James Caldwell, Torch Contributor

TNA Impact Review
December 24, 2004
Taped December 21, 2004 in Orlando, FL at Universal Studios
Aired on Fox Sports Net
Report by James Caldwell, Torch Team Contributor

Friday Afternoon Take: Christmas is nearly upon us and there’s no better way to spend Christmas Eve than with a nice round of TNA Impact. Seriously…doing the report on today’s edition of Impact prevented me from having to spend the entire day with relatives that I’m not too excited about seeing. You know how it goes. Anyways, on to the wrestling where today’s edition of Impact features a Non-Title Tag Match involving AMW and Team Canada. We’ll also see a special TNA Title Match announcement from Director of Authority, Dusty Rhodes.
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- We opened with a video clip from last week when Jeff Jarrett defeated Hector Garza in a Non-Title Match that saw Jarrett lay out Garza with a guitar shot. They did a good job of highlighting Garza holding the advantage in the match until interference from the Kings of Wrestling ultimately caught up to him.

- Mike Tenay and Don West welcomed us to the show where we will see the return of Roddy Piper as well as a non-Title Tag Match pitting Team Canada against AMW in the main event. The sound cut out repeatedly as Tenay introduced Dusty Rhodes and his secretary, Traci.

- Dusty Rhodes took the mic after reviewing some files with Traci. Rhodes said he has the most exciting announcement in TNA history. Rhodes said Jeff Jarrett has a surprise coming to him. Jeff Jarrett’s entrance music hit and out came the TNA Champion with his running mates, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Hall was wearing a ridiculous Elvis outfit. Rhodes repeatedly told Jarrett to shut up as Hall and Nash laughed in the background. Jarrett said the “silly Reindeer games are over.” The two began to interrupt each other like two fighting school boys. Rhodes said three men will battle in a Triple Threat Elimination Match at Final Resolution with the winner facing Jarrett in the TNA Title Match later in the show. Rhodes introduced Contender #1: Monty Brown. Jarrett reminded Rhodes that he already took out the Alpha Male. Rhodes introduced wrestler #2: Diamond Dallas Page. Can I throw up now? DDP stood atop the top of the stands as Rhodes introduced competitor #3: Kevin Nash. Jarrett removed his glasses in shock as Nash stood there expressionless. Hall threw his arms out in confusion as the Kings of Wrestling were speechless. Brown and DDP looked on satisfied as we cut to commercial.

Impact Note: Why am I not surprised that Nash and DDP found themselves involved in a #1 Contender Title Match? The storyline is intriguing with Nash vs. Jarrett as a potential match up, but goodness, why do we have to see DDP and Nash make themselves look better at the expense of Monty Brown? Don’t tell me it won’t happen either, because it will.

(1) 3 Live Kru (Ron Killings & BG James) (w/Konan) defeated Cassidy O’Reilly and Brandon Thomas at 3:11. Konan took the mic and asked where his dogs are. BG James said it’s time to “kick that ole poo poo.” I see James has been reading “The finest works of John Cena.” Killings started off the match by delivering right hands to the head of O’Reilly. O’Reilly accepted a high scissors kick from Killings. James tagged in and delivered a double team knock down blow with Killings. James delivered hard left hands then did a shake rattle n roll blow on both Thomas and O’Reilly. James ran into a clothesline from O’Reilly after being distracted by Thomas. Thomas tagged in and helped O’Reilly stomp a mud hole on James in the corner. Thomas delivered a knee to the gut then choked James in his team’s corner. O’Reilly choked James as Thomas distracted the ref. James ducked a double team clothesline then clotheslined both jobbers to the mat. James found his corner and tagged in Killings to no pop whatsoever. Killings power slammed Thomas. All four men entered the ring with Killings delivering a flying forearm to the head of O’Reilly. James and Thomas spilled to the outside. In the ring, Killings set up O’Reilly and face planted him with a modified Pedigree. Killings rolled over O’Reilly and made the cover for the win.

Match View: Definitely better than your usual 45 second squash match frequently involving 3 Live Kru. Also good to see someone on the Kru sell someone else’s offense for once. Good move by TNA management to re-establish the Kru, given that they haven’t been on TV since dropping the Tag Belts to Team Canada.

- DDP found Erik Watts in the backstage area. Watts mockingly congratulated DDP on another Title Shot. DDP responded by reminding Watts that he’s never had a Title shot. DDP slapped Watts across the chest and left. Raven entered the scene and reminded Watts that DDP is treating him like a worthless piece of scum. Watts screamed at Raven that he’ll take care of it. Raven wasn’t too convinced that Watts was going to take care of DDP.

(2) Abyss defeated David Young at 0:45. Abyss missed a corner splash giving Young a chance to deliver hard right hands. Young couldn’t avoid a tough clothesline as his pants nearly fell down. Abyss delivered a hard splash in the corner then caught Young and delivered the Black Hole Slam out of nowhere. Abyss with the cover for the win at…exactly 45 seconds…right on time for Abyss’ average.

Match View: Good to see that Abyss can wrestle over 30 seconds in a match. For a second, I was worried if he was going to last past the 35 second mark. Boy, those rest holds and wear down holds can have a real impact on the match. Whew. On a serious note, can we see Abyss wrestle a halfway competitive match for once? He hasn’t wrestled in a competitive match in months.

- We saw a video clip highlighting the success of Hector Garza. Good piece on Hector.

- Roddy Piper, returning to TNA, entered the Impact Zone for another edition of Piper’s Pit. Piper welcomed his four Mariachi band members to play a little music. Piper introduced Hector Garza to the Piper’s Pit. Piper messed around with the Mariachi players, telling them to continue playing; and then asking them to stop immediately. Piper asked Garza what his plans for 2005 were. Garza’s translator said Garza wanted the NWA Title Championship Belt in 2005. Piper asked who Garza has to win the belt from. Garza said “Jeff Jarrett.” Piper brought up Garza’s loss to Jarrett on last week’s show then asked the translator, “in Mexican how do you say, not so good?” Wow. Garza said he was about to defeat Jeff Jarrett, but Scott Hall ruined it all. Upon this, Hall and Nash entered the Impact Zone to confront Garza. Hall shoved Garza then said, “If you’re looking for Scott Hall…you found him.” Hall continued, “Don’t sing it…bring it.” Hall handed Garza one of the Mariachi’s guitar, then told Garza to play a little Elvis Pressley. Hall turned around to laugh with Kevin Nash. Hall turned around and took a guitar shot to the head. The guitar didn’t break, but Hall sold it. Nash went for a big boot on Garza, but Garza ducked it then followed up with a drop kick on Nash. Garza picked up the unbreakable guitar and dropped Hall with a second guitar shot, this time smashing the guitar over Hall’s head. Piper asked for more Mariachi music as Garza celebrated with Piper.

Impact Note 2: Well, it looks like TNA is trying to build up Garza as their next superstar, given the major rub being given to Garza the last two weeks. Good to see Hall and Nash sell for Garza two weeks in a row, and make Garza look good in the process. I will commend the Kings of Wrestling for that. On a side note, Piper’s involvement was absolutely horrendous. The guy killed the segment and added nothing. Goodness.

- Shane Douglas was in the backstage area with Petey Williams and Coach Scott D’Amore. Douglas reminded the X Division Champ that he will be wrestling in an Ultimate X Match at Final Resolution, but without knowledge of his opponents. Petey said it’s not sweat because he’ll be ready for any and all challengers. Douglas asked D’Amore about the Tag Title situation. D’Amore said it’s not fair for AMW to receive a Tag Match against Team Canada because they don’t deserve a Title Shot. D’Amore said it’s a conspiracy by Dusty Rhodes against anything Canadian.

(3) A.J. Styles defeated Johnny Devine (w/Coach Scott D’Amore) at 5:50. Devine and Styles locked up with Devine scoring a take down hold on Styles. Styles waited for Devine to stop playing to the crowd then delivered a high drop kick to the chest. Styles with a tough chop to the chest. Styles knocked Devine to the outside then flew to the apron. Styles sent Devine back in the ring then climbed up to the apron. Styles with a sling shot tilt o whirl huricanrana from the apron, sending Devine to the mat. Devine countered Styles with an inverted DDT. Devine sent Styles to the outside where D’Amore whipped Styles into the guard rail. D’Amore tossed Styles back into the ring giving Devine the offensive advantage. Devine delivered a series of chest stomps in the corner. Devine caught Styles with a leg drop across the neck of Styles, much to the approval of an assisting D’Amore. Devine with a sharp snap suplex followed by a cover for a two count only. Devine with a surfboard stretch, driving a foot into Styles’ back. Devine dropped the hold and stalked Styles giving Styles time to recover. Devine blocked a series of right hands from Styles, then picked up Styles and delivered a shoulder breaker slam. Devine with a cocky cover, resulting in a two count only. Devine took his time climbing up top and missed a top rope moonsault. Styles took advantage and delivered a hard clothesline followed by a swift kick to the gut. Styles connected with his patented back flip Reverse DDT off the ropes, dropping Devine to the mat. Styles with a cover for a two count only. Styles mounted Devine in the corner and delivered five right hands to the side of the head. Devine stopped the ten head punches, grabbed Styles, and dropped him head first across the top turnbuckle. Devine went for an impaler, but Styles flipped out and dropped Devine with a sweet huricanrana. Styles grabbed Devine and dropped him with the Styles Clash for the pin and the win.

Match View: Real nice wrestling action. Styles always does a good job of putting over his opponent, and today was no exception. Devine, who hasn’t been on TV in quite some time, was impressive in his return to Impact. Good work from both competitors. The crowd could have been a little more involved in the match, since the action was pretty good.

- Kid Kash confronted Dustin Rhodes in the backstage area. Kash welcomed Rhodes to TNA. Kash said he called out Dustin’s dad four months ago, and he didn’t do too badly. Kash told Dustin that he hopes he’ll have success in TNA. Rhodes stared Kash down in a questioning manner as Kash walked away. Rhodes said, “That was a hell of a thing to say to me.” Rhodes quoted a movie ala his Goldust character. Please no.

(4) AMW (Chris Harris & James Storm) defeated Team Canada (Bobby Roode & Eric Young) (w/Coach Scott D’Amore) at 8:40 in a Non-Title Match. Tenay reminded us that if AMW wins this match, they will receive a Tag Title shot against Team Canada at Final Resolution. The crowd delivered a “USA” chant that irked Coach D’Amore. Young and Storm started things off with Storm ducking a series of clotheslines. Storm skinned the cat after a hip toss from Young then dropped Young with a hard clothesline. AMW picked up Young and sling shot him into Bobby Roode, sending the Tag Champs crashing to the outside. We went to commercial as Team Canada regrouped on the outside.

Back from the commercial, we saw Bobby Roode driving James Storm into the mat with a submission hold. Roode waited for Storm to reach his feet then tossed him over the top rope to the outside. D’Amore slammed Storm into the guardrail as Harris tried to help his partner. Back in the ring, Team Canada went for a double team suplex on Storm, but Storm dropped Young and Roode with a Double DDT. Storm made the hot tag to Harris, but referee Rudy Charles failed to see the tag. Storm, exhausted and mentally unprepared for more attacks from Team Canada, took a blow from Roode. Roode went for a drop toe hold, but Storm countered with a spin kick to the head. Storm dropped Young with a kick to the head, giving Storm a chance to make a legal tag in to Chris Harris. Harris delivered stiff left hands to both Young and Roode. Harris connected with a high left arm clothesline with Roode’s name on it. Harris dropped Young with a running power slam. Roode tried to break up a pin attempt, but smashed Young instead of Harris. Roode blocked a suplex from Harris and dropped Harris with a Full Nelson Slam. Storm entered the ring after scoring a tag and dropped Roode with a drop kick. Chaos broke loose with Young rolling up Storm with a small package. D’Amore entered the ring as the referee was distracted by Harris vs. Roode. D’Amore made sure Young had Storm rolled up in the small package then left the ring. Harris broke free from Roode and rolled Storm over on top of Young. Rudy Charles scampered over and made the three count for James Storm, giving AMW the victory and a Title shot at Final Resolution.

Match View: Good wrestling match. As always, the scenario of having a commercial in the middle of the main event takes away from the match. I didn’t like the ending where Young and Storm were wrapped up in a small package for a good fifteen seconds. My biggest pet peeve in wrestling is the small package roll up for a victory, so it goes without saying that a prolonged version of that finish just plain irks me. Otherwise, I’ll take the match for what it was worth: a storyline advancer to set up Team Canada vs. AMW for the Tag Titles at Final Resolution.

- The Kings of Wrestling were in the backstage area. Jarrett was complaining about Dusty Rhodes trying to break up the KOW just like it happened ten years ago and five years ago. Jarrett said it won’t happen this time. Elvis…er…Scott Hall tried to calm Jarrett down and tell him everything was cool. Jarrett, still hot, left the Outsiders to stalk someone else. Hall reminded Nash that he held the WWE Belt. Nash said, “Didn’t get paid.” Hall reminded Nash that he had the WCW Belt. Nash and Hall laughed together and said, “Got paid.” Hall asked Nash if he’s ever had the NWA Belt. Nash, obviously thinking about his jobber days as Oz, shook his head no. Hall and Nash stood in thought then were interrupted by a loud crashing sound to their left. Was it Randy Savage’s limo crashing into a wall? Was it Monty Brown driving a Jeep across the Serengeti? Was it Jeff Hardy falling off a ladder? Was it Dusty Rhodes’ office crashing into a celebrity limo? No, it was Abyss standing over a broken table and a limp body near a dumpster. We close on that merry thought.

Closing Thoughts: Ho-hum edition of Impact. All four matches were predictable, with only two being effective. The first two matches really did nothing for the long term betterment of TNA. The last two matches and Hector Garza segment were solid storyline advancements that made the show worth its hour time slot. Good to see TNA actually give a solid, solid, solid, rub to a potential star in the company. Having Piper involved in Hector Garza’s interview segment wasn’t the right course to take, but the result was giving Garza some additional build up to follow up on last week. Garza is a solid performer, and it’s good to see him being focused on. His inability to speak will limit how far he can go in TNA, but let’s hope his in-ring work will carry him.

I’m intrigued to see what direction the Kings of Wrestling storyline goes. I’m not intrigued to see DDP involved in yet another World Title situation. Ugh. I sure hope he doesn’t insist on scripting the Triple Threat #1 Contender Match at Final Resolution. If he does, you know he’ll come out looking better than either Nash or Monty Brown. Brown is the one who needs the match scripted in his favor, not either of the other two. Good storyline to build on, despite having DDP involved. Raven, Jeff Hardy, Abyss, Ron Killings, or A.J. Styles would all be better served being involved in the match rather than DDP. It also doesn’t help when Jarrett reminds everyone that he already defeated Monty Brown three weeks ago on Impact, thus hurting Brown’s credibility. It also hurts that Brown wasn’t given any interview time to promote himself while DDP and Nash were given follow up segments. Not a good way to begin the build up of the only person involved in the World Title picture who isn’t well over the wrestling hill.

As always, feel free to send me feedback on today's show at revenge_nwo@yahoo.com. I'm open to any and all reader comments. I'll be checking in with more TNA commentary in this week’s edition of the Sunday Brunch, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

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