Backstage: Sting was shown talking to no one in particular and TNA cut to different angles of Sting talking to no one in particular. Essentially, Sting sent a message to Aces & Eights that he's calling them out tonight.
[Commercial Break]
This Sunday: Hardcore Justice. Styles talked in a soundbyte about the TNA Title belonging to him. Storm, Ray, Daniels, Robbie E., Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Magnus, The Pope, and Mr. Anderson also talked in soundbytes about wanting to be champ.
Impact Zone: Robbie E.'s music was playing back live on the show. Robbie and Rob Terry were in the ring sporting matching pink sweaters. Robbie noted he has 5 whole BFG Series points and said after he wins his tables match at the PPV, he's going to have 20 more points. Robbie said it's going to catapult him to Bound for Glory Series and the man he's going to put through that table is Jeff Hardy, who he beat for five points. Robbie rolled footage from three weeks ago when Hardy got counted out against Robbie.
Robbie then began listing five reasons why Hardy will never will be on his level. Robbie only got through one reason (he wears cool sweaters and Hardy wears wifebeaters) before Hardy's music interrupted. Out came Hardy sporting a wifebeater tanktop and jeans. Hardy hit the ring and awkwardly dropped Terry with a neckbreaker before squaring off with Robbie. Hardy wound up his fist, then popped Robbie across the face. Hardy wanted a table move, but Terry smashed Hardy from behind. Terry then powerbombed Hardy through the table. Robbie went nuts, yelling and screaming at Hardy that he's going to get 20 points on Sunday.
[Q4] Backstage: The roving cameraman caught up with A.J. Styles, who sold frustration over the Claire Lynch pictures. Styles said she must be really bad at sex to not be able to remember having sex with her. Also, he doesn't drink, so he wasn't drunk with her. Styles frustratingly said he has to focus on Kurt Angle after 18 hours of flying doing TNA promotion in Australia.
[Commercial Break]
Impact Zone: Tenay plugged the Joe vs. Daniels vs. Angle vs. Styles ladder match in the BFG Series at Hardcore Justice on Sunday. On-camera, Tenay and Taz plugged Styles vs. Angle up next in a BFG Series match. Suddenly, there was a disturbance at the announce table. Samoa Joe grabbed a headset and said there's bias in this company because he hasn't been given time to talk about the BFG Series. Joe vowed to destroy Angle, Styles, and Daniels on Sunday and get his 20 points. Styles's music interrupted Joe, who slammed down the headset. Styles came out and they cut to a shot of Claire excitedly cheering on Styles from ringside. "Yeah, baby!" she shouted as Styles ignored her and did his usual ring intro. Tenay said that's one big distraction for Styles tonight. Angle was then introduced to face Styles.
3 -- KURT ANGLE vs. A.J. STYLES -- BFG Series match
Styles delivered an early dropkick to send Angle to the outside, which fired up Styles. Styles then splashed Angle on the outside and they cut to a shot of Claire intently watching the action a few feet in front of her. Impact went to break one minute in.
[Commercial Break]
Back live, Angle and Styles were mid-ring jockeying for control of the match. They cut to another shot of Claire and Tenay noted it's weird that she's cheering A.J. tonight when she was mad at A.J. last week. Taz called Claire every male's nightmare. It sure seems like TNA is trying to create their own A.J. Lee with crazy, unpredictable tendencies. Back to Claire, who chimed in during a "Let's Go A.J." chant as Angle worked on Styles.
[Q5 -- second hour] A double clothesline put both men on the mat at the top of the hour. Styles and Angle then countered and ducked each other's offense before Angle trapped Styles in a trio of German Suplexes. Angle tried the Olympic Slam, but Styles nailed a Pele Kick for what sounded like a three count, but Angle got his shoulder up barely in time. Angle came back with an Olympic Slam for another very close nearfall.
Angle dropped the straps at 10:00 and slapped on the Anklelock, but Styles flung him away and trapped Angle in a German Suplex trio, but Angle countered #2 into the Anklelock. Styles escaped and they cut back to Claire excitedly watching Styles. Styles then nailed a flying forearm smash, followed with a Clash attempt, and connected. Styles rolled Angle over and scored another super-close nearfall. Styles tried to follow with a top-rope move, but Angle hit a top-rope belly-to-belly suplex for another close nearfall.
At 12:00, Angle slowly began climbing the corner for a top-rope moonsault, but missed with the move and ate the mat. Styles slowly tried to set up for a springboard move, but Angle blocked a springboard 450 splash with knees to the gut. Angle followed right up with the Olympic Slam and it was finally good for a three count. Afterward, Angle slapped the mat to sell he was fired up finally getting the pin on Styles.
WINNER: Angle at 12:46 to earn 7 BFG Series points. Excellent TV match. They overcame lackluster match hype and the constant cut-aways to Claire to still deliver a stand-out performance.
Post-match: Angle celebrated on the way out of the ring, then Styles was shown walking past Claire, who tried to reach over the guardrail to console him and say he did a good job. Styles stopped when she touched him on the arm, then kept on walking. Claire acted upset by Styles ignoring her, but didn't flip out.
Video promo: Aces & Eights delivered another message from their poker table. The leader said their next target will be revealed tonight.
Backstage: Mr. Anderson walked up to James Storm and said it's funny what "his boys" just said. Storm took exception to Anderson's insinuation. Anderson said it's funny everything Aces & Eights does seems to benefit Storm in a roundabout way.... (Continues on next page)