TNA Impact Wrestling | Changing of the Guard 2.0

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April 10 2017

One night after Lockdown, Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring. Jarrett goes to the news broke on Donald Trump's twitter account earlier today, that since Ken Shamrock was sidelined last night, he was sent home and thereby, Jeff Jarrett is in charge for tonight. Double J recalled building TNA with his father and he's thankful for what it's turned into today. Jarrett promises he won't let Donald Trump down while he's temporarily running things once again. Jeff Jarrett is then cut off by Patriot 2000, who comes down and intimidates Jarrett for a shot at AJ Styles, and here comes Agonia and Tyrus, who stand in-between Jarrett and Patriot. This allows Jarrett the opportunity to announce he's putting together a battle royal for the right to face Styles at the next TNA Heartbreak next month. Jarrett then gets out of dodge in order for the show to progress, but right before he walks past the curtain, he lets Patriot 2000 know he can wrestle right now against the undefeated Agonia!

Agonia w/Tyrus def. Patriot 2000
Patriot 2000 tried introducing a chair, but Tyrus smacked it out of his hands before throwing Patriot in the ring and he got leveled with a Spear.

Mauro Ranallo and James Storm find themselves rejoicing in the opening match of the show, as they mention Jarrett is off to a good start. Storm said he's known Jarrett since the start and knew it'd be nothing else. They remind everyone a battle royal will main event tonight's show in order to determine a new #1 contender for the world title, but also we'll see Knockouts Champion Jenny Thunnel's "historic celebration" tonight.

The Beautiful People, Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky, come to the ring and mention they didn't win the title last night, so that just means bad news for whichever two ladies want a shot at them. Sky said last night it was every woman for herself, but tonight, together they'll be unstoppable.

Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky def. Kimber Lee and Madi Maxx
In Yo Face put Kimber Lee in her place.

Dasher Hatfield is seeking backstage and going to several different people, all who are rejecting to be his tag team partner, until he comes face-to-face with someone and asked if he'd do it. Apparently a non-verbal answer got Hatfield excited, while the camera didn't show who it was.

Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe def. Irish Borne
Honma's Kokeshi on Jacob Crist was the deciding factor in this match.

TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles gets the interview with Jeremy Borash and is immediately asked about last night. Styles said he was in a war with Kenny Omega and he brought his best, and that showed why Omega is one of the best in the world, but last night proved that AJ Styles was THE best. JB asks if he'd be willing to wrestle Kenny Omega again, and while the answer is yes, Styles doubts he sees Omega in TNA anytime soon. When asked about tonight's battle royal, AJ Styles said he has been champion since November and has proven he'll defend it against anyone, and defend it well. AJ Styles wishes the competitors luck tonight.

John Hennigan def. Shelton Benjamin
Hennigan and Benjamin had another match as great as always, which featured Hennigan's Starship Pain that finished it off.

After Hennigan's victory, he saw X-Division Champion Ricochet clapping with the title looped around his shoulder. Ricochet got in the ring and applauded Hennigan for not only a good match tonight, but a stellar match last night. Ricochet then prompted the idea of wrestling one more time for the title. Everyone was in agreement until Andrew Everett stormed down and said he won't stand for it, that he won last night and should be the rightful #1 contender, ordering Hennigan to get in the back of the line. Then, Davey Richards came out and said he not only won last night, but he won the right for a future X-Division title shot. The four stood locked in terms of who would be challenging Ricochet next, as we head to commercial.

Dasher Hatfield is in the ring after a commercial and announces that he has found a tag team partner and if all goes well,
both will be partners for when he cashes in one of his two Feast or Fired briefcases. The partner reveals himself to be none other than a 2-time tag team champion, Matt Morgan! Morgan showed up and while they awaited Gallows and Jacobs, they never showed. Jeff Jarrett then came out to share the bad news that Gallows and Jacobs haven't arrived yet, so they'll have to push back the match. Morgan's upset, clearly, as is everyone else. Jarrett then asks if the fans wanted to see Matt Morgan wrestle tonight, which garnered a positive reaction, and added Matt Morgan to the battle royal later tonight!

After a few highlights from last night's Lockdown, allowing Jarrett back to his office, Jeff Jarrett is speaking to Agonia and Tyrus, showing gratitude for standing by him earlier tonight. He not only wishes both luck tonight in the battle royal, but also informs Tyrus he'll have the opportunity to get his hands on Patriot 2000 as well. In comes Madi Maxx who says she isn't thrilled about earlier tonight and asks for Kimber Lee in a one-on-one match next week! Jarrett sees no reason to deny this request, and makes the match.

In the ring, Knockouts Champion Jenny Thunnel is in the ring for this historic celebration that was advertised. Thunnel says now she's the longest reigning Knockouts Champion in history and she is closely approaching one year as champion. Jenny mentions there are only 62 days until she walks into Slammiversary and celebrates 1-year of being the champion. When Thunnel begins a toast to herself, Ivelisse then heads to the ring having an issue with this. Ivelisse said she escaped with that title last night and can't beat her one-on-one. Ivelisse then grabs a glass and pours the champagne provided, toasting Thunnel for her title reign not reaching a year and then throws it in the champ's face. Thunnel is upset and immediately pounces on Ivelisse, having the two separated into the commercial.

Back from commercial, Mauro Ranallo and James Storm mention next week's matches, including Tyrus versus Patriot 2000. But both are in the ring now for the battle royal to determine the #1 contender for AJ Styles.

Battle Royal Main Event

SPOILER: Click to show

Guys like Matt Morgan, Drew Galloway, Patriot 2000, Rey Mysterio, and even Ricochet participated, trying to earn a title opportunity. Matt Morgan and Patriot 2000 were the final ones to fight, and it happened to be Morgan hitting a big boot that rocked Patriot on the ropes, and Morgan finished him off with a clothesline! ... But wait! Morgan's leg is grabbed and is tipped over the ropes, and it's Chris Sabin!

There is some confusion but the command control quickly pulls up footage of Sabin rolling under the bottom rope mid-match, keeping him in contention. Chris Sabin will challenge AJ Styles for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship! Sabin was shown celebrating as Aiden O'Shea and Angelico ran down and celebrated with their guy as Impact goes off the air with Matt Morgan left dismayed.

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April 17 2017

Chris Sabin came out along with Angelico and Aiden O'Shea to begin tonight's episode. Sabin recaps himself winning last week and challenging his longtime rival AJ Styles for not the X-Division, but the world championship! Matt Morgan came out to beg a differ and makes his case for being the #1 contender and says it should be him. Sabin said Morgan isn't in his prime, yet over the hill, and Sabin's been here longer and still hasn't peaked yet. Jeff Jarrett then appeared, confirming he's in charge tonight, as he clarified that Sabin will be challenging for the title on May 1st at TNA Heartbreak. Jarrett, however, says if Matt Morgan can pin Chris Sabin right now, he can be added to the match. Sabin is furious as Jarrett sends a ref to the ring.

Matt Morgan def. Chris Sabin w/Dirty Standards via Disqualification
Morgan had just hit Carbon Footprint and got ready to hit the Mount Morgan Drop, but was jumped by O'Shea and Angelico, calling for the bell.

Dirty Standards was fighting Morgan, which he was trying to hold his own when Dasher Hatfield ran out and began to help out. However, Sabin had grabbed a steel chair and nailed Dasher Hatfield from behind, before all three ganged up on Matt Morgan, laying him out.

John Hennigan receives an interview and is asked about tonight's tag team match featuring he and Andrew Everett teaming against Davey Richards and X-Division Champion Ricochet. Hennigan says his focus is not on Everett or Richards, but the champion himself. Hennigan claims he took Ricochet to the limit at Lockdown and wants to claim his first piece of singles gold here in TNA. Everett came up and had other plans, ordering Hennigan to stay out of his way, he's already had his opportunity, and he'll be the man to take the title back and become a 3-time X-Division Champion.

Kimber Lee def. Madi Maxx
After taking the fall in tag team action last week, Kimber Lee had Alligator Mutilation locked in and Madi Maxx had no choice but to submit.

Matt Morgan, Dasher Hatfield, along with Dirty Standards are all creating a fuss backstage for Jeff Jarrett. In a still moment, Sabin brings up Jarrett's words were for Matt Morgan to pin him, but he didn't, winning by disqualification. Jeff Jarrett nods his head, and asks how much he wishes to get involved in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match at TNA Heartbreak, in which Morgan is up for anything. Jarrett makes the main event tonight a six-man tag. Jarrett says that all members of Dirty Standards will compete against Dasher Hatfield, Matt Morgan, and the champion AJ Styles! Sabin's freaking out, while Morgan's happy once Jarrett announces that if Dirty Standards loses, Matt Morgan is added to the championship match.

Patriot 2000 def. Tyrus w/Agonia via Count-Out
It was miscommunication on the outside when Patriot shoved Agonia, yet Agonia went for a Spear and Patriot 2000 moved out of the way and he speared Tyrus. Patriot 2000 then got the official up from incidental contact prior, and the ref counted Tyrus to 10.

Agonia was apologizing to Tyrus about it and trying to explain it, but these two were at odds as Patriot 2000 saw this weakness and left with a crooked smile on his face.

A video that was shot earlier this week before a photoshoot, Hiroyo and Jade were in the backstage area getting their makeup done when the Beautiful People walked in. Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky didn't approve of Jade and Hiroyo getting the shoot, even if it was explained for the Japan demographic. Sky and Rayne then took out Hiroyo and Jade, ruining the entire makeup area and sending a message. This video from earlier this week leads to a match tonight.

Hiroyo w/Jade def. Madison Rayne w/Velvet Sky
Hiroyo was motivated and when Sky tried getting involved, Jade took Sky out as Madison felt the effects of the Hiroyo Stone in a loss tonight.

Jeff Jarrett calls Ivelisse over and lets her know that champion Jenny Thunnel was so upset after last week, and has requested you in a match at TNA Heartbreak if Ivelisse would accept. Ivelisse said if she wants the match bad enough, Thunnel needs to put the title on the line before she signs off on it.

Andrew Everett and John Hennigan def. Davey Richards and Ricochet
Hennigan hit Moonlight Drive followed by End of the World on Ricochet, but Everett tagged Hennigan's ankle as Everett dropped down into a cover on Ricochet after pushing Hennigan away.

After the match, Andrew Everett overcelebrated as Hennigan shoved Everett and asked what he was doing. This erupted into a brawl in which Davey Richards hit a springboard missile dropkick on them both. Richards then took Hennigan, after Everett rolled out of dodge, and hit a DR Driver II. Richards then spotted Ricochet trying to get up before hitting the X-Division Champion with Creeping Death. Richards then picks up the X-Division Championship, holds it high, before dropping it beside Ricochet and exiting the ring as Everett just watches on from the barricade.

A commercial break is broken up by a scene backstage where Jeff Jarrett is approached by Patriot 2000, who looks around and doesn't see Agonia or Tyrus around. Jarrett fears for a minute, before Patriot backs off and tells Jarrett to relax. Patriot 2000 says he won't attack tonight, but to let Jarrett know that if he's alone now, he'll be alone a second time, leaving Jarrett with those words.

Mauro Ranallo and James Storm at the commentary table and have been excited for what's transpired tonight. They mention the Two Cool Bucks return next week, the TNA Tag Team Champions. Also, it's confirmed that Velvet Sky will square off against Jade. They send it to the ring to decide whether Matt Morgan will join the world title match in two weeks at TNA Heartbreak, as he aims to modify the match into a triple threat.

Dirty Standards def. AJ Styles, Dasher Hatfield, and Matt Morgan
Everything broke down this match, and when the referee lost control, Dasher Hatfield had an opportunity to hit Grand Slam on Angelico, but O'Shea chopped Hatfield from underneath with a shillelagh and Angelico rolled Hatfield up, using the tights, to win the match.

As soon as this match ended, Matt Morgan left his brawl with Sabin to slide in the ring and see Angelico and Aiden O'Shea retreating up the ramp. AJ Styles then grabs his title, watching all this transpire as he lost the match, but has a one-on-one match with Chris Sabin in two weeks at TNA Heartbreak. This is how we end tonight's Impact episode.

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TNA Scaling Back

NEW YORK CITY - It can today be confirmed that the following talents have been released from their Total Nonstop Action contracts:

Awesome Kong
DJ Z
Mr. Anderson
Robbie E

With the limited information we have, Awesome Kong's release was apparently of mutual interest. Kong is wanting to take personal time to raise a family and she felt it was in her best interest to leave TNA while the knockouts division has become increasingly deep over the previous two years.

Mr. Anderson's contract was apparently expiring this December, yet after his Coffin Match a few weeks ago the company wasn't thrilled with the idea of extending that contract. Once Mr. Anderson found this out, he wanted out immediately and Impact granted that request.

DJ Z and Robbie E both took to social media to express their gratitude towards TNA, and letting the company know they will cherish those dedicated years spent with the company.