By: Daniel Wilkenfeld, PWTorch Contributor

Where We've Been: Foley's been fairly funny as a crazy tweener champion. So far, Angle has stepped up as one of his next challengers, Sting has reemerged, and Bobby Lashley has walked around ominously. Supposedly Mick's opponents will be picked entirely based on who is willing to sacrifice the most. If I were Shark Boy, now is totally the moment I'd put my career on the line. Then again, I guess Shark Boy's had a fairly cushy gig for a while now, so it might be best not to rock the boat too much. Tonight we have scheduled the Main Event Mafia vs. Mick Foley, AJ Styles, Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe, & Christopher Daniels. That's actually a somewhat cool main event, considering that somehow everyone hates everyone—except for AJ and Daniels. They're cool.

The Show: The Mafia Re-loaded


[Opening Credits]

I don't know why they felt the need to hyphenate "Re-loaded" either". Here are the MEM to explain TNA's grammatical decisions. Sting brings up the rear. Jenna Morasca, Sal, Rocko, and Sharmell are also there. Apparently the MEM are trying to challenge the nWo for the world's biggest faction championship. Angle reminds everyone that last week, with the assistance of Sting, Kurt did everything he said he was going to do. He walked into Mick's office and kicked his ass. The only reason he didn't take Mick's job as executive shareholder was that he wanted to leave Mick some dignity. Also he couldn't afford the necessary equity in Panda Energy. Kurt informs Foley that he will be in the main event of Sacrifice, with his leadership position in the mafia on the line. As for tonight's main event, Kurt has two questions. Why would Mick put a match of that caliber on free TV, and why didn't he tell the MEM about it in advance? Mick might make the matches, but the MEM run the show. He demands Mick get his fat ass out there right now to tell them what's going on. Mick comes out with Christopher Daniels. Maybe Daniels and AJ aren't inseparable after all. Mick confirms the 10-man tag match for later tonight, and says that he's put it together so that he can have a show of power. He'd thought that he could stay above any consequences from the MEM, but last week he was proved wrong. Sting returned a lot sooner than Mick expected—he's a tougher champion than Mick gave him credit for. But what Angle and Sting did last week was nothing like what Mick did two weeks ago, saving a friend while sporting 25 stitches. Kurt's sick of hearing about the stitches—he won a gold medal with a broken freak'n neck! Mick says that he brought out Daniels because he realizes that while he might have launched TNA into the stratosphere, people like Daniels built his launching pad. After Sacrifice, when Mick pins Kurt, he'll become the new leader of the MEM. Jeff Jarrett comes down with AJ Styles in tow. He says the next decision Mick makes will be over his dead body. Foley tries to assure him that everything he's done so far has been business, not personal. Jarrett tells him to shove it. Kurt is amused.

Samoa Joe is dropped off by a mysterious driver, who speeds off. It'll be awesome if it's Rikishi.

[Commercial Break]

We recap The Motor City Machine Guns trying to pull Suicide-Daniels out of the closet.

(1) CONSEQUENCES CREED (w/JAY LETHAL) vs. SUICIDE

This match is non-title. Suicide has apparently given up the zip line, as he just appears behind Creed and Daniels in the ring. The crowd doesn't seem pleased. Suicide gets a single leg takedown—Creed tries to pull him down, but eats a Leg Drop for his trouble. Suicide whacks him with some clotheslines in the corner, then brings him down with the STO. West notes that that's a fairly familiar move. There's a weird spot where Suicide comes off the middle rope with a right hand, but somehow Creed gets the cover. I must have missed something. Creed hits a Neck Breaker for two, then his series of right hands. He dropkicks Suicide's shin, then drops an elbow on his back. Suicide comes back with a twisting Side Russian Leg Sweep. Suicide tries to maintain the advantage, but Creed ducks his punches and responds with some of his own. Suicide explodes with a dropkick, then drives Creed's head into the corner turnbuckle. An Oklahoma Roll gets two. Suicide looks for the Suicide Solution, but Creed escapes and hits some kicks to the side of Suicide's head. He drives Suicide into the corner, but Suicide comes back with a modified Code Breaker for the kill.

WINNER: Suicide in four minutes. Somehow they managed to make that match feel longer, based on the amount of action packed in. *1/4

Mick tells us to cross the line, and possibly to sacrifice. The moral isn't all that clear.

Matt Morgan and JB are in Mick Foley's office. Morgan refers to Mick as ES, for "executive shareholder", which Mick digs. Morgan just wants one chance to impress the mafia. Mick says that nothing would impress them more than taking on their own security. Morgan says he's happy to take on either of them. After he leaves, JB asks why Mick would want to help Morgan get in with the MEM. Mick agrees that he might need to do some tweaking.

[Commercial Break]

Lauren is backstage with Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, who are watching some footage unhappily. Sky is flipping out, since Madison Rayne was squished by Awesome Kong last week. Love tells her to chill, since she beat Kong for the championship. Sky points out that Love only really beat Taylor Wilde. Love says they just have to stay out of Kong's way. Velvet Sky bursts into tears.

Mike Tenay had a sit down interview with all 47 members of the MEM. It's a somewhat amusing visual. Kurt says they'd like to hold every title at the same time. Tenay asks about the seeming differences between Jenna and Sharmell. Sting points out that they have plenty of strong wills in the group, but that they're all willing to work for the same goal. Nash points out that last week Jenna and Sharmell were able to work together long enough to give Booker & Nash the win. Tenay wants to know if the title is worth what Kurt is putting up at Sacrifice. Angle responds that after what Mick did to Sting at Sacrifice, he has to respond. Tenay asks about Steiner and Jarrett, and, sure enough, Steiner's still looking for revenge.

Lauren is backstage with Taylor Wilde, who's in a great mood because of her secret admirer. I seriously hope it's Awesome Kong. That would be awesome. Also Kong. He wants to meet her Tuesday night, and bring Lauren along as her "best friend." I wonder when that happened.

[Commercial Break]

JB is in the locker room with Jeff Jarrett, and he wants to know what Jeff plans to do about Mick Foley. Jarrett refuses to answer. JB also wants to know when Jarrett lost his office, but Jeff doesn't want to answer that either.

(2) SECURITY (SAL & ROCCO) vs. MATT MORGAN

Morgan comes out with a blanket around his shoulders. Okay. Unless it was for legal reasons, they never should have gotten rid of his faux Saliva entrance music. He tosses Sal around the ring to start. Rocco tags in. They jockey for position till Morgan takes control with a back elbow. He tosses Rocco too, then Choke Slams him down to the mat. He tries to finish Rocco off with a Power Bomb, but Sal comes in to break things up. Sal tries to hold Morgan down while Rocco hits a Splash off the top rope, but Morgan kicks off Sal and yanks Rocco back down to the mat. He tosses them around a bit before taking Sal out with a Carbon Footprint for three.

WINNER: Matt Morgan in three minutes. This was a decent showcase for Morgan. I think I approve of using Security, rather than X Division wrestlers, as jobbers.

JB is in Foley's locker room, where Mick is examining his reflection in the title belt. He announces that he wants to tweak the main event. Since Jarrett's guitar has caused so much trouble, Mick's banning it from ringside. He also wants JB to tell everyone that he's turning off the monitors, shutting himself in, and doesn't want to be disturbed.

[Commercial Break]

Lauren is in the back with Eric Young & Jethro Holliday. She commends Eric Young on taking advantage of the opportunity he was granted last week. Young thinks a bit generous to call it an "opportunity"—they gave him scraps, and he did what he always does and made the most of them. Lauren think he's taking things a bit personally. I could get behind an Eric Young heel turn—it's better than nothing. He changes gears, pointing out that he has PPV wins over both Storm and Roode, so that no one knows their weaknesses better than he does. She asks for a comment from Holliday, but he just blows his nose at her.

Team 3D come out to the commentary booth for the first semi-final matchup of their invitational tournament.

(3) YOUNG & HOLLIDAY vs. BEER MONEY INC.

Young and Roode jockey to start. EY hits a couple of quick roll ups for two apiece. Storm kicks Young from the apron, which enables Roode to land a Spine Buster for two. On commentary Tenay and Brother Ray talk about JR speculating on the unlikelihood of tag team wrestling making a comeback. Beer Money nail their Suplex for two. EY gets flipped over the ring post, but lands on the apron. He shoulders Roode on his way into the ring and follows up with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Both teams tag, and Holliday is a house of fire. The numbers game catches up to him, and Storm nails a Back Stabber for two. EY blind tags himself in, and nails a double dropkick off the top rope. He hits a Leg Drop off the top rope on Storm, but the ref is too busy trying to get Holliday out of the ring to make the count. EY tries to help the ref out, but almost eats a roundhouse from Holliday himself. As they sort themselves out Storm nails a Last Call Superkick on EY, and they finish him off with a DWI.

WINNER: Beer Money Inc. in five minutes. This was okay.

Lauren is in the back with Raesha Saeed and Awesome Kong. Saeed says that tonight we'll see part two of the Wrath of Kong. Lauren reaches for the mic, but Saeed hands it to Kong, who says simply "Dumb blonde…dead blonde." It makes sense to have her talk a bit if she's turning face.

[Commercial Break]

We recap Awesome Kong killing Madison Rayne last week.

(4) AWESOME KONG (w/RAESHA SAEED) vs. VELVET SKY (w/ANGELINA LOVE)
Stretcher Match

Earl Hebner sends Saeed and Angelina Love to the back. Kong then slowly nails a Spinning Back Fist and a couple of Implant Busters. They put the stretcher in the ring, but the crowd convinces Kong to hit one more Implant Buster. She rolls Sky onto the stretcher, but gets bored and picks her up for a fourth and a fifth Implant Buster. The crowd is chanting for Awesome Kong. She puts Sky onto the stretcher, but then remembers that she has another finisher. She nails an Awesome Bomb and puts Sky back on the stretcher again. Hebner quickly counts to ten before Kong can change her mind.

WINNER: Kong in 4 minutes. This achieved its purpose of getting the crowd into a pro-Kong blood-lust.

[Commercial Break]

Abyss is on the couch with Dr. Stevie, where he (Abyss) wants to talk about The Office. Dr. Stevie says he has a surprise for Abyss. He brings in Daffney. Abyss doesn't seem happy, but Stevie wants him to transfer his aggression to her. At Sacrifice we'll have the first ever Knockouts' Monsters' Ball, and Dr. Stevie wants Abyss in Daffney's corner. Abyss reluctantly agrees. Are they really doing a Monsters' Ball without Roxxi? That's eight kinds of lame.

Lethal Consequences have requested some time in the ring. Creed asks Christopher Daniels to join them. Creed goes out of his way to point out their respect for Daniels, but Lethal just wants to confront him about being Suicide. Lethal calls Daniels "kabuki". I don't get it, but the crowd seems to. Creed just wants to hear Daniels admit that he's Suicide. Daniels does not seem happy to be bothered by this crap. Daniels suggests that if Creed focused more on how to beat Suicide and less on who he is, maybe Creed wouldn't have gotten his ass kicked earlier tonight. He instructs them never to call him out again. Lethal reminds them of some of the history of masked wrestlers. Daniels says that he doesn't have time for jokes, and right now Lethal is the biggest joke in TNA. Whoa. Lethal says that Daniels is the jerk, and slaps him in the face. Creed keeps Daniels and Lethal apart for a second, which is enough time for The Motor City Machine Guns to hit the entranceway. Shelley has to yell at the crowd to keep them from cheering him. He gives props to videogames, but says that what the Guns do is beat them. So for Daniels, it's game over. Next week, they're going to damask him, and give the people "tickets to the gun show".

JB once again tries to approach Jarrett again about all the wacky decisions Mick has made. Jeff doesn't know what he's supposed to do. Sting pops in with a recommendation. He didn't complain when Mick made up rules for their main event and robbed him of his rematch, but if he pins Foley tonight he wants his shot at Sacrifice. Jarrett reminds Sting that he'll still have to put something on the line. Why would he have to earn his spot if he's willing to do that? Sting says that he's prepared to make "the ultimate sacrifice".

[Commercial Break]

Lauren is in the back with Angelina Love, who's snapped under the pressure. She gets a cell phone call from some guy, who she says has to be there next week to protect her.

We recap the history of the MEM and Mick Foley.

(5) THE MAIN EVENT MAFIA (w/SHARMELL & JENNA MORASCA) vs. AJ STYLES, SAMOA JOE, MICK FOLEY, JEFF JARRETT, & CHRISTOPHER DANIELS

Foley's music hits before Jarrett finishes his entrance, and he comes to the ring with a barbed-wire wrapped bat.

[Commercial Break]

Steiner is beating down Samoa Joe, but Joe takes him over with a Suplex. Don West points out that this is the first time we've seen all five members of the Mafia in the same match. Daniels tags in; Steiner clubs his back, chops him down, then tags in Kurt. Angle and Daniels trade quick covers, but Angle connects with a pair of European Uppercuts. Daniels gets a quick Irish Whip and Leg Lariat, then tags in AJ. AJ drives Kurt's head into Daniels's legs for two. Kurt rakes AJ's eyes and is able to make the tag to Booker T. Styles takes him down with a Body Slam and a Knee Drop. Nash pops AJ from the apron, which allows Booker to gain control.

[Commercial Break]

Nash is teeing off on AJ when we get back. Sting tags in and works some quick strikes. AJ goes for a surprise dropkick, but Sting stays on his feet and tags in Angle. A knee to AJ's chest gets two. Kurt tags in Booker, who hits a Leg Lariat for two, then hits a Spinarooni. Steiner tags in—he teases AJ with the possibility of a tag, but then puts him down with a Suplex. Joe breaks up the cover at two. Kurt tags in, but eats a Pele. Foley and Sting tag in. Foley hits a Neck Breaker, but Angle comes from behind with a German Suplex. Jarrett runs in to take out Angle, and everything breaks down. Angle ends up in the ring with Jarrett, Foley, and Angle. Angle tries to use the bat on Jarrett, but Jeff escapes with a low blow. He grabs the bat himself, but Mick doesn't want someone else to use his weapon. They have words, then Jarrett hits Foley with a low blow and drives Mick face-first into the barbed wire with The Stroke. Jarrett turns his attention to Angle as Sting covers Mick for the win. Joe and AJ do not seem happy with Jarrett.

WINNER: The MEM in 10 minutes. **

[Commercial Break]

Sting is alone in the ring. He says he has some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Sting will be in the main event at Sacrifice. The bad news is that if anyone pins him there, it'll be the last time we ever see him wrestle. Sting leaves the ring, as a spotlight remains on the barbed wire bat in the ring.

Where We're Going: I really never like career vs. x matches but, given the number of other variables involved, this one seems mostly harmless. I do think they desperately need to inject some young blood into the Sacrifice main event, cause Foley, Sting, and even Angle have been showing a bit of wear lately. The problem is that all of the obvious choices seem busy. Daniels has issues with the tag and X divisions, AJ and Joe have issues with each other, Hernandez wouldn't have to sacrifice anything for a title shot, and Lashley isn't all that young. Maybe I'm overlooking someone, but I don't think so. Jeff Jarrett, here we come.

Star of the Night: Christopher Daniels. His promo work brought the best out of Creed and Lethal, and his in ring work was what it always has been.

Overall: This was an amusing show. Foley was at his wacky best. Jarrett is playing his angst much better than he was last month. The Kong face turn is going well, and the potential EY heel turn might work out too. B+

Daniel is a graduate instructor at The Ohio State University. Today is his wife's birthday. Well wishes (or "Happy VE Day" wishes) can be sent care of dawilk316@gmail.com

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