By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S TNA GLOBAL IMPACT REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2008
AIRED ON SPIKE TV - ONE HOUR SPECIAL

-The narrator described TNA wrestler making the long flight to Japan on Jan. 2, then 48 hours later wrestling at the Tokyo Dome. Images aired of Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, Tomko, and Kurt Angle.

-Christian said it will be the biggest crowd ever for a TNA event. At the airport, Kurt Angle spoke about defending his title against Yuji Nagata in front of what was described as "nearly 30,000 fans." He said he's at the top of his game and he doesn't believe anyone can beat him right now. He said the fans wants to see an incredible match and if you don't give them that, "you're not doing them any favors." The narrator described Tomko's familiarity of the Japanese culture after spending so much time there recently. He said the wrestling there is called "strong style" and there's less theatrics. He said he speaks a little Japanese after spending so much time there. An image was shown of Tomko with the former Prince Albert from WWE whom he teams with there (Giant Bernard). Team 3D and Scott Steiner talked about how much they enjoy wrestling in Japan. Brother Ray said U.S. fans will appreciate it, too. He said it's more based on "fighting spirit than entertainment." Angle said the mixing of the two styles will bring something new. Steiner said this shows how much TNA has grown. Ray said after this show, TNA will take a big step up in the Japanese market. A good seven minute video package. It might have tested the patience of some viewers who wanted to see action and promos, but it was a nice stage-setter that something different was about to air and it did make TNA seem like a bigger deal than just a small TV studio promotion out of some theme park.

[Commercial Break]

-Footage aired of Tomko going through the subway to his hotel and then working out in a gym. They went to footage of a press conference with the TNA wrestlers. Brother Ray said they're upset their opponents aren't there right now. Angle said he's tired of people questioning whether he's the legit IWGP Champion and said he beat Brock Lesnar last year, not Nagata.

[Commercial Break]

-Footage aired of the wrestlers heading from the Tokyo Dome hotel to the arena. They went backstage to Christian, Styles, and Petey Williams getting ready to wrestle. Clips aired of their match. The TNA threesome were shown bragging about a win afterward in front of a gathering of legit media backstage. Notes should be taken for reenacting fake press conference scenes based on how that looked and how the media reacted (as in, they weren't obnoxious or gazing admirably at the wrestlers, they were busy adjusting lighting, fiddling with cameras, and taking notes).

-They showed Abyss chasing someone backstage. Devon said he's amazed he's there, doing what he does best. Clips aired of Team 3D's tag match. Then they went to press conference footage and Ray looked at a camera and said, "You think being a pro wrestler is easy? You don't know sh--." He adjusted his neck and looked spent.

-Tomko talked about facing the Steiner Brothers. He said they're legends, but they're getting up there in age. Clips aired of that match. In post-match press conference, Tomko bragged about beating the best team in history, "so what does that make us?" Bernard sat next to him, but they didn't air him speaking.

-A plug aired for the Angle-Nagata match.

[Commercial Break]

-A video package aired hyping Angle vs. Nagata. At a press conference, Nagata talked about how Angle beat Lesnar a year ago for the IWGP Title, but has since "skipped matches" and "not defended the title here in Japan." He said he doesn't think he is the true champion.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- KURT ANGLE vs. YUJI NAGATA

Tenay and West called the match and began talking about big wrestlers of the past who have wrestled there including Hulk Hogan and Sting. West and Tenay talked about big events that have occurred at the Tokyo Dome including Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, noting that the boxing fight didn't sell out, but a New Japan event the next night did. Nagata landed some kicks early. At 5:00 Angle got Nagata on the mat with a figure-four. Nagata turned him over to reverse it after a minute. Nagata applied an armbar and made intense faces. Tenay brought his announcing to a crescendo as they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

After the break, Angle executed some suplexes. They showed him grabbing his right hand as if it had gone numb. He went for an Angle Slam, but Nagata reversed it. Tenay threw to the Japanese announcers briefly. Tenay pointed out what a different reaction Japanese fans have to the action. He said they may seem subdued, but it's a sign of respect. Nagata then applied a crossface. Angle escaped and went for an anklelock. They repeated that sequence a couple times. Angle then went for a moonsault, but Nagata moved. Nagata charged Angle in the corner and rammed him in the chin with a knee. He lifted Angle onto the top rope and executed a belly-to-belly leading to a near fall. Nagata nailed some kicks. Angle fired back with a clothesline. Nagata got up first and gave Angle an overhead suplex for a two count at 18:00. Angle fired back by blocking a kick and applying an anklelock. Nagata eventually tapped out at 20:00. Angle raised Nagata's arm, then celebrated with his arm in the air.

WINNER: Angle via tapout in 20:00.

STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- Very good match for this style and culture. Tenay seemed to be really up for this and in his element more than usual on Impact.

-Clips aired of Angle icing down backstage, then going to his press conference. He said he knew Nagata was good, but he didn't know he was that good. He said he kicks ass for TNA.

We suggest these recent related articles...

VIP - 10/11 - Wade Keller Hotline - The News: What is TNA's relevance after Matt Hardy title forfeit and more dates cancelled, WWE results, Scott Hall and Eric Bischoff DVDs, Matt Riddle-WWE, Haas & Benjamin, HIAC PPV, more (24 min.)

VIP - 10/11 McNeill & Valley's "Wayback Playback" Audio Show (ep. #56): Into ECW Time Machine for November to Remember 1995 - Funk & Dreamer, Sandman, more! (57 min.)

VIP - 10/10 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show w/Britt Whitmire (pt. 2): Reaction to Matt Hardy relinquishing TNA Title, why Young-Angle sucked, when to cheer for the heels, Backlund, Raw ratings and WWE's TV future (71 min.)