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

[Q1] The show opened with a recap of the Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Mick Foley storyline, the Orlando screwjob, the Jeff Jarrett saga, and the Jeff Jarrett vs. Ken Anderson match... This week's show is called "The Breaking of The Band"... Mike Tenay introduced the show and hyped that several TNA champions would be in action...

Powell's POV: I can't believe they still name the shows despite the additions of Hogan and Bischoff. I hoped that was going to be among the first changes they'd make.

1. Mr. Anderson defeated Brutus Magnus in a tournament qualifier in 2:35. Anderson introduced himself while standing on the stage. He tried to get heat by calling himself "the future of that four-sided ring." He even repeated the four-sided ring portion. Taz checked in on commentary for the first time as highlights aired of Anderson beating Jarrett. Anderson dominated the match and won with the Mic Check...

A shot aired of Mick Foley arriving in a small, beat up car... [C]

Backstage, Christy Hemme tried to interview Kurt Angle about his match, but he was more concerned with Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac attacking him last week. Angle accused Hulk Hogan of being behind the attack. He said Hogan has shown his true colors, and added that Hogan could expect a visit from him later tonight...

Powell's POV: I got a kick out of the way Hemme acted surprised by Angle's allegation that Hogan was behind the attack. I'm guessing Bischoff will be revealed as the true heel, but is it so unthinkable that Hogan would team up with Hall and Waltman again given their history?

[Q2] The announcers hyped upcoming matches for the show... Eric Bischoff came to the ring for a promo. He said he was disappointed that Mick Foley didn't get on the same page with him, as Hogan had instructed. Bischoff said that decision would cost Foley dearly. Foley's entrance music played and he came to the ring.

Foley said he's rare in that he likes everyone in the business. Foley said people try to get him to say negative things about people such as Marcus Bagwell, Paul Heyman, and Jim Hellwig. Foley said he doesn't hate anybody. However, he said Bischoff is the exception to the rule. "I hate your stinkin' guts," Foley said.

Foley said Bischoff started off as the worst announcer in pro wrestling. "I guess Mick has never heard of Mike Adamle," Taz said on commentary. Foley said he drives around in a beat up minivan so that he doesn't have to answer to people like Bischoff. Foley had the names of Jeremy Borash and Abyss written on his hand. Foley praised Borash.

Bischoff said he respects that Foley won't get on the same page with him. However, he said he has to turn that page. He said he's a New York Times best seller just like Foley. He said he's going to have to write the next chapter of Foley's career. Foley said pro wrestling was his first love and he isn't going to stand around and watch Bischoff destroy it.

Bischoff said he still has the futures of Borash and Abyss in his hand. Bischoff booked Foley in a match against Kevin Nash in a no DQ match. Bischoff said he's a student of history and he knows that Foley has a history with Nash...

Powell's POV: A decent verbal exchange. Honestly, though, I think Foley and Bischoff care more about their history than the average viewer does. The live crowd didn't seem all that excited about.

Backstage, The Next John Cena and Jeremy Borash had just finished watching the segment on a monitor. Borash said he worked for Bischoff in WCW and nothing has changed. Abyss freaked out just like he always does...

Powell's POV: Nothing has changed? Does that mean Borash is still overpaid? Good for him.

[Q3] Hemme interviewed Tara, who said Angelina Love made her life miserable when she joined the company. She said she seems to have changed since she returned to the company. Tara said she hopes Love is ready to face her because she's ready for Angelina...

Powell's POV: I know I can't be the only person who thinks it would have been so much hotter if Tara had said, "I hope you're ready for me because I'm ready for Love." Yeah, I'm twisted.

2. Matt Morgan and Hernandez beat Team 3D to retain the TNA Tag Titles in 5:00. Late in the match, The Nasty Boys came out and shoved Devon off the top rope while the ref was distracted. Morgan nailed Brother Ray with the Carbon Footprint and got the in for his team. The Nasty Boys tried to attack Team 3D, but Morgan and Hernandez ran them off. The tag champs and Team 3D bumped fists. Brother Ray handed the tag belts to Morgan and Hernandez... [C]

Powell's POV: I get the idea of giving viewers the impression that they should always tune in because they don't know what's going to happen, but I think major title matches should be the exception unless the match is set up by an angle that takes place during the show. Here's hoping the monthly Team 3D respect angle means we've seen the last of their feud with Morgan and Hernandez.

[Q4] 3. Samoa Joe pinned Jesse Neal in 2:10. Neal attacked Joe to start the match, but Joe came right back. Joe dominated the match and finished off Neal with the Muscle Buster. As he was setting up for the move, Joe looked into the camera and yelled "A.J."

Powell's POV: I keep waiting for Shannon Moore to show up again so he can tell Neal how ridiculous the mohawk looks. Good squash win for Joe. There was nothing even about this match. It was all about making Joe look dominant.

Backstage, Hemme approached Hogan and filled him in on what Kurt Angle said. Hogan said it's just the latest thing he's accused of doing that he had nothing to do with. Hogan said he'd be ready for Angle... [C]

4. "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero defeated A.J. Styles (w/Ric Flair) in a non-title match in 10:05. The Pope went on the offensive early. A.J. rolled to ringside and conferred with Flair as the show went to break. [C] The commercial cut-in showed Styles was in control of the offense.

[Q5] There was some fun striking from Pope where he showed off his quick hands. Styles came back and knocked down Pope near Flair in the corner. "Let's see what you got," Flair yelled at Pope. A short time later, Pope caught Styles in a small package and scored the upset pin.

Flair and Styles put the boots to Pope until Samoa Joe came out for the save. Joe got the better of the heels, but he lost the numbers game briefly. Pope recovered and then he and Joe got the better of the battle until security arrived... [C]

Powell's POV: I like The Pope, but I'm not so sure about a guy who was just pinned by Orlando Jordan pinning the TNA Champion. I didn't care for Taz endorsing Styles hooking up with Flair. It would be different if Taz were an all out heel, but he and Tenay should both act like they're bothered by nice guy A.J. being seduced by the Nature Boy lifestyle. Taz endorsing the move makes it more acceptable to viewers and therefore not so heelish. By the way, I guess Joe is a babyface now.

After the break, Flair blew a gasket and asked Joe if he wanted "to die tonight." Joe responded by saying that Styles sold out for suits and Flair's cheap hookers. Joe said he's going to remind Styles how to be a man and a champion. Joe said Styles has to wake up every morning knowing he'll have to face "the inevitable." Tenay said the inevitable is that Joe is coming for A.J.'s title at Against All Odds. Joe and Pope left the ring to go after Styles and Flair, but the cameras cut backstage...

Hemme interviewed Angelina Love, who said she taught the Beautiful People everything they know. Love hyped her title match with Tara by saying she's a two-time champion and maybe three is her number. She also seemed to pay homage to The Miz when she stressed, "I'm awesome...at revenge"...

Backstage, Eric Bischoff entered Kevin Nash's dressing room and acted like he didn't know who Eric Young was. Young said he's a champion and a three-year contract holder. Bischoff blew off Young and then dismissed him before telling Nash that Young is probably another name he won't remember in the morning. Ouch.

Bischoff said he wants Nash to destroy Foley in their match. Nash pointed out that Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac still don't have contracts. Bischoff said they don't have contracts because they're screw ups. Bischoff said Hall and Sean Waltman want to play by their own rules and by their own tune. Bischoff said Nash could play the same tune or go out to the ring and destroy Foley for him...

[Q6] [C] A recap aired of the Bischoff and Foley drama... Backstage, Hemme interviewed Foley. She asked if he planned on falling in line since Bischoff is holding the Abyss and Borash over his head. Foley said he was given the choice of falling in line or wrestling. He said he'll be wrestling. The ultra-manic Abyss showed up and begged Foley to fall in line. Foley assured him that everything would be okay. Foley made Abyss promise that he would remain backstage no matter what happened during his match...

Powell's POV: I miss Lauren. We're getting too much Hemme backstage. Hemme isn't bad, but Lauren was excellent in the backstage interviewer role.

5. Kurt Angle defeated Tomko via submission in a tournament qualifier in 4:30. Tenay recalled that Angle and Tomko were in the Angle Alliance together. Angle blasted Tomko with a headbutt early on. Tomko came back with a nice snap slam. Later, Angle hit a series of suplexes on Tomko and applied the ankle lock for the submission win...

Powell's POV: Tomko got some offense, but this was clearly Angle's match. The tournament entrants are now Angle, Desmond Wolfe, Hernandez, and Mr. Anderson.

A split-screen shot aired of Angelina Love and Tara heading to the ring for their title match...

[Q7] [C] Still shot photos aired of the TNA Maximum Impact tour in the UK. A graphic thanked the fans of Europe... A video recapped Hulk Hogan signing with TNA and the story that played out with Mick Foley's paranoia and Kevin Nash messing with him...

Backstage, Nash told Hogan that he's part of the team, but he pleaded with him to give Hall and Pac another chance. Hogan said it would be more like a fifth or sixth chance. Hogan said Nash has done everything he can for those two. Nash told Hogan to keep an open mind. "Don't let them suck you in," Nash said. "You know how they are." On commentary, Taz said it's admirable that Nash is trying to help his friends, but Hall and Pac are their own worst enemies...

A video recapped Love's split with The Beautiful People...

Powell's POV: Will anyone be surprised if The Beautiful People interfere in this match? Honestly, I didn't read the spoilers, so I have no idea whether they do or not.

6. Tara pinned Angelina Love to retain the TNA Knockouts Title in 6:30. Tenay plugged the TNA live post-game show at the TNA website. Tara put Love in a side headlock. Taz said it might be enjoyable to have a woman put you in that hold. They cut to an early break. [C]

[Q8] The back and forth action continued as the announcers hyped the Foley vs. Nash main event. They digitized Tara's chest for some reason. Tara ultimately pinned Love clean to win the match. They showed respect for one another afterward. The Beautiful People ran in after the match, but Tara and Love ran them off... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm pleasantly surprised that they held off on the run-in until after the clean finish. Good call. Love doesn't do much for me as a babyface. I'm still disappointed they didn't put her back in the group where she belongs.

Backstage, Angle finally stormed into Hogan's office. He asked how Hogan could look him in the eye and shake his hand, only to have his cronies attack him from behind a few seconds later. Hogan pointed out that he hasn't given Hall or Waltman contracts. Hogan said Angle's temper is his own worst enemy. Angle said he doesn't trust Hogan as far as he can throw him. "I've heard all the horror stories about people you've done business with," Angle said. Hogan responded, "Do yourself a favor and get out of my office, please"...

Powell's POV: A decent segment, but the acting wasn't so hot. Hogan is believable in his role, but Angle was forcing it.

7. Kevin Nash pinned Mick Foley in a No DQ match in 2:00. Nash brought Raven's shopping cart of weapons to the ring with him and poured a can filled with various weapons in the ring. Foley had his barbwire bat. Nash used the trash can to block the blows. He dropped the can, but Foley just stood there until Nash picked up a chair to block the blows.

Nash caught Foley with a hockey stick shot. He tried to jab Foley with the bat, but Mick caught him with a low blow. Later, Foley teased hitting Nash with a picture frame, but he hesitated and ended up eating a big boot from Nash. Taz pointed out afterward that Foley hesitated because the picture frame contained a caricature of Foley and Abyss. No shit, that was the explanation.

After the match, Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac came to the ring and attacked Nash (no, not a typo) and beat him down. Foley tried to get up and help, but Hall kicked him to the mat. Hall and Syxx-Pac left the ring together as Foley and Nash were left lying to close the show...

Powell's POV: First off, the caricature finish was absurd. The post-match angle featured another odd turn. My guess is that Hall and Waltman won't be around much longer, which is why they are being pulled away from Nash. No matter what you think of The Band, they have always had great on-camera chemistry, so I won't be crazy about this move if Hall and Waltman are going to stick around. That said, it's understandable if the plan is to write them out of the show in the near future. Overall, there were too many short matches. This show really needed a strong 10-minute match, and there's too much going on, as usual. Check back on Friday for Rich Twilling's TNA Impact Hitlist.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: