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Impact Wrestling - July 31, 2014 (Destination X 2014)

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 31, 2014
Location: Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz

Reviewed by Tommy Hall


It's Destination X, meaning for one night a year, the X Division actually matters. In this case we have another Option C, as Austin Aries has cashed in his X-Division Title for a World Title shot. Also, we have the reunited Hardy Boys challenging the Wolves for the World Tag Team Titles which should be awesome. Let's get to it.


We open with a video of Aries in an empty arena and talking about how he's willing to give it all up for one chance tonight.

The opening video talks about the two title matches.

Here are Dixie and company to get things going. Dixie brags about changing the rules on everyone and giving them the real EC Dub (not ECW of course). She's given them a star in Ethan and he'll lead TNA into the future. Ethan talks about how the two men who debuted last week are the real ECW men. First up is the man formerly known as Big Z, but now he'll go by his real name of Rycklon. The other guy is just known as Gene Snitsky.

This brings Ethan to Team 3D and Dreamer. The fans want tables but Ethan says this is going to become the house that the Carters built. A challenge is issued for one final challenge to end this war once and for all. Also, Dixie is NEVER going to be put through a table, no matter what.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Wolves

Wolves are defending. Eddie and Matt crank arm work to start as the fans are split. The champions take over but Matt sends Richards into the corner to take over. Off to Jeff as the Hardys start working over Davey's arm. A double suplex gets two and it's back to a wristlock from Matt. Richards finally gets in a shot to the head and makes a tag off to Edwards to clean house.

A double hurricanrana puts both Hardys on the floor, setting up a double suicide dive to keep the champions in control. Back in and Eddie enziguris Jeff into a German suplex from Davey for two. Matt saves his brother from a double suplex before the Wolves are thrown outside. Poetry In Motion over the top puts everyone down before a regular one hits Eddie in the corner.

The Side Effect sets up the Swanton but Richards sends Jeff outside before a cover. Matt gets two off a moonsault to Edwards before both Hardys put on Ice Picks (double underhook guillotine chokes). Davey breaks Jeff's hold and makes the save before sending him crashing to the floor.

The kick to Matt's chest sets up the double double stomp for two on Matt. Back up and a Twist of Fate gets two on Davey and a backslide gets the same for Richards. Jeff is still down, allowing the Wolves to hit their powerbomb/top robe Backstabber for the pin on Matt at 10:08.

Rating: B. This was good but not great. The tagging part went away a few minutes into the match but that's probably the best thing all around. I didn't know who was going to win here and that's a very good thing considering how this could have gone. The Hardys still looked good and Matt hasn't looked like this in years.

Video on Low Ki, an X-Division pioneer.

Low Ki and Joe stare at each other in the back.

X-Division Title Qualifying Match: DJZ vs. Manik vs. Low Ki

It's the usual series of triple threats to set up another triple threat for the vacant title. DJZ heads outside to start, allowing Manik and Low Ki to dive around a lot. Back in and DJZ dropkicks both guys down before sending Manik outside. Low Ki counters a tornado DDT and sends DJZ into the corner, only to have Manik come back in to break it up.

Low Ki gets sent to the floor and Manik puts a Black Widow on DJZ. He changes it over to an Indian Deathlock but Ki kicks him down to crank on DJZ's leg even worse. Ki gets knocked off the top and DZJ gets two off a rollup to Manik. DJZ gets kicked off the top and out to the floor and the Ki Crusher ends Manik at 5:10.

Rating: C. The match was fine but I really have a problem getting into these qualifying matches. They're so similar every single year with people being brought back, wrestling maybe a match or two after it's over, and then usually leaving again. That really isn't all that interesting and gets tiresome quick. Still though, not a bad match.

We look back at Sanada turning on Great Muta and joining forces with James Storm last week.

Here's Storm with something to say. What we saw last week was a student rising up instead of being held down by his mentor. Now Storm is Sanada's new mentor and will see that he gets everything done.

X-Division Title Qualifying Match: Sanada vs. Brian Cage vs. Crazzy Steve

The muscular Cage (he once appeared on Gut Check) cleans house to start and gets two off a backbreaker to Sanada. Steve gets in Cage's face and offers a test of strength before stomping on Cage's foot. That's fine with Cage as he picks up Sanada in a Samoan drop and Sanada in a slam at the same time. Both guys get thrown down before Cage can't hit a delayed vertical superplex on Steve. The Crazzy one hits a sunset bomb for two but Sanada makes the save. Sanada gets hammered down in the corner but Cage misses a Lionsault, allowing Sanada to hit a tiger suplex on Steve for the pin at 3:55.

Rating: D+. Cage looked really impressive but there was no question who was going to win here. Sanada is a guy that we have a reason to care about which puts him far ahead of a lot of the international talent brought in for something like this. There isn't much to say here though, as is the case most of the time on this special.

Team 3D and Dreamer accept.

Bobby Roode gives Aries a pep talk.

Here are Team 3D and Tommy Dreamer with something to say. D-Von talks about being gone for awhile but now he's back with his best friend Dreamer and his Brother Ray. They know how to finish a war and that's what they're going to do. Dreamer says he's been in wars against and with these men along with others that will die for all of us. Being hardcore is a work ethic and he would go to war with anyone in TNA because that's what this business is all about.

This brings out Dixie's cronies with Ethan saying this is war, but the war is next week. Ray isn't pleased and asks if Ethan knows who he is and where they are. Ray may not know how to do a lot of things, but he knows how to start a riot in New York City. If Ethan gets to name the time, Ray gets to make it a weapons match.

Angle and Joe shake hands in the back and Angle is pleased.

Team Dixie is ready for next week.

The Beautiful People don't think much of Terryn and Gail Kim.

Someone whose name begins with an H is coming.

X-Division Qualifying Match: Samoa Joe vs. Tigre Uno vs. Homicide

Before the match, Joe talks about how awesome he is and how he'll bring the focus back to the X-Division. Tigre is quickly thrown down but Homicide sends Joe out to the floor for a big running flip dive as we take a break. Back with Tigre dropkicking both guys down but he gets double teamed with a High/Low.

Joe and Homicide have their big showdown with Joe taking over and hammering away. Some knees to Homicide's head have him in trouble but Tigre comes back and takes over with kicks of his own. Homicide takes Tigre down with a tornado DDT but Uno is in the corner. Joe takes over again but Homicide breaks up the MuscleBuster. That only lasts for a few seconds though as Joe busts up Homicide's muscles to advance at 9:50.

Rating: C+. It's the best of the three matches but that really doesn't cover a lot of ground. Joe advancing is the logical move and I really hope Homicide isn't going to be around full time. I've never cared for him and he doesn't seem to do much other than wrestle a strong style which doesn't do anything for me.

Video on Abyss vs. Bram. Abyss sings My Girl and brings out Janice.

Video on Aries cashing in the X Title last week.

We recap the X-Division stuff.

TNA World Title: Austin Aries vs. Bobby Lashley

Bobby is defending and it's a staredown to start. Aries goes to the leg to start but it's a very slow opening. More kicks have Lashley in trouble and Austin wraps his leg around the ropes for even more kicks. A dropkick to the back sends Lashley to the floor but his dive is caught in midair for a belly to belly suplex as we take a break. Back with Lashley taking over and putting on a reverse bearhug.

Aries fights up but gets caught in a regular bearhug. Austin escapes again but gets caught in a nice gorilla press drop. The Dominator is countered with a discus forearm and a series of regular forearms in the corner. Lashley is sent to the floor and Aries hits the top rope ax handle, setting up a missile dropkick back inside. The corner dropkick is caught in the Dominator though (sweet counter) but the spear is countered into the Last Chancery.

Lashley fights out and lifts Aries for a suplex but just throws Aries forward. Another spear attempt misses and there's the discus forearm to send Lashley back into the corner. The running drokick sets up the brainbuster but Lashley is up at two. Lashley rolls away to avoid the 450 but Aries misses the suicide dive. Back in and the spear retains Lashley's title at 16:28.

Rating: B-. Good match here as Lashley piles up another hero. This is basic wrestling booking as we're waiting on the hero to rise up and take the title back to the good side. Lashley is little more than a dragon, but that doesn't mean it's not a good story. Nice match here too with Aries playing the hero really well.

The final video shows Dixie being lifted up for a powerbomb next week with a Twitter hashtag of ITHAPPENS.

Overall Rating: B-. I didn't hate the show but this really didn't feel special. The opener was entertaining and the main event was good as well, but there was nothing on here that I'm going to think about soon after this show. I really don't know what's coming for Bound For Glory but we should be getting to its build in the next few weeks.

I can't imagine this is going to help the X-Division either as it looks to be exactly what happened before: the division will mean something for a few weeks and then go away because it doesn't mean anything until next year's Destination X. At least it was entertaining while it lasted this year. Good but definitely not great show here.

Results
Wolves b. Hardys – Powerbomb/Backstabber combination to Matt
Low Ki b. DJZ and Manik – Ki Crusher to Manik
Sanada b. Brian Cage and Crazzy Steve – Tiger suplex to Steve
Samoa Joe b. Tigre Uno and Homicide – MuscleBuster to Homicide
Bobby Lashley b. Austin Aries – Spear

Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:


http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Comments

  1. "I didn't hate the show but this really didn't feel special" = YOU. ARE. A. HACK.
    Best free TV show in a LONG time. You're literally in the 1% who didn't think it was special.

    ReplyDelete
  2. And you 2 are literally in the 1% who watched it. *rimshot*

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michael Cole and Taz back together again!

    ReplyDelete
  4. kbwrestlingreviewsJuly 31, 2014 at 9:19 PM

    I always smile at people who say I'm a hack because I don't praise something ENOUGH. It's one of the better shows in awhile but I didn't say it was GREAT, so I'm a hack.



    Now that we have that out of the way, I'd point you back to what I said about the three ways. They were short and nothing memorable and are the same thing we see every year. They don't do anything for me and that was about half of the show. The non-matches consisted of yet ANOTHER "let's remember ECW as awesome because Tommy Dreamer can't do anything else" promo because we need to cater to the live crowd instead of making the fans at home care more.


    Oh and make sure to spoil the big angle for next week. That always helps.

    ReplyDelete
  5. kbwrestlingreviewsJuly 31, 2014 at 9:20 PM

    Good night this is getting ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bobby Lashley blows.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How dare you not praise this show as the best thing ever! TNA HAS GONE TWO WHOLE WEEKS WITHOUT FUCKING THINGS UP! You know, except for losing their TV deal and basically going out of business.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Crikey Mate Down Under AussieJuly 31, 2014 at 9:27 PM

    Caps lock doesn't make your opinion anymore valid, mate.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I expect we'll see 98 other people confirming your viewpoint shortly, seeing as it is LITERALLY so.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So Tommy... thoughts on TNA basically spoiling the ending of next week's show?

    ReplyDelete
  11. That'll put butts in front of TVs.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yeah, letting people know something is coming so they can tune in is a horrible idea.
    You're a hack because from what I've read of your work, Jesus H. Christ could wrestle a 60 minute ironman match with Satan and you'd have trouble cracking a B+.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Feel free to look up "exaggeration for effect" when you stop wanking.

    ReplyDelete
  14. And you're a hack because you literally misuse the word "literally".

    ReplyDelete
  15. Show me where I said my opinion was more valid than his, mate.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Were you ilovecmpunk?

    ReplyDelete
  17. ECW ECW ECW ECW ECW ECW ECW ECW

    ReplyDelete
  18. It will not die!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fwiw theres some dumb gimmick account troll saying that they are you in the impact live there. I don't believe it, not because I don't think your above that sort of tomfoolery, but because they weren't funny at all and you probably would have been.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't speak for the infinite alternate worlds out there, but not in this one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. And the mystery continues.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Feel free to look up "exaggeration", because you obviously don't know the meaning of THAT word either.

    ReplyDelete
  23. TJ. watched Beulah vs Fonzie last night. Good match

    ReplyDelete
  24. Isn't it all a moot point anyways since this awful promotion is DOA in a few weeks? Hopefully then tommy will review something on the network

    ReplyDelete
  25. You did not LITERALLY say so, but "YOU. ARE. A. HACK." implies as much.

    ReplyDelete
  26. If you used star ratings I'd white knight for you TH

    ReplyDelete
  27. There's nothing "special" about a dying wrestling promotion, brah.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sounds like your opinion, not a fact.

    ReplyDelete
  29. brah? You've never seen boobies in person, have you?

    ReplyDelete
  30. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:44 PM

    Neither guy has workrate. You'd think we'd get the blowoff by now instead of waiting almost 2000 years and counting.

    ReplyDelete
  31. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:45 PM

    You posted in 411mania and CNN. Your opinion is irrelevant.

    ReplyDelete
  32. He should go back to 411 then

    ReplyDelete
  33. Says the guy with 2000 comments on one wrestling blog. Irony meter = exploded.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I've never had a problem with the letters.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've posted on 411mania :(

    ReplyDelete
  36. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:48 PM

    This site is nowhere near as bad as 411 or CNN. I'd say my opinion is a fair bit more relevant than yours is, especially considering you're likely either an anti-smark or a troll. So in conclusion, get fucked.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Good one, you sure showed him who's bosa

    ReplyDelete
  38. Having fun trolling tonight

    ReplyDelete
  39. But have you seen boobies in person?

    ReplyDelete
  40. At least we have a community.

    ReplyDelete
  41. He's cool, he's seen BOOBIES... in PEROSN

    ReplyDelete
  42. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    Say 10 Hail Savages and the 2000 Raw theme.

    ReplyDelete
  43. People are wasting time impersonating me? I can't even get a cameo on a stupid BoD RAW show.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Yeah, the mans a legend.

    ReplyDelete
  45. My god...he is a king among men

    ReplyDelete
  46. These SSW reviews are finally getting you the heat you deserve. You're the Lt Falk of the BoD

    ReplyDelete
  47. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:51 PM

    PRetty sure you would be booked if you showed interest. you're a top-flight tweener here.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Man, in WCW he didn't even have music.

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  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMGfxHysmsU throw this oddity in there too. From the WWF Aggression album.

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  50. Do...do...do you think he...touched them???

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  51. I dunno, brah

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  52. You mean "The Big Nasty"?

    ReplyDelete
  53. What is it about the BoD and crazy people, anyway?

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  54. I don't wanna brag but I've lucked into it a few times. Am I forgiven? I've done the Hail Savages, the Raw theme is playing on a loop. FORGIVE ME!

    ReplyDelete
  55. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:57 PM

    I know, right? This was the best free TV show in years and anyone who disagrees is a TNA hater, ignoring the fact that even if they did two months of good shows theres still a major league tanking ahead!

    Stay classy trolls!

    ReplyDelete
  56. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJuly 31, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    He came out to it for a short time.

    ReplyDelete
  57. TM CooltrainerBretJuly 31, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    Ok, but just this once. You won't be forgiven a second time unless you absolutely have to go because you can't find the show review anywhere else.

    ReplyDelete
  58. The best thing that album gave us was the Run DMC DX theme. My favorite DX entrance theme.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I understand. No more 411mania commenting from me. I've been shown the error of my ways!

    ReplyDelete
  60. It's a bad, bad place. Bad.

    ReplyDelete
  61. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJuly 31, 2014 at 10:01 PM

    Agreed. I liked that a lot. Is this the same album that had the method man, rock song? I actually dug that. Went to a smackdown taping where they did it live. Very random

    ReplyDelete
  62. Yeah it's full of rap versions of WWF themes. It's got some good stuff but a lot of crap too.

    ReplyDelete
  63. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJuly 31, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    That's right. I think Vince's no chance was good and if I remember correctly Kane had a good one

    ReplyDelete
  64. kbwrestlingreviewsJuly 31, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    In theory it makes the fans tune in, but it ruins the "can Bully do it" mystery. To be fair though, it's not like this was going to triple their ratings. I wouldn't have done it but it doesn't make a big difference either way at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  65. They felt like big bags of sand

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  66. As long as this place gets hits, Scott doesn't care.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Uncrusimatic_Buck_NastyJuly 31, 2014 at 11:03 PM

    b- for the main? i have to disagree and say it was at least a B, maybe even a dbry.

    where the hell was this bobby lashley during his wwe run? he busted his ass and looked very good in there, very dominant but not just a muscle guy. maybe it was aries doing a really good job of carrying him (which i concede is probably a large part of it), but as someone who's never given 2 craps about lashley, for the 1st time he really made me take some notice

    ReplyDelete
  68. Adam "Colorado" CurryJuly 31, 2014 at 11:09 PM

    Probably the best match between two non-wrestlers ever. Sick fucking bladejob too.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Uncrusimatic_Buck_NastyJuly 31, 2014 at 11:12 PM

    "Someone
    whose name begins with an H is coming."

    bwahahah, too easy

    ReplyDelete
  70. Is that what they called him for a while?

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  71. What the HELL? I don't even remember this album. Oh, I'm going to have fun trolling people at work with this today!

    ReplyDelete
  72. kbwrestlingreviewsJuly 31, 2014 at 11:27 PM

    He isn't talking. It helps him so much.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I thought this was the best TNA show I've seen in quite a while. If they put on more shows like this on a regular basis, they wouldn't be in the trouble they are currently in.

    ReplyDelete
  74. The result stinks, but I'll admit that this was one of Lashley's best matches ever.

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  75. Be nice if he could do something about his voice. He always sounds like someone just kicked him in the balls.


    And they really better hope he wins this MMA match he's got coming up. Surprised they didn't have him drop the belt to Aries, just to be safe.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Did Fonzie intentionally go .9 Muta or did the gig slip?

    ReplyDelete
  77. this was a great show. The opener and closer were both fantastic and automatically make this show better than the E's last "special". I hope Spike buys TNA get's it out of Dixies hands and brings in JR.

    ReplyDelete
  78. its kinda reminiscent of the happy days episode where they ask if fonzie can jump the shark over and over....

    ReplyDelete
  79. But have you seen boobies? Where's your boobies meter at? Boobies.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Is it a fact that you have seen boobies?

    ReplyDelete
  81. Neither guy would sell for the other. I can't see it being very good. Maybe if if was a boobies on a pole garden of Eden street fight.

    ReplyDelete
  82. The story I heard is that he was blading himself in the corner with the the chair covering his face and Beulah ran up and did the dropkick (I know, not a dropkick, but I don't know how else to describe it) on the chair while he still had the blade on his head.

    ReplyDelete
  83. "Open with Aries in an empty arena."
    TNA is just begging us to make fun of them at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  84. It's either that or Gorgeous George vs. Charles Robinson.

    ReplyDelete
  85. He was face in WWE for some reason

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  86. Adam "Colorado" CurryAugust 1, 2014 at 10:46 PM

    That was also shockingly not terrible. Not even CLOSE to Beulah/Fonzie, but a clear #2.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I really enjoyed the tag title match and the main event, which is great and makes this a show you should check out

    ReplyDelete

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