Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 2/12/2009
From: Orlando, FL
Footage from Against All Odds is shown where AJ Styles said it is time to step up and be the legend. Samoa Joe revealed Scott Steiner is his first target. Main Event Mafia tried to convince themselves they are a strong unit. TNA World Champion Sting retained the title, and Mick Foley is happy Sting has it instead of Kurt Angle.
MATCH #1: TNA WORLD CHAMPION STING & KURT ANGLE VS. TEAM 3D
NOTE: There is some tension between Sting and Angle during the match, which included Angle shoving Sting on the floor, which Sting responds with a shove. Main Event Mafia comes out to try and cool things off before a commercial break. At one point, Angle dropped down from the apron to avoid a tag by Sting on several occasions.
FINISH: Sting forces a tag from Angle, and shoves Angle into a rollup by Devon allowing Team 3D to win the match. After the match, Angle and Sting trade strikes until the other Mafia members got in the ring to keep them apart.
Bob’s Take: This may be the biggest opening match in recent memory for Impact history. I can’t recall another time where a match to this level would kickoff the TV program. Now, while it is a big match in terms of star power and it’s basically a main event PPV match on free TV, this was designed to be more of an angle advancement for Kurt/Sting, which is fine. They are clearly setting up a split for the Mafia with Sting playing the face role. I wouldn’t consider this a major win by Team 3D because they won against two guys that are bickering and that is what cost them the match.
Match Rating: *
Kurt Angle has grabbed a microphone and has something to say to Sting. Angle has kept his mouth shut for four days and has shown his integrity by not saying a word. Angle believes Sting is a fake, phony, hypocrite and a disgrace to the family! Angle believes he would have won the title at Against All Odds and yells he was suppose to win and not Sting. Angle thinks Sting was jealous of that. Angle reminds Sting of the family pact they made in Vegas. Angle has every right to kick Sting’s ass to the curb, but he’s not going to do that. Angle says they need each other and is going to do something to help the Mafia. Angle is going to walk to the ring with a referee. Angle says Sting will come down to the ring and Sting will lay down for Angle to win the TNA World Championship. Angle demands Sting will shake his hand to show respect.
Jeff Jarrett’s music hits and Jarret makes his way out to join the segment in the ring. Jarrett does have his guitar with him, but leaves it on the outside. Jarrett tells Angle that as the founder of TNA he’s not going to let that happen. Jarrett reminds Angle that Sting is the champion and Angle lost at Against All Odds. Angle asks if he has to kill Jarrett literally. Angle talks about seeing Jarrett with a shattered ankle last time. Angle tells Jarrett this has nothing to do with this, but Jarrett says as long as it is his company it does. Jarrett warns Angle that there will come a time to get his closure with Angle. Jarrett declares Sting as the TNA World Champion. Sting grabs the microphone and tells Angle that he will see Angle later tonight.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash asks Booker T if this is the beginning of the end of the Mafia. Booker says Sting needs to do what needs to be done and it is that simple. Booker tells Borash that Sting has no choice tonight but to lay down for Angle. Borash brings up AJ Styles beating up Booker T at Against All Odds. Booker gets wide eyed with anger and tells Borash that Styles stole his championship and he’s going to press charges against Styles. Booker promises Styles will go to jail. Booker walks into his locker room, but is attacked by AJ Styles! Styles throws Booker into the wall and delivers several punches. Styles tosses Booker through a table. Styles yells that he is a legend.
During the break, Scott Steiner is interviewed by Lauren. Steiner says he is good at fighting and putting his freaks horizontal. Steiner insulted Samoa Joe as being a half-breed Samoan.
MATCH #2: PETEY WILLIAMS VS. SCOTT STEINER — HEADDRESS ON A POLE
FINISH: Late in the match, Williams hit Steiner with a pipe, but Steiner recovered quickly to hit a slam off the top rope. Steiner ends up retrieving the headdress to win the match. After the match, Samoa Joe’s music hits. Joe does not appear in-person, but appears on the big screen. Joe warns Steiner that his nation of violence is coming, but Steiner doesn’t know when or where. But, when it does Joe is going to kill Steiner. Steiner is in the ring pissed off wanting Joe.
Bob’s Take: Ah, a good ol’ pole match in TNA. The crowd didn’t seem to be all that invested in this match. Steiner delivered his famous top rope Frankensteiner, which I feel like is normally used on PPVs if he pulls it out. Williams isn’t a viable threat to Steiner and that probably impact crowd interest. There were a couple of good spots, but Williams needs to shift away from Steiner and focus on the X-Division at this point.
Match Rating: *1/2
Backstage, Mick Foley tells Jeremy Borash that he knows Sting is not going to give up the TNA World Championship. Foley doesn’t believe there is a controversy. Foley talks about a new segment that will be on the show. Foley will tell some hardcore stories about his life. Foley asks Borash if he saw the movie The Wrestler, and tells Borash sometimes it makes you think before walking off.
MATCH #3: TNA KNOCKOUTS BATTLE ROYAL FOR #1 CONTENDERSHIP
NOTE: There are nine Knockouts involved in this match. Every minute there will be a new entrant to the match. Final two wrestlers battle it out until there is a pin or submission.
FINISH: The final two are Sojo Bolt and Madison Rayne. Bolt wins the match following a reverse powerbomb.
Bob’s Take: It’s your typical battle royal format with the Knockouts doing mostly brawling throughout. Cute Kip caught Velvet Sky to prevent her from being eliminated. I haven’t witnessed the Impact Zone crowd this silent in forever. Nobody seemed to care whatsoever. Cute Kip also catches Angelina Love to avoid an elimination. Once ODB got into the match she eliminated several Knockouts. So, now with Bolt winning she will battle Awesome Kong for the title, and Kong is the leader of the group. This sounds a bit repetitive to the main event feud, doesn’t it? Nobody cared about this whatsoever.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Backstage, Kurt Angle pulls a picture frame of Sting off the wall and smashes it into pieces before walking off.
TNA Roughcut focusing on the Ultimate X. AJ Styles says you’ve got to see it yourself. Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal provide comment about the X being up there. Devon thinks it is harder than a TLC match. Homicide and Chris Sabin also provide comment. Hernandez thinks you have to be in great shape to compete in the match. Styles says the Ultimate X can end a areer, but it is a risk they take.
MATCH #4: LETHAL CONSEQUENCES (LETHAL & CREED) VS. MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (SHELLEY & SABIN)
FINISH: Lethal hits a dragon sleeper sit out front slam on Shelley to pickup the clean win. After the match, Sabin and Shelley offer handshakes to show respect. Lethal and Creed accept, but then get kicked in the nuts and flipped off.
Bob’s Take: It’s the match we were suppose to get last week until Beer Money attacked Lethal Consequences. I would have thought that Creed would be selling his shoulder injury, but all there is for that injury is some tape on his shoulder. This had a faster pace and much more interest to it than the previous bout. The match kind of brought the show out of a lull that it had been dealing with for a bit this week. They didn’t seem to waste any time or movement. Creed is standing out with each performance, as well. Lethal Consequences should be a top face team for TNA and either being the tag champs or challenging on a regular basis. Lethal pinning Shelley could also lead to him getting an X-Division title shot. This was a good TV match that was badly needed this week. I understand the Guns being disrespectful punks, but they’d be much better suited as actual members of the Frontline.
Match Rating: ***
Backstage, Jeremy Borash promotes a new tag team that is internationally known coming to TNA soon. All you’ve got to do is text TNA Mobile. Jeff Jarrett is seen leaving the rafters an confirms he talked to Sting and tells Borash we’ll have to wait and see what Sting does tonight.
ODB’s Angle is up next. ODB says that he’s been getting a lot mail about his love life and she’s single. ODB is offering a date with her and the winner will be revealed at Destination X. Brutus Magnus is the guest this week. ODB asks if Magnus has been in her backseat, which he notes he has not been. Magnus has an open challenge for Destination X. ODB jokes she has an open challenge for Magnus. Magnus calls ODB a pig and that’s why he didn’t want to come to America. Magnus doesn’t know what iHop is and ODB makes a nuts joke. Magnus walks off disgusted by ODB’s antics.
Backstage, Lauren interviews Kevin Nash. Nash digs the Mafia and names several gangster movies or shows. Nash wants to work in a business where you can just whack a guy. Nash notes that Angle has made it clear he was the leader and he respects what Angle is doing. Nash thinks it will make the family stronger.
Earlier today, Abyss meeting with Dr. Stevie (Stevie Richards) is shown. Abyss promises he’s going to get better. We only see the back of Dr. Stevie’s head as Abyss talks to his therapist. Abyss talks about Family Guy and it not being good for being a role model. Abyss doesn’t know why he’s addicted to violence. His mind becomes a blur and doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Abyss asks if Dr. Stevie has been the last episode of Lost and can’t believe their going back to the island.
MAIN EVENT: TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS BEER MONEY INC. (STORM & ROODE) VS. ABYSS & RHINO
FINISH: Late in the match, Matt Morgan whacks Abyss with a steel chair shot allowing Storm to pin Abyss to retain the titles. After the match, Morgan enters the ring and teams up with Beer Money Inc. Beer Money keeps Rhino outside of the ring. Morgan warms up as Abyss staggers to his feet and is met with another chair shot. Rhino eventually gets in the ring to chase the heels from the ring.
Bob’s Take: I like the idea of Rhino and Abyss as a team considering their history in 2006 where they some intense battles. They both need to be freshened up and a tag run could help them. Abyss needs to shift back to the old Abyss with his attire, but that’s just my taste. Action wise there wasn’t anything here worthwhile for the most part. The match was more a setup for the continued feud between Morgan and Abyss. I can’t express how dead the crowd is for this show.
Match Rating: *
Backstage, TNA World Champion Sting and Kurt Angle are walking to the ring via split screen.
Hardcore History 101 hosted by Mick Foley is up next. Foley talks about his first no ropes barbed wire match with Terry Funk in Japan. Foley talks about having to not be afraid of the barbed wire, but rather attack the barbed wire. Foley talks about injuries including his finger tips being ripped apart. Foley says he hugged Terry Funk afterward and considers it a good hardcore memory.
Kurt Angle makes his way down to the ring followed by TNA World Champion Sting. Angle tells Sting he is not enjoying this and believes he has to do this. Angle is the godfather of the Mafia and they have a code that Sting broke. Angle has to make an example out of Sting. Angle asks Sting to lay on his back and get this over with. Sting asks if this is what Angle truly wants. Angle tells Sting that he gave him no other choice to do this. Sting agrees to lay down o the mat for Angle. Sting will lay down for the good of the family. Sting pretends to lay dow, but has to ask another question. Sting wants to know where Angle’s integrity is and asks what happened to losing like a man. Sting asks what would Angle have done if he lost in the Olympic trials. Would he have asked for a do-over? Would he asked for him to lay down? Sting asks where is Angle’s honor and says it comes by looking his opponent in the eye and say he’s the better man. Sting asks if Angle can say that to him. Sting knows that Angle can’t say it to him. Sting believes he will lay down for Angle. Sting says Angle losing to him at Against All Odds is least significant than losing his family, honor or respect. Sting tells Angle nobody respects Angle. Sting says the other members of the Mafia know the true Angle, who would cut them from under the legs if it benefits Angle. Sting tells Angle it’s always about him and tells Angle that he’s tarnished everything. Sting tells Angle his career is now nothing. Sting proceeds to lay down. Sting wants Angle to go ahead and steal his thirteenth championship. Sting promises that Angle doesn’t suck. Angle slowly goes for the cover, which Earl Hebner is ready to count for. Angle tells Sting to get up and calls him a son of a bitch. Angle says he’s going to take the title, but also Sting’s ass! They proceed to brawl until the Main Event Mafia runs into the ring as Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash make the save. Angle tells Sting if he wants a war, he has a war. Angle challenges Sting to a match next week. However, it will be an empty arena match! Angle promises he will end Sting’s career next week on Impact! Security runs into the ring to help keep them apart to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
The crowd was mostly dead for everything on the show aside from the Angle/Sting segments, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Guns/Consequences tag match was a positive segment, but overall this was a disappointing episode. I’m enjoying the progression of Angle vs. Sting, and it’s likely Sting will be turning face to eventually align with the Frontline to end the Mafia, I’d guess.
Thanks for reading.