TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] The show opened with a recap of the screwjob from last week. This week's edition is called "Screwed"... The opening video aired... Mike Tenay and Taz introduced the show...

Powell's POV: Am I the only person surprised that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff haven't ditched the concept of naming the various shows?

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came to the ring as the NWO theme played. Hogan said he wanted Mick Foley to come to the ring because they had something to work out. Foley made his entrance as Bischoff rolled his eyes. Taz questioned why Foley was there after being fired last week.

Hogan said he's never had a chance to work with Foley, but he sees a lot of good things. Bischoff didn't look pleased. Hogan said he thinks they could turn Foley into an asset. "This is a guy who laid his hands on me," Bischoff protested.

Foley said he wanted to attack Bischoff, but the small size of his cuts is proof that he didn't do it. Foley said Bischoff would have been worse off if Foley had attacked him. Hogan said Foley should work it out or walk out. The NWO music interrupted Foley. Bischoff and Foley glared at one another heading into the break.. [C]

Powell's POV: Bischoff's facials indicate that he's playing Hogan by working behind his back. He didn't look pleased at the thought that Hogan wasn't ready to get rid of Foley once and for all.

Backstage, Bubba The Love Sponge and Jeff Jarrett were talking in a backstage area. Bubba said he called in his "friendship card" and was concerned that Jarrett was going to do him wrong. Jarrett assured Bubba he could be trusted. They headed off to talk to "him"...

Backstage, Christy Hemme interviewed Ken Anderson. He was offended that she called him by his first name and said she and everyone else should call him Mr. Anderson. He issued and open challenge to the TNA locker room. He said he hoped Abyss would accept the challenge. He said it didn't matter, though, because the only name people would remember is Mr. Anderson...Anderson...

[Q2] Tenay and Taz hyped the "Eight Card Stud Tournament" for the Feb. 14 pay-per-view. They said there would be qualifiers held during the show...

1. Desmond Wolfe (w/Chelsea) defeated Sean Morley in a tournament qualifier in 3:30. Taz said Wolfe revealed that the name of his valet is Chelsea. The announcers talked about a new top 10 ranking system that Hogan and Bischoff are putting in place. Wolfe hit the Tower of London and scored the clean pin...

Powell's POV: I guess we should just be happy that they didn't stick with the Duran Duran theme by naming her "Rio."

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett entered Hogan and Bischoff's office. Jarrett said he's willing to start at the bottom of the ladder and work his way up. He said he's been out of the ring for seven months and it might take him some time. Bischoff said Anderson issued an open challenge and no one had answered. Jarrett implied that he wanted more time to prepare. Hogan said it was best for TNA. Jarrett agreed. Bischoff condescendingly wished him luck... [C]

Powell's POV: One week Jarrett is too babyface, the next week he's all out heel, and now he's back to being humble.

The announcers narrated highlights of the screwjob finish of the A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle match from last week...

Powell's POV: If this is such a major deal, shouldn't they have addressed it right from the start? Sure, they had the recap video, but they made it seem like just another story by waiting this long to have the announcers discuss it. Don't get me wrong, I hated the latest play on Montreal. The point is that they have to do a better job of spotlighting their big angles.

Backstage, A.J. Styles hung out with a blonde while Ric Flair said they had the next 30 days off. Styles was checking out suit jackets. Flair told him to take them all. "Oldest ride, longest line," Flair told the woman...

[Q3] 2. Hernandez beat Daniels in a tournament qualifier in 4:30. Hernandez wore his shirt to start the match, apparently because he needed to use it to throw Daniels across the ring. He does that spot in every match now. Hernandez missed a dive and Daniels tried to pin him while using the ropes for leverage, but Hernandez kicked out. Moments later, Hernandez pinned Daniels clean to qualify for the tournament...

The announcers hyped that Jarrett would be returning to the ring after a seven month absence... Taz hyped that Tenay had to play mediator between Team 3D and The Nasty Boys after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm surprised they're giving away Jarrett's return to the ring with zero hype. It's good to see Hernandez back in singles action. Daniels went from pay-per-view main events late last year to losing TV matches since Hogan and company arrived. Ouch.

The commercial cut-in showed The Beautiful People stretching for their match...

Tenay introduced The Nasty Boys and Team 3D separately. Team 3D stood on the entrance ramp while the Nasty Boys stood in the ring and the teams were separated by security. Brother Ray questioned where the duo had been for the last 10 years. Security kept the team apart.

[Q4] Sags cut a promo about how he and Knobs have always been Nasty and always will be. Devon said that while the Nasty Boys were sitting on their fat asses for 10 years, Team 3D has been winning titles in ECW, WWE, Japan, and TNA. Knobs cut a promo about all the teams "that have felt the wrath of the Nasty Boys."

Brother Ray said they could take jabs at one another all day long, but the bottom line is that people around the world want to see the two teams tear each other apart. Ray led the crowd in chanting Team 3D. The announcers hyped that their match would take place at Against All Odds on Feb. 14...

Powell's POV: I'll bet Devon couldn't wait to cut this promo since he finally had a chance to refer to an opposing team as fat asses. Brother Ray might be a better talker, but we've heard him so much over the years that it's easy to ignore him. Devon actually commands attention because he doesn't talk as frequently...

Backstage, Hemme interviewed The Beautiful People. Velvet Sky said they are tired of hearing about Angelina Love. Madison motioned to her waist and said the belts belong there. "In our bellies?" Lacey asked. Velvet told Madison to pet Lacey and tell her she's pretty. Funny... [C]

Inside Hogan's office, Bischoff told Bobby Lashley that he and Hogan are impressive that Lashley came in and spoke to them. After babyfacing Lashley, Bischoff suddenly fired him. Security entered the room and dragged Lashley away. "Taking out the trash," Bischoff said with a laugh...

3. The Beautiful People beat Awesome Kong, Hamada, and Tara in 4:30 Hamada and Tara kept things interesting with their offense early on. Kong taped in briefly, but left the match just seconds later. Hamada had Lacey defeated after a moonsault, but Madison broke it up by hitting Hamada with the pink dildo.

[Q5] The Beautiful People got the win seconds later. Angelina Love ran out afterward to run off the Beautiful People...

Backstage, Hulk Hogan asked Earl Hebner why he rang the bell last week. Hebner claimed it was a legit call because A.J. Styles reversed the hold and Angle's hand hit the mat. Hogan disagreed. He said there's a pattern with Earl and he mentioned the Montreal incident. "Bret didn't screw Bret, Vince didn't screw Bret, Shawn didn't screw Bret, I did."

Hebner said he did it for the money. He said he got a big check from Ric Flair and it was "well worth it." Hogan said it was unacceptable and disgusting. Hogan said Hebner is suspended... [C]

Powell's POV: Suspended? I can't even imagine what a TNA referee would have to do to be fired.

The cut-in showed Kurt Angle walking backstage, so apparently he didn't go back to WWE (insert eye rolling here)...

Backstage, Flair held the TNA Title belt while talking with Styles. Four women entered the room. Styles asked Flair if he was ready to get the party started...

In another part of the backstage area, Bubba The Love Sponge told Mick Foley that it wasn't looking good heading into his meeting with Eric Bischoff. Foley said he's more of a glass half full type of guy. He said he drives a 2002 mini-van and doesn't owe anyone a dime. He said the glass is half full no matter what happens...

Kurt Angle came to the ring for a promo. He addressed the screwjob from last week and spoke about how upset it made him. He said they agreed going in that it would determine who was the best wrestler in the world. He said A.J. disappointed him, the boys in the back, and the fans.

Angle said Flair is using Styles. "He wants to strip you of your innocence," Angle said. Kurt said he has a qualifying match for the eight-card stud tournament. He said he would face Styles again when he wins the tournament. Angle wrapped up his promo and was just about to leave the ring.

Hulk Hogan's music interrupted Angle. Hogan came to the ring and they stood face-to-face. Hogan said Angle spitting in his face was unacceptable. "If that ever happens again and you ever cross that line, you can consider yourself unemployed," Hogan said. Angle apologized. He said Hogan has to realize that he's now held accountable for everything that happens in the ring. Angle offered his hand to Hogan and said what he did was wrong. Hogan accepted the handshake and headed backstage.

[Q6] After Hogan left the ring, Sean Waltman attacked Angle from behind. Scott Hall joined Waltman in beating up Angle as the show went to break... [C]

Powell's POV: Clever move. Hogan looks like the babyface by shaking hands, and then they plant the seed that he may have been behind his former NWO running mates attacking Angle.

The announcers recapped the previous segment... Backstage, security threw Hall and Waltman out of the building. "See you next week," Hall cracked... Tenay questioned whether Hall and Waltman could have selected a worse path for two guys trying to get contracts. Taz questioned why they attacked Angle...

Powell's POV: Are the announcers not being clued in on the storylines? Shouldn't they be pointing out the obvious connection that Hall and Waltman have with Hogan and questioning whether he put them up to it? I guess not if that's the big reveal, but it makes the announcers look like dopes for not questioning something so obvious.

4. Brian Kendrick and Motor City Machine Guns beat Amazing Red and Generation Me in 2:45. Late in the match, Kendrick tagged himself into the match, blasted Red with a kick to the head, and pinned him. The Guns didn't look pleased.

After the match, The British Invasion headed to the ring. The announcers noted that Rob Terry won the briefcase that contains the X Division Title shot. "You don't think?" Taz asked. Brutus Magnus was jawing with a reluctant Terry as the show headed to break... [C]

5. Doug Williams beat Amazing Red to win the X Division Title. The announcers explained that Brutus Magnus ordered Terry to hand over his X Division Title match to Williams. The match was joined in progress. Williams put away Red quickly while a frustrated Terry watched from ringside...

[Q7] A shot aired of Jeff Jarrett warming up for his match backstage... [C]

Backstage, Foley and Bischoff had their meeting. Foley questioned whether Bischoff paid someone to open the cut or practiced "a little self mutilation." Foley essentially said he'd rather clean up shit than work for Bischoff. Eric said he's sorry to hear that because Abyss and Jeremy Borash want to work for TNA. "I have their careers in the palm of my hand," Bischoff said. He suggested that Foley reconsider and then told him to have a nice day.

Bischoff left the room and told the cameraman to follow him "because that's what you're paid to do." Bischoff entered the room where Styles, Flair, and the women were partying. Flair strutted and bragged that they are off for 30 days. Bischoff congratulated Flair for having a good attorney because he and Hogan are "stuck with" Flair. Bischoff said the bad news is that while Flair thought he had 30 days off, that's not the case. Bischoff said everyone should be ready for Against All Odds...

Powell's POV: Bischoff continues to be the most intriguing character on the show. The back and forth teases of him being heel and face are compelling.

A split-screen shot aired of Jarrett and Anderson as Tenay hyped that the main event was coming up next... [C] The cut-in showed a shot of a concerned Jarrett... Ken Anderson made his entrance and did the whole "Mr. Anderson" routine in the ring while the live crowd booed him...

[Q8] 6. Mr. Anderson defeated Jeff Jarrett in 10:50. Jarrett came to the ring and shook hands with the fans. He had no entrance music and got a big babyface reaction. Taz assumed the lack of entrance music was because Hogan and Bischoff are making Jarrett start at the bottom. Taz spoke about how entrance music can help a wrestler get his adrenaline going.

Back and forth action to start. Anderson mocked the crowd by chanting "Jarrett" when he was on offense. Jarrett regained control of the offense, tossed Anderson to ringside, and performed the Jarrett strut heading into the break. [C]

Anderson was back in control after the break. Jarrett made a comeback and set up for The Stroke, but Anderson finished him off with a low blow behind the ref's back. A shot aired of a smiling Bischoff watching backstage and saying, "This is great." Back in the studio, Anderson attacked Jarrett after the bell. Tenay gave Jarrett an out by asking whether the result would have been different if Jeff had time to prepare. Meanwhile, Anderson hit the Mic Check on Jarrett...

Backstage, Bischoff said it would be a "long, hard climb to the top of my mountain"...

Powell's POV: The main event felt like it had legitimate star power and was very focussed in terms of the storyline direction. Anderson looks strong by beating Jarrett, and Tenay did a nice job of giving Jarrett an excuse to keep Jarrett strong. Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of the show this week. Check back on Friday for Rich Twilling's TNA Impact Hitlist. Thanks for watching along with me tonight...

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