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TNA Impact on Spike TV
Sept. 25, 2008
Taped in Orlando, Florida
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-TNA Open.

-A video package aired on last week’s main event angle.

-Impact Open.

-Mike Tenay and Don West opened the show, previewing Bashir vs. Joe, an interview with Sting, LAX vs. Beer Money Inc. and AJ Styles vs. Booker T.

-Jeff Jarrett came out, guitar in hand. Jarrett said it gave him a lot of pride to announce the signing of the greatest acquisition in the history of TNA. He then said he’d be on the Impact Zone next week. He announced Mick Foley, then showed a video of Foley saying “Bang bang!” and posing. Before Double J could continue, Kurt Angle’s music interrupted him, and Angle came out.

Angle took issue with Jarrett’s assertion that Foley is the greatest TNA acquisition to date. Angle decided to fill Jarrett in on what has happened the past two years, saying he carried the company on his back in that time. He said he turned the outhouse that was TNA into a penthouse. He called Foley and Jarrett “yesterday’s news.” Jarrett publicly apologized to Angle for what he said to him last week. JJ said things around TNA haven’t been going according to plan. He talked about AJ Styles, and how for two weeks in a row, Styles left the building with Kurt’s medals. Jarrett said he got them back from AJ and will give them to Angle. Jarrett brought up Angle serving out country proud and being a true American hero back in 1996. The crowd is even more Pavlovian than usual tonight. Angle thanked Jarrett for handing him back his medals, then told him to get out of his ring. Then he told Jarrett not to go because he wasn’t done talking to him. That was odd. Angle told Jarrett not to walk away like he’s scared. Angle said Jeff was just like his old man, a washed-up failure. Angle told Jarrett to tell his daughters that daddy is a quitter. Someone has been paying attention to the HBK-Jericho feud.

Jarrett returned to the ring and said his whole life, he’s been a fighter and a warrior. He told Kurt the trials he’s been through in his life, he wouldn’t wish on even Kurt. But he said he never has, or never will, quit. Jarrett granted Angle’s wish of goading him back into a match. Jarrett then said Kurt would get him at Bound For Glory.

[Commercial Break]

-Tenay and West were on camera. They plugged Bound For Glory as well as the matches. They also plugged Mick Foley in the Impact Zone next week.

1- ROCK ‘N RAVE INFECTION vs. MATT MORGAN & ABYSS

Jimmy Rave’s chops did nothing to Abyss, so Lance Rock tagged in. Morgan tagged in and hit a cross-body off the top on Rock. They double-teamed Rave, then Morgan threw him out of the ring. A distraction by Christy Hemme allowed Rock to take over offensively. Abyss came in and hit his finishers on both of the Rock ‘N Ravers. Morgan tagged in and hit the Hellavator on Rave. He then registered the pinfall.

WINNERS: Morgan & Abyss, at 2:59.

Team 3D came out, and Devon called Abyss & Morgan’s win at the last PPV a fluke. Devon said they were the baddest team walking the planet. Devon ran down the team’s accomplishments and all the titles they’ve won. Brother Ray took the mic and plugged their tag-team invitational match at BFG. He then said it would be a Monster’s Ball match, and Abyss started freaking out.

-TNA Rough Cut aired about the TNA Knockouts. They focused on Roxxi’s big gash that she got in a match. Comments aired from Wagner Brown, Roxxi’s trainer, as well as Terry Taylor and Traci Brooks.

-Still to come, AJ Styles takes on Booker T. Next, it’s Awesome Kong in action.

[Commercial Break]

-Lauren was backstage with Beer Money and Jacqueline. If they lose the six-man against LAX and Hector Guerrero, then Jacqueline is gone. If LAX loses, Hector is gone. James Storm talked about Jacqueline starting in Memphis with Jeff Jarrett. Storm said they could’ve gotten themselves a pretty face, but they got the baddest woman around. He said LAX is yesterday’s news. Storm asked Jacqueline to grab his beer hat, and she walked away. Roode told Storm that anything can happen tonight and if they lose, she’s gone for good, so she’s not in the greatest mood. Good job putting over Jacqueline’s toughness.

-A short Cross the Line: TNA Knockouts video aired.

2- AWESOME KONG vs. MERCEDES STEELE

Raeesha Saeed was nowhere to be found. Kong pushed Steele off her on a couple lock-up tries. Steele got some kicks and punches in, to no avail. Kong then just ran into Steele. She threw Mercedes out of the ring as Saeed finally came out, bringing a few chairs with her. Kong splashed Steele in the corner, then hit the Awesome Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Kong, at 1:55.

Saeed got in the ring and told Kong to use the chairs on Steele. As Kong was about to powerbomb Steele onto a chair, Saeed hit her from behind with another chair, then hit her in the head. I thought didn’t think that looked like Saeed. It turned out to be Roxxi, who went nuts beating the crap out of Kong. Security had to come in to stop her. Saeed came out to the top of the ramp, all tied up. Good thing Saeed always brings two outfits with her.

[Commercial Break]

-West plugged the on-sale dates for upcoming TNA shows.

-Karen’s Angle aired, with special guest Christian Cage. She talked about the locker room being divided between the veterans and young guys. Christian said he thinks he falls somewhere in-between. Cage said that until some of the veterans came, there was no cable TV deal. He wondered if it was a respect thing or a money thing. He said he’s been on the side of the younger guys before, seeing veterans hold onto their spots for another paycheck. He said, though, that’s why you perform as hard as you can. You don’t just get respect; you have to earn it. Karen talked about the outburst at AJ last week, but Christian said it was taken a bit out of context but they talked afterward and everything is fine. Karen asked which side he was on, but Christian dodged the answer and claimed “whoever has the better package.” Might want to re-phrase that. Christian said maybe it’s more about who’s on his side. He said he’d keep a close eye on everything. Then the phone rang; Christian’s; it was his agent and he had to take it, thus ending the segment.

-Tenay talked about Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory, and that Mick Foley will be in the Impact Zone next week.

-Back to Lauren, with Hector Guerrero and LAX. She asked Hector about having to leave LAX if they lose. Hector said that yeah, Jackie does have decades in the business, but it ain’t happening for her tonight. He called LAX his familia and called them warriors. He said blood is thicker than water. He needs to come back as Lazertron- he’d fit right in with the Prince Justice League.

[Commercial Break]

-Jeremy Borash was backstage with Booker and Sharmell. Booker talked about one thing never changing where he came from (Africa, duh)- King is always the King, and the Queen is always the Queen. He said he did more in his first six minutes in TNA than AJ did in his first six years. Booker even made fun of Styles being from a small town. That’s reaching. Booker told him to keep his friends close and enemies closer. JB asked what was in the briefcase, but Sharmell slapped his hand away. Booker dismissed him.

3- LAX & HECTOR GUERRERO vs. BEER MONEY, INC. & JACQUELINE- SIX-PERSON TAG MATCH, LOSERS LOSE THEIR MANAGER

Homicide and Storm went at it first, with Homicide hitting a belly-to-belly suplex. Beer Money attempted a double-team, but it didn’t work. Hector tagged in, and tagged Roode with some right-hands, then dropkicked Storm. Hector hit Three Amigos, as Tenay said, channeling Eddy. Jacqueline got herself involved, then Hector chased her up the ramp as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Upon return, Storm was in there with Homicide. They showed highlights of how Beer Money got on offense during the break. DDT from the top rope by Homicide. He was able to tag Hernandez, who hit his springboard shoulder-block. He took out both Roode and Storm, but Storm broke up a pin on Roode. Backstabber (as called by West) got a two-count on Hernandez. Homicide hit a splash off the top, and Hernadez went for the pin, getting a two-count. Beer Money ended up clotheslining each other on the outside while trying to get Homicide. Hernandez was going to Border Toss Homicide onto Beer Money, but Jacqueline interfered. Hector came back out too and Beer Money was able to do some damage due to the chaos. Hernandez flew over the top rope and onto Beer Money on the outside. Gringo Cutter by Homicide on Roode. He ended up chasing Jacqueline back up the ramp though, and Roode used the beer helmet onto Hernandez to get the pin.

WINNERS: Beer Money & Jacqueline, at 9:44. Good match- why would you want to break LAX up? Unless they really see money in Hernandez, I guess.

-Sting was walking backstage, headed to the Impact Zone for his promo.

[Commercial Break]

-The Love-In aired, with Val and Dutt. For some reason, Lauren was in bed with them trying to get an interview. Val faked tears over Jay Lethal and said she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. Sonjay Dutt and Val have apparently been in bed for ten straight days. Val acted like a money-hungry diva, pestering Dutt about his father’s money and wondering if Dutt got it after he died. They sang “Give us a chance,” then made out some more.

-Sting entered the Impact Zone for a promo. He said out of respect for Jeff and his father, he listened to everything he had to say last week. He said Jeff may have “swerved” people in the back, but not him. Sting said Jeff asked him to come out of retirement and wrestle with TNA. Sting said around that time, he got a call from Vince McMahon. He said it didn’t take him long to choose which company to work for: TNA. Sting said Vince reminded him that he’s giving up the chance to make millions, so he’s not all about money. He said he loves the brand “TNA.” Not much fan response. Sting said he liked what he saw from the younger guys until he got to know them personally. Sting wondered if Jeff didn’t need him anymore. He said he’s got bigger things to worry about, like Samoa Joe and Bound For Glory. Sting showed a picture of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard on the big screen, courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He said they taught him about respect. Dusty Rhodes’ picture was next. He said Dusty taught him to involve wrestling fans in his matches. Hulk Hogan was the next picture. Sting said Hogan transcended wrestling. He said because of the Hulkster, wrestling became mainstream. The next picture was Ric Flair. Sting said it was 20 years ago this year that Flair put him on the map. He said Flair taught him to be World Champion. Next picture was Samoa Joe. He said that was somebody who doesn’t know how to be a World Champion and needs to learn respect. A picture of a bloodied Sting was next. He said that was the person that would get the job done. Lot of yelling from Sting in that promo and surprise, more history lessons. But at least he only stumbled once and I liked the end of the promo.

[Commercial Break]

-Matt Morgan was promising Abyss major money down in what looked like the basement. Morgan told Abyss that the only way to face his fears is a Monster’s Ball match. Morgan told Abyss about how he faced his fears. Abyss asked Morgan if he thought he’d be OK. Morgan said they’d be just fine.

-Tenay and West discussed the Bound For Glory card.

-A video package aired on the X-Division cage match from Sacrifice.

-Back in the locker room, JB asked Samoa Joe how come he didn’t interrupt Sting’s promo. Joe said he’s never been better, then apologized to Kevin Nash. He said the lion is calm, cool and collected before making his kill, so the prey doesn’t see it coming. Joe addressed Sting, saying their match has nothing to do with respect; it has to do with fear of being obsolete, and the fear of Joe taking Sting’s spot. Joe said he’d do his talking in the ring. Lethal (without the Savage impersonation) and Consequences Creed walked up to him and thanked him for standing up for them.

[Commercial Break]

-A promo for Suicide aired. Is it really wise to have a wrestler with that name?

4- SHEIK ABDUL BASHIR vs. SAMOA JOE

Neither title is on the line here. Bashir got some right-hands in, but couldn’t sustain the offensive. Joe missed a running knee in the corner, and Bashir then took his leg out. He worked on the knee on the mat. Joe fought out, missed a knee-drop, and Bashir went back to work on the injured body part. Bashir went for a cross-body, but Joe just walked away in avoiding it, which looked odd. Bashir came back with a leg-whip and half-crab. Joe fought away and hit the Muscle-buster for three.

WINNER: Joe, at 4:28. Not the squash I thought it’d be, so good on TNA for that.

Joe got the mic, and said, “Sting, I’ve got your respect right here” and put the rear-naked choke on Bashir. All the referees tried to come out and break it up, and Rudy Charles reversed his decision.

WINNER: Bashir, by reverse decision.

-A video package for AJ Styles aired.

-Jeremy Borash was backstage with Styles. Styles answered Booker T’s promo from earlier and said he’s proud to be from a small town. He said Booker is trying to drive a wedge between him and Christian, just like Angle. He then said he’d see Booker in the ring. Another promo full of yelling.

[Commercial Break]

5- BOOKER T vs. AJ STYLES

Before the match started, Christian came out. “What’s this, Christian Cage’s music? But he’s not scheduled to be in this Impact main event,” said Mike Tenay. Wow. Because I’m sure this has never happened before. Why do these people care whose side he’s on?

Tentative start by Booker and Styles, but Booker quickly gained control with a side-kick that showed a ton of light. Jumping clothesline by Styles in the corner. Enziguiri by Styles for two. The show took a commercial break.

[Commercial Break]

Another kick by Booker put AJ down out of break. He had the advantage for the next few minutes. Tenay plugged that they’d hear from Mick Foley in the Impact Zone next week. Booker grounded AJ with some head-locks while Christian looked on intently. AJ didn’t let his arm hit the mat on three and took over on offense, including hitting a flying forearm from the top rope. Pele kick got two. The two wrestlers ran into each other in the corner, and Styles backed into referee Earl Hebner, knocking all three of them down. Sharmell came into the ring with the briefcase, but Christian took it from her before she could hit AJ. AJ woke up to see Christian holding the briefcase, thinking he was going to use it. Booker tossed Christian and used the briefcase on AJ for the pin.

WINNER: Booker T, at 10:45. Fine match.

Styles jawed at Christian from the ring and Christian got on the apron to talk to him. The two were quite animated in their discussion.

-A video package ended the show by previewing Mick Foley’s appearance next week as well as the main event for BFG.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since February of 2007. You can also hear him every-other-week in the post-Raw audio show Monday nights in the Torch VIP audio section. Check out his new column in a PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback is welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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