By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA.
AIRED ON SPIKE TV

[Q1]

-The show opened with comments from the four wrestlers involved in the main event tag team match, the same four in the semi-finals of the TNA World Hvt. Title tournament. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff explained that they did make a controversial decision, but they feel the need to test the wrestlers involved to see who has what it takes to be champion.

-The show is titled "10.10.10." The TNA Impact opening then aired.

-Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff walked out to Hogan's entrance theme. Bischoff had the woman with huge boobs on his arm that screams (a) asshole heel act; (b) overcompensation for something; (c) mid-life crisis still lingers; (d) cheating to draw a rating with some sex appeal. Bischoff hasn't been a babyface act since he took it to Vince McMahon in the early months of Nitro. Hogan went into his usual speech about how great the TNA talent is. Soon he'll say "raising the bar," I'm sure. First he called out Mr. Anderson, then "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero, then Jeff Hardy, and finally Kurt Angle.

Hogan told them that whoever wins the title has to "raise the bar." He said it three times, actually. I'm pretty tired of that phrase since it means nothing. I do applaud them for making a big deal out of Bischoff and Hogan forcing the opponents on Sunday into teaming together. Bischoff talked about RVD in past tense as he said they have big shoes to fill. Bischoff said they need to bring their "A-game."

Abyss entered the ring. He talked about "them." Hogan said everybody knows that "them" is Ric Flair and "his band of idiots" Fortune. Abyss told Hogan he is mistaken. He said the "they" he referred to was never EV2 or Fortune. He said Flair is a liar. Abyss said "they" have told him the plan is in place. He said they will reveal themselves on a date that happens only once per century - on 10.10.10. Hogan said, "They better tell you to get out of my face." He said they will rid TNA of Dixie Carter, Hogan, Bischoff, Pope, Hardy, and Anderson. Tenay cut in and said they had to take a break. It seems like they weren't happy with how the rest of the segment went, since they never cut into a segment like that otherwise. Awkward.

[Q2] [c]

1 -- MADISON RAYNE & MYSTERIOUS WOMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE vs. ANGELINA LOVE & VELVET SKY

Taz begged to become a second rope again for the ring entrance of Love and Sky. Sky and Love set up Rayne for a spanking, but the Motorcycle Lady broke it up. Taz said he got a good look at the Motorcycle Lady and had an idea who it might be, but said, "Nah, it can't be." Tenay plugged that Jeff Jarrett would face Sting later in the show one-on-one, also. In TNA's world, that's a gigantic match to give away, but where did it come from? I get not wanting to clutter the show at the start with too many plugs, but you can't get 23 minutes into the show before mentioning that. If you're going to bother having the match, make it seem like a big deal. In the end Rayne got the pin on Sky after Motorcycle Lady hit her with a helmet.

WINNERS: Rayne & Motorcycle Lady in 3:00.

-Afterward the Motorcycle Lady unmasked as Tara. Tenay foreshadowed it, perhaps coincidentally, by the way he said Rayne and the mystery lady were "Victorious," with a seeming stress on the "Victoria" part of the word. [c]

[Q3]

-Stevie Richards backstage said he's been asked all day if he's scared to face Abyss. He said no, because he's faced so many surgeries on his throat and vocal cords and two broken necks. He said he overcomes that adversity and steps out of the shadow of his comrades and stand on his own.

-A clip aired of a feature on Abyss that aired on Reaction last week. The narrator asked if he's acting alone or if there's really a "they." Angle said Abyss has always been twisted based on how he was raised as a child. Anderson commented on how Abyss took things too far when it came to his attack on Rob Van Dam.

2 -- STEVIE RICHARDS vs. ABYSS

Tenay said next week on Impact we'll hear from RVD. It's good they're getting around to that because they've left viewers with the possible impression that RVD was gone from TNA. They brawled at ringside before the bell. Abyss dominated Richards early. He left the ring to retrieve a chair from ringside. When he entered the ring, the ref stopped him from using the chair. As Abyss shoved the ref, Richards superkicked Abyss in the chin for the win. Taz called it a major league upset.

WINNER: Richards in 3:00.

-Afterward Abyss gave Richards his Shock Treatment move. They cut backstage to Mick Foley clutching his ankle as other EV2 members fended off Fortune members. Back in the ring Abyss gave Stevie a Black Hole Slam. Brian Kendrick ran out and dropkicked Abyss, then helped Richards to the back. Tenay and Taz at first feigned not recognizing Kendrick, which was silly, and then wondered what he was doing. Tenay said he knows he's crazy.

-Backstage Anderson said he and Pope have had a rocky relationship. He said he's not sure why Pope doesn't like him because he's been nothing but nice to him. He said he's saved him at least ten times and he should be his best friend. Pope entered the room and expressed his lack of trust for Anderson. Anderson said they have to work together tonight, and then they can kick the dog snot out of each other in three days. Pope said he doesn't like or trust Anderson so he better not screw him over. Anderson said he has no plans to screw him. He said he needs to know he'll tag in if he needs him. Pope said, "We'll see what happens out there in the ring."

-Tenay and Tazz plugged the main event. Tenay said he doubts the teams can get along. [c]

[Q4]

-Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Foley, and Sabu stood in the ring. Dreamer called Fortune to the ring so they could settle the score. A.J. Styles led Ric Flair, Beer Money, Douglas Williams, Kazarian, and Matt Morgan onto the stage. Styles said this is his house and he makes the rules and he calls people out. Styles said they're pathetic and have no chance at No Surrender. He said Rhino has no chance against Abyss. He said Abyss will slaughter him. Styles vowed to embarrass Dreamer. Dreamer said he doesn't have to wait for the PPV, they could do it now. Dreamer said this is his house, a house full of people who think he sucks. He challenged them a four-on-four match later. Somehow that led Tenay to announce the match as officially on the schedule.

-Jarrett told Samoa Joe backstage that he doesn't owe him anything. He told him he' going to the ring not just for himself, but also for the fans and other wrestlers. "It's up to you to do the right thing," Jarrett said. Joe said if there's one thing he's learned in the business "is that you should mind your own."

-The camera followed Kevin Nash and Sting heading toward the entrance tunnel. Sting said if a certain someone shows up, he's going to pull him into the ring tonight. It felt very candid as if the wrestlers didn't know the camera was catching their conversation. It's a nice effect.

-The roving camera caught up to Jarrett who said he's doing this because if someone doesn't stop Nash and Sting, they'll tear down what they've built the last seven years. He said he hopes if hell breaks loose, he'll have somebody standing by his side.

3 -- JEFF JARRETT vs. STING (w/Kevin Nash)

Tenay said Hogan has rubber-stamped the eight-man tag match. He said it'll be elimination-style. Taz wondered if the Sting of the past was just a facade. Tenay said he's known Sting so long, and he never seemed to have an evil side, so he can't come to grips with this Sting. Jarrett took on both Sting and Nash at ringside at 2:00.

Taz said this is who Sting is and the old Sting may have never been authentic. Jarrett attempted to suplex Sting into the ring, but Nash tripped him and Sting fell on top of Jarrett for the three count.

WINNER: Sting in 3:00.

[Q5]

As Nash and Sting attacked Jarrett, Hogan's music played. He walked toward the ring as Sting choked Jarrett with a bat. Saoa Joe then charged into the ring and attacked Nash. He jumped to ringside where Sting retreated. [c]

-A vignette aired hyping the pending arrival of "Shore" featuring scenes of nightclubs.

-They went to Tenay and Tazz at ringside. The hyped that Hardy has a chance to force Angle into retirement on Sunday, so we can pretty much guarantee Angle advances to the finals on Sunday.

-London Brawling, Desmond Wolfe & Brutus Magnus, stood in the ring. Wolfe said they'll prove on Sunday they're the no. 1 tag team in TNA. Magnus said he can tell the fans are embarrassed to have the Machine Guns as their tag team champions. Magnus said they're in TNA to save the day. The Guns came out and said they're the greatest tag team in the world. Chris Sabin said by the looks of things the only tag teaming they've been doing is with each other. It was supposed to be a gay inference, but wouldn't that mean they share the same woman? Wolfe said, "Oh, I get it. You think Magnus and I fancy each other, right? You thin we're a couple of poofs." Shelley said, "Yes, yes, yes." Wolfe said he doesn't want to ruin their comedy routine, but they're the only fellas in the ring "with a bird."

Magnus told them to worry less about jokes and more about growing hair on their nuts. Shelley said he's four years older than Magnus. He asked if they're so good, why does Chelsea have such a sad look on her face always. Shelley said he has ten dollars, five minutes, and one dog tag and asked what it could get him with him. Sabin said she obviously needs money like any other hard-working cow girl. Wolfe told Chelsea to tell them he's the biggest man this side of the pond. He yanked on his crotch area. Chelsea said if there was a sword fight in the ring right now, his weapon might fall a little short. "Good gosh!" said Taz. Wolfe and Magnus threw fits. Then they attacked the Guns.

[Q6]

-Dreamer backstage paced as he told his guys they've lost Tony, Guido, and now Mick, who was nursing his sore ankle. Dreamer said they're all going down. Brian Kendrick walked in and offered his services. He said they need each other. Dreamer said they don't need him and he doesn't need their trouble. Kendrick said he wants to co-create reality with them. Foley said if anyone is going to name a replacement for him, he will. He then gave Kendrick his blessing. Dreamer said he doesn't know what he's getting involved in. Kendrick thanked them. "I need this," he said. [c]

-Backstage Jarrett told Angle he's having trouble focusing on the tag match later because he has a chance to become TNA World Champion on Sunday. He told Angle if he beats him, his career in TNA might be over. Well, on two fronts is wrong. Hardy doesn't have a chance to become TNA Champion on Sunday. He has a chance to make it to the finals. Also, if he beats Angle, Angle's TNA career will be over, no might about it - at least according to the advertised stips. Why go soft with the language? Angle said he doesn't plan on losing. He shook Hardy's hand and said he is focused on tonight's tag match.

4 -- FORTUNE (Beer Money & Kazarian & A.J. Styles w/Douglas Williams, Flair, Morgan) vs. EV2 (Tommy Dreamer & Sabu & Brian Kendrick & Rhino)

Williams interfered against Sabu which helped Kaz side roll him for a sudden three count out of nowhere. Sabu dove onto Williams at ringside afterward. The PPV opponents brawled at ringside. Kendrick tagged in against Kaz.

[Q7]

At 3:00 Kendrick pinned Kaz. Styles entered next. Kendrick took Styles down with a Thesz press and choked him. He then kicked the ref for pulling him off of Styles. A three-on-three brawl broke out. Foley limped out to the ring to watch the brawl. [c]

Kendrick was eliminated during the break. Roode battled Dreamer in the ring after the break. Tenay announced Jarrett & Joe vs. Nash & Sting at No Surrender on Sunday. Rhino nailed Storm with a Gore. Roode interfered to break up the pin attempt. Rhino gave him a belly-to-belly. Rhino and Abyss brawled at ringside a minute later. The ref counted Rhino out of the ring. It came down to Dreamer vs. Styles, Roode, and Storm. Dreamer pinned Storm and Roode at 13:00, leaving just Styles against Dreamer. Flair seethed with frustration. Dreamer applied a crossface, but Styles reached the bottom rope. Dreamer set up a Death Valley Driver, but Styles slipped free and dropkicked Dreamer. He followed with a kneedrop attempt, but Dreamer rolled out of the way. Styles rolled into a cross armbreaker. Dreamer put his feet on the bottom rope to force a break. Styles climbed to the top rope, but Dreamer met him there and superplexed Styles to the mat, then began a figure-four. He taunted Flair. Morgan jumped onto the ring apron. As he climbed into the ring, Dreamer crotched him with the top rope. Styles surprised Dreamer with an eye poke and a Pele kick for the win. In the mean time, Foley punched away at Flair at ringside.

WINNER: Fortune in 16:00 when Styles pinned Dreamer.

STAR RATING: **

-Tenay hyped the main event tag match was up next.

[Q8] [c]

5 -- KURT ANGLE & JEFF HARDY vs. THE POPE & MR. ANDERSON

Anderson introduced himself on the stage with the drop mic first. Then the other three got full ring entrances. No talk by the announcers selling the idea that this could be the final time Angle ever wrestles on Impact, yet another reason not to do retirement stips unless you're going to go all the way with it and focus primarily on it as the selling point. TNA continues to do great damage to the drawing power of yet another concept match they don't have the discipline or knowledge to execute effectively. Pope tagged himself in at 2:00. He kneedropped Hardy and scored a two count. At 3:00 Angle and Pope hot-tagged in. Anderson broke up an Angle pin attempt on Pope. Hardy hit Angle with the Whisper in the Wind by mistake, then Anderson finished Angle with the Mic Check. Tenay finally brought up the retirement stip, saying if Angle gets pinned on Sunday, "his career is history."

WINNERS: Anderson & Pope in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Rushed.

-Afterward Pope and Anderson argued since Pope stole Anderson's pin on Angle. Pope speared Anderson through the ropes to the floor. Angle confronted Hardy, too, as the show ended.

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