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COMPLETE IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT: SMASHING PUMPKINS REFERENCES APLENTY, MIKE BENNETT STAKES HIS CLAIM AS THE GREATEST X DIVISION CHAMPION EVER, MAHABALI SHERA AND GRADO HAVE BACKUP, LASHLEY DEFENDS AGAINST EC3 AND GALLOWAY IN A THREE WAY MATCH, AND MUCH MORE

By Stuart Carapola on 2016-06-29 23:31:00

Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!  Sorry about the delay getting this up, but my TV and internet got knocked out last night by a storm here in New Jersey, and I didn't get to see Impact until tonight.  But it's done now, so here we go!

Ethan Carter III, Drew Galloway, and Bobby Lashley are all arriving at the arena, and they'll face off for the TNA World Title tonight!  We then see a video package looking back at last week, and then we go to the ring where Mike Bennett and Maria kick the show off by thanking Billy Corgan for being a fair leader in the absence of Dixie Carter, an evil woman who struck her, and tonight she wants to thank everyone for coming to her show.  Bennett says Destination X is right around the corner, and that means he has a golden ticket to the World Title.  He has Option C, and he's going to cash it in to become not only the greatest X Division wrestler, but also the greatest World Champion.  Lashley has something he wants, but Bennett has an opportunity in his hands, and Lashley might be big and tough, but he's not Mike Bennett, and he's not half the man the Miracle is.  Lashley's music hits and the World Champion comes out to have a word with the guy who's running his mouth in the ring.  He says Bennett awoke a sleeping giant, and he's not going to call him a Miracle, and that he's half the man Lashley is.  But does Lashley have half the brain he does? (points to anyone who gets that reference)  Bennett isn't intimidated, but Lashley says he's not trying to intimidate him, but he destroyed Kurt, he destroyed Drew, and after tonight, he's going to destroy Ethan as well, and Bennett is an afterthought.  Bennett says to look past the X Division Title and at the man, and Lashley's looking past him, but Bennett is giving him credit for being a big, bad man, but he's going to take him apart.  He doesn't care who walks in with the World Title, he's cashing in the title shot, and he's going to take it.  Lashley says he doesn't want to do that, but the lights go out, and here comes EC3!  He'd love to watch them pummel each other into ether, but this is about the World Title: he wants it, Drew Galloway wants it, Mike Bennett and his "members only" jacket wants it, and Lashley has it.  He planned this like the invasion of Normandy, and tonight, he's coming for the World Title.  Lashley says he can entertain the people, but he's going to beat him up and prove that Ethan isn't half as tough as he wants the people to believe he is.  Bennett repeats his plan to cash in and win the World Title, but EC3 isn't impressed with how he won the X Division Title because he cheated to dod it and he's a piece of crap.  Here comes Billy Corgan and his sunglasses, and he just asked if he heard one of their biggest stars just impugn his reputation.  He may be a superstar elsewhere, but he's here to be a judicious observer, and Bennett made a good case for a title shot, and he granted it.  Bennett thanks Billy for telling Lashley, EC3, and the idiots that he won his title fair and square.  EC3 says he's seeing Mellon Collie to the X Division, and an Infinite Sadness to the company.  He thinks everyone should have a shot to be the X Division Champion, but Bennett tells Billy to tell all these idiots that he doesn't need a match tonight.  Billy says Bennett isn't going to talk his way out of this, and he'll defend the title tonight.  Lashley says if Bennett can't win that, he can't win the World Title.  Billy makes it happen: Bennett will defend the X Division Title against the winner of a battle royal Tonight, Tonight,  EC3 attacks Bennett, Lashley attacks EC3, and Lashley and Bennett double team EC3 until Drew Galloway runs out and makes the save.  Lashley gets between Drew and EC3 to set up what we KNOW is happening next, and sure enough, Drew goes for a Claymore Kick, Lashley moves, and Drew drills EC3.

After a commercial, Drew comes in to try and apologize to Ethan Carter III, but EC3 isn't having it, and they get in each other's face until the rest of the locker room gets between them.

Knockouts Title Match: Sienna vs Gail Kim

Allie cuts a promo before the match congratulating Gail on getting inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.  Sienna has this new peacock looking outfit on as Allie puts over how Gail has been wrestling for a very, very long time, and the next step for her would be...RETIREMENT!!! :D:D:D  Gail doesn't seem to like that, so let's try...FORCED RETIREMENT!!!  :D:D:D  Courtesy of SIENNA!!  Allie tells Sienna to do what she does best and SILENCE HER!  Allie rules.

The bell rings and Gail outmaneuvers Sienna, avoiding her power moves and flooring her with a big clothesline for 2.  Gail goes for a crucifix, but Sienna reverses to a Samoan drop for 2.  Allie chokes Gail from the floor and Sienna gets a bowtie submission, but Gail escapes and mounts a comeback while Jade comes out to attack Allie.  She goes for a package piledriver on the floor, but Marti Belle runs out and cracks Jade in the back with her nightstick, and Gail gets distracted fighting Allie off long enough for Sienna to hit the Silencer for the win.

Winner: Sienna

We look back at the finish of last week's cage match between Matt and Jeff Hardy, then we see Reby wheeling Matt into the building in his wheelchair with Maxel sitting on his lap.  He is still Broken, Brother Nero has confined him to this wheelchair, and he's not going to stop coming until he gets what he needs because THIS IS NOT...OVAH!

Drew Galloway finds Mike Bennett backstage and says he just can't help himself, he had to stake his claim to the World Title, but Bennett says Drew is jealous that he's the greatest X Division Champion ever, and he's going to win just another match tonight before going on to win the TNA World Title at Destination X.  Drew says not to underestimate the X Division guys, but if he goes anywhere near that title, he's going to be fighting Drew.  Bennett says he's already beaten Drew, and besides, he shouldn't be mad at him, he should be mad at EC3 for sticking his nose in his title match.

It's time for Fact of Life, and Eli Drake sees dummies everywhere, and after whipping keyster, he has to go back to his roots and have a little recharge.  He had dinner with his dad and a couple of friends, and his dad makes great mashed potatoes, because the two things Drakes do best is make mashed potatoes and whip keyster.  That doesn't seem to be going so well because he leapfrogged everyone in the locker room and made some enemies that way.  He wants to know what's up with that, so his guest this week is James Storm.  Drake's glad Storm decided to walk it off instead of driving his scooter down here, but Storm's been here since day one, he's held every title in this place, but he's been going through a drought for a little bit, and he wonders how Storm feels about seeing Eli Drake with the King of the Mountain Title.  Storm says he has been watching Drake, and he calls him Eli Dork.  Drake responds by hitting the dummy button a few times, but Storm likes to turn stuff like that into drinking games, so every time Drake hits that button, we take a drink.  Drake pulls out a jug of water, and gets booed for it.  Drake says this isn't surprising because Storm and the fans are extensions of each other, but Storm is on the greatest talk show of all time with the King of the Mountain Title.  Storm has been here since day one and paved the way for punks like Drake for 14 years.  His name is the Cowboy, James Storm, and Drake says Storm likes to play dress up, but he can't win any title on down to the Knockouts Title, and he better watch his tongue in front of Eli Drake.  Storm says they're going to change the drinking game, and every time Drake hits that button, he's gonna slap the piss out of him.  Drake looks worried while Storm tells him to hit the button, and the fans cheer him on, but Drake says Storm isn't gonna come on his show and call the shots, and they're done here.  He tells Storm to get outta here, and Storm says they will walk away, but one day they'll cross paths and he will kick Drake's ass.  Drake tosses the beer after Storm and says to get that crap outta here, then hits the button a couple more times, so Storm knocks him out with the Last Call and says he doesn't need a button to say SORRY ABOUT YOUR DAMN LUCK.

Jeff Hardy is hobbling around backstage in a lot of pain and he assumed Matt would be here tonight, and they'll meet each other face to face to figure out a solution CREATURES!

Rosemary creeps up on Bram backstage, and she says he can fight it, but they want him closer.  He has no choice in the matter, buty everything in time comes to Decay...some willingly (Rosemary swoops onto his lap) and others need a little help to make it happen.

Reby Sky wheels Matt Hardy down to ringside and tries to help him to his feet, but the damage to his extremities won't allow that, so he wants her to wheel him around ringside so he can look these people in his face and see what they did to him.  He is responsible for the success of the Hardys and Brother Nero, and he loves each and every one of them, but hates the CREATURES because it's their fault he is confined to the wheelchair.  He is BROKEN because of that monster Brother Nero, and he wants Jeff out here to face him, and we'll find out if that happens...AFTER THIS COMMERCIAL BREAK!

We're back, and Brother Nero is on his way to the ring!  He stands in front of his wheelchair-bound brother and asks him what he wants.  Matt wants this to be over, but he is a very resilient creature, but he will dog Jeff's dreams and will never stop pursuing him until he gets what he needs.  Jeff talks about the CREATURES energizing him to beat asses like his, and he wants to know what Matt needs to end this feud.  Matt needs one more match, he must win, he needs redemption, and he needs salvation.  He wants six weeks to recuperate from these life-threatening injuries, and they will have one last match, an Armageddon.  Matt will raise the stakes, and whoever wins their next match can own the name Hardy, control the entire brand, and to the winner goes the spoils.  He wants Brother Nero to look him in the eye and agree to this match, and Jeff says yes.  Reby says of course he is, and she is so sick of what a crappy brother-in-law he is.  He broke Matt and now he has to deal with this, but Jeff says she can jump on her broom and fly away, and he'll take care of Maxel.  Matt suddenly jumps out of the wheelchair and attacks Jeff from behind, rams him into the barricade, and then plows him into the steps.  Matt rolls Jeff into the ring and works him over with a chair, then gives him a chair necktie and gives him a Twist of Fate.  Jeff is down, and Matt and Reby look very pleased with themselves.  Matt says he hopes Jeff's unconscious carcass can hear the music, because it'll be the last time he hears it.  Their Armageddon will happen in one week's time, but not in front of the CREATURES or this hellhole known as the Impact Zone, it'll be in the sanctuary of their genesis...at their home.  One last dance in Cameron, North Carolina, and it'll be Brother Nero's final deletion.

Mike Bennett and Maria join Josh and Pope at ringside for our next match...

X Division Battle Royal

Okay, I see DJ Z, Trevor Lee, Eddie Edwards, Andrew Everett, Spud, Mandrews, and Braxton Sutter.  Spud is the first one out, getting dumped by Eddie Edwards, then Mandrews tries to survive against both Everett and Lee, but he gets dumped anyway.  DJ Z has better luck against the Helms Dynasty, but that doesn't last long before he gets tossed as well.  Sutter tries his luck now and takes control on Lee while Edwards and Everett go at it on the apron.  Bennett distracts Edwards and allows Lee to knock him to the floor, and now Sutter is on his own against both members of the Helms Dynasty.  Sutter sends Everett to the apron and whips Lee into him to knock him to the floor, then Sutter dumps Lee to win.

Winner: Braxton Sutter

Shane Bartholomew Reginald Garrett Timothy Stephen Helms attacks Sutter from behind, and his crew joins in for a 3-on-1 beatdown.  Mike Bennett gets up and slowly walks into the ring with a mic in hand.  He tells the referee to stay right where he is, and he'd tell Sutter to stay where he is, but he already is.  He tells the ref that the title match is going to start right now because he's the greatest X Division Champion ever, and to ring the bell right now.  The referee obliges, so we go right into...

X Division Title Match: Mike Bennett vs Braxton Sutter

Bennett tells Sutter to get ready for his big moment of glory, and slowly hands the belt to the referee and takes his jacket off.  Bennett stalls like crazy, and Sutter catches him with a quick small package for 2.  Bennett quickly hits a Cradle Shock Driver for the win.

Winner: Mike Bennett

Bennett continues working Sutter over after the bell, and holds the belt right in his face, taunting him with how close he came to being a champion.  Great angle.

Mahabali Shera and Grado are backstage trying to figure out their strategy since they're outnumbered.  Then they argue over Grado never picking up the check at dinner.  Shera asks if Odarg will be their third man because he owes Shera money too.  Grado moves past that and says their third man just texted him, and he's here now.  Shera just wants the third man to give him his money.

Al Snow & The Tribunal vs Grado, Mahabali Shera & ?????

TNA thoughtfully put the Tribunal's names on screen so I don't have to refer to them as "Beard Guy" and "Other Guy" anymore.  Grado is about to reveal their problem fixer when the Tribunal attacks them, and then their problem solver comes out, and it's...TYRUS!  He clears out both of the Tribunal before going after Snow on the floor.  Basile Baraka jumps Tyrus from behind, but Tyrus no-sells and tosses him into the ring where he's double-teamed by Grado and Shera.  Baron Dax comes in, but he doesn't have much better luck until Snow gets a cheapshot from the apron and then tags in to unload on Grado while he's down.  He still has the coach whistle in his mouth, blowing on it as he puts the boots to Grado.  Snow with a snap suplex and then tags Baraka back in to dish out more punishment with a short clothesline for 2.  Grado slips past and tags Tyrus in to clean house on both members of the Tribunal.  Tyrus splashes both of them in the corner, and Snow tries to suckerpunch Tyrus from behind, but it has no effect, and Tyrus tosses Snow into the corner and unloads with right hands.  Tyrus with a front powerslam on Baraka to finish it.

Winners: Grado, Mahabali Shera & Tyrus

Interesting new direction for Tyrus, as the Fixer who solves people's problems.  Looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Bobby Lashley, Drew Galloway, and Ethan Carter III are backstage, and they're...WARMING UP!  They face off for the World Title after this break!

Mike Bennett is backstage saying the X Division is all about five star matches, but he just had a ten star match with Braxton Sutter, the toughest match of his life, and he's still the greatest X Division Champion ever.  He's going to call Billy Corgan out right at the start of next week's show and cash in Option C, and he will become the TNA World Champion at Destination X!

And with that, it's main event time!

TNA World Title Match: Bobby Lashley vs Ethan Carter III vs Drew Galloway

Lashley tries to powder out to the floor and let Drew and EC3 fight, but instead they trap him in the ring and pound the snot out of him.  They actually start shoving each other out of the way to get at Lashley, leading to friction between them.  They still manage to keep it together well enough to continue the attack on Lashley, but that only lasts until they try to make covers on the champ and stopping each other from getting the fall.  Drew stands back and lets Lashley work EC3 over, then Drew short headbutts Lashley and knocks him on his ass, but Lashley dodges a charge and Galloway thrusts himself right out to the floor, then he goes for the Anaconda Vice on EC3.  EC3 gets out and tries a crossbody, Lashley catches him, and Galloway comes in from behind and German suplexes Lashley, sending EC3 over in a fallaway slam.  Galloway continues the assault on Lashley, but Lashley pops him up like a ragdoll and hits a running powerslam for 2.  Galloway ducks a clothesline and pops Lashley over with an overhead release suplex, then he and EC3 deliver a double gourdbuster to Lashley and then clothesline him to the floor.  It's back to Drew and EC3, and Drew goes for a somersault dive off the apron that misses by a mile, but Lashley's nice enough to sell it anyway.  Now EC3 goes to the top rope and wipes Lashley out with a dive of his own.  Drew's back in the ring and invites EC3 in, so EC3 flips him off before joining Drew in the ring.  They mouth off to each other and start trading right hands and then chops, then right hands again.  Drew big boots EC3, EC3 hits an enziguiri, and his chest is bleeding from the chops as Drew unloads even more chops, then falls victim to a flapjack from EC3.  EC3 goes for the 1%, Drew counters to the Future Shock and makes a cover, but Lashley breaks it up at 2, plants Drew with a spinebuster, and covers for 2.  Lashley waits for EC3 to get to his feet, gives him a textbook vertical suplex, and sets up for the spear.  EC3 catches him coming in with a kneelift, hits the TK3, and goes for the 1%, but Drew lays him out with a Claymore kick, then eats a spear from Lashley.  Lashley follows that up with a spear to EC3 and covers him for the win.

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Great match, and nice that EC3 took the fall so Drew didn't have to go under again.

Thanks for reading the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWinsider.com!  I'll be back on Sunday to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!

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