TNA Impact Wrestling Results – June 19, 2014

The Impact after Slammiversary opened with a video package on events from Sunday, focusing on MVP unable to face TNA champion Eric Young, so EY defended the TNA Title against Austin Aries and Bobby Lashley in a cage match.

In the arena, MVP’s music played to bring out the Director of Wrestling Operations hobbling out on-stage on crutches. MVP was flanked by Lashley and Kenny King for an opening promo as Mike Tenay and Taz set the stage for the show. After the trio entered the ring, MVP opened his speech by saying he’s going to cut straight to the chase. MVP paused to acknowledge a “You Can’t Wrestle” chant by noting he definitely cannot wrestle because of his injury.

MVP moved on to Dixie Carter, who he said went to the Board of Directors whining and crying, leading to MVP being given a formal reprimand. MVP said the Board’s way did not work at Slammiversary, so he is not listening to any stuffed suits anymore. He then called out Eric Young to come down to the ring to have a conversation.

The TNA champ came out dressed to wrestle holding the TNA World Title belt as Tenay hyped Young defending the title tonight against an unknown opponent. On the stage, Young said the only travesty that happened at Slammiversary is he did not get a chance to punch MVP in the face. MVP replied that he gave Young an opportunity to defend the title, but Young thinks he’s so smart colluding with Aries to make sure Lashley did not get a fair shot.

Young went on with a strange promo line about this being the people’s world and the wrestlers are just living in it. King spoke up from the ring that they’re going to give the people what they want to see: King against Young for the title tonight. King fired himself up as MVP tried to calm down King, who was ruining his speech. Young said he’d like to give King what’s coming to him, so he just needs a ref. Young called out Earl Hebner to come ref the title match.

1 — TNA World Hvt. champion ERIC YOUNG vs. KENNY KING (w/MVP and Lashley) — TNA World Title match

Back-and-forth early on before King slipped Young to the outside. MVP and Lashley stood over Young, threatening violence, but Austin Aries, Samoa Joe, and The Wolves marched down to ringside to neutralize the heels. The crowd was hot for Joe. Meanwhile, King splashed Young on the outside before dragging him into the ring to continue working on the champ. King lost focus, though, and Young quickly rolled up King for the pin and the win. Young quickly left the ring, smiled, and sat down in a chair positioned ringside by his support squad.

WINNER: Young at 3:45 to retain the TNA World Title. That was a bit off – the babyface champion took the match because he wanted to give King a beating, but he took a beating for most of the match and won with a small package.

[Q2] [Commercial Break at 9:15]

Video Package: TNA advertised Jeff Hardy (not Willow) with Matt Hardy at the NYC TV tapings next weekend.

Back from break, MVP slapped around the timekeeper, who fell to the ground covering his face. MVP demanded he tell him that he’s sorry. Lashley just stood there glaring down at the timekeeper while MVP complained about King kicking out of the deciding fall. Suddenly, EY and the faces hit the ringside area to attack MVP and Co. Security then spilled out to try to create separation. The indy wrestlers serving as “security” visibly tried not to laugh as they played their role creating separation, but another fight broke out.

MVP eventually returned to the ring with Lashley and King. He said he’s tired of this non-sense. MVP said they’re going to have some fun, then he vowed to abuse his power some more. He booked Young in a second title defense tonight, this time against Bobby Lashley. He said this will be an Empty Arena match, with the only people left in the building being Young, Lashley, the ref, oh, and King and himself.

MVP said since The Wolves want to be so involved in King’s matches, there will be a Tag Title match tonight. And it will be The Wolves defending against Aries & Joe. He doesn’t want to see them dance around the ring, though, so he’s going to add a third team to the match. MVP demanded old man Earl Hebner walk down to the ring. Now. MVP said he wants to slap around Hebner, but he can’t beat up an old man. So, instead: “Earl, you are fired.” MVP told Earl that he no longer works for TNA. MVP demanded Earl remove his referee t-shirt, then Brian Hebner ran into the ring to defend his dad. MVP said he doesn’t have a heart, so he doesn’t care about Brian defending his old man. King then ripped off Earl’s shirt as Brian left the ring.

Earl had a parting shot: people like MVP make him hate this business, but he loves all these fans. MVP sarcastically said maybe the fans will take up a collection for him. He demanded his music play as Earl walked up the ramp selling anger over what happened.

Backstage: Dixie Carter and Ethan Carter III were shown walking down the hallway. Dixie said MVP is backing up what he told the Board on Sunday. Then, she talked up ECIII beating Bully Ray. Carter noted he retired Sting, injured Kurt Angle, and beat Bully Ray in a Texas Death Match. The roving cameraman then randomly mentioned Tommy Dreamer. Dixie said Dreamer has been bashing her on social media, so she’ll see if he talks as tough as he writes.

Up Next: Wolves vs. Aries & Joe and a third team for the Tag Titles.

[Commercial Break at 9:28] [Q3…]

[…Q3] During the Break: Earl Hebner was escorted out of the building by security.

Still to come: EY vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA World Title.

Backstage: Young was asked by a roving cameraman about what’s happened tonight. Young said MVP has taken it too far by firing Earl. He said it’s no longer about titles right now. Young’s phone then rang. The person was at the hotel prepared to help Young, who purposefully left his phone behind after leaving the room. The cameraman spun around to find Kurt Angle listed on the phone.

In-ring: Joe & Aries, then The Wolves made their way to the ring for the Tag Title match. Willow’s music then played to bring out Jeff Hardy and Abyss as the other team in the match.

2 — TNA tag champions THE WOLVES (DAVEY RICHARDS & EDDIE EDWARDS) vs. AUSTIN ARIES & SAMOA JOE vs. WILLOW/JEFF HARDY & ABYSS — three-team match for the TNA Tag Titles

Chaos early on, then Impact prepared to cut to break. Before going to commercial, though, TNA showed Tommy Dreamer walking backstage. Tenay teased Dreamer with a live mic tonight.

[Commercial Break at 9:39]

Back from break, Abyss was working on Davey. More in and out tags with none of the teams gaining a clear advantage.

[Q4] The match continued with Joe and Abyss resuming their long-standing battles. Clubbing blows back and forth, then Joe snapped off a powerslam for a two count. Hardy then found a pile of bodies on the floor and did his dangerous new no-look fall-back splash, sending everyone crashing to the floor. Back in the ring, Davey blocked Hardy/Willow’s top-rope Swanton Bomb. Double knees to Hardy’s back, then the Wolves scored a three count to win.

WINNERS: The Wolves at 13:03 to retain the TNA Tag Titles. A lot of star-power in the match, but they cancelled each other out in a three-team tag setting.

Backstage: MVP and King had a conversation while Lashley stood there listening. MVP apparently saw the footage of EY being on the phone presumably with Angle, then came up with a plan to take out Angle to make sure he doesn’t help EY in the title match.

Announcers: Tenay and Taz were shown on-camera. Taz filled in the audience on why Dreamer is suddenly involved in the show. Taz said Dreamer owns an independent promotion, and said independent promotion uses TNA talent, but Dixie pulled talent at the last second, setting off Dreamer on social media. So, the indirect message is TNA has defined itself down to the level of an independent promotion.

Backstage: Dixie and Rockstar Spud were shown walking down the hallway. They’re up next.

[Commercial Break at 9:52]

Earlier Tonight: Eric Young retained the TNA World Title over Kenny King. But, MVP flipped out and booked a second title match – Young against Silent Lashley.

Backstage: Samoa Joe and Austin Aries were forced to leave the building by tough-talking independent security wrestlers. MVP was then shown talking to The Wolves fresh off their title retention. MVP had a gift for them. He said there were another couple of guys who deserved to be in that Tag Title match, so they get to defend the belts again tonight, just like Eric Young. And their opponents will be Bram and Magnus. Eddie said MVP better be careful what he wishes for.

Dixie Carter Promo Segment

Back in the arena, Dixie Carter and Rockstar Spud walked out on-stage. Dixie smiled down to the ring as if she were posing for a prom photo as Spud waved to the crowd in his Jonny Fairplay suit.

[Q5 — second hour] In the ring, Dixie took the mic and thanked Pennsylvania. She said she originally came out here to celebrate Slammiversary, specifically ECIII’s victory on Sunday. Dixie said Bully Ray is not here tonight after losing to Ethan, so she would like to send a message to Bully: “Read my lips. Dixie Carter will NEVER, EVER go through a table.” Dixie said when you’re her and you have the world’s attention, everyone wants to latch onto your star.

Carter said all these negative haters try to tell her how to run her company, but she is in charge. Dixie paused to ask the booing crowd if they’re even listening. On another note, Dixie told MVP to keep digging your own grave, making it easier for her. Pause for a “You Suck” chant.

Dixie moved on to a “man out there” who has been saying some vile things about her. She said this man is trying to make himself relevant again and make a buck off her. “What’s his name?” Dixie asked Spud. “Tommy Dreamer,” Spud said. Dixie then asked Dreamer to join her in the ring right now.

No music for Dreamer, who made his way down to the ring with his shirt untucked to look more presentable. Dreamer stood opposite Dixie, who told Dreamer to stop hiding behind his 140 words and his little independent promotion. Dixie said he invited Dreamer out here to do the right thing, apologize, and take it all back.

Dreamer took the mic and said first of all thank you for having him. He said they have personally always gotten along, but, business-wise, she always has made head-scratching moves. Dreamer recapped sitting down with Dixie at her house to watch a football game and set up a Hardcore Justice PPV to give some hardcore wrestlers closure. She even drank beers in the ring with them. Dreamer asked what ever happened to the person who sat in the crowd and thanked the fans for coming to her events.

Dreamer said when he left TNA and watched the product, he became embarrassed to even be a pro wrestler. He said Dixie’s decisions not only affect the wrestlers in the back, but the rest of the industry. Dreamer told Dixie that this is not the Dixie Show, so if she wants her own reality show, then go pitch it to Hollywood. She said it’s her responsibility to deliver the best product each and every week on TV.

Dreamer said he runs a “small little wrestling company called House of Hardcore,” but he travels the world and listens to the fans. He said people tell him how wrestling affects people and he knows there is still good inside Dixie. Dreamer said at Slammiversary, he sat and watched that skybox with Dixie with her father, husband, and kids. And then she watched Kevin Von Erich put the claw on and she exploded like a little fan again.

Dreamer told Dixie to remember what they’re about and to do the right thing. Dreamer told Dixie that the wrestling business relies on her shoulders. “Please do the right thing,” Dreamer said. Dixie, selling becoming emotional as the promo went on, hugged Dreamer, then kneed him in the groin. ECIII then hit the ring and beat up Dreamer. Dixie said this is her show and she wants this piece of trash out of his ring.

[ JC’s Reax: One of the most counter-productive segments of the last four years, right up there with Hulk Hogan’s bi-yearly “next level” promos. Each week, TNA and the announcers sell the audience on this being a big-time, national TV wrestling show, asking the audience to invest and buy into the product, then Dreamer randomly shows up and cuts a promo telling the same audience that this product is garbage trying to “shoot” and speak to hardcore wrestling viewers. Unbelievable. ]

Backstage: Kurt Angle showed up. But, Kenny King and Bobby Lashley cut him off. King asked Angle what his business is. Angle said he just wants to talk to MVP. King listened, then went off to find MVP while Lashley silently stared down Angle.

[Commercial Break at 10:13] [Q5…]

[…Q6]

Backstage: MVP approached Kurt Angle for a conversation. MVP said they’ll have a meeting later tonight.

In-ring: The Wolves were standing by for their next title defense tonight. Bram and Magnus were then introduced as the challengers.

3 — TNA tag champions THE WOLVES (EDDIE EDWARDS & DAVEY RICHARDS) vs. BRAM & MAGNUS — TNA Tag Title match

Now for a match on a show that makes Tommy Dreamer ashamed to be a wrestler. Davey tried to show that he’s proud to be a wrestler by ripping off rapid-fire offense to Magnus, who then took a double-team DDT and dropkick from the Wolves. Davey followed with a top-rope missile dropkick for a two count. Davey then climbed to the top turnbuckle, but missed a double foot stomp. Suddenly, Bram chucked a chair into the ring, striking Davey for a DQ.

Post-match, Bram used a chair on the Wolves while Magnus landed a few kick stomps. Bram then placed Eddie’s head inside a chair to attempt career-altering attack, but Willow’s music interrupted. Jeff Hardy charged down to the ring while Abyss tried to balance himself running down the ramp without falling over. Hardy and Abyss cleared the heels, who retreated to the outside.

WINNERS: Wolves via DQ at 4:19 to retain the Tag Titles. Good work from Davey trying to cleanse the pallet after Dreamer’s promo. By the way, what happened to Magnus? He seems to be in a secondary role to Bram at this point, not the other way around.

Backstage: MVP approached Brian Hebner, mocking him for crying. MVP said it’s just business, not personal having to fire Earl. MVP asked about Earl’s Social Security check, then told Brian he’s going to put him in the TNA Title match between Eric Young and Bobby Lashley tonight. No speaking words from Brian, who suddenly could not talk and expressed his emotions through shrugs and gestures. MVP noted Brian’s kids need to be fed, clothed, and educated. So, in order to keep that going, Brian will count one, two, three. Brian muttered, “Yes sir,” when MVP asked if he understood. Brian handed over MVP’s crutches, then watched as MVP walked off. Brian sold dejection.

Backstage: Taryn Terrell was shown returning to TV. Taryn looked at herself in a mirror, then walked off.

[Commercial Break at 10:27]

[Q7] Backstage: The roving cameraman asked Magnus and Bram about walking away from a fight. Magnus said he is misunderstood because they had another job to do. He pulled out a wad of cash, then Hardy jumped Magnus from behind. The fight was on. Is this setting up the Hardys reunion against Magnus and Bram?

In-ring: Gail Kim was in the ring to excitedly introduce her former rival, Taryn Terrell. Taryn walked out to the ring after greeting the crowd. Gail said she didn’t like Taryn when she joined this division, but Taryn proved herself at Slammiversary. Gail noted they beat the heck out of each other, as Taryn smiled, and Taryn proved that she does belong.

Taryn thanked Gail for her support and said she took the past year off to give birth. She recalled them splitting two matches and noted the audience wants to see a tiebreaker to find out who the best Knockout is.

On cue, the Beautiful People’s music interrupted. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky mocked the “little lovefest in the ring,” then Angelina noted to Gail that she lost to her at Slammiversary on Sunday. Angelina then focused on Taryn, noting they have not been properly introduced. Angelina introduced herself with a right hand, then a fight broke out. The face duo of Gail and Taryn cleared the BPs, then stood tall in the ring.

Backstage: MVP approached Kurt Angle in the hallway. Why are you here? Angle said he just wants a moment of MVP’s time. He said that being home alone, he started looking inside himself. He wants MVP to do the same thing and examine his behavior. MVP asked why he would do that when he’s owning this place. MVP told Angle he has two options: get with them or get out of the building. Kenny King got in Angle’s face to tell him to leave, things escalated, and Angle decked King with a right hand. Angle then got in Lashley’s face to ask what he’s going to do. No one jumped, then Angle backed down and walked off.

Up Next: EY vs. Lashley for the TNA Title.

[Commercial Break at 10:39]

Backstage: Security cleared out Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell. Jeremy Borash recapped everyone being gone, including production people. Who’s filming and lighting JB then? MVP walked into the shot and said everyone needs to leave. That includes you, JB. MVP sent him and the cameraman off, saying that’s his camera. The camera was placed on the ground before TNA cut back to the arena.

In-ring: Bobby Lashley was introduced to the ring as Taz said that’s cool to see JB kicked out. Why were Taz and Tenay allowed to stick around? Lashley, flanked by MVP and Kenny King, entered the ring before TNA champ Eric Young was introduced. Brian Hebner held up the title belt before the opening bell sounded.

[Q8]

4 — TNA World Hvt. champion ERIC YOUNG vs. BOBBY LASHLEY (w/MVP and Kenny King) — TNA World Title match

As the bell sounded, Lashley consulted with MVP on final instructions for the match. EY quickly knocked Lashley to the outside, then delivered a big splash. Back in the ring, Young tried to roll up Lashley, but Bobby kicked out in time. Taz wondered about EY’s fatigue factor as Lashley regained control of the match. EY was in trouble on the outside as Impact cut to break with a cameraman shown filming the action on the floor.

[Commercial Break at 10:49]

Back from break, Lashley ran over EY with a knock-down clothesline. Lashley followed with a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. EY responded with a dropkick and top-rope cross-body splash for a two count as MVP instructed ref Brian Hebner to call the match correctly. Young suddenly snapped off a piledriver, but King pulled Brian Hebner out of the ring to block the count.

Back to focusing on the ring, Young bodyslammed Lashley, then tried a top-rope elbow, but Lashley moved in time. Lashley then exploded on Young with a big spear. Lashley covered and it was good for the win as Brian reluctantly counted to three.

WINNER: Lashley at 9:12 to capture the TNA World Title. Congrats to the 21 percent of Torch readers who picked EY dropping the title tonight. It was inevitable after the poor TV ratings over the length of EY’s title run, and Lashley seems like a transitional champion to someone else with more credibility than EY.

Post-match, Lashley turned his back to the hard camera, missing his emotional response following the victory. Lashley took a lap around the ring before embracing MVP and King in the ring. Lashley held up the title belt for the hard camera, then posed in the corner. Lashley eventually stood tall in the ring with MVP and King while Brian held up Lashley’s hand in victory.

Lashley taunted the audience, then MVP taunted EY, who recovered in the ring. King wanted to smash EY with a chair, then decided to put Young’s left arm inside a chair. Suddenly, a man in a shirt and jeans hopped the guardrail and the cameraman captured it. The man was identified as Bobby Roode, who hit the ring and cleared the heels, wanting to get a piece of MVP. Roode stood tall in the ring staring down Lashley while MVP hobbled around on crutches.

(Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch.com)