** SPOILERS ** TNA Impact Wrestling Tapings For 2/21/13
TNA taped the February 21st episode of Impact Wrestling tonight in London, England. Thanks to WrestlingINC.com reader Paul Davis for sending in these spoilers:
Rockstar Spud vs. Robbie E. (w/ Robbie T.)
Short match but Rockstar Spud looked very strong as a character and seems to know his role within the match very well. The crowd are slowly gassing out at this point but still in good enough spirits to cheer for Spud throughout the match. The ending see's Robbie E. attempt to cheat by taking 'The List' from Robbie T. but Big Rob doesn't allow it and Rockstar Spud roles up Robbie E. for the win. After the match Spud runs off to the back and Robbie E. shouts at Robbie T. for not letting go of 'The List' and Robbie T. takes his, pink, shirt off and intimidates Robbie E. who shortly after runs off.
Winner: Rockstar Spud
Joseph Parks, James Storm, Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, Roode and Aries
Interesting to note is that Joseph Parks got a great reception from the crowd as soon as he appeared and tends to have an extremly distinctive presence from the other performers on the match. The heel teams of Bad Intentions and Roode & Aries fall out of favour with each other very quickly and Roode and Aries leave Bad Intentions to get quickly disected by the opposing teams. Each opponent executes their finishing moves and leave Joseph Parks to add the finishing touches with a big splash on Kazarian.
Winners: Joseph Parks, James Storm, Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero
Samoa Joe vs. Garett Bichoff
Not too much to note in this match other than Garett Bischoff receiving 'you can't wrestle' chants and then makes the obvious mistake of attempting 'wrestling' moves on the submission expert Samoa Joe. Wes Briscoes causes the DQ which lead to Angle hitting the ring for the save which worked as the set up for Angle to announce, on the mic, that he was the one that got Wes his contract and that he wants to face him at Lockdown to inflict un-imaginable pain on him.
Match up made for Lockdown: Ace's and 8's Vs. Sting and three others of his choosing.
Winner: Samoa Joe via DQ
- Hogan makes his third apperance of the night to announce his number one contender choice for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match to be Bully Ray, who had no part in the #1 Contenders matches. Bully Ray comes to the ring and shows respect for Hulk and says that he feels he doesn't deserve above all those that competed. If you ask me, something seems very suspicuos with Bully and Hulk at this point in time. However, Bully suggest the match of himself, Hulk and Sting in the main event against three members of Ace's and 8's that Hulk agrees to.
Tara (c) vs. Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky vs. Brooke Tessmacher
Tara, for whatever reason, began her entrance with Brooke Hogans music playing; Tara ever the professional works through it and doesn't react. This was a 4-way elimination match up but the first elimination, which was Tara, proved to be confusing seeing that the crowd either forgot or it wasn't announced that it was an elimination match up. Once Brooke pinned Tara the crowd reacted as though the match was over. However the running order of elimination was Tara, Brooke Tessmacher, Gail Kim which leaves Velvet Sky as your new Knockouts champion. Even with a gased out crowd the fans seemed to lap this win up and Velvet proves her worth as female attraction.
Winner and new TNA Knockouts Champion: Velvet Sky
Mr. Anderson, D.O.C and Devon vs. Hulk Hogan, Sting and Bully Ray
Hogans music hits twice but no show from Hogan both times so Bully and Sting continue the match alone. I was looking out for any pre-planned reaction from Bully Ray and Sting since we had to backstage segments shown throughout the night, no such reaction happened. From this point on it all built to the ending which saw the Ace's and 8's holding Hulk and Brooke hostage on the long ramp way causing Bully Ray to leave Sting in the ring all alone so he could chase away the Ace's and 8's. Bully Ray is then seen screaming down the ramp after noticing Sting being attacked in the ring, so Bully runs off backstage and comes out with all the faces members of the TNA locker room including RVD, Magnus, James Storm, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, Hernandez and Chavo and Rockstar Spud who beat down the Ace's and 8's and the crowd pops one last time.
- Once off the air the remaining TNA roster members in the ring thanked the crowd. Funny thing to note is that Rockstar Spud looked as though he didn't know whether or not to stay or leave the ring and appeared to ask Magnus that very same question, he soon after had his moment with the crowd. Dixie Carter comes out with The Blossom Twins and Marty Scurll (who seems fine at this point) and thanks the crowd one last time. The two shows proved to be very well put together and everyone involved seemed to have a great time. Myself included.
Paul Davis contributed to this article.