KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
JANUARY 21, 2010
TAPED MONDAY IN ORLANDO, FLA.

[Q1]

-A series of clips aired from the eventful TNA Genesis PPV (eventful, but mostly mundane action-wise) including The Band (Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Syxx-Pac), Mr. Anderson, Ric Flair's interference in the main event, and A.J. Styles turning heel.

-The title of the show is: "A.J. Styles... Whooo!"

-A white limo pulled up in the parking area. Out walked several young women, Ric Flair in a suit, and Styles. Flair asked Styles how he was feeling. He said, "Like a champ." He wore a broad smile.

-The TNA Impact opening aired, which now includes Bischoff, Hogan, Hall, Styles & Flair together, Mr. Anderson, Desmond Wolfe, Jef Jarrett, Nash & Syxx-Pac, and even Jeff Hardy sitting on the roof of the cage. I suppose they have a right to show that, but it'd be nice if they'd address his status for fans wondering. I also understand they may not know what to say, especially if they won't touch him further until his legal situation plays out. Mike Tenay then introduced the show.

-Out walked Flair with a woman on each arm. Taz endorsed Styles's turn, saying it may not be the popular thing to say, but it was the right decision for Styles. Are models getting taller or if Flair getting shorter? Flair opened, "Have you noticed that some things in life never change?" He let out a whoo and kissed one of the models. "I think I love T'n'A." We always knew that. He said there were three reasons he came to TNA. One, "I hate Hulk Hogan and the life-long feud between Hogan and I will never be resolved until we finish it right here in TNA." Two, for twenty years people have asked him who would be the "next Nature Boy." The least likely person personality-wise seemed to be Styles until, well, Sunday. He said his answer was always nobody until he saw Styles. He said he'll be working with him "until I'm out of this business." He said he will be the next Ric Flair.

He said he had a story to tell. He said he was at the Hard Rock Hotel and it's a cool spring night and he made a phone call, and a beautiful Southern bell walked up to him. He said in record time they were in an elevator going up to the biggest sweet on the top floor of the hotel. He said as the hotel got quiet and Orlando shut down, all anyone could at midnight "Was this beautiful woman yelling at the top of her voice, 'Slow down Naitch, you're moving way too fast. 'And Dixie Carter jumped up and said, 'You're my man. Get me a contract. Sign it and put whatever number you want on it.'" Why do I believe that story more than I should? Flair told it so well. He then called out Styles.

Styles walked out in a suit with a woman on his arm. Remember, Styles's TNA character is married (he's really married, but that doesn't matter in terms of storylines until it's acknowledged, and Styles's wife and kids have been brought up). Besides the fans chanting reminders, will the announcers acknowledge this? Styles said he doesn't care if the fans have a problem with what they see now in the ring. "I've been here for almost eight long, long years and no matter the level of greatness I've achieved at this company, it's never been known as The House that A.J. Styles Built. I've done it all at this company." He said he's one of the TNA Originals and one of the first to be signed by TNA. He and David Young. He said he's the only Grand Slam Champion ever. He said they give the credit instead to Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe (who?), Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, and Sting. He said he won't take a back seat to any of those guys anymore. He said, "In fact, I'm a jet flying, limousine riding, kiss stealing, wheeling and dealing sun of a gun. Whoo!" He's gotta leave the "g's" off of flying and stealing in order to sound authentic.

[Q2]

Kurt Angle's music played and he walked out onto the stage. Hogan joined him on the stage and said it looks like one big happy family out there. He said at Genesis he said this was Angle's last title shot for 2010, but because of Flair sticking his nose in Styles's business, he decided to change his mind "because I can, brother." Styles and Flair protested. Hogan said Flair doesn't run the show around TNA. He said because of his interference, he's going to give Angle another shot. He said if Flair comes near ringside, he'll rip the title belt out of Style's hands and hand it to Angle. Hogan revealed the match is tonight. Styles yelled that he already beat him. Hogan closed with: "This is real! This is damn real!" Flair tried to talk Styles down a little. Flair was mostly good, but there were a few John McCain moments where it seems to be a little bit of an effort to be his old self at times. [c]

-They showed Foley arriving backstage. He mumbled, "Bischoff, Bischoff, Bischoff" and threw stuff around backstage.

-They showed Taz and Tenay at ringside. They plugged the Nasty Boys vs. Nash & Eric Young, a promo from Mr. Anderson, and Styles vs. Angle.

1 -- MATT MORGAN & HERNANDEZ vs. THE BRITISH INVASION -- TNA Tag Team Title match

Tenay plugged that Jarrett was on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show and they'd have a clip later. Taz said that given Hogan's friendship with Bubba, it's interesting Jarrett was on the show. Taz called Morgan "arrogant" when he set up Williams for a Hellivator, but then looked at his wrist and decided it wasn't time, so he dropped him. I'm not sure why a wrestler would ever decide to deliver less punishment than he could with an opponent set up for a big move. Magnus interference helped the heels take control. Magnus settled into a chinlock on the mat. Morgan fired back a minute later with a discus clothesline. As the Brits double-teamed Hernandez at 5:00, Big Rob Terry walked out with the Feast or Fired briefcase. It ended up backfiring as Hernandez KO'd Williams with it and scored the pin.

WINNER: Morgan & Hernandez in 5:00 to retain the TNA Tag Team Titles.

STAR RATING: *

-After the match, Magnus chewed out Terry. Mick Foley ran into the ring and began hitting the Brits with a chair. He DDT'd Williams on a chair in the ring. Foley looked into the camera and told Bischoff to schedule an appointment for him because he's coming to see him.

[Q3] [c]

-They aired a clip of Bubba calling Jarrett early in the morning. He woke Jarrett up. Jarrett asked, "Are we on the air?" When Bubba said yes, he hung up. Bubba called later. Jarrett said that wasn't cool what he did putting him on the air earlier. Jarrett said TNA was doing just fine before Hogan and Bischoff came along. "Why don't you guys your way and we'll go our way." He hung up on Bubba again.

-Backstage Hogan told Bischoff that "Cactus Jack is out of control and needs to be fixed first." Bischoff said he'd handle "Cactus Jack." Nash walked up to them and asked what they wanted. Hogan said his buddies are out of control and clowning around. He said the crap has to stop. Nash said Eric Young is a friend, but the other two are like family and "we've got some stuff going." Hogan said they have one shot, but if they're clowning, they're not working. He told him to have the match with Young this one time. Hogan said he wants Hall and Nash around more than anybody, but they have to work, not play. Hogan told Bischoff, "The party's over." Bischoff said, "It's gotta be."

2 -- ORLANDO JORDAN vs. "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO

Orlando walked to the ring with a little swagger, as Taz put it. He did a little strut as he took off his robe. Christy Hemme interviewed The Pope backstage before he came out. He said he's been studying "Whoopie" on video, referencing the movie "Ghost" in his promo. He said he's got two pimp slaps waiting for Whoopie. His character is growing on me, and I think he's finding his stride right now and getting more comfortable and less cartoonish in his approach. Tenay pushed the replay of the "groundbreaking Genesis pay-per-view." At the start of the match, the crowd chanted "Pope is Pimpin'." A minute into the match Jordan slapped Pope. Pope took a deep breath and tackled Jordan. Pope leaped over Jordan and to the floor, then lounged with some fans in the front row. Back in the ring , Jordan leg whipped Pope into the ring. Pope sold a knee injury. Jordan finished him immediately with his DDT.

WINNER: Jordan after an impact DDT in 4:00.

STAR RATING: Not sure about betting on Jordan instead of Dinero.

-Hemme interviewed Angle backstage. He said they're seeing a new A.J. Styles and it makes him sick to his stomach. He said justice was served when Hogan booked the rematch.

-Tenay plugged the main event. [c]

[Q4]

-A clip aired of Jarrett telling Bubba the Love Sponge that things were going just fine before Hogan and Bischoff showed up. He said they were the ones who killed WCW, yet they walk in like they're the saviors.

-Young walked up to Nash backstage and asked if he's with him or with them. Nash said they're friends and he saw something in him, but he has 15 years with Syxx and Hall. Young said he doesn't want to live history, he wants to remake history. Nash said Syxx and Hall don't know him yet, but when they do, he'll fit right in.

-A video package aired on Angelina Love breaking up with the Beautiful People. [c]

-More clips aired of the Love Sponge-Jarrett discussion. Jarrett said if you listen to the people, it's obvious they don't like the Hogan/Bischoff changes. Sponge told Jarrett to meet with Hogan one-on-one before he brings his lawyers into the mix. Jarrett said he would if Bischoff wasn't there.

-Bischoff met with Bobby Lashley backstage. He said things have gotten out of hand. He said he doesn't want his wife talking for him this week. Big mistake. He said he wants to wrestle in TNA and there are all kinds of opportunities for him. He said his heart is with TNA. Bischoff said it takes a hell of a man to admit he made a mistake. He said one of the smartest things he did was decide now not to let his meddling wife mess with his business. He said he's impressed with him and it speaks volumes that he realizes TNA is the place for him. Bischoff told him to talk to Hogan about this conversation. He said next week they'll have an answer for him. They shook hands. Lashley said he appreciated it. Bischoff then did his movie villain laugh as Lashley left.

[Q5]

2 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. ANGELINA LOVE

Love took aggressive control early and pretty much seconds later she finished her off with a kick. Very short and decisive. Afterward, Love choked Rayne. Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich charged out and went after Love. The three-on-one was too much for Love, who took a beating with the Beautiful People's Ugly Stick.

WINNERS: Love in 2:00.

-Love Sponge interviewed Syxx and Hall backstage. Sponge said he Googled the word "screw-ups" and their pictures popped up. Syxx said when they're around, stuff happens and they draw ratings. He stammered a big. Hall told Syxx to take another hit. Hall sounded fully sober as he said they plan to leave with "good boy TNA contracts."

-They showed Hogan and Bischoff heading toward the entrance tunnel. The mid-break cutaway showed Bischoff and Hogan talking with Tazz saying, "Who knows what's next!?" [c]

-Bischoff and Hogan walked out as Tenay talked about the sweeping changes they're making in TNA. Hall and Syxx walked out with Nash. Hogan said he's tired of the "rock, paper, scissors crap" and pulling people out of the crowd. Hogan told them he's had enough of them, they don't work here. He ordered security to get them out of his sight. Nash tried to talk sense into them. Hogan told them, "Get out of my building." Foley then walked out demanding a chance to talk. Bischoff ordered security to get him back to his office where he'll take care of him later. [c]

[Q6]

-Backstage Nash said he'd take of things. Just leave for now. Hall said he trusts him. Syxx told him to fix it. Nash rubbed the stress on his face.

3 -- THE NASTY BOYS vs. KEVIN NASH & ERIC YOUNG

Tenay said the Nastys have one style and one speed and it's straight ahead. Sags fended off an early attack by Young, then tagged in Knobs, who's giving Brother Ray and the Love Sponge a run for his money for snapping buttons off on his shirt. Nash tagged in and gave Sags a big boot. Young followed up with a top rope elbow. Knobs rammed Nash's head into the ringpost. The Nastys did their power whip corner splash of Knobs into Young. Sags finished him with a pump handle slam. Tenay said the Nasty Boys are back.

WINNERS: Nasty Boys when Sags pinned Young in 3:00 after a pump-handle slam.

-They showed Mr. Anderson getting ready backstage for his promo. [c]

-They threw to a clip from during the break of Team 3D bashing the Nastys over the skulls with unprotected chairshots. Bubba said, "Welcome back to pro wrestling." Devon shouted his catch phrase.

[Q7]

-Mr. Anderson walked out. Tenay said he has unlimited potential. Tazz said he won at Genesis over Abyss. He was pelted with a crowd chant of "over-rated!" He wisely ignored them and cut his Dane Cook-style promo. He said he's excited and happy he's in TNA. He said Hogan invited him to come to TNA and get opportunities he didn't get elsewhere and he said he "believed in him, brother." He said actions speak louder than words. He began to laugh about what he did Sunday at Genesis. "My actions, they were, like, really loud. I mean, like really loud." Abyss showed up behind him as he bragged about winning on Sunday. He said he was surprised at how big and tall he turned out to be. "I also didn't realize how stupid, idiotic, moronic, and clumsy the guy was," he said. "So I took advantage of it and beat the stupid, dumb, idiotic moron clean in the center of the ring." As he began to sing into the mic, "Miiisssstteerrrr!" Abyss tapped him on the shoulder and then attacked him. He corner-splashed him. Anderson bailed out and fled the scene.

[c]

-Bischoff scolded Abyss backstage. He said Hogan may like him, but he doesn't. He said this is the second week in a row he's screwed up his show. Abyss said he had a question for Bischoff. He asked if he'll be okay. Bischoff said that depends on his friend, Foley. Foley said he doesn't like what he's doing to TNA and he won't put up with it. Bischoff asked if that was a threat. He said things were getting tense, so he ordered the cameras out of the room. Nice to see WCW acknowledging the cameras are there to document backstage happenings instead of pretending they're invisible.

4 -- A.J. STYLES vs. KURT ANGLE -- TNA World Hvt. Title match

The match began with 17 minutes left in the second hour. They went back and forth early. Styles went into his heel selling mode again, while also grimacing on offense. At 3:00 they cut to a break with Styles on offense.

[Q8] [c]

A mid-break cutaway showed Angle elbowing out of a Styles headlock. At 8:00 Angle made a comeback and suplexed Styles a few time, including a released overhead back suplex for a two count. He went for an Angle Slam, but Styles escaped and hit the Pele kick. Angle went down. Styles set up a Styles Clash. Angle rolled through into an anklelock. Styles reached toward the bottom rope, but Angle dragged him back to the center at 10:00. Styles rolled through and applied his own anklelock. The ref Earl Hebner immediately called for the bell as if Angle tapped out, but he didn't. It was a reenactment of the Bret Hart Doublecross.

WINNER: Styles via phantom tapoout at 10:00 to retain the TNA World Hvt. Title.

STAR RATING: *** -- Good while it lasted, but the finish was just so yesterday.

-Angle yelled at Hogan, who had walked to ringside to investigate. Angle yelled, "I don't need this sh--. I can go back to the WWE. I don't need this sh---! I quit. I quit!" He then spit on Hogan's face. The crowd chanted, "Thank you, Angle!" Tenay and Taz acted dumb-founded, as if they had forgotten all of the other lame reenactments of the Survivor Series '97 finish. [c]

-They showed that during the break Angle bashed a chair into the set and dented the entrance wall. Tenay asked if Hogan was behind this. Taz said he didn't know. "Did history just repeat itself here?" As if anyone has any idea what Hogan's motivation would be to help Styles, who is aligned with a guy who just said at the start of the show he hates Hogan. It's headache-inducing, so hopefully these are just necessary evils on the way to a worthwhile payoff. Bischoff staggered to the ring with blood streaming from his forehead. He entered the ring and shouted, "Mick Foley, you are fired!"

Final Thoughts: Some good stuff on the show, but they're investing so much time in older talent and non-wrestlers. And the idea that anyone in a creative position thinks that the Montreal Doublecross is something worth reenacting at this stage 12 years later without sending a message that the creative forces are living in the past is shocking. There are many ways to tell the story TNA is apparently trying to tell with the two feuding power bases, but incorporating the distraction of yet another lame Montreal reenactment is a mistake because it's groan-inducing and distracting.

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