By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
TAPED 9/12 IN ORLANDO, FLA.
AIRED ON SPIKE TV

HOUR ONE

[Q1]

-The show opened with an extended recap of Bobby Roode's Bound for Glory Series victory and a briefer clip of Kurt Angle retaining the World Title.

-They went right to Ric Flair's ring entrance. Mike Tenay hyped the scheduled match against Sting, a "high-stakes showdown." Flair got on the mic and told him to "meet his maker." That is a cliche, but it's nearly true when it comes to Sting's pro wrestling success. Sting came out next with a full ring entrance and an elaborate robe. Flair: "Tonight, you versus God. The Franchise Icon vs. God. One man walks out of this ring either retired for life or one man goes to the hotel and gets drunk." He said he swore to Hulk Hogan he'd beat him. He said the only way he gets to Hogan is over his dead body. Sting: "Then you die tonight, Ric!"

Sting got in Flair's face and vowed to put him in the Scorpion Death Lock and Scorpion Death Drop. He told him to take his robe off. Flair said "blood, sweat, and tears for your ass." Sting fired back: "Let's go right now!" Sting took off his robe, then told Flair he just called his bluff. Security ran out and separated them. Flair said, "You lucked out again! Whoo!" Flair left the ring as security held Sting back. Tenay hyped the match, but did a mediocre job of making it 100 percent clear that match was actually scheduled for later on this very TV show and not PPV or some future week. He said at one point "later tonight," which is good, but it got kind of lost in the other hyperbole and I wonder if some viewers didn't assume this was like a PPV match contract signing type of in-ring segment.

-They showed Jeff Hardy arriving backstage. He had that humble look. [c]

-Hardy told the roving camera he is extremely happy to be back. He said in Huntsville, Alabama he took his first step in trying to regain the confidence of everyone, and now he takes his second step in addressing "the boys" and make things right. He said nobody knows what he's been through since Victory Road (well, tell us) so all he can do is prove himself, not just for "the boys" and his family, but "most importantly for the sake of me."

[Q2]

1 -- MEXICAN AMERICA (Sarita & Rosita & Hernandez & Anarquia) vs. TARA & MISS TESSMACHER & DEVON & "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO

As Mexican America walked to the ring, the announcers recapped their successful tag title defense on Sunday at No Surrender.

When the match began, the announcer touted Roode's victory on Sunday, earning him a World Title shot against Angle at Bound for Glory.

At 4:00 all eight were in the ring briefly. Tara and Tessmacher double powerbombed Sarita and Rosita for a dual pinfall. The "STUPID REF" for some reason allowed two illegal people in the ring at once and counted their pin simultaneously. It looked good, but made no sense.

WINNER: Tara & Tessmacher & Pope & Devon in 4:00.

-Karen yelled at Traci backstage. Traci said, "I hate you." Karen said she cleaned up the Knockouts locker room which no longer looks like a cow barn. Karen told her to cover up her breasts. "I don't walk around like a five-and-dime whore," Karen said. Traci said she's jealous. Karen told Traci she had five minutes to get the Knockouts and bring them back to her. Karen said she's ungrateful and worked so hard, yet she's so unappreciated. [c]

-After the break, the Knockouts gathered. Madison Rayne told Karen she loved what she did to the Knockouts locker room. Karen said she was going to start with Mickie James. She told her the game she's playing with Winter trading wins is over. Mickie said she gets a rematch, though. Karen said nope, she's done. She said regarding the rest of them, they're going to have three Queens Qualifier matches: Mickie vs. Tessmacher, Tara vs. Rayne, and Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love. She the winners will compete against Winter at Bound for Glory for the Knockouts Title. She then adjourned the meeting. Karen is effective in this role, and the Knockouts play well off of each other in a catty way without being trashy like they had a tendency to stray in the past. Okay, more than stray in the past.

-A.J. Styles called Robert Roode, the new no. 1 contender for the World Hvt. Title, to come to the ring. Also in the ring stood Christopher Daniels, James Storm, and Kaz. Tenay touted Roode's big opportunity at BFG as the biggest night of his career. Roode walked out smiling, then shook hands with everyone in the ring. Taz said he busted his ass and earned it the old fashioned way. Styles said as a former Heavyweight Champion, it's a privilege to acknowledge what he did at No Surrender on Sunday. He said he scratched and clawed to get to the top, outpointing 11 other wrestlers, "including myself and James [Storm]." Storm, wearing sunglasses, nodded along, but wasn't smiling as much. Could be nothing, could be simmering frustration and jealousy. Styles said Roode earned the title shot at BFG and there's no doubt he will become the next World Hvt. Champion.

[Q3]

Daniels stepped up and bragged about all he has done in his career including recently beating a former World Champ in that ring - then looking over at Styles. Daniels said the way he beat Bully Ray in the overtime match was inspiring, just as much as when he beat Styles in Huntsville, Ala. He told him to keep his eye on the prize and focus on the goal. He said they in the ring and the fans believe in him, but he must believe "the same way I believed I could beat A.J." Daniels just showed more marketable personality in that two minutes as he has in the last several years in TNA.

Kaz said they made a pact that they were family and would have each other's backs. He said Fortune has done more to build "this company" (not "TNA," of course) than everybody else. He said they have goals individually, too. He said Roode accomplished his goal. He said he doesn't blow smoke, but nobody on the roster deserves to be World Champion more than him, "and it's a privilege to call you my brother and my friend." Roode looked like he was getting choked up and overwhelmed.

Storm then stepped up and called him a future World Hvt. Champion. He said it has a pretty good ring to it. He said they didn't know what to do with them, so they put them together and they made it work. "We always turn chicken poop into chicken salad," Storm said, then added, "I can't say the curse word." He talked about all of the time he was on the road missing his kids' games, it all comes down to the match with Angle. "I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, I wish it was me," Storm said. "But you're just like my brother, and I'm sure glad it's you." He said he had a long speech planned, but the fans want to see wrestling, but he did want to make him cry. Roode indicated with his fingers that he was coming very, very close. He closed with: "Kurt Angle, sorry about your damn luck."

Angle's music then played and he walked out with a heelish smile attached to glassy eyes which was just creepy and scary looking. He raised his eyebrows and strode to the ring. He asked everyone if they weren't even a little jealous of him. He said he and Styles have been kicking each other's butts for five years, he knows his competitive spirit. Aren't you jealous? Styles said no way. Angle turned to Storm and asked if he wasn't there for the same reason as everyone - the "Impact World Heavyweight Championship."

Angle turned to Roode and said they're jealous, and he'll prove it. He said since the Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff stroke has rubbed off on him, he's booked him in several matches heading up to BFG. He said every week he will wrestle a member of Fortune. Roode looked disturbed with the news. Angle said if any of them beat Roode, they will get the next title shot against him after he beats Roode at BFG. He said if any of them lie down for him, they'll end up at the bottom of the totem pole. He said it starts tonight with Kaz. Taz said that was big news. Other than the fact that Angle gets to mess with the career of his no. 1 contender for several weeks, which makes a mockery of the structure and integrity of the company, the storyline is compelling. Everyone in that segment played their roles really well. [c]

-The camera spied on Bischoff through the blinds in his office as he talked to someone on the phone. He said he'd pass the word on to Angle, then he told him to drive safe. Bischoff said he loves the ideas - Roode vs. Kazarian. Angle laughed and nodded along. Bischoff said maybe Kaz will step up and chip away a little at Roode before BFG.

[Q4]

2 -- ANGELINA LOVE (w/Winter) vs. VELVET SKY

Love attacked Sky as she entered the ring. The "STUPID REF" decided that was a good time to signal for the bell to start the match, needlessly rewarding the heel for the illegal attack. The "OBLIVIOUS ANNOUNCERS" were not the least bit bothered by this. Tenay said what Love did without even a hint of outrage. He might as well have been saying she waved at a friend in the crowd he was so matter-of-fact about it. It ceases to be an effective heel tactic if the "OBLIVIOUS ANNOUNCERS" aren't outraged or upset. All announcers today should listen to Mick Karch's current calling of local Minnesota indy wrestling that airs on a local channel. He's the best announcer in wrestling today because he's the only one who gets that his job is to accentuate the awfulness of the actions of the heels and the heroics of the babyfaces, and announce the action as if the outcome makes a difference and rules should be enforced in order to get a true deserving winner. Effective announcing is such a lost art at this point for a wide array of reasons.

They cut to a very early break after Love beat up Sky in the ring, then threw her to the floor. [c]

Love locked Sky in a chinlock tighter than most of Cena's chinlocks. Sky elbowed out of it, but Winter tripped her as she bounced into the ropes. Love then regained her advantage with a barrage of punches. Taz said the ref didn't see the interference, but again didn't seem the least bit upset by Winter's actions. Winter choked Sky on the middle rope. Tenay "objectively" showed zero emotion toward that heel tactic. Winter went back to another chinlock.

Sky made a comeback and played to the crowd. Winter swung her belt from the ring apron at Sky, but she ducked and the belt hit Love, leading to the pin.

WINNER: Sky in 8:00.

-Jeff Hardy approached Styles backstage. Styles said this isn't the time or place. He said he's spent nine years "literally killing myself for this company." Everyone needs a little reminder what the definition of "literally" is. He said he's had more matches than anyone else, and in one night he almost destroyed the whole thing. "You almost killed the whole company because you're selfish," Styles said. "I gotta feed my family. You gonna take money away from my family? Is that what you're going to do, because that's what you did. When people talk negative about Impact Wrestling, it's because of you. You. I'm not doing drugs, I'm not drinking, I'm just killing myself for the company to make it something we can all be proud of. I don't think there will ever be a time or a place for you to be around me." That was heavy. Hardy walked away dejected. The storyline of putting viewer disgust with Hardy (such as that's widespread; it's not as if most of the millions of Impact viewers saw the match or know why Hardy's been away) on TV and doing it in such a heavy-handed way that Hardy starts to get sympathy is an interesting strategy. If Hardy is really clean and stays clean, it could be what Matt Morgan said, a great comeback story for this industry. [c]

END OF HOUR ONE

For a report on the main event of Sting vs. Ric Flair, check out Caldwell's Blog report.

[Q5]

-Hogan told Flair backstage this is one of the most important nights of their careers, so he's glad Flair is worked up. Hogan said he has a Plan B. Sting walked up behind them and asked if he could hear what Plan B is. Hogan asked, "What are you doing here?" Sting said his plan is to beat Flair tonight and then beat Hogan at BFG. Sting walked away. Flair said, "We don't need a Plan A, a Plan B, we got me!" Hogan said Sting is toast and they'll annihilate him tonight.

-They went to Tenay and Taz at the announce desk. Tenay hyped that Sting vs. Flair was coming up later in the show. Then he pivoted to interviewing Crimson via satellite from Brooklyn, N.Y. Crimson said he thought he had the BFG Series wrapped up, but Samoa Joe took him out, giving him a hairline fracture in his ankle. He said he's happy for Roode, but that should have been his win. Taz asked what the bad blood is between he and Joe. Crimson said he doesn't know if it's jealousy or what, but there will be consequences for making it personal. Tenay asked when they'd see him again. Crimson said in two weeks he'll be back.

3 -- SAMOA JOE vs. MATT MORGAN - Submission Match

How did this match not get hyped before this? It totally defines down the importance of the match to just throw it out here at the top of the second hour without any context or hype. Joe attacked Morgan from behind, so the "STUPID REFEREE" called for the bell to start the match. The "OBLIVIOUS ANNOUNCERS" didn't react with any outrage at the heel's cheating tactic. Tenay flatly said, "Here comes Joe from behind." That's all. Morgan fought back right away with some corner offense a la Kevin Nash.

Joe went for a sleeper, and there was a strange edit I've never seen before where they showed Joe apply the sleeper from one angle, then quickly cut to another "live" angle which showed Joe two seconds back in time applying the sleeper again.

More intensity in this match than almost anything on Sunday's PPV. Joe applied a figure-four leglock at 5:00 and Morgan tapped out. Taz noted that Joe set the table by going after his ankle all match. Yeah, all five minutes of it. Taz said he tapped so he could fight another day. Tenay put Joe over as a "submission specialist" and throughout the match they sold this as Joe's style of match. It was pretty evenly fought until the finish.

WINNER: Joe in 5:00 via tapout.

-Tenay hyped Sting vs. Flair. [c]

[Q6]

-Angle walked up to Kaz backstage and asked if he was ready. Kaz said he's trying to get ready, so get lost. Angle sat down and said he's giving him an opportunity of a lifetime. He said he can prove he's the no. 1 guy in Fortune with a win. He wished him luck and told him to do some damage. Kaz just glared at him.

-Elsewhere backstage Devon told Hardy that he's being real with him. He said for 12 years he's never cut any corners with him and has always told him the truth. He said they've been up and down the highways together and have roomed together when they had nothing. He said to let something like this come between everything they've worked for is sad. He said he cares too much about him, but he won't sit there and let him throw everything that they've built up away. He said they made history together. He said they've had matches that will never be forgotten. He said he knows the Jeff Hardy that can go out there and be the Showstopper (copyright WWE and Shawn Michaels). He told him to mean what he says this time. He said he's not going to turn his back on him, he's going to throw him against the wall and he hopes and prays he takes what he says now for real. He said, "Let's do it the way we know how to do it." He said if he fails again, it will be over. Hardy nodded in agreement and said, "I know." As Hardy walked away, Devon said, "If you need me, I got your back." That was far and away Devon's best delivered promo maybe ever. Why is it so hard to get some of these wrestlers to deliver good "real sounding" promos until they "break character"? Why not apply that personality to storylines that aren't based on this level of reality? [c]

-These Direct Insurance ads with TNA wrestlers are awful. [c]

4 -- ROBERT ROODE vs. KAZ

WINNER: Roode. [c]

[FOR A REPORT ON THE FINAL 30 MINUTES OF THE SHOW INCLUDING STING VS. FLAIR, CHECK OUT JAMES CALDWELL'S BLOG. I'LL UPDATE THIS REPORT FRIDAY WITH THE FINAL 30 MINUTES.]

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