TNA iMPACT!
Thursday 3rd December
This weeks edition of iMPACT! began with a highlight package of the events surround TNAs latest pay per view event, Turning Point, focussing particularly on Rob Van Dams debut, Suicide being unmasked, Awesome Kong and the Motor City Machine Guns winning their respective division championships, Christopher Daniels beating down Kurt Angle after he tapped out to the ankle lock, and AJ Style s retaining the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against the challenger, Samoa Joe. This was followed by the regular TNA iMPACT! opening package which concluded with the phrase, TNA: We Are Wrestling.
Mike Tenay and Taz welcomed fans to this weeks iMPACT! on the road to live television." Almost immediately, fans were treated to one of the greatest signings in the companys history,
Rob Van Dam. Van Dam entered the arena not dressed to wrestle, though wore a huge smile on his face and seemed genuinely excited to be there. Van Dam was treated to Rob Van Dam chants as well as Whole fn show cries from the crowd. The man once dubbed Mr. Pay Per View told those in the iMPACT! Zone it took him a while to get there, but finally RVD is in TNA. Van Dam began speaking on his history, how he wowed fans with his innovative style, and what better way to showcase his skills than in the most innovative company in wrestling today. In the past I was called Mr. Monday Night, Mr. PPV, now, Rob Van Dam is Mr. Thursday Nights, Mr. TNA! The crowd roared, however Van Dam was cut off by the man who has dubbed himself Mr. TNA,
Christopher Daniels. Daniels, also not dressed to wrestle and holding the chair he had destroyed Kurt Angle with at Turning Point, was quick to point out that he was Mr. TNA, not Rob Van Dam. I put this company on the map. No one busted their ass more for TNA than Christopher Daniels. Not AJ Styles. Not Kurt Angle. Not anyone. Van Dam asked Daniels if there was something hed like to get off his chest as hes interrupted his opening address in TNA. Daniels called Van Dam overrated, the big fish in a small pond, and one of the greediest in the business today, capitalising on the hard work I put in. Daniels said that he would love nothing more than to come into that ring and put him in a hospital bed next to Kurt Angle, like this after a brief video package highlighting what Daniels did to Angle, Tenay citing the fact that Angle is out of action indefinitely, Daniels continued but no one has wrecked Van Dams career than Rob Van Dam himself. Van Dam responded by saying Kurt Angle is a good friend of his, and what Daniels did after their match was pathetic and cowardly. Mr. Thursday Nights followed up by saying that he has had his setbacks, but hes here in TNA to get his career back on track, and why not start right now with Christopher Daniels. Daniels concluded by saying that he doesnt get in the ring with just anyone, and if he did, its under his terms, his conditions. I can tell you this Van Dam. If I was to get into the ring with you, Id end your career before it could get started, and send you back to Vince with the rest of the pensioners. We broke for a commercial with Daniels staring down Van Dam from the ramp way, Van Dam motioning for Daniels to step into the ring.
Following the commercial, Mike Tenay and Taz again point out the fact that TNA goes live on New Years Eve, and what better way to showcase what fans can expect than the X Division. Tenay announces that tonight will be the beginning of the World X Cup, where by X Division athletes from Great Britain, from the United States, from Japan and from Mexico will do battle for the pride of their country to be crowned World X Cup champions for 2009. As this announcement was being made, Team Japans
Dragon Kid had been making his entrance and got a decent reaction from the crowd. The commentators put over his opponent, who would be making his TNA debut, Team Great Britains
Nigel McGuinness. Before the match could get underway, McGuinness grabbed a microphone and talked about the history and pride of the X Division before stating that Team Great Britain would be crowned World X Cup Champions. McGuinness finished by mocking Dragon Kid, and you, you may not speak English pal, but an asswhipping is universal in any language! The match itself was fast paced to begin with, Dragon Kid gaining the upper hand thanks to his superior pace and agility. McGuinness was able to ground Dragon Kid however, using a hybrid style of European catch-as-can, mixed with mixed martial arts submission. The match only lasted seven minutes before McGuinness was able to catch Dragon off guard with a roaring short arm lariat, following up with the Tower of London, to secure a victory on his debut, and one point for his World X Cup team.
Backstage,
JB Jeremy Borash was outside the
Motor City Machine Guns' locker room, hoping to interview the newly crowned TNA World Tag Team Champions. Borash knocked a few times before Sabin answered, pulling JB into the locker room and asking him what he wanted. Shelley, who had a girl under each arm on a sofa, got up, and the two began messing with JB, rather DX style, pushing him around and mocking his appearance, avoiding any questions or cries for an interview. Borash finally asked who the Guns preferred to face out of Beer Money and Hernandez/Matt Morgan, who compete for the number one contendership in tonights main event. The Guns, snapping out of their antics briefly, finished the segment with Sabin saying it doesnt matter, were the champs, were the best tag team in the world, with Shelley following up with were invincible anyway, so it could be Satan and God, wed still have their shoulders pinned before the commercial break.
TNA iMPACT! also saw the TNA Knockouts Championship on the line, with newly crowned champion
Awesome Kong defending her title in a triple threat match which also involved
Sarita and her former handler,
Raisha Saeed. Kong dominated both women from the get go, utilising a number of double power moves, including a double sidewalk slam. Sarita looked somewhat competitive, attempting to get around Kongs strength by utilising her speed and agility, hitting a series of dropkicks to Kong, sending her through the ropes to the outside. Sarita attempted to hit a plancha to the outside, however Kong caught her and flung her into the guardrail, garnering a holy sh*t! chant from those at ringside. Awesome Kong finally put both women out of their misery, reversing a springboard hurricaranna attempt from Saeed into a huge Awesome Bomb, retaining her title in the process. The champ then scooped Saeed up once more and delivered a fallaway slam over the top rope, smirking sickly at the camera as she raised her title in victory.
Backstage, we also got an interview with the TNA World X Division Champion,
The Amazing Red and his manager
Don West, fresh off the victory and subsequent unmasking of Suicide. West announced that perhaps Kazarian should have kept his mask on, because he now understands what was so marketable after seeing the state of Kazs face. The cockiness continued before West announced that next week they continue with the exposition of the X Division as The Amazing Red defends his title against Shark Boy. Shark Boy, if that really is your name; you better hope that youre half a star better looking than Kazarian, because youre going to need all the marketability you can get after you lose your mask.
In more World X Cup action, fans were treated to explosive tag team action as
Rey Bucanero and
Ultimo Guerrero of Team Mexico took on
Paul London and
Brian Kendrick of Team USA, Kendrick making his TNA debut. Tenay and Taz put over the fact that the winning team will win a point for their team, which will position them equal of the scoreboard with Team Great Britain after Nigel McGuinness defeated Dragon Kid from Japan earlier on. There was nothing separating these two teams, as both had plenty of experience tagging with one another. In a high impact, fast paced match up, fans were wowed with both teams' innovative double team manoeuvres, reversals and counter reversals. The crowd chanted this is awesome and it was the American team who managed to secure the victory and indeed point for their team, as London hit a reverse STO and Kendrick hit the sliced bread 2 in unison. As the former WWE tag team chamoions celebrated, Tenay announced that next week will see London and Kendrick in action once more, as they take on Susumu Yokosuka and CIMA from Team Japan, whilst Great Britain's Nigel McGuinness does battle with Team Mexico's legendary Mistico.
Backstage once more, this time a dimly lit parking lot,
Pope DAngelo Dinero was standing by with Jon Davis and Kory Chavis, the duo dubbed
Heltah Skeltah. Dinero, sporting a black silk suit, with a black hat and glasses with diamond encrusted crosses on them, began speaking to the camera, stating that tonight, the Pope collects his earnings, as someone or someones pay their respects. Dinero concluded the segment by stating that Pope has spoken! before the darker man, Kory Chavis stated If you dont like it, do something about it! followed up by Jon Davis challenging, We dare you! The segment ended with Heltah Skeltah shoving the camera man over and standing above him, fists clenched, and DAngelo Dinero hollering everybodys gotta pay the Pope!
Back in the ring
Mick Foley was standing by with another instalment of his talk segment, Barbed Wire and Thumbtacks: The Mick Foley Show. Foleys guest this week was
ODB. The two had fun, discussing ODBs parting habits outside the ring, the fans laughing as Foley made light of her unfortunate white trash appearance, though it was all very light hearted and in jest. Foley then asked ODB about her run ins with the Beautiful People, ODB responding by saying that whilst the Beautiful People may have their good looks, good looks dont win championships. As the interview continued, ODB was blindsided by a flying dropkick as
Angelina Love had rand down the ramp way and launched herself into the ring.
Velvet Sky slid under the bottom rope and the two began beating down ODB, placing a paper bag over her head in the process. The blonde bombshells then turned their attention to Foley, who backed off somewhat, seeming confused. Angelina picked up a microphone and suggested that not only does this whole Division, this whole crowd need a makeover, but perhaps Foley needs one too. On second thought, I think its safe to say that that ship has sailed. On that the two rushed Foley, beating him down and pulling at his hair, Velvet Sky scratching at Foleys face and eyes. The crowd were amazed at how brutal the Beautiful People were, Love pulling off her high heeled boot and digging it into Foleys scalp. The two then placed a paper bag over Micks head as the crowd booed the Beautiful People out of the arena.
After a video package hyping the move to live television and the partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, we went back to ringside as former World Elite leader
Eric Young had requested a match with his former stablemate
Homicide as the two had a heated confrontation after losing in the handicap street fight at Turning Point this past Sunday. The match was a slugfest from the get go, Young looking to redeem himself after being knocked out cold by Homicide at Turning Point. Young struggled to gain any sort of offence though, and it was Homicide who dominated the match with an array of suplexes and a running lariat. Tenay and Taz referred to Homicide as Notorious 187, citing his brutal stomping and mounted punches as lessons learned on the streets. Homicide ended the encounter as fans chanted his name, hitting the Da Gringo Killa for the three. Homicide then threw Young from the ring, before celebrating on the top rope, pulling a knife and fork out of his boot and scraping them against one another as Young lay face down on the outside.
TNA iMPACT! also saw the return of
Frankie Kazarian, who after being demasked by The Amazing Red this past Sunday at Turning Point, was onhand to address the iMPACT! Zone for the first time in quite sometime as himself. Kazarian, appearing somewhat deflated about what had happened, made his way to the ring wearing jeans and a TNA t-shirt, his trademark ponytail looking no different than when he originally left. The crowd automatically started chanting Thank you Kaz! Kazarian stating that its good to be back. Kaz stated that whilst under the mask, he hadnt felt as held back by those upstairs since his time with the WWE. Kaz called the Suicide character a joke and a deliberate attempt by TNA management to undermine both himself and the fans. The fans cheered at this, however were quickly cut off. And you all bought into it. Kazarian change his tune, and began to state that the only reason he remained under the mask is because the fans continued buying the merchandise, the t-shirts, the action figures and the imitation masks. The only reason I wasnt able to be free earlier, was because of all of you. You all wanted me to remain trapped in the ocean of mediocrity. Boos filled the iMPACT! Zone, as Kaz continued on, stating that he was somewhat glad he lost at Turning Point, because it made him realise the bigger picture. That there was life outside the X Division, Kaz wanted to join the race for the TNA Heavyweight Championship of the World.
The crowd booed even more, as the familiar music of
The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe filled the arena. Joe, also not dressed to wrestle, climbed into the ring and called for a mic. The former number one contender welcomed Frankie Kazarian back, stating that he always new he had potential to be right up there with the best in this company, agreeing that the stupid gimmick was holding him back. Youre right to blame the fans, Frankie, but there were plenty of people backstage who didnt want you to shine either. And you know who the biggest Kaz-basher of all was? Your good friend AJ Styles. Samoa Joe began alleging that it was AJ Styles idea all along to put Kaz under the mask, in a deliberate attempt to keep him out of the picture, stating there was always one guy who seemed to be able to match Styles in that ring, Frankie, and that was you. You knew it. I knew it, and more importantly, AJ knew it. It was him Frankie; he was the one who put you under that mask, to keep you out of his way when he was chasing a shot at the belt.
The crowed chanted f**k you Joe before they roared as the familiar music of the TNA World Heavyweight Champion,
The Phenomenal AJ Styles filled the iMPACT! Zone and the champ began storming to the ring, dressed in jeans, t-shirt and belt draped over his shoulder. Styles called for a mic and demanded the people in production cut his music. I cant believe the crap Im hearing coming out of your mouth Joe! Styles stated, claiming that Joes words were that of jealousy and deceit, the champ alleging Joe was still bitter about losing on Sunday night. Styles claimed that Joe was only trying to fill Kazarians head with lies so that he would turn him against AJ, because Joe could not beat Styles on his own. The champ followed up by saying yeah Frankie, the idea probably wasnt the best, but you made plenty of waves through the company with it, the matches with Dinero, the X Division title reign, the merchandise sales. Frankie, if you look where you were before you put the mask on, if anything, its helped you move forward as a wrestler, as a competitor. Kazarian stared at both Joe and Styles, as if not knowing who to believe before dropping his mic and heading back up the aisle. Joe then turned to Styles Im not done with you either AJ, not by a long shot before heading back up the ramp after Kaz. The segment ended with AJ standing somewhat worried about the potential danger Joes mind games could have on his once good friend.
iMPACT!s main event got under way with a hiss an a roar, as the team of
The Blueprint Matt Morgan and
Hernandez went up against Cowboy James Storm and Robert Roode of
Beer Money, Inc. in a match to determine the number one contenders for the TNA World Tag Team Championships. The match was your typical methodical face tag team encounter, with all four men looking to chip away at the other opponents, without resorting to any dirty tactics. As expected, the power of Morgan and Hernandez gave them an early advantage, however it was the experience and tenacity of Beer Money which kept them in the encounter, reversing a Hernandez lariat attempt into a Samoan drop/neck breaker double team manoeuvre. It looked, however, that Morgan and Hernandez would be crowned number one contenders, after Morgan planted Roode with the Carbon Footprint, sending him to the outside, leaving Cowboy isolated in the centre of the ring. However, Hernandez made the Cardinal sin of taking too much time to set up his finishing manoeuvre, the Border Toss, allowing Storm to wriggle his way out of it, nailing the Last Call to pick up the victory. The new umber one contenders headed up the ramp way, celebrating their win, with Morgan helping up his fallen team mate. As the two began to leave, the lights went out. When they came back on the crowd gasped in shock as both Morgan and Hernandez were being assaulted by Jon Davis and Kory Chavis of
Heltah Skeltah, with
Dinero barking instructions at his two henchmen. Security flooded to ringside as the two were beaten to a bloody pulp, Dinero not calling his men back until they had reached ringside and the three fled through the crowd to escape the scene of the crime. As iMPACT! closed out, cameras focussed on the carnage in the ring, with Tenay and Taz claiming that once again TNA iMPACT! had come to a shocking conclusion. Whats going to happen December 31st, Taz?
Quick Results
Nigel McGuinness (Team Great Britain) def. Dragon Kid (Team Japan) in a World X Cup match
Awesome Kong def. Raisha Saeed and Sarita to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship
Paul London and Brian Kendrick (Team USA) def. Ultimo Guerrero and Rey Bucanero (Team Mexico) in World X Cup match
Homicide def. Eric Young
Beer Money Inc. def. "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan and Hernandez
Confirmed for next week:
TNA World X Cup: Nigel McGuinness (Team Great Britain) v Mistico (Team Mexico)
TNA World X Cup: Paul London and Brian Kendrick (Team USA) v Susumu Yokosuka and CIMA (Team Japan)
TNA World X Division Championship: The Amazing Red (c) w/Don West v Shark Boy
