TNA Impact Wrestling Review: Results and Analysis for September 22

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Thursday’s TNA Impact Wrestling show set the stage for what is being called Road to Glory next week.

This week‘s episode of TNA Impact showed the continuation of the Impact Grand Championship Tournament.  Although much is still unknown about judges scoring, it has certainly brought different matches to the table.  The finals were set for Bound for Glory and with a week remaining, there is still time to build the story between the finalists.

One of the semifinal matches would pin Drew Galloway and Eddie Edwards against one another.  The key to watch for in this match was to see how Eddie Edwards would fair this different style of match.  It’s not really the match type that suits Eddie Edwards.

The other semifinal match included Aron Rex’s second match in TNA against the charismatic Eli Drake who barely escaped last week.  Rex’s approach has been very straight forward but will the showmanship of Drake become his downfall in such a progressive match stipulation.

The Decay and the Hardys continue to build one of the most unique feuds in wrestling today.  Following Delete or Decay, it was uncertain who had survived.  Last week, Matt Hardy proposed that both teams battle in the Great War to truly determine a winner unlike their last battle.

Two of the X-Division’s stars were showcased in a title match where DJ Zema Ion challenged an X-Division superstar.  These are matches that all TNA fans want to see as they look for the X-Division to rise back to its once prominent spotlight.

Finally, the tensions continued to grow between Lashley and EC3.  Intertwined in the feud was Moose and Mike Bennett as all four men were put into the ring together.  This was a tag team match that set the table for a huge battle next week that has Bound for Glory implications.

TNA Opener

TNA Impact Wrestling begins with a review of the set up to the Great War between the Decay and Delete.  This match will take place at Bound for Glory on October 2 .  The video package also recapped the feud between Moose and Lashley with EC3 returning at the end of the night.

Drew Galloway vs Eddie Edwards

Result: Drew Galloway wins by judge’s decision.

This match was a semifinal match in the tournament to crown the first ever Impact Grand Champion.  Once again, it is a match under the three round points system that is based off of aggression, physicality and control.  Eddie Edwards was quite dominant in his match but Galloway showed off his aggressive style, making for an intriguing second round match.  It would be interesting to see how Edwards would compete in a match that heavily favors Drew Galloway.

Galloway goes right after Edwards and would seem to have the advantage in this match due to his fighting style.  Edwards still tried to use his speed but the power of Galloway was too much in the first round.  Even the patinent suicide dive of Edwards was countered with power.  With Galloway in firm control, the sense of panic set in as Edwards would try for an inside cradle but Galloway was saved by the bell.  Galloway is awarded the first round by split decision.

Similar to the previous match, Edwards took the fight right to Galloway since he was down from the previous round.  These matches have played out well psychologically since the rounds system puts the pressure on the competitors.  After a dominating first round, Galloway seemed to be tired out by the speed of Edwards in the following round.  The late burst by Galloway could not save him as Edwards wins the second round.

The third round showcased both men’s submission strengths but no man could truly take advantage.  After the intermediate struggle, the physicality of Drew Galloway gained him an edge.  As the end of the round neared, both men took big shots at one another as they both battle leaving both of them laying at the end of the round.  The judges rule that Drew Galloway is the winner by split decision after time had elapsed.

Galloway Gives His Thoughts on Going to the Finals

Galloway proposes that Lashley and EC3 have their match before his at BFG because it will be a tough act to follow.  EC3 comes out to tell Galloway to tread lightly when he brings him into the equation.  Drew says that he will give EC3 a shot when he loses to Lashley but it’s unfortunate that he wouldn’t be able to last two rounds.  Lashley’s music hits as it seems that we will get a Lashley, EC3 face off this week.

Mike Bennett attacks from behind and after gaining the advantage, EC3 is taken out by a spear.  Moose trots to the ring and tries to clean house but the number’s game is too much.  The superkick followed by a spear leaves Lashley laying.

Allie is backstage setting up Maria’s public workout.  The appretenice’s plan is to make sure that Maria looks amazing but she wants to send a message to Gail Kim.

A video is played hyping up Eli Drake and Aron Rex’s match.  It reviewed their previous matches in the tournament and set up their match.

Bennett is excited to think that Lashley could be his best friend but Lashley quickly puts that thought to rest.  The chemistry does not seem to be quite there yet but at least Bennett thinks they’re best friends.

Eli Drake vs Aron Rex

Result: Arox Rex defeats Eli Drake via pinfall.

Aron Rex has a pretty impressive showing in the first round unlike Eli Drake.  Many could say that Godderz should have defeated Drake in the first round.  From a prediction standpoint, it would seem like Rex has the advantage from the beginning.  Both men put their microphone skills to the test in a promo battle which makes for an exciting future for both of them.

Unlike his previous match, Drake looked to be in control in this match early.  Drake took every underhanded strike he could at Rex but it didn’t phase the former Intellectual Savior.  Aron Rex didn’t let Eli Drake breath in the first round.  The round ends with an inverted figure four giving Aron Rex the first round.

Drake turns up his urgency to begin the second round and maintains control throughout the round.  A panicked Rex looks to end it with an inside cradle but Drake doesn’t let his frustration set in.  He goes to his egotistical roots and showed confidence.  Eli Drake is awarded the second round as he was dominant throughout.

The confidence that played in his favor in the first round, ended the match for Eli Drake.  Aron Rex advances to the finals of the Grand Championship tournament with his discus forearm.

The Decay are Ready for the Hardys

The Decay see weaknesses in Hardy’s broken brilliance which they seek to destroy at Bound for Glory.  They were in their element but it seems that the Hardys had the final mental edge.  Vanguard One showed a cheerful Senior Benjamin just a week after he was captured by The Decay.

Aron Rex is met by Drew Galloway after his match as he was giving his thoughts on his victory.  Both men are looking to defeat the other to become the first Grand Champion in TNA.

A video package telling the story of Cody Rhodes and states that he will be arriving at Bound for Glory.

The Decay Will Not Let the Hardys Get the Last Word

Rosemary claims that The Decay is tired of the games and the Great War will be the end of every Hardy.  Abyss follows up with a promise that the Decay will destroy the Hardy legacy.  Finally, Crazy Steve says that decay will take over the broken brilliance.

Much to the delight of the fans, Matt Hardy speaks from the fans.  This was an interesting position because it is usually where the Decay surround their opponents.  He says that now is the time to delete the title reign of The Decay.  Jeff Hardy points out all of the Decay similar to how Crazy Steve did weeks prior.  With the fans by their side, the Hardy proclaim that the Decay will fade away and classify themselves as obsolete.

With only two members of the Hardys in the Impact Zone, the Decay feel that they have the advantage.  Matt Hardy states that the Decay are indeed bound for glory as the lights fade.  When they turn on, Abyss and Crazy Steve have been tied.  Reby Sky delivers the final blow by taking out Rosemary and saying that Rosemary’s mother will be the mom with her baby.

EC3 and Moose are backstage getting hyped for the main event.  A team that seemed to be on the same page with fractured because Moose will beat up whoever is in his way.

DJ Z vs Trevor Lee

Result: DJ Z defeats Trevor Lee via pinfall.

This match was simply a representation of the X-Division and put the championship on the line.  DJ Z talks about how he has changed in his time in TNA before his match.  He challenges anyone in the locker room and Trevor Lee accepts.

Lee goes right after Zema in the early going of the match.  The aggressive style of Trevor Lee always seems to catch his opponents off guard.  DJ Z uses a different type of aggression to get back into the match.  He uses his agility and high flying style to take control of the match.  The distraction by Andrew Everett gives Lee a slight advantage but DJ Z finishes the match with a rolling DDT (the DJ T) for the win.

After the match, DJ Z is attacked by Andrew Everett from behind but Eddie Edwards comes out to help.  The aid of Edwards sets up a match built on respect for the X-Division Championship for next week.

Maria prepares for her public workout but Allie thinks that she has the perfect opponent for the demonstration.  Bennett hopes that she hasn’t messed up again as the belittling of Allie continues.  This begs the question of when Allie is going to snap.

Maria’s Public Workout

Allie announces Maria’s opponent but she doesn’t even get a name.  With some help from Sienna, Maria wins this match easily and feels that she is ready to face Gail Kim at Bound for Glory.  Maria   wants Allie to bring out her next opponent but Allie didn’t hire one.

A masked women comes out in all black and is excited to go up against Maria.  The overzealous opponent catches Maria off guard with her flurry of kicks.  Gail Kim reveals herself and looked to end Maria but Sienna comes in for the save.  Kim takes out Sienna with the eat the feet.

Fans are excited to see Maria back in the ring but with the her chicken heel run right now, the match is somewhat in question.  The match has all the makings of being a great one if it is allowed to play out semi-fairly.

Mike Bennett and Lashley vs EC3 and Moose

Result: EC3 and Moose defeat Mike Bennett and Lashley via pinfall.

This match was a great way to build two feuds in one match with keeping branching story lines.  It continues to extend feud through Bound for Glory but sets up potential future rivalries.  Neither team have much experience teaming with each other making it a pretty even encounter.

Mike Bennett leaves Lashley in the ring with both men and for once he gets dominated.  Lashley and Bennett take the smart approach by isolating the injured EC3.  The area of attack was obvious as both men looked to target the ribs of Carter.  After Bennett inadvertently takes out Lashley, EC3 and Moose take control.

The miscommunication Lashley and Bennett seemed to be the vocal point of the match.  After Lashley was taken to the outside, EC3 pins Mike Bennett with a sunset flip.  Another fight between EC3 and Lashley and no one can keep them apart.  Billy Corgan sets up a Lethal Lockdown match for next week where EC3 and Lashley’s teams will battle for a Bound for Glory stipulation.

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