By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

TNA Final Resolution Alternative Perspective PPV Review
January 15, 2006
From Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida

COUNTDOWN SHOW

- We opened with a video package for Sting.

- Jeremy Borash touted a turnaway crowd for the show before introducing the match lineup.

- Shane Douglas was with Christian Cage backstage. Douglas, who definitely has to be in a good mood after today's playoff games, hyped up Sting's return. Christian paused and waited for the Impact audience to cheer. Christian said Sting has run into the welcoming committee of Jarrett and Brown. Christian said they're afraid of losing their spots. Christian said it doesn't matter which Sting shows up tonight because the match outcome will be positive. Douglas said he will have the first word with Sting after being out of the ring for five years. I guess we'll just forgot about that run in Nashville two years ago.

- Team Canada came to the ring and we got a glimpse of a new ring entrance set. The old school Clash of the Champions ramp to the ring meets Raw.

(1) Team Canada (Petey Williams & A-1 Ralphz & Eric Young) beat Jay Lethal & Kenny King & Lance Hoyt. West threw out the superlatives for how excited he is about the PPV. Even more excited than last month and the month before? I love Eric Young's "screw loose" gimmick. Someone with personality. King looked good as well. Lethal took the loss - eh? - after Petey connected with the Canadian Destroyer. Good action.

- Shane Douglas promised that he would get a word with Sting.

- Konnan and Homicide walked to the ring. Jeremy Borash announced Apolo first, but realized Apolo wasn't with them. Tenay said Apolo couldn't get to Orlando because of travel problems. Konnan told Ron Killings to join LAX. As in the Latin American Exchange.

(2) LAX (Homicide & Konnan) beat The Naturals (Chase Stevens & Andy Douglas). The Naturals dominated Homicide early on. The Naturals went for the Natural Disaster tag team move and nearly snapped Homicide's neck in half. The referee occupied himself with Douglas allowing Konnan to walk back into the ring and use a weapon. Homicide made a quick cover for the win.

- Shane Douglas was standing outside of Sting's locker room. Douglas knocked on the door. Douglas walked in and found Eric Young sitting on the floor playing with a balloon. Petey Williams and A-1 were going through Sting's catering table. Petey pointed out the expensive water, carrots, and other assorted food. The lights went out and Eric Young began screaming. Eric ended up Douglas's arms. The lights came back on and Scott D'Amore was sitting on a chair in the corner. D'Amore flipped the switch on and off.

- West told us to do whatever we have to do to watch the PPV. West ran down the card line up in front of the front row fans.

LIVE SHOW

- The show began with a video package of Jeff Jarrett and Monty Brown discussing Sting's return in a negative light while taking an ironic wink-wink take on the criticisms that have been levied against Sting's return. Christian, A.J. Styles, and Sonjay Dutt answered Jarrett and Brown with positive words about Sting's return to TNA.

1 -- ALEX SHELLEY & AUSTIN ARIES & RODERICK STRONG vs. SONJAY DUTT & CHRIS SABIN & MATT BENTLEY (w/Traci)

Don West said he loves the Traci schoolgirl outfit. Shelley and Sabin came out with dramatically different haircuts. I thought I had seen it all this weekend when Jimmy Johnson spiked his hair. Sabin cut the long locks and died his hair blonde while leaving the roots black. Sabin grabbed Dutt and flipped him onto Shelley early on. Dutt countered out of a Strong backbreaker with a hip toss into an arm bar. Bentley tagged in. The camera focused on Traci's bounce. Tenay was at a loss for words. Aries tagged in and took triple team offense in the babyface corner. Dutt caught Aries in the corner and tried to walk the ropes for the sprinkler. Strong caught Dutt from the apron and crotched him on the top rope. Shelley jumped off the top rope with a double foot stomp on Dutt as Strong and Aries held him in the air. Dave Hebner is in the house scouting from the stands. GenNext worked on Dutt in their corner. Jerry Lynn's in the house as well. Lynn walked to the ringside area, but without taking a side. The heels cheated to take even more of an offensive attack to Dutt. Nice work so far. Shelley stretched Dutt in the center of the ring with a double arm breaker. Dutt got a head of steam and fought back with kicks to Strong's stomach. Strong shoved him aside and cut him off. Dutt scored with a head scissors off the ropes. Sabin took a hot tag and kicked Shelley in the gut. Sabin connected with an Ole kick in the corner before hanging Shelley upside down in the corner. Sabin hit his patented surfboard drop kick. Hey, he has the So Cal haircut. Sabin drop kicked Shelley and Aries in mid-air before hitting a DDT on Strong. Sabin went for the Cradle Shock on Shelley, but he slipped out. The action broke down in the ring. Sabin threw Aries to the outside before hitting a suicide dive. Strong got involved with Traci on the ring apron. Bentley caught Strong flush in the face with a superkick. Shelley quickly rolled up Bentley from behind for the win.

WINNERS: GenNext at 10:32. Good pace without that rushed feeling. Some innovative spots and the usual crisp spots from the X Division's second tier. One of the better opening matches on TNA PPV in a while. Lynn and Hebner's ringside presence added importance to the match.

- We relived the tension and eventual break up of the 4 Live Kru.

2 -- JAMES GANG (B.G. JAMES & KIP JAMES) vs. DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH (ELIX SKIPPER & DAVID YOUNG w/Simon Diamond)

Tenay said it has been six years since B.G. and Kip teamed together. B.G. did his usual intro while Kip showed off his new "00" James Gang football jerseys. Kip said he has three words: "Get it, got it, good." Tenay said, "Well, that's more than three words." Tenay reminded viewers that Bullet Bob had knee surgery after Konnan's attack. Skipper told B.G. that he's in his house. B.G. collected himself after a few blows from Skipper. Don West called Kip James's ponytail look "The grinch who stole Christmas." B.G. looked injured or just out of place early on as he stumbled around the ring stalling for time. B.G. came back with hard left hands then tagged out to Kip. David Young took a tag as well. Kip ran over Young and Skipper before B.G. ran into the ring and clotheslined both men over the top rope to the outside. Kip and B.G. slammed their opponent's heads together. The fans chanted, "New Age Outlaws." B.G. walked into a spinebuster from Young back in the ring. Young inexplicably didn't make a cover after hitting his finisher. The action broke down in the ring. B.G. grappled Young for the pumphandle slam and then proceeded to simulate dry humping from behind. Skipper clotheslined B.G. to the outside. Kip grabbed Skipper and gave him the Cobra Clutch lift up slam. Kip made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: James Gang at 7:47. One-dimensional match. I could have done without seeing B.G. hump David Young from behind.

3 -- HIROSHI TANAHASHI vs. A.J. STYLES

Tanahashi received the streamer entrance when he walked into the ring. Tenay listed Tanahashi's credentials. Nice mat work early on before a stand off. Dueling chants of "Let's go A.J." and "Tanahashi." Tanahashi ripped off a deep arm drag. Tenay described Great Muta's breakout in WCW during the late '80s. Tenay said New Japan sees something in Tanahashi. It was actually TNA seeing something in Tanahashi at a CMLL show in Mexico. Styles caught Tanahashi flush in the face with a dropsault. Tanahashi rolled to the outside. Styles teased a high-flying move, but flipped back into the ring. Tanahashi rolled back into the ring. The camera picked up on the red mark Styles's boot left on Tanahashi's face. Styles slammed Tanahashi to the mat then dropped a knee across the face at 3:20. Tanahashi snapped off an overhead release suplex. Tanahashi locked on an abdominal stretch as Tenay continued to list Tanahashi's resume. Styles reached the ropes to break the hold. Tanahashi locked on a sleeper hold then turned it into a Dragon Sleeper. Tanahashi swung Styles in the air with the Dragon Sleeper before slamming him to the mat. Tanahashi slammed Styles then went up top. Tanahashi missed a top rope elbow drop. Styles caught Tanahashi with a side kick to the head. Styles ran over Tanahashi with clotheslines. Styles landed on the apron after blocking a suplex attempt and hit a springboard fist smash. Styles hit a hangman's neck breaker then made a cover for a nearfall. Tanahashi caught Styles out of the corner with a full nelson slam. Tanahashi made a cover for a nearfall. Styles went for a spin kick, but Tanahashi avoided the move. Tanahashi grazed Styles with a kick to the head. Tanahashi slammed Styles head-first into the corner turnbuckle. Styles and Tanahashi fought on the top turnbuckle. Tanahashi set up for a move and both men fell back onto the mat. It wasn't clear who took the brunt of the move. Tanahashi avoided a kick to the head. They went to a standing switch. Shannon Moore ran into the ring with a chair and Styles's Mr. TNA plaque. The referee occupied himself with the chair. Shannon tried to smash Styles over the head with the plaque, but Styles ducked and Tanahashi took the blow. The fans booed. Styles hit the Styles Clash for the win. The fans booed even more.

Afterwards, Styles checked on Tanahashi. Tanahashi grabbed the plaque and handed it to Styles. Tanahashi bowed. Shannon ran back into the ring and stole the plaque from Styles's hand.

WINNER: A.J. Styles at 11:03. There were good moments and there were bad moments in the match. Styles and Tanahashi lost their chemistry late in the match. The round of boos for Shannon's interruption and subsequent finish to the match summed up the overall feel of how the match ended. The high expectations for the match were not met.

- Shane Douglas was backstage with Raven. Raven called Larry Zbyszko a piece of dung. Raven asked Larry Z. if he has something better to do like push paperwork or toss some salads. He said he would overcome his final obstacle.

- Center ring, Larry Z. introduced Sean Waltman as Raven's opponent. Raven wheeled a shopping cart to the ring full of weapons. Raven ran over Waltman then chased Larry around the ring. Waltman caught Raven with a trashcan lid to start the match.

4 -- SEAN WALTMAN VS. RAVEN -- No DQ match

Waltman used a Kendo Stick on Raven's head. Raven fought back with a trashcan. Raven was bleeding from the forehead at 1:30. Don West said it's "b.s." how Larry has handled Raven's title shot re-match. On the outside, Waltman rammed a shopping cart into Raven's posterior and stomach. Raven picked up a trashcan lid and cracked it over Waltman's head. Another can shot. Raven placed Waltman in the shopping cart and wheeled him off the stage. Waltman flipped out of the shopping cart and fell to the floor below. Raven wheeled the cart directly into Waltman's head near the broadcast table. Raven sent Waltman back into the ring at 3:55. Raven went under the ring and pulled out a table. He wasn't done. Raven pulled out a shiny red ladder. Waltman ducked a clothesline and the referee took a clothesline. Raven delivered a DDT on Waltman. Raven made the cover and scored the visual ten count. Larry Z. checked on the referee, who was motionless on the outside. Back in the ring, Raven made another cover on Waltman. Larry Z. reluctantly made a count and paused before Waltman kicked out at two. Waltman low blowed Raven and made a cover. Larry made a fair count and Raven kicked out. Waltman placed Raven on the ladder and whipped him with a belt. Dave Hebner was shown on the entrance ramp. Waltman went for a Bronco Buster on the ladder, but Raven moved. Raven made another cover and Larry slowly counted to two before Waltman kicked out. Raven set up a table in the corner. Raven set up the ladder next to the table. Raven pulled Waltman up the ladder. Larry pulled Raven's leg. Waltman used the distraction to grab Raven and deliver a face jam off the ladder through the table. Waltman made a cover and Larry made the count for a three despite Raven getting his foot on the bottom rope. Without moving, Raven left his foot on the bottom rope as Larry celebrated with Waltman.

Afterwards, Jeremy Borash entered the ring and said Raven must leave TNA as a result of losing the match. Larry took the mic and reminded Raven of their agreement. Larry said it looks like Raven died. Larry said, "It's time for security to escort Raven out of my arena." West and Tenay speculate that Larry is on a power trip. Security stood outside of the ring instead of getting in the ring to take Raven away. Cassidy Riley ran to the ring upset about the decision. Raven told him to stop. Raven walked out of the ring as West said Raven got robbed.

WINNER: Sean Waltman in 10:00. Raven gets his visual victory - twice - to set up the next chapter of the story involving Larry's power trip and Dave Hebner evaluating the product. The hardcore aspect had a place on the card.

- Backstage, Ron Killings said he feels good right now. Konnan walked into the interview with Shane Douglas and asked why Killings won't talk to him. Killings said he's happy where he is and said he can't trust Konnan after what he did to Bob Armstrong. Konnan asked if he thinks he would attack Killings like he did to Bob. Killings wasn't sure. Konnan reminded Killings of the odds against him with Bobby Roode having Team Canada in his corner.

- Tenay and West reflected on Raven's departure from TNA. West and Tenay discussed Raven's debut in TNA when he stole the NWA Title from Jeff Jarrett. Nice in-between segment to hammer home the importance of the result. Tenay threw it backstage.

- Backstage, Larry Z. continued to berate Raven as he was escorted out of the Impact Zone. Larry threw Raven's luggage at him. Jackie Gayda walked into the picture and proposed a working agreement with Raven. Jackie said he has a bone to pick with Larry.

5 -- BOBBY ROODE (w/Scott D'Amore) vs. RON KILLINGS

Killings tried to repeat the result of their first two matches on Impact two weeks ago when he went for a quick roll up. Killings went for another bridge pin. Roode slid to the outside and regrouped with D'Amore. Killings took Roode to the mat with a side headlock. Roode came back with a pin attempt. Roode and Killings rolled around the ring with a series of pin attempts. Roode gave Killings and the fans the "FU" signal. Roode said he's done. Roode began to leave, but D'Amore grabbed his arm and got in his face. Meanwhile, Killings flew over the top rope with a splash on Roode. Killings and Roode recovered on the outside before Roode dropped him with a right hand. D'Amore rolled Killings back into the ring as Roode distracted the referee. Roode pounded on Killings in the corner before driving a boot to the throat. Killings threw desperation right hands, but Roode cut him off with a knee to the gut. Roode locked in an abdominal stretch. D'Amore extended his Canadian flag to Roode for additional leverage. As per the formula, the referee missed the first two additional leverage spots before kicking the flag on the third try. D'Amore flew back against the guardrail on the outside. Roode dropped a knee from the top turnbuckle. Roode made a cover, but scored a two count only. Roode continued to work over Killings before Killings caught him in the face with an elbow and drop kick. Killings flipped to the top turnbuckle at 7:00 and flew off the top with a missile drop kick. Both men caught their breath on the mat. Killings blocked a right hand and delivered right hands. Killings caught Roode with a flying forearm and made a cover for a nearfall. Killings took Roode up top and went for a superplex. Roode blocked it and threw him to the mat. Roode caught Killings with a crossbody block. Killings rolled through and made a cover for a nearfall. Konnan walked to the ringside area. Killings ducked a clothesline as Konnan got on the apron. Killings and Konnan stared each other down. Roode caught Killings from behind with a Northern Lariat. Roode made a cover as Konnan simply stared at the referee, who counted to three. Konnan put his hands on his head.

Afterwards, Konnan told Killings that he messed up. Killings was visibly upset. Konnan tried to sell an apology. B.G. James walked to the ring and said it looks like a family reunion. B.G. went after Konnan, but Killings stopped him. Homicide ran to the ring and attacked B.G. before Konnan joined in. Killings just walked out of the ring not wanting any part of the discussion. Kip James chased Konnan and Homicide with a chair.

WINNER: Bobby Roode at 9:53. Standard, formula singles match. Another chapter in the 4 Live Kru break up.

- James Mitchell was backstage with Shane Douglas and Abyss. Mitchell told Rhino that Abyss "has you scheduled for extinction." Abyss grunted and screamed into the camera.

6 -- RHINO VS. ABYSS (w/James Mitchell)

Rhino jumped Abyss before the opening bell on the outside. The fight quickly entered the ring. Rhino sent Abyss to the outside with a clothesline. Rhino went for a top rope plancha and nearly crashed onto Abyss's head. Rhino punched Abyss in the head. Abyss came back with forearm blows to the back. Abyss sent Rhino head-first into the ring apron. Tenay described Rhino's personal problems while in WWE. Abyss grabbed a chair from under the ring. The referee told him not to use it. Abyss cracked the chair over Rhino's back. Well, that should be grounds for a DQ since this isn't a "No DQ" match. The match returned to the ring at 2:30. Rhino caught Abyss with a quick leg drop for a nearfall. Abyss reversed a corner whip and slammed Rhino into the turnbuckle. Abyss placed a chair in between the top and middle ropes. Rhino blocked a corner whip. Abyss caught him out of the corner and threw him head-first into the chair. Abyss slammed Rhino across the chest with an open hand slap. Abyss locked on a reverse chin lock as the crowd remained silent. The front row fans came to life with a slow clap. Abyss caught Rhino with a big boot to the face. Rhino escaped a sleeper hold and flipped Abyss onto his shoulders for a fireman's carry into an ace crusher. Rhino recovered on the mat after expending his energy on the power move. Rhino ducked a clothesline and shoulder tackled Abyss. Rhino speared Abyss in the corner. Rhino picked up the chair and smashed it over Abyss's head. And again. And once more. Rhino set up for the gore, but James Mitchell distracted Rhino. The referee occupied himself with James then Abyss grabbed his chain and clocked Rhino over the head. Abyss made a cover and Rhino kicked out. Stack the deck. Abyss missed with the Black Hole Slam and Rhino caught Abyss with a clothesline. Rhino called for a piledriver in the corner. Mitchell grabbed Rhino's legs and prevented him from going for the corner driver. Abyss caught Rhino off the ropes with the Black Hole Slam on the chairs. Academic cover for the win.

WINNER: Abyss at 9:18. Is it possible to have a wrestling match without outside interference? Formula match.

- Shane Douglas built up Team 3D's credentials. Douglas said Team 3D went through WCW. No, they just won the WCW tag titles in WWE. Team 3D paid homage to legendary tag teams including the Arn & Tully, the Road Warriors, the Midnight Express, and more. Team 3D put over the importance of winning the NWA Tag Titles. Good promo.

7 -- AMERICA'S MOST WANTED (CHRIS HARRIS & JAMES STORM w/Gail Kim) vs. TEAM 3D (BROTHER RAY & BROTHER DEVON) -- NWA Tag Title match

Someone held a sign that read, "America's Most Wanted was great in Brokeback Mountain." Storm walked to the ring with his trusty beer bottle. Gail Kim brought handcuffs. The fans chanted, "Brokeback Mountain." Tenay said Don West's microphone is out. Oh my. Devon and Storm started things off. Devon caught Storm with a drop kick. West came back on where he left off - screaming. Ray entered the ring as did Harris. Ray connected with a hip toss, scoop slam, and elbow drop. Ray made a cover, but Harris kicked out. They stared off. Harris ducked a clothesline and caught Ray with a flying tackle. Ray quickly popped up after a pin attempt. Ray bent Harris against the top turnbuckle. Harris countered and delivered a chop. Ray countered with a slap to the face. Ray missed with a flying Sentaun bomb from the top. Storm came into the ring and choked Ray on the mat. Storm used the tape around his wrists to choke Ray in the corner. Harris entered the ring and Ray dumped him over the top rope. Devon took a tag and went to work on Storm. Devon and Ray teamed up for Devon's flying headbutt to the crotch. Team 3D asked the crowd if they wanted tables. Devon went under the ring and grabbed the table. Gail distraced the referee as Team 3D slammed the table in Storm. Harris drop kicked the table into Team 3D. Storm threw Devon into the ring to begin the heal beat down on Devon at 6:45. After Harris missed with a shoulder tackle in the corner, Ray scored the hot tag at 8:10. Ray went to work on both members of AMW. Ray hit a side slam on Harris. AMW had a miscommunication and Ray clotheslined Harris before making a cover for a nearfall. The action broke down with all four men brawling in the ring. AMW hit a combination clothesline and spinebuster on Ray. Harris made a cover for a nearfall. AMW suplexed Devon. AMW set up for the Death Sentence on Ray, but Devon shoved Harris off the top rope. Devon threw Storm to the outside. Harris climbed up top with Devon. Ray put Harris in the Doomsday Device and Devon hit the top rope clothesline. Ray made a cover on Harris, but Harris kicked out. Believable nearfall. Harris missed badly with a kick to the head and Ray collapsed to the mat. Storm grabbed a chair as he stood outside of the ring. Storm accidentally slammed the chair over Harris's head. Ray shoved Storm off the top rope through a table on the outside. Apparently the rulebook has been burned, torn into tiny pieces, and thrown in the Atlantic Ocean. Gail Kim walked into the ring with powder. The referee stared at the powder. Kim put powder in her hand and Ray blew the powder in Kim and the referee's eyes. Team 3D hit the 3D on Harris. Ray made the cover, but the referee was blinded. Devon dragged the referee over to make the three count. The referee called for the tag titles. The crowd exploded. Team Canada ran into the ring and attacked Ray. Ray no-sold a hockey stick shot. Team Canada put Harris on top of Ray. The referee wiped his eyes with a towel. He saw that Harris was on top of Ray. He thought he counted a pin for Harris instead of Ray and awarded the belts to AMW. The Dusty Finish lives in TNA.

WINNERS: AMW at 12:41 to retain the NWA Tag Titles. I have officially seen it all. TNA is just trying to be too cute for its own good with booking.

- Backstage, Monty Brown and Jeff Jarrett were with Shane Douglas. Jeff Jarrett tried to give us a physics lesson. Jarrett called Sting and Christian a "mid-card comedy act." Douglas nodded along not sure how to react. Brown repeated his promo from Saturday night. Jarrett tried to hold back tears and laughter.

8 -- SAMOA JOE vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS -- X Division Title match

West said the following: "Daniels is going to have to use every brain in his head to win the match." Daniels and West speculated that Daniels might not be fully recovered from his concussion several months ago. Joe came to the ring with a fresh towel. Daniels danced around the ring trying to avoid kicks and punches. Daniels rocked Joe with a knee to the face. Joe caught Daniels off the ropes with a knee to the face. Daniels snapped off a head scissors. Joe came back with a series of stiff knife edge chops. Daniels rolled up Joe for a nearfall. Golf clap from the front row fans. Joe caught Daniels with a cross arm breaker. Daniels reached the ropes to break the hold. Daniels went for a moonsault off the ropes but Joe - as if he was offended - casually walked to the opposite side of the ring as Daniels missed the move. Joe kicked Daniels in the back. Joe caught Daniels off the ropes with a snap powerslam. Joe made a cover for a nearfall. Daniels caught Joe with knees to the gut. Daniels fell to the mat because the move took a lot out of him. Daniels hit a springboard moonsault. Daniels hit a modified Death Valley Driver off the top turnbuckle. Daniels made a cover, but only scored a nearfall. Joe caught Daniels off the ropes with a powerbomb. Daniels kicked out. Daniels mounted Joe for right hands, but Joe wrapped his legs around Daniels's head and squeezed hard. Joe switched to an STF in the center of the ring. Daniels crawled to the ropes to break the hold. Daniels caught Joe in the corner and went for a powerbomb, but Joe countered with a huricanrana. That was dangerous. Joe scored with a clothesline. Daniels slammed Joe and hit the Best Moonsault Ever. Daniels scored a two count. Joe rolled to the outside. Daniels followed out and kicked Joe in the head. Daniels flew over the top rope with a slingshot elbow drop, skipping the apron. Joe held his chest in pain. Daniels held his back after smacking the padding on the floor. Daniels picked up Joe and threw him into the ring at 10:00. Joe caught Daniels with a kick to the face out of nowhere. Joe kicked Daniels through the ropes to the outside. Joe set up a chair. Joe put Daniels in the chair. Joe went to the opposite end of the ringside area. He charged the corner and hit the Ole kick. Daniels's head was crushed in between Joe's boot and the guardrail. Daniels came up bleeding. Joe stalked Daniels then put him back into the ring. Tenay and West played up the Steve Young concussion angle. Tenay brought up Goldberg's kick on Bret Hart. Joe played with Daniels as A.J. Styles walked to the ringside area. Joe punched and slapped Daniels in the corner. Daniels answered with open hand slaps followed by forearms. Joe missed a kick to the head. Daniels went for Angel's Wings, but Joe blocked. Joe kicked Daniels in the head. Daniels retreated to the corner. Joe delivered a running knee to the head. Joe took Daniels to the corner and went for the Muscle Buster. Joe connected. Joe went for the Kokina Clutch, but Daniels fought to the ropes. Good escape. Styles encouraged Daniels from the outside. Joe grabbed a chair from the outside and threw it into the ring. Joe put Daniels up top for another Muscle Buster. Joe teased a Muscle Buster before dropping him onto the chair. The fans chanted, "One more time." So much for babyface sympathy. Joe lined up for a field goal on Daniels. The Colts could have used Joe tonight. Tenay said Joe has gone over the line. The camera picked up on Styles holding a towel. Joe continued to pound on Daniels. Styles got on the apron and threw in the towel. The referee called for the bell. Styles checked on Daniels as Joe merely celebrated his victory. The fans chanted, "Joe, Joe, Joe."

After Joe left the ringside area, Jerry Lynn and security ran into the ring to check on Daniels.

WINNER: Samoa Joe via referee's decision at 15:30. Joe = Angle. The fans are going to cheer Joe no matter how heinous he acts. Best story told in the ring tonight. Too short of a match for the featured X Division match.

- As officials checked on Daniels, we saw a video package recapping the Jarrett and Brown vs. Sting and Christian feud.

- Shane Douglas was backstage with Christian Cage. Douglas set the table for the main event. Christian interrupted and said people can trust him. Christian told Jarrett and Brown to call Chris Jericho. Christian corrected himself by saying that's not a good idea. Including Jarrett's pre-match promo, that's two name drops for Jericho. That's not by mistake. Christian said the fans in the arena can't stand Jeff Jarrett. Christian said, "This mid-card comedy act is going to appease the fans of TNA and win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship."

9 -- JEFF JARRETT (w/Gail Kim) & MONTY BROWN vs. STING & CHRISTIAN CAGE

Brown came out first. Jeff Jarrett came out second with Gail Kim. Christian Cage came to the ring third. The lights went off before thunder and lightning filled the Impact zone. A scorpion flashed on the screen. Sting came out fourth. The look? Surfer hair and Crow look. Bat in hand. The crowd popped. Sting thanked the crowd for the reception. Sting took off his jacket and threw it at Jarrett. Christian and Brown stared off in the ring. Jarrett tagged in. Christian mocked Jarrett's strut. Christian teased a tag to Sting before tagging him in. Sting bounced off the ropes for a warm up. They teased a lock up. Sting ran over Jarrett with a shoulder block. Sting got air on a drop kick that sent Jarrett flying to the outside. That adrenaline rush kicked in. The fans chanted, "You still got it." Jarrett re-entered the ring and sent Sting head-first into the corner turnbuckle. The action broke down with all four men in the ring. Christian went for corner Stinger Splashes, but they didn't look that good. Gail Kim, predictably, got on the apron and distracted the referee. Jarrett low blowed Christian then threw him to the outside. Kim caught Christian with a huricanrana on the outside. Back in the ring, Jarrett went to work on Christian. Brown delivered a series of back breakers into an overhead suplex. Jarrett and Brown continued to work on Christian with double team offense. Sting scored a hot tag, but the referee was distracted by Jarrett, who ran into the ring as he saw that Christian was about to tag in Sting. He disallowed the tag. Brown covered Christian and nearly scored a three count when Christian was late getting his shoulder up. Brown called his spot and sent Christian to the corner. Brown took Christian up top and went for a superplex. Christian bit Brown on the head then shoved him to the mat. Christian caught his balance then hit a frog splash. Sting nearly tagged in again, but Jarrett ran to the corner and pulled Sting off the apron. Sting chased Jarrett around the ring as Christian reached his corner for a tag. Sting ran back, but not in time. Jarrett and Brown went for a dual chair shot on Christian, but he ducked. Brown and Jarrett slammed chairs together. Christian crawled to his corner and tagged in Sting. Sting ran in and cleaned house with right hands. Sting with a Stinger Splash on Jarrett. Brown avoided a second and clotheslined the referee. Sting locked in the Scorpion Deathlock on Jarrett. Jarrett crawled to the ropes, but Sting pulled him back into the ring. Jarrett tapped out, but the referee was still out cold. Brown and Christian brawled until Brown suplexed Christian onto Sting. Sting and Christian had a disagreement. Sting didn't know that Brown suplexed Brown onto him. Brown brought a title belt into the ring and tried to hit Sting, but Christian pulled Sting out of the way. Sting and Christian argued again. Sting and Christian rammed Brown's head into Jarrett's crotch. Sting and Christian cornered Jarrett until Team Canada hit the ring. Sting and Christian hit the Scorpion Deathlock on Team Canada. Christian went up top and hit a splash on Brown outside of the ring. Kim got on the top rope to distract Sting. Jarrett brought the NWA Title into the ring and clocked Sting in the face. Jarrett made a cover and the referee came to. One, two, kick out. Jarrett and Brown worked on Sting and Christian in the ring. Sting no-sold right hands. Someone said, "one minute." Time to go home. Jarrett brought his guitar into the ring, but Sting smashed the guitar into pieces with his baseball bat. Christian cleared Brown to the outside. Sting hit the Scorpion Deathlock on Jarrett then made the cover for the win. Christian and Sting celebrated in the ring. Christian handed Sting his baseball bat. Tenay said he answered the critics. Sting looked around the ring to close the show.

WINNERS: Sting & Christian at 15:35. Well, Sting answered a few questions. He wasn't involved in the match long enough to see how he'll hold up over twelve months. However, he surpassed initial expectations with a strong effort and good energy. It was an encouraging return to TNA. Since people in TNA read my column this morning, I'm sure that added to his motivation. The effectiveness of the finish was hurt by the usual interference and shortcuts.

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