By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT
JANUARY 20, 2011
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA.
AIRED ON SPIKE TV

[Q1]

-A video recap aired of the Kurt Angle-Jeff Jarrett saga including Jarrett talking about how he called TNA's Dallas headquarters and asked them to go after Angle, but then Angle arrived and made his life a living hell. Also, Angle telling Jarrett he's just upset that Jarrett isn't the center of attention anymore. Then, they went into Karen Angle doing her screeching last week at Angle. The show is titled "Dirty Laundry."

-They cut to a car pulling up in the back lot and Angle walked out of it looking, as usual lately, as if he has one foot in the grave (although not nearly as bad as on the last PPV). They showed Angle telling the director he wanted his music played right now. That was a great touch because it gave viewers a glimpse at how music always precedes a wrestler walking out and made it seem like it's not orchestrated by the "man behind the curtain," but rather by the wrestler themselves right before they walk out. I'm not sure if they were going for that realistic touch, but it's a nice attention to detail.

-Angle walked to the ring as Mike Tenay and Taz briefly recapped the Angle-Jarrett situation. Angle said he wanted to set the record straight. He said when he brought Karen into the company, he noticed she kept talking off in the corner with Jarrett. She said it was just because he was a part owner of the company and they were talking business and he had no reason not to believe her. He said he was wrong. He said one thing she'll never take from him is his character. He broke down and cried as he said he was a great husband and an incredible father. He said if he's guilty of anything, it's not spending enough time with his family. He said it's not because he was a bad father, but because he wanted to give his family everything they dreamed of. (I bet his kids would have traded a huge house and cars and jewelry for Kurt to retire early, get healthy, and spent his time with them, since it's not like he didn't make more money in five years in WWE than most people will see in their entire careers. But anyway...) He told Karen they could do it the easy way or the hard way. He said the easy way is they make amends or she provokes him and he will then pull out every skeleton in her closet. He asked, "So what's it going to be, Karen?"

Jarrett's music played. Team Jarrett walked out and tried to gang up on Angle, but Angle fended them off. Tenay and Taz said Karen and Jeff were on their way to the arena. Angle shouted over the mic, "Jeff! Jeff Jarrett! Is that all you got? Come on, bring it!"

The Immortal theme song played and out walked Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair. They crossed their arms and glared at Angle. Then they broke into a smile and out walked police who ordered Angle out of the building. Tenay said they just got word that Karen and Jeff are minutes away from the arena. [c]

-The roving reporter caught up to Jarrett and Karen as they entered the building. He asked if they had heard that the police escorted him out of the building. Karen said that's so sad he won't be around to hear what she has to say about him. Jarrett feigned being sad, too.

[Q2]

1 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. VELVET SKY vs. MICKIE JAMES vs. SARITA -- Non-Title

Tenay said everywhere he goes, people ask him about Taz's phrase, "Let the pigeons loose!" He asked what's the story on it. Unfortunately, as we were finally going to get an explanation, Taz broke into another language as he explained it, saying something unintelligible about Ross Foreman and Chicago. Tenay asked Taz why he thinks Rayne is allowed to walk out with the loaded glove each week. Taz thinks there's no proof it's loaded yet. The bottom of the screen pitched the Feb. 24 TV taping in Fayetteville, N.C. At 3:00 Tara interfered with her brace, knocking Mickie off the top rope. The ref didn't see it. Rayne then swung her loaded glove at Mickie, but Mickie ducked and she took out Velvet. Mickie rolled up Rayne for the pin.

WINNER: Mickie in 4:00.

-Robert Roode gave James Storm a hard time for doing 12 ounce curls with his beer bottles. He also complained about what RVD and Mr. Anderson did to them last week. Storm boasted that at least by the end of the night Immortal had the last laugh. He added that it's not how the fight's started, it's how it's finished. Roode said they'll prove to them by the end of the night they are the greatest tag team, period.

-Tenay officially announced RVD & Anderson vs. Beer Money. Then they showed that Angle had returned to the arena backstage. [c]

-The candid roving camera spotted Samoa Joe backstage telling Okada that he's been doing a great job following The Pope around. He told him to keep following him around and he will give them what they want. Okada held up a small camcorder.

[Q3]

-Rob Terry and Ric Flair walked to the ring. Flair asked if there is a woman in the arena who wouldn't want to go home with Terry. He pointed at three women in the front row and said he would take all there of them and hurt them at the same time. He called out Morgan and said the new Man is standing with The Man.

2 -- "THE FREAK" ROB TERRY (w/Ric Flair) vs. "BLUEPRINT" MATT MORGAN

Morgan gave Terry the Carbon Footprint immediately and scored a pin in about five seconds. Taz said that was explosive and sick.

WINNER: Morgan in 0:05.

-Afterward Flair chopped Morgan; Morgan no-sold it and Flair backed into the ring to beg off. He continued to chop and punch Morgan, who no-sold them all. Flair dropped down and begged off into the corner. He tried to wake up Terry. Instead, Abyss charged into the ring and jumped Morgan from behind. Terry recovered and he, Abyss, and Flair triple-teamed Morgan. Morgan came back with a big clothesline. However, the three heels took Morgan down again. Abyss splashed Morgan as Terry held him down. Taz said it was like a building falling onto him. Flair took some final shots at Morgan, although we learned minutes earlier Flair's offense doesn't hurt. Terry and Abyss double-chokeslammed Morgan. The Immortal music played and they left the ring.

-They went to Tenay and Taz at the announce table where they talked about TNA's tour of Europe. He also noted many TNA stars had the honor of competing in Japan at the Tokyo Dome. Taz said there's such a rich tradition of pro wrestling in that country. Tenay said New Japan announced that 47,000 fans were in attendance. He threw to a video package, which showed clips of RVD singing autographs at the Tokyo Dome. He showed a black and white photo of him when he first started, which is the same black and white photo he sent me way back at the start of his career when he was looking to get his name out there. I just saw it recently when going through some of my archived memorabilia. They showed clips of RVD, Beer Money, and Jeff Hardy wrestling on the show. Tenay said more footage was available at TNA's website. Tenay then hyped Jeff Hardy vs. TommY Dreamer.

-Kaz asked A.J. Styles backstage what was going on with Eric Bischoff. Styles said Eric is just Eric and it's not that important. He pointed at his X Division Title and said that's what's important. Kaz said Immortal is important. Styles said he's a movie star and take care of business. Amazing Red's little brother attacked Styles from behind. He choked him out and said, "You have two weeks. February 3, they're coming and nobody in Immortal is safe." [c]

[Q4]

3 -- KAZARIAN vs. JAY LETHAL -- X Division Title Match

When Lethal hit a kip up, Taz said Lethal must've been watching his old matches. At 4:00 Lethal climbed to the top rope and landed a big elbow for a nearfall. He freaked out a bit after Kaz kicked out, giving Kaz a chance to roll out of the ring and recover. Again, a babyface acting dopey and it costing them a chance to seize opportunity and possibly win. Kaz won a minute later when he rolled up Lethal and held onto the middle rope for added illegal leverage.

WINNER: Kazarian in 5:00. Best action of the night so far, but at just five minutes and thrown into the middle of the show, it didn't feel like a big deal or all that memorable.

-Backstage Anderson talked about putting his title on the line against Jeff Hardy in two weeks on Impact, but first tonight, he and RVD have to face Beer Money. He told RVD they need to focus. RVD complained that he's not even allowed neared Hardy, and it's driving him nuts. Dreamer said he has Hardy for the first time and he will soften him up for Anderson and then RVD can get him next. RVD didn't like being third in line. Anderson tried to give everyone a pep talk.

-Tenay hyped that Karen was up next to tell her version of the truth. They showed her and Jarrett smiling backstage. Then they cut to Angle pacing outside of the Impact Zone, then he got into a door that had been previously locked. [c]

-Karen and Jarrett walked to the ring. Jarrett told the fans what they're witnessing is not only a caring wife and loving mother, but also a woman who is just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside, "and that's saying a lot!" The crowd chanted loudly, "Sloppy seconds! Sloppy seconds!" He said she is a victim of Kurt Angle. He handed her the mic to elaborate. She said she had a presentation ready for the fans, but since arriving at the Impact Zone, she heard about a few things her ex-husband said about her so she wants to reply. She said Kurt is right, her new husband is part owner of the company, "so guess what that makes me?" She said back in 1997 after he won his Olympic Gold Medal and was a lost little puppy with nowhere to go because he had worked his entire life for that moment.

[Q5]

Angle charged out and gave Jarrett a back suplex. Karen wound up to hit him, but he brushed her off and went face-to-face with her. She slapped him and he just slowly backed her up. Jarrett recovered and gave Angle a low blow from behind. Jarrett pounded on Angle as Karen circled him with a satisfied smile. Then they left without the "tell all" dirt session Karen had promised. Karen asked Taz if he liked that as she walked up the ramp. [c]

-A P.S.A. aired with TNA wrestlers telling fans to Eliminate the Hate. They had Pope say not to judge people on color and Orlando Jordan say not to judge people on sexual orientation. They plugged the eliminatethehate.com website.

-They cut to Angle tossing things around backstage. Taz said he's in a cage. Tenay said he doesn't blame him.

4 -- JEFF HARDY vs. TOMMY DREAMER

Taz and Tenay talked about how much Immortal wants the specialized title belt back around Jeff Hardy's waist. Dreamer hit a flying clothesline off the ring apron a minute in. Hardy made a comeback and went after Dreamer's injured wrist. At 3:00 Dreamer escaped a chinlock and made a comeback, throwing clotheslines and a backdrop. Hardy caught Dreamer "charging" at him with an elbow. Dreamer avoided a Whisper in the Wind. Dreamer "leaped" off the second rope, but Hardy kicked him in the gut. Dreamer countered immediately with the Dreamer Driver for a nearfall, but Hardy draped his leg over the bottom rope. Hardy then hit the Twist of Hate for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 5:00. This is probably the best use of Dreamer, as a gatekeeper type wrestler with some size and some credibility, so a win by Hardy counts for a little something. He's not the most graceful, though, and without the weapons as a crutch, Dreamer can drag down the grace and athleticism usually on display from someone like Hardy.

[Q6] [c]

-Joe's candid cameraman caught Pope talking to someone on the phone. He hung up to talk to a TNA worker backstage. He said he wanted to use his computer for some overseas transactions. The guy said he has to finish something first, then he can help him. Pope took offense at him not just handing him the laptop. He then called "TNA Brian" on his cell phone and tricked him into leaving the room. He then stole his laptop and bitched to himself about Brian telling him no.

-Meanwhile, Styles was still gasping for breath and told Flair he was told "They" are coming on Feb. 3. Flair, "They is us. You and Abyss are driving me crazy." He said on Feb. 3 they take control again. Flair then got Styles to lift his jacket and underneath was a Smirnoff Ice. "You've been iced!" said a celebrating Flair, saying he waited six months for this. Flair said this will help him calm down. Styles tried to drink it, but spit it out and said it was burning his throat. Angle then hit Styles from behind with a bat. Flair told Angle he's his biggest fan and "I just work here!" Angle choked him with the bat and said he wants Jarrett in the ring in a few minutes. He said it won't be a wrestling match or an exhibition. He told Flair to make sure he shows.

-Ring intros took place for the main event of the show. Anderson introduced himself as the "Total Nonstop Asshole and Total Nonstop Champion." [c]

[Q7]

5 -- BEER MONEY vs. ROB VAN DAM & MR. ANDERSON

RVD and Anderson got in the early offense. Tenay and Taz plugged the big Feb. 3 edition of Impact including Hardy's rematch against Anderson. No mention of recent "big acquisition" Matt Hardy at all on this show through 92 minutes until Taz referenced Jeff & Matt teaming up last week. By 3:00 Beer Money took over. Tenay snapped at Taz when Taz complained about Tenay adding that Beer Money were four-time tag team champions after Taz said simply they were former tag champs. After a slightly botched spot with Anderson and Roode, Anderson recovered and kicked Roode. Both were down at 5:00 and both got hot-tags. RVD took Storm down with a flying clothesline and a sidekick to the chin and then a dropkick. Anderson saved RVD from a double-team and then a four-way brawl broke out, with Anderson and Roode at ringside. Storm actually seemed a step off in this match. RVD hit the Five-Star Frogsplash, but the ref was yelling at Hardy for his attempt to interfere illegally a few seconds earlier. Matt Hardy then entered the ring in a jeans and a blue flannel shirt and gave RVD a Twist of Hate. Storm then scored the pin.

WINNERS: Beer Money in 8:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Decent enough basic formula tag match, although Storm seemed a little off his game.

-Brian Kendrick told Bully Ray that he's been consumed by anger before and knows what it's like to have your liver eat your stomach. Ray called Kendrick out for calling him Brother Ray. Kendrick told him not to pick on him. Bully Ray said he'd know it if he was picking on him. Kendrick said what worked for him wasn't therapy, but Kundalini Yoga. Hey, I have one of those DVDs. Ray said, "Yoga?" to Kendrick as if Kendrick had just told him to pet a white fluffy bunny to calm his nerves. Kendrick said the breathing will align his chi, or something like that. He led him in a breathing session. Ray then shoved him very hard into lockers, then took a deep breath, then leaned over and said, "I can feel it working already?"

[Q8] [c]

-Backstage Flair yelled at Jarrett that he loves him and his wife to death, but he's not part of this thing he has with Angle. Bischoff tried to calm then down and said he had it handled. Flair said Angle is off his rocker. Jarrett said he knows it. Bischoff told them to trust him that he's got his back. He told him to go to the ring. Flair told him to go meet his maker.

-Brother Devon walked to the ring without any intro music. That makes him seem like a regular guy and not a mega-star when he marched to the ring without music. Devon asked Ray to come on out and finish what he started at Genesis. He called him "big ass" to the ring so he can whoop his ass. Ray walked out onto the ramp and told Devon to come get him. Kendrick ran out and attacked Ray and shoved him into the ring. Devon then punched away at Ray. Ray caught a charging Devon with an elbow, then he pulled out a big steel chain. Devon hit him first and yanked the chain away from him. TNA security then arrived just in time to once again save Ray from a beating at the hands of Devon. Ray got up and got in a free shot on Devon, then Ray turned on security. Ray even bullied So Cal Val at ringside and took her chair. Ray put Devon's head in a chair and then swung the chain into the chair. Devon's leg shook like a dog being tickled in the belly.

-They showed Angle backstage heading toward the ring. Tenay said the confrontation with Angle and Jarrett is next. [c]

-Angle stood in the ring as Jarrett waved Gunner and Murphy to the ring to attack Angle. Angle took care of them. Jarrett joined in the fun and triple-teamed Angle. Angle made a comeback a minute later and cleared the ring of Gunner and Murphy. Then he put Jarrett in a rear naked choke. Karen ran to ringside and yelled for Kurt to stop. She tried to pull Jarrett's arm. Kaz, Beer Money, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Flair, Styles, and and Terry ran out and made the save. Abyss walked onto the stage and held his arms out. Then he fell forward and Janice was shown sticking into his back. Red's little brother walked out in a suit and yelled at Immortal: "February 3, 'They're' coming." The heels in the ring asked for more details, but then Angle made a comeback and everyone scurried out of the ring to close the show.

Torch VIP members have access to Wade Keller's more detailed analysis of this week's Impact episode in his 1/23 Keller Hotline posted on Sunday night.

We suggest these recent related articles...

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/30: Final hype for Bound for Glory, Ciampa also wrestles on Impact, Dollhouse vs. BP, more; Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/23: ECIII defends TNA Title, #1 contender match, Hardy "quits" servanthood, two more title matches, more; Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/16: Team TNA vs. Team GFW for control of TNA, new Knockouts champion, more; Overall Reax