TNA Impact Wrestling Review: Results and Analysis for December 8
Eddie Edwards and EC3 battle over the TNA World Championship in the main event.
On Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact Wrestling, Moose not only starts the show but gets a chance to set up a match with a once potential first time Grand Champion. Drew Galloway makes his return tonight to stake his claim for the Grand Championship after getting injured during the tournament. Aron Rex also wanted his rematch forcing Galloway to wait until another time for his deserving shot.
The first ever Double Strap Match in TNA’s history featured the Tribunal going against Al Snow and Mahabali Shera. This has been a heated rivalry with belts being used in the past by the Tribunal. Snow and Sher look to get their revenge against a team that has been a thorn in their sides. Will Al Snow and Shera finally get an edge on the Tribunal?
Laurel Van Ness and Maria continue to annoy Allie but she has been preparing for her moment tonight. Allie has been training with Braxton Sutter and is looking more confident week by week. After slapping Maria, Allie looks to enact revenge on Van Ness for all the bullying she has went through over the weeks. Will the training of Braxton Sutter be enough for Allie to defeat Laurel Van Ness?
The main event was a huge one as EC3 and Eddie Edwards fight for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. EC3 earned his spot by beating three other men in a four way match a few weeks ago. Edwards has been a fighting champion and been successful when the pressure has been on him. Ethan Carter III rarely loses but can Eddie Edwards continue his miracle run?
The Grand Champion is Met by an Unfamiliar Foe
Moose kicks off the show as he won the Grand Championship last week from Aron Rex. He talks about how important it was to win his first major title in wrestling. The new Grand Champion continues to talk about his journey as he is interrupted by the returning Drew Galloway. Galloway had been out for months due to a knee injury and has made his intentions clear. He looks to return where he left off in TNA. Drew Galloway downplays Rex and Moose’s runs as champion as the preseason. He issues the challenge to Moose for a potential match of the year candidate and the two face off in the ring to be interrupted by Aron Rex. Rex jokes about Galloway’s injury and announces that he was robbed out of his Grand Championship. He then requests his rematch to be contested right now.
Impact Grand Championship MatchMoose (c) vs Aron Rex
Result: Moose defeated Aron Rex to retain the Impact Grand Championship.
Aron Rex hits his big knockout punch on Moose and it has him loopy as he falls outside of the ring. This gives Rex full control in the first round as Moose can’t gain his footing. Rex continues to ground Moose to keep his momentum low. Rex wins round one by retreating to the outside to stop Moose’s building momentum.
Moose comes out physical in the second round as he tries to mount a comeback. Rex rakes the eyes of Moose which took away Jessie Godderz’ vision in his previous match. The eye rake takes all the steam out of Moose and Aron Rex is award the second round. The third round is ended quickly, 30 seconds to be exact, by the Game Changer of Moose. Moose retains the TNA Grand Championship.
It is interesting to see the building of heels in the Grand Championship scene. The stipulation makes fans wonder how storylines will be built around it but having a inaugural champion like Aron Rex put a storyline on it. With his gradual heel turn and the return of Drew Galloway, the Grand Championship picture seems more and more interesting.
Mandrews vs Aiden O’Shea
Result: Mandrews defeated O’Shea via pinfall.
This was Aiden O’Shea’s return to the ring after not competing since the World Title Series last week. Mandrews is fresh off of turning on DJ Z after losing the X-Division Championship match. It would seem that he has the advantage coming in being that he has consistently been in the ring.
Mandrews doesn’t back down from Aiden O’Shea but the power of O’Shea puts Mandrews on the mat. O’Shea can’t fight off the rake to the eyes and Mandrews using a different style to take advantage. The striking power of O’Shea puts a bruising on Mandrews and it looks like Mandrews has no chance. He uses his speed to come back and has Aiden O’Shea on his toes. The shooting star press with a new attitude pays dividends as Mandrews defeats Aiden O’Shea.
Double Strap MatchThe Tribunal vs Mahabali Shera and Al Snow
Result: Shera and Snow defeated the Tribunal.
This feud started when Al Snow returned to TNA a few weeks ago to be attacked by the Tribunal. Mahabali Shera came to the aid of former adversary Al Snow but he was left laying in the middle of the ring with Snow.
Snow and Shera start the match outside of the ring as the Tribunal want nothing to do with this strap match. They are attacked on the ramp before both teams are connected to the straps. The Tribunal find their way in the ring and start to whip Snow and Shera which is reminiscent of a few weeks ago. The Tribunal looked like they were going to get the win easily but the straps come into play and stop them from touching all six corners. Snow and Shera pay the Tribunal back with whippings of their own and touch the corners of the six sided ring to beat Dax and Baraka.
The Broken Hardys Announce Total Nonstop Deletion
Broken Matt Hardy announces that Total Nonstop Deletion will take place next Thursday. The entire Impact episode will be presented from the Hardy Compound. Everyone from the Impact roster will be in Cameron, North Carolina. Hardy announces that King Maxel will make his debut next week. An open challenge will be held for the TNA Tag Team Championship.
Shane Helms comes out to accept the invitation to TND. Matt Hardy jokes about the obsolete three count and superhero friends that Helms could bring to the show next week. Helms announces that he will be bring the Helms Dynasty with him.
The Decay make their presence known and that the Knockout’s Championship has made them stronger. Steve and Abyss plan to go back to Cameron and take what’s their possession which is everything. The segment end with TND and delete chants as everyone is preparing for Total Nonstop Deletion.
The DCC accept the challenge issued by the Hardys to appear at TND.
Laurel Van Ness vs Allie
Result: Allie defeated Laurel Van Ness via pinfall.
Allie stuck up for herself last week and slapped Maria. Maria mentions that Allie can’t wrestling but it is ten revealed that Braxton Sutter has been training her. Everyone is intrigued to see the development of this story and where the end result is.
Allie looks more comfortable now that she is in her element in the ring. She takes Van Ness down with a nice armdrag. It is interesting to see how the progression of her training plays out over the next few weeks. Van Ness is still dominant against Allie which is logical but Allie’s pep talk with Sutter allows her to fight back into the match. Sutter is taken away by Mike Bennett which causes Allie to be distracted. Laurel Van Ness attacks from behind but Allie fights back with a reverse ddt for the victory.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship MatchEddie Edwards (c) vs EC3
Result: Match is ruled a no contest, but Eddie Edwards retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
EC3 became the No. 1 contender a few weeks ago after winning a set of number one contender’s matches. He then confirmed his spot by beating Eli Drake and taking his voice for the rest of the year. Last week, Carter called out Eddie Edwards and mad it clear that frienships don’t matter when championships are on the line. Edwards has been a fighting champion but it’s tough to defeat EC3 for the third time this year.
This match started technically with both men feeling each other out in the early going. Edwards gains control of EC3 early after the technical start. EC3 fights back with a string of moves and followed them up with an inverted headlock driver. Carter can’t keep the momentum down for too long as Edwards cranks up the pace. Both men uses their speed to become offensive but Edwards hits his signature suicide dive as EC3 takes Edwards out with a pair of powerbombs. Edwards fight out of the choke and hits the Boston Knee Party but the veteran EC3 rolls out of the ring.
This was a match of scratching and clawing to become the World Champion and it is amazing how passionate both men are. Hebner calls for the bell as EC3 had the choke in but Carter’s shoulders were down. The match was ruled a no contest and Eddie Edwards retains the World Title.
TNA’s main event picture has been one of the most consistent of the year. This match had a huge feel to it even after one week of build. Edwards put his tenacious persona against EC3’s more focused attitude. This was definitely an exciting show to watch as we prepare for Total Nonstop Deletion.
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