TNA Impact on Spike TV Taped in Orlando, Fla.

Talon’s Take: Thanks for joining me for the “2-Hour Adrenaline Rush.” If you want the more sensitive version, I wish to remind you that Rich Twilling is also covering tonight’s show.

The ring was filled with streamer and balloons as Mick Foley made his way to the ring alongside Earl Hebner, his security and a clown. There was a huge “Welcome Back Jeffrey” banner in the ring. Foley claimed he found his smile. Hebner’s had a “swollen” cheek. Mick Foley introduced AJ Styles who came to the ring. Up next Foley called out Samoa Joe. Next was Kurt Angle whom Foley apologized to for putting him in the position he was with Samoa Joe. Finally Foley called out the guest of honor, Jeff Jarrett.

Jeff Jarrett asked Mick Foley if he lost his mind. Foley said no then signaled for confetti to be dropped. Foley said he booked the main event as Samoa Joe and AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle and Sting vs. Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley. Foley requested that everyone put their hands in as a good gesture. Kurt, followed by AJ followed by Joe put his hand. Suddenly Samoa Joe attacked Kurt Angle. They were split up by Security…

Talon’s Take: The cut to the back was horrible as the fans didn’t have a chance to react. I am still enjoying the psycho character of Mick Foley.

In the back Jeremy Borash announced a tag team Monster’s Ball Match with Abyss and Taylor Wilde vs. Raven and Daffney. Daffney had a few words about her partners tonight saying they would all go to hell. Raven then had some words with Abyss saying they had a lot in common, both being masochists. Raven said the difference is that he is intelligent enough to survive in society while Abyss is a mindless oaf. Raven said “Welcome to our funeral. Quote the Raven nevermore…” [C]

Talon’s Take: Okay promos. I don’t like TNA doing another Monster’s Ball Match. It just desensitizes the fans to the importance of the match when done later on.

[Q2] We saw a video recap of the history between Shane Douglas and Daniels…

1. Daniels defeated Amazing Red in 3:30 Red hit a nice Corkscrew Suicide Dive in the early going. Daniels fired back with a clothesline that flipped Amazing Red. Mike Tenay announced that because of last week, Lauren got her arm injured from the attack by Daffney. Red continued the onslaught with a series of kicks followed by a huge Hurricanrana. A Flying STO gained Red a 2-Count. Daniels hit a big Death Valley Driver giving him control. Daniels hit a nice BME for the win.

After the match, Shane Douglas appeared on the big screen. Douglas claimed Jeff Jarrett screwed up by giving Daniels and not Douglas a second chance. He accepted Daniels’ challenge at Slammiversary. Douglas said Daniels would get franchised…

Talon’s Take: The match was way too short. It was the reader’s guide version of what a good X Division Match should be. I think everyone expected Douglas to accept Daniels’ challenge. I wish they announced it earlier.

Lauren interviewed Taylor Wilde, Awesome Kong and Raisha. Taylor Wilde said she would have thought twice about bringing in Daffney. Saeed told Wilde to be silenced. Awesome Kong said “Monster will kill princess first then Monster will kill monster last…” [C]

[Q3] As Mike Tenay and Don West ran down the lineup for Slammiversary, Matt Morgan interrupted in the ring. He called out Sting, who made his entrance. Morgan said he wasn’t out there to disrespect Sting but ended up doing so. Morgan said Sting said he couldn’t join the Main Event Mafia because he wasn’t a former World Champion. Morgan wanted to know how he could become World Champion without getting opportunities against former World Champions. Morgan told Sting to put his money where his mouth is and allow Morgan a chance to beat him at Slammiversary. Don West said Morgan definitely talks faster than Sting.

Sting said he understood Morgan and he would give Morgan a chance to wrestle him. Sting said if Matt Morgan beat him at Slammiversary he can have his spot in the Main Event Mafia. Morgan said he was on. As Sting turned his back, Morgan charge him but Sting evaded sending Morgan to the outside… [C]

Talon’s Take: Entertaining exchange! I am looking forward to seeing Sting vs. Morgan. I have a pretty good guess of where this thing is going and what the result will be, I just hope TNA does something unique.

Jeremy Borash spoke with Jeff Jarrett saying he took notes about Mick Foley. He did the checklist thing he did a few months ago. Jarrett said every week, he doesn’t know if Mick Foley the businessman or the crazy Mick Foley who would show up. Jarrett said the only reason he doesn’t get rid of Mick is because you have to have compassion for crazy people. He said at Slammiversary his title comes back home…

Talon’s Take: I hope Jarrett doesn’t win the World Title at Slammiversary! A young guy needs to belt.

2. Raven defeated Outlaw Jethro Holliday in a House of Fun Match in 3:00 Dr. Stevie accompanied Raven to the ring. Holliday attacked Raven as he made his entrance. There were two sides of Steel in the ring. Stevie gave Jethro a cheap shot while he was in control. Raven hit a side Russian leg sweep on Holliday into the guard rail. Raven went for his DDT but Holliday reversed where Raven punched the chair in the hands of Jethro. Holliday slammed Raven into the fence. Holliday charged and missed Raven, hitting the steel siding, forcing it to break and falling to the outside. Raven pinned Holliday for the win.

[Q4] After the match Daffney came to the ring. Raven hit his DDT onto a chair. Raven then attempted putting Holliday into a straight jacket but Abyss came to the ring and cleared out the villains… [C]

Talon’s Take: Couldn’t they just have waited to have the Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match at Slammiversary? I think Raven looked pretty weak in the match but that’s just me.

Don West sat down with Samoa Joe for an interview. Joe said he listens to nobody but he is being advised. When asked about AJ Styles, Samoa Joe said they were like brothers and sometimes brothers fight. Joe said the Main Event Mafia has done nothing to earn where they are today but instead have stolen it. Joe said at Slammiversary he is on a mission and his target is Kurt Angle…

Talon’s Take: What’s worse? TNA ignoring the feud between Samoa Joe and AJ Styles from 2005 or WWE ignoring the fact that Rey Mysterio lost his mask in 1999?

In the back the Beautiful People made their way to the ring. Angelina Love said to watch her back because “she could trust her as far as she could throw her.” She revealed to Velvet Sky that she was talking about Daffney… [C]

Lauren was with Abyss. Abyss started laughing uncontrollably and said Daffney, Stevie and Raven could do what they want because his body has been in war after war. Abyss showed off his scars and talked about him bleeding in his sleep. Abyss showed off Lauren’s bruise on her arm. Lauren started crying and Abyss yelled. Abyss claimed her mom always said not to hit girls, and Abyss understood but since Daffney wasn’t a girl he could do what he wanted. Abyss said after Slammiversary he was coming to get Dr. Stevie…

Talon’s Take: A non-believable interview. I do enjoy the Abyss character though.

[Q5] 3. Awesome Kong and Taylor Wilde defeated Angelina Love and Daffney in 3:00 Awesome Kong had Raisha Saeed with her while Angelina Love had Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky with her.

Talon’s Take: Angelina Love is so hot she burns holes in her pants and shirt. Hmmm! Does anyone else think of Whoopi Goldberg when they see Awesome Kong’s entrance?

Daffney went head to head with Awesome Kong early on but her forearms had no effect on Kong. Taylor Wilde tagged in but after a cheap shot from Angelina Love, the heels gain control. Taylor made a hot tag to Kong. Kong went for the Awesome Bomb but Angelina Love cut her off. Moments later Kong hit the Implant Buster for the win.

After the match the Beautiful People attacked Awesome Kong sending her into a chair. Tara came in for the rescue clearing the Beautiful People and Daffney from the ring. In the ring Awesome Kong and Tara had a staredown…

Talon’s Take: Nice tease of a potential Kong vs. Tara matchup

JB spoke with Team 3D asking them what the deal with Beer Money. Brother Ray said they didn’t have to help Beer Money weeks ago and asked where Beer Money was for them. Devon said it would be in their best interest to know before Slammiversary… [C]

[Q6] We saw another Cody Deaner and ODB workout session. Deaner was lifting kegs and chasing geese. It was revealed he caught the duck…

Talon’s Take: Quirky humor for some fans. Just not my type of humor.

In the back So Cal Val interviewed Lethal Consequences and Motor City Machine Guns. So Cal Val and Jay Lethal argued a little. Lethal called Val a harlot. Alex Shelley said he or Sabin will become the champion but then Lethal Consequences argued with them about it… [C]

Talon’s Take: Powell doesn’t like the Black Machismo character but I remember how “charismatic” Jay Lethal was before that. The character gives him some depth. I did find this interview pretty entertaining. Why does everyone have to argue before Slammiversary? Nobody gets along!

SoCal Val spoke to Beer Money questioning where they were last week. Robert Roode said they don’t owe 3D an explanation. Beer Money said they were buying beer with their money they won. James Storm said something about Team 3D being their bitch. Team 3D jumped Beer Money…

Talon’s Take: Another entertaining segment. Beer Money were great here. Here’s another alliance that doesn’t get along…

[Q7] 4. Team 3D and Beer Money defeated Lethal Consequences and Motor City Machine Guns in an 8-Man Tag Team Match in 20 seconds Mike Tenay reminded the fans that Detroit Tiger’s player, Curtis Granderson would be keeper of the belt in the X Division King of the Mountain Match. Beer Money and Team 3D brawled their way to the ring as their opponents waited inside of it. Lethal Consequences springboarded on Beer Money while Suicide attacked the Machine Guns in the ring when the bell rings to start the match. Team 3D connected with a 3D on Shelley to win the match. Beer Money and Team 3D argued after the match…

Talon’s Take: Well that was an interesting way to continue the feuds. The match was VERY short, as you can see.

SoCal Val interviewed AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. AJ Styles said now that Joe, Daniels and he are all together there isn’t anything stopping them. Samoa Joe said AJ isn’t fooling anyone. He mentioned an injury to AJ. Joe said he had it handled. AJ reluctantly agreed… [C]

Jeremy Borash spoke with Mick Foley. Foley hired a new head of security. Mick Foley referenced Trina Michaels, a porno. Borash presented a picture of the Tweak and Tweet Connection. Foley said he would have a guy in maintenance hang it. It was revealed that Kip James was that guy in maintenance. James hung up the picture like Foley asked…

Talon’s Take: Kip James’ role reminds me of what happened with Hacksaw Jim Duggan in WCW in 2000. If he starts cleaning toilets with a toothbrush remember this show.

JB interviewed Kurt Angle. Angle said he and Sting have been getting along recently because Sting has taught him a lot. Angle said Kevin Nash, Booker T and Scott Steiner would be in Detroit to kick Joe’s ass. Kurt said at Slammiversary “they would all celebrate…” [C]

Talon’s Take: I’m calling it, the Main Event Mafia turn on Sting, allowing Matt Morgan to join and they cost Samoa Joe the belt in the King of the Mountain Match.

[Q8] 5. Samoa Joe & AJ Styles defeated Kurt Angle & Sting and Mick Foley & Jeff Jarrett in 9:45 AJ Styles was clearly injured as he made his entrance. Rocco and Sal E. Boy came to the ring with Foley. Sting and Mick Foley started things off first. Foley tried a cheapshot but Sting struck first. Foley and Jarrett surprisingly worked well together. Kurt Angle gained control and worked the knee of Mick Foley. Angle went to strike AJ Styles on the outside but Samoa Joe and AJ Styles got him instead. Jeff Jarrett tagged in and went for the Stroke but Angle rolled through into the Ankle Lock which Jeff Jarrett escaped.

On the outside Mick Foley joined Tenay and West on commentary leaving his partner out to dry. We headed to commercial as Angle worked over Jarrett. [C]

Back from the break Kurt Angle was still going after Jeff Jarrett while Mick Foley was still at commentary. Kurt Angle locked Jarrett into the Ankle Lock. Foley said there are times when a man wants to do things on his own. Jarrett decided to tag in Joe, who got his hand in front of AJ Styles. On the outside Jeff Jarrett attacked Mick Foley and his security by the announce table with a chair. Samoa Joe connected with a Muscle Buster on Kurt Angle to win the match. Impact came to a close with a camera shot on Mick Foley…

Talon’s Take: Entertaining main event. I am more excited for Slammiversary than I have been but that is because the buildup has been underwhelming. This show didn’t have a lot of wrestling and more pretapes than last week but nonetheless it was solid like Impact has mostly been recently.


I want to announce that I will be taking a hiatus after next week’s recap but I intend on returning later this Summer. Please tell me what you thought about Impact tonight. Email me at Talon_DR@yahoo.com

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