TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] Highlights aired from the Destination X pay-per-view with James Earl Jones wannabe guy narrating... The show is entitled "Sting...Whose side is he on?"... The opening montage aired...

Powell's POV: Wow, they really put some thought into that title.

Mike Tenay introduced the show and said they would have all the fallout from the Destination X pay-per-view... Fireworks went off above the ring and on the stage... Kurt Angle walked to the ring with the Main Event Mafia security behind him. Scott Steiner came out wearing a mask, and the rest of the Mafia, including Sting, also came to the ring.

Tenay explained that Steiner was wearing a mask because of Samoa Joe's attack at the pay-per-view. Don West chimed in and said there was no telling what Joe did to Steiner at the pay-per-view. Angle took the mic and said everything he predicted came true. Angle said he told the other Mafia members that Sting would show his true colors and reveal which side he was on at the pay-per-view.

"And there you stood, Sting, in the middle of the ring with Mick Foley raising your hand just seconds after Jeff Jarrett screwed me," Angle said. "Without a doubt, it was the biggest screwjob since Montreal." Ugh. Angle gave Sting ten seconds to explain himself and threatened a Mafia attack.

Sting took the mic and said Angle has accused him of being disloyal for the last time. "I have been true to the Main Event Mafia since day one," Sting said. "It's you personally that I have a problem with, Kurt. I owe you nothing. Let me say that again. I owe you nothing, Kurt." Sting said he hasn't changed and he's all in.

Kevin Nash stood between Sting and Angle. Nash said he agrees that Sting owes Kurt nothing. However, he said Sting owes the rest of the Mafia something. He said Sting has something to prove to them after they watch Foley raise his hand at each of the last two pay-per-views. Sting got upset and asked what he has to do to prove himself.

Angle took the mic and said he wants Sting to be his partner in a match against Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley. Before Sting could answer, Jeff Jarrett's music played and he headed to the ring. "I told you once, Kurt, and I'm not going to tell you again, you don't have the authority to tell anybody to do anything," Jarrett said.

Jeff said Kurt might be the best wrestler he's ever seen, but he's still a wrestler. He said nobody had the authority to book matches other than TNA management. Angle assumed Jarrett meant that he and Foley had the right to book matches, then accused him of avoiding the tag match to protect Sting. Angle accused Sting of being a liar. Sting said he would love the opportunity to be in the ring with Angle, Jarrett, and Foley. He said Foley is on the inactive list and his wrestled his last match.

Foley's music played and he walked to the ring with a mic in his hand. Foley said he doesn't recall saying he's had his last match in TNA and he took offense at Sting claiming he was retired. Foley said that deep down in his heart he remains a wrestler. "And every once in a while, wrestlers wrestle," Foley said. "So I guess what I'm trying to say is that as far as tonight, I'm all in."

[Q2] Jarrett cut him off and reminded him that this isn't the reason Foley came to TNA. "Mick, this is not what you want," Jarrett said. Angle stepped in and questioned whether it's what Jarrett wants. Jeff said there's a locker room full of wrestlers who would like to kick Angle's ass. Angle said he doesn't want to face the other wrestlers, he wants Jarrett. "For once in your life, Jeff, man up," Angle said. Jarrett accepted the match. "One way or another this thing ends tonight," Jarrett said... [C]

Powell's POV: Very good opening segment with good mic work from everyone involved. Excellent setup for the main event and they're already teasing tension between Foley and Sting, which will eventually set up their match at the pay-per-view.

A video recapped the opening segment. The announcers hyped the match at ringside, then introduced a brief Suicide video...

1. No Limit (w/Kiyoshi) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns in a non-title match in 4:50. The announcers hyped that the Guns are the new IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions and they wore the belts to the ring. Tenay said the Guns beat No Limit for the tag titles and fans would get to see the match on the upcoming Global Impact special. Good rapid fire moves from the Japanese team early on. In the end, Sabin went for a huracanrana off the top, but one of his opponents rolled through and scored the pin.

Powell's POV: Good action, poor presentation. Tenay said the names of the No Limit wrestlers, but they never bothered to post a graphic that said their names. As such, they come across like two random Japanese wrestlers, which is too bad because they can definitely go. Fun match. Oh, the IWGP Jr. Tag Title belts look minor league.

[Q3] After the match, Beer Money ran out and attacked both teams. They took the mic and called out Team 3D, who obliged them by coming out with the IWGP Tag Titles. The two teams stood face to face in the ring. Roode said they respect everything Team 3D has done throughout their careers.

Roode said they feel that Team 3D is the best there's ever been. Roode said people look at Beer Money like a joke. Therefore, they're going to put the tag titles on the line against him inside the cage at Lockdown in Philly. Roode said that beating Team 3D in Philly would get them the respect that they deserve.

Brother Ray took the mic and thanked them for calling them the best tag team in the world. He said he wants to do it the right way at Lockdown. "We'll see your TNA Tag Team Titles and we'll raise you the New Japan IWGP Tag Team Titles," Ray said. Ray reminded them that Philly is home for them.

Powell's POV: Three sets of tag title belts in one segment? Nah, that won't confuse anyone. The unification match might mean something if TNA had done something to make the IWGP Tag Titles mean something. Sure, Team 3D carries them around, but it's not like they defend them on TNA television.

Backstage, Jeremy Borash stood in front of Foley's desk and pimped the text service by saying he would reveal to subscribers who the "notorious celebrity" is who wants to be part of the Lockdown pay-per-view. Jarrett entered the room and bitched about Foley getting him in the match.

Foley said he didn't get involved in TNA to attend board meetings, he got involved because he loves wrestling. He said he wants a little taste of the pie and then he'll return to being the executive investor. Foley noted that everyone in the tag match is a former World Champion and said it was good business... [C]

Powell's POV: Good promo by Foley. Jarrett is coming off a little whiney this week. By the way, West hasn't shown any heel tendencies so far.

[Q4] The announcers recapped the ODB contest, and then a shot aired of winner Cody Deaner sitting in the crowd...

2. ODB and Taylor Wilde beat Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed in 3:45. The cameras showed Deaner cheering on ODB from the crowd. Late in the match, ODB took out Saeed. Meanwhile, Kong pressed Wilde over her head, but Taylor slipped out and rolled up Kong for the pin.

Afterward, Kong hit the Implant Buster on Wilde and then set up ODB for the move, but Cody Deaner ran in. Deaner stood over ODB and turned his hat around to show Kong he meant business. Kong left the ring...

The announcers hyped the tag main event... A shot aired of Samoa Joe walking backstage. Tenay said Sheik Abdul Bashir should beware... [C]

Powell's POV: I think they've gone Pamela Ewing on the bit because it seems like they're pretending that West never turned heel. Well, either that or he's doing a lousy job of being a heel.

Backstage, Borash interviewed Angle while the Mafia security guards stood behind him. Borash ran through all the things that Angle did to Jarrett, Foley, and Sting at the pay-per-view on Sunday. Borash added up the list and ran it by Jarrett, then asked if that had something to do with Angle losing on Sunday. Angle denied it...

Powell's POV: This was very funny. As Borash was recapping the list, Angle reminded him that he kicked Foley in the balls. Borash and Angle have great chemistry.

[Q5] 3. Sheik Abdul Bashir defeated Samoa Joe by DQ in 0:20. Joe came out wearing long pants and the wannabe Umaga makeup. He attacked Bashir and cleared him from the ring. The referee got in Joe's face, so Joe punched him in the face. Joe headed to ringside and continued his assault on Bashir. Joe dragged Bashir through the curtain, just as he did with Scott Steiner at the pay-per-view...

Powell's POV: I'm not crazy about Joe's new gimmick, but I don't mind him having short television matches. The 90-second pay-per-view match bothered me because you know there were people who ordered that show specifically to see Joe's return.

Backstage, Lauren interviewed Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne. She asked where Cute Kip was. They said he was sent assignment and should never be mentioned again. Lauren tried to ask Madison a question, but she wasn't allowed to speak because she's going through some type of initiation process. Love and Sky told Rayne they want to leave the mark of the Beautiful People on The Governor. They said this week it was The Governor and next week it would be "The Beast." Lauren assumed that meant Kong, but they said they never mentioned her name...

Powell's POV: The initiation process could be fun, but it makes Rayne seem like a babyface after she just turned heel.

A video recapped A.J. Styles capturing the TNA Legends Title at the pay-per-view... Jim Cornette introduced Styles as the new champion. Cornette explained that the title started as a vanity belt for Booker, but he signed it over on Impact when he thought he was signing a contract to face Styles. A.J. said it was a small step for him, but a "giant leap for the Originals."

Styles said they've had the support of Rhino and Team 3D, but the Originals have to come out and do it themselves. He said the belt wouldn't represent the Mafia or money, he said it would represent hope, faith, respect, and TNA. He said he's a fighting champion and would defend against deserving challengers.

West said Booker should have had a chance to lose the belt on his terms. "Who signed the contract?" Tenay asked. West said Booker signed it, but Cornette tricked him. Booker came out with Sharmell and went into Hollywood audition mode. Sharmell said A.J. stole the belt from Booker. She said he would get the belt back on his own time, and then they left the ring...

Powell's POV: At least they're trying to establish the toy belt as a real title. And I guess that was West trying to establish himself as a heel, but the problem was that he was telling the truth about Cornette pulling a fast one on Booker. Therefore, Tenay came across like a heel for acting like there was nothing wrong with what Cornette did. By the way, for those of you reading this live, I'm caught up!

[Q6] [C] 4. The Governor defeated Madison Rayne (w/Angelina Love, Velvet Sky) in 2:40. Tenay and West spent the match bickering. Love and Sky interfered repeatedly and West defended them. The Governor rolled up Rayne and scored the pin. After the match, Love and Sky attacked The Gov and held her while Rayne cut off a bunch of her hair...

Powell's POV: There were two guys in the front row with Cute Kip signs. They must be heartbroken. The Governor gimmick has to go. The joke came and went and wasn't even funny. Here's hoping the haircut leads to her being repackaged.

A Lockdown pay-per-view video aired with Smashing Pumpkins' "Rat in a Cage" playing in the background...

Powell's POV: Great music.

Backstage, Samoa Joe had Bashir hanging upside down. He put his big f'n Rambo knife to his throat and told him that nobody wants him here. He said he should go back to where he came from and tell them about the Nation of Violence. Bashir pleaded for mercy. Joe put the knife in Bashir's mouth and made him hold it with his teeth. Joe beat Bashir with a kendo stick while he screamed in agony and apologized...

Powell's POV: Well, that was f'n disturbing.

[Q7] [C] A Rough Cuts segment focussed on Devon of Team 3D. He said he borrowed the money for training school from his grandfather, and said he lived 10 minutes away from Brother Ray without knowing it. He discussed the team and said their goal is to be the greatest tag team in the history of the business...

Powell's POV: Nice video. Devon was easy going and likable in this format.

West hyped upcoming house show events and noted that Mick Foley would be at the Lockdown Fan Interaction event... A video recapped the Sting and Angle feud, and the roles that Jarrett and Foley have played... A shot aired of Survivor winner (and new TNA celeb) Jenna Morasca sitting in the live crowd...

Ring introductions for the main event took place. Tenay noted that this was Jarrett's first Impact match in over two years. Tenay asked viewers if they were ready for the dream match that would be coming up after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: The announcers have done a nice job of repeatedly hyping this as a dream match and a big event.

5. Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley defeated Kurt Angle and Sting in 10:25. Tenay announced that there will be a 20-man gauntlet match held on next week's show to determine the two captains for the Lethal Lockdown match. Jarrett started the match and performed the Fargo Strut to very little fan reaction. He came back with a dropkick and the crowd cheered.

[Q8] Foley tagged into the match, much to the delight of the live crowd. Foley and Angle fought to the floor, where Main Event Mafia attacked Foley. Team 3D came out and fought them off, but Angle hit Foley from behind with a chair and then hit the Angle Slam on the concrete. West did a great job of putting it over by yelling about how Angle dropped Foley "right on the freaking concrete." [C]

After the break, Angle worked over the injured Foley in the ring. He had Foley covered and beaten, but he pulled him up. Sting entered the ring and told Kurt to knock it off. He said it was about getting the 1-2-3. Sting left the ring and took his place in the corner, but Angle ran over and shoved Sting off the ring apron and into the guardrail.

Jarrett entered the match and went at Kurt, but he ended up bumping the referee. Angle grabbed a chair from ringside and wound up to hit Jarrett with it, but Jarrett kicked Angle. Jarrett grabbed his guitar and wound up to hit Angle with it, but Sting entered the ring and took the guitar way from Jarrett.

Foley entered the ring with a chair and ran off Angle. Suddenly, Foley turned around and blasted Sting with the chair. Foley covered Sting as Jarrett motioned to the referee to make the count. After the match, Foley smiled as Jarrett looked surprised. Jarrett eventually raised Foley's arm and they celebrated as the show cut to commercial. [C]

After the break, Sting said that if Foley wants back in the game he only needed to ask. He said he doesn't know what inspired Foley, but now he's inspired. He said Foley has hit him two chairs, so he was calling him out. Sting recalled Foley saying that his career was made by Sting, and now he said he was going to end Foley's career. Sting challenged Foley a match at the Lockdown pay-per-view. Angle laughed at ringside.

Backstage, Borash asked Foley about Sting's challenge while Jarrett griped in the background. Foley said he doesn't know what happened or if he would do it all over again if he had to. Foley said his inspiration was Sting. Foley said he heard Sting tell Angle to pin Sting during the match and it upset him. "Who the hell are you to say when I've had enough?" Foley said. He added that he'll tear Sting apart at Lockdown...

Powell's POV: Good angle to close the show and great intensity from Foley. This was a strong episode of Impact. Much better than the two previous weeks. They did a good job of setting up the main event and then delivered a memorable angle at the end. They should have done more to hype next week's gauntlet match, though. I'll have more to say about the show in Friday's TNA Impact Hitlist.

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