The Main Events
Jeff Hardy defeated Bobby Roode in a Bound For Glory Series Match. These two put on a solid bout tonight. We saw the aggression of Roode play a factor in his loss. He was able to beat down Hardy early and often, but Hardy kept fighting back. He hit Whisper in the Wind, reverses Roode into a Twist of Fate, and then tries to finish him off. Hardy misses a Swanton Bomb. After Hardy is in the crossface, he bridges up for a pinfall, which makes Roode have to let go. The end came when Hardy hit a Twist of Fate out of nowhere for the win. Solid match with plenty of drama. I really enjoyed how these guys worked together to put on a match that gave us all the pieces of exciting wrestling.
Grade: B+
AJ Styles and Samoa Joe end in a time limit draw in the Bound For Glory Series Match. I was very surprised this is how the match ended. While watching this match, I realized that both guys are actually really good in the ring in differing ways. Samoa Joe is a guy who should be using more of his upper body strength, but he is unorthodox in his attacks. He is more of a ground and pound guy, one who loves to lock in submission moves. AJ Styles has it all. He is strong enough to hang with the big guys, smart enough for the scrappy wrestlers, and he is fast enough for the X-Division stars. This is why he is so important to the company. Also, his new character shines in the ring. He looks like he is in his own world while wrestling now. During the end of the match, Joe goes for a superplex but AJ lands on top of him. Joe would break the count and hit some quick punches until AJ dodged a strike and rolls through into the Calf Killer. Joe counters with the Kokina Clutch, then AJ tries to bridge up and steal it with a pinfall. Time expires and there is no winner. I really can say this was a great match, even though I think Styles NEEDS to continuously win week after week to prove his dominance. His character is still new. He cannot afford draws and losses consistently.
Grade: B+
–Sting Interrupts Bully Ray at the end of the night. Ray wants to talk to his wife, Brooke, but gets the Icon instead. Sting comes out and talks to Bully Ray about the Main Event Mafia. Bully Ray says Sting better not try anything or the Aces and Eights will come out to attack. Ray calls for his men, but to no avail. Sting shows a live video of his members beaten up backstage. Sting strikes the champion, as he escapes from the ring. Kurt Angle attacks him from behind and locks in the Ankle Lock to Ray. It looks like Angle is in the MEM. I like the addition because he is the best guy they have. He is a main event guy and that won't ever change. I was scared it was going to be a few guys who I would laugh at, but this is going in the right direction. They have to slowly continue the build and not add guys who are mid-card guys for life. If they do that, then the group is irrelavant.
Grade: B
Impact Wrestling Grade: C+
