TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] James Earl Jones guy narrated a video that hyped the Lethal Lockdown match. He also teased that Jeff Jarrett will reveal the fourth member of his team, and hyped the Mick Foley vs. Sting match... This episode is called, "Jeff Jarrett's Dilemma"... The opening montage aired...

Mike Tenay introduced the show from ringside and hyped that Jarrett's mystery teammate would face Kevin Nash later in the show...

A.J. Styles came to the ring for a promo. He said there are rumors backstage that he can't get out of his head. He said he's not accusing Jeff Jarrett of anything, but he wants to make sure they're on the same page at Lockdown. Jarrett's music played and he came to the ring with a guitar in hand.

Styles said he knows Jarrett is under a lot of pressure and said he doesn't envy the position he's in. Styles said he has to know that when the roof on the cage drops down if Jarrett will be on his side. Jeff said he was insulted that Styles would even ask that question. Jarrett recalled trying to name Styles team captain before A.J. gave it to him. Jarrett started to ask if he would have done that if he intended to turn on him.

Styles said he never used the word turn. Jarrett said he implied it and therefore was offended. Jarrett said he brought Styles to TNA and gave him every opportunity to succeed in the business. "Damn, you got a lot of balls," Jarrett said. Styles tried to apologize, but Jarrett didn't want it. Jarrett said Styles would find out what type of leader he later in the show when the fourth member is revealed. "Oh, and by the way, A.J., he's a former TNA Champion," Jarrett said.

Jarrett was about to leave the ring when the Main Event Mafia's music stopped him in his tracks. Kurt Angle, Mafia Security, Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Kevin Nash walked to the ring. Don West checked in and said the Mafia are united, whereas Jarrett's team is squabbling.

Angle said the doctor would not clear Nash to wrestle until Sunday's pay-per-view because of his elbow. Angle politely requested to take Nash's place in the main event. Styles interrupted and said his team should automatically win if Nash can't wrestle. Angle questioned whether Styles or Jarrett was in charge of the show. Jarrett intervened and said he would allow Angle to replace Nash in the main event. Styles didn't look happy. West said Jarrett folded under pressure... [C]

Powell's POV: Good opening segment with the Mafia once again getting in Jarrett's head by asking him whether he's actually in charge. Plus, Jarrett's kindness regarding the main event situation combined with A.J.'s reactions leaves the door open for a Jarrett turn. I doubt it will happen, but they tease has been effective. By the way, TNA Mobile sent a text message to their subscribers tonight that notes they have signed the former World Champion from another organization and that his identity will be revealed at Lockdown.

A video package hyped Suicide and his Lockdown title match...

[Q2] Backstage, Lauren interviewed Sheik Abdul Bashir, who was accompanied by No Limit and Kiyoshi. Bashir started yelling about the usual stuff...

Powell's POV: I've always been a fan of Shawn Daivari's work, but the Bashir character is just too cartoonish and his new alliance with the Japanese wrestlers feels like a real reach.

1. Homicide defeated Chris Sabin (w/Alex Shelley) and Naito (w/Bashir, Yujiro, Kiyoshi) in a three-way in 4:55. The announcers noted that LAX still hold the briefcases they won that gives Hernandez a TNA Title match, and Homicide an X Division Title match. Early in the match, Homicide hit a suicide dive onto No Limit at ringside only to land on his feet and have his momentum carry him into the wall.

The announcers spent part of the match hyping Danny Bonaduce vs. Eric Young for the free preview that will air before Lockdown. Late in the match, Sabin set up Naito for a move off the top, but Homicide pushed Sabin to the floor. Homicide hit his finisher off the top on Naito and scored the pin...

A shot aired of Balls Mahoney and Brother Runt (a/k/a Spike Dudley) arriving backstage. The announcers questioned what they were doing inside the Impact Zone... [C]

Powell's POV: Good action. The Japanese trio mean nothing in TNA at this point, which is a shame. Nice surprise with Balls and Runt.

Backstage, Abyss was talking to Jim Cornette about Dr. Stevie when ODB and Cody Deaner barged into the room. ODB complained that she had to wrestle in a cage match on Sunday and hadn't wrestled on Impact lately. Cornette said Abyss should find a female partner and ODB should find a male partner and they could have a mixed tag match...

[Q3] Mike Tenay conducted a sitdown interview with Jeff Jarrett, who said it was a dream to get Mick Foley to join TNA. Tenay noted that one of the matches on the Jarrett DVD was Jeff vs. Cactus Jack. Jarrett said he doesn't know whether Foley or Jack is going to show up. "And that's a real problem," Jarrett said.

Tenay asked for an update on Jarrett's relationship with Scott Steiner. Jeff said he goes back over 20 years with Steiner. Jeff said Scott was always his late wife Jill's favorite. Jeff said the business caused problems with their friendship. Jeff said he's done a lot of soul searching over the last few weeks. He said he's decided that he has to take care of himself because he has three girls at home who depend on him... [C]

Powell's POV: Good interview that forwarded more than one storyline and provided subtle hype for Jeff's DVD.

Backstage, Borash interviewed Angle and Steiner while Kevin Nash flirted with Jenna Morasca in the background. Angle guaranteed that he would win his match and help his team gain the advantage in the Lethal Lockdown match no matter who the mystery man turned out to be...

A video recapped the Beautiful People's recent haircutting exploits...

2. Awesome Kong, Raisha Saeed, and Taylor Wilde defeated Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne in 1:00. Kong's team met the Beautiful People in the entrance area and brawled with them to start the match. Once in the ring, the match didn't last long, as Kong hit the Implant Buster on Love and pinned her.

After the match, Kong pulled a pair of scissors out of a bag and teased cutting Love's hair, but Sky and Rain attacked her from behind. The BP roughed up Kong and then strapped the belt around the top turnbuckle. They dropped Saeed and Wilde on the championship belt. Kong came back and beat up all three women until Love sprayed a substance into Kong's eyes. The BP cut some of Kong's hair off. As this was happening, West actually shifted the conversation to Jarrett...

Powell's POV: That was all over the place. The BP lose the match decisively, yet still cut Kong's hair. That should have been a huge deal, but West was too busy talking about the Jarrett interview. Focus, Don.

[Q4] [C] The announcers recapped the BP angle... Backstage, Kong threw a hissy fit while Saeed flipped out along with her... West hyped upcoming events, including Danny Bonaduce's match against Eric Young...

Powell's POV: I'm not sure that's going on in the Knockouts Division these days. They're doing the blur the lines thing with the women and it's not really clicking. Meanwhile, the Young vs. Bonaduce match must feel like it's coming out of nowhere for most viewers since they haven't aired footage of the angle they shot during Bonaduce's radio show.

A Rough Cut segment featured Team 3D talking about the Philly crowd. They said the crowd could turn on them if they don't do what they've promised to do to Beer Money...

Backstage, Lauren interviewed Team 3D. They tried to hype the IWGP Tag Titles vs. TNA Tag Title aspect of the match. Brother Runt entered the room and hugged his storyline brothers. He said he was passing through town on his way to a show. Balls Mahoney entered the room and hugged Team 3D. Balls raved about Team 3D heading back to Philly. He ran through a list of ECW wrestlers. "What about Heyman?" Ray asked. They all chuckled over that one...

Powell's POV: Cool cameo.

3. Abyss and Daffney beat Cody Deaner and ODB in 3:50. Tenay and West opened the match by talking about Jeff Jarrett. Go figure. After Daffney tagged Abyss, ODB backed down and tagged Deaner into the match. Abyss kicked his ass and hit the Black Hole Slame for the win. After the match, Matt Morgan ran in and attacked Abyss...

Powell's POV: I'm so happy Daffney has replaced The Governor. The transformation is really cool because she looks so different. Deaner has some charisma. He's like an even more over the top Jamie Noble. The live crowd chanted for Abyss to kick his ass. I could see the Deaner comedy act growing on people if it's presented right, but it's off to a rocky start.

A shot aired of Mick Foley walking backstage. Tenay said Foley would interview Cactus Jack after the break...

[Q5] [C] Backstage, Borash asked Steiner if he could fill him in on what his conversation with Jarrett went like. Steiner said it was personal, yet predicted that Jeff's actions would do the talking by the end of the night...

Mick Foley came to the ring for a promo. Foley took a seat in one of the two chairs that were set up in the ring. Foley introduced Cactus Jack. He broke into Jack's voice and said people know that they share the same body. He said there are differences between the two. Jack said Mick has no spine. Mick said he's the guy who lost an ear in Germany. Jack said that was him, not Mick.

Jack said he's calling the shots. Jack said Mick was signing autographs at Comic Con when someone yelled, "Stop, thief." Jack said Mick just stood there and didn't do anything. Jack said he's tired of Mick cashing checks off of what he accomplished. Jack told Mick to leave the sneakers at home "because I'm lacing up the leopard skins." He also said Foley should leave the sweatpants at home because he's going old school when he faces his "greatest rival."

Mick started to speak. Jack told him to shut his mouth and then began hitting himself repeatedly until Sting's music stopped him. Sting came to the ring with a mic in hand. Foley was bleeding from above his eye as Sting said he's turned a 20-year friendship into a three-ring circus. Sting said the scary thing is that he believes Foley believes what he just did.

Sting sat down in the chair next to Foley and asked if he's lost his mind. "Is this an act, Mick?" Sting asked. "No, I really believe you believe what you just did, Mick." Sting said he wouldn't be intimidated. He ran through a list of weapons and said it doesn't really matter to him.

Jack shot up and said that's the Sting he wanted to see. Jack said Sting was never intimidated by him. The promo continued until the Mafia music interrupted Jack. Sting stood up and looked to the stage. Jack attacked him from behind and said the Mafia wouldn't be coming to help him. Jack dropped a chair on Sting and continued to talk over the mic. Jack said he could cue anyone's music he wanted to because he runs the place.

Jack called for Curry Man's music. Curry's music played while Jack continued to drop elbows on Sting. Jack called for Shark Boy's music and was obliged. "This is not only bizarre, this is a train wreck," Tenay said. West added, "Yeah, but you gotta admit you're glued to it." Foley called for Sting's music to play. As Sting's music and lighting went off, Jack went to ringside and grabbed his barbwire baseball bat. He said he can do anything he wants because he owns the place. "And at Lockdown, I want to tear you apart," Jack said. "Have a nice day!"...

Powell's POV: I can only imagine the look on the face of a non-wrestling fan who happened to see this segment. Screw them. That was fun. Foley played the part well and this was great final hype for their match. It's good to see that even Mick Foley realizes that Mick Foley is a lame wrestling character.

[Q6] [C] Backstage, Robert Roode and James Storm beat up Brother Runt and Balls Mahoney. They fought into the studio and continued to beat up the former ECW stars. Balls was bleeding by the time he got into the studio. Balls started to come back and the crowd got behind him, but Beer Money got the better of him and laid him out with a chairshot.

Storm hung Runt upside down on the ring post and then slammed a chair into his head. Tenay chastised West for laughing about it. West went on a tirade about Team 3D's Rough Cut segments. Well, at least he didn't talk about Jarrett. The beatdown continued until Balls and Runt were both bloody messes. Beer Money set up a table and performed the 3D move on Runt through the table. Finally, Team 3D ran out and chased off the heels. "The match that was built on mutual respect just turned into a war at Lockdown," Tenay said... [C]

Powell's POV: Where in the hell were Team 3D during all of that? Good beatdown, though. Good use of Runt and Balls heading into the big Philly show.

After the break, Team 3D stood over Runt and Balls. Brother Ray took the mic and asked why they would attack their friends. Roode yelled, "We hate them like we hate you." Brother Ray said it would be a Philadelphia Street Fight at the pay-per-view. Tenay said they would open the cage door and everyone would be looking for Beer Money's blood...

Powell's POV: I don't know what gives Brother Ray the right to book his own stipulations, but so be it. A good beatdown angle. I wonder if we'll see some other former ECW wrestlers at the pay-per-view on Sunday. I'm still guessing we get Tazz, er, Taz at Lockdown.

A video hyped Lockdown... The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup...

[Q7] Backstage, Lauren interviewed Styles, who said he has no idea who the fourth member of his team is. He said there are times when it feels like Jarrett is with them and other times when it seems like he's not. A.J. said Jarrett built TNA on integrity, and predicted that the same integrity would be shown later tonight... A shot aired of Jarrett walking backstage... [C]

Kurt Angle came to the ring for his match against Jarrett's mystery man. Jarrett's music played and he walked out with the guitar. Jarrett did his standard ring entrance, complete with pyro, and then headed to the ring and grabbed a mic. Meanwhile, a shot aired of Lauren and Styles watching everything play out on a backstage monitor.

Jarrett said he realizes there are questions about his loyalty. He said he knew the decision regarding his final partner had to erase that doubt. He said his decision is about Styles, Samoa Joe, and the TNA fans. Jarrett said that as the founder of TNA, he gets to make a lot of easy decision and a lot of tough decisions. He said this was an easy one.

Jarrett introduced Christopher Daniels as the mystery partner. Styles was so happy that he jumped up and down and hugged Lauren. Tenay said Jarrett proved where his loyalty lies. West said he did it just to placate Styles and still doesn't know which side he's on...

4. Kurt Angle beat Christopher Daniels in 10:55 after Jeff Jarrett overturned the referee's decision. The announcers continued to bicker over what the Daniels addition means. Tenay noted that Styles is so tight with Daniels that he names one of his children after him. Daniels dominated the opening minute of the match and hit a great Asai moonsault, but Angle cut him off right before the break. [C]

Powell's POV: The announcing situation just isn't working. West is too busy trying to be a heel when he should have been raving about the return of Daniels. If he wanted to be a heel, then he should have acted stunned by the news and showed concern for what that meant to the guys he roots for. Instead, he bickered with Tenay about Jarrett and took attention away from the return.

[Q8] After the break, Angle was in control of the match and hit multiple suplexes on Daniels. West delivered a nice line when he said Daniels was riding a wave of emotion early, but was slipping as the match went on. Daniels came back and whipped off the low budget looking shirt he had been wearing as part of his outfit.

At 9:10, Angle came back with a series of suplexes, but was only able to get a two count on Daniels. Kurt threw a few Euro uppercuts, but Daniels caught him in a backslide for a good near fall. Angle came back with an Angle Slam for another good near fall.

Angle lowered the straps of his tights at 10:30 and applied the ankle lock, but Daniels kicked him off. Angle went for his finisher again, but Daniels countered it into a pin and scored the 1-2-3 to win the match clean. Styles ran out and celebrated with Daniels while Angle protested to the referee. Angle grabbed the referee by the throat.

Jim Cornette entered the ring and demanded that Angle remove his hands from the referee. Corny said he was watching the match backstage and he may have had a different vantage point than the referee. Corny said he saw something different than the referee saw. Angle called for him to reverse the decision and called him a stupid SOB. Angle flipped and called out for Jarrett... [C]

After the break, Angle was in the ring with Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Kevin Nash. Angle called Jarrett out and asked him to watch the replay. Tenay said Jarrett was in the television truck during the break and presumably had a chance to watch a replay. Jarrett came out and entered the ring. He said he watched the finish several times and realizes how important it was.

Jarrett asked for a replay to be shown on the big screen. The replay showed that Daniels had both shoulders down, but Angle got one shoulder up. Jarrett said he has to make tough decisons at times whether he likes it or not. He said that the winner of the match was Kurt Angle. Angle hilariously celebrated by trying to hug Jarrett, who shoved him off.

Daniels, Styles, and Cornette protested with Jarrett, while the heels celebrated. Samoa Joe's music played. West said there was no way Styles and Daniels could trust Jarrett after this. Joe stormed the ring and the show went off the air...

Powell's POV: Well done. Jarrett made the obvious decision given that Angle's shoulder was up. Granted, Cornette has stated many times that the referee's decision is final, but he was bickering with Jarrett at the end of the match to show that he wasn't happy about it. Daniels looked good in his return, the heels have the advantage as they should in a War Games style match, and this leaves the door open as far as where Jarrett's loyalties lie. The first hour of the show was lousy and there wasn't nearly enough wrestling on this show (again), but the second hour featured strong final hype for Lockdown.

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