By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

TNA Impact on Spike TV
January 21, 2006
Taped January 17, 2006 in Orlando, Florida
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

- "The greatest moment in TNA history" text accompanied the opening video package recapping Sting's return to wrestling at Final Resolution.

- Earlier in the day, Don West was in the parking lot looking for a word with Sting.

- Mike Tenay introduced the show and said Sting would say his first words on national TV in over five years.

1 -- ELIX SKIPPER & DAVID YOUNG (w/Simon Diamond) vs.

West and Tenay spent the first few moments putting over Sting's return at the PPV. Dutt and Sabin got in early double-team offense before Simon Diamond tripped Dutt from the outside. Skipper hit a clothesline on Dutt. Skipper and Young quickly went to work on Dutt. Young and Skipper had a miscommunication and Sabin took a hot tag. The action broke down before Dutt hit a springboard dropkick on Skipper. Sabin hit a surfboard kick on Skipper in the corner. Dutt hit the top rope Hindu Press on Young for the win.

WINNERS: Sabin & Dutt at 2:48. Basic opening match.

- Backstage, Shane Douglas cut A.J. Styles's promo before asking Styles about facing Samoa Joe at Against All Odds and Shannon Moore on tonight's show. Styles said a few words about Shannon before Christopher Daniels interrupted. Daniels, who was sporting a bandage on his head, accused Styles of trying to steal his spot as #1 Contender to Joe's X Division Title since he threw in the towel at the PPV. Styles said he was looking out for Daniels's well-being and his family. Daniels paused then sarcastically said it's nice having such a good friend looking out for him. Styles wasn't sure how to react as Daniels walked off. Good exchange between the two. There's always good chemistry between Styles and Daniels.

[Commercial Break]

- Shane Douglas was standing outside of Sting's locker room. Douglas said he's standing by to get word with Sting. I thought West was getting word with Sting earlier in the day.

- Don West and Mike Tenay discussed Sting's return at the PPV. West said he had goosebumps and tears in his eyes. Tenay plugged the PPV replay. West said Sting would speak later in the show.

2 -- TEAM CANADA (PETEY WILLIAMS & A-1 RALPHZ & ERIC YOUNG w/Scott D'Amore) vs. LANCE HOYT & SHARK BOY & RON KILLINGS

Don West said he was confused by the finish to the AMW-Team 3D title match at the PPV. Yeah. Tenay described Killings as a former two-time NWA Champion. Not exactly a good idea to focus on that when he's teaming with Shark Boy and Hoyt in a match thrown together with no hype or build up. Killings powerslammed Young early on. He made a cover for a nearfall. A-1 came in behind the referee's back and slammed Killings in the center of the ring. Dave Hebner was looking for someone or something in the crowd. Young, who is always entertaining, danced in the ring before taking a right hand to the gut from Killings. Hoyt took a hot tag at 2:50 and slammed all three members of Team Canada. Hoyt delivered a pumphandle slam on Petey. The action broke down in the ring. Shark Boy hit a top rope head scissors on Young. He turned around and Petey caught him with a boot to the gut. Petey hit the Canadian Destroyer for the win.

WINNERS: Team Canada at 4:07. Just there. Petey got over his finisher. Young was entertaining as usual since he actually has a defined character.

[Commercial Break]

- The "Against All Odds" promo spot featured Samoa Joe as the featured act.

- TNA aired a recap of Jackie Gayda's problems with Jeff Jarrett and Gail Kim.

3 -- JAMES GANG (B.G. & KIP) vs. KENNY KING & BUCK QUARTERMAIN

B.G. did his usual pre-match mic work. Kip revised his promo from the PPV and said he had three g's for the audience: "get it, got it, good." Right. Tenay and West focused on Jackie Gayda and the situation between Larry Zbysko and Raven. Tenay said something was going down backstage between Larry and the non-existent championship committee. Kip worked on King exclusively. He hit the Cobra Clutch Slam for the win.

- After the match, Konnan and Homicide appeared on the video screen and challenged the James Gang to a match to settle the feud.

WINNERS: James Gang at 1:55. I'm pretty sure half a segment of TV time could have been better used on a team with more upside.

- Backstage, Shane Douglas wanted some word from Larry Z. He said TNA management told him that Sting was delayed getting to the building and he would not be on the show. Larry said Sting would be on the show next week. Well, there's a classic bait and switch this week. Larry said he would also announce Jeff Jarrett's title opponent for the next PPV on next week's show. Monty Brown interrupted and said Sting has a long-term contract, yet he's no where to be found. Brown looked over the title contract Larry was holding in his hand. Monty took the contract to review it. Larry let Monty walk off with it rather than chase after him.

[Commercial Break]

- TNA aired footage recapping Shannon Moore's string of disruptions on Impact.

4 -- SHANNON MOORE vs. A.J. STYLES -- Street Fight

Christopher Daniels joined Tenay and West at the announcer table to discuss the match. Styles came to the ring in street clothes. Shannon apparently didn't get the memo and came dressed for a rock concert. Daniels said throwing in the towel at the PPV was not Styles's decision to make. Styles threw Shannon to the outside and delivered right hands to the head.

[Commercial Break]

We came back to find Styles kick Shannon in the gut to block a chair shot. Styles delivered right hands before Shannon smashed a water bottle over Styles's head. Shannon threw Styles over the guardrail into the Impact pit. Styles fought off Shannon's forearm blows then flipped him over the guardrail on the second level of the bleacher seats to the floor. Styles connected with a splash off the second level. Alex Shelley made his first appearance ringside filming the match. Back in the ring, Shannon set up a chair. Styles connected with a drop toe hold into the seat of the chair. Styles put Shannon's head in between the chair then threw him into the corner ringpost. Samoa Joe came to the top of the entrance ramp to watch the match. Shannon flipped Styles to the mat and Styles began selling a knee injury. Styles blocked a top rope move and drove the chair into Shannon's stomach. Styles took too long going for the Styles Clash. Shannon dropped him on his back then applied a half-crab. Daniels said he was worried about Styles's knee. He walked to the ring and threw in a towel. Shannon dropped the hold and the referee admonished Daniels. Styles hobbled over to Daniels and argued with him. Shannon quickly rolled up Styles and scored a three count. Afterwards, Daniels and Styles had a stare down. Daniels mouthed, "Know you know how it feels."

WINNER: Shannon Moore at 9:32. Good storyline development. The non-clean finish was appropriate for advancing the renewed feud between Daniels and Styles.

- Backstage, Christian Cage was walking while talking on a cell phone. Tenay said Sting would be on next week's show.

[Commercial Break]

- Shane Douglas was in Larry Z.'s office with Team 3D. Brother Devon said everyone saw how badly the tag title match turned out at the PPV. Larry walked into his office. Brother Ray said his team was screwed worse than ever when AMW walked out of the PPV with the tag titles. Ray said they wanted AMW and Team Canada. Larry said he loves Team 3D and would book them against anyone, but he has to answer to management. Larry told Team 3D to think about who they would rather face - Canada or AMW - then get back to him. Larry called Team 3D crybabies after they left.

- Christian Cage was in the ring. He said he just got off the phone with Sting. Christian said Sting was at the movies watching the life story of Jarrett and Brown - Brokeback Mountain. Christian said Sting would be on the show next week with a major announcement. Predictably, Jarrett's music hit. Jarrett walked to the ring with the title contract in his hand. Jarrett said he has seen it all. He called the fans "carnies who will believe anything" that Christian says. He called Sting a liar then said he ran Sting out of TNA after just one appearance. He said management could create a new flavor of the month - Chris Jericho - and get him in TNA. Jarrett planted a seed in Christian's head that he could be the number one contender. Jarrett said he would send Christian back to mid-card status where he belongs after beating him at the PPV. That's an unproductive line. Christian attacked Jarrett then Monty Brown attacked Christian. Rhino evened the odds and cleared Brown and Jarrett out of the ring. Christian and Rhino stared at the open contract to face Jarrett. Abyss ran into the ring before Christian and Rhino could settle anything. Jarrett pulled Christian out of the ring and brawled with him up the entrance ramp. Abyss and Rhino did likewise. Brown returned to the ring and picked up the contract. He glanced at it mischievously. As if this week's show was Act One in a theatrical play, Brown stared at the hard camera with a smirk as the curtain dropped.

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