2/21/13 Impact

We're in the UK again, and no surprise, Hulk Hogan starts the show. He names Bully Ray the #1 contender after seeing Bully's actions at the end of Impact last week. HH says Bully is the toughest guy in the company. Bully plays the humble guy here. Bully proposes a six-man tag: three guys of Aces & Eights against Bully, Sting, and Hulk. Hulk accepts and the fans go nuts. Don't hold your breath on Hulk doing much of anything.

Daniels, Kaz, Aries, and Roode are partners in an 8-man tag. Major ego trip!

Chavo Guerrero, Hernandez, James Storm, & Joseph Park vs. Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Austin Aries, & Bobby Roode: Loaded with superstar power here. Park somehow got his politicking to work. Lots of action from the start. A bit of comedy mixed in doesn't hurt (i.e. Kaz crossbody backfiring and having no effect on Park). Aries and Roode bicker again during the Park beatdown, so Daniels and Kaz try to do the work themselves. All the heels try to tag themselves in, vintage ego war! Aries and Roode leave their partners high and dry. Kaz eats three different finishers, capped with a Park second-rope splash. **

Tenay announced during the 8-man tag that Bully Ray faces Jeff Hardy for the World Title in a steel cage at Lockdown. A&E probably still a lock to get involved (no pun intended).

TNA keeps mentioning a bunch about King Mo being the two-sport star between MMA and pro wrestling. Remember when they hyped Bobby Lashley that way? Wonder whatever became of him....

Rockstar Spud vs. Robbie E: Spud's first match in TNA, and it's in front of his home country. Robbie of course has the "experience" factor and works on Spud early on. Spud misses a top-rope legdrop. Robbie wants the clipboard but Rob Terry won't give it to him. Spud rolls Robbie up for three. Yup. Good showing from Spud, hope to see more of this guy. *1/2

Robbie's pissed at Terry. OH THERE'S THE SLAP! Terry's pissed and scares Robbie away. Robbie probably made the list for "top things to not do in real life."

Velvet Sky vs. Tara vs. Gail Kim vs. Miss Tessmacher (Elimination; Knockouts Title): Been a tough last few weeks for Tara. It's a Fatal Four Way Elimination, so lots of action throughout. Jesse gets ejected from ringside before the match starts. Brooke Hogan acts as the special enforcer. Several quick pin attempts early. I never understood why people break pins up in elimination matches. Velvet hits her finisher on Tara. Gail steals the pin for the glory. Tara's eliminated so we'll have a new Knockouts champ. Tower of Doom spot! YES! Velvet reverses a rollup and pins Tessmacher, so we're down to two. Gail holds onto the ropes to prevent the sunset flip and Taryn Terrell won't have any of that. In Yo Face again from Velvet and we have a new champ. See what happens when you give the ladies time to do stuff? **1/4

Update on AJ Styles next week. If there was anyone in the company that deserved time off, I'd pick Styles.

Video package on Garett Bischoff and Wes Brisco joining A&E and backstabbing Kurt Angle.

Samoa Joe vs. Garett Bischoff: Bischoff plays keepaway early on, then tries to take out Joe's legs. Joe with the comeback. Muscle Buster attempt thwarted as Wes Brisco interferes. Ref tosses the match out. Numbers game on Joe, then Angle makes the save. *3/4

Angle issues the challenge for Lockdown: Angle vs. Wes Brisco in a steel cage. Ouch.

Lethal Lockdown this year will pit members of Aces & Eights against people on the TNA roster. Much like a WCW War Games setup, and I love the concept.

Rob Van Dam vs. Kenny King (X-Division Title): Another title shot for Kenny King. KK with the upper hand early. Good offense from Kenny to wear RVD down, then the usual RVD comeback. KK with the double knees and a semi-botched Royal Flush only gets two. Can say bye to KK's chances now. RVD with the rolling thunder and frog splash to retain. **

Devon, DOC, & Mr. Anderson vs. Bully Ray, Sting, & Hulk Hogan: And in what was probably the most predictable segment of the night, no Hulk Hogan for the match! Bully's quad is also still bothering him. Bully gets worn down as A&E keeps the fresh guy in. Sting gets the tag and unleashes a few moves. Bully set to headbutt Anderson's nuts. Garett and the A&E masked VP come out holding Brooke Hogan. Hulk Hogan shown with a torn shirt and complaining about a knee injury. Sting left alone in the ring as Bully chases the other A&E guys. DOC with a big boot to Sting's face and that gets three. *3/4

Bully tends to Hulk as A&E continue the attack on Sting after the match to end the show. Good booking of A&E again this week.