One week after Taz ruined the wedding of Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan, by joining the Aces & Eights, it came time for answers. At the beginning of the show the amped up Motorcycle Club hit the ring with Taz upfront and a perfectly visible Wes Brisco in the mix (I don’t remember it ever being that obvious). Taz’s explanation for screwing over his best friend was pretty weak, but then that’s the big mystery that should keep fans intrigued. He said the MC is working for a “higher power” and there’s no way he could pass up such an opportunity.

While Attitude Era fans will be quick to groan “WWE did a higher power angle with Vince McMahon“, it’s not like the competition up north have the monopoly on ideas. WWE’s version was a decade ago, and the phrase “higher-power” is fairly ambiguous. It could mean anything. That being said it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Bully Ray himself or Eric Bischoff are the higher power.

Taz fleshed out his reasoning later on during commentary, mentioning that he had some issues with Dixie Carter and Hulk Hogan, although he reminded Tenay that it was none of his business to know the details. Having a no-nonsense heel announcer is a fresh dynamic that could spice up the often dull announce booth. His mocking of the deluded Joseph Park is an example of how he’s filling a void for what cynical fans at home are thinking. Taz is much better as the bad guy, rather than the bumbling happy-go-lucky dufus that he’s become in recent years.

One thing fans may have been wondering is how can Taz play an important role without being able to wrestle anymore. During his promo he said that part of his commentary contract meant nobody could touch him. This makes perfect sense and is a good way to build up heel heat with Taz taunting Ray.

The storyline is what it is. TNA will always be hampered by the inability to sign big names, but Taz’s reveal was legitimately shocking and has revitalized what was becoming quite tedious. It’s now time to unmask Wes Brisco and speed along the other reveals. Considering fans can clearly tell Brisco is under a mask, I’d personally book an angle where Angle or Joe lull him in to a false sense of security and then absolutely destroy him to send a message to the club. He can then become the scrappy errand boy working his way up the ranks.

Quick Results:

- Taz says the Aces & Eights are working for a higher power and that nobody is allowed to touch him due to his announcer’s contract.

- Tara def. Velevt Sky to retain the Knockouts title; she used the ropes for leverage.

- Kaz reveals he has a manager’s license so he can legally be in Daniels’ corner for his World title shot.

- Joseph Park announces that he will take part in Open Fight Night next week in the UK.

- Kenny King & Zema Ion def. RVD & Christian York.

- In the ring Bully Ray shouts down Aces & Eights and then pleads to Hulk Hogan to lift his suspension. Sting comes down and says Hulk will give his answer in the UK.

- Backstage Aries and Roode are still bickering, this time both of them were trying to get out of challenging Hernandez by saying the other man is better for the job. (Not really the best way to get themselves over; they were never supposed to be “chicken shit” heels).

- Booby Roode def. Hernandex with a Bulldog, after he became distracted by Chavo and Aries.

- Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson (now a fully fledged Aces & Eights member) brawled, with Anderson ultimately leaving the ring.

- Jeff Hardy def. Daniels to retain the World title, after Daniels ran in to Kaz who was on the apron and Hardy hit the Twist of Fate and Swanton.

- After the match Taz lulled Hardy in for an interview, but an Aces & Eights member attacks Hardy with a hammer. This is the bogus reason for pulling hardy from the UK tour. Pretty cheap TNA!