Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 10/11/2007
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) TNA X-Division Champion Jay Lethal defeated Havok
2.) TNA Tag Team Champions Adam Jones & Ron Killings defeated Elix Skipper & Senshi
3.) Amazing Kong defeated Gail Kim
4.) Robert Roode defeated Petey Williams
5.) Black Reign & Raven defeated Abyss & Rhino in a no disqualification match
6.) TNA World Champion Kurt Angle & Team 3D defeated Homicide, Hernandez & Junior Fatu
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) A video package highlighting the issues between Angle and Sting kickoff the show. Angle having recently stalked Sting’s son is highlighted. Angle choked Sting’s son, too.
2.) Earlier today, Angle showed up to the arena wearing Sting’s son high school football jersey.
3.) Lethal avoids a clothesline before the bell and jabs Havok several times. Lethal head scissors Havok to the floor. Lethal hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor. Christopher Daniels is at ringside watching the match. Havok works over Lethal with strikes and dropkicks Lethal to the floor. Havok goes to the top rope hitting a crossbody to the floor onto Lethal. Havok hits a back suplex leading to a near fall. Havok works over Lethal’s taped ribs. Lethal jabs Havok and delivers a clothesline and elbow strike. Lethal kicks Havok and connects with a knee lift and heel kick. Havok kicks Lethal and hits a vertical suplex turned into a stunner. Havok hits a top rope moonsault for a near fall. Havok elbows Lethal, but Lethal hip tosses and kicks Havok. Lethal connects with the Lethal Combination. Lethal hits a top rope elbow drop for the clean win. (*1/2. There were dueling chants early on, which just makes me think the crowd is trying to get attention because there’s really no reason for that. It’s a decent short match and a momentum win for Lethal heading into the PPV.)
4.) Backstage, Karen Angle arrives to the arena and Jeremy Borash is there to greet her. Karen says that sometimes married couples have problems to explain why Kurt arrived earlier than her.
5.) TNA World Champion Kurt Angle makes his way out to explain his actions from last week. Angle asks if Sting likes his football jersey and says that Sting’s son is a good player and fighter. Angle had two reasons for his actions. First Sting put his hands on Karen and secondly he wants to wrestle the old Sting at Bound For Glory. Kurt knows he’s suppose to expect some kind of beating by Sting. Angle calls out Sting to give it his best shot. Instead, Karen Angle comes out to the ring to join the segment. Karen says this past week has been the worst week it’s ever been between them. Karen can’t believe Kurt would go after Sting’s son. Karen asks how Kurt would feel if Sting went after their kids. Karen thinks that Kurt crossed the line. Kurt tells Karen he determines when he crossed the line. Kurt says that she can either be with him or go home and burp the kid. Karen reveals that this was a plan and shouldn’t have ever gone along with Kurt’s claim that Sting slapped her. Sting appears on the big screen and says that Karen is just as responsible as Kurt is. Sting tells Kurt that he’s got the old Sting and he’s going to take everything from Kurt at Bound For Glory. The lights go out and Kurt panics around. A Sting dummy comes down from the rafters and Kurt put an ankle lock on the dummy before realizing it wasn’t Sting. Sting says it will be on his time and not Kurt’s.
6.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Kevin Nash. Nash isn’t sure it’s a good idea to go up in the rafters to talk to Sting, but somebody has to do it. Nash decides he’ll go up there alone. Nash yells up for Sting and Sting appears at the top of the steps. Sting welcomes Nash to come up to the rafters. Nash says it feels like it’s been awhile since he’s been in the rafters. Nash asks if Sting wants to go down this path again because it’s not good for anyone. Nash says that Sting doesn’t want to become a champion again by being a thug. Sting asks what Nash would do if Angle went after his son. Nash admits he’d kill Angle and that’s Sting’s point. Sting tells Nash to not lose his edge.
7.) Backstage, TNA Tag Team Champions Team Pacman are interviewed. Killings isn’t worried about the competition. Killings says it’s just three days before Bound For Glory where they are going to kick ass. Pacman says that XXX only want to be porn stars.
8.) Senshi starts the match with Killings and hits a springboard kick to the face. Senshi headbutts Killings followed by a right hand in the corner and chops. Killings fights back with a powerslam and plays to the crowd. Killings hammers away on Senshi in the corner. Senshi responds with chops in the corner. Killings heel kicks Senshi out of the corner. Pacman throws a football into Senshi’s groin in the corner. Killings connects with an elbow drop. Pacman comes off the ropes and is stopped by the referee because he’s not the legal man. Skipper decks Killings from behind to get control. Skipper legally enters and stomps on Killings. Skipper spin kicks Killings to the mat leading to a near fall. Killings connects with a spinning forearm and drops both men with right hands. Skipper cuts Killings off with a strike, but Killings hits a double dropkick. Killings hits a stunner out of a suplex on Skipper for a near fall. Pacman gets in the ring and Killings sends Senshi to the floor. Skipper has Killings setup, but Pacman tosses money at Skipper allowing a scissors kick by Killings. Killings covers and pins Skipper. (DUD. It’s amazing how they have to go out of their way to make sure Pacman doesn’t do anything physical whatsoever. Killings continues to win essentially handicap matches.)
9.) The Steiner Brothers make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. Rick says that Team 3D wants some to come get some. Scott chimes in about 3D talking trash, but they are still standing and they are pissed off. Scott calls them out to the ring because they don’t want to wait for the PPV. Scott says they will go through tables and bleed. Team 3D doesn’t answer the challenge.
10.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Team 3D. Bubba says the Steiner’s mother is a pig. Bubba says they will be eating their fists and shoving tables down their throats. Bubba says they aren’t drinkers aside from the casual 5-6 Jack Daniels. Bubba promises to piss on the Steiner Brothers. The Steiner Brothers barge into the scene to end the segment.
11.) Backstage, Kevin Nash is telling Kurt Angle they need new stragedy. Nash knows Sting and says that if Kurt did that to his kid he’d wanna kill Kurt. Kurt tells Nash that the kid deserved it. Karen says that Kurt won’t listen to anyone. Kurt listens to himself and he doesn’t sweat anyone. Nash tells Kurt he’ll be on his own because he’s not being thrown onto the Sting bus. Kurt promises to be the hunter and drags Jeremy Borash with him.
12.) Kong slams Kim to the mat by her throat in the opening moment of the contest. Kim ducks a clothesline and forearms Kong a few times. Kong chops Kim several times and chokes Kim against the ropes. Kim tries for a crossbody, but Kong catches Kim with a slam. Kong tosses Kim across the ring. Kim tries for a head scissors, but switches to an octopus submission. Kong counters with a side slam for a near fall. Kong misses a middle rope splash attempt. Kim chops Kong in the corner a few times. Kong misses a splash in the corner and Kim drops Kong over the top rope throat first. Kim hits a missile dropkick and attempts for a neckbreaker, but Kong counters with a clothesline. Kong hits a sit down powerbomb for the clean win. (**. I liked the story being told here as all the Knockouts at ringside were shown scared of Kong. This is the kind of outing that would make me think that Kong will win the title at the PPV, so that probably means she won’t. I’d have her win it and Kim be the long chase.)
13.) Earlier in the week, Don West mediated with Sonjay Dutt. West tries to get Dutt’s attention and gets it when he calls Dutt “guru’. West wants to know the change in Dutt’s life. Dutt says you must become the change you want in the world. Dutt knows that people need his help. Dutt needs everyone’s help and needs their wallets. Dutt pressures West into giving up his wallet. West gives a couple of bucks, which Dutt notes that fifty cents can save a life.
14.) Chatting With The Champ talk segment is next with Christian Cage hosting with AJ Styles. This is the debut of the talk show. Cage says the show gives wrestlers the forum to chat with the champ. Cage says that they have special theme for a special guest. Cage knows people will think he’s crazy because his guest wants to kill him. Cage notes he may not want to face him, but Samoa Joe’s music hits and Joe makes his way out. Cage welcomes Joe to the island. Cage wants to put their differences aside. Cage mentions they have a singles match at the PPV and there must be a winner. Cage reminds Joe that it will be the third time they’ve wrestled. Cage wants to know what Joe will do to finally beat him. Joe tells Cage that he’s bored out of his mind. Joe doesn’t think Cage is even trying with his mind games. Joe tells Cage that at the end of the day he’s an asshole. Cage doesn’t appreciate being disrespected and Joe wants Cage to do something about it. Styles acts like he’s going to do something, but goes back after a threat by Joe. Cage demands the set not to be ruined. Cage brags he’s the highest rating on the show. Joe tells Cage that his winning streak ends at the pay per view. Joe is going to put Cage in the hospital. Cage looks Joe in the eyes and tells Joe that he respects him. Cage gives Joe a drink made by Styles. Cage proposes a toast for their match at the PPV. Joe tosses his drink at Cage and tosses Styles. Joe headbutts Styles to the floor and works over Cage. Styles hits Joe with a ukulele, but Joe no sells it. Matt Morgan, the special referee, comes out and grabs Styles carrying Styles backstage. Joe continues to beat on Cage sending Cage into the corner. Cage throws salt into Joe’s face and hits Joe with the coconut. Cage pummels Joe with the coconut to end the segment.
15.) Backstage, LAX is interviewed. Homicide says they are back in full force. Angle and Team 3D are first in line and then Triple X at BFG. Homicide says they are the toughest team in the company. They’ve been in trouble their whole life and Triple X is going to get theirs.
16.) Roode decks Williams over the back and continues with strikes. Roode misses a clothesline and Williams hits a hurricanrana. Williams avoids a slam and dropkicks Roode over the middle rope. Williams comes off the ropes and is met with a spinebuster. Roode plants Williams with a back suplex for a near fall. Roode delivers a neckbreaker for a near fall. Roode sends Williams into the corner, but runs into a boot. Williams bulldogs Roode and hits a slingshot Codebreaker from the apron into the ring. Williams head scissors Roode followed by a dropkick off the apron. Williams hits a slingshot hurricanrana to the floor. Roode shoves Traci into Williams, but that fails and Williams gets in the ring to drop toe hold Roode leading to a near fall. Williams tries for a Side Russian leg sweep, but Roode avoids it. Williams counters a powerbomb with a DDT. Williams signals for the Canadian Destroyer, but Roode counters with the Payoff (fisherman suplex) for the clean win. After the match, Roode beats on Williams. Traci Brooks doesn’t seem interested in slapping Williams. Roode yells at Brooks because he’s the boss. Frankie Kazarian runs down to the ring and attacks Roode. Roode bails to the floor. (**1/2. A good TV match and I think a lot of that has to do with Williams having a good amount of time to showcase himself. Roode isn’t a bad worker, but tends to work slower. Williams worked a fast pace and his offense was fun. Roode getting a clean win was fine with me.)
17.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Kurt Angle and they are whispering. Angle stops whispering and they wait outside the bathroom because Angle says that’s where a piece of crap like Sting would be. Angle looks in the shower, but Sting isn’t there. Angle kicks open a stall, but he’s not there. Angle kicks open another stall, but it’s Junior Fatu reading a newspaper and Angle says “oh my god, I’m going to throw up.” They leave.
18.) Raven beats on Rhino from behind and Reign double teams Rhino. Abyss makes his entrance and storms to the ring. Abyss cleans house with right hands. Reign whacks Abyss over the back with a kendo stick. Reign works over Abyss in the corner with right hands. Rhino shoulder rams Raven in the corner and tosses Raven to the floor. Abyss and Reign go to the floor as the show goes to commercial with all four men brawling in the crowd.
Rhino hits a belly to belly suplex on Raven, but Reign pulls Rhino to the floor. Reign rams Rhino into the guard railing. Abyss decks Reign with a right hand. Abyss has a bag of tacks and dumps them on the mat. Father James Mitchell hits Abyss with a trash can lid, but that doesn’t do anything. Raven low blows Abyss from behind. Raven hits a DDT onto the tacks! Abyss has tacks sticking out of his forehead. Reign stops Raven from getting a pin. Raven decks Reign, but Rhino clotheslines both men. Rhino hits Raven with a trash can shot and pummels Reign in the corner. Rhino GORES Raven through a table in the corner. Rhino plants Reign with a spinebuster onto a trash can, but Reign kicks out at two. Abyss plants Rhino with the Black Hole Slam, but didn’t realize it. Reign covers Rhino and gets the three count. (**. A fine match with some decent hardcore stuff. It’s promoted a preview and I think it was an effective preview for the Monster’s Ball.)
19.) Backstage, Junior Fatu is interviewed. Fatu says it’s been nothing but a breath of fresh air since he’s gotten to TNA. Fatu talks about the various beefs and there not being this much beef in the WWE. Fatu has new friends in LAX. Fatu thinks the next time they talk Crystal will be asking him about his title shot.
20.) Backstage, Matt Morgan is interviewed. Morgan says nothing tonight was personal but rather business. Morgan can’t wait to see if Joe or Cage test him at the PPV. Morgan says he’s the special enforcer for the main event tonight. Morgan is there to make sure that Angle doesn’t get out if Sting comes out. Morgan promises if any of them try him then none of them will get by him.
21.) Devon and Homicide kickoff the main event. Devon gets the advantage with a knee lift and right hands. Devon misses a clothesline and Homicide hammers away on Devon. Homicide ducks a clothesline to deliver a jawbreaker and a spinning elbow strike for a two count. Homicide elbows Devon and hits a crossbody for a two count. Fatu tags into the match and punches Devon several times. Devon responds with right hands and misses a clothesline allowing Fatu to hit a belly to belly suplex. Fatu misses a sit down splash. Bubba gets the tag and puts front face lock on Fatu, but doesn’t get a submission. Hernandez hits a slingshot shoulder block and a dropkick to Bubba. Hernandez scoop slams Bubba for a two count as the show goes to commercial.
Angle is in the ring now and Hernandez hits an overhead suplex. Homicide enters the match and takes Angle over with a head scissors. Homicide hits a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Homicide fights out of the corner and boots Angle. 3D trip Homicide and ram him groin first into the ring post. During the break, 3D spat on the Mexican flag. Matt Morgan took out LAX’s crew on the floor. Angle continues to work over Homicide and puts on Homicide’s bandana. Devon enters the match and gets a two count on Homicide before tagging in Bubba. Homicide tries for a sunset flip, but avoids a sit down splash. Bubba delivers a double leg slam to Homicide. Bubba delivers an elbow drop to Homicide and delivers a few chops in the corner. Devon decks Homicide over the back and puts a chin lock on Homicide. Homicide avoids Devon in the corner and dropkicks Angle. Homicide kicks Bubba on the side of the head.
Fatu gets the tag and cleans house with strikes. Fatu chokeslams Angle and savant kicks Bubba. Fatu hits a Samoan Drop on Devon and a belly to belly suplex on Angle for a two count. Fatu splashes all three men in the corner. Hernandez delivers three clotheslines. Homicide hits a hurricanana on Bubba and a DDT to Devon. Homicide hits a cutter on Angle, but Bubba makes the save. Homicide and Angle are left in the ring. Homicide tries for the Gringo Killer, but Angle counters with the ankle lock. Fatu savant kicks Angle and Angle falls in the corner. Fatu delivers the Stink Face to Angle. 3D enter the ring to deliver a bad looking 3D. Hernandez connects with a double clothesline. Hernandez dives over the top to take Devon out with a dive. Homicide has a cradle on Angle, but the referee was distracted preventing a three count. Homicide tries for a cutter, but Angle counters with an Olympic Slam for the clean win. (**1/2. Despite this being an obvious outcome, I enjoyed the action. I feel like they did enough to keep LAX credible and Angle gave a lot to them with near falls. Fatu seemed a little sloppy in there and the messed up 3D was a downer. Another clean finish is good to see, though.)
22.) Kurt Angle has a microphone and calls out Sting to fight him. Sting is on the big screen and tells Angle to settle down. Sting thinks it’s best to wait for Bound For Glory. Sting says maybe not and Sting is behind Angle under an LAX disguise. Sting drops Angle and locks in the Scorpion Death Lock! Angle is tapping out. (I’m not sure if fans really realized it was Sting.)
Final Thoughts:
I thought this was a pretty good go-home show to build up Bound For Glory. I really wish Angle/Sting didn’t go the direction of son stalking, but I’m sure that match will be intense. Most of the in-ring was solid enough and they touched on most of the feuds leading into the PPV. That’s a good job.
Thanks for reading.