By Jason Powell

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

[Q1] The show opened with a video that included backstage footage from the Against All Odds pay-per-view. The narrator hyped the Jeff Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam main event and said it's a match that's been months in the making... The show is called "The Boy is Back in Town"...

Eric Bischoff led Matt Hardy, Rob Terry, Gunner, and Murphy to the ring as Mike Tenay and Taz checked in on commentary. Jeff Hardy came out with the TNA Title belt and Bischoff put him over in a big way. As Bischoff spoke, another box showed Ric Flair arriving at the building and walking through the backstage area.

Bischoff put over Gunner, Murphy, and Terry for showing they can hang with Beer Money and Scott Steiner. He also praised Matt Hardy for his match against Rob Van Dam. Bischoff endorsed Jeff Hardy as the premier athlete in TNA. Bischoff said the network called and wanted to see Jeff defend his title against Rob Van Dam tonight.

Jeff's jaw dropped as he did a nice job of selling his concern over facing Van Dam. Bischoff said he's going to talk to the network, but he said that is the plan. Bischoff said Jeff Jarrett was busy planning his wedding vows with Karen. He said Hulk Hogan will be back on March 3. Bischoff said the only thing missing is Flair.

Bischoff said he can't get Flair to return his calls. He said he's getting impatient. "I'm starting to question you, Ric," Bischoff said. "I'm starting to wonder where you're at." Bischoff said he was going to give Flair until next week to come out and explain himself. However, he didn't have to wait.

Flair's music played and he walked to the ring. The Immortal members applauded Flair as So Cal Val held the ropes for him to enter the ring. Flair recalled a woman telling him he needs to grow up of she's gone. He said that was his third ex-wife. Flair said no one tells him what to do and when to do it.

Flair congratulated Jeff Hardy for winning the TNA Championship. He said he's tight with the Hardys. He said he was getting tight with Bischoff, but nobody questions him. "I'm a wrestling god," Flair said. He said he was going to tell Hogan and Bischoff how it is. The fans chanted "God." Funny. Flair said he'd see them later tonight...

Footage aired of Jeff and Karen Jarrett getting massages at an undisclosed location. They laughed about Kurt, and then Jeff said every male in America would question how he did it (land Karen). Karen said Jeff is a role model. Jeff said he is a role model and he knows how to treat a woman...

Powell's POV: I felt like I've seen the opening segment before for a couple of minutes there since we've seen Bischoff talk to open shows lately, but it turned out to be a nice setup for Flair returning. They're trying to make Flair's allegiance a mystery at this point. Jeff and Karen continue to make it easy for fans to despise them. I'm really enjoying their act.

[Q2] [C] A backstage shot was shown of A.J. Styles roughing up Matt Hardy. Gunner and Murphy stepped in to help Hardy. Beer Money entered the picture to help Styles. Enter Rob Terry and eventually TNA security and agents to pull them all apart...

The announcers were shown at the desk and they spoke about the Against All Odds as some still shots from the pay-per-view were shown. Taz hyped Hardy vs. Anderson as an evenly fought battle. Tenay pushed the replay details as being available at the TNA website...

Backstage, Hernandez spoke to Sarita and Rosita briefly and told them to stick with him. They all walked off together...

1. Hernandez (w/Sarita, Rosita) defeated Douglas Williams in 2:00. Williams was making his entrance when Hernandez ran out and attacked him from behind. Velvet Sky ran out and attacked Sarita, but Rosita pulled her off. Angelina Love ran out and helped Velvet at ringside.

Meanwhile, Hernandez took off his t-shirt and performed that dumb spot where he wraps it around his opponents neck and throws him across the ring. Hernandez followed up with a Border Toss and got the clean pin...

Powell's POV: The Border Toss was vicious and Williams was legitimately hurting afterward, although it sounds like he's going to be okay. Hernandez has a rep for not taking care of his opponents with the move, and obviously this is only going to enhance that reputation.

Backstage, Bischoff tried to talk a network executive into giving Jeff Hardy the night off rather than having him face Van Dam. It didn't work... [C]

Powell's POV: Bischoff was funny here as he was a big fat phony (see Family Guy) while talking to the executive, but his true colors came out as soon as he hung up the phone. I guess this is the creative way of explaining why guys like Van Dam get title matches even though Bischoff has the storyline power.

After the break, D'Angelo Dinero was standing in the ring, which had been decked out with some island decor, and a roasted pig was placed on a table with a knife stuck in its back. Pope said the pig is a sloppy joe. He said he took down the biggest, fattest hog he could find and drew blood.

[Q3] Pope brought up Jesus performing miracles. Pope said he was going to perform a miracle by feeding all of the fans. He said Reagan and Michael Jackson believe in him.
He got a text and said it was from Jesus, who believes in him too. He asked the fans who was going to be first to taste the pig and told them he was charging ten bucks each.

Samoa Joe's music played. As Joe came to the ring, Okada stood on the opposite ring apron and ended up punching Dinero. Joe entered the ring and roughed up Pope before hitting him with a Muscle Buster through the table. Joe stuffed an apple in Pope's mouth and then Okada (or whatever the hell they are calling him) joined him in the ring... [C]

Powell's POV: Is the heel supposed to play to the crowd in a way the elicits cheers? Why is Joe hanging out with a Japanese version of The Gimp? Okay, so it's supposed to be a play on Kato from The Green Hornet, but why in the world is TNA trying to do a takeoff of such a forgettable movie? Why does TNA creative stick with this feud when it's not clicking?

After the break, Robbie E and Cookie were in the ring. Robbie complained that he was prepared to face two dudes at Against All Odds rather than one. Cookie delivered her "bitches" line. Kazarian's music played. He was shown backstage kissing Traci Brooks, who Tenay identified as a retired Knockout.

Once Kazarian arrived in the ring, he referred to himself as an OG of the X Division, and said he's a card carrying member of Fortune. He said he is going to bring the X Division back to the forefront of TNA. He said the division laid the foundation for TNA.

Kazarian said maybe it wasn't as much foundation as Cookie had on her face, but Robbie should get the point. Good line. He told Robbie to send Cookie to the back so they could do their thing. Robbie agreed, and an angered Cookie headed backstage...

2. Kazarian beat Robbie E by DQ to retain the X Division Title in 1:55. Tenay explained that Generation Me missed the show due to travel issues. Kazarian dominated the match and was on the verge of hitting his finisher when Cookie came back and hit him with her huge purse for the DQ.

After the match, Robbie and Cookie roughed up Kazarian. Traci ran out and attacked Cookie. Kazarian pulled Traci back, and Cookie fled to ringside...

Powell's POV: Kazarian is showing the same improvement on the mic as a face as he did as a heel. He's playing the same wise cracking character and it's working for him. Unfortunately, it's hard to take Kazarian's claim of bringing the X Division to the forefront when this match was more about the women then the men.

Backstage, Flair was hanging out with Fortune.

[Q4] Flair was iced again, and this time Beer Money joined him in chugging the drink... The announcers hyped Matt Hardy vs. A.J. Styles for after the break... [C]

3. "Cold Blood" Matt Hardy defeated A.J. Styles in 3:20. Styles attacked Hardy and then performed a big flip dive onto him at ringside for a big pop. Hot start. Hardy went on the offensive a short time later, though. Hardy stumbled at one point while running the ropes, but he recovered quickly.

Ric Flair came out. He high-fived Styles after he performed a move. He encouraged Styles to go to the top rope, but then pushed him as he attempted a move. Hardy hit the Twist of Hate and scored the pin. Afterward, Flair and Hardy roughed up Styles, who suffered a bloody lip. The rest of Fortune ran out and the heels fled...

Backstage, Mr. Anderson was walking with a purpose. He said somebody was going to get their ass kick. He said somebody might be Eric Bischoff... [C]

Powell's POV: I don't even know why the announcers act surprised when they see a turn anymore. Granted, Flair didn't really turn since he was a heel with Fortune, but it has to be hard for them to come up with new ways to act surprised by all of the turns we see in TNA. Maybe they'll make Matt Hardy the new Naitch like Styles was. Sure, it would be a bad idea, but so is Cold Blood. If nothing else, it's good to see Hardy in better shape than when he arrived.

Another clip aired of Jeff and Karen "via satellite from Orlando, Fla." They were sitting in a hot tub talking about the wedding.

[Q5] Jarrett said every day is Valentine's Day at their house. They both took delight in the idea of Kurt Angle walking her down the aisle...

Powell's POV: Basic public display of affection stuff there. Nothing too creative, yet still effective in generating heat for the overly affectionate couple.

Mr. Anderson stormed to the ring and called out Eric Bischoff, who joined him in the ring. Anderson was pissed because Rob Van Dam is getting the title match against Jeff Hardy rather than him. The fans chanted "triple threat." Anderson said he should be first in line since he was the champion.

Bischoff said Hardy is the champion. He said he doesn't like Van Dam getting the match any more than Anderson does, but the network wanted the match. Anderson got intense as he asked since when the network calls the shots. Bischoff said the network writes the check and their job is to give them what they want and to draw ratings.

Anderson was still pissed. He said Bischoff should put him in the ring if they want ratings. Bischoff implied that the network doesn't like the language that Anderson uses. Anderson used the word asshole about ten times while saying that he will stop using it. Bischoff said he can't change what the network wants.

Anderson struck a fighting pose. Bischoff told Anderson to hear him out. He said that he can't give him the rematch, but he can put him in the main event by making him the special referee. Bischoff told Anderson to call the match down the middle and then stand in line and get his opportunity.

Bischoff offered his hand and asked if they had a deal. Stone Cold hit the Stunner on Mr. McMahon, er, Anderson hit the Mic Check on Bischoff and then got down in Bischoff's face like Austin while telling him that he should tell the network that he's going to get his rematch one way or another. He implied that he will be the referee...

Backstage, Velvet Sky and Winter were bickering again. Velvet told her to stay away from ringside or it will be the last things she does. Winter picked up a pair of scissors and looked at them. Angelina Love stepped in and backed up Velvet by telling her to stay backstage.

Winter dropped some creepy obsession lines. Angelina told Velvet to the leave the room. After Velvet left, Angelina asked Winter what her obsession was all about. Winter said Angelina doesn't understand yet, but she will. "All will be revealed," Winter said before leaving the room...

The announcers hyped Hardy vs. Van Dam with Anderson as special referee, and Tenay hyped a Knockouts tag match... [C]

Powell's POV: Anderson showed good intensity, but it really did feel a little too much like a discount Austin vs. McMahon there at the end. Meanwhile, Winter continues to play a great creepy stalker.

Backstage, A.J. Styles was all worked up. He challenged Ric Flair to a match next week...

[Q6] 4. Sarita and Rosita defeated Angelina Love and Velvet Sky in 4:25. Rosita ended up pinning Velvet while Rosita held Velvet's legs down. Afterward, Velvet said she's had Sarita beaten every time, but Sarita wins by cheating. Velvet said they're going to end it by having a match with no interference and "no shenanigans."

Sarita said Velvet is a joke and she'll beat her again. Sarita said that if Velvet wants her in the ring, she has to raise the stakes. Sarita told her to put her career on the line. Velvet said "bring it"...

Powell's POV: Rosita had a couple of clunky moments, but the worst part of the match is when Velvet tried to slingshot Sarita into the match and she ended up landing on her face rather than flipping over. Oops. No shenanigans? I love that word. Anyway, I guess the one-sided retirement stipulation match is on.

It was time for more Jarrett family fun. Jeff and Karen were in the back of a limo being overly affectionate...

Kurt Angle was shown was shown walking outside the building. He told the camera guy that he was going to Jeff and Karen's dinner party... [C]

Powell's POV: Hey, didn't Kurt retire a couple months ago and again on Sunday at the pay-per-view? I guess they're just ignoring his latest retirement. At this rate, he'll break Brett Favre's record for bogus retirements in a few weeks. Terry Funk is safe for a while, though.

The latest Eliminate The Hate spot aired. Bully Ray showed up and bullied everyone. Okay, that's not true...

Backstage, Madison Rayne boasted to Tara about issuing an open challenge to any woman in the world who wants to face her...

Powell's POV: Does that angle end with Tara taking advantage of the open challenge?

In another part of the backstage area, Scott Steiner said Rob Terry wants to face him in a posedown. Steiner said he'll show him that his favorite pose is putting his fist down throats...

[Q7] A video recapped the Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy feud... Jeff Hardy cut a brief promo backstage about his match against Van Dam...

The cameras took us to Karen and Jeff's dinner. They toasted to renewing their vows. Karen threw a fit because her wine wasn't the right year. Jeff and Karen yelled at a member of the wait staff, and Jeff said he wanted to speak to his boss. Kurt Angle showed up. Jeff and Karen fled. "What, no tip?" Kurt asked...

Powell's POV: Well, that was corny.

Rob Van Dam said he finally has a chance to take back the TNA Title. He said he's been waiting six months. He said getting the belt back is "just a bonus" and he's really focussed on kicking Hardy's ass... [C]

Powell's POV: Hey, way to put over the value of the title belt there, Rob. Ugh.

The announcers recapped Bully Ray attacking Devon's sons at the pay-per-view. Bully Ray walked onto the stage and approached the announcers. He got in Tenay's face and asked if it's true that his attack on Devon's kids was so disgusting that the network won't show it. Tenay said it's true.

Ray was right in Tenay's face when Taz stood up. Taz said Ray crossed the line on Sunday. Ray said Devon's kids will end up weak losers like their fathers. Ray slapped Tenay's headset off and said "now I'll walk away"...

Powell's POV: Good segment. Ray's bully character is great, and Tenay didn't overact. In fact, he just kept a straight face. However, it does seem odd that Taz would stand up in defense of Tenay, but he just sat at the desk and spoke in a somber tone when Devon's kids were getting roughed up.

Ring introductions took place for the main event. Mr. Anderson was out first and did his usual mic work on the stage. Van Dam was out next.

[Q8] Jeff Hardy made his entrance as Taz compared him to Lady Gaga...

5. Jeff Hardy defeated Rob Van Dam to retain the TNA Title in 12:10. Mr. Anderson is the special referee. Van Dam hit a corkscrew legdrop on Hardy, who was draped over the guardrail at ringside. Van Dam held his knee on the floor as the show went to break. [C]

Van Dam was on the offensive after the break until he went for a split legged moonsault and Hardy raised his knees. Hardy missed the Whisper in the Wind attempt off the ropes and Van Dam followed up with a standing moonsault.

Late in the match, Van Dam had Hardy from behind and then ended up in the corner with Hardy and Anderson face-to-face. Hardy kicked Van Dam low while looking at Anderson, who was seething and missed the kick. Hardy followed up with a Twist of Hate. Anderson made the three count.

After the match, Anderson raised Hardy's hand, but then hit him with the Mic Check. Van Dam got in Anderson's face about the low blow. Anderson hit him with the Mic Check. "Once and asshole, always an asshole," Tenay said to close the show...

Powell's POV: The same company that felt the need to hype a posedown between Scott Steiner and Rob Terry a week out couldn't be bothered to do the same for the long awaited rematch between Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam. I don't get it. Why not build up the match this week and have it next week? An odd call.

The good news is that they are building to a rematch between Hardy and Anderson, and likely a three-way between Anderson, Hardy, and Van Dam. Anderson had that Austin moment, but he showed a new level of intensity tonight that we haven't seen from him before. It felt like he was overacting a couple times, but he did a good job with it for the most part. I'd rather see him act like that in frustration over losing the TNA Title than listen to Van Dam talk about the belt as being "just a bonus." I'll have more to say about the show in the TNA Impact Hitlist on Friday. Thanks for watching with me tonight.

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