TNA Victory Road 2009
We have a video package that starts with a few guys telling us to look in their eyes, before the voice over kicks in. It begins with a dream. On the road to victory, great rewards require great sacrifices. To the victors go the spoils, the losers fall alone. History is written by the victors.
We're live from the Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. Tenay and West welcome us to the show, and we get right to the first of five title matches of the night. Tenay goes through the bullet points like always:
- Tara's Mind Games Upset Beautiful People: The condescending attitudes of the Beautiful People have been taken down several notches since the arrival of Tara in TNA.
- Mi Pi Sexy Poisoned: What's behind Madison, Velvet and Angelina's change? Quite simply, their fear of a pet tarantula.
- Impromptu Impact Match Leads to New Champion: Now the pressure to save her friend and associate Velvet Sky led to Angelina's decision to defend her title recently on Impact, the result led to a verbal protest by Ms. Love, when the realization set in that Tara is the new champ.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Angelina Love (w/ Madison Rayne & Velvet Sky) vs Tara (c)
Tara with rights sends Love off the ropes into a shoulder block, followed by a scoop slam, then another. Love rolls out to the apron for a timeout but gets hip tossed back in. Hangman's choke by Tara before getting whipped into the corner, but sidesteps into a tarantula in the ropes. Tara delivers rights to Madison and Velvet as she drops to the outside but the distraction allows Angelina to hit a baseball slide into the guard rail. Boot to the midsection by Love before ramming Tara back first into the ring apron, then a second time, then tosses her back in. Basement dropkick, cover and a near fall for Love.
Tara backed into the corner, then a second time, and a third time before being lifted to the top rope, only to be thrown off to the mat on her back, cover and a kick out. Tara fights back only to be clubbed in the side of the head, but reverses a whip in the corner. Love catches her with a neck scissor, then some boots to the top of the head backs Tara off, then Love delivers a clothesline from the middle rope, covers and another kick out, then tries again for another kick out. Chops by Love, Tara sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but catches each other with simultaneous clotheslines.
Tara kips up first, then ducks a clothesline and throws some rights. Love sent off the ropes into a flapjack, then Tara steps over her and follows with a moonsault, cover and a near fall. Madison gets on the apron but gets clocked. Love ducks a clothesline then holds up Tara for Madison, who goes to use the hairspray but Tara gets free, so Love gets it in the face instead. Tara rolls her up but the ref's distracted telling off Madison and Velvet at ringside. He eventually starts the count but Love kicks out at 2. Madison and Velvet are sent to the back as Tara hits her spinning sidewalk slam, then goes up top, and Love was way out of position, so even though she rolled away Tara still would have missed her by a mile. Love goes for the cover, Tara gets her boot on the rope, but the ref is out of position and misses it, so Love wins the title in 7:04. Well that made Tara's title win completely pointless.
We get a replay of Tara's foot on the rope and Tara tries to tell the ref what happened but the ref explains he didn't see it, so Tara boots him down, then delivers Widow's Peak on Love. Then she grabs her pet tarantula Poison that she had in a case, but Madison and Velvet come back out to save Love. So Tara lays the spider on the ref instead, who starts to freak out as he comes to, yelling to get it off. He scrambles out of the ring as Tara sets the spider on her arm.
Over to commentary now, who run down the rest of the card:
- Matt Morgan vs Daniels will be up next, Daniels working with an injured leg thanks to Morgan.
- Abyss vs Dr. Stevie
- Jenna Morasca vs Sharmell (Minus 5 Stars!)
- IWGP World Tag Team Championship: The British Invasion vs Team 3D (c)
- TNA Legends Championship: Kevin Nash vs AJ Styles (c)
- TNA Tag Team Championship: Scott Steiner & Booker T vs Beer Money Inc. (c)
- Samoa Joe vs Sting, with the tease of Joe's adviser being revealed on the show.
- TNA World Championship: Mick Foley vs Kurt Angle (c)
Tenay sends it to JB in the back.
He's with the Main Event Mafia. He brings up how 9 months prior Kurt formed the Mafia, where he made a proclamation where the group, made up of former World Champions exclusively, would dominate the pro wrestling world, and tonight is the night his prophecy comes true. Kurt asks JB if he'd be shooting his mouth off the last month if he couldn't back it up, that unlike others he does back up his words. He says Foley doesn't stand a chance tonight, and has a warning for everyone watching, to not expect a quality PPV match because that's not gonna happen. He says he's going to maul Foley as quickly as possible. He talks to Foley now, saying he won't be out there with a Sting, or an AJ Styles, he'll be out there with the best ever, and doesn't care what Foley's done in the business, or that he got his ear ripped off, or had legendary Hell in a Cell matches, or does charity work for kids, or that he goes and entertains the troops, none of that matters to him. He says that all he cares about is being the best. He turns to the rest of the Mafia, and says if they don't have a clean sweep tonight, he's going to walk out there and fire them on the spot. Then he walks out.
Now we get to our first video package of the night, for the previously mentioned match coming up, and of course with that trademark voice over. Matt Morgan, the anatomy of a superstar, his DNA loaded with the desire to dominate, a blueprint for the perfect warrior. His dismantling of opponents bares the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. His objective? To join the Main Event Mafia. But first, he must prove himself worthy. And now, the TNA veteran Daniels stands in his way. Will the hungry blueprint Matt Morgan be able to prove to the Mafia that he belongs among the elite?
Matt Morgan vs Daniels
Lock up to start, but Morgan immediately throws Daniels over the ropes to the floor. Daniels face first into the apron, then raking the eyes, then Daniels face first into the guard rail. Morgan returns to the ring and taunts the crowd until Daniels gets on the apron. Morgan hung up on the top rope, Daniels goes up for a missile dropkick but it only backs Morgan into the opposite corner, allowing Daniels to follow up with a flying forearm. He tries for a bulldog but gets shoved into the corner, then gets a boot up as Morgan charges, Daniels off the ropes but Morgan takes him down with a shoulder block. Scoop slam attempt by Morgan but Daniels slips out, delivers rights only to be kneed by Morgan, who comes off the ropes into a single leg dropkick.
Morgan is sent to the outside and Daniels hits a suicide dive but Morgan is still standing. Morgan sent into the guard rails repeatedly , plus some forearms by Daniels, but gets whipped toward the apron. Daniels leaps onto it to hit Morgan with a split-legged moonsault. Daniels slides back into the ring as a loud TNA chant starts and Morgan regroups on the outside. Daniels goes for a slingshot crossbody to the outside but Morgan sidesteps, and while Daniels lands on his feet he hurts the bad leg. Morgan sends Daniels back first into the apron a couple of times before tossing him back in.
Morgan hits a discus forearm before sliding back out, pulling Daniels into the ring post so he can slam his leg into it, then a second time. Then drapes Daniels leg over the bottom rope before delivering a leg drop across it. Repeated elbows to the side of the head in the corner, then a corner splash and goes to deliver a sidewalk slam off the rebound, but he just tosses Daniels down instead. Morgan stomps away and torques on the bad leg and Daniels tries to push Morgan off, but he just slams his leg into the mat, then a second time. Daniels lifted and sent face first into the corner, Morgan puts his boot on Daniels' chest for a pin attempt but Daniels kicks out.
Scoop slam on Daniels then Morgan tries for an elbow and a leg drop, but Daniels rolls out of the way of both. Daniels with rights now, then a jawbreaker, but gets thrown into the corner. Daniels catches Morgan with an elbow, then goes up top. Morgan grabs him by the throat but Daniels thumbs the eye and takes him down with a crossbody into a cover but Morgan kicks out. Daniels goes for a roll up, Morgan kicks out. Daniels lifted to Morgan's shoulders but turns it into a crucifix pin for another near fall. Morgan with a knee and a headbutt sends Daniels into the corner but misses a big boot, then a springboard bulldog, cover and a kick out.
Daniels backed into the corner again,then a fallaway slam by Morgan. Morgan goes a back suplex but Daniels turns into a DDT, covers but Morgan kicks out. Daniels goes for the BME but his bad leg gives out as he tries to leap to the top rope. Morgan hits the Carbon Footprint, then the Hellevator for the win in 10:40. This match went a bit too long and wasn't all that good.
Morgan poses in the corners before Tenay sends it to JB.
He's standing by with Dr. Stevie and Daffney, and JB asks him with everything that's gone on with Abyss the last few months, from Stevie using a taser to kidnapping Lauren, Abyss' girlfriend, to drugging Abyss in his office and committing acts of violence on a defenseless man, why Stevie thinks it's a good idea to step in the ring with him. Stevie tells him to open up his mind for a second, and says that [Abyss] is like a painting, that special painting he's been working on the last decade, a little stroke here, a little dab there. He says though sometimes you need to make bigger brushes, that you need to step outside of the painting. He says tonight not only is he stepping in the ring with Abyss, his friend Abyss, he has to, he has no choice but to make it No DQ. He says that though Abyss is 6'8", 250+ lbs, he has one advantage, he respects the mind over the body, and where he dominates Abyss is in the mind. He's said before that he owns Abyss, mind, body and soul, and when their eyes meet out there in the ring, everyone will find out who the doctor is, and who's the patient. Stevie goes to walk off and Daffney says she loves him, and he says he knows, then walks off.
We get our video package for said match next and we see everything Abyss has gone through during his "therapy," and telling Stevie they'd get up close and personal soon. Stevie talks about how he treated Abyss for 10 years, and Abyss says he's no animal though he's been treated like one, and tonight is their last therapy session together.
No Disqualification Match: "The Monster" Abyss vs Dr. Stevie
Abyss chases Stevie around and then back into the ring to start the match, and he pulls some kind of weapon out of his attire hit and choke Abyss, some kind of a baton. More hits with the baton into the ribs in the corner, then goes to the middle rope to jab it into Abyss' head but he's shoved off, then gets Stevie with a boot knocking him out of the ring. Abyss follows as they ngo up the ramp, knocking Stevie down with a right hand, then sends Stevie into the guard rail. Stevie tries to retreat but he's thrown back in the ring.
Stevie tries to get on the attack and whip Abyss into the corner but he can't even move him. A kick and right do nothing, as do chops to the chest, Stevie off the ropes into a chop from Abyss, then tosses Stevie out of the ring. Stevie retreats up beside the ramp and into the crowd and Abyss follows, right hands in the stands laying him out on the stairs. Stevie fights back with some rights but gets whipped into a wall. Fans want him to do it again and Abyss obliges. Stevie gets tossed back over the guard rail, then goes face first into the steps, which busts him wide open. Abyss slams him face first into the steps three more times before going back in the ring.
Stevie taken to the corner and his shirt is ripped off, Abyss delivering some hard chops to the chest. Abyss leaves the ring and takes a chair from front row and wedges it in the corner, then throws Stevie head first into it. Stevie lifted up for Shock Treatment (torture rack drop), Abyss covers but pulls Stevie's head up before the three. Daffney comes down with taser in hand now and the distraction allows Stevie to hit a low blow. Lauren comes down and pulls Daffney off the apron, shoving her back first into the steps. Lauren goes and checks on Abyss as Stevie grabs the taser that Daffney tossed in, but he runs right into a Black Hole Slam. Abyss now has the taser, sits Stevie up and gets Stevie right in the chest, covers and wins in 9:57. I have to admit there was an odd satisfaction to this match, but again I felt like it went a bit too long for what it was, which was basically a glorified squash. Crowd were right into it though, they wanted to see Stevie suffer.
Abyss and Lauren embrace and he poses in victory as the ref checks on Stevie, then a replay of the taser shot. Abyss and Lauren head to the back as Daffney comes to, she and security check on Stevie now.
We go to commentary now who call this the most important event in TNA history, specifically referring to the Mafia and the ultimatum put out by Angle. They send it to the locker room now, where apparently Foley is trying to give a motivational speech to Beer Money and Styles.
Foley talks to Beer Money first and talks about Kurt's ultimatum to the Mafia earlier in the night, and admits that while he wasn't the best boss in the world, he didn't mess with their jobs. He says the truth is if they come back to Impact Thursday, and if all the belts are in Mafia possession, all their jobs are in jeopardy, including his own. He talks about how he watched Storm and Roode become the best tag team in the world and they've only been together a year and a half, and reminds them that when they're in the ring with Booker and Scott that they're seasoned veterans, guys who grew up on tag team wrestling, with brothers. He says they'll work to exploit Beer Money, and in their minds they're going to take them to school, and tells them to not let it happen, not to let them mess with their heads because that's what they're good at it.
He turns to AJ, talks about his temper and how Nash will try and exploit it, try and make AJ hot. He tells him not to sell Nash short, and not only is he big and strong, he's the craftiest player in the game and will get inside his head. He wants to take the pressure off, hold onto the titles, so when it comes crunch time, they're not counting on him to be the sole defender of the honor of TNA. He says he believes in them, he's behind them and says to do it for TNA.
Time for another video package, for our first tag title match of the night. We have Ray talking about how after so many years and so many titles they'd have earned at least a little respect from the British Invasion. We see what happened back at Slammiversary the month before when the Invasion cost them the titles. All the Invasion want is their place at the top of the division. Devon vows that the Invasion will obey and abide by Team 3D's rules. We see Magnus had cost Team 3D a match against Booker and Steiner, which is how the latter two got their title match for later tonight. Team 3D are out for revenge tonight.
Once again, Tenay goes through the bullet points for this match:
- 3D Swears Revenge: Team 3D blames its loss of the TNA World Tag Titles and the defeat in the #1 contenders match on the interference from The British Invasion.
- Brits Up the Stakes: And while Brother Ray and Brother Devon look at tonight's match in terms of vengeance, the Brits envision Victory Road as their opportunity to capture these internationally recognized belts.
- Potentially Career Changing Title Match: Ramifications of this match important for both teams. Not only would a victory put Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams on the worldwide wrestling map, it would also leave Team 3D title-less and without their upcoming New Japan bookings.
IWGP Tag Team Championship: The British Invasion (w/ Rob Terry) vs Team 3D (c)
Doug and Devon start the match with some quick back and forth, until Devon breaks it off. Doug toys with him until Devon delivers some clotheslines, sends Doug off the ropes but gets caught with a kick, then Magnus gets the tag, only to run into a hip toss. Another clothesline and a scoop slam by Decon, then off the ropes with a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Ray tags in and he and Devon send Magnus off the ropes into a double flapjack. Chop to the back, then some rights from Bubba followed by an elbow. Doug comes back in but gets taken out by Ray with a right and a clothesline, then both of the Invasion clotheslined to the outside, who regroup on the outside.
Ray tosses Doug back in from the apron, who then tries to beg him off . Magnus comes from behind only to be chopped down, allowing Doug to go to the middle rope for a spinning back elbow. Magnus gets the tag and they stomp away, now Magnus with rights and choking Ray over the middle rope. Doug tags back in with rights, only to be whipped across the ring but catches Ray with an elbow which knocks him down. Doug goes for a senton from the middle rope but Ray rolls out of the way. Scoop slam by Ray to set up Devon for his diving headbutt, but Magnus causes a distraction, which allows Rob to shove Devon off to the mat. Ray tries to knock Rob off the apron but gets headbutted and Doug clotheslines him from behind.
More choking from Doug, then a couple of rights, then one from Magnus before he tags in. Double arm wringer into a straightjacket neckbreaker. More choking on Ray over the middle rope, then Doug tags in again and Ray starts to mount an offense only to be taken down, Doug torquing on the knee. Magnus tags in again and they start torquing the knees and arms, rotating until the work back to the legs for a split. Doug makes the cover for a two count. More rights by Doug and Magnus comes in again, Ray sent off the ropes into a double team back drop, Magnus covers for a two count. More rights, then fights back with chops from his knees, but Magnus catches him with a knee, comes off the ropes right into a spear from Ray.
Devon and Doug tag in, Devon with a series of rights, sent off the ropes and catches Doug with a shoulder tackle, then ducks a clothesline by Magnus to deliver a neckbreaker. Spinebuster on Doug, clothesline to Magns. Scoop slam on Doug, off the ropes with a running headbutt, cover for a two count. Magnus up in the corner and Devon hits a splash, then a sidewalk slam on Doug, cover but Magnus breaks it up. Invasion send Devon off the ropes and I think Ray tags himself in, Devon hangs on and sends Magnus over the ropes to the outside. Ray with the Uranagi on Doug, cover for a near fall. Back drop neckbreaker by 3D, Ray covers but Doug kicks out.
Scoop slam by Ray on Magnus, Devon goes up top for the diving headbutt. Ray leads a "get the tables" chant and Devon slides one out and into the ring.Terry clubs Devon from behind as Ray sets up the table in the ring, but turns into back elbows from the Brits. Ray sent off the ropes as the ref tries to get rid of the table, Magnus botches as Ray tries to throw him over the ropes. Ray goes for the Bubba Bomb on Doug but the ref is still occupied with the table, so Rob clubs him from behind, goes for a clothesline but Ray ducks and nails Doug instead. They send Rob over the ropes to the floor before delivering the 3D on Doug, Ray covers and the champs retain in 10:22. Felt like they didn't mesh that well, wasn't feeling this match.
Not much time for celebrating as Sheik Abdul Bashir and Kiyoshi to attack the champions while the Brits have left. They set the table back up but Ray throws Kiyoshi to the outside before going to the middle rope, Devon lifts Bashir and he gets powerbombed through the table. 3D's music hits and they celebrate.
Back to commentary and they talk about the controversy from the Knockout Title match earlier, then Tenay sends it to Lauren in the back.
She's with the official for that match, Slick Johnson, to get answers for what happened earlier. He admits he made a mistake and cost Tara the title and feels terrible about it, but he's only human and mistakes are going to be made. He says he was out of position, he didn't clearly see her foot on the rope, and unfortunately that's just the way it is and the ref's decision is final. He says though that he's going to go see Cornette, who I guess is still the on-screen authority, and request that Tara gets a rematch at the appropriate time. Then he apologizes to Tara and walks off.
Oh god, we've got this match next. Doesn't even get a package or a graphic.
Sharmell (w/ Sojo Bolt) vs Jenna Morasca (w/ Awesome Kong)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: They bring out Sojo Bolt first, which had me confused since she wasn't mentioned in the earlier matches, but then she's introduced in the corner of Sharmell so that explains it. Kong is here too for the same reason as Sojo, they apparently trained both Sharmell and Jenna respectively for this match. When did Kong become a babyface? Or is there even a babyface in this match? Tenay explains it's Mafia vs Mafia in this match so... both heels? Jesus I thought The Beautiful People's entrance was lewd, but this is just another level.
I can't even with this match, to try and call any of these "moves" they're trying to do is a joke, and hell that's not their fault, they're not trained wrestlers. I mean Sharmell does apply a camel clutch briefly so that's the one move done somewhat properly, and Jenna does an OK crossbody coming off the ropes. Sharmell's wrestling in a blue dress for some reason. Sojo interferes, Kong tries to intimidate her. Jenna can barely even do slaps. She does an OK spear. Most of this match is just catfight spots. Kong knocks out Sharmell with a punch while the ref is distracted, Jenna does one of the lewdest pins I've ever seen and wins in 5:51. Yeah this is bad.
Jenna tries to get Kong to celebrate and convinces Kong to hold her up on her shoulder while Jenna does the royal wave, then Jenna yells at her, then slaps Kong for some reason. Kong yanks her down by the hair and comes off the ropes with a splash. Kong's music hits and she leaves as the refs check on Jenna, then Tenay sends it to the back.
JB is with Nash in the Mafia locker room. JB brings up Foley's pep talk and Kurt's ultimatum earlier in the night and asks for his thoughts. Nash commends Kurt, he talks about how he's an Olympic gold medalist, battled for the country with a broken neck, and the thing is they're Mafia. He says the other guys have been there 5, 6, 7 years and are in the same place now as they were then. He says Mick comes in with his mullet, gives them an excuse, how they're still young and can still pull it off, and Nash calls it garbage. He says it's not up to Kurt though, and says he'll retire if he doesn't get the job done tonight, that's how confident he is. He says he's Mafia, Kurt's got the troops ready and tonight is their night. He says they do it Mafia style tonight, and Big Sexy is going to win the title.
Speaking of, we get our video package. The gist of it is how Nash talks about what he's done for the business and AJ says he changed it for the worst, and how they were better off without Nash and says he took advantage of the system. Nash's thing is money and that's it.
We also get the bullet points:
- Nash Is In It for the Cash: Kevin Nash looks at that Legends Title belt, he doesn't see a trophy, he just sees the increase in earnings that accompanies that championship.
- AJ's Lack of Respect: While the champion AJ Styles looks at the Legends Title with a sense of accomplishment, the outspoken rant at Nash's selfishness shows his disrespect.
- Angle Puts the Pressure On: We heard it earlier Kurt Angle settle for nothing less than perfection, for Kevin Nash it boils down to one thing and one thing only: win the match, capture the championship, or lose your spot in the Main Event Mafia and that's pressure.
TNA Legends Championship: Kevin Nash vs AJ Styles (c)
AJ tires to go for the legs from the start and gets a kick in as they circle each other., then goes for a take down but gets clubbed down by Nash. AJ goes for it again and manages to do it this time but Nash quickly crawls to the ropes and rolls to the apron. AJ knocks him off and goes for a slingshot, Nash moves out of the way but AJ lands back on the apron on his feet, then flips back into the ring as Nash tries to cut his legs out from under him.
Nash takes his time getting back in the ring as Nash corners AJ, who tries to slip around only to be thrown into the corner, then ducks an elbow following with a kick to the knee of Nash. Now we get a lock up but AJ is immediately shoved into the corner and Nash follows right up with an elbow to the side of the head. Rapid knees into the midsection of AJ, then Nash taunts the crowd. AJ tries to fight back but gets knocked back down. More elbows to the head in the corner, then pulls AJ into a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Sidewalk slam by Nash, cover and a kick out.
AJ whipped into the corner and he tries to leap to the middle rope but Nash nails him from behind before he gets the chance. AJ whipped across the ring and succeeds in leaping to the middle rope, then catches Nash with a back elbow, then tries to go to the top but Nash boots him off to the outside, hitting the back of his head on the guard rail. Back in the ring, Nash pulls down the straps and pulls AJ up for the Jackknife but AJ starts to fight back, making Nash fall onto his back, hooks a leg but Nash gets the shoulder up. AJ ducks a clothesline and starts going after the knee, more ducks and shots takes Nash down, then a flying forearm. More rights by AJ now as he mounts Nash, then stomps the back of the knee repeatedly, kicking it. AJ locks in some kind of cross-legged hold on Nash, then goes for a pin but Nash kick out.
AJ now with a chinlock but Nash gets back to his feet and falls back on top of AJ. AJ rolls to the apron and Nash tries to grab him but gets knocked back, AJ nails the springboard forearm, covers but Nash kicks out. AJ with more right, then goes for a kick, Nash catches, AJ ducks a clothesline and hits the Pele Kick, covers for a near fall. AJ back to the apron, goes for a springboard but Nash shoves the ref toward AJ for a distraction, catching AJ with a chokeslam, covers and wins the title in 10:52. Nash should never go 10 minutes in the ring, that was so slow and plodding.
Nash barely walks up the ramp with the title as AJ gets frustrated in the ring, slapping the mat. Nash poses with the title as AJ looks on, then Tenay sends it to the back.
Lauren is standing by in the Knockouts locker room trying to get a word with Tara, she's standing just outside the showers, and she recaps what happened in the earlier title match with referee Slick Johnson... and speaking of him, he comes out of the showers in the middle of putting his ref shirt on. He claims he was having his spider bite looked at and leaves. Then out comes Madison Rayne from the showers and she tells Lauren to mind her own business and to keep her mouth shut, or else... all while there's a camera and a mic in front of her. Then she leaves as Lauren looks on in disbelief.
Onto our next video package. It starts with Foley invoking his rematch clause for the World Title, but Kurt claims his contract allows him to pick his next opponent, and if Foley wants something from the Mafia he has to give something back. Which I guess leads into the tag titles, because Beer Money try to grant Team 3D their rematch, but with Angle calling all the shots, in return for Foley getting his rematch, Steiner and Booker get their tag title shot, and Nash gets his Legends Title shot. Beer Money gives them props for being part of two of the greatest tag teams in history, but that they're the greatest tag team going today. I'm confused, I thought Steiner and Booker beat Team 3D for that title shot?
And we get the bullet points again:
- Beer Money's 3rd Championship Reign: It was last month, Slammiversary, Detroit, Michigan, James Storm and Robert Roode, they defeat Team 3D to once again become the TNA Tag Team Champions.
- Booker & Steiner: Tag Team Loyalty: No one can question the accomplishments of Harlem Heat and The Steiner Brothers, now it's the best of both worlds as they pair the dominant individual from each of those groups.
- Mafia in Must Win Situation: Kevin Nash came through earlier tonight with that title win, but now Booker and Scott, the ball is in their court, because as far as their future with the Mafia is concerned, it's win or else.
We're live from the Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. Tenay and West welcome us to the show, and we get right to the first of five title matches of the night. Tenay goes through the bullet points like always:
- Tara's Mind Games Upset Beautiful People: The condescending attitudes of the Beautiful People have been taken down several notches since the arrival of Tara in TNA.
- Mi Pi Sexy Poisoned: What's behind Madison, Velvet and Angelina's change? Quite simply, their fear of a pet tarantula.
- Impromptu Impact Match Leads to New Champion: Now the pressure to save her friend and associate Velvet Sky led to Angelina's decision to defend her title recently on Impact, the result led to a verbal protest by Ms. Love, when the realization set in that Tara is the new champ.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Angelina Love (w/ Madison Rayne & Velvet Sky) vs Tara (c)
Tara with rights sends Love off the ropes into a shoulder block, followed by a scoop slam, then another. Love rolls out to the apron for a timeout but gets hip tossed back in. Hangman's choke by Tara before getting whipped into the corner, but sidesteps into a tarantula in the ropes. Tara delivers rights to Madison and Velvet as she drops to the outside but the distraction allows Angelina to hit a baseball slide into the guard rail. Boot to the midsection by Love before ramming Tara back first into the ring apron, then a second time, then tosses her back in. Basement dropkick, cover and a near fall for Love.
Tara backed into the corner, then a second time, and a third time before being lifted to the top rope, only to be thrown off to the mat on her back, cover and a kick out. Tara fights back only to be clubbed in the side of the head, but reverses a whip in the corner. Love catches her with a neck scissor, then some boots to the top of the head backs Tara off, then Love delivers a clothesline from the middle rope, covers and another kick out, then tries again for another kick out. Chops by Love, Tara sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but catches each other with simultaneous clotheslines.
Tara kips up first, then ducks a clothesline and throws some rights. Love sent off the ropes into a flapjack, then Tara steps over her and follows with a moonsault, cover and a near fall. Madison gets on the apron but gets clocked. Love ducks a clothesline then holds up Tara for Madison, who goes to use the hairspray but Tara gets free, so Love gets it in the face instead. Tara rolls her up but the ref's distracted telling off Madison and Velvet at ringside. He eventually starts the count but Love kicks out at 2. Madison and Velvet are sent to the back as Tara hits her spinning sidewalk slam, then goes up top, and Love was way out of position, so even though she rolled away Tara still would have missed her by a mile. Love goes for the cover, Tara gets her boot on the rope, but the ref is out of position and misses it, so Love wins the title in 7:04. Well that made Tara's title win completely pointless.
We get a replay of Tara's foot on the rope and Tara tries to tell the ref what happened but the ref explains he didn't see it, so Tara boots him down, then delivers Widow's Peak on Love. Then she grabs her pet tarantula Poison that she had in a case, but Madison and Velvet come back out to save Love. So Tara lays the spider on the ref instead, who starts to freak out as he comes to, yelling to get it off. He scrambles out of the ring as Tara sets the spider on her arm.
Over to commentary now, who run down the rest of the card:
- Matt Morgan vs Daniels will be up next, Daniels working with an injured leg thanks to Morgan.
- Abyss vs Dr. Stevie
- Jenna Morasca vs Sharmell (Minus 5 Stars!)
- IWGP World Tag Team Championship: The British Invasion vs Team 3D (c)
- TNA Legends Championship: Kevin Nash vs AJ Styles (c)
- TNA Tag Team Championship: Scott Steiner & Booker T vs Beer Money Inc. (c)
- Samoa Joe vs Sting, with the tease of Joe's adviser being revealed on the show.
- TNA World Championship: Mick Foley vs Kurt Angle (c)
Tenay sends it to JB in the back.
He's with the Main Event Mafia. He brings up how 9 months prior Kurt formed the Mafia, where he made a proclamation where the group, made up of former World Champions exclusively, would dominate the pro wrestling world, and tonight is the night his prophecy comes true. Kurt asks JB if he'd be shooting his mouth off the last month if he couldn't back it up, that unlike others he does back up his words. He says Foley doesn't stand a chance tonight, and has a warning for everyone watching, to not expect a quality PPV match because that's not gonna happen. He says he's going to maul Foley as quickly as possible. He talks to Foley now, saying he won't be out there with a Sting, or an AJ Styles, he'll be out there with the best ever, and doesn't care what Foley's done in the business, or that he got his ear ripped off, or had legendary Hell in a Cell matches, or does charity work for kids, or that he goes and entertains the troops, none of that matters to him. He says that all he cares about is being the best. He turns to the rest of the Mafia, and says if they don't have a clean sweep tonight, he's going to walk out there and fire them on the spot. Then he walks out.
Now we get to our first video package of the night, for the previously mentioned match coming up, and of course with that trademark voice over. Matt Morgan, the anatomy of a superstar, his DNA loaded with the desire to dominate, a blueprint for the perfect warrior. His dismantling of opponents bares the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. His objective? To join the Main Event Mafia. But first, he must prove himself worthy. And now, the TNA veteran Daniels stands in his way. Will the hungry blueprint Matt Morgan be able to prove to the Mafia that he belongs among the elite?
Matt Morgan vs Daniels
Lock up to start, but Morgan immediately throws Daniels over the ropes to the floor. Daniels face first into the apron, then raking the eyes, then Daniels face first into the guard rail. Morgan returns to the ring and taunts the crowd until Daniels gets on the apron. Morgan hung up on the top rope, Daniels goes up for a missile dropkick but it only backs Morgan into the opposite corner, allowing Daniels to follow up with a flying forearm. He tries for a bulldog but gets shoved into the corner, then gets a boot up as Morgan charges, Daniels off the ropes but Morgan takes him down with a shoulder block. Scoop slam attempt by Morgan but Daniels slips out, delivers rights only to be kneed by Morgan, who comes off the ropes into a single leg dropkick.
Morgan is sent to the outside and Daniels hits a suicide dive but Morgan is still standing. Morgan sent into the guard rails repeatedly , plus some forearms by Daniels, but gets whipped toward the apron. Daniels leaps onto it to hit Morgan with a split-legged moonsault. Daniels slides back into the ring as a loud TNA chant starts and Morgan regroups on the outside. Daniels goes for a slingshot crossbody to the outside but Morgan sidesteps, and while Daniels lands on his feet he hurts the bad leg. Morgan sends Daniels back first into the apron a couple of times before tossing him back in.
Morgan hits a discus forearm before sliding back out, pulling Daniels into the ring post so he can slam his leg into it, then a second time. Then drapes Daniels leg over the bottom rope before delivering a leg drop across it. Repeated elbows to the side of the head in the corner, then a corner splash and goes to deliver a sidewalk slam off the rebound, but he just tosses Daniels down instead. Morgan stomps away and torques on the bad leg and Daniels tries to push Morgan off, but he just slams his leg into the mat, then a second time. Daniels lifted and sent face first into the corner, Morgan puts his boot on Daniels' chest for a pin attempt but Daniels kicks out.
Scoop slam on Daniels then Morgan tries for an elbow and a leg drop, but Daniels rolls out of the way of both. Daniels with rights now, then a jawbreaker, but gets thrown into the corner. Daniels catches Morgan with an elbow, then goes up top. Morgan grabs him by the throat but Daniels thumbs the eye and takes him down with a crossbody into a cover but Morgan kicks out. Daniels goes for a roll up, Morgan kicks out. Daniels lifted to Morgan's shoulders but turns it into a crucifix pin for another near fall. Morgan with a knee and a headbutt sends Daniels into the corner but misses a big boot, then a springboard bulldog, cover and a kick out.
Daniels backed into the corner again,then a fallaway slam by Morgan. Morgan goes a back suplex but Daniels turns into a DDT, covers but Morgan kicks out. Daniels goes for the BME but his bad leg gives out as he tries to leap to the top rope. Morgan hits the Carbon Footprint, then the Hellevator for the win in 10:40. This match went a bit too long and wasn't all that good.
Morgan poses in the corners before Tenay sends it to JB.
He's standing by with Dr. Stevie and Daffney, and JB asks him with everything that's gone on with Abyss the last few months, from Stevie using a taser to kidnapping Lauren, Abyss' girlfriend, to drugging Abyss in his office and committing acts of violence on a defenseless man, why Stevie thinks it's a good idea to step in the ring with him. Stevie tells him to open up his mind for a second, and says that [Abyss] is like a painting, that special painting he's been working on the last decade, a little stroke here, a little dab there. He says though sometimes you need to make bigger brushes, that you need to step outside of the painting. He says tonight not only is he stepping in the ring with Abyss, his friend Abyss, he has to, he has no choice but to make it No DQ. He says that though Abyss is 6'8", 250+ lbs, he has one advantage, he respects the mind over the body, and where he dominates Abyss is in the mind. He's said before that he owns Abyss, mind, body and soul, and when their eyes meet out there in the ring, everyone will find out who the doctor is, and who's the patient. Stevie goes to walk off and Daffney says she loves him, and he says he knows, then walks off.
We get our video package for said match next and we see everything Abyss has gone through during his "therapy," and telling Stevie they'd get up close and personal soon. Stevie talks about how he treated Abyss for 10 years, and Abyss says he's no animal though he's been treated like one, and tonight is their last therapy session together.
Abyss chases Stevie around and then back into the ring to start the match, and he pulls some kind of weapon out of his attire hit and choke Abyss, some kind of a baton. More hits with the baton into the ribs in the corner, then goes to the middle rope to jab it into Abyss' head but he's shoved off, then gets Stevie with a boot knocking him out of the ring. Abyss follows as they ngo up the ramp, knocking Stevie down with a right hand, then sends Stevie into the guard rail. Stevie tries to retreat but he's thrown back in the ring.
Stevie tries to get on the attack and whip Abyss into the corner but he can't even move him. A kick and right do nothing, as do chops to the chest, Stevie off the ropes into a chop from Abyss, then tosses Stevie out of the ring. Stevie retreats up beside the ramp and into the crowd and Abyss follows, right hands in the stands laying him out on the stairs. Stevie fights back with some rights but gets whipped into a wall. Fans want him to do it again and Abyss obliges. Stevie gets tossed back over the guard rail, then goes face first into the steps, which busts him wide open. Abyss slams him face first into the steps three more times before going back in the ring.
Stevie taken to the corner and his shirt is ripped off, Abyss delivering some hard chops to the chest. Abyss leaves the ring and takes a chair from front row and wedges it in the corner, then throws Stevie head first into it. Stevie lifted up for Shock Treatment (torture rack drop), Abyss covers but pulls Stevie's head up before the three. Daffney comes down with taser in hand now and the distraction allows Stevie to hit a low blow. Lauren comes down and pulls Daffney off the apron, shoving her back first into the steps. Lauren goes and checks on Abyss as Stevie grabs the taser that Daffney tossed in, but he runs right into a Black Hole Slam. Abyss now has the taser, sits Stevie up and gets Stevie right in the chest, covers and wins in 9:57. I have to admit there was an odd satisfaction to this match, but again I felt like it went a bit too long for what it was, which was basically a glorified squash. Crowd were right into it though, they wanted to see Stevie suffer.
Abyss and Lauren embrace and he poses in victory as the ref checks on Stevie, then a replay of the taser shot. Abyss and Lauren head to the back as Daffney comes to, she and security check on Stevie now.
We go to commentary now who call this the most important event in TNA history, specifically referring to the Mafia and the ultimatum put out by Angle. They send it to the locker room now, where apparently Foley is trying to give a motivational speech to Beer Money and Styles.
Foley talks to Beer Money first and talks about Kurt's ultimatum to the Mafia earlier in the night, and admits that while he wasn't the best boss in the world, he didn't mess with their jobs. He says the truth is if they come back to Impact Thursday, and if all the belts are in Mafia possession, all their jobs are in jeopardy, including his own. He talks about how he watched Storm and Roode become the best tag team in the world and they've only been together a year and a half, and reminds them that when they're in the ring with Booker and Scott that they're seasoned veterans, guys who grew up on tag team wrestling, with brothers. He says they'll work to exploit Beer Money, and in their minds they're going to take them to school, and tells them to not let it happen, not to let them mess with their heads because that's what they're good at it.
He turns to AJ, talks about his temper and how Nash will try and exploit it, try and make AJ hot. He tells him not to sell Nash short, and not only is he big and strong, he's the craftiest player in the game and will get inside his head. He wants to take the pressure off, hold onto the titles, so when it comes crunch time, they're not counting on him to be the sole defender of the honor of TNA. He says he believes in them, he's behind them and says to do it for TNA.
Time for another video package, for our first tag title match of the night. We have Ray talking about how after so many years and so many titles they'd have earned at least a little respect from the British Invasion. We see what happened back at Slammiversary the month before when the Invasion cost them the titles. All the Invasion want is their place at the top of the division. Devon vows that the Invasion will obey and abide by Team 3D's rules. We see Magnus had cost Team 3D a match against Booker and Steiner, which is how the latter two got their title match for later tonight. Team 3D are out for revenge tonight.
Once again, Tenay goes through the bullet points for this match:
- 3D Swears Revenge: Team 3D blames its loss of the TNA World Tag Titles and the defeat in the #1 contenders match on the interference from The British Invasion.
- Brits Up the Stakes: And while Brother Ray and Brother Devon look at tonight's match in terms of vengeance, the Brits envision Victory Road as their opportunity to capture these internationally recognized belts.
- Potentially Career Changing Title Match: Ramifications of this match important for both teams. Not only would a victory put Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams on the worldwide wrestling map, it would also leave Team 3D title-less and without their upcoming New Japan bookings.
Doug and Devon start the match with some quick back and forth, until Devon breaks it off. Doug toys with him until Devon delivers some clotheslines, sends Doug off the ropes but gets caught with a kick, then Magnus gets the tag, only to run into a hip toss. Another clothesline and a scoop slam by Decon, then off the ropes with a leg drop, cover and a kick out. Ray tags in and he and Devon send Magnus off the ropes into a double flapjack. Chop to the back, then some rights from Bubba followed by an elbow. Doug comes back in but gets taken out by Ray with a right and a clothesline, then both of the Invasion clotheslined to the outside, who regroup on the outside.
Ray tosses Doug back in from the apron, who then tries to beg him off . Magnus comes from behind only to be chopped down, allowing Doug to go to the middle rope for a spinning back elbow. Magnus gets the tag and they stomp away, now Magnus with rights and choking Ray over the middle rope. Doug tags back in with rights, only to be whipped across the ring but catches Ray with an elbow which knocks him down. Doug goes for a senton from the middle rope but Ray rolls out of the way. Scoop slam by Ray to set up Devon for his diving headbutt, but Magnus causes a distraction, which allows Rob to shove Devon off to the mat. Ray tries to knock Rob off the apron but gets headbutted and Doug clotheslines him from behind.
More choking from Doug, then a couple of rights, then one from Magnus before he tags in. Double arm wringer into a straightjacket neckbreaker. More choking on Ray over the middle rope, then Doug tags in again and Ray starts to mount an offense only to be taken down, Doug torquing on the knee. Magnus tags in again and they start torquing the knees and arms, rotating until the work back to the legs for a split. Doug makes the cover for a two count. More rights by Doug and Magnus comes in again, Ray sent off the ropes into a double team back drop, Magnus covers for a two count. More rights, then fights back with chops from his knees, but Magnus catches him with a knee, comes off the ropes right into a spear from Ray.
Devon and Doug tag in, Devon with a series of rights, sent off the ropes and catches Doug with a shoulder tackle, then ducks a clothesline by Magnus to deliver a neckbreaker. Spinebuster on Doug, clothesline to Magns. Scoop slam on Doug, off the ropes with a running headbutt, cover for a two count. Magnus up in the corner and Devon hits a splash, then a sidewalk slam on Doug, cover but Magnus breaks it up. Invasion send Devon off the ropes and I think Ray tags himself in, Devon hangs on and sends Magnus over the ropes to the outside. Ray with the Uranagi on Doug, cover for a near fall. Back drop neckbreaker by 3D, Ray covers but Doug kicks out.
Scoop slam by Ray on Magnus, Devon goes up top for the diving headbutt. Ray leads a "get the tables" chant and Devon slides one out and into the ring.Terry clubs Devon from behind as Ray sets up the table in the ring, but turns into back elbows from the Brits. Ray sent off the ropes as the ref tries to get rid of the table, Magnus botches as Ray tries to throw him over the ropes. Ray goes for the Bubba Bomb on Doug but the ref is still occupied with the table, so Rob clubs him from behind, goes for a clothesline but Ray ducks and nails Doug instead. They send Rob over the ropes to the floor before delivering the 3D on Doug, Ray covers and the champs retain in 10:22. Felt like they didn't mesh that well, wasn't feeling this match.
Not much time for celebrating as Sheik Abdul Bashir and Kiyoshi to attack the champions while the Brits have left. They set the table back up but Ray throws Kiyoshi to the outside before going to the middle rope, Devon lifts Bashir and he gets powerbombed through the table. 3D's music hits and they celebrate.
Back to commentary and they talk about the controversy from the Knockout Title match earlier, then Tenay sends it to Lauren in the back.
She's with the official for that match, Slick Johnson, to get answers for what happened earlier. He admits he made a mistake and cost Tara the title and feels terrible about it, but he's only human and mistakes are going to be made. He says he was out of position, he didn't clearly see her foot on the rope, and unfortunately that's just the way it is and the ref's decision is final. He says though that he's going to go see Cornette, who I guess is still the on-screen authority, and request that Tara gets a rematch at the appropriate time. Then he apologizes to Tara and walks off.
Oh god, we've got this match next. Doesn't even get a package or a graphic.
Sharmell (w/ Sojo Bolt) vs Jenna Morasca (w/ Awesome Kong)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: They bring out Sojo Bolt first, which had me confused since she wasn't mentioned in the earlier matches, but then she's introduced in the corner of Sharmell so that explains it. Kong is here too for the same reason as Sojo, they apparently trained both Sharmell and Jenna respectively for this match. When did Kong become a babyface? Or is there even a babyface in this match? Tenay explains it's Mafia vs Mafia in this match so... both heels? Jesus I thought The Beautiful People's entrance was lewd, but this is just another level.
I can't even with this match, to try and call any of these "moves" they're trying to do is a joke, and hell that's not their fault, they're not trained wrestlers. I mean Sharmell does apply a camel clutch briefly so that's the one move done somewhat properly, and Jenna does an OK crossbody coming off the ropes. Sharmell's wrestling in a blue dress for some reason. Sojo interferes, Kong tries to intimidate her. Jenna can barely even do slaps. She does an OK spear. Most of this match is just catfight spots. Kong knocks out Sharmell with a punch while the ref is distracted, Jenna does one of the lewdest pins I've ever seen and wins in 5:51. Yeah this is bad.
Jenna tries to get Kong to celebrate and convinces Kong to hold her up on her shoulder while Jenna does the royal wave, then Jenna yells at her, then slaps Kong for some reason. Kong yanks her down by the hair and comes off the ropes with a splash. Kong's music hits and she leaves as the refs check on Jenna, then Tenay sends it to the back.
JB is with Nash in the Mafia locker room. JB brings up Foley's pep talk and Kurt's ultimatum earlier in the night and asks for his thoughts. Nash commends Kurt, he talks about how he's an Olympic gold medalist, battled for the country with a broken neck, and the thing is they're Mafia. He says the other guys have been there 5, 6, 7 years and are in the same place now as they were then. He says Mick comes in with his mullet, gives them an excuse, how they're still young and can still pull it off, and Nash calls it garbage. He says it's not up to Kurt though, and says he'll retire if he doesn't get the job done tonight, that's how confident he is. He says he's Mafia, Kurt's got the troops ready and tonight is their night. He says they do it Mafia style tonight, and Big Sexy is going to win the title.
Speaking of, we get our video package. The gist of it is how Nash talks about what he's done for the business and AJ says he changed it for the worst, and how they were better off without Nash and says he took advantage of the system. Nash's thing is money and that's it.
We also get the bullet points:
- Nash Is In It for the Cash: Kevin Nash looks at that Legends Title belt, he doesn't see a trophy, he just sees the increase in earnings that accompanies that championship.
- AJ's Lack of Respect: While the champion AJ Styles looks at the Legends Title with a sense of accomplishment, the outspoken rant at Nash's selfishness shows his disrespect.
- Angle Puts the Pressure On: We heard it earlier Kurt Angle settle for nothing less than perfection, for Kevin Nash it boils down to one thing and one thing only: win the match, capture the championship, or lose your spot in the Main Event Mafia and that's pressure.
AJ tires to go for the legs from the start and gets a kick in as they circle each other., then goes for a take down but gets clubbed down by Nash. AJ goes for it again and manages to do it this time but Nash quickly crawls to the ropes and rolls to the apron. AJ knocks him off and goes for a slingshot, Nash moves out of the way but AJ lands back on the apron on his feet, then flips back into the ring as Nash tries to cut his legs out from under him.
Nash takes his time getting back in the ring as Nash corners AJ, who tries to slip around only to be thrown into the corner, then ducks an elbow following with a kick to the knee of Nash. Now we get a lock up but AJ is immediately shoved into the corner and Nash follows right up with an elbow to the side of the head. Rapid knees into the midsection of AJ, then Nash taunts the crowd. AJ tries to fight back but gets knocked back down. More elbows to the head in the corner, then pulls AJ into a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Sidewalk slam by Nash, cover and a kick out.
AJ whipped into the corner and he tries to leap to the middle rope but Nash nails him from behind before he gets the chance. AJ whipped across the ring and succeeds in leaping to the middle rope, then catches Nash with a back elbow, then tries to go to the top but Nash boots him off to the outside, hitting the back of his head on the guard rail. Back in the ring, Nash pulls down the straps and pulls AJ up for the Jackknife but AJ starts to fight back, making Nash fall onto his back, hooks a leg but Nash gets the shoulder up. AJ ducks a clothesline and starts going after the knee, more ducks and shots takes Nash down, then a flying forearm. More rights by AJ now as he mounts Nash, then stomps the back of the knee repeatedly, kicking it. AJ locks in some kind of cross-legged hold on Nash, then goes for a pin but Nash kick out.
AJ now with a chinlock but Nash gets back to his feet and falls back on top of AJ. AJ rolls to the apron and Nash tries to grab him but gets knocked back, AJ nails the springboard forearm, covers but Nash kicks out. AJ with more right, then goes for a kick, Nash catches, AJ ducks a clothesline and hits the Pele Kick, covers for a near fall. AJ back to the apron, goes for a springboard but Nash shoves the ref toward AJ for a distraction, catching AJ with a chokeslam, covers and wins the title in 10:52. Nash should never go 10 minutes in the ring, that was so slow and plodding.
Nash barely walks up the ramp with the title as AJ gets frustrated in the ring, slapping the mat. Nash poses with the title as AJ looks on, then Tenay sends it to the back.
Lauren is standing by in the Knockouts locker room trying to get a word with Tara, she's standing just outside the showers, and she recaps what happened in the earlier title match with referee Slick Johnson... and speaking of him, he comes out of the showers in the middle of putting his ref shirt on. He claims he was having his spider bite looked at and leaves. Then out comes Madison Rayne from the showers and she tells Lauren to mind her own business and to keep her mouth shut, or else... all while there's a camera and a mic in front of her. Then she leaves as Lauren looks on in disbelief.
Onto our next video package. It starts with Foley invoking his rematch clause for the World Title, but Kurt claims his contract allows him to pick his next opponent, and if Foley wants something from the Mafia he has to give something back. Which I guess leads into the tag titles, because Beer Money try to grant Team 3D their rematch, but with Angle calling all the shots, in return for Foley getting his rematch, Steiner and Booker get their tag title shot, and Nash gets his Legends Title shot. Beer Money gives them props for being part of two of the greatest tag teams in history, but that they're the greatest tag team going today. I'm confused, I thought Steiner and Booker beat Team 3D for that title shot?
And we get the bullet points again:
- Beer Money's 3rd Championship Reign: It was last month, Slammiversary, Detroit, Michigan, James Storm and Robert Roode, they defeat Team 3D to once again become the TNA Tag Team Champions.
- Booker & Steiner: Tag Team Loyalty: No one can question the accomplishments of Harlem Heat and The Steiner Brothers, now it's the best of both worlds as they pair the dominant individual from each of those groups.
- Mafia in Must Win Situation: Kevin Nash came through earlier tonight with that title win, but now Booker and Scott, the ball is in their court, because as far as their future with the Mafia is concerned, it's win or else.
TNA World Tag Team Championship: Scott Steiner & Booker T vs Beer Money Inc. (c)
Booker and Storm start the match with a lock up, shoving each othe rinto the corner, then Storm shoves Booker back into his corner. Another lock up but Booker knees Storm in the gut, then clubs the back. Chop against the ropes and a forearm, but Storm reverses a whip and catches Booker with a hip toss, then a right hand and a clothesline. More rights as he mounts Booker, then against the ropes, Booker reverses a whip now, Storm through the legs, facebuster off the knee followed by a running neckbreaker, cover and a kick out.
Arm wringer and Roode tags in, Booker sent off the ropes into a kick and a swinging neckbreaker, Roode covers and a kick out. Booker with a thumb to the eye and Steiner tags in, then Roode face first in the corner. Chops and clubs by Steiner, then a shot to Storm. Roode fights back with rights and chops but Steiner rakes the eyes, and we get some brief back and forth before Roode takes the advantage, getting an elbow and a knee drop for a cover and a kick out.
Storm tags in for a double team suplex and Steiner rolls out of the ring, then Booker comes in but gets clotheslined to the outside, then they lead a Beer Money chant. Storm with a baseball slide on Steiner and Roode goes after Booker with rights and chops as Storm and Steiner return to the ring. Steiner reverses a whip off the ropes and Booker trips up Storm as the ref deals with Roode on the outside, then pulls him out to drop him on top of the guard rail, before tossing him back in. Steiner with a spinning belly to belly slam, cover and a near fall.
Booker tags in, Storm sent off the ropes by Steiner and Booker with a spinning back elbow. Booker with knees to the head as Storm is staggering, then some chops and shots in the corner. Steiner chokes Storm as Roode tries to get in and distracts the ref, and Steiner tags back in now. Steiner with a snapmare and a rear chinlock, Storm fights up and out, off the ropes but walks into a belly to belly overhead, Steiner covers but Storm's arm is under the bottom rope. Booker in again, Steiner hoists Storm up and Booker hits a Harlem Side Kick, covers but Roode breaks it up. Side kick by Booker, then Steiner back in. Storm chopped against the ropes and in the corner. Storm whipped across the ring but gets a boot up, goes to the middle rope and catches Steiner with the tornado DDT.
Roode gets the hot tag and hits Booker and Steiner with clotheslines. Steiner reverses a whip but gets caught with a kick and a neckbreaker. Spinebuster on Booker. Steiner reverses a whip into the corner but caught with an elbow, then Roode goes to the middle rope for a blockbuster, cover but Booker breaks it up. Storm comes in to deal with Booker, whips him into the corner but Booker lifts him up and over, Storm lands on his feet on the apron and kicks Booker in the side of the head. Steiner reverses a whip on Roode into the corner but Roode gets his boot up, Beer Money with a backstabber/clothesline combo, Roode covers but Steiner kicks out.
Beer Money go for DWI but Booker grabs Storm and tosses him to the outside, then Steiner hits the STO on Roode, covers but Roode kicks out. Steiner tries to apply the Recliner but Roode fights out of it, then pulls Steiner into Booker on the apron knocking him off, Roode with a roll up off the rebound but Steiner kicks out. Roode with another shot knocks Booker back down to the floor, then Roode ducks a clothesline to lead Steiner into Storm, who spits beer in his face, but hits the ref in his blindness. Beer Money hit the DWI, Roode covers but the ref is still out of it. Then he starts to count but Booker pulls the ref out, who then turns to see Storm and thinks he pulled him out and not Booker. As Roode leans over the ropes Booker nails him with the scissors kick from the apron, then Steiner rolls him up and the ref slides in, Storm takes forever to slide in and we have new champions in 12:43. This was actually a fairly good match until that finish, it seemed like there were miscommunications or something, or the ref was screwing up his spots, but this finish was sloppy as all hell.
Steiner and Booker celebrate and pose with their titles as Beer Money leave, then the new champs leave the ring. JB is out to do an interview with them and Booker just keeps saying "he told him so" and how they're Mafia, barely anything is picked up on the mic. JB turns to Steiner now, and he just says that they did what they said they were gonna do, and that they're the greatest of all time. He also tells Foley that Angle's going to take him down before they head to the back. Tenay then sends it to the back.
Lauren is with Samoa Joe, and she asks if the mystery will end tonight, bringing up how the past several months there's been someone behind the scenes seemingly mentoring him, and he has said the last few weeks that this person will make themselves known tonight, and she asks if we will indeed find out. Joe says that "he" is indeed there and is ready for war. His adviser, his mentor, his hope, he says the man responsible for unleashing the beast that he himself is, but before that gift, he will deliver Sting's head to said mentor. He says that everything changes tonight, the mystery is over, and it's showtime. He finishes by saying tonight will be Sting's final scene before walking off.
We get to the video package for that match where we're reminded of Joe helping Angle win the title the month before. Sting seemed to have a problem because he said punks like Joe is the reason they formed the Mafia, but Nash says it's bullshit and that it's about money, and this would lead to the Mafia taking out Sting on Impact. Sting says that Joe is the reason that wrestling is as bad as it is, saying he wants everything but isn't willing to work for it, and ended up taking a payoff at Sting's expense, calling it his mistake. He says that he doesn't need four other guys behind him to fight this fight and will fight it by himself, telling Joe he pissed him off. He tries to goad Joe into doing something, but Joe says that Sting's time will come. Sting says that no matter how black Joe's heart may appear, he's not capable of doing this on his own, and Joe reiterates that Sting will find out at Victory Road.
Samoa Joe vs "The Icon" Sting
Joe is immediately on the attack as Sting enters the ring to start this match and quickly tosses him out of the ring. Sting face first off the steps, then the apron, then a chop by Joe. Sting into the guard rail and dumps him into the crowd, with more shots and sending Sting into a wall. Joe tries to follow with a right but Sting dodges and Joe hits the wall instead, then thrown face first into it. Now fighting deeper into the crowd and Joe into another wall, then again, then Joe is sent face first into a sign a fan holds up against the wall, didn't make out what it said. Joe is tossed back over near the ramp and gets back on the offensive with some shots, then delivers a suplex onto the ramp. Sting face first into the ring apron, but then reverses an Irish whip into the steps.
Back in the ring, boots by Sting to the midsection in the corner, then pulls him to the middle for a front facelock, but Joe quickly backs up to get his foot on the bottom rope and force a break. Joe pulls Sting toward him and sends him through the ropes back to the outside, followed by a suicide dive. Back in the ring right away, Joe covers for a two count. Sting face first into the corner, then some rights drops Sting back in the center. Sting whipped into the corner, Joe with a running elbow followed by an overhead kick drops Sting again. Forearms across the face, then a rear chinlock, Sting fights his way back up, elbows to Joe, off the ropes but right into a back elbow. Headbutts, rights and chops by Joe sends Sting into the corner for more chops and rights, alternating with each drops Sting to the mat again. Snapmare and another rear chinlock on Sting, Sting fights back up again, elbows Joe, off the ropes again into a powerslam this time, cover and a shoulder up.
Joe toys with Sting with slaps, then more rights against the ropes,but Sting starts to fight back with rights, Joe reverses a whip off the ropes and goes for a sleeper, but Sting slips around to hit a back suplex. Joe back on the attack, Sting sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers a lariat as Joe turns around, Sting covers for a one count. Joe with more rights to the midsection, then Sting with boots to the midsection, Joe catches one and Sting hits an enziguri, a cover and another one count. Joe whipped into the corner for a Stinger Splash, then Sting trips him and locks in the Scorpion Deathlock.
Suddenly some unfamiliar music hits and out comes Taz as Joe's adviser. Joe powers out of the hold and gets into some fury, rights on Sting, whips him into the corner, misses a clothesline and Sting drops him with a right, covers for a one count. Sting goes up top with a flying clothesline, cover and another one count. Sting goes up top again but Joe crotches him. They try to go for a Muscle Buster but, I don't know I think Sting may have been knocked for a loop or maybe he was selling but they botched it, so Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch instead, Sting taps and Joe wins in 11:42. I don't know how I feel about the last bit of this match, it got a bit weird once Taz made his appearance with Joe no selling or powering out at one, but maybe that's the idea of this gimmick. I'll se the finish of that match aside, this was a pretty good match all things considering, probably the only saving grace on this show.
Taz joins Joe in the ring as he gets his hand raised, they stare each other down and bump fists. Commentary love the pairing as they speculate to if Joe's change in behavior has something to do with Taz's appearance. They head to the back.
Commentary send us to some footage where, despite the fact he appeared at Lockdown 3 months ago, Bobby Lashley has only just signed with TNA as announced on the go-home show for this PPV. The footage is from a radio interview with ESPN where he talks about returning to wrestling after leaving it so abruptly and wanting to still fight, and he brings up Lesnar by name putting him over as a fighter and wants to fight him.
Then commentary send it to the back, where JB is standing by with Foley. JB says it's a solemn atmosphere backstage and brings up Foley's upcoming title shot. He says that the Mafia has done everything they've set out to do so far and now it all comes down to Foley. Foley says it seems to be the Mafia's night, and how Scott, Booker, Joe and Nash have been dominant, and now it's up to him and admits he doesn't exactly match up well with Angle. He says every other wrestler he's stepped in the ring with, he can find something to exploit, some kind of weakness, but ordinarily Angle does have those kind of weaknesses. He has two small things going through him, one being that back at King of the Mountain, when Foley dropped an elbow on Kurt he was literally motionless for nearly a minute, so he knows if he dips into his offensive reservoir and he untaps a big elbow that Angle is done. He also says that awhile he doesn't like Kurt as a person, he does respect him, and did the respectful thing, opened the door, congratulated the new champion, and what he saw was Kurt, unable to move his left hand as he was worked on by a doctor, who was explaining to Kurt the damage he did to his neck in '96 has never clearly healed, but barring some unforeseen circumstance he'll be OK in 6 weeks time. Foley welcomes Kurt to the unforeseen circumstance, and while people don't look at Foley as a hell of a wrestler, he says the one thing he knows how to do is cause pain, exploit weaknesses, he calls Kurt a weakened man and says he will exploit that. Call it wrestling, call it mayhem, but he says Kurt will call him the next World Champion unless Angle finds a way to beat him. He tells Kurt if he's going to beat him, he's going to have to beat him. Foley walks off.
We get to the video package, where Kurt explains Joe's joining of the Mafia as a masterpiece of the master himself. When Joe returned from the beating the Mafia gave him, he was an animal thirsty for blood and they knew they had to bring Joe in, but turns out Joe's price tag was a little steep, which is where Jenna came in. Jurt didn't want her investing her millions into TNA so sent Nash to charm her. This plan involved every member of the Mafia taking a bullet, a beating from Joe for the greater good of the family, all to lead up to Slammiversary. We already heard in the earlier package that Foley cashed in his rematch clause and Angle's contract to pick his opponent, Foley giving out title shots to get his own.
Team 3D would have an issue with this and Foley made the tag match with Steiner and Booker, which brought the interference from the Brits and led to their title match earlier tonight, so I guess that clears up my earlier confusion, but Angle took offense to this as Foley went back on his original word, and took a beating from the Mafia as a result, even wrapping him up in barbed wire in the middle of the ring, plus shots with a barbed wire bat.
Once again, we get the bullet points before the main event:
- Emotional Loss in King of the Mountain: Mick Foley in shock after the World Title loss at Slammiversary, a defeat that he points out came without him being pinned or submitted.
- Foley Fights for TNA's Future: Hardcore legend, Executive Shareholder, finally understands just how important it is to put aside personal achievements for the overall good of the TNA organization.
- While Angle Battles for Mafia Control & Domination: Because if Mick Foley does not succeed in regaining the World Heavyweight Championship tonight, it will result in not only a clean sweep for the Main Event Mafia, but all the control that goes with owning the Legends, the Tag Team, and possible the World Heavyweight Title.
Meanwhile, there's still 20+ minutes in the run time of this show, I don't know how the hell they're going to pull off a nearly 20 minute match with Foley, even with Kurt in there.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Mick Foley vs Kurt Angle (c)
Lock up to start and Kurt is shoved up against the ropes, ref pulls them apart. Another lock up, Kurt with a side headlock brings Foley down to a knee, Foley tries to fight out and Kurt clamps it back on, only to be shoved off the ropes into a back elbow, then Kurt rolls out of the ring to regroup. Back in the ring, lock up again and Foley clubs the back of the neck and head, dropping Kurt and applies a front facelock, until Kurt gets to the rope and rolls out again. Another lock up, trades arm wringers until Foley sends Kurt in the corner with rights, dropping Kurt down to set him up for a running knee to the face. Now Foley works the arm with an armbar but Kurt gets his foot on the rope and rolls out once more.
Foley follows this time though and delivers a right, then Kurt face first into the guard rail. More rights by Foley and he bites Kurt, then returns to the ring. Angle tries to get back in through the middle and bottom rope but Mick delivers a leg drop to the back of the neck, then snaps the throat down on the top rope as Kurt gets back on the apron. Foley with a suplex back into the ring, covers and a kick out. Kurt rakes the eyes as he gets back, then delivers some rights dropping Foley, before choking him over the middle rope, then a side headlock. Foley fights back with elbows and rights, then catapults Angle over the ropes to the floor.
Foley goes for a piledriver in front of the steps, but Angle back drops him and the backs of his knees hit the edge of the steps. Foley face first off the steps three times, then a boot to the head before Angle rolls them both back in. Angle with kicks to the legs and stomps on the knee, more rights and Foley face first in the corner. More shots to the knee by Angle, Foley fights back with shots but Kurt yanks him back by the hair. More kicks to the knee and rights in the corner. Kurt goes for a German suplex but Mick blocks and tries to turn it into another armbar, but Angle takes him down and puts him in the ankle lock, but Foley rolls through and tosses Angle off, only to turn around into a clothesline, Angle covers for a near fall.
Angle goes up top but misses a moonsault as Foley rolls away. Foley ducks a clothesline and hits the double arm DDT, cover but Angle gets the shoulder up. Foley takes out Socko now and goes for the mandible claw but Kurt ducks and shoves Foley into the referee. Low blow by Angle followed by an Angle Slam, Angle covers but Foley gets the shoulder up. Angle drops an elbow to the back of the ref before he slides out of the ring and grabs a chair from ringside, swings it up but Foley gets the mandible claw applied before Angle can swing it down, only to shove Angle through the ropes to the floor, then dives off the apron with the elbow. A limp Angle is rolled back in, Foley covers but Kurt gets the shoulder up again.
Foley goes for... it looks like a body scissor/mandible claw combo, Kurt nearly passes out but Kurt fights out of it with elbows, then vicious rights to the face. Kurt rolls around and gets the ankle lock applied once again, but Foley manages to get to the ropes and force a break. Kurt kicks his arm though, pulls him back to the middle and locks it in again, this time with the grapevine. Foley is forced to tap and Kurt retains in 14:10. Alright so that wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. Not a great match by any means, but it wasn't bad, it was fine, and Kurt won which was the right decision.
Kurt celebrates and out comes the rest of the Mafia to join as the ref checks on Foley. Nash and Angle embrace, then with Steiner, then Booker then Joe. Foley is laying in pain, clutching his ankle by the ropes as the Mafia pose with their belts.
Now we get a video package as commentary recaps the events of the night and that's how the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well most of this show wasn't all that great. Joe/Sting was match of the night hands down, and thinking on things the last few minutes of it have grown on me so I have no issues with it. The TNA Tag Title match was alright until the sloppy finish. Foley and Angle was alright but I hope this is the last time Foley is anywhere near the main event picture and we can move on from there. Abyss and Stevie was fun for what it was. Rest of the show was either missable, or in the case of Sharmell/Jenna, the drizzling shits. With a run time of 2:55:01, this show had a total 1:27:30 of wrestling. That's not including the -5 star match because I refuse to call that wrestling.
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