TNA Impact results and reactions from last night (July 11): Save it, Sabin!

TNA Impact returned to Spike TV last night (July 11, 2013) from Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring Chris Sabin cashing in his X-Division title for a shot at Bully Ray and the heavyweight championship, the Main Event Mafia rounding out its group, and an awesome Knockout's ladder match.

Click here to get full results and to check out the open thread. Now let's get right to reactions:

• First off, TNA deserves at least some credit for how it handled Brooke Hogan's marriage to Phil Costa. It was a source of contention within the company when she made it public that she was engaged outside of storylines, which is kind of dumb as hell in today's day and age, but whatever, and they had the awesome Bully Ray simply work his magic with a great heel promo that managed to make it work in kayfabe land. Well done.
• I love the Bound for Glory Series concept and how it makes television so incredibly easy to book while providing plenty of fodder for multiple storylines but I can not for the life of me understand why they would give Magnus such a gigantic lead. They did that with James Storm last year, had us thinking he would be the guy, he bombed, they put Jeff Hardy in that role, and it did next to nothing anyway. The BFG Series should be something like Money in the Bank in WWE. Let a guy who really needs it win and put him over. Is that guy Magnus? I don't know.
• Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell did, in fact, tear the house down with their ladder match. Loved that both ladies were willing to sell out their bodies for our entertainment and thought the finish was creative as all get out. That's not something you're ever going to see in a match between two men, making it doubly effective here. Great stuff all around.
• I don't want Bad Influence to break up. I just don't. Don't break them up, TNA. Just don't do it. DON'T.
• No, but really, don't break them up.
• I'm not sure there is anything in the history of professional wrestling that means less than being named the Vice President of the Aces and 8s. Mr. Anderson proved his character stupid by volunteering for the job. And he's stupid on the level with Doc, folks. That's some kind of stupid.
• Rampage Jackson is perfect for the Main Event Mafia. He can't do this on his own, and may never be able to, but if he's in a stable, they can protect him. He's a perfect "enforcer" for a group like that, and it doesn't matter how silly he comes across when he speaks, Rampage has a personality and look that was made for pro wrestling. The chain, the howl; he just fits.
• I'm confused. Why weren't fans chanting "TER-RY BOUL-DER" at Hulk Hogan last night? I just don't get it.
• I don't want to sound like that guy but I'm having a really hard time buying Chris Sabin as a legitimate threat to Bully Ray. Yes, I know he's super talented and can absolutely go in the ring and he probably deserves a shot to get himself over in the main event, but I just cannot buy into him when he's in a ring standing there with Hogan and Ray and he literally looks like a little kid. Ray was saying that exact thing to be derogatory but he wasn't saying anything that isn't true. Next to Hogan, Sabin looked like a child. Even Bully just towers over him with an imposing presence that Sabin will never have. The problem, too, is that he can't make up for it anywhere else. Austin Aries is a smaller guy, hell, Shawn Michaels is a smaller guy, but they're both great promos and adjusted their style to make you believe they could absolutely go with guys like Ray (and Undertaker for an example regarding Michaels). Sabin doesn't have that, at least not for me. That doesn't mean he shouldn't be featured, but it does mean he has a ceiling.
• Shit, I'm part of the problem, aren't I? Well, if I'm wrong, give me a good reason to change my mind.

This was actually a damn good show. Well paced and put together with solid enough booking. Sure there were a few things to complain about, but aren't there always?

Grade: B

That's it from me, Cagesiders. Now it's your turn to sound off in the comments section below with all your thoughts on last night's show. Go!