by James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

TNA Impact on Spike TV
January 18, 2007
Taped January 15 in Orlando, Florida
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

We go right to footage from 8:42 p.m. of Sting "out of character" beating the crap out of James Mitchell outside of the building. Tenay said Steve Borden is taking Mitchell somewhere. They showed him throwing Mitchell in the back of a car.

They showed footage from the PPV of the X Division Title match, Ray manhandling Homicide, the first part of B.G.'s promo without Christy, Joe-Angle III, and Christian winning the NWA Title.

Tenay and West broke down the card before handing it off to Jeremy Borash backstage. Team 3D interrupted. Brother Devon threw Brother Runt into a wall, then Ray said they've been screwed by so many guys, but never by their own family. Ray told runt to stay out of their business against LAX in a re-match. Devon threw Runt into a futon chair and told him not to move.

1 -- LAX (HOMICIDE & HERNANDEZ) vs. TEAM 3D (BROTHER RAY & BOTHER DEVON) -- NWA Tag Title match.

Team 3D stormed the ring and attacked LAX from behind. Devon threw Homicide into a guardrail, then they fought back into the ring to officially start the match. Devon no-sold a series of chops as Brother Runt came to ringside. Devon gave Homicide a reverse suplex, then Runt got on the apron. Ray grabbed him and dragged him to the back as Homicide hit a frog splash on Devon for a nearfall. West thought it was the finish and said Runt cost them the match again. Ray re-emerged as Homicide choked Devon in the LAX corner. The fans chanted "187" for Homicide as Hernandez scored a nearfall on Devon. Tenay said LAX was fortunate to leave the PPV with the tag titles because they didn't have Konnan. That statement is a perfect example of how stupid TNA's booking of LAX is. Ray took a hot tag and completely no-sold a huracanrana from Homicide before knocking him down with a clothesline. Team 3D set up for Devon's diving headbutt, but Moody Jack came to ringside and distracted them. He then handed Konnan's flapjack to Hernandez, who dropped Ray with a shot to the head. Ray tipped over like a tree in the forrest and Hernandez made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: LAX IN 4:00 TO RETAIN THE NWA TAG TITLES. Another bogus match between these two teams. LAX has no chance of being taken seriously as threatening heels when TNA castrates them every time they're on TV by flat out saying LAX can't win a match without help.

Borash was shown backstage. He found Abyss throwing objects into a wall.

[Commercial Break]

Gail Kim slapped Jacqueline in the women's restroom, leading to an all-out fight in the stall. Tenay said Jacqueline is being called Miss Tennessee. Security jumped into the restroom and separated them.

[Q2]

Don West talked about women becoming involved on the PPV. He spoke quietly about Christy Hemme confronting VKM, then they cut to clips of her promo. They cut to Borash for a sit-down interview with Christy. She cried about not being able to get ahead in "another company" because she wouldn't compromise or lay down for anyone. Kip James interrupted with a to-go box of food. He told Christy that before you can climb the ladder of success, you have go down. He did a crotch chop, then "accidentally" spilled his food on Christy's top. She slapped his knee after screaming at him, then B.G. James interrupted and told Kip to chill out.

Christian Cage walked out with the NWA Title and without Tomko. Christian was wearing a nice suit, but with some sort of hood hanging over the back of his shoulders. Christian talked about Kurt Angle before calling him the biggest asshole he's ever met. Angle pressed the button backstage for his music and stormed to the ring. Angle told Christian to shine up the NWA Title belt because it's coming right home to his mantle over the fireplace. He spit in Christian's face, then Christian said he knows how to channel his emotions unlike Angle. Christian said he has to get inside Angle's head to see what makes him tick if he's going to beat him. He said he found someone that wrestles like Angle and can't stand him. Christian said he won't reveal who his consultant is, but he'll drop a few hints. Angle asked if it was Goldberg or Brock Lesnar. The fans booed, then they chanted "R-V-D". Angle spoke over the chants, then gave Christian an overhead suplex. He went for the anklelock, but Christian escaped and bailed to the outside.

They instantly cut to video of Borden throwing Mitchell into a fence somewhere where it was cold.

[Commercial Break]

They aired a video package on Christian Cage to promote the February PPV. The voice-over man called Christian one of the most dominant wrestlers of this decade.

They cut back to Borden throwing Mitchell into a fence next to the prison where Abyss was. He wanted to know what Abyss is hiding. Mitchell said his name is Chris Marks, then asked why Sting cares about Abyss. Mitchell called Abyss a piece of s--- and said he's nothing without him. Mitchell said Abyss means nothing to him and he's his meal ticket that he's used for eighteen months. Borden told Mitchell that he doesn't see a piece of garbage, but he sees a human. Mitchell whispered as Borden continued to choke him out. Sting left after saying he was going to find Abyss back at the arena and get answers. They cut to ringside where Tenay and West talked about the puzzle pieces.

They cut to a PCS video package. Alex Shelley talked up Kevin Nash, then he handed Borash his card. Nash said it's time for the PCS wrestlers to go on their own way. Jay Lethal said Nash has been stringing them along the whole time, but Nash changed the subject and said they needed an extreme makeover. Austin Starr then jumped Senshi and threw him into a wall. They brawled on the ground as Nash just watched before PCS wrestlers separated them.

The voice-over man asked us whether the "estrogen war would continue" between Gail and Miss Tennessee after the break. That's classic.

[Q3]

[Commercial Break]

Kurt Angle was in Jim Cornette's office for his weekly counseling session with Cornete. Angle grabbed Cornette by the tie and told him to figure out what Christian is talking about with a consultant. Cornette told Angle to get a grip on himself and get ready for A.J. Styles, not buy into Christian's mind games.

2 -- LANCE HOYT vs. JAMES STORM (w/Miss Tennessee). They showed A.J. Pierzynski and Dale Torborg ringside mocking Hoyt. Storm grabbed a sign supporting Chris Harris from the same planted fan who Jeff Jarrett shoved a few months ago. Hoyt ran over Storm early on with a hard clothesline. He went to the corner for a moonsault, but Miss T. distracted him. That allowed Storm to hit a reverse DDT off the top rope. Hoyt made a comeback, but Torborg got on the apron and distracted Hoyt. A.J. then hit Hoyt in the back with a chair. Storm hit a superkick on Hoyt to make the cover for the win. WINNER: STORM IN 3:00.

Afterward, Gail Kim came to ringside. Storm chucked her into the ring, then gave her a swinging front slam. Ringside, A.J. autographed Hoyt's head after Torborg beat him down. Petey Williams ran into the ring to help Gail, but Storm gave him a superkick.

Borash was backstage again, this time outside of A.J. Styles's locker room. Eric Young interrupted. Young said his friend is off the pill, but they need to do some shopping for condos in time for next week. Borash corrected him that it's a condom. Young said whatever works. Styles stepped in and told Young to leave. He talked about Kurt Angle, and said he's been handed everything on a silver platter without having done anything. Borash whispered that he won a gold medal. Styles said, "Whooptido! I won a blue ribbon." Styles said he was all-county in the triple jump, but you don't hear him bragging. Styles said he doesn't care whether people love him or hate him, he's still phenomenal.

[Commercial Break]

They showed ootage from Moments Ago when Borden arrived back in the Impact zone. A camera crew and Leticia followed him out of the parking lot.

[Q4]

3 -- A.J. STYLES vs. KURT ANGLE. This first-encounter could have been saved for a PPV main event, but at least they gave the match the most pre-match build of any Impact main event in months to make it seem special for if they have a PPV re-match down the road. Styles dove at Angle early on, then Angle paint brushed the back of Styles's head. Styles sneered at Angle then walked into a knock down clothesline. Angle dropped Styles with an overhead suplex, then goat boy Tomko walked to ringside. Angle screamed at Tomko, then Styles kicked the ring ropes from behind to crotch Angle.

[Commercial Break]

Styles was in control out of the break. They showed Tomko with his feet propped up on the apron watching the action. Angle came back with right hand blows, but Styles dropped him with a quick kick to the head for a nearfall. Styles followed with a springboard fist smash for another nearfall. Tomko complained to the referee about the speed of his count, then Styles grabbed a steel chair. Angle ducked a chair shot, then hit an Olympic Slam on the chair for the pin and the win. WINNER: ANGLE IN 9:00. Not a good taste of what could be with Styles and Angle. Too short of a match.

Afterward, Christian came to ringside and attacked Angle. This led to a three-on-one beating. Rhino then hit the ring and nailed Styles. They fought to ringside. Samoa Joe then ran into the ring with a chair and cleared Christian and Tomko. Angle moved to his feet and stared down Joe. Christian then told Angle to get a clue. Security ran into the ring as Tenay speculated that Joe was Christian's advisor.

They aired a video wrap-up, then Steve Borden was magically in the ring with everyone cleared out. He called out Abyss, who came to the ring. Borden suggested that Abyss start talking. Borden said that if Abyss doesn't stand for something, he would fall for anything, then he handed Abyss the mic. Abyss moved the mic to his lips, but then quickly handed it back to Borden. Borden poked him in the stomach with his bat. He said he's trying to help him, but Abyss cowered to the corner. Borden said it's public record, so he would find out what happened for himself. The fans chanted, "Sting's a bully" as Borden left and Abyss screamed from his knees in the ring. TNA is doing a fine job of turning Sting heel and drawing sympathy to Abyss.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

METZGER'S ROH TV REPORT 10/4 & 10/7: IWGP World champ Okada vs. Roderick Strong main event, plus Briscoes vs. Time Splitters, more from "Field of Honor," Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/7: TNA Title Series kicks off, Bound for Glory fall-out, more; Overall Reax