2/20 Impact Wrestling Report: Gunner vs Magnus World TItle on the Line

Week two from England opens with a graphic paying tribute to Big Daddy V/Viscera/Mabel who passed away this week. He wrestled briefly for TNA under the Mabel name in TNA’s early days.

A video package hyping up Gunner-Magnus for tonight airs with Gunner talking about how much winning the World Title would mean to him. Pictures of him growing up as a kid with paper title belts are spliced throughout it as well as a nice touch.

Magnus and Dixie talk backstage about a “done deal” they were discussing and Dixie gets pissed at Magnus second guessing him. She asks if Magnus is going to “break the news” or if she is going to have to do it. Magnus says he will but he warns her that if whatever it is backfires then she’s on her own. Magnus tells EC3 that they have to put their personal differences aside for the better good. Magnus & EC3 shake hands and Magnus tells Spud to keep an eye out for the Wolves.

Magnus and Dixie walk down to the ring and Magnus says he needs MVP to come out to the ring so they can make an announcement.

MVP comes out and a massive “MVP” chant breaks out. Magnus introduces himself to MVP and he says that he isn’t impressed by people who glorify criminal conduct or that MVP spent nine years in jail. Magnus says if MVP ever gets in the ring with him nine years will be nothing compared to nine minutes with Magnus. He says before he makes the announcement that will bring MVP’s “short lived era” to an end he needs to make something very clear to MVP. Magnus says that if MVP steps out of line with him, he doesn’t care how much money he has, he will make an example out of MVP.

MVP says he knows Magnus is the World Champion because he never misses an opportunity to tell everybody in the world that. MVP mocks Magnus while saying he has self esteem issues and says that real champions don’t have to declare that they the champion because people will point to them and say “there’s the champ not there’s the paper champ.” MVP says they could stand out there and exchange insults all night but he’s here for his answer to the Lethal Lockdown challenge while looking over at Dixie.

A “YES” chant starts up and Magnus says on behalf of Dixie Carter they accept the challenge. Magnus says he regrets to tell MVP that he can’t be in the match as team captain because he has to defend his belt against Samoa Joe after he beats Gunner tonight. MVP mocks Magnus for looking past Gunner but Magnus says he doesn’t care who he faces whether it’s a “decorated war hero or a cheap “50 Cent” knockoff” he will make whoever he faces his bitch. MVP gets pissed and decks Magnus!

MVP and Magnus brawl until EC3 runs out and attacks MVP from behind! IN the back The Wolves try to get to the ring but Spud has security hold them back. The Wolves lay out security and then the throw Spud into an equipment case! Gunner runs out and chases EC3 and Magnus off. The Wolves stop Magnus and EC3 from getting away but Magnus shoves EC3 into them and then runs to the back! EC3 swings at Edwards but he blocks the shot and then shoves EC3 into a spinning back kick from Davey.

A video package highlighting the drama between Roode and Dixie is shown. Roode is then shown arriving backstage but he says that he will say anything that he has to say to everyone in the ring.

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Backstage a pissed of EC3 finds Magnus and says that he literally just threw him to The Wolves. Magnus says it’s in the best interest of TNA and Dixie that he doesn’t risk injury. Magnus tells EC3 to settle down and do as he’s told. EC3 says he just showed his true colors and mockingly screams that he’ll have his back tonight.

Samoa Joe is in the ring and he says at Lockdown he gets to face the winner of Gunner/Magnus, but unfortunately that has left his dance card empty for the night so he came out to correct that. Joe says he didn’t come to see a Championship match, he came here to get into a fight! Joe says “any resident of Dixieland” in the back that want to walk the aisle in climb in with him can come on down.

Bro-Mans walk out and it looks like it will be Zema but then all three get on the apron and then climb in with Joe. Joe asks which one it will be but then says he can make this simple and says “how about all three!”

Handicap Match 
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe vs. Bro-Mans & Zema Ion

Joe decks Robbie and then lays out Jesse! Joe hits Zema with a back elbow and then shoves Robbie into the ropes and destroys him with a Lariat! Joe hits Jesse with a Flying Knee and then whips Zema into the corner. Zema springs out of the corner with a Flying Cross Body, but Joe nonchalantly moves out of the way as Zema crash lands. Joe hits a Running Forearm on Zema and then sets up for the Muscle Buster but Bro-Mans attack him from behind. The heels beat Joe down and take turns stomping on him. Zema and Robbie hold Joe as Jesse hits a dropkick and then Robbie dives off the top with the Fist Pump Drop! Zema then hits a Moonsault out of the corner! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out! Joe fights back with some vicious chops and slaps but again the numbers game gets the better of him. During that sequence Zema caught a wicked slap to the face. Bro-Mans whip Joe into the corner and then Robbie and Zema whip Jesse into a Running Clothesline on Joe. Zema whips Robbie into a Running Shoulder Block and then all three sandwich Joe in the corner with Running Knees! Zema covers Joe again and gets another nearfall. Bro-Mans hold Joe as Zema dives off the top with a Missile Dropkick but Joe pulls Bro-Mans into the kick! Joe caves Zema’s chest in with a chop and then a Running Elbow followed by a Leaping Enziguri! Joe grabs Jesse in a front headlock and then ducks a clothesline from Robbie and chops him before locking him in a side headlock with the free hand. Joe then hits a DDT/Russian Legsweep combo on the Bro-Mans! All three of the heels roll out to the floor but they are not safe from a Flying Samoan! Joe hits the Elbow Suicida through the ropes onto Bro-Mans on the floor! In the ring Joe goes for the Muscle Buster on Zema but Zema rakes his eyes and then goes for a Tornado DDT. Joe blocks it and then catches a charging Zema with a Standing Uranage! Joe hits the Muscle Buster and then locks in the Coquina Clutch as Zema taps immediately!

Winner: Samoa Joe via submission (Coquina Clutch)

In the back Christy Hemme talks to a stagehand but as she walks away psycho ass Samuel Shaw grabs him the by the neck and drags him away before slamming him into a wall repeatedly! Shaw then kicks his head into the side of an equipment case. Shaw then picks up a battery pack which Christy had sat down and starts starring at as he strokes it. Yeah, that guy has issues.

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In the back Bobby Roode talks to James Storm and says he needs to say something to him before he goes out and does what he’s going to do. Roode says they both got into the business for the same reasons, their love for it, but this business can do strange things to people. He says since day one in TNA he felt like he couldn’t trust and he felt like he was pushing everyone away from him, and things have just gotten too much for him there. Roode says he and Storm have had some great history together, good and bad, and he is aware all the bad is on him. He says he can’t go back and erase the bad stuff but the good stuff with Beer Money and Fortune you can’t just create that out of thin air. He says that run was special and he knows now looking back that at the end of the day Storm was the only guy he could ever trust. Storm laughs and asks if he’s been in his beer.

Storm says he knows Roode very well and if he’s about to go out and do what he thinks he’s going to do, don’t. He says they did get into the business for their love of it and they knew what they were getting in to as well. Storm says if the business slaps you in the face you have to slap back. Storm says the business is dog eat dog and they both knew that getting into it and the only people responsible for their actions are themselves. Roode and Storm hug in a pretty cool moment and then Roode walks away.

Aries walks into MVP’s office and MVP says he needs an “anchor” for his Lethal Lockdown team to join him and The Wolves. Aries says an “anchor pulls things down” but he puts things over the top. Aries asks if he joins what’s in it for him and MVP says if he wins he gets control of the wrestling product and he can make positive changes. Aries says he’s always tried to do what’s best for the company and the company hasn’t always done what was best for him. He says that a lot of people have sat in MVP’s position and promised him a lot of things but never followed through so he needs to know MVP can put his money where his mouth is. MVP says he can’t change the past but he can assure there will be positive changes. Aries says he appreciates that and he will think about it and give him an answer.

A video package highlighting the UK tour is shown. A backstage “fight” between Madison Rayne and Gail Kim is shown that a stagehand caught on his cell phone.

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Street Fight 
Non-Title Match
“Killer Queen” Madison Rayne vs. Gail Kim w/Lei’D Tapa

Madison attacks Gail in the aisle as she was making her entrance. Madison hits Gail with a cookie sheet and then slams her into the ring apron. Madison tosses Gail in the ring and then hits a series of clotheslines followed by a roundhouse kick. Madison kicks a cookie sheet into Gail’s face and then covers her for a nearfall. Madison grabs a pan and wedges it between the top and middle turnbuckles. Madison shoves Gail into it but Gail blocks it and hits a back kick on Madison. Gail puts the boots to Madison and then chokes her with a kendo stick. Gail hits Madison with the kendo stick and then goes for a Figure Four, but Madison kicks Gail into that pan she wedged in the corner! Madison kicks Gail in the head sending her to the floor. Madison goes to climb to the outside but Tapa gets between she and Gail so Madison dives off the apron onto Tapa! Tapa catches her in midair but then Madison kicks herself off the apron into a Spinning DDT attempt causing her feet to catch Gail in the head. Tapa blocks the DDT and slams Madison into the apron. Gail wraps Madison’s legs around the ring post and puts her in the Hanging Figure Four! Gail grabs a chair and swings it at Madison’s legs but Madison moves and then kicks the chair into Gail’s face! Madison tosses Gail back in the ring and Spears Gail! Tapa tries to attack Madison but Madison hits her with a cookie sheet and then lays into her with a kendo stick! Madison then goes to hit her with a chair but Gail catches her from behind with the title belt! 1…2…3!

Winner: Gail Kim via pinfall

Gail’s nose is busted open as she celebrates her win.

In the back Mr. Anderson shows Christy pictures of his twins as we see Sam Shaw’s psycho ass creeping in the background.

Another vignette hyping up Gunner is shown with members of his family talking about his love for wrestling as well as Gunner talking about being in the marines. I really wish they would do stuff like this more, gives you more of a reason to root for someone. Gunner mentions that if he was still in the marines he could retire in another 5 years, but he wouldn’t be happy because wrestling was his passion and had his heart. Gunner talks about having to work for everything while Magnus has had everything handed to him. That is definitely an old school dynamic to a feud but still works.

Storm approaches Gunner in the back and they walk into a room to talk about something.

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EC3 backstage says that Kurt Angle is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and out of respect for him he will let Angle “break the news” next week. He’s implying Angle’s career is over.

James Storm tries to give Gunner a pep talk for his World Title match and Gunner says this is what he’s wanted his whole life. Storm says that’s what he likes about Gunner, he’s always humble but he needs to start thinking about himself and be a little selfish and enjoy this. He tells Gunner to “live it for you” in this moment but then Gunner hands Storm the Tag Title briefcase and says he wants to give him that and says they can cash that in together after he wins the World Title.

Bobby Roode comes down to the ring and says for the last 11 years he has been proud to call TNA his home and as a small child everyone has dreams to of growing up to be something big. He says for the last 17 years he has lived his dream as a pro wrestler and to be able to put on a pair of boots and do what he does best in the ring in front of great wrestling fans was his dream. Roode says he’s done a lot of things I his career that he’s not proud of and if everyone thinks he was a ruthless son of gun in the ring they should have seen him in the back. He says he has ruined friendships but he can’t change what he has done, and the only thing he can change now is his future. Roode says that is why he’s here tonight to talk about the future. A “please don’t go” chant starts up and Roode says tonight is his last night as a wrestler as a massive “NO” chant breaks out. Roode says he can’t do this anymore and for the last several months all he has been able to see in the mirror is hate. He says for the last several months he has had to listen and put up with Dixie Carter’s crap day in and day out, and he just can’ do it anymore so he has to walk away. Roode says before he goes he wants to do something he has never done in his entire career, thank all the fans. Roode thanks the fan and then drops the mic and starts to walk but Dixie Carter stops him and comes down to the ring.

Dixie says that Bobby can’t just walk out because he has a contract, and she says that she is the one that decides when he can leave. Roode says he just can’t do this anymore and he doesn’t want to be here anymore. Dixie says he doesn’t get to make that call and then she namedrops Jeff Hardy, Sting, and AJ Styles and she says she didn’t want any of them in her company because all they did was cause problems. A MASSIVE “AJ” chant starts and Dixie says she NEEDS Bobby. Bobby asks her why she needs him and asks if she needs him so she can break more promises or protect her champion some more. Dixie says that she is about to say something for the first time too, and she apologizes to Roode and says she has been dealing with so much lately. Roode says that is not his problem and he doesn’t want to work for her anymore. Dixie says wrestling is in his blood and asks what else he will do. She says that Lockdown is going to be the most important night in her and TNA’s history and she needs him to captain her team. She says that she needs a captain that will want the victory as bad as she does which causes Bobby to laugh and asks why in the world he would do that after all the broken promises.

Dixie says this isn’t about a title shot and says she needs him to have a vested interest in this so she is willing to give Roode 10% ownership of TNA if he captains her team! That seems to have piqued Roode’s interest and he asks if she is serious. She says she will put it in writing and swear on a bible in front of judges if he needs it. Roode thinks about it for a second and then agrees and shakes her hand. Roode gets in her face and says that if she thinks for one second that she is going to screw him over he will dedicate the rest of his life to destroying her life.

In the back JB talks to a Gut Check winner Bad Bones Jones. He says some stuff in German (I think it’s German”) as we can see Christy and Anderson still looking at baby pictures. Psycho boy attacks Anderson and knocks Christy down in the process. He slams Anderson into the wall and then realizes that he laid Christy out too and then picks her up and walks away with her!

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Bad Influence approach Roode in the back and talk about what just happened. Kaz and Daniels say if he is looking for some soldiers then he needs to look no further. Roode says this is a huge deal and he needs the best team in the match, but he can’t just pick his friends. He tells them to go out to the ring and prove why they’re the best. That didn’t seem to make them very happy.

The Wolves vs. Bad Influence

Eddie and Kaz star the match off against each other and Edwards gets Kaz in a waistlock, but Kaz takes Eddie down and then grabs his leg but Eddie kicks him away. Eddie comes back with a side headlock takeover and then Kaz counters with a headscissors. They both get to their feet and Kaz catches Eddie with a side headlock takeover of his own. They both get to their feet and stare each other down. Daniels distracts Eddie which allows Kaz to hit him from behind and then the heels double team him in the corner. Daniels tags in and hits a shoulder block on Eddie and then knocks Davey off the apron. Eddie comes back with a chop and then hits the ropes where Davey blind tags himself in. Eddie slides through the legs of Daniels and The Wolves catch him with a Double Japanese Armdrag! Kaz dives off the top but drops down right into kicks from both of The Wolves! The Wolves whip Kaz into the ropes and Eddie hits a drop toehold followed by a sliding dropkick from Davey! Eddie whips Davey into a Running Forearm on Daniels in the corner and then Davey shoves Daniels into a Shining Wizard from Eddie! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! Davey hits a scoop slam and then climbs up top but Kaz grabs his leg. Davey kicks him off and then goes for a punt kick on Kaz, but Kaz move and Daniels hits him from behind knocking him to the floor. Kaz puts the boots to Davey on the floor and then slams him into the apron. Kaz rolls Davey into the ring and then Bad Influence whips Davey into the ropes. Kaz leapfrogs him and Davey runs into a clothesline from Daniels and then Daniels Hip Tosses Kaz into a Leg Drop on Davey! 1…2…NO Davey kicks out! Kaz puts Davey in a Cravate but Davey fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with elbows. Davey hits the ropes but eats a spinning heel kick! 1…2…NO Davey kicks out again! Kaz tosses Davey into the boot of Daniels and then tags Daniels into the match. Kaz whips Davey into a back elbow from Daniels and then Daniels climbs up top and rides Davey to the mat with a Diving Stomp! 1…2…NO Davey kicks out and Daniels knocks Eddie off the apron. Bad Influence then double teams Davey in their corner. They whip Davey into the ropes and attempt a double clothesline but Davey ducks it and shoves Kaz into Daniels! Davey hits an Enziguri on Kaz and gets the hot tag on Eddie! Eddie hits a running elbow to both Bad Influence members and then attempts to whip Daniels into Kaz, but Daniels reverses it sending Eddie into Kaz. Eddie catches Kaz with a Mafia Kick though and then lights Daniels up with some vicious chops Japanese style! Eddie whips Daniels into the opposite corner and then charges at him but Daniels gets his boots up and climbs to the top. Eddie hits a Leaping Enziguri and then hits the Chin Checker (Backpack Stunner) off the top! 1…2…NO Kaz breaks it up! Davey tosses Kaz out to the floor but then Daniels hits him from behind. Daniels catches a charging Eddie with a Standing Uranage! Daniels goes for the BME but Eddie moves and Daniels lands on his feet. Daniels kicks Eddie bounces off the ropes but Davey slides in and The Wolves nail Daniels with the Alarm Clock! Davey then obliterates Kaz with a punt kick from the apron as Eddie climbs up top! Eddie hits a Diving Double Foot Stomp off the top to the back of Daniels! Davey howls off the top rope and then hits a Diving Double Foot Stomp of his own to the chest of Daniels! 1…2…3!

Winners: The Wolves via pinfall (Double Diving Foot Stomps)

In the back Samuel Shaw carries Christy to a bench and lays her down. Christy wakes up and asks what just happened but Shaw tells her that everything is okay. Shaw notices the cameraman and chases him away.

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A vignette hyping up Magnus this time airs with him talking about his quest towards the belt and the pressure that is on him now that he has the belt especially in the UK.

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Main Event
TNA World Heavyweight Championship 
No DQ Match
Magnus (c) vs. “The Modern Day Viking” Gunner

Boxing style intros for this one and Tenay announces that Dixie has made this match “Magnus Rules” which means No DQ, No Countout. Magnus and Gunner circle but then as Gunner goes for a lockup Magnus retreats to the floor instead. They finally lockup and Gunner gets Magnus in a waistlock but Magnus counters into a wristlock. Gunner reverses it into a wristlock of his own. Magnus rolls through and reverses the hold and then transitions into a side headlock. Gunner shoves Magnus but Magnus holds onto the headlock as he slides on the mat. Gunner tries to counter with a Back Suplex but Magnus holds onto the headlock even as they hit the mat. Gunner gets back to his feet and tries to shove Magnus into the ropes again but again Magnus just simply holds onto the headlock to the frustration of Gunner. Gunner again goes for a Back Suplex but this time Magnus catches him with a side headlock takeover. Gunner rolls Magnus over into a pin but Magnus rolls back over still holding onto that damn headlock. Randy Orton would be so jealous of all those headlock variations (I kid before someone yells at me). Gunner fights back to his feet and this time he is able to shove Magnus off but then gets knocked right back down with a shoulder block from the champ. Magnus hits the ropes but runs right into a back elbow from Gunner. Gunner hits a clothesline and attempts to whip Magnus into the corner, but Magnus reverses it and then charges at Gunner. Gunner nails him with a back elbow and then hits a series of strikes. Gunner whips Magnus into the corner and charges at him but Magnus gets his foot up and then hits a Running Knee to the back that sends Gunner out to the floor. Magnus calls for someone to come from the back but The Wolves and Storm come out instead of the heels!

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Back from the break Magnus attempts a suplex but Gunner counters into a Vertical Suplex of his own. Gunner charges at Magnus but runs into a drop toe hold. Magnus quickly puts Gunner in a Camel Clutch! Gunner fights out of the hold by lifting Magnus up into the air and he backs Magnus into the corner. Magnus comes right back and gets Gunner in a Sleeper as Storm yells at Gunner not to quit. Gunner fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with a Backdrop Suplex! Both men are down but get to their feet before the 10 count and then start exchanging strikes. Gunner gets the better of the champ with forearms but then Magnus cuts him off with a knee to the gut as Gunner hit the ropes. Magnus hits the MDD and then climbs up top! Magnus dives off with the Flying Elbow Drop! 1…2…NO Gunner kicks out! Magnus rolls out to the floor and grabs the World Title and swings it at Gunner, but Gunner ducks and then lifts Magnus up in the air! Magnus rakes his eyes and then both men collide with Cross Body attempts! EC3 and Bro-Mans come from the crowd and hit the ring, but Storm and The Wolves fight them off and drag them to the back! In the ring Gunner hits a vicious Powerbomb on Magnus! Gunner climbs up top and dives off with a Flying Headbutt! 1…2…NO Spud runs out and puts Magnus’ foot on the bottom rope! Gunner realizes what just happened and goes after Spud but Magnus catches him with the World Title belt! 1…2…NO Gunner still kicks out! Storm runs out and chases Spud away. Magnus slams Gunner into the corner but Gunner starts to fire himself up! Gunner slams his own head into the turnbuckles repeatedly as he gets fired up and then hits Magnus with right hands and a double sledge! Gunner headbutts Magnus and then a Running Knee! Gunner hits a Slingshot Suplex off the ropes! Gunner hits a Uranage Suplex and then he climbs up top! Spud climbs in the ring and gets between Gunner and Magnus, but Storm comes in and tosses Spud out of the ring! Gunner dives off the top but Storm catches him in midair with the Last Call! Storm stares down at Gunner as Magnus looks at him shockingly. 1…2…3!

Winner & STILL World Champ: Magnus via pinfall