams Kash. Kash bites Hernandez, Gunner is tagged in, before Hernandez drops him and Chavo slingshots in. Kid Kash distracts the ref, and Gunner drops Chavo. Kash and Gunner with quick tags to wear down Chavo, until the Mexican hits an enzuigiri. Hernandez is back in, shoulder tackle, knocks down both Kash and Gunner, before Chavo is tagged back in, to hit a crossbody on Kash for the 1-2-3.

Winners: Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero

Hulk Hogan is in his office with Sting and Joseph Park, and Park wants one of the Aces. Bully Ray comes into the room. He apologises for letting TNA down, and tells Hogan he knows Devon better than anyone else, and wants to replace Sting tonight. Hogan refuses and tells Bully to get ready, as he’s part of Championship Thursday next week. Bully tells Hogan to trust him more, before leaving.

Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring, and good news….that shite custom “Immortal” title is back, with black leather this time. Hardy says he’s chased this moment for over a year, and thanks “the creatures” for being by his side. Hardy can’t wait to defend his title next week….and then gets interrupted by Austin Aries singing “Celebrate good times, come on!”, while carrying balloons and cookies. Aries says he doesn’t want to take anything away from what Hardy’s done, and that he has done what no one else has: beat Aries on PPV. Aries goes to pass the balloons, then lets them go, so Hardy slaps away the cookies. Aries says Hardy has a target on him, and not everyone can handle the pressure. So, Aries will wait to cash in his rematch, until Hardy crumbles. Aries comments on the title, saying Hardy must be able to pull strings, getting his face on the title. Aries hocks a big one on the title, Hardy strikes him, goes to hit the Twist of Fate, but Aries gets the hell out of there!

Daniels is walking backstage, saying tonight he’ll show Hulk Hogan what kind of man he is, when he beats both AJ Styles and Kurt Angle.

Match 4: Daniels vs Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles

Angle and AJ double team Daniels, before deciding to face off. They both try to get the upper hand before AJ drops Angle with a dropkick. Daniels is back in and shoulderblocks them both, before Angle drops him with a clothesline. Angle with a backbreaker to Daniels, before AJ then Angle try to hit their finishers to each other, and fail, Daniels drops AJ with the STO for a 2 count. All 3 men get the upper hand on each other AJ hits his springboard forearm and a Pele to Angle, while Daniels hits a Blue Thunder Drive to AJ. AJ on the apron backdrops Daniels outside, before hitting a Asai moonsault which goes wrong, because AJ hurts his knee. AJ rolls Daniels in, and as he tries to follow Daniels back in, AJ shoves Daniels into AJ, hits the Angle Slam on Daniels and picks up the win.

Winner: Kurt Angle

AJ isn’t happy with the outcome, and as Kurt offers a handshake, AJ walks off.

Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan bump into Hulk Hogan in a corridor. Ryan introduces himself to Hogan, with the Hulkster replying he’s a fan, and to turn the 87% into 97%. Hogan turns his attention to Morgan, asking what his problem is. Morgan tells Hogan that when Hulk joined TNA, he said he’d make the Blueprint a big star. Hogan says he’s been Team Morgan since day one, and fought Morgan’s side when others have said he had no charisma. Morgan forces Hogan to the wall and says he’ll shove those critical comments up Hogan’s ass. As Morgan and Ryan walk off, Hogan smirks.

Video shown of Sting’s induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, before we then see the James Storm/Bobby Roode match from Bound for Glory.

From that, James Storm makes his way down the ramp. He discusses winning the World Title a year ago, and how he and Bobby Roode kicked the crap out of each other at the PPV. Storm says he got up for his family, his fans and himself, then discusses a bucketlist he had when he came back to TNA, which included kicking the hell out of Roode, drink beer, and regain the TNA World Title. He can possibly achieve the last item next week, but before he can continue, Bobby Roode makes his way down, showing effects of the PPV. Roode says they promised to give it their all at the PPV, and they did…but it took a year for Storm to finally beat him. Roode says Storm only become Champ because Roode allowed him to, and that Roode will always be the better man. Storm disagrees and strikes with the Last Call, before telling Roode “Sorry about your damn luck”.

Another video is shown of Sting’s Hall of Fame induction.

Match 5: Devon vs Sting

Devon strikes before the bell and chokes Sting in the corner. Sting replies with a clothesline and flapjack, but misses a Stinger Splash. Sting whips Devon hard into the corner, before stamping on his fingers, and then struggling to clothesline Devon outside. After a break, Devon is now in control, choking Sting on the ropes, and hitting a diving headbutt for the 2 count. Sting tries to fight back, Devon drops him with a flying elbow, only to miss another diving headbutt. Sting with a clothesline and Stinger Splash, followed by the Scorpion Deathdrop. Sting locks in the Scorpion Deathlock, only to have the Aces and Eights rush in to attack him.

Winner: Sting (by DQ)

The Aces continue the beatdown until the TNA roster rush out to save Sting. Bully Ray rushes out with a baseball bat, as the Aces retreat once more through the crowd, to end the show….

This show was a fine one, and interesting to see them quickly distance Devon away from being the leader of the Aces (first segment of the show!). It was expected, but I didn’t think they’d do it so soon. The guessing game of the leader is back up and running now! I have a feeling we may see one or two more from the TNA roster jumped to the Aces…The matches were good, and I must say I felt the triple threat was the best of the bunch. The aftermath is making me think we’ll see some sort of Angle/Styles feud, which would be a good sign that the Styles/Daniels feud is over. Speaking of long feuds, I wouldn’t mind if Storm’s Last Call was the end of his feud with Roode for now. It was good to see Austin Aries back has the sarcastic type of heel that he used to be, and I’m intrigued where he’ll go from here, and when he’ll claim his rematch…hopefully soon to end the “Charismatic Title Reign”. Oh, and after the Morgan/Hogan interaction, I’d love to see what they will do with Morgan. Always felt he could do more and a better job in TNA, so will look forward to what happens next for the Blueprint.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, I really do appreciate it!

@GoofyVillain of @TheTopRope

—————————-

Thanks for reading here on WrestlingRambles.com. We want YOUR opinion on our columns and here’s an easy guide on how-to comment. Be sure to stay connected with us by following us on Twitter and by ”Liking” us on Facebook. Happy Rambling!