12/23 Powell's TNA Impact Live Coverage: A.J. Styles vs. Douglas Williams in an Iron Man match, Team Guns vs. Team Beer Money eight-man tag for the TNA Tag Titles, new Knockouts Tag Champs to be crowned


prowrestling.net
MEMBERSHIP INFO | LOG-IN | CONTACT US | SUBMIT NEWS | ABOUT US
Insider News • Live TV & PPV Coverage • Hitlists • Results • Blogs

HOME | WWE NEWS | TNA NEWS | MMA NEWS | ALL NEWS | TV & PPV | ARENA REPORTS | VIEWPOINTS | PRODUCT REVIEWS | AWARDS



Dot Net App
GOT AN IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH, SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB, OR ANDROID PHONE?

THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE APP
(or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in App Store or Android Marketplace)

Dot Net Podcast
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DOT NET FREE PODCAST IN ITUNES OR CLICK HERE FOR LISTING OF LATEST SHOWS

TNA TV Reports


12/23 Powell's TNA Impact Live Coverage: A.J. Styles vs. Douglas Williams in an Iron Man match, Team Guns vs. Team Beer Money eight-man tag for the TNA Tag Titles, new Knockouts Tag Champs to be crowned
Dec 23, 2010 - 10:00 PM


By Jason Powell

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


[Q1] The show opened with a recap video package... The show is called "All the Gold is Worth a Fortune"... Immortal walked onto the stage and headed to the ring for a promo. Two scales were set up inside the ring. Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff spoke briefly before Matt Morgan was called to the ring.

Morgan said the whole situation was a sham. He said Bischoff reached a new low even by his standards by continuing to put an athlete's health at risk. Morgan said he doesn't give a crap anymore regardless of whether it affects his job status. Bischoff said he has a doctor there to conduct a physical. Morgan suggested he take Bischoff's character by shoving his foot up his ass.

Mick Foley's music played and he came to the ring. He noted that it was his first time in the Impact Zone since he faced Ric Flair. Foley spoke about his own concussion issues, and said they've learned that the amount of healing time is the difference. Foley said Mr. Anderson will do what he has to do since he loves TNA and wants to win the title.

Foley said that Anderson is not in any condition to wrestle and the match won't take place as long as he's standing. Flair took the mic and went off on Foley. He said Mick is the reason that kids are jumping off their garages, and he said wrestlers had to suffer because of the style Foley wrestled. "You're the reason kids are in hospitals," Flair said.

Foley said he knows he's part of the problem and would like to be part of the solution. Foley said he and Morgan have a bond in that they have donated their brains to medical research. "We've been part of the problem, but we're going to be part of the solution," Foley said.

Foley added that he won't let Anderson make the mistakes he did. "I'm going to make sure he has a career, because I'm not going to let that match take place." Bischoff said Foley is trying to become a sympathetic icon now that his popularity is waning. After tearing into Foley, Bischoff ordered the production team to play his music... The opening montage aired... Mike Tenay and Taz hyped the rest of the show...

Powell's POV: A good reality based segment. It's nice to hear Foley speak out on this topic, as I can only assume that's how he genuinely feels. As I've said before, he can't change what's he's done in the past, but he can make the future better.

[Q2] [C] Jeff Hardy entered Matt Morgan's locker room and said he had something to get off his chest. Hardy said it's not about him and Morgan, it's about pro wrestling. He said they both want to be the best. Hardy said Anderson admits he's an asshole and Foley caused problems with a barbwire baseball bat, whereas Bischoff and Flair will tell people when they're going to screw them. Hardy told Morgan to think about that before his match...

Powell's POV: Good segment. Hardy did a nice job on the mic, and Morgan's reaction to what Hardy was saying was strong in that it looked like he was receptive to what he was saying. I like the idea of heels and babyfaces speaking to one another in normal tones occasionally. They don't always have to be at each other's throats.

Jeff Jarrett came to the ring with his posse and cut a promo in which he offered Amazing Red the chance to accept the MMA challenge. Red came out and tried to get in the ring, but the referee stopped him. The ref and a trainer both examined Red. The trainer rubbed vaseline on Red's face and got some in his eye...

1. Jeff Jarrett beat Amazing Red in an MMA exhibition in 0:50. As Red was squinting from the vaseline, Jarrett pounced on him. Jarrett ended up applying the ankle lock and got the submission win. Afterward, Jarrett helped Red to his feet and asked if he has any family members who will face him. Jarrett said Red told him he has a baby brother and invited him to face him next week. The crowd chanted for Kurt Angle...

Powell's POV: Quick and painless. The MMA gimmick is fun in small doses. Jarrett is playing the comedy role extremely well. I didn't care for the way Jarrett vs. Samoa Joe was positioned so high on the pay-per-view card simply because it's a comedy gimmick that plays better on the middle of the card. Perhaps the problem is that TNA is light on main event heels.

Backstage, Madison Rayne and Tara spoke inside a locker room. Tara is going to a party with Generation Me...

[Q3] [C] Backstage, Rob Van Dam spoke to the camera. He said he's finally going to be looking across the ring at Jeff Hardy after all this wait...

Powell's POV: Rob was way to happy go lucky for a guy who was screwed out of his title belt and has been waiting all this time to get his hands on Hardy.

Jay Lethal joined the announcers on commentary for the next match...

2. Kazarian beat Robbie E (w/Cookie), Max Buck, and Jeremy Buck in 3:35 to become number one contender to the X Division Title. The Bucks teased wrestling one another, but then hammed it up instead of locking up. Kazarian pinned one of the Bucks and then glared at Lethal afterward...

Backstage, Sarita entered Velvet Sky's locker room with a belt behind her back. Velvet snidely asked if she could help her with something. Sarita closed the door behind her... [C]

Powell's POV: Lethal foreshadowed Kazarian's win on commentary by talking about how he was looking at him during the match. Maybe it's just me, but that's all I needed to hear to know who was going over. No worries, though, as it sets up a good match.

[Q4] Highlights aired from during the break of Sarita attacking Velvet with the belt. Velvet eventually fought back. Tenay said Velvet is scheduled to compete in the Knockouts Tag Title finals later in the show. Sarita eventually got the better of the brawl by wrapping the belt around Velvet's neck. They continued to fight and Sarita eventually left her lying. Angelina Love entered the room to check on her...

Powell's POV: I got my Beautiful People past and present members confused by mistakenly referring to Velvet as Madison earlier. Oops. It's been corrected.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff addressed Immortal. He said Dixie Carter, her team of attorneys, and probably a judge or two that she paid off have them in checkmate mode. Bischoff said that if it doesn't go their way legally, they need to win every belt they can so that they have leverage.

Bischoff mentioned Hulk Hogan needs them even though he's stuck at home. Bischoff said Jeff Hardy did what he needed to do to capture the TNA Title. He referred to Hardy as an icon and begged the rest of them to capture gold as well. "We're a team," Bischoff said. They all put their hands together...

The announcers hyped the tag title match, and said the TNA Knockouts Tag Title tournament finals were up next... [C]

Backstage, Brian Kendrick shared his deep thoughts with a woman named Angela in catering. She gave him a cookie and sent him on his way. Tenay said Kendrick is out there...

Powell's POV: I still have no clue what they're trying to do with Kendrick. The guy has talent, but this character does nothing for me, and his deep thoughts have nothing on Jack Handy's deep thoughts.

3. Angelina Love and Winter defeated beat Madison Rayne and Tara to win the vacant TNA Knockouts Tag Titles in 4:45. Love came out by herself and the announcers recapped Sarita's attack on her scheduled partner Velvet Sky. The heels took advantage of the numbers advantage by working over Love during the first few minutes of the match.

[Q5] Tenay explained the reason it was a handicap match at the top of the hour. Not sure if that was by design, but good move since they likely had new viewers tuning in at the top of the hour. Winter eventually came to the ring and worked over Tara and Madison. Winter hit a horrible twisting slam on Rayne and pinned her...

Powell's POV: Wow, that was one sloppy finisher. It looked like Madison didn't get up to take the move. I'm surprised they didn't do that one again at the taping. We know people can see Winter, so she's not just in Angelina's head, which is a good thing. However, either Tara couldn't see her before or she doesn't watch Impact since she was asking who Winter is.

Backstage, D'Angelo Dinero was talking on the telephone about something needing to go down the way he wants it to go down. Orlando Jordan showed up in a Santa's helper outfit, and Eric Young wearing a reindeer outfit and a title belt. The duo offered a check to Dinero for charity. "What the hell is he wearing?" Dinero asked...

4. Douglas Williams fought A.J. Styles to a draw in an Iron Man match for the TNA TV Title. Tenay stated on commentary that it's a 15-minute Iron Man match. Yes, really, a 15-minute Iron Man match. There were no falls before they cut to commercial.

[Q6] [C] Tenay noted that there was a major development during the break. Highlights aired of Styles hitting the Styles Clash and scoring a pinfall to go up 1-0. Styles stalled at ringside as the announcers noted that it was good strategy given that he was leading in falls.

With 15 seconds left, Williams hit the rolling chaos suplex and got the pin to even up the match. Time expired with the score 1-1. Styles said he wanted five more minutes. Williams said he only needed one minute. Jeremy Borash announced that there would be a five-minute overtime. [C]

Powell's POV: Although I have no idea who booked the match, a 15-minute Iron Man match screams "only Vince Russo." It's little things like that and the Winter silliness that drive a lot of us nuts. With Winter, I actually like the dynamic she has with Love, but it was ridiculous that she was allowed to enter the match in the first place. Russo or whomever was responsible for those segments would probably accuse fans who are bothered by those small details of taking it too seriously. Perhaps, but I can say that both were examples of things that would make me roll my eyes and turn the channel if I were just watching the show during my free time.

[Q7] After the break, the announcers narrated clips of the heel Styles performing a bunch of high spots. The overtime period expired without a winner. Styles sat in the corner with a mic in his hand and said the people want a winner. What a heel! "So one more time," Styles said. "One more time. You and me, Genesis. What do you say?"

The babyface Williams said he's sorry, but Styles had his rematch and didn't get the job done, so the answer is no. Styles got upset and said he was a fighting champion when he had the belt. Williams eventually agreed to the match, but said Styles should put something on the line. Williams said he was putting his title up, and Styles has to walk away from Fortune.

Styles said no way. Bischoff walked onto the stage and said the match would take place. He said Styles would win the match and bring the belt to Fortune or there wouldn't be a spot for him in Fortune or Immortal...

Backstage, Team Beer Money cut a quick promo... [C]

Powell's POV: Perhaps the odd role reversal bit between Styles and Williams was actually by design rather than just the latest example of Styles acting more like a babyface than a heel in the ring. Bischoff wanting the title match to take place was logical based on what he said about the belts earlier, but the ultimatum he gave Styles didn't ring true. Granted, the pressure is on to capture the title belts, but the part about Styles winning or else just felt unnecessary.

The TNA Live Events video aired...

[Q8] The announcers sat at their desk and interview Mr. Anderson via satellite from Wisconsin. Taz said Anderson didn't appear to be 100 percent in his tag match. Anderson got upset and said he doesn't have to answer to them.

Taz asked if Anderson still gets headaches. Anderson said he's fine and received clearance from his doctors. Tenay asked if he would bring the paperwork to Impact. Anderson got upset, removed the mic, and left. Taz said they're just doing their job and they hope that he provides the proper paperwork...

Backstage, The Motor City Machine Guns, Matt Morgan, and RVD talked strategy... Ring introductions took place for the main event... [C]

5. The Motor City Machine Guns, Matt Mogan, and Rob Van Dam defeated Beer Money, Jeff Hardy, and Abyss in a TNA Tag Title match. Tenay acknowledged the "unique set of circumstances" with the tag titles being on the line. There were five minutes of back and forth action during, and then a two-minute overrun to close out Impact.

TNA Reaction continuation

The match continued as TNA Reaction began. In the end, Chris Sabin hit a springboard DDT on Robert Roode for the pin to win the match for his team.

Powell's POV: A forgettable main event. Good action, but there was just nothing particularly special about the match. The 15-minute Iron Man match, Winter joining the tag match, and the tag titles being on the line in an eight-man tag match are turnoffs. Call me old school, but I know I'm not alone.

Aside from those issues, I enjoyed the show. I cringe whenever I read or hear "holiday edition" of a pro wrestling show because that usually means its filled with a bunch of corny skits (see Smackdown), but that wasn't the case with this show. Rather, they played it straight with the exception of the Eric Young and Orlando Jordan skit, and forwarded the storylines. It was a solid two-hour show.

However, the show did not do enough to get viewers exited about Genesis. I didn't expect them to go into overdrive mode with the hype two days before Christmas, but I thought they would have forwarded the storylines in a manner that would have left me looking forward to the next pay-per-view. The only thing that really stood out regarding the pay-per-view hype pertained to Styles vs. Williams and that build was just plain awkward. I'll have more to say about the show in Friday's TNA Impact Hitlist.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE:


READ OUR INSIDER NEWS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE! BECOME A MEMBER FOR JUST $7.50 A MONTH (or less with a year-long sub) - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO CONTENT, MEMBER MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AND VIEW THE SITE WITHOUT ANY ADVERTISING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO)



RELATED ARTICLES FROM MGID AFFILIATE SITES...



MEMBERSHIP INFO
Become a Dot Net Member right now for $7.50 a month or $66 a year ($5.50 a month avg.). Get exclusive audio, first-look insider news, Forum access, member blogs, more...

CLICK FOR SIGN-UP INFO


The Current Must-Read List
ACCESS PREVIOUS MUST-READ ARTICLES

Vote In Our Latest Poll


Dot Net Free Podcasts
CLICK FOR FULL LISTING OF ALL PODCASTS

Latest from Our Affiliate Site

_pwtorch.com_
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PWTORCH HEADLINES

© 2008-2012 LAST ROW MEDIA LLC • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -- PRIVACY POLICY