TNA Super Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, FL

[Q1] A video aired promoting this Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-viewing, featuring the top four matches. Tonight’s show is entitled “Angle’s Revenge.” The opening video aired and the Main Event Mafia stood in the ring...

Kurt Angle said tonight was a special night because he would face the TNA World Heavyweight Champion one-on-one. He also said BFG will be the one year anniversary of the Main Event Mafia. Samoa Joe did some weird pose thing. Angle went to every member and gave individual pep talks. He then looked into the hard camera and said he would beat Matt Morgan. After that, he would get his shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

A.J. Styles’ music hit and he came to the stage with Matt Morgan, Bobby Lashley, Beer Money, Hernandez, and Team 3D. Brother Ray asked the crowd if they were as sick of Kurt Angle as he was. He introduced A.J. Styles. Styles said Sunday would not be make or break PPV for the Mafia; it would be a break PPV. Morgan took the mic and said he wasn’t waiting...

The babyfaces stormed the ring and beat up the Mafia. The Mafia hit the bricks and retreated to the back. Security held back the Mafia. Styles left the ring and fought through the security on the ramp. The rest of the babyfaces did the same... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Well, I cannot recall seeing a better segment on TNA Impact. Jason and I have unofficially anointed BFG as a changing of the guard show and this segment illustrated it perfectly. This could be a big night for the TNA guys and/or it could be a big night for the Mafia. The brawl didn’t give too much away and instead left people wanting more. Good start to a three hour show.

A commercial aired for Bound For Glory. Mike Tenay and Taz welcomed us to the show. Highlights of the brawl in the opening segment were shown. A graphic was shown for Angle vs. Styles...

[Q2] The Beautiful People came out to the ring. Their new entrance is too rehearsed for even me. While Velvet Sky is my favorite, I miss Angelina Love...

1. The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, and Lacey Von Erich) defeated Awesome Kong (with Raisha Saeed), ODB, and Tara in 2:58. Footage was shown of ODB defeating Tara with a distraction from Awesome Kong last week. Kong attacked Tara and TBP worked over Knockout Champion ODB. Kong took off.

TNAWrestling.com will have a preview show thirty minutes before BFG featuring the Motor City Machine Guns vs. Lethal Consequences. ODB tagged Tara in and Tara cleared the ring of all the Beautiful People (see what I did there?). Tara and ODB argued over who would get the win. Tara kicked ODB and Velvet pinned her...

Twill’s Two Cents: Lacey looked uncoordinated doing the bend and snap. Wow. Anyway, this was weak promotion for the Knockout Title match at the PPV, and if you blinked, you missed it. Not every segment has to be a long one, but they need to make the most out of each segment.

D’Angelo Dinero cut a generic promo about taking over the X Division, but unfortunately, all I remembered is him sexually harassing Lauren and promoting the Six Hour Energy drink... [C]

Lauren interviewed Bobby Lashley in front of a door in a hallway backstage. Lashley was calm and said he was cool. Then he tried to get intense. Rhino gored him and said Lashley would not make it to BFG because he would not make it through tonight...

Twill’s Two Cents: Lashley’s promo ability makes Styles look like The Rock. Ouch. Nice job with the segment though. Nice to see some fire from Rhino.

A video aired for the 17th Ultimate X Match...

[Q3] 2. Suicide vs. Amazing Red (with Don West) for the X Division Championship ended in a no contest in 3:37. West came out with Red and was in full infomerical mode. He shook hands with Tenay and Taz and screamed into the camera. Lots of missed high spots early. The announcers put over West’s love for Red over the years.

Red hit a corkscrew plancha onto Suicide on the floor. Red missed a front kick but followed through with another kick for a two count. Suicide scored a nearfall with his roll through slingshot leg drop. He went to the top and D’Angelo Dinero pushed him off the top to cause the referee to call for the bell...

Dinero went for the DDE but he was cut off by Red. Dinero retreated to the back and Tenay said there would be clarification after the break as to why West was at ringside... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: The match itself seemed a half step off, but it had its moments nonetheless. Kudos to Taz for actually putting forth the notion that Red would not be the champion on Sunday. The fact that this was a title match was forgotten there for a moment.

Backstage, Don West said he was Red’s biggest fan and he was officially Red’s promoter. West put over Red and Ultimate X. Red stood there and smacked the face of his title. West said Ultimate X is now for the X Division Championship...

Twill’s Two Cents: There is proof right there that managers have a place in wrestling. West just cut a better promo than most of the talent roster is able to do.

Eric Young came out to the announce table. He said the war was over. Hernandez made his entrance. He grabbed Young by the throat and said out of respect for Tenay and Taz, he was going to wait until Sunday. Young said he was going to send Hernandez the dry cleaning bill for his tie. Funny...

3. Hernandez defeated Doug Williams, Brutus Magnus, and Big Rob in an gauntlet match in 4:34.. The Invasion stood up at the top of the ramp and Hernandez is set to run the gauntlet. Hernandez pinned Williams with a super shoulder block...

[Q4] Magnus was second up and scored a nearfall with a backdrop suplex. Hernandez hit a slingshot shoulder block. He followed with the Border Toss and pinfall. Big Rob snuck in behind Hernandez and hit an ugly looking closeline...

Rob hit a shoulder block on a charging Hernandez and knocked him to the ground. Young kept talking about how the plan was in place as his boys were getting their asses handed to them. Hernandez hit a sit down powerbomb for the win...

Young grabbed a kendo stick, snuck up behind Hernandez, and beat him with it. The Invasion entered and all four men attacked Hernandez. They stood triumphantly over him... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: I didn’t like it at all. Hernandez does not look any stronger or better for beating three midcard guys. Young’s faction looks weak for not being able to defeat one guy. Finally, Hernandez looks dumb for allowing himself to be so easily attacked and beat down just because he was not paying attention.

A graphic aired for Styles vs. Angle. Taz said “Enough said.” Nice touch. Tenay segued to, well, himself conducting an interview. From his announce table and in an empty arena, Tenay interviewed the four “captains” of the four teams who will wrestle for the TNA and IWGP Tag Team Championships this Sunday.

Ray and Roode cut generic promos. Booker was money because I legitimately believe he did not know the names of the British Invasion guys. Magnus interrupted Booker. Tenay then “got word” that there was a brawl going on in catering. The four partners were fighting over the fact that there was no food left... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Ouch. I’m guessing that was the only hype for the tag team title match at the biggest show of the year and that was a dud segment. The pull-apart brawl thing does not work when done over and over again. The interview was bland and the brawl was weak. The best thing was Booker getting a “live” mic.

Footage was shown of Kurt Angle doing squats and they cut to commercial again... [C]

[Q5] Backstage, Lauren interviewed A.J. Styles. Styles said he took the match tonight because he needs to know who the best is in TNA. He said he was the best and he does not see Angle proving anything otherwise tonight...

Twill’s Two Cents: It is weird for Styles to promote a match with Angle with what is supposed to be a WrestleMania like main event in three days.

D’Angelo Dinero came to the ring and made it rain (money). If you know why that is in bad taste, good, because I’m not even going to mention it...

4. Daniels defeated D’Angelo Dinero in 4:48. Dinero dominated the first couple of minutes with a few nearfalls. He slowed things down by grounding Daniels with a camel clutch. Daniels rose to his feet and hit a nice reverse neck breaker. Daniels hit a rock bottom after Pope jumped at him from the second rope.

Pope scored a nearfall with a closeline/leg sweep combination. Daniels hit the exact same move for a two count of his own. After a nearfall sequence, Daniels held onto a double underhook and hit the angel’s wings for the win...

After the match, “Suicide” came to the ring and hit the gringo killer on Daniels. He then took off his mask and revealed himself to be Homicide. He was chased off by security...

Twill’s Two Cents: Fun X Division match that really didn’t mean anything. Surprised to see Pope take the clean pinfall here, but if he wins on Sunday, nobody will remember this loss.

Mick Foley was shown walking through the backstage area with a bucket of popcorn... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: I love popcorn at the movies. I sometimes buy popcorn at the theatre and take it home to watch something. I’d have some now, but my fingers would be too greasy and I wouldn’t be able to type my report.

[Q6] Mick Foley came out to the ring with popcorn and a cardboard Abyss mask on his head. He sat in a red recliner. He said he used to wear a mask and then realized anybody could buy one and pretend to be Mick Foley, including Chris Parks. Foley sat back and introduced us to Abyss’ greatest hits.

The first one showed Abyss with Father James Mitchell. Foley compared this to when he had a manager. Then he showed Abyss in a thumbtacks match. He finished by showing Abyss put through a flaming table. He mentioned his WrestleMania match with Edge and called it the 2006 match of the year.

Abyss came out to the ring and Foley sat still. Abyss went right at Foley with a barbed wired bat and put it up to his throat. Foley told Abyss to look at the screen. Dr. Stevie had Lauren kidnapped and tied up. Abyss ran after her. Foley sat up and ate some popcorn... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: How many times did Lauren’s mom tell her not to date Abyss? I bet the idea of going out with D’Angelo Dinero sounds good to her now. Seriously, this was a good segment and Foley was good, but that, unfortunately, does not really make me want to see this match. I suppose I will feel differently on Sunday. I hope.

JB stood backstage and said he had a huge scoop. Join the text service and find out today! Homicide, in his Suicide suit, grabbed the mic and cut a promo, and a damn good promo, about Ultimate X on Sunday. Then he tried to get away, but the security grabbed him...

Twill’s Two Cents: Whenever someone is chasing me, I usually stop to cut a promo.

5. Hamada defeated Alissa Flash in a falls count anywhere match in 5:06. Flash jumped Hamada on the stage to start the match. They fought on the floor with a table positioned against the ring. Hamada looks like she is wearing Rey Mysterio’s pants. She hit a running somersault plancha from the ramp for a two count.

She set up a table at ringside as Flash recovered. She grabbed Alissa and brought her back into the ringside area. She laid her on the table. Hamada went to the top, but Flash cut her off. She was going to suplex her onto the table but Hamada countered with a DDT. Hamada hit a perfect moonsault through the table for the three count...

Twill’s Two Cents: What did this have to do with Sunday’s show? Everything on this show should have something to do with Sunday’s show. It’s unfortunate too, because this was a pretty good match and that was a lot of bumps for them to take for them to just be forgotten a few seconds later.

[Q7] Backstage, Angle said he was focused on both Styles tonight, and Morgan on Sunday. He said Styles and Morgan were good, but he was the best. He was going to prove to Styles he was the best tonight, and teach Morgan that you do not cross the Godfather on Sunday... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Short, but effective promo. Good stuff.

Footage was shown of the ambulance being backed in for the Lashley vs. Rhino match... [C]

Rhino and Lashley made their entrances...

Twill’s Two Cents: By the way, a woman just got kidnapped. Is anyone looking into that?

6. Bobby Lashley defeated Rhino in an ambulance match in 4:54. TNA set a ten minute time limit for this match. Rhino attacked early and often as his point of offense was the ribcage hurt earlier in Rhino’s attack of Lashley. With Lashley being “The Boss,” is Kurt Angle not allowed to refer to himself as that anymore? It was weird for him to say, “You never cross the Godfather,” when “The Boss” would have been a logical finish to that line.

They fought to the floor. Lashley was the first to use the stretcher. Rhino stood up. He went for a gore through the set and it didn’t budge. Ouch. Lashley rolled Rhino outside. Rhino fought his way off the stretcher again. Lashley slammed Rhino a guardrail and bent it. He placed Rhino on the stretcher and rolled him into the ambulance for the win...

Twill’s Two Cents: Did they really cut to a replay right as the match was finishing. Did they really need to drive away with the sirens on? By the way, woman, kidnapped. Guy who just lost a wrestling match is being rushed somewhere in an ambulance, but a woman who is kidnapped gets nothing? I’m gimmick matched out.

Abyss was shown looking for Lauren. He heard her and looked off camera before reacting to what he saw... [C]

[Q8] Sean Mooney, errrr, Don West was as the “TNA Live Events Center.” West promoted the fan event for BFG and Sting has committed to being there. He promoted BFG...

Twill’s Two Cents: Nice use of West here. Of course, he is also now being used as Red’s promoter.

Backstage, SoCal Val asked Bobby Lashley if he had anything to say to Samoa Joe. He asked, “Are you ready? Are you ready to tap out?” Joe was in the background and hit Bobby with a chair. He then screamed at him “AM I WHAT? AM I READY TO WHAT?” He said he was leaving Lashley with one last breath...

Twill’s Two Cents: Good segment and damn, the babyfaces tonight are not idiot proof.

The announcers ran down the BFG card. The tapestry graphics are pretty damn cool...

Backstage, Abyss found Lauren, but it turned out to be Daffney. Dr. Stevie attacked Abyss and Foley followed with the barbed wire bat. What I just say about the babyfaces tonight? Wow. If Lauren is swerving Abyss, that would be, well, pretty cool...

Kurt Angle and A.J. Styles made their way through the backstage area and their match is next... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Probably a smart idea to put this match on during the normal main event segment time. That way, the match will go through the top of the hour and fans might stick around for the entire third hour.

7. Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles in a non-title match ended in a time limit draw. Styles has my favorite wrestling entrance right now. Predictable and impressive chain wrestling sequence early on. Very impressive Irish whip sequence with a leapfrog and dropkick from Styles. Angle retreated to the floor for a moment to clear his head.

[Q9] Angle came back into the ring and Styles got the best of him again. Angle again went to the floor. Very smart strategy from both guys. Angle grounded Styles with a test of strength. Styles fought back but Angle kicked him in the gut. While on the apron, Styles somersaulted back into the ring and closelined a charging Angle.

Styles went for another springboard move and Angle took out his legs. Styles was nearly counted out. With Styles on the floor, Angle hit a somersault plancha, but it didn’t completely connect. Angle’s feet hit Styles, but he was lucky he wasn’t hurt here. He rolled Styles into the ring for a two count.

He worked on the back with a backbreaker and tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He kept Styles on the mat and also hit a suplex for a nearfall. Does anyone else notice the annoying lady loudly screaming by the main microphone? Styles fought back, but Angle hit a sweet overhead belly to belly. He followed with a back suplex for another two. Nice job here too by the announcers putting over the basics and why Angle is so good.

Angle applied a leg scissors across the mid section of Styles. Taz was very excited about the fundamentally sound wrestling match. “I love this. This is why I came to this company. Where I came from, I didn’t see a lot of this.” Styles hit a back suplex of his own. He scored a nearfall with his signature springboard forearm.

A.J. set up the Styles’ Clash but Angle countered. He hit a released German that flipped Styles 360 in the air. Angle fought back and Styles hit a Pele kick for another very close nearfall. Styles went to the top and Angle ran the ropes and countered with a huge suplex for a two count. He tried an Angle Slam but Styles countered with an armdrag.

Exceeding the fifteen minute mark (Cena vs. Orton will go an hour!), Angle successfully locked in the ankle lock for the first time in the match. Styles rolled through for a two count. Angle came back and hit the multiple German suplexes. He covered for another two. Angle pulled down the straps. He went for the Angle Slam but Styles countered with the Styles’ Clash. He covered right away and Angle kicked out at two.

Styles went to the top rope and jumped at Angle, but Angle kicked him and hit the Angle Slam for a two count. Hebner gives it away with his count cadence, so the nearfalls aren’t as good as they should be. Angle missed a moonsault. Styles followed up with a springboard 450 for yet another two count.

[Q10] The crowd chanted “this is awesome,” and they were right on. In the corner, both men emerged set up for tombstone piledrivers. Neither man could hit the move. Angle applied the ankle lock and the bell rang. The time limit ran out. I actually had it at 20:04...

After the match, Sting came out to the ring to check on Styles... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: I thought it was weird for the ambulance match to have a time limit and this match had an announced time limit as well. Actually, while it should have, that did not give away the match for me. I just sat back and enjoyed it. That was an awesome, pay-per-view main event quality match. Kudos to TNA for giving us this match on television and for positioning the show so they didn’t have to go to commercial once during the match.

Tenay and Taz narrated highlights of the Styles vs. Angle match. This was a great match and deserved this recap, so this was a nice follow up segment. They said we were going to hear from Styles and Angle. I guess Styles just blew off Sting. They had a Lashley vs. Joe preview first...

They showed the Lashley vs. Joe video. Lashley said his top two priorities were TNA and professional wrestling. Taz predicted Joe would get the “upset victory” at BFG. Twilling note: Really? Lashley was shown playing with his kids. Joe was very serious and Bobby was soft spoken. They put each other over. Tenay and Taz spoke about the match too... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: Nice video. The segue from having Sting and Styles in the ring, to saying we would hear from Styles and Angle, to the video, to commercial, was weird, but this video was well done. Lashley vs. Joe is a “big deal” match and it should be presented as such.

[Q11] The video package for Abyss vs. Mick Foley was shown. I feel like they should have shown these videos earlier in the show. Both men put each other over and as good as the video package was, it contradicted what Foley said earlier in the show about Abyss being a carbon copy of him (by the way, how many times can they say ‘carbon copy’ in the same show?)... [C]

Twill’s Two Cents: These videos were really well done and this one was no exception. They should have had Tenay remind us that we were still going to hear from Styles, Angle, and Sting.

The next video package was dedicated to Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan. Angle put himself over as the best in the world. He also said he is better now than he has ever been. Morgan put him over too. Dixie Carter, Tenay, and both competitors commented. Morgan was shown working out and describing what he was willing to do to win on Sunday...

Twill’s Two Cents: Awesome video. These things are selling some pay-per-views.

[Q12] JB interviewed Angle backstage. Angle was still selling his exhaustion from the match. He said he won the match even though he did not technically get the win. He wondered how Styles would react to “losing” the match. JB said he was more confident than he has ever seen him. Angle agreed and said he just beat the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He said he would beat Morgan on Sunday and win the title back after that... [C]

Last, but not least, the video for A.J. Styles vs. Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship was shown. They questioned whether or not Sting will be wrestling his last match. Taz predicted that Styles would win the match. I don’t think he has been correct yet, so I hope he is right here. They put over Sting’s perfect record at BFG. The video concluded with Sting saying it could be his last match and Dixie Carter saying she might not be able to convince him to come back for another year...

Twill’s Two Cents: Great video package. If that did not sell the BFG main event, nothing did or will.

Backstage, JB interviewed Styles and asked him if he was going to tap out. Styles said he did not win nor did he lose the match. Styles clinched his title and questioned his own decision to wrestle Angle tonight. He reiterated that he did not win the match, but he didn’t lose it either. He said he learned a lesson tonight...

Twill’s Two Cents: That was a heel promo. Styles was actually complaining about wrestling tonight and was making excuses for Sunday. I didn’t like that at all.

They aired one last BFG promo where pretty much everyone on the roster received a little bit of air and mic time...

Twill’s Two Cents: I wonder if they lost viewers once they figured out there would not be another match. Or, I wonder if that last 45 minutes sold a lot of shows for Sunday. That last hour was actually one of the best hours of wrestling I’ve seen in a long time. The Bound For Glory videos were awesome and Styles vs. Angle was an amazing match. I’m disappointed though that Sting was on TV for just a few moments when he is in the biggest show of the year’s main event.

What did you think of the show? Feel free to let me know by shooting an email to dotnetrich@gmail.com.

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