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WWE SmackDown Match Preview, Update On Brodie Lee, More

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— WWE.com is advertising a Six-Man Tag Team match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown on Syfy as World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Great Khali will join forces against Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry. Other matches airing include AJ vs. Natalya, Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle vs. Camacho and Hunico, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, Ryback vs. James Lerman and Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio.

— Brodie Lee, who recently signed a developmental contract with WWE, will report to Florida Championship Wrestling shortly. He concluded his independent wrestling commitments over the weekend.

— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/MDMTedDiBiase.

— Former WWE star Johnny Stamboli turns 35 years old today.

WrestleMania Sets Viewership Record, WWE Stock Dwindles

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— WWE announced Thursday via e-mail that WrestleMania XXVIII set a viewership record with 1.3 million pay-per-view buys worldwide and five million viewers overall.

Their statement reads: “WrestleMania set a record of 1.3 million pay-per-view buys worldwide and was seen by more than five million fans in 105 countries. The “Once in a Lifetime” extravaganza was also seen by a sellout crowd of 78,363 fans from all 50 U.S. states and 36 countries at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, marking the highest attended event in the stadium’s history.”

— WWE’s stock price continued to dwindle Thursday as a new 52-week low was set at $7.77 per share before closing at $7.83. The stock closed at $7.96 per share Wednesday after setting a 52-week low of $7.95 per share.

— Eve announced on her official website that herself, CM Punk, The Miz will be signing autographs Friday at 5:30 p.n. at Virgin Megastore Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.

WWE To Give Lilian A Tripping Gimmick?, Encyclopedia Update

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WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia has had a little trouble staying on her feet at recent live events, most recently during Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in London, England as she tripped over pyrotechnics equipment and stumbled to her knees while making her way ringside. New York Times Best Selling author Kevin Sullivan, who authored the WWE Encyclopedia, says he wouldn’t be surprised if WWE creative burdened the Decade Diva with a gimmick based on her follies after the organization quickly released footage of her tumble online.

“I don’t know why, but I truly enjoy following Lilian Garcia’s follies on the web. I’m really a good person, but her goofs make me laugh,” he wrote on Twitter after watching a video of her latest miscue. “Some guys are goofy before becoming serious (Angle, Y2J, Double J), while others start serious and turn goofy (Santino, R-Truth, Godfather).

“I wouldn’t be surprised if WWE gave Lilian Garcia a tripping gimmick now.”

Garcia has past history of an accident metamorphosing into a storyline as Charlie Haas incurred the wrath of Viscera after inadvertently knocking her to the ground as she stood on the ring apron during a June 2006 Raw episode.

A second edition of the WWE Encyclopedia is scheduled to be released on September 3, 2012. Sullivan, who is penning the second one, tweeted information on the book’s contents on Wednesday.

“It will have everything the first WWE Encyclopedia had, plus updates, plus new Superstar entries, plus more past Superstars,” he wrote.

Edge’s Contract With WWE Set To Expire, CM Punk’s “Dark Past”

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— Edge’s contract with WWE will expire on May 1, 2012, according to numerous organization sources. This would leave him able to appear for any professional wrestling organization.

Though Edge’s in-ring career is over, the news is considering surprising considering that he headlined last month’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the organization has kept other major retired figures (such as Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin) under contract.

— WWE.com has published an article revisiting CM Punk’s “dark past” entitled “Is karma chasing the WWE Champion?” WWE says: “WWE Champion CM Punk has endured relentless verbal and physical assaults from Chris Jericho in recent weeks. Has karma come calling for The Straight Edge Superstar? Take a look back at some dastardly deeds from Punk’s dark past that might finally be coming home to roost.”

— WrestlingFigs.com reports former WWF Champion Bob Backlund will appear Legends of the Ring 14 taking place Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.

source: PWInsider.com

Catch Some Waves With The Bellas, Clay’s Dancers Now Divas

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— In this week’s episode of Outside The Ring, The Bella Twins go to the Wave House in San Diego, California to catch some waves.

[vsw id=”CB8sAGyB0Ig” source=”youtube” width=”590″ height=”330″ autoplay=”no”]

— WWE.com has added Brodus Clay’s dancers Cameron and Naomi to both the Raw roster and Diva roster pages.

— A WWE SuperShow is scheduled for Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. Bell time is 5:00 p.m.

Jericho Gets Stitches In His Head, Blooper On NXT, WWE-Brazil

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– Chris Jericho tweeted on Thursday that he got three staples in the back of his head as a result of his match with CM Punk last night in Milan, Italy.

– It appears that the 5/24 live event from Rio De Janeiro might be cancelled, as the show is no longer listed on WWE’s touring schedule. The 5/23 show in Sao Paulo, Brazil is still listed.

– This week’s NXT show featured a glaring error. At one point during the show, William Regal handcuffed Johnny Curtis’s left hand to Maxine’s right hand at ringside. Later in the show, Curtis and Maxine are shown still handcuffed together – but this time, Curtis’s right hand was handcuffed to Maxine’s right hand. Oops.

Video: Chris Jericho Reveals When He’s Leaving WWE

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Chris Jericho appeared at the Revolver Golden Gods 2012 Awards last week and was interviewed on the red carpet before the event. Jericho revealed that his current WWE run will end before SummerSlam, when he plans to go on tour with Fozzy. Jericho said he and Fozzy intend to release new music by the end of August and plans to be on the road touring with Fozzy by then.

Jericho also gives his opinions on who would win between wrestling and metal personalities.

TNA Impact Wrestling Preview For Tonight

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* SPOILERS For Tonight’s IMPACT Wrestling

The following is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, featuring fallout from Sunday’s Lockdown pay-per-view:

– Hulk Hogan will make several “Major Announcements” about the future of Impact Wrestling and major format changes coming to the show

– Triple Thread Match to Determine The #1 Contender for TNA’s World Title: Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson

– Bobby Roode reacts to his TNA World title win at Lockdown

– Crimson and Bully Ray vs. Matt Morgan and Austin Aries

– Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles.

– Miss Tessmacher, Velvet Sky and Mickie James vs. Sarita, Rosita and Madison Rayne

– Devon vs. Gunner

– James Storm talks about his loss at Lockdown

WWE Network Launch, Lashley-MMA Update, Linda Debate

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– WWE is currently planning to launch the WWE Network in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

– Former WWE star Bobby Lashley could be headed to the Bellator MMA promotion. Lashley tweeted this week that he recently met with Bellator VP of Talent Relations Sam Caplan.

– Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon will participate in the first 90-minute Republican Senate debate for the state of Connecticut tonight in Norwich. The debate will stream live at 7pm EST on norwichbulletin.com.

Fans Pick Cena Over Lesnar, New SmackDown Tag Team

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– The WWE website held a poll asking fans who will win at Extreme Rules between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. John Cena won the poll with 60% of the votes.

– With just a few weeks before their WWE contracts expire, the Bella Twins continue to pick up wins against Eve Torres and Divas champion Beth Phoenix on WWE’s overseas tour.

– WWE stars Titus O’Neil and Darren Young say they are headed to SmackDown and are looking to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Titus O’Neil wrote:

“Me& @DarrenYoungWWE put the issues of @TaminaSnuka behind us&We are headed 2 @WWE Friday Night Smackdown!!We will be Tag Team Champions Soon”

His partner Darren Young added the following:

“The #realdeal @TitusNXT & #nodaysoff @darrenyoungwwe WILL change the face of @WWE & the question is who gon stop us HUH? #ImpactPlayers”

(Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE Draft: Will It Take Place At All This Year?

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2012 WWE Draft

Many fans have been emailing in asking when the 2012 WWE Draft will take place.

Monday’s 3-hour RAW Supershow was originally scheduled to host the Draft, but WWE would have made an announcement by now if that was the case. The next 3-hour RAW after that takes place on June 11th from Hartford, Connecticut, but there have been no indications that the draft will be held then.

There has also been talk of doing away with the Draft concept entirely. With WWE re-branding RAW as a a “Supershow” each week featuring SmackDown talent, the brand separation has never meant less.

That said, WWE feels that several superstars (Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler and The Miz) are desperately in need of a “change of scenery” – so we could see various trades take place to shake up the rosters.

COMMENT BELOW and tell us who YOU think should switch brands.

Paul Heyman-HOF, Del Rio Returns, Austin & JR Together

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– Joey Styles mentioned on Twitter this week that he’s still hoping to induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame next year.

– Alberto Del Rio wrestled at Wednesday’s live event in Sheffield, England, winning a quick match over Mason Ryan. Live reports that we’ve read stated that it looked like Del Rio was working very “safe” and not taking any risks.

– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Jim Ross attended the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion show on Wednesday night from Las Vegas last night. Austin was introduced by Jim Ross and received the Iron Mike Award. Ross wrote on Twitter that it was an honor to introduce Austin and that Austin asked him to do it.

Speaking of Austin, he was interviewed for the latest issue of Men’s Fitness Magazine.

WrestleMania 29 Plans For The Rock, Brock Lesnar & John Cena

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Following this week’s news that WrestleMania 28 was the most-ordered pay-per-view in pro wrestling history, the chances of a Rock vs. Cena rematch at next year’s show have increased. Whether or not the match takes place at next year’s WrestleMania, Rock and Cena will almost certainly have a rematch over the next 12 months.

The Rock dropped a bombshell on RAW the night after WrestleMania 28 when he revealed his “vision” to once again win the WWE Championship.  As of this week, WWE’s plan for the main event of WresteMania 29 is for The Rock to wrestle either John Cena or Brock Lesnar for the WWE title.

Several factors will decide whether The Rock wrestles either Cena or Lesnar, most notably, how Brock Lesnar’s next few months go. WWE officials want to see how Lesnar handles his [limited] schedule and how over Lesnar is after his match with John Cena at Extreme Rules.

While there was early talk of announcing the WrestleMania 29 main event one year in advance like they did with Rock-Cena, it’s now looking like WWE will hold off until the fall before making anything official.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE To Report Q1 Results, Fans Asked To Stop Chanting YES!

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– WWE announced this week that they will report their First Quarter 2012 financial results on May 3rd. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon will host a conference call on 5/3 at 11am (Eastern) to discuss the results.

Considering the fact that WWE’s stock hit its 9-year low this week, it will be interesting to see how Vince assures investors that WWE is still a company worth investing in.

– Several fans who have attended live WWE events this week in Europe have reported that WWE officials have asked the audience to stop chanting “YES!”

– Following his storyline departure from NXT this week, Tyler Reks tweeted the following:

“1st @TheCurtHawkins turns on me. Then that piece of crap @RealKingRegal fires me from NXT. Well, here’s a middle finger to all y’all.”

Evan Bourne Has “No Idea” When He’ll Return To The Ring

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We reported earlier this week that Evan Bourne is still on crutches and has several more  months before he can return to the ring. Bourne tweeted another update on his status on Wednesday, stating that he still has “no idea” when he’ll be healthy to return and will be meeting with doctors again soon:

“I wish I was on the #RAW European tour. It’s grueling but #WWE superstars live and breathe for these semi-annual extravaganzas. #jealous”

“My foot should* be healed by November! I would love love love to be on #RAW or #SMACKDOWN international tours. #ineedfrequentflyermiles”

“To clarify: I have no clue when I’ll be 100% healed. I follow up with the doc in a few weeks and I may have a better idea then. #endofsummer”

Christian Returns To The Ring At SmackDown Live Event

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Christian made his long-awaited return to the ring this week during WWE’s ongoing tour of Europe. At this week’s SmackDown show from Sheffield, England, Brodus Clay and Booker T defeated the team of Christian and Mark Henry.

Christian sprained his ankle several months ago and has been out of action ever since. He was booked to compete in the Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy match at WrestleMania 28, but the decision was made to pull him from the match and give him a few more weeks to heal up.

WWE Stock Hits Nine-Year Low, Hawkins & Reks “Fired”, More

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— On Wednesday, WWE’s stock price set a new 52-week low and closed at its lowest mark since April 2003. The stock closed at $7.96 per share after setting a 52-week low of $7.95 per share. It is also the first time the stock price has closed under $8.00 per share since April 2003.

— NXT authority figure William Regal fired both Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks on this week’s NXT episode (watch here) after pitting the perennial troublemakers against each other in a match in which their jobs were at stake.

Hawkins addressed his termination on Twitter, writing, “Future Endeavored. Anybody hiring a ridiculously good looking pro wrestler with exceptional hair? Damn you #NXT.”

This week’s episode of NXT also features Johnny Curtis vs. Percy Watson and Kaitlyn vs. Maxine.

— Beth Phoenix and Chris Jericho are scheduled to appear on French television show The Grand Journal this Friday to promote the evening’s Raw live event in Paris, France.

WWE Stars Weigh In Brock’s Return & The Best Diva Of All-Time

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WWE Superstars and Divas weigh in on the best Diva of all-time and Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE in the latest episode of WWE Inbox.

[vsw id=”zAR0nOofRhk” source=”youtube” width=”590″ height=”330″ autoplay=”no”]

Lilian Garcia Explains Tripping Incident At SmackDown Taping

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SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia has had a little trouble keeping her balance at recent WWE shows, most recently during Tuesday’s SmackDown taping at The O2 Arena in London, England. On this occasion, Garcia tripped over pyrotechnics equipment and stumbled to her knees while making her way ringside. WWE immediately released footage of her mishap, which features a soundtrack of Michael Cole and Booker T providing the “play-by-play.”

Video: Lilian Garcia Trips At This Week’s SmackDown Taping

In an exclusive WWE.com interview, Garcia addressed her recent off-kilter moments.

“Well you know, we’re in London and they say London Bridge is falling down (laughs), actually it was me who was falling down!” she says of her ‘trip’ overseas.

“I walked in and I was looking up at the crowd and I didn’t see that they had the pyro tubes right down in the bottom and I just went right over it and tripped and fell,” Garcia explains. She then points to her bruised knee, adding, “If this is the worst thing that happens to me, I’m okay.”

Garcia suffered similar misfortune at the March 13 SmackDown taping as her shoe broke while making her ring entrance. The SmackDown Diva is asked what she plans to do to avoid similar mishaps in the future.

“I think I need to top it, is what I need to do. Like, every time it gets better and better, ’cause that definitely topped the whole shoe breaking incident,” she says. “What can I say, I like to make big entrances.”

*Spoilers* Two Matches Scheduled For TNA Sacrifice On May 13

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TNA Sacrifice 2012

Rob Van Dam beat Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson in a Three-Way Match at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida (airing this Thursday on Spike TV) to become the No. 1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. He will face Bobby Roode at Sacrifice, which takes place May 13 in Orlando, Florida.

The show kicked off with Hardy and Anderson confronting Roode and staking their claim for his title. Impact Wrestling General Manager Hulk Hogan appeared and made a match for the No. 1 Contender’s spot with Hardy, Anderson and Van Dam.

Kurt Angle stated on Twitter that he will face AJ Styles at Sacrifice. This is a rematch from Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping.

AJ Styles Says TNA Can’t Rely On Jeff Hardy & Rob Van Dam

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This week … a VERY special episode of IN THE ROOM on WEXP 1600 AM Philly and TheBradyHicks.com., as Brady Hicks welcomes AJ Styles IN THE ROOM to talk all about the progress TNA has been making, as well as to hype up their appearances at Lockdown this past Sunday night in Nashville.

On TNA’s youth movement, as it stands: “They’re … WE are definitely in a better place. If we’re making new stars, that’s what we need to do. We gotta build that foundation, and it starts by making new stars. You can’t rely on Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy and guys like that who have been around for awhile …. or even AJ Styles for that matter. You have to continue to build new stars to rely on and to keep it fresh.”

On the development of Bobby Roode and James Storm: “I gotta tell you, when those two broke up as a tag team I thought, ‘Oh man, that’s the worst thing that could ever happen to tag team wrestling.’ Literally these guys were the best in the world as a tag team … It’s crazy what has happened with them over time. I can’t say that I don’t want to see this match happen because I do.”

On Being in the locker room with guys like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Sting and Kurt Angle: “It’s a great thing to have around. If you can soak up as much information as they’re putting out. You can only get better with those guys around you … These guys have done a lot in this business. If you can soak up some of that information. The sky’s the limit.”

On his Relationship with Ric Flair: “I soaked up so much information from Ric Flair that I realized he’s kind of a douche-bag. Neither Fortune nor myself wanted to be around him any more. Fortune kind of imploded because of it.”

On Bobby Roode as champion: “Like it or not, Bobby Roode is the best world heavyweight champion RIGHT NOW. The guy is good. You can’t deny that fact. He looks good. He wrestles even better than he looks. This guy is unstoppable at this point in his career.”

On TNA overtaking WWE: “It’s not going to happen overnight. We don’t have the money that the other company has. We just have to take it slow … When we move to0 fast, that’s how you destroy a company.”

All that, plus AJ’s thoughts on competing in the steel cage each year at Lockdown, being a main-event player once again, taking Impact live once again, and on the road, what Fortune did for each member’s career, getting to compete each week against his best friends in the business, and so much more. The full interview is available here.

Mick Foley Says Dean Ambrose Has “Friends In High Places”

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Dean Ambrose Mick Foley Video

The feud between Mick Foley and Dean Ambrose continues. In his latest blog, Mick Foley provides new insight into their dispute – and maintains that he won’t work with Dean Ambrose because he doesn’t trust him. He also says that Ambrose has “friends in high places” that could work with him to make him a star, because he’s not interested. Here’s what Foley wrote:

“Sports-entertainment has to involve a certain amount of respect and trust. It’s pretty obvious Dean Ambrose doesn’t have any respect for me, my requests, or what I have done in the wrestling business. Therefore I can’t place the slightest amount of trust in him. Has anyone wondered if I’m feeling better following the concussion I spoke of in that December 2010 TNA Impact promo with Flair? I’m not feeling too much better. I tend to have two types of days when it comes to that muted, under-water feeling I spoke of in that promo – bad and worse. I’m just not the same guy who took 11 chair shots from the Rock in 1999. I haven’t been that guy in a long time. Given my history of concussions, I would have to be a fool to place my future in the hands of someone I don’t trust. Perhaps I do have another decent match left in me. If so, it will be with a guy like Dolph Ziggler, who might well be the best worker in the business, and just needs that ONE little something to allow the WWE Universe to see how talented he really is. Or a guy like the Miz – one of the best heels of this generation. Say what you want to about Miz, but the guy is damn good at what he does.

But Dean Ambrose? No. I may not have the power I once did in the business, but I still have the power to say no to things that just flat-out seem wrong. Like trying to put Dean Ambrose on the WWE map. A few weeks ago, it seemed like an interesting challenge. Now, it seems like an insult. A few weeks ago, it seemed like cutting-edge stuff. Now it just seems like bullshit. He is a very good talent. He has those supporters in high places. Let them wrestle him. Maybe they can put him on the WWE map. Good luck.”

* VIDEO of DEAN AMBROSE Wrestling DANIEL BRYAN At A WWE Live Event

*Spoiler* FCW Star Debuts On SmackDown With New Gimmick

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The following article contains a minor *Spoiler* for Friday’s SmackDown, taped Tuesday from London, England

Following the recent SmackDown debut of Damien Sandow, WWE has called up yet another wrestler from developmental.

FCW star Antonio Cesaro, formerly known as Claudio Castagnoli, will make his WWE television debut on Friday’s SmackDown in a backstage segment with Aksana and William Regal.

Cesaro, who was at SmackDown to meet with John Laurinaitis, now has a gimmick of a European Rugby player.

RAW Rating, SmackDown Staying On Fridays, Regal

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– Monday’s taped WWE RAW Supershow from London drew a 3.08 rating with 4.4 million viewers. This is essentially even with last week’s show, which drew a 3.10 and 4.3 million viewers.

– There are currently no firm plans for WWE to move SmackDown to Tuesdays on a regular basis, according to f4wonline.com. WWE has been running live Tuesday SmackDown specials in recent weeks, but ratings have not been strong enough on Tuesdays to warrant the change.

– William Regal wrote on Twitter that he had to leave WWE’s current Eurpean tour to take care of “family business.”

*Spoilers* TNA Impact Wrestling Results For Thursday

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Impact Zone

Here are spoiler results for Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, courtesy of SEScoops.com reader Eric:

* Bobby Roode opens the show and talks about his win at Lockdown. Mr. Anderson interrupts him and then Jeff Hardy. Hulk Hogan appears on the big screen and wants all the champs in the ring later.

* Crimson and Bully Ray beat Matt Morgan and Austin Aries

* Garett Bischoff comes out to celebrate with Rob Van Dam, Anderson and AJ Styles.

* Borash is out next to remind everyone that Eric Bischoff has lost the right to his name and is off the air. Garett is out next for a celebration. Ric Flair interrupts and rips Garett. Flair will host a party for Eric Bischoff next week.

* Kurt Angle beat AJ Styles.

* Devon, Gail Kim, Samoa Joe and Magnus all come to the ring. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode joins them. Hogan is out next and says change is in the air. Impact will be dubbed “Open Fight Night” once a month where talent outside of TNA can show up to have a match. Three judges and Hogan will decide if the person gets a contract. Hogan tells Devon the TV Title will be defended every week.

* Miss Tessmacher, Velvet Sky and Mickie James beat Sarita, Rosita and Madison Rayne.

* Devon beat Gunner.

* James Storm comes out next and talks about Lockdown. Storm says Roode didn’t beat him, he beat himself.

* Rob Van Dam beat Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson to become the new #1 contender to the TNA World Title.

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