By Jason Powell

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

[Q1] The show opened with a recap that set up the arrival of The Network's adviser... The show is called "The Network's Revenge"...

Jeff and Karen Jarrett headed to the ring as Mike Tenay and Taz introduced the show and hyped the big reveals that will take place during the show. Jeff said he and Karen want to call a truce with Kurt Angle. Karen took the mic and boasted about being a loving and giving ex-wife to Kurt.

Karen said everything that happened between them and Kurt has been a misunderstanding. She said the restraining order she obtained was in his best interest. "I'm going to humbly accept your apology, and the three of us are going to move on as one big happy family," Karen said. Funny.

Kurt's music played and he came out to a strong crowd reaction. He said Karen has been pushing all the right buttons. He said it's only a matter of time before she fleeces Jeff. Kurt said his "business partner" is in the building, and teased that it's someone Jeff knows from his past... [C]

Powell's POV: A nice tease for later in the show. Jeff and Karen backing down and asking for a truce on reveal night was basic heel work, yet still hilarious and perfect for their characters. A strong opening segment. I'm happy they teased it rather than deliver the surprise at the start of the show.

[Q2] 1. Mickie James and Miss Tessmacher beat Madison Rayne and Tara in 2:15. Madison heeled it up on Tara before the match, and the crowd got a rise out of it when Tara tagged her to make her enter the match for the first time. Tenay noted that Tessmacher challenged Mickie for the Knockouts Title just last week. Tessmacher performed a victory roll spot on Madison and pinned her...

Powell's POV: Madison bossing around Tara all this time sets up a nice babyface turn for Tara. They're playing up the tension nicely, and Madison continues to be great in her role as the bitchiest Knockout of them all. I could have done without Tessmacher smiling throughout the finish. I know she's playing to the fans, but she was too happy go lucky for my taste. There's plenty of time to smile and pose after the match.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan questioned Ric Flair about The Network while Eric Bischoff stood by. Flair took offense and they bickered a bit before Hogan apologized... [C]

Backstage, Tara told a camera man that Madison is a skank and she's tired of her. Madison walked up and said she's going to make Tara's life hell once she regains the TNA Knockouts Title...

In another part of the backstage area, Tommy Dreamer told a camera man that he was on the phone and didn't want to talk. Dreamer said there's a lot of things that happen after the show airs. "I have a personal life," Dreamer said. "Thank you." The camera man pressed him for info. Dreamer just looked at him.

A.J. Styles emerged from a backstage trailer and wanted an explanation for what Dreamer did to him. Dreamer said Styles is too young to understand what he's going through. Styles approached Dreamer and questioned whether it was about EV2. Dreamer said it had nothing to do with that. Dreamer said Styles never will.

Styles challenged Dreamer to a match at TNA Sacrifice. Dreamer told Styles that he doesn't know everything that happens in the back. Styles told him to back off or they would throw down. Dreamer started to walk away, but Styles goaded him. Dreamer told Styles that he never really knew him and maybe nobody did. "Walk a mile in Tommy Dreamer's shoes," Dreamer said...

Powell's POV: Lame. First, Styles is too young to understand, and by the end of the promo he will never understand. I understand that Dreamer has to be vague regarding where they're going with this, but he should at least be consistent.

Backstage, Sting finished a photo shoot and was approached by the camera crew. He spoke about the challenge that Rob Van Dam will bring at the pay-per-view. When the camera guy asked about The Network, Sting said the representative is there and it would be show time shortly...

Powell's POV: Why is the camera guy getting all cocky? He was confrontational with Dreamer, and he started the questioning with Sting by saying, "So?" When Sting asked what he meant, the camera guy said, "Update." Dick.

[Q3] [C] A video package focussed on Beer Money vs. Matt Hardy and his mystery partner for the pay-per-view...

Beer Money walked to the ring for a promo. Robert Roode recalled Hardy telling them that he was going to call someone special. Roode said they know who he was talking about, and told him to come out so they could accept his challenge face to face. Hardy came out and said he was impressed when Roode called out Hulk Hogan last week because it showed he has a set.

Hardy said it makes him sick that James Storm drinks beer and is probably drunk when he wrestles. Hardy said he can say that because he's one half of the greatest tag team in pro wrestling.

Powell's POV: Heimlich maneuvers were just performed the world after we listened to a Hardy mock another wrestler for working while under the influence. We may have lost a few people who were watching the show alone.

James Storm fired back at Hardy and said he may do the things Hardy is saying, but he's not disrespectful like he is. Storm and Roode went to ringside. Storm got in Hardy's face and delivered a good face-to-face promo. Hardy didn't exactly do the same. He said his brother isn't his partner, it's someone who knows all of Storm's "weanises." Yes, that's really what it sounded like.

Chris Haris walked onto the stage. He looked bloated in the face and wore a long trench coat. Storm stood stone faced as his former America's Most Wanted partner stared him down...

Powell's POV: Lousy mic work by Hardy. It's just not his strong suit. I was looking forward to Harris returning because I enjoyed his AMW work and was willing to look past his Braden Walker days. Unfortunately, he looked more like Braden Walker than he did the good version of Chris Harris. I guess we'll see what he looks like on Sunday in wrestling gear. The staredown was okay, but this angle needed a beat down to put some heat on Harris and Hardy.

[Q4] [C] 2. Sangriento beat Suicide in 3:35. The announcers acknowledged that Sangriento beat Suicide in their match last week. Sangriento went on an offensive flurry and then pulled up his mask above his mouth and smiled. Sangriento pushed himself backwards off the middle of the middle rope and hit a Stunner for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: This match had a faster pace than their first match last week. The crowd liked Sangriento. They didn't dislike Suicide, but they reacted to some of Sangriento's flashy offense. It does make me laugh a little that WWE is keeping Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio apart, presumably to build toward a big WrestleMania showdown, yet TNA's answer to Sin Cara worked his first two matches against TNA's other masked character. There's more than one way to skin a cat, I guess.

After the match, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came to the ring. Hogan called for "The Network rat" to come to the ring. Tenay hyped that the answer was coming up right after the break... [C]

[Q5] After the break, Jeff and Karen Jarrett were in the ring with Hogan and Bischoff. Tenay said Hogan and Bischoff invited the couple to join them. Hogan said he wanted the network representative to join him in the ring. Mick Foley's music played. He made a quick entrance and cut off his entrance music.

Foley wore all black and had his hair in a ponytail. Foley entered the ring. Bischoff was glaring at him. Foley asked if Bischoff had something to say. Bischoff started to talk, but Foley pushed him down. Foley and Hogan squared off. Foley said he's a network executive.

Foley said the show isn't about Hogan. He said it's about wrestling. "As of now, wrestling matters again," Foley said. He recalled seeing Hulk Hogan, Ricky Steamboat, and others while he was growing up. Foley said the show is no longer called TNA Wrestling. He said it's now Impact Wrestling.

Foley said that in order to show people that wrestling matters and Impact matters, they have a real main event - a 25-man battle royal. Foley said there would be no more gamesmanship or politics, just 25 men battling to become the No. 1 contender. Foley turned his attention to Jarrett and said he was going to show him who Angle's partner would be at TNA Sacrifice.

Chyna walked onto the stage as a good video wall played behind her. Chyna stood with her hands on her hips while Karen freaked out in the ring... [C]

Powell's POV: They really need to drive home the Impact Wrestling switch. I can see why there's been so much confusion about whether it's the name of the show or the company because Foley's promo could have been taken either way. Everything I've heard is that it's only the TV show that's officially changed. I'm all for dropping the TNA name, though. Chyna was more surgically altered breasts than muscles at this point, but she looked healthy. Karen sold Chyna's arrival very nicely with her shocked reaction in the ring.

After the break, Tenay said that when Hulk Hogan won control of the company in a court hearing, Spike TV realized they needed someone to step in as the eyes and ears of the network. "Enter Mick Foley," Tenay said. He said Foley changed the name from TNA Impact to Impact Wrestling on Spike TV. He also recapped the arrival of Chyna and hyped the main event...

Backstage, Foley spoke about wearing a sports jacket and how it made him sweat profusely. Foley said his adrenaline was pumping. Foley said Hogan and Bischoff are still part of the company "where wrestling matters." Chyna was standing next to Foley. He told her that wherever Karen Jarrett is, that's where he wants Chyna...

Powell's POV: Why are non-wrestlers like Hogan and Bischoff still part of the company if it's all about wrestling? That part didn't make much sense. I like the silent Chyna. She was never a good promo, so here's hoping she remains silent and intimidating. By the way, the Foley reveal has to be disappointing to viewers who were hoping it was something bigger. It just doesn't feel like he's been out of the mix long enough to feel like a big surprise.

Backstage, Mr. Anderson pointed to his t-shirt "Pro Wrestling is Real, People Are Fake." Anderson assumed Foley was the person that was holding him back from getting his TNA Title shot. He said he was in the battle royal and would be going after Sting or Rob Van Dam...

The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup...

[Q6] 3. Crimson beat Samoa Joe and Abyss in a three-way in 2:25. Tenay spoke about Joe going unbeaten during his first 18 months with the company, and spoke about the roll that Crimson has been on. Abyss hit the Black Hole Slam on Joe, but Crimson stepped in and pinned Joe.

After the match, Crimson was playing to the camera. Joe stood up behind him and was waiting for him to turn around. However, Abyss recovered and struck Crimson from behind. Joe left the ring and let Abyss attack Crimson. "You live by the sword, you die by the sword, boy," Joe said. Tenay said he agreed with Joe. Abyss left Crimson lying with a Black Hole Slam...

Powell's POV: Abyss is no missing his bottom teeth. Tenay said it was from RVD's kick a couple weeks ago. In Abyss's world, I guess hitting a Black Hole Slam makes up for being bludgeoned with Janice by Crimson. It's one of the reasons you don't go there with over the top weapons. What kind of a monster retaliates with a move rather than by returning the favor or taking it to another extreme? It makes Abyss look bad, and the Janice shot really didn't make anyone take Crimson more seriously than they were before the weapon shot. I hope Tenay's support of Joe's line means Crimson is going to be the heel, because he's just not connecting with the fans.

Backstage, a cocky Rob Van Dam said he was going to watch the battle royal because he expected to win the TNA Title on Sunday because his opponent won't bring anything spiffy...

After the break, most of the battle royal entrants were already in the ring. Fortune (Chris Daniels included) made their entrance together, and then The Jarretts, Gunner, Matt Hardy, and Bully Ray came out. Mr. Anderson's entrance was shown...

[Q7] 4. Mr. Anderson won 25-man battle royal in 28:10 to become No. 1 contender to the TNA Title. Matt Morgan eliminated Douglas Williams and Magnus in the opening seconds, and then he followed up by eliminated Orlando Jordan and Anarqia. Tenay continued to drive home that it's not "Impact Wrestling on Spike TV" during the match. Eric Young did lame comedy by running the ropes outside the ring. Oh, he's so whacky! Sigh.

Jesse Neal was eliminated Hernandez, who followed up by throwing Shannon Moore onto Neal at ringside to eliminate them both. Morgan eliminated Robbie E, and Tenay hyped that Morgan had eliminated five men. Eric Young started jumping over the top rope and back inside the ring until he just eliminated himself. [C]

Powell's POV: I wish they'd do more with British Invasion, but TNA is actually making Morgan look like a dominant big man for a change. Hernandez tossing both members of Ink Inc. plays into their ongoing feud. Young continues to be the guy that cracks up the right people backstage, yet doesn't seem to be getting over with the people who matter more - the viewers.

After the break, Jarrett eliminated Kazarian with help from Bully Ray. Tenay said it looked like Kazarian hurt his knee when he landed. James Storm and Matt Hardy eliminated one another. Hardy then eliminated Roode by pulling him out of the ring when the referees were focussed on Storm.

Foley joined the announcers on commentary. Morgan eliminated Hernandez, but Scott Steiner eliminated Morgan with a shot from behind. Morgan reached in and pulled Steiner out of the ring. Meanwhile, Daniels was bounced in an elimination that wasn't focussed on.

[Q8] The match came down to Devon, The Pope, Jarrett, Bully Ray, Anderson, Angle, Styles, and Dreamer. Pope eliminated Devon, but then got cocky and was tossed by Angle from behind. [C] Foley mentioned baseball player Tony Conigliaro and how he was never the same after being hit by a pitch. He questioned whether Styles was in the same situation after the beating he took from Bully Ray. Dated analogy, but a good one.

Dreamer eliminated Styles. Bully high-fived Dreamer, but then threw him out of the ring. The final four were Ray, Jarrett, Angle, and Anderson. Ray and Anderson ended up going through the ropes rather than over the ropes, and it became a showcase for the Angle vs. Jarrett feud. Karen reached in and grabbed Kurt by the ankle, which led to Jeff eliminating Kurt.

The Jarretts bowed in the ring and played it up like Jeff won the match. Chyna entered the ring and threw Jarrett over the top rope. Chyna grabbed Karen by the throat. Jeff pulled her from the ring and the Jarretts ran backstage. Once the mixed tag teams left, Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson returned to the ring as the final two men in the match.

Anderson went for a senton, but Ray got his knees up. Anderson ended up on the ring apron. Ray took a couple of shots, but Anderson held on. Anderson pulled Ray over the top after a brief struggle to win the match and become No. 1 contender. Foley questioned whether he can rise to the level he did in a title match that he did in the battle royal.

Anderson's mic lowered from the ceiling. Anderson said he overcame the odds again and again and again, and then introduced himself as the No. 1 contender. He also snuck in a plug about the Navy Seals taking out Osama bin Laden. Anderson asked Sting over the mic whether he knows what's happens when he's locked, loaded, and ready to go. "Boom! Headshot, bitch," Anderson said before leaving the ring...

Backstage, Sting said he's happy for "Kenny." He said he's happy because wrestling matters and he's looking forward to shutting Anderson's mouth. Rob Van Dam entered the picture and said Sting sounds a little overconfident about their match. Anderson walked backstage and interrupted their argument. Anderson said he doesn't care who wins, he's going to be in rare form at Slammiversary...

Powell's POV: A good battle royal in that it wasn't just a lot of random guys punching and kicking each other. The majority of the eliminations involved wrestlers who are feuding with one another, and they made Morgan look strong by having him eliminate a lot of guys who don't have real feuds. This was laid out nicely, and Anderson came out of the match looking strong.

The post-match exchange was odd. Hell, it was odd to determine the next No. 1 contender on the go-home show for a pay-per-view rather than providing more focus to Sting vs. RVD. I wonder how many Anderson fans watched that segment and decided to wait until next month to order the pay-per-view rather than order the one on Sunday. Oddly enough, Anderson came out of the show with more momentum than anyone, and he's not even advertised for Sunday.

I'll have a lot more to say about the rebranding of Impact, Chyna's debut, Chris Harris's return, and the overall show in Dot Net Members' Audio on Friday. You can join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up for membership now via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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