Video highlights of Lockdown is aired to kick off Impact, which includes Kurt Angle’s insane moonsault, AJ Styles stabbing D’Angelo Dinero in the eye with a pen and Team Hogan coming up victorious over Team Flair. The Impact intro hits and we are welcomed to this week’s show that will feature all of the fallout from Lockdown that took place just 24 hours ago.
AJ Styles’ music hits as the champion comes down to the ring wearing a suit and with the TNA World Championship slung over his shoulder. Styles says that he proved last night that he is the best champion in the world by taking care of business on his own without Ric Flair. RVD’s music then cuts off Styles as he makes his way towards the ring.
RVD says that Styles may have been the best in TNA at some point, but times are different now. RVD says he hasn’t been impressed with his skills and wonders how Styles can have the top spot in the company over wrestlers such as himself. Jeff Hardy’s music then hits as he comes out to the ring.
Hardy gets on the microphone and admits that Styles has done a lot in TNA but he is there to do more. Hardy says he wants to complete his collection of World Titles by becoming the TNA World Champion. Hulk Hogan’s music comes on as Hogan slowly saunters out to the ring.
Hogan says everything in TNA is about the TNA World Champion and alerts the talent to be on their best game as they are about to raise the bar. Hogan puts over the championship and the prestige that comes with it and Hogan wants to know how bad RVD and Hardy want the championship. Hogan asks if the two of them are willing to put their friendship aside to see who the best is. Hogan says he wants to see the two of them tear the house down and the man left standing will get a shot at the title tonight on Impact.
Ric Flair arrives to the Impact Zone and the camera man tells Flair what just happened. Flair doesn’t like what he hears and pushes the camera man aside and storms off and we head into a commercial break.
We return to the show and the announce team confirms that the two huge main events will take place tonight and says that Ric Flair will be barred from ringside during the title match. Taz also mentions that Dixie Carter has told them that Sean Waltman was excused from Lockdown last night and didn’t simply no show the event as they had thought.
Match 1: Daffney & ODB vs. the Beautiful People (TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship)
Velvet Sky and Lacey von Erich are defending the titles in this match. The Beautiful People start off strong with quick tags back and forth to wear down Daffney in the opening moments of the match. Daffney, though, is able to make it back to her corner to make the hot tag to ODB who powers Velvet around. Madison Rayne hops on the apron and distracts the referee long enough for Lacey to spray something in ODB’s face and Velvet rolls up ODB for the pin fall to retain the titles.
Jeremy Borash is outside AJ Styles’ dressing room and is letting Ric Flair on everything that happened while he was gone. Flair says it was not the vision he had and he wants to have a rematch between Team Flair and Team Hogan and says that if they don’t accept he will claim victory by forfeit.
After a break, Abyss and Jeff Jarrett are standing in the ring and Abyss says the war between Team Flair and Team Hogan ended last night at Lockdown as they did what they set out to do and beat their ass. Abyss goes on to say that if RVD and Jeff Hardy were not already in a match tonight they would have no problem beating them once again. Abyss is then cut off by Ric Flair’s music.
Flair comes out with Team Flair as they head towards the ring and go on the attack. Sting uses his baseball bat to get in a few shots before Rob Terry’s music hits and he comes out to help the members of Team Hogan. Terry makes quick work of Team Flair as they make their retreat. Eric Bischoff cuts them off and says they will get their rematch against Team Hogan as they will take on Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, Rob Terry and another surprise partner that is waiting in the back.
Matt Morgan walks up to Shannon Moore and says that the reason they are here is that TNA management is making him find a partner for next week’s title defense against Team 3D. Morgan says he is the best option and is allowing him to join them. Moore is biting, though, and says that he has to get ready for an X Division Title match next week and says both of Morgan’s personalities can kiss his tattooed ass.
The announce team hypes tonight’s match with the rematch between Team Flair and Team Hogan and Jeff Hardy against RVD. Hogan and Bischoff are then seen walking in the back and are stroking each others egos for their booking decisions. Hogan wants to know if the mystery partner is here and says he is here and ready to go. Bischoff also talks about a new ranking system that he will debut next week.
RVD is seen walking in the back and is talking about having to wrestle his friend tonight but he doesn’t mind as they can put their friendship as they are after the same thing and he will show everyone why he is the whole f’n show.
Match 2: Jeff Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam (#1 Contenders Match)
The two shake hands before getting this match underway. RVD and Hardy spend the first few moments trying to feel each other out with neither getting the upper hand as we head into a commercial break. We return to the match to see that it is on the floor as RVD hits a leg drop from the apron onto Hardy across the guard railing.
The match returns to the ring and RVD hits a high cross body block from the top rope to pick up a two count. RVD is once again busted open as Hardy begins to mount a comeback by hitting a dropkick to RVD’s knee that sends RVD into the turnbuckle. Hardy begins to work over RVD and picks up a few near falls but RVD won’t give up as the fans chant “this is awesome!”
RVD is able to turn the tide by stopping Hardy as he was heading to the top rope and hangs Hardy up on the ropes. RVD then climbs the ropes and kicks Hardy in the chest that sends him falling down to the floor. Hardy comes back into the ring and RVD hits the rolling thunder but Hardy kicks out of the pin attempt. RVD follows with a split leg moonsault but Hardy again kicks out of the pin attempt.
Hardy is finally able to stop RVD’s momentum and counters an attempt at a suplex with a front face suplex. Hardy climbs to the top rope and tries for the swanton bomb but RVD rolls out of the way and Hardy eats canvas. RVD then springs up and hits the five star frog splash for the pin fall and earns the opportunity to face AJ Styles for the TNA World Championship later on tonight.
After a commercial break, Christy is with RVD and Jeff Hardy who shake hands over their match and say there are no hard feelings between them. They then watch a replay of their match on a monitor and compliment each other as Hardy congratulates RVD on the win. RVD says it is now time to focus on AJ Styles and says to bring him on.
Abyss is backstage with Rob Terry and Jeff Jarrett and he thanks Terry for stepping in to help out. Terry says Hulk Hogan is looking for people to step up and people will know all about Rob Terry by the end of the night. Abyss says he doesn’t know who the other partner is but he is sure it is going to be a bombshell.
Match 3: Team Flair vs. Team Hogan
This match will be just like Lethal Lockdown without the cage or weapons. Two wrestlers will start in the match for the first five minutes and then come out every two minutes afterwards and be wrestled under tag team rules. Sting and Jeff Jarrett are representing their teams to start out and that match will start after the commercial break.
We return to the match to see that Sting and Jeff Jarrett wouldn’t wait until the opening bell as they are fighting around the ringside area. The referee finally rings the bell to get this match started as Sting begins to nail Jarrett with a steel chair to the back. They begin fighting in the bleachers as Jarrett begins to mount a comeback. Jarrett nails Sting in the back with a few chair shots but Sting sends Jarrett flying into the wall to regain control.
The match finally makes it to the ring and Sting misses with a Stinger Splash which allows Jarrett to fire away with some punches and a clothesline. They both end up taking each other out with a clothesline as time expires and Desmond Wolfe is the next entrant in the match.
Wolfe comes in and immediately goes after Jarrett and Sting goes to the outside as it is now a tag team match. Wolfe begins to pick Jarrett apart and tries for the Tower of London but Jarrett counters and hits a back drop as time expires. Rob Terry is the next one out and Jarrett tags him in to the match.
Terry powers Wolfe around and hits Sting with a couple of clotheslines as Orlando Jordan is seen watching the match from the entrance ramp. On that note, we have to go to a commercial break.
We return to the match to see both Robert Roode and Abyss have been added to the match and the two are battling in the ring. Abyss takes Roode down with a choke slam and a high back body drop as James Storm comes out to complete Team Flair. Storm is able to distract Abyss enough to let Roode hit Abyss with a neckbreaker and tags Storm into the match.
Storm comes in and works over Abyss with a few knees to the face but Abyss comes back with a side slam. Storm and Abyss are able to tag in Wolfe and Jarrett as this match begins to break down with Jarrett taking most of the punishment. Jarrett fights back and takes out Wolfe and Beer Money as time expires and the final entrant is… Samoa Joe.
Joe heads towards the ring and tags himself into the match and begins taking out Team Flair. Joe puts Roode up in the corner and hits the muscle buster to pick up the pin fall to win the match for Team Hogan. Joe refuses to celebrate the victory with his teammates, though, as he immediately leaves the ring as his partners have confused looks on their faces.
Ric Flair begins walking down the ramp with a microphone as we head into a commercial break. Once we return from the break we see what Flair said during the break and he challenged Abyss to a match next week for the Hall of Fame rings.
Match 4: Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles (TNA World Championship)
AJ Styles goes right on the attack before the bell rings as the announce team brings up the fact that this is the fourth match RVD has been in over the past day. Styles sends RVD out to the floor and flies over the ropes and take RVD out as we head into a commercial break.
We return to see the match back in the ring as the two go back and forth with a series of counters and reversals until RVD trips and Styles takes him down with a dropkick to the face. Styles begins working over RVD’s left leg but he is still able to use his legs to take Styles down with a spin kick. The two then trade blows in the middle of the ring and RVD hits a series of clotheslines to take control of the match.
RVD sends Styles across the ring with a monkey flip and follows with a rolling thunder to pick up a near fall. Styles, though, fights his way back into the match and puts RVD in a figure four leg lock but RVD is able to make it to the ropes. Styles tries for another figure four but RVD rolls him up but Styles is able to kick out at two.
RVD tries to capitalize on that but Styles hits a Pele kick from nowhere. Styles tries for a Styles Clash but RVD counters and sends Styles over the top rope. Styles is able to land on the apron and springs off the top rope for a flying forearm but RVD catches him and powerbombs him down to the mat. RVD then heads to the top and connects with a five star frog splash and pins AJ Styles to win the TNA World Championship.
Confetti begins to fall from the ceiling as RVD celebrates his TNA World Championship victory. Jeff Hardy then comes down to the ring to celebrate the victory with his buddy as Styles is seen laying out on the floor in shock. Hulk Hogan, Dixie Carter and members of the TNA locker room come out to join in on the celebration. Hogan hands RVD then championship title as Team 3D hoist RVD on their shoulders as Impact comes to a close.
Quick Results
- The Beautiful People defeated Daffney & ODB by pin fall to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
- Rob Van Dam defeated Jeff Hardy by pin fall to earn a shot at the TNA World Championship.
- Team Hogan (Jeff Jarrett/Rob Terry/Abyss/Samoa Joe) defeated Team Flair (Sting/Desmond Wolfe/Beer Money) by pin fall.
- Rob Van Dam defeated AJ Styles by pin fall to win the TNA World Championship.
Starman’s Thoughts
That was quite the show. Just think if TNA could make a show this exciting and interesting each and every week without having to resort to drastic “tna” measures and silly gimmick matches.
The show opened with a bang and set up three huge matches. RVD against Jeff Hardy was probably one of the better television matches I have seen in a while, especially since the Hogan/Bischoff era has started. I was going back and forth in my mind on who was going to win the match as it seemed either of them could at any moment. Neither have had much time in TNA but they are big names and are over with the fans. Does that make them worthy of a title shot? Not entirely, but I would say they are on the level more so than D’Angelo Dinero.
Speaking of Dinero, you’d think he’d at least get some screen time on tonight’s show, but he was absent. So was Mr. Anderson who could have used some time after losing what could be a match of the year candidate. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention others who were absent from tonight’s show, such as Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Bubba the Love Sponge, but I don’t think anyone really missed them at all.
Back on to the matches, the Lethal Lockdown rematch was better than last night’s clusterfun as is was pretty much straight and to the point. The highlight of the match, of course, was the return of Samoa Joe. I had a feeling that he could be a possibility as the surprise partner and I am glad I was right.
The crowd didn’t seem to give a big reaction as I’m guessing they were expecting a new face but since the Hogan/Bischoff era has come along, there has been too many new faces taking spots on the roster that really weren’t available. For every Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Orlando Jordan we have had to say goodbye to Daniels, Consequences Creed and Awesome Kong. Not an even tradeoff as far as I’m concerned. I just hope they have an explanation for why Joe has been absent and who abducted him oh so many months ago.
What was up with Orlando Jordan today anyway? I guess I’d rather just see him watching matches from the ramp instead of pouring white stuff all over his body.
I got off track there for a second. Anyway, the main event really surprised me as it is rare to see a World Championship change hands on television, not to mention a match that was made after the broadcast started. I was thinking back recently that AJ Styles has held the championship for a while now, since No Surrender, and that there was bound to be a title change sooner or later. I just didn’t think it was going to be this soon.
The match itself was great and was on par with the RVD/Hardy match earlier on the show. The ending was also great with the series of counters and reversals and I was genuinely shocked to see that Styles didn’t kick out of the five star frog splash. Finally, it was a nice touch to see the title change celebrated at the end of the show. Hogan and the rest seemed to emphasize the importance of the TNA World Championship earlier on the show, so it was great to see them follow up with that and gave more meaning to the title change.
What was also great to see was the interaction between Shannon Moore and Matt Morgan in the backstage area. Too many times it seems that the wrestlers don’t pay attention to anything that they are not involved in which makes them look dumb, but Moore wasn’t falling for Morgan’s offer in becoming tag team partners.
Even with all of the highs on tonight’s show, there a few other things that I didn’t like. For starters, the Knockouts tag team match didn’t seem all that special even though it was for the Knockouts Tag Team Championship. First of all, why is Daffney going up against people who she was just aligned with and why were they even getting a title shot? The Knockouts and all of their titles haven’t been as meaningless as they have been as of late.
Next, I really hated the fact that there was pretty much no wrestling to speak of for the first hour of the show. Yes, I did enjoy that three of the four matches got plenty of time tonight, but give people something good in the first hour, especially since it is running unopposed from WWE Raw. The opening was great and set up all three of the main events but it seemed to pretty much stall out until the Hardy/RVD match started.
Finally, I really hate the direction Eric Bischoff’s character is going. For months he has been going up against Hulk Hogan’s orders, making Jeff Jarrett’s life a living hell and pretty much being a thorn in the side of anybody’s life that he chooses to do so. Now he is all friends with them and playing to their wishes.
Bischoff’s old persona was great as it seemed it didn’t matter whose toes he stepped on or who he treated badly. It didn’t matter if it was Jeff Jarrett or AJ Styles, he was going to go against their wishes just because he had the power to do so. As much as I hate to say it, I hope Bischoff is going to pull a swerve on Hogan and, as Bischoff put it today, “con the con man.” His turn really doesn’t make any sense whatsoever, but I will say I am interested in hearing about his new ranking system.
Aside from that, and a teaser for an X Division Title match, there really wasn’t much of anything else hyped for next week’s show. When will TNA learn to start dangling the carrot in front of fans to get them to tune in next week?
You forgot the announcement of Flair vs Abyss for the show, Starman!
Can’t say I’m expecting tonight’s to be as good as last weeks, but i do hope that TNA continues the focus and momentum coming out of last week’s epic.
You’re right, I did forget about that match. Actually, it probably wasn’t so much forgetting it as it was just blocked from my memory as the match is pretty absurd. Even so, I do hope TNA can carry the momentum from last week’s show over to this one.
It has seemed in the past few weeks, though, that the live shows are full of energy and excitement while the taped ones tend to be more lackluster. They are going to need a good show tonight as they are going up against a 3-hour Raw with the WWE Draft.