Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 1/31/2008
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) Rock ’n’ Rave Infection (Lance Hoyt & Jimmy Rave) defeated Scott Steiner & Petey Williams
2.) Hernandez defeated Kip James
3.) Judas Mesias defeated Kory Chavis
4.) Angelina Love defeated ODB and Roxxi Leveaux
5.) James Storm, Robert Roode & Payton Banks defeated Eric Young, Sonjay Dutt & Traci Brooks
6.) TNA Tag Team Champion Tomko defeated TNA World Champion Kurt Angle in a non-title match
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Backstage, AJ Styles is telling Kurt Angle that this makes no sense to fight Tomko. Styles mentions the position it puts him in, but Angle doesn’t care. Styles gets in Angle face about being a former champion after Angle says he made his career. Angle notes that Styles was champion before it was a full roster and it was a startup. Styles shoves Karen away, and Kurt grabs Styles to not touch his wife and warns AJ to not help Tomko. (Hopefully they are getting away from comedy AJ.)
2.) Team 3D and TNA X-Division Champion Johnny Devine make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. Brother Ray says that at Against All Odds the Machine Guns and Jay Lethal will step into the ring with the greatest tag team that has ever existed. Ray also says they are the best hardcore wrestlers to ever compete. Ray doesn’t think they are taking this match seriously and yells at the crowd for chanting. Ray says if they were taking it seriously they wouldn’t make jokes about them. On the big screen, we see the Machine Guns and Jay Lethal impersonating Team 3D and Johnny Devine. Team 3D and Devine leave the ring and storm backstage. They are dressed like the ECW versions. Team 3D and Devine storm the scene and attack them. They brawl back to the ringside area. Devon sends Lethal into the ring post. Ray sends Shelley into the ring steps shoulder first. Devine grabs a table while Brother Ray delivers a chair shot to Sabin. Ray pummels Lethal with strikes causing Lethal to be busted open. Shelley is nailed by a kendo stick, as well. Devon sends Sabin into the corner and Ray powerbombs Shelley through a table. Ray whacks Lethal over the back with a kendo stick. Devon powerbombs Sabin through a table. Ray smashes Lethal over the head with a chair shot. Team 3D and Devine stand tall with Ray saying they are just little boys in a man’s world. Ray says they were little boys at one time and back in ECW they were little boys. However, they were forced to become men and those men became hardcore heroes. Ray mentions going to WWE and becoming legends and now they stand in TNA and those legends have become Gods. If God was a heel he’d be in Team 3D. Ray gives them fair warning to not show up at Against All Odds.
3.) Backstage, Crystal is with Scott Steiner and Petey Williams. Steiner says that they just teaming together and not getting along. Steiner is told that if Machine Guns and Lethal lose then the X-Division is gone. Crystal says the title shot he has would then be useless. Steiner freaks out on Petey, but Petey says it is Steiner’s problem and not his now. Steiner says if he has a problem then Petey does, too.
4.) Christy Hemme screams in the microphone about the team. Jimmy Rave says the wrong city and Hoyt says something that is bleeped.
5.) Rave and Williams kickoff the tag match. Williams kicks Rave and delivers a jawbreaker followed by a spinning heel kick. Williams dumps Rave to the apron and decks Hoyt on the apron. Rave tries for a sunset flip, but Williams dropkicks Rave. Williams clotheslines Hoyt and delivers an elbow drop for a two count. Williams did a few pushups and Steiner doesn’t appreciate it. Williams hits a top rope hurricanrana on Hoyt. Williams elbows Rave and locks in a camel clutch. Steiner distracts the referee to allow a big boot by Hoyt from behind. Hoyt misses a clothesline and a forearm. Williams runs into a big boot. Hoyt tosses Williams down to the mat face first. Rave tags into the match and covers Williams for a two count. Rave stomps on Williams face and taunts the crowd. Williams fights back with strikes and a swinging neckbreaker. Steiner gets the hot tag and nails Hoyt with a clothesline. Steiner backdrops Rave coming off the ropes. Steiner clotheslines Hoyt again and delivers an elbow drop leading to more pushups. Steiner forearms Rave on the middle rope and hits an overhead belly to belly suplex. Steiner tosses Hoyt with a suplex, too. Steiner tags in Williams. Williams hits a slingshot Codebreaker. Williams kicks Hoyt away and tries for the Destroyer, but Williams sees that Steiner has both briefcases. Steiner decks Williams with a briefcase and walks out. Rave hits a swinging neckbreaker variation and pins Williams for the win. (**. Not a bad match before the turn by Steiner. I can see potential in Rave and Hoyt as an annoying heel team, but I can see that annoyance growing on people and becoming babyfaces down the road.)
6.) We see footage of Bob Armstrong training BG James for their tag title match at Against All Odds.
7.) Kip controls Hernandez with a side headlock to kickoff the match. They collide on shoulder blocks with Kip dumping Hernandez to the apron and delivering a few strikes. Hernandez hits a slingshot shoulder block into the ring for a two count. Kip eye rakes Hernandez and delivers a few strikes. Kip rams Hernandez in the corner and delivers a few jabs. Kip rams Hernandez into the corner and continues with right hands. Hernandez chops Kip several times. Kip clotheslines Hernandez in the corner. Hernandez kicks Kip away and climbs to the top, but Kip cuts Hernandez off. Kip is shoved off the middle rope, but Hernandez misses a splash attempt. Roxxi gets on the apron and throws powder into Kip’s face on accident. Hernandez clotheslines Kip leading to the win. (1/2*. Nothing really to see here.) After the match, Roxxi checks on Kip. Kip doesn’t seem happy with Roxxi. Kip gets a microphone and says that Roxxi has done nothing since they hired her. Kip tells Roxxi that she sucks and wears too much makeup. Kip says that she dresses like she Stevie Nicks. Kip tells Roxxi that she talks too much and fires Roxxi.
8.) Backstage, AJ Styles meets up with Tomko and apologizes for what happened last week. Styles reminds Tomko they are the greatest tag champs, but he works for Kurt Angle. Tomko tells Styles it’s not in his nature to backdown from a challenge. Styles thinks that Karen is into her and he has her wrapped around his finger. Tomko tells Styles to stay out of his way.
9.) A video promoting UFC 81, and there are comments from Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. Obviously this is a cheap way to get Brock Lesnar on Impact. Frank Mir is also shown on the show to promote the fight with Lesnar. (Mir ended up making Lesnar submit to a heel hook).
10.) There’s a brief video promoting the Barbed Wire Massacre between Abyss and Judas Mesias is shown.
11.) Mesias works over Chavis with several chops in the corner to kickoff the match. Mesias sends Chavis to the floor and hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor. Chavis fires back on Mesias with right hands, but Mesias hits a spear and taunts the crowd. Mesias hits the Straight To Hell to win the match. (*. Simple and effective.) After the match, Father James Mitchell says he can officially refer to Abyss as his son since everyone knows he’s Abyss’s father. Mitchell notes that Abyss has said he’s ashamed of Mitchell, but Mitchell doesn’t understand why he’d be ashamed of him. Mitchell doesn’t think it’s shame, but it is guilt. It’s guilt for what Abyss allowed his mother to do to his father. Mitchell says that Abyss will not have to deal with it too much longer. It’s coming to a close at Against All Odds. Mesias is biting on the barbed wire like a madman. Mitchell is going to sit back and enjoy the pain and torment that Abyss suffers
12.) A video highlighting Shark Boy’s recent change into becoming a comedy persona of Stone Cold Shark Boy. Apparently, the fans in Orlando love this.
13.) Shark Boy makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo and issue a challenge. Boy says that nobody wants to fight him since he broke out of his shell. Boy has come up with an idea and issues an open challenge to anyone that wants to come out and swim a few laps. Boy doesn’t care who it is and says it could even be the janitor. Boy notes he has referee Slick Johnson with him, but nobody comes out. Boy confronts Johnson, but Johnson says he didn’t say anything to Shark Boy. Boy insults Johnson and suggests he’s scared. Boy ends up hitting a stunner on Slick. Security gets in the ring and Shark Boy hits a stunner on them all.
14.) Backstage, Matt Morgan is asking what Jim Cornette is doing. Cornette tells Morgan that he’s not going over his head and he knows what’s going on. Cornette notes that Samoa Joe is signing a five-year contract tonight and then they can do something about it. Morgan denies going after Kevin Nash because Nash grabbed him by the throat. Morgan promises to take care of Joe himself tonight. Kevin Nash enters the office and backs off because Morgan breath smells. Nash says he’ll fight Morgan for 100k because he doesn’t fight for free. Nash tells Cornette that he’s not saving anyone tonight when they try and sign Samoa Joe. Nash has heard that if they don’t sign tonight then Cornette and Morgan will be out of a job. AJ Styles enters the office and asks for Cornette to stop the match between Tomko and Angle. Styles gets on his knees to beg, but Cornette tells him to get up. Cornette says he’ll do something about it and tells Styles to come alone when he calls for him. Styles thinks that Cornette is going to cancel the match.
15.) Jim Cornette is in the ring and calls out TNA Tag Team Champion AJ Styles to join him in the ring. Cornette understands the conflict that Styles feels between Tomko and Angle. Cornette doesn’t want Styles to feel helpless. Cornette says that the match between Tomko and Angle will go on as scheduled. Cornette provides a change to the match. Cornette announces that Styles will be the special referee. Styles is not happy about that announcement. Cornette tells Styles if he doesn’t count a fall then his contract will be terminated.
16.) Backstage, Crystal is with TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong and Saied. Saied says she has a statement from Kong to ODB. She says that Kong comes in peace and doesn’t wish to hurt anyone. If you stay out of Kong’s way you’ll be safe, but if you choose not to then you’ll be destroyed. Kong is a woman of peace except when your agitate the monster.
17.) Roxxi big boots Love and is nearly pinned by ODB. Roxxi gets a two count on ODB with an inside cradle. Love bails to the floor to regroup. ODB and Roxxi trade some dance moves until ODB delivers a clothesline. Love returns to the ring and chops both women. Love dropkicks ODB and hits a bulldog on Roxxi for a two count. Love hits a jawbreaker on ODB for a two count as the show goes to commercial. Roxxi forearms Love in the corner and ODB does the same. Roxxi slams Love, but ODB prevents a cover and tosses Roxxi to the mat. ODB grabs Love fora slam, but Roxxi has Love over the shoulder. Roxxi big boots ODB into the corner and decks Love over the back. Roxxi splashes Love in the corner and hits a sit out spinebuster on ODB for a two count. Roxxi forearms ODB against the ropes. ODB catches Roxxi and hits a running powerslam, but Love is flirting with the referee in the corner. Love slides over and covers Roxxi as the referee kind of does a fast count allowing Love to pickup the win. After the match, ODB is pissed and ends up hitting a running powerslam. (*. ODB not winning is a bit surprising, but Love winning the way she did doesn’t impact anything.)
18.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviews AJ Styles regarding the main event. Styles says he’s going to crap his pants and doesn’t know what to do. Kurt Angle and Karen Angle enter the scene and says that Styles is going to watch him kick Tomko’s ass and count the fall. Styles reminds Angle that Tomko’s his partner. Tomko enters the scene and there’s a brawl for a moment.
19.) We see footage from Final Resolution where Robert Roode punched Sharmell and broke her jaw.
20.) Mike Tenay is standing in the ring and introduces a video message from Booker T. Booker is in Houston and says that Sharmell is doing a lot better and is recovering at home. Booker looks forward to seeing everyone soon.
21.) Robert Roode is in the ring and cuts a promo saying that was pathetic of Booker T. Roode asks if Sharmell got the candy and flowers he sent.
22.) Roode and Dutt kickoff the six person tag match with Roode working over Dutt with strikes. Dutt hip tosses Roode followed by an arm drag and dropkick to the knee. Dutt keeps arm control on the mat, but Banks pulls Dutt’s hair causing Brooks to try and get involved. Roode sends Dutt into a corner, but is met with a kick. Dutt sends Storm into the post. Storm grabs Dutt’s boot and yanks down sending Dutt face first onto the apron. Roode drives Dutt down with a back suplex for a near fall. Storm tags into the match and punches Dutt in the ribs. Storm pummels Dutt on the mat. Dutt fires back with strikes, but is caught on a crossbody. Storm hits the Eight Second Ride for a near fall. Storm chokes Dutt with his shirt and tosses it into the crowd. Roode tags back in and stomps Dutt. Roode rams Dutt into the corner and continues with stomps. Dutt breaks free and tags in Young. Young cleans house with a dropkick to Roode and clothesline Storm. Young drives Roode down to the mat for a near fall. Dutt works over Storm while Roode works over Young. Banks and Brooks have a catfight in the ring until Banks runs away. Storm superkicks Young allowing Roode to hit the Payoff and pins Young. (*1/2. I’m fine with the win and Roode winning continues to give him steam for the heated feud with Booker T. Roode feels like a bigger deal with this Booker feud going on.) After the match, Booker T slides into the ring and attacks Roode. Storm tries to help, but is decked to the floor. Booker chases Roode to the backstage area. I was not expecting Booker!
23.) Backstage, Kaz is White Sunshine and acting weird with a blonde wig. Kaz introduces Marlena his white rat. Kaz says that he’s screwing with Dustin and he’s sick of the games. Kaz challenges Dustin to a match where there are four pole with boxes. Three of the poles have a box with a mouse trap while one will have Marlena.
24.) Jim Cornette is in the ring to conduct the contract signing of Samoa Joe. Joe comes down to the ring with Kevin Nash and Joe looks thrilled to be signing the new contract. Cornette knows they had a rocky road and promises there are no hard feelings. Cornette says that Joe has meant a lot to TNA since his arrival and lists his accomplishments. Cornette presents the contract to Joe and promises that everything Joe asked for is in the contract. Morgan has a pen and tosses it at Joe’s face. Morgan pie faces Joe and argues with Cornette. Joe puts Morgan through the table with a back suplex. Joe grabs the contract and rips it up. Joe leaves the ring and walks off as Cornette is livid with a laid out Morgan.
25.) Angle sidesteps Tomko, but Tomko punches Angle several times to gain control of the match. Tomko clotheslines Angle over the top to the floor. Tomko sends Angle into the guard railing shoulder first. Tomko rams Angle face first onto the ring steps. Angle kicks Tomko, but Tomko plants Angle with a powerslam. Styles doesn’t make the count on the cover. Tomko tosses Angle into the corner and pummels Angle with a flurry of right hands. Tomko stomps Angle several times. Angle sends Tomko chest first into the corner and hits a release German suplex as the show goes to commercial.
They trade strikes causing both men to stagger. Angle tried to cover during the commercial, but Styles continues to not want to count. Tomko lays Angle out with a clothesline, but Styles does a slow count leading to a near fall. Angle uppercuts Tomko several times, but Tomko hits a snap powerslam. Styles continues a slow count allowing for another near fall. Angle elbows Tomko in the corner delivers a big boot for a near fall thanks to another slow count by Styles. Tomko tries for a slam, but Angle counters with the Olympic Slam. Angle pulls down the straps and goes for the ankle lock. Tomko rolls through and Angle takes out Styles. They both attempt clotheslines and crash to the mat. Christian Cage comes down to ringside and hits Angle with the TNA World Championship. Tomko hits a Torture Rack turned into neckbreaker on Angle. Styles returns to the ring and makes an extremely slow count while begging Tomko to not make him do it. But, Styles counts the fall and Tomko wins the match. (*1/2. Obviously they did quite a bit here to protect Kurt. I mean, a slow count and a championship to the head will protect your World Champion fairly well. I like Tomko and having him win is fine by me. The match was decent for what it was, too.)
26.) Karen Angle gets in the ring and slaps AJ Styles. Karen shoves Tomko in the corner.
27.) Backstage, Christian Cage says he wants to do what’s best for Tomko and walks off.
Final Thoughts:
I thought it was a strong episode of Impact with a strong focus on the angles to build the PPV. Action wise it may have been weak, but the storytelling was strong enough to carry the show this week.
Thanks for reading.