"Final Resolution '14" Results

[Deleted]

Orlando, FL - December 18, 2014
Live Stream on Hulu Plus!

Our commentary team of Josh Matthews, Matt Striker, and special guest, the Spokesman for the Board of Directors John "Bradshaw" Layfield, are at the announcer's table running down things after a video vignette. After talking over how they think the title matches later tonight might go, they send things to the ring where ring announcer Jeremy Borash is standing in, ready introduce our first combatants of the evening! Welcome to Impact Wrestling!

The Sumerian Death Squad, Tommy End and Michael Dante, were able to defeat the newly formed team of Johnny Gargano and Roderick Strong. Gargano and Strong showed some good tandem offense and had the crowd support early, as they are both well respected singles and tag team competitors. The hard hitting, unorthodox competitors from the Netherlands, however, have a lot more experience and just had their number tonight, hitting a Wheelbarrow/Flying Flipping Cutter combination on Strong to get the win in a great opener to set the pace for the evening.

"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin, Tyson Kidd, and Justin Gabriel defeat Ricochet, "The One Man Nation" Uhaa Nation, and "King of Flight" Kalisto in a lucha libre infused contest. Tags became irrelevant by the end, as things broke down to become very chaotic, and almost overwhelming. Elgin and Nation are great bigger men to work with such talented, athletic types as Kidd, Gabriel, Ricochet, and Kalisto, and it was Elgin who's power and poise would come out on top on this evening. Kalisto thought he might come off the top onto Gabriel near the end, but Elgin would rush from the floor, cutting him off and delivering a Sit-Out Powerbomb from the top to get the pinfall for his team.

Finn Balor would barely manage to overcome the formidable Kota Ibushi in a very exciting contest. The difference here would be the clear killer instinct of Balor, which Ibushi just seemed to lack in this particular contest. He seemed happy to be here in the early going, while Balor was desperate to get a win and looked for blood early and often. Ibushi would show heart, kicking out of a devastating double stomp. He would try to go to a familiar well for him, trying for some high risk, high reward offense, but would ultimately crash and burn. He might have been better off sticking to his great precision striking game, but he made a mistake, and Balor is not the guy you want to sleep on. When you slip up with a guy like Balor, you're liable to get caught and planted with his Bloody Sunday finisher, and that nearly always yields a three count. This match was no different. Ibushi leaves this match with some new fans, and he gets a taste of what Impact is all about, while Balor now looks to move up and eventually challenge the winner of Styles/Rollins in the future.

The Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, had fallen to their opponents for this evening last month, but tonight, they were able to defeat Forever Hooligans, Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero, handily. The Hooligans were able to cheat their way to victory in the last meeting between these two teams, but this time, they were able to overcome. The Hooligans would try to go with the theory that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, trying for many of the same tricks that brought them the win last time, but the MCMGs adapted, in the end, it was Sabin who deliver the All Hail Sabin driver to Romero to get the pinfall victory for his team.

In a match that was well worked by both men, Sami Zayn would manage to deliver a Brainbuster to Trent Barreta to get the pinfall. Barreta's brashness and ring psychology in this match, working over the leg of Zayn as he tried to keep the Canadian sensation grounded, was effective in getting the fans behind the well rounded red head. Zayn would battle through the pain, putting together an impressive string of high impact moves late in the match, which concluded with said Brainbuster to yield a three count for the star. Barreta was good, but just not good enough on this evening to get the win, while Zayn bounces back from his loss to Seth Rollins last week in a big way.

Before the next match, the Kings of Wrestling, Cesaro and Chris Hero, and Lord William Regal stand in the ring, waiting to find out who their opponent for the evening will be. It was announced that the Young Bucks were suspended indefinitely after failing a drug test for steroids, which seemed suspicious to most, but now everyone wants to see how this all will play out. JBL, who was at the announcer's table helping call the action this evening, steps into the ring to boos from the crowd. JBL goes on to say that justice has prevailed, and the performance enhancing cheaters have been removed from the show, while great, rule abiding, clean athletic talent can be displayed in this very ring. He says that he searched far and wide, and found the absolute best to face the Kings of Wrestling tonight. They've held tag team titles literally everywhere, and tonight, they look to make their triumphant return to the ring. He says he is proud to welcome Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner, the Steiner Brothers!

This gets a decidedly mixed reaction, as the fans are happy to see the team, but both brothers are over 50 years old and nobody has seen them team in some time. Rick is almost retired, at this point. JBL, though, is clapping like a madman, looking very proud of himself, as the Kings of Wrestling and Regal huddle up, looking slightly amused as they talk over strategy. And then there's Scott Steiner, who, in his chain mail headdress, has a microphone.

"SHADDAP! All you FAT ASSES HERE, YOU SHUT YER MOUTHES!"

The fans immediately switch to boos. Big surprise.

"NOW LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT MY BROTHER, THE 'DFG'!"

Rick starts barking as Scott flexes his completely natural biceps.

"YOU SEE THIS! THAT AIN'T NO SHORTCUPS! THAT'S SACRIFICES! THAT'S HARD WORK! SOMETHIN' THE YOUNG FUCKS DON'T KNOW NOTHIN' ABOUT! WHEN THEY WERE IN LITTLE BABY DIAPERS, I WAS AT MICHIGAN, BEING AN ALL AMEIRCAN! WHEN THEY WERE SUCKING ON THEIR MOMMAS FAT, NASTY OLD TITTTIES, WE WERE RULING THE TAG TEAM DIVISION! And YOU, CESARO, YOU THINK YOU'RE A STRONG GUY!? WELL YOU'RE FROM SWEDEN-SWITZERLAND! YOU SWISS BASTARD! YOU AIN'T THE GENETIC FREAK! AND YOU, HERO, YOU THINK YOU'RE A HERO!? WELL YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SUPERMAN, AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, ASK YOU'RE GIRLFRIEND! OH, WAIT, OH WAIT... NO, YOU DON'T GOT A GIRLFRIEND EXCEPT YOUR RIGHT HAND, WHICH IS HOW YOU HAVE ALL THAT KNOCK OUT POWER CAUSE YOU CAN'T STOP MASTURBATING LIKE A LITTLE TWELVE YEAR OLD WHO JUST FOUND HIS PRICK!"

The Steiners are laughing at that.

"AND, YOU REGAL, YOU BETTER NOT GET INVOLVED, AND YOU BETTER KEEP YOUR DAMN SHIRT ON OR I'M GONNA GO, AND I'M GONNA HALF TA GIT ONE AH MARIA KANELLIS BIG ASS TITTY BRAS, AND SLAP IT ON YOUR SAGGY, PATHETIC, LOOSE SKIN EXCUSE FOR A CHEST!"

Regal is looking around, obviously a bit confused and incredulous as the fans are all like "OOOOH!"

"SO TONIGHT, WE COME BACK, AND WE SHOW THE KINGS WHO THE REAL GODS OF TAG TEAM WRESTLING IS! AND ALL YOU PATHETIC SLOBS OUT THERE, YOU CAN THANK ME, CAUSE YOUR GIRLFRIENDS ARE ALL WET AND MOIST NOW LOOKIN' AT THESE PEAKS, AND YOU'RE GONNA GET THE BEST RIDE OF YOUR LIFE THANKS TO THE 'BIG BAD BOOTY DADDY'! THIS ONE GOES OUT TO ALL MY FREAKS... HOLLER, IF YA HEAR ME!"

The fans are just kind of stunned by that verbal trainwreck, and most have to just applaud the sheer insanity of it as the Steiners head to the ring.

The Kings of Wrestling, Cesaro and Chris Hero, with Lord William Regal defeat The Steiner Brothers, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner, as you might have expected, but it wasn't nearly as easy as they had hoped. This wasn't a long match, and the Steiners didn't turn up the heat too much, but they cut off the ring and showed the kind of poise that 30 years in the business will give you. Basic psychology stuff. They hit some of their trademarks and the fans were actually behind them as Regal would go and whisper to JBL, looking worried, but JBL seemed to reassure him. It becomes clear this was some kind of a ploy or arrangement by the two. A high spot came when Hero and Cesaro were looking to hit something big on Scott, but Rick cut off Hero up top and Scott back dropped Cesaro as he attempted to get him up into Powerbomb position. Steiner then shocked everyone and almost took himself out of the match, going up top and hitting a Frankensteiner on Hero that made everyone mark out! The ending sequence was marred with controversy. Scott would get Cesaro into the Steiner Recliner as Hero was grabbing something from Regal on the outside... BRASS KNUCKLES! Hero heads in and hits a Running Boot on Rick, sending him crashing into the referee and then rolling out of the ring. Hero then winds up and delivers THE POWER OF THE PUNCH to Scott! "Freakzilla" is knocked out cold and Hero pulls the referee over, covering him for the win! What a sham, as the Kings of Wrestling get the win, but WAIT!

As the Kings of Wrestling and Regal are celebrating, into the ring slide two men in hoodies.... IT'S THE YOUNG BUCKS, NICK JACKSON AND MATT JACKSON! They deliver Superkicks in stereo to Hero and Cesaro, sending them out of the ring as Matt Striker yells "SUPAKICK PARTAAAAYYYYY!!!" Regal holds his hands up, trying to beg for mercy, but Matt lifts him up and slams him with a rolling Fireman's Carry! They then complete the MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK ON REGAL AND THE FANS GO CRAZY! JBL is motioning like a madman and security finally hits the ring and pulls away the Jacksons, but the damage is done as these fans chant for the Young Bucks!

Knockouts Title

Dark Angel is able to overcome the hard hitting onslaught from "AK-47" Allysin Kay to win the championship, making her tap out to La Reienera, barely able to hold onto the move due to her exhaustion, but she shows the grit of a champion hold on and get the win.

X Division Title - Ladder Match

In a star making performance, Jay Lethal would defeat Kenny Omega in a match where both men shined, but Omega proved he belongs on the big stage. These two were so inventive and creative, and the psychology here was wonderful. Things started off being just a competition, but things would become more heated and you could see it evolve from a fight for a title to a venerable fight to the death. Perhaps the most amazing move of the night was performed by Omega, as he would get Lethal in the Electric Chair position on the ladder, coming up underneath him and holding him as he climbed to the top, showing great strength and then hitting the Croyt's Wrath from the top, hitting hard at the bottom as well as the fans cheered everything from "HOLY SHIT!" to "THIS IS AWESOME!" to "PLEASE DON'T DIE!" Lethal would pull through and catch Omega trying to go to the top after that, stunning him, causing Omega to hang from the rungs and he would run, handspring, and deliver the Lethal Injection to bring him from the center of the ladder to the mat! Lethal would pull himself up, trying to get to the top, but he noticed Omega getting up on the ropes and so he leaped from the top of the ladder as Omega hung, leaning back with one hand on the ropes, eyes wide, and Lethal drove an elbow to his heart, putting him out for good. Lethal climbed again, and this time retrieved the belt, and took his place as the rightful champion of the X Division. The fans now seem to completely understand what this division is all about, and it might be the most exciting in all of professional wrestling.

Tag Team Titles

In a night of redemption, this was a sweet one for reDRagon, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly, as they defeated their rivals the American Wolves, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards, to win the tag team championships. The last time these two teams met, the Wolves would prove too imposing and would get the pinfall. This time, however, it was the drive, the will, and the intensity of reDRagon that shined through, especially from Kyle O'Reilly, who put on one of the best performances of his career in this match. He and Richards would especially have some spirited exchanges, and both of those men really seemed to try to lead their team to championships, but only one team could walk out with them. In the end, it would Richards who would fall but not without a Hell of a shoot out near the end. He would nearly save the match for his team, catching O'Reilly with a Handspring Enzuigiri as he had Edwards is a standing Guillotine Choke to impress everyone watching, but he and Edwards just couldn't quite get the job done. They'd hit O'Reilly with the Alarm Clock, thinking that would finish it, but Bobby Fish would make the save with a Diving Headbutt. Fish would eventually take Edwards out of the occasion with a Leaping Single Knee Strike, leaving Richards alone with reDRagon. From there, Fish and O'Reilly would unleash some staggering blows, leading to O'Reilly lifting up Richards and the two performing their Chasing the Dragon finisher, which was enough to put out Richards' lights and keep him down for the three. reDRagon find the sweetest redemption of all as they hoist the championships above their head, but one has to wonder how long they'll be able to hold onto those belts the competition so fierce here in Impact Wrestling.

Impact Wrestling Title

In perhaps the most eagerly anticipated match of the night, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles would close out the night in sweet fashion as he pinned Seth Rollins to win the Impact Wrestling championship! Styles would try to take down Rollins early, but Rollins would show his poise and then tried to employ his fierce game plan, pummeling Styles early on and showing him zero respect. Many of the fans were behind Styles, but there was a clear sect of the audience who wanted to see the "Phenomenal One" fail, or maybe they were huge Seth Rollins fans; in any event, they were very passionately chanting against Styles and wanted to see him lose on this night. Styles would manage to battle through, eating some of the best shots Rollins had and showed his rage and focus as he pushed back from every blow Rollins landed and tried to brawl with him, showing his own striking prowess. Rollins looked like he could have been the champion easily, if only he could break the will of Styles, but as many men have found out for years, AJ Styles is not easily, if ever, broken, and he always comes prepared. "Final Resolution" will forever stand as the first true supershow of the Impact Wrestling era, and Styles has made a career out of out performing everyone else on the big shows, and tonight was no different. He picked his points beautifully, and tried to tell his story in that ring; the pain etched on his face, the striving as he tried to pull himself up after huge blows and hard slams, and the way he would someone will himself to kick out at the very last second even as Rollins dug deep into even his Tyler Black playbook, trying to think of anything he could to put down the former World champion. Rollins would have Styles equally scouted, and seemed to be impossible to get caught up into the Styles Clash, but Styles would manage to finally drop him on his head with his Hollow Point driver, before nailing a very nasty Styles Clash which saw Rollins actually land on the back of his head in a sick way, knocking him completely unconscious! Even the most jaded of fans was on their feet for that, and there was nobody left sitting and nobody silent as AJ Styles lifted up the Impact Wrestling championship in triumph, letting everyone know that the Era of Impact has begun!

[jp1985]

Good to see Styles finally get recognized in this league and given a top spot in a promotion. Makes for a great choice as the champion and really helps the promotion as a whole. No sign of Jericho on this show, but presumably not the end of Rollins' hunt for the title. Hopefully that botched taking of the Styles Clash spot that I assume was inspired by the recent discussion of the move after the second broken neck from the move this year where it was caused in the same way as this, hopefully it does not in fact also signal a severe injury for Rollins and he will be written out from it as he is pretty valuable right now to these shows.

Same can be said for reDRagon getting their due. Your tag team division has been put over to death now and while there is no clear cut top contender, The Machine Guns bouncing back against The Hooligans earlier has to put them up there with The Wolves. It will take dedication to get The Sumerian Death Squad in a position to have the win-loss record they need to compete with these teams, but you have shown you are capable with the work you did with The Juicy Product a couple months back.

Figured Lethal would win as you have been behind him since day 1. The spotlight got Omega a boost in the process as I can only imagine that the 2 of them in a ladder match would have a lot of pretty good spots. Would be pretty difficult pulling off the spot you described with the Croyt's Wrath on the ladder, but it is certainly possible. Probably too early given they are both champions, but a Styles vs Lethal feud down the road could be something to watch for.

Can honestly say I did not expect The Steiners as the mystery team lol. Will be interested to see the rest of this angle play out and find out why JBL has it in for them, as it seems like a storyline suspension if they shot a video and then showed up here vs a shoot suspension or anything like that (technically we decide everything so even the shoot is storyline, but I mean suspending disbelief that they are supposed to have legit got tested and failed lol).

Can't go wrong with Elgin, Zayn, and Balor starting to ascend the rankings too. Looking forward to what you have in store for them as any of those 3 could get themselves into position to challenge Styles with another big win. You could greatly benefit from another heel on this roster at that level, just one even, to really give one of them a good program with real heat, but admittedly a lot of the better talent in that way is locked up and inaccessible right now so might have the best roster you can.

Good show, delivered what it had to.