TNA Impact on Spike TV Taped in Orlando, Fla.

[Q1] A preview video of tonight aired. This week’s title is “Foley Fires Up Founder.” The Impact Intro aired…

Mick Foley made his way to the ring to open the show. He was accompanied by Rocco and Sal E. (who were still wearing the MEM Security Shirts) Foley said when he won the World Title, people would be gunning for him. Foley claimed he would have to defend the belt one to four times a year. Foley said Jeff Jarrett has taken away his smile. Foley told Jeff Jarrett to come to the ring, which the King of the Mountain did.

Jarrett was wearing the Slammiversary Shirt and had a mic in hand. Foley pointed out himself wearing a Jarrett shirt. He said he wore it because of Jarrett’s accomplishments. Foley said he tried to overlook Jarrett’s actions but since he assaulted a senior official, Earl Hebner. Foley said he was fining and suspending Jarrett without pay. Jarrett said he wouldn’t let Foley make a fool of TNA then went to leave the ring. Foley made weird noises and said THAT was a comedy act. Foley started yelling at Jarrett telling him it was time to pay the band. Foley said Jarrett had gone to far. Foley said whether it be the easy way or the hard way, he was removing Jarrett from TNA. Jarrett said they would do things the hard way and went to attack Foley.

Before he could strike he was jumped by the security. Foley left the ring and security continued the attack on Jarrett. Jarrett fought back with a double clothesline on security. He then smashed them across the head with a steel chair. Foley (on the ramp) said when he regained his composure he would singlehandedly throw him out of the Impact Zone…

Talon’s Take: Okay opening segment! Looks like TNA broke their streak of opening the show with a match. This segment built intrigue to how Foley would remove Jarrett from the Impact Zone.

Lauren was with Team 3D who would fight Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal tonight. She asked why they saved Beer Money last week. Devon said they have a problem with the British Invasion. He said the Invasion bit the hand that fed them. Lauren looked at Raven who was sitting off screen. Ray said she should worry about him but not right now. Ray said Beer Money was the tag team of the future but right now they are the best tag team in the world… [C]

[Q2] Jeremy Borash was with Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett said last week he lost his temper last week and knocked out Earl Hebner, but he apologized to Earl. Jarrett said he was going to leave by himself but he would love to see Mick Foley try and escort him out of the building…

1. Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal defeated Team 3D in 7:45 Chris Sabin and Consequences Creed accompanied Lethal and Shelley to the ring. Shelley connected with a flurry of kicks on Devon at the start. Machismo tagged in and fought off Ray. On commentary Don West said he was fine with Suicide as long as he wasn’t Glen Gilberti, funny. Shelley and Lethal hit double dropkicks on Team 3D followed by unison suicide dives hitting Consequences Creed and Chris Sabin in the process. In the ring, Brother Ray got low-blowed by Shelley. Ray chopped Shelley hard in the chest. Brother Devon tagged in and got a 2-count on Shelley. Team 3D fought off interference from Creed and Sabin then hit the Wassup Headbutt. The British Invasion headed to the ring. Doug Williams hit Devon with the Feast or Fired Briefcase allowing Alex Shelley to get the win…

Talon’s Take: Interesting to note that Beer Money was nowhere to be seen. I don’t know how interested I am in seeing “the greatest tag team in the world” losing to a makeshift team. This make got ample time and allowed me to reminisce about the Team 3D vs. X Division feud of the past.

In the back Mick Foley and Jeremy Borash talked about who in the past Jeff Jarrett has knocked out with guitars. There were a bunch of security in the room. Foley led the charge to rid Jarrett from the Impact Zone… [C]

[Q3] In the back Mick Foley and the Security stormed Jeff Jarrett’s locker room. Foley told Jarrett that because of what he did to Earl Hebner that the entire senior citizen community is up in arms. Jarrett said he would leave but Mick Foley needed to find out his role in TNA…

Talon’s Take: This was supposed to be a comedy segment. You either love or hate TNA’s comedy. I like it!

Jeremy Borash spoke with Booker T and Scott Steiner. Booker said all the talking is done. Booker said Joe has threatened them for the last time. Scott Steiner said something in English along the lines of breaking Joe’s legs then making him bleed… [C]

Talon’s Take: I loath Booker T. He is such a cartoon character and a huge waste of money for TNA. He hasn’t had a good match in a long time (excluding the match with AJ). TNA should not resign him when his contract comes up.

[Q4] 2. Samoa Joe defeated Booker T and Scott Steiner in a “Nation of Violence” First Blood Match in 12:30 Samoa Joe would face Scott Steiner first and then Booker T after wards. I assume this is one match so I will write it as such. Scott Steiner met Joe on the ramp and the two brawled. Steiner smashed a ring bell over the head of Joe. Don West mentioned he had an interview with Samoa Joe next week. Steiner hit a modified STO then exposed the turnbuckle. Samoa Joe reversed things and sent Steiner into the buckle. Steiner went outside and grabbed a pipe but Joe caught him with a suicide elbow. Joe put a trash can over the head of Steiner and smash him with the pipe. Steiner was bleeding at that point from different parts of his head. Booker T looked to make his entrance as we headed to commercial. [C]

Talon’s Take: So far Joe has looked badass, I hope this continues!

Back from the break Samoa Joe was in control on Booker T. Booker turned it around with some chops across the chest. Booker sent Joe into the steel steps but again no blood. Joe used Steiner’s pipe across the chest of Booker. Booker was spitting up blood leading to the victory for Joe… [C]

Talon’s Take: Kurt Angle, you’re next! Joe looked dominant here. I am surprised by the length of these matches. A week ago, most matches wouldn’t go above six minutes.

[Q5] Lauren was in the Main Event Mafia locker room as trainers were attending to Booker and Steiner. Lauren said when she would get word she would let us know…

3. AJ Styles defeated Shane Douglas in 5:30 Douglas has new music with a rock theme. Douglas wrestled with his shirt on. West complained about why Daniels got a second chance while Douglas didn’t to which Tenay responded with something about Douglas’ “demons”. AJ sent Douglas out of the ring then hit a plancha. It looked like AJ hurt his ankle and according to reports that is indeed true. AJ went for a high flying move but Douglas caught him on the rope and sent him to the outside with a dropkick. Douglas wore down AJ with a few shots. AJ hit a Pele out of nowhere. AJ was obviously in pain. Douglas went for the belly to belly but AJ rolled him into an Armbar to which Douglas immediately tapped out.

Talon’s Take: Okay match but Douglas is obviously out of shape. I would rather see him as a mouth piece than a wrestler.

After the match Shane Douglas attacked AJ from behind including hitting him with his patented Belly to Belly. Daniels came out for the save and brawled with Douglas. Douglas hit Daniels with a towel which had handcuffs concealed inside. He handcuffed Daniels to the ropes as he continued to beatdown AJ. Samoa Joe then made the save…

Talon’s Take: I like how they played up the friendship of AJ, Daniels and Joe. I am fully expecting a Joe vs. AJ match at Bound For Glory this year.

Lauren was running down a stairwell on the phone with “Chris”. She was being chased by Raven. When she went into a bathroom Raven waited outside. You could hear screaming and a beating inside the bathroom. Moments later Daffney walked out as Lauren was shown beaten down… [C]

Talon’s Take: Good storytelling playing off the relationship of Abyss and Lauren. Even though it kinda feels like an ECW retread, I am enjoying TNA’s spin on the storyline.

[Q6] In the back Taylor Wilde was backstage searching for Daffney. The two found each other and brawled. Daffney got the upperhand and started choking Taylor until Dr. Stevie pulled her off. Stevie said that’s all the time they have for this week. Raven was shown sitting nearby…

Jeremy Borash was interviewing the Beautiful People. Angelina Love asked where their set was. Borash said he would accommodate her butt to which Love freaked out. Love said TNA was their house. Madison Rayne said she would peel Tara’s skin off her oily, stretch marked body. Jeremy Borash celebrated but Love called him “icky”… [C]

Talon’s Take: I enjoy the Beautiful People and this segment proved no different. I don’t like TNA rushing into the money match of Angelina Love vs. Tara when there is a perfectly acceptable rematch with Kong.
In another video of ODB with Cody Deaner, the Deaner was chasing a duck and training other ways…

Talon’s Take: This was stupid. This is WWE style of humor. Humor that I don’t find funny.

JB interviewed Kurt Angle who said he would be prepared for Samoa Joe…

[Q7]4. Tara defeated Madison Rayne in 4:15 Angelina Love and Velvet Sky were with Rayne. Tara outwrestled Rayne early on until Rayne grabbed the rope. Tara sent her in the ring and hit a slingshot legdrop. Madison got a little offense but eventually Tara fought back after Rayne missed a missile dropkick. Tara hit the Widow’s Peak for the win…

Talon’s Take: Tara is so hot! Anyone else find it funny how Gail Kim and Tara switch companies and ended up in each other’s roles.

Borash interviewed Eric Young asking him what got into him. Young said everyone took advantage of him. Borash said something that ticked Young off. Young slapped the taste out of Borash’s mouse… [C]

SoCal Val was backstage to interview Daniels. Daniels challenged Shane Douglas for a match at Slammiversary with the stipulation that if Douglas wins, he gets Daniels’ spot in TNA but if he loses, he needs to get out of TNA…

Talon’s Take: Well that was stupid. Why would Daniels put his job on the line with nothing to gain?

[Q8]5. Kurt Angle defeated Sting in a King of the Mountain Qualifier in 17:30 Don West made a great point about Foley booking the qualifying matches to get rid of alliances in King of the Mountain (Daniels and AJ/Angle and Sting). The announcers mentioned that Angle might be sidetracked and worried about Samoa Joe. There was a big match feel to this with nobody getting a big advantage early on. Sting sent Kurt Angle to the outside as we headed to commercials. [C]

Back from the break Angle and Sting were circling the ring. Kurt took Sting down with a snap Suplex. Sting fought back and missed a Stinger Splash. Angle hit a back Suplex which the announcers called the Angle Slam. Angle wore down Sting with a side headlock. Sting tried to fight back but Angle hit a nice overhead release Belly to Belly Suplex. We went to another commercial break with Angle in control. [C]

Sting was fighting back as we returned to action. Both men were out as the referee went for the 10-count. Both men are up. Sting hit two Stinger Splashes in the corner followed by a Suplex for a 2-count. Angle battled back with the German Suplex Series. Angle went for the Angle Slam but Sting countered into the Scorpion Death Lock which Angle countered into the Ankle Lock. Sting rolled through the followed it up with a Powerbomb for another two. Sting went for the Death Drop but Angle reversed and sent Sting into the corner. Angle charged in and hit the corner post hard. Matt Morgan came in and hit Sting as he was Irish Whipped. Angle picked up the win seconds later to get into King of the Mountain.

After the match Kurt Angle got angry that Matt Morgan helped him. Angle and Morgan argued as Impact came to a close…

Talon’s Take: Entertaining main event that teases dissension between Morgan and Angle.

I can’t believe how much wrestling we got on this episode, it is quite refreshing. I also liked how TNA slowed things down and focused more on the in-ring action. Enjoyable episode of Impact.

Please tell me what you thought about Impact tonight. Email me at Talon_DR@yahoo.com

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: