TNA iMPACT News (Page 5)

• Monday’s ‘This Is TNA!’ special on Spike TV did a 1.2 cable rating. This is an earlier number; it may change as the day goes on.

• The following matches have been taped for tomorrow’s edition of TNA iMPACT:

- Gauntlet for the Gold with the winner receiving a Destination X NWA title shot at Christian Cage: Abyss, AJ Styles, BG James, Chris Sabin, Eric Young, James Storm, Kip James, Kurt Angle, Rhino, Robert Roode, Samoa Joe, Scott Steiner, Sting, and Tomko.

- NWA Tag Team champions LAX vs. Shark Boy & Norman Smiley

- Gail Kim vs. Ms Tennessee - Arm Wrestling Match

- Also appearing: NWA champion Christian Cage, Team 3D, James Storm, Chris Harris, Petey Williams, and more.

Thursday night's edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a final 1.1 cable rating, which was up from last week's 1.0 rating. According to The Wrestling Observer, the show set a company viewership record.

This is good news for the company heading into Against All Odds.

With no Monday Night RAW on February 12, TNA Wrestling will air a special, two-hour iMPACT. Here is a press release about it:

New York, NY, January 31, 2007 – Spike TV and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling today jointly announce that they will telecast a special primetime two-hour wrestling event on Monday, February 12 (9:00 – 11:00 PM, ET/PT) entitled “This is TNA!” The two-hour special encores on Thursday, February 15 (7:00 – 9:00 PM, ET/PT), and will be followed by an all new “TNA: iMPACT!” (9:00 – 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

"Spike's not going to stand by and let wrestling go to the dogs on Monday February 12th. Wrestling fans deserve better!" says Kevin Kay, EVP and General Manager, Spike TV. “This special event is an opportunity for viewers not familiar with TNA’s distinct brand of high-impact wrestling to tune-in and see what TNA is all about.”

“This is TNA!” will offer die-hard fans and the casual viewer a fast-paced, action-packed look at TNA Wrestling.

The two-hour spectacular will showcase five of the greatest bouts in TNA history never before seen on television except pay-per-view, featuring some of the biggest names in wrestling today including Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss and Team 3-D, as well as TNA’s amazing young talent – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and Chris Sabin.

The special will spotlight TNA’s innovative concept matches including “King of the Mountain” and “Six Sides of Steel.” Throughout the night, there will be a countdown of some of the most extraordinary moments in TNA history – recalling the timeless wrestling memories that will stay emblazoned on the minds of wrestling fans forever.

“TNA is proud to answer the call of fans and bring the best wrestling in the world to a Monday night event. ‘This is TNA’ will give new fans an introduction and TNA fans a chance to relive their favorite moments,” says Dixie Carter, president of TNA Entertainment, LLC. “We’re confident that by experiencing the unforgettable action of our past and present, fans will call out the future of professional wrestling by chanting ‘TNA.’”

An added bonus for viewers, TNA will reveal its newest concept match which will debut at their March 11 “Destination X” PPV event.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com ...

TNA iMPACT! Tapings for February 1:

Jeremy Borash ran into Chris Sabin who was using a walker to get around, obviously mocking Jerry Lynn. Also, outside Jim Cornette’s office was Voodoo Kin Mafia and Bob Backlund - but we went to the ring.

(1) The Austin Starr defeated Jay Lethal vs. Alex Shelley vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. vs. Jerry Lynn.

As the match went on Sabin and his walker came out to ringside. Early on it turned into a tag match with Lynn on an island to himself. You need to watch this since too much went on to keep up. Lynn went for the Cradle Piledriver but Sabin got on the apron and disrobed. He showed off the title belt and a brand new Depend undergarment. With Slick Johnson following the action on the floor, Lynn ended up being pinned by Starr after Sabin entered the ring and leveled Lynn.

Christian Cage and Tomko were talking about catering to the Consultant. Back from the break, Mike Tenay and Don West spoke to the home viewers. They were interrupted by Samoa Joe who power walked to the ring. Joe said Tomko was not babysitting him since he was not the consultant. He was the unofficial ringside enforcer for Against All Odds. Cage appeared on screen and said Joe was lying to the fans and he was the consultant. But Cage promised a third hint after calling Joe “Jo-Jo Bear."

Jeremy Borash pushed the new TNA Wrestling mobile phone service as Bob Backlund and VKM stood outside Cornette’s office. JB talked to “Tennessee Cowboy” James Storm and Ms. Tennessee about their PPV match. Eric Young spoke about his friend, as Christy Hemme cut off VKM and they went to enter Cornette’s office.

(2) Robert Roode (w/Ms. Brooks) defeated Petey Williams (w/Gail Kim)

Williams went on the attack early. Roode went to the floor to avoid Williams but got hit with a huricurana. Roode stopped the momentum sending Williams crashing to the floor. Back in the ring Roode used his power advantage with suplexes and slams. Williams went to fight back but he got hit with a power sideslam. Williams recovered and hit two dropkicks. As Kim and Brooks fought around ringside, Williams set for the Canadian Destroyer. But James Storm slid in and hit Williams with a superkick to allow Roode to win. Stay with me because it gets fun from here. Ms. Tennessee came out and joined in the beat down on Williams and Kim. Eric Young hit the ring and attacked Roode, Storm and anyone else he could hit. Brooks left with Young as confusion sat in.

Borash was in Cornette’s office with Kip James and Christy Hemme arguing when Jim Cornette said Hemme would be wrestling a TBD opponent at the PPV. Brother Devon spoke to the interview girl. Devon said Ray was with his family after LAX took out his uncle. He promised to show LAX respect.

(3) Samoa Joe and “the Phenomenal” AJ Styles fought to a no contest

After catching AJ Styles in a corner Joe hit an enziguri and hid behind Andrew Thomas. This allowed Styles to get in a sucker punch and a dropkick for two. Joe fired in some punches but Styles raked the eyes. Joe fought out of a chinlock but got hit with a judo shot to the throat. Joe sidestepped Styles and it sent Styles to the floor. He feigned a knee injury but Rhino came out and tossed Styles back in the ring. But Rhino joined the action and began trading punches with Styles with some assistance from Joe. The referee threw the match out and Joe took a chair onto the ring saying he wasn’t leaving until Cage came out. Instead of Cage we got Kurt Angle who said he was tired of the charade Cage and Joe were playing. Punches got tossed when Angle called Joe a lair. Cage hit the ring and then Angle with a chair. He extended his hand to Joe but got flicked off. As Joe choked out Cage, Styles came out and got Joe’s attention. Joe got decked with the same chair used on Angle. As hour one ended Cage choked out Angle with his ring jacket as Styles choked Joe out with the end of the folding chair.

A prison motif was set up at the bottom of the entry ways complete with fencing, white towers with barbwire and lights on the top and wire wrapped on the ring posts. Mike Tenay and Don West talked to the home viewers about the show and Lockdown being held in St Louis in April. Father James Mitchell came out to the prison setup minus Abyss. He said Sting played with fire last week and got burned.

He brought up Sting’s behavior since he lost the World title to Abyss and the revealing of Abyss’ past. As Mitchell spoke the black tarp covered box lowered into the ring. Mitchell said Sting was going to pay for his crimes in one of two ways. One was sending the attack video to the police which would gain Sting 15-20 years. The other was facing Abyss in a prison yard match at the PPV where the loser gets locked in a cell which was under the black tarp. Mitchell wanted an answer and above the ring appeared Sting wearing Abyss’ mask on his face.

The following report is courtesy of wrestlemag.com ...

Samoa Joe came out. He was asked why he would come out and help Kurt Angle like he did at the end of last week’s show. He said he wouldn’t piss on Angle if he were on fire, and announced himself as the unofficial ringside enforcer for the Christian Cage-Angle match at the Turning Point PPV. This brought out Angle, who wanted to know if he was Cage’s consultant.

Basically, Joe denied being in cahoots with Cage, but would eventually win the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Cage came out with Tomko, and said Joe wasn’t the consultant because he isn’t good enough. Then Cage got off a funny line about how he was such a good liar, he wasn’t even sure if he could believe himself sometimes. Cage vowed to give Angle a second clue as to who the consultant was by the end of the show. Instead of just cutting to a commercial, Joe and Angle got into their weekly pull-apart brawl that means nothing.

James Mitchell cut another fabulous promo. Unfortunately, he also challenged Sting to meet Abyss in the prison yard at Turning Point. Mitchell, who had Abyss screaming behind him, vowed if Sting unveiled the secret, it would ignite heaven on fire.

Jim Cornette, in his only appearance of the night, scolded Serotonin. He ordered Raven to finally wrestle Rhino. Then Cornette channeled Frank Shamrock and said “Say hello to Uncle Fester.”

Rhino versus Raven never got started. First, Johnny Devine, Matt Bentley and Kazarian ran in the ring to get destroyed. Then someone dressed like Raven ran in to cane Rhino. Upon unmasking, it was A.J. Styles, who really nailed Rhino with a sick chair shot. This should have been a good enough heat-catching angle to stick. Instead, it was forgotten about in record time, and just another segment on this show.

Christian Cage broke into the TNA television truck barking out orders. I’m not sure if this is building to something or what, because it never went anywhere on this show.

This week’s Paparazzi Production was an overnight trip to a gas station so Eric Young, joined by Jeremy Borash, could get some condoms. While he was there, wouldn’t you know it, James Storm, Miss Tennessee and Slick Johnson showed up, making fun of Young buying rubbers. Storm, of course, was there to get beer. Young wound up vowing to burn the tape. Anyway, Bobby Roode saw the tape and ordered Miss Brooks to “complete the deal” next week or else she would be fired.

Jerry Lynn won a four-way over X-Division champion Chris Sabin, Senshi and Austin Starr. They mentioned Lynn as the 43-year-old X-Division pioneer. We saw just enough of Senshi vs. Lynn to know this should be a program. Senshi, who looked motivated just being back in front of the crowd wrestling, opened with a standing drop kick on Lynn. Lynn countered with a spinning backbreaker. Sabin tagged Lynn hard and put the boots to Senshi, and hit a drop kick while he was crotched in the corner for a two count. Lynn made the hot tag, hit several drop kicks and a TKO on Sabin for a two count. Finish came when Lynn got out of the Cradle Shock and turned it into a sunset flip for the pin at 2:49.

B.G. James of the Voodoo Kin Mafia did a sit-down interview with Letitia trying to apologize for Kip’s sexist remarks regarding Christy Hemme. Kip had tape on his month. It ended up with Kip putting the tape around B.G.’s month and saying women have no place in wrestling.

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The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

Backstage near Soundstage 23, Steve Borden (Sting w/o facepaint) is brutally beating down Father James Mitchell in his pursuit for Abyss' freedom and humanity. Screen cuts to highlights of Final Resolution.

Mike Tenay opens the show announcing that it will be Kurt Angle v. Christian Cage and the next PPV. Team 3D is backstage berating their Brother Runt for costing them the title at Final Resolution. Brother Ray demands that Runt stay out of the way tonight as iMPACT’s opening match will be a Tag Title rematch against LAX. Brother Devon follows that with a demand that Runt not move from the corner 3D backed their little brother into.

Match One: NWA World Tag Team Championship Team 3D v. LAX (C)
- LAX enter the ring first prompting Brothers Ray and Devon to initiate another assassination style jump attack. Without skipping a beat Brother Ray stumbles to the 6 Sided-Ring not a minute into the match. Brother Ray has to drag Runt backstage leaving Devon to fend for himself. Devon holds his ground just in time for Ray to return and get the tag. Brother Ray staright over-dominates the tag team champs with pure strength and power moves. Tenay even mentions that without Konan, the LAX appears unorganized. Team 3D has the finishing touches on the champions as Devon has moved to the top rope preparing a “Wuzzzzzup” when the newly returned to the Spanish broadcast booth Moody Jack Malendez, runs ringside and hands an illegal device over to Hernandez who lays out Brother Ray to pick up the pinfall victory.
Winner: Latin American Exchange

Jeremy Borash is searching for Abyss backstage and when he finds him, in is a sight of Abyss dismantling a production stage. Abyss has apparently found out about Steve Borden’s attack on Jim Mitchell…

Camera cuts from break in a bathroom where Gail Kim has beat Jacqueline (Now Called Miss. Tennessee)

In ring, the TNA World Heavyweight champion Christian Cage says he told everyone the biggest star in TNA history would regain his title. But he doesn’t get rest because he will have to face Kurt Angle at Against All Odds. When he calls Angle the biggest asshole he ever met, Angle comes out to the ring and says Cage needs to watch his words without his life partner around to protect him. Cage liked Angle’s confidence but says he could channel his emotions unlike Angle. Cage says to get inside Angle’s head and win he hired an “anger management coach” to do just that. Angle asked if it was Bill Goldberg or Brock Lesnar but tells Cage he pushed the right button and attacked the champion.

The camera crew has followed Steve Borden as he has apparently driven Jim Mitchell to Abyss’ prison. Borden throws Abyss’ keeper into the fence as the show cuts to commercial..

Steve Borden is berating Jim Mitchell still. Mitchell tells Borden that before he was Abyss, Chris Marks was there for six years. Mitchell asks why Borden cares about Abyss, calling Abyss a piece of s-it before he ever found him. Mitchell calls Abyss his meal ticket. Borden replies that in Abyss’ eyes he sees a person. Borden grabs some cuffs and locks Mitchell to the fence and says he would get the answer from Abyss.

Alex Shelley congratulates Kevin Nash on the PCS saving the X Division. Austin Starr attacks Senshi before the PCS crew breaks the two up.

Match Two: Cowboy James Storm v. Lance Hoyt
- As Hoyt makes his way to the ramp Tenay picks up that AJ Pierzynski and Dale Torborg is sitting at ringside. Hoyt gets on the offensive attack early when the match begins but a moonsault was stopped by Storm. The former AMW headliner gets to his feet first and hits an inverted DDT. Storm goes for a Bronco Buster but Hoyt moves. Dale Torborg gets Hoyt’s attention long enough for AJ Pierzynski to hit a chair shot to his back. Storm lands a superkick for the pinfall victrory. Gail Kim comes out and jumps Miss Tennessee. Storm gets involved as Torborg and Hoyt fights around ringside. Petey Williams comes out next to protect Kim but gets hit by a Tennessee low blow.
Winner: James Storm

Match Three: AJ Styles v. Kurt Angle
- AJ Styles celebrates early in the match after he avoids locking up with Angle via a roll out. Angle takes it the Phenomenal One, Tomko comes down to ringside to taunt the Olympic Gold Medalist. Angle focuses all of his attention on Tomko and it allows Styles to recover and attack Angle. Tomko takes a ringside seat as Styles works in a chinlock. Angle is able to fight out but gets hit with an enziguri. Styles hits Angle with a slingshot forearm shot for two as Tomko distracts the referee. Styles gets a hold of a chair but is unable to use it opening the door for Angle to hit the Olympic Slam on the chair and get the pinfall.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Tomko believes Angle has left but Kurt attacks him from behind. But Angle gets jumped by Christian Cage. Rhino comes out to run off Cage and Tomko but everyone runs when Samoa Joe comes out with a folding chair of his own. Angle and Joe exchanges words but TNA security breaks them up before any violence can occur.

Cage and Tomko comes back to the ringside and Cage asks if Angle had a clue who the “anger management coach” was after his match with Styles. Steve Borden returns on that and comes straight to the ring. Abyss joins Sting. Borden wants to know about Abyss’ past. Sting puts the microphone in Abyss’ hand hoping for an answer. But there is none as the show ends.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

Opening scene from Jim Cornette’s office. Kurt Angle walks in and Cornette asks him to arrive ar ringside when asked.
“Now, why would I wanna do anything for you?,” Kurt asks.
“Would you do something for the guy who has a HUGE say in who gets the next NWA World’s Title shot?” Cornette responses.
“You got me there, Ill be there…” Kurt says.

Match One: Maverick Matt Bently w/Serotonin v. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle defeats Bently soundly. Post match, Raven caned Matt as continuing punishment for his loss.

Team 3D arrives to the iMPACT! Zone in a tank wearing camouflage and military helmets. 3D essentially calls out the LAX, specifically mentioning Konan.

Match Two: James Storm, Chris Sabin, AJ Styles v. Rhino, Chris Daniels, P. Williams

AJ Styles, Chris Sabin & James Storm defeated Petey Williams, Christopher Daniels & Rhino when Sabin pinned Daniels.

Jeremy Borash has a sit down interview with the “Wildcat” Chris Harris. In a reply to a question about his health, Harris says that he has a high risk of losing his sight in his right eye. Wildcat is not sure if he can return to the ring. Harris admits that he is upset and confused as to why Storm would end AMW in such a manner, especially after their four year successful history in TNA Wrestling.

The Voodoo Kin Mafia find themselves looking for the Alamo in Texas in search of Michael Hickkenbottom (HBK). However, Kip James managed to screw things up again, leading the multiple time Tag Team Champions to an Alamo Car Rental dealership. Luckily, VKMs find the Alamo but despite all of their antics find no trace of the healthier half of WWE’s DX.

Match Three: Tomko v. Abyss
Cornette seems to believe that it is only fair that Christian is placed in the penalty box for the duration of this match where he cannot interfere in Tomko’s match. Christian arrogantly asks who is going to force him into there. Kurt Angle - giving Cornette his favor - walks to the ring as backs Cage into the box allowing the match to begin.

Abyss and Tomko fight heavily outside the ring as an interested Jim Mitchell looks on. Tenay and West remind fans that Sting has done a good job of getting into The Monster’s head reminding him that he is a man despite all of Jim Mitchell’s brainwashing. Back inside the ring, Tomko blocks one choke slam, but gets one in after a power exchange between the two behemoths. Meanwhile, ringside Kurt Angle watches Cage while keeping an interested eye on the match. Then, Samoa Joe runs in and blindsides Angle.

A scuffle ensues allowing Christian Cage to grab the keys to unlock the box. Back inside the ring Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam but the potential winning pin fall is broken up by Cage forcing referee Rudy Charles to call for the bell.
Winner: No Decision

Security runs Kurt Angle and Joe backstage while Sting appears inside the ring to fend off the attack of Tomko and Cage. When all is left done, Sting and Abyss stand raised hands in the center of the ring when all of a sudden Abyss turns on the legend, apparently deciding to take Jim Mitchell’s side.

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

The show opens with the recap from last Thursday reviewing Samoa Joe’s awarding of Mr. TNA in the Year End of Awards, and Kurt Angle’s attacking of Joe’s girlfriend to force Joe to agree to a rematch at Final Resolution.

Samoa Joe barges into Jim Cornette’s office and demands that he be allowed to fight Kurt Angle tonight. Cornette explains that there is already a main event for the evening involving Angle and Christian Cage. Cornette asks that Joe leaves the building for the show's sake as well as the fans' safety. Joe recants that Kurt Angle started something and that Joe would end it. Cornette can only watch and sigh as Joe leaves the office in search of Angle.

Match One: Robert Roode v. Rhyno
During the entrances Roode sends CEO Miss Brooks to the back presumably to continue her sexual advances to Eric Young in order to woo EY to Robert Roode Enterprises. The match has a lot of power moves with an insane amount of Irish whips. About two minutes in the match Miss Brooks runs to ring side looking slightly sexed up. She attempts to distract Rhyno but it backfires and Roode gets rolled up by Rhyno to end the match. Roode berates Brooks to the back as AJ Styles jumps Rhyno. Rhyno takes the beating and starts to get the upper hand on Styles but Roode runs back in and the two stomp the hole in Rhyno. Roode tells the Phenominal One to finish him, and without skipping a beat AJ executes the Styles clash on the Man-Beast to end the segment.
Winner: Rhyno

Backstage Jeremy Borash is waiting outside of Jim Cornette’s office when Eric Young asks JB for advice for “a friend.” EY explains that he has this friend from Kansas who ISN'T a virgin with this woman problem. Borash suspects that it is Super Eric’s situation with Miss Brooks but before he can elaborate, Miss Brooks walks up and asks Young if he has what she had asked for. Young shows an expression that he does not. Miss Brooks says if he doesn’t bring what she wants, EY will be fired. Young tells Borash that his friend is REALLY in a pickle now.

Voodoo Kin Mafia comes out wearing sombreros and ponchos. BG James talks about how Vince McMahon and Paul Levesque hasn't responded to their challenge yet. They repeat the challenge from Turning Point, and noted that they tried to issue the challenge at a live WWE event to no avail but a goofy waive from one HHH. They say that they would have to "step things up" and they would deal with Michael Hickenbottom directly. They challenge him to show up at the Alamo at "High Noon" the following Wednesday to accept the challenge, and then they will tape it to be shown on iMPACT.

Next Stage of the PCS Series is Musical Chairs which is without music, but rather Kevin Nash singing through a bullhorn. Austin Starr wins, current points stand as:

Austin Starr – 18 pts
Jay Lethal – 15 pts
Alex Shelley – 15 pts
Sonjay Dutt – 14 Pts
Senshi – 13 Pts

Match Two: Mexican Street Fight: Homicide v. Brother Runt
Brother Runt attacks the 187 Homicide mid entrance as Mike Tenay announces that Team 3D’s challenge to the LAX for Final Resolution has been accepted. Runt is on the offence early taking the fight to the outside. Runt at one point wraps a chair around Homicide and tosses him into the steel ring post. Homicide rebounds however tossing Runt aside, the goes for a latter. A nasty looking bump occurs when Runt has his head in between the closed ladder steps (airplane style position) and Homicide slams a chair into his head busting him open. The match comes to a close when Konnan distracts the referee and Hernandez runs in to drop Runt allowing Homicide to score the pinfall victory. LAX performs the ritual gang style beatdown until Team 3D makes the save.
Winner: Homicide

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