By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
JULY 1, 2010
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA.
AIRED ON SPIKE TV

[Q1]

-A video package aired on Hulk Hogan's relationship with Abyss, which fell apart last week when Abyss attacked him.

-They went into the arena where Abyss made his way to the ring, tossing around chairs and throwing a fit. Mike Tenay and Taz introduced the show. Hogan saw enough when Abyss made a move toward So Cal Val. Hogan squared off with Abyss in the ring. Eric Bischoff ran out to stop Hogan from getting physically involved. Bischoff then turned to Abyss and said, "You ungrateful son of a bitch!" Then he punched him. Abyss responded (suspiciously) by attacking security who were in the ring rather than Bischoff. When he (rather slowly) moved toward Bischoff, Hogan hit him from behind with a chair. Jeff Hardy then ran out and went after Abyss, throwing chairs onto him, then hitting the Swanton. Taz said it was an explosive way to start Impact as Hardy, Hogan, and Bischoff made their way to the back as Abyss recovered in the ring. Abyss told Hardy, "You are mine tonight."

-They went to Tenay and Taz at ringside who hyped the Samoa Joe (no. 6) vs. A.J. Styles (#4) in a battle of top ten contenders. Abyss climbed up to the announce table in a threatening way to Taz and Tenay. Security intervened, but Abyss fended them off. Then as Abyss and Taz faced off, they took the lazy infuriating way out by cutting to commercial. Why? What possibly justifies the director cutting away from an inense staredown between Abyss and Taz other than the bookers didn't know how to get out of the situation so they just cut away. Stuff like that is annoying to the viewer because it makes it seem like the director/promoter isn't on their side in terms of trying to show them everything that happens or is about to happen. [c]

-Tenay and Taz commented on clips of what happened in the first ten minutes of the show. They went to Abyss and Taz having their staredown, but again cut away to footage of Abyss a minute later destroying everything in sight backstage. So we still don't know who won the staredown between Abyss and Taz or how it ended.

-Backstage Bischoff told Hogan that he loves this guy like a brother, but he's out of his mind and nuts. Hogan said he doesn't love him anymore. It's funn how they use the term "he's a cancer to TNA" as part of this storyline (and throw the "cancer" term around in general) because that's the term that used regarding Hogan, Kevin Nash, Vince Russo, and others over the years behind the scenes in reference to WCW. Hogan asked Hardy if he can put an end to Abyss. Bischoff said they won't send him out there alone, that they'll have his back. That sounds suspicious, too.

[Q2]

1 -- THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. INK INC. (Shannon Moore & Jesse Neal)

At 2:00, after some fast-paced action and dives at ringside, Devon joined Tenay and Taz at ringside. He said he was there to be sure Brother Ray didn't come out and interfere. He said he is his brother, but he's made a fool of him lately by promising not to mess with Jesse, but he continues to do so. He said Jesse hasn't taken short cuts and has worked hard and deserves a chance. Devon called him Bubba Dudley. Is he Brother Ray or Bubba Dudley? (I know, he's Brother Bubba Ray Dudley.) Tenay stuck with "Brother Ray." At 4:00 Neal speared Sabin and Shelley broke up the pin attempt. Neal set up Shelley for a superplex. Ray made his way toward the ring. Devon charged after him. They argued. That distraction led to Sabin hitting Neal from behind and they finished him with a double-team move off the top rope for the win.

WINNERS: Motor City Machine Guns in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4

-Taz said those two are his friends and he hopes this disagreement cools down. Tenay and Taz hyped the return of The Pope tonight. Bischoff's music interrupted them. He walked onto the stage and announced that Hogan has made if official - Abyss vs. Hardy would be the Impact main event. Bischoff said the special referee would be Rob Van Dam. Tenay never looked happier.

-They showed Dixie Carter arriving to the arena late. She was on the phone and it looked important. Her iPhone has a white case. Or is that one of those impossible-to-get white iPhone 4's! [c]

-The roving cameraman asked Dixie why she was late. She looked impatient and unhappy and walked right past him. Something big is going down!

[Q3]

2 -- A.J. STYLES (w/Kaz, Ric Flair) vs. SAMOA JOE -- Top Contenders Match (#4 vs. #6)

Tenay and Taz paid proper tribute to the history of these two wrestlers in TNA's history. Taz said before he was part of TNA, he was a fan and watched the show. Joe knocked Styles to the floor with a slap to the face. Kaz at ringside got in Styles's face about a weak start. Taz said Styles didn't look like he wanted a motivational speech from Kaz. It's good to hear Tenay and Taz talking about this match having impact on the Top Ten Rankings. Styles took control at 3:00 with a thumb to the eye and a dropkick. At 5:00 Styles settled into a chinlock. Taz wondered if Flair will choose Styles to be the first member of The Fortune. Joe made a comeback with some chops in the corner. He set up a Muscle Buster, but Styles flipped out of it. Joe roundkicked Styles's leg, then applied the rear naked choke for the tapout win.

WINNER: Joe in 7:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Good to see the policy of no commercial breaks during matches continue. It still seems like short-changing everyone to give these two only seven minutes, but it was a good start.

-Flair expressed disappointment to Styles afterward. Kaz laughed and smirked as he left with Flair. Styles grabbed the mic and asked if he thought it was funny. Styles said he can beat Taz. He challenged him to a match next week. Kaz agreed. Styles asked Flair if he was cool with that. Flair, standing next to Kaz, nodded. Tenay said Flair likes the competition. [c]

[Q4]

-Bischoff, Hogan, and Carter sat around a table backstage. Bischoff said they are serious about what they are about to propose to her. Bischoff said Sting is out control and has become dangerously self-obsessed. Carter said there has to be a reason for his actions. Hogan said this is just who he is. Dixie said he's not. Kevin Nash walked into the room. Hogan asked if they could just have a few minutes with Dixie. Nash wasn't pleased and left shaking his head. Bischoff and Hogan continued making their case, recalling all the actions Sting took. Hogan asked Dixie why they are there. Dixie said, "To help TNA." Dixie said Sting has done a lot for TNA long before they got there. Bischoff said that was in the past. Hogan said if she doesn't do something, people will begin to abandon ship because he's "a cancer" who "needs to be cut out." Dixie asked what they want her to do. Bischoff said suspend him, fire him, press charges, something. Dixie said she will take action. Bischoff asked if it'd be tonight. She said yes. Bischoff and Hogan wanted to be there. She said no, she'd deal with it herself.

2 -- BRIAN KENDRICK vs. DESMOND WOLFE (w/Chelsea)

Douglas Williams joined Tenay and Taz at ringside. "I'm going to have Kendrick tapping so fast, they're going to rename him Fred Astaire." Wolfe got in Chelsea's face and seemed agitated by her. Williams said: "Just because Brian Kendrick has been watching the Ultimate Fighter and learned one submission hold, he thinks he's some sort of expert." Tenay told Williams he'll be facing Jeremy Buck next week on Impact in a submissions match. Chelsea walked out on Wolfe at 5:00. Kendrick surprised him from behind with a cobra clutch and an eventual tapout win.

WINNER: Kendrick via submission in 5:00. [c]

-A video aired of the TNA cameraman catching up to Tommy Dreamer in Yonkers, N.Y. Dreamer said, "This is my personal time." He looked agitated and said, "Thanks bro" as he pushed away the camera. It was a TMZ-style ambush interview.

-A video package aired on The Pope. Then he walked to the ring. Tenay said his injury really cost him in the eyes of the Championship Committee as he dropped from no. 6 to no. 8. The crowd met him with a chant of "Hallelujah." He got emotional and said it's moments like this make him realize the hard work he puts in is worth it. He said he couldn't have done it without Mama Pope, Brother and Sister Pope, Dixie Pope, Eric Pope, Hulkster Pope, Everyone - the whole congregation.

[Q5]

Pope said even at 80 percent, he has the responsibility to be The Pope of this organization. He said he hasn't forgotten about Mr. Anderson. He accused him of pulling the wool over everyone's eyes with is deceptive ways. He said he can get down and dirty. He said he is in the top ten still because he's not new to the game. He said he wants to earn his way back to the no. 1 position so that he can rightfully take on the TNA World Hvt. Champion and make history "in this company, the greatest company in the world - TNA." He said shouted, "Pope is..." And the crowd finished with "...Pimpin'!"

Kurt Angle's music played. He walked to the ring. He welcomed Pope back and said everyone missed him. He said he's been making a lot of noise - he and the Congregation. Angle said he's personally a big fan and when he sees him, he sees the future of TNA and the future is very bright. He said he is trying to climb the rankings, too, to earn a shot at the World Hvt. Title. He said their paths have crossed in the rankings, so they're facing off at Victory Road. Angle said his next loss could be his last. He said he wants to shake his hand and say may the best man win. Pope smiled. Angle said he had one more thing to say. "I must be victorious," he said. Pope wasn't sure what to make of that. [c]

-Jay Lethal entered the ring and said that he once respected Ric Flair, but no more. He said Flair and Styles attacked his younger brother, who isn't a wrestler and didn't sign up for that. He dared them to come out there and try it on him. He said he won't leave the ring until Flair or Styles get out there. Instead Matt Morgan's music played. Taz said he's never seen Lethal like this because he's usually fun-loving and goofing around.

[Q6]

Morgan stood on the stage and apologized for interrupting him. He added, "Who am I kidding, no I'm not." He said Flair announced that he'll be forming a group called Fortune. He said he was the first person Flair asked to join. Taz said that was news to him. He said he hasn't made his mind up just yet. He said Jay should listen closely because there was one thing he and Flair could agree on. Morgan then jumped Lethal, hitting him with the mic. The ref called for the bell to start the match.

3 -- MATT MORGAN vs. JAY LETHAL

Morgan dominated for the first four minutes. Lethal attempted a comeback, but Morgan caught him as he came off the ropes and grabbed him by his throat and shoved him out of the ring. As the ref checked on Lethal, Hernandez entered the ring and gave Morgan a low blow. Lethal re-entered the ring and hit a dropkick for the pin.

WINNER: Lethal in 5:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Morgan got to dominate and lose only due to interference. Lethal got a win that didn't mean a ton given the circumstances, but he seemed to be doing well on his comeback before the interference. It's an even-steven five minutes of TV time filled.

-Abyss pounded nails into a board and said he is paving the way for "them." He said they will eventually own TNA. It's the Half Pint Brawlers. That's the big surprise. Abyss looked at his nail-spiked board and said it looked like it would hurt somebody. [c]

-They plugged the July 23 and 24 house shows in Indiana. The narrator plugged that Don West would be in the house with his insane deals.

4 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. TAYLOR WILDE

Rayne looked like she had been trapped in a basement for the past week without a shower or proper food or water. Wilde showed a sign of life a minute in after Rayne dominated early. She looked disheveled and even somewhat haggard. Tenay wondered where Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich were.

[Q7]

At 2:00 Dreamer led through the crowd a growing cast of former late-'90s stars of a defunct, destroyed, distant-past style called "extreme" - now including Rhino, Raven, and Stevie Richards. Can this talented, but aged and burned out cast create interest with the majority of TNA viewers who either don't know who they are or have seen more than enough of them and see them as yesterday's news, to say the least? Can they deliver today, in other words, rather than try to draw on the empty bank account of the past glory of the ECW brand? Tenay pressed Taz for detailed given how far they go back. Taz said he texted him and all he said is, "Time will tell." Rayne won clean.

WINNER: Rayne in 3:00.

-Angelina Love attacked Rayne afterward, but Rayne slipped out of the ring within seconds.Love sat in a chair in center-ring.

-They cut to Dixie Carter climbing the steps to the rafters to presumably look for Sting. [c]

-Sarita attacked Wilde backstage. Wilde attempted to fight back, but the fresher Sarita beat her down. A minute or so into the brawl, security intervened. Sarita broke free and slapped Wilde, then they cut away.

-They went to Tenay and Taz at ringside who reacted to the brawl, then plugged Victory Road's line-up.

-Dixie met Sting. Sting said he wants to hear that she now sees clearly what's going on. Dixie said Hulk and Eric have made it very clear to her that he has become a cancer in TNA. She said he has put him in this position and she cannot tolerate it. She suspended him for 30 days without pay. Sting said, "After everything we've been through, a 30 day suspension. You think this is what it's all about? Money?" She asked what it's all about. He said it all about her being conned. She said the cryptic comments should stop. Sting was about to explain it to her in language a child could understand, but then Bischoff interrupted just in time. Sting told Dixie to just forget about the 30 days and make it indefinite, instead. Security led Sting away. Bischoff said she needs a bodyguard and someone with her 24/7. He said the cancer isn't going away easily. Dixie seemed shaken. Bischoff led her away. Bischoff interrupted just in time, right before Sting told her the truth without the cryptic coding. How convenient, huh?

[Q8] [c]

5 -- JEFF HARDY vs. ABYSS

Rob Vam Dam came out first as special referee. Abyss brought the board with nails into the ring with him, but Hardy took control early and knocked the board out of play. Hardy knocked Abyss to the floor and then slingshot himself onto Abyss on the floor. Abyss took control at ringside, then threw Hardy back into the ring. The crowd chanted, "Let's go Hardy!" Taz wondered who this "they" or "them" are. Tenay said it's some party he's apparently in communication with. Taz wondered if the former members of the original ECW are part of "them." Tenay said he was going to ask Taz that. RVD took a chair away from Abyss. RVD rolled up an arguing Abyss for a two count at 3:00. Hardy avoided a Shock Treatment a minute later and hit a Twist of Fate. He then climbed to the top rope and set up a Swanton. Abyss got up and knocked him off balance. Abyss set up a chokeslam, but Hardy fended him off and knocked him down, then landed the Swanton for the pin.

WINNER: Hardy in 6:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Another relatively short match between two top tier players, but good while it lasted.

-Abyss attacked Hardy afterward. When RVD tried to stop him, Abyss gave him a Black Hole Slam. Mr. Anderson ran out with a chair. Abyss blocked the first shot, but then Anderson hit him in the gut. He swung again, Abyss dropped down, and the chair hit Hardy on the back. Hardy went down and RVD looked up at him as he checked on Hardy. Taz said it was an accident. Tenay wondered if it really was. Abyss surprised Anderson with Shock Treatment. The show ended with Abyss standing over the fallen bodies of his three opponents in the four-way main event at Victory Road.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Pretty solid show start to finish. Good focus on the key feuds and matches, some soap opera cliffhanger undercurrents, and a decent amount of good action and promos. No single great match or killer promo, but it was a solid forwarding of storylines and solidifying of feuds headed into next weekend's PPV.

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