By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

TNA Impact on Spike TV
April 16, 2009
Taped Apr. 7 in Orlando, Fla.

The show started with a preview of the Lethal Lockdown match at the Lockdown PPV on Sunday. We're going into the pit of hell, according to over-dramatic voice-over man. Mystery fourth man for Team Jarrett will be revealed tonight. "Jeff Jarrett's Dilemma" is the title tonight.

"I'll be doing what I be doing. I'lAngle jumped up and down and hugged Jarrett while Styles and Daniels complained to Jarrett. Cornette sure didn't like it after being over-ruled. Poor Jeff. Oh, but Samoa Joe certainly didn't like it. Cue up Joe's music as everyone in the Mafia stopped celebrating, then started pointing at Jarrett. That was pretty funny. ...l be doing my thing. It is my destiny. ... to forget about Destination X. Off to the Lockdown hype...

Announcers: Mike Tenay opened the show plugging Kevin Nash vs. Jarrett's ??? tonight. ... A.J. Styles then came to the ring sporting jeans and a t-shirt. Styles said he talked to Jeff Jarrett about Jeff's recent mistake and said it's all good. But, those darn rumors keep circulating. He just wants to make sure they're on the same page going to Lockdown.

Jarrett came out and Styles put his hand on Jeff's shoulder. He recapped the whole ordeal putting Jeff under pressure and any decision could make or break the company. Well, as long as Jeff is batting .300 with three out of ten good decisions, then TNA is all good. Styles got personal and wanted to know if he can trust Jeff at Lockdown. Jeff said he's insulted Styles would even ask that question. Remember, Styles, you turned down the offer.

Styles said he just doesn't want to be turned on. Jeff said he never said that. Styles shot back that Jeff implied it. Jeff then snapped to attention and said that's what's wrong with the young generation - not trusting him. He said Styles has some serious cajones to drop that line about not trusting him. Styles started to apologize, but Jeff cut him off and said Styles will like the fourth member of Team Jarrett that he reveals tonight.

Main Event Mafia's music interrupted and out walked Kurt Angle along with Mafia security. Don West said no one on Team Jarrett is on the same page, while Mafia has it all together. Angle started by saying he sympathizes with Jeff being under a lot of pressure, but Kevin Nash can't go tonight. Doc won't clear him until this Sunday at the PPV. Angle said he would like to take Nash's spot tonight.

Styles interjected that Nash should forfeit the match and Team Jarrett gets the man advantage. Angle casually said he didn't realize Styles was in charge tonight. Jarrett said Styles isn't in charge, but he is. Jarrett recognized cajones earlier, then cut 'em right off. Jarrett said they're delivering a Man Advantage match tonight for the fans and he will allow Angle to take his place. Jarrett took off running and ordered the show to continue. West instantly complained about Jarrett crumbling under pressure.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: They focused on X Division champion Suicide, then the Ultimate Xscape match for the X Division Title at Lockdown. ... Backstage: Lauren was with Sheik Abdul Bashir and Team No Limit. He hated the idea of her saying they have formed an anti-American faction. Bashir said they volunteered to join his movement to gain respect in TNA. No Limit just kind of stood there not reacting while Bashir ranted and raved.

1 -- HOMICIDE (w/Hernandez) vs. CHRIS SABIN (w/Alex Shelley) vs. NAITO (w/Yujiro, Kiyoshi, and Sheik Abdul Bashir)

Sabin proved his brain power early on by giving Homicide a double-foot dropkick, then tricking Naito into running into a running clothesline. Homicide recovered, then flew through the ropes with a cannonball dive onto No Limit. Tenay said it was a good move, but it could cost him the match. What exactly is at stake? That's the problem with these undercard TV matches - there's nothing on the line. No money, no advancement in X Division rankings, no endorsement. Tenay started plugging the Lockdown PPV pre-show, including Bonaduce vs. Young, as the wrestlers exchanged power moves and pin attempts. Sabin was trying to superplex Naito, but Homicide shoved Sabin to the floor and delivered a top rope Ace Crusher to Naito. He made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Homicide in 6:00. Nice to see Homicide actually pick up a victory. Match was fine for the moment in time it existed. Wasn't the focal point of the broadcast for six minutes, but they delivered some eye-catching athleticism to hold viewer interest for Tenay and West talking about everything else. (*1/2)

Backstage: A cab randomly pulled up. Don West randomly interjected a voice-over. Balls Mahoney and a clean-shaved Spike Dudley randomly popped out. They randomly smiled and looked around the garage.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Abyss and Lauren were having a conversation with Jim Cornette, then ODB and Cody Deaner stormed in for ODB to complain about being booked in a cage match at the PPV without any recent TV time. Cornette decided to book a mixed tag match. He told Abyss to find a Knockout and told ODB to find a male wrestler. Cody offered his services, but ODB said he was supposed to disappear at the last PPV. One night, remember? Cody didn't care.

Sit-down interview: Mike Tenay was with Jeff Jarrett for another sit-down installment. Jarrett said he viewed Mick Foley's role in TNA as a dream come true with his experience to bring to TNA. Tenay brought up Jarrett vs. Foley from about 20 years ago. Both were much, much skinnier on the DVD clip they showed. Jarrett said he doesn't know who's showing up to Lockdown on Sunday - executive shareholder or Cactus Jack. Tenay wanted to know about the recent chats with Scott Steiner. Jarrett said it's well-known that he's tight with Scott because his late wife's favorite wrestler was always Scott. Jarrett said the business has driven a wedge between himself and Scott. Very interesting to see them pull back the curtain on Scott's TV character, which he tries to protect.

Jarrett said he's used his business cap during his TNA run, but now he has to think about taking care about himself and his girls...and no one else. Hinting at Mafia heel turn, but could turn out he'll reinforce his commitment to the young stars as the future of his company. Very effective interview to build to Lockdown.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Jeremy Borash sat down with Kurt Angle to discuss the entire Mafia storyline. Steiner was chilling next to Borash listening intently while Kevin Nash was still working on Jenna Morasca in the background. Angle said he's money and he's guaranteeing to his team that he will win against the mystery opponent tonight.

Video package: They focused on the budding Beautiful People vs. Awesome Kong feud setting up a three-way match at the Lockdown PPV with Kong defending the Knockouts Title against Angelina Love and foe-turned-recent-ally, Taylor Wilde.

2 -- TNA Knockouts champion AWESOME KONG & Raisha Saeed & TAYLOR WILDE vs. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (ANGELINA LOVE & VELVET SKY & MADISON RAYNE)

On the way to the ring, Saeed was selling the effects of getting her head trimmed by the Beautiful People last week. Beautiful People came out, then a brawl broke out on the outside. Apparently this was a three-way match, although TNA's website listed it as a tag team match. Kong was left alone with Angelina in the ring. The champ delivered the implant buster on Love for the pin and the win. Very quick match.

Post-match: Kong grabbed the scissors and wanted to trim Angelina's hair, but Beautiful People jumped her from behind. They then launched Raisha head-first into the women's title, then gave Taylor a similar fate. Kong then ran over the BPs, but Angelina gave her a thumb to the eye, followed by a belt shot to the face. Kong sold that pretty well. Angelina then picked up the scissors and trimmed a sizable chunk of Kong's hair. She wasn't satisfied, so she trimmed some more before holding up the hair proudly.

WINNERS: Team Kong in 2:00. All about the post-match with Angelina getting the final word despite taking the loss. Gives Kong an incentive to take out Angelina at the PPV, creating an actual storyline focused on the Knockouts Title after the division was seemingly jogging on the treadmill for a few months. (n/a)

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Awesome Kong snapped on everything in her path, including lockers, trashcans, and anything else. Raisha Saeed tried to calm her down, but Kong would have none of it. Back to ringside where Don West questioned Beautiful People upsetting Kong this much, especially since the title match will be in a cage.

Rough Cut: Back to Team 3D to talk about wrestling in Japan. To hold the New Japan tag titles is a very big deal, Brother Ray said. TNA showed footage of the old-school-looking Steiners holding the belts and Bigelow & Vader. Ray turned to the match against Beer Money and said they will be expected to splatter Roode and Storm's blood all over Philadelphia. Hyping the fans as being bigger deals than they actually are, especially when they're not at "The Arena," to use a little bit of that good ol' fashioned reverse psychology to get fans to buy tickets to the show in Philadelphia. Ray said the fans will turn on them if they don't splatter blood at Lockdown.

Backstage: Lauren brought in Team 3D for a follow-up promo. World tag domination is on the line at Lockdown, she said. Ray said it's TNA tag titles vs. IWGP tag titles to determine the best tag team in wrestling. Spike Dudley then showed up without his facial hair. He chatted them up, then Balls Mahoney walked in to talk to 3D, who played it up that they were shocked to see him. Balls said 3D is going home to the place where they helped re-invent the business. He said all the guys are going to be there. Ray, "What about Heyman?" Pause... "Nah," they all agreed. Bro-hug it up and end segment.

Impact Zone: ODB and Cody Deaner came out first to face Abyss and his mystery diva partner. Abyss apparently bumped into Daffney in the waiting room of Dr. Stevie's office, so she cam out with Abyss as his partner.

3 -- ODB & CODY DEANER vs. ABYSS & DAFFNEY

Announcers talked about the mystery partner deal, Jeff riding the fence on joining Mafia or sticking to younger stars, and other topics while Knockouts battled in the ring. Abyss then tagged in and ODB started backing down. Rules mean Cody had to tag in. They milked this for a while, then Cody reluctantly tagged in and put on some false bravado. Deaner fired himself up for a right hand that Abyss no-sold. Deaner fired himself up again, then landed a second blow to the chest that Abyss no-sold again. Cody decided to turn his trucker hat around, but Abyss slapped his hat away and landed a chop to the chest. Cody tried to tag ODB out of desperation, but Abyss yanked him back into the Black Hole Slam for the win.

Post-match: Matt Morgan jumped Abyss from behind. Daffney high-tailed it. Morgan played to the crowd, then Abyss fired off a round of right hand blows until Morgan ducked a clothesline and nailed the big bicycle kick. Morgan was good for the night. Morgan vs. Abyss in a Chamber of Blood deal at the PPV.

WINNERS: Abyss & Daffney in 4:00. They milked the Deaner Deal all they could to get four minutes out of that. Fine, then Morgan got the very abrupt one-up to set up their PPV match. Rushed post-match that no one will remember until they wrestle on Sunday.

Backstage: Mick Foley was shown walking down the hallway in preparation to interview himself.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Borash brought in Scott Steiner, who stroked his beard as Borash set up a line of questioning regarding the convos with Jarrett. Steiner said it's personal and it will remain as such. Nothing to say. Steiner said he's confident that by the end of the night, Jeff's actions will do the talking.

Impact Zone: Mick Foley came to the ring as Tenay called him the schizoid with a multitude of characters and behaviors. Foley thanked the Impact Zone for their hospitality. He had an extra director's chair in the ring for Cactus Jack to be interviewed. Foley recapped the TNA Title match against Sting at Lockdown, then he introduced Cactus Jack. Foley entered Jack character mode and began arguing with himself. And cussing at himself. "Jack" told "Foley" he's heartless and gutless. Jack accused himself of selling-out with his latest book in 2007, while also losing the heart and guts a long time ago. Jack said he's tired of "Foley" cashing checks off the reputation he built by abusing this body. Jack told himself to keep the sweatpants in the closet because he's opting for old-school Cactus Jack. "I will not let you have my moment of glory when I vanquish my greatest rival," Jack said to himself. Foley then began beating the crap out of himself before Sting's music hit.

Foley...er...Jack sneered toward the entrance ramp as Sting emerged down the ramp and walked to the ring. Foley was bleeding from the forehead as Sing paced around the ring in disbelief. Foley was in another land far, far away. Sting said the scary thing is that Foley believes in what he just did. Sting sat down in the other director's chair and asked him if he's lost he's mind. Mick, I'm not intimated. Mick, bring the lions, tigers, and bears, oh my. Foley interrupted and said he wants to see that Sting who was never intimated or never afraid.

Foley painted a picture of Sting trapped inside the steel cage with Foley with all of the fans chanting, "Cactus Jack...Cactus Jack...Cactus Jack." Suddenly, Mafia's music hit to bring about yet another Mafia talking segment. Or not... Suddenly, Foley jumped Sting from behind. No sign of the Mafia. Foley beat the crap out of Sting while narrating the ordeal. He said he can hit anybody's music that he wants because "I...I...I...run this place."

Foley asked for some Curry Man music. Cue it up as Foley dropped another elbow on Sting. "Spicy!" he said. Foley cued up Shark Boy's theme music next. Foley called it a bizarre train wreck. West said you can't help but watch. Foley then cued up Sting's music as Foley went searching under the ring for his barbed wire baseball bat. West forced some enthusiasm that he can't wait for their match at the PPV. Foley said he runs this place and he can do anything he wants. He said at Lockdown, he wants to tear Sting apart. Memorable, crazy, wild, Foley-esque promo that sold the PPV title match on the merit of seeing someone killed, mutilated, or covered in blood. Perhaps all three. Definitely appealed to the blood-thirsty wrestling fan PPV buyer looking for a little violence for their PPV dollar.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage: Beer Money was beating the crap out of Balls Mahoney and Brother Runt (Spike Dudley). Tenay and West narrated the clip, then the fight spilled into the Impact Zone. Not surprisingly, Balls took the opportunity to bleed from the forehead. Apparently that was the only reason why he was brought in. The fight moved into the ring where Roode s landed a chair shot directly to Mahoney's forehead. Storm then hung Runt upside down and smashed him with a chair shot to the face that picked up the ringpost. West was loving this and complaining about how great 3D makes themselves out to be.

Balls took another chair shot to the head. Brunt was bleeding from the forehead now. He then took a chair shot to the head. And TNA decided to replay all of these chair shots to the head. Defiance. Stupidity. Ignorance. Pick your adjective. Balls took a powerbomb through the table, then Roode wanted another chair shot on Balls, but Team 3D finally showed up to make the save and send the tag champs scurrying to the back.

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Team 3D had mics out of the break. Medics were checking on Runt and Balls as Ray called out Beer Money to come back out here for a face-to-face chat. Beer Money slowly walked back out on stage as Ray asked why he would do this to them. "Cause we can!" Roode shouted back to Ray. "We hate them like we hate you." Ray then changed the Lockdown title match to a Philadelphia Street Fight. Apparently cage door is opened up and everyone in the arena has an open shot at Beer Money.

Backstage: Lauren brought in A.J. Styles for thoughts on who Jarrett has in mind for the mystery person. Styles has no idea. Look, Lauren, in three days, he can't just believe Jeff is on his side at Lockdown. He needs to know. Styles said he believes Jeff's integrity will show up tonight.

Dark pathway: Jarrett was shown walking down the dimly-lit tunnel with a big grin. Where was Samoa Joe with his paper knife to look mean and tough?

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Kurt Angle came out first for the TV main event. Jeff Jarrett then came out with prop in hand to announce the fourth member of Team Jarrett. "This is the moment we've all been waiting for!" Tenay said, almost robotically. Jarrett wiped his goatee before saying he gave this decision a lot of thought. There's been some doubt over where his loyalty lies. So, this decision needs to prove his loyalty. It's not about me, Jarrett said, but it's about Styles and Samoa Joe. Oh, and the TNA fans. Cue up the obligatorily annoying crowd shot.

Jarrett then introduced...Christopher Daniels. Nice surprise return. Backstage, Styles freaked out and kissed Lauren. Daniels came out to some new music. He was sporting a goatee and bald head. Looked very sharp and ready to go. Definitely a different look and vibe to his character. Kurt Angle was beside himself standing on the floor, but he stepped into the ring to pick up a match.

4 -- CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. KURT ANGLE

Angle ran over Daniels early on, then Daniels pushed Angle to the floor. Daniels nailed a split-legged moonsault on the floor, then played to the crowd. Tenay hyped the Lethal Lockdown advantage, which was on the line here. Angle then blocked a move near the ropes and gave Daniels an overhead suplex to the floor. Daniels sold the back as they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Angle was in control mid-ring. Crowd was behind Daniels, who tried to make a comeback, but they ran into each other with double clotheslines. Daniels made his comeback and ripped off his one-sleeve shirt thingie. He then ran over Angle with a clothesline for a close two count. Angle tried to come back with an Angle Slam, but Daniels countered and hit an enziguiri kick. Daniels wanted the Best Moonsault Ever, but Angle ducked and executed three German suplexes for a two count. Angle followed with an Angle Slam, then slapped on the ankelock, but Daniels broke free. Daniels then rolled up Angle and trapped his shoulders to the mat for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Christopher Daniels in 11:00. Good TV match. TNA really played this up well with the post-match to give the heels the one-man advantage throughout the Lethal Lockdown match, as should have been the case. Great to see Daniels back on TV without a silly gimmick, but as a straight wrestler. Looking forward to seeing how TNA re-incorporates him into storylines long-term. (***)

Post-match: A.J. Styles stormed the ring to celebrate with Daniels as Angle complained about the three count. Jim Cornette then stormed into the ring and Angle decreed that his shoulder was not down on the pin. Cornette said he might have seen things differently than ref Rudy Charles. Rudy was hurt - hurt! - by these accusations. Cornette said he has no other choice but to... Angle screamed to change the decision, you stupid s.o.b.! Cornette didn't appreciate having Angle spit in his face, so Cornette said the decision stands. Angle ran off the referees and Cornette, then Angle screamed and screamed for Jarrett.

[Commercial Break]

Impact Zone: Angle was now with the Main Event Mafia begging Jarrett to come out here and reverse the decision. Tenay said Jarrett went to the TV truck to review the tape. He then stormed the ring, past Daniels and Styles. Jarrett unbuttoned his shirt for some reason. He said he watched the replay, then asked for it to be replayed. They showed an angle of Angle lifting his right shoulder out of the view of the ref. "As the founder of TNA..." Jarrett interjected to make sure we all remember who he is. Jarrett said he has to make the right decision. He reversed the decision and gave Angle the win.

Angle jumped up and down and hugged Jarrett while Styles and Daniels complained to Jarrett. Cornette sure didn't like it after being over-ruled. Poor Jeff. Oh, but Samoa Joe certainly didn't like it. Cue up Joe's music as everyone in the Mafia stopped celebrating, then started pointing at Jarrett. That was pretty funny. Joe stormed the ring to join the argument as the show closed...



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