01/31/11 Raw preview- Miz still WWE Champion, Elimination Chamber three weeks away

Miz retained his title at the Rumble with help from Nexus, tonights Raw will likely play a role in the fate of the WWE title heading into Wrestlemania

Last nights Royal Rumble provided possible new directions for WWE’s top stars. Randy Orton failed to capture the WWE title from Miz after CM Punk and Nexus interfered in his match. John Cena was thrown out of the rumble by WWE Champion the Miz and lost his shot at the title. With Elinination Chamber only three weeks away WWE will probably start the build to the PPV on tonights Raw. I would expect the PPV to be headlined by Punk, Orton, Cena, Miz, Morrison and Sheamus with the victor becoming the new champion.

Also coming out of the rumble was the return of Kevin Nash as Diesel and Booker T. The two men where said to have the biggest reactions of the night when they returned so they may be featured in storylines tonight. Rumors have had Booker getting another decent sized push as this may be his last run in the company and Nash may also receive a last run type push.

Royal Rumble returns- Booker T and Kevin Nash

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Kevin Nash and Booker T have been confirmed to return to WWE at Royal Rumble

from the Wrestling Observer–

There is a lesson to be learned here regarding shooting angles first and then trying to sign the guys up.  Booker T is confirmed to be in the Royal Rumble.  Kevin Nash is expected to be there as well.  Both canceled autograph signings scheduled this weekend.  Those in TNA and WWE both have confirmed Booker being expected at WWE instead of TNA on Monday.  When it comes to Nash, his name was just removed from the TNA roster (even though he had “left” the company months ago).  It is being reported he’s in the Rumble and all that does make sense but we haven’t had it confirmed by WWE people of that fact.  Booker T and Kevin Nash had been earmarked to start on Monday with TNA as part of  “They,” which makes Monday’s Impact very interesting as the only former Main Event Mafia member they can now bring in being Sting

 

TNA Impact results(full episode)- Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam align with TNA

click for full episode(waiting for upload)

Complete TNA Impact Results Report For March 8, 2010

The second Monday night show featured the debut of Rob Van Dam, the returns of Sting and Jeff Hardy, and Hulk Hogan pushing himself as saying tonight would be his final match.

It appeared his daughter actually believed him, which may make her the most naïve human being on the planet. It was a so-so show that only had two lengthy matches combined with some nonsensical stuff.

Hulk Hogan and Abyss came out to open the show. Brooke Hogan and Dixie Carter were shown at ringside. Hogan did all the talking and Abyss appeared as his tag-along, which is hardly the way to build a new star. Hogan did the same interview he’s done in recent weeks about how Ric Flair and A.J. Styles had changed the rules of the game. Hogan called them out, so we were supposedly getting the main event in the opening segment.

Abyss and Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair and A.J. Styles went to a no contest in 2:21. Abyss gave Styles a Manhattan Drop, and tagged in Flair, who threw some of his trademark chops. Abyss nearly killed Flair by barely getting him over for the backdrop. Hogan came in after Flair poked Abyss in the eyes, and Styles gave Hogan a Pele kick. It was a four-way brawl right away. Then the lights went out and Sting’s music played. Sting appeared in the ring with his baseball bat, and it appeared he was going to go after Styles and Flair. Then Sting hit Abyss in the midsection with the bat, and followed with another shot to Hogan. Abyss and Hogan juiced, and Sting then walked out with a cocky smirk on his face. Flair and Styles continued to lay the boots down, and Flair gave Hogan a safe chair shot over his head. Hogan got on the microphone and said that Styles and Flair would still have to wrestle him and Abyss tonight, and this time it would be a no DQ match. You know what the cliché is about those that don’t learn from history, and it’s not like Sting hasn’t already failed as a heel in this company.  DUD

Sting went backstage, where Carter confronted him. Sting started to grab her around the throat, but it was clear Carter didn’t want anything too violent looking, so he gently pushed her against the wall. It looked so awkward. He told her he owed her nothing, then walked away. Carter is fun to look at, but she’s just not a wrestling character.

Hogan and Styles did an interview. Styles says there are no do-overs in wrestling, but would give Hogan and Abyss another match if they wanted one. Flair did his usual great promo about sending Hogan and Abyss out in the ambulance, and said that he always knew he owned Sting, so he’s happy he’s joined him in a battle against Hogan.

Abyss was shown backstage with blood all over his head screaming about Sting’s betrayal.

Brooke Hogan was backstage distraught over Hogan bleeding. His fiancé Jennifer, who looks like Linda Hogan at 33, was trying to console her. Brooke was surprisingly effective here.

Kazarian was in the ring saying he left the company two years ago. That deflated the crowd because you could tell no one was buying it. Kazarian did a speech trying to propel the X Division, which actually prompted a “X Division” chant. Daniels came out and proclaimed himself the king of the X Division, and bragged about being the longest reigning X Division champion of all time. That would have come off better if the current X Division champion hadn’t jobbed in 62 seconds just four days ago. Daniels did his new catchphrase of “I Am X.” Then the aforementioned X Division champion Doug Williams came out, which spawned a “USA” chant. Kazarian and Daniels continued to argue, and finally Eric Bischoff came out. He came out and put over the X Division strong, saying the group wasn’t the heart of TNA, it was the adrenaline of TNA. Bischoff ordered a three-way X Division title match between Williams, Daniels and Kazarian immediately.

1. Doug Williams defeated Daniels in a three-way match that also included Kazarian to retain the X Division title in 6:48. All three men traded near falls at the opening bell. Daniels gave Williams a leg lariat. Kazarian did a rolling reverse cradle. As Daniels tried to make the save, Kazarian gave him a northern lights suplex, pinning both men, but they both kicked out. Kazarian gave both Williams and Daniels a combination head scissors/sidemare takedown. Kazarian then followed with a somersault tope on both men to the floor. Daniels stayed on the floor for awhile after that one.  Kazrian missed a somersault legdrop back into the ring, and Williams gave him a running knee to the jaw. Daniels returned with a slingshot elbow drop on Kazarian into the ring. Daniels gave Kazarian a quebrada and a death valley driver for near falls. Daniels and Williams started exchange stiff forearms and clotheslines, but Kazarian knocked them both down with a missile dropkick. Williams tried a chaos theory, but Daniels rolled both Williams and Kazarina up with a schoolboy cradle, but both men kicked out. Daniels delivered a uranage on Kazarian, but missed the moonsault ever. Daniels landed on his feet, but Williams came up from behind, sandwhiched Kazarian in the corner, and got the pin on Daniels with a chaos theory. Best match in several weeks, and it’s great to see the company actually gave solid workers some time to shine. ***

Shannon Moore, with his hair spiked like a punk rocker, did a run in and laid out Williams with a spin kick. Crowd didn’t appear to know who Moore was. Bischoff announced that Moore would face Williams at Destination X. Sure makes Williams look bad to get chased away by a guy who was never anything more than a prelim wrestler in WWE.

Carter did a promo, calling him “Steve.” She said Sting would face a surprise opponent tonight. She can’t deliver a promo either.

Mike Tenay announced that Awesome Kong and Hamada had been stripped of the titles because they had not been defended within a 30-day span. This was the first time since New Year’s Eve that the Knockouts tag team titles were referred to.

Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne won the vacant TNA Knockouts tag team titles in a three-way match over Tara and Angelina Love in a bout that also included Sarita and Taylor Wilde in 2:12. The Beautiful People actually did some double team moves, so it appears they could be a team for the long haul. Sarita and Taylor Wilde did stereo schoolgirl cradles on Tara and Angelina Love at the opening bell. Sarita tried a stratisfaction on Tara, but turned it into a diamond cutter, which was cool. Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky did a double side Russian leg sweep on Tara. Love ran in and gave Rayne a scissor kick. Finish came when Tara tried to give Rayne the widow’s peak, but Daffney ran in and hit Tara with the TNA Knockouts title, and Rayne got the pin. Finish was rushed, so it appeared they were told to go home early. ½*

Pope D’Angelo Dinero started to do a promo, but Desmond Wolfe attacked him backstage and attacked his already injured left leg. Wolfe took a chain and slammed Dinero’s knee against the steps. It was announced at the end of the show that the Dinero-Wolfe match set for tonight had been cancelled because of this angle.

The Beautiful People were backstage celebrating with Jeremy Borash, whose speech pattern resembles Gene Okerland more and more. Borash called for some champagne, and Sky grabbed the bottle and said things were ready to explode. When she said that, she popped the cork and champagne was supposed to come out. Instead, nothing came out, so in an unrehearsed moment Sky dumped the bottle on Borash and left him soaked. Pretty funny. It’s clear Sky is the life of the party away from the ring.

Sting came to the ring for a match with a surprise opponent. It turned out to be Rob Van Dam, who got a huge pop. His arrival in the company had been anticipated since the day he left WWE two years ago, so he got a monumental pop.

Rob Van Dam defeated Sting in :09. Van Dam ran through the crowd, then knocked Sting down before the bell with a rider kick. Van Dam then got the pin with rolling thunder. So Sting did one of those Kevin Nash/Lex Luger jobs where he loses in ten seconds to make it feel like a fluke. DUD

Crowd was on fire at this point, which made the following ten minutes all the more mind-boggling. As Van Dam posed in the corner, Sting knocked him down from behind with the baseball bat, and followed with several more shots to the knee and chest. Sting then clotheslined him with the bat and walked up the ramp as the referees ordered him to back off. Even though he was still laid out, the crowd was still chanting “RVD.” Sting then pushed down the ref on the ramp, then went back to the ring to resume his attack on Van Dam with several more bat shots. Sting finally got some heat at this point, but you could tell the crowd doesn’t want to boo him. The referees ordered Sting to leave, but he tagged two more refs with bat shots, and went back to the ring again. Crowd was begging Van Dam to make a comeback, but Hogan came out. It was amazing in 2010 that Van Dam, in his first match on national television in two years, could be the set up man for a 50-year-old and a 56-year old. It got worse when Bubba the Love Sponge came out to try to hold him back, along with security. As they did Sting hit Van Dam with the bat some more. Hogan finally got to the ring, but Sting hit him in the stomach with the bat. As security tried to carry Hogan away, Sting hit him with the bat. Hogan had to be helped to the back, and the deal was Hogan still had to wrestle tonight. What happened to Van Dam, you ask? I don’t know, because the camera was solely on Hogan. And they’ve dropped the ball on Van Dam ten minutes into his stint in the company. All for a Sting heel turn that has never gotten over anywhere else, and won’t this time.

Kevin Nash and Eric Young came out to the ring. Nash announced that he’s been granted a contract for one night only so that Scott Hall and Six-Pac (since they aren’t officially in the company) can wrestle Nash and Young in a tag team match at Destination X. Nash called out Hall and Six-Pac to accept. Hall and Six-Pac where shown walking backstage. As Nash and Young were waiting, crowd was chanting “Hall is crazy.” Hall and Young emerged from the back of the building. Tenay wondered how they’re able to get in the building every week when they supposed to be banned. That’s another loose end that should be tied up soon. Nash is usually very good in non-wrestling segments, but you can tell by looking at him he’s still tight with Hall. So it’s hard to take this program seriously. Hall appeared in better condition than January 4th. He said that he and Six-Pac wanted to be in TNA now that it was cool. It so weird hearing Hall say that in 2010, because he’s become a parody of himself. Hall said if he and Six-Pac went at Destination X, then they get TNA contracts. Bischoff appeared on screen and agreed, but announced that if Nash and Young win, Hall and Six-Pac leave town. Hall and Nash shook hands, but Six-Pac slapped Young, leading to another pull-apart. Bischoff ordered a match between Six-Pac and Young.

Eric Young defeated Six-Pac in 1:12. Crowd was hot at the start of the match, but Young mistimed some spots that would have made them hotter. Finish came after Six-Pac missed the bronco buster and Young pinned him with a piledriver. Good heat. ¾*

An army humvee with several soldiers in camouflage pulled up in the back of the arena. They walked out to the ramp flanked to the sides, making way for Kurt Angle’s introduction. Angle did a great promo as the soldiers came out to surround the ring. He said the soldiers put their lives on the line every day for what he and Mr. Ken Anderson believe in. He said Anderson spit in the face of every one of those soldiers when he stole the dogtag from Angle. Anderson appeared on the big screen, and got some major heat when he referred to the troops as a bunch of high school dropouts. Angle then ran backstage and jumped Anderson, who’s head appeared to bump into the ramp. Angle then followed him to the ring, but Anderson hit him with the dog tag. As Anderson started to leave up the ramp, some of the soldiers stopped him. Anderson, feeling trapped, ran into a recovered Angle, who laid him out with punches. Angle then threw him out of the ring, where the soldiers put some poorly timed forearms and stomps to him. This cycle repeated several more times. To their credit, the troops all kept their game faces on. Angle finally ended the segment by giving Anderson the Olympic slam, then stood over Anderson with the American flag as all the troops hoisted Angle into the air. A good angle, though they still need to get Anderson’s heat back. Angle’s promo was so solid, Anderson really got some big time heat from the crowd.

Up to this point, the show had largely made sense. That changed quickly. Bubba was trying to talk Hogan out of wrestling again tonight. Didn’t we see 100 of these segments on Thursday? Then Earl Hebner walked in. The announcers never reminded us that Hebner had been suspended for screwing Angle in a match with Styles that hardly anyone remembers now. Hebner was begging for a second chance. At first, Hogan didn’t want to think about it. But Bubba talked Hogan into it. So Hogan arranged for Hebner to referee his match against Flair and Styles. Let’s just count the ways in how this doesn’t make sense. First of all, Hebner screwed Angle based on a payoff from Flair (since he’s Styles’ advisor). So how do we know Flair hasn’t paid him off again to screw Hogan? This reminded me of so many of Hogan’s angles in WCW that were the biggest booking clusterfucks ever. My favorite was the time in 1995 when Hogan booked himself as a face in a tag match against a heel Flair—in Charlotte. Amazing to watch the crowd totally against Hogan, and yet he had the arrogance to still pin Flair with the legdrop. The fans responded by throwing Hogan’s own planted merchandise at him.

The nonsense didn’t end there. Jeff Jarrett confronted James Storm backstage. Apparently, Bischoff arranged for Beer Money to face Jarrett tonight in a handicap match with Mick Foley as the special referee. None of this was brought up beforehand, and the match was treated like a time killer. That’s particularly amazing since Jarrett has headlined more TNA main events than anyone, and Beer Money might still be the most over act in the company. Jarrett wanted to know if Bischoff forced Beer Money to be in the match. Storm said they volunteered. Jarrett brought up the fact that he hand picked Storm to be among the original workers in TNA, and Storm even trained as a wrestler in Jerry Jarrett’s backyard ring. Storm responded it was all about him. It came off like Beer Money had turned heel again, thought they were faces the last time we saw them. Jarrett punched Storm, but Robert Roode jumped Jarrett from behind. Foley broke it up and told them to take it to the ring.

Beer Money defeated Jeff Jarrett in a handicap match in 3:41. I guess Beer Money are heels again, because that’s how they wrestled. Crowd seemed really confused at first, but picked up on it eventually and started booing. Good spot where Jarrett teased giving Storm the running knees to the back, but Roode cut him off with a spinebuster. Roode gave Jarrett a catapault into a Storm DDT. Jarrett made his comeback by throwing Roode out of the ring and backdropping Storm over, as well. Foley pulled out a barbed wire baseball bat and tried to hand it to Jarrett. Then referee Mark “Slick” Johnson, who refereed Thursday’s falls count anywhere match that Sean Morley won over Jarrett (and look how that propelled Morley in the company), grabbed the belt from Jarrett. Johnson must be a heel now, too. That allowed Storm to give Jarrett a low blow, and Roode got the pin after the DWI. *1/4

Brooke Hogan came into Hogan’s dressing room in tears, and it turned into another one of those endless segments where she begs Hogan not to wrestle again. This would have been better if it hadn’t already been done to death and back. Hogan promised his daughter this would be the final time he would wrestle again. Well, aside from the match they’re now teasing with Sting that ruined the RVD debut.

Hulk Hogan and Abyss defeated A.J. Styles and Ric Flair in 7:55. When Hogan was in, it was mainly punch and kick spots. Hogan and Flair move like two men their age move nowadays. Keep in mind, they had programs in 1996 that looked like old timers matches, so you can only imagine what it’s like now. Hogan got all the early offense on Flair, including brawling around ringside where Brooke was seated. Flair got rammed into the barricade and juiced buckets like he was facing Dusty Rhodes in the Greensboro Coliseum. Styles got the tag and went on offense after a low blow. Finally, Abyss got the hot tag and went one-on-one with Styles to set up the Destination X main event. Styles hit the springboard flying forearm and went for the cover, but Abyss kicked out. At that point, Hogan and Abyss started doing the Superman comeback simultaneously. It led to Abyss doing Hogan’s trademark comeback spots (five punches, big boot to the face) on Styles at the same time Hogan was doing them to Flair. Well, roughly the same time because they were off, which even Taz mentioned. Abyss pinned Styles with a black hole slam. Just like Saturday Night’s Main Event from the 80s. *1/2

Postmatch, Wolfe ran in and hit Abyss with a chair, and Flair cut off Hogan with a kick to the chest. Dinero ran down to go after Wolfe, but then he got beat down. This brought out Jeff Hardy, who ran in and gave Wolfe a gordbuster. Wolfe landed at a horrid angle. Hardy climbed the top rope and appeared to be going for a swanton on Styles. Just as he got to the top, the picture went to black and everything ended.

SUMMARY: Show had its high points and low points. It was better balanced, but pushing Hogan to this extinct is just a death knell because it brings the perception they can’t make new stars. Certainly a better show than Thursday, but it’s hard to compete when the WWE has A game going building toward Wrestlemania, which is largely the case right now. The treatment of Van Dam in his debut was wretched. Trying to turn Sting has been futile for years, and it was ironic that Flair was on hand for it tonight. On Flair’s shoot interview from 2008, he laughed about TNA trying to turn Sting heel during the Main Event Mafia days because it just doesn’t work with him. Yet he and Hogan were the two hardest pushed men on the show. The real story comes in a month to see where the ratings are then. I don’t imagine it will be pretty.

credit: Wrestling Observer

TNA Impact full episode/results

click for Full Episode of TNA Impact @ Spike.com

Folks have been very critical of TNA, myself included, but Hulk Hogan & Co. have been the talk of the wrestling town.

They have steadily increased its ratings, including their highest Thursday night rating last week. I only wish for a better product from TNA, but keep on truckin’, Hulkster.

Many of the champions are expected to compete tonight. Very nice. On with the show.

Brutus Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson  (8-Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match)

Before getting to the ring, Anderson self-introduces himself at the top of the ramp. He says he is the future of the four-sided ring. Repeats four-sided ring. He didn’t call himself the future, Hogan did, so it must be true.

Magnus is on the receiving end of a beatdown early on in the match. Anderson even trash talks as he works him over. After Anderson lowers his head for a back drop, Magnus is able to turn the tide with a couple kicks. Magnus has Anderson up for his finisher but Anderson gouges the eyes. Anderson then hits the Mic Check.

Winner: Mr. Anderson via pinfall

Opinion: A match that was pretty much by the book. The match was done before 9:10 p.m. and this was after the show’s opening video and the promo by Anderson. Rating: *1/2

Before the break, Mick Foley is shown arriving in a less-than-stunning car.

Kurt Angle is upset with Hogan. He’s blaming Hulk for allowing Scott Hall and Sean Waltman for attacking him last week. He warns Hulk to expect a visit later tonight.

Eric Bischoff says that Foley’s decision not to get on board with him last week is going to cost Foley dearly. Tires screech, BANG! BANG!. Foley makes his way to the ring. Crowd chants “Foley”. Foley tells Bischoff that he hates his “stinking guts”. Foley doesn’t like the fact that Bischoff came into the business as an outsider. Calls Bischoff the worst announcer ever. Taz quips that Foley must not have heard of Mike Adamle.

Foley shows us that he has Jeremy Borash’s and Abyss’ name written on his hand. He’s passionate as he protects his friends, JB and Abyss. Foley states that Bischoff hasn’t learned a thing after WCW’s demise. Foley won’t stand for EB treating the business like he is doing currently. Foley walks out but Bischoff stops him and tells Foley that he will be facing Kevin Nash tonight.

Backstage, Abyss and Borash are watching the monitor. Abyss wants to know if they will be okay. Borash says he’s just around to get his last check. He worked with Bischoff 10 years ago and has learned that no one is okay when they work for Bischoff.

Tara is with Christy Hemme. Tara mentions that she and Angelina Love weren’t the best of friends when Tara first arrived. However, since Love returned, she seems to have turned over a new leaf. Still, when they wrestle tonight for the Knockouts Championship, Tara will not be losing.

Team 3D vs. Hernandez and Matt Morgan  (TNA Tag Team Championship match)

I’ll be expecting interference by the Nasty Boys.

Hernandez and Ray starts out the match. Hernandez uses a shoulder block that knocks the wind out of Ray. Hernandez goes up to the top rope but Ray gives him a slap to the chest and then tosses him off the turnbuckle. D-Von and Morgan in the ring, D-Von on the offensive until a discus clothesline by Morgan.

Hernandez hoists D-Von to the top rope and is going for a superplex. D-Von bites Hernandez in the head before leaping off and hitting a diving headbutt. Ray comes in and German suplexes Morgan. Fallaway slam to Hernandez. Team 3D is in control now. Before D-Von can hit the What’s Up? the interference comes, as expected. Ray walks into a Carbon Footprint.

After the match, the Boys hit the ring to finish off Team 3D. Hernandez and Morgan return to chase them to the back.

Winner: Hernandez and Matt Morgan via pinfall

Opinion: A nice tag team match. Team 3D appeared close to winning on a few occasions. The interference was expected and didn’t hurt the match. Rating: **1/2

Jessie Neal vs. Samoa Joe

Guess this is a match of two guys who have had nothing to do for weeks. Did they drop the Neal/Team 3D/Rhyno alliance?

Joe is running things from jumpstreet. Neal changes the momentum after gouging at Joe’s eyes. Neal goes to the top but when he jumps off, Joe drops him. Slaps to the face from Joe before sending Neal to the corner. Running knee into Neal’s gut. Muscle Buster.

Winner: Samoa Joe via pinfall

Opinion: Academic match, yet again. Joe made short work of Neal. Rating: *

Hogan tells Hemme that Angle is once again blaming him for something he didn’t do. He isn’t worried about Angle coming to find him. In fact, Hogan tells Hemme to tell Angle where he can find him.

D’Angelo Dinero vs. AJ Styles w/ Ric Flair

AJ starts with a chop to Pope’s chest in the corner. Styles celebrates and gets slapped. Pope hits Styles with some shots, jukes and jives, and knocks Styles to the mat. A back body drop by Dinero and Styles heads to the outside to regroup. Commercial.

Back from break and Styles is in control, hitting Pope with a few elbows. Commercial again. I hate that quick commercial break thing that TNA likes to do. Back…again. AJ hits Pope with a shoulder block and then does a Flair strut. Dropkick by Styles.

Styles is working on Pope’s neck. Snap suplex gets him a two count. Reversal by Pope into a sunset flip gets him a two. Styles back in control after a back elbow. Styles is stomping away. Lifts Pope up but it allows Dinero to mount a comeback. Pele kick drops Pope. Styles charges at Pope in the corner and Pope avoids. Pope goes for the Coronation but AJ moves. Styles goes for a suplex but Pope turns it into a small package.

Winner: D’Angelo Dinero via pinfall

Opinion: Why wasn’t this match the main event? I am not sure the main event will beat this. You put Dinero on my TV and I’m tuning in. These two men delivered with a good match for TV. I like Joe getting involved after the match. Does TNA grant Pope a title shot down the line? Rating: ****

After the match, Flair and Styles attack Pope. Samoa Joe hits the ring and begins to beat up Styles. Flair gets involved and when Joe focuses his attention on Flair, Styles chop blocks Joe. Pope is back up to stop the two on one. Security stops the melee.

We return from commercial with the security still in the ring with Joe and Pope. Flair is on the mic asking Joe if he wants to die tonight. Joe shuts him before he can say anymore. Joe calls Styles a scumbag. Styles sold everything for some overpriced suits and Flair’s hookers. At Against All Odds, Joe is coming after Styles. Joe and Pope head up the ramp to go after Flair and Styles

Angelina Love is sure that The Beautiful People will try to interfere in her match tonight. However, she taught TBP everything they know, but not everything SHE knows. Success is the best revenge and Love is awesome at revenge.

Cut to Kevin Nash and Eric Young. Bischoff comes in and wants to talk to Nash. Bischoff says that Young is another name he probably won’t remember in the morning. Then asks for Nash to mop the floor with Foley tonight. Nash wants to know about Hall and Waltman. Bischoff just wants Nash to take care of business tonight.

Before we get the segment, they show Foley’s attack on Nash two months ago. Foley is with Hemme and says that he will be lacing up his boots tonight. Foley recounts his issues with Nash. Abyss comes up and wants to know what Bischoff meant about Foley having to fall in line or Abyss loses his job. Foley warns Abyss to stay in the back during his match with Nash. Abyss agrees, reluctantly.

Tomko vs. Kurt Angle  (8-Card Stud Tournament Qualifier match)

Tomko gets a shot to be in the title scene? Really?

Suplex by Angle right out the gate on Tomko. Tomko levels him with a kick but Angle gets up and gets right in Tomko’s face. They go outside the ring and when they come inside, Tomko hits Angle with a powerslam. Tomko launches Angle into the ringpost. Another powerslam leads to a two count for Tomko.

Tomko climbs the ropes and Angle bounds up the ropes to hit a top-rope belly-to-belly suplex. Double German suplex. Tomko elbows Angle to break the lock on the third German suplex attempt. Angle Slam gets a two count. Angle avoids a boot and locks in the Germans again, FIVE times. FIVE times! Five times! Five times! Five times! Ankle Lock and Tomko taps.

Winner: Kurt Angle via submission

Opinion: Man, Tomko’s back must hurt. He took seven Germans in that match. It wasn’t a bad match, but that’s probably because most of it was focused on Angle. Rating: **

TNA shows still pictures of TNA overseas.

Then there is a recap package to show the history of Foley and Nash.

Nash is with Hogan. Nash is pleading to Hogan to give Hall and Waltman another chance. Hogan says that those two continue to get chance after chance and screw up.

Video package to show off the issues between The Beautiful People and Angelina Love.

Angelina Love vs. Tara©  (TNA Knockout Championship match)

Does the video package prior to the match ensure a finish involving the ladies of TBP?

The ladies jostle for position early on and it becomes a theme throughout the match. We get a knuckle lock that is seen through two separate commercial breaks. Seems as if there is some kind of wardrobe malfunction for Tara. They blur her chest region for the last half of the match. Widow’s Peak is countered with a roll through by Love. Tara turns the tables and gets the pin on Love.

After the match, TBP hit the ring and beat down Love. Tara takes a few moments before deciding to help Love.

Winner: Tara via pinfall

Opinion: A nice match but I didn’t care for the slow down with the knuckle lock.

Seems Angle finally found Hogan. Angle barges into Hogan’s office and wants explanation about last week’s attack. Hogan asks Angle why he would send Hall and Waltman after him when he fired Hall and Waltman. Hogan tells Angle that he needs to watch his temper. Angle tells Hogan he won’t be screwed with the same way Hogan has screwed with others. This is Hogan’s final warning.

Mick Foley vs. Kevin Nash (No-DQ match)

Foley comes to the ring with Barbie (barbed-wire bat). Nash comes to the ring with a garbage can filled with “toys”. The bell sounds and Nash is immediately playing defense as Foley swings the bat. A shot with the hockey stick takes Foley down and gives Nash the chance to grate Foley’s face with Barbie. Mule kick by Foley stops Nash. They brawl on the outside. Foley goes back in the ring and grabs a picture from the trash can. He hesitates and eats a big boot from Nash. (The picture was the drawing of Foley and Abyss.)

Winner: Kevin Nash via pinfall

Opinion: That was the main event? Really? Come on. A no-DQ match and we see no blood. What is this, WWE? The match was really sorry. Rating: 1/2*

Post match, Hall and Waltman hit the ring. They take out Nash and get a few shots in on Foley as well. Show ends with Hall and Waltman posing.

Overall

Things were up and down tonight. The tag match was good, the Angle/Tomko match was decent, and the whole segment involving AJ Styles (match and post-match) was awesome.

Speaking of Styles, when did Samoa Joe become a face? TNA has guys switching sides without warning. Granted, it was nice to see Joe come out there and all, but there are always multiple changes in TNA when it comes to heels and faces.

I wasn’t a fan of the main event and I’m not feeling the Hall and Waltman involvement. Granted, things might have became interesting with them turning on Nash, but Hall and Waltman on my TV isn’t what I call must-see TV.

Where were the X Division guys? Is TNA done with the Knockouts Tag Team Championship or what?

Eric Young called himself the leader of The World Elite. Is that group actually still intact?

Has TNA made clear the fact that Rob Terry defeated Young overseas?

Overall, this show did a better job than last week’s.

credit: Hit the Ropes

// RESULTS > // TNA > // Impact > //

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Posted in: Impact TNA Impact Results 2/4/10 By PainLord Feb 4, 2010 – 11:11:15 PM

Report by Richard Trionfo and PWinsider.com

TNA Impact 2/4/10
From Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida
Announcers: Mike Tenay and Taz

We start off tonight’s show with a look back at the Mick Foley/Eric Bischoff/Hulk Hogan issues from last week. We also see the issues that Hulk Hogan had with Kurt Angle, but Kurt was the bigger man and he apologized. Then we see Jeff Jarrett try to fix his problems with Hulk Hogan and Bischoff.

Before our first match, we get Ken Anderson’s introduction to let us know what his current weight and home town are. Ken says that he is the future of the four sided ring. Anderson says that since Hogan said he is the future, it is true.

We also see footage from Anderson’s match with Jarrett from last week.

Match Number One: Brutus Magnus versus Ken Anderson in an 8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match

Anderson with a knee and forearm followed by a punch. Magnus with punches of his own. Anderson with a kick to Magnus and then he stomps on Magnus’ hand. Anderson with a hard Irish whip. Anderson kicks Magnus and continues to do so while he talks to the referee. Anderson punches Magnus but Magnus punches back. Magnus with a kick to Anderson followed by a boot to the chest. Magnus with a back elbow and a Japanese clothesline for a near fall. Magnus gets Anderson on his shoulders but Anderson with a rake of the eyes and the mic check for the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson

We see Mick Foley arrive at the Impact Zone compound in his compact rental. He gets out of his car and he walks towards the Impact Zone. We go to commercial.

We are back to talk to Kurt Angle. Christy asks him about his match with Tomko. Angle says that he will take care of Tomko quick. He wants to talk about Hulk Hogan who looks him in the eyes and then has his jackals attack him. Christy wants to know if Angle thinks that Hall and Waltman were doing it for Hogan. Angle tells Hogan, screw me once, shame on me, screw me twice, shame on you.

We run through the card for tonight’s show featuring the Knockouts, Tag Team, and World Champions in the ring, with two of them defending titles.

It is time for Eric Bischoff to make his first of many appearances tonight as he comes to the ring. Eric says that it is good to be here one more time. He says that last week he was clear with Foley that they needed to be on the same page, but Foley did not want to be on the same page. Eric says that it is a decision that will cost Foley dearly.

Mick Foley’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Foley circles Bischoff before addressing him. Foley tells Eric that his reputation in the business is that there is something wrong in his head. It wasn’t because of what he did to his body that nobody would do. It is because he likes about everybody. Foley says that people would get him to say negative things about people like Marcus Bagwell, Paul Heyman, and Jim Hellwig. However, he does not dislike anyone . . . other than Eric Bischoff because he hates his guts. He calls Bischoff a slick little hustler and the opposite of everything that he believes in. Foley says that Bischoff came in from the outside as a salesman and announcer. Foley calls Bischoff the worst announcer ever. Foley says that Eric became an executive because he did not embody old school wrestling. Foley says that he wasn’t old school, but he might have gone to the school that burned down before old school.

Bischoff says that it is not about the two of them, it is about other people. Foley says that he loves being part of TNA but he has prepared for the worst case scenario. Foley says that he has been saving every time. He talks about how he didn’t deal with the luxuries even when he was WWE champion. Foley wants to know who Bischoff is to play with Borash and Abyss’ careers. He says that the Impact Zone would shut down without JB and he says that Bischoff doesn’t know or care about it and shows that he doesn’t know what makes TNA tick.

Eric says that the control and power makes him tick. Eric says that if Foley doesn’t want to be on the same page as him, he can respect that. If he isn’t going to get on the same page, he will have to turn the page. Eric says that he is going to write the next chapter in the Mick Foley story. Foley and Bischoff both mention that they are New York Times Bestsellers. Foley reminds Bischoff what he wrote about him. Foley tells Eric that he knows that it might not last forever and he can understand if the relationship is over, but he won’t let Bischoff mess with the ‘woman’ that he loves.

Bischoff tells Eric to look at his hand because he still has Borash and Abyss’ futures in his hand. Eric tells Foley that he will be wrestling tonight and he will be facing Kevin Nash in a No Disqualification Match. Eric talks about Foley’s past with Nash and how he jumped him so it is tit for tat. Eric tells Foley that Nash gets his revenge tonight.

Abyss is watching in the back with Jeremy Borash and Abyss is freaking out. He wants to know if he is going to be okay. Borash asks Abyss if he is okay. He suggests that he should get his final paycheck. Borash says that he worked for Bischoff ten years ago and it is never okay. Abyss babbles and pulls at his hair as we go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to go to Tara who is with Christy Hemme. She asks Tara about her title defense against Angelina Love. Tara says that Angelina made her life miserable when she started in TNA, but she has seen a change in Angelina since her return. Tara says that Angelina earned her respect last week but she says that she is ready for Angelina.

Match Number Two: Hernandez and Matt Morgan versus Team 3D for the TNA Tag Titles

Ray and Hernandez start things off and they lock up. Ray backs Hernandez into the corner and he breaks clean. They lock up again and Ray with a side head lock but Ray blocks a punch and Hernandez does the same to Ray. They lock up and Ray with another side head lock but Hernandez with a shoulder tackle and he misses a splash into the corner. Ray with an Irish whip and Ray with a splash into the corner. Hernandez kicks Ray away and he goes up to the turnbuckles. Ray with a chop to Hernandez and Ray throws Hernandez off the turnbuckles. Ray with an elbow drop for a near fall. Devon tags in and he connects with elbows. Hernandez with a forearm and Morgan tags in. Devon with punches to Morgan and hits a flying clothesline followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Morgan with a clothesline to Devon for a near fall. Hernandez tags back in and he works on Devon’s neck. Devon with an elbow but Hernandez with a body block for a near fall. Hernandez puts Devon on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex but Devon bites Hernandez and then he hits a diving head butt to the ribs. Ray and Morgan tag in and Ray punches Morgan and then he tries for a German suplex but Morgan blocks it. Morgan with elbows but Ray hits the German suplex followed by a Samoan drop on Hernandez. Team 3D hit a belly-to-back and neck breaker combination for a near fall. Team 3D with a double shoulder block on Hernandez followed by a slam by Ray. Devon goes up and The Nasty Boys push Devon off. Hernandez pushes Ray into the Carbon Footprint for the three count.
Winners: Matt Morgan and Hernandez

After the match, the Nasty Boys comes out and they Knobs has a chair but Hernandez and Morgan come out and the Nasty Boys leave. Morgan and Hernandez check on Team 3D and then Team 3D leaves the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back for a bit and D’Angelo Dinero is getting ready for his match and then we go back to commercial.

Match Number Three: Jesse Neal versus Samoa Joe

Jesse attacks Joe before the bell rings but Joe with a suplex and punches and chops in the corner. Joe with an Irish whip and running elbow followed by an enzuigiri. Jesse with punches to Joe but Joe with a head butt. Neal with a rake of the eyes followed by a forearm to the back and head. Jesse goes to the turnbuckles but Joe moves out of the way when Jesse tries for a cross body. Joe with slaps to Jesse followed by an Irish whip and running knee into the corner. Joe with the muscle buster and he gets the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe

We go to the back where Christy is with Hulk Hogan and she wants to know if Hogan has anything to say about Kurt’s comments. Hogan says that he did not hear Angle’s comments. Hogan says that he didn’t have anything to do with that attack and he tells Angle that he will be around. Christy tells Hogan that Angle said that he was looking for him. Hogan says that he will be around. We go to commercial.

Match Number Four: D’Angelo Dinero versus A.J. Styles with Ric Flair in a Non Title Match

They lock up and Dinero works on the arm and wrist but Styles backs Dinero into the corner. Styles with a break but he chops Dinero but he looks at Flair and Dinero with a slap and then he hits a drop toe hold and works on the arm. Styles with a kick and he tries for a slam but Dinero with a series of elbows and then he punches Styles. Dinero with a back body drop and Styles goes to the floor and we go to commercial.

We are back and Styles with a kick and elbow to Dinero’s head. We go back to commercial.

We are back and Styles with a shoulder tackle and then he connects with an elbow to the back of the head and chops him. Styles with the phenomenal drop kick and we see Flair strut on the floor. Styles with kicks to Dinero and then he catapults him into bottom rope. Styles with a chop and punch but Dinero with a chop of his own. Styles with a rear chin lock and then he chokes Dinero. Styles chokes Dinero in the ropes and then he hits a suplex and then he punches Dinero. Dinero punches Styles and then he gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Styles with a back elbow to Dinero and then he returns to the chin lock. Styles pulls Dinero to the mat by the hair. Styles with a kick to the head and Dinero with a chop but Styles with more kicks. Dinero blocks a punch and he connects with punches of his own. Dinero with a series of punches and then he hits a reverse atomic drop and a flying shoulder for a near fall. Styles with a rake of the eyes followed by a Pele kick. Flair taunts Dinero while he tries to get to his feet. Styles misses a splash into the corner. Dinero with a chop but Styles moves out of the way when Dinero tries for the splash in the ropes. Styles tries for a suplex but Dinero with an inside cradle to counter and he gets the three count.
Winner: D’Angelo Dinero

After the match, Ric Flair and Styles attack Dinero. Samoa Joe comes to the ring and he punches Styles. Joe chokes Styles with his shirt but Flair chops Joe and Joe doesn’t feel it. Styles clips Joe and then he punches Joe. Flair with a knee to the hamstring. Dinero kicks Styles while Joe clotheslines Flair over the top rope onto the ramp.

Security finally makes their way to the ring and we go to commercial.

We are back and Ric Flair asks Joe if he wants to die tonight while Joe is being held back by security. Flair tells Joe that it is the new TNA and he will get his ass beat. Joe tells Flair to shut his mouth. He then tells A.J. that he is a scum bag. He doesn’t care if they were friends or enemies, but A.J. was a warrior. He tells A.J. that he has given up on that for a few suits and hookers. Joe says that he needs to remind A.J. that he is a man so he is going to cash in his title shot at Against All Odds. Joe tells A.J. that he will have to deal with the inevitable. Joe suggests to Dinero that they give A.J. and Flair a preview . . .

but we go to Angelina Love in the interview area with Christy and Christy asks them if Velvet, Lacey, and Madison will get involved in her match. Angelina taught them everything they know but she did not teach them everything she knows. She says that they never should have replaced her and wonders how that is working. Angelina suggests that she might become a three time champion tonight. She says that she is awesome at revenge.

Kevin Nash and Eric Young are in the dressing room and Eric Bischoff enters and he doesn’t know who Eric Young is. Eric introduces himself and then Eric remembers and asks him to leave. Eric says that it is another name he probably won’t remember in the morning. Eric says that he needs a favor from Kevin. He wants Kevin to mop up Foley in a No Disqualification Match. Kevin wants some reciprocity from Bischoff and mentions Hall and Waltman. Eric calls them screw ups and he tells Nash that if he likes that tune, he can play it too . . . or he can destroy Mick Foley for him. We go to commercial.

We are back with an Earlier Tonight Moment of Eric Bischoff announcing the match between Mick Foley and Kevin Nash. We see the footage from two months ago when Foley attacked Kevin Nash in the empty arena.

We go to Mick Foley with Christy Hemme. Christy asks Mick about his match with Kevin Nash. She asks if he is going to fall in line. Foley says that while he is not in traditional wrestling attire, he will be lacing it up instead of falling in line. Christy asks about the bad blood. Foley says that they have unresolved differences, but then he thinks about what Nash put him through the last few weeks. He talks about being sent to meet with Lou ‘Hulk’ Ferrigno. Abyss interrupts and he wants to know if Foley is going to fall in line. Foley says that he will take care of business in the ring. Foley wants Abyss to promise that he doesn’t get involved in the match.

Match Number Five: Tomko versus Kurt Angle in an 8 Card Stud Qualifying Match

Angle with a German suplex but Tomko with a big boot and Angle pops up and then he connects with a head butt and clotheslines Tomko over the top rope to the floor. Angle slams Tomko’s head into the ring steps. Tomko with a power slam to a charging Angle followed by an Irish whip and a running clothesline. Tomko with an Irish whip and Angle’s shoulder goes into the ring post. Tomko with a standing power slam for a near fall. Tomko with a head lock but Angle with punches. Tomko with a vertical choke slam and then he goes to the apron. Eventually he goes up top but Angle recovers and hits a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down. Angle tries for the Three Rivers German suplex combination but Tomko stops him after two. Angle with an Olympic slam but he can only get a two count. Tomko with a clothesline and then he misses the big boot. Angle with five rolling German suplexes and the straps are down and then he puts Tomko in the ankle lock and he grapevines the leg. Tomko taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle

Angelina Love and Tara are walking in split screen as we go to commercial.

We are back with footage from the TNA tour of Europe and the ring looks different from the one in Orlando.

In case you forgot all of the problems between Mick Foley and Kevin Nash, here is a recap.

Hulk Hogan is in his office and Nash enters. Kevin talks about the Foley thing and he says that he is on the team. Nash says that he doesn’t like Foley. He asks Hogan if he can give Pac and Hall another chance. Hogan says that he wanted them here, but he has given them too many chances. He tells Nash to distance himself from those guys. Hogan says that he doesn’t get their thing right now. Nash tells Hogan to keep an open mind. Hogan tells Nash not to let them suck him in.

We have a video package showing the issues between Angelina Love and her former tag team partners as well as the arrival of Lacey Von Erich on the scene.

Match Number Six: Angelina Love versus Tara for the TNA Women’s Title

They lock up and Tara with a side head lock and take down. Angelina gets a near fall by rolling Tara over. Angelina with a head scissors and Tara escapes and gets a near fall but Angelina with a bridge into a back slide for a near fall. After all of that action, we go to commercial.

We are back and Tara is working on the wrist but we go back to commercial.

We are back and we have a test of strength and Angelina with a take down into a hammer lock. Angelina works on the arm some more but Tara with a cartwheel but Angelina with a take down for a near fall. Tara with an Irish whip and Angelina with a sunset flip for a near fall. Tara with the uranage side slam for a near fall. Angelina with a forearm but she misses a bicycle kick. Tara sets for the Widow’s Peak but Angelina counters. Tara with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Tara

After the match, Tara and Angelina shake hands but Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, and Lacey Von Erich attack Angelina. Tara punches Lacey, Velvet, and Madison. Angelina joins in the attack. Madison and Lacey are unable to take care of Angelina and Tara but Velvet is able to escape.

We go to the outer parts of the Impact Zone compound and we see Scott Hall and Sean Waltman trying to prepare their entry into the Impact Zone. We go to commercial.

We are back and Kurt Angle storms into Hogan’s office and he wants Hogan to explain what happened last week. Hogan says that he didn’t give Hall and Waltman contracts because they are thugs and then he talks about Angle’s conspiracy theories brother. Hogan brings up Angle’s blown opportunities brother. Angle says that he wants to know what Hogan’s agenda is. Angle talks about the people that Hogan has done business with in the past. Angle says that Hogan will not screw with him. He tells Hogan this is his last warning. Hogan tells Angle, brother, to get out of his office and he says please.

Match Number Seven: Mick Foley versus Kevin Nash in a No Disqualification Match

Nash comes to the ring with Raven’s shopping cart of weapons. Foley has a barbed wire baseball bat. Foley hits the trash can with the barbed wire bat. Nash gets a chair and he blocks the bat some more. Nash hits Foley in the legs with the hockey stick and then Nash has the bat and he uses it on Foley. Foley with a back kick to the groin and then Foley with a running forearm to the head. Foley sends Nash’s head into the guardrail and the apron. Foley with punches to the top of the head. Foley is about to hit Nash with something but Nash with a big boot and he gets the three count.
Winner: Kevin Nash

After the match, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman make their way through the crowd and into the ring. Hall punches Nash and Waltman with a spin kick. Waltman and Hall continue the attack on Nash.

We go to credits.

TNA WTF?

Make Movement: The Importance of Differential Branding and Why Wrestling Matters

It’s a old age rule in marketing, in life and in the wrestling business. Make yourself, you, as a brand, different. That is, if you want to be remembered and want to make bank. If you don’t want to stand out among your peers, in your company, or among the wrestling landscape as a whole as something special, different and worth remembering, then repeat what ‘has always worked for you’ and then watch yourself be dropped from your slot, your spot and from your deal.

TNA was on the road to being that ‘different brand’ and that’s what they are trying to sell wrestling fans on but if you base it on what you saw at Genesis, then you got more of ‘what has worked before… must work again, (damn it).’ If this was a Pepsi versus Coke taste test in the form of wrestling, fans aren’t going to know the difference between the two big brands at this rate. It’s one thing to say you are going to be “pro wrestling” and are the ‘anti-sports entertainment’ brand, but when you deliver a finish (after a four star match between AJ Styles and Kurt Angle, a good old fashion, story in the ring between two very capable main eventers) that ends in a old swerve heel gimmick (the ref gets pulled out by Nature Boy who watches the match for a good 15 minutes or so, AJ decides to go along with Ric’s cheating and then the ref as if NOTHING HAPPENED OUT OF THE ORDINARY COUNTS FOR THREE FOR THE ‘CLEAN’ WIN!), when it COULD have been a clean finish and ended on the ‘we deliver wrestling’ note….then how can I (or anyone else) take you seriously, Mr. Russo/Bischoff/Hogan and Ms. Carter?

If that wasn’t enough to piss off people like me who like a good story being told in the ring, you take away the one gimmick that makes TNA stand out….the six-sided ring. Boy, did fans really crap all over that guys. The six-sided ring, gimmick ring or not, at least offered something different and innovative. Instead, we’re back to the basic ring so more passive fans who don’t watch the sport closely can see no difference in brand presentation. Just because guys who haven’t wrestled in the six-sided ring before may be a little green in there, doesn’t mean you trash it because it makes certain guys uncomfortable. I remember once upon a time when talent started out in the ‘indies’ and didn’t care where they wrestled, as long as they got to grow at their craft. It’s talent that tap into that passion, that passion of performing because they are confident in their skills, and getting a reaction from the crowd that has them riding the wave with them…..when every night is a WrestleMania type experience for all involved, if everyone went into this business with that attitude, maybe the sport would be a better place to play in.

credit: Inside Pulse

TNA Impact full episode/results

click for Full Episode of TNA Impact @ Spike.com

“The Band” is the title of tonight’s episode of iMPACT!

We start things off this week with a video package of what went down on January 4th at the first TNA iMPACT! of 2010 and the debut of Hulk Hogan in TNA. Without a doubt TNA goes straight into the action with the debut of Generation Me.
Generation Me vs. Motor City Machine Guns

The new guys show up and show us why they got signed. Generation Me bring it to the MCMG’s and catch the win in their TNA debut. These kids were fast and furious and full of high flying tactics. Reminded me of the Hardys in their early days.

Members of “The Band” arrived during this match backstage. Are we calling the nWo “The Band” ?? You guys coulda came up with a lil something better, come on…

Meanwhile The Nasty Boys are in their new locker room and have Team 3D locked out. New feud here for sure. Now the NB’s are defiantly old cats and most people aren’t interested in seeing the same old same old, but I believe this is a fresh tag feud for TNA. I don’t think these teams have never squared off in the past. Correct me if I’m wrong here. It’s nice to see that TNA cares about the tag division.

Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring and gives AJ his props for their match last week on iMPACT! Styles comes out and thanks Kurt then tells him that at Genesis it’s Angle’s last shot for 2010. This was a Cena-Orton moment. Styles gets bum rushed by the masked man on his way up the ramp. The masked man gets AJ in the ring and beats down Styles and takes off the mask and it’s…..Tomko! AJ’s former partner.

Bubba the Love Sponge is in the back with “The Band”. Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman. Bubba’s asking where Foley is and gets no answers. Christy calls Waltman Six Pac. Classic!

credit: PWNewsNow

Hulk Hogan Signs with TNA Wrestling

hulk hogan on tna impact thursday night on spike tv @ 8pm ct

“Hulkamania” is back!

The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, is joining Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), the fastest rising wrestling organization in the world and home to one of cable television’s highest rated shows for young men, TNA iMPACT!  The announcement was made today by TNA Wrestling in conjunction with Spike TV at a press conference held in New York City.

“Hulk Hogan is one of the world’s top pop culture icons and the biggest superstar in the history of professional wrestling.  We are truly excited to welcome him into the TNA family,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling.  “Our goal is to become the world’s biggest professional wrestling company.  Hulk defines professional wrestling and we look forward to partnering with him in a variety of ways as we continue to grow TNA globally.”

“I’m thrilled to be jumping back into the world of professional wrestling,” said Hogan.  “My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now.  TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner.  I firmly believe now is the time for some change at TNA as they are positioned to jump to the next level in their development and I’m here to work with Dixie to help make that a reality.”

… for more visit tnawrestling/hogan impact preview

will he wrestle? –

The legendary Hulk Hogan is coming out of retirement to join a new cable TV wrestling show.

TNA Wrestling, a fledgling wrestling group, has announced that the former WWE wrestler will join the organization, which produces the weekly “TNA Impact” for the Spike TV cable network.

Hogan’s role has not been defined but he issued a statement saying that “my fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full-time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now.”

He said: “TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base and business.”

Hogan, 59, who has had hip replacement surgery, could become a ringside commentator and not have to actually take a body-slam again.

Hogan left the WWE to become a VH1 reality star (“Hogan Knows Best”) and was host of the now-canceled “American Gladiators.”

TNA officials say he will be involved in developing “new programming

… for more visit tampabayonline/hogan returns to wrestling

eric bischoff’s role with tna-

Update on Eric Bischoff’s Role with TNA, Monday Night Rumors

It is not confirmed that Eric Bischoff will have an on-air role with Hulk Hogan in TNA and some sources are indicating he won’t be appearing on TV right away, if at all. While he may appear on-air at some point and may help out with creative some, he will be working more behind the scenes with the company. Bischoff is partnering with TNA through his entertainment company, Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment.

Bischoff was a key player in Hogan signing with TNA and will be working with TNA on creating a new TV show and securing new TV deals. There are already rumors floating around that TNA is considering a Monday night show, still keeping iMPACT on Thursday nights.

… for more visit impactwrestling/eirc bischoff tna wrestling

what about the australian tour?-

From Hulkamania.co.au

Following the extraordinary excitement generated by the Hulkamania – Let The Battle Begin Australian Tour, Hulk Hogan has announced that he is joining TNA in America.

CSEG and Eric Bischoff stress that the only opportunity to see Hulk Hogan wrestle in Australia will be at
Hulkamania – Let The Battle Begin in November.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to see this legend take on the only opponent worthy of him – The Nature Boy, Ric Flair.

… for more visit 411mania/hogan tour update

Oct. 18th – TNA Bound for Glory Results

TNA Bound for Glory: AJ Styles Retains, Eric Young becomes a Legend, Joe Submitted, Abyss pins Foley

Bobby Lashley vs. Samoa Joe

Good match.  Crowd was into this, more because they were so heavily cheering Joe and booing Lashley.  Lashley’s been booked like hell, but a lot of this was also because Joe is from Southern California.  Joe dominated the match which made the crowd happy, but when Joe tried a third uranage, Joe reversed into an Anaconda vise.  Joe never tapped but ref Earl Hebner stopped the match.  They kept showing Kristal Marshall in the crowd, like she was coming in, but called Kristal Lashley with no acknoweldgement she’d ever worked in wrestling.

Mick Foley vs. Abyss in Monster’s Brawl

Crazy, fucked up match.  A series of stunt bumps, starting with Abyss taking a bump off the structure in the entrance through the stage and broke, and then Foley did a elbow drop with a barbed wire bat on him.  The match continued like that.  Crowd loved it.  Abyss gave Dr. Stevie, the ref, shock treatment.  Totally screwed up spot as Daffney gave Foley a taser and he nailed Abyss with it.  Jamie Tucker ran in and was supposed to count two and Abyss was to kick out.  Well, he counted three, and Abyss kicked out, they ignored the count since it wasn’t the finish, and continued.  That flattened the crowd, but they did get them back.  Finish saw Abyss choke slam Daffney off the top rope onto a barbed wire board, then give Stevie a black hole slam on Stevie on thumb tacks.  Finally he choke slammed Foley on a barbed wire board, dragged Stevie and grabbed Stevie’s hand to count three as he pinned Foley.

… for more visit f4wonline/tna bound for glory results

TNA Impact Preview

TNA Wrestling returns to SpikeTV on Thursday night for two hours of Total Nonstop Action as the road continues to the August 16 “Hard Justice” Pay-Per-View event!

The below is a preview of what will take place on the broadcast (card is subject to change)

– What happened with the huge brawl involving nearly the entire roster and the authorities taking control? Tensions reach a reach a breaking point on Thursday’s “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV as a full scale riot breaks out! Don’t miss the chaotic footage!

– How will Bobby Lashley react to the beatdown at the hands of The Main Event Mafia? Tune in and find out!

– NEW TNA Legends Champion Mick Foley will be present on the broadcast!

– The featured match on Thursday’s broadcast will be “The Icon” Sting taking on Brutus Magnus of The British Invasion

– Eric Young of The World Elite faces Daniels

– A special sitdown interview will air with Hernandez as he talks about his return to TNA Wrestling

– TNA World Tag Team Champions Booker T and Scott Steiner of The Main Event Mafia will team with new IWGP Tag Team Champions The British Invasion to face Team 3D and Beer Money in an 8-man tag team match.

– In the second match of their Best Of 3 Series, it will be “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles taking on “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan

All this and much more on Thursday’s broadcast as the road to the August 16 “Hard Justice” Pay-Per-View continues!

… for more visit tnawrestling

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TNA Impact Results

Bobby Lashley made his return, teasing joining the Mafia, but instead joining the Frontline

The Big News: Taz did his first bona fide promo since around 2001, and it was worth the wait. Aside from that, it was another night where the babyfaces left you shaking your head.

Taz made his Impact debut and immediately mentioned wrestling for “a little promotion” called ECW. He talked about suffering spinal injuries that caused his wrestling career to be cut short. He skipped over the two years he actually wrestled in WWE and jumped straight to his announcing career on Smackdown and ECW on ScyFy. When Tazz made his debut in the WWE at the 2000 Royal Rumble, he had all of Madison Square Garden roaring for him when he went over Kurt Angle clean. And it was all downhill from there. He talked about watching TNA Wrestling one night and seeing this wrestler with untapped potential, and his name was Samoa Joe. I remember watching TNA in 2005 and thinking Joe was the most charismatic star in the company by his third appearance. And it’s all been downhill from there. Except for Lockdown 2008. Taz said he saw the second coming of himself when he saw Joe. What kind of a message is that? Taz said he told Joe he could bring him to the next level. Taz said he was forever indebted to Angle for security Joe’s services to the Mafia. Taz said tonight Joe would become the next X Division champion when he faces Homicide, then did the old “Beat Joe if you can” catchphrase. Crowd was totally behind Taz, and it was a good promo for someone who hasn’t cut one in forever in this context.

… for more visit wrestlingobserver/impact results

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