Impact Wrestling Episode 4

[Deleted]

Orlando, FL - Taped December 19, 2014
Aired December 25, 2014 on Hulu Plus

The General Manager of Impact Wrestling, MVP, makes his way out to cheers from the fans after the commentary team, Josh Mathews and Matt Striker, welcome us to the show and wishes us a Merry Christmas! MVP shares the same sentiment with the fans, wishing them a Happy Holiday, and then says that he wishes he could congratulate the new champion of Impact Wrestling, AJ Styles, in person tonight. The fans begin to chant for Styles, but MVP informs them that "The Phenomenal One" has been invited to Japan to participate in the Kenshiki Pride Festival! The fans are mixed on this, but MVP says the champion as the full support of the organization, and MVP says he knows AJ will be bringing back a trophy with him when he kicks every other wrestler's butt in the tournament and shows why Impact Wrestling is the best wrestling on the planet! Some chants go up for that, but MVP cuts them off, as he says he has other important news.

He says tonight, he can't produce the Impact Wrestling champion, but he says he does have another special holiday surprise for the audience, as another champion is here who would like to say some words... and then the sounds of the "Godzilla Theme" can be heard, and out to the stage steps the NWA World Heavyweight champion, "The Samoan Submission Machine" SAMOA JOE! The fans cheer for this, as Joe walks down to the ring with his title over his shoulder and an "Impact Wrestling" t-shirt on, and the fans give him a great ovation. MVP goes to shake his hand, but Joe walks right passed him, snubbing the GM, and he leans on the ropes, ready to talk with somewhat annoyed look on his face.

"I'm glad you all recognize the truth... and that is THE CHAMP... IS HERE!"

The fans give him a pretty good pop for that, as he turns to face MVP now, looking contemptuous.

"You see, I'm wearing the t-shirt, I'm on the show, I'm playing to these fans, because officially, this is my new home. This is where I'm supposed to 'belong', and yet it seems like I really don't belong anywhere. They didn't want me in California, they couldn't handle me in West Virginia, they FEAR ME in every other territory in the wrestling world! AJ Styles goes to Japan, but they can't handle Samoa Joe! You'd think AJ Styles was the World Heavyweight champion..."

Chants for Styles pick up, and Joe really looks annoyed now.

"Before Impact Wrestling, there were talks. Back when it was just 'NWA Florida', back all that time ago, it seemed like there was going to be a little match. It seemed like maybe Samoa Joe and AJ Styles were going to have a match; Hell, it looked like maybe even Daniel Bryan might want to get a piece of that action."

The fans cheers big time for that prospect.

"But then this place, they got their little internet streaming deal, and decided they were TOO GOOD for the NWA, and TOO GOOD for this championship."

Joe slaps his belt a few times and looks at MVP dead in the eyes.

"Well, Mr. Porter, I suggest you tell you're little buddy JBL and the rest of his friends that it doesn't matter what they wanted or what they thought, because I'm here to say that Impact Wrestling is now the Samoa Joe Show, and I'm calling the shots!"

The fans give a mixed reaction there. Joe gets right up in MVP's face, who is looking serious and pretty heated.

"You cross me, you try to control me, and you'll face the consequences."

Obligatory start of the "Joe's gonna kill you!" chants as MVP raises his microphone.

"Joe, on behalf of everyone here in Impact Wrestling, we are glad to have you on board and we look forward to this new partnership."

"SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!"

Some heavy music hits and out to the stage walks Seth Rollins, and he's in black trunks and a black hoodie with his name on the front and back of it. The fans give a pretty good reaction as Joe steps to the closest ropes to the entrance, mouthing some words but not speaking them into the mic, obviously even more annoyed.

"MVP, you can stop right there, because I, for one, and I know I'm not alone, couldn't give a damn about Samoa Joe!"

The fans give a big reaction there, as they are expecting a fight now. Rollins starts strolling down to the ring in his brash manner.

"In fact, if you made the match right now, I'd beat him for that belt and nobody would even remember his overinflated, overrated ass!"

Joe's heard enough.

"You couldn't even beat AJ Styles, what makes you think you can hang with me, boy!?"

Rollins begins stepping up the ring steps slowly.

"AJ Styles isn't here, or I'd beat both of you, take both of your belts, and send both of your sorry asses into retirement, but I'm just not that lucky! No, instead, I've got to settle for you! But that's fine. You come here, wanting to throw your weight around? Well, I've got news for you. Tonight, we might be airing the 'Samoa Joe Show', but I'm cancelling it when I stomped your head in!"

Rollins and Joe are face to face and MVP gets between them! They are about to come to blows when another entrance theme hits, and out to the ramp steps Sami Zayn! All three men look up, and Zayn has a microphone.

"You guys sure are doing a lot of talkin', but I'm not real interested in that. You see, Rollins, the fact is, you're not in line for anything... except for a match with me in the main event."

MVP gets up his microphone as Rollins turns to him incredulously.

"He's absolutely right, tonight, Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins will be having a rematch from their tournament match a couple of weeks back."

The fans like that.

"So, Seth, Joe... by all means, keep on squabbling, but it's not going to be you, Rollins, who gets the next title shot. Um, it's going to be me. So, go ahead, continue, I'm going to go get ready for the match..."

Zayn just kind of leaves, waving goodbye as the fans cheer, and Rollins just begins to argue with MVP as Joe leaves, not looking anymore enthused, as we head to a commercial.

American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Roderick Strong & Johnny Gargano

The Wolves manage to pick up the victory here, hitting the Force of Nature on Gargano for the pinfall. Strong & Gargano have another good showing in this short exhibition, but it's clear they still need some time to develop as a team, while it's clear the Wolves want right back in the hunt for the Tag Team titles.

Tyson Kidd vs. "Azucar" Rocky Romero w/ Alex Koslov

Forever Hooligans suffered a big loss at "Final Resolution" to the Motor City Machine Guns, and Romero couldn't find any singles success on this night either. He and Kidd are both world traveled and super versatile, but this match showed each man putting on a clinic of sound, fast technical wrestling. Kidd would prove to be just a step ahead, wearing down Romero enough to apply the Dungeon Lock and get the submission win.

The next segment sees something sort of strange happen, as out to the ring comes backstage personality Lance Storm! Storm walks to the ring stone faced, and then enter the ring, grabbing a microphone.

"If I could be serious for a minute..."

The fans pop for the catchphrase of the man many consider to be the greatest wrestler in WCW history never to hold the Heavyweight championship.

"In the last couple of weeks, there's been some controversy. JBL says the Young Bucks didn't pass a drug screen. I know for a fact those boys are clean, and all I needed to do was get the evidence. I found just that once I started asking some questions, and I got my hands on some security video footage. Why doesn't everyone just turn now to the screen, and take a look."

Lance points at the large screen over the entry way, and some black and white footage appears. We see a doctor in a room with what appears to urinalysis bottles on a cart, along with other lab type objects on the counters along with a computer and some monitors. We see the coated doctor leave, and the footage goes still for a moment. Another moment passes and people are getting antsy, but then you can see the door open and it's none other than WILLIAM REGAL entering the room! He goes through the bottles, looking at the names, and grabs two of them! He pulls a syringe from his pocket, opening two of the samples on the counter near the cart and injects something into them, and then places them back, leaving quickly as to not be detected. The footage stops altogether, and the fans begin to boo as Storm stands with his arms behind his back, letting things sink in. He then brings the microphone to his mouth once more.

"I'd like to call the Jacksons out here now."

He waits, and the sounds of "Mmbop" can be heard, and out come the Young Bucks, Nick Jackson and Matt Jackson, to resounding cheers from these fans! Nick Jackson grabs a microphone as he enters, and Lance Storm continues as they soak in the adoration.

"I've had the pleasure of working with you guys, helping develop you, and it was a sad day when I was informed what they were accusing you of. I'm just glad I got to the bottom of it, and I'd like to, on behalf of the company and all of the staff, apologize for your name getting smeared, and I hope you can accept."

Nick Jackson takes that in, and retorts.

"We knew the truth would come out, and that's why we did what we did. We knew there was something up, and we didn't know what, but it's become pretty clear how things work around here."

Nick passes of the microphone as he nods and Matt Jackson begins to speak.

"That's right, it's become clear to us that the administration around here can be bought and sold, and guys like JBL are more than willing to take a little money on the side to give opportunities to guys like the Kings of Wrestling, who have no business being in the ring with the Young Bucks! They've been handed everything since they got here, and it should have became pretty clear what they were all about when JBL conveniently scraped up challengers for them out of a nursing home at 'Final Resolution', knowing damn well they couldn't survive another Superkick Party with the Young Bucks!"

The fans are really chanting for the Young Bucks now, but they are interrupted by Lord William Regal and the Kings of Wrestling, Cesaro and Chris Hero! The fans are booing the heck out of them, as Regal has a microphone.

"The gull of you insufferable twits is beyond me. How dare any of you try to besmirch my sterling reputation with doctored tapes and hollow accusations!"

The fans start chanting "Regal Sucks!", but the grimacing villain pays them no mind.

"If we're talking about facts, the fact is the Young Bucks have never beaten the Kings of Wrestling in a proper tag team match, and they bloody well won't, because they are pompous, degenerate drug abusers, and they deserve every measure of punishment imaginable, including a lifetime ban from the wrestling ring!"

The fans are furious and booing here as the Young Bucks laugh and Storm just looks... well, he looks like Lance Storm. Storm stops either of the Jackson's from retorting, instead deciding he needed to set Regal straight.

"Regal, I'm not sure what all of that was about, but let me speak plainly when I say it is you who needs to be banned from wrestling."

The fans cheer this big time, and it fuels their chants further.

"The Board of Directors have seen this video footage and it is exactly why JBL isn't here tonight to speak on behalf of them. They are in the midst of meetings, trying to decide on disciplinary action for him, and what to do about you. I, however, already know what to do about you."

The fans cheer for this, waiting for him to explain further as Regal takes the bait.

"Oh really, sunshine, and what might that be?"

Storm cracks a slight smirk for only a moment.

"There's going to be a six man tag team match... you three, against us, and Regal, that means you won't be all protected on the outside, free to interfere. No, next week, pardon my French, I'm going to do what I should have did a long time ago and I'm going to kick your ass right out of this ring!"

"And that's not just the coolest..."

"That's not just the best!"

"That's from Calgary... Alberta... Canada!"

"And on January 1st, we're gonna have NEW YEARS SUPERKICK PARTY!!!"

The Young Bucks do their signature flexing pose as Storm gets down into his flexing pose, and these fans mark out like crazy as the Kings and Regal just leave, obviously defeated morally on this night. Mathews and Striker can't help but salivate at this monumental announcement, as Storm and Regal return to the ring in what is sure to be a fiery contest!

Calls out the Young Bucks, and they take to the ring. Kings and Regal come out, and Storm makes a challenge for a six man tag for next week.

Candice LeRae vs. Mia Yim vs. Alicia Fox

Candice LeRae managed to pull out a big win here against two very different opponents in a tight, short three way match. This lasted all of about five minutes, but was jam packed with intense action that had these fans cheering for these girls. Yim brought a little more danger to things, coming off the top a few times and trying to score quick roll ups when not going high risk. Fox showed a vicious side, and played the crowd well, getting them against her as she would slap and demean her opponents. LeRae would manage to pin Fox by showing her dare devil side, coming off the ropes with a springboard and hitting a Reverse Frankensteiner, planting Fox on top of her head after she tossed Yim on the outside to get the pinfall.

The Juicy Product (JT Dunn & David Starr) w/ Kimber Lee vs. Sumerian Death Squad (Tommy End & Michael Dante)

Dunn and Starr make their return to Florida with Kimber Lee cheering them on, and they seemed to have it out for the SDS, looking to get a comeback win with style. As it turns out, they took the Netherland death machines a little too lightly, as became apparent from almost the opening bell, and they paid for it. End and Dante bring a combination of power, speed, and unorthodox striking prowess that is hard to match, and while the Juicy Product are a great team, the Death Squad just seemed to have an answer for them. Dunn would try to rally near the end and hit a Rebound Rolling Elbow on End, but End would duck it and springboard off the middle rope, twisting and connecting with a Double Knee Strike, which lead to Dante coming off the top with a Frog Splash, and that was it. The Death Squad get the win!

After the match, the Juicy Product would Superkick to Dante and End to the back of their heads! Starr would toss Dante from the ring and they would hit a modified Spike Tombstone Piledriver on End to get boos from the crowd, but it's clear they wanted to have the last word here, and will be wanting a rematch soon enough. The Death Squad will surely oblige after this assault.

Chris Sabin w/ Allysin Kay & Alex Shelley vs. Bobby Fish w/ Kyle O'Reilly

Sabin was able to pick up the decisive pin fall in the MCMGs tag team match at "Final Resolution", while reDRagon were able to win the Tag Team titles. This was a fantastic battle between two fast, agile strikers who have a lot of big weapons for putting people down. Sabin was definitely more intense than Fish, though, who seemed more intent to playing the crowd and using quirky antics, which made for an entertaining match, but didn't equal success on this night. Sabin would manage to avoid a High Roundhouse Kick from Fish, who thought he might have it after failing to finish things with a Moonsault, but Fish would manage to also escape an attempt at the Cradle Shock. Fish would employ a flurry of kicks, attempting to run off the ropes and hit something further of Sabin, but Sabin would catch him with a Spin Kick to the midsection, followed by a series of hard open hand strikes and then his All Hail Sabin driver, getting a huge win! Sabin and Shelley celebrate afterwards, knowing this has to secure them a spot as the next challengers for the Tag Team titles!

"Unbreakable" Michael Elgin vs. "Demon King" Finn Balor

Balor is as fierce as they come, and brings a lot of intensity to his matches. He sported some red and black demonic looking body paint for this match, a new feature for him in Impact Wrestling, and it seemed to add to his mystique and lure for the audience, who actually pulled behind him despite his heel like tendencies. Elgin would show his wrestling skills, fighting off takedowns and grappling on the mat with Balor, but would find his advantage, as expected, in a more brutish fashion, going for brawling and power tactics to send Balor reeling. Elgin would manage to kick out of a Diving Double Stomp from Balor, forcing the Irishman to go for the Bloody Sunday. Elgin would block that and hit a Suplex into a Sideslam for a two count. Elgin would try for a Spinning Backfist from there, but Balor would duck it and catch him with a Backwards Soccer Kick to the face, following up by trying for a German Suplex, but Elgin would block it and elbow Balor off, connecting the next time with the Spinning Back Fist! Elgin would lift up Balor and try for his Revolution Elgin Bomb, but Balor would shoot over, the "Demon King" attempting a Sunset Flip, but Elgin grabs him by the head and pulls him back to his feet, blasting him with a Spinning Back Elbow and then a quick Discus Lariat! Elgin then dead lifts him from the mat and delivers the Revolution Elgin Bomb, and it's all over! Elgin gets the big win, but the fans, as the cliche goes, were the real winners in this match!

Jay Lethal & Ricochet vs. Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi

The X Division champion, Lethal, would team up with former World Jr. Heavyweight champion, Ricochet, to face off with a long time tag team in Omega and Ibushi, formerly known as the "Golden Lovers". Omega had unsuccessfully attempted to win the X Division championship at "Final Resolution", but had the showing of his career and looked to build on that tonight. Ibushi made his debut at the same show, unsuccessfully challenging Finn Balor, who proved to be too fierce for him on that night. Ibushi had a similar issue turning on the killer instinct, and once again went to the well too many times with his high flying arsenal, taking too many liberties with a competitor as experienced as Ricochet near the end, and paid for it. Lethal and Omega would battle wildly on the outside, showing they still had something to prove to one another, while Ricochet put away the match in spectacular fashion. Ibushi would show his heart kicking out of a Shooting Star Press from Ricochet, but would eventually fall after getting blasted with a Superman Punch, followed by the Benadryller, earning Ricochet a big pinfall! Even though they were partners on this night, one has to think Ricochet just jumped up the ranks as a potential challenger to Lethal!

Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins

Zayn and Rollins have crossed paths a few times now, and Zayn hasn't fared all that well when it came to picking up the victory. Rollins always seemed to be just a half step ahead, and tonight Zayn looked to even the books. Zayn looked as driven as ever, but Rollins is no slouch and never one to be slept on, and he became more and more intense as the match went on. Rollins would try to break Zayn's body and spirit by hitting an amazing F-5 off the apron, tossing him all the way over to the announcer's table, which he snapped in half with his abdomen! Nobody thought the Quebecois was getting up from that, but Zayn showed the heart of a champion, pulling himself from the rubble and getting back into the ring right as the referee was thinking about counting him out! Rollins would rush, grabbing up Zayn and attempting his Turnbuckle Powerbomb, but Zayn would reverse with a high speed Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two count! Zayn would attempt a Brainbuster, but Rollins would reverse, kneeing him to the face, which took him down to a knee! Rollins goes for a Superkick, but Zayn catches it and flips Rollins backwards! Rollins lands on his feet and Zayn plows him with a Lariat! Zayn taunts the crowd and they respond big time! Zayn grabs Rollins and sends him in the corner and hits the Helluva Kick! He then grabs him by the arm and attempts a Swinging DDT, but Rollins shoves him off and he bumps the referee! The fans boo as Rollins gets a breather, but wait... it's SAMOA JOE! Joe's in the ring and he grabs Rollins from behind, and he's got the Coquina Clutch applied! He chokes the life from Rollins, and then exits the ring as the fans give a mixture of boos and cheers! Zayn gets to his feet as the referee comes to, and Rollins is stirring on the mat. Zayn isn't sure what to think, but he picks up Rollins and lifts him up, driving him to the mat with a Brainbuster and he floats over! The referee counts and Zayn gets the three!

Zayn celebrates and Rollins comes to and can't believe it. Rollins rolls from the ring and grabs a chair! Rollins enters the ring and blasts Zayn from behind and the fans are crazy booing now! Rollins puts the chair in the corner and then lifts Zayn and plants him in the corner with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb, sending his back right into the steel chair wedged between the buckles! Rollins is still enraged, and is looking to inflict more damage. Rollins looks like he's going to try for a heinous Blackout Stomp on the steel chair to Zayn, but out to the ring runs MICHAEL ELGIN! Elgin hits the ring and he tackles Rollins down, blasting him with punches! Rollins away, trying to cover up from the barrage and then heads up the ramp with a look of scorn. Elgin pulls up his fellow Canadian star, raising his hand in a show of class. Zayn's win may have been tainted, but he certainly did not deserve that beat down from the despicable Seth Rollins. It is clear Rollins has Samoa Joe's attention, but now Zayn will surely be looking for an even greater measure, and it looks like he has someone to watch his back now in the "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin, a possible championship contender in his own right.

Mathews signs of for he and Striker, and we'll see you next week!