Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 2/21/2008
From: Orlando, FL
Matches:
1.) TNA Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Tomko defeated Bob Armstrong & Kip James to retain the titles
2.) Kaz defeated Rellik
3.) Petey Williams defeated Sonjay Dutt and Johnny Devine in a number one contenders match for the TNA X-Division Championship
4.) Brother Ray defeated Shark Boy & Curry Man in a handicap match
5.) Jackie Moore & Roxxi Leveaux defeated Gail Kim & ODB
6.) TNA World Champion Kurt Angle defeated Booker T
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Backstage, TNA World Champion Kurt Angle is livid with his wife Karen for kissing AJ Styles last week. Kurt notes that Karen hasn’t taken care of the situation, or else. Karen thinks that jealously will be the only way for Kurt to pay attention to her. Karen wants to know when it’s going to be about them and not his gold medals. Kurt tells Karen to take her drama to her other husband since he’s got a match with Booker T tonight. Karen leaves to take her drama to somewhere who cares about her.
2.) BG James is on crutches in the corner of Bob Armstrong and Kip James for the tag title match. The knee injury is from AJ Styles dropkicking BG on the knee at Against All Odds.
3.) Armstrong and Styles kickoff the tag title match. Armstrong snapmares Styles, but doesn’t followup and taunts Styles. Styles backs Armstrong against the ropes and delivers a right hand to the midsection. Armstrong overhand chops Styles coming off the ropes and keeps arm control. Kip tags into the match and rams Styles into the corner. Kip tosses Styles across the ring and wants a piece of Tomko. Tomko tags in and trades strikes with Kip. Kip kicks Tomko followed by a clothesline. Styles hits a Pele Kick on Kip. Tomko nails Kip with a running clothesline as Karen Angle comes down to ringside applauding the tag champs. Tomko keeps a sleeper on Kip, but Kip fights out with elbow strikes. Kip hits a neckbreaker and both men are down. Armstrong gets the hot tag and cleans house with chops to the champs. Armstrong pummels Tomko with several chops and knocks Styles away. The champs run the ropes and collide on stereo clothesline attempt. Kip grabs BG’s crutch and is ready to hit the champs, but instead whacks Armstrong over the back and Tomko pins Armstrong to win the match. After the match, BG gets in the ring, but Kip kicks the crutch and BG drops to the mat. Kip breaks the crutch over BG’s back. Kip is pissed and walks off. (*. The main goal here is to get the angle over for Kip’s heel turn, and I thought it was done fairly well. Kip should venture into a singles role and see how well he can do from there.)
4.) Backstage, Gail Kim and ODB are interviewed. Crystal thinks Kim tried to help ODB, but it backfired. Kim says they are back on the same page after communication issues. Kim says they have the same goal to end Awesome Kong’s reign as TNA Knockouts Champion. ODB chimes in and says she’ll go through anyone to get to Kong.
5.) Karen Angle and AJ Styles enter the scene. Styles says kissing Karen was just an example of Styles getting caught up in the moment. Karen tells Styles that they are actually married. Styles asks if it’s even legal. Karen wants Styles to worry about the honeymoon tonight. Karen tells Styles that Kurt told her to go to her other husband. Styles thinks of the perfect place and heads off to make a phone call.
6.) Backstage, Kip James says that he just got rid of a bag of shit. Kip says that friendship is thicker than blood. Kip hates everyone, and BG chose to throw their friendship away. Kip tells BG to bring it all because he’s going to need it.
7.) In the ring, Jim Cornette is there to interview Sonjay Dutt, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Matt Morgan is there, too. Cornette calls out TNA X-Division Champion Jay Lethal to join the segment. Cornette puts over Lethal’s accomplishments and talks about Lethal’s history in TNA over the past few years. Lethal is getting a little emotional at all the praise Lethal’s getting from Cornette. Cornette believes Lethal has made his mark in TNA for saving X-Division from Team 3D. Lethal gets the microphone and says that at Against All Odds he has gotten his smile back. Lethal has a few people to thank including the founders of the X-Division such as Christopher Daniels, Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles. Lethal thanks Sabin and Shelley, too. Lethal also says it’s an honor to be in the same ring as his best friend, Sonjay Dutt. Lethal has one last person to thank and that’s So Cal Val. Lethal wants Val to share the moment with him. Lethal admits he’s nervous and has something to ask Val. Lethal gets down on bended knee and asks Val to go out with him. Val responds by saying “Oh Yeah!” and they embrace. It’s noticeable that Sonjay Dutt does not appear to be happy for his friend, at all.
8.) Backstage, Kazarian is interviewed regarding his match with Rellik. Kazarian isn’t too nervous about Rellik. Eric Young runs into the scene and tells Kazarian that Rellik is a monster and he can’t go out there to fight him. Young says Rellik is a real life monster. Kazarian tells Young that he’s just another wrestler like they are. Kazarian walks off confident about his chances.
9.) Backstage, Jim Cornette is with Samoa Joe hoping to sign the contract in his office instead of in public. Cornette just needs Joe to sign the contract and Joe will be legally contracted TNA wrestler for five years. Joe has come to realize a few things. Joe thinks it has nothing to do with money, but rather Joe wants to be the TNA World Champion. Joe wants a fair chance at the title and knows that the Angle Alliance will prevent that. Joe is going to team with Kevin Nash and Christian Cage at Destination X to takeout Angle Alliance and get his fair shot at the title at Lockdown. However, Joe isn’t signing the contract until after Lockdown. If Joe doesn’t win the title at Lockdown, then there’s no real reason for him to be here anyway.
10.) Rellik stops Kaz with a choke and sits Kaz on the top rope, but Kaz goes to the apron to break free. Kaz shoulder rams Rellik and rolls back into the ring to punch Rellik a few times. Rellik misses a kick and Kaz responds with several strikes. Kaz clotheslines Rellik over the top to the floor. Kaz hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor and sends Rellik into the railing. Rellik responds with a big boot to stop Kaz. Rellik sends Kaz into the railing ribs first to maintain the advantage. Rellik sends Kaz chest first into the corner. Kaz fights out of a cobra clutch attempt, but Rellik gets the hold locked in. Kaz uses the ropes to fall backward onto Rellik and manages to get the three count for the win. After the match, Black Reign enters the ring, but Kaz fights Reign off. Reign drives Kaz down with a twisting suplex. Rellik nails Kaz with a running clothesline. Eric Young makes his way down the aisle, but stops after seeing Black Reign. Young gets in the ring when Reign and Rellik are gone. (*. The finish was weak and the match wasn’t very good anyway. Kaz seems to be a little lost and involved in feuds with people who are less than him. It feels very similar to what Chris Harris had been dealing with prior to his departure.)
11.) Backstage, Booker T is interviewed regarding his match with Kurt Angle because he’s wrestling Robert Roode at Destination X. Booker thinks he can switch gears and remembers when he won the WCW Television Championship for the first time because Rick Martel forgot his boots. Booker doesn’t care that the match with Kurt is non-title. Booker says that Roode didn’t show up tonight, but if Roode doesn’t show up next week or at Destination X then Roode will be suspended, and Booker knows Roode can’t afford that because he needs a new robe.
12.) Mike Tenay and Don West talk about Abyss and say they have no idea where he’s gone to.
13.) Devine attacks Dutt and Williams before the bell for the cheap advantage. Dutt dropkicks Devine and Williams delivers a jawbreaker and spinning heel kick to Devine. Dutt hits a springboard moonsault on Devine. Williams rolls on the mat with Dutt and keeps arm control as Scott Steiner comes down to ringside. Williams manages a two count on a backslide on Dutt. Dutt kicks Williams in the corner and leg drops Williams over the middle rope. Dutt hits a springboard splash, but Devine makes the save. Devine takes Dutt over with a snap suplex for a near fall. Devine stomps Williams on the mat several times. Devine drops Dutt over his knees with a gut buster and slams Williams onto Dutt for a near fall. Dutt head scissors Devine and Williams hits a slingshot Codebreaker on Devine. Williams dumps Dutt to the floor and gets a rollup on Devine for a two count. Williams tries for a side Russian leg sweep, but settles for a drop toe hold . Steiner hits Dutt with a briefcase and strikes Devine over the middle rope. Williams gets an inside cradle and pins Devine to win the match. (*. I wasn’t a fan of this and the usage of Steiner helping Williams win didn’t do anything for me. A true partnership between Williams and Steiner could be entertaining if done correctly and it lasts a while.)
14.) We go to AJ Styles and Karen Angle having a honeymoon. Borash doesn’t like this idea, but Karen tells Borash to do his job and shut up. Styles and Karen sit at a table for dinner. Styles lights a candle to “set the mood” and gives Karen fake flowers. Styles has a snow globe and tells Karen a story about himself and how he never saw snow. Styles recalls how his grandmother got him snow and gave him the snow globe. Styles gives Karen the snow globe and says as long as Karen has the snow globe she’ll have him. Karen seems smitten by how sweet Styles is to her.
15.) Mike Tenay interviewed Rhino earlier in the day. Rhino says he made some mistakes and had to refocus to explain his absence. Rhino says that he allowed James Storm to make fun of him and an addiction he had. Rhino knows he’s at risk to compete in Elevation X. Rhino is going to block it out and get revenge on Storm. Rhino says sometimes you have to standup and do something you don’t want to do. Rhino promises that Storm will fall, but not get up.
16.) Backstage, Curry Man dances with Crystal before cutting a promo. Shark Boy doesn’t know what Curry Man said. Shark Boy hopes Curry is talking about beating people up or he’ll stomp a mud hole on Curry.
17.) Team 3D has their weigh-in to be 275lbs or under for their match. Earl Hebner checks the weight and says Brother Ray has made weight. Brother Devon stands on the scale, but doesn’t make the weight. Brother calls Devon a fat bastard and can’t believe Devon would do this to him. Ray tells Devon to stop eating Twinkies late at night.
18.) Curry and Ray kickoff the handicap match as Ray begs Devon to not leave him. Curry almost pins Ray with a rollup. Curry nearly pins Ray with a crucifix pin. Ray decks Curry with a clothesline to gain the advantage. Ray elbows Curry to the mat. Ray does some breakdancing, but the crowd taunts Ray. Curry ducks a few strikes and delivers a jawbreaker and strike to knock Ray to the mat. Ray low blows Curry from behind. Ray dumps Curry to the floor where Devon sends Curry into the railing as the referee is distracted by Shark Boy. Ray controls Curry on the mat with a body scissors. Ray knocks Shark on the apron leading to a scoop slam on Curry. Ray delivers an elbow drop and taunts the fans. Ray tries for a back suplex, but Curry breaks free and tags in Shark Boy. Boy hammers away on Ray and hits a Thez Press to pummel Ray with right hands. Shark comes off the ropes to deliver a forearm drop for a two count. Shark stomps Ray in the corner several times. Shark drives Ray down to the mat with a neckbreaker. Curry takes Devine out with a crossbody to the floor. Shark hits a stunner on Devon. Ray nails Shark with the weight scale while the referee checked on Devon. Ray covers and pins Shark for the win. (*. I’m kind of tired of this Team 3D anti-X-Division angle. I’m sure this leads to Shark Boy and Curry Man winning a tag match of some kind against Team 3D.)
19,) Backstage, Crystal interviews TNA World Champion Kurt Angle. Kurt doesn’t care about the honeymoon and says his focus will be about the TNA World Championship remaining around his waist. Angle says that Booker isn’t going to come into his house and beat him. Kurt is going to break Booker’s ankle and go to Destination X to take on the Three Stooges.
20.) The honeymoon footage continues for AJ Styles and Karen Angle. They are at Gatorland, but Karen doesn’t want to be there. Styles tells Karen he’d wrestle the gators for her. Styles pokes a gator with a pole. Karen admits she’s having a good time. Styles is going to show Borash and Karen birds next.
21.) Kim and Moore kickoff the women’s tag match with Moore gaining arm control for a few moments. Kim avoids Moore in the corner and gets a near fall with a rollup. Kim arm drags Moore followed by a dropkick. Roxxi tags in and Kim hits a hurricanrana. ODB enters the match and shoulder blocks Roxxi a few times. ODB overhand chops Roxxi in the corner. Roxxi chops ODB against the ropes. ODB tosses Roxxi with a fallaway slam. ODB plays to the crowd. Moore kicks ODB from the apron and Roxxi boots ODB for a two count. Moore tags into the match helps flapjack ODB for a two count. Moore pummels ODB with strikes as the show goes to commercial.
ODB sunset flips Roxxi, but is met with a boot to the face. Roxxi covers, but only manages a two count. Roxxi splashes ODB in the corner. ODB counters a slam with a kick to Roxxi. Moore gets in the ring to prevent a tag and pummels ODB while the referee is distracted by Kim. Moore tosses ODB across the ring. Moore tosses ODB out of the corner to maintain the advantage. ODB avoids Moore in the corner and dropkicks Moore into the corner. Kim gets the tag and cleans house with forearms. Kim catapults Roxxi out of the corner. Kim runs the ropes to arm drag Moore, but Roxxi cuts Kim off from behind. Kim elbows Roxxi a few times and delivers a Codebreaker. Kim continues with a neckbreaker for a two count. ODB sends Moore to the floor as Kim climbs to the top and accidentally hits ODB with a missile dropkick. Moore pulls ODB to the floor and Roxxi hits an overhead suplex on Kim to get the three count. (*1/2. Well, it’s an obvious way to keep the issues between Kim and ODB going on TV. Roxxi getting a pin on Kim is a rather shocking result and a major victory for Roxxi.) After the match, ODB and Kim argue with ODB shoving Kim a few times. Kim responds with a forearm and they trade several strikes until security gets in the ring to keep them apart. Kim dives off the top to hit a crossbody on ODB and security on the floor!
22.) Backstage, Crystal interviews Samoa Joe, Kevin Nash and Christian Cage regarding Destination X. Cage recalls getting ready for his match last week, but remembers AJ Styles hitting him with a chair shot. Cage agrees the trio is unlikely, but he considers them to be unstoppable. Cage considered Styles and Tomko to be his family and he always had their best interest in mind. Cage says they knew they’d never be as good as him and they couldn’t handle it. Cage admits they may never be friends, but the unlikely alliance will end the Angle Alliance at Destination X. Joe and Nash didn’t say a word.
23.) At the hotel, AJ Styles and Karen Angle head to his room. Karen thanks AJ for the time tonight and she had a great time. AJ says he’s confused about Karen being married to Kurt and him. AJ says if she was married to him everyday would be a honeymoon. AJ goes into his room while Karen is left flustered in the hallway.
24.) Angle stalls on the apron to start the main event with Booker. Booker takes Angle down to the mat and controls with a waist lock for a moment, but Angle reaches the ropes quickly. Angle yanks Booker to the mat to counter a top wrist lock attempt. Booker tries to control Angle with a hammerlock, but Angle elbows Booker. Angle uppercuts Booker in the corner followed by several strikes. Booker nails Angle with a clothesline and another clothesline to knock Angle over the top to the floor as the show goes to commercial.
On the floor, Booker has maintained control with chops and they return to the ring. Booker stomps Angle in the corner and continues with forearm strikes. Booker avoids Angle in the corner, but Angle recovers to clothesline Booker. Angle hooks Booker and hits a suplex for a near fall. Angle uppercuts Booker into the corner followed by stomps. Angle sends Booker into the corner, but misses a splash. Booker nails Angle with a superkick. Booker nails Angle with a heel kick for a near fall. Booker drives Angle down with a slam for a two count. Booker controls Angle on the mat with an arm lock. Angle fights free, but Booker delivers a knee strike. Angle tosses Booker with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Angle keeps a waist lock on Booker, but doesn’t get a submission. Angle dumps Booker through the ropes to the floor. Angle rams Booker into the ring steps as the show goes to another commercial.
Angle scoop slams Booker in the ring and appears confident with how the match is going. Angle heads to the top rope, but Booker cuts Angle off. Booker hits a superplex off the top rope. Booker forearms Angle to the mat and hits a suplex. Booker continues with a side slam. Angle runs into a spinebuster. Booker avoids the ankle lock by kicking Angle away. Booker hits a heel kick and plays to the crowd. Booker kicks Angle, but Robert Roode is on the apron and Booker decks Roode to the floor. Angle hits the Olympic Slam and pins Booker to win the match. (**1/4. Again, it was obvious that Roode was going to get involved to cost Booker. The issue between Roode and Booker has been done well, but I’d have to think it’s going to get dragged out through Lockdown. It’s starting to lose a bit of luster, but it’s been a fine program. The match between Angle and Booker was solid enough, but it felt like a house show match on the TV main event.)
25.) Robert Roode enters the ring and pummels Booker with right hands. Booker is double teamed by Angle and Roode. Christian Cage runs into the ring and makes the save cleaning house with strikes. Roode stops Cage from behind to help Angle. Booker fights back on Roode as Samoa Joe runs into the ring and headbutts Angle. Kevin Nash has also come down to the ring. Tomko is on the apron with Angle. Nash grabs a microphone and challenges Angle to a match next week on Impact.
Final Thoughts:
I’m going to consider this a lackluster show overall. There were a few bright moments, but the show felt a bit of a chore to get through. Destination X seems to have a good idea as to what the card will be, and it’s mostly just a filler PPV before Lockdown in April where there will be true blowoffs.
Thanks for reading.