By Ryan Kester

TNA "Impact Wrestling" on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Florida in the Impact Wrestling Zone

[Q1] A video package aired covering the events of Hardcore Justice, the title change, and how Angle as champion will effect Impact Wrestling. The show opened with Immortal making their way to the ring.

Abyss and Mr. Anderson were still coming out with Immortal despite their recent issues. Bully Ray took the stick and said, "We are Immortal." He then turned to Abyss and called him a major disappointment. He told him he's on thin ice with Bischoff. He then turned his attention to the BFGS fatal-four way later in the show and said he's going to win the match and get the points.

He then turned his attention to Anderson and he said he can't believe the Impact fans actually like him. Bully Ray put over how Anderson acted like a warrior in their match at Hardcore Justice and said he underestimated how tough Anderson is. He said Anderson belongs in Immortal and Immortal benefits from his presence. He said their problems were over, and then mocked Anderson for the fact that he won their match.

He said it's all about taking over TNA and him becoming the TNA Champion. Anderson started to laugh when Bully ray extended his hand. AT this point, TNA laid on the canned heat thick as it sounded like Cena was in Chicago yet no one moved.

Anderson started to attack his fellow Immortal members but they quickly got the better of him. Anderson bladed and Steiner put him in the Steiner Recliner. Security charged the ring only to get knocked out by the Immortal members. Steiner choked Anderson with Bully ray's chain as Bully Ray taunted him.

The agents ran out and tried to convince Immortal to leave, and they were eventually successful… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Well, that was certainly a short-lived tenure for Anderson in Immortal. The segment was brief and effective in getting several storylines furthered, and Bully Ray continues to prove he's the best heel TNA has. I always love when we get opening segments that set-up things for later in the show and they don't contain non-wrestlers controlling the action.

[Q2] During the break, Mr. Anderson was wheeled out on a stretcher. He wasn't going willingly.

Bischoff was in his office with Immortal and he took responsibility for having Anderson in Immortal. He said both Hogan and Angle are on their way. He told Immortal to get ready, and Abyss said they were. Bischoff then shook his head and said they needed to talk.

The Knockouts made their entrances as the announcers played footage from Hardcore Justice. I still cringe when I hear Hardcore Country.

1. Mickie James beat Madison Rayne in 2:56. Madison took her dear sweet time taking off and putting away her tiara. Mickie went for a roll-up and almost got the pin. Madison raked the eyes of James and kicked her in the head. She went to work clawing at her face.

Rayne went for a submission hold but James reversed it into another failed roll-up attempt. Mickie followed that up with a flapjack to gain control. James went to the top and hit a thez press. Mickie put on Rayne's tiara and hit her jumping DDT for the win… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I hate it when Mickie wins because that means I hear her music twice. The match was good enough; they just had no time to really accomplish anything, so it felt like a throwaway.

Kurt Angle was shown walking backstage, smiling like a goof ball.

Austin Aries joined the announce booth for the next match.

2. Brian Kendrick beat Robbie E (w/Cookie) in 2:37. Robbie E pounced on Kendrick and Cookie started screaming her little head off. She's going to be horse after this match.

[Q3] Robbie went for a rest hold very early in the match and sent Kendrick to the floor to be choked out by Cookie. Back in the ring, the two men really picked up the pace and traded offense. Cookie tried to spray hairspray in Kendrick's eyes but hit Robbie instead, and Kendrick followed with Sliced Bread to win the match.

Backstage, Devon was asking the Pope if he was ready for their match. Devon gave the Pope props for their match at Hardcore Justice but said he didn't trust the man to have his back in their match after the break.

Jeff and Karen Jarrett were shown backstage with Jeff wearing Mexican garb... [C]

Ryan's Rant: Cookie is just obnoxious. This was another short and pointless match that accomplished nothing. I hope the BFGS gets more attention and time than the first two matches of the evening.

Backstage, Cookie did her best to make my ears bleed as Robbie E and her broke up.

The announcers then ran through the matches that all of the participants in the following tag match had at Hardcore Justice.

Christopher Daniels joined the announce booth… [C]

[Q4] 3. Beer Money defeated Devon and The Pope, and AJ Styles and Rob Van Dam in 4:40 in a three-way Bound For Glory Series match. RVD and Devon started the match and the camera panned to the announce booth to focus on Daniels.

Devon got the better of RVD and tagged in Pope. RVD quickly took control and went for a roll-up attempt on Pope. Styles blind-tagged himself into the match and started to work over Pope. Pope battled back with a quick combination. James Storm tagged in and he and Styles double-teamed Pope.

Pope finally tagged out to Devon, who quickly took control. The men continued to work rapid-fire tags with Pope taking the brunt of the abuse. The match eventually broke down as everyone ran into the ring. Pope set up Roode for a double-team move, but Roode got out of the way and Devon took out Pope by accident.

Roode quickly followed with a Fisherman Suplex for the 1-2-3.

Kurt Angle was again shown walking backstage. He must walk extremely slow… [C]

Ryan's Rant: That was like a spot fest with tags, but it was entertaining. I don't think the match will do any long-term good for TNA, but it was fun for what it was. I will always be a fan of seeing someone sue the Fisherman Suplex as a finisher, so that made me happy.

Kurt Angle made his way to the ring holding a steel chair. He took a mic and thanked the fans that had been asking him "Why?" Kurt said he has the utmost respect fr everyone but when he isn't given the respect in kind, he has a problem.

[Q5] He said Sting was in the wrong place at the wrong time at Hardcore Justice. He said an individual called him who was talking to Jeff and Karen. He said all wrestlers are scumbags, and Jeff went after a married man. He said a third party was also a scumbag, and that person betrayed him. He said that person was Dixie carter. Piped heat rang out of my speakers.

Kurt said he didn't destroy Jeff because of Dixie carter after Jeff stole his woman. He said she promised him that Jeff wouldn't be back in TNA. He said she lied.

Kurt said he was brought to TNA to be the center-piece and to enhance the young talent. He said, well, guess what? He was going to tear apart the young talent one-by-one.

In an effort to make that look like a lie, Sting showed up with a bat and knocked the chair our of Angle's hands. Hogan showed up from behind and blasted Sting with a chair. Angle said his informant was Hulk Hogan. He yelled that for Dixie, payback would be a bitch.

Hogan continued to attack Sting with the chair… [C]

Ryan's Rant: This I am not a fan of going back to the Jarrett/Angle storyline. For one, I don't like seeing dirty laundry, and we've already seen so much of it. The piped heat here was insane. If you're wondering how I know it was piped heat, it's because three people that actually looked like they were booing cannot make that much noise, and the boos never stooped from the beginning of that entire segment. AT some point, real people have to breathe, or shut up to hear the important bits. That didn't happen once, and it sounded like someone hit play on a boo track and forgot to turn it off.

During the break, Hogan continued to attack Sting and Kurt gave Hogan a very creepy bro-hug from behind while having a gigantic smile across his face.

An advert aired for the BFGS and Bound For Glory aired. Mickie was shown with the Knockouts title. Oops.

The following match, according to Tenay, was booked to determine if ODB and Jackie have changed.

4. Tara and Miss Tessmacher beat Jackie and ODB in 5:14. Jackie and Miss Tessmacher started the contest. Tessmacher took the early advantage.

[Q6] Jackie tagged out and ODB ate a stink face from Miss Tessmacher. Well, at least there's an in-ring reason for her tights.

Tara and Jackie tagged back in and Tara dominated. ODB tried to interfere but Jackie yelled at her to stop. The announcers put over how the heels have to behave to get contracts. ODB tagged in and started to work over Tara. ODB did her crotch slap routine and went to the top, only to get cut off by Tara and take a superplex.

Tessmacher got the hot tag and she destroyed the heels. They regrouped, however, and double-teamed Tessmacher. They realized they might get DQed, however, so they stopped. The distraction allowed Tessmacher to roll-up Jackie for the win.

The announcers debuted the "Direct Impact of the Night" brought to us by Direct Auto Insurance, which was the superplex Tara hit on ODB… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I enjoyed that match, and I like the story of the heels having to behave to get what they want. It's different. I still wish I could get through a broadcast without a Knockouts match being all about T&A, but that's par for the course with this company. I know it appeals to some, but it just takes this viewer out of the show.

Backstage, Abyss had a pouty face as Bischoff declared the new X-Division, and their 225 lb. weight limit. He then announced a gauntlet next week to determine the new number-one contender for the X-Division championship. Aries stepped forward and told Bischoff that he would make the new division something Bischoff can be proud of. Bischoff told everyone to take a hike but wanted to talk to Aries alone.

The Jarretts made their way to the ring as the announcers took us to footage of Jarrett winning the AAA title. Jarrett told the fans to shut up and the canned heat track began to play again. Jeff talked about how he single-handedly took down a wrestling organization, won their title, and renamed it the Immortal title.

[Q7] He said his friend told him he had to learn the Mexican style and get endorsed by the Mexican people. He said he's gotten endorsed by the Mexican people, including Mexican gardeners. He introduced them, Jose and Jos-B, who came out to Sangriento's music.

Jeff continued to spew racist comments as the two guys came out wearing gardener garb. He told them they were supposed to quit drinking earlier. He asked the Mexicans to endorse him, but they couldn't seem to understand him. Instead, they freaked out over the Spanish announce table's Hector Guererro.

Jeff told them to declare him Kind of Mexico, but they instead started talking about the entire Guererro family. Jeff attacked the two kids and Hector ran down, grabbed a steel chair, and the Jarretts fled.

Ryan's Rant: This crap makes me absolutely sick. It's not funny, it's not clever, it's not edgy. It's classless, and if this wasn't my job to cover this, then this would be the last broadcast of Impact I would watch.

Eric Young showed up on my television. Not a good time, EY.

Backstage, Anderson as walking around acting concussed with his head covered in blood. He found Bully ray, who told him to relax. Anderson wrapped his hand in a chain only to get attacked from behind by Gunner. The camera then went behind a blocked window and Bull told Gunner to get him. Anderson started to scream like something terrible was happening, and I don't want to know what Gunner was doing to him.

[Q8] The wrestlers for the fatal-four way began to make their entrances… [C]

Ryan's Rant: The idea for the blocked beat down was a horrible one. I'm not sure what they were going with there, but it sounded like Gunner was having his way with Anderson, and not in the manner I'm sure they wanted it to sound.

5. Crimson defeated Gunner, Bully Ray, and Scott Steiner in 5:12 in a four-way Bound For Glory Series match. This is apparently a four-corners match. Bully ray and Crimson started, but Ray almost immediately tagged in Gunner.

Crimson tore Gunner apart. He locked in his cravat for a moment before following with knee strikes and a neckbreaker. Gunner quickly battled back, however, and tagged in ray, who immediately tagged in Steiner.

Steiner got the better of Crimson and worked him over in the corner. Crimson tried to battle back but Gunner interfered, allowing Steiner to continue the onslaught. Immortal eventually gave up on tags and double-teamed Crimson. The referee did nothing. Crimson got a quick roll-up on Gunner for the win.

Kurt Angle came out and attacked Crimson. He removed Crimson's knee brace and used it to beat Crimson with. Kurt then locked in an ankle lock with Crimson's knee wrapped in the ropes to close the show.

Ryan's Rant: The finish was so rushed it isn't even funny. TNA is high on ref bumps and roll-ups as of late. The match was completely forgettable, but the real story is Kurt attacking younger talent. Why not? TNA buries the guys as it is, so why don't they have Kurt do that on a weekly basis? Fantastic. I could see this storyline working if I thought the end result would be a slow burn with a babyface getting made by finally besting Kurt, but TNA doesn't have the patience and the discipline to make that work.

This show started really strong, but it came unglued when they let Jeff go on a racist rampage. It simply never recovered afterwards. I was being entertained by what TNA had given me, and I was happy that they were doing better after such a disastrous PPV, but they ruined that and left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I will be taking a much-needed vacation next week, but I will be back in the week that follows that. I will see you all then.

If you have any questions or comments, or just wish to talk with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester. Have a great weekend.

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