Sam Shaw, Gut Check Contestant Attacked by Aces and Eights.
Mr. Anderson def. AJ Styles
What I Liked:
This was a very complete and well planned out match. You have two very popular guys going to battle, and both are very similar in physicality in the ring. Styles is more relying on his kicking abilities, which grounded Anderson about mid way through the match. I also thought the leapfrog into a dropkick from Styles was perfectly connected. I liked the ability of a quick two count for each guy to give the match more momentum. Anderson hit a great spot with a basic, yet effective, superplex off the top rope. The finish was one that could easily be set up for a rematch, because Anderson steals a victory with a rollup. He surprised Styles, and I feel it is intelligent for Styles to continue to be viewed as a guy with "more on his mind." This is helping his character grow more each day. The bigger story was after the match, when Claire showed pictures of her with a sleeping Styles. He looks drugged or drunk and taken advantage of. She is claiming he is the father, and I felt like this came off smarter than expected. There was not Dixie involved, but Claire did a better job at simple acting methods. She looks more believable now, and it is hard tog et the crowd to believe in something outlandish as this.
Grade: A-
Christopher Daniels def. Rob Van Dam
What I Liked:
This match consists of two very similar opponents, which have the ability to carry a match with just their athleticism. The good comparisons between the two are shown, especially when Daniels hits a neckbreaker after RVD counters into his offense. Both men are quick and have great instincts. I thought the match was good, not great.
What I Disliked:
Daniels rolls up RVD, and hangs onto the ropes for the win. A simple heel move, but I already saw a rollup earlier. Even though it was somewhat different, it was still too similar. There has to be some clean wins for these opponents. You cannot keep booking cheap finishes. It will get boring and the BFG matches will look too similar from week to week.
Grade: B-
Aries is backstage and calls Roode a fluke. He talks about beating him at Destination X, and how his title and cape are better. Playing Cards, Aces and Eights, fall to the ground and he shakes it off. Ironically, good foreshadowing.
Garrett Bischoff is backstage with Joseph Park and says who was that guy last week in the ring. Park says it was him, nobody else. He wants him to think about their earlier conversation.
