Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 2/7/2008
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong defeated Traci Brooks
2.) Kaz defeated Black Reign in a Capture the Rat Match
3.) Homicide defeated TNA X-Division Champion Johnny Devine by disqualification
4.) Shark Boy & Curry Man defeated Rock ’n Rave Infection (Lance Hoyt & Jimmy Rave)
5.) AJ Styles defeated Tiger Mask
6.) Christian Cage defeated Judas Mesias
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Robert Roode and Payton Banks to talk about Roode’s match with Booker T in three days at Against All Odds. Roode mocks Sharmell by talking as if he has a broken jaw while drinking a jaw. Roode switches to mocking Booker T regarding the injury to Sharmell. Roode shoves Borash out of the scene and looks into the camera saying he’s tried to be a man and apologize, but nothing from Booker. Roode claims it was an accident at Final Resolution and Booker knows it. Roode thinks that Booker wants to thank him because she’s losing weight and she can’t boss Roode around. Roode says you’re welcome and promises that Booker will find out just like his wife that it pays to be rude at Against All Odds.
2.) Robert Roode and Payton Banks make their way down to the ring. Booker T comes through the crowd and attacks Roode at ringside. Roode was suppose to wrestle Jay Lethal. Roode breaks free and runs away from Booker. Thus, there isn’t a match.
3.) Backstage, Matt Morgan is yelling at Jim Cornette for allowing Samoa Joe to attack him two weeks in a row. Cornette isn’t going to do anything about it and is instead going to get Joe to sign the contract to save both of their jobs. Morgan agrees to stay away, but doesn’t like it.
4.) ODB is on the big screen mocking Awesome Kong and says she doesn’t sweat Kong. ODB will be challenging Kong at the PPV in three days.
5.) Brooks starts off with chops in the corner, but Kong lifts Brooks up and tosses Brooks to the mat. Kong chops Brooks against the ropes. Kong tries for a slam, but Brooks breaks free, but runs into a strike. Kong clubs Brooks over the back, but misses a splash. Brooks strikes Kong several times along with knee strikes. Brooks nails Kong with a big boot and a clothesline. Brooks splashes Kong in the corner and goes to the top, but Kong headbutts Brooks and yanks her off the top rope. Brooks knee strikes Kong, but Kong nails Brooks with a spinning back fist. Kong plants Brooks with a Implant Buster. Kong drives Brooks down with a sit down powerbomb for the win. After the match, Payton Banks attacks Brooks until security gets involved. (*1/2. Kong is fantastic and I’m expecting her to be champion for a long while.)
6.) Backstage, Booker T has chased Robert Roode to the parking lot where Roode gets in a car and drives off.
7.) Petey Williams is yelling at Scott Steiner for hitting him and taking the briefcase. Jim Cornette enters the scene and tries to cool off Steiner by telling him the truth. Steiner says his briefcase means nothing potentially. Cornette tells Steiner that at Against All Odds there will be a briefcase vs. briefcase match where the winner between them will get both briefcases. Steiner tells Cornette he better not be lying and storms off. Williams flexes for Cornette and is kicked out.
8.) Reign attacks Kaz on the floor and sends Kaz into the guard railing. Reign climbs the corner to try and retrieve one of the boxes, but Kaz stops Reign. Reign sends Kaz into the corner. Reign crotches Kaz on the top to prevent Kaz from reaching the box. Reign climbs the other corner and opens the box, but it’s a rat trap. Kaz tosses Reign off the top as the show goes to commercial. Kaz opens another box, but it’s another rat trap. Reign plants Kaz with a snap powerslam and pummels Kaz with strikes. Reign delivers a modified Pedigree and bites Kaz’s forehead. Reign climbs the corner to retrieve another box, but Kaz decks Reign to the mat. Kaz dropkicks Reign coming off the ropes. Kaz climbs the corner, but Reign stops Kaz. Reign hits a leg sweep/clothesline to stop Kaz momentum. Reign misses a strike and is kicked by Kaz. Kaz avoids a strike and heel kicks Reign. Reign dumps Kaz to the apron, but Kaz hits a springboard dropkick. Kaz climbs the top rope, but is stopped by Reign. Reign knocks Kaz off the top sending Kaz to the floor. Reign opens another box, but it’s another rat trap. That means the final box has the rat in it. Kaz crotches Reign on the top and climbs the ropes. Kaz opens the box and grabs the rat to win the match. After the match, Reign nails Kaz with a weapon and reclaims Misty the rat. (*. I’m not entirely sure why Kaz would even want the rat, but it appears Reign has recaptured the rat anyway.)
9.) Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviews Booker T regarding the upcoming match against Robert Roode at the PPV. Booker can’t believe Roode and all his taunting. Booker has never felt more hatred in his heart for a human before. Booker says that Sharmell is home recovering. Sharmell told Booker to beat the living hell out of Roode, and that’s something Booker can do. Booker isn’t going to beat himself up anymore. This is personal and he’s going to beat the living hell out of Robert Roode. Booker says it will be a night to remember. Booker says that Roode’s punk ass is his.
10.) Devine sends Homicide into the ropes and is met with a shoulder block. Homicide avoids a hip toss and Devine does the Eddie taunt, which leads to Homicide decking Devine to the mat. Devine drops Homicide throat first over the ropes from the apron and leaps off the top, but is met with an atomic drop. Homicide knee strikes Devine to the floor and hits a somersault suicide dive to the floor. Homicide hits an overhead suplex for a two count. Homicide hip tosses Devine and climbs to the top rope missing a big splash attempt. Devine stomps Homicide several times on the mat. Devine hits a snap suplex for a two count. Homicide punches Devine a few times and snapmares Devine followed by a kick to the upper back. Devine stops Homicide on the ropes and delivers a running knee strike. Devine covers Homicide for a two count. Homicide fires back with right hands, but Devine hits a gut buster for a two count. Devine hooks Homicide for a suplex, but Homicide counters with a t-bone suplex. Homicide elbows Devine in the corner and delivers a corkscrew elbow strike. Homicide plants Devine with a neckbreaker for a two count. Homicide continues with a senton splash for a near fall. Homicide tries for the Gringo Killer, but Devine counters with a rollup for a near fall. Homicide plants Devine with a cutter for a near fall. Homicide hits the Gringo Killer, but Team 3D run into the ring to attack Homicide. Devon pummels Homicide and Ray whacks Homicide over the back with a kendo stick. Hernandez enters the ring to make the save. Hernandez hits the Border Toss on Devine. (*1/2. There wasn’t much energy to this match and I’m wondering if Devine needs to lose the title sooner rather than later. The finish is weak and felt like a complete cop out to a clean finish.)
11.) Backstage, Christian Cage is interviewed and cuts a promo about the PPV match with TNA World Champion Kurt Angle in three days. Cage wonders if it will be his last title shot. Cage knows where everyone stands in this soap opera. Cage is fine with Tomko being his own man, but tonight we’ll know for sure because he’s calling Tomko out for one last face to face.
12.) Jim Cornette is in the ring and once again has a contract for Samoa Joe to sign. Joe and Kevin Nash make their way out to join Cornette in the ring. Cornette tells them he’s instructed Morgan to remain out of the venue. Cornette tells Joe all the clauses are in the contract for the next five years. However, TNA World Champion Kurt Angle makes his way out just as Joe was about to sign the contract. Karen Angle is with him, as well. Cornette isn’t thrilled about this and asks why are they out here to screw it up again. Kurt tells Cornette that he’s caused this to happen. Kurt needs to have a chat with Joe. Kurt reminds us that Joe is the special enforcer for the main event between Angle and Cage. Angle doesn’t trust anyone. Angle tells Joe if Joe costs him the title it will be the last thing he ever does. Angle knows that Joe has had it out for him since day one and it’s because Kurt replaced Joe as the very best. Angle tells Joe that he’s better than him and wants Joe to move past the jealously. Angle promises to break Joe’s ankle and make sure he never walks again if he’s cost the match. Joe puts Angle over as perhaps the greatest athlete he’s ever seen. Joe promises to call the action right down the middle and shakes Angle’s hand. Joe proceeds to slam Angle through the table. Joe stands over Angle smiling. Joe doesn’t sign the contract and Cornette continues to freak out.
13.) Backstage, Christy Hemme, Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt are interviewed. Hoyt is wearing guy liner. A microphone is brought into the scene and they proceed to have a concert. They are using Rock Band guitars. Hemme sings horribly and they are insulted by being called a cover band.
14.) Boy and Rave kickoff the tag match with Boy knocking Rave to the floor. Boy rams Rave into the guard railing chest first before returning to the ring. Boy leaps off the middle rope to deliver a forearm strike. Boy stomps Rave in the corner several times to maintain the advantage. Curry wants the tag and eventually gets tagged into the match. Curry stomps Rave and does a dance. Rave knee lifts Curry and tags in Hoyt. Curry tries for a shoulder block, but Hoyt doesn’t budge. Curry invites Hoyt to try a shoulder block, but Curry trips Hoyt and walks on his back. Hoyt shoulder blocks Curry into the corner. Hoyt misses a splash and is met with a knee lift. Curry dances again for the crowd. Rave stops Curry with a strike from behind, but Shark Boy gets involved. Rave knocks Boy out of the corner. Hoyt nails Curry with a big boot and Hoyt does air guitar over Curry. Hoyt plants Curry with an F5. Rave tags into the match and covers for a two count. Rave knee lifts Curry and delivers a shining wizard for a two count. Hoyt steps on Curry’s throat and Hemme tries to get involved, but Hoyt accidentally hits Hemme. Hoyt kicks Curry in the ribs and tries for the Blackout, but Curry counters with a jawbreaker. Shark Boy tags in and cleans house. Boy takes Rave down with a Thez Press and several right hands on the mat. Hoyt knee lifts Boy from behind on the apron. Boy kicks Hoyt and ducks a big boot. Boy hits two stunners and Curry hits the Burning Hammer on Rave, and Shark Boy covers for the win. (**. I can get behind the team of Curry Man and Shark Boy, I think. It’s a comedy duo, but they are good together. Hoyt and Rave are doing fine and Hemme adds a good annoyance for the team to gain heat. Hoyt and Rave need to be careful to keep their act away from becoming a complete comedy act, which is likely going to happen.)
15.) Backstage, TNA Tag Team Champion Tomko is interviewed regarding Christian Cage wanting a meeting. Tomko accepted the invite only because of their history. He’s interested in hearing what Cage has to say, but that’s all he’s got to say.
16.) Backstage, BG James and Bullet Bob are interviewed. BG says they partied until he puked when it came to the training. BG says his father is his role model and hero. BG says they are bad blood and family fighting. BG thinks they are focused and the champs aren’t. BG promises to bring the tag titles back home to momma. Bullet chimes in and says they will be opened for business in three days. Kip James enters the scene and wishes them the best of luck and says he’s behind them 100%.
17.) TNA Tag Team Champion AJ Styles cuts a promo in the ring apologizing for last week. Styles wants a key back into the locker room and claims to be lost without them. Styles says he loves Karen….and Kurt.
18.) Tiger Mask dropkicks Styles to the apron to kickoff the match. Styles knee lifts Tiger and delivers a few strikes before putting a wrist lock on Tiger. Styles twists Tiger’s arm a few times to maintain the advantage. Tiger tries to counter a top wrist lock and arm drags Styles followed by a handspring strike for a near fall. Mask controls Styles with a side headlock. Tiger hits a crossbody off the middle rope and steps on Styles back. Styles boots Tiger in the corner and misses a running attack falling to the floor. Tiger tries for a dive to the floor, but Styles sidesteps the attempt. Styles pulls Tiger to the floor and rams Tiger into the apron. Styles forearms Tiger in the crowd and hits a springboard forearm smash. Styles tries to remove Tiger’s mask, but Tiger bites Styles fingers. Tiger kicks Styles several times and hits a standing moonsault knee strike for a two count. Tiger takes Styles out with a suicide dive to the floor! Tiger rolls Styles into the ring and hits a double under hook powerbomb for a near fall. Styles elbows Tiger and hits a springboard reverse DDT for a two count. Tiger and Styles trade forearms in the middle of the ring. Styles rams Tiger into the corner, but the referee is knocked down in the corner, as well. Styles low blows Tiger with a back kick. Styles hits the Styles Clash to win the match. (**1/2. A fine TV match and I’m glad that Styles shows some intensity during his matches to counter act the complete comedy he’s been doing outside of the ring.)
19.) Christian Cage and Tomko meet in the ring with Cage wanting to get straight to the point. Cage knows that Tomko wants to be his own man, but he doesn’t know where Tomko stands. Cage tells Tomko he helped him last week, but if Tomko wants to finish what AJ started they might as well do it now. Cage turns his back and says Tomko needs to do what’s best for Tomko. Tomko is thinking about hitting Cage, but spins Cage around and shoves Cage away before walking off.
20.) Judas misses a splash in the corner to kickoff the match. Judas shoves Cage to the mat out of a lockup. Mesias drives Cage into the corner to get out of a headlock and strikes Cage several times. Mesias chops Cage in the corner several times to maintain the advantage. Cage fights back with chops, but runs into a clothesline. Mesias bites Cage’s forehead and gouges Cage in the corner. Mesias tries for a press slam, but Cage breaks free and sends Mesias over the top to the floor. Mesias hooks Cage for a suplex on the apron, but Cage lands on the apron. Cage elbows Mesias and delivers a swinging kick to knock Mesias off the apron to the floor. Cage chops Mesias against the railing followed by right hands and chops. Cage rolls Mesias into the ring and leaps off the top, but Mesias rolls away. Cage tries for the Un-Prettier, but Mesias breaks free with an eye rake. Mesias press slams Cage over the top to the floor as the show goes to commercial.
Mesias rams Cage into the ring steps and continues with strikes and chops. Mesias nails Cage with a boot to the chest and they trade strikes. Cage ducks a clothesline and runs into a powerslam by Mesias for a two count. Mesias stomps Cage on the mat and delivers another strike Mesias chokes Cage on the mat and over the middle rope. Mesias chokes Cage between the ropes, but is forced to let go by the referee. Mesias sends Cage into the corner and yanks Cage to the mat from the middle rope for a two count. Cage jumps on Mesias back, but is rammed into the corner. Cage dropkicks Mesias from the middle rope. Cage hammers away on Mesias with strikes and an elbow. Cage hits a middle rope uppercut for a two count. Mesias tries for a powerbomb, but Cage takes Mesais to the mat, but is tossed into the corner. Cage avoids a spear and sends Mesias into the post. Cage hits a reverse DDT for a near fall. Cage is distracted by Father James Mitchell, and leaps into a cutter by Mesias for a near fall.
Abyss comes down to ringside with barbed wire wrapped around his forearm. Abyss goes after Mitchell and they head backstage. Cage tries for the Un-Prettier, but Mesias counters. Cage counters again and hits the Un-Prettier for the win. (*1/2. I’m not sure about this booking as I’d probably try to avoid having Mesias do the job before the PPV. It kind of ruins the mystic of Mesias by doing a clean job. The loss doesn’t hurt Mesias since Cage is involved in the World Championship match, but I would have avoided a TV loss for Mesias until after the PPV.)
After the match, Abyss returns to the ring with the barbed wire around his forearm. Abyss forearms Mesias over the top to the floor. Abyss chases Mesias backstage. AJ Styles slides into the ring from behind and attacks Cage with a flurry of right hands. Styles slams the back of Cage’s head onto the mat. Cage double legs Styles and puts the Texas Cloverleaf on Styles. TNA World Champion Kurt Angle runs into the ring and kicks Cage from behind. Angle pummels Cage with right hands and double teams Cage with Styles. Angle grabs the TNA World Championship, but bails as Tomko enters the ring to make the save. Tomko pulls Cage up in the corner. Tomko shakes hands with Cage and they embrace to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
This week felt mostly average, but a rather boring episode. The feud between Booker and Roode probably has the most heat out of anything they’ve got going on right now. The go-home shows before a PPV should be adding interest to the PPV, and I didn’t feel as if I had more interest in the PPV following the show.
Thanks for reading.