By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
APRIL 19, 2010
LIVE FROM ORLANDO, FLA.

[Q1]

-Highlights aired from TNA Lockdown on Sunday night, which Mike Tenay touted as a "terrific" pay-per-view. The package closed with Eric Bischoff's turn against Ric Flair and helping Team Hogan win.

-The TNA Impact opening then aired. No title for the show this week. Good. As pyro blasted, Tenay and Taz introduced the show.

-A.J. Styles then made his ring intro. He said because of the big celebration last night, Ric Flair wouldn't be arriving until later. Styles bragged about being "pound for pound, the best wrestler in the world." Uh, the "pound-for-pound" title is a way to say someone bigger than you might win, but you're best in your weight class. He's TNA's heavyweight champ, so there's zero reason he should add that qualifier. He said he was dominant last night and outwrestled "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero. He told Pope not to get down on himself because he joined Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, and others. He said he's the best on TV, best on PPV, and best at "house shows." (Nobody calls them "house shows" on TV because it's a business term that means it's a show put on for ticket revenue ("the house") rather than TV hype). He said his title isn't going anywhere. Rob Van Dam's music interrupted.

RVD walked out to his music. The crowd chanted "RVD, RVD." RVD said, "That might confuse you, A.J., but that's called a crowd reaction." RVD has finally arrived in TNA. He said he was in the back and heard Styles doing a lot of talking, including saying he's the best wrestler in TNA. The crowd chanted, "A.J. sucks! A.J. sucks!" He said maybe Styles was the best at one time, but "I think it's obvious to everyone else that times have changed." He said he knows A.J. is upset that he used to get all of the attention in TNA, but truthfully he's never been quite as impressed with him as everyone else has. "And I damn sure aren't as impressed with you as you are," he added. The "A.J. Sucks!" chant continue. Jeff Hardy's music then played.

Hardy came out as Taz touted his dive off the ladder on top of the cage last night. Hardy said Styles has a rather little head for being so big-headed. He then said, "The movement has begun." That was a little more information than we needed. He said he's got his eyes set on the TNA World Hvt. Title. Hulk Hogan's music then played after brief comments from Hardy.

Hogan strutted to the ring and then said, "Now this is exactly what I'm talking about and this is exactly the reason everybody's talking about TNA." He said everyone is in the back watching the monitor. He said it's time for everyone to raise their game. He said when you're the World Champion, it means you're the best at what you do (copyright Chris Jericho). He said the reason people want to be champion is because of all the doors that open. He said it's about leer jets and limousines, it's about dumbell curls and good looking girls, and it's about big fat paychecks. "That's why I won the World Heavyweight Title. That's why we all want the World Heavyweight Title," he said. He said when he won the World Title, it changed his life.

[Q2]

He said each and every night there's a target on the champion's back. He said every night when you leave another guy lying in the middle of the ring, that ups your lifestyle and your paycheck. He said it's time to cut the crap because he has a question. He asked RVD and Hardy how badly they want it. He said he wants to know if they want it bad enough to put their friendship aside and battle each other to earn a title shot. RVD and Hardy nodded and the crowd cheered. Styles, though, wasn't pleased. He told Hogan that he should have consulted with him first. He said he won't be ready to defend his title again at Sacrifice. Hogan said he made the match already, "but who said anything about Sacrifice, brother?" He said he's talking about is that the man who wins between RVD and Hardy will get a title shot at Styles tonight right here on Impact. Styles freaked out and Tenay exclaimed, "You've got to be kidding me! Hulk Hogan has outdone himself." Good segment start to finish. It put over the World Title and explained why it's important. Styles acted heelish and cowardly. RVD and Hardy gave their missions statements in TNA (finally). The downside is this is more hot-shotting as they could have built up Hardy vs. RVD for two weeks and really popped a rating, and then built up Styles against the winner for the following week (or on PPV) and gotten more out of it.

-Flair walked into the arena. Someone off camera told Flair that Hogan just booked Styles for a title match tonight. [c]

-They showed Tenay and Taz at ringside. Taz's blue shirt is louder than Don West used to be. Tenay said Hogan has banned Flair from ringside.

1 -- ODB & DAFFNEY vs. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (Madison Rayne & Velvet Sky w/Lacey Von Erich)

Taz said during the ring intro, he said it was mentioned that Sean Waltman did not make it to the PPV. He said he has since spoken to Dixie Carter and she informed him that she was aware and had proof that Waltman was unable to attend. He said they'd have more details forthcoming. The way they portrayed it last night, it was portrayed that Waltman simply no-showed in some sort of unprofessional manner. Good to see them correct that since it was a situation management knew about ahead of time. A crawler on the screen reported the events from the PPV the night before. That's a nice touch because it makes it seem like what happened is newsworthy, similar to cable news station crawlers. It also catches up viewers on the basics without having the announcers have to run down the results verbally. ODB rolled up Sky, but Rayne distracted the ref. Lacey sprayed hair spray at ODB and then Sky scored the pin.

WINNERS: Beautiful People in 3:00.

[Q3]

-Backstage they eaves dropped on Styles yelling at Flair backstage. Flair calmly told Styles that this is not what they had in mind. He said this isn't the vision they had. He told Styles, though, he doesn't give a damn who wins between RVD and Hardy because Styles will win. Flair said he wants Team Flair to have a rematch with Team Hogan tonight. Borash walked into the room and asked Flair if he wants a rematch. Flair said he wants it and he'll be ready in five minutes or they'll declare victory by forfeit. [c]

-Jeff Jarrett and Abyss walked out. Jarrett pointed out a fan sign in the front row that said Team Hogan. Abyss stood in the ring and said the war between Team Flair and Team Hogan happened last night at Lockdown "when we did exactly what we said we were going to do and beat your ass." He said if RVD and Hardy weren't already scheduled for a match, then Team Hogan would have no problem continuing the beatdown on Team Flair from pillar to post and throughout the Impact Zone. Flair's music played and he walked out with Beer Money onto the stage. Tenay said Flair issued that challenge knowing RVD and Hardy had other plans tonight.

Flair said: "Opening line: Kiss my ass." He said he doesn't take crap from anyone. "Screw you, screw Hogan, screw the whole building." Spike TV kept bleeping him. Beer Money and Desmond Wolfe charged at Abyss and Jarrett. Abyss and Jarrett did okay for a few seconds, but then Sting entered with a baseball bat. "The Freak" Rob Terry walked out to make the save and helped clear the ring. Flair shouted back at Jarrett, "You're a dead man, Jarrett! You're a dead man!" Flair asked Terry who he was. Eric Bischoff stepped out and said, "This again? Really? I thought you learned your lesson last night." Flair turned to Bischoff and asked what he wanted. Bischoff said if he wants a rematch, he can have it. It'll be Terry & Abyss & Jarrett and a mystery partner in the back waiting to join in the feeding frenzy. "And I can't wait to see you all get your ass kicked again tonight!" he said. Tenay and Taz wondered who Bischoff had in mind.

-Tenay hyped the RVD vs. Hardy match. This is the closest TNA has come to Jan. 4 in terms of a sense of excitement and building personalities and matches. It feels like one long hot-shot, but it's a much better hot-shot than usual for them... [c]

-Matt Morgan approached Shannon Moore backstage. He said management is forcing him to find a partner. He said with his tattoos and hair spray, he can be a good partner. When Morgan referred to himself as "we," Moore asked, "What, are you referring to your ego as a second person now?" Moore said he's preparing for his X Title shot next week. He told Morgan: "Both of you guys can kiss my tattooed ass."

[Q4]

-They went back to Tenay and Taz. Tenay said it's one of the biggest Impacts ever tonight. He wondered who the fourth member of Team Hogan would be. Taz said RVD vs. Hardy is going to be an awesome contest with the winner facing Styles tonight.

-Hogan told Bischoff backstage that he was very proud of how he put the knife into Flair's back. "I'll never doubt you again," said Hogan. Bischoff said, "They say the easiest man to con is a con man." Hogan said the World Title match later is going to make history. Hogan is sounding more and more like Rupert from "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" with his inflections. Hogan asked if his mystery guy is going to deliver. Bischoff said he will. Hogan asked about his revolutionary new ranking system for World Title matches. Bischoff said he dropped the ball and got delayed, but he's going to unveil it next week. "Fans are going to love. It's going to change the way they look at this product." Bischoff called his assistant to get the files on his ranking system concept so he could show Hogan. She talked ditzy, like she didn't know what a file was. Bischoff said, "She takes great dictation." Hogan said, "You didn't just say that, did you?"

-A video aired following RVD backstage as he talked about having to face Hardy. [c]

2 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. JEFF HARDY -- No. 1 Contender's Match

Taz again touted what it means to be champion and how it changes your life and the company rides on your back. They're doing a great job building this company finally around the World Title and giving everyone a sense of purpose, between all the talk from Hogan and Taz about the importance of the title to Bischoff talking about introducing a new ranking system. Hopefully the new system applies to Knockouts Tag Team Title matches and X Division matches, too, since there's rarely been a consistent rhyme or reason to it. Tenay and Taz said they're hearing the new ranking system is "so unique and it's never been used before." Taz said the buzz backstage is there's a unique element to the ranking system. They cut to a break just as they were about to lock up. I bet why they're doing this, but it's going to drive viewers mad that they're cutting away from such a big match right as it starts. Imagine tip-off to the NBA Finals and they cut to a break, or imagine with the football in the air for a kickoff in the NFC Championship if they cut to a break. People would go crazy. Why does every minute of a match this big not count for something? [c]

When they got back from the break at the 4:00 mark, RVD was in control, dropping Hardy over the ring barrier. It was two minutes before Raw would begin. Quarter hours will be interesting tomorrow. RVD bled from above the bridge of his nose early. He dove into the ring off the top rope with a bodyblock on Hardy for a near fall.

[Q5]

The energy level in the building was high as Hardy made a comeback. Tenay asked Taz for his insight, having wrestled both of these men. RVD side kicked Hardy off the top rope to the floor at 8:00 as the crowd chanted, "This is awesome!" Tenay said no. 1 contendership is at stake in this match and the winner faces Styles in the main event tonight. RVD continued on a flurry of offense in the ring for near falls. Hardy made a comeback at 11:00, but RVD nailed Hardy on the top rope with a spin wheel kick to the head. He followed with a superplex attempt. Hardy shoved him to the mat and went for a Swanton. RVD moved and then hit the Five-Star Frog Splash for a clean win.

WINNER: RVD in 12:00.

STAR RATING: *** -- Chaotic pace, and several minutes missing from TV early, but it had the high-energy level and high-stakes feel with great crowd heat to move it into the three star range. I've been a proponent of pushing RVD to the very top and making this his company if they were going to bother signing him in the first place. Having RVD "just hang around" is something fans got enough of in WWE. It's time to go all the way, at least for a while, and try to get some results from having him as the identity of the promotion. We'll see if they pull that trigger within 60 minutes. [c]

-Christy Hemme interviewed RVD and Hardy backstage. Christy said RVD insisted that Hardy be present for this post-match interview. RVD said he's still his bro. Hardy shook his hand. Christy was bleeped multiple time, apparently due to chants in the crowd that censors didn't like. They shot a monitor over their shoulders and got their reactions to what happened in the match. That's right out of UFC's post-fight interviews getting comments from fighters as they watch replays. More good stuff. TNA is moving forward for once, not backwards. RVD said whoever got the title shot, the other one would support them. He said he knows he has Hardy's support, so now he's shifting his focus to A.J. RVD said they always bring out the best in each other. Hardy said it'll be a breeze against Styles if he brings that same RVD to the ring against Styles. RVD said he's got a few minutes to recover and he's going to take it and get ready.

-Backstage Abyss was giving a pep talk to Jarrett and Rob Terry. I don't like wrestlers with two first names. I'm just saying. Take that Jerry Lynn, Michael Shane, Shane Douglas, and the rest of you. Terry got to speak. He said they're going to know him and feel hiom and be destroyed by him. He then made that "I'm about to throw up and poop and I'm nowhere near a toilet" face that he's so good at. Abyss said they don't know who their fourth member is yet, but he trusts Bischoff (what?!?!) and "definitely trusts Hogan" (that's better). Jarrett said they'll find out with everyone else.

3 -- TEAM FLAIR vs. TEAM HOGAN

Sting's ring intro took place first. Then Jarrett's. Then they cut to a break. [c] The two masters of the bump-free stand-up brawl were going at it in the crowd, with Sting throwing Jarrett into the hockey boards and then among the chairs. He hit Jarrett across the back with a chair twice. Taz said he wants to know Sting's reasoning, but he thinks Sting may not know why he did what he did. Tenay said fans have invested so much in Sting over the years, that they and TNA President Dixie Carter deserve an answer. Sting raked Jarrett's eyes. Jarrett made a comeback and threw some punches at Sting as the five minute opening segment was nearly done. Taz said he couldn't wait to find out who Bischoff's mystery person was.

When they fought back into the ring, Sting missed a Stinger Splash. Jarrett took Sting down with a flying clothesline. Sting and Jarrett collided mid-ring with 15 seconds left before the next wrestler came out. Tenay said it'll become tag team rules once others get to the ring. Desmond Wolfe (w/Chelsea) came out next. He tagged in against Jarrett. This is a variation on the War Games style rules, but it works. Taz said he's a fan of Wolfe's style, saying he can pick opponents apart with his technical skills.

Two minutes later, out came Rob Terry. He crawled over and immediately tagged Jarrett to enter the match. He gave Wolfe those lousy rookie-musclehead clotheslines, then delivered two of them to Sting. He's practically a parody of a bad bar wrestler fresh out of a gym. He followed with a powerslam. Orlando Jordan walked out onto the stage and observed the match. As Terry flexed while pushing on the top rope, they cut to a break at 8:00.

[Q7] [c]

Robert Roode and Abyss had entered the match during the commercial. Abyss chokeslammed Roode. As he waited for Roode to get up, the crowd counted down the final Team Flair entrance - James Storm. He stumbled a bit on his way into the ring. Taz pointed it out. Taz isn't letting anything slip by anymore. Good for him, being the voice of the fan instead of a shill for the promotion who ignores dumb or silly stuff. Surprisingly, no chants by the fans predicting who the mystery partner would be. It turned out to be: Eric Young! Nope, just kidding. Samoa Joe. Tenay said it's been a long time since they've seen Joe. Tenay said Bischoff delivered once again. Joe, sporting a beard, tagged in and destroyed Team Flair in rapid-fire fashion. He kicked Sting in the corner and then one-arm slammed a charging Roode. Taz said he doesn't know where Joe has been, "but I want to see more of this Samoa Joe." The crowd chanted, "Joe's gonna kill you!" Joe gave Roode the Muscle Buster and scored the pin.

WINNER: Team Hogan when Joe pinned Roode.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good energy again, and great job building anticipation for Joe's return. Joe dominated in the way Joe needs to in order to get over the way he can and should. They stripped away the nonsense and just let Joe be Joe. It worked.

-Afterward, Flair walked down the ramp and addressed Team Hogan. As he began to speak, they cut away to another commercial. [c]

-They showed a replay of Flair telling Abyss that he wants to face him in a Hall of Fame Ring vs. Hall of Fame Ring match. He referred to himself as a "Wrestling God."Abyss nodded.

4 -- A.J. STYLES vs. ROB VAN DAM -- TNA World Hvt. Title Match

Taz said during RVD's ring entrance that they're live and anything can happen. He said they've been "a bit of a runaway train tonight, and I love it." Styles then made his ring entrance. The director cut away from Styles just as he was about to flip his head back and knock the oversized hood away from his face. Has the director never seen Styles's ring intro routine before? Seriously. He cut back a few seconds later as Styles was jawing at the camera.

[Q8]

-Styles jumped RVD at the bell and stomped away at him in the corner. More bleeping. Maybe it's just my cable connection and not a censor. RVD bled from his cut in the opening seconds. Taz said Styles had less than an hour to prepare to face RVD. Styles flip dove onto RVD at ringside. They cut away at 1:00. [c]

More rapid-fire action after the break, mostly RVD on offense. He hit Rolling Thunder at 6:00 for a near fall. Styles came back and went for a sudden figure-four leglock mid-ring. Styles springboarded at RVD, but RVD turned it into a loose powerbomb and then he hit the Five-Star Splash for the clean win.

WINNER: RVD IN 8:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Great energy start to finish. They had a real sense of urgency to what they were doing, probably because they running low on time as they're not doing overruns now. With it was longer, but it accomplished what it needed to, which is give TNA a sense of identity with a well-known popular star who isn't seen as a burnout.

-Confetti matching RVD's tie-dyed singlet dropped from the rafters covering the ring like leaves on a lawn in the fall. Hardy joined RVD to congratulate him as Styles took in the events at ringside, frowning in disappointment. Hogan led Dixie Carter into the ring. Jarrett, Abyss, Bischoff, Team 3D, and Terry joined the celebration. Team 3D held RVD on their shoulders as the match ended. Styles broke into tears at ringside. Tenay reminded viewers to watch the replay on Thursday if they missed any of it. Tenay said he wants to watch it through start to finish again. Taz hyped Flair vs. Abyss next week. As the show came to a close, Tenay said Hogan challenged the locker room to step up and RVD did just that. He said, "RVD has joined the elite of our profession."

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