Kurt Angle vs. Kazarian
Lock up and Angle gets a headlock takedown on Kazarian right away. Kazarian responds with a few arm drags. Mike Tenay mentions on commentary that a new Top 10 rankings will be revealed this week on Impact. Angle lifts Kazarian up and slams him into the corner. Kazarian fires back connecting with a springboard missile dropkick. Angle hits a german suplex, a second, attempts a third and Kazarian gets in a low blow in front of the referee. The referee gets in Kazarian’s and is close to stopping the match when Angle prevents it. Kazarian jumps at Angle and pushes him to the corner getting in a few right hands. Kazarian with a big flip dive over the top rope taking out Angle. Kazarian with a slingshot leg drop. Angle with a big tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Kazarian responds with a clothesline. Kazarian with a few rights and Angle is able to sneak in a big release german suplex. Angle with a high back body suplex on Kazarian. Kazarian counters an Angle Slam attempt into a spinning neckbreaker for a two count. Angle with a powerbomb on Kazarian and transitions right into an Ankle Lock. Kazarian counters that into a close two count.
Kazarian with a quick dropkick on Angle. Kazarian starts going up top with Angle recovering on his back. Angle pops up and launches Kazarian off the top rope to the mat below. Angle with an Ankle Lock on Kazarian. Kazarian kicks Angle away and then hits a big springboard DDT from the ring apron. Angle with a short german suplex on Kazarian. Angle with a second german. Angle with a third german. Angle with a fourth german and a release. Angle drops the straps and looks to finish Kazarian. Kazarian is able to counter and hit his modified Tombstone Piledriver behind his back. Kazarian covers Angle and Angle kicks out just barely after two. Kazarian counters a tilt-a-whirl attempt by Kazarian into a clothesline. Kazarian comes off top, Angle catches him with a kick and Angle Slam. Cover by Angle and Kazarian barely kicks out after two. Angle is shocked. Kazarian with a roll up on Angle and uses the ropes, but Angle still kicks out. Kazarian attempted his modifed Tombstone Piledriver again when Angle counters and gets Kazarian locked in the Ankle Lock. Angle falls down to wrench it in more and Kazarian taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle had his arm raised and says, “One down, nine more to go.” We then see highlights from the match leading to the finish.
We go to Mike Tenay and Taz at the announce booth. Taz thanks a variety of names who paved the way for him to have the opportunity to come to TNA.
* Douglas Williams defending the TNA X Division Championship against Brian Kendrick is up next.