By Mark Gessner

TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Fla. at the Impact Zone

[Q1] A recap video of Lockdown opened up the show focusing heavily on Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett, Lethal Lockdown, and the TNA Heavyweight Championship match between Sting, Mr. Anderson, and Rob Van Dam. Tonight's show is titled "Two Horses For Sister Karen."

Following the video, A.J. Styles music played as he descended from the rafters on a wire to the ring which was surrounded by the Lethal Lockdown cage minus the roof. Styles began talking about his return and the revenge he scored against Bully Ray. He called out Ray to come out to the ring and face him, "like a man."

Ray came out on the stage and asked Styles if he was serious. He reminded A.J. of what he did to him and how he put him in the hospital after he powerbombed him off the stage. Ray said if he came down he would hurt him worse than before and then he would go take care of A.J.'s wife and kids. He ran to the ring but stopped before entering the cage and said that this was exactly what A.J. wanted and that he would take care of Styles on his own time.

Ray went to go back up the ramp but Christopher Daniels ran down and threw Ray into the cage and shut the door. Styles proceed to throw Ray into the sides of the cage. He then hit him with the Pele Kick. As Ray got back to his feet, A.J. hit him in the head (unprotected) with a trash can. Gunner came out to attack Daniels from behind, but Daniels fought him off and the two continued to brawl to backstage.

Back in the ring, Styles had a table set up. He slammed Ray's head onto the table twice and laid him on the table on his stomach. Styles climbed to the top of the cage, was setting up to jump off the top of the cage and put Ray through the table, but Ray got up off the table and ran out of the cage.

Mike Tenay and Taz were then shown at the announcers table and recapped Robert Roode "injuring" Ric Flair with the armbar that won Fortune the match. Taz said that Flair required surgery and touted that it was a huge feather in Roode's cap to put a Hall of Famer out of action.

Immortal's music played and Rob Terry and Murphy came out to the ring. Rob Terry challenged Beer Money to a TNA Tag Team Championship match in the steel cage and said that they would win the title and get back in Hulk Hogan's good graces and avenge Ric Flair's injury.

[Q2] Beer Money came out and asked the fans if they wanted to see the match. The fans cheered (or at least the canned fan reaction made it seem like they were cheering) and Roode said the match was on. Storm closed out their promo by telling Terry and Murphy, "sorry about your damn luck." [C]

Gessner's Glance: Entertaining opening segment with a lot going on. Styles entrance from the rafters was a good visual and Ray was good on the mic, threatening to come to the ring but backing down at the last minute. I don't understand the logic in opening a show with a cage match following an all cage match show that people paid for on Sunday, but logic and TNA don't go hand-in-hand. Will be interesting to see how well Beer Money does carrying two wrestlers who are green as grass.

1. Beer Money defeated Rob Terry and Murphy to retain the TNA Tag Team Championships in approximately 7:00. The match was joined in progress with Terry in the ring with Roode. Terry tagged in Murphy and hit Roode with a double shoulder tackle off of an irish whip. Murphy continued to beat down on Roode before tagging Terry back in. Terry threw Roode into the cage and hit a clothesline.

Terry tagged Murphy back in but Roode connected with a clothesline out of nowhere and made the hot tag to James Storm. Storm cleaned house with a Codebreaker on Murphy and dropped Terry with a DDT. Roode recovered and hit Terry with a spinebuster before he and Storm hit a double suplex on Murphy. They did their "Beer... Money" spot and hit Terry with the D.W.I. to score the pinfall.

Backstage Jeff and Karen Jarrett were shown arriving in the Impact Zone backstage earlier in the day in a horse and carriage. Jeff said that he will be crowing Karen tonight as "Queen of the Mountain." In another part of the backstage area, Hogan was shown walking towards the ring carrying a lead pipe. [C]

Gessner's Glance: About five minutes of the match were shown on TV. Terry and Murphy displayed basic moves that most developmental wrestlers would learn in their first few weeks [i.e. shoulder blocks and clotheslines]. Beer Money was in complete control following the hot tag. It was as good of a match as you could get out Rob Terry or Murphy. As Chris Shore broke earlier this week and speculated, the horses and carriage backstage at the taping this week were for Jeff and Karen Angle.

[Q3] The NWO music played coming out of the commercial break and Hulk Hogan came out to the ring. Hogan called out Rob Van Dam. RVD came out to the ring. Hogan said that RVD made the biggest mistake of his lifetime by not joining Immortal at Lockdown. RVD reminded Hogan of when he used to be the face of the company before going "heel for ratings." RVD then said everyone used love him but now everyone wishes he would, "get the hell out of the business."

RVD said that while his career my not have every reached the plateaus that Hogan did, but everything RVD has done he did with respect. "That," said RVD, "and am freaking amazing. A wrestler can't make a living now a days with just a leg drop anymore Hulky." Hogan told him that he is on borrowed time. Rob's always been a big fish in a little pond or a little big in a big pond. RVD's never sold out arenas or slammed giants. RVD's is just mediocre and a midcarder at best.

Sting's music then played and he came out to the ring. He told Hogan that RVD is not a midcarder because he will be main eventing at Sacrifice against Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan asked Sting if he was high, because he's the one who makes matches. Sting told Hogan that he had a clause in his contract from "the Network" that he got to pick his opponent if he won the title on March 3 in his return. Hogan said that he would make matches for tonight then and made RVD vs. Abyss and Sting vs. Matt Hardy tonight. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Wait, so Sting wins on March 3 and had a clause in his contract that he could pick who he faces for the championship but he has fought Jeff Hardy at the following PPV and then RVD and Anderson this past Sunday at Lockdown. Makes total sense. While we've seen RVD vs. Abyss on numerous occasions, as Matt Hardy informed us today, this will be the first time the two have ever fought in the ring.

[Q4] Backstage, Madison Rayne blamed Tara for her losing to Mickie James and losing her championship at Lockdown. Madison said to get back on her good side, Tara needs to win the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships tonight.

In the garage, Kurt Angle was talking with Eric Young who was feeding the two horses that carriage that Jeff and Karen arrived on earlier in the show. Eric said he was hanging out with his two friends, "Mongo and Sid, the two best Horseman in my opinion." Funny. Kurt then pointed out to Eric that he was feeding the horses beans which would make them "shit all over the place" and he told Eric to go get buckets. As Eric went to retrieve buckets and lightbulb went off in Kurt's head and he smiled and repeated "buckets."

Mexican America made their entrance and Anarchia cut a short promo saying that "the minority is now the majority." Madison Rayne and Tara made their entrance as the show went to another commercial break. [C]

2. Mexican America (Sarita and Rosita with Hernandez and Anaracia) defeated Madison Rayne and Tara to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships in approximately 5:00. The match was again joined in progress. Tara took a hurricanrana and went to tag in Rayne. Rayne refused and turned her back on Tara on the apron. Tara slapped her on the back, making her the legal wrestler. Rayne got in the ring and yelled at Tara but Sarita snuck up from behind and hit Rayne with a backdrop. Sarita beat down on Ray in the corner before Rayne made a comeback with a big boot to the face.

Rayne then went back to her corner and continued yelling at Tara. Rosita snuck up from behind and Mexican-whipped her into a clothesline from Sarita and scored the pinfall victory.

Backstage Jeff and Karen were talking towards the ring for Karen's coronation. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Two matches in one hour, and both were joined in progress. There was only maybe a minute and a half of the match shown. They are hammering home the point that Madison Rayne feels like she is never the one at fault. As for Mexican America, I could not care less. Hernandez should not be leading a faction, let alone a faction that is racially based in 2011. Am I the only person who finds Sarita's need to dance after every other move extremely annoying? And how pissed would you be if you were half the fans in the Impact Zone whose view is blocked by the big Mexican flag whenever Mexican America is in the ring?

[Q5] Jeff and Karen Jarrett made their entrance to the ring in a white suit and dress with royal-esque music playing. Jeff thanked Karen for helping him win on Sunday versus Kurt Angle at Lockdown. He said tonight he was here to honor her and crown her as the "Queen of the Mountain." Karen sat on a throne and Jeff placed a crown on her head and the royalty music began playing again. As she stood up and began waving to the fans, she started getting showered with horse shit. Kurt entered the ring and as Jeff was trying to run away from him, Kurt gave him an Angle Slam onto the throne.

Kurt told Karen that if she wasn't in a, "world of shit" already, it was about to get worse. He said he would never lay a hand on the mother of his children but his "mistress" couldn't wait to. He said she is all about pain and not pleasure and was excited to meet her. Kurt then left the ring.

[Q6] Backstage, Hogan told Abyss that he needed to take out RVD tonight once and for all. Hogan then spotted Mr. Anderson down the hall and said he needed to have a word with him. Hogan asked Anderson if he knew who was working with "the Network." Anderson said he knew nothing and was shocked Hogan would ask him since he continues to get screwed over week after week by not just the network but by Immortal too. Hogan told Anderson that he is the only person in the wrestling business that he hates and that if it was "ten years and eight back surgeries ago," their meeting would have went much differently. Anderson excused himself and said that he had to go off and be an asshole. [C]

Gessner's Glance: You could see the horse shit shower coming from a mile away. I have some intrigue as to who the "mistress" is that Kurt is referring to. I don't know whether it will be his actual new wife or if their is a new knockout being brought in for this angle. As for Hogan and Anderson, Hulk needs to remember his decade earlier and eight back surgery comment when thinking of the idea of getting in the ring again versus Sting. Plus, ten years ago, Hogan was being carried by The Rock in their Wrestlemania match in Toronto and was then working with the likes of Edge, Chris Jericho, Triple H, and Undertaker. The fifty-two year old Sting is nowhere near that caliber of talent in the ring and will not be able to carry him to an even passable match.

3. Abyss (with Hulk Hogan) defeated Rob Van Dam in 3:43. [Q7] RVD went on the offensive early. He hit a monkey flip in the corner and followed up with a springboard kick off the second rope. RVD set Abyss up for Rolling Thunder. Hogan grabbed RVD's leg distracting him, allowing Abyss to get up and hit RVD with the big boot. Abyss began beating down on RVD and was bleeding from his mouth during the beat down. I'm assuming the springboard kick is where Abyss got his teeth knocked out as reported on the site earlier this week.

RVD connected with a kick to the head out of nowhere, stopping Abyss' attack. He connected with Rolling Thunder and then a side kick from the top rope. He went to go back to the top rope for the 5 Star Frogsplash but Hogan, still carrying the lead pipe he's had throughout the show, stopped him.

RVD jumped down to the ground and got in Hogan's face. Referee Jackson James [Bischoff] went down to ring side and also got in Hogan's face, ejecting him from ringside. As Hogan argued that he ran TNA, RVD got back in the ring, but the distraction allowed Abyss to get Hogan's pipe which Hulk slid into the ring as the referee slid out. Abyss hit RVD with the pipe and hit a black hole slam to pick up the victory.

Following the match, Abyss continued to beat down RVD. He held Rob up as Hogan got in the ring and setup to hit RVD with the pipe himself. But, Crimson's music played and he ran down to ringside and hit Abyss with the spear as Hulk escaped from the ring.

Backstage, Sting said he wanted Jeff Hardy back in TNA because he is one of the greatest of all-time. He then said that it was about to be "show time" for Matt Hardy tonight. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Any time Bischoff's son is the referee, you just sit and wait for interference or some misunderstanding leading to the heel winning. Quick and painless Abyss match for us sitting at home watching, but not quite as painless of a match for Abyss. While RVD's punches rarely look as if their connecting, let alone inflicting any damage to his opponents, his kicks always look stiff as hell and one of his kicks was a little to stiff tonight knocking out Abyss' front teeth.

Backstage, Matt Hardy said that his brother Jeff's blood wasn't cold enough and that's why he couldn't take out Sting. He then promised that "Cold Blooded" Matt Hardy would take out Sting tonight and take his TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

Gessner's Glance: Hold on a minute, put aside the fact that "Cold Blooded" is a really weak gimmick for Matt, but didn't Sting say that the Network was allowing him to pick his challenger for the title? So how does Hogan making Sting vs. Matt Hardy for the championship make sense? Oh wait, it's TNA. Got it.

[Q8] Matt Morgan came out to the ring and said that he finally has ended his feud with Hernandez and wants to get back in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship contention. He said since title matches are just being given away, he needs to be at the top of everyone's list. "Matt Morgan's time is now," said Morgan."If I don't get, I'm gonna take it."

Scott Steiner came out and interrupted Morgan. Steiner questioned how Morgan was the "DNA of TNA." He said that if he was built like Morgan he'd kill himself because he is no genetic freak. Steiner said the line for a champion started behind him. Steiner said, "I'm at the top, and you're beneath me. Just like your girlfriend was last night."


Morgan cut off Steiner. Morgan said he had respect for Scott and touted his collegiate success that he transitioned into pro wrestling. Morgan said he looked up to Steiner and said he always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He then challenged Steiner to a match to prove who between them was better and extended his hand. Steiner responded by kicking him in the balls and hitting him with a Complete Shot. He put Morgan in the Steiner Recliner to close out the segment. [C]

Gessner's Glance: I think the line by Steiner that I quoted was the only line he didn't stammer over his words or misspeak. That was fun. The logic in Scott Steiner being the gate keeper for the TNA Championship contenders is a head-scratching statement. Hasn't he been an unsuccessful tag team wrestler since coming back to the company? Would have been a great segment if it ended with Morgan's promo prior to Steiner getting involved.

Backstage, Velvet Sky on Hervey cam complained about Angelina Love's change due to Winter's affect on her and drugging her. Winter interrupted and Velvet began choking her and yelling at her. Angelina attacked Velvet from behind and threw her into a wall.

4. Sting vs. Matt Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. [Q8] Matt came down to the ring wearing the Jeff Hardy designed championship belt. As Sting was walking down to the ring, Immortal members ran out from the side of the ramp and stopped at the bottom waiting for Sting. Fortune came out from backstage and began attacking Immortal. Fortune fought Immortal to the back, when Sting who was distracted by the brawl, got hit from behind in the leg by a pipe by Gunner. Gunner threw Sting into the ring.

Matt immediately went to work on Sting's leg. He hit Sting with a sleeper slam and then hit a leg drop from the second rope for a two count. Hardy punched a grounded Sting a few times before going back to the turnbuckle, climbing to the top, and attempting a moonsault. Sting was able to roll out of the way. Sting got to his feet and went for the Scorpion Leg Lock but Hardy powered out.

Hardy continued to work over the injured leg of Sting. Hardy locked in a single leg boston crab as TNA went to a commercial at 2:29. [C]

By Mark Gessner

TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Fla. at the Impact Zone

[Q1] A recap video of Lockdown opened up the show focusing heavily on Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett, Lethal Lockdown, and the TNA Heavyweight Championship match between Sting, Mr. Anderson, and Rob Van Dam. Tonight's show is titled "Two Horses For Sister Karen."

Following the video, A.J. Styles music played as he descended from the rafters on a wire to the ring which was surrounded by the Lethal Lockdown cage minus the roof. Styles began talking about his return and the revenge he scored against Bully Ray. He called out Ray to come out to the ring and face him, "like a man."

Ray came out on the stage and asked Styles if he was serious. He reminded A.J. of what he did to him and how he put him in the hospital after he powerbombed him off the stage. Ray said if he came down he would hurt him worse than before and then he would go take care of A.J.'s wife and kids. He ran to the ring but stopped before entering the cage and said that this was exactly what A.J. wanted and that he would take care of Styles on his own time.

Ray went to go back up the ramp but Christopher Daniels ran down and threw Ray into the cage and shut the door. Styles proceed to throw Ray into the sides of the cage. He then hit him with the Pele Kick. As Ray got back to his feet, A.J. hit him in the head (unprotected) with a trash can. Gunner came out to attack Daniels from behind, but Daniels fought him off and the two continued to brawl to backstage.

Back in the ring, Styles had a table set up. He slammed Ray's head onto the table twice and laid him on the table on his stomach. Styles climbed to the top of the cage, was setting up to jump off the top of the cage and put Ray through the table, but Ray got up off the table and ran out of the cage.

Mike Tenay and Taz were then shown at the announcers table and recapped Robert Roode "injuring" Ric Flair with the armbar that won Fortune the match. Taz said that Flair required surgery and touted that it was a huge feather in Roode's cap to put a Hall of Famer out of action.

Immortal's music played and Rob Terry and Murphy came out to the ring. Rob Terry challenged Beer Money to a TNA Tag Team Championship match in the steel cage and said that they would win the title and get back in Hulk Hogan's good graces and avenge Ric Flair's injury.

[Q2] Beer Money came out and asked the fans if they wanted to see the match. The fans cheered (or at least the canned fan reaction made it seem like they were cheering) and Roode said the match was on. Storm closed out their promo by telling Terry and Murphy, "sorry about your damn luck." [C]

Gessner's Glance: Entertaining opening segment with a lot going on. Styles entrance from the rafters was a good visual and Ray was good on the mic, threatening to come to the ring but backing down at the last minute. I don't understand the logic in opening a show with a cage match following an all cage match show that people paid for on Sunday, but logic and TNA don't go hand-in-hand. Will be interesting to see how well Beer Money does carrying two wrestlers who are green as grass.

1. Beer Money defeated Rob Terry and Murphy to retain the TNA Tag Team Championships in approximately 7:00. The match was joined in progress with Terry in the ring with Roode. Terry tagged in Murphy and hit Roode with a double shoulder tackle off of an irish whip. Murphy continued to beat down on Roode before tagging Terry back in. Terry threw Roode into the cage and hit a clothesline.

Terry tagged Murphy back in but Roode connected with a clothesline out of nowhere and made the hot tag to James Storm. Storm cleaned house with a Codebreaker on Murphy and dropped Terry with a DDT. Roode recovered and hit Terry with a spinebuster before he and Storm hit a double suplex on Murphy. They did their "Beer... Money" spot and hit Terry with the D.W.I. to score the pinfall.

Backstage Jeff and Karen Jarrett were shown arriving in the Impact Zone backstage earlier in the day in a horse and carriage. Jeff said that he will be crowing Karen tonight as "Queen of the Mountain." In another part of the backstage area, Hogan was shown walking towards the ring carrying a lead pipe. [C]

Gessner's Glance: About five minutes of the match were shown on TV. Terry and Murphy displayed basic moves that most developmental wrestlers would learn in their first few weeks [i.e. shoulder blocks and clotheslines]. Beer Money was in complete control following the hot tag. It was as good of a match as you could get out Rob Terry or Murphy. As Chris Shore broke earlier this week and speculated, the horses and carriage backstage at the taping this week were for Jeff and Karen Angle.

[Q3] The NWO music played coming out of the commercial break and Hulk Hogan came out to the ring. Hogan called out Rob Van Dam. RVD came out to the ring. Hogan said that RVD made the biggest mistake of his lifetime by not joining Immortal at Lockdown. RVD reminded Hogan of when he used to be the face of the company before going "heel for ratings." RVD then said everyone used love him but now everyone wishes he would, "get the hell out of the business."

RVD said that while his career my not have every reached the plateaus that Hogan did, but everything RVD has done he did with respect. "That," said RVD, "and am freaking amazing. A wrestler can't make a living now a days with just a leg drop anymore Hulky." Hogan told him that he is on borrowed time. Rob's always been a big fish in a little pond or a little big in a big pond. RVD's never sold out arenas or slammed giants. RVD's is just mediocre and a midcarder at best.

Sting's music then played and he came out to the ring. He told Hogan that RVD is not a midcarder because he will be main eventing at Sacrifice against Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan asked Sting if he was high, because he's the one who makes matches. Sting told Hogan that he had a clause in his contract from "the Network" that he got to pick his opponent if he won the title on March 3 in his return. Hogan said that he would make matches for tonight then and made RVD vs. Abyss and Sting vs. Matt Hardy tonight. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Wait, so Sting wins on March 3 and had a clause in his contract that he could pick who he faces for the championship but he has fought Jeff Hardy at the following PPV and then RVD and Anderson this past Sunday at Lockdown. Makes total sense. While we've seen RVD vs. Abyss on numerous occasions, as Matt Hardy informed us today, this will be the first time the two have ever fought in the ring.

[Q4] Backstage, Madison Rayne blamed Tara for her losing to Mickie James and losing her championship at Lockdown. Madison said to get back on her good side, Tara needs to win the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships tonight.

In the garage, Kurt Angle was talking with Eric Young who was feeding the two horses that carriage that Jeff and Karen arrived on earlier in the show. Eric said he was hanging out with his two friends, "Mongo and Sid, the two best Horseman in my opinion." Funny. Kurt then pointed out to Eric that he was feeding the horses beans which would make them "shit all over the place" and he told Eric to go get buckets. As Eric went to retrieve buckets and lightbulb went off in Kurt's head and he smiled and repeated "buckets."

Mexican America made their entrance and Anarchia cut a short promo saying that "the minority is now the majority." Madison Rayne and Tara made their entrance as the show went to another commercial break. [C]

2. Mexican America (Sarita and Rosita with Hernandez and Anaracia) defeated Madison Rayne and Tara to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships in approximately 5:00. The match was again joined in progress. Tara took a hurricanrana and went to tag in Rayne. Rayne refused and turned her back on Tara on the apron. Tara slapped her on the back, making her the legal wrestler. Rayne got in the ring and yelled at Tara but Sarita snuck up from behind and hit Rayne with a backdrop. Sarita beat down on Ray in the corner before Rayne made a comeback with a big boot to the face.

Rayne then went back to her corner and continued yelling at Tara. Rosita snuck up from behind and Mexican-whipped her into a clothesline from Sarita and scored the pinfall victory.

Backstage Jeff and Karen were talking towards the ring for Karen's coronation. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Two matches in one hour, and both were joined in progress. There was only maybe a minute and a half of the match shown. They are hammering home the point that Madison Rayne feels like she is never the one at fault. As for Mexican America, I could not care less. Hernandez should not be leading a faction, let alone a faction that is racially based in 2011. Am I the only person who finds Sarita's need to dance after every other move extremely annoying? And how pissed would you be if you were half the fans in the Impact Zone whose view is blocked by the big Mexican flag whenever Mexican America is in the ring?

[Q5] Jeff and Karen Jarrett made their entrance to the ring in a white suit and dress with royal-esque music playing. Jeff thanked Karen for helping him win on Sunday versus Kurt Angle at Lockdown. He said tonight he was here to honor her and crown her as the "Queen of the Mountain." Karen sat on a throne and Jeff placed a crown on her head and the royalty music began playing again. As she stood up and began waving to the fans, she started getting showered with horse shit. Kurt entered the ring and as Jeff was trying to run away from him, Kurt gave him an Angle Slam onto the throne.

Kurt told Karen that if she wasn't in a, "world of shit" already, it was about to get worse. He said he would never lay a hand on the mother of his children but his "mistress" couldn't wait to. He said she is all about pain and not pleasure and was excited to meet her. Kurt then left the ring.

[Q6] Backstage, Hogan told Abyss that he needed to take out RVD tonight once and for all. Hogan then spotted Mr. Anderson down the hall and said he needed to have a word with him. Hogan asked Anderson if he knew who was working with "the Network." Anderson said he knew nothing and was shocked Hogan would ask him since he continues to get screwed over week after week by not just the network but by Immortal too. Hogan told Anderson that he is the only person in the wrestling business that he hates and that if it was "ten years and eight back surgeries ago," their meeting would have went much differently. Anderson excused himself and said that he had to go off and be an asshole. [C]

Gessner's Glance: You could see the horse shit shower coming from a mile away. I have some intrigue as to who the "mistress" is that Kurt is referring to. I don't know whether it will be his actual new wife or if their is a new knockout being brought in for this angle. As for Hogan and Anderson, Hulk needs to remember his decade earlier and eight back surgery comment when thinking of the idea of getting in the ring again versus Sting. Plus, ten years ago, Hogan was being carried by The Rock in their Wrestlemania match in Toronto and was then working with the likes of Edge, Chris Jericho, Triple H, and Undertaker. The fifty-two year old Sting is nowhere near that caliber of talent in the ring and will not be able to carry him to an even passable match.

3. Abyss (with Hulk Hogan) defeated Rob Van Dam in 3:43. [Q7] RVD went on the offensive early. He hit a monkey flip in the corner and followed up with a springboard kick off the second rope. RVD set Abyss up for Rolling Thunder. Hogan grabbed RVD's leg distracting him, allowing Abyss to get up and hit RVD with the big boot. Abyss began beating down on RVD and was bleeding from his mouth during the beat down. I'm assuming the springboard kick is where Abyss got his teeth knocked out as reported on the site earlier this week.

RVD connected with a kick to the head out of nowhere, stopping Abyss' attack. He connected with Rolling Thunder and then a side kick from the top rope. He went to go back to the top rope for the 5 Star Frogsplash but Hogan, still carrying the lead pipe he's had throughout the show, stopped him.

RVD jumped down to the ground and got in Hogan's face. Referee Jackson James [Bischoff] went down to ring side and also got in Hogan's face, ejecting him from ringside. As Hogan argued that he ran TNA, RVD got back in the ring, but the distraction allowed Abyss to get Hogan's pipe which Hulk slid into the ring as the referee slid out. Abyss hit RVD with the pipe and hit a black hole slam to pick up the victory.

Following the match, Abyss continued to beat down RVD. He held Rob up as Hogan got in the ring and setup to hit RVD with the pipe himself. But, Crimson's music played and he ran down to ringside and hit Abyss with the spear as Hulk escaped from the ring.

Backstage, Sting said he wanted Jeff Hardy back in TNA because he is one of the greatest of all-time. He then said that it was about to be "show time" for Matt Hardy tonight. [C]

Gessner's Glance: Any time Bischoff's son is the referee, you just sit and wait for interference or some misunderstanding leading to the heel winning. Quick and painless Abyss match for us sitting at home watching, but not quite as painless of a match for Abyss. While RVD's punches rarely look as if their connecting, let alone inflicting any damage to his opponents, his kicks always look stiff as hell and one of his kicks was a little to stiff tonight knocking out Abyss' front teeth.

Backstage, Matt Hardy said that his brother Jeff's blood wasn't cold enough and that's why he couldn't take out Sting. He then promised that "Cold Blooded" Matt Hardy would take out Sting tonight and take his TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

Gessner's Glance: Hold on a minute, put aside the fact that "Cold Blooded" is a really weak gimmick for Matt, but didn't Sting say that the Network was allowing him to pick his challenger for the title? So how does Hogan making Sting vs. Matt Hardy for the championship make sense? Oh wait, it's TNA. Got it.

[Q8] Matt Morgan came out to the ring and said that he finally has ended his feud with Hernandez and wants to get back in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship contention. He said since title matches are just being given away, he needs to be at the top of everyone's list. "Matt Morgan's time is now," said Morgan."If I don't get, I'm gonna take it."

Scott Steiner came out and interrupted Morgan. Steiner questioned how Morgan was the "DNA of TNA." He said that if he was built like Morgan he'd kill himself because he is no genetic freak. Steiner said the line for a champion started behind him. Steiner said, "I'm at the top, and you're beneath me. Just like your girlfriend was last night."


Morgan cut off Steiner. Morgan said he had respect for Scott and touted his collegiate success that he transitioned into pro wrestling. Morgan said he looked up to Steiner and said he always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He then challenged Steiner to a match to prove who between them was better and extended his hand. Steiner responded by kicking him in the balls and hitting him with a Complete Shot. He put Morgan in the Steiner Recliner to close out the segment. [C]

Gessner's Glance: I think the line by Steiner that I quoted was the only line he didn't stammer over his words or misspeak. That was fun. The logic in Scott Steiner being the gate keeper for the TNA Championship contenders is a head-scratching statement. Hasn't he been an unsuccessful tag team wrestler since coming back to the company? Would have been a great segment if it ended with Morgan's promo prior to Steiner getting involved.

Backstage, Velvet Sky on Hervey cam complained about Angelina Love's change due to Winter's affect on her and drugging her. Winter interrupted and Velvet began choking her and yelling at her. Angelina attacked Velvet from behind and threw her into a wall.

4. Sting defeated Matt Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in 9:21. [Q8] Matt came down to the ring wearing the Jeff Hardy designed championship belt. As Sting was walking down to the ring, Immortal members ran out from the side of the ramp and stopped at the bottom waiting for Sting. Fortune came out from backstage and began attacking Immortal. Fortune fought Immortal to the back, when Sting who was distracted by the brawl, got hit from behind in the leg by a pipe by Gunner. Gunner threw Sting into the ring.

Matt immediately went to work on Sting's leg. He hit Sting with a sleeper slam and then hit a leg drop from the second rope for a two count. Hardy punched a grounded Sting a few times before going back to the turnbuckle, climbing to the top, and attempting a moonsault. Sting was able to roll out of the way. Sting got to his feet and went for the Scorpion Leg Lock but Hardy powered out.

Hardy continued to work over the injured leg of Sting. Hardy locked in a single leg boston crab as TNA went to a commercial at 2:29. [C]

Back from commercial, Matt and Sting were slugging it out as Sting continued to favor his injured leg. Matt kicked Sting in the leg dropping him to the ground and continued to work over the leg. Matt went for the Twist of Hate but Sting pushed him away and went on the offensive connecting with a couple clotheslines.

Sting went for a Stinger Splash in the corner but Matt dodged it. As Matt charged at Sting, Sting catapulted Matt face first into the turnbuckle and hit a Scorpion Death Drop out of no where for the win.

As Sting's hand was raised by referee Brian Hebner, Mr. Anderson snuck up from behind and hit Sting with the Mic Check. He then picked up Matt and hit him with a Mic Check. Anderson had his mic dropped from the rafters. He told Sting that he is not going away.

Gessner's Glance: While a nearly ten minute main event match on Impact sounds surprising, four minutes of it was commercial and four of the five minutes that were televised were leg submission rest holds. Combined, we've seen a total of three minutes of actual action combined from the last two times Sting has faced a member of the Hardy family.

The show closed out with the rapid-fire Hervey cam interviews we've grown accustomed to as of late. Karen bitched about who the mistress was. Hogan said Anderson is smarter than he looks. Anderson said he was sending a message with the Mic Checks on Sting and Matt Hardy. And, the show closed out with Sting questioning who Anderson was trying to impress.

Thank you all very much for clicking the link that brought you to my coverage of TNA Impact. If you have any thoughts, questions, comments, or critiques, feel free to email me at kliq4life28@gmail.com or tweet me at Twitter.com/MarkGessner.

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