The Fight Network

Impact kicks off with a music video, set to the same song as the one that started last week's episode. Since "Dr. Who" ended early this week, I managed to catch that the song is "Fractured", by Taproot, whoever the hell that is. As with last week, the video starts by focusing on Mister Anderson, before moving on to the schism between AJ Styles, Kazarian and Ric Flair, followed by Rob Van Dam's victory in last week's four-way main event match. Tonight's episode is titled A Flair for the Dramatics, which is an odd choice, because (and this is a spoiler here), Slick Ric never shows up tonight. My working theory is that the cast of NXT Season One took him out.

We're just says out from TNA's next pay-per-view, the rather inaccurately named Slammiversary VIII (which marks TNA's eighth anniversary, but is only the sixth event to bear the Slammiversary name). Tonight, Kurt Angle returns to the ring to compete in his first match in almost two months, and the Sting's attack on Jeff Jarrett from Sacrifice last month will be shown for the first time on free TV.

AJ Styles heads out to the ring to start the show, flanked by Desmond Wolfe, Kazarian and both members of Beer Money. Taz immediately points out the conspicuously missing Ric Flair. Styles says that since Flair is not with them tonight, he's taking control of the situation (something Kazarian is clearly unhappy about). Styles says that he arrived at the Impact Zone tonight to discover that he and his compatriots are booked for an eight-man tag match tonight, courtesy of Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. Styles says that it doesn't take a Rhodes scholar to know that such a match involves two teams of four, and there are five people (including himself) in the ring.

Styles says that in the world we live in, the number five doesn't work, pointing out that there were four Beatles, four members of the Fantastic Four and of course, Four Horsemen. Obviously, he's not a fan of Pete Best, Tom DeFalco or JJ Dillon. Styles says that he has a solution to the problem, spinning around to face Kazarian and telling him to hit the bricks. Kaz starts to protest, when all of a sudden Flair's music starts to play. It's not the Nature Boy though, but Jay Lethal, once again playing dress up.

Doing his best Flair imitation, Lethal says that AJ isn't in charge of anything, because he isn't the man, and never will be- the only man who can be in charge is the Nature Boy. Lethal-as-Flair claims that his shoes cost five hundred dollars and his suit five thousand, and he would be ashamed to be seen in Styles' cheap Walmart suit. Lethal tears off his own jacket and drops an elbow on it, as Styles and company fume in the ring. Lethal says that he's leading the team that will face Styles' boys tonight, and begins to introduce his partners one by one, starting with the biggest man he could find, Abyss. As the Monster joins Lethal on the stage, Lethal makes a crack about Chelsea that requires Styles and Beer Money to hold Wolfe back to keep him from charging up the ramp. Next, Lethal introduces the man so nice they had to name him twice, Mister Anderson.

Lethal says that Styles can't win with the scrubs he's got with him in the ring, but Styles says that his partners will beat the piss out of Lethal's team (except for Kazarian, he doesn't count). Styles says that there are only three people on Lethal's team, but Lethal quips that Abyss is so big, he counts as two people. Lethal says that he and his partners are ready to do this right now and head down to the ring, with Lethal slinging over the ropes onto both Styles and Kazarian. A brawl quickly breaks out and despite being outnumbered, the babyfaces are in control up until Styles nails Lethal with a low blow. The heels start to take control, but almost immediately Jeff Hardy's music starts to play. Hardy surprises the heels by coming out through the crowd and quickly clears the ring, as the announcers state the obvious, that Hardy is the final member of Lethal's team tonight. Both teams stare each other down to end the segment.

We cut to a very strange pre-taped interview with Brian Kendrick. Kendrick tells us that through the use of meditation he has learned to see through his third eye, and can now see his life in this form from start to finish. He claims to have a fire in his belly, urging him to become the best wrestler in the business. Kendrick tells us that his father was a paranoid schizophrenic, and his mother was a genius. He now realizes that he's here on this world to capture the X Division Championship, to make that title achieve a greater purpose, to hold a title devoid of prejudices regarding size of shape. Trippy stuff.

[commercial break]

Brian Kendrick vs. Homicide

With Kendrick already waiting in the ring, Homicide gets a quick liner backstage. Homicide says that Kendrick may be crazy, but he's crazy too, street-style. Homicide heads out to the ring and the bell rings, at which point Douglas Williams' music immediately starts to play, and the X Division Champion heads over to the announce table to join the commentary team and scout Kendrick, his Slammiversary opponent.

Kendrick starts off the match slapping his own face, and pacing about like a madman. They tie up, and Homicide forces Kendrick into the corner, for a clean break. Homicide downs Kendrick with a series of right hands. Kendrick pulls himself up on the ropes, but Homicide claws at his face. Taz and Mike Tenay ask Williams about his brief time teaming with Kendrick, and Williams remarks that he wasn't familiar with Kendrick mindset at the time, and has since realized that he's a lunatic. In the ring, Homicide clubs at Kendrick's back, and continues to stretch his face around from a Camel Clutch position. Kendrick comes back with a kick to the gut from the ground, followed by a series of forearms, but Homicide cuts him off with a kick to the gut. He goes for the Gringo Killer, but Kendrick escapes and scores a few more forearms before running into an elbow. Williams is criticizing Kendrick's wild hair and undisciplined style.

Williams has a great line about being not just the foundation of the X Division, but its walls and roof as well. Homicide nails Kendrick with a nice Exploder Suplex for two. Thus far, Kendrick  is having his ass handed to him- Williams says that he almost feels sorry for him. Homicide chokes Kendrick with his foot in the corner, and his him with a pair of Face Wash kicks. Kendrick is practically out on his feet as Homicide hits him with a Michinoku Driver, but a cover only gets two. Williams shows a measure of respect for Kendrick, saying he admires the tenacity he's showing, weathering blow after blow that would finish a lesser man off. Kendrick blocks the 187 Cutter and hits a Neckbreaker and yet more forearms before Homicide ynks him chin-first into the turnbuckle. Homicide hits Kendrick with a Snapmare and takes off his wrist taping, which the referee quickly confiscates. While the referee goes to dispose of the taping, Homicide unravels the other wrist's tape and uses it to choke Kendrick out.

Williams says that if Kendrick was sane, he'd stay down at this point. On the contrary though, Kendrick fires up with a Flying Forearm, and blocks a Single Leg Pick with an Enzuigiri. They fight out to the ramp, where Kendrick starts slamming Homicide's head into the steel with- you guessed it!- more forearms. Kendrick is pulled off by the referee and backed into the ring, allowing Homicide to reach under the ring and pull out a toolbox. Williams notes the lack of high-flying in this match, pointing out that is hasn't been what one usually associates with the X Division. After considering a hammer, Homicide selects a screwdriver and brings it into the ring, but the referee immediately fights to take it away. The distraction allows Kendrick to nail Homicide with a short Yakuza Kick, allowing him to cover him for the three count.

Winner- Brian Kendrick by pinfall.

Williams puts Kendrick over after the match, but says that he can be as crazy as he wants on Sunday, because it won't trump Williams' discipline and technical ability.

Backstage, Brother Ray and Jesse Neal are trying their damnedest to tear into one another, held apart by a small army of trainers and security guys, with Brother Devon once again caught in the middle.

[commercial break]

When we return, Neal is in the ring, flanked by his partner Shannon Moore. He calls for Ray to come out and face him man to man. Ray comes out, followed by Devon, with security chaps trying to stay in front of him to keep the peace. Neals tells Ray that if he has a problem with him, he should have the balls to settle it man to man, like Team 3D taught him. Neal accuses Ray of being the one who laid him and Moore out and left them with playing cards on their backs, but Ray claims to have no idea what he's talking about. Ray says that Neal has turned into an arrogant punk with a huge ego. Devon is once again playing peacemaker, trying to calm Ray down, but Ray warns him to back up. Ray says that Neal thinks he's bigger, badder, rougher and tougher than him, but Ray claims that he's legitimately one of the toughest guys in the wrestling business.

Ray says that he brought Neal into the business, and he can be the one who takes him out. Neals says that he never did anything to disrespect Team 3D, he looked up to them and always gave them credit where it was due. Ray retorts that he doesn't need Neal's credit, his approval or his thanks, because Neal is a nobody. Ray says that before Devon and himself came along, Neal was nothing more than a failure in the Navy (which pisses off Neal enough that it takes Moore and a bunch of trainers and security guys to keep him from jumping Ray where he stands). Ray continues that after Slammiversary, if he has anything to do with it, Neal will be a failure in the wrestling business too. Neal says he can't wait. Ray turns his attention to Moore, calling him a bitch and demanding to know if he has anything to say.

Moore responds that according to the Book of DILLIGAF, Ray is nothing but a bully, and the biggest douche bag on the planet. He tells him to take his puppet Devon and get out. Devon isn't impressed by that and Ray tries to rile him up further, but he keeps his temper and says that he's going to give Moore a pass for that one. He says that Neal has an automatic pass because they trained him, he's a product of Team 3D. Devon says that even though he's never liked Moore, he understand his situation. Devon then turns to Ray and tells him to get his damned head on straight, and leave the kid (Neal) alone. He throws down the microphone and marches out of the ring, and everyone turns to watch him go- which of course allows Ray to get in a cheap shot at Neal from behind, before slipping out of the ring and jogging to the back.

[commercial break]

In a "Spike TV exclusive", the show switches over to footage of Sting attacking Jeff Jarrett at Sacrifice last month. Other than a few quick edits for time, the footage is shown in its original form, as it aired on pay-per-view. The full segment runs around ten minutes, which makes it seem like filler, designed to replace something else that was taped for Impact, then cut from the broadcast. And looking it up, there was supposed to be a Knockouts tag match this week with The Beautiful People facing Roxxi and Rosie Lotta Love- a match that never appeared, or was even mentioned on tonight's episode. Curiouser and curiouser...

Back to new content though, we find Eric Bischoff and Miss Tessmacher backstage with Matt Morgan. Morgan demands to know who his tag team partner at Slammiversary will be, and Bischoff responds that he has good news and better news. The first news is that they have a partner for Morgan, and it's someone he will like, and who will love him to death. The other bit of news is that Morgan won't have to wait for Slammiversary- his rematch for the Tag Team Championship is up next. Morgan seems to have an inkling of who his partner just might be, and is visibly upset.

[commercial break]

We come back to a taped interview with Jeff Jarrett, in his first televised appearance since Sacrifice. He says that Sting literally beat the hell out of him, and no, he figuratively beat the hell out of you, Jeff. There's a difference. He says that the Sting he saw at Sacrifice wasn't the man he's been in the ring with as a partner and opponent over the years. He says that Sting is possessed with an evilness the likes of which he's never seen before. Jarrett promises that he will get his revenge, but he won't be able to do it any time soon. He says that it was a blessing when Bischoff and Hulk Hogan came to TNA, even if Sting doesn't see it that way. Jarrett says that he has a personal connection with Slammiversary over all other TNA pay-per-views, and this year he's going to have to watch the show at home with his daughters, and explain to him why he couldn't be there himself. Jarrett swears that he'll get his answers from Sting eventually.

Back inside the Impact Zone, Matt Morgan has come out to the ring to meet his tag team partner. Hogan comes out to the top of the entrance ramp, with a mic in hand. He says that Morgan is the biggest cry baby he knows, and there's a reason he's in the ring alone- Hogan says he's never seen anyone stab so many people in the back so fast. He says he's happy that the fans wouldn't be willing to shake Morgan's hand, because he'd probably use the opportunity to steal their wallets. Hogan says that Morgan knows all about energy, and the energy he's been putting out is about to come right back to him. Hogan introduces Morgan's partner, and as everyone already no doubt guessed, it's the returning Hernandez!

Morgan immediately tries begging off as Hernandez charges the ring and attacks. Hogan joins the announce team while Hernandez rams Morgan into the barricade, before tossing him into the ring. Hernandez nails Morgan with a Standing Shoulder Block, followed by a Stinger Splash and a Standing Thrust Spinebuster. Hogan quips that there's always one rotten apple in every barrel, and thanks to Supermex, he won't even have to get his hands dirty taking care of this one. Hernandez strips off his shirt and uses it to choke Morgan out, then leaves him lying in the ring. As he heads up the ramp, Hogan makes a spur of the moment decision and books Hernandez and Morgan in a singles match at Slammiversary.

Why would anyone pay to see that, after Hernandez just destroyed Morgan on free TV? And on the off chance anyone bought the show because they wanted to see Hall and Nash defending the tag titles, they're being swerved out of a match that's been promoted for a month. Sure, that match would have sucked, but it's still a shitty thing to do to the small (and ever-shrinking) group of fans who actually pay money to watch TNA pay-per-views. In the ring, EMTs head out and start strapping Morgan to a stretcher, which is a rather extreme reaction to being assaulted with a cotton tee-shirt. Before they can get him out of the ring though, the Band's music plays and they head down to the ring for their scheduled Tag Team Title defence.

Matt Morgan and Hernandez (in absentia) vs. The Band (Eric Young and either Kevin Nash or Scott Hall, with the other at ringside) (TNA World Tag Team Championship match)

The bell rings, Young covers Morgan, who's still knocked out and tied down to boot. Four second match. Right about now, the TNA Tag Team Titles have less credibility than the WWE Divas title, and that belt has a fucking butterfly on it.

Winners- The Band (Eric Young over Matt Morgan by bad booking).

In the back, Christy Hemme is with the TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. She asks RVD if Sting's mind games have distracted him from his game plan, but RVD says he's going to go about things the same way he had intended to, and show everyone that there's a reason RVD is the champion, not Sting. RVD says that Sting may be an Icon, but if he wants the title, he'll have to take it from him. As if on cue, Sting ambushes RVD from behind, choking him out with a Sleeper Hold. With RVD down, Sting steals his title belt and leaves with it.

[commercial break]

When we return, trainers are checking on RVD. He soon discovers that his belt is gone, and shoves past the concerned throng to go get it back.

In the ring, Kurt Angle is warming up. He reminds the fans that at Slammiversary, his quest to climb the ranks begins with his match against Kazarian. Angle says that since Kazarian is a good X Division wrestler, Angle has called in a favour from a good friend, the greatest X Division wrestler, asking for a tune up match. Angle says that he's told his opponent not to hold back, because Angle won't either- let the games begin. Angle's opponent makes his way out, and it's none other than The Amazing Red...this has potential!

Kurt Angle vs. The Amazing Red

Angle and Red tie up, and Angle takes the early advantage with a Side Headlock and a Shoulder Block. Red comes back by Leapfrogging over Angle, then catching him with an Arm Drag and a Headscissor Takeover. Angle scrambles back to his feet, and we get a respect spot. Angle slips behind Red but Red flips out, only to run into a hard Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Angle keeps the pressure on with a European Uppercut, but makes a mistake charging at Red, as Red dodges and Angle flies between the ropes, crashing to the outside. Red vaults over the ropes, Angle dodges but Red lands on his feet. Angle inadvertently elevates Red up to the apron, allowing Red to connect with a nice Running Flying Headscissors. Angle retreats back into the ring and Red tries to Springboard in after him, but Angle dodges and levels Red with a huge Lariat.

Angle stalks Red and goes for the Angle Slam, but Red reverses into a DDT. The referee starts a standing ten count, but both men up, with Red quickly scoring with an Enzuigiri. Angle Back Drops Red to the apron, but Red comes back in with an insane Springboard DDT. Wow. Red tries to lift Angle to his feet, but Angle slips behind for a brutal German Suplex. Angle goes for the Angle Slam again, but Red once again reverses, this time with a Flying Arm Drag. Angle makes it to his knees, but Red catches him with a low Spinning Enzuigiri, then with Angle still reeling, Red spikes him right onto the top of his head with an insane Hurracanrana. Holy shit. Red comes from up top again but misses, and Angle finally connects with the Angle Slam for three.

Winner- Kurt Angle by pinfall.

That was the best five minute match you're ever going to see on free TV- I would give my left arm (and your right) for a chance to see a real Angle/Red program some day. After the bell, Angle helps Red to his feet and lifts his arm in a classy gesture.

Backstage, Sting is talking to himself. He says that he may only be in possession of the World Heavyweight Title right now, but as of Sunday, he's going to own it. He says that when he takes "Robbie" Van Dam's title, the veil will be lifted from everyone's eyes. Sting says that the word of the month is deception, and to prove his point he reveals that he's defaced the title belt by scrawling that word across its face. Sting says that whether RVD likes it or not, deception is what the belt represents at the moment, but change is coming, because it's Show Time. Another very weird segment.

[commercial break]

A new Slammiversary video package airs, focusing on the significance of TNA's eighth anniversary. Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan and Kurt Angle offer their thoughts on the little company that could, then RVD and Sting offer their candid and unflattering opinions of one another. Finally, there's a quick rundown of the rest of the card on Sunday- looks like a great show on paper.

Backstage, Rob Van Dam is still hunting for Sting, heading up into the rafters as we go to another break.

[commercial break]

AJ Styles and his compatriots head out to the ring for the main event, with the announcers still musing about Ric Flair's absence. Though Jay Lethal was the clear leader of the babyfaces earlier tonight, they come out to the ring now to Jeff Hardy's music, for whatever that's worth. As they head out, Mike Tenay mentions that the match between Abyss and Desmond Wolfe this Sunday will be held under Monster's Ball rules.

AJ Styles, Beer Money Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) and Desmond Wolfe vs. Jeff Hardy, Abyss, Mister Anderson and Jay Lethal (with Chelsea)

Lethal and Roode start things out, as the crowd chants Lethal's name. Roode begins with a knee to Lethal's gut and a clubbing blow to his back. Lethal tries to kick his way out, but is cut off when Roode rakes his eyes. Roode scores a Knife-Edge Chop, but Lethal comes back hard with a Handspring Back Elbow. Roode staggers into the faces' corner where they each get some licks in, ending with a Knife-Edge Chop from Lethal. Abyss tags in and delivers a few right hands to Roode, but misses a corner Body Avalanche. Roode tags in Storm and they go for a Double Clothesling, but Abyss runs right through their arms and grabs them both by their throats. Styles runs in but gets caught with a boot, though the brief distraction allows Storm and Roode to escape Abyss' clutches. They both charge, but Abyss levels them both with simultaneous Clotheslines. He tags in Anderson and Roode rolls out of the ring. Anderson goes after Storm's arm with some Standing Shoulder Thrusts, as the crowd lovingly lets him know that he's an asshole.

Anderson and Hardy makes a series of quick tags, continuing to work over Storm's arm with Diving Axe Handles off the ropes. Hardy ends up the legal man and hits Storm with the ten punches in the corner. He hits Storm with a Snapmare and covers, but only gets one. Storm catches Hardy with a thumb to the eye and makes a tag to Wolfe. Hardy hits Wolfe with a Sit-Out Jawbreaker followed by a Vertical Suplex, floating over into a cover that's broken up by Styles. Styles tags himself in and delivers some shoulders to Hardy's gut, followed by a Scoop Slam and a Leaping Knee Drop for two. Styles keeps the pressure on with a Reverse Chin Lock, but Hardy fights up, before being taken down again by an elbow to the back of the head. Styles tags in Wolfe, who quickly whips Hardy into a pair of boots from Storm and Roode from the apron. Hardy tries to escape the heel's corner, but Wolfe drops down on top of him for a two count.

The heels lay into Hardy with a series of cheap shots, as his partners inadvertently distract the referee. Storm comes in illegally while the referee's back is turned and ultimately gets a two count off the dirty tactics. Roode tags in and teams with Storm to hit Hardy with a Double Suplex, followed by the Beer! Money! cheer. Roode blatantly chokes Hardy, as Abyss again makes the foolish mistake of distracting the referee by trying to enter the ring illegally. Roode hits Hardy with a Leaping Knee Drop for two, then chokes him with his boot. Wolfe follows up from the outside with a cheap kick to Hardy's head. Roode catapults Hardy throat-first into the bottom rope for another two count. Storm tags in and Beer Money give Hardy's legs the old wishbone split. As Storm traps Hardy in a Front Facelock, Hardy finally makes a tag to Lethal, but the referee is distracted by Styles, and orders Lethal back out to the apron.

Styles tags in and stomps away at Hardy, and when Hardy tries to elbow out, he hits him with yet another thumb to the eye. Hardy recovers fast though and surprises Styles with another Sit-Out Jawbreaker. Styles grabs Hardy's ankle, but Hardy hits his Spinning Mule Kick and at last makes another tag to Lethal, which the referee mercifully sees this time around. Lethal comes in with quick strikes to all the heels, followed by a Back Body Drop to Styles. He sets Styles up for a Backdrop Suplex, but whips him around into a Neckbreaker. Wolfe comes in illegally and cuts Lethal off with a hard DDT. Anderson is in next, hitting Wolfe with a Flipping Fireman's Carry Slam. He turns around into a Superkick from Storm, but the Tennessee Cowboy immediately goes down to Hardy's Twist of Fate. Roode catches Hardy with a Spinebuster, but then gets hit by a Chokeslam from Abyss. Finally, Wolfe makes it back up and levels Abyss with a Lariat.

Wolfe calls for Chelsea to give her the chair she's been sitting on at ringside, but she hesitates. Wolfe yells out to her that in three days, she's his again, and she reluctantly hands him the chair. She's taken too long though, as Wolfe turns around to find that Abyss has recovered, enough that he punches the chair into Wolfe's face. Abyss turns around into a Springboard Forearm from Styles. Lethal makes it up to the apron and hits Styles with a shoulder to the gut, but when he springboards into the ring Styles catches him with a picture perfect Powerbomb. From there, Styles easily hits Lethal with the Styles Clash to pick up the win. Very strong match, and quite long for television.

Winners- Beer Money Inc., AJ Styles and Desmond Wolfe (Styles over Jay Lethal by pinfall)

After the match, Beer Money and Styles toss Lethal out of the ring, and Chelsea helps Wolfe come to his senses. The segment ends with the heels celebrating in tandem, with all the momentum on their side going in to Slammiversary.

Backstage, Sting is soliloquizing again. He asks rhetorically if Robbie thought it would be that easy. He says that Rob Van Dam is getting closer to finding him, and encourages him to keep on coming.

[commercial break]

When we return, RVD has clearly found the right place, as Sting abruptly attacks him from behind. They begin to brawl through the backstage area, with Sting using any detritus at hand to lay a beating on the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. RVD comes back by slamming Sting into an equipment case, as they fight into a merchandise stand. RVD sends Sting reeling into a rack of tee-shirts, then uses the rack to chose Sting out. The fight spills out to an area underneath the bleachers, as Sting gains control again with a rake of RVD's eyes. They fight towards the ringside area, as RVD punches Sting over the barricade and over onto the ramp. Taz comments on Sting's recent evasiveness, saying he either has answers or doesn't- it's an all or nothing thing, like how you can't be half pregnant. Sting tumbles into the ring, where RVD tears off his jacket and uses it to choke him. He rips the TNA World Title off Sting's waist and tosses it aside, yelling at Sting that the belt's not his to take. He delivers some shoulders to Sting's stomach, then chokes him with his foot. With Sting slumped in the corner, RVD punishes him further with a low Running Dropkick to the chest. RVD brings a chair into the ring and wedges it into a corner, then cuts off Sting's attempt at a comeback with a Superkick. RVD tries to whip Sting into the chair, but after a brief struggle, it's Van Dam who goes face-first into the steel. With RVD out cold, Sting takes the chair and delivers a punctuating chair shot to RVD's back. He picks up the belt again but also calls for a microphone. He says that the title is a deception, and it's RVD's to hold on to until Sunday. Sting tosses the belt down onto RVD's chest and exits the ring, leaving RVD battered and bruised.