Shame, he may not have had a terribly extensive move-set but he was charismatic as hell and was more than solid in the ring.
I do find it rather odd that management decided to let him go while being a current title holder..
after he won at the ppv,i figured they resigned him. not sad he's gone at all. his selection as tv champ was very odd. wish him the best. got to figure him/bully may be heading elsewhere soon
hope the tv title goes to someone more youthful and better in the ring.
I'd now be very shocked not to see Bully go (or should we now return to Bubba?) they'll both be back in WWE before you know it, Tag Team champs for one more run then Bubba in singles an Devon behind the scenes and working saturday mornings.
Can't blame them though considering this could be their last decent payday contract-wise, Devon will end up a road agent inside three years and Bubba will get a mid-card title and a chance at bieng top heel on Smackdown before long, lets face it WWE is short of good heels and he could/should walk to the top level of Smackdown inside a year.
Bully is suggesting he's gone after BFG now. This reminds me of the time Abyss "left" to the point just about every dirt sheet was reporting it.... only for him to show up at the next PPV.
If Joseph Parks announces himself as tAces and 8s legal counsel I'll go ape shit.
He's gotta be involved with them in some capacity. It'll keep him relevant IMO (whether as their legal counsel or as an actual member/wrestler). Being the ass kisser to Hulk was awful enough previously with Abyss/Hulk and the magical ring!!
Not sure what Sting meant repeatedly saying 'kay fab'.
Great PPV quality matches with Joe/AJ & Angle/Hardy.
My immediate thought was Kaz like badguy said. Other than that, I had no clue.
EDIT: Watching it on Youtube, and unless you're really familiar with the guy, it's really hard to discern. You only get about 1 second to look at his face from a far view before he lifts up the shirt to tell for sure.
Last edited by Psycho666Soldier; August 31st, 2012 at 3:11 AM.
I'm watching it. Shame our usual MSN group that does Raw chats isn't doing an Impact chat. I don't usually watch Impact live, but with Raw the way it is lately I felt compelled.
I just really like what TNA's doing lately. I feel they use their TV time better overall and the whole show progresses as a unit towards the final segment while still telling separate stories throughout.
I liked that... I just had to laugh at Hogan telling him to let him live... what, the alternative is actually killing the guy? That's an option?
Also I love the way TNA formats their TV shows... I heard Bischoff in an interview when their new formats came into play talking about, essentially, the 4 different types of shows they'd be doing. His explanation behind it was quite interesting and I love to see it play out. Take what they've done with the tag titles tonight. 4 teams fighting for a chance. Why couldn't they do this over the course of an episode of SmackDown? Have the Usos, Colons, PTPs, Kidd & Gabriel all pleading their case in front of Booker T? I'd hate to see WWE rip off this format exactly, but anything would be better than random tag matches and "number one contenders" matches that don't actually mean anything. How many times have the PTPs been named such in the last while that hasn't led anywhere?
Last edited by Newf; September 6th, 2012 at 9:40 PM.
Minus the BFG Matches No Surrender looks terrible to me. Why are they wasting Austin Aries in a nothing Match?
I really don't care for the way they pick Oppenents for some of these guys. Feels like Im watching a Reality TV Show like Survivor with them saying your voted off the island.
So who IS that big guy that brawled with Aries tonight? I thought that was Gallows before, but his sleeves were short enough that they would've revealed his tattoos if it was.
Minus the BFG Matches No Surrender looks terrible to me. Why are they wasting Austin Aries in a nothing Match?
Really? Really? Really? [/Miz] "A nothing match?" Aces & Eights is probably the hottest storyline going on right now in TNA. Heck, I hadn't watched TNA since Robert Roode lost at Bound for Glory last year. However, I've now watched Impact! two weeks straight because of Aces & Eights. Austin Aries vs. "The Arm Breaker" is far from a nothing match.
I was surprised they let Joe/Hardy have the rematch this PPV this quickly. I honestly thought Storm was going to choose Joe... Storm over Joe to the arm injury and Bully over Hardy, setting up Storm/Bully final match.
Now.. now I'm not sure what they'll do for the BFG #1 contender... and yes, I loved the Aries/Hogan/"Mike" scene... especially with AA holding the pliers... and i LOVED the fact that "Armbreaker" laid out "Mike" because he was going to give in to a "really pissed off Aries"and talk about A&8's.
Can I say I'm still a fan of Hernandez? (Probably one of the few who love SuperMex when he's paying a face character)... and AJ/Angle vs. Daniels/Kaz _should_ steal the show at No Surrender.
I am confused at one thing... wasn't Al Snow the one judge who voted "yes" for Joey Ryan? So shouldn't Ryan's beef be with Taz? (I understand they don't want to use Taz for any inring stuff... but the logic of this one is throwing me).
Last edited by DaSaintFan; September 7th, 2012 at 3:19 AM.
I was surprised they let Joe/Hardy have the rematch this PPV this quickly. I honestly thought Storm was going to choose Joe... Storm over Joe to the arm injury and Bully over Hardy, setting up Storm/Bully final match.
Now.. now I'm not sure what they'll do for the BFG #1 contender... and yes, I loved the Aries/Hogan/"Mike" scene... especially with AA holding the pliers... and i LOVED the fact that "Armbreaker" laid out "Mike" because he was going to give in to a "really pissed off Aries"and talk about A&8's.
Can I say I'm still a fan of Hernandez? (Probably one of the few who love SuperMex when he's paying a face character)... and AJ/Angle vs. Daniels/Kaz _should_ steal the show at No Surrender.
I am confused at one thing... wasn't Al Snow the one judge who voted "yes" for Joey Ryan? So shouldn't Ryan's beef be with Taz? (I understand they don't want to use Taz for any inring stuff... but the logic of this one is throwing me).
I think Taz was unable to do any inring stuff through past injuries so they just switched it over to Snow
It's the principle. He lost, so they moved on. Ryan kept annoying him so Snow is pissed.
Storm/Bully happened last year too, with Bully going on to lose to Roode, so I'm surprised they went that route if only for that reason. Part of it slightly deflates my potential idea for....
Actually, after the segment with Bully and Joseph this past week, I'm going full forward with this prediction where I will flat on my face hard if it happens. Roode helps Ray win. I'll say Joe wins since he just lost. Bully beats Joe to go on to face Aries. Armed with a new contract, Bully beats Aries after some TNA-style chicanery from Aces & 8s to reveal himself as the insider letting the group in and becoming the new Impact Wrestling champion. I still don't recall when, if ever, Bully has been jumped by them. I don't think they touched him at Hard Justice. He cleared the ring once Aries got his arm snapped by just his appearance.
And yes, I wrote this exactly how I spoke it out loud to myself.
I've been leaning the same way as you JR on who the insider is.. I just haven't had anything to back up the suspicion, just circumstantial stuff
For instance: "Mike" is from New York... (aka, Hell's Kitchen)
The desire to get Joseph P. to spill the beans about his investigation
I'd have to go back and look at some of the earlier episodes to see what else was pick-up-able on.. but I remember there was something during the brawl last week that pointed me that way too.. Just can't remember what it was now.
So who IS that big guy that brawled with Aries tonight? I thought that was Gallows before, but his sleeves were short enough that they would've revealed his tattoos if it was.
Really? Really? Really? [/Miz] "A nothing match?" Aces & Eights is probably the hottest storyline going on right now in TNA. Heck, I hadn't watched TNA since Robert Roode lost at Bound for Glory last year. However, I've now watched Impact! two weeks straight because of Aces & Eights. Austin Aries vs. "The Arm Breaker" is far from a nothing match.
Well the Aces/Eights Storyline to me is just not working. Its to convoluted and they still haven't given a reason as to why they are there. So yes Austin Aries is being wasted in this spot.
Well the Aces/Eights Storyline to me is just not working. Its to convoluted and they still haven't given a reason as to why they are there. So yes Austin Aries is being wasted in this spot.
Well the Aces/Eights Storyline to me is just not working. Its to convoluted and they still haven't given a reason as to why they are there. So yes Austin Aries is being wasted in this spot.
What's convoluted? A biker themed cult has shown up to kick everyone's asses. It's SUPPOSED to be mysterious and to spark your curiosity and it is working on the vast majority of viewers.
The only thing I struggle with a little is that they've had so many brawls but only once or twice have they made a concerted effort to take the masks off the guys they're fighting.
That thing Jeff does with his eyes is cool. I've seen it before, but tonight was the first time I saw him have them closed so long and then pop them open. Saw it coming but it still made it a cool moment. Love it.
I'm slightly enjoying Hogan more these days....not sure why though.
That's easy.. he's pushing storylines without being a major part of storylines.
I loved the tag team set up - Triple threat now at the PPV? Sweet! (cause Chavo / Daniels was just 'off" in my opinion, while AJ/Kazarian rocked, yet again).
And again, I think they've all but put D'Lo in A&8... Hogan points at Snow, Snow points at Pritchard, Pritchard points at Hogan.. and D'Lo just gets to sit there and not really get any of the attention.
Wonder what Parks' "key piece of evidence" will be next week?
Nice to see Wes Brisco show up again closer to the (assumed) A&8's 'revelation', most people had probably forgot about his earlier cameo.
Pretty good show, and yeah I haven't had any issues with the Hulkster either as of late. He plays his role pretty good without taking up too much time and space.
Agree Hogan isn't bad anymore. Finally he's gotten over endless attempts trying to tell us how great TNA is (how it's going to a whole 'nother level brother)....and let the product just speak for itself.
Got my BFG tickets today. Hoping they keep it Aries/Hardy. Wouldn't mind Bully included in 3way, but would just as well prefer the 1-on-1 Aries/Hardy encounter. I get the feeling though the big A&8's reveal will be at BFG (and it'll include Bully) so I imagine he'll find a way into that championship bout.
Wish they'd have a tourney or battle royal for the TV belt. Big fan of the belt if they'd used it help get a younger guy(s) over. Felt it was wasted away on Devon.
Last edited by Cold_Hearted_Truth; September 15th, 2012 at 5:34 PM.
I have watched the last two Impacts and this Aces and 8's thing is really starting to drag me in.
I've noticed that TNA have changed direction somewhat. It might just be a coincidence in the two shows that I've seen lately. It's a more adult product than WWE, but instead of "adult" meaning vulgar or low brow (which I'm not a massive fan of) they've transitioned towards "adult" meaning intricate and involved storylines, which I appreciate.
Also, it looks like the Aces and 8's may have a Sons of Anarchy type structure. I noticed a "Prospect" badge on one of the guys during Hogan's in ring, and a "Vice President" bade on the main guy doing the talking... which could be leading to a "Who is the President/Leader?" type situation.
I'm going to put this in spoilers even though no dirt sheet has reported anything but as far as the President could go....
There's a possibility D'Lo Brow is in it, as he's reportedly been under the masks during the massive gang attacks starting back from when they didn't know who was in it. As the President, it may seem a bit far fetched.
Jeff Jarrett could be the guy as he seems to always be a usual suspect, but Impact Wrestling/TNA seems to do a good job of not necessarily giving what's expected. Plus, I believe he's only gone as a competitor but still has ownership with them, which they've always alluded to. Dixie just has controlling interest.
Bully Ray could still be the guy as he is still the only guy untouched by Aces & 8s. He seems to be the odds on favorite and mega heel star in the making with a possible World Title in his future. Food for thought that I just looked up out of boredom: DDP won his 1st world title when he was 43 & JBL when he was 38. So the idea of pushing a guy who was a predominantly midcard feature this late in his career (Bully's 41) is not farfetched.
Bischoff is another 1, but logically it would not make sense since he's "gone." How can someone who is no longer with the company
I won't even put Hogan in this, because at this point even he knows there's no money in that.
IAlso, it looks like the Aces and 8's may have a Sons of Anarchy type structure. I noticed a "Prospect" badge on one of the guys during Hogan's in ring, and a "Vice President" bade on the main guy doing the talking... which could be leading to a "Who is the President/Leader?" type situation.
I totally missed the badge... Can't believe that one slipped by me. I do remember one of the first brawls where the roster got the advantage, and they had the one guy in the ring.. he bragged that he was getting his "patch" now.. because he took his beating without saying anything about the rest of A&8 (Unlike Mike the cameraman) and even thanked Sting for helping him get the patch.
Bully Ray could still be the guy as he is still the only guy untouched by Aces & 8s.
I still think he's in it.. but I don't think he's the "President"... they'll milk this out .. Bully somehow gets into BFG title match, wins the title because of A&8's (revealing himself as a member, and then "pretends" to be the President).. eventually loses the title at Slammiversary to Storm (but this is just a best guess here), at which point the real "President" reveals himself to feud with Storm for the title (as I figure Storm/Roode should be done by this time.) - if this is the case I really hope it's not Jarrett, as I still have issues with JJ being anywhere near the title picture.
Last edited by DaSaintFan; September 17th, 2012 at 7:34 AM.
I really don't think D'Lo is an official part of this. It just stands to reason that if they need people to pad this out, the road agents would be the first they went to.
I can see some sort of swerve happening with whereby he is in the ring with the A&Es looking like he is the insider only for them to turn on him and beat him down. At this point they have played it well where it could be a number of people which is good.
The whole Matt Morgan run in thing at the house shows is oddly timed when they have A&8 doing this on the shows, seems strange to have both running at the same time.
Meanwhile, I doubt D'Lo will be a big player in A&8 but depending on how they handle the reveal, and the logic behind the group, he could be the 'insider' which would allow the leader/President to be someone outside of the current TNA picture (which could play to Bischoff, he gave D'Lo the job, he's into the biker culture, he resents TNA for what 'they' did to him, and Hogan for turning his back on him)
It could work with D'Lo in it, he just wouldn't be a good person to be a big reveal. He is a road agent though so that could explain how these guys are just walking into the building week by week (well a little bit anyway).
Any of Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan or Jeff Jarrett being the "President" would be such a massive let down. Especially considering Immortal really wasn't all that long ago.
Either way, they've set this up very well for a staggered reveal. Once they reveal the VP and the rest of the group, there's still the President who (as far as we know) hasn't been sighted on camera with the group yet.
Hogan being the leader is just awful for business. You turn someone so frequently and the program loses value, no matter how big of a star you are.
And it could be anyone in TNA as the leader or the guy letting them in. As we've seen, they have no problem sacrificing their own and attacking them at will.
It's gonna be great the moment where they do the reveal and Joseph Park's is one of them behind the mask. Being rebellious/devious is everything opposite what they've built that normally feeble character on.
Having Hogan/Jarrett/Bischoff, you kill that group and move the company back several years. I'd quit watching the product entirely. You can only make the same mistakes so many times. Build the program with someone that has a future in the business. Not guys whose prime years are a decade++ behind them.
I'd be surprised if the VP isn't someone pretty well known. Gallows seems to fit the size of the guy and I cant really think of anyone else....DLo seems a little shorter.
I was thinking and god I hope it isn't remotely true...but what about ole King Mo Lawal as the leader? He's a fairly known MMA guy and could always find a way for him to explain why he was behind it.
I thought about him being involved before, but never mentioned it.
It's possible, but would a 'biker' role for him be plausible?
Well I figure they could always go with the whole he hired them storyline or something. I never really thought about the leader having to be a biker and I figure what better way to debut him than that. It establishes him quick as a heel and his attitude in MMA has him hated by a lot of fans anyways. I think it could be a pretty decent fit with him being the guy who is constantly sending guys to do his dirty work because he is to good to do it himself.
I really hope they don't do Aries/Hardy/Bully. Never been a big fan of triple threats headlining a PPV. Particularly your top one. I, for one, am excited for Aries/Hardy.
I'd rather them have Bully in a Team TNA vs. A8's (where he possibly turns).
My only problem right now with the Aries/Hardy storyline is they're trying WAY too much to have Aries play the "heel' role in this one, although unless they did a major swerve, I guess that's about the only way they can do it.. (This is why I was surprised Hardy won last week)..
Bully proves himself as being the star of the night though... "Did I hear that right?".. (although I was actually expecting AA to try a swanton bomb or something... )
I loved the difference in the use of the crowd between Storm/Roode and Aries/Bully Ray.. The way they did that, in both instances, was absolutely fantastic..
I was not happy with how they did Roode/Storm last night. They basically gave away what thier Match could have been for BFG. What's left for them to do now?
Watching the Aries/Hardy thing too was annoying with it seemingly making Aries out to be a Heel. I kept thinking about the CM Punk Respect Storyline when Austin was talking about how Jeff gets all the reactions and how he wants those reactions as well.
I was not happy with how they did Roode/Storm last night. They basically gave away what thier Match could have been for BFG. What's left for them to do now?
Watching the Aries/Hardy thing too was annoying with it seemingly making Aries out to be a Heel. I kept thinking about the CM Punk Respect Storyline when Austin was talking about how Jeff gets all the reactions and how he wants those reactions as well.
So you're annoyed you got something free rather than paying for it? Makes sense
Watching the Aries/Hardy thing too was annoying with it seemingly making Aries out to be a Heel. I kept thinking about the CM Punk Respect Storyline when Austin was talking about how Jeff gets all the reactions and how he wants those reactions as well.
What got me was that they made AA whiney, by all accounts they're going to toss Jeff the belt to try and keep him but why do it at the cost of turning AA?
And wtf is happening with Morgan, is he A&8 part 2 or the second invasion angle on a smaller scale?
For once () I'm going to agree with stonecold316, I thought the Roode/Storm skirmish went on far too long. A much shorter, intense pull apart brawl would have been much better me thinks.
Originally Posted by Kev
Well, Devon's gone.
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He's gotta be involved with them in some capacity. It'll keep him relevant IMO (whether as their legal counsel or as an actual member/wrestler). Being the ass kisser to Hulk was awful enough previously with Abyss/Hulk and the magical ring!!
) I'm going to agree with stonecold316, I thought the Roode/Storm skirmish went on far too long. A much shorter, intense pull apart brawl would have been much better me thinks.
