TNA iMPACT!
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
July 08, 2010
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Impact opens up this week with a video package highlighting the Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson drama.
We cut to the back where Mr. Anderson arrives into the arena, chair-in hand. Anderson walks through the tunnel and walks to the ring with a serious look on his face. Tenay and West continue to question whether Anderson meant to hit Hardy with the chair last week or not. Anderson asks if there are any “Creatures of the Night” here tonight and the fans scream. Anderson then introduces their leader, Jeff Hardy, and he walks out to the ring.
Anderson says last week he hit Jeff in the back with a chair but tells him to look him in the eyes and know that he did not do it on purpose. Anderson says he knows Jeff knows that he didn’t do it and that’s because had he hit Jeff with the chair on purpose he’d tell the whole freaking world about it. Anderson says he would be proud of it because he is an a**hole. Anderson says the world would be a better place if there were more a** holes in it and he says the Impact Zone is one of the greatest places on Earth because it’s filled with a**holes. Anderson picks up the chair and says he has a solution. He says he’s bringing the chair to the ring when he and Jeff wrestle tonight and if he uses it tonight then Jeff knows he has a problem with him. He says if Jeff uses the chair then Anderson will know that Jeff has a problem with him. Anderson drops the microphone and leaves Hardy in the ring.
Earlier Today we see AJ Styles talking to the camerain the back. AJ talks about Ric being disappointing in him but AJ says he’s disappointed in himself. AJ says he’ll tear Kazarian apart and he hopes Ric is happy with the results.
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Back from commercials Jeff Hardy speaks to the camera. Jeff talks about Anderson hitting him with the chair last week and he says we’ll find out where Mr. Anderson is in his head tonight.
Kazarian vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
We are going back in time to the X-Division’s heyday with this one. AJ wastes no time and he isn’t playing around tonight as he drops the robe coming down the ramp and kicking Kaz as he gets into the ring. AJ whips Kaz into the ropes as the bell rings and then goes for a backdrop, but Kaz flips over AJ’s back and then hits an arm drag. AJ answers with an arm drag of his own and then Kaz answers right back with another! AJ hits a second arm drag of his own and then they begin trash talking each other. AJ and Kaz exchange right hands in the center of the ring and then Kaz rakes AJ’s eyes and beats on him in the corner. The referee pulls Kaz away which allows AJ enough to time to recover and poke Kaz in the eyes now! AJ follows up with kicks in the corner before Hebner pulls him away as well. AJ attempts to whip Kaz into the opposite corner but Kaz reverses it and hits a Monkey Flip! Kaz follows up with a Running Front Dropkick sending AJ into the corner Suicide-style. 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Kaz locks AJ in a rear chinlock and then transitions into a side headlock as Ric Flair walks out to ringside. AJ gets to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows. Kaz punches AJ in the head and then hits the ropes but AJ leapfrogs him and then hits the Phenomenal Dropkick! Kaz retreats to the corner where AJ grabs him by the legs to pull him out, but Kaz holds onto the ropes. AJ snatches one last time and Kaz lets go of the ropes and goes into the air where he lands on his feet! Kaz goes for a clothesline but AJ blocks it with his arms and then hits a vicious leg kick. AJ follows up with a Spinning Neckbreaker! AJ follows up with a big Backbreaker for a nearfall. AJ locks Kaz in a Rear Chinlock and brings Kaz down to the mat with the chinlock. Kaz fights the hold and gets up to his feet where he breaks the hold with forearms, but AJ answers with an elbow to the back of the head. AJ then grabs Kaz and sets up for the Styles Clash! Kaz counters into an attempt at his Reverse Tombstone, but AJ is able to roll Kaz up and then go for the Styles Clash again! This time Kaz kicks AJ in the head and then he goes for a clothesline, but AJ ducks it and attempts a Back Suplex. Kaz lands on his feet and then AJ hits a Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker! 1…2…NO Kaz kicks out! AJ hits a Flying Clothesline on Kaz in the corner and then he goes for his Vertical Suplex into a Neckbreaker, but as Kaz dropped to his feet and grabbed ahold of the top rope to block it! Kaz then goes out to the apron and hits the Slingshot Legdrop! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Kaz follows up with a big Forearm Smash and then he lifts AJ up onto the top rope. Kaz nails AJ with an uppercut and then climbs up with AJ and goes for the Flux Capacitor but AJ blocks it with elbows and headbutts to shove Kaz off to the mat! AJ then Springboards off the top rope but Kaz rolled out of the way before AJ even attempted anything allowing AJ to land on his feet! AJ then hits the Pele out of nowhere as Kaz got to his feet! AJ charges at Kaz as he started to get to his feet but Kaz backdrops AJ over the top rope to the apron. AJ lands on his feet and swings at Kaz but Kaz ducks and then hits a roundhouse kick to the body! Kaz then hits a Slingshot DDT over the top rope sending AJ’s face into the apron! Both men are down on the outside now as the referee starts to make the count. Kaz almost got back into the ring but AJ grabbed his tights and pulled him back out and the two start exchanging right hands again! Both men slide back into the ring as they realize the countout but Hebner counts to 10 before they can get back in!
Winner: DOUBLE COUNTOUT
After the match both AJ and Kaz start brawling again as they’re both frustrated by the Double Countout. Ric Flair gets into the ring with a microphone and demands that they stop fighting. The fans chant “shut up Flair” at him but Flair tells AJ and Kaz that they are two of the best wrestlers alive. Flair says this thing is over and if they want to be apart of Fourtune they have to come together. Flair calls the fans a**holes and then says that Kaz and AJ are a special breed of man so at Victory Road AJ and Kaz will team up together and he’s not going to tell them their opponents. He says neither will be happy if they don’t get together and get on the same page this Sunday. Flair tells some girl at ringside that he’ll see her at the hotel as he leaves the ring.
In the back Angelina Love is getting dressed (or undressed) for her match tonight.
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Angelina Love vs. Daffney
Daffney and Angelina lock up at the bell and Angelina locks Daffney in a wristlock where she twists the arm of Daffney. Daffney reverses the hold and counters into a modified armbar but Angelina breaks it with repeated Knee Strikes. Angelina then whips Daffney into the ropes followed by a series of clotheslines. Angelina then grabs Daffney and locks in a side headlock. Daffney breaks the hold with back elbows and then she comes off the ropes but eats a spinning heel kick from Angelina. Angelina attempts to whip Daffney into the corner but Daffney reverses it. Daffney then charges at Angelina but Angelina nails Daffney with a Forearm. Angelina then locks Daffney in a headlock. Daffney breaks the hold with a Jawbreaker and then Angelina comes right back with a Front Slam followed by another one. Angelina then kicks Daffney in the gut and hits the Lights Out. 1…2…3 and Angelina gets the win.
Winner: Love via pinfall (Lights Out)
After the match Angelina gets on the microphone and says that she knows Madison is probably at home watching this right now because he doesn’t have the balls (I sure hope not) to be there tonight. Angelina says she wants to make one thing clear and that is in 3 days she will become the first ever 4-time Knockouts Champion. The Beautiful People’s music hits and the champion is in fact here tonight! Madison says Angelina has underestimated her and she wants to make one thing clear herself. Madison says if she is putting something on the line this Sunday, then Angelina needs to put something on the line. She suggests Angelina put her ‘fake funbags under her shirt’ on the line or her terrible ‘cheap wig’, but then she says Angelina should put her career on the line. She asks Angelina if she’s scared and then says she should be. Angelina says if Madison wants her to put her career on the line then she’s got it, but there’s one more thing. Angelina says she figured that Madison would pull something like this so earlier today she had a meeting with the Championship Committee and there will be a special stipulation to their match at Victory Road. If Lacey or Velvet try to get involved then Madison will be DQ’d on the spot and Angelina will win the Knockouts Title! Madison just laughs at that announcement and walks away.
In the back the cameraman asks Devon what he’s going to say to Bubba tonight and Devon says we’ll just have to wait and see.
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Back from commercials a video package hyping up the drama between Ink, Inc. and 3D airs.
Devon is in the ring with Ink, Inc. and he says that the past few weeks things have gotten out of control and right now he wants his brother to come out so they can settle this once and for all. 3D’s music hits and Bubba Ray walks out onto the ramp. Devon says he doesn’t get it with Bubba and says they trained Neal and it was Bubba who interviewed him when he came to their school. Devon says that Neal showed nothing but respect to them and he had already been through hell in the Navy serving his country. Devon talks about the terrorist attack on the ship Neal was in during his Navy days and how Neal even had to help put his buddies body in the body bag. Devon says that is respect and he needs to know right now what the hell is Bubba’s problem with Jesse.
Bubba says he doesn’t answer to Devon and he is the LEADER of Team 3D which means Devon answers to him. Bubba says Neal is nothing but a disrespectful punk and that’s why he has a problem with him and now he has a problem with Devon because he is a disrespectful and unloyal partner. Bubba asks Devon where his loyalty to his brother who made him is. Devon tells Bubba to never question his loyalty and that it has nothing to do with this. Devon says his loyalty is to both Bubba and Jesse and he doesn’t pick sides. Bubba says that means there’s bad news because things are going to get a lot worse. Bubba says he talked to Bischoff and at Victory Road it will be Bubba vs. Jesse…vs. Devon in a Three Way Dance! Bubba says we’ll see how loyal Devon really is and after Victory Road they will either continue on in glory or Team 3D comes to an end that night.
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Non-Title Match
“Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe vs. “Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam
Boy, oh boy this is a big one! Samoa Joe is coming off a win over the 4th ranked AJ Styles and now he has a shot at the champion RVD (in a Non-Title match). This is a huge first time ever matchup and Tenay says that Joe went to Hogan and Bischoff and requested a Non-Title Match with RVD to prove himself. Mike Tenay refers to this match as a ‘dream match’. RVD plays up to the crowd before the match as Joe just stares him down the entire time. Joe and RVD circle each other and then they lockup in the center of the ring where they stalemate. Joe shoves RVD who answers with a forearm to the face! Joe answers right back and it’s on! Joe and RVD exchange stiff forearms in the center of the ring and then right hands! And now they exchange leg kicks! RVD kicks Joe in the gut and then Joe goes for one but RVD catches his foot and hits the Step-Over Heel Kick! That was absolutely f*cking nasty! Joe ate every last stinking bit of RVD’s foot (I had to watch that one in slow-motion, just NASTY!)! RVD climbs to the top rope but Joe gets to his feet and quickly runs over! Joe sets up for the Muscle Buster! RVD fights it off so RVD lets him go and hits a vicious chop. Joe then goes for the Muscle Buster again but again RVD fights it off. This time Joe just shoves RVD off the top rope and RVD eats a huge helping of ramp! Joe climbs out of the ring and chops RVD on the outside. Joe then tosses RVD back into the ring and starts to climb back in but RVD hits a Spinning Heel Kick that sends Joe back to the outside! RVD then goes for a Baseball Slide Dropkick, but Joe slides back into the ring as RVD went for it. Joe then hits the Elbow Suicida through the ropes onto RVD on the floor sending him crashing into the barricade! We cut to the crowd where Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Stevie, and Raven are arriving. Joe sees this happening but turns his attention back to RVD and throws him back into the ring. Joe covers RVD and gets the first nearfall of the contest. Joe hits a Snapmare Takeover and then he slaps the back of RVD and goes for the Roundhouse Kick, but RVD drops back to avoid it and then rolls Joe up! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out and then RVD connects with a dropkick as Joe got to his feet! RVD puts the boots to Joe and then connects with a leg kick and a Straight Kick that sends Joe into the corner. RVD connects with a series of shoulder blocks in the corner and then he hits a double leg takedown in the corner and chokes Joe’s with his boot. RVD hits a Running Knee Strike to a seated Joe in the corner. RVD then Moonsaults off the top rope and right into a sickening Sliding Dropkick! Is RVD attempting to knock every single damn one of Joe’s teeth out tonight?! Joe rolls over and drapes himself over the bottom rope as he tries to catch his breath but RVD then hits a Slingshot Guillotine Leg Drop over the top rope onto Joe who was draped over the bottom rope! RVD climbs back into the ring and covers Joe again for another nearfall. RVD delivers a jab to Joe but this seems to wake Joe up as he nails RVD with a series of jabs only to see RVD to answer with jabs of his own. RVD then comes off the ropes and Joe nails him with a Snap Powerslam! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Joe grabs RVD by the hair and hits another Spamare and this time he locks RVD in a Sleeper. RVD fights the hold and gets to his feet where he breaks the hold with back elbows. RVD connects with elbows and forearms and then a Spinning Back Kick! RVD follows up with a Lariat off the ropes and then he comes off the ropes again but Joe obliterates RVD with a Decapitation Lariat! These two are trying to kill each other! 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Joe lights RVD up with a Chop in the corner and then he whips RVD into the opposite corner. Joe goes for a Running Knee Strike but RVD avoids it and then hits Joe with another absolutely vicious kick to the face! RVD follows up with a Springboard Back Kick! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out! RVD hits a Sliding Dropkick and then the Rolling Thunder! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out again! RVD climbs to the top rope and hits the Flying Side Kick! 1…2…NO Joe kicks out yet again! Joe retreats to the corner but he’s not safe as RVD comes flying in with a Running Spinning Heel Kick! Then out of nowhere Joe connects with another nasty Decapitation Lariat! Both men are down now as Joe hit that one out of desperation. Joe and RVD both get to their feet at about the same time and RVD goes for the Rolling Monkey Flip but Joe catches him in mid-move with the Standing Rock Bottom! Joe grabs RVD and Powerbombs the ever loving hell out of him! Joe holds on with a pin attempt, 1…2…NO RVD kicks out! Joe doesn’t let go of the pin and instead just rolls RVD over into a modified Boston Crab! RVD fights it and starts to get to the rope but Joe lets go of one leg and locks in a Half Boston Crab and cinches back on it! RVD continues to fight and is finally able to grab the bottom rope! Joe releases the hold and both men look exhausted. Joe starts arguing with the referee about something which allows RVD time to recover and he turns Joe around and nails him with a series of right hands. Joe blocks the final one and nails RVD with a series of headbutts now! Joe grabs RVD and goes for a Scoop Slam but RVD blocks it and then shoves Joe into the ropes and rolls him up! 1…2…NO Joe counters into the Coquina Clutch out of nowhere! RVD is fighting it with everything he has and he was able to block Joe from cinching in the body scissors which allows him to fight up to his feet. There RVD fights to the corner and springs off the turnbuckles landing on top of Joe! RVD rolls over but Joe holds onto the Coquina Clutch but his shoulders are down! 1…2…3 and RVD wins it! What a match!
Winner: RVD via bridging cradle
After the match RVD and Joe both seem to be exhausted and Joe frustrated over losing. Joe’s eyes roll back into his head as he starts to seethe and then stare RVD down. Tenay says, “something tells me we’ll see these two against each other again down the road.” Joe then argues with the referee and slaps the sh*t out of him and then hits him with the Muscle Buster!
Earlier Tonight Kurt Angle spoke to the camera and said that he is working his way up the Top 10 because pressure makes him a better wrestler and a better athlete. Angle says it keeps him on his toes. He then talks about Jeff Hardy and Anderson and says that he’s seen Anderson’s eyes in the heat of battle so Jeff Hardy better be careful. Nice touch with that.
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Non-Title Ladder Match
Douglas Williams vs. Jeremy Buck
Last week Brian Kendrick faced Desmond Wolfe in a Submission Match so this week Williams will face one half of Generation Me (Jeremy) in a Ladder Match. While coming to the ring Taz says that Williams told him earlier that he has a fear of heights. Williams locks Jeremy in a Hammerlock right off the bat and then transitions into a side headlock but Jeremy immediately shoves him off into the ropes. Williams levels Jeremy with a shoulder block and then he comes off the ropes. Jeremy leapfrogs him and Williams locks him in a Waistlock. Jeremy breaks it and then goes for an Irish Whip but Williams blocks it and Jeremy counters Williams attempt into a Spinning Back Elbow! Jeremy then follows up with a Springboard Flying Cross Body! Jeremy goes to the apron and Williams charges at him but Jeremy springboards over the charging Williams. Williams goes through the ropes and lands on the floor but Jeremy quickly slides back out to the apron and connects with a Standing Moonsault off the apron! Jeremy goes over to the ramp and throws the ladder into the ring. Jeremy sets up the ladder under the X but Williams cuts Jeremy off before he can start climbing. Williams hangs Jeremy up in the Tree of Woe in the corner and then he thinks about climbing up the ladder but seems to be apprehensive (due to the fear of heights) which allows Jeremy time to get out of the corner and climb to the top. Jeremy hits a Missile Dropkick off the top knocking Williams off the ladder! Jeremy climbs up the ladder now but Williams stops him and nails him with a European Uppercut. Williams then sets the ladder up in the corner and whips Jeremy into it hard! Williams then charges at him with a Flying Knee Strike but Jeremy moves out of the way and Williams nails the ladder. Jeremy then hits a Double Leg Takedown and Catapults Williams into the ladder! Jeremy charges at Williams but Williams backdrops him over the top rope to the apron and then slaps him in the face. Williams grabs the ladder and charges at Jeremy but Jeremy hits a kick through the ropes sending the ladder into Williams! Jeremy then follows up with a Slingshot X-Factor sending Williams’ face into the ladder! That look like it hurt Jeremy about as bad as it did Williams. Jeremy sets up the ladder under the X and starts climbing it again and again Williams cuts him off. This time Jeremy fights him off but then Williams puts him up on his shoulders and hits an Electric Chair off the ladder! Jeremy falls out of the ring and Williams again struggles to climb up the ladder. It again gives Jeremy time to recover and this time he dives off the top rope onto the ladder with Williams! Jeremy quickly scales the ladder and hits a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ladder! That was an awesome sequence. Jeremy climbs back up the ladder and Williams dives off the top rope at Jeremy but Jeremy saw him coming and kicks Williams in the face in midair! Jeremy reaches up and pulls down the X to beat the champion!
Winner: Jeremy Buck via pulling down the X
After the match Williams goes psycho on the ladder and throws it all around the ring.
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TNA runs a video package highlighting the big July 2nd show in Brooklyn where TNA drew it’s highest attendance for a live show in America. Looks like it was a pretty fun show.
We then cut to a video package with the Motor City Machine Guns cracking jokes on Beer Money. In the little vignette Shelley jokes about Sabin losing his athleticism and fun loving self after discovering ‘beer money’. Shelley tells parents not to let what happened to his friend happen to their kids and then at the end a graphic comes up saying that the ad was “Paid for by the Motor City Machine Guns and the Beer Money Are a Couple of Tools Foundation”. Just absolutely priceless.
Six Man Tag Team Match
Motor City Machine Guns & “Super Mex” Hernandez vs. Beer Money Inc. & “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan
This Sunday Beer Money faces the Guns for the vacant Tag Titles while Hernandez goes one-on-one with Morgan inside a Steel Cage. At the bell Sabin and Roode lock it up and Roode puts Sabin in a wristlock. Sabin rolls through it and counters into one of his own but Roode punches him in his face. Roode then whips Sabin into the corner and charges but Sabin gets up both of his feet. Sabin then dives off the top with a Diving Hurricanrana! Sabin follows up with a Flying Forearm for a one count. Shelley tags in and then Sabin Scoop Slams Roode so Shelley can hit a Slingshot Elbow Drop. Sabin then this a Slingshot Somersault Senton Backplash! The Guns then hit a double team Backsplash Senton (Sabin) and Knee Drop (Shelley)! Shelley covers Roode and gets a nearfall. Roode comes back with a knee to the gut and then tags in Storm. Beer Money whip Shelley into the ropes and they go for a Double Clothesline but Shelley ducks and then grabs Roode in a Waistlock and shoves him into Storm! Shelley then tags Sabin back in! Sabin hits a Flying Back Elbow on Storm in the corner and then he attempts to whip Storm into the opposite corner, but Storm reverses it. Sabin then Springboards out of the corner into a Headscissors attempt but Storm blocks it and throws Sabin over the top rope. Sabin lands on the apron and then blocks a right hand from Storm and connects with a Forearm. Sabin then sets up for a high spot but before he can springboard Morgan destroys him with a Big Boot on the apron sending Sabin crashing to the floor! Roode grabs Sabin and rolls him back into the ring. Morgan tags in now and taunts Sabin. Morgan then slams Sabin to the mat and walks on him. Morgan then hangs Sabin up in the ropes and pulls back on his arms as they were draped on the ropes. Storm tags back in and he nails Sabin with a big Right Hook. Shelley then beats on Sabin in the corner but Sabin fights back with body shots and then he comes off the ropes but Storm kicks him in the gut and hits a Jawbreaker on Storm over his knee! Storm then slams Sabin to the mat by his hair and gets a nearfall before Shelley pulled him off. Roode tags in now and chokes Sabin and then he puts the boots to him. Roode whips Sabin into the corner hard and gets another nearfall. Sabin again comes back with body shots but again Roode cuts him off with an elbow this time. Roode then goes for a Back Suplex but Sabin blocks it and lands on his feet. He then rolls through Roode’s legs but Roode grabs one of his legs! Roode then pulls him to his feet and spins him by the feet but Sabin nails him with a Spinning Back Kick! Sabin tags out to Hernandez and Super Mex lays out both Beer Money members with Forearms. Hernandez then whips Storm into the corner and hits the Splash! Hernandez then levels Storm with a clothesline and tries to grab Morgan but Morgan bails out to the floor. Roode jumps Hernandez from behind and then lights him up with a chop. Roode then tries to whip Hernandez into the ropes but he reverses it and then kills Roode with that nasty Shoulder Block! Hernandez tags in Shelley who slams Roode headfirst into the top turnbuckle. Shelley then whips Hernandez into a Splash on Roode in the corner! Hernandez then Catapults Roode into a Flatliner from Shelley into the turnbuckles! Shelley goes for Sliced Bread but Roode blocks it and Storm nails Shelley from behind. Storm and Roode then whip Shelley into the ropes but Shelley slides underneath the bottom rope down to the floor and Hernandez Slingshots into Beer Money with a Double Shoulder Block! Morgan thinks about coming in but Hernandez turns around so Morgan runs away again. This time Hernandez chases him away to the back! Shelley (from the apron) slams Roode’s head into the top turnbuckle and then the Guns hit the Motor City Machine Guns Sandwich (Leaping Enziguri from Shelley on the apron and Running Mafia Kick from Sabin at the same time)! Storm gets up on the apron as the Machine Guns were setting up for a double team move. Storm takes a swig of beer (to spit in the Guns face) but Sabin sees him and hits a Sliding Dropkick to Storm’s knees and knocking him off the apron! Sabin follows up with a Tope Suicida through the ropes onto Storm on the floor! In the ring Shelley dives off the top with a Flying Cross Body but Roode rolls through and grabs Shelley’s tights! 1…2…3!
Winners: Beer Money & Matt Morgan via pinfall (rollup)
In the back Pope talks to the camera and Pope talks about Anderson and Hardy and he says that Hardy can’t trust Anderson and he is the reason that Pope isn’t 100% right now. Pope says he’s focused for Victory Road and he says he doesn’t just have Kurt Angle but he has a very motivated Kurt Angle. He says he has to bring his A-Game to Victory Road.
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Kevin Nash is in an office talking to the camera. Nash says he can’t believe he’s sitting there waiting on Eric Bischoff and says he’ll probably have to kiss his a** just to make sure he still has a job. He makes fun of how Bischoff was going with the Dungeon before he and Scott jumped to WCW (which is extremely funny considering the rumors about Sullivan possibly joining the creative team in TNA). Someone knocks on the door and it’s Hogan and he asks if he’s seen Bischoff yet but Nash says he hasn’t. Hogan says they’re still not cool after the swerve that Nash pulled with Pac and Hall to get them contracts. Nash says Hogan got Knobbs and Saggs in and what’s the difference (okay that was hilarious) but Hogan says that was different. He says he brought them straight up and he gave them a shot and it just didn’t work out. Nash pretty much snuck Hall and Pac in. Hogan says Eric may feel differently about it and he’ll talk to him and send him to speak to Nash after he talks to him.
We cut to the ring where a pissed off Jay Lethal is standing with a microphone. Lethal says he was overwhelmed a few weeks ago when Hogan made the Lethal-Flair match but that feeling was taken away when he was forced to watch his younger brother getting beat up by Flair. He asks if we can imagine your childhood idol beating up your own flesh and blood and he says it rips your heart out. Lethal says at Victory Road that he will rip Flair’s heart out! Lethal says his mother has been a little ill but he wants her to know a few things. Lethal says he wants to say he loves her very much and he also wants to let her know that he plans on making her the proudest mother in the world after he beats Ric Flair! Lethal says even though she is 1,000 miles she’ll be in his heart and standing next to him. Ric Flair’s music interrupts Lethal now.
Flair walks out to the ring and Lethal drops the microphone. Flair says he could give a rat’s a** about Lethal’s mother! Flair says the truth is that Lethal’s mother is living vicariously through him because she wants Flair! Lethal gets in Flair’s face and Flair says he has 3 days to live! Flair says he is “Ric-by God-Flair”! He mentions his robe is in the Smithsonian (where he says is for dead people and really famous people)! Flair says Lethal grew up with his loving mother and father while his parents put him on the road at 15 and he’s been limousine riding ever since! Flair says nobody knows him and he’s been to psychiatrists and after an hour with him they’re laying on the couch because he’s CRAZY! Flair calls Lethal a punk and says when a woman feels the Nature Boy they’re scathed for life and he has ex-wives that are walking around their bedroom going “where is he?”! Oh man Flair is beyond hilarious. Flair says Lethal dresses like a little street punk and he doesn’t belong in his world much less this ring. Lethal gets in Flair’s face and says he’s in his world right now. Flair tells him to back up and then Flair says he’s in his head and once again say’s he’s not human, he’s a God. Flair says Lethal has to wrestle him in 3 days, and tells him to think about that. He says he’s not a wrestling icon, he’s a living, breathing, machine. He says there is hospitals around the world that want him to donate his body parts to see what makes him go and Lethal says he might help them get their wish! Flair says he’s been cut, crashed in air planes, car wrecks, and even struck by lightning so Lethal can’t do anything to him! Flair says in 3 days Lethal will look his God in the eyes and get his a** handed to him. Lethal gets in Flair’s face again and Flair says “3 days” and then does the Flair strut before leaving the ring. WOOOO!
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Back from commercials Tenay and Taz hype up the card for Victory Road.
Main Event
Mr. Anderson vs. “Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
This is a rematch from Slammiversary. Anderson and Hardy shake hands before the match starts. They lockup and Anderson forces Hardy into the ropes but Hardy counters and locks Anderson in a modified armbar. Anderson fights it and whips Hardy into the ropes but eats a shoulder block. Hardy comes off the ropes and Anderson goes for a Hip Toss but Hardy blocks it but then Anderson punches him in the gut. Anderson sets up for the Green Bay Plunge but Hardy blocks it and then connects with a right hand. Hardy goes for another one but this time Anderson catches him arm and then hits a Spinning Neckbreaker! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Anderson grabs Hardy but Hardy catches him with a Jawbreaker out of nowhere followed by a Mule Kick. Hardy then goes for the Hardyac Arrest but Anderson moves out of the way. 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out. Anderson attempts to whip Hardy into the ropes but Hardy counters into a clothesline for a nearfall. Hardy whips Anderson into the corner and hits a Clothesline and then he goes for a Bulldog but Anderson blocks it and shoves Hardy into the corner. Anderson then charges at Hardy but Hardy nails him with a back elbow and hits the Whisper In The Wind off the top! 1…2…NO Anderson kicks out! Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Anderson counters into the Green Bay Plunge! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Anderson climbs to the top and goes for the Kenton Bomb but Hardy moves out of the way and then hits the Twist of Fate! 1…2…3!
Winner: Hardy via pinfall (Twist of Fate)
After the match Hardy checks on Anderson and they smile at each other but then Abyss’ music hits and the Monster brings that 2×4 with the nails sticking out of it to the ring! Abyss points at Anderson and then the referee pulls the 2×4 out of his hand which allows Anderson and Hardy to jump Abyss! They double clothesline Abyss but he doesn’t go down. Then they attempt another one but this time Abyss just breaks through it and Double Clotheslines Hardy & Anderson! Abyss Chokeslams Hardy and then he Big Boots Anderson! Abyss grabs the 2×4 again and he swings it at Anderson but he moves and it got stuck in the top turnbuckle. He pulls it away and actually rips the whole turnbuckle off! RVD runs out and nails Abyss with lots of strikes! RVD then comes off the ropes but Abyss grabs him by the throat and throws him out of the ring! Anderson grabs the chair as Hardy sets up for something on Abyss! Anderson looks like he’s going to hit Hardy! Anderson then tells Hardy to get out of the way and Anderson nails Abyss in the back with it! RVD back in and he takes the chair away from Anderson and slams it into Abyss’ face with the Van-Daminator! RVD, Hardy, and Anderson celebrate in the ring and shake hands. Anderson then gets in Van Dam’s face as they both talk trash. Abyss gets to his feet and starts staring down the other 3 as we fade to black!
Final Thoughts
Wow, what a show tonight! I honestly thought tonight was one of the best Go-Home shows in TNA’s time on Spike. It was excellent top to bottom. They also did an absolutely excellent job at selling the PPV this Sunday.
The opening segment was good and set up the tension with Hardy and Anderson as well as the Main Event.
AJ-Kaz had a good match that could have been great given more time. I really like the idea of them coming together as a team because I can think they can be solid when teaming together and the eventual split would make for a fun feud especially if this Fourtune group is able to elevate Kazarian. I’m also interested to see who the mystery team they face will be.
Love-Daffney was okay but it was really just to put Angelina over and showcase her as well as the segment afterward. I think her putting her career on the line is stupid storyline-wise unless we have a Beautiful People swerve where they interfere and cost Madison the belt on purpose.
The Team 3D stuff was pretty good and Devon is really underrated on the mic. He doesn’t get a lot of time to do his thing but when he does it usually means something. Shannon Moore is taking a big backseat in this whole thing so far. I would much rather Devon turn on Neal and we get a 3D vs. Ink, Inc. feud rather than a Devon vs. Bubba feud. We saw how their first split went.
How awesome was RVD vs. Joe? Fast paced from start to finish and they were killing each other with stiff strikes. Tons of nearfalls and counters in that one as well. Give those two another 5-10 minutes and we have a damn sure classic. That was along the lines with Hardy-RVD and RVD-AJ as RVD’s best match in TNA so far. I really want to see that feud on down the line. The outcome doesn’t hurt Joe at all because he looked beastly in defeat and they played it up well as either man could’ve won at any time. This slow build for Joe has been great and RVD gets another quality win as champ. I don’t know how smart giving away a big match like that free on TV is but how can someone complaining about it too much? We always complain about not getting enough quality matches on TV already. Plus, an argument could made for that match making us want to see a rematch even more.
I don’t like a throwaway Ladder Match but for one Buck-Williams was solid and really sets something up for Ultimate X with Williams fear of heights. Nice little rub for Jeremy there too, now maybe Generation Me can get some more TV time.
The 6-Man Tag was fun and an old school way of putting together 2 feuds to build to the big show. Beer Money and the Machine Guns were the guys that really shined with Hernandez doing some nice spots as well. I really, really think the Guns are finally getting their run with the belts this Sunday.
I loved the Lethal-Flair promo. How awesomely heelish was it for Flair to not only interrupt Lethal’s promo where he was talking about his sick mother but then to actually talk trash about her?! You could tell both guys were coming off of the top of the head in the promo but it was awesome. Flair just talking all kinds of trash and Lethal just playing off it with his little lines about kicking Flair’s ass and having to hold himself back from beating on Flair right there.
Pope and Angle’s little backstage promos were nice with both guys talking about the importance of the match.
The Main Event was a little disappointing given the great PPV match they had but it was decent. The stuff after the match was great with all the members of the Fatal 4-Way being out there. I’ve been going on the nation that RVD would win this whole time but now I really think Anderson has a shot at the strap despite the loss to Hardy. The dude is super over and a heel turn on Hardy would make him so hated by the Hardy fans it’s not even funny, plus TNA is extremely high on the guy. I think it’s a crap shoot between Anderson and RVD (but also Abyss and Hardy with long shot chances). That should make for a compelling match.
I think Victory Road is really stacked but I think that might be a problem, it could be TOO STACKED. 9 matches is a lot for any card but with matches that definitely need good time 9 is pushing it. Hopefully TNA can capitalize on the great build with a great show.
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Flair-Lethal
– Match of the Night: RVD vs. Samoa Joe (****)
– Overall Grade: A
TNA Victory Road Lineup:
– TNA World Title Fatal 4-Way: RVD (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Abyss
– TNA Tag Titles: Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money Inc.
– TNA X-Division Title Ultimate X/Submission Match: Douglas Williams (c) vs. Brian Kendrick
– TNA Knockouts Title vs. Career Match: Madison Rayne (c) vs. Angelina Love
– Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal
– Steel Cage: Hernandez vs. Matt Morgan
– Kurt Angle vs. D’Angelo Dinero
– AJ Styles & Kaz vs. TBA