TNA Impact on Spike
TV Taped in Orlando, Fla.


[Q1] A video recap of last week’s Impact aired... This week’s title is "Main Event Mess..."

In Jeff Jarrett’s office, the Founder of TNA, Mick Foley and Jim Cornette spoke. Cornette discussed the Empty arena match being a liability to TNA and how it shouldn’t happened. Jarrett disagreed. When asked about his opinion Foley said, "Remember the half time of the Super Bowl?" Jarrett commented that there was no alternative. Jim Cornette kicked Borash out of the office…

Talon’s Take: I love Jim Cornette, but he is being wasted. I am excited for the empty arena match tonight. It’s something different.

The Impact intro aired…

Kurt Angle headed to the ring. He told Cornette to let Jarrett make the right decision. He said everyone got what they wanted, the implosion of the Main Event Mafia. He asked TNA to clear the arena so Jarrett can take advantage of this opportunity…

Talon’s Take: Quick and to the point. Good build for tonight’s main event.

Lauren was in the back with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Sabin cut a very sarcastic interview about the Frontline. In the midst of the interview they were jumped by Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed…[C]

[Q2]1. The Motor City Machine Guns defeated Lethal Consequences in a Street Fight in 6:00. We joined the match in progress from commercial break with the Machine Guns in control. Shelley held a chair to Jay Lethal’s face as Chris Sabin dropkicked it into it. Lethal Consequences fought back as Creed bulldogged Shelley into a chair. Lethal broke up the Cradle Shock then gave Sabin the Lethal Combo into a chair but it was broken up by Shelley. Shelley went to hit Creed with the X Title but missed and hit Sabin. In the end Alex Shelley pinned Consequences Creed to win the match after Sabin hit him with the championship belt...

Talon’s Take: Good match that could have been given more time. The problem is that even though TNA delivers these cool, high impact moves they move onto something else way too quickly for the fans to really react. Slow things down, TNA!

Back in Jeff Jarrett’s office, Jeremy Borash met with Jim Cornette who said TNA met all of Kurt Angle’s demands. The Empty Arena match will happen and the only ones in the arena will be Angle, Sting, the cameramen and the ring announcers...[C]

Talon’s Take: I like Jim Cornette showing disagreement over the Empty Arena match. When non-wrestling issues like legal liability come into play, things feel more realistic.

In the Main Event Mafia’s Locker Room, the members of the Mafia were arguing. Kurt Angle called out Booker T but Booker left. Booker freaked out when he left. As Booker walked through the hallway outside the Locker Room he was attacked by AJ Styles still holding the Legends Championship...

Talon’s Take: The Mafia was down the hallway, yet they couldn’t get there in time to help Booker?

[Q3]Beer Money Inc made their way to the ring. Roode said while other people enjoyed the show, they found it to be boring. Robert Roode ran down how they were the greatest team and how they knocked down every team put in front of them. Roode said they came up with a concept called "The off the wagon challenge." The rules are explained that they would defend the tag team titles anyplace, anytime. However if they defeat their opponents, the one who got pinned would have to leave TNA for good. Storm said the challenge would start tonight…

Talon’s Take: Good promo except for the "boring show" part. Beer Money are one of the highlights for TNA week in and week out. "Whoever" loses to Beer Money is fired. This will get major heat on Storm and Roode.

Lauren was in the back Roxxi, Taylor Wilde and The Governor. "Palin" was in Alaska-mode, accent and all. She said she was going to keep up with the games on the Beautiful People. Taylor said that since there is a "no man on woman violence" rule with TNA, Cute Kip is ineffective and that means it’s three on two tonight…[C]

Talon’s Take: At least TNA explained why Governor was still dressed as Palin. I think its stupid and many agree with me, but TNA Creative is intent on giving the character to us.

Back from commercials we went to another Abyss therapy session. Abyss said he doesn’t know why but pain gives him pleasure. Dr. Stevie was writing things down and smoking a pipe.

[Q4]2. LAX and Shane Sewell defeated Sheik Abdul Bashir, Matt Morgan and Brutus Magnus in 4:00. Mike Tenay noted that while Matt Morgan was from American Gladiators, Magnus was from UK Gladiators. Bashir tried to hit Sewell with a chair outside but Earl Hebner pulled Sewell out of the way. Shane Sewell pinned Sheik Abdul Bashir following the Border Toss and the top rope elbow drop for the win...[C]

Talon’s Take: It looked like Shane fell off the top rope. If that’s his finisher, he needs to make it look good. This match had LAX, Sewell, Magnus and Morgan; all guys who are in the process of being pushed and what could be the stars of tomorrow for TNA.

In another episode of Hardcore History 101, Foley talked about dropping an elbow on Sting...

Talon’s Take: A waste of time and a waste of Mick Foley.

Jim Cornette announced that two guys who haven’t teamed in a while have accepted the Off the Wagon Challenge for tonight...

Lauren interviewed Scott Steiner, who was working out. Steiner hit on Lauren telling her to take her clothes off and work out with him. All of a sudden someone was seen pushing down on the barbell, revealed as Samoa Joe. Joe said something about the Nation of Violence and said Joe was going to kill him...[C]

Talon’s Take: Cool little segment that made Joe look dangerous. If Joe was going to kill him, why didn’t he just do it there. Joe talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk!

Lauren interviewed Sojourner Bolt. She asked how it was sitting with the Kongtourage. Sojo said whether they like it or not, she earned her shot at the belt. Raisha Saeed interrupted asking why she didn’t listen. Saeed said there would be big problems…

A Cross the Line vignette aired…

Talon’s Take: The Cross the Line vignettes need to air on other channels not during TNA programming. They are intriguing and if I was a wrestling fan I was see what was up.

[Q5]3. Taylor Wilde defeated Angelina Love in 4:00. Wilde was accompanied by Roxxi and The Governor while Angelina was accompanied by Cute Kip and Velvet Sky. Rudy Charles ejected Cute Kip to enforce the no man on woman violence rule. Angelina had the win but the ref was distracted on Velvet. Palin tripped Angelina leading to Taylor getting the win...

A video aired hyping the "Night with ODB" which included farm animals...[C]

Talon’s Take: Ughhhh! Hopefully this leads somewhere like the debut of Cody Deaner.

In the back JB caught up with Sting coming down from the rafters. Sting said Kurt Angle would get what he wants. Sting said that Angle was jealous over what he has. Sting said he is at his best when it’s show time!...

Another Rough Cut aired talking about Ultimate X. Sabin and Homicide said the Ultimate X favors the X Division guys. It was talked about that the lighter guys have the bigger advantage. AJ Styles said the Ultimate X defines the X Division because it’s extreme…

Talon’s Take: Another good video on Ultimate X.

[Q6]4. Beer Money Inc defeated Eric Young and Petey Williams in an "Off the Wagon Challenge" in 11:00. Petey and Eric came to the ring with Team Canada’s music and ring jackets. We went to break with Beer Money in control. [C]

James Storm is working on Eric Young as we return. Storm went for the Eye of the Storm but Young escape and hit a big Enziguri. Robert Roode went for the Payoff but Eric Young cut him off and helped Petey connect with a nice Tornado DDT for a two count. Jacqueline tried to interfere but Petey moved. Petey went for the Canadian Destroyer on Jackie but Storm connected with the Last Call. Petey Williams was pinned and therefore is gone from TNA. Petey began to cry after the match as the crowd chanted his name...

Talon’s Take: What an emotional match! From the reunion of Team Canada to the ending to the reaction after the match. Thank you, Petey. My only gripe is that it should have been given more time during the match and more time after the match.

[Q7] Lauren was with Rhino and Team 3D. Rhino said he doesn’t always agree with Kurt Angle and Sting but they don’t agree with the Empty Arena Match as its to dangerous. Brother Ray tried to crack a joke about tearing a muscle exercising but Rhino brought it back to reality. Ray asked Rhino why he cares? Ray said he hopes they cripple each other tonight. Ray said Angle and Sting are nothing but poison for TNA. Ray offered to go to a bar but Rhino said he doesn’t drink. Devon said he had a girl for Rhino who asked if she was fat...[C]

Talon’s Take: While I laughed during the segment, I didn’t think it was appropriate nor effective to put it directly behind the Beer Money vs. Team Canada Match.

The fans then were escorted out of the arena in preparation for the Main Event...[C]

During the break TNA escorted everyone from the arena. Lauren was with the rowdy crowd outside...

Following a good video about the Empty Arena Match, JB was in the crowd to get predictions about Kurt Angle vs. Sting.

5. Sting vs. Kurt Angle went to a no contest in an "Empty Arena Match" in 10:00. The pyro for Kurt Angle erupted as he came to the ring to his music. It went to break before Sting made his entrance. [C]

Talon’s Take: So we know there are production people in the arena as well since both Kurt Angle and Sting got music and pyro.

[Q8] Returning we got a few shots of the Mafia in their locker room watching on. Sting took the fight straight to him right away. Sting threw Angle over a guardrail up in the cheaper seats. Sting had Angle cornered and Angle was begging off. Angle then cussed at Sting who went to hit him with a chair but was cut off by Kevin Nash. Nash and Scott Steiner broke the two up. Nash told then to make it right. Sting offered Angle a handshake which Angle accepted then spat in the face of the icon. We went to commercials as both began to brawl again. [C]

Talon’s Take: How dramatic! Why so serious Nash? I prefer more fighting and a little less drama. This match feels like the Kurt Angle vs. Brother Ray match from a few months ago.

Returning from break we got highlights from what just happened...

Elsewhere Lauren interviewed Sting who was pumped up. Sting said he would fight Kurt Angle anytime, anywhere!...

JB interviewed Angle in the Mafia locker room. Angle said he wanted Sting’s title. Kevin Nash said Kurt caused this. Angle addressed Jarrett and the cameraman saying he wanted Sting at Destination X. The show came to a close with Angle saying, "Make it happen…"

Final Thoughts: Very dramatic way to end Impact. The Sting vs. Angle feud feels huge. I am actually excited to see these two face off at Destination X. This was a pretty good episode of Impact. I am still sad about Petey Williams, though.

Tell me what you thought by emailing me at Talon_DR@yahoo.com

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