Austin Aries kicked off the show by having a promo for the night's main event between him and AJ Styles. He was rudely cut off by Bobby Roode's entrance music. Roode talked about the bad year he has had and how he was going to turn things around. He compared his year to a nightmare after Austin Aries referred to his match with AJ Styles as a dream match.
Bobby Roode vs Hernandez
The confrontation between Austin Aries and Bobby Roode ended as Hernandez came out for his match with Roode. This was a solid opener and a solid match. During the match there was a spot when Hernandez went to the top of the walkway and ran down to jump over the top rope and knock Roode down with a shoulder block. I don't know if this is his finisher or not but it was pretty cool, and I think TNA has something unique to them with that walkway and should make more use of it. Bobby Roode ended up stealing the match by throwing chairs in the ring to distract the referee. Roode hit Hernandez over the head with a glass bottle to knock him out and get the three count. This match put Bobby on the Bound For Glory Series board with 7 points. This was an awesome ending to the match, and it got me excited for the night ahead.
Backstage Promo
ODB was talking to Eric Young about being in a match again after a short time as a referee. Eric Young told her he couldn't be in the corner because he had "his hands full" with Joseph Park. Park showed up in the screen stretching in an awkward position. When he noticed Young's presence he stood up and mentioned that some wrestlers recommended he added a new move to his move set called "twerking". Young told him to forget about it and mentioned that he had something for Park's match. This was an entertaining and funny promo that set up the match.
Jay Bradley vs Joseph Park
Before the match between Jay Bradley and Joseph Park began, Eric Young revealed his gift as protective headgear. As the match started the headgear protected Park while Bradley slammed his head on the top turnbuckle. Bradley spent the majority of the match focused on the headgear creating a slow match. Joseph Park ended up winning by pin fall after performing a samoan drop on Jay Bradley. This earned Park 7 points boosting his BFG score to -3. I wasn't interested in this match too much. I think Joseph Parks gimmick is great, and it makes for good comedy relief, but the match was just too slow.
Champion vs Champion Match: WH Champion Chris Sabin vs X Division Champion Manik
This was the best match of the night, but it was in the mid card! I was really upset that the match was in the mid card, but it's tough to compete for the main event slot against names like AJ Styles and Austin Aries. Then again, putting Sabin and Manik in the main event would have built up Sabin not only as an important champion, but an important wrestler in the company. Anyways, the match was a spectacular technical bout that featured awesome spots like a delayed superplex from the top rope preformed by Sabin, and a cutter performed by Sabin. Sabin ended up winning the match after hitting Manik with his finishing move (I think it's called Hail Sabin). After the match Bully Ray attacked Sabin with a chain. While being distracted by a weak Manik, Chris Sabin fought back. He threw hits at Ray that seemed to get faster and faster. I didn't like how this looked, especially since Bully Ray couldn't even keep up with the hits. Sabin ended up hitting Ray with an enziguri, and Bully Ray retreated.
ODB vs Gail Kim
Must I say any more? These two delivered a good, fast paced match that ended in a double count out. The two continued fighting after the bell was rung until commercial break cut in. I'm sure there were plenty of spots in this match, but one that caught my eye was when Gail Kim was dragging ODB from outside the ring, and ODB caught Gail Kim with her legs a swung her around until she slammed Kim's face into the pole. I expect this rivalry to grow and continue. That should be fun!
Backstage Promo
Bully Ray and the Aces & Eights in in the back somewhere listening to what their President has to say. Bully Ray explains that he is not worried about the Main Event Mafia's plans to give them an offer they can't refuse. He says he's worried about Chris Sabin and the World Heavyweight Championship match at Hardcore Justice. Brooke Hogan comes in to speak to Bully Ray. Brooke Hogan tells Ray that the contract for the World Heavyweight championship match does not side Bully Ray. She says to make it fair Bully Ray must agree to a divorce.
Austin Aries vs AJ Styles
This was a great match! I enjoyed everything about it. Austin Aries' finisher, the brainbuster is always an awesome thing to see. The match ended in a unique way that I thought was cool. AJ Styles hit Austin with backflip kick that seemed to be a last burst of energy for AJ. Both lying down they both covered each other for a pin. Aries lifted his shoulder at the last moment, but AJ didn't, giving Austin Aries the win.
MEM Give Aces & Eights their offer, August 1 Warning Guy Revealed
The Main Event Mafia came out asking for the Aces & Eights when the Aces & Eights finally came out the MEM gave them their offer. They offer a 5 on 5 tag team match at Hardcore Justice with the stipulation that the person who is pinned must leave TNA forever. that lead to the Aces & Eights getting in a brawl with Main Event Mafia in the ring. The Aces & Eights quickly reunited outside tthe ring and Mr. Anderson accepted their offer. Suddenly, the lights went out and an unfamiliar song played. Out came the August 1 Warning guy and who is it? Tito Ortiz. Yes, another former MMA fighter. Why? No idea. I think this was another terrible move by TNA and this left a sour taste in my mouth that would have otherwise been a good episode of Impact. I also noticed Rampage Jackson getting angry and excited in the ring as if Tito came to TNA to rival with Rampage. I haven't seen Rampage Jackson nor Tito Ortiz wrestle, but I'd be extremely surprised if they can wrestle any better than decent. I honestly don't think they can even do that, so I hope they don't get in a rivalry together or at least not until they gain experience in the square ring.
Final Grade
This was a good episode tonight, but the August 1 Warning Guy being hyped up as much as he was just to be Tito Ortiz brought this show way down from what would have been a 5/5. I give the show at 3.5/5.
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