TNA iMPACT!
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
September 16, 2010
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
After a week off TNA “iMPACT!” returns with the aftermath of the “No Surrender” PPV and the start of build towards the biggest PPV of the year, “Bound for Glory,” in October.
Impact opens up with Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy discussing their incredible (yes, Hunter Golden, the match was AWESOME) match at No Surrender. Clips of the match are shown in between them putting the match over. Footage of a member of the TNA medical staff putting Kurt Angle’s rib back into place is shown. Hardy mentions how one time in the match he slipped and the fans chanted “you f*cked up” at him but he says he f*cked up by not beating Angle (nice touch). Angle says he has to beat Jeff Hardy.
We then cut to the ring where Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle are standing. Tenay says that they were ‘summoned’ to the ring. Eric Bischoff’s music then hits and he makes his way out to the ring alongside Ms. Tessmacher. Highlights of Anderson beating The Pope are shown as Bischoff. Bischoff congratulates Mr. Anderson for advancing to the Finals at Bound for Glory and he says he will be competing for the TNA World Heavyweight Title. Bischoff says 24 years in wrestling and he has never seen a match as intense and hard fought as the one that Hardy & Kurt had at No Surrender as “it was awesome” chant breaks out. He says it’s an honor to be in the ring with them but they have a problem due to the Draw. He says that he thinks he came up with a solution and he thinks everyone will like it. Bischoff says Mr. Anderson will face Kurt Angle AND Jeff Hardy in a 3-Way Dance at Bound for Glory! Angle and Hardy then shake Bischoff’s hand and Bischoff starts leaving the ring but Dixie Carter comes through the tunnel to cut him off.
Dixie says that she wanted to say something in front of everybody. She says that she was proud of Angle and Hardy for their match because they never let up from the first bell to the final bell. She says it was one of her favorite matches ever in TNA but she also knows neither of them weren’t happy with the outcome and she says she wasn’t either. Dixie says a few weeks ago Hogan came out and trumped a decision she made in un-suspending Ric Flair and tonight she’s going to do the same by trumping Bischoff’s decision. Dixie says instead of a 3-Way at Bound for Glory, Angle and Hardy will face each other in a No Time Limit Match TONIGHT! The winner faces Anderson at BFG! Angle and Hardy hug before we cut to the back.
The Pope is looking for Bischoff saying “this is b.s.” and then he runs into Nash and Sting. He shakes their hands and then says he’s going to talk to Bischoff and “make this thing happen.”
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Back from commercials a camera man “last week” approaches Tommy Dreamer and asks him where EV2 goes from here after what happened Sunday. He replies by saying “maybe we go home” and then drives away.
“Big Sexy” Kevin Nash w/Sting vs. “Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe w/Jeff Jarrett
Nash and Joe goes to lockup but Nash put his knee into Joe’s gut and then shoves him into the corner and throws knees and forearms at Joe. Nash then whips Joe into the ropes and goes for a clothesline and then a back hand but both times Joe ducks underneath them. Joe then hits a Running Dropkick! Joe follows up with a Lariat and then he whips Nash into the corner. Joe runs in with a Running Back Elbow and then a Leaping Enziguri! Joe stomps on Nash and then Nash rolls out of the ring as the referee warns Joe about beating on Nash while he was in the ropes. Nash grabs Joe by the foot as he was distracted and then pulls him out to the floor and slams him into the apron. Taz points out the history between Joe and Nash going back to the Main Event Mafia days and even before. Nash tries to slam Joe into the apron again but this time Joe blocks it and nails Nash with big rights and lefts. Joe then tries to throw Nash into the ring steps but Sting stops him by grabbing his arm. Joe then starts nailing Sting with big right hands. Nash nails him from behind and then Jarrett goes after Nash. Why the hell hasn’t the referee thrown this one out yet? Sting and Joe continue to brawl at ringside while Nash and Jarrett brawl up the ramp. The referee counts them out instead of throwing it out when the two guys got involved for whatever dumb reason.
Winner: DOUBLE COUNTOUT
Joe, Sting, Nash, and Jarrett continue to brawl all around ringside. Finally security runs out to separate the four men. The brawl continues as security can’t keep them apart.
We cut to the back where Tara and Madison approach Lacey Von Erich (in a towel). Madison tells Lacey to get dressed because they have a title match in a few minutes. Lacey says she hasn’t made a decision of whether she is going with Madison or the original Beautiful People. Madison tells her to stop thinking and get dressed.
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Back from commercials Kevin Nash and Sting say they’re just starting. He says everyone keeps talking about 10-10-10 but Jarrett’s not even going to make it there. He says it’s a war and Sting says now it’s going to get fun.
TNA X-Division Championship
Douglas Williams (c) vs. Jay Lethal
Footage of Lethal beating Williams in a Non-Title Match on Xplosion a few weeks ago that sets this match up. Williams and Lethal exchange rights as the bell rings until Williams puts his knee into Lethal’s gut. Williams then hits a Scoop Slam following by a Knee Drop for a nearfall. Williams whips Lethal into the corner and then charges at him but Lethal gets his boot up. Williams catches his boot and swings Lethal’s legs into the ropes but Lethal is able to use the ropes like a seesaw sending his legs into Williams face Christian Cage style. Williams answers right back with a couple of uppercuts but Lethal comes right back with chops. Williams then hits a headbutt to the chest and then a European Uppercut followed by Gutwrench Suplex! 1…2…NO Lethal kicks out! Williams locks Lethal in a modified Camel Clutch but then drops it and stomps Lethal. Williams hits another big European Uppercut for yet another nearfall. Williams whips Lethal into the corner hard and then covers him for another nearfall. Williams locks Lethal in an Abdominal Stretch as the fans get behind Lethal. Lethal breaks the hold and nails him with right hands and chops. Lethal then hits the ropes but Williams was right on with a Back Elbow as he hit the ropes. Williams slaps Lethal mockingly and then taunts him. Williams then hits a Snap Suplex, 1…2…NO Lethal kicks out! Lethal answers back with right hands as Williams picked him up but then Williams cut him off with a drop toe hold and then he transitions into a crazy Bow & Arrow submission. Williams then lets go and Knee Drops Lethal. Williams picks Lethal up and goes for Chaos Theory but Lethal fights it off with back elbows and then Williams shoves him into the corner. Williams charges at him but Lethal backdrops Williams over the top rope. He lands on the apron and then hits a shoulder block through the ropes and climbs up top. He dives off the top but Lethal catches him with a dropkick in midair! Both men are down now as a replay is shown. Both men up now and Lethal nails Williams with a right hand and then a chop. Lethal attempts to whip Williams into the ropes but he reverses it only to have Lethal back handspring off the ropes into a Back Elbow attempt. Williams catches him in a Waistlock and then goes for Chaos Theory again but as he rolled through Lethal blocks it and counters into the Lethal Combination! 1…2…NO Williams kicks out! Lethal climbs to the top and dives off with a Flying Elbow attempt but Williams rolls out of the way! Williams climbs up top now and goes for the Diving Tornado DDT but Lethal blocks it! Lethal then grabs Williams and hits the Lethal Injection! 1…2…3 NEW CHAMPION!
Winner & NEW X-Division Champ: Lethal via pinfall (Lethal Injection)
After the match confetti falls over Lethal and then he goes into the crowd and celebrates with the fans.
In the back Abyss is dragging somebody through the backstage area by the leg but we didn’t get a good look.
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In the back Angle is hyping up the match for tonight and puts Hardy over, but says he’s a champion and Hardy isn’t.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships
Madison Rayne & Lacey Von Erich w/Tara vs. Hamada & Taylor Wilde (c)
Tara and Madison have an unbelievable new entrance! Madison bends over through the ropes and then Tara slaps her ass and then they kiss. Angelina and Velvet should think about doing that one! Taylor and Lacey will start the match off. Taylor immediately hits an arm drag on Lacey and then rolls her up for a nearfall. Taylor then hits a La Magistral Cradle for another nearfall. They lockup and then Taylor locks Lacey in a Hammerlock but Lacey reverses it and then transitions into a Side Headlock. Taylor reveres that into a wristlock and then a side headlock. Lacey forces Taylor into the corner and then charges at Taylor but she gets her boots up as Hamada blind tags in. Taylor holds onto Lacey as Hamada climbs to the top and hits a Diving Sunset Flip! 1…2..NO Lacey kicks out and tags in Madison! Madison and Hamada lockup but Madison knees Hamada in the gut followed by a Running Big Boot. She then tags Lacey back in and Lacey hits the Back Flip Elbow Drop (aka the stupidest move in wrestling) but when she goes for it again Hamada rolls out of the way. Hamada then hits a Running Mafia Kick followed by a Scoop Slam. Hamada climbs up top and hits the Diving Moonsault! 1…2..NO Lacey gets a shoulder up. Hamada tags Taylor back in and then holds Lacey as Taylor climbs up top and hits a Diving Cross Body for another nearfall. Taylor locks in a Side Headlock but Lacey shoves her into the ropes where Madison hits her with an elbow. Madison tags in and lays into Taylor with right hands. Madison hits a series of Knee Strikes followed by a Jawbreaker and then a running clothesline. Madison tags Lacey back in and then they hit a Double Suplex on Taylor. Lacey covers Taylor and gets a nearfall. Lacey locks in a headlock but Taylor counters out with a Jawbreaker and then tags in Hamada. Hamada hits another Mafia Kick followed by yet another one and then a third one! Hamada then hits a Headbutt and tags Taylor right back in. Taylor knocks Madison off the apron with a forearm as Hamada lifts Lacey up onto her shoulders. Hamada hits a Samoan Drop as Taylor hits Lacey with a Neckbreaker at the same time! 1…2…3!
Winners & STILL Knockouts Tag Champ: Hamada & Wilde via pinfall (Samoan Drop/Neckbreaker Combo)
After the match Madison screams at Lacey and asks her what the hell is wrong with her which causes Lacey to shove her! Tara then comes from behind and nails Lacey with the motorcycle helmet! Tara beats on Lacey until the Beautiful People’s music hits and then run out for the save. They chase Tara and Madison off and then Lacey hugs Velvet as Angelina dares Madison & Tara to get back in the ring.
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In the back Jeff Hardy talks about his match with Angle tonight.
Tommy Dreamer comes out to the ring and clips of the extremely violent match between he and AJ at No Surrender are shown as he makes his way out. Tommy is wearing a suit and he says that EV2 isn’t here tonight and he asks Fourtune to come out to the ring. They don’t make him wait long.
Fourtune come out minus Williams. Dreamer thanks Fourtune for coming out and then says he asked EV2 to stay home tonight and honestly he’s sick of seeing his friends get hurt. Tommy then asks for a truce between them. Dreamer says when he first came to TNA he tried to make a difference and what he wanted to show TNA was that TNA was so special and he has a personal history with all of them. He says he’s seen “his company” go away before and then says that Fourtune is the future of TNA and then says one day they will be in his shoes as it’s his last run. Dreamer says this is their house but he’s just looking for a place to call home. Dreamer says there has never been a guy like Storm to go from a great tag team like Americas Most Wanted and move onto even more success with another team like Beer Money. He gives Storm about as much praise as you can give a tag wrestler by comparing him to the legendary Stan Lane (former member of both the Midnight Express and The Fabulous Ones). He says Storm has more talent in his little finger than his beer drinking buddy Sandman ever did.
Dreamer says that many people may not know but he got Kaz his job in WWE. He says Kaz left WWE because he wasn’t happy and what was bad for WWE was great for TNA. He says he remembers Kaz when he was a young kid in the INDY’s and he says that if it wasn’t for TNA Kaz would’ve never met his wife (Traci Brooks) just like Dreamer met his wife because of ECW.
Dreamer says he remembers when Morgan was just a bouncer at a night club and how when Morgan was in the WWE people were calling him the next Undertaker or next Kane, but he came to TNA and proved that the next time there is some “young goofy kid coming up” they’ll say that kid is the next Matt Morgan.
Dreamer turns to Robert Roode and says that Roode’s tryout in WWE was against Dreamer and he offered Roode a contract with the ‘E’ but he turned it down to stay in TNA because he believed in TNA. Dreamer says he knows that Ric Rude and Curt Hennig were Roode’s favorite wrestlers coming up and he says that those two would stand there today if they could and say “that kid’s got it.”
Dreamer says if you were to ever to tell him as a kid that he would be standing in the ring talking to Ric Flair the one thing that he would say to him would be “thank you.” He says that he watched some of his greatest matches with his dad and he says that hardcore wrestling is bleeding, working your butt off, and performing when your hurt and when your family misses you and Flair did that 365 days a year and he thanks Flair again because if there was ever a hardcore wrestler it was Flair. Dreamer says that Flair says that he is the dirtiest player in the business but Flair IS the business and the day that Flair decides to never walk down the aisle again is the saddest day in wrestling.
Dreamer then turns to AJ finally and he says that AJ did something at No Surrender that no one else has ever done. He says that AJ did it not because Dreamer had an injured knee or because he cheated, he did it because he was better than Dreamer. Dreamer says AJ forces everyone he’s in the ring with to step their game up and then calls him the best in-ring performer in wrestling today. Dreamer says that AJ nearly ripped his eye out and he would’ve done the same thing to AJ. Dreamer says the one thing he wasn’t able to do that night is shake AJ’s hand because he was better than him.
Dreamer tosses the microphone to AJ and AJ catches it and says he’s that good, he didn’t even drop the mic. AJ says it takes a big man to come out here and say what he’s said about them tonight and that’s commendable. AJ says as bad as it kills him to say it, Dreamer is all heart. AJ says Dreamer helped take a company in South Philadelphia and turned into a revolution like no other. AJ says he never asked for respect but he always got it. AJ then says he has AJ’s respect and he will shake his hand. AJ offers his hand to Dreamer and shakes it and then hugs him. AJ then says one last thing, and asks Dreamer how many people has made Dreamer say “I Quit.” AJ says that’s right, just him and then he says he doesn’t need Dreamer’s praise or endorsement. AJ then nails Dreamer with the microphone! AJ beats on Dreamer and then the rest of Fourtune jumps in as Flair laughs! They beat the hell out of Dreamer as Flair looks on. AJ says for everybody to get a shot in. finally Brian Kendrick runs in and covers up Dreamer but Fourtune jumps him as well. AJ grabs Kendrick and tosses him out of the ring and then they continue to destroy Dreamer. Kendrick climbs back into the ring but Roode stops him and nails him again. Finally security runs out but Tenay points out that even security looks intimidated. AJ picks up the microphone and says if Dreamer wants a truce now he’s got it. AJ says “it’s over when I say it’s over.”
As Fourtune leaves Kendrick picks up the mic and challenges Fourtune to face him! Kendrick calls them some weird stuff and then he says he’ll stamp out fear and asks which one of them is brave enough to fight him. That dude is weird.
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Back from commercials Morgan nails Kendrick with a Discus Clothesline.
“The Blueprint” Matt Morgan vs. Brian Kendrick
Morgan nails Kendrick with a Big Boot and then he beats on Kendrick with right hands. Morgan hangs Kendrick up on the top rope and then kicks him in the gut. Morgan throws Kendrick into the corner and throws the repeated Back Elbows at Kendrick followed by a Corner Splash. Morgan then picks Kendrick up and hits a Fall Away Slam. 1…2…NO Morgan pulls Kendrick’s head up. Morgan tosses Kendrick across the ring and taunts the crowd, but when he turns around Kendrick nails him with a dropkick! 1…2…3!
Winner: Kendrick via pinfall (Dropkick)
Morgan grabs the microphone and says that doesn’t count because he’s not ready. He says he’s in a freaking Armani suit and he wants to extract it from the record book. He says that nobody embarrasses The Blueprint but Kendrick ignores him.
In the back The Pope approaches Ms. Tessmacher and says he needs to talk to Bischoff, but she says he’s in a very important meeting. Pope pushes over some papers but then stops and apologizes. Pope hits on Tessmacher and she says “maybe I can squeeze you in.”
———————–COMMERCIAL BREAK————————-
Back from commercials Abyss has someone hanging in ht eback somewhere while someone else is laid out on a table. Abyss is screaming about “they” and 10-10-10. Abyss picks up Janice and then says you behind every great woman is a great man. He then says you can’t have Janice without Bob. Abyss then pulls out a branding iron with “10-10-10” as the brand and he bands the guy laid out on the table with it. That was a little much.
Tenay and Taz have RVD on the phone. He talks about trying to recover and he says he feels good right now. RVD says he will be back and better than ever. RVD says he was pissed about being stripped of the TNA Title but he understands TNA’s view. He still considers himself World Champion. RVD says he’s a tough guy and he’ll prove that again. RVD doesn’t answer whether he’s been cleared by a doctor but says he feels great and says he’ll be back next week at the Impact Zone.
Generation Me comes out to the ring followed their awesome match with The Guns (and their beatdown of Shelley afterward) at No Surrender. Jeremy says if you get injured and can’t defend the title within 30 days it gets relinquished (using RVD as an example). Max then says that unfortunately due to what happened at the PPV to Shelley the Guns he says “I don’t think that dude’s gonna’ be coming around for a very long time.” The fans start chanting “you suck” at GenMe. Max says people have to start realizing that they are Generation Me and they represent the “Me Generation” and it’s all about them. Max says it took the Guns about 5 years to finally get the Tag Titles. He says they’re not there to pay any dues and they want what they want and they always get what they want. What they want is for Chris Sabin to come down to the ring and hand them their TNA Tag Team Titles. The Guns music hits!
Sabin comes out to the ring with his belt but he doesn’t look to be in a good mood. Sabin gets in the ring and attacks GenMe! Sabin is on fire but the numbers game gets the better of him. They beat on Sabin and put the boots to him. They grab Sabin and hang Sabin up on the top rope and they hit a Double Spike Hanging DDT on Sabin! Sabin immediately gabs his neck and then Max picks up Sabin’s title belt and raises it in the air before dropping it.
———————–COMMERCIAL BREAK————————-
More hype for the Main Event from Angle.
TNA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinals
No Time Limit Match
“Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle vs. “Charismatic Enigma”
Hardy and Angle lockup but Hardy quickly gets to the ropes to break them up. They lockup again and this time Hardy locks Angle in a wristlock and then beats on that arm of Angle’s with his other arm. Angle counters with an arm drag! Angle locks in an arm bar but Hardy gets to the ropes to break it up. They lockup again and this time Angle locks Hardy in a side headlock but Hardy shoves Angle off into the ropes only to eat a shoulder block from Angle. Angle follows up with a headlock takeover and then he holds onto the headlock and squeezes. Hardy fights the hold and rolls over and gets to his feet. Hardy shoves Angle into the corner and the referee breaks the hold. Hardy then kicks Angle in the gut repeatedly and then he grabs Angle and flings him underneath the ropes into the corner and the ring post side first (working on those ribs)! Hardy then hits a sliding dropkick sending him into the post again hard! Hardy rolls out to the floor and beats on Angle more before rolling him back into the ring. Hardy puts the boots to Angle and then he hits a Front Sitout Suplex for a nearfall. Hardy then locks Angle in a Rear Chinlock along with putting his knee in Angle’s back. Angle fights to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows and then he follows up with right hands. Angle attempts to whip Hardy into the ropes but Hardy reverses it. When Angle hits the ropes he holds on and then Hardy charges at him but Angle sidesteps him and Hardy goes flying through the ropes crashing to the floor! Angle follows up with a nice Slingshot Plancha over the top onto Hardy on the floor! Mr. Anderson walks out to the announce table as we go to a break.
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Back from the break Angle and Hardy clothesline each other. They get to their feet and Angle hits Hardy with a series of clotheslines and then he whips Hardy into the ropes and hits a backdrop. Anderson says he’s scouting these two. Angle hits Hardy with a European Uppercut and then he whips Hardy into the corner. Angle charges but Hardy gets his boots up and then charges at Angle but Angle catches him with an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Angle goes for the Angle Slam but Hardy blocks it and counters into the Twist of Fate! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! Hardy climbs to the top but dives off over Angle as Angle came charging in. Angle climbs to the top and hits a crazy Moonsault! His shoulder completely nailed Hardy right in the face! 1…2…NO Hardy still kicks out! Angle grabs Hardy and locks in the Ankle Lock! Hardy fights it as we see a cut on Angle’s forehead. Hardy uses his free leg to try and kick Angle but Angle avoids the foot and holds onto the Ankle Lock! Hardy rolls over and is able to kick Hardy off this time! Hardy goes to kick Angle but Angle grabs his foot again and this time Hardy nails him with a Leaping Mule Kick! Hardy climbs up top and dives off with the Swanton Bomb! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! Hardy climbs to the top and goes for the Whisper In The Wind but Angle moves and Hardy nails the referee! Angle grabs Hardy and hits the Angle Slam! Another referee rolls into the ring, 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Angle picks Hardy up and hits another Angle Slam! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out again! Angle grabs his ribs as he gets to his feet. Angle picks Hardy up and throws him into the corner where he beats on Hardy further. We’re out of time on Impact! No worry the match continues on Reaction…
OVERTIME ON REACTION
Angle hits Hardy with a Suplex as we come back on Reaction and gets another nearfall. Angle locks in a Body Scissors (don’t see that often)! Hardy wears down Hardy with the hold and then locks in a headlock. Hardy fights to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows. Hardy hits the ropes but eats Angle’s knee! Angle locks Hardy in another headlock. Hardy fights to his feet again and nails Angle with more back elbows. Angle goes for a clothesline but Hardy ducks and then hits a Running Forearm followed by a second. Hardy hits a Running Clothesline in the corner followed by the Hardyac Arrest! 1…2…NO Angle kicks out! Hardy clotheslines Angle over the top rope to the floor. Hardy follows him out and then slams Angle into the apron repeatedly. Hardy tosses Angle into the guardrail and then he slams him into the steps! Hardy rolls Hardy back into the ring and goes for a clothesline but Angle ducks and hits the Rolling German Suplexes! He hits 5 damn German Suplexes! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Angle continues to sell the ribs as he gets back to his feet and then climbs to the top rope. Angle goes for the Frog Splash but Hardy rolls out of the way! Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Angle counters into a sweep and then the Ankle Lock again! The other referee is rolling back into the ring now. Hardy fights the hold and rolls over but Angle grabs the leg and drops back down to his back and locks in a Heel Hook! Hardy then grabs Angle’s leg and locks in one of his own! Both men’s shoulders are down and both referees count! 1…2…3, what the hell?! Both Earl Hebner and Brian Hebner argue over who is the winner. A replay shows their pins at the same exact time. Eric Bischoff comes out to the ring.
———————–COMMERCIAL BREAK————————-
Bischoff talks to Dixie privately for a second and then Bischoff climbs into the ring as both Hardy and Angle look on. Bischoff says he has never seen two wrestlers so intense the way they have and says neither of them have anything more to prove and he says they’ve proven that they BOTH deserve to be in the Title Match. Bischoff says it WILL be Hardy vs. Angle vs. Anderson in a 3-Way at BFG. I do believe Dixie mouthed “what the f*ck” at that announcement.
Winner: DRAW (double pin)
Dixie leaves ringside as Hardy and Angle still argue over the finish. They finally shake hands and the fans give them a standing ovation.
Final Thoughts
After a week off, we got a pretty strong showing tonight. Some great wrestling and good promos as well.
The show starting off strong as they immediately addressed the Title situation which was good. I think we’ve seen the ‘power struggle’ stuff enough times in TNA but I think the Dixie Carter involved at least is interesting.
Joe vs. Nash was okay while it lasted and the brawl was okay as well. It looks like we’re heading towards Jarrett & Joe vs. Nash & Sting again but this thing needs to get somewhere quick and be interesting when it gets there. Then again after watching Reaction it looks like Pope might be injecting himself into this thing which could be interesting.
Good match between Williams and Lethal and I definitely understand why they took the belt off of Williams. Williams can remain in the EV2 vs. Fourtune stuff while the X-Division can get more shine. Lethal needs to get a feud going quickly, preferably against Red or someone along those lines. The confetti was a little much but they rarely stay long enough to watch a celebration of a title win so that was good.
The Knockouts Match was solid especially when Lacey wasn’t in. I like the Hamada/Taylor team and having Lacey with Angelina & Velvet is good since she won’t have to be in the ring much.
The Fourtune/Dreamer promo was absolutely brilliant. Well done in every single way and in my opinion the best or at least one of the best promos all year in TNA. He put every single member of Fourtune (except Williams who wasn’t out there due to his match shortly before) and none it sounded like bullsh*t or forced. The Storm comparison to Stan Lane was awesome and then the beatdown was perfect. Absolutely straight out of the heel playbook. AJ really established himself as the leader there as well.
I don’t think you want your enforcer or monster getting beat by Kendrick like that but it does at least give Kendrick a little rub in this thing instead of just getting destroyed every week.
The RVD interview wasn’t special at all and I would’ve just rather him came out as a surprise and killed Abyss or something. At least they can hype that he’s back next week.
The GenMe promo (which was their first on TV I believe) was a little shaky but they can get it with more TV time. I love this feud and it should lead to another great match between the two teams at BFG. The X-Division “haters” can go cry about it (and I’m sure they will).
The Main Event was excellent yet again. I do like the way they are putting over that Angle and Hardy are just so well matched and so good that one can’t seem to beat the other. That further makes Anderson’s involvement in the match that much more interesting (and I really think he has a shot at winning at BFG, which is going to make my pick that much harder). The match wasn’t as good as their No Surrender match but it was different than that match too. Hardy and Angle work very well together. I’m really looking forward to the 3-Way. Also, the decision to have the match continue on into Reaction was EXCELLENT and I think it will get most fans to stick around for Reaction. Great idea.
Overall they are building towards BFG early and extremely well so far.
Also, on another note myself and Dave Stephens (co-host of The Teachers Lounge and RAW recapper) co-wrote a discussion style column this past week called “Josh & Dave’s RAW iMPACT” in which we touch on the negative feedback (haters) towards TNA over the past year. If you have a chance check it out.
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Fourtune/Dreamer
– Match of the Night: Hardy vs. Angle (***1/2)
– Overall Grade: B +
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Ladder Match: AJ Styles vs. Sabu
– RVD returns
Bound for Glory Lineup:
-TNA World Title Three Way Dance: Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson