Written By: Bob Colling
Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: May 3rd, 2010
From: Orlando, Florida
Announcers: Mike Tenay and Tazz
A video hyping up the top ten ranking system is shown. The video also reviews Impact from last week.
“Hogan/Sting – The Summit”
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are in a limo talking about people coming aboard to TNA. They also discuss Ric Flair and Sting’s recent actions and mindsets.
TNA opening video
Mike Tenay and Tazz talk about huge news regarding TNA. Tenay says that TNA has listened to the fans and they will be moving TNA back to Thursday’s starting May 13th. TNA Reaction will also be picked up by Spike TV and will be airing before Impact. Tenay and Tazz talk about the Sting/Hogan summit. Sting will be breaking his silence tonight.
Ric Flair’s music hits and instead of Ric Flair we get Jay Lethal! Lethal is mimicking Flair very well. Lethal has Ric Flair’s Hall of Fame ring on his finger. Lethal said that he told Hogan he couldn’t wait for the end of the show and wanted to come out to kick start the show. Lethal insults a fan like Ric Flair would do. Lethal takes off his coat and drops a knee just as Flair would do during his “to be the man..” speech. Lethal is cut off by the real Ric Flair! Lethal is happy to have Flair in the ring as he continues to mimic Flair. Flair tells Lethal that he is standing in front of God right now. Flair tells Lethal that he is disrespecting him tonight, but Lethal says he isn’t trying to. Lethal tells Flair he was just messing around and gives Flair the ring back. Lethal wanted to always be Ric Flair even if it were for only two minutes. Lethal is going to frame this footage and says it doesn’t get any better than this. Lethal mentions that his mother has found out that he has made it in the wrestling business as he stands in the ring with Ric Flair. Flair slaps Lethal across the face. Lethal is trying to talk some sense into Flair but Flair gets right in Lethal’s face and wants Lethal to tell his mother that this moment is the saddest of his career. Lethal comes back with a slap of his own but Flair chops away on Lethal. Lethal with a series of chops and a back drop. Lethal locks in the Figure Four until Beer Money, AJ Styles and Desmond Wolfe storm the ring beating down Lethal. Robert Roode begins to whip Lethal with a leather belt. Flair with a low blow as Abyss runs down to the ring. Abyss is beaten down by the heels after a brief offense. Team 3-D run down to the ring and work away on the heels but their offense is cut short as well. TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam comes down with a chair and runs off the heels from the ring.
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are in the limo again. Hogan tells the driver to turn around car as they have a problem.
Commercials
The baby faces are still standing in the ring as the heels are on the entrance ramp. RVD thinks that they should have a fair fight with all eight man competing in a four on four match. Flair tells RVD that he has what he wants. Flair and his stable enter the ring and brawl with RVD and his friends. As expected, the baby faces prevail. Flair and Lethal trade chops on the entrance ramp. Ray goes after Flair but is drilled by Robert Roode. Eventually, Hulk Hogan has quickly returned to the arena and takes Roode out with a right hand on the entrance ramp. Desmond Wolfe is greeted with a right hand as well. James Storm and AJ Styles also are met with right hands. Hogan no sells chops from Flair and hammer away on Flair. Hogan tosses Flair over the top to the floor.
Commercials
The same ten guys are still brawling in the ring. RVD is trying to get his hands on AJ Styles but Styles is pulled out of the ring by RVD. Hulk Hogan puts over TNA as the best thing going today. Hogan says that TNA wants action tonight and they gave them that. Hogan books Rob Van Dam versus Desmond Wolfe for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship! Hogan also books a Monster’s Ball match between Abyss and AJ Styles! Hogan adds Team 3-D to the Beer Money versus Motor City Machine Guns match. We also see Sting pacing up in the rafters.
Commercials
Backstage, the Beautiful People are talking about being champions. Lacey says that her back is hurting her because she wears it to bed. Velvet Sky doesn’t care about their match against Tara, Taylor Wilde and Sarita because they can’t beat them.
Before the next contest, Douglas Williams has a microphone. Williams talks about being stripped of the X-Division championship and how he didn’t have any control of that. Williams doesn’t believe it is right to be stripped of the title. Williams insults Kendrick as being a crazed lunatic that he has to tag with. Williams tells Kazarian that he isn’t the real champion. The only way Kazarian can be the real champion is if he beats Williams at Sacrifice.
Opening Contest: Ink Inc. defeated Douglas Williams/Brian Kendrick: Neal and Williams started the match off. Neal with a hammerlock but is taken down by Williams. Neal with a series of back elbows and a springboard cross body for a near fall. Williams with a suplex and tags in Kendrick. Kendrick stomps away on Neal and delivers several cross face shots. Williams tags back into the match and scoop slams Neal. Williams with several knee drops and gets a near fall. Williams with a series of uppercuts and kicks Neal on the knee. Matt Morgan is at the commentary booth and cutting a promo on Hogan. Moore with a cross body on Kendrick and dropkicks Williams off the apron. Moore with a atomic drop and spinning heel kick on Kendrick. Kendrick rolls Moore up for a near fall. Moore with a swinging neck breaker off the middle rope. Neal tags in and spears Kendrick to win the match. *½
After the match, Williams slaps Kendrick and Kendrick goes up the ramp. Samoa Joe makes his way out and clotheslines Williams. Joe delivers a super kick to Kendrick and throws him into the ring. Joe with a running knee in the corner and plants Kendrick with the Muscle Buster. Joe grabs a microphone and just slams it down to the mat.
Commercials
Backstage, Ric Flair is talking to Beer Money, AJ Styles and Desmond Wolfe. Flair asks Styles what they are going to do tonight. Styles doesn’t like being in a hardcore match. Flair gets in Beer Money faces and demands respect from them. Flair wants them to prove they are the best tonight. Flair turns his attention to Desmond Wolfe and tells Wolfe to get the right mindset. Flair wants Wolfe to bring back the title to their group. Flair slams the door shut.
A video of Hulk Hogan talking about his business adventures with TNA. Hogan doesn’t know what has gotten into Sting lately. Hogan is going to get in his face ands says he is done.
Mike Tenay and Tazz talk about Sting recent actions as well. They also hype up the Styles/Abyss match and Flair motivating his group. Lastly, they talk about the RVD/Desmond Wolfe title match tonight. Something is going on backstage.
Backstage, Mr. Anderson in a catholic robe or something has attacked D’Angelo Dinero. Anderson rams a equipment case into the injured shoulder of Dinero. Anderson stands over Dinero and puts Dinero’s glasses on before walking away.
Commercials
Mr. Anderson’s music hits and Anderson makes his way down to the ring. Anderson is mocking a priest with his outfit tonight. Anderson asks to not be judged by his beautiful attire. Anderson is at a loss of words, so he says, and is greeted with a “You Suck” chant. Anderson had a great speech set up but he realized something when he was coming to the ring. Anderson tells the fans that D’Angelo Dinero will not be joining them tonight. Anderson knows that when he dies he will burn in hell. Jeff Hardy’s music hits and Hardy makes his way down to the ring. Hardy tells Anderson that Dinero will not be cleared for the upcoming pay per view because of Anderson. Anderson laughs and Hardy challenges Anderson to a match at Sacrifice. Anderson asks Hardy if he thinks he can challenge him to a match. Anderson asks Hardy if he is doubting that Anderson will accept. Anderson says no because he has something going on that night. Anderson tries to attack Hardy from behind but Hardy ducks and connects with a Twist of Fate. Hardy answers the challenge for Anderson and says that Anderson accepts. Tenay actually says that they will treat that as Anderson actually accepting the challenge.
Commercials
Second Contest: Beautiful People defeated Tara/Sarita/Taylor Wilde to retain the TNA Knockout and Tag Team Championships: Tara snaps on her tag team partners as she hits Sarita and Wilde. The finish sees Tara hammering away on Wilde on the floor. In the ring, Sarita is planted with a sick double arm DDT by Lacey and Velvet. Rayne covers Sarita and picks up the win. *
After the match, Tara is happy about losing the match once again. Tara yells at Wilde.
Commercials
Backstage, Christy Hemme is with Tara. Tara says that she has busted her butt and doesn’t get any respect. Tara challenges Madison Rayne to a championship at Sacrifice. Tara says that she is willing to put her career on the line to get a title shot.
Third Contest: Team 3-D, Beer Money and Motor City Machine Guns fought to a No Contest: Roode works on Sabin early on with right hands. Sabin with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Roode continues to work on Sabin with elbow smashes. Shelley tags in and Storm is taken down with a series of double team moves by Shelley and Sabin. Storm goes for a suplex on Shelley but Shelley blocks and tags in Devon. Devon with a clothesline for a near fall on Storm. Devon with several right hands in the corner before the referee stops that. Devon with a clubbing blow across the upper back of Storm. Roode kicks Devon on the back and Storm connects with a Code Breaker on Devon. Roode stomps away on Devon and tags out to Storm. Double team snap suplex on Devon by Beer Money. Storm covers Devon but only gets a two count. Storm misses a splash in the corner and Devon clotheslines Roode out of the corner. Ray tags in and cleans house with right hands and a big boot. Ray with a backdrop on Roode and several jabs and elbow smash on Storm. Ray scoop slams Roode and goes for the What’s Up on Roode and connect. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall come down and attack Team 3-D from behind which leads to the no contest. *¼
After the match, Eric Young runs down with a kendo stick and hits Team 3-D with the kendo stick. Eric Young has joined the Band. Alex Shelley throws Young out of the ring. Sabin with a dropkick on Hall and Nash. Double super kick on Nash. Roode with a spine buster on Sabin. DWI on Shelley. Beer Money stands tall as EY attacks Team 3-D and the Machine Guns.
Commercials
David Penzer welcomes everyone to the O Show with Orlando Jordan. Jordan shows up with tight silver pants on and sits down on a orange couch. Jordan says that everything can and will happen on his show. Jordan basically says that he does what he wants to do. Jordan knows the fans think there is a little freak in him. Jordan introduces a real freak, the TNA Global Champion Rob Terry. Jordan unveils a cardboard cutout of Rob Terry. Jordan knows that Terry is busy and had to workout. Jordan puts over the cutouts abs. Jordan wants to know about the fantasies that Terry has at night. Jordan thinks that Terry fantasies about him. Terry comes out and knocks Jordan onto his couch and ribs up the cutout. Terry warns Jordan to make sure he doesn’t come back. Jordan attacks Terry as Terry showcases his title to the fans. Jordan chokes Terry with a chain and says he does what he wants to do. Jordan drops a structure across the back of Terry. Jordan leaves Terry laying.
Fourth Contest: AJ Styles defeated Abyss in a Monsters Ball match: Abyss throws some weapons into the ring. Styles springs off the top but Abyss catches Styles and goes for a choke slam on the ramp way way. However, Styles avoids it and throws a trash can at Abyss. Abyss manages to toss Styles over the top rope into the ring with a suplex. Abyss bridges a chair in the corner and ducks a chair shot from Styles. Abyss with a big boot and has a crutch. Styles kicks the crutch away and avoids a chair shot. Abyss with a right hand and misses a chair shot. Styles with a Pele kick and a dropkick that sends Abyss into the corner. Styles stomps and hammers away on Abyss. Right hands by Styles but Abyss press slams Styles down to the mat gut first. Abyss sends Styles head first into the bridged chair in the corner. Abyss with the Shock Treatment but Styles is able to kick out at two. Abyss goes under the ring and grabs thumbtacks. Abyss dumps the thumbtacks out as Flair and Chelsea comes down. Flair tells Chelsea to take her coat off. Styles with a couple of chair shots from behind. Abyss backdrops Styles to the entrance ramp. Styles hits Abyss with brass knuckles to the midsection. Styles with a cross body on Abyss that sends Abyss into the tacks. Styles covers and wins the match. *¼
After the match, Chelsea reveals that she had a dress on under the coat. Flair delivers a few boots to Abyss.
Commercials
Main Event: Rob Van Dam defeated Desmond Wolfe to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Wolfe with a dropkick before RVD can enter the ring. Wolfe sends RVD head first into the ring post. Wolfe with a running uppercut in the corner and goes for a snap suplex but RVD blocks it. Wolfe with a kick to the back of RVD and gets a two count. RVD with several right hands but Wolfe comes back with a hammerlock DDT for a near fall. Wolfe mocks RVD and goes for a attack but RVD comes off the top with a side kick. RVD with the rolling thunder and goes up top but is stopped by Wolfe. Wolfe goes for but Tower of London but RVD blocks it. Wolfe with a right forearm and goes for the Tower of London onto the apron but RVD avoids that. RVD with a side kick off the top, again. RVD backdrops Wolfe back into the ring from the ramp way. RVD goes up top and hit’s the Five Star Frog Splash for the win. *½
After the match, AJ Styles comes off the top with a flying clothesline and hammers away on RVD. Styles says that he is using his rematch clause at Sacrifice.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan is with Jeff Jarrett who says Sting just knocked him out.
Commercials
It’s time for the Sting/Hulk Hogan summit as Hulk Hogan makes his way down to the ring. Hogan says that his favorite wrestlers talks about being real (Kurt Angle). Hogan had no idea that the guy he was going to count on would be the guy who changed. Hogan calls Sting out and Sting makes his way down to the ring. Hogan says that Sting can fool some people but he has been around too long to be fooled. Hogan knows what Sting is all about. Hogan wants to know what makes Sting tick. Sting says that TNA makes his ticked. Sting talks about walking through the doors of TNA and how he was going to give back to the sport he loves. Sting loves the brand TNA. Sting talks about Hogan being up in the WWF and how he was protected. Sting witnessed the same protection first hand in WCW. Sting says that in TNA, Hogan doesn’t have that protection. Hogan mentions all the things that Sting has done and says that Sting can’t go around doing those things. Hogan says that Sting left Jarrett laying down and Sting begins to laugh. Hogan dares Sting to hit him with the bat. Sting presses the bat against Hogan as Jeff Jarrett comes down. Jarrett hits Sting with the bat and goes to deliver another shot but Hogan prevents that from happening as TNA goes off the air.
End of show
My Take: The opening segment with Lethal/Flair was going good but the extended brawling just didn’t need to take place. It started off well but it quickly just became a segment that just went on for too long. Lethal needs to be used more as well. The guy is very entertaining and if TNA were to be smart they should get a Flair/Lethal feud going. That would help Lethal become a important player for TNA.
It is very obvious to me that the Douglas Williams/Kazarian feud is going the same route of a feud between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon back in 1994. So, a ladder match at Sacrifice would seem like logical match selection. Anyway, Ink Inc. is a dumb name, really. I don’t mind Moore and Neal tagging but the name is just stupid.
Hardy/Anderson had a good interaction I thought. Anderson continues to be great on the microphone while Hardy just comes across like a odd person. They could have some good matches, but hopefully the right guy goes over (Anderson) when they eventually wrestle.
What the hell was the point of Nash/Young feuding for several months only for EY to join the Band two weeks after their cage match? I found that to be ridiculous.
The O Show wasn’t all that interesting to me. Rob Terry is a big goof to me and Orlando Jordan, while better now than he was in WWE, just doesn’t have the ability to keep my interested when he talks. Seemed like a rushed segment as well.
Styles/Abyss wasn’t anything special. Thankfully Styles went over considering he is in more important angles/feuds then Abyss who is fighting over a ring.
RVD/Wolfe was very, very short. If that match was given proper time that could have been a very good match. The match was just picking up when they decided to finish it. Oh well.
I have no interest in Sting/Hogan feuding or whatever. It’s not 1996-1997 anymore. Give me something new and different.
Overall, I didn’t like the show. TNA going back to Thursday’s and being taped again has made me lose all my motivation and desire to review their product. I actually will still do it, but not as the show goes along. I’ll wait for a couple of days and do it after.
Thanks for reading.