By Jason Powell

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

[Q1] The show opened with a video package that focussed on Sting and Hulk Hogan... Sting's music played and he headed to the ring for the obligatory long talking segment that seems to open every Raw and Impact. Sting wore a Hogan t-shirt and jeans. Mike Tenay and Taz checked on commentary as Sting played to the crowd.

Sting had a Bound For Glory contract with him. He called for Hulk Hogan to come out and put pen to paper. Hogan's music played and he headed to the ring. Hogan told Sting that he's not medically cleared to wrestle. Sting had footage air on the big screen that showed Hogan getting physical in recent segments. Sting said it's proof that Hogan still has it.

Hogan said it's time for Sting to stop playing games. "I've got nothing to prove, brother," Hogan said. He added that Sting has been chasing him his entire career and never quite caught him. Sting told Hogan to forget about Bound For Glory and have the match on the spot instead. Hogan begged off.

Eric Bischoff's music played. He came out and asked Sting who the hell he thinks he is. Bischoff said Hogan is the ring that Sting has a job and the industry even exists. Bischoff entered the ring and demanded that Sting look at him. "Did you say something?" Sting asked before punching out Bischoff. Sting said there will be a match between the two at Bound For Glory no matter what...

Powell's POV: I can't say the idea of Hogan vs. Sting in 2011 does much for this viewer. That aside, the segment was effective in playing up Sting's desire to get Hogan in the ring, and in Hogan being the coward. I do find it odd that Hogan will play a heel in his return match. The guy has a sympathetic story with eight back surgeries, so I expected TNA to turn him. Then again, Ric Flair entering the ring for the first time since his WrestleMania retirement match should have been a big deal too, and that was also ass backwards.

Backstage, Karen Jarrett told Miss Tessmacher that she doesn't want to see her stripping, and then told Traci Brooks to cover up her tits. Kazarian showed up and accused Karen of dressing like a madame... [C]

Powell's POV: It's so sweet that the husband of the woman who whored herself out to Eric Bischoff is now standing up for his delicate flower.

[Q2] 1. Mickie James beat Miss Tessmacher in a Queen's Qualifier in 2:45. The announcers reminded viewers that Velvet Sky won the first qualifier last week. Tessmacher used the stink face at one point, which seemed totally out of place in a babyface vs. babyface match. In the end, Mickie DDT'd Tessmacher and got the pin. They shook hands after the match...

Highlights aired from earlier in the day of Mexican America strutting in the parking lot and yelling a lot. Anarquia said something about getting a tattoo and they all climbed inside a sweet truck and drove off...

Powell's POV: Tessmacher is improving and the crowd digs her. Contrarily, Mexican America is not improving and the faction continues to annoy me and not in a "good heat" way.

Backstage, Al Snow told Jeff Hardy that everyone makes mistakes and he appreciates that Jeff is trying to make amends...

Powell's POV: How many casual viewers are asking themselves why Hardy wants Al Snow's forgiveness? Sure, they see him run out and break up brawls once in a while, but it's not like he's a regular character on the show.

[Q3] 2. Austin Aries beat Jesse Sorensen to retain the X Division Title in 4:25. Aries grabbed the football that Sorensen brings to the ring and ran around ringside until Sorensen caught him with a slide kick. The crowd popped as Sorensen went on the offensive. Kid Kash walked to ringside and ended up with the football. No!!!

Kash shoved the football into Sorensen's gut and started to walk away. Sorensen threw the ball at Kash and hit him. They bickered and Aries took advantage of the distraction by dropkicking him from behind and then pinning him...

Powell's POV: With that pass, Sorensen has just passed Donovan McNabb for the season. Anyway, the match was disappointing in that I could have done without Kash interfering. Even the presentation sucked in that this should have been positioned as just more than a random match during the show. I'm pretty sure TNA has now spent more money on Sorensen's footballs than some of the Knockouts make per match.

Backstage, Mr. Anderson and a stoned Rob Van Dam talked about their tag match against Jerry Lynn and Bully Ray. Tenay mentioned RVD vs. Lynn, and Anderson vs. Bully Ray for Bound For Glory... [C]

Mexican America were at the tattoo parlor. The regular artist had another appointment, so she had a replacement. Anarquia asked Hernandez to get down on one knee and pray with him. They did. When they opened their eyes, Ink Inc. was there and attacked him.

Neal put Hernandez through a table and asked him who his bitch is now. The brawl easily could have ended there, but it just kept going and going. They ended up putting Anarquia in a chair to give him a tattoo, which they told the camera man they couldn't see...

Backstage, Matt Morgan pulled Jeff Hardy inside a room and chewed him out for his actions at the Victory Road pay-per-view. Morgan said he'd be hypocritical if he didn't give him one chance because he's a pill addict who has been sober for over four years. Morgan told Hardy that he only gets one chance with him and he'll be the first mofo to go after him if Hardy screws up. Morgan said Hardy has a chance to tell one of the best stories in the industry and become a role model...

Powell's POV: Wow, strong words from Morgan, who even the exact length of time he's been clean down to the day. These Hardy talks are bringing out the best in the guys chewing him out, and this was no exception. Very well done.

[Q4] [C] Backstage, Rob Van Dam was found lying in heap on the floor with a chair on his face. Someone called out for a trainer to help him...

Powell's POV: Please tell me we're going to get Hardy asking a super stoned RVD for his forgiveness.

Hardy spoke with Kurt Angle, who chewed him out and said he should grab his bags and leave. Hardy asked Kurt who he is to judge him. Angle said he's a 14-time champion and an Olympic medalist. Hardy said Angle doesn't want him there because he's the biggest threat to the title. Angle denied it...

Powell's POV: Forget RVD, Hardy seeking Angle's approval was even more funny for all the wrong reasons.

Angle came to the ring in street clothes for a promo and invited Bobby Roode out to talk with him. Roode made his entrance and the show cut to commercial... [C] Angle praised Roode for beating Kazarian last week, and said tonight will be different when he faces Christopher Daniels. He said Daniels may or may not play by the rules.

[Q5] Roode told Angle that nothing and nobody is going to prevent him from leaving Bound For Glory with the TNA Title. Angle said he knows a man who stands in Roode's way who might be the best friend he has in the business. James Storm's music played and he headed to the ring.

Storm assumed that Roode was thinking that Immortal had bought him out because he came out on Angle's cue. Storm said Roode knows him and he makes his own rules. He said he's not there to get into it with Roode. He said he was there for Angle, who wasn't happy with this development.

Roode said that since Angle has all the stroke, he can get on his knees and stroke his beer bottle. Funny. Storm challenged Angle to a match tonight. Angle said Storm was out of his mind if he thinks he's going to show him up. Storm said Angle always likes a challenge so he should go to the back and get his gear on... [C]

Powell's POV: A good segment. Roode and especially Storm shined here. It was a nice change from the usual bit with someone not so unexpectedly joining Immortal, and the fact that Storm shot down that scenario right out of the gate was a nice touch. Angle was strong when he was acting cocky about Storm getting in Roode's way, but the rest of his talk is very repetitive. Gold medals, 14-time champion, etc. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the segment and they continue to do a good job of building up Roode heading into a title shot, and Storm isn't just falling by the wayside.

3. Bully Ray and Jerry Lynn beat Mr. Anderson in a handicap match in 6:05. Tenay said RVD was not medically cleared to work the match as Anderson's partner. TNA is airing Twitter questions and comments at the bottom of the screen at various times during the show. Anderson got off to a good start, but illegal man Bully Ray tripped him when he went to the top rope.

[Q6] Anderson had plenty of offense, but the numbers game got to him whenever he would go for a pin. In the end, Ray pulled out a chain and hit Anderson with it while the ref was distracted by Lynn. Ray got the pin... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm not a fan of handicap matches, but this was logical from the standpoint that there was a reason Anderson flew solo, and he looked good in defeat. They need to do more with Lynn before Bound For Glory. Hell, they need to do more with RVD before BFG. I have no doubt they'll have a good and perhaps even a great match, but RVD's stock is way down and Lynn hasn't been properly reestablished to the TNA viewers.

Backstage, James Storm said he is happy for Bobby Roode winning the BFG Series. He said that just because he didn't win it doesn't mean he's not going to stir up trouble. He said Kurt Angle is the big fish. "Get out of my pond, boy"...

Powell's POV: I still say Storm has more charisma and his act is much more fan friendly than Roode. I'm cool with Roode going to BFG, but I think Storm has more long term upside as a babyface.

Christopher Daniels came to the ring and said he would not be wrestling Bobby Roode. He said it's not because they're both members of Fortune. He said it would be a great match, a ratings draw, and a show stealer. However, he said he has nothing left to prove because he beat A.J. Styles.

Styles came to the ring and they bickered. Daniels said he proved to the world that he's the better man. Styles told Daniels to keep living inside the wrestling bubble. Styles said that if he keeps bringing up his name, they might have another match. Daniels recalled them saying that it was going to be their last match.

Styles slapped the mic away and told him no more. As Styles was walking away, Daniels said, "Wow, A.J., I didn't know you were a sore loser and a bitch." Styles turned around and went after Daniels. TNA security ran out and pulled them apart. As always, security fell for the "it's okay, I'm fine" bit, and Styles charged at Daniels one more time...

Powell's POV: This is the best role that Daniels has played in TNA. He's not an extra wheel in Fortune, he's not playing the Fallen Angel character that's never been properly defined. He's simply a cocky heel who is gloating over the fact that he beat his longtime friend and is now ducking competition. I love it.

[Q7] [C] The brawl was still going after the break. Security was nowhere to be found. Kazarian ran out and tried to play peacemaker. Just when it appeared Kazarian had succeeded, Daniels kicked Styles right in the store. Daniels left the ring as Kazarian tended to Styles (just Styles, not his balls)...

Backstage, Angle and Scott Steiner cut a promo. Angle said he's been training his ass off and said Steiner is his trainer. Steiner said said Angle is the greatest of all-time. Steiner said Angle is going to kick Storm's ass... Tenay hyped Storm vs. Angle for after the break... [C]

Backstage, Kazarian scolded Daniels for kicking Styles in the balls. Daniels was still worked up and said he's tired of being A.J.'s shadow... In another part of the backstage area, Styles was holding his balls (yes, I enjoy writing balls) and said Daniels showed his true colors. Kazarian told Styles to be the bigger man. He said Fortune is imploding...

Powell's POV: Someone should really tell Kazarian to spend more time worrying about the fact that his wife put out for Bischoff's character three times. Bro's before ho's, I guess.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan told Eric Bischoff that he's going to drop a bombshell next week that will change this business forever...

Powell's POV: Let's see, WWE has The Muppets, so I'm guessing TNA has Lamb Chop. Yep, I'm recycling my own jokes from Twitter. Deal with it.

[Q8] Introductions for the main event took place with Jeremy Borash delivering them in mid-ring for the main event...

4. Kurt Angle fought James Storm to an apparent no-contest a non-title match in 12:30. A good crowd reaction for both men. Storm received a good babyface reaction, and Angle drew the usual boos. Angle took a big back body drop over the top rope and to the ringside floor. Later, Angle locked in the ankle lock at 6:45. Storm teased tapping out, but then flipped over and rolled up Angle in the process for a near fall.

Storm went on an offensive flurry, but Angle caught his foot when he went for the superkick finisher. Angle followed up with three German Suplexes for a near fall of his own. At 9:20, Storm hit a top rope elbow drop for a good near fall. They traded punches and then Storm went for the Eye of the Storm, but Angle slipped out.

Gunner ran out and distracted Storm, who took the Angle Slam. Kurt went for a cover, but Storm kicked out for a nice pop. Storm went for the superkick, but Angle move and the ref took it. Storm superkicked Angle and went for a cover, but the ref was out. A second ref ran out and started to count, but Gunner pulled the second ref out.

Gunner entered the ring and hit Storm with the title belt. Bobby Roode ran out and quickly cleared Gunner from the ring. The fans chanted "Bobby." Roode picked up the TNA Title belt and looked at it. Angle recovered and glared at Roode, who held the belt up. The Beer Money theme played.

Powell's POV: A good television main event despite the odd non-finish. If nothing else, Storm looked like a true contender rather than just Roode's sidekick, and they definitely got Roode vs. Angle over as the big match in the company at the end of the show. I just wish they would have given us an actual finish of some kind rather than the typical main event crap finish. I assume we're getting Storm vs. Gunner either on Impact or at BFG.

Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of the show as it forwarded several key BFG storylines. Some were dragged out a little longer than they needed to be (Styles and Daniels, Ink Inc. vs. Mexican America brawl), but most of the show entertained me. Much like WWE gets more serious as the build to WrestleMania begins, TNA is doing the same for Bound For Glory. It's nice to see less nonsense and a more serious approach to most of the current programs. Thanks for watching along with me tonight. Check back on Friday for Will Pruett's "All Access" audio review of Impact Wrestling.

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