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

[Q1] Backstage, Abyss showed off the WWE Hall of Fame ring that Hulk Hogan gave him. He told Jeremy Borash and a bunch of jobbers, er, X Division wrestlers that it was the greatest day ever... A video chronicled the Abyss storyline... This week's show is called "Rage Over The Ring"... The open video aired...

Mike Tenay and Taz introduced the show and hyped Desmond Wolfe vs. Abyss, and Rob Terry vs. Ken Anderson for the title belt that no one cares about...

A.J. Styles and Ric Flair came to the ring for a promo. Styles cut a good promo on The Pope while Flair "woooo'd" at key points in the background. Flair took over the promo and complained about Hogan giving his Hall of Fame ring to "The Abyss." Flair got fired up and asked, "Are you kidding me?"

Flair said Hogan isn't him and never will be. "Get The Abyss out here," Flair said. "I'm calling The Abyss." Abyss came out to Hulk Hogan's campy WCW theme song "American Made" and showed off the ring Hogan gave him. "What in God's green earth are you doing come out to that music?" Flair asked.

Flair said Abyss is pathetic. Flair said he's a real Hall of Famer. "I look at you and I want to puke," Flair said. "You make us all look bad." Abyss looked down. Flair told him not to look away. Flair said he realizes Abyss might have super human strength. Flair flipped as he spoke about how sick Abyss makes him.

"The only thing you'll ever be good for is shining the World Champion's boots," said Flair. "You're a clown. A clown. I said a clown." Abyss said Flair is right. "I couldn't shine his shoes because I'm not a shoeshine boy," Abyss responded. He said he's be more than happy to remove Styles's boots and stick them straight up Flair's ass.

"Are you kidding me?" Flair asked. "I am more than the Hall of Fame. I am a god." Styles said he'd take care of it. He referred to Abyss as a pathetic piece of crap. He said no one came to see Abyss, they came to see him. "You're a disgrace," Styles said. A.J. compared their attire and said Abyss is a "piece of crap disgrace."

Flair told Abyss to take off the ring and put it on A.J.'s finger. Styles got fired up and told Abyss to take off the ring before he disgraced the great name of Hogan. Abyss Hulked up and pointed at Styles like a goof. Hulk Hogan's NWO music played and he headed to the ring as Taz spoke about being in attendance when Hogan was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Hogan said Styles isn't special just because he follows around Flair. Hogan said Styles might be remembered as the weakest champion of all time. Flair cut him off and said he knew it would happen sooner or later. He said he came to TNA because everything Hogan touches turns to gold, but Hogan will never tell him what to do.

[Q2] Hogan told Flair to back the hell up. Flair asked what the hell Hogan is doing giving Flair a HOF ring. Flair took off his jacket and said, "Let's do it right now." Abyss slammed his shirt down, but Flair and Styles left the ring. At ringside, Flair vowed that Hogan's HOF ring would end up on Styles's finger... [C]

Powell's POV: Excellent opening segment. Michael Cole has made it sound cliche, but that really was vintage Ric Flair. He was awesome and believable throughout the entire segment. This was easily the best mic work he's done since he arrived in TNA. Styles really impressed me. He delivered his initial promo on Abyss with much more confidence than usual. The Abyss character is still a goof and is now a Hogan wannabe, but hopefully this storyline will eventually lead to him dropping the neurotic crap eventually.

Mick Foley limped his way through the backstage area... The announcers previewed the remainder of the show and then recapped the opening segment...

1. Team 3D defeated The Nasty Boys (w/Jimmy Hart) in a tables match in 3:50. A crawler at the bottom of the screen hyped the move to Monday nights. The teams brawled on the ramp to start the match. They made their way to ringside and brawled in and around the ring. Taz hyped the March 8 move by saying, "We will dominate on March 8."

At 2:00, Devon hit the Whassup headbutt. Team 3D set up a table in the ring, but the Nastys came back with punches. The Nastys tried to put Devon through the table, but Brother Ray moved it. Jesse Neal came to ringside and took the helmet away from Jimmy Hart. He threw it to Devon, who hit Knobbs with it. Team 3D performed their finisher on Sags through the table for the win...

Powell's POV: Well, at least it ended quickly. I feel bad for Team 3D.

Backstage, Mick Foley told Eric Bischoff that his actions cause people in the company to feel paranoia. Bischoff said Abyss has Hulkamania in the palm of his hands. He took credit for it because Hogan would have come out had Bischoff not had Abyss in the position he did.

Bischoff said he's living up to his end of the bargain and now Foley needs to do the same. Eric said he spent a lot of money on the suit he bought Foley, who didn't sound crazy about wearing it, but didn't rule it out either...

[Q3] [C] 2. ODB beat Daffney by DQ in 2:30. The announcers narrated highlights of Daffney roughing up Tara with a chair. As the match was taking place, a cut-in featured Christy Hemme interviewing Tara backstage. Tara said she took Daffney lightly and now she has her attention.

In the ring, Daffney worked over ODB's left knee by punching it repeatedly and then ramming it into the ring post. She picked up a piece of the ring steps and slammed that over ODB's knee. She picked up map handle and used that slam over Daffney's knee until Dr. Stevie arrived to pull her away...

Powell's POV: Nice to see Daffney finally getting a push as a wrestler. She's been a fun sidekick for Dr. Stevie and Raven, and she earned this opportunity.

Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed Hernandez and Matt Morgan. Hernandez accused Borash of trying to stir the pot. Morgan said that's what Borash does. Morgan defended the way he beat Hernandez at the pay-per-view by saying they agreed they'd both do whatever it took to win. "This is the part where you nod your head and say yes sir," Morgan told Borash, who then complied...

Powell's POV: Funny line from Morgan to Borash. This interview really needed some still shots to recap the way Morgan won at the pay-per-view. Most Impact viewers didn't see the pay-per-view, and a lot of us who did are struggling to remember how it went down.

A backstage shot aired of Scott Hall and Sean Waltman sifting through the trash for weapons. Hall found a pipe. Waltman picked up a board and delivered a Hacksaw Dugan "Hoooo!"... [C] The cut-in featured a shot of Beer Money backstage...

After the break, Robert Roode and James Storm delivered a promo in the ring. Roode said it was nearly two years ago that they formed their team. He said they vowed to be the best they could every night and spoke about their pride. Roode said they are the best team in TNA and all of pro wrestling.

Storm said they were there to have a war of words with Hogan or Bischoff. Storm said they have been there from the very beginning of TNA. He said the numbers don't lie in that they've made the company a lot of money. He said the Beer Money merchandise outsells everyone. He said new management wants to put them on the sideline for some reason.

[Q4] Storm said that doesn't sit well with them because Roode needs to make his money and Storm needs Roode to make his money so that he can buy his beer. Storm said that if the company wants to take that next step, it needs a little beer money. "And if it don't, sorry about your damn luck."

Hernandez walked onto the stage with a mic in his hand. He said Storm and Roode don't have to prove anything to anybody because he knows how good they are. He said he and Morgan also want to be the best. Hernandez said he's going to Hogan's office to ask for a title shot for Beer Money. "May the best team win," Hernandez said...

Powell's POV: I hope this is a sign that we're going to see more emphasis placed on the tag division. It has slipped out of the spotlight since Hogan and Bischoff arrived. The Nasty Boys have received more TV time than Beer Money. Think about that for a second.

Backstage, Kevin Nash and Eric Young both had Fonzie jackets. Young said they're going bust up Hall and Syxx bad and send them packing for good. Nash said he did what he could to get them a spot, but they jumped him. He said that physical pain goes away, but emotional pain is for life...

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett stormed into Bischoff's office and said it will take more than six thugs to run him out of his company. Bischoff apologized. Jarrett said he wasn't buying it. Eric babyfaced him by talking about how hard of an adjustment it's been for him. He said he'd give Jarrett the opportunity he deserves. "I just need you to trust me," Bischoff said. Jarrett was leery, but he agreed to be in the ring as Bischoff asked... [C]

Powell's POV: No cocky smile from Bischoff once Jarrett left the room. He does a good job of leaving viewers guessing. Jarrett played his part well by showing skepticism the entire time.

A strong video package recapped the Bischoff and Jarrett saga... Bischoff headed to the ring and thanked the fans as they booed him. "I love you people," he said. Bischoff said he's man enough to admit his mistakes. He said you have to grow as a human being. He cued Jarrett's entrance music and asked the fans to give him a big round of applause.

[Q5] Tenay acted like he was buying into Eric's routine even though he was being very condescending toward the fans. Taz also played along as they noted that Jarrett's pyro was also restored. Bischoff called for the barbwire baseball bat. He recalled asking Jarrett to use the bat. He said Jarrett did the right thing by refusing to use it. "In almost every respect, you did the right thing," Bischoff said.

However, Bischoff said Jarrett didn't do the right thing by him. "That's why we have the problems we have between you and I," Bischoff said. Eric said he was giving Jarrett one more shot to do the right thing. Bischoff pulled out a spatula. He placed a hairnet over Jeff's hair and told him to go back to catering and flip a few burgers. He said Jarrett could always quit and make it easier on both of them. The announcers noted that they were wrong in their previous assessment of Bischoff... [C]

Powell's POV: I like the dynamic between Bischoff and Jarrett a lot more than the tired Bischoff and Foley story that plays on ancient history, but this was the worst of their segments so far. Jarrett played it right by showing some level of skepticism the entire time, whereas the announcers looked bad by buying into Bischoff babyface routine even though they admitted they were wrong shortly thereafter.

Backstage, Morgan wasn't happy with Hernandez saying he'd give Beer Money a tag title match. Hernandez recalled Morgan saying they'd defend the titles against anybody. Morgan said he thought they could start with the Motor City Machine Guns or Generation Me. Ouch. "I said what I said because I thought it would sound cool," Morgan said. Funny. He said they need to be on the same page and be smart...

Powell's POV: Morgan is playing this tweener character well. He's had a couple of great lines tonight. Hernandez doesn't have any charisma when he opens his mouth, but Morgan is doing a good job of handling the bulk of the talking in their exchanges.

3. Frankie Kazarian pinned Brian Kendrick to earn an X Division Title match at Destination X in 2:40. Back and forth offense early. Kendrick hit a great kick to the back of Kaz's head and followed up with a unique neckbreaker. For some reason, they announcers recapped the "Old School" style kidnapping of Samoa Joe in mid-match. Taz said he hasn't heard from Joe despite leaving him messages. In the end, Kaz hit the Flux Capacitor for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: The threw the No. 1 contenders match out there with little or no hype, show the scene from "Old School," and conclude the match in less than three minutes, and then wonder why no one cares about the X Division? Weak. By the way, shouldn't someone call the f'n cops if no one has heard from Joe since he was f'n kidnapped? WTF? Nice story.

A backstage shot aired of Nash and Young taping up their hands together...

[Q6] [C] Backstage, Abyss challenged anyone to come get the precious if they could take it from him. He said Hogan saw something in him and he now has powers he never though he'd have. "I am not the lord, but I am the monster of the ring"...

Powell's POV: Good lord, shut up. Can we just cut to the part where Hogan and the heel monster Abyss have their ring on a pole match?

A video package set up the title that no one cares about match... Christy Hemme tried to interview Mr. Anderson. He put his gum on her mic and then had his own fall into his hand. He questioned who the man was that everyone is referring to as "the one." He suggested that fans watching on DVR should fast forward if they couldn't wait to get the answer than then rewind and watch it again.

Anderson said tonight is the first step toward him becoming the TNA Champion. He said it won't be an easy road even for him. He said Rob Terry is tougher than six gorillas, but he's actually been in the ring with six gorillas and he beat them. He said it doesn't matter that it was by DQ because he still got the win. He delivered his introduction line... [C]

Powell's POV: Anderson didn't really set up his match, but he was entertaining as hell. For his sake, I hope they don't saddle Anderson with the task of making people care about the belt that nobody cares about. Did I really just see a Rent-A-Center commercial with Hulk Hogan and Troy Aikman? Wow, they actually make enough money at that place to afford those two?

Backstage, Brutus Magnus told Rob Terry that he and Doug Williams carried him for almost a year. He said Terry was better off being allies with them than enemies. Brutus said Terry will answer to him. Terry grabbed Magnus finger and bent and told him to piss off...

After Terry made his entrance, Anderson delivered some mic work on the stage and referred to himself as the next toy belt champion, er, Global Champion. Anderson mockingly asked if he was supposed to feel bad because he spit on a medal that was given to Kurt Angle by the mother of a fallen soldier. "Am I supposed to feel sorry?" Anderson said.

[Q7] Meanwhile, Angle rose from underneath the stage with a chair in his hands. Anderson didn't notice him. "Don't worry, he's not coming," Anderson said. He held up his own medal and said that it was given to him by the widow of a Vietnamese soldier. Angle blasted Anderson across the back. Angle motioned for Terry to come get Anderson.

Angle gave Terry the thumbs up. Terry hoisted him over his shoulder and carried him back to the ring and slammed him...

4. Rob Terry defeated Mr. Anderson to retain the belt that no one cares about in 0:28. The referee actually called for the bell to start the match even though Anderson was lying motionless after the slam. Terry powerslammed him for the pin...

Powell's POV: Angle rising from the stage would have meant a lot more had he been gone for a month. It's hard to suspend your disbelief while watching the ref start the match under those circumstances. That said, I'd be fine if Team USA took that approach with Finland tomorrow.

A shot aired of Jarrett cooking over a frier... Another shot aired of Mick Foley entering the building in a trench coat... [C]

Powell's POV: Four short matches in a 95 minutes. One of those matches featured the Nasty Boys, another featured a cheap finish with Rob Terry. No, Vinny Ru, I don't want two hours of nothing but wrestling, but I do want more of the quality in-ring product that you're giving us.

A video recapped the Hall, Waltman, Nash, and Fonz saga...

A shot aired of Kevin Nash and Eric "Grease Lightening" Young walking through the backstage area until they found Hall and Waltman. Young and Waltman fought. Hall apparently hit Nash in the knee with a pipe. Hall told Young to mind his own business. Hall and Waltman worked over Young. Waltman spray painted "4 Life" on Young's t-shirt... [C] The cut-in featured Abyss...

Powell's POV: Nash and Young might be buddies, but they have zero chemistry together. I'm waiting for them to take off their leather jackets simultaneously and break out a musical number one of these weeks.

Another shot of Jeff Jarrett prepping food as shown... Inside his office, Bischoff told an unknown person via telephone that they won't be using a celebrity guest host every week on the show. "That's the dumbest damn idea I've heard."

Powell's POV: How did Jonny Fairplay get Eric Bischoff's office number?

Mick Foley entered the room and removed his jacket to show off the suit that Bischoff bought him. Eric told Mick it was time to take it to the next level by assigning him a etiquette coach. After Foley left the room, Bischoff had a laugh at his expense...

[Q8] 5. Abyss pinned Desmond Wolfe (w/Chelsea) in 1:50. Abyss came out to Hogan's "American Made" theme again. Abyss went for an early choke slam, but Desmond fought him off with an arm wringer. Moments later, Abyss hit the Black Hole Slam and got the clean pin.

After the match, Styles and Flair came to the ring and attacked Abyss. Wolfe rolled back inside the ring and handcuffed Abyss to the ropes for them. Hulk Hogan came to the ring and delivered repeated punches for to the three heels, who all bumped for him. Flair finally took out Hogan's knee from behind.

The heels worked over Hogan. Styles slammed the TNA Title belt over Hogan's head. Hogan bladed. Abyss spazzed out and broke the handcuffs. Tenay credited the power of Hogan's ring. No, really, this actually happened... [C]

Powell's POV: Are you kidding me? Abyss just yanked his arm and the handcuffs broke. By the way, Wolfe had the hottest debut of any wrestler in 2009, yet here he is doing a job to the Hogan muppet. Ugh. It will be interesting to see if he'll end up aligned with Flair and Styles or if this was a one week deal. I just can't get over the silliness of the Abyss angle. By the way, that clicking sound you hear is millions of viewers turning the channel because there isn't another match advertised. Yes, that was actually the main event.

After the break, the announcers recapped the previous segment and showed Abyss break the handcuffs again. Back in the ring, a bloody Hogan announced that he booked Flair's return to the ring on March 8. Hogan ordered Flair's mic to be turned off. Hogan officially announced Styles and Flair vs. Abyss and a partner. Styles asked who the partner was. Hogan looked around, smiled, and named himself the partner. The crowd popped big. One of the announcers said "Holy (censored by Spike)"...

Powell's POV: I really wonder how many people thought the show was over after the previous segment and missed the big announcement. Hogan should have hyped at the beginning of the show that he was going to announce one big match for the March 8 show and the announcers should have drove that home throughout the night.

This show needed more wrestling. The matches mean nothing right now. Again, I don't need 20 minute matches on every show, but I at least want to feel like the matches have some importance. There were some positives on tonight's show and there weren't many dull moments. Unfortunately, the Abyss silliness really ruined the show for me. I'm all for changing the character, but this was a step in the wrong direction as far as this viewer is concerned. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

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