Impact Wrestling Report for 9/19: Dixie Carter and AJ Styles Face to Face

Fresh off the heels of last week’s “No Surrender” event Impact opens up with Magnus in the back and he discusses coming up short in the BFG Series. Bobby Roode interrupts him and says Magnus can blame EGO all he wants but the only person he should blame his himself. Magnus gets in Roode’s face and then Bad Influence blindsides him and EGO beats him down until security pulls them apart. Magnus says he wants them tonight.

Highlights from last week are followed up with Tenay and Taz running down the show for tonight. Magnus’ music hits and he comes down to the ring alone. Magnus says his ribs, knees, and shoulder hurt and he hasn’t been able to chew food right for a week. He says it’s all because of coming up short in the BFG Series and then he says believes AJ Styles is the very best in the business right now and he wishes him luck at BFG. Magnus says he needs to address someone else now, EGO decided to interrupt the Finals last week and he knows St. Louis doesn’t want any part of EGO because it’s Mafia country. Magnus says they just jumped him in the back earlier and now that he’s alone in the ring without his family he dares any one of the members of EGO to come out and face him right now one-on-one.

Kazarian walks out and accepts the challenge. Magnus hits the ring and the two start trading blows. Magnus beats Kaz down in a corner but then Daniels runs out and hits Magnus from behind. Bad Influence beats Magnus down and Daniels holds Magnus as Kaz goes for a clothesline, but Magnus escapes and Kaz lays Daniels out by mistake! Magnus clotheslines Kaz out of the ring and then starts wearing Daniels out in the corner. Bobby Roode hits the ring and clotheslines Magnus! EGO start beating Magnus down three-on-one.

Sting’s music hits and he and Samoa Joe hit the ring and chase EGO off! Sting says if EGO wants to fight then it’s on because they want a six man tag tonight! Roode says if they want them they got them but then retreats as MEM starts to approach them on the ramp.

Footage of AJ’s BFG Series win and then his promo afterward is shown. That was a really well done video package.

Backstage Chris Sabin and Velvet Sky approach Manik. Sabin says he saw what Manik did last week challenging Jeff Hardy to a match last week. He says that took guts, almost as much guts as it took Sabin to ask out Velvet even though she said yes before he even finished asking. Sabin says he’s proud of Manik even though Sabin was the heart and soul of the X-Division and if it wasn’t for Sabin cashing in the X-Division Title for a World Title shot Manik wouldn’t even have that belt. Sabin mockingly says he’s Manik’s number one fan and as Manik walks away Sabin says he and Velvet should get a closer look at this match.

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Non-Title Match 
“Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs. Manik

Last week Manik asked Hulk Hogan for a match with Jeff Hardy to test himself and Hogan has granted it. Chris Sabin and Velvet Sky come out to sit ringside and watch this match. Taz makes fun of the way Sabin dresses and says a guy that has a girl like that should dress better. This coming from the guy who wears a leather vest with jorts and sandals. Manik and Hardy lockup with Manik getting Hardy in a side headlock. Manik transitions into a wristlock and then he slams Hardy down to the mat. Hardy nips up to his feet and reverses into a wristlock of his own. Manik rolls through and then cartwheels and sweeps the legs of Hardy. Manik covers Hardy for just a one count and then Hardy trips Manik and gets a one count of his own. Hardy and Manik stare each other down and then Manik hits Hardy with a European Uppercut followed by a whip into the corner. Hardy uses the ropes to float up and into a headscissors takeover that sends Manik out to the floor! Hardy hits a slingshot dropkick through the ropes and then he dives off the apron with a Flying Clothesline onto Manik on the floor! Hardy tosses Manik back into the ring and then hits him with a Leaping Mule Kick that sends Manik crashing into the corner. Hardy goes for the Hardyac Arrest but Manik rolls out of the way and Hardy crash lands on the mat. Manik ducks a clothesline and then drop toe holds a charging Hardy into the ropes. As Hardy hangs in the ropes Manik then springboards out of the corner and over the top rope into a dropkick to the side of Hardy’s head. Manik follows up with a Springboard Flying Cross Body attempt, but Hardy moves out of the way and then Hardy springs to the top and dives off with the Whisper In The Wind! 1…2…NO Manik kicks out! Hardy goes for the Twist but Manik counters into the Detonation Kick! Manik then goes for the Tiger Breaker, but Hardy blocks it and tries to roll Manik up only for Manik to sit down on top of him! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Manik retreats to the corner and then Hardy charges at him, but Manik leaps over him and then goes for his Leaping Neckbreaker but Hardy holds onto the ropes to block it! Hardy hits the Twist of Fate! Hardy climbs up top and dives off with the Swanton Bomb, 1…2…3!

Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Swanton Bomb)

After the match Hardy helps Manik up and shakes his hand and then hugs him. After Hardy leaves the ring Chris Sabin comes in and raises the arm of Manik, but then hits him from behind and starts stomping him out in the corner. Hardy runs back to the ring and chases Sabin off as Sabin mocks Manik. Velvet looks surprised by Sabin’s actions.

Earlier today Dixie Carter arrives and refuses to answer any questions as she walks into the building.

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In the back Chris Sabin is asked why he attacked Manik, but Sabin says Manik is the most disrespectful person he’s ever met. He says everyone is disrespectful in TNA to him and then goes over all of his accolades. He says he’s a trailblazer in TNA but no one in TNA gives him the respect he deserves especially the fans. Sabin says he’ll take his respect and then tells the camera man to get the hell out.

TNA Knockouts Championship 
“Hardcore Country” Mickie James (c) vs. ODB

Mickie takes ODB down and then they start rolling around on the mat and hitting each other. ODB gets up and hits a shoulder block but Mickie answers with a poke to the eyes and then a snapmare takeover. Mickie hits a sliding dropkick for a nearfall. Mickie kicks ODB in the gut and then whips her into the corner. Mickie charges but ODB gets her feet up and then climbs up top, but Mickie grabs ODB by the legs and snatches her down to the mat hard. Mickie tries to choke ODB with her belt but the referee stops her so Mickie just chokes her in the ropes with her legs. Mickie then hits the ropes but eats a Spear from ODB! 1…2…NO Mickie kicks out! Mickie answers with a spinning back kick and then a skip front kick. Mickie hits a Flapjack and then nips up to her feet as she taunts the crowd. Mickie climbs up top and dives off but ODB moves out of the way and then hits a Fall Away Slam! ODB does a nipup of her own but Mickie rolls out to the floor to escape ODB. ODB reaches out and grabs Mickie by the hair but Mickie sweeps her legs causing ODB to land hard on the apron. Mickie then pulls the apron away trapping ODB between the apron and then side of the ring and starts beating her across the head.

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Back from the break Mickie hits a Hangwoman’s Neckbreaker for a nearfall. Mickie covers ODB for another nearfall and then puts the boots to her. Mickie attempts to whip ODB into the corner but ODB reverses it and then goes for a splash only to run into a boot from Mickie. Mickie follows up with a back elbow and then she goes for the Mickiecanrana, but ODB counters into a Falling Powerbomb! Both girls are down but they both get to their feet at the 8 count. They exchange strikes with ODB getting the better of Mickie until Mickie gets pissed and kicks Mickie and then hits a series of forearms. Mickie bounces off the ropes but runs into a clothesline followed by a shoulder block from ODB. ODB hits a Vertical Suplex, 1…2…NO Mickie kicks out! ODB starts showing some frustration and then she goes for a splash in the corner but Mickie gets both feet up. Mickie hits the Mick Kick! Mickie doesn’t cover her right away and instead screams at ODB to get up. Mickie picks her up and then drags ODB to the corner. Mickie climbs up top and goes for the Tornado Mickie-DT, but ODB blocks it and hits the BAM! 1…2…3!

Winner & NEW KO Champ: ODB via pinfall (BAM)

Eric Young and Joseph Park run out and celebrate with ODB. Bro-Mans come out and interrupt the celebration. Robbie asks what the hell is going on here and says he would hate to break up the weird celebration but its one thing for EY to be in the ring. He says EY is “actually married to that” but Joseph Park is just a “third wheel hamster loser, bro.” Robbie congratulates them because this is the creepiest three way in history.

Park asks who in the hell they think they are trying to diminish the new Knockouts Champion. Park says a bunch of big words and then says Bro-Mans are insulting all the fans by wearing their “ridiculous outfits.” He says if he wasn’t wearing a suit right now he would put up his dukes and teach both of them a lesson. Robbie says it sounds like he just challenged him to a match but Park tries to back out.

EY says Park has a suit on but unfortunately for Robbie EY doesn’t.

Robbie E w/Jesse vs. “Showtime” Eric Young w/ODB & Joseph Park

Robbie charges at EY but EY moves out of the way and then rolls him up! 1…2…3!

Winner: EY via pinfall (rollup)

Robbie freaks the hell out for getting beat like that and then screams at EY and Park saying that wasn’t a real match. He says he wasn’t ready for EY, he wanted Park. Robbie asks Park if he’s scared of him and then calls him a “fat bastard.” Park gets pissed off and it looks like he’s ready to fight.

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Joseph Park w/Eric Young & ODB vs. Robbie E w/Jesse

Robbie charges at Park the same way he did EY and Park does the same thing, sidesteps and rolls him up! 1…2…3!

Winner: Park via pinfall (rollup)

Bro-Mans attack EY and Park after the match. They hit their finisher on EY. Jesse holds EY’s legs while Robbie has the head and then Jesse spins EY around into a Spike DDT from Robbie. Bro-Mans throw Park into the steps which busts him open. They go back to beating on EY while Park starts to lose his freaking mind as he sees the blood. Park clotheslines both of them and then Chokeslams Jesse! Park hits the Black Hole Slam on Robbie!

Park snaps back out of it and EY smiles at what just happened and he hugs Park.

Highlights from the World Title match at No Surrender are shown.

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The video package of AJ Styles is shown again. Hulk Hogan approaches Dixie Carter in the back and asks her what is going on with AJ, but Dixie ignores him as she reads a text message. She says she’ll handle it and walks away.

Bully Ray leads Aces & Eights out to the ring. Brooke Tessmacher is wearing assless chaps (she has underwear on under it) and a chain leash which Bully is holding. Bully says it sounds like everyone is very happy to see him tonight and he understands they are all proud of the World Heavyweight Champion. Bully asks where Ken Anderson is mockingly and says he couldn’t make it tonight. Ray says he knows the fans aren’t the smartest people in the world but he needs them to answer on question and then asks if they know who he is. Bully says he’s the World Champion and the president of Aces & Eights and there is nothing they can do about it. Bully says there is someone he needs to thank and he couldn’t have successfully defended his title if it wasn’t for someone special and he pats all the members of A&8 on the back, but then looks at Brooke and says it’s because of her that he continues to be World Champion. A&8 get pissed behind him as Bully says Brooke is the wind beneath his wings. Bully points at Brooke and says that is the reason he is World Champion.

Bully sees A&8 pissed and asks what the problem is. Wes starts bitching at Bully about giving Brooke the credit, but Bully tells him to shut his mouth. Bully tells Wes to never refer to Brooke as “just her” again and he better not ever look at her again. Bischoff cuts Bully off and takes the microphone from him. Bischoff asks if Bully has forgotten who has had his back since day one and he says since she came along his judgment and priorities have been way out of whack.

Bully says he likes that Bischoff speaks his mind but then he backs him into a corner and says he better not ever bow up to him again. He says he made all of them and they were nobodies before he brought them into A&8. He says if Bischoff or Wes step out of line again he will smack them in the face.

Knux asks what about him and asks if he is going to slap him in the face too. Knux says he’s been a member since day one and Bully has a big mouth and maybe he needs to shut it for him. Knux says they sacrifice night after night for him to keep that belt in the club. Knux says they started with like 25 members and now they’re down to four and asks what that says about Bully’s leadership. Knux says now its Bully Ray business not club business, and says Bully forgot about the first rule of the club “bros before hoes.” Bully gets pissed at Knux calling Brooke a hoe and shoves him hard!

Bully says if Knux ever steps out of line again or ever calls Brooke a hoe again, as the fans chant “hoe” at her, he will knock Knux’s head off. Knux dares Bully to do it and Bully decides to leave the ring with Brooke instead.

In the back MEM talk about the match tonight. Sting says they’re down in numbers but that doesn’t matter because they’re Main Event Mafia and he tells Magnus not to let next week get him down. Joe says tonight we get revenge.

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Chavo/Hernandez come out followed by Storm/Gunner. If Hernandez & Chavo win this one then they get a shot at the titles. Before the match Chavo grabs a microphone and says as much as he would like to wipe the mat with their faces he is injured and the doctor won’t let him fight tonight. Gunner says they’re a little scared obviously but Gunner came to fight so before he leaves the ring someone is going to fight him. Gunner asks what’s wrong with Hernandez and challenges him to a match. Storm says Gunner can fight and he’ll sit at ringside and drink a few beers and cheer him on.

Gunner w/James Storm vs. “Super Mex” Hernandez w/Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Hernandez attacks Gunner and nails him with a forearm and then beats on him in the corner. Gunner turns it around on Mex and then tries to whip him into the ropes, but Hernandez reveres it and lays Gunner out with a shoulder block for a one count. Hernandez chops Gunner and then they exchange forearms. Gunner hits Hernandez with a forearm and then a knee to the gut. Gunner goes for a suplex but Hernandez blocks it and drops Gunner down gut first across the top rope followed by a series of right hands. Hernandez chops Gunner and then whips him hard into the turnbuckles. Hernandez picks Gunner up and hits his over the shoulder backbreaker for a nearfall. Hernandez goes for a Splash but Gunner gets his knees up and then lays into Hernandez with right hands and forearms. Gunner hits the ropes but eats the Get Off Me from Hernandez! Hernandez goes for a Splash in the corner but Gunner backdrops him over the top. Hernandez lands on the apron and forearms Gunner and then runs up the ramp and dives over the top with Air Mexico onto Gunner in the ring! Hernandez beats on Gunner on the mat and then lights him up with chops. Hernandez knees Gunner and then goes for a suplex but Gunner blocks it and hits a Rebound Suplex off the ropes! Gunner hits a clothesline on Hernandez followed by a back elbow and then a series of kicks and headbutts. Gunner hits a running knee in the corner and then a Fall Away Slam. Gunner hits a Uranage Backbreaker! 1…2…3!

Winner: Gunner via pinfall (Uranage Backbreaker)

Looked like Gunner may have hurt his knee on that finish. He was noticeably limping after the match. Chavo says they can’t beat Hernandez and Chavo together.

Backstage AJ Styles in the phone with someone.

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Main Event 
Six Man Tag Team Match 
Main Event Mafia (Samoa Joe, Sting, & Magnus) vs. EGO (Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels, & Kazarian)

Daniels and Joe start the match off and Kaz distracts Joe allowing Daniels to hit him from behind. Daniels whips Joe into the corner and then charges at him but eats a Uranage Suplex out of the corner from Joe! Joe hits a series of jabs followed by some nasty front kicks to the head from Joe. Daniels retreats to the corner but eats a Flying Knee from Joe and then Joe facewashes Daniels repeatedly but before he can finish it off Kaz pulls him out of the ring as EGO regroups at ringside. Back in the ring Daniels tags Kaz and Joe flips him into the ring and lights him up with chops. Joe whips Kaz into the corner but Kaz springs to the top and dives off with a Flying Cross Body. Joe nonchalantly just moves out of the way as Kaz eats the mat. Magnus decks Kaz and then tags Joe. They whip Kaz into the ropes and Joe hits an atomic drop followed by a front kick from Magnus and then a Backsplash Senton from Joe! Magnus hits a series of European Uppercuts on Kaz and then tags Sting into the match. Sting breaks out the dropkick that sends Kaz out to the floor. Sting tosses Kaz into the ring steps and then tosses him into the other side of the steps. Sting tosses Kaz back into the ring and puts the boots to Kaz. Sting whips Kaz into the ropes and hits an atomic drop but as he goes to bounce off the ropes Daniels hits him from behind. Sting knocks both Roode and Daniels off the apron and then goes for an Irish Whip but Kaz reverses it and Daniels trips him from the outside. Kaz then hits a Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop on Sting.

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Back from the break Bobby Roode hits a knee lift followed by a clothesline on Sting for a nearfall. Roode tags Kaz into the match and holds Sting as Kaz hits a body shot. Kaz chops Sting and then slams Sting into the boots of Roode and Daniels. Daniels does the heel phantom tag and tosses Sting into the corner. Daniels hits a Flying Forearm and then tosses Sting into a spinning heel kick from Kaz for another nearfall. Daniels puts Sting in a Half Nelson and wears Sting down on the mat. Sting finally fought out of the hold only for Daniels to catch him with a Snapmare Takeover. Kaz tags in and hits a Slingshot Guillotine Leg Drop for another nearfall. Kaz puts Sting in a Front Facelock as Taz points out that EGO has cut the ring off and kept Sting in their corner. Sting forces Kaz into the MEM corner but as he did that EGO distracts the referee as Sting tags out. Kaz then drags Sting back to the EGO corner as the referee didn’t see the tag and holds Magnus back from getting into the match. EGO beat Sting down three on one in the corner. Kaz chokes Sting with his boot and then and then tags Roode into the match. Daniels holds Sting as Roode beats on him. Roode hits a Vertical Suplex and then puts the boots to Sting. As the referee holds Magnus back again the EGO pull the heel phantom tag again and Kaz taunts Sting as he slaps him in the head. Kaz whips Sting into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Sting kicks him. Daniels grabs Sting from behind and Kaz tries for a clothesline but Sting ducks and Kaz hits Daniels! Sting clotheslines Kaz and they’re both down as Roode freaks out on the apron. Roode tags in and tries to grab Sting’s leg to prevent him from tagging out but Sting dives to his corner and tags in Magnus! Magnus clotheslines Roode repeatedly and then whips him into the ropes and goes for a backdrop. Roode kicks Magnus hard and then bounces off the ropes but Magnus is right behind him with a Lariat! Magnus hits the MDD! 1…2…NO Daniels breaks it up! Joe comes in and kills Daniels with chops and headbutts until Daniels pokes him in the eyes and then tosses Joe out to the floor. Sting comes after Daniels but Kaz hits him from behind. Bad Influence whips Sting into the ropes and attempts a double clothesline but Sting ducks and hits one on both of them! Roode comes in and hits a DDT on Sting! Joe squashes Roode in the corner and then hits him with a Leaping Enziguri! Joe snapmares Roode across the ring as Magnus dives off the top with a Flying Elbow! 1…2…NO Daniels breaks it up! Daniels hits Joe from behind and then Bad Influence whips Joe into the ropes and attempts a backdrop. Joe stops and kicks Daniels and then chops Kaz. Joe knocks Kaz out of the ring and then Daniels grabs him from behind and whips him into the ropes. Daniels goes for a clothesline but Joe ducks and dives through the ropes with the Elbow Suicida onto Kaz on the floor! Daniels sets up for a dive of his own but Sting catches him with a backdrop and then the Stinger Splash in the corner! Sting locks in the Scorpion Death Lock! Kaz distracts the referee as Roode rolls into the ring with a bat. Roode goes to hit Sting with it but Magnus steps in front and takes the bat shot. Kaz pulls Sting out of the ring and then Roode covers Magnus for the pin!

Winners: EGO

----COMMERCIAL BREAK----

Back from the break the #1 contender, AJ Styles, makes his way out to the ring. AJ says he’s been in TNA since day one busting his ass with his brothers to try and make an alternative for the fans. He says they busted their asses to put TNA on the map and then Dixie Carter’s “daddy bought her a wrasslin’ company.” AJ says she had no experience in wrestling and she put no blood, sweat, or tears into it. He says that she broke up the chemistry that made TNA what it was. He says all because she had stars in her eyes. AJ namedrops Jerry Lynn and Low-Ki and says she traded guys like that in for MMA stars and guys that “needed 2 year paid vacations to do absolutely nothing and go right back where they belong” (AJ just threw Christian under the bus, ouch).

AJ namedrops Jay Lethal, Alex Shelley, and Petey Williams too and says those guys aren’t here because of that very thing and it pisses him off. AJ asks if he’s the only one that’s pissed off about that and gets a big cheer. He says Dixie’s biggest mistake is starring her right in the face. He says that she has given him a chance to win the World Title and despite what the internet says he doesn’t have a contract in TNA right now. AJ says there isn’t a contracted wrestler in the back that has any respect for her anyway. AJ says all of those guys that she “picked off” one by one there is just one left standing, AJ. He says that he will win the World Heavyweight Title and he’s going to win it for himself and for all those guys that she kicked to the curb and for the fans. AJ says he is going to make her get on her knees and beg… and then he is going to make her PAY him.

Dixie Carter walks out to the ring looking none too happy. Dixie looks at AJ without saying something and AJ tells her to say something and says he expected at least a tweet because everyone knows she can at least do that. Dixie says she’s known AJ a long time and she knows that for AJ to come out and say these kinds of things in this public way she knows he means them from the bottom of his heart. Dixie apologizes to AJ and says as president of TNA she has to be accountable. She says she is accountable to the investors in TNA, the staff, the fans, and to him. She says that she owes AJ an apology “and I’m sorry…I’m so, so sorry… THAT I EVER, EVER, EVER ALLOWED YOU TO THINK THAT YOU WERE IMPORTANT IN THIS COMPANY!” Dixie says she should have told him a long time ago that he was nothing better than an average fish in ANY pond he might be in. Dixie says that the whole “Phenomenal One” is an illusion that she created.

Dixie says she created that as a marketing tool for all the “wonderful 5 star matches you USED to have…and I say USED to have because I can’t freaking remember the last time you had one.” Dixie says everything about AJ lately has been so subpar that he would be lucky if they started calling him “the marginal one.” Dixie says he is nothing like he used to be and the fans are killing her right now. Dixie thanks AJ for allowing her to come into HER ring on HER show to respond to all of the crap he has criticized her about. Dixie says she hopes now they are a little bit more clear about things. Dixie says without “her daddy’s paycheck” AJ would still be in a trailer and the house that everyone claims AJ built (TNA) SHE is the one that built it. She says that he is lucky that she ever let him play in her house. Dixie screams at AJ that he asked for this.

AJ says before she leaves she should stick that microphone where it belongs and then Dixie screams at one of the staff guys to cut his microphone off, and then she forces them cut the lights and the show.