TNA iMPACT!
Orlando, Florida (Impact Zone)
December 23, 2010
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Taz
Report by: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Before we get into the show tonight I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody out there! I hope everyone has a great Christmas and everybody has fun and watches tons of football like I know I will be doing!
This week’s special Christmas-edition of “Impact” opens up with a recap the Matt Morgan-Anderson-Hardy drama.
Immortal and Fortune come out to the ring for the “Official Weigh In” for the #1 Contenders TNA World Title Match for Genesis. Rob Terry is with Immortal. Flair grabs a microphone and asks for the fans attention. He says we have an opportunity to look at greatness all over the ring right now but there is a stranger amongst them. That person would be that people, girls mostly, call “The Freak”: Rob Terry. Flair says Terry has an opportunity to show Immortal & Fortune that he can be their bodyguard, their enforcer. He says that Terry has to prove it to them. Eric Bischoff says they have a weigh in scheduled tonight but it’s the typical weigh in. He says that they also have doctors on hand to make sure both Morgan & Anderson are healthy enough to compete. He sarcastically says they are worried about Anderson & Morgan’s well being. Morgan’s music cuts him off and he walks down to the ring.
Morgan says this whole thing is a sham and everyone there knows it. Morgan says Bischoff is a “Glory Whore” and that’s low but to put a wrestler in jeopardy knowing he could have brain trauma is a new low for even Bischoff. Morgan says he’s not going to stand for Bischoff’s crap anymore “job or no job.” Bischoff says Morgan is reading the situation all wrong and then he points to the doctors he brought and says they are both certified in Florida to make sure both he and Hardy are healthy. Morgan says if they want to give him a physical, they can start with Morgan taking his size 18 shoe and put it up Bischoff’s ass and take Bischoff’s temperature. MICK FOLEY’S music hits and he comes out to the ring!
Foley asks Morgan to back off because if he lays a hand on Bischoff he can be fired. Foley points out that this is the first time he’s been on Impact since the match with Flair before BFG. He says he got the win but the next week Flair was on TV while Foley was at home on his couch his words slurred and everything a little blurry because he had suffered yet another concussion in his career. Foley says the match with Flair was a great moment in his career but unfortunately it will likely be the last great moment in his career. He says he is no longer the man he used to because of all the damn concussions he’s suffered. He says it’s not just the concussions themselves but the amount of healing time they have between the concussions. Foley says Ken Anderson is a lot like him because he’s his own worst enemy because he loves this business and he wants that Title. He says he saw Anderson wrestle last week and he is in no condition to wrestle at Genesis. He says as long as he’s breathing that match will not take place.
Flair hands his jacket to Rob Terry and says that’s his first official job, to hold his coat. Flair calls Foley a whiny, pathetic human being and says it was Foley who raised the bar so hide that kids were jumping off roofs and breaking their neck. He says Foley is the reason kids are stepping on nails and rolling in glass. He says that the whole business suffered because of Foley and what he started. He says that Foley didn’t have the skill to be a man and WRESTLE. Flair says he wrestled for hours 360 days a year, hit in the head thousands of times and he never bitched, whined, or cried. Flair is visibly shaking while he is screaming this at Foley. Foley cuts Flair off and says he doesn’t disagree with everything Flair said and he says he admits to being part of the problem. Foley says he wants a chance to be part of the solution now but Flair says the solution is to kiss his ass. Foley slaps the mic away from Flair and then says he and Morgan both know what happens when they die. Foley says a guy comes into the room and cuts off the top of their head and pulls out their brain because they’ve donated their brains to science to study the effect of concussions. Flair says none of that matters because when HE dies it will either be in the ring or on top of a wild woman (priceless). Foley says he’s made his mistakes but he’s learned from them and he won’t let Ken Anderson make the same mistakes he did. He will not let that match take place. Bischoff says Foley has convinced him and he sees everything more clearly now. Bischoff says Foley is trying to redeem himself now because he can’t wrestle anymore and nobody is buying his books now (low blow) and he wants to try and be the sympathetic icon that stands up for the wrestlers. Bischoff says Foley is trying to eat off of the injuries and corpses he’s caused by making wrestlers try to keep up with the daredevil stuff Foley did. Bischoff says Foley isn’t stopping any match in TNA or anywhere else. Bischoff got heated there at the end.
Immortal & Fortune leave Foley and Morgan in the ring as Morgan & Foley shake hands and talk about something.
After the Impact opening the card is run down which will include 3 title matches including Doug Williams vs. AJ Styles in an Ironman Match!
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Jeff Hardy walks into Matt Morgan’s locker room and as Morgan reacts Hardy tells him to chill out because he wants to say something to him. Hardy says it’s not about him and Morgan anymore. He says it’s about Pro Wrestling. He asks who Anderson (“a guy who openly admits to being an asshole”) and Foley (“the guy who started all this crap with barbed wire baseball bats”) think they are trying to tell him what to do. He tells Morgan to find his own destiny and he says Flair & Bischoff will tell straight up to your face when they’ll screw you. He tells Morgan to think about that and walks out.
It’s time for another Jeff Jarrett MMA Invitational. Jarrett says it’s been a few weeks since he first issued his first challenge and goes over the $100,000 guarantee. Jarrett says he’s very disappointed in all the fans because it has become painfully honest that nobody can make him tap out. He says tonight he’ll open up the challenge to the wrestlers. He says there is a guy in the back that impressed him last week when he faced one of the toughest guys in the history of wrestling, Brother Ray. He says Amazing Red caught his eye and he thinks Red deserves a second chance so tonight he’ll give Red the opportunity of a lifetime to get some of his money. Red comes out to the ring (dressed in his ring gear).
The referee won’t let Red into the ring until he checks him and then Jarrett’s doctor puts Vaseline on his face and even puts it in his eyes. As Red tries to get in the ring and Jarrett attacks him. Jarrett attacks the blinded Red over and over with knees and punches. Jarrett locks in an Ankle Lock and Red fights it for awhile but finally taps.
After the “match” Red is still rubbing his eyes and then Jarrett picks him up to his feet and shakes his hand and asks if Red has any brothers he can kick the shit out of. Red says he has a “baby brother” so Jarrett tells him to bring him next week.
In the back Madison & Tara are talking about the match tonight. Madison says Angelina & Velvet share one brain and Tara says they have to hurry because she has a party to get to with Generation Me. Madison calls Tara a cougar.
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In the back Rob Van Dam talks about how tonight he finally gets a chance to get in the ring with Hardy.
TNA X-Division Title #1 Contenders
Fatal 4-Way Match
Max Buck vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Kazarian vs. Robbie E. w/Cookie
Jay Lethal comes out for guest commentary for the #1 Contenders Match. Kaz and Jeremy will start the match off but Kaz looks at Max and tags him in. The two brothers square up but then pose to the crowd instead of locking up. GenMe then drag Robbie into the ring and Jeremy lifts Max up into the air into a dropkick on Robbie. GenMe hits a Double Elbow Drop and Jeremy gets a nearfall before Kaz breaks it up. Jeremy attempts to whip Robbie into the ropes but Robbie reverses it and Cookie grabs him by the leg. He then turns around into a clothesline. Robbie puts the boots to Jeremy and then throws him into the corner. Robbie whips Jeremy into the corner and Jeremy attempts to float up and over Robbie but Robbie stops and then hits a modified Russian Leg Sweep for a nearfall before Kaz breaks it up again. Robbie tries to tag Kaz in but Kaz drops down off the apron. Jeremy rolls Robbie up in the ring and gets another nearfall before Kaz breaks up yet another one. Jeremy throws Robbie into the corner and slams his shoulder into him repeatedly as Max holds onto him. Robbie goes for a clothesline but Jeremy ducks and then Backflips into a Headscissors on Robbie. He holds the head scissors on Robbie in place as Max climbs up top (blind tagging Jeremy) and dives off with a Sunset Flip! Robbie rolls through and ducks a clothesline from Max but eats a right hand from Jeremy. They nail Robbie with back and forth right hands and then Robbie staggers into Kaz’s corner for a tag but Kaz punches him in the mouth. Jeremy hangs Robbie up in the ropes and Max dives off the top with a Diving Double Foot Stomp on him! Max then hits a springboard dropkick on Kaz knocking him off the apron! Max then hits a Slingshot Facebuster on Robbie as Jeremy hits him with a Wheelbarrow Slam at the same time! Jeremy covers Robbie and gets another nearfall before Kaz breaks it up. Max climbs up top as Jeremy picks Robbie up. Robbie then shoves Jeremy into his brother in the corner crotching Max! Robbie then staggers to the corner and Kaz slaps him, blind tagging him. Kaz then tosses Robbie out of the ring and nails Jeremy with a big Lariat. Kaz then grabs Max off the top and hits the Reverse Tombstone! 1…2…3!
Winner & NEW X-Division #1 Contender: Kaz via pinfall (Reverse Tombstone)
Kaz points at Lethal at the announce table and talks trash towards him. Lethal talks trash back to him.
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During the break Sarita beat Velvet Sky all around the backstage area, beating her with a leather strap and choking her with it. Sarita talks trash to Velvet about her not being to beat her. Velvet comes back and slams Sarita into the wall repeatedly. Velvet chokes Sarita but Sarita comes back and chokes her with the strap again! Sarita screams at Velvet not being able to do anything by herself. Velvet comes back on Sarita briefly but it doesn’t last long. Sarita nails Velvet in the back hard with the strap and continues to beat her all around the room. She screams “I swear to God I’ll kill you Velvet!” She stands on Velvet’s throat and finally Angelina runs in and chases Sarita off. Angelina checks on Velvet.
In the back Bischoff is talking to the troops and he says the pressure is on them. He says Dixie Carter and her attorneys have them in check mate and everyone knows the belt mean power. He says IF the court stuff doesn’t go their way they need all the titles to have all the power. He says he knows all the guys in Immortal can do it and live up to the standard that Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, & Jeff Hardy have set.
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Back from the break Brian Kendrick is ranting about the earth and stars and all kinds of crap to some cook or something. Ok, whatever.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles Tournament Finals
Madison Rayne & Tara vs. The Beautiful People Angelina Love & Winter
Highlights from the 1st Round are shown. Angelina comes out to the ring without Velvet. Angelina and Madison lockup and Angelina arm drags Madison and then rolls her up for a quick two count. Angelina turns her attention to Tara as she distracts her but then turns around into a big right from Madison. Madison attempts to whip Angelina into the ropes but Angelina counters into a Front Slam. 1…2…NO Tara breaks it up. Angelina hits Madison with a Jaw Breaker and then a Neckbreaker for another nearfall. Angelina locks Madison in a headlock but Madison backs her into the corner and Tara grabs Angelina by the hair. Madison then slams Angelina to the mat and chokes her. Madison covers Angelina for a nearfall. Madison slams Angelina into the corner and then chokes her with her boot. Tara tags in for the first time tonight and then both her and Madison choke Angelina. Tara slams Angelina to the mat and tags Madison back in. Madison elbow drops Angelina and gets two straight nearfalls. Madison slams Angelina into the corner again and tags Tara back in. Tara puts the boots to Angelina and then she chokes Angelina in the corner. Madison tags back in and starts yanking on Angelina’s hair. Madison then hits the Headscissors Stomp on the mat on Angelina for a nearfall. Madison whips Angelina into the corner and charges but Angelina gets her boot up. Madison charges again and again Angelina gets her boots up but this time Madison grabs the boots and swings her legs into the ropes. Angelina hits Madison with a back elbow but then Tara nails Angelina with that big elbow brace as the referee was turned to Madison! Winter walks down to the ring now as Madison looks on. Winter reaches out for a tag and Angelina tags her! Winter hits a Big Boot on Madison and starts slamming her head to the mat. Winter then ducks a shot from Tara and kicks her in the…um, well between the legs. Winter then hits Madison with a Swinging Side Slam for the pin.
Winners & NEW KO Tag Champs: Winter & Angelina via pinfall (Swinging Side Slam)
Angelina is confused after the match and apparently so is Tara.
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In the back Pope is talking to someone on the phone when Orlando Jordan dressed as Santa and Eric Young dressed as a Reindeer. Eric says they raised some money for Pope’s charity for kids. Jordan hands Pope a check and Pope thanks them and then says “what the hell were they wearing?” when they walk off.
TNA World Television Championship
Ironman Match
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. Douglas Williams (c)
Well, my anticipation for this match went right out the window as Mike Tenay says the time limit is 15 minutes (so lame). That’s not an Ironman Match, that’s like a ¼ Ironman Match. AJ and Williams circle each other and then they lockup but Williams grabs him in a wristlock immediately. He transitions into a Hammerlock but AJ reverses it and then they reverse each other repeatedly. AJ arm drags Williams but Williams holds onto the Hammerlock and gets back to his feet. AJ counters by tripping Williams and then he grabs Williams by the foot only to have Williams reach back and grab him in a headlock. AJ shoves Williams into the ropes and then leapfrogs him and goes for a Spinning Clothesline, but Williams counters it into another headlock. Williams hits a Side Headlock Takeover and then he squeezes on AJ’s head with the headlock on the mat. AJ rolls Williams over onto his shoulders but Williams rolls back over before he can get a pin. AJ rolls him back over and gets a nearfall and then he locks Williams in a wristlock as Williams kicked out. Williams reverses the wristlock but then AJ tries to roll through but as he rolls Williams slams him down to the mat with a headlock in mid-move. AJ lifts his legs up to Williams head and locks him in a Headscissors. Williams rolls over and bridges up and pulls his head out. the two then exchange sick forearms on their knees until Williams grabs AJ in a Front Facelock. Williams transitions into another hammerlock. Crazy chain wrestling going on here. Williams holds onto the hammerlock while slamming his knee into AJ’s back repeatedly. Williams gets AJ to his feet and holds onto the hammerlock but AJ backs him into the corner and then nails Williams with a back elbow and puts the boots to him. AJ whips Williams into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Williams turned right around and nailed AJ with a Knee Lift. Williams then whips AJ into the corner and nails him with a Running Knee.
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Back from the break AJ has Williams in a Chinlock, during the break AJ hit Williams with the Styles Clash to get the first fall of the match so he leads 1-0. Williams gets the fans behind him as he fights the chinlock and gets to his feet and the two exchange forearms and clotheslines. AJ attempts to whip Williams into the ropes but Williams counters into a shoulder block and then a European Uppercut. AJ rolls out of the ring and screams “I’m winning, I got all the time in the world.” AJ points to his head and then he gets back in the ring to break the count from the referee and rolls back outside and smiles at the fans. AJ then fakes like he’s going to get in the ring and as Williams goes to grab AJ to pull him back in AJ trips him and pulls out to the floor. AJ slams Williams into the ring steps and then climbs back into the ring and points to his head again. Williams rolls back into the ring and AJ stomps him. AJ nails Williams with a round kick and then hits a Snapmare Takeover and kicks him with another round kick for a nearfall. AJ hits a Scoop Slam and then hits a Knee Drop and covers for another nearfall. AJ locks Williams in another chinlock and then Williams fights to his feet and breaks the hold with big Forearms. Williams whips AJ into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but AJ rolls over Williams back and then Williams turns around and hits a backdrop! Williams goes to grab AJ again and again AJ rolls out of the ring. Williams follows him out but before he can catch him, AJ rolls back in the ring. AJ tries to knock Williams off the apron but Williams nails him with a shoulder block through the ropes and then he goes for a Slingshot Sunset Flip. AJ holds onto the ropes and Hebner yells at AJ to let go of the ropes (I’ve never understood this spot whenever I’ve seen it in wrestling) and he finally kicks AJ ‘s hands off the ropes and Williams rolls him up! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out and then Williams hits a backslide! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out again. AJ goes for a clothesline but Williams counters by catching AJ’s arm and rolling AJ up with a Crucifix! 1…2…NO AJ still kicks out! Williams hits a headbutt and then a European Uppercut and then he whips AJ into the corner. AJ floats up and over Williams out of the corner as he charges and then nails Williams with a big right hand. AJ charges at Williams but Williams backdrops AJ over the top rope. AJ lands on the apron and then goes for the Springboard Flying Forearm, but Williams catches him in midair with a T-Bone Suplex! Both men are down now as Tenay lets us know we are under 2 minutes now. Both men get to their feet and Williams nails AJ with a clothesline and then a back elbow and then he whips AJ into the ropes and hits a Back Elbow. Williams nails AJ with a big right and then a kick to the gut. Williams whips AJ into the opposite corner and then he charges but AJ side steps and sends Williams over the top to the floor. Williams lands on his feet and AJ turns around and starts taunting the crowd as Williams quickly recovers and rolls back in the ring and catches AJ with the Chaos Theory! 1…2…3 as the match goes under 30 seconds left! The match is tied at 1-1! The clock ticks down and Williams covers AJ but AJ’s arm was underneath the bottom rope as the bell rings! The time has expired at a tie. The fans chant “5 more minutes” as AJ and Williams get to their feet. AJ screams that he wants 5 more minutes and Williams says he only needs one. The referee agrees and says the match will get a 5 minute overtime!
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Back from the break AJ and Williams are exchanging rights and lefts in the corner as the overtime has just started. Williams attempts to whip AJ into the opposite corner but AJ reverses and Williams springs himself out of the corner into a Tornado DDT! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Williams lifts AJ up onto the top rope and nails him with an uppercut and then he climbs up top with AJ. Williams nails AJ with a series of Forearms and then he sets up for a Superplex but AJ fights it off with body shots and then he knocks Williams off the top. AJ then hits a Springboard Flying Forearm! 1…2…NO Williams kicks out! AJ sets up for Styles Clash but Williams counters into an Alabama Slam! 1…2…NO AJ kicks out! Williams picks AJ up and goes for a Suplex but AJ blocks it and then ducks a clothesline from Williams and hits the Pele! 1…2…NO Williams kicks out now! AJ beats on Williams in the corner as Borash tells us there is 1 minute left. AJ hits a Snapmare on Williams out of the corner and then he climbs up top. Williams gets to his feet and nails AJ with a big right hand and then he climbs up with AJ as the clock ticks down to under 30 seconds. Williams goes for a Back Superplex but AJ fights it and finally Williams hits at under 10 seconds, but he can’t capitalize as both men are down and the clock ticks to 0 again!
Winner: DRAW (1-1 tie)
AJ grabs a microphone and staggers to his feet. AJ says the people want a winner so one more time, AJ vs. Williams at Genesis! Williams grabs his on mic and says that AJ had his rematch but he didn’t beat him so the answer is ‘no.’ AJ asks what kind of champion Williams is and says that he defended his belt against anybody. AJ says Williams is no fighting champion and he probably doesn’t even have a “set down there.” He says that Williams is no better than that “stinking country of yours.” Williams tells AJ to shut his trap and he is a fighting champion so AJ gets his rematch but the only thing is if AJ beats Williams, he loses the belt but if he beats AJ then what does AJ lose? Williams suggests that if he beats AJ then he has to leave Fortune forever! AJ refuses it and says he’ll never walk away from Fortune and tells him to come up with something else. Bischoff walks out and says that AJ will face Williams at Genesis and if he doesn’t beat Williams then there won’t be a spot for AJ in Fortune or Immortal or anywhere else for that matter. AJ and Williams then stare each other down in the ring.
In the back Beer Money is with Jeff Hardy and Abyss talking about getting the Tag Titles back tonight. Jeff Hardy then says if RVD wants him to come and get him.
———————-COMMERCIAL BREAK—————————
Back from commercials Tenay & Taz are in a video conference with Mr. Anderson. Anderson says he had an MRI done and says that the doctors cleared him, said there was nothing that would raise alarm. Andersons says he saw more than one doctor and he is cleared. Taz suggests Anderson wasn’t 100% last week but Anderson cuts him off and says he didn’t see anywhere in his TNA contract that he had to answer to Taz or Tenay. Anderson says again that he is cleared and as Tenay starts to ask about him bringing paperwork to show that he has been cleared but Anderson walks out on the interview.
In the back RVD, Morgan, & The Guns are talking about their match. Morgan says something about what Anderson just said but RVD & The Guns tell him that he needs to worry about right now, not what Anderson said.
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Main Event
TNA World Tag Team Championships
8-Man Tag Team Match
Beer Money Inc., Jeff Hardy, & Abyss vs. Motor City Machine Guns (c), Rob Van Dam, & Matt Morgan
The rules are if Beer Money’s team wins then Beer Money are the new tag champs. If The Guns team wins then they retain. The bell rings as James Storm attacks RVD. Storm whips RVD into the ropes and tries to kick RVD but RVD catches his foot and spins him around. As Storm spins around RVD levels him with a spinning heel kick. RVD then whips Storm into the ropes and hits another spinning heel kick. RVD kicks Storm again and tags big Matt Morgan into the match. Morgan slaps Storm and then he goes for a Scoop Slam but Storm blocks it and counters into a Code Breaker! Roode tags in and Beer Money whip Morgan into the ropes. They go for a Double Clothesline but Morgan just runs through it and hits a Cross Body Block on both of them! Morgan then hits a clothesline on Roode followed by another one. Morgan follows up with his Back Elbows in the corner and then he goes for a Corner Splash but Roode gets his boot up. Roode then climbs to the middle rope and dives off but Morgan catches him in midair. Morgan hits a Fall Away Slam and tags Sabin in. Sabin hits a Back Kick on Roode and then he hits the ropes but Roode goes for a backdrop only to have Sabin land on his feet. Sabin locks in a Waistlock but Roode reverses it. Sabin then gets to his corner and tags Shelley in. Roode rolls Sabin up but Shelley is legal and he grabs Roode and whips him into the ropes. Shelley hits an Atomic Drop on Roode and then Sabin comes off the ropes with a sliding dropkick to his knees. Shelley then rolls over Roode’s back hooking his head as Sabin hits another sliding dropkick this time to Roode’s face! Shelley covers Roode and gets a nearfall. Shelley then hits a back kick and goes for Sliced Bread but Roode blocks it. Shelley hits Roode with a back elbow and then climbs up top where Storm crotches him from the apron. Storm tags in and hits a Hanging Neckbreaker out of the corner on Shelley! Storm nails Shelley with a big right hand and tags in Abyss. Abyss beats on Shelley and then taunts Sabin as he headbutts Shelley. Abyss then hits Shelley with a Corner Splash and then tags Hardy in. Hardy hits an Atomic Drop and then a Leg Drop to the crotch of Shelley. Hardy taunts RVD like he’s going to let Shelley tag out but then he tosses Shelley back into the Immortal corner and the heels all team up on Shelley. Abyss tags back in and beats on Shelley in the corner more before dropping an elbow on his back and then taunting the faces. Shelley tries to fight back on Abyss but Abyss takes him out with another big shot to the back. Roode tags back in and then hits a Snapmare Takeover followed by a Knee Drop for a nearfall. Storm tags in and they hit the Beer Money Double Suplex. Storm picks Shelley up for the Eye of the Storm but Shelley lands on his feet and hits an Enziguri! Both men are down now! Shelley crawls to his corner as Storm tags Hardy in. Hardy grabs Shelley and drags him back. Hardy hits a Snapmare on Shelley and then locks him in a headlock as Impact goes off the air.
*REACTION BONUS*
Shelley fights to his feet and breaks the hold but Hardy cuts him off with a clubbing blow to the back. Hardy then goes for the Twist of Hate but Shelley blocks it and then crawls under Hardy’s legs and tags in RVD! RVD tries to get ahold of Hardy but Hardy quickly runs to his corner and tags Roode back in. Roode and RVD trade right hands and then Roode goes for a clothesline, but RVD ducks and hits a Superkick! RVD knocks Storm and Abyss off the apron and then he hits a Springboard Back Kick on Roode! Storm comes in but eats a forearm from RVD and then RVD nails Abyss with a Spinning Heel Kick as he comes in! Roode tries to kick RVD but RVD catches his foot and hits the Step-over Heel Kick! RVD follows up with Rolling Thunder! 1…2…NO Roode kicks out! Storm is back in and he attacks RVD. Storm whips RVD into the ropes where Sabin blind tags! Storm goes for a backdrop but RVD kicks him in the head. RVD then ducks a clothesline from Roode and Sabin dives off the top with a Springboard Flying Clothesline on Roode! Storm comes out of nowhere and nails Sabin with the 8 Second Ride! Storm then charges at Shelley in the corner but Shelley side steps him and hits an Enziguri to the back of Storm’s head! Abyss then nails Shelley with a Big Boot as he turns around! Abyss then catches the Carbon Footprint from Morgan! Hardy comes in and hits the Twist of Hate on Morgan! RVD comes into the ring and eats a Spinebuster out of nowhere by Roode as he charged after Hardy! Roode tosses RVD out of the ring to the floor where Hardy picks him up but before he can do anything Shelley comes from out of nowhere with a Suicide Dive through the ropes onto Hardy! Shelley gets back up on the apron and nails a charging Roode with a BIG shoulder block through the ropes. Shelley then slingshots himself over Roode back into the ring. He then charges at Roode but Roode catches him a Fireman’s Carry Slam! Sabin then springboard off the top into a Tornado DDT! 1…2…3!
Winners & STILL Tag Champs: Motor City Machine Guns, Matt Morgan, & Hardy (Guns retain the belts)
After the match RVD chases Hardy up the ramp to the back.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Nice bounce back from last week’s really bad show, this week. Overall I thought the show was pretty solid, I did have a few complaints though. The best thing, to me, was they didn’t go too over the top silly with the Christmas stuff. Other than Jordan and Young the only thing “Christmas” about the show was the tensile around the ring.
The opening segment felt like “here we go again” but then Foley came out and cut a great promo that you know he really has serious thoughts about. He and Flair are always great together on the microphone and it made for a great segment.
The MMA stuff was short and painless this week. The best thing about this MMA gimmick is the hardcore MMA fans getting some bitchy and whiny about it. They HATE it (and that’s the response they want). Red at least got an excuse to getting owned this week (the Vaseline in the eyes). We’ll see where they go from here with his “baby brother” next week.
Sarita’s attack on Velvet was a good beat down, but I HATE it when wrestling companies have someone who wasn’t originally in the match come down and be in the match let alone win it (especially when it’s for a title). I know it’s been done a million times but that doesn’t make it good. It’s just annoying. Winter didn’t look great in the short time she was in the ring either.
The X-Division 4-Way was too short but fun while it lasted. Kaz vs. Lethal should be excellent, hopefully it’s not just thrown onto the PPV but they actually give them some mic time before. Nice old school X-Division feud there.
I was really frustrated when they said the Ironman Match was going to be 15-Minutes, that’s just too short. 30 minutes is as short as I’d like it but in the end we got 20 good minutes of those two just going at it. They started off with the chain wrestling which was great and built towards AJ using the mind games and heeling up and then into the big moves by both guys. This feud is really great and the PPV match should be nothing short of excellent. The added stipulation of “if AJ loses he’s out of Fortune” bothers me though. I know they’re just biding their time before they turn AJ face again, but I think turning Fortune face together would be much better. Then again, IF AJ loses they could just have Fortune leave Immortal with AJ and start that war.
The Main Event was excellent, really great 8-man tag match and everybody worked hard. I LOVE what they’re doing with Hardy and Van Dam. They teased and teased and teased those two going at it but they never did even touch each other. They will build and build if they keep doing that and lead into a big explosion which could be great.
– Promo/Segment of the Night: Opening segment
– Match of the Night: Williams vs. AJ (****)
– Overall Grade: B
Scheduled for Next Week:
– Knockouts Strap Match: Sarita vs. Velvet Sky
– MMA Challenge: Jeff Jarrett vs. Red’s brother
Genesis Lineup:
– TNA Title #1 Contenders Match: Mr. Anderson vs. Matt Morgan
– TNA X-Division Title: Jay Lethal (c) vs. Kazarian
– TNA Tag Team Titles: Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. Beer Money Inc.
– TNA Knockouts Title: Madison Rayne (c) vs. Mickie James
– Brother Ray vs. Brother Devon