By: Daniel Wilkenfeld, PWTorch Contributor

Where We've Been: Big Poppa Pump is back, and continues to add evidence to what I believe is the exception-less generalization that everything he does in TNA is at least four times as awesome as anything he ever did in WWE. His return as the newest member of the Main Event Mafia made perfect sense, both for the plot and for his career. Tonight he's scheduled to be officially inducted into the group, which could be lots of fun, provided no one lets Booker talk. I just can't stand the accent anymore. Also, using the traditional formula that how offensive something is equals how funny it is divided by how racist it is, Booker's new gimmick is phenomenally offensive; actually, since its funniness most nights approaches zero, I'm pretty sure that means its offensiveness approaches infinity. That sounds about right. Anyway, we have a pretty loaded show tonight, between Steiner's induction, Mick Foley's scheduled time to address AJ Styles, and a four-way tag team ladder match. This should be fun at least.

The Show: Hit Man for the Mafia

I guess Steiner's induction has been replaced by a match between him and Joe? I'm cool with that. Never mind, I guess we're starting with the induction, as here the mafia cometh. Kurt invites Steiner out to the ring, and he's tricked out in a suit too. The crowd starts to welcome him back, apparently not having gotten the message that he's the heel. Steiner shares an nWo salute with Nash. He takes the mic, and says that in addition to rehabbing, he's spent the past few months watching these young punks disrespect the people who provided them with jobs. This is the greatest assemblage of world champions ever, and they've earned their respect by spending years giving their blood, sweat, and tears. I guess he didn't get the memo that he's a heel either. He talks about all the famous places and people they've wrestled for. The difference between people like the MEM and these punks in the back is that when the punks are done with their matches they play their video games and read their comic books and sign online to see how many stars the smarks gave their last match. What difference does it make what those geeks (hey!) think about their match? They should be asking the MEM what they think. He'd never even heard of these guys before he got here. They talk about how proud they were to be here from the start, but they were only here because they couldn't get jobs anywhere else. AJ Styles could go back to Georgia wearing a billboard with his name on it, and still no one on the street would have any clue who the hell he was. Samoa Joe could go back to Samoa, and all they'd ask is who this new fat ass is. When people come to watch, they come to watch the great people at the top of the card. The closest people like Joe ever come to greatness is when they're in the ring with the MEM.
Joe comes out, followed by his posse (notable by their presence are The Motor City Machine Guns; notable for their absence are AJ Styles, ODB and Petey Williams). He says Steiner had some strong words, which would probably have offended him if he could have understood half of it. He wants to talk about all the places they'd been. They were at Ultimate X, Lethal Lockdown, and all the things that built this company. Um, I think Lethal Lockdown was actually Sting's idea back in 2006, but we get the idea. Anyway, Joe says he's impressed by the MEM's free agent acquisition, but that they've made one of their own. Cage's music hits, but the champ says Joe's moving a bit too quickly. He's always said that he's not on anyone's side, and he means that, but he's always happy to lend a hand in a fight. He also doesn't see the big deal with people trying to earn their spot at the top. Booker didn't just walk in off the streets and become a seven time World Champion, and Cage didn't just come in and become a two time World Champion; everyone has to work their way up. Wait—Booker's a seven time world champion? Are they seriously counting his Legends' Championship? Anyway, Cage says that after his match with Booker on Sunday, all Booker will hear is Cage standing above him saying "I am legend." Booker begs to differ, arguing that after their match on Sunday, Cage will be standing with the MEM.

JB catches up with Mick Foley and AJ Styles as they arrive at the arena. They were riding together so that Mick could tell AJ something, but they were distracted by an important stop, if we know what Foley means. JB says that he does, that Foley had to take a Kurt and wipe his Angle, but Foley replies that they were actually visiting a sick child in the hospital, "you insensitive jerk." AJ seems as confused as anyone.

[Commercial Break]

They announce the card for tonight. The ladder match will be Team 3D vs. LAX vs. Morgan & Abyss vs. Tanahashi & Volador. We'll also be seeing Roxxi & Taylor Wilde vs. Awesome Kong & Raesha Saeed and Eric Young & Consequences Creed & Jay Lethal vs. Kevin Nash, Kurt Angle, & Sting.

(1) BEER MONEY INC. (w/JACQUELINE) & BOOKER T (w/SHARMELL) defeat THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS & CHRISTIAN CAGE

Seriously, how do they justify James Storm siding with the old talent? Does that make sense to anyone? Also, did they book this match before the opening segment? If so, how did they know Cage would agree to fight the MEM? If not, what were they planning to do with this time? I do like mixing Cage and the Guns some. Roode and Shelley start things off. Roode tries to get in a cheap shot, but Shelley ducks under it, unloads with some chops, then tags in Sabin for some Poetry in Motion and Stereo Sidekicks. A cheap shot from Storm on the outside lets Roode takeover with a Spine Buster for two. The heels start trading quick tags between pounding on Sabin. Storm hits a cool looking spinning knee to the back of Sabin's head, but then goes for the Chin Lock. Sabin tries to power out, but Storm pounds him in the corner. Sabin comes back with a quick Ensuguri before rolling over to Cage for the hot tag. Beer Money try to catch him in a Double Suplex, but he slips out and nails a Double Inverted DDT. He tosses Roode from the ring and hits an Impaler DDT on Storm for two. Cage goes to the top rope, but Roode shoves him off from the outside. Storm makes the tag to Booker, but Cage takes him down and nails the Frog Splash. Beer Money break up the count at two, so The Guns toss him from the ring. Sabin tries to follow them out with a Cross Body Block, but gets caught, but then Shelley follows him out and knocks everybody down. Inside the ring, Booker has Cage set up for the Scissors Kick, but Christian steps back and nails an Edge-O-Matic. Jacqueline distracts the ref so he can't count the three. Once the ref's looking away, Sharmell slides Booker the Legends' Championship, with which he plasters Cage. The ref turns around just in time to make the count.

Booker T tells us to cross the line.

JB rushes into Jarrett's office, to warn him about an approaching Kurt Angle. Jeff says that his office is open to Kurt, and to all the TNA wrestlers. JB points out that Angle is coming to get Jarrett in the ring, but Double J has more important things on his mind. JB does not think Kurt will be happy to hear that.

[Commercial Break]

Angle storms into Jarrett's office, where Foley is already standing around. Kurt says that Jarrett can't hide behind his desk forever, and he will never forget what happened at Bound for Glory. He also warns Foley that he's next after Jarrett, then reminds Jarrett that his kids know and trust Kurt. Seriously, who writes this crap? It might lead to a big emotional payoff, but A) I doubt it will, and B) even if it does, there's no way it's worth all the unpleasantness along the way.

Awesome Kong just killed Roxxi in the back. After her lead pipe ambush last week, she kind of had that coming.

[Commercial Break]

(2) MATT MORGAN & ABYSS defeats TEAM 3D, TANAHASHI & VOLADOR, and LAX

Why did they get rid of Morgan's faux Saliva music? I have to assume it was for legal reasons, cause otherwise it's just crazy. As soon as the last team hits the ring a pier-six brawl breaks out. The crowd is unsurprisingly behind LAX. Hernandez catches Volador in a Fall Away Slam as Homicide gets someone with a Swinging Neck Breaker. Way too much is happening at once to keep up with, either by me or the camera men. Team 3D put Hernandez down with a WAZZUP???, and then Abyss & Morgan come in to take control.

[Commercial Break]

We clearly missed a lot during the break, as we get back just in time to see Hernandez shove down a ladder one which Matt Morgan is about to reach the contract suspended above the ring. Hernandez tries to go outside with his Super-Mex, but HOLY SHIT, everyone steps aside and he crashes into the ladder. Homicide and Devon are climbing in the ring, but for some reason Homicide takes them both down with a Face Plant on Devon. He tries to go back up, but Abyss picks him off with a Shock Treatment. Ray comes from out of nowhere to take down Abyss with a Yurinagi, then accidentally bumps the ref. Tanahashi comes in and takes down both members of Team 3D with some sort of modified Flashback. He whiffs on an attempted Frog Splash, and Team 3D put him away with a 3D. Ray and Devon are both about to climb, when Beer Money come down and knock Team 3D down. Abyss climbs up the ladder and gets the contract. Are they trying to turn Team 3D face? That's not cool. I'm also not clear on what the point of the ref bump was, unless it really was an accident.

[Commercial Break]

Who is Suicide? Who cares? I have literally never seen a less impressive build up to a wrestler's debut. Well, Austin Starr comes close I guess.

Mick Foley is out in the ring, and AJ Styles joins him. Foley says that it took a lot of courage for Jarrett to start TNA, but it took even more courage to build it in large part around a then unheard-of wrestler named AJ Styles. So Mick asked their mutual buddy Raven what he thought of AJ (Mick classily pauses here to let the crowd express their appreciation for Raven), and Raven said that he could only be described as "phenomenal". But now AJ has three tasks in front of him on Sunday—keeping his cool, representing the originals, and, hardest of all, beating Sting. But change is coming. We have a new President-elect; Mick and AJ aren't going to agree on everything—one of them is happy about the change, and one of them isn't—but they can agree to disagree without getting personal. But this thing with Sting has gotten personal, and Foley thinks that, from the perspective of the originals, AJ is our President-elect, and on Sunday it'll be time to take his oath of office. Maybe when it's over Sting will finally come to his senses. Here comes Sting, who's not happy with the notion that he's ever lost his senses in the first place. Everything he's ever said has been true. These new wrestlers need to be told what they want to hear. They need to have everything handed to him on a silver platter. Sting appreciates everything Mick has done for this business and what he is trying to do now, but Mick just doesn't know what these kids are like. The disrespect they've been showing to Sting, they'll be showing to Mick next. AJ says that when Sting talks about people being handed things on a silver platter, maybe he should look in a mirror. His contract has all the trimmings, with the limousine riding and jet flying…whoo! Sting says AJ is right of course, because AJ is always right. Whenever AJ fought with "him" AJ was right and "he" was wrong. There was never any reason to listen to "him". You know, AJ's father was right to kick him out of the house at 15. Whoa! Those are most definitely fighting words. Mick holds AJ back, but Sting isn't done. He asks what AJ Jr. is going to think seeing his dad through a temper tantrum on TV. AJ is flipping out by this point, but Mick is able to restrain AJ as Sting backs out.

That segment did more to build up a TNA PPV main event than anything I remember seeing in months. And yes, I realize I'm being inconsistent by not objecting to the references to AJ's family—maybe it's the threatening aspect that makes the other so uncomfortable.

[Commercial Break]

Not-Crystal is in the back with Taylor Wilde, who says that the only thing she can do is to go out and fight alone. Rhaka Khan walks by, and says that unless Wilde wants to go "on a suicide mission", what she needs is "a weapon of mass destruction." Seriously? Is Rhaka Khan trying to infringe on Bashir's gimmick?

(3) AWESOME KONG & RAESHA SAEED defeat TAYLOR WILDE & RHAKA KHAN.

Wilde gets a quick roll up on Kong for two. She hits a Leg Lariat, but Kong just knocks her back down to the mat. She then tags in Saeed, who foolishly whips Taylor into the corner. Wilde comes back with a Springboard Arm Drag, and follows up with a Head Scissors for two. She tries to charge Saeed, but misses and runs into an immovable Kong on the apron. Saeed tags back in Kong, who immediately hurls Wilde across the ring by the hair. Khan tries to reach in for the tag, but Kong slaps her hand away. The crowd, for reasons unknown, chants for Khan to come in. They get their wish when Wilde creates enough distance to make a tag. Khan goes face to face with Kong for a few seconds, then turns around and Choke Slams Taylor Wilde down to the mat. Kong grins, and officially puts Wilde away with an Impact Buster. As random heel turns go, that wasn't bad.

Awesome Kong tells us to cross the line.

JB is in the back with Kevin Nash, and wants to know if he's ready. Nash replies that he has wanted this fight for 11 months, and has spent the last eight weeks getting ready for this. He's faced Samoa Joes before and Jackknifed every one of them, but when was the last time Samoa Joe faced a Kevin Nash? So the question is really—is Joe ready?

[Commercial Break]

Mike Tenay had a sit down interview with Sheik Abdul Bashir, who explains how he grew up as a normal American till September 11th took that away because of the way he looked. He's been putting up with crap for seven years now. Tenay counters that the fans dislike him because of his own anti-American rants. Bashir says he wants to be clear that he loves this country, because it ensures him the freedom to say what he wants to say. It's the people that make things difficult, because they follow the media like sheep. Tenay says that he lobbied to get Bashir into TNA, but Bashir countered that he only wanted him here as long as he stayed polite and quiet. Tenay picks up on a thread I missed, saying that he doesn't believe Bashir can paint 9-11 in terms of winners and losers, because we all lost something on 9-11. Bashir thinks that's interesting, and wants to know what exactly Tenay lost. He still has his job. He still comes to work every day to see smiling faces. Does he think Ahmad still gets to walk into McDonalds and be greeted by smiles? Has Tenay ever been told by a promoter that they can't put him on TV because of how he looks? Tenay starts to say that that's what's different about TNA, when Bashir loses it and starts yelling something in Farsi (?) till security escorts him away. Up till that last temper tantrum that was exactly the sort of thing they should have been doing with Bashir all along. Let him say things that at least sound plausible; the crowd will boo him no matter what, and if the crowd ever doesn't boo him that could be a PR bonanza. Even with the tacked on crummy ending it was still, over all, a huge step forward.

They do some hyping for Turning Point. Added matches include a makeup of the knockouts' tag match we were scheduled to have tonight, a ten man X Division ranking match and Angle vs. Abyss Falls Count Anywhere.

[Commercial Break]

(4) KURT ANGLE, STING & KEVIN NASH defeat ERIC YOUNG, CONSEQUENCES CREED, and "BLACK MACHISMO" JAY LETHAL.

You know what would be a good way to actually build up a new star? Let Young or Lethal get a clean pin fall win on Angle or Sting. They could afford the loss, and it would instantly catapult someone. Also, if Lethal were to get a pin on Angle, they could make a big deal about how he is Angle's kryptonite. It's a shame we all know none of that's going to happen. Lethal and Angle start things off, which doesn't lead to good things for Jay Lethal in the early going. Angle floors him with a European Uppercut, but Lethal bounces off the ropes with a Handspring Flip and strikes Angle down. Nash interferes from the outside, which lets Kurt tag him in. Nash tosses Lethal around a bit, even nailing him with a Dominator. He tags in Sting, who just gets in a couple shots before letting Angle back in. A Snap Suplex just gets one, so Angle tags back in Sting. The Stinger goes for a Back Body Drop, but Lethal lands on his feet, dives between Sting's legs and makes the tag to EY. Young knocks Nash and Angle off the apron. He gets Sting up for a Death Valley Driver, but Kurt blind tags himself in and clips Young's leg from behind. Angle goes for the ankle, but Young shoots him off into the ropes, then rolls him on in a Small Package on the rebound for 1,2…no! He goes for the DVD on Angle, but Angle reverses it into the Angle Lock. EY rolls through and gets the tag to Creed. Creed comes in with a Cross Body Block off the top rope on Angle, nails Nash with a Superkick, then gets a recovering Angle with a Rolling Clothesline. Lethal dives after Sting on the outside. Creed tries to put Angle away with another Superkick, but Kurt reverses it into an Olympic Slam for three.

[Commercial Break]

Not-Crystal is in the back with Rhino. She says that the X Division Championship will not be on the line, but perhaps something more important will be. It isn't really all that hard these days to be more important than the X Division Championship. Rhino says he is sick of all these people. How many times will we let these foreigners into this country, only to have them abuse the freedoms we provide? Not-Crystal has the decency to look uncomfortable. Also, could someone tell Rhino that Bashir was born in, like, Minnesota? Rhino actually does briefly acknowledge that Bashir was born here, before saying that he should do like the old saying says and love it or get the hell out. Not-Crystal—no, Lauren, she's earned a name for this one—points out that he got the phrase wrong, so Rhino tells her to "get your pretty little ass out of here before I get you with a GORE!" He then threatens to deport Bashir with a GORE as well. That promo was actually frightening in its xenophobia. If I had significantly more faith in TNA than I do, I might almost think they were building to a double turn. I don't though, and they're not. That's a shame, cause this promo was scary.

(5) SCOTT STEINER defeats SAMOA JOE

Does anyone believe we're getting a clean finish to this match? Joe rushes the ring and goes on the attack before the opening bell. They brawl in the center of the ring, till Joe floors Steiner with an elbow to the face and a Modified Ensuguri. He Snapmares Steiner down to the mat, chops his back, then drops a knee on him for two. Joe goes for a German Suplex, but Steiner fights it off. He tries for a Standing Rear Naked Choke, but Steiner pulls the ref close and nails a low blow. Steiner T-Bones Joe for two, then locks in the Sleeper. Joe powers out, but Steiner rakes his eyes and clotheslines him down to the mat. He drops an elbow and then does his patented pushups.

[Commercial Break]

Steiner is chopping Joe around the ring when we get back. He goes for a Back Body Drop, Joe tries to reverse into a Sunset Flip, Steiner tries to re-reverse into a punch to the face, but Joe slides out of the way and Steiner's fist gets nothing but canvas. Joe takes him down and lands a Senton Splash for two. He plants him with an Overhead Suplex for two more, but then sees Nash on the apron and goes to deal with him. Steiner tries to attack, but Joe knocks him aside and goes to the outside with a Suicide Dive on Nash. Big Poppa Pump was somehow able to get brass 'nuks, which Joe walks right into for game. Actually, by TNA standards, that was pretty clean.
After the match Nash tries to beat down a wounded Joe, but AJ runs down and chases him away with a steel chair. The MEM applaud Steiner's victory from the entranceway.

Where We're Going: Sunday is being billed as a double-main event. One of the main events, AJ vs. Sting, has a bit of history, but was mostly created by default when Joe agreed to a no-rematch clause. Ironically, that main event feels a lot more significant than Nash vs. Joe which, after simmering for approximately ten months, exploded into a main event in about ten minutes. That's actually become something of a tendency in TNA lately—starting feuds with a slow burn, then somehow pulling the trigger so quickly and in such a way that the actual payoff just feels overdue and anti-climactic. Dutt-Lethal was of course the most egregious example of this, but even Sting's heel turn itself was handled similarly. I'm not sure if there's an obvious remedy to this sort of problem, but it's not a good thing as it is. In the meanwhile, we have a fun looking card set up for Sunday, and my guess is that at least one of the main events is bound to deliver.

Star of the Night: AJ Styles, for being in a promo with Mick Foley and Sting, yet not looking like he was holding things back. That's what I call progress.

Overall: This was a fairly entertaining show. With the possible exception of Hernandez's insane dive into the ladder I'm not sure there's much about it I'll remember next week, but it managed to make forward progress towards the PPV without sacrificing the quality of the entertainment. That counts as mission accomplished at least. B

Daniel is a graduate student at The Ohio State University. He's toying with taking a break from day-of recapping till after his Friday morning class ends in a few weeks. Anyone wanting to convince him that this column improves their lives should send notice to dawilk316@gmail.com

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