1/14 Powell's TNA Impact Live Coverage: Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on the show, Samoa Joe vs. Desmond Wolfe, Matt Morgan and Hernandez vs. Beer Money


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TNA TV Reports


1/14 Powell's TNA Impact Live Coverage: Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on the show, Samoa Joe vs. Desmond Wolfe, Matt Morgan and Hernandez vs. Beer Money
Jan 14, 2010 - 10:00 PM


TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.


[Q1] The show opened with a video recap of the January 4 live show... The show is called "The Band"... Mike Tenay and Taz introduced the show...

1. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Generation Me. Generation Me is The Young Bucks tag team that TNA signed after their hot dark match with The Guns. During the match, "The Band" (Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Sean Waltman) were shown arriving. G-Me scored a couple of good near falls that had the crowd popping.

"Who are these young bucks," Taz cleverly asked. The Guns worked in their own offense, but Taz stressed that he didn't think the Guns expected this from G-Me, who go by Matt and Jeremy for first names in TNA. G-Me hit the More Bang For Your Buck move to get the pin on Shelley.

Powell's POV: G-Me wore black pants with purple scarves hanging out the back, so they were totally going for the young Hardys look. A fun spot-fest. There wasn't much psychology involved in this one, but it was a fun, fast-paced opener. It was portrayed as a big upset by the announcers. My only complaint is that they raced back to a pre-tape rather than let the upset really sink in. Maybe they'll do more later.

Backstage, the Nasty Boys were standing in Team 3D's trashed locker room. Team 3D arrived at the door, but the Nasty Boys mocked them and wouldn't unlock the door... [C]

[Q2] A pay-per-view video featured Hulk Hogan hyping the A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle pay-per-view match. Hogan pimped an impact player that would arrive at the pay-per-view. He said the man is an immediate threat to take the title...

Powell's POV: Good hype from Hogan. By the way, the Dot Net Members say they are calling Generation Me by the names of "Max and Jeremy."

Kurt Angle came to the ring for a promo. He said Styles was the better man when they met on January 4. He said it was only for that one night. "When two great athletes get in the ring like you and me, you win some and you lose some," Angle said. He added that the real champion will be the man who can get the last win. He said that man will be him at Genesis.

Styles's music palyed and he came to the ring. He has a cool video that plays on the screen when he comes out. The announcers drove home the surprise they are teasing for Sunday. Styles said he appreciates Styles said the fans want to see them have one more match. He reminded Angle that this is his final shot in 2010. Angle said he'll only need one shot. They shook hands and hugged...

Powell's POV: I was hoping for a little more tension here. I'm not sure that hugs and handshakes sell pay-per-views.

As Styles was leaving the ring, the Black Scorpion, er, the masked man in black attacked him and threw him inside the ring. The man unmasked as Tomko. The announcers acted stunned as Tomko smiled and left the ring... [C]

Powell's POV: The worst kept secret was finally unveiled. That said, the net fans knew who it was, but there's no telling whether the masses figured it out. I'm just happy we won't have to see Tomko wearing that cheap looking black outfit anymore.

The announcers recapped the Tomko unveiling... Backstage, Christy Hemme interviewed The Band (Hall, Nash, Waltman). Bubba The Love Sponge interrupted Hemme and blew her off. Nash said The Band won't be playing their greatest hits, they'll be playing all new material. Bubba wanted to know where Mick Foley was, but they were coy...

[Q3] 2. Awesome Kong and Hamada defeated Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne (w/Lacey Von Erich) in a non-title match in 2:00. Angelina Love was seated at ringside and was greeted by The Beautiful People. They were all smiles, so you should know by now what that means. Kong hit her finisher on Madison for the win.

After the match, Angelina Love entered the ring and showed concern for Rayne. Suddenly, Love attacked Lacey and Velvet. The announcers pointed out that it looked like Love was focussing on Velvet during the attack...

Powell's POV: Very predictable if you follow Russo booking. I don't care if Love doesn't have the best rep in some locker room circles. She's the heart and soul of the group. I hope they get through whatever this is quickly and put her and Velvet back together.

Backstage, Styles stormed into Hulk Hogan's office only to find Eric Bischoff sitting at his desk. Styles as where Hogan was. "That would be Mr. Hogan," Bischoff said. He noted that Hulk was busy taking care of other business. Styles complained about Tomko attacking him and said he wants to take care of him.

Bischoff said he understood Styles's frustrations. However, he reminded A.J. that he's the TNA Champion and he represents TNA. He asked what he expected him to do about it. Styles said he wanted Tomko tonight. Bischoff laughed and questioned why Styles would put himself in the ring to get revenge when he has a pay-per-view title match on Sunday. Bischoff asked if Styles was willing to put the title on the line. "Book it," Styles said. After Styles left the room, Bischoff said, "I love that kid"... [C]

Powell's POV: I love the role Bischoff is playing. There's cockiness in his character, yet we don't really know where he stands. He's not overtly heel and he's not a kiss ass babyface.

The cut-in featured Beer Money looking for Bischoff... After the break, Jeremy Borash hesitated and took a deep breath before entering Bischoff's office. Eric was on the phone with someone and said that person has a bright future with the company and he looks forward to seeing him next week.

Borash asked where Foley was. Bischoff said that Borash is the person who let Foley in the building, so what happened to him is on Borash. "Take responsibility for yourself," Bischoff told him. He added that he doesn't have "a friggin' clue" where Foley is, nor does he care. Bischoff threatened that Borash will be finished with TNA if he ever makes a mistake like that again.

James Storm and Robert Roode entered the office as Borash left. Roode said they don't have a problem with him or Hogan, but they have a problem with his boys Hall and Nash. "My boys?" Bischoff asked. Beer Money said they wanted a match with Hall and Nash because they were attacked by them last week. Bischoff took Storm's beer and took a swig. He said he'd get back to them on their match request. Bischoff laughed and said, "Wow," after Beer Money left the room...

Powell's POV: Another example of the way they're leaving Bischoff's character ambiguous at this point. The "wow" and laughter after Beer Money left the room makes him look a little heelish due to his character's past, but it was not definitive.

[Q4] Consequences Creed and Jay Lethal came out for a match, but Bobby Lashley came out and destroyed them both as his wife Kristal applauded. After Lahsley took out both men, Kristal entered the ring and asked, "Do we have your attention now, Eric?" She said every member of the TNA roster will be destroyed one-by-one until she gets her meeting with Hogan...

Powell's POV: I hope Lashley sticks around and continues to play this character. His wife is doing a great job on the mic, and he's effective as a heel badass who lets his wife lead him around by the balls.

3. Team 3D beat Lethal Consequences. After the Lashleys left the ring, Team 3D came out and hit 3D on Creed to win what was apparently a match. Brother Ray took the mic afterward and complained about being told by the Japanese press that the Nasty Boys destroyed their locker room last week.

"The Nasty Boys?" Brother Ray asked. "Where the hell have The Nasty Boys been for the last ten years?" Ray said the Nasty Boys rode Hogan's coattails into TNA. Bubba held up an axe and said they were coming for The Nasty Boys. They headed backstage to break down the locker room door.

The announcers spoke briefly and then the cameras picked up Brother Ray using the axe to break into their own locker room. They were taken back by the smell. The Nasty Boys attacked them from behind and left them lying... [C]

Powell's POV: These teams might end up surprising us with a fun brawl, but it's hard to get excited about watching The Nasty Boys in 2010. Why are we not hearing anything about Jeff Hardy and Ric Flair? They were in a video package, but you'd think there would be a lot of talk about what's next for the two of them.

A video aired with Tomko recapping his history with Styles. He said he taught A.J. everything he knows. He took credit for their tag team success...

Powell's POV: Tomko is much better when he plays the smartest man in the room and says very little.

Sean Morley came to the ring as the video wall showed a drill. Morley said he and TNA were made for one another. He said he had to use a stage name when he appeared in T&A movies. He said those days are over and he's now a director, producer, and distributor of films.

[Q5] Morley said TNA is poised "to explode." Get it? Ugh. He said the one thing TNA was missing was a film division. He said that's where he comes in. He said he won't be creating just any movie, he said his films will be works of art. "Of course, they will not be the kind that go direct to video," he said. "Rather, my films..."

Morley was interrupted by Daniels's entrance music. Daniels came out with a big smile. Morley pointed at him and also smiled. They shook hands in the ring. You know what that means. Daniels pitched his idea for a movie and then attacked Morley. He hovered over him and cut a promo about how Morley's brand of art sickens him. Morley got to his feet and ended up clearing Daniels from the ring...

Powell's POV: Morley is a talented guy, but he never broke away from the Val character. This was a chance for him to start over, but it looks like the same old dick jokes. The angle was really weak and all the movie talk was campy.

A video showcased the ODB vs. Tara feud... A shot aired of Jeff Jarrett walking with another man backstage. The announcers questioned who the guy was... [C] The cut-in featured Matt Morgan and Hernandez warming up for their match...

4. Matt Morgan and Hernandez fought Beer Money to a double disqualification in 2:40. Things were going along smoothly until Rob Terry hit the ring and attacked Morgan. The announcers said it was a double DQ because of the outside interference. Not to split hairs, but wouldn't that be a no-contest since Terry isn't affiliated with either team?

The Band hit the ring after Morgan and Hernandez fought Terry to the back. Hall, Nash, and Waltman roughed up Beer Money until security hit the ring. Eric Bischoff's music played and he walked onto the stage with a smirk on his face. He laughed as he surveyed the scene. The announcers said we'd hear from him after the break...

[Q6] [C] After the break, highlights aired from "moments ago" of Bischoff telling Beer Money to be careful what they wish for. "The next round is on me," Bischoff told them...

In the ring, Bischoff told Hall, Nash, and Waltman that he doesn't know what he's going to do with them. "How about a raise?" Hall asked. Bischoff said they'd talk about that later. Bischoff said last week it was Foley and this week it's Beer Money. "I thought that's what you wanted," Waltman said. Bischoff said he never said that. Hall said he would drink all of Storm's beer. Bischoff booked Hall and Nash vs. Beer Money at the pay-per-view...

Powell's POV: My guess is that Waltman is added to the match simply because someone has to take the bumps and that's what he was brought in for.

Another Tomko video aired. He claimed Styles never returned his calls even when he called to congratulate him on winning the championship. "That's when I decided I was going to remind A.J. of his role around here," Tomko said... [C]

The announcers aired footage of Sting standing in the rafters following The Band's segment...

5. Desmond Wolfe pinned Samoa Joe in 3:20. D'Angelo Dinero sat in on commentary. Late in the match, Joe caught Wolfe in a rear naked choke while sitting on the ropes. Desmond moved forward and turned it into the Tower of London and scored the pin. Wolfe and Dinero jawed at one another while setting their pay-per-view match...

Powell's POV: Nice finish to a throwaway television match. It was fine while it lasted and it was nice to see Wolfe beat someone who matters. However, the match was too short and it wasn't presented as meaningful. Thus, I don't think Wolfe benefited as much as he should have from this one.

[Q7] A shot aired of Ric Flair arriving at the building in a limo. Tenay said Flair would be sitting in on commentary... [C] Another Tomko video aired...

Jeff Jarrett and his attorney entered Hogan's office where Hulk and Bischoff were seated. Hogan said it better be important. Jarrett slid paperwork off Hogan's desk and referred to Bischoff as Hogan's lackey. Jarrett referred to TNA as his company and said there isn't enough talent in the company to fill a coffee cup. He ripped the young wrestlers as well.

Jarrett said he brought his attorney because he wanted him to hear every word. He said Hogan was close to crossing the line when it comes to defamation of character. Bischoff interrupted Jarrett's rant. He said he's tired of hearing Jeff talk about the company he founded. Bischoff said Jarrett and his "old man" would have been out of business in three weeks if it hadn't have been for Dixie Carter and her family.

Bischoff accused Jarrett of conning the Carter family and everyone in the company. He told Jeff to take his con down the street or lace up his boots and compete. "Are you done?" Jarrett asked. He told Bischoff to sit down and shut up. Jarrett asked if Hogan was just going to sit behind the desk and let Bischoff talk to him that way.

Hogan stood up and approached Jarrett. "There's nothing in my contract that says I can't kick your hillbilly ass," Hogan said. Jarrett backed off and warned that Hogan and Bischoff haven't heard the last from him and his attorney. After Jarrett left, Bischoff said Jeff needs an attitude adjustment. Hogan said they'd help with that...

Powell's POV: Does anyone still want to claim that Jarrett wasn't supposed to act cockier than he did during his January 4 promo?

The announcers ran through the pay-per-view lineup...

Ric Flair came to the ring to a version of his usual theme music. He walked onto the stage and delivered a big "Wooooo!" as Tenay plugged that Flair would be on commentary during the main event... [C]

Powell's POV: I'm not a fan of the idea of having Flair on commentary. The one advantage is that what he said didn't get out via spoilers, but Flair is one of the best talkers in the business. I think most of us were looking forward to a big in-ring promo on January 4 that never came to fruition, and it doesn't look like we'll get it tonight either.

[Q8] Flair told Taz that he was there to observe, not to call the match. He said he has a lot of respect "for the two guys in the main event." Meanwhile, Tomko and Styles made their entrances. Flair claimed he went into A.J.'s locker room because he'd never met him before. He said he figured the greatest champion of all time should meet the TNA Champion. Jeremy Borash handled the in-ring introductions for the championship match...

Powell's POV: I'm happy the in-ring introductions for the championship matches are still in play even though Borash didn't get more than a few words out. They didn't have those on the live show. In retrospect, it's probably because they were trying to get so much on the show and didn't want people flipping to Raw during long introductions, but the intros are a nice touch that make the title matches seem a little more prestigious.

6. A.J. Styles defeated Tomko to retain the TNA Title in 7:45. Styles attacked Tomko during the introductions. Tomko has packed on a few unflattering pounds in the gut. Angle came out and greeted Flair with a big hug. Angle stood on the ramp and watched the match. [C] During the cut-in, Styles was wearing down Styles with a chin lock.

After the break, Tomko hit a nice powerslam for a quality near fall. Styles came back a short time later with a kick to the head and then a Pele Kick for the clean pin. Angle hit the ring and ran off Tomko. Angle picked up his title belt and handed it to Styles. Flair stood up at the announcers' desk. Angle offered his hand to Styles, who blew him off and left the ring while Flair laughed...

A video previewed the Genesis pay-per-view to close the show...

Powell's POV: A much better show than reports out of Orlando last week suggested. It wasn't a red hot show and it had its flaws, but it was hardly the disaster that some people in the company felt it was. As usual, there was way too much going on. Of course, they had to rush through the pay-per-view hype tonight since they had only announced a couple of matches coming in. Overall, it wasn't a home run followup to the live show, but it was an entertaining show. Thanks for watching along with me tonight.

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