TNA Impact on Spike TV
Taped in Orlando, Fla.


[Q1] Mike Tenay and Don West opened the show hours before the broadcast would air in the empty arena. They discussed last week’s record setting rating... The Impact intro aired…

Talon’s Take: Nice opening segment highlighting how important last week was.

1. The Beautiful People defeated Taylor Wilde and Madison Rayne in 5:00. Cute Kip distracted Taylor Wilde on the outside leading to a double team effort on Madison Rayne. The Beautiful People did a quality job working over Rayne until she got the hot tag. Madison Rayne helped Taylor to her feet but them slapped her and left her in the ring. Velvet Sky hit Wilde with a double knee backbreaker she called the Beauty Mark...

Talon’s Take: Finally, finally Velvet Sky has a finisher. You could see this turn coming from a mile away, or at least since the webmatch from over the weekend between Roxxi and Taylor Wilde.

Jeremy Borash waited backstage for the arrival of Kurt Angle. He asked Kurt that after last week where does that leave the Mafia. Kurt refused to answer and instead just continued walking...[C]

[Q2] In the back JB asked about if Kurt Angle would respond to what Sting said last week. Kurt said he would have a statement at the top of the hour. Police Officers arrived, which Steiner said he thought "she was nineteen years old". They asked if there was a Mr. Huffman in the room, which got some jokes from the remaining members of the Mafia towards Booker T...

2. Beer Money defeated the Rock N Rave Infection in an "Off the Wagon Challenge"in 4:30. Rave hit a nice armbar takedown early on. Rock N Rave did a double team elbow drop to Roode. Rock got the hot tag and hit a nice chokeslam on James Storm followed by a Chokeslam Backbreaker on Robert Roode for two. Rock hit the Black Out move he used to do but Jacqueline distracted the ref. While Jimmy Rave was distracted, James Storm took one of the tag titles and smacked Rock in the head with it. Robert Roode then pinned Lance Hoyt therefore Hoyt is gone from TNA...

Talon’s Take: I got back moments before Impact started so I am really trying to keep up. This wasn’t as good or emotional as the "off the wagon challenge" from last week. I don’t know if anyone cares that Lance Rock is gone from TNA.

The first "Ultimate X Cross the Line" video aired calling the X Division "adrenaline junkies"...

JB tried to get a word with Sting, who just arrived at the building, but like Angle, Sting just kept on walking...[C]


Booker T was talking with the police showing him the police tape on his locker room door. Booker said AJ Styles stole from him. He stole his Legends Championship. The police assured Booker that they would take care of it...

[Q3] Don West and Mike Tenay ran down a video of the history between AJ Styles and Booker T. Don West then ran through upcoming Live Events...

Talon’s Take: It might just be me but Don West sounds totally uninterested in doing what Mike Tenay asks.

In Abyss’ latest therapy session Abyss was holding Dr. Stevie’s statue. Abyss said hurting himself is like Christmas morning to him. He talks about wanting a Jonas Brother CD and wanting to become a teen idol. Stevie cut the session off one last time...

Talon’s Take: These segments aren’t doing much for me except remind me of current pop culture. I thought the remark about losing his mask was kinda funny. [C]

Another ODB’s dating angle was shown. Cody Deaner was shown again.

Another segment between Booker and the police aired. Booker told the police to lock AJ up. After the officers left, AJ Styles attacked Booker T...[C]

Scott Steiner talked with Lauren. He said he would have helped Booker T but he was taking a dump. Steiner trash talked Joe again. All of a sudden the lights went down and Joe held Steiner up with a knife...

Talon’s Take: Come on, a knife. That wasn’t necessary.

JB interviewed Jeff Jarrett in his office. Jeff Jarrett said wrestling was an individual sport so the Mafia was at a serious disadvantage... [C]

[Q4] On Mick Foley’s hardcore history, he speaks about his 1996 match with Shawn Michaels. He also talked about his Wrestlemania 20 Match as well as his Backlash match against Randy Orton. He kept saying "good enough wasn’t good enough."

Talon’s Take: Way to advertise WWE, TNA. How stupid was that! Hey, guys, watch WWE to see Randy Orton. TNA needs to not give any attention to the WWE whatsoever.

Mike Tenay interviewed the Main Event Mafia in the ring. When Sting was asked if he would defend the World Title against Kurt Angle at Destination X, Kevin Nash took the mic and said as spokesman for the Main Event Mafia, they are still family. Tenay said it didn’t seem like the Mafia was united but Nash rebutted saying Tenay works for Jeff Jarrett and it was Jarrett who wanted them to take each other out. Nash made horse references then said that they are bigger than TNA and the only way they can fail is if they implode. Nash said that they don’t have to get along but they have to respect each other.

[Q5 ]Jeff Jarrett came to the ring and said he didn’t think Sting was buying any of the crap Nash was saying. Jarrett asked Sting about his integrity. Jarrett said Angle and Sting are polar opposites. Jarrett said "as the founder of TNA" he is allowing Kurt Angle to challenge Sting at Destination X. Booker T grabbed the mic and asked Jarrett why he founded a company of nobodies. He said without the Main Event Mafia, TNA would be nothing. Booker said Jarrett needs to step to the back or he will commence to kicking his punk ass all over the arena. Jarrett said this was his house and the fans were his family Jarrett said he would see Sting and Angle later tonight for the contract signing...[C]

Talon’s Take: Good segment. Nash overacted a little bit in this segment but overall it was solid.

Don West then went all heel on Mike Tenay. He told Mike to go into ass kissing mode. After Tenay denied it West said he would educate Tenay on what he meant. Don West said TNA held a meeting regarding his future in TNA. West said he heard Mike Tenay wouldn’t defend him in the meeting saying he was neutral. West called Tenay a "selfish prick." Don West says he knows two things: their friendship will never be the same, and Tenay can take the mic and shove it up his ass…[C]

Talon’s Take: Wow, I enjoyed that promo. Unfortunately West didn’t come off as much of a heel as Tenay did. I am intrigued about where this goes.

In the back Raisha Saeed and Awesome Kong were arguing with Sojo Bolt and Rhaka Khan.

[Q6] Mike Tenay reviewed with a video about what just happened with Don West...

Rhaka Khan and Sojourner Bolt came to the ring. Sojo said that Raisha or Kong aren’t her mama but Kong might have eaten her mama. Rhaka then tried to act tough telling the heels to bring their asses to the ring right now...

Talon’s Take: Never let Rhaka cut another promo. That was embarrassing to me as a fan. Sojo wasn’t bad at all though.

3. Sojo Bolt and Rhaka Khan defeated Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed in 5:00. Mike Tenay tried to explain that when Sojo and Rhaka joined the Kongtourage they were expected to turn down any title opportunities they were given. Rhaka did a piss poor split legged butt drop. Kong fought back and hit a huge avalanche splash in the corner. Saeed cheapshotted Sojo. Bolt got the tag and nearly hit Raisha with her finisher but was distracted on Kong. Sojo won with a backslide... [C]

They showed Sting and Angle separately getting ready for the contract signing tonight...

[Q7] In a Rough Cut segment, guys like Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Hernandez talked about the Ultimate X structure. Shelley revealed his fear of heights. Chris Sabin reminisced about the first Ultimate X match involving Chris Sabin...

A Hoobastank music video aired...

4. Alex Shelley defeated Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed, and Chris Sabin in a Ladder Match to retain the X Division Championship in 5:00. Shelley and Sabin were in control of this match as we headed to commercials. [C]

[Q8] Later in the match, Alex Shelley hit a Misty Flip type move onto Jay Lethal using the Ladder as a springboard. Moments later, Shelley grabbed the X Division Championship to retain.

While Shelley was celebrating, Suicide’s music hit and he swung down, knocking Alex off the Ladder. He took out Jay Lethal with a headbutt and running cutter type move then connected with a Leg Hook Fallaway Slam on Chris Sabin. Suicide held up the X Division Championship. The lights went out and when they came back on, Suicide had vanished...

Talon’s Take: This match definitely wasn’t given enough time. Jim Ross made a good reference comparing wrestling to food. TNA matches are like fast food, a good quick bite. However I want a slower restaurant meal I can sit down and enjoy. I think they wasted a ladder match with the lack of hype and time. However the post-match Suicide attack was entertaining.

Jeff Jarrett left his office preparing for the contract signing which was next...[C]

Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring followed by Angle, Nash, Booker and Steiner of the Main Event Mafia. Kevin Nash addressed Jarrett saying how Booker told Jeff earlier, "This match isn’t happening." Jeff tried to instigate a fight with Kurt saying he isn’t like other mob bosses from movies. He claimed that Angle had no balls like other gansta bosses. Angle grabbed the World Title Contract from Jeff and signed it.

Moments later Kurt attacked Jarrett hitting him with a cheap shot. Mick Foley tried to make the save but was unsuccessful as Kurt locked him into the Ankle Lock. Eventually Sting took out Kurt from behind targeting Angles leg with a Baseball Bat. Sting then helped both Jarrett and Mick Foley to their feet as the other members of the Mafia stood ringside in awe…

Talon’s Take: This angle wasn’t as heated as last week, which is disappointing. The story is that the hierarchy of the Main Event Mafia is shaken with the two proverbial "leaders" going at it. That’s like a kid going through his parent’s divorce.

TNA had an opportunity to capitalize on last week’s rating success and entertaining show. However, I didn’t enjoy it as much. The Don West thing was entertaining, much of the Angle/Sting stuff was fun and I enjoyed the Suicide segment but everything else pretty much was there.

Tell me what you thought by emailing me at Talon_DR@yahoo.com

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