2 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. ODB -- Taryn Terrell referee
After Madison insulted ODB as "trailer trash," ODB spit liquid in Rayne's face to officially start things. ODB then finished off Rayne in 30 seconds.
WINNER: ODB at 0:26.
After the match, Eric Young emerged on-stage dressed in a suit wearing shades and holding beer and chicken. EY hit the ring and presented his "wife" with presents before she tried to figure out this man was before him. ODB demanded to know where EY has been the past two months, and EY replied that he's been in Hollywood filming a show. EY was ready to leave, but ODB wanted to know who he is. "Where is my husband that I married?" ODB said, saying EY isn't who she married. EY said she's right that this suit doesn't look right. To begin addressing matters, EY started a slow clap before removing his suit jacket, dress shirt, and pants, revealing a U-S-A Speedo. This prompted a big smooch from ODB.
[Q4] Video package: The Styles/Claire story...must...continue. TNA recapped events last week when Claire Lynch's attorney revealed Claire's plot to work with Daniels and Kaz to blackmail Styles.
Backstage: Styles said he's glad this whole thing is over. He said there's a time and place to face Kaz and Daniels again, but right now he's focused on entering the Final Four of the BFG Series. He vowed to go through Samoa Joe tonight to accomplish that.
Up Next: Prichard, Taz, and Al Snow talk Gut Check.
[Commercial Break]
Gut Check last week: Al Snow said he was very disappointed by Kris Lewie last week. Prichard said if you're going to come in for Gut Check, then be ready. Taz said Lewie choked. Prichard said there are some obvious negatives, but there are some positives. Taz focused on his back-story and sob story. Hey, there are 1,003,305 people out there with a sob story, so they should be able to do better than that. There were no other positives the judges could identify. Prichard told them to keep an open mind about Lewie. Taz said he thinks he's made his decision, but he'll try to keep an open mind.
Backstage: Sting and Hogan talked about smelling blood. Sting wanted to blow a gasket, apparently on Aces & Eights, but Hogan told him to let the slow build-up take place. Then, Kaz and Daniels walked in to have a discussion with Hogan. Daniels told Kaz to speak first. Kaz reminded Sting and Hogan that they have iron-clad TNA contracts and they're all friends. Hogan said they're not friends and they hate Kaz and Daniels's stinking guts. He then noted Styles isn't done with them and he'll get his revenge. And, his tag champions are going to fight. Hogan told them he'll decide when and where, and he hopes they get their brains beat out. Daniels and Kaz tried to act calm before slowly walking away after the tongue-lashing.
Up Next: Styles vs. Joe in a BFG Series match.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, TNA aired a video package on Styles vs. Joe before the announcers reviewed each man's place in the BFG Series standings. Just before the top of the hour, Christy Hemme introduced A.J. Styles.
[Q5 -- second hour] The announcers recapped Styles's name being cleared of the Claire Lynch allegations before discussing Styles desperately needing points tonight to slip into the Final Four of the standings. Samoa Joe then came out to face Styles. Before the bell, TNA replayed Magnus blasting Joe's forearm with a steel chair two weeks ago on Impact.
3 -- A.J. STYLES vs. SAMOA JOE -- BFG Series match
The two men felt each other out early on before Styles slipped to the floor to regroup. Back in the ring, Joe back-elbowed Styles into the ropes, but Styles came back with a kick to the knees to begin working on Joe's lower body. Styles knocked Joe to the outside, then tried a plancha, but Joe kicked him in the gut to block. Back in the ring, Joe delivered a big snap powerslam for a two count. Tenay said that reminds him of K-1 kickboxing coming to Spike TV. Anyway, Joe followed with a modified cross-face into a bow & arrow looking for a submission victory, but Styles reached the bottom rope for a break.
At 5:30, Joe scooped up Styles for an atomic drop before delivering a big-boot to the face. But, Joe airballed a flying butt splash to give Styles an opening. Styles delivered right hand slaps and punches before going to the corner for a springboard forearm smash. Styles then Pele Kick'ed Joe's bad arm and followed with a cross arm-breaker attempt. But, Joe escaped via rope break. Styles tried to follow in the corner, but Joe intercepted with an E. Honda frontslam.
Joe, fired up, stalked Styles for the rear-naked choke, but Styles countered with a quick roll-up for a two count. Then, Joe came back with the rear-naked choke, but Styles countered into an armbar. Joe didn't tap, though, before shifting his weight on top of Styles to pin A.J.'s shoulders to the mat for a three count. Post-match: Styles sold dejection in the ring as the announcers noted submission wrestling is not Styles's style, but he needed the 10 points.
WINNER: Joe at 8:09 to earn 7 BFG Series points. Great start to the second hour after a poor first hour. Also, an excellent example of what a fluid, compelling big-man vs. high-flyer match looks like, unlike the Storm vs. RVD match earlier.
Earlier Tonight: Aces & Eights taunted Austin Aries.
Backstage: Lewie was shown preparing for his Gut Check evaluation up next.
[Commercial Break]
[Q6] Backstage: Kurt Angle was shown talking about the importance of his match against Jeff Hardy tonight to determine who advances to the Final Four. Angle hyped his credentials and said he can't let Hardy beat him tonight. Angle vowed to win the World Title at Bound for Glory.
Impact Zone: JB was in the ring with Taz, Bruce Prichard, and Al Snow. After formally... (Continues on next page)