TNA - Reboot, The Rock, and Resurrection

[Misanthrope]

The April 20th edition of TNA Impact ended with Hulk Hogan standing in the ring with the TNA title over his shoulder. On the mat, freshly pinned after the Leg Drop of Doom, the pride of TNA - AJ Styles. Outside, still brawling with Desmond Wolfe and Ric Flair was Abyss.

What's wrong with this picture?

Even the die hard fans in the Impact Zone were fed up. What Hogan and Bischoff might have envisaged as a turning point turned in another direction. The fans booed. Garbage was thrown. Viewers switched over to Raw where Jack Swagger won a star making match against John Cena to retain his title.

The ratings war had been one sided from the start, and the ludicrous booking had begun to drive loyalists away.

Mike Tenay and Taz urged the fans to 'tune in next week for more exciting Impact'.

There would be no Impact the following week. In fact, the next episode of Impact wouldn't air until June 7th.

Things had to change.

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In the weeks following Spike TV's decision to pull Impact from the air and demand a repackaging of the product, a great many changes were made. Staff members such as Dale Oliver (music), Taz (commentary), Christy Hemme, So Cal Val, and Jeremy Borash were shown the door.

New faces began to appear backstage. Lance Storm and Rocky Johnson were signed to head up the development territory; Rudy Charles and Nick Patrick brought some much needed refereeing experience; Mike 'Nova' Bucci and Tully Blanchard joined the road crew along with Ted DiBiase Sr, Tim White, and Christopher Nowinski.

"We're committed to a complete revamp of the product," said Dixie Carter during the press conference that signaled the end of the Hogan/Bischoff/Russo regime.

Oh, Russo was gone too. You'd best believe that Russo was shown the door.

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It wasn't just backstage that changes were made. The likes of The Nasty Boys, Rob Terry, Team 3-D, Rhino, Raven, and Bubba the Love Sponge were shown the door. New faces came in, although they're a surprise for later.

During the near six weeks between Impact's cancellation and its triumphant return, the company toured. But the new signings, whoever they might have been, weren't touring. From Florida to LA to Portland to New York - fans were treated to TNA at its purest form. Mr. Anderson and Kurt Angle had a legendary series of battles. AJ Styles defended his gold again and against D'Angelo Dinero. The Motor City Machine Guns battled a reformed LAX. Christopher Daniels, back from the wilderness, had a string of enthralling battles with Doug Williams and Shannon 'Soon to be Future Endeavoured' Moore.

And then, on June 7th, Impact returned to Monday Nights.

And the world of pro wrestling (or Sports Entertainment) would never be the same again.

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Tonight on TNA Impact's return to Spike TV!

​

Spike TV have promised a new look show with new management. With Eric Bischoff removed at the top of the pile, who will take the reins as TNA's power-broker? Rumor has it, the night's going to be extreme.

It won't just be changes at the top of the pile, either. TNA.com today announced that the TNA Global and TNA Knockout Tag titles will be suspended until further notice. But in huge news, TNA has also confirmed that all titles have been vacated. How will former champion AJ Styles react to the news? Who will stand up to claim the gold?

It's been a busy few weeks for TNA, and you can expect to see new faces on Impact. Spike TV can guarantee that not one but three former World Champions not currently attached to TNA will be present.

Tune in to see all of this, plus the classic in ring action that has made TNA the changing face of professional wrestling. Match-ups promised include:

TNA classic revisted!
Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles

Tag team war!
LAX vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Huge Main Event!
Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Abyss vs. Mr. Anderson, Desmnond Wolfe, and Sting

It's going to be a huge night as TNA reinvents itself and pays tribute to its roots. Don't miss out!

 

[Misanthrope]

Impact - June 7th, 2010

The first edition of a new era for TNA and professional wrestling kicked off with Mike Tenay on commentary solo. He welcomes the fans to TNA Impact and says that he doesn't know who his announce partner is going to be.

Although he doesn't mention it, the fans immediately notice the return of the six sided ring. Tenay promises us a night of surprises, and we get one right off of the bat as Paul Heyman comes out to the heavy beats of Bodies by Drowning Pool.

This is T-N-A
The former ECW supremo is out to rapturous applause, and he soaks it up before speaking.

"Before I get down to business, I wanted to make sure you noticed the changes around here. I don't see Hulk Hogan and his buddies. I don't see Eric Bischoff playing his guitar and plugging his new CD".

TNA chants.

"What I do see is a ring. A ring with not two or three or four sides. A ring with six sides. This is TNA. It's not WCW. It's not the WWE. And it's sure as hell not the B Show".

The fans are lapping it up, but their cheers turn to boos as AJ Styles and Ric Flair strut out.

"Let me get this straight," Flair starts, "TNA management fired my old enemy Hogan and put in some greasy, fat, nobody from Philadelphia? In case you haven't noticed, Paul, this isn't ECW and this isn't a bingo hall. This is T-N-A and this man beside me is the future of the business, Mr. AJ Styles".

Styles bows sarcastically.

"I noticed," Heyman shoots back, "That there's no gold around your client's waist anymore, either. Let me be up front with you Flair, I've got a lot of respect for your place in this industry and I think you can do a lot for TNA, but the manipulation stops here. I can't be played like Hogan and Bischoff. If you try and play mind games with me, I will f**k you up".

Some ECW chanting intermingled with the TNA chants.

"You're boy isn't going to get shot straight to the top just because you're at his side, Flair. He's going to have just as much chance as everybody else on the roster. Because on June 25th, we're going to have ourselves a pay-per-view. It's going to be called Rebirth, and it's going to feature a thirty man Gauntlet match for the TNA Heavyweight Title. Gauntlet rules are simple. Two men start, a man enters every two minutes, and the last man standing wins. You can eliminate somebody by pinfall, submission, or by throwing them over the top rope".

Flair and Styles look outraged at this prospect.

"Don't worry," Heyman assures them, "AJ is a tremendous athlete and of course he's in the match. In fact, I'm so confident of your boy's abilities, that I'm going to have him open the match. AJ - you're entering at #1".

Styles is furious and he's on his way down to the ring to give Heyman a piece of his mind, but the music of Samoa Joe hits, and the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion is back!

"Oh, AJ. I forgot to tell you. Your match with Joe and Daniels? It's up first".

RATING: 75%

AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels

Paul Heyman joins Mike Tenay on commentary for this one, a rematch of several classic encounters between the three TNA originals.

In a good, fast paced match (not quite as good as their past work) - Styles picks up the 1-2-3 after Flair toppled Daniels off of the top rope. Joe, who had been laid out moments earlier with the Pele kick, doesn't get across in time to make the save.

Styles' celebrations are short lived, however, as Joe gets in his face about Flair's interference. Styles slaps the taste out of Joe's mouth, and Joe isn't happy. MUSCLE BUSTER! Samoa Joe's laid out Styles post match!

WINNER: AJ Styles by pinfall after 13:29
RATING: 79%

COMMERCIAL

Tenay's New Partner

After the match has finished and the three competitors have gone to the back, some unfamiliar music hits but it's a familiar face who is on his way out to the ring. It's John Layfield, a former WWE champion! In his white cowboy hat and expensive suit, he swaggers down to the ring. The fans, knowing full well the kind of person he is, are already booing.

"Is that any way to greet a Wrestling God?" he asks, but the booing continues.

"Boo all you like, but I'm not going anywhere. You see, when Spike TV canceled TNA Impact for not being good enough, that cost the company a lot of money. Salaries needed to be paid but there was no revenue coming in. That's where I came in".

He grins smugly.

"I've made hundreds of millions of dollars in and out of the wrestling ring. I've bought and sold homes that make your trailers and press-board shacks look like... well... like trailers and shacks. I can't actually think of a less flattering way to describe the hovels you fans in the 'Impact Zone' inhabit".

"That's beside the point. The point is, TNA needed a sugar daddy, and I was more than happy to step in and buy a portion of the company. Now, unlike some former champions, I have no desire to relive my glory days. I've held more gold than I can remember, so this isn't about me feeding my ego".

Tenay questions whether JBL is aware how ego-maniacal he sounds.

"So, for those of you getting excited about the prospect of JBL stepping into the ring, I apologize. Wrestling in this six sided monstrosity against TNA's horde of spot monkeys and cast-offs is beneath me. However, I will be on your television every week... as Mike Tenay's new commentary partner!"

Tenay is appalled. The fans aren't happy either. Layfield's music hits and he joins Tenay on commentary, remarking on how this has heralded a new day for TNA.

RATING: Not rated

COMMERCIAL

Styles is Displeased

We cut backstage to where a furious AJ Styles and Ric Flair are being attended by a bevy of scantily clad, sparsely brained women. They are furious about Joe's assault on Styles post match, but Flair tells his charge not to sweat the small stuff. Joe's a fat, jealous son of a bitch and beneath Styles.

What he wants AJ to focus on, is conditioning. If he's going to have to go through 29 other wrestlers at Rebirth, he's going to need all of the cardio he can get. He suggests that AJ take a few of the girls home and work on 'improving his cardo'.

RATING: 93%

A Second Chance

We cut backstage to what appears to be Paul Heyman's office. The new TNA boss is being inundated with requests. The Motor City Machine Guns, Beer Money, Kevin Nash, Homicide, Doug Williams, and Desmond Wolfe are all crowded into his office. They're basically shouting their requests and questions at Heyman.

"I want in!" Wolfe demands.

"The Band want to know that they're contracts are secure," Nash demands.

"What's happening with the X-Division?" Homicide asks.

The door opens and everybody falls quiet. Mick Foley, wearing a suit and looking somber, is here. He approaches Heyman, who bursts out laughing.

"What the hell are you wearing, Mick? You look like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs".

Foley manages to look humble. Everybody else watches on.

"You and I go back a long way, Paul," Foley begins, "A long, long way. I've bled for you more times than I can remember".

Heyman nods.

"What can I do for you, Mick?"

"I don't know if you were aware, but before you took over, Eric Bischoff put Jeff Jarrett and I in a match for my career..."

"I remember, and it was bullsh*t. Mick, if you're hear to beg for your job back, don't bother. I respect you too much to see you beg".

Robert Roode steps forward.

"Hold on a damn second," he demands, "You're just going to give this fat schmuck his job back? Just like that? TNA is the future of the business, not the past. What the hell does Mick Foley have to offer the company?"

"I'll tell you what," Heyman says ominously, "How about you get ready for a match and Mick can show you himself. Too many of you young guys think you've made it just because you're on prime time TV. Mick knows better. Mick Foley bled litres of blood. He went through tables. He took chairs to the head. He fell off a freakin' cage. Foley started in this business when you were six years old, and he fought twelve long years before he 'arrived'. You could learn a hell of a lot from the Hardcore Legend, and you're going to".

Roode looks shocked, and Foley looks pleased.

"It's going to be extreme rules," Heyman explains, "And just to make sure your drinking buddy doesn't get involved, I'm going to have an old friend of mine keeping an eye on things".

We don't see who this 'old friend' is, but Foley seems pleased.

"You won't regret this, Paul," he promises.

"I know that, Mick," Heyman grins, "But I think a few others might". He looks pointedly at Robert Roode.

RATING: 93%

A Star Arrives

Right before we go to commercial, the TNA cameras find a limousine arriving backstage. Tenay asks who it could be, and JBL says it doesn't matter. The biggest star of the night has already arrived.

The door opens and out steps Booker T! The former TNA Legend Champion and former WWE and WCW Champion has returned to TNA!

RATING: 100%

COMMERCIAL

Robert Roode vs. Mick Foley (Hardcore Rules)

These two guys have a pretty good chemistry - the hardcore legend up against the cocky young Canadian star. In a good, back and forth match - the end comes when James Storm hits the ring. With the referee down, he's looking to finish Foley off with The Last Call, but.... TOMMY DREAMER!

The former ECW Champion vaults the guard rail and smashes Storm across the back with that famous Singapore cane! He chases Storm off, and while Roode argues with the referee, Foley's to his feet. MANDIBLE CLAW! Roode goes limp! Foley's won!

WINNER: Mick Foley by KO (Mandible Claw) after 6:44
RATING: 78%

COMMERCIAL

The Band Demand a Match

Foley's celebrations are short lived, as Scott Hall and Syxx Pac hit the ring and beat him down. Once they're done, they toss him out of the ring.

"Hey yo". Hall gets a pop.

"Seems like everybody in this damn company is getting a pay day and they're getting promises made. Well, where's our slice? You think because Hogan's gone, we're gone too?"

The fans boo some more.

"My boy Syxx Pac here is itching to get back into the ring. That's why we're putting out a shout out to anybody willing to step into the ring with him".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68yPOeKNKE

GOLDBERG! IT'S GOLDBERG!

The former WWE and WCW Champion doesn't waste any time. He hits the ring at speed... SPEAR TO SCOTT HALL!

The referee calls for the bell, and we've got a match!

RATING: 85%

Goldberg vs. Syxx Pac

This one is over in a hurry. Goldberg hits the trademark moves. The gorilla press, the spear, and the Jackhammer. That's all she wrote.

WINNER: Goldberg by pinfall (Jackhammer) after 0:31
RATING: 74%

COMMERCIAL

LAX vs. The Motor City Machine Guns

Tenay explains that LAX are back together in honor of TNA's rebirth, and that they are one of the most decorated tag teams in TNA history.

This is, by far, the match of the night. Two young, hungry teams put on a real show for the fans. MCMG shine with their high flying offence and heelish antics, whilst the combination of big man Hernandez and small man Homicide make for a good dynamic. You know what they're capable of.

The end comes with Sabin rolling up Homicide after he was guillotined on the ropes by Shelley.

WINNERS: MCMG by pinfall (schoolboy on Homicide) after 10:22
RATING: 82%

The Pope Meets Booker T

Booker T and his wife, Sharmell, are wining and dining backstage. Booker T boasts about how great it is to be back, but D'Angelo Dinero has entered the room.

"Do the Pope's eyes deceive him? Is this Booker T and his wife, Hooker T?

Booker looks to Sharmell.

"Tell me... he didn't just say that".

"Oh, the Pope said it, but he didn't mean no disrespect. Your wife is one fine looking African queen, and the Pope respects that. But the Pope be pimpin', and he knows Booker T has fallen on hard times since he was laid off. Your host of hosts was just offering to help out in.... (he eyes Sharmell) any way he can".

"Slap his face, Booker! He can't talk to me that way!"

"Let me handle this," Booker snaps at her, "You can't talk to her that way!"

"The Pope mean no offence," he apologizes, "Allow me to offer you some form of compensation for my faux pas. I'd like to welcome you to TNA by offering you a match against yours truly, the Black Pope at Rebirth. What do you think, old dog? Do you still have what it takes? Or are you, like so many others, destined to ride the D-D-E?"

He doesn't wait for Booker's answer, and leaves. The fans, who were happy to see Booker, boo D'Angelo's antics.

RATING: 92%

Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Abyss vs. Sting, Mr. Anderson, and Desmond Wolfe

Prior to the match, we get video packages focused specifically on Wolfe and Abyss - the two local products. There's no love lost between these two, and they start things off.

The fans are red hot for this one. Sting, Hardy, and Angle are massively over - and the fans can't help but cheer the Stinger on when he's tagged into the match and treats Angle to a few of his signature moves.

The end comes with a battered Hardy able to make the hot tag to Abyss just as Anderson enters the ring. Abyss lays out Anderson with the Black Hole Slam, but walks right into a Jawbreaker Lariat from Wolfe. Angle Slam on Wolfe! But now Sting's in! Scorpion Death Drop to Angle!

Sting goes to help Anderson to his feet, but the cocky star shoves Sting away. The fans cheer as Sting hits a Scorpion Deathlock on Anderson! Meanwhile, Abyss has tagged out to Jeff Hardy. Anderson's on the mat... SWANTON BOMB! 1-2-3! Sting cost his team the match!

WINNERS: Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, and Abyss by pinfall (Swanton Bomb on Mr. Anderson) after 14:29
RATING: 83%

The night ends with Sting stalking up the ramp as the babyfaces celebrate. A clearly furious Anderson stares down Sting, and Tenay and JBL remind us to tune in next week because the surprises don't stop here!

OVERALL: 84%
HIGHEST RATED SEGMENT: Booker T arrives
LOWEST RATED SEGMENT: Heyman ushers in a new age
MOTN: MCMG vs. LAX
RATING: 4.66 (vs. 6.88 for WWE Raw)
​

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

That iMPACT! rocked, especially enjoyed the Pope stuff.

 

[Misanthrope]

Cheers, mate. It's not being 100% realistic (Goldberg's appearance + the fact The Rock will feature) - but it's been fun to book and write.