7/10 Twilling's TNA Impact Live Coverage: Will Sting involve himself in the Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash situation? Awesome Kong vs. Taylor, Final Victory Road hype

TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, FL

[Q1] A video aired hyping the LAX vs. Beer Money feud. Tonight’s show is entitled, “Victory Road Drive-by.”…

The opening video aired. In the parking lot, Jeremy Borash stood between Homicide and Robert Roode. He announced a parking lot brawl between the two and started the match. They fought in between a circled of cars with their lights on.

1. Robert Roode vs. Homicide fought to a no-contest in a parking lot brawl in 7:00. After a standard hardcore brawl, Homicide went for the Gringo Killer but Jacqueline interfered. A man with a bandana over his face interjected himself and it turned out to be James Storm. Beer Money handcuffed Homicide and brought him into the arena.

They started to whip Homicide in the corner before Hernandez finally came out to make the save. He attempted the Border Toss but Beer Money double teamed him. Hernandez made a comeback and briefly whipped Beer Money with their own belt before they escaped up the ramp. Sting’s music played and he was shown in the rafters… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: This was a decent segment. It helped sell the unique situation between the teams and LAX finally got some heat back. Why did it take Hernandez so long to make the save?

A brief video aired promoting the World X Cup tournament. Tenay ran through the current standings…

2. Doug Williams defeated Masato Yoshino in a World X Cup tournament match in 4:54. West pointed out this being Williams’ first appearance in the tournament. Yoshino hit a suicide dive but it was as though he ran into a wall because he fell backwards. Williams turned the tide with a big knee.

[Q2] Tenay announced tonight’s main event of Kurt Angle and The Beautiful People vs. A.J. Styles, ODB, and Gail Kim. They continued to talk about other things. Williams scored a nearfall with a double underhook superplex. The finish came with Williams hitting a rolling German Suplex with a bridge for the win…

Twill’s Two Cents: The announcers did not care about the match so why should the fans? Williams’ finishing move was pretty sweet though.

Backstage, The Beautiful People were putting makeup on. Kurt Angle approached them and asked what the hell they were doing. He said they had a match, not a beauty contest. Angelina Love said everyday was a beauty contest. Velvet Sky said they had a reputation too. Kurt said his reputation was that he was a badass. He said, “Why don’t you two do some squats or something?”

Love and Sky did some squats with JB spotting. Love stopped and said it better have been JB’s microphone poking her. It obviously was not his microphone and he was given the paper bag treatment. He sat there and claimed it was his microphone… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Funny segment. Kurt was great here; funny and serious at the same time.

A segment aired of Lauren, Sonjay Dutt, and a bunch of “Gurites” practicing in a gym. Dutt told the kids he loved them and they returned the sentiment. Dutt threw Petey Williams out of the session because he had not donated anything. Jay Lethal attacked Dutt but Dutt retreated and hid behind the kids. He said he would free Val as he and the kids repeated that phrase…

Lauren interviewed Taylor Wilde about her match tonight vs. Awesome Kong. Lauren called it a Rocky Balboa story. Taylor said she was excited, nervous, scared, and full of emotions…

[Q3] A video aired hyping the PPV and rest of tonight’s card… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: How hilarious is Sonjay here? He is making this feud somewhat interesting on his own. Dot Net readers know how I feel about Rocky Balboa comparisons.

A Rough Cuts segment aired. Matt Morgan said he would quit professional wrestling if he was not able to do it his own way. He basically called Vince McMahon a puppeteer. Jim Cornette said Morgan could be a big star. Kurt Angle said he would be a special attraction, different from a main eventer or champion, due to his immense popularity…

Twill’s Two Cents: Morgan can have all the tools he wants, he is uncoordinated and you cannot teach coordination.

3. Petey Williams (with Rhaka Khan), Kip James, and Tomko defeated BG James, Eric Young, and Matt Morgan in a falls count anywhere match in 4:39. Morgan scored a nearfall on Kip after hitting Undertaker’s Old School move. The brawl continued to the floor with all six men involved. Eric and Petey fought up into the crowd.

Kip and BG fought into the crowd as well as Morgan and Tomko paired off against the ring apron. Young scored a nearfall on Petey but Tomko broke it up. Young tried a suicide dive onto Tomko but was hit with a pipe. Petey hit a hurricarana for the win…

[Q4] After the match, the heel team attempted to further beat on Eric Young, but Abyss made the save. He and Tomko fought for a moment before Abyss deposited Tomko from the ring. He picked up Tomko’s pipe but threw it down as if he were afraid of it… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: That was forgettable.

4. Taylor Wilde defeated Awesome Kong (with Raisha Saeed) to win the $25,000 Fan Challenge and become the TNA Knockout Champion in 8:25. Kong went right after Taylor but Taylor was able to score some striking offense. Raisha distracted Taylor but Roxxi came out to even up the sides… [C]

Back from commercial, Kong had Taylor tied up in the ropes and chopped her. Kong hit an Avalanche in the corner as Roxxi looked on with concern. Taylor hit a bunch of dropkicks to score a two count. Kong went for the Awesome Bomb but Taylor rolled out of it. Kong tried to sit down but Taylor moved and hit a dropkick to the sitting Kong.

Kong accidentally hit the referee and while checking on him, Taylor hit a high crossbody and knocked down Kong with the referee serving as the childhood trip trick. Kong tried another Awesome Bomb but Taylor countered with a schoolboy for the win…

[Q5] After the match, Kong looked outraged and shocked. JB interviewed Taylor who said tonight was the greatest night of her life and dreams do come true…

Twill’s Two Cents: Ugh. I hope this was done to end the $25,000 challenge and sell the fact that anything can happen. Kong better win the title back and fast (at the PPV?). We all knew Kong would eventually lose, but the title change should have been a really big deal and this was anything but. There is not anything special about Taylor.

JB interviewed Kaz backstage who was flanked by Team TNA. Kaz said the tournament was about pride and he was not someone who rested on his laurels. He said he and the rest of his team are the guys who put TNA on the map…

Twill’s Two Cents: Good promo. They needed something like this from every team about four weeks ago.

5. Kaz defeated Ultimo Guerrero in a World X Cup match in 5:32. Guerrero hit a front suplex for a nearfall at just past one minute. Guerrero hit an inverted superplex and continued to remain on the offensive. Kaz hit a series of kicks to finally obtain a breather.

Kaz tried a springboard and completely slipped on the top rope. Guerrero went for the “just in case” cover but Kaz kicked out. Kaz went for a top rope hurricarana but Guerrero hit a powerbomb for a long two count. Guerrero missed a moonsault and Kaz hit the Wave of the Future for the win. Team TNA celebrated after the match…

Twill’s Two Cents: Give Kaz credit for coming back after a potentially dangerous bump. Minus the botched move, the match was solid.

[Q6] Lauren interviewed A.J. Styles, ODB, and Gail Kim backstage. Styles said his team was on the same page and he respected the women. Gail talked about how people like her opened the door for people like Love and Sky. ODB said she hated people like Love and Sky and riled up her team. Good promo… [C]

Don West introduced a history of the Ultimate X match video package. After the video, Tenay and West ran down the PPV card. Jim Cornette approached the announce table and said Taylor Wilde would defend her title against Kong at the PPV…

Kurt Angle approached The Beautiful People again backstage. Angelina Love was in a tanning bed. Velvet said they always have to look their best. Kurt said they were just like Karen; they only care about their looks. He told God he never asked for much but to please let him get through the night. He threw open the top of the tanning bed and told them to get ready for their match… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Kong better win the title back on Sunday. Kurt is two for two tonight in backstage segments.

[Q7] Booker T came out to the ring and called out Samoa Joe. Booker told Joe he respected him. He apologized for his past behavior. He said he was sorry for what is going to happen in his hometown of Houston on Sunday night. Booker said Kevin Nash was right about one thing; Joe cannot beat Booker T.

Booker called Joe a “poo-putt” paper champion. He asked Joe who he has ever beaten. Joe said nothing. Booker said he has defeated Rick Martel, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Chris Jericho. Booker said it was not personal; it was business. He shook hands with Joe and told him “may the best man win.”

Joe held onto the handshake and told Booker he is sorry. He would be sorry he ever called Joe out. He would be sorry he ever spoke to Joe with bass in his voice. He said he would beat Booker on Sunday in front of his hometown and in front of his wife. Sting’s music hit and he actually came out to the ring.

Sting took a crowd poll of who they thought was going to win at Victory Road. Booker asked Sting if he wanted a shot at the winner. Sting said we would have to wait and see. He said he would be in Houston on Sunday… [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels, and A.J. Styles. They are three people Joe has beaten. Rick Martel? Did Booker ever actually pin Steve Austin? That was an odd segment.

A Knocked Out segment aired promoting the Angelina Love vs. Gail Kim match for the PPV on Sunday. The Beautiful People made their entrance followed by Kurt Angle and the face team…

[Q8] 6. A.J. Styles, ODB, and Gail Kim defeated Kurt Angle and The Beautiful People in 9:21. ODB and Angelina began the match. Kim tagged in and dominated Velvet Sky, causing her to tag Angle, which forced Styles into the match.

Angle and Styles were impressive. Styles scored a two count with a dropkick after an irish whip sequence. Frank Trigg made his way out to the ring. Karen Angle came out from the other entrance area. Her dress is not flattering as it shows her nipples coming through from way off to the side… [C]

Angle and Styles remained in the ring coming back from commercial. Both men exchanged punches in the middle of the ring. Styles hit closelines and the Pele kick. He went for the Styles Clash but Angle countered with a backdrop. They both hit closelines.

All four women came into the ring with the faces having the success. Styles hit a somersault plancha onto Angle on the floor. Gail necktied Velvet for the win. Angle attacked A.J. after the bell but Karen gave Kurt a low blow. Styles attempted a Styles Clash on Kurt but Frank Trigg attacked him from behind. Kurt locked in the anklelock as Trigg talked smack to Styles. The Beautiful People gave Gail the brown bag treatment…

Twill’s Two Cents: That would have worked if Styles vs. Angle at the PPV was a one on one match, but they are involved in a six man tag and none of the other participants were anywhere to be found.

I did not see much of anything good on this show. I am sure some of you will disagree and let me know, which is always welcome. I can be reached at dotnetrich@gmail.com.