Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact
Date: 3/5/2009
From: Orlando, FL
A video package promoting the recent tension amongst the Main Event Mafia, and most notably between TNA World Champion Sting and Kurt Angle. They square off in two weeks at Destination X.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett welcomes everyone to the show. Jarrett has great remorse to announce that Kurt Angle has been suspended one week without pay due to his antics last week. Jarrett notes he’s no longer an active wrestler and Angle attacked himself and Mick Foley. Jarrett says they have donated Angle’s salary to a good cause and walks off the scene.
Mike Tenay and Don West are on commentary. West is going to explain his actions from last week. West knows he said stuff that was very out of character for himself. West knows he hurt people last week. West did some soul searching and says he doesn’t apologize for anything and would do it all over again. West declares he’s on the announce team until he hears otherwise.
Mick Foley makes his way out to cut a promo in the ring. Foley says it brings him great pride to introduce the TNA World Champion, Sting. Foley talks about being trapped in the ankle lock last week and Sting saved him. Foley notes that it’s probably not the first time Sting helped him. Foley wants to give the fans a lesson on Hardcore History. Foley thinks the biggest night of his career was coming out of a box and dropping an elbow on Sting in WCW. Foley believes the move wouldn’t have meant anything on anyone other than Sting at the time. Foley credits all his success to the moment eighteen years ago when Sting first saved him. Foley wants to save Sting now. Foley would hope after Destination X that they have seen the last of Sting in the Main Event Mafia no matter what happens. Foley declares that TNA needs Sting back. Foley needs Sting back in TNA. Foley believes the fans need Sting back with TNA. The fans seem to agree with that statement.
Sting responds and says he appreciates all the kind words Foley has expressed to him. Sting isn’t going to allow an egomaniac in Kurt Angle to dictate whether he’s in the Mafia or not. Sting doesn’t have an issue with the other members. Foley says he has never used Sting like the Mafia is using Sting right now.
Main Event Mafia members Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Booker T make their way down to the ring to join the segment. Nash tells Foley he can relax and asks Foley how long he’s been there, and wonders how Foley could have an idea of the landscape. Nash says Foley doesn’t know the young punks like he does. Nash tells Sting that Foley is office and a stooge. Nash thinks they are very close to getting the respect they deserve. Sting gets fired up and says he doesn’t have a problem with any of them in the Mafia. Sting wasn’t given respect when Angle spat in his face. Nash reminds Sting that he’s looking at them and not Angle. Nash notes they knew that Angle was a hothead, but he is their hothead. Nash wants both Angle and Sting on his side when going to war. Nash says Sting can fight for respect and at the end of the PPV the belt remains inside the Mafia no matter what. Nash says Sting could turn his back and not finish their goal. Nash warns Sting that while Sting could live with that, they wouldn’t be able to.
Backstage, Kurt Angle arrived to the arena. Remember, Angle was suspended at the start of the show by Jarrett.
TNA Roughcut video package promoting the Ultimate X and the crazy moments that have happened in the match are highlighted.
Backstage, Lauren is with Lethal Consequences for an interview. Lethal and Creed were given a little bit of a bonus and they spent the money on suits. Lauren suggests that money came from Angle’s paycheck. Lethal begins to do a Ric Flair impression and stops himself. Lethal promises this is just getting started with the Machine Guns.
MATCH #1: TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPION ALEX SHELLEY VS. KIYOSHI
FINISH: Shelley hits a top rope frog splash to pin Kiyoshi and retain the title. After the match, Suicide propels to the ring and takes out both Sabin and Shelley.
Bob’s Take: At the start, Kiyoshi got the advantage, but that didn’t last too long as Shelley gained the advantage with a bulldog. Kiyoshi is trained by Great Muta, so his appearance is quite similar to Muta’s, and he’s looking good here. Shelley flipped off Kiyoshi, which got blurred by the network. Shelley is acting as a babyface after being kind of a prick with Sabin towards the Frontline. I’m assuming Shelley played the face role because Kiyoshi is a foreigner. That seems to be the trend in wrestling. Considering Shelley just played a face role, the crowd seemed to be a bit confused by the attack and cheers sounded as if they were dubbed in. The title match was a solid encounter, and I’m interested in seeing Kiyoshi some more.
Match Rating: **1/4
Backstage, Kurt Angle is with the Mafia. Scott Steiner asks if Angle is nuts for being there since Jeff Jarrett banned him from the arena and he’s suspended. Steiner suggests Angle leave, but Angle tells Steiner that Jarrett didn’t do anything. Angle puts down Jarrett and says he’s not going to listen to him. Nash believes him because Angle didn’t listen to them last week. Nash suggests Angle go home because they don’t want more headaches with Sting. Angle wants to have fun tonight. Booker tells Angle that his money went to the Frontline. Angle says the suits are his and he’s going to get his property.
Backstage, Lauren interviews TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money & Jackie Moore. Lauren notes there is a recession and that cracks the champs up. Lauren thinks they should have some compassion. Roode notes he lost a truckload of money, but he has truckloads more. Roode doesn’t care about the other families. Roode suggests tehy work in a soup kitchen for all he cares. Roode says this isn’t rocket science. Storm explains the concept again and says that either Homicide or Hernandez will be fired tonight. Storm is sorry, but he’s sorry for their damn luck. Storm spanks Roode, but then walks back and apologizes to Roode before spanking Jackie’s ass.
LAX make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. They still have their briefcases for singles title matches. Hernandez has a microphone and says neither one of them are going home tonight. Hernandez declares that they will be tag champions once again. That’s all.
Backstage, Booker T is on the phone and promises that someone will be there tonight. Booker says that tough love needs to be taught. Booker is going to set him up and they will take him out. I’m sure this is about AJ Styles.
A video promoting One Night with ODB is shown. Fans are sending in videos. Cody Deaner wants a night with ODB so they can shotgun beers. Shark Boy also wants a night with ODB. There’s some lawyer guy who wants a night and is a bit of a pervert.
Backstage, Kurt Angle has attacked Consequences Creed. Angle whacks Creed over the back with a steel chair and tells Creed he is nothing. Angle rips off Creed’s suit, too. Security finally comes over and makes the save.
MATCH #2: ROXXI & TAYLOR WILDE VS. RHAKA KHAN & SOJOURNOR BOLT VS. TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION AWESOME KONG & RAISHA SAEED VS. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (LOVE & SKY)
FINISH: Late in the match, Madison Rayne missile dropkicks Roxxi. Love hits the Lights Out to win the match.
Bob’s Take: I guess that Khan and Bolt have already split from Kong. I’m a bit surprised that Wilde isn’t being used in the main event scene of the division and has been in an endless feud with the Beautiful People lately. There’s a little bit more crowd interest in this match than there had been in previous weeks. It may have helped that there were eight Knockouts out there and there’s a bit of chaos taking place. Looks like Rayne is going to be associated with Love and Sky.
Match Rating: *
Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviews Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett promises there will be repercussions for Angle’s antics.
Booker T, Sharmell and Scott Steiner make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. Booker has something to get off his chest and admits there’s been stuff going on between himself and AJ Styles. Booker knows people heard him talking about AJ Styles living in a trailer park and truck spots. Booker wants to squash his issues with AJ Styles right now and get his title back. Booker thinks this will make Styles a better man. Booker promises that Steiner isn’t going to do anything. AJ Styles music hits, but Styles doesn’t come out. Instead, Styles comes from behind and hits Steiner from behind, but Steiner recovers quickly to beatdown Styles. Styles manages to scape with the TNA Legends Championship. Styles gets sworn by police and put handcuffs on Styles. Another police officer gets in the ring with Scott Steiner and it is Samoa Joe. Joe attacks Steiner. Joe has a knife at Steiner’s throat, but is stopped by security from murdering Steiner in the ring.
Outside, Booker T is taunting AJ Styles for being arrested and he’s going to jail.
Kurt Angle attacks Jay Lethal and throws Lethal down the ramp towards the ring. Angle pummels Lethal and hits the Angle Slam in the ring. Angle takes off Lethal’s suit.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett tells Borash that he’s seen enough and Angle has left him no other choice. Jarrett says he’s going out to kick Angle’s ass.
Abyss at therapy with Dr. Stevie is shown. Abyss talks about Tom & Jerry cartoon. Abyss couldn’t figure out why they’re friends at the end, but it turns out they playing around. Dr. Stevie wants to talk about the weapons and violence. Stevie asks if Abyss has become less dependent on both. Abyss promises there will be no more weapons. Abyss thinks that Stevie and his girlfriend Lauren have cured him.
MATCH #3: MATT MORGAN VS. SHANE SEWELL
NOTE: Earl Hebner kind of turns a blind eye to Sewell delivering a low blow at one point.
FINISH: Morgan hits the Hellavator to win the match. After the match, Morgan grabs a bag of tacks and insults Abyss saying that bag is most important to him. Morgan dumps the tacks out and calls them ridiculous. Morgan knows that Abyss can’t compete with him no matter what. Morgan puts himself over as being a two-sport athlete. Morgan believes he’s the blueprint of a perfect wrestler. Morgan challenges Abyss to a match of 10,000 tacks for Destination X.
Bob’s Take: Sewell fires to get the crowd behind him on his heat segment, but it doesn’t sound like they are buying into him. Morgan is better suited for being a heel, I think that’s easy to say. However, I’m not interested in Morgan whether that’s cheering or jeering him.
Match Rating: *
Backstage, Lauren interviews Eric Young, who is wearing a suit. Young is mad that Kurt Angle didn’t thank him for getting the suit at Salvation Army. Young invites Angle to his game room where he got a new sound system. Kurt Angle enters the scene and attacks Young, but Young actually holds his own as security enters the scene to keep them apart.
Backstage, Jim Cornette tells Jeff Jarrett that he can’t do this and asks what happens if Jarrett gets hurt. Cornette tries to get Foley to talk sense into Jarrett. Foley tells Cornette once you’re a wrestler you’re always a wrestler. Sting enters the room and wants Jarrett to let him finish this at Destination X. Jarrett tells Sting that he’ll leave a piece of Angle for him.
MAIN EVENT: TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS BEER MONEY INC. (STORM & ROODE) VS. LAX (HOMICIDE & HERNANDEZ) — OFF THE WAGON CHALLENGE
FINISH: Roode smashes Hernandez over the head with a steel chair to cause a disqualification. After the match, Beer Money Inc. lay out LAX until Team 3D make their way out to make the save. Brother Ray grabs a microphone and talks about the open challenge made. Ray goes through the rules of the challenge. Brother Ray knows of a team that wants to fight Beer Money Inc. and they won the tag titles twenty-one times. Ray issues a challenge for Destination X.
Bob’s Take: I was trying to wrap my head around the idea of either Homicide or Hernandez losing this match, and I thought maybe Homicide would lose since Hernandez has a World Title shot opportunity, but LAX is far too valuable to break them up via a firing at this point. So, luckily there isn’t a finish. However, the previous challenges having finishes casted doubt here that there could have been a major firing. An example of good longer form booking. Hernandez Border Tosses Homicide over the ropes to the floor onto the champs before a commercial is an early highlight of the match. Hernandez does a good job with the hot tag and destroys Beer Money with his powerful offense. A good TV tag match.
Match Rating: ***
Kurt Angle comes down to the ring and tells his security to go backstage. Angle grabs a microphone and asks if Jarrett is looking for him. Angle is looking for Jarrett. Angle is twisted and blames Jarrett and Sting for is behavior. Angle says Sting will be the main course at Destination X. We see Jeff Jarrett walking towards the ring as the show goes to commercial.
Jarrett storms into the ring and trades strikes with Angle. Jarrett clotheslines Angle over the top to the floor. Jarrett rams Angle into the guard railing several times ribs first. They brawl into the crowd where Jarrett sends Angle into the wall. Angle drops Jarrett over the railing groin first. Angle pummels Jarrett with right hands and sends Jarrett into the wall. The brawling continues on for several minutes. Jarrett throws Angle into the wall a few times. Jarrett tosses Angle through the doors and to the outside. Mick Foley and Team 3D come out and have Jarrett’s back. Jarrett returns to the ring and plays to the crowd as they chant “Thank you, Jeff!” Jarrett stands tall with Team 3D and Mick Foley to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
A lot of talking on the show and lack of in-ring wrestling is a bit annoying. That’s one thing that WWE struggled with is the lack of compelling wrestling matches and doing too many segments. This Impact felt more like a soap opera focus on the Angle/Sting/Jarrett/Foley issues rather than a wrestling show. I like TNA more when it felt like a wrestling first company and it feels as if we’ve shifted away from that focus quite a bit. That being said, I’ll consider this an average week of TV as the angle progressions weren’t bad. Samoa Joe trying to kill Scott Steiner with a knife doesn’t get the flack that it probably should for being completely outrageous.
Thanks for reading.