TNA iMPACT!
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
July 01, 2010
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
I’m back from last week’s laptop blowup (ha) and hopefully that won’t happen again. Shout out to Adam Martin for handling the duties for me but let’s get right to Impact, The Pope is back this week!
Impact opens up with a recap of the history between Abyss and Hogan. As we cut to the arena Abyss is freaking out and throwing chairs in the ring. Abyss is wearing a new black mask and black ring gear. He AWESOMELY scares some kids at ringside and then steals their chairs and tosses them into the ring. Abyss turns to So Cal Val and stalks her at ringside. She falls down as she was trying to get away from him and then Abyss points at her only to get cut off by Hulk Hogan’s theme music!
Hogan comes down the ramp and he isn’t in a playing mood obviously. Hogan climbs into the ring as Taz says that Hogan is scheduled for back surgery this week. Hogan picks up the chairs and tosses them around and dares Abyss to get into the ring. Abyss obliges him but before he can get his hands on Hogan, Eric Bischoff gets between them and says Hogan is nuts. Hogan tells Bischoff to get out of his way and again dares Abyss to get into the ring as he stands on the apron. Abyss climbs into the ring and security runs out to hold both Hogan and Abyss back. Bischoff actually punches Abyss in the face as he screams “you ungrateful son of a b*tch!” Abyss then goes apesh*t and punches out security before turning to Bischoff and points at him. Hogan grabs a steel chair and nails Abyss in the back with it! He nails Abyss a second time but neither fazes Abyss! Abyss turns around and grabs Hogan by the throat! Before Abyss can do anything to Hogan, Jeff Hardy’s music hits!
The music distracts Abyss allowing Hogan to hit Abyss with a couple of back elbows but neither work as Abyss holds onto his throat. Hardy runs down the ramp and comes off the rope with a kick to the gut on Abyss and then a Twist of Fate! Hardy then starts throwing the chairs at Abyss and climbs to the top and hits the Swanton Bomb! The fans are going crazy! Hogan and Bischoff leave with Hardy as Abyss is laid out in the ring. As Hardy and company make it up the ramp Abyss is shown in the ring going nuts again and pointing at Hardy and begging him to get back into the ring. Abyss says “you’re mine tonight” and Hardy attempts to get back into the ring but security holds him back.
At the announce desk Tenay and Taz discuss the wild way that Impact just started out. Tenay says that tonight AJ Styles and Samoa Joe will go one on one and then Abyss interrupts them! He points at Taz and Taz rips off his headset. Security runs over to stop Abyss but he lays them out. Abyss stares Taz down as we go to the break!
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Back from commercials replays of what just went down with Abyss are shown and then what happened during the break is shown. Abyss destroyed the backstage area continuing his destruction. Bischoff and Hogan discuss Abyss in the back and Hogan calls him ‘another cancer’ that could destroy TNA. Hardy says he wants Abyss tonight and they make the match! Bischoff says they’ll cover his back someway. Hardy screams into the camera that Abyss is going down tonight!
Ink, Inc. vs. Motor City Machine Guns
This Sunday Shelley & Sabin get a shot at the vacant TNA Tag Team Championships against their longtime rivals, Beer Money Inc., at Victory Road. Shelley and Moore will kick the match off. They lockup in the center of the ring and Moore gets the early advantage with a wristlock. Shelley rolls through it and reverses the hold. Moore rolls through it as well and then counters with a single-leg takedown. Moore then starts kicking the knee of Shelley. Moore then sets up for a submission hold (looked like maybe a Spinning Toe Hold) but Shelley kicks him off into the ropes. Moore bounces back and Shelley Reverse Monkey Flips Moore only to have Moore land on his feet. Moore then comes off the ropes but Shelley sweeps his legs and covers for a one count. Moore comes back with an arm drag and then he locks in an Armbar. Moore tags in Neal now and they whip Shelley into the ropes and hit a Double Hip Toss. Moore whips Neal into the ropes and then Hip Tosses Neal into a Somersault Backsplash Senton on Shelley! Neal gets a nearfall on Shelley after that move. Neal locks in a wristlock on Shelley and then tags Moore back in. Neal holds Shelley as Moore hits a Slingshot Sunset Flip on Shelley! 1…2…NO Shelley kicks out and then Moore locks in another wristlock. Moore attempts to whip Shelley into the ropes but Shelley reverses it. Moore springboards off the bottom rope into a Wheelbarrow Armdrag on Shelley that sends him through the ropes crashing to the floor! Sabin jumps into the ring and goes for a Lariat on Moore but he ducks and then hits a Spinning Head Scissors that sends Sabin out to the floor with Shelley! Moore then goes to the sky as he hits a Somersault Plancha over the top onto the Guns on the floor! Moore rolls Shelley back into the ring as Brother Devon comes to the announce table! Moore gets a nearfall on Shelley and Devon says he’s just out there to make sure Brother Ray doesn’t come out and interfere in the match. Sabin blind tags into the match as Moore attempts to whip Shelley into the ropes but Shelley reverses it and then hits an Atomic Drop on Moore as Sabin comes off the ropes and hits a Basement Dropkick to Moore’s knees! Shelley then rolls over the back of Moore holding onto Moore’s head exposing his face. Sabin then comes off the ropes again with a sliding dropkick to Moore’s face! Shelley then drops down to all fours as Sabin dives off his back with a Dropkick that knocks Neal off the apron! Sabin gets a nearfall on Moore and then he throws Moore’s face into Shelley’s boots in the corner. Shelley tags back in and locks in a Wristlock and twists Moore’s arm before tagging Sabin back in. Shelley holds onto Moore’s arm and Sabin leapfrogs over his partners back right into a Cannonball on the outstretched arm of Shannon Moore. Sabin hits an Elbow Drop and gets another nearfall. Sabin whips Moore into the ropes but Moore holds onto the ropes instead of springing back off. Sabin then charges at Moore but Moore hits a back elbow. Moore springboards off the middle rope with an Asai Moonsault! Both men are down now as the fans are getting into the match. Moore tags in Neal and Sabin tags in Shelley! Sabin goes for a Lariat but Neal ducks and hits a Running Forearm Smash! Neal connects with another Forearm and then he hits a Back Elbow. Neal ducks a clothesline from Sabin and then hits a Springboard Cross Body out of the corner! Neal nails Shelley with the Spear! 1…2…NO Sabin breaks it up! Moore jumps Sabin in the corner and attempts to whip him into the opposite corner but Sabin reverses it. Moore then floats over into a Head Scissors Takeover attempt on Sabin, but Sabin blocks it and then tosses Moore over the top rope to the floor! Neal nails Sabin with a Spinning Sidewalk Slam as he charged at him! Neal grabs Shelley and then puts him up on the top rope. Neal climbs up with him as Brother Ray comes out. This distracts Neal but Devon stops Ray before he can get involved. They start shoving each other on the ramp and Sabin nails Neal from behind and then the Guns hit the Made In Detroit (Powerbomb from Sabin and Sliced Bread from Shelley off the top at the same time)! 1…2…3 and the Guns get the win!
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns via pinfall (Made In Detroit)
3D continue arguing as the Guns celebrate their win. At the announce table Tenay and Taz talk about the return of The Pope will go down tonight! Tenay & Taz are then cut off by Bischoff’s music!
Eric Bischoff walks out onto the ramp and says that after talking to Hulk Hogan tonight’s Main Event will be Abyss vs. Jeff Hardy and RVD will be the Special Guest Referee!
In the back Dixie Carter arrives in the arena and Tenay wonders why she is here.
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Back from commercials the camera guy asks Dixie what she’s doing in the backstage area since she’s usually at ringside during the show, but she just ignores him.
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles w/Ric Flair & Kazarian vs. “Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe
This is a showdown between the 4th ranked Heavyweight Contender (AJ) and the 6th ranked Heavyweight Contender (Joe). This is a throwback to the old X-Division days where Joe and AJ were stealing the show on the regular. They’ve had countless classics together and this one will have big ramifications in the Rankings as both guys are highly ranked. Taz plays up how there are NO official members of Fourtune yet and that Flair says he is looking at EVERYBODY in TNA so Joe could potentially be asked to join the group. AJ and Joe circle each other as the fans are getting behind Joe early. They lockup and Joe forces AJ into the corner and then AJ shoves him off and lights Joe up with a Flair Chop but Joe just shrugs it off. AJ chops him again and again Joe just grits his teeth at AJ! Joe then slaps the hell out of AJ and AJ rolls out to the floor. AJ climbs back into the ring and argues with Kaz as he gets in so Joe grabs him from behind and throws him into the turnbuckles! Joe nails AJ with repeated jabs and then some sickening body shots beating AJ down into the corner! Joe picks AJ up and then whips him into the opposite corner and hits a Running Back Elbow followed by the Leaping Enziguri! Joe stares at Flair and then he tosses AJ into the corner and chops AJ and looks over at Flair. Joe hits a Snapmare Takeover on AJ and then slaps his back and Round Kicks him in the front! Joe follows up with a Running Knee Drop! Samoa Joe connects with an Elbow and then comes off the ropes and AJ goes for a leapfrog but Joe stops in his tracks and slaps the hell out of AJ again! Joe picks AJ up and AJ comes with a poke in the eyes out of nowhere and then a gorgeous dropkick! AJ puts the boots to Joe and then connects with a big right hand and then he chokes Joe on the middle rope. AJ hits Joe with a Flair Chop and then he hits a Scoop Slam and screams at Kaz and Flair. AJ puts the boots to Joe again and then connects with a stiff right. AJ hits a series of Shoulder Blocks on Joe in the corner and then he brings Joe to the center of the ring and goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Joe blocks it and hits a Front Suplex on AJ! Joe can’t capitalize immediately, however, due to AJ’s offense but he finally gets to his feet and walks over to AJ only to have AJ dropkick Joe’s knees out from under him! AJ puts the boots to Joe again and then hits a Snapmare Takeover and locks in a Rear Chinlock. Joe gets to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows only to have AJ nail him with a series of rights. AJ then attempts to whip Joe into the ropes but Joe blocks it and absolutely obliterates AJ with a Lariat! Joe connects with another Lariat and then a third one! Joe whips AJ into the corner but AJ springs to the middle rope and goes for a Cross Body but Joe counters in midair with an Atomic Drop! Joe then hits a Running Mafia Kick followed by the Senton Backsplash! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Joe lifts AJ up onto the top rope and absolutely kills him with a chop before setting up for the Muscle Buster! AJ blocks it and flips out of it onto his feet! AJ then goes for a clothesline but Joe ducks and eats AJ up with leg kicks but AJ caught the third leg kick and hit a Dragonscrew Leg Whip! AJ then grabs the knee and starts working on it before going for the Figure Four, but Joe grabs him and pulls him into the Coquina Clutch! AJ fights it but finally taps out!
Winner: Joe via submission (Coquina Clutch)
After the match Ric Flair and Kaz climb into the ring with AJ and Flair helps him to his feet. Flair says something to AJ as Kaz smiles and looks on. AJ looks like he wants to slap Kaz before Flair and Kaz leave AJ in the ring. AJ then grabs the microphone and asks Kaz if he thinks this is funny. AJ says he would beat Kaz like a crying little girl! AJ asks Kaz how big of a man he is and then challenges Kaz to a match for next week! Flair smiles and says he’s cool with it and Kaz accepts the match!
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Back from commercials Bischoff and Hogan are sitting at a table with Dixie Carter. Bischoff says that Sting has had his own agenda in TNA ever since he and Hogan arrived. Dixie says she doesn’t know what is going on with Sting and something has to be going on with him. Hogan says it’s just who Sting is but she refuses to believe that. Hogan says he and Bischoff has known Sting a lot longer than she has and then someone knocks on the door and Nash walks in. Dixie and Hogan ask him to come back later. Hogan says Sting is just jealous but Dixie doesn’t think that’s it. Bischoff tells Dixie to look at everything that Sting has done and says that what he’s done is borderline criminal. Hogan asks Dixie what he and Bischoff are there for and she says to help TNA. Hogan says Sting is just trying to “sink the ship” while they are trying to make TNA better, but Dixie says Sting had helped TNA try and get better longer before either Hogan or Bischoff ever came to TNA. Hogan says if she doesn’t fix this and ‘cut out this cancer’ then every talent in this company will abandon it. She asks what they propose she do and Bischoff suggests she either fire him, suspend him, or even file a lawsuit or even charge him criminally but as the President of TNA she needs to do something. Dixie agrees and says she’ll do something about it tonight. She says she’ll do it herself and she’ll let them know how it goes.
We cut to the ring where Desmond Wolfe is in the ring with a very unhappy Chelsea.
Submission Match
Desmond Wolfe vs. Brian Kendrick
Wolfe attacks Kendrick with a barrage of offense in the corner as the bell rings with European Uppercuts and Cross Chops. Kendrick comes back with a Roundhouse Kick and Forearms. Wolfe shoves Kendrick off but then eats a Diving Forearm from Kendrick! Kendrick then hits a Leaping Enziguri and goes for the Cobra Clutch but Wolfe shoves him off. Kendrick then connects with the Leaping Forearm again followed by a Leg Lariat! Kendrick goes for the Cobra Clutch again as Douglas Williams comes to the announce table. Wolfe gets to the ropes and then hits a Back Elbow on Kendrick and then tosses him out to the floor. Williams hits a European Uppercut on Kendrick and then a forearm. She gets in Chelsea’s face and says something before tossing Kendrick back into the ring. Wolfe grabs Kendrick but Kendrick arm drags him only to have Wolfe kick him out to the ring again. Wolfe hits another nasty European Uppercut and then another one before holding Kendrick up while talking trash to Chelsea again. Wolfe rolls Kendrick back into the ring but eats a Doubleg Takedown from Kendrick out of nowhere. Kendrick then mounts Wolfe and nails him with repeated rights and forearms. Wolfe rakes the eyes of Kendrick and then locks him in a crazy Figure Four Armbar! Chelsea starts to walk up the ramp which distracts Wolfe enough for Kendrick to escape the hold. Wolfe then kicks Kendrick in the face and watches as Chelsea walks to the back! Wolfe grabs Kendrick but Kendrick locks in the Cobra Clutch out of nowhere! Wolfe fights it and tries to roll out of it but Kendrick locks in a Body Scissors at the same time and Wolfe taps out!
Winner: Kendrick via submission (Cobra Clutch)
In the back The Pope is getting ready to come out and make his official return!
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Random thought of the night, does “The Predators” movie not look awesome as hell? Okay, moving on.
Back from commercials video that was supposedly shot Tuesday of Tommy Dreamer being approached by a TNA Camera Man in Yonkers, New York is shown. He asks Tommy what he’s doing in TNA but Tommy says this is ‘his time’ (to be alone) and he then shoves the camera away.
An excellent video package hyping up The Pope’s return is shown with some pretty nice hip hop playing in the background.
The Pope’s music hits and D’Angelo Dinero makes his return to TNA to a nice ovation from the crowd! Pope is definitely pimping tonight! Tenay talks about how great of a year Pope was having before the injury at Lockdown. Pope despite not being in the ring for several months is ranked #8 in the Heavyweight Rankings. A “Hallelujah” chant starts up (possibly the greatest chant I’ve ever heard). Pope thanks the fans and looks to be getting a little emotional. Pope says it’s moments like this that makes him understand that when he comes out here and busts his butt in the ring that it’s worth every minute of it. A huge “Pope” chant starts up now and Pope says he couldn’t have done without “Momma Pope, Brother Pope, Dixie Pope, Eric Pope, Hulkster Pope, you Pope, that Pope, every Pope, the whole Congregation!” Pope says they asked if it could be true that this is the return of the “most charismatic, Pimptacular, hand clapping, foot tapping, pimp slapping, blinging attire, always on fire, Pope that is D’Angelo Dinero”? He says that we should mark this on our calendars that Pope is at 80% and he’s still got the charge to lead his congregation. He says he wants to make things real clear, he hasn’t forgotten about Mr. Anderson. He says Anderson may have pulled the wool over many peoples eyes he needs to call somebody if he thinks he won’t get down and dirty. He says he can call “Sui-ci-day” (Suicide) if he doesn’t believe that. Pope says people ask how he can be in the Top 10 Rankings but he says he’s in it to win it and at only at 80% he is still kicking on all 8 cylinders and he’s the Cadillac of Pro Wrestling. Pope says, “diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangsta lean!” Pope says he’s here for one reason and he wants to earn his way and get back to the #1 position so he can rightfully take on the TNA World Heavyweight Champion once again and make history in TNA! Pope says everybody knows “Pope is pimpin!” Pope then asks for an amen but before he can get one Kurt Angle’s music hits!
The #9 contender in the Heavyweight Rankings, Kurt Angle, wearing a Main Event Mafia-style suit makes his way out to the ring! Remember, The Pope is #8! Angle and Pope smile at each other and Angle says welcome back to Pope and everyone missed him. Angle says Pope has made a lot of noise in TNA since he got there and he personally is a big fan of Pope. He says he sees the future of TNA in The Pope and the future is very bright, but just like Pope Kurt is trying to climb up the rankings. Angle says unfortunately their paths have now crossed in the rankings so at Victory Road it’s going to be The Pope vs. Angle. Angle says Pope has nothing to lose here but Angle has everything to lose because his first loss could be his last. Angle says he wanted to come out here man to man and shake Pope’s hand and say “may the best man win.” Pope says he looks forward to it but then Angle says one more thing and then gets in Pope’s face and says he MUST be victorious. They shake hands and Angle leaves a smiling Pope in the ring. That should be excellent.
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Back from commercials a video package hyping up Flair and Lethal’s feud is shown.
Jay Lethal comes out to the ring after the video package. Jay’s not smiling this week coming off of his brother being jumped by AJ and Flair last week. Lethal says he no longer respects Ric Flair after seeing AJ and Flair jump his younger brother last week. He begs Flair and AJ to come out there and try that on him tonight and he says he’s not leaving the ring until either one of the two come out here tonight. Instead of AJ or Flair, Matt Morgan’s music hits and Morgan (who Jay is scheduled to face tonight) comes out.
Morgan apologizes for interrupting Lethal but then says no he’s not. Morgan says two weeks ago Flair announced he was forming Fourtune and he approached Morgan to be the very first official member of the group! Morgan says he respects Flair for having the wisdom to pick him but he hasn’t quite made his mind up yet. Morgan says there was one thing that he and Flair could agree on and then Lethal tries to grab Morgan but eats the microphone as Morgan nails him with it!
Jay Lethal vs. “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan
Morgan then climbs into the ring and Headbutts him. Morgan then hits a Shortarm Clothesline and grabs the microphone and says that one thing was that he should kick Lethal’s a**! Morgan then nails Lethal with the series of Back Elbows in the corner. Morgan then hits a Corner Splash followed by the Sidewalk Slam. Williams drapes Lethal over the middle rope and then chokes him on it and then hangs him up the ropes and pulls on his arms. Morgan grabs Lethal but Lethal comes back with chops and a kick. Lethal then comes off the ropes with a Cross Body Attempt but Morgan catches him and then hits a Fall Away Slam. Morgan stands on Lethal and then chokes him in the corner. Morgan chokes Lethal on the top rope now and then hits the Running Body Guillotine on Lethal over the top rope and gets a nearfall. Morgan goes for the Carbon Footprint but Lethal ducks it and Morgan crotches himself on the top rope! Lethal nails Morgan with a chop and then an Uppercut followed by a series of leg kicks and chops. Morgan grabs Lethal by the throat but Lethal swats his arm away and hits an Enziguri! Lethal comes off the ropes and hits a Shoulder Block and then hits a Running Dropkick to a kneeling Morgan for a nearfall of his own! Lethal springboards off the top but Morgan catches him in midair by the throat and Chokeslams him over the top rope to the floor! The referee checks on Lethal as Hernandez runs out and low blows a celebrating Morgan! Lethal with a Springboard Missile Dropkick now and gets the pin!
Winner: Lethal via pinfall (Springboard Missile Dropkick)
In the back Abyss is driving nails into a 2×4 and is ranting about owning TNA and then says ‘this looks like it’s REALLY going to hurt somebody.’
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Non-Title Match
Taylor Wilde vs. Madison Rayne
We need to see more of the gorgeous Taylor and definitely more of Sarita, come on TNA! Taylor and Madison lockup and Taylor hits a Single-leg Takedown and then rolls into a Side Headlock. Taylor gets to her feet and Madison breaks the hold and grabs Taylor’s hair. Before I go any further, Taylor’s new ring gear is AWESOME (just look at it if you haven’t seen it and you’ll see what I mean). The referee slaps Madison’s hand away and then she argues with him. Taylor then slaps Madison only to eat a Spear from Madison! Madison grabs Taylor by the hair and slams her head into the mat repeatedly. Madison then chokes Taylor on the middle rope and whips her into the ropes only to eat a Spinning Headscissors Takeover from Taylor! Taylor then goes for a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker but Madison blocks it and then goes for a clothesline. Taylor ducks and hits a series of Forearms! Taylor then chops Madison as Tenay & Taz talk about the potential friction that has been building between Taylor and Sarita on Xplosion (they need to hurry and start airing that damn show on Spike). Taylor attempts to whip Madison into the ropes but Madison reverses it and slams Taylor to the mat. Madison whips Taylor into the corner but Taylor slingshots over the top rope to the apron. Taylor and Madison then clothesline each other with Taylor on the apron. In the crowd Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Stevie Richards, and now Rhino walk as an “ECW” chant starts! In the ring Madison grabs Taylor but Taylor nails her with an apron and then slams her into the top turnbuckle. Taylor climbs to the top and goes for a Flying Cross Body, but Madison ducks! Madison kicks Taylor in the head hard and then locks in a Camel Clutch! Madison hits the Rayne Drop for the pin!
Winner: Rayne via pinfall (Rayne Drop)
After the match Angelina Love charges the ring with a chair and nails Madison with it! She tries to DDT Madison onto the chair but Madison shoves her away and bails out of the ring.
In the back Dixie Carter is still looking for Sting.
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
In the back Sarita and Taylor Wilde are brawling! Sarita tosses Taylor into a chair and then she slams her into an equipment case! Sarita talks trash to Taylor before trying to slam the equipment case into her! Taylor moves out of the way and the girls continue brawling! Sarita says she’s sick of losing and they continue trading blows! Sarita tosses Taylor into a wall before security finally breaks them up. Sarita completely obliterates Taylor with a sickening right hand as a security guard was holding her! Jesus, that was nasty!
Dixie finally finds Sting in the rafters. Sting asks Dixie if she can finally ‘see now’ and that she finally knows what’s going on around here. Dixie says Hulk and Eric have made it very clear to her that Sting has become a cancer in TNA and this cannot continue. She says Sting has put her in this position and effective immediately Sting is suspended for 30 days without pay. Sting says after everything they’ve been through and screams at Dixie asking her if she really thinks this is about money. Dixie says she understands that but asks Sting what it’s about then. Sting says she’s been conned and Dixie tells Sting if he has something to say to her then he should say it. Sting says he’s been saying it all along but Dixie says he’s been saying it some stupid cryptic language. Sting says he’s been saying it all along but she’s just not listening to him. He says he’ll speak in childlike terms for her now but Eric Bischoff stops him before he can say anything else and has security escort Sting out. Sting laughs at Bischoff and says she can forget about the 30 days and should just make it indefinite. Sting then fakes like he’s going to hit Bischoff before walking off. Bischoff tells Dixie that Sting is dangerous and she needs protection. Bischoff says from this point forward she needs a bodyguard 24/7 and this ‘cancer’ won’t go away that easy.
———————COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————-
Main Event
“Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs. “The Monster” Abyss
Special Referee: Rob Van Dam
Abyss brings out the 2×4 with nails sticking out of it. These two had a feud back in the day in Jeff’s first run in TNA which resulted in some wild matches between each other. One of which was the first ever Full Metal Mayhem Match. Jeff jumps into the ring and nails Abyss with right hands as RVD was trying to get the 2×4 from Abyss. Jeff then comes off the ropes and hits a Forearm Smash. Jeff then comes off the ropes again and Abyss swings the board at him, but Jeff ducks and hits a Running Dropkick! Jeff mounts Abyss in the corner as RVD throws the board out of the ring. Abyss shoves Jeff off but Jeff quickly mounts him in the corner again and nails him with right hands. Abyss shoves him off again and then Abyss whips Jeff into the ropes. Jeff comes back with a running clothesline that sends Abyss through the ropes to the floor. Jeff follows up with a Dropkick through the ropes to Abyss and then a Slingshot Cross Body over the top rope onto Abyss on the floor! Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate on the floor but Abyss shove shim into the ring post. Abyss gets in some fans faces and then he drags Jeff over to the steps and slams him into them. Abyss rolls Jeff back into the ring and whips him into the corner hard. Abyss grabs Jeff but Jeff comes back with rights and lefts only to eat a Sidewalk Slam from Abyss for a nearfall. Abyss rolls out to the floor and grabs a steel chair as Taz wonders if the ECW guys are behind Abyss going nuts. RVD takes the chair from Abyss and then Jeff rolls him up! 1…2…NO Abyss kicks out! Abyss goes for a clothesline but Jeff ducks and hits one of his own! Jeff then hits the Legdrop to the nuts! Jeff rolls out to the floor and gets the chair and sets it up in the corner! Jeff dives off the chair with Poetry In The Motion on Abyss in the corner! Jeff attempts to whip Abyss into the corner but Abyss reverses it and then charges at Jeff only to eat a back elbow. Jeff climbs to the top and hits the Whisper In The Wind! 1…2…NO Abyss kicks out! Jeff comes off the ropes but eats a Big Boot from Abyss! Abyss then hits a Big Splash! 1…2…NO Jeff kicks out! Abyss picks Jeff up and goes for the Shock Treatment but Jeff blocks it and hits the Twist of Fate! Jeff climbs to the top and goes for the Swanton Bomb but Abyss crotches him on the top! Abyss climbs up to the top with Jeff and goes for a Super Chokeslam but Jeff blocks it with back elbows and right hands. Abyss falls off the top and Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb! 1…2…3!
Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Swanton Bomb)
After the match Abyss immediately gets to his feet and attacks Jeff again! RVD ducks a clothesline from Abyss but then eats a Black Hole Slam! Abyss rolls out to the floor and grabs the 2×4! Before Abyss can use it Mr. Anderson’s music hits! Anderson runs out with a chair and swats the 2×4 away with the chair and then nails Abyss with the chair! Anderson hits Abyss with it again and then swings it at Abyss but Abyss ducks and Anderson nails Hardy! Abyss then grabs Anderson from behind and hits the Shock Treatment! Abyss has yet again left bodies laying at the end of Impact.
Final Thoughts
Excellent show tonight. We started off hot with the crazy situation with Abyss and Jeff Hardy which was a great way to open the show.
The Machine Guns and Ink, Inc. had a good match but again it was overshadowed by the drama with 3D. It was nice to see a babyface vs. babyface match for once though.
Joe-AJ was excellent but with more time could’ve been as good as any those two have put on. I don’t really think the loss hurts AJ too much especially with the program he has going on with Flair. I’m really loving the way they are building up Joe again and the eventual showdown between Joe and AJ could be epic.
I am absolutely loving this Sting drama. They are playing off how Dixie feels she owes Sting and knows him while still thinking Hogan and Bischoff can help TNA become better so well. Sting being ‘suspended’ should give him some time to heal that shoulder up some but I love the emotion he is showing in this angle.
Kendrick-Wolfe was okay but I hate how Wolfe is being buried right now. He was too tall for Kendrick to properly lock on that hold anyway.
The Pope’s return was a highlight and it was cool to see him genuinely get emotional and he cut an excellent promo despite getting emotional. He was able to collect himself and move on. The match with Kurt Angle is going to be really fun but I don’t want to see Pope lose this early into his return not that it would kill his momentum. A great match with Angle would do him great but a win would be even bigger. With this story that their going with Angle having him lose just wouldn’t make sense (it definitely looks like we’re building towards a huge Angle vs. RVD match at BFG).
Lethal-Morgan was okay but that was a nice win for Lethal and they continued the beef between Hernandez-Morgan. The thought of Morgan in Fourtune does nothing for me, however.
Rayne-Taylor was okay but man we need to see more of Taylor (for more than one reason). The stuff between her and Sarita was great, though. I would love for those two to get some time to actually have a feud play out on TV and eventual PPV match.
The Main Event was a solid brawl type of match with Hardy picking up the win that didn’t hurt Abyss at all since he destroyed everything in sight anyway. Anderson nailing Hardy with the chair should get interesting as well.
Quick Results:
1) Motor City Machine Guns def. Ink, Inc.
2) Samoa Joe def. AJ Styles
3) Submission Match: Brian Kendrick def. Desmond Wolfe
4) Jay Lethal def. Matt Morgan
5) Madison Rayne def. Taylor Wilde
6) Jeff Hardy def. Abyss w/Special Ref: RVD
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Pope’s return and Angle’s challenge
– Match of the Night: Joe vs. AJ (***)
– Overall Grade: B +
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Ladder Match: Douglas Williams vs. Jeremy Buck
– Matt Morgan & Beer Money Inc. vs. Hernandez & Motor City Machine Guns
– AJ Styles vs. Kazarian
– RVD vs. Samoa Joe
Victory Road Lineup:
– TNA World Title Fatal 4-Way: Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Abyss
– Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal
– Kurt Angle vs. D’Angleo Dinero
– Steel Cage Match: Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez
– TNA X-Division Title Ultimate-X Submission Match: Douglas Williams (c) vs. Brian Kendrick
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money Inc.
– TNA Knockouts Title: Madison Rayne (c) vs. Angelina Love