TNA iMPACT! Report
June 25, 2009
Orlando, Fla.
by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com
-TNA Open.
-Stills from Slammiversary aired, with the voice-over man discussing each match. “Say it ain’t so, Joe.”
-Impact Open.
1- BRUTUS MAGNUS vs. BROTHER RAY- NEW YORK CITY STREET FIGHT
They still have Magnus’ video on the wall during his entrance talking about him as a modern-day gladiator. Ray attacked Brutus during the Brit’s entrance and once they made it into the ring, the bell rang to start things. Ray quickly threw him back over the top and to the outside. Into the crowd went Magnus via Ray, but Brutus raked the face of the ECW legend to turn things around. Double axe-handle off the stairs. Magnus was thrown into the wall with all the TNA ads. Ray began to look under the ring and brought out a table. He set it up in the ring, but then the other members of the Invasion, as well as Kiyoshi came out. Spinebuster by Rob Terry as Sheik Abdul Bashir slowly walked to the ring. Brother Devon came out with a chair and cleared the ring. 3D on Kiyoshi. Don West said the ref has called this a no-contest.
WINNER: No-contest, at about 3:00. Made sense for 3D to want their revenge on the Invasion for their role in the title change on Sunday.
-Lauren was backstage as Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe got out of a car together. All of he questions went unanswered as the guys just hugged and Kurt told Joe they had a big night ahead of them.
[Commercial Break]
-The Main Event Mafia came out, with Kurt Angle, the new World Champion, leading the way. Samoa Joe was not with them, nor was Sting. Angle introduced himself as the new TNA World Champion. He invited the newest member of the Mafia to come out, him being Samoa Joe. Joe came out wearing his pants and Nation of Violence leather jacket. He hugged Angle and Booker. Angle explained that things all started when Joe returned from the beating the Mafia gave him months ago. He said the MEM took notice when he started kicking ass upon his return, but his price tag was too steep for the Mafia. Apparently, that’s where Jenna came in, as her money was enough to convince Joe. When has Joe’s character ever been about the money? Angle said that for the past few weeks, they had Joe take out each member of the Mafia, with each member taking a bullet for the greater good. Angle said that those who don’t get it is a freakin’ moron. Sounds like the bookers realized the plan makes no sense, and decided to insult the fans who wouldn’t spoon up what they were feeding. That’s cool. I guess I’m a moron because it still doesn’t make much sense. What about Steiner’s feud with Joe where Joe allegedly disfigured his face (for a week)? How did that fit in or did Steiner and Joe just set it aside? Angle apologized to Sting for not letting him on the deal, then Mick Foley came out.
Foley got in Angle’s face and called him “the man with the plan.” He said he doesn’t owe Foley an explanation, but he might owe Sting one. Joe might owe AJ Styles one as well, but Foley said he only owes him one thing: a re-match. Foley said he’s cashing in the re-match clause, but he wants it just one-on-one. Angle begged Foley to cry for him again, just like he did on Sunday. Angle said Foley doesn’t have any power anymore because he’s the one with the power now. Kurt said his contract states that he can pick his opponent for Victory Road. Mick screamed back that he wants to know what it’s like to be champ as soon as possible. Foley reminded Angle about the time he pinned him in the King of the Mountain Match. Foley said this little crybaby will kick Angle’s ass at Victory Road. Angle retorted that it was a night of celebration, so he’s not going to get angry. Angle wanted to go to the back and work on an agreement as the night goes on. He said they had a lot to talk about tonight.
-Lauren tried to catch up with AJ Styles, who was just getting to the building. He came upon Kip James working on a set and James said he thinks he saw Joe with the MEM. Styles took off.
[Commercial Break]
-Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett’s ups-and-downs in TNA history were shown in a video package.
-Mike Tenay said they were waiting on a phone call from Jeff Jarrett. They also previewed a match of 1,000 tacks between Daffney and Taylor Wilde, plus Kevin Nash vs. Abyss. They also wondered what Sting’s frame of mind would be, and what would happen between AJ Styles and Samoa Joe when they crossed paths.
-Jarrett was on the phone, sounding like he was reading scripted lines. All he said was that his differences with Mick would be resolved once-and-for-all next week. How many times do they claim something is going to be resolved “once-and-for-all”?
-Sarita debuts in three weeks- a video of some of her high flying ring antics aired.
-Abyss and Kevin Nash both made their entrances for their first ever one-on-one match. It’s next.
[Commercial Break]
2- ABYSS vs. KEVIN NASH
Match was joined in progress out of break, with Nash pelting Abyss in the mid-section with knees. Abyss fought back, but was clotheslined down. Big splash in the corner from Abyss, but Nash got an elbow up on the second one. The battle spilled to the outside, where Nash retrieved a chair. Abyss avoided it and Abyss punched away then bounced Nash’s head off the steel guard-rail. Abyss brought the chair into the ring and set it up between the turnbuckles in the corner. Big boot by Nash before Abyss could utilize the chair. Nash got the chair and while the ref tried to get Nash to put it down, Dr. Stevie came into the ring and tased Abyss to the mat. Straps down for Big Sexy, then he made the easy pin.
WINNER: Nash, at 4:03 shown. Fine for what it was.
Lauren came down to check on Abyss.
-Beer Money Inc. appeared to be in the bowels of the arena. They’re coming out as new tag champions next.
[Commercial Break]
-Beer Money, Inc. was already in the ring, and Robert Roode declared he and Storm the best tag team in the world. He said he needed to give credit where credit is due, and said Team 3D are legends in pro wrestling. Roode accused Brother Ray of taking his eye off the ball at Slammiversary, and Beer Money capitalized. Roode said they were out to grant 3D their re-match, anytime, anywhere, anyplace (those last two mean the same thing….sorry, the English major in me coming out). The Main Event Mafia’s Booker and Steiner interrupted.
Booker decided to give 3D a history lesson, mentioning the Steiner Brothers and Harlem Heat as two of the greatest tag teams of all-time. Steiner said Angle is calling all the shots and that means Mafia rules. Apparently, a deal has been sealed, but Steiner didn’t say about what. Booker clarified, saying Foley made the match at Victory Road wherein Foley gets a heavyweight title shot in exchange for Nash getting a match for the Legend’s Title and Booker and Steiner facing Beer Money for the tag titles. Storm conceded that Booker & Steiner were both part of great tag teams, but in TNA, they’re nothing. “Tell me you didn’t just say that,” replied Booker. Book told them they were in trouble. Apparently, they’re in separate singles matches tonight against Scotty and Booker. Booker stared down Storm, but Team 3D walked out.
Team 3D made fun of Booker and Steiner’s interview styles. He said they’re frustrated too and Team 3D already had their re-match at Victory Road set. Steiner called them fat asses and said their match is etched in stone. Bubba again made fun of how Steiner talks, then Scotty told Brother Ray “show your abs, fat ass.” Brother Ray said they’d go to Mick and make him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
-Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne were in their thrones backstage talking. We’ll hear from them after break but also, the Knockouts match of 10,000 tacks as well.
[Commercial Break]
-A video on the history of the match of 10,000 tacks aired.
3- DAFFNEY vs. TAYLOR WILDE- KNOCKOUTS MATCH OF 10,000 TACKS
Daffney attacked before the bell and started slapping Wilde in the chest. Daffney went for the tacks as West said Daffney reminded him of his first wife. Taylor cut her off and tried to go after the tacks herself. Daffney slammed her to the mat and pounded away at Taylor’s face. Daffney was able to retrieve the bag of tacks on the pole, but Taylor kicked her in the gut on the way down. She tried to open the tacks, but Daffney raked her eyes. Tenay said Dr. Stevie and Abyss were banned from ringside for this match. Daffney spread the tacks in the ring and grabbed Taylor by the hair. Taylor fought out of a suplex attempt and then so did Daffney. Taylor was close to falling into the tacks, but she ended up slamming Daffney into them.
WINNER: Wilde, at 2:48. Why waste a tack stipulation in such a short match?
-Lauren interviewed Velvet Skye and Madison Rayne. Velvet made some comment about Tara standing for tarantula and a few seconds later, Madison screamed because there was a giant spider on her shoulder.
[Commercial Break]
-Team 3D was in Mick Foley’s office questioning why they aren’t getting the re-match. Foley said they don’t care about his pain and he doesn’t care about their title loss like they don’t care about his. Foley questioned whether Team 3D was even the best team of all-time. Foley made a match for last week where Team 3D takes on Steiner & Booker with the winner taking on Beer Money at Victory Road. Brother Ray, with a baseball bat covered in barbed wire, told Foley that he stole his flannel and told Foley to tweak it some more. Foley got on his hands and knees and begged 3D to taek the match for next week. Ray said Mick probably needs medication and Devon said they’d take the match, but warned Foley not to play mind games with them.
4- SCOTT STEINER vs. ROBERT ROODE
Steiner slugged away on Roode in the corner to start. Neck snap by Roode with Steiner seated on the mat. Steiner suckered Roode in and tossed him out of the ring. Roode’s face met the steel of the barrier and ring steps. Belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Steiner for a two-count. Clothesline and elbow-drop, then the push-ups for Steiner. More choking of Roode. Roode got caught in a bear-hug, but Robert clapped out of it. Successive clotheslines, then a flying forearm from Roode. To the second rope, Blockbuster by Roode for two. Steiner blocked a fisherman suplex with a face-buster for a near-fall. He went for a Steiner Recliner, but Roode fought it. Steiner with a backslide, and he registered the pinfall.
WINNER: Steiner, at 5:25. Your usual Steiner match, but I liked the ending.
-They immediately cut away to Jeremy Borash backstage with Kurt Angle. I mean, they didn’t even let the previous match sink in at all. JB wanted to know about Foley tweaking the tag deal Angle and Foley agreed to. Angle said he’d take care of Foley next week. He reminded JB that he was the godfather and Borash said he got text from Sting. The man is on his way to the arena and he wanted some answers from Angle. Angle said he answers to no one.
[Commercial Break]
-Borash was with Foley for his reaction about Jarrett’s phone call from earlier. Foley didn’t understand the meaning of “burying the hatchet.” Foley said he’s open for reconciliation since nothing that has been done is irreparable. Foley wanted Sal and Rocco to get new clothes since they’re not in the Mafia anymore. JB said Angle didn’t like Foley’s tweak of the tag match. Foley said they’ll deal with it at Victory Road. Foley went off throwing stuff off his desk and yelling about him losing something he loved and Angle can’t let him be for one week. He said he’d deal with it next week.
-A video package on Eric Young aired.
-Lauren was backstage with EY and she said his closest friends say they don’t even know him anymore. Young implied they weren’t real friends and said they always call on him for entertainment, but he’s done with it. He said there are no friends in the business, only acquaintances. Young said he doesn’t care about them. Rhyno then walked up and he had issues with Young about walking out on him at Slammiversary. They talked about getting things taken care of with Mick, but Young said they can start now. He headbutted Rhyno then walked away. Jesse Neal tried to help him, but Rhyno pushed him aside.
[Commercial Break]
-Backstage, Lauren was with Booker and his accent-of-the-week. Booker said the Dudleys never beat him or Steiner so they’re nobody. He said he’d show Storm what it’s like to be a veteran tonight. Sharmell walked up and said she just came from Foley’s office and she said it’s her vs. Jenna at Victory Road. Didn’t Sting fire them both from the Mafia?
5- BOOKER T. vs. JAMES STORM
West noted this was the first one-on-one match between these two. Booker missed a side kick and Storm fought back. Storm got elbowed down by Booker after he almost ran past the elbow that Booker stuck out. Storm skinned the cat and he worked over Booker, but Book hung him out to dry stomach-first over the top rope. Booker took down Storm for a two-count. Axe kick missed and Storm punched away at the skull of Booker. Neck-breaker got him a two-count. Suplex by one-half of the TNA tag champs. Storm mounted the corner and punched to ten on Booker. Sharmell grabbed the beer bottle Storm brought to the ring, gave it too Booker, and Booker smashed Storm over the head with it. Looks like Earl Hebner may have caught some of the shattered bottle in the face.
WINNER: Storm, by DQ, at 4:04.
-Sting was walking backstage. We’ll find out his reaction about what went down on Sunday next.
[Commercial Break]
-AJ Styles was in the ring as the show returned. He had a mic and looked like he had a lot on his mind. Styles said he doesn’t even know Samoa Joe anymore, then called him out to face him “like a man.” Joe came out, towel over his shoulders. Styles couldn’t believe Joe did it for the money and reminded him of their plans for King of the Mountain. Fans chanted “you sold out.” AJ accused Joe of not wanting to win, and said he at lest didn’t want him to win. Styles said he screwed the company and the fans. Ultimately, Styles said, Joe screwed himself by giving Angle the World Title. He said he should take Joe’s head off right now. Styles said he won’t, then said he wanted to know who has been in Joe’s ear, making him think everything he did is worth it. Joe said Styles can ask him himself at Victory Road. Joe went to leave and Styles said he wasn’t done. Joe said he was. The two then exchanged right hands in the ring. They were brawling in the corner when Matt Morgan came out and took out AJ. The two wailed on Styles until Daniels ran out to defend Styles. He held his own quite well, until the Mafia ran to the ring to make the save. They continued the beat-down on Styles and Daniels. Sting then walked to the ring as Angle scurried around, looking a tad afraid. Sting took a mic and will no doubt verbally unload on Angle next.
[Commercial Break]
-Sting said he expected this from Angle, but not from the other three. Morgan was also still in the ring with Mafia. Sting said Joe was the reason they started the Mafia to begin with. Sting asked Angle what else he didn’t that he doesn’t know about, and said Angle probably brought Morgan in too. Angle said he had nothing to do with Morgan coming around. Sting said Angle is beyond pathetic. Angle insisted Morgan say he had nothing to do with it. Morgan said Angle had everything to do with it. Sting asked Nash where he stands in all this. He said he expected more from Nash. Really? With his track record? Sting said he wasn’t surprised about Booker or Steiner, especially Steiner, “a brainless jock-head who plays follow-the-leader” with anyone. Sting reminded Nash of the Wolfpac and Nash got the mic. Big Kev said that when Angle didn’t want Sting in the Mafia, Nash stood up for him. When Sting stood for respect and dignity, Nash said he believed in that. He said he stood up for Sting when everyone wanted to cut him off at the knees. But when Kurt said maybe Morgan should take Sting out, Nash admitted it was a pretty damn good idea.
Sting asked why. Kev yelled and said Sting’s plan wasn’t working, but Angle’s did. Nash said the honor and dignity thing was bullshit. Nash said the whole thing is about money and they bought Joe because they couldn’t beat him. Nash said you’ve got to make money or friends in this business, but you can’t make both. He said Sting’s way was a fairy tale that you tell kids when you tuck them in at night. Sting brought Nash’s kid up, his son Tristan. Sting said Nash wanted him to learn by Nash’s example and Sting said he wasn’t buying all this. Sting said he’s not talking about Oz, Big D, or Big Sexy, he’s talking about Kevin Nash. Sting told Nash to prove him wrong, take the bat, solidify his place in the Mafia and take him out. He gave Nash the bat and turned around, giving Nash a chance to hit him. But he pulled his own bat out from his pants. As Nash went to hit him, Sting took his bat and cleared the ring except for Joe. Joe had Nash’s bat and used it on Sting. Once Sting was down, the Mafia ran in and was all over Sting. Morgan held Sting so the other members could get their licks in. I guess this means Sting will rejoin them in a few weeks.
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