By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
JULY 22, 2010
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA.

[Q1]

-Clips aired of last week's show including last week's cliffhanger of Dixie Carter saying she invited them. The show is titled "Extreme Invitation."

-Mike Tenay introduced the show and said Dixie will explain her extreme invitation.

-The TNA Impact opening then aired.

1 -- ROB TERRY vs. A.J. STYLES (w/Kazarian) -- Global Championship Match

I've watched TNA every week and I saw weeks of tension between Styles and Kaz built up, but nothing substantial enough to explain how they've seemingly come on board as willing and enthusiastic partners. Besides this match that had zero set-up or hype, Tenay announced that for the first time ever Samoa Joe would face Jeff Hardy. I get legitimately angry watching TNA give matches like that away without any hype and getting little or nothing from cashing that in so early. Styles reached out to Kaz to try to get leverage to get out of the ring, but Terry pulled them both in the ring. Terry caught Styles on the top rope and pressed him repeatedly and slammed him to the mat. At 2:00 Styles kicked Terry in the side of the head. Kaz caught Styles with a big spin kick seconds later. Kaz distracted the referee. Terry elbowed Kaz off the ring apron. Styles rolled up Terry for a near fall. Kaz yanked Terry's leg out from under him as he tried to suplex Styles, then held his leg as Styles scored the pin. Terry did nothing to show he belongs in this business. He just makes everyone else look small and contributes nothing otherwise himself.

WINNER: Styles in 3:00 to capture the Global Hvt. Title.

-They went to Tenay and Taz at ringside. Tenay asked Taz if he knew all along Dixie was behind the "former ECW stars." Taz said he had no clue ahead of time. They wondered what Mick Foley was doing there. He said last time they saw him he was fired by Eric Bischoff.

-They went backstage Madison Rayne and Sarita bad-mouthing Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich. Lacey and Velvet walked in and overheard her comments. Sky told Rayne to tell her to her face how she feels. Rayne said she's not scared to tell her anything to her face. They bumped chests. Rayne said she plans to get her Knockouts Title back. [c]

[Q2]

-A clip aired of Dixie chewing out A Snow, D-Lo Brown, Pat Kinney, and Terry Taylor backstage "moments ago." She gave Snow a hard time about hitting a ref. He said he didn't know what was going on. She said he doesn't need to know what's going on. She said his job is to send people to the back because he's "an agent, management." Taylor noticed the camera recording them and told Kinney, who was closest to the door, to close it. Kinney slammed it shut.

1 -- ANGELINA LOVE & TAYLOR WILDE vs. SARITA & MADISON RAYNE

RIght before the bell, Earl Hebner told Angelina Love that the Board of Directors has no proof of the identity of who was on the back of the motorcycle at Victory Road, therefore she must surrender the title. Love handed over the title and then jump-started the match. Taylor and Sarita brawled to the floor as Love finished Rayne mid-ring with her finisher.

WINNERS: Love & Wilde in 2:00.

-The mystery woman on the motorcycle rode to ringside. She was still dressed in a black outfit and black helmet. Taz said it's either a woman or "an oddly shaped man." Lacey and Sky walked out to watch the brawl, showing it wasn't them, either. They watched the heels double-team Love as the mystery lady stood at ringside. Rayne rode away on the back of the motorcycle. I honestly don't think many viewers - even regular Impact viewers - were able to fully track who was on who's side with three different warring factions along with the mystery motorcycle lady.

-Tenay hyped Kurt Angle vs. Hernandez. He said Angle is putting his career at stake in every match he has until he makes it through the top ten. [c]

[Q3]

-They showed Mick Foley walking backstage with Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Stevie Richards, and Rhino. It won't feel like ECW until Sandman, Terry Funk, Sabu, and Shane Douglas join them.

2 -- KURT ANGLE vs. "SUPER MAX" HERNANDEZ

Hernandez is ranked at no. 7. Tenay said Hernandez has a chance of lifetime to be known as the wrestler who retired Angle. It's just head-scratchingly astounding how TNA is going to single-handedly destroy the drawing power of the one can't-miss stip that was left - a legendary wrestler late in his career putting his career on the line in a match. It's like using a winning lottery ticket as paper to help start a fire on the grill. Sure, it was put to good use, but only a tiny fraction of its actual value had some patience been used in cashing it in for the big prize. There's just no way to convey the gravity that situation calls for in the time given to the match. I don't think any person in power in TNA has any clue what I'm getting at or how inefficient they are. They better not be or else it's not just negligent, but it's sabotage. Angle went into his unreleased German suplex series at 2:00 for a two count. Hernandez set up a Border Toss, but Angle escaped and quickly executed an Angle Slam for a believable near fall. Angle went for a moonsault, but Hernandez moved. He then gave Angle a delayed vertical suplex, but Angle countered into an anklelock as he dropped down and forced a tapout. Taz said there was no shame in losing to Angle like that.

WINNER: Angle via tapout in 4:00.

-Kevin Nash walked out afterward. He passed Angle on the ramp. They shook hand and hugged briefly. Angle saluted or waved at him as he walked away. Nash said he saw Jeff Jarrett in the back and wanted to talk to him in the ring. [c]

-Jarrett walked out to the ring to his music. Nash said he's had a week to think about what he told Jarrett, and he just doesn't feel right about it. He said Jarrett is "amazing" and "really good at what you do." He added, "You almost had me convinced it was Sting who left a log in the punch bowl." Nash said Sting used to let him stay on a rollaway bed in his room because he, Nash, was broke while Sting was making big money. Nash accused Jarrett of "leaving a log in the punch bowl." He asked him if he eats a lot of almonds. I have no idea if this is supposed to be literal or an analogy. Nash said there are a bunch of guys in the back who look up to him as a leader and a friend, and they are the victims. Jarrett said, "I have no idea what you're talking about." Oh, then I'm not alone. He said he's not buying it and the fans aren't buying it.

[Q4]

Jarrett said it was him who screwed Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan when he used his power to get Scott Hall and Sean Waltman jobs. He said he used his conceit to hurt this company. He said people know who he is; it's been well-documented over the years. Nash said he doesn't need the history lesson, so "kill it." He told Jarrett he's already come to his conclusion and he can live with it. He asked Jarrett if his three little young daughters, when they grow up, and they get it, and they realize their "loving daddy is nothing but a selfish prick, juggle that in your sleep." Okay. I have a challenge for everyone reading this: Explain to me in 500 words or fewer what that was all about and how the typical TNA Impact viewer is supposed to related to it.

-Backstage Dixie paced and said hi to workers walking around. Angle greeted her and asked what was going on. She said she knows what it looks like, but she needs to have faith in him because it's good for TNA. Angle said those guys have reputations. Dixie said she knows that, but this time is different. Angle said he trusted her four years ago when he signed with TNA and he trusts her now. He kissed her on the cheek and walked away.

-Tenay hyped Joe (#4) vs. Hardy (#2) for the first time ever was next on Impact. [c]

3 -- SAMOA JOE vs. JEFF HARDY

Tenay said this is one of those special matches that doesn't come along every week. Taz said, "Big time, baby!" The announcers are doing their best to make up for the inefficient booking here. Taz said Joe has to try to ground Hardy. Hardy rolled out of the ring when the bell rang. Fans chanted "Hardy! Hardy!" Tenay welcomed Bischoff on the phone. He said Bischoff has been conducting business all over the world the last two weeks. He asked Tenay if he had a clue about what happened last week. Bischoff said between the Fourth of July, Hulk having surgery, and TNA business, they've been busy. He said he missed everyone at the Impact Zone. He said they didn't know what Dixie was up to, but they support her and love her and believe she has the best interests of the company mind. He said TNA is an exciting place to be and they want to help make it "grow and go." (The phone cut out before he said "...away.") It was nice that the opening two minutes of this monumental first-time ever match was big-footed by a Bischoff phone call. Hardy and Joe battled at ringside in the opening minute. Back in the ring Hardy punched Joe in the corner, then locked on a chinlock at 2:00. Taz talked about mentoring Joe and learning from him in the process. Joe snap powerslammed Hardy for a near fall at 4:00.

[Q5]

The fans battled with chants of "Let's Go Hardy" and "Let's Go Joe." Joe remained on offense and scored some near falls, then applied the STF. Hardy slammed Joe's head into the turnbuckle and then hit a Whisper in the Wind. Taz said he doesn't know if Hardy still calls it that and added that he never liked that name. They announced 30 seconds were left in the ten minute time limit. They swung away at each other mid-ring until the bell rang. The crowd booed.

WINNER: Time limit draw in 10:00.

-Hardy jumped Joe after the match and they went back to brawling with each other. Referees quickly separated them. Tenay said he can't wait to see a rematch.

-The roving camera caught Jarrett talking to Dixie about Nash having a personal agenda with Hulk and Eric. Dixie said she has something more important going on. Dixie said she needs the other TNA wrestlers to get over their disappointment with her last week. She told him to spread the world that it's a good thing. Jarrett said he has her back and she can trust him. [c]

[Q6]

4 -- MATT MORGAN vs. MR. ANDERSON

Morgan dominated early, but Anderson blocked a discus punch and countered with a sudden Mic Check for the win. Morgan hit Anderson in the head with the mic afterward, cutting open his forehead.

WINNER: Anderson in 3:00. Another way-too-short match between two contenders. Morgan is getting buried right now. You can only regain so much heat with post-match attacks if the fans think you're a loser. [c]

-A commercial aired pushing the TNA house show experience.

5 -- BEER MONEY vs. MOTOR CITY MACHINEGUNS - Street Fight Best of Seven Series (#2 of 7)

The Guns attacked Beer Money at the start, but Beer Money quickly came back. Chris Sabin nailed Roode with a running basement dropkick as Alex Shelley held Roode's head leading to a two count. Shelley leaped off the ring apron with a flying knee at Roode as Storm battled Sabin on the other side of the ring. The Guns did a cool spot where Shelley held the ropes open while Sabin dove under his legs and at Roode on the floor. Roode, though, caught Sabin in the head with the chair. They continued to brawl with chairs and trash can lids and belts and kendo sticks as weapons, exchanging near falls, for several minutes.

[Q7]

The ref Brian Hebner went down at 5:00. Sabn dove toward Roode, but Roode pulled Earl Hebner into his path. In the ring Sabin broke up a superplex attempt by Beer Money on Shelley. Then they gave Roode a combination sliced bread powerbomb off the top rope. Storm broke a beer bottle over the back of Shelley's head. He then superkicked an intervening Sabin. The ref came to and counted to three. Tenay said they "stole another one.

WINNERS: Beer Money in 7:00.

-Backstage Devon walked up to Brother Ray who was taking on a cell phone (of course). He said he wanted to know why he ran to the ring to fight alongside the former ECW wrestlers alone. He asked Ray if he has their back, too. Ray said, "Why would I want to have their back? Why would you want to have their back?" Devon said they're family. Ray said he has nothing left to prove. He said they bit off more than they ever have. [c]

-Christy Hemme told RVD that they all know his history in ECW and asked how it felt to be back with his old friends. RVD said the times they've been through together meant it was like being home again. He said as an artist he is proud of that body of work. He said to have that come to the present day is like having everything all at once. "What more could I ask for?" he said. Christy said everyone is excited to hear what Dixie has to say. She asked if he had an idea what she will be saying. RVD said he's hoping it has something to do with what he's thinking. He said the fans giving credit to what they did that along ago shows the hardcore fans have stuck with him through good and bad times. He said he'll be watching on a monitor. He said he still has to remember that he has the belt and Abyss wants it, so there's a lot of celebrating going on but at the same time a lot of business to take care of. RVD seemed awake and engaged on that promo. Nice to see.

-They showed Tenay and Taz talking about Dixie's announcement. If they built up every main event match like they are Dixie's segment, they'd have a lot more viewers by now. Tenay said they will not leave the situation open-ended. He threw to a video package on the return of the ECW wrestlers to the tune of Black Label Society's "Parade of the Dead." Let's remember we're talking about Dreamer, Rhino, Raven, and Richards at this point. Oh, and Foley, too, apparently. It's not a game-changing group there, and they're taking TV time away from so much talent in TNA that if pushed well could pay dividends in terms of growth for years to come, not just a month or two. [c]

-Dixie entered the ring and said TNA has the best fans in the world. She said this is a company about the fans. She said the favorite part of her job is getting to meet all of the fans and hearing their feedback. She said Twitter and Facebook have helped her talk to many of them. She said it really is her responding to them. She said there's been one common theme she's heard, which is her love for Extreme Hardcore Wrestling. She invited "five gentleman" to the ring who helped "make hardcore an art form." Shouldn't this be a memorial service for all of the wrestlers who died in the years after the hardcore craze as their lives and addictions spiraled to death? Is this really something to be celebrating, in all honesty, if you really look at the ramifications of hardcore and check off all of the dead people and broken bodies who starred on those shows in the late-1990s?

Foley led the other four to the ring and asked them to tell the fans what they've meant to the industry. Foley said this is the first time she's stood there and addressed the crowd with "what we call a wrestling promo." Foley asked Raven if he remembers her ever addressing the fans like this. She said, "I have to say this isn't my promo; this is me being real." She said what Hogan meant in the 1980s these guys meant to ECW in the 1990s. The crowd interrupted her with the "E-C-Dub" chant. She said it's not about being hardcore, it's about honor, dedication, and respect. She said it was about those guys doing it not for fat paychecks but because they loved the business and the guys they stood next to in the ring. "You always gave them what they asked for and more," she said. She said those same traits are what helped TNA survive and thrive today. She thanked them for setting the bar high and she said she appreciates it from the bottom of her heart.

Foley said the last time he was in the Impact Zone, he was fired four months ago. He said he's glad she's giving him another chance to make a final impression. He said nobody's final memory should be being fired on TV. Foley threw to Dreamer and talked him up. Dreamer got emotional, of course. He said he watched TNA from afar from the beginning when they were in Nashville at the Asylum. He said his friends told him he should come over to TNA, but he had kids and needed financial security. He said he kept seeing so many similarities between the original ECW and TNA. He said the original ECW was a place where men and women who were unknown became legends. He said legends came to ECW to reinvent their careers. He said long before Samoa Joe was dumping people on their heads and tapping them out, Taz the Human Suplex Machine was doing it. The crowd applauded.

He said what Ric Flair did for Jay Lethal, Terry Funk did for me and did for Mick Foley. He said before the Beautiful People there was Francine and Beaulah. He said he saw when Dixie invited him to Slammiversary, he got to feel TNA and see men and women do what they do for the love of the business and each and every one of the fans. He thanked Dixie for bringing back his passion. He said in 2005 he got his closure, but then they brought it back. "And I got to witness my friends - we used to party like rock stars together. Now I know their kids. I got to watch them get fired. I watched them get destroyed. For what? Until it bothered me so much that I had to quit my job. At 38 years old it was a hell of risk, but I couldn't stomach watching something that I loved so much." Dreamer went for tears here. He said those other four talked him into coming to TNA. He said they put this plan together, but only Dixie could make it happen. "This is not about an ECW Invasion. This is not about us taking over. This is about men and women who lost their jobs, whose lives were affected by it. I refuse to cr bceause I'm really happy. I love you guys, too. This is for the fans who chanted, for my friends who lived it, that our legacy is not destroyed." He turned to Dixie and said, "I beg of you. Give us one night to show what we had and our legacy can live forever." Dreamer asked if the fans want one night. The crowd cheered.

Dixie said, "You know how to put a person in a difficult position." She said if they're going to do it, she has one stipulation. She said those five have complete control to do it the right way. "It's got to be real and it's got to be the way you want. TNA is giving this to you," she said. Dreamer said, "Impact Zone, we're going extreme!" Dreamer and Dixie hugged and the show ended.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I don't know if they have a big angle in the works that make this all worth it in the long-run or if it's a one-off celebration of ECW and trying to recapture the magic of the first One Night Stand, but let's hope it's more than three hours of purposeless senseless bloody weapons brawling among a half dozen or so former ECW wrestlers. What are they fighting over? If I remember right, ECW consisted of ECW wrestlers fighting each other to win grudge feuds and titles. That's what sold events. They need to turn this from hype appropriate for a tuxedo Hall of Fame dinner into something that would give everyone a purpose to fighting one another.

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