By James Caldwell, Torch columnist

TNA Impact on Spike TV
February 7, 2008
Taped Jan. 22 in Orlando, Florida
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

The show opened with a video package on last week's show. "Friend...or foe?" is the theme tonight.

Backstage: Borash was still sporting a neckbrace while holding the mic for a Robert Roode promo. Roode made fun of Sharmell having a broken jaw while Peyton Banks stood by his side. Roode then cut a promo in Booker's voice, which Borash didn't find humorous. Roode threw down his energy drink and grabbed the mic from Borash. He cut a promo on Booker T. for not returning his phone calls and emails. Roode said Booker really should thank him because Sharmell's losing weight and isn't bossing him around the house with her broken jaw. Roode said you're welcome, then said Booker will find out at the PPV that it pays to be Roode.

Impact Zone: Roode came to ringside for a match against Jay Lethal, but Booker T. came flying through the stands and attacked Roode. They brawled up the entrance ramp. Ringside, Tenay put on his mad face and talked about Booker finally getting his hands on Roode at the PPV. West then talked about the PPV matches on Sunday. Main even tonight is Christian vs. Judas. They went back to plugging the PPV line-up. Suddenly, Tenay got word in his ear.

Backstage: Matt Morgan screamed through a promo to Jim Cornette. Cornette said he's not doing anything about Samoa Joe attacking Morgan last week because he's getting that contract signed. Cornette said that if Morgan screws it up again, he's going to fire him. Morgan screamed some more and complained about his job. Cornette retorted: "A lot of people don't like their job. Live with it."

Impact Zone: Traci Brooks came to the ring, then Kong with Raisha. Cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- Knockouts champion AWESOME KONG (w/Raisha Saeed) vs. TRACI BROOKS

The bell sounded, then ODB showed up on the low-def Impactron and cut a promo on Kong, which fired her up. Traci then walked into a hard chop to the chest, but avoided a corner splash in the corner. Traci fired up with a big boot to the side of the head, but Kong didn't go down. Traci then went up top, but Kong flung her down to the mat. She nailed the back hand on Brooks before giving her a double underhook facebuster. (West called it an implant buster, apparently a reference to Gail Kim.) Kong then finished off Brooks with the Awesome Bomb for the win. After the match, Peyton Banks ran into the ring and jumped Brooks until security broke things up.

WINNER: Kong in 3:00. Fine action to build up Kong ahead of the PPV. (*)

[Q2]

Parking lot: Booker T. chased Robert Roode into the garage area. Roode then hopped into the getaway car and sped away while Booker called after him that they don't have to wait three days to get the fight on.

[Commercial Break]

Cornette's office: Petey Williams screamed at Scott Steiner for stealing his briefcase last week. Steiner yelled at Cornette for selling him a bill of goods about the X Division possibly being disbanded. Cornette said he just omitted a few facts; he wasn't trying to con him. Cornette then booked a match of Petey vs. Scotty at the PPV with the winner taking both cases. Steiner screamed at Cornette, then left the office. Petey, not concerned about the match, then told Cornette to check out how hard he is. ... His abs!

Video package: They showed the Kaz vs. Dustin Rhodes program. Will the games end? Or have they just begun? Who cares.

Impact Zone: Black Reign Dustin Rhodes came to the ring for the rat on a pole match. Penzer: "the person who captures the rat wins the contest." Sounds like a Friday night after an ECW show. Kaz then came out with Reign's wig and weapon. Tenay talked about the games Kaz has been playing since stealing Reign's rat.

2 -- BLACK REIGN DUSTIN RHODES vs. KAZ -- Rat on a pole match

The deal is that there is a box in four of the six corners of the ring, but three boxes have mousetraps and one box has Misty. Reign found a mousetrap in one corner before they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q3]

Kaz got a mousetrap after the break. Reign then bit into Kaz's forehead before delivering a Pedigree sans the double underhook. Reign went for his trademark uppercut from his knees, but Kaz had it scouted and nailed a spin kick. Reign then kicked Kaz off the top rope and found the third mousetrap. So, now everyone knows the final box has Misty. Kaz kicked Reign in the ring, then climbed the final corner and grabbed Misty from inside the box.

After the match, Reign grabbed the Darkness Falls weapon and spiked Kaz in the face with the weapon. Reign then grabbed the rat box as Kaz was KO'ed.

WINNER: Kaz in 9:00. So, what was the point of the match if Reign walked away with the rat? The match wasn't half-bad, but it didn't matter based on the post-match ending. (*1/2)

Backstage: Borash interviewed Booker T. ahead of his match against Roode at the PPV. Booker said he can't believe Roode. He said he's never felt hatred for a human being in his life until right now. He said Sharmell is back home resting and recuperating. Booker told us a story, then said Sharmell's one request was for him to beat the hell out of Roode on Sunday night. Booker with the TNA line about this not being about wrestling, but being personal. He apologized ahead of time that it's going to real ugly on Sunday when he beats the crap out of Roode.

[Commercial Break]

Announce table: Don West broke down upcoming TNA live events, including the next two PPVs.

Video package: They showed footage of Team 3D trying to destroy the X Division the past few months, leading to the win-or-disband match at the PPV on Sunday. This could have meant so much more to actually rebuild the X Division if Lethal & Sabin & Shelley weren't doing a comedy skit last week, before taking a debilitating beating.

Impact zone: Johnny Devine came to the ring for his first and possibly last X Division Title defense. Homicide then came out representing LAX.

3 -- X Division champion JOHNNY DEVINE vs. HOMICIDE (w/Salinas) -- X Division Title match

Good energy early in this one, as Homicide knocked Devine to the outside and nailed a cannonball suicide dive that brushed Devine. Homicide then got some props from West and played to the crowd. Back in the ring, Homicide continued to dominate. He then went up top and missed a splash in center ring.

[Q4]

Devine went on the offensive with repeated boot thrusts to the chest. He nailed a modified Elijah Express in the corner for a nearfall. Homicide then fought back with right hand blows before walking into a fallaway gutbuster across Devine's knees. Devine went for a butterfly suplex, but Homicide blocked and nailed a t-bone suplex. Homicide made his full comeback before hitting a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall. He then went for the Cop Killah, but Devine rolled him up and nearly scored a pin with his feet on the ropes. Homicide then came back with the Ace Crusher and nailed the Cop Killer. He had the pin for about a five count, but Slick Johnson stopped his count and called for a DQ when he saw Brother Devon about 20 feet away.

After the bell, Devon and Ray made a quick attack before Hernandez made the save and dropped Devine with the Border Toss. Tenay interjected that Devine retains the title because they changed the rules last week. Did I miss something or are they making it up as they go?

WINNER: Homicide via DQ in 6:00. Really good TV singles match until the lame finish of the ref stopping his count with Devon making a mild threat from 20 feet away that he would interfere. Homicide and Devine showed good chemistry. Definitely one of the more enjoyable matches on Impact the past few weeks. (**1/4)

Backstage: Crystal interviewed Christian Cage. She didn't know why Christian would want the interview time. Um, having a title match at the PPV might be one reason. Christian finally cut a promo about the match against Kurt Angle for the title at the PPV, but then he cut a promo on Tomko that he's calling him out for one last face-to-face discussion.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: They broke down the Angle vs. Christian match, with Samoa Joe as special enforcer. The voice-over man talked about greed, and the desire for even more once the short-term desire is satisfied. They presented A.J. Styles as the boy who lost his way.

In-ring: Jim Cornette was in the ring at the contract table. He flashed the contract to the hard cam, then brought out Samoa Joe. No sign of Cornette having a pen handy. Joe then strolled to the ring with Kevin Nash. Tenay talked about "the heat" between Joe & Nash and Morgan. Cornette quickly reassured Joe that Morgan will have nothing to do with this. Joe sarcastically applauded that. Cornette then provided a pen from his pocket. Looked like a pen from the hotel room. Joe reviewed the contract, then Cornette handed him the pen. Before Joe could sign, Kurt Angle's music interrupted. Angle came out on stage, with Karen Angle following close behind.

The Angles entered the ring and Cornette asked why they're out here to screw this up again. Kurt said he's not screwing up anything, and Joe isn't signing anything yet. Kurt talked about Joe being the special enforcer for his title match at the PPV, and said he wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. Kurt said he doesn't trust anyone, and if Joe causes him to lose the match, it will be the last thing Joe ever does. Kurt said Joe has wanted a piece of him forever because he replaced Joe at the top of the card. Kurt said he's better than Joe. He said that despite Joe trying to be just like him, not only will he break Joe's ankle, but he'll make sure Joe never walks again.

[Q5 -- second-hour]

Joe took the mic and said he's accepted a few things here in TNA. He said Kurt could possibly be the greatest athlete he's ever faced, so, you know what, he's going to call it right down the middle. Kurt and Karen were surprised by Joe's nice promo. Joe then shook Kurt's hand before giving him a slam right through the middle of the contract table. Cornette desperately tried to get a signature on the contract, but Joe threw it down while Nash clapped it up for him.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Borash tried to interview Hoyt & Rave & Christy Hemme, but they were too busy talking about their guyliner. Some stagehands then brought over some mics and Guitar Hero guitars for them to pretend like they're rock stars. Borash played charades and asked if they're a cover band. Hemme said they are no cover band. Rave did a shout-out to Dallas, then Hoyt told Houston he's freeballin'. Reminds me of the jokes from the Super Bowl halftime show.

Impact Zone: Magically, H&R&C were on stage coming to the ring. Christy screamed out to the audience, which Tenay found no redeeming quality in. Curry Man Christopher Daniels came to the ring as one-half of the opposition. He did his crazy dance moves with the camera shots going nuts like an SNL parody of a European dance TV show.

4 -- CURRY MAN & SHARK BOY vs. LANCE HOYT & JIMMY RAVE (w/Christy Hemme)

Curry and Shark worked over Rave early in the match. Hoyt took a tag and ran over Curry Man before doing a headbanging dance move. The action broke down and Curry ate a big boot from Hoyt. Hoyt then strummed the air guitar before picking up Curry and strumming Curry's backside like a guitar. Sharkie eventually got the hot tag and started working on Rave until Hoyt cut him off from the apron. Sharkie nailed dual Stunners, then Curry gave Rave the Spicy Rack in center ring. He told Shark to make the cover, which he did for the win.

WINNERS: Curry Man & Shark Boy beat in 5:00. I would say Hoyt & Rave could use a win to build credibility, but their gimmick is supposed to be a joke and no one will even remember them having a match seven days from now. (*)

[Q6]

Backstage: Crystal conveyed Christian's message to Tomko, who told her to slow down and not get too excited. Tomko said he's only accepting Christian's invitation because of their history. No other reason.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Crystal asked B.G. James how the training with Bullet Bob went. B.G. said he had one foot in the grave going through the training. B.G. said his father is his mentor and hero. He said they're not having a soap opera like Tomko and Styles. They're focused, while the tag champs aren't. B.G. told them to lace up their boots real tight and shine those belts up real nice because the belts are coming back home to the Armstrongs. Bullet Bob cut himself a promo about being up for the challenge. Kip James stepped in and said the dream is about to come true. He said he's behind them all the way. One big happy family. Great promo from B.G., with a tease that Kip might turn on them.

Announcers: Tenay and West broke down the PPV card for Sunday. I can't believe this. TNA is actually hard-selling a PPV for the first time in who-knows-how-long.

Impact Zone: Tiger Mask came out for a match. A.J. Styles then came out with his crown on. He apologized profusely to Kurt and Karen for last week. Styles never specified what he's sorry for, then asked for the key back to the locker room to be part of the family again. Styles put down his crown, then turned around and took a dropkick from Tiger Mask to start the match.

5 -- A.J. STYLES vs. TIGER MASK

Tenay and West talked up the B.G. & Bob tag title opportunity at the PPV. West said the Color Guard will be present to present the U.S. colors and support Bullet Bob. Nice plug. As for the match, Styles bailed to the outside two minutes into the match. He then pulled Tiger to the floor and rammed him into the ring apron. Styles then landed a leaping clothesline from the guardrail before taking him back into the ring. Styles teased taking off Tiger's mask, but Tiger bit down on Styles's fingers and landed successive kicks followed by a standing moonsault. Styles bailed to the outside and Tiger nailed a suicide dive on the floor. Back in the ring, Tiger hit a butterfly suplex for a nearfall. He then walked into a back elbow smash and Styles caught him with the springboard reverse DDT from Styles for a nearfall. Great spot. Suddenly, there was a collision with the referee in the corner. Styles then mule kicked Tiger and nailed the Styles Clash for the win. Styles was all cocky as he screamed at the camera during the pin.

WINNER: Styles in 5:00. Pretty good TV match. Styles showed good fire that has been missing during the silly comedy heel program with the Angles. (**)

[Q7]

[Commercial Break]

Video promo: They recapped James Mitchell's recent promos on behalf of Judas Medias to set up the Abyss vs. Judas barbed wire match at the PPV.

Impact Zone: Christian Cage came to the ring for the TV main event match. Tenay said Christian has his mind on winning the TNA Title at the PPV on Sunday, but his attention is momentarily divided by his quest for Tomko's friendship. Tomko then came to the ring to discuss their feelings for each other. Christian said he wants to get straight to the point. He said everyone applauds Tomko for wanting to be his own man, but he needs to know where Tomko stands. Christian quickly threw in a side-note of self-congratulations for helping out Tomko last week. He then said they have some unfinished business, and they need to get it over with. Christian said he's going to turn his back and give Tomko a chance to do what's best for Tomko. Christian turned around and Tomko thought about the free shot, then he spun him around with a clenched fist. Tomko teased a punch, but then pushed Christian away and left the ring without taking a shot. Christian stared at him with a questioning look.

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Mitchell led out Judas Mesias, who was sporting his evil rabbit skull mask. Looks like something from Raven's Halloween costume collection. Or Donnie Darko. Tenay built up the barbed wire match, then told the audience that if they're afraid of miles of barbed wire, then Barbed Wire Massacre II isn't for you. But, if you want to see the end of this brutal storyline, the PPV is for you. And who doesn't want to see this storyline end? C'mon, show your support for the end of this storyline by opening your wallet!

[Q8]

6 -- CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. JUDAS MESIAS (w/James Mitchell)

They battled to the outside early in the match. Back in the ring, Christian teased an Unprettier attempt, but Judas flung him away. Judas then press slammed Christian over the top rope to the floor. Thud. Cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Judas kicked Christian in the face, then Christian fought to his feet and landed right hand blows. Christian then ducked a series of clotheslines, but Judas nailed a powerslam for a nearfall. Tenay really built up the BWM II match while Judas worked over Christian against the ropes. Christian came back at 10:00 with chops and an elbow smash out of the corner. He then came off the top with a forearm blow for a nearfall. Judas missed with a shoulder tackle, then Christian nailed an inverted DDT for a nearfall. Christian went up top, but Mitchell distracted him and Judas took advantage. Abyss then strolled out to the ring with his arm wrapped up in barbed wire. He then chased Mitchell from ringside. Back in the ring, Christian caught a distracted Judas with the Unprettier for the win.

WINNER: Christian Cage in 12:00. Good TV main event. Judas showed the ability to work a good TV match beyond a one-minute squash. Christian had a good warm-up match for the PPV, allowing the announcers to give the final sell for the PPV. (**1/2)

Post-match: Abyss returned to the ring and approached Judas in the ring. He then smashed Judas with a barbed wire fist, but Judas was energized and ran away from the ring. Suddenly, A.J. Styles flew to the ring and beat the crap out of Christian. He went for the Clash on Christian, but Christian was playing opossum. He dropped Styles on his back and slapped on the Sharpshooter. Suddenly, Kurt Angle stormed the ring while still selling Joe's slam through the table. He beat up Christian with fist blows before Styles picked up Christian for a belt shot. Tomko stormed the ring to make the save for Christian, though. Angle and Styles bailed from ringside and walked up the entrance ramp. Tomko lifted Christian up in the corner, then they shook hands. Angle and Styles continued to stand tall on the ramp to close the show.

Quick analysis: One of TNA's better shows in some time. Very strong PPV build-up and a real focus on wrestling this week. Good sign for TNA going forward.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for an "Impact Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Impact, click here.

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